The Day After (Christmas) Edition ...

Of today's Florida political news.

"Legislators are Confused"
"Florida's new ban on gifts from lobbyists is a law steeped in unintended consequences, say many legislators who voted for it." "Legislators are confused by gift ban they passed".




Privatization Follies

"A subcontractor hired by Cincinnati-based Convergys Corp. used overseas scanning and indexing services to save money without telling the Cincinnati-based company that operates Florida's new privately run personnel system, attorney John Newcomer toldThe Tallahassee Democrat in Sunday's editions." "Lawsuit claims personnel data sent overseas to save money".




Palm Beach County

"Hispanics are swaying Palm Beach County's culture and economy as that county's largest minority group." "Hispanics now biggest minority group".




Cotterell

2005 Retrospective.




Dem Primary Heats Up

Jeremy Wallace:

Democrat Jan Schneider is proving that she is far from raising a white flag on her third attempt to win a seat in Congress.

Although the Sarasota lawyer is lagging behind fellow Democrat Christine Jennings when it comes to fund raising and overall political buzz, Schneider said she's confident she'll catch up.

Proof of that, she said, came last week when she received $2,500 from a political action committee run by U.S. Senate minority leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. In addition, Schneider said she's expecting to set up a fund-raiser with Reid in February to bring in more cash for the 13th Congressional District race.

Reid's support for Schneider comes three weeks after U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., came to Sarasota to help Jennings raise money for her campaign. Political action committees for former presidential candidate John Kerry, House minority leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Rahm Emanuel have all contributed to Jennings' campaign, giving Washington political insiders the idea that Jennings is the favorite to win the primary.

"Sen. Reid supports Schneider's campaign".




FSU Rejects Money

"A drug he invented has brought in cash and fame, and he donated even more for a new building. But the school's president tired of his demands and sent it back." "Keep your millions, FSU tells professor".




Our Green GOoPers

The next time you see a GOoPer politician in a canoe, remember this:

Although federal officials rarely balk at building on Florida wetlands, developers are pressing for state authorities to get the final say for issuing half the permits.

That's because developers believe the state will approve permits much faster than the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the agency that is supposed to protect Florida's swamps and marshes.

"Easier permits endanger wetlands".




Charlie's PSC Ploy

"Attorney General Charlie Crist hopes to get elected governor by saying that Floridians should elect their utility regulators. As a campaign strategy, it might work. As a strategy to reduce electric and phone bills, it won't work." "PSC could use changes, but not one Crist wants".




Scripps

"Environmentalists bolstered by victories, but battle with Scripps far from over".




"Jeb!" Sends A Signal

After paying lip service to the importance of science being taught in public schools, Governor "Jeb!" sent a signal that could not be clearer:

Bush ... noted that the federal ruling came in a case that involves Pennsylvania's Dover Area School District.

"It is one school district in Pennsylvania," he said.

If that weren't troubling enough, the former "developer" was asked "Does the governor believe in Darwin's theory of evolution?"

Bush said: "Yeah, but I don't think it should actually be part of the curriculum, to be honest with you. And people have different points of view and they can be discussed at school, but it does not need to be in the curriculum."

"Bush: Science comes before intelligent design".




GOoPers Weigh In

"The Toughest General Election Foes?". See also "GOoPers Fear Smith?"




Pesticide Woes

"Pesticide woes draw legislators' attention". In "The politics of pesticides", the PBP editorial board notes that an "inherent conflict of interest exacerbates enforcement problems. The state entrusts primary regulation to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, instead of health officials. The agency has ties to agrochemical companies and farmers. The Post recently interviewed four former state scientists who described a politicized system in which agrochemical companies shape decision-making and growers are left to regulate themselves."




Zinging GOoPers

Here's a taste: "So, the end result is that the Republican Party of Florida paid $48,180.86 for Jones, King, Bennett and Farkas to have a Canadian spree. That means that 1,927 of the party faithful who, upon urgent request dutifully sent in their $25 donations, are the chumps who paid the bill." "It was a grand ol' party!".