In the eight years since their party has had control of state government, the state-determined share of school district property taxes - called the "required local effort" - has risen $3.46 billion, with only $1.14 billion of that attributable to new construction.

The rest, $2.32 billion, came from GOP lawmakers and former Gov. Jeb Bush requiring school districts to increase local property taxes - without announcing they were seeking a tax hike and holding public hearings as local governments must do any time the tax increase is more than what would occur with just new construction.

This allowed the lawmakers and Bush to cut other taxes - state taxes such as the intangibles tax - by $1.7 billion a year, with more than half of that benefiting the wealthiest 4.6 percent of Floridians through the elimination of a tax on stocks and bonds.

While Republican leaders said they increased money for schools without raising state taxes during those eight years, they raised the "required local effort portion" of the schools tax seven out of Bush's eight years.

"More Politics"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Critics accuse the University of Florida Faculty Senate of playing politics by denying Jeb Bush an honorary degree. If the faculty did, the politics didn't start there."

Bush left office in January, hardly a decent interval, given UF's policy against granting honorary degrees to sitting politicians. The push came from Carolyn Roberts, whom Mr. Bush named to the Board of Governors, and former UF President Marshall Criser, whom Mr. Bush named to lead the Scripps Florida Funding Corp.

The university's honorary degrees committee was divided. Given the split, Faculty Senate Chairwoman Danaya Wright, a law professor, requested that UF's administration hold off on the nomination. Instead, it went to the committee, which voted it down, 38-28. Some dissenters may have acted out of pettiness. But there's a valid argument against giving even a symbolic honor to someone who did so much direct harm to Florida higher education and indirect harm to UF.

Unhappy Trails

"The House budget council Friday turned down two plans to create a voting paper trail across the state, saying they wanted more time to debate the issue."

In a decision split along party lines, Republicans said the House's Policy and Budget Council was not the appropriate place to discuss a paper trail.

Democrats said they were forced to bring it there because GOP leaders had not allowed paper trail legislation to get a hearing in substantive committees.

"Rock-star"

"Obama gets rock-star treatment in city tour". See also "“Starship Obama” Trolls For $$ in Tally, Jax" and "Obama dazzles lawmakers, regular folks".

Budget Blues

"The House Policy and Budget Council adopted a $70-billion budget Friday that includes higher college tuition and higher property taxes to support a $1.2-billion jump in public school spending next year." "House council approves $70-billion state budget".

Yee Haw!

"Dixie's heyday in Congress has come and gone. Today it's rare to find anyone with a Southern accent in a position of power, and after the Democratic victories in November, congressional historians say the region's clout has dropped to its lowest level in at least 50 years." "Southern clout in Congress at lowest level in half century".

Never Mind

"Just a month after House Speaker Marco Rubio told lawmakers that a tough economy meant they shouldn't load up the state budget with hometown projects, a House committee did just that Friday while approving a proposed $71 billion state spending plan." "House plan retains hometown spending".

"Insane Spear-carrying"

Daniel Ruth: "Of all the issues confronting the Florida Legislature, forcing private business owners to allow employees to bring their guns to work has to fall somewhere between designating the official state disease and a resolution creating Che Guevara Day."

But that hasn't stopped state Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the National Rifle Association, and state Sen. Durrell Peaden, R-Cold Dead Yada Yada Yada, from once more attempting to pass the Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang Socialization of Private Business Act of 2007.

Last year, Baxley sponsored the workplace gun bill, which would deny private business owners the right to prevent employees from keeping weapons in their cars while on company grounds.

Baxley's insane spear-carrying for the NRA went nowhere. After all, private business has every right to conduct its affairs as it sees fit. It's a simple concept called private property rights. It's all the rage in places like democracies - or at least it used to be.

"Arm-twisting by the Republican Leadership"

"Tallahassee lawmakers are back to their old tricks of giving with one hand and taking with the other. Some of those consumer-friendly property insurance reforms approved during a special session in January are now being rewritten at the behest of the powerful insurance lobby. Enough legislators from both political parties raised concerns this week to block final approval of the bill in the House, and they should not give in to the arm-twisting by the Republican leadership." "Don't let insurance lobby gut consumer protections".

Sweet

"More than 220,000 Nationwide insurance policyholders face a statewide average 54-percent rate hike to protect their homes." "Nationwide insurance rates go up by average of 54 percent".

"Among the Lowest in the Nation" (Yet Again)

"The 2002 constitutional amendment assured Florida voters that high-quality universal prekindergartens would be in place within four years. This is the fourth year. Now is the time for our state to mandate that we take steps toward making that promise a reality. According to the latest annual report from the National Institute for Early Education, the quality of Florida's pre-K program ranks among the lowest in the nation. When our state's 4-year-olds are most ready to learn, they are now failing to get the education they need." "How to improve pre-K". See also "Neediest kids may lose out on pre-K".

Blight

"Score one for U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, with assists from Mel Martinez of Florida and Richard Shelby of Alabama, in the battle over billboard blight." "A good block".

Hometown Projects

"Despite a tough budget year, lawmakers have set aside millions in hometown projects that will benefit South Florida." "South Florida occupying front row of budget table".

Hill in O-Town

"Hillary '08 lands in Orlando".

Next Up

"There were two divisive education issues for the Legislature to tackle this session. They took care of the first this week when Gov. Charlie Crist signed the new Merit Award Program for teachers, nuking the justifiably loathed STAR plan. ... Now, with that out of the way, the Legislature can go to work on fixing the problems with the FCAT. There is still time." "Education".

Lenders

"In recent years, some of the nation's largest financial institutions have moved aggressively for a piece of the $85-billion student aid market, selling both private and federally backed loans. Suddenly, those aid offices - including some in Florida - are under the harsh glare of state and federal investigations over the question of improper relationships between universities and lenders." "Lenders, schools may be too close".

Gaming

"Crist said this week that he will pursue talks with the Seminoles on Class III gaming, which his predecessor, Gov. Jeb Bush, declined to do because he adamantly opposed a gambling expansion in Florida. The fallout of Bush's inactivity has prompted a lawsuit by the tribe that could leave the state with no regulatory role in - or financial benefit from - higher-end Indian casinos." "Crist Deals Fresh Hand To Casinos".

"As legislators now debate how to spend the big bucks the casinos rake in, they need to honor Broward voters' intent when they ratified the referendum in March 2005. Yet a House bill wants to put the money into the state's general education fund. Each district would then decide how to spend the extra money it gets." "Legislature 2007".

Nice Work ... If You Can Get It

"Plenty of working stiffs would be thrilled by a week's paid vacation and a four-day work week. If so, maybe they should consider running for the Florida Senate, who will take off a full week of the nine-week 2007 session for the second year in a row. The 40 members of the upper chamber are taking the week off, they say, because Passover makes Monday and Tuesday religious holidays and Good Friday is a holy day for Christians. So, rather than return to the Capitol for Wednesday and Thursday like the House plans to do, Senate President Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, sent his senators home for a full week to regroup and recharge. They've also taken off every Friday since the session began March 6." "Pruitt defends Senate schedule".

