Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorSeptember 27, 2018

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce is backing a one-half percent sales tax referendum to better fund Hillsborough County Schools, its board voted Thursday unanimously. If voters approve the referendum on Nov. 6, the sales tax will raise $1.3 billion over ten years. The Hillsborough County Schools district needs money to fund major repairs to […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorSeptember 26, 2018

By a unanimous vote, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce is endorsing the All or Transportation campaign to improve both transit and transportation in Hillsborough County. “We have been working for some time to address the many transportation needs in Hillsborough County,” said Steve Bernstein, current Tampa Chamber chair. “Voters will have the opportunity to improve safety […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorSeptember 25, 2018

Hillsborough County drivers spend about 10 hours more in their cars going to and from work now than they did five years ago, according to recently released Census data. The yearly data show commuters in Hillsborough County spend an average of 28.3 minutes per day in their cars. “We don’t want to waste more time […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorSeptember 22, 2018

David Green is the new executive director of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority (TBARTA). The authority’s Governing Board chose Green Friday from a list of four candidates. Green most recently served as Chief Executive Officer for the Greater Richmond Transit Co., where he successfully launched a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route and helped […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorSeptember 21, 2018

Commuter passes will be available for high-speed rail travel between Tampa and Orlando if the route comes to fruition. Brightline Vice President of Government Affairs Bob O’Malley said the private company would consider monthly packages similar to what it offers in South Florida, which cost $300 a month for unlimited rides. Such a transit amenity […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorSeptember 17, 2018

Health care companies are venturing into the world of transportation. Two such Tampa Bay area enterprises contributed a combined $175,000 to the All for Transportation campaign pushing for a 1 percent sales tax increase to fund sweeping transportation and transit enhancements. Bay Care Health Systems cut a $50,000 check to the referendum campaign. House of […]

Scott PowersOctober 26, 2017

A new bill filed Thursday morning by Sen. Jeff Brandes would expand the field of projects that local governments can spend tourism tax dollars on to include public works infrastructure that would assist tourism. Filed SB 658, the bill would open the door for local governments to spend tourism dollars on roads, bridges, water and sewer […]

Scott PowersJanuary 24, 2017

If President Donald Trump wants to spend big on America’s infrastructure, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and other Democratic leaders are offering their plan: $1 trillion, with money included possibly for Florida rail, seaports, highways and Everglades restoration. Nelson and the Democrats unveiled their “A Blueprint to Rebuild America’s Infrastructure” Tuesday afternoon, proposing $1 trillion in […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJune 17, 2015

A $1 million ask by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority will not be funded in the state’s 2015 budget. The Legislature agreed on an $80 billion budget late Monday night, but it did not include proposed funding for a Bus Rapid Transit study for a Central Avenue route connecting downtown St. Petersburg and the beaches. […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 29, 2015

Pinellas County transit users are set to suffer some potentially crippling cuts to services as early as 2017 if something isn’t done to help the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority soon. The group has identified some minor tweaks here and there – like raising fares and increasing tax revenue – that could push cuts back until 2018, but […]

Tag: transit
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Tampa Chamber goes all-in for Hillsborough education tax

Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce backs transportation tax

Hillsborough traffic significantly worse than five years ago, bolstering transit push

TBARTA taps David Green as new leader

On the right track? Brightline could create Tampa/Orlando super region

Hillsborough transit tax campaign funding approaches $1M

Jeff Brandes’ bill would allow tourist taxes for public works to support tourism

Bill Nelson, Democrats, unveil their $1 trillion infrastructure plan

State won’t fund PSTA’s $1 million BRT study

Tampa mayor’s push for special taxing district could be St. Pete transit win