Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorJune 22, 2015

This year in Tallahassee, there has been no shortage of opinions on how to divide the dollars the Florida Legislature is constitutionally required to spend on natural resources through Amendment 1. Throughout the debate, some have tried to hold our lawmakers to an arbitrary standard, arguing for tens of millions of dollars to be spent […]

Sally SwartzApril 26, 2015

The emails are puzzling. They are misleading. They are sneaky. The subject lines, in lower case letters, are nondescript, such as “funding” or “need this finished.” The sender – the Economic Council of Martin County – does not want to explain them. The emails do not ask readers to back what the Council website lists […]

Guest AuthorApril 22, 2015

The state of California is known for many things, including red carpets, wine country and high taxes. But recently, the Golden State has also become known for its struggle with a crisis other states like Florida are working to avoid: a severe water shortage that threatens its economy, its environment and the livelihood of millions […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 25, 2015

Sen. Thad Altman is backing up his criticism of Amendment 1 funding in the Senate proposed spending plan for 2015-16 with budget amendments to provide $350 million for conservation land-buying. The Senate Committee on Appropriations is scheduled Wednesday to consider the proposed $80.4 billion Senate budget. Amendment 1, approved by voters in November, provides an […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 13, 2015

When you attend a House appropriations subcommittee where a chairman’s budget proposals are being unveiled, you might expect to hear some tough questions from Democrats and Republicans. And you might be disappointed, at least by the subcommittee that deals with environmental and agricultural spending. Most of the debate I hear in the House occurs only […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 12, 2015

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When you attend a House appropriations subcommittee where a chairman’s budget proposals are being unveiled, you might expect to hear some tough questions from Democrats and Republicans. And you might be disappointed, at least by the subcommittee that deals with environmental and agricultural spending. Most of the debate I hear in the House occurs only […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 30, 2015

Some of Florida’s elected leaders are calling for an open and robust debate on spending under the water and land conservation Amendment 1. But apparently not everyone wants to participate. Amendment 1, approved by 75 percent of voters statewide in November, will provide an estimated $757 million for a range of eligible programs in the […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 29, 2015

Some of Florida’s elected leaders are calling for an open and robust debate on spending under the water and land conservation Amendment 1. But apparently not everyone wants to participate. Amendment 1, approved by 75 percent of voters statewide in November, will provide an estimated $757 million for a range of eligible programs in the […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 8, 2015

Senate committee meetings without bills on the agenda rarely draw crowds, but the Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation meeting on Wednesday was an exception. With more than $700 million in revenue at stake in the coming fiscal year from a broadly-worded conservation funding initiative, representatives of environmental groups, water utilities, developers, industry groups and […]

Tag: land buying

Brewster Bevis: Legislature shows leadership by ensuring Amendment 1 dollars benefit everyone

Sally Swartz: Martin Economic Council misleads with sugar-flavored emails

Tom Feeney: Don't import California's water-planning woes to Florida

Senate budget amendment would provide $350 million for land-buying

Bruce Ritchie: Even if budget-writing is unfair, asking tough questions is key

Bruce Ritchie: Even if budget-writing is unfair, asking tough questions is key

Bruce Ritchie: Make your case publicly on Amendment 1 spending or don’t criticize others

Bruce Ritchie: Make your case publicly on Amendment 1 spending or don’t criticize others

Amendment 1 packs committee room as enviros outline spending recommendation