Among the organizers of the call was Bridgette Nocco, a top fundraiser for the state's Republican Party, prompting speculation that Rubio is looking to begin a public-relations campaign to sell his proposal directly to Floridians.

And word spread Friday that a property-tax-focused fundraising group had been formed, led by veteran GOP operative Brett Doster.

Gov. Charlie Crist has been noncommittal and Senate leaders are seeking alternatives that avoid a sales tax hike while providing tax relief by increasing the homestead exemptions and altering the Save Our Homes tax cap.

And If You Believe This ...

"A filing error caused a memo alerting Sarasota County election officials about an 'issue' with voting equipment last August to be hidden from the public for the last seven months, an attorney for Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent said. The letter was accidentally put into a file of documents that county staff thought was for protecting 'proprietary' information for the voting machine company Election Systems & Software, attorney Ron Labasky said Friday night. That prevented Dent's office from turning over the memos about the voting machine issue to Democrat Christine Jennings, who is challenging the Nov. 7 election results." "Memo on voting machines misfiled" ("Dent said earlier last week that she vaguely remembered the letter, but thought it was 'much ado about nothing.'"). More on the "Sarasota saga". See also "Republican leader responds to FL 13 request".

As Ye Sow, So Shall Ye Reap

The Daytona Beach News-Journal: "This week, the chemical safety board called on the Florida Legislature to reinstate OSHA protections for all public employees in the state. But the safety board's recommendations come at a bad time. Lawmakers are trying to budget against a projected $1 billion revenue shortfall over the next two years and cut property taxes. Cities and counties are under similar fiscal pressures. Complying with the federal standards would create a substantial and unwelcome expense. Still, lawmakers have only to consider what went wrong in Daytona Beach to be reminded that the voluntary programs are acutely unreliable, that people in the public employ die when safety and health precautions are only viewed as budget line items." "Public crews at risk".

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "In just the last five years, Florida has seen 33 chemical incidents at public facilities, all of which the safety board says might have been prevented if U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards were in place."

Some lawmakers in Congress have proposed extending OSHA standards to state, county and municipal employees. The Orlando Magic may stand a better chance of winning the NBA championship before their bill becomes law, however.

That's why Florida's Legislature must step up and extend OSHA protections to its public employees. Florida once complied with them, but stopped in 2000. That's a grievous wrong lawmakers speedily need to right.

Florida GOPers "Mired Themselves in Darkness"

This sentence works at so many levels: "While much of the state was celebrating 'Sunshine Week,' dozens of Republican House members mired themselves in darkness." "Dark side of Tallahassee". See also "Stem cell meeting draws gentle chide".

Voucher Madness: Like So Much Dust In The Wind

"A year ago: After a state Supreme Court ruling struck down school vouchers, Republican leaders moved heaven and earth in an attempt to revive them with a constitutional amendment, all to please a governor who considered them his personal legacy."

Today: "Vouchers?" said Senate Majority Leader Daniel Webster. "Don't know."

Without the strong personality of former Gov. Jeb Bush pushing a particular policy in the Capitol, "school choice," as proponents call it, is generating much less enthusiasm this year than it has in the previous eight.

Tall Order

"Secretary of state's goal: No more elections embarrassments".

Strange

"Kirk, who became Florida’s first Republican governor of the 20th century, owes $318,498.46 dating back to 1995, plus fees and interests, according to the lawsuit filed by Miami U.S. Attorney R. Alexander Acosta." "Authorities say former governor Claude Kirk failed to pay taxes".

Cable Turmoil?

"Competition can provide consumers with greater choice and lower prices. It can also give lawmakers a cover for consumer-unfriendly legislation. Unfortunately, the state House of Representatives is looking for cover. Fueled by a major push from Florida's biggest telephone companies, the House is fast-tracking legislation that could throw the state's cable-television market into turmoil." "Hollow promise to viewers".

Trib Editorials

The Tampa Trib editorial board today:

- "Florida law says drivers, children and front-seat passengers must fasten their seat belts, yet lawmakers won't allow police to stop lawbreakers." "Help Save Lives, Sen. Baker, Allow Hearing On Seat-Belt Law".

- "The state's denial of a destructive development planned in North Florida indicates Gov. Charlie Crist means business when it comes to enforcing growth management laws." "An Encouraging Stand On Growth".

- "Without seagrass, Florida's estuaries would be barren. Grass provides refuge for marine life, particularly juvenile fish. Manatees and turtles feed on it. Smaller creatures eat the algae that grow on it. But Florida is rapidly losing its seagrass beds." "Fines Needed To Save Seagrass".

GOPer Gathering

"Florida Republican Party activists are gathering in Central Florida this weekend for a unique conference in preparation for next year's presidential campaign and state races." "GOP calls grass-roots to summit".

Property Appraisal

"A meeting of some of the state's elected property appraisers turned sour temporarily when Rep. Trey Traviesa accused some of them of not knowing how to do their jobs."

Traviesa, R-Tampa, wants to change the way property is assessed from basing its value on its highest and best use to its current use. He believes that would help owners of modest rental units and working waterfronts who are being taxed out of their locales when high-rise condos are built beside them.

Guns

"Florida businesses fired the first shot Friday in the renewed battle over allowing employees to leave guns in their cars while at work." "Businesses start fight against 'privacy' bill".

Bad Cap

"Ten years ago, Congress decided to put a cap on the number of medical students whose residencies would be paid for through the Medicare program, which is the traditional and primary way this final step in a doctor's training is financed. Yet a decade later, growth states such as Florida, plus 22 others that are also suffering physician shortages, have been hurt by this cap. It simply doesn't reflect population growth or shifts,where the elderly live or newly retired baby boomers are moving." "Residency reform".

Timid Tax Panel

"A high-profile commission charged with reforming Florida's taxation and budgeting processes met for the first time Friday, but don't expect the powerful panel to muscle in on the Legislature's turf." "Tax Panel Not Looking For Fight". See also "Former House speaker leads tax reform panel".

Changing the Subject

Political Pulse notes that "Winter Park Republican [and future House Speaker] Rep. Dean Cannon publicly took the Florida Association of Counties to task for the hiring influential lobbying firm of Hill and Knowlton -- which Cannon made sure to note has represented 'Big Tobacco' -- to work against some of the House GOP tax-cut plans. Cannon repeatedly asked a Polk County commissioner if he found the arrangement 'troubling.'".

Kinda funny to hear GOPers complain about a Company that "'previously represented Big Tobacco, Enron and companies like that.'" " Another black hat for counties". Mr. Cannon, are you unaware that "companies like that" are the patrons of your Republican Party.

Mel and Chavez

"Karl Rove's Florida Frankenstein" thinks "'Chavez is something very much on the minds of Floridians.'" "Mel doesn't gas up at Citgo".

Too Hot

"Bill would make it a misdemeanor to leave kids in a car".