"Tuition Increase"

"As Florida lawmakers assemble a tight budget for next year, they appear ready to increase tuition for state university and community-college students by 5 percent." "Lawmakers propose tuition increase".

My Safe Florida Home

"The My Safe Florida Home program shows just how much is involved for government to take a good idea and make it work." "Make storm hardening work for all Floridians".

Designated Drivers

"Senate bill protects designated drivers".

Lightweights

"Republican presidential candidate Sam Brownback described his version of private Social Security accounts to a conservative anti-tax group Friday, saying his plan will help the economy and save the federal safety net. ... Another Republican hopeful, former Virginia governor Jim Gilmore, also addressed the group and later said he supports a proposal by Florida lawmakers to move up the presidential primary." "Two long shots stump in state".

18 Words

"A single sentence added to a bill passed this week by a House committee would wipe out strict protections for wetlands in 20 Florida counties, say county officials." "18 words imperil 3-million acres". See also "Developers urge lawmakers to rescind local governments' wetland-protection powers".

"You would think that with the continued loss of thousands of acres each year, state lawmakers would be alarmed by the rapid disappearance of a resource that filters and stores water, prevents flooding, slows erosion and sustains wildlife." "Lawmakers Out To Bulldoze Wetlands, Local Governments".

Flags

The "Florida Flies the Flag Act" would make it illegal for cities and counties to require permits or fees to fly the American flag or enforce rules that prohibit the "respectful" display of the flag." "Measure unfurls amid flap over Trump flag".

Desperate

"For House Speaker Marco Rubio, it was a rallying cry to abolish property taxes. But he sounded a little desperate."

Support for his plan to eliminate property taxes on primary homes and raise the sales tax was eroding fast, and Rubio was trying to salvage his signature issue.

"If this House doesn't put out bold ideas, no one will," he told his fellow Republicans.

For 15 minutes Tuesday, the 35-year-old House speaker from Miami issued an unmistakable challenge: "We will be judged on this session by what we do or fail to do on this issue."

Ignore the naysayers on editorial pages and the woe-is-me refrain from city and county commissioners, Rubio said, reading from prepared notes in a departure from his normal off-the-cuff style.

"Inside Joke"

"To evade the $500 cap, some lawmakers control committees that are exempt from the $500 limit. They're called 527s, so named for the section of the IRS code that covers them, or in state law, CCEs, committees of continuous existence." "$500 cap remains an inside joke to many".

Baseless?

"A Democratic lawmaker criticized Karen Thurman, the party's Florida chairwoman, for making a 'totally baseless attack' on Republican Rep. C.W. Bill Young over his activities involving Walter Reed Army Medical Center."

"As a Democrat, I am embarrassed that the assault originated with the chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party," Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, wrote in a letter to the St. Petersburg Times. "I reject her comments completely. She certainly does not speak for me or anyone who has been privileged to know Bill Young and his wife Beverly."

Abercrombie said no one in Congress "has done more personally or been more dedicated to the welfare of our wounded soldiers than Bill Young, both as a leader of the House Appropriations Committee and as a human being."

Virginia Key

"Environmental and civic activists are right to criticize the city of Miami for the secretive approach officials took to write a new master plan for Virginia Key, the barrier island between Brickell Avenue and the village of Key Biscayne." "Local perspectives".

Yesterdays News

- "Can't tell a Copycat from a Copy Cat? A House bill would require new companies to steer clear of existing names." "What's in a name? Bill may decide".

- "Tampa Bay's new members of Congress charting different courses".

- "Differing plans on how to spend slot machine tax revenue debated by legislators".

- "Polled voters gave the thumbs down to the idea of replacing local property taxes with increased sales taxes, preferring deep budget cuts." "Poll: Voters dislike property-sales tax swap". See also "Most skeptical of plan to end property tax".

- "Are our taxes too high? Floridians say yes, no, maybe".

- "Obama: Bush fails to respect the Constitution".

- "Ocala Rep. Baxley puts $100,000 into possible campaign for Senate".

- "The Florida Senate has signaled its support to buy new opti-scan voting machines across the state for $35 million. The House, meanwhile, has kept silent on the plan." "Florida Senate backs new voting machines". See also "Making every vote countable", "Paper Trail Still Lacks Direction", "Lawmakers debate voting-machine bill", "Touch vote machines in Senate cross hairs" and "Florida House panel rejects money for voting machine paper trail".

- "Brownback, Gilmore to talk about 2008 race in Palm Beach County".

- "Crist signs teacher merit pay bill into law". See also "Educator bonus plan gets Crist's approval" and "New bonus program for teachers signed".

"Jeb overreached on those appointments. He's been King Jeb for so long he didn't know that anybody would challenge him," said former state GOP chairman Tom Slade. "I think basically Charlie's message was, 'Jeb, you don't run the place any more.'

Crist has charted a dramatically more moderate course than Bush, embracing Democratic priorities such as paper trails for voting machines, initiatives to combat global warming, and higher teacher pay.

He has not attacked Bush's top priority, high-stakes student testing and school vouchers, but most observers think he pushed out two of Bush's closest education advisers - former Education Commissioner John Winn and state Board of Education chairman Phil Handy.

In his state of the state speech last month, Crist also took a slap at the teacher bonus plan backed by Bush. Teacher pay will increase, he said. "And it will not be based on a test alone," he added to Democrats' applause.

Speaking of "De-Jebification".

There is at least one part of the House, the Florida House that is, that needs a bit more "de-Jebification". "When House Speaker Marco Rubio wanted justification for his plan to replace property taxes with an increase in the sales tax, he turned to a familiar name in conservative economic circles: Donna Arduin, former budget director to Gov. Jeb Bush." And check out this brain trust:

Arduin, who also worked for California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, is a partner in a consulting firm with Arthur Laffer - as in the Laffer Curve, the justification of President Reagan's massive tax cuts in 1981 - and Stephen Moore, former head of the anti-tax Club for Growth.

According to Rubio's response to a public records request, a 16-page paper titled An Analysis of the Proposed Property Tax Rollback in Florida, an earlier 15-page draft of the same and an accompanying three pages showing the potential benefits for various taxpayers are the only written work Arduin has supplied to the House since her contract began Dec. 1.

The three-page paper shows how much money Floridians of different income groups would save on total taxes if Rubio's proposal were implemented. The 16-page paper predicts that those tax savings would create jobs and promote population growth in the state, but does not quantify the economic assumptions that underlie the assertion.

Critics said her analysis reads more like a series of ideological assertions and further proves their belief that Rubio's plan would help the richest homeowners at the expense of middle- and lower-income Floridians.

Day 23

"Legislature: Day 23 at a glance". See also "Upcoming at the Capitol".

