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Welcome To Florida Politics

Thanks for visiting. On a semi-daily basis we scan Florida's major daily newspapers for significant Florida political news and punditry. We also review the editorial pages and political columnists/pundits for Florida political commentary. The papers we review include: the Miami Herald, Sun-Sentinel, Palm Beach Post, Naples News, Sarasota Herald Tribune, St Pete Times, Tampa Tribune, Orlando Sentinel, the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Tallahassee Democrat, and, occasionally, the Florida Times Union; we also review the political news blogs associated with these newspapers.

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Not that we don't provide spin; we do, and plenty of it. Our perspective appears in post headlines, the subtitles within the post (in bold), and the excerpts from the linked stories we select to quote; we also occasionally provide other links and commentary about certain stories. While our bias should be immediately apparent to any reader, we nevertheless attempt to link to every article, column or editorial about Florida politics in every major online Florida newspaper.

 

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The Blog for Saturday, January 27, 2007

"Martinez Is Out Of Step"


    Today's Florida political news and punditry.


    "Martinez Is Out Of Step" With Florida

    It didn't take long to see that Mel's loyalty lies with the RNC and not the Floridians who elected him.

    When U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez was speaking on the Senate floor about a bill that would put certain limits on offshore drilling in the gulf, he worried aloud about the toll high energy bills were taking on "struggling families who sit around the kitchen table to find the budget busted by yet ever-increasing energy costs."

    But the compassion the Florida Republican had for the state's financially strapped families now seems to have faded. Martinez, who is also chairman of the Republican National Committee, has joined with other members of his party to block an increase in the federal minimum wage unless billions of dollars in tax breaks for small businesses are part of the deal.

    On Wednesday, the Senate voted 54 to 43 to advance a wage bill that did not include the tax breaks for business. It was six votes short of what was needed, with Martinez part of the opposition. ...

    Floridians approved a state constitutional amendment raising the state minimum wage in 2004. Martinez is out of step with his constituents and the rest of the nation.
    "Stingy senators block pay to poor".


    Can Florida GOP "Clean Up Party Image"?

    "State [GOP] officials hope to clean up party image"

    Florida Republican Party leaders said Friday they can regain control of Congress and strengthen their dominance of state politics by recruiting candidates early, avoiding the scandals that hurt the GOP last year, exploiting new media on the Internet - and counting on Democrats to ''turn off'' voters with liberal policies. ...

    Jordan is scheduled to turn over the state chairmanship to Gov. Charlie Crist's choice for the job, Jim Greer, today. She said she leaves the party in good shape financially, having raised nearly $62 million last year and holding more than $1 million on hand for the start of the non-election year.
    "GOP wants to be 'the party of reform'".

    For more on Greer - "a self-made millionaire who helps clients comply with state liquor and food regulations" - see today's "A leapfrog to GOP's top".


    RPOF Fight

    Crist's annointed RPOF chair, Jim Greer, is facing a challenge from the incumbent: "supporters of the current chairwoman, Carole Jean Jordan, were quietly trying to line up support for her re-election." "RPOF musical chairs". Carole Jean ain't happy, remarking this [Saturday] morning that "'We don't have time for on the job training,' Carole Jean Jordan said in accepting the nomination to challenge Charlie Crist's pick for state GOP chief, Jim Greer." "Carole Jean challenges Greer".


    Dissing the "Amen Chorus of Goose-stepping Legislators"

    Charlie apparently froze out the House's "amen chorus of goose-stepping legislators" in the insurance discussions:

    Although Bush had allied himself with conservative House leaders who typically gave him whatever he wanted, Crist turned to the more moderate Senate Republicans as well as Democrats in both chambers - in particular House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber of Miami Beach and Rep. Jack Seiler of Wilton Manors.

    "They're great men," Crist said of Gelber and Seiler. "They're very bright. And they work very hard, and they were actually writing the bills instead of the industry."

    The result was that House leaders who for eight years had grown accustomed to a strong governor providing them political and intellectual backing suddenly found themselves bereft, observers said.

    When some House Republicans attempted to cut Democrats out of the loop and negotiate only with Senate Republicans, they were turned down, top senators said.

    Top House Republicans denied that they were outmaneuvered and said they are comfortable with the shift in alignment.

    "I don't find it disconcerting. It's actually a healthy part of the way our process works," said Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, who is in line to become House speaker in 2010 if Republicans maintain control of the chamber.
    "Crist wins lawmakers' raves, respect".

    Note: The phrase "Jeb Bush And His Amen Chorus Of Goose-Stepping Legislators" originally appeared in a March 17, 2003 Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial that is no longer online


    "A Systemic Problem"

    "Here, again, is why Florida continues to suffer from a hodgepodge of too-often politically motivated policies that have failed to elevate higher education." "A systemic problem".


    Health Insurance

    The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board:

    The best solution is obvious: Build a single-payer system that offers a rational standard of care to all Americans. Getting there will require vision, hard work and political will. But meanwhile, too many families are suffering.

    Forced to pit daily survival needs against expensive care for which they have no insurance, Americans gamble every day with their health. And of the 46 million uninsured in the country, 3.6 million live in Florida.

    That makes it a state problem, too -- just as it was in Massachusetts, California and four other states, where leaders determined they couldn't wait any longer for a federal solution. These states evolved plans that were ambitious, if flawed -- giving Florida leaders plenty of room to consider a remedy of their own.
    "Toward a cure".

    The editors continue in a separate editorial:
    - As of 2003, the United States spent by far more on health care, per individual, than any other developed nation -- $5,711 a year. The average for 18 other developed nations is $2,952. Americans aren't healthier for it. To the contrary. Life expectancy in the United States ranks among the lowest among those developed nations, and infant mortality among the highest. The notion that the United States has the best health-care system in the world is a popular one. It's also demonstrably false.

    - A consistently overlooked factor in health-care costs is the burden of premiums on paychecks, which often add up to the equivalent of the biggest and most regressive tax on those paychecks. Income taxes are applied progressively. The more a worker makes, the higher the tax rate (up to a point). Conversely, the less a worker makes, the lower the tax burden. Not so with health insurance premiums. In fact, the less a worker earns, the heavier the insurance burden.

    - Meanwhile, since 1988, the cost of health insurance premiums has increased by an average of 10.2 percent per year -- more than three times the average 3.2 percent annual rate of inflation. Workers' wages haven't made a difference. They've increased an average of 3.28 percent a year, an increase virtually erased by inflation. By those measures, and considering the bite that health insurance premiums take out of the average worker's paycheck, workers have been getting poorer.
    "Health insurance crisis".


    "Jeb!" Watch

    "Former Gov. Jeb Bush addresses a conservative summit [the National Review Institute] as his fellow Republicans ponder just how his last name will affect his political future." "Jeb Bush will tread friendly turf at conservative forum".


    Privatization Follies Scandal

    "More than $4.5 million in questionable payments to two companies that run five private prisons resulted from the state’s contract concessions, not overcharges by the firms, a top state official said Friday."

    Department of Management Services Secretary Linda South blamed the concessions on the state’s now-defunct Correctional Privatization Commission after a Florida Senate leader asked for an investigation of her agency’s settlement with one of the companies. ...

    An audit indicated the state had paid GEO and Nashville-Tenn.-based Corrections Corporation of America more than $4.5 million for vacant jobs and other questionable expenses. ...

    The company also has a contract to run the new Graceville Correctional Facility, still under construction, said Management Services spokeswoman Tiffany Koenigkramer. ...

    No settlement yet has been reached with CCA, which runs three Florida correctional facilities: Lake City, Bay in Panama City and Gadsden in Quincy.
    "Agency head: State to blame for questionable prison payments".

    The bottom line in the GEO deal is "about 10 cents on your dollar that the state decided was a sensible arrangement - although the state is still negotiating with a second contractor, Corrections Corporation of America, which also received overpayments." "Oversight?".


