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I need a saturday off.
Children
The move caps an unusual week in which the Johnson-Bense dust-up darkened the otherwise celebratory one-day organizational session of the Florida Legislature. Shortly after Bense was sworn in as speaker Tuesday, Johnson also became the only House member to vote against new rules crafted for the chamber by Bense.
Johnson said he was miffed at the way Bense took both actions with little input from those serving under him.
At the time, Johnson groused that the committee post "was just delivered to me in a brown paper wrapper."
Since then, Johnson said Thursday, "We've had several very good conversations over the last two days. We are friends. But this relationship is still a work in progress, and we're trying hard to make it better."
Indeed, Bense and Johnson have a history. "Lawmaker ends rift with leader".
Has Betty Castor Seen This?
Applying statistical models to the Florida returns, they [statistics researchers from the University of California at Berkeley] found Bush may have received from 130,000 to 260,000 more votes than their models predicted he should have, based on demographic information and past voting history.
The surprising Bush tally was most notable in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, longtime Democratic bastions that also used touch-screen voting machines for the first time in a national election. "Study: Florida vote not perfect".
Villalobos
If Sen. Villalobos succeeds, his term would follow Rep. Marco Rubio's expected stint as Florida House speaker in 2006. "Straight to the point".
"Pay Up"
A judge has ruled that the state of Florida owes the counties about $90 million. Pay up. "This bill is the state's".
Reaping the Whirlwind
Gov. Jeb Bush said Thursday he wants to expand faith-based programs in Florida and does not see it as a threat to the constitutional separation of church and state.
Bush issued an executive order Monday requiring a 25-member Faith-Based and Community Advisory Board to issue a written report within 90 days on how to expand faith-based initiatives to improve education, strengthen families and reduce crime, poverty and homelessness. "Governor asks for ideas for faith-based initiatives".
Whose Lawyered Up Now?
Legal skirmishes continued to erupt as Florida hospitals attempt to delay the implementation of new constitutional amendments. "Florida hospitals resist amendments". See also "Hospitals ask judge to block access to data on mistakes".
"Turf Fight"
Florida's Board of Governors, created by a constitutional amendment two years ago, has asserted that it -- not the Legislature -- decides tuition at public universities. "Turf battle shaping up for control of tuition rates". See also "Board joins FSU chiropractic fight".
School Funding
A trial judge said Thursday he would let school districts challenging a change in the state's school funding formula argue that the new formula treats districts unequally. "School funding lawsuit moves ahead".
Off Topic - Lied Rice
It never ceases to amaze me that the National Security Advisor who presided over the biggest national security disaster in U.S. history has paid no consequences. On top of that, Rice has repeatedly misrepresented the truth and the sycophantic media has given her a pass. Perhaps this is an extreme case of political correctness (and if you criticize Rice the wingnuts say you're racist), but will someone, anyone, please tell the emperor (s)he has no clothes.
Off Topic - Ironic
I noticed these two headlines (from nominally unrelated stories) reported consecutively on an MSNBC newswire: MSNBC News
» Possible new mad cow case found in U.S.
» GOP seeks to repeal food labeling law
In the latter story, we read that some in favor of mandatory labels believe consumers will prefer U.S.-grown food over foreign imports. The law requires companies to put country-of-origin labels on meat, vegetables and fruit. However,
House Republicans are trying to wipe it off the books as part of a spending bill they plan to finish this month.
House Majority Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said he expected the Senate to agree to repealing the measure, whose main champion two years ago was Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D.
"I can't find any real opposition to doing exactly what we want to do here," Blunt said.
President Bush never supported mandatory labeling. Chances for repealing the law improved when Daschle, still his party's leader in the Senate, was defeating for re-election Nov. 2. Daschle indicated through a spokesman this week that he probably will not fight the repeal.
Those who want the repeal say the labeling system is so expensive that it far outweighs any benefit to consumers. The Agriculture Department has estimated the cost could range from hundreds of millions to billions of dollars in the first year alone.
