Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

James CallApril 2, 2015

To understand this day at the state Capitol one needs to take a long view of a 60-day Legislative Session. Think of a production of a play — the Florida Legislature spent the first half of a session putting all the pieces in place for one heck of a show. The climax will come either […]

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 […]

James CallApril 2, 2015

Florida House Democrats intend to reject the House budget plan Thursday afternoon on three counts: • They will argue the spending plan does not include enough money for education; • Fails to comply with voter intent on Amendment 1, and; • Doesn’t cover a billion-dollar gap in the health care budget created by the end […]

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 […]

Guest AuthorApril 1, 2015

A major debate is taking place in the Florida House and Senate over public policy regarding water and the allocation of Amendment 1 funds. Various special interests are striving to make their voice the most influential regarding these two high profile issues. At stake is finding a balance of effective policies, which will guard our […]

Guest AuthorApril 1, 2015

With the million-dollar sugar babies still running the show in the Legislature, it might seem impossible to stop the polluting discharges bombarding the coasts and sucking dry the Everglades. And yet there seems to be a sense of momentum for change in the air. More and more angry citizens are realizing that purchasing 46,000 acres […]

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 […]

James CallApril 1, 2015

Senate Democrats kicked off the second half of the 2015 Legislative Session with a pep talk from Democratic National Committee Chair and south Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. In a pre-floor session huddle Schultz she came to bolster their efforts to uphold “the will of the voters” on both Medicaid expansion and the spending of Amendment […]

Guest AuthorMarch 31, 2015

Dear legislator: A number of years ago I was playing golf at Solivita, a community near Poinciana on the Polk County side of Osceola County. The area looked strangely familiar, especially the cypress swamps and pine woods between the holes. As I came up one fairway and looked into an oak hammock, I saw the […]

Tag: Amendment 1
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 4/18/25-Candles and remembrances are left near the Unconquered statue a few hours after the Florida State University Gathering of Unity Vigil held Friday to honor victims of the recent mass shooting. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

Bruce Ritchie: At session midpoint, disappointment replaces promise

The day that was in Florida politics — April 2

Matt Caldwell defends Amendment 1 spending as House OKs budget

House Democrats to reject budget, cite education, health-care, land-buying flaws

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

Dan Peterson: Buying more land isn't Amendment 1's first priority

Karl Wickstrom: Use Amendment 1 to buy land, take on Big Sugar

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

Debbie Wasserman Schultz rallies Democrats for the second half

Rick Dantzler — Dear Legislator: Where will Fla. kids learn to hunt and fish?