The panel of economic and policy analysts from the executive and legislative branches spent more than five hours examining every source of state revenues, from sales taxes and building permits to driver license fees and various fines or penalties. There were hardly any bright spots.

They wound up shaving $1.1 billion off of this year's already-reduced revenue estimate and lowered expectations by $2.3 billion for the fiscal year starting July 1.

As Florida's economy continues to sink, analysts crunch financial data and make increasingly dreary projections about how much money the state will have on hand to pay for schools, health care and other needs.

That scene repeated itself Friday as economists said the state will bring in $3.44 billion less in taxes over two years than they had projected in November.

International Idiot

Shiny new Florida Congressman Bill Posey, R-Wingnut, "wouldn't say if he thinks Obama is a citizen". "Posey doubting Obama's citizenship?".

"The cheapest state in the nation — and it shows"

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board recognizes that the Florida House is ideologically brain dead:

It may be that in the Florida Senate there is some wisdom to be found about increasing state revenues to end the bragging rights that Florida is the cheapest state in the nation — and it shows.

Senators, who have served longer and seen more and have less ideological stubbornness, seem to have a deeper appreciation for reality.

No twofers

"Speaker's action stirs up Dade".

How 'bout lobbyist and mayor?

"A judge has ruled that Teresa Zemaitis, who won Kenneth City's mayoral election with 70.5 percent of the vote, can be either a public school teacher or mayor of the town. But she can't be both ...". "Judge: Woman can't teach, be mayor".

The Legislature digs up a lawyer from SoCal ...

... to tell them what they want to hear: "A top gambling lawyer from California has advised Florida legislators that Seminole gambling is not only illegal, but the state has ample ammunition including laws aimed at organized crime rings to shut down the tribe's operations." "Attorney: Legislature can act against Indian casinos". See also "Legislators at odds over Seminole blackjack games".

"Some"?

"Carol Carter, who resigned from her post as state committeewoman for the Hillsborough County Republican Party over an e-mail some considered racially offensive, is dropping out of the race to regain the position."

"Some"? Here's what she communicated:

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

Speaking of Black People

"Greer's message is the latest salvo in the ideological battle within the party – in effect, whether it's the party of conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh or moderates such as Greer and Gov. Charlie Crist." "Florida GOP Chairman: Stop Slamming Steele".

"Tons of debris fouling Earth's life-support system"


The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: ""

The valiant rescue of a right whale entangled in hundreds of feet of rope off the Volusia County coast last week brings into sharp focus the hazard human trash poses to marine life. Five right whales that we're aware of have been similarly entangled in their annual southern migration to Georgia and Florida waters this year. Ocean debris is a pervasive hazard but it is readily preventable, as pointed out in the annual report released Tuesday by the Ocean Conservancy -- a global index of trash collected in the world's oceans and marine waterways.

Is Charlie high?

Steve Bousquet thinks "[m]ost people require the assistance of controlled substances to achieve the level of euphoria expressed by Gov. Charlie Crist."

Tax revenues in Florida will drop by $3.5 billion more, this year and next.

The public employee pension fund has lost billions and may require a bailout.

The unemployment compensation fund has shrunk by half in five months.

I could go on, but you get the point. It was just another week in paradise.

All of this news would sound pretty depressing if Charlie Crist were not governor. Spend a few minutes in Sunshine Charlie's midst, and all of the state's problems seem to magically melt away.

Florida's delightful economy

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Victor Vasquez left Atlanta a couple of months ago because he no longer could find work in construction. He moved his family to Palm Beach County, hoping that he would fare better. He hasn't."

Mr. Vasquez was among nearly two dozen mostly Guatemalan immigrants outside the Home Depot on Lake Worth Road on a recent afternoon, hoping to snag a job from a contractor or homeowner. At sunup, as many as 200 - a number that has swelled with the recession - gather at entrances to the parking lot and swarm the arriving cars.

As The Post reported Monday, Home Depot blames them for causing accidents and driving away customers. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office has done undercover stings, but law enforcement alone is not the long-term solution to a problem that is less about loitering than about illegal immigration. Yet immigration reform is not likely to be a priority for President Obama or Congress until 2011. Economic relief and health care are the priorities this year, and 2010 is an election year. In the meantime, Palm Beach County must do what cities have done and offer a short-term solution while waiting for Washington.

"The existence of day laborers is beyond our control," said Home Depot spokesman Craig Fishel. "It is a complex community matter that requires the leadership of federal and local government in cooperation with civic groups, law enforcement and businesses."

"Shortcut" abuse

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "The consent agenda that government boards once used to quickly dispatch inconsequential items is now so abused by some local governments that it is time to place limits on its use. " "Cities abuse vote shortcut".

