It's a daily ritual. Reporters eager to pin down the governor on the big issues in the final weeks of the session badger him to take a stand and choose either the House or the Senate property tax plan.

Implicit in the question is a request that Crist fault one side or the other. But the former state senator knows the drill, and he won't take the bait.

For Crist, these are days of wine and roses.

HD 49 Special Election

"Tuesday's special election for the District 49 state House seat will inject the winner into the tax-reform debate in Tallahassee with just 10 days before the session is scheduled to end. " "Soto, Suarez enter race's stretch run".

"Entrepreneurship"

"Private insurers would have an easier time getting rate increases and an effort would be launched to end competition from the state-created Citizens Property Insurance Corp. under a bill that cleared a House panel Friday."

The measure would counteract some of the legislation passed during a January special session that was designed to cut insurance rates that had soared after a series of destructive hurricanes in 2004-05.

"We need to have low premiums. However, they are unrealistically low," Rep. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, told the House Jobs and Entrepreneurship Council.

Lobbyists for insurance companies and business interests lined up in support of Hays' bill (HB 1223), which he said would stop the artificial suppression of rates.

Employers Without Health Insurance

"The Legislature spared little attention this session for the plight of Florida's low-income workers struggling to afford basic health care. But there's one issue that should be a no-brainer for lawmakers: Whether or not to accept $85 million in federal money intended to shore up the hospitals that deal most with people whose only source of care is the emergency room." "Trauma for Florida hospitals".

Livin' In The Past

"The parade of GOP would-be presidents through the Capitol continues Monday with a speech by the former Massachusetts governor to the House Republican caucus. Romney is to speak to the lawmakers at the private Governor's Club at noon and then head to Sarasota to speak at that county party's Lincoln Day dinner at 7 p.m." "First McCain, then Giuliani and now Romney".

Oops: "House Republicans handed out shiny, laminated press badges for Monday’s visit by GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney. The purported date of the event: April 23, 2004. Which is to say, three years ago." "Where’s the time machine?".

Air Graber

Former state representative, Broward County commissioner and Broward mayor Ben Graber - who is challenging U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler in the Dem primary in 16 months - "goes on the offensive this weekend, beginning with a television ad on today's Good Morning America show in Palm Beach County, where more than 70 percent of the 19th Congressional District's voters live." "Graber's ad today touts his experience".

Garbage In ...

Garbage out. The Tampa Trib editorial board:

In most every business these days, workers find themselves doing more with less. While stressful, it's the only way many companies can stay in business and continue to provide jobs.

Juicy

"Sunny prospects for the state's citrus industry are among many good reasons for Florida's members of Congress to get behind a proposed free-trade agreement between the United States and South Korea." "A juicy deal".

Promises, Promises

"In January, lawmakers passed a massive insurance reform bill, which causes Floridians to wonder when they'll see the savings." "Recent insurance reforms raise questions".

"University of North Florida Poll"

"A University of North Florida poll found that 77 percent of Florida voters approve of his job performance, while only 6 percent disapprove. The poll sampled 601 self-described likely voters around the state, and had a margin of error of 4 percent. The result jibes with a recent poll released late last month by Quinnipiac University that showed him with 73 percent approval. The UNF poll also found that Republicans favor former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani over Arizona Sen. John McCain (31-14) in the 2008 presidential race. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney had the support of 6 percent of Republicans. Among Democrats, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton led Illinois Sen. Barack Obama 35 to 20, with former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards receiving 9 percent." "Charlie Crist got more good news on the popularity front". See also "Florida hearts Charlie".

"The Stall State"

"California voters approved a measure that'll have the state spend $300 million a year on research for 10 years."

Florida is being nowhere near that ambitious. The Legislature's best effort is a pair of measures that would devote $20 million to stem-cell research, one of them, supported by Gov. Charlie Crist, with Bush-like limits, one of them without. Either way, the measures are barely more than symbolic.

Not so a pair of competing constitutional amendments their supporters are hoping to put on the November 2008 ballot. One of them would ban state-supported embryonic stem-cell research. The other would allow it. It's a shame that the debate has to go the constitutional route, especially in this state, whose demographics make terminal illness part of life for many, directly or indirectly. The Sunshine State should be the Stem-Cell State. Instead, it's the Stall State, in concert with the staller-in-chief.

Meanwhile, the clock on taxpayer funded research keeps ticking backward, so far as the terminally ill are concerned. With every day lost to moral demagoguery, more lives are put in jeopardy.

Wingnut Backlash

"It isn't easy to put one of the more well governed states on the path to fiscal ruin in a mere three months, but it seems Florida Governor Charlie Crist is exceptional." "Florida's Folly" (via The Buzz).

Channeling Limbaugh

The Tampa Trib editors at work: "Global Warming Vs. Cool Mansions".

Deportation

"A state Senate measure would extend a state program that screens children in custody and reports to immigration authorities any who lack legal residency papers." "Kids at risk of being deported".

No Expiration

"Have a tendency to misplace gift certificates, only to discover they're expired by the time you find them? A little bill marching through the state Legislature could be your remedy." "A gift that won't expire". See also "Senate bill would protect value of gift cards".

Portability

"A House committee resurrected a portability bill, offering homeowners a plan to transfer an unlimited amount of tax savings with them if they move to a new home." "'Portability' plan is revived".

Red Light

"Brakes applied to red-light camera bill". See also "Traffic camera idea stalls" and "Bill to slow red-light runners appears stalled for this session".

Budget Blues

"Budget conferees came up with $86 million Friday to cover some of an anticipated $153 million deficit in programs for Floridians with severe mental and physical disabilities, a day after hundreds rallied in support of the services at the state Capitol." "Lawmakers steer $86M to programs for disabled".

Their Turn

"Activists had their say for tax cuts in Tallahassee early this week. Now Volusia County officials want to get a word in on what they consider the dire impacts of those cuts. Volusia County Chairman Frank Bruno and County Manager Jim Dinneen plan a trip to Tallahassee next week to warn legislators their tax-reform proposals hamstring local cities and counties." "Opponents of budget-cutting tax reform head to Tallahassee".

Not to be outdone, "Florida homebuilders are getting in on the property tax media circus." "March of the Homebuilders".

"Dumber Than Paint Jeb"

The Buzz brings to readers' attention one "Lil' Jeb", "a character in the Comedy Central/Amp'd Mobile Lil' George show aimed at mobile phones."

describes our former governor as "dumber than paint Jeb," so we assume it's not exactly an homage to the Bush family.

Florida's Gonzales

"McCarty missteps":

Florida stopped electing the state insurance commissioner in order to separate the regulator from the industry's campaign money. Now appointed commissioner Kevin McCarty has crossed the line anyway.

His participation in fundraising for a Tallahassee judicial candidate has so damaged his reputation and his office's credibility that the only remedy may be his departure.

Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, one of McCarty's four bosses on the governor's Cabinet, gets credit for exposing this unseemly politicking. After hearing that "Commissioner" McCarty was named on invitations as the sponsor of a campaign reception, she confronted him. "I shared with him my concerns that his involvement was unsuitable," Sink said, "and could cast Florida's regulatory system in an unfavorable light."

McCarty ended up skipping Wednesday's fundraiser, but that is not the end of the story. His department spokesman, who is the husband of the judicial candidate, created the invitation on a state computer and has resigned as a result. McCarty himself has explained his own role in a manner reminiscent of U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Foreclosure

"Republican State Rep. Dorothy Hukill is facing a mortgage foreclosure lawsuit on her Port Orange home." "Lawmaker faces foreclosure suit on Port Orange home".

