Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerrySeptember 28, 2016

It’s been a long time coming, but President Obama signed off Wednesday on declaring a major disaster exists in Florida, ordering federal aid to areas affected by Hurricane Hermine earlier this month. Obama’s actions now make federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Citrus, Dixie, Hernando, Leon, Levy, and Pasco. Assistance can include grants […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 20, 2016

No doubt there is bad blood between the Rick Scott and Barack Obama administrations. It could be a reason why the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has rejected Scott’s request for federal assistance for a multitude of bad weather events — as well as requests for federal funds for handling the Zika virus and the Pulse […]

Scott PowersSeptember 9, 2016

U.S. Rep. John Mica, the Winter Park Republican who chairs a key house subcommittee, told FEMA officials Friday that some of their responses to the Louisiana flooding last month were “not acceptable.” Mica, who toured the flood-ravaged areas of southwest Louisiana the weekend before winning the Aug. 7 primary in his quest for a 13th […]

Scott PowersJuly 15, 2016

Whose fault was it that Orlando did not qualify for federal funding to shore up anti-terrorism efforts the past few years? U.S. Rep. John Mica called a congressional hearing Friday to see, and several officials concluded it was at least partly because of Congress. Mica was not entirely convinced and countered with several reasons why he is […]

Associated PressMarch 28, 2016

Some residents of the Florida Panhandle who sustained damage during two tornadoes that touched down in February will not receive individual assistance through FEMA. The Pensacola News Journal reported that the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied the state’s request for individual assistance for residents, including low-interest loans, grants and temporary housing assistance. Florida officials have […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorAugust 14, 2015

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has responded to State Sen. Jeff Brandes’ request to study the methods used to determine National Flood Insurance Program policy rates. The group agrees that with the limited information available to regulators, the rates may be “unfairly discriminatory.” According to a letter from OIR commissioner Kevin McCarty, his NFIP […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorAugust 12, 2015

Florida Senator Jeff Brandes wants FEMA to release data from flood insurance policies under the National Flood Insurance Program to determine whether or not the premiums assessed for policies are excessive or arbitrarily assigned. In a letter to Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation Commissioner Kevin McCarty Wednesday, Brandes argued there were 100,000 fewer flood insurance […]

Guest AuthorJuly 13, 2015

Emergencies and disasters can occur quickly without notice, and can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or be confined to your home. Being ready for a disaster is more than storing water and stocking up on supplies; it is being prepared to handle financial responsibilities and issues should disaster strike. Having a plan to pay […]

Shannon NickinsonJune 5, 2015

Stormwater, like many other things, flows downhill. That was one of the things that last year’s spring floods highlighted. And since water does not respect political boundaries, City of Pensacola and Escambia County officials are venturing into uncharted territory – at least for local governments in these parts. “We’ve chosen to start with city-county cooperation,” […]

Shannon NickinsonJune 4, 2015

Stormwater, like many other things, flows downhill. That was one of the things that last year’s spring floods highlighted. And since water does not respect political boundaries, City of Pensacola and Escambia County officials are venturing into uncharted territory – at least for local governments in these parts. “We’ve chosen to start with city-county cooperation,” […]

Tag: FEMA

President Obama signs Florida disaster declaration

Angry Rick Scott wants Barack Obama declare Florida disaster after Hermine

John Mica declares FEMA response in Louisiana ‘not acceptable’

John Mica congressional hearing on Orlando’s lost federal anti-terrorism money aims some blame at Congress

Panhandle residents denied FEMA assistance

Florida Office of Insurance Regulation says flood rates in Florida may be unfair

Jeff Brandes wants transparency in National Flood Insurance Program rates

Drew Breakspear: Be ready for disaster

How Pensacola, Escambia County are responding to floods

Shannon Nickinson: How Pensacola, Escambia County are responding to floods