Truer words were never spoken

Surely the Florida Chamber didn't get all honest on us? This from the Orlando Sentinel this morning:

"We're confident that employers nationally and across the state are trying to do what's best for employers," said Kirsten Borman of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. "We hope the government doesn't get into mandating the employer-employee relationship."

The Orlando Sentinel has an article this morning attributed to "Jeb!", with the following byline:

"Gov. Jeb Bush | Sentinel Staff Writer"

"Ergo, ipso facto, the current resolution"

Paul Flemming:

The only relevant question is who stands to benefit. In 2005, Republicans embraced public finance and jacked up its rewards because they figured they could work the system effectively. They did.

Now, with Obama's fundraising prowess as a model, maybe Florida Democrats can get their act together and raise a bunch of money themselves. Ergo, ipso facto, the current resolution.

"Florida bill seeks to cloak union-busting in ballot secrecy"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Two bills introduced in the Florida Legislature aim to more clearly define state law regarding labor unions. Neither should be necessary where workers' rights and management practices don't clash. But pronounced federal pressure against unionization since 1981 on one hand, and a congressional bill designed to reverse the trend on the other, are bringing the issue to a head nationally and in Florida."

One bill, sponsored by Sen. Tony Hill, D-Jacksonville, urges Congress to enact the Employee Free Choice Act, which would make it easier for workers to unionize and harder for companies to obstruct the effort. Another bill, by Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, seeks to scuttle the proposed federal law (which President Barack Obama supports). Richter claims his bill is a "declaration of rights" on workers' behalf, ensuring that their rights to vote secretly in union elections are not infringed. It's anything but. ...

[U]nion workers earn more, have better health benefits and narrow income gaps between minorities and the rest than in nonunion workplaces. They also set standards that no-union companies sometimes feel compelled to match, to the benefit of their workers. Making it harder to unionize, as the Richter proposal would in Florida, may please chambers of commerce across the state. It won't improve the workplace or, ultimately, a state economy disproportionately tolerant of low wages and cheap or nonexistent benefits. Unions are part of the solution, not the problem.

Session news

- "A state senator worries that litigation in Florida could jeopardize Big Tobacco's ability to pay hundreds of millions to the state each year." "Big Tobacco seeks appeals-bond cap". See also "Tobacco tax increase hits early".

- "TaxWatch suggests ways to tax services, cut exemptions".

- "Though Gov. Charlie Crist has made it easier for some ex-felons to get back their civil rights and vote, the process is still muddled and needs improving, critics argued Thursday." "Reform, improvement sought on civil-right restoration of ex-felons".

- "Senate leaders vowed to revamp the tax structure in order to better fund education." "Florida Senate leaders target sales-tax exemptions".

- "2009 Legislature roundup".

Storms "pisses on" Smith

- "A mixed bag: From saving our schools to pretty beastly talk in the Florida Senate".

"The debate over Florida's public campaign financing program turned ugly Thursday when Republican Sen. Ronda Storms mocked President Barack Obama as "The Messiah" and a Democratic colleague made a vulgar retort."

"They don't want to talk about The Messiah having a flaw, but actually it was a flaw," she said.

Sen. Mike Fasano, a New Port Richey Republican who is chairman of the committee, told Storms, "Please be respectful of the president. ... He is the president of this country."

Then Smith had his say.

"My concerns weren't that we debate President Obama or things that he's doing. I could care less. We have four years to do that," Smith said. "My concern is always doing the people's business and the business before us."

His next remark angered Fasano and caused loud murmurs in the room.

"Don't piss on me and tell me it's raining. I know what you were doing, and I called you on it."

Privatization

"The agency that oversees Florida's six privately run prisons needs to ensure that problems found during audits -- such as broken alarms and unsanitary infirmaries -- are quickly fixed, lawmakers were told Thursday. Audits of private prisons by the Florida Department of Corrections had previously found broken escape sensors and buildings that had not been checked for any attempts by inmates to tunnel out. Audits also found delays in medical care and problems involving contraband." "Quick fix urged for prisons' problems".

"Local" jobs, please

"Officials want proof I-595 work will create local jobs |".

Whoopee!

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Crist stood up to his party's base in naming a new high-court justice". See also The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Crist's supreme politics".

"Success fees"

"South Florida water managers want U.S. Sugar Corp. to disclose any 'success fees' attached to its pending sale of 180,000 acres of farmland to the state. The demand comes amid a crescendo of rumors circulating among opponents of the sale that a cabal of U.S. Sugar executives, lawyers and lobbyists stand to collect multimillion-dollar bonuses and "golden parachutes" should the taxpayer-funded, $1.34 billion land deal close." "Water managers to U.S. Sugar: Disclose payments to lobbyists, execs".

Not good

"Florida's public employee pension fund plummets".

