County Republican Chairman Sid Dinerstein said the 60 names could be "the tip of the iceberg" for double voting because the GOP didn't try to link voters with slightly different spellings or variants of names in each state.

The Republican research discovered voters such as Dominic Scaduto, who said Wednesday he voted in both Delray Beach and Rockville Centre, N.Y., "because I can. ... I'm not aware that there's anything wrong with it, and as far as I'm concerned they're both local politics."

But in some other cases, the GOP appears to have unearthed only some odd coincidences.

Sylvia Herman of Boynton Beach was targeted after the GOP found a Sylvia Herman in Rock Hill, N.Y., with the exact same 1932 birthday.

"That's not me" the Boynton Beach Herman said Wednesday. "I never voted in New York. I'm not from New York and never lived in New York."

The New York Herman was equally adamant.

"I've never lived in Florida," she said. "I'm not going to either. Those people are nuts."

Note to Readers

Our review of Florida's political news and punditry will resume on Monday, July 30.

Deep Thinker at Work

"It's unlikely taxes will be increased, as Democratic leaders have suggested, to help Florida overcome a potential $1 billion revenue shortfall if Gov. Charlie Crist gets his way."

"I'm not a fan of raising taxes," Crist said Wednesday.

So how about increasing user fees?

"I'm not a fee fan," Crist added. "It's not something I'm really excited about."

Democratic House and Senate leaders, Rep. Dan Gelber, of Miami Beach, and Sen. Steve Geller, of Cooper City, say they want all options considered including reversing recent tax cuts they said mainly benefited the wealthy and out-of-state corporations.

"Before we take an ax to an education system already meagerly funded, or to children's social services struggling to stay viable, or to our prisons forcing dangerous early releases, we need to examine all options," Geller said in a statement.

Those options should include tapping $2 billion in a reserve fund and increasing taxes on cigarettes or reinstating the recently repealed tax on stocks and other intangible property, Geller said.

Democrats may not necessarily support any of those alternatives, Geller said, "but everything needs to be on the table, not just government cuts."

Private Roads

"More than 450 people from both U.S. and foreign investment groups, contractors and concessionaires showed up for a forum Wednesday on plans to build toll lanes on I-595 between State Road 7 and Interstate 75." "Private investment groups hear pitch to use toll lanes to overhaul I-595".

Water Woes

"For years, experts warned that Florida would face worsening water shortages if the state didn't control growth." "No growth without water - and way to pay for it".

The Daily Naugle

The Sun-Sentinel editors: "Oh, that clever Jim Naugle must feel like he really pulled a fast one."

The Fort Lauderdale mayor had his assistant send out an e-mail that he was going to issue an apology Tuesday for his incredibly stupid and tasteless remarks about the gay community on the steps of City Hall. Figuring Naugle would issue some kind of apology, the media and activists gathered for the press conference.

Ah, but all it really did was feed the mayor's ever-expanding ego. Anyone who's followed Naugle's publicity-craved antics never expected a heartfelt apology, because that would have required class and humility from someone who has become a serial insulter.

Instead, the press conference gave Naugle another chance to go on one of his homophobic rants.

Tax Cut Tomfoolery

"Despite all the talk of rolling back property taxes in Florida, don't look for a break on school taxes this year. In Seminole County, the average homeowner will save enough on school taxes -- about $23 -- to treat the family at McDonald's." "Stretching Florida's tax dollars".

CD 8

Scott Maxwell on the 8th CD race:

Republican incumbent Ric Keller leads the pack, as expected. He raised more than $230,000 last quarter, with most of it coming from political-action committees linked to companies such as General Electric and R.J. Reynolds. But there were plenty of local donors as well, including former Congressman Lou Frey and retired Darden CEO Joe Lee.

Republican challenger Todd Long raised about $82,000 this past quarter, though more than half of that came from the lawyer himself. Donors include a lot of local lawyers and chiropractors -- oh, and former Magic center Andrew deClercq.

Democrat Mike Smith raised more than $150,000 -- with nearly all of it coming from local individuals. Much of Smith's money comes from the circles of his fundraising-savvy boss, John "For the People" Morgan.

Lake O

"Summer rain brings much-needed water to depleted Lake Okeechobee".

"Florida's rankings in child welfare are dismal"

The Daytona Beach - News Journal editorial board: "At what point can Florida say it's done right by its most vulnerable children?"

How many teenage pregnancies are too many? How many children going to bed hungry? How many babies who don't survive infancy?

The obvious best answer is that the state should never rest in its efforts to protect children -- that even one child caught in a dysfunctional home or born unhealthy is too many. Reality dictates something different. State leaders have always assumed that some level of childhood misery must be accepted. They make that assumption anew every year as they write the state budget -- and short-change the services most likely to help children in trouble. ...

Florida politicians like to blame the state's failures on factors outside their control -- such as a high immigrant population. The Kids Count statistics tell another story.

