•Raising Fees.

•"Streamlining And Flexibility" [sic] Of Education Programs And Funding.

•Sweeping Trust Funds And Other Reserves.

•Cigarette Tax Hike. Democrats were calling for a $1-per-pack tax increase on cigarettes, which could raise $700 million. GOP leaders explicitly axed this idea, noting that they won't consider raising "sin taxes" on other tobacco products or alcoholic drinks, either. Crist opposes increasing any tax ... .

•Seminoles Gambling Compact. Gov. Charlie Crist had proposed using $135 million of the state's share from expanded gaming by the Seminole Indian Tribe. The Seminoles continue to offer expanded games - and pay the state a share of the proceeds - per the terms of a compact that the state Supreme Court voided last summer. Crist had hoped that he and lawmakers might approve a new deal between the state and the tribe as early as this month. But lawmakers, who are less bullish on the compact, say it's too soon to tackle the issue. Crist expects it to be taken up during the regularly scheduled legislative session in March.

•Low-Interest Loans For Small Businesses.

•Borrowing Instead Of Buying. Crist also wants to borrow $300 million for prison construction instead of paying cash. Lawmakers' itinerary for the special session does not rule this out, though it does not explicitly name it as an option.

"State law enforcement should investigate Sansom's actions"

The Miami Herald editors: "The ethical and legal clouds hanging over Speaker of the House Ray Sansom, R-Destin, loom larger as next week's special session of the Legislature approaches. Since we last touched on the speaker's tangled relationship with a community college in his district, a series of disclosures has raised new questions about the propriety of his actions. Now, the speaker has been obliged to hire an attorney to defend himself."

And then there's the thin red - er pink? - line: "As bothersome as are these actions, so, too, is the silence of Republicans in the Legislature. Are they embarrassed? Afraid to speak out? Or do they think Mr. Sansom's actions are justified -- a form of RHIP (rank has its privileges)?" "Florida House speaker leads by bad example".

Welcome to Florida

"One of the passengers said the confusion started at Reagan National Airport just outside Washington, D.C., when he talked about the safest place to sit on an airplane. Orlando, Fla.-based AirTran said in a statement that it refunded the passengers' air fare and planned to reimburse them for replacement tickets they bought on US Airways." "9 Muslims removed from flight get AirTran apology".

"Mosque leaders say three dozen bullets were sprayed across the outside of the Islamic School of Miami sometime between Wednesday night and Thursday. Windows were shattered and bullet holes plastered portions of the building, including its dome." "Police investigate shooting on exterior of mosque".

"Gator Caucus"

"The sacrifice of public service could be especially tough on at least 54 Florida lawmakers during this week's special budget-cutting session." "Special session swamps 'Gator Caucus' during BCS championship".

Labarga steps over Frankie's body

"Crist appointed Jorge Labarga to the Florida Supreme Court today, passing over disputed finalist [and right-wing Jebbite] Frank Jimenez." "Crist names Supreme Court judge".

The Palm Beach judge represents the second Cuban American to serve on the high court."

Crist, who twice bypassed Labarga as a finalist for the state's highest court, appointed the 56-year-old Palm Beach County circuit judge. Less than two weeks ago, Crist appointed Labarga to a vacancy on the Fourth District Court of Appeal.

Labarga was one of a handful of Florida judges who handled various legal challenges during the 2000 presidential recount. His decisions include a ruling that it was up to the Palm Beach County canvassing board to decide what constituted a vote under the old punch-card system, and his dismissal of a Democratic lawsuit that sought a ''re-vote'' to determine who won the presidency.

In 2007, Labarga made remarks from the bench that raised questions about his judicial temperament.

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

Why do RPOFers hate higher education?

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "But if the Florida Legislature doesn't begin investing in, rather than deleting, the assets of our higher education systems, it risks losing this incoming revenue and all of its potential. Florida is already allowing our universities to be outbid and outdone by other states. We're losing valuable researchers and academic stars who take their grant money with them and, often, impressive students and graduate students, too. Reputations of departments decline with this exodus, and it takes years to rebuild an academic reputation." "Losing university grants is a double loss".

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Crist is recommending a 2.1''percent cut to the university system, or $51 million. That's smaller than the $97''million, which represents the 4 percent holdback announced in June, that could be implemented. But we believe it should be zero percent. Faculty and staff at Florida's 11 public universities, who teach and serve 300,000 students, have not had raises in two years. Several have left the state for jobs willing to pay more. Among them are research professors who take not only their expertise and experience, but their federal and private grant money with them." "Cut Florida's universities, and the whole state bleeds".

Back at the ranch: "The new year could bring some new cuts for the state universities as the financial crisis cuts endowments and dampens prospects for raising money -- even as state support dwindles." "University endowments down".

Oil nuts

"Volusia County may be far from the oil fields of Texas, but that's not stopping one local family from searching for black gold deep underground. ... In Florida, the Fords -- who have mined and drilled from Mexico to Kentucky -- are not alone. While offshore drilling grabs headlines, some prospectors have been quietly looking to expand Florida's existing onshore oil industry." "Drill, Volusia, drill? Family revives its quest for oil".

A local thing

The Miami Herald editors: "It is unhappily ironic that the people who have the biggest effect on property owners often are elected by the fewest number of votes. Traditionally, municipal-election turnouts seldom top 15 percent of eligible voters, and more often hover around 10 percent. Yet mayors and city commissioners have a lot of power over the daily lives of constituents. They decide property-tax rates, spending priorities and planning and zoning choices that, literally, can affect your backyard.".

Whatever

"A high-ranking Martin County official will be suspended for three days without pay for not disclosing that she was having an affair with U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney, county officials said Friday." "Martin official to be suspended over affair with Mahoney".

Disabled

The Tampa Trib editors: "Unfortunately, the Legislature has made things worse." "State Needs Better System To Fund Needs Of Disabled".

Gross

"The organizers of two unofficial Florida inaugural parties in the nation's capital that will feature appearances by top state politicians are relying on big donations from corporations and lobbyists to help put on their events."

However, some government-watchdog groups question the use of corporate and lobbyist money to help pay for such inaugural bashes.

"This is really little more than an extension of the lobbying activities on Capitol Hill and at state capitols," said Craig Holman of Public Citizen. "It's another chance for special interests to curry favor and rub shoulders with federal and state officials."

For instance, Blue Cross Blue Shield is donating $50,000 to an unofficial Jan. 19 "Sunshine and Stars 2009 Florida Inauguration Ball" at the prestigious Corcoran Gallery of Art, a sold-out, black-tie event that organizers hope will feature an appearance by Republican Gov. Charlie Crist.

Other corporate donors to the same event, according to a list voluntarily provided by organizers, include: CSX, Florida Power & Light, Progress Energy Inc., the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Medco, Southern Company, the United Space Alliance and the Florida Association of Realtors.

In all, as many as 600 elected officials, lobbyists and others are expected to schmooze and celebrate at this unofficial gathering. Tickets ranged from $250 to $500, based on a desire to attend the entire reception, dinner, dance and dessert, or just the dance and dessert.

$200-a-ticket optional black-tie "Friends of Florida" reception is being billed as a way "to honor the Florida congressional delegation."

