Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Joe HendersonMarch 27, 2017

Short of hitting yourself in the head with a hammer, the surest way to get a headache is to wade deep into Tampa Bay area transportation problems. You encounter a mishmash of competing agencies and agendas that has resulted in legislative and automotive gridlock for frustrated commuters for years. Given that, I’m encouraged by what […]

Associated PressJanuary 22, 2017

President Donald Trump‘s speech Saturday at the headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency turned into the latest battle in, as he put it, his “running war with the media.” He had two central complaints: that the media misrepresented the size of the crowd at his inauguration and that it was incorrectly reported a bust of […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 18, 2016

The future of transportation is autonomous. It’s electric. It’s shared and on demand. And it will be here sooner than you think. “The message today is it’s right around the corner,” said Sen. Jeff Brandes, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. The St. Petersburg Republican laid out his prediction for the future of transportation during […]

Drew WilsonAugust 10, 2016

Florida added 16,400 private sector jobs last month, according to a report released Wednesday by payroll company ADP. The report estimates 1,800 new jobs were added in the goods-producing sector, with the other 14,600 jobs heading to the service industry. The industry breakdown shows 5,100 jobs added in professional and business services companies; 2,800 in […]

Staff ReportsJuly 29, 2016

Consumer sentiment among Floridians increased in July to 93.7, according to the latest University of Florida consumer survey. This reading is four points higher than June’s revised figure of 89.7, turning upward after three straight months of declines and marking the second-highest reading over the past year. Of the five components that make up the […]

Lloyd DunkelbergerJuly 14, 2016

With the fatal crash of Tesla car on autopilot near Williston in May, Floridians already know the future of transportation is impacting the state’s highways. Exploration of that future will be one of the themes when the 2016 Floridians for Better Transportation Summit meets Tuesday and Wednesday at the Loews Don CeSar Hotel on St. […]

Anne LindbergMay 10, 2016

Transportation has been a major issue in Tampa Bay for 50 years, and there’s no solution in sight because of a governance model that has “paralyzed” officials, Pinellas County Commissioner Janet Long said Tuesday. Long called for commissioners to hold a workshop to “talk about how we can change this governance model that has paralyzed […]

Mitch PerryApril 12, 2016

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn is scheduled to give his State of the City this morning. Here are some things to look for in his speech. Transportation – In his 2014 speech, Buckhorn called for a funding referendum to support expanded bus service and light rail in Tampa, saying that the goal should be a referendum in the […]

Drew WilsonApril 6, 2016

Florida added 18,600 jobs this past month, more than any state but California, according to data released Wednesday by payroll company ADP. The ADP Regional Employment Report shows 16,000 of the new jobs coming to the service sector and 2,600 heading to goods-producing sectors. The gain is a slight dip from February, when the Sunshine […]

Phil AmmannMarch 7, 2016

On Monday, the Senate unanimously passed House Bill 7027, a broadly worded bill that seeks to reform several policies and programs for the Florida Department of Transportation. After senators adopted a series of amendments, LobbyTools reports the bill now returns to the House. Among the amendments were adding language to encourage the development of transportation policy for […]

Tag: Transportation

Joe Henderson: Proposed new transportation agency a good start toward solving an old problem

Fact Check: Donald Trump overstates crowd size at inaugural

Jeff Brandes: The future of transportation is ‘right around the corner’

Florida adds 16,400 jobs in July, new ADP report says

Florida consumer sentiment up in July, reversing a three-month slide

State leaders, experts to discuss future of mobility at Better Transportation Summit

Janet Long calls for changes in transportation governance

5 things to look for in Bob Buckhorn’s State of Tampa address

Florida adds 18.6K jobs in March, 2nd-highest in nation

Senate unanimously passes broad transportation bill, sends to House