timber

Rubio Leads Florida, Georgia Colleagues in Urging USDA to Use Disaster Funds to Assist Forest Landowners and Timber Growers

Dan Florida, Forestry, Industry News Release

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) urged United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue to implement disaster relief as quickly as possible. Specifically, Rubio and Scott urged the administration to aid state governments in crafting effective forest restoration block grants. In addition to covering a large portion of debris removal, site preparation, and replanting costs, …

hurricane

Senators David Perdue and Rick Scott: Families Can’t Wait Any Longer for Disaster Relief

Dan Economy, Industry News Release, Legislative

“Together, we should demonstrate to the American people that in times of natural disasters, Washington can still work.” U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-GA) and Rick Scott (R-FL) sent a letter to Democrat senators in states impacted by natural disasters urging them to immediately pass disaster relief funding, which has been stalled by political obstruction. It’s been 208 days since Hurricane …

redistricting plan

Two Statewide Races Go to Manual Recounts

Dan Florida, Industry News Release

Floridians will have to wait a little longer to get official word about who will be the state’s next agriculture commissioner and who will serve in the U.S. Senate. Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced Thursday that manual recounts of “overvotes” and “undervotes” will be required in the two statewide races, as the margins between candidates were below 0.25 percent …

desantis

Scott Water Comments Refuel Political Fighting

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Water

South Florida’s water troubles continued to be a hot political issue Friday after Gov. Rick Scott said the U.S. Senate is backing the state’s plan to build a reservoir in the Everglades Agricultural Area. The announcement came on the same day two Democratic Cabinet candidates — Nikki Fried, who is running for agriculture commissioner, and Jeremy Ring, who is running …

desantis

Scott, Cabinet Eye Land Conservation Projects

Dan Environment, Florida

Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet are expected next month to consider whether to spend nearly $11 million to help limit future development on four ranches and farms in four counties. The proposals would add 8,388 acres to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, which through the use of “conservation easements” restricts future development but allows owners to …

wetlands

Scott Signs Measure Targeting Invasive Species

Dan Environment, Florida, Industry News Release

Gov. Rick Scott has signed a bill aimed at reducing the number of pythons and other invasive species that cause damage in parts of the state, including the Everglades. The bill (SB 168), which Scott signed Friday after it was unanimously approved this month by the Legislature, sets up a pilot program targeting pythons and species such as tegu lizards …

agriculture losses

Scott Urges Senate to Immediately Pass Relief Package

Dan Florida, Industry News Release

Florida Governor Rick Scott sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations this week urging the Senate to act immediately and pass a significant Hurricane Irma and Maria disaster relief package. In the letter, Scott thanked the House for its work to pass a relief package prior to Christmas which supports Florida citrus and provides critical funding for …