Huh?

"Law would promote careless online dating".

Wingnut Rally

One Frances Rice, head of the he National Black Republican Association (which boasts a staggering nationwide membership of, get this, 1,000) spoke to about 150 breathless Alachua County GOPers, and

accused Democrats of continuing a racist heritage that traces back to the Civil War and promoting policies that are out of touch with the black community's interests and values during an Alachua County Republican fundraiser Friday night.

The Lincoln-King Dinner, now in its second year, is a fundraiser focused on issues of civil rights and calls to remember the party's early history as champions of abolition and equality. Local party members have invoked the memories of Lincoln, the first Republican president, and King as part of a larger campaign designed to convince residents that Democratic economic policies have led to poverty in Alachua County.

Rice, who has stirred controversy with her assertion that King was a Republican, told Republicans that blacks do not agree with the "godless" social policies advocated by Democrats and are actively hurt by the Democrats' "socialist" economic agenda.

Stanton

"Stanton was fired by the Largo City Commission March 23, weeks after announcing he planned to become a woman. When the city turned down Stanton's bid to buy his city-owned laptop computer so he could keep it, his attorney said he would return it 'with a new hard drive.' Unacceptable, the city's attorney responded, because the laptop's hard drive might contain information subject to Florida's open records law. Stanton did return the laptop, and the St. Petersburg Times has filed a request to see documents stored on the computer. However, an expert the city hired to examine the hard drive says files were deleted before it was returned. " "The rules apply to Stanton too".

Ken Hearts Joe

"With Hillary, Barack and John all but blotting out the sun, it's not easy to find prominent Democrats backing some of the longer shot candidates. But count Broward Sheriff Ken Jenne as a strong Joe Biden backer." "Biden's Broward buddy".

"Gov. 'Carlito'"

"Crist made an appearance Friday at the 2007 Hispanic Business & Consumer Expo, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, where he received a celebrity reception from expo attendees." ">Hispanics welcome Gov. 'Carlito' in Orlando".

Anderson

"Martin Anderson's family should receive half of the $5 million Gov. Charlie Crist has asked the Legislature to approve, two advisory judges working for state lawmakers said." "Report calls for boot camp death settlement of $2.5M". See also "Good news and bad news for Anderson family", "Officials: Cut beating death payment", "Lawyers: Cut teen-death award in half" and "Report says to cut $5 million boot camp death claim in half". You can read excerpts from the report here.

The Buzz reports that "Crist said he's not backing down from $5-million.".

Appearances, though, can be deceiving: Gov. Charlie Crist talked about neither immigration nor the Iraq troop surge. Instead, he explained why he had made it easier for most ex-felons to get their civil rights back.

As his first three months have made clear, his occasional appearances on Fox are among the few typically Republican things about Crist. He has championed alternative energy and put Florida on the global warming bandwagon. He is pushing for paper trails for voting machines. He is naming a firebrand consumer champion to the panel that regulates utilities.

"When Jeb Bush walked out of Tallahassee, it was the lifting of a ton off of everybody he'd been associated with in this town," said Tom Slade, former state GOP chairman. ...

Crist has largely ignored the orthodoxy of his party and pushed positions more traditionally associated with the Democratic, Green or even Reform parties. ...

For more conservative Republicans, Crist is undoing many of the gains made under Bush.

"I think he's trying to be the most popular governor ever, and he's making some major mistakes," said Barbara Wilcox, a conservative Christian and GOP activist from Tampa who opposed Crist in last year's primary but supported him against Democrat Davis.

One conservative GOP operative said privately that, although there are "rumblings" from the right wing of the party about Crist's stances, his popularity would make it nearly impossible to defeat him in a primary in 2010.

Tallahassee Ticker

"Today in Tallahassee" "Legislature".

Poor Mel, He Can't Help It

"Florida Sen. Mel Martinez -- the national Republican Party's new top fundraiser -- could potentially be fined hundreds of thousands of dollars after federal auditors found repeat violations of federal election law in his 2004 Senate campaign." "Florida Sen. Martinez could face fines".

Rebuke

"Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink rebuked the state's insurance commissioner Thursday for hosting a political fundraiser on behalf of the wife of one of his employees. Sink also said she has ordered the department's inspector general to investigate whether Kevin McCarty's office used state equipment for political purposes." "Sink rebukes state official". See also "Inquiry sought over insurance commissioner's lobbying" and "Shake-up at state insurance office". Meanwhile, "Crist is unsure what to make of Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty's asking lobbyists and officials of the companies he regulates to contribute to the campaign of an employee's spouse."

Property Tax Cut

"With the state Senate passing a property tax rollback a day after the House OK'd its proposals, members of both chambers need only to work out differences. ... Details will emerge in the next 15 days, as a select group of lawmakers from the state House and Senate hash out competing bills that seek to manage Florida's property tax system in different ways." "Property tax cut is down to the details". See also "Senate rushes through tax rollback", "Senate vote sets up negotiations with House over property taxes", "Senate brisk with its tax cuts" and "Senate passes tax-reform bill".

However, "amid all the uncertainty swirling around the property-tax cut proposals in the Florida Legislature, some things emerged crystal clear Thursday":

Whatever lawmakers eventually agree on likely will include a rollback of tax rates, a cap of future tax collections by cities and counties and a tax break on business equipment, exempting 1 million companies.

Portability

"The House Policy and Budget Council today passed out on an bi-partisan vote a plan to hold a special election in November to ask voters to approve a plan to allow homeowners to transfer their Save Our Homes tax savings with them when the move." "House council passes portability bill".

"Reckless"

"A reckless progun bill was defeated in the Florida House on Wednesday despite arguments that a vote was inappropriate just two days after the Virginia Tech tragedy. Rep. Baxter Troutman, R-Winter Haven, had hoped to delay debate, saying the subject matter was 'highly inappropriate' considering media coverage of the massacre, in which a disturbed student named Cho Seung-Hui murdered 32 classmates and faculty members. The bill, which would have denied employers the right to ban guns from cars in company parking lots, was rejected by a key House committee and is likely gone for this session." "Reckless gun bill defeated".

Beware

"The Legislature is considering bills that would allow the state to borrow more money for toll roads that are unable to soon pay for themselves."

Existing law does a good job of guarding against speculation in projects designed to create demand rather than meet existing needs. Now, a Turnpike project can't be built unless studies show it will be able to repay half its bond debt by the end of 12 years and all its debt by 22 years. The change would require that its bonds be paid off in 30 years with no short-term restriction.

The implications are clear. The new policy would allow toll roads to be built based on projected demand many years from now. New expressways through remote areas, where new cities could be built, would have a much better chance of meeting this new definition of economic feasibility.

In effect, toll roads could be built to encourage development in rural communities.

"Heating Up"

"Election is months away, but Wexler-Graber race is already heating up". See also "Hastings and Wasserman Schultz: Wexler's our man".

'Ya Think?

"Are Florida's young people self-absorbed? A national study suggests they are." "Volunteerism".

