Lawson chided Crist for backing a $10 million economic development package that would provide low-interest loans to medium-sized businesses with between 10 and 99 employees. Crist took heat for the proposal, which was pushed by a company that is bidding on the $1 million contract to manage the program.

"Rather than lead us away from the land of special interests' protections, he's delivering Florida into the valley of pink slips," Lawson said. "I urge him to rethink his direction, veto this budget and re-summon the Legislature to undo the damage it's done."

McCollum shifts his rather substantial derrierre ...

... and gets moving, at least a little, on the Sansom scandal: "Florida's attorney general is asking for information on possible Sunshine Law violations by House Speaker Ray Sansom." "AG's office seeks information on Sansom activities".

Death threat

"A Florida man has been indicted on charges of threatening to kill President-elect Barack Obama." "Fla. man indicted in threat to kill Barack Obama" ("Officials in Polk County issued a warrant for his arrest Wednesday for grand theft of a firearm. Wine allegedly stole a shotgun from a Lakeland woman earlier this month.")

Senate shakeout

Bill Cotterell: "Neither of Florida's political parties will be running its best-known candidate in the 2010 race to succeed U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez." "No big names on tap for 2010 Senate seat".

Congressional Quarterly:

State Sen. Dan Gelber then signaled on Friday, shortly after Sink’s announcement, that he too will join the contest. “Given this morning’s news, I fully expect to officially enter the race in the coming weeks. The task of preparing for such a race is complex, thus I will be making a more formal announcement soon,” Gelber said in a statement.

Gelber said he had delayed his own decision to give Sink “time to reach her judgment.”

“I was prepared to fully support Alex had she chosen this path as her next step in public life,” Gelber said, “and I hope to share a ballot with her in 2010 as we work together as Floridians to bring real change to our state and restore the dream of a time past, when the state that we love was a beacon of a better life for anyone who seeks it.” The nation’s economic downturn, which has hit Florida hard, is expected to be a central issue in next year’s elections in the state.

Additional primary competition may come from a list of possible candidates that includes Democratic Reps. Allen Boyd of the Panhandle-area 2nd District and Ron Klein of the Palm Beach-area 22nd.

former state House Speaker Marco Rubio; U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan of the Sarasota-area 13th District and Connie Mack of the southwestern 14th District; and state Attorney General Bill McCollum, a former House member who ran unsuccessfully for the Senate in the 2000 general election against Democrat Bill Nelson and in the 2004 Republican primary against Martinez. State Senate President Jeff Atwater and former state House Speaker Allan Bense are also mentioned as potential GOP candidates.

The best he could do?

"Fathers who fail to pay child support would do a week-long work detail wearing a shirt, overalls or vest that reads "Deadbeat Dad" in bold letters under a bill being introduced by state Sen. Mike Fasano." "Fasano Bill Would Require 'Deadbeat Dad' Shirts".

Never mind

"Temple Terrace Race Could Be Altered By Just-Found Ballots".

Buddy Johnson apparently left a poison pill: "In a bizarre post-script to the problem plagued Nov. 4 elections, Hillsborough County election officials said today they have discovered 440 uncounted ballots, more than two months after the official results were submitted to the state for certification."

Hillsborough

"Kevin Beckner, Hillsborough County's first openly gay commissioner, is about to reopen the potentially explosive issue of giving health care benefits to the domestic partners of county employees." "Commissioner Wants To Reopen Domestic Benefits Issue".

Yee Haw!

"The Sons of Confederate Veterans wants its Florida specialty license plate. The group -- composed of descendants of Confederate soldiers -- plans to file a lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court to force the state to approve one designed with Confederate flags." "Confederate plate for Florida? |".

Barreiro booted

"Gus Barreiro, a crusader for kids and former Miami-Dade lawmaker who helped bring down a fellow legislator in a high-profile race case, has been unexpectedly fired from the Department of Juvenile Justice."Know your history:

The former Miami Beach lawmaker, a Republican, is no stranger to controversy. In 2006, he filed a complaint against fellow Miami-Dade lawmaker Ralph Arza for using racial slurs to describe former Miami-Dade schools chief Rudy Crew. Arza and a cousin then left threatening messages on Barreiro's cell phone. Arza was charged with witness tampering and agreed to resign his office.

As Arza's standing in the black community sank, Barreiro's rose -- in part because he repeatedly clashed with the DJJ bureaucracy over the unrelated deaths of two black teenagers at DJJ facilities, Martin Lee Anderson in 2006 and Omar Paisley in 2003.

Aided by Miami Beach Democratic Rep. Dan Gelber, Barreiro led the charge to investigate Martin's death after the youth was beaten at a Panama City boot camp. The case divided the Panhandle along racial lines.

In the fallout, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement chief resigned over insensitive statements he made and the boot camp guards and a nurse stood trial for Martin's death. They were found not guilty.

For his work in the Martin Lee Anderson case, Barreiro was presented with a Children's Champion Award on the floor of the Florida House. Among those honoring Barreiro: Rep. Frank Peterman a St. Petersburg Democrat who eventually became his boss at DJJ.

After Gov. Charlie Crist's election in 2006, Barreiro campaigned for the job Peterman ultimately won.

Another fine Jebacy bites the dust

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "The Florida Constitution has blocked yet another attempt by former Gov. Jeb Bush to undermine public education."

In 2006, Gov. Bush and the Legislature decided, with little evidence, that local school boards had been too tough on groups seeking to start charter schools. The Legislature passed and Gov. Bush signed a bill creating the Florida Schools of Excellence Commission, which would allow charter school applicants to go around county school boards. ...

Charter schools, which use public money but have private boards and can offer specialized classes, have a mixed record. Many encounter financial problems. Local control is appropriate because if a charter school closes the students go back into traditional public schools. And it wasn't as though counties were hostile to charter schools. More than 350 operate in the state. ...

In a signal that times have changed, state Education Commissioner Eric Smith decided not to appeal the charter school ruling. The "Florida Schools of Excellence Commission" ceased to exist on Thursday. Executive Director Frank Attkisson - who got the job after supporting creation of the commission as a legislator - said that, in part because of the pending lawsuits, the commission never approved a charter school that later began operating.

Like much that happened with education under Mr. Bush, the "Excellence Commission" was a distraction. As it dies, the state can get back to the real work of improving public schools.

Big of him

"Sen. Martinez gives key support to Obama's AG pick".

As Charlie cowers in anti-tax pusillanimity

"The economic recovery bill proposed on Thursday by U.S. House Democrats would pump billions of dollars into public education -- and could spell relief for struggling local school districts. For the Miami-Dade school district alone, the plan could mean an infusion of more than $100 million each year for the next two years, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said." "U.S. House bill would pump millions into S. Fla. schools".