Poverty is Florida's biggest problem, as shown by the significantly higher percentage of children living in low-income households and the galaxy of problems that often accompany poverty, such as hunger and homelessness. But the state could do more to help struggling low-income families: Sixteen percent of Florida children (compared with 11 percent nationally) lack health insurance, despite a heavy federal subsidy that helps pay for coverage for children under the Healthy Kids program. ...

The state's juvenile incarceration rate -- 452 children in detention per 100,000 population -- is drastically higher than the national rate of 307. Florida's rate of teen parenthood is also significantly higher.

This year's ranking is based on data from 2003 through 2005, years when the state was relatively flush with money for child-related programs. This year, several crucial programs saw cuts, and public education -- the state's single most crucial anti-poverty program -- is going through yet another round of budget cuts.

"Preposterous"

"The location of a proposed garbage dump in an environmentally sensitive area of east Pasco County is preposterous, as out of whack as the developer's suggestion that the landfill offers an environmentally friendly solution to the growing problem of garbage disposal." "Don't Build Dumping Ground Near Fragile Green Swamp".

Brain Dead

"House Speaker Marco Rubio slammed Gov. Charlie Crist's climate change initiative this week, saying the governor's effort to lower greenhouse gases and crack down on vehicle emissions could hurt consumers by driving up utility bills." "Rubio criticizes Crist's strategy". See also "Rubio Turns Up the Heat on Ever-Sunny Crist" and "GOP, conservatives balk at Crist's call to cut emissions". More: "Battle lines get clearer: Gelber and Thurman defend Crist on energy".

And it ain't just those liberal environmental issues: "In an op-ed published in [yesterday's] edition of the Florida Baptist Witness, House Speaker Marco Rubio blames Gov. Charlie Crist and the legislature for 'convincing Floridians to accept expanded gambling.'" "More proof of Rubio distancing himself from Crist". See also "Rubio vs. Crist - the sequel".

For more on Saint Rubio see "Miami: Screwed Again" which is worth it just for the photoshopped picture of wonder boy. See also The Buzz: "Making a mockery of Rubio".

'Glades

"After 252 long, dry days, water is flowing south from the Kissimmee River into Lake Okeechobee. The amount isn't much, but it's still a milestone after an 18-month drought that has put much of South Florida on severe water restrictions." "Lake O getting a boost from Kissimmee River".

Giuliani

"Former Manatee County Republican Party chairman Paul Sharff is the latest political player added to the growing Rudy Giuliani network that is developing in the region. Sharff, also a member of the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport Authority, was picked to be the regional chairman of the campaign for the west coast. Sharff said that means helping build networks in 12 different counties in the region, including in Hillsborough and Pinellas." Try not to laugh too hard at this:

“Rudy Giuliani showed his abilities and true self on 9/11,” Sharff said

On the "Cheap"

Contrast this from the "liberal" St. Pete Times:

The historic Southern city continues to mourn for its Fire Department after a devastating June 18 furniture warehouse fire. Still, the department rummaged through the memorials from around the country for its nine deceased firefighters because it believed it had to help save the job of a 10th: Pasco Capt. David Garofalo.

Garofalo's impulsive gesture of leaving his department polo shirt as a memorial at the site of the deadly fire was understandable. Firefighters from as many as 800 departments in the United States and Canada came to pay respects and left behind flowers, shirts, pictures and other items to honor the deceased. Ten thousand people attended the memorial service that included a procession of 300 firefighting vehicles

No matter. Pasco County was more concerned with the $23.95 shirt purchased with public money. Hardly a federal offense, it still resulted in an internal investigation. ...

Garofalo, incidentally, traveled at his own expense to support the Charleston department. The county's honor guard also attended the memorial service, but billed the public $246.71 in gasoline, or more than 10 times the cost of the shirt left as a keepsake.

So what would others think of the image of Pasco County?

Try cheap and insensitive.

- "Wondering where all those skyrocketing property taxes have gone? One major drain: the tony retirement pensions of the state's police and firefighters."

- "The most generous pensions are going to first-responders, mostly paramedics, police and firefighters. Almost every year, their unions convince Tallahassee politicians to make it easier to qualify for disability pensions. If they get high blood pressure, for example, it's now assumed they were disabled in the line of duty. Unbelievable.

- "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."

Promises, Promises

"Months after the Legislature's promise to solve the state's property-insurance crisis, homeowners still are disappointed by the eye-popping costs of premiums -- if they can get insurance at all." "Insurance discounts: Worth it?".

Running Government Like A Business

"The state attorney general's office removed the toll-free number for a sexual assault counseling center from its Web site after an 8-year-old girl was connected instead to a sex chat line. ... Again our sincerest apologies to the family that was affected," said Sandi Copes, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Bill McCollum." "Girl seeking counseling calls wrong number for sex hot line".

