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Outrageous
Who knew?Gov. Jeb Bush is pushing forward with a $2 million state-sponsored, anti-abortion contract that will include a toll-free hot line directing pregnant women exclusively to local service providers who do not provide abortions.
Bids on the contract must be submitted by 2 p.m. Monday, and are limited to agencies that "adhere to a strict policy of not promoting, referring, or counseling for abortion," according to Bush's request for proposals. "Bids submitted for state-sponsored, anti-abortion services contract".
Davis Poll
"A new poll for U.S. Rep. Jim Davis' campaign for governor shows the Tampa Democrat with a 2-1 lead over his closest rival, state Sen. Rod Smith, with Scott Maddox a close third. The survey shows 35 percent of Democrats are undecided.". "Davis' new internals".
Didn't We Just Vote ... ?
"The GOP-controlled Legislature appeared ready to revisit the class-size amendment passed in 2004." "Class sizes may be revisited".
"Governor tossing bones "
On the FCAT, Floridais not coming clean. It's throwing a few rather shaggy bones at "families and students," hoping that'll quell their demands for accountability for a while. Here's how it works. Every once in a while -- that is, "as funds are available to develop enough new questions," in the Department of Education's wording -- a small set of tests administered only to certain grades and only from one particular year will be made available on the department's Web site. This month, for example, only the reading and math tests taken by 10th graders, and only those taken in March 2004, were released. If your son or daughter was in that batch that year, you're in luck. If not -- well, tough.
You're only somewhat in luck, anyway. Just like some government document out of another Bush administration big on secrecy, even those released tests are redacted and altered. "The tests actually taken by students were formatted differently and contained additional questions," the department explains, "called field-test questions ('trial' questions) and anchor questions (questions that will be reused). The field-test questions and anchor questions are not included in the released test because they will be used again in future FCAT tests." In other words: same old story of keeping secret any FCAT test in its actual integrity. Later this fall, the department's benevolence will make available reading and math tests for grades 4 and 8.
At no point will students' answer sheets be released. Why? Because, the department says, they contain questions the state wants to use in future tests. A year's fresh testing costs $10 million. The state says it doesn't have the money to pay for a new set of tests every year. Lie. In any given year, the state distributes around $100 million in "bonus" money to individual schools that perform well on the FCAT (last year Volusia schools netted $4.9 million, Flagler schools $530,000). The state couldn't take 10 percent of that money to ensure a fresh test every year -- and be accountable?
The state could. It chooses not to. The governor isn't de-mystifying the FCAT. He's yanking parents' chains. "Florida without measure".
The Check Is In The Mail
"FEMA: Payments coming". See also "Not Again" ("FEMA hands out aid when it's not needed and refuses when it is needed.")
Delightful
"While Hurricane Rita nears the Texas and Louisiana coastline, scientists and environmental agencies are monitoring a plume of hurricane-spawned pollution that's flowing toward Florida." "Pollution watch".
Strategic Vision Poll
Jeremy Wallace, "Poll: Harris Still Far Behind Nelson": "Yet another poll is showing Katherine Harris losing ground as she starts her campaign for the U.S. Senate. The poll by Republican-leaning Strategic Vision shows Harris now 12 percentage points behind incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson a Democrat. Two months ago the same company showed that the margin was 8 percentage points." More. For yet more, see our post last Thursday.
Charlie's Fraud-Fighting Flaws
"[A] new state audit finds numerous shortcomings in the fraud-fighting programs of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in Crist's office." "Flaws found in Medicaid fraud-fighting".
Gas Crunch
"Florida officials are suggesting petroleum companies consider not allowing people to fill up portable gas cans in an effort to head off any shortages that might be caused by Hurricane Rita." "Florida asks gas companies to consider not filling extra gas cans". See also "Floridians urged to conserve gas, electricity".
Harris Slammed (5 Years Later)
Five years too late:Nearly five years after the disputed 2000 presidential election, Katherine Harris's role the controversy is still a key issue for election reform groups.
