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

Bruce RitchieApril 24, 2015

The Senate on Friday voted to send an amended Public Service Commission bill back to the House after Sen. Jack Latvala indicated that Capitol lobbyists are not pleased with it. HB 7109 would limit PSC members to serving three four-year terms and require those who lobby to register the PSC Nominating Council to register as […]

Bruce RitchieApril 24, 2015

A bill that would eliminate a state review program for shopping malls, huge housing projects and other large developments passed the House on Friday and is on the way to the governor. Supporters of SB 1216 said the “developments of regional impact” program was burdensome, redundant and actually discouraged the development of planned communities. The Legislature […]

Bruce RitchieApril 24, 2015

A property rights bill filed in response to a U.S. Supreme Court case ruling in favor of an Orange County landowner passed the Florida House on Friday. The Supreme Court in 2013 overturned a Florida Supreme Court ruling against the late Coy A. Koontz Sr., who sought to build on 3.7 of his 15 acres […]

Bruce RitchieApril 23, 2015

A Senate bill amendment to bar legislators from being on the Public Service Commission within two years of leaving office was withdrawn Thursday. Sen. John Legg, a Republican from Lutz, had filed the amendment to SB 288, a PSC bill that was brought up on second reading Thursday. The amendment was withdrawn because of a […]

Bruce RitchieApril 23, 2015

Language from a comprehensive House water bill was added on Thursday to other environmental legislation in the House over objections from Democrats. The water bill language lacks key components of the Senate bill that are important to that chamber’s leadership, raising questions about whether the move represents gamesmanship between the two chambers. Some environmentalists say […]

Bruce RitchieApril 23, 2015

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A public records bill oil and natural gas hydraulic fracturing passed its final committee stop with the bill sponsor indicating it is in trouble as it heads to the Senate floor. Hydraulic fracturing, also known as high-pressure well stimulation or fracking, involves the use of water, sand and chemicals to extract oil and gas from […]

Bruce RitchieApril 22, 2015

Sen. John Legg says he considers former Rep. Jimmy Patronis to be a friend and a fine man, but he doesn’t think he should have gone so quickly from the Legislature to the Public Service Commission. So Legg has filed a bill amendment he said is aimed at preventing that from happening in the future. Patronis, […]

Bruce RitchieApril 22, 2015

As President Barack Obama visited Everglades National Park on Wednesday to mark Earth Day and highlight the threat of climate change, Gov. Rick Scott said he is focused on restoration projects that are “making a difference.” “We have made significant investments since I got elected,” Scott told reporters on the Capitol grounds. Obama highlighted the […]

Bruce RitchieApril 22, 2015

A year after signing a concession agreement with a New York company to deliver state bike trail sponsorships with advertising signs, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has canceled the deal. The reason: Bikepath Country of Mahopac, N.Y., didn’t deliver any sponsors or money to the state after lobbying for legislation in 2012 to provide […]

Bruce RitchieApril 21, 2015

A Senate water bill passed its final committee stop on Tuesday despite continuing concerns raised by counties and environmentalists. SB 918 replaces a Lake Okeechobee pollution permitting program with more reliance on water cleanup plans, sets deadlines for establishing minimum flow levels for springs, sets timelines for springs cleanup plans and creates a statewide advisory […]

Bruce Ritchie

Senate sends PSC bill back to House with changes that “folks in the hall” don’t like

Bill eliminating state development review program goes to governor

Property rights bill responding to U.S. Supreme Court case passes House

PSC/Duke Energy bill teed up for Senate vote after amendment withdrawn

House water bill language finds new home as Session winds down

Hydraulic fracturing public records bill passes Senate panel as opposition mounts

Amendment filed to stop Legislature-to-PSC pipeline

As president visits Everglades, Rick Scott touts state’s restoration projects

DEP cancels trails deal after N.Y. company fails to deliver sponsors

Senate bill clears final committee stop despite concerns from counties, environmentalists