Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannJune 16, 2017

Republican state Rep. Shawn Harrison is holding a campaign kickoff party later this month to launch his re-election bid in House District 63. The event, hosted by House Majority 2016 and featuring special guest Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, is Thursday, June 29, beginning 5 p.m. at the historic Tampa Theater, 711 N. Franklin St. Included […]

Mitch PerryJune 13, 2017

Former Hillsborough County judge Ashley Moody just kicked off her campaign for Attorney General and is already building support amongst those who know her best – Republicans from her home county. On Tuesday, Moody announced that all five Republican members of the Hillsborough County Commission – Stacy White, Sandy Murman, Al Higginbotham, Ken Hagan and Victor Crist – are backing her […]

Joe HendersonMay 22, 2017

I am not a fan of term limits. I understand the argument from those who say we need a law that limits the power of incumbency. They say the longer a politician stays in office, the more likely they are to accumulate so much recognition and money that it becomes almost impossible to beat them. […]

Mitch PerryMay 4, 2017

Legislation that would effectively kill the controversial Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission (HB 647) passed in the Florida House on Thursday. The bill, sponsored by Tampa Bay Republican Jamie Grant, was first introduced as a local bill at the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation meeting last December. Although the PTC has reaped a slew of negative news stories over the […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 6, 2017

Tampa GOP state Representative Jamie Grant has filed a bill (HB 647) that would eliminate the controversial Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission. “With new information being made public every day, it becomes increasingly clear that this agency needs to be abolished,” Grant said in a statement. “Everything that has come to light has confirmed what we knew […]

Mitch PerryDecember 16, 2016

The troubled Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission received a terminal diagnosis Friday after members of the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation voted unanimously for a local bill that would eliminate the agency on December 31, 2017. After that, the County Commission would pick up its regulatory duties. “The public has lost complete faith in the ability of this […]

Joe HendersonNovember 25, 2016

Pat Kemp officially joined the Hillsborough County Commission when she was sworn into office Wednesday. If she stays true to her nature – and there is no to believe she won’t – Kemp might just turn the Commission on its ear. I hope she does. Most politicians like to play it safe and tell voters […]

Mitch PerryNovember 9, 2016

A change in government in Washington has been preceded by a changing of the guard at one of the Tampa Bay area’s most troubled government agencies, the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission. On the same day the PTC finally approved rules legalizing ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft to operate in the county, the agency lost […]

Mitch PerryOctober 26, 2016

The announcement this week that premiums for “silver” health care plans in the state-based exchanges will rise by an average of 22 percent next year has received maximum news coverage, including by political reporters who think it could an “October surprise” that benefits the Republican Party. It is a gift to Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, and […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 29, 2016

An official with Uber said Thursday the San Francisco-based ridesharing company has come to an agreement regarding background checks and other new rules proposed by outgoing Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission Chair Victor Crist to have them finally operate legally in the county. Whether they will be approved by the rest of the PTC remains uncertain […]

Tag: Victor Crist

Shawn Harrison kicks off HD 63 re-election bid at Tampa Theater June 29

All 5 Republican members of Hillsborough Commission are backing Ashley Moody for AG

Joe Henderson: We already term limits. They’re called ‘elections’

It’s the end of the road for the Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission

At long last, Jamie Grant files bill to kill Hillsborough PTC

Hillsborough County PTC may be on way out after local delegation approves bill to kill it

Joe Henderson: Look for Pat Kemp to turn Hillsborough Commission on its ear

Kyle Cockream to step down from Hillsborough County PTC at the end of the year

Mitch Perry Report for 10.26.16 — Can Donald Trump exploit ACA premium increases?

Uber agrees to proposed new rules — but will Hillsborough’s PTC follow suit?