Gunnuttery

"Florida's schools struggle at the bottom of national quality rankings. More than 20 percent of working adults don't have health care. The property insurance market is imploding. Yet the Legislature still has time to indulge its obsession for guns, guns, guns and more guns." "Gun crazy".

That Bush Loyalty Thing

tends to run only one way; and the GOoper blather about about taking responsibility, well ...

James Crosby, who grew up in the shadow of Florida State Prison and led the nation's third-largest corrections system since January 2003, was ousted by Bush just a few months after the governor publicly expressed confidence in his leadership.

More GOoPer Incompetence

"Florida Medicaid mistakenly dropped about 15,000 low-income cancer and transplant patients from a drug-subsidy program six weeks ago, the Agency for Health Care Administration said Friday."

And consistent with Florida GOoPer rock ribbed adherance to the grand principles of personal responsiblity Republicans trumpet during political campaigns, GOoPers "Alan Levine and spokesman Jonathan Burns blamed the Florida Medicaid program's antiquated computer system". "Medicaid Restores Subsidy For Drugs".

Silly

"State may tie teacher bonuses to tests". See also "State may link pay to FCAT", "State Requires Linking Teacher Pay To Student Success", "FCAT scores could pay off for teachers".

Whew! At Least "Taxes" Didn't Go Up

"Florida’s insurance regulator quietly agreed last month to allow Allstate to go forward with a rate increase that, for some customers, will mean premium hikes of up to 50 percent." "Fla. Allstate homeowners rates to go up as much as 50 percent". See also "Allstate to up rates".

Government Doesn't Work ...

When the politicians won't let it do its jobs; this story speaks volumes:

Farmworkers and consumers can't depend on the state to ensure that growers are following the law, so it makes sense for the industry to take credible steps to inspect and certify itself.

An industry group called Socially Accountable Farm Employers (SAFE) wants to use Intertek, a London-based auditing company with laboratories in Jacksonville and Tampa, to inspect farms for violations and recommend procedural changes that will keep growers in compliance with state and federal laws.

Property Taxes

"It's rare when Florida Republicans warn that a tax cut goes too far. But members of both parties balked at a multibillion-dollar effort to place further limits on property tax increases on Wednesday, making its passage this year a long shot." "Bill to further limit property tax increases faces bipartisan heat".

Gallagher Restrains Knuckledraggers

"Amid lingering anger (and vitriol on this blog [The Buzz]) over the Broward County Republican Executive Committee's endorsement of Charlie Crist, Tom Gallagher released an unusual statement". "Gallagher Calls For Calm".

Not Funny Anymore

"It's time to pick a site." "Scripps".

The Liberty Counsel [sic] Brain Trust Is At It Again

This time they're going after another "religion":

Liberty Counsel, a conservative legal organization that specializes in religious freedom cases, asked the Florida Supreme Court on Friday to throw out a Wiccan challenge to a state law that exempts Bibles, religious publications and ceremonial items from sales tax.

Davis Picks Up ...

"Labor Support".

You Don't Think

"The fact that not a single incumbent in the state Legislature or Florida congressional delegation lost in 2004 - and that more than 72 percent of state legislative races had only one major party candidate - suggests that the deck is stacked in Florida." "Line drawing".

<Manatees

"Florida's manatees are in trouble, and the state commission charged with protecting them soon will decide whether to remove protections aimed at saving them and their habitat." "Keep manatee protection".

Brilliant

"Thirteen of 42 staff members at the National Hurricane Center in Miami would qualify for the early retirement plan." "Veteran forecasters cut under budget proposal".

A coalition of conservative Republicans moved quietly this week to block a Miami lawmaker known for his moderate politics from assuming the Senate presidency as he was expected to do in 2008.

The behind-the-scenes powerplay seems obscure outside the capital city, but with the House already firmly controlled by conservative lawmakers, a shift in the Senate could affect state policy for years to come.

More than a year after Republican Sen. Alex Villalobos appeared to sew up the designation as the Senate president for 2008-10, a back-room coup this week leaves that in doubt. ...

