Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersSeptember 27, 2017

Florida Agriculture Commissioner and leading Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam told the Florida Chamber of Commerce Wednesday that Florida needs to do more to help Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including preparation for a mass migration of Hurricane Maria aftermath evacuees. Putnam, speaking before the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s 2017 Future of Florida […]

Scott PowersSeptember 27, 2017

The Florida Chamber of Commerce intends to push the Florida Legislature this year and candidates next year to focus on tort reform to ease Florida’s increasing reputation as a place where litigation is a high cost of doing business. At the chamber’s annual Future of Florida Forum in Orlando Wednesday, Florida Chamber President and Chief […]

Associated PressSeptember 27, 2017

Relatives helped Maribel Valentin Espino find shelter when Hurricane Maria roared through her community in northern Puerto Rico. Neighbors formed volunteer brigades to cut fallen trees and clear twisty mountain roads after the storm had passed. Now, friends and a local cattle ranch provide the water they need to survive in the tropical heat. Valentin […]

Scott PowersSeptember 27, 2017

A lot of Florida’s economic weaknesses and longterm economic security can be treated with a bigger, more focused attention on vocational and technical education, Adam Putnam told a gathering of business leaders at the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s conference in Orlando Wednesday. Given just enough time, he surmised, to talk about just one issue in […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 27, 2017

It’s clear that Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam has been running a careful race for Florida governor. And Republican voters like what they are seeing, according to a new poll from the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Putnam is obliterating the GOP primary field, says the live-dial poll of 256 Republican likely voters conducted Sept. 14 through Sept. 21. The […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 27, 2017

John Morgan — who has been flirting a political campaign — is leading the Democratic field in the Florida governor’s race. In a new poll of 263 likely Democratic voters by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Orlando-based trial lawyer has the support of 23 percent, a number putting him well ahead of former U.S. […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 27, 2017

Jack Latvala is expanding his appeal as a “hero” with first responders across Florida. On Wednesday, the Clearwater Republican announced firefighters in St. Petersburg, Coral Gables and Indian River County have added their support to his bid to become Florida governor. “You have become a hero among firefighters,” said Indian River County Professional Firefighters and […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 27, 2017

Though the margin of just two percent is too close to call, a poll released Wednesday by the Florida Chamber of Commerce suggests a potential sea change in the Senate. The Chamber poll has Gov. Rick Scott ahead of Sen. Bill Nelson in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup, 47 percent to 45 percent. Scott, at least according to […]

Michael MolineSeptember 27, 2017

Citizens Property Insurance Corp. faces $1.2 billion in losses following Hurricane Irma, Board of Governors chair Christopher Gardner reported Wednesday. “Please recognize that this is an early estimate, and this number will probably change,” Gardner told board members during a telephone conference call. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, meanwhile, reported 577,918 claims against all insurers […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 27, 2017

Help is on the way to Florida’s citrus growers who have seen crops devastated by Hurricane Irma. That’s according to Sarasota Congressman Vern Buchanan, who says House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady assured him that his legislation — the Emergency Citrus Disease Response Act — will be part of the next hurricane relief package Congress will […]

Headlines

Adam Putnam calls for Florida to prepare for Hurricane Maria evacuees ‘with open arms’

Litigation reform, fraud protection key issues in Florida Chamber conference

‘Nothing, nothing.’ Aid lags in hurricane-torn Puerto Rico

Adam Putnam: renewed push for technical education key to fixing economic woes

Poll: Adam Putnam is front-runner in governor’s race

Poll: John Morgan is leading Democratic field for Florida governor

Florida firefighters, first responders continue lining up behind Jack Latvala

Poll: Post-Irma, Rick Scott leads Bill Nelson in Senate race

Citizens Insurance faces $1.2 billion in Irma claims; total insurance hit is $3.7 billion

Vern Buchanan says aid for citrus growers will be part of new hurricane relief bill