Staff Reports, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsSeptember 6, 2017

All Florida state courts will be closed Friday as Hurricane Irma approaches and threatens most of the state, Chief Justice Jorge Labarga said Wednesday, citing the safety of court users, court staff and judges. An administrative order signed by Labarga includes a general statewide extension of legal time limits that cannot be met because of the […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 6, 2017

Shares of Florida home insurers, including Heritage Insurance Holdings, tumbled on Tuesday and many extended losses later in the day as Hurricane Irma appeared set to hit Florida on Saturday, causing investors to brace for losses. HCI Group shares posted their biggest-ever one-day percentage drop, falling 20.0 percent at $30.94 and hitting the lowest level […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 5, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott directed state offices to be closed in all 67 Florida counties this Friday in preparation for Hurricane Irma, his office announced Tuesday night. Scott also asked state employees to volunteer in the state’s emergency shelter mobilization efforts. “Our state workforce is filled with dedicated individuals who go above and beyond every day in service […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 5, 2017

U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson Tuesday called on President Trump to approve Gov. Rick Scott’s request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration for Florida in advance of Hurricane Irma. “A pre-landfall declaration will provide important resources and assistance from the federal government and would free up funding sources for emergency protective measures such as […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 5, 2017

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis “is urging Floridians to prepare now for possible Florida impact” from Hurricane Irma, he said in a press release. “Residents should take steps immediately to ensure their family is prepared to possibly weather this major category 5 storm,” the release said. “Hurricane Irma is a major and dangerous storm, […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 5, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday asked President Donald Trump to declare a pre-landfall emergency for Florida in preparation for Hurricane Irma, the Governor’s Office announced. “A pre-landfall declaration will provide important resources and assistance from the federal government and would free up funding sources for emergency protective measures such as shoring up beach dunes, building […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 5, 2017

The state has inked a $1.67 million deal for just over eight acres known as “Barefoot Palms” as a buffer around Naval Support Activity (NSA) Panama City. The Department of Environmental Protection announced the completed purchase. NSA Panama City sits on 657 acres in the Panhandle. “The acquisition of this property will prevent further incompatible development adjacent to NSA […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 5, 2017

The mother of a Tallahassee elementary schooler is suing the local school board after a teacher slammed a “time out room” door on her special-needs son’s hand, breaking his finger, according to her complaint. The case is being handled by an attorney for Morgan & Morgan, the statewide personal injury law firm founded by Orlando […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 4, 2017

Attorney General Pam Bondi on Monday night activated Florida’s price gouging hotline for all consumers in Florida. The opening of the hotline came after Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in all 67 counties because of Hurricane Irma—a Category 4 hurricane that could hit the state this week. “Floridians need to prepare now […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 4, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott has declared a statewide state of emergency as Hurricane Irma appears more likely to affect Florida. Scott issued an executive order on Monday afternoon. Irma, now a Category 3 hurricane, “is a major and life-threatening storm and Florida must be prepared,” Scott said in a statement. “I have continued to be briefed […]

Staff Reports

All Florida courts to close Friday

Florida insurers shares tumble as Hurricane Irma looms

Rick Scott: State offices closed Friday

Florida’s U.S. senators urge emergency declaration

CFO Jimmy Patronis: Get a plan ahead of Irma

Rick Scott seeks pre-landfall emergency status from feds

State gets land for base buffering

Lawsuit: Tallahassee teacher breaks kid’s finger

Pam Bondi activates price gouging hotline

Rick Scott declares state of emergency for Hurricane Irma