"The Proper Way to Hang a Confederate Flag"

"Bob Hurst walked into a Tallahassee art museum this week and saw the symbol of his Southern heritage hanging by a noose. The art work, which has led to a standoff between descendants of Confederate soldiers and the museum, is a life-size gallows with the Confederate flag dangling from a frayed rope. Created by a black artist from Detroit and titled The Proper Way to Hang a Confederate Flag, the piece has brought an old debate to Florida anew." "'Hanging' Dixie's banner". See also "Flag art isn't going away", "Flag hangs; group fumes" and "Confederate flag hanging from gallows ignites controversy".

Delightful

"Florida No. 1 in attacks on homeless, survey finds".

"Largo's Star Chamber of Sex"

Daniel Ruth today:

You never can tell; it could all end next week if only these Lemmings of Politicos decide to do the right thing.

Do the right thing?!?!? Sorry, I was just fooling with you.

Rather, when Largo's Star Chamber of Sex, otherwise known as the city commission, meets next week, about all that will happen is that this Fright of Public Figures will take another bite out of the Adam's apple of its exiled city manager, Steve Stanton.

would be a superb moment for the commissioners to acknowledge that after time to reflect, they acted in haste, in ignorance and fear of the mob mentality, when they decided to turn on a loyal and able employee of 14 years service.

But the likelihood of elected officials admitting they acted like a bunch of bigoted vaginal vigilantes is about the same as Stanton eventually becoming a Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleader, although the imagery is interesting.

Bye, Bye STAR

"Compromise legislation designed to end more than a year of debate over - and resistance to - performance pay for teachers took its last step Friday toward floor votes in both legislative chambers." "House panel OKs teacher merit pay compromise".

Citizens Cuts

"Citizens Property Insurance Corp. will reduce premiums on its 1.2 million customers - on average, 14.5 percent for high-risk policy holders and 6.7 percent for others." "Citizens To Reduce Premiums". See also "Citizens files rate cut proposals" and "Citizens To Reduce Premiums".

Redner Gets an Endorsement

"For Tampa City Council".

Not Too Much To Ask

"New rule: no sofas on the beach".p>

Antivirals

"Florida fully intends to participate in a federal program that allows states to buy antivirals at a subsidized price, but is waiting on lawmakers to approve the money, state health officials said Friday." "Feds concerned about Florida’s ability to buy flu antivirals".

Early Primary

"The Senate, however, is still grappling with choosing a date and has not yet moved the bill out of committee. That chamber has discussed moving the primary to Feb. 19. House lawmakers want the primary to be held Feb. 5, 2008, or seven days after New Hampshire holds its primary, whichever comes first. New Hampshire is waiting to schedule its primary to preserve its first-in-the-nation status, while national Democrats have recommended a Jan. 22 vote. If New Hampshire holds the primary on that date, Florida would vote on Jan. 29 -- before other states jockeying for position such as California, where Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday signed a Feb. 5 primary into law." "House close to vote on primary".

The agreement also received endorsements from critics of the existing Special Teachers are Rewarded, or STAR, program, including Florida's statewide teachers union, before the Prekindergarten-12 Education Appropriations Committee voted unanimously for the Senate version (SB 1226).

An identical House bill (HB 7021) is set for a Policy and Budget Council vote there Friday before it, too, goes to the floor, also probably next week.

The compromise would abolish the STAR program lawmakers passed last year. It would be replaced with a more flexible alternative to be called the Merit Award Program for teachers and in-school administrators.

The new program would give school districts more latitude in developing local merit pay plans, and prohibit the state Department of Education from dictating criteria as it did with STAR. Like STAR, it also would be voluntary, but school districts would lose their share of state merit pay money if they choose not to participate.

The implicit message from Mr. Bush and former Education Commissioner John Winn was that teachers' ideas didn't matter, and that they knew what was best anyway.

So when legislative leaders on Wednesday proposed a substitute for STAR, it all but signaled a death knell for what now appears to be a short-lived vestige of the past administration. ...

the only real listening going on was one-way last May, when legislators dutifully did the Bush administration's bidding and put into the budget $147.5 million for the teacher bonus plan, including guidelines for how school districts should distribute the money.

Charlie's Skeleton?

The Miami Herald has a lengthy story today: "In one of several recent phone conversations with The Miami Herald, K described how her parents connected her to Townsend and, through the birth mother's allegations, to Crist. ... K herself thinks that Crist might quietly seek her out after she turns 18, and she'd be pleased to meet him." "She's a freshman at a small Southern college, a psychology major/international...".

CD 13

"Florida Democrats asked a U.S. House committee Thursday to begin reviewing a disputed election in the state's 13th Congressional District after the disclosure that touchscreen voting machines used in Sarasota County had an anomaly. The nine Florida representatives cited press reports that Elections Systems & Software had informed state and local election officials of the matter nearly three months before the November election, which was decided by just 369 votes." "Florida Democrats urge congressional action on election dispute". See also "Democrats seize on ES&S memo" and "Florida Democrats demand inquiry into Sarasota election".

"[O]n Thursday, news of the memo, which had remained mysteriously out of public view during a debate over why thousands of voters apparently failed to cast a ballot in the Sarasota race, revived the sagging hopes of some Democrats still eager to claim the seat. The losing Democratic candidate, Christine Jennings, planned to use the new information in her pending lawsuit and Florida Democrats in the U.S. House urged congressional leaders to launch an investigation." "'Smoking gun' or minor problem?".

Tallahassee Developments

"Legislature: Day 10 at a glance" See also "Session snapshot" and "Upcoming at the Capitol".

"Far Less" Than Expected

I wonder if this will receive the same fanfare? "Most home insurers have filed their required rate cuts, but the savings are far less than the average 24 percent that lawmakers and state regulators had been expecting." "State Farm rates drop 7%". See also "State Farm Florida files for lower hurricane insurance rates", "Savings on property insurance may be much less than state officials predicted" and "State Farm Florida files rate-cut proposal" ("The still-arriving rate-cut proposals showed a mixed bag for Florida homeowners. Regulators said earlier in the month their calculations indicated an expected average 24-percent reduction from the cheaper availability of reinsurance.")

Some newspapers have put the story front and center: "Big insurers offer small reductions to homeowners" ("For thousands of frustrated Floridians, the big homeowners insurance rate reductions promised by state lawmakers and Gov. Charlie Crist may never materialize, judging by the companies' own filings.") The Orlando Sentinel has this front page story today: "The insurer's request for a statewide decrease comes in well below Florida's estimate of 24% average savings." "State Farm offers 7% property rate cut"; the lede: "Florida's biggest private-property insurers have requested rate reductions that are far less than state estimates -- which, if left unchanged, means many homeowners won't see the sizable savings that state officials predicted earlier this year."

In the meantime, the CFO is overseeing whether these filings amount to "Real Relief".

Hypocritical Legislature

"This year, Tallahassee's whipping boy is local government, a convenient target for state lawmakers to point to as the cause for rising property taxes."

The mantra is: Counties and cities larded up their budgets with the property-tax windfall of the five-year housing boom. Legislators are going to force them to tighten their belts by bringing tax relief to property owners. Problem solved.

If only it were that simple. Floridians who rely on local governments for police and fire-rescue responders, running water and a host of other services should not be beguiled by this Tallahassee blame-game. Yes, equitable property-tax relief is necessary, but whacking cities' and counties' budgets for that relief will only create other problems. Scapegoating local governments is also hypocritical of a Legislature that likes to dump state-program costs onto counties.