A bipartisan commission headed by former President Carter, a Democrat, and former Secretary of State James Baker, a Republican, made recommendations this week that include veiled references to Harris. In 2000, Harris was Florida's Secretary of State which made her the state's top elections administrator. At the same time, Harris, a Longboat Key Republican, was co-chair of President George W. Bush's election team.
"We cannot build confidence in elections if secretaries of State responsible for certifying votes are simultaneously chairing political campaigns," the report said. "Election Reform Group Calls for Impartial Elections Administrators".
Stem Cell Amendment
"It's still in the embryonic stage, but a movement to place on Florida's 2006 ballot a constitutional amendment on stem-cell research [which would provide $200 million over 10 years for stem-cell research] holds significant promise." "Plan poses urgent question".
"Ridiculous"
"Gun-control advocates will warn visitors to Florida that a new state self-defense law that starts Oct. 1 puts them in jeopardy. Gov. Jeb Bush's spokeswoman called the campaign 'ridiculous.'" "Group opposed to new gun law targets tourists".
Movin' On Up
"Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen has set her sights on a leadership role -- chairwoman of the House International Relations Committee -- that would give her access to the inner circle." "Ros-Lehtinen aims for powerful post".
A Liability to Gallagher
"'I have faith in the voters; they are pretty smart, and I think if some special interest or candidate wants to lie to voters and twist the truth for cheap political points, I think people will recognize that for what it is,' Gallagher said." "Insurance ties may be liability" ("Problems at Citizens Insurance may challenge Tom Gallagher as he runs for governor.")
No Comment
"Not even a fast-approaching tropical storm can shut down legislative fund-raising in Florida. As residents of the Keys fled northward on Monday to escape Rita, and Miami-Dade and Broward counties sharpened their disaster plans, a small group of House Republicans and lobbyists -- all of them women -- were relaxing at the elegant Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables for the second annual 'Spa Day.'". "Tanned, Rested and Republican".
Gay Marriage Ban
"A group petitioning to add a ban on gay marriage to the Florida Constitution argued Thursday, in papers filed with the Florida Supreme Court, that it would not affect other rights of unmarried and same-sex couples." "Supporters of gay marriage ban say other rights not affected".
Saint "Jeb!"
The silliness continues: "Jeb Bush has proved himself a successful emergency manager by responding decisively but calmly to each crisis." A different perspective.
Now That The Election Is Over
"The Federal Emergency Management Agency again dismissed pleas to make payments to Floridians who were affected by Hurricane Katrina." "FEMA again refuses payouts for Floridians".
Gas Crunch
"Gov. Jeb Bush said Thursday the 'double whammy' of two monster hurricanes slamming Gulf Coast oil refineries poses 'a huge risk' of gasoline shortages in Florida." "Hurricanes may smack gas users". But See "Florida's gasoline supply fine with port back in action".
Rumours Swirl
"U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez's name is once again surfacing in connection with vacancies on the U.S. Supreme Court." "Rumors swirl about ... top court". See also, our post the other day, "Justice Frankenstein".
Nominate "Bush's Mr. Cellophane", and, upon confirmation (would the U.S. Senate refuse one of their own?), we have a U.S. Senate vacancy for ... "Jeb!" This of course won't happen, but it would be so much fun to see Mel take the Peter Principle to the extreme.
Knuckledraggers to Converge ...
on Florida again when they read are told about this:A constitutional amendment seeking $200 million from Florida taxpayers for human embryonic stem cell research has been submitted to the Division of Elections, potentially thrusting the state into the crosshairs of a heated nationwide debate. "State ballot drive seeks $200 million from Florida for stem cell research". See also "Group urges $200 million for stem-cell research".
Cotterell: Dems "Will Be Back in Power"
"2006 will mark the end of the Bush era in Florida politics - and the first election in five cycles without the governor or his brother atop the ticket - which is enough to quicken the pulse of diehard Democrats." "Eventually, state Democrats will be back in power".
