Florida lawmakers ended the 2020 legislative session by approving House Bill 1339 that authorizes local governments to approve affordable housing on any land zoned for residential, commercial or industrial use. Gov. Ron DeSantis would need to sign or veto the bill. Lawmakers could vote to override the veto. The bill introduced by Republican Rep. Clay…
In Florida we have a habit of cheering half measures and Johnny-come-lately actions from our public leaders. To wit: The Florida Legislature last week passed the first bill in a decade that acknowledges climate change – this in a state widely known as extraordinarily vulnerable to our altered climate. The bill will require that the…
Gainesville residents and visitors are a step closer to being able to navigate the streets on rented electric scooters. The City Commission voted on the first read of an ordinance regulating “dockless electric scooters” last week. The vote was to adopt the permit program that would allow the scooters, called “micromobility devices” by city officials,…
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, wants Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto a bill that would allow Floridians to legally buy fireworks for use three days a year. The animal rights group expressed concerns that the proposal approved by the Legislature last week “would endanger the state’s most vulnerable residents of many…
For 4-year-old Cadynce Nettles a Saturday morning walk in the park took on new meaning March 7 as the New Port Richey Public Library celebrated the opening of a permanent installation called StoryWalk at the James E. Grey Preserve. Her mom, Amy Garton, could barely keep up with Cadynce, who bounded down the trail looking…
Florida faces many vital issues related to managing and planning for growth, conserving critical lands and waters, and protecting the environment. During the most recent Florida Legislative Session, more than 3,500 bills were introduced with only 194 passing into law. To make the best use of our limited resources, each session 1000 Friends identifies our…
FRA Webinar: 2020 CRA LOCAL ANNUAL REPORTS Thursday, March 19th 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDST Although the local annual report due March 31 has been the law for many years for CRAs in Florida, the contents of the report have been changed. It is a SHORT list of contents, but EVERY CRA must make…
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), creators of the LEED green building rating system, announced the City of Sarasota is among 20 new cities and counties selected to participate in the 2020 LEED for Cities and Communities Grant Program. The program helps local governments committed to accelerating progress on climate change, resilience and social equity…
Coordinators behind three of Tallahassee’s largest upcoming festivals are all keeping close watch as cases of the coronavirus increase in Florida and around the nation. The 52nd Annual Springtime Tallahassee is scheduled for March 27 and 28 and has been cancelled only once in its history when the two-day event was rained out two years ago.…
Plans are accelerating for a shuttle to transport people from Coquina Beach to Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency members voted 5-0 March 4 to direct CRA member Jake Spooner, also a city commissioner, to work with city attorney Ricinda Perry and city engineer Lynn Burnett to plan the tram’s path.…
Tallahassee, Fla. – The Sadowski Coalition – a nonpartisan collection of 32 statewide organizations – today issued the following statement attributed to Jaimie Ross, facilitator of the Sadowski Coalition and president and CEO of the Florida Housing Coalition, regarding the announcement that the Florida House agreed to the Florida Senate’s budget position to use all affordable housing trust…
The Senate gave preliminary approval to a bill Thursday creating a sea level rise office and task force. That measure (SB 7016), written by the Senate Infrastructure and Security Committee and spearheaded by Chair Tom Lee, creates the Statewide Office of Resiliency and the Statewide Sea-Level Rise Task Force. The state’s Chief Resilience Officer (CRO),…
