Sansom's fellow Republicans have said nothing. ...

This prolonged silence by Sansom's colleagues can be viewed in one of two ways.

As speaker, Sansom holds life-or-death power over members' lives, from parking spaces to committee assignments, so they fear retribution if they criticize him.

By staying silent, however, Republicans in closely contested districts run the risk of handing a juicy political issue to Democrats in 2010.

On the other hand, the legislative silence is troubling for Sansom, too, since nobody will publicly defend him in a time of crisis.

Either way, the silence over Sansom says a lot.

Campaign finance

"State Rep. Alan Hays wants Florida to end the practice of giving public money to statewide candidates to help finance their campaigns." "Lawmaker: End tax money for candidates".

"Ranking at the bottom"

Roy Miller: "After receiving a high-quality education from a public school and public university in this state, I spent the next 35 years in service and advocacy to Florida's children. There has never been a time when I was more afraid for the children in Florida than I am now."

These days, our state is found increasingly on the watch list of respected national watchdog groups that rank children's well-being. The reason is that Florida is falling behind in providing educational, preventive, intervention and public safety programs and services. ...

About 800,000 Florida children are without health insurance, the product of not providing state funds to draw down available federal dollars and creating artificial barriers to participation. ...

Ranking at the bottom in child health but near the top in school dropouts and the number of youth in adult prisons is shameful.

"Save Our Homes"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board writes today that "Save Our Homes isn't a flawed tax amendment looking for a fix. It's a fundamentally inequitable amendment that should be repealed. It guarantees that assessments on homesteaded properties won't increase by more than 3 percent a year. Property taxes on commercial, industrial and nonhomesteaded properties aren't capped, so they carry a disproportionate burden of overall taxes." "Portability's pitfall".

Join the club

"Mack gives Congress a failing grade in 2008".

Howdy Doody in action

"Republican Rep. Adam Putnam of Bartow was quick to defend his resolution, passed in April, 'expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there should be established a National Watermelon Month.'" "Lawmaker's Special Measures Range From The Humorous To The Odd".

"Draining trust funds"

"Florida legislative leaders and Gov. Charlie Crist have agreed on a basic road map for closing a $2.3 billion budget hole next month by draining trust funds, delaying construction projects and going deeper into debt." "More budget cuts near as Florida battles debt".

"Researchers leaving state"

"The 11 Florida universities are expecting a $97 million cut to their budgets for the current year. But in addition to the surface-level slashing, university leaders fear the residual effect of pushing out top school researchers who will take their federal grants with them. More than $1.4 billion in grant money was brought into the state by public university researchers last year. About 84 percent of it was federal or private money that likely follows the researcher if he or she leaves the state. That's money that also pumps up local economies by helping to hire graduate students and staff - people who pay taxes, eat at restaurants and otherwise fuel local businesses." "Researchers leaving state and taking their grants".

Florida for sale

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Last week the state delayed until May 8 the deadline for bids on leasing Alligator Alley, which runs between Fort Lauderdale and Naples. State officials aren't having second thoughts about the policy - though they should. Rather, the four-month delay is at the request of five remaining bidders - all of them foreign companies - who are unsure they can get financing for a private takeover." "Stop sign on Alligator Alley".

"The nominating commission did his bidding"

The Zell Corporation springs to Charlie's defense - The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Crist is taking a well-deserved pummeling, but he doesn't bear the sole blame for the current fiasco over selecting Florida's next Supreme Court justice."

But that's what the governor did, arousing suspicions that while his public motives were noble [sic], what he really wanted was for the nominating commission to add a politically connected lawyer who used to work for former Gov. Jeb Bush and now is the U.S. Navy's general counsel.

The nominating commission did his bidding, waiving its own rules and adding Frank Jimenez to the list. That prompted a letter of protest from a group of lawyers and former judges, and threats of a lawsuit.

That notwithstanding, Mr. Crist shouldn't shoulder the burden for this mess alone.

More jails?!?

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Life is good if you're a criminal in Florida. The state coddles them like parents who are constantly threatening to punish their kids -- and then don't follow through." "As murders rise, Florida needs to stop bluffing and come down hard on criminals".

Taxing online purchases

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "Strictly speaking, outdated interstate commerce laws prohibit states from enforcing their sales tax across state lines. Sales tax is collected on goods purchased in Florida from bricks-and-mortar retailers or their online counterparts. But the tax is not automatically collected on goods purchased from online retailers with no physical presence. How much states are losing in sales tax due to Internet sales isn't known, but economists believe it's growing along with Internet sales. A 2004 University of Tennessee study estimated that uncollected sales taxes from online retail would cost Florida between $824.2-million and $1.2-billion annually by 2008." "For a fairer state sales tax".

Emergency

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "A sobering report released earlier this month by a blue-ribbon panel of emergency physicians concludes the country's emergency care system is in serious condition and under more stress than ever before."

That won't come as a surprise to patients in Florida, who inevitably face hours-long waits to see an ER doctor or to the physicians, nurses and medical technicians who work tirelessly treating what seems a never-ending stream of sick people. ...

Of particular concern is the poor national score for access to emergency care, a D-minus overall and for Florida, an F. ...

The state also has a significant number of uninsured and underinsured residents who have come to look at emergency departments as though the ER is a typical office setting instead of an emergency facility.

"Is that so complicated?"

The Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "The residency laws for elected officials are a little fuzzy, but the concept should be crystal clear. If you are elected to represent the people of a certain district, you live in that district. Is that so complicated?" "Officials really exploiting vague residency rules".

Less

"The state recently told Florida cities they would get $1.4 billion less in revenue-sharing and sales-tax money, or 6 percent below the August forecast." "State: Less money for cities".

Yee Haw!

"Beginning Jan. 9, visitors to Everglades National Park and most other U.S. wildlife refuges will be permitted to pack a concealed weapon along with their mosquito repellent and sunscreen as they head into the great outdoors." "Relaxed gun rules alarm wildlife officials".

Whoopee!

"State proposes tough new rules for mortgage brokers".

Wingnuts on fire

"Obama, Clinton top nation's most-admired lists".

