McKinney

"The Sarasota Democratic Party is pulling out of a rally with U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney, D-Georgia, that was supposed to take place on Saturday afternoon." "Democrats Pull Out Of McKinney Rally".

"Gallagher Goes on the Attack"

"The Republican primary for governor just took a sharp turn for the nastier. In a rally [Friday] afternoon on the steps of the state Capitol touting endorsements from social conservatives across the state, Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher and his allies spent much of their time attacking his opponent in the GOP primary, Attorney General Charlie Crist." "Gallagher Goes on the Attack". See also "GOP candidates get into attack mode".

Remember Florida

"With three provisions of the civil-rights era Voting Rights Act up for renewal next year, a left-leaning coalition is shining the spotlight on several states, including Florida, as proof that the anti-discriminatory measures are still needed." "Groups want voting-rights renewal". See also "Advocates push for voting rights renewal as lawsuit resumes".

Session News

- "Legislature 2006: Developments from day 32, April 7".

- "The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on Friday finished crafting a massive property insurance bill that will raise rates for some consumers." "Senate committee clears insurance bill". See also "Bill targets property-insurance problems", "Insurance Reform At A Glance" and "Insurance Fix May Add Surcharge".

Slots

"Seminoles, state break off slot machine talks".

Smith

"Old Issue Haunts Governor Candidate".

Embarassing

"State legislators have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to lure the biomedical giant Scripps Research Institute to the state, a big player in the world of stem-cell research." Yet,

With four weeks remaining this session, bills in both chambers that would dedicate $150 million over 10 years to embryonic stem-cell research haven't cleared a single committee. Gov. Jeb Bush, Senate President Tom Lee and House Speaker Allan Bense have all come out against the practice.

But a small group of lawmakers has successfully forced the leadership to at least engage in the debate in the controversial issue, causing a small but growing rift in the Republican party while giving Democrats an issue they believe is a sure-fire winner at the polls come November.

Speaking of "Terrible"

"Martinez says waving Mexican flags 'terrible'".

Did You Know ...

that "one-third of Florida's part-time lawmakers who list net worths of $1 million to $12 million on state records"? "Pay Might Be Barrier To 'Citizen Legislature'".

Prez Primary

"Floridians Deserve An Earlier Presidential Primary".

And Then There's Florida

"In the absence of national leadership, Massachusetts' governor and Legislature are taking on the health insurance crisis." "One state's solution".

"527 reform sorely needed"

On 527 reform:

Only cynics would wonder how a proposed very good bill to stifle the financial influence of big contributors on lawmakers will eventually be gotten around.

Maybe it will take a while.

"The Swamp"

The first chapter of Michael Grunwald's "The Swamp" is in the NYT's today: "'The Swamp'".

Tedious

"A day after teeing off on Katherine Harris' erratic performance in the U.S. Senate race, Gov. Jeb Bush again insisted Friday that he had no interest in entering that campaign." "Governor No". See also "Governor says he wouldn't take Harris' place vs. Sen. Nelson".

GOoPers Reject Stem Cell Research

"The Florida House of Representatives and state Senate easily rejected budget amendments Thursday that called for spending $1 million of taxpayer money for research on adult, umbilical cord and embryonic stem cells. " "House, Senate reject stem cell research funds". See also "State money for stem cell research debated".

Session News

- "Legislature 2006: Developments from day 31, April 6". See also "Legislature briefs".

- "House approves bills to limit governments' property seizures". See also "Eminent domain limits are approved" and "House passes limits on power to condemn property".

- "Senior advocates seek more nursing care in budget".

Jebbie Worried

"Bush said he's concerned Republican Katherine Harris' U.S. Senate campaign has faltered in recent weeks, despite his advice that she should focus on Democratic incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson's record and not on herself." "Governor worried about GOP's chances in Senate race with Harris".

Class Size Poll

"Seventy percent polled by the Times want to keep the 2002 reductions." "Smaller classes popular in poll".

Mel's "Milestone Fading

The "milestone in my career" of "Karl Rove's Florida Frankenstein" as "snags soon surfaced among both Democrats and Republicans -- each apparently concerned about substantive details of the overhaul plan and potential political fallout from voting on an issue that has provoked strong feelings as well as mass protests across the country." "Deal on migrants may be stalled". See also "Deport those choices" ("Martinez-brokered compromise still fails immigrants").

Back in the Sunshine State: "Poll: Floridians conflicted about illegal immigrants".

Love For Sale

"Eye-Popping Total: Crist Campaign Hits $9.6 Million". See also "Another $1.92-Million For Crist".

Jebbie Likes Those "Slush Funds"

"Senate President Tom Lee's campaign finance reform package passed its first hurdle Thursday, but election law experts and Gov. Jeb Bush questioned the constitutionality of the measure." "Finance reform measure advances". See also "Senate Panel OKs Campaign Finance Reform", "'Real ethics reform' fundraising bill advances in Senate" and "Committee aims to slice slush funds used for campaigning".

Another Jebbie Flip-Flop

"Several weeks too late, Gov. Bush has acknowledged the severity of Florida's insurance crisis and how the state should respond. This week, the governor reversed himself and said he would support using the projected budget surplus to make up what probably will be a roughly $3 billion shortage in Florida's system of hurricane coverage." "Insurance storm finally gets governor's attention".

Window Dressing

"Oil drilling listening tour hits last stop". See also "Debate over offshore drilling incites passions on both sides", "Gulf oil drilling debated in a city far from shore" and "Concerns about offshore drilling aired at hearing".

"Jeb!" Worried

"Bush said he’s concerned Republican Katherine Harris’ U.S. Senate campaign has faltered in recent weeks, despite his advice that she should focus on Democratic incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson’s record and not on herself." And this is hardly a vote of confidence:

"I'm not saying anything," Bush responded when asked if he'd like to see another candidate in the Senate contest.

Choice Politics

"The Florida Supreme Court unanimously upheld part of a 1997 law that requires doctors to explain the medical risks of abortion and get a signed consent form from women seeking the procedure, reversing lower courts' rulings." "Informed consent law for abortions upheld by court". It isn't all bad for choice advocates, as "both sides claim victory in the Florida Supreme Court decision,"

Part of the reason the Supreme Court so strongly agreed to uphold informed consent for abortions is that government attorneys changed their strategy when they got before the court, Pariente noted. The state had made concessions, including saying the law requires doctors to discuss only medical risks, not other risks.

