Not without a little help from DW-S

Cook Political report has just revised its position on CD 18 (Ileana Ros-Lehtinen) from "Likely Republican to Solid Republican":

As other races in South Florida have become more competitive, this district has garnered less attention, which is good news for incumbent Ros-Lehtinen. District insiders say she has stronger cross-partisan appeal than other nearby targets and that Democratic businesswoman Annette Taddeo has shown less tenacity than her neighboring challengers.

From the "values" crowd

"Medicaid recipients across Florida [are] challenging the nightmare of the old and disabled: to be forced from comfort and familiarity into a nursing home. They say the state is illegally forcing them to live in nursing homes when they should be able to live where they choose. Advocates charge that nursing homes, afraid of losing money, have successfully pressured politicians to make qualifying for community care more difficult. They have filed a federal lawsuit seeking class-action status on behalf of nearly 8,500 institutionalized Floridians." "Medicaid long-term care lawsuit erupts in Fla.".

We don' need no stinkin' regulators here in Fla'duh

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Despite having the highest rate of mortgage fraud in the country, Florida has done an astonishingly poor job of protecting the public against unlicensed, unscrupulous mortgage brokers -- and even from those who are outright criminals. These were the overall findings of a recent Miami Herald investigative series, which was validated this week by a state audit that found similar failures and an abysmal lack of enforcement and protection by state regulators." "State regulators failed to do their job".

Never forget ...

... Charlie is and always will be a mindless RPOFer blabbing on about nonexistent "fraud" as an excuse to suppress the Dem vote: "Crist said Thursday Florida's "no match, no vote" law is the best way to head off election fraud at the polls on Nov. 4. But Marilynn Wills, head of the League of Women Voters of Florida and an influential county-voter registrar, said putting the burden on citizens to clear up any glitches in records of their names, driver's licenses or Social Security numbers threatens to disenfranchise many newly registered voters during the November elections. They called the identity match an unnecessary bureaucratic burden on the right to vote." Here's the rub: "People pretending to be someone else has never been the problem, said Leon County Elections Supervisor Ion Sancho."

"What we've done in this country is to create the most partisan elections process we could devise," Sancho said. "The no match, no vote, rule is being implemented in states where Republicans are in charge because they know that a certain percentage of new registrants will not be able to jump through several hoops."

But we luv our Charlie

"Florida's unemployment rate is at its highest level in more than 13 years, rising again in August to 6.5 percent. ... its highest level since January, 1995. ... also above the national rate of 6.1 percent, and 2.3 points higher than it was a year ago." "Florida unemployment keeps rising".

"Strengths and weaknesses"

"John McCain and Barack Obama each have strengths and weaknesses in the competition for Florida's 27 electoral votes. Here's a rundown from Aubrey Jewett, associate professor of political science at the University of Central Florida." "Pluses and challenges for McCain and Obama". See also "Florida is a battleground in presidential race".

More: "Obama to unveil proposals in Florida", "Obama forum scheduled in Daytona", "Obama to hold rally at University of Miami today" and "Obama, Palin to visit Central Florida".

Idiots

The The Tampa Tribune editorial board inserts its collective nose into Jebbie's considerable derriere yet again, claiming the intellectual pipsqueak who previously served as Governor

has every right to be proud of his legacy

Bush gave passing grades to the state Republican majority and Ds and Fs went to Democrats. He based his grades on how lawmakers voted on legislation dealing with school grades, private-school vouchers, merit pay for teachers and pet projects

"Stunning double flip-flop"

"In a stunning double flip-flop, the Florida Supreme Court ruled Thursday that it made a mistake a year ago by requiring voter approval for billions of dollars worth of roads, buildings and other local redevelopment projects. Last September's 7-0 ruling reversed a precedent the high court had set 27 years earlier and threatened redevelopment bond issues across Florida." "High court reverses redevelopment rule". See also "Florida Supreme Court reverses itself on bond issue".

Brilliant mistake

"With more than 92,000 inmates, Florida has the nation's third-largest prison system. Seven years ago, then-Gov. Jeb Bush shifted the food service operations to private companies in hopes of saving money." "Oldsmar company opts out of prison food service".

