Republicans are questioning whether Crist damaged his future.

''I don't think he's helped any national Republican ambitions he may have by stepping up to the plate and batting for the other team. . . . There's a difference between working in a bipartisan way for the common good and switching sides and putting on the other team's jersey,'' said veteran Republican consultant Alex Castellanos. ``At the one moment when we've finally found our voice and remember who we are as Republicans, Charlie Crist forgets. It's stunning.''

one of his closest political allies, Florida Sen. Mel Martinez, who said on the Senate floor that Crist doesn't get it.

Dems relevant?

"Some Democratic lawmakers hope that Florida's share of the federal stimulus package will give them a powerful advantage during state budget negotiations this spring. That's because using a chunk of those dollars to patch the state's shrinking $65 billion budget may require a supermajority vote, owing to state constitutional restrictions on how lawmakers can spend temporary sources of revenue." "Shortfall May Boost Democrats".

What's in it?

"Sold as a bailout for cash-starved states, the $789 billion economic-recovery package Congress has finalized could help soothe some of Florida's bruises from two years of budget cuts. But as details began to emerge Thursday, it was clear the plan won't be a cure-all."

State officials said the agreement could steer close to $10 billion to Florida for road-building, health care, classrooms, food stamps, welfare and other aid to the poor.

However, much of it comes with requirements that the cash-strapped state -- facing a $5 billion-plus deficit for the fiscal year beginning July 1 -- must maintain or increase its own spending to qualify for the stimulus money.

"Most of the things in there require us to spend more money in order to get more money," said Amy Baker, coordinator of the Legislature's Office of Economic and Demographic Research. "So there are going to be hard decisions to make."

For example, the bill provides $87 billion nationally for Medicaid, the federal-state program that pays for medical care for the sick, elderly and poor. Medicaid enrollment in Florida is up by more than 10 percent.

But to qualify for the money, states are required to maintain the same level of Medicaid coverage that they provided in July.

Florida has taken several steps to cut its $16 billion in Medicaid costs by reducing coverage. And lawmakers had hoped to save nearly $500 million by sharply restricting the "medically needy" program -- which now covers thousands of adults who don't meet Medicaid income requirements but are seriously ill -- to 1,500 women and children as of July 1.

That cost-cutting measure may now have to be reversed, officials said.

Florida Chamber of Commerce is watching the details [of the stimulus plan] closely, which are still being debated in the conference committee melding the Senate and House versions.

''The package is pretty much done, so we're moving into phase two,'' said Kirsten Borman, spokeswoman for the state business group.

The Chamber has created the Economic Stimulus Coalition, with 200 members statewide to watch and lobby for the best ways to spend the package's money in the state. ``We want a unified voice to speak to the state agencies and others.''

The chamber's main plea is for spending on infrastructure, followed by education and Medicaid. All three of those areas are under severe budget pressure in the state.

with the biggest companies gaining the most from at least $61 billion being dedicated to promoting cleaner energy.

''Dollar-wise, the big guys will get the bulk of it,'' said Hugh Wynne, an analyst with Sanford C. Bernstein, in New York. ``For some of the smaller guys, the difference might be between an early and unhappy demise and staying in business.''

Among the projects: 3,000 miles of new power lines to urban centers from areas of wind and solar projects and smart meters to limit wasted electricity.

FPL, the largest U.S. producer of wind power, also would gain from the stimulus package's renewable-energy provisions, Wynne said.

As the empty suit turns ...

"A growing number of Floridians have no health insurance and don't qualify for Medicaid -- the federal and state program for the poor. Although the last official count put the state's uninsured at 3.8 million, experts say it's probably much higher, given the rising unemployment rate." "3.8 million . . . in Florida lack health policies - - and affordable options".

Exports up

"The export figures, while impressive, do not necessarily reflect items manufactured in the state. South Florida is a major transshipment point for goods manufactured elsewhere." "Exports up sharply at South Florida ports".

Drill!, baby, drill!

"Crews Cleaning Tampa Bay After Fuel Spill".

"Stepford Writing"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "[A]fter an investigation of Village Academy in Delray Beach, "

the state is accusing teachers of promoting "Stepford Writing" - using a formula so that students pass but don't learn.

It's a bad way to teach, but the cause is not rigid writing rules. The cause is rigid allegiance to the idea of basing public education on a high-stakes test given once a year. The focus is on a score, not on education. Teachers need no study to understand what to emphasize.

Gambling jobs

"As Florida's unemployment numbers rise, the decades-old fight between the state's Seminole Tribe and its gambling competitors has come to this: who can promise the most jobs. The owners of horse tracks, dog tracks and jai alai frontons promised state lawmakers Thursday that if they had been given the same deal as the tribe's Hard Rock casinos, they could produce 23,000 construction jobs and 32,000 direct jobs in Miami-Dade and Broward racinos." "Jobs become focus of Seminole-tracks' casino battle". See also "Racetrack owners say they could create jobs if given same tax break as Seminole Hard Rock casinos" and "Parimutuels Warn Florida About Tribe Compact".

As the "values" crowd screams for lower taxes ...

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "With the federal stimulus dollars that may, might, should or could come our way, this region may see several direct benefits — one of the most enduring of which would be the $540,000 expansion of the neonatal intensive care unit at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital." "Baby steps".

Seminole bed tax?

"Fort Lauderdale tourism officials never asked the Seminole Tribe of Florida to charge a bed "tax" at its Hard Rock resort as one of the tribe's gaming executives insisted yesterday." "Lauderdale officials deny asking Seminoles to charge bed tax".

OMG, a tax increase!!!

"A first-term Democrat in the House teamed up with a senior Senate Republican Thursday hoping to add more than $2 billion to Florida's depleted treasury by collecting sales tax on Internet transactions."

Sen. Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach, and Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, were joined at a news conference by representatives of 18 organizations supporting their bills to "streamline" sales tax collections. Like the bill's sponsors, some of the organizations — including the Chamber of Commerce and the AFL-CIO — usually don't agree on much in the Legislature.

Sleeping in the library

"Number of South Florida homeless students on the rise".

Florida's Red Baron

"Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, who has come under fire for his frequent use of state aircraft, has paid the state nearly $7,000 for his wife and son's travel, a spokeswoman for the Department of Management Services said Thursday" "Kottkamp submits a check for family flights". See also "Lt. Gov. reimburses state for flights after probe".

The South Florida Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Who is this guy flying around on your dime?" ("After the Sun Sentinel inquired about the flights, the governor's office said Kottkamp would reimburse the state for flights his wife and young son took, which he did this week. He should repay the government all flights that were for personal rather than business reasons.")

