Breakthrough?

"Lawmakers broke a standoff over property taxes by embracing a plan to give homeowners hefty exemptions that would provide targeted relief instead of across-the-board savings." "Lawmakers break property-tax standoff". See also "GOP leader offers a new property tax plan", "House eases tax-cut logjam", "Property tax plan could halve homeowners' bills", "Rubio's tax plan a better proposal", "Rubio Has New Plan To Cut Local Taxes", "New approach to property tax relief unveiled", "Rubio outlines new tax plan" and "Talk of deal may end tax standoff".




New Poll

"Six out of 10 Floridians say Gov. Charlie Crist is doing a good or excellent job after four months in office, according to a statewide poll conducted for the St. Petersburg Times and Bay News 9. ... Even voters who gave Crist a passing grade expressed a wait-and-see attitude because Crist has not had much time to fix the insurance and property tax issues." "Crist has grip on popularity".




Poor Mel

"A watchdog group has filed a complaint against Sen. Mel Martinez's 2004 campaign, alleging 'serious' election law violations gave the Florida senator who now chairs the national Republican party 'an unfair advantage in the closing days' of the race."

The complaint filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington -- which Republicans have criticized as leaning to the left -- comes on the heels of a Federal Election Commission audit that found Martinez accepted contributions in excess of federal limits and failed to provide names and occupations of many donors.

His campaign blamed the mistakes on frenzied fundraising and said it is working aggressively to resolve issues raised by the FEC.

An attorney for Martinez called the group ''ever-partisan'' and said the FEC last month dismissed another complaint filed by CREW against Martinez. In that case, CREW alleged that Martinez ''knowingly accepted prohibited corporate contributions'' from the Miami-based Bacardi liquor company.

"FEC gets 2nd complaint on Martinez fundraising". See "Martinez Named in Election Complaint" and "Martinez Camp: It’s Partisan, P.R. Gambit".




Posada

"Luis Posada Carriles, the controversial Cuban exile believed to have committed terrorist bombings in Cuba, hopes to return to Miami today a free man." "Freed anti-Castro figure still target of FBI inquiry".




Hopefully Soon

"Young: I'll Know When To Bow Out".




The Country Clubbers Weigh In

"Some of Florida's most influential business leaders have urged Gov. Charlie Crist to sign legislation that would allow three of Florida's universities to charge higher tuition than the other eight schools." "Business leaders lobby for tiered tuition plan".




"Warning, Will Robinson"

"In November 2008, a proposal to remove language from the state Constitution that bans some 'aliens' from owning land will appear on the ballot." "Initiative aims to kill Florida's 'alien land law'".




Privatization Follies

"Crist and Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink said Friday they are both committed to scrutinizing the state's contracts and ones with problems - like the just canceled public service campaign to heighten hurricane awareness - could soon be gone." "Governor's Office scrutinizes contracts".




Storms

"The former Hillsborough commissioner compromised, but also stood alone on issues." "Senate mellows Storms' ways, but not her passion".




Running Government Like a Business

"They had a contract to buy 6 acres of the Biscayne Bay bottom and a deal to sell it to the state. They were one step away from $7.2-million." "Underwater land flip costs state $7.2-million".