And the justices gave doctors the authority to use their judgment to decide how much information a woman needs to be informed about abortion risks.

Is There A Cause of Action For "Legislative malpractice"?

"Medical experts are a necessary part of medical malpractice lawsuits. The Legislature should not be taking steps to discourage them from testifying." "Legislative malpractice".

"Some Republican Bloggers Turn On Harris"

"It comes as no surprise that Katherine Harris is frequently lampooned on liberal blogs and web sites. But, now, conservative web sites and blogs have turned on Harris pleading with her to end her campaign for the senate." "Some Republican Bloggers Turn On Harris".

Reinsurance

"With the hurricane season fast approaching, Florida's small insurance companies are facing a stormy reinsurance market where coverage is either too expensive or simply unavailable." "Small insurers face big problem".

"Bush, GOP approval ratings find new lows"

"President Bush's approval ratings hit a series of new lows in an AP-Ipsos poll that also shows Republicans surrendering their advantage on national security - grim election-year news for a party struggling to stay in power." "Bush, GOP approval ratings find new lows".

Kneejerk Knuckledragger, That's Our Mel

"Those who favor conservative politics will be happy to hear that Florida's junior senator has joined an elite group: Mel Martinez, who is serving his first term, was one of just 12 senators (all Republicans) to earn a perfect score from the American Conservative Union." "Mr. Perfect AND Mr. Right".

Anti-Semites Running Amuck

"The number of Anti-Semitic incidents reported in Florida increased for the fourth consecutive year, while similar reports declined nationally in 2005, according to an annual report released Wednesday." "Anti-Semitic hate crimes in Florida increased again".

Katherine's Experienced "Illegal Campaign Contribution Scheme[r]"

"Federal investigators said the new deputy treasurer for the Katherine Harris Senate campaign acknowledged he was part of an illegal campaign contribution scheme in 1995 - similar to two others that have involved Harris." "New Harris Employee Said He Disguised Contributions In '95".

Session News

- "Coming up at the Capitol".

- "Legislature 2006: Developments from day 30, April 5". See also "Capitol Digest" and "Legislative news briefs".

- "Citing lapses in seaport security, South Florida Democratic legislators called Wednesday for more money and new strategies to strengthen the state's role in inspecting cargo that passes through Florida's seaports." "S. Floridians seek port funding".

- "Fight to stall ban of eminent domain bleak". See also "Eminent domain bill seeks limits" and "Legislation to limit local condemnation powers set for House vote". The Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "Bill would restrict localities' condemnation powers".

- "Bense proposes doubling homestead exemption".

- "Smoking audits for bars face repeal".

- "Bill restricts cops' Taser use".

- "A series of bills that would re-enact exemptions to Florida's public records laws for sensitive information including addresses and home telephone numbers of certain government employees were passed Wednesday by the Florida House." "House votes to renew exemptions for public records". See also "House considers open-government exemption" ("A disputed proposal to renew a law that lets businesses keep information they provide government agencies confidential cleared the state House of Representatives on Wednesday.") The PBP complains about it here: "It's the public's business".

- "Bill forces builders to pay for impact on evacuation routes".

Jet-setting "man of moderate means"

GOoPer Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla

who said he is too poor to pay an $8,750 Elections Commission fine nonetheless shared a chartered jet trip to the NCAA men's basketball finals that cost him at least $1,335 over the course of several hours.

Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla continues to fight a fine based on his violations of elections laws during his 1999 election.

"I'm a man of moderate means," he said Wednesday. "What I told the Elections Commission was that the penalty they were trying to impose puts an undue burden on me."

On Monday, though, Diaz de la Portilla was among eight legislators who took a Cessna jet to Indianapolis to watch the University of Florida win the national championship.

declare it a gift to his colleague — which he said was still permissible. Under a new law, lobbyists or their clients are no longer allowed to give lawmakers any gifts.

"Cultural Literacy

"The bill by Rep. Richard Glorioso, R-Plant City, requires intensified teaching of American history ... it also requires instruction in the importance of free enterprise and the U.S. economy."

Teaching the importance of the Declaration of Independence would mean "including national sovereignty, natural law, self-evident truth, equality of all persons, limited government, popular sovereignty, and God-given, inalienable rights of life, liberty and property."

All right, that does it. All candidates for attorney general can start preparing to defend this thing.

"The history of the United States shall be taught in a factual manner based on genuine history," the bill states. It also requires schools to use teaching materials "that meet the highest standards for professionalism and historic accuracy."

Gay Adoption Lawsuit

"The Department of Children and Families is under fire from children's advocates for allowing foster children to spend the night in a conference room in Tallahassee, but legislative leaders said Wednesday that won't change their minds about allowing gays to adopt." Oh yeah, and this gem from the dynamic, revolutionary Mr. Rubio:

"Some of these kids are the most disadvantaged in the state," said House Majority Leader Marco Rubio of West Miami. "They shouldn't be forced to be part of a social experiment."

"Border Politics"

"The Senate's lone immigrant, Florida's Mel Martinez, is at the center of a congressional storm over how far the nation goes in criminalizing or openly welcoming - or keeping in the shadows of the U.S. economy - the nation's 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants. Against waves of dissension within his own party, the Cuba-born Republican has been working behind the scenes, pushing a compromise that could, in effect, offer legal status to more than 6.5 million undocumented immigrants." "Martinez Enters Border Politics".

Pledge Politics

"Generations of Florida students have begun the school day with an all-American exercise: reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. "

It's not merely routine; it's embedded in state law.

But Rep. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, believes that doesn't offer the pledge sufficient protection. He's proposed a constitutional amendment (SJR 534)that would require students to recite the pledge unless they have a parent's written permission not to. Voters would decide on its passage in November.

Another Screwup

"About 17,400 Floridians in the state's Medically Needy program were switched Jan. 1 into Part D. Prevously, the Medically Needy program used state and federal money - about 60 percent came from the federal government - to pay some costs for people who have incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid but have high bills. Those patients relied on the Medically Needy program to pay their 20 percent 'share of costs.' As Part D beneficiaries, they no longer are eligible for the Medically Needy program." "Spend little, save many".

