"Grim News" for Charlie's First Budget

Wasn't Florida's economy supposed to be booming? "State taxes and fees collected were $108-million short of projections for January. That's on top of a revenue snapshot in November that was $466-million below the expected figure. For state officials, that is ample evidence of a tamped-down economy that could mean fewer new programs and services." "Tax shortfalls crimp budget"

"Florida budget writers were handed grim news Friday, with a new report showing state tax collections falling far short of expectations."

The report presented Friday to the House budget council showed that January general revenue collections fell $108 million short of estimates. The plunge in sales-tax receipts was especially dramatic, down almost $71 million. ...

The news comes less than three months after a panel of economists downgraded the state's cash forecast by $466 million for the 2007-2008 fiscal year, which begins July 1, largely due to declining revenue from a tax on real-estate transactions. That panel, which attempts to forecast tax revenues up to two years in advance, will meet again in March, when they are likely to lower their projections even further.

Friday's report was based on actual tax collections -- not projections.

In response, Gov. Charlie Crist's office acknowledged that it has begun to weigh changes to the $71.2 billion budget that the governor submitted to the Legislature just last week -- a spending plan that includes new money for higher teacher pay, stem-cell research and a host of other high-profile initiatives.

Whatever

"The nine-member voluntary commission was created last year by the legislature, and its members were appointed by former House Speaker Allan Bense, R-Panama City, and former Senate President Tom Lee, R-Brandon. They include a doctor, a former engineer and several businessmen." "Energy panel aims to conserve".

Argenziano Disappoints

"Unfortunately, [Sen. Nancy Argenziano, R-Dunnellon (remember her)] has decided against supporting any sweeping changes to the law, choosing instead to target individuals convicted of acting recklessly with guns. It's a start, albeit a disappointing one." "Concealed Guns". For more see yesterday's "Florida legislator targets concealed weapons permits of reckless users".

Nibbling

Steve Bousquet: "Which local government has been raising your property taxes the fastest? Is it the county? City? School board? Guess again. The answer is those overlooked but important creatures known as special taxing districts." "Special districts nibble at taxpayers".

Let The Feds Pay For It

"Gov. Charlie Crist and legislative leaders from Florida are right to call for the establishment of a national catastrophe fund. The time is now, the stars are aligned and the need is urgent." "U.S. needs disaster fund".

Get Over It

Florida's media can't get enough of Jebbie, as readers are regaled with junk like this:

Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, a Republican from Coral Gables, says he's getting reports of "Jeb sightings" from all over Coral Gables, where Bush and his wife, Columba, are renting at the downtown Segovia Tower.

has not specifically ruled out the vice presidential spot.

"It's going to be hard for him to keep people remembering who he is in 2012," [Dem Rep. Susan Bucher] noted.

Super Charlie

The St Pete Times editors found it necessary to expend ink on this silly observation: "Gov. Charlie Crist was especially helpful by rushing aid to the area and keeping the disaster on the public radar." "More to do on storms". Like he was going to miss the opportunity for a press op of this magnitude?

Browning Has Had It With Touch Screens

"Secretary of State Kurt Browning is enjoying his 15 minutes of fame in the blogosphere, thanks to a speech he gave in which he said he's 'physically and mentally exhausted' from defending the now-discredited touch screen voting systems." "He's had it with touch screens, too".

Labor Organizers Eye Casinos

"Indian tribes are subject to federal labor law, an appeals court ruled Friday in a case that could lead to stricter labor protections -- and more unions -- at the nation's booming Indian casinos." "Tribes subject to law on labor".

Something Borrowed ...

The RPOF thinks Mahoney is sitting in a "borrowed seat" which they will soon recover. From Q:

State Rep. Gayle Harrell of Port St. Lucie said she "will be in the race," ending weeks of speculation about her candidacy. Palm Beach Gardens Councilman Hal Valeche said he is “highly likely” to get into the race. And Tom Rooney, a Jupiter attorney and part of the family that owns the Pittsburgh Steelers, said he will take another look.

One Q blogger says he has heard rumors that Senate President Ken Pruitt may be interested. Perhaps even Jeff Atwater - but he told us recently that he’d rather not.

Rudy!

"If the 2008 presidential election were held today and if Floridians were the only ones in the country allowed to vote, (kindly pardon all the hypotheticals) the winner would be ... former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani." "Amie Parnes: Poll: Guiliani finds favor in Florida".

Hill

"Hillary Clinton returns to the ATM, er, Sunshine State, in a couple weeks for fundraisers. We hear she'll be at the Westin Diplomat in Hollywood Feb. 20 for a $100-per-person cocktail party and $2,500 photo op reception. She's also supposed to come to downtown Tampa either Feb. 20 or 21 to raise money." "Hillary's Florida Fun".

Bill

"Bill Clinton to speak at UM".

Florida '08

Beth Reinhard tells us what on what is going on in Florida with respect to the GOP '08 races: "Many little steps bring to life the '08 campaign".

That Glowing Feeling

"FPL to move ahead with nuke plant planning in next two years".

Cashing In

"Doug Gregory, a top aide to Rep. C.W. Bill Young for 39 years, has retired to become a Washington lobbyist." "Senior aide to Young retires".

"I have no medical training and no qualifications". See also "Top aide to Rep. C.W. Bill Young leaves post to become lobbyist for defense contractors".

"The lead executioner of a convicted killer who took twice the normal time to die never received any medical training, the executioner told a panel reviewing Florida’s lethal injection procedures Friday. 'I have no medical training and no qualifications,” the executioner said.' "Lead executioner of botched execution had no medical training".

Out In the Fields

"Son of labor boss gets 6 years".

Gardasil

The Tampa Trib editors:

Gardasil, the new vaccine that protects young women from most cases of cervical cancer, is an important health development and parents would be wise to get their pre-teen daughters vaccinated.

But just because the vaccination makes sense doesn't mean the state should mandate it, as Texas has done and some Florida lawmakers propose.

Tree Trial Dates

"Two lawsuits set for trial in the fall could bring money to thousands of homeowners whose citrus trees were ripped from their back yards in the controversial canker eradication program that was shut down in failure last year." "Residents who lost trees get trial dates".

Travel Ban

Bill March: "Florida’s Cuba Academic Travel Ban Upheld".

On The FEMA Flip-Flop

"Federal help was granted Friday to Floridians hit by the Christmas tornadoes. Emergency managers reasoned that Feb. 2 tornadoes were more than the state should have to cope with." "FEMA cuts loose some aid for storm-battered county". See also "Christmas tornado victims question delay of federal aid".

It Must Have Been the "easy-to-read charts"

"The scenario, presented in easy-to-read charts, graphs, and boldface print, was bleak. Stronger hurricanes. A minimum sea level rise of 10 inches by 2075. Hundreds of millions of human ecological refugees. Up to 35 percent of existing biodiversity extinct. More heat-related deaths in Florida. More infectious diseases."

Florida, which sits in mediocre ranks nationally with its energy and climate policies, may be warming to the idea of taking a seat at that table during the upcoming legislative session. Lawmakers are looking at mandatory greenhouse gas reductions, renewable energy mandates, and incentives for wind and solar power — policies that are the domain of the often-ridiculed, liberal California, and ideas that previously failed to gain traction in Florida.

To change that reality and increase the state's influence in presidential elections, House Speaker Marco Rubio and others want to push up our presidential primary, perhaps as early as the last Tuesday in January - a week after the New Hampshire primary.

The effort is a good - albeit risky - move.

Charlie Gets Some Bad Press

"Crist doesn't seem to care if taxes become more tangled and unpredictable. His latest ideas would give schools a higher taxing base than counties and cities, and he would let property-tax breaks move around with the former owners of that property, an approach that would make outrageous inequities even worse as time goes by." "Governor Taxes His Credibility".

