Crist a flaming hypocrite

"While Gov. Charlie Crist opposes Democratic plans for more government-run healthcare, his administration Thursday boasted about the success of a government-run, taxpayer-subsidized state health program for children." "Gov. Charlie Crist's healthcare views at odds".




The best he can do?

"Under pressure to pick a Hispanic to replace U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, Gov. Charlie Crist said Friday that U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart and former U.S. Attorney Bob Martinez are on the short list. ... Also on Crist's shortlist: former Secretary of State Jim Smith." "Crist urged to pick Hispanic for Mel Martinez's Senate seat". See also "Crist requests three applications for U.S. Senate".

Related: "Governor is intent on filling open seat" and "Crist doesn't want competitor for Senate seat".




"Gambling compact still up in the air"

The Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "It should have been an amicable arrangement that provides enough benefits to keep both the state of Florida and the Seminole Tribe contented. But the two sides are still far apart on a gaming compact, an agreement many believe is needed to clear any lingering controversy over the Seminoles' lucrative blackjack and card games." "Compromise could make gambling compact a reality".




Teabaggers spew mindless hate in the Gables

"A rally called to support a public health-care option outside Sen. Bill Nelson's Coral Gables office quickly turned into a cross-street chanting and shouting match Thursday afternoon between about 250 backers and opponents."

Opponents chanted "Obama is a liar!'' and "No Obamacare!'' across Salzedo Street toward placard-wielding supporters, who shouted back "Facts not fear!''

"Coral Gables health-care rally gets rowdy outside Sen. Bill Nelson's office".




Never forget

"Secretary of State Hillary Clinton compared Nigeria's corruption and electoral problems with the 2000 Florida presidential election recount during a town hall meeting today in Abuja, Nigeria."

Answering a question about Nigeria's recent election, Clinton said, "In 2000, our presidential election came down to one state where the brother of the man running for President was the governor of the state. So we have our problems too."

"Hillary Clinton Compares 2000 Florida Recount to Nigeria's Rigged Elections". See also "Hillary Clinton disses Jeb Bush in Nigeria".




Wingnuttery

"Arts group rejects Stearns' claims of tax-funded porn".




'Glades

"Water managers and the White House signed a crucial contract Thursday that promises a much-needed infusion of federal dollars for the Everglades." "U.S., Florida reach Everglades restoration deal".




RPOFers in a dither

"Florida officials have calculated that the health-care proposals being debated in Congress could add 1.4 million uninsured residents to the state's Medicaid rolls — and cost state taxpayers $1.6 billion a year."

The analysis, done by the state Agency for Health Care Administration, found Florida's already mushrooming Medicaid rolls would grow from 2.6 million people to about 4 million under proposals to overhaul the health-care system.

Legislation pushed by President Barack Obama would help cover Florida's 4 million uninsured by expanding Medicaid eligibility to include higher-income families and new categories of people, such as childless adults.

The total federal-state tab: $4.9 billion a year in Florida. With the federal government picking up two-thirds of Medicaid costs, that would mean a $1.6 billion hit to the state budget, the study showed. That's on top of the more than $5 billion a year the state said in February that Medicaid is costing, a figure that's likely higher today.

Florida leaders say the extra cost would be crushing, especially with the state facing a major financial jolt in 2011 when federal stimulus money runs out. Though Gov. Charlie Crist has not taken a position on the expansion, Republican legislators are worried.

You know it is nothing but crass politics when Adam Hasner weighs in:

"Our Medicaid program is bordering on unsustainable as it is," said House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Boca Raton. "If you add this component, you are going to break the back of Florida and every other state."

"Florida leaders warn health care reform could bankrupt Medicaid".




Another fine Jebacy

"Report: 3,500 Floridians are losing health coverage each week". Meantime, "[t]he average working Floridian is paying more than twice as much for health insurance now compared with a decade ago — though paychecks for the same period increased by only 27 percent, according to research released Thursday." "Rising health insurance costs far outpace wage growth for Florida workers".

Meantime, "Medicaid gives HMOs pay raise".




Sugar

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "We're grateful that the sugar industry provides jobs and pays taxes in Florida — among the points Big Sugar makes when anyone questions its sweetheart treatment. But other industries do the same without government protection. And unlike Big Sugar, they didn't do decades worth of environmental damage to the Everglades that will require billions in taxpayer dollars for restoration." "End sugar's sweet deal".




GED

"State 'clarifies' GED Exit Option".




HD 28

"As Dorothy Hukill vies for a shot at being a first-time congresswoman, two other local women hope to take her place in the Florida House of Representatives. Port Orange Republican Theresa Valdes threw her hat into the ring in July, according to the state elections Web site. And Volusia County Council Vice Chairwoman Joie Alexander said Thursday she also intends to run for the 28th District seat as a Republican." "2 vie for Hukill's House seat".




Trib editors embarrass themselves

Read the condescending blather from the children on the The Tampa Tribune editorial board:

It's a stunning development. The local teacher's union, passionately opposed to vouchers, is partnering with a group that promotes their use.

In a program to train teachers at private schools that serve students with vouchers, the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association is joining with the school district and Step Up for Students, a nonprofit that oversees the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship effort. Step-Up is paying $100,000 for the special classes.

Union leaders say they recognized the poor children who receive the scholarships need the best teachers possible.

We hope that mature perspective will help union leaders see that vouchers pose no threat to public schools.

"A voucher breakthrough?".




Poor little mayors

"If you need any more evidence that times are tough for cities, look no further than the Florida League of Cities conference held in Orlando this week." "Local leaders learn to make do with less"."Harder for out-of-state students"

"Florida legislators were right to make it harder for out-of-state students to game the higher education system to save money on tuition." "On target with in-state".




Secure and Safe Detention and Asylum Act

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Last week was important for those seeking to reform the U.S. system by which asylum seekers are detained. On the same day, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., introduced the Secure and Safe Detention and Asylum Act to ensure that asylum seekers are treated in accordance with U.S. law, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement finally recognized the need to overhaul a broken immigration detention system." "Overhaul sorry state of U.S. detention system".