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Scott PowersOctober 31, 2017

Federal and state comprehensive, strategic plans are desperately needed to coordinate services for Hurricane Maria evacuees from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands so that they can best find the services wherever they’re available in Florida, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs said Tuesday. Jacobs warned that someone needs to be coordinating where tens of […]

Scott PowersOctober 27, 2017

State Sen. Victor Torres is urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide more housing relief programs in Florida for Puerto Rican and U.S. Virgin Island Hurricane Maria refugees to afford housing in Florida. Torres’s request follows a similar call earlier this week from the Central Florida Heart of Florida United Way, seeking federal assistance […]

Associated PressOctober 24, 2017

The Senate passed a $36.5 billion emergency aid measure Tuesday to refill disaster accounts, provide a much-needed cash infusion to Puerto Rico, and bail out the federal flood insurance program. The 82-17 vote sends the measure to the White House, where President Donald Trump is sure to sign it. The measure provides $18.7 billion to […]

Scott PowersOctober 21, 2017

Rene Plasencia sees it in the faces of countless Puerto Rican Hurricane Maria refugees when he or someone else says, “we’re here to help you.” A mixture of anguish, relief, pain, joy, fear, confidence, hopelessness, hope — all the emotions of losing everything and traveling to a strange, new place with almost nothing, and then […]

Phil AmmannOctober 13, 2017

Jacksonville Bold is intended to appeal to a discerning audience, particularly to those who see politics for what it truly is — a confluence of money, power and timing. We see evidence of that in every Bold — and this week is no different, as Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry’s Kids Hope Alliance reform bill advanced through […]

Danny McAuliffeOctober 12, 2017

After suffering major damage from Hurricane Irma, counties told the newly-formed House Select Committee on Hurricane Response and Preparedness that they are confident in their ability to handle disasters. It seems they’re mainly concerned with reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)—something that might be a large focus for the new committee. Representatives from […]

Scott PowersOctober 12, 2017

Declaring that “Americans are dying as we speak,” state Sen. Victor Torres blasted the Puerto Rico federal disaster relief efforts in an impassioned call at the Florida Capitol Thursday. Torres, an Orlando Democrat who’s been active in the Florida-side of the relief efforts since Hurricane Maria devastated the island three weeks ago, also criticized President […]

Scott PowersOctober 6, 2017

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto spent the early part of the week touring Puerto Rico and then on Thursday met with the House Natural Resources Committee, leaving convinced that the island is in desperate straights and that the administration of President Donald Trump still has not come to terms, but that Congress has. In an interview […]

Phil AmmannOctober 6, 2017

Jacksonville politics are returning to normal after a wild summer that included a newly assertive City Council flexing its muscles over Mayor Lenny Curry’s budget, followed by impacts from Hurricane Irma that are only now receding. Politicians, as you will read below, are still working to pick up the pieces, as photo ops are now replaced […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 4, 2017

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has been a valuable resource for the Trump Administration as they have grappled with the devastation in Puerto Rico. On Friday, for example, Scott talked to President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence about what he saw when he went last week — a prelude to President Trump’s own visit. Yet Gov. […]

Tag: FEMA
Pastel colored tropical townhomes

Teresa Jacobs expresses frustration over lack of FEMA, state coordination plans to help evacuees

Victor Torres seeking FEMA help for housing for Puerto Rico evacuees

Senate passes $36.5B disaster aid bill; Donald Trump signature next

Anguish, relief, fear, hope: Relief efforts serving thousands of Puerto Rico storm refugees

Jacksonville Bold for 10.13.17 — Power, money and timing

FEMA reimbursements uncertain, counties say

Victor Torres blasts federal response, Donald Trump tweets on Puerto Rico

Darren Soto: Congress understands Puerto Rico plight

Jacksonville Bold for 10.6.17 — After the storm

Rick Scott on Puerto Rico: ‘Whatever you need, we’ll be there for you’