Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannOctober 7, 2016

Florida power companies are prepared for Hurricane Matthew, which is already causing significant power outages throughout the state. But the storm, a Category 3 as of this writing, also represents a test — whether North Florida’s energy infrastructure can handle powerful winds and the resulting storm surge flooding. While utilities throughout the Southeastern U.S. have […]

Staff ReportsOctober 5, 2016

LeadingAge Florida President and CEO Steve Bahmer will represent aging services on a Tallahassee task force looking into how communities can better bounce back after a big storm. “Steve brings expertise, energy, and insight to the task force,” said former Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp in a press release Wednesday. “As an association, LeadingAge Florida has a reputation for […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 30, 2016

State Sen. Jack Latvala, his chamber’s next budget chief, Friday said he might file legislation for next year to put municipal utilities under the supervision of the state’s Public Service Commission. “I think you’re going to see a bill dealing with the municipalities that are currently not supervised by anybody above them, in terms of […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 30, 2016

Emergency unemployment assistance is now available to people who lost their jobs as a direct result of Hurricane Hermine, Gov. Rick Scott announced Friday. Under the federal disaster declaration approved Wednesday, people who lost jobs because of the storm, and who are not eligible for regular joblessness benefits, may apply for assistance through the Florida […]

Joe HendersonSeptember 29, 2016

I think we have one of our first major campaign issues for the 2018 race to succeed Rick Scott as Florida’s governor. Any serious candidate who doesn’t come out strongly in favor of seriously beefing up the state Department of Environmental Protection will miss a great opportunity. In just the last couple of months alone, […]

Michael MolineSeptember 28, 2016

The directors of Florida’s property insurer of last resort voted Wednesday to recalibrate consumer incentives to discourage policyholders from ceding damage claims to third parties, including attorneys and contractors. Under new incentives, Citizens Property Insurance Corp. would pay for initial repairs to non-weather-related water damage — removing any water and drying out the property. These […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 28, 2016

The City of Tallahassee and Leon County Wednesday announced a free community picnic to thank “electric lineman, public works crews, first responders, volunteers (and) neighborhood leaders” who helped in the wake of Hurricane Hermine. The picnic will take place Sunday, Oct. 2, from 1-5 p.m. at Tom Brown Park. Offerings include “complimentary hot dogs and drinks, […]

Michael MolineSeptember 27, 2016

Florida’s property insurer of last resort fears lingering damage from Hurricane Hermine — in the form of third-party claims officials and business leaders blame for escalating premiums. Thus far, of 837 Hermine-related insurance claims, third-party public adjusters filed seven — and five involved assignment of benefits agreements, or AOBs, staff members told a Citizens Property […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 22, 2016

Getting the juice back on after Hurricane Hermine was about the same or faster than similar “power restoration efforts” after storms. That’s the conclusion of a report released this week by the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) on Tallahassee’s response to this month’s Category 1 storm. The FMEA’s survey shows “another Category 1 storm, Hurricane […]

Joe HendersonSeptember 22, 2016

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman is angry — MAD, I tell you! — that Gov. Rick Scott is playing politics just because the city’s streets and waterways were covered in sewage following Hurricane Hermine. Um, Mr. Mayor? I suspect you already know this, but you have a lot bigger problems than the Republican governor of […]

Tag: Hurricane Hermine
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Hurricane Matthew represents a major test for Florida utilities

Steve Bahmer joins hurricane preparedness task force

Jack Latvala says bill may put PSC over local utilities

Hermine disaster declaration opens emergency jobless benefits

Joe Henderson: Issue 1 in 2018 Gov’s race, fixing Florida’s environment

Citizens Insurance juggles incentives in managed repair program

City, county to throw ‘Picnic in the Park’ to honor electric workers

Citizens Insurance braces for third-party Hermine claims

City was speedy on power restoration post-Hermine, report says

Joe Henderson: St. Pete’s stinky mess, sewage and politics