Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressOctober 4, 2017

State officials say Hurricane Irma caused more than $2.5 billion in damage to Florida’s agricultural community. Irma dealt Florida’s iconic orange crop the most devastating blow causing more than $760 million in damage. Beef cattle and dairy were next with $237 million and nearly $12 million respectively. The preliminary assessment was released Wednesday by Florida Commissioner […]

Associated PressSeptember 12, 2017

Florida fruit growers and farmers have just barely begun to assess the damage Hurricane Irma wrought on the state’s citrus, sugar cane and vegetable crops—but they expect it will be significant. With power and communications still out across much of Florida, officials said Tuesday that getting a full picture will take weeks. What remains unknown: […]

Jim RosicaJuly 13, 2017

The Florida Supreme Court Thursday dismissed a challenge of Gov. Rick Scott‘s veto of reimbursements to homeowners whose healthy citrus trees were torn down by the state. The homeowners had asked the court to undo Scott’s veto of more than $37 million by filing a petition for writ of mandamus, an order to an elected official to perform a certain […]

Jim RosicaJune 26, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott responded Monday to a lawsuit brought by homeowners whose healthy citrus trees were torn down by the state, saying his veto of reimbursements to homeowners was “consistent with his constitutional authority.” The homeowners have asked the Florida Supreme Court to undo Scott’s veto of more than $37 million. The Republican-controlled Legislature agreed […]

Jim RosicaJune 9, 2017

Florida orange production went up a bit and grapefruit production leveled off, according to the latest forecast by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The Florida Department of Citrus announced the estimates Friday. “The June report projects the state’s orange crop to increase by 500,000 boxes to 68.5 million for the 2016-17 season,” its press […]

Jim RosicaOctober 12, 2016

The federal government is forecasting a 14 percent decrease in Florida orange production next year and a drop in grapefruit of 11.5 percent. The National Agriculture Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its report Wednesday. In another sign of the citrus greening epidemic facing the industry, the service foresees yields of only 70 million boxes of […]

Anne LindbergMay 9, 2016

A six-county agency has taken the first step to trying a different approach to help needy Tampa Bay neighborhoods. The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council unanimously voted Monday to have staff members discuss strategies with a representative of the Rutgers University Business School and its Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development. It is unclear […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 3, 2016

The Clewiston-based U.S. Sugar Corp. has unveiled a new website, highlighting the work it does to protect the environment in the South Florida lands it plies to satisfy the nation’s sweet tooth. The new site, found at www.USSugar.com, outlines the company’s sugarcane and citrus operations and tells the story of its ongoing efforts to combine innovation […]

Associated PressNovember 23, 2015

One of Florida’s most iconic landmarks has been restored. The giant orange has weathered many of the ups and downs of the state’s citrus industry. The orange came to Lake County in 1971 when the industry was booming and more than 130,000 acres were dedicated to citrus farming. Many roadside citrus stands at the time […]

Associated PressNovember 19, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court is asking for more judges. The high court on Thursday formally asked the state Legislature for 24 new judgeships across the state. The court is asking for one new circuit judgeship in the central Florida judicial circuit covering Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter counties. The justices say the 5th Judicial […]

Tag: citrus

Hurricane Irma causes $2.5B in damage to Florida crops

Irma delivers punch to agriculture

Squeezed: Supreme Court denies challenge of citrus veto

Rick Scott says citrus veto is constitutionally valid

Latest forecast: Oranges up, grapefruit steady

Citrus production forecast remains in freefall

Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council may take on poverty as a regional issue

U.S. Sugar rolls out sweet new website

Landmark of Florida citrus industry restored

Florida Supreme Court seeks 24 more judgeships statewide