    Even FPL Can See It

    "Concern over global warming is no longer all about Al Gore and his slides of suffering polar bears. The issue has been embraced by some of America's largest corporations, including General Electric, Alcoa, DuPont and locally based FPL Group. They are reframing a debate over science to one over how to apply American knowhow to avert a crisis. Suddenly, caring about global warming is in vogue." "Warming to opportunity".


    Soaring Property Taxes

    "House speaker aims to lead a charge against the second major economic obstacle facing Floridians: soaring property taxes." "Rubio seeks new property tax limits".


    Freedom

    "Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent will get to use 800 touch-screen voting machines for local elections in March, after her lawyers made a deal with Democratic congressional candidate Christine Jennings." "Deal frees 800 machines for March election".


    "Free-enterprise" Safe in our Schools

    "Gov. Charlie Crist appointed philanthropist and free-enterprise advocate Gus A. Stavros on Friday to the Board of Governors, which oversees Florida's 11 state universities." This "free-enterprise advocate" seems uniquely qualified to set education policy, after all

    Stavros made his fortune manufacturing business forms
    On top of that:
    Florida State University and the University of South Florida each have a Gus A. Stavros Center for Free Enterprise and Economic Education.

    The Gus A. Stavros Institute in Largo provides free-enterprise experiences for school children.
    "Crist fills universities board seat".

    How ironic that read today that Florida's "schools long ago stopped emphasizing social studies." Indeed,
    - Florida ranks very low in the percentage of adults who vote.

    - A majority of residents can't identify either of Florida's U. S. senators and struggle mightily to name the three branches of government.

    - Fewer Floridians volunteer time to a civic activity than in most other states.
    "On a drive to educate Floridians on civics".


    Foley Fallout

    "The FBI had a special obligation when first presented with troubling e-mails that then-U.S. Rep. Mark Foley of Florida sent to a former teenage page. The agency should have known that politics and the odd content of the e-mails put the agency in a unique position to dig further and ensure that the powerless were adequately protected from the powerful. But a report this week by the Justice Department's inspector general shows the nation's top law enforcement agency dodged its job and tried to shift the blame for shirking its responsibility." "FBI shirks duty". See also "Foley Case".


    Rebel Flag

    "Confederate flag divides school." "Free Speech".


    That Time Again

    "The start of the Legislature's 2007 regular session is fast approaching, which means lawmakers are scurrying to squeeze donors for campaign contributions before the opening gavel." "Lobbyists, Get Your Wallets Ready".


    Sink Gets to Work

    "With the insurance bill passed, the state's CFO will focus on helping residents understand the law's risks -- and other priorities." "AP Interview: CFO Alex Sink lists her priorities".


    Out in the Fields ...

    "The farm boss lured recruits from homeless shelters with promises of good work and steady pay, yet when the destitute arrived at the East Palatka camp of Ronald Evans Sr., they faced a different reality: a hovel-turned-open-market bazaar filled with crack, booze and cigarettes sold from the ''company store.'' Evans docked workers' pay so steeply they pocketed just 30 cents on the dollar." "Farm boss gets 30-year term". See also "Labor camp owner sentenced to 30 years".


    Here's An Idea: Decent Salaries for Teachers

    Karen Aronowitz, president of United Teachers of Dade has the audacity to suggest that "what masquerades as educational policy around this state is really a bitter discussion about money -- who gets it and who does not -- and how we label the recipients of those dollars." "Good salaries retain good teachers".


    Affordable Housing

    "Teachers, firefighters, police and other essential-services personnel who are being priced out of Central Florida's housing market in Orange and Osceola counties got a boost Friday from a state program that awarded $10 million to build affordable dwellings for them." "Housing too pricey? Aid exists -- for some".


    Nutty

    "Jeb!"-fanatic Willard T. Fair is at it again:

    John Winn, the retiring Florida education commissioner, got quite the compliment this week from T. Willard Fair, chairman of the Board of Education. At a board meeting in Tallahassee, Fair, who is black, likened Winn, who is white, to Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and black power activist Angela Davis. Winn is "radical," said Fair, who heads the Urban League of Greater Miami. "I never saw him cave when there was controversy." Winn is pretty much the Wizard of Oz behind high-stakes use of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Fair told fellow board members that he has a "black wall" at home featuring photos of King, Malcolm X and other black leaders. Winn will be the wall's first white member.
    "Education leader joins a rank of blacks".


    From the Values Crowd

    "Two and a half years after Florida lawmakers created the state Agency for Persons with Disabilities with an eye toward streamlining and improving care for about 30,000 disabled Floridians, some lawmakers now support killing the trouble-plagued department. ... Family members and advocates for people with disabilities have complained for years that the state rations services for a population that is often extremely fragile. More than 13,000 Floridians are on a wait list for community services, and thousands more are receiving fewer services than they say they need." "Leaders seek fix for ailing agency".


    Tampa

    "Tax Cut, Sex Offender Issues Split Council Candidates".


    Businesses to Benefit

    "Florida's new insurance law promises to provide relief for homeowners. But it also might address an even more urgent crisis: the inability of some businesses to find coverage at all." "Businesses stand to benefit from wider Citizens coverage".


    The People's Governor

    "Traube and Chester made the trip after their teaching privileges were suspended or severely restricted by the Lee County School District. Traube, president of the Lee County substitute teacher association, was put on a do-not-call list for the entire district." "Banned subs get snubbed by governor".


The Blog for Friday, January 26, 2007

Charlie's "First Crisis" - Refuses Paternity Test


    Check out these Florida posts at dKos: "FloridaKos - Networking Florida Kossacks" and "Turning Florida Blue - The Party On Our Side". On to today's Florida political news and punditry.

    Charlie's "First Crisis" - Refuses Paternity Test

    In a story we noted yesterday, "the parents who adopted a girl 17 years ago have reached out to Gov. Charlie Crist about the possibility that he is their daughter's biological father." "Crist Denies He's the Father" (scroll down); for the background to this see the St. Pete Times' "Girl wonders: is Crist my dad?".

    Then a bombshell hit: His hometown newspaper quoted a teen wondering if he was her father. Crist amiably denied the claim when confronted by reporters Thursday and repeatedly said, "I'm not going to dignify it with any further comment."
    The Miami Herald observes: "How the self-styled 'people's governor' handles his first personal crisis in office will say much about him as a politician as well as a person."."Crist keeps eye on the bill". See also "Crist says 'no' to DNA test to settle claim", "Crist again in paternity argument", "Crist again denies paternity as teen seeks biological mom", "Girl's family says it wanted only to inform Crist", "Crist denies he's teenage girl's father" and "Gov. Crist refuses paternity test; family not asking" ("Crist is declining to take a DNA test to settle a question that has nagged him for years: Did he have a one-night stand 17 years ago and father a daughter?")

    Adam Smith takes a look at the issue in a column today:
    If a man is sure he couldn't be the father of a child, why would he sign legal documents that would forever record a paternity allegation against him?

    Charlie Crist has not explained why in 1989 he signed legal papers surrendering parental rights and consenting to the adoption of a little girl he was accused of fathering. In those documents, he said he couldn't be the father.

    But lawyers who specialize in adoption and paternity issues say Crist may have just wanted to facilitate the adoption and get rid of a nuisance charge quickly and quietly. ...

    But other adoption professionals question whether signing such documents, even to help clear an adoption, is wise for a man who is certain, as Crist claimed, that he could not be the father.
    "Wisdom of signing paternity papers debated".


    "Objective Minds Agree": Mel's A Wingnut

    This piece in The Hill (via Q) by a GOP consultant castigates the right wing blogosphere for suggesting that Mel Martinez is anything other than a fellow right wing extremist:

    Objective [sic] minds agree. The American Conservative Union gave Martinez a perfect score for its most recent (2005) ratings of senators, besting even ex-Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.). Right-to-Life gives Martinez a rating of 100 percent for 2005 and 2006. Even the left agrees. The Americans for Democratic Action gave Martinez a perfect “0” (zero) in 2006 while they gave conservative darlings Santorum and Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) higher scores of 5.
    "Blogosphere missed it on Martinez".