Strategic Vision Poll
New poll, based on interviews with 1200 registered voters in Florida, conducted September 16-20, 2005. MOE is ±3 percentage points. The Buzz summarizes the key points this way:--48 percent would vote for Sen. Bill Nelson, 36 percent for Republican Katherine Harris. 36 percent have a favorable view of Harris and 39 percent unfavorable. 41 percent have a favorable view of Nelson and 12 percent unfavorable.
--Among Republicans, 48 percent back Attorney General Charlie Crist for governor, 38 percent back Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher.
--Among Democrats, 26 percent support Jim Davis for governor, 15 percent support Rod Smith, 12 percent support Scott Maddox.
--40 percent approve of President Bush's overall performance, 50 percent disapprove.
49 percent disapprove of his handling of the aftermath of Katrina 38 percent approve.
--56 percent approve of Gov. Jeb Bush's performance but a plurality - 46 percent to 43 percent - say Florida is heading in the wrong direction. The poll also has Crist beating Davis 48% to 33%, and Gallagher beating him 47% to 35%. Crist beats Smith 49% to 31% and Gallagher beats Smith 48% to 29%. The numbers for Maddox are 50% to 22% and 51% to 27%.
Other results include:12. Who is your first choice for the Democratic nomination in 2008? (Democrats only)
Hillary Clinton 39%
John Kerry 13%
Al Gore 12%
John Edwards 6%
Joseph Biden 5%
Wesley Clark 3%
Bill Richardson 2%
Russ Feingold 1%
Mark Warner 1%
Ed Rendell 1%
Tom Vilsak 1%
Evan Bayh 1%
Barbara Boxer 1%
Undecided 14% ...
14. Would you like to see the United States Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade?
Yes 36%
No 57%
Undecided 7% ...
23. Do you approve or disapprove of Senator Mel Martinez's job performance?
Approve 41%
Disapprove 34%
Undecided 25% ...
44. Would you favor a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriages?
Yes 60%
No 35%
Undecided 5% SV is, of course, a GOP leaning poll.
"Fun with Feeney"
Florida News has "Fun With Feeney"; Feeney is probably the most embarassing Florida Congressman, or maybe it is "Ric [sic]" Keller, or maybe ... one could go on for quite a while.
Gay Marriage Ban
"An effort to amend the state Constitution doesn't pass legal muster, foes say in a high court filing." "Squelch gay marriage ban proposal, court urged". See also "Opponents of gay marriage ban challenge amendment wording", "Groups slam gay-marriage ban" ("Proposed amendment called 'sneak attack'") and "Gays sue over marriage amendment" ("Gay couples and civil rights groups asked the state Supreme Court to reject the ballot language for the 'marriage protection amendment.'").
Nasty
comments over at The Buzz ("Democratic Disarray").
How Gracious of Him
"Miami lobbyist Bob Levy is throwing an engagement party for GOP Rep. Anitere Flores. Levy, a longtime family friend, said it's common for lobbyists to pay for delegation events." "Lobbyist plans lawmaker party".
Survey USA Poll
The Pensacola News Journal on the recent Survey USA poll:Those surveyed put the Florida governor 30th among his gubernatorial cohorts, on a list where South Dakota's Gov. Mike Rounds is at the top with a 76 percent approval rating. Ohio's Bob Taft is at the bottom with support from just 17 percent of those asked. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger fell in at 48th, with 65 percent of those polled voicing disapproval. Curiously churchgoes approve of "Jeb!" at almost the same level (54%) as Floridians generally (53%):One of the biggest dips came among regular churchgoers, for whom the governor lost a little of his luster, despite his stand on socially conservative issues. In August, 63 percent of those who attend church regularly approved of Bush. It is now 54 percent. Plainly "Jeb!"'s numbers are down, and together with the Strategic Vision poll, showing that Floridians by 46 percent to 43 percent think Florida is heading in the wrong direction, Floridians may be getting their fill of the Bushies.
Perhaps They All Aren't Rich GOoPer Retirees
"The Fort Myers-Cape Coral area posted the ninth-largest population increase [in the U.S.], growing 11.6 percent to 492,000 from 2000 through 2003. Coming in fourth was the Naples-Marco Island area, which expanded 14 percent to 287,000 in the same period." "Census puts area growth in top 10".