Gardasil

"Sen. Jim King, a leading proponent of the controversial proposal to make the world's first cervical cancer vaccine mandatory for middle school girls, conceded Wednesday that the measure likely won't pass this year." "Gardasil bill fails to gain momentum".

Senate Dems Not In Agreement

"Although Senate Minority Leader Steve Geller held a press conference yesterday releasing the Senate Democratic plan to resolve the property tax crisis, it turns out that some of his own Democrats haven't quite signed on to the plan yet." "Sen Dems Lack Consensus on Property Tax Fix".

Budget Blues

"Florida lawmakers assembling a $70 billion-plus state budget planned to spend a larger chunk of it on roads and other needs, but not on boosting services for disabled people." "Budget stresses one-time revenue".

Not to worry: "Lawmakers find room for pork in spending plan".

Jebbites on the March

"The University of Florida Student Senate unanimously passed a revised resolution Tuesday night honoring former Gov. Jeb Bush's contributions to the university and its students after the Faculty Senate denied Bush an honorary degree on Thursday." "Student Senate OKs revised resolution honoring Jeb Bush". See also "SG wants degree for Jeb Bush".

The Florida Independent Alligator says stop "Beating a dead horse": "After the Faculty Senate denied former Gov. Jeb Bush an honorary degree last week, the Alumni Association turned around and slapped the Senate in the face by granting him honorary alumnus status. And Tuesday, the Student Senate passed a resolution honoring him."

The fact remains that the Faculty Senate felt Bush was not deserving of an honorary degree - and it has every right to think that.

The backpedaling of Bernie, the Alumni Association and the Student Senate can only bandage this wound. But underneath the gauze, the flesh is still cut. At this point, just let it heal.

Castor

"U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, just got off the House floor where she railed on the Bush administration for failing to better care of wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Medical Center."

"Supporting our troops does not mean that you simply salute as you send them off to war, ask them to serve and sacrifice for our great country," Castor said. "But it also means that they are supported wehn they come home.

Juvenile Justice

"Not long after Gov. Charlie Crist appointed him to head the state's Department of Juvenile Justice, Walt McNeil put himself on the record as recognizing what many advocates for troubled youths have long known. DJJ Secretary McNeil said that the state's juvenile-justice system is 'broken' and needs fixing. Mr. McNeil, a former Tallahassee police chief, has an uphill challenge." "Fix juvenile justice's 'broken' system".

'Glades

"House panel approves Everglades cleanup initiatives".

Immigration Reform

"Hallelujah. A bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. House last week offers promising solutions for the nation's antiquated immigration system. Filed by Reps. Luis V. Gutierrez, D-Ill., and Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., the bill should kick off a much-needed congressional drive toward immigration reform. Along the way, lawmakers will debate, tweak and compromise." "New legislation a promising start".

Romney Snags Hood

"Glenda Hood, former Orlando mayor and Secretary of State, will serve as co-chair of Mitt Romney's statewide steering committee and chair of the 'Florida Municipal Elected Officials and Community Leaders Committee.'" "Glenda Hood joins Romney".

Good Luck

"The Anderson family should be compensated for the loss of their son. But there are dozens of other deserving families who have waited for years for economic justice. It is time for the Legislature to set things right and start considering these bills while reforming the system at the same time." "Deserving victims still go unpaid".

"Gigantic Sand Tubes"

"The manufacturer of a beach-reinforcement system won at least a temporary victory in the Florida Legislature, agreeing to abide by federal protections for sea turtles if its gigantic sand tubes can escape Florida's ban on unnecessary coastal armoring." "Bill would ease ban on erosion-control tubes".

Feeling the Heat

"Pressed by their constituents to change course in Iraq, South Florida Democrats in Congress are counting on a contentious debate over war funding to force President Bush to pull out U.S. troops next year." "Floridians in Congress feel heat from home over Iraq war votes".

Huh?

Aaron Deslatte: "Barack Obama's stop in Tallahassee Friday is so brief his campaign isn't allowing him to talk to Florida media." "Barack's got no time for the masses".

Sorry Aaron, I know journalism is a "calling" and all that, but it is awful hard to equate Florida's corporate "media" with the "masses".

Fertilizer

"This spring, Florida is poised to become the first state in the nation to restrict the content of fertilizer for lawns, farms, golf courses and landscaping, according to industry officials."

State officials have proposed a rule that would limit fertilizer sold in Florida to formulas classified as no- or low-phosphate - all in an effort to quell the state's biggest water pollution problem.

industry representatives suggested creating a uniform policy to avoid counties and cities imposing their own rules.

GOPers Make Amends With Insurance Industry

"When lawmakers approved sweeping insurance changes this year, they promised Floridians would no longer wait months or years to collect on insurance claims. Now, the House is moving to undo a key part of that guarantee. Under a bill that moved forward Wednesday, insurance companies would no longer be forced to pay claims from condo associations and business owners within 90 days." "Bill would loosen insurance rule". See also "'Glitch bill' would undo consumer-friendly insurance reforms", "Florida business owners might see tax relief", "Some see backtrack on insurance relief", "Florida House wants to let insurance firms take longer to pay business, condo claims" and "Republicans debate intent of session".

Foley

"Former Rep. Mark Foley remains under criminal investigation for sexually explicit Internet communications he had with underage boys, more than six months after he resigned from Congress, authorities said Wednesday." "Six months later, Foley still under investigation". See also "Foley remains under suspicion But six months after he quit, officials have yet to charge the ex-lawmaker." and "State may charge former Congressman Foley as an Internet sex predator".

Talking Tough

"Legislators talk tough about the urgent need to cut property taxes, but their budget proposal for the coming year does nothing to reduce the state's heavy reliance on property taxes to run public schools."

Lawmakers could have reduced the property tax rate they set each year to help pay for schools, reducing the burden on taxpayers, and used state money to make up the difference.

But they didn't. They froze the property tax rate at its current level, which will produce $545-million more next year thanks to growth in the tax base, meaning higher tax bills for homeowners.

Local property taxes account for nearly half of the $1.2-billion proposed increase in public school spending that lawmakers can be expected to boast about when the session ends in May.

Poor Little Rich Boys and Girls

"For those up high, taxes hit hard".

Greer Wants To Go Early

"Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer wants the Legislature to pass a bill moving up the presidential primary in Florida to one week after New Hampshire's. Greer said he favors the early vote, despite a threatened loss of 50 percent of the party's delegates at the 2008 convention." "Greer: Move up primary". See also "State Republican chairman backs early primary for Florida, despite opposition", "GOP chief pushes early primary".

The News-Journal editors differ: it is "obvious: 'Super-duper Tuesday' is a super-dumb idea." "Me-first in Florida". A different view from the Democrat: "A prime idea".

Towing Bill

"Crist's towing bill gets new name".

Bailing Out Employers ...

