Laff riot

This remark by Steve Bousquet speaks volumes:

Charlie's charm offensive isn't working as planned. The Florida media increasingly ignore vapid photo ops and fire questions.

Sorry 'bout the racism and all

"McCain offers personal apology".

"An elephant in donkey's clothing"

"With the District 55 primary less than three weeks away, the last thing state Democratic Rep. Darryl Rouson needed was Republican Gov. Charlie Crist taking his side on a statewide issue that could change public education forever."

But that's exactly what happened last week when Crist announced his support for Amendment 5, a measure that would repeal most property taxes for schools but would require the Legislature to find $11-billion a year to replace it.

Rouson, a former Republican who has been trying to prove his devotion to the Democratic Party since he switched parties earlier this year, already had mouths yapping about his support of the controversial measure. Crist's endorsement would only make it easier for his critics to paint him as an elephant in donkey's clothing.

Election ploy goes awry

"The trial of a former [University of South Florida computer professor Sami Al-Arian] once accused of being a leading Palestinian terrorist was postponed Friday after a judge raised new doubts about whether prosecutors have been overzealous." "Ex-professor's terror case put on hold".

Ginny by default

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board Sam Zell thinks Ginny is just fine, and is not "comfortable endorsing any of the three Democratic candidates."

Just another disgruntled employee

"Air Force reservist Richard Wright was just two months into what he said was his 'dream job' as a consultant for a firm marketing Donald Trump's get-rich techniques when he was called up and sent to Afghanistan."

For six weeks in early 2007, Wright served in Kandahar as a master sergeant with the 920th Rescue Squadron, providing intelligence for helicopter missions.

But just a week after returning home to Cooper City from the war, Wright, 41, was fired, allegedly for missing work and for contacting clients to let them know he was home.

"Renewable energy"

"Talking about renewable energy is nothing new in the Sunshine State, but the push for cleaner energy could soon become a legal mandate." "Renewable energy may soon be a must".

"Intentional deception"

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "Should Florida taxpayers pay for vouchers to private, religious schools?"

Voters won't see that language at the ballot box in November on a proposed constitutional amendment. If they did, Floridians probably would defeat it. But unless a judge's ruling last week is overturned, the issue of giving public money to private, religious schools will be on the ballot. Voters just won't recognize it because it's been broken into two deceptively labeled amendments.

Voters will be asked, on Amendment 7, if they favor "Religious Freedom." The word vouchers will not appear. Amendment 9 will ask voters if they believe that at least 65''percent of school funding received by school districts be spent on classroom instruction. Again, the word vouchers will not appear.

The intentional deception was perpetrated by soulmates of former Gov. Jeb Bush. They served on the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which met this year and could put amendments directly on the ballot if enough members supported them. Rather than try to help the state cope with its economic problems, the commissioners misused their power and tried to overturn court rulings that struck down Gov. Bush's voucher plan. If voters let them succeed, not only will schools continue to take hits from the economy, the limited public money that is available could be diverted to private religious schools that do not have to meet the same requirements as public schools, such as giving the FCAT. ...

Amendments usually aren't allowed to deal with more than a single subject, precisely because of the potential for misleading or manipulating voters. That's going on in this case. Jeb's allies are hiding an unpopular issue - vouchers for private religious schools - behind a popular gimmick: the 65 percent rule.

How much paper can one person push?

"Just as officials have been professing they're going to "tighten their belts" and curb spending in light of a lagging economy and state property tax reform, City Manager Dennis Beach gave his deputy city manager a $10,000 raise this week."

Recor's raise comes as [City Manager] Beach announced Monday a proposal to retire early in January instead of in March 2012 and as Recor is poised to become the next city manager.

Beach, whose year-to-year contract expired July 21, offered to retire if the City Commission agreed to pay him a $203,000 buyout.

Labor negotiations with the Police Benevolent Association broke down in March as the union proposed 3 percent pay raises retroactive to Oct. 1 and an additional 4 percent increase when an officer reaches his or her anniversary date -- the date of hire or the date of promotion. The city's union negotiator said in March that there were few city funds to go around.

JQC follies

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "Judge Barnes is a former St. Lucie County commissioner who was elected to the bench in 2004. Though he may have violated rules of judicial conduct by publicly criticizing fellow judges, his actions were aimed at reforming a bad system for deciding who goes to jail and who gets released. It treats the poor unfairly, and for years has been under the tight control of a few powerful individuals who created fiefdoms in St. Lucie County." By contrast,

In 1990, the JQC recommended a reprimand for a Palm Beach County judge who took money from a private probation company to which he referred probationers. That violation goes more to judicial integrity than Judge Barnes' style-points violation, but the JQC dropped its recommendation after the judge wrote a letter of apology.

That is one of many deals the JQC has cut in secret. In the case of Judge Barnes, the JQC simply got it wrong. Why should a judge be reprimanded for actions that led to improvements in the courts?