Sordid ...
not what Jebbie did, but the special treatment he received:This was not Jebby's first encounter with the police. Five years ago--a month before the 2000 election--he was caught by security guards while in the act with a 17-year-old female in a Jeep Cherokee parked in a Tallahassee mall. Both were naked from the waist down, except Jebby was wearing his socks. The security guards called in the cops. A police officer arrived on the scene and investigated a possible crime of "sexual misconduct." In the subsequent police report, the officer wrote, "I became aware of the political ties" of the suspect. He then "contacted the watch commander...to inform him of the incident." After one of the security guards talked to Jebby's father--who happened to be the governor of the state--this guard told the on-the-scene cop that he believed that his own supervisor would "pull" the preliminary report. The cop replied that he would still have to complete an incident report. And a report was written. Nothing happened after that. The incident did not become public until two days before the presidential election, when this police report was leaked to the local media and a London newspaper. (Only the London paper went with the story.) According to Artie Brown, one of the two security guards who nabbed Jebby that night, the young Bush spoke to his father after being caught and then remarked, "My dad will fix it." "Bush Dynasty: The Next Generation".
Wingers Heart "Jeb!" in 2008
Wingnuts of the World Unite: "Save the Date: Jeb Bush in 2008".
"Pundits in print and TV keep talking about Florida Sen. Mel Martinez as a potential nominee for the highest court. The latest mention came from Gwen Ifill on Meet the Press Sunday." "Justice Martinez?"
Please, please nominate Mr. Cellophane. I cannot wait to hear the third tier personal injury lawyer addressing the Senate Judiciary Committee on the great constitutional issues of our time.
Laughing Her Way to the Bank
Jeremy Wallace: "Coulter, speaking to the Christian Coalition of Florida's annual dinner over the weekend, blasted away at liberals."
"Jeb!" Cronies "Cash In"
"Lobbyists Should Not Sit On State Governing Boards":Jeb Bush may have vetoed legislation proposing state ethics reforms, but Senate President Tom Lee says he will use his position to make sure the Senate will adhere to the legislation's provisions even though they didn't become law.
Bush killed the measure, objecting to a provision that would have made officials who work for the executive branch wait two years before they can lobby. The restriction already applies to the legislative branch.
Bush said the provision would hurt efforts to recruit state employees who may later move to private firms that lobby state government.
But the reasonable restraint hasn't harmed the Legislature. Top businesses frequently require employees to sign a no-compete agreement that limits future employment opportunities.
It appears the governor simply wants to make sure his staff can cash in before and after he leaves office. Harsh, but true: "the governor simply wants to make sure his staff can cash in". From the Tampa Trib no less.
Touch-screen Alternatives
"Nearly a year after Palm Beach County Elections Supervisor Arthur Anderson won office with a pledge to deliver a paper trail, his Election Technology Advisory Committee has just begun studying alternatives to touch-screen voting machines." "Elections".
Redistricting
"Taxpayers could save half the cost of redrawing Florida's political boundaries by taking that enormous power away from legislators and giving it to an independent commission, backers of the plan said Tuesday." "Cost of redrawing boundaries panned".
Florida's own "Brownie"
Yesterday, Scott Maxwell took a look at Florida's top FEMA official, Scott Morris, to see if we have a "Brownie problem; turns out we do and in the worst way:Well, looking at Morris' resume on the Federal Emergency Management Agency Web site, you can see that his qualifications include: "media strategist for the George W. Bush for President primary campaign and the Bush-Cheney 2000 campaign." ...
Morris' resume says he also "managed grass-roots activities and media strategies for the Dole for President campaign." Plus, he "assisted the executive director of the Republican National Committee."
His degree: a bachelor's in communication.
Put it all together, and it looks as if the guy is well-suited to handle a tornado of campaign accusations or hurricane-force punditry. But nothing about Morris suggests he gave much thought to emergency management until Bush appointed him FEMA's deputy chief of staff in November 2003.
