Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bruce RitchieFebruary 3, 2015

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The House State Affairs Committee on Wednesday will consider draft bill language that would address springs, Lake Okeechobee and central Florida’s water future. Florida’s springs have become choked with weeds and algae caused by nitrogen in groundwater from a variety of sources including septic tanks, sewage treatment plants, lawn fertilizer and farms. Last year, SB […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 30, 2015

A Senate committee chairman on Friday filed six bills to implement spending under Amendment 1 while supporters still were looking for details on how Gov. Rick Scott plans to spend the money. Approved by 75 percent of voters in November, Amendment 1 in the state constitution will provide an estimated $757 million for water and […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 28, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott said Wednesday he is requesting $82 million next year in environmental spending above what is required by Amendment 1, the water and land conservation initiative approved by voters in November. Scott on Wednesday issued his $77 billion budget request for fiscal year 2015-16 including an estimated $757 million towards a broad array […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 28, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott said Wednesday he is requesting $82 million next year in environmental spending above what is required by Amendment 1, the water and land conservation initiative approved by voters in November. Scott on Wednesday issued his $77 billion budget request for fiscal year 2015-16 including an estimated $757 million towards a broad array […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 27, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday announced he will request $150 million for Everglades restoration in fiscal year 2015-16 along with $150 million for land acquisition and management. Scott apparently will use money for water and land conservation under Amendment 1, approved by 75 percent of voters in November. The request for land acquisition falls short of […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 22, 2015

Leaders of the House and Senate have said they expect water to be a priority in the upcoming legislative session but they’ve been vague at best on what issues should be addressed. On Thursday, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam weighed in by outlining recommendations for what he said are the “bold” changes needed in state water […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 7, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet on Jan. 13 will take up a proposed conservation land purchase with political overtones: 620 acres in Corkscrew Swamp in Collier County for $9.7 million. During a campaign swing in Southwest Florida last August, Scott announced the state would spend $20 million to acquire land in the Corkscrew […]

Bruce RitchieDecember 11, 2014

Jon Steverson, Gov. Rick Scott’s choice as Department of Environmental Protection secretary, has been an outspoken director of the Northwest Florida Water Management District during his brief tenure there. Whether he will impress environmentalists with his passion and results at DEP is uncertain. Scott named Steverson, 39, on Thursday to replace Herschel T. Vinyard Jr., […]

Bruce RitchieSeptember 18, 2014

State Rep. Jimmy Patronis told me more than once that I would miss him after this year when he leaves the Florida Legislature because of term limits. Maybe I won’t be covering him in the Legislature any more. But he’ll still be in Tallahassee. Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday appointed Patronis, R-Panama City, to the […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 1, 2014

We are blessed to live in a state abundant in environmental riches, including more than 600 miles of beautiful beaches, over 900 freshwater springs, more than 11 million acres of wetlands and our own national treasure, the Florida Everglades. Our waterways and natural spaces are not just objects of beauty but foundational to the health […]

Tag: audubon florida

Draft water bill focuses on springs, water planning and Lake O

Amendment 1 breakdown provided as bills filed to restructure trust funds

Rick Scott say he's meeting Amendment 1 but full breakdown lacking

Rick Scott say he’s meeting Amendment 1 but full breakdown lacking

Rick Scott announces Everglades, land-buying requests

Adam Putnam outlines water policy recommendations, calls for bold action

Land deal involving Audubon, Scott campaign goes to Cabinet

Bruce Ritchie: On Florida’s newly appointed Department of Environmental Protection director

Bruce Ritchie: Rep. Jimmy Patronis’ appointment to the PSC is no surprise

Steve Crisafulli: Legislature is committed to protecting Florida’s environment