Gas

"Floridians owe the juice that runs their lights, air conditioning and iPods to an increasingly dominant fuel: natural gas. More than 40 percent of Florida's electricity comes from gas-fired power plants, more than double the national average of 20 percent. By 2017, the state plans to add 12,000 megawatts of new natural gas power plants — that's seven times the output of TECO's Big Bend plant. That means natural gas will provide 55 percent of the state's electricity within a decade." "State's new gas pump".

Charlie and Johnnie sittin' in a tree ...

... collecting dirty mon-e-e-e

"Harry Sargeant III, the Republican Party of Florida finance chairman and part owner of a Boca Raton-based oil trading firm, has been credited with collecting more than $500,000 for McCain. But about $50,000 of those contributions reportedly were solicited by Mustafa Abu Naba'a, Sargeant's Jordanian business partner at International Oil Trading Co."

Sargeant, of Gulf Stream, is among 53 bundlers McCain has in Florida - more than he has in any state other than New York and California - who have combined to raise at least $9.2 million for the Arizona Republican this year. ...

Crist's campaign collected at least $5,000 in 2006 from the same group of Californians that McCain's campaign is questioning. The Federal Election Campaign Act that prevents foreign nationals from participating in federal campaigns also applies to state and local candidates.

George LeMieux, Crist's campaign manager at the time, said he was not planning to review those donations.

Jihan Nassar, a homemaker in Corona, Calif., is listed as a $500 donor to the campaign of Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. But she insists she never gave a dime.

''I can't make any donations, financially,'' Nassar said Friday. ``We never made any donations, sir. I have no idea what you are talking about.''

Nassar and her husband, Waleed, are among more than three dozen California donors listed as giving to Crist's campaign on June 19, 2006 -- donations bundled by a controversial Delray Beach defense contractor now under scrutiny for contributions to GOP presidential candidate John McCain. ...

Crist received more than $25,000 in contributions from California, records show, including $500 checks from two stereo stores and two Wienerschnitzel hot-dog restaurants outside Los Angeles.

Zouhair El Srouji, a 40-year-old accountant in Wildomar, Calif., initially told a Miami Herald reporter on Friday that he had no memory of a $500 donation to the Florida governor.

After reviewing campaign records, however, he said he recalled that a campaign contribution was requested by his employer -- though he couldn't recall who asked him to give.

''It took a lot of convincing, but they said he was a good man and needed our help, and I guess I'm a sucker for helping good people,'' El Srouji said.

Reached briefly to talk about his just-announced Dec. 12 wedding date with fiancee Carole Rome, Crist said he wasn't familiar with the specifics and referred questions to his former campaign manager, George LeMieux. ''It's all good,'' Crist said.

Earlier in the week, he called Sargeant ``a great patriot.''

A whistle-blower lawsuit filed Wednesday in circuit court in Tallahassee alleges Benson intervened in a regulatory decision about whether special Bud Light beer bottles touting Hooters restaurants broke state liquor law.

The complaint alleges Benson, while running the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, asked her staff to reconsider a crackdown on beverage distributor Lewis Bear Co. after the company's chief, David Bear, asked her to intervene. Bear is a political contributor and longtime family friend of Benson's.

Now secretary of the Agency of Health Care Administration, Benson recently drew criticism for firing an inspector general critical of the privatization of Medicaid, a top priority of Benson while in the Legislature.

How convenient ...

"For years, it was one of the strongest arguments for blocking oil and gas drilling off Florida's west coast, particularly for conservatives who weren't fretting over the environment:"

Putting rigs in the eastern Gulf of Mexico would compromise one of the nation's largest unobstructed test ranges for the U.S. military's air and sea forces.

But with a new drilling-friendly political climate and improved technology that allows wellheads and pumps to be placed in thousands of feet of water, senators pushing to open the eastern gulf to oil and natural gas exploration say the military is open to relaxing its long-standing opposition.

A white thing

"Man held in Miami on charge of threatening to assassinate Obama". On a related note: "White supremacists hope Obama win prompts backlash".

A Jebacy of hackery

"For almost 30 years, under a system designed by former Democratic Gov. Reubin Askew, the governor appointed three of the commission's members, three were chosen by the Florida Bar and then those six selected the final three members. The commission would give the governor three nominees for each high court vacancy to pick from. The system's supporters said it reduced political influence on the process."

"Republican Party of Florida finance chairman" an "accused swindler"

"McCain's campaign said Thursday it is returning $50,000 in contributions solicited by a foreign citizen. The move follows the disclosure that the money was being raised by a Jordanian man who is a business partner of Florida Republican Harry Sargeant III, of Delray Beach, who has collected hundreds of thousands of dollars for McCain."

Sargeant, who does business with the federal government, is facing problems on Capitol Hill.

A House committee chairman, Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., is looking into Sargeant's defense work shipping fuel to U.S. bases in Iraq as part of an inquiry into whether contractors are overcharging the Pentagon.

Sargeant and Abu Naba'a are being sued in Florida by a former partner, the husband of a half-sister of the king of Jordan. The suit accused them of swindling.

Harry Sargeant III, the Republican Party of Florida finance chairman and part owner of a Boca Raton-based oil trading firm, has been credited with collecting more than $500,000 for McCain.

called Sargeant a "honest and honorable man,"* also said that bundlers had to "be very careful."

