Bill McManus, a former state legislator from Massachusetts, who captured 41 percent of the vote for the District 41 seat last year.

Ana Maria Mendez, a union organizer, ran unsuccessfully for Osceola County Commission in 2004 and the Osceola County School Board in 2002.

Israel Mercado, a pastor and professor, who captured about 48 percent of the vote against Quinones in 2004.

Ruth Ann Raia, owner of a pet boarding house, who got 47 percent of the vote in November when she ran against Quinones. ...

Ricardo Rangel, a former Osceola County organizer and liaison to the Puerto Rican community for Democrat John Kerry's presidential campaign.

Darren Soto, a commercial and civil-rights lawyer, who was involved in a voting-rights lawsuit several Kissimmee residents filed against the city.

Wingnuts Disappointed?

A "former Florida Christian Coalition leader Pat Neal says many social conservatives are 'a little disappointed' in the state's new governor and worried about the coming presidential election." "Social conservatives losing faith in values of Crist, '08 hopefuls". Along those lines see "Romney attacked for being Mormon" and "Romney handles religious heckler in first Florida public appearance" (the apparent values voter mumbled "'You sir, you are a pretender. You do not know the Lord.'")

"Backlash" to RPOF "Ploy"?

"Asked this week whether the Republican Party of Florida would continue to bankroll a proposed ban on gay marriage, Gov. Charlie Crist said the party's money 'can be spent on other things that may be more pressing, like elections.'"

But to anyone familiar with how these ballot measures play out across the country, influencing elections is exactly the point.

'The marriage amendment will bring people out to vote who are pro-family, traditional values voters,'' said Orlando lawyer John Stemberger, who is spearheading the petition drive to put gay marriage up for a vote in 2008. "We're going to have to have the most robust, well-funded effort in the country.''

Brad Luna, a spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, a Washington-based gay rights group, argued that opposition to the Virginia amendment helped push people to the polls who narrowly elected Democratic Sen. James Webb over conservative Republican George Allen.

The Best He Could Do?

McCain "said his state committee will include:"

-- Former Attorney General Jim Smith, [the former Dem who pouted on his tractor after losing in a Dem primary, then, after specifically promising not to, endorsed the GOPer candidate for Governor] who ran against Bush in the 1994 primary for governor, but then became a Bush political ally.
-- Former state GOP Vice Chairman Allison DeFoor
and senior advisor to Jeb Bush’s 1994 campaign for Governor
-- Mac Stipanovich, former chief-of-staff to Governor Bob Martinez and one-time Bush strategist
-- J. Antonio Villamil, former Chairman of Bush’s Council of Economic Advisors
-- Cory Tilley, a Tallahassee political and public relations consultant and former deputy chief of staff and press spokesman for Bush.

Frankel

The Palm Beach Post editors hammer Frankel:

Mayor Frankel wants voters to believe that she's a reformer because she has 35 pages of proposals - most lifted from Tampa's ethics code - about disclosure and behavior. But it's too late for the mayor to take her own advice. When it comes to her contributions, there's concealment, not disclosure. A grand jury investigating city corruption found that at least one development firm that contributed to the mayor circumvented the $500 limit on individual contributions by using straw donors - friends and employees who wrote checks that then were reimbursed by the company.

Lemmings

"Rep. Vern Buchanan sided with President Bush on Friday, joining dozens of other Republicans from battleground districts who declined to formally criticize Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq."

With the growing unpopularity of the Iraq war, it was expected that Republicans from the most vulnerable congressional districts would join the Democrat-led rebuke of Bush's plan to send another 21,000 troops.

But only 17 Republicans broke ranks to vote with Democrats, most from solidly Republican districts, including Rep. Ric Keller, a conservative from Orlando.

Surplus

"Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration expects a nearly $110 million budget surplus. So, why does Florida's Agency for Persons with Disabilities have a waiting list of 13,000 families?" "Surplus of bureaucracy".

Cheap Hit

"Florida pays an executioner $150. On the street, that amount wouldn't buy a very professional killing. It's no different when the state pays." "The state can't execute".

Spun

Steve Bousquet thinks Charlie's Chief of Staff is fab. "Good advice, but wisely ignored".

Mack Strikes Out

"Kennedy responded that if Mack wants to create a moral litmus test for oil-exporting countries and other trade partners, the congressman should hold Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Russia and China to the same standard." "Mack, Kennedy spar over TV ad".

A snarly response from Kennedy came rather quickly. Mack, he said, was a hypocrite.

"If, in fact, your objection to our program is the politics of President Chavez and the actions that he’s taken — which you feel threaten our democracy, I would suggest you hold all the 558 million barrels of oil we import annually from Venezuela to the same moral standard and not just the small slice we provide at a discount to the poor," he wrote.

Kennedy took it a step further.

"Perhaps I missed your letter renouncing oil from Kuwait because of its socialist policies of universal health care, education and food for its citizens. Russia, I’m sure, is also in your doghouse because of President Putin’s growing tendency to clamp down on democracy,” he wrote. “And while you’re at it, I’m sure you have every intention of ending our country’s $310-billion-a-year trade with China, the largest superpower on Earth."

Mack called Kennedy’s response "irrelevant."

Argenziano to PSC?

"Sen. Nancy Argenziano, R-Dunnellon, said Friday that her modest personal life and 10 years in the Legislature would make her a good addition to the five-member Public Service Commission that has long been viewed as a rubber stamp for utility companies seeking higher rates."

"I'm not anti-utility. I'm fair," she said. "I think the people of the state are tired of people who are just pro-utility."

Argenziano is single and, unlike most lawmakers, has made the $29,000 job as a state lawmaker her full-time task as she represents all or part of 13 counties in a sprawling district that reaches from rural Marion County to the outskirts of Tallahassee.

"I come from a different background than most commissioners," she said. "Typically somebody like me wouldn't get picked."

Argenziano has bucked Republican leadership regularly and criticized former Gov. Jeb Bush specifically.

Charter Schools "Financial Emergency"

"At least 10 charter schools in Palm Beach County are in financial straits, casting a shadow over stability for about 1,300 students. Of the district's 36 charter schools, 16 are running on negative balances, according to a report reviewed Friday by the school district audit committee.
Auditors pegged 10 of those charter schools as being in 'financial emergency,' meaning they're in deficit spending and may be unable to pay creditors, salaries, payroll taxes or pension plans, said school district auditor Lung Chiu." "Sixteen charter schools strapped".

"Built-in advantage for the party in power"

"Various studies show that being listed first among the names of candidates on a ballot can add up to six percent of the votes as citizens choose the first name if they're ambivalent or uninformed about the race."

In Florida, as in many states, there is a built-in advantage for the party in power.

Current law gives the first slot to the representative of the party held by the governor. That means that since 1998, with Jeb Bush's two gubernatorial victories and Charlie Crist's last year, Republicans get the first slot. ...

Two bills would change that, giving both parties equal access to the top spot.

House Bill 415 and Senate Bill 1606 would vary two different ballots by precincts, with half getting ballots with Democrats holding the top spot and the other half with Republicans listed first.

Anti-Castro "Militant" or "Terrorist"?

"An attorney for members of a socialist student group is demanding police step up the investigation into an alleged attack on two of the group’s members who led a counter-protest last month against an anti-Castro militant."

