On Tuesday, the Democratic tide rolled into the most unlikely of places: Venice.

While the nonpartisan race hinged heavily on the direction of growth and development, both parties say it was still significant that the winning candidates were all Democrats.

"The Democrats have a reason to crow," Sarasota Republican Party Chairman Eric Robinson said. "They won. The county is becoming more liberal."

Although Democrats have been riding a two-year wave that has brought them electoral success in northern Sarasota County, Venice and the rest of South County always presented a more daunting challenge. All seven City Council members are registered Republicans and almost two-thirds of the city's voters are Republicans.

But then Tuesday came.

See 'Ya

"Barry Millman, an aide for Rep. Paige V. Kreegel, R-Punta Gorda, resigned Friday after he was caught using his state office and equipment to further Kreegel's re-election campaign."

The action came after House staffers found Millman guilty of "dishonesty" and recommended he be fired.

Allen Update

He's guilty: see "He Musta Fit, They Didn't Acquit" and for background see "If he doesn't fit, you must acquit".

"Herbert Hoover" says it all

The Palm Beach Post editors: "Last week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released yet another study of the Herbert Hoover Dike that surrounds Lake Okeechobee. The review, by independent experts whom the corps chose, agrees with previous studies: The 143-mile dike leaks and needs repairs. But the corps' plan to fix the dike, now considered a dam, has leaks of its own." "Repair dike the right way".

This is not a joke

"Nelson, Martinez, Keller seek wider search for stray bombs".

"'Crisis mode'"

The St Pete Times editorial board: "Butterworth has taken the first step, which is to end the state's contract with the Sarasota Family YMCA in Pinellas and Pasco counties. The YMCA stepped in to fill a void left three years ago by the financial failure of the Family Continuity Programs in Pinellas, but not much has improved. A task force appointed to look at all five counties under the YMCA's contract described Pinellas as 'in crisis mode,' with caseworker turnover at 70 percent and caseloads exceeding 40 children." "A foster care challenge".

If all politics is local ... heaven help us

"Former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez maintains that he and his protege, current Mayor Julio Robaina, ''absolutely'' remain friends -- even if the two haven't seen eye to eye lately." "Are political differences driving apart old allies?". See also "Góngora won't fight election loss" ("Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Góngora conceded defeat in his reelection bid Friday rather than filing a lawsuit challenging his loss to Ed Tobin.")

Charlie in over his head

"Crist raised no objections last week when appearing at a Washington news conference where the Army Corps of Engineers announced a plan that would reduce water flow into Florida's Apalachicola River. On Friday, however, Michael Sole, secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, said the state opposes the plan, which the corps proposed as a way to restock drought-stricken Atlanta's water supply." "Crist Opposes River Water-Sharing Plan, Officials Say". See also "Governor backs away from water war deal" and "Florida pulls out of deal on water".

'Ya think?

"Congress Right To Revive Funding For Everglades, Other Projects".

From the "values" crowd

"Much-desired staples including rice, pasta, milk and peanut butter are showing up less in food bags for the needy as federal aid has sunk to food banks nationwide." "Federal aid to South Florida food banks dwindles".

Good luck

"Florida firms hold out for Cuba trade".

League to fight "reform"

"The Florida League of Cities, wrapping up an annual legislative conference in Orlando, decided today to fight a $12 billion property tax relief package that lawmakers placed on the Jan. 29 ballot." "League of Cities to fight tax reform".

"Or else"

"The clock is really ticking now that federal officials have put the state of Florida on notice that it must complete a deal on expanded gambling with the Seminole Tribe, or else. Unfortunately, the "or else" option — the feds imposing their own arrangement, leaving Florida empty-handed— isn't troubling enough to some critical people." "Legal threats raise the ante on gambling compact with Seminoles".

Cat fund

"Shared risk: Federal plan moves forward".

Defense attorneys have questioned whether Allen was tall enough to peer over the stall door and whether there was ample room for the lawmaker and the officer inside the stall.

[Yesterday], Officer Danny Kavanaugh testified that Allen twice looked over the door of the handicapped stall as he was drying his hands and then joined him inside.

implied that it was physically impossible for Allen, who is 5-feet-11 and about 300 pounds, to look over the door and then squeeze inside the stall with the officer.

"How was he able to get his whole body in?" Eisenmenger asked the officer, who replied that the handicap stall, which is 5 feet 8 inches wide and 10 feet long, is made larger to accommodate wheelchairs.

"You could fit the jury in that stall," said Titusville police Chief Tony Bollinger, who was there Thursday when the panel, five attorneys, Allen and his wife, Beth, and about a dozen reporters with trucks descended on the placid riverfront park.

Charlie strides world stage, and falls on his derrière

"The governor, on an international trade mission to Brazil, canceled a meeting Wednesday with executives at Petrobras, the state-owned energy producer and mass distributor of biofuels."

According to a release, Crist steered clear of Petrobras because the company does business with Iran, and that violates the spirit of a bill he signed in June that forbids the state from investing its $140 billion pension fund in companies that do business with Iran. ... The board that oversees the pension fund announced that it will start divesting in September 2008 if the fund managers don't sever their ties from the targeted nations.

When the choice was going green or going with red, white and blue, Gov. Charlie Crist chose the colors that never run.

Raw political courage

"With his property-tax agenda derailed in the Florida Legislature, House Speaker Marco Rubio is making plans for his political future that include throwing his fundraising clout behind a drive for bigger property-tax cuts. The West Miami Republican has indicated he plans to raise money from lobbyists for two groups that will push his conservative policies -- and keep him politically relevant after term limits force him from office next year." "Florida House speaker to continue fight for tax cuts".

