Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Mitch PerryApril 28, 2017

Officials had high hopes for a bill to reconfigure Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA). Those same officials are now expressing some contentment following an amendment from the bill’s original sponsor, Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala. The legislation would change TBARTA’s name from the Tampa Bay Regional Transportation Authority to the Tampa Bay Regional Transit Authority, and […]

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 […]

Phil AmmannApril 24, 2017

As for discussion over a proposed Senate regional transit bill for the Tampa Bay region, it’s all about timing. A group of a dozen local business executives arrived for a lobbying trip to Tallahassee just one day after a contentious Senate committee meeting where three Tampa Bay lawmakers clashed over a bill seeking to overhaul […]

Mitch PerryApril 19, 2017

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A modified bill to put additional limits on Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRA) advanced Wednesday in the House Government Accountability Committee. Local governments use CRAs to promote affordable housing, economic development, health and safety in under-served neighborhoods. They hold a set percentage of property taxes paid by residents of a community, investing that money — also known as […]

Mitch PerryApril 18, 2017

A controversial bill placing stricter requirements on community redevelopment agencies (CRA’s) received a “no vote” in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development on Tuesday. Moments later, it was temporarily postponed, technically keeping it alive. Barely. The Community Redevelopment Act of 1969 authorized cities and counties to create agencies to direct money into slums […]

Mitch PerryApril 18, 2017

Legislation creating a statewide regulatory framework for ridesharing companies was debated Tuesday on the Senate floor. Sponsored by St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes, SB 340 would require ride-sharing companies to carry $100,000 of insurance for bodily injury or death and $25,000 for property damage while a driver is logged onto their app but hasn’t secured a passenger. […]

Mitch PerryApril 17, 2017

Legislation to reconfigure the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) was approved Monday by the Florida Senate Commerce Committee. However, the bill passed with changes taking some power from the agency and giving it to the state. Sponsored by Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala, SB 1672 would change TBARTA to a transit agency (no longer transportation) and would encompass […]

Mitch PerryApril 17, 2017

A Senate bill to repeal a program offering public funding from sales taxes to offset the cost of professional sports facility construction and renovations died in committee Monday. Although no arguments were uttered against the proposal, SB 236 failed to win approval in the Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism. The legislation, sponsored by Brandon Republican Tom […]

Tag: Tom Lee
Image via AP.

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

House considers contentious Tampa International Airport audit

Tampa Bay officials OK with TBARTA bill, now before full Senate

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

Business leaders lobby Tampa Bay-area lawmakers on regional transit

House advances bill giving power to state legislators for CRAs

Stricter requirements on CRA’s gets ‘no vote’ in Senate committee

Ridesharing bill advances to final vote in Senate

Senate advances plan for new Tampa Bay-area transit agency

Senate committee kills bill to repeal controversial sports-development program