The two, who head the Miami-based Bolivarian Youth group, came out to counter a demonstration by about 100 people in support of former Cuban CIA operative Luis Posada Carrilles, who is blamed by Cuba and Venezuela for the 1976 bombing of a Cuban jetliner that killed 73 people. Posada, who has denied any wrongdoing, is being held in federal custody after entering the country illegally in 2005.

According to local television news footage and witnesses, Posada supporters yelled at the students and then charged across the street and attacked them. In the video, Posada supporter Miguel Saavedra appeared to throw a megaphone at Martinez but missed. Martinez said he was punched by other protesters. Swanson and Martinez fled in their car and filed a police report several days afterward but say nearly a month later, detectives have yet to contact them.

Long considered the godfather of vicious anti-Castro violence, Posada--a k a Bambi, Comisario Basilio and Ramon Medina--has practiced the art of sabotage, bombing and attempted assassination for much of his 78 years. Yet unlike the way that many terror suspects with Middle Eastern names have been rounded up by US authorities and detained indefinitely under special anti-terrorism provisions, the Department of Homeland Security has chosen to treat the Posada problem as a simple "illegal entry" immigration proceeding. Any "special circumstances" appear to have more to do with Posada's tenure with the CIA in the 1960s, his politically powerful right-wing Cuban-American allies in Florida and with Washington's hostile relationship with Venezuela, from where, in 1985, Posada escaped from incarceration as a mastermind of the October 6, 1976, midair bombing of Cubana Flight 455, which killed all seventy-three passengers on board.

In papers filed in federal court in El Paso on Thursday, [the Bush Justice Department] described him as "an unrepentant criminal and admitted mastermind of terrorist plots and attacks on tourist sites."

Trib Hearts Milligan

"Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink made a wise choice in crossing party lines to pick Milligan, a Republican known for his straight talk and pro-consumer attitude. The retired three-star Marine general who holds a master's degree in economic analysis was a breath of fresh air when he was elected state comptroller in 1994. Few in public life can match his reputation for rising above politics to do what's best for the people of Florida." "Consumers Get A Fighter". See also "Welcome back".

Welcome to Dixie County

"But what ACLU lawyers see as a violation of law, many locals see as a fitting tribute to the county's Christian heritage. And those locals don't like outsiders suggesting they can't see straight. 'I don't think they have the right to come in here and tell us what to do,' said Wanda Wester, a 68-year-old Dixie County native. 'We all believe in God. If they don't like it, they can stay away.'" "Dixie County to outsiders: Stop preying on Commandments".

Pre-K

"How does pre-K stack up?".

"Tree Lovers"

"Florida Power & Light knows this well: Nothing can rile up a neighborhood like a tree-cutting or tree-removal plan. The Florida Department of Transportation has learned the same lesson. Now a tree flap in Miami's Upper East Side may be resolved thanks to two government entities actually sitting down and talking to each other." "Tree lovers win".

Road Show

"State lawmakers brought a town-hall tour on property taxes to Tampa Thursday night - and more than 200 people answered the call for suggested fixes to the crisis." "Property Tax Debated".

"Justice"

"Study on jail crowding in Broward spreads blame to entire justice system" Among the claims: "Public Defender Howard Finkelstein discounted most of the proposed solutions and homed in on the 975 people in jail this week with bail amounts of $5,000 or less. He said those people have been deemed a low risk to society and are being held simply because they're poor.".

A Welcome Flip-Flop

"After being sharply criticized for allowing developers to bury gopher tortoises alive, the state wildlife commission on Friday released a plan intended to virtually eliminate the practice and halt the species' decline." "Wildlife panel unveils plan to save tortoises".

Appointments

"Crist Friday made his 11 appointments to the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, filling out the group that can put proposals directly on the ballot." "Crist adds to tax and budget commission".

Secret Taping of Public Meeting

"Circuit Judge John Cooper refused to dismiss charges Friday against a Big Bend fish and wildlife officer who secretly made his own recording of a hearing that was openly taped by the state agency." "Judge won't drop charges in case of secret recording; trial is April 16".

Lights, Camera ...

"The state currently reimburses producers up to 15 percent of the total Florida budget, so long as they spend at least $850,000 in qualified expenditures, such as wages and services."

Still, some projects are left wanting because the state's $20-million incentive fund disappears so quickly.

Crist wants to increase the incentive pool from $20 million to $75 million a year. Florida Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp says the incentives will be used to convince film companies to create permanent production studios for television series, commercials and digital entertainment.

Insurance

"South Florida health care providers and elected leaders are right to express concerns about proposed federal cuts in hospital funding. The burden of proof is on the Bush administration to prove the sharp reductions are in the nation's best interest. The outcry follows plans by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to close the door on reimbursements to certain hospitals for treating poor and uninsured people." "Health Costs".

Lobbyists

"A recent New York Times report detailed how lobbyists are still helping to pick up the tab for lawmakers for birthday bashes, concerts, Broadway shows and vacation weekends, despite the bans. What gives?"

Both of Florida's U.S. senators, Republican Mel Martinez and Democrat Bill Nelson, were among lawmakers cited in the Times report. Mr. Martinez invited $5,000 contributors to spend this Presidents Day weekend at a Disney World resort. Mr. Nelson invited guests bearing $5,000 to a Super Bowl party in Miami.

These examples, however, were not among the most excessive. Both events took place in Florida. Mr. Martinez's office said he would not be staying at Disney World, only mingling with contributors at a pair of receptions. Mr. Nelson's office said his "party" was a brunch on the morning of the Super Bowl; there were no tickets included. Other lawmakers, by contrast, hosted events at luxury locales outside their home states.

As bad as this is, it could be difficult for Congress to ban this practice. Courts have interpreted the Constitution as restricting the limits that can be placed on campaign fundraising. And it's a reality that members of Congress have to raise money to run their campaigns.

Today's Florida political news and punditry.

Charlie's VP Dreams?

The Palm Beach Post notes that "because of Florida's key Electoral College votes, Gov. Crist would be correct to envision himself as a possible presidential running mate in 2008. To get that spot, he would pitch himself as the Republican who can deliver the state because of his broad appeal. An emotional issue such as same-sex marriage could detract from that appeal." "Happily ever after?"

Early Primary

"Florida Republicans got a stern message from the national party Wednesday: If the state moves up its presidential primary date as planned, the party will strictly enforce rules limiting Floridians' participation in the 2008 national convention. The Florida GOP would lose half the delegates and alternates it can send to the convention - 224 at the 2004 convention." "GOP Warned On Primary".

"Study rips Save Our Homes act"

"A new report by the Legislature's research arm has concluded just that - Florida's post-Save Our Homes tax landscape has forced commercial and second-home buyers to hold the bag for full-time homeowners."

And it also suggests one of the most popular ideas advocated by Gov. Charlie Crist - allowing homesteaders to take their Save Our Homes discounts with them when they move - would only add to the inequity and may be unconstitutional.

The 223-page state study released Thursday is the first broad-brush analysis of how the 1992 Save Our Homes amendment that capped taxes for homesteaders has played out.

GOPer Straw Ballot?