It is a latest rendition of an inaugural event originally begun by congressional spouses. Under a bill passed in 2007, federal lawmakers are prevented from attending parties at national conventions in their honor, but that law does not include inaugural-related events.

Topping the list of corporation donations to the reception so far is $25,000 from Lockheed Martin Corp., according to event organizers.

Others contributors include Boeing Co.; Oracle Corp.; Barbara Schmidt; 21st Century Oncology; AT&T; the Gulf Power Foundation; and MWW Group.

Rest of the nation figuring out Florida

"Remarkably, the state that for years boasted of gaining 1,000 new residents a day had a lower growth rate last year than the national average of 0.9 percent. ... The state expects growth to slow even more this year, before slowly rebounding in 2010 and 2011. Florida has long depended on growth as the engine of its economy. The fact that fewer people moving here has paralyzed the construction industry and retailing." "State's growth nearly nil".

"W Still The President"

"Orange County's hotel-tax collections plunged more than 13 percent in November as a widening global recession choked off travel to Orlando. The $12.1 million generated by the county's tax on hotel rooms was nearly $2 million less than it produced in November 2006. It was the sixth straight month that tax collections have contracted and the deepest drop since the slump began." "Sentinel: Orlando area's tax revenue shrinks as tourists stay away".

Cuba

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "The Obama administration should seek human rights and economic reforms in exchange for easing the embargo. But the negotiations have to be practical; the Bush administration wanted immediate, near-total reforms." "50 years of failure in Cuba".

Trapped

"Clewiston trapped by sour economy".

Heaven help us

"On a recent Sunday, more than 7,500 people turned out for services at Northland, A Church Distributed, the Longwood megachurch. An additional 750 showed up at remote locations in West Orange County, Oviedo and Mount Dora." "Church webcasts bring services to Seminole Jail inmates".

A nation of shopkeepers?

"Signs grew Friday that the economy could turn even weaker in 2009, as an index of December manufacturing activity sank to its lowest point in 28 years. Every corner of the sector was down, from bakeries to cigarette-makers to aluminum smelters." "Manufacturing numbers plunge".

SAs with nuthin' better to do?

Bill Maxwell: "On Dec. 16 and 17, I had the honor and the pleasure of sitting in a Marion County courthouse to see the judicial system work the way it is supposed to work. Three men – a judge, a defense attorney and a prosecutor – performed their jobs honorably to redress a gross injustice that never should have occurred. The occasion was the motion hearing for a new trial for 21-year-old William Thornton IV of Oxford."

In December 2004, Thornton, then a 17-year-old student at Lecanto High School, was driving home at night when he skidded through a stop sign and collided with a Chevy Blazer carrying Brandon Mushlit and his girlfriend, Sara Jo Williams. They did not wear seat belts and were ejected from the SUV. They died on the spot. Thornton was driving without a license. He was injured and was airlifted to a hospital. After being released from the hospital, Thornton went home and tried to resume as normal a life as possible.

The state and law enforcement took five months to build a case against the teenager and arrest him on two counts of vehicular homicide. Although he had no criminal record, Thornton was tried as an adult and sentenced to the maximum of 30 years in state prison.

Stinkin' state mandates

More States Mandate Fire-Safe Cigarettes">Tampa Trib on those evil "mandates": "More States Mandate Fire-Safe Cigarettes" ("In 2010, Florida will join those states mandating stores only sell cigarettes that are slow-burning.")

PR

"Puerto Rico's new governor was sworn in Friday, inheriting an island government battling a recession, a soaring murder rate and a deficit of more than $1 billion." "Governor inherits problems".

Citizens

"A final meeting of a task force Tuesday in Tampa will discuss several major changes for customers of Citizens Property Insurance Corp., Florida's largest property insurer." "Citizens Insurance Advisory Panel's Final Meeting Looms".

Beachy

"As beach communities gear up for the March 10 elections, the driving concern will be how to balance city budgets without sacrificing core services amid declining property values and tax income." "Some beach cities prepare for March elections; some don't need to".

And Fidel didn't bite them?

"A Florida couple who says they wound up in a Cuban jail after their boat was badly damaged in a storm is back home." "Fla. couple back home after unexpected Cuba trip".

the state unemployment rate is 7.3 percent, doubling in the past 16 months; 63 percent more homes are in foreclosure than when he was sworn in; and the percentage of Florida's children without health insurance is twice the national average.

In 2008, Crist urged state water managers to overpay for 180,000 acres in the Everglades amid one of the worst real estate markets in memory, his 12-day European trade mission blew its budget by 70 percent, and his choice for president became just the third Republican to lose Florida since 1968.

"And if Charlie Crist was running for reelection today, he would crush anybody," former state Senate Democratic Leader Steven Geller said.

Despite a list of economic and political indicators that could spell doom for many elected officials, Crist's approval rating was pegged at a stratospheric 74 percent on Dec. 10, according to a Rasmussen Reports.

"It's hard for me to be more pleased, given the economic challenges we have, how well things have gone. And I think I know why," Crist said in an interview with The Palm Beach Post. "Around here, we don't care what somebody's party affiliation is."

As the Florida economy has worsened, Crist has increasingly reminded voters about his bipartisanship. His staff often attempts to draw parallels between Democratic President-elect Obama's campaign against "politics as usual" and Crist's history of welcoming would-be opponents and critics onto his stage.

A boy band thing

"The suit claims Crist, who was attorney general from 2002 to 2006, was slow to investigate Pearlman's investment schemes because the governor received $12,000 in campaign contributions from Pearlman." "Investors sue Crist, say Pearlman probe was slow".

Poor Jimi

"Crist on Friday appointed the 56-year-old West Palm Beach attorney to the Florida Supreme Court to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Harry Lee Anstead. It was Crist's third appointment to the state's high court since late August." "Governor names Labarga to Florida Supreme Court". See also "Crist promotes Labarga to Supreme Court" and "Crist Makes 3rd Pick To Fill Florida Supreme Court Seats".

This after Charlie had tried to circumvent the process, thereby allowing him slip a wingnut Jeb-bot into the mix, one Frank Jimenez; Charlie almost pulled it off, and the compliant "JNC grudgingly complied, voting 5-4 in a tense phone call to re-open its process and adding former Jeb Bush general counsel Frank Jimenez to the list." "Gov. Charlie Crist names Cuban-American circuit judge to Florida Supreme Court".

Our little secret

"As the Legislature prepares to convene Monday for a special session, both minority party members and newcomers are more or less excluded from the process of closing a $2.3 billion budget gap. The crucial decisions are being made by a handful of leaders and information will be presented to the masses, that is, the full Legislature, when the leadership is good and ready." "Our Opinion: ... lawmakers enjoy cloud cover".

Never mind the pesticide drift

"Doubts and bad feelings linger in this once-tight community."

There are people like Sarah Barker, a five-year resident who lives across the street from the elementary school and next door to a cabbage farm. She allowed the students and the Pesticide Action Network group to place the pesticide drift catcher in her yard. She is worried about smelling the chlorine-like odor of the pesticides

Fidel's sneak attack on pillars of the Capitalist system?

"Suspects [many wearing fedoras] continue to flee to Cuba and elsewhere with millions of taxpayer dollars, trying to evade prosecution for Medicare fraud. ... A Miami Herald investigation first spotlighted the phenomenon of Cuban immigrants dominating Miami-Dade's Medicare fraud industry in August. Court records showed that in many instances, fraud suspects were able to easily escape to Cuba before they were charged and prosecuted." "Fugitives flee South Florida with Medicare millions".

