Scott to Seek More Money for Lake Okeechobee Dike

Gov. Rick Scott confirmed Monday his budget request for the 2018 legislative session will include $50 million to help speed federal repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike around Lake Okeechobee. “These repairs are a priority, and that’s why I’m proposing $50 million in state funding to help expedite the project,” Scott said in a prepared statement. Scott last week announced …

Supreme Court Want Quick Response on Citrus Veto

from: News Service of Florida The Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday gave Gov. Rick Scott’s administration until noon Monday to respond to a lawsuit challenging the governor’s veto of $37.4 million intended to go to residents whose healthy citrus trees were cut down as the state tried to eradicate the citrus canker disease. The Supreme Court set the deadline after …

Cabinet Taps Florida Forever for Conservation Deals

by Jim Turner News Service of Florida Gov. Rick Scott and the state Cabinet agreed Wednesday to use $15 million from the Florida Forever program to buy 407 acres in Gilchrist County — preserving a cluster of natural springs — and to protect 6,071 acres of agricultural land in Polk and Hardee counties. Scott and Cabinet approved dipping into $75 …

Cabinet Considers 6,000-Acre Land Deal in Polk, Hardee

The News Service of Florida Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet on Wednesday are expected to consider a proposed deal that could help preserve more than 6,000 acres of agricultural land in Polk and Hardee counties. Under the proposal, the state would pay $9.79 million for a conservation easement that would cover 6,071 acres owned by Crews Groves, Inc. …

UF/IFAS Budget Affected by Gov. Scott’s Veto Pen

According to a release from Sydney Stone, legislative assistant for the University of Florida/IFAS Governmental Affairs, while the governor’s veto list included a huge hit to the K-12 and higher education budget, 14 UF/IFAS projects, most of which were existing – not new projects — were saved. (from Sydney Stone) We want to send out a big, huge, thank-you to …

Fate of Budget Now in Scott’s Hands

From News Service of Florida With a narrowing deadline and an uncertain outcome, Florida legislative leaders on Wednesday sent the new $82.4 billion state budget to Gov. Rick Scott, as education leaders urge a veto of all or major parts of the spending plan. Scott has not tipped his hand. But the Republican governor remains angered over the Legislature’s decision …