Plus they elected Dennis Baxley

"Actor Wesley Snipes is looking to move his tax-evasion trial from Ocala, calling it a 'hotbed' for Ku Klux Klan activity. In a motion filed in federal court, Snipes and his attorney say the government selected the Ocala federal courthouse to host the trial because it had the 'best possibility of an all-white southern jury.'"

Whatever the merits of Snipes' claim, the comments of local Chief Assistant State Attorney Ric Ridgway suggest that he ... how does one put this ... has spent too much time in Ocala:

"That's perhaps the most outrageous claim I've ever heard made in open court," Ridgway said. "I've been practicing here since 1983. I've never seen any evidence that there was racism here any more than anywhere else in the country. I think a person can get as fair a trial here as anywhere."

Equal time please

"The Republican Party announced Thursday that it will strip half the delegates of New Hampshire, Florida, South Carolina, Michigan and Wyoming for scheduling early nominating contests." "GOP Punishes Florida, 4 Other Early Voting States". See also "Florida penalized over early primary", "GOP smacks Florida for early primary", "GOP punishes five states by stripping half their delegates" and "Republican Party leaders vote 121-9 to punish Florida GOP".

Don't count on seeing a rash of articles, editorials and columns by our local pundits about how the GOP has shot itself in the foot and are otherwise a bunch of disorganized dopes. The traditional media has exhausted that meme with the Democrats and, well ... you know we need to move on and all that.

Whoopee!

"Jilted by the GOP earlier this year, viewers of the nation's largest Spanish-language television network will get a chance to see the Republican presidential candidates debate in Miami on Dec. 9." "GOP's top tier to join Spanish debate".

Beware "glittery, confetti-like material"

"U.S. Rep. Ron Klein's Fort Lauderdale office was evacuated for about three hours Thursday after a staffer opened a suspicious letter with glittery, confetti-like material inside and called the city's hazardous materials team. . . . The handwritten, printed letter on notebook paper had an illegible name and a fictitious return address and included religious slurs, a swastika and complaints about high property taxes, said Felicia Goldstein, Klein's district director. A staffer opened the letter and called the U.S. Capitol Police, who told the staffer to call Fort Lauderdale Police." "Material in letter forces evacuation of Klein's office".

Florida's booming economy

"With the plummeting Florida economy and bleak signs it will worsen, the state government's chief economists are estimating that property values for homes and businesses will start to tick down statewide in 2008 for the first time in recent history." "Falling property values predicted for Florida in '08".

Scrapping a "multimillion-dollar computer system"?

"Top [PBC] courts officials on Thursday took the first step down a path that could lead to a decision to scrap a multimillion-dollar computer system that keeps track of everything from traffic tickets to murder cases to big-money legal disputes." "Court officials vote to hire computer analyst".

Sorry Dubya

"Congress sent President George W. Bush its most forceful rebuke Thursday by overriding his veto of a water projects bill that directs billions of dollars toward restoration of the Everglades and recovery programs for Hurricane Katrina." "Senate rejects Bush veto". See also "Water bill overcomes Bush veto", "Bush veto negated on water legislation" and "Major water act includes dollars for Everglades restoration". The Sun-Sentinel editors: "Override of Everglades bill a lesson for Bush, a benefit for Florida".

One reporter put it this way: "President Bush suffered the first veto override of his seven-year-old presidency Thursday as the Senate enacted a $23 billion water resources bill." "Congress Overrides Bush Veto". It might have been helpful to mention how many times he vetoed legislation in, say ... his first six years in office.

Cat fund

"Attempts by Florida legislators to contain the cost of homeowner insurance took a long step forward Thursday when the House passed a bill to create a national fund to cover mega-disasters." "U.S. House approves catastrophe fund bill". See also "House passes bill to help homeowners insure against catastrophes".

Way to stand tuff against political pressure ...

The Florida Supreme Court sure ain't what it used to be. The News-Journal editors:

In four separate rulings in other states, the U.S. Supreme Court seems to have put the practice of lethal injection on hold. Yet the Florida Supreme Court, in rulings last week and this week, gave the go-ahead to execute two inmates.

In light of the federal court's ruling, Florida's failure to stay the executions seems particularly cruel. Mark Dean Schwab, convicted in 1991 of the brutal rape-murder of Junny Rios-Martinez, is set to die in Florida State Prison on Thursday. Members of Junny's family are preparing to travel to north Florida to witness the execution -- if it takes place.

It would have made more sense for state authorities to put that execution and the scheduled killing of Ian Lightbourne on hold until the U.S. Supreme Court works out issues surrounding the death penalty. Such a stay would be less stressful on families of victims, who have to live through the buildup of anticipation only to face a last-minute stay. If the federal court follows its established pattern, such a stay is almost certainly coming.

We're still waiting Mr. Brogan

The Palm Beach Post editors: "After almost five years on cruise control, Florida Atlantic University President Frank Brogan drove himself into a deep pothole. But even with Mr. Brogan's annual evaluation coming Wednesday, outsiders are more concerned than the FAU trustees about the damage. ... Mr. Brogan has been deceptive about this deal since The Post revealed it more than six months ago." "Davenport getting paid; public waiting for story".

'Ya think?

The latest from the genius running our state: "Ask the governor: Documentation critical in a fair election".

Jon and Marco

"House Speaker Marco Rubio has recruited another ally to bolster his contention that Gov. Charlie Crist cannot cut a deal on his own that would expand gambling on Seminole Indian land. Former House Speaker Jon Mills, now a University of Florida law professor and member of the most recent state Constitution Revision Commission, concluded: 'The Governor may not implement a valid compact that allows Class III (Las Vegas style) gaming on Indian lands in Florida without legislative authorization or approval.' Mills said he weighed in at Rubio's request." "Mills is Rubio ally on gambling".