Surely these Cuban crooks are Commie secret agents, fostering the "inevitable collapse of capitalism" and fomenting class warfare.

Sansom death spiral

The Miami Herald editorial board: "The ethical and legal clouds hanging over Speaker of the House Ray Sansom, R-Destin, loom larger as next week's special session of the Legislature approaches. Since we last touched on the speaker's tangled relationship with a community college in his district, a series of disclosures has raised new questions about the propriety of his actions. Now, the speaker has been obliged to hire an attorney to defend himself." "Florida House speaker leads by bad example".

"Fasano says he didn't realize the impact on consumers"

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "With Florida in a deep economic recession, the timing could not be worse for Progress Energy's utility bills to start rising by 25 percent this month to cover increased fuel costs and construction of a nuclear plant in Levy County. It's easy to see why two Republican legislators, Sen. Mike Fasano of New Port Richey and Rep. Peter Nehr of Tarpon Springs, have called for Progress Energy to postpone collecting the surcharge for the nuclear plant. That is a simplistic solution that could jeopardize the construction of the plant, but legislators and Progress Energy officials should explore whether there might be a more viable option for helping utility customers in the months ahead."

A 2006 law, which Fasano voted for, allows utilities to assess customers for partial construction costs for a nuclear power plant before it's operating. Besides reducing utilities' risks, the law was aimed at shoring up confidence among lenders and spreading the cost over a longer period of time. The law shifted the expense to utility ratepayers long before they see the benefit of the less expensive nuclear power. Fasano says he didn't realize the impact on consumers, but the time has passed for debating whether this is sound public policy for this particular project. Progress Energy has proceeded based on the change.

But real films are union made ... what's a wingnut to do?!?

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "A bill introduced this year in the Legislature will allow production companies filming in Florida to qualify for as much as a 20-percent tax credit on in-state production costs. Certain stipulations, including hiring in-state workers, must be met for a company to qualify. The film company would have the option of applying that tax credit toward a future project, or selling that credit to a Florida-based corporation." "Incentives will allow state to become competitive in film game".

World class universities?

"Cuts to higher education could eventually mean larger classes, degrees eliminated, reduced summer class schedules and a loss in research investment that in turn could mean less in federal grants and matching funds ...". "Cuts to higher-education budget felt at universities".

Call in FEMA

"Thousands of shoes were dumped on a Miami expressway causing significant traffic delays. ... [[FHP spokesman Pat] Santangelo says the shoes appear to be used, and most were tied together in pairs.... Santangelo says he's not sure where the shoes came from. There were no signs of a crash, and no one stopped to claim them." "Shoes dumped on Miami expressway".

Let's pretend we're spies

"Americans haven't experienced a terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9-11, and that's something to be thankful for. But we shouldn't let our guard down, or be lulled into a sense of false security." "Boaters can play a role in defending South Florida against terrorism".

Just go away

"Terry Mahoney, his wife of 24 years, filed for divorce in October, a week after the prominent Democrat admitted having had numerous extramarital affairs and paying more than $121,000 in hush money to former lover Patricia Allen, whom he hired and fired." "House pact broken, Mahoney's wife says".

Whatever

"Piccillo is the Land O'Lakes Republican-turned-Democrat who made national political news this summer supporting Barack Obama. Then the unemployed 35-year-old made much bigger news in October when at a big rally in Tampa he introduced Joe Biden as 'John McCain.'" "Jim Piccillo finds new forum for campaign energy".

Whine alert

"What did Floridians complain about the most in 2008?".

"The safest place to sit on an airplane" to Orlando?

"Nine Muslim passengers were kicked off a flight from Washington, D.C., to Florida after other passengers reported hearing a suspicious remark about airplane security."

AirTran Airways spokesman Tad Hutcheson called the incident on the New Year's Day flight from Reagan National Airport to Orlando, Fla., a misunderstanding, but defended the company's response. He said the airline followed federal rules and did nothing wrong.

One of the Muslim passengers, Kashif Irfan, told The Washington Post the confusion began when his brother was talking about the safest place to sit on an airplane.

Irfan, 34, is an anesthesiologist and his brother is a lawyer. Both live in Alexandria, Va., with their families, and were born in Detroit. They were traveling with their wives, Irfan's sister-in-law and Irfan's three sons, ages 7, 4 and 2.

Florida faces stark indicators as 2009 gets under way. The Legislature meets in four days to plug a $2.3 billion budget gap. The governor has proposed raiding trust funds to the point of ruin. The Legislature hasn't offered anything much better.

Housing values are down as much as a third from a year ago, which means local governments will have as hard a time as state lawmakers raising enough to meet basic needs - demand for which increases during a recession.

Construction - particularly home construction - on which Florida has relied forever for stable employment is in full retreat, contributing to a statewide jobless rate of 7.3 percent, the highest in 15 years.

Will tourism rescue Florida? No, unfortunately. Even the tourism juggernaut Disney is offering room and merchandise discounts.

School enrollment figures reflect all this woe. ...

Where are all the children? Some left with their families after the hurricanes of 2004 and 2005 made life miserable and insurance unaffordable. Some left when parents lost their jobs. Foreclosure drove out others.

Now, Florida's growth scheme has collapsed. The growth myth should collapse along with it. Yes, the real estate market will come back - let's hope in a more rational form. As fear subsides and credit markets ease, more people who can afford to spend will do so. But unbridled growth never again should be seen as Florida's perpetual money machine.

During boom times, political leaders such as former Gov. Jeb Bush resisted all efforts to move Florida's tax structure away from unhealthy reliance on income generated by construction growth and the unsustainable housing bubble. Illogical sales-tax exemptions were sacrosanct. Internet sales went untaxed. The intangibles tax was repealed, a favor to Florida's wealthiest residents.

The affable Gov. Crist, who smiled and waved his way through his first two years in the governor's mansion, has a chance to stop coasting and become a leader by fixing the tax system.

the special legislative session set to start Monday in Tallahassee to fill a $2.3-billion state budget deficit. So far, Republican Gov. Charlie Crist and the Republican-led Legislature — still mired in the mind-set that all tax reform is bad — have rejected calls to close loopholes in the sales tax code to offset the deficit, opting instead to raid fast-dwindling state reserves. But such a plan only sets the stage for more painful decisions in the spring, when a 2009-10 state budget faces a $5.8-billion deficit and possibly as little as $1-billion in reserves. The potential implications are dreadful to imagine: Chronically ill Floridians kicked out of Medicaid; schoolteacher pay cuts; state parks shuttered.

Florida's economic future has changed in the past year and Republicans, who have controlled the Legislature for the past 12 years, must look beyond their old standbys of shrinking government and cutting taxes.

Sansom death spiral

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board writes today that "In the coming special session, Florida lawmakers will be discussing deep and painful cuts to the state budget. But one of the people at the very top of the legislative pecking order has irretrievably damaged his credibility, using sleazy tactics to divert state money and then taking a well-paid, unadvertised job from the very entity that benefited from his largesse."

The editors continue:

Do they think Floridians are stupid? Or just powerless?

