"I'm telling you what's going to happen if we don't deal with it this year, someone is going to put the double homestead exemption on the ballot and it's going to pass and you're going to wipe out entire counties in this state," Rubio told the Tiger Bay Club.

College Republican Fun

At FSU, the "Institute for Conservative Studies brought in Reginald Jones to speak about 'Betrayal: How Black America Has Been Sold Out By The Civil Rights Movement'."

The event was promoted by the [FSU] College Republicans, who were offering a caucasian-only scholarship.

The Price of Democracy

"For the first time ever, there's a known price tag for influencing the Florida Legislature: at least $58 million. And counting."

Lobbyists reaped at least that amount last year -- and might have earned up to $38 million more, depending on how the numbers are figured -- from corporations, special-interest groups and cities and counties that wanted to influence the Legislature, according to an extensive review by The Miami Herald of newly required lobbyist disclosure forms.

And Your Point Is?

The Tampa Trib editors: "Police salaries in Tampa, for example, are among the South's highest." Is that a bad thing?

Putz

"The Buzz: "MSNBC's Keith Olbermann takes a shot at Florida Congressman Adam Putnam this week, naming him the Worst Person in the World for pushing a 'phony' story about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's travel requests." "Adam Putnam: 'Worst person in the world'". See transcript here.

Early Primary

"A state House committee unanimously approved a bill on Thursday that would move up Florida's presidential primary election by at least a month with the aim of giving the state more influence over who wins the White House." "Bill seeks earlier primary for Florida".

Giuliani

"Giuliani is starting to gear up his presidential campaign in Florida, with an eye on state lawmakers' plans to bump up the primary right after New Hampshire's vote. A campaign manager for former Gov. Jeb Bush, Karen Unger, will be a top Giuliani advisor in Florida." "Guiliani gears up campaign in Florida". See also "It's like being in NYC for Giuliani" and "Giuliani at home with New Yorkers during Florida campaign stop".

Private Colleges

The Tampa Trib editorial board thinks "Private Colleges Deserve A Raise".

Buchanan Protests

"Lauren Mitchell of CODEPINK, which is organizing Friday’s protest, said her group is trying to be respectful of Buchanan and his staff." "The 1960s it wasn’t".

Different Perspectives

"The Associated Press reporter, who has witnessed all 20 lethal injection executions in Florida, wrote that Diaz was 'grimacing in pain.' The Miami Herald reporter wrote that the execution "looked agonizing." The Gainesville Sun reporter wrote that Diaz 'shuddered and appeared to grimace in pain.' Department of Corrections officials who participated in or witnessed the execution said they saw no such thing." "'As if in pain': Notes from Diaz execution".

Uninsured Children

"There are about 700,000 children in Florida who can't get routine healthcare because they're uninsured. ... Some Republicans have admitted it was a mistake a few years ago when the GOP-controlled Legislature intentionally made it harder to enroll [into the state's subsidized health insurance program] by requiring more documentation." "Florida lawmakers take on children's health care". See also "KidCare accessibility ills getting a hard look" and "Lawmakers push for more children to get health coverage".

Public Hearings

"About 200 residents from St. Cloud to Cocoa Beach packed a public hearing Thursday, angry over a state property-tax system many said is broken. Homeowners told of taxes jumping by 50 percent or more. Farmers said they worried about being run out of business. Some said costs are so high they can't live here anymore." "Irate residents decry taxes". See also "Property tax hearing tonight".

Another Jebacy

Gearge Diaz: "Charter-boat operators, commercial fishermen and others have successfully lobbied to take fishing restrictions off the table. Former Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed the $3 million operating budget for the Florida Oceans and Coastal Resources Council, formed in 2005, to make management recommendations to the Legislature on coastal and ocean policies." "Bureaucratic seaweed causing havoc off coast".

Here's a Shocker

The reliably anti-union Orlando Sentinel contends that "Seminole County School Board members did the right thing in approving a merit-pay plan over the objection of the teachers union". "Meritorious stand".

School Boards

"A renewed battle is heating up in the Legislature this spring over whether school boards in Orange and other large districts should be led by a politically powerful chairman elected countywide." "Lawmakers to revisit hot issue: Elected leader for school boards".

Cable Control

The House Jobs and Entrepreneurship Council approved "a bill (HB 529) designed to encourage competition in part by stripping cities and counties of their authority to grant cable TV franchises and giving it to a state agency. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Trey Traviesa, R-Tampa, said cable companies have become de facto monopolies in most Florida communities under existing law. The legislation is patterned after a similar law passed last year in Texas." "House panel approves bill to take cable TV from cities, counties". See also "House council OKs state cable takeover".

Actually, Privatization Is Presumptively "Bad"

The Tallahassee Democrat editors claim that "it isn't because it's necessarily bad to outsource to private companies functions that had been performed by public agencies. But it's faulty to simply assume that private is always better and more cost-efficient, and to fail to hold private firms to the same accountability standards as public agencies for their handling of taxpayer dollars." "Crist-allized".

The St Pete Times editors remind us that "Bush was so intent on privatizing government services at any cost that he once vetoed a Republican-led attempt at requiring some financial oversight." They argue that the "Convergys contract and others of similar size have enjoyed the kind of political protection in Tallahassee that has helped the defense industry thrive in Washington." "It's wise to scrutinize move to privatize".

Alvarez

"In his first State of the County address since voters gave him strong-mayor powers, Carlos Alvarez struck a theme meant to reassure Miami-Dade residents, the County Commission and county employees that his new authority will bring no radical changes, no wholesale shakeups at County Hall. Instead, the mayor promised steady, solid improvements in departments whose directors must identify specific objectives and set reasonable timetables to achieve them -- or else answer to the mayor." "An olive branch, a sensible vision".

Romney

Press Release: "Governor Mitt Romney Names Florida Statewide Finance Committee". See also "Romney Announces Florida Backers, Starts Ad Buy">".

"Florida gets slammed on all sides"

"When it comes to immigration, Florida gets slammed on all sides, business leaders said Thursday, as they laid ground for a statewide industry coalition to push for comprehensive immigration reform." "Florida business leaders to build pressure to break immigration jam".

"All that's missing now is some urgency"

"There's hope yet for the future of the gopher tortoise. All that's missing now is some urgency. Eight months after upgrading the tortoise to threatened status, the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has drafted a plan that all but abolishes the horrific practice of crushing or burying the tortoises alive in the name of development." "Wildlife".

Research Venture

"Florida lawmakers on Thursday approved $15-million for a cancer research venture between drugmaker Merck & Co. and the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa." "State to fund Merck-Moffitt cancer project".

What They Want

Telecoms "desperately want to pass a bill that would change the way consumers across Florida get their television, Internet and telephone services. Billions of dollars are at stake in the all-out war between telephone companies and traditional cable television companies." "BellSouth's lobbying bonanza". See also yesterday's "Telecoms pour money into lobbying".

Tax Credits?

