Ron DeSantis

DeSantis and the Everglades: What will be his legacy?

September 11, 2025

We’ve recounted many times how Gov. DeSantis came into office with a bang, replaced the entire South Florida Water Management District Governing Board, appointed red tide and blue-green algae task forces and set about securing massive funding for Everglades restoration.…

Rock mine could get DEP permit Aug. 11 unless ‘Everglades Governor’ steps in

August 8, 2025

Barring some legal challenge, the Florida DEP (“Don’t Expect Protection”) is scheduled to issue its permit for Phase 1 of the Southland rock mine project on Aug. 11 — and the one person who can stop it, Gov. Ron DeSantis,…

Did ‘dirty money’ help win ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ contracts?

July 10, 2025

What we are witnessing, with “Alligator Alcatraz,” is a master class in how “dirty money” works. As multiple media outlets have reported, several companies involved in the construction and operation of the Everglades detention center have donated to Gov. Ron…

We oppose “Alligator Alcatraz.” Here’s why – and what we’re doing about it.

July 3, 2025

VoteWater opposes ‘Alligator Alcatraz,” and we’re working to stop it. VoteWater and its partners sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier urging them to halt this ill-advised project. We are helping to marshall opposition to further construction…

‘Alligator Alcatraz’ and Big Sugar’s rock mine – what are we doing to the Everglades?

June 26, 2025

By now you likely know that Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier wants to build an immigrant detention center — “Alligator Alcatraz” — on the grounds of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport. Once upon a time the world’s biggest airport,…

An open letter to Gov. DeSantis: EAA rock mine could destroy your legacy

May 15, 2025

Dear Gov. DeSantis: You’ve been called “America’s Everglades Governor.” Since you took office in 2019, Florida has allocated record funding for Everglades restoration projects. This spending has helped generate significant momentum, spurring progress on key CERP components, including what you’ve…

What’s a lobbyist doing on the SFWMD Governing Board?

April 24, 2025

Last week we raised questions about two new members of the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board, because newbies Thomas Hurley and Robert Spottswood Jr., are both developers. This week we raise concerns about an EXISTING SFWMD board member…

Back to the bad old days with DeSantis picks for SFWMD board

April 16, 2025

When Gov. Ron DeSantis came into office in 2019 one of the first things he did was dismiss the sitting South Florida Water Management District Governing Board and appoint a new slate. No longer was the board dominated by special…

DeSantis-legislative feud: They’re ALL too cozy with Big Ag!

February 6, 2025

We’re watching the Ron DeSantis-Legislative feud with a truckload of popcorn. The proximate cause of the recent nastiness is immigration legislation, the fact DeSantis called the Legislature up to Tallahassee on what was supposed to be a week off, the…

Dubious EAA ‘water resource project’ (rock mine) lurches ahead

January 23, 2025

Hey, remember that proposal to build a rock mine… er, “water resource project” — in the Everglades Agricultural Area? Sure you do. Phillips & Jordan, the prime contractor for several massive reservoir projects in the region, is pitching (unsolicited) plans…

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