Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 14, 2018

Uber is launching a Rider Loyalty Program in nine U.S. cities including Tampa and Miami, the ride-sharing company announced Wednesday. The first-of-its-kind program for companies like Uber allows frequent users to accumulate points that give customers additional Uber benefits and monetary rewards customers can use toward certain purchases. The program includes four membership levels including […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 9, 2018

Hillsborough County finally accomplished what some thought impossible. After years of inaction on the issue of transportation, not only did voters approve a historic initiative Tuesday, but they did so by a wide margin — passing All For Transportation with 57 percent of the vote. Despite the majority, several areas of the county kept with history […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

Hillsborough County Commission candidates Kimberly Overman and Mariella Smith nabbed key victories in their bids for the open District 5 and 7 countywide seats. The two wins mean Democrats will now control the commission. Smith toppled longtime Republican commissioner Victor Crist 52 percent to 45 percent with NPA Joe Kotvas taking the rest of the vote. […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 29, 2018

The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) is doing its part to get out the vote by offering free rides to Hillsborough County polling locations on Election Day. Voters can ride at no charge on all HART services, except for HARTPlus, the agency’s paratransit service. The “Roll to the Polls” promotion will run throughout the day on Tuesday, Nov. […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 27, 2018

A new route is in store to connect the downtown Tampa’s central business district to the Channel District, along Cumberland Avenue from Meridian to Brorein avenues, a coalition of partners announced Friday. Strategic Property Partners, the Jeff Vinik-affiliated group behind the $3 billion Water Street Tampa project in the Channel District, partnered with the Ardent […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 25, 2018

The anti-tax, anti-rail group No Tax for Tracks showed up late to the game last week, sending voters mailers condemning Hillsborough County’s transportation initiative as a giant waste of money. Now two images are floating around social media making outlandish accusations about the proposed 1 percent sales tax increase that would fund both – yes, […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 24, 2018

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) Board of Directors on Wednesday unanimously approved a three-year contract with its employee union, increasing starting pay rates and lump sum compensation based on attendance. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) represents nearly 500 PSTA workers who carry out repairs, maintenance and operation of Pinellas County’s transit system. Ninety-five […]

Peter SchorschOctober 19, 2018

During its Oct. 9 meeting, the Broward Board of County Commissioners approved a questionable contract to purchase 15 electric buses from BYD, the controversial Chinese bus maker under fire for a poor track record and numerous performance issues. Despite widespread reports of BYD buses’ structural, mechanical, and safety issues — which the L.A. Times outlines […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 19, 2018

A group serving the Tampa Bay area African-American community is backing Hillsborough County’s transportation initiative. The Florida Sentinel Bulletin, a bi-weekly newspaper, endorsed the All For Transportation referendum in its Friday edition. The publication isn’t considered a major player in the Tampa Bay market, but it is a key media arm of the African-American community […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 12, 2018

Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik took a rare step into the public and political spotlight Friday. He penned an op-ed in the Tampa Bay Times urging voters to approve Hillsborough County Referendum No. 2, the county’s transportation and transit initiative on the Nov. 6 ballot. “Having studied this issue for over three years alongside fellow […]

Tag: Transportation
Florida Politics' Drew Wilson a few pounds heavier and with a bit more hair next to Academy Award winner Sam Rockwell ... (guess who we're rooting for?).

Uber offering perks to loyal users in Tampa, Miami

All For Transportation is in uncharted territory for Tampa Bay region

Democrats claim Hillsborough County Commission for the first time in 14 years

Hillsborough transit agency to offer free rides to the polls on Election Day

New downtown road planned to feed Water Street Tampa

No Tax for Tracks spreads Hillsborough transportation initiative falsehoods

Pinellas Transit to raise wages for union workers

Broward quietly approves questionable contract for problematic Chinese buses

Black community newspaper backs Hillsborough transportation initiative

Jeff Vinik personally endorses Hillsborough transportation initiative