"'Leadership' with connections".
Play Nice Boys
"State GOP chairwoman Carole Jean Jordan worries about the Republican gubernatorial primary between Charlie Crist and Tom Gallagher getting nasty and she wants them to promise to play nice." "Promise to be nice, GOP asks governor candidates" ("The exact wording of a pledge, however, is still being worked out.")
Class Size Politics
"State education officials say Florida school districts will need nearly $2-billion next year to build enough classrooms to keep pace with the class-size amendment." "Wanted: $1.98B for class-size building". Is the figure contrived?Some supporters of the class-size initiative say they see the massive budget request as another means of trying to undermine support for the amendment, which was originally opposed by Gov. Jeb Bush in 2002, who asserted its cost would be so high it would "block out the sun." A spokesman for the Florida Education Association, the teachers' union that backed the amendment, said lawmakers have had more than three years to develop an incremental plan to meet the class size goals.
"Now all of a sudden, we're faced with a $1.9 billion bill," said Mark Pudlow, an FEA spokesman. "I just think they're doing everything that they can to make class size unpalatable and they're taking another run at it."
Bush is widely expected to ask lawmakers to revise the class-size amendment. Republican senators joined Democrats earlier this year in voting down Bush's proposal that would have asked voters to essentially end the class-size reduction in exchange for guaranteed hikes in teacher pay.
Bush said Tuesday that the $1.9 billion request is "only a down payment" that could grow further by next year. He said "as the reality sets in" that the cost of reducing class sizes may affect the state's ability to recruit teachers and pay them more, legislators may agree to put the issue back on the ballot. "$1.9 billion sought to reduce class sizes".Florida's governor and top legislators, confronted with a $2 billion bill for new classrooms, vowed Tuesday to renew a push to make voters reconsider their expensive demand for smaller public school classes. "Gov. Bush, GOP legislators look to scuttle costly law limiting class sizes".
Corruption
"Gallagher, who used to appoint the entire Citizens [Property Insurance Co] board until the Legislature and governor this summer took some of that responsibility, promises his office will investigate the allegations. 'Whether there were kickbacks involved and whether he was requesting kickbacks, that's to be determined,' Gallagher says. 'We're going to find out the whole story.'" "Smells like corruption".
One Man's Opinion
The Buzz: "'Tallahassee has become a very different place,' [Bob] Graham writes to Democratic donors. 'A one-party machine rules state government operated too often by and for insiders and greased with the influence of lobbyists and their massive campaign war chests.'"
"Hackery"
Apparently, if you aren't kissing Bushie derriere you are "politicizing" the process:Republicans pressured Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson to openly endorse Supreme Court Chief Justice nominee John Roberts, seemingly ignoring Nelson's remarks that he was "favorably impressed" by the candidate.
Boca Raton Mayor Steven Abrams was among a handful of GOP heavyweights, including former state party Chairman Al Cardenas and Bush-Cheney campaign counsel Ben Ginsberg, who held a conference call with reporters Tuesday accusing Democrats of "politicizing the process."
"There are sufficient votes to confirm John Roberts. What this has now come down to is really an acid test of who Bill Nelson is and what he believes," said Ginsberg, who is affiliated with the conservative advocacy group, Progress for America, that pledged to spend up to $18 million on television and radio ads in support of President Bush's Supreme Court nominees.
Cardenas' firm, Tew Cardenas, won a lucrative contract this summer to run Progress for America's Florida campaign. "Fla. GOP calls on Nelson to endorse Roberts". See also "Republicans apply pressure on Nelson".
This from the political party responsible for Clarence Thomas' appointment and the hacks that gave us the "Swiftboat" liars.
To which Florida's Senior Senator had this to say:[Nelson] took a shot at Cardenas, saying he "heads a front group to advance a very partisan agenda. His remarks constitute hackery and are a disservice to the public, because they politicize an important judicial decision." "Roberts has one sure, one likely Florida vote".
