Key provisions of the proposal include redistributing money to help students from poor families -- which could help schools with large minority populations -- and those pursuing math and science degrees.

University officials hope that by capping the annual cost of Bright Futures, legislators will be more willing to raise tuition in a state that has the lowest rate in the nation: about $3,400 compared with the national average of $6,200.

Those librul judges

"An influential state senator says the state's economic woes are bad enough that lawmakers may ignore the Supreme Court's request for new judgeships and might even cut back on judges in the state. 'If we do have to make the tough decisions, we are prepared to do what is necessary to balance this budget, even if it means decertifying judicial positions,' Senate Criminal Justice Appropriations Chairman Victor Crist said this week." "Judgeships may fall to budget problems, key senator warns".

HD 103

"In a special election Tuesday, voters in North Miami-Dade will choose between two local politicos, elevating the winner to the state House for the District 103 seat." "Two vie Tuesday to fill North Dade state House seat".

Pumping up private colleges

The Palm Beach Post editors: "That second round of cuts from Florida's public universities, for a total of $157 million this academic year? It only hints at the slashing looming next year. So, why is the Legislature still diverting $102.6 million in public money to students at Florida's private colleges?" "Cut off private colleges".

Surely he's joking

Steve Bousquet bemoans "the steady depletion of a capital press corps that has long been regarded as one of the strongest in the country." "We're losing a leash on legislators". Surely he's joking? By whose measure is the press corps that for the most part patted Jebbie on the back for eight years "one of the strongest in the country"?

Another fine Bushco Jebacy

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Last year, South Florida finally got some hope that after nearly a decade Washington would begin paying the federal government's share of Everglades restoration. Put that hope on hold for another year. President Bush, who when his brother was running for reelection as governor pledged to preserve the Everglades, has been breaking that promise ever since Jeb Bush began his second term in Tallahassee. So it was disappointing but hardly surprising to hear that the president's 2009 budget includes far less than what is needed for the first key project in Everglades restoration." "Slap at South Florida".

Florida's booming economy

"Housing downturn may spill over to Orlando area's service sector".".

'Ya reckon?

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "You know the economic outlook is scary when members of Congress are spooked enough to put aside their partisan ways and quickly pass a stimulus package. But steps on the federal level shouldn't preclude action on the state level -- especially here." "Our position: Legislators should zero in on ways to stimulate state economy".

"Health care facilities mess up, Florida covers up"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Unjustified secrecy".

Ginny's World

"Guns were on the table but the mood was thoughtful at the Bullseye Gun Shop a block off the town square here Friday. This genteel Hernando County seat of 8,500 residents has been abuzz in recent days over comments made by hometown U.S. Rep.Ginny Brown-Waite. The Republican set off a brouhaha Jan. 29 when she inaccurately called residents of Puerto Rico and Guam "foreign citizens" in a news release." "Brown-Waite's comment doesn't bother some in Brooksville".

Pay up or get the hell out

"State regulations allow assisted living facilities — whose residents may be very sick or frail, or have no family to look after them — to discharge their residents with a simple 45-day notice, without giving a reason. Residents have no right to appeal." "Assisted living facilities evict easily; legislator seeks reasons".

Posada

"Three associates of anti-Castro Cuban militant Luis Posada Carriles were each sentenced to less than a year in prison Friday for refusing to testify against Posada."

Santiago Alvarez, Osvaldo Mitat, and Ernesto Abreu pleaded guilty last year to obstruction of justice for refusing to testify before a grand jury investigating allegations that Posada lied to federal investigators in a bid to become a U.S. citizen.

Posada's case was thrown out last year by a U.S. district judge, but the government is appealing.

What about the "Republican Party Reptiles"?

"Central Florida counties seek stricter snake ownership laws".

A new approach

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "A state juvenile-justice strategy that for years has viewed young offenders as just not old enough to be placed in adult prisons was a self-fulfilling prophecy."

Label and treat them as criminals and thugs, and that's likely what they'll be. ...

But the strategy of the past — a product of high-profile juvenile crimes of the early 1990s — was a statement of defeat: Young offenders can't be rehabilitated, so why make a serious effort at trying? Lock 'em up and at least keep citizens safe.

It was a strategy born of fear that predictably spawned a mentality of failure.

With the release this week of a "Blueprint Commission" report on the state's juvenile-justice system, Florida is finally positioned to steer a new course, one based on hope.

It's not the product of starry-eyed idealism, but pragmatism that accepts the fundamental need to preserve and enhance public safety while also giving kids who've taken the wrong path a decent chance to redeem themselves and become productive citizens.

DJJ

"Gov. Charlie Crist again looked outside his own party Friday, selecting a Democratic state lawmaker to lead the state's Department of Juvenile Justice." "For third time, Crist chooses a Democrat for key appointment". See also "Democrat Peterman tapped to lead DJJ".

CD 13

"Democrat Christine Jennings' contest of the 2006 13th Congressional District election should be dismissed, a congressional task force recommended Friday after congressional investigators reported that Sarasota County's touch-screen voting machines did not cause 18,000 undervotes in the election." "Panel affirms District 13 election results".

Joe Garcia, the brash Democratic strategist and former director of the Cuban American National Foundation, officially announced on Thursday that he will challenge U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart in the November election, setting the stage for a second South Florida grudge match. ... His entry into the congressional race comes on the heels of former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez's decision to take on Diaz-Balart's older brother, U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart. ...