"Sen. Villalobos is an outstanding senator and person, but the Senate is moving to a more conservative philosophy and I think Jeff is the right person to carry that forward," said Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey.

"Redistricting"

"A proposed constitutional amendment that would strip state legislators of their power to redraw legislative and congressional districts should be kept off the ballot, attorneys for several state and federal legislators told the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday." "Keep redistricting off ballot, court urged" ("The lawyers who argued against the amendment, state Rep. Dudley Goodlette and former Rep. Barry Richard, said it would violate a ballot requirement because legislative and congressional redistricting are separate matters.")

"Big Bucks"

"The big bucks that fuel Florida elections are still rolling in unchecked, despite talk of reform and attempts to control lobbying":

Florida is one of just 13 states with no caps on how much can be given to political parties, said Aubrey Jewett, a political science professor at the University of Central Florida. "It's the last big loophole that could easily be closed," he said.

For the 2006 election cycle, the Republican Party of Florida has reported 426 donations of $10,000 or more, a total of $8.1 million, according to an analysis of financial reports by The Tampa Tribune. The Florida Democratic Party got 129 such donations, or $2.42 million.

That core of big donors provided more than half the money raised by each party, dwarfing the thousands of smaller donations. The party contributions are not subject to the $500 limit that state law applies to individual candidates.

Never Mind the Mansion Thing

"Bush claims that the property tax cut would save the 'average' homeowner $55. The adjective matters. In selling his federal income tax cuts, the governor's brother also touted "average" savings. But "average" takes into account mansions, meaning that most homeowners will save less than $55, just as the middle class got less proportionally under President Bush's tax cuts. And those Floridians who have a homestead exemption and whose dwellings are assessed at $25,000 or less will get nothing from the property tax cut because they don't pay any property tax. That's why the Democrats added the 'rebate.'" "Covering Citizens deficit better deal for Floridians".

Shorted Yet Again

Class size:

But any praise for finally starting to address the state's obligation is tempered by Gov. Bush's and the Legislature's failure to meet their obligations to this point. State economists predicted in 2002 that it would take $14.3 billion above normal spending from 2003 to 2007 to meet the class-size amendment's requirements, including $3.6 billion in the upcoming budget. Even if Gov. Bush gets what he wants, the amount is short $1.3 billion for this year and $11.29 billion overall.

Since Gov. Bush has not paid to reduce class size sufficiently and the state's per-pupil spending consistently ranks 45th or lower, another part of his budget makes no sense. He proposes reducing the "required local effort" — property tax collected in each county but whose rate the Legislature sets — by 9 percent. The cut works out to an average of $55 per homeowner. Because of higher property values, school spending from property taxes still would increase under Gov. Bush's proposal, as would the per-student allotment, which would go up by 5.6 percent, or $348.

But as with the increased spending on class size, the increase does not adequately offset past neglect. School officials also are worried that the Legislature will be reluctant to increase the lowered tax rate even if the real estate market cools off and revenue falls. As the above editorial notes, the governor's school tax break will be more than offset by an assessment he wants each homeowner to pay to bail out Citizens, the property insurer of last resort. Under Gov. Bush's plan, the schools don't get the money they need, and homeowners don't get to keep the money he "gives" them.

Privatization Follies

"When he learned of the 'whistle-blower' suit, which was secretly filed early last year in Leon County Circuit Court, [DMS Head] Lewis said he contacted Convergys and was told that no data had gone overseas. Argenziano immediately asked if he was relying 'only' on the company's word that everything was all right." "Lewis: No identity theft at DMS".

"Less than no interest"

"Historically the Florida Legislature has shown almost less than no interest in migrant workers' health, education or safety." "Migrant politics".

Death Penalty

"It's the stuff of nightmares, and the very definition of cruel and unusual punishment: A prisoner remaining aware, but paralyzed and unable to speak, while a deadly, caustic drug flows through his veins. ... conscious throughout the painful process of stopping their heart." "Autopsy reports expose cruelty of lethal injection".

Political Football

Oil drilling in the Gulf

is guaranteed to become an issue during Nelson’s re-election this year. His likely Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, is among those critical of his latest plan.

