Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerrySeptember 12, 2017

More professional sports teams are contributing to relief efforts in Florida following the destructive path of Hurricane Irma. The National Hockey League and its two Florida franchises — the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers — announced Tuesday that they are making a joint donation of $2.7 million to those affected across the state from […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 12, 2017

All Leon County offices will reopen on Wednesday, the county announced Tuesday. Also, a regular scheduled meeting of the Board of County Commissioners set for tonight was rescheduled to next Wednesday, Sept. 20. A workshop will be rescheduled at a later date. Solid Waste Services and debris removal will resume as follows: — Regular trash and recycling […]

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

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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 […]

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

Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers and the NHL give $2.7 million for Irma relief

Leon County offices re-opening Wednesday

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