Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeFebruary 28, 2018

As many speculate that Florida’s affordable housing issues will be exacerbated by the influx of Puerto Ricans displaced by Hurricane Maria, the state Legislature intends to sweep millions from the Sadowski Trust, which funds the state’s affordable housing programs. Speaking with reporters late Tuesday night following an organizational meeting of the newly announced budget conference, Senate […]

Scott PowersFebruary 22, 2018

The Arecibo Observatory, the huge, iconic radio telescope in Puerto Rico that has starred in movies and in important cosmic and physics discoveries, is coming under new management: of the University of Central Florida. The university announced Thursday it is now negotiating the final terms of a five-year, $20.2 million contract with the National Science […]

Scott PowersFebruary 14, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham has done enough of her “workdays” now that she’s describing them as her campaign strategy, and midway through her shift Wednesday at a Hispanic grocery store and deli in Kissimmee she was talking more about what she gets to hear than what she wants to offer. She spent Wednesday stocking […]

Danny McAuliffeFebruary 12, 2018

After contentious weeks at the U.S. Capitol, Congressman Darren Soto has turned his attention toward Tallahassee, where he believes legislators face “big challenges” and should seize the opportunity to unite on major issues facing the state. The Orlando-area Democrat gave his take on the state’s Session on Monday during a press conference with several Hispanic […]

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 31, 2018

On the first day of FEMA’s ending of new supply shipments to Puerto Rico, some legislators highlighted the need for Florida to provide support for the islanders displaced by Hurricane Maria. A large group of Puerto Rican advocates gathered at the Capitol on Wednesday at a press conference hosted by VAMOS4PR, a network that supports […]

Scott PowersJanuary 29, 2018

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist is bringing a medical marijuana patient. U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch is bringing the wife of an American held hostage in Iran. U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel is bringing a trailblazing anti-sexual harassment advocate. U.S. Reps. Darren Soto and Stephanie Murphy are bringing Puerto Rico evacuees. U.S. Rep. Val Demings is bringing a police […]

Scott PowersJanuary 25, 2018

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has extended by another 60 days his executive order that has Florida and all 67 counties providing services and cutting red tape to help evacuating Puerto Ricans settle into the Sunshine State because of Hurricane Maria. On Thursday Scott signed Executive Order 18-17, a second 60-day extension of an order he […]

Scott PowersJanuary 22, 2018

Four months after Hurricane Maria laid waste to Puerto Rico, a coalition of groups and artists met in Orlando Monday morning to remind the public that still more than a half-million homes and businesses there still are without electricity, and to declare the island needs a “Marshall Plan” of federal help. “Today Puerto Rico is […]

Scott PowersJanuary 16, 2018

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has sent out letters to county, city and housing authority officials throughout Central Florida seeking information on affordable housing shortages. The letter, from DEO Director of Community Development Julie Dennis, is exploring available resources and unmet needs that are being tested as a result of both the damages caused […]

Scott PowersJanuary 16, 2018

A final report of 78 recommendations, ranging from nursing home safety to evacuation route improvements, and shelter planning to longterm development concerns, won unanimous approval Tuesday from the Florida House’s Select Committee on Hurricane Response and Preparedness. The 21-member committee, appointed last fall by House Speaker Richard Corcoran, now presents the 2018 Legislative Session with […]

Tag: Hurricane Maria

Budget remarks don’t bode well for Sadowski Trust

UCF gets its ear to the sky: university to take over Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico

Gwen Graham work day in Kissimmee connects with Puerto Rico evacuees

Darren Soto: State lawmakers need to unite on policy

Lawmakers stress state’s need to support Puerto Ricans

Democrats’ guests to State of the Union include DACA recipient, medical marijuana patient, hurricane evacuees

Rick Scott extends emergency orders for Puerto Rico evacuees

Puerto Rico groups pushing for ‘Marshall Plan’ to help the island

Economic Opportunity surveying Central Florida housing needs

House select committee on hurricanes approves final report, 78 recommendations