Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, swaddled in a dark sweater and a thermal top, and his top lieutenant, state Rep. David Rivera, traded South Florida for southern New Hampshire, calling GOP voters from Huckabee's makeshift New Hampshire headquarters here and thrusting Florida oranges to passing motorists, urging them to vote for the former Arkansas governor.

"Scant evidence of serious problems"

The Supreme Court is hearing oral argument today on "whether the procedures used in lethal injections violate the Constitution's prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment."

In 35 of the 36 states with the death penalty, including Florida, lethal injection involves a three-drug protocol developed by Oklahoma's medical examiner in 1977: sodium thiopental to render the inmate unconscious, pancuronium bromide to paralyze the muscles and potassium chloride to cause cardiac arrest.

Lawyers for the inmates say the protocol is complicated and must be performed with precision to avoid the risk of agonizing pain.

They argue that poorly trained personnel could inadequately administer the drugs and that the paralyzing agent masks what could be a tortuous death.

... states with the death penalty argue that the challengers have provided scant evidence of serious problems in the more than 900 executions performed by lethal injection ...

In a Florida case in December 2006, it took Angel Diaz more than half an hour - twice as long as usual - to die from a lethal injection. An investigation found that the injection had been poorly performed, with the needles pushed through the veins to the flesh underneath, lessening the drugs' effectiveness.

"It is a shockingly problematic method of execution," said Deborah Denno, a Fordham University law professor who has compiled much of the research about how lethal injection is carried out.

Charlie's tax cut "claim is wildly exaggerated"

"Among the promises made by proponents of the Jan. 29 referendum on cutting property taxes, one vow has shined as a simple enticement to all homeowners. 'We have a chance to double the homestead exemption,' Gov. Charlie Crist repeated in an e-mail last week, echoing what he and lawmakers have promoted as the centerpiece of the tax plan. But that claim is wildly exaggerated." "Don't Bank That Florida 'Tax Cut' Just Yet".

Another Jebacy

Bill Cotterell: "So much for running government like a business, an oft-cited principle of conservative lawmakers."

The work-force report said the average salaries for employees in the State Personnel System — at all levels — rose 12.7 percent since 2002, or in ex-Gov. Jeb Bush's second term. But in the private sector, the average wage for all industries rose 18.7 percent. ...

The 2002-06 span is significant not only because it covers Bush's re-election and second term, but also the five years after passage of Service First, the former governor's sweeping overhaul of state government's personnel systems.

Jebbie's corporate welfare

"What the railroad wants, the railroad gets."

That seems to be Florida's policy since the state has doled out millions to six of these privately run businesses to improve their tracks.

What's more, those millions have come with the approval of oversight committees that include railroad executives who stand to benefit most from this use of the state's transportation dollars.

And those executives got their appointments from state leaders who received, or whose party collected, significant political contributions. ...

Since 2005, through legislation championed by former Gov. Jeb Bush, millions have gone to a half-dozen rail companies whose owners and executives were insiders in the planning process.

Pumping up the vote

"Sharpton was in Orlando as part of an effort to mobilize black voters for the Jan. 29 Democratic primary sponsored by the local NAACP and the Black Partnership, a coalition of organizations." "The Rev. Al Sharpton visits Orlando, urges voters to go to the polls".

Looks like a slam dunk

"Campaigning for Orlando's top spot has been quiet in the weeks before the Jan. 29 vote." "Familiar foes face off in Orlando mayoral election".

The retiree thing

The Miami-Herald editors: "The word has gotten out about Florida. It is not the paradise that many people once thought it was. According to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Florida's population grew only 1.1 percent in 2007 -- compared to 1.8 percent in 2006 -- the slowest pace in 10 years. More people, especially retirees, are looking to states like Georgia, South and North Carolina and Tennessee to spend their golden years."

State leaders should worry about this for at least two reasons:

• First, the retirees. When all of the pluses and minuses are added up, retirees provide about $4 in revenue for every $3 they cost in government services, according a University of Florida study. Florida may not want to recruit retirees as aggressively as it has in the past, but they still are a demographic group worth having and worth luring -- especially when many other states are actively recruiting them. Ignoring seniors, as seems to be the policy now, is a losing proposition.

• Second, Florida's economy is highly dependent on population growth. This is a problem. Depending on population growth to fund essential services, such as education, healthcare, prisons and roads, is a poor economic model. Depending on population growth means that Florida relies heavily on construction, home-building, real-estate and related industries to keep state revenues flowing.

"Teen seeks aid getting rebels to free his dad"

"SARASOTA - While most 15-years-olds are working toward getting their driver's licenses, Kyle Stansell is working toward getting his father released from Colombian rebels. Stansell and his grandparents recently took a trip to Venezuela to meet President Hugo Chavez and learn what he could about his father's situation. ... Stansell said his trip to Venezuela and Colombia, where he met with Chavez and other government officials, was the most promising development in years." "Chavez might be key for release of American hostage".

Rosewood

"Robie Mortin, 92, has never forgotten New Year's Day 85 years ago. 'I was 8 years old when this whole thing happened, home with our father in bed asleep, less than a mile from where they hung Uncle Sam,' Mortin remembers." "Rosewood Massacre's memories remain vivid".

Immigration politics

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "This much is certain when dealing with the contentious crossfire involving illegal immigrants: Solutions need to be addressed on a federal level. It's not a state issue, and certainly not a local issue. So why are state legislators trying to squeeze a total of six bills through the next session that would serve no purpose other than to dump the problem on state and local governments?" "Illegal immigration needs a national, not Florida, solution".

