Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannFebruary 11, 2016

The abrupt end to the 2015 Florida legislative session left an important piece of legislation in limbo: the regulation of the onshore oil and gas industry. Fortunately, Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, and Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, are again championing this good legislation during this year’s session, and we are nearing the finish line. HB 191 […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 2, 2016

Both the Florida House and Senate are off to a great start in the 2016 session, having passed significant legislation expanding job and education opportunities for people with disabilities and approving a historic water bill. Thanks to Gov. Rick Scott, both of these bills are now law. The comprehensive water bill has been the subject […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 2, 2016

Both the Florida House and Senate are off to a great start in the 2016 Session, having passed significant legislation expanding job and education opportunities for people with disabilities and approving a historic water bill. Thanks to Gov. Rick Scott, both of those bills are now law. The comprehensive water bill has been the subject […]

Phil AmmannNovember 10, 2015

Jack Latvala is saying “no way” to hunting at Honeymoon Island State Park. On Tuesday, the Clearwater Republican state senator sent a letter to Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Jon Steverson asking him to remove Pinellas County’s Honeymoon Island State Park from a list of potential locations for hunting. This week, Craig Pittman […]

Jim RosicaNovember 10, 2015

The state’s Department of Environmental Protection and its employee who said he was punished for using the term “climate change” earlier this year quietly worked out a “separation settlement agreement” in May. The agreement was provided to FloridaPolitics.com on Monday after a public-records request to the department. Mainly, both sides agreed not to sue each […]

Guest AuthorOctober 30, 2015

Tuesday will be Florida Recycles Day at the Florida Capitol. It’s the third year the Florida Recycling Partnership and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection have teamed up to promote recycling. Displays will be on the first floor of the Capitol from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Florida Recycling Partnership is a coalition of top […]

Associated PressSeptember 27, 2015

With a burgeoning population and aging water systems, Florida will need $16.5 billion in funding over the next 20 years just to maintain its existing drinking water infrastructure, according to estimates from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In most places across the country, the promise of clean, cheap, readily available water has been taken for […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 9, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott‘s environmental policy coordinator has been hired to run the Suwannee River Water Management District, the district announced in a press release. Noah Valenstein will take over as executive director for the Live Oak-based agency, which manages water resources in 15 counties in north central Florida. Valenstein also attended the meeting last August in which Scott listened […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 8, 2015

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Another South Florida lawmaker is trying again to establish pilot programs in coastal communities to outlaw plastic shopping bags. State Rep. David Richardson, a Miami Beach Democrat, filed his bill (HB 143) on Tuesday. Last session, state Sen. Dwight Bullard, a Cutler Bay Democrat, filed similar legislation that died in committee. Richardson’s bill would let […]

Phil AmmannJuly 2, 2015

BP has agreed to pay a record $18.732 billion to resolve claims by five Gulf states of violating the Clean Water Act, harming natural resources, and other economic damages from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. As a part of the agreement announced Thursday, Florida will receive at least $3.25 billion. The overall deal has […]

Tag: Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Brewster Bevis: The Legislature should pass legislation regulating oil and gas industry

Charlie Dean, Matt Caldwell: New water legislation is effective

Charlie Dean and Matt Caldwell: Criticism of new water law off-base

Jack Latvala says “no way” to Honeymoon Island hunting

“Climate change” kerfuffle results in secret settlement with DEP

Keyna Cory: Recycling push coming to Capitol

Florida uses EPA water system grants to gird infrastructure

Rick Scott’s environmental advisor tapped as water district head

Ban the bag, South Florida lawmaker says

DEP, FWC respond to record BP settlement, applauds Gulf Coast recovery progress