Thank 'ye Sarah

"Five weeks ago, the St. Petersburg Times convened a group of Tampa Bay voters who were undecided about the presidential election. Their strong distrust of Barack Obama suggested it was a group ripe for John McCain to win over. Not anymore." "Palin pushes undecideds to left".

Brain trust

"Rival political managers James Carville and Karl Rove agreed Wednesday that the Wall Street shocks of recent days were 'a game-changer' in the presidential race, but disagreed over which party will benefit from the economic fallout." "Carville, Rove in Fla. for health-care discussion".

Foley gets a pass

"Florida law enforcement officials announced today they will not file charges against former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley, nearly two years after investigating reports that the disgraced Palm Beach County politician exchanged sexually explicit e-mails with male congressional pages." Here's the trick:

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner blamed Foley's refusal to hand over his government computers and data files to investigators for the failure to press charges.

Last year, the general counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives refused to release Foley's government-issued computers without Foley's permission.

Foley's lawyer, David Roth, refused.

"Roth advised that it was not in Foley's best interest to comply" with the request, the report reads.

Gouging away

"Price-gouging complaints continued Wednesday as gas prices moderated and supply issues persisted in Florida." "Gas prices level out; supply 'stretched thin'". "Fla. officials get 2,800 gas gouging complaints".

Blah, blah, blah ...

"Crist and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, a Republican and a Democrat, said Thursday the only cure for what ails America's medical marketplace is bipartisan cooperation and compromise. " "Cooperation needed to fix health care".

"'Scorn and ridicule'"

"Democratic congressional candidate John Dicks didn't have much fun during his recent primary campaign against Republican incumbent Rep. Gus Bilirakis. And as a result, Dicks has filed a lawsuit accusing the primary's eventual winner, Bill Mitchell, of running a libelous campaign that exposed the former Plant City mayor to 'scorn and ridicule.'" "It Wasn't Pretty, But Negative Ad Sure Worked".

The Soyuz thing

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Rep. Weldon is hurting the space program by fighting the use of Russian spacecraft".

Flippers

"Land speculators buy property they know the government is eyeing. They go through the obligatory phase of threatening to develop it, often with full cooperation of planning departments and city officials. Then the owners flip it for a huge profit."

"In a rare moment of fiscal restraint, the Florida Cabinet rejected the latest attempt this week. Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Gov. Charlie Crist said no to a Longwood attorney looking to sell 385 acres next to the proposed Wekiva Parkway."

The $37.5 million price tag is ridiculous.

Owner Jim Palmer, a Crist fundraiser and member of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, began buying the property in 2006, paying $23 million for it, according to public records. His spokesman says Palmer actually has $32 million invested in the property when you throw in holding costs and other expenses.

I don't care what he has in it. That's his problem. The only way this land is worth $37.5 million is if there is a Saudi-sized oil field under it.

Error

Joel Engelhardt: "It would be nice, now that the state has forced every county to use fool-proof, count-every-vote paper ballots, if every vote actually counted. But with apologies to humans everywhere, nice is impossible. Blame human error." "Paper ballots, human hands".

"Food to Haiti"

"Miami city commissioner to deliver food to Haiti".

Whatever

"Attorney General Bill McCollum wants a federal agency to step in and halt Las Vegas-style gambling at Seminole Indian casinos in Florida." "McCollum asks feds to halt some Seminole gaming". See also "McCollum seeks halt to Seminole gambling".

The resulting devastation should make an impression here in Florida: It's unwise to rely too heavily on the state's rainy-day funds when the potential for major disaster looms with the start of every tropical storm season. Because it's so often threatened by severe storms, Florida needs to build -- and maintain -- healthy reserves.

Yet lawmakers correctly observe that there's not much room left for cuts in a budget that's already been shaved, in some places, to the bone.

A bridge to sell 'ya

"McCain also touched on offshore drilling as a bridge to becoming energy independent, and painted himself as a maverick independent of Bush policies." "McCain in Tampa today on a poll roll". See also "McCain rides surge into Tampa rally".