    Remember all the MSM blather (particularly in the Orlando Sentinel) about Mel's ability to reach across the partisan divide?


    Jebbie's 'Glades "Legacy"

    "During the Jeb Bush administration, this was standard operating procedure."

    Specific criticism about environmental policy brought a generic response about the wonderfulness of the governor and the state. As the Associated Press story on the Audubon report pointed out, however, the state under Jeb Bush delayed the state's Everglades cleanup plan by 10 years. Also, the governor tried unsuccessfully to get the state out from under federal court supervision of the plan. ...

    So, rather than try to hide bad decisions of the last governor, the DEP and the water district should stress the support for the Everglades that new Gov. Charlie Crist expressed to the coalition. They should urge the new Democratic majority in Congress to approve the Everglades money that the Republican Congress did not provide, because without that money, there won't be Everglades restoration. Anyone claiming otherwise simply is ignoring reality.
    "State trying on Everglades; make the feds try harder". See also "Everglades" ("Crist will need more than good intentions to pry money out of Congress for Everglades restoration.")


    Privatization Follies

    "An inspector general audit found that millions of dollars were misspent or misappropriated by The Geo Group and Corrections Corporation of America, which run the state's seven private prisons. ... During a Thursday meeting, Crist, R-Tampa and chairman of the Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Committee, blasted the contract with Geo, which he said was so poorly written the state was lucky to recoup any of its losses." "Lawmaker seeks probe of prisons overseer's pact". See also "Lawmaker wants prison contract investigated".


    Insurance Bill

    "Crist signed a sweeping insurance-reform bill into law Thursday -- but even he agreed there's a lot of work left to be done." "Hurricane to-do list still long, Crist says". See also "Crist signs insurance bill on North Palm front porch", "Crist signs insurance-reform bill", "Crist Signs Bill Set To Trim Insurance Premiums", "Crist signs insurance bill" and "Crist signs insurance bill, takes ceremony to people".

    The editorial reviews keep coming in: "Your insurance rates may go down, a little. Your risk -- as a taxpayer or property owner -- will go up, a lot. The bargain struck in the special legislative session that ended Monday, and signed into law Thursday by Gov. Charlie Crist, is far from certain, and nowhere near ideal." "Cautious bargain".


    Property Taxes Next on the Agenda

    "Just two days after lawmakers wrapped up a special legislative session targeting homeowners insurance rates, they rolled up their sleeves on the Capitol's No. 2 hot-button issue: property tax relief." "Property Tax Relief Takes Stage As Legislative Priority".

    "Lawmakers are considering a slew of proposals to help Floridians who feel trapped in their homes, cannot afford to buy a new home or are leaving the state because their property taxes are too high." "Save Our Homes tax break unfair?".


    Search for New Ed Commissioner

    "Education board names acting commissioner, begins national search".

    The State Board of Education approved a plan for a national search to replace retiring Education Commissioner John Winn after naming his chief of staff as a temporary replacement Thursday.

    The plan includes offering Gov. Charlie Crist an opportunity to participate in reference checks and interviews of candidates for the job Crist held in 2001-03 when it was an elected position. The board, though, has sole authority to hire the new commissioner.

    "I would certainly want the governor's input," Chairman T. Willard Fair said after the board's meeting. "It would only be the courteous thing to do."
    No doubt Chairman and "Jeb!" sycophant Fair waould like to hear Jebbie's views on the issue as well. See also "Crist to have say on new education commissioner".


    Early Primary

    "Already a vote-rich megastate, Florida is looming as an even bigger prize in 2008 as lawmakers prepare to move up the state's presidential-primary date to increase its political influence." "Florida wants early primary, more clout".


    No Fault

    "The state's largest auto-insurance company is suing the state's largest hospital system, complaining of grossly inflated prices for the medical treatment given auto-accident victims." "Insurer targets hospitals, no-fault law".


    Growth Control

    The Tampa Trib editors: "Florida's growth has slowed down, but local leaders should resist pressure to relax popular measures that have raised the price of new houses, such as impact fees and growth rules." "How State And Region Grow More Important Than How Fast".


    "Representative B" In The House

    "Despite losing her Senate bid last year, Katherine Harris was on hand at Tuesday night’s State of the Union address."

    According to the U.S. News & World Report’s "Washington Whispers," Harris was "mingling on the Republican side and even handing out business cards" prior to the president’s speech. ...

    Prior to the election, Harris promised she’d write a book naming names of those she thinks betrayed her in the Senate race.
    "Harris at State of the Union".


    "The Third-highest Uninsured Rate"

    "The problem is especially acute in Florida, where thousands of low-paid service workers, many of them recent immigrants, are living without insurance."

    A Census Bureau study found that 19.6 percent of Florida residents were uninsured, using a three-year average from 2003 to '05.

    Florida had the third-highest uninsured rate, behind Texas and New Mexico.

    "It's incredibly frustrating that the president is plainly insensitive and unaware of the reasons so many are uninsured and underinsured," said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston. "The assumption is that people don't have health insurance because they are choosing not to have it and that somehow tax breaks would make it more affordable.
    "Bush's health-care cure: How it affects Floridians".


    Our Education Guv

    More on Jebbie's education "legacy", and "the impending train wreck that is Florida's university system. Simply put, the system is growing too fast, and Florida is not spending enough money to ensure students have access to quality programs." "Be more ambitious".


    New Standards

    "Revised reading and language arts standards for Florida’s public school students received unanimous approval Thursday from the State Board of Education." "Education Board OKs new language, reading standards".


    South Florida Hearts Chavez?

    "South Florida exports to Venezuela soared in the past three years, topping $3.5 billion last year and making Venezuela the area's No. 2 trade partner, trailing Brazil, the latest U.S. government data show." "Despite Chavez rants, Venezuelans tap S. Florida to stock up on U.S. consumer goods"


    A Florida Thing

    "Hollywood students clash on whether Confederate-themed clothing should be banned".


    Its A Start

    "To try to keep students healthy - and in school - Florida State University will become the first state college to require students to buy the university's comprehensive health insurance or prove they have comparable coverage of their own. FSU is phasing in the plan, starting with freshmen this fall." "FSU to require health insurance coverage".


    Housing

    "On Thursday, officials with the Florida Housing Finance Corporation said a review committee rejected the Tango Gardens application [a project designed to attract teachers and police] along with 21 other proposals throughout the state." "State rejects developer's funding bid for housing".


    Paper Trail

    The Miami Herald editorial board:

    We have no way of knowing why the votes of so many people on the iVotronic touch-screen machines weren't counted in an election that had a small turnout. The machines have no paper trail. In contrast, absentee-ballot undervotes in this election are paper forms that are optically scanned. Some people may have misread the directions or put an X or some other mark on their ballot that couldn't be read by the scanner. Their votes could be counted if a recount were necessary.

    The tally of undervotes is too small to have made a difference in Tuesday's election outcome, unlike the District 13 congressional race in November. More than 18,000 undervotes appeared in Sarasota County, which uses the same touch-screen machines as do Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The election was determined by a mere 369 votes, spawning lawsuits and controversy.

    The persistence of undervotes on touch-screen machines in Florida elections makes a compelling case for a paper trail of votes. The Legislature can remedy this, and it should do so this year.
    "Count every vote".


    Wexler

    "Robert Wexler becomes the third congressman from Palm Beach County named to the House Financial Services Committee." "Stacking Financial Services".


    Lake O

    "Lake Okeechobee is sometimes called the "Liquid Heart" of Florida, yet it's more often treated like a liquid dumping ground." "Resuscitating Florida's Heart".


    Jebbie's Going Away Gift to Low-Income Floridians

    "Although thousands of hurricane-ravaged Florida homes still need roofs, a $100-million federal grant that could have helped repair them will mostly support a state effort to prepare undamaged houses for future storms."

    The decision by former Gov. Jeb Bush's administration in the waning months of his term frustrated and angered some South Florida officials. They say it has hamstrung efforts to bring relief to low-income residents whose homes remain in disrepair.
    "Aid won't be used to repair houses".