Florida GOPers Planning for 2008

Bill Cotterell reports: "Leaders of Republican Party clubs across Florida have been summoned to Orlando for a weekend strategy session in preparaton for the 2008 elections. Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer, who was elected last January, has spent about five weeks organizing his headquarters staff and contacting party leaders at the city, county and congressional district levels. Greer said recently in Tallahassee that one of his duties is issuing charters to scores of Republican clubs and that he wanted to tap into those grassroots in getting ready for next year's campaigns." "Summons to the GOP Summit".

GOPer Meritocracy

"President George Bush said Thursday he will name Villages developer H. Gary Morse to the Air Force Academy's Board of Visitors. Aside from being a developer, Morse is a major Republican donor. The Villages retirement community in Central Florida played host to Bush in a rally during the 2004 presidential campaign." "Bush taps Villages head".

Forced Generics

"Epilepsy patients are lobbying to stop pharmacists from switching them to generic drugs without their doctors' consent, arguing that the practice is causing some patients to have seizures." "Epileptics Fight Generic Drugs".

The Democrats' Plan

"Under the Democrats' plan, the state would base tax exemptions on the median assessed value for single-family homes in each county. Owners of primary homes would get a homestead exemption equal to half that amount, plus the existing $25,000 exemption." "Democrats' proposal would sharply raise homestead exemption".

Committee Vote Today on the Revised House GOP Plan

The House Policy and Budget Council votes on the GOP property tax plan today:

Rural counties with exceptionally low property values [30 small counties that are classified as 'fiscally constrained' under existing law would be covered by the exemption], hospital districts and children's services councils will be exempted from a key property tax relief bill, House Republican leaders said Thursday.

That bill (HB 7001) would roll property taxes back to their 2000-01 levels with allowances for inflation and population growth. It already exempts school districts.

The chairman of the House Policy and Budget Council, Ray Sansom, R-Destin, said his panel will be asked to include the three additional exemptions before it votes on the bill Friday. ...

The House council also will be asked to add another provision to the bill designed to limit the assessment of properties according to the "highest and best," or potential, use instead of how they actually are utilized.

The amendment would abolish property taxes on primary homes, known as homesteads, but make up part of the revenue losses by increasing the statewide sales tax from 6 percent to 8.5 percent. It also has a rollback provision similar to the one in the bill for other properties.

Strategic Vision Poll

"A new poll by Strategic Vision LLC, an Atlanta-based, Republican-oriented political and public relations consulting firm, shows Rudy Giuliani and Hillary Clinton with substantial leads in their respective presidential primaries in Florida." "Strategic Vision Poll: Clinton, Giuliani Lead Florida Primaries".

Fast Track

"Senate President Ken Pruitt said Thursday he wants to fast-track a $5 million claims bill to compensate the family of a 14-year-old Panama City boy who died last year after being roughed up by guards in a state-supervised boot camp program." "Senate leader wants to fast track claims bill for teen's death". The Orlando Sentinel editors think the settlement is the "Right thing to do".

Marlins Money

"State taxpayers would put up $60 million over 30 years to help build a retractable-roof stadium in Miami for use by Major League Baseball's Florida Marlins, under a bill that was approved unanimously Thursday by House and Senate committees." "Plan to give state money to Florida Marlins moves closer to floor". See also "Stadium subsidy for Marlins advances" and "House, Senate Panels Vote For New Marlins Stadium".

Early Primary

"California joined a torrent of states hosting earlier primaries and caucuses for party nominees. Florida may do so, also." "Presidential nominees may be picked early". See also "Early primary bill gains in House, faces Senate snag", "House close to vote on primary" and "Primary Bill Moves Forward In House".

Cell Tax Cuts

"Florida cell-phone users, businesses with land-line phone systems and satellite-television subscribers would get relief from some of the taxes on their monthly bills under legislation advancing in the Florida Legislature." "Tax cut could save cell-phone users money".

Avoiding a NASA "Train Wreck"

"The chairman of the U.S. House science committee said Thursday that NASA is headed for "a train wreck" if the space agency isn't better funded to finish building the international space station and develop the next-generation spacecraft." "Some in Congress seek more NASA money".

Water Cutbacks

"The days of wanton lawn watering are over. Water managers on Thursday slapped usage limits on South Florida -- restricting homeowners from Key West to Palm Beach to three morning wettings a week and requiring golf courses, nurseries and other thirsty businesses to cut back by 15 percent." "Water cutbacks ordered for South Florida". See also "Water-use restrictions start next week in South Florida" and "Water restrictions imposed due to critical South Florida shortage".

Public Money, Public Issues

"An interesting little argument is brewing in the Legislature about using public money for the public discussion of public issues."

If Justice's bill passes, there will be zealots who harass their local officials with costly legal complaints for using the office fax machine or phone when replying to a reporter's questions about an agenda item, or using a city car to drive to a meeting where they speak out on a pending issue.

But if Justice's bill fails, there will be instances of cities and counties using our money to persuade us that we need to annex a certain part of the county -- or not annex it -- or that we should or shouldn't increase the hotel "bed tax" to finance tourism programs

"Why not just bore holes along the seashore"?

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "Why not just bore holes along the seashore from the Panhandle to the Keys? The threat to Florida's coastline and waters wouldn't be all that different. The Craig-Dorgan bill is a cynical piece of legislation that dangles environmental goodies before lawmakers and lobbyists with one hand only to offer a windfall to the oil industry with the other." "Cynical legislation". See also "D.C. drillers are back".

Whatever

"Flanked by Seminoles and Miccosukees, Gov. Charlie Crist dedicated the third in a series of bronze sculptures depicting the state's Indian heritage Thursday before weighing in on a variety of issues." "Crist lauds Florida's tribal past".

The Castro Bogeyman

"Crist Thursday got a security briefing detailing the state's plans when Cuban leader Fidel Castro dies." "Crist learns post-Castro plan".

In the meantime, the zealots can relax: "Floridians can therefore go back to worrying about hurricanes, tornadoes and inadequate insurance coverage -- until, that is, Raúl Castro figures out that a new weapons program might be the ticket to achieve normal relations with the United States." "Cuba -- How scared should we be?".

Obama

"Obama Has Five South Florida Events".

Here's An Idea

Did you know that

so many items are exempted by law from the state's sales tax that if those loopholes were closed, state legislators could reduce or even eliminate property taxes on residents' homes, according to official state estimates released Thursday.

Bad Site Design

"It’s a familiar elections melodrama in Palm Beach County — Tuesday night confusion and Wednesday finger-pointing triggered by the law of unintended consequences. In the latest episode, which featured West Palm Beach mayoral candidate Al Zucaro and others mistakenly thinking they had won because of incorrect results on the official county elections Web site, a software firm that got $241,000 to design the site is taking the blame." "“More crisp” means more confusion".

Frankel

"West Palm Beach voters gave Mayor Lois Frankel another four-year term on Tuesday, and with it a chance to repair the damage from her first term." "Frankel vs. Frankel".

