In this episode: A month-old law enacted by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature — with help from lobbyists representing major developers — already has more than 15 square miles of farmland around the state at risk of being consumed for new housing subdivisions. Many of the proposed projects have been previously rejected by county commissioners because of concerns about traffic congestion, habitat destruction, and encroachment on rural communities. But Tallahassee has now tied the hands of locally elected leaders. Plus: Amendment 3, the Florida Legislature’s controversial property tax ballot measure, is suddenly in limbo. And the growing problem of “dark lobbying” in the state Capitol.
Show notes
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Stories discussed in today’s show:
New law has developers poised to build on thousands of acres of farmland around Florida
Dark lobbying in the Florida Legislature
Florida judge rules property tax amendment misleading, orders rewrite
Bills discussed in today’s show:
Senate Bill 686 — Agricultural Enclaves
Passed the House of Representatives by a 90-20 vote (vote sheet) and the Florida Senate by a 34-2 vote (vote sheet).
Questions or comments? Send ‘em to Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com
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