Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bruce RitchieApril 20, 2015

President Barack Obama’s planned trip to the Everglades this week is being used some supporters to boost the proposal to buy U.S. Sugar Corp. land for water storage. In his weekly radio address on Saturday, Obama said he will visit the Everglades on Earth Day, which is Wednesday, to talk about how climate change threatens […]

Bruce RitchieApril 8, 2015

House Speaker Steve Crisafulli said Wednesday that the Senate is getting closer to the House on a comprehensive water bill but differences remain. SB 918 was rewritten in a committee on Wednesday in response to requests by business groups and environmentalists, both of whom had raised concerns. Both sides still have issues, with environmentalists remaining […]

Bruce RitchieApril 7, 2015

With hundreds of lobbyists in suits and Parrotheads in flower-patterned shirts cheering in applause, singer Jimmy Buffett urged Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature to buy land to protect the Everglades. “It’s good to be back in Tallahassee,” Buffett said before playing an acoustic version of “Changes in Lattitudes.” “It’s good to be raising a […]

Bruce RitchieApril 6, 2015

Eric Draper of Audubon Florida told a television audience this weekend that legislators are showing they are “out of sync” with voters who supported Amendment 1. Seventy-five percent of voters in November approved the funding initiative that would provide an estimated $742 million for water and land conservation in the 2015-16 state budget. Environmental groups […]

Bruce RitchieApril 6, 2015

What had become the “year of the environment” for the 2015 legislative session has become a year of disappointment for some environmentalists. Amendment 1 and statewide water policy were major issues heading into the session, with growth management also emerging once the opening gavel dropped. Approved by 75 percent of voters in November, Amendment 1 provides […]

Bruce RitchieApril 5, 2015

What had become the “year of the environment” for the 2015 legislative session has become a year of disappointment for some environmentalists. Amendment 1 and statewide water policy were major issues heading into the session, with growth management also emerging once the opening gavel dropped. Approved by 75 percent of voters in November, Amendment 1 provides […]

Guest AuthorApril 1, 2015

A major debate is taking place in the Florida House and Senate over public policy regarding water and the allocation of Amendment 1 funds. Various special interests are striving to make their voice the most influential regarding these two high profile issues. At stake is finding a balance of effective policies, which will guard our […]

Guest AuthorApril 1, 2015

With the million-dollar sugar babies still running the show in the Legislature, it might seem impossible to stop the polluting discharges bombarding the coasts and sucking dry the Everglades. And yet there seems to be a sense of momentum for change in the air. More and more angry citizens are realizing that purchasing 46,000 acres […]

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 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, […]

Tag: Everglades
Lake Mary’s team celebrates in the eighth inning of the Little League World Series Championship game against Taiwan. Florida won in eight innings 2-1. Image via AP.

President’s visit is “vital” to land deal, Everglades Trust says

Speaker says water bills closer, advisory council possible sticking point

Jimmy Buffett tells Capitol crowd it’s good to be “raising hell for the right reason”

Audubon’s Eric Draper says Legislature “out of sync” with voters

Bruce Ritchie: At session midpoint, disappointment replaces promise

Bruce Ritchie: At session midpoint, disappointment replaces promise

Dan Peterson: Buying more land isn't Amendment 1's first priority

Karl Wickstrom: Use Amendment 1 to buy land, take on Big Sugar

Environmental groups criticize "hostility" in Senate Amendment 1 spending proposal

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