Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeDecember 13, 2017

With a potential state housing crisis ahead due to an influx of Puerto Ricans displaced by Hurricane Maria, Rep. Bob Cortes has introduced a bill that promotes greater availability of affordable housing. The Altamonte Springs Republican’s proposal (HB 987) provides for several changes to help expedite permitting processes for affordable housing projects. It also places […]

Danny McAuliffeDecember 4, 2017

A proposal seeking to fund affordable housing programs in the wakes of Hurricanes Irma and Maria could be underfunded by Gov. Rick Scott’s proposed budget. The policy recommendation, submitted by Altamonte Springs Republican state Rep. Bob Cortes, was mentioned in passing Monday at the House Select Committee on Hurricane Response and Preparedness meeting. Cortes’ proposal […]

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 […]

Drew WilsonNovember 28, 2017

Nearly 8,000 pupils from the Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and various Caribbean nations affected by Hurricane Maria have enrolled in Florida public schools, Education Commissioner Pam Stewart said Tuesday. At a State Board of Education Meeting in Lake County, Stewart said the tally of new pupils included 7,212 Puerto Rican children and 710 […]

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 […]

Scott PowersNovember 20, 2017

A national coalition of Puerto Rican groups with heavy representation in Central Florida urged in Orlando Monday for Congress to offer full relief funding for the hurricane-ravaged island and for Florida and federal relief for evacuee housing in the Sunshine State. Joined at Acacia’s El Centro Borinqueño by U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, and Orlando Democrat, […]

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 […]

Scott PowersNovember 17, 2017

School districts and colleges in Florida and other states may be in line for some of $1.24 billion in federal support for taking in Puerto Rican children displaced by Hurricane Maria, U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy announced Friday. Murphy, a Democrat from Winter Park, has been leading the charge, which has included several other Florida Congress […]

Peter SchorschNovember 16, 2017

In the weeks since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, knocking out power, killing hundreds and leaving many without homes, Tampa Family Health Centers has stepped up to provide medical care to the thousands of Puerto Ricans who fled to the Sunshine State. “At Tampa Family, it is our philosophy that everyone deserves access to quality […]

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 Maria
Bottom line: Trevor Lawrence must step up his game.

Affordable housing bill filed amid Puerto Rican influx

Hurricane proposal could clash with Rick Scott’s budget

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

Florida public school enrollment has jumped by 8,000 post-Maria

Despite holiday, lineworkers headed to Virgin Islands

Puerto Rican coalition calls for full recovery funding and debt relief

Report: Hurricanes already a boon to Florida’s economy

Stephanie Murphy leads effort to get $1.2B to help schools accept Puerto Rican migrants

Tampa Family Health Centers providing health care to displaced Puerto Ricans

Legislation preventing housing sweeps undermined by Rick Scott’s budget