Mel "Martinez’s proposed Tax Equity and Affordability Act of 2007, which he first filed in Congress last year, calls for providing tax credits to individuals and families without employer-sponsored insurance so they can buy health insurance on their own. The measure targets the low income and the tax credit could be used to off-set premiums." "Martinez pushes act that would help uninsured".

Whatever

"Crist visits 'A' school to praise its successes". See also "Crist: Principals just as important as FCAT in awarding raises".

Diebold

"With assurances from the Volusia County Supervisor of Elections that Diebold Election Systems Inc. is working to address voting machine foul-ups, council members Thursday approved an annual warranty contract with the company. County Chairman Frank Bruno questioned Supervisor of Elections Ann McFall about memory card failures, machines not automatically adjusting to daylight-saving time and machines indicating that 100 percent of the votes had been counted when none cast on touch-screen machines had been tallied." "Volusia approves warranty for voting machines".

But cities and counties would be required to slash billions of dollars in spending.

The heart of the package is a proposed constitutional amendment that would abolish all property taxes homeowners pay on their primary residences. The amendment, which voters would have to approve in a referendum, also would add 2.5 cents to the state's 6-cent sales tax -- making it the highest statewide rate in the nation.

The House plan also calls for a separate state law, effective July 1, that would immediately force local governments to roll back property-tax rates and cut nearly $5.8 billion in spending, or an average of 19 percent of their budgets. The legislation also would impose a cap limiting future property-tax increases. The rollback would not affect levies for school districts, but the cap on future tax increases would.

If you own a $250,000 home, the proposed replacement of property taxes with a 2.5-cent sales tax increase could save you so much you would have to amass more than $120,000 in taxable spending to offset the savings.

And if your home is worth $1 million, you might have to spend more than half a million dollars to use up your savings.

Economists generally consider sales taxes "regressive" - having a disproportionate impact on lower-income people, since a larger percentage of their spending is eaten up by the sales tax.

On Wednesday, however, Republicans called that argument flawed. "Maybe the regressive idea is not based in fact," said Gov. Charlie Crist, who added that he's "intrigued" by the House plan.

[GOPers are] actually considering a recommendation that all property taxes simply be abolished.

This is adult supervision?

Eliminating the property tax would require the state to raise its sales tax from the current 6 cents on the dollar to 13.5 cents, making an already regressive system intolerable. Yet Donna Arduin, a committee member who was the former budget director for Gov. Jeb Bush, acts as though fairness is a quaint concept. "The property tax system we have now isn't exactly the opiate," she told members, according to published reports. "Let's not just use the old adage 'regressive' and dismiss it."

With such flippant discourse, the committee last month agreed to keep the issue alive and undermined their credibility as a competent, realistic panel.

Leaders in the Florida Senate reacted cautiously. The Senate isn't expected to unveil its property-tax proposal until early next month, after lawmakers have concluded a series of public hearings on the issue across the state. ...

Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne, who is spearheading the Senate's property-tax efforts, predicted senators will ultimately propose something different from both the governor and the House.

Florida's "First Black Governor" Orders Privatization Review

"Crist ordered a top-to-bottom review of privatization in state government Wednesday - starting with the troubled 'People First' contract with Convergys for online personnel services." "Crist orders review of privatization". See also "Contractors beware: Privatization under review" and "State rethinks privatization" (Charlie"'is determined to put an end to politics as usual in Tallahassee,' Sink said.")

"Taking aim at one of former Gov. Jeb Bush's most treasured goals, Gov. Charlie Crist on Wednesday promised stricter oversight of efforts to outsource government operations. The cementing of Crist's role as the anti-Jeb was only solidified later in the day when black lawmakers -- vocal opponents of Bush for eight years -- celebrated Crist's appearance at a meeting, with one lawmaker dubbing Crist the state's 'first black governor.'" "Gov. Crist seeks more outsourcing oversight" ("The move, a swipe at Jeb Bush, further separates Crist from his predecessor").

Jebacy

"After a lengthy and passionate debate, the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday morning killed a bill sponsored by Sen. Frederica Wilson that would have ended the A-F school grading system that was a key part of the A+ education reforms championed by former Gov. Jeb Bush. The split was along party lines." "Senate kills attempt to undo Bush legacy".

"Elected Education Commissioner?"

"With no debate and hardly any discussion, the Senate Education Committee this morning voted in favor of a constitutional amendment that would return Florida's education commissioner to an elected position and a member of the Cabinet." "Return of an elected education commissioner?"

Restoration

"Crist said Wednesday that he may issue an executive order single-handedly restoring civil rights to felons who have completed their sentences. The announcement from the Republican governor drew applause from nearly two dozen Democratic lawmakers from the legislative black caucus, known formally as the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators." "Crist: I'll restore felons' rights".

"Rich/Poor Gap"

"Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's recent warning about the pernicious effects of income inequality should strike a chord with every resident of South Florida, where the rich/poor gap becomes more evident by the day. While soaring new skyscrapers with million-dollar condos dramatically transform the skyline, workers struggle to find a decent place to live. No housing, no workers. No workers . . . you get the picture." "Fed chief warns of widening income gap".

Paying For News Coverage

William March: "The confusing round of questions and non-answers began Monday, when Greer announced he was cancelling plans for the party to hold a presidential primary straw vote at its fall Presidency IV convention. Instead, it would stage the debate, and Fox would broadcast it live. Later in the day, officials of the presidential campaigns told reporters that Greer had said privately that each candidate would have to pay $100,000 to participate in the convention events. To reporters, that smacked of asking candidates to pay for news coverage." "Fox Didn’t Know About $100,000 P4 Fee".

"Capitalizing on climate change"

"Rubio, the dynamic young speaker of the Florida House, didn't get to where he is without knowing how to make the most of opportunity." "Convergence".

Immigration

"Florida business leaders tired of the immigration deadlock in Washington will seek to form a coalition Thursday to pressure state and federal representatives to push for changes. The effort comes as local business leaders in a growing number of states are beginning to take a bigger role in the immigration debate." "Florida business leaders consider coalition on immigration change".

Obama Rama

"Illinois Sen. Barack Obama will be in West Palm Beach on March 25" "Obama Coming To Florida".

Buchanan Protests

"Vern Buchanan’s first big vote on the Iraq war is producing a surge of protests in his local offices over the next two days." "Protests target Buchanan".

Posada

"A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed an anti-Castro militant's lawsuit to be released from an immigration jail while he awaits deportation. U.S. District Judge Philip R. Martinez threw out Luis Posada Carriles' case nearly a month after lawyers for the federal government asked that it be ended since Posada has been indicted on a criminal charge of lying during a bid to become a naturalized citizen and is no longer in immigration custody. Posada has been in U.S. immigration custody since May 2005 after surfacing in Miami." "Judge dismisses Posada's bid to be freed before deportation".

Second Chance

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "Most folks get a second chance at some point. Why should people who've been released from prison be any different?" "Keeping ex-cons out of jail".

