Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersOctober 18, 2018

Two days after she and her Republican election opponent drew a clear distinction on climate change, Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy ridiculed him Thursday for dismissing that humans might have a role. “My opponent, state Rep. Mike Miller, he refuses to recognize that humans contribute to climate change. And making matters worse, he dismissed concerns […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 17, 2018

Pinellas County Commissioner Janet Long told a panel of environmental scientists and Gulf Coast business leaders Wednesday efforts to mitigate red tide are in full swing and will continue as long as the massive algae bloom threatens Florida beaches, fisheries and recreation. Pinellas County has 13 boats collecting dead fish and conducting monitoring activities in […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 17, 2018

Three Democratic federal lawmakers will work toward increasing water quality monitoring in the Gulf of Mexico and creating more wetlands to clean water flowing into the Gulf and other waterways. U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor and Charlie Crist, and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson crafted a preliminary action plan Wednesday after meeting with local scientists and business leaders about […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 16, 2018

Democrat Lindsay Cross is launching a new ad this week in her bid for Senate District 24 that touts her commitment to the environment. The ad, entitled “It’s Time” shows images of Cross at various local waterfront locations, as well as a photo of her working as an environmental scientist. “Florida’s water and natural environment are under attack,” […]

Jacob OglesOctober 15, 2018

If Florida wants to fight blue-green algae and red tide, it means getting serious about septic tanks, says state Sen. Kathleen Passidomo. “Anyone of us who has a bathroom is at fault,” the Naples Republican said. Passidomo spoke on South Florida’s ongoing water woes at a Naples luncheon organized by the Women’s Republican Club of […]

Staff ReportsOctober 11, 2018

Former St. Petersburg City Council member Lorraine Margeson is suing her husband, Don Margeson for divorce, according to documents filed in Pinellas County court. Margeson unsuccessfully ran for St. Pete City Council in 2013 against Jim Kennedy who won his second and final term on the board. That seat is now held by realtor Brandi […]

Jacob OglesOctober 10, 2018

The U.S. Senate authorized a proposal for a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee, which should cut down and potentially eliminate the discharge of blue-green algae into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio said the news should help Florida deal with the twin catastrophes of algal blooms in the rivers and red […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 8, 2018

Florida Governor Rick Scott’s U.S. Senate bid got some good news this week, thanks to a University of South Florida College of Marine Science report. A three-week red tide mission found abnormally cooler temperatures and increased salt content might have caused this year’s red tide outbreak. Scott is running against incumbent U.S. Senator Bill Nelson. Scott […]

Ryan NicolOctober 4, 2018

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, the Democratic candidate in Florida’s 26th Congressional District, is out with a new ad on the state’s water problems. The ad’s release comes on the same day as multiple beaches were closed across South Florida in light of a red tide outbreak. Mucarsel-Powell is attempting to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo. Her new […]

Ryan NicolOctober 4, 2018

Red-tide-to-blame-as-hundreds-of-thousands-of-dead-fish-wash-up-on-Pinellas-beaches.jpg

Amid widespread beach closures across South Florida Thursday because of the appearance of red tide, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced it will offer $3 million in grants to help counties deal with the outbreak. Palm Beach announced the closure of all county beaches Thursday. Miami-Dade also joined in after red tide was found […]

Stephanie Murphy goes after Mike Miller on climate change

Pinellas Co. cleanup nets nearly 1K tons of red tide debris

Prevent red tide? Start with more wetlands, experts say

Lindsay Cross cuts pro-environment ad, already taping another

Kathleen Passidomo: To stop algae problem, get serious on septic tanks

Former St. Pete City Council candidate Lorraine Margeson files for divorce

U.S. Senate authorizes reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee

Red tide report spells good news for Rick Scott

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in new ad: ‘We deserve clean water’

State offers $3M to combat red tide following South Florida beach closures