Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschSeptember 21, 2017

Puerto Ricans got their first view of the ruin brought on by Hurricane Maria, which swept across the island Wednesday, leaving a trail of destroyed homes, floodwaters, and 100 percent of the territory without power. But they were not the only ones. “Definitely Puerto Rico — when we can get outside — we will find […]

Scott PowersSeptember 20, 2017

While Puerto Rico got hammered by Hurricane Maria, U.S. Rep. Darren Soto defended his re-election campaign fundraiser he is holding Wednesday night in Kissimmee, home to Florida’s most concentrated Puerto Rican population. Soto, a Democrat from Orlando, said he’s been in constant contact with Puerto Rico officials and readying federal financial support for the country’s […]

Scott PowersSeptember 15, 2017

State Rep. Bob Cortes has introduced a measure that would urge Congress to take steps to expand citizenship rights for people of Puerto Rico and improve the commonwealth’s opportunity for statehood, without actually dealing directly with the statehood issue. House Memorial 147 calls on Congress to address inequalities Puerto Rico and its residents face that […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 10, 2017

Ahead of a “potentially catastrophic” impact from Hurricane Irma, AT&T is offering ways for customers to stay safe and connected through the storm expected to touch South Florida sometime this weekend. Beginning Friday — and running through at least Sunday, Sept. 17 — AT&T is providing unlimited data, calls and texts via bill credits for wireless […]

Associated PressSeptember 7, 2017

A daring Delta Air Lines crew that flew in and out of Puerto Rico as Hurricane Irma’s wind and rain approached is garnering kudos.

Associated PressSeptember 6, 2017

Heavy rain and 185-mph winds lashed the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico’s northeast coast Wednesday as Hurricane Irma roared through Caribbean islands on its way to a possible hit on South Florida. The strongest Atlantic Ocean hurricane ever measured destroyed homes and flooded streets across a chain of small islands in the northern Caribbean, passing […]

Scott PowersAugust 29, 2017

Florida state Reps. Bob Cortes, Rene Plasencia, and David Santiago are headed to Puerto Rico Wednesday for continuing talks on developing relationships between the commonwealth’s government and Florida’s government. The trio of Central Florida Republicans all have Puerto Rico heritage and represent districts with large populations of Puerto Rican migrants. Cortes is from Altamonte Springs; […]

Scott PowersJuly 11, 2017

Brevard County Commissioner John Tobia‘s local resolution urging Congress to deny statehood to Puerto Rico died for lack of a second Tuesday evening, and then he endured a half-hour of criticism and belittling from residents angry about his proposal. Tobia, a former state representative from Brevard, withstood 10 public speakers – some Puerto Ricans living […]

Scott PowersJuly 10, 2017

A Brevard County commissioner is taking on Puerto Rico, in a confrontation that is rumbling through Central Florida’s Puerto Rican population and bound to lead to a showdown Tuesday night at the county commission meeting. John Tobia, a Republican former member of the Florida House of Representatives who now represents southeast Brevard on the county […]

Scott PowersJuly 5, 2017

How big is the Puerto Rico migration to Florida? In one county, in one single service, the number plays out: an average of 104 people every workday are transferring their driver’s licenses from Puerto Rico to Florida, just in Orange County. The Orange County Tax Collector’s Office reported that in a six-month period recently sampled […]

Tag: Puerto Rico
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Puerto Rico is tragic, but don’t forget about U.S. Virgin Islands

Darren Soto defends fundraiser as not affecting his efforts for Puerto Rico

Bob Cortes measure seeks full citizenship, short of statehood, for Puerto Rico

AT&T offering free coverage through Sept. 17 for Hurricane Irma

Delta flight braves Irma for quick stop in Puerto Rico

Rains from monster Hurricane Irma begin hitting Puerto Rico

David Santiago, Rene Plasencia, Bob Cortes headed for Puerto Rico for talks

John Tobia’s Puerto Rico anti-statehood resolution dies in Brevard, then he gets grilled

Brevard resolution opposing statehood outrages Central Florida Puerto Ricans

Puerto Rican migration causes flood of Central Florida driver’s license requests