William March: "Whether Florida Republicans will revive their tradition of holding an early, nationally noted presidential primary straw vote this year may be decided as early as Monday. Right now, the state party is planning a straw vote for its October, 2007 convention, but Gov. Charlie Crist has expressed reservations, and his chosen party chairman, Jim Greer, has said he’ll follow the governor’s lead. " "Top GOP Officials To Discuss, Maybe Decide Straw Vote".

According to March, the Romney folks really want a straw ballot. Charlie apparently is not on the Romney bandwagon.

Out in the Fields ...

"Farmworkers carrying tomato buckets and beating drums protested Thursday in front of Burger King’s headquarters, urging the fast-food giant to take a closer look at the conditions in the Florida fields where many of its tomatoes are picked." "Farmworkers urge Burger King to help improve work conditions".

"Some prosecutors ..."

"Some prosecutors aren't happy with a state law that prevents them from changing or falsifying court records, so they want to change the law. In fact, the prosecutors also have asked the Florida Bar and state Supreme Court to change the rules so they can lie in court and make up phony documents to put in the official record. In other words, these prosecutors want a special law that places them and certain other officials above the law. The idea is preposterous and dangerous. It should be soundly rejected." "Obey the law, work within the rules".

She Has a Point

"The My Safe Florida Home effort should be another department's responsibility, she says." "Sink wants to unload home protection program". See also "Sink wants to move SafeHome program", "Sink: Grant program may need to be moved" and "More help to harden homes".

Like Father ...

"Brent Sembler of St. Petersburg, the son of nationally known GOP fundraiser Mel Sembler and head of Charlie Crist’s phenomenally successful 2006 campaign finance team, has joined forces with presidential candidate Mitt Romney." "Another Sembler Joins Up With Romney".

Toni Cashes In

"Former Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings was elected Thursday to the board of FPL Group Inc., the company said." "Toni Joins FPL".

FCAT Follies

Elisa Cramer observes that "in some Palm Beach County schools this year, February will not be recognized as Black History Month. It's been put on hold, if not abandoned completely - the latest valuable piece of education to be sacrificed on the FCAT altar. The problem is that the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test is given in February." "FCAT claims another victim".

Tallahassee Democrat associate editor Bill Berlow says, "Mr. Crist, tear down this test - or at least rebuild it."

Teachers

The Tallahassee Democrat editors: "if state policymakers and district school board members throughout Florida really want to make a difference, they should focus more on making teaching a more attractive profession, developing great teachers and retaining them, particularly in schools that need the most help." "Top teachers".

Certified Media Darling

Even though Crist "merely said "he would 'probably not' support sending more money to the [anti-gay] amendment's backers." And, despite the fact Charlie's hand picked RPOF chair, Jim Greer, who, like Crist, "also [does] not rule out spending more money on the [petition] campaign", and Charlie actually "sidestepped a question Tuesday about whether he still thinks the measure should go on the ballot", the media kudos keep rolling in. The St Pete Times editor

Crist is showing his appealing pragmatism, preferring to redirect the debate from divisive social issues to the more pressing daily matters of insurance, taxes and public safety. "I'm convinced those are the kinds of issues that the people of Florida want us to focus on," he told reporters, "and I think it would be appropriate for the party to do the same, and I believe they will."

The supporters of the constitutional ban are miffed by Crist's directive, especially since he signed a petition. But they can't be surprised by either his populist priorities or his sensitivity to gay rights. He has said he supports the legal protections accorded by civil unions, and remarked in his Republican primary debate that: "I guess I have a bit more of a 'live and let live' attitude than my opponent does."

Same-sex marriage is being used as a political weapon by Republicans, but most Floridians are far more interested in safe neighborhoods and good schools. Crist is on the right track.

Gardasil

"Prepubescent Florida schoolgirls may have to add a ninth vaccine to the list of inoculations required before entering middle school if a handful of state lawmakers succeed in mandating a cancer-prevention drug that has become a national point of controversy." "Bills call for vaccinating girls".

Falling STAR

The Sun-Sentinel editorial board thinks "State lawmakers should listen to the uproar, junk STAR and come up with a broader merit pay plan." "Educators' Pay".

Touch-screen Review

"U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein formally instructed the investigative arm of Congress to review the reliability of touch-screen voting machines like the ones used in Sarasota's disputed congressional election." "Feinstein initiates touch-screen review".

"Pro-wrestler-turned-campaign manager Mitch Kates says he's been asked to be a bodyguard for Terry McAuliffe at the Democratic fundraiser's book signing Friday night."

Kates, who led Charlie Justice's successful campaign for the Florida Senate, is now working for Tampa City Council candidate Mary Mulhern. Could the appearance with McAuliffe mean Kates might join Hillary Clinton's campaign team? "I'm uncommitted at this moment," said Kates, who threw his muscle behind John Kerry's presidential bid in 2004.

Miami Party on Hold

"Castro’s son: Father making ’satisfactory’ progress in recovery".

Overblown Fears?

The Sun-Sentinel editors suggest that touch-screen "fears may be overblown and this costly 'fix' may not be worth it." "Elections".

Slowing Down

"Soaring home prices are being blamed for a sudden and surprising decline in the number of students entering Florida public schools, a survey of county school superintendents revealed Thursday."

Half of the 62 school chiefs polled cited the cost of housing as a major reason why students and their families either left their counties or chose not to move there.

The findings underscore the emerging view that home costs are putting the brakes on fast-growing Florida.

There's little question that, if voters throughout the state get to decide whether to double their homestead exemption, they will pass the referendum overwhelmingly. Everyone likes lower taxes.

If there isn't sufficient revenue to pay for a needed road or school, however, citizens howl, often neglecting to connect the dots. It's easy to suggest that there's too much budget fat, because sometimes there is. But when candidates are elected, they often discover that the spending practices they complained about during the campaign aren't so flabby after all.

This is why it's crucial that the highly charged issue of property-tax reform - which unquestionably is needed - proceed with due care.

What's really needed is a comprehensive review of Florida's tax system - not only property taxes, but also the hundreds of sales-tax exemptions totaling multibillions of dollars. That requires strong political will, not just sound bites.

That Silly Sunshine Thing

"The Florida House seems to be suffering from a case of shyness. For the second time in recent weeks, questions have arisen over discussions lawmakers had without giving notice to the public. Tuesday, Rep. Ray Sansom, the House budget chairman, told about 30 members that budget constraints might kill requests for local projects. The meeting where this was said began as general budget primer hosted by former Rep. Ken Sorensen, who has been hired by Speaker Marco Rubio to assist young lawmakers." "State House meetings skirt public notice rule".

A Difficult (Paper) Trail

"More than six years after Florida decided the presidential election by hanging chads, the state is still struggling to prove to voters that their votes are counted, and counted accurately."

With voters going to the polls early next year to vote for the next presidential nominees, Gov. Charlie Crist and his secretary of state are seeking answers in paper-trail technology.

Several options exist - and every one is flawed.

The Charge: Walking While Black

"It isn't against the law to stand on a street-corner or walk to one's aunt's house at dusk. In Bunnell, it can get you arrested." "Injustice's corner".

Extra Cash

"The unused $255,000 will be given to those the governor says are committed to kids." "Inaugural funds to go to charities".