From the "Values" Crowd

"State lawmakers seem to be having a hard time finding enough money to help hospitals pay for health services to the poor and the uninsured. It's hard to imagine the Florida Legislature having difficulty finding the $65 million from its general revenue budget that is needed to snare even more millions from the federal government for the Low Income Pool Fund, a Medicaid formula for hospitals to help the less fortunate get medical care. The House at least has budgeted $51 million for the state's share of the pool. The Florida Senate? Zero, zilch, nada, which will make for an interesting debate when lawmakers from the two chambers meet this weekend to craft a final budget." "Social Services".

Big of 'Em

"Panel rejects bill to alert police to pregnant girls" ("Joining Storms in favor of the measure were Sen. Carey Baker of Eustis and Sen. Mike Haridopolos of Indialantic."). More: "Under-14 pregnancy bill killed by panel" and "Storms' bill flops; she's undaunted".

Power Broker

"A front-page photo today in a Capitol Hill newspaper of Rep. Adam Putnam escorting former Sen. Fred Thompson – a possible presidential candidate—to a closed-door meeting with other GOP lawmakers is raising eyebrows in Washington. A Putnam spokesman acknowledges the Roll Call photo is generating inquiries about whether the Bartow Republican is readying to cast his lot with the 'Law & Order' star, should the Tennessean decides to run for the White House." "Putnam A Fred Fan?".

Stem Cell Debate

"So the stem-cell debate is finally front and center in Florida."

Gov. Charlie Crist saw to it when he recommended in his budget that the state spend $20 million on stem-cell research but with a caveat: No state money would go for embryonic stem-cell research.

Crist's calculus disappointed many people who believe research using stem cells derived from developing embryos has the potential to lead to cures of life-threatening illnesses or catastrophic injuries. But there are a significant number of people, even including those who are sick or hurt, who do not want public money spent on research they consider immoral because it means the destruction of human beings at their earliest moment of life. ...

So what's happening in Tallahassee? The Senate Commerce Committee this week approved two bills: one that would apply state dollars to embryonic stem-cell research and another that would ban it.

Seventh

"A seventh panther dies on Polk highway".

Dopes

"Republican Rep. Ginnie Brown-Waite of Brooksville,"

who blasted a proposal backed by Democrats for a national study commission on insurance rates, co-sponsored two bills to do the same thing last year.

Brown-Waite and five other Florida Republican congress members signed a letter Monday criticizing Senate Democrats for moving to create a commission.
Their letter to Sen. Chris Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat who chairs the Senate’s Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, depicts it as a waste of time when Florida homeowners want solutions quickly.

Other signers were Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Palm Harbor, Vern Buchanan of Longboat Key, and Mario Diaz-Balart, Lincoln Diaz Balart and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, all of Miami.
But the letter doesn’t mention that the bill they criticized is co-sponsored by Florida’s Republican Sen. Mel Martinez, and embraced by Florida’s Republican Gov. Charlie Crist. Nor does it mentioned House bills H.R. 5891 and H.R. 5587, co-sponsored by Brown-Waite last year, that did the same thing.

"Puzzling,: is how Nelson spokesman Dan McLaughlin responded Wednesday to Brown-Waite’s criticism.

"American Dream Slips Away"

"Across Florida, the American dream slips away from once-hopeful homeowners. The state led the nation in mortgage foreclosures for February, and has the second-highest ratio of subprime loans, which often target people with poor credit or allow buyers to take on more house than they can afford. Meanwhile, the industry that once serviced these high-risk and often predatory loans is crumbling, perhaps deservedly so -- but the collapse is taking hundreds of Florida jobs with it. As the state's stock of unsold housing mounts, the homebuilding industry struggles, wiping out even more construction jobs. Lost jobs mean even more Floridians struggling to make mortgage payments." "Home safe home?".

"You'd Think"

"You'd think that something like the sanctity of the democratic process and assuring the accuracy of elections would be enough to motivate lawmakers to listen to Gov. Charlie Crist and scrap touch-screen voting machines in favor of more reliable paper ballots."

You'd be wrong.

KidCare

"Lawmakers and children's advocates are working on bills to simplify KidCare, a $418 million state program that provides health coverage to children." "First aid on tap for KidCare". See also "Crist, senators see eye to eye on KidCare".

"Discounts? What Discounts?"

"Discounts? What discounts? Florida homeowners were promised relief from soaring windstorm premiums. That was the mission of a special legislative session, where Gov. Charlie Crist turned up the heat and lawmakers passed a massive insurance reform bill." "Windstorm rate cuts come up short".

Predators

"Trying to catch up to the rapidly changing world of Internet crime, the Florida House gave final approval Thursday to a measure that would strengthen penalties for the possession of child pornography and require sexual predators to register their e-mail addresses and online chat names with authorities." "Legislators OK a bill to fight porn, predators". See also "Legislature passes sweeping cybercrime bill".

Protest

"More than 100 developmentally disabled people and their supporters rallied at the Capitol to protest proposed cuts to their program." "Disabled people rally for care funding". See also "Families attack cuts in disability aid", "Advocates push for state reserves to aid disabled", "Health services on budget-cutting block" and "Disabled balk at proposed cut to programs".

Wine

"A proposal to regulate out-of-state winery orders flowing to Florida connoisseurs looks likely to stall again, after the bill was postponed indefinitely in one House council Thursday." "Out-of-state wine proposal corked".

One Man's Terrorist ...

"Cuba's communist government on Friday blamed the White House for the release of an anti-Castro exile wanted in the 1976 bombing of a Cuban airliner, as outraged Cubans pressed demands that the man they call a terrorist be brought to justice." "Cubans angered by U.S. release of foe they consider terrorist".

The most popular, a proposal to slash taxes an average of 19 percent for all property owners in the state and require deep cuts in government spending, won unanimous approval. The other plan, to ask voters to wipe out taxes on homestead property in exchange for a hike in sales taxes, was the preferred choice of House Speaker Marco Rubio but mustered only a party-line vote of 78-40.

Rubio's plan is likely dead in the Senate, where leaders say they have unanimous support for their bipartisan plan to scale back all property taxes 7.6 percent without raising sales taxes to do it.

The two chambers will begin to hash out the differences next week, after the Senate votes out its own plan Friday.

Strengthening the Senate's negotiating hand is the House's schizophrenic approach to slashing taxes. One House bill -- the one that passed unanimously -- cuts taxes by $6.3 billion by rolling them back to 2001 levels. The other cuts them by $4.4 billion to 2003 levels.

The risk of highlighting promises of deep cuts in insurance rates or property taxes lies in the reality that such cuts take time to happen and probably won't completely reverse the recent increases.

House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami, raised the possible tax-cut potential of his plan this week from $25 billion over five years to $35 billion. Senators similarly adjusted their projected savings from $11 billion over five years to more than $12 billion.

But the promises are grounded less in firm analysis and more in the need to win political support as the two plans battle for public favor.

"An Elegant and Well-Considered Trade"?

"A bill moving Florida's presidential primary elections forward -- pushing the state to the front of the pack of states choosing nominees for the 2008 elections -- will die unless House leaders approve strong paper-ballot legislation, Senate leaders said this week. It's an elegant and well-considered trade. There's no denying the eagerness of House leaders to move up the primary date. The Senate's logic is impeccable: The state wants a say in choosing the next presidential nominees -- but it's hardly fair to claim that voice without ensuring that the wishes of Florida voters are recorded accurately and accountably." "Fair trade for voters".

Not everyone agrees: "The Legislature is basing critical decisions about how Florida conducts elections on haste, political expediency and horse-trading. That sort of ineptitude won't produce reasonable election reform." "Tallahassee's ballot error".