"Stuck in Dark Ages"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Sansom's legislative e-mail account had been regularly purged of e-mails older than a month, making an examination of his relationship with the college more difficult than it should have been. (Sansom quit the job less than two months after taking it.) The purged e-mail account wasn't Sansom's doing, in particular. It's what's done automatically for all legislators, supposedly because electronic storage space is limited." "Legislators' open-record standard stuck in Dark Ages".

While McCollum sleeps ...

"FBI Investigating Former Election Chief Johnson's Spending". See also "FBI seizes Johnson's records".

Ileana has nuthin' better to do?

"A Florida Congresswoman is calling out Forbes magazine for including Miami in its list of Top 10 Most Miserable Cities in the country." "Magazine puts Miami among 'Most Miserable Cities'".

Especially in red states

"Neanderthal genome may cast light on modern man".

SunRail

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board writes that "Legislators opposing SunRail because a few contractors recently questioned its costs should have to answer this question:"

Would they completely abandon plans to do energy upgrades to their homes -- installing more-efficient ductwork, air conditioning, insulation, lighting and plumbing fixtures -- if contractors told them their low-flow shower heads would cost them more than they hoped to pay?

If they answer honestly, there's one answer. Of course not. They'd negotiate the price of the shower heads, or seek out another contractor, or do without the shower heads.

And so it is with SunRail. A portion of the project's $1.2 billion cost -- $158 million -- met resistance from some contractors, who chose not to bid on it because they said the state's price for the project wouldn't adequately cover their costs. Now legislators wary of SunRail are using the incident to try and kill it. SunRail's not what officials promised, they're charging. The project will exceed costs, they say.

While Charlie primps ...

"Fla. homeless woman gets help after Obama question".

What if you scheduled a nitwit ...

... and nobody came?

"Discovering that $250-a-plate tickets are a tough sell during a recession, the Palm Beach County Republican Party has scrubbed plans to have conservative columnist and blogger Michelle Malkin speak at the party’s Feb. 21 Lincoln Day fund-raising dinner. Malkin’s fee would have been $18,000, said county GOP Chairman Sid Dinerstein. " "Thrifty GOP axes $18k Malkin gig".

What's God ...

... got to do with it? "Cretul says ascent to House Speaker part of 'God's plans'".

"Distinguished"

"With one passing barb at Gov. Charlie Crist, friends and top aides to Gov. Lawton Chiles paid a warm tribute to his widow Thursday night for her work on behalf of children." "State's former first lady named 2009 'Distinguished Floridian'".

Perhaps this will also "have Republicans seething"

"Crist, NAACP discuss Fla. diversity".

Whoopee!

"Everglades Foundation bash brings Estefan to Palm Beach, big money to the cause tonight".

"'Colored beach'"

"Dania Beach's 'colored beach' memorialized".

Big of 'em

"Central Florida's largest electric utility, under fire for a 25 percent rate increase imposed earlier this year, announced Thursday that it would reduce customers' bills by 11 percent starting in April, thanks to lower fuel costs and a decision to defer some of the charges related to a planned nuclear-power plant in Levy County." "Progress plans to cut now, hike later".

Gangs

"Police, politicians, activists and leaders of nonprofit groups gathered in Sunrise to kick off an effort to rid South Florida of gangs." "South Florida leaders plan strategy to combat gangs".

Even the massive federal economic-stimulus package Congress is hashing out won't necessarily help public schools much, and certainly not immediately. The package could send billions to Florida, but any education dollars likely cannot be spent until July 1, when the new fiscal year starts.

In the meantime, the Florida Legislature may find itself $700 million in the red as soon as next month, state budget writers said. That would force lawmakers either to cut the budget again -- on the heels of a series of cuts, the most recent in January -- or patch the deficit with new money from somewhere.

Crist said he would urge lawmakers to avoid additional classroom cuts this year, perhaps by tapping the $140 million-plus that the Seminole Tribe of Florida has paid for its expanded gaming operations. But until lawmakers sign off on an agreement with the tribe, those dollars can't be spent.

'Glades fight

"Anger in Tallahassee over Gov. Charlie Crist's $1.34 billion bid to restore the Everglades could help a proposed law that threatens to block financing for the deal. A newly introduced bill would require Crist's proposal - which calls for the South Florida Water Management District to buy 180,000 acres from U.S. Sugar Corp. - to face an up-or-down vote by residents in the district's 16 counties." "State Senate bill would give voters say on U.S. Sugar deal".

Related: "Sugar deal requires tougher pollution standards" ("Farming on land intended for Everglades restoration remains a sticking point in the state's $1.34 billion deal with U.S. Sugar Corp.")

Effect of the stimulus package compromise undetermined

"The governor's office says it doesn't yet know how a tentative stimulus compromise in Congress would affect Florida. Earlier Wednesday, Gov. Charlie Crist's budget director said Florida would get $13.7 billion under the House stimulus bill but only $10.4 billion from the Senate version." "Effect of stimulus compromise on Fla. uncertain".

NASA

"President Barack Obama told Florida lawmakers this week that he was down to four names in his search for a new NASA chief, although Obama would not reveal the finalists, according to congressional sources." "Obama narrows list of candidates for NASA chief to 4".

Barreiro claims he was ''set up''

"A high-level state juvenile justice official was fired after pornography was found on his state computer, but "

Gus Barreiro says he was ''set up'' by people "trying to ruin my life.''

Barreiro, 49, a former [Republican] state representative from Miami Beach, was fired Jan. 15 from a $72,000-a-year job as chief of residential programs for the Department of Juvenile Justice.

The reason for Barreiro's firing: ''improper conduct/computer misuse.'' But the department did not explain the circumstances that led to his ouster until Wednesday, when the agency released the results of an internal investigation of an inspection of Barreiro's computer.

The 13-page report, marked ''for adult viewing only,'' said an examination of the hard drive of Barreiro's state-issued laptop contained ''300 to 400'' images of adult pornography.

Mike Thomas

"Unfortunately, Central Florida appraiser right about real-estate bust".

Running government like a business

"Irate senators gave a verbal spanking for the second day to Visit Florida officials who contracted with a Missouri vendor to field telephone calls about Sunshine State vacations. ... The Senate Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee [also] learned that at least one Visit Florida executive earned a $50,000 bonus last year and that the five highest paid officials there earn collectively more than $800,000 annually. Visit Florida president Bud Nocera earns $222,000 per yea" "Senators grill Visit Florida over spending".

"Florida tourism executives endured a second day of withering criticism from legislators Wednesday for spending scarce tax dollars on bonuses for executives, overseas travel and other perks."

