Episode 94 - Whose Florida? Unpacking State Policy, Developer Power, and the Fight for Local Control

These sources primarily discuss Florida's rapid development and its impact on local communities and the environment, highlighting a significant political divide between grassroots citizen movements and establishment interests. Several articles focus on legislative efforts like Senate Bills 1730 and 784 in 2025, which aim to boost housing production by streamlining development processes and limiting local government control. Concerns are raised by organizations like 1000 Friends of Florida and the Sierra Club about unchecked growth, inadequate infrastructure, and environmental degradation, advocating for community planning and addressing issues like biosolids pollution. The sources also examine the influence of money in politics, lobbying, and the endorsement system that can disadvantage citizen-led initiatives, with Manatee County serving as a case study where citizens successfully challenged establishment-backed candidates.