the veteran educator who rose to the job of state education commissioner under former Gov. Jeb Bush and was a champion of Bush's education reforms, abruptly announced his retirement on Friday.

Winn said last year he had no plans to leave his job, but his departure appeared imminent after Gov. Charlie Crist announced earlier this week he was removing two supporters of Winn from the state Board of Education. The seven-member board has the power to hire and fire the education commissioner.

"Small Government"? GOP Reaps What It Sows

"Jeb!" wanted to empty state buildings; and this week. we've been hearing a lot about Florida's "small government" Republicans who are willing to make an exception on the insurance issue (e.g., Crist says he's "a small government guy"). Let's remember what that means:

The state agency charged with protecting patrons of hotels and restaurants has not inspected enough businesses to meet state law in at least two years and does not expect to be able to comply this year.

The issue, highlighted in a legislative committee meeting this week, comes on the heels of the carbon monoxide poisoning of a 26-year-old man in a Key West resort.

The suspected cause of his death is a malfunctioning boiler, one of 44 items that is supposed to be checked by inspectors at the division of hotels and restaurants, part of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Reservations on Insurance Plans

Are we looking at another band-aid?

As they return to the Capitol Tuesday for a weeklong special session aimed at lowering Floridians' property insurance bills, legislators have a difficult balancing act. They need to make insurance affordable -- and they have committed to passing legislation that will cut rates at least some for now.

But they also would like to fix the problem structurally, to avoid having to address it again each year. And they'd like to avoid chasing all private insurance companies away, leaving state government as Florida's only property insurer.

many analysts feel that any immediate savings will come only because the state is taking over a large portion of risk.

In other words, in the past, private companies were on the hook for potentially tens of billions of dollars in claims from a huge storm. If the new bills pass, taxpayers will take on more of that risk.

Some say that's a recipe for disaster, while others think it makes sense for hard-pressed consumers.

Manatees

"If manatees are doing better, as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission insisted last year when moving to reclassify them from "endangered" to "threatened," state statistics don't show it." "Premature on manatees".

Buchanan

"For the second time in a week, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, has broken with his party to vote with Democrats." "Buchanan votes with Democrats again".

Lethal Injection Panel

"Crist named former Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Harry Singletary and four other members Friday to a panel that will study the state's lethal injection procedure following a botched execution." "Crist names his choices to lethal injection panel".

Backtracking on Dubya

"The escalating violence in Iraq and President Bush's call for a 'surge' in troops is dividing staunchly Republican House members in Florida, some of whom question whether the new strategy can succeed."

Orlando Rep. Ric Keller, a conservative Republican, took to the floor this week to say he disagreed with Bush. ''The American people have paid the ultimate price for this war, and now is not the time to escalate the tragedy even further,'' he said.

Keller, who acknowledged Friday that his words have set off a ''firestorm'' in his mostly Republican district, said "a lot of members feel the same way. They're just not comfortable saying it."

Republican Flip-flop on Insurance

The Tampa Trib has a great review of the Florida Republican flip-flop on insurance.

It's a far cry from last year, when industry lobbyists helped write a bill passed in the waning hours of the legislative session that contributed to insurance premium spikes. It's well beyond the expectations expressed when the special session was ordered in late November.

Romney Not Enough of a Winger for Florida?

"Florida's leading religious conservatives grilled Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney on Friday over his changed positions on gay rights and abortion, suggesting the former Massachusetts governor could be a tough sell for the party's influential right wing." Check out this crowd:

About 35 people met with Romney at the Orlando law office of state Rep. Dean Cannon, who is slated to become the leader of the Florida House in 2010. The candidate fielded tough questions for more than an hour.

''People had very valid questions on how and why his views on social issues had changed over the years.'' said state Rep. Anitere Flores, a Miami Republican. `"These are people that can move and shake a lot of voters in the primary.''

''They were straightforward questions, and he hit them head on,'' said Mark Merrill, a conservative radio show host based in Tampa. "I was impressed.''

Two Central Florida politicians in good stead with Christian conservatives were asked to participate in the meeting with Romney, a Mormon. U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney, who has pushed abortion limits and school prayer, praised Romney via speaker phone from Washington. State Rep. Dennis Baxley, who sponsored legislation to keep the severely brain-damaged Terri Schiavo alive, noted that Romney has been married for more than 35 years and has five sons.

Profits

The Miami Herald has "excerpts from a report released Monday by the Consumer Federation of America (www.consumerfed. org), 'Property/Casualty Insurance in 2007: Overpriced Insurance, Underpaid Claims, Declining Losses and Unjustified Profits.'" "Insurers today enjoy healthy profits".

Space Florida

"Florida's space-development agency has been caught in the winds of political change. Among the 283 gubernatorial appointments recalled this week by Gov. Charlie Crist were 12 spots on the new Space Florida board of directors, assembled just last August." "Crist recalls space agency directors".

Wexler Challenge?

Democrat "Ben Graber, the former Broward County commissioner and state representative, is plotting a 2008 primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Boca Raton." "Former Broward commissioner Ben Graber eyes run for U.S. House".

Game Rooms

"At first glance, it all seems like overkill. The Broward State Attorney's Office, trying to shut down adult game rooms, filed a public nuisance lawsuit. Please. What could possibly be the problem with a bunch of mostly elderly people getting together and socializing and pressing buttons in penny machines for a chance to win gift certificates?" "Gaming".

PBA

Steve Bousquet on the PBA: "Union carries weight - fit or not".

No Mas

"Isilio Arriaga, one of two Public Service Commission members deposed this week by Gov. Charlie Crist, says he will not challenge the legality of the governor's decision." "PSC's Arriaga won't fight dismissal".

"Wasting Money on the Private Sector"

AFSCME President Gerald in the Tallahassee Democrat today, "Wasting money on the private sector":

Here in Florida, Jeb Bush came to office bragging about his desire to privatize 25 percent of state government - and left with a string of scandal-plagued outsourcing deals widely considered to represent his administration's greatest failure.

The Florida corrections system was rife with kickbacks, fraud and criminal prosecutions. The state personnel system compromised workers' personal information and couldn't issue checks on time. The child welfare system wasted taxpayer dollars and saw an increase in abuse cases. Each of these public functions was entrusted to the private sector, to disastrous effect.

This idea of public service itself as a motivator was once widely understood in this country.

Cuban Cash

"Frozen Cuban assets are target of multimillion-dollar lawsuits". See also "Judgments against the Cuban government".

"Justice Sometimes is a Blue Light Special."

Daniel Ruth explains that "Justice sometimes is a blue light special." "It's Not Total Justice, But It'll Have To Do".

Drilling Fee?

"Congressional legislation to impose a conservation fee on oil and natural gas from the Gulf of Mexico if prices remain high would reduce pressure to drill off Florida's shores, a National Wildlife Federation spokesman said Friday." "Wildlife Federation links energy bill to Florida drilling".

"Finger in the Dike"

"Late last year, one branch of state government, the courts, told the executive and legislative branches that the treatment of mentally ill inmates was criminal. Literally."