Bus trip

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "The state folks promised to return after next month's legislative special session to work out a plan. The state's newfound willingness to put up some money to keep a rural bus line rolling is an indicator, however slight, that the promise might come true." "Fare deal for the Glades".

ESOL

"Florida seeks to cut ESOL teachers' training requirement".

More cuts ...

"State budget cuts are forcing some of the nation's youngest criminals out of counseling programs and group homes and into juvenile prisons in what critics contend is a shortsighted move that will eventually lead to more crime and higher costs." "Cash-strapped states cut juvenile justice programs".

The St. Petersburg Times calls for universal coverage

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "As Gov. Charlie Crist unveiled options under the state's 'Cover Florida' program earlier this month, he declared, 'Affordable access to health care will be a reality for Florida's hard-working families and businesses.'" As usual, Charlie was off base. The Times editors write that

a close examination of the offerings show a sober reality for the 3.8-million Floridians who are uninsured: The only option coming close to traditional-style health insurance will cost a family of four roughly $8,400 annually — or about 18 percent of the state's median household income of $46,000. While Cover Florida is a start, it won't come close to solving the problem.

President-elect Barack Obama has selected former South Dakota U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle to oversee Obama's promised health care reform. And U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa has signed on to the House committee that will lead the charge. Until there's a better solution nationally — with universal coverage for all — Crist's offerings of Cover Florida may provide some relief to some Floridians. But it's no substitute for full reform.

Enough to avert a Crist-Chiles showdown?

"Crist said Wednesday he tried to make budget cuts as painless as possible in his proposal to plug a $2.3 billion hole in the state's spending plan."

Key to Crist's plan is $600 million borrowed from the Lawton Chiles Endowment and using $135 million in payments from the Seminole Tribe that's a part of an agreement Crist made but the court's struck down.

Crist said the Chiles money will be repaid promptly. The late governor's family has threatened legal action if the state sells assets of the health-care fund, and may ask that the Chiles name be removed from the endowment if it is treated like a regular revenue source.

Another fine Jebacy

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "The Legislature has single-mindedly focused on privatized home care — giving primarily for-profit companies hundreds of millions of Medicaid dollars over the past five years — while keeping the budgets flat for two similar public programs. The result is that taxpayers are spending more and getting less. And some of Florida's frail elderly languish and die on waiting lists for public programs that don't get enough money." "Elder care needs fixing".

Probably no deal

"Crist acknowledges there's little chance lawmakers will approve a deal to expand Seminole Indian gaming during a special legislative session next month. The ever-optimistic governor, though, said Wednesday that he included $135 million from the gambling compact in his deficit reduction plan for the special session "because hope springs eternal."" "Crist Admits Seminole Deal Has Little Hope".

Overseas e-voting

"Election ballots could be safely distributed electronically to Americans overseas, but getting their votes back securely could present problems, a study released Wednesday says." "Problems seen in e-voting overseas".

Medicare fraud

"Fla. Medicare fraud debate focuses on patients".

Public finance ...

... Florida style: "FHP troopers out in full force for holiday weekend".

We'll stick with the slavery thing, thank you very much

"The state has a fund to attract big film productions here, but it's been slashed from $25 million last year to $5 million, thanks to the financial crisis. Other states - like Louisiana, New Mexico and Michigan - are offering more generous incentives than Florida can afford, says film industry worker Sam Tedesco." "Florida faces competition in being site for movies".

Indeed, "Florida is beginning to fall off studios' radar. A fund the state provides to attract big film productions was slashed from $25 million last year to $5 million as the state struggled with its fiscal crisis. Now in its fifth year, Florida's budget for incentives is being dwarfed by other states, such as Louisiana, New Mexico and Michigan." "Florida's star is dimming as other states lure movie studios".

Rail Q&A

"A study is now under way to explore the feasibility of alternative rail freight routes through Polk County, and the lobbyists on both sides of the CSX deal are poised for a rematch during the next regular session of the Florida Legislature next spring." "The Fight Isn't Over: Keeping CSX Deal In Spotlight".

You never know ...

"Detective who couldn't get toilet to work finds stolen gun in it".

Is this journalism?

Billy House breathlessly reports this nonsense: "With the economy teetering and thousands of Floridians and other Americans losing their jobs, three Florida members of Congress say they would vote to give up their automatic $4,700 pay raise next year." "Tribune: 3 Legislators Are In Favor Of Forgoing Their Raises".

Blood on their hands

"Jeb Bush And His Amen Chorus Of Goose-Stepping Legislators"* have blood on their hands:

It took a big explosion and workers dying to get everyone's attention, but a state task force now says that Florida's experiment with voluntary safety and health standards for public employees is insufficient. The state needs to return to the days when state law protected worker safety.

In 1999, a Republican-led Legislature decided to release state and local governments from a legal regime of safety and health requirements for their workers. Dozens of worker safety compliance positions were eliminated as part of a larger reorganization that reflected the deregulatory spirit pervading Tallahassee.

In place of state law, then-Gov. Jeb Bush issued an executive order directing state agencies "to voluntarily comply" with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act's standards, and leaving cities and counties to decide for themselves what they needed to do. But no state resources were devoted to ensuring compliance or guiding safety efforts. The move was a wink and a nod toward protecting employees, and little more.

Then in 2006 a tragic explosion of methanol occurred at a wastewater treatment plant in Daytona Beach.

The Florida Public Task Force on Workplace Safety has now issued its majority report affirming the upshot of what the federal investigation board said: Florida needs legislation to require all public employers to comply with OSHA standards for general industry. The task force recommends that the state and local governments come into compliance within three years.

"After a long wait ..."

"After a long wait, the home of the butterfly ballot is getting a seat of power in national Democratic politics. A retired real estate agent in Lake Worth [(Evelyn Garcia)] is among 10 Floridians who have been elected to the Democratic National Committee. Local party leaders say it marks the first time in years a Palm Beach County resident has held the post - eight years after the county's electoral fumbles helped torpedo Al Gore's White House hopes." "Palm Beach County woman wins slot on Democratic National Committee".

Bye, Buddy

"Hillsborough elections supervisor Buddy Johnson is taking his budget book and going home. " "Johnson withdraws $2.3-million request".