Values
This is tragic, and reflects a real "value" difference between the Democratic party and the party controlling Florida:Nearly 20 percent of the state's working age population is without health insurance, compared to about 17 percent five years ago, according to a study by the state Agency for Health Care Administration. That's a 3% increase under "Jeb!"'s watch; yet he is held accountable by no one. In the meantime, the Governor's response to the dreadful figures is beyond lame:Bush said providing health savings accounts, which allow people to save money tax free to pay for health care, and limiting doctors from ordering costly tests and procedures because they fear being sued could help. "Study shows increase in uninsured workers".
Good Luck
The state Board of Education chairman is urging legislators to rethink a law that ties school funding to performance. "School funding link is concern".
"Bookkeeping Error"
The Florida Elections Commission voted to fine state Sen. Larcenia Bullard of Miami for election law violations. She contends that the problem was just a bookkeeping error. "Senator fined for false donor report".
Curious: Campbell Gets Appointment
When it comes to child and family welfare, almost no other Florida state senator is quite the back-bench bomb thrower, all-purpose fly-in-the-ointment and quote-quipping crusader as Tamarac's Walter ''Skip'' Campbell.
On Wednesday, to the dread of some lobbyists and bureaucrats, Campbell assumed a new title: chairman of the Senate Committee on Children and Families. He started the meeting with a list of problems he saw in the state's child welfare agency, and said he might place lobbyists under oath to testify about questionable contracts.
The appointment of Campbell -- one of only two Democrats to head committees in the majority GOP Senate -- underscores Republican Senate President Tom Lee's reputation as a maverick who likes to make waves, sometimes at Gov. Jeb Bush's expense. The position also elevates Campbell's public profile as he considers a run for governor in 2006. "Crusader to watch over DCF". See also "Senator says he will ‘crack the whip’ on DCF" and "New senate panel chief to shape up DCF".
State Senate
Miami Republican Alex Villalobos says he has secured the pledges of enough Republicans to become the first Cuban American to hold the job of state Senate president. But some fellow Republicans say Villalobos is jumping the gun. "Miami Cuban in line to lead Senate".
Cotterell
But the path back to power for Democrats lies in the drawing of legislative and congressional districts - the ability to stop the Republicans from continuing to do what Democrats did to them for more than 100 years. Having finally admitted to itself (after just 10 years) that Republican rule in the Florida Legislature wasn't just a distant ripple of the Gingrich revolution, the Democratic Party ought to campaign for constitutional amendments creating an independent commission to draw districts after the 2010 census. "Democrats can rise from the ashes through redistricting".
Dem Chair
Rumblings indicate Scott Maddox isn't a shoo-in to be re-elected leader of the battered state party. "Democrats restless as party vote nears".
Whatever
Republican Senator-elect Mel Martinez and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, his Democratic counterpart, plan to work together on issues ranging from hurricane aid to funding for NASA and restoration of the Everglades, the two long-time friends told reporters Wednesday. "Senators put Florida first".
A Good Start
The biggest surprise in Tuesday's organizational session was that Democrats, though outnumbered in Tallahassee by far wider margins than in Washington, now have leadership positions in the House as well as the Senate. Bense gave vice-chairmanships to 11 of the 36 Democrats and named another to co-chair the Agriculture Committee. He also consulted the minority on rules changes. Even their office assignments and parking places have improved. In the Senate, two Democrats chair committees and the other 12 are vice-chairs. "Tallahassee surprise".
Privacy
A parade of editors, broadcasters and media attorneys on Wednesday urged a Florida panel looking at privacy and court records to make no distinction between records on paper and records online. "Privacy rules debated".
Oops!
The elections supervisor in Pinellas County said her office has found a box of 268 absentee ballots that were never counted. Two races could be affected. "268 uncounted ballots are discovered". See also "268 Pinellas Votes Yet To Be Counted".
New Fundraising Rules
The Legislature installed incoming Senate President Tom Lee and incoming House Speaker Allan Bense and targeted special interests with new fundraising rules. "Campaign finance rules added".