This past week a legislative budget panel made some progress by allocating $16.6 million to provide 373 new beds at treatment facilities for the mentally ill inmates.

But it's only a stopgap and far from being a meaningful solution.

The sad truth is that county jails around the state have become warehouses for many mentally ill people who can't afford treatment. That's not just wrong, it's outrageous. ...

Unless the state wants to continue to act as the boy with his finger in the dike, Gov. Charlie Crist's administration and lawmakers must craft a more comprehensive solution to the treatment of mentally ill, indigent inmates. That's the clear message from the courts.

That would be the legal thing to do, but also the right thing - ethically and, in the long run, financially.

McCain Support

"The head of the U.S. government's programs to promote democracy in Cuba and Latin America announced he was leaving to help guide Sen. John McCain's tentative run for president." "Chief of Cuba programs to go work for McCain".

said one key feature is to let Citizens Property Insurance Co. offer full, competitively priced homeowners policies all over Florida - not just windstorm policies, and not just in high-risk coastal areas. ...

Crist listed a number of other items he wants to see in whatever bill the House and Senate come up with next week, including: requiring "broad-based and meaningful" rate cuts; phasing out the Florida-only "pup" companies that large insurers have set up; forcing insurers who write property policies in other states to write them in Florida or lose the ability to write other profitable lines, such as auto, in Florida; setting a uniform statewide building code; and improving state programs to help residents to harden their homes against storms.

Crist said he was pleased with the direction the House and Senate have taken in their bills so far.

"The Powerless Have Now Become the Powerful"?

The Sarasota Herald Tribune gives us this extraordinary headline today:

Crist picks people over principles on rate issue

The Republican devotion to the idea of smaller government as a cure-all suffered a grave blow Thursday at the hands of a Republican governor who said people are more important than principles.

Gov. Charlie Crist, capping a 10-day rush to cement his campaign promise to be the "people's governor," heaped accolades on fellow Republicans in the Legislature who reversed plans to raise insurance rates and agreed to put the state deeper into the insurance business in an effort to reduce them.

"There truly is a new wind blowing," Crist said Thursday. "The powerless have now become the powerful."

Democrats praised Crist more rabidly than Republicans, crediting him for emasculating the insurance industry's claims that higher rates were needed to create a more competitive market.

That Was Fast

"A day after he removed a pair of Public Service Commissioners appointed by former Gov. Jeb Bush, Republican Charlie Crist on Thursday appointed two replacements that drew praise from the state's consumer advocate." "Crist replaces ousted PSC commissioners". See also "Crist Names Pair to PSC", "Crist names two new PSC choices" and "Crist names two to PSC".

The Jebbites ain't happy:

The unexpectedly bold maneuver has annoyed Bush backers, stunned Arriaga and Littlefield into silence, and left a former PSC chairman questioning the legality of the maneuver, because state law doesn't expressly give Crist the authority to pull a predecessor's PSC appointments in this manner.

"Capitol roundup"

"The Florida Legislature will be in special session Jan. 16-22. This week, lawmakers held committee meetings in Tallahassee. The key events yesterday and what's coming up:" "2007 Capitol roundup".

Coulter Looking At Florida Felonies

"The three-page Palm Beach Police Department November report, and the accompanying one-page December letter to Anderson from Chief of Police, Michael S. Reiter, detailing Coulter's apparent felonies and misdemeanor, is available right here..." "New Coulter Voter Fraud Docs: Police Report Says TWO Third Degree Felonies, One Misdemeanor May Have Been Committed by GOP Darling".

Portability on Ballot?

"Lawmakers could put a property tax relief measure before voters as early as this fall, Senate Finance and Taxation Committee Chairman Mike Haridopolos said Thursday. ... Complaints about inequities have centered on the Save Our Homes Amendment that voters adopted in 1992. It limits property tax increases on homes occupied by their owners to 3 percent annually, but homeowners who move lose their accumulated benefits. Many, as a result, have felt locked in to their existing homes. A solution known as portability would let them take some or all of their Save Our Homes benefits with them when their move." "Senate leader: Property tax could go on ballot".

The Other Challengers

"Jennings, however, is one of four Florida Democrats contesting congressional elections. Unlike Jennings, the other three are taking on incumbents: John Russell versus Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (Dist. 5), Clint Curtis versus Rep. Tom Feeney (Dist. 24) and Frank Gonzalez versus Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (Dist. 21)." "Four Democrats Contest Wins".

"The Energetic, Young Congressman"

"Congressman Adam Putnam of Polk County was named [by Vanity Fair as] one of four 'Rising Republicans.' Democratic Reps. Kathy Castor of Tampa and Ron Klein of Delray Beach made the list of notable freshman. They got pictures too, but much smaller than Putnam, described as 'the energetic, young congressman.'" "Vanity Fair likes Polk's Putnam".

Nobody can accuse Putnam of being bi-partisan. The GOPers

most consistently opposed to the Democratic agenda would be Adam Putman, Tom Feeney, John Mica and Jeff Miller. A look at which [Florida] Republicans voted against the [first 100 hour] bills:

Minimum wage: Putnam, Mack, Mica, Feeney, Miller.

9/11: Crenshaw, Feeney, Weldon, Miller, Mica, Putnam.

Stem cells: Bilirakis; Buchanan; Crenshaw; Diaz-Balart, L; Diaz-Balart, M; Feeney; Keller; Mica; Miller; Putnam; Ros-Lehtinen; Stearns.

"Merit" Pay

"Miami-Dade's teachers union will sue the school district over a merit pay plan that it claims is unconstitutional." "Teachers union hitches lawsuit to pay plan".

Alcee Gets "Security" Post

"Miramar Democrat Rep. Alcee Hastings was tapped as chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, better known as the Helsinki Commission. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who rebuffed Hastings' bid to become House Intelligence Committee chair, made the selection Thursday." "Hastings takes top post".

New FDP Executive Director

"The Florida Democratic Party named Leonard Joseph as its executive director Thursday." "State Democrats name new director". "Among other jobs, Joseph ran the party’s Orlando-based political operation in 2006 and served as regional political director for Kerry. Karen Thurman, chairwoman of the state party, said Joseph will be the party’s first Haitian-American executive director." "Democratic Party Hires Joseph".

"Thurman announced several other diverse hires:"

Ron Klein's 2006 campaign Field Director Julie Petrick has been named the FDP's South Florida Regional Coordinator; A former aide to State Rep. Frank Peterman, Shamika R. O. Baker, will serve as the FDP's Tampa Bay Regional Coordinator; Nate Jenkins will be Central Florida Regional Coordinator (Jenkins, a Duke grad, was trained in political organizing by Barack Obama's "Yes We Can" program for people of color); In Tallahassee, IT Director Phillip Perry (active in the GLBT Democratic caucus), will manage the FDP's new www.fladems.com, and the online fundraising apparatus.

Jebbie's Legacy

"Planners, policymakers and people whose livelihoods are tied to growth frequently cite the fact that an average of 1,000 people a day are still making Florida their new home."

