Author name: bruce

The chairman of a key House council said Tuesday there is plenty of time in the legislative session to approve a bill that would reauthorize the Florida Department of Community Affairs. The Legislature in 2006 established the “sunset review” process to determine whether agencies should be continued. DCA spokesman James Miller said Monday the department […]

Meeting conservation goals established by the state for utilities in December will cost Progress Florida customers an average of $13.52 more per month over the next 10 years, according to the utility. After rejecting an initial staff recommendation in November, the Public Service Commission in December established tougher new conservation goals for five investor-owned utilities

Public Service Commissioner Nathan Skop on Monday called on House Speaker Larry Cretul to bring “meaningful reform” to the PSC by pushing for House approval of SB 1034. The Senate adopted the bill during the first week of session last month. The bill defines prohibited “ex parte” communications with commissioners in docketed cases and bans

Environmental groups are asking the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to delay approval of a new stream classification system. Florida has five waterway classifications that are used to help determine the amount of pollution that can be discharged into receiving water bodies. Most waterways are designated as Class III, meaning they are support recreation and

Critics of energy efficiency goals established for utilities by the Public Service Commission Thursday seemed to have a sympathetic audience among some members of the House Energy & Utilities Policy Committee. Rep. Stephen Precourt, R-Orlando and committee chairman, said Thursday the committee is working on a comprehensive energy bill and will consider it on April

Representatives of Florida cities and counties were warned Tuesday that there may not be state grant money again this year for their park and open space purchases. The Florida Communities Trust (FCT) program in 2008 received $63 million for matching grants with cities and counties. But the program didn’t process grant applications last year after

The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association is opposing offshore oil and gas drilling and is asking the Legislature not to take up the issue before the session ends on April 30. The House Select Policy Council on Strategic & Economic Planning is expected has been holding hearings on drilling and is expected to consider possible

Anglers from Gulf states including Florida will be allowed to catch more red snapper this year but must do so during shortened season under a new federal proposal. Federal snapper and grouper restrictions have become a political hot-button issue as commercial fishing groups and recreational anglers have protested restrictions imposed to end overfishing under the

Florida last year for the first time began requiring residents to purchases licenses to fish from the shoreline, docks and jetties. Residents could either buy a saltwater fishing license for $17, which allows them to fish from boats or the shoreline, or buy the shoreline-only permit for $7.50. As of Feb. 28, 59,530 of the

A comprehensive bill, dubbed the “mega-water bill” by one senator, received approval from the Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation Tuesday despite a variety concerns raised by groups. The bill, SB 550, sponsored by Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs and committee chairman, would establish septic tank utilities statewide, create a state financing mechanism for