New Poll

"Six out of 10 Floridians say Gov. Charlie Crist is doing a good or excellent job after four months in office, according to a statewide poll conducted for the St. Petersburg Times and Bay News 9. ... Even voters who gave Crist a passing grade expressed a wait-and-see attitude because Crist has not had much time to fix the insurance and property tax issues." "Crist has grip on popularity".

Poor Mel

"A watchdog group has filed a complaint against Sen. Mel Martinez's 2004 campaign, alleging 'serious' election law violations gave the Florida senator who now chairs the national Republican party 'an unfair advantage in the closing days' of the race."

The complaint filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington -- which Republicans have criticized as leaning to the left -- comes on the heels of a Federal Election Commission audit that found Martinez accepted contributions in excess of federal limits and failed to provide names and occupations of many donors.

His campaign blamed the mistakes on frenzied fundraising and said it is working aggressively to resolve issues raised by the FEC.

An attorney for Martinez called the group ''ever-partisan'' and said the FEC last month dismissed another complaint filed by CREW against Martinez. In that case, CREW alleged that Martinez ''knowingly accepted prohibited corporate contributions'' from the Miami-based Bacardi liquor company.

Posada

"Luis Posada Carriles, the controversial Cuban exile believed to have committed terrorist bombings in Cuba, hopes to return to Miami today a free man." "Freed anti-Castro figure still target of FBI inquiry".

Hopefully Soon

"Young: I'll Know When To Bow Out".

The Country Clubbers Weigh In

"Some of Florida's most influential business leaders have urged Gov. Charlie Crist to sign legislation that would allow three of Florida's universities to charge higher tuition than the other eight schools." "Business leaders lobby for tiered tuition plan".

"Warning, Will Robinson"

"In November 2008, a proposal to remove language from the state Constitution that bans some 'aliens' from owning land will appear on the ballot." "Initiative aims to kill Florida's 'alien land law'".

Privatization Follies

"Crist and Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink said Friday they are both committed to scrutinizing the state's contracts and ones with problems - like the just canceled public service campaign to heighten hurricane awareness - could soon be gone." "Governor's Office scrutinizes contracts".

Storms

"The former Hillsborough commissioner compromised, but also stood alone on issues." "Senate mellows Storms' ways, but not her passion".

Running Government Like a Business

"They had a contract to buy 6 acres of the Biscayne Bay bottom and a deal to sell it to the state. They were one step away from $7.2-million." "Underwater land flip costs state $7.2-million".

.The House is now considering a variation of his idea of dramatically increased homestead exemptions based on a percentage of the value of the home. We think this approach is fair and simple, and eliminates many of the inequities that have developed under our current property-tax structure.

Here is an example of how this approach might work:

On the home's first $300,000 in just value, 80 percent would be exempt from property taxes.

On the next $700,000 in just value, 70 percent would be exempt.

On just value above $1,000,000, 30 percent would be exempt.

Under the numbers used in the example above, the new homestead exemption for a $300,000 home would be $240,000. Using the example above, 90 percent of all homestead property owners would benefit more from this proposal than under the current Save Our Homes structure. The average beneficiary of this approach would see his or her tax bill cut in half.

newspapers and pundits judge the governor's first legislative session as less than a success. ...

[Charlie] didn't -- couldn't -- push Speaker Marco Rubio off his promise to eliminate property taxes in return for raising the sales tax.

He will.

Laff Riot

"As House Speaker Marco Rubio's top adviser, Richard Corcoran was immersed in crafting a bold but controversial plan to swap property taxes for higher sales taxes."

But as a candidate for the state Senate, Corcoran said Thursday he "opposes any new taxes whatsoever, and that includes the sales tax."

He was careful to say he was giving his general view on taxes, refusing to comment when asked directly about the House plan -- the only property tax proposal that includes a sales tax.

It's the same plan Corcoran's opponents in the Senate District 3 race, Reps. Dennis Baxley and Charlie Dean, voted for last month.

"I'm not going to be pitted against my former boss and friend," Corcoran said. He also refused to detail his involvement in developing the House proposal.

"Consumer Choice"?

The Palm Beach Post editors: "It is called the 'Consumer Choice Act of 2007,' but the bill the Legislature has sent to Gov. Crist really gives most of the choices to cable TV and telecommunications companies. Consumers won't choose them; the companies will choose their consumers." "For 'Consumer Choice,' the best choice is a veto".

Privatization Follies

"The attempt to further privatize Medicare is a growing failure that undermines the program's long-term stability. Rules for private plans, called Medicare Advantage, favor insurance companies over recipients and taxpayers. Now several states report marketing abuses to trick or cajole retirees into switching to private plans that may cost more or offer less than traditional Medicare coverage. ... In Florida, Universal Health Care Insurance Co. sold policies so hastily that it outgrew required cash reserves and had to postpone new enrollments." "Advantage, insurance companies".

From the "Values" Crowd

"A program that helped thousands of mostly disadvantaged students attend college in Florida this year has suffered a financial blow. The state Legislature didn't set aside new money in its budget for the First Generation Grant Program, which provides scholarships to students whose parents do not have college degrees. " "Legislators cut back on funding for First Generation scholarship program".

Pigs at the Trough

"With the start of hurricane season three weeks away, Gov. Charlie Crist's administration suddenly canceled a $450,000 contract for a public awareness campaign after two media companies protested the award of the project to a third firm."

The cancellation of the contract in the first year of the post-Jeb Bush era of hurricane readiness comes at an awkward time for Florida's new governor. ...

The state's storm-preparedness agency, the Division of Emergency Management, awarded the bulk of the contract to Ron Sachs Communications, run by a former journalist who was Gov. Lawton Chiles' communications director during Hurricane Andrew in 1992

"I'm insulted," said Pat Roberts, the broadcasters' longtime director. "In 20 years, this was the saddest thing I've ever seen."

Sachs said Roberts' group has long had a tight grip on public service programming during storm season, and that Roberts' role in preparedness is overstated.

"Pat Roberts is a sore loser," Sachs said.

Said Roberts: "His greed exceeds anything I've seen in Tallahassee."

Whatever

"Ask The Governor: Crist works on creating a 'greener' state".

No-Fault

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "State legislators face up to a certain automobile insurance problem the way most people face up to Tax Day: They procrastinate, but they can't escape the deadline. ... Next month's special session offers a chance to beat the October deadline. Almost everyone familiar with this issue knows how Florida can make no-fault work. It makes more sense to enact those reforms than to abolish no-fault and wait to assess the damage that would be as certain as death and taxes." "Keep 'no-fault' system".

Not Yet Anyway

"Prospective Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson spoke to the Hillsborough Bar Association Foundation tonight in Tampa but, weirdly, his people barred the media from covering the speech." "Fred Thompson not pandering yet in FL". See also "Thompson refuses to rush decision" and "Thompson Says He’s Not Decided But “Ready”".

Hey Charlie ...

... care to comment? "In Florida, where officials are preparing for a predicted busy hurricane season, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson has expressed concern that the state National Guard has only 53 percent of the dual-use equipment it once had for responding to a storm or domestic disturbance, according to the GAO analysis. But a Florida National Guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Ron Tittle, noted Thursday that the Guard responded to the 2004 and 2005 hurricanes with less equipment and fewer troops than are available now. 'It's not a show stopper,' Tittle said. 'We proved we can respond effectively in 2004 and 2004. We will be there. There is no question in our minds - we've got sufficient equipment to satisfy any emergency management requirements in Florida.'" "Govs worry about depleted National Guard".

