Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressMarch 24, 2017

Three metro areas in Florida were among the nation’s 10 biggest gainers in the number of people moving there last year, and another three Florida metro areas were in the top 10 for overall growth rates. The U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday said the Tampa area had the nation’s fourth-highest gain from people moving there […]

Staff ReportsMarch 24, 2017

Florida’s unemployment rate held steady at 5 percent in February. This marks the second month in a row the state’s unemployment rate has been at 5 percent, and mirrors the unemployment rate the state experienced in the first two months of 2016, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. The state added 239,800 jobs […]

Joe HendersonFebruary 3, 2017

I have spent a lot of words arguing that Tampa and Hillsborough County should welcome the ride-share companies Uber and Lyft instead of fighting to preserve a monopoly that has been enjoyed by traditional cab companies. I still feel that way. However, if Uber and Lyft are allowed to operate the way they want, taxi […]

Dominic CalabroJanuary 17, 2017

Politicians talk repeatedly about doing things to help create jobs. But, sometimes, doing nothing is the best option. We hope that newly-elected lawmakers understand that less government intrusion is often the key to keeping the American Dream alive. A great example is the 2009 “Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.” This innocuously named effort actually […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 30, 2016

If you can’t make it to Times Square to ring in 2017, have no fear: The nation’s best place to party might be closer than you think. A new WalletHub report ranked Orlando as the best place to celebrate New Year’s Eve. And the Central Florida city wasn’t the only Sunshine State city on the […]

Scott PowersDecember 21, 2016

Airbnb has reached an agreement Wednesday with the Hillsborough County Tax Collector Office, in a deal that could immediately add thousands of dollars in county revenue. Home hosts in Hillsborough will begin paying bed taxes for overnight guests, which is estimated at about one-quarter million dollars a year. Airbnb will collect and remit taxes from 838 […]

Joe HendersonNovember 17, 2016

The rebirth of downtown Tampa brought inevitable speculation that Mayor Bob Buckhorn might parlay it into a shot at the governor’s mansion in 2018. The job obviously has appeal for someone like Buckhorn, who likes a big stage and challenge. Asking him to tip his hand about a possible run, though, has proved to be […]

Scott PowersOctober 28, 2016

Women who lost their children to gun violence or in police-involved incidents organized as “Mothers of the Movement” will campaign for Hillary Clinton in Tampa and Orlando Friday and Saturday, Clinton’s campaign announced. The group features Lucia McBath, the mother of Jordan Davis; Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner; Geneva Reed-Veal, the mother of Sandra […]

Joe HendersonOctober 27, 2016

Earlier this week, NBC political chief Chuck Todd was chatting with Republican strategist Jeff Roe, picking out three places around the country where election geeks should focus special attention. Hillsborough County topped the list. Are we surprised? Todd noted that Roe considered it “the bellwether county in the country” and added, “you could make that […]

Mitch PerryOctober 21, 2016

Donald Trump is back in Tampa next week. The Republican presidential nominee will be speaking at his biggest venue to date in the Tampa Bay area, a 7 p.m. scheduled appearance at the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheater this Monday evening. This will be Trump’s first visit to Tampa since he spoke at the Florida State Fairgrounds Aug. […]

Tag: Tampa

Florida cities among the biggest population gainers

Florida’s unemployment rate holds steady at 5%

Uber, Lyft here to stay – time to level the playing field with taxis

Dominic Calabro: Keeping cigars in the Cigar City

Orlando, Miami ranked among top places for New Year’s Eve celebrations

Airbnb reaches agreement with Hillsborough County over tourist taxes

Joe Henderson: Facing many hurdles, Bob Buckhorn could make a good governor

Mothers who lost children to gun violence to campaign for Hillary Clinton

Joe Henderson: Buckle up, Hillsborough, you’re the big political prize

Donald Trump returns to campaign in Tampa Monday night