The [most recent] House plan, the Senate complained, contained provisions outside the framework of a deal worked out by Gov. Charlie Crist and Legislative leaders.

On Friday, the House declared its "refined" plan as fairer than the Senate's, providing larger breaks to newer homeowners while addressing long-standing complaints from businesses and owners of second homes. And the House ditched one provision the Senate didn't like: a sales tax increase to offset the impact of the tax cuts on education.

But it retains another: a 5 percent assessment cap on nonhomestead property. (The House moved away from a 3 percent cap due to its cost.)

Top Senate negotiators weren't around or weren't commenting on the latest House plan, released at 4:30 p.m. Friday and without specific legislation to examine. But other senators had this to say about the new proposal:

Unacceptable.

political mortality, many believe, is driving the dramatic about-face Rubio, R-West Miami, exhibited over the past two weeks - from publicly supporting a relatively simple proposal by Gov. Charlie Crist costing about $7 billion over four years to abandoning a signed deal and insisting on a massive proposal totaling upwards of $30 billion in cuts, before it was modified late Friday to one that would reduce taxes by about $11 billion.

In diverging from Crist's script, he has angered Senate leaders who months ago grew weary of what they consider a recklessness on major policy questions - to the point where Senate Majority Leader Daniel Webster, R-Winter Garden, explaining that his colleagues would return no earlier than Tuesday, added in a moment of pique: "But there's no guarantee we're coming back at all.

Green initiatives "halted by outcries from utility companies"

"The Florida Energy Commission on Friday delayed key votes on greenhouse gas reduction, renewable energy and car pollution standards - halted by outcries from utility companies and disagreement among its own members." "Board postpones vote on energy solutions".

Whatever

While Mel has lived off of being "appointed" to things, he doesn't like appointments to jobs that, you know, require him to do even a little work: "Just 10 months into the job and before a Republican presidential nominee has emerged, Sen. Mel Martinez, national party chairman, said he's calling it quits and will focus on his job as a Florida senator. The abrupt announcement came after reports suggested Martinez would leave the post at the Republican National Committee as soon as next spring, when a GOP nominee was chosen." "Martinez resigns as Republican Party chief". See also "Martinez steps down as Republican Party general chairman", "Martinez cuts short tenure as RNC chair" and "Martinez resigns GOP post".

What is Florida coming to ...

"Evolution's role in class set to grow".

Water war

The St. Pete Times editors: "It would be easier for Floridians to sympathize with Atlanta over its water shortage if Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue would stop blaming us for it. Perdue is threatening to sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop it from releasing water from Lake Lanier near Atlanta downstream to Florida's Apalachicola River and productive estuary. Perdue and other Georgia officials have tried to turn this into a fight between human beings in Atlanta and shellfish in Florida. ... Here's the truth, Gov. Perdue: A record drought, unrestrained population growth and poor water-conservation habits are to blame for northern Georgia's water shortage." "Georgia, don't pin your water shortage on us".

Masilotti

"While federal agents pursued him, Tony Masilotti last year cooked up another scheme to trade county land for a kickback, according to a new court filing by corruption prosecutors." "Kickback case adds allegations about Masilotti".

Florida's booming economy

"Depressed sales of construction materials, home improvements and furnishings triggered by Florida's burst housing bubble have started spreading to a drop in other types of consumer spending. In fact, unless the state's economy perks up in the next few months, Florida will report its first decrease in annual sales tax collections since the 1992 recession." "Spending plunge broadens statewide".

Class size

The Palm Beach Post editors suggest that

the Republican-controlled Legislature could propose a simple constitutional change that actually would help schools. Superintendents in St. Lucie, Martin and Palm Beach counties want more flexibility to comply with the spirit of the class-size amendment voters approved in 2002. It stipulates that, by 2010, every public school classroom can have no more than 18 students in grades K-3, 22 in grades 4-8 and 25 in high schools.

Then-Gov. Bush and the Legislature got even with voters by refusing to adequately pay for the required smaller classes. Partly for that reason, districts warn that they will have trouble providing the necessary classrooms and teachers to comply with class-size limits.

Voters should not gut the amendment. But they should be willing to change the requirement that every individual class be the mandated size.

"Straw-man strategy"

"More than 93,000 registered voters in Lake County had no say in last year's fiercely contested race for District 2 commissioner because of a write-in candidate who never stumped for the job."

An elections-law loophole allows this so-called straw-man strategy. And Republicans and Democrats alike have exploited it repeatedly in their respective strongholds, keeping thousands of Florida voters from casting ballots in state and local races.

A local judge has been asked to end the practice and close the loophole.

"Political star power"?

"For political star power, there's no comparison. Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, Mitt Romney, John McCain and other Republican presidential candidates will be in Orlando this weekend for the state GOP convention. They'll spend two days schmoozing Florida activists before participating in a nationally televised debate Sunday night. Florida Democrats hold their convention in Orlando a week later. Instead of seeing Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards and other leading White House contenders, party faithful will have to settle for appearances by long-shot candidates Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel." "GOP gets early edge with more candidates in state".

Mahoney

"U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney visited doctors and children Friday to say that he and other Democrats will introduce another children's health care bill and work even harder to override President Bush's probable veto." "Mahoney visits hospital, reads with kids".

