Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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. […]

Scott PowersOctober 4, 2017

After touring Puerto Rico earlier this week, U.S. Rep. Darren Soto declared the island is in emergency need of robust emergency federal funding, not just to assure full federal relief efforts from Hurricanes Maria and Irma, but to keep the commonwealth’s government operating in a place where almost no one can work. “The stories that […]

Scott PowersOctober 3, 2017

Help for Puerto Rico and for Puerto Ricans evacuating to Florida is going to be best provided by the rapidly-rising group of private groups, churches, and companies and government coordination will have to be done by the state, leaving little direct power for Orange County and other counties, Mayor Teresa Jacobs said Tuesday. Jacobs and […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 29, 2017

What a month for Jacksonville. We survived it all. We survived Hurricane Irma and its floods that turned downtown to a lake and brought the river into some of the finest homes in Avondale and San Marco. Then, we survived the politicians’ photo ops. We saw the Jaguars court opprobrium when some knelt for the […]

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 […]

Tag: FEMA
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

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’

Darren Soto: Congress must quickly approve robust relief package for Puerto Rico

Teresa Jacobs: Orange County’s role limited for Puerto Rico, Puerto Ricans

Jacksonville Bold for 9.29.17 — Wake me up when September ends

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