Florida's Booming Economy

"Broward slump proves stubborn as home sales drop 22%". See also "Existing home sales down 19 percent in Palm Beach County".

Guzzlers

"Florida's appetite for gasoline has grown at twice the national average in the past five years,"

and the state now ranks third in annual gas consumption rates even though it is the nation's fourth most populated state, according to a report released Wednesday.

But the average Florida household could save up to $3,480 in fuel costs over the lifetime of a vehicle if new cars were required to get at least 35 miles per gallon, according to the analysis released jointly by the Consumer Federation of America and the Florida Consumer Action Network. The groups are pushing a federal bill that would raise fuel efficiency standards for cars and light-duty trucks by 2018.

"Pay-to-Play"

"State begins reviewing Boynton 'pay-to-play' allegations".

That's Our Charlie

"Don Webster, chief executive officer for the American Cancer Society, asked Crist to consider hiking Florida's 34 cents-a-pack cigarette tax. The levy has not been raised since 1990 and now ranks 46th nationwide, Webster said."

Crist labeled the proposal "an innovative idea." But the health-conscious governor, who has embraced the anti-smoking effort along with measures to combat childhood obesity, didn't endorse it.

"I'm not for raising taxes, as you know," Crist said.

In an opinion piece published in today's Miami Herald, the West Miami legislator exposed a growing rift with Crist over how to approach global warming. ...

He said the state should pursue market-based solutions to foster clean energy technology.

Rubio's comments mirror an e-mail message sent Monday to supporters of the conservative think tank, Freedom Works, headed by former Congressional Republican leader Dick Armey.

Armey accused Crist of ''pandering to radical enviromentalists'' and asked: ``What about hard-working Floridians whose family budgets are stretched to the limit because of high gasoline prices and skyrocketing home energy costs? For them, Crist's mandates will be the straw that breaks the camel's back.''

"The fast pace of the state's economic slowdown"

"With the state's economy sagging, Florida legislators will return to the Capitol this fall to slash up to $1 billion from the state budget, a move that could force them to cut money for schools or healthcare. House Speaker Marco Rubio and Senate President Ken Pruitt said the special session to re-balance Florida's $71.5 billion budget will start Sept. 18 and could run until Oct. 5."

Normally conservative state forecasters had already projected that taxes on real estate documents would decline this year but didn't seem to anticipate the fast pace of the state's economic slowdown, which is reflected in the low volume of sales statewide and declining corporate income taxes. ...

In anticipation of a special session, Crist and legislators already had asked state agencies, including those that pay for schools and healthcare, to recommend $3.4 billion worth of cuts by Aug. 8. Of that total, $1.4 billion would come from education and more than $900 million from healthcare.

Rep. Dan Gelber, the House Democratic leader from Miami Beach, said the GOP-controlled Legislature cut so many taxes under former Gov. Jeb Bush that it's little surprise the state lacks the money to meet all its needs.

''The problem is the state cut all the wrong taxes,'' Gelber said, singling out the elimination of the stocks-and-bonds tax. ``We cut money for the very wealthy and special interests, not for property owners.''

Another Jebacy

"Nearly one out of every five children in Florida is growing up in poverty, and the state has one of the highest rates in the nation of single-parent families, a report released [yesterday] says." "Many of state's kids in crisis, report finds".

Well, at least the parents of these "one out of every five children in Florida" don't have to pay an intangibles tax on their stock portfolios.

Oh yeah, the nonpartisan report also shows "a total of 659,000 Florida children with no health insurance." All-in-all, "when it comes to the well-being of children, Florida is worse than most other states in everything from having more children in foster care to lack of health insurance.". "Florida raises Kids Count rating".

And Then There's Little Jebacy ...

"Florida's effort to shift Medicaid patients into private and managed care plans may illegally deny benefits to some children and pregnant women, lawyers at the federal Government Accountability Office warned Tuesday." "Lawyers see problems with state's Medicaid shift effort".

"The federal government may not have followed the law when it approved Florida's Medicaid reform. As a result, poor children and pregnant women are paying more for lower-quality health coverage, according to a legal opinion released Tuesday. Health advocates said the opinion from the Government Accountability Office is more evidence that the Florida Legislature shouldn't expand the pilot program, which Gov. Jeb Bush spearheaded in 2005 to end Medicaid entitlement and reduce skyrocketing costs." "Report slams Medicare pilot program".

Giuliani

"Giuliani beefs up Florida organization". Meanwhile out on the hustings, Rudy utters this fine sound bite: "Giuliani says some judges hurt democracy".

Charlie Practices His Salute

"Crist, the commander in chief of the Florida National Guard, heads east today to review the troops." "Crist to review troops".

Stupid Remark of the Day

In "Obama Debate Comments Set Off Firestorm" we read these sage words:

"Anything that looks like pandering to dictators is bad politics in South Florida," said Republican state Rep. David Rivera of Miami. He predicted Obama's comments [expressing a willingness to meet without precondition with leaders of renegade nations such as Cuba, North Korea and Iran] would come back to haunt him, particularly if he becomes the Democratic nominee.