As it stands, voters can't do much about Sansom's unmitigated money grab until the 2010 elections. But lawmakers can, and should, in part because Sansom didn't act alone.

Special session

"The special legislative session set for January will plug a $2.3 billion hole in state revenue collections with a combination of cuts in program spending, raids on state trust funds and reserves, postponement of some construction projects and bonding rather than paying cash for prisons. One thing not in the mix, though, are staff cuts in state agencies."

In words that would make "Jeb!" and his cronies cringe, Charlie said "Our state employees provide an invaluable resource to all Floridians and should be commended for their continued service."

The bright lights in the Legislature don't necessarily agree - Representative Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, a leader of the appropriations panel on government efficiency in the House

noted that the governor's plan calls for $135 million in gambling revenue to be gained by legislative ratification of his casino pact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. That won't happen in the special session, said Galvano, who is vice-chairman of a select committee on the gaming deal.

So that revenue will have to be found elsewhere, possibly in staff expenses.

Contingency plans included layoffs, unpaid furloughs and salary reductions of as much as 5 percent. But those are for the regular session in March, when the budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 has an even bigger shortfall looming.

"Big in Florida"

"Officials announced this week that some companies across the country must now post $50,000 surety bonds if they want to continue as Medicare providers." "Medicare fraud, big in Fla., prompts new bond rule".

Whoopee!

"That law requires hospitals and health care facilities to give patients a good-faith estimate of anticipated charges for planned procedures if requested." "Health measures prominent among new Florida laws".

Stars in his eyes

"Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer says he might join a half-dozen declared candidates for the Republican National Committee's top post. ... Before he determines whether to seek the job, Greer said he will be focus on keeping his state chairmanship in a contest to be decided Jan. 10 in Orlando. Greer has opposition but appears headed to victory with the backing of Gov. Charlie Crist." "Fla. GOP Leader Weighs U.S. Job".

Plyer

"Soft-spoken and reserved, the retired electrical engineer who favors Hawaiian shirts and bags groceries at a gourmet foods store describes himself as a 'let's all be nice to each other kind of guy' who hates confrontation. But after learning that House Speaker Ray Sansom had secured a $110,000-a-year job at Northwest Florida State College after steering millions to the school, Plyer, 62, says he felt compelled to act." "Ethics complaint seen as a civic duty".

Theme park economy

Scott Maxwell points out that "Central Florida rode the crest of the growth wave with reckless abandon. And now that the waters have receded, reality has set in. With hotels half-empty and theme-park lines thinning, the recession is a good reminder that no community should have too much of its economy dependent upon a single industry. Especially a low-paying one." "All in all, a lousy year, but a glimmer of hope".

Stooopid

Jeremy Cox writes that "consumer advocates and insurance experts say that the more than two dozen Cover Florida plans aren't much more attractive than the stripped-down health-care plans already on the market - and sometimes less so." "Cover Florida plans similar to what's on market now".

Wrong turn

"A Florida mother is awaiting word from Cuba after her son and his girlfriend accidentally ended up on the island while boating in rough waters."

"Forty-year-old Robert Vassallo told his mother they were unharmed and being kept in a home outside the Havana jail where they were first taken." "Fla. mother says 2 from US being held in Cuba".

We're the yellow ribbons now?

"Angered over two recent slayings, veterans gathered to demand more help in getting homeless vets off Miami's streets." "Veterans demand help for homeless vets after deadly beatings".

Here's a shocker

"Florida's energy future should be 'clean' - not just 'renewable' - and include nuclear power as a source of green energy, according to recommendations from the staff of utility regulators released Wednesday."

The report follows months of lobbying by Florida Power & Light - the state's largest utility and producer of nuclear power - to persuade regulators to create a "Clean Energy Portfolio Standard" rather than a "Renewable Portfolio Standard." Florida statues do not include nuclear power in the definition of "renewable" energy. FPL generates no renewable energy in Florida. ...

The report describes nuclear power as a "cornerstone of an energy efficient Florida."

We're FPL and you aren't

"Mystery solved. No, it wasn't Dick Cheney, Santa Claus or nuclear waste shipments, as one enterprising reader suggested, that forced the unannounced closure two weeks ago of Interstate 95. Blame the power company. Yes, Florida Power & Light was replacing transmission lines. The company's excuse for not informing the public? A good old-fashioned "communication breakdown.

Why communications went awry - and an FPL spokeswoman admits it was their fault and they're checking into why it happened - is FPL didn't let anyone know when the work would take place. Well, someone told the FHP troopers who got overtime pay for stopping traffic and conducting what they call a "rolling roadblock." But no one told the public relations people, whose job it is to tell the public, even though the permit granted in June required FPL to provide two weeks notice.

Cuba

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Undoubtedly, Mr. Obama will be beseeched to end the trade embargo that has been a mainstay of U.S. policy for four decades, even to upgrade diplomatic relations. Those steps should be considered only when Cuba is ready to adopt the freedoms its people have long awaited." "After 50 years, waiting for freedom".

We don' need no stinkin' government regulation

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Some lawmakers already are buckling. State Rep. Rich Workman, R-Melbourne, who supported the victims' compensation fund, now says that he wants to explore whether having brokers buy bonds instead would work." "Get crooks out of mortgage business".

Not so bad

"Courts won't see budgets cut as much as expected".

The poor things ...

"For the considerable number of state House members who are University of Florida alumni or fans, the enormity of the state's fiscal crisis will hit home next week. As part of the special legislative session to address Florida's $2.3 billion budget chasm, House Speaker Ray Sansom has scheduled a key budget debate for the full House to begin at 3 p.m. on Jan. 8. The University of Florida plays Oklahoma for college football's national championship in Miami that night." "Budget takes a bite out of lawmakers' Gator fanfare".

Hillsborough

"Year in review: Amid tough times, little change in county government".

One mayor, no charge

"The city of DeBary's incoming mayor says he doesn't want a salary. Mayor-elect Bob Garcia recently told the city's finance administrator to keep the $600 per month and apply it where it's needed." "Incoming Mayor In Volusia City Rejects Salary".

Never mind the paramedic stuff ...

"Miami taxpayers have started receiving their fire-fee refunds. But many residents are grumbling about the amount of the payout." "Taxpayers say fire-fee refunds `should be more'".

Crist wants to cut spending, borrow money and shift funds to reduce the shortfall for the remainder of this fiscal year, which ends June 30.

Gambling and cigarette taxes are definitely out. Class-size spending and increased speeding fines are in. ...

Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island and in line to be president of the Senate in 2010, said increased user fees for courts are reasonable. ...

Also on the block for change is the money required by the constitution — approved by voters in an amendment referendum — for minimal school class sizes. Some of the money for construction to meet class-size requirements, as well as state dictates on spending on textbooks and transportation for instance, could be freed up for local districts to decide how to meet expenses.

House Speaker Ray Sansom and Senate President Jeff Atwater on Tuesday officially released their call for the special budget-cutting session set to start next week and it closely mirrors the trust-fund raids and cuts Gov. Charlie Crist recommended.

Of particular note: It says higher cigarette taxes are off the table, but making "minor adjustments to existing user fees" and higher "fees and fines relating to traffic enforcement and civil and criminal fees, fines and penalties" are in the mix.