... that don't provide health insurance: "KidCare will get a boost today with two press conferences that will give support to legislation to expand the insurance program for working-class families." "Children's insurance gets a boost".

Whoopee

"Legislators approve bill for tax holiday on hurricane supplies".

State Song

"The chorus to drop Florida’s controversial state song grows louder today, with African-American lawmakers and music teachers holding a Capitol press conference." "State song controversy grows louder". See also "Florida Urged To 'Just Sing' A New Anthem".

Homeless Hate

The Sun-Sentinel editors: "Making the homeless a protected group seems dicey at best. Numbers concerning the homeless are always questionable, and unlike others who are specifically protected by the law, homeless status changes, often from day-to-day. Is it any less a horrible crime if a person is assaulted while sleeping in a dive motel than if they are attacked while sleeping in a park?" "Legislature 2007".

Privatization Follies

Privatized Death Row lawyers may be dropped

Day 22

"Legislature: Day 22 at a glance". "2007 Legislature roundup" and "Upcoming at the Capitol".

Stem Cell Issue Advances

"Florida lawmakers tackled the issue of stem-cell research Tuesday facing the same question that dominates a national debate: Should taxpayers fund research that involves destroying human embryos?"

That question played the key role as senators considered dueling bills that each call for spending $20 million a year on stem-cell research -- but differ about whether money should go to embryonic research. ...

The Senate Health Policy Committee took up the issue in what could be the first step in a politically and morally charged debate. The committee, however, passed both of the competing bills, giving little indication about how lawmakers will eventually resolve the issue.

Fair and Balanced

No, this isn't a GOP talking points memo, but an unbiased newspaper editorial board:

The good thing about legacies is they endure. Perhaps a future UF Faculty Senate will recognize how much Florida benefited from Bush's leadership.

More Union Bashing

The union hating Orlando Sentinel editorial board (see "Send in the scabs" and "Oh ... The Hypocrisy") is practically foaming at the mouth this morning:

When everyone in Tallahassee -- including the state's teachers union -- was praising a new merit-pay plan passed by the Legislature, it sounded too good to be true.

It was.

Gov. Charlie Crist ought to veto this bill and stand firm against the union and school boards that oppose rewarding the state's best teachers.

Gov. Jeb Bush championed the Special Teachers Are Rewarded merit-pay plan. STAR tied merit pay directly to student performance on the FCAT and other tests.

STAR replaced a useless plan engineered through a compromise with the state teachers union. Sound familiar?

That earlier plan required districts to develop merit-pay plans or risk losing money from the state lottery. So districts, through union negotiations, came up with merit-pay plans in name only.

Enter Mr. Crist, who seems to be suffering under the misconception that he can support meaningful laws without angering anyone. To win union support, lawmakers wrote a plan with a loophole big enough to drive a big yellow bus through: There's no penalty for districts that don't create merit-pay plans.

Each district would have to work with the union to come up with a plan if it wanted to share in $147.5 million the Legislature set aside for bonuses.

Nelson

"U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is asking a Senate committee to investigate whether the recent resignation of a Florida U.S. attorney is connected to the recent controversial dismissals at the Justice Department." "Nelson questions attorney's resignation".

CD 13

"Before it can even begin, a congressional task force reviewing Sarasota's disputed election is already bogging down. In a move that seems to portend the bitter partisanship that awaits, GOP leaders are refusing to even appoint a member to the task force, preventing the newly created group's chairman from setting a schedule or even basic ground rules for how the investigation will start." "GOP, seeking 'clarity,' holds up task force".

Guns Before Butter

"The National Rifle Association won the first round Tuesday in a two-year fight with Florida's business lobby over whether employees should be allowed to keep guns in their cars when they go to work."

The early victory has many business lobbyists, who managed to block the controversial idea just one year ago, worried that the NRA will be much tougher to stop this time around.

"I would think that right now the bill stands a good chance of passing," said Sen. Jim King, R-Jacksonville, moments after the Senate Criminal Justice Committee voted 7-1 to approve the measure that would make it illegal for businesses to prevent people from keeping guns locked in their cars when they park on company property.

It was a surprisingly one-sided vote on an issue that split the Republican-controlled Legislature last year, pitting two typically GOP-friendly interest groups against each other.

Federal Insurance Reforms

"Lawmakers from Florida and Mississippi presented competing plans for insurance reforms Tuesday to a House subcommittee, which embarked on a tangled debate about federal intervention in a state regulated industry." "House panel hears debate on disaster insurance plans". See also "Insurance industry to lawmakers: Don't cap premiums".

"Supermajority"

"For weeks, they've been talking about capping annual property tax increases and requiring more than a majority vote by local officials to go above the cap. But, saying property taxes are only part of the picture, a few want to apply the same higher standard to other types of taxes and fees, including impact fees." "Lawmakers look at supermajority vote to raise taxes, fees".

Slots

"Plan for slots tax credit falters". See also "Supreme Court to hear slot-machine case".

Delightful

"It must not have shocked Floridians to read that another segment of the insurance industry treats payment of claims as a side business."

Americans have filed thousands of complaints. Among them: After a request from a policyholder, a company sent the wrong form, then denied the claim because of a paperwork problem.

Because of new incentives, many large companies are getting into the business of long-term care coverage, which is supposed to pay bills associated with diseases such as Alzheimer's. According to the Times, three companies drew an unusually high number of complaints: Conseco; Bankers Life, a Conseco subsidiary; and Penn Treaty. Conseco, which paid $2 million for naming rights to the home of the Indiana Pacers basketball team, refused comment for the story.

Some lawyers in Florida are making a living just going after property insurers for slow-pay or no-pay on hurricane claims. The long-term care issue also matters in Florida, where 18 percent of the population is over age 65. By 2030, according to population projections, slightly more than one-fourth of the state's residents will be over 65 - and roughly 2 million residents will be over 80.

Charlie Keeps His Options Open

"McCain draws praise, but no endorsement, from Florida governor". See also "McCain's visit reflects shifting primary schedule" and "Crist for McCain? "Keep Hope Alive," Senator Says".

"'I think we've got great candidates, and the fact that they take time to come to Florida is significant,' Crist said. "I think as the governor of our state, it's only right and courteous to welcome them here.'" But Aaron Deslatte notes that there is "No word on whether he'll also roll out the carpet for Sen. Barack Obama's Tally stop Friday."

Sorry Charlie

"Unlike his predecessor, Gov. Charlie Crist has made a point of saying he wanted to give a wide berth to the Legislature. And lawmakers are using the extra air to bypass some of his education and environmental budget requests." "Lawmakers bypass Crist's requests". See also "House budget omits voting machines, teacher bonuses" and "Budget Battle Brewing".

On a related note, The Buzz wonders about "A Coming Budget Clash in Tallahassee?"

"Insane Expenditure"?