At least do it for the innocent inmates

"Florida is poised to spend about $100,000 in tax money to upgrade 1,500 prison televisions so they'll work Feb. 17, when the nation switches from analog to digital broadcasts. The expenditure -- a fraction of the Florida Department of Corrections' nearly $2.3 billion budget -- comes as education, social and health programs are being squeezed because of Florida's budget woes. But corrections officials said the six-figure upgrade is justifiable because TV keeps inmates busy and helps ensure the safety of officers and guards."

"The department has so few tools available at their disposal to control inmates. Our inmate populations are bulging at the seams. With the cuts in personnel, the ratios are high," said state Sen. Victor Crist, R- Tampa, chairman of the committee that oversees prison budgets.

Good luck

"With ridership booming, Tri-Rail is hoping again to persuade Florida's legislators to back a $2-a-day fee on car rentals that would provide commuter rail systems in the state with a steady income stream." "Tri-Rail tries again for sustainable tax aid".

NASA change

"An unusually soft-spoken Michael Griffin told NASA employees Friday that he would not remain as administrator when Barack Obama becomes president next week, ending almost four years as head of an agency he had hoped to lead back to the moon." "NASA chief Michael Griffin won't return, says his goodbyes".

Castro

"Fidel Castro is working, writing and staying on top of world affairs, his friend Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Friday amid speculation about the former Cuban leader's health." "Venezuela's Chavez says Castro still working".

Ending its special session Wednesday, the Florida Legislature balanced its books temporarily and on the backs of children, social services and health-care programs.

Florida is spending $300 million to build prisons that it really doesn't need while it makes drastic cuts to education, courts, human services, etc.

The bill heading to Mr. Crist gives him a little leeway to restore some spending while still covering the deficit. Lawmakers included $400 million in nondesignated reductions, meaning that, for example, some education funding can be restored and balanced elsewhere with part of that $400 million.

The governor should use this leeway not just for vetoing some education trims but also for restoring a land-acquisition program that the Legislature just last year unanimously renewed -- only to turn around and assign it to indefinite limbo this year to help cover the deficit.

Blame game

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board writes today that, rather than local school board officials,

lawmakers are the ones who should be hearing from parents and community leaders. The state Legislature has been shortchanging education for years, first shifting the burden of school funding onto local taxpayers, then hacking at the state revenue flowing into schools. At the same time, they've been increasing demands on school districts for so-called accountability measures and documentation -- a burden borne by the much-maligned "administrative" workers.

Legislators set up local school officials. They increased the property-tax rate required to support classrooms, and left local school boards to take the heat. They cut school funding, and leave local school boards to hear the screams of outrage. Lawmakers are banking on the fact that parents will vent their (righteous) anger on the elected officials closest to them.

"Besieged"

"Besieged by laid-off workers looking for help, Florida's unemployment system is drawing fire from clients who say the state agency running it can't handle the demand." "Number of jobless bog down unemployment system".

Classy

"Plans for an organized gathering in Miami when Fidel Castro dies appear to have fizzled ... Reports last year that Miami was planning an official celebration of Castro's death drew international media attention and some criticism." "Plans for Castro death gathering fizzle in Miami".

Ethanol

"A Massachusetts biofuel company is teaming up with a Florida business to build the state's first commercial-scale ethanol plant, and says it should be up and running by 2011." "Fla.'s first commercial ethanol plant announced".

No Sink

"Sink is out of Senate run"

Budget cuts

"The budget cuts approved this week in Tallahassee hit particularly close to home in west Hollywood, where a much-needed 55-and-older housing project was effectively killed before it could get off the ground. Construction on the proposed 120-unit project, called The Gardens at Driftwood, was to begin in May. But those plans were dashed when legislators took $190 million from the state's affordable housing trust fund -- including $8 million set aside for the Hollywood project -- to help plug a $2.4 billion budget hole during the special lawmaking session that ended Wednesday." "Florida budget trims undercut Hollywood senior housing project".Layoffs

"Scores of probation officers were told that they are losing their jobs Thursday, only a day after lawmakers slashed $1.2 billion in state spending in a special budget cutting session." "DOC announces layoffs".

Spontaneous collective action

"A veteran Miami banker who founded Mellon United National Bank 30 years ago was fired as chairman by its New York parent company, prompting three directors to resign in protest. " "Miami banker's ouster touches off board-room rebellion".

Publicity stunt

"Crist pays tribute to MLK and Obama".

Too bad

"Asked his level of interest in entering the U.S. Senate race in 2010, Gov. Charlie Crist said Thursday that it was 'not much.'" "Is Crist Interested In Senate Seat? 'Not Much'".

Background: "Cornyn: GOP is talking to Crist about Senate bid".

Finger in the wind

"Home builders asked Gov. Charlie Crist to veto a $190 million cut in state affordable-housing funds Thursday, saying that "housing will lead us out of this economic crisis" that forced Florida legislators to plug a $2." "Crist non-committal on subject of Sadowski fund".

"This just seems extraordinarily odd"

"Ten months after House Speaker Ray Sansom helped arrange a secretive meeting of his hometown college's board of trustees, the 'minutes' of the meeting suddenly emerged this week."

Northwest Florida State College president Bob Richburg sent a document to state Sen. Don Gaetz after a newspaper in Sansom's hometown published an editorial urging Gaetz to demand an investigation into whether the meeting violated the state Sunshine Law.

"I am enclosing the 'Record of Legislative Update Summary, March 24, 2008,' that will go before the Board of Trustees on January 20, 2009, for approval," Richburg wrote in an e-mail to Gaetz, R-Niceville.

"I find the sudden emergence of these minutes to be curious, at best," Gaetz said in an interview Thursday. "They came out of nowhere. I have not heard from him in more than a year. … This just seems extraordinarily odd." ...

The college did provide public notice, with an ad that was published one week before the meeting, in a newspaper in Okaloosa County, 150 miles from where the meeting would take place.

That was Richburg's idea: "It's probably the only way we can do it in privacy but with a public notice here," he wrote in his e-mail to Sansom.

Sex

"Lawmaker wants to put sex back into sex education". See also "'Record' emerges in Sansom-Richburg meeting".

"Make no mistake, the lawyers got their way"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "A group of state trial lawyers dropped its opposition to Central Florida's newly named SunRail project, lifting a key barrier to the most important transportation initiative that's come along in years. Make no mistake, the lawyers got their way. They didn't want the private companies involved with the region's 61-mile commuter-rail system to enjoy state-provided protection from lawsuits, which, of course, make lawyers wealthy. What this could mean are higher insurance costs, which will be passed on to taxpayers. What's more, that'll now be true for other regions hoping to build rail systems, including Tampa and Jacksonville." "Score one for lawyers, but commuter rail still moves ahead".