"Divisive partisan politics"

The Orlando Sentinel editors bemoans the SCHIP vote: "Central Florida Republicans -- Tom Feeney and Ric Keller chief among them -- ought to be among those leaders who will put aside rhetoric and work to improve the necessary State Children's Health Insurance Program."

So far, these members of Congress have chosen divisive partisan politics over the program ... that now provides health-care coverage for about 253,000 Florida children -- nearly 50,000 of them here in Central Florida. The latest estimates show that 455,000 children in this state need health insurance.

18 Republican senators, including conservatives such as Utah's Orrin Hatch and Iowa's Chuck Grassley, voted for this and have fought for it. It's too bad Florida's Sen. Mel Martinez was not among them.

Thirteen votes short. Thirteen votes away from ensuring health coverage for 10 million low-income children across the United States. Thirteen representatives who willfully bought into the misleading, distortion-filled campaign by the White House, and at least two local representatives who almost certainly know better.

U.S. Reps. John Mica and Tom Feeney have no excuse for their vote Thursday.

How convenient ...

"The state Republican convention this weekend not only presents an opportunity for delegates to weigh in with their favorite candidates." "Break time comes at just the right time".

March on Tallahassee

"Members of the NAACP from around Florida will march from the Capitol to the U.S. Attorney's office Tuesday in an attempt to bring pressure for federal charges against those cleared in the boot-camp trial in Panama City last week." "NAACP plans Tuesday march in Tallahassee".

That lonely feeling

"A Florida boycott by most Democratic presidential candidates will lower the celebrity wattage of the primary campaign in Broward, the state's Democratic stronghold." "Boycott has Broward Democrats feeling neglected".

Yipes!

"There are plenty of reasons to be apprehensive about the 2008 election in Palm Beach County." "Election storm warning".

The profit motive

"Federal investigators raided three for-profit college campuses in South Florida this week in a U.S. Education Department probe. ... The office generally investigates allegations of waste, fraud and abuse of federal education dollars." "3 Florida college campuses raided in federal investigation".

Not ready for prime time

Seeking the Reagan vote, Freddie does the "misspoke" thing: "Thompson makes it clear: No drilling in the Everglades".

Osceola

"Osceola County commissioners should stop invoking Jesus in prayers at public meetings after a church-state watchdog group complained about the practice, their attorney has advised them. At least one commissioner has refused. If called to lead the invocation, Commissioner Paul Owen said he would continue his tradition of praying 'in Christ's name.'" "Osceola leaders are told: Keep Jesus out of prayers".

"Special-interest battle"

"Florida may have to shell out $600,000 to print new driver-safety handbooks, thanks to a special-interest battle in the Capitol."

Ponta Vedra Beach-based National Safety Commission has been printing the manuals for free in return for exclusive advertising rights in the 1 million handbooks that go out to motorists statewide.

The company signed the contract with the state two years ago under a privatization push by former Gov. Jeb Bush. But rival driving schools, championed by state Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, have managed to scuttle the deal.

Last spring, Fasano inserted what's called "proviso" language in the budget ordering the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to print the handbook without advertising.

Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed the language but left in place about $600,000 Fasano had included in the budget to pay for printing new handbooks.

This summer, Florida Providers of Traffic Safety Inc., which employed Fasano's former aide as a lobbyist and had ties to one of his business partners, filed a lawsuit that argued Crist couldn't veto the "proviso" language without also removing the money.

Leon County Judge John Cooper agreed in a hearing Wednesday, and ordered the veto expunged.

"The governor could have vetoed both or neither, but not the proviso without the appropriation," said the lawyer for the group, Kelly Overstreet Johnson.

The ruling is the latest -- but not likely the last -- chapter in the fight between Fasano and National Safety Commission President Ken Underwood, who has filed his own lawsuit challenging the legality of the proviso language.

"To improve performance numbers"?

"The brutal death of a toddler this week, allegedly at the hands of her caregiver, has reignited child-welfare administrators' fears that Miami investigators and supervisors routinely rushed suspected abuse cases to closure to improve performance numbers." "Was DCF too quick to close cases?"

A fine idea at the time

"Samuel Lopez, the only Broward Democrat running for a state House seat in a Republican-dominated district, has dropped out of the race." "Broward Democrat withdraws from House race".

Is this news?

"Jeb Bush Jr. supporting Giuliani in GOP presidential contest".

Election season is upon us

"If Republicans don't think their presidential candidates are on the conservative extreme of issues important to them, Democrats are reminding them there is another choice: Katherine Harris."

The Florida Democratic Party is launching a parody Web site that will feature videos of Republican presidential candidates' statements on issues like immigration, foreign policy, taxes and others. The idea is if they want someone on the far right on any of those topics, Harris is their candidate.

"It's comparing her to the candidates on the Republican platform - who hates immigrants more, who will fight to reduce the number of children with health insurance, et cetera," said Mark Bubriski, a spokesman for the state party. ...

On http://www.draftkatherineharris.com , the party has posted a video that opens with the question "Worried about the Republican field?" It then shows Republican candidates criticizing each other or bumbling their words. The video rolls out the message: "Real Americans need a candidate ... a candidate with courage ... the courage to be ... a real Republican."