"Calling voter-imposed caps on class sizes an 'insane expenditure,' the GOP-controlled House is once again attempting to undo the constitutional amendment that limits the number of students in each public-school classroom. A House panel voted along party lines Tuesday in favor of asking voters to freeze class-cap levels as they are now and use any savings to give more money to teachers and other school employees." "House GOP seeks end to class-size caps". See also "Republicans Renew Push For Flexible Class-Size Caps" and "House committee proposes loosening Florida class size limits".

Civics

Mark Lane asks: "Can we bring back civics?"

Abortion Politics

"A group of House lawmakers on Tuesday approved an amended bill on teenage abortions that would add a new hurdle to all Florida women seeking abortions -- a 24-hour waiting period." "Abortion waiting period advances". See also "24-hour abortion wait advances".

Capitol Warming

"A massive air-conditioning failure Tuesday at a state office complex shut down government computer traffic statewide and forced emergency managers to begin backup plans." "Cooling problem downs Web site".

Lobbyists In A Huff

"Lying to the Legislature could land people in jail under a new 'truth in government' measure proposed by Miami state Sen. Alex Villalobos. ... But there are people who would not be covered by the law: minors, legislative staff members and, yes, legislators themselves." "Lawmaker wants nothing but the truth".

Belated Love

Jeremy Wallace: "In the weeks since the deficiencies at Walter Reed Medical Center became widely known, area members of Congress have been beating a path to veterans hospitals and clinics, hoping to demonstrate they are looking into the problems and are working to change conditions." "Politicians beat a path to local VA clinics".

PIP

Personal Injury Protection, also "known as Florida's no-fault law, PIP is set to expire in October if lawmakers do nothing — which is exactly what the majority of the powerful insurance lobby wants to happen. The system is wrought with fraud that artificially drives up costs for insurers and consumers, they said, and is broken beyond repair." "Senate committee votes to reform, extend fraud-fraught PIP in car insurance 12:00 a.m.". See also "Senate votes to extend state's no-fault law".

"State bill would stifle local voices"

"Cities have it rough this session in the Florida Legislature. One of the session's hottest topics is a plan to restrict property taxes that fund local cities, counties and school boards. At the same time, lawmakers are considering legislation that would gag local-government officials who want to complain about the Legislature's actions -- or any other issue that might come before voters." "Gag rule".

Notwithstanding the Jebbie Snub ...

"House committee approves upping cost of UF by $500": "A House committee approved the $500 ''academic enhancement'' fee that the University of Florida is seeking Tuesday, but Gov. Charlie Crist indicated he might veto the plan if it reaches his desk."

"Splitting School Districts"

"The proposal to let the state's largest school districts, such as Palm Beach County, divide itself into smaller districts was approved 10-3 by the House School and Learning Council. Under the bill, county voters would decide whether to create multiple districts of at least 25,000 students." "House committees back splitting school districts".

Those Crazy Benedictines Must Hate America

"President Bush's plan to speak to graduates at Miami Dade College next month has seeingly met with little opposition. "

Not so at Saint Vincent College, a Benedictine liberal arts school in Iraq war critic Rep. John Murtha's Pennsylvania congressional district.

Carbon Monoxide

"Carbon monoxide bill is presented to panel".

Whatever

Our busy executives: see "Kottkamp plugs healthier living" and "Crist to meet with ambassador from Cyprus".

"Profile in Discouragement"

"Sen. Bill Posey's attempt to kill a sales-tax exemption for ostrich feed has been a profile in discouragement." "Flightless bill back again".

Negligence

"For seven years, the family of Minouche Noel has petitioned the state for $8.5-million as a result of her paralysis caused by negligence at a state-run health clinic." "House panel okays $6M for girl".

Does Anyone Care Anymore?

"Didn’t You Used To Be Jeb Bush?"

Cash Machine

"Hillary Clinton's fundraiser in Miami Saturday will be the most successful ever by a Democratic candidate in Florida, predicts longtime money man Chris Korge." "High Hopes for Hillary".

A divide has developed over a proposal by House GOP leaders to swap less property tax for more sales tax. Democrats are unified in opposition, questioning the wisdom of asking Floridians, in the words of one Democratic leader, to "swallow the largest sales tax hike in our state's history."

The House majority leader, Marty Bowen, R-Haines City, responded by accusing Democratic leaders of "backhanded partisan sniping" in a written statement last week.

Day 21

"Legislature: Day 21 at a glance". See also "Upcoming at the Capitol", "The day in Tallahassee, Monday, March 26, 2007" and "2007 Legislature roundup".

Delightful

"A decade after Florida launched charter schools to give students more choice in where they attend public school, nearly half of the 300-plus charters have operating deficits."

At the same time, more than $200 million of the $492 million Florida spent on these privately operated schools in 2004-05 went to charters that had business relationships with school officials: renting buildings to the charters, selling services to them, hiring relatives as employees.

Florida U.S. Attorney's Departure

"A U.S. attorney in Florida is set to step down Friday, and Sen. Bill Nelson wants Congress to examine whether his departure is tied to prosecutor firings at the Justice Department."

Paul Perez, attorney for the Middle District of Florida, has previously denied any connection to the controversial dismissals of eight U.S. attorneys. He did not return calls for comment.

But Nelson said Monday that he is concerned Perez's exit is not coincidental and promised to raise the issue with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is probing the flap.

"It is another thing that will be looked at in the overall investigation," Nelson said. The Florida Democrat is one of several lawmakers who have called for the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

And "The Truth" Is?

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board is hot about their boy being snubbed by the UF faculty. The editors claim that the "UF snub of Jeb Bush appears disingenuous", and if "a credible case can be made to deny Mr. Bush [a UF honorary degree], why not just make it directly?" "Just tell the truth". Scott Maxwell has more on UF Honorary degrees.

In the meantime, the student GOPers are making a move: "Student Senate to vote on resolution urging faculty group to grant Bush honorary degree".

Argenziano

"Sen. Nancy Argenziano was among the six names Florida lawmakers sent to Gov. Charlie Crist Monday as nominees for the Public Service Commission, the state agency charged with regulating utilities." "Senator among 6 PSC nominees". See also "Sen. Argenziano makes short list for PSC".

Obama

"Democrat Barack Obama made his Florida debut as a presidential candidate with a call on Sunday for people to 'stand up' for affordable healthcare, better public schools and an end to the war in Iraq."

The $100-a-person appearance in West Palm Beach, attended by roughly 700 people, was sandwiched between four pricier private fundraisers around South Florida.

A New Deal

"Faced with a nearly $1 billion decline in anticipated tax collections this year and next, the Florida Senate is looking to stave-off a cooling economy by launching an ambitious building program in its proposed budget, leading senators said Monday. Senate Majority Leader Daniel Webster, R-Winter Garden, said $500 million in one-time tax money would be spent on Florida construction projects with roads, bridges and public health buildings all in line for state cash aimed at sparking the economy." "The Senate's Blue-Collar Spending Tour".

