In response to last year’s attempt to quietly add a golf course, pickleball courts and hotels to state parks, legislation has been filed to try to prevent a repeat.
The bills, H209 and SB 80, specifically bans those facilities. The Senate Bill is advancing in committees with some minor amendments such as adding language to specifically bans hotels and other public lodgings.
The bill will allow cabins, which already exist in some state parks.
The proposed legislation also requires more public input into any changes in the parks’ management plans.
Sierra and other groups who were critical of last year’s proposal, which was done behind the scenes and only came to light as the result of whistleblower, have proposed stronger language.
The stronger language includes expanding the prohibition to other state conservation lands such as state forests and wildlife management areas. That list should also include wildlife environmental areas.
Further, the groups advocate getting rid of vague terms such as “to the maximum extent practicable” because such terms can invite abuses.
Meanwhile, a lot can happen during a legislative session, which begins next week . That is why it is important to contact your legislators to let them know you support stronger protection of state conservation lands.
Our local legislators are Sen. Ben Albritton. Sen. Colleen Burton Sen Erin Grall and Sen. Blaise Ingoglia. Also Reps. Jennifer Canady, Josie Tomkow ,Jon Albert, Jennifer Kincart Johnson, Vanessa Oliver and Kaylee Tuck.

For contact information, go to flsenate.gov or Florida House of Representatives – FlHouse.gov

This week Gov. Ron DeSantis was reportedly talking about pushing a constitutional amendment that would eliminate property taxes in Florida.
That may sound good politically, but in practice may cause a lot of mischief.
At this early point the idea raises questions.
For instance, how would that affect voter-approved property tax levies, such as the ones that many counties use to finance their environmental lands protection programs, often in partnership with state programs?
Also, how would any changes in the property tax regime affect special districts with modest taxing powers, such as Winter Haven’s Canal Commission?
The governor’s office will likely hear from these interests and others if this measure advances to sort out what the long-term and short-term effects of these proposals might be.
Stay tuned.

After being shelved in 2018, the Southport Connector is being actively considered again.
Officials from the Central Florida Expressway Authority briefed the Polk County Commission on one aspect of the project, which involves a way to reduce traffic congestion in Poinciana by building a second highway down the median of Cypress Parkway as an extension of the Poinciana Parkway.
The map of the other aspect of the project also showed a proposed new road that would loop through largely undeveloped agricultural land south of Lake Tohopekaliga to reach the Florida Turnpike and Canoe Creek Road.
A second road project is being considered that would loop northward to the eastern edge of St. Cloud to reach U.S. 192.

Even if these projects get the go ahead, they are probably at least 10 years out from the beginning of construction and the subsequent urban sprawl they will cause.
There are some public meetings coming later this year if you want to comment on any of these proposals.
Go to https://www.movepoinciana.com/