Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 27, 2016

Buying land south of Lake Okeechobee may be a popular proposal to help solve South Florida’s water woes, but U.S. Sugar officials said it wouldn’t necessarily mean more water would flow to the Everglades. “Simply buying more farmland does not equate to more water flowing into the Everglades nor would it significantly reduce the discharges […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 22, 2016

It’s time to focus on the water. That was the message three Republicans running in Florida’s 19th Congressional District sent to Southwest Florida voters during a forum hosted by the Lee Republican Women’s Club and the Republican Women of Cape Coral Federated. The forum was held hours after Cape Coral reopened its beach, which had been […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 18, 2016

Sen. Marco Rubio is focused on getting a comprehensive water bill through Congress this fall, saying the legislation could be key in combating South Florida’s water woes. “The single biggest thing we can do to improve the situation is called the Central Everglades Planning Project,” said Rubio. “It’s in the water bill, and our hope […]

Lloyd DunkelbergerJuly 14, 2016

In a letter to Gov. Rick Scott today, U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney explained that one of the problems in securing money for the repair of the Hebert Hoover Dike around Lake Okeechobee is the U.S. House’s ban on earmarking money in the federal budget. The issue is simply this: Congress can authorize funding for the […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 13, 2016

U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham is responding forcefully — with a call for a special session of the Florida Legislature — to a letter written by Florida Gov. Rick Scott regarding the federal government’s role in the developing crisis along the state’s Treasure Coast, where algae blooms are creating an emergency-level natural disaster. Earlier this week, Scott […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 13, 2016

A new report is encouraging lawmakers to study the impact Lake Okeechobee water releases have on the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries. The call for a study was just one of the priorities outlined in a new report released by the the James Madison Institute on Monday. The paper — written by Dan Peterson, director […]

Bill RuftyJuly 12, 2016

Health care — and expanded Medicaid funds offered by the federal government — are still on the minds of many Floridians if a barrage of questions from Tuesday’s Tiger Bay of Polk County luncheon is any indication. State Sen. Denise Grimsley, a Sebring Republican, came to the lunch prepared to discuss the accomplishments of the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 12, 2016

It’s time to take action. That was the message Gov. Rick Scott sent to Florida’s congressional delegation in a letter Tuesday. The letter outlines what Florida has done to address the algae-bloom in South Florida, and calls on the delegation to take immediate action to make sure Florida received a federal emergency declaration. “Florida is […]

Associated PressJuly 12, 2016

Officials are responding to fears in southwest Florida about a massive algae bloom fouling waters on the state’s Atlantic coast. The News-Press reports that the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau updated its website with water-monitoring information and live video of beaches overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The newspaper says tourism officials also frequently post videos from […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 11, 2016

The question seems simple: What is causing the blue-green algae plaguing the Treasure Coast? Some put the blame primarily on Lake Okeechobee. Others say the discharges are just one of the many factors contributing to the algae bloom. The Treasure Coast Newspapers on Friday published a story called “Scientists agree: Lake Okeechobee discharges, not septic […]

Tag: Lake Okeechobee
Image via Palatka Main Street.

U.S. Sugar officials say buying more farm land doesn’t equal more water flowing into Everglades

Francis Rooney, Chauncey Goss, Dan Bongino talk water quality during CD 19 forum

Marco Rubio talks water quality during stop in Fort Myers

Tom Rooney says earmark ban hurts Lake Okeechobee dike repair

Gwen Graham fires back at Rick Scott, calls for special session to deal with algae disaster

James Madison Institute tackles ‘Everglades Riddle’ in new report

Denise Grimsley: Health care top issue for 2017 Legislature

Rick Scott urges congressional delegation to take ‘immediate action’ to address algae problem

Tourism officials address algae fears in southwest Florida

Lake O discharges or septic systems: Newspapers disagree over what’s to blame for the blue-green algae