Restoration

"The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and American Civil Liberties Union of Florida launched a voter registration campaign Monday targeting convicted felons whose rights have been restored. " "ACLU trying to help felons vote".

Penelas

"Healthcare firms that were headed by Miami entrepreneur Mike Fernandez were fined for violating contribution regulations with gifts to Alex Penelas' 2004 U.S. Senate campaign." "Two health firms fined for campaign gifts".

Sink rolls up her sleeves

"A day after one of the worst meltdowns in Wall Street history since the 1929 Depression, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink is ready to review the fallout for Florida." "Florida CFO Sink to address Wall Street meltdown during today's Cabinet meeting".

What would Sarah Palin say?

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "No, the embarrassing law hasn't been overturned. Yet. Florida remains one of two states in the nation — Mississippi is the other — to ban gay adoption. But when a circuit judge in Monroe County ruled the 31-year-old ban unconstitutional, thus allowing a gay foster parent to adopt a teenage boy he has raised since 2001, it chipped another hole in the shameful ban. The fact that gay adoption is allowed virtually everywhere else tells you plenty about this anachronistic, mean-spirited Florida law." "Florida's shameful gay adoption ban takes another hit".

Gouging

"Complaints of gasoline price gouging spiked across Florida Monday as more than 2,000 people called toll-free hotlines at two state agencies." "Gas gouging complaints pile up". See also "Updated: Most gas price-gouging complaints coming from Tampa, Tallahassee", "Fla. officials get 1,800 gas gouging complaints" and "Hillsborough Leads State In Gas-Gouging Complaints".

McCain heads to friendly territory

"Republican presidential nominee John McCain began a two-day Florida tour Monday with a rousing rally in an area that GOP leaders are counting on to deliver 27 vital electoral votes in November." "McCain begins Florida tour in Jacksonville".

This is a hoot: "McCain attacks corporate greed".

"And the financial trouble might not end there"

"The state of Florida could lose more than tens of millions of dollars as Wall Street icon Lehman Brothers heads into bankruptcy. And the financial trouble might not end there. At the end of August, the State Board of Administration held more than $8-billion of investments in other troubled companies." "Lehman bankruptcy to weigh on Florida". But see "Lehman has little affect on state investments".

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "The feds were right to deny a taxpayer bailout for Lehman Brothers".

McCain in Tampa

"A day after taking heat for saying 'the fundamentals of our economy are strong,' Republican presidential nominee John McCain told a rally here today that the U.S. is in a 'bad economy' and pinned much of the blame on Wall Street excesses." "McCain in Tampa raps 'greed' of Wall Street".

"Tiny", "small", and other perjoratives

"The group of Barack Obama supporters held a small rally in south Orlando to coincide with the McCain visit to the Asociacion Borinquena de Florida Central, a Puerto Rican social club, to make the point that Republicans don't own the Hispanic vote." "Hispanics' tiny Obama rally criticizes McCain's message". More: "McCain courts Fla. Hispanics".

Boyd blood

"Fla. Congressman's Son Charged With Smuggling Immigrants". See also "Congressman's son arrested for human trafficking".

"Stop trying to mislead voters"

"The state Supreme Court delivered a message Monday to drafters of amendments to Florida's constitution: Stop trying to mislead voters. The justices, in a 15-page opinion explaining their decision to strip a multibillion-dollar tax initiative from the ballot, said that case is just the latest example of 'misleading 'wordsmithing' in ballot language." "Fla. Supreme Court declares initiatives misleading".

Enough already

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "Now that the ballots in Palm Beach County's disputed election have been 'found,' Richard Wennet should stop asking for a revote." "No need for a revote".

Food stamps

"DCF gets $5.4 million boost for food stamp program".

Time to move on

"Hundreds of Cuban writers, musicians and artists are asking the U.S. to ease trade restrictions and speed the import of food and building supplies to help the island rebuild after Hurricanes Ike and Gustav." "Cuba artists ask US to ease sanctions after storms".

