From Florida’s state capitol, Friends of the Everglades executive director Eve Samples brings you your Voice of the Everglades update:
Every now and then, the good guys score a win in Tallahassee.
That’s exactly what happened last Tuesday, when a bill to protect state parks from harmful development was amended to close a couple of gaping loopholes. Friends of the Everglades and our allies have been working hard to ensure the threats we saw last summer – golf courses, hotel-like lodges, pickleball courts – don’t reemerge in our cherished state parks.
State Rep. John Snyder, the lead sponsor in the House, listened to our concerns and responded with an amendment to HB 209 that gets the job done. The amended bill passed 22-0 in the House State Affairs Committee last Tuesday — with many of our conservation allies supporting.
More good news: The bill has regained life in the Senate and is scheduled for a committee hearing Tuesday. Our relentless teamwork is paying off!
Check out the video above to learn how we can work together to get a good bill across the finish line to safeguard state parks.
