Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannMarch 19, 2015

Department of Environmental Protection employee Barton Bibler did not receive a reprimand for violating Gov. Rick Scott’s unofficial prohibition on the term “climate change,” an agency representative says. DEP Communications Director Lauren Engel responded Thursday by contending the censure was for “personal political advocacy related to the Keystone XL pipeline.” “As stated in Mr. Bibler’s written […]

James CallMarch 19, 2015

A marijuana lobbyist said to me a couple of weeks ago that he suspected the latest challenge to the Charlotte’s Web rule would “smoke out” people’s true intention, whether they disliked the rule or disliked the law. It’s the end of the third week of the session and we’re getting to the “smoke out” point on a […]

Phil AmmannMarch 18, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott’s prohibition on the term “climate change” has now claimed its first casualty, an environmental responsibility group says. On March 9, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) suspended a state employee for speaking about climate change at an official meeting, which made its way into the record of the meeting, according to […]

Phil AmmannMarch 18, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott’s prohibition on the term “climate change” has now claimed its first casualty, an environmental responsibility group says. On March 9, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) suspended a state employee for speaking about climate change at an official meeting, which made its way into the record of the meeting, according to […]

Mitch PerryMarch 9, 2015

President Barack Obama has been lambasted by many for his administration’s refusal to address the terrorist threat around the globe as “Islamic terrorism.” “We are not at war with Islam,” the president said last month at the White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism last month. “We are at war with people who have perverted […]

Mitch PerryMarch 9, 2015

President Barack Obama has been lambasted by many for his administration’s refusal to address the terrorist threat around the globe as “Islamic terrorism.” “We are not at war with Islam,” the president said last month at the White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism last month. “We are at war with people who have perverted […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 26, 2015

Benjamin Franklin delivered the memorable line, “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Were he alive today, I believe Franklin would amend his short list of inevitabilities with a declaration that Florida Republicans can solidly count on negative editorials from the Tampa Bay Times. Such is the case […]

Associated PressFebruary 23, 2015

After years of deep cuts to environmental programs, Florida voters last November overwhelmingly approved Amendment 1, which changed the state constitution to earmark billions for conservation. But the measure left it up to the Legislature and governor to determine the details of how the money will be spent, and that has led to a heated […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 8, 2015

Some legislators again are taking aim at water bottling operations in Florida. This week, members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture said they’re concerned about shipping water out of Florida and the effects of pumping during drought and in areas with water shortages. “Obviously there is money being made on use of a public resource […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 5, 2015

Some legislators again are taking aim at water bottling operations in Florida. This week, members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture said they’re concerned about shipping water out of Florida and the effects of pumping during drought and in areas with water shortages. “Obviously there is money being made on use of a public resource […]

Tag: Department of Environmental Protection
Stock image via Adobe.

DEP employee not reprimanded for saying "climate change," agency says

The day that was in Florida politics — March 19

“Climate change” gag order claims first victim, enviro group says

"Climate change" gag order claims first victim, enviro group says

Mitch Perry Report for 3.9.15 — Let’s not talk about climate change in Florida

Mitch Perry Report for 3.9.15 — Let's not talk about climate change in Florida

House Speaker replies to Times water bill editorial

Florida environment to get billions, but how to spend it?

Bruce Ritchie: Water bottling continues to draw fire despite small amount of pumping

Bruce Ritchie: Water bottling continues to draw fire despite small amount of pumping