Cons

"State regulators failed to comply with a law designed to keep convicted criminals from working in Florida's mortgage industry and more legislation is needed, according to an investigative report issued Tuesday." "Report says criminals got Fla. mortgage licenses"

Speakin' of price gougin'

"A proposal to buy environmentally sensitive lands linked to an Orlando expressway project died Tuesday after Gov. Charlie Crist and a state Cabinet member balked at the $35 million price tag. That's about $12 million more than the prospective sellers paid for the 386-acre plot in several transactions in 2006 and 2007. It's also $7 million more than the highest of two state appraisals." "$35M Orlando area environmental land deal rejected".

New rules

"Florida loosened its rules on the sale of backup hurricane insurance by foreign companies Tuesday in hopes of eventually lowering premium rates for consumers, even though that's unlikely in the short term." "Fla. loosens rules on backup storm insurance".

'Splainin

"Florida Supreme Court justices Monday spanked the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission with opinions that explained why threw three proposed constitutional amendments from November's ballot earlier this month they." "Justices defend throwing amendments off ballot".

Stoopid

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "In the not-too-distant past, a Florida governor named Jeb Bush was so predisposed to believing that corporations were inherently better than government at virtually everything that he embarked on the most aggressive privatization initiative ever in state government."

At the height of his power and influence, Mr. Bush was fortunate to have fellow Republicans running both houses of the Legislature — allies who barely questioned the wisdom of the policy, and showed no real interest in exercising oversight of millions of dollars in contracts with private companies paid with public dollars.

Last week the latest example of the former governor's rashness came to light with a news report on the cancellation of a Department of Corrections contract with Aramark, a private food-service vendor that hired in 2001 to operate what previously had been a state-run function.

Whitey

On the heels of reading that "Whites Lift McCain To Slim Lead Over Obama In Poll", reading this isn't particularly uplifting: "Many analysts wonder how many voters answering polls hide their racial biases or mislead survey-takers about their real preferences."

It's known as the "Bradley effect," after former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, an African-American who in 1982 was leading nearly every poll in the California governor's race but lost to his white opponent. The theory — not universally accepted as valid — is that some white voters tell pollsters they support a black candidate — out of political correctness — but won't vote for one.

In 1989, African-American Democrat Douglas Wilder barely won the Virginia governor's race though polls pointed to a Wilder landslide. That same year, David Dinkins narrowly won the New York city mayor's race despite polls showing a double-digit lead.

In North Carolina in 1990, African-American candidate Harvey Gantt led Republican Jesse Helms in the polls, but Helms won soundly. More recently, a 2006 proposal before voters in Michigan to ban affirmative action looked too close to call, according to polls, but it passed with 58 percent support.

Let's play pretend

"Florida's frayed budget is being patched with borrowed money, and the prolonged economic slump will force Gov. Charlie Crist and legislators to confront much bigger shortfalls in the months ahead."

Back at the Mr. Happy Face Ranch,

Crist remains upbeat about Florida's economy, citing a 5 percent uptick in July in home sales in the Tampa Bay area (however, the median price of a single-family home fell 18 percent from July 2007 to July 2008).

"I am optimistic," Crist said.

"Optimism is not an economic policy," countered Rep. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, the House Democratic leader.

"'Microtargeting' you"

"John McCain and Barack Obama get all the attention, but the guy who might decide Florida's presidential race is standing on an Orlando street corner, sweating like a fiend and trying to get his bearings." "Campaign volunteers know who you are, and they want your vote".

"'Facts on the ground'"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Diplomats use the expression 'facts on the ground' to refer to a situation where reality is different from what is true by law or in theory. The concept often is employed by the military when it establishes a physical presence that cannot easily be removed. This is what the Seminole Tribe of Florida has done by continuing to allow blackjack and other card games at its casinos, despite an adverse ruling by the Florida Supreme Court." "Tribe's winning hand".

Yee Haw! ...

... say the "mavericks":

With the nation's financial markets reeling, Republican presidential nominee John McCain said at a campaign rally this morning that he and running mate Sarah Palin are a "team of mavericks" who will "clean up Wall Street."

