Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 2nd, is the final day for Florida Governor and now U.S. Senate Candidate Charlie Crist to veto Florida Senate Bill 360. Governor Crist can either sign the bill into law, veto it, or do nothing - in which case the bill becomes law automatically. The consequences for Florida's unique plants, wildlife, and ecosystems couldn't be greater.
Details of this bill which redefines urban areas and allows for 'infill' (and what's wrong with that) can be found in following article:
CLICK HERE
If you prefer your news by video, an excellent summary is now up on YouTube here:
CLICK HERE
In spite of massive shortages of water (and drainage of our wetlands, lakes and rivers to supply that water), pollution to our coastlines and aquifers, enormous losses of Florida's native plant and animal species (e.g. up to 90% of south Florida's wading bird population has disappeared since the 1930's) and a housing market and foreclosure rate that is among the worst in the country, Florida's growth and sprawl industry, along with allies in the Florida legislature, says 'the show must go on'.
Even the one supposed benefit that counties receive from that sprawl - an increase in taxes to provide a better quality of life for its residents - has proven to be nothing but a mirage. While counties do receive a windfall in new tax revenues from sprawl, they also receive a much larger burden in new expenses.
This survey compiled by the American Farmland Trust is worth a long, hard look -
CLICK HERE
Throughout the entire nation, development of open lands has resulted in a net loss to local governments in terms of cost of services vs. revenues generated. As counties across our state now in the process of slashing budgets for transportation, libraries, parks and recreation, sheriffs deputies and other essential services can attest to, massive development of rural Florida has created none of the benefits it once promised.
Please add your voice to the many groups and individuals who are urging Governor Crist to veto SB 360. If the Governor wishes to represent the people of Florida in Washington, allowing a stinker of a bill like this to go through sends exactly the wrong message. Sustainable growth in already developed urban centers where residents have easy access to jobs, transportation, and energy - as well as nearby open spaces that allows for the enjoyment of hiking, fishing, hunting, and wildlife watching - is clearly the way to go. Tell Governor Crist to get off the fence and veto SB 360 now!
By phone - 850-488-4441
By email - charlie.crist@myflorida.com
No time to lose. If you can't get through by phone, please send a quick email.
Best regards,
Matthew Schwartz
Political and Everglades Issues Chair
Broward Group of the Sierra Club
Florida Sierra Political and Everglades Committees
Sierra Club National Wildlands Committee
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