Drought

"South Florida residents and golf courses were placed under the region's most severe water restrictions on record Thursday, as officials try to cut use by up to 45 percent to offset unprecedented drought conditions." "State strengthens water restrictions as drought worsens".

Double Standard?

The Miami Herald editors, sensitive to declining newspaper readership, applaud a terrorist "double standard":

The reason this case has attracted so much attention is that Mr. Posada is not just another Cuban immigrant. To his supporters, he is a genuine hero of the anti-Castro cause. To his detractors, he is a vicious terrorist. To Judge Cardone, he was like any other defendant who is entitled to certain rights under the U.S. Constitution. ''This Court will not set aside such rights nor overlook government misconduct because defendant is a political hot potato,'' she wrote.

This is a courageous judge.

Twenty Years of Wingnuttery

"In its spring 2007 journal, the Tallahassee-based James Madison Institute celebrates its 20th anniversary , including a fond look back by founder Stanley Marshall, the former Florida State University president." "20th anniversary of conservative think-tank".

Underfunded

"As legislators prepare to cut county property taxes, some elections supervisors complained Thursday that the state is making counties lend it the cost of special legislative elections that might run into millions of dollars. Secretary of State Kurt Browning said counties always pay for special elections and are reimbursed by the state. But three supervisors said the 13 counties in Senate District 3 might have to wait more than a year for reimbursement because state lawmakers put only a placeholder of $200,000 for special elections in Florida's next fiscal budget." "Counties: Special elections underfunded ".

Florida Progressive Coalition

The Buzz has generated a lot of discussion with this piece:

A blog called the Florida Progressive Coalition, which has an open user-edited "wiki"-type online political library for issues, is reporting that their "Jeff Kottkamp" entry was creatively edited by an anonymous person using a Department of Management Services computer.

The mysterious editor used a computer registered with DMS, according to the blog's archives, and deleted negative information about the state's lieutenant governor. The Florida Progressive Coalition blog is reporting that they filed a complaint with DMS.

DMS confirmed they received a complaint.

More "Values"

"The Legislature had a chance to make things better this session, by approving a requested $18 million to fund programs that help with the transition out of foster care. Instead, lawmakers allocated a paltry $1 million. They should vow to do better next year." "Florida sends foster teens into world without lifeline".

"Cooperation is Better than Conflict"

"Last year it seemed impossible for the Department of Children & Families to reduce the growing number of mentally ill inmates waiting months for court-ordered treatment. ... The crisis had come to a head in November. A Tampa judge fined DCF $80,000 for ignoring court orders to place inmates in treatment facilities, and former DCF Secretary Lucy Hadi resigned. Although she repeatedly had asked for more funding to increase the psychiatric beds available for inmates, Ms. Hadi's requests never got past the governor's office." "Cooperation, funding a winning combination".

"If there's a will": "The new administration also proved what should be obvious: Cooperation is better than conflict. Every kindergartner learns that. It's too bad it took the state of Florida so long to figure it out." Our "Jeb!" never did figure it out.

"Execution Notes"

"Four journalists who covered the botched Angel Diaz execution have been subpoenaed to testify in another Death Row inmate's challenge to Florida's lethal injection practices." "4 reporters subpoenaed over execution notes". See also "4 reporters subpoenaed".

'Ya Think?

"'For much of his political career Charlie Crist, the new Republican governor of Florida, was seen as a bit of a lightweight.'" "Crist Jolly Good, British Mag Says".

Cream Rises to the Top

This is what GOPers mean by a meritocracy? "Membership in President Bush's inner fund-raising ring can have its benefits. Boca Raton developer Ned Siegel was named Thursday as Bush's choice to be ambassador to the Bahamas." "Ah, Bahamas".

Gettin' Messy

"The Florida Democratic Party may get an extension to the extension it already got to tell the national party how it will select delegates to the 2008 national convention Original deadline: May 1. New deadline: June 1. New, new deadline: sometime this summer." "Democratic quandary over presidential primary drags on".

Bad Joke

Is this nomination some kind of a bad joke?

Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., said Thursday that he has put a hold on the nomination of President Bush's choice to head the nation's Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Nelson said Michael Baroody had worked against consumer protections as a lobbyist for manufacturers. ...

Baroody is vice president and the top lobbyist for the trade group National Association of Manufacturers.

Senate: Senator Mike Haridopolos, Senator Daniel Webster, Senator Steve Geller, Senator Lisa Carlton, Senator Jeff Atwater, Senator Ted Deutch, Senator Ronda Storms;

House: Representative Dean Cannon, Representative Thad Altman, Representative Frank Attkisson, Representative Ellyn Bogdanoff, Representative Don Brown, Representative Joyce Cusack, Representative Anitere Flores, Representative Luis Garcia, Representative Dan Gelber, Representative Michael Grant, Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera, Representative Dave Murzin, Representative Michael Scionti, Representative Jack Seiler, Representative Will Weatherford.

Charlie To Resume Killing

"Crist said Wednesday that he is ready to resume lethal injections after the prison system announced changes to its death penalty procedures. Department of Corrections Secretary Jim McDonough made the changes - including enlarging the death chamber and increasing training - to avoid a repeat of the botched execution of Angel Diaz five months ago." "Crist to restart death penalty". See also "State sticks with execution procedures" and "Crist ready for executions to resume".

This makes it all OK: "The death chamber at Florida State prison is being doubled in size to give execution teams more space to do their jobs". "McDonough concurs with panel's findings on lethal injection"

And isn't this special, we're actually going to train the executioners: "Executions will be carried out by expanded, specially trained teams but the lethal three-drug mix will not be changed, the head of Florida's prison system said Wednesday." "Official: Trained teams to perform lethal injection". See also "Drug mix for executions will not change, state says".

Posada

"While criminal charges have been dismissed against Cuban militant Luis Posada Carriles for allegedly lying to immigration authorities, he still faces a longstanding civil charge of entering the United States illegally.." "Cuban militant could remain free pending possible deportation".

Justice Delayed ...

"Democrat Christine Jennings is giving up on the courts."

After months of waiting for a state court to rule on her challenge of the disputed 13th Congressional District results, Jennings is asking the judge to hold off on making a decision on her case until after Congress intervenes.

"We've been waiting for four months, and nothing has happened," said David Kochman, a spokesman for Jennings.

Kochman said instead of waiting for the "glacial-like pace" of the courts, Jennings would rather focus her energies on Congress, where she believes she has a better chance of overturning the November election results.

Space Bucks

"Now it's up to Gov. Crist to spur Florida's space and energy industries. ... Space is a $4 billion industry in Florida, providing thousands of high-wage jobs for a state that still relies too heavily on low-wage work. And with the demand for power from the sun, farm products and other alternative sources rising, energy has the potential to become one of the top industries in the Sunshine State. But both would benefit from a boost." "Keep it going".

