Welcome to

Today is the halfway mark in the Florida Legislative session and both the House and Senate debated their differing budget plans. Both chambers, to the dismay of environmentalists who pushed the land buying and conservation amendment approved by 75 percent of voters last November, about 200 million dollars from last years budget is being included in spending for conservation lands. Aliki Moncrief says the spending isn’t honoring voters intent.

“It’s a bit of a shell game, unfortunately, and certainly not what the voters intended. The voters expect to see more land protected. People don’t want to see their neighborhood parks paved over. People want to be able to go out and and enjoy the amazing nature features out state supports.”

Both budgets use Amendment One money to fund managerial positions that were already in last budgets and do not represent an expansion of environmental programs.