Turkeys

"House, Senate not on same page when it comes to budgeting" "Legislature set to talk turkeys".

Insurance

"Insured? Get ready to dig deep to replenish catastrophe fund". See also "Floridians face 10 years of payments to replenish insurance catastrophe fund", "CAT Fund faces $1.35B deficit", "House plan props up state home insurer" and "Senate looks for property insurance fix".

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Insurance relief". Mike Thomas adds this: "Wow! The rich may have to pay their fair share".

DNA Testing Bollixed

"The crux of the controversy lies in a paragraph spelling out who is eligible to petition for an examination of DNA evidence. The bill used to allow a person to petition the court for an examination of physical evidence that would 'exonerate that person or mitigate the sentence that person received.' In the revision, everything after or was deleted." "Advocate: Changes in DNA bill 'untenable'". See also "Late changes snag inmate DNA bill".

Slush Funds

"The Republican Senate president joins with Democrats in a bid to flush political slush funds." "Lee unveils his soft-money plan". See also "Lee wants quicker disclosure of soft money", "Campaign finance reform unveiled" and "Lee steers campaign reform plan".

But "stiff rules curbing unlimited fund raising by state politicians face a tough fight among lawmakers faced with giving up their own political moneymaking." "Strict fund-raising limits face tough fight".

This From The Party Of "Personal Responsibility"

"In the annals of buck-passing, Anthony Schembri, secretary of Florida's Department of Juvenile Justice, struck a new precedent for shifting blame on Tuesday." "Stop passing the buck".

"Jeb!" - Jobs

"Rapid job growth in Florida and Hillsborough County gives a false illusion of economic stability and strength." "Job Surge Needs Help To Lift Wages".

Days after Harris locked out former staff members and posted a guard at her Tampa headquarters, she announced that an "experienced group of seasoned professionals with decades of campaign experience" is taking over her campaign.

Some of the new staff members, including new general consultant James Lafferty, have links to culturally conservative political causes. Lafferty worked for the Traditional Values Coalition and embattled U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, the former House majority leader who announced Tuesday he will not seek re-election.

Among other new hires is fund-raising coordinator Erin DeLullo, who is based outside of Washington D.C.

"I only work with conservative candidates," DeLullo said. "I believe there are a lot of donors out there that are still interested in her."

DeLullo replaces Anne Dunsmore, who is considered one of the nation's top Republican fund-raisers. Dunsmore resigned last month, just before Harris pledged to spend $10 million of her own money to make her campaign competitive.

Glenn Hodas was named campaign manager, replacing Jamie Miller, who resigned last weekend. Hodas' experience is based largely on state Senate races in Illinois and he is not well known in Florida. Hodas most recently worked with Wilson-Grand Communications, the firm hired as Harris' media consultants. The company has offices outside Washington, D.C. and in California. Chris Ingram was hired as communications director.

He made headlines in 2003 when he accused his former boss, U.S. Rep. Max Burns, of illegally firing him.

"Weapons-workplace bill wounded"

"A drive led by the National Rifle Association to get the guns-in-parking- lots bill passed in the Legislature is proving an uphill battle." "NRA finds itself on losing side of gun-control bill". Nevertheless, "after half a dozen false starts, the National Rifle Association-led push to guarantee employees the right to bring guns to work cleared its first legislative hurdle Tuesday." "Gun bill wins initial approval". See also "Judiciary panel tweaks bill on bringing guns to work", "Parking-lot guns measure clears panel, pleasing NRA, businesses", "House panel passes NRA bill" and "Weapons-workplace bill wounded".

Session News

- "Here are some legislative events coming up today at the Capitol".

- "Legislature 2006: Developments from day 29 , April 4".

- "State to pay $3.2 million to save site of the Battle of Okeechobee".

- "High school major-minor bill clears Senate panel".

- "Lawmakers: Students, teachers need history lessons".

- "Spring training bills in play".

- "Term limit extension losing its support among legislators".

- "Proposal aims to train police to aid homeless".

"Floridians know precious little ..."

"It's distressing to learn that Floridians know precious little about the form of government they were bequeathed by the Founding Fathers. Failure to understand and appreciate the virtues of representative democracy is a good way to lose that democracy." "Civics".

Voucher Madness

"A state Senate committee propped up an ailing proposal to restore the state voucher system, but the measure faces more trouble ahead." "Idea to revive vouchers running into resistance".

"The House and Senate began taking diverging paths on Gov. Jeb Bush's proposed constitutional amendment to preserve school vouchers Tuesday, with the Senate narrowing its proposal and the House continuing with wide-open wording permitting vouchers for all children." "Voucher paths grow apart between House, Senate".

See also "House, Senate panels approve differing voucher amendments", "Voucher amendment may change" and "Senate limits voucher expansion plan".

Yet Another Tax "Surcharge Increase.

Can't ever accuse Jebbie of raising "taxes" (as he narrowly defines them); he just increases every other conceivable fee, payment or cost applicable to the average Floridian. Here's another example:

The governor's call for using tax dollars to hold the line on home insurance costs emerged on the same day the governor and the Cabinet tacked on a 2.8 percent surcharge to every homeowner policy. It amounts to an additional $28 for every $1,000 of annual premium on a homeowner's policy.

The increase comes on top of the 6.8 percent one-time surcharge imposed last year to bail out Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the state-run home insurer of last resort, and another Citizens' levy at least 11 percent slated to go in effect later this year to cover 2005 storm losses.

The three additional insurance charges added together mean an annual premium increase of more than $300 for someone who had been paying $1,500 a year on home insurance. At the same time, home insurers statewide are seeking their own double-digit rate increases separate from these storm-related surcharges.

"McKinney In Sarasota on Saturday"

"The George Congresswoman who struck a Capitol police officer last week will be headlining a rally in Sarasota on Saturday. Rep. Cynthia McKinney, D-Georgia, is in town to promote a movie called 'American Blackout' in which she chronicles black voter disenfranchisement in the 2000 and 2004 elections." "McKinney In Sarasota on Saturday".

GOoPers Hurting Jebbie's Feelings

"Jeb!" "reserved some of his sharpest criticism for conservatives in his own Republican Party". "Florida Gov. Bush Calls Tone of Immigration Debate 'Hurtful'".

