Our CFO Day Trader

"Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher said Tuesday that his day trading of stocks from his Capitol office was legal and had no impact on the decisions he made as insurance commissioner." "Gallagher defends investments he made as state insurance chief". See also "Gallagher asking lawyer to check his financial activities", "Gallagher requests review of trading" ("The CFO's tax returns show he traded stocks in insurance when he was insurance commissioner.")

The SPT editorial board has this:

The losses can help Gallagher defend against charges of insider trading or at least against charges that he profited from his conflicts. But they may also take some of the swagger out of claim to be the only "businessman" running for governor.

"Gallagher's business sense".

Can't help but laugh at the image of a "swagger[ing]" "businessman".






Jebbie's Tax Scheme

"Gov. Jeb Bush proposed $1.5 billion in tax cuts, including spending $500 million to give all resident homeowners a $100 check." The Dems respond:

U.S. Rep. Jim Davis, a Tampa Democrat, called the tax cuts "another election-year gimmick."

Davis said the extra money should be spent on building new schools rather than on tax rebates and sales tax holidays.

"How about a holiday from school overcrowding? How about a year-round holiday from traffic congestion?" he said.

State Sen. Rod Smith, an Alachua Democrat, said money from the state's budget surplus should be used on school construction, Everglades reconstruction and bailing out Citizens Property Insurance, the state insurer of last resort, so homeowners won't have a surcharge on their insurance policies.

"Bush pushes record cuts in taxes". See also "Gov. Bush touts tax cuts in his budget", "Bush proposes nine tax cuts totaling $1.5 billion", "Gov. Bush tax cut plan totals $1.5 billion; homeowners would get back $155", "Gov. Bush proposes tax giveback in final year" and "Governor's Tax Cut Would Be A Record".




Where's "Jeb!"?

"Florida Sens. Bill Nelson, a Democrat, and Mel Martinez, a Republican, said they would unveil legislation today that would end annual battles over offshore oil and gas drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico." "Nelson, Martinez ready offshore oil bill to protect Florida waters".




No Soft Money

"Florida Senate President Tom Lee said Tuesday that his campaign for state chief financial officer will not use about $1.1 million in soft money left in a fund he created to aid Senate colleagues facing re-election two years ago." Lee "said his decision, however, would not preclude him from creating a new 527 committee to support his CFO race and denied that it was prompted by Johnson's demand during a Capitol news conference Friday." "Sen. Lee says he won't use soft money for CFO race". See also "Lee won't shift $1-million fund", "Cabinet candidate won't use `soft money'", "Lee says he won't use 'soft money' in CFO campaign" and "Lee Answers Rival's Call".




Confidence

"Buoyed by low unemployment and a rising stock market, the confidence of Florida consumers reached a six-month high in January, but economists warned of an imminent decline as the housing market cools." "Study: Florida consumer confidence hits six-month high".




Gay Bashers Pushing Time Limit

"Groups seeking to place proposed constitutional amendments before Florida voters this fall have until 5 p.m. today to get enough signatures validated." "Gay marriage ban drive faces deadline".




The Candidates

"Florida's Republican and Democratic gubernatorial candidates offered mainly rhetoric Tuesday at a gathering of newspaper editors and reporters, but provided some insight about the issues likely to dominate the race to succeed Gov. Jeb Bush." "Governor hopefuls offer sketchy plans".




Nelson Explains Himself

"Although he has said he won’t vote to confirm Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court, Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida, did not join Sens Ted Kennedy and John Kerry last night in trying to set up a filibuster of Alito. Nelson, who is facing re-election in 2006, joined 18 other Democrats in voting to end Senate debate on Alito." "Nelson Opposed Alito Filibuster".




Disappointing Editorial

The Tallahassee Democrat keeps the gloves on in this soft editorial about Pruitt: "Ill-advised". This from the Tampa Trib is no surprise: "Bush's Financial Aid Package Boosts Students Most In Need".




Whatever

"Southwest Fla. residents grade President Bush".




Team Teaching

"Educators anticipate a co-teaching ban, which was supposed to begin in the fall, to be overturned in the legislative session that starts in March." "Legislators expected to toss ban on team teaching in classrooms".