As legislators this week debated proposed property-tax cuts that could lop off $7.2 billion from school board budgets across the state, a nationwide report came out showing that Florida ranked 45th among states on high school graduation rates.

How reducing education funding can help local school districts turn around that abysmal standing is a mystery. But one proposed tax cut, in the form of a proposed constitutional amendment, would do that. For the Volusia County School District, it could mean $44 million less in revenue next year; for Flagler, $13.2 million less.

Some legislators have said they would make up the difference, but such promises can't be guaranteed -- or budgeted. And even if the state kicked in more funds next year, legislators can't make binding promises for future lawmakers.

"Mack Daddy of a Controversy"

"But his connection to the land owner who stands to gain the most from the interchange may be more significant than he lets on, a political analyst said. In June 2005, Mack reported about $6,600 in the form of in-kind contributions by members of the Aronoff family, including Daniel Aronoff, who owns about 4,000 acres east of the proposed interchange. More than just a check, in-kind contributions, which could include catering, retails or a trip, suggest at least a close working relationship with the congressman’s staff, said Keith Ashdown, chief investigator for the Taxpayers for Common Sense." "A Mack daddy of a controversy; Congressman and developer east of I-75 linked". See also "Unwanted $10 million Florida road may lead to Alaska congressman".

Kottkampgate

Scott Maxwell on Kottkampgate:

I say pipe down the outrage -- and pump up the laughter! Cuz it is funny. I mean, I don't think I've heard Charlie Crist even say Kottkamp's name since the day last year when he announced him as a runningmate ... and heard a deafening silence in response from an underwhelmed state. And then we finally hear about ol' Kott again -- and it's cause he's spending his time in the executive office editing out an online profile? Kinda confirms what a lot of people already thought about just how busy lieutenant governors are.

Laff Riot

Poor Mel, there's a reason they call him the "Cellophane Man". On

Wednesday night, speaking to a room for of GOP donors at a fundraising gala in Washington, Bush seemed to forget where his old friend Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Florida, resides.

"I appreciate the chairman of the Republican Party, the general chairman, Mel Martinez -- Senator Mel Martinez from the state of California, and his wife Kitty," Bush said in his speech, according to the official White House transcript.

Tellingly, Bush did not mention any programs that Martinez created or administered during the three years he was parked at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. That was entirely appropriate, since Martinez didn't do anything worth remembering. ...

Martinez is the Mr. Cellophane of the Bush cabinet. "Mister Cellophane" is a song in the musical Chicago, sung by Amos Hart, the hapless and inconsequential husband of Roxie Hart, a publicity-seeking floozy jailed for killing her lover. Amos calls himself "Mr. Cellophane"

'Cause you can look right through me,
Walk right by me
And never know I'm there …

... You could argue that HUD has a long history of harboring Mr. Cellophanes, because the place is a migraine-inducing tangle of audit-resistant subsidies working at cross purposes. President Reagan famously once failed to recognize his own HUD secretary, Samuel Pierce. But Pierce, at least, was famous for being obscure. Martinez isn't even that.

It is of course wildly unfair to say so, but what really clinches Martinez as a Mr. Cellophane is his astounding physical resemblance to John C. Reilly, the Oscar-nominated actor who played Amos Hart and sang "Mister Cellophane" in the movie version of Chicago.

Why hasn't this eerie resemblance been noted in the press? Because the press hasn't paid Martinez any attention. Why hasn't the press paid Martinez any attention? Because he's Mr. Cellophane.

Florida's Millionaires Club

"Rich congressman, poor congressman".

'Ya Think

"A federal judge ruled Friday that the state's practice of back-pumping polluted water into Lake Okeechobee without a permit violates the U.S. Clean Water Act." "Judge declares state violations of U.S. Clean Water Act".

Beg Your Pardon?

"2 seek, 1 gets a full pardon".

From the "Values" Crowd

"Students who want to attend Florida State University in 2008 will most likely have a harder time getting in, and the school is blaming, in part, low tuition for forcing it to cut enrollment." "FSU may cut enrollment". See also "University president announces enrollment freeze" and "State reluctant to follow FSU's enrollment cutoff".

