Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorSeptember 18, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott is putting another $4 million toward red tide funding for local communities impacted by the outbreak. The Tuesday announcement brings the total Florida Department of Environmental Protection funding available so far to $13 million. Red tide has been spreading north along Florida’s Gulf Coast for much of the late summer. It’s plagued Pinellas […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 12, 2018

Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis rolled out environmental proposals, a key component of his general election messaging, on Wednesday. DeSantis’ plan includes Everglades restoration, along with protection of beaches, the state’s water supply (including the use of reclaimed water), parks, springs, and air. Among the proposal’s highlights: advocacy for a fracking ban and opposition to offshore […]

Joe HendersonAugust 15, 2018

Red tide is in all the headlines now. It’s bad. But let’s go back to a time before Florida’s beaches were filled with rotting fish, dolphins and manatees. Back to a time when Rick Scott came to Tallahassee as Florida’s Governor in 2011 with a two-fold mission: Cut the state budget and get people back to […]

Staff ReportsAugust 2, 2018

On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson announced a $25,000 Environmental Protection Agency grant for the Fairfax Environmental Committee for Justice. The Jacksonville non-profit was launched to help remedy one of Jacksonville’s most high-profile Superfund sites. And now, resources will be available to sustain its efforts via hiring technical advisors. Per the EPA: Fairfax Street Wood Treaters site is […]

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 […]

Tag: Florida Department of Environmental Protection

State red tide funding soars to $13 million

Ron DeSantis proposes bans on fracking, offshore drilling; Democrats skeptical

Joe Henderson: Red tide is an emergency now, but can Rick Scott be surprised?

Al Lawson scores EPA funds for Jacksonville Superfund site

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