But while Crist exuded confidence in Washington, his quest for $30 million to junk most of the touch-screen voting machines in 15 counties and replace them with optical scan machines faces an uncertain future.

Florida lawmakers have yet to consider his proposal and both chambers have thus far refused to put the money in their budgets.

''The issue is whether you fund what looks like a mistake,'' said House Speaker Marco Rubio, a West Miami Republican, adding, "I don't know why [the counties] gave into temptation to buy these touchscreen machines and listened to the lobbyists for the companies who sold these.''

Going Down

The religious right is "a cause some say is waning or dead ... There's little question that movement has suffered setbacks recently, culminating in the elections that put a moderate in the Florida governor's mansion and Democrats in control of both houses of Congress."

In Florida, said Derek Newton, a Democratic political consultant in Miami, "I think it's fairly clear their power or influence is on the decline. I don't think you can look at recent election results and conclude anything else."

Although the movement has taken some hits, it would be a mistake, political experts say, to call it dead.

"This is clearly not a great time for them," said University of Florida political scientist Ken Wald, who specializes in religion in politics. "But you have to think of this as a cyclical movement that has highs and lows."

"Jeb!" No Gator

"More than three dozen UF faculty members snubbed the Republican Party celebrity this week, killing a proposal to give him an honorary degree." UF president Bernie

Machen said the degree denial is "unprecedented" in UF history.

"I just think it was a horrible decision based upon some people that really don't know all the things Jeb Bush did for education, and especially for the University of Florida," Machen said Friday. "I don't know, I guess someone's trying to make some kind of a statement."

Bush could not be reached Friday, but some longtime supporters were outraged.

"We name buildings after people who have questionable backgrounds," said former UF student body president Steve Uhlfelder, a Democrat and former state university system leader who practices law in Tallahassee.

Uhlfelder pointed out that UF's basketball arena is named after former university president Stephen C. O'Connell, who as Florida Supreme Court justice wrote the 1956 opinion to keep a black student from entering the UF law school.

Machen said he's not giving up on making Bush a Gator.

House Tax Plan Advances

"After weeks of debate and three different proposals, a key House committee approved an ambitious Republican plan Friday to cut $15 billion in property taxes and raise state and local sales taxes by as much as $9.2 billion instead. But as the Republican-controlled House Policy and Budget Council raced headlong into a party-line vote, the Florida Senate remained silent. Senate leaders say there is no support for the House plan, but they are not compelled to bring an alternative forward." "Property tax cuts are facing Senate silence". See also "New House plan would put crimp in cash flow", "Rubio's Massive Tax-Swap Clears First Hurdle", "Property-tax relief passes first key vote", "GOP's tax-cutting plan faces a stormy future", "Property-tax shake-up moves forward", "Cities and counties are still fighting revised House GOP tax plan", "House committee approves GOP plan to cut property taxes", "House releases prop tax impact" and "Tax plan finds weak support".

The Sun-Sentinel editors warn that "Lawmakers are in such haste to do something they could unwittingly create other consequences, much as happened with the Save Our Homes amendment." The Palm Beach Post editors: "Still the House special, still not good tax reform".

"As the tax debate rages in Tallahassee, the Florida House is attacking the messenger. It's an intriguing strategy, and its pettiness is telling." "Rocks fly from (glass) House in tax debate".

Global Warming

"Neither of the lawmakers who control committees that write Florida's insurance policy believe in global warming." "Warmth surge may get price tag".

And who are these bright lights? Sen. Bill Posey, a Rockledge Republican and State Rep. Don Brown, a DeFuniak Springs Republican.

GOPers in a Jam

"Worker and company property rights are at odds in a gun bill being debated in Tallahassee." "Gun bill seeks to clarify property rights". See also "Lawmakers to consider bill to allow guns in cars at work".

Privatization Follies

She St Pete Times editorial board:

It's an effective strategy: Starve roads, ignore mass transit, tolerate sprawl and then complain the state cannot afford to meet the demand for transportation. The Florida House passed a bill Thursday the Republican majority preordained for years. It would allow investor-owned companies to lease existing toll roads and build new ones and charge users whatever they saw fit. The move drives transportation planning in the wrong direction and the Senate should resist it.

Deutch Bills

"Freshman Sen. Ted Deutch and other Florida lawmakers have scheduled a telephone conference call Monday with former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to rally support for a pair of bills that would force Florida to back out of billions of dollars in investments with companies tied to Iran and Sudan." "Deutch urges yanking billions from firms tied to Iran, Sudan".

Elian II?

"An international custody battle over a Coral Gables girl is quietly playing out in Miami-Dade County's juvenile courthouse. ... DCF is represented in the case by Jason Dimitris, a former state and federal prosecutor recently named chief of staff for agency head Bob Butterworth." "U.S.-Cuba custody fight brews over girl".

Raw Political Courage

"A budget crunch has not killed lawmakers' desire to offer Floridians sales tax relief for school shopping, hurricane supplies and energy-saving light bulbs." "Lawmakers plan sales-tax breaks".

Bowing to Billboards

"The state of Florida, however, appears to be flexible to a fault when it comes to its position on billboards. The fault, in fact, is likely to cost taxpayers a $15 million federal fee - you might call it a fine - for allowing some billboards to be put up again after they were damaged, many of them by hurricanes in 2004. It's a problem because these nonconforming billboards go back up without meeting existing codes. In addition, Florida is risking as much as $161 million in lost federal transportation money if it continues with its plan to weaken regulations governing the re-erection of billboards that are damaged." "Billboard break".

DJJ

"Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Walt McNeil Friday unveiled a new draft mission for the embattled department, one that seeks to broaden its approach from public protection to prevention, intervention and treatment." "DJJ head unveils overhaul plan".

Charlie "Hears our Pain"

"Crist hears our pain: Taxes, crime and growth".

"The Real Stunner ..."

"A ranking by a national child-care organization suggests Florida's regulations governing commercial day cares are already lax compared with other states. But the real stunner is that most of those rules don't apply to any facility run by a church." "Day-care rules".

Anderson Claim

"Special masters have been named by leadership in the House and Senate to begin hearing evidence in the $5 million compensation claim for the family of Martin Lee Anderson." "Anderson deal goes to Legislature".

McCollum Holds a Press Conference

"Television and radio advertisements aimed at keeping teenage girls from posting their pictures and personal information on the Internet will be hitting airwaves across the nation, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum and the U.S. Attorney's Office announced Friday." "Ads to warn teen girls about posting photos, data online". See also "Campaign targets Internet crime".

Gardasil

"Florida lawmakers have a chance to cut through the hype, hysteria and disgust. First, they should recognize that the vaccine, dubbed Gardasil, represents a genuine health-care breakthrough that could eventually spare the lives (or fertility) of thousands of women. But just as importantly, they should understand that many parents are uneasy about giving their child a vaccine that has been on the market less than a year. It's time to consider a middle road, trusting Florida families to make their own health-care decisions." "HPV vaccine impasse".

Cuts Too Small?

"Florida regulators have begun to challenge insurance rate cuts they say are not deep enough." "Experts: Insurance cuts too small".

Tax Dollars

St. Petersburg Democrat, Sen. Charlie Justice:

"I just, philosophically, don't think we should use tax dollars to say vote yes or vote no on a ballot issue," Justice said.

