Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayMarch 8, 2015

Amid a great deal of noise currently being made about the environment in Florida – from Amendment 1’s sweeping mandates on land and water preservation funding to reports that Gov. Rick Scott has outlawed any official discussion about climate change – one player not getting much burn in that arena these days is Jeb Bush. That’s strange, […]

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 […]

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 with […]

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 […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 23, 2015

For decades, Everglades advocates financed by Wall Street billionaires like Paul Tudor Jones waged war with the sugar farmers and rural communities surrounding Lake Okeechobee. The battlefields ranged from the EPA in Washington, the Legislature in Tallahassee, both state and federal courts, and the national and local media. It has been an epic struggle. For the enviers, […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 22, 2015

For decades, Everglades advocates financed by Wall Street billionaires like Paul Tudor Jones waged war with the sugar farmers and rural communities surrounding Lake Okeechobee. The battlefields ranged from the EPA in Washington, the Legislature in Tallahassee, both state and federal courts, and the national and local media. It has been an epic struggle. For the enviers, […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 17, 2015

Although I am at the end of my third visit to India, this is still a nation that feels more remote from my experiences than any other. In the far south, it took nine hours to drive the hill country from Tamil Nadu on the east coast of India to the edge of Kerala on the west. […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 3, 2015

Fox News Florida branch, Sunshine State News, printed recently, “Putnam on Water Policy: Get Priorities Right From First, Then Spend Accordingly” (January 23, 2015). Some interpretation is needed for readers inclined to take the faux news source literally. Adam Putnam is the telegenic, multimillionaire farmer and two-term Secretary of Agriculture. We last observed Secretary Putnam […]

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 […]

Tag: Everglades
Image via AP.

Good read from Politico — Jeb in the 'glades

UF study says more water storage needed south of Lake Okeechobee

Steve Crisafulli: Tampa Bay Times editorial distorts House water plan

House Speaker replies to Times water bill editorial

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

With new TV ad, Everglades supporters break the peace with the sugar industry

With new TV ad, Everglades supporters break the peace with the sugar industry

Alan Farago: Travels in India conjure memories of priceless Everglades

Alan Farago: Why is Adam Putnam deleting land-buying history?

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