Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jason DelgadoJuly 1, 2020

Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill Tuesday night that would have amended various sections of Florida law in regards to the land use and growth management of local governments. The measure, SB 410, pushed for several changes including a mandate that local governments consider certain private-property rights in its decision-making. The measure also directed the […]

Michael MolineNovember 14, 2016

Citrus greening may chase one of Florida’s largest landowners out of that industry. “We’re going to shift out if it and transition, probably, to cattle production,” Erik Jacobsen, president of Deseret Ranches, said in a speech in Tallahassee Monday to the Economic Club of Florida. Deseret, owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter […]

Bruce RitchieMay 1, 2015

Another legislative session dubbed the “year of water” failed to deliver in 2015 as the House went home early over a health care spending dispute with the Senate. HB 7003, a water bill that was a legislative priority of House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, passed the House by a 106-9 vote on the second day of […]

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 RitchieMarch 23, 2015

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has filed what is the first challenge to a local comprehensive plan amendment since sweeping growth management law changes passed in 2011. Legal watchers on either side of growth management issues — development and environmental — say the DEO move against the city of Mascotte in Lake County is […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 3, 2015

With industry and environmental groups sparring over what qualifies for spending under Amendment 1, the chairman of the Senate subcommittee that oversees environmental spending says he won’t haggle over the issue. Amendment 1, the water and land conservation funding initiative approved by voters in November, will be a focus of the 2015 Legislative Session starting […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 3, 2015

With industry and environmental groups sparring over what qualifies for spending under Amendment 1, the chairman of the Senate subcommittee that oversees environmental spending says he won’t haggle over the issue. Amendment 1, the water and land conservation funding initiative approved by voters in November, will be a focus of the 2015 Legislative Session starting […]

Bruce RitchieOctober 23, 2014

The debates are over in the race for Florida’s governor. Some environmental questions have been asked and either answered or dodged. Election Day is Nov. 4, and early voting has begun. But the lingering unanswered question I have that should be on the minds of every Floridian is: What will happen to the state role […]

Tag: growth management

Gov. DeSantis shoots down bill amending growth management laws

Blaming greening, Deseret Ranches foresees the end of its citrus production

“Year of water” failed along with most environmental bills

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

DEO files first challenge to a local government land-use change

With environmental issues looming, Alan Hays won't haggle over Amendment 1 spending

With environmental issues looming, Alan Hays won’t haggle over Amendment 1 spending

Bruce Ritchie: Candidates say nothing about Florida’s future role in managing growth