"You don't know every person you're collecting money from," Ballard said.

From the "values" crowd

"A quarter of the 31,000 Floridians who get state money for help with developmental disabilities could get less from the state after an administrative-law judge ruled new procedures for assigning levels of care is legal. Judge Eleanor Hunter said rules set earlier this year by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities are valid. The rules establish four tiers of care that set different spending caps in the $833 million Medicaid program." "Developmental-disabilities funds may be cut in Florida".

"Talking about renewable energy is nothing new in the Sunshine State, but the push for cleaner energy could soon become a legal mandate." "Florida utilities face new requirements for renewable energy".

Sink

"If it were up to the state's Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, the state's top mortgage regulator would be out of a job. But she can't fire him, even though her office houses his department." Perennial candidate Bill McCollum "said he would comment once he sees a proposal." "In wake of broker exposé, legislators seeking change".

Paper

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board writes that "electronic counts shouldn't be relied on unless they're backed by random, hand-count auditing -- reserving the potential for a full hand recount if necessary. Many states have moved in that direction. Florida has yet to catch up. Its auditing rules are too weak and are not likely to catch the most egregious deceptions. Elections advocates across the country have looked to Congress to provide direction on this issue of national importance." "Paper provides best election security".

So they exaggerated a bit ...

"Bidding to unseat embattled Orlando state Sen. Gary Siplin, Florida trial lawyers are touting challenger Maurice "Doc" Woodard in mailers and cable-television ads as a 'lifelong Democrat.' But it turns out he was a Republican voter until last year." "Gary Siplin challenger touted as 'lifelong Democrat' spent years as a Republican".

Charlie "heavy on image-boosting and light on listening"

"Crist has embarked on a listening tour to learn how the slumping economy is affecting small businesses, but his stops have been heavy on image-boosting and light on listening." "Gov. Crist on listening-campaign tour in Fla.". See also "Gov. Charlie Crist visits two businesses in Broward County".

Bad timing

"The Florida Board of Governors approved a $3.7 billion budget request Thursday, a $350 million increase over current-year spending. Officials said they realize requesting a budget increase while the economy is poor may be a pipe dream, but they are obligated to spell out all the State University System's needs." "BOG OKs $3.7B budget request".

Early voting

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Historically, there are instances of the dynamics of a campaign changing almost overnight with a sudden revelation that works to one candidate's favor, or disfavor, or the raising of a new issues that can change the way the electorate seemed to be going. So early voting has both advantages and disadvantages, and in a time when it's important for voters to be as informed as possible, it is sometimes wise not to vote in haste just to get the task over with — and even if the vote is cast on little more than the number of campaign signs that appear to be stuck in the ground, or a vague recognition of a candidate's name." "Study up".

Blame the aide

"Crist disavows letters opposing tax swap".

A lil' hypocrisy?

"Republican congressional candidate Hal Valeche, who for months has sought to portray GOP primary rival Tom Rooney as a beneficiary of the gambling industry, was himself the owner of more than $13,000 worth of stock in gaming giant Harrah's Entertainment until last year."

Valeche said the stock was inherited and that he didn't realize it was in his multimillion-dollar portfolio until he reviewed his holdings last year. Valeche, who said he disapproves of gambling, unloaded his 155 Harrah's shares for $13,576 in December, according to a financial disclosure statement.

The Rooney camp accused investment manager Valeche of hypocrisy and questioned his explanation.

"How could a Wall Street investment banker not know what stocks he owned?" said Rooney campaign manager Phil Vangelakos.

Rooney, Valeche and state Rep. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, are running in the Aug. 26 primary for the right to take on freshman U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-Palm Beach Gardens, in November for the District 16 seat.

Entrepreneurial spirit

"Federal officials have arrested a commercial fisherman believed to be the largest lobster poacher in the Florida Keys after finding 6,000 lobster tails in freezers at the man's million-dollar home on Cudjoe Key." "6,000 lobster tails found at man's home in Keys".

A "state" thing

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "The ACLU alleged in its lawsuit, which was filed in March on behalf of parents and students, that the district's graduation rate was too low and that the district allowed too great a gap to exist between the graduation rates of white students and those of African-American and Hispanic students. The ACLU also had charged that the district used bogus methods to inflate graduation rates. As a result, although the school district says its graduation rate is more than 71 percent, the ACLU said the real graduation rate is less than 60 percent."

These conditions, the ACLU said, violated the state constitution's declaration that the state must provide "a uniform, efficient, safe, secure and high quality system" that "allows students to obtain a high quality education." Last week, Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Jonathan D. Gerber agreed that the ACLU picked the wrong target. The Florida Constitution, Judge Gerber wrote, "expressly refers to education as being a 'paramount duty of the state,' and expressly provides that adequate provision for education 'shall be made by law.' "

School boards and superintendents are important, the judge said. But "the question here is the enforcement of an express constitutional provision, which refers only to the state. Moreover, only the state legislature can make law."

Meeting

"The Florida Council on the Social Status for Black Men and Boys quarterly meeting convenes Friday Aug. 8 at the City of Miami Gardens, 1515 Northwest 167th Street Suite 200." "Florida Council on the Social Status for Black Men and Boys to meet Friday".