Golded fleeced award

"They're called ballot boxes, but the containers Hillsborough's supervisor of elections office bought last year are so much more. They have electronic sensors and a motor inside. A special tread is designed to increase capacity. And they cost $1,850. Each." "Hillsborough paid a lot for ballot boxes that didn't speed up the vote count".

Laff riot

"Broward County Republicans plan rally to say goodbye to President Bush.".

Psssst ...

... this idiot wants you to know thay "Unions hijacking democracy".

"Five months, three recounts ..."

The South Florida Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Five months, three recounts and endless legal memos after a rare razor-thin judicial election, there's no questioning that the people of Palm Beach County have spoken and threw a largely unpopular judge off the circuit bench. But that doesn't mean that the people spoke well, or in the county's best interests." "State Supreme Court getting last word on judge-elect case is good news".

Good luck

"Broward teachers rally for raises".

Florida's booming economy

"Region No. 11 in U.S. in lost homes".

"Poisoning firefighters"

"Two Florida fire departments scrambled this week to ditch uniform pants amid fears that the pants' fire-resistant fabric might be poisoning firefighters." "Chemical concerns cause two more fire departments to stop using fire-resistant pants".

McCarty

"Former Palm Beach County Commissioner Mary McCarty is expected to make her first appearance in court this morning on federal corruption charges." "Ex-PBC Commissioner McCarty, husband, expected in court today".

Meantime, "'ong-time elected officials and seasoned political activists are vying for Gov. Charlie Crist's appointment to the Palm Beach County Commission to replace the disgraced Mary McCarty." "FSU grad, 22, among applicants for McCarty's seat".

More McCarty

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Delray Beach has no reason at this point to suspend City Manager David Harden, much less to fire him. But the city commission was correct on Tuesday to seek an outside examination of Mr. Harden's and the city staff's role in bond deals that are at the heart of the Mary McCarty case." "Delray-McCarty connection: City needs all the answers".

Yet more, from Joel Engelhardt, "And now from McCarty?".

"Chemical Flume"

"Those who live near the Raytheon defense plant in St. Petersburg aren't reassured by state and company officials." "Officials, Residents Near Chemical Flume Collide".

Swamped

"Florida politicians swamped with inauguration requests".

A&M

"Florida A&M University needs to do a better job of collecting bounced checks, paying bills on time and making sure employees properly use state-owned cellular phones, according to a new report by Florida's auditor general. " "Report: Still room for fiscal improvement at Florida A&M".

Drought

"State and local officials are warning drought and wildfire conditions are dangerously high." "Drought conditions expected to worsen".

"$1 for you"

"Facing a $3.5 billion deficit next year, Florida desperately needs all the money it can get. But millions more will disappear because the state has settled a lawsuit that affects millions of motorists." "Driver's license settlement: $2.9M for lawyers, $1 for you". See also "Florida settles lawsuit; drivers get $1 each".

Cleveland Indians

"The city of Winter Haven has filed a lawsuit against its former spring training tenant, the Cleveland Indians." "City of Winter Haven sues Cleveland Indians".

"Economic experts?!?

"Steering Florida out of the nationwide recession will require state legislators to take a new look at all sales-tax exemptions, freeze the class-size amendment and slash the permitting red tape that often causes new business opportunities to slip away to other states, a panel of economic experts [sic] told a special Senate committee Tuesday."

Who were these geniuses comprising the "panel of economic experts", pray tell?

Why ... they're just the usual suspects, with their self-serving business agendas: "Former House Speaker Allan Bense, incoming vice-chairman of Enterprise Florida; Marshall Criser III, president of AT&T Florida and chairman of the state Chamber of Commerce, and Gulf Power Co. President Susan Story, who chairs the Florida Council of 100" "Senate committee hears from economic experts".

Faxgate

"The Oct. 7 scuffle between Circuit Judge Maria Espinosa Dennis and Judge David Miller over a broken fax machine ended within minutes, but it began months of judicial infighting and allegations of a coverup." "State attorney rules on Dade judges' physical in-court scuffle".

Meek

"It's official. Congressman Kendrick Meek's hat is in the ring for U.S. Senate. Meek, a former highway patrol officer*, is a Miami Democrat who wants to fill the seat being vacated by Orlando Republican Mel Martinez."

"Meek's toughest Democratic rival could be Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, who is being strongly urged by her supporters to run. Other Democrats mulling the race are two congressmen, Allen Boyd of Monticello and Ron Klein of South Florida, and state Sen. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach." "Kendrick Meek enters U.S. Senate race for Martinez seat".

"Meek has already landed Steve Hildebrand, a veteran Democratic strategist who served as President-elect Barack Obamas's deputy campaign manager and spent the last month of the race in Florida." "Meek gains a key advisor".

"Meek declined to provide his fund-raising goal. Later Robin Rorapaugh of Hollywood, who ran Bill McBride's winning gubernatorial primary campaign in 2002 and Peter Deutsch's unsuccessful U.S. Senate primary campaign in 2004, said it could easily top $10 million to $12 million." "Kendrick Meek becomes first major candidate for Florida's U.S. Senate seat".

- - - - - - - - - -
*Which prompt's one to ask whether the PBA, which purports to represent troopers, yet considered by many to be little more than an arm of the RPOF, will support Meek?

Will they stay ... or will they go?

Adam Smith: "Ultimately, most of the Florida Senate contenders have to choose: a safe re-election or a shot at the U.S. Senate?"

"If it was about me, I would continue my service in the House and be in a very comfortable seat politically, knowing I would return term after term," said U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, who on Tuesday became the first major candidate to jump in the race. "But I don't want to run in neutral any time."

Meek, 42, is tight with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and is the only Florida Democrat with a coveted spot on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. And like most members representing gerrymandered districts, he probably could keep that seat however long he wanted.

So he could sacrifice a lot with this venture, and he's not alone.

Other members of Congress looking at the race include Republicans Vern Buchanan and Connie Mack, and Democrats Allen Boyd and Ron Klein. Likewise, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Attorney General Bill McCollum would have to give up their Cabinet seats.

The Gulf

"A group of conservationists and elected officials say dealing with climate change needs to be priority when it comes to protecting the Gulf of Mexico. The activist group Gulf Restoration Network is staging a news conference Wednesday morning in Tampa to demand action from a multistate organization that is charged with protecting the gulf." "Group says climate change is critical to Gulf".