Swampland for Sale

"Swampland is still for sale in Florida. In fact, it is the same swampland that was sold more than 40 years ago. But this time, as state investigators look into real-estate fraud, they are trying to get the land off the market entirely." "State wants swampland off market".

Schiavo Redux

More Schiavo.

CD 13 Saga

"The months-long debate about a 2006 congressional election in the Sarasota area could come one step closer to conclusion on July 27 when government auditors present their findings to a congressional task force. Whether this ends the debate is another question." "An answer to Sarasota election on July 27?". See also "Panel asks investigators in District 13 inquiry for results by July 27".

Florida's Booming Economy

"Foreclosures soar, hurting minorities".

The Primary

The Wall Street Journal:

Florida: Not only has this big state elbowed to the front by scheduling Jan. 29 primaries, but its early-voting law could mean some Floridians would vote before New Hampshire's results are in, unless New Hampshire moves up its vote.

Mr. Giuliani, facing obstacles in the earlier states, aims to do well here among moderate Republicans, particularly northern transplants. But Mr. Murphy, a past political adviser to former Republican Gov. Jeb Bush, says there are fewer transplants in the electorate than Florida's stereotype suggests. Moreover, since its primaries aren't open, only registered partisans vote. That means social conservatives will be a force in the Republican primary.

Florida's Hispanic population also makes it more sympathetic to Mr. McCain's support of controversial legislation to give illegal immigrants a way to citizenship and create a guest-worker program. Other Republicans have lambasted that plan, putting them at odds with two men whose endorsements they all want: Jeb Bush and current Gov. Charlie Crist.

Vetos

"A law that requires railroads to post 'no trespassing' signs before they can arrest people for trespassing will remain on the books after Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed a repeal Wednesday. Crist also vetoed bills that would have transferred the state's organ and tissue donor registry to a nonprofit agency and repealed a local law requiring the closure of sizable clay pits and other depressions in Escambia County." "Crist vetoes 2 bills, cites safety issues".

Brain Trust

"Fifteen Republican members of the Florida House signed a letter Thursday urging actor and former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee to enter the race for the GOP presidential nomination." "Florida legislators urge Thompson to join presidential race".

"Let the Campaign Begin"

The Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "County and municipal governments, plus other taxing districts, stand to lose $15.6 billion in the first wave of cuts. Then, if voters agree to the proposed constitutional amendment on the January ballot, there will be another $8.4 billion reduction. The $24 billion total is less than the $31 billion in the total package initially put together, but it will require public entities to sharply reduce budgets and services. Expect some heavy-duty campaigning by opponents, with commercials and the like, between now and late January." "Property Taxes".

GOPers Fail To Authorize Offshore Drilling

"A bid to relax the long-standing moratorium on new offshore oil drilling died Thursday in the Senate as an energy bill became bogged down by fights that underscored the regional nature of energy politics. Sen. John W. Warner, R-Va., lost 44-43 in his attempt to open the door to natural gas exploration off Virginia. Five of Warner's fellow Republicans, all from coastal states, joined 37 Democrats and two independents in opposing the effort." "Senators keep ban on drilling offshore".

Talk, Talk, Talk

"Governor says he's committed to higher salaries for teachers".

Your FDLE at Work

"A Pinellas Park man was granted a full pardon after testifying that a state [FDLE] agent conned him out of $150,000 in diamonds." "Governor pardons man tied to jewel scam".

$40,000 A Day

"Here's one ballpark estimate: $120,000 - a bill that will be passed to Florida taxpayers." "What it cost us to have a special legislative session".

Ugly

"Florida isn't last, but we might as well be considering the only state ranking lower in providing a higher ratio of university faculty is hurricane-torn Louisiana."

Here is the ugly result from a study released by the Board of Governors that oversees Florida's university system. The Sunshine State posted an average of 29.7 students for every tenured or tenure-track professor. The national average is 24.5, and Hawaii tops the list at 16.8 students.

Florida's ranking, and its inability to not even match the national average, speaks poorly for a state that aspires to produce top-notch educational institutions.

How Could We Have Missed This?

Carl Hiassen last weekend: "Our very own road to perdition".