Living history

"John Due sat on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial 45 years ago, close enough to look up at Martin Luther King Jr. as he delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech." "Quincy man ready to witness history, again".

For rent

"The Broward County school district is looking into making some money from a little-used parking lot in a high-demand area of downtown Fort Lauderdale." "Broward schools consider renting out parking lot".

"Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom has not learned the first thing about handling controversy. Rule 1: When caught doing something wrong, don't try to deceive the public. The cover-up always makes it worse. The Destin Republican apparently skipped that chapter in the legislative handbook." "Deceit further shreds credibility".

Privatizers say "jump"! ... Florida says "how high sir?"

"A controversial proposal to lease Alligator Alley has been postponed another four months, this time at the request of the prospective bidders due to the global recession."

"Four of the six approved foreign bidders had U.S. investment firms as equity partners, including subsidiaries of Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and now defunct Lehman Brothers." "Proposal to lease Alligator Alley postponed".

Why do RPOFers hate books (at least those without pictures)?

The Tampa Trib editorial board: "State Sen. Ronda Storms, in a recent budget hearing on libraries, seemed to be appointing herself chief librarian by suggesting that "

the Dewey Decimal System is a waste of money and that it's time to force "little old librarians" to "wake up and smell the coffee."

She said the traditional numbering system is complicated and frustrating.

Charlie's budget blues

Bill Cotterell today: "To make up the $2.3 billion gap, Crist proposes:"

- Cutting state spending by $561.5 million*,

- Taking $325.3 million from reserves,

- Issuing $314 million in bonds for prison construction,

- Using $88.9 million worth of unspent construction money,

- Pulling $290.3 million from the budget-stabilization fund,

- Borrowing $600 million from the Chiles Endowment, and

- Tapping $135 million in new gambling revenues from Seminole casinos.

- $21.6 million for community college operating expenses,

- $4.8 million for juvenile probation,

- $2.5 million for Highway Patrol vehicle replacements,

- $10.5 million from the Lottery's scratch-off contract, and,

- $5.4 million from voluntary pre-kindergarten.

Charlie agin Chiles

All this is setting up a fight between Charlie and the Chiles family:Here's the kicker:

One of the trust funds he wants to tap is the Lawton Chiles Endowment, which invests money from the state's tobacco settlement for future use on health programs for children and the elderly.

The endowment is down to about $1 billion, about half of what it was worth in June, due to the declining financial markets and current-year obligations.

Crist wants to borrow $600 million from the endowment, which is named for Gov. Lawton Chiles, who played a leading role in obtaining the settlement.

Chiles' family opposes taking money out of the endowment. It is reassembling the legal "dream team" that helped Florida win the settlement to sue the state if it tries to do that.

"It's very foolish fiscal policy but more foolish public policy," said Lawton "Bud" Chiles III, the late governor's son [who has political aspirations].

The League of Cities snaps its fingers ...

... and the ding bats on The Tampa Trib jump - this morning the editorial board warns not to "expect any concessions from the me-first union crowd" "Council's Union Concessions Dig Crater In City Budget".

With these dopes running the newspaper, it is easy to see why the Trib's business is in the toilet.

Has Labarga backed into a FSC appointment?

"Crist on Tuesday defended a state panel against criticism that it's gotten for bowing to his request to expand a pool of finalists for a Florida Supreme Court opening. Seventeen lawyers ... on Monday sent the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commssion's chairman a letter saying it may have run afoul of the state constitution with the late addition of a politically connected Cuban-American lawyer from Miami."

Crist wrote the panel a letter Dec. 10, claiming his appointment of the only Hispanic nominee, Circuit Judge Jorge Labarga of West Palm Beach, to an appellate court had removed him from the Supreme Court pool. Crist asked the commission for two more names - the maximum allowed is six - to make the pool more diverse.

Asked Tuesday if Labarga was still available for the Supreme Court, Crist said, "I think so, yeah."

The new nominee is Navy general counsel Frank Jimenez [who appears to be Charlie's favored son], who once worked for Jeb Bush when he was governor and Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., when he headed the Deparment Housing and Urban Development.

By compelling the commission to bend the rules, Gov. Crist taints the process. The commission is allowed to submit six names to the governor. However, after rigorously screening dozens of candidates, the commission settled on five names. In other words, if the JNC had determined that a sixth candidate was qualified, that person would have been included on the original list.

To suddenly produce a sixth name after Gov. Crist selects the only Hispanic on the list and asks for more ''diversity'' isn't the way real diversity works. Diversity means giving everyone an equal chance, not cherry-picking the only one you want.

"A classic case of environmental racism"

"More than two decades after environmental regulators discovered that manufacturers leaked cancer-causing chemicals into Riviera Beach's water supply, cleanup is set to begin. And the company responsible for the contamination will pay. This is great news for Riviera Beach, which has had to spend public money to ensure that residents had safe water even though Honeywell and Solitron Devices contaminated the city's aquifer with hazardous chemicals." "Riviera Beach vindicated".

The cleanup, and the "environmental regulations" attendant thereto, are of course what RPOFers mean when they talk about burdens on the entrepreneurial spirit, the "freedom to choose", blah, blah, blah ...

"The calculating side of the governor who's looking beyond Tallahassee"

Randy Schultz last week: "Few politicians do the aw-shucks look as convincingly as Gov. Crist. Last week, though, showed the calculating side of the governor who's looking beyond Tallahassee." "Fix was in for U.S. Sugar deal".

Resign to run

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Wellington Village Councilman Bob Margolis gambled his seat for a run at supervisor of elections in Palm Beach County. He lost. But now he wants his colleagues on the council to reappoint him. They should politely tell him no. ..."

"In 2007, the state Legislature removed the requirement that statewide officeholders resign when running for federal office. That consequence-free choice looked good to Gov. Crist, who was dreaming of a spot on a national ticket. But that's not why voters put them in office. And Mr. Margolis should not repeat the bad example they set." Read it all here: "No free pass for Margolis".

"The dramatic drop in home values"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "The ['dramatic drop in home value'] numbers underscore the need - especially in Florida - for a federal plan to deal with foreclosures, a plan that Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has refused to consider. But Mr. Paulson has less than a month left in office. Fortunately, the sentiment is different among Barack Obama's advisers." "Stop the home-price slide".