    We're Outa Here

    "For the first time in years, three of the nation's largest moving companies say they're transporting more customers out of Florida than into it." "Do stats show Florida's allure dimming?".


    Can't Get Enough

    "Crist Can't Get Enough of Democrats".


    Ron Reagan

    Jeremy Wallace notes that Rep. Ron Reagan’s "mood improved when he found himself being appointed to head the House Insurance Committee, as the Legislature prepared for the special session on insurance rates. Now, he’s downright gleeful after being re-assigned again, this time heading the Jobs and Entrepreneurship Council – which oversees four committees, including the Insurance Committee." "Reagan's roller coaster".


    Surprise

    "The chancellor of Florida's university system says it will take as much as $3.4-billion to build the facilities colleges need to serve students in the future." "Universities get construction cash surprise".


    Willard Fair Two-timing "Jeb!"?

    "Fair paid a small tribute to Handy on Thursday, saying he was honored to have served as his sidekick for eight years. 'God bless you,' he said. 'I love you dearly.'" "Saying goodbye". But Willard, we thought it was Jebbie you "love"?


    Is it Possible Rubio's a Liar?

    "House Speaker Marco Rubio refused to answer questions Thursday on whether he had forced Rep. Don Brown, a DeFuniak Springs Reublican, and Rep. Dennis Ross, a Lakeland Republican, to give up their leadership posts in the Florida House." "Rubio refuses to say if he ousted lawmakers". See also "Rubio mute on demotions".


The Blog for Thursday, January 25, 2007

Headin' to the Beach

    Scott Maxwell: "Beach-house owners owe state legislators a debt of thanks."
    Unfortunately, though, their debt may be paid by you and me.

    That's because one of the biggest accomplishments of the special session was to eliminate a major rate hike for residents of Citizens Property Insurance, which primarily covers those in hurricane-prone parts of the state.

    Apparently lawmakers think that the owners of second and third homes are entitled to reasonable prices for their coastal views.

    And we're entitled to pay for it.
    Maxwell also brings this little detail to our attention:
    The Chief Financial Officer's Office confirmed Wednesday that lawmakers actually changed the law to make it easier for non-homestead properties to take advantage of the lower, subsidized insurance.
    "Rich folks catch break under new insurance deal".

    Back in Tally, Crist continued to spoon feed the media: "'I ran as the people's governor and I wasn't kidding. I meant it. I absolutely meant it. And what you're seeing in three weeks and one day is it's true,' Crist told a packed room". "Insurance proves pledge, Crist declares".


    Raw Political Courage

    "In a pitch that will appeal to homeowners, he says people are paying 'exorbitant' taxes at the local level." "Crist calls for property tax cut".


    The People's Fundraiser

    "Like his predecessor, Republican Gov. Charlie Crist has named a top campaign fundraiser to the state Board of Education. Crist on Wednesday appointed Dr. Akshay 'A.K.' Desai to succeed former board chairman Phil Handy on the panel overseeing Florida schools. Handy had been a major fundraiser for former Gov. Jeb Bush, and Desai played a similar role for Crist this past fall." "Crist hires big fundraiser for education job".

    Desai has quite the resune: "Desai contributed $15,000 to the Florida Republican Party during the past campaign season. He also is president of St. Petersburg-based Universal Health Care, Inc., which holds about $75 million in state contracts to provide Medicaid coverage in various parts of the state." "Fund-raiser named to Board".

    Desai is no stranger to controversy.


    Charlie Reappoints "Jeb!"-fanatic to BOE

    "Crist reappointed State Board of Education Chairman T. Willard Fair to the panel Wednesday and filled [Handy's] vacancy with a health maintenance organization executive." "Crist reappoints Fair, adds HMO exec to education board".

    You remember Fair, the fellow who publicly told "Jeb!": "In my judgment, there is no greater person on this Earth than you. I love you."


    Rubio: My Way or the Highway

    "Two powerful Republicans who were the only members of the Legislature to vote against the insurance reform bill this week found out Wednesday that their independence carried a steep price. Both lost their leadership posts." Rubio claims it was voluntary:

    Rubio said in a written statement that he had accepted the resignations of Rep. Don Brown of DeFuniak Springs and Rep. Dennis Ross of Lakeland as chairmen of two House councils. ''I respect their decisions and look forward to working with them in their new roles,'' Rubio said.
    Ross and Brown say different:
    But Ross said Rubio, a West Miami Republican, forced him to resign as chairman of the House Safety and Security Council. He said Rubio summoned him to his office Wednesday morning and told him that he needed people on his leadership team who support him. ...

    Brown refused to say whether his resignation was voluntary.
    "Two lose House power because of insurance votes". See also "Speaker dumps pair for dissent" and "Lawmakers pay price for dissenting insurance votes".


    Skeptics Go Wild

    "Crist drew rave reviews from many in the normally skeptical crowd of business, education, government and political figures who attend Capital Tiger Bay Club luncheons." "Tiger Bay Club raves over Crist".


    Property Tax Relief

    "Crist and Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio added their support Wednesday to the push for a special election [to amend the Florida Constitution] this year on property tax relief instead of waiting until 2008. Rubio said rapidly rising property taxes is one of the “twin threats” facing the state. The other is property insurance rates, climbing equally as fast if not quicker." "Rubio favors special election to pass property tax relief". See also "Property taxes next on to-do list", "Property tax election gets boosts" and "Next big thing on the agenda: Property taxes".

    "The local politicians' response: Capitol lawmakers have a hypocrisy problem. After all, state lawmakers have cut state taxes, but shifted some spending to local governments, while total state taxation under the Legislature's control increased from $23 billion to $40 billion in the same period." "Property-tax cap or rollback is urged".


    FCAT Follies

    "Crist will roll out a proposal next week to make changes to how the state uses and administers the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, but he gave few details when he revealed his plans Wednesday." "Crist: FCAT changes in the works".


    We're Number 43

    "A proposal to redefine higher education in the next 30 years sparked a debate among university policymakers Wednesday."

    Florida's Board of Governors met to review the $200,000 privately funded higher-education blueprint by Pappas Consulting Group. ...

    Pappas found fault in the existing system.

    "The state of Florida deserves better than it has now," Alceste T. Pappas told the board.

    Her recommendation is for the state to place more emphasis on undergraduate students, since a study has shown Florida ranks 43rd in the country for percentage of residents with bachelor's degrees.
    "Consultants suggest overhaul of colleges". See also "State leaders debate widespread revamping of university system" and "4-year degree outline irks school presidents".


    Pull Over

    "Police could pull over any Florida driver spotted not wearing a seat belt under a bill unanimously approved Wednesday by a state House committee." "Strict seat-belt measure moves forward in House".


    Human Trafficking

    "While legislators gathered Wednesday at the Capitol to mark Human Trafficking Awareness Week, the latest example, according to police, was sitting in Leon County Jail." "Human trafficking reaches Leon".


    Cheerleader

    "Before Gov. Charlie Crist takes a victory lap around the state today to sign major insurance reforms, he has some business to attend to in Tallahassee. Crist appears at the Enterprise Florida board meeting at 8:30 a.m. to cheer on the public-private group that serves as the state’s leading business recruiter." "Crist cheers on Enterprise Florida".


    Whatever

    "The Board of Governors of Florida’s 11 state universities responded Wednesday to criticism that its institutions are disconnected and not focused enough on undergraduate education by announcing it will seek public comments as it revamps programs." "University Board of Governors announces public comment initiative".


    Battle of the Property Appraisers

    "Broward County Property Appraiser Lori Parrish on Wednesday tossed fuel on the feud burning between her Palm Beach County counterpart and county commissioners." "Broward's appraiser enters property assessment fray". See also "Parrish attacks Palm Beach County appraiser for 'unreasonably high' assessments".


    50 Years

    "Florida would be dramatically different but for a four-lane ribbon of asphalt that opened 50 years ago today." "50 years on: How Florida's Turnpike transformed the state".


