Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ana CeballosNovember 14, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott wants to give $100 million to housing and workforce programs that will aid those impacted by Hurricane Irma — the largest storm to hit the state in decades –, under his proposed state budget for 2018-19. “Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida and affected communities statewide,” Scott said. “Due to the impact […]

Scott PowersNovember 8, 2017

The Florida Hospital Association is expressing strong support and “deep appreciation” for a bill by U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy that would make Puerto Rican evacuees almost immediately eligible for full Medicaid coverage by the federal government if they have to evacuate to Florida. The hospital association praised Murphy’s “Disaster Displacement Act of 2017,” House Resolution […]

Scott PowersNovember 8, 2017

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The influx of Puerto Rican refugees to Florida may reach the hundreds of thousands, many might stay, and the need to help them recover from Hurricane Maria and assimilate could take years as the commonwealth slowly recovers from the devastation, a group of Central Florida Puerto Rican leaders told Adam Putnam Wednesday. And the Republican gubernatorial […]

Guest AuthorNovember 7, 2017

The storms that barreled through Florida and wreaked havoc on Puerto Rico are long gone. Their impact, however, continues to be felt by millions. Since September, more than 70,000 Puerto Ricans have relocated to Florida after the catastrophic damage of Hurricane Maria. While fleeing from one crisis, they’re now encountering another: finding that their health […]

Scott PowersNovember 1, 2017

Confusion and concern are mounting as Central Florida governments working with Puerto Rican and Virgin Island evacuees await direction from state and federal officials, leaders of Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties warned Wednesday. In a letter Wednesday to Florida Division of Emergency Management Interim Director Wesley Maul and copied to FEMA Administrator William Long and […]

Mitch PerryNovember 1, 2017

Liberal philanthropist and potential political candidate Tom Steyer announced Wednesday the creation of a nationwide program to identify, train and recruit naturalized immigrants, DREAMERS and newly-arrived Puerto Ricans to run for political office in 2018. Steyer’s NextGen America will team up with Latino Victory Fund on what is being called the American Dream Project. It will initially […]

Scott PowersOctober 31, 2017

Federal and state comprehensive, strategic plans are desperately needed to coordinate services for Hurricane Maria evacuees from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands so that they can best find the services wherever they’re available in Florida, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs said Tuesday. Jacobs warned that someone needs to be coordinating where tens of […]

Jim RosicaOctober 24, 2017

Incoming Senate President Bill Galvano on Tuesday questioned whether Gov. Rick Scott overstepped his constitutional bounds in opening “disaster relief centers” for Puerto Rican residents displaced by Hurricane Maria. “I think the governor is acting in good faith,” said Galvano, who was designated the 2018-20 Senate President to succeed current president Joe Negron. “But that’s […]

Scott PowersOctober 21, 2017

Rene Plasencia sees it in the faces of countless Puerto Rican Hurricane Maria refugees when he or someone else says, “we’re here to help you.” A mixture of anguish, relief, pain, joy, fear, confidence, hopelessness, hope — all the emotions of losing everything and traveling to a strange, new place with almost nothing, and then […]

Peter SchorschOctober 20, 2017

For most Americans, Labor Day signals the end of summer and the beginning of the school year. But for first responders and public service workers throughout the South and East Coast of the United States, Labor Day has the potential to be the most dangerous time of year, highlighted by regular threats of severe weather. […]

Tag: Hurricane Maria

Rick Scott proposes $100 million for Hurricane Irma aid programs

Florida Hospital Association lauds Stephanie Murphy’s ‘Disaster Displacement Act’

Puerto Rico leaders say evacuees’ needs may last years; Adam Putnam pledges help

Stephanie Garris: Free and charitable clinics have important hurricane role

Orange, Osceola, Seminole leaders urge Florida, FEMA to plan better for Puerto Rican refugees

Tom Steyer to recruit immigrant candidates for 2018

Teresa Jacobs expresses frustration over lack of FEMA, state coordination plans to help evacuees

Bill Galvano questions relief centers for displaced Puerto Ricans

Anguish, relief, fear, hope: Relief efforts serving thousands of Puerto Rico storm refugees

Reliable communications play crucial role in response to hurricanes, natural disasters