"Cozy"

"The official who will choose the company to run the state's small business loan program said Tuesday that excluding a potential vendor who helped shape it would be unfair." "Official: Let consultant bid on project".

The Palm Beach Post editorial board thinks otherwise: "The only way for Florida's tourism chief to prove that the fix isn't in for Steve Quello is to not give Mr. Quello a job he all but created for himself." "'Too cozy' for Florida's good".

Will Mel and the Diaz-Bararts hit the beach?

The Fidel death watch continues: "U.S. keeps eye on Fidel Castro's shaky health".

Is Florida ready for another "Howdy Doody Looking Nimrod" in DC?

... A modest guy: "I have an energy and passion for serving the people of Florida that is unrivaled." "Hasner 'keeping all options open' for Senate".

Meek's seat

And then there's this: "State Sen. Frederica Wilson, former state Rep. Phillip Brutus and Miami Gardens Commissioner André Williams, all Democrats, said they would run for Meek's seat -- announcements that will trigger races for their own posts. More ripple effects are on the way, with roughly a dozen potential contenders for the Senate waiting in the wings.".

School cuts

"When the Miami-Dade School Board meets Wednesday, a group of parents and students will be protesting just outside the main doors, angry about statewide budget cuts to public education spending." "Parents, students to protest school cuts".

Hunger strike

"The duo have camped out in two tents on private property across from the school [ironically enough, of Ronald Reagan* Doral Senior High School]. Bottles of water are their only sustenance and they have vowed not to eat anything until their concerns about the underfunded school system are recognized not only by school district leaders but by state officials." "Moms go on hunger strike to protest Miami-Dade school budget cuts".

- - - - - - - - - -
*Recall this: "The ketchup as a vegetable controversy or ketchupgate refers to a proposed United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Drug Administration directive, early in the administration of Ronald Reagan, that would have reclassified ketchup and pickle relish from condiments to a vegetable, allowing public schools to cut out a serving of cooked or fresh vegetable from hot lunch program child-nutrition requirements. The White House Office of Management and Budget estimated a potential US $1 billion annual savings in the cost of subsidized meals for low-income students."

"Co-conspirators"

"Some lawmakers want the state to crack down on businesses they say are acting as 'co-conspirators' with the Seminole Indians to offer blackjack and other casino-style games." "State May Aim At Vendors".

Probably the best place to be

"Inauguration Will Be Shown At Ybor Movie Theater".

$2-trillion exposure

"Florida's exposure to costly hurricane damage continues to escalate sharply despite ongoing efforts to shore up homes and discourage coastal development, state regulators said Tuesday." "State insurers' exposure to hurricane losses tops $2-trillion".

As the Lobbyists (who run Florida) Turn

"Miller said Yaeger told her he was taping the conversation but she had no idea he was making a video. Kelly says she did not know anything about a video or audio recording. Yaeger says he used a visible television camera mounted on a tripod in a corner of his office. He says he overheard Miller warn Kelly about the taping system, but both women deny the exchange and both say they didn't see a camera in the room." "Lobbyists take dispute to court". More on this Yaeger fellow: "Lobbyist to appeal fines for not filing client reports".

Buddy blues

"Florida's top election official said Tuesday that the state will investigate how Hills­borough's former supervisor of elections spent more than $2-million in federal grant money if ongoing audits don't come up with the answer." "State may investigate Buddy Johnson".

We agree

"Showing a side of herself that the public rarely saw during her 18 years as a county commissioner, Mary McCarty denounced herself as a 'hypocrite' Tuesday in an apology directed to the people she was elected to serve." "Colleagues' reaction: McCarty apology either 'honest' or just 'words'". More: "McCarty: 'I'm sorry'".

Drink up

"Water from mighty St. Johns River will flow from Seminole faucets".

Public hazards

"After receiving a slew of complaints, Pinellas County is working toward tightening its ordinances on backside-baring wear." "Pinellas May Forbid Too-Skimpy Swimsuits".

After all, "why worry about a financial crisis when you can shift the public debate to scantily clad beachgoers?" "Naked politics intrudes on beach".

Brilliant mistake

The Miami Herald editorial board: " The buzz about Miami-Dade County imposing a fire fee misses the point. The county's fire-rescue department is funded with taxes on property owners in the agency's service district, which includes the unincorporated area and several cities, both old and new. When times are flush, as they were until the housing bubble burst, the county's fire-rescue service enjoys fat budgets. But now times are leaner, and some of the department's wealthiest donor communities -- Pinecrest, Surfside and Indian Creek -- want out of the county district because neighboring cities with fire departments are offering them better deals." "Scuttle talk about Miami-Dade fire fee".

More Madoff

"Three South Florida family foundations -- one operated by Fontainebleau hotel magnate Stephen Muss, another by auto dealers Alan and Robert Potamkin, and a third by auto dealer Norman Braman -- invested millions with disgraced money manager Bernard L. Madoff, federal filings show." "Foundations face Madoff losses".

A Jax thing

"A lawsuit by a woman arrested at a Florida hospital emergency room after racing there in premature labor may go to trial after a federal appeals court panel upheld on Tuesday part of a lower court's ruling."

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied Jacksonville deputies Matthew Sirmons and James Mills qualified immunity from Melanie Williams's lawsuit. ...

Williams, seven-and-half months pregnant and bleeding from the vagina, ran a red light driving herself to St. Vincent's Hospital on Mother's Day 2005. She told the officers who stopped her that she was headed to the emergency room. When one started writing out a ticket, she sped off.

They followed her to the hospital, where one officer wrestled her down and the other applied handcuffs. Williams was admitted to the hospital and later had a healthy baby.

"Hysterics may achieve a few ends. Safety and justice aren't among them."

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "In Florida, convicted sex offenders are branded as such for life. They may not live within 1,000 feet of places where children gather. In several cities in Volusia County, the buffer was extended to up to 2,500 feet, rendering most of those cities off-limits to offenders. Neither law enforcement nor local elected officials should be surprised at the consequences. Offenders have been made into pariahs. Some of them are leading their lives as pariahs, in parks, on benches or off law enforcement's radar. That's not helping them reintegrate into society as productive citizens. It's exacerbating their sense of alienation. However misinformed the impulse, it's also making people more anxious from the supposed lurking effect of offenders roaming certain neighborhoods." "Hysteria won't protect society from sex offenders".

Meek, 42, who succeeded his mother in Congress in 2002, would be Florida's first black senator if he wins. If he loses, he will have given up a politically secure seat in Congress while his party is in control. Meek is also a close ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the only Florida Democrat on the influential Ways and Means Committee.

