Libertarian Lobbyists Push Back Against Earthjustice Suing Legislature Over Amendment 1

The Liberty First Network, a Tallahassee-based lobbying firm which includes some of the leading Libertarian Party members in Florida,  expressed disappointment at Earthjustice suing the Florida Legislature over how it spent money for environmental projects as directed by Amendment 1, which voters added to the state Constitution last year. 

“The Florida Legislature followed the letter of the law in crafting the 2015-16 budget completed in the special session and used the discretion they were allowed by Amendment 1 to use funds to acquire, restore, improve, and manage conservation lands,” the Liberty First Network noted in a release on Tuesday. “Almost one-third of Florida’s land mass is owned by federal, state and local governments for conservation purposes, which equals a landmass the size of New Jersey. Unfortunately much of Florida’s conservation land is in disrepair, has become fire hazards and vulnerable to invasive species. The Florida Legislature did the right thing in making sure we properly take care of what the government already owns and the Amendment 1 budget by the Florida Legislature reflects smart stewardship of our state’s precious natural resources and the taxpayers' money.” 

"If Earthjustice and other environmental groups were sincerely concerned about Florida’s natural environment they would applaud this budget, but by this lawsuit they have shown they have a political agenda and intend to bully the Legislature to usurp our representative form of government,” said John Hallman, a lobbyist for  Liberty First Network.