Barney Frank

"Florida lawmakers pushing for federal intervention in the troubled insurance market got a boost Thursday from the chairman of a key committee. Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts, Democratic chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, told reporters it is time to create a federal backstop for states hit with mega-disasters." "Key lawmaker supports federal insurance help".

Targeting Young

"National Democrats are aggressively working to recruit someone to run for C.W. Bill Young's Congressional seat, pegging it as one of their top targets in the country." "Democrats target Young's seat".

Joyriders

"A proposal to restrict the number of underage passengers in vehicles driven by teenagers was held up in a state House committee Thursday after a lawmaker argued it would hinder teens from getting to work." "Teen Passenger Limits Delayed".

State Song

"Florida May Sing A Different Tune".

My Safe Florida Home

"Florida would add no-interest loans to the state's home-hardening program, under a House bill crafted by a Tampa lawmaker." "My Safe Florida Home may get help".

As Democrats described their idea as a ''surgical'' cut that spares cities and counties from the deep budget cuts proposed by House Republicans, Speaker Marco Rubio backed off a key piece of his proposal.

At a meeting with city and county officials from Miami-Dade County, Rubio announced he still wants to eliminate property taxes on all primary homes and replace it with a 2.5 cent increase in the sales tax. But rather than use the 2000-01 budget as the base for budget cuts, he now prefers to use the 2003-04 budget as the base and avoid budget cuts altogether, if possible, by changing the way counties assess property.

Charlie's National Profile

"Time Magazine is planning a profile of Gov. Charlie Crist, tentatively scheduled for the next issue—another step for Crist in building a national profile." "Crist Profiled In Time Magazine".

"Today in Tallahassee"

"Today in Tallahassee". See also "Legislature: Day 9 at a glance" and "Upcoming at the Capitol".

Super Troupers

"All three of the top contenders for the GOP nomination for president have accepted invitations to speak to the Florida state House Republican Conference in Tallahassee." "GOP Candidates Troup To Tallahassee".

Privatization

"Four state agencies are looking into reports of abuse at a Department of Children & Families contracted facility that holds mentally ill and disabled juvenile delinquents who aren’t competent to stand trial." "State investigates reported abuse at DCF contracted facility".

Lake O

"An expansive program that could control pollution of the St. Lucie River and increase cleanup efforts for Lake Okeechobee passed its first test Wednesday in the Florida House." "Bill to protect Lake O, river has early favor".

Young

"The Democrats are taking off the gloves in their effort to unseat Rep. C.W. Bill Young. State party Chair Karen Thurman sent an email to Democrats today that says Young 'knew about the problems at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, but he didn't do anything about them.'" "Dems attack CW Bill". They even have a website.

Take a look at these dKos posts: "Target: Bill Young and His Failure to Protect Veterans" and "Protest Bill Young's Inaction Over Walter Reed (FL-10)".

Obama

"Obama Campaign Plans Tampa Events".

STAR Stumbles

"An FCAT-driven plan for teacher bonuses that was hated by educators, derided by unions and rejected by nearly a third of Florida's school districts would be discarded and replaced by a new merit-pay initiative, key state lawmakers announced Wednesday." "State looks for new way to reward top teachers". See also "New teacher reward program proposed".

Cable

"Not every consumer is going to have access to cable-television services offered by the telephone companies if a rapidly moving House bill becomes law, some lawmakers and consumer advocates said Wednesday." "Cable plan critics fear 'cherry-picking'".

Relic

"Thousands of Florida children could have vastly better lives, advocates said Wednesday, if the state repeals its 30-year-old ban on gays adopting."

A coalition of state legislators, mostly Democrats from Broward and Palm Beach counties, wants to eliminate what they said was a relic of former beauty queen and orange-juice pitchwoman Anita Bryant's anti-gay crusade of the 1970s.

"It is the most sweeping anti-gay parenting law in the country, something of which we should not be proud in the state of Florida," said state Sen. Nan Rich, D-Weston. "The law is devoid of any basis in social science and contradicts public policy on child welfare. It denies children and adults constitutional rights and jeopardizes, most importantly, the best interests of children."

Lifting the ban would allow gay men and lesbians to become adoptive parents of some of the 3,919 foster children who were available for adoption in Florida at the end of last month, Rich said.

Hate

"Attacks on the homeless have become so prevalent in Florida that they deserve hate-crime status, according to legislation that passed a Senate panel this week." "Bill would make attacks on homeless hate crimes".

"Glitch"

"Months before the 2006 general election, a top voting-machine manufacturer sent a written warning to elections officials in Florida about a glitch in its equipment. That letter has reignited debate over the results of a contested Sarasota area congressional race in which Republican Vern Buchanan won by only 369 votes." "Election officials warned of glitch".

Cuts

"Florida cell phone users, businesses with land-line phone systems, and satellite television subscribers would get relief from some of the taxes on their monthly bills under legislation advancing in the state Legislature. The cuts, which were included in Gov. Charlie Crist's proposed state budget and are being heavily lobbied for by statewide business groups, would lower the state communications services tax slightly." "Cell users, satellite TV customers, others may get tax relief".

"Another sordid Florida land deal"

"There ought to be a law against this kind of double-trickery. " "Just another sordid Florida land deal".

Largo

The Tampa Trib editors: "The process that led to the city manager's firing was most unfortunate. The voice of intolerance carried the day at city council chambers. The preacher who said Jesus would fire Stanton on the spot didn't speak for all Christians. Indeed, a survey of Largo citizens showed the majority stood behind Stanton. Still, the city manager should have stepped down when he decided to undergo gender-reassignment surgery. " "Personal Trip Across Gender Line Puts Public Leader's Job At Risk".

Parental Notice

"Bill Would Require Parental Notice Of Sex Ed Content". See also "Sex-ed bill widens scope".

Big of 'Em

"Senate panel wants more kids insured". See also "Committee OKs KidCare reform" and "Goal: Unite care for kids".

Secret Meeting

"Republican lawmakers who met for an hour to listen to an expert play down the promises of embryonic stem-cell research did not let the public know they were meeting, even though the Florida Legislature is considering two bills on the issue."

As many as 25 House Republicans gathered at the University Club at Florida State University on Monday night to hear a lecture by Maureen Condic, a neurobiologist and professor at the University of Utah School of Medicine. The dinner and Condic's expenses were paid by the Republican Party of Florida.

The lecture comes at the same time that legislators are considering two bills to set aside $20 million for stem-cell research. The main difference between the measures: the version backed by Democrats authorizes spending money on embryonic stem-cell research, which results in the destruction of human embryos, while the GOP version does not.

Republican leaders said the meeting -- which was first disclosed by the Palm Beach Post -- did not violate any public meetings laws.

Not Sold

"House leaders aren't ready to commit to Gov. Charlie Crist's request for a $5 million payment to the parents of Martin Lee Anderson." "House leaders not yet sold on settlement". See also "State releases evidence in boot-camp death".

"Technical Difficulties"

"Technical difficulties produced inaccurate vote tallies for Palm Beach County local elections, leaving many candidates wondering who won well into evening before the results were corrected." "Glitch skews Palm Beach vote tallies". See also "Web site glitch reports wrong vote results", "Palm Beach Co. vote display problems blamed on human error" and "Elections" ("Another pathetic turnout in Broward.")

