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Florida growth management laws rolled back in Senate without debate (Update: Bill recalled)

Last Friday, the Florida Senate drew criticism for sneaking growth management provisions into a budget bill, which would allow lawmakers to bypass the normal legislative process to roll back 25 years of environmental regulations. Members repsponded that they had the votes to pass the bill normally.

Jul 31, 2020
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Update:A spokeswoman for Sen. Nan Rich, D-Sunrise, has e-mailed to say the vote has been recalled because Rich did in fact object to the bill being brought for a vote. The bill may come up for a vote tomorrow. #
Last Friday, the Florida Senate drew criticism for sneaking growth management provisions into a budget bill, which would allow lawmakers to bypass the normal legislative process to roll back 25 years of environmental regulations. Members responded that they had the votes to pass the bill normally. Looks like they were right. #
The Senate approved S.B. 1122 30-9, in four minutes, without debate. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, managed to ask a couple of questions, but nobody objected as Senate President Mike Haridopolos rolled the measure over for approval. Nobody sounded a voice of caution about the weight of the decision lawmakers were about to make. #
Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, tacked on a few amendments. Under one of them, projects such as hotels and rock quarries could no longer be considered “developments of regional impact.” Another eliminates comprehensive growth planning at the state level for transportation and other considerations. #
The bill is now headed back to the House for another vote, before it goes to the governor. Florida’s growth management laws, meanwhile, are headed back to the 1980s. #
Dexter Cooke

Dexter Cooke

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Dexter Cooke is an economist, marketing strategist, and orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience crafting compelling narratives that resonate worldwide. He holds a Journalism degree from Columbia University, an Economics background from Yale University, and a medical degree with a postdoctoral fellowship in orthopedic medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina. Dexter’s insights into media, economics, and marketing shine through his prolific contributions to respected publications and advisory roles for influential organizations. As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive knee replacement surgery and laparoscopic procedures, Dexter prioritizes patient care above all. Outside his professional pursuits, Dexter enjoys collecting vintage watches, studying ancient civilizations, learning about astronomy, and participating in charity runs.
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