Desperate to close a state budget deficit that could reach $6 billion next year, senators pored line by line through spending by VisitFlorida, a tax-supported agency that promotes Florida around the world. Senators questioned $1.3 million for travel, $500,000 to entertain travel writers and $85,000 for four directors' meetings.

"Only coincidentally"

"Imagine what it must be like on the state plane with Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp as he flies around tending to crucial duties only coincidentally frequently located in his home town." "Look! Up in the sky! It's the lieutenant governor!".

Charlie's high flying hypocrisy


The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Remember back in the mid-1990s, when a then little-known senator from St. Petersburg was making a huge fuss about the late Gov. Lawton Chiles' free-flying use of state airplanes? We bet Gov. Charlie Crist remembers." "Ground the Lt. Governor".

Drill baby, drill!

"D.T. Minich, executive director of the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, told the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday that drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico is not worth the risk to the environment and the area's economy." "Congressional panel told drilling in gulf off Florida too big of a risk".

Not a great start

"Floridians could pay more for bottled water, eyeglasses, Super Bowl tickets and other items if lawmakers decide to remove some of the 239 sales tax exemptions to help shore up a third consecutive year of budget shortfalls."

But for a Republican majority that has spent most of the past decade creating tax exemptions, reversing course could be an uphill battle.

"If you raise taxes on businesses, business will leave. If you raise taxes on retirees, retirees will leave," said Rep. Tom Grady, R-Naples.

Grady and other Finance and Tax Council members on Wednesday started the task of sifting through 60 years of exemptions to the state's 6 percent sales tax, which cost the state about $12 billion per year. The committee is not considering repealing the exemptions for legal, banking and other services, which cost the state another $23 billion.

Each of the 15 council members were given about 15 exemptions to research and determine reasons to keep or repeal it. The council discussed half of the exemptions on Wednesday.

Form over substance

"For a case study in political sloganeering, look no further than the fall of 'Acceler8' and rise of 'Accelerate.'" "What's in a name? Crist's economic program, Bush's old Everglades initiative share similar labels".

"Humbled"

"In Broward, 4,403 people were either facing foreclosure or lost their homes in January, up 29 percent from 3,426 last January, In Palm Beach County, 1,744 owners were in some stage of foreclosure last month, up 2 percent from 1,713 a year ago, according to RealtyTrac." "Foreclosures keep mounting in South Florida".

Related: "Humbled Key West mayor working to save his homes from foreclosure".

"A more measured approach to crime and criminals"

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "Florida's budget crisis may bring a modicum of reasonableness to the debate over criminal justice policy."

Instead of the "tough on crime" mantra that politicians spout to win elections and that usually leads to more prison beds, suggestions are cropping up for alternatives as a way to save big bucks. These ideas are not percolating up from liberal sources alone. Some of the most ardent supporters for a more measured approach to crime and criminals include a conservative Republican lawmaker and a fiscal watchdog group.

Florida houses 100,000 inmates in prison and expects to house another 15,000 by 2014. Three new prisons are on the drawing board. This fiscal year $340 million was allocated for prison construction, and much more will be required in the years to come.

Racist RPOFer comeback attempt

Update: "Hillsborough County Republican Party official Carol Carter, who resigned last week over an e-mail some considered racially offensive, is getting support from a high-level party official in an attempt to keep her post."

State party Vice Chairman Allen Cox is trying to drum up support statewide for Carter, who on Wednesday sought to rescind her resignation as Hillsborough County's state committeewoman.

State party Chairman Jim Greer, however, said on Wednesday that he considers Carter's resignation final, raising the possibility it could generate a high-level battle in the party.

In an e-mail Monday to party activists in Florida, Cox says, "We know Carol to be a person of integrity without any prejudice, and to characterize her otherwise is slander." He asks them to e-mail or call Carter and urge her not to resign.

Carter said other black GOP leaders, plus Day and Jordan, have called her to express support, and that Carroll has contacted Greer on her behalf.

Carol Carter asked the state party chairman, Jim Greer, on Wednesday to rescind the resignation she submitted last Thursday. She said she apologized and suggested that all executive committee members, including herself, attend sensitivity training.

Deon Long, president of the Florida Federation of Black Republicans, said he and other members were not offended by the e-mail.

''It's like she got the death penalty for crossing the street, and I'm unequivocal in support of her,'' Long said. ``We can't be so overly sensitive that we can't make any reference to race.''***

How can 2,000,000 blacks get into Washington, DC in 1 day in sub zero temps when 200,000 couldn't get out of New Orleans in 85 degree temps with four days notice?

I have been asked to send this apology for my earlier email. I am sorry that it was received in a negative manner. I do hope that we are going to be allowed to keep our sense of humor

Poor Buddy

"Hillsborough County may find few takers in its search for an outside agency to investigate how former Supervisor of Elections Buddy Johnson racked up a deficit of at least $3 million." "Hillsborough County shops for agency to investigate Buddy Johnson".

Bill holds a press conference

"Citing sensational recent fraud cases, two southwest Florida legislators and Attorney General Bill McCollum on Wednesday called for better licensing scrutiny of investment advisers and state-level prosecution of big fraud cases." "McCollum endorses lawmakers' financial-fraud bill".

Lawson takes on Boyd

"Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson, who is facing a term-limited retirement, wants to go to Washington."

Lawson, an insurance agent who has represented Tallahassee in the Legislature since 1982, said today he intends next year to take on Congressman Allen Boyd, a Democrat from Monticello.

The primary will be bruising, with the nation's economic crisis front and center.

Boyd has represented the sprawling and mostly rural North Florida district since 1997 and is a member of the fiscally conservative "Blue Dog" coalition.

"There are term limits for legislators, and I always thought there should be term limits for members of Congress," Lawson said. "There needs to be a fresh approach."

Lawson has come out of the gate swinging, accusing Boyd of forgetting his struggling constituents.

Boyd voted in favor of a $700 billion taxpayer rescue of the nation's troubled financial industry that was first proposed by former President George W. Bush. Boyd joined most Republicans in Congress in voting against a more than $800 billion economic stimulus package being pushed hard by the new administration of President Barack Obama.

Another press event

"Crist commemorates Lincoln's birthday, NAACP anniversary with civil-rights events".

"Common sense"?

The South Florida Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Thank goodness for common sense. Palm Beach County, land of endless scandals, was about to become the butt of yet another joke by seating a hot-headed attorney on the judicial bench, after he was suspended from practicing law."

