which excess tissue and hair may collect, causing discomfort and discharge.

What kind of "stewardship over the earth" is this?

"Did you know that 300 million gallons of raw sewage is "pumped by water utilities into the Atlantic Ocean each day"?

Southern Baptists say that the Bible teaches "that when God made mankind, He commissioned us to exercise stewardship over the earth and its creatures (Gen. 1:26-28)." Surely dumping 300 million gallons of crap and urine into the ocean each day is inconsistent with "stewardship over the earth"?

Where are our Tallahassee evangelicals? Surely tax cuts are not more important than the teachings of the Bible?

Rubio is apparently nuts

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "With his ear trained on antitax groups, maybe House Speaker Marco Rubio just couldn't hear the citizens who nearly forced an antigrowth amendment to the ballot this fall."

But if he really thinks Florida would be better off with no development controls and no state growth agency, he will become the poster child for Hometown Democracy.

Back in January, at a business editors' summit, Rubio went so far as to suggest he might try to abolish the state Department of Community Affairs, which oversees growth-management laws. "Regulatory compliance," he was quoted as telling the group, "is a tax."

If regulatory compliance is a tax, then the construction industry clearly has been exempted. Look around: clogged highways, overflowing landfills, water shortages, condo towers. The 1985 Growth Management Act that developers warned would lead to widespread building moratoriums has instead served as little more than a speed bump.

Still more from the "values" crowd

Here's a great way to save bucks: "The Senate has proposed slicing $6 million from the current prison food budget, while the House wants to cut $11 million." This, despite the fact that"mushy bland broccoli stems accompanied by a greasy mystery meat endowed with undercooked rice is as good as it gets for inmates behind bars. But, according to the vendor who provides the food and some lawmakers, that's still too good. Critics suggest the proposed new contract is really an attempt by Aramark to make more money by paying less for food. The company is paid not by the number of meals consumed but by the number of inmates. If fewer inmates eat the food, Aramark can save money by providing less food."

Here's an idea: the government has 300 million gallons of "water" a day at its disposal; why not contribute it to the state prison system to be used for showers, laundering, moping floors and the like (it probably isn't potable, but you never know).

And isn't this a nice commentary on the RPOF's privatization initiative:

Aramark wants to do more than change the menu. The company also is proposing cutting back on the number of workers it provides prisons, shifting the responsibility to corrections officials.

Guards would have to fill in, posing a problem for an already understaffed corrections system that could lose 1,800 guards under the Senate proposal, according to corrections officials.

Since signing a contract with the state seven years ago, Aramark has received mixed reviews. There have been questions about food quality, quantity and potential health violations. At times, the company has been fined by the state for failure to meet the specifications of its contract.

Of alleged evil doers and paint ball guns

Here's the rub:

there is no evidence the men ever acquired any explosives or took any viable steps toward making the alleged plots a reality. Defense lawyers say the months of discussions about terrorism were orchestrated by the FBI and their two paid informants, unfairly entrapping the suspects.

Attorney Albert Levin, who represents defendant Patrick Abraham, told jurors that the Bush administration and FBI are desperate to get convictions to show their strategy of preventing terrorism at the earliest stages is working.

"This is an administration that made the war on terrorism priority number one. They want this case real bad," Levin said, pointing to the defendants. "These guys? Go find Osama bin Laden, please."

Can't we at least agree on this?

"Since 2001, there are about a dozen documented cases in Florida of people sexually assaulting animals.

While that may be disgusting, it's not illegal. Florida is one of about 20 states with no specific law prohibiting sex acts with animals." ...

A bill introduced this session (SB 744, HB 1227) would make any contact, for the purpose of sexual gratification, with an animal a felony.

Dee Thompson-Poirrier, director of animal control for Okaloosa County, understands the uneasiness. She said there was a lot of backlash in the community when she investigated the goat case last year in nearby Walton County**.

When Thompson-Poirrier pushed to have a rape kit done, she said she heard: "It's just a goat lady, get a grip. A lot of people said you're wasting your money. You're wasting the court's time."

It ain't exactly like ...

... you know ... when the drafted that Declaration of Independence thingy. The property-tax swap proposed for the November ballot remains unchanged as the committee assigned to write the final draft of the controversial plan to amend the state Constitution postponed its work until next week."

The Style and Drafting Committee of the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission is charged with refining the wording of the amendment that will ask voters to replace $9.6 billion in property taxes that fund schools with sales taxes and other sources of revenue.

But the committee struggled with what to do to fix it.

For example, the committee asked, can they use the wording from a nearly identical proposal that is more artfully drawn or would that render the measure vulnerable to a legal challenge?

Florida's tuff on crime

"The recent arrests of two 93-year-old men in Manatee County on solicitation of prostitution charges has steamrolled across the Web in a matter of days." "93-Year-Olds In Sex Sting Make News Around World".

Florida's booming economy

"About 422,000 Florida residents out of a labor force of 9.2 million were out of work last month." "Fla. unemployment remained steady in February at 3-year high".

Corporate welfare for the tourism "industry"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board argues that, "with the state facing a budget shortfall of more than $3 billion, now is not the time to grow the budget for marketing, which Gov. Charlie Crist wants the Legislature to do. Agencies that receive state money should hold the line on spending, just as many families are being forced to do. Crist wants $10 million added to the state's tourism-promotion agency, Visit Florida, for the next fiscal year. If approved, the agency's public funding would jump from about $33.3 million to more than $43 million." "Boosting Budget To Market State A Difficult Sell In Face Of Cuts".

"This is ... not Dogpatch"

Daniel Ruth never tires of urinating up a rope, with pleas like this: "This is the fourth-largest state in the union. It's not Dogpatch."

A few days ago, Hillsborough Circuit Court Chief Judge Manuel Menendez warned that the budget ax poised over the hall of justice could well bring the courts to a virtual standstill.

Up in Tallahassee, there is talk of upping the ante to go to a state university. Public schools are trimming their budgets. Health care looks to be on life support.

And if the bean counters have their way, the streets will start to look like something out of "The Grapes of Wrath."

Who is responsible for this?

Well, if you were one of those harrumphing Floridians who voted to reduce your property taxes when you approved Amendment 1 in January, the culprit to hold partly accountable for turning the state into "Deadwood" is - well, it's you, bunky.

A bit much

Sure, it's better than Jebbie's double entendre ("Kick their asses out!"), but The St. Petersburg Times editorial board is expecting a bit much don't you think: "The Legislature's baring of the shameful record of slavery should make Floridians more sensitive to calls in the black community for help in overcoming traditional barriers to education, jobs and other opportunities. Indeed, the second part of the Wednesday's resolution called for lawmakers to 'promote' healing and reconciliation. Floridians need to build on this long overdue apology." "A solemn slavery apology".

Geniuses

"As part of a cost-cutting move, House Republicans have proposed the suspension of patient-care standards at Florida nursing homes." "Staffing cuts weighed for nursing homes".