His bill would create a $1,000-per-count fine when local governments use public dollars to advocate for or against things like bond referendums and ballot initiatives in places like newspapers, direct mail or the Internet.

Clean Coal?

"Florida moved a step closer Friday to using "clean-burning" coal technology. The powerful House Budget and Policy Council unanimously approved a measure that would extend the same breaks lawmakers last year gave to nuclear plants to "integrated gasification combined cycle'' plants that convert coal to electricity." "'Clean' coal gets one step closer in House".

Largo Rubber Stamp

"Impassioned speeches from dozens of supporters failed to sway city commissioners as they finalized the firing early Saturday of the city manager who is seeking a sex change operation. Following a six-hour hearing, commissioners rubber-stamped the 5-2 vote they made last month to fire Steve Stanton after his announcement that he planned a new life as a woman but wanted to keep his job running this city of 76,000 residents west of Tampa." "Commissioners vote to fire transgender city manager". See also "Largo reaffirms firing of transgender official".

The Legislature is considering letting private companies build roads and charge drivers tolls to recoup their investment.

The measure, which could be approved by the state House as soon as today, would also require automatic hikes at all existing toll roads in the state, including Florida's Turnpike, the Sawgrass Expressway in Broward County and the five highways maintained by the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority, including the Don Shula Expressway and the Dolphin Expressway.

House leaders call the measure an innovative way to help Florida pay for future roads, citing estimates that the state lacks the billions it needs to build new highways and expand existing roads over the next two decades.

Early Primary

"The Florida House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to make the state's presidential primary one of the earliest in the nation." However, "don't mark the 2008 calendar just yet. The Florida Senate has yet to act on a similar measure and may not act until right before the Legislature ends its annual session in early May." "Plan for earlier primary gets big boost in House". See also "Primary Debate Continues", "Earlier presidential primary gets OK from Florida House", "Florida House votes for earlier presidential primary", "Florida moves to wipe out clout of smaller states with Jan. 29 presidential primary" and "Florida's primary rush hits a bump".

Oil Drilling

"Some of the state's most powerful lobbyists pounced today on a legislative proposal to enshrine an oil-drilling ban in the Florida Constitution." "Lobbyists attack ban on drilling". See also "Lawmakers want Fla. vote on drill ban".

"Strongly Consider Granting"

"The Florida bill says the state Clemency Board should 'strongly consider granting' an automatic pardon to those convicted of civil disobedience crimes against segregation laws or ordinances once an application is made to the Parole Commission. The legislation cannot require the pardon because the Clemency Board, headed by the governor, has the final say. State attorneys can object, within 60 days of an application's filing, that the conviction did not come from violating a discriminatory law, leading to a hearing." "Fla. lawmakers want quicker pardons for segregation protesters". See also "Quicker pardons for protesters sought".

Charter School Flops

"State officials had called Explorer Elementary and Middle School one of Florida's most successful charter schools, but Brevard County's school district stepped in and took over Wednesday amid a financial and management meltdown at the campus."

Explorer's finance manager, a felon convicted of forgery and stealing in Massachusetts, also resigned -- after directors of the school refused to fire him.

The unfolding drama at the school, which serves about 275 students, shows how a charter can earn a string of A grades from the state yet be so mismanaged that armed officers are needed to evict angry parents and teachers from school meetings, and officials question whether the institution can stay in business.

Explorer is in such financial disarray that the school's auditor had warned that a lender could foreclose on the unfinished building that was supposed to be the school's million-dollar dream campus. Funds have been misappropriated, and the principal lent public dollars to employees, the auditor said.

In December, the state Department of Education lauded Explorer as a model school in a publication touting 10 years of charter-school operations. The school opened in 1998, two years after Florida launched charters as an option for parents dissatisfied with local public schools. Charters are funded by taxpayers but operate independently and are free of many regulations that affect traditional schools.

Today in Tally

"Today in Tallahassee".

House Alternative

"House Republican leaders have sweetened their pitch to replace property taxes with an increase in sales taxes:"

Give homeowners the choice of higher sales taxes in their county in exchange for having their property tax bills disappear.

The proposal is part of a new version of the tax overhaul being pushed by House leaders. Along with the choice comes this bottom line: If voters agree to swap local sales taxes for property taxes, they'll pay no more property taxes. If they don't agree, they'll pay an average of 45 percent less in property taxes beginning in the 2008 tax year.

The new plan would still raise sales taxes statewide, but only by a penny, not the previously proposed 2 ½ cents. But the plan would let counties raise local sales taxes by as much as 1 ½ cents more -- if local voters approve -- to make up for major cutbacks on property taxes. The measure would force local governments to cut $5.5 billion statewide by 2008.

Huh?

"Bill takes on future problem: involuntary microchip implants".

Hurricane Insurance

"Rep. Alan Hays feels like a voice in the wilderness, but he's trying anyway to undo a big part of Gov. Charlie Crist's insurance reform." "Legislators again pick up on hurricane insurance".

Senior Vote

"AARP plans to mobilize millions of volunteer retirees to hammer presidential hopefuls at campaign stops with tough questions about health care, Social Security and other issues important to American seniors." "AARP: Seniors to hold presidential hopefuls to promises".

Baxley

"Convinced that Sen. Nancy Argenziano has a valuable appointment sewn up, a powerful House leader today jumped into the race to replace her." "Baxley eyes Senate seat".

Small Town

Scott Maxwell reminds us that, with respect to Orlando, and "for all the talk we hear from local leaders about wanting to make this a big-time city, this is still a town where tourism bosses pull the strings."

New "Fee"

"State university students could end up paying much more for their education if a unique charge is approved by the Legislature." "Proposed fee could escalate college costs".

Promises, Promises

"Crist sought Wednesday to reassure Floridians that they would get larger reductions in their insurance premiums than the single-digit price cuts the industry proposed last week." "Crist: Insurance rates will drop". See also "Crist: Premiums will drop more".

McCain

"Republican presidential candidate John McCain stumped among Miami's Cuban Americans as the immigration debate lurched forward in Washington." "McCain joins Cuban 'comrades' in arms".

Civics

"Reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic may be well and good for students, but a pair of Florida elder statesmen warned lawmakers on Wednesday that state schools need to teach good old-fashioned civics before an entire generation is lost to their responsibilities in a democracy." "Ex-Lawmakers Sound Alarm: Florida Has Civics Deficiency".

STAR Gone

"The Florida Senate agreed Wednesday to erase a troubled merit pay plan for teachers and replace it with a new program giving school districts more authority for spreading around the extra cash. The 39-0 Senate vote is likely to be soon followed by the House, and would eliminate the short-lived Special Teachers Are Rewarded (STAR), approved by lawmakers last year but ridiculed by the state's biggest teachers' union and rejected by one-third of Florida's districts." "STAR Dims on Teacher Pay". See also "Senate approves change in merit pay plan for teachers", "Senate OKs new teacher bonus program", "Merit awards eclipse STAR plan", "Bonuses for teachers get a face-lift" and "Lawmakers revamping merit pay for teachers".

Military Tax Break

"Soldier fights for military tax break".

Homeless

"Still, the statistics regarding violent crime against homeless people send a grim message to this area. For starters, Florida is the most dangerous state for the homeless, according to statistics compiled by the National Coalition for the Homeless, which logged 42 attacks and eight homicides in Florida on its list of 189 deaths and 425 non-fatal assaults for 2006." "Harm to homeless".