In the original property tax proposal, the bulk of the tax savings (and cuts) came from a ballot initiative that -- if approved by 60 percent of voters -- would move homesteaded homeowners into a new homestead exemption (which exempts 75 percent of the first $200,000 of value and then another 15 percent of the next $300,000) in lieu of Save Our Homes, depending on which plan gave them the larger tax cut.

Critics of the plan pointed out that while the new homestead exemption benefits most homesteaders today and now, many of the same homesteaders actually end up losing money and paying more in taxes over the long run. That's because these homesteaders would no longer accrue long-term savings under the annual Save Our Homes cap, which caps the appreciation of taxable value at 3 percent each year.

Under the Webster amendment, people could chose which plan they wanted to be in. Meaning they could chose whether they want the bigger short term savings or to keep the long term savings.

New Poll

"From a 6/6-7 Florida Insider/InsiderAdvantage poll of 500 registered FL Republicans and 500 registered Democrats: Rs: Rudy Giuliani (31%);Fred Thompson (21%); Mitt Romney (17%);John McCain (12%) ... Ds: Hillary Clinton (41%);Barack Obama (35%);John Edwards (14%)". "Poll: Barack gaining, McCain Sinking".

Tax Fight

"Republicans are ready to slam a tax-cut package through the Legislature, touching off a partisan feud with Democrats over school money."

Republicans labeled Democrats ''obstructionists'' Wednesday for not agreeing to let voters decide the second phase of the tax cut in January. Democrats said Republicans were acting like a Soviet-style ''politburo'' pitted against schoolkids, firefighters, cops and hospitals.

The plan was hammered out in near-secrecy by House Speaker Marco Rubio of West Miami, Senate President Ken Pruitt of Port St. Lucie and a few top aides before it was sprung on their colleagues late Friday. Democrats, until then part of tax talks in the Senate, blanched at the $7.2 billion in cuts to schools over four years. ...

But most Democrats won't vote for phase two: a plan to supersize homestead exemptions to as much as $195,000 and phase out Save Our Homes, which caps yearly tax assessment increases at 3 percent for principal homes. That $16 billion plan includes the school cuts. Democrats also say the plan does not provide as good a tax shield as Save Our Homes.

Democrats acknowledged they're in a Catch-22: If they vote against the plan, Republicans can paint them as big-government supporters against tax relief. If they vote for it, they risk the wrath of teachers' unions and parents.

Republicans need a vote from three-quarters of each chamber to put phase two to voters in the presidential primary on Jan. 29. But they need only a three-fifths vote to put it on the ballot for the general election in November 2008.

After months of hearing about historic tax cuts, super-size exemptions and property taxes dropping "like a rock," homeowners may be disappointed when they get their tax bills in November.

The first phase of the $31.6 billion tax-cut plan the Legislature is expected to approve this week will save most homeowners no more than 7 percent, according to local property appraisers.

Many cities and counties will shave just 3 percent off tax bills.

Statewide, legislators say savings will average $174 per homeowner.

Restoration

"More than 15,500 ex-felons have had their voting rights automatically restored in the two months since the clemency board approved rules that allow the Parole Commission to give back those rights without a hearing. That compares to fewer than 14,000 former offenders that had their rights restored without a hearing in the 12 months before the rule changes, according to Gov. Charlie Crist's office." "State trying to speed along ex-felon voting rights restoration".

"Web Mystery Solved"

"A Web mystery solved: Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp admitted he changed an unflattering entry on [the Florida Progressive Coalition's] website but says he was just trying to update biographical information." "".

Nonprofits

"The Florida Legislature's plan to slash property taxes by more than $31 billion is striking a dissonant chord throughout the nonprofit community." "Nonprofits fear effects of tax reform".

"Just Bluster?"

"Florida legislators' chronic underfinancing of the state university system has tested even the conciliatory demeanor of Board of Governors Chairwoman Carolyn Roberts. Add Gov. Crist's recent veto of a 5 percent tuition increase, and her board members are hinting that they will show at today's meeting that they're not gonna take this anymore. Or is that just bluster?" "Showdown over tuition?".

FCAT Fiasco

"The state's attempt to repair an FCAT blunder took an unexpected turn Wednesday."

In a surprise move, the Florida Department of Education recommended changing the way it calculates annual A-to-F grades for public schools.

Meek 'N Hill

"U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek made his endorsement of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign official." "Rep. Meek confirms Clinton endorsement".

