TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Senate panel moved forward Tuesday with a proposal that would direct $3 million a year to a red-tide research initiative between the state and Mote Marine Laboratory, despite arguments that the proposal fails to fully address human involvement in the spread of the toxic algae.
The Senate Agriculture, Environment and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday unanimously supported the proposal (SB 1552), which comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis called for addressing red-tide outbreaks.
The Senate also has proposed $6.6 million a year for red tide research as part of its proposed $90.3 billion spending plan (SB 2500) for next fiscal year.
Bill sponsor Joe Gruters, a Sarasota Republican whose area along the Gulf Coast was inundated by the harmful algae last year, said the goal is to get research dollars in place before the next outbreak.
Shared Local News Channel 12:
https://cbs12.com/news/local/senate-moves-forward-with-red-tide-research
