Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bruce RitchieMarch 20, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday wanted you to know that he likes Florida panthers and likes the environment — to the tune of $3 billion for environmental spending requested in fiscal year 2015-16. With the House and Senate this week having delivered blows to the hopes of Amendment 1 land-buying supporters, Scott proclaimed Saturday to […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 18, 2015

Environmental groups continued Wednesday to criticize a House water bill in advance of a Senate committee workshop while an industry group said the legislation offers a statewide approach to Florida’s water needs. HB 7003 recognizes the Central Florida Water Initiative in state law while eliminating a South Florida Water Management District farm permitting program for […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 5, 2015

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House Republican leaders praised a water policy bill they passed Thursday as a good start while the chamber’s Democratic leader called it bad legislation and joined environmentalists in hoping for a better version from the Senate. HB 7003 passed the House 106 to 9 on the third day of the legislative session after about 45 […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 4, 2015

Democrats questioned a House water policy bill on the floor Wednesday while environmentalists said they are turning their hopes to the Senate for a stronger bill. Supporters say HB 7003 provides a statewide approach to dealing with water issues while modernizing the water regulatory system. But environmentalists say it weakens Lake Okeechobee protections while failing […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 2, 2015

Environmental groups pushing for the state purchase of U.S. Sugar Corp. land south of Lake Okeechobee may have received a boost Monday when a University of Florida study said additional land is needed for water storage. Environmental groups have been pushing the state to exercise an option to buy 46,800 acres for water storage to […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 2, 2015

An Associated Industries of Florida advertising campaign criticizing “special interests” that want Amendment 1 funding for their “pet projects” is confusing, Audubon Florida’s Eric Draper said Monday. Amendment 1 will provide $757 million for water and land conservation programs in fiscal year 2015-16. Approval by 75 percent of voters in November led quickly to debate […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 2, 2015

An Associated Industries of Florida advertising campaign criticizing “special interests” that want Amendment 1 funding for their “pet projects” is confusing, Audubon Florida’s Eric Draper said Monday. Amendment 1 will provide $757 million for water and land conservation programs in fiscal year 2015-16. Approval by 75 percent of voters in November led quickly to debate […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 19, 2015

As it passed its final committee stop on Thursday, state agriculture officials on Thursday defended a House water bill against the idea that it represents a power grab by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. HB 7003 has backing from agriculture, business and industry groups. The bill passed the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday with three votes […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 18, 2015

The Florida House has received $1.2 billion in funding requests for local water projects and some of those could receive money from Amendment 1, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli said Wednesday. Amendment 1, approved by 75 percent of voters in November, is expected to provide $757 million from documentary stamp revenue for water and land conservation […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 14, 2015

The Senate on Friday filed its version of a water bill that also deals with Amendment 1, the water and land conservation funding initiative approved by voters last November. Senate President Andy Gardiner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli both have said they expect water to be a major issue in the legislative session, which begins […]

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Image via Carlton Ward Jr.

Rick Scott proclaims Panther Day, support for environment

Debate on House water bill moves to Senate

House water bill passes as critics hope for better Senate legislation

House water bill faces questions, is teed up for floor vote

UF study says more water storage needed south of Lake Okeechobee

Ad campaign from AIF’s water coalition is “confusing,” Audubon’s Eric Draper says

Ad campaign from AIF's water coalition is "confusing," Audubon's Eric Draper says

State agriculture officials defend House water bill, deny power grab

Amendment 1 could help pay for water projects, House speaker says

Compared to House, Florida Senate offers wider-ranging water bill