Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannSeptember 12, 2017

Ahead of the 2018 midterms, the Republican National Committee has brought on a new political director for Florida. Andrew Brey, who previously served on U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio‘s presidential campaign, has been in the post since July. Brey has also worked for the Republican Party of Florida as field director in support of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 12, 2017

Screen-Shot-2017-09-12-at-12.40.36-PM.png

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is warning residents of potential fraudsters looking to make a buck off others’ misfortune. Here’s a release he sent Tuesday: Following the landfall of Hurricane Irma, many Floridians are now assessing their homes and property for damage and taking steps to make temporary repairs to prevent additional damage before […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 12, 2017

Saying its “hearts and minds” are with Hurricane Irma survivors, Uber on Tuesday said it was “donating $400,000 (worth) of rides, food, and relief to families and communities affected, as well as (to) first responders.” The San Francisco-based ride-booking company made the announcement on its blog. “To make sure these resources are deployed where they […]

Associated PressSeptember 12, 2017

Thanks to reconnaissance by a neighbor who stayed behind, Pam Szymanksi knows Hurricane Irma blew out the living room window of her southwest Florida home, but she isn’t sure when she’ll get to see the damage for herself. “All I know is we have to check out of here tomorrow, because they’re booked,” she said […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 12, 2017

Tampa-based property insurance claim lawyer Chip Merlin was labeled “the master of disaster” in a Tampa Bay Times article last year based on his practice of representing insurance claims for natural disaster victims. With Hurricane Irma laying serious waste to all parts of the Sunshine State, FloridaPolitics.com contacted Merlin to ask him what property owners in Florida […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 12, 2017

The Florida Park Service on Tuesday announced that 20 state parks in the Panhandle and Big Bend have reopened after Hurricane Irma. But another 147 state parks remain closed because of inclement weather, the park service said. The following state parks have reopened for day use only: — Bald Point State Park (Franklin County) — […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 12, 2017

Justin Sayfie announced Tuesday he had cancelled his upcoming Sept. 14-15 “Sayfie Review Summit” because of Hurricane Irma. “It was a difficult decision to make but our state’s focus in the coming days should be on disaster response, recovery and relief,” Sayfie wrote in an email. “There will always be time to talk about the […]

Associated PressSeptember 12, 2017

Officials in Miami Beach allowed residents to return to their homes Tuesday morning after Hurricane Irma pounded Florida with wind and rain. A long line of cars amassed on Interstate 195 at 6:55 a.m. Tuesday, waiting for the road blocks to be taken down. The entryways have been blocked since Sunday night so crews could […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 12, 2017

Screen-Shot-2017-09-11-at-2.30.06-PM.png

Leon County government announced Tuesday morning it would no longer impose a nightly curfew “upon the advice of law enforcement.” “There is no curfew in place at this time,” the county said of the 9 p.m.-7 a.m. curfew. It “was enacted prior to Irma to allow officials to conduct response and recovery efforts most effectively.” […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 12, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott can’t stop, won’t stop as the state mops up from Hurricane Irma. Scott, who’s in Jacksonville this Tuesday morning, was all about preparedness as the storm approached. Now he’s focused on recovery, his daily schedule shows, with a media interview thrown in: “7:20 a.m. — Call With Florida Power And Light President […]

Headlines
Ashley Moody does a TV interview on "Varney and Co."

National Republicans hire new Florida state director

Jimmy Patronis warns of post-hurricane fraud

Uber donating $400K toward hurricane relief

After Irma, Florida’s evacuees contemplate return trip

‘Master of disaster’ Chip Merlin on post-Irma property insurance claims

North Fla. state parks reopening after Irma

Justin Sayfie cancels Sayfie Review Summit

Miami Beach residents allowed to return home

Leon County ends nightly curfew

Rick Scott focused on Irma recovery