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Dr. Anderson won his 2004 election for supervisor with the strong backing of U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Delray Beach, in the wake of Theresa LePore's actions four years earlier in the 2000 election. Since that time, Dr. Anderson has had trouble delivering relatively non-controversial results and routinely dismisses the importance of getting information to voters quickly. Unfortunately, Dr. Anderson has few opportunities to get a big vote right before he runs for reelection, as early as September 2008. Next is the presidential primary. The county's reputation for bad voting can't take another hit on the national stage. With voting concerns dominated by doubts over touch-screen voting, Dr. Anderson has a more basic problem. He has to show voters that they can count on him." "Once again, the election story is Arthur Anderson". See also "Elections" ("Another botched municipal election.")

Thirsty

"Thirsty crops, flower beds and golf courses will be some of the results of water restrictions imposed Thursday on southeast Florida, an area that encompasses about a third of the state's population." "Water restrictions imposed due to critical South Florida shortage".

Home-hardening

"Florida would add no-interest loans to the state's home-hardening program, under a House bill proposed today by Rep. Trey Traviesa, R-Tampa." "Lawmakers bemoan delay in hardening homes".

Scrapping Touchscreens

"Florida Secretary of State Kurt Browning said Wednesday he has a plan that could allow large counties to completely scrap touch-screen voting machines, even for early voting." "Touch screens could be scrapped".

Marlins

"State taxpayers would put up $60 million over 30 years to help build a retractable-roof stadium in Miami for use by Major League Baseball's Florida Marlins, under a bill that was approved unanimously Thursday by House and Senate committees." "Plan to give state money to Florida Marlins moves closer to floor". See also "Plan to give state money for Marlins stadium moves closer to floor".

No Sunshine

"Miami-Dade Commissioner Bruno Barreiro and the Cooper city commissioners have one thing in common: None of them seems to understand the concept of Florida's 'Government in the Sunshine' laws. The city commissioners disregarded the law by meeting over drinks and dinner before official meetings -- until the get-togethers were exposed." "For open government".

Tampa Temptations

"Joe Redner has a deal for Tampa's registered voters: Cast a ballot in the upcoming runoff election and gain free admission to his Mons Venus strip club." "Voters Tempted By Redner". See also "An adult incentive to get out and vote Strip club owner offers free admission in return for ballots in runoff election." and "The 7th Try Might Be The Charm".

Current Use Standard

"A House plan to force county appraisers to start assessing property based more closely on its current use instead of its future potential cleared its first committee stop." "House tax bill passes committee".

For Some Reason ...

The Miami Herald wants you to know what the wingnuts at the purportedly "nonpartisan" The James Madison Institute think: "Homeownership available to all".

Drilling Betrayal

"A new offshore drilling bill dropped on the U.S. Senate like an anvil can be summed up in five words: betrayal of the public trust. Just a few months ago, Congress settled the divisive issue of where to draw the line on drilling off the Florida coast." "Floridians betrayed by new bill on oil drilling".

In the meantime, Florida "Lawmakers want voters to enshrine an oil-drilling ban in the Florida Constitution, but the largely symbolic effort got off to a rocky start on Wednesday." "Drilling discussion tabled by the Energy Committee".

Detert

"Former state Rep. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, is getting serious about the possibility of running for the state Senate. Detert was in Tallahassee on Tuesday kicking the idea around with former colleagues and friends." "Senate may be in cards for Detert".

Futile

The Orlando Sentinel editors think "Arguments about whether Gen. Robert E. Lee was a hero or a villain typically are futile." "The big picture".

Squeeze

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editors: "Over the next two years, analysts project the flow of money into state coffers will decrease by about $1 billion. Where have we heard that number -- $1 billion -- before? Right. That's about the annual cost of the tax breaks the Legislature lavished on this state's wealthiest investors and corporations." "State budget squeeze".

NCLB

"The 2002 federal law requires school districts to offer private tutoring to any child whose school fails to meet federal standards three years in a row. Last year, 585,000 students nationwide - and 34,000 in Florida - got free tutoring, at a cost of $400-million. But is it really helping? A national report released Wednesday says nobody really knows." "Report questions private tutoring".

"Argenziano's rollercoaster ride"

"Sen. Nancy Argenziano's rollercoaster ride as a nominee for a Public Service Commission seat has given rise to speculation that the resurrection of her candidacy was a political deal. The talk is it was cooked up by Republican senators who want her out of the Senate, or by Gov. Charlie Crist, who wants to put Argenziano on the PSC so she can give utilities fits." "Charged up over Argenziano".

Unlike private agencies, public employees in Florida are not subject to the regulations of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the federal agency to prevent work-related illnesses and deaths. It's up to each state to set safety standards and training procedures for its city and state workers. ...

Instead, cities, counties and other public agencies are supposed to "voluntarily comply" with the federal standards. The board found that in addition to the Daytona Beach accident, there have been 33 chemical incidents at public facilities in Florida in the past five years, all of which might have been prevented if the federal standards were in place.

Florida used to comply with the OSHA standards for public workers, but the state safety program was eliminated in 2000.

Another Jebacy

Another of Jebbie's legacies:

The states with the highest percentage of uninsured children were Texas, 20.3 percent; Florida, 16.9 percent; and New Mexico, 16.6 percent.

"Rubio's plan is brilliant"

Mike Thomas asks: "Do you want to quit paying property taxes?"

If so, meet Marco Rubio.

He is your hero.

He is bright, passionate, articulate, charming and a family man.

As speaker of the Florida House, he already is among the three most powerful people in the state. And he is only 35 years old.

His reputation is growing nationally among Republicans. He is a confidant of Jeb Bush and, like Jeb, embraces big-splash initiatives.

That is the beauty of Rubio's plan: He would dump homeowner property taxes altogether and replace the money with an increase of 2.5 cents in the sales tax. It is audacious. It is simple. You can explain it in one sentence. It saves homeowners more money.

I question whether it is good public policy. It shifts the tax burden to lower-income residents while mansion owners get huge cuts. It makes us dependent on a single, potentially volatile tax source.

But this column is about strategy. And Rubio's plan is brilliant politics.

The Dem Alternative

"While state House Republicans leaders have put local government budgets in the cross hairs of the property tax debate, their Democratic colleagues hope to shift the aim of the debate to a target closer to home." "Democrats forge plan on property taxes".

Drilling

"Florida's two senators expressed alarm Tuesday over a proposal they said would put oil rigs just 45 miles from the Florida coast -- and skirt the embargo against Cuba by allowing U.S. firms to explore for oil and gas in Cuban waters." "Oil bill could put rigs near Florida". See also "Senate bill seeks oil drilling 45 miles off Florida". See also "No drilling, bill says loud and toothlessly".

Property Tax Cuts

"Florida lawmakers remain far apart about how best to lower property taxes, but at least one change already appears certain: Cities and counties will be forced to slash the amount of money they're collecting from taxpayers. Leading senators said Tuesday that a state-imposed rollback on property taxes is probably inevitable for local governments this spring, even though cities and counties warn such a move could lead to wholesale cuts in everything from public safety to garbage pickup." "Forecast on tax cuts is cloudy". See also "Let court sort out Florida's tax mess" and "Senate taking slow approach to property tax reform".