Ethics Complaint Against Gallagher

"A Lake City man has filed ethics complaints against Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher and three of his employees, alleging they misused their public positions in 2003 by their involvement in a business dispute the man had with a Gallagher friend. The four complaints stem from a failed business relationship between airplane mechanic William Schretzmann and Jay Vass, a Lake City pilot who has provided chartered air service for Florida Republican campaigns, including Gallagher's." "Gallagher, 3 employees face ethics complaints".

Out of Control

"Despite an angry warning that they were proclaiming themselves smarter than the voters, members of a major House committee voted Tuesday to strip six public-petition amendments out of the Florida Constitution." "House may pull plug on petitions".

Credit Margolis

"It takes a seasoned lawmaker to know when to retreat and tell her constituents that their desired solution was bigger than their problem. That's what state Sen. Gwen Margolis of North Miami Beach admirably did in withdrawing her proposed law that would have exempted from public records all the e-mail addresses collected by local governments. It was too sweeping an act by far, even if unwanted e-mails do annoy many members of the human race." "FL confidential".

Charter Schools

"Lawmakers are moving to make it easier for charter schools to form while eroding local school boards' control over the ones in their community." "Bills easing charter school rules on the move".

Stem Cell "Sore Point for Republicans"

As an effort to earmark state money for disease research moves forward in the Legislature, some members say the most promising type of research -- that involving stem cells -- is conspicuously absent from the debate. ...

But a separate proposal, which would provide an additional $15 million a year for the next decade to pay for research using stem cells from normally discarded embryos from in vitro fertilization clinics, has languished, and appears unlikely to pass in either chamber.

So backers of stem-cell research are trying to inject the controversial issue into the broader debate over how to pay for medical research. And they've hit on a potential sore point for Republicans, many of whom are morally against embryonic stem-cell research.

Another "Jeb!" Flip Flop

"On Tuesday, however, Bush switched gears, echoing a position suggested by Senate President Tom Lee, R-Valrico. The governor said he'd be willing to use state money to pay down the $1.7-billion deficit at Citizens Property Insurance Corp. as long as lawmakers pass significant changes to shore up the state's private market." "Citizens bailout has Bush support".

State Pays GOoPer Gambling Addict To Run "Virtual Schools"

"The state Department of Education has been paying private companies to run a pilot program that allows 800 students from kindergarten through eighth grade to receive instruction over the Internet while being home-schooled." "'Virtual school' pilot program clicks with Senate, House panels".

And isn't this interesting: "The state's pilot program was operated by two for-profit virtual schools, including K12, which was run by former U.S. Education Secretary and drug czar William Bennett.". Id.

Save Our Homes

The Miami Herald editorial board argues that the "Save Our Homes law needs to be rescued": "Some state lawmakers think that the Save Our Homes constitutional amendment that was passed in 1992 is broken and needs to be fixed. They are only partially correct. Save Our Homes, which limits to 3 percent or lower per year the amount of increased value in a person's home, isn't broken -- but adjustments could shore up some of the law's weaknesses.".

From the Sun-Sentinel: "The latest proposal in Tallahassee to deal with a property tax crunch is a constitutional amendment to double the homestead exemption. However, the amendment would limit benefits from the Save Our Homes amendment, and that could create another round of unintended consequences." "Lawmakers propose property tax overhaul".

Diaz de la Portilla Comes Into Some Cash

The Buzz nails Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami: "'No lobbyist is paying the bill,' Campbell said Tuesday after the trip was first reported in The Palm Beach Post. (That would be illegal, of course). The chartered Cessna cost about $10,000, which means each of the eight lawmakers who went will have to pay about $1,400 each. One of the travelers was Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami, a University of Miami graduate, and the senator who last year told an administrative law judge he could not afford to pay a fine for election law violations." " The Plane Truth About the Senate".

Death Politics

"The Florida Supreme Court sent the legislature a clear message last year: Fix the state's death penalty structure or risk the courts doing it for you. Now the state House is sending a message back: No thanks, our death penalty structure is just fine." "House fires back at court on death penalty rules".

" Sen. Alex Villalobos, R-Miami, and Rep. Jack Seiler, D-Wilton Manors, filed bills this year that would have changed that, joining Florida with other states that have changed their death penalty structure following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that found such death penalty structures to be constitutionally flawed. But those bills now appear to be dead, replaced instead with a Hous' resolution passed by the Criminal Justice Committee on Tuesday that states: "The House of Representatives believes that the public policy of this state should be that unanimous jury recommendations not be required in death penalty cases.'"

The imbroligio is apparently yet another outgrowth of the " the struggle between Villalobos and Sen. Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, over who will become the Senate president for the 2009-10 sessions. The favoritism usually afforded incoming chamber leaders has not been evident for Villalobos, the onetime owner of enough pledge cards to become the next Senate president." More here.

Castor Fundraising

According to a Castor Campaign press release: "With the help of 3500 individual contributions, Hillsborough County
Commissioner Kathy Castor has raised a total of $670,000 for her campaign
to succeed Jim Davis in Florida’s 11th Congressional District. More than
$200,000 alone will be reported for the first quarter of this year, the
Castor campaign announced on Tuesday."

You Knew There Was Something Fishy ...

when any sort of "victory" by enviromentalists is claimed in Tallahassee ("environmentalists got a big win"), as was the case yesterday. It turns out, "[a]ctivists won only a limited reprieve for the Florida Keys by persuading a Senate committee to attach two amendments to a bill that would lift the Area of Critical State Concern from Monroe County. Instead of removing the decades-long designation next year, as state Sen. Ken Sorensen seeks, the amendments would keep it in place until 2009 and give opponents of Keys over-development a more-favorable climate for legal challenges. Lifting the designation in 2009 would be premature." "Premature to lift Keys' designation".

Gallagher

"Republican candidate for governor Tom Gallagher will attend tonight’s Palm Beach County Republican Party meeting at Palm Beach Atlantic University." "Gallagher Campaigns In PBC".

Oil Drilling

"In effect, the Bush administration wants to take waters that have been under Florida's jurisdiction and let Louisiana set rules for drilling. Former Interior Secretary Gale Norton favored that dodge, which would open 2 million more acres. In addition, Congress is debating a proposal that would allow gas and oil rigs 100 miles from the coastline and open 4.5 million additional acres of the eastern gulf to drilling. The legislation comes from Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., and Interior seems fine with whatever leaves Florida most vulnerable." "Make Washington hear Florida on oil drilling".

