"State campaign full of unregulated cash"

"State Rep. Randy Johnson demanded Friday that Senate President Tom Lee refrain from using cash from a political committee he controls in their battle for the Republican nomination to a Cabinet seat." "State campaign full of unregulated cash". See also "CFO Candidate Pledges Not To Raise Soft Money", "GOP rivals in race for CFO differ on 'soft money'", "GOP finance chief candidate won't take advocacy group donations" and "Rival calls on Lee to reject soft money".

Gay Bashers in Trouble

"Another amendment drive to write a gay-marriage ban into Florida's Constitution is still well short of the signatures needed, although its backers have lined up significant resources [courtesy of the Florida GOP] to push it next week." "Gay-marriage ban still short".

When will these guys get it right: the proposed amendment prohibits much more than "gay marriage".

Randy Nielsen

Poor Ken Pruitt, he's embarassed himself; maybe it is Randy Nielsen's fault:

The next president of the Florida Senate has heads spinning after mailing an incendiary fundraising letter accusing "liberals in the Florida Senate" of targeting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Boy Scouts.

The main reason for Pruitt's letter was to raise money, the one thing lawmakers can never get enough of. But rather than put forth a positive agenda of job creation, tax cuts, school choice and other policies in the GOP platform, Pruitt ripped a page from the playbook of his political adviser, Randy Nielsen. ...

It's conceivable that Pruitt was sold a bill of goods here by Nielsen, the West Palm Beach strategist who owns Public Concepts, a firm specializing in heavy-handed direct mail pitches (Nielsen's office is listed as the address to send party contributions).

Reached at work Friday, Nielsen begged off an interview, saying he wasn't the story. "I'm up to my arms in alligators, trying to save America," Nielsen said.

Belated "Jebcare"

Recall how after "an abrupt about-face Thursday, Florida joined roughly half the nation's states in helping low-income beneficiaries who have been overcharged for their prescription drugs during the rocky implementation of the Medicare drug law."

Of all the glitches that have marred the new Medicare prescription drug program that began this month, the cruelest was the one that left poor Floridians with a drug bill they couldn't afford. Many of those probably went without their medications. Now Gov. Jeb Bush finally has done the right thing and committed the state to help.

His actions come a little late, but at least he has offered a temporary fix.

Now That The Elections Are Over ...

and Dubya doesn't have to pretend he gives a damn about the Everglades, we get this: "Facing an enormous backlog of water-wrangling projects across the country, Congress this year is unlikely to approve money for restoring the Everglades, leaving the $10.5 billion project "stuck in the swamp," an Interior Department official said Friday." "".

More GOoPer "Values"

"When the state heightened the criteria for a species to be listed as "endangered" last year so that a species would have to be near extinction to be afforded the highest protection, conservationists warned that it wouldn't accurately reflect the true threat to imperiled creatures. They now appear to be exactly right." "State's Labels Mislead Public On Status of Imperiled Animals".

Hasting Warns Shaw

U.S. Reps. Alcee Hastings and Clay Shaw are buddies. Hastings has warned Shaw not to underestimate Klein's challenge:

Hastings clearly cares for Shaw, and this week he had a warning for his congressional colleague, who is mired in a tough re-election against state Sen. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton.

Dismissing Shaw's opponents in previous campaigns as weak, Hastings cautioned that Klein is one of his party's better grassroots politicians. The Democrat will be shaking hands and knocking on doors all over House District 22, which stretches from Fort Lauderdale to north Palm Beach County, mostly east of US 1.

Hastings warned that Shaw can't just overwhelm this opponent with television spots, a tactic Shaw has depended on in the past.

"Clay has to get out and do retail politics," said Hastings, who has refused to endorse Klein because of his friendship for Shaw. "He's in the fight of his life," ... .

Incompetence

"Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt had a message Friday for those caught up in glitches with the new federal Medicare benefit program, who can't show they are eligible for prescription-drug coverage: 'Don't leave the counter without your prescription being filled,' said Leavitt, after meeting with the Florida Pharmacy Association." "Don't leave store without medicine".

More GOoPer Incompetence

"Florida officials didn't confirm the legitimacy of some hurricane claims before it paid out more than $150 million as part of an agreement to share the cost with Washington, a state audit has found." "Florida didn't check to ensure hurricane payments were legit".

You would think, after a series of revelations by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel about monumental waste and mismanagement at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, that Florida would be very careful about reimbursing FEMA for the state's share of disaster aid.

You would think, after revelations that FEMA paid hundreds of millions of dollars in disaster aid to people in Miami-Dade County and other parts of the country who had not been victims of disasters, that Florida might at least ask a few questions about FEMA payments before sending reimbursements.

You'd think so, but that would be giving state officials too much credit.