"No-shows"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "By inviting Palm Beach County commissioners to tell a grand jury whether official misconduct can be addressed "through existing enforcement programs," State Attorney Michael McAuliffe has taken a first step toward changing Corruption County's image. In refusing to appear, Burt Aaronson, Addie Greene and Shelley Vana have taken a step in the other direction." "No-shows: No good excuses".

Good luck

"Treatment agencies await budget news".

Have a beer

"Chief of Medicaid fraud unit, three staffers suspended over use of alcohol at event".

That took courage

"Faced with slashing half a million dollars from his budget, an Orange County elementary school principal turned to fundraising but went way beyond the traditional wrapping paper and cookie sales. He asked parents to chip in $500 per child so the school could avoid laying off teachers in the coming months." "Principal causes stir by hitting up parents for money".

Collateral damage

"Some fear Navy sonar may harm Fla.'s right whales".

Poor Buddy

"A state agency will hire an independent auditor to determine how former Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Buddy Johnson spent federal funds meant for voter education and equipment." "Audit Will Look At Johnson's Use Of Federal Voter Education Funds".

To bad this guy didn't "Go Galt"

"Fla. man accused of Ponzi scheme on trial in Va.".

John Stemberger, leader of Florida Family Policy Council, called Crist's decision crucial because of the possible ideological shift on the court. In his first two picks, Crist favored the Republican Party base by picking Charles Canady and Ricky Polston, who are white males with conservative bona fides. His third pick, Jorge Labarga, the lone Hispanic member, has a reputation as a moderate.

''He missed a real opportunity not only to appoint the most qualified candidate, but also to bring the court back into ideological balance,'' Stemberger said. Crist ``made an appointment rooted in politics and one which will entrench the Florida high court back into a 5-2, left-leaning majority for at least the next decade.''

Score one for the Realtors

"The Florida House is moving forward with an aggressive tax break for first-time home buyers that would offer thousands in upfront savings to lure reluctant buyers into Florida's ailing real estate market." "First-time home buyers could get tax break".

Courtesy of "Jeb!" and his "values" crowd

The Jebacies keepa comin'. Yesterday we read that "Florida among worst in U.S. for homeless kids". Today we get this: "Florida mental health care gets a 'D'".

Another Ponzi scheme

Mike Thomas: "Crist's hurricane-insurance plan robs Peter to pay Ponzi".

Big of 'em

"Facing a dismal budget, Florida legislators are struggling to find new money to help stave off a mass exodus of workers from the Space Coast when the space shuttle is retired in 2010." "Florida House gives blessing, not cash, to state space-research institute".

SunRail

"The plan to build a Central Florida commuter-rail system took another step Wednesday when the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill that is critical to the future of the project." "Rail plan clears another hurdle". See also "Favor to Lakeland in SunRail plan draws flak".

Gay adoption back on the front burner

"As gay-rights advocates and religious groups queue up in an effort to influence the outcome of a Miami appeals court case that will help decide whether gay people can adopt children in Florida, a state lawmaker has quietly introduced two bills that could render the dispute moot. State Sen. Nan Rich, a Weston Democrat who is co-chair of the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee, has filed a bill to repeal the 1977 Florida law that prohibits gay men and lesbians from adopting children." "Lawmaker seeking to legalize adoption by gays in Florida".

Billy Boy said jump!

... and Robaina didn't:

A Miami state representative was stripped of a powerful House leadership position Wednesday after he bucked House Speaker Larry Cretul over a bill to limit lawyer fees.

''The speaker felt we're not team players,'' said Republican Rep. Julio Robaina, who was removed from his post as chairman of the House Criminal and Civil Justice Policy Council. ``I think a very bad message was sent today.''

At issue: Attorney General Bill McCollum's effort to cap the fees of private attorneys hired to push state cases. The proposed fees vary depending on size of a settlement, ranging from 25 percent of the first $10 million to $50 million in cases where the award tops $930 million. ...

Robaina blamed ''politics.''. He's running for a state Senate seat. McCollum might run for governor if Charlie Crist runs for U.S. Senate.

Civics 101

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "A proposed constitutional amendment that would forever cap local and state taxes at 2010-2011 levels and limit any future increases to county population or school-enrollment growth was defeated Tuesday in a Senate committee and given little chance in House action this year."

The defeat in the Senate gives local governments some breathing room and time to adjust to property tax reductions that are just now being felt by public schools, police, firefighters, road-maintenance crews — and did we mention public schools?

While Gov. Charlie Crist mentioned in February his curious desire for further property tax reductions — limiting to 5 percent any annual increase in the assessed value of businesses, vacation homes and any property except homesteads — in his State of the State address, he appeared to have thought better of that hasty plan. He is now apparently supporting that 2010-2011 cap with the requirement for a referendum on any new tax, assessment or fee that the Senate committee sent sprawling Tuesday. ...