The Trough Beckons

"The AP reports that former U.S. Sen.(and Charlie Crist mentor) Connie Mack is the senior policy adviser of a new lobbying operation in Tallahassee called Liberty Partners of Florida. The office will be staffed by Mack's former state director Jamie Wilson, who is leaving a local lobbying firm headed by Van Poole, and Jennifer Jankowski Green, formerly the lead lobbyist for the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Others associated with Liberty include Steve MacNamara, an associate professor at Florida State University where he teaches mass media law and political communications; health care lobbyist Allison Hunt, and former Mack Senate aide [and Martinez campaign manager] Scott Barnhart." "Connie Mack opens Tallahassee shop". See also "Mack will work for lobbying firm".

Wishful Thinking

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board:

state leaders should start looking for a more rational and fair-minded approach, starting with a cool-headed look at civil unions.

A civil-union statute wouldn't give gay and lesbian couples the justice they deserve, but it would provide protections against many of the problems that beset committed same-sex couples. For example, gay couples would gain legal status to settle property and child-custody matters without lengthy, expensive and often painful court battles. It would be easier for same-sex partners to obtain health coverage -- a benefit some of the state's largest companies already extend to the partners of their employees. And lifelong partners would be able to make health-care decisions for each other, instead of being pushed away from the bedside of the person they love.

The state should also reverse its cruel and illogical ban on gay couples adopting -- a goal that's easily accomplished with legislation that elevates a child's best interests above all other considerations. ...

Instead of justice, a cadre of GOP leaders chose division and rancor. Instead of priorities all Floridians share -- property insurance, public safety, education -- this same group is spending party money to exploit same-sex families for political gain. It's time to stop.

And The Band Played On

"A Senate bill expected to make its way through the Florida Legislature would help protect music fans from unknowingly paying to see impostor bands." "Old bands fight the great pretenders".

Sarasota

"For what are supposed to be nonpartisan races, the City Commission elections are heading down a decidedly political road." "Parties playing bigger role in nonpartisan city election" ("The Democratic Party has acknowledged that it is important to keep a majority on the five-member City Commission, and Republicans want to hold onto the two seats they have.")

FEMA Fumble?

Scott Maxwell, in "FEMA foibles -- political or what?", asks:

If FEMA has more than 400 workers stationed right here in Central Florida, why did the agency spend money and resources bringing in as many as 150 outside workers to respond to the recent tornadoes?

Well, one possibility is that FEMA feared another disaster -- this one of the public-relations variety -- since the person running our local office had virtually no experience in emergency management when he got the gig in 2005.

Scott Morris's chief qualification, after all, was loyalty to the Republican Party. He helped run campaigns for George W. Bush and Bob Dole as well as the Republican National Committee.

In short, he seemed qualified to respond to Category 5 political ads. But virtually nothing in his background seemed to suggest he was any kind of an expert on non-campaign-related disasters.

So you have to wonder if, when tornadoes ripped through Central Florida recently, the feds were worried about having another Michael Brown-Katrina crisis on their hands.

Sink Hires Milligan

"Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, a Democrat, has named Republican former state comptroller Bob Milligan as Florida’s insurance consumer advocate." "Sink Picks Milligan As Consumer Advocate". See also "Milligan signs on as Sink's consumer advocate", "Milligan Returns", "Familiar face returns to fight for consumers", "Insurance consumer advocate lauded as 'people person'" and "Sink crosses party lines to fill post".

Mecca Joke

"It sounds like a joke -- and not a very amusing one at that. Where groundbreaking scientific research was once supposed to take root, developers want to put a full-scale theme park, complete with rollercoasters, 15 hotels, a 12,000-seat amphitheater, restaurants and nightclubs." "Mecca Farms".

Keller Sees the Writing on the Wall

"U.S. Rep. Ric Keller of Orlando said [yesterday] on the House floor that he opposes Pres. Bush’s plan for a troop surge in Iraq, and will support the anti-escalation resolution proposed by House Democrats. Keller reportedly was one of a group of 10 House Republicans to take that stance. By contrast, two other central Florida House Republicans, Tom Feeney of Oviedo and Adam Putnam of Bartow, have taken a lead in backing Bush’s plan and opposing the resolution." "Ric Keller Opposes Iraq Surge". See also "Keller's warpath".

"Yeah? So?"

Daniel Ruth asks: "What's the point of having all sorts of political clout, power, juice, if you can't abuse it?"

Sort of takes all the joy out of influence peddling, doesn't it?

So it's been fun the past few days watching the Florida Legislature extending - figuratively, of course - that internationally known single-finger gesture, loosely translated into "Have a nice day," in the general direction of the Republican and Democratic national committees.

Much to the consternation of the RNC and DNC, the Legislature is pondering a proposal to move up the date of the state's presidential primary so that the vote has some effect on the selection of the eventual nominee.

Yeah? So?

Farm Subsidies

The St. Pete Times editors: "You might think a tomato farmer in Manatee County has a lot in common with an Iowa corn farmer. When it comes to federal crop subsidies, however, they are worlds apart."

To Uncle Sam, Florida's vegetable and fruit growers are the unwanted stepchildren to the favored sons who grow corn and soybeans in the Midwest.

But in a surprising reversal of decades-old agricultural policy, President Bush is proposing that the government begin to trim its wasteful farm subsidy program. ...

Charles Bronson, Florida's agriculture secretary, praised the new approach. "For the first time ever, there is a strong focus on fruit, vegetable and nursery crops, which now make up almost 55 percent of cash receipts in agriculture," Bronson said.

Tax Cap?

The chairman of something called "Cut Taxes Now Inc.", one David McKalip, has this less than surprising position: "Florida needs tax cap".

Florida Ranks Third

"Florida ranks third in the volume of child pornography viewed and distributed, according to the federal Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force - proof that stiff penalties are needed to curtail Internet crime." "Trapping Predators On The Web".

The News-Journal Joins the Spin

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board writes today, in connection with continued RPOF funding of the anti-gay marriage (or substantial equivalent) amendment petition drive, that "when Crist said he doesn't think the GOP should waste any more money fighting the issue, it was a strong rebuke against the leaders of his own party." The editors also credit Charlie with "disapproval" of the anti-gay petition. And there's this:

Crist could have taken a far bolder stand in favor of human rights for same-sex couples. But his statement still carries a lot of weight.

Dickinson Out

"Fred Dickinson, Florida's longtime highway safety director and a skillful survivor of the capital's political battles, resigned Wednesday after 15 years on the job." "State's highway safety director resigns". See also "Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles director resigns".

You remember Fred, "state auditors criticized him for awarding a five-year contract to a private agency to distribute the Official Florida Driver's Handbook. His wife, Sherry, formerly his agency's director of legislative affairs, lobbied for the company that landed the contract [one of six (6) she firms represented firms did business with her husband's agency]." "Dickinson Out".

Apparently another imbroglio was in the offing: "Dickinson's resignation came two days after state Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, sent a letter to Dickinson asking him to cancel a contract with National Safety Commission Inc. to print the state's official driver's handbook." "Florida's highway director resigns".

Connie's "Pissing Match"

"Republican Rep. Connie Mack Wednesday challenged former Rep. Joe Kennedy to a debate, charging he’s been a political prop for Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez."

Florida Atlantic University political science professor Robert Watson called the "symbolic pissing match" a way to get attention with the public. "For a Republican to pick a fight with a Kennedy is a win-win proposition."