Poor Mel, the White House Shill

"Mel Martinez is starting to feel some heat on immigration -- from a new direction. Previously, most of the flack he caught came from those within his party who thought his immigration stances were too embracing of immigrants (tho Martinez usually said they were a vocal minority). But now Martinez is taking heat here in Florida from a group that is worried about Martinez backing a new White House proposal -- one that could leave illegal immigrants waiting more than a decade to gain legal status. So the group is urging the Cuban immigrant to "remember your roots."" "Mel's immigration quandry".

On top of that: "The Florida Immigrant Coalition is holding prayer vigils outside the offices of U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez today and tomorrow to try to pressure him to support comprehensive immigration reform in Congress this year. ... Martinez said it's unfair for groups to be targeting him and, he said, it may hurt efforts to pass a bill in Congress." "Another group targets Martinez ".

Too Many GOPers

"Although she filed over a month ago for the state senate, some Republicans, notably Sarasota GOP chair Eric Robinson, keep talking about her as a potential supervisor of elections candidate in 2008."

Robinson is partly trying to avoid another GOP primary. State Rep. Mike Grant, R-Port Charlotte, has said he will run for the same senate seat Detert also is seeking.

They are hoping to replace state Sen. Lisa Carlton, R-Osprey, who because of term limits cannot run for another term.

No Democrats have filed in the State Senate race yet, but the Florida Democratic Party has sent political scouts to the area hoping to recruit a candidate to run.

Kids

"Despite available money and bipartisan support for improving enrollment in the state's subsidized health insurance program for children, the Senate failed to make it easier for working, poor parents to sign up their children and keep them enrolled. Unless Gov. Crist adds KidCare to next month's special session, tens of thousands of eligible children likely will remain uninsured and millions in unmatched money once more will go back to the federal government."

"All in all," Children's Campaign Inc. President Roy Miller said, "this was a session of small victories and bigger disappointments for Florida's children and families." Next year, the governor who tries so hard to please can constructively annoy legislators by reminding them that, when it comes to children, the state continues sprinting backward while taking only baby steps forward.

Do The Math: Two-year Schools, Four-year Degrees

"Community colleges in Broward and Palm Beach counties may soon become the latest two-year schools in the state to offer four-year bachelor's degrees." "4-year degree plans proposed".

'Ya Think

"While wildfires scorched a rain-parched state and Gov. Charlie Crist toured the hardest hit areas, fire chiefs met Wednesday to discuss a legislative threat." "Fireworks provision in bill causing concern".

"Politicians Stuffing Their Hamster Cheeks Full"

Rliable GOPer Mike Thomas thinks we have a bi-partisan problem in Tally: "When it comes to signing off on a good concrete pour, there are no Democrats or Republicans in Tallahassee. There only are politicians stuffing their hamster cheeks full of campaign contributions from the bulldozer lobby. They pass feel-good greenie laws for public consumption. But then they hide the loopholes in the cracks and crevices, like Easter eggs, waiting to be discovered by the $750-an-hour land-use lawyers." "Charlie may be the guy to stop paving our state".

Speaking of "politicians stuffing their hamster cheeks full", we look forward to Thomas' take on this: "That's Our "Jeb!"". More: "Jeb’s Tenet Pay Includes Large Stock Grants".

Nelson

"Sen. Bill Nelson says the Sudanese government has denied his application for a visa for a fact-finding trip to Sudan later this month. The State Department told Nelson Monday it was the first such outright rejection for a member of Congress, and the third for a U.S. government delegation this week – signaling the start of a trend." "Nelson Denied Sudan Visa". See also "Sentinel: Sudan prevents visit from Nelson".

No-Fault

"Florida drivers now can expect a nice break in the cost of auto insurance at a time when they can really use it." "Demise Of No-Fault Insurance Will Cut Costs For State Motorists".

Now That "Jeb!" Is Gone

"Department of Children and Families Secretary Bob Butterworth walked to the courtroom podium Wednesday morning and announced that a deed once thought impossible had been achieved."

No inmates who have been declared mentally incompetent have to wait longer than the 15 days the law allows for a bed in a mental institution. ...

And the end of their waiting marked the final chapter in what had been a knock-down, drag-out fight between Butterworth's predecessor, former DCF Secretary Lucy Hadi, and Pasco-Pinellas Public Defender Bob Dillinger.

The feud began in the fall, when retired Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Crockett Farnell, at Dillinger's urging, threatened to jail and fine Hadi $80,000 for ignoring orders to find space in one of the three state mental hospitals for inmates who had been declared incompetent to stand trial. This earned Farnell the scorn of former Gov. Jeb Bush, who accused the jurist of throwing a "judicial temper tantrum."

"Unfortunately, Florida ranks 48th in per capita spending for mental illness," Dillinger said." I think the Legislature is going to have to pony up the dollars."

Veto This

"Bills that would shred Florida's growth management efforts and create more costs for taxpayers should be at the top of Gov. Charlie Crist's veto list. The more offensive measure would free the Florida Turnpike Enterprise of fiscal accountability or planning concerns. The scheme would eliminate the requirement that a toll road be able to repay half its bond debt within 12 years. It would extend the deadline for repaying all of its debt from 22 years to 30 years." "Veto Effort To Gut Growth Management".

Insurance

"By most measures, the insurance bill lawmakers passed Friday is consumer friendly. But there are a few provisions in the new law that make insurers happy -- and some they really don't like." "Insurance law strives to please all sides".

As The Legislature Slams Local Governments ...

"The firefighting community swept into action Wednesday, leaving behind worried spouses, their children's baseball games and sweet, sweet sleep." "With state ablaze, crews answer call". On a related note: "Palm Beach County sheriff to cut street patrols, school programs".

Salty Water

"With the drought elevating a perpetual problem into a critical concern, state water managers are poised today to impose severe new restrictions to combat a seeping front of sea water that threatens the water supply for hundreds of thousands of coastal residents." "Seeping seawater threatens Florida's drinking supply".

"No-Brainer"

"In the midst of budget battles and hand wringing over taxes and insurance, the state Legislature united in unanimous support for a no-brainer measure that protects the value of one of the most popular presents for any time of year: the gift card." "Consumers".

More Gore?

"The New York Times reports that Fort Lauderdale attorney and top Democratic fundraiser Mitchell Berger joined about 50 others for a reunion of those who helped Al Gore when he ran for president in 1987." "Mitch Berger at Al Gore reunion". See also "The Gore Reunion".

Primary Musical Chairs

"Florida's move crowds the traditional leadoff primary in New Hampshire, which had been set for Jan. 22."

And New Hampshire is unhappy about the competition from two caucuses planned even earlier in January in Iowa and Nevada. So its secretary of state is threatening to jump the rivals, even if it means voting before Jan. 1.

This way lies madness.

No, this isn't a Katherine Harris joke.

It's an option national Democratic leaders are seriously considering as they grapple with Florida's newly scheduled 2008 presidential primary date, which could upend the national primary process and produce yet another weird Florida election. Consider the scenario:

On Jan. 29, Florida Republicans and Democrats head to the polls to pick presidential nominees. Republican votes count, just as you would expect, but the results for Democrats would be nonbinding. No delegates would be awarded based upon the results and instead party activists and insiders would decide on some later date how to divvy up the state's more than 200 delegates to the Democratic national convention.

It's not so far-fetched.

