Groups Sue Florida Over Conservation Budget

Environmental groups are suing the Florida Legislature after it approved a budget that ignores a state amendment directing funds for natural resource conservation. The amendment, which was approved by 75% of voters, is expected to generate over$700 million from taxes on real estate transactions over the next fiscal year for wildlife and water resources conservation and management, but the Legislature appropriated only $105 million to land acquisition and water restoration in the FY 2016 budget. The groups claim the Legislature is misappropriating the funds by diverting them away from conservation purposes.

Read more at the Miami Herald.