Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersOctober 29, 2018

Yet again, a 21st-century business model is clashing with how business always has been done — creating a running battle at Orlando International Airport and other airports where authorities are trying to stop emerging car-sharing operations from acting, in the airports’ views, as unpermitted, unregulated rental-car companies. Specifically, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and Turo, […]

Guest AuthorMay 7, 2018

Several months behind schedule and more than $1 billion later, the shiny new rental car facility at Tampa International Airport opened earlier this year to decidedly mixed reviews. For the amount of money taxpayers have ponied up, I think we’re all hoping the experience is better than what we’ve gotten on our taxpayer-subsidized sports stadiums. […]

Phil AmmannAugust 7, 2017

Tampa International Airport is preparing for the future, moving ahead with a multibillion-dollar expansion project while setting new passenger records in 2017. However, Noah Pransky of WTSP found that TIA appears hesitant to embrace the latest transportation disruptor: ridesharing technology companies Uber and Lyft. With significant ridership increases, Uber and Lyft have impacted airport revenues […]

Joe HendersonMay 24, 2017

It wasn’t luck that Tampa was selected Tuesday to host its fifth Super Bowl. When the National Football League learned the new stadium being built in Los Angeles won’t be ready in time for the game in 2021, it had to find a city not only ready to step in on short notice, but one […]

Associated PressMay 8, 2017

Tampa International Airport’s cargo business is growing, thanks in large part to the online retailer Amazon. Seattle-based Amazon has opened two enormous distribution centers in the greater Tampa Bay area. To supply those warehouses with merchandise, Amazon is shipping goods to Tampa International Airport daily aboard a Boeing 767 cargo freighter plane. The Tampa Bay […]

Jim RosicaApril 29, 2017

While Senate and House negotiators made progress on many tourism, transportations and economic development budgetary issues Saturday, a slew of line items will be “bumped” up to Appropriations Chairs Jack Latvala and Carlos Trujillo. Most notable was a bump of proviso language on an audit of Tampa International Airport’s master renovation plan. State Sen. Tom Lee, a […]

Phil AmmannApril 29, 2017

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Budget language filed in the Florida House Saturday morning would OK a controversial state audit of Tampa International Airport. As reported by Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida, Brandon Republican Sen. Tom Lee unexpectedly filed an amendment last week on the Senate floor, which proposes an audit of TIA’s renovation master plan. Lee’s amendment raised concern […]

Phil AmmannApril 25, 2017

Tampa International Airport’s chief executive officer welcomed the possibility of an audit as suggested by state Sen. Tom Lee last week. “We get audited all the time,” Joe Lopano said last week at a meeting of the St. Petersburg City Council. The Tampa Bay Business Journal reported Lopano was on hand to present the $543 […]

Mitch PerryApril 12, 2017

Sparks flew on the floor of the Florida Senate Wednesday between Tampa Bay-area Republicans after Tom Lee stated that “potential public corruption” is taking place at Tampa International Airport. The Brandon Republican then proposed inserting an amendment to the Senate budget calling for the Auditor General to review spending at the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, which is […]

Jim RosicaOctober 26, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott got a figurative swift kick in the pants Monday when the head of Tampa’s leading business group told him to get a move on in filling a vacancy on the local aviation authority’s board. “Possibly unlike any appointment you will make, this next appointment is both an opportunity and your responsibility to make […]

Next clash over ‘sharing’ business models — cars — being waged at Orlando airport

Chris Hudson: Tampa airport ignores ride-sharing trend, taxpayers beware

Is Tampa airport expansion ‘betting big’ on old tech over distuptors like ridesharing?

Joe Henderson: When NFL suddenly needed a Super host, it knew who to call

Amazon’s presence in Tampa area means booming cargo business

Proviso language on Tampa airport audit ‘bumped’ to budget chairs

House considers contentious Tampa International Airport audit

‘Join the club’ — Tampa Airport CEO welcomes Tom Lee’s proposed audit

Sparks fly with Tampa Bay GOP senators over Tom Lee’s call for Tampa International Airport audit

Tampa Chamber CEO to Rick Scott: “You owe us” after Sam Rashid fiasco