Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Diane RobertsAugust 18, 2016

As the old Vulcan proverb goes, “Only Nixon could go to China.” Maybe only Joe Negron can make an Everglades land deal happen. Negron, the incoming state Senate president and a conservative Republican, wants to acquire 60,000 acres south of Lake Okeechobee, land that would help clean up the filthy, nutrient-choked lake water currently sliming […]

Diane RobertsFebruary 24, 2016

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE — This is what the Florida Constitution says, right up top, Article I, Section 1: All political power is inherent in the people. I’m guessing most Florida legislators have never read it. Either that or they don’t give a good goddamn. For the second year in a row, they are misappropriating — stealing, […]

Phil AmmannJune 19, 2015

Citing “blatant political maneuvering and a disregard for the wishes of voters,” few lawmakers can take pride in the 2015 Legislative Session, says Pamela Goodman, President of the Florida League of Women Voters. Her primary concerns in the recently ended Special Session A were notable failures in accepting federal Medicaid expansion money to cover more […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

Tag: Amendment One

Diane Roberts: Will Joe Negron make Everglades deal happen? Maybe.

Diane Roberts: Legislators are stealing the money meant to protect the environment

Florida League of Women Voters blast record budget that ‘ignores Constitution’

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

Bruce Ritchie: At session midpoint, disappointment replaces promise

Bruce Ritchie: At session midpoint, disappointment replaces promise

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

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