Registrations up in Sarasota County

"In the past two presidential primaries, only one in five registered voters in Florida bothered to cast ballots."

This year looks different: thousands of people have registered or switched parties in recent months, leading some elections officials to predict the highest turnout in at least a decade.

In Sarasota County alone, 4,200 residents registered to vote in the past two months. Charlotte County received twice as many requests for absentee ballots as in 2004.

"There is a high level of energy out there on both sides," said Bob Jackson, who teaches politics and election studies at Florida State University. "It's a more engaging and competitive process that you'd be hard-pressed to find in any other year."

Kathy Dent, Sarasota County's elections supervisor, expects 35 to 40 percent turnout, which would be double the previous two presidential primaries.

But we're the "Dudas" ...

"A. Duda & Sons is challenging a water management district rule requiring the company to get a permit for work that ultimately drained more than two square miles of wetlands in West Viera." "Duda wetland hearing today".

Mahoney

"Mahoney said fighting for legislation that sets the stage for the Indian River Lagoon cleanup and bio-fuel production in the agricultural communities around Lake Okeechobee topped his list of accomplishments in his first year in office. In an interview last week, Mahoney, D-Palm Beach Gardens, said he's confident he will win re-election this year and hopes to work with a new president who will shift the focus of the war on terror to capturing Osama bin Laden and defeating al-Qaida." "Rep. Tim Mahoney would renew push to capture bin Laden".

"Legislature is not willing to spend what it takes"

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "The Board of Governors is best suited to set tuition rates. The Legislature is not willing to spend what it takes to provide the quality universities Florida deserves." "The universities' board of governors, not legislators, should set tuition rates".

Dems doing it right in Palm Beach

"Though they've been snubbed by their party's presidential candidates, Palm Beach County Democrats seem to be more fired up about Florida's Jan. 29 primary than local Republicans. One indicator: Democratic absentee ballot requests outnumber Republican requests by more than a 2-to-1 margin in the county." "Absentee ballot requests pour in from Democrats".

It would be interested to know if this is the result of an organized Dem effort.

"A few ounces of common sense"? Good luck

The St. Pete Times editorial board: "The case of Kenneth Young [then a 14-year-old who neither killed nor injured anyone and was sentenced to spend his entire life in a Florida prison], who is now 22 and a model inmate, speaks to the brittle nature of Florida's criminal justice system and why it can stand a few ounces of common sense. Unfortunately, the Legislature has yet to provide any." "When it's wrong to throw away the key".

Huckabee's win increases the chances that there will be no clear Republican front-runner when Floridians vote 24 days from now. Mitt Romney's second-place Iowa finish damages his hopes of reducing the Republican race to a Giuliani-Romney duel by the time Florida Republicans cast their ballots.

Obama's Iowa victory and John Edwards' second-place finish remove the air of inevitability that has surrounded Clinton, who has consistently led in national polls and enjoyed better than a 2-to-1 polling edge over Obama in Florida.

Giuliani also has led most Florida polls, though his margin has been shrinking and one December poll showed Huckabee ahead in the state.

"A big reason for the high numbers you see for Hillary and Rudy in Florida is they are the candidates people know," said Democratic Florida political consultant Robin Rorapaugh. "But Florida voters are about to learn a whole lot about a guy named Barack Obama and a guy named Mike Huckabee. That will definitely have an effect."

A longtime state senator from Jacksonville said Friday that Obama's Iowa win could swing some Clinton supporters over to Obama.

"Probably those who were just supporting both of them at the same time will come over now," said Sen. Tony Hill, D-Jacksonville, who is backing Obama.

"We do not anticipate that impacting the results in Florida at all," said David Goldenberg, a spokesman for Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar, one of three members of Florida's black congressional delegation who is backing Clinton. "Sen. Clinton has been beloved by Democrats in Florida and many Republicans and independents as well."

State Sen. Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, had supported Clinton over Obama, even though he wanted to back Obama.

But he said his endorsement is up for grabs for either candidate if they decide to break the campaign boycott in the weeks before the Florida primary.

"I was supporting her, but I just stopped supporting any of the candidates until they campaign in Florida," he said.

Sentinel editors "confounded"

The Orlando Sentinel editors today: "The SBA's own auditors warned managers last year that risky investments weren't being watched closely. After studying investments between 2003 and 2004, the auditors raised a host of concerns. Had former SBA Executive Director Coleman Stipanovich responded more quickly to the audit, maybe the panic that nearly wiped out the important $27 billion local-government investment pool could have been avoided." "Our position: The state investment fund still doesn't have enough controls in place".

The editors also find it "confounding that some of the riskier investments backed by subprime mortgages were made after experts reported problems with the subprime meltdown."

Shouldn't the media - to avoid being "confounded" - be asking questions regarding the July and August sales of $842 million in mortgage bonds from Lehman, a month after Jebbie (in June) was hired as a consultant for Lehman:

- Did conversations take place, between state investment managers and Bush after he was hired by Lehman as to investments?

- Did those investments comprise mortgages sourced by Florida developers who contribute to Republican campaigns?

- How was Jeb Bush compensated by Lehman: was it a monthly retainer, a "success" fee, or was he paid a commission on the sale of those bonds?

- Did Lehman in 2007 make contributions to charities or organizations related to Jeb Bush or his loyalists?

"Graham reserved his biggest praise for Republican Sen. John McCain"

"Four years after his failed bid for president, former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham is joining a group of moderate Democrats and Republicans to urge the current field to renounce partisan bickering and end Washington gridlock."