Huh

Mark Lane on Soil & Water Conservation Districts. "Obscure agency faces fate".

Legal Fees

"The state asked two separate trial courts Tuesday to prevent lawyers from getting a larger share than the Legislature intended from an $8.5 million jury award that lawmakers approved for a paralyzed medical malpractice victim." "State seeks to block attorneys over fees in malpractice case".

The Joys of "Merit" Pay

"Hundreds of Orange County teachers who banked on a $2,000 bonus next month will get less than they expected. Others will get more than they hoped. That's because the county's public-school district used the wrong formula to calculate how much to reward nearly 4,000 top instructors under Florida's merit-pay plan." "Orange corrects teachers' merit pay". The Orlando Sentinel editors put it this way: "embarrassing; incompetent; infuriating." "More dysfunction".

The Daily Naugle

"Fort Lauderdale mayor criticized following 'apology'".

Charlie Goes To War

"Mandated by voters who passed a constitutional amendment in November, Gov. Charlie Crist ignites a $57 million anti-tobacco campaign today." "Crist wages war on tobacco".

"Purge Jeb's ideology"

"The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test is under fire after a scoring mistake. The state faces a revenue shortfall that has educators scrambling to find places to cut without affecting the classroom. Still, 26 people have found the job appealing enough to apply to oversee the state's $23-billion education system. ... Some of the more notable applicants included K-12 chancellor Cheri Yecke, who also has run the education systems in Virginia and Minnesota; William Moloney, a retired Colorado education commissioner; Tom Watkins Jr., a former Michigan superintendent of public instruction; Earl Lennard, a retired Hillsborough superintendent; and Jim Warford, a former K-12 chancellor who heads the Florida Association of School Administrators." "26 seek job as Florida's school chief".

The Palm Beach Post editors have this to say:

According to Jeb Bush, every education program he undertook was "historic." So, why don't more qualified candidates want to be Florida's commissioner of education?

The list of applicants by the July 13 deadline was so disappointing that the state extended the deadline 10 days. One reason for the weak response must be that former Gov. Bush built a department dedicated not to education but to himself and to his ideology that favored private schools over public schools, with vouchers and bogus school grades as the prime weapons.

The requirement that everyone in the Department of Education genuflect to Jeb led to the sycophantic choices for commissioner of Jim Horne and John Winn - the first, after a 1998 constitutional change, to be appointed rather than elected. The seven Board of Education members, whom the governor appoints, choose the commissioner.

Laff Riot

"Alexander, 20, was sitting on his bunk alone in his cell masturbating when a female deputy, monitoring his cell from a nearby control room, took offense. Today he's scheduled to go to trial to fight a misdemeanor indecent exposure charge and the maximum one-year jail sentence that would go with a conviction. ... Inmates indulge in masturbation for a variety of reasons, said Trudy Block-Garfield, a forensic psychologist." "Prisoner accused of indecent act alone in Broward jail".

Whatever You Do ...

... Don't go on strike: "From snakes to mold, the nation's air traffic controllers— including those in South Florida — must work with a number of maladies stemming from aging facilities and poor maintenance, a congressional panel was told Tuesday." "Air controllers say substandard conditions threaten safety".

Death Politics

"Ocala judge's unexpected objection to Florida's recently updated execution procedures may send the state down a path that has left other states with executions on hold." "Ruling clouds death penalty cases".

Round 3

"Don’t rule out another battle between Jan Schneider and Christine Jennings for the Democratic Party’s nomination for Congress. Earlier this week [Jeremy Wallace] tried to reach Schneider to see if she had any thoughts of running for Congress again. [Yesterday, he] got an press release from the Sarasota attorney that states she’s not prepared to rule it out. Additionally, Schneider’s release states that she is “appalled” by comments Jennings made to me about the Iraq war in Monday’s Political Notebook." "Schneider vs. Jennings Part III?".

That Didn't Take Long

"Department of Children & Families Secretary Bob Butterworth was presented with a National Governor's Association public service award at the governor's mansion Tuesday." "Butterworth wins public service honor".

Florida spent $6,340 per pupil in 1999. This fiscal year, the state will spend $7,307 -- an increase of less than $1,000 over nine years.

Yet Florida is extravagant when producing spin. Just last week, the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission -- required by the state constitution to meet every 20 years -- listened to proposals to reduce education spending by reducing constitutionally mandated class-size restrictions and increasing vouchers to private schools. Neither addresses basic funding disparities.

Consider these examples of a contorted funding system ...

Giuliani Edging Hill in Florida

"Republican Rudolph Giuliani holds a thin lead over Democrat Hillary Clinton in the presidential race in Florida, according to the latest poll figures released Monday. If the two went head-to-head in a general election, the former New York mayor would defeat the former first lady 46 percent to 44 percent, according to a poll by Quinnipiac University released Monday morning."