Free trade

"FedEx to speed turtles out of state".

Amendment 5 would cut property taxes about 25 percent by ending the state-ordered tax for schools known as the Required Local Effort. Since Gov. Crist campaigned hard for the tiny cut from Amendment 1, it makes political sense that he would favor the more far-reaching Amendment 5. But from a civic and moral standpoint, the governor's support makes no sense. ...

Under Gov. Crist's grand plan, however, he is John McCain's vice president when Florida is dealing with Amendment 5. For Gov. Crist's support to have any credibility, he will need to specify how he would close that $7 billion hole.

Straight talk express [sic] crashes in Miami

"The bus driver, along with Sen. Joe Leiberman and an aide, were traveling south on Biscayne when they collided with a blue van, according to Miami police." "McCain bus in Miami crash".

Calling Florida lawyers

If you are a lawyer, and care about politics, shouldn't you join The Florida Democratic Lawyers Council? See also "Obama signs up lawyers".

Whatever

"We're entering the phase of the presidential campaign where candidate stand-ins will descend on the Sunshine State for the final 90 days of the campaign." "Campaign stand-ins ready to show star power in Florida".

Hmmmm?

"Non-Hispanic whites are leaving Broward and Palm Beach counties in droves. Meanwhile, the dramatic growth of Hispanics and other minority groups has slowed to a trickle."

The latest U.S. census estimates, released today, show that the number of non-Hispanic whites in Broward County went down by more than 24,000 between 2006 and 2007, single-handedly accounting for the county's drop in total population. In Palm Beach County, that number dropped by more than 9,000.

At the same time, the number of Hispanics increased by more than 9,000 in Broward and about 7,000 in Palm Beach County. The number of blacks jumped by almost 2,000 in both counties last year.

Contrast that with the year 2000, when the Hispanic and black populations went up by more than 30,000 and 19,000 in Broward, respectively. That year, Hispanics climbed by nearly 13,000 and blacks by 7, 000 in Palm Beach County.

Charlie's money machine

"Democrats pounced on reports Wednesday that a major fundraiser for Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and Republican presidential candidate John McCain had tapped suspiciously apolitical Californians of modest means for thousands of dollars in campaign contributions over the past two years."

Responding to an article in the Washington Post, Democratic Party officials suggested that Sargeant, who lives in Gulf Stream in Palm Beach County, may have improperly funneled money to McCain earlier this year and to Crist during his 2006 race for governor.

Sargeant denied wrongdoing on Wednesday and said he didn't know the donors personally. They were asked to contribute by his far-flung network of business associates.

"Final test run"

"Broward County officials did a final test run of the county's new voting equipment Wednesday, making sure the paper ballots and optical scanners work the way they're supposed to." "Broward voting machines go through their final test".

Revamping accountability

"In light of breakdowns in the oversight of Florida mortgage brokers, two legislators said they'll seek to revamp accountability in the Office of Financial Regulation." "In wake of broker exposé, legislators seeking change".

I feel safer

"Florida is more ready for a hurricane and other disasters than ever before, Gov. Charlie Crist and top emergency-management officers said Wednesday." "Officials: Florida more prepared for disasters than ever before".

Delightful

"Kicking off two days of South Florida appearances on behalf of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman mingled with Jewish voters at a kosher restaurant here after meeting in the morning with more than 40 South Florida pastors at a church in Greenacres." "Lieberman stumps for McCain at kosher restaurant in West Palm Beach".

A bit early to endorse

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "McCain Is Mainstream Maverick".

Oil companies put their feet down ...

... at the pump:

A Barack Obama ad ready to air at Florida gas stations that have pumps topped with TV screens was nixed at the last minute because the advertising company's chief said it reflected poorly on the oil industry, according to the presidential candidate's campaign.

Bill Maxwell

"Uhurus keep democracy vibrant".

Florida Hometown Democracy

"The statewide battle royal over whether the November ballot should include an amendment requiring a citizen vote on changes to community land-use plans landed in the lap of a federal judge Wednesday. U.S. District Judge Kenneth Marra heard arguments by amendment proponent Florida Hometown Democracy over the alleged inaccurate tallying of petition signatures by state election officials."

"It's a wrong solution for a perceived problem," said Barney Bishop, president of Associated Industries of Florida, a business lobbying group. "It's overkill."

Lesley Blackner, a Palm Beach lawyer who co-founded and is the leader of Florida Hometown Democracy, has said those fears are misplaced.

She has said she helped start the initiative as a response to willy-nilly growth and public officials too willing to give developers everything they want.

Business interests responded in recent years, driving to revoke petition signatures and getting a law passed that successfully siphoned off some.

The battle royal has taken place in various court fights around Florida.

Never mind

"Broward sheriff candidate to return felon's $1,000 donation".

In February, Crist's chief economist sent letters to at least a dozen constituents on Crist's behalf, saying, "The governor is not supportive of increasing sales taxes, either by repealing exemptions, or by raising the rate, even if the revenues are used to lower property taxes."