Election Reform

SOEs will "have less than six months to adopt new machines, print ballots and train poll workers before Florida's primary election in August 2008." "Revamp Of Election System Challenges Officials". See also "Landslide of problems from new elections law".

What, No Amnesty?

We read late yesterday that "Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., who backs stricter controls on illegal immigration, was to raise money Monday in Miami at the home of a Peruvian woman who pleaded guilty a decade ago to passport fraud and is fighting for the right to stay in the country."

The fundraiser for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which Ensign chairs, comes at a time when undocumented immigrants across the country live in fear of what they say are stepped-up orders to deport those here illegally.

The hostess of the Coral Gables reception aimed at bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars for the GOP: Eve Rosen, who is awaiting an immigration judge's ruling as to whether the mother of two and wife of Wayne Rosen, a prominent Miami developer, can remain in the United States, where she has lived for more than a decade.

''We appreciate Sen. Ensign's attempts to emphasize the hard work undocumented aliens do in America, like throwing fundraisers for the GOP,'' Miami-Dade Democratic Party chairman Joe Garcia said.

New Poll

"From American Research Group May 4-8 poll of 600 likely Democratic primary voters and 600 likely Republican primary voters:" Rs: Rudy Giuliani 31%; John McCain 18%; Fred Thompson 13%; Mitt Romney 11%; Newt Gingrich 8%, undecided 13%. D's: Hillary Clinton 45%; Barack Obama 17%; John Edwards 15%; Joe Biden 3%; Bill Richardson 3%; undecided 14%" "Poll: Giuliani and Clinton lead FL".

"A Crumbling Conservative Christian Base"

"Coral Ridge Ministries' decision to disband its political arm has raised questions about how the conservative Christian movement will define its national agenda in the coming years."

When nearly 1,000 Christian activists gathered in Fort Lauderdale two years ago for the Center for Reclaiming America's annual political conference, the mood was triumphant. Speakers hailed President Bush's reelection and the leaders rolled out ambitious plans: launching a Capitol Hill lobbying arm, opening a dozen regional offices and recruiting activists in all 435 congressional districts.

No more. The center -- one of the country's leading Christian grass-roots political organizations -- closed its Fort Lauderdale doors last month, sparking speculation about what its sudden demise means for the future of the religious right.

''It's a big loss,'' said the Florida Prayer Network's Pam Olsen, who led a prayer rally Thursday to mark the National Day of Prayer at the state Capitol. Olsen, who served as the state chairwoman for social conservative outreach for the 2004 Bush-Cheney campaign, vowed a comeback: "You will see the Christian-values voters rise again.''

Others, however, see a crumbling conservative Christian base deflated by ethical scandals in the Republican Party, the Democratic victory in the 2006 congressional elections and -- perhaps most significantly -- a split between the old guard and new leaders over where to go from here. An increasingly vocal branch has called for expanding the platform to include global warming, HIV/AIDS and poverty.

Tax Cuts

"When property taxes came off the Legislature's regular session agenda last week, city and county governments were left dangling until next month, when lawmakers reconvene to seek the compromise that has eluded them so far." See also "Crist presses on with tax reform", "Avoid tax-cut hysteria", "Crist to keep calling legislators to press tax cut package" and "Homeowners ignore rhetoric; they want results".

Defenders

"Florida legislators upended the practice of defending some poor people, after voting unanimously last week to establish five regional offices around the state to take cases public defenders cannot accept." "Bill would create offices to handle defender conflicts".

Irresponsible"

"If eliminating no-fault automobile insurance had the singular effect of putting ambulance-chasing pseudo-injury clinics out of business, Florida lawmakers could wash their hands and move on. But allowing the law to expire this fall would also, at a minimum, leave hospital emergency rooms stuck paying for uninsured crash victims, and that's irresponsible." "Letting no-fault lapse is no answer".

"The Ideologically and Bureaucratically Obese FCAT"

"Rather than reform the FCAT-obsessed system, lawmakers just ordered more education crammed into the sack. Expect art, music and other electives to take the hit. It's true that lots of kids could stand to lose a few pounds. But so could the ideologically and bureaucratically obese FCAT." "FCAT jumping jacks?".

Finally

"Thousands of jail inmates with severe mental illness will no longer have to wait months to get treatment at a psychiatric hospital -- a delay that led to a showdown between state mental health administrators and angry judges. Department of Children & Families Secretary Bob Butterworth will announce today at a hearing in Tampa Bay that his agency has eliminated a long-standing wait list for jail inmates who need psychiatric treatment in order to stand trial." "State pledges mental-health care for inmates". See also "DCF chief meets with judge over mentally ill suspects", "Butterworth says state's mentally ill inmates no longer languishing in jail" and "Official: Fla. mentally ill inmates no longer languishing in jail".

Cruise Ships

"Green group sues U.S. for tougher limits on pollution from cruise ships".

Huh?

"Florida lawmakers budgeted nearly $475 million for Palm Beach County projects, more than double last year's $226 million allocation, despite an overall state budget that fell $1 billion short of what was expected." "PB County's haul grows to $475 million".

'Glades

"Environmentalists are hailing a new bill to expand Everglades cleanup by extending it to the northern reaches of the ecosystem, where the water gets polluted in the first place." "Glades cleanup bill wins wide praise". See also "Bill expands Everglades cleanup".

No Justice

"Senators who blocked the payment to Crotzer cited all sorts of excuses, including financial constraints. That's odd. Legislators had no such qualms about spending a similar amount of money for all sorts of projects they can brag about back home." "Millions spent; none for justice".

Whatever

"Crist to survey wildfires".

"National Scandal"

"Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum has launched an investigation into the student lending practices in the state, amid a national scandal over questionable relationships between many colleges and lenders that can drive up costs for students and taxpayers." "State schools asked about loan practices".

Cable

"Florida consumer groups Tuesday urged Gov. Charlie Crist to veto legislation that would allow phone companies to enter cable television markets by obtaining one statewide license." "Consumer Groups Want Plug Pulled on Cable Bill".

KidCare

"Efforts to streamline and improve Florida's KidCare program should be included in the special session lawmakers plan to hold next month on property taxes, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said Tuesday." "Kids' insurance could be part of session".

New Rules

"The Florida Legislature has, since the 2000 election, gotten into the habit of rewriting the elections code on a regular basis. Not a bad thing in itself, but makes it hard to keep up with the rules." "Bill changing primary election date contains so much more".

Romney

"Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who became the first candidate to advertise on television in Florida, has another new ad running on cable TV channels." "Romney Back On TV".

SD 13

"NRA backs Baxley in SD 3" See also "Senate leaders back Corcoran" ("Ken Pruitt, Lisa Carlton and Daniel Webster - have endorsed Richard Corcoran"). More "Attack mailer heats up SD3" ("Richard Corcoran's 1998 bid for state House is being used against him in the current Senate District 3 contest.")

Homeless Hate

"The state Senate ended the annual legislative session last week without voting on a bill that would have increased criminal penalties for people who target homeless people for attacks. The House passed the measure. Sen. Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach, said she expects supporters to pursue the issue again next year. " "Homeless hate crime bill dies before boy goes to court".

Complaints

"Teachers spend too much time testing and not enough time teaching, turnover is high, pay is low and disabled students get lost in the system." "Governor hears teachers' complaints". See also "Teachers outline challenges in meeting with Crist".

