Advocates say Florida lawmakers still fail to implement land conservation program
TALLAHASSEE – Environmentalists gathered Monday at the Florida Capitol to celebrate the fifth anniversary of voters overwhelmingly approving a ballot measure aimed at steering billions of dollars toward land and water preservation.
But the fight over money remains.
“The unrealized potential that’s left and is before the Legislature today is to fund Florida Forever,” said Will Abberger, with the Trust for Public Land and campaign manager of the Amendment 1 proposal in 2014.
Amendment 1 was supported by 75 percent of Florida voters in 2014. It set aside 33 percent of tax collections from real estate documentary stamps to the state’s Land Acquisition Trust Fund to spend on environmental programs.
State analysts projected the measure could set aside $23 billion over the 20-year life of the measure. Voters across the state — including many from Republican-heavy coastal counties — backed the environmental push.
Read more: https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20191104/advocates-say-florida-lawmakers-still-fail-to-implement-land-conservation-program