Government Digest: July 22

Charter board rejects voter approval measure
ST. PETERSBURG — At the urging of business leaders, the nine-member Charter Review Commission rejected a proposal July 12 that would have required voters' approval for the construction of convention centers, museums, theaters, professional sports facilities, parking garages and office buildings on downtown waterfront parks and on the approach to the city's pier.

Last month, the commission denied a proposal that would have required voters to approve public projects that cost more than $100 million, an idea that opponents claimed targeted a future new Tampa Bay Rays stadium. The commission, however, tentatively approved placing a measure on the ballot to require the city prepare a downtown waterfront master plan that would define criteria for development in the area. The proposal requires the city council to review the plan every seven years. The commission plans to consider the measure again at its July 26 meeting.

U.S. House targets EPA water quality standards
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House passed a bill July 13 that would restrict the Environmental Protection Agency's power to require tougher water-quality standards, known as numeric nutrient criteria. U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, was a key sponsor of the measure, which passed 239-184. Mica and other supporters argue the EPA has overstepped its authority in Clean Water Act disputes with states. The Obama administration has signaled that the president will likely veto it if it gets to the White House. The measure also faces difficulty in the Senate.