Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJanuary 3, 2018

Evacuees seeking a place to live in Florida after Hurricane Maria wrecked their homes in Puerto Rico will get another two months of a program that allows them to use federal vouchers to live in hotels or motels. FEMA has extended the Transitional Shelter Assistance Program, set to expire Jan. 13, to March 20, U.S. […]

Scott PowersDecember 28, 2017

Housing continues to be the toughest challenge and most likely the biggest long-term challenge as Central Florida absorbs tens of thousands of people displaced from Puerto Rico because of Hurricane Maria, surmised a new task force formed by U.S. Rep. Darren Soto. There still is no clear idea how many of the more than 260,000 […]

Scott PowersDecember 27, 2017

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto announced Wednesday he is forming a Central Florida task force to advise on matters involving the the tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans who have fled the island for Central Florida to escape the island’s plight following Hurricane Maria. The regional Task Force on Puerto Rico Arrivals to Central Florida was […]

Scott PowersDecember 26, 2017

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and U.S. Rep. Darren Soto are planning to head to Puerto Rico Wednesday to check on recovery efforts and reports that up to 1,000 deaths might now be related to Hurricane Maria. Nelson and Soto, both Democrats from Orlando, plan to meet with Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló and other leaders […]

Peter SchorschDecember 26, 2017

Tampa residents really like Bob Buckhorn. A new citywide poll is showing three-quarters of Tampa voters approve of the mayor’s job performance — and more than half will support a mayor like Buckhorn, one who will continue his policies. They also favor Tampa developing a citywide rail system to ease traffic congestion, paid for by taxpayers. […]

Scott PowersDecember 22, 2017

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham released her plan Friday for assisting the tens of thousands of Puerto Rican families displaced to Florida because of devastation on their island from Hurricane Maria, including proposals ranging from affordable housing investments to Medicaid expansion. Graham’s package of proposals includes a call for a statewide coordinator of assistance programs […]

Scott PowersDecember 22, 2017

Their work in Puerto Rico gone, their home still without power, their family now living in a motel in Orlando, and their future still uncertain, Emanuel Ortiz and Crystal Rodriguez now hear their bank threatening to foreclose on their home in Bayamón because they haven’t been able to make a house payment since Hurricane Maria wiped […]

Scott PowersDecember 21, 2017

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine is seeking to spread a little Christmas cheer among displaced Puerto Ricans in Orlando and Miami this weekend, with holiday lunches planned in both cities for families who left the island because of Hurricane Maria devastation. Levine’s campaign said they are expecting about 150 people at “First in Florida” Christmas […]

Scott PowersDecember 19, 2017

With the scheduled end coming for a federal emergency housing voucher program being used by Puerto Ricans displaced by Hurricane Maria, state Sen. Victor Torres and several other Democratic lawmakers are urging Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello to ask the federal government for an extension. The program provides temporary housing vouchers for people who’ve fled […]

Scott PowersDecember 18, 2017

A bill shepherded through the House of Representatives last week by U.S. Rep. Darren Soto to rename a Kissimmee post office for the Puerto Rican “Borinqueneers” U.S. Army regiment now is getting pushed in the U.S. Senate by Florida’s U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson. The bill, House Resolution 4042, intends to rename the […]

Tag: Puerto Rico
Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Image via Visit Florida.

Transitional shelter voucher program extended for Puerto Rico evacuees

Puerto Rico evacuees to Florida need immediate, long-term housing, task force concludes

Returning from Puerto Rico, Darren Soto organizing advisory task force

Bill Nelson, Darren Soto heading for Puerto Rico, Kissimmee

New survey shows Tampa voters really like Bob Buckhorn, police

Gwen Graham’s plan for displaced Puerto Ricans: Housing, Spanish tests, Bright Futures, Medicaid

Groups calling attention to foreclosures following Puerto Ricans fleeing to Florida

Philip Levine hosting Christmas lunches for displaced Puerto Ricans

With program set to end, Victor Torres, other Democrats seek extension to Puerto Rican housing

Bill to rename Kissimmee post office for Borinqueneers gets Marco Rubio, Bill Nelson push