"I’m not looking for a political solution that is knee-jerk and doesn’t actually do something," said Harris, adding that the bill is "dead on arrival in the House, and they know it. Nelson is playing this political game. This is irresponsible to put the federal government in charge of our drilling."

Asked about the Nelson/Martinez bill, Bush said Thursday: "My expectation is that it might be a big lift to get it passed, but if it did, I can't imagine there would be a single person in the Florida delegation that won't be strongly supportive of it." The burden will be a lot less if Bush puts his considerable political clout into the effort to get the bill passed.

What Does He Know Anyway

"Roll Call's Louis Jacobson periodically ranks gubernatorial contest for likelihood of a partisan change. He's mighty pessimistic about the Democrats' Florida prospects in his latest column." "Gubernatorial Punditry".

Returning the Favor

"As secretary of state, Katherine Harris helped keep Al Gore out of the White House. Now Al Gore will try to help keep Katherine Harris out of the Senate." "Gore to stump for Nelson's re-election" ("New York Sen. Hillary Clinton also plans Florida fundraising appearances")

Since May, a group of senators and some Miami businessmen have orchestrated a cloak-and-dagger campaign to keep him from the presidency, arguing that his moderate politics and refusal to raise money aggressively for Senate campaigns have hurt Republican members.

The issue came to a head Wednesday and, while unsuccessful, threatens to continue until Republicans decide whether to go back on their commitments to Villalobos or persuade others to sabotage him.

Villalobos, the Senate's majority leader, dismissed the attempt as an effort by disgruntled senators who want to portray him as unbending on several key issues and replace him with Sen. Jeff Atwater, an affable North Palm Beach Republican. ...

Rumors swirled that Alexander, incoming Senate President Ken Pruitt and Atwater were working to replace Villalobos.

Draw the Line

"The Florida Supreme Court hears oral arguments today to determine whether a constitutional amendment proposed by the Committee for Fair Elections should appear on the November ballot. The hearing isn't about the merits of the idea. Rather, the court must decide whether the ballot language is clear and covers a single issue." "Court Looks At Drawing The Line".

"Jeb!" AWOL

What about Jebbie's vaunted connections with the White House? "White House aims to open Gulf waters for drilling" ("Jeb Bush's office said the governor was disappointed the plan doesn't include a permanent buffer.")

In the meantime, Katherine Harris is dissing the efforts of Nelson and Martinez (the latter who is desperately seeking to repair his tarnished image). Get this:

Harris, in an analysis of the Nelson/Martinez [anti-oil drilling] bill, pointed to potential glitches in the legislation, saying at one point that many provisions in the bill are "vague and improperly drafted."

"We're quibbling over a significant amount of ocean floor," Martinez said.

NRA Compromises With Chamber of Commerce?

"A compromise is in the works between the National Rifle Association and Florida's powerful business community over a bill that would let employees keep guns in their cars at work." Get this:

Some possible changes to Baxley's bill are separate parking areas for gun-owning employees and gun checkpoints, expanded liability protections for businesses, and exemptions for some businesses, such as aerospace, ports and others with national security or state security issues.

Gay Bashers Keep Ball In The Air

"The amendment, endorsed by such organizations as the Christian Coalition of Florida and the Southern Baptist Convention, failed to receive the 611,000 signatures needed by the Feb. 1 deadline to get on the ballot this year. Sponsors now are shooting for 2008." "Anti-gay marriage amendment wording likely legal". See also "Justices question challenge to gay marriage amendment".

GOoPers Divided

"Cardenas, a Tallahassee lawyer-lobbyist, is a Gallagher supporter, but he insists he would have felt the same way if a local party organization had endorsed his candidate. If Crist wins the nomination, he'll have to work extra hard to motivate Gallagher supporters, and if Gallagher is the nominee, it will be clear he was not the first choice of the activists in the state's second-largest county." "A 'Divisive' GOP Move?".

Perhaps Another Tax Cut Will Work?

