Advertise on podcast: The As Bad As It Is In Florida Podcast

Send us Fan Mail This week, the Ryans discuss Amendment Three, the property tax amendment, and what the implications are if it is passed.  For further reading on the subject, check out: https://www.floridapolicy.org/posts/florida-property-tax-amendment-ballot-language-summary https://jasongarcia.substack.com/p/here-we-go-again Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at:  [email protected] Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us Fan Mail This week Ryan and Ryan discuss the history of land conservation in Florida as well as look at what lies ahead. Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at:  [email protected] Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us Fan Mail   This week, the Ryans provide updates on bills that still have significance in the last weeks of the legislative session.   The following are action alerts for some of the bills discussed.    Action Alerts:  PLEASE COMPLETE ASAP!  Some of these action alerts are very time sensitive.  DEP Bill HB 1417/SB 1510  https://floridaspringscouncil.good.do/2026legislativesession/SB-1510-FiscalPolicy/    Blue Ribbon Projects HB 299/SB354  https://waterkeepersflorida.good.do/developersdreambill/committee-rules/    Tributaries of the St Johns River (Blue Ribbon Projects) HB 981/SB 1066  Call Senate President Albritton at 850-487-5027.  You can help by stating that you support Ocklawaha Restoration SB 1066 and want to be heard on the Senate Floor!  Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at:  [email protected] Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us Fan Mail This week, the Madcaps have special guest Bri, the Community Engagement Manager from the Florida Trail Association, to discuss Florida Trail Fest.  The festival has hikes, paddling, events, classes, food trucks, and much more!  The festival runs from Friday afternoon, March 6th, to Sunday, March 8th.  For schedule and details go to:  https://floridatrail.org/ftf/?srsltid=AfmBOoqZ_VxFVMoipjsAAsFJWegbf9bWZSM-rRm5T1nKpla-TzEJnaJM The following businesses are sponsoring the event: Florida Hikes Florida Wildlife Corridor CS Instant Coffee In The Hedges Hiker Ministry FT Thru Hikes Suwannee Hardware Store Sandhill Chapter FTA FarOut NoNormal Food Trucks: Trail FEST Food Trucks: Wild Man Foods Hibachi Hotspot Radha’s Kitchen You can expect the following vendors:   ZPacks        Florida State Parks                                                                      Foundation                Pinhoti Outdoor Center                                               Hangcon/Hammock Hangers Podcast Cover Yer Assets                                                           REI Co-op Dottie Foods                                                                     University of Florida REC Lab WildBatch                                                                          OgZ DeZigns  Authentica Travel                                                           ALDHA Patchoulize                                                                       Bead by Bead Adventures Monster Krunch Trekalla American Red Cross Bend There Done That Cracker Trail Co. Terpstra Glass Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission  Swamplight Ceramics Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at:  [email protected] Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us Fan Mail The Ryans respond to an online comment regarding the Ocklawaha River Restoration bill and provided updates on some significant bills.  In this episode, the following bills were discussed.  HB 1421: Cattle Grazing on State Land (Albert) / SB 1658: Cattle Grazing on State Lands (Truenow)   HB 299: Blue Ribbon Projects (Melo) / SB 354: Blue Ribbon Projects (McClain)   HB 433: Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (Alvarez)/ SB 290: Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (Truenow)   HB 575: Auxiliary Containers (Weinberger)/ SB 240: Auxiliary Containers (Garcia)  Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at:  [email protected] Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us Fan Mail   Tuesday 2/3 House State Affairs Committee (17 HOB) (8:00 - 10:00 am) HB 441: Conservation Lands (Kendall)Passed 23-0HB 981: Tributaries of St. Johns River (Duggan)Passed, as amended, 23-0Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee (110 SOB) (3:30 - 5:30 pm) SB 1510: Department of Environmental Protection (Massullo)Passed, as amended, 7-0SPB 7034: Ratification of Rules of the Florida Dep. of Environmental ProtectionPassed 6-1Wednesday 2/4  House Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget Sub. (314 HOB) (1:30 - 3:30 pm) HB 433: Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (Alvarez)Passed 14-0Senate Approps. Comm. on Envir., Ag., and Gen. Gov. (412 Knott) (3:45 - 6:00 pm) SB 546: Conservation Lands (Mayfield)Passed 11-0SB 1066: Tributaries of St. Johns River (Brodeur)Passed, as amended, 10-1SB 1120: Water Management Districts (Brodeur)Passed 11-0Only has two appropriations committeesThursday 2/5 House Housing, Agriculture, and Tourism (17 HOB) (12:30 - 3:30 pm) HB 1245: Biosolids Management (Shoaf)Passed 16-0  Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at:  [email protected] Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us Fan Mail   HB 495: Golf Course Best Management Practices Certification (Albert) Passed 15-0 The week ahead:   Tuesday 2/3  House State Affairs Committee (17 HOB) (8:00 - 10:00 am) HB 441: Conservation Lands (Kendall)Final CommitteeHB 981: Tributaries of St. Johns River (Duggan)Final Committee   Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee (110 SOB) (3:30 - 5:30 pm) SB 1510: Department of Environmental Protection (Massullo)First CommitteeSPB 7034: Ratification of Rules of the Florida Dep. of Environmental ProtectionFirst Committee  Senate Approps. Comm. on Envir., Ag., and Gen. Gov. (412 Knott) (3:45 - 6:00 pm) Wednesday 2/4  SB 302: Nature-based Solutions for Improving Coastal Resilience (Garcia)Second of three committeesSB 546: Conservation Lands (Mayfield)Second of three committeesSB 636: Beach Management (Leek)SB 1066: Tributaries of St. Johns River (Brodeur)Second of three committeesSB 1120: Water Management Districts (Brodeur)First of two committees     Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at:  [email protected] Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us Fan Mail Week three isn't over, but there were many bills being heard that impact Florida's environment.  