Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Mitch PerryJune 23, 2016

A court has rejected a request by a coalition of taxi cab companies to have Victor Crist removed as chair of the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission. The Second District Court of Appeal in Lakeland issued an order dismissing the request Thursday. “This was a malicious intent by the taxi coalition and their representatives to discredit me,” Crist said, […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 20, 2016

Many of those outside the walls of the St. James Building in Jacksonville won’t take notice when Lori Boyer assumes the presidency of Jacksonville’s City Council from outgoing President Greg Anderson in less than two weeks. Chances are they will feel the effects though, as the second-term Southside Republican seeks to reassert the role of the legislative branch, […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 13, 2016

A sense of urgency permeated the Jacksonville City Council Vehicles for Hire committee Monday afternoon, as the longstanding special committee met yet again to determine regulations for Uber and Lyft, in what was supposed to be the last meeting of this special committee. Though insurance levels had been agreed upon, as was the concept of […]

Mitch PerryJune 9, 2016

Bernie Sanders is scheduled to meet with Barack Obama at the White House today, and one can only imagine how that might go down. Obama: Bernie, what an amazing run you’ve had. The right have had a field day accusing me of being a socialist, and then you come along – Sanders: Please, Mr. President, […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 7, 2016

Even with the Vehicles for Hire committee cancelled this week, the Jacksonville City Council is still hearing the case for ridesharing. An ad in the B section of the Florida Times-Union Tuesday included an “open letter” to the council, which has struggled with legislation related to Uber and Lyft. “Jacksonville is positioned to become a […]

Anne LindbergJune 2, 2016

Arrest rates for drunken driving dropped between 15 percent and 62 percent after ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft entered the marketplace, according to a recent study by two college economics professors. The study also found that the number of fatal traffic accidents also decreased by an average of about 6 percent in the […]

Melissa RossJune 2, 2016

Despite a somewhat stalled process over vehicle inspections and background checks, the man heading up the regulatory argument in Jacksonville over Uber and Lyft says progress is hopefully imminent. I think where we’re going is a good place,” says City Councilman Matt Schellenberg. Schellenberg chairs the council’s Vehicles for Hire committee. “We hope to get […]

Ryan RayMay 25, 2016

The American Hotel and Lodging Association says Airbnb “landlords” raked in some $76 million on grey or black market transactions last year in Miami alone. The group released the results of a new study on a conference call with reporters Tuesday, which looked at 14 major markets’ activity in the short-term rental sector, led by […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 23, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council Vehicles for Hire special committee met on Monday, progressing on vehicle inspections and stalling out on background checks. Any optimism the committee might be headed toward disbanding anytime soon was quickly squelched, as advocates for the taxicab and transportation network company sectors, and council members, settled in to rehearse well-worn arguments […]

Tag: Uber

Personnel note: Tomas Martinelli headed to Airbnb

Court rejects taxi companies request to remove Victor Crist from Hillsborough PTC

Jax Council President-elect Lori Boyer outlines her leadership goals

Jax Vehicles for Hire committee meanders to conclusion

Mitch Perry Report for 6.9.16 -When Bernie meets Barry

Lyft and Uber supporters publish open letter to Jacksonville City Council

Study finds ride-sharing linked to sharp decline in DUIs, fewer fatal crashes

Matt Schellenberg: taxis should ditch medallions, introduce their own apps like Uber

Hotels group says Airbnb reaping millions in illegal South Florida revenue

Jax Vehicles for Hire committee agrees to yearly rideshare vehicle inspections