Most went to PACs - and to the industry's 'Friends'   Final tally: Big Sugar spent $3.6 million on state politics in 2023 The final numbers are in — and they’re big. In 2023, Big Sugar political spending in Florida totaled over $3.6 million, with the vast majority — $2.9 million — coming from industry giant U.S. Sugar. Florida Crystals chipped in just over $745,000, while the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative spent $23,000. The numbers are likely to be far higher in 2024 — an election year. As we’ve reported previously, almost all this money went to PACs, political action committees. Nearly half, $1.8 million, went to the Florida Chamber of Commerce PAC, one of the biggest committees in the state. The PAC has long gotten big funding from Big Sugar — and in turn donates plenty to sugar-friendly politicians. The Republican Party of Florida got more than $218,000 from U.S. Sugar and Florida Crystals, while the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee got $200,000, all from U.S. Sugar. The Democratic Legislative Campaign and the Democratic Party, respectively, got $25,000 and $15,000, all from U.S. Sugar. And Big Sugar remembered its “friends,” with U.S. Sugar in particular supporting elected officials who have their own PACs. Senate Majority Leader Ben Albritton, next in line for the Senate Presidency, saw U.S. Sugar donate $50,000 to his “Friends of Ben Albritton” committee, and another $50,000 to “Advancing Florida Agriculture,” a committee he chairs. U.S. Sugar also gave $100,000 to Friends of Wilton Simpson; Simpson is the state’s Agriculture Commissioner and a likely candidate for governor in 2026. TO SEE THE DATA, CLICK HERE SUPPORT OUR WORK WITH A DONATION TO VOTEWATER   DEEP DIVE: How much will it cost to fix the Indian River Lagoon? You’ve seen the headlines: Gov. Ron DeSantis got $100 million last year and wants another $100 million this year for the “Indian River Lagoon Protection Program,” a new initiative to fund solutions for the lagoon’s myriad ecological problems. The funding is welcome. But the reality is, it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the overall cost of fixing the lagoon. In our latest “Deep Dive” we take a closer look at the projects and programs that seek to save the lagoon from pollution, seagrass loss, manatee deaths and more. We’re talking billions upon billions; it’s daunting. But the cost of inaction and losing this national treasure and economic driver is even steeper. CLICK HERE TO READ OUR REPORT VoteWater in the news VoteWater Executive Director Gil Smart was profiled in a story by The Invading Sea website, a nonpartisan source for news, commentary and educational content about climate change and other environmental issues affecting Florida. Smart talked of how citizens can have an impact on clean-water policy, and how climate change will have an impact on clean water. Key quote: "I would like to live in a Florida where I don’t have to ask what’s in this water. Where I don’t have to worry that if my kids go swimming in the lagoon that they might get sick." Lake O watch: Yikes See that red line, terminating in the red dot at 16.31 feet? That's where Lake Okeechobee stood on Tuesday. Not good — and the harbinger of a tough spring. ICYMI: Rogues gallery of bad-bill sponsors Last week we took a look at the legislators behind some of the worst proposals out of Tallahassee this session, and did some digging into their campaign finances to see who gave them money — and whether that's a reason behind their decision to sponsor dirty-water bills. READ THE REPORT BECOME A MEMBER DONATE VoteWater 3727 SE Ocean Blvd Suite 200-A Stuart, FL 34996 | (772) 212-2939 VoteWater | 3727 SE Ocean Blvd, Suite 200-A, Stuart, FL 34996 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!