Florida Republicans confronted with climate change as midterms loom

Caught between recovering from a devastating, unprecedented hurricane and an ongoing algae crisis, Florida Republicans are increasingly facing pressure to address climate change from constituents as election day draws near — but many have found themselves floundering on the issue.

REP. CARLOS CURBELO, R-FLA., SPEAKS
WITH REPORTERS AS HE LEAVES SPEAKER
 RYAN'S OFFICE ON THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018,
AS HOUSE GOP LEADERSHIP TRIES TO FIND
 A PATH TO PASS IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION.

Pressure to discuss climate change has accelerated in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, which has killed at least 21 people so far in Northwest Florida and reduced some areas in the Panhandle to rubble. Amid an election cycle that has largely centered environmental crises, all eyes are increasingly on Florida Republicans, many of whom have a lengthy history of downplaying climate change and its risks.

But when asked about the relationship between warming ocean waters and an uptick in deadly and historic hurricanes, several Republicans have tried to deflect the issue.

Read the story by E.A.Cruden from ThinkProgress - “Florida Republicans confronted with climate change as midterms loom.”

Qld One Nation 'not going anywhere' says Dickson

Pauline Hanson has been caught on the hop by the announcement of the Queensland election on November 25.

Fran Kelly - talking with morning
with One Nation's Steve Dickson.

She's currently in India with a parliamentary delegation and will miss the first week of campaigning.

But her presence still looms large — with One Nation set to field candidates in 60 of the state's 93 seats meaning the minor party is in with a chance of holding the balance of power.

LNP Opposition leader Tim Nichols has ruled out any deals — but former premier Campbell Newman predicts the Liberal National Party won't be able to form government without One Nation's support.

Listen to the RN Breakfast interview - “Qld One Nation 'not going anywhere' says Dickson.”

(Obviously, a few brumbies are loose in the top paddock - One Nation’s Steve Dickson said this morning on radio that is his party’s intention to build a new coal-fired power plant in northern Queensland. Such an idea contradicts overwhelming evidence that coal, being a prime fossil fuel, is the cornerstone of human behaviour that is worsening climate change and putting at risk most everything that is good about life. Dickson and his One Nation counterparts should be avoided and not allowed, under any circumstances, anywhere near the levers of power - Robert McLean)