"First Victim"

"The state's grim budget picture claimed its first victim Tuesday."

Lawmakers on the House K-12 Committee scaled back plans for another back-to-school sales-tax holiday this summer by deciding to include only items worth $50 or less, rather than $100 or less as backers initially hoped.

Children's Cabinet?

"Florida Capital Bureau Chief The chairman of a House panel had some tough questions Tuesday for advocates who want to create a 'Children's Cabinet.'" "Children's cabinet faces tough committee".

Citizens

"Citizens' business plan has been approved by the Florida Cabinet; the company's chairman said customer service satisfaction measures are in place." "Officials approve stronger Citizens plan". See also "Cabinet OKs plan to expand Citizens' offerings".

Optical Scan

"A slew of activists, citizens and an election official told a Senate committee Tuesday that optical-scan ballots are the only way to ensure voter confidence in the state's elections." "Optical-scan ballots best, activists say". See also "Crist announces paper-trail voting plan".

Gay Adoption Ban

"Critics say the ban is unfair and hypocritical because the state allows gays and lesbians to be foster parents." "Gay adoption ban draws heat".

Another Angle

"To lower property taxes, state lawmakers are adding to their arsenal plans that would create the most significant changes seen in decades to the way properties are appraised throughout Florida. Legislators are now looking to require all Florida properties to be assessed based on their current rather than their potential uses." "Legislators consider new proposals for appraising properties in Florida".

Pump Salesman's Blues

Curious story today. "The Army Corps of Engineers, rushing to meet President Bush's promise to protect New Orleans by the start of the 2006 hurricane season, installed defective flood-control pumps last year despite warnings from its own expert that the equipment would fail during a storm, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press."

MWI is owned by J. David Eller and his sons. Eller was once a business partner of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in a venture called Bush-El that marketed MWI pumps. And Eller has donated about $128,000 to politicians, the vast majority of it to the Republican Party, since 1996, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

MWI has run into trouble before. The U.S. Justice Department sued the company in 2002, accusing it of fraudulently helping Nigeria obtain $74 million in taxpayer-backed loans for overpriced and unnecessary water-pump equipment. The case is unresolved. Because of the trouble with the New Orleans pumps, the Corps has withheld 20 percent of the MWI contract, including an incentive of up to $4 million that the company could have collected if it delivered the equipment in time for the 2006 hurricane season.

Misgivings about the pumps were chronicled in a May 2006 memo provided to the AP by Matt McBride, a mechanical engineer and flooded-out Katrina victim who, like many in New Orleans, has been closely watching the rebuilding of the city's flood defenses.

The memo was written by Maria Garzino, a Corps mechanical engineer overseeing quality assurance at an MWI test site in Florida. The Corps confirmed the authenticity of the 72-page memo, which details many of the mechanical problems and criticizes the testing procedures used.

The focus of the renewed scrutiny is Jeb's partnership with David Eller, president and CEO of MWI Corp., a Florida-based water pump company. The Department of Justice is now accusing MWI of using millions in U.S. government loans, obtained from the Export-Import Bank, to bribe Nigerian officials to buy MWI pumps. The suit was originally filed by a former MWI employee in 1998. The government decided to intervene on the employee's behalf earlier this year.

Eller, a major Republican donor and activist, formed a partnership with Bush in 1989 called Bush-El. The business was established to sell MWI pumps and other equipment in other countries. During his father's presidency, Bush visited Nigeria twice as an MWI advocate. The visits from the first son were major events in Nigeria, according to media reports. There was even a parade, complete with 1,300 horses, in Bush's honor. The St. Petersburg Times reported that "tens of thousands of people lined the road to welcome the American president's son."

Bush was in Nigeria to help sell millions of dollars worth of MWI products to the Nigerian government. According to a 1992 Wall Street Journal article, Bush was simultaneously working to arrange a visit to the White House by Nigerian President Ibrahim Babangida. "Jeb Bush's experiences in the pump business provide a case study in how to profit from a Presidential name -- perfectly legally, by all appearances," the Journal wrote.

But the financing of the deal that came out of those visits was less than perfectly legal, the Department of Justice now claims. A government complaint seeking millions in damages against MWI suggests political influence played a large role in MWI obtaining the multimillion dollar Export-Import loans in the first place. In fact, the government suggests that Eller's political connections were the primary reason MWI was able to secure government loans at all. Although the suit suggests the company cashed in on its political connections to help secure the government loans, it seems to go out of its way not to mention Jeb Bush by name. The suit notes that Eller did business with "a member of a prominent national political family in an attempt to bolster MWI's sales abroad" -- an obvious reference to Jeb Bush.

"MWI's overt political activism and influence created both sales opportunities in Nigeria and ready access to [Export-Import] Bank loan support for those sales back in the United States," the complaint says. "The fact that MWI was able to obtain Exim Bank Financing at all is surprising given the Nigerian Federal Government's traditionally poor credit history."

It was 1991, dad was in the White House, and Jeb Bush was hopscotching through Nigeria in a corporate jet, on his way to meet government officials he hoped would buy $74 million worth of water pumps from his South Florida business partner. On the jet with Bush was a Nigerian associate in the deal, Al-Haji Mohammed Indimi, who carried several heavy Hartmann suitcases. At least one of the bags, the airplane's pilot says, was packed with cash to bribe the Nigerian officials. Did Jeb Bush know about the cash in the suitcase? Did he understand what the money was for? Bush declined to be interviewed for this story. His campaign emphatically denied that he knew anything about suitcases full of bribe money.

Stronger Advocate

"A proposal making Florida's insurance advocate more powerful passed a Senate panel Tuesday." "Panel backs stronger consumer advocate".

$5 Million

"Crist: State should pay $5 million for death of teen at boot camp". See also "Anderson's parents ask for meeting with governor" and "Crist commits $5 million to Anderson settlement".

The Very Best Thing They Can Do

"The very best thing that legislators can do this month is repeal the divisive teacher bonus plan -- nicknamed 'STAR' for Special Teachers are Rewarded -- that they hurriedly passed last year. Without action, the state in April will begin divvying up $147 million for teacher bonuses using an inequitable formula based largely on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test." "Reward plan a burnout for teachers, students".".

From the Law And Order Crowd

"Nearly every state House Republican lawmaker attended a private meeting Monday night held to discuss the controversial topic of stem cell research, state party officials said Tuesday."

The state constitution requires that when three or more lawmakers discuss pending legislation, the meeting be given proper public notice.

There was no public notice of the meeting Monday, but attendees and party officials insisted state open meetings law was not broken.

"We didn't talk about any bills," said Rep. Anitere Flores, a Miami Republican sponsoring one of two competing bills before the House concerning stem cell research. "I didn't speak. No members spoke on any legislation. We just had a conversation on the science of it. I guarantee you there was no word on any pending legislation."

Bullies

"Critics say 'bully bill' neglects gay students".

Huh?

