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SD public defense duties shift from counties to state; SCOTUS appears skeptical of restricting government communications with social media companies; Trump lawyers say he can't make bond; new scholarships aim to connect class of 2024 to high-demand jobs.

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The SCOTUS weighs government influence on social media, and who groups like the NRA can do business with. Biden signs an executive order to advance women's health research and the White House tells Israel it's responsible for the Gaza humanitarian crisis.

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Midwest regenerative farmers are rethinking chicken production, Medicare Advantage is squeezing the finances of rural hospitals and California's extreme swing from floods to drought has some thinking it's time to turn rural farm parcels into floodplains.

Playing Politics With Florida Water Pollution?

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Friday, July 15, 2011   

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A critic of Florida's 7th District congressman is charging that he is playing a pollution shell game with big oil and the health of the state's waterways.

The House of Representatives passed a bill this week which would block the Environmental Protection Agency from tightening limits on water pollution without a state's consent. Darden Rice, Florida director of the Gulf Restoration Network, claims this legislation threatens Florida's shorelines, rivers and streams.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., a key proponent of offshore oil drilling along Florida's coasts. Rice says she wonders how far polluters will be allowed to go.

"This is clearly, certainly, out of step with Florida citizens' environmental values. We see this legislation as a brazen attack on the Clean Water Act laws that make our waters safe for swimming, fishing and drinking."

Mica's support of oil interests is a family affair. His brother, David, heads the Florida Petroleum Council, a lobbyist for major oil companies such as BP and Exxon. According to an Orlando newspaper, Congressman Mica's daughter, D'Anne, has represented the Consumers Alliance for Affordable Natural Gas and the Citizens Alliance for Energy Security in support of increased access to offshore oil and natural gas.

The legislation presents a looming health issue, Rice says, adding that Mica needs to face the fact that no one wants to visit or live around waterways thick with pollutants.

"One of the things that really concerns me is this bill negates much of the Clean Water Act, and it starts the states on a race to the bottom when it comes to clean-water standards."

The House-passed bill now goes to the Senate. Mica's supporters say the EPA needs to loosen the noose they claim is hanging over the head of Florida's economic growth.

The text of the bill, HR 2018, is online at gpo.gov.


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