That's the good news and the bad news. Good, because the state economy is driven by growth. Bad, because in the long run that kind of growth can't be sustained in a way that people will like.

Rising property taxes and insurance costs don't help. Too many Floridians are struggling to make ends meet, and spikes in their tax bills and insurance premiums have put some in a state of financial crisis.

WPB

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "The mayor has a reelection fund of $400,000, unprecedented in the city's history, that is teeming with contributions from developers, lawyers and contractors who do business in West Palm Beach. It appears that the mayor is intent on ridding the city of all conflicts of interest that do not advance her reelection." "Frankel's selective ethics".

Telecom Tax

"Florida lawmakers should lower taxes on telephone, cable television and other telecommunications services because they are among the nation’s highest, industry officials said Thursday. The House Utilities and Telecommunications Committee held a workshop on the issue, but no legislation yet has been introduced. " "Industry makes pitch to cut Florida’s telecom tax".

More for Castor

From a Castor press release: "U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor today announced [yesterday] she was chosen by House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC) to serve on his Whip Team for the 110th Congress. In this leadership role, Rep. Castor will help Clyburn gather support for the Democratic agenda, legislation that meets the needs of the American people."

Guard

"A new Pentagon policy will mean shorter federal deployments for state National Guard and Reserve personnel, a move that pleased Florida Guard officials." "Florida Guard officials encouraged".

Jim Davis

"Former U.S. Rep. Jim Davis has been hired by the Holland & Knight law firm to work in its legislative and regulatory practice. Davis, the Democratic nominee for governor, said he will work with clients on strategic planning and offer advice on federal issues, including regulatory compliance. He will work from Tampa but work with clients in Washington and across the country, the firm said in a release. Karl Koch, Davis’ former chief of staff and a veteran Democratic campaign operative, also is joining the firm. Davis is precluded from lobbying Congress for a year. Koch may lobby now. Former Gov. Bob Martinez joined Holland & Knight earlier this week." "Davis and former aide join Holland & Knight". See also "Holland & Knight hires former congressman".

"'The Christ Team'"

"During his campaign, one minister told a crowd of his peers that God came to him in a dream and said Crist would be the next governor. Now that he's taken office, the connection became even clearer." "For Crist's sake, get the 'h' out".

Compliance

"The four loss modeling firms complied with a request from House Speaker Marco Rubio for data on their hurricane loss projections. The companies -- Risk Management Solutions of Newark, Calif., EQECAT of Oakland, Calif., Applied Research Associates of Raleigh, N.C., and AIR Worldwide of Boston -- provided information on their models and their underlying assumptions for review by the legislators who will begin work next week on measures to cut escalating insurance costs." "Insurance modeling firms comply with request, release data". See also "Hurricane Models Will Be Released".

More Florida Wingers to Romney

Mitt

Romney announced that Mandy Fletcher and Marc Reichelderfer will join his exploratory presidential campaign committee.

Fletcher has been executive director of Bush issue advocacy organization, the Foundation for Florida’s Future; and was political director of the Bush-Cheney ‘04 campaign and a field coordinator for the Bush-Brogan ‘02 gubernatorial re-elect campaign.

Reichelderfer, a veteran party operative, was Florida field director for Lamar Alexander’s presidential campaign during Alexander’s all-out effort in the Florida party’s Presidency III presidential primary straw poll.

Profiles in Courage

"Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum is setting investigating Internet crimes against children as his top priority, saying Thursday he wants a 10-fold increase in the people assigned to the problem." "McCollum aims at Internet crime". See also "Online sexual predators beware".

For more profiles in courage see this: "National Amber Alert day gets Crist's attention". And this: "State lawmakers to tackle expanding gang fears".

Medicare Reform

"Determined to fulfill a campaign promise to voters in South Florida and elsewhere, the Democratic-run U.S. House is poised to pass a bill today that would force Medicare to negotiate with drug-makers for lower prices on prescription drugs." "House set to seek way to reduce Medicare drug prices".

January Primary?

"Lawmakers said Thursday they want Florida's primary pushed up to January 2008 to increase the state's political influence, but they may face retribution from the national Republican and Democratic parties."

The proposal would move the primary to either a week after New Hampshire's contest, which is currently slated for Jan. 22, or to Feb. 5, whichever comes first.

With a primary on Jan. 29, Florida would share the stage with South Carolina. On Feb. 5, the contest would take place with eight other states. With Florida's early voting, voters could cast their ballots in mid-January right around the Iowa caucus, the nation's first contest.

But the national Democratic and Republican parties have consistently opposed the idea to prevent a race between the states to have the earliest primary. And some have said Florida's size makes it impossible for underdog candidates to raise enough money to compete at such an early stage.

Hadi's Criminal Contempt Hearing Delayed

"A judge delayed criminal contempt proceedings Thursday against the former chief of the state Department of Children & Families, saying he wants to wait to see whether new money made available by the state starts to solve the problem of mentally ill inmates languishing in jails." "Former DCF chief's court case delayed".

He's Got A Point

"'Guess the only thing Florida didn’t score well in was ballot counting,' Leno said during his Tuesday night monologue." "Leno on voting in Florida".

Stem Cells

"As expected, the [Sarasota] area’s three U.S. House members split along party lines on whether to expand stem cell research. U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, joined 157 other Republicans in voting against the legislation on Thursday. The area’s two Democrats, Kathy Castor and Tim Mahoney, both voted for the bill. The bill passed, 253 to 174." "Castor, Mahoney vote for stem cell bill; Buchanan no".

A Tampa Thing

"Lawmakers' Plans Would Cut Premiums".

Manatee Watch

Florida is in the process of "creating a new management plan for ensuring the species' longevity. Commission biologists say this will be far more effective than the old system, where an animal's classification brought certain protections but not a comprehensive recovery effort. If the commission's final plan does more to appease the boating industry than to help the manatee, then Save the Manatee's suspicions will be confirmed. But if the state comes up with a muscular plan that controls watercraft and protects manatee habitats, the long-term outlook for Florida's favorite marine mammal should remain bright." "A Bad Year For Florida Manatees".

A Different Perspective

For a different perspective on the insurance thing, here are the thoughts of Jeff Grady, president of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents: "Insurance reform: Choices and realities".

In an act of far-reaching political independence, Gov. Charlie Crist on Wednesday canceled the nominations of 283 people former Gov. Jeb Bush tapped to sit on numerous state boards and commissions that regulate everything from the environment to telephone bills.

Though Crist campaigned to further Bush's programs and legacy, he showed early signs of independence on the campaign trail, when he declined to appear at a public event with the increasingly unpopular President Bush, irking White House advisors.

Gov. Charlie Crist — who campaigned tirelessly on consumer issues — said Wednesday he will replace two members of the Public Service Commission because they aren’t consumer-friendly enough.

Charlie Disses PBA

Although the supposedly "powerful Florida Police Benevolent Association" opposed McDonough, Crist reappointed him "as the head of the state's prisons and parole officers." "Crist reappoints McDonough as corrections department chief". See also "Crist keeps McDonough at DOC".