The Smith Team

"David Kochman, most recently senior account manager and media director for Miami-based Adkins + Associates consulting, is the new communications director. Joan Joseph, a respected Palm Beach County-based field organizer, is the new statewide volunteer coordinator. The new political director is Todd Wilder, a veteran political strategist who is on leave from Broward Sheriff Ken Jenne's office." "Smith's Growing Team".

Central to Bush's plan is about $500 million in a property-tax reduction that could save the owner of a home assessed at $300,000 about $80 a year.

The cut, however, could save Orange County's biggest landowner, Walt Disney World, about $1.6 million annually; Universal Orlando more than $400,000; and the Marriott hotel chain about $200,000 in the Orlando area alone.

"Jeb!" "Sellout"

"Gov. Bush, however, has been more willing to help his brother than to protect the state's beaches. Scoffing at critics and claiming that he was looking out for Florida, he hooked up with Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., who is working to dismantle the Endangered Species Act when he's not dabbling in Florida oil drilling deals. The governor suggested 100- and 125-mile buffers off the coast, enforceable by the state in a complex series of hearings that easily could allow drilling much closer to shore. It wasn't a compromise. It was a sellout." "Protect beaches, forever".

Thurman On Fire

Thurman goes after Pruitt:

Outraged with a Republican senator's fundraising letter that accused liberals of being against God, the Boy Scouts and the Pledge of Allegiance, Florida's Democratic Party is accusing its author of hypocritically misusing his office.

Democrats say Ken Pruitt, slated to lead the state Senate next year, should be censured by the very panel he chairs: the Senate Rules Committee.

Democratic Party chairwoman Karen Thurman said Pruitt violated a Senate rule calling on members to uphold the integrity of their office because his letter spoke of his official position, noting that it gives him "influence over what bills are voted on."

Thurman, pointing to federal lobbying scandals, said Pruitt was part of the "GOP culture of corruption." She compared his alleged transgression to a case involving Fort Lauderdale Democratic Sen. Mandy Dawson, who was rebuked last year by the full Senate -- at the behest of Pruitt's committee -- for soliciting money from lobbyists to pay for a trip to Africa.

"Jeb!" Covers For Dubya

"Up to 100,000 Florida seniors stranded without drug coverage because of widespread glitches in the new federal Medicare program will have their prescriptions paid for temporarily by the state, Gov. Jeb Bush said Thursday." "State to pay for seniors' drugs, for now". See also "Bush says state will backstop drug plan", "Florida to pay excess charges for poor in Medicare drug plan" and "State will pay what Medicare missed" ("By the governor's order, Florida will pick up the tab for some medications that used to be covered by Medicaid.")

Gift Ban?

The Florida Hispanic Legislative Caucus "sidestepped the law, as well as guidelines issued last week by state House and Senate leaders, by deciding not to use any of the money earned from the event for a charity the Hispanic legislators control." "For this one round of golf, a way around gift-ban law".

GOoPers Run Florida "Like a Business"

"Florida paid $155 million for its share of federal disaster aid to residents after the 2004 hurricanes without checking the legitimacy of the claims, a state audit has concluded." "Florida paid FEMA $155 million without verifying storm claims".

Bense Threatens PBC on Scripps

"Florida House Speaker Allan Bense threatened Thursday to take back the $310 million allocated to Palm Beach County if the county commission doesn't 'get its act together' regarding The Scripps Research Institute." "House speaker says he might pull county's Scripps money".

Just A Bird

"Federal wildlife officials rejected a proposal from environmentalists to reclassify the Florida scrub jay as endangered." "Scrub jay's classification hovers at 'threatened'".

Class Size Games

"Florida's Republican-led Legislature on Thursday took its first step in a renewed drive to water down class-size caps, which passed with overwhelming support from South Florida voters in 2002." "House panel moves toward GOP repeal on class sizes". See also "House panel votes for looser class size limits" and "House moves to ease class size limits".

"McInvale in Damage Control"

First, "Rep. Sheri McInvale, the Orlando lawmaker who recently switched from the Democrat to Republican party, has sent letters to contributors offering to give them their money back if they disagreed with her decision. And here's the best part: You paid for it! McInvale sent it out on official House letterhead, featuring the House seal and listing her committee assignments." "A Newly-Minted Republican Offers Refunds".

Next, as it turns out, "McInvale's use of government resources to send a political letter is a violation of House policy. [Bense spokesman]Towson Fraser says McInvale has agreed to reimburse the state treasury for the cost of the ill-advised letter and will send out a corrected letter, paid for by her political campaign." "McInvale in Damage Control".

Charlie and Donald

"Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist, who as state attorney general portrays himself as a friend of the little guy, is touting support from a big cheese. Tycoon Donald Trump will throw him a campaign fundraiser on Feb. 3 at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Crist announced Thursday." "Trump deals an ace to Crist ".

