Today is my last day at @politico.com as I head towards what I'm calling semi-retirement. It's hard to handle the concept of not being a reporter or journalist. I've appreciated many people who have explained issues or commented for stories. I'm ready to step away from the daily grind for a while.
DeSantis signs environmental legislation, including bill to block controversial Florida cruise port.
The governor also signed a bill to ratify rules regarding groundwater pumping that affects springs.
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"The Legislature’s new data center bill has the potential to have a powerful impact on affordability, but that depends on how the [Public Service] Commission decides to implement the new law," he told me.
Walt Trierweiler, Florida's appointed representative in utility rate cases, told me the changes brought by data centers legislation passed last week won't be minor.
Gov. DeSantis warns Florida Legislature about selling Everglades restoration short in a budget deal.
If funding is cut severely, DeSantis said, “I would just call you back in for a special session to do the Everglades stuff.”
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Virginia passed several bills dealing with data centers, their water and electricity use and effects on surrounding lands.
Florida in comparison was only able to pass one bill on the final day, and that with a push from a Republican governor and the Legislature dominated by the same GOP.
Lightning strike leads to fire at historic #Florida home that's totally destroyed by the flames. www.tallahassee.com/story/news/l...
House sends development bill to FL governor following flurry of amendments.
Both chambers took on housing prices with measures scaling back local control over development. Critics said the measures silenced local voices and threatened quality of life.
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DeSantis said after the legislative session ended Friday the bill is its first of the kind in the country. He said companies that signed the White House pledge to protect existing utility customers from data center costs "were not happy to see this bill."
"I think they figured one way or another they could eventually offload the cost," DeSantis said. "Not in the state of Florida. We're going to protect our residences and our small businesses on that."
DeSantis said after the legislative session ended Friday the bill is its first of the kind in the country. He said companies that signed the White House pledge not to protect existing utility customers from data center costs "were not happy to see this bill."
Senate votes 31-6 to send bill to governor, with both Republicans and Dems raising concerns about taking out ban on nondisclosure agreements for data centers that could keep the public in the dark.
Florida House amends, sends data centers bill back to state Senate.
The Senate bill was amended to eliminate public notification requirements and to require investor-owned utilities to submit proposed new rates for data centers to state regulators.
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While it's never safe to say dead, this bill sure seems like it after the Senate adjourned today without taking up the measure.
The House after today will only take up bills being sent back -- and. this bill never cleared the House.
But I'll watch for the amendments trying to stick it somewhere.
Another amendment by FL Sen. Alexis Calatayud (R-Miami) would delete the language dealing with urban growth boundaries.
Miami Beach officials rally opposition to development bill headed for state Senate vote
FL Sen. Shevrin “Shev” Jones (D-Miami Gardens) filed an amendment to remove the Fontainebleau language.
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Florida gets over 20,000 weather modification claims — but no evidence — since new law passed
Gov. Ron DeSantis last year strongly supported legislation prohibiting weather modification as he accused people of having "kooky ideas" about blocking the sun.
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'Blue ribbon projects' bill vote delayed as Florida GOP senators rise in opposition.
"There's lobbyists that have been working on this bill and they've told you a lot of things — but it's wrong," Sen. Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples) told senators.
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The Florida House voted 107-3 to pass Ocklawaha River restoration bill and send it to the Senate, where that chamber's version has been retained on the calendar since being temporarily passed on Feb. 19.
Vote wasn't announced but here it is now: 12-10, with NPA Sen. Jason PIzzo casting the deciding vote after warning he will be opposed unless there are bill changes. www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill...
"Some of the first steps toward any durable peace agreement are to understand that a Russian victory is not inevitable, and to convince Russia of it. "
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‘Blue ribbon’ projects bill advances despite FL Senate chair's impassioned opposition.
"It's too broad, not definitive, it's full of generalities and the barest of concepts with no enforceable conditions," Sen. Kathleen Passidomo said.
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Florida House sends wide-ranging ag department bill to governor. Rep. Danny Alvarez said language directing the state to surplus land "is on everyone's mind" but assured House members the governor and Cabinet would vote on such moves.
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Duke Energy Florida points to Virginia, Georgia in defense of proposed new data center rates.
A Virginia legislative study "concluded that the [cost allocation] framework can function equitably when properly implemented," Duke's consultant said.
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State Senate, House advance Florida data center regulatory bills amid DeSantis concerns.
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Florida local elected officials warn time running out for 2025 development bill fix
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Florida ag department bill sponsor assures public votes will remain for surplus state land sales.
"The process actually is already in existence right now," Rep. Danny Alvarez said.
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Florida House panel advances data center bill despite opposition from business groups.
Colton Madill of the FL Chamber of Commerce said the legislation tells data center developers "that Florida is less than welcoming to their siting altogether."
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With Alabama case dismissed, tri-state water wars are officially over
But an appeal filed by environmental groups over reservoir operations on the Chattahoochee River in Alabama and Georgia remains pending before a federal appeals court.
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