But that is exactly what Amendment 5 would do. Crist for the first time Monday said he would work to help pass the measure.

Once again, Crist is describing the concept — it would eliminate roughly 25 percent of any property owner's tax bill in return for higher sales taxes and perhaps spending cuts — as steroids for Florida's sluggish economy.

The public, though, might be a harder sell this time.

A Florida Chamber of Commerce survey of 1,600 registered voters released Tuesday found only 40 percent supported the concept, while 40 percent opposed it. Constitutional amendments require 60-percent approval to pass.

Easy street

"Florida's continuing economic woes could soon prompt Gov. Charlie Crist to dip into either the state's post-hurricane recovery fund or its health care endowment to pay for state operations this year." "Governor may tap reserves".

"Empty political rhetoric in a state facing a fiscal eclipse"

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "If excellence ever is to become more than empty political rhetoric in a state facing a fiscal eclipse, political and business leaders must finally come to grips with the need for substantive revenue reform — not faux solutions in the form of constitutional amendments that falsely promise economic turnarounds." "Fiscal eclipse?". The Palm Beach Post editorial Board asks "How bad is Florida's economy?" "One 'R' word, recession, to another: Recovery?".

Hill in Fla.

"The favorite presidential candidate of Democratic voters in Broward County and the rest of South Florida — Hillary Clinton — will make a campaign swing to the area on behalf of Barack Obama in the week before the Democratic National Convention. She will be in South Florida on Aug. 21, said Bobby Gravitz, the Obama campaign's South Florida communications director." "Hillary Clinton to visit South Florida to campaign for Obama".

Never mind the black thing

"Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign has apologized for a Friday incident that denied access to a Tallahassee Democrat reporter."

Senior Writer Stephen Price, asked to leave an area restricted to national reporters while other state reporters remained, got a personal apology from McCain's campaign Tuesday evening.

Price was the lone black reporter among the media in the area at a Panama City rally on Friday.

"The plan is deceitful in a variety of ways"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Last week, just before the start of the official summer recess, a group of senators floated a plan to lift a ban on offshore drilling in the eastern Gulf in return for repeal of tax breaks for oil companies and spending $20 billion on alternative-fuel research. Apparently, the people of Florida would have no say in this. The plan is deceitful in a variety of ways. " "The drilling hoax".

"Must re-apply"

"State-run Citizens Property Insurance has begun notifying more than 350,000 residential policyholders with wind-only coverage that they must re-apply for insurance." "Citizens Insurance wind-only policyholders may have to re-apply".

"Falling apart"

tThe Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Cover Florida, a new low-cost health insurance plan Gov. Charlie Crist says will address the problem of the uninsured, looks like a dud before it gets out of the gate. Chalk up health insurance as yet another complex problem for which Crist developed a Band-Aid solution." "Crist's Health Insurance Plan Falling Apart Before It Starts".

$153 billion

"The bursting of the Florida real-estate bubble now has a price tag: $153 billion. That's the loss in market value of all Florida properties, from houses to businesses, between 2007 and 2008." "Real estate bust cost: $153B".

"On the ground"

"Democrat Barack Obama may raise more money and may draw bigger crowds, but Republicans will have a better Florida organization to get out votes for John McCain, Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan said while visiting the state Tuesday." "GOP chair: Florida will be won on the ground".

"Public deserves transparency as cities bid for a business"

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board on "the overly generous exemption from disclosure offered private companies or even individual investors negotiating with state or local governments about economic-development possibilities, such as a company's relocation. The exemption is offered even though the negotiations between the private company and the government entity are usually predicated on direct taxpayer support. A local government may offer to discount or defer taxes to lure a company, or offer other kinds of incentives like infrastructure improvements. What it usually adds up to is making public money available for private gain, which in turn trickles down to some public benefit in the form of jobs, a diversified tax base, and better-paid consumers who buy local products." "Mystery company".

HD 15

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "More surprising than seven-term Rep. Dave Weldon's decision to leave Congress are the plainly visible cracks in the conventional wisdom concerning his successor."

Republican state Sen. Bill Posey no longer appears, hands-down, the most qualified candidate to take Mr. Weldon's place among the candidates contesting the sprawling 15th district.

Among the three Republicans running, yes, he does.

But Democrat Paul Rancatore deserves a very close look. He's an expert on NASA who's eager to increase access to health care and is the better of two Democrats running.

Brain drain

"Florida's budget-strapped universities may deteriorate in quality as other states siphon off the most talented faculty, a top education official says." "State university leader wants to fight loss of talented faculty".

8 cent error

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "Mr. Williams deserves the mocking. He's the Palm Beach County School Board candidate who's trying to have five other candidates - including Ms. Sturmthal - kicked off the ballot for making an 8-cent error when they paid filing fees to run for office. 'How can we hold our kids to the FCAT standards if these people can't do the math and do the writing,' Mr. Williams asked, proving that he can be as petty and pointless as those FCAT standards. The candidates who paid $1,635.40 instead of $1,635.48 were relying on an incorrect memo and/or verbal instructions from the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office." "The real election deficit".

endorsing the tax swap and hinting he might barnstorm the state in support of it if he's not chosen as Republican presidential candidate John McCain's running mate.