Our Education Governor

Rep. Curtis Richardson writes that Black "enrollment losses can be directly attributed to Republican policies, especially those of the governor. Foremost among those policies was One Florida, the governor's unilateral act to eliminate affirmative action in Florida's universities by executive order." "Bush policies caused decline in minority college enrollment".

More GOoPer "Business Values"

"A state audit released Thursday blasted Citizens Property Insurance as being poorly managed and wholly unprepared to handle thousands of hurricane claims the past two years." "State's auditors savage Citizens". See also "Audit details problems at Citizens Property Insurance", "Insurer Agrees It Must Change" and "Lawmaker wants Citizens' execs to answer management queries".

Thet're Just Manatees

"More Florida manatees died in 2005 than in any other year except 1996. The death toll for manatees continues to trend upward, despite state-enforced slow-speed zones, refuges and dock-building restrictions. So, when wildlife scientists for the state proposed downgrading manatees' protection as an endangered species, the immediate reaction was, 'They must be joking.' Sadly, they're not." "Manatee status".

Cost of College Going Up

"Florida's 11 public universities are a bargain in terms of tuition, but students are likely to be paying significantly more in nontuition fees next fall." "Higher college fees are sought".

"No time limit on justice"

"So far, five men imprisoned by the state of Florida have been exonerated through DNA testing. The latest to be released is Alan Crotzer, sentenced to 130 years for armed robbery and rape in 1981. Mr. Crotzer's case is an example of how our criminal-justice system can sometimes be flawed. The five exonerations are compelling reasons why the Legislature should lift a July deadline for persons convicted before 2001 to use DNA evidence to prove their innocence. Lawmakers also should drop the two-year deadline for persons convicted since 2001. There should be no time limit on justice." "Don't put justice in a straitjacket".

Rep. Sheri McInvale, R-Orlando, said she was asked by the trial lawyers to step outside the room just before casting her vote and threatened with retaliation in her reelection campaign if she voted for the bill.

"If I'm not here a year from now, I have a great life," McInvale said, her voice breaking. "I will never succumb to threats to vote a certain way on a bill because of somebody saying we will do our hardest to make sure you do not come back to this legislature. I'm so deeply offended.... To be pulled out during the meeting and basically strong-armed - this is totally inappropriate."

Scott Caruthers, executive director of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, admitted he and two others met with McInvale but denied threatening her.

Saint Tom the Family Man

Daniel Ruth: "What do you think the odds are that by the time the Republican gubernatorial primary rolls around, candidate Tom Gallagher will be stumping across the state wearing sackcloth, ashes and a papal miter, and giving campaign speeches in tongues?" "Heaven Only Knows How The Race Ends" ("GOP maven Barbara Wilcox and Gallagher supporter has huffed that 'We need a family man in the governor's mansion.'")

Florida's Method of Killing Under Review

"The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday blocked a Florida man's execution by lethal injection to consider whether the delivery of the deadly chemicals violates a constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment." "U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether Florida's executions are 'cruel and unusual'".

Stem Cell Politics

"Families that would benefit pleaded for research money, but support fell short." "House retreats on stem-cell bill".

"[T]he idea faces opposition from churches, and a number of legislators who believe that destroying an embryo amounts to killing a human being. Gov. Jeb Bush also takes that position, having called it last year 'the encouraging of the creation of life to take life.'" "Legislative panel debates embryonic stem cell research". See also "Stem-cell bill stalls in House committee"

Convergys Scandal

This could be one of the biggest (of many) GOoPer privatization scandals yet:

The Senate Democratic leader Wednesday asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to find out whether state personnel data illegally wound up in foreign countries.

Also, a Big Bend senator whose committee oversees the People First system said she'll call Department of Management Services officials to a hearing next month. She wants an update on Convergys operations and allegations that a former subcontractor sent millions of pages of employee records to data-entry companies in India, Barbados and possibly China.

And a third legislator sent Convergys a certified letter, demanding to know all subcontractors used in the People First system - including amounts paid to them and whether any used "offshore" operations to cut costs.

DNA

"Another important feature of the bill extends DNA testing to people who entered a guilty or no-contest plea. Some committee members found it hard to accept that a plea bargain might convince an innocent person to claim guilt. But it happens, especially when prosecutors offer a much-reduced sentence in exchange for the plea. Allowing those prisoners access to DNA testing can't compromise the mission of the justice system -- because it's a search for what bill sponsor Sen. Alex Villalobos, a former prosecutor, calls 'plain old truth.'" "Final justice".