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

"Developers will no longer be allowed to bury gopher tortoises alive during construction under a moratorium approved Wednesday by state wildlife commissioners. Also Wednesday, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation commissioners voted to proceed with upgrading the manatee's status from endangered to threatened, meaning scientists believe the species has rebounded from the brink of extinction. The move will not be finalized until the commission's September meeting, at the earliest." "Gopher tortoises win reprieve from live burials". See also "State's gopher tortoises win protection from being buried alive".

We Like Cheap

"John Edwards' stop in Key Biscayne this week was part of a 'Small Change for Big Change' tour that delivered an anti-poverty message and a $15 ticket price." "Rarity: Candidate access costs $15".

JQC

"Appellate Judge Michael Allen asked a hearing board of the Judicial Qualifications Commission to dismiss charges of ethical misconduct against him, saying the basis of the complaint is without merit."

In May, the commission began formal proceedings against Allen, based on a complaint brought by Martin Levin - son of Fred Levin, the prominent Pensacola attorney in the middle of the ''innuendos'' Allen leveled against fellow appellate Judge Charles Kahn in a 2006 First District Court of Appeal decision, which upheld the bribery conviction of legendary Florida politician W.D. Childers.

In Allen's 2006 concurring opinion, Allen said Kahn's failure to recuse himself from Childers' case could be seen as a conflict because he was a former law partner in Fred Levin's firm and appointed to the bench by former Gov. Lawton Chiles. Allen drew connections between Levin, Childers, Chiles, Florida's landmark $13-billion tobacco settlement, the $250 million in fees associated with the case, and ultimately, Kahn.

"Ghost in the Congressional Machine"

"Christine Jennings is a ghost in the congressional machine. Six months after her Republican opponent moved into a Capitol Hill office she picked out, Jennings is still trying to get Congress to throw out the 2006 election results in Florida's 13th Congressional District. Her legal challenge is bogged down in Florida appellate court. On Thursday, Jennings will return to a hearing room just two floors below the office she thinks she won to hear an update on the congressional investigation into her race." "Sidelined congressional hopeful takes on election reform". See also "Jennings awaits word on challenge".

Tornado Bill

"Months after tornadoes tore into Volusia County and other parts of Central Florida, Gov. Charlie Crist has signed a bill that will offer tax breaks to storm victims. The bill, signed Tuesday, will offer up to $1,500 in property-tax reimbursements to residents whose houses were destroyed or heavily damaged in tornadoes that hit Feb. 2." "Bill offering tax relief to tornado victims signed".

Railroad Bill

"Crist Vetoes Railroad Bill".

Oops!

"Many of South Florida's top water managers practice what they preach when it comes to water conservation, but utility records show at least three used more water this year than they did before drought restrictions." "Three top South Florida water officials using more water during drought".

Not Cool

"A proposal that would require Florida college students to carry health insurance received an unenthusiastic response from the university system's policymaking board Wednesday." "Insurance plan gets cool reaction".

That's Our Buddy

"Buddy Johnson Must Defend Big Bill For New Voting Machines".

Fee

The Tampa Trib editorial board:

We think Florida lawmakers pushing a massive cut in local property taxes have been cavalier about the needs of local governments and the costs of community services.

But when you see the Tampa fire department propose to charge victims a fee for emergency service, you can understand why some lawmakers - and taxpayers - don't trust local governments' spending decisions.

Raw Political Courage

"Governor signs bill creating NASCAR license plate".

Protest

"Parading across the street from the Capitol on Wednesday, about a hundred advocates of HIV/AIDS patients protested against Florida choosing another vendor to operate its HIV/AIDS disease-management program." "Protesters take on new HIV/AIDS health-care vendor".

Rubio, R-West Miami, called a news conference to rip Democrats who have criticized part of a two-prong tax-cutting plan the speaker and Senate President Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, had agreed upon after behind-the-scenes discussion. Gelber held his own news conference moments later to reply.

"This is not a multiple choice exam," Rubio said. "This is not a choice between this plan and some better plan. This is a choice between this plan and our current system."

Gelber and other Democrats have complained a proposed state constitutional amendment that would mainly cut taxes on primary homes, known as homesteads, includes revenue cuts of up to $2 billion a year for public schools. Rubio said it would be only $1.5 billion the first year.