Some participants in Monday's meeting, hosted by University of Oklahoma President David Boren, have suggested they might go so far as to back an independent, third-party candidate, such as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

But Graham, one of Florida's best-known and most successful Democrats, said he's never met Bloomberg and hasn't ruled out endorsing one of the Democratic presidential candidates.

''I want to make it absolutely clear this is not a rally for any independent candidate,'' Graham said. ``We're trying to fix the two-party system.'' ...

An endorsement from Graham would be a coup for a presidential contender seeking to shore up support in the anti-war wing of the party. But when asked to analyze the current field, Graham reserved his biggest praise for Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

And your point is?

This Trib piece today begins with this shot at the Dems: "Thousands of Bay area voters have switched their party affiliations since Aug. 25, when the Democratic National Committee voted to strip Florida of its delegates to the nominating convention."

You'd never know, until you got deeper into the article that Dems actually got more party switchers: "In all, 5,634 Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas voters have switched to the Republican Party since Aug. 25. An additional 6,369 switched to the Democratic Party". "Thousands Of Voters Change Party Affiliation".

HD 27

Daytona Beach City Commissioner Dwayne Taylor has opened an account and is raising money for the "Democratic nomination to represent District 27 in the Florida House of Representatives. The district stretches across Volusia County from Daytona Beach to DeLand. DeLand Democrat Joyce Cusack, now in her fourth term representing District 27, is prevented by term limits from running again. Also seeking the Democratic nomination is Terry Dilligard, a former DeLand city commissioner. Dilligard and Taylor will square off in the Aug. 26 primary." "Commissioner announces run for state seat".

The fruits of privatization

"A new survey suggests Florida has done a poor job of equipping foster children for life out of care." Surely there is a reason for this?

Some advocates insist, though, that DCF and its contracted private foster care agencies -- called community-based care agencies, or CBCs -- have done poorly with the few dollars they have received.

Florida's Verdun

"400 pounds of bombs unearthed at Odyssey Middle School in Orlando". Well, not quite Verdun: "it is estimated that 12 million unexploded shells still lie in the soil around Verdun.".

Tanner

Volusia County "State Attorney John Tanner's claims that an appointed prosecutor ran a biased probe against him may be heard in court sometime next month, according to a court schedule discussed Friday. Attorneys discussed the handling of this last loose end from Tanner's legal effort to keep a grand-jury report about him sealed." "Hearing is possible for State Attorney John Tanner". See also "New deposition ordered in state attorney battle".

"Dan, Ken, Marco and Steve"

The Sun-Sentinel editors write a letter - "Dear Dan, Ken, Marco and Steve:

It seems like yesterday when you guys had just assumed your leadership positions in the Florida Legislature. ...

Instead of stepping up, though, you guys stepped in it.

The Legislature had a dismal year in 2007, having spent endless sessions flubbing the year's most pressing issues — property insurance relief and tax reform. Granted, the stakes, and expectations, were high, but many Floridians simply didn't think you guys acquitted yourselves well. Their local tax notices and property insurance cancellations told them that much.

The Fantastic 4, you guys weren't.

The outlook for 2008 isn't much better.

Off topic

"South Florida so cold that iguanas fell out of trees".

Tough day

"In the nearly 20 years since Victoria Sando was paralyzed by a suicidal ex-boss who shot her five times in a parking lot, the 55-year-old Dania Beach woman has had days when she thought life could not get any tougher." It did: "Desire for change could affect Florida presidential primaries".

McCollum' flops

"Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum's last-minute push to delay the approval of Gov. Charlie Crist's gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe fell short Friday when a federal district judge in Washington refused to block the deal" "Seminoles' gambling deal clears another hurdle".

"How some shallow politicians judge public school"

The Tampa Trib editors: "Some lawmakers are questioning the 10 percent bonus - worth more than $4,000 - that is awarded to teachers who earn their national certification. The reason? The legislators don't think there is enough evidence certified teachers produce students with higher test scores"

.It is further evidence of how some shallow politicians judge public schools solely by test scores, without any regard for the challenges teachers face. ...

Earning certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is a long, rigorous process that makes teachers intently examine their teaching methods and demonstrate their skill. It is widely viewed as the most prestigious credential a teacher can earn. ...

But state lawmakers seem to be looking for an excuse to cut the program. State Sen. Stephen Wise, R-Jacksonville and chairman of the Senate's education appropriations committee, is among those questioning whether the teachers should get the bonus if it can't be directly tied to higher FCAT scores. ... this is misusing FCAT and making it the only mark of a good teacher.

That was never the intent of the test.

Whatever

"He's called the Maestro, the shadow governor, the brains behind Charlie Crist. For George LeMieux, Crist's chief of staff, it has been a long and exhilarating ride, and on Thursday it was over. ... He had left Crist's side and it now was time to say goodbye, even though LeMieux isn't going anywhere." "Crist's shadow steps away".

Oh, well ...

The headline reads "Class-size rules could sap billions", although it is unclear why the word "sap" is (mis)used by the headline writer.

Pruitt rears his ugly head

"When the Legislature was forced to cut $1 billion from the state budget last October, state Sen. J.D. Alexander rammed through a requirement that the state sell one of its three airplanes to save $200,000 a year. His argument was simple: The aircraft used by the governor, Cabinet and legislators to fly across the state shouldn't take priority over education and social-services spending."

But a week later, he heard from his boss, Senate President Ken Pruitt. ...

Pruitt ... the Port St. Lucie Republican flew on the planes more than any other lawmaker in 2007.

