Plan D from Tallahassee

"Prominent Barack Obama supporters are considering compromise plans to ensure Florida Democrats have a voice in the presidential nomination, even leaving open the door for Hillary Rodham Clinton to win more delegates out of Florida than Obama."

Obama allies had long suggested the best Clinton could hope for was a deal to evenly divide Florida's delegates to the nominating convention. Now, though, Sen. Bill Nelson and key players in Congress and on the Democratic National Committee are raising the possibility of allocating a portion of Florida's delegates based on the results of Florida's Jan. 29 primary, which could shrink Obama's overall delegate lead to anywhere from a handful to roughly 20 delegates.

"Florida can be in play in November, and we need to get this situation resolved," said Allan Katz of Tallahassee, an Obama supporter, superdelegate and DNC member. "If the Obama campaign is willing to make a small concession in order to get (Florida represented), it's not my decision to make, but it's something I would probably encourage."

Neither campaign has officially embraced the idea, and Obama supporters on Friday were skeptical the Clinton campaign wants to resolve Florida's Democratic primary problem. But the idea could provide a path to ending the dilemma before the national convention in August.

This blathering about a "deal" is at the very low end of the food chain; after all,

The talks are occurring mostly among Democrats in Florida's congressional delegation.

"Obama allies push for a deal".

Out in the real world, where they have rules and crazy things like that: "Florida Democrats got a stern warning Friday from the co-chairman of a group that will determine whether the state gets a say in the presidential race: Hold a re-vote, or risk not getting seated at the party convention to pick a nominee." "Credentials panel leader warns Florida Democrats they should re-vote".

The Sun-Sentinel's Douglas C. Lyons adds some perspective on a possible do-over by mail:

It's deja-vu all over again. The Sunshine State continues to live up to its legend. Butterfly ballots, hanging chads, and now primary do-overs — there's not enough muck in the 'Glades to keep fueling the state's burgeoning reputation for messing up presidential elections.

Fortunately, cooler heads in the Democratic Party are prevailing in debunking the idea of a do-over by mail. The proposal is simply lose-lose: It falls far short of resolving the problem of a nasty nomination fight, and it once again reinforces the image of a state that can change the nation's course — for the worse.

"Douglas C. Lyons: Going postal in primary do-over never had a shot".




Imagine ... tax cuts?

"Monday could be a momentous day for those seeking to change Florida's property tax system. The powerful Taxation and Budget Reform Commission will decide if proposals for what would amount to the biggest property tax cuts in Florida's history will go before voters in November." "Panel faces historic tax-cut decision". See also "State panel imagines new ways to tax".




"Canaries in coal mines"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "You've heard about canaries in coal mines whose deaths warn miners of potential danger. Florida has birds in Florida Bay whose deaths are warning of environmental collapse and the need for action." "Dying bay, dying birds; save them, save the state".




Whoopee!

"Now 36 state agencies, the 11 state universities and the universities' Board of Governors all have open government contacts." "Goals being met _ and more _ at Office of Open Government". See also "Audit: Agencies want to provide records, but sometimes slip up".




Stripper tales

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "The allegations made by New York stripper Christy Yamanaka against 2nd District Court of Appeal Judge Thomas E. Stringer Sr. warrant a careful look by authorities." "Judge's conduct needs scrutiny".




Kenny Boy

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Historically, Florida legislators have loved meddling in education matters, but none has come close to the ignoble deeds proposed by the current leadership, most specifically Senate President Ken Pruitt." "Pruitt proposal encourages political meddling in schools".




Another Jebacy

"Two new appraisals of the route for the proposed Orlando commuter rail likely will spark more debate over the contested project. Florida transportation officials have said the $491-million deal benefits the state because major freight improvements also will be done instead of paying for the market value of 61.5-miles of railroad. But early appraisals suggest the Central Florida route is worth less than the value of the 2006 deal." "Appraisals add fuel to CSX commuter rail debate".




Stoopid Jebbites

"The fence was the idea of a statewide Domestic Security Oversight Council that included staff from former Gov. Jeb Bush's office." "$700,000 fence was waste of money, Florida agency head says".




Quince

"As a child, Peggy Quince went to segregated schools in Virginia. This summer, she will become the chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court." "Quince makes history in Supreme Court". See also "Quince to be Florida's first African-American female chief justice".




But what would the insurers say?

"After hearing 24 hours of testimony during two months, a state Senate panel formed to drill into last year's insurance reforms offered a grab-bag of ways to hammer down premiums Thursday. The list includes making it easier to prosecute Florida insurers for antitrust violations, lifting the $100,000 cap on fines the state can impose on companies that don't comply with investigations and scaling back allowable insurer profits. But even the panel's co-chairman had doubts that the tough medicine prescribed could pass in an election-year legislative session." "Florida Senate panel unveils ways to reduce insurance premiums".




Long odds

"House odds long on Senate's video lottery legislation".




War on drugs

"Though he has admitted to smoking marijuana, Gov. Charlie Crist said he still favors Florida's tough drug laws and doesn't support legislative plans to review whether to lessen penalties for some crimes such as non-violent drug possession." "Crist wants to maintain drug penalties".




"Speaking in dungs?"

Daniel Ruth: "These Poor Souls Never Had A Prayer".




Gasbaggery

"Officials with Citizens insurance — the state-backed insurer of last resort for property owners unable to find other coverage — faced hours of grilling Friday from House Insurance committee members and its chairman, Rep. Don Brown, R-De Funiak Springs. The workshop meeting, with no votes taken and no bills under scrutiny, was called by Brown, a long-time critic of Citizens." "Citizens insurance officials questioned while under oath". See also "Citizens Insurance Scrutinized".




Off topic

"Office Depot CEO earns $17.8 million during difficult 2007".




Panthers

"Although at about 100, the number of panthers is more than three times what it was in the early 1980s, state officials still grapple with tough questions about how to preserve and protect the big cats. Last year, 15 panthers were killed in collisions with cars, and one has been killed, so far, this year, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission." "Officials proclaim day of the panther".