"The long run"

"Officials: Florida in good shape amid Wall Street crisis". "Still, the precarious stock market raises questions about where the state will be in the long run."

As the Dow plunges ...

... "McCain tells Floridians he's better qualified to deal with nation's economic woes". See also "McCain slams 'outdated' oversight of financial markets" and "McCain will stump in Orlando".

Poor bidness folk

The Chamber of Commerce The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "If Florida wants a reputation as a business-friendly state, it needs to begin taxing its businesses with more fairness and less uncertainty. The result of doing nothing could cause the bottom to fall out, just like it did in the housing market." "Florida Must Stop Shifting Its Tax Load To Businesses".

A long time ago ...

... in an election not so far away: "The Federal Election Commission has fined two healthcare companies once connected with Miguel 'Mike' Fernandez $128,000 for improper contributions to the 2004 U.S. Senate campaign of Alex Penelas." "Healthcare firms fined for campaign contributions".

McCain tearfully reveals he was a POW

"For hours in a dark Hanoi prison, John McCain pushed through the pain of his own wounds to stretch the fingers of fellow prisoner Bud Day along the cell wall, a makeshift attempt at physical therapy to restore movement to Day's torture-damaged tendons." Day is a co-chair "of Florida Veterans for McCain, an organization of 125 retired military officers from across the state whose loyalty to the war hero brought many of them into politics as they fight for the coveted veterans' vote.". "McCain courts key vote of veterans in Florida".

To be sure,

Democrat Barack Obama did not serve in the military, but he spent four years on the Senate Veterans Committee and is not ceding any ground to McCain for the veterans' vote.

His network of military supporters is not nearly as deep as McCain's, but the grandson of a World War II veteran has amassed his own contingent of war heroes, most of them recently out of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. And Obama has collected six times as much money in political contributions from U.S. troops serving abroad as McCain, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Obama supporters, including former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, began a three-day tour of Florida on Friday to call attention to veterans issues and the differences between the candidates. They cite McCain's opposition to increased funding for the Veterans Administration, improved healthcare benefits, and additional mental health and brain injury services -- all things that Obama supports.

Here's why

"Florida Supreme Court justices today explained themselves, releasing written opinions describing why earlier this month they removed three proposed constitutional amendments from November's ballot." "Supreme Court explains kicking amendments off ballot".

"Spread the gospel and the word"

"The Sunday affair started out with encouragement to 'spread the gospel and the word,' but it wasn't a church meeting. The comment was from state Rep. Joyce Cusack, D-DeLand, when she introduced four visiting representatives of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama." "Top Obama adviser gets locals ready for vote".

Saggy pants OK ... but voting ... that's another thing

"Judge rules 'sagging pants' law unconstitutional".

Broward

"Black voters key factor in race for Broward County sheriff", "Ex-Beach police chief steps into Broward race" and "Lawsuit clouds printing of Broward ballots".

Have a drink

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "One proposal for reducing the number of fatal traffic accidents calls for raising the driving age from 16 years old to 18. Another idea for combating illegal drinking among teens is to lower the drinking age from 21 to — you guessed it — 18." "On age limits, leave it alone".

Hypocrisy

Even the The Tampa Tribune editorial board get's it: "End Hypocritical Gay Adoption Ban".

Consumer warriors

"Calls to hotlines run separately by the offices of Attorney General Bill McCollum and Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson are rising. ... McCollum on Sunday said he would subpoena the corporate offices of four retail chains that accounted for the bulk of complaints about rising prices. Those that can document their own increased costs to justify higher prices at the pump are not guilty of gouging, though McCollum said he'd also investigate up the line to wholesale suppliers." "Updated: Complaints of gas-price gouging continue; more than 1,600 logged statewide". See also "Subpoenas to go out in face of gas hikes".

Term limits

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board thinks that "Term limits force out experienced lawmakers".

