Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressJuly 27, 2017

For decades, a well-funded conservative group has helped state lawmakers across the U.S. write legislation to rein in unions, expand charter schools and lower taxes. Now, it’s expanding to the final frontier: normally nonpartisan city halls and county governments, which have become a bastion of liberal resistance to President Donald Trump. The American Legislative Exchange […]

Staff ReportsJuly 1, 2017

As regulations for transportation network companies go into effect in Florida, Uber is announcing the launch of Key West service beginning midnight Saturday, July 1. Currently, the company operates throughout the rest of the Florida Keys. “I’m thrilled that Uber’s first expansion after the statewide ride-sharing law goes into effect will be in our own […]

Mitch PerryJune 7, 2017

Among the bills Governor Rick Scott signed into law on Tuesday is HB 647, which eliminates of the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission by December 31 of this year. The agency, originally created by a special act of the Florida Legislature in the 1970’s and the only one of its kind in the state, has been […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 31, 2017

Sen. Jeff Brandes said he plans to continue his push for criminal justice reform, advancing a multi-year process to take a closer look at the state’s criminal justice system. Brandes, who has made criminal justice reform a top priority, was in Washington, D.C. last week for the Right on Crime annual summit. The conservative-leaning organization […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 10, 2017

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Gov. Rick Scott signed into law Tuesday a bill that creates statewide regulations for ride-booking companies, like Uber and Lyft. “I’m proud to sign this legislation today to make it easier for ridesharing companies to thrive in Florida and help ensure the safety of our families,” said Scott in a statement. “Florida is one of […]

Mitch PerryMay 4, 2017

Legislation that would effectively kill the controversial Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission (HB 647) passed in the Florida House on Thursday. The bill, sponsored by Tampa Bay Republican Jamie Grant, was first introduced as a local bill at the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation meeting last December. Although the PTC has reaped a slew of negative news stories over the […]

Jim RosicaMay 4, 2017

State Sen. Tom Lee on Wednesday filed an amendment for the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles bill that would regulate the operations of ridebooking services like Uber and Lyft. The language would prohibit local governments and governmental bodies, including airport authorities, from cutting deal with “transportation network companies” (TNCs) to operate exclusively in their […]

Jim RosicaApril 24, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott tweeted on Monday that he will sign into law a bill creating statewide regulations for ride-booking companies like Uber and Lyft. “I look forward to signing the @Uber/ @lyft bill,” Scott tweeted from his official account, @FLGovScott. The governor is in Argentina on a trade mission. Colin Tooze, Uber’s director of public affairs, tweeted back, “Many […]

Staff ReportsApril 6, 2017

A bill that would create a regulatory framework for transportation network companies in Florida cleared the Senate Rules Committee, teeing it up for a vote in the full Senate within the coming days. Sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes, the bill (SB 340) would require Uber and Lyft to carry $100,000 of insurance for bodily injury […]

Mitch PerryApril 4, 2017

Legislation to regulate transportation network companies (TNC) in Florida advanced Tuesday on its second reading through the Florida House. The bill sponsored by Palm Harbor Republican Chris Sprowls and Tampa Republican Jamie Grant (HB 221) requires ride-sharing companies to have third-parties conduct local and national criminal background checks on drivers. “That includes a multistage, multi-jurisdictional background check, a […]

Tag: Uber

U.S. conservatism expands to final frontier: City hall

Uber celebrates new Key West service with free Key Lime pie

Rick Scott signs death warrant for Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission

Criminal justice reform remains a top priority for Jeff Brandes

Governor signs landmark ride-sharing legislation into law

It’s the end of the road for the Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission

Tom Lee quietly files amendment affecting Uber, Lyft

Rick Scott says he will sign ‘Uber bill’

Bill to regulate Uber, Lyft headed to Senate floor

House gets one step closer to passing statewide regs on Uber, Lyft