Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeDecember 14, 2017

Get ready, Florida. Devastating storms like Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria are the new normal. At least that’s what Craig Fugate, who led FEMA under President Barack Obama, and other partners in a campaign are saying to raise awareness and involvement in a new age of hurricane safety. “Irma made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane […]

Joe HendersonSeptember 13, 2017

The images of sunken cars, water-soaked homes and submerged streets in the aftermath of hurricanes in Florida and Texas should be enough to convince politicians to finally address the issue of flood insurance. Millions who need coverage don’t have it or can’t afford it. It’s an old problem in states like ours, and it’s time […]

Peter SchorschMay 9, 2017

Florida Realtors really want you to know what a successful Legislative Session looks like. To celebrate the close of a “triumphant” 2017 Session – including passage of the state’s $82.4 billion budget – Florida Realtors released a recap of its major victories, bills and budgetary items of interest to real estate professionals statewide. Florida Realtors […]

Michael MolineFebruary 21, 2017

A Senate committee approved bills Tuesday that would encourage Florida insurers to write flood insurance as an alternative to expensive federal coverage, and would allow patients to sue HMOs for declining to cover doctors’ treatment recommendations in bad faith. “Why shouldn’t the HMOs be held liable for the decisions they make and the doctors aren’t […]

Phil AmmannOctober 23, 2016

When Hurricane Matthew battered the East Coast, it killed dozens and caused catastrophic flooding in Florida and North Carolina, with losses estimated in the billions. This followed Hurricane Hermine, which tore through the Florida Panhandle and caused devastating floods in Louisiana. Meanwhile, West Virginia recently saw flash floods that tragically took 23 lives. These extreme […]

Guest AuthorAugust 25, 2016

The 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season could become very active soon if forecasters are correct. While the season has been fairly quiet so far, with just five named storms forming, NOAA recently increased its storm season prediction and is now calling for 12-17 named storms. So, as residents stock up on back-to-school supplies, it may be […]

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 […]

Ryan RayMay 21, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday afternoon granted final approval to a measure sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes aimed at increasing flexibility and lowering premiums on flood insurance. SB 1094 was co-sponsored by Brandes’ fellow Pinellas County Republican Rep. Larry Ahern. Brandes and Ahern both represent moderate coastal districts where flood insurance is among voters’ highest priorities. Brandes has […]

Staff ReportsMay 7, 2015

A measure sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes aimed at increasing flexibility and lowering premiums on insurance premiums has made it as far as the governor’s office, where it sits pending his approval. SB 1094 replaced the House version sponsored by fellow Pinellas County Republican Rep. Larry Ahern. Brandes and Ahern both represent moderate coastal districts where […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMay 1, 2015

Sen. Jeff Brandes is home from Tallahassee with the list of accomplishments this session. Of bills he proposed, at least nine are on their way to the governor for a signature. One of the bills Brandes is most excited to see make its way to Rick Scott’s desk is the Local Government Pension Reform bill. Senate Bill 242 is […]

Former FEMA admin: Life-threatening storms are the ‘new normal’

Joe Henderson: It’s past time for flood insurance reform

Florida Realtors legislative recap shows what successful Session looks like

Flood insurance, HMO liability legislation clear Senate committee

Patrick Murphy & Dennis Ross: Disaster programs need to be proactive

Logan McFaddin: Peak hurricane season: Insurers say don’t wait

Jeff Brandes wants transparency in National Flood Insurance Program rates

Rick Scott signs flood insurance flexibility bill into law

Flood insurance flexibility bill goes to Rick Scott for likely approval

Jeff Brandes leaves Tallahassee with impressive bill record