I want that ... too ...

"Incoming Hillsborough Elections Supervisor Phyllis Busansky will have to deal with at least one more curiosity when she takes office, in addition to a budget headache."

She will inherit departing Supervisor Buddy Johnson's top deputy, like it or not.

Johnson signed an employment agreement with Kathy Harris, his chief of staff and general counsel, this year that keeps her on board until May. Busansky takes office Jan. 6.

The terms were crafted that way even though Johnson faced a re-election challenge in November, which he ultimately lost.

The agreement contemplates that possibility and that Johnson's successor may not want to keep his most trusted adviser. It then obligates Busansky to provide Harris three months' notice if she decides to let her go, with full pay and benefits.

At Harris' $175,032 annual salary (as of Nov. 11), that's worth at least $43,000, plus the cost of benefits.

Whatever

"Three Bay area members of Congress — Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Kathy Castor and Adam Putnam — say they intend to launch new congressional efforts to create a free-mail-to-troops program for service members in combat zones." "3 Florida Lawmakers Plan Push For Free Mail To Troops".

Floridians will be holding two – not just one – major social events in the nation's capital in conjunction with next month's presidential inauguration festivities.

A previously announced black tie "Sunshine and Stars 2009 Florida Inauguration Ball" featuring Republican Gov. Charlie Crist officially has sold out. It is to be held at the prestigious Corcoran Gallery of Art on Jan. 19, the eve of President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration. ...

Now there's word of another event to be held in honor of Florida's congressional delegation, dubbed "The 2009 Florida Inaugural Celebration." Net proceeds from this event are described as going to all the American Red Cross chapters throughout Florida.

"Florida is expected to gain at least one seat in Congress"

"Florida has attracted more people from outside its borders than any other state in the nation since the start of the decade. However, from 2007 to 2008, more people left Florida for other states than moved in — a net loss of nearly 9,300 people. The state still gained population from births and foreign immigration, but growth was slower than in previous years. Nevertheless, Florida is expected to gain at least one seat in Congress, and perhaps two, following the 2010 census, said Kim Brace of Election Data Services, a Virginia-based firm that crunches political numbers." "States in South, West to gain seats in Congress".

A good thing

"Orlando area reports 21 hate crimes in 2007 -- state's count lowest in 9 years".

A little cake

Charlie shares a little cake with "the people":

With Florida's unemployment rate at a 15-year high, Gov. Charlie Crist toured an unemployment office Monday to encourage job-seekers about getting through a worsening national recession.

Brilliant

"Florida legislative leaders and Gov. Charlie Crist have agreed on a basic road map for closing a $2.3 billion budget hole next month by draining trust funds, delaying construction projects and going deeper into debt."

The latest menu of options from Crist's office is anchored by two big-ticket money savers: tapping another $850 million from state reserves and cutting $565 million in spending as part of an already-ordered 4 percent holdback from state agencies. Through last month, state agencies had already shaved about $320 million in spending by cutting staffing, shrinking checks to schools and universities, and delaying purchases.

Crist also wants to scrap nearly $120 million in construction work, borrow rather than pay cash for $300 million in prison construction and raid $318 million from state trust funds that finance everything from conservation lands to affordable housing.

And they did ...

"Firefighters called to rescue pig".

Poor Buddy

"The Hillsborough elections supervisor and his chief deputy say he's getting a raw deal on his appeal for an extra $2.3-million to balance his books. " "Buddy Johnson says shame on critics".

"Legislature in Grip of Good College Cabal!"

Troxler: "Outraged by another round of Nobel Prizes awarded to Florida's universities, critics Thursday called for a cutback. 'This special-interest group has had its way in the Legislature for too long,' said the director of Florida Common Cause." "Here's the tip — uh, paycheck, senator".

Pave away

"When candidate Barack Obama promised voters on the campaign trail that "help is on the way," he could have been talking to the millions of frustrated motorists sweltering in traffic jams across Florida." "Obama's aid plan may pave road to Florida jobs".

Milton Friedman would be happy ...

... after all, we're "free to choose": "Madoff scandal to cost Palm Beach County public schools".

Lie down with dogs ...

"State Rep. Franklin Sands, D-Weston, the House minority leader, told the Sun Sentinel on Sunday that his life savings had been nearly wiped out in the Bernard Madoff financial scandal. Sands said he invested millions with Madoff over decades." "House leader says he lost life savings".

Maitland housewife talks space

"If only NASA could get John F. Kennedy for Christmas. He would order us to Mars, stoke the space budget with unlimited billions and off we'd go to visit the little green men. Instead, it's Barack Obama under the tree. He may remind some of Kennedy, but I don't see any star wanderlust in his eyes. Nor do I see him on the same flight path as NASA." "NASA's essential place in space is saving Earth".

Big of him

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "A sigh of relief could be heard throughout the land — well, around the 702 square miles that make up Leon County, plus surrounding territory — when on Friday Gov. Charlie Crist granted state employees two paid days off." "Work relief: State employees deserve this gift".

"Dismal turnout"

"The dismal turnout for Tuesday's runoff election for Miami-Dade County's property appraiser probably could have been predicted, but even so, it was still disappointing. The ballot question of whether to switch to an elected from an appointed property appraiser was overwhelmingly approved last January. It's obvious Miami-Dade residents thought the office important enough to warrant their right to choose who would hold it. The runoff cost the county dearly -- between $3 million and $3.5 million -- with lonely poll workers manning voting machines that were seldom in use. The sad thing is, this costly exercise could have been avoided without hindering the democratic process. The problem rests squarely with the Miami-Dade County Commission." "A costly exercise in democracy".

The latest from Mr. Zell's toy newspaper

The Tyrell, err ... Zell Corporation thinks American autoworkers should be forced, as a condition of federal aid, to adopt "wages and work rules by the end of 2009 that are competitive with the foreign-based automakers with U.S. plants." "The White House's gift to the auto industry doesn't guarantee real change".

Just like "Jeb!"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "The worst kind of judicial politics may place an unqualified person on the Florida Supreme Court. Blame Gov. Crist and some of his allies."

