Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschFebruary 22, 2016

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A concept of “deal” implies that each side gets “something.” Not so with Uber and the taxi industry. So far, in all negotiations, Uber has stuck to everything they want, yet offering little (or nothing) in return. From the onset, Uber’s arrival in Florida quickly became a matter of ignoring the existing rules, beginning with […]

Melissa RossFebruary 19, 2016

Just as lobbyists for the ride-sharing service Uber made their case for uniform regulations in Tallahassee this week, one of the company’s whiz kids was sharing the secrets of the uber-popular app back in his Florida hometown. “We’ve gone from 3 million trips a month to 3 million trips a day,” Ed Baker, the company’s […]

Ryan RayFebruary 18, 2016

The ride-hailing company Uber continued its legislative push at a news conference at the Capitol on Thursday. Backers brandished new economic impact numbers indicating growth and told reporters it’s time for lawmakers to finally make good on a pledge to enact a uniform statewide law governing so-called transportation network companies, or TNCs. An Uber lobbyist said nearly […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 14, 2016

The sharing economy is here to stay and is no doubt flourishing. From Airbnb to ridesharing, it is an exciting time for consumers as new products and services continue to enter the marketplace. Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), such as Uber and Lyft, brought a new way of getting around town not just in Florida, but […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 11, 2016

Chris Christie and Carly Fiorina have suspended their presidential campaigns. This reporter had the chance to see the New Jersey governor (yes, that is the day job he’s pretty much blown off for months) a week ago in Keene, N.H. The fun part about that was how intimate it was: It was a small crowd (maybe too small, […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 10, 2016

The executive director for the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission told Florida lawmakers on Wednesday he’s OK if they ban his agency from regulating ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft. Kyle Cockream came before the House Economics Committee to speak in support of the bill, sponsored by Republican Dana Young from Tampa and Plant City’s Dan […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 10, 2016

With the half-way mark of the 60-day 2016 Legislative Session on Wednesday, the theme so far is like a line from a Frankie Valli song: “… so close/And yet so far.” Take the 2016-17 state budget, the only bill lawmakers are required to pass each year. The House came in at $79.9 billion with the Senate […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 9, 2016

Stare business and transportation leaders along with officials pushing comprehensive ride-hailing legislation launched the Floridians for Ridesharing Coalition Tuesday ahead of discussion slated for the Senate Judiciary committee. State Sen. Jeff Brandes and Rep. Matt Gaetz both back legislation in their respective chambers that would regulate the industry through rules on insurance requirements for drivers. […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 9, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council’s Vehicles for Hire Committee discussed legislation Tuesday related to such transportation, including Uber and Lyft. No new ground was covered; no resolution to the ongoing battle between the taxicab industry and transportation network companies was to be had. Casting a shadow over this committee’s process was the legislative process in Tallahassee. […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 8, 2016

Make no doubt about it, Hillary Clinton wants to perform well in Tuesday’s first-in-the-nation Democratic primary, where she made up ground in the polls in recent weeks against Bernie Sanders. Numerous Democrats from across the country have flocked to the Granite State in recent days to help turn out Clinton supporters on Tuesday. One of […]

Tag: Uber

The case for the taxis not making a legislative deal with Uber & Lyft

Uber VP: “We now reach 95% of Florida’s population”

Uber advocates call for Senate to pass pro-TNC legislation

Logan McFaddin: Sharing economy needs reasonable insurance laws

Mitch Perry Report for 2.11.16 — Carly and Chris bid adieu to the circus

Hillsborough PTC chief tells House committee he still wants ride-share drivers fingerprinted

Gut check: Legislative Session reaches midpoint

Pro-business groups, lawmakers form ridesharing coalition

Jax Vehicles for Hire Committee stalls

Miami Beach mayor predicts Bernie Sanders revolution won’t end well for voters