Whatever

"Sen. Ronda Storms wants to make it more difficult for minors to get abortions without getting their parents' permission." "Tighten abortion waiver, Storms says".

North Manatee

"Over dinner at the Imperial Lakewoods Golf Club last week, members of the newly formed North River Democratic Club met to socialize and talk about the war in Iraq and the upcoming primary season." "North Manatee Democrats meet".

Flasher

"Former U.S. Rep. Joseph M. McDade, R-Pa., 75, must appear in Lee County court to face a charge of exposure of sexual organs, a misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine, according to a summons issued Wednesday." "Former congressman faces exposure charge".

DNA Bank

"Gang members and stalkers would be among the new additions to the state's growing DNA data bank under a bill that received initial approval Wednesday from a state House committee." "Panel OKs bill to put all felons in DNA data bank".

CD 13

"Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California [yesterday] asked government auditors to investigate electronic voting machines nationwide, including those used recently in a controversial Florida election." "Senator wants investigation of voting machines".

"Hollywood turnout is embarrassing"

"Even Richard Blattner was disappointed by the embarrassingly low turnout in Tuesday's special election in Hollywood. And Blattner was the winner." "Elections". See also "Cash, apathy rule in Hollywood".

Charlie's Secret Paramour

"Crist’s spokeswoman was mum when Q asked with whom the governor spent the day designated for lovers, and chided Q for asking. Whoever Crist’s paramour is, if anyone, may have a strong hold on the 50-year-old divorcee. Crist is taking a personal day on Thursday, as well." "Is There Romance In The Air?".

No More "Cheap Water"

"South Florida's era of cheap water is ending. Water managers are set to make that bold promise today as they vote on a rule limiting how much cities and counties can draw from the Everglades or the Loxahatchee River during the coming decades." "'Bold' limits on water, and higher bills, a step away".

Insurance "Profiling"

"Profiling may be unacceptable when the cops do it, but it remains acceptable when the insurance industry does it. Florida is asking whether it should be. Last week, the Office of Insurance Regulation heard Geico, Liberty Mutual and AIG explain why they charge higher auto rates for drivers who have less education and work in certain jobs. Those with a graduate degree pay less for the same coverage than those with a high-school diploma, despite the same driving record. Lawyers pay less than postal clerks. According to the Consumer Federation of America, the difference can be as much as 40 percent." "Drive a hard bargain".

Ya Think?

"Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp told business leaders [at a Florida Chamber of Commerce meeting] Wednesday that promoting the film business and getting the space industry to make more of its components in Florida are vital to attracting well-paying jobs and diversifying the state's economy." "Wanted: More jobs in aerospace, film".

Good Luck

"Crist can offer life preserver to Florida's oceans, coasts".

Another "Bold, Innovative Educational Reform"

Jac Wilder VerSteeg manages to mix the FCAT and Jebbie's silly education "reforms" into his column today about Florida's botched execution of Angel Nieves Diaz

The panel ex-Gov. Bush appointed to kill time while the story blew over is supposed to offer recommendations by March 1. The panel will deal with many issues, such as making sure that the inmate being executed doesn't feel pain. Murderers, I'm sure, soon will convene a panel to explore ways of ensuring that their own victims don't suffer.

While preventing pain during state-run executions is a must - the constitution says so - no issue is more important than making sure that the executioner knows how to execute.

Real doctors, though, can't do it because professional ethics forbid them to inflict harm. So, there is a demonstrated need for experts competent to carry out executions. What's lacking is a pool of qualified candidates to fill that need. The solution? I think it could begin with Florida's public schools.

One of former Gov. Bush's countless bold, innovative educational reforms requires eighth-graders to pick a major for high school. The state has approved lists of majors to accommodate nearly every career path, including curricula for aspiring biologists, translators, actors, writers, mechanics or chefs.

But there's nothing for the special youth who wishes to become an executioner. In retrospect, given the importance of conducting competent executions to preserving Florida's safety and reputation, the omission is a serious lapse.

Easily corrected, thank goodness. Majors need to take four courses in their field. For execution majors, courses could include: Injections I, Injections II, Injections III, Injections IV (not to be confused with IV Injections), Right Arm Anatomy, Left Arm Anatomy, Dosage Do's and Don'ts, Veins In-Depth and Gurney Maintenance and Repair.

It has become Florida's practice to administer a high-stakes test in all critical areas of education, such as reading, writing, mathematics and science. Obviously, to maintain accountability, the state should develop and administer the EXCAT.

Hazing

The hazing law's author, Rep. Adam "Hasner said he isn't interested in rewriting the hazing law, which doesn't define serious bodily injury, a point raised in the trial and likely be used upon appeal. In contrast, Florida's drunk-driving law defines serious bodily injury as 'substantial risk of death, serious personal disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.'" "Hazing law's author not interested in changing it".

Crist said Tuesday that his political party should spend its time and money on issues that are ''more pressing'' than the anti-gay marriage initiative it has funded for the past two years. ...

he told reporters he would ''probably not'' support sending more money to the amendment's backers.

''I just think [the Republican Party's] money can be better spent on other things that may be more pressing, like elections, for example,'' Crist said.

has raised about $430,000 for its campaign since it began collecting petitions two years ago. But more than two-thirds of that money came from the GOP, which wrote it a pair of $150,000 checks.

The group remains about 28,000 short of the more than 611,000 required to get a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot.

But he sidestepped a question Tuesday about whether he still thinks the measure should go on the ballot.

"We only have so much time. And we have to prioritize what we put our energy into," Crist said.

Amendment opponents went a step farther, calling the amendment ''nothing but a get-out-the-vote tool for Republicans, and we're glad the governor recognizes that it's time to drop the charade,'' said Mark Bubriski, state Democratic Party spokesman.

Riding out the Storm

"Two weeks after being sworn in on Jan. 2, [CFO Alex Sink] played a lead negotiating role in the special legislative session on the state's insurance crisis. A week and a half later, at her first Cabinet meeting, Sink clashed with Gov. Charlie Crist over his emergency order to freeze insurance rates. Three days later, she was touring tornado damage in Central Florida and working to coordinate state help to the region." "New CFO saw stormy early days".

STAR Struck

"A divided Broward School Board voted Tuesday night to move forward with a controversial merit pay plan, even after hundreds of teachers implored them at a public hearing to reject it." "Broward teachers thwarted in attempt to derail pay plan". See also "School board approves contested bonus plan".

"Florida's tax burden"

Naked Politics "notes that although "Florida ranks 39th in the amount of state and local taxes it charges", but that it isn't quite that simple. See "The best and worst states for taxes".

Poor Mel

Scott Maxwell:

The latest from Quinnipiac University's polling institute shows both of Florida's U.S. senators with the highest approval ratings they have had in some time. Still, it's a bit better news for Democrat Bill Nelson, whose 54 percent approval rating outshines Republican Mel Martinez's 48 percent.

Paper Trail

"Nelson filed a bill Tuesday that would require all states that use electronic voting systems, including touch-screen machines, to produce a verifiable paper record of the votes. And in a swipe at his Senate opponent from last year, Nelson’s bill would ban state election chiefs from working for the campaigns of other candidates." "Nelson Offers Paper Trail Bill".