Now that negotiations are over ...

Now that collective bargaining with Disney World's biggest union are over, we read: "Disney reports strong fourth-quarter earnings".

Orlando Weekly

You know the Orlando Sentinel editors are enjoying this: "Video released in Orlando Weekly case".

Those icky unions

"Some Florida lawmakers and a union are questioning a private equity firm's pending purchase of the nation's largest nursing home chain, demanding answers about how it will affect the 3,000-plus residents in the chain's 29 homes in this state. The lawmakers and the Service Employees International Union are asking that state regulators closely examine Carlyle Group's plan to take over Manor Care Inc. The $4.9 billion buyout, which has already been approved by Manor Care shareholders, is also being examined by officials and lawmakers in other states." And the Carlyle group's predictable response is ... you guessed it:

the union is taking on the sale as part of its campaign to increase union membership.

5 votes

"Orange City recount sees same result: 5-vote victory".

Good news

"Park officials can't remember the last time bald eagles were found nesting in the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, but now they're keeping a protective eye on a pair in a portion of the Everglades that is off-limits to the public." "Nesting bald eagles discovered in Palm Beach County wildlife refuge".

"The Golden Years"

Bill Cotterell on Bob McKnight's book "called "The Golden Years . . .," a combination of personal memoir and political notes by an insider who served in the Florida House and Senate when things were different around the Capitol." "Insider wisdom".

Pass the concrete

"Florida is a fast-growing state with a multibillion-dollar agriculture business that's one of its most productive economic engines. Yet the Sunshine State, for whom the orange is an icon, runs a real risk of unintentionally inflicting a form of lethal canker on the industry: unsustainable development." "Dwindling rural land poses threat".

Delightful

"Efforts to tighten the budget in Tallahassee are putting a squeeze on this year's teacher raises." "State cuts resulting in lower raises for teachers".

That's our Vern

"It was more than just a little suprising to see U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, voting to continue a debate to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney in Congress on Tuesday. But, it doesn't mean Buchanan actually wants to impeach the vice president, who a year ago came to Sarasota to campaign for Buchanan." "Buchanan votes to continue Cheney impeachment debate in House".

Half of the Brevard County residents picked to decide state Rep. Bob Allen's fate on a solicitation charge said Tuesday they either aren't sure or don't think prostitution should be a crime.

Might we expect more Florida election follies?

"A sweeping new elections law passed with great fanfare earlier this year is coming under the scrutiny of the U.S. Department of Justice, which wants to make sure parts of it won't discriminate against minorities."

Buried in the lengthy 42-page law, which forced counties to switch to optical-can voting machines for the fall 2008 elections, are changes to identification requirements for voters as well as new requirements for groups that register voters.

Because of past discrimination in five Florida counties -- Monroe, Collier, Hillsborough, Hendry and Hardee -- the federal government must sign off on changes to election law. While the federal government can block the law or parts of it from taking effect in only in those five counties, Florida law requires voting standards throughout the state to be uniform.

An Oct. 29 letter from the Department of Justice says the agency needs more information to decide the impact the changes will have on minority voters.

C'mon Charlie ... go for it!

"We then inquired whether that meant he would not accept the nomination if it's offered- or that he was too busy to think about it now." "Vice President Crist?".

Local elections (and the latest GOPer sex scandal)

This loser was unrepentant: "'They [the child molestation allegations] are contrived allegations against the mayor to break on the day before elections so that he would be discredited in the eyes of the people. I feel it is an attempt of an adversary to discredit me.'". "Mascotte mayor facing molestation charges loses re-election bid". For more, see "I'm not saying he's a Republican", but ...". See also "Small town mayor faces molestation charges".

More local stuff: "'Outsiders' triumph in St. Pete election", "Challenger Lenny Marks wins DeBary District 1 seat", "Homestead elects first female mayor", "Election results across Central Florida", "Key West mayor narrowly wins", "Venice growth challengers win big" (background: "Republicans on edge in Venice"), "2 newcomers in Palm Bay", "In vote for commissioners, Miami stays course", "Former [Bradenton] councilman ousts richer incumbent", "Angry [Sarasota] voters cast their ballots against growth" and "3 [Hialeah] incumbents win reelection".

Paint ballers have their turn

"A keystone of Batiste's defense is that all the talk about terrorism was aimed at proving to the informant, known to Batiste as 'Brother Mohammed,' that his group was bona fide -- when the real aim was money." "Defense opens case in 'Liberty City Seven' trial".

"Hurry up already"

The Sun-Sentinel editors: "After failing the people of New Orleans when a corps-engineered levee collapsed with devastating results, you'd think the Army Corps would be eager to prove itself. Instead, there are signs agency officials still do not grasp the urgency required." "Sense of urgency missing from Army Corps' Lake Okeechobee dike repair plan".

"And, they’re off!"

"In a brief, businesslike meeting at the Capitol Tuesday, leaders of the Florida Democratic and Republican parties adopted Florida’s official starting lineups for the Jan. 29 presidential primaries." "Dems, GOP adopt starting lineups for primaries".

Charlie on a deadline

"The federal government told Gov. Charlie Crist that it will take steps to allow expanded gambling in Seminole Indian casinos if he doesn't reach an agreement with the tribe by Nov. 15." "Feds Give Crist A Deadline On Indian Gambling".