FCAT Follies

The Palm Beach Post editorial board thinks it is "pretty ridiculous that"

Gov. Bush and the Legislature decided to base school grades, monetary rewards and teacher pay on an FCAT that leaves out subjects such as art, foreign language, history and civics. Finally, it's pretty ridiculous that the new FCAT - or whatever it's to be called - won't debut for five years or more. It will take that long to design and validate a new test based on the updated academic standards.

Perhaps Gov. Crist, who correctly ousted some of ex-Gov. Bush's worst education appointees, will sense through his finely tuned political antennae that the public wants a better test, with more emphasis on diagnostics, and that the public wants some of the improvement - a changed schedule, an end to misleading school grades - much faster than five years from now.

Gov. Crist said this week that he wants elementary school students to get 30 minutes of activity a day. He's offering no money, but he suggested that teachers could lead three 10-minute sessions of jumping jacks. Teachers might be more willing to lead jumping jacks if the state made them jump through fewer FCAT hoops.

Dopey
"Conservative activist Grover Norquist urged Florida lawmakers Thursday to put a cap on all state and local taxes, an idea that quickly drew opposition from cities and counties." "Cap more taxes, activist urges". See also "Tax cap critics cite possible service cuts" and "Activist calls for cap on state, local taxes".

Who invited this dope to testify before the Senate Finance and Tax Committee?

"Pay to Play"

"The state attorney's office is launching a new grand jury on city government corruption, pursuing for a second time concerns of 'pay to play' business practices, this time barely a month before mayoral elections." "New grand jury to probe 'pay to play'".

Just Do It

"The corps and water district, partners in Everglades restoration as well as dike repair, need to keep it simple: Finish studying. Get moving. Lower the lake. Fix the dike." "Lake O dike can't wait 15 years for repair job".

"It appears to mean that it could be a violation"

"Some [Tampa] city council candidates are mailing their campaign literature to city hall, sending city employees invitations to fundraisers and envelopes for contributions."

Other mailings might violate state elections law, which prohibits candidates from soliciting or accepting political contributions in a government building.

"It appears to mean that it could be a violation to do that," said Mark Herron, a Tallahassee-based elections attorney.

"We will have only ourselves to blame"

Douglas T. Kinson, the mayor of Maitland: "If we do nothing and allow Crist's plan to be implemented, in the end, when our tax rates skyrocket to cover the shortfalls, we will have only ourselves to blame." "Fiscal responsibility: Crist's role and ours".

So Sad

"Some members of former Gov. Jeb Bush's Property Tax Reform Committee expressed disappointment Thursday that their work - scheduled to end in December - was cut short by an e-mail from Gov. Charlie Crist's office, disbanding the group." "Breakup Saddens Property Tax Panel".

Death Penalty

"A state commission studying problems with Florida's method of executing criminals will hear from the public today. Anticipating a growing protest against the death penalty, officials with the Governor’s Commission on the Administration of Lethal Injection have set strict rules for public comments." "Lethal injection commission to hear from public".

Fashionable

"While it's fashionable to praise the dedication, even courage of public employees - including law-enforcement officers, firefighters, teachers, mental-hospital aides - salaries that are decent enough to keep them working for us too often wind up as lost chits in the Legislature, city halls, county courthouses and collective-bargaining tables across Florida."

That's not just wrong, it's shortsighted.

Consider the report released Wednesday that underscored with new data what we already knew to be true: Teachers, who don't expect to get rich in the first place, are still widely dissatisfied with what they're paid. ...

Just as teachers and other public employees should be fairly compensated for their important work, so should retired public servants be able to expect that they won't be pushed into poverty as they grow older. Yet, because of dramatic increases in various costs of living, that's exactly what some retirees face.

That's why state Sen. Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, and Rep. Bob Allen, R-Merritt Island, are sponsoring legislation to increase the state subsidy for health insurance premiums among state pensioners. The subsidy hasn't been adjusted since 1999 and Mr. Lawson has fought for an increase year after year.

It's a small but significant way of expressing gratitude for public service - an honorable if not lucrative career.

Brilliant

"Charlie Crist's first proposed budget calls for cutting state road spending by $752 million -- more than 8 percent. The proposed funding cutback comes on top of what one public interest group says is already a $23 billion shortfall the state faces over the next decade just to keep up with growth." "Cuts not soothing for road worriers".

"Guessing Game"

"This year's dramatic growth decline was the first after years of enrollment gains. If it turns out to be some kind of fluke, and schools experience even one-third the growth seen in previous years, the money could fall short." "Schools Losing Cash In Guessing Game".

huh?

"Being a safe driver may not be the most important criteria for getting the best rate on auto insurance. A high-paying job and a college degree carry more weight with insurers." "Basis for auto insurance rates is challenged".

Taxation and Budget Reform Commission

"Former state House Speaker Allan Bense and Florida State University President Emeritus Talbot 'Sandy' D'Alemberte were among 18 people appointed to the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission Thursday by legislative leaders." "Bense, D'Alemberte among 18 named to tax reform panel". See also "Legislative chiefs name 14 to tax, budget reform panel".

CD 13

Jeremy Wallace finds it "surprising ... how much attention our contested 13th Congressional district was getting."

Of course there was the hearing in the U.S. Senate. But in addition a member of Congress put in legislation trying to end paperless voting, Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida, issued a statement advocating similar legislation and the chair of the Senate rules committee ordered a “top-to-bottom” review.

A couple of days earlier the chairwoman of the House Administration Committee jumped in again, sending a letter to Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent to instruct her to preserve voting equipment for a House investigation.

That’s a lot of activity for three months after the election.

DEP Cuts

"There are cuts in Gov. Charlie Crist's proposed budget for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, but even activists say the good news outweighs the bad." "DEP Feels Knife In New State Budget".

Hillsborough County

"Restraining government spending sounds good to taxpayers, but the limits enacted Wednesday by the Hillsborough County Commission might threaten funding for a wide range of projects." "Tax Cap Critics Warn Of Cuts".

Gardasil

The Miami Herald editors:

Some state lawmakers can hardly restrain themselves in their eagerness to pass a bill requiring young girls to be immunized against a virus that can cause cervical cancer. They want to require every 11- and 12-year-old girl in the state to get a vaccination that protects them against a sexually transmitted virus that can cause cervical cancer. Doing so would definitely save lives; and it also would be a boon to the manufacturer, Merck & Co., that makes the drug. For some lawmakers, that's a win-win proposition, satisfying two constituencies with one measure.

However, we recommend careful consideration and a more-sensible approach. For example, the vaccinations should be voluntary, not mandatory. Also, the Legislature would be wise to support an expansive education program that debunks false assumptions and explains the pros and cons of the medicine and disease with whatever legislation is passed. Lawmakers want to model a Florida law on similar measures in other states and mandated by the governor in Texas. Merck, which stands to reap a windfall from its vaccine drug Gardasil, helps to fund the advocacy group Women in Government that has been pushing legislatures to pass mandatory vaccine laws.

Illegal Drivers

"Floridians caught driving with suspended or revoked licenses would lose their cars under a legislative proposal being pushed by a Broward lawmaker." "Lawmaker proposes crackdown on illegal drivers".

DOA

"University of Florida president Bernie Machen's proposal to charge undergraduate students an extra $500 per semester is already in trouble with Republicans, Democrats and a new governor intent on leaving Florida's rock-bottom tuition right where it is." "Crist, legislators oppose $1,000-a-year fee at UF".

Dubya Flip-Flops

"President Bush on Thursday declared the Christmas Day tornadoes a major disaster, reversing an earlier denial of emergency funding to repair or rebuild Volusia County homes slammed during those storms." "FEMA does about-face, agrees to Christmas tornado aid".

The Best She Can Do?

"The influential chairwoman of the state Senate Criminal Justice Committee said Thursday she supports modifying Florida law to take away the concealed weapon licenses of people convicted of acting recklessly with guns."

But Sen. Nancy Argenziano, R-Dunnellon, said she opposes more sweeping changes, including preventing certain people who have pleaded guilty or no contest to felonies from legally carrying firearms. A loophole in Florida law allows defendants who have convictions "withheld" by judges to obtain gun licenses.

