Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mark FerruloJanuary 13, 2015

The new Legislature has been sworn in. At their swearing-in, members took an oath of office, placed their hands on a Bible and promised to uphold the Florida Constitution. Legislatures have tinkered in nefarious ways with voter-passed constitutional amendments in the past, but this new Legislature must do the right thing when implementing Amendment 1, […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 13, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet on Tuesday agreed to spend nearly $13 million on two conservation land buys in Southwest Florida including one with implications for Amendment 1 spending. Amendment 1 is the water and land conservation funding initiative approved by 75 percent of voters in November. A Senate committee last week began wrangling […]

Ryan RayJanuary 9, 2015

The Associated Industries of Florida’s water policy vehicle, called the H2O Coalition, announced on Thursday the creation of a new website and social media accounts to promulgate their interests and inform the public about the likely upcoming changes in Florida’s environmental regulations from a business perspective. “This session, leaders in Tallahassee are planning to make decisions on […]

Ryan RayJanuary 9, 2015

The Associated Industries of Florida’s water policy vehicle, called the H2O Coalition, announced on Thursday the creation of a new website and social media accounts to promulgate their interests and inform the public about the likely upcoming changes in Florida’s environmental regulations from a business perspective. “This session, leaders in Tallahassee are planning to make decisions on […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 8, 2015

Senate committee meetings without bills on the agenda rarely draw crowds, but the Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation meeting on Wednesday was an exception. With more than $700 million in revenue at stake in the coming fiscal year from a broadly-worded conservation funding initiative, representatives of environmental groups, water utilities, developers, industry groups and […]

Daniel TilsonDecember 31, 2014

So you ask, how did Florida’s future fare in 2014? And you say your friend is wondering what our 2015 prospects look like? Glad you’re asking, because I was contemplating just such things while chasing my 9-year-old kid and her friend around the carnival at a local park today. They’re great pals, classmates at our […]

Phil AmmannDecember 22, 2014

Supporters of paved bicycling trails have big plans for Florida and are turning them into reality. But they also need some help from Amendment 1. Passed in November by 75 percent of voters statewide, Amendment 1 dedicates one-third of the revenue from a tax on real estate transactions toward land and water conservation projects. The […]

Bruce RitchieDecember 18, 2014

Supporters of paved bicycling trails have big plans for Florida and are turning them into reality. But they also need some help from Amendment 1. Passed in November by 75 percent of voters statewide, Amendment 1 dedicates one-third of the revenue from a tax on real estate transactions toward land and water conservation projects. The […]

Bruce RitchieNovember 24, 2014

OK, 2015 actually could be the “year of water” in the Florida Legislature. Certain Capitol pundits earlier this year predicted that water would be a top issue during the 2014 session. But they were wrong because there wasn’t support in both chambers for dealing with the issue. The Senate passed a springs bill that would […]

Daniel TilsonNovember 23, 2014

Thanksgiving’s coming, so let’s talk economic turkey. Election 2014 has strengthened the grip of big business and rich folks on Florida government and economic policy. The Florida Democratic Party (FDP) let the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) write and own the “narrative,” the storyline of what has and hasn’t happened in the economy on their […]

Tag: Amendment 1

Mark Ferrulo: Don't slap Amendment 1 voters in the face

Cabinet approves land-buying projects as Adam Putnam touts conservation alternative

AIF’s H2O coalition launches online media campaign ahead of water policy reforms

AIF's H2O coalition launches online media campaign ahead of water policy reforms

Amendment 1 packs committee room as enviros outline spending recommendation

Daniel Tilson: Florida 2014 – Days of Future Past

Bike trail plan moving toward reality, but needs Amendment 1 funds

Bruce Ritchie: Bike trail plan moving toward reality, but needs Amendment 1 funds

Water will become a top issue in 2015 with the help of Amendment 1

Daniel Tilson: Rewriting the Florida Republican economic narrative