"The poll showed the following figures for Democratic candidates: Clinton, 36 percent; Barack Obama, 14 percent and John Edwards, 9 percent. Giuliani leads Republicans with 30 percent, followed by undeclared candidate Fred Thompson, 18 percent. John McCain barely beats Mitt Romney, 10 percent to 9 percent." "Giuliani holds lead in Florida, poll finds". See also "Giuliani maintains lead in Fla" and "Florida Voters Want A New York President".

There Goes the Cuban Vote

"Listen to Spanish-language talk radio [today] at your own risk. Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and John Edwards suggested in tonight's nationally televised debate that they would meet with Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez." "Obama, Edwards would meet with Castro".

Actually, listen to Spanish-language talk radio just for grins; it ought to be a laff riot. A lengthier story here: "Obama, Edwards say they would meet with Castro, Chávez".

Cry Me a River

"The president of Panhandle utility Gulf Power is criticizing one of the keynote speakers at Gov. Charlie Crist's climate-change summit in Miami this month for blasting her parent company." Robert Kennedy Jr.,

the son of the slain U.S. senator, devoted a portion of his 50-minute keynote speech to attacking the coal industry, calling Atlanta-based Southern Company the "worst of the worst of the worst."

He also brought up three federal environmental employees involved in weakening mercury standards for coal-burning power plants who had left the EPA to work for lobbying firms, including one hired by Southern Co.

Naming Southern specifically, he said the company, which burns coal, had committed "an act of theft" by raising the levels of mercury in lakes that made fish in New York unsafe to eat.

"When the Southern Co. puts mercury in the air in the Ohio Valley and it lands in New York State and poisons the fish and poisons our children's brains," Kennedy said, "today the Southern Company owns the fish in New York State. They've privatized a public resource."

Wingnut Apoplexy

"Conservative group says Crist pandering to 'radicals'". The details: "Tell Governor Crist To Stop Pandering to Radical Environmentalists!" ("'If you make a deal with the devil you are the junior partner' ... Under pressure from Al Gore and his liberal buddies in Hollywood, Governor Crist has issued three executive orders ...") (emphasis original).

Good Luck

"Despite 35 dozen home insurers asking for rate increases, Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty says he is optimistic the 'vast majority' of companies will 'do the right thing.'"

Pointing to nearly three dozen rate hike requests from home insurers, Florida's top insurance regulator said he was ''resolved'' to provide policyholders with the rate cuts intended by a new law passed during January's special legislative session.

''I remain optimistic that the vast majority of companies will do the right thing by their policyholders,'' said Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty in a letter sent to the editorial boards of major newspapers around the state Monday afternoon. ...

Regulators and lawmakers had expected significant rate reductions -- averaging 24 percent -- from insurers. The bill expanded the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund so that it could provide cheaper back-up insurance to insurers, which could then pass the savings onto policyholders.

But rather than pass on the savings to consumers, the insurers are using the savings to buy additional back-up insurance -- or reinsurance -- in the private market or from their own subsidiaries, The Miami Herald reported Saturday.

Judicial Courage

"A judge hearing arguments on the constitutionality of Florida's lethal injection procedures has ruled that a Death Row inmate cannot be executed unless the Department of Corrections makes changes to its protocol and procedures. The ruling came in an unusual hearing Sunday before Circuit Judge Carven D. Angel in Ocala in the case involving Ian Deco Lightbourne, condemned for the 1981 slaying of Nancy O'Farrell. The ruling could potentially impact other executions." "Judge: Injections flawed". See also "Judge suspends execution" and "Judge imposes stay on lethal injections".

State Victims

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Create a better system for paying state's victims".

Why Kids Don't Vote

"There is a list of 'maybes' we could swat down as flimsy excuses explaining the decreased voter turnout among young people in Florida." "Young voters should realize, it's our world, too".

Pesky Union Thugs

Ever wonder where the Miami Herald editorial board stands on unions? Here's a reminder:

Recently, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic leaders in the House paid lip service to Colombia as ''a crucial ally in a region that deserves our active engagement.'' Then, in a classic example of speaking out of both sides of their mouths, they said they could not support a free-trade agreement with Colombia.

They cited the continued level of violence, ''impunity'' and the role of right-wing paramilitaries in Colombia. Actually, this is just a pretext for rank protectionism. Under the prodding of the AFL-CIO, a powerful Democratic Party constituency that has never liked free-trade deals, Colombia has been pilloried for the serial murder of local union leaders.

Water

"Weekend rains ease drought in South Florida, but only a bit". See also "Seawater could help solve S. Florida water woes, but at what price?" and "Think of it as a wet drought".

Top Issue

"National survey: Education is top election issue for Latinos". See also "Herald: Education top issue for Hispanic voters".