"Primary Insanity"

"As states maneuver for maximum influence in the 2008 presidential election, Florida can better position itself without acting recklessly. The state Republican Party has prudently abandoned talk of a meaningless straw poll this fall and instead scheduled a more significant debate between GOP candidates that will draw national attention. Legislators should show similar restraint by moving the Florida primary from March into early February - but no earlier." "Best plan: fall debate, earlier primary". See also "Stop the primary insanity".

FEC Backs Off

"The Florida Elections Commission says it will not again investigate a Wakulla County newspaper it once accused of being in violation of Florida election laws because it mentioned two political candidates." "State backs off newspaper dispute".

Hot Seat

"Tuck, 32, raised in Neptune Beach and a graduate of Fletcher High School, is the state's new elections director. Appointed in January by new Secretary of State Kurt Browning, she is one of only a handful of former Northeast Florida residents in Gov. Charlie Crist's 6-week-old administration. She couldn't have picked a hotter seat to sit in." "Her job is to improve Florida's voting woes".

Whatever

"Crist, though confessing he's no math or science whiz himself, has endorsed an effort to invigorate math and science education in Florida public schools." "Governor targets math, science".

Ruth Takes on DOC Secretary McDonough,

"Memo to Florida Department of Corrections Secretary James R. McDonough, who got his gurney in a wad over some recent scribblings regarding his agency's keen ability to turn an execution into an event recalling The Inquisition:"

You're absolutely right, Mr. McDonough. Putting someone to death ought not to be a laughing matter, nor a barbaric one.

The secretary was peeved after this space suggested Florida State Prison officials managed to turn the execution of Angel Nieves Diaz late last year into something carried out by the loutish Luca Brasi from "The Godfather."

That wasn't meant as a joke, Mr. Secretary. It was an indictment of your department's stumblebum incompetence to carry out the state's ultimate sanction in an efficient, humane manner.

House to Announce Radical Tax Plan

"The Republican-controlled Florida House is expected today to unveil a dramatic proposal to overhaul the state tax system that would free homeowners from paying property taxes in favor of a higher sales tax." "Higher sales tax headed for debate".

Under the plan, which must be approved by voters in a constitutional amendment, homeowners would no longer pay any property taxes whatsoever. Owners of commercial properties and non-homesteaded homes would continue paying all local-government property taxes, which would be capped and scaled back to 2001 or 2002 levels -- before the real-estate market boomed and local government spending skyrocketed.

The plan, which House Speaker Marco Rubio called a ''starting point,'' could lower property taxes across the state by more than $12 billion. But it's fraught with unknowns and potential perils.

In addition to making Florida's base sales-tax rate the highest in the nation -- California is now the highest, at 7.25 cents per dollar, the proposal would shift even more of the sales-tax burden to businesses. Businesses, which pay about 40 percent of sales taxes now, could see shoppers cut down on spending or head to other states or the Internet. The poor would see a disproportionately higher amount of their wages pay for government.

And it could lead to higher federal income tax payments, because people would lose the property-tax deduction that they now receive. Though state sales taxes are currently deductible, that deduction will end after next year.

Bob McIntyre, director of Citizens for Tax Justice, conducted a 2003 analysis that showed Florida's tax system was the second-worst in the country in terms of the burden paid by lower income residents.

McIntyre also said the state's elimination last year of the intangibles tax paid largely by millionaires has only made the system more unfair, and that raising the sales tax would make it even worse with wealthy homeowners receiving huge tax breaks and lower-income renters receiving little.

"Taxes will go up on the low income and the middle income and go down on the upper income," said McIntyre.

"Jeb!" Watch

Yesterday's New York Times: "Speculation has been growing that Jeb Bush ... will join his sister, who is known as Doro,[Bush’s sister, Dorothy Bush Koch, is planning to be co-host of a fund-raiser for Mitt Romney], in making Mr. Romney the Bush family favorite this election season. Several of his former aides have joined the Romney campaign." "And Jeb’s Candidate Is?" (via Naked Politics)

Stupid Is ...

"What is it about Congress' outrage last year over the proposed sale of national forest lands that the president didn't understand? Unbelievably, President Bush's 2008 budget includes the sale of 300,000 acres, including 973 in the Ocala National Forest." "Public sell-out".

Gardasil

Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, the "sponsor of a bill that would require girls entering middle school in Florida to be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted disease that causes cervical cancer said Tuesday he plans to change his bill so that it would take effect a year later." "Cancer vaccine start put off year".

Red Tide

"A yearlong red tide bloom in 2005 spurred state lawmakers to more than double spending for research on the problem to $5 million a year." "Legislators call for red tide funds".

Paper Trail

"As Congress moves toward requiring a paper trail for elections nationwide, lawmakers must be able to separate fact from fiction."

On Friday, the state expects to complete its report on mock tests of Sarasota's system. The results of a state consultant's review of the system's electronic brain, its source code - denied to Ms. Jennings at trial - is expected in March. The GAO, which conducts investigations for Congress, probably will want to view the source code as well.

That's a good idea, if Congress is going to take the major step of mandating what systems states and counties must use. About half the states require a paper trail for electronic voting, but in testimony before Sen. Feinstein's committee, senators were warned that printers can be unreliable, causing more problems than they cure.

Mr. Buchanan has taken his seat in Congress, but Ms. Jennings maintains that machine error cost her the election and is appealing the trial court's source-code ruling. That level of uncertainty is prompting Congress to make voting systems stand up to the test of Sarasota before 2008, when a president will be elected and the stakes will be much higher.

Huh?

"Florida is the most dangerous state in the country for the homeless, with 48 attacks last year, about one-third of all attacks registered nationwide, according to an advocacy group's report released Tuesday." "Florida reported one-third of all attacks on homeless in U.S., group says". See also "Homeless attacks up in '06".

Hill

"Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton stopped in Liberty City, as Florida draws candidates earlier than ever before." "Clinton makes early bid to court black voters". See also "Clinton Swings Through Tampa, South Florida For Fundraisers", "Clinton Collects Money In Closed Tampa Event", "Clinton attacks White House on economy, health care" and "Clinton campaigns in Miami’s black community".

Subsidizing Charter Schools

"The Miami-Dade School Board made a bad call in approving an expansion for a popular charter-school operator after the board's own auditor found 'questionable practices' in the operator's dealings with Mater Academy, one of South Florida's largest charter schools. Those practices could cost taxpayers millions of dollars." "Wrong to ignore dubious practices".

Lake O

"Audubon of Florida took a courageous stand last week when the environmental group complained about flaws in the South Florida Water Management District's report to state legislators on Lake Okeechobee's pollution problems."

The district's response, which came through board member Mike Collins, was to accuse environmentalists of generating "insulting" news coverage about the district. Then, the board approved the report 7-0.

