The head of the new department that will house Florida’s growth management division says he’ll have to decide future growth management decisions on a case-by-case basis. SB 2156, signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott on June 14, abolishes the Florida Department of Community Affairs and transfers its planning division to a new Department of […]
Future of state growth management in question under new department Read More »
An employee enters the Department of Community Affairs headquarters where more than 20 workers were told last week they’re being laid off. With some state planners being handed their pink slips this week, the question arises over what really happened to the debate over the fate of Florida’s growth management agency — the Department of
Florida growth agency “boogeyman” disappearing without debate Read More »
The Florida legislative session went off track early Saturday, taking several bills with it that were supported by business and industry groups and opposed by environmentalists. But environmentalists were not in a celebratory mood as the Legislature passed bills gutting state growth management and placing the burden of proof on those who file legal challenges
Session could have been worse but it was still bad, environmentalists say Read More »
Growth management, fertilizer and septic tanks are some of the environmental issues awaiting action by the Legislature on Friday, its final scheduled day of the regular session. Renewable energy, permitting and growth management were the big three issues heading into the session. There also was an outcry from some rural residents against last year’s requirement
Final day of session: Energy dead but growth overhaul, septic bills very much alive Read More »
With the Legislative session more than half over, some environmentalists are saying the session already has been bad enough. But at least one veteran environmental lobbyist says the worst could be yet to come. The Legislature is showing little interest in providing new money for the Florida Forever land-buying program while at the same time
Florida environmentalists uneasy as legislative session enters second half Read More »
During a recent Cabinet meeting, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater summed up an important debate over growth management policy by relating it to the rapidly expanding Five Guys hamburger chain. Some Bay County residents had asked the Cabinet to deny a request for a proposed 174-slip commercial marina on Callaway Bayou. The residents said the
Developers would determine “need” under proposed growth law rewrite Read More »
Environmental groups, which have become accustomed to playing defense in the Legislature for many years, are digging in for what could be an even tougher fight this year. The legislative session starts on Tuesday, March 8. There are bills filed to streamline environmental permitting, repeal a statewide septic tank inspection requirement and prohibit local governments
Environmental groups digging in for tough legislative session Read More »
The new chief of Florida’s growth management agency on Tuesday made some suggestions that sound like what some statewide environmental groups have been advocating — an increased focus on long-range planning and less oversight of growth in urban areas. Gov. Rick Scott has repeatedly called the Department of Community Affairs a job-killer and on Monday
New Florida agency chief calls for refocus on growth management Read More »
Gov. Rick Scott is warning his supporters that unnamed “special interests” will his attack his 2011-12 budget recommendations and the cuts they include for growth and environmental programs. Scott proposes substantially reducing the number of state planners who oversee local growth management decisions and would move them to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. He
Scott would reorganize DCA, DEP under proposed budget Read More »
Gov. Rick Scott said Monday he plans to cut $1 billion in government spending over two years by consolidating and streamlining government including the Florida Department of Community Affairs. Scott’s plan — which included only a few details — would remove all regulatory functions from DCA and move them to other state agencies. Scott also
Scott plans realignment of Florida’s growth management agency Read More »
