Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Ryan RayMarch 31, 2015

A ride-sharing insurance requirements bill that goes hand in hand with a broader effort to pass legislation permitting Uber across Florida made progress today, passing quickly and unanimously through the Senate Judiciary Committee early Tuesday evening. The proposal — SB 1298 — sponsored by Altamonte Springs Sen. David Simmons requires that app-based “transportation network companies” such as […]

Ryan RayMarch 26, 2015

A proposed ordinance to regulate Uber and other ride-sharing services that brought out more more than double the usual turnout — and triple the suits, quadruple the cab drivers — was postponed Wednesday night after a long and diametrical debate in the Tallahassee City Commission. The proposal, Ordinance No. 15-O-10AA, is considered by many to […]

Ryan RayMarch 25, 2015

Republicans Sen. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg and Shalimar Rep. Matt Gaetz held a joint conference with representatives from Uber Technologies late Wednesday morning. Their message: Uber is here to stay in Florida’s streets and in state statute. “On the other side of this issue, though,” Brandes said, “you’ve got municipalities who, be it through crony capitalism or […]

Ryan RayMarch 25, 2015

Republicans Sen. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg and Shalimar Rep. Matt Gaetz held a joint conference with representatives from Uber Technologies late Wednesday morning. Their message: Uber is here to stay in Florida’s streets and in state statute. “On the other side of this issue, though,” Brandes said, “you’ve got municipalities who, be it through crony capitalism or […]

James CallMarch 23, 2015

One Monday in Florida politics the Senate had the Capitol to itself while the House traveled back to Tallahassee. As Senate committees considered three separate tax-cut proposals, Gov. Rick Scott started a “Cut My Taxes Week” by setting up a booth in the state Capitol where an average Florida family can calculate its savings from different […]

Ryan RayMarch 23, 2015

A bill creating insurance requirements for short-term rental and transportation network companies — bywords for industry leaders Airbnb and Uber, respectively — passed the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee Monday afternoon, though not without an airing of grievances about some practices within the “disruptive” ride-sharing business. Altamonte Sen. David Simmons, an influential member of the Republican majority […]

Ryan RayMarch 16, 2015

Editor’s note: As the 2015 Legislative Session kicks into high gear, FloridaPolitics.com is continuing to report on several “legislative food fights” during the annual lawmaking period. These kerfuffles don’t always make the front page of the traditional media outlets, but they are the kind of industry vs. industry or intra-industry turf battles that drive Tallahassee — […]

Ryan RayMarch 16, 2015

Editor’s note: As the 2015 Legislative Session kicks into high gear, FloridaPolitics.com is continuing to report on several “legislative food fights” during the annual lawmaking period. These kerfuffles don’t always make the front page of the traditional media outlets, but they are the kind of industry vs. industry or intra-industry turf battles that drive Tallahassee — […]

Guest AuthorMarch 15, 2015

FDOT’s recent announcement of their plans to expand Florida’s Turnpike in Palm Beach County brought to mind something my father often said: “Bigness is the problem.” When agencies grow too large, they function like massive cruise ships – great at moving forward, but so poor at changing course they need tug boats to help them. […]

Tag: Uber
Pam Bondi. Image via AP.

Hillsborough PTC antes up, adds more high-powered lobbyists

Uber bill cruises through Senate panel, will see amendment in Appropriations

Tallahassee City Commission defers action on Uber

Jeff Brandes, Matt Gaetz make case for "inevitable" Uber, as cabbies picket

Jeff Brandes, Matt Gaetz make case for “inevitable” Uber, as cabbies picket

The day that was in the Florida politics — March 23

Uber, Airbnb insurance requirements OK’d by Senate panel

Where does sh*t stand — the “legislative food fights” edition

Where does sh*t stand — the "legislative food fights" edition

Timothy Hullihan: Wrong-way thinking drives Turnpike expansion