Jennings Gets a Pass

"Democrats are making it clear that they will not let a potential primary scuffle get in their way of backing Christine Jennings this time around. When the Sarasota Democrat announced last week that she was running again for Congress, the crowd included Sarasota County Democratic Party chairwoman Rita Ferrandino. Ferrandino said Jennings is “the top of our ticket” and is like an incumbent for Democrats." "No primary battle?".

Premature Gesticulation

"Beta Upsilon Chi, an all-male Christian fraternity, has been trying unsuccessfully to gain recognition on campus since May, according to a lawsuit filed by the group earlier this month. But UF officials say the fraternity hasn't even fully completed the application process, nor has it even been rejected." "UF letter: Christian frat's rights not violated".

And Then There's Rush Limbaugh

The St. Pete Times editorial board: "If possession of 58 doctor-prescribed Vicodin pain pills constitutes drug trafficking, then Florida might as well begin building high-rise prisons. ... Two doctors testified at the trial that they had prescribed the pills for pain from gout and an automobile accident, and no one claimed he was selling the pills. But [State Atttorney] Ober's attorneys and Hillsborough Circuit Judge Ronald Ficarrotta stopped jurors from being told that the law specifically exempts those who have legally prescribed pills. ... [And the defendant received] a 25-year mandatory sentence."The nonsensical trial over 58 Vicodin pills".

Why the Wait?

"After nearly eight months in office, Gov. Charlie Crist has still not appointed a new chairman to the Florida Elections Commission, the panel responsible for enforcing election laws. The panel, which had a lot of its powers stripped away this past session by state lawmakers, meets again in August. Former Rep. Chance Irvine kept on as chairman for two meetings this year, but finally called it quits earlier this summer." "Nearly eight months and still waiting for Crist".

Hmmm?

"Come Jan. 29, amid a blizzard of campaign ads about the presidential primary election, what will voters make of the ballot question to replace the Save Our Homes property tax cap with a much larger homestead exemption? ... Consider the variables:"

- Presidential primary elections in the past two decades have had dismal turnout, averaging about 30 percent, but those primaries took place in March, after the eventual nominee had sewn up the prize. This time, Florida’s early primary probably will make the state a focus of candidates from both parties.

- Primary voters are typically homesteaded homeowners, the one group benefiting from Save Our Homes and therefore most likely to be leery of phasing it out. But the promise that existing homeowners will be able to keep that benefit until they move could keep them from voting against it.

- Conversely, recent and would-be home buyers lured by the prospect of a new tax break potentially worth thousands of dollars could turn out to the polls in droves - thereby skewing traditional analyses of the likely primary voter.

Gettin' Warmer

"Environmentalists, buoyed by an enthusiastic ally in the Governor’s Mansion, issue a report today that claims rising temperatures in 2006 were caused by human-related climate change." "Environmentalists claim rising temperatures part of climate change".

Stick a Fork in Him ...

The Buzz notes that "Rep. Bob Allen of Merritt Island has vowed to fight a misdemeanor charge of soliciting a male police officer for prostitution, and he's still a candidate for a state Senate seat. But one key verdict is already in and it's from the editorial page editor of his hometown paper, Florida Today."

It's the rerun of a bad movie:

A politician gets caught in a sexual fandango, claims it's a misunderstanding, proclaims his innocence and, as a kicker, says he'll still seek higher office.

It's the sad spectacle of state Rep. Bob Allen, now playing at a theater near you.

I'm not going to recite the details of what Allen supposedly did or try to psychoanalyze what would put a successful elected official in a public restroom allegedly seeking sexual favors. I'll leave that to Dr. Phil.

But I will say this:

The court of public opinion has already rendered its verdict in the case of the Merritt Island Republican, and if Allen hasn't noticed, they've found him guilty.

His career is over, done, kaput, and the sooner he understands that and walks away, the better.

A Bit Much

"Does he look like a terrorist?".

The Florida Association of Realtors pledged to spend $1 million urging voters to endorse the measure to create a supersize homestead exemption of as much as $195,000 on a $500,000 house. Realtors say it will kick-start a stalled housing market.

Then, Associated Industries of Florida President Barney Bishop said he would ask his board of directors to spend some cash on a campaign for the proposed constitutional amendment, even though he acknowledged it provides little tax relief to businesses. ...

The Florida Chamber of Commerce also said it expects to back the measure, through its membership and maybe with cash. Leaders think that if the expanded homestead exemption is approved, grateful lawmakers will be inclined to help business with a fresh package of tax cuts.

Bill Herrle, Florida director for the National Federation of Independent Business, also weighed in, pointing out that a poll last week of his members showed 55 percent would vote for the amendment.

Water Wars

A lengthy piece in the Palm Beach Post today begins with this:

Decades ago, experts warned that Florida had a choice: water or growth.

Growth won.

