Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Diane RobertsMay 20, 2015

It’s tempting to take a break from the 83-car pileup that is Florida government and amuse ourselves with, say, the festival of unseemliness that is former Congressman Alan Grayson who, when he’s not accusing the Tampa Bay Times’s Political Editor of being a robot with bowel issues (I paraphrase, for which you should thank me), […]

Bruce RitchieMay 10, 2015

A group calling itself ACF Stakeholders was formed in 2010 with great promise in trying to create consensus among the various user groups along the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee and Flint (ACF) rivers. But when the group meets in Florida next week, it should vote to disband. Because the river system and the people who depend on […]

Bruce RitchieMay 10, 2015

A group calling itself ACF Stakeholders was formed in 2010 with great promise in trying to create consensus among the various user groups along the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee and Flint (ACF) rivers. But when the group meets in Florida next week, it should vote to disband. Because the river system and the people who depend on […]

Bob SparksApril 30, 2015

What a week. First, Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Florida is suing the Obama administration over the Medicaid expansion issue. Then, we witnessed some remarkable political gamesmanship when the House adjourned three days early. The words “insurmountable differences” on the budget and Medicaid expansion accompanied the banging gavel in the House […]

Ryan RayMarch 5, 2015

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The Florida H2O Coalition – a water policy vehicle backed by Associated Industries of Florida – applauded today’s action by the Florida House of Representatives to pass HB 7003, a sprawling piece of water legislation aimed at protecting ecologically sensitive waterways. “Today, the Florida House took a giant step forward in adopting a policy that will […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 4, 2015

Democrats questioned a House water policy bill on the floor Wednesday while environmentalists said they are turning their hopes to the Senate for a stronger bill. Supporters say HB 7003 provides a statewide approach to dealing with water issues while modernizing the water regulatory system. But environmentalists say it weakens Lake Okeechobee protections while failing […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 3, 2015

Supporters of clean water and conservation rallied two weeks ago at the Capitol but the biggest water day of the 2015 Legislative Session may come Wednesday. HB 7003, the House water policy bill shepherded by Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-Lehigh Acres and chairman of the House State Affairs Committee, likely will pass the House. And the Senate […]

James CallMarch 3, 2015

Senate President Andy Gardiner spoke with reporters for about 10 minutes Tuesday after the Senate adjourned its first session of the 2015 Legislative Session. The discussion highlighted the differences separating the House and Senate as they begin writing a state budget and addressing other priorities. While the Senate is focused on prison reform, providing access […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 3, 2015

House and Senate leaders touted water policy during opening speeches of the legislative session while Gov. Rick Scott again said he’s proposing more than required under Amendment 1. And House Speaker Steve Crisafulli warned that he’s reluctant to support an increase in land-buying despite Amendment 1, the water and land conservation funding initiative approved by […]

Guest AuthorMarch 1, 2015

This session, the Florida Legislature is making an unprecedented commitment to the stewardship of our natural resources by including the development of a broader water policy as a key priority in the shared House and Senate agenda. To the benefit of all Floridians, leaders starting with Governor Rick Scott, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, House Speaker […]

Tag: water policy

Diane Roberts: Big Shug and Rick Scott's minions poison land deal and Amendment 1

Bruce Ritchie: Enough secrecy! After voting on water plan, tri-state rivers group should vote to disband

Bruce Ritchie: Enough secrecy! After voting on water plan, tri-state rivers group should vote to disband

Bob Sparks: Do new statements jump-start budget negotiations?

AIF group lauds passage of Florida House water bill

House water bill faces questions, is teed up for floor vote

Water bills are on tap Wednesday but environmentalists are not cheering

Day One with Andy Gardiner: Medicaid, greyhounds, water and a “long way to go”

Session openers: Rick Scott touts enviro spending, Steve Crisafulli warns against land-buying

Tom Feeney: Setting the Record Straight on the Florida House’s Water Policy