Democrats also say they don't trust the Legislature to replace those dollars without some sort of "hold harmless" guarantee. They have predicted voters would reject the amendment for that reason and a fear of losing existing homestead tax breaks that it would replace.

"The truth is that there are those who do not want us to pass significant tax relief," Rubio said. "They know that politically they cannot come out against it ... So what they do instead is they create confusion and they misstate the facts."

House and Senate leaders were undeterred by skepticism in their ranks and are pushing for a final vote on the two-part tax package as early as Friday.

There are two plans in play, a rollback of tax revenues along with a cap on local property tax bases, and then a new homestead exemption program designed to phase out Save Our Homes.

Only the homestead exemption faces an uncertain future because it requires amending the state Constitution, and that requires a vote by Floridians.

Putting the matter before voters on Jan. 29, a special election, would need to be approved by a three-fourths majority in both chambers. The problem is in the Senate, where Democrats have criticized the way the plan would cut property taxes to education by $7.1-billion over five years.

Will Dem Primary Voters "Mean Anything"?

"Florida Democrats voting in the Jan. 29 presidential primary may not see their vote mean anything. ... Despite Dean's comments, Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman said Tuesday, 'I have a lot of respect for Governor Dean, and I respect rules and procedures. But I also have to be very respectful to the Florida Democrats who are the voters here.'" "Democrats' Vote Won't Count, Dean Says". See also "Florida primary will not count, Dean warns" and "Howard Dean: Florida Democratic Votes on Jan. 29 'essentially won’t count'".

Laff Riot

"If and when the Florida Legislature asks voters to create a much bigger homestead exemption, the overhaul of the property tax system faces a major hurdle - one that was initiated by the Legislature itself."

Lawmakers recommended two years ago that it should be more difficult to amend the Constitution by requiring a supermajority of 60 percent for all future amendments, and voters approved it.

In Florida, a simple majority is no longer enough.

On the flip side, it's now easier to defeat a ballot initiative, by a minority of 40 percent plus one.

The change - believed to be unique among the 50 states - was pushed by business interests who argued it was too easy for interest groups to change the Constitution. Florida voters approved the higher threshold in November with 57 percent of the vote.

"Ripoff"?

"Crist and the Cabinet on Tuesday voted to lease state submerged lands to a St. Petersburg developer for private boat slips, despite claims by Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink that the deal was a ripoff." "Cabinet okays Coquina slips".

There They Go Again

The St. Petersburg Times can't help itself - like all businesses, The Times resents that some employees (typically low paid public employees with the audacity to be represented by unions) have managed to maintain defined benefit retirement plans while big business has managed to gut employee retirements via implementation of defined contribution plans; in an editorial that reads like Chamber of Commerce talking points, we get this tripe today from The Times' editorial board:

Whether local governments can afford these lucrative retirement plans for deputies and police and firefighters at a time when private companies are shedding pension plans is a reasonable public policy question.

Tuition

"Florida's university leaders released a series of charts Tuesday highlighting the state's low tuition and large class sizes in preparation for a meeting this week to decide how they'll handle the governor's veto of a 5 percent tuition increase." "Universities may get tough after tuition veto".

Delightful

"Faced with losing money the first year of operating as a state preserve, the developers of Babcock Ranch are seeking state permission to resume hunting and farming ahead of schedule." "Developers seek early open for preserve".

Jebbie's Education Legacy

"South Florida school districts have some of the lowest graduation rates in the country, according to a new study by Education Week. The study -- one of the few that compares districts' graduation rates nationally -- showed that in the 2003-04 school year, fewer than 60 percent of students in Broward, and fewer than 50 percent in Miami-Dade, earned high school diplomas." "Study: Grad rate is lower in Broward and Dade".

And then there's this: "Florida universities grow in number of students, but not in faculty, data shows".

Hill's "Senior Adviser"

"Not many political endorsements matter greatly, but Hillary Clinton is poised to pick up one Florida supporter that probably does: Democratic Rep. Kendrick Meek of Miami. The 40-year-old rising Democratic star is expected to announce his support for the New York senator on the popular Tom Joyner radio show today. Meek, who was Florida chairman of the John Kerry campaign in 2004 and led a successful 2002 campaign to mandate smaller class sizes in Florida, will be a 'senior adviser' to the campaign." "Miami's Rep. Meek to work on Clinton campaign".

