Bruce RitchieThe debate season is here. Now maybe we can hear candidates for governor talk about what they plan to do over the next four years rather than what their opponents did years ago.
The first debate between Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist is set for Friday at 7 p.m. on Telemundo. The others are scheduled for Oct. 15 and Oct. 21.
Unfortunately when I watch debates, I’m often disappointed because panelists fail to ask questions about Florida’s environment.
This time I’m going to help the stars of TV journalism by suggesting some questions. I’ve thrown in some background to help everyone analyze the answers or ask their own:
QUESTION ONE:
As governor, will you propose restoring spending for the Florida Forever conservation lands program to the $300 million per year it received prior to 2009? Please explain why you would restore the money or why you would not.
BACKGROUND:
Florida had the nation’s largest land-buying program from 1990 to 2008 when it spent at least $300 million a year on land for state and local parks, state forests and wildlife areas and conservation of agricultural lands. The program has received less than 5 percent of the annual amount since 2009. Scott vetoed spending for Florida Forever in 2011 and requested far less even in healthier budget years than Crist.
QUESTION TWO:
On the issues of energy and climate change, what are you plans for Florida over the next four years?
BACKGROUND:
Twenty-eight states have renewable energy requirements and another seven have non-binding goals. But utilities in Florida have focused instead on nuclear energy (which is free of greenhouse gas emissions) under a 2006 law that allows them to collect money from customers for plants that may never be built. Scott has done little other than reappointing Public Service Commission members and nearly vetoing tax breaks for renewable energy. As governor from 2007 to 2011, Crist focused on energy and climate change but his proposals didn’t pass the Legislature.
QUESTION THREE:
What role, if any, do you see for the state in managing growth now that the recession is over and builders are planning new developments?
BACKGROUND:
Scott said during the 2010 election that he favored getting rid of the Department of Community Affairs and he signed legislation in 2011 to do just that. State oversight of local growth management decisions was reduced to protecting the functions of “important state resources and facilities.” As governor, Crist put former Department of Community Affairs Secretary Tom Pelham in charge of the department and he often annoyed developers.
QUESTION FOUR:
Is Florida’s current approach on Everglades restoration adequate or is there another way?
BACKGROUND
Scott in 2012 won federal approval of an $880 million plan to build additional stormwater filter marshes and reservoirs to reduce phosphorus pollution. Earlier this year, he requested $130 million for Everglades restoration and other projects to manage polluted discharges from Lake Okeechobee. As governor, Crist in 2008 proposed the purchase of 180,000 acres of U. S. Sugar Corp. land for $1.3 billion. But by 2010, the deal had been scaled back to 26,800 acres.
QUESTION FIVE:
What do you plan to do to improve the quality and quantity of groundwater flowing from Florida’s springs?
BACKGROUND:
Springs across the state are turning green from algae because of high nitrogen levels while over-pumping of groundwater remains a threat. Earlier this year, springs legislation passed the Senate but died in the House. The failed Senate bill would have required advanced sewage treatment and septic tanks in areas with polluted springs and would have tightened state laws to prevent groundwater over-pumping
Bruce Ritchie is an independent journalist covering environment and growth management issues in Tallahassee. He also is editor of Floridaenvironments.com. Column courtesy of Context Florida.