Budget

"Florida lawmakers will consider budget plans this week that would send tens of millions of dollars to Volusia and Flagler counties for projects ranging from adding a new medical-school campus to fixing flooding problems." "Budget plans benefit counties".

Roadblock

"After years of watching cities and counties approve sprawling developments, a group called Florida Hometown Democracy wants to throw up a roadblock. The group is pushing a proposed constitutional amendment that would give voters the final say about whether local governments change comprehensive plans that serve as blueprints for growth." "Proposals set limits on ballot initiatives".

in the past 10 days, Harris has:

•Had locks changed and posted a security guard at the door of her campaign headquarters in Tampa and had former staff members escorted in to retrieve their belongings.

•Told a gathering of supporters in Cocoa Beach on Saturday that the Republican Party had "infiltrated" her campaign staff to put "knives in my back."

•Told a reporter that a longtime, trusted political adviser had leaked a story about her staff members quitting, then called back to retract the comments.

•Announced hiring her new staff without identifying them.

Those events come atop previous reversals and contradictions, including her announcement last month that she would spend her inheritance from her father on her campaign, which she changed, saying she would sell her assets.

Former campaign manager Jim Dornan, who left in November, called the most recent events in the campaign "unbelievable."

"It smacks of real paranoia," he said of the headquarters lockout and comments about infiltration. "That campaign staff was so loyal to her, and to be treated like that is absolutely unconscionable."

Baxley Reads A Book

State Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, who failed last year to pass "a bill that would have enabled students to sue professors if they felt their political or religious beliefs were not respected ... [and] decried the 'leftist totalitarianism' of 'dictator professors'", has apparently "decided against trying again this year". In the meantime, Baxley claims to have read a book: "Everybody's a Critic".

Session News

- "Legislature 2006: Developments from day 28, April 3". See also "Tallahassee Ticker".

- "Bill would keep some teens off cellphones while driving".

- "Needs of Florida families in spotlight at the Capitol".

- "Open government advocates were breathing easier Monday after a prominent South Florida Democrat agreed to withdraw legislation that would have blocked public access to e-mail addresses held by local officials." "Margolis withdraws contested bill".

Whitewash Begins

Jebbie appointed "special prosecutor" Stephen B. Russell chats with some local bigwigs in his purported "investigation" of Bush Pioneer Rich Crotty. "Prosecutors query Orange officials". This "investigation" is almost funny, with "one ''activist' for the Bush-Cheney campaign' [Russell] investigating another ''activist' for the Bush-Cheney campaign' [Crotty]."

If Crotty wasn't supporting Crist before, you can be sure he is now. After all, Russell "was recently chosen one of several co-chairmen of GOP gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist's Lee County campaign". Id.

DeLay and Florida 2000

Few remember the now disgraced Tom Delay's role in the Florida 2000 election fiasco. The Nation's John Nichols laments that, with DeLay dropping out of politics, "DeLay's crudest assault on American democracy will be little mentioned now, as it has been since he waged it ... it was Tom DeLay who brought down the hammer that stopped the recount process at its most critical point." Read what he means here: "The Hammer Goes Down".

GOoPer Xenophobes ...

won't believe who has been running around waving the "Mexican flag", and on U.S. soil no less.

More From The "Values" Crowd

"Facing claims from people exonerated by DNA evidence testing, Florida lawmakers are attempting to put a price tag on the lost years of those who have been imprisoned for crimes they didn't commit." But you won't believe the strings the GOoPers are insisting on as a condition to receipt of compensation. "Absolved Inmates Unequal To Some".

Good Luck

"Two years ago, the Legislature punished South Florida children when it changed a school-funding formula. After that session South Florida legislators, including Rep. Marco Rubio, R-West Miami, said that they would fight to fix the inequity. The fix hasn't happened yet, and it has cost Miami-Dade and Broward schools more than $144 million in funding over two years." "Fairness for S. Florida".

Silly

"Major Pluses, Minuses In School Plan".

"Bill would give Florida landlords license to gouge"

"Higher gas prices, increased power and phone bills, an employment market trending toward more part-time, no-benefit jobs -- all these factors increase the burden on Floridians struggling to get by. Trust some members of the state Legislature to kick folks while they're down. A bill scheduled to be heard in the House Justice Council would allow landlords to gouge renters who leave their apartments before a lease ends, even if the apartment is re-rented. Under this bill (HB 673), landlords would be allowed to collect up to two months' rent from a departing tenant -- even if the apartment is re-rented within a week, as is often the case in Florida's go-go housing market." "Home steep home".

Green Lobbyists

"State's sheriffs are on duty as lobbyists in Tallahassee".

More Nukes

"Florida Power & Light Co. says it wants to build another nuclear plant in Florida." "FPL wants to build its third nuclear plant in Florida".

Hypocrisy Alert

Scott Maxwell points out some central Florida hypocrites

Whether you're a fan of online poker or you believe gambling cards are dealt from the devil's deck, you might be interested to know that a number of our local pols are co-sponsoring a bill to outlaw Internet gambling. Among those who have signed on to Virginia Rep. Bob Goodlatte's Internet Gambling Prohibition Act are local Feeney and fellow Republicans Ric Keller, Adam Putnam and Dave Weldon. Remember: We support smaller, less-intrusive government. . . unless you're doing something in your own home that we don't like.

A Business Thing

"So you have problems now with your cable company? Just wait. State Rep. Trey Traviesa, R-Tampa, wants to make it easier for providers to cherry-pick customers, ignore complaints and pare down public and educational programming. Even the bill's name - the "Consumer Choice Act" - misleads the public about a giveaway to the pay-TV industry." "Pay-TV giveaway".

Green Gallagher

"Tom Gallagher shook hands with a sea turtle and smiled at a horse conch scurrying through the sand on Monday before a group of St. Lucie River activists abruptly changed the mood. The activists told Gallagher, a Republican candidate for governor, that Lake Okeechobee is dying and the governor-appointed state board that oversees its health doesn't understand the problem." In a bit of classic Jebspeak, Gallagher uttered:

"Florida's environment is extremely important, and this is an extremely important part of Florida's environment," he said.