"Hackery"; calling a spade a spade.
Now That The Election Is Over
"Two Florida congressmen said they want FEMA to pay all the money it still owes to Florida counties for repairs and cleanup from last year's hurricanes." "Late-paying FEMA criticized". See also "Fla. congressmen hit FEMA on overdue payments".
"Jeb!"'s "Imaginary Friend"
Missed this a couple of days ago: "Gov. Bush & his mystical buddy". For some less than kind commentary, see "Jeb Bush Reveals His 'Mystical Warrior' Friend". See also "Morons.org". For more inf on "Jeb!"'s condition, see Baby Centers' Ask the Experts' "My child has an imaginary friend. Is this normal?" (via Think Progress).
Note to Readers
No posts tomorrow. Posts resume Wednesday, September 21.
Radical ...
change for the Florida GOP:The historic wall of solidarity among Florida lawmakers against oil and gas drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico is crumbling amid fears of rising energy prices.
When Congress begins work next month on a large tax and budget bill, it might include a provision allowing drilling in part of the eastern Gulf.
Instead of being blocked by Florida lawmakers, as efforts have been for years, the proposal may well be drafted by three of them: Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala; Rep. Michael Bilirakis, R-Tarpon Springs; and Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Chumuckla.
And many of their GOP colleagues say they are willing to consider the idea. "Florida could bow to drilling".
Gimmicks
"The problem remains that Gov. Bush's education policy is gimmick-driven. He and the Legislature have created a plethora of voucher programs and eased the way for creation of record numbers of charter schools, but they have refused to require those programs to meet the same standards required of regular public schools." "Gimmicks over quality".
Our Education Guv at Work
"[T]he fourth-largest state is ranked 46th nationally in per-student funding and 31st in teacher salaries - more than $6,000 below the national average and more than $5,000 below Georgia. That's a disincentive for professionals interested in coming to work in a state that truly puts its money where its mouth is." "Education lab".
It's The Reporters' Fault
"Gov. Bush, children in DCF care and Florida residents would all be better served if the governor would direct his anger and attention to those who run DCF instead of reporters." "Straight to the point".
"Perils of Privatization"
Privatization follies:The perils of privatization are illustrated by a new report from the Legislature's policy watchdogs.
The Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability studied employee qualifications, background checks, salaries and training for direct-care staff in residential institutions of the Department of Juvenile Justice. It's one of the most heavily privatized state departments, dependant on companies that specialize in helping kids before they graduate to prison.
What OPPAGA found in comparing Juvenile Justice employees to those of some of the privateers - less training and salaries so low that employees can qualify for welfare - is a warning to all departments that "outsource" state work. "Privatization isn't cheaper and better".
Playing Politics With Kids
"Education guidelines call for less space, but school districts fret the class size amendment will be repealed." "State puts squeeze on rooms to fit class sizes".
Saint Pete
"The bitter battles of past election campaigns are happily absent in St. Petersburg so far" "A city undivided".
Eminent Domain
"[T]he Florida Legislature is wading into the [eminent domain] issue. On Wednesday a newly created legislative committee began work to develop recommendations to give property owners more protection under state law." "Panel seeks controls over eminent domain".
Bush Family Values
"If the Bush family morals can't even rub off on their children, they must question how seriously the rest of the country accepts their moral facade." "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree".
And in reporting Lil Jebbie's recent arrest, the media (while often mentioning Noelle's problems ... ) seem to have forgotten Jebbie's previous problems, as well as brother George P.'s run ins with the law; not to mention Mommy's smuggling.
Oh yeah, Noelle's "problems" were not limited to "Xanax" and forged prescriptions, there was also this little crack cocaine thing, contempt of court and extra jail time. (Oh yeah, that was "crack" not powdered cocaine, a much worse offense, which the media was kind enough to gloss over.)
Much more on the Bush family's strange values here.