Instead, the board should have listened to Audubon's Paul Gray, who monitors Lake Okeechobee issues. Mr. Gray pointed out that the district's report underestimates the amount of phosphorus in the lake. The report doesn't include statistics from 2004, when three hurricanes crossed the lake. Runoff from the storms boosted phosphorus levels to 938 metric tons. The district figured its baseline calculations for the lake's average pollution on measurements made from 1991 to 2000, ignoring the record pollution generated between 2001 and 2005.

Making Sausage

"Don't worry, left lane lingerers, you won't be accused of inciting road rage this year. Senators on Tuesday killed a bill that would have required drivers to move out of the left lane if they are approached from behind by a speedier driver." "Panel's split vote kills get-out-of-lane bill". See also "Legislature faces bills from pets to religious symbols".

Hill Backers

"Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Alcee Hastings, both of South Florida, say they're backing the two-term New York senator for the Democratic nomination." "FOH".

CD 13

"Vern Buchanan is once again working the district hard while Congress has the week off. The Longboat Key Republican cranked up a 12 hour day today, holding a pair of press conferences here and in Fort Myers talking about red tide in the morning. Later he's off to Arcadia to attend the Peace River Valley Citrus Growers annual meeting on Tuesday night." "Buchanan working the district".

$100,000 Flip-Flop

"The Republican Party of Florida now says a presidential primary debate to be aired live on Fox News in October won’t come with a $100,000 price tag for the candidates." "A Free and Open Debate".

Marlins Money

"The Florida Marlins may finally be heading to their new home and may not draw a throw. No opposition surfaced Tuesday to legislation that would give $60 million in state money to build a half-billion dollar, retractable-roof baseball park in downtown Miami for the club." "Bills on Marlins stadium issue sail through 1st Senate committee". See also "Legislative committee approves $60 million toward Marlins stadium in Miami" and "Marlins have shot at park".

Song

"Crist, concerned about lyrics of the state song that are widely viewed as racist, is inviting proposals from a legislative leader." "Senator 'On Very Good Path' To Replace State Song".

Romney on the Air

"The [Romney] ad is set to air starting today and will be shown in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Michigan and Florida."

The 60-second spot describes the former Massachusetts governor as a ''business legend'' who ''rescued the Olympics'' and "turned around a Democratic state.''

Danforth Disgusted

"At the Society of the Four Arts' lecture series in Palm Beach Tuesday, Danforth told a nearly full house that he's also a moderate Republican who now finds that much of what he once took for granted about his party has been tossed aside in favor of political expediency." "Ex-senator appalled by nation's divisive politics".

The decision will affect the presidential primary race, denying hard-charging candidate Mitt Romney a vehicle he hoped to use to gain ground on the better-known leaders, Rudy Giuliani and John McCain.

It also seems likely to anger at least some grass-roots activists in a party that already divided over Greer's election as the chairman last month. ...

Romney supporter Al Cardenas, a former state party chairman, called the decision on the straw vote "an acknowledgement of Romney's lead in Florida … a direct reflection that the other contenders don't want to face Romney in a straw ballot competition here."

"I can tell you there are going to be a lot of disappointed folks" among party regulars, Cardenas said. ...

Greer narrowly defeated former Chairman Carole Jean Jordan, who favored holding the straw poll.

GOP Considering Elimination of Homeowner Property Taxes

This is not a joke: "Republican leaders in the Florida House are floating a radical tax overhaul that would eliminate property taxes paid by homeowners in favor of a 3-cent increase to the state sales tax." "Tax swap: Raise sales, cut property?" ("Republicans are told sales levy could hit 13.5% to replace revenue"). See also "GOP plan takes aim at property, sales taxes".

Bought and Paid For

"Lobbyists with Republican roots topped the charts Monday with multimillion-dollar fees collected in 2006, the first year legislative lobbyists had to report the fees Florida businesses pay them to influence lawmakers. Reports for the final quarter of 2006 indicate that the biggest fees went to Southern Strategy Group, Smith & Ballard and Ronald L. Book. The three firms each reported more than $4-million in fees for long lists of clients." "Lobbying fees run in millions".

Putnam Embarrasses Himself, And Florida

Adam Putnam enjoys his new role as a GOPer hack-in-Chief. "Part of that is Putnam's formal role as conference chairman, but it also reflects his personal aggressiveness and the reality of life as a minority party."

By most accounts, Putnam has attacked Democrats more aggressively from the conference chairman role than his immediate predecessors, including former Oklahoma Rep. J.C. Watts and Ohio Rep. Deborah Pryce."

It was Tony Snow, the Fox News anchor-turned-presidential spokesman, who in effect ended the recent scandalette over whether the military plane that would fly Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi back and forth to California was too luxurious.

"This is a silly story, and I think it's been unfair to the speaker," Snow said, according to published reports. He was countering voices in his own party.

One of the most prominent was U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow. Putnam, the third-ranking House Republican, had pushed the Pelosi story aggressively the day before, both in print and on television.

"This is not about having secure communications and secure aircraft available to her. It's about an arrogance of extravagance that demands a jumbo jet that costs $22,000 an hour to operate to taxi her and her buddies back and forth to California," Putnam told Fox News.

It turns out there's no evidence Pelosi requested any such thing.

Resolute Republicans vow never to cut funding for military operations in Iraq and will battle shifty Democrats, who are using a "toothless" resolution as the first step in a "slow bleed" of Iraq funding, a way of ending the occupation by underhanded means.

That tone of harsh contrast echoes a series of statements and talking points blasting Democrats' plans and actions found on Putnam's conference committee Web site.

Maxwell

Scott Maxwell disses Siplin, "How is it possible that State Sen. Gary Siplin is holding a re-election fundraiser Wednesday night, asking for $500 donations?" "Siplin wants money. . . no, not for bail". The same column also notes that

Charlie Crist took a step toward proving he's his own man last week when he put the brakes on talk among his own Republican Party leaders about trying to make gay marriage unconstitutional. This kept Crist honest about his campaign's mantra of inclusion; it was also politically smart. Homophobia got whupped at the polls last year. Just ask Tom Gallagher and Katherine Harris. Plus, now Crist won't have to struggle to explain why a political party that claims there are too many amendments is pushing for another one -- one that seeks to ban something that's already prohibited, no less.

Dixie County

"Do Dixie County commissioners really think they have a prayer, let alone a legal leg to stand on, defending their placement of a Ten Commandments monument on the steps of the county courthouse?" "Going too far".

Insurance Companies to Resume Cuts

"The state Office of Insurance Regulation on Monday ordered insurers doing business in the state to file new and lower homeowner rates by March 15. ... That means that once they submit new rates, companies will be free to drop policies and to proceed with their plans to drop homeowners who had been sent notices before Crist's Jan. 30 order." "Property Insurance Policy Cuts To Resume". See also "Wind policies may be cut just as hurricanes loom" ("The clock could soon start ticking again for Floridians who thought Gov. Charlie Crist and the Cabinet had saved their windstorm policies for at least one more hurricane season.")