The screen then shows an extreme close-up of Harris' lips and the image gradually pulls back to show her whole face.

It's a tease for material that will be posted throughout the weekend to coincide with the Republican Party of Florida's "Presidency IV" weekend, during which candidates will address activists and participate in a debate.

Your tax dollars at work

"Here's how it works: An Internet phone device dials from 20,000 to as many as 40,000 phone numbers in the lawmaker's district, at about 100 numbers per second."

The numbers are culled from voter-registration lists and must not be skewed by political party because congressional funds pay the $2,500 to $3,500 tab.

The voter hears a message from the lawmaker asking whether he or she wants to join a town-hall meeting immediately. Pressing "pound" puts the voter in electronic line to ask a question. The lawmaker sees a list of waiting questioners and runs through as many as he has time for. Anyone who doesn't get to ask a question can leave a message and get a response.

Lawmakers hold the meetings on weeknights when they're in Washington, and they usually last an hour or two. The monthly sessions are in addition to i

Apathy.com

"He gives kids reasons to care about politics".

Plus ... you don't have to interact with other humans

"Once controversial, the school is now seen as a fixture on the educational landscape, and good preparation for the increasing number of online options in college." "Soaring enrollment marks Florida Virtual School's first decade".

Reverse privatization

"Florida's prison chief wants to abolish the St. Petersburg nonprofit company that has provided work and job training for inmates for 26 years and survived more than its share of controversy."

Corrections Secretary James McDonough says the company, known as PRIDE, provides too few jobs for inmates, pays its top executives too much and has outlived its usefulness.

"I believe I can run it better," McDonough said. "I'm trying to maximize the number of inmates that we get to work. It's a key part of re-entry, and it reduces idleness in prisons."

Chief executive Jack Edgemon was paid $200,000 last year and a $50,000 bonus.

PRIDE endured a scandal in recent years by losing $19-million in loans to a series of spinoff companies without fully informing the Legislature.

PRIDE has friends in the Legislature and will mobilize a fierce lobbying effort to stay alive. Among its arguments will be that in tight budget times, it makes no sense to expand the size of government. ...

But the final decision will rest with the Republican-controlled Legislature in the 2008 regular session. Many lawmakers may be skeptical that state government can run a program better than a public-private entity.

A bigger problem may be that as inmate work programs expand, they will provide stiffer competition with free enterprise. That's a recipe for controversy in a Legislature dominated by pro-business Republicans, where the collective voices of business lobby groups often speak loudly [('ya think?)].

McDonough insists that the state can run inmate work programs better and at no increase in cost to Florida taxpayers. How? By using [the 'nonprofit'] PRIDE's profit margin, nearly $7-million last year.

The essence of PRIDE's fight for survival is that the state can't possibly do it for less.

"Some of these guys in Tallahassee are so infatuated with Jeb that I wouldn't blame Columba for being nervous."

Scott Maxwell this morning: "It's kind of funny that Floridians are so up in arms about taxes. Because the truth of the matter is that we are largely to blame."

The politicians, you see, have turned us into a bunch of Pavlov's dogs. They mention the words tax cut, and we start salivating.

Most of us don't bother to stop and ask whose taxes they are vowing to cut -- or, more important, whose taxes might increase as a result. All politicians have to do is tape a campaign commercial that mentions they love the flag and hate taxes, and we drool all the way to the voting booths.

Want proof? Well, consider this: In the past decade alone, Florida lawmakers have passed a whopping $20 billion worth of tax cuts.

But I'm betting you don't feel $20 billion richer.

That's because much of those cuts came from eliminating the so-called intangible taxes. And unless you have big money in business trusts, stocks, bonds or mutual funds, you're not benefiting from that tax break.

But the special interests have also had their way with our tax system. Over the years, Florida politicians have exempted everything from lawyer bills to dry-cleaning. From TV commercials to newspaper ads. From ostrich feed to space satellites.

Anyone who tries to tell you all of these cuts were meant to help the "little guy" should be ejected into space with one of those tax-free satellites.

Yes, let's cut taxes. Let's just cut them for everyone.

But House Speaker Marco Rubio and Senate President Ken Pruitt don't seem so interested in doing that. After all, that would mean changing things done by Jeb Bush. And some of these guys in Tallahassee are so infatuated with Jeb that I wouldn't blame Columba for being nervous.

Gravel

"The sparse crowds that attend Mike Gravel's events like his ideas but hold little hope." "This Democrat doesn't shun Florida". See also "Dems to hear from candidate Mike Gravel".

"Populist scold"

"Reviving his role as populist scold, Gov. Crist on Tuesday accused the state's second-largest private homeowners insurer of being unfair and breaking the law. As the governor acknowledged, though, he can't prove those charges. He also wouldn't be specific about his allegations. But this confrontation has been coming since January." "New target is Allstate".

Cotterell

"Courage? Not quite".

SCHIP

"Hoping to overturn a presidential veto, U.S. House Democrats and their allies have pressured Republican lawmakers from Central Florida to break party ranks and support an expansion of children's health insurance."