Truer Words ...

were never spoken, and at UCF no less:

there is some doubt as to America's leadership from a moral and political standpoint.

"This world needs a leader," he said, "especially when it comes to moral and political things."

[Former Polish union leader-turned-president Lech] Walesa knows about leadership.

Public Counsel Stands Up To FPL

PSC Public Counsel Harold "McLean says FPL should eat more than $600 million in [hurricane] damages. Not too distant history suggests the public counsel's suspicions might be right on target." "Storm Costs".

Save Our Homes

Mike Thomas on Save Our Homes: "Tax break or not, somebody ends up paying".

"Pick a Poll"

Brian Crowley notes that "two polls taken within days of each other with very different results."

Strategic Vision poll - Jim Davis 41, Rod Smith 19, undecided 40 percent.

Mason Dixon poll - Davis 28, Smith 9, undecided 63 percent.

Funny

GOoPers have their panties in a wad about this "Ex-vice president returns to crime scene." "Left and right lament what's left out".

Property Rights

"Florida legislators may take steps to curb cities' right to seize property".

Indianapolis Bound

Gator travel:

A bipartisan octet of state lawmakers, some dressed in orange and blue, traveled on a charter jet to Indianapolis Monday to cheer on the University of Florida basketball team in the NCAA championship game.

The entourage — three House members and five senators, including Sen. Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach — packed its own sandwiches, snacks and soft drinks for the trip, a far cry from past years when lobbyists or political parties would pick up the tab.

Nevertheless, lawmakers were circumspect when asked about who was paying the bill for the $10,000 rental of the nine-seat Cessna S550.

"That's for me to know and you to find out," said Sen. Skip Campbell, D-Tamarac, who made the arrangements for the trip and is a candidate for state attorney general.

"Florida: going for the bronze"

"Florida's Legislature repeatedly appears to suffer from a fundamental lack of appreciation for higher education as the economic engine it is, and as a life-affirming force for good." "Higher-ed neglect".

Feeney's Lobbyist "Season Ticket Pass"

"Realizing that it can be time-consuming for lobbyists to cut check after check to his campaign, [Oviedo Republican Congressman Tom] Feeney has decided to offer the poor things a 'season ticket pass.' For the low, low price of $5,000, lobbyists can cut one big PAC check early in the season and then gain access to all of his campaign events for the year. Feeney Chief of Staff Jason Roe said the idea is nothing new to Washington -- only that he came up with a creative name for the process. Still, it's nice when politicians can make the process of selling access to themselves so darn convenient." "Congress: Behind the scenes".

"Developers dealt a setback"

"Environmentalists got a big win by stopping a developer- backed effort to remove Keys development from state scrutiny." "Developers dealt a setback". See also "Keys lawmakers may get development powers".

Earlier, things were pretty tense: "'What we say is if you want to be an environmentalist in Monroe County, move further south,' to neighboring Cuba, Debbie Harrison, director of the Wildlife Fund's South Florida program, said before Monday's agreement." "Bill would take Keys off list of critical sites".

Who Really Pulls GOoPer Strings

"In a rare reversal of fortunes, the National Rifle Association's legislative priorities are facing resistence from the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature." "Big business to NRA: Not so fast". See also "For once, NRA is the one stumbling".

Save Our Homes

Michael Peltier writes about the Save Our Homes legislation:

In 1992, tax-weary voters launched a revolution to protect homeowners from skyrocketing property taxes brought on by rising values of their homes.

Overwhelmingly approved by voters, the popular Save Our Homes initiative went underground for several years as tax assessments on homesteaded property inched up at a maximum rate of 3 percent a year while non-protected property — second homes, rental units and commercial property — gained in value at a much larger clip.

For a while, the gap didn't seem that large. But like compound interest, the amendment's effects accelerated over time so that by 2006, the amendment would provide Floridians $350 billion in savings, up from $48 billion just five years before.

Such a trend is spurring at least one Florida lawmaker to launch a counter revolution to rein in an exemption he says has disproportionately benefited the wealthy at the expense of renters, business owners and first-time home buyers forced to pick up the tab for local government services.

"Undo wrongful convictions"

"No justice system is perfect. Consider that in Florida, since 2000, five men convicted of heinous crimes have been exonerated by DNA tests that showed their innocence. This is why the Legislature should cancel a July deadline for convicted felons to get DNA tests that could determine if they have been wrongly convicted" "Undo wrongful convictions".

Scalpers

"A bill in the Florida Legislature would allow people to resell tickets for sporting events, concerts and plays for up to 25 percent above face value. The legislation also would permit sellers to unload tickets online for as much as the market will bear." "Give All Scalpers Freedom To Sell".

GOoPers "Don't Understand" Constitution

"Republicans regularly take cheap shots at all courts - it got real bad during the Terri Schiavo case - but they save their deepest scorn for the Florida Supreme Court. The Florida Bar is worried enough to ask that the Legislature require more civics education. And it all goes back to a myth from the Gore-Bush election recount.

Columnist George Will perpetuated that myth most recently when, yapping about the voucher ruling, he claimed that the state's high court had been "rewriting state election laws." In fact, there was no law to "rewrite."

In 2000, Florida election law contained two incompatible provisions: a deadline for getting results to Tallahassee and a process for seeking a recount. They were incompatible because no one had envisioned a statewide recount, much less one with the presidency at stake. So the court tried to strike a balance on behalf of the voters - horrors! - but with its second recount ruling fell into an equal-protection trap that the U.S. Supreme Court had set.

But for those who howled about that second ruling, which ordered a statewide hand recount, here is this inconvenient fact: In 2001, Gov. Bush's elections task force recommended unanimously that there should be hand recounts for statewide elections in which the margin is less than one-fourth of 1 percent.

As a newspaper consortium that included The Post reported, a hand recount in 2000 could have gone either way. Point is, the court was neither reckless nor partisan. Nor was it "rewriting" law. It issued rulings favorable to Mr. Gore and rulings favorable to Mr. Bush. It doesn't rule "for" or "against" either party.

The Florida Bar is right to worry about court-bashing, but many GOP court-bashers took civics. Some are lawyers. They've read the constitution. Problem is, they don't understand it.

Never Enough

The Florida Medical Association wants more:

The Florida Medical Association's raison d'etre is to serve "as an advocate for physicians and their patients to promote the public health, to ensure high standards in medical education and ethics, and to enhance the quality and availability of health care."