Mahoney mixes it up

"Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney, a superdelegate who won't commit to either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, criticized both candidates today for refusing to campaign in Florida before the state's disputed Jan. 29 primary." "Mahoney criticizes Clinton and Obama, won't commit to either".

"A quintessential smear campaign"

"In a six-page ruling, the 5th District Court of Appeal found Guetzloe could be prosecuted on a single misdemeanor count for failing to include in a mailed flier that it was a 'paid electioneering communication.' The court upheld the charge and ordered him to be resentenced in the case. Guetzloe had pleaded no contest to the charges in Orange County court, pending his appeal. The court referred to Guetzloe's efforts in the 2006 campaign as 'a quintessential smear campaign.'" "Most of Goetzloe's violations overturned".

One man's vice ...

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board thinks an "Increase in Florida's cigarette tax makes sense".

Knuckledraggers admit using Con amendments as a GOTV scheme

"Republicans hope advancing the two causes will serve as a "market correction" to the party under Crist, nourish soft support for presidential nominee John McCain and combat recent Democratic gains in state elections."

"There has been no shortage of stories that the Christian right is dead. But family values voters are surging right now," said John Stemberger, the Orlando activist behind the gay marriage ban.

"There's a lot of people just looking for leadership and issues that can bring them out. Now we have those vehicles," said Dennis Baxley, a former state representative from Ocala who now heads the Christian Coalition of Florida.

Whether the surge is something real or a last gasp of the Jeb Bush era remains to be seen, of course. But getting the items on the ballot is an unqualified success that took many by surprise.

Under water

"Coastal communities in South Florida need to start planning now if they want to avoid damage from rising sea levels, federal and state officials said Friday." If you thought this might amount to some sort of recognition that gloabal warming exists, you'd be wrong:

Participants at the briefing did not specifically use the term "global warming."

Whatever

"A bill before a Florida Senate committee would cut in half the amount of money the Innovation Incentive Fund grant program invests in biotechnology companies and research centers." "Measure could cut biotech funding".

And your point is?

Douglas Lyons thinks the RPOFers are so nice to recognize that slavery was a bad thing: "State lawmakers this week officially apologized for slavery. It would be easy to blow the whole thing off with such knee-jerk statements like "It's about time!', 'Better late than never!' or simply 'So what?' But, this is the Florida Legislature we're talking about here, and say what you want about them, few would put the words 'politically correct' and 'state legislators' in the same sentence to describe this bunch. It just isn't done." "Douglas C. Lyons: Enlightened resolution by Legislature".

'Ya reckon?

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board asks the question that should be on everyone's mind?: "Since when do school vouchers qualify as a tax and budget reform?" "Floridians are closer than they think to a vote on whether to spend tax dollars on religious institutions, including private schools. It's not like the public's clamoring for it, as they are for property tax and insurance reform, but that hasn't deterred the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission." "School vouchers shouldn't be part of Florida's needed tax and budget reform".

More from the "values" crowd"

"More than six working-age Floridians die each day because they don't have health insurance, according to a report released Wednesday by a health advocacy group. The death toll ranks Florida worst among 15 states studied by Families USA". "Florida's death toll high for working poor, report says".

"Last-ditch chance"

"The property-tax swap put on Florida's November ballot last week by the Taxation and Budget Commission faces its first test Friday -- over words. The proposal, approved last week by the powerful panel that meets once every 20 years, goes before the commission's Style and Drafting Committee, where it will be edited and its wording finalized as a constitutional amendment. But Florida's business lobby sees the process as its last-ditch chance to kill or weaken the plan to amend the state constitution."

Lobbyists for the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Retail Federation, the National Association of Independent Business, AIF and a host of other organizations have formed a coalition to fight the measure because they fear it will lead to higher taxes on businesses, particularly the possibility of sales taxes on some services.

Pruitt's folly

"A plan to let voters overhaul how Florida's education system is governed -- and give the Legislature unambiguous control over university tuition -- easily cleared the state Senate on Thursday." "Senate OKs education amendment".

Civics lession

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "One branch of government should not gut another branch of government. Does that matter in Tallahassee? Prepare to find out." "Keep courts functioning, especially in bad times".

A good point

Quote of the day: "'If you don't have teeth, it's a big deal that you do have teeth,' said the chairman of the House Health Care Council, Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach."

Raw political courage

"With copper prices soaring, so is copper theft, creating power outages, communication breakdowns and other issues beyond the immediate thievery." "House gets tough on copper theft".

Nelson on fire

"Bill Nelson, the Florida Democrat whose state is embroiled in a presidential primary debacle, said Thursday that he will pursue a constitutional amendment that would replace the Electoral College system with a national popular vote." "Florida's Sen. Nelson: Abolish the Electoral College". See also "Nelson: Abandon Electoral College" and "Nelson still fighting DNC over vote".

Tacking

"Critics of Florida's $650-million deal to launch commuter rail in Orlando have taken a new route." They have

sued the Florida Department of Transportation this week, alleging a 2006 confidentiality agreement between CSX railroad and Florida may have violated state law because it allowed CSX to determine what could be kept secret in negotiations.

And we luv you too Bill ...

"Attorney General Bill McCollum wants Florida A&M University and its police force to get more credit for their response to a shooting in which no one was injured." "McCollum praises FAMU for response to shooting".

The "latest shot"

"With scant debate, the Florida Senate on Thursday agreed to ask voters to overhaul public education governance for the third time in 10 years. The measure would reinstate an elected education commissioner and curtail the board that oversees universities." "Senate fires latest shot in college tuition battle".

"That heavy lifting, however, is not something that political leaders can do for us"

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "But there remains an exceptional amount of work still to be done; more links in the chain that must be broken. Florida lawmakers' official acknowledgment that slavery was a shameful chapter in our history was explicitly intended to 'promote healing and reconciliation among all Floridians.' That heavy lifting, however, is not something that political leaders can do for us. It's our job." "Another broken link: Slavery resolution is important symbolism".

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Our position: Words can't wipe away slavery's ills, but they can bring Floridians together".

Douple dipping

"With support from police unions,"

a bill that would ban "double dipping" by police officers in a popular state retirement program was approved unanimously Thursday by a Senate committee.

"The hydrologic heart" ... we like that

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "The state Legislature has rightly invested millions to save the Everglades, the hydrologic heart of South Florida. Now a similar commitment is needed to save imperiled water resources in this part of the state." "Lawmakers Should See Value Of Major Water Restoration Effort".

There once was a Sierra Club ...

"Craig Diamond of Tallahassee says some Sierra Club volunteers found themselves blacklisted by Florida chapter leaders in recent years. As a result, he says the group's success in state political issues had become limited." "Sierra Club seeks more inclusion".

More cuts

"Rewards for A-rated schools, teachers' classroom supply funds and bonuses for teachers mentoring other teachers will be partially or fully wiped out in a Senate budget proposal that cuts $115.91 per student next school year." "School rewards, teacher bonuses targets".