Fortunately, the Florida Supreme Court disqualified William Abramson from taking the circuit judge's post. This is the same court that suspended Abramson's law license in December, so the ruling wasn't a major surprise. But it was a big relief.

Abramson won the November judge's race fair and square, pulling off a squeaker upset over longtime Judge Richard Wennet — an occasional hot head in his own right.

But by that time, Abramson had already been reprimanded by the state Supreme Court twice for his courtroom conduct, and Wennet's complaint against him over a 2005 incident had not yet been resolved. The next month, it was, with the court suspending Judge-elect Abramson's law license for 91 days, long enough to require him to seek reinstatement — meaning it's not guaranteed he'll get it.

That's when the real tap dancing began, and a long, ugly race threatened to get more embarrassing.

Too expensive

Boca "is opting out of early voting for next month's election, which has two competitive City Council races. Council members voted unanimously on Tuesday that the city would not open the polls before Election Day, March 10. Low turnout and the cost of poll workers were the primary reasons, said City Clerk Sharma Hagerty." "".

Fort Lauderdale

"Michael Mayo: Meet Fort Lauderdale's mayor elect".

McCarty

"With the forced departure of Mary McCarty from the Palm Beach County Commission, Gov. Crist can change the commission's personality that formed 18 years ago with McCarty's election." "Many McCarty applicants, short list of credible ones".

Hillsborough

"A declining housing market and mounting home foreclosures could knock a $58 million hole in Hillsborough County's budget next year and cost dozens of county employees their jobs." "Hillsborough Budget 'Numbers Could Get Progressively Worse,' Official Says".

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 new jobs through accelerated spending on public works programs. In his 2007 inaugural address, he pledged ''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 in public education to balance a faltering budget.

the Senate's top budget writer raised the specter of raising the [property] tax rate.

That's because next fiscal year, local property tax collections could fall $1 billion short of what will be needed to maintain the status quo for K-12 public education. Local property taxes provide the lion's share of per-student funding to operate public schools in Florida.

That $1 billion loss for schools doesn't even factor in the nearly $6-billion hole in the state budget that lawmakers are anticipating for the current and coming fiscal years through June 2010.

"And the worst is yet to come"

"Still reeling from a series of staggering budget cuts, Florida public schools learned Tuesday that they can expect another whack early next month. Education Commissioner Eric Smith told school-district superintendents to brace for another 2 percent cut in state funding when the Legislature convenes in early March. And the worst is yet to come, Smith told local school-district heads: Prepare for a 15 percent cut for next school year." "Schools brace for tighter budgets".

Obama visits "downtrodden" Floridians

"President Barack Obama swept through this downtrodden city Tuesday selling the biggest government spending plan in American history -- and himself." "President Barack Obama makes stimulus-plan pitch in Fort Myers". See also "$3 trillion! to attack the crisis" and "Crist, Obama join to promote stimulus" .

Corporate welfare

"Piper Aircraft Inc. announced it has laid off 300 employees from its Vero Beach headquarters."

It's not yet clear how the layoffs will affect the company's $32 million incentive package from Indian River County and the state. The package was supposed to help the company stay in Florida and add more than 200 employees. Piper has already received $4 million from the county and $6.7 million from the state.

"Best for Florida"?

The Orlando Sentinel:

For Floridians, the Senate [stimulus] bill means a variety of tax credits -- $15,000 for people who buy a house and bigger deductions for new-car purchasers -- as well as tax cuts and a one-time $300 per-person payment to the state's roughly 3.9 million elderly, disabled and poor people receiving Social Security benefits. The House bill offers far less.

But the House plan sends far more money to state governments to fund ongoing programs, including public schools. The House provided $79 billion; the Senate cut that to $39 billion and required it be spent only on education.

Cash-strapped Florida would get $3.5 billion under the House bill, but only $1.7 billion if the Senate approach is adopted. Gov. Charlie Crist -- a Republican who has bucked his party to endorse the stimulus plan -- has said the money is badly needed to prevent huge spending cuts to offset a deficit that may top $4 billion. ...

The Senate also stripped about $20 billion approved by the House for school-construction projects.

Still, not even adding tax cuts in the Senate was enough to gain the support of GOP senators such as Martinez.

"There is little doubt that Florida is undergoing the worst financial crisis that I can remember in my adult life," Martinez said. But he added that the Democratic package did not spend enough money on programs that could quickly create jobs, such as roads and bridges.

"There's still too much spending in this bill that's not timely, that's not targeted or temporary," he said.

Martinez and other party leaders downplayed the split between Crist and congressional Republicans -- all 15 of the state's GOP House members opposed that chamber's bill.

For instance, they must decide whether to penalize states, such as Florida, that have cut their education budgets in recent years. Under the House version, that decrease could cost Florida part of its $3.5 billion in state bailout money.

Florida lawmakers urged Congress to repeal that provision, which House leaders included to prevent states from cutting education spending in anticipation of federal funds. The Senate bill allows Education Secretary Arne Duncan to waive the penalty.

Workers at Kennedy Space Center also have a stake in the final bill. The Senate version has more than twice as much money for NASA -- $1.3 billion, compared with $600 million in the House bill -- and includes money for human spaceflight.

The Senate bill also includes about $2 billion for the construction of Veterans Affairs facilities. Part of this money could be used to help build a $656 million VA hospital in Orlando, which has received some funding but needs more to finish by 2012.

Mel ... feel free to not to serve out your term ...

... and leave early. Indeed, feel free to leave before the conference committee on the stimulus bill finishes its work.

The Miami Herald editorial board writes that "objections from self-proclaimed deficit hawks who rubber-stamped a series of red-ink budgets during the presidency of George W. Bush ring hollow. ... It is time to end the bickering and phony arguments." "End the bickering over stimulus plan".

More RPOFer spinelessness: "Charlie Crist backs the $800-billion stimulus package, even if he doesn't care to talk about the details. But Crist's annointed state GOP Chairman, Jim Greer, after chastising Republican critics of that package, now clarifies that he's not sold on it yet". "Greer straddles on stimulus".

The deep thinking is underwhelming:

Republican legislators balked at the federal proposal, warning that it would saddle the next generation with enormous debt and do little to stimulate the economy.

"We're not getting our fair share, but we're more than paying back our fair share," said Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne. "I think it's pretty risky venture."

Florida's favorite

"School districts and county governments across Florida have a favorite when it comes to the two competing federal economic recovery packages: the House version. As Senate and House negotiators began Tuesday to hammer out a compromise they hope to send to President Barack Obama by the close of the week, school boards and county officials began readying e-mails and hitting the phones to push for pet provisions in the final product." "House version finding favor".

You wanted privatization ...