No-Fault

"Florida's no-fault system of insuring drivers is set to expire on Oct.1 by statute. If the Legislature doesn't act, the state will revert to the traditional fault-based system where drivers and their insurance companies seek compensation from the party responsible for a crash." "Legislature under the gun to tackle no-fault system".

"The People's Company"

"Citizens Property Insurance on Tuesday declared itself 'the People's Company,' echoing the words of Gov. Charlie Crist as executives outlined a new plan of operations." "Governor approves Citizens' new plan".

"The People's Company" ... Karl Marx would be impressed.

HD 92

"In Broward's state House District 92,"

two gay candidates -- Wilton Manors City Commissioner and lawyer Gary Resnick and first-time candidate and accountant Mark LaFontaine -- have already filed paperwork to open campaign accounts for the 2008 election.

And Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newton, who is straight, said he'll run too.

All three are Democrats.

They'll run to replace term-limited Democratic Rep. Jack Seiler. He says he won't be endorsing anyone.

Cat Fund

"Frustrated by inaction in Washington, Florida officials this week are asking other states to join them in setting up an insurance catastrophe fund." "State requests help with disaster fund".

Budget Blues

"Florida House members were put on notice Tuesday that next year's budget appears so tight that the state can't afford to fund requests they make for local projects." "Local projects cut from budget".

Freeze Challenge

"Florida's insurers are fighting back, going to court to block an emergency state rule that halts policy cancellations and freezes rates." "Florida insurers' group goes to court to fight rate freeze". See also "State emergency order on hurricane insurance faces challenge", "Insurers file suit against new rule" and "Insurers seek to block rule preventing cancellations".

Charlie responds: "'They can't win in the Legislature any more, they can't win in the Cabinet anymore, so they're going to try the court system,' Crist said. 'They are relentless....in their pursuit of higher rates.'" "Crist Gets Cross".

Property Tax Burden

"Taxpayers asked their state lawmakers to come up with a plan to lessen the property tax burden on homeowners and businesses." "Ease our tax burden, lawmakers are urged". See also "Sen. Lynn plans hearing on property-tax reform".

The Palm Beach Post editors warn that "legislators don't have to act in haste on a subject with as many wrong answers as right ones." "Balance tax-anger heat with a cool Legislature". The Sun-Sentinel editors chime in: "Public Hearings".

Bury It

"Once again, President George W. Bush has proposed selling land in national forests, including 973 acres in the Ocala National Forest, to help pay the federal government's bills. Once again, Congress needs to bury this bad idea." "Still a bad idea".

Apparently Charlie Won't Be There

"Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp and Department of Children and Families Secretary Bob Butterworth take advantage of Valentine’s Day today to tout the benefits of marriage." "Marriage conference set for today".

Not to Mention Hurricanes and Tornadoes

"Florida remains world’s shark attack capital in 2006".

"Jeb!" Watch

NPR: "There was a time when we thought the next field would include Jeb Bush, until recently the Republican governor of Florida."

Jeb is the son of George and Barbara Bush whom many have called the best political talent in the family. He took himself out of the 2008 picture early, even before the disastrous election of November 2006. Some will take this as proof that his political instincts are indeed sharp.

After all, Jeb just turned 54, and he can come back to run in 2012, or later. So it makes little sense to plunge in now, when national trends are bleak and the Bush name has at least temporarily lost its magic.

Paper Trail

"The Need for Voter-Verified Paper Trails is the topic Saturday of a program sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Volusia County." "League sponsors program on voter paper trails".

"It's the story of the Third World - in our backyard"

The Tallahassee Democrat editors lament "the high infant mortality rate in the Big Bend": "A solution also means acknowledging on a much broader level - not just here in the Big Bend, but in Florida and the nation - that the continuing lack of universal health care has the effect of condemning many poor people to significantly less healthy lives. While U.S. infant mortality rates have dropped in the past century, minorities remain disproportionately affected, and disparities in access to health-care services are largely to blame." "Red alert".

Elder Affairs

"Crist on Tuesday appointed Douglas Beach, a specialist on aging, as the Department of Elder Affairs secretary." "Crist names specialist on aging as Elder Affairs secretary".

"Anti-diversity Shift

Regarding diversity in higher education, the Daytona Beach News-Journal editors argue that

Florida needs to do more. Gov. Charlie Crist should follow up on the diversity panel's other recommendations, including intervention programs in which state universities work with public elementary and high schools to ensure that pupils in low-achieving schools get added help; tutoring partnerships with public schools; and programs to help low-income and minority parents find their way through university admission mazes. And as a recent consultant reported to the State University System's Board of Governors, Florida should increase need-based aid.

Florida should also look at what other states are doing. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, for example, was able to increase the number of blacks on campus through its Carolina Covenant, which guarantees that low-income students can graduate debt free.

"Blue-and-Orange Light Special"

he St Pete Times editors think the "biggest obstacle to the University of Florida's ambition of becoming a nationally elite academic institution is as clear as it has ever been."

It's the cheap politicians in Tallahassee.

The politicians, mind you, are all too eager to get VIP seats to see the national champion Gator teams play. But raise the subject of lagging state revenues for higher education or paltry tuitions and watch the Capitol hallways clear out. ...

Maybe [Senator Jim] King and Crist and other lawmakers think UF should be satisfied with offering what amounts to the Blue-and-Orange Light Special. It charges the lowest tuition of 75 flagship universities. Its student-faculty ratio is half-again as big as that of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and it ranks 123rd on measures of "faculty resource."

Today's Florida political news and punditry.

Knuckle Draggers to the End

Greer speaks about Florida's new Republican Party: "In a wide-ranging discussion with newspaper reporters, Republican Chairman Jim Greer of Oviedo expressed confidence that his party can regain much of the power it lost last November by sticking to conservative fiscal and social principles. That includes continued support for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, he said." "GOP confident it can regain party's power".

You read that right; it's back to the wingnut well for Charlie and his crew: "Florida's new Republican Party chairman said Monday he would like to see a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage on the 2008 ballot and would not rule out spending more state GOP money to support it." Charlie's handpicked head of the RPOF,

Jim Greer said he hasn't yet decided to whether his party will contribute more money to a group gathering signatures for such a ballot measure.

The GOP gave the group $300,000 last year.

But Greer said he supports the initiative and acknowledged that it could help the Republican Party by drawing socially conservative voters to the polls during the next presidential election.

Mel

"By press release and podcast, the Florida Democratic Party is accusing Sen. Mel Martinez of dodging last week's Senate debate over whether to hold a debate on the war in Iraq." "Bashing Martinez, via podcast".

"Pure Chaos"?

"If Florida holds its primary on Jan. 29, it could push early voting to begin as early as the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend that falls two weeks earlier."

"It's pure chaos," said Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. "If the job of scheduling the presidential nominating contests were assigned to an insane asylum, this is pretty much what the patients would come up with."

"State needs e-records policy"

"According to a recent report issued by the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, roughly 92 percent of all new information generated by state government is stored in an electronic format -- and almost all of that information is, by law, open to inspection by the public." "Open bytes".

'Ya Think?

"Expert: Doctors must guide lethal injections".

"What's the deal with Florida?"

"Gov. Charlie Crist's proposal to overhaul much of the state's voting system for the second time since the 2000 presidential meltdown also has some election watchers asking a familiar question: What's the deal with Florida?"

