Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 18, 2015

The Florida House has received $1.2 billion in funding requests for local water projects and some of those could receive money from Amendment 1, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli said Wednesday. Amendment 1, approved by 75 percent of voters in November, is expected to provide $757 million from documentary stamp revenue for water and land conservation […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 14, 2015

The Senate on Friday filed its version of a water bill that also deals with Amendment 1, the water and land conservation funding initiative approved by voters last November. Senate President Andy Gardiner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli both have said they expect water to be a major issue in the legislative session, which begins […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 11, 2015

A House committee voted Wednesday to introduce a comprehensive water bill despite concerns from environmentalists that the bill doesn’t go far enough to protect springs. House State Affairs Committee Bill 15-01 addresses springs, water planning in Central Florida, and removes duplicate permitting for agriculture around Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades. Many of Florida’s springs have […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 3, 2015

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The House State Affairs Committee on Wednesday will consider draft bill language that would address springs, Lake Okeechobee and central Florida’s water future. Florida’s springs have become choked with weeds and algae caused by nitrogen in groundwater from a variety of sources including septic tanks, sewage treatment plants, lawn fertilizer and farms. Last year, SB […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 30, 2015

A Senate committee chairman on Friday filed six bills to implement spending under Amendment 1 while supporters still were looking for details on how Gov. Rick Scott plans to spend the money. Approved by 75 percent of voters in November, Amendment 1 in the state constitution will provide an estimated $757 million for water and […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 28, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott said Wednesday he is requesting $82 million next year in environmental spending above what is required by Amendment 1, the water and land conservation initiative approved by voters in November. Scott on Wednesday issued his $77 billion budget request for fiscal year 2015-16 including an estimated $757 million towards a broad array […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 28, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott said Wednesday he is requesting $82 million next year in environmental spending above what is required by Amendment 1, the water and land conservation initiative approved by voters in November. Scott on Wednesday issued his $77 billion budget request for fiscal year 2015-16 including an estimated $757 million towards a broad array […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 27, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday announced he will request $150 million for Everglades restoration in fiscal year 2015-16 along with $150 million for land acquisition and management. Scott apparently will use money for water and land conservation under Amendment 1, approved by 75 percent of voters in November. The request for land acquisition falls short of […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 13, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet on Tuesday agreed to spend nearly $13 million on two conservation land buys in Southwest Florida including one with implications for Amendment 1 spending. Amendment 1 is the water and land conservation funding initiative approved by 75 percent of voters in November. A Senate committee last week began wrangling […]

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State agriculture officials defend House water bill, deny power grab

Amendment 1 could help pay for water projects, House speaker says

Compared to House, Florida Senate offers wider-ranging water bill

House water bill filed without funding or enviro backing

Draft water bill focuses on springs, water planning and Lake O

Amendment 1 breakdown provided as bills filed to restructure trust funds

Rick Scott say he's meeting Amendment 1 but full breakdown lacking

Rick Scott say he’s meeting Amendment 1 but full breakdown lacking

Rick Scott announces Everglades, land-buying requests

Cabinet approves land-buying projects as Adam Putnam touts conservation alternative