Sansom hubris watch

Another nail?: "College trustees meeting with Sansom may have violated Sunshine Law".

Charlie and his Pearlman

"Crist and Florida financial regulators are being sued in Hillsborough County by investors claiming they should've been protected from boy-band mogul Lou Pearlman's multimillion-dollar scam. The suit claims Crist, who was attorney general from 2002 to 2006, was slow to investigate Pearlman's investment schemes because the governor received $12,000 in campaign contributions from Pearlman. The state sued Pearlman, 54, in December 2006, but the lawsuit claims Crist and regulators knew of his dealings as early as 2002." "Pearlman investors sue Crist, saying he was slow to investigate scam".

Laff riot

"Greer courts RNC members".

Soon to be in witness protection

"While U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney's congressional career is winding down, the FBI is continuing to investigate whether the Democrat broke the law when he put a mistress on his U.S. House payroll in 2007." "Mahoney cooperating with FBI investigation, attorneys say".

Voucher madness

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "The state isn't really saving money if it's shuffling low-income students off to poor quality schools any more than it would save money if it bought cheaper, inferior vehicles for highway patrol officers or built buildings that folded in the first hurricane."

But the corporate voucher program always has been about ideology, not quality. Former Gov. Jeb Bush was determined that the state would offer vouchers. Low-income students are eligible for the corporate vouchers regardless of how well their designated public school is rated or how well they may have been doing in public school. Students entering first grade or kindergarten are eligible for the vouchers even if they haven't attended public school at all.

Moreover, the Legislature and former Gov. Bush steadfastly have refused to provide any meaningful point of comparison between public and private schools that accept the vouchers.

But private voucher schools, many of which have a religious curriculum, have not been required to give the FCAT to students using the state-sponsored vouchers. ...

The new report makes clear that private voucher school operators have no interest in providing more accountability. "None of the private school representatives who participated in our focus groups supported adopting the FCAT ... .

Not so bright

"Cost of Bright Futures makes outlook uncertain".

The Zell Corporation ...

... weighs in on the Cuban revolution. This is truly a laff riot: "Cuban Revolution turns 50. Can it revolutionize itself?".

Ahem ... It's a joke

"Disappointment may be in store for those hoping that Gov. Charlie Crist’s Cover Florida [sic] health plans will solve the problem of unaffordable health care for the state’s 3.8 million uninsured adults." "Sentinel: Governor's health plan has little incentive for uninsured".

Meek again' Jebbie?

"If former Gov. Jeb Bush decides to run for U.S. Senate, he could find himself facing an old foe."

U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek has been traveling the state meeting with Democratic strategists about the idea of running for the seat Republican Sen. Mel Martinez is giving up in 2010. Bush is also considering a run, and would likely grab the Republican nomination if he does.

A potential Meek-versus-Bush matchup would come packed with history: As a state senator, Meek staged a sit-in protest in Bush's office complex after the governor stripped affirmative action protections from state contracting and university admissions.

Meek also led the effort to place class size limits in the state constitution — a campaign Bush vigorously fought as he sought re-election in 2002 and later tried, but failed, to repeal.

Plainly put: Bush and Meek aren't too fond of each other, a fact that would ratchet up the intensity of a Senate matchup.

Yaaawwwnnn

"Rivera to run for Florida Senate".

Crash

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "A Collision Of Missions Along State's Major Roads".

Classy

"Dania Beach commissioners say their manager wrote his own pink slip when he sent a farewell letter to employees with parting shots directed at public officials. They fired him three days before Christmas. But the manager, Ivan Pato, said his letter was no mean-spirited missive but a general dissertation on the rigors of his job. He got the ax a week before he planned a more natural retirement." "Dania city manager's farewell letter leads to his firing".

Clash

"Demonstrators on both sides of the crisis in the Middle East faced off in Fort Lauderdale, but there was no violence and no one was arrested." "Demonstrators in Fort Lauderdale clash over Gaza Strip crisis".

"Housing bust" top story

"Empty condominiums, stalled construction projects and thousands of families forced to leave their homes in a state hit hard by the housing bust was the top story of 2008, according to Florida newspaper editors." "Housing bust voted top Fla. story of 2008".

State Rep. Dean Cannon, the Winter Park Republican slated to be House speaker in two years, opined over the weekend that former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush should jump into the race for the state's open U.S. Senate seat -- adding his name to a growing cadre of Republican officeholders who see solid gold with Jeb atop the 2010 ticket.

Sansom hubris watch

"Pressure continues to mount on House Speaker Ray Sansom, who now faces an ethics complaint filed by a Clearwater man." "Ethics complaint filed against Sansom".

The red wall of silence: "Most House members remain mute about their leader's relationship with the college, as well as his ties to a developer and campaign contributor who also appears to benefit from the college's earmark." "Ethics Complaint Filed Against House Speaker".

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board calls for Sansom's resignation (from at least one of his jobs):

This being a government town, House Speaker Ray Sansom's effrontery in the matter of feathering his own nest isn't entirely original in the annals of legislative power.

Resign from the college job as, ironically, head of a new "leadership institute" created for him, apologize and mend his ways; or resign from his two-year job as speaker before he is unceremoniously kicked out.

But it is distinctive that he started so soon, ensuring his own financial interests ahead of the public's on the day he became speaker — and doing it without a touch of subtlety or cunning.

Those attributes usually take longer to acquire, but the Okaloosa County Republican must have them in his DNA.

Nor, apparently does he have the manly attributes* to step up and acknowledge that it looks bad — bad, squared

Brilliant

"When a lead Florida State University researcher needed five faculty members last year to start a landmark center dedicated to studying autism, state budget cuts prevented the school from hiring the additional professors. The Ohio State University, however, had the money, recruited the researcher -- and his more than $1 million in federal grants -- and in a few years could be reaping the benefits of an autism program that may bring $10 million annually to the school." "Schools' research dollars wane".

Is the funding for Sansom's silly "Leadership Institute" still available?

"Like lemmings into the privatization cesspool"

Gina Downs, director of the Citizens Transportation Coalition in Naples: "The public -- whose tax dollars paid for the public asset -- can be led like lemmings into the privatization cesspool, or they can secure their assets now and for future generations. Permanent legislation must be put into place to secure public assets. Florida needs to pass legislation to protect such assets from privatization." "Alligator Alley must remain a public asset".

Let's chip in for a bigger server

"House Speaker Ray Sansom's office deletes e-mails about its business dealings every month, in part because lawmakers have fewer restrictions on preserving their records than most of state government."

Sansom's deleted-items folder has become an issue after reporters made public records requests for some of his correspondence. Reporters wanted e-mails Sansom exchanged with the president of a college that now employs him after he was criticized for steering millions to the school. But nothing turned up in the House search.

"We just didn't find anything responsive," Jill Chamberlin, spokeswoman for the speaker's office, said Monday.

She said e-mails are purged every 30 days to free up server space and that the Florida House gives each of its 120 members a right to make decisions on whether to archive routine e-mails.

Money men

"After contributing what he says was "lots" to Obama's presidential campaign, Raul Pedraza, a Miami business owner, has pledged $50,000 to defray the costs of producing an inauguration expected to draw two million people to the Capitol. For his contribution, Pedraza will have access to all the festivities. ... Among Obama's Florida bundlers: Democratic fundraisers Chris Korge of Miami and Mitchell Berger of Fort Lauderdale and Kirk Wagar, who served as Obama's Florida finance chairman." "".

