Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jacob OglesJuly 21, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott didn’t take too well to aspersions cast by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson at him from the Caloosahatchee River yesterday. Rather than hearing from a federal official about how green algae blooms lay with state policy, Scott promises he will do something from Washington if voters send him there to replace the incumbent. […]

Jacob OglesJuly 9, 2018

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U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio today called on President Donald Trump to stop discharges into the St. Lucie River that are planned to start tomorrow. The Miami Republican also called on the Army Corps of Engineers to re-evaluate water flows from Lake Okeechobee into the Caloosahatchee River. Rubio’s request comes as algal blooms pose a fresh […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 22, 2016

Moving residents off septic systems should be included in efforts to clean up the Indian River Lagoon, experts said Thursday. Experts said wastewater run-off and septic systems play a role in the algae blooms that have plagued South Florida in recent years. And while it is just part of the problem, one expert said money […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 9, 2016

Calls to send the water south of appear to have been heard. Senate President Designate Joe Negron announced Tuesday he planned to push lawmakers to set aside money to purchase land for water storage south of Lake Okeechobee. The Stuart Republican said he has identified two areas — an area south of the lake that straddles […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 27, 2016

Buying land south of Lake Okeechobee may be a popular proposal to help solve South Florida’s water woes, but U.S. Sugar officials said it wouldn’t necessarily mean more water would flow to the Everglades. “Simply buying more farmland does not equate to more water flowing into the Everglades nor would it significantly reduce the discharges […]

Associated PressJuly 12, 2016

Officials are responding to fears in southwest Florida about a massive algae bloom fouling waters on the state’s Atlantic coast. The News-Press reports that the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau updated its website with water-monitoring information and live video of beaches overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The newspaper says tourism officials also frequently post videos from […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 11, 2016

The question seems simple: What is causing the blue-green algae plaguing the Treasure Coast? Some put the blame primarily on Lake Okeechobee. Others say the discharges are just one of the many factors contributing to the algae bloom. The Treasure Coast Newspapers on Friday published a story called “Scientists agree: Lake Okeechobee discharges, not septic […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 6, 2016

Sen. Bill Nelson has called on Senate leaders to immediately pass a bill authorizing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to move forward with projects to send water south. In a letter Wednesday, Nelson urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 up for a vote “as soon […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 6, 2016

A voluntary program to encourage residents to switch from septic tanks could be getting a funding boost. Gov. Rick Scott announced Wednesday he plans to include additional funding in his 2017-18 budget to help clean up the Indian River Lagoon and Caloosahatchee River. The proposal, the governor’s office said, would include new funding for a […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 30, 2016

Three Southwest Florida lawmakers are asking Gov. Rick Scott to include Lee County in an emergency declaration to address blue-green algae blooms. In a joint statement Thursday, Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, and Reps. Matt Caldwell and Ray Rodrigues said Scott’s emergency declaration for Martin and St. Lucie counties is “drawing much-needed attention to the algal blooms and […]

Tag: Caloosahatchee River

Rick Scott pushes back on Bill Nelson’s algae claims

Marco Rubio calls on Donald Trump to reconsider Lake O discharges

Water quality challenges focus of AIF Florida Water Forum

Joe Negron says he’ll push for funding to buy land south of Lake O

U.S. Sugar officials say buying more farm land doesn’t equal more water flowing into Everglades

Tourism officials address algae fears in southwest Florida

Lake O discharges or septic systems: Newspapers disagree over what’s to blame for the blue-green algae

Bill Nelson, Marco Rubio urge action on bill that could help move water south

Rick Scott to include money in 2017-18 budget proposal to help clean up Indian River Lagoon and Caloosahatchee River

Lizbeth Benacquisto, Matt Caldwell and Ray Rodrigues request Lee County be added to emergency declaration