CD 13

While recommending dismissal of several challenges, the "House Administration Committee will continue to investigate the close race between Republican Vern Buchanan and Democrat Christine Jennings." "House likely to dismiss contested races".

Doc Shortage

"Rep. Ed Homan, after years of trying, finally convinced fellow lawmakers to create a physician database that will help identify which medical specialties are needed in which communities." "Documenting The Doctor Shortage".

McCain

"Republican presidential candidate John McCain has announced that County Commissioner Mark Sharpe and Sheriff David Gee will lead his campaign in Hillsborough County. The announcement could be seen as something of a coup. Hillsborough County Republican Party Chairman David Storck said as far as he knows, no other county commissioners or constitutional officers have taken sides in what promises to be a hard-fought presidential primary. " "Sharpe, Gee Head McCain Effort In Hillsborough".

Just Say No

"As Congress puts together another five-year farm-policy plan this year, the sugar industry will be at the table looking for another heaping helping of government goodies. Lawmakers need to say no. " "Sour on sugar".

Besides getting rid of touch-screen machines, the bill:

- Moves Florida's presidential primary from March to the end of January.

- Changes the "resign to run" law, so that Florida politicians can keep their state jobs and run for federal office at the same time.

- Cracks down further on citizen petitions, and creates a mischievous counterprocess in which opponents can get petition signatures revoked.

- Restricts complaints to the already-puny Florida Elections Commission to the point that rule breakers just about have to turn themselves in.

- Stacks the executive committees of political parties, and gives the state party bosses absolute power to remove local party officers.

- Deals with the ability of political committees to raise money under various names, and to conduct polling.

Good grief! That's still only a partial list.

Crist: Forget the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission

"Crist said Monday that the Legislature should resolve property tax issues, not leave them to a constitutional panel that is taking a broader look at Florida's taxation and budget systems. Crist and lawmakers have promised to cut soaring property taxes and make them fairer in response to taxpayer protests, but they were unable to get that done during the Legislature's regular 60-day session, which ended last Friday. The governor, though, said he hoped the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which is meeting this year and next, would have 'as little as possible' to do on those issues." "Crist doesn't want property taxes left to reform commission".

Revolving Door

"Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation is losing a top administrator to the industry he regulates. Deputy Commissioner Rich Robleto, on Friday the head of the agency's Life and Health Forms and Rates Bureau, Monday became a lobbyist for the Florida Association of Health Plans." "Rich Robleto joins HMOs he regulated".

Blah, Blah, Blah

"House Speaker Marco Rubio went on national TV Monday evening and offered a forceful argument why Florida was right to move its presidential primary to Jan. 29."

"Florida is by far the largest single swing state in the country, and over the last few election cycles, perhaps the single most important," Rubio said. "I think it behooves both parties to know that their nominee would be someone who would be palatable to Florida voters."

With its diverse population, immigration issues and the pressure to explore new energy sources, Florida is representative of the nation, Rubio said. "The issues you'll be forced to answer in Florida are national type issues, and with all due respect to South Carolina, that may not be the case in their primary."

But political commentator Stuart Rothenberg called the scramble for relevance "sheer chaos," and noted that other states can make the same claims as Rubio. "Everybody now wants to go first."

Rubio said he was not worried about national parties penalizing Florida. "It''s really hard to win the presidency of this country if you can't win Florida."

The 'Ole Ball Coach

Poor South Carolina is getting tired of remarks like Rubio's (see above). Recall that Florida State Rep. David Rivera started the tiff by commenting that in "'Florida the issues are much more diverse than just the Confederate flag,' Rivera said, referring to the debate over whether the rebel banner should fly on South Carolina's statehouse grounds." "Jeff Duncan, a Palmetto state legislator ... responded by making what is the equivalent of a 'your mom' attack in the SEC." Duncan remarked,

"Didn't Steve Spurrier coach in Florida for a while?"

Spurrier, of course, was once the coach at the University of Florida and now wears the visor of the USC Gamegocks.

What Duncan didn't say, though, is that Spurrier made headlines a few weeks back by coming out against displaying the [Confederate] flag on statehouse grounds.

Murta

"Palm Beach County’s Democratic Party last year booked a national headliner — early Iraq pullout advocate John Murtha — to keynote its annual Jefferson-Jackson fund-raising dinner." "Dems unveil fund-raising lineup".

Hill

"At a time when Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is counting on women to help her win the nomination, Emily's List (it stands for Early Money Is Like Yeast - it makes the dough rise) held a fundraiser in Miami at the home of attorney Ellen Freidin." "Early money is like yeast in Miami".

Private Sector Efficiencies

The Palm Beach Post editors observe that the

private vendors Jeb Bush preferred for crucial state functions get the last laugh, especially The GEO Group Inc. of Boca Raton. In February, the firm received a $20.3 million contract to run the Treasure Coast Forensic Center in Martin County. The facility is supposed to be an answer to the warehousing of mentally ill inmates Judge Farnell exposed.

One month before getting that contract, GEO agreed to pay the state $402,000 in a settlement. It was a pittance. State auditors in 2005 found that GEO and Nashville-based Corrections Corporation of America were paid "about $4.5 million to which they were not entitled" for vacant staff positions at five private prisons the companies run for the state. GEO also got $3.4 million for "artificially inflated" raises and $1.57 million for unauthorized, "greatly overstated" overhead costs at South Bay Correctional Facility.

CCA, the auditors found, spent about $170,000 a year on building maintenance and repairs between 1999 and 2004 but charged the state about $645,000 a year. In other words, the state paid CCA about $2.85 million more than the company was due. State officials still are investigating the companies' acceptance of $12.7 million in what auditors called "questionable contract concessions."

Why, then, is the state preparing to award a $35 million expansion and $27 million worth of new contracts for work camps to CCA and GEO, in addition to the $109 million the companies already receive?

What's Right With Charlotte County?

Jeremy Wallace writes that "Joe Negron is still a little stunned."

Negron said on Election Day, he thought he was cruising along. He won the heavily Republican Martin County, Democrat Tim Mahoney grabbed heavily Democratic Palm Beach County. Mahoney edge him out in St. Lucie County, but
Negron slipped past Mahoney in Highlands County.

So, then it came down to Republican-heavy Charlotte. Negron was feeling pretty confident. Republicans had been carrying the district for decades – and usually by wide margins. Two year earlier Republican Mark Foley won the county with 30,000 votes to his Democrat challengers 17,000.

Instead, Negron and Mahoney ended in almost a dead heat in the county – about 17,300 votes each. Negron said that was the key to Mahoney’s victory.

Whatever

"Former Gov. Jeb Bush and his wife, Columba, will be among the 134 guests at tonight's state dinner at the White House in honor of Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip." "Jeb meets the Queen".

Citizens

Mike Thomas: Crist "has pushed through a rate freeze for Citizens Property, while turning it loose to expand and compete with private insurers."

How can a State Farm compete with that? When Citizens goes bankrupt because of its cheaper rates, it simply raises taxes on State Farm's customers.

Citizens Property is the problem. And so now the solution is to expand our way out of it by making Citizens even bigger?

We have taken risk that once was spread across the global insurance market and are concentrating it here.

When the next hurricanes arrive, Florida will go billions into debt. The more we suppress rates for the benefit of Charlie's poll numbers, the greater the debt. And the greater the tax increase we will face to pay for it.

