Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayNovember 30, 2015

A panel of state economists and analysts estimated Monday one of two dueling ballot initiatives dealing with solar energy voters may consider will not have any affect on state or local government spending should it pass. The meeting was the panel’s second on the topic, and confirmed the estimate as well as drafted a definitive […]

Phil AmmannJuly 2, 2015

On Thursday, Scott Shalley began as the new Executive Director of the Florida Association of Counties, replacing former Director Christopher Holley, who is retiring. Shalley has been with the association since 2012, most recently as enterprise director; he was chosen for the leadership position in the fall by the FAC board of directors. “For more […]

Phil AmmannJune 18, 2015

Broward County Commissioner Barbara Sharief has begun her term as the first African-American female president of the Florida Association of Counties. Sharief was sworn in at a Thursday luncheon ceremony during the 2015 FAC Annual Conference and Educational Exposition in St. Johns County. Sharief is the first black female president in the nonprofit association’s 85-year […]

Bruce RitchieApril 24, 2015

A bill that would eliminate a state review program for shopping malls, huge housing projects and other large developments passed the House on Friday and is on the way to the governor. Supporters of SB 1216 said the “developments of regional impact” program was burdensome, redundant and actually discouraged the development of planned communities. The Legislature […]

Bruce RitchieApril 24, 2015

A property rights bill filed in response to a U.S. Supreme Court case ruling in favor of an Orange County landowner passed the Florida House on Friday. The Supreme Court in 2013 overturned a Florida Supreme Court ruling against the late Coy A. Koontz Sr., who sought to build on 3.7 of his 15 acres […]

Bruce RitchieApril 21, 2015

A Senate water bill passed its final committee stop on Tuesday despite continuing concerns raised by counties and environmentalists. SB 918 replaces a Lake Okeechobee pollution permitting program with more reliance on water cleanup plans, sets deadlines for establishing minimum flow levels for springs, sets timelines for springs cleanup plans and creates a statewide advisory […]

Bruce RitchieApril 14, 2015

A controversial House growth management bill passed its final committee stop on the way to the House floor on Tuesday. HB 933, which originally combined seven separate House growth management bills, includes provisions eliminating the “development of regional impact” review process for larger developments and requiring a property rights element in local government comprehensive land […]

Bruce RitchieApril 8, 2015

A House property rights bill prompted by a U.S. Supreme Court case involving a Florida landowner was amended Wednesday to resolve many concerns raised by local governments. The Supreme Court in 2013 overturned a Florida Supreme Court ruling against the late Coy A. Koontz Sr., who sought to build on 3.7 of his 15 acres […]

Bruce RitchieApril 7, 2015

A wide-ranging House growth management bill was amended Tuesday to remove language requiring construction approval on agricultural land surrounded by development. But HB 933 still faces opposition from cities, counties and environmental groups that are concerned it eliminates a state review process for designated “developments of regional impact.” HB 933 passed the House Transportation and […]

Bruce RitchieApril 6, 2015

Critics of a wide-ranging House growth management bill say that a section would undermine local development planning by requiring approval of agricultural lands that are nearly surrounded by development. HB 933, by Rep. Mike La Rosa, a Republican from St. Cloud, is scheduled to be heard Tuesday by the House Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations […]

Tag: Florida Association of Counties

State economists confirm estimate “Smart Solar” amendment will not increase public spending

Scott Shalley begins as executive director of Florida Association of Counties

Broward Commissioner Barbara Sharief begins term leading state counties group

Bill eliminating state development review program goes to governor

Property rights bill responding to U.S. Supreme Court case passes House

Senate bill clears final committee stop despite concerns from counties, environmentalists

Growth bill headed to House floor with opposition from cities, counties

Property rights bill clears final House stop with fewer local government concerns

Growth bill passes House panel after “constrained” agriculture language removed

Growth bill critics target “constrained” agricultural parcels language