... and here it is: "Senators tore into the state's tourism chief Tuesday after he revealed that Florida hired a call center in Missouri to market Florida as a vacation destination." "To visit Florida, call Missouri, where telemarketers were hired by Sunshine State".

Obama delays "last-minute" Bushco plan to open Florida coast to oil drilling

"Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said he has ordered a review of the nation's known offshore energy reserves and that the waters of the eastern Gulf of Mexico off Florida should be 'on the table' as the Obama administration devises a comprehensive energy plan."

Salazar also delayed a last-minute Bush administration plan to open almost the entire U.S. coast to drilling, including Florida's, and said the nation needs to develop renewable energy sources in its oceans as well, such as wind and wave power.

"Foreclosure prevention"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Floridians heard during President Obama's visit to Fort Myers on Tuesday that he understands how important foreclosure prevention is to the state. If broad hints he gave were any indication, his administration is on the right track." "Hurry help for homeowners".

"The guy whose only real responsibility is to have a heartbeat"

Scott Maxwell: "Instead of doing away with Kottkamp, let's do away with the lieutenant-governor post altogether."

Seriously. Other states have done it. And now is the perfect time for Florida to consider it as well.

While Florida is trying to cut costs and axing people such as teachers, who make a real difference, how about we get rid of the guy whose only real responsibility is to have a heartbeat?

I mean, be honest. Before last weekend, most Floridians wouldn't have even known what a Kottkamp was. And for good reason. The guy's only real job is to show up.

And apparently, that costs us a bunch of money.

Another fine Jebacy

"With millions of dollars at his disposal and his re-election in jeopardy, Hillsborough Elections Supervisor Buddy Johnson launched a voter education campaign last year unique in its scope and extravagance. The smiling supervisor's likeness was on colorful brochures mailed to voters. His name was broadcast on radio in English and Spanish." "Johnson Spent $2 Million On Voter Education".

"Florida’s 797,000 uninsured children"

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "Overlooked amid the feel-good rhetoric about a new federal law expanding health care coverage to 11 million more children was this:"

Florida has failed for years to fully enroll its KidCare program, leaving millions of federal dollars on the table and thousands of qualified children uninsured. That needs to change in Tallahassee. Gov. Charlie Crist and Republican legislative leaders need to find the dollars to capitalize on the expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, and they must revamp a bureaucratic enrollment process. To continue to fail to meet KidCare’s full potential is a horrible disservice to Florida’s 797,000 uninsured children and their parents.

A little late to the game ...

As the Jeb-worship slides into the sewer (subject to revival at any time by the dead enders in the traditional media), some of our local scribes are starting to figure out that Jebbie's privatization schemes weren't all they were cracked up to be.

Frank Cerabino: "This month, the state began feeding its own prisoners again, ending a seven-year odyssey of free-market thinking that produced profit for a Pennsylvania company and millions of dollars in extra expense to Florida taxpayers, according to the state's own auditors."

So even if you don't care that the state's prisoners were the front-line pawns in this outsourcing experiment gone awry, you ought to pay attention to yet another pin prick in the bubble of political thought that goes something like this: Big business works much better than big government, so any time we can take government services away from government and hand them to profit-seeking businesses, good things will happen.

That was the philosophy in 2001 when then-Gov. Jeb Bush's quest to shrink government led to outsourcing the state's prison food service to Aramark, a privately held company with $7.3 billion in revenues and experience in providing food service to large institutions.

The contract was heralded as a way for the state to eliminate 300 employees, saving taxpayers $8 million a year [exclusive of the contract with Aramark]. ...

So now, Florida's back in the business of feeding its own inmates, and we have an opportunity to profit from the experience of having one more example of why government services may work best when they're actually provided by the government.

Water

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Lack of rain this winter isn't the only reason for South Floridians to use less water, but it's one of the reasons." "Anti-drought insurance".

Seiler

"Jack Seiler was elected Fort Lauderdale's new mayor Tuesday, crushing his three opponents and winning the seat outright."

The former state representative who previously was Wilton Manors' mayor will replace Fort Lauderdale's longest serving mayor, Jim Naugle. ...

A married father of four and an attorney, Seiler said recently he'd like to serve two terms before considering statewide office.

Let the whining begin

"Congressional bill would end ban on travel to Cuba".

Hillsborough

"An east Hillsborough activist has filed complaints with the state Elections Commission against County Commission Chairman Ken Hagan and former Commissioner Brian Blair." "2 Face Complaints On Election Funds".

Whatever

"Thomas E. Stringer Jr. was accused of helping an exotic dancer hide assets and accepting gifts from her." "Judge Under Investigation For Dealings Resigns".

The foreclosure thing

"Key West's mayor, who has made affordable housing his rallying cry, is in foreclosure on not one home but two. " "Both of Key West mayor's homes in foreclosure".

The Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 4 would allow American citizens unrestricted travel to Cuba for the first time since 1963. The bill by Rep. William Delahunt, D-Mass., and eight co-sponsors would also lift limits on travel by Cuban exiles living in the United States. The president would not be able to regulate travel to the island unless an armed conflict or armed danger arises.

Privatization idiocy

"The agency in charge of tourism maintains a call center that is operated outside of the Sunshine State by a company not based in Florida. The out-of-state hotline earned the head of Visit Florida, which contracted for the call center, the wrath of GOP lawmakers scrutinizing state spending during budget meetings today."

Visit Florida is a private, nonprofit corporation that receives state and private money to promote tourism. The corporation received $35 million from the state last year and has come under the governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development for the past decade.

Lawmakers had cut Visit Florida's advertising spending by $5 million this year, but Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed that cut.

The discovery about the out-of-state contract riled budget chairmen in both the House and the Senate.

Reflected glory

"After months of standing in front of crowds chanting 'Drill, baby, drill,' Gov. Charlie Crist stepped in front of a microphone Tuesday to shouts of "Yes We Can."." "Republican Gov. Crist introduces Obama in Florida". See also "Obama visiting Fort Myers, center of state's economic crisis, Tuesday", "In Fort Myers, Obama vows to create jobs, provide foreclosure aid", "Obama to visit center of economic collapse in Florida", "Obama appeals for bipartisan help during stop in Florida", "Obama Pushes Stimulus Package In Fort Myers" and "Obama tickets for Fort Myers appearance gone in 25 minutes".

Yee Haw!

"Florida Banks Get $164 Million In Bailout Funds So Far". See also "Stimulus Package Could Mean $20 Million For Pasco Projects".

