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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 […]

Mitch PerryAugust 26, 2015

The 18-month feud between representatives of Uber and the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission has been reignited over the past few weeks, after the PTC lost a battle in Hillsborough Circuit Court that could have put the San Francisco based ride-sharing company out of business in the county. After the PTC said it would continue […]

Mitch PerryAugust 21, 2015

Happy Friday — or will it be in Tallahassee? In the spirit of Larry King‘s classic USA Today columns, here we go … All eyes are on the Capitol today to see whether the Senate will go along with the House’s plan on redistricting, a process that’s supposed to be completed by high noon … None of […]

Mitch PerryAugust 20, 2015

After delivering what the Tampa Bay Times‘ Caitlin Johnston described as a “rant” at Wednesday’s Hillsborough Board of County Commission, Victor Crist isn’t finished getting the last word in when it comes to the county’s battle with Uber. That’s the more recalcitrant of the two ridesharing companies that have been operating out of compliance with the county’s […]

Mitch PerryAugust 20, 2015

The news that the Go Hillsborough campaign has re-introduced the prospect of the Hillsborough transportation tax going from a half-cent to a full penny apparently alienated a few county commissioners who didn’t get a heads-up that County Administrator Mike Merrill was about to do that Monday. Now that they’ve got that out of their system, […]

Mitch PerryAugust 19, 2015

(Update: Jeff Brandes & Uber respond). This past week St. Petersburg-based state Sen. Jeff Brandes said that he intends to once again introduce legislation in next year’s Regular Session to reform the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission. Brandes, who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, was reacting to the news that the PTC, which regulates commercial vehicle […]

Mitch PerryAugust 12, 2015

Despite a court ruling that rejected their request that could have prevented Uber from operating in Hillsborough County, the Public Transportation Committee agreed today that they could continue to issue citations against Uber (and Lyft) drivers. “It is our opinion that there is nothing in Judge Huey’s order that prevents the PTC from continuing its enforcement […]

Mitch PerryJune 12, 2015

Thirty-eights years after Anita Bryant, Florida no longer officially bans gays from adopting children. Although it’s been legal for such couples to adopt since 2010, Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill into law Thursday night that now makes that official. The issue roiled social conservatives in and outside of the Legislature this spring. The inclusion of […]

Tag: Victor Crist
Image via AP

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

Jeff Brandes optimistic about ridesharing bill passing in Florida in 2016

Mitch Perry Report for 8.21.15 — Jeb’s SNL moment

Victor Crist fires back at Uber

Mitch Perry Report for 8.20.15 — The 1% solution for a Hillsborough County transportation tax

Hillsborough County to study costs if PTC is eliminated

Despite court ruling, Hillsborough PTC agents will continue to cite Uber drivers

Mitch Perry Report for 6.12.15 — On this LGBT issue, Florida and Rick Scott resist social conservative pressures