Harris Watch

The vultures will begin circling again

A well-known government-watchdog group will ask the Justice Department today to investigate U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris' dealings with a now disgraced defense contractor accused of bribery.

Common Cause wants to know whether Harris broke the law when she and Mitchell Wade met at an exclusive Georgetown restaurant in early 2005. At that dinner -- which cost Wade up to $2,800 -- Wade offered to hold a fundraiser for Harris and sought her help obtaining $10 million in federal money.

Common Cause's director of ethics campaigns said there is sufficient evidence to suggest Harris submitted the appropriations request in exchange for Wade's fundraising support.

"There's certainly the appearance of a quid pro quo," said Mike Surrusco. "We absolutely think this complaint has merit."

"Common Cause asks feds to investigate Harris".




To The Extent You Care ...

here's the Orlando Sentinel editorial board's request to the Legislature to "Do what's right". In the editorial, they note that "Mr. Bush can't see it, but vouchers stand to tarnish his legacy as an education reformer."




There's An Idea

"Smith: Restore intangibles tax to pay for teachers' raises".




Session News

- "One week left in legislative session".

- "Week left in legislative session, and key items remain".

- "Lawmakers rush amendments".

- "Legislators scramble to expand foster-care programs".




Statewide Protests

"Immigration protests planned across Florida" See also "S. Florida immigrants and supporters say they will join nationwide boycott today", "Orlando readies for immigrant march" and "Protest strike's focus blurs".




Death Politics

"Concerns have been raised about Florida's lethal injection regime that should be addressed by lawmakers rather than wait for a high court ruling." "Of pain and punishment".




Voucher Madness

"A group led by a Tampa millionaire pays for radio spots urging key Democrats to support a proposed constitutional amendment."

Expecting a critical vote on private-school vouchers as early as today, a Tampa millionaire is spearheading a political advertising campaign aimed at persuading key black state senators to change their stance.

A series of radio advertisements urge: "Don't turn your back on thousands of children whose lives were saved by the chance to attend private schools."

Tampa's John Kirtley, a prominent voucher advocate and former venture capitalist, is a leader of the Florida Committee for Educational Freedom, which paid for the spots in Jacksonville and Orlando, targeting two black Democratic senators.

"If this thing loses by one vote, every senator who voted "no' is the deciding vote," Kirtley said. "These two senators represent over 2,000 kids in their districts whose lives are in jeopardy."

"Voucher ads target black senators".




Palm Beach County

George Bennett"Politics: GOP's Loeb gains enemies in own party".




Privatization "Curse"

"Privatization can be a blessing or a curse".




Petty Politics

"A week after the state House passed a bill that would allow postconviction DNA testing to prove an inmate's innocence, the bill's counterpart in the Senate is in trouble and running short of time." "Petty Politics Could Kill DNA Bill". See also "Justice, senators?"




JJ

"Rep. Gus Barreiro's passion for juvenile justice grew with each abuse. In his last term, he led the elimination of boot camps." "His finest hour fathoms camps' lowest".




Schiavo

"[D]ogged by protesters, Michael Schiavo told a bioethics gathering Sunday that outsiders have no right to intervene in medical decisions that divide even ethicists, neurologists and Catholic church officials." "Husband: I should have talked sooner".




GOoPers Diss Abortion Foes

Missed this yesterday:

You might think this would be a big priority in Florida, where roughly 90,000 abortions are performed annually and where Republican leaders regularly tout their "prolife" credentials.

"GOP brushing off abortion opponents".