Tallahassee Roundup

"Legislature". See also "The day in Tallahassee, Wednesday, April 18, 2007" and "2007 Legislature roundup".

Mel's Campaign Violations

"Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida repeatedly violated federal election law during his 2004 campaign, including accepting donations that exceeded legal limits, a new audit shows. ... Many of Martinez's donors tried to give too much money in either of the two cycles. His staff then failed to process the contributions properly." "Audit faults election reporting" ("Whether the FEC findings would lead to civil penalties is unknown.")

In addition, "Martinez's 2004 U.S. Senate campaign has been forced to refund nearly $95,000 in contributions after a federal audit that also found information lacking on nearly half its contributors." "Lax Finance Reports Cost Martinez Campaign $95,000".

Soto Endorsement in HD 49 Special Election

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Mr. Soto is far and away better prepared to represent the residents of District 49. In fact, Mr. Suarez seems uninformed on important issues, including property-tax reform." "Soto in District 49 election".

Privatization

"An inmate whose baby died after being born over a jail cell toilet has received a $1.25 million settlement from the company that provided health care at the facility." "Company settles in death of baby born over jail toilet".

Faulty State CD 13 Investigation

"Two computer science professors said they found 'significant gaps' in the state investigation into allegations electronic voting machines in Sarasota County failed to count about 18,000 votes in a contested congressional race decided by only 369 votes."

David Dill, a Stanford University computer science professor and critic of electronic voting, compared the state audit of Florida's 13th Congressional District race to a plane crash in which investigators comb through specific sections of wreckage and ignore other key areas. ...

Dill and Wallach's study found state experts did not focus on the vote selection process despite complaints from voters the machines did not register their votes. The tests also did not follow standard debugging and simulation tests, the report said.

They recommended a more thorough analysis of the source code and ES&S's internal bug databases. Jennings is suing for similar access.

"Without doubt, the undervote rate in Sarasota County's general election in November 2006 reflected a failure of the ES&S iVotronic systems to accurately capture the intent of Sarasota County voters," the report said. "We still have no conclusive evidence demonstrating the cause or causes of the unusual undervote rate."

Insurance Judge?

"A candidate for circuit judge in Leon County is getting a boost from the well-heeled insurance industry, thanks to her husband's boss." "Lotane camp gets boost".

GOPer Astro-Turf

Mark Lane yesterday:

I don't think I'm going way out on limb to say that yesterday's anti-property tax rally in Tallahassee fell flat on several levels. If this is the high-water mark of anti-tax rage, well, the Senate doesn't have a lot to fear. It was basically just a real-estate industry and homebuilders lobbying day.

Speaker Marco Rubio promised 1,000 people. And even with the backing of the state Republican Party, robo-calls all over the place and help from the real estate industry, mortgage lenders, homebuilders, The Latin Builders Association, etc., they only managed to bus in 300-400 people.

Rather than an I'm-mad-as-hell-and-I'm-not-going-to-take-it-anymore tax rebel as the group's spokesman, they have lobbyist, Tom Gallacher campaign manager and Bush-Cheney campaign official Brett Doster. For Central Floridians, there's the also the involvement of faux-populist sleaze Doug Guetzloe.

It's always fun watching the Republican establishment dress up as rebels. Meanwhile, the astro-turf nature of this "populist revolt" is clearer every day.

"Say Hello to Carey Baker"

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "You would think that saving lives would be a noble enough cause to build consensus in the Florida Legislature. Why then, is a bill that would allow local law-enforcement agencies to set up red-light cameras at selected intersections sitting idly in the Senate? Say hello to Carey Baker. As head of the transportation committee and a strong proponent of so-called privacy issues, Mr. Baker is refusing to hear the bill." "Red alert".

Thomas Has A Better Idea on Property Taxes?

Thomas thinks the pending legislation sucks:

The Florida House would abolish property taxes on homesteads and replace them with a 2.5-cent sales-tax increase. This gouges the working class and makes us dangerously dependent on a volatile revenue source.

The Senate has a more complicated plan that sounds good until you realize it barely makes a dent in your property taxes.

- "The first is the gas tax. Florida's state levy on gas is one of the lowest in the nation. I would raise it by 25 cents per gallon. ... A 25-cent tax on each gallon of fuel would bring in about $1.9 billion."

- "The second source of money would come from increasing the tax on real-estate transactions. ... I would structure this tax in a way to raise $1 billion."

- "Lastly, I would revisit a sales tax on services. These services would include legal fees, accounting fees, landscaping services, advertising and so on. Such a tax was passed in 1987, but screaming from special-interest groups caused politicians to repeal it and raise the sales tax instead."

- "And one more thing: I would roll back property taxes on non-homestead property to 2003-04 levels."

Illegal Immigrants

"Immigration problems are better handled by the federal government, said members of a state House committee Wednesday that voted down a proposal to punish businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants. The idea of increasing penalties for those companies had little chance in the House Environment and Natural Resources Council, where several members are in the agriculture business - one of the main industries targeted by the bill (HB 119). It was defeated 12-1." "Business Gets Blame For Hiring Illegals".

Hypocrite

"Republican Rep. Ginnie Brown-Waite of Brooksville, who blasted a proposal backed by Democrats for a national study commission on insurance rates, co-sponsored two bills to do the same thing last year." "The Republicans And The Insurance Study Commission, Part 2".

Tampa Trib Editorial Board

In case you're wondering about the biases of the Tampa Trib editors, take a look at this: "Partial-Birth Abortion Ruling Is A Victory For Humanity". Note how the editors refer to physicians as "abortionists".

Anderson

Delightful. "Panama City residents call for defeat of claims bill".

No Guns at Work

"Business groups lauded the defeat of a bill that would have kept them from banning guns in locked cars from company parking lots." "Legislature rejects 'guns at work' bill". See also "Guns-at-work bill fails in Florida", "House panel defeats gun bill", "House panel defeats gun bill as NRA vows to try again", "House: No guns in cars at work", "Guns-at-work bill defeated", "House Panel Muzzles Proposed Employee Gun Bill" and "It was not a good week for the NRA".

Meanwhile, the courageous "Charlie Crist is being very careful not to take sides on a bill -- rejected by a House committee Wednesday -- allowing employees to carry guns with them to work." "More Crist on Guns".

No Free Lunch

"The Legislature's ban on lobbyist gifts has claimed another victim: Palm Beach County delegation meetings. In years past, the county's 17-member delegation met weekly over lobbyist-funded lunches, strategizing about issues and funding priorities of local interest." "Legislative delegation meets less".

Budget Cuts

"Advocates rally at the Capitol today to protest proposed budget cuts that threaten to deny services to nearly 9,000 disabled Floridians." "Proposed budget cuts bring advocates to the Capitol".

"The same Legislature that voted to cut more than $100 million in services for mentally and physically disabled Floridians may give $100''million to three pro sports franchises so millionaire athletes, many of whom live outside the state, can have new digs. How's that for misguided priorities?" "Welfare for millionaires".

Wetlands

"A Senate committee gave environmentalists somewhat of a break Wednesday,"

but they still face bills that could severely affect the state's wetlands and further endanger sea turtles.

The Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee passed a series of measures, including one that would allow owners of waterfront homes or businesses in danger of falling into the ocean to use "geotextile tubes" to shore them up.

Another approved bill would allow developers to pave over or dredge and fill wetlands and mangroves on properties 1 acre or smaller. But that bill, which now goes to the Senate floor for a vote, faces an uphill battle getting approved because of the way it was amended. ...