The governor, expressing concern over Florida's sinking economy, issued his first full endorsement of Amendment 5, which would slash property tax bills by at least one-quarter statewide.

In exchange, the state's 6-cent sales tax would be boosted by a penny, and legislators would have to find an additional $7 billion in school funding through other tax increases and spending cuts.

saying he hadn't determined how hard he'll stump for the tax swap. One factor: whether would take on cross-country travels as McCain's vice presidential pick. The governor is also engaged to be married.

"Only time will tell," Crist said. "I'm just trying to figure out the degree of help, the time I'll have to do it. I hope to be very helpful."

A little help ...

"Obama is trying to make peace with South Florida supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton." "Obama reaches out to S. Florida's Clinton backers in delegate dispute".

"It's going to be big"

"Florida's sagging economy will push state government back into the red this month and force Gov. Charlie Crist to either further cut spending or tap deeper into the state's reserves."

Florida's sales and real-estate tax revenues have continued to plummet this year, forcing Crist in June to order all state agencies to hold back 4 percent of the $25.7 billion operating budget for the fiscal year that began July 1.

In May, Florida lawmakers passed an overall bare-bones $66 billion spending plan based on expectations of a $594 million surplus. But by the end of June, tax collections had fallen more than $200 million below projections and are likely to continue to drop.

The amount of the budget deficit will be set Aug. 15, when state economists meet to revise their projections for how much less revenue from sales and real-estate taxes Florida can expect through next June.

"It's going to be big," predicted state economist Amy Baker, part of the economic team that prepares revenue projections for the governor and Legislature.

Florida to "repeal a constitutional ban on state financial aid to churches and religious organizations"?

A circuit judge says the amendments are good to go: "Amendment 7 would repeal a constitutional ban on state financial aid to churches and religious organizations. Amendment 9 would remove language from the state Constitution that the Florida Supreme Court used in 2006 to bar then-Gov. Jeb Bush's Opportunity Scholarship program." "Court says voucher votes to stay on ballot". See also "Judge keeps school vouchers on ballot" and "School-voucher plan can be on the ballot Nov. 4, judge rules".

Poor Vern

"A former employee has filed a lawsuit accusing U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan of falsifying business documents in the operation of a Venice car dealership. The lawsuit also says Buchanan skirted federal campaign laws by reimbursing dealership employees for contributions they made to his political campaign. These allegations echo claims in a previous lawsuit filed by another former employee." "Suit: Rep. Buchanan skirted campaign finance law".

"Behind the curve"

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "Gov. Crist looks foolish for changing his position on drilling to match that of Sen. McCain. Sen. Obama refused to pander when Sen. McCain and Gov. Crist proposed a meaningless gas-tax holiday. On drilling, though, Sen. Obama is backing away from the correct and principled stand. Those polls, by the way, show support for more drilling only if it would bring down prices soon. Sen. Nelson has promised to educate Sen. Obama on the issue. He's got a lot of work to do." "Obama behind curve on more gulf drilling".

Keller's gutter politics

"Keller put his re-election campaign on the attack this weekend, sending his opponent's mugshot and arrest record to voters across Central Florida."

"In March 2007, a police officer found Long sleeping on the sidewalk near a Tallahassee high school just after 5 a.m. According to the officer's report, Long, who appeared intoxicated, said he was in Tallahassee with the Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce to visit the Florida Legislature. Long couldn't remember what hotel he was staying at, though a clerk at a nearby Holiday Inn told police he had been drinking in the hotel bar and handing out campaign fliers earlier in the night." "Sentinel: Keller: GOP rival has booze history" (Keller has "$935,000 in his campaign account as of June 30, compared with Long's $15,000.")

"The arrogance of Florida Power & Light Co. apparently knows no bounds"

"It was bad enough last week when state regulators shut down an FPL green energy program, after an audit showed most of the $11.4 million collected from customers who volunteered — at $9.75 a month — for the Sunshine Energy program was used for public relations and marketing efforts."

Ah, but now, as customers are screaming about being duped and talking about refunds or some way to get their money back, FPL says, technically, they don't owe customers a thing, because they bought renewable-energy credits and built more solar power.

HD 83

"Miller is running against Rick Ford for the state House District 83 seat in the Aug. 26 Democratic primary. Both lawyers, they are seeking to unseat three-term incumbent Republican Carl Domino, R-Jupiter, in the north county district that includes Jupiter, Juno Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach and the northern part of Palm Beach. The winner faces Domino in the Nov. 4 general election." "Riled voters want to cull legislators, hopeful contends".

Remember "Vic"?

"On Thursday, the Anchorage Daily News ran a profile of him under the headline, "Who is the mysterious Vic Vickers?" Old-time Florida political junkies may remember Raymond 'Vic' Vickers. Back in the early 1980s, Vickers carried the whiff of political controversy himself." "Former Florida deputy comptroller runs for the U.S. Senate — in Alaska.".