The Provisional Thing
If Congress hadn't required every state to offer voters last-chance provisional ballots, the votes of more than 1,000 Palm Beach County residents would not have counted Nov. 2. Because Congress and the Legislature didn't do enough to assure that all votes would count, however, the votes of roughly another 1,800 residents didn't count. "Make ballots portable if they are provisional".
Performance Funding Reconsidered
A state law that requires 10 percent of school funding to be linked to performance, starting next year, should be reconsidered, the chairman of the state Board of Education said Tuesday. "State board examines performance funding".
State Senate 2008
Even before Tom Lee was sworn in as Florida's new Senate president Tuesday, Republican senators already were casting unofficial votes for the man who would be president in four years.
Sen. J. Alex Villalobos, R-Miami, a former prosecutor known for tackling sticky policy issues and pushing openness in campaign fundraising, has emerged from a pack of a half-dozen competitors as the likely Senate president in 2008. "Senate's first Cuban-American president likely in 2008".
"Political Pawns"
When the Florida Legislature approved legislation authorizing the use of public-school funding to pay private-school tuition, it set itself on a collision course with the state's own constitution.
Since 1999, three separate courts have ruled that the voucher scheme is unconstitutional. The most recent ruling, which came last week from the 1st District Court of Appeals, is the most authoritative. A U.S. Supreme Court case out of Washington state provides further evidence that Florida's voucher law is destined for the dustbin.
Lawmakers should accept that, and start making provisions for the children who have become political pawns in the games they've been playing with public education. "Voucher students".
Shiny, Happy GOoPers
Fundraising will likely be further limited by a Legislature that is expected to reflect its new leaders' friendship. "Campaign rules ride on harmony in Capitol".
How Appropriate
Sen. Ken Pruitt, who came under fire a year ago for balking at revealing donors to a political committee he led, is now in charge of implementing a rule that would open financial records of nonprofit groups and political action committees. "Pruitt tapped to pen disclosure rule".
Musical Chairs
State legislators meet today in Tallahassee to formally choose a Senate president and House speaker who promise to stop the bickering and clean up the Legislature's tarnished image. "Lawmakers fill top posts today". See also "S. Floridians to lead 5 Senate committees".
Lapdog Goes to DC
What an embarrassment:Mel Martinez made his Washington debut as senator-elect Monday - with a football under his arm [the ball had his name and the numbers 49-48, the percentages of Florida voters selecting him over Democrat Betty Castor], an emotional moment on the Senate floor and a declaration of possible friendship with Democrats. "Rookie Martinez Gets GOP Welcome". And, Mel even had an "I am not a Dubya lapdog moment", proclaiming thatdespite his loyalty to Bush "there will be moments when there will be differences" with the president. And isn't it nice to see our new Senator get right to work on that issue most Floridians find so important: "Martinez wants new policy on Cubans". And you can't accuse Martinez of not being thoughtful on the issue:Martinez says he wants to change federal policy on Cubans trying to reach the United States illegally but isn't sure what to replace it with. Heaven help us.
Second Try
Just four months after Florida's Supreme Court rejected putting a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot because of its ''political rhetoric,'' Vero Beach businessman Jeff Saull is ready to spend his personal millions again to ask voters in 2006 if they want to double their homestead property tax exemption to $50,000. "2nd try at ballot proposal".
Oops!
Nearly two weeks after Election Day, Pinellas County officials made a startling discovery Monday: a box of 268 absentee ballots that went uncounted, marring what otherwise was a largely problem-free election. "Pinellas Finds 268 Misplaced Absentee Ballots".
Amendment 8 Not Self-Executing
A Tallahassee judge put the brakes on a newly passed constitutional amendment against doctors who commit medical malpractice. "Malpractice measure is put on hold".
Wanna Start a Radio Station?
"LPFM can re-democratize radio".
The Next "Jeb!"
"If it's one of those three (Crist, Gallagher or Jennings) versus Davis, Maddox or Rod Smith, the Democrats are starting out with candidates that don't have statewide name recognition," said Matthew Corrigan, a University of North Florida political science professor. "Who will be the next Jeb?"
Update: Privatization
From the beginning of an ambitious outsourcing and privatization campaign, Gov. Jeb Bush and his allies have insisted state workers are not being replaced by cheap foreign labor.