The secret decision to keep the plane runs counter to what Pruitt said publicly that week in October.

As lawmakers were raising tuition for college students, cutting Medicaid payments to nursing homes and hospitals and scaling back environmental initiatives, Alexander urged the sale of the plane.

Asked for comment, Pruitt told the Orlando Sentinel, "I've driven [from Port. St. Lucie to Tallahassee] for 17 years, and I'll drive again. It doesn't matter to me."

"Liberal media" slams firefighters "outlandish benefits" and "sweet pay plans"

This morning the Palm Beach Post editors breathlessly report, and duly complain, that "more than 200 [Palm Beach County] fire-rescue workers logged more than $10,000 in overtime last year." Outrageous! Next thing you know, some of these lazy slugs* might have the audacity to send their bratty kids to college.

Worse still, a handful of firefighters-paramedics-special ops teams members have worked so much needed overtime (you know, playing checkers and chasing Dalmatians around the stations), that their pay in rare cases was actually "rivaling top county administrators". What is this world coming to!?

The Post editors apparently think there's something profoundly wrong with fire-rescue workers working so many extra hours that their pay might actually "rival" that of sainted "county administrators". After all, it is only fair that paper pushing administrators be paid more than the idiots who pick severed heads off the road at car accidents; get up to their elbows in blood, vomit, urine and feces at emergency medical scenes; make in the street life and death medical decisions; deliver babies; and, oh yeah, run into burning buildings to save the lives of complete strangers.

And, dontcha love it when the "liberal media" manages to slam both unions and firefighters in the same breath; the Post editors: "Firefighters have sweet pay plans, mostly because of politically connected unions." "Priority is public safety, not firefighter overtime".

The Post's views also happen to comport with the views of the local wingnuts: "Sid Dinerstein, chairman of the Palm Beach County Republican Party and critic of the county's budget, said ... 'That's the scam,' he said. 'It's a rip-off of the taxpayers.'"

Believe it or not, there's more; after slamming Palm Beach County firefighters, the Post turns to neighboring Martin County, scowling: "Martin leaders must do a better job of negotiating with firefighters. A hard look at the amount of paid vacation time, 10 percent raises and other benefits is needed to ensure that the county is not providing its firefighters outlandish benefits far beyond those provided in neighboring counties." "A new burning issue: Martin's firefighter pay".

That's Florida's "liberal" media for 'ya.
----------
*We say "lazy slugs", because some may recall these sage words from the "liberal": Post:

Sitting at home on the couch, finishing off a six-pack of beer and a pack of cigarettes and having a heart attack? It's considered an on-the-job injury for firefighters ...

1. This race isn't ending any time soon.

2. Democrats are much more energized than Republicans.

3. Money isn't everything.

Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer issued a statement late last night that predictably accused New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, considered the national front runner going into Iowa, of being a tax-and-spend liberal, weak on defense and a promoter of socialized medicine. ...

Greer accused the entire Democratic slate of being "out of touch with Floridians." ...

Greer couldn't ignore Obama's win and he couldn't resist taking a shot at him, as well.

“Republican voters in Iowa, meanwhile, demonstrated their continued commitment to the core Republican principles of limited government, lower taxes, and personal responsibility. Floridians will embrace this Republican message, while rejecting rookie Democrat candidate Barack Obama’s alarming lack of executive experience," Greer said.

Another Jebacy

Talbot D'Alemberte puts the blame for Florida's financial troubles precisely where it belongs:

Jeb Bush left office proud that there had been $14-billion in tax cuts, mostly to the benefit of wealthy citizens and corporate interests. During this period, efforts to close tax exemptions and loopholes in the corporate income tax were blocked.

These cuts in taxes and continued tolerance of exemptions and loopholes have left the Florida tax system a shambles.

Stop the presses!

"Word 'evolution' may be added to Fla. curriculum": "Florida public school educators are considering revisions in state science standards that would substitute the word evolution for 'biological changes over time,' a subject sure to cause intense debate during the coming six weeks."

Legislature wins round one

"Florida lawmakers maintained authority to set tuition at state universities Thursday following a judge's ruling that bans the Board of Governors from suing for control of higher-education costs." "Legislature can set tuition, judge says". "The Florida Board of Governors and several private plaintiffs, led by former Gov. Bob Graham, indicated Thursday that they intend to refile their lawsuit." "State board dealt legal blow over setting tuition rates". See also "Judge backs Legislature in tuition-setting debate" and "Suit on Florida college tuition is dismissed".

The News-Journal editorial board urges the plaintiffs to press on:

The issue of constitutional authority badly needs to be clarified. Although the language of the amendment is ambiguous, the intent of the constitutional amendment was clear. Voters wanted a university governing board to insulate -- at least in part -- universities from harmful political meddling. ...

As an example of legislative meddling, lawmakers in 2006 banned public universities from spending any money -- including private grants and federal dollars -- to travel to Cuba for any purpose. Legislators also banned travel to Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria -- but that was more or less for show. The apparent motive was to placate anti-Castro constituencies at the cost of academic freedom, not to mention common sense.

"Come clean"

"Come clean. Florida Atlantic University President Frank Brogan should have done that back in March when he gave the university's former chief fund-raiser almost $600,000 in severance. Instead, Mr. Brogan and FAU's trustees have tried to finesse any public accounting of the public money for Lawrence Davenport - who isn't eligible for it if, as the university says, he resigned on his own." "Time for Brogan's tell-all".

