Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bruce RitchieMarch 19, 2015

Environmental groups supporting Amendment 1 on Thursday criticized a Senate chairman’s spending proposal that provides $22 million for land acquisition. Amendment 1, approved by 75% of Florida voters in November, provides an estimated $741.8 million in fiscal 2015-16 for water and land conservation programs. Sen. Alan Hays, chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government, […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 17, 2015

A House subcommittee chairman’s proposal for environmental spending ignores the will of voters who supported Amendment 1, environmental groups said Tuesday. “Most of Florida was left out of this budget,” said Eric Draper, executive director of Audubon Florida. “Most of Florida was left out of this budget,” Draper said. He was responding to the 2015-16 […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 5, 2015

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House Republican leaders praised a water policy bill they passed Thursday as a good start while the chamber’s Democratic leader called it bad legislation and joined environmentalists in hoping for a better version from the Senate. HB 7003 passed the House 106 to 9 on the third day of the legislative session after about 45 […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 4, 2015

Democrats questioned a House water policy bill on the floor Wednesday while environmentalists said they are turning their hopes to the Senate for a stronger bill. Supporters say HB 7003 provides a statewide approach to dealing with water issues while modernizing the water regulatory system. But environmentalists say it weakens Lake Okeechobee protections while failing […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 3, 2015

With industry and environmental groups sparring over what qualifies for spending under Amendment 1, the chairman of the Senate subcommittee that oversees environmental spending says he won’t haggle over the issue. Amendment 1, the water and land conservation funding initiative approved by voters in November, will be a focus of the 2015 Legislative Session starting […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 3, 2015

With industry and environmental groups sparring over what qualifies for spending under Amendment 1, the chairman of the Senate subcommittee that oversees environmental spending says he won’t haggle over the issue. Amendment 1, the water and land conservation funding initiative approved by voters in November, will be a focus of the 2015 Legislative Session starting […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 2, 2015

Environmental groups pushing for the state purchase of U.S. Sugar Corp. land south of Lake Okeechobee may have received a boost Monday when a University of Florida study said additional land is needed for water storage. Environmental groups have been pushing the state to exercise an option to buy 46,800 acres for water storage to […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 2, 2015

An Associated Industries of Florida advertising campaign criticizing “special interests” that want Amendment 1 funding for their “pet projects” is confusing, Audubon Florida’s Eric Draper said Monday. Amendment 1 will provide $757 million for water and land conservation programs in fiscal year 2015-16. Approval by 75 percent of voters in November led quickly to debate […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 2, 2015

An Associated Industries of Florida advertising campaign criticizing “special interests” that want Amendment 1 funding for their “pet projects” is confusing, Audubon Florida’s Eric Draper said Monday. Amendment 1 will provide $757 million for water and land conservation programs in fiscal year 2015-16. Approval by 75 percent of voters in November led quickly to debate […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 19, 2015

As it passed its final committee stop on Thursday, state agriculture officials on Thursday defended a House water bill against the idea that it represents a power grab by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. HB 7003 has backing from agriculture, business and industry groups. The bill passed the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday with three votes […]

Tag: eric draper

Environmental groups criticize “hostility” in Senate Amendment 1 spending proposal

Enviro groups: House budget proposal ignores Amendment 1 intent

House water bill passes as critics hope for better Senate legislation

House water bill faces questions, is teed up for floor vote

With environmental issues looming, Alan Hays won’t haggle over Amendment 1 spending

With environmental issues looming, Alan Hays won't haggle over Amendment 1 spending

UF study says more water storage needed south of Lake Okeechobee

Ad campaign from AIF’s water coalition is “confusing,” Audubon’s Eric Draper says

Ad campaign from AIF's water coalition is "confusing," Audubon's Eric Draper says

State agriculture officials defend House water bill, deny power grab

Florida politics had 11 questions before federal qualifying week. Here are the answers.