Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryDecember 16, 2016

The troubled Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission received a terminal diagnosis Friday after members of the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation voted unanimously for a local bill that would eliminate the agency on December 31, 2017. After that, the County Commission would pick up its regulatory duties. “The public has lost complete faith in the ability of this […]

Mitch PerryNovember 10, 2016

As Donald Trump publicly laid low and dealt with officials about how the transition of his administration will begin, I couldn’t help but recall that often-referred-to famous final scene from the 1972 Michael Ritchie film, “The Candidate” starring Robert Redford. Bill McKay, the novice (played by Redford) who has just won an improbable victory for the U.S. Senate, turns dazedly […]

Mitch PerryNovember 8, 2016

The last presidential contest I really didn’t pay that much attention to was back in 1980, but I do remember this: I was in high school, and I had the TV on but the sound down when Jimmy Carter came out at around 6:15 PST to announce he was conceding the election. It was pretty early […]

Phil AmmannNovember 4, 2016

Election Day is only days away, and Uber and Google have teamed up to help voters cast ballots. As part of its ongoing campaign to boost the turnout among Uber users, the San Francisco-based ridesharing service has worked with Google on a special in-app feature available Nov. 8 that will help locate polling locations — and quickly request […]

Mitch PerryOctober 17, 2016

In the aftermath of published reports about questionable decisions made by Hillsborough County Public Transportation Executive Director Kyle Cockream over the past year, Tampa state Rep. Dana Young is calling for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to conduct an investigation into the agency. “When the line is blurred between the regulator and the entities they regulate, the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterOctober 14, 2016

Senate Majority Leader Bill Galvano will push for ridesharing legislation, saying this week the state needs a “single, unified approach” to the new transportation sector. In a guest editorial in The Bradenton Herald, Galvano said if Florida wants to continue to attract the next generation of innovators, the state “must solidify, through legislation and strategic […]

Joe HendersonOctober 3, 2016

Ken Hagan has been elected five times to the Hillsborough County Commission. That ought to say something about the way voters feel he takes care of both his and the public’s business. Headlines tend to find him because he always seems to be involved in something important, but I wouldn’t say he seeks out publicity. […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 30, 2016

They say the past is prologue. If that’s true, past votes and actions by Hillsborough County’s Public Transportation Commission can give us a glimpse at how the showdown over ridesharing may unfold. And it looks like it could all be in the hands of one board member: Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan. Oct. 13 is […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 29, 2016

An official with Uber said Thursday the San Francisco-based ridesharing company has come to an agreement regarding background checks and other new rules proposed by outgoing Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission Chair Victor Crist to have them finally operate legally in the county. Whether they will be approved by the rest of the PTC remains uncertain […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 16, 2016

As the backbone of a strong free-market economy, competition helps drive economic growth — incentivizing innovation, creating jobs, and ensuring the quality of goods and services is continuously improving. It’s innovation and competition that’s led to the creation of Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) which are lowering costs for consumers, moving more people with fewer cars […]

Tag: Uber

Hillsborough County PTC may be on way out after local delegation approves bill to kill it

Mitch Perry Report for 11.10.16 — The ‘What do we now?’ moment for the president-elect

Mitch Perry Report for 11.8.16 — Getting the results before the polls close

Uber, Google develop app for Election Day rides

Dana Young calls for FDLE investigation into Hillsborough County PTC

Bill Galvano backs statewide ride-sharing legislation

Joe Henderson: Hillsborough rideshare decision could rest with ‘problem solver’ Ken Hagan

Will Ken Hagan save ridesharing in Hillsborough?

Uber agrees to proposed new rules — but will Hillsborough’s PTC follow suit?

Kevin Hernandez: Uber, Lyft drive economic growth; regulators say, ‘Thanks, but no thanks’