Mary Ellen Klas
Tampa Bay Times
United States
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Recent articles by Mary:
DeSantis vows to use state funds to subsidize electricity, water and road repair costs after Ian
When asked if officials should have done more to underscore the danger of the storm surge that led to drowning deaths, the governor of Florida was combative. → Read More
Tips on filing Hurricane Ian insurance claims in Florida
Officials warn Floridians to be wary of disreputable claims adjusters, lawyers and roofing contractors who are poised to exploit the vulnerable. → Read More
DeSantis in Lee County vows to rebuild bridge, defends evacuation decisions in Ian
DeSantis and other state and local officials made statements after touring parts of Lee County on Friday. → Read More
DeSantis takes aerial tour of ‘biblical’ storm surge destruction of Sanibel
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has confirmed one storm-related death so far. → Read More
Most evacuated before Ian hit, but 31 on Florida barrier island among those who stayed
Local emergency officials say they believe the “vast majority” of the nearly 2.5 million people in evacuation zones along the path of Hurricane Ian heeded warnings and left. → Read More
Florida migrant flight money went to company tied to DeSantis adviser
Vertol Systems Company was paid $1.56 million by Florida for work it usually doesn’t do, but state officials are mum on why it got the job. → Read More
Nonprofit funded with FPL cash backed DeSantis’ 2018 campaign
Campaigns are not obligated to research the source of money given to them by donors. → Read More
DeSantis targets voters, not dark money, in election fraud probe
DeSantis touted the arrests of individual voters. He has so far been quieter about campaign finance questions related to FPL and others. → Read More
Florida arrested felons for election fraud. It also gave them voter IDs.
Advocates are urging those arrested to fight the charges. → Read More
DeSantis announces 20 voter fraud arrests of Floridians, calls it an ‘opening salvo’
The governor says those arrested were people ineligible to vote because of felonies. → Read More
This Florida utility’s secret cash helped GOP win Gainesville state Senate seat
“This is pretty much the nightmare scenario,” an expert on campaign finance says. → Read More
Ladapo tells Congress that Florida decision could limit kids’ vaccine access
The state surgeon general said he and Gov. DeSantis made the decision “together” not to preorder vaccines. → Read More
DeSantis vetoes bill that would have punished local governments for regulating business
“The broad and ambiguous language of the bill will lead to both unintended and unforeseen consequences and costly litigation,’’ DeSantis wrote in his veto message. → Read More
DeSantis vetoes bill that would have punished local governments for regulating business
Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered a blow to some businesses by vetoing a bill Friday that would have required taxpayers to pay damages if a local government ordinance results in a business losing 15% of its revenues. → Read More
DeSantis cuts GOP priorities as he approves $110B budget
He cut more than $3 billion in all. → Read More
Florida school safety bill on DeSantis’ desk focuses on mental health
Lawmakers during regular session passed the latest update to 2018 legislation that came in response to the deadly Parkland school shooting. → Read More
Report rejects Rebekah Jones’ claim that Florida doctored COVID data
The report came from the Florida Department of Health’s inspector general. → Read More
As cost of condo insurance soars, Florida legislators remain silent
The condo insurance market reflects the same problems as the larger homeowners property insurance market. → Read More
Florida Big Sugar’s campaign donations reach $6M in state races
But Florida clean water advocates are urging the public to support candidates who don’t take money from the industry. → Read More
Florida judge says DeSantis congressional map unconstitutional, says he’ll block it
The map was approved by Florida lawmakers during a special session after DeSantis vetoed the Legislature’s original plan. → Read More