Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMay 4, 2018

As a May 25 deadline to complete discovery approaches, depositions continue in a lawsuit over how the state funds environmental conservation. Court dockets viewed Friday show a flurry of notices filed late last month for what are called “depositions duces tecum,” which compel witnesses to produce documents and be interviewed before a trial. Environmental advocacy groups […]

Scott PowersMarch 26, 2018

A couple weeks out from his anticipated April 9 announcement about running for the U.S. Senate, Gov. Scott touted budget investments in Florida’s environment and agriculture during a stop Monday at Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka. While there he said little about his potential U.S. Senate plans, not commenting the significance of the move […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 3, 2018

The state is one step closer to restoring funding to its premier land-purchasing fund. On Friday night, budget chiefs Rep. Carlos Trujillo and Sen. Rob Bradley agreed to fund Florida Forever at $100.8 million for fiscal year 2018-2019 — a big jump from last year, when the Legislature did not appropriate anything to the trust. […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 2, 2018

The state Legislature is split on appropriations for programs funded through Florida Forever — by nearly $172 million. The House wants to fund projects under the state’s land-buying trust at $36 million. A Friday budget offer from the Senate proposed close to a $208 million spend on the same programs — just ahead of the […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 1, 2018

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The Florida Senate’s environmental priorities, which include boosting funding for the Land Acquisition Trust Fund, also known as Florida Forever, along with funding for beaches, are kinks that still need to be fleshed out before Friday’s budget conference deadline. But Rep. Ben Albritton, House chair of the environment and agriculture budget conference, seems optimistic. “In this […]

Scott PowersFebruary 2, 2018

While it may be hard for many to imagine Florida’s Space Coast-based 8th Congressional District electing a Democrat, some people were saying the same thing about Democrats’ chances in many local elections in Brevard County until several won offices last November, adding dots of blue to a largely red landscape. Stacey and Sanjay Patel had […]

Scott PowersJanuary 22, 2018

Democrat Phil Moore said that, for too long, he has watched with growing concern from his bicycling, running, and kayaking as the environment of the Space Coast and its lagoons and rivers degraded, and as Tallahassee seemed to want to restrict what cities and counties can do. The 43-year-old athletic trainer and instructor from West […]

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 4, 2018

Audubon Florida announced its legislative priorities on Thursday, but also was happy to see Gov. Rick Scott oppose the U.S. Department of Interior’s possible drilling explorations in the Sunshine State. “We were glad to see Gov. Scott’s response, coming out strongly in opposition to drilling near Florida’s waters,” said Julie Wraithmell, the interim executive director of […]

Jim RosicaDecember 14, 2017

Offshore drilling for gas and oil would be banned under a proposal that cleared a Constitution Revision Commission committee on Thursday. The General Provisions Committee OK’d the proposal (P 91) on a 5-2 vote, though not after opposition from — unsurprisingly — petroleum industry interests. That piqued the ire of committee chair Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch, who filed […]

Peter SchorschOctober 10, 2017

A pair of Tampa Bay Republicans filed bills in the House and Senate over the past week that would slap Florida with a full-on fracking ban come. Fracking, shorthand for hydraulic fracturing, is a method of natural gas extraction that sees drillers inject a concoction of water and various chemicals into fault lines deep underground […]

Tag: environment

Amendment 1 lawsuit still moving toward trial

Rick Scott touts environmental, agricultural money, teases April 9 event

Budget leaders agree to more than $100M for Florida Forever

House, Senate face $172M difference in Florida Forever funding

Florida Forever, beaches will dictate environmental budget negotiations

Brevard Democratic official Sanjay Patel enters CD 8 race against Bill Posey

Phil Moore enters House District 53 race, challenging Randy Fine

Audubon happy Rick Scott opposes drilling, releases Session priorities

Offshore drilling ban clears constitutional review panel

Tampa Bay lawmakers file bills that would ban fracking