Unlike the House plan (HB 957), the Senate measure would not allow the state permitting process to supersede local governments that have stricter requirements for wetlands to be destroyed.

"I have a feeling we're just not going to be satisfied until the wetlands are gone," said Rich, who voted for her amendment but against the bill.

Trump Triumphs

"The bill (HB 871) also wouldn't allow municipalities to enforce rules that prohibit the 'respectful' display of the flag. While the measure is making progress in the House, there is no companion bill in the Senate." "House panel backs Trump over flying of giant flag".

Convention Center Rebate

"Under a bill (SB 2124) unanimously approved Wednesday by the Senate's Community Affairs committee, counties with large convention centers, including Palm Beach County, would be eligible for a rebate of up to $1 million in sales tax money generated by their convention centers." "Convention center rebate advances".

Big of 'Em

"After an innocent man who spent more than 24 years in prison told them 'my life is gone,' members of a House council approved a plan Wednesday to pay freed inmates $50,000 a year for lost time when they are proved innocent." "Council OKs plan to pay the exonerated". See also "Bill to pay the wrongly convicted moves forward".

No-Fault

"Florida requires all motorists to insure themselves against physical injury and vehicle damage, but lawmakers are about to steer off this road. Without quick agreement on a no-fault law set to expire in October, the state could end up with a decidedly callous policy toward car crashes." "Car policies headed for an overhaul".

Huh?

"Without debate, the Legislature is poised to pass a law that gives private companies continued access to individual Social Security numbers for business purposes." "Bill opens Social Security access".

Well ...

"Christian skywriter to pen religious messages at Air & Sea Show".

Fireworks

"A task force to study fireworks use and sales and to suggest comprehensive changes in state regulations is poised for approval by the Legislature." "Fireworks Study Lights Foes' Fuses".

No Confederate Memorial Day

"For the first time in many years, Hillsborough County will not recognize Confederate Memorial Day." "Holiday lacks support".

"Guilt-Free" Pensions

"Florida lawmakers are pushing to keep the state from investing in companies that enrich Sudan and Iran, citing a responsibility to ensure state workers' pensions are guilt-free." "Florida could divest billions from U.S. foes". See also "Targeted firms" ("Companies that deal with Iran that the state could divest from: BG BHP Bow Valley BP Darkhovin Eni Gazprom GVA Consultants LG Lukoil")

Canceled Plans

"Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez canceled plans to fly to Washington today, instead sending top aides for the face-to-face negotiations with federal housing leaders who are moving to take over the troubled Miami-Dade Housing Agency." "Mayor Alvarez sends others to talk to feds".

AG Sits on His Hands

The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board

In contrast to Mr. Butterworth's aggressive and community-serving use of his position as the state's top lawyer to save St. Mary's in 2000 and return the financial benefit to Palm Beach County, Attorney General Bill McCollum is merely "open to facilitating any discussions between the parties." Mr. McCollum, according to a statement from his office, "is committed to monitoring the progression of the settlement agreement."

Committed to monitoring?

Oh, and Mr. McCollum added that the foundation and health-care district always can sue Catholic Health East. Yes, but doing so would cost money and time better spent meeting health-care needs.

And, excuse us, but who's the attorney general? Mr. McCollum should intervene. That action alone might end the delay. Mr. McCollum can make sure that Catholic Health East understands that the money belongs to the community - and has for a year.

A Crime

"Kid left in car could be crime". See also "Penalties for leaving kids in vehicles OK'd".

Sounds Reasonable

"If you've ever had an urge to buy a giant constricting snake -- resist. The state soon could charge you $100 a year for it. Bills moving quickly through the Legislature would require the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to mandate permits and fees from owners of certain reptiles." "Rules put squeeze on snake owners".

Florida's Boomin' Hi-Tech Economy

"Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp turns economic cheerleader today, traveling to East Milton to mark the opening of a call center for Clearwire Corporation. ... Workers for the Washington state-based company will take calls from customers with technical questions about their high-speed Internet service." The Company "promises 400 higher-than-average paying jobs", which makes one wonder what the "average" pay is in East Milton? "Kottkamp celebrates new jobs".

Get Over It

"Ever since voters approved the strong mayor referendum in February Miami-Dade commissioners have been obsessing over power. It is time they get over the changes and move on." "Grasping for control".

Should local property taxes get rolled back three years without making Floridians pay more sales taxes? House Republicans voted against the idea Tuesday.

How about letting homeowners transfer their longtime tax breaks to a new home? House Republicans opposed that, too.

What about making sure that the tax cuts don't cut emergency-management services? Again, House Republicans rejected the plan.

And so it went -- for 6 ½ hours -- on the floor of the House of Representatives, with Democrats, outnumbered 79-41, repeatedly trying to pick off and water down selected portions of House Speaker Marco Rubio's tax plan.

House Republicans used Tuesday's discussion to flex their political muscle and give Rubio the backing he needs to negotiate with the Senate and its plan that offers far smaller tax cuts. And Democrats let Rubio know that his tax plan is an increasingly partisan endeavor, despite Rubio's pledges of running a bipartisan chamber.

CD 13

"A closed-door briefing on Tuesday yielded few answers on how Congress would proceed in its probe of a contested House election last year in the Sarasota area. The chairman of a team assigned to study the race said lawmakers still were debating what role Congress should play in investigating a Florida contest plagued with suspicions of voting-machine failure." "Sarasota election decision? Not yet". See also "First meeting offers Jennings little hope".

Day 28

"Legislature: Day 28 at a glance". See also "2007 Legislature roundup".

The "Jeb!" Era Is Over

"'Obviously, slavery was one of the darkest periods in American history, one of the saddest and most tragic,' said House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami. 'I think it [an apology] would merit discussion. There aren't a lot of defenders of slavery left.' Senate President Ken Pruitt, a Civil War history buff, said he would be 'very supportive' of an attempt to address Florida's role in condoning the institution of slavery." "Lawmakers consider apology for slavery".

Real Estate Ramifications

"Realtors, mortgage bankers and developers -- as eager for property tax revisions as Florida's homeowners -- are pushing lawmakers for relief that will reignite home sales." "Housing industry hopes property tax plan ups sales".

Early Primary and Paper Trails

"The Senate offered to move up the date of the 2008 presidential primary in Florida if the House agrees to replace touch-screen machines with paper-ballot devices." "Senate offers House a deal on advancing primary". See also "Senate Ties Early Primary To Paper Trail For Voters", "Voting issues tied together", "Senate bill sets early primary", "Political jockeying clouds future of two election proposals in Legislature", "Bill links paper trail to early primary" and "Senate ties early primary to voting machines with paper trails". See also "Paper trail for votes gains pace across both chambers".

Mel's Money

"Karl Rove's Florida Frankenstein" promises to be a good boy:

In a press release sent out at 6:44 p.m. Tuesday, Florida Sen. Mel Martinez announced that the Federal Elections Commission had released its "final audit report" on the 2004 campaign that won him his Senate seat—and promised he wouldn’t do it again.

The Tampa Tribune had reported in 2005 that the campaign finance reports from Martinez’s campaign were so badly done that nearly a year after winning his seat, his campaign treasurer was unable to tell the FEC exactly how much the campaign had raised, spent and borrowed.

Whatever

"Crist ponders pardon for dead rock icon".

One Man's Terrorist ...

