Politics

Another $300 million for rural and family lands conservation makes it into House budget

Published

3 days ago

March 31, 2025

That’s $50 million more than the Senate currently has set aside.

A House budget released on Friday includes $300 million for rural and family land conservation. That’s $50 million more than the Senate currently provides in its own proposed budget.

A look at the line items accompanying a budget release shows Speaker Daniel Perez wants a Rural and Conservation Land Protection effort funded with $100 million from general revenue and another $200 million budgeted from the state’s Land Acquisition Trust Fund.

That budget line would match the $300 million secured by Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson when he was Senate President to launch the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. Since winning state office, Simpson has pushed to purchase hundreds of family farms.

A state website says the program is designed to protect critical agricultural lands by acquiring permanent agricultural land conservation easements. A Technical Review Team reviews projects, ranked through a formal process by the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program Selection Committee.

That has led to purchasing projects like the Ryals Citrus and Cattle Easement, helping protect the Peace River. The program also funded purchases approved by the Florida Cabinet of easements in the Northern Everglades and the Kissimmee Valley.

The release from the House indicates a desire for the funding to be used to buy conservation easements.

The House budget also puts more toward this mission than the Senate currently does, even as Senate President Ben Albritton has prioritized investment in Florida’s Heartland as part of a “Rural Renaissance.”

The Senate budget released earlier this week includes $250 million for Rural and Conservation Land Protection, including $50 million from general revenue, $100 million from the Land Acquisition Land Trust and $100 million from other incidental trust funds.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ budget does not have a specific line item mentioning rural land acquisition, but he has budgeted more than $204 million for a state lands program.

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Florida Poly President named to elite European academy

Published

7 minutes ago

April 3, 2025

May Greene

Florida Polytechnic University President Devin Stephenson has been named a correspondent academician of the Royal European Academy of Doctors (RAED), an international recognition that underscores Stephenson’s significant contributions to academia and leadership.

“It is a profound privilege to be selected as a correspondent academician of the Royal European Academy of Doctors,” Stephenson said. “This acknowledgment is a testament to the remarkable progress we can make as an academic community. I look forward to engaging with colleagues from around the world and contributing to our shared mission of fostering excellence in our fields.”

Founded in 1914, RAED’s primary goal is to research and disseminate knowledge in the health, social, human, experimental, and technological sciences. Among its global ranks of professional standouts are Nobel laureates, former heads of state, and tenured academics specializing in economics, law, medicine, philosophy, physical sciences, and engineering.

“I am pleased to welcome Dr. Stephenson to the Royal Society,” RAED President Alfredo Rocafort said. “His pioneering work is expanding our understanding of the world and continues to drive innovation in both academic research and industry.”

Stephenson’s induction to the century-old institution highlights his work’s global impact and Florida Poly’s growing prominence in academia.

Stephenson will travel to Barcelona, Spain, this May for a formal inauguration ceremony, where he will deliver an address about leadership in education.

“I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with talented teams at institutions that reinforce my passion for education and positive change,” Stephenson said. “I believe that bold, forward-thinking leadership can transform the educational landscape and unlock limitless possibilities for our students. I’m excited to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible at Florida Poly.”

Stephenson has served as President and CEO of multiple higher education institutions and, earlier in his career, held higher education leadership positions such as Vice President, dean of students and program director.

Stephenson was recently awarded the Lifetime Leadership Award by Higher Education Innovation, a national group dedicated to advancing discovery and success in higher education. He has also received leadership recognition from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College’s Board of Trustees, and the University of Alabama College of Education, among others.

“Although I am appreciative of these recognitions, the accolades should shine squarely on the teams I have had the opportunity to build at numerous institutions,” Stephenson said. “I believe in a ‘we’ rather than ‘me’ philosophy of leadership that makes the most impact.”

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Randy Fine dismisses Ron DeSantis’ criticism of his CD 6 campaign

Published

38 minutes ago

April 3, 2025

May Greene

U.S. Rep. Randy Fine is taking a victory lap and saying Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recurrent, vitriolic criticisms of his just-concluded campaign don’t bother him.

“I don’t think the Governor’s ever forgiven me for standing with Donald Trump when the Governor chose to take him on,” Fine said on “Mornings with Maria,” referring to Fine swapping his endorsement from DeSantis to Trump in the 2024 Presidential Primary.

“What I would say is this: I got the same margin when I ran for the seat this time as Gov. DeSantis did when he ran the first time. I’m not interested in setting petty political scores. My focus is running up the score for the people of the 6th Congressional District. So I’m really not going to worry about what he has to say.”

The Governor called Fine a “squish” who “repels people” on Wednesday just before the new legislator was sworn in, and said he floated Fine for the presidency at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) because Fine’s colleagues in Tallahassee wanted him gone so badly.

Fine was not compelled to respond to DeSantis’ claims about the FAU situation, and suggested that the Governor’s words are motivated by his own fading political influence.

“As I said yesterday, a bright star gets very shiny before it goes out. I think that’s what we’re seeing in Florida,” Fine said.

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House committee shows bipartisan support for free medical marijuana cards for military vets

Published

1 hour ago

April 3, 2025

May Greene

Similar bills in the Senate have yet to get a committee hearing.

The Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee is advancing a bill that proposes some alterations to Florida’s medical marijuana program.

Pensacola Republican Rep. Alex Andrade introduced the legislation (HB 555). He said the bill, now a committee substitute, would make certifications happen every two years rather than annually, and would exempt military veterans from paying the $75 fee.

That’s one way to thank them for their service.

Democrats and Republicans hailed the legislation.

“I love this bill,” said Democratic Rep. Lavon Bracy Davis. “Quote me on this, Florida Politics.”

“It’s a much-needed thing,” agreed Republican Rep. Michelle Salzman.

“The way the system is set up currently, you have to go to the doctor every so many days and you have to get renewed every so many days, and those do not coincide. So you could go to the doctor and get all of your stuff renewed and then not know that you were supposed to renew your medical marijuana license two months prior. You go straight from the doctor to the dispensary and you can’t get a prescription and now you have to wait. They’ve done a good job of streamlining that process, but you still have to wait, and it’s another $75 fee, which you already had to pay close to $200 to see the doctor.”

This is a pared-down product from Andrade’s original bill, which envisioned telehealth-first consultations, home grow of two plants per household with a patient aged 21 or older, expanded cultivation, and reciprocity allowing patients in other states to get product at Florida dispensaries.

Even if this bill gets to the House floor, the final outcome is uncertain. Similar bills have yet to get a committee hearing in the Senate.

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