Early Primary Fast Tracked

"A bill to shift the state's presidential primary from March to as early as Jan. 29 is on the fast track but could cost Florida convention delegates."

There is a potential hitch. Recognizing New Hampshire's tradition of hosting the first primary, the bill says Florida will hold its primary Feb. 5 or one week after New Hampshire -- whichever come first.

New Hampshire is currently scheduled to vote Jan. 22, so under the bill, Florida would vote on Jan. 29. The national parties' rules say that any state that jumps before Feb. 5 forfeits as many as half of its convention seats. Sending delegates to the conventions allows party leaders to reward activists and donors.

But Rivera said his priority is making sure that a state as big and diverse as Florida has a say in a contest in which New Hampshire and Iowa have traditionally played starring roles. ''What's more important: having a role in selecting the next president or having a seat at the convention with balloons falling on you?'' Rivera asked.

Another stumbling block is competition from other states also jockeying to move up their primaries. Earlier primaries in large states favor high-profile candidates who can raise money quickly.

Navarro to Biden

"Florida Democratic Party executive director Luis Navarro is leaving to run Sen. Joe Biden's presidential campaign, the party announced Wednesday." "Florida Dems executive leaves to run Biden campaign". See also "Top director leaves state Democrats" and "Democratic leader Navarro leaving to run Biden campaign".

The Florida Marlins' Governor

"Crist on Wednesday cited the euphoria over the University of Florida's national football championship among the reasons the state should reverse course and help pay for a Florida Marlins baseball stadium." "Governor favors helping build stadium".

"Dozens of Machines Froze Up or Malfunctioned"

"After the polls closed in November's gubernatorial voting, South Florida election officials were relieved at avoiding the major meltdowns that had tainted elections past. Still, there were some glitches. Logs of phone calls from the poll workers to Broward County's technical call center on Election Day reveal that some had trouble starting or operating the electronic voting machines and that dozens of machines froze up or malfunctioned." "Poll glitches: Check plug, try paper clip".

Surge?

See "Central Florida lawmakers split on whether more U.S. troops will end violence in Iraq" and "S. Florida legislators set for war of words over military escalation in Iraq". See also "What U.S. House members from S. Florida are saying about Bush's Iraq plan".

Now That "Jeb!" Has Left The Building

"Florida lawmakers agreed Wednesday to spend nearly $17 million to move hundreds of mentally ill inmates now languishing in county jails into psychiatric hospital beds."

Insurance Plans

"Crist rolls out his plan for solving a property insurance crisis this morning while lawmakers in the House and Senate continue to debate their own." "Crist to announce insurance plan". The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "It's early, but the insurance talk in Tallahassee already sounds different from the insurance talk of the past two years. Legislators talk of challenging the industry, and there's new evidence of just how forceful that challenge must be." "Winds shift on insurance".

Concerning the legislative initiatives, the headlines are all over the place:

- "Plans Would Cut Premiums": "Homeowners insurance rates could drop 33 percent to 40 percent starting in July under a plan unveiled by the state Senate on Wednesday."

- "Winds change in Tallahassee -- taxpayers may bear insurance risk": "More of the financial risk of dealing with hurricanes in Florida would shift from insurance companies to you and your state government, under plans taking shape this week in the Capitol.
"

- "Citizens rate hikes won't stick": "At least one thing seems likely to come out of next week's special legislative session on homeowner's insurance: Citizens Property Insurance policyholders will be spared two big rate hikes that were scheduled for early this year."

- "House's insurance plan would trim Citizens rate hikes": "Florida lawmakers appear poised next week to cut rates for customers of the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and to try to spur private insurers to reduce rates for other homeowners."

- "Lawmakers' plans for insurance relief come with a big payoff, and a big risk": "The property insurance crisis has caused a startling shift in public policy in the state capital. And the result is likely to be dramatically lower insurance rates for Floridians coupled with the risk that taxpayers could potentially face a huge bill if the state were hit by a mega-hurricane."

- "House insurance bill trumps Senate's": "One-upping the Senate on 'consumer-friendly' insurance reform, House leaders Wednesday set forth a plan that not only rolls back rates and subsidizes hurricane risks, but also takes a stab at industry profits."

- "House plan takes aim at insurance rates": "Florida homeowners could see property insurance rates drop by as much as 25 percent under a bipartisan plan put forth Wednesday by state House leaders."

- "Legislators narrow proposals in hopes of reining in costly home insurance": "Florida lawmakers came closer than ever Wednesday to agreeing on an exit strategy from the state's property insurance crisis: legislation that would deliver potential savings to homeowners, but also force taxpayers to shoulder more risk of massive hurricane losses now assumed by private insurance companies."

- "House, Senate insurance plans boost state load in hurricanes": "Both the Florida House and Senate offered differing plans Wednesday that promised dramatic cuts in rising property insurance rates by allowing the state to pick up more of the multibillion-dollar tab from a major hurricane."

Bingo

"Given that the courts are not showing 'inquiring minds' regarding ballot and voting dysfunctions in Florida, it's perhaps up to lawmakers such as state Sen. Mike Bennett to tackle the problem of voter doubt mechanically." "Ballot bingo".

Party-Switcher

"Longtime Republican Palm Beach County Commissioner Warren Newell is now a Democrat. The county elections office confirmed Wednesday that it had received paperwork from Newell changing his registration from the GOP to the Democratic Party." "Newell switches to Democrat to match district".

Insurance Models

"The state's House speaker ...,

in preparation for next week's special legislative session to deal with the state's growing insurance crisis, wants information from the companies on their hurricane loss projection models, including any factors and assumptions they use.

The use of these computer models in setting insurance rates is controversial because the four firms that develop them for the insurance and reinsurance industries often use components they claim are proprietary, so the formulas are a secret. Also, the models' projections can vary widely, industry experts say.

Rubio's request went to AIR Worldwide in Boston; Applied Research Associates in Raleigh, N.C.; EQECAT in Oakland, Calif.; and Risk Management Solutions in Newark, Calif. Rubio is asking for responses from the modeling firms by noon Thursday.

"Merit" Pay

"Four school superintendents told a Senate committee Wednesday that lawmakers were too hasty last year in passing a statewide performance pay plan for teachers and urged them to take more time to get it right. " "Superintendents pan state’s teacher performance pay plan". See also "Performance pay plan for teachers under fire".

Manatees

"The number of manatees killed in Florida waters last year was the highest since 1996, when state records listed 415 manatee deaths. Floridians should take note, however, that the carnage in 2006 occurred in the same year the state downgraded the marine mammal's protected status to "threatened" from 'endangered.'" "Wildlife". See also "Record manatee deaths, but state plans less protection".

Homelessness

"A few dozen tents erected near downtown St. Petersburg have focused public attention on the plight of the homeless. Not only does this makeshift tent city mark the community's failure to adequately address an admittedly complex problem, but also the situation threatens to erupt into unnecessary conflict. Mayor Rick Baker says the tents are illegal and must be down by Friday, while some homeless advocates say they will resist that order." "Tent city points up larger problems".

