Peter Schorsch
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Good on Florida’s lawyers, as over 500 of them “have already signed up to volunteer with Florida Free Legal Answers,” The Florida Bar announced today.
The online advice clinic is meant for low-income Floridians, but “the Bar has already requested, and the American Bar Association has approved, a temporary increase of the qualifying cap so that all Floridians can access” the service for basic legal questions before and after Hurricane Irma, it said.
“As Florida continues preparations in advance of Hurricane Irma, The Florida Bar wants to share essential information and guidance for those who may be affected by the storm,” its release said.
To that end, it’s offering a “Mass Disaster” consumer guide, which provides information for consumers on whom to contact for legal help and how to protect their legal rights in the event of a natural disaster.
And after Irma makes landfall, a toll-free legal aid hotline for low-income hurricane victims is expected to be activated.
Assistance includes “securing FEMA and other benefits; assistance with life, medical and property insurance claims; help with home repair contracts and contractors; replacement of wills and other important legal documents destroyed in the storm; assistance with consumer protection matters; and counseling on landlord/tenant problems.”
Evening Reads
“After Andrew, Florida changed its approach to hurricanes” via Lizette Alvarez and Marc Santora of the New York Times
“FHP starts towing disabled vehicles as traffic jams Florida’s Turnpike” via the Tampa Bay Times
“Deep-dive: Most Florida flood zone property not insured” via The Associated Press
“Top Florida home insurer, Citizens Insurance, could face big hit from Irma” via The Associated Press
“Bill Nelson warns Congress $15B hurricane aid package only a start” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida
“Teresa Jacobs declares state of emergency for Orange County” via Scott Powers of Orlando Rising
“Airbnb enacts free rental program for evacuees, relief workers” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
Quote of the Day
“Irma is a beast. There is no scenario in which Southeast Florida will escape it … Being inland is not a free pass to this storm.” — Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, speaking Thursday at Polk County’s Emergency Operations Center.
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Breakthrough Insights
(Don’t) Wake Up Early
Because of Hurricane Irma, officials are announcing more cancellations/postponements.
As previously declared, all state offices and courts are closed Friday.
Also called off was a meeting of the Constitution Revision Commission’s Rules and Administration Committee planned for Friday at the Capitol.
The Florida State University College of Criminology and Criminal Justice previously canceled a Fallen Officer Memorial dedication ceremony scheduled for Friday. The event will be rescheduled, the school said.
CFO Jimmy Patronis says he is postponing an open house that was scheduled for Tuesday “to focus all of my attention on assisting Floridians throughout the entire post-storm recovery process. I will be back in touch in the near future with a new date and time.”
