TALLAHASSEE — Mark Wilson, President and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, announced his organization’s support for continued funding of the Florida Forever Program.
“The Florida Chamber believes the Florida Forever program makes an important contribution to the long-term economic well-being of our state and preservation of the quality of life of our next generation,” said Wilson. “Florida’s economic future is dependent on a ‘knowledge workforce’ and that future workforce is looking for a high quality of life, sustainable communities and a commitment to the environment.”
Wilson announced at a news conference at the State Capitol that he has sent to Senate President Jeff Atwater and House Speaker Larry Cretul letter expressing the Chamber’s backing of an appropriation of $4.875 million in the FY 10 State budget. This funding would continue Florida Forever next year and enable the issuance of as much as $50 million in bonds for land purchases.
The Florida Forever Coalition is comprised of more than 175 groups that promote the program’s many environmental, recreational, water supply, hunting, fishing, and agricultural benefits.
Among the Florida leaders who have previously expressed their support for Florida Forever funding are former Governors, Jeb Bush, Bob Martinez, Bob Graham, and Reubin Askew, and Attorney General Bill McCollum, CFO Alex Sink, and State Senator Paula Dockery.
Comments
Florida Forever is a political slush fund. Look at how it was used to funnel 2.5 million above appraisal price to a major Crsit and McCollum donor named Mori Hosseini in a land deal known as Stanaki. Since when did Floridians hacve to start buying back the development rights that were granted on land during negotiations to buy that saem land?/ It is a rip off and must be ended !!
At least it is the right direction. I know what James is saying above: it seems stupid to trust the politicians. But I also think any action is better than none. Take a close look - Florida is a big ugly burned out trash dump. It is a stopped up toilet. It shouldn't be that hard to clean things up. More than most states, Florida was once – and could again be – harmonious paradise.
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