Wasserman Schultz a Cardinal

"U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz will lead a House Appropriations subcommittee which oversees funding for the entire legislative branch. That makes her one of 12 'cardinals' on the House Appropriations Committee. (Members recommended to head a subcommittee are referred to as cardinals.)" "Wasserman Schultz named subcommittee chairwoman". See also "Wasserman Schultz tapped for powerful post".

Steinberg for Gelber?

"Miami Beach City Commissioner Richard Steinberg is eager for a promotion. He has announced - 21 months before the election - that he is running for the Florida House seat currently represented by Dan Gelber. Gelber, the House Democratic Leader, cannot run for another term in 2008." "Permalink">Gelber's seat up for grabs in 2008".

How Nice For Him

"Mike Murtha, the long-time aide to former state Sen. Rod Smith and the late George Kilpatrick, will be seen a lot at the Capitol this coming year. That's because Murtha has been hired as the new legislative affairs director for the Agency for Health Care Administration, which is led by Dr. Andrew Agwunobi. Murtha, a Republican, helped out Governor Charlie Crist during the campaign after Smith was defeated in the Democratic primary for governor by Tampa Congressman Jim Davis." "Former Smith aide takes job at AHCA".

Quinones Undecided

"State Rep. John Quinones, R-Kissimmee, told the Buzz [yesterday] that he has not decided whether he'll leave the House to run for Osceola County Commission." "Quinones undecided, for now, about future".

FCAT Follies

Jac Versteeg writes that

well before No Child Left Behind came into existence, teachers regularly identified students who were having trouble reading or doing math and enrolled them in special programs that often worked.

It simply is not the case that, before No Child Left Behind and FCAT, "We invested billions of dollars and basically just hoped for the best." Before the FCAT and No Child Left Behind, most public schools tried their best to teach students to read and do math. Much of the time, they succeeded.

Still, there's this notion that schools just "hoped for the best." The claim that public schools just were winging it helped to sell the public on greater federal and state involvement. It justified taking decisions out of local hands. But the idea that public schools didn't work because they didn't try has turned out to be a big problem for No Child Left Behind and the A+ Plan. It created a false expectation that bringing order to the mess and improving the outcome would be a relatively easy thing.

All we have to do, reformers said, is give some tests, flunk some schools, put on the pressure, and schools will shape up.

In fact, that works only to a point. There is some low-hanging fruit. Intensive, small classes will work with some kids. So will tutors. And if FCAT grades and No Child Left Behind analyses got those things for more children who needed it, great. But it turns out that setting up a system to exhaustively identify and report all those who need help is not the same thing as actually helping all those who need it. That's why so many high school kids still can't pass the FCAT and graduate. That's why so many schools aren't meeting No Child Left Behind standards.

Whatever

"Former Gov. Bob Martinez of Tampa is moving from Carlton Fields to Holland and Knight. He tells us he's excited about the move and expects about two thirds of his time will be spent lobbying on Florida issues and the remainder on Washington and international matters." "Gov. Martinez moves to H&K".

Miami Bonuses

"Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff wants to change how departing commissioners hand out staff bonuses, but the proposal may require altering the city's charter." "Sarnoff seeks new rules on bonuses".

GOPers After The Class Size Amendment Again

"Yet another attempt by Florida lawmakers to modify the class size amendment may be in the works."

Rep. David Simmons, the chairman of a new education committee created by incoming House Speaker Marco Rubio, told other members Tuesday that he wants to raise teacher salaries, and that savings from a modified amendment would be a good place to get the money.

Last year, the state allocated $1.6-billion to reduce class sizes.

"It's better to invest in the teacher," Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, said after the meeting. "The human resource is a much better asset than the bricks and mortar."

Dems Get Key Committees

"U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor"

scored a big committee assignment. Already on the powerful Rules Committee, which sets the rules for debates on legislation and amendments in Congress, Castor on Tuesday was added to the House Armed Service Committee, which has jurisdiction over military issues and the war in Iraq.

In a rare move, congressional Democrats agreed Tuesday to allow Florida's freshman representatives to serve on more than one major committee.

Rep. Ron Klein, a Democrat from Boca Raton, and Rep. Tim Mahoney, a Democrat from Palm Beach Gardens, both serve on the House Financial Services Committee. Under Democratic Caucus rules, members of that committee do not serve on other panels.

Mahoney, whose 16th Congressional District has extensive agricultural interests including citrus, sugar and cattle, persuaded Democratic leaders to allow him to also serve on the Agriculture Committee. The federal farm bill is likely to be one of the major pieces of legislation before Congress this year.

Klein, who has been a strong supporter of Israel and has called for decreasing the United States' dependence on foreign oil, was appointed to the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

CD 13

"The dispute over the race to replace Rep. Katherine Harris continued with a voting machine manufacturer accusing a congresswoman of trying to intimidate the courts."

The move by Election Systems & Software comes days after Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald, D-Calif., chairwoman of the House Administration Committee, wrote a letter to the First District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee. She said she was ''concerned'' that a lower court judge had declined to give Democrats access to the software used in voting machines in the contested District 13 congressional election. ...

In her letter, Millender-McDonald said the House would be ''well served in its own deliberations by having before it a complete record'' and she suggested that resolution at the state level could preclude the House from getting involved.

in a motion filed Tuesday with the appeals court, Election Systems & Software -- which also supplied the machines used in Miami-Dade and Broward -- argues that Millender-McDonald ''has no standing to participate'' because she is not a party to the lawsuit. It asks that her ''unauthorized, non-party response'' be struck from the court record.

The company argues that her letter is a ''thinly veiled attempt by one member of Congress to intimidate this court and unduly influence its deliberations'' to give a fellow Democrat "an unwarranted advantage in this election contest."

A spokeswoman for Jennings said the filing was "another example of ES&S putting its own interests ahead of the public good.

Real Reform or a "Short-sighted and Irresponsible" Political Fix?

"If cynics don't believe an outcry can change things, they should look at lawmakers' effort to figure out what to do about property insurance." "Outcry shifted goal from saving market to lowering rates".

Charlie to talk insurance specifics tomorrow: "Crist and lawmakers girded themselves Tuesday for a potential insurance collision next week over how to appease a groundswell of public pressure to offer instant rate relief to homeowners." Crist has "prepared his own 'very specific goals' to be rolled out Thursday and issued his toughest talk since taking office about his intent to follow through on campaign pledges he made to cut rates." "Gov. Crist renews pledge to lower insurance rates". See also "Crist pleads for help in insurance fight" ("Crist urged consumer advocates on Tuesday to join him in taking on the insurance industry as he and lawmakers prepare for what is likely to be a contentious special session aimed at lowering property insurance rates.")

"With voters howling for relief and a special legislative session scheduled next week, Florida senators began discussing a plan Tuesday aimed at cutting property-insurance rates." However, Sen. Jim King points out that the plans "could set up a political battle during the special session between lawmakers from inland and coastal areas. "Senate seeks insurance relief". See also "Citizens' proposal would cut rates". For more on the proposed legislation see "Possible Changes".

