When officials tried to exploit public spaces for private profit, you responded. And we won

Dear VoteWater supporter:

As you might have heard by now, the state parks bill passed. The Florida Senate amended and then passed HB 209 yesterday; late this morning the Florida House signed off, and now it's headed for the desk of Gov. Ron DeSantis.

VoteWater first got involved in the state parks issue because one of the worst proposals — to build a golf course in Jonathan Dickinson State Park — was right in our Martin County-based backyard.

But our focus has long been on the political corruption that leads to the degradation of our natural resources — and the state parks fiasco seemed a case in point. Certainly, the Jonathan Dickinson scheme and other proposals elsewhere would have had an impact on local water resources.

But the broader issue was this: If state officials were willing to use our public spaces for private profit this way, what else would they do?

That's why it was important for all of us to push back — and you did.

Since last summer, VoteWater supporters sent emails, made phone calls and kept the pressure on legislators to pass legislation to ensure this never happens again. The bill that passed the state Senate yesterday, and state House today, gets us there.

We'll keep the champagne on ice until Gov. DeSantis actually signs the bill — but if and when he does, we can celebrate a clear win. In the meantime, know you made a difference — and thanks!

Gil Smart, VoteWater Executive Director

The fight for clean water needs you!

At VoteWater we advocate. Investigate. Agitate. Educate. We track "dirty money" and work to make sure your voice is heard in the halls of power.

But we can't do this without you. So please consider supporting our work for better water policy and policy-makers, and the clean-water future that all Floridians deserve.

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