This is not a maybe or an if.

It is a when.

"Among the Suits"

"Among the suits and the marble of the state Capitol this past session were regular people, driven to activism by tragedies that hit home." "Personal tragedies drive average folks to fight for all".

Here's and Idea

"FL DNC member Jon Ausman, no slouch when it comes to navigating arcane party rules, is pushing his own presidential primary plan:"

make the 1/29 election non-binding (officially meaningless as far as delegates), and then hold party caucuses in May or June. Under DNC rules, Florida would get 30-percent more delegates (increased up to 273) by holding such a late caucus election.

"Florida could become a two-time battleground. If the Presidential candidates decided to contest Florida as a way to leverage California, New York, Illinois - and all the other large states which are voting on 5 February - then they will come to Florida,'' said Ausman.

What Passed, What Didn't

The Miami Herald reviews some of the legislation that didn't pass:

ABORTION- This measure would have limited judicial discretion on allowing a young woman to get an abortion without notifying her parents. It also would have required a woman to wait 24 hours before getting an abortion after first having an ultrasound. Generally, limited judicial discretion is a bad idea, and requiring a sonogram and a wait period adds unnecessarily to the psychological trauma of the woman. Lawmakers wisely rejected it.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

- Lawmakers failed to remove an arbitrary cap on a state trust fund that helps to finance affordable housing. The cap violates the fund's intended purpose and exacerbates the crisis in housing for low-income residents and essential workers. Supporters should try again.

CROTZER CLAIM

- Florida took away 24 years of Alan Crotzer's life for a crime that he did not commit. Senate President Ken Pruitt unconscionably blocked a $1.25 million payment to Mr. Crotzer. Gov. Crist should insist that the Legislature approve the compensation as soon as possible. ...

KIDCARE

- This healthcare-insurance plan for poor children should be streamlined and adequately funded. As it is, 500,000 eligible children remain without coverage, and Florida leaves federal funds untapped. Fixing and funding KidCare should be a top priority. ...

STEM-CELL RESEARCH

- This measure would have set aside $20 million for grants into adult stem-cell research. Even Gov. Crist, who is careful to avoid stepping on religious toes, supported this proposal. Stem-cell research is a promising area for medical researchers. It should not be deemed a political taboo. Supporters should try again.

CABLE COMPETITION

- This legislation creates statewide franchising of cable TV and, for the first time, gives phone companies a chance to compete with cable. Cable companies can drop local contracts in favor of a statewide franchise. This creates more competition, which should be good for consumers. If rates don't go down, however, legislators should consider pro-consumer amendments in future sessions.

DOUBLE RENT

- Legislators allowed landlords to charge two months' rent to tenants who break leases, even when the landlord is collecting rent from a new tenant. This is overly generous to landlords and will hurt low-income renters already squeezed by a lack of affordable housing. Gov. Crist should veto this bill. ...

MERIT PAY

- This bill replaces the controversial STAR plan with a more-flexible merit-pay plan for instructors and administrators. This measure relies less on FCAT scores and brings in other factors. This is an improvement over the previous plan, but it leaves in place the $147.5-million funding limit. Lawmakers should have allocated twice that amount, as Gov. Crist had proposed. The governor should seek more funds next year.

PUBLIC RECORDS

• We're for open government, but Social Security and bank-account numbers shouldn't be available in court records or on the Internet for swindlers to steal. Lawmakers should have insisted the records be scrubbed immediately. Instead, they extended the deadline three years.

Early Primary

Pamela Hasterok yesterday: "The national Republicans and Democrats are threatening to take away our delegates, which candidates must have to win. They threaten to make our third-in-the-nation primary into a straw poll."

Don't believe it.

Not a single legislator I talked to did. More tellingly, not a single political expert I interviewed, from Florida to Washington, D.C., Ohio to Texas, believed the parties would strip the state of its delegates.

Late last week, the Florida Legislature approved moving the state's presidential primary date to Jan. 29, much to the consternation of the Democratic and Republican party chairmen.

This was a real "Kiss my chad!" moment directed toward Dean and Martinez. And it was a beautiful thing.

As the Legislature, urged along by Gov. Charlie Crist, pondered the earlier primary date, the party chairmen had gone into full Yosemite Sam mode, threatening any candidate who dared to campaign in the state, thereby upsetting their own carefully crafted election calendar, with - "DOOOOOOM!"

You may yawn now.

FCAT Follies

"State education officials must get serious about the significant drop in third-grade [FCAT] reading scores because the suggestion that last year's class was simply smarter doesn't pass the smell test." "Dramatic Drop In Reading Scores Demands Action, Not Shrugs".

Simmons' "Sliding Scale"

Scott Maxwell:

Over the next few weeks, you're going to see more tax-cut proposals flying around Florida than egrets and herons.

But one that may be worth particular attention comes from a local lawmaker, state Rep. David Simmons. ...

Basically, the Maitland Republican wants to offer homeowners big tax cuts, while still asking the affluent to shoulder a bigger share. If that sounds like the way your income taxes work, that's because it is. Simmons has proposed a sliding scale.

He suggests, for example, that all homeowners get a tax break of 65 percent on the first $100,000 of their home's taxable value. After that, they'd get an additional 55 percent break on the next $100,000; 45 percent on the next $100,000 and so forth -- with exemptions getting pretty small, about 5 percent, on all values above $600,000.

In real terms, that means the owner of a $200,000 house would pay taxes on a total of about 40 percent of the house's assessed value ($80,000), while the owner of a $500,000 home would pay taxes on 56 percent ($280,000).

Assuming you include provisions to also make sure that no one's taxes go up, Simmons and House economists say the plan would cost Floridians (or save Floridians, depending on how you look at it) somewhere around $2 billion.

That's a lot. But it's a lot more reasonable approach than House Speaker Marco Rubio's original slash-and-burn plan to basically do away with taxes on homes, leave local governments strapped and jack up the sales taxes.

And that's why Simmons' proposal is gaining steam in Tallahassee.

"Ideological Excesses"

The News-Journal on the Session: "Ideological excesses like the ones that marred previous sessions gained little traction."

Bills that would narrow a woman's access to abortion, force property owners to allow guns in their parking lots and bolster two potentially unconstitutional school-voucher programs died as soon as the handkerchiefs dropped to end the session. Meanwhile, lawmakers focused on pro-consumer, common-sense issues and made modest progress. They passed needed changes to property insurance rules, ratified a back-to-school sales tax holiday and guaranteed voters the extra security of paper ballots.

Give lawmakers credit for charting a bipartisan course and sticking to issues that should resonate with most Floridians. Share that praise with Gov. Charlie Crist, who exercised diplomatic advocacy to good effect. But legislators left much undone.

Nothing Better To Do?

So nice to read that "A federal agency that conducts union corruption probes has obtained campaign finance reports for the 2004 Hollywood mayoral and commission races, city officials said Monday. ... Union contributions are legal and common in Hollywood elections. Unions representing a wide variety of workers, including city employees, firefighters and teachers, donated at least $500 to most incumbents in re-election campaigns, according to the 2004 campaign records. Mayor Mara Giulianti's latest reports for her 2008 re-election campaign stand out because of the amount of money she reported receiving from an international plumbers union with a major business interest in Hollywood. Giulianti reported accepting in February at least $25,250 from plumbers and political action committees related to the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada. In 2004, Giulianti reported receiving $1,000 from the group." "Override new contracts for state prison facilities".