Villalobos

"Sen. Alex Villalobos won by just 429 votes in his GOP primary victory over former Miami-Dade School Board member Frank Bolanos, but it turns out that Villalobos should have won by at least one more vote. Villalobos said Thursday that his own absentee ballot in the race was rejected by the Miami-Dade Elections Office because his signature on the ballot did not match the one on record with elections officials. (The Miami-Dade elections office has not yet responded to a request [by Naked Politics] about this.)" "Villalobos: My vote didn't count".

Sanchez

"Frank Sanchez of Tampa, a former mayoral candidate and former Clinton administration appointee, has been asked to be an adviser to the presidential campaign of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama on Latin American affairs and international aviation." "Sanchez Considers Position As Adviser To Obama".

That's Our Bill

"Democrat U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson"

lavished praise on Republican Gov. Charlie Crist during a Florida congressional delegation meeting Thursday afternoon at the Capitol. It was the second time in two days.

Crist wasn't at the meeting but after the new director of his Washington office -- Kerry Feehery -- was introduced, Nelson made a point of saying that Crist's action during last week's tornadoes were "exceptional."

Whatever

"More proof that Florida will be a top stop for the 2008 presidential contest: former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will end his six-state fly-around to announce his presidency in The Villages, a sprawling retirement community in the heart of Central Florida's conservative Republican country." "Romney to swing through Florida to make his announcement for prez".

Giuliani, a Republican, was favored by 47 percent compared to 44 percent who liked Clinton, a New York Democrat, in a hypothetical matchup for president. Clinton was favored by 47 percent in a matchup with McCain, an Arizona Republican who was backed by 43 percent.

Both results are close to the margin of sampling error of plus of minus 3.1 percentage points in the Quinnipiac University (Conn.) Polling Institute survey.

- In an early look at the 2008 presidential race in Florida, former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani has a razor-thin 47 - 44 percent lead over New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, while Sen. Clinton edges Arizona Sen. John McCain 47 - 43 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

- In other Florida results:

* Clinton tops former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney 52 - 34 percent;
* McCain gets 42 percent to 40 percent for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, a tie;
* McCain gets 43 percent to 42 percent for 2004 Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards, a tie.

In a Democratic primary race, Clinton dominates with 49 percent, followed by 13 percent for Obama and 7 percent each for Edwards and former Vice President Al Gore.

Giuliani gets 29 percent of Florida Republican primary voters, with 23 percent for McCain, 14 percent for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and 6 percent for Romney.

Primed for Early Primary

"State legislators appear ready to move Florida's presidential primary to an earlier date, starting with a hearing today, in spite of the possibility of sanctions by both national parties." "Primary May Move Up".

Cuba

"In nearly equal measure, Americans say they don't like Cuban President Fidel Castro but do want the United States to re-establish regular diplomatic relations with the communist island nation after 46 years of estrangement." "AP Poll: Americans dislike Castro, but want relations with Cuba".

Market Forces

"Higher fees at the door, more illegal immigrants".

Anti-Murder Unnecessary

The Tampa Trib editors: "Though cleverly named - who isn't anti-murder, anyway? - the law is unnecessary."

The state Department of Corrections adopted a zero-tolerance approach to probation violators after Joseph Smith kidnapped and murdered 11-year-old Carlie Brucia in 2004. Today, if a probationer misses an appointment or is stopped for a driving infraction, for example, they are arrested, taken to jail and denied bail until a judge decides if they represent a threat to the community. ...

While there's no pressing need for this anti-murder law, lawmakers should give the new governor his due and then get on with finding substantial solutions to the more pressing issues facing Florida: taxes, insurance, education, transportation and growth.

Senate to Look at CD 13

"A top Senate Democrat said Wednesday that she will ask federal investigators to look into the voting machines at the heart of a disputed congressional race in Florida as the state's checkered voting record once again draws national scrutiny."

The call for a ''top to bottom investigation'' of the Sarasota County voting machines by the Government Accountability Office and the National Institute of Standards and Technology came as Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., added her voice to a growing chorus of critics who say machines without a paper trail are eroding voters' confidence in elections.

Fueling the push: More than 18,000 ballots in Sarasota County registered no vote for either congressional candidate to succeed one of the icons of Florida's first election debacle, former Rep. Katherine Harris.

Guns Yes, Franchise No

First we read that felons are running around Florida with concealed weapons (though we do make sure they can't vote); today we read that Florida "does not suspend concealed weapon licenses even when people are sought by police for major offenses. Program officials said the law does not give them the power to act on warrants." "State officials seek plan to compare weapons permits with arrest warrants".

Bushco "Values"

"South Florida hospitals could lose millions under new Bush federal budget". See "Yet More From the Values Crowd".

Cost Concerns

"While some are hailing a proposal that would create a paper record for everyone in Florida who votes, local election supervisors are fretting over how they will make the proposal a reality if the Florida Legislature approves it." "Good on paper. But will vote-tracking system cost taxpayers more in Lee, Collier?".

Version 2.0

"Lawmakers began getting details of Gov. Charlie Crist's plan to slash property taxes Wednesday and raised concerns that it could worsen the tax disparity between homesteaders and other property owners."

Crist aides told lawmakers the governor wants to hold a statewide election in November to double the homestead exemption and spread the current Save Our Homes property tax cap to all seasonal, business and rental properties.

All 400-plus cities and 67 counties would be required to hold their own local elections no later than March 2008 to raise the homestead exemption to $50,000, under Crist's plan.

But water-management districts, schools and other taxing districts would be excluded, meaning a new owner of a $250,000 home would still be assessed on $225,000 of value by local school boards and other taxing entities.

But businesses, rental properties and seasonal homes would also be left out of a central piece of the governor's proposal - allowing longtime residents who've amassed big tax discounts through Save Our Homes to take the break with them if they move to a new home. ...

But several lawmakers said they feared the plan addresses the present problem - non-homesteaded property owners shouldering a disproportionate level of property taxes - but creates a new one by making resident homeowners' tax savings portable and ''locking in'' all other property owners the way Save Our Homes now does for homesteaders.

Under his original proposal, the bigger exemption would have applied equally to the taxes collected for all local governments, including school districts. The exemption has been at $25,000 for the past 25 years. ...

In pushing for property tax cuts as a candidate, Crist often cited two anecdotal examples of what he called government waste. Both involved schools.

They were Hillsborough County's high costs for land acquisition for new schools, and Broward County's high-rise school administration headquarters dubbed the "Crystal Palace" by critics.

Non Partisan?

"By law, Tampa's city elections must be nonpartisan affairs."

Candidates can't campaign as Republicans or Democrats. They can't display signs or distribute literature mentioning their affiliation with a political party.

That's why the Republican Party's invitation to a GOP-only candidate forum is angering some Democrats, who question whether candidates who attend the event are stepping over the line.

"I swore to uphold the charter, and the charter says this is a nonpartisan seat," said City Councilman John Dingfelder, a Democrat running for re-election.

Whatever

"Rep. Loranne Ausley was the first motorist in Leon County to buy the 'A State of Vision' specialty license plate today." "Representative unveils 'State of Vision' plate".

Out in the fields

"The wife of a convicted farm labor boss already given 30 years behind bars landed a long prison sentence herself Wednesday in a case that generated the most significant punishment for abuse of farmworkers in recent Florida history." "Second lengthy sentence given for farmworker abuse".

ACLU Lawsuit

"The fight over displays of the Ten Commandments in public places came to a small North Florida town Wednesday when the American Civil Liberties Union filed suit in U.S. District Court against Dixie County over a new monument." "Law Of Bible Vs. Law Of Land". See also "ACLU sues for removal of Ten Commandments from courthouse steps".

Negron Says No

"[F]ormer state representative [Joe Negron] who was recruited by Republican leaders to run for Congress in place of disgraced former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley said he will not run again in 2008." "Negron says he won’t run again for seat left by Foley". See also "Negron rules out run for Congress in '08".