Creationists To Wait A Year

"Florida's science curriculum for public schools will not be updated until 2008 -- more than a year later than expected. The delay ensures that a controversial debate over evolution will come after Gov. Jeb Bush leaves office and his successor is firmly in place." "State delays update of science curriculum".

Whatever

"Floridians could buy flashlights, tarps, radios, batteries, generators and other hurricane necessities tax free the week before the storm season starts under a bill approved Wednesday by a Senate committee." "Sales tax break on hurricane supplies moves forward".

Growth-Management

"Despite Florida's landmark growth-management bill last year, there is still a need for more state-growth-law tinkering, a key legislator said Wednesday." "State growth laws not set in stone yet".

Gallagher's Team

"The Tom Gallagher gubernatorial campaign announced the county-by-county leadership of its campaign organization. Most of the more than 200 men and women announced as regional chairs, County Chairs, organizational Chairs, regional Coordinators and captains are veterans of the Bush-Brogan and Bush-Cheney campaigns." "Gallagher's Statewide Team".

"Lee perfects his balancing act"

"Senate President Tom Lee has returned a $20,000 donation made by the Florida Home Builders Association to one of his leadership funds. That's a kind of hybrid between campaign fund-raising and old-fashioned fun money that House and Senate leaders have used to keep their members' wheels greased, helping them with re-election or just keeping their loyalty intact." "Grand gesture".

"Anti-God Forces"

"Next year's Senate president is soliciting funds to support the Scouts and the Pledge of Allegiance and to oppose 'liberal' and 'anti-God' forces." "Senator pledges allegiance to the oath and Boy Scouts".

"Trolling For Votes".

"Some shop owners say the mandatory requirement would be a burden while some Democrats accused Republicans of trolling for votes." "Bill to bag voters in gun, bait shops advances". See also "Bill aims to enlist voters at fishing, hunting stores".

'Glades: Bush, Martinez AWOL

"This year's conference includes former governor and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, former U.S. Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, Rep. Shaw and Sen. Nelson. Absent but needed are Gov. Bush and Republican Sen. Mel Martinez. Everglades restoration never has looked shakier." "Friends of Everglades needed more than ever".

"Republicans tend to be serenely like-minded"

Cotterell:

The Republicans tend to be serenely like-minded, even monolithic. By the time they convene an official meeting, the leadership has made all the important decisions and the membership enthusiastically endorses them.

GOP delegates then hurry out to the lobby in hopes of having their pictures made with Jeb Bush or Katherine Harris before they get away.

How Green Is Our Foley?

"Environmentalists voice anger at award for Rep. Foley".

A Collective Sigh of Relief ...

emanates from Tally Town: "Leaders decide a ban on treats from lobbyists can loosen a little. Those mouthwatering Capitol festivals will continue." "Free eats? If public can partake, then legislators can too".

Scalito

"Florida's senators stuck to their respective party positions in Wednesday's Senate debate over the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court." "Nelson, Martinez split on nominee".

Soft Money Politics

"Senate President Tom Lee may have the bully pulpit of his office to push for campaign finance reform, but his opponent for the Republican nomination for chief financial officer, state Rep. Randy Johnson, R-Celebration, is campaigning on the idea as well." "Lee v. Johnson: Whose soft money proposal wins?".

Funny

Seminole Heights Blog: "Does Tom Gallagher Think Conservative Republicans Are Idiots?"

Crummy Jobs

"The state's unemployment rate fell to 3.3 percent in December, a 30-year low. Gov. Bush looks at the number and claims victory. He cites Florida's low taxes, favorable regulatory climate and aggressive state and local marketing as evidence of a booming economy. A more objective view of the economic picture suggests something else: Florida's lax regulation, low wages and reliance on an illegal immigrant work force are driving down unemployment but aren't creating a vibrant economy with good jobs and promising career choices. Reality is probably somewhere between the two perspectives." "Why Scripps matters".

Class Size, Vouchers

And so it continues:

Gov. Jeb Bush said Tuesday he would press the Legislature to help loosen class-size rules approved by voters and restore a voucher program scuttled by the state Supreme Court.

Bush said Florida has been a successful "laboratory of reform" on education.

The governor said he supports a resolution submitted for the 2006 legislative session that would put a modification of the 2002 class-size amendment on the statewide ballot this fall. He also said advisers are looking at strategies to restore the Opportunity Scholarship program that justices ruled unconstitutional, and a constitutional amendment generated by the Legislature on that subject also is likely.

Petition Drives

"Two petition drives to change Florida's Constitution -- one on anti-tobacco education, another on redistricting -- are closer to having spots on November's ballot." "Two proposals close to ballot spots".

Who Cares, They're Just Manatees

"Downgrading manatees' label to 'threatened' could weaken the very protections that have helped their population stabilize in recent years." "Endangered status ".