Jebbie's "Health-care reform didn't meet expectations"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board writes today that "[t]he federal economic stimulus plan could bring Florida more than $4 billion in additional Medicaid funding -- welcome news in a state where 3.6 million people lack health insurance and 680,000 might qualify for expanded services through Medicaid."

But Florida officials can't justify spending the money recklessly, or wasting it on pet projects that haven't worked. That means stepping back from the state's failed plan to "reform" Medicaid by forcing participants into private, for-profit plans.

"Back into the red"

"Florida's foundering economy will soon plunge the state budget back into the red, a leading legislator said Monday in warning of more difficult times ahead." "Florida legislator sounds budget alert". See also "Florida's budget outlook continues to get dimmer" and "Budget Shortfall Becoming Sinkhole".

Brain dead

"When the U.S. Senate today approves its version of a massive economic stimulus package, Republican senator Mel Martinez, like most of his Senate and Florida GOP colleagues, won't be supporting it." "Martinez Says He Will Not Vote For Senate Stimulus Bill".

Embarrassing

The Tampa Trib editors: "Bypassing A Secret Vote Would Blindside Employers".

"Perhaps his time should be spent lobbying Republicans"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "President Obama visits Fort Myers today to sell his economic stimulus package, and people eager to hear what he has to say lined up early for tickets. Gov. Crist will introduce the president at the event, though perhaps his time should be spent lobbying Republicans in Congress who have been trying to kill the stimulus bill Gov. Crist loves so much because it would help him with the state's budget problem." "What Florida, nation need".

There's an idea

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "A South Florida state senator had a good idea, but legislative leaders didn't take him up on it."

Two weeks ago, Sen. Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton, wrote to Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, asking that the hearings be spread around the state. "By making the budget process more transparent and more accessible, we will permit many more Floridians to participate in the debate over what to cut, what to preserve and how to pay for the needs of our state."

"Lawmakers should take a hard look at their own spending"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Crist and Florida lawmakers are reviewing every item of state spending to find 'savings' that can help eliminate a $2.4 billion budget gap. They are raiding the state's reserve funds and trust accounts. They are cutting serious dollars from schools, courts, transportation, healthcare and social services. "

While they are at it, Gov. Crist and state lawmakers should take a hard look at their own spending.

Take, for example, the $3.5 million that lawmakers allocate to shuttle a select group of officials around the state, including the governor, Cabinet members, Senate and House leaders and the chief justice of the state Supreme Court. The state keeps six pilots and two planes on hand to take these officials where they need to go. Lawmakers won't have to look hard to find ways to cut expenses in this operation.

Maitland housewife makes Limbaugh proud

"Science of global warming doesn't support the hype".

The State Farm story

Jim Saunders explains it all in "State Farm angers clients, lawmakers".

Blue dog balls

"U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd will fly with President Barack Obama aboard Air Force One when he heads to Fort Myers today for a town hall meeting where he plans to pitch his massive economic stimulus plan." "Rep. Boyd to join President Obama for Fort Myers meeting".

Whooppee!

"St. Petersburg political campaigns tap into Facebook, Twitter, blogs".

Strange bedfellows

"Pelosi: Crist and Greer are on our side".

"Broward County Mayor Stacy Ritter and her lobbyist-husband, Russ Klenet"

"'They gave me the creeps,' Broward mayor says of scandal-ridden firm that adorned her Parkland home with furnishings".

Taxes

"A pair of tax-relief measures passed in the last two years have helped reduce property taxes for Floridians after three decades of steady increases, according to reports presented Tuesday in the state Senate." "Fla. property taxes down in each of last 2 years".

Cat fund

"Florida insurance regulator Kevin McCarty lobbies Congress for help with catastrophe fund".

Broward

"Officials say voting today has been problem-free as Fort Lauderdale and Dania Beach hold primaries and voters in Wilton Manors elect a city commissioner." "Elections going smoothly for three Broward cities".

Big of 'em

"Seminole moves to offer ballots in Spanish".

"Internet sales"

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "If sales taxes were fully and honestly collected from internet sales, estimates suggest some $1 billion would be collected annually in Florida." "Backyard economics".

e-mail

"Florida legislators routinely delete e-mails after a month to save computer space, which technology experts say isn't necessary given the number of messages the Legislature handles and the relatively low costs of adding storage." "AP: Fla. could expand lawmakers' e-mail space".

After another "Jeb!" privatization flop, Florida "socializes" its prison food service

"Florida is now coping with the effects of a failed and expensive food-privatization venture of former Gov. Jeb Bush." "Budget crunch forces Florida prisons to feed inmates for less".

"Florida is returning to in-house food service for its prisons while the Legislature cuts spending in the nation's third-largest state prison system."

The state paid the two vendors $85 million for the fiscal year 2007-2008. The current year's food budget is $76 million.

"Obama 2.0"

Adam C. Smith: "Florida Democrats are preparing to tap into Barack Obama's grass roots machine to build the biggest political operation ever seen from the state party."

Normally at this early stage of an election cycle, the chronically cash-strapped Florida Democratic Party is shedding jobs and struggling to keep the lights on. Not this year. State party leaders expect soon to hire dozens of professional organizers to harness and assist Obama's vast army of volunteers. ...

Specific plans and goals are still under discussion in Washington and Tallahassee. But the ebullient talk among Florida Democrats stems from an ambitious and uncertain plan often dubbed Obama 2.0 — an effort to keep engaged the vast and potent base of true believers that helped elect Obama president in November. ...

In Florida, the plan is to have paid staffers in place to assist the citizens already actively working with Organizing for America.

Obama comes to Florida

Update: "Crist will join Obama in Fort Myers".

"Hundreds of people are lined up in southwest Florida for tickets to a town hall meeting with President Barack Obama." He'll have plenty to talk about in this solidly red area: the "unemployment rate has climbed to 10 percent, and its housing market is among the nation's worst." "Hundreds queue for tickets to Obama event in Fla.". See also "Tickets To Obama Town Hall Available Monday", "Tickets to Obama town-hall Tuesday in Fort Myers available Monday morning", "Fort Myers residents line up now to see Obama on Tuesday" and "Fort Myers residents line up early to see Obama on Tuesday".

The $425,000 Republican

"Lt. Gov. bills taxpayers $425,000 for state plane trips |". "Kottkamp defended his travel, saying that it's easier for him to work from southwest Florida than Tallahassee ... ." "Florida lieutenant governor to pay state for family's trips".

What's a conspicuous consumer to do?

"Oh, it's another sun-blessed, balmy day in Palm Beach County. Were it not for the foreclosures, collapse in tourism and Madoff scandal, all would seem perfect. Did I mention retailing? Dior on Worth Avenue vanished the day after Christmas. The Macy's at the Palm Beach Mall closed several weeks later." "Somber days in Palm Beach".