Nevertheless, "it didn’t take long for others to jump into the race to replace Democratic Congressman Tim Mahoney. State Rep. Gayle Harrell quickly confirmed that she is a candidate for the GOP nomination while Palm Beach Gardens Councilman Hal Valeche said he is 'highly likely' to get into the race. And Tom Rooney, a Jupiter attorney and part of the Pittsburg Steelers Rooney clan, said he will take another look." "Candidates Are Already Lining Up".

Now That Jebbie Is Gone

"A bipartisan coalition backed by organized labor and retirees began a lobbying effort Wednesday to boost the state subsidy of health insurance premiums for state pensioners. Lawmakers said many retired state employees fear they face a choice between food and medical care." "Coalition lobbies for retirees' benefits".

Lake O

"The price tag for fixing the aging, earthen dike around Lake Okeechobee has nearly tripled since last year because of rising construction costs and a lack of skilled labor, the Army Corps of Engineers said." "Lake Okeechobee dike repair costs have tripled". See also "Cost of repairing dike around Lake Okeechobee could soar to $856 million".

Predators

"Sex predators face harsher penalties and more registration requirements for Internet-related sex crimes against children under a bill under consideration by the Florida Legislature." "Lawmakers try to shield kids from online predators". See also "Bill targets Internet predators".

"Decision to vaccinate belongs with Florida parents"

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board:

Any state-mandated health decision should involve a careful balancing act. Florida, like most states, requires vaccinations for many childhood diseases as a condition of enrollment in public school. Almost all of the required vaccinations go after diseases that are dangerous and easily spread through casual contact, such as measles, whooping cough and polio. All have been time-tested, and proven to be safe and effective. Even the most recently added requirement, a vaccine for chicken pox, has been around for more than 20 years.

The same cannot be said of Gardasil, which was approved by the FDA only seven months ago.

No Cancellations

"The state's top insurance regulator said Wednesday that cancellations and nonrenewals of Florida homeowners' policies - even those issued prior to a Jan. 30 emergency order but not yet affecting policyholders - are prohibited." "State Firm On Policy Cancellation Ban". See also "Freeze to include prior notifications" and "Insurers can't jettison policies".

Ever Wonder ...

Ever wonder why union construction companies are being underbid by "rat" contractors? "Three people were charged Wednesday with fraud and conspiracy for allegedly providing hundreds of workers with falsified worker’s compensation insurance certificates to more than 300 Florida construction contractors." "3 charged in worker’s comp fraud scheme".

Dead Bill

"A bill that would have allowed Florida school boards to start their academic years earlier than mid-August, getting around a prohibition passed last year, died Wednesday in a Senate committee." "Bill to weaken school starting date limit dies in committee".

Citizens' Laws

The Palm Beach Post editors note that

as long as there are causes - some of them inspired by the Legislature's inaction - there will be petition drives. Rather than keep fighting, Tallahassee could protect the constitution and continue this form of direct democracy by allowing citizens to propose laws, not just amendments. Two weeks ago, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony about the idea.

Not surprisingly, former Florida Supreme Court Justice Wade Hopping told the committee that citizen-initiative laws would harm the state. Mr. Hopping is a lobbyist whose for-profit clients, notably developers, oppose petition drives that might permit residents to place restrictions on growth. Former state Sen. Curt Kiser also addressed the committee. He is a lobbyist, but he spoke on behalf of a not-for-profit client - the American Cancer Society - that last year backed a successful initiative - restoring money to the state's anti-smoking program.

FCAT Reform Needed

The Sun-Sentinel editorial board urges Charlie to

boldly mak[e] changes in the way the FCAT exam is used in public education. So far, his response to potential changes, eagerly anticipated two weeks ago, has been fairly meek.

Crist has said he supports giving principals more say in how teacher merit pay is allocated. C'mon, Governor, let's take a deeper, bolder look.

The FCAT is a valuable tool for assessing progress, or lack of it, in the state's K-12 system. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board supports the test as an "accountability" tool.

However, its broad use, including determining teacher bonus pay and as the sole determinant in assessing school grades, is flawed. A number of changes are needed to make the FCAT's application more efficient, more accurate and fairer.

"Naugle naysays global warming"

"Maybe if we ignore the problem, it will go away. He tried that approach with affordable housing, suggesting that only lazy people can't afford housing. Now he's hoping it will work for global warming. Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle hasn't caught on to the newfangled idea, supported by scientific consensus, that human activity causes climate change. Alas, no matter how hard he looks the other way, downtown housing won't become affordable and greenhouse gasses won't stop causing global warming." "Climate".

Storm Panel

"When the newly created Windstorm Mitigation Study Committee gathers today for its first meeting, it will bring together several politically connected business and government leaders. Seven of the eight seats on the panel have been filled" "Storm panel needs to fill 1 seat".

Hastings

"Alcee Hastings has been appointed chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi." "Hastings Named Helsinki Commission Chair".

Putting rhe Brakes on "Jeb!"'s Undermining of KidCare

"With more than 600,000 uninsured children in the state and at least 150,000 unfilled slots in its subsidized health insurance program for children, Florida cannot justify having to forfeit $20 million to the federal government. But, again, the state is returning millions it could have used to enroll needy children in the KidCare program."

So, the interest newly elected Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink has shown in KidCare is needed. Florida repeatedly has made it harder for parents who work but cannot afford insurance to get coverage for their children.

Ms. Sink is showing her commitment by serving as board chairwoman of the Healthy Kids Corp., which runs KidCare and other similar programs, instead of appointing an unelected designee. She also is pushing for more money to be spent telling parents about KidCare and helping to enroll more children.

It's a statement of priority that Floridians don't have to fear. Under Gov. Bush, Republican-led Legislatures year after year pledged to fix KidCare, then instead undermined it. Legislators reduced enrollment time, increased the required paperwork, canceled outreach programs and cut money to the program.

Public Participation

"The idea that Miami-Dade County residents have a right to participate in School Board meetings should be a given. But if there is a better way to provide that access while improving the board's efficiency, that would be something worth trying." "Schools' pilot project will test public access".

Chubby Kids to be Banned

"Gov. Charlie Crist wants every elementary school student to have 30 minutes of physical activity a day next year and says it can be done for free - by using classroom teachers where physical education teachers aren't available. Crist is seeking a sponsor to introduce legislation meant to stop a generation of chubby kids from growing up to be fat adults." "Crist sets next target to shape up: Elementary phys ed".

Not Cool

"Hollywood · Suspended City Commissioner Keith Wasserstrom and his companies received more than $400,000 from developers and others seeking city support during his last three years in office, but he did not disclose the dealings as required during key votes on the projects." "Hollywood commissioner hid $400,000 in payments from developers, others".

Port Security

"Nearly a year after a congressional rebellion erupted over Bush administration plans to let a Dubai company manage port operations at U.S. terminals, Ron Klein says he’s not sure the government has a handle on the situation." "Klein Unhappy With Port Security".

Rep. Keith Fitzgerald

"Rep. Keith Fitzgerald of Sarasota has been named deputy policy chairman for the House Democratic Caucus, making him the only freshman member of the Democratic leadership team." "Freshman joins House Democratic leadership".

"In his first major political announcement since winning the strong mayor campaign, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez said he is backing Republican presidential contender John McCain." "Miami-Dade mayor backs McCain".

FCAT Follies

"Parents can obsess over state-assigned school grades. The grades seem so definitive. In fact, they aren't."

An A student won't start making D's if she goes to a D school.

The grades are derived primarily from FCAT scores, and many crucial subjects, such as foreign language and history, aren't on the FCAT. As a further limitation, high school FCAT grades until now have reflected the work only of ninth- and 10th-graders. The addition of an 11th-grade science FCAT this year changes that, but only a little.

Palm Beach County provides an example of school-grade angst.

