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

Bruce RitchieApril 6, 2015

What had become the “year of the environment” for the 2015 legislative session has become a year of disappointment for some environmentalists. Amendment 1 and statewide water policy were major issues heading into the session, with growth management also emerging once the opening gavel dropped. Approved by 75 percent of voters in November, Amendment 1 provides […]

Bruce RitchieApril 5, 2015

What had become the “year of the environment” for the 2015 legislative session has become a year of disappointment for some environmentalists. Amendment 1 and statewide water policy were major issues heading into the session, with growth management also emerging once the opening gavel dropped. Approved by 75 percent of voters in November, Amendment 1 provides […]

Bruce RitchieApril 2, 2015

House Republicans on Thursday defended their 2015-16 state budget on Amendment 1 spending before passing it through the chamber over Democratic opposition. The $76.2 billion House budget includes $742 million as provided by voters in November for Amendment 1 for water and land conservation programs. Environmental groups say the budget ignores the voter intent of […]

Bruce RitchieApril 2, 2015

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As lobbyist Stephanie Kunkel, representing the Conservancy of Southwest Florida and Clean Water Action, approached the podium on Tuesday to speak on a Senate oil and gas fracking bill, there was a murmur through the committee room packed with fracking opponents. “Sellout,” one man muttered before Kunkel started speaking. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida and […]

Bruce RitchieApril 1, 2015

Environmental groups praised a Senate move on Wednesday to add $35 million in the state budget toward land acquisition but said the amount falls short of what voters wanted. Amendment 1, approved by 75 percent of voters in November, is now estimated to provide nearly $742 million for water and land conservation programs. Environmental groups […]

Bruce RitchieApril 1, 2015

The Senate on Wednesday passed an $80.4 billion budget after adding $35 million for land acquisition to send a message to supporters of Amendment 1. In November, 75 percent of voters approved the funding initiative which is estimated to provide nearly $742 million for water and land conservation programs. The proposed budget had included $2 […]

Bruce RitchieApril 1, 2015

With the focus on big-spending items in the House and Senate budgets this week, some smaller but important spending issues are going unnoticed. For example, the proposed House and Senate budgets each contain $6.5 million for dry-cleaning sites and $3.5 million for cleaning up hazardous waste sites. But site cleanup professionals say more is needed. “That (funding) […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 31, 2015

Amendment 1 supporters on Tuesday flooded senators with calls urging them to support funding for land-buying in advance of Senate floor action on the state budget Wednesday. In November, 75 percent of voters statewide supported the water and land conservation funding initiative that provides an estimated $741 million in the 2015-16 state budget. The proposed […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 31, 2015

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Bills dealing with oil and gas hydraulic fracturing in Florida passed their first Senate committee stop on Tuesday after a state environmental official said they would provide needed regulation for the industry. SB 1468 by Sen. Garrett Richter, a Republican from Naples, requires the state to develop rules for permitting “high-pressure well-stimulation,” which includes hydraulic […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 31, 2015

A House bill dealing with the utility regulation process is continuing to move in the House despite criticism from environmentalists that the bill doesn’t far enough to deal with energy issues. HB 7109 would set term limits for PSC members, require those who lobby the PSC to register with the state, require parties in a […]

Bruce Ritchie

Bruce Ritchie: At session midpoint, disappointment replaces promise

Bruce Ritchie: At session midpoint, disappointment replaces promise

Matt Caldwell defends Amendment 1 spending as House OKs budget

Enviro groups that support fracking bills thread the needle

Senate boost for land-buying praised as House Democrats question spending

Senate adds $35 million for land-buying before passing budget

Dry cleaning, hazardous waste cleanup falling through budget cracks, group says

With Senate budget amendments teed up, calls flood senators

Fracking bills pass Senate committee with DEP support

PSC bill moving in House despite complaint it doesn't do enough