2009 Proposed Legislation Would Gut Florida's Growth Managment Process
A group of bills with strong support in the legislature would completely dismantle the Department of Community Affairs, the state's growth management agency, and reduce restrictions on developers. They would even eliminate impact fees that ensure sufficient infrastructure like schools and roads, and make it easier to fill wetlands.
Supporters of the effort say they're trying to kick-start Florida's economy. Opponents, including smart-growth advocates and environmentalists point out that too-rapid growth fueled by speculation caused Florida's economic slowdown, not government regulations designed to prevent sprawl and strained infrastructure. They argue that with 300,000 empty homes and many stalled commercial construction projects, poorly planned new development is not going to help the housing market or the economy.
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Sign the Letter to the Legislature
CIVIC Concern members are joining Progress Florida and other organizations in a letter to the legislature urging them to oppose proposals that would weaken Florida's growth management process and make it easier to drain wetlands. Opponents of the proposals say the changes would endanger Florida's environment and quality of life. Click here to sign on.
Write Your Elected Officials
Tell your legislators what you think about proposed legislation that will dismantle the state's growth management agency and make it easier for developers to drain wetlands. More
Learn More
Guest column:
Let's Not Create Chaos in the Protection of Our Natural Resources
Former House Speaker Jon Mills urges the Legislature not to dismantle the Department of Community Affairs and weaken Florida's growth management process. More
Orlando Sentinel: Rep. Cannon and his allies should abandon nonsensical attack on DCA
In a strongly worded editorial, the Orlando Sentinel blasts the proposals to dismantle the Department of Community Affairs and weaken growth management. More
St. Petersburg Times: Bill Would Dismantle Florida's Growth Management Agency
Claiming it will stimulate the economy, state legislators are pushing to eliminate the agency that oversees growth management and relax many regulations on developers. Smart growth advocates and environmentalists oppose the move. More
Miami Herald: Florida Lawmaker Marching to Developers' Beat
Some lawmakers in Tallahassee are trying to blame growth management rules for the economic crisis. Egged on by developers desperate to make the math work for their new projects at a time when credit is super tight, lawmakers have come up with a wild plan to ''fix'' what ails us: Dismantle the Department of Community Affairs, loosen rules on building in swampland and let local governments do their thing without the state's check and balance. More