Their efforts are expected to fall short today when the House votes on whether to override President Bush's Oct. 3 veto of a plan to increase federal funding of children's health care by $35 billion over five years.

All seven Republican House members from Central Florida opposed the original bill. In recent interviews, each said he or she would vote to sustain the veto, despite a steady stream of attack ads from national Democrats and activist groups.

U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney -- also a Democratic target in the 2008 election -- has borne the brunt of the interest-group criticism, including a television spot that condemns him for taking government-funded health insurance as a congressman while denying it for needy children.

After today's vote, the Oviedo Republican plans to present a compromise conceived by Republican U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida. It will focus on extending tax credits to low-income families rather than significantly boosting the budget to cover more children.

Obama

"Local Money Is On Obama, Even As Clinton Leads Polls".

"Unsatisfactory"

"Too many women in Florida lack health insurance, smoke or suffer from high blood pressure or diabetes, a state-by-state analysis on women's health revealed Wednesday. The report gave Florida an "unsatisfactory" grade, in part for failing to meet national milestones for cervical-cancer screenings, physical activity and obesity." "Florida women's health care lags".

>"A shadowy conspiracy"

"Terrified that voters may get the power to kill development projects, Florida business interests are unleashing an array of political weaponry to defeat the Hometown Democracy initiative. A mass mailing from one opposition group alleged that the Hometown movement is a shadowy conspiracy fomented by out-of-state special interests called 'electors,' another name for voters." "Business Groups Fire At Initiative".

"Self righteous"

The Palm Beach Post editors: "Rep. Joe Pickens, R-Palatka, is like a guy who always waits for his dinner companions to pick up the check, then wants to know why they can't eat as cheaply as he does."

Apparently, Rep. Pickens is tired of counties and cities in Florida complaining that state-mandated cuts in property-tax revenue - with more to come - make it hard for them to balance their books without cutting services. This week, the self-righteous Rep. Pickens promised to exempt any municipality from tax cuts if it could demonstrate a record of raising taxes less than the Legislature had in the past five years.

"The Florida Dream"

"If you want to know how Florida went from a sparsely populated backwater state to a booming, multicultural destination point, then tune in tonight for a new documentary on Florida's topsy-turvy modern history." "Watch It Tonight: The Florida Dream".

The Senate began by watering down a break for low-income seniors that House leaders wanted.

The House did more dismantling when it voted to raise the state sales tax one penny to replace homestead property taxes for schools and to cap increases to the values of non-homestead properties.

'All we're missing is John Belushi screaming, 'Toga party,' '' said House Democratic leader Dan Gelber of Miami Beach, comparing the disarray to an Animal House frat party. He'll offer a rival plan Wednesday.

Each chamber characterized the other's changes as deal-breakers, though leaders said they were confident a deal would be stitched back together. Still, they couldn't say how or by what method as they take up the bills Wednesday and start negotiations.

Democrats are holding out largely on behalf of the public schools, which they fear will be unjustly harmed, but there are enough ideological brush fires going on to keep Smokey Bear from heading into hibernation.

At this point in the special session, it appears that whatever jumble of hasty bright ideas are manipulated into an amendment proposal, it's entirely possible the voters will refuse the offer.

For the first time, three of five Floridians will have to agree at the polls instead of the simple majority required before on constitutional changes.

One critic grumbled that it looks as if the property tax proposal would provide relief equal to the cost of about two sushi dinners.

Certainly the polls are showing that voters are not impressed on the grounds that tax relief concepts put forward to date are one, confusing; two, still unfair in that homesteaders are given the greatest shelter; and three, confusing.

Florida is in trouble largely because it has gotten in the habit of governing by constitutional amendment rather than statutory law. Statutes can be adjusted according to the economy and political will instead of being cast in marble, as with Save Our Homes, the 3-percent cap on the annual rise in property taxes, which was once somebody's sop to the voters.

Primary tussle

"South Carolina was poised to hold the first presidential primary in the south on Jan. 29, until Florida bumped up its primary to the same day. Getting the candidates to boycott Florida apparently isn't enough -- now South Carolina Democrats want a three-day head start." "S.C. to kick more dust in Florida's face". More: "SC Democrats Want to Vote on Jan. 26".

Hill Cash

"Despite a backlash from the Democratic party that nullifies state delegates' primary votes, supporters are still opening their wallets to help out their favorite candidate." "Clinton leads in Florida fundraising". More: "Spurned Fla. donors still paying up".

Easy cuts

The Tampa Trib editors: "The state prison system has been told to trim $3 million from its drug treatment programs. And cuts to community treatment centers loom large because of state-mandated cuts in local government spending. It's politically easy to cut treatment programs for drug and alcohol abusers, since they have no advocacy group beyond the caregivers who see the difference that treatment can make. But it's a risky strategy, given the carnage that substance abuse creates on our roads, in our emergency rooms, in our schools and in our families." "State Must Be Careful With Drug-Treatment Funding Cuts".

And so it goes

"The second chapter to an international custody dispute comes to a halt -- before it even begins -- as both sides placed their bets with the court of appeals." "Appeal deals blow to Cuban father".