Gardasil

"The future of a human papillomavirus vaccinations bill remains in limbo after being pulled from a state Senate committee Wednesday. Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, asked a Senate education committee to postpone a hearing on his proposal requiring parents to choose whether to vaccinate their daughters against HPV." "HPV Vaccine Law On Ice For Now".

"New Blood"

"New blood is coming on board Citizens Property Insurance, the state-run company the largest property insurer in Florida." "Citizens board gets new members".

Cable TV Competition

"The House refused on Wednesday to weaken a bill designed to make it easier for telephone and other telecommunications companies to compete for cable television business with existing providers." "House refuses to weaken bill to boost cable TV competition".

Whatever

"At Broward Days, Crist impresses Democrats".

CD 13

"The chairman of the U.S. House Administration Committee announced Thursday that she formed a task forced to look into the Sarasota area congressional race in light of last week's recent developments." "Task force announced on FL 13".

GOPers Can't Decide

"The National Rifle Association, which almost always has its way with the Florida Legislature, is determined to ram through a measure this year that would strip businesses of their property rights." "Property Rights, Common Sense Should Trump Gun Measure".

Boost

"It's not often that citizens plead with lawmakers to increase government fees, but that's exactly what Florida's outdoor enthusiasts are doing. And the Legislature should comply. Fishing and hunting groups are pushing a measure that would increase funding for Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with modest - $3 to $4 - fee increases for most resident licenses." "A Boost For The Great Outdoors".

Rodman Dam

"Pickens’ bill (HB 427) is similar to a measure the Legislature passed in 2003 only to see former Gov. Jeb Bush side with environmentalists and veto it. Should lawmakers approve the bill again this year, it will pose an interesting test for new Gov. Charlie Crist, who so far has been willing to defer to the Legislature on issues but who has also been sympathetic to environmental causes in the past." "An Old Environmental Fight is Re-Ignited". See also "Bill revives hubbub about dam's future".

FAMU

"Death rattle at FAMU justifies state's urgency".

DEP

The Palm Beach Post's Sally Swartz: "Crist, who so diligently has begun reform in the Department of Children and Families and other agencies, also needs to overhaul DEP. Entrenched employees, who go easy on polluters and would weaken water standards, must go." "To clean state's waters, clean house".

Slots

"Four months after Las Vegas-style slot machines started spinning in Broward County, a legislative panel on Thursday agreed to relax state regulations to let the casinos stay open longer and offer more slots, new games and ATMs to serve gamblers short of cash." "Legislative panel approves bill to increase number of Las Vegas-style slot machines".

Death Knell

"Sen. Mel Martinez, the new chairman of the Republican Party, sent out an email to supporters Wednesday, standing behind embattled Attorney General Alberto Gonzales." "Martinez supports Attorney General".

Fireworks

"The Florida Senate is expected to vote today on a bill that would prevent cities and counties from banning firework sales for about 10 months while a task force studies fireworks use and regulation." "Bill would halt fireworks bans".

Unusual

"Restaurant owners could be required to have lots of toilet paper and trash cans in their bathrooms and it could become a crime to implant a microchip for tracking or identification purposes under two bills approved by the Senate Health Regulation Committee on Wednesday." "Unusual health bills move through panel".

"Common-sense"

"The Legislature is finally acknowledging what parents have realized for generations - teens have sex, and while it shouldn't be encouraged, they shouldn't be labeled as criminals. Bills moving through the Florida House and Senate could spare teen lovers the stigma of registering as sex offenders. This is a common-sense change that redirects the weight of the law toward the true threats to society." "Teen sex doesn't merit spot on registry".

Who's Next?

"In another sign of the intense Florida presidential campaign jockeying, a top Republican fundraiser is jumping ship from the Mitt Romney campaign to Rudy Giuliani's."

Richard Blankenship, a Jacksonville area investment banker and President Bush's former ambassador to the Bahamas, said he resigned from Romney's Florida finance team after becoming convinced Giuliani had broader appeal and said other Romney fundraisers in Florida could do the same.

Blankenship, who describes himself as a fiscal conservative and social moderate, has raised and donated hundreds of thousands of dollars for Republican efforts and frequently loaned his Cessna airplane to Republicans. He called Romney a wonderful person, but said he had concerns about the former Massachusetts governor's shifts to the right on a number of social issues.

'Glades

"An expansion of the massive Everglades restoration program designed to clean up Lake Okeechobee and the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers came closer Wednesday to being passed by the Senate." "Wider Everglades cleanup flows".

Anderson

"The Florida Senate introduced a bill Wednesday that would give a $5 million payment to the parents of Martin Lee Anderson, the Bay County teenager who died after being hit and kicked by guards in a juvenile boot camp last year." "Senate introduces bill to pay Anderson's parents $5 million".

"Clean Oceans"

"A bill to require gambling ships to take their sewage back to land instead of releasing it in the sea has, for the moment, run aground." "'Clean Oceans' becalmed in Senate". See also "Lawmakers seek to discourage gambling ships from dumping sewage offshore".

A liberal think tank Tuesday compared property tax relief legislation being pushed by Republican House leaders to spending limits Colorado voters suspended in 2005 because too much money was being cut for education, roads and health care.

The Washington, D.C.-based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities issued a report characterizing Colorado's spending limits as a failure and contending Florida could expect similar service reductions if the House GOP plan is adopted.

House GOP spokesman Alberto Martinez attacked the center's credibility because of its liberal leanings.

Nelson Shows Courage; Trib Whines

The Tampa Trib editors are apoplectic about another liberal group, icky labor unions who are making Bill Nelson do bad stuff to companies:

Not burdened by the need to campaign at least until 2011, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson has decided to co-sponsor one of the worst pieces of legislation to make its way through Congress in years.

Nelson will join Sen. Ted Kennedy as a sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007, the companion legislation to a measure passed earlier this month in the House of Representatives. ...

Nelson's decision is a disappointment, but hardly surprising. Without an election on the horizon, he can placate labor without worrying about the wrath of the Chamber of Commerce and other business organizations that rightly oppose this legislation, which is anti-democratic, anti-worker and bad for business.

Tallahassee Today

"Today in Tallahassee" See also "Upcoming at the Capitol" and "2007 Legislature roundup".

Special Session?

"They want to give homeowners tax relief. They're just, so far, not agreeing on the how. And it might take a special session, called for after the regular legislative session ends May 4, before the issue can be properly tackled, suggests one top legislator. 'If we are unable to reach an agreement at the end of this session, I do not regard that as the end of the world -- provided we are able to come back,' said Senate Democratic Leader Steve Geller, of Hallandale Beach." "Tax relief may require special session".

"Senate Democrats have indefinitely postponed rolling out their property tax reform proposal after some Democratic lawmakers failed to sign on to Senate Democratic Leader Steve Geller's plan." "Bipartisan plan on tax reform looking dicey".

HD 49

"Darren Soto captured the state House District 49 Democratic primary Tuesday with more than twice as many votes as his nearest challenger. He faces Republican Anthony Suarez on April 24, with the winner replacing John Quinones, R-Kissimmee, in the House. Quinones, a Republican, resigned earlier this year to run for Osceola County Commission and won his Republican primary Tuesday." "Soto wins primary for state House". See also "Soto V. Suarez " and "John Q Nears Commission; Soto v. Suarez for House Seat".

FAMU

"Black Caucus plans show of support for FAMU". See also "Florida A&M faithful wait for fallout".