There goes that "liberal media" again

The Sun-Sentinel editors share their wisdom with us this morning:

There are those who have moral qualms about the the death penalty. Others raise additional concerns, including fears it is applied to certain groups more frequently than others, and that there is always the risk of executing someone who is innocent.

But what those concerns really point to is the frequency and conditions under which the death penalty is applied.

Those qualms can be ameliorated by limiting the death penalty's application to instances where the crime is particularly heinous and the body of evidence is overwhelming.

That's why the death penalty ought to remain on the punishment menu. The state and its citizens ought to have the right to institute it in those cases where they deem it is the punishment that best fits the crime.

Susan Stanton f/k/a Steve Stanton

"The former Largo city manager fired after his sex change plans were made public wants to be Islamorada's next village manager." "Fired transsexual city manager applies for Islamorada top job".

Investment pool

"Local government officials across Florida were told Thursday that by the end of the month they can expect to freely remove up to 21 percent of their balance from a state-run investment pool that is either frozen or subject to withdrawal penalties." "State to make more money in investment pool liquid". See also "Local governments could get access to $2.7B in investment pool".

The Tampa Trib editors: "State Must Cover Local Losses To Restore Confidence In Risk Pool".

AP follows up on yesterday's story, "The lights were blinking red", with this today: "Audit warned about investment risk; local govts still nervous".

"Fast-approaching"

"Caucuses remind Brevard of reality" ("the Iowa caucuses could begin to focus more local attention on Florida's
fast-approaching primaries.")

You might think ...

... that this cleverly headlined Tampa Trib editorial might extend at least a little criticisim to Jebbie:"Boot Camp Bush Leaguers, Begone" You'd be wrong.

Siplin bashing

Sadly, the Palm Beach Post joins the Orlando Sentinel ("Siplin acquitted, Sentinel editors sulk") in Siplin bashing:

A harsher but more realistic reading of the ruling is that Sen. Siplin didn't care enough to make sure that his staff members were following the rules. His campaign mattered more. In the clubby world of the Florida Senate, that may be good enough for vindication. But since, as the Orlando Sentinel noted, Sen. Siplin passed just two ceremonial bills last year, you wonder what he did to justify the time in office his colleagues gave him.

The court has tossed out Siplin's grand-theft conviction, clearing the Orlando Democrat's record and making his persecutors look rather silly.

Chief among them was Orange-Osceola State Attorney Lawson Lamar, whose crusade against public corruption continues to unravel. ...

Following Lamar were those who demanded the state Senate expel Siplin. That group included our editorial board.

They were wrong, and the Senate leaders who allowed Siplin to stay were right. Tossing out Siplin, only to have the charge that precipitated the action tossed out, would have been the real crime. ...

How can you steal when there is no proof you had intent to steal and no proof you gained anything?

And, legalities aside, politicians in Washington and Tallahassee spend millions of taxpayer dollars on staff salaries that serve no other purpose than getting them re-elected.

But it was easy to overlook all this in going after Siplin. He is controversial, disliked and even despised. ...

But what it did do was cause a lot of us to assume guilt, including me.

That Siplin is black, while those who went after him are white, brought in the element of race.

The Rev. Randolph Bracy Jr., president of the Orange County NAACP, questioned "whether the judicial system is unjust and unfair to black men who speak for the downtrodden, disinherited and dispossessed."

... look at state Sen. Lee Constantine's two DUIs, Mayor Rich Crotty's lucrative dealings with a developer, Orange Sheriff Kevin Beary's lucrative dealings as a security consultant, U.S. Rep. Ric Keller's use of his office to promote his re-election and the sweetheart contracts paid out at the expressway authority.

Look at all that and tell me Siplin's misdeeds stand out in this crowd.

He may not be the most effective lawmaker. But he works his district hard, and his constituents apparently like what they see. And it's their call.

Freeze

"Crist puts freeze on crop-shipping rules in response to cold weather".

They said it

"That could be good news for Romney, who has been counting on this being a primary that is dominated by base Republicans." "Obama, Huckabee Sweep to Iowa Victories".

The audit said it was SBA practice to deal with a handful of firms -- and criticized those close-knit relationships.

"Heavy concentration of trades with a few brokers may be exposing the SBA to unacceptable credit exposure," it said.

Lehman has been a magnet for criticism largely because of the company's ties to former Gov. Jeb Bush. Lehman hired Bush in June as a consultant, although he and the company told the Orlando Sentinel last month that his services were unrelated to Lehman's sales to the state.

A fly by night operation

"He answers to the title of Senate president, but Ken Pruitt earned another one in 2007: frequent flier."

As four special sessions tested the Legislature's part-time status, Pruitt led the pack of lawmakers who used the state's air fleet to avoid long drives or infrequent and expensive commercial flights.

The Port St. Lucie Republican flew on state planes 111 times at a total cost of about $24,000, according to Bureau of Aircraft records.

That icky "evolution" word

Why are we still debating this? "Evolution is scientific theory. Creationism is religious belief. Only one of them should be taught in Florida's science classrooms."

The state Department of Education holds hearings today in Jacksonville and Tuesday in Miramar on a proposal to explicitly acknowledge that Florida's public schools will teach evolution. That would be one change among many designed to improve science education.

The curriculum already requires science teachers in the state's public schools to teach their students that forms of life change over time. That's evolution in all but name. Still, some groups object to specifying evolution. Inevitably, critics of the change will argue that students who learn about evolution also should study intelligent design, which is creationism that has been repackaged and rebranded. ...