"The aging militant and former CIA operative was ordered deported in 2005. But a federal immigration judge in El Paso ruled that he could not be sent to Venezuela, where he is a naturalized citizen, or his native Cuba, because of fears that he could be tortured. Governments of both countries want Posada extradited to Venezuela to face charges that he was in Caracas when he plotted the 1976 bombing of a Cuban jetliner, an attack that killed 73 people." "Court rules that government can't hold Posada until trial".

Benched

"Miami-Dade politics and a budget squabble between the House and Senate stalled a proposal Tuesday to hand $100 million over to three pro sports teams to build new homes or renovate the facilities where they now play." "Bill for pro-sports rebate may get benched".

Trendsetter

"Other states joining Florida in revolt against rising property taxes".

Pathetic

"Crist's support is hollow if lawmakers don't move a pair of compensation bills now stalled in committees. With just 13 working days remaining in the legislative session, a Senate bill has two required committee stops and is not on any calendars. A House version is scheduled to be heard today before going to the full floor." "Crist Endorses Compensation Bills For Those Wrongly Incarcerated". See also "Crist, Crotzer meet".

Whatever

"Ben Graber, the new Democratic primary challenger to U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Delray Beach, said this morning he’ll raise at least $1 million for his 2008 race against the six-term incumbent." "Graber: I’ll raise at least $1 million".

Florida's Booming Economy

"Law enforcement officials estimate that if the Florida were a country, it would rank seventh in the world for the amount child porn generated." "Florida takes aim at online predators".

New Techniques

"The nation’s most powerful oil industry lobbying group demonstrates new drilling technology in the Capitol today at a time when lawmakers are debating Florida’s response to global warming." "Oil lobbyists demonstrate new drilling techniques".

He Said It

"Baxley said the tragedy at Virginia Tech, from his perspective, reinforces his argument that workers as well as other Floridians should have the right to keep their guns in order to protect themselves. Baxley said university employees seeking that right have contacted him since the incident." "Employee gun bill pushed despite massacre".

Update: "The guns-to-work bill failed its one and only House stop Wednesday, killing the measure for the year. The vote was 4-10." "NRA bill fails".

GOPers Say No The Commission

"Three House Republicans from the Tampa Bay area have joined with three of their GOP colleagues from Miami to urge the U.S. Senate not to waste time creating a commission to study ways to deal with skyrocketing homeowners’ insurance rates in hurricane-prone states." "Fla. Republicans Don’t Want National Commission To Study Insurance". See also "Crist makes good case for a U.S. disaster fund".

Huh?

"Study: Global warming may hinder hurricane formation".

KidCare

"Children advocates and Sen. Mandy Dawson were broadsided Tuesday by an amendment to the Senate version of a KidCare bill designed to expand the number of children benefiting from the insurance program for working-class families. ... Sen. Durell Peaden, who sponsored the 'strike all' amendment, said it was suggested by the governor's office and was an attempt to save money." "KidCare slated to get 'trim'".

Insurance Rates

"Insurance rates shouldn't be based on pay, education".

Florida Cash

"Central Florida donors give little so far to 2008 hopefuls" More: "Hillary's Florida Rainmakers", "McCain, Not Romney, Had Top Florida Fundraising Total", "Giuliani, Clinton lead parties in county" and "Floridians Pony Up Millions To Candidates". See also yesterday's "Democrats lead GOP in raising funds in Florida".

What Budget?

Paige St. John:

Remember the budget?

The only thing the Legislature is required to do while in session?

Lawmakers were on a fast-track a week ago when both chambers passed their versions of the budget, adopting spending plans $1.6 billion apart.

Florida's financial blueprint remains on the back-burner while the Legislature wrestles with the politics of property tax reform.

Voucher Madness

"James K. Isenhour took more than $268,000 from a Florida school voucher program without providing a single voucher for the low-income students who were supposed to benefit."

How could he do that without being sent to prison? He had a lot of help from Jeb Bush.

Citizens

"Expanding state-backed Citizens Property Insurance is the best hope Floridians have for stabilizing the state's insurance market and moderating insurance rates. The solution isn't perfect. A series of bad storms or a huge Category 5 hurricane hitting South Florida still could leave policyholders on the hook for enormous losses. But with efficient management, more-competitive rules and some luck, Citizens can protect Florida's economy from a meltdown and residents from unsustainable premium hikes." "Spread the risk of windstorm insurance".

Is This News?

Edwards is being gored by AP: "Looking pretty is costing John Edwards' presidential campaign a lot of pennies." "Edwards' haircuts cost a pretty penny".

Tough Call

"State Rightly Intervenes In Cancer Case".

"Obamarama Tour"

Daniel Ruth:

Obama's skills as a first-rate orator were on vivid display in the Cuban Club courtyard as the senator wowed his audience with a stirring speech outlining his improbable rise to the national scene underscoring perhaps why he looms as a legitimate alternative to the presumptive front-runner, New York's Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Pelham

"Florida has done a horrible job managing its growth. For the most part, it has allowed developers to run roughshod over the environment. That's what makes the job of state growth czar so important. This is the person -- as head of the state Department of Community Affairs -- who can say 'no' to local governments wanting to break all the rules." "Time to get it right". See also "Panel Should Approve Pelham".

On a related note, "State Sen. Gary Siplin's anger shocked the normally congenial process. The target of Siplin's fury, Tom Pelham, was expected to breeze through Senate confirmation as head of the Department of Community Affairs." "Program has support - of founder".

Appointments Approved

"Senate committees quickly approved seven of Gov. Charlie Crist's department heads Tuesday, with just one protest vote against the 'raging bull' leader of Florida's prison system." "Committees OK appointees".

Whoopee!

"Putnam Names Chief of Staff".

Well?

"Why aren't the insurance rate cuts promised homeowners being realized, CFO Alex Sink wanted to know." "Real Rate Relief".

Kottkamp

"Kottkamp attends a candlelight vigil tonight at Florida State University for the 32 Virginia Tech students and teachers who were gunned down Monday in the nation’s worst mass slaying." "Kottkamp to attend VA Tech vigil".

GOPers Heart Taxes, Particularly the Regressive Kind

"A scene from Senate Democratic Caucus:"

"I'm very surprised that the House Republicans are pushing so hard for a sales tax increase, I don't understand," said Senate Minority Leader Steven Geller, talking about where the two chambers are on plans for property tax relief.

"They like taxes," injected Sen. David Aronberg.

"Expensive Mistake"

"An environmental consultant testified Tuesday that Florida Power & Light will make an expensive mistake if it builds a $5.7 billion coal-fired power plant in Glades County." "Consultant: Coal plant an expensive mistake".

Will Rubio have the votes to get the measure passed out of his own chamber?

Chances are he does -- but it won't be easy.

state senators -- annoyed that the state GOP was supporting Rubio's plan to the detriment of their own -- persuaded the party on Monday to take down the website promoting the House plan, nomorepropertytaxes.com.

''The purpose of the website was to get people to talk about property tax reform and, now that all Republicans are in agreement that we all need real reform, we decided it had run its course,'' said Jeff Sadosky, a spokesman for the Republican Party of Florida.

Now, without the backing of the party, Rubio is relying on organized support from more than 1,000 angry property owners who are expected to show up at the Capitol today to protest their property taxes. A quarter of them -- 250 from Miami-Dade County -- are being bused to Tallahassee by mortgage brokers and the Latin Builders Association, who see the House plan as a sure-fire way to revive their struggling businesses.

