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Here’s how VoteWater made an impact in 2024

December 3, 2024

2024 was a big year for the clean-water cause, marked by elections, the publication of our “Dirty Money Project,” a huge controversy over a plan to develop Florida’s state parks and more. Here’s a look at where VoteWater made an…

Why is this seat on the SFWMD board still vacant?

November 26, 2024

Hey, remember JTL? We do. Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch was a solid advocate for the Treasure Coast region during her time on the South Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board, often agitating — politely — for clean-water solutions for her community. But…

Change at the top at FDEP – and that could spell trouble

November 14, 2024

You might have seen the news last week that Florida DEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton was stepping down; he’ll be replaced by Alexis Lambert, chief of staff of the state’s division of bond finance since 2018. There’s speculation that Hamilton’s departure…

Will Rubio’s replacement fight for cleaner water?

November 14, 2024

Looks like Sen. Marco Rubio could be moving on up. And that could have a big impact on the clean-water cause. As first reported last weekend, President-Elect Donald Trump is set to nominate Rubio Secretary of State.  If so —…

DEEP DIVE: Do hurricanes cause harmful algal blooms?

October 30, 2024

To the death and destruction caused by the immediate impact of hurricanes, add the secondary impact of harmful algal blooms. No, hurricanes don’t cause red tide or blue-green algal blooms, but they can fuel them. As evidence, look at how…

‘Dirty Money Project’ in the headlines

October 17, 2024

VoteWater’s “Dirty Money Project” is making news across the Sunshine State. First, Executive Director Gil Smart’s Oct. 4 op-ed in the Miami Herald explained how “dirty money” to dirty politicians is a root cause of dirty water. Then, just this…

VoteWater endorses Brian Mast for Congress

October 16, 2024

VoteWater, a South Florida clean-water advocacy group, has endorsed U.S. Rep. Brian Mast for Congress. Mast, a Republican seeking his fifth term in Congress, has been endorsed repeatedly by VoteWater and its predecessor, Bullsugar.org, since he first ran in 2016.…

Deep Dive: Baby manatees are dying – and it might be a sign of recovery

September 26, 2024

So far this year, 133 baby manatee have been found dead in Florida, a mortality rate more than twice the five-year average and more deaths than any other entire year since the state began keeping records in 1974. Still, manatee…

VoteWater endorses Debbie Mucarsel-Powell for U.S. Senate

September 23, 2024

VoteWater has endorsed former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell for the U.S. Senate. VoteWater Executive Director Gil Smart praised Mucarsel-Powell’s commitment to cleaner water and noted that she’s taken no money from Florida’s sugar industry, while her opponent, incumbent Sen. Rick Scott,…

‘Parksgate’ fiasco demands an investigation

September 5, 2024

By now you may know the name of James Gaddis, the Florida DEP whistleblower who leaked the plan to “develop” Florida’s state parks. Gaddis, as you probably also know, was fired by FDEP for revealing the plan, which Gov. Ron…

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