Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersFebruary 26, 2018

With little opposition raised — except for Democrats’ votes against three recent appointments to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission — the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee recommended Monday that the chamber back all 89 appointments and nominations awaiting confirmation. The committee’s favorable recommendations include Florida Secretary of Environmental Protection Noah Valenstein, Florida Fish and […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 10, 2018

The sanctity of Florida’s Constitution is violated when we seek to fill it with “feel good” amendments that are often vague, duplicative, and trigger unintended consequences. Such amendments are why we have a Florida Constitution addressing pigs, high-speed trains, funding for radios, and the taxation of boat storage facilities. Certainly, all of these topics are […]

Phil AmmannDecember 15, 2017

Extending a two-decade record for Everglades restoration south of Lake Okeechobee, a group of farmers — armed with an effective water quality treatment strategy — have posted historic water-quality performance levels in 2017, sending more clean water than ever flowing south. Seizing on numbers announced this week by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), […]

Guest AuthorNovember 15, 2017

There are many actions each of us can take to reduce our environmental impact and support a clean community. One of the easiest actions to take every day is to recycle. That’s why the Florida Recycling Partnership invites all Floridians to join us when we host Florida Recycles Day Wednesday, Nov. 15 beginning at 9 […]

Scott PowersOctober 10, 2017

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham on Tuesday blasted a state decision to renew an oil exploration permit in the Big Cypress National Preserve in the Everglades. Graham, a former congresswoman from Tallahassee, criticized the decision by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to renew the exploration permit for Burnett Oil Co. of Texas, and for […]

Jim RosicaJune 16, 2017

Karl Rasmussen, Gov. Rick Scott‘s deputy chief of staff, is departing the Governor’s Office for a lobbying job at the Meenan Law Firm, name partner Tim Meenan confirmed Friday. “Watching him from afar, I noticed he is one of the stars in the Capitol,” Meenan said in a phone interview. “He’s quiet, diligent and effective—the […]

Michael MolineMay 23, 2017

Noah Valenstein got the job as secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection on Tuesday, after a unanimous vote by Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet. He will take the helm on June 5, with a salary of $150,000 per year, Scott said. “Noah has 15 years of environmental policy experience and I’m confident will continue […]

Peter SchorschMay 17, 2017

Updated May 17 — Valenstein was the only person selected to be interviewed for the job, according to remarks at Wednesday’s Cabinet aides meeting. That means he is a virtual lock for the position. Shut out by the decision is interim secretary Ryan Matthews. The interview will take place at next Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting. The original story is […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 16, 2017

Big business is not automatically bad business. The Tampa Bay Times learned a hard lesson about assumptions and the truth this week after publishing the opinions of two retired scientists who accused Mosaic Co. and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection of ignoring warnings of a growing sinkhole on Mosaic property. While the allegations fed […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 10, 2017

Following a report from the Tampa Bay Times’ Craig Pittman regarding the sinkhole that opened up on Mosaic Fertilizer’s property in late 2016, the company sent out a scathing rebuke to media alleging Pittman “continues to provide a platform for false information.” In the report, Pittman interviewed Don Rice, a former hydrologist from the U.S. Geological Survey, who alleges the […]

Tag: Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

All nominations clear Senate Ethics and Elections Committee

Herschel Vinyard: CRC should reject Proposal 23

Everglades farmers celebrate another record year of clean water flowing south

Keyna Cory: What have you recycled today?

Gwen Graham blasts Everglades oil permit renewal

Personnel note: Karl Rasmussen leaving Governor’s Office

Noah Valenstein hired as DEP’s new secretary

Noah Valenstein set to become next DEP head

Faulty sinkhole reporting becomes hard lesson on rushing to judgment

Mosaic pushes back hard against Tampa Bay Times over sinkhole reporting