Romney's Florida Folks

Romney has collected these Florida folks: "Former Lieutenant Gov. Toni Jennings – Honorary Chairwoman; Former House Speaker Allan Bense – Chair; Former State GOP Chairman Al Cardenas – Chair; U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney – Chair; Former House Speaker John Thrasher – Chair; St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker – Co-Chair; State Rep. Dennis Baxley - Co-Chair; Rep. Jennifer Carroll – Co-Chair; Former state Rep. Dudley Goodlette – Co-Chair; Former Bush Lottery chief David Griffin - Co-Chair; State Rep. Anitere Flores – Co-Chair; former state GOP chairman Van Poole – Co-Chair." "Additions to Romney's FL team".

Will Who?

Meet Will Weatherford

As one of 36 rookie lawmakers in the state House, Will Weatherford could still be finding the water fountain or trying to figure out which elevator goes to his office on the 11th floor of the Capitol.

But the 27-year-old Republican from Wesley Chapel shows none of that wide-eyed amazement. Instead, the former legislative aide is positioning himself to take over the top job in the House - in 2012.

Yes, 2012.

GOPer Whiners

First we have the delightful Adam Putnam:

Republican leaders complained this week it would be unfair for Democrats to prohibit amendments to a resolution condemning President Bush's plan to add troops to Iraq, as they expect. They called the whole exercise a political game. They accused Democrats of stifling a real debate about the war.

And one member of the GOP leadership told reporters that just because Republicans were guilty of doing all of that during their own reign -- despite similar outrage among Democrats -- that doesn't make it right.

"They were right," admitted Rep. Adam Putnam of Florida, the third-ranking Republican in the House, when asked the difference between what Democrats are doing and the tactics used by the previous Republican majority to undercut criticism of the war.

"The Republicans have had the burden of government while holding true to our principles," said Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida, general chairman of the Republican National Committee. "The Democrats now have the obligation to govern rather than just criticize, so that places the burden on them. Now we're even."

Crist announced last week that he could call for a special election this year to ask voters to approve a series of property tax changes -- including increasing the tax break now given to Florida residents who own their home.

But details of the plan were sketchy and, on Tuesday, the governor's education budget chief told lawmakers that Crist did not plan to have the homestead exemption apply to all property taxes, only a segment of them that would save homeowners $1 billion a year.

House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber said shifting the school funding burden onto homeowners has resulted in a property tax crisis that is now proving difficult to repair.

''Florida has been conducting a bait and switch on homeowners for decades, and now we're just seeing it at a higher level,'' said Gelber, a Miami Beach Democrat. "This year, if all we do is lower property taxes and increase funding on homeowners, we're perpetuating the bait and switch all over again.''

School districts have warned since last summer, when Crist first advocated doubling the homestead exemption, that it could have devastating results on funding for education. Plus, they said it could run afoul of another promise in the Constitution that each child in Florida deserves the same level of education regardless of where he or she lives.

Republican legislative leaders have embraced the idea of asking voters to alter the state's property tax scheme but were cautious Tuesday when asked if they favor Crist's latest proposal.

Florida "Wild About Charlie"

"New Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who has led bipartisan efforts to lower property insurance rates and replace touch-screen voting machines, is getting overwhelming support from voters, a poll released Tuesday shows." "Floridians strongly approve of new governor’s first month". See also "Crist riding wave of popularity, new poll shows", "Crist receives high marks from residents", "Crist wins praise for achievements, but critics say real tests are around the corner", "Crist Gets High Marks In Poll", "Crist enjoys bipartisan honeymoon" and "Poll shows voters just wild about Charlie -- so far".

Jack Kemp an ACLU, NAACP Lobbyist?

"Is Gov. Charlie Crist finally getting ready to move on his campaign promise for restoration of voting rights for former felons? A meeting scheduled for last week in the governor’s office, cancelled because of the tornados, suggests he may be."

Crist was to meet Friday with former presidential candidate, congressman and HUD Secretary Jack Kemp. The subject, said Kemp, was to be rights restoration, which he said he favors "with conditions." ...

Kemp, a former GOP star who’s now a lobbyist and civic activist, said the meeting was scheduled at the request of the NAACP and the ACLU, and hasn’t been rescheduled. The two plan to talk by phone instead.

Kemp, whose wife is involved in Charles Colson’s prison ministry, said such moves would “encourage behavior modification in prison … I want the prison population to know that there is redemption.”

But he acknowledged the move is controversial and that former Gov. Jeb Bush, whom he called "one of my heroes," opposes it.

"Hit and miss with governor's first budget"

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editors:

Florida expects its governors to hit the ground running. In the first month of a new governor's administration, he is expected to review dozens (if not hundreds) of staff positions, including new department heads; consider appointments to boards and prepare his first legislative agenda. The most daunting task, however, might be to draft recommendations for the state's $71 billion budget.

Not surprisingly, a new governor's first budget is seldom evenhanded, and Charlie Crist's proposals, released last week, are no exception. Crist directed money to fulfill campaign promises, including local tax cuts, new voting machines and additional incarceration for more probation violators. In many cases, the budget focuses on details to the detriment of the big picture.

Catastrophe

"Last week's severe storms and tornadoes have caused enough insured damage to meet the industry's own definition of a catastrophe." "Tornado damage expected to exceed $25M, ISO says".

The Rich are Different

"No matter how Katherine Harris decides to follow her political career, residents of this tony key will always have a special affinity for the former congresswoman." "Harris named LBK Kiwanis top citizen".

See 'Ya

"A fourth Florida insurance company is putting on the brakes because of changes in state law and an emergency freeze on rate hikes and policy cancellations." "Fourth insurer stops taking new business".

FCAT Follies

"As students began taking this year's Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, state education officials on Tuesday outlined plans to rewrite the test over the next four or five years to conform to new standards." "State beginning FCAT rewrite as students begin this year’s test".

Charlie's Proposal Will Gut Local Budgets

"Orlando officials say that if Gov. Charlie Crist is successful in his push to overhaul the state's property-tax system, they could be forced to raise tax rates to avoid deep cuts in services."

Doubling the homestead exemption would remove $4.9 million from the budget. But the biggest impact would come from extending the Save Our Homes benefit, which mandates that property assessments can increase no more than 3 percent a year, to businesses, second homes and out-of-state owners. Elwell said that would have reduced the city's budget by $21.9 million this year.

To avoid cutting services, the city could raise its property-tax rate to make up the difference, but the average homeowner would end up paying more because he or she would have to cover new savings enjoyed by businesses.

"A U.S. shantytown"

Elizabeth Aranda, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Miami, writes that

At first, I was dismayed by Rep. Tom Tancredo's comments about Miami resembling a ''Third World country.'' Why would an elected official question an entire city's level of development just because of the higher likelihood that one would hear a language other than English spoken?

Recently, however, I've been coming around to Tancredo's point of view (although I much prefer the term, ''global South'' over "Third World''). That's not because of immigration or language issues, but because of public policies (like the ones that Tancredo supports) that skim off of the poor and middle classes for the benefit of the corporate and leisure classes (the elite), thereby creating a large gap between the two segments of the population. From this perspective, Miami's class dynamics increasingly resemble those found in countries of the global South.

Tampa

"Though city council races are nonpartisan, the candidates' political stripes shine through when they talk about a variety of issues facing Tampa." "It's Democrat Vs. Republican In A Nonpartisan Race". See also "Alvarez Endorses Tamargo".

Banning Touch-Screens

"New Jersey Democrat says Fla. undervotes will help proposal"

On the eve of the first U.S. Senate hearing about touch-screen voting machines, a New Jersey Congressman re-introduced his own legislation to ban paperless voting in America.

It's not Democratic Rep. Rush Holt's first try.

Undocumented Workers

"Florida lawmakers are proposing laws that crack down on the hiring of undocumented immigrant workers." "State proposals target undocumented workers".

Charlie's Anti-Murder Act

"A Senate panel unanimously endorsed Gov. Charlie Crist's top legislative priority Tuesday, approving his so-called Anti-Murder Act, which would send more probation violators back to jail." "Crist's Murder Act Sails Over Its Initial Hurdle".

