Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersSeptember 15, 2017

The lower Florida Keys were hammered in special ways by Hurricane Irma and remain closed to residents, visitors and even more volunteer cleanup workers as authorities try to get them livable, officials said Friday. An estimated 65 percent of the housing was damaged to the point of being uninhabitable, according to authorities, but residents will […]

Scott PowersMay 31, 2017

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham has picked up endorsements from former House Speaker Jon Mills and two longtime environmental leaders, Nathaniel Reed, and Manley Fuller, all declaring confidence in her environmental protection policies. Graham has made environmental issues forefront in her campaign so far, picking up on a priority practiced by her father, former Gov. Bob […]

Gary FineoutMarch 7, 2017

Once the Florida Legislature kicks off its 60-day Session March 7, legislators are expected to pass, or kill, dozens of measures dealing with everything from abortion to gambling and the environment. So far, more than 2,000 bills have been filed, but in the end, legislators usually pass fewer than 300 pieces of legislation each year. […]

Larry GriffinJanuary 19, 2017

A new bill filed today by Rep. Randy Fine, who represents House District 53, would aim to solve the Indian River Lagoon’s septic tank crisis and help all of Florida’s water quality by requiring the inspection of septic tanks as part of home and other real estate sales. The Indian River Lagoon was revealed last year […]

Associated PressOctober 31, 2016

Florida and Georgia this week are taking their long-standing fight over the supply of water in their shared watershed to court. Arguments are expected to last for weeks, and the result could affect millions of people and major industries in both states. The dispute centers on the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin. The watershed drains nearly 20,000 […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 23, 2016

Addressing water infrastructure concerns could cost billions over the next 20 years, leaving state and local officials to figure out where to get the money to make improvements to an aging system. One possible source of revenue? Money set aside from the 2014 water and land conservation amendment. The constitutional amendment set aside one-third of […]

Guest AuthorJune 2, 2016

A vital piece of Florida’s economy and livelihoods are hinging on historic actions this year by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Supreme Court of the United States. It’s a continuation of the Florida-Georgia water war — one that’s been going on for decades. But this year matters more than any other; the Supreme […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 2, 2016

Both the Florida House and Senate are off to a great start in the 2016 Session, having passed significant legislation expanding job and education opportunities for people with disabilities and approving a historic water bill. Thanks to Gov. Rick Scott, both of those bills are now law. The comprehensive water bill has been the subject […]

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 […]

Phil AmmannOctober 9, 2015

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam travels to Tel Aviv this weekend to take part in a discussion on strategies for the world’s water and ecological systems. WATEC Israel 2015 is a biennial conference and exhibition that brings together thousands of leading business executives, decision makers, and researchers, and features the latest technical innovations to develop new […]

Tag: water
Sen Rick Scott in Sarasota. Photo by Jacob Ogles.

Florida Keys still closed; ‘different kind of lifestyle for a while’

Gwen Graham touts endorsements from Jon Mills, environmental leaders

Guns, gambling and taxes: Legislators return to work

Hoping to curb pollution, Randy Fine bill would require inspection of septic tanks

Trial set to begin in Florida and Georgia’s fight over water

Aging water infrastructure could cost state billions to repair

Dan Tonsmeire: Historic Florida, Georgia water war decisions will impact entire nation

Charlie Dean and Matt Caldwell: Criticism of new water law off-base

Are environmental groups becoming the new gaming interests?

Adam Putnam travels to Tel Aviv for international water conference