It appears, though, that Gov. Crist wants a specific Hispanic - Frank Jimenez. And the idea of Mr. Jimenez serving on the high court should alarm anyone who believes in the independence of the judiciary.

When Jeb Bush became governor in 1999, Mr. Jimenez was Mr. Bush's No. 2 legal adviser. In that role, Mr. Jimenez envisioned a judiciary that was in philosophical lockstep with a governor who - like his brother - sees the courts' role as validating whatever the executive branch wants to do. In an e-mail, Mr. Jimenez proposed a system of "unofficial regional panels" of Bush supporters to recruit candidates for judgeships. Mr. Jimenez added in the e-mail, "Warning to all who respond: I will be a pain-in-the-you-know-what if the recommended person is not ideologically compatible with the governor."

That idea, which died after it became public, should be enough by itself to disqualify Mr. Jimenez. But last week, the Judicial Nominating Commission added him to the list of candidates for Justice Anstead's seat. ...

Jimenez didn't even apply for the seat. So he was added without having to go through the customary interview before the commission. Also, according to The Daily Business Review, Mr. Jimenez had support from two commissioners who should have recused themselves. ...

Further, Gov. Crist just passed up two chances to put a qualified Hispanic on the Supreme Court. We mentioned Judge Labarga, who also was a finalist for an earlier high court seat. When Gov. Crist chose Ricky Polston last month, Miami lawyer Edward Guedes was a finalist for the seat. But Judge Labarga is a moderate Republican whose rulings are not influenced by ideology, and Mr. Guedes is a Democrat.

Another factor that disqualifies Mr. Jimenez is his recent experience. ...

Either way, the commission's credibility is gone. Those commissioners who backed Mr. Jimenez should resign.

And if the governor picks Mr. Jimenez, the choice should be challenged in court as illegal.

Gov. Crist dismisses the idea that the fix is in, saying that his choice will surprise people. The real and sad surprise has been how far the governor is willing to go to show far-right conservatives, through his Supreme Court choices, that the GOP base could be comfortable with him as a presidential candidate. He filled two high court vacancies with high-profile social conservatives; Mr. Jimenez could be even more extreme.

"Help is on the way" - maybe

"When candidate Barack Obama promised voters on the campaign trail that 'help is on the way,' he could have been talking to the millions of frustrated motorists sweltering in traffic jams across Florida." "Obama's aid plan may pave road to Florida jobs". See also "List of FDOT stimulus-ready projects for the state".

Question: should the federal government pay for state infrastructure improvements for states, like Florida, that - due to a failure of political courage (read "conservative" anti-tax hackery) - have refused to adopt a system of public finance to pay for the infrastructure and services demanded by their citizens?

As R. J. Eskow recently explained, in connection with the recent auto bailout imbroglio,

Southern states have been benefiting from Northern taxes for years. If they start another War Between the States, the Federal gravy train might suddenly stop at the Mason-Dixon line.

Studies by the nonpartisan Tax Foundation have consistently shown that these Senators' states receive far more from the Federal government than they pay back in taxes. That's an irony that could lead to some Blue State bitterness: They love to preach about fiscal responsibility and lower taxes, but they keep dipping their beak into the Federal trough.

I believe the applicable Southern phrase is "a handful of gimme and a mouthful of much obliged."

The numbers in the Foundation's most recent study (warning: pdf) speak for themselves: Mitch McConnell's Kentucky took in $1.45 from the Feds for every dollar it paid in taxes. That's a 45 cent free ride. Bob Corker's Tennessee received at 30-cent Federal giveaway. And Richard Shelby's Alabama extracted a whopping 71-cent subsidy from Northern taxpayers.

What about Michigan? They lost 31 cents for every dollar they paid. In other words, McConnell, Shelby, and Corker have been skimming a percentage off these autoworkers' taxes for years on behalf of their constituents. Now, when the same Michigan taxpayers need help, these Senators are telling them to get lost.

It may not be wise for these Senators to push Northern voters too far. Taxpayers in Michigan, New York, Illinois and the other "donor states" may decide thay can't afford to keep subsidizing their Southern counterparts in a time of crisis - especially if all they get in return is "Drop Dead" on a Christmas card.

"Jeb!" agin Alex

Aaron Deslatte writes that "the holidays are typically a time for life-altering decisions. Never more so than this year, when four of Florida's biggest political names are mulling whether an open U.S. Senate seat in 2010 will change the trajectory of their careers." Jebbie will of course run ... his gigantic ego prevents him from doing otherwise.

As for the Dems, Deslatte notes that, Sink "has met with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and other Democratic leaders in Washington, who have made it clear she is the party's favored prospect." However,

unless Sink decides to get in soon, there are likely to be a lot of Democrats -- including U.S. Reps. Ron Klein of Boca Raton, Allen Boyd of Monticello and state Sen. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach -- who launch campaigns.

Quietly, prominent GOP fundraisers have suggested Crist's rule over the state party would have to be tempered a bit if Bush returns.

Bush would certainly command more of the media spotlight atop the 2010 ticket, even though Crist would be running for re-election too and ostensibly positioning himself for a 2012 White House bid.

This month, Crist's public comments on Bush have been measured not to sound like he's discouraging everyone else who would be GOP entrants. But he has also cautiously added his own voice to those urging Bush to get in the race.

100 to go

"Wildlife officials are announcing a plan that could reintroduce the Florida panthers throughout the southeast under a recovery plan. ... About 100 panthers are found in South Florida and restricted to less than five percent of their historic range." "Officials: steps necessary to save Florida panther".

But bad management, rash decisions and political cowardice on their part also have played a role. Mr. Crist and the Republican-led Legislature need to abandon those worst practices as they go about closing those deficits if the state's to have a chance of achieving fiscal health.

So far, they're not giving us much assurance that they will.

They're meticulously and calmly examining all options. Not.

Ewwwww ... gross ...

After everything Florida has suffered over the last decade...

... the thought of this "Howdy Doody Looking Nimrod" in an unsupervised position is too much to bear ...

Apparently there was no prize for lucky number 100,000

"Florida prison population reaches 100,000". The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "System needs reform".

