Florida Legislators Reach Deal On Conservation Money

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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — Environmental groups got a small win after Florida legislators reached a deal to set aside money to buy land for environmental projects – though it's less than what the groups wanted.

House and Senate budget chiefs on Sunday night reached a deal on how much the state will spend in the coming year on projects such as springs restoration and work on the Everglades.

Part of that deal includes $55 million to buy land, including $17.4 million for the Florida Forever program.

Florida voters last year voted for Amendment 1, which changed the state constitution to earmark hundreds of millions of dollars for conservation programs like Florida Forever.

Legislators say they are complying with the amendment.

But Will Abberger, chairman of the group that sponsored the amendment, said the budget deal does not follow the intent of voters.

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