Lawsuit
"The lawsuit alleging that St. Petersburg elections disenfranchise black voters would be more credible if the litigant wasn't also on the ballot. But the self-interest of the International People's Democratic Uhuru Movement and its City Council candidate, Dwight "Chimurenga" Waller, is not the only problem with the claim. The election system they attack has produced African-American council members for a quarter-century." "Uhurus' election-year suit".
"Rigid Tax Caste System"
"Save Our Homes deals the biggest tax breaks to longtime residents living in the wealthiest areas. New owners in modest neighborhoods often pay the same tax bill as millionaire homeowners near the beach. In the decade since Floridians revolted against years of double-digit tax hikes and passed the amendment, it has created numerous tax castes that have as much to do with determining tax bills as the value of property." "State's Homestead Cap Creates Rigid Tax Caste System".
"Jeb!"'s World
"Workers who guard and mentor teens in privately run programs for teen offenders make so little that some qualify for food stamps and other aid, according to a state report released Friday." Not to worry, though, "the executives who run private programs under state contract are doing fine - taking home higher salaries on average than their counterparts in state government, the study found." "Private-run teen detention workers paid less".
Florida GOoPers Worried?
Not such a sure thing anymore:In the coming year, Floridians will elect a U.S. senator, a governor, three Cabinet officers and U.S. representatives in a handful of contested districts.
What seemed like a nearly sure thing to the GOP just a few months ago - a successful continuation of more than a decade of power - now is less certain. And some wonder whether the GOP will lose its hold on Washington.
"We are as vulnerable as we have been in a number of years," said Tom Slade, former chairman of the Florida Republican Party. "It is not a pretty picture."
Slade is credited with helping build the Florida GOP from an inconsequential minority party to the dominant political force it is today. Now the retired Jacksonville businessman and lobbyist believes the GOP could be in danger of losing its hold if voters "reach the point that they want simple revenge and take it out on the incumbents." "Republicans worry about reelection as voters get testy".
A "Private", "Personal Family Matter"
"Alia Faraj, the spokeswoman for Jeb Bush, said Friday the incident "is a personal family matter" which the governor and his wife Columba "are dealing with privately." The governor's office didn't immediately return messages Saturday." "Son of Florida Gov. Bush pushed officer, affidavit says".
God Forbid ...
but protecting children is apparently less important to GOoPers than opposing extending hate crime protection to gays:Fifty-two members of the U.S. House of Representatives voted against the Children's Safety Act, which sets tougher penalties for criminals who prey on children.
How could anyone vote against such an idea? Jeremy Wallace tells us how:Just 21 minutes before voting on the bill the House unexpectedly voted 223-199 in favor of an amendment by Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., that expands current hate crime laws to include some crimes involving sexual orientation, gender and disability. Their excuse?It became the ultimate poison pill for conservative members of Congress who fear they could be criticized for supporting gay rights. Rep. Dave Weldon, R-Indialantic, and Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Chucmuckla, were the only Florida lawmakers who voted against the Children's Safety Act. "Gay Rights Issue Slips Into Bill That Cracks Down on Sex Offenders".
I see, supporting a bill that makes it a hate crime to beat up gays will cause GOoPers to be "criticized for supporting gay rights"? This from the "values" crowd?
No Lose Situation For FPL
"These are signals that FPL is quite profitable ... And, of course, state regulators allow the company to pass risks onto customers." "Energy Costs".
"A cash cow largely for the rich"
"But over the years, the program that was supposed to save little old ladies from being forced from their homes has turned into a cash cow largely for the rich. It transformed a system that made sense -- where the most valuable property got taxed highest -- into a snarl of inequities." "State riddled with tax inequities after 10 years of Save Our Homes".
Latino Vote
The Tampa Cuban vote:Velazquez, 33, represents a new generation -- they're not hard-liners on embargoes or political sanctions that have unified Cubans for a long time. Their interests are the same as many other Latino immigrants -- education, health care and day care.
"I'm no expert, but I do know that the Democrats think about the poor," Velazquez said. "When I vote, I have to think about those things. For me, it's about my family." "More Latinos Spurning Political Status Quo".