"Florida doesn't study. Florida has gotten into a pattern of moving from crisis to quick response to new crisis to quick response," says Charles Stewart III, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology voting expert.

But Stewart applauds Crist's plan.

"Given the continuing controversy over the electronic machines in Florida and nationwide, I think it makes a lot of sense," says Stewart, who testified in December that touch screens produced an excessive number of blank votes in a disputed Sarasota-area congressional race.

A University of Missouri-St. Louis study of the 2004 election found that 1 percent of touch-screen voters didn't cast a vote for president in 2004, compared with 1.7 percent of people who marked optical-scan ballots without polling-place safeguards. When voters were able to scan their paper ballots before casting them, only 0.7 percent did not vote for president.

In Florida, data from the past three general elections shows that voters who used paper optical-scan ballots, particularly those scanned at the polling place, were more likely to record a vote in top-of-the-ballot races than voters who used touch screens.

Mack Out Of His League

See "Mack to Kennedy: Stop Promoting Chavez" and "Kennedy to Mack: 'Misguided … Hypocrisy'".

A Palm Beach Thing

"Gayle Harrell already has the Harrell For Congress stationary and she is planning a formal announcement of her campaign for the GOP nomination in March." "Newt And Gayle".

Choice

"An abortion rights group is proposing a new Florida license plate reading "United for Choice" and featuring a human figure surrounded by stars as a counterpoint to an anti-abortion rights plate the state already issues." "'United for Choice' auto tag proposed".

That's Our Bill

Yesterday we gigged Mel ("That's Our Mel").

Thank goodness Democrats have cleaned up the easy flow of money and favors from lobbyists to members of Congress. Why if it hadn't been for the "tough" new ethics rules passed by the House and pending in the Senate, lawmakers might be hosting Super Bowl parties or weekends at Disney World for $5,000 a pop.

Oops. It turns out that Sen. Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat, held just such a party at the Super Bowl in Miami, allowing lobbyists who paid the fare to chat with him. Not to be left out, Nelson's Republican counterpart, Sen. Mel Martinez, will be holding a similar get-together this weekend at Disney World's Yacht and Beach Club resort.

Straw Polls

"State Republican Party chairman Jim Greer said he hasn't decided whether to let GOP activists take part in a party-sponsored straw poll of presidential candidates next fall." "Greer: No decision yet on straw poll".

Meanwhile, "Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman said she's 'feeling candidates out' on the prospect of a presidential straw poll in October." "Thurman shopping straw poll".

Don't Cry For Me Argentina

"Two Florida lawmakers [Reps. Ralph Poppell, a Vero Beach Republican, and Richard Machek D-Delray Beach] traveled to Argentina last month to look at citrus groves, a tour paid for by Florida growers." "Lawmakers seek citrus tips on trip".

"Humaneness, not Ideology."

"The horrible story of the Tampa rape victim who was jailed and then denied a crucial second dose of the morning-after pill on religious grounds is an outrage that resonates beyond Florida's borders. Now two state lawmakers want to make sure no rape victim will ever be refused emergency contraception. Sen. Nan Rich, D-Weston, and Rep. Yolly Roberson, D-Miami, have written legislation that would require doctors and nurses to offer ''Plan B'' -- the morning-after pill -- to all victims of rape. This is about humaneness, not ideology." "Relief for rape victims".

Mahoney

"U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney pretty much got crushed in Martin County. In the eight counties that make up the 16th District, Mahoney, a Democrat, did worse there (less than 43 percent) than any other county en route to winning his first term in Congress. But Mahoney is hardly wallowing in the rejection. Instead, the Highlands County Democrat smiled when he told [Jeremy Wallace] he was moving his central district office to Stuart - the county seat in Martin County. In addition, Mahoney has opened offices in Highlands County and Charlotte County (both of which he also lost in 2006)." "Into the lions den".

Citizens

"Refund money on its way soon to some Citizens customers".

DOC "Under Gov. Jeb Bush was a Complete Mess"

The Tampa Trib editors: "The latest bombshell in the botched execution of Angel Nieves Diaz is the public discovery that Florida's executioner had limited training in carrying out the death penalty, further evidence that the Department of Corrections under Gov. Jeb Bush was a complete mess." "Executioner Needs Precise Training In Lethal Injections".

Miami-Dade Housing Mess

"The housing picture in Miami-Dade County is a mess, and the staggering abuse and ineptness of elected officials and housing managers have put the county in a deep hole from which recovery will be difficult, if not impossible. This is a sobering conclusion of the grand jury's second report in six months on the affordable-housing scandal that was uncovered in The Miami Herald's House of Lies series and the grand jury's own investigations." "Housing crisis cont'd".

Vilsack

Naked Politics: "Democratic presidential candidate Tom Vilsack took time out to chat with The Miami Herald today while in town for the winter meeting of the American Association for Justice (formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America). Here's what the former governor of Iowa had to say".

Horner

GOPer "Mike Horner, a Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce executive who wants to replace [term limited] Rep. Frank Attkisson in Tallahassee, has scheduled his 'campaign kickoff' for later this month -- almost four years after he first started running for the Florida House. ... the early planning looks like it has paid off. Horner has already raised nearly $140,000, and his host committee reads like a who's who of Tallahassee, including Speaker-designates Ray Sansom, R-Destin, and Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Bronson and Attorney General Bill McCollum." "Re-Starting a Long-Running Campaign".

Property Tax Relief Pressure

"Young and old, renter and homeowner, full-time Floridian and snowbird, they united behind a common goal and turned out in droves Monday, demanding that the Legislature do something about the property tax system all described as broken." "Hundreds in Broward implore legislators to give them property tax relief". See also "" and Property owners vent over tax rates"Palm residents say brutal tax hikes are forcing them out".

In the meantime, "Crist 'Flexible' On Property Insurance".

"Happy Campers"

"Landowners in Volusia County who turn their property into campgrounds for a series of special events can make thousands of dollars. But when the events are over, the space goes back to being farmland, giving owners a big tax break." "Tax break creates happy campers".<

According to the story that spells out how members of Congress have found ways to work around new ethics rules that bar goodies from lobbyists, Dana Harris of Bellwether Consulting, a Republican firm that "specializes in courting lobbyists' political action committees" has set up the event.

Congress now prohibits lobbyists from paying for lawmakers' meals, but it doesn't prevent lobbyists from contributing money to a politician's political action committee, which then pays for the lawmaker's trip.

Charlie Assails Local Government

"As they push for sweeping property-tax cuts, Gov. Charlie Crist and many legislators have painted Florida cities and counties as lavish tax-and-spenders, their budgets bloated by soaring land values and frenzied construction."

But state leaders in Tallahassee have taken advantage of rising property taxes, too.

During the past eight years, the amount of property-tax money the state forces local school districts to charge has ballooned by 92 percent. Growth in personal income, by comparison, has been about 54 percent during the same period.

This year alone, the state will force property-tax payers to kick in close to $7.4 billion to run Florida's public schools. And the total would swell by another $450 million next year under the budget Crist submitted to lawmakers this month.

Eight years ago, property taxes accounted for just more than 38 percent of the state's main public-school funding program. Today, they make up nearly 47 percent.

Democratic lawmakers have long accused the Republican-controlled Legislature of dumping more of the cost of operating public schools onto property-tax payers even as it touted big increases in education spending. The issue is drawing fresh attention now that the Legislature and Crist are considering separate property-tax cuts that could cost cities and counties billions of dollars.

