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 […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 28, 2016

A bill that would fund Everglades restoration efforts with up to $200 million a year cleared the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Thursday with a unanimous vote. “Today we are making great strides toward finishing a task that is important to all Floridians,” committee chairman and Bartow Republican Rep. Ben Albritton said. “By protecting […]

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 RosicaOctober 22, 2015

Pete Antonacci, the new head of the South Florida Water Management District, doesn’t have a conflict of interest just because his lawyer wife has clients with matters before the district. That’s the opinion of Florida Commission on Ethics staff, which will be considered for approval by commission members at their meeting Friday morning, according to […]

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 13, 2015

Victories in the ongoing battles between Martin County residents and governments and Lake Point – plus an unrelated win upholding Martin’s protective growth plan – gave county residents reason to celebrate last week. Forbes 400 billionaire George Lindemann Sr. and his millionaire son, George Lindemann Jr. are developers of the Lake Point rock pit in […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 8, 2015

The story of the Port St. Lucie Crosstown Parkway Bridge tells how we lose Florida’s natural beauty, resources, and ecosystems, even if they exist in our Preserve State Parks. It’s the story of a battle that must be fought if we are to save any of them. In 1990, the city of Port St. Lucie […]

Sally SwartzAugust 24, 2015

Florida lawmakers did one thing worth celebrating in this year’s Legislative Session: They approved, at long last, a law that protects residents from SLAPPs: Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation. Two champions deserve special credit for the success of the anti-SLAPP campaign: the Florida Press Association and the Motion Picture Association of America. On the Treasure […]

Ryan RayAugust 15, 2015

The South Florida Water Management District was joined by Republican elected officials Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Rep. Matt Caldwell this week in saying tighter restrictions on agriculture in the Everglades Agricultural Area are unnecessary because best management practices, or BMPs, are working. Levels of harmful phosphorous – a product of agricultural runoff into the ecologically sensitive […]

Sally SwartzAugust 4, 2015

It’s skunk week in Martin County. Not to malign Florida’s real skunks, but their human imitators have left an odiferous trail countywide this week. On the hit list: A respected environmental group, Martin County government, and residents who have fought developers who don’t want to follow the county’s protective growth rules. The stinkers: Sugar industry […]

Tag: South Florida Water Management District

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

Everglades restoration bill unanimously passes House committee

Are environmental groups becoming the new gaming interests?

Board will consider Pete Antonacci ethics opinion

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

Sally Swartz: Lake Point project opponents get some wins

Shari Anker: Battle to save 2 preserve state parks teaches statewide lessons

Sally Swartz: Free speech victory rose from Session morass

State officials say Everglades water policy, BMP regime are working

Sally Swartz: Stinky lawsuits befoul Martin County development fights