More of that ...

... stinkin' government regulation that RPOFers love to hate: "DCF Found Same Problems At Tampa Bay Academy in 2005".

Florida luvs that government tit

"Are military rockets the solution for NASA?".

Internet Tax

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board points out that

Florida collects sales tax on goods when they are purchased from retailers in the state. Buy those same items online, and the sales tax often goes uncollected. That's not fair to Florida businesses or their customers, and it has cost the state billions of dollars in tax revenue. Here's another example.

Huh?

"News account mentions of the father-and-son business team are rare and photographs remain scarce. Until recently, interviews with the media were shunned. But the Lawrence footprint is all over Florida. Lawrence Sr.'s Premier Citrus LLC, based in Vero Beach, is the largest citrus fruit grower for the fresh market on Florida's east coast."

"Now the biggest land deal of all has thrust the farming family into an unaccustomed spotlight: The Lawrence Group has launched what amounts to a hostile takeover bid for U.S. Sugar, just as the state is sealing a deal to buy 181,000 acres from the company to help restore the Everglades." "Shy, rich farmers thrust in spotlight as players in U.S. Sugar deal".

Remember, it ain't a tax ...

"Toll express lanes ease traffic on urban highways".

Everything's kewl, except for ...

... you know, me and my family: "Based on its survey of 427 people, the University of Florida said"

negative perceptions persisted about the state of personal finances compared with a year ago. In that category, confidence dropped 1 point to 39, the lowest level since the index started in the 1980s. The university expects the recession to last "well into 2009" and predicts confidence will decline to reflect that reality.

Yippee ... raise!

With Florida's minimum wage rising to a whopping. The RPOFers are of course all in a tizzy about this transgression upon the free market:

In Tallahassee, state Sen. Don Gaetz is involved with the Senate Select Committee on the Florida Economy.

"There could be a disadvantage instead of an advantage, especially at a time when many businesses are making daily decisions on whether they can afford the employees they have," Gaetz said.

"It could be a problem with youth employment," he added. "With graduate and undergraduate degrees being forced to work at minimum wage jobs ... that could have the effect of pushing new workers (which means young workers) out the bottom of the economy. ... And if a business has only a fixed amount of money for wages ... then hours can wind up being cut."

"Small-time gambling houses"

"Small-time gambling houses, where patrons buy a phone card or Internet time to play video sweepstakes games, are popping up across Southwest Florida after similar establishments were shut down a few years back. In 2006, Sarasota and Manatee authorities cracked down on the parlors where people played penny slots for gift cards or coupons, citing a state law that prohibits gambling outside of tribal casinos or the state-run lottery. The Internet cafe operators say their businesses are legal, and some courts have agreed. Earlier this year, a North Carolina county judge stopped law enforcement from raiding similar cafes." "Local gambling houses take a chance".

"Florida, home to more than 600,000 released felons"

"Florida, home to more than 600,000 released felons, should follow the lead of other states that offer employers tax incentives to hire them, state Sen. Gary Siplin said. And it needs to revisit a bill that stalled in the Florida Senate to make it easier for released felons to have their criminal records expunged, he said. Such a move would allow them to legally say on an application form that they have not been convicted of a felony." "Recession adds to ex-felons' job-hunt woes".

50 Herbert Hoovers

Paul Krugman: "No modern American president would repeat the fiscal mistake of 1932, in which the federal government tried to balance its budget in the face of a severe recession."

But even as Washington tries to rescue the economy, the nation will be reeling from the actions of 50 Herbert Hoovers — state governors who are slashing spending in a time of recession, often at the expense both of their most vulnerable constituents and of the nation's economic future.

Now, state governors aren't stupid (not all of them, anyway). They're cutting back because they have to — because they're caught in a fiscal trap. But let's step back for a moment and contemplate just how crazy it is, from a national point of view, to be cutting public services and public investment right now.

Whooppee!!!

"State spares residents from costly sprinkler add-ons".

To make up a $2.3 billion mid-year budget shortfall, it drains reserves and trust funds, adds debt to pay for prisons and slashes spending across the board. It also relies on the dubious proposition that the Legislature immediately will approve the governor's agreement with the Seminole Indians, trading exclusive rights to blackjack and baccarat for a minimum annual payment of $100 million.

declining revenues that call for long-term changes in the state's tax structure. The budget crisis is instead being turned into a justification for deep cuts in state spending. The governor vows to protect already woefully inadequate levels of education spending. That promise perhaps already is too late given prior cuts that have underscored Florida's bottom-dwelling record of spending on education.

The state would have been better prepared for this day had the people controlling the budget for the last decade - Republicans - paid more attention to the needs of the state than the ideological values of their party. When the economy was flush, Republicans under Gov. Bush managed to eliminate the state intangibles tax, which primarily benefited the rich. Now that times are tough, the state's reliance on the sales tax - and a sales tax filled with exemptions at that - is looking about as smart as investing all its money with Bernie Madoff.

Here's a kewl way to spend tax dollars

"Today, 42,000 Florida students attend private school on the public's dime. ... Last school year, the state gave out a total of $205 million through both programs." "More students get state to pay private tuition".

Back at the ranch: "Florida schools failing to meet federal guidelines".
"

Sansom death spiral continues

Here's some "investigative journalism" for 'yah: "Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom enthusiastically greeted requests for funds from his hometown college where he now works before steering money its way more than a year before he took the job, according to a review of his e-mails released Sunday."

Sansom took repeated orders from the man who later would become his boss at Northwest Florida State College, a review of the e-mails obtained by the St. Petersburg Times and The Miami Herald showed. ...

In e-mails provided from a public records request, college president Bob Richburg gets responses from Sansom that appear as a subordinate eager to please his boss. ...

Sansom, a 46-year-old Republican from Destin, has been under intense scrutiny from almost the moment he took over as speaker last month. He was also criticized after taking newly elected legislators to the swank WaterColor Resort near Seagrove for a three-day retreat when Florida faces a $2.1 billion budget deficit and its highest unemployment in more than 15 years. Sansom has served in the Legislature since 2002.

In a collection of e-mails reviewed by The Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau, a portrait emerges of Sansom, a rising power in the state capital, as an eager-to-please subordinate to college President Bob Richburg.

In the e-mails provided in response to a public records request, Richburg's many requests for assistance are greeted with enthusiasm and optimism.

• ``I will get to work on funds.''

• ``I will get right on this.''

• ``Just give us the word.''

• ``This looks great! Next step?''

With two sessions to go before he leaves the Legislature, Sansom's dealings are coming under scrutiny as he eschews widespread calls to resign the $110,000 a year job -- which he got on the same day last month he was sworn in as House speaker.

If you vote for RPOFers ...

"Florida's loss of clout in D.C. could prove costly".

You broke it, you bought it

Broder: Congressional Republicans' "shrunken ranks are increasingly dominated by right-wing Southerners who care not what their stance does to harm the party's national image." "Southern strategy backlash".