"No ... smart planning, good governance, or creative thinking"

"The $2.8 billion of cuts in state services, raids on Florida's cash reserves and increases in traffic fines are a painful signal of far bigger spending reductions." "Cuts, fines painful sign of Florida's fiscal future". See also "State budget deal cuts schools, health care and leaves $400M in the bank" and "State leaders borrow $700 million from tobacco endowment for budget relief".

"Florida lawmakers continued to meet Tuesday in the special budget-cutting session, but they will take no budget action. Instead, their focus will be on hearing reports on how to stimulate the state economy, getting updates on the state deal to buy U.S. Sugar land for Everglades restoration and hearing the attorney general weigh in on an Indian gambling compact" "Florida Legislature to hear reports on state economy".

The Miami Herald editorial board:

The plan for closing a $2.3 billion gap in the 2008-09 state budget proceeded along two tracks last weekend -- one of political ideology, the other of economic expedience -- and is headed for an early vote on Wednesday. If approved, the budget recommendations -- which include cuts, borrowing and reductions in programs and services -- will fulfill the one goal of the special session: producing a balanced budget.

So at least give legislators credit for doing their job. However, they deserve no praise or plaudits for smart planning, good governance, or creative thinking. And they certainly don't deserve any commendation for seizing the moment of an extraordinarily massive recession. They are blowing a chance to begin the difficult job of addressing Florida's revenue flaws and improve our state's chances of surviving future economic crises.

More than half of the $2.6 billion in budget savings legislators scraped together for a final vote Wednesday comes from borrowing and sweeping up money that's sitting in "trust funds," accounts dedicated to a variety of state projects and policies.

Some $70 million will be taken from a fund intended to fight insurance fraud and support the state fire marshal; state conservation land buys will be frozen until at least July 1; $6 million will be diverted from radios for law enforcement.

Florida's affordable-housing trust fund -- created in 1992 to generate annual money for low-income housing and named for the late legislator William Sadowski -- stands to take the biggest whack: $190 million.

Stimulus

The Maitland housewife tries his hand at "Sorting stimulus' wheat from chaff is impossible task".

Tough

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Barack Obama will start strong in this part of the state if the president-elect makes and keeps three promises: to sign a national disaster insurance plan into law, to make Everglades restoration part of any economic stimulus plan and to name a United States attorney who will keep ferreting out public corruption in Palm Beach County." "Wanted: A tough prosecutor".

McCarty

"Seems only yesterday McCarty was an upstanding citizen, a virtuous activist speaking out for her Delray Beach neighbors. The wunderkind who was first elected in 1987 to the Delray Beach City Commission at age 32. Today she's a disgraced politician who allegedly used her position to financially benefit herself and her husband." "Ralph De La Cruz: Politicians can't forget their reasons for serving".

"Florida has a long history of doing education on the cheap"

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "Teaching always has been a tough and sometimes thankless job. Now, with a faltering economy and deep budget cuts, the job in Florida's public schools has gotten tougher. ... thousands of Florida teachers are begging through Internet charities for basic classroom supplies, such as books, construction and copy paper, markers, collage materials and glitter. Is this any way to run a public school system that aspires to be great?" "Begging shouldn't be part of teaching".

no dropouts

On Monday, there was a "statewide Dropout Prevention Summit hosted by the Department of Education in Clearwater, Fla. For two days, parents, students, administrators and advocates will work together to brainstorm ideas to solve a dilemma families are facing nationwide: How to keep a child in school." "Fla. students, leaders discuss dropout prevention".

"The state's safety net is strained"

"[W]ith Florida unemployment at 7.3 percent and expected to climb to 8 percent by summer, the state's safety net is strained. In the past 18 months, state officials received 500,000 applications for food stamps, an increase equivalent to the entire food-stamp roll for the state of Massachusetts." "Workforce boards look to Crist for help".

Early voting

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "To help ease the early voting jam, state Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, is proposing an expansion of early voting sites and hours. His bill, filed last month for the March session, is a good start but it doesn't go far enough." "Early voting, early start".

We don' need no stinkin' unions

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board writes today that "Sixteen percent of Volusia County adults under the age of 65 lacked health insurance as of 2004 -- in Flagler County, 20 percent of that same population was uninsured. The ranks of the uninsured have almost certainly increased since the last time Florida officials compiled health-insurance statistics.". "Speak out on reform".

'Ya think?

"A Senate GOP leader said the potential vendor who helped craft Gov. Charlie Crist's legislative proposal to help small businesses should not be allowed to bid on the contract." "Lawmaker blasts potential vendor who crafted small business plan".

No layoffs

"South Florida Water Management District staff today counseled against layoffs or a tax increase, despite the dour economic outlook and plans to spend an unprecedented $1.34 billion in a land deal with U.S. Sugar Corp." "Water managers hope to avoid layoffs, tax hikes".

"High on the list ..."

"The promised federal stimulus plan is on a state Senate panel's agenda. The Select Committee on Florida's Economy is set Tuesday to discuss priorities for Florida's use of the federal money, if and when Congress acts on the plan being pushed by President-elect Barack Obama. High on the list will be replacing $700 million to be borrowed from the state's tobacco settlement endowment as part of a budget deficit-elimination package up for a final vote Wednesday in the House and Senate." "Fla. lawmakers discuss federal stimulus plan".

The "Pal" is in town

"Five months after Republican Sarah Palin used a Florida speech to first publicly paint him as an unrepentant terrorist and a 'pal' of Barack Obama, William Ayers on Monday encouraged a group of Florida State University students to become politically active." "1960s radical's talk ignites FSU protest".

Paygo

The South Florida Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Taxpayers shouldn't be paying for politicians' travel".

Boring

"The Miami suburb of Hialeah has earned a dubious distinction: Forbes magazine included it among America's 10 most boring cities." "Hialeah among 'most boring cities' on Forbes list".

Just say no

"The state insurance commissioner Monday again denied State Farm Florida's proposed average 47.1 percent rate increase for homeowner coverage against hurricanes and other property losses." "Florida again denies State Farm increase for storms".

"Low turnout"

"Low turnout at South Florida's pro sports games might not be a new thing. But now it's the economic downturn that's stopping cash-strapped fans from cheering on their teams in person." "Empty seats at pro venues? Blame economy".

The cuts take $400 million from reserves, leaving the state with about $250 million, the lowest amount of reserves it has had in more than ten years. In addition, the approximately $1 billion tobacco endowment could be drained by more than two-thirds. ...

Lawmakers also agreed to take $190 million from a trust fund that helps provide affordable housing.