Neverending Story

"Lawmakers may take another shot at asking voters to revise their 2002 decision to limit class sizes in the state's public schools. A House committee is scheduled to vote on a bill this morning that would give voters a chance in 2008 to change the strict limits on class sizes set to go into final effect in 2010." "Bill would soften class-size rules".

All Hat, No Cattle?

"Crist's popularity with Floridians is not translating to clout with the Legislature when it comes to money: Into the fourth week of the session, lawmakers from his own party are sharply scaling back the governor's budget requests -- or ignoring them altogether. So far, for example, the GOP-led Legislature has refused to set aside the $30 million Crist wants for new voting machines. His request to spend nearly $37 million to acquire a stockpile of flu vaccine has gone nowhere. And his bid to double the amount of money for teacher merit raises appears unlikely: At most, lawmakers may increase the $147.5 million program by $50 million -- about $100 million less than Crist has said he wants." "Crist's pet projects struggling for funds". See also "Governor's pricey priorities".

And I Can't Buy a Cuban Cigar?

The Palm Beach Post editors: "While the embargo has remained a failure, it has grown as a fraud. Most Americans probably had no idea, before reading the story in Monday's Post, that the United States is Cuba's No. 1 food supplier. ... Our biggest export to Cuba is hypocrisy." "Cuba embargo: Lean meat".

A Flop?

"Two months after Florida lawmakers passed a plan to offer relief to homeowners, the state's hurricane-battered property insurance system remains in flux. The plan spurred insurance companies this month to propose cutting rates for customers. But, in many cases, the proposed cuts have fallen short of what state officials had projected." "State's emergency insurance 'fix' falling short".

DCF

"Butterworth's openness can restore confidence to the beleaguered children's agency." "A new day at DCF".

Reverse Privatization

"The state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. can enter the private market for some homeowner policies after a legislative panel gave final approval to the changes on Monday." "Panel gives Citizens OK to sell private insurance". See also "Citizens gets final approval to compete with private insurers".

Sunshine

"Yet time and again, for years on end, Florida's public-records and open-meetings laws have proven their value in the marketplace of public opinion. They are all about credibility - and, for officials, avoiding even the appearance of impropriety." "Credibility".

Oops!

"The maker of the voting machines used in the disputed Sarasota area congressional race sent a letter to state officials dictating the terms of a state-funded audit of its machines. State election officials initially said Monday that they agreed to abide by the parameters set by the manufacturer, Electronic Systems & Software, but hours later called back to say that was not correct." "Terms of vote review disputed".

"Moral Debt"

"How much is a year of your liberty worth? What is fair compensation for being wrongfully imprisoned for 24 years? In Alan Crotzer's case, so far, it's nothing. Crotzer, who lives in St. Petersburg, was convicted of a brutal double rape and robbery that occurred in 1981. He was sentenced to 130 years in prison. DNA evidence later proved that he was innocent, as he and alibi witnesses had asserted all along." "A moral debt to the exonerated".

Politics or Promises?

The Dems are starting to push Charlie a bit on his stem cell flip-flop:

Democratic senators called on Gov. Charlie Crist to push for state spending on embryonic stem-cell research, which Crist has said he supports, but can't get through the Legislature. During his campaign for governor, Crist, a Republican, said he supported embryonic stem cell research. But shortly after taking office, Crist proposed spending state money only on stem-cell research that doesn't destroy embryos. He said a Republican-sponsored bill to do that essentially offered a compromise, getting research going in Florida without the political fight he believed would be mounted by opponents.

Crist reiterated his position Monday.

''I understand our current political realities and I would rather fight for something we can achieve today,'' Crist said. "I look forward to taking this first step together with the Legislature.''

Senate Democratic leader Steve Geller urged Crist to push for state money to be spent on embryonic stem-cell research rather than taking the politically easier path.

Geller said it wasn't clear that it wouldn't pass. ''You won't know until you try,'' said Geller, D-Cooper City.

A Senate committee will hear competing bills on Tuesday. One would call for $20 million in state spending on embryonic stem-cell research, the other would put the same amount into nonembryonic stem-cell research.

"Capital Debate"

"On the day before the start of the two-month legislative session in which lawmakers are considering ways to cut property taxes, a $25,000 check from the Florida Association of Realtors was deposited into a campaign account controlled by state Sen. Jeff Atwater. " "Realtors' cash gift fuels capital debate".

The Other Gators

"Florida may reduce protection for the species -- but would the increased hunting be wise?" "Alligators in the crosshairs".

'Ya Think?

"The law allows Palm Beach County Commissioner Warren Newell to dabble in real estate. The law doesn't condone his misleading the public to cast votes that benefit those land deals." "Two strikes, and he's out; time for Newell to resign".

"South Florida Summers"

"So, you think South Florida summers are toasty now? Imagine temperatures five to seven degrees higher -- and a climate unlike any that now exists on Earth."

If global warming continues at the current pace, according to an alarming study released Monday, it could boil away South Florida's climate by the end of this century and replace it with conditions that are warmer, drier and unknown in today's world.

''We see the disappearance of certain climates and the emergence of novel climates,'' said Jack Williams, the study's lead author and a geographer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "And in South Florida, you see yourself highlighted with a bull's-eye.''

Along with blistering temperatures, likely consequences include: less rain, rising sea levels and ecological changes in the Everglades and elsewhere that are difficult to predict but could be profound.

The study, peer-reviewed and published in the prestigious Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is one of the first to predict local effects of global warming.

Whatever

"Crist appointed Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks chairman of his new Governor's Council on Physical Fitness on Monday." "Crist To Florida: Get Fit". See also "DOC chief preaches fitness to agency employees".

Stupid Is ...

as stupid does: "Two years after Florida lawmakers turned school offices into criminal checkpoints, the Jessica Lunsford Act is still casting too broad a net. Just ask telephone repairman Fred Gray, who was denied access to Orange County schools because he was cited in 1971 for hunting wild hogs out of season." "Making school safety sensible".

Speaking of Stupid

"The House plan to lease the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to a private company may not go anywhere this year. But House leaders embraced the privatization scheme as an innovative way to deal with a big problem facing a fast-growing state: Florida simply doesn't have enough money to meet its increasing transportation needs." "State races to catch up with roadway demands".

DCF

"DCF leaders vow a new day".

Florida's "Pistol-Whipped" Legislature

"Sometimes it seems that National Rifle Association honchos have targeted Florida as the site of a bizarre dare, testing how pistol-whipped the state Legislature really is."

It's almost ridiculously easy to obtain a concealed-weapon permit in Florida. State rangers can't keep campers from toting guns into state parks. Gun ranges don't have to clean up the lead and other toxins they've been pouring into the air, water and soil for years.