Here's Civics 101 on that: In a republic, elected officials are supposed to make a few uncomfortable decisions, being smart enough to explain why any tax increase is needed and brave enough to risk voter wrath from time to time if their decisions support the greater good.

Lobbyists at work

"The House Finance and Tax Committee on Wednesday wrapped up its six-week review of sales tax exemptions as it watched a parade of lobbyists defend $385 million worth of exemptions -- everything from tax breaks on Super Bowl tickets and skybox seats to religious items and bottled water." "Florida sales tax breaks aren't likely to be dumped". See also "Sales tax issue gains little traction".

Billy's "political mess"

Even Billy's hometown newspaper ain't amused at his latest mess. The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Attorney General Bill McCollum says his pricey television ad warning about cyber crime is all about protecting kids."

And that anyone attacking him for running it must be politically motivated.

Try clear-eyed.

If anyone's being political, it's Mr. McCollum. Instead of putting the production of the ad out to bid, Mr. McCollum handed the project to the same out-of-state firm that worked on his 2006 campaign.

There's a thought

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Legislators could bring in billions more by joining a pact to collect unpaid taxes".

Public-private mess

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board wants to know why the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County created "a private agency called Pinellas Core Management Services to distribute public tax dollars to small nonprofits that provide programming in needy neighborhoods? Isn't distribution of tax dollars JWB's job?" Much more here: "Welfare board owes answers".

Gambling

Troxler: "Seminole casinos: Deal or no deal?".

Transparency

"'Transparency Florida' site to detail spending, even state workers' cell phone charges". See also "Senators hope to `put Florida's checkbook online'".

"Nightmare"

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "Developers' dream, Florida's nightmare".

State Farm

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "The Office of Insurance Regulation should not back down from its demand that State Farm not leave Florida hanging if the company leaves Florida." "State policy, not State Farm's".

Bad move

"Atwater hassled by Tcoast State Farm agent".

'Glades

"Several long-awaited Everglades restoration projects got a cash infusion from the $410 billion spending bill President Obama signed into law Wednesday." "Federal spending bill includes funds for 7 Everglades projects".

Sugar deal

"Drainage, water projects could face steep cuts as managers make U.S. Sugar deal".

Where's Elmo?

"Where's the state 'recovery czar'?".

St Pete

"No easy calls this year on St. Petersburg mayor's race".

It never fails ...

"On a generally smooth election night, results in Riviera Beach were unclear until nearly 1 a.m. today because of incomplete information on the Palm Beach County elections Web site." "Glitches delayed Web posting of some Palm Beach County elections results".

Poor Palm Beacher

"Obama v. Limbaugh: Poll finds it's no contest".

Florida has one of the highest rates of homeless children in the nation, with as many as 50,000 kids living in shelters, motels, cars or doubled up with another family.

A detailed report released Tuesday by the National Center on Family Homelessness found Florida ranked 46th out of 50 — 50 being the worst — for its sheer number of homeless children.

Hasner's a hack, plain and simple

"The organizer of a day that brought nearly 200 Florida Muslims to the state Capitol to lobby politicians Tuesday was called a "known terrorist sympathizer" by a head lawmaker and others, a label the leader emphatically rejected." "House GOP Boss Blasts Florida Muslims' Leader".

"Last month, in an e-mail that was forwarded to Jewish lobbyists, [House Majority Leader Adam] Hasner asked about starting 'an information campaign in opposition to' Florida Muslim Capitol Day, sponsored by the Tampa-based non-profit United Voices for America." "Florida Muslims visit Tallahassee to meet lawmakers".

Session Agenda

Courtesy of the The Tallahassee Democrat: "Today at the Florida Capitol". See also "Supreme Court appointment tops busy day in Tallahassee".

"Florida hasn't earned a waiver"

"Crist, the Legislature and the U.S. Department of Education are performing a song and dance to show that Florida has earned a waiver that will allow the state to receive $2.4 billion in education stimulus money over the next few budget years."

But let's face it. Florida hasn't earned a waiver. A waiver would be a gift. Rather than continue the awkward dance, it would be more honest if Education Secretary Arne Duncan called Gov. Crist and said: "You don't deserve a break, and neither does the Legislature. But Florida is getting a waiver because your school kids don't deserve another swat."

Florida, California and Nevada are the only states that failed that test. But thanks to an amendment pushed by Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., and no doubt approved by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., the secretary of education can develop guidelines for granting waivers.

The Post reported Sunday that state officials have been told that Florida can get a waiver if, in lowering the schools budget, the state didn't cut education by a bigger percentage than it cut the overall budget. Although Florida cut $1''billion from education in the current budget year that ends June 30, education was 27.6 percent of the budget, compared with 27.1 percent the previous year. The state is hoping that will be good enough.

