Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJanuary 8, 2019

Florida’s foresters, land managers and storm recovery crews have more than just the obvious devastation left behind by Hurricane Michael. Now, they must prepare for the potential of massive wildfires, floodplains flooding, and the prospect of devastation by pine beetles. That was part of the sobering message given Tuesday to the Florida Senate Environment and […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 10, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott activated the Florida Disaster Fund to support those impacted by Hurricane Michael, a dangerous Category 4 storm expected to make landfall in the Panhandle Wednesday afternoon. The Fund provides financial support to communities throughout the state in times of disaster. Contributions can be made at the Florida Disaster Fund website or by texting DISASTER to 20222 […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 10, 2018

Short-term lodging service Airbnb and some of its hosts are offering free places to stay for displaced neighbors and relief workers deployed to help with storm recovery before, during and after Hurricane Michael. The program runs through October 29. More than 170 property owners are participating in the Open Homes Program as Hurricane Michael barrels toward […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 10, 2018

Florida is ready for a robust storm response after Hurricane Michael passes through the Panhandle, Gov. Rick Scott said during an 8:30 a.m. briefing Wednesday morning. Michael is expected to make landfall Wednesday afternoon as a Category 4 storm with winds up to 145 mph. “This is devastating,” Scott said. “This is the worst storm the Panhandle has […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 15, 2017

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Thursday that it plans to recommence discharges from Lake Okeechobee tomorrow to slough off the excess water dumped into the lake by Hurricane Irma. The Corps said it will begin pushing “as much water as practical” through the spillway at Port Mayaca Lock & Dam on the east […]

Staff ReportsAugust 28, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott on Monday said he’s sending more Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers and resources to Houston to help Houston after its soaking by Hurricane Harvey. “These officers and resources will be assisting with ongoing search and rescue and disaster response efforts,” a press release said. “Gov. Scott spoke with Texas […]

Joe HendersonSeptember 18, 2016

We love the water around here. We boat on it, haul fish from it, swim in it, and build houses that provide spectacular views of it. Water is such a big deal around here that many people identify us not by the actual places where we live, but by the catchall name of Tampa Bay. […]

Diane RobertsSeptember 15, 2015

Remember when Rick Scott went around in 2014 claiming to be an environmentalist? Yeah, that was hilarious. If you find the rape and pillage of Florida amusing. Some of our fellow citizens actually fell for it, too, just enough to get him re-elected. Flori-duh, indeed. Here’s Scott’s shameful scorecard: 1. Still won’t talk about climate […]

Diane RobertsSeptember 14, 2015

Remember when Rick Scott went around in 2014 claiming to be an environmentalist? Yeah, that was hilarious. If you find the rape and pillage of Florida amusing. Some of our fellow citizens actually fell for it, too, just enough to get him re-elected. Flori-duh, indeed. Here’s Scott’s shameful scorecard: 1. Still won’t talk about climate […]

Daniel TilsonApril 22, 2015

Gov. Scott finally got busy addressing big issues this week. Not serious, mind you, just busy. Lots of finger-pointing, no problem-solving With President Barack Obama visiting South Florida and using the Everglades as backdrop to observe Earth Day, Scott refused the White House’s invitation to participate. Why risk hearing any inflammatory words or phrases. Climate […]

Tag: flooding
Image via AP.

The four Hurricane Michael disasters: storm, long-term flooding, fire threat, pine beetle

Rick Scott activates Florida Disaster Fund for Michael relief

Airbnb extends ‘Open Homes Program’ to Tampa for Hurricane Michael evacuees and relief workers

Panhandle braces for ‘devastating’ Hurricane Michael

Army Corps to resume Lake O flows Friday

Rick Scott sends more help to Texas

Joe Henderson: Polluted water in St. Pete leaves little room for mistake

Diane Roberts: Rick Scott runs up scorecard of shame

Diane Roberts: Rick Scott runs up scorecard of shame

Daniel Tilson: In Rick Scott's Florida, if the flooding doesn't get you, lack of health insurance will