"While Florida's population ages, its doctors and nurses are inching toward retirement - a scenario that has state officials concerned about meeting future health care needs." "Health Officials Air Work Force Concerns".

Privatization Follies

"A state agency head assured a Senate committee today that there is no evidence of identity theft in the People First system, but his internal investigators are working with Convergys on allegations that a subcontractor sent millions of documents to Barbados and India." "State investigating whether files sent offshore".

Smith Nabs Joseph

"The Rod Smith gubernatorial campaign today announced Joan Joseph as its new statewide volunteer coordinator (Buzz readers heard about that last month). Joseph, a veteran New York political organizer who moved to Palm Beach County nearly a decade ago, was heavily recruited by every Democrat, and initially had been leaning toward going with her old friend Scott Maddox. She speaks highly of Davis and Maddox too, but told us recently that 'it was the way they individually approached me' that swung her to Smith." "Courting Joan".

The Disclosure Thing

"Gov. Jeb Bush has never been a particular champion of campaign and elections reform. He has driven up the cost of campaigns by refusing to participate in public campaign financing, and he opposes a constitutional amendment that would take redistricting away from the GOP-controlled Legislature. But the governor is right about one thing: Common Cause should disclose the names of donors bankrolling the redistricting amendment." "Cause for concern".

FCAT Foolishness

"President Bush has proposed spending $250 million to improve public school math instruction nationwide. Maybe he could steer some of that to the people who run the math portion of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test." "FCAT doesn't add up for students".

Jebonomics

"In just over three years, the median price of a home in sunny, desirable Florida has jumped from $141,000 to $250,000. Yet salaries and retirement checks have not shot up at the same lavish rate. While the real-estate boon signals good times for many and suggests a robust economy, it's nonetheless alarming and discouraging to many new home buyers." "Housing cloud".

Dough Boy

"Crist campaign gets to keep $50,000 check he gave back".

State Lags (Yet Again)

"With a suspenseful round of congressional elections just nine months away, about half the states including Florida have failed to fully comply with federal mandates under the Help America Vote Act, an electoral watchdog group said Tuesday." "State lags on disabled voting".

"Ethics"

Troxler:

Lucky for Gallagher, we have the Florida Commission on Ethics, which does not rule on "ethics" at all, but only on what state law says.

When you are a Florida politician in this kind of jam, you can get a ruling from the Ethics Commission that says what you did was legal. Then you pronounce yourself "vindicated." Gallagher has asked for a ruling.

Wait, there's more.

Charter School Fiasco

"The Palm Beach County School District really had no choice. Once an audit uncovered widespread mismanagement in how two charter schools spent taxpayer money, district officials didn't just have the right to take over operations; it was their duty." "The district takes over two charter schools amid extreme mismanagement".

Knuckledraggers Keeping Their Powder Dry

"Legislation to expand DNA testing of inmates in old cases, once considered controversial, had clear sailing in a pair of legislative committees Wednesday." "DNA bills get early approval".

Those "Activist" Judgers

"A judge dealt a setback Wednesday to electric customers who sued Florida Power & Light Co. over the widespread electricity outages after Hurricane Wilma, but he left open the possibility for continued legal action against the state’s largest utility." "Judge deals setback to lawsuit against FPL over Wilma outages".

Blind Trusts

Gubernatorial candidate

Tom Gallagher made a mistake when, as a Cabinet member in 2004, he made a motion and voted to approve a pipeline permit for a company he owned stock in. But apparently he broke no law.

That's because a Florida lawmaker can own millions of shares of stock in a company doing business with the state, yet be viewed to have no conflict of interest so long as his stake does not exceed 1 percent of the company's value.

At first blush, 1 percent sounds insignificant, but on second glance, if the company is big enough, it could put the officeholder in a position of losing millions should government decisions go the wrong way.

Voucher Madness

"Man gets 5 years for misusing school voucher money".

Rewriting History

"With his education legacy threatened by a state Supreme Court ruling against vouchers, Gov. Jeb Bush is revving up his recently resurrected private foundation to defend and tout his education achievements." "Bush revives educational foundation".

