Tallahassee is about to destroy our right to protect Florida

1000 Friends of Florida says: 

SB 540, “Local Government Comprehensive Plans,” and its counterpart in the Florida House of Representatives, HB 359, have moved rapidly through the legislative process, with only one committee stop left in the Senate. Join us in calling for Senate leadership to stop SB 540 from being placed on the Rules Committee agenda and shut down this bad bill. More here.

Why is this crucial? Let's remember:

Rick Scott

'RedTideRick' defanged Florida's Regional Planning Councils, depriving them of enforcement power over large scale developments. This power had kept DRI's (Developments of Regional Impact) from their worst excesses.

 Scott also extinguished the Dept of Community Affairs (DCA). 

Without those regional and state regulatory layers, the only thing standing between Carlos, Pat, Randy, Rex and their unlimited ambitions was local government. So Carlos, Pat, Randy and Rex bought the Sarasota and Manatee Boards. 

That left only We the People to oppose developments with bad impacts. 

When (if) SB 540 and House Bill 359 pass, if we file suit to oppose a terrible project, like building right alongside wetlands, the state and DeSantis will make us liable for huge attorney fees. 

The Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association says 

"HELP US STOP SB 540"

Click here to oppose SB 540 and HB 359

Critical Times: Corporate support for Voter Suppression and Tallahassee's squelching of free speech

Stories from the July Issue of Critical Times -- the info is important, local, and free.

Top 25 Corporate Contributors to Voter Suppression Supporters

Tallahassee - First in reducing public expression - 

Tallahassee also first in Voter Suppression - which local elected officials supported suppressing your vote?

Model letter opposing SB 410

Skye Ranch off of Clark Rd. in Sarasota 

While Covid19 might have put a hold on building large housing developments like "Skye Ranch" in Sarasota County, it hasn't slowed the progress of the state legislature. 

A bill on its way to Governor Ron DeSantis's desk would hamper the ability of local governments to create their own comprehensive plans, annex land, and initiate other land use actions.

Sierra Club Florida says: SB 410 is a bill that will further weaken Florida’s already crippled growth management laws that attempt to provide for the intelligent use of the state’s lands. SB 410 passed both the Florida House and Senate and will go to Gov. DeSantis to become law UNLESS he vetoes it. 

SB 410  The bill is here. If passed, it would

• Turn growth management upside down.
• Eliminate the applicability of county-wide land use regulations to cities in the county, if the city has adopted its own comp plan. 
• Require new “property rights” element to be included in all comprehensive plans.
• Require automatic approval of utility application to use right-of-way if 14-day deadline is not met (regardless of impact on community)

1000 Friends of Florida, the Herald Tribune, Sierra, and many other organizations are asking Governor DeSantis to veto this bill - which would in part, they say, clear the way for high-density development in designated rural areas. More on this here.


>>Please call Gov. DeSantis at 850-488-7146 and urge him to veto SB 410.<<

Here's a model letter with the Governor's email address:

Dear Governor DeSantis, 

SB 410 would curtail the authority of most county governments to manage growth within their borders, making residents more vulnerable to negative impacts to their environment, quality of life, property values and tax bills. The amended bill would allow county controls to be superseded by municipalities. It could clear the way for high-density development in designated rural areas. 

Please veto this bill. 

Your name
Address
Phone 

Send to governorron.desantis@eog.myflorida.com

----

Another letter:

Dear Governor DeSantis, 

SB 410 would curtail the authority of most county governments to manage growth within their borders, making residents more vulnerable to negative impacts to their environment, quality of life, property values and tax bills. 

The amended bill would allow county controls to be superseded by municipalities. 

This bill could clear the way for high-density development in designated rural zoning areas.  

Urban sprawl does not belong in rural lands. Deforestation destroys critical habitats, open space and quality of life. The creation of Impervious surface causes storm water run off pollution in water resources and increases the heat island effect.   

Overdevelopment is in fact the #1 cause of climate change and sealevel rise in Florida. 

Florida's citizens pay three times for over-development, through loss of our natural heritage and environment, the cost of infrastructure and then again to clean up the mess developers leave behind. 

Please protect our state and citizens by veto of SB 410.  

Sincerely, 

Your name
Address
Phone

Send to governorron.desantis@eog.myflorida.com