Got a "claim"? ... here's half a million bucks

Frank Brogan is one tuff negotiator: "Florida Atlantic University gave former chief fund-raiser Lawrence Davenport more than half a million dollars in severance pay because he threatened legal action that could have reflected negatively on the school, according to state officials. ... President Frank Brogan told auditors he agreed to the $577,952 severance package because Davenport said he had 'claims' against the university that he was 'prepared to pursue through the judicial process.'" "FAU paid outgoing official to avoid bad press, state says".

Drought

"Florida's drought has had a major impact on agriculture, with losses hovering around the $1 billion mark." "Farming losses near $1 billion, with no end to drought on way".

It's Seminole County after all

"Republican Chris Dorworth appears to be headed to Tallahassee as the next state House representative for District 34." "Dorworth, Andrews, Lucarelli appear headed to victory".

"Drop like a rock"

"Commissioner Burt Aaronson, a Democrat, lobbed the harshest criticism, mocking the proposal as a failed effort by Gov. Charlie Crist to meet a pledge of making property taxes 'drop like a rock.'" "Impact of tax package worries Palm Beach County commissioners".

"Tear Down Walls"

The Tampa Trib editors: "To ask whether people of faith who have given millions to a ministry have been duped, is a particularly delicate question."

Yet that's what [Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa]is getting at in letters sent Monday to six ministries, including Without Walls International Church in Tampa. The senator wants detailed responses to financial questions about how church leaders handle donations and spend the money.

Pastor Randy White and his former wife, Paula, founded Without Walls in 1991 as "the perfect church for people who are not." Today, it is one of the largest and fastest-growing churches in the country, and the preaching Whites are rich and famous.

Some of their tactics have come under scrutiny in articles in the Tribune. For one, they borrowed $170,000 from a widow and failed to keep promises to her or pay her back until reporters revealed the problem in the pages of this newspaper.

The Whites should take this chance to answer Grassley's questions and prove their ministry is what they say it is: a ministry calling people to the service of God.

Fill in the blank

"If you've ever wanted to fight City Hall, this may be your chance." "Cast your vote for (your name here) on Election Day".

'Glades

"House overrides Everglades veto". This Bushco sycophant has finger in political wind: "Mica joins Democrats in water resources bill vote". See also "Everglades restoration projects that would be authorized in the Act".

Meanwhile, "Looking out over the vast Everglades, it's clear this is not the Florida of yesteryear." "Florida to face tight water restrictions after another lean year".

Off topic

The "we support our troops Dubya" wingnuts are at it again: "published reports say anti-porn and religious groups are complaining to Congress and Defense Secretary Robert Gates that certain materials supposedly banned from military bases in 1996 are still being sold there."You've seen it before:

groups like the American Family Association call the material pornography, and are trying to get Congress to make sure the Pentagon enforces the ban on the stuff.

Please. Military personnel risk their lives every day to defend our rights, and yet some anti-porn groups are applying pressure because they don't want that same military to have the right to look at certain materials — including many materials readily available to civilians.

Feeney the fool

Scott Maxwell wrote the other day of this letter from a reader:

Scott,

I recall during the 2000 election that Tom Feeney was quoted as calling Al Gore a "loser." Now that Gore's won an Oscar and a Nobel, feats that Feeney couldn't achieve in six lifetimes, I wonder if Feeney has changed his mind? Or perhaps he's just as mean-spirited now as he was then?

I'm delighted that former Vice President Al Gore - some people believe he was president-elect for 36 days - has been able to parlay his failed policies in the real world to a huge success in Hollywood's movie fantasyland. Al Gore's Nobel Peace Prize from socialist academics in Scandinavia now shares the company of Yasser Arafat and Jimmy Carter's Nobel Peace Prize for bringing permanent peace to the Middle East. (How well has that worked out?)

I'm not saying he's a Republican", but ...

One wonders what Feeney's response would be to this: "Mayor Jeff Krull was arrested tonight on six counts of lewd and lascivious molestation and one count of showing lewd and lascivious material to a minor." "Mascotte mayor arrested".

I'm not saying he's a Republican", but ... he has just endorsed this GOPer : "http://willpruitt.com/index.htm"

Allen update

And then there's this, just one more case in a never ending GOPer saga: "Jury selection continued at a slow pace Monday in the [gay] sex-solicitation trial of state Rep. Bob Allen." "Jury selection continues in Rep. Allen's trial". See also "Waiting to be judged, Rep. Bob Allen watches slow selection". See also "Allen jury selection enters second day".

While we're talking sex scandals, the Democrats are certainly not immune to similar charges, although the nature and number of GOPer scandals beggar the imagination - here are some of them.

"Lackluster"

"After months of running a lackluster reelection campaign and having his signature policy idea shunned by his own party, Republican state Rep. Carl Domino emerged last week as a rejuvenated Portability Man." "Portability issue gives Domino needed lift".

To the extent you care ...

... here are the "10 reasons why Mike Thomas won't vote for Florida's property-tax cut".

From the "values" crowd

The News-Journal editors: "The state ranks 48th in per-capita mental-health spending, ahead of only New Mexico and Arkansas. Unlike many states, Florida has no dedicated source of funding for mental-health and substance-abuse programs." "Challenge is sustaining mental-health services".

New public counsel

"James R. Kelly was chosen Monday as Florida's new public counsel to represent the state's consumers in rate cases before regulators." "Legislative panel chooses longtime agriculture consumer director".

Another privatization disaster

The St Pete Times editors:

To read the report of a distinguished review team is to confirm the worst fears about foster care in Pinellas County: Three years after the Sarasota Family YMCA took over the job from a group that had previously failed, child protection is still in chaos and the YMCA is in denial.

