Politics & Environmental Challenges

The election process in Florida has fallen under the control of a small corporate elite. Regardless of party affiliation, this small group now provides most of the funds needed for most state election campaigns. This gives a tiny fraction of Floridians the power to elect representatives who fulfill the wishes and needs of the few. If you hope to maintain a healthy and sustainable environment for you and future generations, election reform is a must. The ongoing partisan attack on the environment by both political parties is meeting with great success.
 
Since Rick Scott became Governor of Florida, there has been an all-out assault on Florida’s environmental and public health protection laws. 
 
According to Seeking Rents, Florida lawmakers banked $14 million the day before the session began in 2026.
 
We have seen the relaxation of existing air and water quality standards as Florida lawmakers move to consolidate, eliminate, and underfund the agencies responsible for protecting Florida’s environmental and water resources. In other words, Florida’s clean air, land, and water will be at increased risk of contamination from pollution. 

 
The two major political parties continue down this road without fear of being thrown out by the public. It appears the only alternative the public has is to join an election campaign reform effort. Advising your elected representatives of your position on important issues, tracking subsequent votes, and fielding good candidates for political office will also be of help. 
 
Apparently, most legislatures are not convinced that climate change is an important issue to be concerned with and drilling off Florida’s coastline is still open to debate. The Trump administration has proposed new drilling off the coast of Florida in areas at least 100 miles from that state's shore. 

The priority of the Florida legislature for environmental protection policies has included gutting land development regulations, speeding up the wetland destruction permitting process and prohibiting local governments from having better wetland protection regulations. 
 
The ability to protect the environment and dwindling natural resources is in jeopardy. During the last two legislative sessions, industry, developers, contractors, bankers etc. have complained vigorously about the land use permitting process, and under the guise of streamlining permitting, a push to weaken environmental and growth management legislation was passed.
 
Basic protections adopted since the 1960s that kept our air, food, and water clean and our cars, toys and consumer products safe have saved the economy billions of dollars. 

Current environmental protection programs are doomed to failure because the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and Water Management Districts cannot adequately utilize an environmental avoidance policy in their regulatory decisions. (An avoidance policy means wetland destruction will not be permitted unless there is an overriding, compelling public interest). The avoidance concept, which the FDEP should be authorized to use to better protect the environment, should be a priority in environmental resource permitting. 
 
Policy makers need to understand that a strong Florida economy is closely tied to good environmental practices.

Glenn Compton is the Chairman of ManaSota 88, a non-profit organization that has spent over 30 years fighting to protect the environment of Manatee and Sarasota counties.

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