Jebbie's Medicaid Experiment

"Since Florida's Medicaid reform began Sept. 1, complaints have been rising that the HMO-style system is disrupting some recipients' medical care. Some have been denied drugs they have taken for years, barred from seeing doctors and pharmacists, or felt service cuts, said patient advocates and Legal Aid attorneys. ... Former Gov. Jeb Bush created the experiment to rein in the spiraling cost of Medicaid" "Critics of Florida’s Medicaid reform plan say it's tough on patients".

How Ironic

How ironic that, as we read on the week end, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle wants to eliminate this fellow's defined benefit pension plan:

Saving people from overturned and mangled cars is part of Fort Lauderdale firefighter Greg Snyder's job. ...

Off-duty, alone and driving home, Snyder noticed a car submerged in the chilly creek under a remote Interstate 95 bridge. ...

So the 12-year veteran leaped into the dark water on the Palm Beach County-Martin County line, cut open the car's convertible top with his pocketknife and saw a man strapped into a seat belt and covered in water almost up to his chin.

That's when Snyder's training kicked in.

He pulled up the driver's head amid broken glass and jagged edges. Snyder pleaded with him to hang on as the driver slipped in and out of consciousness.

"Up for Debate"

"A plan to charge incoming freshmen an additional $1,000 to attend the University of Florida will be introduced in the state legislature." "$1,000 UF fee up for debate". See also "Bill would establish $1,000-a-year fee at UF", "Bill would push up the price of a UF education" and "UF may tack big fee onto tuition".

In the meantime, Charlie goes out on a limb: "Crist opposes UF plan for $500 fee to hire staff".

Florida's "Poor and Uninsured" To Take a Hit

"A proposed rule change by the federal agency that oversees Medicaid could cost hospitals that serve Florida's poor and uninsured $1 billion this year and $4 billion over the next five unless Congress acts to reject it."

Nonprofit hospitals like Tampa General, St. Joseph's or All Children's in St. Petersburg - hospitals that serve a disproportionate number of patients without health insurance or on Medicaid - would be devastated by the change.

Gov. Charlie Crist, as well as Florida's congressional delegation, should do everything possible to keep the current funding formula intact and the hospitals financially stable.

Bucking the Gun Lobby

The Sun-Sentinel editors: "Maybe law enforcement officials will have better luck going head-to-head with the gun lobby. They want to change Florida's concealed weapons law, and the hope here is that they'll succeed. " "Weapons Law".

Gardasil

"State Sen. Mike Fasano, who proposed requiring 11- and 12-year-old girls to be vaccinated against a virus that can cause cervical cancer, said Monday he would delay the requirement another year to satisfy concerns about the vaccine's safety." "Fasano to postpone vaccine requirement". The Palm Beach Post editors: "Case for cancer vaccine stronger than opposition".

Investigation

"State investigators say they are reviewing a resident's complaint that automobile dealer Jason Kuhn may have funded contributions from his employees and their relatives [to City council candidate Julie Brown]. Florida law caps individual contributions at $500 and prohibits making donations in someone else's name." "State Investigating Donations To Council Candidate".

Whatever

"Hillary Clinton was the big winner in a ['totally unscientific,' ] walk-up straw poll held by the county Democratic Party at the State Fair in Tampa last week." "Clinton Wins Big In “Unscientific” State Fair Straw Poll".

Tampa "Sign Prank"

"Former state Sen. Les Miller was heading out the door Monday morning when he saw a bunch of political campaign signs in his front yard. The problem: They weren't his wife's signs for re-election to the city council. Instead, they were the signs of each of his wife's opponents, lined neatly in a row." "Sign Prank Worries Candidate".

In Florida, "Fewer children have health insurance"

"Over the coming months, states will be urging Congress to reauthorize a successful program that provides health insurance to 6 million American children."

But the state that pioneered the concept of subsidized health insurance is in a sorry position to argue for the program's survival. Participation in Florida KidCare -- which includes children's Medicaid and Healthy Kids, the state-backed insurance plan -- dropped by more than 130,000 children over two years. This year, the state will miss out on $17 million in federal money that could have been used to give Florida children access to routine checkups, dental care and prescriptions.

Grasping

"Republican presidential candidate John McCain met privately Monday with religious broadcasters in Orlando, then later said he isn't catering to conservative Christians as he tries to win his party's nomination." "McCain meets religious broadcasters in Fla., holds town meetings".

"Medical Professional"?

"Intravenous lines were properly placed in the veins of each arm of Angel Nieves Diaz and were not to blame for the inmate's slower-than-usual lethal injection death in December, a medical professional who monitored the execution said Monday."

Testifying by phone before the Governor's Commission on Administration of Lethal Injection, the man -- whose name and qualifications were not revealed because state law protects his anonymity -- said the IV lines were always in place during the process and were not responsible for the difficulty in getting the fatal drugs into Diaz's system. ...

Asked to explain why an autopsy indicated that IV lines had passed through Diaz's veins into the soft tissue, the medical witness suggested it could have happened while Diaz's body was being moved after his death.

- Raising the state sales tax by two to three cents in exchange for repealing the $7.5 billion state property tax that pays for schools. In the past, any tax increase -- regardless of a decrease elsewhere -- was viewed as an increase in the GOP-controlled Legislature.

- Allowing for taxable, unlimited casino gaming, from roulette to blackjack and Las Vegas-style slot machines, to offset residential property taxes -- also an idea once viewed as anathema by Republican lawmakers.

- Modifying or dismantling the Save Our Homes tax cap so that it more equally distributes the tax burden -- a change that would affect the program that, according to a new study, has kept a whopping $404.4 billion of taxable homeowner property off the tax rolls this year by shifting the tax burden to others.

- Allowing homeowners to carry part of the Save Our Homes tax savings with them to a new home -- only one time -- in exchange for a cap on tax benefits for any homes purchased in the future.

- Capping local government spending to force cities and counties to lower taxes in the face of rising growth in real estate values. Local governments are predicting cutbacks in services if they're deprived of tax money.

Poor Ric

Scott Maxwell notes this morning that Ric [sic] "Keller's most ardent critics have decided to have some fun at his expense. The Victory Caucus is staging a contest where folks are asked to photoshop Keller into various lawn-mowing scenarios. For example, Keller's face in a movie poster for a sequel to Lawnmower Man with the catchphrase: God made him simple; Metaphors made him God. Not all are nice. But all are here">here." "Kellers gets mown over".

Early Primary

The Tampa Trib editorial board wants Florida's primary moved, and could care less about the threatened sanctions:

the Republican Party promises that sanctions will be imposed if Florida shifts its primary to an earlier date. Remember, this is the same party that turned its back on Florida's first-rate bid to host the convention in Tampa. Someone should tell the party - perhaps Florida Senator Mel Martinez, its new chairman? - that we're not feeling the love here.

It says any presidential candidate who campaigns in a state that moves up its primary will receive no delegate votes from that state. Talk about a party that keeps shooting itself in the foot with Floridians.