So stubborn is the YMCA's resistance to criticism that the review team questioned whether it could ever change. "If the YMCA continues to believe that negative perceptions ... are only due to a few disgruntled former providers ... and does not take the community's concerns and the recommendations of this report seriously," the team wrote, "it will continue to be plagued by similar issues and conflicts."

In formally presenting the report to YMCA board members Tuesday, Lee Haworth, chief judge of Florida's 12th Judicial Circuit, was similarly direct. "I do want to make this clear," Haworth said. "There needs to be a big change. There needs to be a serious change."

The question that now presents itself squarely to State Department of Children and Families secretary Bob Butterworth is one of scope: Is the YMCA capable of such dramatic change, or does he need to look for yet another new provider? Given the scale of the documented problems, he has little choice but to seek the latter.

Drought

"Florida agriculture sales are down $726 million this year, due mostly to an ongoing drought that a state House committee was told Monday probably will continue to worsen. The gloomy outlook could mean once-a-week water restrictions by the end of the year, South Florida Water Management District Director Carol Ann Wehle said." "Panel mulls Lake O's impact on agriculture". Related: "Officials say South Florida drought will worsen next year" and "As Lake Okeechobee's level falls, more water restrictions are likely".

Murdering murderers

"Two death row inmates asked the Florida Supreme Court on Monday to rehear their challenges to the state's lethal injection procedure." "Inmates seek rehearing on execution method". See also "Justices asked to rehear lethal injection challenge". The Tampa Trib editors: "State Should Forgo Execution By Lethal Injection For Now". The Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "No need to rush back to executions".

A liar then and a liar now

The Palm Beach Post editors: "In 2002 [when it was useful for Bushco to appear like they gave a damn about Florida] , President Bush vowed to restore the Everglades. In 2007, he doesn't want to keep that pledge." "Help out the Everglades by overriding Bush veto". And if you believed him then, you'' probably believe this too: "Latest U.S. energy plan: Use power of oceans".

Local voters

"Voters in six Miami-Dade cities -- some big, some small -- will go to the polls Tuesday, with Miami Beach and Homestead voters choosing a new mayor." "Voters go to polls in 6 towns".

Pathetic

Romney is forced to defend himself at a gathering of Florida "Federalist Society" (right-wing) lawyers:

At a speech in Davie Monday hosted by the conservative Federalist Society, Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney defended passing over GOP lawyers for judicial appointments when he was governor of Massachusetts.

Of the 36 lawyers Romney nominated, 23 were registered Democrats or independents who donated to Democratic candidates or voted in Democratic primaries, according to a Boston Globe analysis that was circulated by rival Fred Thompson. Two appointees supported expanding gay rights.

Jenne

Michael Mayo "The mysteries of the Jenne years go on. Soon we'll see what the judge thinks." "With Jenne's sentencing looming, mysteries still abound".

Qualifiers

"The starting gates will be formally filled with nine Republicans and eight Democrats today for Florida's Jan. 29 presidential primaries." "Ballots certified with 14 official candidates today".

Florida's shame

On Monday, the dopes at

the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange, a group representing more than 90 percent of the state's tomato farmers, said the Yum and McDonald's deals [with a Florida farmworker advocacy group in 2005 to pay a penny more per pound of tomatoes] "will not be executed and now are considered moot."

Even though growers aren't responsible for paying the extra penny per pound — McDonald's and Yum are — they object to a third party getting involved in setting pickers' wages.

Tomato pickers have long been characterized as low-paid migrant workers who toil long hours in the Florida sun. The penny-per-pound deal would raise their pay by about 70 percent, the Immokalee Workers group has said. Plus, the deal was hailed as a template for improving pay and working conditions in other agricultural industries.

On Monday, the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange said growers who supplied Yum Brands under the penny-per-pound deal will not do so this year. The McDonald's deal never went into effect, the exchange said.

In a press release, the exchange said its members have nixed the program because of "concerns over federal and state laws related to antitrust, labor and racketeering." Brown said such concerns arose over third-party involvement in the wage-setting process.

the future of [the] landmark deal to help tomato workers earn more money was cast in doubt Monday when the state's largest association of growers said that none of its members would participate in the deal and that it did not believe any other growers would either.

Taco Bell owner Yum Brands Inc. signed a deal with a Florida farmworker advocacy group in 2005 to pay a penny more per pound of tomatoes, money that would be passed on by growers to the workers. And earlier this year, the company added its other restaurant chains, including Pizza Hut, Long John Silver's and A&W All-American Food Restaurants, to the agreement.

The growers association had previously said its members would not participate, but its assertion that no growers are participating is new.

Following up on Yum's decision, McDonald's Corp. also agreed to a similar deal with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. That deal was to go into effect for the first time this harvest season, which begins later this month.

Taco Bell buys roughly 110 million pounds a year at about $100,000, said Yum vice president Jonathan Blum. The Louisville-based Yum's other chains buy a fraction of that amount. Yum Brands said it had two tomato suppliers in Florida last year, but did not immediately confirm how many it had this year, if any.

"Our agreement with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers for the Florida tomato pickers still stands," Blum said. "We think it's the right thing to do."

McDonald's Corp. said it was still in discussions with the coalition and its Florida produce suppliers and would not comment on the assertion by the Florida Tomato Grower Exchange.

"As we stated previously, McDonald's and our produce suppliers are committed to working with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) to address wages and working conditions for farm workers who pick Florida tomatoes for McDonald's U.S. restaurants," McDonald's USA spokesman William Whitman said in written statement.

Charter school follies

"The Palm Beach County School Board will decide Wednesday whether to appeal a state ruling that took away its exclusive authority to grant approval for charter schools." "School Board may vote to appeal state decision on charter schools".