    Undervote

    "Election-reform advocates are concerned with a relatively low number of votes that may not have registered during Tuesday's [Miami-Dade] strong-mayor referendum." "Pesky 'undervotes' raise small concerns".


    Foley Fallout

    More fallout:

    "What a freak," thought the FBI agent who first heard about Mark Foley's improper e-mails to congressional pages. "Odd," thought another. But the FBI, according to a report this week from the Justice Department, did nothing. And you still wonder how information about the 9/11 hijackers got enmeshed in the FBI bureaucracy?
    "Cleaning up after Foley".


    Anti-bullying Bill

    "Anti-bullying bill easily clears Fla. Senate education committee".


    Lawsuit

    "The state's largest auto-insurance company is suing the state's largest hospital system, complaining of grossly inflated prices for the medical treatment given auto-accident victims." "Insurer targets hospitals, no-fault law".


    Miami-Dade

    "Despite pledges of closer cooperation, Miami-Dade's County Commission and its newly powerful mayor still appear to be less than cozy." "Alvarez, commission keep their distance". See also "With mayoral win, a question about abuse".


    How Many?

    "Workers fan across Palm Beach County to complete census of homeless".


    Stalled

    "A state senator on Wednesday single-handedly stalled plans to spend $15-million in public money to help Tampa's H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Research Center team with the pharmaceutical giant Merck Corp. in a new cancer research venture." "Moffitt, Merck plan hits a snag".




    "Florida's graduation rates are the pits. The achievement gap is a mile wide. But nothing riles parents like the perception that summer break is shrinking." "Lawmakers try - again - to set school start date".


    Crist Denies He's the Father

    "The parents who adopted a girl 17 years ago have reached out to Gov. Charlie Crist about the possibility that he is their daughter's biological father." They have no proof, but

    since a paternity dispute involving Crist came to light during the gubernatorial primary last fall, the family and their daughter have suspected Crist might be the father.

    The Tuckers said they want nothing from the governor. But driven by a fear of getting snared in a political controversy beyond their control, the Tuckers made many discreet overtures to Crist.

    Crist and those close to him ignored their calls.
    The Tuckers adopted a seven-pound, 8 1/2-ounce girl who was born on June 23, 1989.
    That's the same day Rebecca O'Dell Townsend then named Wharrie gave birth to a girl, whom she said was fathered by Crist after a one-time sexual encounter in the fall of 1988.

    When Townsend, who was going through a bitter divorce at the time, accused Crist of being the father, he steadfastly denied it. Yet he signed legal papers waiving parental rights, which helped pave the way for Townsend to place the child for adoption.
    Records show:
    - The unnamed biological mother's birth date and hometown of Chillicothe, Ohio, match that of Townsend.

    - The date of the adoption, two days after birth, matches.

    - The Tuckers' adoption lawyer is the same one who handled the baby Townsend placed for adoption on June 25, 1989.

    - The unnamed birth mother filled out forms listing her occupation as biologist, which is what Townsend was at the time.

    - The birth mother wrote on the records that the father was a lawyer, and the paternal grandfather a doctor. Townsend acknowledged her handwriting on the record and said she was referring to Crist.
    "Girl wonders: is Crist my dad?"

The Blog for Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Charlie's "Eleventh-Hour Standoff" With Rubio

    The Orlando Sentinel writes today that "Crist was unable to get as much as he wanted out of lawmakers in a weeklong session that signaled rising tension between him and fellow Republicans in the Florida House -- including an eleventh-hour standoff with House Speaker Marco Rubio that briefly threatened to derail the entire package."
    "I think the strain comes in when you have strong conservatives like me in the House . . . versus this [Crist's] more populist tone. I kind of get nervous -- how long can we all be warm and friendly?" said Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, one of Rubio's top deputies. "I think we will have a balancing responsibility with some of the populist themes."
    "For Crist, the results this week were mixed."
    By repeatedly and publicly pressuring lawmakers to cut rates, the governor helped persuade many reluctant legislators to embrace a plan that will move the state much deeper into the insurance business. And Crist said throughout the session that his overarching goal was "meaningful" rate cuts.

    But Crist also avoided saying what he considered "meaningful." And while lawmakers predicted that the insurance plan will lower rates across the state by an average of more than 20 percent, they conceded that the savings will vary wildly from household to household.

    In fact, the 2.3 million homeowners covered by the state's two largest insurance companies -- government-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and industry giant State Farm -- will see far smaller rate cuts.
    "Perhaps the most significant test of Crist's muscle came in the face-off with Rubio, R-West Miami." Read about that in "Insurance plan marks first test for governor".

    As for Crist's claims of success; well, actually,
    most of his ideas were shunned.

    Insurers can still set up Florida-only subsidiaries. His proposal to block insurers from dropping policies for four years went nowhere.

    But by framing the debate simply around rate relief, Crist was still able to claim some measure of success.
    "Crist praised by Legislature".


    Fixing Jebbie's Mess

    Let's not forget that the special session was all about fixing one of several messes left behind by an "arrogant, power-hungry ruler who acted as if he had been elected king".

    Recall that "Bush, who left office at the beginning of the month, was known for not including Democrats as part of the discussion of major issues and taking the side of big business over consumers. He also had a reputation for pushing through policy and dictating how legislation should look. ... While last year's measure tried to fix insurance problems by making the market more attractive to insurance companies - including allowing for some rate increases - this year's solution was aimed squarely at reducing rates." "New leaders took new, bipartisan approach on Fla. insurance fix". See also "Session Special For Goodwill" ("the Florida Legislature bucked its traditionally conservative, pro-business convictions Monday and greatly expanded the state's role in the homeowners insurance market.")

    More bluntly, "the Legislature believes expanding the state's role in the insurance business is worth the risk, a stunning reversal from last May." "Crist Scores Political Points On Lawmakers' Big Gamble".


    Jennings

    "Democrats signaled that they're still interested in the disputed congressional race in Sarasota by giving Christine Jennings a seat in the House gallery for the State of the Union address." "Candidate who thinks she won gets gallery seat". Vern's response: "'Christine is a constituent, so I’ll look for her in the stands and give her a wave.'" "Making political waves".


    Higher Ed

    The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Make state universities better, not just bigger".


    Stem Cells

    "The bill (HB 555), filed by Rep. Franklin Sands, D-Weston, would require the state spend at least $20 million a year for 10 years on grants to researchers doing studies using several different types of stem cells, including adult stem cells, amniotic stem cells and embryonic stem cells, the most controversial type." "State funding for stem cell research may have new life".

    Will Charlie walk the walk?


    Florida GOPer Split

    "Iraq looms large among Florida lawmakers".


    Insurance Bill: Only the Beginning

    A Miami Herald editorial today is headlined "Special session delivers the goods", yet the editorial notes that "few Citizens customers will see the upper end of the estimated 8 percent to 19 percent savings." On top of that, "the rate savings won't come without added risks, either. For example:"

    • Enticing insurers to cut rates will greatly increase the risk for Florida's reinsurance fund and for all insurance consumers. ...

    • Consumer-friendly measures that allow Citizens to expand their more-profitable lines may discourage private insurers from doing business in the state.
    Read it here.

    What is in the bill? "The 167-page insurance bill passed Monday has got regulators scrambling to figure out all the details contained in it. Consumers, too, have lots of questions. Here are some answers." "Insurance agreement Q&A".

    The Sarasota Herald-Tribune editors: "Florida lawmakers have taken a high-risk gamble by agreeing to steps intended to temporarily lower windstorm insurance rates across the state." "A gamble either way".

    Consumer groups have come around, hoping that more can be done in the regular session: "A coalition of consumer groups Tuesday encouraged Gov. Charlie Crist to sign the voluminous bill, despite its members complaining loudly the day before that its promises of 5 percent to 30 percent rate cuts don't go far enough and the bill should be vetoed.". "Bill's opponents seem to soften criticism". In that regard, the Sun-Sentinel editors note that when legislators "re-convene in March, they must take up unfinished business, such as evaluating if more relief is needed for policyholders in the state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp." "Legislature".

    Meanwhile, "As politicians declare insurance victory, homeowners fret".


