Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Joe HendersonDecember 12, 2018

If the Tampa Bay Rays can’t make Ybor City work as the spot for a new stadium, there is an alternative that makes a lot of sense. Derby Lane could be the answer. The dog racing industry in Florida will be dead in about two years, thanks to Amendment 13, approved by 69 percent of […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 11, 2018

With the Ybor City stadium deal likely dead, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman is ready and willing to again talk about keeping the Tampa Bay Rays in his city. “The memorandum of understanding we struck with the Tampa Bay Rays worked as intended. The organization was given three years to explore future stadium sites throughout […]

Joe HendersonDecember 11, 2018

What just happened with the Tampa Bay Rays stadium that was supposed to be built in Ybor City, except now there may not be enough money to make that happen? Well, take your pick of multiple options and there’s no way to say now whether you are definitively right or wrong. Does it open the […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 5, 2018

Hillsborough County now has a funding framework in place to fund half of a new baseball stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays. However, the team has yet to say whether or not they are willing to play ball. The plan would leverage private investment to avoid taxpayer subsidies. If the team rejects the deal, there […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 29, 2018

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Veteran 10News reporter Noah Pransky is leaving his post at the Tampa Bay-area news station after the end of this year, he told Florida Politics Thursday. For a decade, Pransky has been doing political reporting and investigative work for the station, also called News Channel 10. Pransky said he hasn’t decided where his professional career […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

Hillsborough County’s transportation referendum passed Tuesday night, with 57 percent of the vote. It’s a huge win for transportation and transit activists who have seen initiative after initiative fail locally at the ballot box. “We are humbled by tonight’s results, which confirm that Hillsborough County is ready to invest in a transportation plan that truly […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 24, 2018

Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays now officially own soccer’s Tampa Bay Rowdies, the Rays announced Wednesday. The Rays finalized the sale for an undisclosed amount after the 2018 United Soccer League season concluded. Rays leadership said the transition from previous owner Bill Edwards will begin immediately. Edwards announced at the beginning of the month he was selling the […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 6, 2018

The All for Transportation campaign raised more than $1 million during the second half of September, according to campaign finance documents filed with Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections. All three of the region’s major league sports teams — the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Tampa Bay Rays — contributed to the […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 2, 2018

The Tampa Bay Rowdies will continue playing soccer in the United Soccer League for at least five more seasons, the team announced Tuesday. Owner Bill Edwards is selling the team to the Tampa Bay Rays and made the five year guarantee a stipulation of that sale. Edwards did not disclose his selling price or additional […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 1, 2018

The Tampa Bay Rays are reportedly purchasing the Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer franchise and may also buy Al Lang Stadium. “Mr. [Bill] Edwards deserves much appreciation for remaking the Tampa Bay Rowdies and investing in Al Lang Stadium and our community,” St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman said in a statement. “Similarly, the Tampa Bay Rays’ […]

Tag: Tampa Bay Rays

Joe Henderson: Derby Lane might now be Rays best stadium bet

With Ybor stadium deal dead, St. Petersburg back in play for Rays

Joe Henderson: Tampa Bay Rays stadium plans unsettled again as Ybor looks dicey

Ybor City Rays stadium deal has a funding plan, but it might not be enough

Award-winning watchdog reporter Noah Pransky to leave WTSP

Hillsborough transportation, education sales tax initiatives pass

Tampa Bay Rays finalize Rowdies purchase; changes in store

Hillsborough transportation initiative rakes in $1 million as pro sports teams go all-in

Tampa Bay Rowdies to play at Al Lang for at least 5 years after Rays buy the team

Tampa Bay Rays to purchase Rowdies, Al Lang Stadium