Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jacob OglesJuly 21, 2018

Updated: With comment from Rick Scott. Discussion of algal blooms on the Caloosahatchee River took a decidedly political turn at a roundtable hosted by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in North Fort Myers. Braced for a tight re-election fight where he faces a challenge from Republican Gov. Rick Scott, the three-term senator put the onus of the […]

Ryan NicolJuly 20, 2018

As algae blooms continue to pour out of Lake Okeechobee, environmentalists and other activists are once again taking aim at the farming industry, blaming them for contributing to the toxicity that allows algae to grow. The sugar industry has long disputed that it deserves the majority of the blame. Now one group is ramping up […]

Scott PowersJuly 16, 2018

From the beginning, gubernatorial hopeful Chris King has wanted to be the Democrat leading the charge that Florida’s powerful sugar industry is responsible for the environmental messes of the Everglades and coastal algae blooms, and now he’s got a tussle going with the mayor of Clewiston over it. King’s campaign couldn’t be happier, putting out […]

Jacob OglesJuly 9, 2018

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U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio today called on President Donald Trump to stop discharges into the St. Lucie River that are planned to start tomorrow. The Miami Republican also called on the Army Corps of Engineers to re-evaluate water flows from Lake Okeechobee into the Caloosahatchee River. Rubio’s request comes as algal blooms pose a fresh […]

Danny McAuliffeJune 13, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott made his way through his first Cabinet meeting as a candidate for the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, and while the meeting focused exclusively on state matters, the questions that followed from reporters unsurprisingly centered on federal issues. Scott is leading his Democratic opponent, incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, in a few early […]

Ryan NicolJune 7, 2018

Though multiple outlets are reporting blue-green algae sightings this week, the Water Resources Analysis Coalition (WRAC) has a message for the public. It’s not time to panic, just yet. Not all forms of algae are toxic, and it’s not yet clear whether the algae spotted by some is the same type that troubled Floridians during the bloom […]

Ryan NicolJune 5, 2018

With spring coming to a close, school is ending, the temperature is rising — and algae bloom season may have just begun. Blue-green algae pouring from Lake Okeechobee has been the bane of many Floridians, and Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson says it’s time for the federal government to do something about it. Nelson released a letter […]

Peter SchorschApril 18, 2018

The Florida Chamber of Commerce released a video this week detailing Florida Atlantic University research on the Kissimmee River. Securing Florida’s Water Future: Kissimmee River spotlights a study conducted by FAU research professor Brian Lapointe, who works out of the university’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. The video focuses on several factors that affect the quality of […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 19, 2018

On Thursday, the Senate Appropriations committee heard a presentation from South Florida Water Management District Executive Director Ernie Marks on the status report of the reservoir project authorized by Senate Bill 10. Following the presentation, Appropriations Chair and Senate Bill 10 sponsor Rob Bradley expressed confidence in the district’s plans. But following the meeting, Senate […]

Peter SchorschDecember 29, 2017

Closing the book on 2017, among the most notable political battles centered on Lake Okeechobee water issues. While lawmakers reached a compromise earlier in the year, this food fight may be far from over. Last Session, environmental activists, working with Senate President Joe Negron, hammered out a bill that (at one point) called for buying […]

Tag: Lake Okeechobee

Bill Nelson sharpens algae talks with partisan edge, Rick Scott responds

Sugar farmers launch website to counter criticism over algae blooms

Chris King’s anti-sugar stance turns into tussle with Clewiston mayor

Marco Rubio calls on Donald Trump to reconsider Lake O discharges

Rick Scott talks pot, Donald Trump

Water Resources Analysis Coalition tries to temper algae bloom fears

Bill Nelson to Congress: Help us stop algae bloom

Florida Chamber video highlights Kissimmee River research

It’ll be magic if Joe Negron succeeds with new Lake O reservoir land buy

Never satisfied, environmentalists should just take the win for Lake O reservoir