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the third Cuban-American Republican from Miami, is also expected to draw a challenger.

The races are likely to be seen as testing a theory that a younger generation of Hispanic voters is more interested in domestic issues than ousting Fidel Castro.

Lincoln Diaz-Balart has told The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald that the challenge is part of a ploy by Castro sympathizers to lift or weaken the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba.

He and Martinez say they support the embargo, but oppose the restrictions on family travel to Cuba that the Bush administration imposed in 2004.

...Diaz-Balart: the challenge is part of a ploy by Castro sympathizers...

'What the Diaz-Balarts call a `global conspiracy to lift the embargo' in the United States is called an election for Congress and it happens every two years and thank God for that,'' Garcia said. "This is about the district, its people and who can better represent them in Washington. This is about healthcare, jobs, the economy. The real issues in the district.''

The more you learn about GOPers ...

"The longer a Latino is in the United States, the more likely he or she will identify with the Democratic Party -- possibly even in Florida, where the Republican leanings of Cuban Americans have made it an exception to the national trend, a new study states." "Unregistered Hispanic voters lean to Democrats".

Stoopid

"The choir of voices calling for an apology from U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite got louder Thursday with a group of Central Florida Democratic leaders joining in."

But Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville, remains resolute in her refusal to say she is sorry for calling Puerto Ricans "foreign citizens" last week in a news release about President Bush's economic stimulus package.

At the City Hall rally in Orlando, some questioned why U.S. Reps. Ric Keller, R-Orlando, and Tom Feeney, R-Oviedo, have not denounced their colleague's comments in spite of having large Hispanic constituencies.

The same criticism was leveled against Gov. Charlie Crist.

"Those who are silent and haven't called on her to apologize are endorsing her position," said Charlie Stuart, a Democratic congressional candidate running for Orlando's District 8.

Limbo

"While Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama slug it out in an unexpectedly tight national battle for their party's presidential nomination, Florida Democrats remain in political limbo, not knowing whether their votes could tip the balance. State party leaders on Thursday voiced confidence that Florida's 210 delegates would be seated at this summer's nominating convention in Denver. They just don't know when that will happen." "Florida Democrats still unsure whether delegates will be seated".

One man's "radical" ...

"A radical proposal promoted by House Speaker Marco Rubio to cap all property taxes is going to get a hearing in both the House and Senate when the lawmaking session begins in March, but there is no guarantee it will make it to the November ballot."

The proposal to cap annual taxes at 1.35 percent of a property's taxable value will be written up as a constitutional amendment and heard in legislative committees. But the idea, patterned after Proposition 13 in California 30 years ago and currently the subject of a citizen petition drive, is neither endorsed by Senate President Ken Pruitt nor supported by the business groups that fuel many of the campaigns of the Republican-led Legislature.

Drowning the baby

"Now that Florida voters have mandated property-tax relief, they want to cap government spending, the state's largest business organization said Thursday." "Business leaders meet with Crist". The Chamber hacks want to cap spending, so long as it isn't spending they are cool with, like state "investment" (read tax dollars) to "attract innovative new businesses". You know, "innovative new businesses" just like theirs.

Public projects

"Florida's Supreme Court on Thursday heard arguments in two cases caught up in its ongoing struggle over the constitutionality of paying for public projects with property taxes." "Court hears tax finance arguments".

The private sector

"Local governments disgruntled with the state-run pool that invests cash for cities and counties now have an alternative pool that promises to avoid some types of securities that were downgraded and caused a run last year on the state pool." "Firm starts alternative investment pool for local governments".

JJ

"Crist to announce new juvenile justice chief Friday". See also "Savvy chief at child justice".

As the First DCA Turns

"Judge Charles Kahn's hot temper and sexual affairs have nothing to do with charges of misconduct against a fellow 1st District Court of Appeal judge and mention of it should be barred as evidence, lawyers for the Judicial Qualification Commission argue. Judge Michael Allen faces disciplinary action for his 2006 concurring opinion that said Kahn's participation in the appeal of legendary political operator W.D. Childers had the appearance of impropriety." "Judge's impropriety not relevant, says attorney".

Slots

"A Senate committee gave swift approval Wednesday to a bill that would allow slot machines at every racetrack and jai-alai fronton in Florida, and bring the state an estimated $354 million more in additional annual tax revenues for education." "Bill to expand slots to all tracks advances".

Stop the madness

"Outgoing Juvenile Justice Secretary Walt McNeil said Thursday that he did not see any problem with allowing three employees of his state agency to work on a juvenile justice reform project in Texas - in partnership with a top executive for a large Florida contractor they were supposed to oversee." "Juvenile Justice boss OKs staff loan".

Poor Mitt

"Iowa and New Hampshire continued to wield outsized influence. California and other Super Tuesday states sealed the deal. But Florida and its controversial early Republican primary played as big a role as any state in shaping the 2008 GOP presidential nomination." "Florida primary set stage for Romney's departure from race".

Friction

"Sierra's leader laments friction in state chapter".

Even a broken clock ...

"In President George W. Bush's latest budget -- a $3 trillion plan that projects a $400 billion deficit -- there's at least one bright spot. For the first time in three years, he is not proposing to sell land in national forests, including Ocala." "At last, Bush has given up on bad idea of selling parts of national forests".

Sin taxes

"Two Tampa Bay area lawmakers want to put a $1 tax on strip-club admissions so they can give low-income nursing-home residents more spending money." "Lawmakers want to tax strip clubs to aid the elderly".

