Legislature again snubs bill to automatically fund Keys environmental protection, resiliency

For the third straight year, legislation setting permanent, recurring funding for Keys environmental protections and resiliency is likely dead.

The measure by Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez and Rep. Jim Mooney wouldn’t have cost the state more money. Florida’s budget earmarks $20 million yearly for those projects, done under the Florida Keys Stewardship Act.

The funding today comes through annual appropriations requests, which lawmakers approve during budgeting. Rodriguez and Mooney’s proposal would see the money instead come automatically through a Land Acquisition Trust Fund set-aside.

It’s not easy to get that money every year,” Rodriguez said, “and that funding is important.”

– Jesse Scheckner, Florida Politics