Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayMay 5, 2015

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The popular ridesharing app company Uber is appealing to the public for support in its effort to persuade lawmakers to include legislation to regulate its industry in the call for a Special Session. “We need your help to make sure the Legislature doesn’t go home again without taking up ridesharing legislation during the special session,” the […]

Peter SchorschMay 1, 2015

With the arrival of spring, thoughts turn to cleaning house. In the spirit of spring cleaning, ridesharing technology company Uber is teaming up with select Florida Goodwill locations to make giving clothing quick and convenient. This weekend, after users bag up assorted clothing to be donated, Uber will take care of the rest, with the no-cost […]

Bob SparksApril 30, 2015

What a week. First, Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Florida is suing the Obama administration over the Medicaid expansion issue. Then, we witnessed some remarkable political gamesmanship when the House adjourned three days early. The words “insurmountable differences” on the budget and Medicaid expansion accompanied the banging gavel in the House […]

Ryan RayApril 27, 2015

Advocates for ride-sharing firms Lyft and Uber evidently did not reach an agreement this weekend with traditional taxi cab and limousine stakeholders, as a ride sharing policy bill sponsored by Rep. Matt Gaetz was temporarily postponed Monday for the second time in as many appearances on the House floor. HB 817 is generally considered a pro-Uber piece of legislation, but it recently took on […]

Ryan RayApril 27, 2015

Where things stand on a number of “legislative food fights” is a complicated question in today’s adversarial climate at the Capitol. The $4 billion chasm between the House and Senate budget proposals casts a shadow on every corner of legislative business, both appropriations and policy measures. “Bill aren’t just dying; they’re being massacred,” Rep. Frank Artiles told […]

Ryan RayApril 24, 2015

As is the case with so many other issues – not least of which is the $4 million budget chasm stemming from inter-cameral differences on hospital funding for indigent services – the House and Senate still seem to be quite a ways off from passing anything resembling a unified ride sharing bill to govern firms […]

Ryan RayApril 22, 2015

With a newfound emphasis on a ridesharing scourge sponsor Sen. David Simmons called “rogue drivers,” a bill to require greater insurance coverage for Uber and Lyft continued along its road to this afternoon in the Senate. Simmons’ SB 1298 – which also deals with short-term property rental companies like Airbnb, another facet of the emerging “sharing economy” – […]

Phil AmmannApril 10, 2015

Last year has certainly been a wild ride for Uber, and now it’s giving something back to Tampa. The San Francisco-based ride-sharing company is celebrating its first anniversary in the Tampa Bay area with an email to supporters promising to share a portion of each ride to Feeding America Tampa Bay. According to the Uber […]

Phil AmmannApril 8, 2015

Ridesharing service Uber is, if anything, tenacious. Facing a newly filed lawsuit by Hillsborough County, the San Francisco-based company’s foe since its Tampa launch last year, Uber sent an email to customers saying they are still open for business. Subject line, “Continuing to Operate in Hillsborough County.” Spoiler alert: They are. The Hillsborough County Public […]

Phil AmmannApril 7, 2015

Hillsborough County’s Public Transportation Commission has stepped up the legislative battle in Tallahassee against ridesharing technology firm Uber. HCPTC head Kyle Cockream confirmed on Monday the retention of the high-powered and politically connected firm Capital City Consulting. CCC’s efforts are in addition the PTC’s main representatives, Corcoran & Johnston. The decision to expand the county lobbying team […]

Tag: Uber
A sign that reads, Gaza Solidarity Encampment, is seen during the Pro-Palestinians protest at the Columbia University campus in New York, Monday April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

Uber wants ridesharing on agenda during Special Session

Uber joins Goodwill for #UberSpringCleaning in SW Florida on Saturday

Bob Sparks: Do new statements jump-start budget negotiations?

Legislature’s Uber regulation efforts stuck in neutral

The latest on 5 legislative food fights

House Uber bill TP’d, resolution with Senate still uncertain

Senate Uber insurance bill advances with new tweaks amid debate

Email insights: Uber celebrates Tampa birthday by feeding the poor

Email insights: Persistent (and popular) Uber sued by Hillsborough County

Hillsborough PTC antes up, adds more high-powered lobbyists