TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Legislature had directions from voters to spend millions of dollars on conservation land. But environmentalists say they didn't accomplish that task, and that could end with a date in front of a judge.
Lawmakers are expected to pass the budget with current Amendment 1 funding levels on Friday.
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Lawmakers had $700 million to devote toward environmental conservation under the voter-approved Amendment 1. Eric Draper with Audubon Florida said the amount that's actually being committed to land acquisition is far less than that.
"The Legislature only put $17 million into Florida Forever; that's about one-tenth what we ask them to put with Amendment 1 dollars," Draper said. "That's way off base for what the voter thought they were voting for."
Will Abberger, who helped get Amendment 1 on 2014's November ballot, said $17 million is a slap in the face to the 75 percent of Floridians who cast ballots.
"Frankly, that's an insult to Florida voters. When the 4.2 million voted yes on Amendment 1 last November, they voted to funds the land acquisition trust fund.
The hope was that $300 million would be committed to the Florida Forever program to be put toward buying land. State leaders say they're meeting the amendments requirements.
"I think the budget shows it covers the acquisition of land and water," Rep. Steve Crisafulli said.
Environmentalist now say that the Amendment 1 issue could be decided in a courtroom.
"All options are on the table," Abberger said. "What the Legislature is doing now is inconsistent with the purpose and intent of Amendment 1.
So where is all the money going? State agencies will be getting a cut.
If the matter is eventually decided by a judge, funding levels aren't likely to change this year. The Legislature would most likely be given more directions on how to spend the money in the future.