Back to hell

Alcee hastings: "Deportation flights of Haitian nationals back to Haiti had been suspended in the immediate aftermath of the storms after considerable pressure from congressional offices and local immigration advocates. Many of us hoped that this was a sign that the Department of Homeland Security and this administration were finally taking note of the struggles facing Haiti and recognizing that it would be dangerous and inhumane to send people back to Haiti given the country's current state. Yet once again, this administration has turned its back on our hemisphere's poorest nation by pursuing this dangerous and irresponsible course of action."

While the resumption of deportations is troubling enough, the way in which Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) went about implementing this change is further disappointing. When deportations were initially suspended, ICE assured me and other congressional members and community organizations that we would be adequately notified should deportation flights resume.

Yet, when the decision to resume flights was made, Democratic offices were never contacted about the change while Republican offices were -- though those notifications did not come until after deportations had already resumed. Even now, ICE has refused to provide an adequate explanation as to what prompted this sudden change in policy and who made the decision.

Throughout South Florida, hundreds of our constituents are shocked and confused by this abrupt and unexpected announcement. Many are concerned for the physical safety of loved ones who may very well be dropped into life-threatening conditions. Instead of endangering the lives of Haitians, the United States should be working to help Haiti help itself. We should not only suspend deportations to Haiti but also grant Haitians currently residing in the United States Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

Grubbing for wingnut votes

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Bill McCollum is hedging his bets in case Jeb Bush decides not to run for the Senate seat Mel Martinez will be giving up in 2010. Ensuring that his name will be in the news [opposed to gambling], Florida's attorney general, who long has had designs on the Senate, has asked the feds 'to initiate a criminal prosecution to put an end to the calculated illegal expansion of Class III gaming' by the Seminole Tribe." "A bad bet by McCollum".

Here they come ...

The Tallahassee Democrat: "Florida 2008: The year in review".

Mrs. K goes to Washington

"As President-elect Barack Obama puts together his administration team before his inauguration on Jan. 20, Kosmas has been busy with a whirlwind of activity to represent the district that covers Southeast Volusia and parts of Brevard, Orange and Seminole counties." "Kosmas gets ready for Washington".

Try: Gay man gets married in violation of state constitution

"What Were Florida's Weirdest Stories In 2008? The List Is Long".

Temps

Bill Cotterell: "They're known as "OPS" employees, which stands for 'Other Personal Services,' a deceptively innocuous-sounding term. By choice or by chance, but certainly by design, they are the second-class citizens of state government. ... OPS is supposed to be temporary, but there have been employees working in that job class for years, even decades. " "In tough budget times, expect no mercy for OPS".

Florida GOPers in a tizzy, "After All, He Is Black"

"Down the road: Obama Boulevard in Florida?"

Good work

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "This holiday season is a good time to recognize a government agency making a real difference in Hillsborough County. Thanks to its work on several fronts, the county's Department of Animal Services has sharply reduced the number of dogs and cats it must put down, and sharply increased the number of pets it places into new homes." "Good for animals; good for community".

Chillax

The South Florida Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Slow down and look out for manatees as you enjoy the holidays on the waterways".

Double dipping

"This year some of Florida's public officials are giving a whole new meaning to the phrase 'home for the holidays.'"

It's a new crop of double dippers, taking advantage of a loophole in state law that allows them to "retire'' by taking 30 days off and return to work in their old jobs with a salary and a pension. Many also collect a lump-sum "retirement'' payment that can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.

At least 25 of those spending December at home were re-elected in November — sheriffs, property appraisers, court clerks and tax collectors, six circuit judges and one state attorney.

None announced their "retirement'' plans before voters cast their ballots, and most have not made any public announcement of the resignation letters they have written to Gov. Charlie Crist.

Tuff

Oh well: The election and other events "leaves Central Florida with no lawmakers in the top tier of party leadership -- in either party -- in the House or Senate."

Good luck

"Economy threatens cities' fights vs. homelessness".

Wishful thinking

Mary Ann Lindley, The Tallahassee Democrat Editorial Page Editor: is "dying to see if Jeb Bush really sets out on a quest of family retribution by running for the U.S. Senate. Will this seem his time to begin restoring confidence in the Bush family name after his brother — God bless him, as bona fide Southerners would say — has so blown any hope of a respectable presidential legacy. ... But who else could give Jeb a run for his money in Florida?"

So who might replace Mel Martinez in the U.S. Senate when he steps down? If not Jeb, it's going to be someone already sitting restlessly on the bench. Look for someone who will summon up the courage, cunning and deep intelligence to lead Florida out of the fiscal wilderness we've been wandering in. The economic downturn offers an almost unprecedented opportunity for that rare creature, the statesman, to evolve — and make us wonder why we didn't notice him, or her, before.

"Definitely improper and probably illegal"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "About two weeks ago, "

after intervention by Gov. Crist, the commission that screens applicants for the Florida Supreme Court added the politically connected general counsel for the Navy to the list of candidates for a high court seat. The commission changed its own rules to add Frank Jimenez, who as deputy legal counsel to Jeb Bush advocated a system to find judges who were "ideologically compatible" with Mr. Bush. The commission added Mr. Jimenez during a secret deliberation. The commission's action was definitely improper and probably illegal.

Long range planning

"Ballooning budget deficits have prompted more U.S. states to sell off roads, parks, airports and lotteries to raise money." "States are selling off roads, parks, airports and lotteries to raise funds".

A monster single in Florida ...?

"The chairman of the Republican National Committee said Saturday he was 'shocked and appalled' that one of his potential successors had sent committee members a CD this Christmas featuring a 2007 parody song called 'Barack the Magic Negro.'" "GOP chief 'appalled' by Obama parody". But see "RNC chairman candidate defends 'Barack the Magic Negro' song".

I wonder if Florida's political reporters will follow up on this with Florida's RNC members' and ask if they heard it, what their response to the "song" was, whether they copied the CD or otherwise distributed it to fellow RPOFers ... and other journalisticky [sic] questions like that.

Indeed, someone pretending to be a political reporter might ask crazy questions something like these:

Question: National Committeewoman Day [or National Committeeman Senft or Governor Crist or Chairman Greer, etc.], did you receive a copy of the CD with the song "Barack the Magic Negro" on it?

Alternative Question: Have you heard the "Barack the Magic Negro" song?

Follow up question: Have you had the song copied ... have you distributed it in any way ... to whom ... why?

Follow up question: What steps have you taken to repudiate the song as racist?

[continue using your skills as a journalist]

And this is something to be emulated by the public sector?

"Pensions are being phased out in the private workplace because of their high and uncertain future costs." The Tampa Trib editors apparently think so: "Lawmakers Must Trim Pricey Pensions".

Bright futures

"The extreme financial pressures facing Florida are forcing lawmakers to take a hard look at everything the state offers, no matter how popular. That includes the virtually untouchable Bright Futures merit-scholarship program. Past attempts to alter or diminish the lottery-funded program have been met with swift and strong protests from parents and students, causing lawmakers to back down." "Florida legislators ponder future of state's Bright Futures college scholarships — again".

But we had "Jeb!" and Katherine

Randy Schultz: "Yes, there is media bias. Against Florida." "Minnesota recount ousts Florida".

C'mon ... just do it Jebbie

"Jeb Bush Signals He's Poised to Run".

FCAT Follies

"Last spring, Florida lawmakers sought to ease the pressure the FCAT applied on public high schools by developing a more rounded appraisal of student performance."