Florida hopes to become a leader in scientific discoveries. ... To have any chance of achieving those goals, Florida has to teach science in its science classrooms. The state Board of Education votes next month on whether to require students to be taught evolution. If Florida can't do that, the state has little hope of evolving into a world leader in science.

From the "values" crowd

"The collision of a statewide campaign to cut property taxes with Florida's worst budget crunch in decades could give hospitals that treat the poor and uninsured a double dose of trouble next fiscal year. At risk is the state's Medicaid safety net, a $1.95 billion 'low-income pool' of local as well as state tax dollars that Florida uses to bring in federal matching funds. ... The problem: Of the more than $730 million that counties and other local taxing authorities pour into the pool, $526 million is ad valorem property tax revenue - the very taxes that lawmakers and Gov. Charlie Crist are pushing to cut this year." "Health Care Pool May Face Cuts".

Gambling

"US. approves expanded gambling at tribal casinos".

But Saudi Arabia - where gang raped women are terrorized - is OK

"Florida universities could again make academic field trips to Cuba if a federal judge agrees with a motion filed last month to partly overturn a state law banning school travel to 'terrorist states.' The Dec. 17 motion, made by the Florida Board of Governors, says schools should be free to use money obtained through federal grants or private donations for study in countries deemed sponsors of terrorism by the U.S. Department of State."

A 2006 state law bans the use of taxpayer dollars and non-state money for travel to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. ...

The federal government has a complex web of laws and regulations governing foreign policy and commercial relations with the listed countries, but it encourages and funds certain types of travel to Cuba.

The University of Florida, Florida International University and the University of South Florida all hold institutional licenses issued by the federal government that specifically authorize travel to Cuba for educational and research purposes.

Citrus cool

"Florida's citrus growers reported only minor damage early Thursday as the state thawed out from an overnight cold snap." "Fla. citrus crops escape severe damage despite freezing weather".

County appraisers

"Across Florida, county appraisers are becoming symbols for what critics say is a broken tax system." "A tax meltdown, and him at the molten core".

AirTran

"AirTran Airways will keep its corporate headquarters in Florida and add jobs, the low-cost carrier and Gov. Charlie Crist said Wednesday." "AirTran Airways will remain in Orlando, add jobs".

"Then, she moved to Iowa"

"Iowa's importance and small size let one Floridian-turned-Iowan comparison shop among candidates who make many appearances."

As a longtime Democratic activist, former Hollywood resident Cindy Sherr is accustomed to Florida elections decided by fundraisers, television advertisements and candidates' brief visits to South Florida's condo canyons.

Then, she moved to Iowa

Hillsborough County Dem shakeup

"The top leaders of the Hillsborough County Democratic Party have resigned after an incident involving what the chairman and vice chairman called incorrect handling of party money by the treasurer. In a meeting Wednesday night, the remaining party officials scheduled an election to pick new party leaders for Jan. 22. Former state Rep. Bob Henriquez is considered likely to seek the chairman's post, and confirmed Wednesday that he would be interested." "Hillsborough Democratic Leaders Resign, But Treasurer Will Stay".

Now, had this been white collar crime ... ?

"In February, Berger sentenced Jimmie Gaines, 44, to 18 months in prison following his conviction on charges of fleeing or attempting to elude a marked police car, possession of cocaine and habitual driving with a revoked license." "Ruling tosses man's light sentence".

"Clear in contempt for Florida and 16 other states' environment"

"California's clean-air standards have almost always been stronger than the federal government's. Because California's standards predate the federal government's, California has been granted more than 50 federal waivers since 1966 to go its own way. The Federal Clean Air Act also allowed other states to piggyback on California's standards as long as they exceeded the EPA's."

In 2004, the waivers stopped. ...

The Bush administration wasn't denying them. It just wasn't issuing them one way or the other. ...

Last month, however, the Bush administration finally issued its ruling on the California waiver. It denied it and, with it, the 16 other states' planned standards. ... Schwarzenegger was right to sue the first time to compel the administration to rule on the waiver. Fourteen states joined that lawsuit, but not Florida. He filed suit again Wednesday to fight the denial. Florida should join the lawsuit this time and fight the most toxic element in America's environment today -- White House ideology."

Southern strategy

"Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, who is pinning his campaign on a big win in Florida's Jan. 29 primary, will make his 26th trip to the state." "Giuliani will be in Hialeah as others campaign in Iowa".

What do "Florida legislators have in common with Britney Spears?"

"Quick, what do term-limited Florida legislators have in common with Britney Spears?"

An inability to learn from mistakes, House Minority Leader Dan Gelber said.

"We've become the 'Oops, I did it again' Legislature," said Gelber, D-Miami Beach, making reference to Spears' hit song. "We keep having do-overs with stuff like insurance and taxes."

Gelber is one of 30 House members about to hit the eight-year wall of term limits installed in 1992 by a public petition campaign. Now he's running for the state Senate. His campaign illustrates two quirks of the "Eight is Enough" idea that nearly 77 percent of the voters eagerly embraced 15 years ago.

On the cheap

Florida "ranked last in ratio of public payroll expenditures per resident. The state spent $36 per resident last year. The national average was $56, the study said." Hence, Florida's "Report: State workers' wages lag behind jobs in private sector".

Laff riot

To be sure, Charlie is "a media-savvy, charismatic leader whose sunny [with a] can-do attitude"; but this is plain silly:

"What I hope for is that this property tax cut is passed Jan. 29 and refires the Florida economy," he said in a recent interview. "If the [average savings] is $240... it's that much more money that can be spent by the Florida family on going out for a meal, going out to a movie, buying an extra pair of shoes for your kids... to stimulate this thoroughbred we call Florida's economy and keep her going."

