Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersNovember 29, 2017

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto plans to help introduce a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would seek to provide comprehensive rebuilding money and resources for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands beyond what is needed to address just the devastation from Hurricanes Maria and Irma. Soto, an Orlando Democrat, announced he would be […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 22, 2017

One of the state’s messages on the impact of Hurricane Irma was that its path could not have been “more lethal” for Florida agriculture — especially citrus. The damage is still unfolding, as shown by changing USDA citrus forecasts. It’s hard to grasp the full extent of what’s happened to Florida oranges. Ahead of Thanksgiving, […]

Staff ReportsNovember 21, 2017

Public power personnel from four Florida municipal electric utilities will be headed to the U.S. Virgin Islands Tuesday and Wednesday to assist with ongoing power restoration efforts after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) announced. “After Hurricane Irma tore through nearly the whole state, Florida utilities were the grateful beneficiaries of mutual […]

Ana CeballosNovember 20, 2017

Even as some Floridians cut back on spending this holiday season because of unforeseen costs brought by Hurricane Irma, overall holiday spending across the state is expected to increase, according to an annual study conducted by the Florida Retail Federation. Shoppers are expected to spend an average of $967 on gifts, breaking down to people […]

Phil AmmannNovember 20, 2017

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Marriott International, among other major hotel and hospitality chains, did a very respectable job during Hurricane Irma. As the September storm forced many in South Florida to seek shelter points North, hotels and other services – like home-sharing Airbnb — stepped up in a big way to offer accommodations for victims and relief workers. For […]

Peter SchorschNovember 18, 2017

The head of the panel now eyeing the state’s constitution for changes says “more than 50 percent of the 103 proposed constitutional revisions filed by (its) commissioners represent public ideas.” Carlos Beruff, chair of the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC), this week recounted how his board “traveled the state listening to Floridians and reviewed thousands of […]

Scott PowersNovember 17, 2017

The impact of Hurricane Irma on Florida’s economy already is showing up in strong hiring in jobs ranging from nurses to construction, a new report from a California-based human resources consultant is finding. “After analyzing 52,866 job postings from Miami, Tampa, Orlando, etc., we found that not only has hiring rebounded it is actually surging […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 15, 2017

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South Florida Democrats are aiming to better nursing homes through legislation including tighter regulations and the unrestricted use of electronic monitoring devices, also known as granny cams, by patient family members. Rep. Katie Edwards and Sen. Gary Farmer filed the similar bills (HB 655 and SB 896) on Tuesday and held a conference Wednesday morning. Both lawmakers had nursing […]

Ana CeballosNovember 15, 2017

As the administration of Gov. Rick Scott appeals a court decision against its emergency generator rule, a court ordered Tuesday that the rule — and its deadlines — remain in effect as that process continues. The one-page court order clarified that nursing homes and assisted-living facilities need to meet the rule’s Nov. 15 deadline that […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 14, 2017

There is a bipartisan effort in the Legislature to prevent the sweeping of the state’s affordable housing trust fund, but Gov. Rick Scott‘s newly unveiled proposed budget suggests doing the opposite. Scott released his recommended budget on Tuesday in Jacksonville, suggesting a $91.8 million sweep to Florida’s affordable housing trust. Meanwhile, in Tallahassee, Naples Republican Sen. Kathleen […]

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

Darren Soto, Bernie Sanders pushing Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands rebuild bill

Bouncing back from Irma: Florida citrus

Despite holiday, lineworkers headed to Virgin Islands

In spite of Hurricane Irma, robust holiday spending is expected

Did hotel CEO really have to humblebrag about post-Irma profits?

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Carlos Beruff’s ‘constitutional’ angst

Report: Hurricanes already a boon to Florida’s economy

Granny cams, tighter regulations part of Democratic nursing home legislation

Nursing home generator mandate, sanctions remain in effect

Legislation preventing housing sweeps undermined by Rick Scott’s budget