Get Ready

"State emergency preparedness and response officials started a four-day practice exercise Monday for possible scenarios they may face this hurricane season." "State officials testing plans for storm season". See also "Disaster readiness put to test".

Meanwhile, "Bush and the Pentagon have promised the nation's governors that extended duty in Iraq and Afghanistan won't prevent the National Guard from responding capably to disasters at home. But Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius learned firsthand on Saturday what Washington's promise is worth. She tried to mobilize Guard troops after the tornado that all but wiped the town of Greensburg off the map. The Guard had only 40 percent of its equipment allocation on hand; the rest was in Iraq. ... The Florida Guard began the year with only about 25 percent of its equipment on hand, but has raised its stockpiles to about 50 percent of authorized levels." "Florida, think Kansas".Crist: Forget the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission

"Crist said Monday that the Legislature should resolve property tax issues, not leave them to a constitutional panel that is taking a broader look at Florida's taxation and budget systems. Crist and lawmakers have promised to cut soaring property taxes and make them fairer in response to taxpayer protests, but they were unable to get that done during the Legislature's regular 60-day session, which ended last Friday. The governor, though, said he hoped the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which is meeting this year and next, would have 'as little as possible' to do on those issues." "Crist doesn't want property taxes left to reform commission".

Charlie Keeps VP Door Open

"Vice President Charlie Crist?"

Vice President Charlie Crist? Sure, the guy's barely started his first term as governor, but with sky-high approval ratings in the country's biggest battleground state, the possibility is already generating considerable speculation (Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson's people are touting the senator's name too). The Crist buzz grew louder after lawmakers last week passed a bill that would allow Crist to run for vice president without resigning as governor.

So we wondered if Crist would commit to serving out a full term as the (Florida) People's Governor, and rule out a vice presidential bid in '08?

In a word, no. But he does downplay the likelihood.

"They say never say never, but I don't even envision it, " Crist said in a Political Connections interview airing today on Bay News 9. "I want to be governor of Florida. ... That's all I think about is serving the people of this state."

Wingnuts Take a Back Seat

"After eight years when Democrats - still the majority of voters in Florida but vastly outnumbered in the Legislature - have felt steamrolled by a conservative agenda that included school vouchers, restrictions on abortions, laws aimed at reducing lawsuits and a record amount of tax cuts that critics said mostly benefited the rich, the 2007 legislative session was different." "Conservative agenda muted in Crist-era Florida Legislature".

Marlins

"Marlins 'disappointed' by latest stadium defeat".

Hey GOPers, Its Your Party

- "State Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, is not especially impressed with South Carolina's claim [of historical first-in-the-South primary status]: 'We respect New Hampshire and Iowa's longstanding traditions in the presidential selection process, but South Carolina does not meet the historical standard of Iowa and New Hampshire,' Rivera said, noting that the GOP presidential primary is often dominated by the Confederate flag debate." "Take that, S. Carolina".

- Its enough that ultimate empty suit Adam Putnam is in the GOP leadership, but even he is calling for Gonzales to hit the bricks: "Rep. Adam Putnam of Bartow, the No. 3 Republican in the House, is calling for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to resign. 'I had been saying all along that his (Gonzales') future was in his own hands by his testimony before the Senate committee, and I don't think he did well,' Putnam told the Lakeland Ledger. Other Republicans have called for Gonzales to resign, but Putnam is the highest-ranking member of the GOP leadership to do so." "Gonzales slipping".

Defying The Parties

"Florida lawmakers were right to defy the national political parties and move our presidential primary from mid-March to Jan. 29."

The provocative move will increase our influence and ensure that a broader diversity of voters picks the next nominees. After all, neither Iowa nor New Hampshire reflect the nation's rich melting pot of races, ethnicities and cultures.

More important, the switch could elevate Florida's most-pressing issues among candidates courting votes and money in the nation's fourth-largest state - the most competitive of the delegate-rich states.

"Jeb Bush's FCAT-Worshiping Cronies"

"Florida increasingly judges public school students by how well they do on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Now, there is evidence that the test should be judged by how well the students do. By that standard, the FCAT would flunk."

Against all expectations, FCAT statewide reading scores for third-graders declined this year. The failure rate in Palm Beach County rose to 19 percent from 15 percent in 2006. In St. Lucie, the failure rate rose to 23 percent from 15 percent, and in Martin the failure rate rose to 13 percent from 10 percent.

Practice tests that many schools give had led educators to believe that reading scores would rise. So, why didn't they? Palm Beach County Superintendent Art Johnson suspects that last year's FCAT was too easy or this year's was too hard. Either case, he said, would be "very embarrassing and a bad thing."

The state Department of Education insists that nothing is wrong. But the DOE can't be trusted. Gov. Crist isn't done replacing Jeb Bush's FCAT-worshiping cronies.

A glitch in the FCAT's validity wouldn't matter so much if the test were used as originally intended, to diagnose weaknesses and guide improvement. But for political reasons, Gov. Bush wanted school grades and vouchers, and the FCAT was his bludgeon to get them.

"Backslapping and Smiling All the Way"

"Crist and leaders of both the House and Senate are determined to cut property taxes for Floridians, many of whom have complained about soaring tax bills."

"All of us are going to ratchet it up," Crist said. "There is a renewed sense of urgency that's appropriate."

If not, Crist and other key leaders face potential political fallout after making tax cuts the cornerstone of the 2007 legislative session -- but failing to get it done.

Floridians could be deluged in coming weeks with radio and television campaigns, public hearings and other events aired by the House, the Senate, Crist, and cities and counties. The last two are expected to intensify their pitch that tax cuts threaten to cripple local services.

The key player is House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami. He seems unwilling to move much from his dramatic plan to wipe out property taxes on primary homes in exchange for an increase of up to 2.5 percentage points on the state's 6 percent sales tax. Crist and the Senate oppose such sweeping change but still want to give residents property-tax relief.

"Decrease in the Increase"

"On June 1, when lower property insurance rates are supposed to take effect, many in South Florida will still pay hundreds or thousands more for coverage because the state gave insurers approval for sharp price increases in 2006. " "Hoped-for insurance savings called 'decrease in the increase'". See also "In Broward, cuts are small compared to rate hikes" and "Palm Beach residents will still pay bigger premiums".

The Ropes

"Freshmen Learn Ropes Quickly".

CD 15: Weldon's Challenger

From a press release:

Pledging to be a leader who produces results for Florida’s families in Congress, Paul Rancatore, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserves and a Captain with American Airlines, announced [last week] that he is running to represent Florida’s Fifteenth Congressional District in the United States Congress.

"I am running for Congress because seniors, veterans and working families on the Space Coast deserve a Congressman who will provide efficient, effective, and accountable leadership,” said Rancatore. “After more than 12 years of Dave Weldon’s failure to create job opportunities, protect our nation, strengthen social security and create a real energy policy, the Space Coast is ready for a change. I offer a record of proven leadership and will fight for the concerns of all Floridians in Congress."

No Fault

"Crist may place car insurance on the agenda for the Legislature's special session." "No-fault might be revived".