    What's Wrong In St. Pete?

    Even the Trib is offended: "St. Petersburg police stepped over the line in slashing and destroying tents used by homeless people in a makeshift camp under a highway overpass. The city's behavior has only worsened tensions and raised serious questions about its decision-making processes." "Tent Slashing Was Out Of Bounds". See also "Police operation leaves city stained" and "Council member calls St. Petersburg homeless raid 'embarrassment'".


    Paying for Hurricane Damage

    "About 2 million Embarq telephone customers in Florida will be charged an additional 50 cents on their monthly phone bills to pay for 2005 hurricane damage, the Public Service Commission decided today." "Embarq to tack on 50-cent surcharge".


    Federal Funding at Risk

    "Some lawmakers and children's advocates warned Tuesday at a House Healthy Families Committee workshop in Tallahassee that the state could lose millions of dollars from the federal government -- which pays 70 percent of KidCare costs -- if it doesn't boost enrollment."

    About 204,000 children statewide participate in the main parts of KidCare, down from 336,000 in 2004, according to a presentation made Tuesday. The drop in enrollment came after lawmakers tightened eligibility requirements. Enrollment fell to 186,000 children in January 2006 before slowly rebounding during the past year.
    "State tries child-health overhaul".


    Another Jebacy Going Down?

    "STAR, the state's performance pay plan for teachers, may be tweaked or may be overhauled." "House committee questions educator pay plan".


    Your Tax Dollars at Work

    "Secretary of State Kurt Browning on Tuesday defended using public money to challenge a decision by Sarasota County voters to require paper trailson voting machines." "Recount method a touchy issue".


    Paper Trail

    "Florida's newly appointed secretary of state told lawmakers Tuesday he is looking for ways to implement Gov. Charlie Crist's desire to provide a paper trail for electronic votes in the state." "State looks for methods to verify electronic votes".

    The Florida Senate is also taking a look:

    touch screen voting came under intense criticism Tuesday from nearly a dozen advocates, who were given a rare chance to submit suggestions to senators.

    Speakers questioned the reliability of the machines, and some said the decision by 15 large counties to buy touch screen systems was driven by vendors and lobbyists, not voters.

    The Senate is also accepting written comments online. The e-mail address is 2006election@flsenate.gov.
    See also "Paper trail dominates elections public hearing" and "All touchy about touch screens" ("The Senate Ethics & Elections Committee got an earful Tuesday from people fed up with those temperamental touch-screen voting machines.")

    Meanwhile, "Republican Volusia County Rep. Dorothy Hukill filed a bill Tuesday that would require a paper record of all Florida elections." "Hukill bill calls for vote audit, hard copy".


    "Statutory Citizen Initiatives"

    "A one-time Florida Supreme Court justice and a former senator came down on opposite sides of a debate Tuesday over whether voters should be allowed to adopt laws by citizen initiative." "Lawmakers debate statutory citizen initiatives".


    Whatever

    "Ex-U.S. Rep. Lou Frey, an Orlando Republican, said classroom texts, teacher-preparation, tests and curriculum fail to teach young people the different duties of their city and county commissions, school boards, state legislature, courts and Congress. 'They have little to do with Florida,' he said at a news conference with Graham. 'They teach more about the UN than they do about Florida.'" "Leaders aim to teach civics, promote voting".


    Only in Florida

    "An eclectic group has come forward to accept some of the 9 million pounds of bagged ice the state has had in storage since last year's hurricane season. Takers plan to use it for everything from snow cones to helping grass grow." "Groups eager to take state ice".


    National Council of La Raza in Orlando

    "The gathering of the 38 affiliates of the National Council of La Raza, the largest Hispanic advocacy organization in the country, picked Orlando because of the higher profile gained by Orlando-based Latino Leadership, one of its affiliates and a partner of the coalition that put together Orlando’s immigration march last year. The organization also will hold its national conference in Miami later this year, as it looks to Florida as a key state in a region that has the fastest growing Latino community of the country. " "Hispanic activists to converge on Orlando".


    Manatee Recovery

    The "chairman of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission" writes that "Full recovery goal for manatees".


    Bense

    "Crist removed former state House Speaker Allan Bense as a member of Florida State University's board of trustees Tuesday, a signal that he may be in store for another position in the new administration." "Crist pulls Bense from FSU board of trustees".


    "Kiss My A**"

    Bad boys:

    The scene: A committee room late at night on day 5 (Saturday) of the special session on insurance.

    The players: South Miami Rep. Julio Robaina and Miami Rep. David Rivera, both Republicans.

    The fact they agree on most: They don’t like each other very much.
    "'Kiss My A**' snarled in Miami Rep. spat".


    Privatization Follies

    "The state has reached a $402,000 agreement with one of the two companies that run private prisons in Florida."

    After the Correctional Privatization Commission was abolished and oversight of the five private prisons was shifted to DMS in 2004, the DMS inspector general did an audit that cited numerous discrepancies. The GEO Group settlement involved $357,520.94 in overpayments.

    Under the agreement, signed by previous DMS Secretary Tom Lewis, GEO agreed to pay $290,952.43.

    The company separately agreed to pay $111,549.27 of the state's legal fees in a court fight over disputed property-tax bills for the prison facilities. The agreement said DMS has paid $446,197.08 defending the sovereign immunity of the state-owned prisons.
    "DMS reaches private-prison deal".

    And get this:
    DMS Secretary Linda H. South, asked about the large disparity in what GEO Group was overpaid and what it will pay back, said if the agency had not done its "due diligence there would be no money to recover."
    "Prison business to repay $402,501".

The Blog for Tuesday, January 23, 2007

But ... We Only Just Began

    "Democrats who captured GOP seats in Tallahassee and Washington have no time to rest on their laurels." "Democrats warned: GOP wants seats back".


    Handy Hits the Bricks

    "Winter Park entrepreneur Phil Handy, who as chairman of the State Board of Education marshaled through Jeb Bush's education-reform plan, reversed course Monday and announced he will not serve another term on the panel."

    Handy joins another Bush loyalist, Education Commissioner John Winn, who announced his resignation Jan. 12, 10 days after Gov.Charlie Crist took office. Both men had vowed to work within the system despite the new leadership.

    Handy's departure signals two things: Crist's stamp on the Education Department, and Handy's emerging presence in the national political arena.
    "Handy quits state job for McCain post". See also "Another Jeb ally folds tent", "Phil Handy is movin' on up" and "Handy won't seek reappointment to state Board of Education".


    More from the Values Crowd

    "State disability administrators are recommending dramatic cuts to a program that provides therapy and services to thousands of disabled Floridians in the wake of an anticipated $230 million in deficits over the next 18 months."

    Staff members at the state Agency for Persons with Disabilities have told lawmakers they anticipate a $115.5 million deficit in the community services department for the current budget year, which ends in June, and a deficit of $112 million for the 2007-2008 budget year.

    To offset the projected shortfalls, agency administrators recommend in a January memo an ''immediate'' halt to new enrollment of disabled Floridians in ''crisis,'' which brings about 500 new clients into the program each year. To qualify for funding, candidates have to show they are either homeless or at risk of great harm.

    Administrators also recommend that the state stop enrolling disabled children who live in foster care. Last year, lawmakers set aside close to $25 million to add about 340 foster children to the program. To date, 274 of the foster kids are enrolled, though most still are not receiving taxpayer-funded services, records show.
    "Disabilities agency expects deficit, urges cutbacks in care".


    All About Charlie

    "The major reason for the historic shift was Gov. Charlie Crist, who used relentless cheeriness, vitriolic attacks on insurance companies and pleas to help average Floridians in cajoling lawmakers." "Governor key to shift in Legislature".


    They Love Us Only For Our Money?

    "As the 2008 presidential primary races get under way, Republican candidates - particularly John McCain and Mitt Romney - are working frantically to build Florida organizations."

    Floridians are hearing less from and about the Democratic candidates, and some Democratic donors and dedicated campaign volunteers are starting to wonder why.
    "Democrats' White House Plans Not Evident In Florida". See also "Florida - The ATM Machine".