Osceola County single member districts

"Facing a possible lawsuit, the Osceola County School Board agreed Tuesday to let the public decide whether it wants to have single-member districts or keep the current system of electing them countywide. In a 5-0 vote, board members elected to pose the question to voters in the Jan. 29 presidential-preference primary ballot. The Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, a New York-based advocacy group, had threatened to sue the board over its at-large seats, which the group contends are unfair to Hispanics." "Single-member districts on Osceola ballot".

Open mouth ...

... insert foot: "Lawmaker offers tax cutters a deal".

"Bad habits"

The Miami Herald editors: "Only six months have passed since the Florida Supreme Court tightened the rules for sealing court records, but some judges in Broward and Miami-Dade counties still aren't following them. Bad habits -- like drug addiction -- can sometimes be hard to break. All the same, the chief administrative judge in each county should reinforce the importance of following the rules. The integrity of our courts is at stake. Lose that and bad things are sure to follow." "Playing favorites with court records".

Oops!

"The Commission on Disabilities had its first meeting Tuesday, and though it will serve as a voice for the disabled, helping with access and programs, it will have to apply that same scrutiny to its own meetings." "Disabilities Commission hears public concerns".

"Who could be against children getting health care?"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Who could be against children getting health care? President Bush, all of Florida's Republican congressmen, and a dozen more of their GOP colleagues."

The Republicans in Florida who need to change their votes are: Jeff Miller of Chumuckla, Ander Crenshaw of Jacksonville, Ginny Brown-Waite of Brooksville, Cliff Stearns of Ocala, John Mica of Winter Park, Ric Keller of Orlando, Gus Bilirakis of Palm Harbor, C.W. Bill Young of Indian Shores, Adam Putnam of Bartow, Vern Buchanan of Sarasota, Connie Mack of Fort Myers, Dave Weldon of Indialantic, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Miami, Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Miami, Tom Feeney of Oviedo and Mario Diaz-Balart of Miami. The Democrat is Kathy Castor of Tampa. Those 300,000 children in Florida are waiting.

"First step"

"The Miccosukee Tribe and the South Florida Water Management District agreed to plug a canal used to prevent flooding, a measure that allows for the restoring of 7,900 acres of Miccosukee land off Alligator Alley to its natural state. It's an encouraging step. Both sides gave up something to make good on what they described as an opportunity too good to ignore." "Agreement on Everglades a good first step".

The three stooges

"National Democrats are spending some dollars - for the very first time - in three South Florida congressional districts once seen as solidly Republican."

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee goes up Wednesday with a series of Spanish-language radio ads in the districts served by Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart. The radio spots - which will run during the traffic and weather updates - bash the trio for backing President Bush's veto of an expansion of a popular children's health insurance program.

And then there's Ginny

"Ginny Brown-Waite didn't catch this much flak when she was running for re-election last year."

But this week on Christian radio within her district, the Brooksville Republican is being derided as antichildren and antifamily. On TV, she's criticized for spending a half-trillion dollars on the war in Iraq while hundreds of thousands of Florida kids go without medical care.

Then there are the concerned parents knocking at her door on Capitol Hill, and a recent demonstration by liberal groups outside her district office in Brooksville.

Brown-Waite is one of about two dozen Republican lawmakers being targeted to change their minds and vote on Thursday to override President Bush's veto of a bill to expand a popular health care program for children of the working poor.

She downplayed the attention, saying that most of the calls to her office support her decision to sustain the veto. She also dismissed the recent advertisements from Catholics United and Americans United for Change.

"I think my constituents know what all the MoveOn subsidiaries are all about," Brown-Waite said Tuesday.

Crist put up the mezuzah -- a portion of sacred Jewish parchment contained inside a case -- with the help of Rabbi Schneur Oirechman, director of Chabad-Lubavitch of the Panhandle. The mezuzah was a gift from House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, a Delray Beach Republican, who gave it to Crist, who is not Jewish, while he was on a trade mission to Israel last May.

Crist's action has drawn the ire of the American Civil Liberties Union, which said Monday it is wrong for the governor to put up any religious symbol in such a public place.

When Crist put up the mezuzah last week, he issued a statement to Jewish media outlets.

''Being able to display religious symbols is just as fundamental as being able to practice your religious beliefs,'' the statement said. ``I am honored to display a mezuzah on my door. The freedoms and ideals that make our country great are the same ideals that people all over world seek every day.''

Property Tax Mess

Update: "Divided along party lines and geography, the House Policy & Budget Council is poised to pass a property tax package. But approval aside, the daylong debate underscores problems for a proposal that only a few days ago seemed a sure thing." "Tax legislation on shaky ground".

"State leaders push for property tax plan". See also "House panel approves ballot question on property tax cut". However, "as the numbers grew clearer Monday, agreement grew shakier over a Republican plan to cut $11 billion in property taxes over the next four years." "Property-tax deal not near". More: "Lawmakers huddle furiously in committee meetings today, preparing for a final vote possibly as early as tomorrow on an $11 billion property tax cutting plan. But Democrats, wary of a nearly $2 billion loss in school tax revenue, are putting on the breaks." "Final vote on budget looms".

Could it be: "A bipartisan group of lawmakers Monday questioned whether the legislature's new property tax proposal was being rushed". "Lawmakers worry about rush to write property tax measure".