Citizens

"Citizens Property Insurance, cursed and dreaded since its inception, is becoming the lowest-cost coverage option for some homeowners. The massive insurance reform bill that was passed last month allows homeowners covered by a private carrier to opt into Citizens if they're paying rates 25 percent higher than what the state-run insurer charges." "More in S. Fla. may jump into state pool".

Boycott?

"Burger King said it won’t help boost wages for Florida farmworkers by paying more for the tomatoes on its Whopper, but it will send recruiters to help the workers find a job at one of its restaurants. Florida tomato pickers won a penny-per-pound raise through a boycott against Taco Bell two years ago and had been in talks with Burger King about a similar plan. ... The coalition has also targeted McDonald’s in its efforts to boost the wages of tomato pickers, protesting at the company’s corporate headquarters in Illinois." "Burger King rejects farmworkers’ call to pay more for tomatoes". See also "Burger King rejects tomato price hike, but offers job help".

AP Success

"Florida led the nation in the number of high school seniors taking AP exams and was among national leaders in the overall percentage of students who pass the challenging tests." "Florida getting excellent grades on AP exams". See also "State leads nation in intrepid scholars".

E-Threat

"An imported, fast-growing plant called giant reed is being touted as an energy crop that Florida farmers could turn into ethanol. The import from South Asia has been used as a landscape ornamental in Florida for many years and has not been considered a threat to native vegetation. But planting thousands of acres of the stuff would raise the threat considerably. ... California has found it costs up to $17,000 an acre to get rid of it." "Keep Thirsty E-Grass Out".

They Didn't Drink Excessively

Cooper "City commissioners did not break the law when they used taxpayer money to eat and drink privately before meetings, according to a three-month state investigation report released Tuesday. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also found that commissioners did not drink excessively at the dinners, did not drive to City Hall under the influence and did not violate the state's "Government in the Sunshine" laws by discussing city issues privately." "Eating on taxpayers' dime didn't break law, state says".

Major

The Sun-Sentinel editorial board thinks picking majors is silly:

Until lawmakers and education officials rethink this misguided effort, the FCAT won't be the last pressurized situation the students face.

Good Luck

"Buried beneath the headlines about warming oceans, harmful algae blooms and dwindling seafood stocks is the fact that it is within our power to make immediate, measurable progress toward solving the problems facing our oceans. Innovative state leaders are showing us the way, and the federal government needs to follow their example." "Look to states for initiatives that can rescue dying oceans".

Serpent Rules

"The Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission is poised to pass a new rule banning people from keeping tigers and alligators in residential neighborhoods, which is a good thing. The commission should apply the same logic to venomous snakes." "Goodness Snakes, Toughen Serpent Rules". See also "Tighten rules on wildlife".

Slots

"State legislators want to have a say in the negotiations between Florida's Seminole Tribe, the federal government and Gov. Charlie Crist over operating Las Vegas-style slot machines, like the ones currently spinning at two racetracks in Broward County." "Lawmakers want say on slots".

Paper Ballots

"Floridians who used paper ballots were slightly more likely to register a vote than those who used paperless electronic touch screens in November's U.S. Senate and governor's races, a new report says."

- In the Senate race between Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson and unsuccessful Republican challenger Katherine Harris, 1.98 percent of touch-screen voters cast blank ballots while 1.31 percent of those who used paper optical-scan ballots did not register a choice. The Senate race was the top race on the ballot statewide.

- In the governor's race between Republican Crist and Democrat Jim Davis, 0.94 percent of touch-screen voters didn't record a choice, compared with 0.88 percent of voters who used paper ballots.

- All paper voting is not equal. A voter casting a paper ballot at a polling place was more likely to record a vote than a voter filling out a paper absentee ballot. Polling places have optical scanners that warn voters if they have made an invalid double-vote or left their entire ballot blank. Absentee voters don't have that safeguard.

Mission

"A local mom hopes her efforts to persuade state lawmakers to clarify what constitutes emotional child abuse will result in a bill for the state legislature to vote on this year - but she faces a looming deadline to find a sponsor in the state Senate." "Mom's on a mission to change state law".

The Insurance "Reforms"

A Crist mouthpiece: "Reforms will force insurance competition".

Tobacco

"As Florida lawmakers prepare to spend 10 times more on anti-smoking programs this year than they did last year, state health officials said Tuesday that expanded services should be restricted to pilot programs in six to eight counties." "Pilot programs urged on tobacco".

PSC

"Florida Public Service Commission rules recognize the need for a variety of sources to power electricity production in Florida. The shutoff of natural gas pipelines following Hurricane Katrina showed the problem of relying too heavily on a single source." "Debate starts to heat up over Glades Power Park".

"Jeb!"'s Kinda Judge

"The state judicial watchdog filed formal charges against Broward Circuit Judge Cheryl Aleman on Tuesday, accusing her of 'a pattern of arrogant, discourteous, and impatient conduct.'"

Using unusually strong language, the state Judicial Qualifications Commission charged her with violating several canons or rules, and acting in a manner that "erodes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary." If the allegations are proven, Alemán faces anything from a public reprimand to removal from the bench.

Aleman, 48, has been involved in numerous controversies in her five years on the Broward criminal court bench. As the former head of an activist conservative Christian group for lawyers, Aleman was a contentious appointment in December 2001 by then-Gov. Jeb Bush. And she alarmed some judges and attorneys when she made religious remarks as she was sworn in a month later.

A Florida Thing

"James S. Henry of Sag Harbor, N.Y., was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence. He was photographing voters on a Sunday afternoon before the November 2004 election in West Palm Beach when a sheriff's deputy ordered him to stop and tried to grab his camera." "Charges dropped against photographer at 2004 polling site".

Florida Clout

"Florida's House freshmen take a seat in the front" "Florida's House freshmen take a seat in the front". See also "State's senators gain power in new session".

HD 49

"Add Kissimmee Democrats Ruth Ann Raia and Ana Maria Mendez to the list of candidates for the House District 49 seat, which John Quinones resigned last week to run for Osceola County Commissioner." "More Democrats join House 49 race".

FEC Chair

"With just days left before its next meeting, the Florida Elections Commission still has not been given a new chairman by Gov. Charlie Crist."

If Crist fails to act by Feb. 16th, it will mean that former state legislator Chance Irvine will get to keep her job as chairman for one more meeting.

So far five people have put in applications for the post: Current member and attorney Jorge Cruz-Bustillo, attorney Anthony Salvage from Fort Lauderdale, attorney Richard Cotter of Fort Myers (who is also a member of the Republican National Lawyers Association), attorney Richard DeNapoli of Hollywood and Michael Cochran of Tallahassee.

More Privatization

"Crist's budget revives Jeb Bush's plan to turn Medicaid long-term care for seniors over to managed-care organizations,"

but it will be state lawmakers who decide whether to go through with it - over objections from Florida's 2.8 million-member branch of the AARP.

Florida Senior Care is the final plank of former Gov. Bush's plan to overhaul the state Medicaid program by partially privatizing it. Medicaid, a $15 billion state-federal partnership, pays for 63 percent of all nursing home days spent by Florida's roughly 3 million seniors.

Missing Votes

"State Democratic Chairwoman Karen Thurman is trying to find "missing" votes."

She says in an e-mail to Democrats that the Secretary of State's statewide voter file is missing votes from 494,928 Floridians who apparently did vote last year. ...

She's directing folks to www.fladems.com/missingvotes to determine if their vote is missing.

Off Topic

Kathleen Parker excuses GOPer flip-flopping: "To flip is to flop -- or not".

State education officials say privately that they are embarrassed by students' shortcomings in science but publicly point to changes the Department of Education is making, including plans to building a math-and-science teacher-training institute. ...

Florida's students have been tested in science since 2003 on the FCAT, but the scores never counted toward the school grade.

The results have been dismal. Last year, for example, only 35 percent of juniors were proficient.