Stoopid

The Miami Herald editorial board:"In a year of the steepest budget cuts in Florida history, some state-funded operations will actually get more tax dollars. These would be private-prison operators and prison-construction companies. The Legislature is poised to spend millions of dollars to build two prisons a year for the next five years. The state prison system is near capacity with nearly 100,000 inmates."

Building more prisons and passing laws that are harder on repeat offenders are often cited by lawmakers to prove their tough-on-crime bona fides. But there is a more cost-effective way to prove you're tough on crime -- prevent it from happening in the first place. Deterrence programs, when applied correctly, work. Yet, incredibly, the state's most effective crime-prevention tool is facing the budget ax. The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice proposes cutting all funding for the state's Juvenile Assessment Centers, created by the Legislature in the wake of a lethal crime spike in the 1990s. The JACs are run by counties.

Don't trees cause pollution anyway?

"The Florida Communities Trust program is more than money to buy parks and green space to the secretary of Department of Community Affairs. To him, it's also a velvet-sheathed hammer in managing growth and he doesn't want it taken away. A House proposal to remove the state land-buying grants program from the Department of Community Affairs could hurt the state's growth management program, DCA Secretary Tom Pelham said Thursday." "DCA fights for Florida Communities Trust program".

"Property-insurance crisis"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Almost midway through the session in Tallahassee, legislative leaders are making more sense than not as they try to get the state and its homeowners to weather the property-insurance crisis."

That could change, however, if the Senate takes a reckless turn in its worth drive to toughen regulations. It resisted taking one on Tuesday, when its insurance committee kept from its reform package a demagogic call denying the industry allowable profits.

It could change if the House, seeking to lessen the risk the state took on last year by expanding Citizens and the catastrophe fund, irresponsibly subsidizes the well-heeled industry in an attempt to get it to take on more customers. Fortunately the chairman of the House Insurance Committee, which has yet to pass its own reform package, says he opposes an effort to give the industry bonuses.

And it could change if Gov. Charlie Crist, who last session urged the Legislature to rein in the insurance industry but this session has done little, doesn't show the leadership needed to keep lawmakers on course.

Good luck

"Key state legislators backed away from deep budget cuts to juvenile justice programs Thursday, saying they want to preserve successful programs that keep kids out of trouble." "Lawmakers hope to scale back juvenile cuts".

On a 17-7 vote, the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission placed on the November ballot an amendment to replace the state Constitution's wide-ranging ''no-aid'' to religion provision with the following wording: ``Individuals or entities may not be barred from participating in public programs because of religion.''

Legislative Update

The Tallahassee Democrat's "2008 Legislature roundup" and "Today at the Capitol". Steve Bousquet gives an overview of developments: "High-profile issues move through the Florida Legislature".

Draggin' the knuckles

"Although professors spoke in opposition to the bill and a representative from the American Civil Liberties Union said it would open the door to teaching creationism, the committee voted to move the bill forward." "Evolution Dissent Advances". See also "Science-classroom bill on evolution is toned down".

From the "values" crowd

"Health programs serving Florida's poor, elderly and critically ill face a staggering $803million in cuts under a Senate plan aimed at helping to close a $3billion state budget shortfall." "Florida Senate plan would cut programs for medically needy".

"Down in flames"

"Criminal defense attorneys reached a milestone Wednesday in their decade-long effort to force police to record the interrogations of all felony suspects — even though their bill went down in flames." "After 11 years, House votes on interrogation bill".

But is he "the new darling of the homosexual extremists"?

"U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez endorsed state Sen. Bill Posey for Congress on Wednesday, calling him 'a guy who gets it done" for the Space Coast.' "Martinez endorses Posey for Congress".

"Tallahassee compromise"

"Floridians who have concealed-weapons licenses could lock their guns in their cars while at work, under a 'Tallahassee compromise' that sailed through the House with little debate Wednesday." "House offers compromise to guns-at-work debate". See also "State House says yes to guns at work" and "House OKs Guns-At-Work Bill".

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "The National Rifle Association does not take no for an answer, and the Florida House meekly surrendered Wednesday. Without a word of debate, lawmakers voted to give gun owners an absolute right to take their weapons to work and to the store. By caving in to the NRA after two years of holding firm, legislators trampled on the rights of private property owners." "House cravenly caves in to the NRA".

By the way, The St. Petersburg Times happens to be an "employer".

BOG

"The Senate on Wednesday debated and set the table to ask voters to weaken the Board of Governors and make clear that the Legislature has the authority to set college tuition." "Senate debates measure to restructure BOG".

Tuff guys

"The Florida Legislature would rather look tough on crime than actually be tough. That's the irrefutable message that shows up in both House and Senate budget proposals, which dramatically undermine the Department of Corrections and along with it public defenders, sheriffs and local corrections systems." "Budget blues". See also "Senate: Elect education commissioner; less power for universities board".

Good luck

"Florida's public universities have come up with a laundry list of steps to make their campuses safer in the post- Virginia Tech world of higher education. Now comes the hard part: finding the $18 million universities say it'll take to hire more police officers, install sirens and loudspeakers and upgrade technology so students and employees can get instant alerts on their cell phones and computers." "State universities seek $18M security upgrade".

"An aroma of cronyism"

Daniel Ruth: "In announcing he would not prosecute Kuhn for the improper contributions,"

[Hillsborough County State Attorney Mark] Ober argued charging the mogul would not serve the "interest of justice," later adding that the car dealer "did not know he violated the law."

Didn't know?!?! Kuhn just so happens to be a former lawyer who attended the respected Cardozo School of Law and also earned a master of laws degree in taxation from the New York University School of Law.

With all due respect to Ober, one might argue Kuhn has more extensive legal training than the state attorney.

Yet, Ober would have us believe a man with two law degrees didn't have an awareness of what constitutes a legal and proper financial contribution?

This wasn't Shemp Howard whom Ober was letting off the hook, but a savvy, extremely well-educated businessman and former lawyer.

And that has an aroma of cronyism about it that transcends the original sin.

Big bucks

"The state continues to be a fundraising trough for the presidential candidates from both parties, despite the Democratic squabbles about the state's primary." "Florida Donors Spend Big".

Globalization

"The Army has suspended a Miami Beach company from government contract work for reportedly providing Chinese-made ammunition to the Afghanistan army, in violation of its contract and U.S. law." "Army suspends Miami company for selling Chinese ammunition".

A bit much ...

"U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida this morning equated a need to fix America's electoral system to this country's long struggles to free slaves, to grant women the right to vote and to implement the voting rights breakthroughs of the 1960s." "Nelson Ties Election Reform To End Of Slavery". See also "Sen. Nelson: Early primaries should be law".

Apology for what?

"Hillsborough County Sheriff's officials were still scratching their heads Wednesday after they were blamed for the cancellation of a church celebration that was to feature Sen. Barack Obama's controversial former minister."

"Honestly, we don't know what the problem is," said sheriffs spokeswoman Debbie Carter. "We're disappointed in the fact that information was put out there that was not accurate."

Carter said her office has not received an apology, despite the fact that the pastor of the church, the Rev. Earl Mason, told a national television audience that they were unhappy with the security arrangements, and blamed the Sheriff's Office.

Just say no

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "A bill that would require all women seeking an abortion to first have an ultrasound, then view it or be forced to sign a form indicating their refusal, is a revived effort at social policy through intimidation. A similar measure failed last year. The Legislature should reject the proposal again." "Just stop the pregnancies".

"Just a small appropriation"

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "A comprehensive plan to begin sensibly addressing the growing problem of mentally ill people in the criminal justice system needs just a small appropriation of $8-million to get going. But it seems to be facing some legislative resistance in this year of no new money for anything. In truth, the state can't afford not to sign on." "Small sum, vital need".

"'Aberrant forms of marriage'"

"The main sponsor of a proposed constitutional ban on gay marriage said Wednesday all 'aberrant forms of marriage' might become legal unless Florida voters adopt his proposal at the polls next November." "Proposed ban on gay marriage sparks debate". See also "Former NOW president slams proposed gay marriage ban".

Sailing

"Education bills to change the school grading system in high schools, clamp down on teacher misconduct and provide more accountability for charter schools sailed through the Senate Thursday." "Senate approves changes to school grading".

'Ya think?

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "Everglades restoration needs more advocates in, and more money from, Congress".

"Why not go all in?"

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: "Florida depends more and more on gambling to pay for education. Why not go all in?"

Gambling is increasingly important because education spending is taking a big hit. Gov. Crist just signed another $350 million cut in this year's education budget - on top of $138 million last fall. Next year's education shortfall will be worse; one projection is $1.5 billion.

And it could get worse yet. In November, voters might approve a constitutional amendment that would eliminate the portion of property taxes that provides about $8 billion of the state's $19 billion education budget. The lost education money would be replaced with revenue from a penny increase in the sales tax and ... something else. The Legislature would have to figure it out. A penny sales-tax increase eventually would make up about half of the $8 billion lost to schools-tax reduction. There's just no way the Legislature can be trusted to really, truly make up the remaining $4 billion.

But income from gambling would have to be one of the leading options. Gov. Crist recently signed a deal with the Seminoles that gives the tribe Las Vegas-style slot machines and some table games in exchange for a guaranteed $100''million a year - which can be used for education. Casinos that voters approved at Broward County racetracks and frontons two years ago bring about $100 million a year for education, and the same deal approved two months ago creating the so-called "racinos" in Miami-Dade County could bring even more.

Hurry up and wait

"The sponsor of a plan to put a strict cap on all governments' tax revenues into the state Constitution struggled to keep the issue alive Wednesday and postponed a vote on whether to put it on the November ballot." "Vote on tax-cap proposal postponed for week".

"Officials are waiting a week to vote on re-instituting taxes on foreign orange juice producers." "Fla. vote on taxes for foreign orange juice producers will wait".

Never mind the paint ball guns

Laff riot:

Prosecutors called them soldiers and would-be guerrillas, but defense attorneys for men accused of plotting terrorism attacks said Thursday they were kept in the dark by their leader and never sought to overthrow the U.S. government.

Attorney Roderick Vereen, who represents 32-year-old Stanley Phanor, said in closing arguments the U.S. case was "totally preposterous" and questioned why there was no physical evidence of plots against Chicago's Sears Tower and five FBI offices.

"Did you see any weapons training? Did you see any weapons? Did you see any explosives?" Vereen asked jurors. "How are you going to levy war against the United States if you don't have a bomb or a missile?"

Florida's booming economy

"Lennar Corp., one of the nation's largest homebuilders, said Thursday it swung to a loss in the first quarter as it absorbed charges to adjust land values, while new home sales and prices sank amid the stumbling real estate market." "Weak sales, write-downs send homebuilder Lennar to 1Q loss".

Sorry 'bout that

"Recounting the 'shameful' ills of Florida's slave past, the state Legislature apologized for slavery, but stopped short of calling for reparations." "Florida offers formal slavery apology". See also "State apologizes for 'shameful' era of sanctioned slavery", "Legislature apologizes for slavery", "Lawmakers' Apology 'A Historic Step'", "Florida Legislature apologizes for state's history of slavery" and "Legislature gives formal apology for slavery in Florida".

What's next, an apology for Florida's complicity in the "Hayes-Tilden Betrayal" of 1877, in which the Republican party sold out Black Americans and sentenced them to nearly a century of violent oppression in the South?

Sin taxes

Mike Thomas recognizes the obvious "Smokers are largely the poor and working class. They are the ones about to suffer the most in this economy." ... and then embarrass himself with this garbage: "if anything can override a liberal's desire to rescue the disenfranchised, it is the need for money and hatred of Big Tobacco." "Cigarette tax hurts the poor, but it's justified". See

Artsy

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board: "Across Florida, arts educators, museum curators and cultural institutions are bracing for bad news from Tallahassee. They know the lack of money dominates current legislative discussion. Lawmakers seem likely to dismiss cultural programs as luxuries." "Culture in dollars".

The House wants to minimize cuts to schools and health programs by shifting $700-million from transportation, an unpopular idea in the Senate.

Senators propose relying on more revenue from gambling, including the state lottery, and increasing an array of fees, a strategy unwelcome in the antitax, antigambling House.

The fiscal maneuvering of the two Republican-led chambers will dominate the next five weeks in the Capitol as Florida faces its biggest budget crunch in two decades.

How long is "forever"?

"House and Senate committees this week are considering draft bills to extend the Florida Forever land-buying program without committing the state to spending money that it may not have in the future." "Bill would extend Florida Forever".

Wake me when it's over

"Some Florida Democratic activists are floating a new compromise that, when the delegates are added up, becomes a real problem for Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. The plan would allow at least half of the state's 211 delegates to be counted — but also would shrink Clinton's presumed delegate lead in Florida from 38 to six." "Democratic activists try new approach to solve Florida's delegate mess between Clinton, Obama". See also "Clinton's solutions for Florida, Michigan delegates fall short" and "".

RPOFer wins HD 55

"Lawyer Darryl Rouson won a three-way race for state House District 55 in Tuesday's Democratic primary to replace former Rep. Frank Peterman Jr., according to unofficial returns. Rouson, 52, the former president of the St. Petersburg branch of the NAACP, received 44.1 percent of the vote compared to 30.4 percent for educator and activist Charles McKenzie Jr. and 25.4 percent for retiring St. Petersburg City Councilman Earnest Williams. The special primary election attracted 5,470 voters, about 12 percent of registered Democrats in the four-county district. Rouson's win likely decides the race because he now faces a write-in candidate". "Rouson Wins House Primary". See also "Rouson wins in special primary".

For a little background on the flip-flopping Rouson, see "Florida Black Republicans".

Brilliant mistake

"The proposal would require voter approval of any tax or fee increases and limit revenue to existing levels with allowances for inflation, population and school enrollment growth, plus 1 percent." "Panel considers cap on state, local taxes and other revenue". More on the "concept known nationwide as 'the taxpayers' bill of rights'" here: "Tax panel to vote on spending limits".

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "With one vote today, the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission can undermine its previous good work and strangle the state's future. The commission is scheduled to decide the fate of a proposed constitutional amendment that masquerades as a taxpayer's bill of rights but is backed by antitax extremists whose goal is to starve government. It is not worthy of the voters' consideration, and it would be irresponsible for the commission to place it on the ballot." "Tax plan is bankrupt".

"Anti-government groups like the idea of basing tax collections across Florida on a single formula, to strip power from tax-raising politicians. But this Taxpayer Bill of Rights (known as TABOR) would cause long-lasting harm in Florida, as it did in Colorado. Yet TABOR won't die." "One-size-fits-all tax plan would be bad fit for state".

"A senseless giveaway and an abdication of responsibility"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "With Florida facing a serious revenue shortfall, state transportation leaders are dusting off plans for leasing Alligator Alley to a private company -- and giving the firm the power to set tolls. This is a move born of desperation. No doubt it seems an easy way for state lawmakers to create a politically painless new revenue stream. But the plan essentially amounts to a tax by other means, with tolls substituting for a tax increase." "A tax increase by another name".

"But there's a downside"

"Legislation to maintain below-market rates of state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and lessen the amount all Florida policyholders would pay in assessments after a big hurricane won approval from Senate lawmakers Tuesday. The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee approved a bill, backed by Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, to reduce the state's Hurricane Catastrophe Fund by $3 billion, which would shed some of the risk the state took on last year to lower premiums. A House committee approved a similar measure last month. But there's a downside: Homeowner rates statewide might go up about 3 percent if the "cat fund," which provides low-cost reinsurance to private insurers, is reduced." "Citizens' Rates Likely Static".

Florida's newest growth industry

"Welcome to the Foreclosure Bus Tour, a six-hour expedition to show Orlando-area homes and educate potential buyers on the vagaries of snatching foreclosures in a state where the housing market has struggled over the past two years. Real estate agents have also organized tours in California, where the idea seems to have originated, and cities such as Phoenix, Detroit, Kansas City and Jacksonville." "Bus tours focus on foreclosed properties in Florida, California".

Sly

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "The new proposal to eliminate the state-required portion of property taxes for schools is one of many changes being considered by the Tax and Budget Reform Commission."

The deliberative panel has voted initial approval because it understands the school-tax change would make property taxes much lower, and thus fairer, for everyone.

In recent years, the state has slyly shifted its share of taxes for schools onto local property-tax bills. The change is largely invisible and muddies the traditional distinction between state and local taxes. The state is supposed to tax sales while the counties and cities tax property.

When the state taxes property, local officials wrongly get the blame.

Called the "required local effort," this tax makes up about 25 percent of a typical property-tax bill, yet few taxpayers know who sets the rate or what it funds.

The leading advocate for removing this deceptive tax is former state Senate President John McKay of Bradenton, who wants it replaced with a 1-cent increase in the sales tax.

Big of 'em

"The Florida Legislature formally apologized Wednesday for its long support of slavery in a resolution calling for reconciliation." "Legislature makes formal apology for slavery". See also "Florida lawmakers apologize for state's history of slavery".

Who are these idiots?

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Florida's Taxation and Budget Reform Commission shouldn't fix what isn't broken. "

There is no need to repeal a constitutional amendment that bans state ''aid'' to church institutions. Equally important, the amendment should not be replaced by another that would open the door to public funding of religious activity, including activities that discriminate against people because of their faith. ...

Getting rid of the amendment that bans ''aid'' to religious groups could allow the state to fund religious education. The substitute amendment under consideration would be worse. It states: ''Individuals or entities may not be barred from participating in public programs because of religion.'' This sounds innocuous enough. In effect, however, the language could allow the state to pay for religious programs that exclude people based on their race, religion or sexual orientation.

PRA

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Our position: Attorney General McCollum needs a strong public advocate for open records".

What a deal!

"Instead of $491-million announced in August 2006, the state estimates it will spend about $650-million. The state said it had grossly underestimated, at $59-million, the cost of constructing five overpasses as part of the deal. Instead, the state will need to spend $203-million." "Rail line costs jump by $150M".

Ignorance of the law ... is an excuse?

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "State law prohibits people from contributing more than $500 to a political candidate's campaign or making donations in another person's name."

But if people don't know the letter of the law, it's the view of Hillsborough County State Attorney Mark Ober that they shouldn't be prosecuted for breaking it.

And so Ober has decided not to file charges against Jason Kuhn, an auto dealer who asked employees to donate to a Tampa city council candidate, then reimbursed some of them.

The dealership and its employees contributed about $18,000 to Julie Brown, who last year ran unsuccessfully against incumbent John Dingfelder. The councilman was part of a council majority that rejected Kuhn's request to replace a Kennedy Boulevard shopping center with a used-car lot.

Ober says that Kuhn was inexperienced in politics and didn't know the law. To prosecute someone, he says the accused must "knowingly and willfully violate the law."

Now wait a minute. Kuhn and his comptroller knew enough about the law to encourage contributions below the $500 cap. Just how ignorant were they?

Samm

"Democrat Samm Simpson tells us that her grass roots supporters have gathered more than 5,000 signatures to put her over the top for qualifying for the Congressional District 10 race. Max Linn has also announced he's running for the Democratic nomination to challenge CW Bill Young." "Petitions qualify Samm Simpson qualifies for District 10 race".

Crusader

"The same day that a global credit rating agency predicted the Florida homeowners insurance market could collapse if a major hurricane strikes, state Rep. Don Brown continued his crusade to sound alarms over how last year's insurance reforms — which created that market — put the entire state's economy in peril." "Florida insurers' side gets support of agency, lawmaker".

Your tax dollars at work

"A Miami man wanted to lead his guerrillas on a mission to overthrow the U.S. government in an alliance with al-Qaida, starting with the destruction of Chicago's Sears Tower and five FBI offices, federal prosecutors said Wednesday in closing arguments of the group's second trial."

"It's really not a complicated case," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Gregorie. "These are terrorists inside the United States. They are going to try to take over the United States."

But Ana M. Jhones, attorney for "Liberty City Seven" alleged ringleader Narseal Batiste, accused the Bush administration and FBI of looking to "set people up" on overblown charges in their zeal to make a high-profile terrorism case. She said Batiste faked interest in terrorism to con $50,000 out of a government informant posing as an al-Qaida operative.

Can't we all just get along ...

"Citing deep rifts within the group’s Florida Chapter, the Sierra Club’s national board of directors has suspended the state chapter’s executive committee. The action resulted from requests of club members in Florida to investigate internal disputes and comes after 'much dissatisfaction, anger and frustration at the chapter level,' the national group said in a statement." "Sierra Club committee suspended".

Citizens

"Two major pieces of Florida insurance legislation — one that would reduce the state's risk in the event of a catastrophic hurricane, another that would both tighten restrictions on insurance companies and freeze Citizens Property Insurance rates until 2010 — breezed through the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on Tuesday." "Florida legislators try to tackle homeowners insurance issues".

Marco's mob

"More than 300 protesters, most making a 10-hour bus ride from South Florida, staged a rally with House Speaker Marco Rubio, and even moved into the House chamber as his guests, to demand additional tax and spending cuts." "Florida tax protesters tramp into Crist's office".

Go figure

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board: "State Sen. Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach, on Monday correctly asked Florida State University to suspend her pay for directing a reading outreach center in Daytona Beach that she helped create as a legislator. That is commendable but it would have been better for her -- even though she is qualified for the job -- to have recognized and averted the conflict of interest instead of accepting the $120,000-a-year post in September." "Lynn's gesture helps; now the bigger issue". See also The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "Appearances matter" and The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "It's good that state Sen. Evelyn Lynn's sweetheart deal was exposed".

While Florida's economy tanks, the Legislature ...

"Online dating services would have to disclose whether they conduct criminal background checks on members under a bill again introduced in the Legislature." "State panel OK's Internet dating-service bill".

NRA shoots down business objections

"Over strong objections from business lobbyists, a Senate committee voted Tuesday to let employees keep guns locked in their cars while at work." "Senate committee OKs guns-at-work bill". See also "Florida House agrees to let some gun owners bring weapons to work".

Givin' luv a bad name

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board:

The sweetheart deal that the Florida Department of Transportation negotiated behind the scenes last year and signed with CSX Corp. would give even the term "corporate welfare" a bad name.

Lawsuit

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "The American Civil Liberties Union's class-action lawsuit accusing the Palm Beach County School District of depriving students of their constitutional right to a quality education throws a welcome and needed spotlight on what many legitimately call a crisis."

If the suit can somehow manage to wring the kind of solution that's long eluded all too many schools in America, namely a model formula for pumping up graduation rates in an era when education is sorely under-funded, then it will be worth the costs. ...

A better, more effective target could be the state Department of Education or another state agency. After all, it is the state constitution that guarantees a high-quality education. And it is the Department of Education that determines the calculation formula the ACLU finds objectionable — so objectionable that seeking a more "accurate" formula is a core point of the lawsuit.

Goin' down

"Florida's 22-year tradition of public campaign financing, one of the oldest in the nation, edged closer to extinction Tuesday when a powerful House panel agreed to ask voters to kill it." "House to ask voters to kill public campaign finance".

As if that weren't bad enough, the proposed constitutional amendments would try to fool voters with misleading language. Committees of the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission have approved both proposals.

The Florida Constitution says that no state tax money "shall ever be taken from the public treasury directly or indirectly in aid of any church, sect or religious denomination." That provision protects the separation between church and state, and most Floridians would want to keep it. But Patricia Levesque, one of six commissioners who has close ties to former Gov. Jeb Bush, wants to kill that provision.

Delegate dance

"Florida Democrats could get a hearing in a matter of weeks on an appeal of the national party's decision to invalidate the state's presidential primary, a key party insider said Monday." "Florida Democrats to get hearing about delegates". William March: "Obama Manager Hints At Compromise" ("A top campaign aide for Barack Obama hinted Monday at the possibility of negotiations with the Hillary Rodham Clinton campaign over the banned Florida and Michigan delegations – negotiations said to be the only way of resolving the dispute.")

"Revenues in a nose dive"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "With Florida's economy and state revenues in a nose dive, legislators are confronting one of the worst budget crises in state history."

They already have cut spending for the current year by $1.6 billon. Still, revenue estimates for next year project an additional budget shortfall of up to $3 billion.

Facing a challenge of this magnitude, the best approach would be to consider all options. Cutting spending is not the only solution. Budgets can be balanced by savings and revenue increases, too.

Unfortunately, the Legislature plans to impose across-the-board cuts in next year's budget. That would be politically easy, but imprudent.

Those damn public employees again

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "To address the Good Friday fiasco that hit Hillsborough schools last week, administrators should revise the liberal [sic] leave policy that allows teachers, staff and bus drivers to take off any day of their choosing, no matter if their actions collectively shut down learning for our children." "Public Employees Aren't Entitled To A Free Pass On Good Friday".

Just say no

"Florida's tax commission will decide Wednesday whether to give the proposed constitutional amendment [to cap state and local taxes, fees and other revenue] a green light by putting it on the November ballot."

It's a version of what's known as the Taxpayers Bill of Rights that's been advocated nationally for more than a decade by conservative and libertarian groups to limit taxes and government growth. At least 30 states currently have some type of taxation or spending limit and three have both.

The pending proposal likely would be the most far-reaching revenue restraint Florida has ever seen.

New plan

"The state should scrap the current investment account for local governments and start a new pool with more safeguards. That's the advice of a special legislative panel convened after an investment scare last year." "Lawmakers recommend SBA changes following investment pool run".

Cigarette tax increase?

"For nearly two decades, while almost every state has raised its tax on cigarettes, Florida's has remained the same: 34 cents a pack. Has the time come to increase it? There's a renewed effort, spearheaded by South Florida Democrats and health-care advocates, to boost Florida's cigarette tax by $1 a pack, to $1.34. The national average for state cigarette taxes is $1.12." "$1 cigarette tax hike proposed".

Here's an idea, instead of taxing one of the few "luxuries" poor people can afford, why not ... you know ... close corporate tax loopholes and reinstate the intangibles tax. See e.g., "House GOP stomps 'Democratic tax hike'"..

More Frankel

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "Mayor won't come clean".

Out here in the fields

"Ag-Mart Produce Inc. has settled a lawsuit with a farmworker couple whose baby was born without limbs after the mother worked in the company's tomato fields during her pregnancy, the couple's lawyer said Monday." Don't you hate it when farmworkers whine just because "the company sprayed pesticides while they were working in the fields." "Ag-Mart Produce settles lawsuit over farmworkers' deformed baby".

Florida's booming economy

"Median prices in Florida fell 16 percent to $198,900, with the Miami area dropping even further at 20 percent. Unlike on the national level, sales in the state fell 25 percent." "Home sales rise unexpectedly but prices keep tumbling".

Outa here

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Migration has many causes but, without a doubt, the cost of living and quality of life are two big reasons why people leave. South Florida's cost of living, especially for housing, is pushing people out. If this region wants to hang on to a healthy middle class, leaders must heed the message of out-migration and increase affordable-housing stock. ... South Florida counties still are too dependent on tourism and construction to fuel their economies." "Moving on up -- and out of South Florida".

Pruitt's "Anti-Academia Act"

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "Not every Florida university needs to offer a medical degree or other costly graduate and research programs, but a bill that would create a new tier of undergraduate colleges has surfaced for the worst of possible reasons. "

It has sprung from a Legislature that resents university leaders who speak out on budget cuts, and that prefers instead to offer college degrees at bottom-dollar prices. ...

The motivations behind this undergraduate college plan are revealed by the financial climate and the legislative vehicle in which it travels. The financial climate is the bleak $2.5-billion shortfall lawmakers face this year and the universities that are already being forced to reduce fall enrollment. The legislative vehicle is a constitutional amendment pushed by Senate President Ken Pruitt that also would abolish the current university Board of Governors, a bill that might as well be labeled the Anti-Academia Act. ...

The frantic pace at which these higher education bills are moving through the Legislature is in character with the dismissive anger that drives them. The Pruitt amendment would also convert the K-12 education commissioner from an appointed to an elected office. In one amendment, thus, the Legislature would be telling voters they were wrong about the education commissioner and wrong about the Board of Governors. Neither change has been in effect for longer than five years.

Pruitt, at least, hasn't tried to disguise his animosity toward Florida's university presidents and leaders. But on Wednesday all 40 senators are scheduled to take sides in his grudge match. Are they, too, willing to treat the state's leading universities as though they are enemies of the people? Are they willing to throw out the Board of Governors and shuffle the community-college deck for the purpose of bolstering Pruitt's bruised ego?

Citizens

"Hoping to drive home the fact that Floridians could face thousands of dollars in additional insurance charges after future catastrophic storms, a House insurance committee spent hours Monday grilling officials from the state's Office of Insurance." "State insurance officials face hearing". See also "Atwater: Extend Citizens rate hold".

Good luck with Plan B

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board: "Emergency contraception -- also known as "Plan B" or "the morning after pill" -- is safe and extremely effective. Unfortunately, Plan B has become tangled in the public's mind with RU-486, a drug that causes abortions in early-term pregnancies. And anti-contraception activists have exploited that confusion to push their agenda, demanding "conscience" exemptions for pharmacists who refuse to stock and dispense Plan B -- even to rape victims."

"Last week, a state House committee took testimony on a bill (HB 385) that would require hospitals and other health care providers to advise rape victims of the availability of Plan B, and require pharmacies to dispense it when requested. The bill deserves approval. There's no good reason to deny traumatized women information they need -- and every reason to keep them from being further victimized by an unwanted pregnancy or abortion." "Compassion in 'morning after pill' disclosure".

"Slump"

"Education officials are looking for 17,000 new teachers this fall, compared to 32,000 in 2006. Officials blame it on looming state budget cuts and lower enrollment tied to the economic slump." "Enrollment declines, budget cuts spur declines in teacher demand".

The poor things

"You are a lobbyist, charged with bringing home state money and support for the organization that employs you. But this year, money is alarmingly sparse. And your boss' boss is suing the very lawmakers you're trying to lobby. Such is the situation facing Florida public university lobbyists, who are trying to work in the midst of an ongoing dispute over who should control university tuition — the Legislature or the Board of Governors." "University lobbyists caught in Florida's cross fire".

Tampa "justice"

Daniel Ruth poses a question: "Let's say you work for one of Tampa's ambitious hotsy-tots who has just had a big-shot business deal scuttled by the Tampa City Council."

Because this is a family newspaper, let's describe the Daddy Warbucks' state of mind as being royally ... peeved off.

One day your boss and/or one of his apparatchiks comes to your desk and suggests what a whiz-bang idea it would be if you were to make a political contribution to a favored candidate in an upcoming election, who by amazing coincidence, just so happens to be running against the very city councilman who voted against the earlier business plan.

Here's the best part. If you pledge, oh let's make it a $500 contribution, the mogul will give you the money back and no one will be the wiser.

As violations of law go, bundling contributions through family members, friends and employees is about as obvious a naughty no-no of elections statutes as - despite its obvious charms - blowing up a political opponent's campaign headquarters.

Dingfelder had opposed a Kennedy Boulevard real estate development effort of Kuhn's to replace a strip mall with a used car lot, which led to the entry into the council race of Julie Brown, a champion of used car lots far and wide. ...

After a yearlong probe by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, investigators concluded that Kuhn did induce his employees to contribute to Brown's campaign secure in the knowledge they would be paid back.

Yet Hillsborough State Attorney Mark Ober has decided not to file charges against Kuhn, noting: "the interest of justice do not indicate that criminal charges should be filed in this case."

Look, no one is suggesting Kuhn needs to be placed in stocks in the public square. But Ober's reluctance to prosecute a prominent businessman smacks of a double standard of justice - one for the poor saps who are sitting in Orient Road Jail because they lack juice and another for the deep-pocketed who can knowingly flout the law.

Hospital planning

Wayne NeSmith, the president of the Florida Hospital Association and Tony Carvalho, the president of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida write a guest column in the St. Petersburg Times:

Florida's full-service hospitals are facing huge cuts in federal and state funding to care for the elderly, poor and uninsured. They're grappling with serious shortages of physician specialists and other health care workers.

Now, along with these profound challenges, there is a proposal in the Florida Legislature to eliminate the state's planning process for new hospitals. Full-service hospitals are united in their opposition to this proposal because it will further destabilize Florida's health care landscape.

Eliminating health planning for new hospitals will lead to the explosion of small "limited service" hospitals and a two-tiered hospital system in Florida: one for the poor and uninsured, and another for healthier patients with private insurance. ...

Florida leads the nation in percentage of residents over 65 and 85; one in four residents under 65 is uninsured; and huge cuts in Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements are looming. Against this backdrop, legislators must avoid taking unwise actions that further destabilize health care. Now simply isn't the time to consider eliminating the state's planning process for new hospitals.

Running government like a business

"State employees' personal data may have been exposed using a 'proxy server'".

It helps to have a good football team

"The University of South Florida is among the top 10 universities in the amount of money it receives through special requests inserted into the federal budget by friendly members of Congress." "Lawmakers Keep Pork On USF's Plate".

Good save

"State Sen. Evelyn Lynn is asking Florida State University to allow her to continue in a $120,000 job she helped create -- only now she no longer wants to be paid." "Lynn wants to keep FSU post, not pay". See also "Triple-dipping senator gives up third state paycheck".

Hundreds of cost-cutting measures will be considered by state legislators in coming weeks as they carry out the largest one-time budget cut in years, and the third cut in six months, in response to a downward spiral in revenues that pay for much of the state government's overhead. ...

Nearly two-thirds of state spending falls into education and human services, so it's impossible for lawmakers to save money without major cutbacks in those two areas, even though those programs also have the most forceful advocates.

Sounds serious

"Can a Jewish candidate from the northeast [Philip Levine] with no local political background and who grew up in Hollywood and Miami Beach win a slot that has been dominated by Cuban Americans for the past 12 years?"

''No,'' said local pollster Sergio Bendixen, who is working with Hillary Clinton. ``It's very difficult for a non-Hispanic to get elected countywide, especially for a position as important as mayor.''

Levine has been feeling out downtown's business elite and has hired Keith Frederick, the Virginia-based national pollster who propelled Alex Penelas to two terms as Miami-Dade's mayor.

Levine, a big donor to the Democratic National Committee, said he needs to look no further than this year's Democratic ticket to feel winds of change.

But are they winds that can sway Cuban voters in Miami-Dade?

Levine would tailor his campaign after New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's 2001 victory, in which the billionaire spent $73 million out of his own pocket to get elected.

Hey Lincoln, Mario ...

... here're your hats, what's your hurry? "Hopes tempered as Cubans wait for post-Fidel changes".

Book banning

Even the Tampa Tribune editorial board knows that "Book Banning Won't Help Students Learn".

Constituent service

"U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek touted legislation expanding health insurance for poor kids in late October when he joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at a Liberty City clinic, praising the push to help children."

That same month, Meek joined other Democrats to assail Republicans who were blocking the measure, taking to the House floor to charge that 616,000 kids in Florida would go without healthcare because of GOP opposition.

But behind the scenes, Meek, a member of the influential House Ways and Means Committee, helped Miami cigar maker Jorge Padron get a private meeting with top House Democrats -- including Pelosi -- so Padron could lobby against the higher cigar taxes that were proposed to partly offset the cost of expanding the program.

Months later, Padron hosted a $1,000-per-person fundraiser for Meek at his company headquarters in Miami.

"Jeb!" dead enders sulking

The St. Petersburg Times noted yesterday that

the April National Review has a Crist profile (headline: " 'He's no Jeb Bush.' Charlie Crist — ambiguous conservative, potential vice president") featuring a laundry list of reasons why conservatives might distrust Crist, including his prochoice past, his support for restoring felon rights, global warming initiatives, his being described by Democrats as among "the best Democratic governors Florida's ever had," and his handling of the property insurance crisis in Florida.

Try Socialism

The economic anarchy of capitalist society can drive even the finest amongst us crazy: "Gulfstream International Airlines, which contracts with Continental to provide the PBIA-Tallahassee [air] service, tried to accommodate legislators and those doing business in the capital by flying 30-seat planes to Tallahassee during the legislative session instead of the usual 19-seaters. But Gulfstream President David Hackett said one of the airline’s eight 30-seat crafts has been late getting out of the shop for scheduled maintenance, thinning the fleet and leading to the scheduling problems." "Lawmakers steamed about Tally flights".

Albert Einstein explained why he "espoused socialist ideals" in the famous essay "Why Socialism":

The economic anarchy of capitalist society as it exists today is, in my opinion, the real source of the evil.

Property tax swap

"A ground-breaking $9.6 billion property tax swap headed for the November ballot is the perfect solution for an aging government system that will always trail the demographic trend." "Proposed property-tax trade: Deliverance or downfall?".

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "The problem with the Commission's plan — and it's one that should doom it in its current form — is that it shortchanges education. The additional sales tax is projected to raise just under $4 billion, less than half of what would be lost. The rest of the difference is estimated to be covered by rising state revenues as the economy picks up." "Education gets short end again".

Grubbing for dollars

"An invitation to a fundraiser for the reelection of U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart Monday night reads like a who's who of South Miami-Dade politics. Being held at the sprawling Redland home of former Miami-Dade County Manager and one-time Homestead Mayor Steve Shiver, sponsors include a prominent bank president and an insurance agent, as well as the city's vice mayor and a city councilwoman. But the printed invite didn't sit well with one named sponsor -- Shiver's sometime rival Steve Losner. He asked that his name be removed." "Rival of ex-county manager declines invitation".

Windy

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "Last week, Florida Power & Light Co. killed plans to build three wind turbines on a publicly owned St. Lucie County beach - just hours before county commissioners had scheduled a vote to oppose the project ... Now the utility can move forward with plans to build six 40-story windmills on its own oceanfront land near the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant." "Can wind farm work?".

Sordid

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "If we've learned anything from the history of Florida's university system, it is that state lawmakers love nothing more than to use higher education for their self-interests."

In the 1950s, it was Sen. Charley Johns, who conducted a witch hunt for communists and homosexuals on college campuses in a decade-long reign of terror. In 2001, then-Gov. Jeb Bush and leading lawmakers dissolved the Board of Regents to develop programs that served their egos and self-interests.

Thankfully, voters stood up and created the Board of Governors in 2002 to give the university system direction and oversight.

Now comes a new crop of lawmakers who want to repeat history and once again change the governance of the university system and public education.

But this group isn't simply snooping for subversives or hoping to name buildings after themselves. They're looking for something even more self-serving - jobs.

And politically savvy [sic] university presidents are happy to comply.

Short term

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: " Among the harmful potential cuts: ending substance-abuse treatment for prisoners ($26 million) and ending transitional release programs that help inmates reenter society. Florida already has too many ex-offenders re-offending; 43 percent of prisoners were incarcerated before or had violated their probation. As a 2006 task force that examined the re-offender problem concluded, cutting money for drug courts, pretrial intervention and other effective programs that steer addicts to rehabilitation only will result in more repeat offenders. Sixty-five percent of the state's inmates and 57 percent of the offenders on probation have drug problems." "".

Drinkin' that FCAT Kool-aid

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Florida's tough education accountability standards have made a difference in the lives of thousands of children by forcing schools to improve." "Our position: Building on FCAT to make schools more accountable makes sense".

RPOF wet dream trifecta

Wingnut RPOFer Sen. Mike Fasano, "an investments vice president for Morgan Stanley", wants Florida out of the retirement business. "Fasano wants state out of retirement business". Fasano is on his way to the RPOF wet dream trifecta: Florida has already achieved the distinction of lowest state employee pay in the nation ("Florida ranks last in pay for state employees", so the RPOFers only need to do two more things to complete the trifecta: (1) effect Fasano's plan to eliminate public employee defined benefit retirements, and (2) that last, juicy piece of the puzzle: eliminating public employee health insurance*.

- - - - - - - - - -
*Of course, there really isn't much public employees can do to complain when people of this caliber are appointed to lead the agency in charge of protecting employee collective bargaining rights.

It looks good in newsprint

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board: "Across Florida, 3.8 million people lack health insurance."

The governor has said that providing affordable health insurance for uninsured Floridians constitutes a top priority for his administration, and for that he deserves praise.But the governor hasn't yet honed in on a plan that would give Floridians the kind of assurance they need.

And most of them do work, though their jobs tend to be low-paying, sometimes part-time. Uninsured children tend to live in households with at least one working adult.

Crist proposes to somehow persuade private insurance companies to offer a policy for $150 a month for these individuals. But health experts across the state warn that such a policy would not cover many of the benefits people expect from any insurance policy. Most policies currently available in that price range cover examinations and low-cost generic medicines -- but not hospitalization or advanced diagnostic tests.

Musta been a tuff job interview

"Former state Rep. Gus Barreiro, the lawmaker who led the charge to shut down boot camps after the death of Martin Lee Anderson, will start a new job Monday at the Department of Juvenile Justice. New department Secretary and former House member Frank Peterman has hired Barreiro as the new chief of residential operations and quality improvement." "Ex-lawmaker starts job in juvenile justice".

Shopping spree

"About 100 deputies break up Palm Beach County flea market fight".

Insurance reforms

"A year after making sweeping insurance reforms, Florida lawmakers are divided about whether to keep pushing for lower homeowner premiums or allow them to start inching up." "Lawmakers split over insurance".