But the percentages don't tell the whole story. Florida has no state income tax, so it pays for education through sales tax collections and property taxes. ...

A waiver based on the Legislature's school-tax sleight-of-hand would condone what lawmakers, Gov. Crist and Gov. Jeb Bush before him have done. That's why the federal government should grant the waiver explicitly based on what Florida's students deserve rather than what state officials have earned.

Black Dem has inside track for Court Appointment

"Crist will fill the last of four open seats on the Florida Supreme Court at a morning news conference Wednesday, while the debate in the Legislature turns to open records, property taxes and dismantling growth management laws. Crist is expected to announce his selection of Circuit Judge James Perry of Sanford, well-placed sources say, to replace retiring Justice Charlies Wells."

Perry, the first black judge in Central Florida's 18th Circuit, is the pick of civil rights leaders and trial lawyers who admired his rise out of the Jim Crow South. But he is not the favorite of the NRA and tort reform advocates and social conservatives, who had hoped for a more conservative-leaning judge who has a record on the criminal bench.

Finger in the wind

"Crist expanded on his opposition to lawmakers' borrowing from this program even though he has supported 'sweeping' cash reserves of several other trust funds." "Gov. Charlie Crist opposes raid on Florida prepaid tuition assets". See also "Crist, Sink Say College Money Safe".

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "Hands off prepaid college tuitions".

Will the Seventy Percenters take to their pitch forks?

"Florida lawmakers are pushing legislation that would make having sex with animals a felony." "Florida lawmakers consider ban on bestiality". See also "Senators move to make bestiality illegal in Florida".

Recall that the last time the Legislature tried to prohibit sex with animals, there was a "backlash" from that certain part of the state that Dubya won with more than 70% of the vote. Just sayin'. See "Can't we at least agree on this?" (scroll down).

Sounds like a plan

"Rick Minton for Ag Commissioner".

"Political Courage" free zone

"Even though both state and local governments are facing big revenue shortfalls this year, Gov. Charlie Crist and lawmakers are pushing to make it tougher for governments to raise money in the future." "Crist's 'Taxpayer Bill of Rights' caps state and local spending". But see "Florida lawmakers' ardor for property tax relief cools" and "Legislators unlikely to approve property tax bills this session".

Bad Bill

"Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum is starring in a long-running television ad promoting awareness about Internet predators that Democrats are calling a thinly disguised campaign commercial using state funds." "State official blasted for TV message"

And then there's this, from Mr. Clean: the contract went to

his campaign consultant [and it was] a no-bid contract ... .

Wishful thinking

"We cannot continue to ignore farmworkers".

We don' need no stinkin' gov'ment insurance 'ere in Seminole

News from the Republican bastion of Seminole County: "Faced with staggering increases in employee health-insurance premiums, Seminole school officials are wrestling with cutting benefits or shifting [yet more] expenses to workers." "Soaring health insurance costs stun Seminole schools".

Never mind the constitution

State Rep Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, writes in the Tampa Trib that "Resolution Preserves Classroom Flexibility".

32,000 real jobs on the block

"Shuttle Discovery is set to launch from Kennedy Space Center at about 9:20 tonight, leaving only eight more scheduled missions before NASA retires the fleet in 2010 — and devastates the Space Coast economy." "Retiring shuttle may doom 38,200 Space Coast jobs".

"Developers running amuck in Tally

The Tampa Trib editors: "The Florida House of Representatives is cynically using the economic downturn to justify an effort to gut measures that protect neighborhoods, taxpayers and natural resources." "House Launches Attack On Local Safeguards".

The St. Petersburg Times editors: "A House committee, under the guise of economic development, is considering a bill today that would eliminate the agency and eviscerate the state's ability to manage growth."

It would shift what's left to the Department of State, an agency that already has its hands full with elections, corporation records, the state archives and cultural affairs. Similar efforts are under way in the Senate. Gov. Charlie Crist and more enlightened legislators have to stand up to the business interests, developers and lawmakers behind this assault on growth management.

The bill sponsors contend the Department of Community Affairs has been an arbitrary impediment to development in Florida and is responsible for helping plunge this state into the economic recession. That is a spurious argument. Their real intent is to dismantle what few constraints Florida puts on growth by handing more responsibility to local governments, which are far less likely to say no to developers.

Desalination

"A regional project that could pipe desalted ocean water into faucets throughout Central Florida got a $9.8 million boost from the St. Johns River Water Management District." "St. Johns boosts funding to desalt ocean water for drinking".

Cuts

"Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has told administrators to get ready for a double-digit spending cut, a directive that will almost certainly mean deep cuts in city services and layoffs from the city work force." "Orlando faces 12 percent budget cut".