Charlie's Numbers Through The Roof

"The Quinnipiac University Poll being released today gives Crist an overall approval rating of 69 percent. Only 6 percent disapproved of the new governor's job performance. Even Democrats approved of his performance, by a margin of 65 to 7 percent." "Poll gives Crist high marks" ("Quinnipiac said 77 percent of those surveyed support the governor's plan for doubling the $25,000 homestead exemption.") See also "Poll: Florida loves Charlie".

Florida's Shame

"Florida has the highest number of confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect in the country, according to the Child Welfare League of America. Florida also is No. 1 in the rate of children of color in the system. Not only did the state set a record in 2005 for the number of children to die of child abuse and neglect who were known previously to DCF; according to the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, the state also hit an all-time high in the number of children taken from their parents." "DCF gets a Pollyanna who also is a realist".

Three Guesses ...

Three guesses as to what the new RNC Chair thinks about Dubya's budget as it relates to Florida, and the first two guesses don't count.

"President Bush's proposed 2008 federal budget pledges $56 million to plug holes in the aging dike that rings Lake Okeechobee. And it contains money for continuing efforts to rescue the Everglades."

But environmentalists say the money for Everglades restoration doesn't go nearly far enough. And with Bush's budget calling for deep cuts to Medicare and Medicaid spending, the Democrats who now hold the majority in Congress did little Monday to hide their disdain. ...

Nelson, in criticizing Bush's budget, said, "There would be $76 billion in cuts to Medicare coverage for seniors and the disabled, and $26 billion slashed from Medicaid for the poor. And that's just for starters."

- "Bush would trim the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which provides coverage for children in moderate-income families."

- "The president proposes raising the [veterans] co-pay for prescription drugs from $8 to $15 and charging new enrollment fees for veterans earning more than $50,000."

- "Bush would cut $300 million from the capital budget for transit, said U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park. Mica, who is unhappy about those cuts ... ."

- "Bush has once again proposed selling 973 acres in Ocala National Forest ... ."

CD 13 Senate Hearings

"Sarasota County's voting controversy takes the spotlight in Washington this week, when the U.S. Senate holds its first hearing on what happened during the 13th Congressional District election." "Senate to hold hearing on Sarasota voting issue". See also "Sarasota election to garner Senate spotlight".

Not Enough

"Advocates seek more cash for mentally ill inmates".

Quinones Seat

Political Pulse reports that candidates must qualify on Friday, Feb. 16th, and that "another Democrat is jumping into the race to succeed state Rep. John Quinones, R-Kissimmee. Israel Mercado, a pastor and professor, joins two other Democrats -- and likely more -- scrambling for a shot at the Democratic-leaning seat. Mercado challenged Quinones directly in 2004, losing 52 percent to 48 percent in a high-profile race that featured big spending from both political parties." "The Field to Succeed Quinones Grows".

Charlie Called on His Flip-flop

Scott Maxwell: "Back when he was running for governor, Charlie Crist made national headlines for bucking many of his Republican Party peers by saying he supported embryonic stem-cell research."

The stance served him well politically during the general election, since polls suggest the majority of Americans feel the same way.

But now, safely in office, Crist has changed his tune.

The governor's new pledge of $20 million for stem-cell research now suddenly comes with restrictions -- banning it from being used on the more controversial embryonic lines.

To hear Crist tell it, he proposed something that would garner wider support, particularly among conservative legislators. ...

So maybe Crist gets credit for making some politically pragmatic strides when it comes to stem-cell research. But if he's really concerned about causing angst, he should probably also worry about causing it for his constituents -- some of whom took him at his word last fall when they decided to give him their votes.

Florida's "Lack of Concern and Foresight"

"A lack of concern and foresight has put Florida behind other states in adapting to energy challenges ... ." "Study: State must stop fueling around". See also "Study: Florida can cut energy consumption".

FEMA

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editors:

he problem is this, however: The idea didn't work in December, when Daytona Beach and DeLand were hit by tornadoes and dozens of people lost their homes. FEMA, more than a month after the state requested aid, denied help. That's not partnership; it's rejection (the state is appealing). And of course the partnership idea didn't work at all in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. For all of the federal government's insistence on having localities and states help themselves first, the nature of big natural disasters is such that local and state agencies, no matter how savvy, can be overwhelmed, as they were in the Gulf in 2005. FEMA's catastrophically slow response compounded the problem. More people died as a consequence.

Regarding last week's tornadoes, FEMA was patting itself on the back for having been "nimble" by having its emergency responders on the ground within 72 hours. Self-congratulations aside, what if the disaster had been of a far greater magnitude? What if state and local officials had been overwhelmed, and people affected couldn't wait three days for help? Would the "partnership" idea still be feasible? The answer to that question is disquieting: We don't know. What we do know is that FEMA deems a 72-hour response adequate. What we also know is that Florida will be hit by a major disaster sooner or later. And that by policy, the federal government cannot mobilize a response immediately and have it in the areas affected within 24 hours (the mobile recovery centers, for example, were lumbering down from Atlanta).

FEMA calls that 24-hour expectation unreasonable. Tell that to the victims of disasters.

Bought And Paid For

"The final tally is in: Charlie Crist spent nearly $20-million in his successful campaign for governor of Florida last fall." "What did it cost to become governor? $20M for Crist".

Botched Execution

"Executioners ignored clear signs something was wrong as they administered drugs to a convicted killer who took twice the normal time to die and had chemical burns in his arms, an expert told a panel reviewing Florida's lethal-injection procedures Monday."

Dr. Denise Clark, a physician from Orlando who specializes in vein therapy, testified the executioners who reported trouble pushing a deadly chemical mix into the veins of Angel Nieves Diaz on Dec. 13 should have known their intravenous lines were not properly inserted.

''You would know right away. You would see there is a problem,'' Clark told the panel Monday.

Diaz's execution took 34 minutes -- twice as long as usual -- and required a rare second dose of lethal chemicals because the needles were incorrectly inserted through his veins and into the flesh in his arms, a medical examiner reported.

An autopsy found chemical burns in both his arms, and some experts said in interviews that Diaz probably suffered excruciating pain.

Lost Cranes

"While not as numbing as the tragic and sudden deaths of 20 people, the loss of 17 whooping cranes to Friday's tornadoes reminds us that Mother Nature is not discriminating." "Hearts Break For Lost Cranes, Too".

Dem Appointed

Yesterday, Crist "appointed a Democratic strategist to the state panel that investigates complaints against politicians and other public officials. Assuming the Republican-controlled Senate signs off, Cheryl Forchilli will join the Florida Commission on Ethics for a term lasting until June 2008." "Crist Names Democratic Strategist to Ethics Panel".

Celebration

"Environmental groups celebrate Florida’s premier land-conservation program today at the Capitol." "Environmentalists groups celebrate".

Infant Mortality

Dr. Charles Mahan, the former state health officer who helped create Healthy Start: "'Florida is one of the wealthiest political entities in the history of the world. Yet in some parts of our state, the infant mortality rate is the same as countries in the developing world. We can do better.'" "Healthy Start calls for help to keep babies alive". See also "Infant deaths grip Gadsden Co.".

"Florida Vision Summit."

"Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, and House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami, are guest speakers." "Advocates for the blind gather in Tallahassee".

Movin' On

"Dean Cannon, speaker-designate of the Florida House, is leaving the Orlando offices of GrayRobinson so that on March 1 he can start running a recruiting and staffing firm called 4 Corner Resources. The change is a significant one. Cannon, after all, will go from practicing land-use and government law at one of the state's largest firms to serving as president of a six-person staffing firm that's less than 2 years old -- a firm that's, frankly, pretty unknown." "Future speaker takes chance on new firm".

Press Conference

"Gov. Charlie Crist returns this morning to storm-ravaged Central Florida to give residents an update on recovery efforts." And to make sure we are suitably impressed,

Crist appears at an 11:00 a.m. press conference at Lady Lake Church of God on Oak Hill Drive, near ground zero for the severe weather that killed 20 and leveled more than 400 homes.