'Ya reckon?

"Fla. no longer a paradise".

"Menacing cold"

"Menacing cold prompts the governor to declare a state of emergency." "Icy air prompts governor to declare state of emergency".

Sea turtles

"Kirt Rusenko could very well be person of the year, to sea turtles at least." "Turtle expert saving nests".

"Mr. Crist is frustrated"

"As Gov. Charlie Crist prepares to take on the insurance industry over still sky-high home hurricane premiums, it's important that Floridians don't get reckless with their coverage. Insurance prices haven't come down, even after two calm storm seasons and a state law that was supposed to help insurance companies cut costs and share those savings with consumers. The companies, by and large, have not done that, even though their profits have soared. Mr. Crist is frustrated and says he's determined to get to the bottom of it." "While insurance battle plays out, homeowners shouldn't take chances with coverage".

Illegals

"In the two years since immigration legislation stalled in Congress, many states have passed their own laws targeting illegal immigrants."

Soon Florida could join them.

Legislators have filed six bills that would, among other things, penalize farms and government contractors that hire undocumented immigrants or require local officials to report their arrests to federal authorities. Come spring, legislators could debate whether to make it harder for an estimated 850,000 illegal immigrants to live and work in Florida.

"Creating homeless colonies"

"Because of its perverse laws against sex offenders -- laws that permanently brand offenders and forbid them to live in many parts of the state -- Florida is actively creating homeless colonies." "State fosters homelessness with offender registry law".

"Florida and Michigan, two states that look more like America"

"Ideally, the parties will go to a system of rotating regional primaries held at least a few weeks apart. That will let voters in different parts of the country take turns at the head of the line, instead of reserve that privilege for Iowa and New Hampshire and any other states the party bosses have deigned to favor. This year they are punishing Florida and Michigan, two states that look more like America, for seeking some say in the process by moving up their primaries." "Campaign 2008's mad dash for votes and cash is hurting the political process".

Drawing lines

"Despite a holiday lull, businesses continued to line up behind Gov. Charlie Crist’s 'Yes on 1' property tax-cutting campaign." "Fla. businesses throw weight behind property tax measure". On the other side, "Unions Take On Tax Cut Issue".

Backfire

"When Florida's Legislature voted to move up the state's presidential primaries to Jan. 29, it hoped to attract candidates earlier in the campaign and thrust issues important to the state into the national spotlight. That has not happened. " "An Iowa campaign, even after Florida shuffle".

Rudy fixed

"Rudy Giuliani's ties to the cigar community is a Miami tale that epitomizes the city's appeal to old Havana and New York personalities." "Herald: Giuliani gets cigar fix in Miami".

How will business survive?

"Florida's minimum wage rises to $6.79 per hour from $6.67 today." "Florida's Minimum Wage Goes Up to $6.79".

One man's "earmark", ...

"U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV, R-Fort Myers, is touting hometown pet projects for which he secured federal funding — more than $5.4 million worth for his constituents. But President Bush decried 'Congress' addiction to earmarks' when he signed a $555 billion spending bill into law this week." "Mack secures earful of funding".

Florida's booming economy

"The problems rippling out from the investment fund are the latest in a series of economic setbacks for Florida, which is already coping with a weakening housing market and slowing population growth. The economic malaise forced lawmakers in the fall to trim $1.1 billion from the state’s $71 billion budget, and economists are predicting that the state might have to cut an additional $2.5 billion over the next 18 months. Given those cutbacks, local officials said they do not expect the state to bail out the investment pool, meaning they are likely to bear the losses. " "Fund Frozen, Florida Towns Feel the Pinch".

The times ... they are a changin'

"In another sign of its growing independence, the panel that runs Florida's university system has told a federal judge to throw out part of a state law that bans colleges from spending money to send professors to Cuba and other ''state sponsors'' of terrorism."

The move by Florida's Board of Governors aligns the appointed board closer with the ACLU, which last year filed a lawsuit on behalf of a group of university professors and the Florida International University faculty senate challenging the ban.

In its filing in U.S. federal court last month, lawyers for the Board of Governors contend that while state lawmakers can tell universities how to spend state taxpayer money, the Legislature does not have the authority to order universities on how they can spend private donations or federal research grants.

''Where nonstate funds are concerned, the travel act's prohibition runs afoul of the academic freedom accorded to universities under the First Amendment,'' the board states.

The panel maintains that Florida's Constitution gives the Board of Governors, which was created by voters in 2002, autonomy over university research and educational activities. That is the same argument that the board is using in a separate lawsuit challenging the Legislature's authority to control university tuition rates.

"Abstinence"

"Most parents want a balanced curriculum in sex-education classes. A Kaiser Foundation survey found 65 percent of parents believe sex education should encourage young people to delay sexual activity, but also prepare them to use birth control and practice safe sex once they become sexually active. Florida administers its abstinence programs through the state Department of Health, passing some federal dollars to groups that promote abstinence education or support the state's Web site, www.greattowait.com. Florida school districts are given substantial leeway in deciding what to present in sex education programs. And while some counties continue to teach abstinence only, most districts are moving toward a more complete curriculum." "Chastity Is The Ideal, But School Sex Ed Must Recognize Reality".

"Gov. Jeb Bush | Sentinel Staff Writer"

Whatever

"The slight, silver-haired gentleman shops at Publix, eats at Subway, drives his yellow Mustang with the top down alone along the St. Petersburg waterfront, and parties with the frat crowd in the capital city of Tallahassee." "Unfinished business remains for first-term 'people's governor'".

