A panel of Florida agricultural leaders had a unique opportunity on May 16 to discuss Florida agriculture issues in front of the Florida delegation in Washington, D.C. The panel mainly focused on two topics: hurricane relief dollars and the impact of the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) on Florida produce. Led by delegation co-chairs, Alcee Hastings and Vern Buchanan, Florida’s …
White House Requests More Everglades Money
Additional federal funding could be coming for Everglades restoration. The White House has revised a budget request to Congress and is seeking to provide $200 million to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Everglades work, a boost of $137 million from an earlier proposal. Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has been touting the proposed 2019-2020 state budget for including $680 …
Rubio, Colleagues Raise Concerns Regarding Lack of Effective Trade Enforcement for Seasonal Produce in USMCA
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), and Al Lawson (D-FL) led a bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives in a letter raising concerns to United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer regarding the lack of progress in the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) with respect to improved mechanisms to initiate and sustain legitimate anti-dumping and countervailing …
Trump: Everglades Money ‘Coming Soon’
President Donald Trump discussed the importance of completing restoration of the Herbert Hoover Dike around Lake Okeechobee, and vaguely promised funding “coming soon” for the Everglades, following a tour of the structure Friday. “What we’re doing is very important — it was very dangerous and it’s a big project,” Trump said of dike repairs during a brief media appearance at …
Trump to Tout Lake Okeechobee, Everglades Work
President Donald Trump will be in Florida this week to promote work on the Herbert Hoover Dike around Lake Okeechobee and a reservoir in the Everglades Agricultural Area, the White House confirmed Tuesday. Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere tweeted that Trump is slated to “visit Lake Okeechobee Friday to tout work on dike repair, EAA reservoir.” The tweet linked to …
Trump Budget Rapped over Everglades Money
Environmentalists and some high-profile supporters of President Donald Trump are criticizing his proposed budget for not including enough money for Everglades restoration. U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney, R-Fla., issued a news release Wednesday saying the White House budget request “failed to include sufficient funding for …
DeSantis Makes Three Key Appointments to SFWMD in Naples
Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointments of Charlette Roman, Charlie Martinez and Cheryl Anne Meads to the Board of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) in Naples. The Governor was joined by all three appointees as well as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection Noah Valenstein. “I’m pleased to announce the appointments of Charlie Martinez, Cheryl Anne Meads …
Lake Okeechobee Brouhaha Heats Up
by Gary Cooper The series of public meetings about Lake Okeechobee water levels and related issues continues this week in South Florida, hosted by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. According to last-minute media announcements this morning, Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL 18th District), is expected to attend the first of two public meetings today at 1:00 p.m. at Indian …
Executive Resigns, Politics Exposed at SFWMD Board Meeting
Soon-to-exit South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) governing board members offered parting comments at the SFWMD governing board meeting today in West Palm Beach. The entire board was asked to resign and put under pressure to do so by Gov. Ron DeSantis and South Florida Congressman Brian Mast, who is advising the governor on agricultural and environmental issues. The resignations …
Lake O Levels: Rural Residents Offer Input, But Is Anybody Listening?
In one of a series of public meetings hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers this week and next, Okeechobee, FL residents last night packed the house for presentations and public input about the management of lake water levels. 200 people showing up for a meeting like this in Okeechobee is like 20,000 showing up on the coast, taking …