The NRA's crowning glory was the so-called "stand your ground" legislation that made shootings legal so long as a person felt threatened and was in a place they had a legal right to be. That law could help defend three Jacksonville men charged with shooting 36-year-old Eric Houk of Pasco County, who died on Interstate 4 after the Daytona 500. Police say the confrontation between Houk and his assailants was sparked by road rage -- one scenario opponents of the "stand your ground" legislation suggested was likely.

The pro-gun lobby has made little effort to prove that loose gun laws make Florida safer. Their tactics rely more on brute force, targeting lawmakers who stand in the way of proposed legislation and amply rewarding their allies. Apparently, it works.

No-Fault

"Lawmakers are expected to tackle Florida's no-fault auto insurance system today, taking up a pair of bills that would spell out how much insurers should pay for medical procedures and stiffening licensing requirements for clinics." "Capitol Takes On No-Fault Insurance".

Another Jebacy

"Two years ago, lawmakers rewrote a 1992 pledge that set aside money from a tax increase on home sales for affordable housing, and instead diverted much of that money to the state's general fund."

Now, with the governor who disliked such "trust fund" pledges gone and the effective date of that diversion looming, lawmakers say they would like to repeal the 2005 law but cannot because they need the housing money for other purposes more than ever.

"I think we all support removing the cap," said House Speaker Marco Rubio, referring to the $243 million limit the 2005 law imposes as of July 1. "The problem is that it unbalances our budget, and it unbalances the governor's budget in the long term as well. That's the consideration."

disagrees - both with Rubio and with former Gov. Jeb Bush, whose philosophical opposition to trust funds led him and his allies to take money from the affordable housing fund and use it for general operating expenses, even before the 2005 law was passed.

"We ought to be able to raise the cap so that all the funds would be dedicated to housing," said Crist, who called the $243 million amount "arbitrary."

In the coming 2007-08 budget year, the state and local government programs that build houses and apartments for low- and moderate-income residents would have access to $414 million, were it not for Bush's cap.

From the Ethics Crowd

"The rules of the Florida House prohibit lawmakers from soliciting or accepting campaign contributions during the regular session that began March 6. But the in-session fund-raising ban does not apply to members running for federal office -- at least according to a formal legal opinion from Jeremiah Hawkes, the House general counsel." "Rep. Harrell's in-session fund-raising".

Yes, the Hawkes family is at it again. You remember "First District Court of Appeal Judge Paul Hawkes said he had nothing to do with [Marco Rubio’s] decision to open an inquiry into fellow 1st DCA Judge Charles Kahn. Hawkes’ son [is] House Counsel Jeremiah Hawkes [who] emailed a draft of Rubio’s letter Dec. 4 requesting that the Judicial Qualifications Commission share its investigative files on Kahn, who is the target of an as-yet private complaint."

Regarding Daddy Hawkes, the St Pete Times editorial board had this to say in 2002: "No other governor since Claude R. Kirk Jr., more than 30 years ago, has had or even sought the opportunity that Jeb Bush now possesses to manipulate Florida's courts. The Legislature has allowed him to name all the members of the judicial nominating commissions, a power previously shared with the Florida Bar and with the commissions themselves. Evidence is now in on what a mistake that was. Exhibit A: the appointment this week of Paul Hawkes to the 1st District Court of Appeal." "Backward choice in Hawkes".

Second Primaries

"The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee is taking up a lengthy elections bill on Tuesday that would among many other things reinstate the second primary election, or runoff election." "Runoff election could return".

Property Tax Proposals

"Dozens of bills have been filed in the legislative session offering property tax relief. Attention has focused on three high-profile proposals, offered by House Republicans, House Democrats and Gov. Charlie Crist."

At the request of The Tampa Tribune, Tim Wilmath, director of valuation in the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's Office, and Chris Weiss, special projects coordinator in the office, calculated how the three existing proposals would likely affect average homes in the Bay area. They also determined what the plans would mean to the county's and cities' bottom lines.

Retreat

"Bowing to pressure from counties that said the cuts would devastate their budgets, the House leadership announced late last week that they had changed their reform proposal."

The rollback to 2001 was estimated to cut $3.2 billion from county budgets statewide. The Florida Association of Counties says the latest changes have reduced that amount 29 percent to $2.3 billion.

Buchanan

"U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan said Monday that he will introduce legislation that would impose an additional 10 years in federal prison on illegal immigrants convicted of kidnapping a child." "Buchanan proposes 'Clay Moore' law". See also "Buchanan jumps on immigration status of abductor".

McCain

"State Sens. Jim King of Jacksonville and Durell Peaden of Crestview and state Reps. Adam Hasner of Delray Beach, John Legg of Port Richey, David Simmons of Longwood and Bob Allen of Merritt Allen will be involved in McCain’s campaign." "Legislators Back McCain". See also "McCain names supportive lawmakers".

"In case you thought Tallahassee lost some national luster when Jeb Bush left, a parade of presidential hopefuls is set to roll through Florida's capital starting today." "McCain in town for morning fundraiser".

Yesterday's News

Some of the news and punditry we missed yesterday:

- "In The Roadway, Not In Mountains, Gypsum Would Save State Millions".

- "Educators, legislators urge accountability in alternative schools".

- NYT's puff piece on Putnam: "A Fresh Face Vows to Revive the G.O.P." (via Taking Names).

- "Argenziano grilled for regulator post".

- "State school allowed felons on job crews".

The University of Florida Alumni Association's board of directors passed the resolution Saturday naming the former governor an honorary alumnus.

The move comes after the school's Faculty Senate voted 38-28 Thursday to deny Bush an honorary degree.

Leonard Spearman, president of the University of Florida Alumni Association ... said his group's decision had nothing to do with the Faculty Senate vote.

Hurricane Season Approaching

"With hurricane season approaching, Floridians want the National Guard to have everything it needs to respond quickly and effectively to natural disasters. But the Iraq war's drain on personnel and equipment is forcing the Guard to work overtime to stay prepared." "Iraq drains the Guard, leaves Florida on edge".

Rubio's Constituents

"The rollback of tax rates to either 2001 or 2004 levels is part of plans endorsed by House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami. Senators leading their chamber's overhaul of Florida's troubled property-tax system agree that some kind of rollback is likely to be approved this year." However,

the savings would be much greater for Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and other land-rich business giants such as Marriott Corp. and Progress Energy. ...

Not surprisingly, business groups are the strongest supporters of rolling back tax rates.

"It's really just that the more taxes you pay, the larger the share you get back," said Kurt Wenner, an analyst with Florida TaxWatch, a nonpartisan, business-backed oversight organization. "But just about any plan to give across-the-board tax cuts is going to have some inequities."

In Orange County, for example, the valuation of Walt Disney World's vast holdings -- set at $5.7 billion by county property appraisers -- is only 8 percent more than its value in 2001.

Similarly, Universal, whose Orange County property is assessed at almost $1.6 billion, has seen its valuation rise by only 7 percent since six years ago.