Day 27

"Legislature: Day 27 at a glance" See also "The day in Tallahassee, Monday, April 16, 2007" and "2007 Legislature roundup".

RPOF Chair Fails to Pay Taxes

"Even as Florida lawmakers wrestle over how to lower property taxes, Scott Maxwell found out that Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer owed more than $13,000 in taxes on a company he owned in Seminole County." "GOP Chair Owed More Than $13K in Back Taxes".

Maxwell writes this morning:

The head of Florida's Republican Party has been very supportive of efforts to give residents tax relief. But until Monday morning, it looked like Jim Greer had found his own personal way to keep tax bills down -- by not paying them.

According to records with Seminole County's tax appraiser and property-tax office, Greer, who lives in Oviedo, had "delinquent taxes" totaling more than $13,000 on a company he owned.

The records showed that Greer Holdings Inc. had about $6,800 in unpaid taxes for both 2005 and 2006.

Stem Cell Research

"Lawyers for groups on both sides of the embryonic stem cell research debate argued Monday on whether competing proposals to get the issue into the state constitution meet requirements that they are clear and simple enough to be placed on the ballot." "Justices hear debate on stem cell research". See also "Stem cells debated around Tallahassee", "Stem cell divide plays out in Capitol" and "Voters may decide stem cell debate if measure makes ballot".

Florida Cash

"Democratic presidential candidates have so far this year swept up more Florida donations than Republicans, which observers attribute to uncertainty about the Republican field, and the level of energy among Democrats." "Florida cash going to Democrats". See also "D's outraising R's in Florida", "Clinton Leads In Florida Fundraising" and "Florida Is A Political Cash Cow".

HD 49 Special Election

"In what could be a preview of the 2008 elections and the focus on Florida's often-pivotal Interstate 4 corridor, political parties and special-interest groups are pouring thousands of dollars into a special election for an Orange-Osceola seat in the state House." "Special House race rakes in donations".

A GOPer Thing

"Rep. Don Brown on Monday qualified the apology he made last week for e-mailing a cartoon poking fun at illegal immigrants, and asked for a state investigation to determine if they are a burden to Florida's taxpayers." "Lawmaker backpedals on apology". See also "Brown: I'm done apologizing", "Reaction to e-mail brings change of heart", "Don Brown's not done talking about immigration", "Lawmaker wants state investigation of illegal immigrant costs" and "'Illegals' cartoon defended".

CD 13 Task Force Starts Work

"A House task force will take the first steps today in an investigation of the disputed election in Florida's 13th Congressional District, a race decided by just 369 votes amid reports that machines failed to count thousands of electronic ballots."

The House, which has final authority over its membership, typically waits until legal challenges are completed before taking action in election challenges.

But Florida Democrats last month asked the House Administration Committee to begin reviewing the election after reports of an anomaly in the touch-screen voting machines that recorded about 18,000 skipped votes in the congressional race in Sarasota County.

Committee Chairwoman Juanita Millender-McDonald, D-Calif., created a three member task force to investigate the issue and report back to the full committee.

The representatives cited news reports that voting- machine manufacturer Elections Systems & Software informed state and local election officials of the problem nearly three months before the November contest between Democrat Christine Jennings and Republican Vern Buchanan, who was declared the winner after a recount.

"Snooker Time"

Bill Cotterell: "Not that anyone would try to pull a fast one, but the 2007 legislative session is entering into a politically hazardous phase when lawmakers will be tugged in every direction by anxious favor-seekers who desparately need one or two little changes in a law, a bill or an amendment. In the fast-pased final weeks of a session, things can happen with unintended consequences — things that can come back to bite a member at re-election time." "It's snooker time in the session".

From The "Values" Crowd

"The Senate cuts, while not as much as those the agency proposed, are being vigorously opposed by advocates for the disabled. They would affect up to 6,000 people who are neither severely nor mildly disabled, but rather have medium cases of disabilities, including those who are blind or deaf or have cerebral palsy or Down syndrome." "Cuts to disabled services proposed".

Kudos

"Debbie Cenziper of The Miami Herald won the Pulitzer Prize for local reporting Monday for a series that revealed waste, favoritism and lack of oversight at the Miami housing agency." "Miami Herald wins Pulitzer for investigation of housing agency".

Another Jebacy

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "So far so good when it comes to protecting Orange County voters' right to decide whether to elect a School Board chairman next year. Supporters in the Legislature have managed to stop an end run that would kill this effort to bring sorely needed leadership and accountability to the schools."

It's no surprise that Orange County School Board members are lobbying to repeal the law passed last year and signed by Gov. Jeb Bush. They delayed putting the issue before voters until next year's presidential primary election, hoping they and other turf-protecting school boards around the state could throw their weight around this year.

Fortunately, Rep. Andy Gardiner and Sen. Dan Webster have managed to put the brakes on the repeal effort.

Confirmation Hearings

"Some of Gov. Charlie Crist's major department heads are up for confirmation hearings today in Senate committees, along with a series of appointees to college and university boards." "Major confirmations come before Senate today".

Whoopee!

"Lawmakers celebrate Dade County at the Capitol".

Graber v. Wexler

"After decades in politics, including a recent failed bid for state Senate, former Broward County Commissioner [and Democrat] Ben Graber intends to challenge an 11-year incumbent for Congress. Graber said Monday that he will run against Congressman Robert Wexler for the seat in District 19 that includes northern Broward and southern Palm Beach counties." "Former Broward mayor to run for Congress".

SD 3

"There's not even an opening for the job yet (at least, not officially), but an early mass mailing has already gone out in the District 3 state Senate campaign -- featuring a tribute to the candidate's father, more than the candidate himself." "Race for Argenziano's seat is an odd one".

The Pardon Power

"Crist said Monday that he has asked lawyers to begin researching the case of Jim Morrison, the Florida native who was convicted of indecent exposure and profanity in 1970 for an infamous concert held in Miami the year before. Morrison died in 1971 while his case was on appeal. Fans of the Lizard King have been clamoring for years for a posthumous pardon, but they launched a new effort again when Crist was elected." "Crist delving into Morrison pardon".

"Holocaust-era Insurance Policies"

"Two South Florida members of Congress [Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami, and Robert Wexler, D-Boca Raton] are sponsoring a bill that would require insurance companies doing business in the United States to publicly disclose all Holocaust-era insurance policies. The bill would allow Holocaust victims and their heirs to bring action in U.S. courts to resolve claims." "Bill to help Holocaust victims with insurance claims".

Fish Tale

"The Miami-Dade delegation's long-sought attempt to use tax money to build a new Florida Marlins baseball park is experiencing resistance from the unexpected: Miami-Dade's own delegation members. Noting the state's stingy budget that cuts services for the developmentally disabled, Miami Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla is balking at the price tag of a new economic development package that would help the Marlins. The proposal: Take about $100 million from the state's budget and divide it equally among three teams: the Marlins, the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team and the Orlando Magic." "Delegate unsure of Marlins subsidy after cuts for disabled". See also "Senate looks at aiding Magic".

Wetland Protection in Jeopardy?

The Palm Beach Post editorial board:

On Wednesday, a Florida Senate committee will consider legislation that could end the power of local governments to protect wetlands.