Medicare

"Roughly half of Florida's 3 million Medicare beneficiaries are being covered by the new Medicare drug law, according to data released Tuesday by the Bush administration. But fewer than a quarter-million of those beneficiaries have voluntarily signed up for a Medicare-subsidized prescription drug plan since the enrollment period began Nov. 15, 2005." "Florida Medicare sign-ups lower than anticipated".

Where's "Jeb!"?

"Members of the Florida congressional delegation Tuesday expressed concern about changes announced by the Bush administration that give Louisiana and Alabama greater say in deciding whether drilling will be allowed in portions of the eastern Gulf of Mexico considered to be Florida waters." "State congressional delegation voices worries on gulf drilling". In the meantime, Dubya

is poised in the next two weeks to offer an energy plan that could open millions of acres of the eastern Gulf of Mexico to oil and gas drilling.

Back Taxes

"U.S. Senate candidate Richard Tarrant and his wife Deborah owed $4,474 in back property taxes for improperly claiming a homestead exemption in Broward County, the county's tax appraiser said Monday." "U.S. Senate hopeful, wife pay back taxes in Broward".

Hurricane Catastrophe Fund

"Florida's hurricane catastrophe fund doesn't yet face a catastrophe, but it does face a problem. The best response for now would be to hold off on a catastrophic solution." "State hurricane fund: Delay any assessment".

Black Enrollment

"Currently, the state has seen a 14 percent drop in the number of black students from out of state. The trend is particularly hard on Florida A&M University, a nationally recognized black institution of higher education and a major source of Florida's black enrollment figures." "Education".

Not Gonna Happen

"A state legislator urged Attorney General Charlie Crist today to get involved in a court case alleging that sensitive personal data on state employees was shipped overseas by a former subcontractor of Convergys, the giant company that handles the state's trouble-plagued People First personnel system." "State senator: Crist should take on Convergys". [Note: this story appeared online yesterday after our deadline]

The "Culture of Corruption" Thing

"A top strategist of the Florida Democratic Party [Luis Navarro, executive director of the state party] told local party activists Monday their candidates can capitalize on declining support for President Bush's war policies and public revulsion at a 'culture of corruption' in Congress." "Dems hope to gain from GOP woes". [Note: this story appeared online yesterday after our deadline]

Charlie In The News

"Attorney General Charlie Crist sued a Florida corporation and its officers Tuesday for improperly selling confidential cell phone and telephone records through its Internet sites." "Crist sues South Florida corporation".

Scripps

"Gov. Jeb Bush said Tuesday he wants south and north county officials to 'make their case' to him, and that he will provide Palm Beach County commissioners with an opinion about where to build the Scripps Florida research park." "Governor seeks Scripps pitches, vows to share his".

Whatever

"In his last year as governor, Bush stayed away from endorsing candidates in primary battles, most notably the governors race. Bush said he intends to stay out of the battle between Charlie Crist and Tom Gallagher." "Red State? Blue State? Try Purple".

Harris

Bill March suggests that "[a]ttitudes toward Katherine Harris' Senate candidacy at high levels in the Republican Party may be thawing." "Opposition To Harris' Run May Be Waning".

FCAT Follies

"Jeb!"

recently told The Associated Press, "I'm tired of the FCAT being an excuse for everything from the common cold to the state of the schools." Since the governor has made the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test the be-all and end-all of education in this state, he has no room to complain about all the attention - favorable or not - that the test gets. ...

Bush doesn't want to hear it, but the FCAT does force districts into bad decisions, from starting in early August - the subject of Gov. Bush's "common cold" remark - to taking recess away from elementary kids to taking electives away from high school students. Serious responses are necessary — from giving the FCAT much later in the year to rewarding achievement in arts, which the FCAT doesn't measure, and preserving the physical activity youngsters need. Taking away field trips and sporting events is not a serious response. In fact, that action is one more reason for students to resent the FCAT.

Missed It

"Gov. Jeb Bush gave a passionate luncheon speech on education Tuesday at a daylong seminar sponsored by the James Madison Institute, the think-tank that promotes 'limited government, individual liberty and personal responsibility.'" "Jeb's Wishful Thinking".

Joint and Several

"Florida's powerful business lobby, largely rebuffed in its attempts last year to win a broad array of protections from lawsuits, is uniting behind a single goal as state lawmakers prepare for their 2006 session." More specifically,

Business lobbyists are pressing the Legislature to eliminate what's known as "joint and several liability." It's the legal principle that says a deep-pocketed company can be forced to pay most of an award in a civil lawsuit, even if it is only partially to blame for the injury.

Rubio

"The book with the blank pages is a gimmick, but what Marco Rubio insists he wants for Florida politics is not. Rubio, a 34-year-old Republican who is slated to become the first Cuban-American House speaker after the November elections, says the contest he will welcome in the Capitol is one of ideas." "Tallahassee idea-raiser".