Skits Go Easy on Charlie

Here's a shocker, the skits were "Not exactly hard-hitting stuff" as they related to Florida's certified media darling.

Touch-Screens

"Florida Secretary of State Kurt Browning was a big fan of touch-screen voting when he was Pasco County's supervisor of elections. Gov. Charlie Crist has put forward a smart $32 million plan to ban these problem-plagued touch-screens from Florida and replace them with more reliable optical-scan machines that count paper ballots. Now it's Mr. Browning's job to put his love of touch-screens aside and push Mr. Crist's plan through the Legislature." "Stick to the plan". See also "Organizers seek voting 'paper trail'".

Gardasil

"A plan to require young girls to be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted disease ran into a wall in the House." "Vaccination bill shot down". See also "Girls vaccine mandate snagged" and "Cancer vaccine proposal stalls amid questions".

ATVs

Some argue that "ATVs don't belong on Florida's public roads " "All-terrain dangers".

Orlando Sentinel Hearts Mel

Mel's biggest fans are at it again: "U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez promised he would put Florida first and not just echo the party line when he was named the chairman of the Republican National Committee."

In fighting to reauthorize an affordable-housing program called Hope VI, Mr. Martinez is keeping that promise -- and bucking the White House in the process.

"Perfect Storm"

"Convergence in Tallahassee juvenile justice's 'perfect storm'".

"Leave it up to voters"

"A Bradenton Republican says there's a simple solution to the debate over whether using taxpayer money for sports facilities is corporate welfare: Leave it up to voters." "Senator: Let voters decide".

Whatever

"Crist goes Hollywood today, attending a council meeting to promote Florida's film industry and hosting a reception later in the evening." "Lights. Camera. Action: Florida film industry takes focus today".

"Space Day"

"It's Space Day at the Capitol".

To the Extent You Care ...

You, too, can venture "Inside Rep. Feeney's dorm room" (via Naked Politics' "Tom Feeney, At Home").

"Statewide Coalition"

"Volusia Tax Reform has gone global -- or at least statewide. Members of group showed up in Tallahassee again Tuesday, this time joining a well known Miami media executive and others as they announced a statewide coalition intent on pushing the Legislature to do something about property taxes this year." "Volusians join tax coalition". See also "Property tax activists form statewide group to pressure legislators". Are these folks "Crist friends or foes?"

"Fashion Police"

"If state Sen. Gary Siplin gets his way, 'fashion police' will start patrolling public schools to suspend kids who wear droopy drawers." "Toss Droopy-Drawers Bill In Hamper".

Tax Cut

"House Republicans jettisoned a proposed property tax increase for school districts on Tuesday -- a week after first unveiling the proposal."

The tax increase, which would have been subject to a vote by local school boards, was part of a $1.2 billion spending increase that would have been given to public schools for the next school year. Instead, House Republicans have now drawn up a second spending plan that includes a $1.13 billion increase, but does not give school districts the option to raise local taxes. ...

Now the House schools budget features a small property tax cut -- a decrease of $27.50 a year for the owner of a $300,000 home with a homestead exemption. Gov. Charlie Crist also recommended the same tax cut, which will cost nearly $134 million.

The tax cut, tucked inside a massive $19.2 billion spending plan for public schools, is independent of other major property tax initiatives being proposed by House Republicans. The proposal would force local governments to roll back property tax rates, ask voters to raise the state's sales tax by 2.5 cents and eliminate property taxes for homeowners who have a homestead exemption.

C-in-C

"Crist was a laid-back commander in chief today, talking to a group of Florida National Guard troops in an informal setting at the Governor's Mansion.".

Big of 'Em

"Efforts to squeeze the most out of Florida's $250 million home mitigation program have officials and lawmakers sizing up some of the state's biggest merchants." "Legislators could get help from big-box retailers".

Healthy Families

"Healthy Families' budget has remained flat for the past five years, yet an independent five-year evaluation released in February 2005 showed participants in the program had 20-percent less abuse and neglect than all families in their target service areas, despite the fact that they had significantly higher risk factors to start with. Fewer subsequent pregnancies are also reported in these participating families as well as more success in completing GEDs or job training." "Healthy families".

CD 13

"A coalition of advocacy groups filed a motion Tuesday asking a judge to reconsider an earlier decision regarding a disputed election in the state’s 13th Congressional District. The motion was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, People for the American Way Foundation, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Voter Action." "Voting groups ask judge to reconsider election dispute". See also "Congressional inquiry into election on hold".

Korda

"An advocacy group is calling for Broward Circuit Judge Lawrence Korda to be removed from the bench because he was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana after Hollywood police said they caught him smoking pot Sunday afternoon in a city park." "NAACP files complaint against Broward judge charged with smoking marijuana".

"Bad Ideas"

"With the state legislature in session again, it's very hard to keep track of all the bad ideas percolating in Tallahassee." "Legislative 'gems' just need polish".

Rosewood

"When Gov. Charlie Crist met with Florida National Guard troops in his office Tuesday, he discovered he and an Air Force communications specialist in the group had a common interest. As a state senator, Crist chaired a subcommittee charged with approving $2 million to pay the descendents of the nine survivors of the 1923 racial massacre in Rosewood that resulted in the destruction of the North Florida black community and the deaths of at least eight of its residents." "Rosewood Relation".

Enrollment Down

"Public school enrollment has declined by 3,500 students since the last academic year, saving taxpayers' money and reducing the need for new teachers and classroom space, according to figures presented Tuesday to the State Board of Education." "Education commissioner: school enrollment down 3,500".

Insurance Commissioner

"A plan to put the state's insurance commissioner directly under the elected chief financial officer won approval from its first committee Tuesday, despite opposition from the chief financial officer herself." "Committee backs insurance chief shift". See also "Thier choice for insurance watchdog: CFO".

"Sand Shortage"

"The sand shortage is the lastest problem with a beach-rebuilding program that harms water quality and marine life, environmentalists say." "South Florida marine life faces peril with 'the wrong' beach". See also "South Florida running out of sand".

USF Apathy

"The campus, which has more than 1,000 registered voters, had less than 1 percent turnout for the city elections." "Apathy Rules Among Registered Voters At USF".

Graham

"In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former Florida Sen. Bob Graham says he favors the Iraq Accountability Act proposed by Democrats in Congress, which would condition the continued presence of U.S. troops in that nation on achievement of benchmarks by the Iraqi government." "Graham Takes Stand On Iraq".

"Very Compassionate Hearts"?

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Crist last week described Florida's legislators as having ''very compassionate hearts'' in urging them to approve a $5 million settlement offer to the family of Martin Lee Anderson. Lawmakers should prove him right." "Pay claim's bill".

Another Loyal Bushie To Romney

"Huizenga Signs On With Romney".

"Six-Pack"

"Sens. Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson introduced a 'six-pack' of congressional proposals Tuesday calling for $4.3 billion in hurricane research, streamlined regulations to help curb soaring insurance rates and renewed debate on creating a national catastrophe fund for all natural disasters." "Martinez, Nelson propose hurricane relief 'six-pack' of bills".

Mayfield

"Indian River lawmaker Stan Mayfield is hospitalized from an apparent blood clot in his lung." "Hospitalization doesn't keep Rep. Mayfield from duties".

