"Jeb!" Inherits the Wind

The lead story today is "Jeb!"'s silly attempt to clarify his position on that wild and crazy theory of evolution. Check out the discussion on this and other issues at at FLA Politics.

"Jeb!" Digs Himself a Hole

Last week, our Governor actually said, teaching evolution "does not need to be in the curriculum". Now his flack is

On Tuesday, Bush spokesman Russell Schweiss clarified Bush's position somewhat: Evolution "is a scientific theory and he's not opposed to it being taught in classrooms," Schweiss said. "But he doesn't think it should necessarily be dictated in the standards."

Florida's science standards do not mention evolution by name but do reference some of its core principles. They were slated to be reviewed next year, but state education officials decided a few weeks ago to postpone the process until 2007 or 2008.

"Leave evolution out of standards, Bush says". Come on "Jeb!" why can't you just admit you "misspoke" in the Bush family tradition?




Gift Ban Leaks

"Secretive fundraising committees controlled by state legislators and fueled with money from business and special interests are being scrutinized as a likely legal method for buying legislators' lunches and a whole lot more." "Political watchdogs see leaks in gift ban".




Geller

"Geller denies his cozy deals are lobbying".




Class Size

"The state Department of Education announced Tuesday that it plans to force the six districts to take money from their operating budgets to pay for new classrooms to comply with the law." "Classes still too big, state says School officials face financial penalties, but plan to appeal any sanctions". See also "Broward, Dade class sizes OK", "District class sizes on target" (Alachua) and "Area Schools Meet Limits On Class Size" (Tampa)




Not a Solution

"'65 percent solution' could erode class size restrictions".




The Year In Politics

"With Republican Gov. Jeb Bush on his way out of office after the 2006 election, the race to replace him got off to an early start in 2005" "Busy year in politics as candidates prepare for 2006".




More GOoPer "Business Saavy"

"Eight million dollars is a sizeable amount to pay a tenant for a piece of land already owned by the state. The money is going to Florida Crystals and the Fanjuls, a family familiar with the art of the deal." "A sweet deal for Big Sugar appears to be a bad investment for taxpayers".




The Mind of a Developer

"Flagler is America's fastest-growing county because of its attraction to the residential home market. Nothing else is spurring the growth -- not local industry, not commerce, not even proximity to a major metropolitan area that discovered its latest bedroom. Flagler is one of those newly minted exurbs of sprawl for sprawl's sake. The more homes go up, the healthier local governments' tax revenue, at least for a while. But what happens when home-building slows down? Real estate, the engine of economic growth, runs out. Demands for government services don't, nor does the need for tax revenue." "Economic subsidy".




Calendar It

"Don't mess with school calendar." "Local autonomy".




Cutting Off Your Nose ...

to spite your face: "If FEMA doesn't make changes, Florida should walk away." "FEMA Wastes Money On Reimbursements".

I get it, if Dubya's folks don't get their act together and clean up their reimbursement program at FEMA, Florida should refuse future to participate in the reimbursement program in the future? Brilliant, simply brilliant.




And Neither Was/Is Worth a Toot

The Buzz issues a reminder to the Smith campaign: "MEL Martinez is Florida's junior senator. BOB Martinez is the former governor." "Bob, Mel and Rod".




'Glades

"Financed by a minimum $10 assessment from each landowner, the proposed Everglades Area Stewardship District can distribute that money for everything from improving school buildings and public safety, to building roads and providing better living conditions in the struggling communities." "New tax district proposed for Glades".