Landlords and City of Tampa staff talk council out of putting rent control on November ballot

There’s still opportunity for rent control to make it on another ballot, and one council member thinks March is an option.

by Justin Garcia August 4, 2022September 5, 2024

News & Views

Tampa Bay activists demand Mayor Castor prioritize affordable housing in upcoming budget

The demonstration will happen at 8:45 a.m. on August 4, right before the mayor before presents the proposed FY2023 budget.

by Justin Garcia August 2, 2022August 17, 2023

News & Views

Tampa City Council wants voters to decide if citizens police review board should have subpoena power

The move by council comes after an approved 18.5% raise for TPD.

by Justin Garcia July 29, 2022October 16, 2024

News & Views

With eyes on rent control, Tampa City Council votes to declare housing state of emergency

The vote comes after months of renter outcry, and there are still hurdles the city must face to control skyrocketing rents.

by Justin Garcia July 28, 2022September 18, 2024

News & Views

Lawsuit against Tampa City Councilman Orlando Gudes has been dismissed

The dismissal comes two months after the City of Tampa announced a separate $200,000 settlement for Gudes’ accuser.

by Justin Garcia July 28, 2022July 11, 2025

News & Views

Tampa’s police review board wants voters to decide if it should have subpoena power

The recommendation came after community members spoke out about a need for closer monitoring of TPD behavior.

by Justin Garcia July 27, 2022February 6, 2025

News & Views

‘Skateboarding is not a crime’: Tampa City Council asks city to rethink plan to ticket skaters

City council asked legal staff to review the idea to ticket skateboarders and report back on September 1.

by Justin Garcia July 19, 2022September 27, 2024

News & Views

Tampa councilwoman calls for legal staff to look at local protections for reproductive rights

Hurtak asked for a report back from the legal team on Aug. 4.

by Justin Garcia July 18, 2022September 19, 2024

News & Views

Tampa is one step closer to passing a ‘ban the box’ ordinance, which could help job applicants with criminal records

The ordinance would reward contractors who are fair to applicants with a criminal history and penalize those who don’t.

by Justin Garcia July 14, 2022June 6, 2025

News & Views

Tampa City Council calls for investigation into problematic Timber Falls Apartment Complex

Tenants claim to be living in a slum and that property managers are stealing money.

by Justin Garcia July 14, 2022April 8, 2025

News & Views

Tampa City Council will hear new code to protect Tampa Heights ‘unique urban character’

The group is calling on supporters to sign a petition before the Thursday meeting.

by Justin Garcia June 20, 2022October 19, 2023

News & Views

Tampa City Council votes for ordinance that could create tenant advocacy office, after outcry from residents

If approved, the ordinance could create an office in the city that helps tenants in need.

by Justin Garcia June 16, 2022August 17, 2023

News & Views

Tampa housing advocates call for tenant legal representation and non-secular homeless shelter

The demands come in the wake of the city denying rent stabilization during the housing crisis.

by Justin Garcia May 23, 2022December 15, 2023

News & Views

Florida ACLU calls on Tampa City Council to give police review board independent attorney and subpoena power

The changes could potentially give the board more tools to examine Tampa Police Department behavior.

by Justin Garcia May 18, 2022November 12, 2023

News & Views

Tampa City Council takes first step towards ordinance requiring 60 days notice before rent increase

The ordinance would also make it so that renters on month-to-month leases would receive 30 days notice.

by Justin Garcia April 21, 2022April 27, 2025

News & Views

Tampa leaders, former mayor, decry ‘unprecedented’ friction between Castor and city council

‘I have been covering Tampa politics for 40 years and have never seen anything like what is going on at City Hall these days.’

by Justin Garcia April 8, 2022July 8, 2025

News & Views

Tampa City Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak, a progressive from a working class family, says she’ll listen to the community

The councilwoman, sworn in to council today, represents all of Tampa in the District 3 at-large seat.

by Justin Garcia April 7, 2022June 13, 2025

News & Views

Here are the 23 people who are vying for Tampa’s vacant City Council seat

The candidates are set to be interviewed by council on Tuesday, April 5.

by Justin Garcia April 1, 2022June 13, 2025

News & Views

Orlando Gudes removes himself as council chair following hostile workplace allegations

Gudes stepped down as chair today, after several councilmen have called on him to resign.

by Justin Garcia March 31, 2022April 10, 2024

News & Views

Tampa City attorneys will report on controversial Hanna Avenue project to a fractured City Council this week

After initially denying to speak to council about the project, city attorneys are scheduled to discuss the project this week.

by Justin Garcia March 30, 2022June 30, 2024

Meet the Chefs Behind Tampa Bay's Restaurant Month

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