Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bruce RitchieMay 25, 2015

DEP Secretary Jon Steverson says he has never fired anyone for enforcing the law. Yet his fingerprints – or at least tacit backing – are all over the ouster of top staff at the St. Johns River Water Management District. The resignations of Executive Director Hans Tanzler and four top staff members at the district, […]

Diane RobertsMay 20, 2015

It’s tempting to take a break from the 83-car pileup that is Florida government and amuse ourselves with, say, the festival of unseemliness that is former Congressman Alan Grayson who, when he’s not accusing the Tampa Bay Times’s Political Editor of being a robot with bowel issues (I paraphrase, for which you should thank me), […]

Diane RobertsMay 6, 2015

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE — Which is worse: stupid and evil or smart and evil? It’s a thought experiment: You can apply it to, say, George W. and Jeb Bush, Rick Scott and Adam Putnam, the Florida House and — Jesus, those idiots don’t deserve to be in the same paragraph as the word “thought.” But while […]

Diane RobertsMay 6, 2015

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE – Which is worse: stupid and evil or smart and evil? It’s a thought experiment: you can apply it to, say, George W. and Jeb Bush, Rick Scott and Adam Putnam, the Florida House and – Jesus, those idiots don’t deserve to be in the same paragraph as the word “thought.” But while […]

Christine Jordan SextonMay 5, 2015

The Florida Cabinet on Tuesday agreed to Gov. Rick Scott‘s recommended appointments for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Department of Environmental Protection. However, the Cabinet also made clear that it will do an official search for those positions which follows the hiring process for Cabinet level positions. The Cabinet is slated to approve […]

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 27, 2015

A trio of former state parks directors are raising concern about state lands bills that would allow “low-impact agriculture” on state lands. Of even greater concern, thy said, is a push by Florida Department of Environmental Protection leadership to make state parks financially self-sustaining. HB 7135 would allow the Cabinet to give away state land […]

Bruce RitchieApril 22, 2015

As President Barack Obama visited Everglades National Park on Wednesday to mark Earth Day and highlight the threat of climate change, Gov. Rick Scott said he is focused on restoration projects that are “making a difference.” “We have made significant investments since I got elected,” Scott told reporters on the Capitol grounds. Obama highlighted the […]

Bruce RitchieApril 15, 2015

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jon Steverson said “climate change” three times during a Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday in response to a senator’s question about whether there is a department policy against using the phrase. Steverson was responding to Sen. Darren Soto, a Democrat from Kissimmee who was wearing a climate change button on […]

Staff ReportsApril 3, 2015

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jon Steverson has appointed Gary Clark as deputy secretary of land and recreation. In this role, Clark will supervise the Divisions of State Lands and Recreation and Parks. “Gary brings a broad range of management experience, leadership skills and investment expertise to this position,” Steverson said in a prepared […]

Tag: Jon Steverson

Bruce Ritchie: Perhaps DEP’s Steverson will tell the Cabinet what is going on in Palatka

Diane Roberts: Big Shug and Rick Scott's minions poison land deal and Amendment 1

Diane Roberts: The unavoidable subject of stupid

Diane Roberts: The unavoidable subject of stupid

Cabinet OKs Rick Scott agency heads, will follow new hiring guidelines

“Year of water” failed along with most environmental bills

Former parks chiefs sound alarm on state lands bills, push to boost park revenue

As president visits Everglades, Rick Scott touts state’s restoration projects

DEP’s Jon Steverson repeats “climate change” phrase at confirmation hearing

DEP chief appoints deputy secretary of land and recreation