For example, "a state property appraisers group says the plan targets something that doesn't need fixing. It says that there's nothing to fix and that it affects only the rich." "Officials: Tax plan favors the rich".

"A well-intentioned plan to give poor seniors a break has state legislators worried that wealthier people could ''game the system'' so they can avoid paying property taxes on their homesteads." "Tax-cut plan for seniors raises fears".

"School officials were relieved last week as the Legislature's property tax proposal took shape: Cuts to education were largely avoided. But the first specific details were released Monday, and the numbers are far less comforting than many expected." "Deep school cuts in offing". Indeed, this "Revised tax plan would cost schools $2.1 billion". See also "Many lawmakers call proposed tax plan flawed but will vote for it anyway".

The Sun-Sentinel editors observe that "the state can't get away with cutting and spending rainy-day money forever. Somewhere, somehow, Tallahassee is going to have to find a third way — seeking ways to drum up more revenues." "Tougher budget decisions ahead". Intangibles tax anyone?

Background: "Property-tax reform summary" and "Taxes by county".

Sweet deal

"While South Floridians had to let lawns turn brown and cars grow dusty to save water during the worst of the drought, most farms, golf courses and utilities pumped away without telling how much they used - and without paying fines if they used too much." "From follow the money to ... follow the water".

Collusion

"State adds Allstate to probe on collusion".

Where angels fear to tread

"The candidates are so terrified of drawing the wrath of Democrats in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada, they won't dare kiss a baby, give a speech or talk to a voter anywhere in Florida, except in closed-door, fundraising receptions." "Campaign in Fla.? They don't dare".

How 'bout a "grace period"?

"In Florida, forget to check a box on a voter-registration application and you could lose that right -- at least for an election cycle, possibly the cycle that prompted you to register in the first place. The reason? Twenty-nine days before any election, Florida supervisors 'close the books' on the voter rolls. Any voters who aren't registered by then won't be able to vote in the next election." "One less barrier".

Unconstitutional?

"Attorneys for a Cuban father seeking custody of his 5-year-old daughter have asked a Miami judge to declare unconstitutional a state law that would allow child-welfare administrators to strip him of custody permanently even though he has been found a fit parent." "Cuban dad's lawyers: Law unconstitutional".

Portability

"At the heart of the tax-cut package poised to pass the Legislature as soon as Wednesday is a possible escape hatch for Floridians who feel trapped in their homes by the tax savings they would lose by moving."

It's called "portability" -- a provision allowing homeowners to carry with them Save Our Homes tax savings accumulated in their old home when they buy a new place.

Class size

Could it be that the media is recognizing that the moderate improvements in school test scores has little if anything to do with Jebbie's silly school grading system and FCAT follies? Almost, but not quite - Mike Thomas writes that he "recently gave Jeb Bush props for his school reforms that improved test scores. But having fewer students per class sure didn't hurt those scores, even if Jeb wouldn't admit it if you strapped him to a water board." "New challenge: Be smart about class-size rules".

"Panhandle 'justice'"

The Palm Beach Post editors yesterday: "Coverup to acquittal, it's Panhandle 'justice'" The Tamp Trib has a different perspective: "Pursue Justice, Not Histrionics".

Silver lining

"Central Florida's sagging housing market has turned into a blessing for at least one group: land conservationists." "Land-value drop boosts preservation purchases".

House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami, The Post reported this week, still spends $10,000 of the public's money each month for the services of Donna Arduin's consulting firm. Originally, that contract was supposed to end June 1. Ms. Arduin served as the former governor's budget director, and is a keeper of the Jeb-is-wonderful flame.

As he began his last year in office, Mr. Bush was denying that he cared about his legacy. In fact, he was installing loyalists who would continue his policies after he left.

When he became speaker, Rep. Rubio found jobs for 18 of Mr. Bush's former aides. Putting Ms. Arduin on the payroll naturally followed. The question now is what she actually does to earn the money, modest as it is. Her only known contribution this year was the idea that Florida abolish the property tax and replace it with a sales tax that could have been as high as 13 percent. ...

Maybe the fact that she doesn't do anything is a good thing. But, then, why pay her? Asked for specifics about what Ms. Arduin does these days, Rep. Rubio responded with platitudes. If her job is to keep pushing Jeb Bush's ideas, there's no market for them.

"Panhandle 'justice'"

"Friday's acquittal of seven Panama City boot camp guards who beat a 14-year-old boy until he fell limp and later died was as predictable as it was outrageous." "Coverup to acquittal, it's Panhandle 'justice'".

Gas bag

Saint Marco has no shame:

House Speaker Marco Rubio waved a letter from a 75-year-old Miami woman desperate to lower her ''overwhelming'' $10,091 tax bill on her small childhood home that she rents out in Coral Gables.

The letter is proof, he told a crowd of mortgage brokers and real estate agents, that the property tax proposal the Legislature will take up today won't go far enough.

''What do I tell her?'' Rubio asked. ``Congratulations! We passed a bill! Does it save you money? No, but we had a very nice press conference.''

What Rubio doesn't say about the letter, for example, is that the Miami woman wouldn't have been any better off under any of the three tax plans he has backed since spring. The current plan centers on doubling homestead exemptions and ''portability'' so homeowners can carry tax savings to a new home.

