Bruce Ritchie, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bruce RitchieFebruary 19, 2015

As it passed its final committee stop on Thursday, state agriculture officials on Thursday defended a House water bill against the idea that it represents a power grab by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. HB 7003 has backing from agriculture, business and industry groups. The bill passed the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday with three votes […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 18, 2015

The Florida House has received $1.2 billion in funding requests for local water projects and some of those could receive money from Amendment 1, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli said Wednesday. Amendment 1, approved by 75 percent of voters in November, is expected to provide $757 million from documentary stamp revenue for water and land conservation […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 18, 2015

As hundreds of environmentalists gathered for a rally outside of the Capitol on Wednesday, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli fired back that nobody “wants us to have dirty water.” About 400 people attended the rally for clean water and Amendment 1, the water and land conservation funding initiative approved by 75 percent of voters in November. They […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 17, 2015

A Senate bill intended to strengthen ethics requirements for the Public Service Commission and tighten regulation of utilities passed its first committee stop. But Sen. Jack Latvala, R-St. Petersburg, says the fate of the bill ultimately will lie in the House, where other Senate bills involving the PSC and utilities in recent years have not […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 17, 2015

A Senate bill intended to strengthen ethics requirements for the Public Service Commission and tighten regulation of utilities passed its first committee stop. But Sen. Jack Latvala, R-St. Petersburg, says the fate of the bill ultimately will lie in the House, where other Senate bills involving the PSC and utilities in recent years have not […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 14, 2015

The Senate on Friday filed its version of a water bill that also deals with Amendment 1, the water and land conservation funding initiative approved by voters last November. Senate President Andy Gardiner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli both have said they expect water to be a major issue in the legislative session, which begins […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 13, 2015

When you attend a House appropriations subcommittee where a chairman’s budget proposals are being unveiled, you might expect to hear some tough questions from Democrats and Republicans. And you might be disappointed, at least by the subcommittee that deals with environmental and agricultural spending. Most of the debate I hear in the House occurs only […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 12, 2015

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When you attend a House appropriations subcommittee where a chairman’s budget proposals are being unveiled, you might expect to hear some tough questions from Democrats and Republicans. And you might be disappointed, at least by the subcommittee that deals with environmental and agricultural spending. Most of the debate I hear in the House occurs only […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 11, 2015

A pair of bills filed this week would wade into what became a stinky issue last year — a deadline to ban the spreading of septic tank waste on land. In 2010, the Legislature voted to ban the land application of septic tank waste beginning on Jan. 1, 2016 as part of a bill that […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 11, 2015

A House committee voted Wednesday to introduce a comprehensive water bill despite concerns from environmentalists that the bill doesn’t go far enough to protect springs. House State Affairs Committee Bill 15-01 addresses springs, water planning in Central Florida, and removes duplicate permitting for agriculture around Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades. Many of Florida’s springs have […]

Bruce Ritchie
Lake Mary’s team celebrates in the eighth inning of the Little League World Series Championship game against Taiwan. Florida won in eight innings 2-1. Image via AP.

State agriculture officials defend House water bill, deny power grab

Amendment 1 could help pay for water projects, House speaker says

Nobody wants dirty water, says House Speaker in response to Amendment 1 rally

Jack Latvala's PSC bill passes first committee stop, but fate uncertain in House

Jack Latvala’s PSC bill passes first committee stop, but fate uncertain in House

Compared to House, Florida Senate offers wider-ranging water bill

Bruce Ritchie: Even if budget-writing is unfair, asking tough questions is key

Bruce Ritchie: Even if budget-writing is unfair, asking tough questions is key

Bills would lift 2016 ban on spreading septic tank waste

House water bill filed without funding or enviro backing