"Project Riviera Beach"

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "On Project Runway, the rule is: One day you're in, and the next day, you're out. The same apparently is true for Project Riviera Beach. The slight difference is that Project Runway is about cutthroat fashion. Project Riviera Beach is about that city's return to old-fashioned cutthroat politics." "Self-destructive politics fit Riviera Beach again".

"Neither bold nor creative"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Crist and the state Department of Transportation are moving ahead with plans to lease Alligator Alley to private investors."

Florida would get a huge infusion of cash upfront, with which it can fasttrack funding of needed transportation projects in Broward and Collier counties. The state also would get a revenue stream that could help alleviate future budget setbacks and dwindling federal highway dollars. Does this make the deal worth it? We don't think so. ...

Gov. Crist and the DOT are being praised by some transportation officials and free-market thinkers -- who see the project as a model -- for their bold and creative thinking. Truth is, there isn't much that is bold or creative about turning over a 78-mile highway in excellent condition to private investors.

RPOFer suppression scheme in full bloom

"Critics say thousands of Florida voters may be denied the chance to participate in this year's presidential election because of a new state law designed to crack down on voter fraud. The law, which went into effect last week, creates a more stringent standard for verifying voter information. Democrats, and other groups that unsuccessfully sued the state over the law, contend it creates new bureaucratic barriers that could disproportionately keep many minority voters from casting a ballot." "Law could deny people right to vote, critics say".

Drag a dollar bill thru a gated community ...

... and you never know what'll turn up: "The new head of the leading voucher group in Florida is a former teachers-union leader ..."

He was hired by John Kirtley, a Tampa businessman who rivals former Gov. Jeb Bush as Florida's most influential voucher advocate.

Tuthill isn't the only new blood at the Florida School Choice Fund.

Joining him as communications director is Jon East, a former St. Petersburg Times editorial writer. Until his retirement last week, East for years was a persistent critic of vouchers.

"Image is tarnished"

"Even the most ardent Republicans concede their party's image is tarnished, and the Democratic image is on the upswing. That trend is more than clear in Central Florida. After trending Republican for years, registration numbers show that the region is going in the opposite direction. Even staunchly Republican Seminole County has seen an increase in Democrats. It's now 56 percent to 44 percent Republicans, as opposed to 60-40 in 2000. Will that result in Democratic gains in November? In three key Central Florida races, that's still an open and complicated question."

The complications include Keller and Feeney. See hat she means: "Will Democrats' advantages translate into wins locally?".

Dodge ball

"Weathering political headwinds and an economy in tailspin, Gov. Charlie Crist remains a well-liked figure cutting across traditional partisan divides as he approaches the two-year mark of his governorship. But after an eventful summer, during which Florida’s bachelor governor got engaged and landed on the short list for the Republican vice presidential nomination, Crist now faces new challenges." "Gov. Crist still popular despite state’s economic downturn".

"The Democratic Party ... has finally streaked ahead"

"The Democratic Party, which for decades badly trailed the GOP among Hispanic registered voters in Florida, has finally streaked ahead of the Republicans as the two parties race for the finish line of the November elections." "New Hispanic voters helping Democrats catch up".

Must we?

"Get ready to see a lot of the candidates". See also "GOP notables to join McCain for rally at arena" and "McCain, Obama will return to Florida to campaign".

"'Other evolving options'"

"Putting bleak budget numbers before the Florida Legislature's money managers, Gov. Charlie Crist coined a three-word term that Republicans and Democrats will debate hotly until the economy improves."

The Legislative Budget Commission last week signed off on Crist's request to take $672.4 million out of the state's rainy-day reserve right away. But another $795 million is needed to balance the books of a $1.4-billion revenue shortage.

Crist said the remainder will be scrounged together after the Nov. 4 election with "other evolving options" — three little words that mean vastly different things on opposite sides of the partisan divide.

"Proposed amendments a mix of sensible and senseless"

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board: "When the Florida Supreme Court struck down a misleading 'tax-swap' amendment and two proposals designed to bulldoze a path for taxpayer-funded religious education this month, it stripped much of the controversy from the slate of proposed constitutional amendments voters will see in November. " "Constitutional questions".

