rssPosts by Virginia Chamlee
Virginia Chamlee is a graduate of the University of North Florida and covers environmental issues, Florida's congressional delegation and reproductive rights for the Independent. She currently resides in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., with her rescued lab-shepherd mix, Chloe. You can reach Virginia by email at virginia [at] floridaindependent [dot] com or follow her on Twitter: @VChamlee.
USF Polytechnic decision coming soon
Gov. Rick Scott has only eight days to decide whether to sign a bill that would split off USF Polytechnic into the state’s 12th university.
Buchanan opponent raises nearly $300,000 during first quarter of 2012
Democrat Keith Fitzgerald’s campaign for Congress today announced that it raised nearly $300,000 in the first three months of 2012. Fitzgerald’s campaign received more than 1,500 individual contributions, with an average contribution of $136.
Seniors to rally against Buchanan today
A group of seniors will gather today to protest Congressman Vern Buchanan’s plan “to end Medicare” in Sarasota.
Lawmakers join nuclear advance fee lawsuit
A group of four state lawmakers has joined a lawsuit asking the state Supreme Court to overturn a law requiring utility customers to pay in advance for new nuclear plants, even if they’re never built.
Scott vetoes ‘Conservation of Wildlife’ bill
Gov. Rick Scott on Friday vetoed a bill that would have allowed for the placement of exotic animals (like zebras and rhinoceros) on public lands. H.B. 1117, known as the “Conservation of Wildlife” bill, was lambasted by environmental groups that argued it would “supplant threatened and iconic Florida species with exotic” animals.
USF Poly bill on its way to Scott’s desk
A bill that would split off USF Polytechnic as the state’s 12th university is on its way to Gov. Rick Scott’s desk. Scott has not said if he will sign the bill, which has been hotly contested among state legislators.
In deposition, ex-employee charges Florida congressman with wide variety of misdeeds
In a deposition given on Jan. 9 and obtained by The Florida Independent, a former employee of Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, alleges that he reported Buchanan to the U.S. government in 2008 for tax evasion and conspiracy to evade U.S. income tax, and that he has been in contact with federal officials about Buchanan.
Protesters oppose Terry Jones’ Jacksonville appearance
A handful of protestors showed up to protest the appearance of Terry Jones — the controversial religious leader who sparked worldwide protests by planning to burn Qurans at his Gainesville church in 2010 — at a Jacksonville hotel last night.
EPA names new Gulf of Mexico program director
The EPA today announced the appointment of a director of a broad program designed to “facilitate collaborative actions to protect, maintain, and restore the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico in ways consistent with the economic well-being of the Region.”
Term-limited state senator announces campaign for Florida House
State Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, today announced that he will launch a campaign for the Florida House. He will be seeking the newly created House District 36 seat, which encompasses large portions of western Pasco County.