Sansom

"Public records show an airport building that a Panhandle college plans to construct with tax money secured by House Speaker Ray Sansom is nearly identical to one the speaker's friend wanted for his jet business, a newspaper reported Sunday." Read more here: "Report: College building tied to Speaker's friend". See also "Documents link Sansom, friend and college".

More Sansom: "House speaker's college job not unique".

"For now"

"Despite the pounding it has taken as more Floridians lose their jobs, the state's unemployment compensation fund is in pretty good shape." "Jobless fund OK — for now".

Not exactly ...

... a class act: "Crist promoted Palm Beach Judge Jorge Labarga to a seat on a South Florida appellate court last week despite Labarga's comments from the bench last year that judges will get even with lawyers who cross them, even if it takes years."

''When you pick a fight with a judge, ultimately, you are gonna lose. Not today, but five years from now, 10 years from now, six years from now. That judge is going to remember you, always, always,'' Labarga said.

"And, you know, when you do -- there is an old saying that if you go after a judge, you better kill him. Because, like I said, it's true.''

Labarga, who was also among five finalists recommended this month for appointment to the Florida Supreme Court, made his remarks while presiding over an otherwise routine criminal hearing in Palm Beach Circuit Court on May 23, 2007.

an activist with the Cuban American Republican Club before he became a judge, is best known for his role in the 2000 presidential recount.

In one case, Labarga ruled the county's canvassing board could not arbitrarily toss out all votes with ''dimpled chads,'' and could decide whether each dimple constituted a vote. In another, he rejected a plea for a revote by voters who said the county's unique butterfly ballot was so confusing that the election was unfair.

Enough with the "Sand N - - - - -" talk

"An internal investigation at the Department of Children and Families has turned up startling reports of racist remarks being casually tossed around by some managers at the agency's huge computer complex in Tallahassee." "Investigation reveals racist remarks at Florida Department of Children and Families".

"Journalists" all atwitter

"Carole Crist easily stepped into her public role as Florida's new first lady with a glowing smile and engaging eyes as she handed out gift-wrapped books to foster children Sunday at the governor's mansion." "Florida's new first lady begins public life". See also "Florida's new first lady makes public debut".

Never mind the pay cut

"Crist decided Friday to give state employees a couple of paid days off — one on the day after Christmas and one the day after New Year's Day — to show his appreciation for their work all year." "Crist gives two days off to state employees over the holidays".

Speaking of state employees

Bill Cotterell: "Judging from attitudes commonly expressed by legislators, a lot of their constituents — whether they fear losing their jobs or not — think government at all levels is fat, lazy and expensive."

But the Department of Management Services recently issued its Annual Workforce Report, with some numbers that legislators ought to consider.

For last year, the average State Personnel System salary was $38,313 — 3.78 percent below the average wage for all industries in Florida. And that's including Senior Management and Selected Exempt. The average salary in Career Service actually went down by $152 in the fiscal year that ended June 30, while inflation went up 3.7 percent. ...

Florida ranks last in per-capita cost of state payroll, at $36 per citizen, and last in its ratio of full-time state employees to population — 118 employees per 10,000 residents. The DMS report said the number of authorized positions in all pay plans rose from 168,796 in 2004 to 173,486 last June 30, but almost all of that was in the university system (which gained 3,635 positions) and court administration (up 1,578).

Career Service positions declined by 788 over four-and-a-half years.

No such luck

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board writes that "Republicans control the Florida Legislature and the Governor's Mansion. As of Oct. 6, there were more than 4 million voters registered as Republicans across the state (and 4.7 million Democrats.) But when Florida's members of the Electoral College met Monday to cast their ballots,"

it was as if those Republicans didn't exist.

"Four years ago the party was a financially strapped punch line"

Aaron Deslatte: "Remember when state Democrats could barely keep the lights on at their headquarters in Tallahassee? Four years ago the party was a financially strapped punch line. This election, Florida Democrats managed to employ 675 staffers and spend more than $19 million with the help of the Barack Obama camp to register and turn out voters -- without going bankrupt in the process." "Florida Democrats' technology closes gap with GOP".

DOJ says Florida "No. 1 in one category: corruption"

"Tired of seeing Florida constantly at the bottom of national rankings? Take heart. The Department of Justice says we're No. 1 in one category: corruption."

Compiling federal corruption convictions over the past decade, Florida topped every other state with 824 convictions of local, state and federal officials — even Rod Blagojevich's Illinois and even Louisiana, where politicians are said to be so crooked they are screwed into the ground at burial.

NO NEW TAXES!!!

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board has some less than dramatic suggestions for Charlie and the Jebbite dead enders in Tally: there are "options state leaders could consider during January's special session that would have an immediate impact on Florida's finances this year and next. None of these changes alone will solve this year's budget shortfall, but they would help shrink it and put the state in better shape for 2009-10:"

• Raise cigarette taxes by $1, raising an estimated $700-million to $1-billion annually. ...

• Increase the state's gasoline tax, now about 27 cents per gallon. ...

• Approve a gambling compact with the Seminole Indian tribe. ...

• Lift restrictions on local school boards' discretionary taxing authority.

Gelber for Senate?

Adam Smith: "Among the often-mentioned Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate in 2010, state Sen. Dan Gelber may lack the money-raising ability of U.S. Reps. Allen Boyd of Monticello or Ron Klein of Boca Raton, or Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, but the Miami Beach Democrat has a couple key assets the others lack." See what he means here: "Gelber's wing man".

"The least qualified and most ideological nominee available"

"If Gov. Charlie Crist appoints Frank Jimenez to the Florida Supreme Court,"

he will be selecting the least qualified and most ideological nominee available. Jimenez is a Cuban-American and would add diversity to a court that now lacks a Hispanic justice. But in this case, diversity would be a pretext for stacking the Supreme Court with political conservatives and abandoning its centrist history.

Two-way street

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board writes that "Earlier this month, state Rep. Franklin Sands, the new House Democratic leader, voiced righteous indignation about the porkalicious antics of Speaker Ray Sansom. And now Sands has some explaining of his own to do. An investigation by The Palm Beach Post claims that Sands and others have been making heavy-handed 'pay-to-play' calls to House Democrats looking for choice committee assignments." "Pay-to-play politics no way to serve state".