Good luck

"If all goes well today, election results could be in earlier than usual, by an hour or even more. If all goes well. In an election. In Sarasota County. That is the nervously offered estimate of Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent, whose office is rolling out a new $3 million voting system to the county's 156 precincts." "Variety of issues and people on ballot".

Another press conference

"Crist announced two major initiatives Monday to strengthen alternative energy in Florida: A $182 million deal for a garbage-to-electricity plant in Tallahassee and a pledge to encourage Congress to end an import tax on Brazilian ethanol." "Gov. Crist announces major initiatives to strengthen alternative energy".

Strike ends

"A nearly five-month strike of about 500 workers involved in space-shuttle launch operations at Kennedy Space Center ended Sunday with ratification of a new contract, according to a news release from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 2061." "NASA machinists end strike".

Obama in Sarasota

"Barack Obama became the first major Democratic candidate for president to venture into Sarasota, wowing a crowd of about 200 people at a private home on Bird Key with a speech that focused on his experience, those who attended the event said." "Obama at Sarasota fundraiser".

A constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage in Florida is closing in on a spot on the 2008 ballot, triggering a political battle that could sway voters in a presidential year.

Florida4Marriage, the group pushing the amendment, has 597,000 signatures and needs only 13,000 more to put it before voters.

the issue could spike the number of voters, particularly conservative voters ...

"It's a wedge issue in a battleground state in a key election year."

Whatever

"Martinez gives Castro a slap on the wristbands".

"Making every vote count"

The Orlando Sentinel editors:

Florida has been the butt of a lot of election jokes since the debacle of the 2000 presidential race, but now the state is leading the way in election reform.

This year, Florida banned the use of touch-screen voting machines in favor of paper ballots that can be counted by hand if machines fail. Now a similar effort is being led in Washington by Florida's U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, and Congress would be wise to adopt this sound idea.

GOPer flop

The St Pete Times editors: "Legislature failed; It's tax panel's turn".

Charlie flops yet again

"Crist could have fought harder to keep Florida's share in the short term - even if it meant going to court. Obviously, that tactic, along with some dramatic pleas for help from the Bush administration, worked very well for Gov. Perdue." "Gov. Crist comes up dry".

"The Florida Hometown Democracy Effect"

"A proposal that puts growth in voters' hands may be behind a surge in development requests." "Owners rush to develop parcels".

Grubbing for the wingnut vote

"The politics of global warming are heating up. House Speaker Marco Rubio, who has challenged Gov. Charlie Crist’s more aggressive approach to fighting the problem, is about to weigh in." "Rubio not pleased with Crist's battle against global warming".

Military Contractor to take on Klein

"Back from a stint in Afghanistan as a private military adviser, retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Allen West says he's ready to challenge freshman U.S. Rep. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, in a Palm Beach-Broward congressional district where Republicans have lost much of their early optimism. West opened his campaign in June, then spent five months in Afghanistan as a private contractor advising the Afghan military. He returned to South Florida Friday." "Klein challenger set for fight".

"Held together by 'chewing gum' and 'baling wire.'"

"Florida's proposed property-tax overhaul could squeeze an already-battered state budget while further tangling a tax system that one former leader said is held together by 'chewing gum' and 'baling wire.'" "Tax plan leaves many unanswered questions".

And then there's this: "To sweeten the property tax relief measure on the Jan. 29 ballot, legislators have embraced a concept known as portability, allowing residents to take their capped tax savings with them when they move. It could be the measure's undoing." "Portable tax relief might carry costly legal baggage".

Cat fund

"The wildfires that ravaged tracts in Southern California are bolstering attempts in Congress to create a national catastrophe fund to help ease the cost of homeowner insurance." "Wildfires boost Florida's case for catastrophe fund".

Poor Bob

"At trial, Bob Allen facing national publicity". See also "Allen attorney doubts he can seat impartial jury on sex charges".

Charter school follies

"After a decade of having school districts shepherd their own charter schools, the state is stepping in -- but not without a fight by some school boards that view it as a Tallahassee power grab."

Already, 20 charter schools that want to open in Miami-Dade and at least nine in Broward have applied to a new state board, said Rudy Rodriguez, executive director of the fledgling Florida Schools of Excellence Commission, which will now oversee charter schools.

On Monday, the Florida School Boards Association will gather in Tallahassee to consider challenging the commission on constitutional grounds.

''We're very disappointed,'' said Wayne Blanton, the association's executive director. ``This is sort of a back-handed slap at a number of school districts. We're definitely going to take some sort of action.''

Charter schools are tax-funded schools with their own governing boards. More than 22,000 students in Miami-Dade and 17,000 in Broward are enrolled in charter schools.

Previously, the authority to open and close these schools rested exclusively with locally elected school boards. But some charter schools around the state were rife with scandal, and questions were raised about their oversight.

The Florida Legislature created the seven-member commission in 2006. Its members are appointed by the State Board of Education.

Thanks Dubya

"Bush's affliction with environmental myopia is well-established. Mr. Bush's action would do disproportionate harm to the Sunshine State. It took considerable time, effort and money to create a powerful federal-state partnership to save the Everglades, one for which president seems to lack enthusiasm." "All wet".

.The real insight Rep. Rubio offered was into his own self-image: the idea that a Florida transplant would have any idea who the state House speaker had been years earlier.

It was only the latest manifestation of Rep. Rubio's bout with Senate President's Disease, so named because it typically hits presiding officers of that chamber. They start believing the lobbyists and other courtiers in the nine square blocks surrounding the Capitol who tell them what a wonderful governor or U.S. senator they would make one day.

