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Bruce RitchieMay 1, 2015

Another legislative session dubbed the “year of water” failed to deliver in 2015 as the House went home early over a health care spending dispute with the Senate. HB 7003, a water bill that was a legislative priority of House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, passed the House by a 106-9 vote on the second day of […]

Guest AuthorApril 22, 2015

The state of California is known for many things, including red carpets, wine country and high taxes. But recently, the Golden State has also become known for its struggle with a crisis other states like Florida are working to avoid: a severe water shortage that threatens its economy, its environment and the livelihood of millions […]

Bruce RitchieApril 21, 2015

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said Tuesday the 2015 Legislative session is going well from a policy standpoint including a water bill his department is supporting. SB 918/HB 7003 eliminate a Lake Okeechobee pollution permitting program, set deadlines for establishing minimum flow levels for springs, requires review of springs cleanup plans and places a Central Florida […]

Bruce RitchieApril 15, 2015

There has been no action publicly in the Legislature this week on Amendment 1 spending or bills dealing with water policy but those issues are being worked on, Sen. Tom Lee, the Senate’s chief budget writer, said Wednesday. Amendment 1 is the water and land conservation funding initiative approved by voters in November. The measure is expected […]

Sally SwartzApril 15, 2015

They spell out “Buy the Land” in live bodies along a Stuart beach. They gather in standing-room-only crowds at South Florida Water Management District meetings, traveling from Miami aboard Tri Rail and car pools from the Treasure Coast. They travel to Tallahassee by the busload for rallies on the Capitol steps. Last week, singer Jimmy […]

Diane RobertsApril 13, 2015

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE — The poor? The hell with them. Education? Don’t make me laugh. The environment? Screw it. The 2015 Session is more than halfway through, and your elected representatives have made it clear they really, truly, do not care what you think. They care what NRA gorgon Marion Hammer thinks. And what Tom Feeney […]

Diane RobertsApril 12, 2015

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE – The poor? The hell with them. Education? Don’t make me laugh. The environment? Screw it. The 2015 Session is more than half way through, and your elected representatives have made it clear they really, truly, do not care what you think. They care what NRA gorgon Marion Hammer thinks. And what Tom […]

Bruce RitchieApril 7, 2015

A bill that would allow the Cabinet to give away state land on Tuesday passed its only committee stop with changes requested by environmental groups. HB 7135 would establish “low-impact agriculture” as a management goal for state lands. The bill also would allow the Cabinet to give away state parks and other state lands to […]

Bruce RitchieApril 6, 2015

Eric Draper of Audubon Florida told a television audience this weekend that legislators are showing they are “out of sync” with voters who supported Amendment 1. Seventy-five percent of voters in November approved the funding initiative that would provide an estimated $742 million for water and land conservation in the 2015-16 state budget. Environmental groups […]

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 […]

Tag: Amendment 1
Image via AP.

“Year of water” failed along with most environmental bills

Tom Feeney: Don't import California's water-planning woes to Florida

Adam Putnam says despite criticism, water bill makes “tremendous progress” for springs

Amendment 1, water spending work going on, Tom Lee says

Sally Swartz: In fight to buy sugar land, Joe Negron needs to step up

Diane Roberts: The Legislature doesn’t care what you think

Diane Roberts: The Florida Legislature doesn't care what you think

Amended state lands bill passes committee, heads to House floor

Audubon’s Eric Draper says Legislature “out of sync” with voters

Bruce Ritchie: At session midpoint, disappointment replaces promise