Florida Lags Behind

"Florida was ahead of the curve in dumping punch cards and embracing electronic voting, but it hasn't been part of the latest national trend toward requiring a ballot "paper trail" to accompany electronic machines, a new report says." "Florida voting still lacking paper trail".

DNA

"According to a House staff analysis, the bill could cost between $725,000 and $2 million the first year because of the increased testing. Given what's at stake and the size of the state budget, the expense is minuscule. The same analysis warns of constitutional issues between the legislative and judicial branches over which sets rules for courts, but surely there are minds in Tallahassee that can work out how to reach a goal that everyone should agree on: If there are other Alan Crotzers [who 'was released after the state stole more than half his life'], they deserve every chance to get back what remains of their lives." "End the DNA deadline".

League of Conservation Voters Hammers Harris

From a League of Conservation Voters press release: "The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) today strongly criticized Rep. Harris' most recent comments as further evidence of her appalling lack of credibility on one of the most important concerns for Florida - offshore drilling." "Even Rep. Katherine Harris Admits She "Flip-Flops" on Offshore Drilling".

Big Money

"More than $1 million was raised for the Charlie Crist campaign as about 400 supporters from throughout Florida gathered at the seaside Mar-a-Lago Club of Donald J. Trump, who hosted the event." "Crist For Governor Campaign Raises $1 Million At Mar-a-Lago Event".

Window Dressing

Bush league:

Bush's plan to diversify the types of fuel used to make electricity in Florida doesn't do enough to promote renewable sources like solar power, a group of environmentalists said Tuesday.

They also criticized Bush's energy plan for relying too heavily on nuclear power and coal and for not doing enough to slow global warming, and said Florida doesn't spend as much as other states on clean energy initiatives.

Bush administration officials acknowledge the plan may not have goals as lofty as those in some states but argue that promoting renewable energy sources is one of the Bush plan's central themes.

"Fairness"

"A committee calling for an independent redistricting commission in Florida passed a major hurdle last week -- winning state Election Division certification for 611,009 voter signatures required to get the proposed constitutional amendment on the fall ballot." "Closer to fairness".

GOoPer "Powerhouse" Wants Oil Drilling in Florida Waters

"Declaring it will ease soaring gas prices, the Republican chairman of the Senate Energy Committee filed legislation Tuesday that takes direct aim at Florida waters." "Bill would allow oil exploration closer to Fla. coast" ("A Senate powerhouse filed legislation to open Florida waters to oil and gas exploration, touching off a tug of war for Florida lawmakers opposed to drilling.") See also "Senators push for oil drilling in Gulf" ("Florida's long-standing and successful opposition to offshore drilling is in for a stiff new test") and "U.S. Senate bill seeks to open drilling off Florida".

This shouldn't give Floridians a lot of comfort: "the legislation would have to pass the Energy Committee, where Martinez currently holds a seat.". Id. See also "Drilling plan irks Florida's senators".

Now That The Election Is Over ...

Dubya disses Florida yet again. In the meantime, "Jeb!" is AWOL:

As Florida's congressional delegation and others go over President Bush's budget proposal, they are coming up with a mixed things to say about it, and even Republicans are voicing concerns that the budget will hurt the state.

"It just seems like there's a compounding of issues that are facing Florida right now that a budget reduction has an inordinate burden on Floridians," said U.S. Rep. Mark Foley. ...

In general, Democrats representing Florida in Washington were highly critical of the overall proposal.

"The budget looks about what it would look like if my first grader had written it. It bares about that much resemblance to reality," said U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. "I have never seen a more callous, more insensitive proposed budget than this one."

Sen. Bill Nelson said it is fiscally irresponsible.

"Jeb!" Jeopardizing Integrity of Tourism Industry

Another result of "Jeb!"'s brilliant strategy of emptying state buildings: "Florida's hotels, motels and apartments are not being inspected as often as the law requires, jeopardizing the integrity of the state's tourism industry, according to a new audit." "Check under that hotel bed; audit says state isn't".