"Few People Seem to Care"

"The National Coalition for the Homeless reports that 48 homeless people were attacked in Florida last year - up from 32 in 2005. Indeed, Florida leads the nation in attacks on the homeless. Of the 142 attacks last year, a third happened here. Yet few people seem to care." "Rampant Attacks On Homeless Get Ho-Hum Political Response".

Brain Dead

"A controversial war, investigations, plummeting polls and feisty Democrats have made it a tough year for the man known as 'Bush's Brain.' But you wouldn't know it from the applause a jovial Karl Rove received as he stepped to the lectern at the Best Western Hotel in Punta Gorda on Saturday night at the Charlotte County Lincoln Day Dinner." "Rove's small-town touring motivates Charlotte GOP". See also "Rove: Time for GOP to be bold" and "Rove celebrates 'ol' landslide' Buchanan".

"Well Mostly"

"Despite a no-go on property tax reform, local delegates said today there were few disappointments in the 2007 legislative session that ended Friday." "Southwest Florida lawmakers say session was a success, well mostly".

Tuition Increase

"The most significant education change to come out of this year's legislative session was the tiered tuition system that lawmakers approved for Florida's top three research universities. Unfortunately for hopeful leaders at the University of Florida, Florida State University and the University of South Florida, the landmark 'differential tuition' bill is also the most likely thing to die by the governor's veto pen." "Veto likely for tiered tuition bill".

Howard Goodman

"Au revoir for now … I'm off to the 'blogosphere'".

Consumers Take It In The Shorts

"Florida lawmakers began their annual session promising sweeping property tax relief for consumers. They left the Capitol on Friday without a plan. And in a fiscally cruel twist, they also left behind a $547 million statewide property tax increase for schools as part of the new state budget." On top of that, "Floridians may pay more on toll roads and to attend state universities and community colleges." There's much more here: "Consumers get mixed bag from Tallahassee".

Special Session Warning

"The fact remains that the governor and the Legislature failed to accomplish their top priority. As far as sound tax policy, it is the best thing that could have happened, given some of the terrible options on the table. As for politics, it isn't good at all. And things aren't going to get easier before June's special session."

Rubio is going to go home to Miami and continue to whip up unrealistic expectations about tax cuts. Crist will be doing the same statewide if he keeps saying he wants taxes to "drop like a rock." Cities and counties now have more time to warn residents that huge property tax rollbacks would trigger deep cuts to programs and services. And the real estate market is going to continue to stagnate as everyone waits to see what happens.

There are political realities to keep in mind about high-profile special legislative sessions.

Inexcusable

"The Legislature left town Friday and Alan Crotzer didn't get a penny. No one righted "the horrible thing" that had happened to him, as Gov. Charlie Crist called it when he pledged Crotzer his support on the Capitol steps. Crotzer had brought two bills before the Legislature - one for himself and a second that would have set up a process for other wrongly convicted people to get compensation - and the Senate rejected both." "What will open the door this time?".

Carl Hiassen chimes in. "Way back in 1990, when Ken Pruitt first headed to Tallahassee as a freshman member of the state House, Alan Crotzer was beginning his ninth year of a 130-year prison term."

Over time, Pruitt's future got brighter and brighter -- five great kids, a solid real-estate business in Port St. Lucie and a soaring political career.

Meanwhile, Crotzer sat in his cell, insisting that he had not committed the two rapes and robbery for which he'd been convicted in Tampa. The all-white jury had deliberated less than an hour.

As it turned out, Crotzer was telling the truth. Exonerated by DNA evidence and eyewitness accounts, he was freed in January 2006 after 24 years -- more than half his life -- behind bars.

So, let's help Kenny figure out what's fair and what's not.

It's not fair to jail an innocent person for 24 days, 24 months or 24 years.

It's not fair to turn him free with merely an apology, a fresh shirt and a pat on the back.

It's not fair to treat his request for compensation as some petty or frivolous line-item on a $72 billion budget.

Declared Pruitt: "The Senate is not going to be put in a position where we're doing it at the last minute. Nothing good ever happens whenever you're rushed or you work late.''

Goodness knows, we wouldn't want to rush those geniuses at the Capitol into doing something rash or reckless . . .

Such as indemnifying Crotzer for all that time he was locked away, when he didn't get to attend a college, or raise a big family, or sell real estate. He was arrested at age 20 ½ and released 12 days after his 45th birthday.

Can Florida Handle The Heat?

"With one large bill passed in the state Legislature, Florida tried to slam the door on a rocky electoral past and bared itself for more elections scrutiny. Touch-screen voting machines used in 15 counties will soon be discarded for a verifiable paper-trail system, a move borne out of both the political climate and real concerns that the machines are unreliable. And, ignoring national party threats and angering other states, Florida will likely be the fourth state to choose the presidential nominees next January." "Florida bares itself for more elections scrutiny".

Rubio Embarrasses Himself

Marco Rubio has managed to draw the attention of the New York Times, by appearing on "'El Traketeo,' a morning show on an FM station owned by Univision in Miami (its title roughly translates as 'the uproar' or 'the hoax') toggles between weighty discussion of matters like immigration and chatter that borders on the pornographic."

On April 26, for example, the show, heard by an estimated 142,000 listeners each week, broadcast a parody of a salsa song in which a man pleaded with his girlfriend for anal sex.

"I understand that you’re afraid," he said. "Relax a little."

A day later the show's hosts conducted a phone interview about rising property taxes with Marco Rubio, a Republican from Miami who is speaker of the State House of Representatives. Sometime after Mr. Rubio hung up, the show broadcast another song parody, this one about a man whose life is being cramped by the taxes Mr. Rubio is trying to cut.

I had to have sex in a bus, the singer laments, because "I couldn’t afford the motel."

Asked if Mr. Rubio had been aware of the shenanigans that are part of the show’s daily diet, a spokeswoman for him, Jill Chamberlin, said that he appreciated "the opportunity Univision has given him to get the cut-property-tax message out to the citizens."

Hypocrites

Beth Reinhard: "Who would have thought a room full of Republicans couldn't figure how to cut taxes? Look no farther than the Florida Capitol. ... For a party that claims to be intent on easing taxpayers' pain, how do you explain a bill allowing higher road tolls and a state budget calling for a half-billion more school dollars from local property taxes?" See also "GOP identity crisis in Tallahassee".

A Palm Beach Thing

"Florida lawmakers budgeted nearly $475 million for Palm Beach County projects, more than double last year's $226 million allocation, despite an overall state budget that fell $1 billion short of what was expected." "County's haul grows to $475 million".

"Insurance Fiasco"

Mike Thomas yesterday: "If you think taxes are high, wait until the next couple of hurricanes hit. Charlie Crist and Co. in Tallahassee are just about done destroying the insurance market in Florida."

Amazingly, and I can't emphasize that word enough, they actually are freezing premiums for customers of the state-run Citizens Property Insurance, the vast majority of them living on the coast. Already they aren't paying enough, with taxpayers subsidizing their premiums. And now the subsidy is only going to grow and grow, with taxpayers picking up the risk because there will not be enough in the kitty to cover damages.

In addition to that, these idiots are about to chase insurance companies out of Florida with their industry bashing legislation, and actually setting up Citizens to compete with private insurers.