From the Daily Wrap by the Florida Tribune, posted at Lobbytools.com: A state panel’s draft report issued today takes on the major questions and concerns about allowing oil drilling off Florida’s coastline. The House last year passed HB 1219 to allow drilling as close as three miles to the coast but the measure wasn’t taken […]

Gov. Charlie Crist and the Cabinet on Wednesday approved a new purchase agreement for 134.74 acres in St. Lucie County from the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Foundation. The purchase of land along Indian River Lagoon for $18 million was approved last May. But approval of a new purchase agreement was needed Wednesday because of uncertainty

From the Daily Wrap by the Florida Tribune, posted at Lobbytools.com: Rep. Dave Murzin on Wednesday told a Florida Chamber of Commerce audience that he still wants Florida Department of Community Affairs Secretary Tom Pelham to leave state government. Murzin, R-Pensacola, made headlines last year when, during debate on the SB 360 growth management bill,

A special land deal involving the Legislature, Florida Atlantic University and the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Foundation goes back before the governor and Cabinet on Wednesday. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is requesting consideration of a new purchase agreement for 134.74 acres in St. Lucie County along Indian River Lagoon. With approval, the state

In advance of a protest in Washington by recreational and commercial fishermen, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson said today he will file legislation to address red snapper fishing restrictions. The restrictions are being imposed under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which was amended in 2007 to mandate the use of catch limits to end

Florida Hometown Democracy today announced that Florida writer and political activist Julie Hauserman has been named campaign manager for Amendment 4. Dubbed the “Hometown Democracy” amendment, the Florida Constitution ballot measure would require voter approval to changes to local comprehensive growth plans. Supporters say voter approval is needed to wrest growth management from the control

Artist’s rendering of proposed biomass plant, from BG&E; web site A group of more than 20 Gulf County residents have filed a legal challenge against a proposed biomass gas electric plant in Port St. Joe. Biomass Gas & Electric (BG&E;) of Norcross, Ga. has proposed building the Northwest Florida Renewable Energy Center to heat and

Democrat Scott Maddox on Monday used the release of an environmental scorecard of Congressional representatives to fire a shot at the likely Republican nominee, U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, in the agriculture commissioner race. The League of Conservation Voters rated all members of Congress based on their votes on issues including energy, global warming, environmental health

Rules meetings and workshops — they sound boring. But there are two interesting meetings going on this week that both involve state or federal rules and both are being held at the Wyndham Orlando Resort. They are items on the “Week Ahead” published by The Florida Tribune at Lobbytools.com. Today, the Florida Department of Community

The Nature Conservancy and state forestry officials are asking the state to buy 10,087 acres along Wolfe Creek in Okaloosa County. The state Acquisition and Restoration Council on Friday voted to move forward on five new proposed purchase areas, including two that would be landowner conservation agreements. The Wolfe Creek area, owned by International Paper