But those good intentions may end up putting more schools in the "needs improvement" category.

In an early proposal, state education officials have recalculated the grades given last year to Florida high schools by using a model that halves the weight of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

The results: Dozens of schools would drop a letter grade on the state's report card and the number of "failing" schools would double.

The poor things

"The real estate decline - at least as it is measured by property appraisers - is hitting hardest so far in Southwest Florida." "Dip in tax base stings region".

More on 1950s Mississippi SW Florida

"Lee County is not known as a hotbed of tolerance for gay people and issues important to them. Almost 65 percent of Lee voters last month backed the marriage protection amendment, which defined the union as between a man and woman." "Florida high court to rule on same-sex adoption ban".

Pusillanimity all round

Bill Cotterell: "In the current controversy over House Speaker Ray Sansom's landing a $110,000-a-year job at a Panhandle college, after steering $25 million to that campus, Gov. Charlie Crist and the Republican leadership have been dutifully blind to all appearance of impropriety."

It was, they rightly insist, not against any laws — as if bare legality were the ethical standard to which all should aspire.

Even Crist, with his self-conscious disdain for the trappings of privilege and power, professes to see nothing amiss in the speaker's deal. He clearly doesn't want to talk about it, giving one-word answers and sometimes hastening his pace when asked if this is the sort of thing the Republicans stand for, or how they can have credibility in cutting the budget while finding more than a hundred grand for the speaker's other job.

Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman has been calling for an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which is also quite predictable. It's her job to view with alarm anything the Republicans do.

But House minority leader Franklin Sands, D-Weston, has been a model of timidity. He waited a week or so for Sansom to explain the deal, then approached the topic like Oliver Twist telling the orphanage boss, "Please, Sir, I want some more."

'Ya reckon?

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Commuter rail's benefits extend far beyond getting from here to there".

"Draconian"?

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Florida's growth-management opponents have a two-pronged strategy to end what they consider "draconian" state oversight. First, do away with the Florida Department of Community Affairs, which provides a necessary counterweight to local growth decisions. Then, push a constitutional amendment that stamps out a competing amendment that truly would be draconian." "Budget tricks, tricky words are threats to growth control".

Wishful thinking

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Fewer people moving to Florida will mean fewer new developments that locally elected officials can't seem to live without, but whose arrival lays waste to so much of what makes the state so attractive in the first place." "Florida's not the magnet it was, but there's no reason to panic".

But will local (or even Florida) workers build it?

"Judge Paul Hawkes, a former prosecutor and legislator now on the 1st DCA bench, has helped usher the project through the Legislature."

Planning for the new building began several years ago, long before the recession and the collapse of the housing market created a state budget crisis.

Hawkes has acknowledged that such a large project became a difficult sell after the state was forced to cut vital services. However, the construction will be a boon for the Big Bend when unemployment is rising and the state wants to jolt the economy with public-works projects.

"How bad is it going to have to be"?

The St. Petersburg Times has this today from Donald R. Eastman III, president of Eckerd College: "There are really two key questions for Florida higher education policy: How bad is it going to have to be for Florida to wake up and create a rational, powerful, nonpolitical governance system? And what governor is going to be courageous enough to lead that badly needed change?" "Low marks on higher education".

"Forget plans for a 7,000-acre rock mine"

"Crist's $1.34 billion bid to repair the Everglades by buying nearly all of U.S. Sugar Corp.'s farmland comes with a small demand that could lead to big headaches: Forget plans for a 7,000-acre rock mine on the property. If only it were so easy." "Condition against rock mine on U.S. Sugar land may be hard to meet".

Fix this

Myriam Marquez proves that even a broken clock is right twice a day: "Haitians can never seem to catch a break. U.S. immigration officials decided recently that it would be just dandy to deport Haitians while recovery efforts on their part of Hispaniola proceed in spurts and stops, as children die of malnutrition and mudslides continue to impede reconstruction." "Senseless, deadly U.S. policy on Haitians persists".

If the teachers can't afford to come outa their own pockets ...

... "Florida teachers turn to Web donors for supplies".

Stop the Madness

The Miami Herald editorial board: "The Liberty City 'terrorism' case was hardly the federal government's finest hour. The arrests were blown out of proportion with intimations that the FBI had uncovered and infiltrated a major jihadist organization. Yet two federal juries have expressed serious doubts about the veracity of the government's claims. Now the feds want a third trial."

"The Liberty City men said a lot of strange things. They asked the informant for money. They talked a good game. But the only weapon the FBI found when they arrested the group was a Samurai sword. There was also some martial-arts gear and a book, The Way of the Ninja. No al Qaeda tapes. No terrorism manuals. This lack of coherent evidence explains why the U.S. attorney's office has tried the Liberty City group twice only to have U.S. District Judge Joan A. Lenard declare mistrials both times because jurors were hopelessly deadlocked. Obviously jurors simply have not been persuaded that these men were truly plotting an act of deadly terror." Much more here: "Trying Liberty City group unnecessary".

Whatever

"While [St. Pete Mayor Rick] Baker won't talk publicly about what his political future could hold, politics are still likely to be a factor in what he's able to get done this coming year." "'Full speed to the finish line'". See also "40 things Rick Baker wants to get done".

Florida-Georgia Panther

"A new federal report shows that the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in north Florida and southeast Georgia could be the ideal place to relocate a population of endangered panthers. The report is part of an update to a plan to increase the Florida panther population, which now lives in a few counties west of the Everglades. The report's recommendations include creating a panther corridor from South Florida into South Georgia." "Okefenokee could be home for endangered panthers".

Latin America

Andres Oppenheimer: "Thomas A. Shannon Jr., the top State Department official for Western Hemisphere affairs ... disputed the notion -- expressed often in this column -- that the Bush administration has not paid enough attention to Latin America." Nevertheless,

Latin American leaders last week met in Costa do Sauipe, Brazil for the largest hemispheric summit to exclude U.S. representation. At the summit, they celebrated what many of them described as a new era of regional independence from Washington, and gave a hero's welcome to Cuban President Raúl Castro.

Meantime, the Russian Navy made its first stop in Cuba since the end of the Cold War, shortly after a visit by Russian President Dimitri Medvedev to Brazil, Venezuela and Cuba. Simultaneously, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was meeting in Tehran with Ecuador's President Rafael Correa, following a series of Iranian ''strategic agreements'' with Bolivia and Venezuela. ...

... an incoming Obama administration that is not tied to the Iraq invasion, the United States will have a good chance to regain some of the ground it lost in the hemisphere over the last eight years.

And then the Chamber of Commerce told me ...

An alleged journalist by the name of Martiga Lohn has it all figured out:

Unions don't like privatization deals out of fear that worker wages and benefits will be squeezed as private operators try to boost their profit by streamlining [sic] services.

On nonprofits

Kelly Otte is executive director of United Partners for Human Services and an adjunct instructor teaching nonprofit management for FSU's Askew School of Public Administration & Policy: "Nonprofits go through stages, too".

Cuba

"Cuba is ending one of its toughest economic years since the collapse of the Soviet Union, as costly food imports and three devastating hurricanes held annual growth to 4.3 percent, barely half the government forecast, top officials said Saturday." "Cuba says economic growth in '08 was stifled by hurricanes and massive food imports".