    Property Insurance

    "Almost unanimously, the Florida Legislature on Monday voted to give homeowners a break from soaring property insurance premiums, promising rate cuts between 10 and 55 percent on their hurricane coverage." "Legislators pass plan promising 10% to 55% cuts in property insurance rates". See also "Insurance relief deal reached; session ends", "Special session produces bill, relief", "Insurance measure elicits grumbles from industry", "Crist declares a win; cuts vary widely", "Ban on forced switch fulfills promise", "Insurance lobbyists predict doom and gloom", "Bill To Give Insurance Relief", "Deal may cut rates up to 40%", "State takes on more risk to give insurance relief", "Homeowners hope relief is just around the corner", "Legislator: What about agents?", "Reform leaves some with uneasy feeling" and "Legislators play odds to reduce premiums".

    What does it mean? See "Provisions of the agreement", "Insurance relief depends on location", "Premiums may fall, but all bets are off if catastrophe strikes", "How much you will save is still unclear", "Insurance agreement Q&A", "2007 Capitol roundup", "Answers to more of your insurance questions" and "Highlights of Insurance Overhaul".

    The kudos are rolling in: "In just seven days, Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Legislature crafted a more pragmatic approach to easing the property insurance crisis than the last governor and Legislature produced all of last year." "The insurance fix". See also "Resuscitated".

    Some editors are keeping their powder dry: "The curtain is falling on the special legislative session focusing on property insurance. But we consider it intermission. Much still needs to get resolved before we and the rest of the session's audience, the state's property owners, will truly be able to tell whether we got our money's worth." "Need 2nd act". See also "Not enough rate relief, but enough of a start".

    And then there is the political angle: Crist had "called for rate relief that was substantial, broad-based and immediate. Whether he got it is subject to broad interpretation, depending on where people live and where they buy insurance." But "'Anemic' is Rep. Dan Gelber's term for the relief". More: "'I feel like we have failed the governor, and ultimately we have failed the people of Florida,' said Rep. Luis Garcia, D-Miami Beach, who said his constituents will not see a major rate cut." "Insurance reform a win for Crist".

    The media has no reservations (note that this is not from an editorial): "He walks away from the session with eye-catching headlines of having met a promise of big rate relief and for having poked the eye of the powerful insurance industry lobby." "Gov. Crist emerges looking like the big winner".


    NAEP

    "Some critics say higher FCAT scores result from 'teaching to the test,' meaning the gains were more because of test preparation than real learning. But because teachers don't know what's on the NAEP and don't directly prepare students for it, Bush supporters have pointed to it as proof that their approach is working." "National test to rank Florida kids".



    Christine Jennings in the House

    "Democrat Christine Jennings will be the guest of U.S. Rep. Ellen Tauscher of California at President's Bush State of the Union Address on Tuesday night." "Jennings will attend State of the Union". See also "Not Going Away" and "Don't look up, Vern".


    Miami Vote

    The Miami Herald editorial board: "Miami-Dade voters will make a decision today that can dramatically affect local politics and the quality of life for the county's 2.3 million residents -- and the lives of many millions more residents in years to come. This makes today's special election on a proposal to give the county mayor more power a really big deal. You should make sure that your vote is among those that are counted in this important referendum." "Remember: Vote today". See also "Turnout for Miami-Dade strong-mayor vote likely to be low".


    Sustainable Florida Report

    "A new commission studying the state's future has delivered its first report to Gov. Charlie Crist and the Legislature, and it's not lacking in ambition."

    The Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida says the state needs to figure out how to deal with global warming, work toward weaning the state off foreign oil, research the state's long-term water supply and map out what environmentally sensitive land deserves to be preserved from development.
    "50-year fears are panel's 1st focus".


    Our Civil Rights Warrior

    The ACLU guest column we noted yesterday (Charlie The Civil Rights Warrior) appears in the Tallahassee Democrat today: "Crist could be Florida's 'civil-rights governor'".


    Split

    "Florida lawmakers differ on whether President Bush heads into his sixth State of the Union address in a position to dictate the terms of his final two years in office or so weakened by events that it doesn't much matter what he says." "Florida legislators split on President Bush's effectiveness".


    Slots

    "Sponsors of a citizen initiative allowing slot machines in two South Florida counties Monday asked the Florida Supreme Court to delay a trial on a challenge to the state constitutional amendment until the justices rule on related issues." "Slot machine backers want appeal before trial".


    "New Look"

    "The representatives Broward voters have sent to Washington, D.C., are different demographically, generationally and politically from most of Florida and much of the nation. The six are either black, Latino or Jewish." "Legislators take on new look".


    Foley

    Brian Crowley: "Justice report faults FBI on Foley, says agents should have done more". See also "FBI chided for inaction in Foley case".


    The Grant is in the Mail

    "Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink announced the distribution of the inspection reports and applications in a news release Monday. About 14,000 homeowners received inspections during the initial phase of the program, which seeks to fortify homes against hurricanes." "Home inspection report, grant form on way". See also "Gambling on hurricane shutters - with Florida as my bookie".


    Mel Speaks ...

    We missed this the other day: "Mel Martinez talks about his new job" (via The Buzz).

    The Miami Herald was apparently listening: "The incoming chairman of the Republican Party delivered an urgent message to the GOP leadership last week: Don't shut anyone out. This is a message the party needs to heed unless it wants to go the way of the Whigs, the Prohibitionists and the Know-Nothings." "Opening GOP's door".


The Blog for Monday, January 22, 2007

"Jeb!" Ripped as "Arrogant, Power Hungry"

    "Now that Jeb Bush is no longer governor, the rush is on to print the definitive retrospective about the popular two-term Republican. One of the first writers out of the blocks is [Palm Beach Post] journalist S.V. Date, whose book, 'Jeb: America's Next Bush,' hits stores in mid-February." "Jeb in print".

    Will we will be seeing cheerleading or journalism? Jeremy Wallace claims it will be the latter: "A friendly tale it isn't. The book rips Bush as a arrogant, power-hungry ruler who acted as if he had been elected king, rather than governor.". Date's recent work gives us a clue: See "Jeb's next move: Once again, a Republican governor upsets the plan for the smarter Bush" and "What Would Jeb Do?"


    Early Primary

    Brian Crowley has a detailed discussion of the earlier primary issue today in "Earlier primary could give state more of a role".

    Florida lawmakers will consider a plan during this legislative session to move the Florida primary from the first week of March to within seven days of New Hampshire's primary, a move that could change the political dynamic of the 2008 election.
    Much more here.


    Another Jebacy

    Even the "Jeb!" cheerleaders at the Tampa Trib see it:

    The bleak spot in Florida's education reform remains its dismal high school graduation rate, and this year the rate slid backward.

    The graduation rate dropped by nearly 1 percent, from 71.9 percent of the ninth graders graduating in four years to 71 percent. Some might not think that's a big deal - but it is.

    Florida cannot afford to have its puny graduation rate go any way but up. The state already has a reputation for having an ill-prepared workforce.
    But there's more, much more than the single graduation rate "bleak spot"; the Trib acknowledges that
    Much work also needs to be done on refining Florida's curriculum standards, particularly in middle school and high school, which direct teachers on what to teach and sets the baseline for what students should know.

    The Koret Task Force, which recently reviewed the progress of Florida's school reform efforts, zeroed in on curriculum as the weak link in high schools."
    "Florida's Disturbing, Declining Grad Rate"

    Here's and idea, and it doesn't cost the state a dime, just fail the kids: "Starting with this year's sixth-graders, any youngsters who fail even one 'core' course must retake the class or they will not be promoted to high school. ... Lawmakers approved the change as part of former Gov. Jeb Bush's 'A-Plus-Plus' Plan. " "New rule for Florida middle schoolers: Pass every essential class or repeat 8th grade".

    And things ain't so hot at the college level either: "Report shocks Florida schools".