Background: "Contribution calls cause unease in Democratic Party".

So much for Charlie's "Anti-Murder" law

"Orlando area breaks all-time murder record".

"Disappointment may be in store ..."

"Disappointment may be in store for those hoping that Gov. Charlie Crist's Cover Florida health plans will solve the problem of unaffordable health care for the state's 3.8 million uninsured adults." "Crist's health-coverage fix likely isn't, experts predict". See also "Covering Florida, one uninsured person at a time".

Yee Haw!

"Presidential election a boon for gun shop owners".

Presidential Transition Health Policy Team meet in Tally tonight

"The Presidential Transition Health Policy Team has created a national effort to learn what changes Americans want to see in health-care policy and practices. Tallahassee is one of the cities that will be hosting a community discussion forum. It will be at 6 p.m. today in the ballroom of the Marriott Residence Inn on West Gaines Street at Railroad Avenue. The two-hour forum is open to the public." "DObama's health-policy team to hold meeting in Tallahassee tonight".

Florida's finest?

Don't our boys in blue have better things to do?

County Judge Belle Schumann was right to rule in June that individuals using public bathroom stalls have a right to privacy. That order revolved around the case of Kenneth Halpin, who was in a bathroom stall making odd noises when Volusia County Beach Patrol Capt. Rich Gardner occupied the stall next to Halpin's, according to the arrest report. Halpin gestured with his foot, coughed, made what sounded like zipper noises. In Gardner's judgment, those were signals to Gardner to engage in a sexual act. Gardner reciprocated by gesturing with his foot, too.

Then Gardner left his stall and spied into Halpin's, at which point he noticed Halpin masturbating. It's not exactly clear who opened the door, but Halpin was immediately arrested. Halpin contends, and the judge agreed, that Halpin had "an objective and subjective expectation of privacy in the closed stall, and that Capt. Gardner lacked probable cause or suspicion that he was using the facility for an unlawful purpose to justify 'peeking' into the closed toilet stall."

Wishful thinking?

Pierre Tristam is:

Contrary to popular assumptions, or desires, American journalism isn't dead. It isn't even unwell. It's as good, and sometimes as great, as it's ever been.

Database

"A Miami Herald database of Cuban exiles arriving on the Freedom Flights has attracted thousands of visitors and struck a chord with exiles." "Database of Cuban exiles rekindles memories".

Sink speaks

"Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink said Tuesday that she was "embarrassed" at the low wages state employees in her office are paid."

Sink said lawmakers had an obligation during the coming months to review the fees government charges for basic services and ending sales-tax exemptions for slews of select industries that have carved out breaks over the years.

"It's absurd. You don't do that to people," she said of the potential for work furloughs or pay cuts.

"I think that sends a terrible message, especially in an environment where state employees are so lowly paid."

Promises, promises

"The pledges flowed easily from Barack Obama when he stumped for votes in the Sunshine State during the presidential campaign. He supported creating a national catastrophe fund. He also promised federal money for Everglades restoration and a $2 billion budget increase for NASA. Now, just weeks away from taking office, Obama has made it clear that his first priority will be restructuring the nation's devastated economy. What will become of the promises made to Florida, which helped send him to the White House?" "How will Obama's promises play out for Florida?".

She's back

Saturday: "Karen Thurman voted to 2nd term as chairwoman of Florida Democratic Party".

Aaron Deslatte: "Thurman said the top legislative targets are where Obama won or came close."

On the House side, those would be seats held by term-limited Reps. Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, Ed Homan, R-Tampa, and Adam Hasner, R-Delray Beach.

In the Senate, the targets are the seats of termed-out Sens. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs, Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, and Victor Crist, R-Tampa.

Democrats are preparing to make a grab for U.S. Rep. Bill Young's seat in Pinellas County if he retires, the District 16 seat they lost because of Tim Mahoney's sex scandal, and the South Florida seats held by Republicans Mario Diaz-Balart and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

Pony up

"Charles Brink and sons Christopher, 26, also of Tampa, and Bryan, 33, of Land O' Lakes, have joined the likes of actors Halle Berry and Sharon Stone, and international financier George Soros by each giving the maximum contribution allowed, $50,000."

"Brink, who recently gained millions of dollars by selling his stock in Mona Vie, a beverage company he co-founded, says his family is happy to find itself in the 'financial position to do this.' ... Charles and Christopher Brink say they have met Obama, including at a Miami fundraiser. They were both active this year in political donations, each giving to the presidential campaigns of Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, as well as several state Democratic Party committees, according to the Federal Election Commission." "Tampa Family Gives $150,000 To Honor Obama".

'Ya gotta problem wit' dat?

"The Republican Party of Florida spent more than $45,000 this summer on chauffeurs, a luxury hotel, meals and attractions in London about the same time Gov. Charlie Crist and others traveled there on a trade mission." "State's Republican party slams Crist for London trip".

Might that include benefit increases?

"With thousands of developmentally disabled Floridians and their families protesting cuts to their services, the state Agency for Persons with Disabilities is talking about overhauling its programs." "Disability Benefits Could Get Overhaul". See also "Tribune: Medicaid Strained By Rising Need".

There go them wild eyed libruls again ...

The The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "The message for the mayor, the council and the unions is that the taxpayers deserve to see some correlation between the benefits package for public employees and what is happening in the private sector. Thousands of employers have pared back traditional defined-benefit pensions over the last 10 years as a means to improve their companies' cash flow and remain viable." "Tampa city payroll needs dose of reality".

What the lefties at The Times don't mention is that

The latest 401(k) cutbacks underscore workers’ vulnerability in an age when companies have been replacing defined-benefit pension plans with the newer 401(k) design. Modern 401(k) plans give workers the power to opt in and out and require them to invest their own money, bearing market risk on their own. That may be appealing when the markets are rising, but it can be terrifying when they fall, as they have recently.

An employer’s contributions to a traditional pension plan cannot be switched on and off at will. Federal rules set a firm contribution schedule, with deadlines and penalties for companies that fall behind. Employers also get significant tax and accounting benefits from operating a traditional pension plan, so they tend to think long and hard before freezing such a plan to save money when the economy cools.