Hurricane proofing

"The property insurance merry-go-round continues as Florida's leaders struggle to balance the cost of homeownership against financial pressures on the state. With hurricane season only a few months off, state officials are searching for some means of protecting the state from massive losses in the event of a major storm. Tuesday, state advisers offered a list of options to Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Gov. Charlie Crist, none of which, they said, will come cheap." "State Readies For Hurricanes' Financial Hits".

9-11 First responders

"The federally-funded program monitors and treats 9/11 responders who live outside the New York City and New Jersey metropolitan area."

Estimates indicate about 1,000 responders live in the Tampa Bay area. Overall, almost 91,500 people, including firefighters, police officers, medical professionals and volunteers, were part of the rescue, recovery and cleanup.

Many have reported respiratory and lung problems as well as post-traumatic stress disorder.

Raw political courage

Update: "Crist and Sink said Tuesday there is no way the Florida Legislature can take money from a trust fund used to hold money for families who have prepaid for their child's college tuition." "Crist, Sink Say College Money Safe".

"State weighs tapping into prepaid tuition fund for economic relief".

"Among the weakest regions in the nation for hiring"

"For the April to June quarter, 5 percent of South Florida companies plan to hire more employees while 19 percent expect to reduce their payrolls". "Survey paints grim picture for South Florida's jobs outlook".

"South Florida is among the weakest regions in the nation for hiring, according to a Manpower Employment Outlook Survey being released today." "We are the weakest link: South Florida job hunters starving for opportunity, Manpower says". See also "Southwest Florida job outlook remains bleak".

Related: "St. Petersburg woman who painted Obama slogans on her car lost job, faces repossession".

Not much of a "hot" line

"Jobless Floridians will have to wait a while longer for the "immediate" $25 a week federal stimulus money."

And if that's frustrating, try getting anything but a busy signal from the state's help hot line for unemployment.

The agency officials say it is taking weeks to reprogram its computer.

The extra money should be added to the bi-weekly checks by the end of the month or late next week at the earliest, agency officials said Monday. People receiving benefits will automatically get the weekly boost, whenever it happens.

Some states, including California, have begun to distribute the money, prompting criticism from some Florida lawmakers.

Why raise taxes, when ...

"Paperwork will be filed Tuesday to increase the federal share of the state-federal health care program for the poor from 55.4 percent to 67.6 percent and that would send $817 million in stimulus to Florida for a six-month period retroactive to October." "Crist: Fla. applying for $817 million in stimulus".

Never mind

"Plummeting property-tax revenues might endanger Gov. Charlie Crist's sugar land buy." "Drop in tax revenue might sour deal to buy U.S. Sugar land". Related: "Poll finds Florida voters split on proposed U.S. Sugar land deal". See also "Tax loss imperils Glades land buy".

Bill tracking

"Users can search for bills, follow the progress of each measure through committee and floor votes and read staff analyses. The House site even has a bill tracker that automatically sends e-mail updates on legislation selected by each user." "Web lets Floridians look over lawmakers' shoulders".

"Executions' moral, fiscal costs burden society"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board reminds us that

The death penalty is ineffective as a deterrent to murder. Jurisdictions with capital punishment see no reduction in the rate of violent crime and the American south, where 80 percent of U.S. executions occur, has a considerably higher murder rate than the northeast, responsible for only 1 percent of American executions.

The death penalty is racially and economically biased. Murderers who kill Caucasians or can't afford private attorneys are more likely to be sentenced to death.

The death penalty creates a potential for irrevocable error. Florida leads the nation with 22 death row exonerations over the past 35 years, and it's almost a certainty that several innocent people were executed before DNA-testing technology became widespread.

The death penalty is barbaric. Most democratic countries have outlawed its use.

Stop the madness

"Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, has filed a bill in the Florida Legislature that would require random drug testing for those who draw unemployment compensation benefits."

The reason he considers the bill important is that, with high levels of unemployment, the state’s unemployment compensation trust fund is rapidly depleting. Trimming those from the rolls who are using the money to buy drugs would relieve some of the financial pressure on the fund, Bennett said.

Byrd

"Last spring, state lawmakers eliminated a $13.5 million earmark for the Johnnie B. Byrd Sr. Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute amid controversy over the center's governance and spending decisions. Before a budget-cutting session in fall 2007, the center was receiving $15 million a year." "Tampa's Byrd Institute Seeks $2 Million 'Survival Funding'".

What the "[]consequential" people are saying ...

Mike Thomas: "Some Tallahassee politicians are contemplating a raid on the prepaid fund."

This would be a huge breach of trust. If you bought into the program, they literally would be looting your savings account. This would destroy the program's credibility and jeopardize its future solvency.

It would establish the precedent that the fund is a cash cow for politicians when times get tough.

