The state of Florida is pursuing a massive buyout of the biggest chunk of Big Sugar, the powerful agricultural industry whose pollution of the Everglades has made it a target of environmentalists for decades.
Gov. Charlie Crist has scheduled a press conference today in Palm Beach County, where he's expected to outline a state proposal to purchase the U.S. Sugar Corp.'s vast holdings between Lake Okeechobee and the marshes of the Everglades -- as much as 187,000 acres, including refineries, railroads and rock mines.
The opening bid could be near $1.7 billion, though the figures could change during what promise to be lengthy and complex negotiations. Read more here.
Where is this money coming from?
Posted by: Micah | June 24, 2008 at 11:06 AM
More importantly, how can the governor single handily negotiate this deal without sign off from the Florida Cabinet and Legislature?
Posted by: LoveTerminator | June 24, 2008 at 04:34 PM