OOldPolitics

Conservationists criticize changes to new Florida water regulations

The federally mandated numeric nutrient criteria, a set of standards to govern water pollution in the state of Florida, have been harshly criticized by industry, agriculture and even lawmakers — who argue the criteria are too stringent and would result in job losses and stymie business growth. But now a new set of critics have emerged: environmentalists, who feel the criteria aren't quite stringent enough to make any real impact.
OOldPolitics

Ag cuts may be written into ‘Super Committee’ process, rather than as part of Farm Bill

The 2012 Farm Bill will be hotly debated in Congress in coming months, as members look to cut spending from the federal budget. But recent reports detail a move to include major agricultural cuts in the deficit reduction plan to be developed by the so-called congressional Super Committee, as a way to ensure that legislators don't make even more drastic cuts when they write the forthcoming farm legislation.
OOldPolitics

Audubon of Florida director defends claims of water mismanagement in South Florida

A recent column published on Sunshine State News, titled Lying About Lake O to Win Hearts and Minds: The Eric Draper Story, alleged that Audubon of Florida's executive director was lying about the mismanagement of Lake Okeechobee, which has suffered as a result of the recent South Florida drought. In a response, Draper writes that although the column is derisive, it brings much-needed attention to the issue at hand.
OOldPolitics
Florida among states cutting costs by limiting Medicaid hospital coverage
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Florida among states cutting costs by limiting Medicaid hospital coverage

Kaiser Health News and USA Today report that Florida is among a slew of states that have been cutting costs by limiting hospital coverage in their Medicaid plans. Last week, an official for Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration suggested that the state further cut coverage to a maximum of 12 emergency room visits a year for each Medicaid beneficiary.
OOldPolitics
Chocolate Almond Balls
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  • 2 minute read

Personhood USA pressures Romney to pick a side on Mississippi amendment

Though GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney has caught flack for apparent flip-flops on abortion issues, perhaps none are quite as critical of him as fetal personhood supporters. The personhood movement wants governments to legally define a human being from the moment of conception, and Keith Mason, the head of Personhood USA, is saying that Romney should clarify his stance on the issue.
OOldPolitics

Sentinel: Scott’s release of professor salaries shows Florida falls below national average

Gov. Rick Scott sparked a debate when he released the salary data on dozens of professors at Florida's public universities. The move, said a Scott spokesperson, was simply about transparency. Critics, however, argued the data was released as part of Scott's effort to push for major higher education change in the state. Now examination of the data by the Orlando Sentinel reveals that Florida professors actually earn less than the national average.
OOldPolitics
Water hearing critics
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Florida congressman again defends water hearing critics say was one-sided

Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, has been playing defense lately. A recent water pollution hearing he sponsored in Orlando has been subject to scrutiny, mainly because he invited a slew of agriculture and industrial interests to testify, and only one environmental advocate (who was invited at the last minute). In a new op-ed, Stearns again defends himself against claims that the hearing was one-sided, writing that no environmental groups contacted office or the committee office seeking to testify until after it was final.