Senate Bill 2082 is a companion to House Bill 957, which Gov. Crist has threatened to veto because an amendment would prohibit local governments from having stronger wetlands protections than the state. Gov. Crist is right, especially with the region in a record drought. Legislators have no business trying to kill local government's power to protect wetlands, which are key water-storage areas.

News Flash!

"Martinez announces office hours".

Fee Hikes

"The head of the State University System enlisted six student body presidents Monday to support a bill letting universities tax students for better computer services on campuses." "Student leaders back a fee hike". See also "Students back bill to fund new technology".

Florida's Booming Economy

"A deluge of South Floridians are falling behind on their monthly house payments, raising fears that many of the delinquent property owners will lose their homes to foreclosure this year and next." "Foreclosures rise overextended S. Floridians struggle with mortgages".

Freshman Cash

"Looking to fend off challengers, the two South Florida members of Congress most at reelection risk raised more than $400,000 each -- putting them at the head of the class of freshman Democrats intent on maintaining their party's newly won majority status, according to first-quarter campaign fundraising reports."

Rep. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, who defeated veteran Republican Clay Shaw last November, pulled in a solid $611,446 -- second only to Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat, who raised $667,795.

Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-Palm Beach Gardens, a top GOP target who only narrowly won the race to replace disgraced former Rep. Mark Foley after Foley resigned in September over sexually explicit instant messages between himself and teenage pages, raised $459,926 -- a figure topped collectively by the three Republicans who've already filed to run against him.

Coverage Dropped

"Blaming state politics as much as hurricane risk, United Services Automobile Association says it will drop coverage for 27,000 second-homes owned by retired military, and issue new coverage in Florida only to active-duty members. ... Specifically, the company is unhappy with Crist's continued push to allow Citizens to compete with private insurers, and the Legislature's requirement that insurers lower rates in trade for an expansion of state-provided hurricane backing." "Two insurers drop all policyholders but servicemen, women".

Too Busy With the YRs

"Florida is next to last when it comes to the number of young people willing to help others, according to a recent national study on volunteerism." "Florida is next to last in amount of young people who volunteer".

'Glades

"Florida's drought has all the makings of becoming one of the worst in state history, requiring water managers to drain water from the Everglades to pump into drinking-water wells, state officials warned Gov. Charlie Crist on Monday. Without emergency action, South Florida's drinking water could be poisoned by saltwater intrusion, causing damage to the water supply that could last a decade, they said." "Drought may force Glades action". See also "Everglades still may be tapped", "South Florida may tap conservation areas" and "Ebbing water levels alarm state officials, farmers".

The Sun-Sentinel editors: "Absolutely not. That should be the federal government's unequivocal response to a request from the South Florida Water Management District to draw more water from the Everglades to fight the region's drought. Doing so would threaten wildlife and the health of the 'River of Grass"'itself." "Drought". The editors also write that "the drought offers is a critical reminder of how deeply South Florida relies on Lake O as the reservoir of last resort." "Environment". that

Obama's Tampa Visit

"Obama leaves a lasting impression".

Water

"Faced with a drought that threatens to fuel wildfires, drive up grocery prices and stop Floridians from washing cars or watering lawns, Gov. Charlie Crist urged Floridians Monday to save water and pray for rain." "Crist, Nelson push water conservation".

Foley

"Former Rep. Mark Foley's campaign committee paid more than $200,000 in legal fees between November and January, according to campaign filings." "Foley campaign cash goes to the lawyers".

Guardrails

"Two South Florida lawmakers want to require more guardrails for roadside canals around Miami-Dade." "Road barriers to canals pushed".

Whatever

"Travels With Charlie".

"On the Edge of the Everglades"

"A coal-fired power plant on the edge of the Everglades would foul the famous River of Grass, increase global warming and be a boondoggle for customers, Southwest Florida critics told regulators today." "A familiar argument: Should a coal plant be built in rural Florida?".

Collective Action

"Florida Atlantic University students in Boca Raton organized a boycott of campus vending machines Monday to deter the $577,950 in severance pay going to former chief fundraiser Lawrence Davenport." "Students boycott machines in protest".

Mudslinger Money

"In the final days of city elections last month, ElectionWatch-Florida sent out a series of campaign pieces attacking City Council candidate John Dingfelder. The mailers derided Dingfelder as odd and arrogant, and blasted him for raising property taxes even though Dingfelder helped pass the city's first property tax rate cut in 20 years. ... Brown, a former assistant city attorney for Tampa, said she didn't know until now who was behind ElectionWatch-Florida."

One $25,000 donor is J.C. Davis Management Co. Inc., headed by Spencer Ford, who once leased office space from Hank Brown, the husband of Dingfelder opponent Julie Brown. ...

McDonald's franchise owner Blake Casper, who hosted a fundraiser for Brown, also put $25,000 into Election-Watch Florida, as did Newton Herack, a company headed by R. Park Newton, who hosted Brown's campaign kickoff.

The final top-dollar donor: C.C. "Doc" Dockery, husband of Republican state Sen. Paula Dockery of Lakeland.

A "Shout Out" to Charlie

"Singer Sheryl Crow has campaigned for several Democratic politicians, including former presidential nominees John Kerry and Al Gore, but Monday she gave an endorsement of sorts to Republican Gov. Charlie Crist. Between songs at a rally to stop global warming at the University of Florida, Crow gave a shout out to Crist, who was sitting in the front row." "Crist, Crow bring attention to climate change".

"The Legislature has got Your Back[side]"

"For all you skeptics, here's proof the Legislature has got your back: Sen. Victor Crist, a Tampa Republican, is pushing legislation to require restaurants to supply toilet paper in every restroom stall. " "Seat of power: Toilet paper mandate rolls on in Legislature".

Guns at Work

"Florida's business community is ratcheting up its fight against an NRA-backed bill that would allow Floridians to leave guns locked in their vehicles at work." "Businesses, gun lobby prepare to square off over firearms at work".

"The Florida Chamber of Commerce released a poll showing 56 percent of people oppose the bill to allow employees bring guns to work and keep them in locked vehicles."

Thirty-six percent supported the bill. (In Jacksonville and Tallahassee, more people supported the measure. But every other geographic area was opposed. ...

Asked if they would support a candidate endorsed by the Chamber or the National Rifle Association, 56 said the Chamber and 21 said the NRA. The tactic message to lawmakers: Don't let the NRA intimidate you.

Under Oath

Sen. Alex Villalobos, R- Miami in the Miami Herald this morning:

When legislators get information from experts, lobbyists and other interested parties, we must be able to have confidence that it is the most accurate information possible. That is why when people appear before the Legislature, there is an expectation that they will tell the truth. Unfortunately, this does not always translate to reality, and when that happens, there is no penalty for those who misinform, mislead or flat out lie. This is simply unacceptable.

My belief in the importance of truth and honesty in the legislative process is the reason I have filed the Truth in Government Act in the Senate, and Rep. Marcelo Llorente has filed the same bill in the House. This bill would require all testimony given before the Legislature to be given under oath. That oath would carry with it civil and criminal penalties for lying or otherwise deliberately misleading legislators.

Claims-Bills

"Usually, when people in charge recognize that something is broken, they see to it that it gets fixed. But just the opposite is the case when the Legislature is confronted with claims bills." "For justice's sake, fix claims-bill process".

Herald Reader Responses

"The Tax Imbalance, a report published in the Sunday edition of The Miami Herald about similar homes being taxed at vastly different rates, generated an outpouring of online responses and suggestions for reforming the tax system in Florida." "Tax reporter draws reader reaction".