Even "State's Top Business Leaders" Can See It

The latest wisdom from Florida's self proclaimed "business leaders", the Council of 100: "Florida's long-term economic future hinges on needed improvements to an education system that ranks low nationally in several categories along with better-paying jobs, cheaper sources of energy and affordable housing, a group of business leaders said Tuesday." "Business group assesses outlook". See also "Thorny issues could mar state's future" ("the state's future will be marred by a host of thorny issues -- sub-par high schools, low-wage jobs, skyrocketing home prices and transportation gridlock -- unless state leaders take action, the state's top business leaders warned in a report released Tuesday.")

Scathing Audits

"Florida's largest state agency may end the outsourcing of pharmaceutical pill-splitting and repackaging as lawmakers fume after two scathing audits." "Audits prompt drug review State might stop paying outside firms to handle inmates' drugs".

Eating Their Own

"The best seat in the House -- or the Senate -- will be in the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday. The panel will take up a bill filed by Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, to make it a felony for a business owner to prohibit people from keeping guns in their cars in the parking lot of a workplace. The bill (HB 129) is a priority of the National Rifle Association, but the NRA faces business community resistance. The Florida Chamber of Commerce is lobbying lawmakers to sink the bill, and NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer issued an e-mail alert Tuesday accusing the Chamber of "picking a Second Amendment fight with firearms owners."" "The NRA vs. Florida Chamber". See also "NRA bill would OK guns in cars at work" and "Gun bill divides GOP base".

Crist in Pensacola

"Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist chose a Pensacola elementary school trying to make a turnaround to kick off a gubernatorial campaign swing through the Panhandle on Tuesday." "Crist stresses education".

Same As The Old Boss

"Since Rep. Foley and Rep. Shaw endorsed Rep. Blunt, they might not have much direct influence — and they themselves might not yet understand how serious the need for reform is. If anybody in the Republican leadership does, he or she might want to bring it to Rep. Boehner's urgent attention. In the meantime, Democrats can thank Rep. Boehner for keeping the Abramoff issue alive." "Meet the new GOP boss; same as the old boss".

Gay Vote

"In the Florida elections this fall, gay and lesbian activists plan to wield their political clout - estimated by some at 1 million of the 10.5 million registered voters in the state. Toward that end, a dormant political group - the Hillsborough County Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies Democratic Caucus - has reorganized." "Democratic Gay Group Resurfaces In Hillsborough".

Gallagher Complaint

"A Republican, the former certified public accountant said she and her husband have no ties to any gubernatorial campaign." "Librarian files ethics complaint over Gallagher's stock trading".

A Little Late

"State utility regulators voted Tuesday to require power and phone companies to significantly step up their inspections of poles, a reaction to widespread outages in Hurricane Wilma, which broke thousands of them." "Regulators order utilities to inspect power poles every 8 years".

Gallagher Bashing

Mike Thomas: "If I wanted a Democrat for governor, the first thing I'd do is register as a Republican and vote for Tom Gallagher in the primary." "Democrats' prayer: GOP picks Gallagher". See also "Enough Experience To Know Better" and "Watching the 'watchdog'".

Throwing Money in the Marketplace

Gotta love the Jebbie's love of corporate welfare. In any event, any

enthusiasm should be tempered with caution: $630 million is a lot of taxpayer money to bank on one industry, especially with $369 million already pledged toward a Scripps Florida venture still looking for a permanent site to call home.

Data Breach

"Two ex-employees of a former Convergys subcontractor filed suit against the subcontractor last year, alleging that state documents were sent to India and Barbados, and possibly to China, for processing into the People First system. People First is Gov. Jeb Bush's largest 'outsourcing' project, a nine-year, $350 million contract for online personnel services." "Union calls DMS data breach e-mail 'vague'".

99 Percent Ethical

"According to numerous interpretations of Florida ethics law, a potential conflict doesn't arise until a public official has a 1 percent stake in the company doing business with the state." "State ethics line at 1 percent".

"Snazzy slogan"

"Armed with bilingual commercials and a snazzy slogan -- ''Informed. Prepared. Protected'' -- Gov. Jeb Bush announced a new disaster-readiness campaign Monday after completing an exercise to test the state's response to a terrorist-made flu pandemic." "Bush focuses on disaster preparedness".