In this term, it has hit neither the titular president, Ken Pruitt, nor his shadow co-president, Sen. Webster. But it became apparent as early as last year that it had stricken Rep. Rubio, who already had used the Republican Party imprimatur to finance his "100 Ideas" machine that featured, of course, himself.

After all, he'd been tapped by no less than Jeb Bush himself as his ideological heir apparent. But Jeb Bush had a brother in the White House, his family name, his larger-than-life personality, and an extraordinary grasp of details [sic] - and he still had problems with the Florida Senate.

In contrast, Rep. Rubio had some of Mr. Bush's old staff, a style that bordered on glib, and a fondness for sweeping, big-picture ideology that was hazy on the details. To top it off, he surrounded himself with allies who remain angry that Gov. Crist beat their preferred candidate in the Republican primary last year.

Which is why, in the speaker's battles with the Senate and despite the conciliatory language toward the governor, it wasn't close to a fair fight. After Gov. Crist took the lead on property insurance in the January special session, Rep. Rubio called dibs on property taxes - and insisted on the right-wing solution of the moment: eliminating property taxes and increasing the sales tax.

Even last week, Rep. Rubio decried the other players' lack of "leadership." The other players, understandably, wondered how merely believing Rep. Rubio's ideas to be more "bad" than "bold" made them lousy leaders.

Not that it mattered. The Senate already had grown tired of Rep. Rubio's aggressive style - at one point he called property taxes "immoral" - and eagerness to accuse them of opposing "meaningful" tax relief. So, when Sen. Webster came up with a plan to give Gov. Crist almost all of what he wanted and Rep. Rubio almost nothing of what he wanted, and, best of all, to send it to Rep. Rubio so late that he had no choice but to accept it or be blamed for not providing tax relief - well, the Senate passed it 35-4. Having no choice, so did the House.

GOPers just can't do the "hard work"

"Perhaps lawmakers were just whipped after a full year of wrangling with tax reform in the regular session and two special sessions."

[T]oo many state lawmakers seem to forget or choose to ignore that Florida gradually has shifted more of the tax burden to local governments, especially for education, law enforcement and social services. This shift is aggravated by Florida's basic tax structure, which relies heavily on sales taxes, a regressive mechanism that takes more money from the poor and middle-class to support state government.

Any real reform of property taxes would be so costly that paying for it should be spread more broadly than current schemes at tempt. This would call for another look at some of the $14 billion removed from state coffers since 1998 by tax cuts and loopholes that primarily benefited corporations and wealthy residents. There is still time for comprehensive reform. The commission and Legislature should look at the big picture, not just the part that suits their agenda.

Is Rudy really the Florida GOPer choice?

Giuliani's "distortions about European medicine may make for entertaining campaign rhetoric, but they offer nothing to the 47-million Americans who have no insurance and are typically turned away from doctors' offices. As a new survey in Health Affairs reports, although the U.S. spends twice as much on health care per capita as other industrialized nations, adults here have less access to doctors and are more likely to skip medicines."

[I]n Florida, where Giuliani still leads in the polls among Republicans, the State Health Insurance Advisory Board reported Monday that one in every four people had no health insurance last year. That number has increased 38 percent in just eight years.

The total number of the uninsured is only part of the growing health-care puzzle, though. In Florida, the number of people who are covered through their workplace has continued to plummet. Last year, according to a new Economic Policy Institute survey, only 50 percent of workers were insured by their employer - ranking the state 46th in the nation.

"Wavering"?

"Ten months ago, Gov. Crist and Department of Children and Families Secretary Bob Butterworth correctly excoriated their predecessors' "delay just to delay" stance against Marissa Amora, a permanently brain-damaged 8-year-old whom the state alternately fought and ignored since being ordered in 2005 to pay $26.8 million for neglecting her as a toddler."

Now, though, the governor and Mr. Butterworth also appear to be wavering on the state's commitment to pay for Marissa's care.

Whatever

From a man who was born on home plate and thought he hit a homer (apologies to AR): "Jeb chimes in on the GOP presidential race".

Hiaasen: "a massive environmental crime"

Carl Hiaasen

One of South Florida's dirtiest secrets is the daily dumping of a half-billion gallons of sewage into the Atlantic Ocean.

The polluters are the governments of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, which use submerged pipes to pump the ''minimally treated'' wastewater two to three miles off our beaches.

It's a massive environmental crime that hasn't received much public attention, probably because it takes place underwater and out of sight.

But, at long last, the state Department of Environmental Protection is seeking to shut down the pipelines and halt the flow of urban sewage into the ocean. The DEP says the counties should recycle the wastewater instead of flushing it on the reefs (or what's left of them).

The official reaction of county leaders has been remarkably devoid of shame or remorse. They strongly oppose the DEP initiative, saying there's no conclusive evidence that a daily deluge of 500,000 gallons of crappy water seriously harms marine life.

"How many favors will it take?"

Randy Schultz: "What Florida needed from the Legislature this year, Florida didn't get. What Florida didn't need, Florida got."

Florida needed effective property insurance reform. As the rate filings of the past few months have shown, what the Legislature passed in January didn't work. After hearing promises that rates would drop by one-fourth, policyholders got grumpier with every non-decrease, also known as a rate increase. . . .

One reason the governor coveted a tax amendment - even after the Legislature had passed a property-tax cut that is showing up in mailboxes as the new bills arrive - is because the insurance plan failed. Between now and Jan. 29, when Floridians vote on the tax amendment, the governor will try to talk about nothing but taxes. Starting in February, though, he and the Legislature need to talk again about insurance.

Last week, the National Federation of Independent Business/Florida praised the news that workers compensation insurance rates will go down almost 20 ''percent more next year, for a savings statewide of $700 million. Since 2003, when the Legislature "reformed" workers comp, rates are down 50''percent.

