Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayMarch 7, 2016

The ride-hailing firm Uber held a news conference Monday with two Florida officials to talk about how their services are “changing the mindset” of Floridians in terms of getting home after a night out. Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo and Miami Gardens Sen. Oscar Braynon joined with Uber Trust and Safety Lead Amanda DeSantis, who presented research that Uber conducted showing a […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 3, 2016

In a wide-ranging interview Thursday morning, Jacksonville City Councilman Matt Schellenberg talked about Uber and the taxis, the John Keane deal and John Delaney’s role in it, and Katrina Brown. Schellenberg, the chair of the Vehicles for Hire committee, was lambasted by a cab company executive for pushing back the next committee meeting date until March 22, with […]

Mitch PerryMarch 1, 2016

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Will 2016 finally be the year the Florida Legislature implements rules of the road for ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft? In late January, the Florida House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill (HB 509) addressing Transportation Network Companies (TNC), but its fate in the state Senate is unknown, and officials with Uber on Tuesday blamed President Andy […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 14, 2016

The sharing economy is here to stay and is no doubt flourishing. From Airbnb to ridesharing, it is an exciting time for consumers as new products and services continue to enter the marketplace. Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), such as Uber and Lyft, brought a new way of getting around town not just in Florida, but […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2016

The Florida House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill regulating “transportation network companies” such as Uber and Lyft, and mandating insurance and other requirements. But the measure also includes a provision that may not find favor in the Senate: It vests regulatory power over the ride-booking services solely with the state, cutting out local bodies such […]

Mitch PerryNovember 2, 2015

Fort Walton Beach Republican Matt Gaetz has filed legislation in the Florida House (HB 509) that would put ensure that Transportation Network Companies (TNC) such as Uber and Lyft aren’t regulated like taxi companies. The bill would require any representative for a TNC to obtain a permit from the state of Florida and pay an annual […]

Ryan RayOctober 13, 2015

The Florida Taxicab Association issued another broadside against Uber on Tuesday, this time focusing on a new University of South Florida-Nielsen poll that suggests most Floridians are in favor of legal restrictions on so-called transportation network companies. According to the new poll released Tuesday, 89 percent of Floridians think ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft “should be required to have liability […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 24, 2015

Attention Uber fans and critics: there’s no need for you to travel to Brandon on Friday to listen to cheer (or protest) a series of local legislative bills on regulating ridesharing companies in Florida. The Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation meeting slated at the Brandon campus of Hillsborough Community College, has been postponed until Dec. 8. “Due […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 16, 2015

State Rep. Matt Gaetz on Wednesday filed – then speedily withdrew – a bill that would reserve regulation of Uber and other hired-car services to the state. According to House of Representatives records, Gaetz submitted his bill (HB 175) at 8:53 a.m., then withdrew it at 10:30 a.m. Reached by phone, the Fort Walton Beach […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 15, 2015

The Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation will consider five proposed “local bills” that touch on the operations of “transportation network companies,” such as Uber and Lyft, according to an email sent to members Tuesday. The 14-member delegation of state representatives and senators from both parties will go over the proposed legislation at its meeting next week, Senate […]

Tag: transportation network companies

Uber contends ride-hailing helps reduce DUIs

Matt Schellenberg talks Uber, John Keane, “Teflon John” Delaney, and Katrina Brown

Uber blasts Andy Gardiner as being impediment in getting ride-sharing bill passed

Logan McFaddin: Sharing economy needs reasonable insurance laws

House passes bill to regulate Uber, other ride-booking services

Matt Gaetz files Uber preemption bill

Taxi group contends survey calls for regulating Uber

Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation meeting in Brandon canceled

Matt Gaetz files – then deletes – Uber preemption bill

Uber-friendly legislation tops Hillsborough politicians’ wish list