Jebonomics

"All Too Often, 'Squalid' Defines Farmworkers' American Dream". See also "Migrant labor panel focuses on housing, safety" and "Farmworker safety proposals face tough sell" ("Members of the commission openly worried about the line legislators will have to walk between protecting farmworkers who are vulnerable to abuse and appeasing a large segment of Floridians who believe illegals should either be sent back home or shouldn't receive any government help at all.")

The Nerve off these People

"Before a crowd of business leaders Monday, Gov. Jeb Bush teed off on petition-gathering groups that have managed to get constitutional amendments before Florida voters." "Bush denounces petition-gathering groups".

Sad

"State among top 10 in suicides".

More GOoPer Business Values

"The state has spent more than $4 million on a professional-liability insurance policy for teachers that has paid out just $50,000 in claims since the program was initiated four years ago." And try not to lagh at this:

Jeb Bush, who has clashed with unions since he took office in 1999, defended the program, saying that teachers need the protection it provides.

Karl and "Jeb!" talk 'Glades

Jebbie's has been in talks with getting outa more Everglades cleanup supervision, and the folks he met with included, ahem, "the office of presidential adviser Karl Rove, the newspaper said." "In Glades cleanup, 'close enough' is far from finished".

The Palm Beach Post editorial board has more, in "Retain federal oversight of Everglades cleanup":

Let's see. Florida weakens Everglades cleanup rules and postpones the deadline for meeting them, at the urging of Gov. Bush and the sugar industry. The sugar industry complains and gets a tough federal judge removed from overseeing the cleanup. But as it turns out, U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno is every bit as tough. He demands that the state and the sugar growers keep their promises.

What to do?

If you're Gov. Bush, you lobby your brother's administration to end federal court oversight of the $1.1 billion cleanup altogether. You pressure the Justice Department and the Interior Department and regulators. In short, you try to cut the judge out of it. This tactic, which The Post reported last week, gets seamier.

Imagine That

"For a state that claims to embrace law and order, it sure is tough on its prosecutors and public defenders. Pay is the issue. It's simply too low to attract and retain quality lawyers to Florida's state attorney and public defender offices, which face ever increasing challenges of employment turnover." "Turnover is plaguing state prosecutors and public defenders".

Lobbyists Lawyer Up

"Lobbyists are close to filing a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a new state law requiring them to disclose their fees. The Buzz has received an e-mail circulated by the board of the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists (FAPL), laying out some details of the legal strategy." "Taking Aim at Lobbyist Fee Disclosure".

Photo Ops Galore

"Republican U.S. Reps. Katherine Harris of Sarasota and Ginny Brown-Waite of Brooksville have headed to Iraq as part of a Congressional delegation." "Harris, Brown-Waite Head To Iraq".

If elections were decided at rubber chicken luncheons and Democratic club meetings, state Sen. Rod Smith, 56, could be well on his way to trouncing U.S. Rep. Jim Davis, 48, for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

Whether it's Smith's courtroom-tested persuasiveness or Davis' affected speaking style, the underdog state senator is winning over gathering after gathering as the candidates campaign side by side.

Elections in America's fourth-biggest state aren't decided by the tiny sliver of the electorate that sees candidates in person, however, and most modern Florida governors have been dry public speakers.

Travelling

"The lobbying scandal sparked by Jack Abramoff has focused national attention on private groups that shell out millions to underwrite trips for members of Congress. The fallout has sparked a drive for a ban or new limits. But that didn't stop Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Crystal River, from heading to the Middle East with a pro-Israeli group or deter Rep. Tom Feeney, R-Oviedo, from traveling to China on the tab of a private group." "Lawmakers say trips are work".

Developers

"Lawmakers aim to grow revenue by reforming a tax law for farmers that is widely abused by developers." "Farm tax reform is sought".

The Workers Remain ... They're Just Privatized

"Fewer state workers after two Bush terms".