Florida legislators continue their two-week budget-cutting special session Monday with more debate on the wisdom of $2.4 billion in cuts, and the possibility some state workers could lose their jobs.

Over the weekend, legislative leaders struck a deal to trim a total $1.2 billion in spending and raid about $1.6 billion from special savings and trust fund accounts.

Nursing homes, some affordable-housing programs, hospitals, prisons and drug-treatment programs should be spared the deepest of cuts under the new agreement.

Legislators gutted environmental programs but barely touched road spending. They whacked nearly $480 million from schools, but resolved two relatively small spending issues for Miami-Dade County schools after hours of secret negotiations.

By law, the budget deal must be available for public review for 72 hours before a final up-or-down vote, and the compromise can't be changed. The outcome is not in doubt: Republicans have the votes for passage Wednesday, and Democrats, most of them, likely will vote no. Gov. Charlie Crist can veto budget line items.

"'The sun always shines in Florida'"

Steve Bousquet and Mary Ellen Klas of the St Pete Times/Miami Herald: "Midway through his term, Gov. Charlie Crist finds his sunny optimism tested almost daily as his state slips deeper into the worst recession in modern times. But the Republican governor keeps smiling."

But Crist's policy record after two years on the job is a decidedly mixed bag.

In the past year, Crist promised to send "a sonic boom'' through the economy with the property tax cut, bring in new revenue with an Indian gambling agreement, cut property insurance rates, and create jobs through accelerated spending on public works programs. In his 2007 inaugural address, he pledged to "secure work with good pay'' and "world-class schools."

His promises have gone largely unfulfilled. The national recession converged with Florida's collapsing housing market to produce the highest unemployment rate in 15 years, the highest job losses of any state, and deep cuts to public education to balance a faltering budget.

The property tax bonanza has been a dud. The math hasn't worked as promised on property insurance. The gambling agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida was ruled unconstitutional. The governor's pitch to create jobs by accelerating road construction amounted to more show than substance.

a superficial chief executive whose moth-to-the-flame attraction to television cameras for fluffy "media avails'' too often substitutes for substantive policy.

"Where is he? That's what people keep asking me," said state Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, a Sarasota Democrat. "We've got huge problems, and people don't see strong leadership coming forth. All we hear is, 'The sun always shines in Florida.' "

Crist makes no apologies for his rosy view of things. "Somebody has to say we're going to get out of this, that there is a future and it's going to be okay," he said. "At a time like this, it's very challenging but it also can be very uplifting."

Sansom hubris watch

The Miami Herald editorial board: "The decision by Leon County State Attorney Willie Meggs to forward complaints about House Speaker Ray Sansom to a grand jury is fully warranted by the many questions surrounding this controversy. Last week, Mr. Sansom gave up the $110,000 college job that raised an outcry about his dubious ethics, but that does not put the matter to rest." "Grand jury should examine Sansom case".

Reaping what we sow

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Throughout the next weeks, the voices of furious parents, worried students and concerned teachers will ring in the ears of local school officials. It's too bad those voices won't reach Tallahassee -- which is where they really should be heard." "To the bone.

RPOFer Follies

Even the Dems might be able to figure out how to make an issue of this RPOFer culture of ... .

"Besides Ballard's ties to top lawmakers and Gov. Charlie Crist, Ballard's brother Bob is a deputy secretary at FDEP." And his sister is in the news these days as well ...

Palm Beach County Commissioner Mary McCarty, a big name in Republican politics (and sister of lobbyist Brian Ballard), appears to be heading to prison for "a significant term of incarceration."

St. Petersburg-based Sembler is a national developer of shopping centers and residential communities. It was founded by Mel Sembler, a major state and national Republican Party fund-raiser who is especially friendly with the Bush presidential family.

McCarty said Sembler is a political acquaintance whom she bumped into recently at a White House affair. She said she never talked to him or anyone at his company about the Boynton Beach projects.

"Florida's my-way-or-the-highway former governor"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Jeb Bush wasn't cut out for senatorial duty. Florida's my-way-or-the-highway former governor didn't suffer contrary views well, held grudges, thought patience was a vice."

With Mr. Bush deciding last week not to run for the Senate seat Mel Martinez will vacate in 2010, hopefully those looking to compete for it will more naturally fill the part.

And hopefully they'll prove more practical than partisan. Mr. Martinez sometimes managed that, ... But when he became head of the thoroughly partisan Republican National Committee, he undercut his effectiveness in the Senate and his ability to make a difference on issues critical to Floridians.

Swamped

Even Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who "has been through two Clinton and two Bush inaugurations ... says 'they couldn't touch the level of enthusiasm that this inauguration has.'" "Fla politicians swamped with inauguration requests".

Tuff

"Private schools pinched as aid requests rise".

Cuba

Anthony P. Maingot, professor emeritus of sociology at Florida International University: "In our very South Florida preoccupation with Fidel and Raúl Castro's leadership in Cuba, we often overlook some events that point to developments that go beyond Cuba and the United States. One such development was the admission of Cuba to the Rio Group in mid-November."

Established in 1986, this Group is not to be confused with the Rio Treaty of 1947, which has been, if not completely dominated, at least predominantly influenced by the United States.

This Group is a strictly Latin American and Caribbean organization. Unfortunately, some of the analysts who are much read in South Florida either dismiss or disregard Cuba's entry into the Rio Group.

"Rankled"

"Vietnam War-era radical and Chicago professor Bill Ayers is scheduled to speak at Florida State University, an invitation that has rankled area conservatives." "Bill Ayers to speak at FSU, conservatives protest".

Good luck

"Every day, hundreds of people in Central Florida continue to slip into the foreclosure whirlpool and spiral downward toward the day they may have to leave their home." "Sell short, refinance, but try not to lose your home".

Rallies

"From Miami Beach to Davie and West Palm Beach, thousands of South Florida Jews rallied Sunday to show their support for Israel as the country continues military assaults in the Gaza conflict." "Thousands of South Floridians attend pro-Israel rallies".

Gamble

"Florida's has long bet big on gambling".

Visit Florida?

The South Florida Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Visit Florida is facing a big budget cut in the Florida House of Representatives. No surprise as the Legislature desperately tries to close a $2.3 billion budget gap. Still, lawmakers need to think twice before gutting the promotional arm of what is still the state's largest industry.". "Visit Florida goes under the knife.".

Gas

"The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded in Florida jumped nearly 20 cents a gallon in less than two weeks, to $1.83 Sunday.
" "Gas prices' climb may soon switch gears".

Brilliant

The Tampa Trib editors think the state would be wise to "get rid of unnecessary and time-consuming paperwork."