Storm-proofing

"Florida homeowners could be forced to fix their roofs and install hurricane-proof windows as a condition for keeping their policies with the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. under a change being pushed by House Speaker Marco Rubio." "Rubio wants Citizens customers to storm-proof".

Oops .. he did it again

"House Speaker Marco Rubio named a select panel of lawmakers Thursday to decide whether to banish a Palm Bay lobbyist who has repeatedly skirted state rules that he publicly disclose who pays him." "Panel to decide Palm Bay lobbyist's fate".

Lesson

The Sun-Sentinel editors: "Despite the record turnout, voting in the presidential primary hummed along smoothly and peacefully across Palm Beach County last week — even at the more than 70 schools doubling as polling places, where academics proceeded uninterrupted by the enthusiastic democratic exercise." "Closing schools on Election Day cheats students out of a valuable experience".

U.S. Rep. Ron Klein, Boca Raton
U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney, Palm Beach Gardens
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, Tampa
U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd, Monticello
Mitch Ceasar, Plantation
Diane Glasser, Tamarac
Karen Thurman, Tallahassee
Jon Ausman, Tallahassee
Andy Tobias, Tallahassee
Janee Murphy Tampa
Rudy Parker, Perry
Terrie Brady, Jacksonville

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson
U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, Miami
U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, Miramar
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Weston
U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, Jacksonville
Raul Martinez, Hialeah
Chuck Mohlke, Naples

U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler
State Rep. Joyce Cusack, DeLand
Allan Katz, Tallahassee

"Calculate The Blorp Snort"

Daniel Ruth: "This week, a pinstripe of suits from Allstate and Nationwide Insurance testified before the oxymoronically titled Senate Select Committee on Property Insurance Accountability to explain why efforts to drive down home insurance rates, including putting the state on the hook for an additional $12 billion in reinsurance coverage, were having less effect than trying to get Charles Manson to cheer up." "In Insurance Talks, Beware The Jabberwock".

Stop the presses!

"A legislative initiative to bring more accountability to charter schools gained momentum Wednesday with a Senate education committee's unanimous support for a charter-reform bill. The measure would, in some ways, bring the publicly funded schools more in line with regular public schools." "Florida may rein in charter schools".

CD 13

"Touch-screen voting machines likely performed properly and were not to blame for the large number of undervotes in the District 13 congressional election in 2006, federal investigators said in a draft report obtained by the Associated Press Wednesday." "Report: Machines didn't cause undervote in District 13 election". See also "Audit Clears Voting Machines", "Voting machines tested, cleared in 2006 election" and "Machines cleared in 2006 vote flap".

Evolution

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Florida cannot afford to deny school children the chance to acquire a clear understanding of evolution, which is the basis of modern biological science. Evolution is not politics, and it is not religion. It's just science. It belongs in the classroom, not in the Legislature." "Don't monkey around with evolution".

Florida's booming economy

"The state's housing bust is fueling a liquidation sale of construction equipment, the likes of which the world has never seen. Buyers from as far away as the Middle East are coming to Central Florida on Feb. 19 to feed on the scraps of our construction boom." "State's housing pain has become everyone else's gain".

"Grow houses"

"Hoping to take some of the profit out of indoor marijuana farming, a House committee approved a Lee County legislator's plan to toughen prison penalties for operators of 'grow houses' Wednesday." "Bill goes after marijuana 'grow houses'".

Punishment

"Proposed law would end lax punishments that for years have allowed Florida teachers who abuse students to keep their jobs." "Florida to rewrite abusive-teacher rules".

"Any public officials or employees, not just teachers, would lose their state pensions if convicted of raping or molesting children under an education ethics bill introduced Wednesday by a Senate committee." "All public employees could lose pension under teacher ethics bill".

Tuition

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "College tuition increases are unpopular, especially at a time of economic anxiety across Florida. "

But the state's university system makes a good case for an 8 percent increase in the next academic year.

Florida's public universities suffered a stinging $90 million cut in funding from Tallahassee in September. They are braced for another huge cut to complete the academic year, and expect another reduction for 2008-2009.

"Lawmakers take aim at assault weapons"

"Backed by police representatives, two South Florida legislators called for longer prison sentences and stiff fines Wednesday for using 'assault' weapons in crimes." "Lawmakers' bill proposes expanding '10-20-Life' law".

Rep. Marti Coley, future House Speaker Dean Cannon and state Sen. Stephen Wise, all Republicans, say they're considering filing legislation this spring that would specifically call evolution a ''theory'' if the state Board of Education approves the proposed science standards Feb. 19 as currently written.

For the first time in state history, the standards would clearly call on all science teachers to instruct middle- and high-schoolers about evolution and natural selection.

The proposed standards just say ''evolution,'' not ``theory of evolution.''

Though Wise says biblical creationism should be taught alongside evolution, Coley said she doesn't want to go that far with evolution.

''It's technically a theory. Let's present it for what it is'' Coley told The Miami Herald on Tuesday.

Coley's proposal concerns backers of mainstream science because they fear the word ''theory'' could be easily manipulated to cast doubt on evolution, a pillar of biology.

Coley, who believes in intelligent design, said she also thinks it is too religious to teach in science classes. But she's ready to use the power of the Legislature -- which can override the Board of Education -- to insert the word ''theory'' into the standards.

''We are prepared,'' Coley said..

Coley hasn't filed legislation but has discussed that option with next year's House Speaker designate, Ray Sansom of Destin, and his likely successor, Dean Cannon of Winter Park, and Will Weatherford, Republican of Wesley Chapel.

Cannon said intelligent design should ideally be taught, but would leave that issue up to the "curricular experts.''

And Wise, who said he is considering ''legislative remedies,'' went a step further by saying that creationism should be taught in schools.

Dems voted last week, GOPers vote this week

"Election officials across the state said they fielded hundreds of phone calls from confused voters asking where they could vote Tuesday, apparently unaware that Florida's presidential primary was last week." "Floridians Attempt To Vote". See also "Confused Florida voters try to cast ballots in Super Tuesday primaries".

Good little GOPer

GOPer "Kathy Dent's decision to ask for an opinion on banning observers from her ballot counting room sparks concerns, and draws interest elsewhere." On top of that, "last month, the Florida Fair Elections Center published a report that contained 11 pages detailing 'errors and misconduct' by Dent and her staff in November 2006. And the U.S. Government Accountability Office is expected to release a long-awaited report on that election on Friday." "Sarasota County elections chief drawing more fire".

JJ Blueprint

"In one of his last acts before moving from Florida's juvenile-justice system to the adult prisons, Walt McNeil presented a report Tuesday intended to keep thousands of young people from doing the same thing." "State receives 'Blueprint Commission' report".

Off topic

"A 72-year-old veteran wanted a Florida Prisoner of War license plate so badly that he lied about being a former POW. A Collier County judge sentenced Raymond Gauthier to 90 days in jail Tuesday for possessing a phony form used to apply for a POW license plate and discount as a war veteran." "Man gets jail for bogus try to get a POW license plate".

Worried

"Risk issue worries Florida insurance panel". More: "Further testimony sought in rate hikes".

"Insurance hell"

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board

For the past few years, Florida's politicians, Republican and Democrat alike, and property insurers in the state have been like those two armies, slinging barbs instead of arrows. But neither has thrown down the final gauntlet when, presumably, a Sunshine State version of insurance hell would be unleashed.

Bay cash

"Tampa Bay area campaign donors favored Barack Obama over Hillary Rodham Clinton last year, although together, the Democratic presidential hopefuls easily surpassed the combined dollar amounts raised by all of the remaining GOP candidates." "Local Donors Lean Democratic".

Just askin'

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Before actor Wesley Snipes' trial for tax evasion began in Ocala last month, his attorney tried three times to have it moved from the Central Florida city, claiming the black actor couldn't get a fair hearing because of racial prejudice. In court filings, Snipes' attorney called Ocala 'a hotbed of (Ku Klux Klan) activity,' and alleged prosecutors chose it to get the best chance at an all-white jury. Last Friday, ... an all-white jury ... acquitted him of two more serious felony charges and three more counts of failure to file." "A Verdict On Rushing To Judgment".

Could it have been that they disliked the IRS even more? Just askin'

Lock 'em up!

"Florida is arresting and locking up way too many teens, including many who are no threat to public safety, while ignoring prevention programs meant to keep them out of prison, according to a report from top state leaders released Tuesday." "State's teen crime policy needs fix, new report says".

There goes Florida's low wage workforce

"Calling illegal immigration a 'major problem' in Florida, state Rep. Gayle Harrell on Tuesday celebrated a series of bills that she and others said would make it tougher for employers to hire undocumented workers and would push local law enforcement to help identify illegal immigration." "Bills target undocumented workers".

The Palm Beach Post editorial board:

Immigration always has been a potential source of conflict. New arrivals to the United States can force economic competition and cause collisions of culture and race.

Regularly, out of irrational fear or self-interest, demagogues have fed on these inherent conflicts and advanced agendas that range from intolerance to hate. Traditionally, news organizations tried to determine the line that separates legitimate, vigorous discourse on volatile immigration issues from the xenophobic comments of extremists. Today, civil rights groups worry that not only is the line getting harder to determine, news organizations are crossing it, not trying to monitor it.

There's an idea for 'ya

The Sun Sentinel editorial board:"" "Amendment 1 already making an impact — on requests for higher appraisals".

GOPer GOTV strategy

The Palm Beach Post editorial board points out that Florida's statutes are replete with prohibitions against"same-sex marriage:

All that restrictive language should be enough to reassure even the most skittish Floridian that gays and lesbians won't be exchanging vows or trying to transfer a marriage. But no. Last week, the Department of Elections confirmed that a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage in Florida will go on the November ballot. To Article I, the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment would add: "Inasmuch as marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized."

So there. Same-sex marriage wouldn't just be illegal; it would be unconstitutional, beyond the power of some future namby-pamby Legislature or court that might want to turn parts of Florida into Cape Cod or San Francisco. Of course, it also would be the first part of the constitution to restrict rights, not grant them. It would make the Florida Constitution a document that protects pregnant pigs but not human beings who want to be part of what people who will vote for this amendment describe as the foundation of society. It could make things tougher for Florida companies trying to recruit employees. ...

Instead, it will create a noisy, well-financed distraction as Floridians vote for president. The state's future depends on many things. This amendment isn't one of them.

It ended with a Tallahassee display of brute force.

Florida Hometown Democracy, the ballot initiative that sought to slow growth, fell 65,182 signatures short of the 611,009 needed to make the ballot, thanks in part to a double-barreled business lobby effort that changed state law and raised nearly $4 million to crush it.

The tactics show how powerful interest groups with money at stake could wage war against future citizen petitions.

Associated Industries of Florida used a new law to persuade more than 18,000 voters to revoke their signatures, sending them mailers signed by former House Speaker John Thrasher warning that Hometown would destroy Florida's "scenic beauty."

The Florida Chamber of Commerce raised $3 million through a political arm called Floridians for Smarter Growth to run a similar-sounding initiative petition and hire away Hometown's paid petition-gatherers.

And in the weeks before Friday's deadline for counties to verify signatures — a time when elections offices were also processing early voting and absentee ballots for Florida's Jan. 29 presidential primary — the chamber's group flooded key counties in South Florida, Sarasota and parts of the Panhandle, where Hometown was gathering signatures. ...

The main objective: Slow the processing of Hometown signatures and ensure the chamber's own amendment would make the 2008 ballot only if Hometown's did too.

Steve Bousquet: For "social and religious conservatives in Florida, these are tough times."

After a decade of playing a prominent role in state politics that helped engineer a Republican takeover and Jeb Bush's two terms as governor, such voters now appear out of step with their party's leaders.

They are ambivalent about McCain and disapprove of Gov. Charlie Crist's endorsement of McCain. They also are alarmed at Crist's willingness to expand gambling - a social vice, in their view - to balance the state budget.

Lately, about all ... social conservatives have to cheer about is having collected enough signatures last Friday to get the so-called marriage protection amendment on the November ballot. If the proposal wins support from more than 60 percent of voters, it would define marriage in the state Constitution as solely between a man and a woman and could yet galvanize a strong turnout by religious or so-called values voters.

Asked to name a Republican she wishes were running for president, [the knuckle-dragger] answers without hesitation: "Jeb Bush.""Times tough for socially conservative Republicans".

Charlie a short timer?

"If only Floridians could believe that Gov. Crist's commitment to good ideas is longer than a year."

Crist would raid trust funds devoted to affordable housing, children's health care (from tobacco settlement money) and the administration of workers' compensation insurance. He would add lottery drawings to generate more gambling money. He projects better economic times sooner than state forecasters.

Why? It's an election year, and the governor wants voters to think kindly of all those Republicans on the ballot. Also, the governor is not denying rumors that he'd like to be John McCain's running mate as a Florida version of Arnold Schwarzenegger. But using one-time money for recurring needs ignores and could exacerbate the state's long-term financial problems. Despite what Gov. Crist said Thursday when releasing it, his budget does not "live within our means."

"A real commitment to ideas includes a way to pay for them. Gov. Crist does not offer it. His budget reads as though he won't be around to feel the effects." "Charlie Crist's budget is all about Charlie Crist".

It ain't over

"Backers of a 1.35 percent property tax cap failed to get enough signatures for the November ballot, but the idea may not be dead.

State Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, said Monday he will introduce the idea as a bill for the upcoming session." "Failure isn't the end for tax cap idea".

"Before the party harms itself"

"The woman who oversaw a federal report documenting voter disenfranchisement during Florida's disputed 2000 presidential election is asking the Democratic Party to settle a fight with Florida and Michigan before the party harms itself." "Ex-Civil Rights Commission head asks DNC to settle delegate fight".

"The financial disease in Florida higher education"

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "Those in Tallahassee who deplore an 8 percent tuition increase are being spiteful to public universities or willfully missing the point. The meager tuition is but a symptom of the financial disease in Florida higher education - and young, eager, prepared students are about to suffer in historic numbers." "Lawmakers let universities slide into mediocrity".

"Gouging consumers"?

"Insurance executives got a polite but chilly reception Monday when they testified under oath to a bipartisan Senate committee." "Senate panel grills insurance execs". More: "Allstate insists rate hikes appropriate", "State Senate grills insurers on rate policy" and "Insurance answers dissatisfy senators".

"Warming oceans, and the possibility that they may bring more hurricanes, have to be considered when setting property insurance rates, Allstate officials told lawmakers Monday, defending themselves against allegations that they're gouging consumers." "Allstate defends property insurance rate proposal to lawmakers".

We're number 1!!!

"Online Sex Registry is No. 1".

Top down organizing

"With Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in the tightest imaginable contest going into today's Super Tuesday voting, South Florida's two most prominent black elected officials are strongly supporting Clinton. Their constituents are not." "Local leaders, voters take different presidential paths".

"Drained away"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Your paycheck and your new TV made in China have one thing in common. Both are taxed for a specific, essential purpose, yet a big part of the money is being drained away for other things." "Budget Deficit Soaks Up Taxes Collected To Maintain Harbors".

With all due respect ...

... I seem to recall that most vets voted for Dubya (over a décorated combat veteran): "President Bush put $120 million in his proposed budget Monday for the long-awaited Orlando VA hospital, but area veterans said they were disappointed that more of the nearly $600 million needed will not come right away." "$120 million not enough for VA hospital, Orlando-area veterans say".

Panhandle justice

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board:"At Ponce de Leon High School in Florida's Panhandle last fall, five or six students were suspended for five days for displaying various gay-pride symbols --"

the words "Gay Pride," "G.P.," "Equal, Not Special, Rights," "I Support My Gay Friends," triangular and rectangular rainbows, pink armbands and the like. Students wore shirts displaying the messages and symbols or put stickers displaying them on their notebooks.

According to the ACLU, the school district -- through its attorney, Brandon Young -- defended the suspensions on several grounds: The pro-gay insignia, the district argued, was similar to the Confederate flag (which many find offensive), and therefore could be banned, and pro-gay speech is considered inherently disruptive. In a letter to the ACLU, Young said that while the district does not have a policy regarding pro-gay or anti-gay speech, "any behavior that alters the teaching process of the classroom or hinders any educational activity will be deemed inappropriate and unacceptable."

Last week, justly so, the ACLU filed a lawsuit against the school for hindering the suspended students' First Amendment rights, and for continuing to ban gay-pride insignia.

"The school district shouldn't have let the situation get that far. It should have recognized its mistake, apologized to the suspended students (and cleaned up their record), and perhaps issued a policy clarifying what may and may not be worn in school." "Panhandle homophobia".

The answer?

"The only way we can broaden the tax base and seriously slash property taxes is to eliminate the special-interest sales-tax exemptions." "Passing the buck won't fill up our wallets".

Oh, and Guam residents won citizenship in 1950.

We hope U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite is taking meticulous notes. Apparently, she could use a little brush-up on American history.

she called them "foreign citizens" in a news release complaining about parts of an economic-stimulus package.

It's bad enough that an elected official serving in Washington should be so clueless, but Mrs. Brown-Waite then became defiant when she was called out on her historical hiccup.

A spokesman said her press release was "fine as is."

No, it isn't. It's embarrassing that a U.S. congresswoman can't get her facts straight on who's a U.S. citizen.

Good luck

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "More than 100,000 of Florida's poorest and most vulnerable residents could find themselves out of their rental homes the next few years if property owners exercise their right to discontinue providing federally subsidized and other affordable housing once commitment periods end. The Legislature needs to act as quickly as possible when the regular session begins in March to protect this population, which includes more than 25,000 families and nearly 17,000 elderly people throughout the state, including the Tampa Bay area." "Preserve Existing Affordable Housing".

Liar

"As John McCain heads into Super Tuesday with polls showing him edging ahead of Mitt Romney, he carries from his victory in Florida not just momentum as the front-runner, but a strategy born and honed in the last days of the primary in the Sunshine State."

The blistering -- and misleading -- offensive McCain used in Florida and carried with him into the nationwide primaries -- attacking Romney for something he never quite said -- appeared here first as polls showed the Vietnam War hero deadlocked with the former Massachusetts governor three days before Florida's presidential primary.

''If we surrender and wave a white flag, like Sen. [Hillary] Clinton wants to do, and withdraw, as Gov. Romney wanted to do, then there will be chaos, genocide, and the cost of American blood and treasure would be dramatically higher,'' McCain declared at a Jan. 26 town hall meeting in Fort Myers.

He was stretching the truth about Romney's position -- Romney has never set a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq -- but the damage was done. Romney, pitching his economic turnaround plan on the front lawn of a Land-o-Lakes home, was knocked off message and onto the defensive.

Cleaning up after "Jeb!"

Bill Cotterell writes that "the most interesting proposal Crist put forth in his budget is not exactly new."

It's a form of merit pay — something that's been knocking around state government at least 20 years. That's really something out of the private sector, and Crist approaches it with an agency-by-agency flexibility that makes it even more of a private-sector concept.

Crist's budget director also said last week that the governor wants to convert a lot of "Other Personal Services" jobs into regular career employment. The state's over-reliance on OPS — no benefits, no job security, pretty much like the worst of the private sector — has been an embarrassment for years.

If ex-Gov. Jeb Bush had his way, there would now be about 50 state employees left and they would be crammed into a double-wide out on Blountstown Highway.

The high-rise Capitol would be leased out to Accenture, Convergys, BearingPoint and a bunch of other privateers whose corporate names and eye-pleasing logos give you no idea what exactly they do.

How about waterboarding?

"Insurance executives can expect a marathon grilling today when they appear under oath before the Select Committee on Property Insurance Accountability." "Insurance execs expect grilling from lawmakers".

"A hope and a prayer"

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "Confronted with difficult decisions about cutting spending and raising revenue, Crist takes a pass and gambles on hope and a prayer that the economy improves." "Budget offers gimmicks and smile".

Amendment 1

"Amendment 1 and the Federal Reserve's lowering of interest rates has sellers and real estate agents wondering - is the market ready to rebound?"

Home prices have been declining in many parts of the country for two years, and Tampa and Miami have been among the metro areas to see the steepest drop.

In September, Tampa had the nation's steepest drop in home values. Miami took over the top spot a month later. Data for the end of the year wasn't any better - prices in Miami dropped 15.1 percent in November from a year earlier, according to Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home price index. Tampa saw a 12.6 percent decline from November 2006.

Voters in both areas strongly supported Amendment 1 - a property tax cut measure approved by voters on Tuesday. Hillsborough County voters went 3 to 2 for approval while 71 percent of Miami-Dade County voted for the proposal. It offers average reductions of $240 on tax bills for a homeowner's primary residence and allows them to keep lower rates when they move.

"The fragile, 310-mile St. Johns River"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "the St. Johns River Water Management District's plan to draw down the fragile, 310-mile St. Johns River ... could raise concentrations of pollutants in the river which, till now, has been the lifeline to an extraordinary array of wildlife." "The St. Johns is in danger because utilities are recklessly draining the aquifer".

Ah yes ... "The People's Governor"

"Today and Tuesday, as Crist joins McCain at campaign appearances in several states, [lobbyist Brian] Ballard will be there as well, enjoying unmatched access to Florida's governor. ... Ballard was working toward a law degree at the University of Florida in the mid 1980s when he was a campaign gofer fetching snacks and luggage for Tampa Mayor Bob Martinez, who would become the second Republican governor since Reconstruction. By age 27, he was Martinez's chief of staff. ... The lobbyist with top billing at Smith & Ballard is Ballard's father-in-law, Jim Smith, a former attorney general and secretary of state." "Crist tie powers lobbyist to top".

Do-over

"The voting district boundaries for Osceola County's school board are illegal and new ones must be created to avoid a federal lawsuit, the Department of Justice said."

A letter delivered Thursday to the school board from Grace Chung Becker, acting assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, offered to delay filing a lawsuit for a short time if the school board is willing to negotiate a resolution.

On Tuesday, 61 percent of Osceola County voters chose to elect school board members from districts rather than electing them countywide. The Justice Department states that the school board must redraw its districts to ensure one of them has a significant Hispanic majority.

'Ya reckon?

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "County and city officials in Florida have to get over their sticker shock from last week's approval of Amendment 1 and find the most painless ways to cut budgets." "In budget-cutting era, pressure on the locals".

"Two questions"

The Miami Herald editorial notes that "the board that oversees Florida's public universities recently took dramatic action to increase tuition -- beginning this fall -- and curb enrollment. Those moves raise two questions". More: "Tough times for Florida's universities".

"Bad education policy begun under Jeb Bush"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: That silly "FCAT grade, because of bad education policy begun under Jeb Bush, drives everything that happens in Florida's public schools. Let the games begin, and never mind that education stops." "FCAT rules, state loses".

Mahoney's money

"Freshman Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney is near the top of most 2008 endangered-incumbent lists by virtue of his weak 2006 winning percentage (49.5 percent) during the Mark Foley shame spiral in a district where Republicans outnumber Democrats. But campaign finance reports filed last week suggest it won't be easy to unseat Mahoney. He's already raised nearly $1.9 million for the 2008 race and had nearly $1.4 million in cash on hand as of Dec. 31. Of the 30 House Dems considered most vulnerable, only Rep. Ron Klein of Boca Raton and New York Rep. Kirsten Gillebrand have out-raised Mahoney." "Big PACs play telling role in Mahoney's loot".

Take down those signs at the state line. Change them from "Welcome to the Sunshine State" to "Welcome to the Half-ass State." Florida has been heading that way for 30 years. After last week's approval of Amendment 1, we're there.

- Guess which state ranks 47th in the number of employees per 10,000 residents?

- Guess which state ranks last in per capita spending on higher education?

- Guess which state's universities have the highest ratio of students per teacher?

- Guess which state ranks 48th in per-pupil spending on public schools?

- Guess which state ranks 38th in spending per recipient of Medicaid, the federal-state health program for the poor?

Charlie "talking out of both sides of his mouth?"

"On Tuesday, Florida voters passed a property-tax cut with Gov. Charlie Crist as chief cheerleader. On Thursday, the governor proposed a $70 billion budget that calls for additional property-tax money for schools."

Is the governor talking out of both sides of his mouth?

Yes and no.

The governor doesn't write the actual budget, he just proposes it. So his proposal is based on data from November forecasts that predicted a $2.5 billion budget shortfall and relied on optimistic assumptions about the passage of Amendment 1. Legislators say those assumptions may be out of date.

So his proposed budget assumes that, without increasing taxes, there will be an increase in property-tax collections of $338 million to pay for schools anyway, and his budget proposal replaces the $138 million in school funds that schools will lose because of the amendment.

He is counting on a 3.2 percent overall increase in the tax roll next year.

State economists are wary of that optimism now, however.

''Property-tax revenue has become less certain than in the past,'' said David Denslow, a University of Florida economics professor. Any attempt at forecasting, he warns, is likely to "miss the target.''

If legislators were to adopt the governor's spending plan, it would raise the local government share of the education budget to a record 46.9 percent. If property values decline and revenues fall, school districts would have to raise tax rates to balance their budgets. That could cut into the $876 million in tax savings voters were expecting in 2009 because of Amendment 1.

Charlie not "perceived as presidential"?

"Vice President Crist? His pals are touting his prospects, and after his big assist to McCain it's hardly out of the question. Former Republican Gov. Bob Martinez, in a Political Connections interview ... said Crist is likely to be on a short list of running mate prospects. But at 71, McCain must choose someone perceived as presidential." "For now, we can still call him governor".

Hill's "Panhandle problem"

Hillary "Clinton is ominously weak in the Panhandle, a region where Democrats need to hold their ground if they want to win the state. All of the 19 counties Clinton lost in Florida were in North Florida. John Edwards won 11 rural North Florida counties, while Barack Obama won eight counties, including Escambia and the liberal university counties of Alachua and Leon."

50 percent of [all] Florida voters have a favorable view of the New York senator, and 48 percent have an unfavorable view. Obama is viewed favorably by 59 percent and unfavorably by just 32 percent.

On the other hand, we can point to some troubling signs for Obama in Florida, too. Exit polls showed Clinton more than doubled Obama's meager 28 percent share of Hispanic votes in the Democratic primary, for instance, and his 26 percent share of the Jewish vote. Obama did receive nearly three out of four African-American votes.

Popular guy

"More data from that internal Democratic poll of Florida voters: Crist was viewed favorably by 69 percent and unfavorably by just 14 percent." "Democratic poll confirms Crist's popularity".

Laff riot

"Florida's Republican Party chairman took a swipe at Democrats on Saturday during his party's annual meeting, saying they should apologize for disenfranchising voters during the state's primary election." "GOP state chair criticizes Democrats for Florida boycott".

Venezuela

"Human Rights Watch on Thursday said Venezuela does not belong to a group of nations like Pakistan and Russia that use the veneer of democracy to mask autocratic rule -- directly contradicting U.S. government assertions. The New York-based group's position also runs contrary to allegations by many opponents of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez that he is undermining democracy at home and around Latin America." "Rights group: Venezuela is basically democratic".

Some call it short-sightedness

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Some relief is better than no relief at all. That was the resounding message from Florida voters last week when they said Yes by an overwhelming 2-1 vote to amend the state Constitution for modest property-tax relief. Voters know that the amendment won't fix the unfairness of Florida's property taxes. They know that Amendment 1 will worsen the system's inequities. They know, too, that the amendment faces legal challenges and, ultimately, may be tossed out as unconstitutional. No matter. They still said Yes, and meant it." "Referendum message: Voters want tax relief".

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "now's not the time simply to sit back and wait for the savings to appear on your next tax bill. Voters have a duty to weigh in on what should be cut from county and municipal budgets, and elected officials charged with implementing the reductions have a duty to ask them. The reality could be ugly: reduced government services, new and higher user fees, increased permitting charges and loss of jobs" "Local Voters Spoke Loudly - And Shouldn't Keep Quiet Now".

Knuckle-draggers in the doldrums

"For nearly a decade under former Gov. Jeb Bush, social conservatives dominated Florida's Republican Party. No more."

Florida, during the reign of Bush, gained national attention for refusing to allow the husband of Terri Schiavo to end her life; for creating the first "Choose Life" license plate; and for approving school vouchers, transferring public funds to private schools.

For its part, the social conservative wing of the Republican Party shows no signs of going silently into the night. [Dennis Baxley, a former state representative who on Friday started work as executive director of the Christian Coalition of Florida] blamed a lack of organization and an influx of new residents, who are less conservative, for the diminishing influence.

The Christian conservatives and like-minded groups are working to rebuild a power structure and to get candidates elected to top offices. ...

But he acknowledges that, at present, neither has the statewide command that Bush obviously brought.

"The base is still out there," Baxley said. "As Dick Cheney would say, 'Help is on the way.'"

Results from last week's Republican primary show how splintered the GOP base is in Florida. John McCain was the overall winner, with 36 percent of the 1.9 million Republicans who voted. But among the 61 percent of voters who called themselves conservative, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney finished first, with 37 percent, to McCain's 29 percent.

There also was a religious divide, perhaps spawned by Romney's Mormon faith (which many traditional evangelicals never warmed to) or his relatively recent conversion on issues such as abortion. Voters who said they attended church more than once a week (17 percent of the total turnout) gravitated toward former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Baptist preacher from Hope, Ark., while those who attended only once a month favored Romney.

Those who attended less than once a month went for McCain.

"Everybody was just divided," said John Stemberger, the Orlando lawyer and former GOP political director who is one of Florida's more outspoken "values [sic] voters."

"A deep well of misinformation, misunderstanding and misinterpretation"

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial page editor, Mary Ann Lindley: "I have always assumed a certain amount of civic hipness in our readers here in the capital. ... you have the ability to supply your own wit and cynicism when the sound bites get ridiculously superficial and the rhetoric gets too deep. But even here, you can find a deep well of misinformation, misunderstanding and misinterpretation about public policies. I give you the inscrutable Amendment 1, the consequences of which remain anybody's guess. Including mine, I'll give you that." "We must stop being civic spectators".

"Higher education on the cheap"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Florida has a reputation for providing higher education on the cheap."

Florida and its university system face a fork in the road.

We can continue down a path guided by the moment's most powerful politicians, some of whom, unfortunately, want simply to build something named for themselves at their alma mater or their hometown university.

Or we can build a shared sense of direction that encourages efficiency and personal responsibility, looks out for the disadvantaged and puts Florida's universities on a path toward better serving their communities and students, at all levels.

Such a course requires a reliable funding source that is purpose driven, not politically driven.

Cash flow

"Democrat Hillary Clinton raised the most presidential money in Florida in 2007, while recent Republican dropout Rudy Giuliani was the favorite candidate of Palm Beach County contributors, according to newly released Federal Election Commission data. Floridians contributed $26.1 million to presidential candidates through Dec. 31, with $13.6 million going to Republicans and $12.5 million to Democrats." "Clinton top fund-raiser in Florida".

'Glades

"Last week brought a bit of good news for the Everglades."

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior Todd Willens announced that he is resigning. This is the same Todd Willens who last summer, by changing one word, removed the Everglades from the United Nations' World Heritage List of endangered environmental treasures. He did so against the recommendation of the National Park Services and U.N. scientists. The impression was that the Everglades had been restored, which isn't true. One reason is that the Bush administration hasn't followed up its restoration pledge with money.

Shocking? Not when you consider that Mr. Willens worked previously on the staff of former California Congressman Richard Pombo, who tried to gut the federal Endangered Species Act and open up more of the Gulf of Mexico to oil drilling.