Death Penalty

"The way Florida administers the death penalty is fast becoming a national question after the U.S. Supreme Court halted two executions in recent weeks because of concerns over the state's use of lethal injection." "Florida's execution process faces death knell".

Same Sex Adoption

"Davis says he supports adoption by same-sex couples, not marriage".

In his shirt sleeves, with a quietly passionate speaking voice, Davis promised the gay community his support.

"You elect me governor," he said, "and I'll protect you, your partner, your lifetime companion and your family every day. And I'll treat you with respect and allow you to enjoy the freedom and dignity every Floridian should enjoy."

(State Sen. Rod Smith, Davis' opponent in the Democratic primary, had planned to attend the conference but canceled because he had to attend a funeral, event planners said.)

Davis said he would propose an end to the state's ban on gays and lesbians adopting children.

Huh?

"The man who worked so hard to defeat Theresa LePore told the county's legislative delegation that he wants to eliminate voting on the Sunday before an election. He claims that working on Sunday puts 'a tremendous strain' on his staff and diminishes its ability to prepare for the Tuesday voting. What would any Florida elections supervisor be without complaints about the workload? Never mind that closing the polls on Sunday would disenfranchise some voters, which all the legislative reforms after the 2000 debacle were supposed to prevent. Mr. Anderson should be looking for more ways to give voters opportunities, not take them away." "A trail less followed".

Domestic partner benefits

"Unmarried workers at UF may not have signed up for health benefits for their partners because of tax penalties." "Domestic partner benefits plan nets few".

Generators

"Fla. legislators consider requiring generators for gas stations, nursing homes".

Privatization Follies

"State employees could try that while reading a letter that the Department of Management Services sent out last week, responding to news reports that some Convergys employees and a former subcontractor handled sensitive personnel files with a dignity one might find at a toga party. But, if you quaff a beer every time DMS Secretary Tom Lewis tells employees there's nothing to worry about, you might first want to stock up on hangover remedies." "DMS, don't worry Ð no, really, don't".

To Replace Harris

"Detert says she's Seabiscuit candidate".

Mahoney Strong

"The eagerly anticipated first campaign finance report for Democratic congressional hopeful Tim Mahoney shows the rookie candidate garnered a not-to-be-sneezed-at $271,764 by adhering to one of the bedrock principles of political money-raising: Start with the people you know." "Foley opponent raises $271,764, much from self, outside district".

Crist's "Steady Crusade"

"With Tom Gallagher staking much of his campaign for governor on a faith and family appeal to religious conservatives, his rival is countering with his own mantle: consistency." "Steady Crusade An Asset For Crist".

Machek Challenger?

George Bennett reports that "Attorney Maria Sachs sounds as if she's laying a predicate to challenge state Rep. Richard Machek, D-Delray Beach, in a Democratic primary.".

No Fault

"Florida lawmakers can learn a painful lesson from Colorado's no-fault car-insurance debacle. Colorado lawmakers dumped no-fault car insurance three years ago. There have been so many consequences since then that they're now trying to resurrect it." "Painful lesson".

"Sensible Voting Districts"

"Detractors have dismissed [redistricting] effort as a political stunt, and it is true supporters are primarily aligned with Democrats - the party out of power. But it's also true that redistricting and reapportionment have become more about politicians choosing their voters than about voters choosing their representatives. Here are some facts. Only one of the 25 congressional races in 2004 had a margin of victory within 10 points. Forty percent of Florida's U.S. representatives - five Democrats and five Republicans - were elected without opposition from a major-party candidate. " "A Chance For Sensible Voting Districts".

"Presidential line-of-succession expert" ...

in state next week"".

No Gloating Zone

"Republican Charlie Crist and Democrats Jim Davis and Rod Smith - three of the four major candidates for governor - may be rejoicing over reports suggesting possible ethical conflicts of interest by the fourth, Republican Tom Gallagher, but they don't want to appear to gloat." "Rivals Tread Carefully On Gallagher".

Should a state with so much debt, such unpredictable income and such meager investment in its major lines of business be so eager to give away half its projected $3.2-billion tax windfall for next year