This is remarkable: "The speaker of Florida's House is demanding that companies across the country hand over computer models used to justify huge homeowners insurance rate increases in many coastal areas. That could lead to a precedent-setting battle over information the industry has long considered confidential." "New Speaker Challenges Insurance Risk Projections".

Good luck: "The state’s trial lawyers weigh in today with their version of how to fix the state’s property insurance crisis. The Florida Justice Association, formerly known as the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, holds a press conference today at 10 a.m. in Tallahassee to announce what it calls 'pro-consumer insurance reform.'" "Lawyers introduce 'pro-consumer insurance reform'".

Will there be real reform or a "short-sighted and irresponsible" political fix?

The legislative leaders and Gov. Charlie Crist have not agreed on a comprehensive plan to address the complicated mess, and special sessions that begin without such agreements often are a prescription for failure. Unless something changes quickly, what should be an opportunity to fundamentally overhaul a broken system could become an irresponsible stampede to lower rates now and cross our fingers later when hurricane season comes.

For example, there is a general consensus that an average 56 percent rate increase that would take effect in March for windstorm policyholders stuck in Citizens Property Insurance Corp. should be repealed. That increase was based on faulty logic included in last year's attempt at fixing the problem, which would require the state's insurer of last resort to set its rates as though it buys reinsurance - which it doesn't. But a Senate proposal would go further and also repeal an average 25 percent rate increase for Citizens policyholders that took effect Jan. 1. Repealing that rate increase would be short-sighted and irresponsible. It would provide a short-term political benefit to legislators who campaigned on reducing rates, but it would make Citizens rates less financially sound and increase the risk of more assessments following a hurricane.

Oops!

"A group sponsoring a citizen initiative designed to give voters a bigger voice in local planning and development decisions may face an unintended consequence from its argument Tuesday before the Florida Supreme Court. ... Now, the justices are separately considering a financial impact statement written by the state. It predicts the amendment would cause local governments to 'incur significant costs (millions of dollars statewide)' although acknowledging 'expenditures cannot be determined precisely.'" "Planning amendment backers may get unintended result".

Appointments

"Crist has called an 11:00 a.m. press conference in the Cabinet Meeting Room just beneath his office in the Capitol." "Crist to name additional officials today".

We may hear about the PSC today: "It is unclear how long [former Florida House Rep. Ken Littlefield and Isilio Arriaga] will remain on the commission and whether future members will be elected by the people or chosen by a panel of lawmakers, as they have been since 1978. What is clear is that GOP Gov. Charlie Crist says the five-member group that regulates utilities also panders to them. Crist has been vocal about making changes at the PSC, saying the agency's obligation is to the people instead of the utilities they regulate." "As PSC convenes, shake-up possible" ("In 1999, Bush, a Republican, withdrew 170 unconfirmed appointments, including two to the PSC, of the late Democratic Gov. Lawton Chiles, but he later signed off on the two PSC nominations.") See also "New PSC member takes seat, but may lose it today".

"Codes of Anything"

Steve Otto: "Executive Order Number 07-01 calls for several things, from a "Code of Ethics" to a 'Code of Personal Responsibility' to a 'Plain Language Initiative.' But the biggie in the order is the establishment of a new office, to be called the Office of Open Government. The idea of OOG, according to the order, is to charge 'Office of the Governor and each of the executive agencies under my purview with the guidance and tools to serve Florida with integrity and transparency.'"

I'll be honest with you. Entities like OOG make me nervous. I feel the same way about codes of anything, whether it's ethics, personal responsibility or a dress code. My experience has been that those who preach the loudest are the ones you need to keep an eye on.

For the most part, aren't all of these things responsibilities that are supposed to be already understood when you show up for work? ...

If you get elected to office, is it going to make a difference when you show up and someone says here is a list of ethics you need to acquire to work here? I'm thinking, if you don't have your own code of ethics before you show up in Tallahassee then getting a directive from OOG isn't going to change things.

"Jeb!" Will Not Be In Attendance

"Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Fred Lewis turns teacher today in an effort to help students understand the 'constitutional doctrines' of government." "Supreme Court chief to teach government to students".

Another Jebacy

So nice to know that more than half a million Floridians make less than $7.25 an hour; one suspects their benefit packages are equally impressive. "540,000 workers in Florida could get boost from increase in U.S. minimum wage".

No "Surge" Support

The Palm Beach Post: "With the exception of Sen. Mel Martinez, the only Republican in Congress who represents voters in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast, local lawmakers said in anticipation of Bush's speech tonight that they would not support a 'surge' in U.S. troop strength in Iraq." "Area lawmakers cool to adding troops". See also "Many S. Floridians opposed as Bush gets ready to boost U.S. troops in Iraq".

Harris Missed

"Starbucks will miss Harris".

No-vote Option

"Giving the no-vote option bona fide placement on the ballot, in each race, highlights the possibility that it could 'beat' the actual candidates. In such an event, how would election officials proceed? Would existing statutes need revisions? These questions aren't resolved by [Bradenton legislator, state Sen. Mike] Bennett's legislation. It needs more thought." "The no-vote option".

Too Early?

"Many schools start too early, but that's not an issue legislators should decide." "Let local boards feel heat".

At Least He Didn't Read "My Pet Goat"

"Crist answered questions from Tallahassee high school students in the first of what he hopes will be weekly informal sessions with Floridians." "Crist hosts students in first weekly chat". See also "Lincoln students meet governor" and "Students bend governor's ear".

Out In The Fields ...

"Shoddy record-keeping is making it hard for regulators to enforce pesticide laws in farm fields." "Plow under growers' dodge".

Long Range Planning

"Nelson has $1.3 mil socked away...for 2012".

Yawn

"Lawmakers planning town hall meetings on property tax reform".

Dead Manatee Zone

"Manatee deaths in Florida hit 416 in 2006, the highest number since record-keeping started more than 30 years ago." "35 agencies looking out for manatees". See also "Manatee deaths most ever in Martin, state".

Go figure: Even though manatees are being killed at a record pace, "the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's proposal to downgrade manatees from an endangered to a threatened species." "Manatee deaths a record"

"Team Florida"

"Rep. Alcee Hastings is suggesting his fellow Florida members of Congress chip in some of their allowance money to hire staffers for the Florida delegation. The two staffers would focus on tracking critical Florida legislation, Hastings, D-Miramar, said in a letter to his colleagues, including Everglades restoration, veterans' affairs, military construction, disaster preparation, immigration and taxes." "Team Florida".

Romney Courts Florida Fringe

"Orlando attorney John Stemberger, who is spearheading a petition drive for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, is meeting with Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney this week." "Romney courting religious conservatives in Florida".

Florida Family Association Barks, Pruitt Folds

Gubernatorial appointments up for Senate confirmation were to fill out a questionnaire

asking applicants if they had ever been complained about or investigated for discriminating against or harassing someone based on "sexual orientation," as well as race, origin, gender, age and religion, etc. It also asked about DUIs.

The Florida Family Association urged its members to protest that question, saying they didn't think sexual orientation-type complaints should be questioned, because Florida Statutes don't consider sexual orientation a protected category.

