Episode 38: Nov / Dec Editorial Board

About this episode

The episode discusses major policy themes in Florida, including property tax proposals and environmental issues, while featuring insights from the Editorial Board.

In this episode of the Florida Specifier podcast, host Ryan Matthews and co-host Brett Cyphers, along with Editorial Board members Patrick Gillespie and Jeff Littlejohn gather in the newly minted Specifier Media Studio to go through the major policy themes shaping Florida as Committee Week number four moves forward. The team unpacks the House’s property tax proposals, looming budget pressures, and the sprint toward the January 13 session start, all while keeping an eye on the political dynamics of an election year. They highlight standout stories from the latest Florida Specifier, including Florida’s expanding use of artificial reefs, a significant Endangered Species Act lawsuit in Charlotte County, DOT’s ambitious Tampa Bay “win-win-win” project, and new momentum behind seagrass restoration in the lower St. Johns River. Ryan and Brett also recap recent podcast interviews — from environmental law leaders Steve and Terry Lewis to an unprecedented panel of former DEP secretaries — and preview key water and environmental conferences coming in early 2026. With the December 10 article deadline approaching for the January/February edition, the Board encourages listeners to send events…

People in this episode

Hosts: Ryan Matthews, Brett Cyphers

Guests: Steve Lewis, Terry Lewis, former DEP secretaries

Topics covered

• Florida policy
• property tax proposals
• budget pressures
• environmental issues
• artificial reefs
• seagrass restoration
• political dynamics

Keywords

• Florida
• property tax
• budget
• environmental law
• artificial reefs
• seagrass restoration
• politics
• DEP secretaries
• Committee Week
• Florida Specifier

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Florida Specifier

Books & works: Endangered Species Act lawsuit, Florida Specifier

Places: Florida

More episodes of Florida Specifier Podcast

• Episode 41: May / June Editorial Board · May 20, 2026 · 27 min
• Episode 40: March / April Editorial Board · April 8, 2026 · 34 min
• Episode 39: Jan / Feb Editorial Board · January 21, 2026 · 24 min
• Episode 37: Fireside Chat with Host Alexis Lambert · October 15, 2025 · 37 min
• Episode 36: Sept / Oct Editorial Board · September 17, 2025 · 24 min
• Episode 35: Adam Blalock, Omar Franco, and Kim Shugar · September 10, 2025 · 55 min