Immigration Issue

"In separate appearances at the National Council of La Raza convention in Miami Beach, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York and Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois both vowed to create a legalization path for the country's 12 million undocumented immigrants if they won the presidency. They made the pledges weeks after an immigration overhaul bill collapsed in Congress. The bill's defeat has added momentum to voter registration drives aimed at Hispanic communities. Clinton and Obama refer often to the failed effort as they intensify their outreach to Hispanics and appeal to audiences with their immigration messages." "Clinton, Obama court the Hispanic vote in South Florida". See also "Immigration priority, Clinton, Obama tell Hispanic gathering" and "Clinton, Obama address La Raza".

Huh?

"Florida's students are opting more and more for the convenience of online courses".

S-CHIP

"By threatening to veto crucial child-health legislation, President Bush is playing politics with kids' lives."

Inspired by a hospital-district-funded pilot in Volusia and Flagler counties, Florida lawmakers created Healthy Kids in 1990. Unlike Medicaid, Healthy Kids isn't a handout; instead, it uses tax dollars to help lower the cost of private-sector health insurance policies for children. The subsidy varies with the child's age and the family's income level; the lowest-income families are still eligible for Medicaid.

The Florida program became the model for the national S-CHIP in 1997. Nearly 7 million American children now have health insurance, thanks to this program.

But roughly 9 million children still lack coverage. Bush is unhappy with a Senate compromise that would add $35 billion in federal funding to the program and allow 3 million children to be added to the program. Presumably, he's even less pleased with a House proposal that would add $50 billion.

"New Rules"

"Crist has repeatedly pointed out that Florida is more vulnerable to the effects of a changing climate than any other state, since it has 'nearly 1,350 miles of coastline and a majority of citizens living near that coastline.' Here's a look at where greenhouse gases come from, what the new rules would do and how it could affect you." "How Florida could go green".

Oops!

Bill Cotterell: "Crist's office was properly mortified last week when his press office accidentally hit 'send' on a summary of its daily press calls. Reporters all over town received a list of news inquiries received by several agencies, listing who called, what they wanted and how the agency responded." "Rule 1: Never let the governor be caught off guard".

Apathetic

"Young Florida voters show apathetic streak". See also yesterday's "Voter turnout drops among young people in Florida".

Jammed

"An immigration court in Orlando is jammed, delaying legal status for many." "Court's heavy caseload adds up".

"Colorful"

"After three years with staid, data-driven John Winn as education commissioner, the state Board of Education has a chance to hire a replacement from a group of applicants with some colorful, if not unusual, backgrounds." "Colorful contenders for state schools chief".

Contributions

Who is giving what (by region within the state) in the preznit race: "The cash race".

"Like a Bad Neighbor"

"Like a bad neighbor, State Farm soon won't be there for 50,000 customers in Florida. Let's all hope that the hurricane season is calmer than the state's property insurance market."

State Farm's announcement last week clearly blindsided the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. Normally, statements from Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty are as cautious as those from the Federal Reserve. This time, however, Mr. McCarty said, "These actions are inconsistent with State Farm's previous statements outlining their underwriting intentions." Those wouldn't be fighting words in a bar, but the sentiment is clear: As far as the state was concerned, State Farm was done dumping policies.

No Vacation

"The United States is the only industrial nation in the world that does not mandate paid vacation, leaving about one in four employees without a single day of paid time off; and of U.S. workers offered paid vacation, about one-third don't take it all, often claiming it's too hard to get away from their hefty workloads."

But lobbyist Cash Jackson [who commutes from South Florida to Tallahassee] sees little chance of a U.S. minimum vacation law any time soon. Business groups tend to dislike mandated benefits. And America increasingly sets a premium on commerce 24/7.

"The culture our country has developed would make that law challenging," Cash Jackson said. "America has gotten used to instant everything and multitasking. The culture would have to change."

As he put it: "I'll never get nominated for Miss Congeniality in politics."

He is 44, a devout Mormon and a teetotaler from Utah. With his wife and four children, he lives in West Palm Beach. With partner Richard Johnston, Nielsen owns Public Concepts LLC, an award-winning political consulting business. Started in 1991, it now operates in 25 states.

Nielsen enjoys close ties to the Florida Republican Party, Senate presidents current and past (Ken Pruitt, Tom Lee), dozens more legislators and the Florida Home Builders Association. In the past decade, these groups and candidates have paid Nielsen almost $8-million.

John French is a former executive director of the Florida Democratic Party, now a registered Republican. In the 1970s, he helped write the state's election laws and helped Gov. Reubin Askew draft the "Sunshine amendment" to bring openness to state government. Now he helps create political committees that sometimes avoid the sunshine.

Nielsen says French is his go-to attorney: "He is probably one of the best election lawyers in the state of Florida."