New Campaign Manager

"Democrats see the Pinellas-Hillsborough state senate District 16 seat being vacated by Republican Jim Sebesta as their best opportunity to pick up a seat. But their lone Democratic candidate, state Rep. Charlie Justice, hasn't done much to fuel optimism with his consistently weak fundraising (less than $30,000, compared to $317,000 for Republican state Rep. Kim Berfield of Clearwater and $248,000 for Rep. Frank Farkas of St. Petersburg)." "Jason The Terrible".

Refund

"Senate President Tom Lee has returned a political donation from an influential home builders' group after a member criticized Lee in a newspaper story about his fundraising." "Lee refunds $20,000 donation".

She hinted that the NRSC was still open to another GOP candidate in Florida.

Dear Governor

"State Sen. Rod Smith, a Democratic candidate for governor, wrote to Gov. Jeb Bush Monday to ask that the state pay for drugs for residents who have had problems with the shift of their prescription drug coverage from a state program to the federal Medicare program and who have been unable to afford their medicine." "Smith urges aid in drug plan transition".

Believe It Or Not

"U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam is hoping to become the next chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee." "Putnam Poised For Leadership Post".

A "six-year package of leadership"

Troxler:

Starting in 2007-2008, assuming there is no revolution in Florida that puts the Democrats back in charge, three youthful Republicans are scheduled to preside for two years each as House speaker:

--Marco Rubio of Coral Gables, 2007-2008 annual sessions.

--Ray Sansom of Destin, 2009-2010.

--Dean Cannon of Winter Park, 2011-2012.

This, by itself, is not news. We already know the House has been lining up its speakers years in advance. Term limits have only speeded up that early selection.

Here is the news. Rubio, Sansom and Cannon have yoked themselves together. They are presenting themselves as a six-year package of leadership.

"Nelson answers call"

"Privacy advocates are worried about scam artists selling records of who people call on their cellphones." "Nelson answers call for cellphone guards".

Good Luck

"In his first meeting as chairman tonight, the newly elected leader of the Leon County Democratic Party plans to map out campaign plans for the 2006 elections." "New chairman of Democrats leads first meeting today".

Not Bitter

"Twenty-four years after he was sent to prison, a St. Petersburg man was set free, becoming the fifth long time convict in Florida exonerated by DNA evidence." "24 years stolen, but 'not bitter'".

The Tallahassee Democrat argues that "Monday's release of one more state prison inmate - whose guilt even prosecutors acknowledged was highly doubtful - evidence continues to mount for the need to update Florida law." "Legal catch-up".

When You "Empty" State Buildings, "Jeb!" ...

this is what you get: "State workers inspect only about 600 of Florida's 40,000-plus farms for pesticide violations each year ... ." "Pesticide Enforcement Too Lax, Lawmakers Say". See also "Legislators find pesticide laws unenforced".

GOoPer "Payback"

"The state GOP is still miffed at the St. Petersburg Times for trying to listen to Gov. Jeb Bush's speech at a Republican party luncheon Saturday that was closed to the press." "Payback by State GOP".

AIF Asleep

"The group, which was formed last year, says it's coming together to 'speak with one voice' and bring the manufacturing industry into the spotlight. Already it has a number of issues on its agenda, including promoting legislation that would give manufacturers a sales tax break when they purchase machinery and equipment. " "New state group aims to help manufacturing companies".

Per Diem

"It's always tempting, but often wrong, to play "connect the dots" with legislative events." "Connect the dots. Food isn't cheap".

You're Doing A Heckuva Job Dubya

"FEMA inaction leaves state more vulnerable".

13th Congressional District

"Congressional candidate Donna Clarke hasn't attended a candidates' forum, has yet to put up a campaign Web site and has raised almost no money for her 13th Congressional District campaign." "Clarke focused on run for Congress".

"In Their Own Words"

"At Polk County's Tiger Bay Club today, Democratic gubernatorial candidates Jim Davis and Rod Smith explained what they would do to deal with skyrocketing insurance rates." "In Their Own Words".

More on the Bush "Band-Aid"

As noted yesterday, even Republicans think Bush's approach to Florida's teacher crisis is a mere "band-aid"

Mark Pudlow, spokesman for Florida Education Association, the state teachers union, pointed out that base teacher salaries and pensions were not addressed in the plan.

Florida is 29th in the country in average teacher salary at $40,598, which is nearly $6,000 less than the national average, according to figures from 2003-04, the most recent ones available from the American Federation of Teachers.

Some Democrats criticized the proposal and urged Republicans in the Legislature to consider raising teacher salaries in addition to Bush's plan, which State Rep. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, D-Miami, called "a short-term fix."