Unfortunately, the organization's legislative agenda this session has only one goal: protecting physicians' turf.

The organization's top priority is to make it harder for out-of-state physicians to testify as expert witnesses in Florida malpractice cases. It's a bad bill meant to intimidate doctors who testify against other doctors.

"Robbing justice"

"What happens when you try to rehabilitate youth in trouble with the law on the cheap? It doesn't work. The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice continues to ignore that fact, despite an abundance of proof among the more than 95,000 youth under its supervision." "Cut-rate rehabilitation ruining juvenile justice".

"Overall, juvenile programs across the state are more than $100 million in the hole. It would take $33 million in the current budget to restore programs to the 1994 level of funding." "Robbing justice" ("Fortunately, ... [t]he House budget proposal now includes $16 million more for juvenile programs; the Senate is currently at $8 million more.")

Florida's Greenbelt Law

"The Senate Agriculture Committee decides to study for a year changes to a law giving agriculture land tax exemptions some say are unfair":

Some say Disney, developers and others are abusing Florida's Greenbelt Law, which provides tax breaks to farmers who own agricultural land and was in the crosshairs of state House and Senate reform bills proposed this legislative session to overhaul it.

The 1959 law, which saves Florida agriculture landowners $950-million annually, was intended to keep farmers in business, but critics say it is used to shelter developers and landholders from big tax bills on property they intend to sell or build upon.

But opposition from farmers and the political pressure of an election year have already killed the reforms. On March 21, the measure died in its first hearing after the Senate Agriculture Committee decided to postpone a vote and study the issue for a year, with potential changes next session.

Budget Blues

"The Florida House will spend much of this week getting down to the only business it is required to complete. House leaders expect to pass a $71 billion budget out of the lower chamber by the end of the week, spending part of Wednesday and most of Thursday and Friday debating the massive spending plan. It's the only bill the Florida Constitution requires lawmakers to pass every year." "On tap: House to take on budget".

I'm Not Saying This Explains Why Florida Is A Red State, But ...

"The Florida Bar Association has launched a campaign to increase awareness and knowledge of civics, a long-neglected subject in schools across the nation, including most school districts in Florida.":

A pervasive lack of knowledge about such basic concepts weakens our democracy.

Paving Over The Keys

The Tampa Trib editorial board finds it "it is galling to see that state lawmakers want to weaken protections for the islands." "Lawmakers Take Aim At Florida Keys".

Higher Ed Funding Requests Slashed

"House, Senate slice budget request in half". "Universities won't get what they want".

Privatization Follies

"This is the Convergys-People First! thing again. As you've probably heard, DMS last February found out that a Convergys subcontractor had hired one or two companies in India to process some state employee records. It's still under investigation." "Looks like junk mail, but isn't".

"Soft money's still too squishy"

"These are informally called 527s, or Committees of Continuous Existence (CCEs), which are named after a chapter of the IRS code and allow candidates and public officials to set up personal causes for funneling money. The personal cause is generally re-election of self or loyalists, though the account may have a name that suggests almost any well-meaning concept, like 'good government.'" "Not there yet".

Plea

"When the speaker of the House announces his hatred for legislation and the author declares his own bill dead, it usually adds up to a bleak outlook for an idea. But there was Bradenton resident Melissa Wandall and a contingent of supporters pounding the halls of the Florida Legislature, trying to revive hope for a new law to put cameras at intersections to catch drivers who run red lights." "Plea helps red-light bill gain new life".

What "law-and-order legacy"?

"Decorated soldier Jim McDonough tries to turn around Florida's decayed prison system, which is reeling from multiple investigations and nipping at Gov. Jeb Bush's law-and-order legacy." "New prisons chief shakes up system".

A Sense of Entitlement

"Democrat Maria Sachs spared her party a splitting headache by deciding against a primary challenge to state Rep. Richard Machek, D-Delray Beach. But her plan to run for the seat being vacated by state Rep. Anne Gannon, D-Delray Beach, is drawing incumbent-like indignation from Democrat Harriet Lerman. 'I feel really sad that she would want to challenge me,' Lerman said of Sachs. 'That really bothers me, that she's challenging me.'" "Sachs' plans for Gannon's seat irks Lerman".

"The latest screw-up ..."

"The latest screw-up at the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office didn't change the course of a presidency, but it raised fears of what could happen in November's elections. Mangonia Park Councilwoman Frances Elien went to bed Tuesday night believing that she had retained her seat by a 47-vote margin, only to learn Wednesday that she had lost by six votes." "A vote of no confidence".

Business, NRA Fops

Every year,

as dependably as the swallows returning to Capistrano, lawmakers in Tallahassee try to darken Florida's strong sunshine laws. This year is no different with two particularly destructive measures already through committee and awaiting a vote in the House.

One (H.B. 687) would exempt from public records the list of people in the state who have been granted concealed-weapons permits. The other (H.B. 7017) would renew an exemption that shields records related to secret business deals. Both violate the spirit of the state's constitutional guarantee of open government and demonstrate that lawmakers are more interested in serving the interests of the NRA and big business than protecting the people's right to know.

There are 350,000 Floridians who hold a concealed-weapons permit but that pales in comparison to the number of state residents who hold other kinds of licenses and permits. Yet, if the bill passes, concealed-gun owners are going to be the one category of state licensee that doesn't have to declare itself to the public. From a public safety standpoint that makes no sense.

A majority of Floridians do not like private school vouchers, continue to support the multibillion-dollar class-size amendment and oppose use of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test to reward or penalize schools, the poll shows.

Meanwhile, parents say they like their public schools. A lot.

51 percent approve of Bush's job performance, while 29 percent disapprove.

40 percent like the way he is handling education issues, while 37 percent don't.

61 percent oppose using public money for private school vouchers.

70 percent said schools should not be penalized because of FCAT results.

"The other March Madness"

"Welcome to the other March Madness - the end of the fundraising quarter for political candidates.  To be counted in fundraising reports for the first three months of 2006, campaign contributions had to be handed over or postmarked by midnight Friday. As the deadline neared, candidates' e-mail pleas to potential donors became more and more urgent."  "Candidates Watch Clock In Money Push".

