Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorDecember 7, 2015

I’ve been a member of the Florida Democratic Party since I first registered to vote at 18. I’ve never voted for, nor given money to, a Republican running for a partisan office. “Hyperpartisan” is an apt description of my political state of mind. But the other day, I contributed $1,000 – the maximum I could […]

Guest AuthorDecember 7, 2015

I’ve been a member of the Florida Democratic Party since I first registered to vote at 18. I’ve never voted for, nor given money to, a Republican running for a partisan office. “Hyperpartisan” is an apt description of my political state of mind. But the other day, I contributed $1,000 – the maximum I could […]

Mitch PerryDecember 4, 2015

Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission (PTC) Chairman Victor Crist says that Jeff Brandes’ recent inquiry on whether the PTC should be allowed to hire lobbyists was simply a ploy “to try to stir the pot” in advance of next week’s Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation meeting. “This is a publicity stunt by Sen. Brandes to stir […]

Mitch PerryDecember 3, 2015

(UPDATED) The Florida Attorney General’s office has decided it’s up to the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission to decide whether it wants to hire lobbyists. The decision came at the request from St. Petersburg GOP state Sen. Jeff Brandes for an opinion on the issue. In a letter to Brandes on Thursday, Assistant Attorney General […]

Ryan RayDecember 3, 2015

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity issued a final order Thursday afternoon ruling that drivers for ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are “independent contractors” rather than employees per se. As such, drivers for the transportation network companies do not qualify for unemployment benefits, which are paid in part by former employers of laid off workers. “The Department finds […]

Phil AmmannNovember 30, 2015

Uber kicks off the holiday season Tuesday with an ambitious goal: an AIDS-Free Generation. In celebration of the third annual World AIDS Day – Dec. 1, also known as “Giving Tuesday” – the San Francisco-based on-demand service is partnering with AIDS charity (RED) in its mission to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV globally by 2020. […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 24, 2015

On Tuesday at high noon, a conference room in Jacksonville City Council’s offices had a Vehicles for Hire committee meeting, including Councilmen Bill Gulliford, Matt Schellenberg, Garrett Dennis, Jim Love, Anna Brosche, Reggie Gaffney, and Council President Greg Anderson. The Tuesday meeting’s main event: a phone-in presentation from Broward County Assistant County Attorney Annika Ashton regarding Broward’s Transportation Networking Company regulations, recently imposed […]

Ryan RayNovember 24, 2015

“Founder,” “CEO,” “President,” and “Chairman” are all familiar lines on the business cards of today’s startup whiz kids but increasingly, writes Cecilia Kang of The New York Times, they might as well be adding another: “In-House Lobbyist.” As the success of innovators continues to ultimately rely on the decisions of older-school lawmakers and regulators overseeing novel […]

Mitch PerryNovember 23, 2015

Jeff Brandes is taking another shot at the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission, this time because it hired a lobbyist. The St. Petersburg-based state senator has been calling for the agency’s demise for several years now, in part because it has tried to regulate ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft. Now he wants Attorney General Pam […]

Phil AmmannNovember 19, 2015

Flu season is coming, and flu shots can be pricy, costing as much as $32 at Walgreen’s or CVS. Ridesharing technology service Uber is providing a more affordable road to better health, all with the push of a single button. Thursday, Uber riders in Tampa Bay – as well as 34 other cities – can […]

Tag: Uber

Ben Pollara: Why I support Jeff Brandes for Florida Senate

Ben Pollara: Why I support Jeff Brandes for Florida Senate

Tensions about Hillsborough PTC build as legislative delegation meeting approaches

Pam Bondi’s office says PTC can decide whether to hire lobbyists

DEO rules Uber drivers are independent contractors for employment purposes

Uber, (RED) join forces Tuesday to raise money and awareness for World AIDS Day

Broward County Assistant Attorney presents to Jax Vehicles for Hire Committee

For many startups, innovating and lobbying now go hand in hand

Jeff Brandes wants legal opinion about Hillsborough PTC’s lobbying efforts

Uber helps Tampa Bay users outsmart flu season Thursday with #UberHEALTH