FloridaTreeHugger

This morning I briefly interviewed Lee County Commissoner Ray Judah on the Florida legislature’s tentative agreement to continue to fund the Florida Forever program. While the agreement must be affirmed by the Budget Conference before we are completely out of the woods, Commissioner Judah feels confident that we will receive the funding and he explained to me how important the Florida Forever program is to the citizens of this area.

 “This funding goes to promote water supplies, provide people with a place to relax, promotes tourism by preserving our native wildlife, a whole number of things that are critical to the health of this county,” Judah told me. “I’m grateful that state lawmakers can see this, too.”

Still up in the air is the subject of funding for Everglades restoration, which the House recommended to deny. Commissioner Judah says that ceasing funding for the Everglades makes absolutely no sense, especially in light of the fact that the federal government has finally agreed to hold up its end of the bargain.

“The state legislature would be ill-advised to reduce or cut funding for the Everglades since Congress, who has only given 300 million dollars up to this point, has agreed to invest 3 billion.” he said, “It’s important for the state to step up.” When I asked if the federal government might withdraw their funding if the state doesn’t pony up, Ray sighed and said, “It’s a possibility.”

Keri Hendry