''A lot of things he's doing and saying is posturing,'' said Sen. Jim King, a Jacksonville Republican and former Senate president who describes himself as a fan of Rubio's. 'He's saying, `I believe in a lot of the things that the people have told me that they need,' and he's setting himself up not as a short-term, but a long-term champion.''

Rubio, 35, won't comment on his future political plans, but has talked repeatedly about leading a citizens petition drive for a property tax overhaul, and resurrecting his failed plan to swap homestead taxes for increased sales taxes. Such a drive would provide him visibility to campaign for another elected office after term limits force him from the Legislature in November 2008.

"Dreams die"

More evidence of Florida's ever "booming" economy: "Florida is one of four states driving the nationwide rise in foreclosures, Duncan said. The others are California, Arizona and Nevada." "As foreclosures soar, dreams die".

Off Topic

Tom Blackburn is on fire this morning: "Bush is no Nobel conservative".

No sleeping zone

"Homeless man won't be prosecuted for sleeping in public". Has the statute of limitations run out on this?

I can go with the "Floridians are too ... stupid to ... count votes" part

Philip Gailey: "Democrats in Washington and the rest of the country are still bitter about the 2000 presidential election debacle in Florida. We are used to the sneers and insults. They think Floridians are too old or too stupid to cast ballots or count votes. They think our voting system is corrupt. Now they have decided to put the nation's fourth-largest state in its place by disenfranchising its voters." "The invertebrate Florida Democrats".

Whatever

"Volunteer coaches participating in youth athletic leagues would be required to have their backgrounds screened under a bill proposed for the spring legislative session." "Bill requires background screening for coaches".

Huh?

"A Muslim teenager was forced to sit out a youth soccer tournament after a referee ruled the girl's head scarf was not part of her uniform and violated game rules. Iman Khalil was forced to sit out the game Saturday even though parents, her teammates and even opposing players urged the referee to let her play." "Muslim teen in Fla. barred from playing soccer due to head scarf".

Moderate-income homeowners can forget about any $2,000 tax cut.

And new home buyers peeved that their neighbors are paying only a fraction of their taxes? They'll have to get over it. ...

Under the new plan, the largest benefit goes to owners of homes with the $1 million in accrued Save Our Homes benefit who trade up to even more expensive homes. One million dollars in accrued benefit is the maximum that would be transferable to a new home under the proposal. The tax savings for someone making that move: $9,500.

And because the new plan leaves the Save Our Homes protection in place, it does nothing to prevent existing inequities where neighboring homeowners in identical houses pay vastly different tax bills, based solely on when they purchased their home.

The last time state lawmakers celebrated a property-tax fix, they botched the job so badly that a circuit-court judge ruled that the measure could not be put on the ballot. After meeting in special session last week, with the urgency of a football team needing a fourth-quarter miracle, lawmakers again are celebrating a potential property-tax fix. Don't uncork the champagne just yet. The deal they're considering has the look of a desperation pass that could end up in the stands.

Superficially, the proposed deal is appealing, even though the cuts would fall far short of expectations. Renters and low-income seniors would get a break. Homeowners would get portability and doubled homestead exemptions. Schools would be exempt from any additional tax cuts. Save Our Homes would be spared.And first-time home buyers would get a break on the market value of their new home.

What's not to like about this deal?

"Disenfranchisement by bureaucracy"

"A cloud is gathering, again, over Florida's presidential race as voting rights groups plow the ground for challenges to the state's election system."

In March, Secretary of State Kurt Browning - the former county elections supervisor for Pasco County - refused to meet with the Advancement Project to discuss its registration concerns.

Civil rights groups say that after years of election challenges and vows for improvement, the state's Republican administration remains intent on ''disenfranchisement by bureaucracy.'' ...

For Leon County elections supervisor Ion Sancho, an outspoken champion of freer voting, it comes down to this: ''Are we going to place the primacy on our voters first, or are we going to play voter suppression games?''

The Advancement Project, a national civil rights organization, helped organize the latest suit last month in federal court based, in large part, on evidence turned up in a separate 2-year-old case still pending against the state.

An internal memo shows Chief of Staff Dawn Roberts and agency lawyers decided that it had had enough discussions with the organization and ''an additional meeting . . . would not yield any meaningful or more fruitful dialogue.''

With "experts" like that ...

"Prosecutors in the boot camp trial were outnumbered and outgunned by defense attorneys, some legal experts said. ... Hillsborough County Medical Examiner Dr. Vernard Adams testified Anderson died from suffocation when the drill instructors gave him ammonia and clamped his mouth shut. A second state witness, Dr. Thomas Andrew, medical examiner for the state of New Hampshire, said Anderson died from a lack of oxygen. ... defense attorney Hoot Crawford showed a videotape of mostly state witnesses faltering on their testimony, including Adams saying Anderson's body did show evidence of ''exertional sickling.''" "Experts: State dropped ball". See also "Acquittal triggers strong reactions".