Early Choice

"Two Republican presidential hopefuls, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Arizona U.S. Sen. John McCain, have discovered Florida early in their campaigns and attracted Florida political insiders for their Sunshine State teams, both drawing from the sizeable number of operatives left by former Gov. Jeb Bush." "Florida is early choice for GOP candidates".

Save Our Homes Debacle

Tom Blackburn: "Florida remains a low-tax state, 39th among the 50 states in state and local tax burden in 2006 according to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation. Save Our Homes, like everything else Florida does with taxes, passed with the implicit hope of laying the tax burden on someone else." "Cut-rate taxes cut house values".

The Touch-Screen Paper Trail Option

The Tampa Trib editors: "Crist and Secretary of State Kurt Browning want to spend $32.5 million to replace touch-screen machines with optical-scan technology that reads paper ballots. Before writing the check, they should first ensure that touch-screen manufacturers are incapable of building a printer that can be certified as working right."

Given what's at stake, surely these companies can build a printer that doesn't jam, the biggest criticism for such a solution.

The governor is right to want a paper trail to restore voter confidence. ATMs give receipts, he notes, so why not a voting machine? Good point. But ATM printers rarely jam, so why can't the same standard be developed for touch-screen printers?

That way, voters could see a printed receipt of their choices before depositing them in a lockbox at the precinct or before the paper advances like the paper roll in a cash register.

Whatever

"Perhaps politics didn't come up during the interview. University of Miami President Donna Shalala -- a former Democratic Cabinet official -- has hired a top Republican political operative from the White House. Rudy Fernández will serve as the university's vice president for government affairs, responsible for reaching out to federal, state and local governments." "Top Republican Hired for UM VP Position".

Affordable Housing Crisis

"A fledgling activist group of [FIU] college students plans to erect a mock shantytown on the Florida International University south campus this week to draw attention to the region's affordable housing crisis and show support for 40 squatters living in the Liberty City political protest-turned-homeless commune known as Umoja Village." "University students seek attention for South Florida housing crisis". See also "County's compassion deficit" ("Palm Beach County won't confront its homeless problem.")

Rail

A number of commuter rail stories today.

"Rail opponents describe all the new trains carrying passengers in cities across the country as costly failures that fleece taxpayers. They must not be talking to taxpayers in Dallas, Denver and Portland. Experts from these cities came to Tampa on Friday, hosted by the Metropolitan Planning Organization, to tell local leaders that their residents gladly tax themselves for rail." "Why Voters Love Rail Transit". See also "Conserving commuter rail costs" (central Florida) and "FEC tracks tracks hold key to commuter train linking S. Florida's downtowns" (the east coast).

WPB: Ethics Task Force

"Mayor Lois Frankel created the task force last year,"

after revelations that City Commissioner Ray Liberti was on a city contractor's payroll. Liberti resigned in May and was convicted of unrelated federal corruption charges.

Another commissioner, James Exline, resigned last month and said he would plead guilty to tax evasion.

Waves of public criticism and political agitation have been washing over city hall, now less than a month shy of the March 13 mayoral election.

Amid that backdrop the 10-member task force has been laboring since August and hopes to release a draft of its recommendations next month. It recently weathered criticism from a grand jury investigating corruption issues, which called the group elitist and too tied to the mayor.

Sun-Sentinel Hearts Charlie

The Sun-Sentinel editors declare that "Crist is showing that he is not going to cater to the extreme right wing in his own party, which is a welcome change from predecessor Jeb Bush."

Crist has come out and said he doesn't want the Republican Party of Florida spending more money to get a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage on the 2008 ballot.

Crist has said that issues like property insurance reform, property tax reform, and others are what the administration should be concerned with. When asked whether the Republican Party should contribute more to a group gathering signatures for the same-sex marriage ban, he said, "Probably not." Under Bush, the Florida Republican Party spent $300,000 pushing the amendment.

Richardson

"New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson -- one of several Democrats who have opened exploratory committees in potential presidential bids -- is the featured speaker at the Broward County Democratic Jefferson Jackson Dinner Feb. 24." "Hispanic eyeing run for president to speak".

Tampa Elections

"Early Voting Begins".

Sarasota Elections

"Mere months after the Sarasota City Commission unanimously approved signing a new 30-year-lease with the Cincinnati Reds, three commissioners up for re-election are expressing doubts about the deal." "Stadium becoming hot issue in race".

Barreiro Gets a Job

The Miami Herald reports: "Former Miami Beach Rep. Gus Barreiro is in talks to head the Florida Juvenile Justice Association, a group that lobbies for contractors with the Department of Juvenile Justice. A formal announcement could come as soon as today."

Gardasil

The Orlando Sentinel's editors: "There's already talk that Merck & Co., Gardasil's manufacturer, is targeting Florida as well. Gov. Charlie Crist and lawmakers would be smart for now to let parents decide what's best for their daughters." "Not so fast". The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board thinks differently: "Make it mandatory and save lives". "HPV vaccine".

Just Do It

"Right now, you can walk along the state's footpath that connects cypress swamp in South Florida to grassy hills north of Orlando and extends to beaches of the state's far western Panhandle."

It's the 40-year-old Florida National Scenic Trail, crossing nearly 1,500 miles of wild lands on public or other conservation property. There are only seven other such federally designated trails in the country, including the renowned Appalachian Trail.

But true to life in Florida, the natural trail is interrupted by scenes of human development. On nearly a fourth of the distance, hikers are forced out of forests and sandhills to trek along highways, some rural and others congested.

Trail advocates say now is the time to move those 361 remaining miles onto protected lands before Florida's rapid development makes that impossible.

"A scene out of a third-world torture chamber"

"It must have seemed like a scene out of a third-world torture chamber, or a nightmare."

A man was strapped to a gurney, with needles injecting caustic chemicals into the flesh of both arms. Needles meant to be inserted into veins had missed, a mistake that would raise foot-long blisters on the condemned man's arms. Witnesses say he twisted and appeared to be gasping for air -- a reaction that one expert anesthesiologist says might have indicated that the man felt as though he were suffocating.

The sadistic scene played out for more than half an hour, as appalled witnesses, including members of the man's family, looked on.

When it was all over, the state of Florida had accomplished its objective: Angel Nieves Diaz was dead, executed for the murder of a bar manager nearly 27 years ago. But at what cost?

There's no compelling rationale behind this cruel and unusual punishment. States that apply the death penalty see no benefit in lower murder rates. The death penalty is applied so randomly that one Florida Supreme Court justice referred to it as "lightning striking." And as scientific evidence of innocence frees more people each year from Death Row, the doubt grows about using such an irrevocable means of punishment in such a deeply flawed system.

ERs

Palm Beach County: "with the county lacking a major public hospital, the district has been forced to again stand in the gap to help ensure access to medical care - and not just for the county's poor and uninsured." "Is public ATM for ERs?".

Mean People Suck

"Bullying and road rage will greet lawmakers this week as members convene for a week of committee hearings in preparation for the 2007 session." "Bullies, slowpokes targeted".

If Melbourne Can Do It ...