Another fine Bushco legacy

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "In 2003, Florida collected $558 million in inheritance taxes. "

Last year, it didn't collect a cent. Florida's constitution allows the imposition of an estate tax, but only if it can be credited against its federal equivalent. As the federal estate tax has phased out since the 2001 tax cuts (it falls to zero in the 2010 tax year), so has Florida's, denying the federal government and the state large revenues. At its pre-2001 rate, the estate tax would have generated $334 billion in federal revenue between 2011 and 2016.

Because of the twin effects of an increasing population and an increase in deaths of retirees, Florida's revenue from the tax would have likely exceeded $600 million a year. That money would have gone a long way to ease Florida's budget woes. Federal law and the state constitution prevent tapping into that revenue stream. Both can change.

Next year the estate tax is scheduled to be eliminated altogether. It would be reinstated at its pre-2001 level if the Bush tax cuts are allowed to expire, on schedule, in 2011. Should that happen, all estates valued at $1 million or less would remain exempt from taxation, but all estates valued above that level would be taxed at 55 percent. Florida would generate estate-tax revenue again, too, because state tax credits, repealed in the 2001 federal law, would be restored.

"'A form of pollution'"

"Florida's canals and lakes have sheltered tropical imports for decades, with 34 species known to be reproducing. There have long been plenty in the park as well. A weathered sign at the popular Anhinga Trail, built along a pit dredged for road fill, explains that many fish seen from the boardwalk aren't locals. Since 2000, however, park scientists have charted a surge of invasives." "Exotic fish pose threat to native species in Everglades".

Sunshine tax

"Florida's prices are above the national average, which AAA says is about $1.92 a gallon." "Fla. gas prices up 17 cents in past month".

Oh ... the horror!

"In just a few short weeks, freshman U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando, has delivered more memorable quotes than some members of Congress do in an entire career."

He has fired up the liberal base by picking a fight with Rush Limbaugh, calling the conservative radio host a "has-been hypocrite loser." ...

And last week, at a hearing on accused swindler Bernard Madoff, Grayson derided Madoff's "penthouse" accommodations and demanded that he be sent to jail while awaiting trial on charges of stealing billions.

Afterward, he issued a statement: "As Bob Dylan once sang, Madoff is 'free to drink martinis and watch the sun rise,' while his victims are 'innocent men [sic] in a living hell.' "

"23 percent fewer people are visiting malls today compared with five years ago"

"Already facing challenges because of consumer shifts toward open-air shopping centers and discounters, malls have been hit with another blow: the struggling economy. Tenants are leaving in droves as retail chains that suffered the worst holiday shopping season in nearly 40 years shutter stores nationwide." "Economic downturn slams Orlando-area malls".

Yee Haw!

"Joe Scarborough for senate?".

Palm Beachers

"Precinct breakdown from Palm Beach election reveals north-south split".

They're everywhere

"African honeybees found across S. Fla.". See also "Africanized bees spread throughout Florida".

"Now comes the hard part"

The South Florida Sun Sentinel editorial board: "It wasn't all that long ago — just a couple of months — that voting was all the rage."

In South Florida and nationally, there were videos and photos of people waiting hours just for the chance to vote. Young, old, black, white, Hispanic. Everybody wanted to be part of the process. It was suddenly a badge of honor to be involved. People who had never voted before got themselves to the polls. Nothing was cooler than voting in November.

Now comes the hard part. Let's see if that voting momentum and enthusiasm carries over locally, even a little bit.

The second clown from the right

"That's a nasty, impolite question"

South Georgia Democrats

"After an election that had some political scientists shocked at a narrow Republican presidential win in conservative Duval County - one that built hope in a Democratic surge - hundreds of local Democrats have cut party ties to join the GOP. And more so than the other way around." "Post election shift a sort of party puzzle".

Related: "After All, He Is Black".

"He won't deserve it"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Sometime this year, St. Lucie County Judge Cliff Barnes will present himself before the Florida Supreme Court and receive a public reprimand for violating the Code of Judicial Conduct. He won't deserve it." "An undeserved reprimand".

Radical panhandlers

"Panhandle school ditches grades".

Textbooks

"The Legislature last year passed a law requiring schools to reduce textbook expenses for students." "Fla. officials release textbook pricing guidelines".

Go figure

"WPB commissioner, real estate lawyer say relationship over condo project not unethical".

The most dangerous place in the world?

What is "the most dangerous place in the world?" Answer: getting between a Jebbite and a boat show. "Miami boat show hopes for sales amid recession".

This month, with home sales crashing and job losses leading the nation, Charlie zoomed to a record 73 percent approval rating.

His poll numbers have an inverse relationship with reality.

There is little more to be gained, and lots to be lost, by staying in Tallahassee.

The longer he remains, the more time people will have to connect the dots between past promises and current realities.

"A river of cash"?

The South Florida Sun Sentinel has a comprehensive review of the stimulus legislation, and how it might affect Floridians: "The relief could start a river of cash flowing to hard-pressed Floridians." For example, "Laid-off workers would get big help with a huge problem: keeping medical coverage."

First, the government would pay 65 percent of the often sky-high cost of maintaining coverage through the former employer's plan. This benefit alone would be worth thousands per year for a family. ...

In Florida, the average COBRA policy for a family costs $1,037 a month; the average unemployment amount is $1,013.

Second, the government would pay to allow modest-income workers who lose their jobs to be covered by Medicaid through 2010, even if their income would normally be too high to qualify.

Florida must allow more people to qualify for unemployment [something the Legislature hates]. Do that, the House bill says, and the state could get as much as $436 million, according to the Manhattan-based National Employment Law Project.

The state would have to add benefits for at least two of the following types of unemployed workers: part time; those who leave jobs for family reasons; individuals in state-approved training after their unemployment runs out.

Advocates for the Everglades expect a boost for restoration by getting a piece of the $4.5 billion of extra funds for the Army Corps of Engineers. ...

Florida would get about $4 billion extra over two years to mend the health-care system for the poor. ...

House leaders estimate that Florida would get roughly $2 billion to upgrade roads, bridges and mass-transit systems.

Running government like a business

"Florida's little-known lieutenant governor, Jeff Kottkamp, billed taxpayers $425,000 for 365 flights on state planes during his first two years in office, the Sun Sentinel found."

Two-thirds of the flights involved getting Kottkamp to and from Fort Myers, where he and his wife own a $1.4 million house. State planes flew empty one-way 70 times to pick him up or drop him off in his hometown, flight records show.