"It is sad that despite seven years of urging, the governor still fails to see that Florida's teachers' salaries are completely inadequate," said House Democratic Leader Chris Smith of Fort Lauderdale. "One only has to look at the thousands of teachers who leave the profession and our state each year to know that we are not doing enough."

"I laud the governor for what he's done for education during his time," Simmons said. "But this is really a Band-Aid on the problem. We have to saddle up to the bar and start paying teachers a salary that is as competitive as what they can get in business if we want to keep them."

It Is So Obvious ...

that even

Gov. Jeb Bush has said that he supports the idea of letting local voters decide on a modest increase in the surcharge on rental cars, a no-brainer move that could raise $40 million a year for Central Florida needs, including commuter rail.

Cell Phone Privacy

"Cellphone privacy in jeopardy, lawmakers say".

"'This is crap. Let's try something new.'"

Jim Davis' outsider strategy:

The statements sound like a refrain from a third-party independent like Ross Perot or Ralph Nader: "I think we are living in a time where there is a remarkable abuse of power in Washington and Tallahassee," the candidate told reporters earlier this month. "People are so hungry for change because they don't feel a part of what happens up here."

But it's a sign of the current political mood that the anti-insider sentiment comes from Congressman Jim Davis, a Democrat running for governor who has served in Tallahassee or Washington, D.C., since 1988.

University of Florida political science professor Stephen Craig said this year's level of voter antipathy is still nowhere near the early '90s reaction against Democrats' "accumulated arrogance" in Congress.

"I'd say the winds are blowing in the Democrats' favor right now, but I wouldn't predict a huge turnover," he said. "One of these days, Republicans are going to get tossed out for the same reasons that Democrats did in '94, which is arrogance. They've shown plenty of it. At somee point, people are going to say, 'This is crap. Let's try something new.' But I don't know if (this year's scandals are) the trigger point."

Late Start

"It is too bad lawmakers find themselves so engaged on an issue best left for local school districts to decide. State lawmakers - who have no responsibility for school operations - should have no more hand in setting school calendars than in picking school lunch menus" "Later School Start Is A Good Idea Best Left To Local Boards".

GOoPers Jump On "Reform" Bandwagon

"Some reforms being discussed would: Bar private groups from paying for trips for lawmakers. Abramoff arranged several controversial trips, including one for Rep. Tom Feeney, R-Oviedo, to Scotland that included a golf outing." "Even some lobbyists say system needs reforming".

What, Me Worry?

"Ed Rollins, the high-priced political consultant that brought Texan H. Ross Perot to prominence in the 1992 presidential election, said he knows the polls show Katherine Harris trailing U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson by 20 points, but he told 200 Republicans at a rally on Saturday not to worry." "Down 20 Points? Not To Worry".

"Ban this book"

"If the pope understands what belongs in the realm of faith and what belongs in the realm of science, then maybe [Florida's commissioner of education John] Winn and his department should, too. This textbook is available without the religious passages, and that is the only version that should have been approved for Florida's public schools." "Ban this book" ("A biology textbook that discusses religious beliefs doesn't belong in Florida's high school science classes.")

Stem Cell Research

"Florida legislators this month will tackle for the first time the ethically charged issue of stem-cell research and whether tax money should pay for it. ... Gov. Jeb Bush strongly opposes research involving embryos. Yet the issue remains controversial within the Republican Party, with some anti-abortion politicians willing to support the science and others, particularly religious conservatives, opposed." "Stem-cell research on state's agenda".

Another Example of GOoPer Personal Responsibility

You have to love it when the head of Florida's self-professed party of "personal responsibility" utters gems like this:

"I apologize for that if I'm indirectly responsible, which I'm not," Bush said after addressing Republican activists.

Let's Go With "Sanctimonious" "Hypocrite"

"To his allies, Senate President Tom Lee is a reformer, determined to clean up a system dominated by powerful moneyed interests. To his critics, he's sanctimonious at best and a hypocrite at worst, a politician who is skillful at raising the same unrestricted corporate 'soft money' he rails against." "Lee Talks Reform, but How Much?"

Another GOoPer Flop

"Florida's 10-20-Life law requiring mandatory sentences for using a gun during a crime has had no effect on the crime rate, according to University of Florida criminologist's recently published study." "Study by University of Florida researcher says 10-20-Life rule hasn't affected crime rate".

Big of Him

"Gov. Jeb Bush told Republicans on Saturday that he will give 'strong support' to Katherine Harris in her bid to win a U.S. Senate seat, the biggest signal yet that party leaders are warming up to her campaign." "Harris wins Bush's support". See also "Fla. Republicans rally around Katherine Harris", "Harris Reaches Out To GOP At Rally" and "Harris rallies faithful after GOP meetings".

