Email from VoteWater In wake of Tampa Bay spill, a look at how industry doles out millions to decision-makers   Pollution spill? Dirty Money will clean that right up! Item: Officials with Tampa-based phosphate company Mosaic’s facility in Riverview said earlier this month that an unknown amount of polluted water spilled into Tampa Bay in the wake of Hurricane Milton. The company said it expected water quality issues, if any, to be “modest.” Well, gee. THAT sure makes us feel better. Florida's phosphate mining industry has “a record of contaminating the environment through radioactive waste leakage and water pollution that threatens Florida’s groundwater resources,” according to the Center for Biological Diversity. The owner of the infamous Piney Point site, HRK Holdings, was just found liable for a 2021 spill that caused a massive fish kill. Given the environmentally risky nature of the phosphate mining business, it makes sense that the industry would cultivate friends in high places. And it does so, in part, by giving those “friends” lots of money. Our “Dirty Money Project” tracked industry donations, finding that the company spent $2.7 million on political giving since 2018, and the Florida Phosphate Political Committee — funded largely by Mosaic — gave another $1.8 million. Among the biggest recipients: The Republican Party of Florida, which got $435,000 since 2018; the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign, which got more than $250,000; Gov. Ron DeSantis' "Empower Parents" PAC, which got $75,000; Florida Sen. Jim Boyd, whose campaign and "Friends of Jim Boyd" PAC got $22,000 since 2018; Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, whose "Friends of Wilton Simpson" PAC got $10,000. “Generosity” like this helps stave off additional regulation that might help protect our waters. In the wake of the Milton-related spill, Suncoast Waterkeeper Justin Tramble told the Tampa Bay Times: “Every storm, every significant rainfall event we are crossing our fingers that there are no big spills. Something has to change, because that hope isn’t good enough.” Until we curb the influence of dirty money — hope is the only plan we’ve got. HELP SUPPORT OUR WORK! VoteWater endorses Steve Friedman for Islamorada Village Council VoteWater has endorsed Steve Friedman for Islamorada Village Council. Friedman is a backcountry fishing guide and the former Commodore of the Florida Keys Fishing Guides Association. He helped form Florida Bay Forever, served on the Islamorada Near Shore Water Regulation Committee and is a member of Captains for Clean Water. “Steve Friedman is a long-time friend to the clean-water cause and we're proud to endorse him,” said Gil Smart, VoteWater Executive Director. “He understands how crucial clean water is to the economy of the Keys, and to Florida itself.” For the full story, visit VoteWater.org. READ THE FULL ENDORSEMENT Sen. Rodriguez gets big bucks from polluters Florida Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez has chaired the key Environment & Natural Resources Committee, an important stop for legislation that could have beneficial — or detrimental — impacts on our waterways. So it was disappointing to see Rodriguez got $484,500 from polluters, including major contributions from "polluter PACs" to her "Ethics & Honesty in Government" PAC (try not to laugh at the name); and two $10,000 contributions from U.S. Sugar to that PAC. Our Dirty Money Project has more details — and stay tuned for more updates! CHECK OUT THE DIRTY MONEY PROJECT ICYMI: Dirty Money Project makes headlines VoteWater’s “Dirty Money Project” is making headlines across the Sunshine State. Executive Director Gil Smart’s Oct. 4 op-ed in the Miami Herald explained how “dirty money” to dirty politicians is a root cause of dirty water. Then, Craig Pittman touted the Dirty Money Project in his column for the Florida Phoenix, encouraging readers to see how much campaign cash their elected officials got. Meanwhile, our partners at the Stetson University College of Law are digging through lobbying data; we hope to publish that report soon. And we continue to update our database with new information about new “dirty” donations to decision-makers at the federal, state and county commission level. As always, our goal remains to empower you, to tell you who’s trying to “buy” your local decision-makers and give you the facts you need to demand change. Your support can help us dig up even more “dirty” details. Please consider donating to VoteWater today! Donate Now! Become a Member     VoteWater | 3727 SE Ocean Blvd. Suite 200A | Stuart, FL 34996 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice