Climate, Community Groups Urge FL Lawmakers to Stop Water Privatization Bill
Food & Water Watch
This release originally appeared on FoodandWaterWatch.org.
Groups send letter to lawmakers urging a vote against CS/SB 194/HB 125
Today, environmental and justice organizations sent a rapid response letter organized by Food & Water Watch to the Florida state legislature, urging lawmakers to protect Floridians from predatory water system pricing and excessive water rate hikes by voting against CS/SB 194/HB 125.
Earlier this week, the legislation was added to the House and Senate Special Order Calendars, signaling an effort to rush its passage. The bill is scheduled for a vote this evening.
CS/SB 194/HB 125 is legislation designed to encourage the private takeover of public water and sewer systems. A peer-reviewed study conducted by Food & Water Watch and researchers from Cornell and the University of Pittsburgh found that state laws friendly to large water corporations drive higher water prices. By their own analysis, Florida House staff admitted that CS/SB 194/HB 125 “could lead to higher rates for such utilities’ customers”.
Food & Water Watch Public Water for All Campaign Director Mary Grant issue the following statement:
“Access to safe, affordable water is a basic human right — yet increasingly, corporations are eying these public resources as a private cash cow. In their endless thirst for profits, the private water lobby is now eyeing Florida’s public water systems, putting more than 90 percent of residents at risk of a private takeover. CS/SB 194/HB 125 is dangerous legislation that will lead to the predatory pricing of Florida’s water systems, and rising water rates — it must be stopped.”
Letter signatories include Food & Water Watch, Catalyst Miami, Central Florida Jobs with Justice, Earthjustice, Florida Conservation Voters, Florida Rising, League of United Latin American Citizens, and ReThink Energy Florida.
Press Contact: Peter Hart [email protected]
This release originally appeared on FoodandWaterWatch.org.
Groups send letter to lawmakers urging a vote against CS/SB 194/HB 125
Today, environmental and justice organizations sent a rapid response letter organized by Food & Water Watch to the Florida state legislature, urging lawmakers to protect Floridians from predatory water system pricing and excessive water rate hikes by voting against CS/SB 194/HB 125.
Earlier this week, the legislation was added to the House and Senate Special Order Calendars, signaling an effort to rush its passage. The bill is scheduled for a vote this evening.
CS/SB 194/HB 125 is legislation designed to encourage the private takeover of public water and sewer systems. A peer-reviewed study conducted by Food & Water Watch and researchers from Cornell and the University of Pittsburgh found that state laws friendly to large water corporations drive higher water prices. By their own analysis, Florida House staff admitted that CS/SB 194/HB 125 “could lead to higher rates for such utilities’ customers”.
Food & Water Watch Public Water for All Campaign Director Mary Grant issue the following statement:
“Access to safe, affordable water is a basic human right — yet increasingly, corporations are eying these public resources as a private cash cow. In their endless thirst for profits, the private water lobby is now eyeing Florida’s public water systems, putting more than 90 percent of residents at risk of a private takeover. CS/SB 194/HB 125 is dangerous legislation that will lead to the predatory pricing of Florida’s water systems, and rising water rates — it must be stopped.”
Letter signatories include Food & Water Watch, Catalyst Miami, Central Florida Jobs with Justice, Earthjustice, Florida Conservation Voters, Florida Rising, League of United Latin American Citizens, and ReThink Energy Florida.
Press Contact: Peter Hart [email protected]