"Fundraising Flurry"

"Supporters of Republican presidential candidate John McCain said Tuesday they expect to raise more than $200,000 for the Arizona senator's campaign at a fundraiser that kicks off a flurry of Florida events over the next two weeks." "McCain's Miami appearance kicks off Fla. fundraising flurry".

Jones Says "No" To Young Challenge

"US Rep. Dennis Jones? Nah".

Jax

"Mayor John Peyton easily defeated his Democratic opponent to win a second four-year term. The Republican captured 76 percent of the vote to defeat contractor Jackie Brown in Tuesday's election." "Jacksonville mayor elected another term".

"No Smart"

"Florida is about to lose out on a federal subsidy potentially worth $100-million. Not smart, you say? It gets worse. The subsidy would help the state stockpile an antiviral drug that could be the best early defense for Floridians during a flu pandemic." "Clock ticking on antiflu offer".

Withdraw

"As Congress prepares for a showdown vote Thursday over whether to set a timetable for withdrawing American troops from Iraq, Palm Beach County's two freshman members joined a group of former generals in supporting the proposal." "Local Democrats back bill pushing Iraq pullout".

Local Cuts

See "County budget to reflect loss of big growth in tax revenue", "Tax ax could chop up services" and "County braces for lean '08 budget".

In principle, such committees of continuous existence help lawmakers connect with constituents. But in practice, lawmakers have used them to pay for food, travel and entertainment, or to curry favor with other members of the Legislature in leadership races.

For example, Atwater got $10,000 from Sen. Mike Bennett, a Bradenton Republican who helped Atwater oust fellow Republican Alex Villalobos from the 2008-10 Senate presidency last year. Bennett gave him the money on Feb. 28 through a committee of continuous existence called Citizens for Housing and Urban Growth.

Bennett, who is running for the 2010 Senate presidency, has amassed more than $557,000 in that fund since 2005 and doled it out to other lawmakers.

On the Agenda

"Today in Tallahassee" See also "Upcoming at the Capitol" and "2007 Legislature roundup".

Power Rankings

William March reports on the Congress.org power rankings. No surprise here: "The study lists Rep. Kathy Castor, the Tampa Democrat, as the nation’s most powerful freshman House member". GOPer hearting Florida doesn't fare well: "Florida’s combined House-Senate delegation, with 10 Democrats and 17 Republicans, is ranked 42nd among states". And this borders on the pathetic:

Republican Mel Martinez, despite his additional title of Republican National Committee chairman, ranked 89th in the 100-member Senate.

Special Election

"With a short time span to replace former state Rep. John Quinones, R-Kissimmee, campaigning in today's District 49 Democratic primary comes down to name recognition and money." "District 49 race to be brief, not cheap". See also "Race to Succeed John Q is Quick and Costly".

Scott Maxwell writes: "Word is that Republicans are nervous about a special primary race today -- one that involves Democrats. The primary is for State House District 49. And the man who has them nervous is Democrat Darren Soto. Soto, an attorney, is just one of six Dems vying to face Republican Tony Suarez in this district that covers parts of Orange and Osceola counties. But Soto, who is smart, affable and enthusiastic, seems to have momentum, which is why some Republicans are hoping he loses -- and why Democrats looking for a win in this race should probably give him extra consideration.".

CD 13

"The Buzz has learned that the U.S. House Administration Committee has formed a three-person task force to look into the disputed Sarasota congressional race." "Task force to study Sarasota house election".

On a related note, "Ray LeGault is a retired illumination engineer who thinks light bulbs, not voting machines, were the problem during the District 13 congressional election. ... [The] lawsuit -- with scribbled notes on footcandle measurements and light readings -- was quickly squashed by a Circuit Court judge, as was a 2000 complaint he filed in Palm Beach County. In that case, LeGault asked a judge to send Gov. Jeb Bush and two Palm Beach County elections officials to jail for their roles in the disputed balloting. A judge tossed that suit five months later." "Voter: Polling place lighting improper".

Hate Crime

"Attacks on homeless prompt 'hate crime' bill proposals".

Could It Be Something About The Wage Rate?

"To keep up with the demand for nurses, Florida already begs, borrows and steals. With new training programs, loan forgiveness and scholarships, the state works to entice people into nursing. Florida hospitals spent nearly $150 million in the fiscal year 2003-2004 hiring temporary and traveling nurses. And the state offers mortgage assistance and other perks for nurses willing to relocate permanently to this state. Even then, it might not be enough." "Calling for nurses".

GOPer's Support the Troops

"AP: Specialty tag would honor fallen troops".

Financial Cop

"Three veteran auditors who want to be Florida's next top financial cop pitched their qualifications this morning to a special legislative committee." "State auditor hopefuls go before committee".

Safe Florida Home Program

"My Safe Florida Home Program moves forward".

Affordable Housing

"House backers on Monday picked up where they left off last year by broadening affordable housing programs to further assist teachers, critical civil servants, mobile homeowners and property owners in the midst of rapid property value increases." "Florida House takes up affordable housing measure".

The Rules are Different

"Broward Circuit Judge Lawrence Korda is facing a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession after city police officers said they busted him for allegedly smoking pot in a Hollywood park Sunday afternoon." "Longtime Broward judge accused of smoking pot in Hollywood park".

FAMU

"Angry state legislators called for a criminal investigation of Florida A&M University's continuing financial woes today, as the head of the State University System said the survival of the state's historically black university is at stake." "FAMU finances merit criminal investigation". See also "FAMU's viability 'at stake'" and "Help for FAMU".

Whatever

"Rove, President Bush's political director, has asked to speak at the Charlotte County Republican Party's annual Lincoln Day dinner in six weeks." "Charlotte GOP group to hear Karl Rove".

No Rush

"In contrast to the House, which is rushing a bill out that even House Speaker Marco Rubio of West Miami doesn't much like, [] Pruitt said any plan must be 'vetted' thoroughly to be "sure that it's something all of us will be proud of."" "Senate in no property-tax rush".

Rally

"Advocates for injured workers rally at the Capitol [yesterday] to protest state laws that they say discourage workers compensation attorneys from taking cases." "Advocates for workers comp protest today".

Scientology in St Pete

"One might be fooled - apparently Long was - into thinking something positive has happened downtown. Yet after Travolta jets off to his next Hollywood gig, what will remain in St. Petersburg is a base camp for a controversial organization." "Scientology's new outpost".

Insurance Amendment

"Floridians would be asked to put insurance regulation directly under the elected chief financial officer, rather than the governor and Cabinet, under a proposal scheduled to come before a Senate committee today. 'Right now there is no accountability,' said Senate Democratic Leader Steve Geller, the sponsor of the proposed constitutional amendment. 'Right now, who does the insurance commissioner report to? Everyone. And everyone equals no one.'" "Insurance job touted for CFO".

Openly Gay

"Oakland Park – When voters elected Larry Gierer to the City Commission in 2001, he hoped his status as an elected official would break barriers for gays and HIV-positive people. ... Gierer will take on a new role, becoming the city's first openly gay mayor and the first openly HIV-positive mayor in Broward County. He'll serve in the city's top seat for one year while Layne Walls serves as vice mayor. The position rotates annually among commissioners." "Changing Oakland Park gets its first openly gay mayor".