"Impressive"

Randy Schultz: "It's impressive to see big-time political power on display, especially when it's displayed so skillfully."

The power in this case belongs to Florida Crystals, one of the two big sugar growers in the Everglades. Florida Crystals is part of Flo-Sun Inc., the $2.5 billion conglomerate based in West Palm Beach that, among other things, grows sugar, refines sugar (think Domino brand), produces renewable energy and owns the luxurious Casa de Campo resort in the Dominican Republic. Flo-Sun, controlled by the Fanjul family of Palm Beach, is a world and national player. Brothers Alfonso (Democrats) and Pepe (Republicans) donate to both parties and get their calls returned.

It was about doing a favor for downtrodden people. A few representatives from environmental groups warned that rushing on an inland port could upset Everglades restoration, which the $1.75 billion buyout of U.S. Sugar is supposed to help. They might as well have been atheists at a revival.

So the commissioners backed the concept of an inland port. They didn't designate the Florida Crystals property as the preferred site, but right now, that's the only site proposed. If we don't act now, commissioners said, Martin County could get the port. And, no, it isn't that big of a deal for Florida Crystals.

Until they got to the part about ... you know ...

"Crist said paperwork was extensive while being a contender for McCain's vice-president pick". There's been surprisingly little - actually none - coverage of the whispering campaign that Charlie faced.

The Maitland Housewife

... tells us about "when science lost out to pork." "U.S. took a pass on Big Bang, now we're stuck with NASA's Big Bust".

"'Crist unconstitutionally exceeded his power last year'"

"The Florida Supreme Court voted 6-1 late Thursday to deny a request by Gov. Charlie Crist and the Seminole Tribe for another shot at arguing the case that threw out the state's multimillion-dollar gambling compact over slot machines. The ruling makes final the high court's July decision invalidating the agreement signed by the governor that allows the tribe to operate Las Vegas-style slot machines and banked card games at its seven casinos in exchange for paying the state at least $100 million a year."Seminole gaming pact now in Legislature's hands". See also "Attorney General Wants Seminoles To Shut Down Games".

"Big surprises"

"In January, voters passed an amendment to the state constitution that was aimed at reining in the growth of property taxes. One portion of Amendment 1 limited annual increases in the assessed value of non-homestead properties to 10 percent a year for everything but school taxes. Many commercial property owners may wonder why their assessed values have doubled. One little-noticed aspect of the amendment was that while extra protections for homestead owners went into effect immediately, the 10 percent cap is not effective until next year. This comes at a time when the values of some commercial properties are rising, while values of most residential properties have dropped." "Tax bills show up, higher than expected".

Credit, where credit is due ...

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board thinks a tax increase might be the way to fix local public transportation "Commissioners should look to gas tax to revive Lynx".

"The danger of shortsightednes"

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "But a financial transfer that escaped widespread scrutiny Wednesday — the same day that lawmakers approved a $672 million transfer from reserve funds to fill part of a big hole in the state budget — illustrates the danger of shortsightedness." "Bright future?".

All Idiots is Local ...

... or sumthin' like that: "Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman is proposing renaming the county Moral Courage Award after the late Ralph Hughes, a political supporter of Norman and other conservative Republicans on the County Commission." "Moral Courage Award May Get New Name".

News Blast from the Zell Corporation

On a slow news day, why not waste a little ink slamming public employees' "cushy benefits". Can never go wrong makin' the boss man happy.

This is simply ignorant:

In defending the cushy benefits that [Orange] county employees receive -- like vacation days that can be carried over year to year [holy cow!] and double-dipping pensions -- officials argued that they were justified because their employees don't get bonuses like they do in some private businesses. Apparently, when it comes to hitting up taxpayers, any rationalization is fair game now.

Wonders never cease

"Florida fuel supply not affected by Ike".

Lake O

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "Predictably, grousing greeted the decision earlier this month to dump water from Lake Okeechobee. ... Just last week, Lake O levels surged to about 15 feet for the first time in more than two years, following two tropical storms, Fay and Hanna. To not release water as Ike threatened would have been reckless." "Smart to lower Lake O's levels".