I wish I could say those talking about it are inconsequential.

Cat fund

"Members of the Florida Cabinet sitting as the State Board of Administration are trying to decide on a financial strategy for the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund." "Board to discuss financial strategy for fund".

Road projects

"Thousands of jobless Floridians are hoping that the $1.3 billion in stimulus money coming to Florida for road projects might help them get out of the unemployment line and back to work." "It's a long road to get stimulus money to the streets".

Embarrassing

The Chamber hacks at the Miami Herald want you to believe that "the average UAW worker makes $73 an hour in wages and benefits" "No choice in Free Choice Act".

This garbage from the same newspaper company that long ago lost its editorial credibility:

The Miami Herald's endorsement on Sunday of President Reagan for a second term prompted the newspaper's editor to resign because The Herald's publisher had overruled an editorial board [9 to 2] decision to endorse Walter F. Mondale, according to Jim Hampton, the editor.

Hush about all that ...

"Even after watching three of their former colleagues being taken down by federal prosecutors, Palm Beach County Commissioners Burt Aaronson and Addie Greene said today that they won't testify before a state grand jury that's trying to uncover local corruption." "Commissioners Aaronson, Greene, Vana won't testify in Palm Beach County corruption probe".

Who?

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "By law, the Department of Children and Families’ mission is to support Florida’s families — even those full of dysfunction. The system strives to restore children to their parents whenever possible. But that bias should never trump a child’s basic welfare when a parent has failed time and time again." "Who will protect this child?".

"The greatest Floridian"

Martin Dyckman:

If Florida were serious about its state holidays, then March 10 ought to be one of them. LeRoy Collins, the greatest Floridian, was born a century ago today.

More school cuts

"The suggested reductions were part of proposed budget cuts at the county's middle and high schools given to the [Broward County school] board on Monday. The total cuts represent 4 percent of school budgets, or $55 million from elementary, middle and high schools, and centers". "School sports may be axed in Broward County to save $55 million".

"Myths"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "There's too much control over growth in Florida. Developers need more freedom to build. Local elected officials don't need oversight from the state."

Those are the myths driving legislative efforts to abolish growth management in Florida.

"Officer Down"

"There are subtle messages and a political back story in 'Officer Down,' the bronze police memorial that Gov. Charlie Crist dedicated Monday in the Capitol plaza. " "Memorial dedicated to fallen law-enforcement officers".

Imagine that

"Floridians are concerned about the state's carbon footprint and many would support laws to reduce emissions and require auto manufacturers to sell cars and light trucks that emit fewer harmful greenhouse gases, according to a recent survey." "Survey: Floridians would support laws to reduce emissions".

Spoils of war

"Count 'em. Not one, but two bid protests for the massive Florida Turnpike concession contract. Both Host International and the lobbied-up International Meal Co. say the contract wasn't fairly awarded to Areas." "Let the bid protests begin!".

Flori...Duh

"Florida's neighbors Georgia and Alabama are among 26 states with Web sites keeping the public informed about where and how they plan to spend federal stimulus money. But the Sunshine State appears to have a problem illuminating its own recovery road map." "Post: Florida lags on Web site for spending".

Self-imposed "hardship"

This is a little like the kid who killed his parents and then pled for mercy because he was an orphan.

Florida markets itself as a low tax state, cuts taxes on wealthy investors, and on top of that, elects Legislators without the political courage to create a bona fide public finance system. Now Florida claims it is entitled to a "hardship" exemption.

"U.S. Secretary of Education Arne "

Duncan must determine whether to give Florida a special waiver so that it can receive that $2.2 billion share of funding contained in the massive $787 billion American Recovery and Investment Act signed by President Barack Obama last month. ...

Both of the state's U.S. senators, members of the House and state lawmakers are among those who have been pressing Duncan in letters to grant Florida a pass because the stimulus bill allows waivers in cases of hardship.

Miccosukee cops

The Miami Herald editorial board: "The Miccosukee police, who handled the accident, have not cooperated fully with prosecutors on the case, leaving much in limbo. They have not turned over subpoenaed paperwork, including reports and photographs, that could help determine the cause of the accident and who might be at fault."

Such cooperation is usually routine with police departments, but it has not always been so with the Miccosukee in traffic and criminal cases.

The disconnect is serious enough that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which certifies the Miccosukee and other police departments throughout the state, should determine if the Miccosukee department is in compliance with state codes. The Miami-Dade County Commission also should look into the matter.

Out here in the fields

"Farm workers from Immokalee traveled to Tallahassee to ask the state to fight 'modern-day slavery' and improve working conditions." "Farm workers from Immokalee protest conditions". See also "Farm workers, protestors speak out against modern day slavery".

