Life and politics from the Sunshine State's best city

Tag archive

Les Miller - page 12

Go Hillsborough proposal moves forward as half-cent sales tax, but obstacles loom

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

The Hillsborough Policy Leadership Group on Thursday voted to accept the recommendation by County Administrator Mike Merrill to move forward on a referendum for a half-cent sales tax to last the next 30 years. However, that doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to go before voters next year to pay for a series of transportation improvements. That’s because County Commissioner Al Higginbotham acknowledged after the meeting that he won’t support putting the measure on the ballot. That means it could come down…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Hillsborough commissioners aim to improve public records process, ethics training

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

In the wake of a heavier than usual number of public information record requests in the past several months, the Board of Hillsborough County Commissioners on Wednesday unanimously voted to strengthen their procedures in processing such requests. “We need to do a better job of documenting, tracking and responding to requests,” said Commissioner Ken Hagan (photo at left). He said it’s important to provide more timely requests. Both Hagan and Commissioner Sandy Murman were accused last week of failing to…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

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

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

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 private consultant Beth Leytham and several influential county officials. 10 Investigates made the public records request in June, asking for all the emails exchanged between…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Hillsborough county commissioners approve push to bring Cuban consulate to region

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

The Hillsborough County Commission on Wednesday became the latest local agency to support the push to have a Cuban consulate in Tampa. “We’ve been told from our sources in Washington, D.C., that, if we truly want to be considered for the consulate, we must speak with one voice,” said Bob Rohrlack, president and CEO of The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, who made the request before the board. “If we resume the historical role of having the consulate here, which…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

The end for SaintPetersBlog

Ever since I acquired the rights to the perfect domain for my efforts — FloridaPolitics.com — I knew that one

Hillsborough County closer to establishing registry for lobbyists

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Although somewhat obscured by the more than 90-minute discussion they had on the Go Hillsborough initiative, the Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday unanimously supported a proposal by Chairwoman Sandy Murman aimed at bringing more transparency to lobbying in the county. The measure calls for the County Attorney’s office to draft an ordinance that will create a  system requiring lobbyists to register when they visit with county officials or staff, with that information then being posted online. Still to be determined…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Mitch Perry Report for 10.8.15 — Will the Hillsborough BOCC have the votes to put transportation tax on ballot?

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Watching the Hillsborough County Commission yesterday discuss the latest with the Go Hillsborough effort was a fascinating glimpse of where this experience may be heading. The headline was that the Board of County Commissioners beat back a feeble attempt to remove Sheriff David Gee’s office from investigating the charges on how consultant Parsons Brinckerhoff  received its $1.35 million contract to lead the effort on transportation that the county has been undertaking the past two years. The board also rejected Commissioner Stacy White’s call…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Reacting to media report, Hillsborough County internal auditor to again review Go Hillsborough effort

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Although there was already a 94-page investigation conducted by Hillsborough County’s internal auditor earlier this year that gave the thumbs up to the county’s contracting of the Go Hillsborough public outreach program with engineering consultant Parsons Brinckerhoff, the Board of County Commission today voted to have internal auditor Peggy Caskey conduct another investigation immediately. The motion by Commissioner Kevin Beckner came two days after a report by WTSP-Channel 10 reporter Noah Pransky that investigated local public relations and communications guru Beth Leytham, and her involvement as…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

1 … 10 11 12 13 14 15
Go to Top