Ryan and Ryan have your breakdown of what impacts Florida: SB 290: Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (Truenow): Temp Postponed HB 11: Designation of State Birds (Mooney) Passed 25-0 HB 981: Tributaries of St. Johns River (Duggan) Passed 28-0 SB 1294: Biosolids Management (Bradley) Passed, as amended, 8-0 SB 1468: Advanced Wastewater Treatment (Berman) Passed 8-0 SB 1474: Biosolids Management (Gaetz) Passed, as amended, 8-0 SB 1628: Net-Zero Policies by Governmental Entities (Avila) Passed, as amended, 5-3 HB 441: Conservation Lands (Kendall) Passed 14-0 HB 673: Release of Conservation Easements (Duggan) Passed 15-2  HB 1035: Nature-based Coastal Resiliency (Mooney) HB 1245: Biosolids Management (Shoaf) Passed 18-0 HB 1421: Cattle Grazing on State Land (Albert) Passed 16-2  Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at:  [email protected] Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us Fan Mail Tuesday 1/27 Senate Rules Committee (412 Knott Building) (9:00 - 11:30 am) HB 167: Former Phosphate Mining Lands (McClure) House State Affairs Committee (17 HOB) (9:30 - 11:30 am) HB 11: Designation of State Birds (Mooney) House Budget Committee (17 HOB) (3:00 - 6:00 pm) HB 981: Tributaries of St. Johns River (Duggan) Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee (110 SOB) (3:30-5:30 pm) SB 1294: Biosolids Management (Bradley) SB 1474: Biosolids Management (Gaetz) Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at:  [email protected] Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us Fan Mail This week, the Ryans discuss bills that are already relevant during week two of Florida's 2026 legislative session.  The bills discussed are:   SB 1066: Tributaries of St. Johns River (Brodeur) & HB 981: Tributaries of St. Johns River (Duggan) SB 546: Conservation Lands (Mayfield) & HB 441 Kendall SB 240: Auxiliary Containers (Garcia) & HB 575: Auxiliary Containers (Weinberger) SB 354: Blue Ribbon Projects (McClain) & HB 299: Blue Ribbon Projects (Melo) SB 544: Golf Courses (Truenow) & HB 495: Golf Course Best Management Practices Certification (Albert) SB 718: Water Management (McClain) & HB 479: Land and Water Management (Maggard)  Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at:  [email protected] Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us Fan Mail This week Ryan and Ryan discuss some of the bills that have been filed so far: SB 240 Aux Containers https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/240/?Tab=BillText SB 208 Land Use and Development Regulations  https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/240/?Tab=BillText SB 354 Blue Ribbon Projects https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/354 HB 479 Land and Water Management https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/479 Craig Pittman's Article regarding the same bill filed back in 2023: https://floridaphoenix.com/2023/03/16/how-a-destroyed-eagle-nest-led-florida-legislators-to-attack-local-pollution-rules/ SB 544 Golf Courses https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/544 SB 546 Conservation Lands https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/546 Florida Springs Council's (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) Advocacy 101 Webinar https://www.youtube.com/live/sLjRPeOved8?si=jsB9GFXGHL6BuqJW Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at:  [email protected] Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us Fan Mail This week, the DEP and SWFWMD gave presentations to committees in both the House and the Senate to discuss Florida Forever, Conservation Land Swaps, The Everglades, Forever Chemicals, and much more. This episode is a new format for a shorter, more nimble podcast that can get information out before it becomes outdated in the fast-paced legislative environment.    Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at:  [email protected] Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us Fan Mail This week Ryan and Ryan discuss the presentations by FWC, DEP, SWFWMD, and other agencies of the health of areas that they are monitoring.  Also discussed are two pro development bills and one bill that would help control Florida's trash problem. HB 105: Local Government Enforcement Actions (Brackett) SB 208: Land Use and Development Regulations (McClain)SB 240: Auxiliary Containers (Garcia) Upcoming Legislative Committee Weeks Read more about the lawsuits over SB 180 here & here Find your local delegation meeting  Delegation Meeting Talking Points Sign the It's About Dam Time Pledge Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at:  [email protected] Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us Fan Mail This week, Ryan and Ryan discuss the Florida Black Bear hunt and the number of applicants for the bear tag lottery, many purchased by those who do not want to hunt bears in an effort to limit the bears killed during the season.   In Destin, a 4-acre sand dune is up for sale for 83.3 million dollars (when it was purchased in 2017 for 8 million), and can be bought with Florida Wildlife Corridor Funds, despite not being in the Wildlife Corridor or on any priority list for conservation lands.  It has the appearance of a developer bailout. Finally, the cabinet is going to vote on an exception where someone who has a conservation easement on their property also wants to use it to sell wetland mitigation bank credits.  Nothing like being paid not to develop your property and then using it to allow the development of wetlands in other areas. Florida got 160,000 requests to hunt bears, but many applicants plan to sit out Florida wants to buy 4 acres in the Panhandle. The price tag? $83M (Tampa Bay Times) September 30, 2025, Florida Cabinet Agenda (See items 3b and 4f) 2025 Florida Forever Priority Projects Find your local delegation meeting  Delegation Meeting Talking Points Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at:  [email protected] Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us Fan Mail This week Ryan & Ryan discuss the proposed Springs National Park, developers using SB 180 to avoid regulations, and how you can share the issues that you care about with your state elected officials. For a list of upcoming delegation meetings: https://1000fof.org/upcoming-events/ Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at:  [email protected] Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/