"To combat global warming, the city [of Melbourne] might soon assume the lead role in Brevard County to reduce greenhouse gases." "Council takes up global warming".

Miami-Dade Petitions

"The proposed rules, sponsored by Commissioner José 'Pepe' Diaz, would allow only registered voters to circulate petitions [in Miami-Dade]. The private companies often hired to obtain signatures often use inexpensive labor, high school students and undocumented immigrants. The rules would also require petitions to also be printed in Spanish and Creole. The bill was approved 5-1. The full commission's final vote on the bill will likely come next month." "Petition Drives About to Get Harder".

Manatees

"The manatee may be mellow but opponents of a state proposal to strip the mammal of its endangered status have been anything but." "Critics of manatee proposal speak out".

Rate Relief

The Palm Beach Post editors: "Before the special session, Gov. Crist and legislative leaders made clear that they wanted private companies to pass along savings from what came out of the session. That would be the rate relief. Obviously, the governor and the Office of Insurance Regulation suspected that the companies would rush to get increases and shed policies before the bill Gov. Crist signed could take effect. Since some rate filings went in just after the session, that suspicion seems justified. No one wants to drive the private companies out of Florida. But if the private companies intend to take what the state gives and give nothing back to consumers, the state can't let that happen. And clearly won't." "State steps in to protect new insurance rate relief".

Guilty by Media

Isn't this nice of the Sun-Sentinel editors:

The Florida Elections Commission did the right thing by dropping all charges and potential fines against the former Broward elections supervisor [ Miriam Oliphant]. She has already paid a stiff price for her incompetence in botching the primary election in 2002. Anything more would have been overkill.

He said the state's rate of uninsured people is among the worst in the nation.

Duncan told lawmakers this month the problems particularly hit young adults, minorities, low-wage and part-time workers and employees of small businesses.

A lack of coverage can have various implications, from leading people to forgo preventive care to driving up costs for hospitals that must treat the uninsured in emergency rooms.

Also, people who do not have insurance -- and don't qualify for charity care -- can face potentially devastating medical bills.

"One of their worst legacies"

The Palm Beach Post editors: "Bush is gone, and his hand-picked education chief soon will follow. But one of their worst legacies - an unworkable teacher bonus plan - still is undermining morale in school districts across the state." "Fix this falling STAR".

GOPers Veer Right

William March notes that McCain, Romney and Giuliani are veering into wingnut territory to placate the GOP base.

But at the same time they're doing that, some say the Republican Party they're trying to lead - particularly in Florida - is moving in a different direction.

Many cite the 2006 elections as an indication that the party may be shifting toward the center.

Nationally, the November election results were considered a rebuke to President Bush over issues including congressional corruption scandals and the war.

In Florida, moderates considered the primary a clear-cut victory. Tom Gallagher, with a campaign aimed at social conservatives and the tacit backing of former Gov. Jeb Bush, a hero of the religious right, lost by nearly 2 to 1 to Charlie Crist, who ran a decidedly moderate campaign.

"What we saw in the primary elections is some trending toward moderation in the party," said April Griffin, a Republican political consultant in Tampa.

Homelessness

"Rising costs. Fewer housing options. Less help. It's a scenario that sparks fears of a spike in Florida's homeless population. ... The result of these trends, housing and homeless experts fear, is that moderate income earners will squeeze low income earners out of the affordable rental market and that thousands on the brink of homelessness will topple over." "Priced onto the street".

Hill's Florida "Success Factors"

Adam Smith thinks the I-4 corridor is a "success factor" for Hillary. You read that right,

The I-4 corridor. None of the Democratic candidates rev up the Republican base in opposition as much as Clinton, but then probably none are so well-positioned to win over women and swing voters who tilt elections. Women make up 54 percent of the electorate, and Clinton is a potentially inspiring vote.

It's a good bet Clinton would win the same states as Kerry and, based on 2006 midterm results, have a swath of other states with strong potential to turn red to blue. Those include Florida, Ohio, Iowa, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado and Nevada.

CD 13

"Once upon a time, there was considerable hope that the contested District 13 congressional election would be resolved by Valentine's Day."

But that holiday came and went without the finality that citizens and candidates have sought, ever since more than 17,000 of Sarasota County's electronic touch-screen ballots registered "no selection made" in the heated District 13 race. Just 369 votes separated the winner, Republican Vern Buchanan, from the loser, Democrat Christine Jennings, in a district that encompasses parts of five counties.

A report on a state audit had been expected by Feb. 9 but has been delayed. It could be next week, at the earliest, before the public sees the results of the study, conducted in an effort to identify the cause of the extraordinarily high undervote rate as well as the numerous problems voters reported as they cast their touch-screen ballots.

A second report, on another team's analysis of important computer coding and security, is still weeks away from completion.

In court, lawyers are still filing documents as Jennings' litigation over the election result continues. A trial date remains uncertain.

And now U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who chairs the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, has formally called for a federal investigation of all touch-screen machines that "do not produce voter-verified paper ballots."

Save Our Homes

Randy Schultz: "We want it all. We want higher home values, for when we sell, but we want assessments kept low until we sell. Save Our Homes became part of the constitution because people were angry. A property appraiser, worried about that anger being directed at him, led the charge to pass it. Now, people are angry over the unfairness Save Our Homes caused, as so many - including this newspaper [the Palm Beach Post] - predicted that it would." "Schultz: Tax solution starts with the causes".

The St Pete Times editorial board: "As Florida lawmakers gather next month amid the clamor to fix a broken property tax system, they should remember the lesson of Save Our Homes. That one exemption, billed in 1992 as way to keep elderly widows from being taxed out of their homes, has so skewed taxes that every other property owner is coughing up an extra 25 cents on the dollar just to make up the difference." "Aim for tax fairness".

Raw Political Courage

"State Sen. Ronda Storms says she has nifty legislation in mind to shine some light and hold governments accountable for their spending and taxing: getting every contract, every check written, every budget put on the Web, easily available for the public to review." "Storms on the paper trail - and the trail of every penny".

Romney "Charms" the Villages Crowd

"Three out of four voters don't know Mitt Romney, and only 6 percent favor him over better-known rivals like John McCain and Rudy Giuliani, according to a recent Quinnipiac University poll."

Friday's visit to Florida was the last stop in a six-state tour that officially kicked off his presidential campaign. He started off in Michigan, where he was born and his father served as governor, went to his home state of Massachusetts, and to the traditional early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

''There was no question about Florida being part of the announcement tour,'' said Sally Bradshaw, one of several top aides to former Gov. Jeb Bush hired by Romney. "He may not be well-known at this point, but he's made a commitment to Florida, and he will be known.''

Nearly 1,000 people showed up Friday to hear Romney.

More From the Villages "Values" Crowd

"At the moment, Florida law sets stricter limits on the drugs used to euthanize animals than for executions,"

an irony not lost on the U.S. Supreme Court when considering a challenge to the state's death penalty. It's up to the Florida Department of Corrections to establish the procedure for administering the lethal injection, but Justice John Paul Stevens queried why the process wasn't spelled out in state statute as it is for animals.