Just bidness

"Miami-based Lennar said it never siphoned cash from one joint venture to another and never treated its joint ventures like a Ponzi scheme." "Lennar issues new statement denying fraud allegations".

Floridians should be asking themselves that question as legislators claim, falsely, that the only way to fill a $2.3 billion budget gap is to cut the budget and cripple public education and public health, among other presumably indispensable services. Legislators won't consider tax increases.

They defend the strange calculus that it's better to fire a $40,000-a-year teacher and trigger all sorts of likely hardships than add ... a 10 percent tax on a few rich people's stock profits (such as they are these days). Which would you rather do: Pay those taxes or lose your job, your home, your health insurance, your purchasing power, not to mention losing quality schools, roads, nursing homes, parks and other basics of civilized life?

In 2002, Florida's estate tax generated $558 million. Last year, it generated $0, because unlike 17 other states, Florida went along with President George W. Bush's phasing out of the estate tax (at least until 2011). Eliminating the estate tax is poor public policy. It concentrates wealth instead of circulating it, crimping, not stimulating, growth. It's also elitist social policy. It eliminates taxes on rich dead people while denying services to living, breathing millions. Restoring the estate tax to its reasonable, pre-Bush level would hurt no one, the fatal damage being already done. It would merely reduce rich survivors' windfalls while benefiting anyone with a stake in the state's general revenue fund.

· Net new annual revenue from restoring estate tax: $600 million. ...

· Net new annual revenue from an extra 5-cent gas tax: $520 million. ["Florida could easily raise its tax 5 cents per gallon without burdening wallets: The price went up that much last week, only oil company shareholders and Saudi Arabia will benefit."] ...

· Net new revenue from an extra 64-cent cigarette tax: $640 million. ["Only four states have lower cigarette taxes"] ...

· Net new revenue from a 15 percent soda tax: $500 million [Tristam explains: "there's one beverage excise tax Florida, whose collective girth is nothing to celebrate, should jump on: a tax on soft drinks, about 10 cents on a typical can."]

That's without eliminating sales-tax exemptions ($12.3 billion), raising the sales tax by 1 penny on the dollar ($3.8 billion), restoring the tax on intangibles such as stocks and bonds to pre-2001 levels ($300 million-$400 million), or raising the corporate income tax, currently a paltry 5.5 percent (12th-lowest in the country), to 8.5 percent ($1 billion).

Schools and teachers? Whack.

The "Florida Forever" program for saving land from development? Rename it "Florida Sometimes."

The legacy of the late Gov. Lawton Chiles, who sued the tobacco industry for the harm it has caused to society? Let's blow it.

The state's fund for catastrophic emergencies? Let's drain it.

Medicaid, pollution cleanup, protection of gopher tortoises, rehabilitation of manatees …

(Investing in the future of Florida's electric companies remains okay, of course, thanks to the Legislature's law that forces customers to pay in advance for power plants.)

In fact, the document calling the special session went out of its way to prohibit talk of "any fees related to alcoholic beverages, cigarettes or tobacco products."

I especially liked the explanation of the House majority leader, Adam Hasner, as to why a higher cigarette tax is a bad idea. He noted that one early estimate had predicted a cigarette tax hike would raise $1-billion, but that more recent estimates predict only $750-million.

"That's a $250-million hole out of the gate right there," Hasner said.

My head is spinning.

(1) Unlike Congress, Florida can't just print more money.

(2) The state has to cut its budget in hard times just like "the hard-working families of Florida."

In fact, the Legislature can "print" more money by plugging some of the hundreds of special-interest tax breaks that it hands out.

As for the hard-working families of Florida, let's see how they like the school budget cuts, their parents getting kicked out of nursing homes, their state parks closed and the environment degraded.

Budget Patch

"Florida's hemorrhaging budget was all but patched up Sunday morning when legislative leaders agreed to cut enough spending and raid enough savings to leave the state about $400 million in the black -- at least for now." "Budget deal cuts savings, spending and leaves $400m in the bank".

Who's on second?

Mark Lane: "After Jeb, nobody's on first".

At RPOFer-World in Orlando: "Just about the entire slate of Florida GOP power-brokers were at the two-day annual meeting at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort in Orlando, including potential candidates for the U.S. Senate seat that will be vacant in 2010. Among them: former House Speaker Marco Rubio; Attorney General Bill McCollum; and U.S. Reps. Connie Mack IV, R-Fort Myers, and Vern Buchanan of Sarasota."

Adam Smith: "The widely perceived front-runner, Attorney General Bill McCollum, looks anything but certain to launch a third attempt at the Senate. Former House Speaker Marco Rubio of Miami looks all but certain to run, and several U.S. House members are testing the waters." "With Jeb Bush out, angling begins for Florida Senate seat".

Jeremy Wallace: "in the hallways outside, in discreet corners around the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort and at the cocktail receptions, the jockeying for a suddenly wide-open Senate race became the show stealer." He concludes that the "politician who sounded most ready to run was Rubio, the Miami Republican who was the speaker of the Florida House from 2006. Rubio has updated his Web site, MarcoRubio.com, with new pictures and videos and said he could make a decision within a few weeks. Unlike the other candidates in the race, Rubio is not currently in an elected position and would not have to risk losing another post to run for the Senate." "Testing the waters for a Senate run".

Big of 'em

"Florida nursing homes and the state will benefit at federal [read: other states] expense from a deal lawmakers reached Saturday as part of negotiations on a budget deficit-elimination package." "Fla. budget deal a winner for nursing homes, state". See also "Nursing homes safe from $73M cut to Florida budget", "New fee to spare Florida nursing homes from cuts", "Florida Legislature takes care of nursing homes during special session" and "Updated: Florida House, Senate decide not to cut $73 million from nursing homes".

So nice to see that the rest of the nation will continue to fund Florida's fiscal irresponsibility. See this report (.pdf) from the nonpartisan "Tax Foundation". On a related note, you must see these amazing maps at "Maybe the Civil War Isn't Over".

Pathetic ...

... that we have to give RPOFers props for this - The South Florida Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Senate President Jeff Atwater this week instructed his members to consider proposals for the upcoming regular session that include closing sales tax exemptions and raising tobacco taxes. The idea is to put all options on the table, and wisely so, including those designed to raise taxes or collect other forms of badly needed revenue."

With his announcement, Atwater has acknowledged that Tallahassee can't cut its way out of its budget problems. He's right to say so. There are simply too many needed services, from education to criminal justice, that will cost Florida society plenty in the future if slashed too deeply in the present.