"Listen more and posture less"

The St Pete Times editors: "The legislative session is still a month away, but Crist's revision of his own homestead exemption proposal ought to put lawmakers on notice. Their simplistic campaign pledges may make for backward, or even unconstitutional, tax policy. They need to listen more and posture less." "Reality check on property tax".

In the meantime, "the Florida Legislature is holding property tax reform hearings around the state where home and business owners have complained that taxes are forcing them to shutter storefronts or flee the state." "Inequities in property taxes cited".<

Early Primary Debate

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board argues that "there are sound reasons for Florida making its move - and despite opposition from both GOP and Democratic national parties who suggest that, if big rambling Florida weighs in, candidates with the most money will be favored." "Vote early".

Here's an Idea

The St Pete Times editorial board has a wild and crazy idea! "Before Gov. Charlie Crist doubles the bonus money for top-performing teachers, he needs to ask teachers what they think of Florida's performance-pay plan." Yah think?

What he will find is that the bureaucratic obsession to link teacher pay with standardized tests has produced a peculiar result. The state is offering $147.5-million this year for bonuses that many teachers don't accept. ...

Unfortunately, the Special Teachers Are Rewarded plan is anything but fair and workable. ...

Crist has said teachers generally should be paid more, and market conditions may ultimately force the state to raise salaries. But he and Gaetz would do well to listen to teachers before throwing too much money at pay plans that are designed to inspire the best work. So far, politicians have been so eager to claim victory that they have ignored the teachers whose hard work they ostensibly want to reward.

AgJOBS and the Klan

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editors on illegal immigrants: "The proposal in Congress is called the Agriculture Jobs Opportunity and Benefits Act, sometimes packed into the acronym AgJOBS. It's not a perfect bill. Under the proposal, undocumented migrant or farmworkers would get a 'blue card' on two conditions. Those who qualify would have to pay a $500 fine up front. They also would have to provide proof of having worked in the United States 150 work days out of the past two years. The terms are more lenient than previous proposals, which included $1,000 fines, the payment of back taxes, more extensive proof of employment and the requirement that those workers here for only a few years would have to go back to their country of origin before becoming eligible for a worker's permit -- with no guarantee that they would."

Unfortunately, one powerful pressure group -- the American Farm Bureau Federation -- has not endorsed the legislation for just one reason: The bill also would raise wages for farmworkers. There are efforts in Congress to kill that provision. That would be a shame. But if the rest of the bill survives, it's still worth supporting as higher wages may, in any case, trickle from workers' more protected immigration status. One month ago U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., helped reintroduce the AgJOBS bill in the Senate. This is one immigration bill that has the making of bipartisan success. It also may show the way to more comprehensive, compassionate immigration reform.

Pro-Choice Plate

"[T]he plate would almost certainly face resistance from the Republican-led Legislature. Sales of the plate would benefit sex education programs that do not focus solely on abstinence." "'Pro-choice' backers press for license plate".

"Retreated Somewhat"

How kind of the reporter to put it this way:

Crist, for instance, has retreated somewhat from his campaign promise to double the homestead exemption to $50,000 -- which would save Orange County homeowners close to $500 a year -- because of concerns about the amount of money it would drain from public schools.

Another Disaster

In "A better way",the Orlando Sentinel editorial board notes that "Florida rushed to embrace touch-screen voting after the 2000 presidential election debacle in the state, with its infamous hanging chads." Another disaster on Jebbie's watch.

"Bright Futures" Too Easy?

The Tampa Trib editors don't like the Bright Futures "program's second-tier, the Medallion Scholars Award". They argue that "Florida shouldn't reward below average performance with substantial tuition discounts, particularly since a portion of these students can afford to pay. Lawmakers should concentrate the merit scholarships on top students, while directing more money to need-based programs and first-generation college student aid, which are paid from sources other than lottery funds and can rise along with tuition." "Raise Bar On "Bright Futures" To Improve Florida Universities".

"Morning-after Pill"

Recall the rape victim whose jail nurse "allegedly refused to give her the second dose [morning-after pill], citing religious beliefs."

In response, "State lawmakers will consider a bill requiring doctors and nurses to offer the so-called 'morning-after pill' to rape victims." Even

State Sen. Mike Fasano and state Rep. Ralph Poppell, Republicans who are outspoken opponents of abortion, said they would consider voting for the emergency contraception proposal. Rep. Dennis Baxley, a leading conservative voice, said his belief that life begins at conception would preclude his support.

Gardasil

The Sun-Sentinel editors: "A proposal to vaccinate Florida middle school girls to prevent cervical cancer is sure to cause controversy. But people must not shut their minds or bury their heads in the sand so deep that they cut off the debate before it ever starts." "Public Health".

"Pay to Play"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel's politically motivated attack on the 'pay to play' grand jury has left Palm Beach County State Attorney Barry Krischer no choice but to empanel another jury and continue the investigation into the city's business/political dealings." "Frankel might not like WPB pay-to-play replay".

Panther-people Ombudsman

"Crist wants to hire an advocate to manage an increasing number of complaints about run-ins between people and the rebounding population of the endangered Florida panther." "Crist proposes advocate for endangered panthers".

Undocumented Students

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Bravo to state Rep. Juan Carlos Zapata, R-Miami, for trying to right a wrong. For four years he has proposed legislation that would allow undocumented students who are Florida residents to pay in-state tuition at state universities. Opponents have killed the bills each time, saying that, 'We can't help people who break the law.' But Florida shouldn't be doing the work of federal immigration authorities." "For equal education".

Tampa

See "District 4 Tampa City Council Candidates Address Issues" and "District 4 Race Grows Costly".

"Fiscal Compassion"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Crist is right to push for more money so the mentally ill don't languish in jails."

The solution seems simple enough:

Pump $79 million into the yearly state budget to help alleviate the crunch of mentally ill patients languishing in jails because there aren't enough beds to move them elsewhere. Keeping those inmates longer than 15 days in jail is against state law.

Gov. Charlie Crist certainly shows more fiscal compassion on issue than his predecessor Jeb Bush, who slashed Department of Children & Families' budget requests for programs and services for five years.

But the problem runs much deeper than finding and funding a suitable place to sleep.

Citizens

Democratic leader of the Florida House, Rep. Dan Gelber: "Much work on Citizens undone".

Better Things to Do?

"Lawmakers from Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach held a tri-county meeting Wednesday to talk about affordable housing and school and transportation funding. But the gathering was short on Republicans, especially those who represent Miami-Dade. Hmm, wonder if it was because it conflicted with a fundraiser hosted by House Speaker Marco Rubio, Rep. Ray Sansom and Rep. Dean Cannon for Rep. Adam Hasner and Rep. Dave Murzin?" "Political beat".

Politically Saavy?

"A few weeks ago, Crist proposed a $71.2 billion spending plan, about $2.5 billion less than lawmakers approved, and Gov. Jeb Bush signed into law last year. In a fast-growing state that automatically assumes the costs of hundreds of thousands of new residents every year, the governor's move seemed to many more fancy than fact. But the proposal may have been not so outlandish, and in fact politically savvy." "Gov. Crist's proposed spending plan less revolution than reality".