Vern Buchanan

Eddie Speir filed paperwork Monday to enter the 2024 race in Congressional District 16 in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

The recently passed omnibus spending bill includes moving the Little Manatee towards a federal Scenic River designation.

Republican Vern Buchanan will again represent the county in Congress with his reelection in House District 16. Meantime, the tax exemption passed by just a few thousand votes.

The designation would help preserve and protect the river from intrusive development, from its source in southern Hillsborough County to its mouth where it enters Tampa Bay.

Several incumbents won easily, including Republicans Vern Buchanan and Gus Bilirakis.

Being designated as "scenic" would add Little Manatee River to the National Park Service’s Wild and Scenic River System for conservation.

The Sarasota congressman says he will quarantine at home but plans to return to work as soon as possible.

Sarasota Congressman Vern Buchanan cited the 761 manatees that have died this year.

Rep. Vern Buchanan of Sarasota introduced legislation that would permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs.

The Senate would use funds received through the American Rescue Plan. Senate President Wilton Simpson said it is "a catastrophe waiting to happen for too long."

The leak could signal a repeat of a breach in the gypstack retention pond that killed untold numbers of fish and marine life a decade ago.

They included Sen. Rick Scott, along with some Tampa Bay area representatives.