"'New Deal'"

"Responding to a call from a new president in Washington, local leaders in South Florida lobby for an ambitious wish list of public works projects to put people back to work and improve local living conditions." "Leaders hope 'New Deal' can stimulate growth".

Again, its so nice to see Florida ask the rest of the nation to subsidize our fiscal irresponsibility. See this report (.pdf) from the nonpartisan "Tax Foundation".

Yippee!

We still have Jim Greer to kick around:

Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer was overwhelmingly re-elected Saturday as party activists ignored accusations of lavish spending and the fact that Democratic President-elect Barack Obama carried Florida.

Greer was credited with keeping Republican losses at a minimum during a tough election year, in which Obama defeated John McCain and two Florida Republican congressmen lost their seats. ...

Greer has been criticized for spending party money on private planes during the presidential campaign, as well as spending thousands of dollars to join Gov. Charlie Crist on a trade mission to Europe.

Brain dead?

"At the midpoint of his term, Gov. Charlie Crist has aced some tests and botched others. But his popularity with voters endures. " "Crist remains popular despite Florida's hard times". See also "Highs and lows of Crist's first half".

Stoopid

"Florida Department of Transportation officials knew the company they chose to build rail cars was in financial trouble." "Commuter Rail Falters Again As Supplier Fails" ("The last-minute change is one more stumble in the state's controversial efforts to bring commuter rail to Orlando.")

Nice to see the off duty reading ...

of some of Florida's political writers extends beyond allegedly finishing the ponderous ode to arrogance, Atlas Shrugged. Pamela Hasterok begins her most recent column with this,

"Well, who do we shoot?"

-- Muley Graves in "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck.

'Glades

"Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz pledged to make jump-starting Washington's floundering commitment to restore the Everglades her "personal responsibility" as she takes hold of Congressional purse strings for the second year in a row." "Congresswoman promises to jump-start Washington's commitment to Everglades restoration".

"This is conservation? Try dereliction of duty"

Carl Hiaasen: "Every day, hundreds of wild freshwater turtles are snatched from Florida's lakes and rivers, and shipped to Asia where they are butchered for food and folk remedies."

It's all perfectly legal, thanks to the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation* Commission -- or, if you will, the Wildlife Conversation Commission, since its members obviously would rather chat than make actual decisions.

''For the same reason that it is illegal to kill female sea turtles on a nesting beach, it is a very bad idea to take adult turtles in large numbers from any ecosystem,'' the scientists said. ``Turtles are extremely slow to reproduce and have very low success rates of nests and hatchlings.''

With their snake-like necks and swizzle-stick noses, softshells aren't the cutest critters in the pond. But they play a big role in the freshwater food chain, and their presence is a sign of healthy biodiversity.

In an interview with The St. Petersburg Times, Matt Aresco, a biologist and turtle expert, warned: ``Asian countries are causing the extinction, the near extinction or the endangerment of every species of turtle over there, so now they're turning to the United States to supply their insatiable demand. . .''

Florida has become a prime hunting ground because turtles are so plentiful, and the laws protecting them are such a sham. Alabama, Texas, North Carolina, Maryland, Michigan, South Carolina and Tennessee all have tougher restrictions on turtle killing than Florida has.

Under increasing pressure, the FWCC last fall finally announced some ''regulations'': Any nitwit in the state can take 35 turtles from the wild each week, or 1,820 per year, and sell them as they please.

Renewable energy

"Florida electric companies would have to rely on an increasingly heavy mix of wind, solar and biomass to generate their power over the next 11 years, under a proposed rule state regulators voted to send to the Legislature late Thursday. " "Renewable energy gets push in Legislature".

"You betcha!"

Scott Maxwell:

With the economy tanking and taxpayers suffering, who do you think should get a tax break?

Teachers? Nope.

Cops? Sorry.

Well, how about developers? You betcha!

He said it

"Asked whether 'in hindsight, is there anything you would have done differently?' his response qualifies as the most-tortured quote of 2009 -- and maybe 2008 as well. Here it is, according to [Pensacola's WEAR-TV News Channel 3]:"

"Well if you would have told me today that if you take this job no matter how pure your intentions, no matter clear or transparent that you, I believe that you and, and even if you could tell people and they would believe you that your intentions are clear and you knew all this would happen, you would have taken the job and I would have said No. And here's the reason why . . . I didn't do anything wrong."

I am shocked ... just shocked

"Although the national mayors convention was only 34 miles from his home, Lauderhill Mayor Richard Kaplan decided it would be too difficult to commute. So he billed taxpayers $995 to stay five nights in June at the four-star InterContinental Miami hotel." "S. Fla. officials are going to conventions on your dime". More: "Examples of other travel expenses since January 2007" and "Palm Beach County officals billing taxpayers for luxury hotels and chauffeured rides".

South Florida "tradition"

Michael Mayo: "Thanks to Florida's weak corruption laws and long tradition of almost anything goes, some public servants think day is night and wrong is right." "Corruption in Broward, Palm Beach counties: Same behavior, different results". Randy Schultz: "McCarty, and other bad drivers" ("Hers was the arrogance of someone who while gaming the system believed herself to be so much more than she was.")

The double dipping thing

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "The loophole the Legislature opened when it changed the state's retirement rules and gave birth to double-dipping has grown into a giant entitlement that must be ended." "Retirement double-dipping cheats Florida taxpayers".

Florida needs Limbaugh Law

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: " Deaths from prescription drug overdoses in Florida are rising each year. In 2008, more than 3,000 cases were recorded, up 20 percent from the previous year. Nearly 600 deaths occurred in the bay area alone. The cases include children stealing Valium from their parents' medicine cabinets, people addicted to painkillers and alcoholics who mix their drinks with Xanax. More people die from prescription drugs than from illegal drugs by a ratio of 3-1. Despite such disturbing trends, the Florida Legislature has on three separate occasions refused to pass a bill that would establish a monitoring system that would track every prescription." "System needed to monitor drug use".

Whatever

"A tough new system to evaluate Florida's high schools could make it harder for them to earn good grades, but it may provide a more in-depth look at what is happening on their campuses." "High marks for Florida's schools may become hard to get".

Gun nuttery

Mike Thomas: "We are headed toward double-digit unemployment here as the economy hovers in that limbo between recession and depression. There will be massive budget cuts in education, juvenile justice, drug programs, prosecutor's offices and courts. This is known as living within our means. And it means you best be ready to protect yourself and your own, because the cops and courts sure can't do it." "Crime-fighting's future merely a guy with a gun".

Melting pot

"The women's world chess champion is a 24-year-old Russian aspiring model who lives with her husband and baby in Key Biscayne." "World chess queen plots her next move".