Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannMarch 7, 2016

When people think of Florida, they picture the Florida Keys with its clear water, warm sand and the quintessential laid-back lifestyle. But, the Keys are much more than that, as it is home to the world’s third-largest barrier reef, a national marine sanctuary, national and state parks, wildlife refuges, state aquatic preserves, and unique marine […]

Staff ReportsDecember 15, 2015

Extreme high tides have turned streets into canal-like swamps in the Florida Keys, with armies of mosquitoes and the stench of stagnating water filling the air, and residents worried rising sea levels will put a damper on property values in the island chain. On Key Largo, a tropical isle famous for snorkeling and fishing, the […]

Drew WilsonDecember 14, 2015

Rep. Holly Raschein drew a Democratic opponent in her re-election campaign for House District 120, though the Key Largo Republican shouldn’t have too much trouble vaulting the competition to secure her third term. Retired schoolteacher Artie Leichner filed for the seat in mid-November, and brought in a single $100 check during his first two weeks […]

Phil AmmannDecember 1, 2015

A Florida Senate committee approved Tuesday a $25 million per year investment, lasting 10 years, for water quality, restoration and protection of the habitat surrounding the Florida Keys. The Senate Committee on Community Affairs passed Senate Bill 770, known as the Florida Keys Stewardship Act, which seeks to protect the water supply in and around […]

Ryan RayOctober 29, 2015

A working group of engineers, researchers, and municipal officials from four South Florida counties has amended their short- and long-term projections on the severity of rising sea levels Thursday, saying they expect six to 10 inches of sea level rise by 2030, and between 28 and 57 inches by 2100. The four-county Southeast Florida Regional […]

Associated PressJuly 17, 2015

Florida’s unemployment is dropping slightly. The June unemployment rate was 5.5 percent, compared with 5.7 percent the month before. The state added 7,000 jobs last month, according to figures released Friday by the Department of Economic Opportunity. The state’s jobless rate remains higher than the national rate of 5.3 percent. There are about 529,000 unemployed […]

Guest AuthorJuly 20, 2014

Probably not time to order the cake or get those wedding attire alterations done, but if you’re a-hankering for a gussied up Key West wedding, you’d better book the venue. On Thursday, 16th District Circuit Court Judge Luis Garcia pulled the first thread that will unravel the Florida straightjacket prohibiting marriage equality. Garcia overturned the […]

Guest AuthorApril 7, 2014

Drop this question into any Key West conversation and watch the blood pressure meters soar: What are you paying for wind insurance? Monroe County property owners pay up to four times as much for wind insurance than the rest of Florida. A homeowner in Key West foots an annual bill that on average runs almost […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 1, 2013

Heard the one about the guy who’s got a bridge for sale in Brooklyn? Don’t waste your cash. We’ve got a better deal down here in Key West parts. One hundred years ago, railroad tycoon Henry Flagler spent what today would be $640 million to build a steel and concrete umbilical cord between the mainland […]

Tag: Monroe County

Anitere Flores and Holly Raschein: Legislature must provide money to protect The Florida Keys

As Florida Keys flood, property worries seep in

Holly Raschein draws Democrat in HD 120, but not much challenge

Senate panel OKs Florida Keys Stewardship Act, funding water quality, protection

Southeast Florida regional climate group amends sea level rise projections

Florida’s unemployment rate drops slightly in June

Linda Cunningham: It’s time to think about booking Key West for gay weddings

Linda Cunningham: Trying to curb the soaring cost of wind insurance

Linda Cunningham: Old bridge would mean new problems for Monroe County