"Special sessions aren't so special anymore"

"Being a Florida legislator is considered a part-time job. The pay is $31,932 a year, plus free health and life insurance. But so far in 2007, that part-time job has required lawmakers to be at the state Capitol for four special sessions in addition to their regular legislative duties — though the only bill they are constitutionally required to pass is the state budget. The fourth session, which like the others is estimated to cost taxpayers $40,000 a day, started Friday and could last until Oct. 29." "Florida legislative special sessions turn into ordinary events".

Another RPOF yawner

"When Florida Republicans gather next weekend for their Presidency IV convention and a FOX News presidential debate, they'll also hear a pitch for drawing more blacks and Hispanics into the fold."

For at least some of the 3,000 delegates gathered at Disney World, the theme will sound oh, so familiar.

Eight years ago at a similar Orlando event, then-Florida Republican chairman Al Cardenas, the party's first Cuban-American leader, said the GOP's future in Florida hinged on attracting more minorities.

Cardenas pledged to recruit black voters and candidates.

But his efforts were quickly torpedoed by Gov. Jeb Bush ...

"Early-state cannibalism."

"The top Democratic official in South Carolina is fighting to protect the state's right to host the first presidential primary in the South, no matter the cost to Florida Democrats." "South Carolina fighting for first dibs on presidential primary".

"Modest"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Tax Cut Version 3.0, the latest scheme developed in Tallahassee to lower property taxes, has something for everyone. Everyone, that is, except those who want to see Florida's leaders make a serious effort to reform the state's tax system." "Modest relief".

GOPers at work

"Southern Strategy Group, one of Tallahassee's most prominent lobbying firms [and John Thrasher's shop], has dropped a client after he verbally savaged a state senator last week. Ken Underwood, president of National Safety Commission, says several lobbyists notified him they were dropping him under pressure from Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, who chairs a key budget committee."

"He has no right to call my lobbyists and say who they can work for," Underwood said.

Fasano, who has spent two years trying to scuttle Underwood's exclusive contract to print the state's official driver-safety handbook in return for inserting advertisements for his driving school, tells a different story. He says Southern Strategy called him to apologize Wednesday after Underwood took Fasano to the woodshed in a press release.

Fasano has a business partner, Ed Collins, with ties to a rival driving school, and a former aide worked briefly this year for a coalition of driving schools trying to muscle in on Underwood's deal. Fasano tried to kill Underwood's contract in this year's state budget, but the governor vetoed the attempt. Then, the coalition of driving schools sued to have the veto overturned.

Less than impressive

Scott Maxwell writes that "Seminole County's power Republicans can't be too impressed with the results of the primary in the special election for the 34th District House seat last week. Chris Dorworth had money and big backing that even included the head of the whole state GOP, Jim Greer. And yet Dorworth only eked out a 51 percent victory. Are Seminole residents finally catching up with the rest of the country -- ready for a change?" And that was fast: "Dorworth raising green in Tally".

Poor little Lincoln

The Moonies have come "Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart against sniping from Florida Democrats who earlier this week criticized the Miami Republican for voting against a bill to expand a children's health care program, but later helping a group of injured Ukrainian children." "The Washington Times to the rescue".

Buchanan bucks

"Sarasota Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan, whose 2006 razor-thin win is still being contested, says he's raised more than $1 million to take on Democrat Christine Jennings, who came within 400 votes of winning the seat to replace former Rep. Katherine Harris." "Buchanan raises $1 million plus for rematch".

Let the Gay Bashing Begin

Wonder how State Rep. Bob Allen will vote on this one:

Two Democratic state legislators from Palm Beach County [State Sen. Ted Deutch and Rep. Kelly Skidmore, both of Boca Raton] have filed bills that would prohibit discrimination in Florida based on sexual orientation in employment, housing and public accommodations.

The measures, which the sponsors say will face strong opposition in the Republican-led Legislature, would expand state law that provides legal recourse for people maligned based on their age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race and religion.

"Gone is Rubio's conservative dream"

"So after months of lofty public policy debate with wonky economic dissertations, the property tax battle in Tallahassee may come down to a simple political calculus of getting enough votes."

Gone is Rubio's conservative dream of ending property taxes for residents. Also gone are the efforts to get rid of Save Our Homes, the 1992 voter-approved plan that many lawmakers feel unfairly burdens non-residents and businesses who do not have the 3 percent cap on assessment increases.

Instead, Floridians may vote on a plan in January that is intended to be popular first and foremost; a plan lovable and simple enough to get three-fourths of the Legislature to agree to put it on the January ballot where it then needs 60 percent approval from voters.

he attributes it to the need to have bipartisan support.

Style change

"The now-younger face of the rights group is bringing new tactics and new priorities." "NAACP: Old fight, new style".

"A volatile liquid"

The Tampa Trib editors:

In Florida, drinking water can be a volatile liquid.

In the 1980s, overpumping at drinking water wellfields prompted 'water wars' among Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties. North Florida residents continue to fret that urban counties will try to tap their springs and rivers. And state government has spent years battling Georgia and Alabama in court over shared water resources, including the Chattahoochee River.

A 1998 Florida law sought to douse local water-supply conflicts by requiring counties to fully tap their own resources and devise other local sources before looking to other areas for water. It's appropriately known as 'local sources first.'

But in rapidly growing Central Florida, some water managers and utilities don't seem to understand the concept.