A Democratic legislative leader is suspicious of that claim and says data obtained from state vendors suggest otherwise.
Although companies hired directly by the state are using Florida workers, the documents show that subcontractors hired by the companies to help with the workload are sending jobs out of state and, in at least one instance, to India. "Senator Says State Jobs Follow Overseas Trend".
This lengthy Tampa Trib article is well worth a read.
Florida's Booming Economy
Statewide, about 1.2 million [or 45 percent of] public-school children qualify for free or reduced-priced lunches, a number that swelled by 261,500 during the past decade and indicates an increase in the number of poor....
More children are qualifying for free or reduced-price lunches because of a struggling state economy that has kept wages stagnant and forced some families to take lower-paying jobs, said economist Mark Soskin of the University of Central Florida. "Hungry for help".
GOoPers Swing Into Action
A reinvigorated Republican majority in the Florida Legislature convenes Tuesday to divvy up power among its members, to signal its agenda for the months ahead, and to begin forming the dynamic that will play out over the coming two years among the new set of lawmakers.
With an expanded 84-36 domination of the House and the same 26-14 control of the Senate following the Nov. 2 general election, Republicans are embracing a mandate.
Gov. Jeb Bush said last week that he is prepared to press the Legislature to pass landmark measures to cut Medicaid spending and reform public education. "GOP Set To Signal Session's Agenda".
Voucher Follies
Florida's Constitution says that no state revenue ever shall be spent "directly or indirectly in aid of any church, sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any sectarian institution." Plainly, as the full 1st District Court of Appeal said in Friday's 8-5-1 ruling, that means the 1999 law allowing students to attend religious schools using public vouchers is unconstitutional.
The only surprise is that the issue has taken so long to work its way through the courts. And it isn't done yet. Next stop: The Florida Supreme Court, to which the 1st DCA sent the case as "a question of great public importance."
It is of such importance because even as courts debated one program — that applies to students from so-called "failing" schools — Gov. Bush and state legislators created new vouchers that drain money from public schools. Financial and academic scandals in those programs, for disabled and poor children, highlight the risks. "Vouchers' false claim".
Fruits of "Jeb!"'s Spoils System
Two years after Florida government handed over personnel services to a private business, paychecks are finally being distributed to some departments under the plan. But like so much else associated with the $350-million Convergys contract dubbed "People First," the new checks are riddled with errors. Hundreds of agriculture employees have received too much, too little or no pay at all, including Commissioner Charles Bronson, whose own Oct. 15 check initially docked him a day's pay.
Is this the savings and efficiency Gov. Jeb Bush has promised to deliver? "Personnel problems".
Brilliant
This week the state Board of Education will consider a plan to take funding awayfrom schools that don't meet yet another set of standards.
In yet the latest attempt to hold public schools accountable, Florida is now considering a plan to shortchange them. Fail to meet a new series of testing and graduation and curriculum standards, and lose 10 cents on every dollar the state provides. "Education at risk".
Special Session
Planning for storms, relief efforts and supplying vital social services are among the topics for legislators in December. "Session takes up host of hurricane issues".
100 Idiots
Earlier this year, the Council of 100, an influential group of Florida business leaders, proposed raising in-state undergraduate tuition about 14 percent every year for the next five years - roughly double the current rate. "Prepaid tuition may spark war".
And the booming Bush economy hasn't been much help: "Universities report multimillion-dollar stock losses".
Whatever
Whew! It's over, and no Flori-duh this time. Two of three canvassing board officials just phoned in their approval. "Election verified without fanfare". See also "Canvassing board certifies election results for 2004".
And You're Welcome to Serve in the Cuban Senate
Mel Martinez, who will be the first Cuban American in the U.S. Senate, said he hopes to bring his vision of a free Cuba to the highest circles of government. "Martinez says goal as senator is a free Cuba".
Hmmmm . . .
The re-election of President Bush has a few Americans thinking warmly about our neighbor, where the beer is cold and the politics are liberal. "Canada, here we come".