"There must have been a legislative feeling that unless that procedure were followed, there's a risk of undue pain to the dogs and cats," Stevens said. "Why isn't there a similar basis for believing that if you don't follow a similar procedure that such a risk might be present for human beings?"

WPB

"They wouldn't pay, so they didn't get to play". See also "West Palm Beach runs on empty: City hurting because mayor gave so much power to three hand-picked consultants".

Charlie Gets Another Pass

The Sun-Sentinel editors give Charlie a pass on his stem cell flip-flop: "With so many moral and ethical questions surrounding embryonic stem cells, and with other types of stem cells showing so much promise, it's wise to see what can be achieved from those other sources before heading down the slippery slope of public funding for embryonic stem cell research." "Stem Cells".

Charlie Has a Date!?!

"It seems the bachelor governor was recently set up with a former actor from Palm Beach County who will soon appear on reality TV show Hottest Mom in America. Lake Clarke Shores beauty Kelly Heyniger, 36, was said to be rubbing the 50-year-old governor's back during a Feb. 10 Red Cross fundraiser on Jupiter Island." "Charlie's new squeeze?"

Boycott McDonald's and Burger King

"One of the great things about a free-market economy is that consumers can use their buying power to reward or punish the behavior of companies, and sometimes even take up social causes in the process."

Something as small as a sandwich can become an instrument for change. So can a taco.

Two years ago, the Taco Bell restaurant chain made a courageous decision to pay a penny a pound more for the tomatoes it buys and allow the penny to be passed on to farmworkers. I call the decision courageous even though it took years of boycotts and demonstrations by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and other farmworker advocates to persuade Taco Bell to accept the idea. ...

[And] consumers who care about fair play can use their hunger to reward or punish as they see fit. When the choice comes down to Taco Bell, McDonald's or Burger King, go for the tacos and strike a blow for farmworkers' rights.

A Fine Idea At The Time

"A mile offshore from this city's high-rise condos and beachside bars, where glitz and glamour mix with spring break revelry, lies an underwater dump - up to 2 million old tires strewn across the ocean floor. A well-intentioned attempt in 1972 to create what was touted as the world's largest artificial reef made of tires has become an ecological disaster." "Once lauded, artificial tire reef is now an ecological disaster".

Alternative-energy

"Entrepreneurs competing for $15 million from the state have flooded Tallahassee with ideas for creating alternative energy from using french fry grease to exotic 'bio-sensitized solar cells.'" "Alternative-energy ideas await approval".

Funding Higher Ed

The Tallahassee Democrat editors say "an increasingly urgent question centers on long-term financial soundness - not only with regard to Bright Futures, which is just one program, but also the entire system of funding for higher education in Florida." "How bright?".

"Issues facing the 2007 Legislature"

From the St Pete Times, "For a better Florida: Issues facing the 2007 Legislature": "INSURANCE: Property coverage costs too much and is too hard to get. What to do?", "INSURANCE: No-fault's end? A quiet, big deal", "Business owners want some relief, too" and "The tax system's not fair and might become even less so".

Pinellas County

"Don't hold your breath waiting for city and county leaders in Pinellas to work together to fix thorny problems in your communities. They can't even stop bickering among themselves." "Pinellas bickering insults voters".

Tampa

"Four years later, the mayor's race is a relatively sleepy affair. A popular incumbent, Pam Iorio, is running against two opponents with no political experience. None of the candidates is expected to raise more than $125,000." "Low-Key City Election Likely To Attract Small Turnout".

"House of Lies"

"Despite challenges facing the Miami-Dade County Housing Agency, a federal takeover, or making the agency an independent entity, would be premature. Takeover talk is coming from Orlando Cabrera, assistant secretary of public housing for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Mr. Cabrera discussed putting the agency into receivership with some county officials. He talked with others about having an independent authority run the agency. Neither course is advisable. The agency has made radical changes, including new personnel and policies, that need time to take root." "'House of Lies' turnaround will take time".

Premature Beatification

Isn't this a bit premature? "Watchdog: Special-interest cash hasn't influenced Crist".

Rate Cut

"State regulators on Friday gave tentative approval to the first rate cut by a private home insurance company after the passage last month of a new law giving companies more access to the state's backup insurance fund." "Insurance Rate Cut Gets Nod From State".

FCAT Follies

"Crist, in office since early January, has been a defender of the FCAT and supported the emphasis his predecessor, Jeb Bush, put on the test. If there are any changes to be made, Crist said last month, they would be only to "tweak" the test - not to make any major overhauls." "FCAT coming soon to classrooms".

"The Last Thing"

Carl Hiaasen on the "huge coal-burning power plant that Florida Power & Light wants to build on the western side of Lake Okeechobee":

Restoring the Everglades is now estimated to cost at least $11 billion, a hefty but necessary public investment. The project remains an uphill struggle -- scientifically, technologically and politically.

The last thing that the River of Grass needs at this critical period is a giant coal-burning plant near its headwaters. Such a thing cannot possibly be operated without long-term impacts, downwind, downriver and high in the atmosphere.

This is the start of a long battle, and there's cause to be worried even if you don't like fish for supper.

It's the same air, same water, same problem.

Ours.

The Rich Are Different

"Lawyers for Donald Trump have requested a jury trial in the ongoing legal battle over a large flag flying at his Palm Beach club, Mar-A-Lago." "Trump laywers file new complaints in Palm Beach flag case".

High-Speed Rail?

"Governor Crist Could Resurrect High-Speed Rail Project".

Subs

"A veteran substitute teacher has sued the Broward County School District in federal court and awaits the ruling on whether he and thousands of employees like him can begin collecting Social Security benefits.
... The district classifies subs as part-time or temporary employees and does not contribute any part of their income toward Social Security." "Veteran substitute sues Broward School District over Social Security benefits".

Lincoln Diaz-Balart Complaint

"Complaints have been filed with the Federal Election Commission against Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn’s campaign committee and treasurer alleging they violated federal campaign finance laws by not properly identifying contributors in the days leading up to the 2004 election."

Similar complaints were also filed against the campaign committees and treasurers of two congressmen in other states, Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., and Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colo.

Brilliant

In "Failed property tax system has no simple solution", Michael Mayo does readers a disservice by entertaining a pernicious idea:

The real-estate boom of the early 2000s led to a huge increase in property tax collections, but local governments say they need the money for added expenses. Security costs have risen since Sept. 11, 2001. Cities and school boards face higher health and property insurance costs. Pension costs for police and firefighters, mandated by the state, have risen dramatically.

"Public employees are the only ones left with defined benefit pension plans," Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle told the panel. "They're allowed to retire after 20 years, in their 40s and 50s, and the taxpayers support them for another 40 years. It can't go on. It couldn't go on with General Motors or Eastern Airlines and it can't go on now."

It's time for everything to be on the table.

Let the discussion, and the revolution, begin.