Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Phil AmmannOctober 26, 2015

Hillsborough County Commissioners Sandy Murman and Ken Hagan possibly violated Florida Sunshine Laws when they failed to produce public records requested months ago. However, after a 10 News investigation, WTSP reporter Noah Pransky says one Commissioner is apologizing while the other blames county workers. The situation stems from an inquiry into the murky relationship between […]

Mitch PerryOctober 8, 2015

(UPDATED) Last month, Florida Senate Transportation Chairman Jeff Brandes and Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commissioner (PTC) Victor Crist discussed their opinions on how to regulate Transportation Network Companies like Uber and Lyft. They met at Shula’s Steakhouse in Tampa’s Westshore district, and both have said they enjoyed themselves and came to common cause on several […]

Mitch PerryOctober 8, 2015

Watching the Hillsborough County Commission Wednesday discuss the latest with the Go Hillsborough effort was a fascinating glimpse of where this experience may be heading. The headline was that county commissioners beat back a feeble attempt to stop Sheriff David Gee‘s office from investigating the charges on how consultant Parsons Brinckerhoff received its $1.35 million contract […]

Mitch PerryOctober 2, 2015

On Thursday, Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission Chairman Victor Crist announced that his agency will temporarily postpone any work on the litigation involving the PTC and Uber until after the Florida Legislative session concludes next March. All eyes are on Tallahassee next winter to finally come up with a statewide list of rules and regulations regarding […]

Mitch PerryOctober 1, 2015

In what is being described as a good faith gesture, Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission Chairman Victor Crist announced on Thursday that the PTC has asked its legal counsel to temporarily postpone all legal actions currently pending against ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft until after the Florida Legislative session concludes early next year. “We want […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 16, 2015

That local bill to regulate Transportation Network Companies (TNC) such as Uber and Lyft that the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission has proposed has been drafted and was placed on the PTC’s website on Wednesday. The bill, to be sponsored by Plant City House Republican Dan Raulerson, will be introduced before the local Hillsborough County local delegation […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 10, 2015

Yesterday in Brussels, Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Union’s top executive, proposed a plan to move approximately 160,000 refugees coming from war-torn and poverty-stricken nations in the Middle East and Africa in response to other countries to deal with the crisis gripping Europe. Although often called “Europe’s problem,” there is increasing discussion about what the U.S. could, and […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 9, 2015

St.Petersburg-based state Senator Jeff Brandes has stated his opposition to the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission (PTC) for years, so you wouldn’t think that the GOP lawmaker would entertain any discussions about strengthening the besieged agency. However, PTC Chairman Victor Crist says the two have more in common than Brandes is aware of. “Senator Brandes is […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 9, 2015

Aiming for a different course after battling two rideshare companies for nearly a year and a half, the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission voted Wednesday to propose new regulations it hopes a local legislator can push through Tallahassee next year. As a “good faith effort” showing it’s trying to work with the industry, the board also […]

Tag: Victor Crist

Tensions about Hillsborough PTC build as legislative delegation meeting approaches

After several requests, Hillsborough commissioners produce Beth Leytham emails they said didn’t exist

Hillsborough Republican lawmakers mixed on PTC future

Mitch Perry Report for 10.8.15 – Will Hillsborough commission have votes to put transportation tax on ballot?

Victor Crist and Jeff Brandes are NOT on the same page regarding the PTC’s future

Hillsborough PTC to temporarily postpone legal actions against Uber until after legislative session ends next year

Hillsborough PTC unveils their bill to regulate Uber and Lyft in Florida

Mitch Perry Report for 9.10.15 – Few presidential candidates offering specifics on refugee crisis

Victor Crist wants to have a beer summit with Jeff Brandes regarding regulating Uber

Hillsborough County PTC to stop citing Uber, Lyft drivers