Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bruce RitchieJuly 31, 2014

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Former Gov. Charlie Crist says if elected governor again in November, he would again issue executive orders dealing with climate change. But we’ve been down that road before — and it didn’t take us very far. If Crist is elected and does what he says, you can expect a battle with industry groups and their […]

Bruce RitchieJuly 24, 2014

What a difference a year makes — an election year especially — when it comes to a bike trail connector across Central Florida. In May 2013, Gov. Rick Scott vetoed a $50-million appropriation for the “Coast to Coast Connector” that would link 275 miles of bike trails across the region. Scott told reporters last year […]

Bruce RitchieJuly 17, 2014

If you wonder whether utility solar rebate programs for homeowners and businesses were popular, look at how quickly the rebates were snapped up. Florida Power & Light Co. paid $16.5 million in rebates between 2011 and 2013. Each time the program issued its maximum amount of reservations on the same day that applications opened, a […]

Bruce RitchieJuly 10, 2014

Is it time to trash our old-school ideas about recycling? Recycling is important because it saves energy and reduces our need to create new landfills to bury waste for future generations. But some recent news items raise the question of whether the future of recycling is going to be far different than the rinse-and-sort curbside […]

Bruce RitchieJuly 2, 2014

With a Florida Chamber of Commerce poll last week showing strong support for the proposed conservation lands amendment, the question lingers whether there will be organized opposition? Amendment 1 would earmark one-third of documentary stamp tax revenue for 20 years to the state Land Acquisition Trust Fund. Supporters say the amendment is needed because state […]

Bruce RitchieJune 22, 2014

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Society of Environmental Journalists both have the word “environmental” in their names. But the comparison should stop there. One is a federal agency. The other is a nonprofit group, which I belong to, that is dedicated to helping improve the quality and visibility of environmental journalism. The […]

Bruce RitchieJune 16, 2014

Grass-fed beef is a health-food trend that’s been spreading since at least 2010 and its advocates say it also benefits the environment. The trend also is creating huge changes in the cattle industry in Florida, but not necessarily in ways that some environmentalists would like. In North Florida, billionaire Frank Stronach has invested an estimated […]

Bruce RitchieJune 4, 2014

When he signed the 2014-15 state budget on Monday, Gov. Rick Scott decided not to veto $88.5 million in local water projects. The governor had vetoed more than $50 million in water projects during his previous three budget signings. Some supporters of environmental programs say the water projects need to go through a better review. […]

Bruce Ritchie: If voters want new energy policy, they need to elect new legislators

Bruce Ritchie: Gov. Rick Scott and the bike trail: What a difference an election year makes

Bruce Ritchie: Despite popularity, utilities oppose solar rebate programs

Bruce Ritchie: Is it time to revisit our approach to recycling?

Bruce Ritchie: Will there be any opposition to the conservation amendment?

Bruce Ritchie: EPA, environmental reporters in tussle over access to experts

Bruce Ritchie: Environmentalists worried about impact of grass-fed cattle

Bruce Ritchie: When is a water project justified – or just legislative pork?