WPB

"West Palm Beach – Disgraced former City Commissioner James Exline pleaded guilty Monday to knowingly filing a false income tax return, failing to report a $50,000 payment he received from a developer who wanted city help with a subdivision. ... Exline is the second city commissioner forced to resign and face federal charges. In May, former Commissioner Ray Liberti, 60, pleaded guilty to federal charges of mail fraud and obstruction of justice in a case that triggered the grand jury's wider corruption investigation." "Former West Palm commissioner faces 3 years in prison on tax charge".

Where Will the Nonunion Construction Workers Live?

The Sun-Sentinel editors note that some Florida cities are "outlawing sleeping in vehicles." Which raises the question as to where the nonunion construction workers from North and South Carolina will live? "Homelessness".

Brilliant

"If state and federal officials are right, the next influenza pandemic could kill 128,000 people in Florida and send 640,000 to hospitals. Despite that, Florida is the only state in the country considering taking a pass on federal help to get ready." "State ignores federal flu help".

Citizenship

"Members of Congress launched a citizenship drive Monday from Little Havana, urging legal immigrants to get naturalized before application-fee hikes kick in." "Citizenship drive goal: beat the clock".

Mel's Wisdom

"Martinez says U.S. should stay in Iraq fight".

Joyrides

"A House committee on Monday voted down a proposal to limit the number of underage passengers a driver under the age of 18 could have in the car." "New limits loom for teens". See also "Teen passenger bill defeated", "Bill limiting teen drivers rejected" and "House won't demand lonelier rides for teens".

National Disaster Fund

The Palm Beach Post editors: "At various times over the past decade, Florida politicians have hinted that momentum is building to create a national disaster fund. They're saying it again, but this time they might be right." "Add catastrophe fund to congressional agenda".

You Had To Be There

"Gov. Crist's First Skits: A People's Night Out". See also "Who's who?"

Go Gators!

Gator basketball star Joakim Noah

might not be the best player in college basketball, but he's certainly the most interesting. You can agree or disagree with his political viewpoint, but at least he has a political viewpoint. Half of the college basketball players today couldn't tell you who the vice president is; Noah likely can name President Bush's entire cabinet and then tell you why they are all so wrong about the war in Iraq.

After Florida won the national championship last season, Noah nearly refused to make the ceremonial visit to the White House to meet President Bush. Only after UF Coach Billy Donovan had a conference with his star player did Noah finally acquiesce. However, he did not wear a tie to the White House and left his shirt untucked -- perhaps a silent protest to Bush's politics.

"I didn't want to go because I don't agree with the president's views and what he stands for," says Noah, who has dual citizenship in the United States and France. "But after talking with Coach Donovan, I didn't want to put that negative publicity on the team."

Donovan and Noah are polar political opposites. Donovan is a conservative Republican, Noah a liberal Democrat. Donovan is a devout Catholic; Noah doesn't adhere to organized religion.

Storm Grants

"Matching money to bolster homes comes up short. State officials say they'll fix 'confusion.'" "Storm grants baffle homeowners".

"Dizzying Array of Approaches"

The "once-soaring housing market and troubled tax system are prompting lawmakers to propose a dizzying array of approaches to slash property taxes. But there is little agreement among lawmakers about what to do." "'Silver bullet' eludes tax proposals".

"In previous years, the Senate has been the brake when the House moved too quickly. Slow also is better than fast this year on taxes, since the House plan looked like the Unintended Consequences Express. It carried guesses on everything from how hard the cut would hit local governments to how much relief renters could expect from reductions in their landlords' taxes. Fortunately, Rep. Rubio didn't pout or posture. As he did during the special session on property insurance, he pledged to consider any idea that might lower tax bills. And there is no shortage of ideas." "Plenty of ideas on taxes, but still no tax plan". See also "Tax reform effect unclear" ("As Florida legislators move toward tax reform, officials say the proposals are likely to evolve and it may be a bit early for a gloom-and-doom prediction from local governments.")

"Faced with a citizen revolt over property taxes in 2005, Nevada lawmakers came up with changes that protected homeowners, renters and others. Could they provide a road map for Florida?" The

Nevada Legislature passed tax revisions that mollified longtime homeowners and protected renters, first-time home buyers, newcomers and even snowbirds. One key provision: Home buyers inherit the seller's capped tax bill -- no matter the home's selling price.

As Florida lawmakers debate a similar crisis, they might take notice of Nevada's experience, especially since the two states' economies have much in common. Both have no income tax, rely on the tourism industry to fund state coffers, and have a large labor force of modestly paid hospitality workers.

The Sink Advantage

"Alex Sink brings a wealth of banking background to her new job as Florida's chief financial officer. So while she's quickly adjusting to the idiosyncracies of the public sector, Floridians are likely to soon see the advantages of having a CFO with private-sector experience." "FLHealth".

"Seeing Red Over Green"

"Florida's farmers are seeing red over green this legislative session. As they battle for more sales tax breaks on electricity, buildings and irrigation, they're hoping to protect their 'greenbelt,' a classification that lowers the assessed value of their land and their property taxes." "Farmers say legislation changing 'greenbelt' rules would hurt them".

The Skeleton in the Closet Thing

"Townsend named Crist as K's father in adoption records leaked to the media during last year's nasty Republican gubernatorial primary. He has denied it angrily, and aides have said the allegation and its timing were an effort to damage his campaign." "Possible Crist link doesn't bother teen". For a compilation of stories on this issue see yesterday's post, "'Crist's Accuser'".

Mitt's Savvy Florida Advisors

"There are cultural land mines to avoid when campaigning among Cuban Americans, as Mitt Romney painfully discovered."

The gaffes were surprising, considering that Romney has surrounded himself with savvy Florida advisors.

Lawsuit Continues

"A Gay-Straight Alliance at Okeechobee High School can continue its lawsuit against the county school board over alleged discrimination, a judge has ruled." "Judge: Gay-Straight Alliance discrimination lawsuit can continue".

"Petition Power"

"Just months after voters opted to make it more difficult to alter the state constitution, lawmakers are pushing for further restrictions." "Petition power may be reduced".

Siplin

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "The truth is Gary Siplin is toxic. He is the only convicted felon who has ever served in the Florida Legislature. Senators should have expelled him months ago after he was convicted of misappropriating tax dollars to pay staffers on his 2004 election campaign. He even lost his right to vote in elections after the conviction, yet senators said he could continue to serve until his appeal was decided." "Taking up space".

Out In The Fields

"Florida farmworkers won a few battles last year. Their advocates hope they will win a few more this legislative session. But the atmosphere is tough, as state legislators grapple with a tight budget and Congress considers comprehensive immigration reform that could affect all farmworkers who are here illegally." "Their battle isn't over".

"New Source of Electricity"

"Off the shores of Dania Beach, a team of researchers is designing giant underwater turbines to harness the swift currents of the Gulf Stream and turn them into a powerful new source of electricity." "Researchers seek to unlock treasures of Gulfstream off S. Florida's shores".

Budget Crunch

"Talk about your budget crunches. Too little funding of NASA's program tracking asteroids has the space agency behind schedule in its important mission to monitor space rocks that could devastate or extinguish life on Earth." "Out of this world".

"Makes no Sense"

"Fortunately, Florida Sens. Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez have vowed to fight these provisions, just as they teamed up to defeat equally offensive drilling measures in the last two years. Allowing oil and gas drilling so close to Florida's coastline makes no sense, particularly after Congress crafted compromise legislation that protects the Eastern Gulf coastline until 2022. That legislation established a significant no-drill buffer that extends 325 miles off of Naples, 235 off of Tampa Bay and 125 miles off of Pensacola. This buffer should be settled law." "Protect Florida's coastline, economy ".

