Tampa Bay Bugle

07/15/2026

Mariella Smith, former Hillsborough County Commissioner, is urging county leaders to reject a comprehensive plan amendment that would advance a proposed road and highway interchange through rural southern Hillsborough County.

“We do not need this new road in the middle of nowhere,” said Smith. “We need our tax dollars spent on roads where people are living now”

TAMPA, FL  — Former Hillsborough County Commissioner Mariella Smith is urging county leaders to reject a comprehensive plan amendment that would advance a proposed road and highway interchange through rural southern Hillsborough County. Commissioners are scheduled to consider Comprehens

06/21/2026

Found the exact numbers I was looking for to put real today dollars with the "affordable" housing conversation. As I noted, Zillow had 1500+ 1 BR apartments listed at $1600 or less, Apartments.com had "average" Tampa apartment at $1,820 a month.

06/19/2026

Florida House Representative Dianne Hart-Lowman has endorsed Robin Lockett-Candidate for State House Distrct 63. Hart-Lowman said Lockett would bring strong leadership to the Legislature and praised her work on public education, equitable health care and affordable housing.

TAMPA, FL  — Florida House Representative Dianne Hart-Lowman has endorsed Robin Lockett in the race for Florida House District 63. Hart-Lowman said Lockett would bring strong leadership to the Legislature and praised her work on public education, equitable health care and affordable ho

06/16/2026

Elected leaders endorsing Trevor Mallory for City Council include Gulfport Councilmember Nancy Earley, Gulfport Councilmember Jennifer Daunch, and former Gulfport Councilmember April Thanos. They join former St. Petersburg Councilmember Karl Nurse, who formerly represented District 6, in supporting Mallory for City Council.

“I know from experience that Trevor is the kind of leader St. Petersburg needs,” said April Thanos, former member of the Gulfport City Council. “He isn’t afraid to ask tough questions and demand real answers before decisions are made. He takes the time to listen to the community and make choices based on what is best for St. Petersburg. That thoughtful, independent approach will serve residents well. Vote Trevor Mallory for St. Petersburg City Council.”

ST. PETERSBURG, FL  — Several local leaders endorsed Trevor Mallory today in his race to succeed Gina Driscoll on the St. Petersburg City Council District 6 seat. Elected leaders endorsing Mallory include Gulfport Councilmember Nancy Earley , Gulfport Councilmember Jennifer Daunch , and

06/15/2026

Supporters argue the proposal would improve local representation by creating smaller districts. But the political implications are difficult to ignore. Unlike district seats, countywide seats cannot be gerrymandered. By eliminating at-large representation entirely, the proposal creates an opportunity to redraw district boundaries in a way that favors one party and makes future electoral outcomes more predictable.

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed legislation that could fundamentally reshape Hillsborough County government, advancing a proposal that critics say is designed to cement long-term Republican control of the county. The measure, which will appear on the November 2026 ballot, would expand

04/27/2026

Council is off this week but they return next Tuesday for the special call workshop on the Rays stadium deal. Thought it would be interesting to see how folks would spend the $64 million of CIT funds—stadium or other areas of need.

How would you spend it? (link in comments)

04/21/2026

Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed new legislation committing taxpayer dollars to the development of air taxi infrastructure. The measure, HB 1093, authorizes the Florida Department of Transportation to fund up to 100 percent of the cost of building public vertiports (specialized hubs for air taxis).

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed new legislation committing taxpayer dollars to the development of air taxi infrastructure. The measure, HB 1093, authorizes the Florida Department of Transportation to fund up to 100 percent of the cost of building public vertiports — specialized hubs f

04/20/2026

At issue is a Comprehensive Plan amendment, known as CPA 26-11, scheduled for a public hearing on May 14. The proposal includes a new highway interchange in a rural area south of the Little Manatee River, with estimated costs approaching $74 million, according to planning documents. The project has already received a $7.5 million state earmark, with additional funding under consideration.

Critics argue the interchange would largely serve future development tied to Neal Communities, led by developer Pat Neal, rather than existing residents. Mariella Smith, former Hillsborough County Commissioner publicly opposed the proposal, calling on commissioners to reject the amendment and redirect funding to more established areas.

TAMPA — A proposed transportation project in southern Hillsborough County is drawing criticism from local officials and residents who question whether public funds would primarily benefit a private developer. At issue is a Comprehensive Plan amendment, known as CPA 26-11, scheduled for a public

04/16/2026

Tampa City Councilmember Bill Carlson has officially filed to run for mayor, adding another high-profile name to an already-crowded 2027 race to replace term-limited Mayor Jane Castor.

Carlson, who has represented District 4 since 2019, announced his candidacy Wednesday, emphasizing a campaign centered on government performance, transparency and efficiency. He said his goal is to improve how city government operates, arguing that the mayor’s office is the only position with the authority to drive meaningful systemic change.

TAMPA — Tampa City Councilman Bill Carlson has officially filed to run for mayor, adding another high-profile name to an already-crowded 2027 race to replace term-limited Mayor Jane Castor . Carlson, who has represented District 4 since 2019, announced his candidacy Wednesday, emphasizing a cam

04/13/2026

Bob Buckhorn was first elected to public office in 1995, and served as Mayor of Tampa from 2011 to 2019. Now he has officially filed to run for mayor again, presumably hoping to serve another eight years.

“I’m not running for a re-do,” said Buckhorn last year, “I’m not running for Bob Buckhorn 2.0. I’m running to help this city get to that next level, write its next chapters, then I’m going home.”

The former mayor has been running an unofficial campaign since at least Spring of last year. In that year, he has raised $1.8 million into his PAC, Friends of Bob Buckhorn.

TAMPA — Bob Buckhorn was first elected to public office in 1995, and served as Mayor of Tampa from 2011 to 2019. Now he has officially filed to run for mayor again, presumably hoping to serve another eight years. “I’m not running for a re-do,” said Buckhorn last year , “I’m not running f...