Cattlemen's official: tax water

Don Quincey, president-elect of the Florida Cattlemen's Association, suggested to the Florida House Select Committee on Water Policy that the Legislature consider a tax on bottled water to provide a funding source for water projects.

Quincey was one of four panel members testifying to the committee at a March 17 workshop meeting chaired by Rep. Trudi Williams, R-Fort Myers. Other Gulf Coast legislators on the committee include Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota, Rep. Greg Steube, R-Parrish, and Matthew Caldwell, R-Lehigh Acres.

The association may be looking for all the financial assistance for water-related projects it can get to fund the potential costs of Florida complying with numeric nutrient criteria imposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.