Florida lawmakers finished the 2019 legislative session Saturday by passing a budget for the upcoming year. During the two-month session, lawmakers considered hundreds of bills and made more than $90 billion in spending decisions. It also was the first session for Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and began the two-year terms of Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, and House Speaker Jose …
Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Dr. Thomas K. Frazer as Chief Science Officer
Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Dr. Thomas K. Frazer as the State of Florida’s first Chief Science Officer. Joining Governor DeSantis at the announcement were Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Noah Valenstein and leadership of Florida’s environmental organizations. On January 10, Governor DeSantis announced major water policy reforms for the state of Florida by signing Executive Order 19-12 (Achieving …
Florida Forever Boost moving to Senate Floor
A proposal that would designate $100 million a year for the Florida Forever land-preservation program is ready to go to the Senate floor. On Thursday, the Appropriations Committee unanimously backed a measure (SB 370) by Chairman Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island. The Florida Forever program, which in the past received as much as $300 million a year, has for nearly a …
Environmental Proposal Delayed Amid Business Outcry
A proposed constitutional amendment that would redefine legal standing for Floridians when environmental problems occur was put on hold Tuesday as opposition mounts from powerful business groups. With critics arguing the measure is too vague and would create legal gridlock, Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch, a member of the state Constitution Revision Commission, said she requested more time to work on her proposal …
Environmental Funding Draws Debate
Count former Gov. Bob Graham among those who were not overwhelmed by an environmental-funding proposal released this week by Gov. Rick Scott. Graham, a Democrat who also served in the U.S. Senate, said Scott’s proposal to spend $50 million on the once-celebrated Florida Forever preservation program doesn’t meet the needs of the program. “We have to decide the kind of …
More than 2,500 Acres of Environmentally Sensitive Okeechobee Ranch Preserved
The Governor and Cabinet approved the preservation of 2,523 acres of environmentally sensitive land within Corona Ranch in Okeechobee County through cost-effective conservation easements, which prevent future development of the land and allow agriculture operations to continue to contribute to Florida’s economy. The purchase is part of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, where the state partners with Florida’s …
Lobbyist Backs Away From Florida Forever Comments
From: News Service of Florida Eric Draper, executive director of Audubon Florida and a prominent environmental lobbyist, released a statement Tuesday walking back concerns about a House measure that would alter the distribution of money for land conservation. Draper said he was wrong Monday to link a House bill (PCB GAC17-06) that would change the state’s Florida Forever land-conservation program …