More Misery for Teachers

"This may be a bad time for Florida's teachers. Low salaries. High property taxes. Yet more mandates from politicians." "Budget crunch, new requirements could mean misery for Florida's teachers".

"Lawmakers owe more to children in custody"

"When the state takes children into custody, it has the highest degree of duty to keep them safe. But too often, children taken into the juvenile-justice system are treated more like underage criminals. And there's no better evidence of that than the death of 14-year-old Martin Lee Anderson." "Justice for the young".

Strict Enforcement

"We've been here before: A prolonged spell of dry weather prompts the imposition of water-use restrictions. Doesn't seem right, does it? Water, water everywhere . . . and yet the restrictions make sense and should be strictly enforced." "Straight to the point".

From the "Values" Crowd

The Sun-Sentinel editors: "The truly sad thing about the proposal to repeal the ban on gay adoptions in Florida is that even the sponsors aren't optimistic about its passing. Barring a miracle during the legislative session, Florida will shamefully spend another year with the most sweeping law in the country against gap adoption." "Homosexuals".

South Florida Water Management District Board

The Palm Beach Post editors: "Crist still hasn't filled four vacancies on the nine-member South Florida Water Management District Board."

Among the many applicants are people whose qualifications actually outweigh their political credentials. Since the governor has expressed strong support for Everglades restoration and cleaning up Lake Okeechobee and the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers, he should give the governing board the environmental voice it has lacked for eight years.

For starters, he should not reappoint Chairman Kevin McCarty or the other three board members who last week approved a water permit for an unneeded Palm Beach County golf course at the edge of the Everglades that will suck a million gallons a day from South Florida's shrinking water supply. The board simultaneously limited lawn-watering because of drought. Mr. McCarty's term expires this month. So do those of Irela Bague and Alice J. Carlson. Gov. Crist had rescinded the term of Miya Burt-Stewart, appointed by Gov. Bush.

Klein

"The state Capitol is teeming with ambitious people craving the chance to seek higher office as they hone their skills in the Florida Legislature."

But something is missing: candidates lining up to challenge U.S. Rep. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton. Despite the presence of three prospects among the Republican legislators from Broward and Palm Beach counties, Jeff Atwater, Ellyn Bogdanoff and Adam Hasner have all declined to take on the congressman, though the easiest time to pick off an incumbent in Congress is his or her first re-election campaign, which Klein faces in 2008.

Virtual Schools Racket

"The K-8 virtual school voucher was written into the budget four years ago after lobbyists for online education companies persuaded lawmakers to experiment. ... The home-school students may well deserve free curriculum and materials from the state, but lawmakers are being played for fools if they think it costs $5,200 a student to do so. Some House members even propose to pay these companies by subtracting money that would otherwise go to public school districts. As government contracts go, this one is quite a racket." "Hit reset on state's virtual voucher".

Giuliani

"Giuliani is leading Republicans in polls nationally and in Florida, but has been behind former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Sen. John McCain of Arizona in building a campaign team in Florida for the Republican nomination." "Giuliani defends his connection to Citgo and Chavez".

Sunshine Online

"Florida's attorney general long has served as a guardian of the laws that require government to conduct its business in public. The Government Accountability Project announced Tuesday by new Attorney General Bill McCollum, then, takes a logical next step. He aims to move disclosure from paper to computer. Let the government sun shine online." "Shining new light into state records".

Good Luck

"In a tight budget year, Miami-Dade school officials are hoping a business-based approach will bring them increased state funds." "Schools lobby is all business".

AFSCME

"This is the annual lobbying day for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. AFSCME represents about 64,000 state workers in professional, administrative, clerical and operational jobs, along with about 30,000 in state universities and local governments across the state, and it has a busy legislative agenda." "State workers hope for luck of the Irish".

J.D. Alexander

"Sun: Legislator backs program helping his land interests".

Money in Numbers

"Marc Fratello lives in a $3 million house on Florida's west coast and makes his money dealing with numbers. Election totals, to be exact. He has a software product many believe no one else has, providing quality graphics for elections supervisors to show vote results on the Internet. The firm is proud of its track record, and clients - including elections supervisors in at least 17 Florida counties, including the six from Miami to Vero Beach - praise it. But when things go wrong, they go wrong in a very public way, with elections supervisors, candidates, the media and voters all tearing out their collective hair." "Glitch in election tally puts spotlight on firm".

said Saturday that Republicans took a beating at the polls last November because they lost their "brand name" of low taxes and moral values, letting Democrats convince "gullible" American voters that they could do a better job in Washington.

predicted that President Bush will be proved right about the war in Iraq and that voters will "come to their senses" despite polls showing widespread opposition to his policies.

"If you ask a Democrat why they're a Democrat, they can't tell you - usually it's because their mother and father were - and that's because they have no core."

Property Taxes

"No matter the final outcome of the property tax debate, professional lobbyists with a stake in the results will wind up with money in their pockets." "Lobbyists in demand as tax debate heats up".

"House Speaker Marco Rubio wants to ask voters to swap their home taxes for an extra 2.5 cents on almost everything they buy." "Rubio: Property tax relief is worth the risk".

Meanwhile, the debate over whether to substitute property taxes with an increase to the sales tax is "not stopping lawmakers from trying to carve out more than a dozen new sales-tax breaks tailored for certain companies, industries and shoppers."

Florida's tax code already is filled with nearly 250 sales-tax exemptions, which, if closed, would bring to the state another $12 billion each year.

Some are broad and popular, such as breaks on groceries and prescription drugs. Others are narrowly tailored and often controversial, including exemptions for ostrich feed, Super Bowl tickets and charter-fishing boats.

Some argue that the Legislature should consider repealing many of those exemptions as part of any plan to swap lower property taxes for a higher sales tax.

"I just think that we ought to have a fair tax system, and we don't have a fair tax system today," said former Senate President John McKay. He once unsuccessfully pushed a plan in the Legislature that he predicted would eliminate roughly 100 exemptions and exclusions while lowering the overall sales tax by 1.5 cents.

Rubio dismisses the approach. He argues that most expensive exemptions are also the most popular, and that focusing only on narrower breaks would not generate enough money.

"Crist's Accuser"

"Who is the woman who drew the governor into this 'he said, she said'? Interviews with acquaintances and a review of information available on her present a study in contrasts."

Townsend was separated and getting divorced in 1988 when, she says, Crist, then an aspiring young politician, got her pregnant. Neither Crist nor Townsend is pushing for resolution of the matter today.

Crist acknowledges meeting Townsend at a St. Petersburg nightspot in 1988 but insists it is "impossible" that he impregnated her. He signed a waiver of paternal rights in 1989 but refuses to discuss the claim further.

She is a former president of a Tampa women's Republican club, and from 2004 to 2006, she was president of a similar group in Pinellas County, the Suncoast Republican Women, Federated. The Pinellas group invited her in because it wanted energetic new leadership, said past president Margie Milford. Townsend reinvigorated the group, helping set up a Web site, Milford said.

But Townsend also wanted to focus on issues that were divisive to the club members, particularly abortion.

"She does take some pretty hard stands - she's extremely conservative," Milford said. "Not all the people in the clubs are that conservative. She is extremely strong on abortion issues."

