You don’t have to bea City Hall insider to know that Mayor Bob Buckhorn is branching out– even beyond federal grant lobbying, trade-mission participation and Bollywood Oscar recruiting.
For example, he recently participated in a conference call that included the president of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and an Obama Administration trade official regarding the need to approve the Trans-Pacific Partnership. No, its passage won’t be a game-changer for Tampa, but it’s a reminder that Florida’s exports to free-trade agreement countries are increasing and a city with a major airport and seaport is part of the global economic village.
And recall that Mayor Bob was at the White House Roosevelt Room a few months back for a trade roundtable meeting with President Barack Obama and other local elected officials. The focus was on the opportunities and benefits of trade, a key part of the president’s fast-track agenda, as well as the challenges that small business exporters face.
We know that term-limited Mayor Bob can envision a bigger political stage and isn’t precluding a potential gubernatorial candidacy in 2018.
We know he has One Florida, a statewide political action committee. We also know that he won’t be a stranger when it comes to voicing an opinion–or more–on elections and referenda around the state. It’s how your name gets recognized more widely. Increasingly, he’ll be a Florida player using his I-4 corridor-mayor pulpit.
We also know that he didn’t mince any words last month in calling out Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature over budget dysfunction and the impending Medicaid expansion sham. “Shame on this governor,” said Buckhorn. “Shame on this Legislature. They need to get back to work.”
Meanwhile, taking well-earned potshots at the “Flori-duh”-epitomizing Tallahassee scene is hardly a political loser.