Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 1, 2016

A soggy January has some officials concerned over how the wet weather will affect the state’s agriculture industry. “South Florida farmers are reeling from biblical proportions of rainfall and flooding over the past few days, weeks and months of the results of El Niño,” said Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. “With record amounts of rainfall over […]

Peter SchorschDecember 8, 2015

Industry “food fights” are nothing new, with a few running battles that go on for so long, opponents forget what the fight was originally all about. What they know is they just don’t want the other guys to win. Disputes over the Seminole Compact (or other gaming bills for that matter) rarely pass the Legislature […]

Jim RosicaDecember 2, 2015

The next president of the Florida Senate is calling for an extra billion dollars in spending on the state’s universities, calling them “special, exceptional places.” State Sen. Joe Negron, a Stuart Republican, was formally elected president for 2016-18 in a Wednesday designation ceremony of the chamber’s GOP caucus. Republicans outnumber Democrats 26-14. He will succeed current President […]

Peter SchorschDecember 1, 2015

The Everglades Foundation, Audubon Florida, the Nature Conservancy, and the H2O Coalition of the Associated Industries of Florida. What do all of these political players have in common? They scored a massive victory Tuesday all thanks to the Florida House of Representatives. A loud symphony of applause came in the form of a three-page news release where countless groups praised and thanked […]

Associated PressDecember 1, 2015

The Florida House wants to dedicate as much as $200 million a year on projects to help restore the state’s fabled Everglades. House Republicans on Tuesday announced their “Legacy Florida” initiative. It would require that each year that the state set aside conservation money for a variety of Everglades restoration projects. The list would include […]

Sally SwartzOctober 20, 2015

About 150 of James Hutchinson’s friends braved a stormy night in Stuart last week to hear their favorite celebrated artist talk about living with the Seminoles and Miccosukees half a century ago. Hutchinson’s paintings from those six years, well known statewide and nationally, capture not only a gone-forever way of life, but also the disappearing […]

Ryan RaySeptember 29, 2015

Longtime water consultant and former South Florida Water Management District staffer Tom McVicar says that according to new data, water quality in ecologically sensitive parts of The Everglades is improving despite the conventional wisdom to the contrary. McVicar told attendees of Associated Industries of Florida’s 2016 Water Forum last week that according to data collected between […]

Sally SwartzSeptember 28, 2015

Two members of Martin County’s legislative delegation listened for hours last week while more than 30 residents buttered them up, begged for money, griped about the Florida Legislature’s recent bad decisions and brought wish lists for 2016. Republican Rep. Gayle Harrell of Stuart turned the annual event, held at the Martin Commission headquarters in Stuart, […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 24, 2015

Associated Industries of Florida, the state’s premier business lobby, will hold its sixth annual Florida Water Forum today. The forum begins 9 a.m. at the Renaissance Orlando at Sea World. “This meeting will provide participants with the most current information from Florida’s policy leaders in the Legislature and state government on issues relating to water […]

Sally SwartzSeptember 22, 2015

Deposit play money labeled “Martin mobility bucks” in boxes labeled with road projects. Or play a big screen computer game, voting for projects on a hand-held clicker. Martin County’s Metropolitan Planning Organization gets an “A” for effort in trying to get residents involved in deciding how the state should spend money building roads, bike paths […]

Tag: Lake Okeechobee

Adam Putnam warns above average rainfall could be “devastating” to South Florida agriculture community

Are environmental groups becoming the new gaming interests?

Now it’s official: Joe Negron selected next Senate President

Environmental community scores big in Florida House on Tuesday

Florida House: Use conservation money on Everglades

Sally Swartz: Accomplished artist recalls life with Seminoles, Miccosukees

Former Fla. water official: Data shows Glades water quality improving

Sally Swartz: Constituents still want environmental action

Associated Industries of Florida to hold water forum Friday

Sally Swartz: Are real changes or just distractions coming from FDOT?