In a 401(k) plan, by contrast, the employer has much greater freedom to stop making matching contributions when times are tough. The contributions are normally measured as a percentage of payroll, and the savings from any cuts are realized immediately. That greatly simplifies planning and making changes.

Benefits specialists said that if matching contributions continued to dwindle [and there is nothing preventing that in the nonunion sector], fewer newly hired workers could be expected to join 401(k) plans. And employees might eventually slow or stop their contributions if the recession drags on and their own cash runs short.

Dream on

"Crist wants to raid tobacco fund; Chiles assembles legal 'dream team' to fight it".

Huh?

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "On Friday, the 1st District Court of Appeal correctly upheld the trial judge's ruling that awarded the Aug. 26 election to Mr. Abramson over Judge Wennet. But a day earlier, the Florida Supreme Court suspended Mr. Abramson's law license for 91 days. He is supposed to start work the week of Jan. 5, and there is no precedent to determine whether a lawyer who is not in good standing with the Florida Bar can serve as a judge." "Can Abramson be a judge? Supreme Court must decide".

He said it

In an astounding display of raw RPOFer-political courage,

House Finance and Tax Chairman Dean Cannon, R- Winter Park, agreed that lawmakers had "an obligation to look at all the options" to balance next year's budget, including "revenue enhancements"."

Silly boy

"Crist crafts way to get out budget of red".

Tampa

"Tampa Bay Members Of Congress Focus On Economy, Local Needs".

"Search this database to find out how individual precincts voted in the Nov. 4 election." "Tampa Bay Votes". More: "Complete Results" (See the results from 10 Tampa Bay-area counties.)

Big man

"President-elect Barack Obama has promised to go through the budget of each federal agency with a fine-tooth comb, and that gets fiscal conservatives like Rep. Allen Boyd excited." "Boyd welcomes tone being set by Obama".

"Raise new taxes or radically slash the size of government"?

Scott Maxwell last week:

Florida's ruling Republican lawmakers, scurrying to prepare for a budget-cutting special session in two weeks, also face a grim fork in the road in the months ahead: raise new taxes or radically slash the size of government.

Hollow victory

"Talk about your hollow victories. "

The one that has Gov. Charlie Crist jumping up and down -- the state's agreement this week to buy 181,000 acres from U.S. Sugar to help restore the Everglades -- already is taking on water and struggling to stay afloat.

It didn't have to be this way. The state could have negotiated more-sensible terms. Gov. Crist managed that in September, rejecting a separate $37.5 million, 386-acre land buy needed to build the Wekiva Parkway because it exceeded an appraisal by $9.5 million. The seller eventually unloaded it to the state for less.

But in his haste to seal the $1.34 billion deal for U.S. Sugar's property, Mr. Crist got a review board on Tuesday to ignore appraisals showing the state paying up to $400 million more than the land's worth. He'll find it far more difficult getting credit houses to finance so bloated a land buy -- and at a rate that won't sap the state's ability to fund other critically important restoration and flood control projects in Central and South Florida.

So worried, in fact, are officials who approved the deal of its power to undermine those projects that that they attached an opt-out clause -- just in case.

Chiles endowment

"Lawyers behind Florida tobacco settlement vow to protect Chiles endowment".

Never get between Charlie ...

... and a camera: "Crist to host menorah lighting".

As Tallahassee turns

"Judge Michael E. Allen will stand before the justices of the Florida Supreme Court and take a public reprimand for judicial misconduct. The court on Thursday found Allen violated three canons of the judicial code with his scathing 2006 opinion that accused fellow 1st District Court of Appeal Judge Charles Kahn of a corrupt vote."

Allen, among 10 opinions in a subsequent decision not to send the case to the Supreme Court, wrote a defense of the whole court taking up the case. Allen wrote that Kahn's former law partner, Pensacola attorney Fred Levin, Childers and former Gov. Lawton Chiles, who appointed Kahn to the court, represented a conspiratorial connection. Levin, Childers and Chiles were the chief architects of the state's $13 billion tobacco settlement, with $250 million in fees to Levin's firm.

"More suspicious members of the public would have assumed that Judge Kahn had simply returned past favors provided to him by Mr. Levin and Mr. Childers, thus allowing them, once again, to 'snooker the bastards,'" Allen wrote in 2006.

That went too far, the Supreme Court ruled in its 5-0 decision.

"In essence, Judge Allen accused a fellow appellate judge [Kahn] of judicial corruption based on unverified facts that came from outside the record and were not a part of the Childers case," the ruling said.

Though newly released emails (as well as friends and family) tie him closely to House Speaker Marco Rubio’s office*, First District Court of Appeal Judge Paul Hawkes** [an open supporter of Judge Allen's (unethical) attack*** on Kahn] said he had nothing to do with the Miami lawmaker’s decision to open an inquiry into fellow 1st DCA Judge Charles Kahn****.

Hawkes’ son, House Counsel Jeremiah Hawkes, emailed a draft of Rubio’s letter Dec. 4 requesting that the Judicial Qualifications Commission share its investigative files on Kahn, who is the target of an as-yet private complaint. The email was sent to an assistant of Rubio’s staff chief, Richard Corcoran, Paul Hawkes’ former legislative aide and consulting partner.

Hawkes writes Allen:

I think your opinion is very moving. ... I know it took courage. ... I bet that this stand by you will be one of the memories that you take from your service on this court; one of the best memories. Great battles in defense of principles are the very best aspects of public service. I also don't believe that great battles diminish or harm an institution.

Let the battle be joined.

Paul

Allen writes back:

Thank you for this note, Paul. You have beautifully crystallized exactly what this is about, though I have my doubts that I will ever recall this "battle'' with any measure of fondness.

Hawkes writes again to Allen:

Not fondness of "the fight,'' but fondness that you fought, and it was difficult, but what you thought was right. Fighting for what is "right,'' especially when it was difficult, is what produces the memories. Most avoid those battles and, as a consequence, erode their own sense of self-respect. Running away causes shame, standing firm produces pride (the good kind).

Good luck

"Congress should put the federal No Child Left Behind law's requirements and penalties on hold until it is improved and while school district budgets are tight, Broward School Board members said Tuesday." "Broward School Board members seek change in No Child Left Behind law".