That's because the 2003 law cut benefits even more than the previous three workers comp "reforms." Having received all the favors they could extract, practically freed from having to pay claims, the companies lowered rates.

That's how some insurers make money in Florida: They get off the hook for things that might cost money. When mold became a scary issue, coverage for mold went away. When sinkholes in the Tampa Bay area became a problem, the Legislature gave companies a break on sinkhole coverage. And, of course, companies are dropping wind coverage in Florida, even though they keep making lots of money.

Sure, taxes are a big deal. But as The Post reported last fall, businesses were expecting property insurance increases of about 400 percent. Insurance is "the single biggest variable affecting capital flows into our state and industry for the foreseeable future," said the chief investment officer for Stiles Corp., a major South Florida developer.

But Florida got no insurance reform and the wrong kind of tax reform. Reject the amendment, so 2008 can be a do-over year. Florida needs it.

"Serfs"

The Tampa Trib editorial board: "This newspaper, led by reporters Lindsay Peterson and Billy Townsend, has drawn back the curtain on CSX this year to reveal a culture that, quite frankly, treats Florida taxpayers like serfs." "Relegating Public To Caboose Derails Confidence In CSX".

Whatever

"Crist heads to Brazil to boost trade, business ties".

There's an idea . . .

This is probably not one of Marco's 100 fab ideas: "Former Florida Senate President John McKay has proposed a plan that could cut property taxes up to 45 percent by eliminating sales tax exemptions that mostly benefit businesses. McKay filed the proposed state constitutional amendment Friday with the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission on which he serves." "McKay files proposal to lift sales tax exemptions".

Bill Cotterell observed the other day that "we are a big, growing, diverse state with a strait-jacket revenue system based on a regressive, Swiss-cheese tax code. The sales tax, mainstay of our budget, is riddled with exemptions that were enacted not because they produce jobs or spur the economy, but because somebody hired the right lobbyists." "This isn't reform".

Better late than never?

"Rosier's lawsuit, filed Thursday, claims [winner] Dorworth did not follow state statute because he filed his resignation from the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District board by e-mail, not in writing, and that he failed to file copies with the governor and secretary of state. ... copies of Dorworth's resignation were delivered to the governor and secretary of state on Friday." "Opponent's lawsuit has no merit, says District 34 House candidate".

Allen Update

"State Rep. Bob Allen is facing the fight of his life this week as his trial on a charge of soliciting prostitution begins Monday in a Brevard County courtroom. But just finding a fair and impartial jury could be one of his toughest battles, said Allen's attorney Greg Eisenmenger." "Publicity worries Allen's defense".

Florida's booming economy

"Florida's recovery from an economic crunch driven by the slumping housing market will take longer than previously forecast, state economists said." "Economists forecast slower housing slump recovery".

Well, at least the crime rate is down ... isn't it? "Florida Crime Rises Slightly in 1st Half of 2007".

Water war

Mike Thomas: "Look what is going on in Atlanta. That is our future. It is time to change our habits." "Water wars will land squarely on home turf". See also "Water wars pit Florida oyster industry against Georgia, Alabama".

On the cutting edge

"Tucked away under the heading 'energy devices based on renewable resources' is Florida Statute 163.04. The Legislature passed the law in 1980 mainly to protect solar energy projects from the petty constraints of local ordinances, the objections of fussy homeowners' associations and the impediments of narrow-minded deed restrictions, but it also explicitly protects your right to put up a clothesline." "Exercising my right to dry".

Who knew?

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "Mr. Rangel would pay for abolishing the AMT by raising taxes on Americans making more than $200,000 a year and letting the Bush tax cuts expire. If that sounds hunky-dory, consider that Florida would be hit with a bigger hike than any other state, according to GOP Rep. Connie Mack."

Is Mack saying we lead the nation in folks who make (not necessarily earn) "more than $200,000 a year and [would otherwise pay more by] letting the Bush tax cuts expire"? If that is the case, Florida has a more serious problem with income disparity than I realized.

Let's hope he stays away from the French wine

"A Central Florida legislator is taking a paid trip to study nuclear plants in France, put on by an industry group that hopes to spur more nuclear-plant construction throughout the United States." "Constantine to see French nuke plants".

You remember Mr. Constantine, not a man who is shy about using his connections - even if he is drunk as a skunk; according to the police officer who arrested him:

"As I talked to him, I smelled the strong odor of alcoholic beverages coming from his breath, Ertel said. "His eyes were red and glassy and he had a difficult time talking..."

In a four-minute videotaped session at Orange County's DUI test center, a visibly despondent Constantine asked 10 times to speak with Sheriff Kevin Beary.

"I would like to talk to Kevin Beary first," Constantine said on the tape when told his license would be suspended for a year if he refused to submit to the test. "I don't believe that I was impaired and I'd like to talk to Kevin Beary."

During Tuesday's hearing, Ertel also said Constantine also asked to speak to the Maitland police chief.

You reckon?

"DCF Task force says finding missing children a top priority".

Luvin' the private sector

The Sun-Sentinel editorial board always comes home to momma: "Floridians can trash private insurance companies all they want, but the Sunshine State needs a robust private market as much as it needs quiet hurricane seasons." "Robust private insurance market needed".

Expect a challenge

"Court challenge looms for tax plan" "Court challenge looms for tax plan". See also "Anxiety may buoy tax plan, some say" and "Despite reservations, lawmakers support giving voters final say on tax package".

From the "values" crowd

"New changes to a Medicaid waiver mean people with disabilities will receive fewer services from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities than before." "Democrat: State cuts mean fewer services for disabled".