Harris Death Watch Continues

"In what could be the death knell to Katherine Harris's U.S. Senate campaign, all of her key staff members have quit.  Several top campaign aides had already left during the past few weeks, but on Friday the five remaining staff members walked out. Only their assistants and a few temps who open the mail remain on board, according to one former staffer who did not want to be identified."  "Campaign staffers abandon Harris".  And "[i]n the latest development of an erratic bid for U.S. Senate, U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, R-Longboat Key, announced the hiring of an entire new campaign team Saturday - but didn't name the members."  The campaign issued a statement announcing the new hires late Saturday:

"Our new team already has in place a campaign manager, a national fundraising coordinator, a team of political media consultants, pollster, Florida political field director, and a press secretary," Harris said in the announcement.

But, "Harris unfazed by staff losses"; but Harris remains "undaunted by the departure of all her key staffers this weekend, [saying] she will press on with her campaign for the Senate and announce a new team in the next few days."  And she's spitting mad; "at a meeting at the First Baptist Church of Cocoa Beach where she met with about 50 Brevard County Republican stalwarts Saturday morning.", she said

"I didn’t know I was going to get the knives in my back from my own party and I’ll be honest, it's infiltrated my campaign staff.  For too long we have been undermined by people in our own party and staffers in our own campaign."

Fuzzy Math?

The Buzz notes that "Davis Accuses Smith Of Fuzzy Math".

FCAT Follies

This is simply embarassing:

In Florida, the state has been so protective of the secrecy of the FCAT that it has failed to pay sufficient attention to the scoring. After a newspaper disclosed last month that Kelly Services was advertising for $10-an-hour temporary workers to score the writing portion of the FCAT this year, the agency insisted the workers had colleges degrees and half were teachers. But DOE has been slow to respond to Democratic requests for public records that would verify the claims.

If the stakes are going to be high for students, they have to be at least as high for the companies that are profiting.

Cleaning Up After "Jeb!"

The next Governor is going to have a huge mess to clean up.  "[H]ow should the next executive deal with Florida's struggles?"  "Governing Florida".  See also "Living governors reflect on past, look at future".

Just Do It

"Tag to help troops still in limbo".

Farmworkers Take Action

"Police officers kept the drive-thru at McDonald’s Corp.’s flagship restaurant open Saturday as several hundred supporters of a Florida-based farmworker advocacy group demanded better wages for the people who pick the tomatoes used by the fast-food giant."  "Florida farmworkers pressure McDonald's for higher wages".

"Jeb's power grab"

Inasmuch as Jebbie insists on grading everything, he might be interested in the Bradenton Herald's  contention that his "new school takeover bill rates F-minus".  "Jeb's power grab".

Meet Cara Jennings

"Over the years, Cara Jennings has taken extreme measures to make her liberal views known.  She helped organize a sit-in during which two people chained themselves to a stairway railing and others dumped rotting fruit and sand in the offices of the Palm Beach County Business Development Board to protest development plans for The Scripps Research Institute.  She has traveled the country fighting for women's empowerment and equal rights through what she called radical cheerleading, a practice that would later become a national phenomenon.  Her philosophies remain the same, but now that the 29-year-old has won a seat on the Lake Worth City Commission, she said her tactics will change."  "Politics takes place of protests for new Lake Worth commissioner".

Troxler

"A small piece of Old Florida fights to keep its soul intact".

Smith "Slams Bush tax cut"

"Money that could be used to reduce the cost of windstorm insurance is being wasted on an unneeded election-year tax cut, Rod Smith, a Democratic candidate for governor, said Saturday."  "Democratic gubernatorial hopeful slams Bush tax cut".

Medicaid Fraud

"There seems to be a problem with managed care and Medicaid coverage for South Florida's low-income and developmentally disabled youngsters."

Cost containment had been the driving force behind Gov. Jeb Bush's push to get a federal waiver from Washington to run Florida's Medicaid program more like a private health insurance plan. ...

It's the managed-care track record that draws concern. HMOs are bottom-line businesses, not government entitlement programs, and that prompts critics to worry that they'll give poor patients short shrift in the soon-to-be restructured Medicaid program.

Lee's War Chest

"Senate President Tom Lee, who is running for Chief Financial Officer, raised $405,000 in the first quarter of 2006, his campaign said Friday, boasting that he did so 'despite having to suspend all fundraising during last year’s special session and the current regular session of the Legislature that began on March 7.'"  "Lee's warchest grows".

Lee Takes A Pass On Pruitt

The PBP editorial board argues that "Pruitt should show public how he earned payments"  The editorial opens with the following bit of illogic from the GOoPers in charge: "A candidate for Florida chief financial officer, Senate President Tom Lee, R-Brandon, doesn't want to know how incoming Senate President Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, is earning a $2,000 monthly stipend as a consultant to the man who built his house.  Sen. Lee told The Post that Sen. Pruitt asked for an investigation, but he declined, citing a lack of proof. How can Sen. Lee know no investigation is warranted based on a lack of proof if he hasn't investigated to determine whether there's proof?".

That's Our Charlie

Scott Maxwell observes about Crist,

[w]hen it comes to politicking, nobody does it better.

He's for teachers and against murder. His dad's Greek, and his mom's Irish. He went to FSU but is rooting for the Gators in the Final Four.

Wherever you stand, Charlie's your man.

Smith

"Democrat's homespun style wows 'em".

"Big Mac attack"

"Perhaps no one in the Florida Legislature is as vulnerable this election season as Rep. Sheri McInvale, the Orlando lawmaker who ditched the Democratic Party and joined the GOP this year.":

So Florida's Republican Party isn't wasting any time trying to prop up its newest member.

The GOP recently paid for a mailer to voters in McInvale's Orange County district that serves as something of a pre-campaign season biography -- and, incidentally, makes no mention of party affiliation. ...

Republican voters recently received a mailer touting McInvale's vote to abolish joint and several liability, a lawsuit restriction long coveted by businesses.

The mailer was paid for by the "Florida Mainstreet Merchants," a loosely regulated political committee financed by companies such as Food Lion, Publix and Walt Disney World. ...

McInvale's version, however, features her prominently displayed near photos of Gov. Jeb Bush and his brother President Bush and heaps praise on her for showing "great political courage when she voted to help save you money and voted against greedy trial lawyers."