Here's An Idea

A Palm Beach Post editorial today begins with this: "Miami plans to open the Orange Bowl for a party after Fidel Castro dies. Here's an idea: Have a huge cake, with one candle for every year the policy to remove the Cuban dictator didn't work. It will take a big crowd to blow them out." "The real party favor".

From the Values Crowd

"A wheelchair-bound man's appeal of a drug trafficking conviction [and 25-year prison sentence] should be rejected, the state argued in papers filed Monday with the Florida Supreme Court." "Pasco man's appeal in Supreme Court".

This case is an embarrassment to Florida. See this CBS story "CBS News - Zero-Tolerance Causes A Lot Of Pain" as well as the 60 minute transcript: "Prisoner Of Pain, How One Man's Quest For Pain Relief Landed Him in Jail".

The St Pete Times editorial board puts it this way: "When the governor's daughter, Noelle Bush, was found guilty of prescription tampering, she received a referral to a drug treatment program. That kind of proportionate sentencing and balance between a defendant's guilt and punishment also should apply here." "A drug sentence without justice". Here (in .pdf form) the appellate decision on the case; the extraordinary dissent begins at page 16: "Paey v. State".

Riviera Beach

"State lawmakers are pushing for a grand jury to investigate a scathing audit of Riviera Beach and its Community Redevelopment Agency after a committee meeting on Monday exploded with accusations of wrongdoing between the mayor and city council." "Riviera probe request coming".

"Insurance Crisis"

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board writes that "last week's natural catastrophe in Central Florida and insurance-industry fallout from new state regulation underscore as if with black indelible marker the unsettling fact that our state remains in the midst of a major insurance crisis." "Barely begun".

Vaccinations

"Some key state lawmakers want to require Florida girls to be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted disease that causes cervical cancer." "Florida may require vaccine for girls".

The Flag Thing

Danie Ruth on the flag thing: "Confederate Son Pursues Idea Just As Doomed".

Silly

"State schools chief pitches majors".

Romney Locks Down Florida

Adam Smith:

If early buzz and insider enthusiasm decided elections, Republican Mitt Romney would be well on the way to winning Florida's presidential primary next year.

No presidential contender from either party has responded more vigorously to the likelihood that Florida will be among the earliest presidential primary contests and could play a decisive role in choosing the presidential nominees.

For a little-known underdog up against household names like Rudy Giuliani and John McCain, the former Massachusetts governor has done a remarkable job winning over Republican opinion leaders, tapping heavily into Jeb Bush's political network.

"Digging too deep too fast"

The Tampa Trib editors: "It's characteristic of Charlie Crist to set goals and let good people figure out how to attain them. But in recommending that the state spend $32.5 million to change the voting machinery in 15 counties, he is digging too deep too fast, and will likely trade one set of problems for another." "Add Printers And No-Choice Option For Voter Confidence".

The New York Times saw it differently yesterday in "Good Election News From Florida". (via Naked Politics' "NYT gives props to Crist", wherein it is noted that "That's the kind of publicity that could raise the gov's national profile.")

In a guest article in the Miami Herald today, former chair of the Miami-Dade Election Reform Commission and former president of the American Civil Liberties Union of Miami, Lida Rodríguez-Taseff writes that "if Gov. Charlie Crist's announcement last week that he is recommending that $32.5 million be appropriated to 'establish a paper trail for all votes cast in Florida elections' appeared too good to be true, it's because it is."

Under the governor's proposal, which was long on rhetoric and short on details, the appropriated funds would allegedly be used to ''replace touch-screen voting machines with optical-scan machines in all precincts statewide.'' But read the fine print. Touch screens are not out the door, not by a long shot. Touch screens, retro fitted with printers, would still have to be used for early voting, to accommodate voters with disabilities and, although not stated by the governor, to accommodate citizens who vote in languages other than English. ...

Under the governor's plan, the elephant in the room is the fate of voters with disabilities and non-English-speaking voters.

As Crist conceded during his speech, touch screens would have to remain in use for voters with disabilities so long as there is not another system certified in Florida that can accommodate voters with disabilities (and right now, there is none).

As for non-English-speaking voters, 18 percent of the people in Florida vote in counties that use English, Spanish and Creole. Another 22 percent vote in counties that use English and Spanish. However, the currently certified optical-scan systems that the governor is advocating, while permitting a person to vote in the language of his choice, do not permit that voter to check that ballot and receive feedback to correct errors in a language other than English. Therefore, under the governor's plan, touch screens would have to remain in those Florida counties that vote in more than one language, including Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach.

All of this raises the question, if touch-screens are not good enough for you and me to vote on on Election Day, why are they suddenly good enough to accommodate early voters, voters with disabilities and language minorities?

Off Topic: Space Stress

"Astronaut accused of trying to kidnap her rival".

Property Appraiser Fight

Howard Goodman on the Palm Beach vs. Broward County property appraiser fight: "Salvos fly in county property tax war while homeowners take hit".

Never Ending Perk

"Roll Call’s 'Heard on the Hill' column reports that former Congresswoman Katherine Harris is still parking her BMW 645ci convertible in the Cannon House Office Building." "Harris Is Gone But Her Car Is Still There".

Too Much Limbaugh

What's wrong with Fort Lauderdale?

In [Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim] Naugle's world, there is no such thing as an affordable-housing crisis in South Florida, it's just that lazy slobs need to get off the couch to work second and third jobs for the homes they want.

And in Naugle's world, even though he admits there has been global warming and allows the possibility his city could be swamped in 100 years from rising sea levels, he says we're all just innocent bystanders to the forces of nature.

"On this planet God has created all kind of events to test us," said Naugle.

He also chided "environmental whackos" for being alarmist about the issue and the "hate America crowd" for disproportionately blaming the United States.

You mean, by pointing out facts such as the United States producing 23 percent of the world's heat-trapping gases in 2006 despite having less than 5 percent of the Earth's population?

If Naugle wasn't the mayor of Broward County's biggest city, this is the point where I'd put a moratorium on his outrageous statements. Naugle is in his last two years as Fort Lauderdale mayor because of term limits. "Not having the next election to worry about does make you free to speak your mind," said Naugle, 52.

But he has become so enamored with playing the publicity-loving contrarian and getting mentioned by Rush Limbaugh that he has seemingly lost all rational thought.

Harry T. Moore Papers

"Historical preservation workers found a briefcase containing more than a thousand letters, notes and newspaper clippings that were saved and collected by slain civil rights leader Harry T. Moore, Attorney General Bill McCollum said Monday." "Rights leader's files unearthed". See also "Civil rights martyr's lost papers found" and "Briefcase of Moore history returned (with documents)".

Out in the Fields

"Evidence showed that Evans recruited addicts and other vulnerable victims in homeless shelters. He lured them to his Palatka camp with promises of good work and pay. They ended up in virtual slavery, perennially indebted to Evans after he docked their weekly pay for crack, beer and cigarettes. He brazenly rigged a pipe to dump raw sewage from his camp into a tributary of the St. Johns River. How could anyone stoop so low?" "Prison time for exploitive farm boss".

Tampa

"5 Challengers Target Council Incumbent in Citywide Race".

Tangled Web

"Lobbyist Brian Ballard, brother of Palm Beach County Commissioner Mary McCarty, has joined Arizona Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign. Ballard was named a national and Florida co-chairman for fundraising. Ballard was a key player in the campaign of Gov. Charlie Crist." "Ballard Joins McCain".

Remind me, who is Ballard's father-in-law?

Whatever

"Crist joins his new pals, but bowl party hits snag".

Fasano Has A Point

"Now Fasano, R-New Port Richey, has filed a bill that would prevent bar owners from throwing out patrons who don't buy alcohol. The new bill would slip mistreatment of designated drivers in with discrimination based on race, sex and creed and could affect an establishment's license." "Fasano acts after bar ejects".

"Bizarro World"

We missed this Beth Reinhard column the other day:

In the Bizarro World of Florida politics under new Gov. Charlie Crist, the Republicans sound like Democrats, the Democrats sound like Republicans and everyone gets along famously.