"At the same time they say cities and counties need to cut property taxes, House lawmakers have drawn a school spending budget that would let school boards raise taxes." "School bill encourages tax increase".

"Shameful"

"KidCare, Florida's health insurance for low-income children, desperately needs a legislative overhaul. Once a national model, KidCare has been losing enrollment even as the number of uninsured children has skyrocketed. Now Florida has more than 700,000 uninsured children and the second-highest percentage of uninsured children among U.S. states. That is shameful." "Healthier kids for a healthier Florida". See also "Senate panel approves KidCare overhaul, expansion".

On The Cheap

"House Republicans are breaking with Gov. Charlie Crist's classroom spending plans by offering a smaller increase in education spending, less funding for teacher bonuses and a 5-percent tuition hike at universities and community colleges." "House skims education budget".

Whatever

"Crist: Sunshine is for everyone".

ARG Poll

"Maybe it shows how difficult it is to do accurate polls in primaries—a new American Research Group poll differs from last week’s Quinnipiac poll, showing John McCain leading Rudy Giuliani in Florida." "Poll Shows McCain Leading in Florida Primary".

The ARG Florida poll has McCain leading Giuliani 38% to 28% with 14% undecided and the rest in single digits. "Sample Size: 600 completed telephone interviews among a random sample of likely Republican primary voters living in Florida (533 Republicans and 67 independent voters). Sample Dates: February 23-27, 2007 Margin of Error: ± 4 percentage points, 95% of the time, on questions where opinion is evenly split."

Penny

"Despite public angst over rising property taxes, Pinellas County voters Tuesday resoundingly approved renewing the 'Penny for Pinellas' 1-cent sales tax for another decade, through 2020." "Penny For Pinellas Approved".

Pathetic

"A virtual handful of voters elected new leaders in 11 cities on Tuesday." "Broward voter turnout is less than 10%". See also "Vote problems leave candidates confused well into evening".

Beef

"Consumers would have an insurance advocate with teeth if a proposal now before the Legislature is passed." "Bill could beef up consumers' side".

Parental Notification

"Bill would require parental notification of sex ed classes".

Oops!

"The John McCain and Mitt Romney campaigns have become so competitive in forming Florida organizations and announcing endorsements they’re jumping the gun—both have announced endorsements in recent days that they didn’t yet have." "Intense Competition In Presidential Campaign Leads To Foulups".

Virtual Scam

"When the K-8 virtual school was created in 2003, it was sold as a way of saving money. Because only students who had attended a public school the previous year were eligible and because the per-student amount of $4,800 was $700 less than what the state spent at public schools, proponents said the state would save $700,000 from the 1,000-student program."

Not so fast. "That calculus was undone almost immediately, however, when then-Education Commissioner Jim Horne permitted kindergarten and first-grade students who had never attended school before to enroll. Those two grades in that year accounted for 27 percent of all the students, meaning that instead of saving money, the program in that first year added as much as $653,000, depending on how many of the youngest students would have been home-schooled anyway." "Expanded virtual schools sought".

Tampa Election Glitches?

"Reddick said residents told him they did not learn until election day that their polling site had changed and others said a power outage at one precinct caused votes to go uncounted." "Reddick Alleges Glitches Cost Him District 5 Runoff".

Special Risk

"'Unit training and rehabilitation' employees at Florida State Hospital are seeking the 3-percent special-risk retirement benefit that law-enforcement officers, firefighters and correctional officers in the prisons receive. They now receive only the 1.6-percent pension credit for each year's service. That's what state office workers receive. This is inequitable and shortsighted. If the state's goal is to keep turnover among employees low, failure to extend the same retirement benefits to these employees isn't how to accomplish it. Failure to extend greater protection while they're on the job is even more irresponsible." "How long?".

Knuckle Draggers

"Brett Doster, one of the Bush brothers’ top political operatives in Florida, has signed up to manage the constitutional amendment campaign of Citizens for Science and Ethics, an organization opposing embryonic stem cell research." "Doster To Manage Anti-Stem Cell Campaign".

Quid Pro Quo

"Lawmakers are pushing Florida's telephone companies to forgo a scheduled increase in local phone rates as a way to sweeten a bill that would make it easier for them to get into the cable business. Gov. Charlie Crist also wants the cable bill to make it easier for poor people who qualify for subsidized phone service to actually get it." "Phone companies' boost targeted by lawmakers".

"Gratified and slightly astonished"

Michael Putney says "Count me among the gratified and slightly astonished -- as are most members of the Florida Legislature after the new governor's first two months in office. Crist has consistently done right on issues large and small. He has made nary a serious misstep and many in a direction that Tallahassee hasn't seen in decades. Toward civility and collegiality. Toward not just bipartisanship but nonpartisanship." "Crist keeps on giving pleasant surprises".

Renters

"The more than 850,000 residents of Broward and Palm Beach counties who rent their homes would benefit by changes key lawmakers say they are now willing to make to the tax cut plans taking shape in the Legislature." "Florida lawmakers want to help renters with cuts in property taxes".

Palm Beach Post: "Abolish Executions"

"Chances are that in the next few weeks, the Legislature will pass a bill to 'fix' Florida's system of capital punishment. Even if that happens, the 'fix' probably won't last."

Florida thought that electrocution worked fine until the Pedro Medina execution in 1997 dispelled that myth. Three years later, the state added lethal injection. When Angel Diaz's attorneys challenged the lethal injection protocols, the state argued that the system worked fine. The only way to guarantee that there are no mistakes in executions would be to abolish executions.

"Floridians would be hardest hit"

"Hospitals that serve as safety nets for poor and uninsured Floridians would be hardest hit by a Medicaid rule the Bush administration has proposed - not just for Florida but throughout the country. So, Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., and Rep. Ron Klein, D-Fla., correctly are trying to delay the cuts, which would cost Florida's hospitals as much as $932 million each year in federal and state matching money." "Block meatball surgery on state's hospitals, poor".

Yesterday's News

- "Today [Tuesday, March 13] in Tallahassee".

- "State Reduces Revenue Forecasts".

- "Rubio's chief of staff steps down, may seek office".

- "School Bully Bill Needs More Teeth, Group Says".

- "State Hospital workers fear reprisals".

- "Gov. Crist Signs Anti-Murder Bill Into Law".

- "Housing slump fueling economic slowdown".

- "State rejects complaint in [Winter Garden] District 4 race".

- "Sexual orientation at issue in anti-bullying bill".

Springtime Tallahassee

"It's spring, which means that someone in Tallahassee is fretting about the sex lives of teenaged girls. We don't mean to take this lightly: Teen pregnancy is a serious issue, and Florida has the sixth-worst rate of teen pregnancy among the 50 states. But the Legislature has become all too predictable. Every year, there's a contest over who can come up with the looniest, most invasive and most-likely-to-be-ruled-unconstitutional proposal, and everyone seems focused on the same target group. Why not pry into the personal affairs of middle-aged men for a change?" "Ganging up".

Loophole

Lucy Morgan writes that "lawmakers left a loophole when they passed the law banning gifts from lobbyists. They can't accept a free cup of coffee, but they can accept a check for $100,000 to their favorite charity or campaign accounts." "Donations dodge ban on lobbyist gifts".

