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.
VIDEO: Priorities USA Action releases ad tying Romney to Big Oil
Priorities USA Action today released an ad it says reveals Mitt Romney’s ties to Big Oil companies. According to Priorities, dedicated to protecting progressive leaders against what they call “misleading attacks,” the true motivation for Big Oil’s criticism of President Obama is to elect Mitt Romney, who the group says “stands to protect Big Oil’s profits at the expense of middle class Americans.”
Environmentalists want Scott to veto exotic wildlife bill
Florida’s so-called “Conservation of Wildlife” bill is set to be signed or vetoed by Gov. Rick Scott at some point in the near future, and despite the fact that the bill received overwhelming bipartisan support in the Florida Legislature, environmentalists have urged Scott to veto the measure.
Graham to discuss water conservation at University of Florida
Former Gov. and Sen. Bob Graham will make two presentations at the University of Florida next week, both detailing efforts to conserve the state’s natural resources.
New Birther lawsuit filed in Florida
A Broward-County Democrat has a filed suit seeking state officials to remove Barack Obama’s name from the 2012 election ballot, on the grounds that he has not documented that he is eligible for the office. Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner and the state Elections Canvassing Commission are named as defendants in the suit.
Buchanan receives U.S. Chamber’s ‘Spirit of Enterprise’ Award
Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, was one of several Florida GOP lawmakers to receive the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “Spirit of Enterprise” award. The award is based on rankings the Chamber gives members of Congress for key votes on issues established as priorities by the U.S. Chamber’s board of directors.
Republican Liberty Caucus to host Terry Jones in Jacksonville
The Republican Liberty Caucus of North East Florida will host Terry Jones in Jacksonville on Tues., April 3, for a speech titled: “Freedom of Speech, Religious Liberty, Christianity and Islam.” In 2010, Jones created a media firestorm when he threatened to burn Qurans at his Gainesville church, and has come under fire posting signs that read “Islam Is of the Devil.”
Oklahoma committee advances ‘personhood’ bill
State lawmakers in Oklahoma yesterday took up a piece of legislation that would grant “personhood” status to human embryos. The measure, which was passed by the state Senate, advanced through the House Public Health Committee, despite warnings that it could endanger the lives of women.
Everglades Foundation study finds that polluters don’t always clean up after themselves
According to a recently released study by the Everglades Foundation, the agriculture industry is responsible for 76 percent of the phosphorus pollution entering the Everglades. But despite passage of a “Polluter Pays” amendment to the state Constitution in 1996, the ag industry isn’t paying for even half of the cost of phosphorus removal, leaving the balance of the burden on the shoulders of taxpayers.
Obama announces new limits on carbon pollution from power plants
The EPA today proposed new limits on carbon pollution from new power plants. Environmentalists say the move will be a boon to Floridians, who get about 25 percent of their electricity from coal, but utility reps say the rules will “crush jobs” and arrest America’s economic recovery.
Scott talks Florida business, Trayvon Martin case on MSNBC
Appearing on MSNBC’s Morning Joe Monday morning, Gov. Rick Scott spoke about the importance of building up businesses in Florida, specifically in the wake of the BP oil spill, and also fielded questions about the controversial Trayvon Martin case.
