Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bruce RitchieApril 24, 2015

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shut off discharges from Lake Okeechobee on Friday in reaction to claims of an algae bloom in water coming from the lake. The federal agency discharges water to prevent weakening the Herbert Hoover Dike around the lake. But the nutrient-rich discharges can cause algal blooms that smother aquatic life […]

Bruce RitchieApril 20, 2015

President Barack Obama’s planned trip to the Everglades this week is being used some supporters to boost the proposal to buy U.S. Sugar Corp. land for water storage. In his weekly radio address on Saturday, Obama said he will visit the Everglades on Earth Day, which is Wednesday, to talk about how climate change threatens […]

Bruce RitchieApril 7, 2015

With hundreds of lobbyists in suits and Parrotheads in flower-patterned shirts cheering in applause, singer Jimmy Buffett urged Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature to buy land to protect the Everglades. “It’s good to be back in Tallahassee,” Buffett said before playing an acoustic version of “Changes in Lattitudes.” “It’s good to be raising a […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 18, 2015

Environmental groups supporting the purchase of 46,000 acres of U.S. Sugar Corp. land launched on Wednesday commercials and released a petition from scientists in support of the proposal. The ads from the Everglades Trust show polluted water from Lake Okeechobee being discharged into the St. Lucie River with signs in Martin County warning against swimming. […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 17, 2015

A House subcommittee chairman’s proposal for environmental spending ignores the will of voters who supported Amendment 1, environmental groups said Tuesday. “Most of Florida was left out of this budget,” said Eric Draper, executive director of Audubon Florida. “Most of Florida was left out of this budget,” Draper said. He was responding to the 2015-16 […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 17, 2015

A House appropriations subcommittee chair on Tuesday recommended bonding Amendment 1 revenue for land-buying while using a significant amount of the cash from the conservation-spending initiative for existing environmental spending, debt service, land management, and agricultural water programs. A key issue in the 2015 Legislative Session is how the Legislature will spend an estimated $757 million […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 11, 2015

Eric Eikenberg, CEO of the Everglades Foundation, says the Florida residents affected by discharges from Lake Okeechobee need to let state leaders know about their concerns. Eikenberg is at the Capitol this week meeting with House and Senate leaders including House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner. He’s trying to get state leaders […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 11, 2015

Eric Eikenberg, CEO of the Everglades Foundation, says the Florida residents affected by discharges from Lake Okeechobee need to let state leaders know about their concerns. Eikenberg is at the Capitol this week meeting with House and Senate leaders including House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner. He’s trying to get state leaders […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 2, 2015

Environmental groups pushing for the state purchase of U.S. Sugar Corp. land south of Lake Okeechobee may have received a boost Monday when a University of Florida study said additional land is needed for water storage. Environmental groups have been pushing the state to exercise an option to buy 46,800 acres for water storage to […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 27, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday announced he will request $150 million for Everglades restoration in fiscal year 2015-16 along with $150 million for land acquisition and management. Scott apparently will use money for water and land conservation under Amendment 1, approved by 75 percent of voters in November. The request for land acquisition falls short of […]

Tag: U. S. Sugar Corp
Image via AP.

Feds halt Lake Okeechobee discharges after Florida pols sound alarm

President’s visit is “vital” to land deal, Everglades Trust says

Jimmy Buffett tells Capitol crowd it’s good to be “raising hell for the right reason”

Everglades group releases petition supporting U.S. Sugar land buy

Enviro groups: House budget proposal ignores Amendment 1 intent

Idea would bond Amendment 1 income, free cash for other enviro projects

Everglades Foundation’s Eric Eikenberg presses case for land buy

Everglades Foundation's Eric Eikenberg presses case for land buy

UF study says more water storage needed south of Lake Okeechobee

Rick Scott announces Everglades, land-buying requests