Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryAugust 3, 2016

New York Rep. Richard Hanna yesterday became the first Republican in Congress to say that not only could he not support Donald Trump for president (he said that months ago), but he now says he’ll be voting for Hillary Clinton in the fall. “While I disagree with her on many issues, I will vote for Mrs. Clinton,” Hanna wrote […]

Mitch PerryAugust 2, 2016

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Since they began operating in Florida in 2014, ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft have successfully negotiated to work legally in many of the state’s biggest areas, including Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties. It’s been a different story in Hillsborough County, however, as the two companies have been at odds with the Public Transportation Commission, which for […]

Mitch PerryAugust 2, 2016

Let’s stipulate at the top that the results in last night’s Hillsborough County Hob Nob hosted by the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce isn’t indicative of much of anything, except what several hundred well-heeled folks who mostly live in Tampa think about the various races that will be on the ballot later this month and in November. It’s […]

Blake DowlingAugust 2, 2016

On a Wednesday evening in 1988, I joined my friend Quinn Borland for an epic concert in Albany, Georgia. Opening for rock legends Motley Crüe was a little-known band called Guns N’ Roses. I was in middle school, so it was an incredibly big deal to be out on the town on a school night. […]

Mitch PerryAugust 1, 2016

The Rules and Policy Committee of the Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission (PTC) is scheduled Tuesday to consider another attempt at establishing new regulations for TNC’s (transportation network companies) in the county, and an attorney with Uber is not pleased with what is being proposed. “The proposed regulations — which closely track regulations proposed by the taxicab industry […]

Peter SchorschJuly 19, 2016

Why does the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission have it in for the Tampa area’s residents and tourists? It’s so clear that this area wants — demands — the flexibility and convenience of modern technology as represented by ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft. Yet it’s just as clear that members of the PTC want to cling […]

Peter SchorschJuly 14, 2016

National Ice Cream Day is Sunday, but ride-hailing service Uber announced it would celebrate the holiday a couple of days early in Florida with #UberIceCream. The company said between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Friday, users can open their app, set their location and request “ICE CREAM” at the bottom. A few minutes later, users […]

Mitch PerryJuly 11, 2016

The Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission is poised to begin increasing fines on Uber and Lyft drivers soon, and that’s not going down well with one of the agency’s biggest critics, state Sen. Jeff Brandes. The St. Petersburg Republican has frequently criticized the PTC over the years for their confrontational stance towards the two ridesharing companies, […]

Mitch PerryJuly 7, 2016

Even before they began operating in Tampa, a coterie of Tampa Bay area Republicans have championed ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft. Those state Representatives include Jeff Brandes, Jamie Grant and Dana Young. In a fundraising pitch sent to supporters in her bid for the state Senate District 18 seat this fall, Young boasts about the work Republicans […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 5, 2016

Tomas Martinelli is leaving his post at the Florida Department of Transportation and joining the team at Airbnb. Martinelli announced his move in an email Sunday. “As you may know, the people-powered platform and the culture that steers Airbnb makes this opportunity/project an exciting one,” he said. “Although, it wasn’t easy leaving the best agency in […]

Tag: Uber
Lake Mary’s team celebrates in the eighth inning of the Little League World Series Championship game against Taiwan. Florida won in eight innings 2-1. Image via AP.

Mitch Perry Report for 8.3.16 — How many GOP candidates still ‘not there yet’ on Trump?

Public meeting on proposed new ride-sharing rules in Hillsborough County goes nowhere

Mitch Perry Report for 8.2.16 — Hob Nob vote indicative of Jim Norman’s vulnerabilities?

Blake Dowling: Not in this lifetime — tech and the Guns N’ Roses reunion tour

Uber strongly opposes latest round of proposed changes on ridesharing in Hillsborough County

How long will the Hillsborough PTC continue to stand in the way of innovation?

Uber offering free frozen treats for #UberIceCream Friday

Hillsborough County PTC is raising fines on ridesharing drivers, and Jeff Brandes doesn’t like it

Email insights: Dana Young touts her support of Uber and Lyft in fundraising pitch

Personnel note: Tomas Martinelli headed to Airbnb