    Special Session

    "Legislative staff is still hammering out the wording that will make this a deal, but here are the general agreements lawmakers made over the weekend on a property insurance bill to be voted on today:" "Provisions of the Legislature's insurance proposal".

    "The greatest consumer relief comes from a doubling of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, the state program that sells backup coverage to insurance companies themselves. The Cat Fund's rates are cheaper than what's available to companies on the private market, and those savings are to be passed on to consumers. If those losses come and the Cat Fund runs out of money, it is able to add up to a 10 percent extra charge on every auto, home and business insurance policy in the state." "Lawmakers finalize insurance plan".

    "Legislators will likely vote today to lower homeowner insurance rates, but savings will vary, bills will remain high and they could go up next year." "Insurance plan would lower rates".

    "Florida lawmakers emerged from weekend negotiations with an insurance reform plan that promises double-digit rate relief by shifting hurricane risk to the state." "Session strikes a deal".

    "Lawmakers turned their attention to Citizens Property Insurance Corp. on Sunday, wringing some additional rate relief for customers in the state pool after reaching a broader agreement over the weekend to roll back private homeowners' insurance rates. A House-Senate compromise bill goes to the full Legislature today, the last day of the special session tackling runaway rates. I" "Lawmakers Wrangle More Citizens Rate Relief".

    "Lawmakers, under intense public pressure from Gov. Charlie Crist to lower rates, predicted insurance premiums would fall between 5 percent and 40 percent for homeowners across the state. But they conceded that the reductions will vary wildly from company to company and county to county, and that some people might not see any changes at all. Officials with State Farm Florida, the state's largest private property insurer, predicted the company's more than 1 million policyholders would see an average 7 percent reduction on their overall bill. Company spokesman Justin Glover said that was only a 'good faith' estimate." "Deal may cut rates up to 40%".

    Or is it 35%? See "Legislative deal would cut windstorm rates by 7-35% for Florida property owners".

    "Florida lawmakers will vote today on a plan that could cut property-insurance rates, expand the state's insurer of last resort -- and take big financial risks. House and Senate negotiators Sunday finished working out an agreement that would broaden the state's role in the insurance market to help give rate relief to homeowners and businesses." "Vote on rate cuts today".

    "[L]awmakers Sunday reached a deal they said does exactly that: at least 25 percent for customers of private insurers in their windstorm premiums, and 5 percent to 20 percent for those of state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp." "Deal for rate relief in place".


    Disney Outsourcing Top Issue

    "Walt Disney World and unions representing 21,000 workers begin new contract negotiations today hoping to avoid the long battle they waged last time -- yet knowing a new dispute may have emerged involving how the company transfers jobs to outside contractors." "During union talks, Disney not always the happiest place".


    Poor Vern ...

    Poor Vern, he didn't realize that he was required to march in lockstep with the wingnuts.

    U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan hasn't been in Congress a month yet, but he's already being accused of breaking his campaign promises.

    Surprisingly, it's not Democrats on the attack but conservative Republicans who accuse the Longboat Key Republican of reneging on his vow to oppose higher taxes.

    At issue is Thursday's vote in Congress to repeal tax breaks for gas and oil companies. Buchanan was one of just 36 Republicans to vote for the repeal.

    Grover Norquist, the president of Americans for Tax Reform, has Buchanan listed on his Web site as one of 28 Republican "pledge breakers." Buchanan was one of 192 House Republicans who signed an ATR pledge not to increase taxes, yet he voted for H.R. 6, which other Republicans on the House floor argued was a kind of tax increase.

    Norquist's group isn't alone. Conservative Web sites like www.Townhall.com and www.ClubforGrowth.org are running similar lists with Buchanan's name on their sites.
    "Buchanan gets a reality check about GOP power".


    Astroturf

    "You'd never know it from reading the Palm Beach County Democratic Party's latest finance report, but more than $5,000 in party cash was handed out last Election Day to pay dozens of people to hold signs, drive voters to the polls and otherwise try to pump up turnout in heavily Democratic Riviera Beach." "Democrats take another look at cash payments".


    Ugly Map

    "Florida's Highways In 2025 - Not A Pretty Picture".


    "Jeb!" AWOL

    "Former Gov. Jeb Bush had months to negotiate a deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida over the tribe's plan to operate casino-style slot machines at seven locations around Florida. He didn't. Now, the tribe is exercising its option to seek approval of slots from federal authorities -- a move that could end Florida's chances of claiming any revenue from, or control over, expanded gambling." "Gov. Crist vs. the tribes".


    No Love

    "Buchanan and Brown-Waite held a press conference in Sarasota last Monday, trying to bring attention to the legislation they had filed to create a national disaster catastrophe fund to help the insurance industry cover damage after a major hurricane or earthquake. Just 48 hours later, a key Democrat in Congress responded by sending out a press release snubbing the duo and instead identifying Reps. Tim Mahoney, D-Venus, and Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, as the leaders on the topic, which they point out includes creating a catastrophe fund." "Feel the bipartisan love?"


    Charlie The Civil Rights Warrior

    In a guest column, Brian Hensler, communications director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, explains how Charlie can put his money where his mouth is was on civil rights, asserting that "there are three elements of a civil rights program that our new governor can begin to implement immediately."

    [1] Florida is one of only three states that permanently takes away the civil rights (including the right to vote and the right to hold certain occupational licenses) of people who have been convicted of crimes, but have completed their sentences and all terms of probation. Intended to deny rights to African-Americans during the post-civil war Reconstruction era, the law was never redacted from Florida's Constitution and continues to deny basic rights to Floridians--to the tune of approximately one million citizens. It is time to move forward with the rest of the country.

    Crist can alleviate this crisis immediately by securing the support of two members of his cabinet to make the process of restoring rights virtually automatic once a sentence has been completed.

    [2] Crist also can take action to protect voting rights by directing the secretary of state to address the problems that have plagued Florida voting for years.

    [I]f we are to avoid being the laughingstock of the nation in 2008 (once again), Crist will need to work effectively with the Legislature to pass comprehensive election reform legislation to ensure that every Floridian's vote will be counted. ...

    [3] Voting issues aside, another large problem -- that stems partly from a brand of discrimination unique to the Sunshine State -- affects thousands of children who are mired in Florida's failing foster care system. Crist can begin to address this problem from the start. Consider: Florida is the only state in the country that categorically excludes qualified individuals from adoptive parenthood solely on the basis of sexual orientation.

    Crist can ask the Legislature to repeal this law, enacted in 1977, thereby ending this discriminatory policy. A 2002 American Academy of Pediatrics study confirms what children's advocacy groups have been saying for years: Children of lesbian and gay parents "have the same advantages . . . for health, adjustment and development as children whose parents are heterosexual." Why, then, would we continue to lead the country in policies that are not only discriminatory against our friends, neighbors and families -- but deny children the chance to live in a much-needed stable home environment?
    "Civil rights agenda would be worthy legacy for governor".


    That Bribery Thing

    "Citizens Insurance has agreed to pay $995,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging that one of its top officers took bribes from adjusters, who in return were awarded contracts." "Citizens to pay $995,000 to settle suit".


    PSC Do Over

    "Crist will have to renominate two candidates he wants to put on the state's phone and electric regulatory panel, because the nomination deadline had expired when Crist tried replace two members earlier this month." "Crist to nominate again".


    'Glades

    "Under Gov. Bush the state fought to end oversight of the cleanup by a federal judge. Judicial oversight is the result of a state settlement to end a federal lawsuit that charged Florida with polluting the Everglades. Gov. Crist should cancel the attempt to end the judge's oversight. It's essential that a neutral entity with the judicial power to make both cleanup partners do their promised share remain in place." "Restoring River of Grass still a priority". Meanwhile, "Crist: I'll protect Everglades".


    Rudy

    "Giuliani returning to Sarasota this week".


    Delegation Bipartisanship

    "Here's a courageous bit of bipartisanship that puts Florida's best interests before party politics. Florida's congressional delegation has agreed to think outside the box by installing a Democrat and a Republican to jointly serve as its chair." "Unity for Florida".