Kottkamp's wife and toddler son flew for free on about two dozen trips, despite rules requiring them to pay.

Empty suit in a dither

"Insurers Raise Ire of Sunny Populist Crist".

Dragging them knuckles again

"State Sen. Stephen Wise, a Jacksonville Republican, said he plans to introduce a bill to require teachers who teach evolution to also discuss the idea of intelligent design."

Wise said that if the Legislature passes the bill, he wouldn't be surprised if there's a legal challenge.

"You just never know. They use the courts all the time. I guess if they have enough money they can get it in the courts," he said. "Someplace along the line you've got to be able to make a value judgment of what it is you think is the appropriate thing."

Intelligent design has been in the courts before. In 2005, a federal judge barred a Pennsylvania school district from teaching intelligent design in public schools, calling it an example of "breathtaking inanity." The judge, a Republican, wrote that there was "overwhelming evidence" that the theory is a "religious view," not scientific theory.

Huh?

"Less than a week after stepping down from his post as speaker of the Florida House of Representatives amid allegations of ethics violations, Ray Sansom spoke at a Governmental Prayer Breakfast in Pensacola."

The sole purpose of the breakfast, according to organizers: "To encourage moral and spiritual values in government."

Yee Haw!

"Debbie Cox-Roush, new chairman of the Hillsborough County Republican Party, ran for the post because she wasn't happy the county voted for Barack Obama, and vows local Republicans won't let that happen again." "New GOP Chairman: Loss 'Won't Happen Again'".

Mixing business and government

"The publicly subsidized Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau threw its retiring president an approximately $103,000 farewell party and handed the same executive an extra $360,000 in pay and benefits." "Orlando/Orange visitors bureau spent $103,000 on retirement party -- and taken out of auditors' report".

Get 'yer tickets ...

"Tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis for President Obama's Tuesday town hall meeting in Fort Myers." "Get your tickets to Obama's Fort Myers town hall meeting".

Welcome to Florida, Mr. President

The New York Times: "In Florida, Despair and Foreclosures".

"Politically addicted to ... harsh punishments"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Everyone in Florida government is singing the Budget Blues. But underlying the melody is a drumbeat many state leaders profess not to hear:

The sound of countless prison doors slamming shut. Like it or not, the state's incarceration policies have a direct and growing impact on the current budget crisis.

Few people are pushing for dangerous murderers and rapists to be released. But neither can they dispute that Florida's incarceration spree occurred at a time when crime rates were actually trending downward. Florida hasn't become a more dangerous place to live, it's just become one that has become politically addicted to the idea of increasingly harsh punishments.

in the mid-1990s, when the Legislature passed a series of laws aimed at stripping discretion from judges. There were "minimum mandatory" laws that demanded specific sentences for specific crimes, regardless of circumstances. Habitual offender statutes added more prison time, again taking away judges' discretion and resulting in cases like that of a burglar who received a life sentence for stealing a handful of children's videotapes.

My name is Ray Sansom, and I'm a ...

Steve Bousquet has a "Three-step program to prevent Ray Sansom-type scandals in Florida".

"Embarrassing"?

Our intrepid reporters can't help but soft pedal this issue: "Wanted: GOP official who won't write embarrassing e-mails".

"Embarrassing"? A bit more than that, dontcha think?

Background: "Calling a "racist" a "racist"" and "Racist? You decide".

Our Florida House has ...

... "Too many speakers?"

Trapped in a flop

"One year after the property tax amendment hit the books, its promise of rescuing homeowners has been drowned in deeper troubles." "Housing slump puts squeeze on property tax cut". See also "Despite Amendment 1, Floridians are still trapped in their homes".

"They'll be turning their backs"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editors: "The recently signed legislation extending health insurance to low-income children across America should be seen as a victory in Florida, where nearly 800,000 children lack coverage. Instead, it could be a liability."

To pull down maximum funding under the State Children's Health Insurance Program, Florida would have to spend at least $39 million from its own coffers on KidCare, Florida's SCHIP program.

And those coffers are bare, largely because of the fiscal shortsightedness of lawmakers who squandered billions on special-interest tax breaks and now dig their heels in at the thought of new taxes.

Hiaasen

Carl Hiaasen: "Bernie Madoff -- the prisoner of Park Avenue".

"Prior actions have doomed our efforts ..."

Another fine Jebacy.

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "In Duval County, arts and physical education teaching jobs could be on the chopping block. Teachers have forfeited their raises in Pasco County. In Volusia County, building sales and up to seven school closures are being considered. Franklin and Jefferson county schools are flat broke."

Our state has not only failed to hold education harmless, we're slowly bleeding it to death while demanding a ransom.

What, then, should we consider cutting when prior actions have doomed our efforts to maintain adequate funding for public schools?

Pierre Tristam goes surfing

"As White House Web sites go, Bush could give Obama lessons".

Laff riot

The The St. Petersburg Times editorial board can't be serious:

The Florida Supreme Court's decision to block an ill-conceived, simplistic property tax cut from the ballot is good news for Florida and an unexpected gift for state lawmakers. Last month's ruling is the second in recent months where the court has disqualified a proposed amendment due to misleading language. The result is an unexpected window for the Legislature to embrace real tax revenue reform. Senate President Jeff Atwater and incoming House Speaker Larry Cretul should take advantage of this opening and get it right.

"Lobbyists looking to disrupt the sale"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "A story by Paul Quinlan in last Monday's Post shows that members of the Crist administration used a legal maneuver to silence concerns over the $1.34 billion price. This newspaper has noted the conflict of Gov. Crist's Department of Environmental Protection secretary, Michael Sole, leading negotiations with U.S. Sugar even though the South Florida Water Management District is paying for the land. Now we know that DEP officials at the top dismissed concerns of DEP officials at the bottom." "Tell public why regulators criticized U.S. Sugar price".

"Bad for business"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "For years, lawyers have argued that the failure to adequately finance Florida's court system is bad for justice. Now the Florida Bar is getting really serious. The new push is that failing to pay for the courts is bad for business." "Florida's costly court crisis".

"The writing on the wall"

Aaron Deslatte: "Big Tobacco, pajama-clad Internet sellers, and just about every business with a cushy tax break can see the writing on the wall: Florida may be coming for them. Even with anti-tax Republicans in charge of the Legislature, the cash-strapped state needs money." "Tallahassee lobbyists man ramparts to defend tax breaks".

"Farce"

Even the wingnuts know a farce when they smell it.

Times are tuff ...

"Boynton Beach man calls 911 after Burger King says there's no lemonade".