"At Fault"

"Once they reform property taxes, state lawmakers think their work's done. But they're wrong. Leaving Tallahassee without extending the state's no-fault insurance law, which requires drivers to carry $10,000 in auto coverage that pays medical expenses and lost wages, would cripple hospital emergency rooms. They'd lose millions they now get through no-fault. And about 40 percent of crash victims carrying no other medical insurance wouldn't be covered." "The Legislature at fault".

"Incomplete"

"Legislative leaders said Tuesday that they can't walk (property taxes) and chew gum (KidCare and no-fault) at the same time."

Even Gov. Crist, who created a Children's Cabinet in Tallahassee, opposes multitasking over the next week and a half. ''(Legislators) are focused on property taxes," the governor said, "and I think appropriately so. It's very, very important that we stay focused on this historic tax cut.''

No-fault expires in October, unless the Legislature acts. Ending the program would leave many drivers without insurance, and no option but the emergency room, at great potential cost to hospitals. By not enrolling the maximum in KidCare, Florida misses out on millions in federal money for children. Given the stumbling start on property taxes, the Legislature should be eager to add KidCare and no-fault. No more economists or accountants are needed, and Florida might get something out of this session.

Wind Power

"Wind power in Florida? No breeze.".

Poor Mel

"Florida Sen. Mel Martinez, who has suggested the GOP risks alienating Hispanics if it fails to pass an immigration bill, had little to say Tuesday about the decision by all the Republican presidential contenders to turn down an offer to speak before the nation's largest gathering of Hispanic elected officials. 'I can't comment on that, other than I'm sure they have tough schedules," Martinez said, adding, "But I'll be there.'" "Martinez: 'I'll be there'".

Sea Cows

"oday, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission considers a statewide management plan for endangered manatees, the last step before the agency decides whether to change the manatee's status to "threatened." The plan has become no better with time."

The second draft of the management plan does little to address the problems apparent in the first draft, which decided that a 30''percent decline in the manatee population over three generations would constitute "success." While the latest plan stresses that a drop in the manatee population would be unacceptable, it lacks specifics on what should be done to protect manatees. And changing their status would offer less protection.

As state legislators prepare for a special session aimed at overhauling Florida's property tax system and cutting tax bills, the Zogby International poll conducted last week for The Palm Beach Post and other news organizations suggests that lawmakers and Gov. Charlie Crist will have to work to persuade voters to approve sweeping changes.

"This is not Howard Jarvis-Proposition 13 California," said pollster John Zogby, referring to that state's landmark 1978 property-tax revolt and its populist leader. "This is a completely different state, a completely different political culture. ... This is not going to be an easy sell."

In the poll of 801 likely Florida voters, 64 percent said they have saved money under the Save Our Homes law, which limits annual appraisal increases to 3 percent or less for a taxpayer's primary residence.

"Giddy" Fla Dems

"The Florida Democratic Party raised a record-setting $500,000 at its annual Jefferson Jackson dinner at the Westin Diplomat in Hollywood."

President Bush's approval ratings have sunk to an all-time low of 32 percent, giving Democrats hope that next year will be their year.

Florida is poised to play a decisive role in choosing the presidential nominees under a new law that pushed up the primary to Jan. 29. Although the date defies national party rules and could lead to sanctions at the national convention, there is a consensus among Democratic leaders to rally around the date.

Privatization Follies

"A bill on Gov. Charlie Crist's desk could put some toll roads in the hands of private investors, speed up delayed projects with an injection of private money and prompt a new wave of highway construction. It also could spur more sprawling developments and threaten environmentally sensitive lands in the name of relieving traffic congestion, some conservationists say. But for commuters, the first worry may come from the price they may have to pay for privately operated toll roads. Already, a foreign company wants to build a short toll road in Tampa and eventually charge $2.75 for a three-mile trip." "State considers putting toll roads in private hands".

Saint Rubio

Are we about to see another wave of Rubio worship in the MSM? "On special session stage, he'll star".