Budget Blues

"Despite Gov. Charlie Crist's talk of the need to 'live within our means,' people who work for him are asking for more money. The state agency chiefs Crist hired have reviewed his recommended budget and are collectively asking for more than $1-billion in new spending next year, on top of Crist's $71-billion proposal." "Gloom hangs over budget requests". See also "Daily News: A tighter budget may mean fewer 'turkeys'".

"America's Greatest Governor"

"On election night in November, Charlie Crist called Jeb Bush not only this state's greatest governor but 'America's greatest governor.' Even before he was inaugurated on Jan. 2, however, Charlie Crist began governing quite differently than Gov. Bush did."

In little more than two months, Gov. Crist has set a tone that is vastly different from the one wielded by the man he called "America's greatest governor." Gov. Crist challenged legislators to not waste "through neglect or partisan divide" the chance to "bring real change now and help our people in profound ways for generations to come." The Legislature's effectiveness this year will be determined largely by whether it follows Gov. Crist's hopeful sense of urgency and inclusion.

In the end, Mr. Handy was chairman of the state board of education, but in his first political incarnation, he was the mover behind term limits for state legislators. Mr. Handy has good intentions, but his grasp of public policy is nil, and his contempt for politicians prevents him from learning what he doesn't know. His is the kind of advice a governor should have kept at the far end of an e-mail link, which is where Gov. Crist has put him.

Broward

"Broward candidates make last-ditch appeals before Tuesday vote".

"Avarice and Craziness"

"Florida has 7,800 lakes, 320 springs, 300 species of palms, 56 species of roaches and several dozen talking cartoon animals. But Florida has only two renewable resources: avarice and craziness." "A paradise of asphalt and condosdiane roberts col".

Another Jebacy

"No one would argue with the need to protect the public. More at issue is how much it will cost and who will pay. Enforcing the law to the max will mean more people in county jails, more judges and more people in state prison. A Senate analysis concludes that the cost to local government could be "significant," just as local government faces a possible cut in tax revenue ordered by the Legislature. Finally, under Gov. Bush, the state cut back drastically on the number of probation officers." "Pay 'anti-murder' tab".

Immigration Reform

"Perhaps the stars have aligned for immigration reform this year. President Bush and Congressional leaders want a bipartisan solution. Americans want real fixes from Congress. A coalition of business, labor, immigration and religious groups are lobbying Washington harder than ever. But some obstacles remain, namely a time crunch and anti-immigrant zealots who could be spoilers." "Give immigration reform another try".

"Troubled Waters"

"A $200 million restoration plan that includes Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers that it fouls with polluted runoff has hit troubled waters. " "River-restoration plan hits troubled waters".

Energy

Mike Twomey, president of Florida Utility Watch Inc.: "Floridians pay some of the highest electric bills in the nation because our utilities pay the highest price for natural gas of any state besides Hawaii, according to the Energy Information Administration."

To lower and stabilize utility rates and ensure that our electric grid remains reliable during events like hurricane strikes and heat waves, the Legislature and the Public Service Commission should encourage the development of natural-gas storage facilities in Florida. The storage technology is mature and safe and is already in use in states such as California, New York and Illinois to enhance the efficiency of existing energy infrastructure and provide price insurance during weather-related price increases.

Energy is a serious concern for Florida. If our leaders do not act soon, Florida could be hit with electric-service disruptions, coupled with sharp rate increases. With population growth continuing to strain Florida's energy infrastructure, it's possible that in five years' time the state's energy demands could exceed fuel supply availability on peak days in the hot summer months, causing a spike in utility rates and perhaps even supply issues forcing blackouts.

Property Tax Reform

Courtesy of the Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "As Gov. Charlie Crist and lawmakers debate reforms in Florida's flawed property-tax system, here are some suggestions to guide their work:" "A fairer system". See also "Rent relief works its way into property tax debate".

'Ya Think

"State Department of Natural Resources administrators have wisely dropped a plan to dismantle Everglades icon Marjory Stoneman Douglas' Coconut Grove cottage. The plan was to move the cottage to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. To move the cottage would dishonor Ms. Douglas' memory. She wrote River of Grass -- a clarion call to save the Everglades." "Straight to the point".

Limiting Access

"An effort in the state Capitol to protect Floridians against the increasing threat of identify theft could also cut off public access to real estate, criminal and government personnel records, according to a First Amendment advocacy group." "First Amendment-rights group wary of privacy bills". See also "Open records get champion" and "Scores of bills aimed at limiting public access to records".

Gators

The Sun-Sentinel editors: "The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is considering relaxing some of the rules that have protected alligators. Let's hope they don't relax the rules too much." "Wildlife".

Prison Boss

Cotterell: "Whatever else Department of Corrections employees might think of Jim McDonough, they have to admit the prisons boss leads by example." "Prison boss betting on getting fit".

"Squeeze Play"

"The Florida Marlins' latest hope for a new ballpark focuses on two publicly owned properties: one, the old football stadium in Little Havana; the other, a nine-acre plot in downtown Miami that could prove costly." "New stadium squeeze play".

Windfall

"As Pinellas County prepares to ask voters to renew a penny sales tax for another decade, it is managing a financial feat that many residents can only dream of: It is spending more while keeping a large reserve."

Thanks to a property tax windfall from the recent real estate boom, Pinellas has accumulated a surplus reserve of $146 million, county budget figures show.

The nest egg comes to 21 percent of the county's general operating budget, easily the highest percentage among several urban counties, including Hillsborough, Dade and Broward.

Sarasota

"Voter turnout is notoriously low in city commission elections; less than 15 percent of registered voters cast ballots in the 2003 races." "Sarasota city candidates fight for votes".

Settlement

"A woman who sued over the death of her baby, born over a jail cell toilet even though she complained of labor pains for nearly 12 hours, has received a $350,000 settlement." "Woman gets settlement in death of baby in jail".

Fat

"State Rep. Aaron Bean is challenging fellow lawmakers to focus as much on trimming the fat off their own bodies as they do trimming taxes." "Fat cats no more".

Dent

"Incompetent, partisan, defensive to the point of hostility: Dent was called a lot of things last November, after the District 13 congressional race produced an 18,000-vote undercount that sent Vern Buchanan to Congress under a cloud and consigned $4.7 million worth of brand-new touch-screen voting equipment to the scrap heap. Today, on the eve of her first election since that long month in the national media spotlight, Dent is feeling confident -- even, to borrow a word used frequently to describe her last fall, 'defiant.'" "'Defiant' Dent says she's ready for another election".

"Shameful"

The Tampa Trib editors: "Florida was a pioneer in the late 1990s when it created KidCare to help poor families who are not eligible for Medicaid but who cannot afford private insurance."

But since then, the state Legislature has turned this visionary program into a bureaucratic nightmare by creating numerous barriers that keep families from signing up for low-cost children's health insurance.

The way KidCare has been handled is shameful and it's understandable some child advocates now are tempted to pursue a state constitutional amendment that would guarantee affordable health care coverage to all children.

But creating an entitlement program and embedding it in the state constitution would be overreacting to a problem that can be solved with much simpler measures.