Contribution Search Tool

"Curious to see if your neighbor is a McCainiac or a Hillraiser? Intrigued by how much Rudy Giuliani is raising in South Florida? Wondering how many Florida trial lawyers are backing John Edwards? Check out the Miami Herald's new political contributions search. Feel free to use [the Herald's] research but please credit the Herald." "Miami Herald launches 2008 money database".

Acosta

"During the same period when Miami's Alex Acosta, an up-and-coming Justice Department division head, won a plum posting as South Florida's top cop, several other U.S. attorneys around the country were being fired."

The Senate has been investigating allegations that the fired prosecutors were ousted for not toeing the Bush administration line in political prosecutions. As for Acosta's ascent, he did not have a problem with administration politics, former division staff lawyers say.

They contend that during his two years as assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, the division became imbued with the same politically charged atmosphere for which the department is now under scrutiny. The division tilted to the right in personnel and political decision-making and took stands against minority voters' rights, which was against the advice of the career staff lawyers, they say.

Acosta, who as U.S. attorney has targeted public corruption in Palm Beach County, prefers not to go into detail about old claims of politicization but says his critics are wrong, that they have misinterpreted his positions.

The disaffected staffers point to a letter that Acosta wrote to an Ohio federal judge hearing a case one week before the 2004 election that pitted Acosta's boss, President Bush, against the Democratic nominee, U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.

Youngsters Say No To Voting

"Despite intense political passion over the war in Iraq that helped propel a nationwide surge in young voters and oust Republicans from power in Congress last year, Florida saw a perplexing drop in 18- to 29-year-olds who went to the polls."

Turnout among young Florida voters is now among the worst in the nation, decreasing even as it went up across the country. The trend cuts across gender and ethnic groups, but was especially pronounced among young Hispanics, whose turnout plummeted to less than half of what it was four years earlier. ...

And Florida's bad numbers are getting worse.

The 18 percent of young Floridians who voted last year is a 5 percentage point decline from 2002. By contrast, the 25 percent of young people nationwide who voted last year is an increase of 3 percentage points from 2002. ...

As the turnout among young Florida voters slid, it plummeted among Hispanics.

Turnout was just 11 percent among 18 to 29 year old Hispanic Floridians in 2006 — down from 23 percent in 2002. Nationally, the young Hispanic turnout increased to 19 percent 2006 from 16 percent in 2002.

Waiting for Wingnut

"Two-thirds of the top Florida donors to President Bush have yet to write a check to any Republican presidential candidate this year, reflecting a nationwide disquiet in the GOP that threatens to undermine its hold on the White House." "GOP's big Florida donors sitting on sidelines".

Obama Blows Florida Newspaper Endorsements

Goodness gracious: "Democrat Barack Obama told union activists Saturday night that he would walk a picket line as president if organized labor helps elect him in 2008." "Obama says he would walk picket line".

There goes any shot that Obama may have had at any Florida newspaper endorsements.

Bond Rating

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Supporters of Israel argue that [Palm Beach County] buying the bonds helps to support a government 'in the most strife-torn, tumultuous area of the world.' But that's not a good enough reason, and it's not the role of any county in Florida to support needy governments. If it were, Haiti - closer to home - would be a better choice. And Palm Beach County policy bans investments in bonds rated below AA. Israeli bonds carry an A rating. On Wednesday, though, the investment committee lowered its standards to accommodate Israeli bonds, spurred by a change in state law. The move is more about political popularity than economic prudence." "AAA (political) rating".

Those Damn Firefighters

"Fireman gets in trouble for giving away his shirt".

Boyd Weighs In

"U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd said Saturday President Bush "has done more damage and set this country back decades" but warned Democrats that they can't win the White House if their ticket is too liberal. The Monticello Democrat, a leader of the moderate "Blue Dog" caucus in Washington, was the first in a parade of partisan speakers at the annual Democratic Club of North Florida's picnic in Lee Vause Park near Lake Jackson." "Political speakers on parade".

One wonders who Boyd thinks is "too liberal"?

"Karl Rove's Florida Frankenstein" In The Weeds

As reported yesterday, and worth recalling today - times for Florida's "reactionary ogre": "Martinez's supporters start to bail out, poll finds".

Homeowners' Insurance

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "If you're a coastal property owner, the situation just got more risky regarding your homeowner's insurance. It should come as no surprise, since all the warning signs, threats, entreaties and political rhetoric have been in play for months, even years." "Cancellation season: Coastal homes just got riskier".

"It's not the old-fashioned bribe"

Randy Schultz: "With Newell, trouble sign came early".

Super

"Federal officials have offered to buy dozens of homes built near a Superfund site, but only a handful of families have taken offers. The six families that have agreed to sell their homes are among 55 living in Clarinda Triangle, a neighborhood contaminated by toxic pollutants from the Escambia Treating Co. The defunct wood-treating company dumped large amounts of chemicals into unlined holding ponds." "Superfund buyout moves at slow pace".