Lightweights

"The state's profile in Congress has declined, but a new guard of lawmakers is working to bring back some political muscle." "Fla. delegation looks to rebuild clout at Capitol". See also "The Rookie Delegation" and "Schiavo to chamois, bills reflect a style".

Lincoln Diaz-Balart Embarasses Himself

"U.S. clears Cuba to play in World Classic". See also "A pitch Castro can't hit" ("Ending the bush-league squeeze play was the right call.")

Compromising Florida's Economy

"Bush and conservatives across America are grappling with how to encourage biotech development in ways that don't compromise their religious values." "Moral clash looms as biotech targets South Florida".

Housing Crunch

"South Florida is so far behind in dealing with its middle-class housing crunch that even the terminology is unresolved. Is it an "affordable" housing problem? Or is it more properly a "work-force" or "attainable" housing problem?" "A housing foundation?".

Troxler

"How about a holiday from state politicians?"

Gallagher Turns Up the Heat Early"

"Thought by many to be trailing Attorney General Charlie Crist in the Republican primary for governor, Tom Gallagher turned up the heat early, trying to show the party base there's an even battle for the nomination." "Gallagher Tries To Even Playing Field".

Making "Bad Tax Policy Worse"

"Save Our Homes has benefitted homeowners who could most afford to pay higher taxes. Making it transferable would make bad tax policy worse." "Mission creep".

Sales Tax Deduction

"The brief sales-tax deduction Floridians have enjoyed illustrates much of what is wrong with federal income tax laws. Congress allowed people to write off their state and local sales taxes for 2004 and 2005, but that's it." "Make Sales-Tax Deduction Permanent".

Whatever

"Bill goes after four-time drunken drivers, boaters".

Sunshine Law

"As more government business is conducted electronically, watchdogs and critics worry that an important layer of public oversight is being erased." "Sunshine Law tested by tech".

Loophole

"Florida lawmakers aren't allowed to raise money while the Legislature is in session, yet campaign-finance records show Sen. Rod Smith collected more than $18,000 for his gubernatorial campaign during the four days in December when he and other legislators were meeting to overhaul Medicaid and write rules for slot machines. Turns out, Senate rules make an exception for events that lawmakers can prove were scheduled before a special session is called." "What ban?"

Scripps

"Why mess with success? Keep Scripps at Abacoa".

NRA Folly

"The last thing a duck hunter wants to think about when he's gearing up for the season is the next election. That's exactly why a proposal to allow people to register to vote when they're getting their hunting or fishing license makes sense." "Not a partisan issue".

Manatee Deaths

"[L]ast year was the second worst on record for manatee deaths in Florida." "A Second Chance".

Choice Politics

"As in many cases where the pesky judiciary is exercising its legal discretion, conservatives want to pare down judges' role in the matter. According to a recent report by The Orlando Sentinel's Maya Bell, state Rep. John Stargel, R-Lakeland, is drafting legislation that would tighten up the 'best interest' standard and, more troubling, give judges more time to consider each waiver -- an unnecessary delay that could endanger the pregnant teen's health." "Abortion".

Starting Time

"In the halcyon days of old, children played hide-and-seek on warm August nights, while parents sipped iced tea on their front porches. Now a national movement is on to return to that tradition -- when schools didn't start until around Labor Day and August was the last leg of summer." "Who decides on early?"

McCollum

"After serving two decades as a Longwood congressman, Bill McCollum's political trajectory has gone off course the past few years. But Florida Republicans may be ready for his re-entry." "McCollum's political prospects may be on right track".

Homophobes Out In Force Today

"It's the last Sunday to gather petitions at churches in time to be processed and submitted for certification. Florida is home to 2.5 million Catholics and 1.1 million Southern Baptists, [Florida4Marriage Chairman John] Stemberger said. His organization has called 13,000 state churches in recent days and met with 300 pastors urging them to press for more petitions." "Battle Looms For Same-Sex Marriage Ban".

Reminder: the proposed amendment is not limited to same sex marriage.

"Socialized Medicine"

"When Medicare became law four decades ago, Republicans and lots of doctors called it 'socialized medicine.' That sentiment persists among many in this generation of Republicans, who saw the chance to score points with retirees before President Bush ran for reelection and to try a grand privatization experiment." "GOP wants Medicare to D-Part".

Gift Ban

"[T]here must be stricter control of soft-money contributions to parties, which are then free to feather the nests of whatever candidates and causes they want, almost sight unseen." "Creative thinkers will find a way around gift ban".

Answers Please

"Florida Power & Light Co.'s customers need some answers before they are billed for another round of hurricane repairs." "Utilities". See also "Higher winds require higher FPL standards".