Not Necessarily a Good Thing
House Speaker Allan Bense and Senate President Tom Lee have things in common and swear to work together. "A different Legislature -- 2 leaders get along".
South Florida Clout
Lawmakers from South Florida now have more power in the Florida Legislature, and that could translate into more state government largesse for the region. "Use Clout To Advantage".
Tough
[PBC SOE] Arthur Anderson startled a lot of people when he said Nov. 3 that he wanted to consider switching from touch-screen voting machines to optical scanners when he takes over as Palm Beach County's elections supervisor in six weeks.
Not a good idea, says Sequoia Voting Systems, the company that provided the 2-year-old, $14.4 million touch-screen system and plans to supply $3.2 million worth of printers for it. "Touch-screen company balks at proposal for optical scanners".
Vacancies
A rare event is about to take place at the Third District Court of Appeal, the state appellate court that reviews cases for Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Three long-time judges are retiring at the same time, allowing Gov. Jeb Bush an unprecedented opportunity to help shape the direction and quality of the court. We hope also that the governor uses this opportunity to improve the diversity of the court. "Court vacancies soon to be filled".
Today's Sermon
Jesus said a lot of other stuff, too. Rich people almost certainly won't go to heaven. They should give away their money. We should turn the other cheek to those who seek to hurt us. We should clothe the naked and feed the poor and house the homeless. "The Pharisees line up to cast their stones at gay partners".
Being Red
"It's hard to put lipstick on this pig," conceded House Democratic Leader Chris Smith of Fort Lauderdale.
But could it get worse?
Maybe. "State Democrats glum and glummer".
New Boys In Town
On Tuesday, when Florida's newly elected lawmakers are sworn in, Tallahassee will resume its place on the front row of history. That does not always offer the best seats in the house. Distance sometimes pleasantly blurs the perspective. "New blood".
Rural Reds
The president made key gains in Florida suburbs and small towns, pushing him past a Democratic campaign that focused on urban areas. "Rural vote gave state to Bush".
It's A Red State (Florida) Thing
The Miami Herald has this today:Tens of thousands of felons who should have the best shot at regaining their civil rights after paying for their crimes still can't vote in Florida because of a glaring oversight in state law: They did time in county jail, not state prison. "For felons, time in county jails carries price: life without rights". And to make matters worse,With nearly all clemency records blocked from public scrutiny, thousands of felons have no idea why they have not regained their civil rights. "Clemency system veiled in secrecy" And here's the bottom line:The process that Florida's ex-felons must undergo to have their civil rights restored is unworkable. It should be discarded altogether. The odds are stacked against an ex-felon regaining rights quickly, and the vast majority who must appeal to the Florida Clemency Board face years of waiting for a hearing. "Florida's system of indefinite castigation".
Absentee Ballots
More than 1.3 million Floridians voted with absentee ballots during November's election — about twice as many as four years ago.
Though Floridians embraced the opportunity to vote by mail, it didn't love them back: The overtaxed system couldn't keep up with voter demand for paper ballots, the deadlines — or lack of them — delayed the printing and mailing of ballots, and hundreds of temporary election workers were charged with scrutinizing signed envelopes — fast — to decide whether they were legitimate.
Despite a change to Florida law made after the 2000 election that allows anyone to vote absentee, many of the laws that govern mail-in ballots didn't anticipate how widely they would be used and the challenges large counties would face in case of a crush of absentee requests. Secretary of State Glenda Hood, the state's top elections official, did not respond to several requests for an interview for this story. "Some seek changes in absentee voting".
Military Vote
This explains why GOoPers only want some military votes to count (recall 2000):[T]he [canvassing] board tallied ballots for 87 Broward voters serving in the military.
Those voters chose Democratic candidate John Kerry over President Bush, 51-34. Yet the media proclaims how our men and women in uniform love Dubya.
Misplaced Priorities
The brain trust in Broward is in a dither about this, when they really ought to be figuring out more basic things, like how to mail out absentee ballots.
Criminal Justice
21 years, 10 months, 23 days. For a crime he did not commit. "Guilty until proven innocent".
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