Pruitt, in consultation with the ethics and elections committee, decided the old form (which a number of applicants to be confirmed had already filled out) worked well enough. ...

the Florida Family Association sent an email to its members touting victory.

"If this rule of questioning had been approved for the Florida Governor’s administration by a Republican controlled Florida Senate, what could have been next, adding 'sexual orientation' to the Florida Civil Rights Act thereby creating a gay rights law?"

Spare Us

"In a meeting with his policy chairs, Senate President Ken Pruitt just iterated his hands-off, love-for-all-senators principles. The one-time highly partisan Republican promised more bipartisanship (again) and 'no dictates from the fourth floor,' where his office is located." "Sen. President's beatitudes".

Uncloudy Day

Apparently the absence of a paper trail does not "cast[] a cloud" over the legitimacy of elections: "The U.S. Supreme Court will not consider whether Florida's touch-screen voting machines need to have a paper trail in case of a recount. The court Monday declined to hear U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler's appeal of a lower court ruling that the state's touch-screen voting machines don't need to leave a paper ballot trail."

A Little Help?

"Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson has $1.3 million left over from campaign fundraising. Some Democrats who might have benefited are not happy about it." "Sen. Nelson's surplus funds rile Democrats". Here's the question: "Could Nelson have helped Davis?"

Air Harris?

"The Hill (http://www.thehill.com), a newspaper on Capitol Hill, is printing a rumor that Harris is headed for a conservative talk radio show gig." "Harris in line for radio show?".

What's Next, Fireside Chats?

"Crist kicks off a series of informal meetings he calls 'Tallahassee Tuesdays' by inviting a group of local high school students to the Governor’s Mansion." "Crist to meet with area high schoolers".

Hispanic Vote

"Democrats recaptured a big part of the Hispanic vote in this year's elections, support that Latino activists caution won't necessarily be there in the next contest. ... Mehlman worked hard to reach out to Hispanic and black voters during his tenure as party chairman. His successor, Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida, was born in Cuba and is expected to continue the effort." "Democrats Recapture Part of Hispanic Vote".

Trump's Secret

Charlie's buddy, The Donald, is going to let folks in on his financial success. But Daniel Ruth points out that "Trump the Younger's strategy for wealth creation had a lot to do with simply being born, just as the elder Trump's first steps to affluence were greatly enhanced by having a Daddy Warbucks on his birth certificate."

It is ironic, though, that those people who will flock to the Tampa Convention Center to hear young Master Trump's message on how to be born well will have to pass by the stalled Trump Tower project on Ashley Drive, which looks more like an archaeological ruin than a real estate development.

The proposed 52-story effort has been stalled for more than two years because of financing setbacks as well as the discovery of soil instability beneath the building site along the Hillsborough River.

Or put another way, if you really want to know about the secrets of wealth, here's a revelation for you.

Ready? Buy low. Sell high.

Will Butterworth Step Up?

"Legislators representing mental-hospital employees bluntly told high-level state executives Monday that being beaten up by a criminally insane ''patient'' is just like getting assaulted by a violent 'inmate' of a Florida prison. The only differences are the pension paid to the victim and the rights of the attacker, said state Reps. Marti Coley, R-Marianna, and Curtis Richardson, D-Tallahassee."

Deputy Secretary Don Winstead said DCF is preparing its budget and that new Secretary Bob Butterworth is concerned about staffing levels and security. Coley said she has a bill to extend special-risk pensions to hospital workers and Richardson urged DCF to support it.

"Needs Improvement"

"Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, a Washington, D.C.-based organization, again gave Florida a 'yellow' grade, meaning 'needs improvement,' in its fourth annual report." "Group criticizes Florida on its traffic safety record".

Diaz de la Portilla Pays

"State Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla has agreed to end his bitter fight over campaign finance violations by paying nearly $9,000 in fines."

The Miami Republican has been largely victorious during his lengthy fight, getting acquitted on criminal charges stemming from a 1999 special election and having an appeals court dismiss a record $311,000 in fines sought by the Florida Elections Commission.

But Diaz de la Portilla decided this week to pay a $8,750 fine imposed on him by the commission for the 17 election law violations that were not dismissed by the appeals court.

Stem Cells

"Researchers said stem cells can be taken from amniotic fluid with no harm to mother or fetus." "Stem-cell research takes promising turn".

Enough Already

The neverending story: "Crist wants government to stop using jargon, acronyms and confusing language." "Crist wants government to speak in plain language". See also "Crist moves forward on 'plain language' plan".

Out In The Fields ...

"For too long, many Florida farmers have reaped huge profits by shortchanging their field hands. Besides paying low wages, many farmers cut corners by forcing their workers to find affordable housing on their own, charging too much for substandard company-owned buildings or relying on the largesse of government and charitable organizations." "Migrants need homes".

Don't Make A Fuss

Tampa Trib doesn't like pickets: "Those seeking to help homeless people by building tent cities and staging in-your-face protests at St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker's church aren't winning supporters; they're alienating them." "Picketing St. Pete Mayor's Church Does Little To Help Homeless".

Florida's "Dismal Tobacco Grade

"On behalf of the American Lung Association of Florida, it is my unfortunate duty to relay Florida's dismal grades received in the State of Tobacco Control report. For the third consecutive year, Florida received an "F" in cigarette tax, an "F" in tobacco prevention and control spending, a "D" in youth access and one bright spot, a "B" in smoke-free air." "Tobacco policy just so much stale air".

Lake O

"Whatever efforts Florida makes to store and clean water before it gets to the Everglades, all the money, reservoirs and filter marshes will be useless if Lake Okeechobee isn't cleaned up." "Include governor's office in Lake O cleanup plan".

Charlie's Best Qualities ...

"One of Charlie Crist's best qualities is the honest way he acknowledges when he doesn't know something or doesn't have all the answers." "Openness Gains Goodwill".

The Gay Thing

"Foley is gay. When was it 'relevant'?".

Siplin

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Many state legislators like to sponsor bills on subjects they understand. In his case, Gary Siplin should have resisted the urge." "Siplin: A serial offender".

Brilliant

"The Florida Department of Children & Families no longer relies on snail mail to alert jails to pick up inmates from one of three state mental hospitals." "E-Mail May Ease Jailed Mentally Ill Backlog".

Hillsborough's Finest

"State Sen. Ronda Storms of Brandon clearly didn't get the dusty old memo about how first-term legislators are expected to be seen and not heard. At her first committee meeting Monday, the Republican from Hillsborough paid close attention, asked tough questions and had bureaucrats squirming." "A fresh voice in the Senate".

Our "Champion of Consumer-friendly Causes"

That's our Charlie, "a champion of consumer-friendly causes":

Today should be a proud day for Ken Littlefield as the veteran state legislator assumes a coveted spot on the Public Service Commission, the board that regulates utilities in Florida.

But even as he takes the oath as a commissioner, Littlefield has to worry about job security.

Gov. Charlie Crist, a champion of consumer-friendly causes, is re-examining some late appointments made by his predecessor to state boards. He told the Florida Times-Union this weekend that those appointments include Isilio Arriaga and Littlefield.

