Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 28, 2016

Florida environmental agencies will have about $3.6 billion to spend in the 2016-2017 fiscal year, based on recommendations from the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government. Put together by Umatilla Republican Sen. Alan Hays, the Committee released its budget recommendations Thursday, reports LobbyTools. Among other things, Hays’ budget provides $1.5 billion to the Department of Environmental Protection, $1.7 billion […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 28, 2016

The Florida Senate on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Jon Steverson to be the state’s Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. The full Senate confirmed Steverson by 29-8 after a handful of Democratic senators raised concerns. Steverson has raised hackles for suggesting that the state allow timber harvesting and cattle grazing to help state parks […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 27, 2016

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The state House passed a controversial measure to regulate fracking, despite significant opposition from Democrats who said the practice could harm the state’s natural resources. The House voted 73-45 after more than an hour of passionate debate to approve the bill (HB 191), with just a few Republicans joining Democrats in opposing it. “Yesterday, over […]

Phil AmmannDecember 9, 2015

Florida State Parks have come under fire recently, and the Department of Environmental Protection decided it’s time to “set the record straight.” A new DEP email takes exception with several recent media accounts, each inaccurately “perpetuated misconceptions” about the future of Florida State Parks. “As these stories are being driven by false allegations based on […]

Ryan RayNovember 18, 2015

A House budget panel on agriculture and the environment passed an expansive water policy bill by Rep. Matt Caldwell Wednesday afternoon. The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Committee approved HB 7005 by a vote of 11 to 1, with Democratic Rep. José Javier Rodríguez opposing. The state’s Department of Environmental Protection has signaled its approval for the bill, as did a number […]

Peter SchorschNovember 18, 2015

Rumor has it that a bus load of activists are headed to Tallahassee Wednesday to oppose Secretary Jon Steverson’s confirmation in his first of three stops in the Senate for Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. Their main reason? To stop Steverson from lifting the ban on hunting in state parks. A noble goal, […]

Phil AmmannNovember 13, 2015

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam has selected Steve Dwinell to be director of the Office of Agricultural Water Policy. Dwinell is a 20-year veteran of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, as environmental administrator and has been assistant director of the Division of Agricultural Environmental Services since 2000. He makes $101,391.16 annually, according the […]

Sally SwartzNovember 2, 2015

You could call Jeff Wittman an eternal optimist. The Hobe Sound resident never has stopped believing that a 46-acre chunk of Florida scrub wilderness between U.S. 1 and Alternate A1A, south of Bridge Road, should belong to the people forever. For almost a decade, the land has been the prize in a tug of war […]

Tag: Department of Environmental Protection
Anheuser-Busch has a longstanding tradition of providing emergency drinking water and supplies for disaster relief efforts.

Senate panel rejects proposal to regulate fracking in Florida

Senate committee passes bill restructuring public land acquisition and management

Senate recommends $3.6 billion for environmental agencies in 2016-17 budget

Jon Steverson wins full Senate confirmation as DEP head

House approves controversial fracking bill, despite opposition from Democrats

Email insights: DEP sets “record straight” on hunting, privatizing Florida State Parks

Long-awaited water policy bill passes House committee

DEP Secretary Jon Steverson should be easily confirmed by Senate enviro committee

Personnel note: Steve Dwinell promoted to Ag Dept.’s director of water policy

Sally Swartz: Long-delayed land buy now turns to Joe Negron, Amendment 1