Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

William MarchFebruary 15, 2016

Environmental groups contend that the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature is again snubbing voters who want the state to purchase conservation land. They contend the budget proposals the Legislature is now developing violate Amendment 1, passed overwhelmingly in 2014, directing that a third of the revenue from documentary stamp taxes on real estate transactions go to buy […]

Drew WilsonDecember 3, 2015

An environmental group announced it will air a pair of TV commercials calling on Florida Republican congressmen John Mica and Carlos Curbelo to help restore the federal Land and Water Conservation Program. The Western Value Project said the ads are part of a six-figure ad buy and will air in Curbelo’s and Mica’s districts – […]

Phil AmmannDecember 1, 2015

A Florida Senate committee approved Tuesday a $25 million per year investment, lasting 10 years, for water quality, restoration and protection of the habitat surrounding the Florida Keys. The Senate Committee on Community Affairs passed Senate Bill 770, known as the Florida Keys Stewardship Act, which seeks to protect the water supply in and around […]

Melissa RossJuly 29, 2015

Saying it’s an “outrage” that the Florida Legislature “thwarted the will of the voters,” the new head of the North Florida Land Trust says the fight over Amendment 1 and land conservation in the state isn’t over. “We’re organizing for 2016,” said Executive Director Jim McCarthy during an appearance on WJCT’s First Coast Connect. “We need […]

Guest AuthorJune 22, 2015

This year in Tallahassee, there has been no shortage of opinions on how to divide the dollars the Florida Legislature is constitutionally required to spend on natural resources through Amendment 1. Throughout the debate, some have tried to hold our lawmakers to an arbitrary standard, arguing for tens of millions of dollars to be spent […]

Guest AuthorJune 7, 2015

During the 2015 special session, a controversial topic involving Amendment 1 funding entangles a push to purchase land south of Lake Okeechobee in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA). Extreme elements of the environmental movement have made it sound as though the simple purchase of one property will “save the Everglades.” If the Everglades ecosystem is […]

Diane RobertsMay 27, 2015

Last Saturday, the Republic of Ireland came out in rainbows, saying yes to marriage equality: 62 percent in favor. Yet Ireland is a “conservative” country, still – despite clergy sex abuse scandals – very Catholic. Divorce has only been legal since 1997; and abortion is only allowed to save the life of the mother, no […]

Diane RobertsMay 27, 2015

Last Saturday, the Republic of Ireland came out in rainbows, saying yes to marriage equality: 62 percent in favor. Yet Ireland is a “conservative” country, still – despite clergy sex abuse scandals – very Catholic. Divorce has only been legal since 1997; and abortion is only allowed to save the life of the mother, no […]

Peter SchorschApril 3, 2015

As news surfaces about the character of some protesting the state’s deal with U.S. Sugar Corp. to buy 46,800 acres of ecologically sensitive land — 50 or more of the outraged demonstrators are paid actors — the mood turns more and more away from serious discussion about a vital issue to more of a farce […]

Guest AuthorApril 1, 2015

A major debate is taking place in the Florida House and Senate over public policy regarding water and the allocation of Amendment 1 funds. Various special interests are striving to make their voice the most influential regarding these two high profile issues. At stake is finding a balance of effective policies, which will guard our […]

Tag: conservation

Groups upset with legislators over land conservation

New TV ads call on John Mica, Carlos Curbelo to help restore federal conservation program

Senate panel OKs Florida Keys Stewardship Act, funding water quality, protection

North Florida Land Trust vows “we’re organizing” to fight over Amendment 1

Brewster Bevis: Legislature shows leadership by ensuring Amendment 1 dollars benefit everyone

Dan Peterson: Amendment 1 Everglades restoration money more complex than just buying land

Diane Roberts: If Florida is “conservative,” let’s conserve something besides freedom to cash in

Diane Roberts: If Florida is 'conservative,' let's conserve something besides freedom to cash in

Death Mermaid, paid actors, melodrama cheapen Everglades policy debate

Dan Peterson: Buying more land isn't Amendment 1's first priority