Six weeks ago, with Mr. McCain leading in all the Florida polls, it looked as if adding Governor Charlie Crist to the ticket was not only unnecessary but might further alienate some conservatives. Now, with Mr. Obama pouring resources into Florida, things look considerably different. Speculation about a McCain VP selection lately has raged around Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, but Mr. McCain may want to give Mr. Crist another look -- because it's impossible to see how Mr. McCain wins the White House without Florida's 27 electoral votes.

McCain brings his slime to Florida, black reporter ousted

"Tallahassee Democratsenior writer Stephen Price on Friday was singled out and asked to leave a media area at the Panama City rally of presidential candidate Sen. John McCain."

Tallahassee Democrat Executive Editor Bob Gabordi said the incident was unwarranted.

"We're deeply concerned and disturbed that our reporter — of all of those in that area — was asked to move," Gabordi said. "My understanding is that Stephen was the only reporter approached and asked to leave the area, and the only reporter in that area who is black. Another reporter who stood up for Stephen was then asked to leave."

was muted. He drew gasps for praising former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who was accused of using tough police tactics in a quest to clean up his city.

And McCain said affirmative action was "in the eye of the beholder," not mentioning he supports an anti-affirmative action referendum on the ballot in Arizona

Here's political courage for you ... cut taxes

"Three months from now, Florida voters will be asked to give themselves a property-tax break that could cut their bills by at least one-fourth. But the bottom line on how much it will cost them to do that probably will be little more than an educated guess." "Officials uncertain of Amendment 5's future impact".

Back at the ranch, the servants report to their masters: "Home builders demanded answers Saturday to questions about a proposed constitutional tax amendment that voters will decide on the Nov. 4 ballot."

While state leaders who favored the tax-swapping Amendment 5 promised builders their tax bills would drop, opponents assured an audience of about 100 that their taxes would increase.

"We need something significant like Amendment 5 to jump-start our economy," said former state Senate President John McKay, who launched the debate before the Florida Home Builders Association leadership at the Orange County Convention Center.

Countering McKay, Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne, likened the proposal to getting a break on a steak dinner only to find out the soda costs $42. "This is a guaranteed tax increase. It's a bait and switch," he said.

The RPOF says jump ...

The newspaper company employees are reading GOPer talking points again: "Obama has spent more than $5-million on TV ads in Florida since June, and McCain not a penny, according to an analysis by a Wisconsin Advertising Project. Yet the latest Quinnipiac University poll showed Obama virtually tied with McCain — 46 percent to 44 percent — and independent Florida voters swinging from a 10-point lead for Obama in June to a 4-point lead to McCain." "Obama has work to do in Florida".

Oil

"Obama still skeptical of offshore drilling, open to compromise".

Court cuts

"Keeping a promise she made in June at her swearing in ceremony, Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Peggy Quince is fighting a proposed $17 million in additional cuts to the state court system." "Quince fighting $17M budget cut to court system".

Battle for the ages

Adam C. Smith suggests that "who wins Florida and the White House may boil down to a struggle between grandma and her grandkids."

A Quinnipiac poll of Florida voters released last week found Democrat Obama trouncing Republican McCain among those younger than 35, 66 percent to 27 percent. But among Florida voters 55 and older, McCain led Obama by 10 percentage points, 51 percent to 41 percent.

Overall, Quinnipiac showed Florida a dead heat, with Obama at 46 percent support and McCain at 44.

Your Wal-Mart dollars at work

"Florida is once again poised to be the center of the political universe in the fight over school vouchers."

The decade-long ideological struggle over taxpayer-funded grants for children to attend nonpublic schools is again on a collision course with the same state Supreme Court majority that struck down the nation's first statewide voucher program more than two years ago.

A national pro-voucher group called All Children Matter has raised $2.1 million -- nearly $1.4 million of it from the Arkansas heirs of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton -- to elect pro-voucher legislative candidates here this year.

Vacuity pays off

Florida's intrepid political reporters might ask themselves why this is?:

Did Charlie Crist damage himself with $1,800-a-night hotel stays in Europe while the Florida economy continued to tank? Not according to that latest Florida chamber poll that showed 63 percent of Florida voters approve of his job performance.

'Glades

Bob Graham says "Save the Everglades marriage".

Charters

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "When the University of South Florida throws in the towel on an elementary school it once considered a "dream opportunity" for at-risk students, it is signaling resignation or defeat. Either one merits the attention of state educators."

As the charter-school movement in Florida has grown to some 358 schools serving more than 100,000 students, it has faced its share of financial and academic failures. But this is one case that should capture the attention of state Education Commissioner Eric Smith. If charter schools are to light the path of educational reform, then Florida needs to understand why a university charter would wave the white flag.

If you get past the headline ...

... you'll learn that Obama handled the incident with his usual class. "Obama came to St. Petersburg to call for a new round of $1,000 rebate checks to jump-start the economy, but his message of hope was nearly eclipsed by hecklers." "Activists in St. Petersburg shout at Obama.".

Obama's "dramatic reversal of policy"

"In a dramatic reversal of policy, Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama on Saturday told supporters on the Space Coast he no longer favors slashing NASA's budget, declaring that the United States 'cannot cede our leadership in space.'" "Obama says he will protect NASA jobs, budget".

