Political cartoonists know they’re on the mark when their targets blow up. Herblock drove Nixon crazy. Thomas Nast did the same to Boss Tweed. Garry Trudeau enraged tobacco companies. Here in Florida, Andy Marlette infuriates Big Sugar. His work is…

SB10 made it over its next hurdle in the Senate this week, although not without a few surprises. Sen. Bradley opened by reiterating the inexcusable conditions that coastal communities experienced as a result of toxic discharges. He noted that a…

Several prominent Florida politicians have suggested that storing more water in Lake Okeechobee is the key to fixing our water management problems. But without an emergency spillway–as Californians learned last month–a bigger dike is only a bigger threat to the…

Across Florida the heroes are stepping up. This week more lawmakers from all around Florida and both sides of the aisle joined in support of Sen. Pres. Joe Negron and SB10/HB761 to fix our broken plumbing for good. In Ft. Myers, Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen,…

Four in favor, one against. Last week Martin County Commissioners voted 4-1 to draft a resolution in support of Sen. Pres. Joe Negron’s SB 10. (Only Comm. Doug Smith voted no.) It was a show of support and gratitude for Negron’s courage,…

Has Sunshine State News contributor J.P. Sasser lost his mind?! “Out of this 40% unemployment, my argument is how much of that 40% is actually employable. How much of that 40% would get up and go to work every morning if there…

February 7th’s senate hearing in Tallahassee was a win for the Everglades and our estuaries. Senate Bill 10, calling for the expedited planning and completion of a southern reservoir, took a step in the right direction with unanimous approval from the…

Our state officials frequently remind people, “I’m not a scientist,” but they don’t let it stop them from arguing science. The South Florida Water Management District recently tried to undermine Sen. Joe Negron’s proposal to reduce toxic discharges, attempting to “shape” available science…

By Peter Girard This summer’s toxic algae blooms may have far-reaching health implications that radically alter the debate over water management in South Florida. Public health concerns came up frequently at last week’s Everglades Coalition annual conference, including building evidence that exposure…

Endangered Species Act Does Not Affect Lake Okeechobee Discharges By Peter Girard As Florida officials deflect blame for this year’s toxic algae disaster, the most ridiculous scapegoat they’ve found is a sparrow. This should be funny, but instead it spotlights…