As red tide burns, our Legislature fiddles — and considers bills that could make things worse

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We would think that given the red tide’s impact on the west coast and the potential for a major blue-green algae bloom on Lake Okeechobee this spring, legislators would recognize the need to sidetrack bills that could ultimately result in more water pollution.

But that’s not how Tallahassee works. Special interests want what they want — and cleaner water isn’t high on their list.

But if it’s high on your list — you might contact your state Representatives or Senators and tell them to knock it off with bills that boost sprawl, undermine local clean-water rules and disempower citizens.

Because slowing or stopping red tide will require a years-long fight. But the one thing we can do, right now, is to stop the bleeding.

In an Orlando Sentinel op-ed, VoteWater Board President Blair Wickstrom makes the case that federal sugar subsidies impost higher costs on consumers, contribute to Big Sugar's political clout - and ultimately contribute to the degradation of our environment and our waterways.

The image of a dead manatee, shared first by Florida Sportsman, was arresting - and hopefully it's enough to compel viewers and readers to get elected leaders to renew the fight to fix Tampa Bay.

Don't follow us on social? Let's change that!

P.S. Signatures Needed! The "Right to Clean and Healthy Waters" petition needs 900,000 signature by November 30 to get on the 2024 ballot. The petition can be printed out and signed here: http://www.floridarighttocleanwater.org/