Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiOctober 9, 2016

On Sunday morning, President Barack Obama announced he signed a disaster declaration for Florida in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. However, Gov. Rick Scott asserts it doesn’t go far enough. “The president yesterday declared a major disaster exists in the State of Florida and ordered federal aid to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 7, 2016

Sen. Marco Rubio has a message for President Barack Obama: a major disaster declaration is needed immediately, with Hurricane Matthew buffering the coast and wreaking havoc on barrier islands and power grids alike. Rubio crafted a letter of support of Gov. Rick Scott’s request for an expedited major disaster declaration for Florida, noting “destruction” caused by the storm […]

Scott PowersOctober 7, 2016

President Barack Obama commuted the sentences of seven Florida men convicted in federal courts of dealing cocaine or methamphetamine, the White House announced late Thursday. Two of the federal prisoners, Benjy Neil Allums of Niceville, and Virgil Leon Darville of Boynton Beach, will be eligible for release from prison in February under the commuted sentences. The others still have many years […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 6, 2016

On Thursday afternoon, President Barack Obama signed an Emergency Declaration stating “an emergency exists in the State of Florida and [ordered] federal aid to supplement state, tribal, and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Matthew beginning on Oct. 3, 2016, and continuing.” This ensures federal action and oversight: as the media […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterOctober 6, 2016

More than half of Florida’s National Guard has been activated ahead of Hurricane Matthew. Gov. Rick Scott announced 3,500 members of the National Guard have been activated, more than half of the available troops. The governor said he will continue to activate members to help with evacuations, and prepare for search and rescue missions. “Protecting lives […]

Associated PressOctober 6, 2016

President Barack Obama on Wednesday urged residents of Florida and other states along the path of Hurricane Matthew to take the threat seriously. Government officials are worried about complacency, especially in South Florida, which hasn’t seen a major hurricane in 11 years. Obama said the hurricane will be building in strength as it makes its […]

Associated PressOctober 6, 2016

Forecasters say the first outer rain bands from Hurricane Matthew already have begun to approach Florida as the big storm crosses the Bahamas toward the state. The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says Matthew is still a Category 3 hurricane as of 8 a.m. Thursday, packing top sustained winds up to 125 mph. It’s […]

Associated PressOctober 5, 2016

Hurricane Matthew marched toward Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas and at least a half a million people along the coast were urged to evacuate their homes Wednesday, a mass exodus ahead of a major storm packing power the U.S. hasn’t seen in more than a decade. Matthew was a dangerous and life-threatening Category 3 storm […]

Peter SchorschOctober 5, 2016

The Florida Retail Federation announced Wednesday they are endorsing State Rep. Frank Artiles in the race for Senate District 40. “Frank has been a friend of retailing during his years as an influential member of the Florida House, and as a small business owner he understands the impact that onerous regulations can have in impacting […]

Associated PressOctober 5, 2016

President Barack Obama is being briefed on the federal government’s preparation for Hurricane Matthew as the Category 3 storm makes its way to the U.S. mainland. The president says now is the time to “hope for the best but we want to prepare for the worst.” Obama is at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s headquarters. […]

Tag: Barack Obama

President Obama signs Florida disaster declaration; Rick Scott says it’s not enough

Marco Rubio to Barack Obama: Major disaster declaration needed now

Barack Obama commutes sentences for 7 Florida drug dealers

President activates FEMA, issues Emergency Declaration for Florida

Rick Scott activates more than half the National Guard, asks feds for generators

Obama wants to make sure people take storm threat seriously

Matthew approaches as South Florida sees first rain bands, expected Cat 4

At least 500K urged to evacuate as Matthew nears Florida

Florida Retail Federation endorses Frank Artiles in SD 40

Obama briefed on federal hurricane preparations, S.C. town closes in preparation