Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJuly 24, 2018

In an email Tuesday, Gov. Rick Scott said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson “must do his job” and secure funding for repairs to the federally operated Herbert Hoover Dike surrounding Lake Okeechobee. Scott is looking to replace Nelson in the Senate this fall; the email from his campaign touted his role in “championing” millions in state funding for […]

Jim RosicaJuly 11, 2018

Saying he violated their constitutional rights “in multiple ways, and over repeated objections,” House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate President Joe Negron asked a Tallahassee judge to remove himself from future proceedings in an environmental funding case. The legislative leaders filed their disqualification request with Circuit Judge Charles Dodson earlier this week. On June 28, […]

Ana CeballosMarch 11, 2018

The Florida Legislature during a rare Sunday session passed an $88.7 billion state budget — the largest one in the state’s history. “This balanced budget includes unprecedented K-12 per student funding, targeted pay raises for state law enforcement, state firefighters, and Department of Juvenile Justice probation and detention officers, and $100 million for Florida Forever, while […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 3, 2018

The state is one step closer to restoring funding to its premier land-purchasing fund. On Friday night, budget chiefs Rep. Carlos Trujillo and Sen. Rob Bradley agreed to fund Florida Forever at $100.8 million for fiscal year 2018-2019 — a big jump from last year, when the Legislature did not appropriate anything to the trust. […]

Ana CeballosMarch 3, 2018

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Budget conference chairs are now ironing out funding differences between the House and Senate dealing with a wide-range of policy issues. Chairs Sen. Rob Bradley and Rep. Carlos Trujillo are figuring out funding for beach restoration, land acquisition and water projects. Currently, the state Legislature is split over nearly $172 million on appropriations for programs funded through Florida […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 2, 2018

The state Legislature is split on appropriations for programs funded through Florida Forever — by nearly $172 million. The House wants to fund projects under the state’s land-buying trust at $36 million. A Friday budget offer from the Senate proposed close to a $208 million spend on the same programs — just ahead of the […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 1, 2018

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The Florida Senate’s environmental priorities, which include boosting funding for the Land Acquisition Trust Fund, also known as Florida Forever, along with funding for beaches, are kinks that still need to be fleshed out before Friday’s budget conference deadline. But Rep. Ben Albritton, House chair of the environment and agriculture budget conference, seems optimistic. “In this […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 13, 2018

Former U.S. Senator and Florida Gov. Bob Graham addressed a packed room Tuesday in Jacksonville at the North Florida Land Trust’s annual meeting. Graham, the keynote speaker at the event, discussed water issues and tenets of effective lobbying. Water, Graham said, would be a “continuing challenge” for Florida, due to anticipated population growth and development. Currently, […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 31, 2018

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In an effort that would comply with voters’ wishes, the Florida Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved a proposal that would direct $100 million to the Florida Forever land-buying program every year. “This is one of the things we can be proud of not just when we go back home, but for many years to come,” […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 7, 2017

Thursday saw a Senate subcommittee — the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Environment and Natural Resources — approve two priority environmental projects of Appropriations Chair Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican. Both bills were approved without objection. The full Appropriations Committee is the next stop for these bills, all but ensuring the Bradley bills will be mulled […]

Tag: Florida Forever

Email insights: Rick Scott says Bill Nelson ‘must do his job’ to secure Lake O funds

Lawmakers want judge tossed off environmental funding suit

Legislature passes $88.7B state budget to close out extended session

Budget leaders agree to more than $100M for Florida Forever

Final budget items start getting ‘bumped’

House, Senate face $172M difference in Florida Forever funding

Florida Forever, beaches will dictate environmental budget negotiations

Bob Graham: ‘The state needs to step its game up’ regarding water issues

Senate approves $100 million for Florida Forever land-buying program

Rob Bradley environmental bills now one stop away from Senate floor