Labor Decides Today

"The biggest potential prize in the Democratic primary for governor could be issued today. Representatives from AFL-CIO executive boards throughout the state heard from candidates Rod Smith and Jim Davis on Saturday. Now it's time to see whether either candidate can secure the union's endorsement." "Labor Support Latest Trophy In Governor's Race".




Christian Conservatives

"Christian conservatives are seeking a new Republican standard bearer to replace Gov. Jeb Bush, and both Republican candidates are jockeying for the role." "Looking to fill Bush's shoes".




Class Size Looms

"Class sizes looming over state legislators" ("Ray Sansom may be the House speaker who has to figure out how to pay for it").




"Homeownership dreams fade"


"The sizzling pace in home sales has noticeably cooled, signaling that a long-forecast slowdown in South Florida's market may have begun. But the cycle hasn't, so far, eased a pair of critical public policy issues, affordable housing and property tax inequities." "Housing" See also "Out of reach" and "New Orlando home may jump by $6,147".




"Jeb Bush, R-Tammany Hall"

"Gov. Jeb Bush seemed like he really meant it last week when he vowed to take a break from rearranging the pieces on Florida's political chess board. But his pledge barely lasted a day. His endorsement of Senate President Tom Lee of Brandon over Rep. Randy Johnson of Celebration in the Republican primary for chief financial officer came 27 hours after the governor said he learned a lesson from failing to persuade House Speaker Allan Bense to challenge U.S. Senate candidate Katherine Harris." "Governor's break from political maneuvering doesn't last long".

Ruth was on fire yesterday with "Jeb Throws Political Kisses To Tom Lee":

there was Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Tammany Hall, the other day attempting to manipulate a cast of characters better than Jim Henson in an effort to influence the outcome of the Republican primary election for Chief Financial Officer.

In an unprecedented move, He Who Must Be Posing For Holy Pictures injected himself into the primary by throwing his considerable heft behind Florida Senate President Tom Lee over his opponent, state Rep. Randy Johnson.

Aside from attempting - and failing - to persuade the Florida Swamp Ape to run against Katherine Harris in the U.S. Senate primary, this was the first time Bush had openly taken sides in a contested nomination battle.

Read the rest of it here.

And Jebbie the kingmaker is apparently at it again: "His office claims not. But it is less than a week after Frank Bolanos declared he'd run against incumbent Sen. Alex Villalobos, R-Miami. Gov. Jeb Bush's schedule for Monday (which is being spent in Miami) shows him meeting for 30 minutes with Bolanos, whom Bush appointed to the Miami-Dade School Board in 2001." "Jeb Bush Taking Sides in Fla. Senate Race?"




"Growth won"

"Florida long ago made the decision to allow population growth to outpace its natural water supply. Growth won." "Why Once-Soggy Florida Now Must Ration Water".




"Shaw-Klein contest a key"

"Bush's swing through South Florida this month highlighted the importance of the House race between Republican U.S. Rep. Clay Shaw of Fort Lauderdale and his Democratic challenger, state Sen. Ron Klein of Boca Raton." "Shaw-Klein contest a key battle in fight for control of House".




"Coping with paradise"

"Florida's sunshine and easy living draw thousands of new residents annually. But, oh, those things discovered when they move here: droughts that spark wildfires; hurricanes with deadly winds; floods that seem to be Mother Nature's effort to reclaim swamp land; sinkholes that demonstrate the fragility of the peninsula state. While Florida has attempted to deal with these issues, there is much to be done." "Coping with paradise".




Raw Political Courage

"Putnam takes a stand against gators".




Poor Lobbyists

"It was interesting to learn from reports filed Monday, for example, that former Florida Education Commissioner Jim Horne collected between $250,000 and $499,000 in just the first three months of this year, much of it from charter school companies. As a public official, Mr. Horne championed charter schools." "Spotlight on lobbying".




Keller

"An item on the front page of newspapers around the country last week noted that 'one House Republican' criticized presidential adviser Karl Rove for siding with liberal Democrats on immigration issues. What the papers didn't say was who that House Republican was -- Ric Keller (right). And here's what the Orlando Republican really said: 'Karl, Ted Kennedy gave a passionate speech on the Senate floor in support of President Bush's position. If you get in bed with Ted Kennedy, you're going to get more than a good night's sleep.'" "Congressional Catchall".