Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeDecember 6, 2018

Democratic state Rep. Jared Moskowitz will take over the state’s emergency operations under Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis’ administration. The DeSantis campaign announced the hire on Thursday. Moskowitz replaces former Division of Emergency Management Director Wes Maul, who announced he would leave the post sometime during January. “Representative Moskowitz will be a great leader for the […]

Ryan NicolOctober 5, 2018

American-Opportunity-PAC-Donna-Shalala-UM-football-ad.jpg

A new digital ad from American Opportunity PAC argues Donna Shalala, the Democratic candidate for Florida’s 27th Congressional District, “wrecked” the football program during her tenure as president of the University of Miami. That PAC is supporting Shalala’s opponent in the race, Republican nominee Maria Elvira Salazar. “In 2002, the Hurricanes were the pride of […]

Scott PowersSeptember 10, 2018

The Sierra Club is launching an internet video ad blasting Gov. Rick Scott in advance for the prospect he might approve a natural gas power plant project in Florida, charging that such a decision would increase climate change and mean bad news for Puerto Rico. The last part – bad news for Puerto Rico – […]

Guest AuthorMay 21, 2018

An uptick in the frequency of severe weather is a sure sign that summer is near. And for the southeast, that means hurricane season is quickly approaching. Last year, three major hurricanes — Harvey, Irma and Maria — caused an estimated $67 billion in damage in a 28-day window. Forecasters are again calling for an […]

Staff ReportsMay 21, 2018

With last year’s Atlantic storm season among the strongest, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) urges residents to prepare now for the 2018 hurricane season, which runs June 1-Nov. 30. The commission, which issued a press release Monday, regulates the state’s investor-owned utilities. “Hurricane preparedness should top our to-do lists,” said PSC Chairman Art Graham […]

Michael MolineMay 3, 2018

Large electric customers and local governments complained about communications meltdowns and urged large-scale “undergrounding” of Florida’s electric infrastructure during the second day of Public Service Commission workshops about hurricane preparedness and restoration. Public Counsel J.R. Kelly seconded the motion regarding the communications problems during and following Hurricane Irma, when customer calls crashed utilities public information switchboards […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 26, 2018

A new state law could mean harsher penalties for animal abusers. Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill on Friday that bumps animal cruelty to a level 5 offense up from level 3, meaning convicted offenders are more likely to serve prison time (selling cocaine also is a level 5 offense). The change comes into effect […]

Danny McAuliffeDecember 14, 2017

Get ready, Florida. Devastating storms like Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria are the new normal. At least that’s what Craig Fugate, who led FEMA under President Barack Obama, and other partners in a campaign are saying to raise awareness and involvement in a new age of hurricane safety. “Irma made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane […]

Scott PowersDecember 6, 2017

After hearing what he called “horrible” stories of pets being left chained outside during Hurricane Irma, state Rep. Bobby Olszewski has filed a bill that would make that against the law in Florida, requiring owners to do all they can to get shelter for their animal companions. House Bill 907 would kick in anytime an […]

Associated PressOctober 20, 2017

Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, as well as two recent earthquakes in Mexico likely cost the insurance industry about $95 billion, said Swiss Re, one of the world’s biggest reinsurers. The Zurich-based company, which as a reinsurer provides backup policies to companies that write primary insurance policies, said Friday that the claims process is ongoing […]

Tag: hurricanes
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Ron DeSantis hires Democratic lawmaker Jared Moskowitz for top emergency post

New ad argues Donna Shalala ‘wrecked Hurricanes football’

Sierra Club turning gas power plant proposal into video hitting Rick Scott on climate change

Logan McFaddin: Summer is near, hurricane readiness begins now

Prep for hurricanes, PSC reminds Floridians

Customers clamor for ‘undergrounding’ during PSC storm-hardening workshop

Florida strengthens animal cruelty laws

Former FEMA admin: Life-threatening storms are the ‘new normal’

Bobby Olszewski files bill to protect pets during emergencies

Hurricanes, earthquakes estimated to cost insurers $95B