Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Joe HendersonSeptember 22, 2016

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman is angry — MAD, I tell you! — that Gov. Rick Scott is playing politics just because the city’s streets and waterways were covered in sewage following Hurricane Hermine. Um, Mr. Mayor? I suspect you already know this, but you have a lot bigger problems than the Republican governor of […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 21, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott has ordered the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to investigate sewage discharges in St. Petersburg. The Governor’s Office made the announcement Wednesday, just one day after Scott called on the state Department of Health to begin additional testing at the discharge site. While city is responsible for testing in the immediate area, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 1, 2016

Lizbeth Benacquisto is calling on the Department of Environmental Protection to step up its efforts to ensure clean water is flowing through the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers’ estuaries. In a letter to DEP Secretary Jon Steverson, the Fort Myers Republican urges the agency to work with the South Florida Water Management District and other […]

Jim RosicaMay 11, 2016

A former member of the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission said the group doesn’t have “jack” to do. That’s why the commission — charged with reviewing rules to protect the state’s environment — hardly ever meets, the person said. The former commissioner asked not to be named. But a current member explained the body, whose members don’t get paid, always meets when there’s business […]

Jim RosicaMay 11, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott has tapped his former top environmental lawyer for a spot on the state’s Environmental Regulation Commission. But Craig Varn might not have a lot to do as a member: The commission has cancelled every one of its monthly meetings so far this year. Scott named him to the commission on Tuesday. Varn, 47, was general […]

Staff ReportsApril 22, 2016

Denver Stutler, who previously served as Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Chief of Staff for former Gov. Jeb Bush, will chair the advocacy group “Floridians for Better Transportation.” FBT President Matthew Ubben made the announcement Thursday. Stutler is CEO of Polston Applied Tech and succeeds John M. Lewis, who formerly headed LYNX, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 1, 2016

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A bill to regulate fracking is likely dead after the Senate sponsor said he did not want the Senate Appropriations committee to reconsider the measure. The Senate Appropriations committee on Thursday voted to reject the proposal (SB 318), but lawmakers swiftly made a motion to reconsider the measure. That move kept the bill on the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 25, 2016

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A bill to regulate fracking in Florida is on life support after a Senate panel voted to reject the controversial proposal. The Senate Appropriations Committee narrowly rejected the proposal (SB 318). However, lawmakers used a parliamentary maneuver — in this case, a motion to reconsider — to keep the proposal, sponsored by Sen. Garrett Richter, […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 9, 2016

A bill revamping the state’s process of public land acquisition and management passed its first Senate committee Tuesday. LobbyTools reports that SB 1290, filed by Trilby Republican Sen. Wilton Simpson is nearly identical to House equivalent, HB 1075, filed by Lehigh Acres Republican Rep. Matt Caldwell. Orlando Democratic Sen. Darren Soto submitted an amendment to strip language that […]

Tag: Department of Environmental Protection

Water quality challenges focus of AIF Florida Water Forum

Joe Henderson: St. Pete’s stinky mess, sewage and politics

Rick Scott orders DEP investigation in St. Petersburg sewage discharges

Lizbeth Benacquisto addresses water quality concerns in letter to DEP

Environmental review board doesn’t have much to do

Craig Varn named to environmental board that hasn’t met this year

Personnel Note: Denver Stutler tapped to lead ‘Floridians for Better Transportation’

Senate panel won’t reconsider controversial fracking proposal

Senate panel rejects proposal to regulate fracking in Florida

Senate committee passes bill restructuring public land acquisition and management