Geller

"Senate Democratic Leader Steve Geller today urged his fellow Senate Democrats to withhold their support from any prospective 2008 nominees for President until they pledged to support the creation of a nationwide catastrophe fund." "Geller: Make presidential candidates promise to help Florida".

Marriage Amendment

"Organizers fell short of obtaining the needed more than 600,000 signatures to get a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriages on the ballot for 2006. But Florida4Marriage.org is working to quickly get another 28,000 signatures to put it on the ballot in 2008." "Marriage amendment push continues".

If state legislators don't seem busy enough these days, consider their schedule this week. Brainstorming ideas to solve the insurance crisis and reviewing the status of Medicaid reform and compliance with the class-size amendment are just the start.

There's also the task of meeting several new state agency directors and assessing funding needs in education, transportation and health.

In all, 28 Senate committees and 42 House committees will meet between today and Friday as legislators prepare for the 2007 Legislature. Legislators will hold a special session next week, then another week of committee meetings starting Jan. 22. Three weeks in February will also be dominated by committee meetings. About 250 bills have already been filed in the Senate and almost 170 in the House.

CD 13

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "It was profoundly disappointing when Circuit Judge William L. Gary issued a terse ruling saying, in effect, that the business rights of a voting machine company to protect its trade secrets outrank the interests of Florida voters. It was profoundly disappointing when Circuit Judge William L. Gary issued a terse ruling saying, in effect, that the business rights of a voting machine company to protect its trade secrets outrank the interests of Florida voters."

Ms. Jennings plans to appeal, which is to her credit, since this can't be a pleasant or cheap aftermath of a long campaign. She also has a complaint filed before Congress, which is the final arbiter of who will fill the seat.

The House Administration Committee is now reviewing the challenge under the Federal Contested Elections Act. Congress, of course, has authority to collect as much evidence as it sees fit to make its decision, Mr. Gary's ruling notwithstanding.

It's too bad Florida can't do its own housekeeping in this regard. Must we continue to be the one state in the nation that can't manage to pull off an election without a hitch?

Aronberg Stays Put

Sen. Dave Aronberg, an "increasingly influential member of the minority party, said he plans to file paper work to retain his Senate seat in 2008. Rumors had circulated for several weeks that An increasingly influential member of the minority party, said he plans to file paper work to retain his Senate seat in 2008. Rumors had circulated for several weeks that Aronberg would relinquish his post to run for Palm Beach County State Attorney in 2008. Barry Krischer is expected to retire. would relinquish his post to run for Palm Beach County State Attorney in 2008. Barry Krischer is expected to retire." "Michael Peltier: Aronberg to seek Senate seat again".

Urban Nightmares

"Imagine walking out your door and coming face-to-face with a 13-foot Burmese python. It happened in a Jacksonville neighborhood. In Miami, Felix Azquz noticed a pet turkey missing from his plant nursery and found the culprit - a 10-foot African rock python too fat from its meal to escape through a fence. In Florida, large, nonnative snakes on the crawl aren't just the stuff of urban nightmares. They also threaten the balance of nature in a state increasingly under siege from imported animals and plants. Fragile ecologies, such as in the Everglades, are particularly vulnerable to the damage done by large snakes that eat native wildlife." "Coiled threat stalks Florida".

FCAT Follies

"Schools train for FCAT hurdles".

Gobbledygook

"After declaring war on government gobbledygook, Gov. Charlie Crist visits the front line today. Crist travels to the Tallahassee headquarters of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation for a 10:30 a.m. meeting with top regulators to discuss his plain language initiative." "Crist moves forward against gobbledygook". More specifically, "Within the next three months, agency heads must develop plans to avoid relying on acronyms and leaden terms, and to use short sentences and an active voice that makes it clear who is responsible for what." "Language".

A Start

"Barbara Petersen, president of Florida's First Amendment Foundation, called this year's [open-government compliance audit] results 'dismal' -- 42 percent of the 220 local agencies surveyed statewide failed to meet the standards of the law." However,

Crist's insistence on openness looks particularly good when paired with the record set by his predecessor. As St. Petersburg Times columnist Lucy Morgan points out, Jeb Bush's first open-records balk came just hours into his governorship, when he was asked to release the schedule for his first day. This schedule -- posted daily as a matter of routine by other Florida governors -- had to be practically wrestled out of Bush's grip. Crist, on the other hand, was releasing transition documents even before he took office.

In his first week, Crist has set a high standard for openness and accountability in state government. It's a strong, and promising, start.

Huh?

"George Prescott Bush, the eldest child of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and his wife, Columba, and the nephew of President George W. Bush, will be the keynote speaker Jan. 15 for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration that kicks off Saturday." "George P. Bush to speak for MLK Day" (via Naked Politics).

Perhaps we'll learn why Jebbie's "media-certified oh-so-dreamy son George P. Bush isn't in the military". "'Bitter...Table for One': Jeb's Cloudy Futuro".

"Choose None"

"The state's specialty-license-plate business keeps going from bad to worse. It began innocently enough 20 years ago, giving state motorists the option of paying a premium for plates that would help fund a memorial to the Challenger space shuttle." "Choose none".

Was Posey Just Fooling Around?

If you know Posey's reputation, you have to wonder whether this was really a joke or an accident, as he is now claiming:

Sen. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, withdrew his nasty note to the Florida Supreme Court last week, lest it slip into our Constitution. His bill (SB 408) increasing the court from seven to 15 members wasn't so risky; constitutional amendments don't pass inadvertently.

"Basically, a law student came up with the idea and asked me to have it drafted so he could see how it would look, but it was never supposed to be introduced," Posey said of his amendment. "It got in a stack of our stuff and got filed."

He wouldn't name the student because "I'm somewhat sympathetic to the kid. He's kind of wide-eyed, bushy-tailed and ready to change the world." ...

Posey's defunct resolution opened with a half-dozen "Whereas" sections scolding the court for striking down ex-Gov. Jeb Bush's tuition-voucher program last year. It called the ruling "specious in posture regarding the doctrine of judicial restraint" and "the equivalent of judicial activism in policy making."

"Farm to Fuel"

"The 'Farm to Fuel' initiative pushed by Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson holds exciting promise for a state with a long growing season and a growing hunger for energy. The Legislature should grant additional modest tax incentives Bronson says are needed to help get an ethanol market established. " "Bronson Right To Be Pumped About Prospects For Ethanol".

Jebbie's Legacy: The ACLU View

Howard Simon's piece on Jebbie picked up by the Miami Herald today: "Jeb Bush left many worse off".

Martin County

"Palm Beach and Martin County developers, their businesses and in some cases, their wives, took a major but quiet financial interest in Martin County Commissioner Susan Valliere during her reelection campaign last year. But slow-growth activists who have been supporters of Valliere since she first won office in 2002 are accusing her of selling out to the highest bidder after learning that a political action committee created by Valliere's husband, Jim, took in thousands of dollars from these developers during her campaign." "Official swayed, activists contend".