Jerks at The St. Pete Times

A St. Pete Times "journalist" named Aaron Sharackmon assisted by "staff writers" Will Van Sant and Mike Donila give us this piece of right wing garbage this morning: "Wondering where all those skyrocketing property taxes have gone? One major drain: the tony retirement pensions of the state's police and firefighters." "Pensions take toll on tax coffers".

The so-called "writer's" complaint is that defined benefit plans enjoyed by greedy firefighters and selfish law enforcement officers - and which used to be the norm for U.S. workers (who actually had the gall to retire with a degree of comfort) - are superior to the cheap defined contribution plans (most commonly 401(k) plans) foisted on workers (including journalists) in recent decades. Alleged journalist Sharackmon - parroting Chamber of Commerce and League of Cities propaganda - whines that "A police officer's retirement plan will make you cringe at your foundering 401(k)."

"Rational Tax Structure" "Heresy"

"Florida continues to treat the personal income tax as heresy, able to poison the political career of anyone suggesting it."

Since voters wrote a ban on such a practice into the state Constitution in 1924, that idea hasn't had serious consideration - despite the fact that it could lower the overall tax bill of low- to middle-income taxpayers.

Florida is one of just seven states without an income tax. To many economists, it is a valid strategy to balance a state's revenue collections - another leg of the solid footstool representing the blend of property tax, sales tax and income tax.

"It's really the most important foundation and component of a rational tax structure, and we're lacking it completely," said Bruce Nissen, director of research at the Center for Labor Research and Studies at Florida International University.

Don't expect that situation to change. Although Gov. Charlie Crist has said he hasn't "poured water" on any proposals, and House Speaker Marco Rubio said any and all ideas are on the table, the income tax never made it to the special session menu.

Early Primary Problems

"With the nation's most powerful Democrat in town for a visit Saturday, Florida Democrats appeared headed for a confrontation with the national Democratic Party over the state's presidential primary date. The alternative to a fight over the date is an option some Florida Democrats consider simply too awful to consider: holding an election in which people's votes wouldn't be counted, something many of them accused Republicans of doing in 2000." "Dems Air Fears About Primary". See also "Fla Dems leaning away from presidential caucus" and "Dems sweat over two primary plans".

"Cloak and Dagger"

"The Florida Legislature convenes in special session Tuesday determined to cut property taxes but unsure how sharp cuts will affect a state straining to provide basic services to a growing population. A small group of lawmakers have been meeting behind closed doors, keeping secret the formula they have in mind. Some details were released late Friday, giving local governments very little time to respond to the proposals." "Galloping Into Fiscal Quicksand Under A Banner Of Tax Reform".

"The warm bipartisan glow that enveloped the Legislature earlier this year has cooled. On the eve of this week's do-or-die special session to overhaul property taxes, House Democrats are backed into a corner and frozen out of major decisions." "Legislators move forward on billion-dollar tax cut". See also "Hopes rise for deal on taxes during special legislative session".

"Florida doesn't need a lopsided tax system that hurts the resale real-estate market."

But that lopsided system benefits enough people that changing it will require the best marketing job this swampland-hustling state has seen. Reality hit last week when the Legislature gave up the idea of a special election in September - way too soon - in favor of having the vote with the presidential primary in late January.

Even that will be a tight deadline. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Dan Webster, R-Orlando, had said that without better numbers there might be no reason to have a special session. Voters may not love what they have, but they won't switch to something they don't understand. And you got to get past them.

"Falling Short"

"With the Senate immigration plan he and President Bush championed on life support, Florida Sen. and national Republican party chair Mel Martinez criticized two leading GOP presidential candidates for criticizing the plan without offering alternatives. Martinez says Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney are "falling short" on the issue." "Martinez criticizes Giuliani and Romney".

Energy

"Governments turn to the sun, water and other natural elements for energy." "Clean path to power".

Rise of the Country Clubbers?

"Results of last week's special election for a state Senate seat may be a sign that the once-monolithic Florida Republican Party is beginning to crack. Business-backed Rep. Charlie Dean of Inverness narrowly defeated Rep. Dennis Baxley of Ocala, a darling of both the National Rifle Association and Christian right, in the Republican primary for a Senate seat vacated by new Public Service Commissioner Nancy Argenziano." "Senate race may reflect a splinter in the state's GOP".