I Am Shocked

"A South Florida Sun-Sentinel analysis of property records shows owners of palatial estates and waterfront mansions pay taxes on less than half of their home value. However, the owners of the most modest homes and condos are taxed on two-thirds of their home value." "Broward's richest owners get biggest tax break on homes".

Cooking the Charter School Stats

"State officials boasted in November that Florida charter students were closing the longtime achievement gap with peers at conventional public schools." Now we get the truth:

A state report said a likely reason was a "more diverse student population" at charters today, similar to that at traditional schools.

Only two paragraphs in the report, titled "A Decade of Progress," discussed a different change that also can affect a school's test scores: the shrinking percentage of poor and disabled charter students.

A majority are doing what some opponents predicted more than 10 years ago: serving primarily the affluent and the able while harder-to-teach children remain in regular public schools.

Privatization Follies

"The House plan to lease the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to a private company may not go anywhere this year." "State races to catch up with roadway demands".

5 Draft Deferments

"'They're not supporting the troops. They're undermining them,' Cheney told a gathering of the Republican Jewish Coalition at the oceanside Ritz-Carlton hotel in Manalapan, Fla., about 60 miles north of Miami." "AP: Cheney accuses Democrat-led House of not supporting troops".

So nice of Cheney to claim, on Florida soil no less, that he is (now) a supporter of our troops; this from the fellow who had had plenty of chances to be one of the "troops", yet is quoted as saying he avoided becoming a Vietnam trooper because "'I had other priorities in the 60's than military service.'". Indeed, "By the time Dick Cheney turned 26 in January 1967 and was no longer eligible for the draft, he had asked for and received five deferments". See also "How Dick Cheney dodged the draft. - By Timothy Noah - Slate Magazine".

Arthur Anderson

"Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Arthur Anderson clearly has moved forward from the train wreck that was election night,"

leaving defeated candidates who thought they'd won to make their personal mental adjustments, as in: "The possum has adjusted to having been run over by the 18-wheeler."

Rod Smith

Blurbex has a great catch: "Blue State and Rod Smith".

Here's an Idea

The St Pete Times says "let's throw into the stew pot the one idea no one is floating - a state income tax. Let's peg it at 3 percent. Now catch your breath. We are simply running some numbers to see where they come out. Article VII of the Florida Constitution makes it all but impossible without an amendment, but it's hardly the only idea that would require a constitutional change. In a season of radical ideas, it's just one more." "Sure, it's unconstitutional, but ...".

Special Election

"Florida's political parties are gearing up for a war, albeit an awfully quick one, in Orange and Osceola counties. That's where the hurry-up special election to replace former Rep. John Quinones, R-Kissimmee, will take place next month." "Both parties scramble to gain seat as each vote counts in tax debate".

"Senate is courting disaster with its slow pace on tax reform"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "The House, under Speaker Marco Rubio, is moving at breakneck speed with proposals focused on cutting or eliminating local property taxes and replacing them with higher sales taxes. Contrast that to Senate President Ken Pruitt's dangerously slow approach, with no ideas on the table and none expected until after the 60-day session is half over. Far from being responsible and deliberative, the Senate is flirting with disaster. There is no more important issue for the Legislature this year, and it would be shameful to slap together an ill-conceived compromise in the Legislature's final days, when common sense is usually sacrificed for political expediency." "Start talking".

New Cities

"Local and state policy makers, along with taxpayers, need to pay close attention, because there is much at stake with the new cities planned for Florida." "Enthusiasm For New Florida Cities Rooted In Suburban Mistakes".

"Cool It"

Randy Schultz:

The best plan would be for voters to repeal Save Our Homes in tandem with a rollback of local government tax collections. Since most year-rounders enjoy Save Our Homes protection, however, voters would be unlikely to raise their taxes, even slightly. So the Legislature tries to work around what really can't be worked around.

And there's so little time. The legislative session ends in early May. To put something on the ballot this year would require a three-fourths vote in the House and Senate. Democrats control about 35 percent in each chamber, so any plan would need bipartisan support. But rushing could mean only that both parties are to blame for a short-term solution that causes long-term problems.

"Jewish Republicans"

"Close to 300 people, including about 75 Floridians, attended the coalition's annual winter meeting at the Ritz-Carlton ... The Washington, D.C.-based coalition, which acts as a voice for Jewish Republicans, has longstanding ties with President Bush and represents about 25,000 members nationwide." "In South Florida, Cheney calls House's Iraq vote 'counterproductive'".

New Budget Proposal

"Crist has submitted $245-million in new requests. But they are more than offset by $700-million in anticipated savings due in part to lower-than-expected Medicaid caseloads and the decision to replace some tax revenue for education with income from heavily taxed slot machines in Broward County." "Crist polishes first budget".

Lunsford Act

"The problem, legislators and workers agree, is that the definition of moral turpitude is up to school boards. Some have defined it in the strictest sense possible, well beyond what sponsors intended, so that a person cleared in one county sometimes fails in another. This year’s Senate bill (SB 988) would replace the vague “moral turpitude” with a specific list of sex crimes, along with terrorism, murder and kidnapping." "Lawmakers, communications workers want changes to Lunsford Act".

Local "Spending Binge"?

This piece in the Miami Herald this morning is going to please the Rubio crowd: "Local governments in South Florida have used soaring property-tax revenue to finance a spending binge over the past seven years." "Property tax money fuels big spending". See also "New House plan would put crimp in cash flow" and "Cities forced back from the trough".

"Light, Not Heat"

The St Pete Times editorial board: "As Gov. Charlie Crist and state lawmakers continue to wrestle with property tax relief, they should consider some lessons from their handling of the last crisis. Early indications suggest their solution to the property insurance mess is not working out nearly as well as expected." "Tax debate needs light, not heat".

Jebbie's "Arrogant and Ultimately Self-defeating Approach"

The St Pete Times editors: "For the better part of the last decade, Florida lawmakers have treated teachers as though they are obstacles to educational progress. That's an arrogant and ultimately self-defeating approach, one that led to a statewide rebellion over bonus pay. This new plan is still likely to encounter some resistance and is badly timed in a year with little new money for public schools. But at least lawmakers listened." "A better grade for bonus plan".

Florida GOP Debates

"No word yet on candidate commitments, but the Florida GOP and Fox News may not be the only ones organizing a GOP presidential debate in the Sunshine State. The Christian broadcasting company, Salem Radio Network, and Townhall.com announced they intend to host Florida's first nationally broadcast presidential debate for Republican candidates June 14." "Another GOP debate".

Hill Talk

"A major Tampa Bay Democrat dislikes Hillary Clinton. But this high-profile politician's snub probably won't bother the Democratic presidential front-runner much. It's Joe Redner, who says he's so far most impressed with Barack Obama." I doubt Hill is overly concerned as she - with Hubby in tow - swings

through Florida Saturday, raising money in Orlando, West Palm Beach and Miami.