"No-fault"

"Mandatory no-fault auto insurance is back today, and the million-plus Florida drivers who've been pocketing hundreds of dollars in premium savings since October because they elected to go without the coverage will soon be hit with surcharges to resume the coverage." "No-fault coverage required again".

Make what you will ...

... of this:

The Democratic National Committee voted Aug. 25 to punish Florida for scheduling its Jan. 29 primary earlier than party rules allow, and stripped all its convention delegates.

Since then, 17,808 Hillsborough voters switched political parties, a Tribune analysis of party-switching data shows.

About 2,500 more switched their party affiliation in Pasco County.

Are they upset with the DNC move?

Some may be. Both in Hillsborough and Pasco, more than 600 voters switched out of the Democratic Party.

The national party penalty didn't seem to influence a number of others. In the same period, 4,082 Hillsborough voters switched their party affiliation to Democrat. (As did 751 Pasco voters.)

A similar action by the Republican National Committee – nixing half of Florida's convention delegates – also doesn't seem to have had much impact.

In Hillsborough, 399 voters switched from Republican to something else; 3,417 switched to the GOP.

Joe Martinez challenger

"The first contested race for next year's Miami-Dade County Commission elections was set up earlier this month when event-marketing entrepreneur Whilmer ''Whilly'' Bermudez opened a campaign to challenge incumbent Joe Martinez. Bermudez said he was encouraged to run by former Miami Mayor Xavier Suarez." "Businessman steps up to challenge Joe Martinez".

"The quality of life in Florida is on a downhill slide"

After a decade of GOPer rule: "Life in Florida has changed in ways many residents don't like."

Higher costs of living are sending folks elsewhere to retire. Some property owners are paying the tax collector far too much. Yet the state faces big shortfalls in revenue for education, roads and a variety of services. ...

Taxes now rank as the state's single biggest concern, with little relief on the way. The constitutional amendment on the ballot Jan. 29 does very little to help newcomers, who pay a disproportionate share of property taxes. Lawmakers can and must do better if Florida is to become an agreeable home for the wealthy, middle class, retirees and those on limited incomes.

The Census Bureau just reported that the state's population growth in 2006 was below 200,000, the lowest of the new century. Growth in 2007 may prove even slower because word is out about the skyrocketing cost of living here ...

The quality of life in Florida is on a downhill slide, say 43 percent of those polled in the annual Sunshine State Survey. That's a big jump in pessimism from the 36 percent who felt that way in 2006. Only a third think things will keep getting worse, but that's cold comfort when only 24 percent see a more rosy future. ...

Florida residents identify taxes as the most important issue facing the state, surpassing last year's leader - education. Twenty percent put it atop a long list of concerns, well ahead of public schools at 15 percent.

Taken together, all the pocketbook issues - taxes, government spending, insurance, the economy, jobs and the cost of housing - are what an overwhelming majority of us are most concerned about.

Siplin

"State Sen. Gary Siplin celebrates reversed conviction".

Is this what the Trib means when it says "government should be run as a business"?

"Florida has one of the lowest ratios of state employees per capita in the nation. In 2006 it had 106 full-time state workers per 10,000 population - above only Illinois (103) and Nevada (104). The national average that year was 142. The state also ranked last in ratio of public payroll expenditures per resident. The state spent $36 per resident last year. The national average was $56, the study said." "State government grows for first time in eight years".

Dyer

"Mike Thomas: Buddy Dyer takes 2007 honor pulling Orlando toward 2020 despite setbacks, money woes".

Rudy's Southern strategy

"Rudy Giuliani will watch Thursday's Iowa caucus results from Florida, underscoring the Sunshine State's importance to his hopes of winning the Republican presidential nomination. While GOP rivals Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson are blanketing Iowa this week in preparation for Thursday's first-in-the-nation caucuses, Giuliani made his final pre-caucus visit to the Hawkeye State on Saturday and is focusing his attention this week on New Hampshire and Florida." "Giuliani to concentrate on Florida".

Off topic

"Florida crooks, cops, common folks kept the state weird, wacky and wired in 2007".

Enough with the photo ops, Charlie

"Florida last year ... looked despairingly on the federal government's continued foot-dragging on Everglades restoration."

In 2007, Gov. Crist appeared in a lot of photo ops declaring his intent to lead in environmental matters. This year, he needs to take the state beyond photo ops into more concrete action, such as suing to allow the states to set higher vehicle emissions standards.

Miller sells his soul to Bushco

"According to a database compiled by the Washington Post, Miller voted with a majority of his Republican colleagues 89.4 percent of the time during the 110th Congress. On the Congressional Quarterly Politics database, his score was 98 percent, based on votes through Aug. 4." "Miller: I won't sell my soul".

Florida's booming economy

"More families face home foreclosure in Orlando area in 2008".

Castro

"Ailing leader Fidel Castro saluted the Cuban people for their "50 years of resistance" against the United States in a written message read on state television shortly before the first minutes of the new year." "Fidel Castro salutes Cuban people for '50 years of resistance'".

Garbage in ...

... garbage out. "Jeb!" shows us why he is such a (self proclaimed) "deep thinker": "Florida's students are shining". "Raise bar, don't backpedal, on school standards".

'Bout time

"Hundreds of felons imprisoned in Florida for crack cocaine convictions could be released early after recent changes in federal sentencing guidelines." "Crack felons could get out early".