Kopelousis

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Someone in state government needs to step up and address the standoff over the proposed commuter-rail project in Orlando. The obvious choice would be Stephanie Kopelousis, secretary of the Department of Transportation. But so far, Kopelousis has been little more than a cheerleader for the off-strategy project she inherited. It's time she demonstrated leadership on behalf of all Floridians, not just Orlando's politically powerful lawmakers." "DOT Should Review Other Options To Build Commuter Rail In Orlando".

Slow news day

Scott Maxwell reminds of us the central Florida Congressional District thing: "the lines were crafted so precisely that five of these six Central Florida congressional districts favor Republicans -- even though collectively they contain more Democrats."

Welcome to politics in Florida -- where the deck's stacked before you even get to the polls.

Back when the Democrats were in charge in Tallahassee, they drew lines to suit their fancy. And Republicans cried foul . . . until they got in control and decided to do the same.

Okeechobee

"Judge rules gay club can meet at Okeechobee high school".

Way off topic

Bill Maxwell shows some real courage here, and is going to take some (undeserved heat; here are some excerpts, but please read the entire thing: "Last Sunday, Jim David Adkisson, 58, walked into the sanctuary of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church carrying a sawed-off shotgun concealed in a violin case.

Although I am not a purveyor of conspiracy theories, I am convinced that some of the motivation for Adkisson's actions, like those of many other disaffected conservative extremists, can be traced, at least indirectly, to the writings and on-air vituperations of conservative commentators and authors. These people have helped to divide the nation in unnatural ways, and they have influenced legions of dangerous followers willing to act on the insanity of their convictions.

Adkisson hated the church, Still said, "because of its liberal teachings and his belief that liberals should be killed because they were ruining the country, and that he felt that the Democrats had tied the country's hands in the war on terror and they had ruined every institution in America with the aid of the major media outlets."

Still further stated that because Adkisson "could not get to the leaders of the liberal movement, he would then target those that voted them in office."

While searching Adkisson's house, [the police] collected three dog-eared books: The O'Reilly Factor, by TV commentator Bill O'Reilly; Liberalism is a Mental Disorder, by radio personality Michael Savage; and Let Freedom Ring, by Fox News pundit Sean Hannity. These and other right-wing books, such as Ann Coulter's Godless: The Church of Liberalism, are must-reading for liberal-hating conservatives. ...

The Rev. William G. Sinkford, president of the 268,000-strong Unitarian Universalist Association and the first African-American to lead a historically white denomination in the United States, defended the church's liberal tradition when I interviewed him last April in his Boston office.

"Here in the United States, Unitarians believe that we actually invented American democracy," he said. "Thomas Jefferson considered himself a Unitarian, and John Adams and John Quincy Adams were two other early Unitarian presidents. We were signers of the Declaration of Independence, and our values and principles — liberty, acceptance, tolerance and the freedom to believe — underpin the American Constitution.

"And Unitarian Universalists have always been prominent in all of the social movements in this country. We were prominent in the abolitionist movement, and Unitarian leaders, both men and women, were very prominent in the struggle for women's empowerment, women's right to vote, and so it has continued on to the present day. We support the struggle of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons. So we have been a part of the American democratic tradition since there was one."

Florida has 1.7 million vets, and they vote

Dan Moffett: "The nation has about 24 million veterans - a population the size of California - with 1.7 million of them in Florida. In 2004, roughly 80 percent of vets turned out to vote, compared with 64 percent of nonveterans. American veterans are 80 percent white non-Hispanic, 11 percent African-American, 6 percent Hispanic and 92 percent male. Their median age is 60, and 60 percent of them live in urban areas."

McCain is all for flags and stuff, but unless you're married to a beer heiress, he's failed to put his money where his mouth is:

The Disabled Veterans of America gives him a 20 percent rating, compared with an 80 percent rating for Sen. Obama. The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans for America gives Sen. McCain a D and Sen. Obama a B+. The Vietnam Veterans of America say Sen. McCain has voted against them on 15 issues.

One of the most vocal and fastest-growing veterans groups to oppose the McCain campaign is VoteVets.org. Formed in 2006, the organization claims a membership of roughly 100,000, with a political action committee devoted to electing congressional candidates who oppose the handling of the Iraq war.

Especially galling to VoteVets.org is Sen. McCain's opposition to the new, bipartisan GI Bill that increases education benefits for Iraq and Afghanistan vets. Sen. Obama voted for the bill when it passed 75-22 in May; Sen. McCain was on the campaign trail and did not vote.

Troxler

"Running Florida is no picnic these days, not even for a cheerful governor. This past week, the economists for Wachovia — who put them in charge? — declared Florida to be in a recession. Florida's economy had its worst second quarter in 16 years." More here: "The week: Florida takes its lumps".

Wingnut "Christian Pep Rally"

"Mike Huckabee headlines the Christian Coalition's God and Country Gala on Aug. 16 in Orlando, in what's billed as an effort to wake up social conservatives in Florida." "Christian pep rally". Who writes these headlines?