In July, Townsend spoke to about 150 people at the National Federation of Republican Assemblies Northeast Conservative Conference and National Board of Directors Meeting in Warwick, R.I. The speech generated invitations to speak in Vermont and New Hampshire.

"She doesn't draw a dime. She should," said Jerry Thibodeau, chairman of the Manchester, N.H., Republican Committee. His group hosted Townsend in October and December, paying only for her travel expenses.

"She starts off with 'we the people' should be in control, and we're not," said Gene Roberts, past president of the Republican Club of Lakeland, where Townsend spoke Wednesday to about 15 people.

"It wasn't political in any way," Roberts said. "She is knowledgeable, and she is articulate. She should be teaching in every high school, or at least they should have her come in and speak."

In her law practice, she has filed numerous friend-of-the-court briefs, including one in 2002 before the U.S. Supreme Court for the Orlando-based Liberty Counsel. The nonprofit group describes itself as "dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of human life and the traditional family."

Jim Davis

"Four months after losing the Florida governor's race to Republican Charlie Crist, Democratic former U.S. Rep. Jim Davis is practicing law at Holland & Knight in Tampa, serving on the board of the Judeo Christian Health Clinic and about to join the board of the Tampa Bay Partnership. St. Petersburg Times Political Editor Adam Smith caught up with Davis recently". "Away from politics, a normal life".

Florida

"While much of the focus in red-leaning Florida has been on the GOP field, Crist's centrist politics -- and a presidential primary in January or early February -- may help the Democratic field equally or even more, say some party activists.""Florida may be inviting stage for Dems chasing Oval Office".

Anderson

"Pending approval of the Legislature, Gov. Charlie Crist's decision to pay a $5 million settlement to the parents of Martin Lee Anderson would take badly needed money out of the state's coffers." "Anderson settlement would be smart". See also "Getting past a tragedy".

"Amid all the glowing media coverage"

The Tampa Trib's Kevin Begos concedes that "amid all the glowing media coverage some unpleasant details got overlooked."

One was that in the five months before the new law took effect insurance companies could still impose previously approved rate increases - big ones.

Another: thousands of Florida homeowners would still lose coverage, even if they'd never filed a claim.

Bottom line? High rates are here to stay for many customers.

Crist's office did not respond to requests for comment about citizen complaints.

"Stop Subsidizing the Lies"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Public money should not pay for fear-mongering 'crisis pregnancy centers' that peddle lies about fetal development, contraception and abortion."

Florida, like the federal government, spends millions each year supporting such centers, many of which are run by religious zealots who see abstinence-only as the only alternative to abortion and for whom scientific facts do not matter. ...

[C]ounselors at many crisis pregnancy centers condemn single women, use misleading and false descriptions of abortion, and attempt to link abortion to breast cancer and infertility when respected scientific researchers unequivocally deny such a risk.

With two proposals before the Legislature, Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Brandon, is furthering this effort to use intimidation to stop abortion. With Senate Bill 1602, Sen. Storms wants to make it harder for a judge to exempt a minor from telling her parents that she is getting an abortion. With Senate Bill 2546, she wants to require health-care workers and counselors to report to police any pregnant girl under 16, and make it mandatory for abortion providers to collect DNA from the girl and the fetus.

Sen. Storms claims that SB 2546 would target men who have abused children, but Florida's Make Adult Males Accountable (MAMA) law already makes it a crime for grown men to impregnate minors. Few police charge men with that crime, and few state attorneys prosecute. But those men are not the targets of Sen. Storms' legislation. Instead, SB 2546 takes aim at girls who get pregnant and would make criminals out of health-care professionals in whom the girls confide.

"Florida Shame"

"These crimes [against the homeless] are part of a wave of violence against the homeless that is worse in Florida than in any other state, according to one national survey." "Florida shame: a wave of hate". Speaking of hate crimes: "Authorities say man was killed because he was gay".

McCain's Central Florida Folks

Scott Maxwell reports that, in central Florida, "John McCain is getting more organized. His campaign sent out a list of local folks who have joined his campaign, including John Quinones, David Simmons, Bertica Cabrera-Morris and Orange County GOP chair Lew Oliver. (I reported the Oliver part more than a month ago. And I still think that part's kind of strange: to have a party chairman sign on with a candidate so long before a primary even takes place.)".

Kirk

"Former governor Claude Kirk accused of not paying his taxes".

"Don't Give Up"

"Some people -- and some industries -- simply don't give up. Florida's senators, Democrat Bill Nelson and Republican Mel Martinez, shouldn't give up either. They, along with the state's delegation to the U.S. House, need to make it clear that the moratorium on additional Gulf drilling isn't open to further debate. Nelson, in particular, needs to take a greater leadership role here. He caved in too easily to the December compromise rather than insist that the lame-duck Congress wait until its successors --chosen by voters just a month before -- took office." "Drilling redux". See also "Energy" ("The entire Florida congressional delegation should mount the ramparts on this one, and its two U.S. senators, Democrat Bill Nelson and Republican Mel Martinez, should be prepared to filibuster to block this insulting and dishonorable bill.")

Lease Agreements

"If Florida's 4.5 million residential tenants think they're getting shortchanged in the Legislature's efforts to reform property taxes, wait until they see what lawmakers think about lease agreements." "Legislature 2007".

"Proficient with Firearms"

"No question that Republicans are outgunning Democrats in Florida this election cycle. You may or may not find this reassuring, but a growing number of Republican operatives in Florida are getting proficient with firearms." "GOP presidential candidates gunning for important ally".

With Dems Like These ...

"County Commissioner Calvin Harris, a Democrat mentioned as a potential contender, says he's not interested and hopes the 76-year-old Young sticks around in Washington: 'I'm looking forward to Congressman Young representing me for many more years. If you were to rate the members of Congress he would have to be in the top two or three.'"

In the meantime, "former Reform Party gubernatorial candidate Max Linn" is exploring a run at Young's seat. "Max Linn vs. Bill Young?"

Whatever

"He's Gov. Lean, and here's how he gets that way".

Diversity

"Collectively, they're some of the first women to benefit from the workplace strides made by social movements on behalf of women and minorities. Six women who have risen to the top in Florida agree on two key factors when it comes to diversifying the work force: First, top management has to make it a priority. And second, in the 21st century, it's just good business." "Females see diversity's value". See also "Charlie Crist on diversity"

Here's a shocker: "Former Gov. Jeb Bush looks back on his controversial One Florida policy and sees success." "Jeb Bush on One Florida".

Early Primary

"In his first public comments on a bill that would move up Florida's presidential primary to Jan. 29, Mel Martinez said he would not be able to save the state from losing delegates to the national convention." "Martinez warns of party sanctions for early primary".

Pesky Petitions

"Just months after Floridians opted to make it more difficult to alter the state constitution, lawmakers are pushing new restrictions they say will clean up the process. But voter-rights groups warn the measures will make it even harder for citizens to have a direct say on the state's biggest issues." "Lawmakers push bills restricting petitions".

FOIA

"The right of public access to public records is one of the most indispensable elements of a democratic society. In Florida, this right is enshrined in the state Constitution, but it's a different story at the national level, where an executive obsession with secrecy has undermined open government at every turn. Now, Congress is poised to adopt a series of bills that strengthen the public's right to know what their government is up to. These measures are badly needed. They merit our strongest endorsement." "For open government".