What South Floridians Want

"South Floridians are fed up with high living costs and taxes, but a new poll raises the question: How badly do they need and want tax cuts?"

The sense of instability has led half of South Floridians -- compared with 37 percent statewide -- to recently consider moving elsewhere, according to a Zogby International poll, conducted for The Miami Herald and WFOR-CBS 4 in association with The Palm Beach Post and WPEC-CBS 12.

The new poll of 801 likely Florida voters will give some ammunition to state lawmakers in the 11-day session to reform property taxes. Starting Tuesday, they'll consider tax-rate rollbacks, caps and exemptions worth an estimated $31.6 billion over five years to local governments.

But voters, who would have to approve at least half of the cuts in January, also have nuanced views on property taxes. Many voters don't appear to be in the state of crisis suggested by state legislators and Gov. Charlie Crist. Also, voters aren't clear on how much sky-high housing costs price them out of the market or if the quirks of the tax code imprison them in their own homes.

The expansion of taxable gambling was the most popular choice among voters who were asked how they would prefer to offset the costs of tax cuts. Next, voters said they'd like to increase property-tax exemptions. Lastly, they'd prefer to offset cuts by swapping homeowner taxes for a sales-tax increase. Crist and the anti-gambling GOP Legislature won't countenance gambling, rejected the sales-tax swap this spring, and settled on a plan for rollbacks, caps and the super-sizing of homestead exemptions.

Floridians by a 54 percent to 39 percent margin said they would oppose cutting taxes if they ''knew it meant reducing local-government services.'' But by a 52-43 spread, they don't believe such reductions would happen -- despite the claims of city and county governments, many of which taxed and spent heavily in the now-ended real-estate boom.

Episcopal Fight

"A priest tries to keep an Episcopal parish on track amid national uproar." "Steering a path around crisis".

'Ya Reckon

"At a time when the Florida Legislature is all over local governments for perceived lavish spending, offering severance to senior and executive managers, sometimes after just one year of service, gives the appearance of casual use of taxpayers' money." "Sealed with a check".

Tort Reform Scam

"Four years ago, after three special sessions, the Legislature capped 'pain and suffering' awards by juries in malpractice cases. The caps weren't as low as doctors wanted, but there had been no caps before. As with property insurance, the forecast was that rates would drop significantly. But doctors still complain. The talk is that Palm Beach County lost 300 physicians this year because of insurance costs. Sen. Peaden's bill would have kept insurers from basing rates on years before the caps took effect. It would have required malpractice carriers to decrease their rates by 25 percent less than they were on Oct. 1, 2004. And the bill went nowhere. 'I have no idea,' said Sen. Peaden, who's a doctor himself, 'why anyone would have wanted to be obstructionist on this bill.'" "The other insurance crisis".

Poor Mel

"We don't know if it was high-profile support for the immigration reform bill or lingering memories of his pushing for Terri Schiavo intervention, but Martinez has some work to do over the next couple years. We wonder which Democrats will be watching closest. Former gubernatorial candidate Jim Davis? Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink? Or U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Kendrick Meek, Robert Wexler or Allan Boyd? Does Senate candidate Pam Iorio have a ring to it?" "The Buzz: Martinez's national role isn't helping in Florida".

"Legal Guffaw"

"After having lost at the ballot box in 2004, doctors and hospitals are asking the Florida Supreme Court to play voters for fools. The notion that the constitutional amendment was intended to disclose records only of doctors' future medical mistakes is deserving of little more than a legal guffaw." "Give public the access it demanded".

Nukes

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "It doesn't take a soothsayer to divine that utilities are going to have a hard time, at least for the next four or eight years, winning the state's blessing to build new coal plants to keep up with Florida's growing demand for electricity. But state officials will need to be open to other options -- including nuclear power." "Changing course".

Civics

"A bipartisan push by former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham and former U.S. Rep. Lou Frey to put new emphasis on civics in our state is an effort to be lauded and supported. The level of ignorance of Floridians about the most basic aspects of our democracy is startling. A 2005 Florida Bar poll found that more than 40 percent of the state's residents could not name the three branches of government. No doubt, a glaring gap exists in our education system." "Civics lesson: Fund civics".