"Wings of Justice"
"Days after lending his private jet to the Katrina relief effort, Stuart lawyer Willie Gary is making it available to the Florida Democratic Party to help raise money to benefit the party's state House campaigns." "Gary lends jet to Democrats for fund-raiser".
"One Florida" Flop
"[T]here is a 9.5-percent decline in black freshmen on Florida's campuses this fall, when compared to 2004.... And black men have had the most impact on this trend." "Campuses see sharp drop-off in black men".
"Like Taking Credit for Sunshine"
Enough with the "'education governor'-speak"; "One Florida" is a "flop":It will be instructive to see, if he runs for president, how Gov. Bush finesses the African-American student-enrollment debacle wrought by his One Florida initiative. ...
This isn't a start-up problem. One Florida has been official policy for five years. ...
The highlight of Gov. Bush's excuses of past years was that the minority student drop was not as precipitous as some had predicted. This time, his news release did not even mention One Florida. ...
Rather than identify the students who need help and make sure they get it, Gov. Bush continues to rationalize and lapse into "education governor"-speak. The objective of his initiative, after all, was to head off Ward Connerly's anti-affirmative action ballot proposal, which could have brought out more voters and derailed his brother's 2000 presidential push. One hardly can blame the governor for selectively touting the enrollment numbers rather than acknowledging their indictment of One Florida. Given the state's record growth, however, claiming credit for more students is like taking credit for the sunshine. "Drop in black enrollment shows One Florida a flop".
Gallagher ...
firms up support:If it seems all of Tampa Bay's political heavyweights are lining up behind Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist, think again. The host list for Tom Gallagher's Sept. 27 fundraiser in Tampa is like a who's who of business and community leaders. Among those hosting the $500-a-person event at the Bayshore Boulevard home of McDonald's franchise executive Blake Casper:
Former Gov. Bob Martinez; architect Carlos Alfonso; Brandon attorney Clif Curry; developer Dick Corbett; businessman John Jaeb; former Hillsborough County Commissioner Dottie Berger MacKinnon; state Rep. J.D. Alexander; John and Susan Sykes; Clearwater lawyer Ed Armstrong; Feather Sound developer Fred Bullard; developer Mike Hogan; Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce president C. Samuel Ellison; Without Walls International Church Pastor Randy White; businessman Dick Beard; and businessman J. Patrick Michaels. And,[w]ith Attorney General Charlie Crist touting his tough-on-crime background and backing from the Police Benevolent Association, Gallagher is eager to highlight his own public safety credentials.
The campaign's public safety advisers: former Attorney General Jim Smith, the team's chairman; Bob Carver, statewide president of the Florida Professional Firefighters; George Denman, former deputy secretary of the Florida Department of Corrections; state Rep. Dick Kravitz, chairman of the House Criminal Justice Committee; Ray Markey, former assistant attorney general; Jeff McAdams, president of the Gainesville Fraternal Order of Police; Nancy McGowan, victim rights advocate; and Sheriff Roy Raymond of Indian River County. "Gallagher taps heavyweights".
Troxler
"Florida's science standards for public schools are due to be reviewed next year. And Florida's new chancellor for grades K-12, newly hired by Gov. Jeb Bush's appointees, was accused by critics in her past job in Minnesota of trying to open the door for creationism. (She says she has no such intention.)" "Let science deal in facts, not religious conjecture".
Except For Florida, That Is
We read today that "Work deaths down in industrialized nations, up in developing ones". Of course the rules are different here in Florida, where we learned this week that, among other thiings, Florida is next to last in the number of workers killed on the job. As the Palm Beach Post put it, "Workers who want work can find it in Florida, but most of them have to be willing to ... worry about staying alive."
More at Florida News : "Worker's Paradise?"
Gas Tax
"Pound foolish to cut fuel tax". "Gas prices".
"Westside residents were shocked to learn that Gov. Jeb Bush and Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton are pushing for the reopening of Cecil Field as the Navy's master jet base - and that they are willing to spend millions more in taxpayer dollars to do it." "Many in Jacksonville fight plan to reopen Cecil Field base".
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