Meantime, Charlie hides under the Chamber's skirts. The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board takes the self-proclaimed "People's Governor" to task:

Taking a stand against the beating, threatening and restraining of employees, the act of locking them in trucks to force them to work, should be among the easiest calls a politician ever makes.

That's why it's dumbfounding that Gov. Charlie Crist refuses to meet with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. ...

For some inexplicable reason, Crist has remained silent on what Gourmet magazine recently dubbed "Florida's slave trade," the scourge of our state's agricultural industry. There have been seven federal prosecutions for slavery in Florida's fields since 1997, freeing more than 1,000 people ... .

"Low key"

"House Democratic leader Franklin Sands says being on the sidelines in Tallahassee won't keep him from being an effective advocate for his West Broward constituents." "Weston lawmaker says low-key doesn't equal ineffective".

Head in the sand

"Sandblom, who said one reason she did not vote for the president was his stand on embryonic stem cell research, said she has no problems with using adult stem cells or umbilical stems cells for such research, but she draws the line at embryos." "Residents divided over stem cell order".

Days into a two-month session, many of the governor's top policy proposals are clinging to life support, victims of a tight budget and a shifting political landscape.

And his $66.5 billion budget, built on $4.7 billion in federal stimulus funds, is drawing the ire of Republicans worried about what will happen in three years when the money runs out.

Session agenda

"Lawmakers return today for the second week of the 60-day session and take on the increasingly contentious plan to buy U.S. Sugar land near the Everglades. The Joint Legislative Committee on Everglades Oversight will get a 4 p.m. update on Gov. Charlie Crist's plan to buy the land for $1.34 billion." "As Week 2 starts, legislators to look at sugar deal and Citizens".

Courtesy of the Milton Friedman crowd

"More ER visits, fewer trips to the doctor's office. More aspirin, fewer echocardiograms."

And many people are afraid to miss work for healthcare because they fear it might cost them their jobs.

That's the anecdotal evidence from several dozen healthcare providers in South Florida about how the deepening recession is effecting treatment.

While it has been well-publicized that many people are losing health insurance when they lose their jobs, doctors and hospital leaders have been surprised about how many who still have coverage are scrimping on care because they can't afford the co-pays or time away from work.

Love, American Style

"Randy Means, a spokesman for Orange-Osceola State Attorney Lawson Lamar, said the grand jury did not indict anyone because none of the vendors interviewed said they were strong-armed. They just 'felt' they 'needed' to contribute, he said" "Expressway Authority 'unethical' in chasing political donations, expert says".

FCAT Follies

"For years, parents, students and teachers have complained that the time and money put toward the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test isn't worth the headache or the elbow grease. Now, many see the budget troubles facing the state -- and talk of changes in national testing requirements -- as a good excuse to reconsider the FCAT's importance." "Budget, new president revive FCAT debate".

Runnin' government like a business

"In January 2007, Medicare shut down the businesses of 18 medical equipment suppliers in Miami-Dade County after investigators told the federal agency that the companies were shams."

But when Medicare heard their appeals, the operators were quickly reinstated -- only to be indicted later that year for submitting more than $10 million in phony claims to the very agency that had let them back in business, court records show.

Raw political courage

"A push to change the way the state figures out who is eligible for unemployment benefits — and how much those beneficiaries get — could bring the state hundreds of millions of additional dollars in federal stimulus money."

But some lawmakers also are cautious about the changes, noting they could eventually boost the tax on businesses used to pay for the benefits when the federal money is gone. ...

Crist, who strongly supported the stimulus package, dodged repeated questions last week about whether the state should go after the additional $444 million in unemployment benefits that would come from making the changes.

“I want to get as much help as we can for our people,” Crist said.

Modernization would increase the benefits Florida would pay to the unemployed, and could cost the state up to $226 million on top of the federal funding, though the plan being pursued by supporters right now is far less expensive.

Currently state law requires a person’s eligibility to be determined and his or her benefits to be calculated based on payroll information in the first four of the five most recently completed financial quarters. So the state would, for a person applying for benefits on Monday, calculate benefits based on that person’s earnings from October 2007 through September 2008.

Space

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Legislators need to stop the decline of the space industry in Florida". The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "Space program needs a new map".

Raid

"Desperate for money sources, Florida lawmakers talk of possibly taking funds from families' prepaid college tuition program. That won't happen if the fund's chairman has anything to say about it." "Tapping college fund is frowned upon".

A change in time ...

"During a heated 2000 Democratic primary, challenger Addie Greene blasted Palm Beach County Commissioner Maude Ford Lee for planning to leave office early and allowing a Republican governor (Jeb Bush) to appoint her successor in heavily Democratic, minority-dominated District 7. ... "

"Nine years later, Greene is planning to resign only a few months into her third term. That will allow a Republican governor (Charlie Crist) to appoint her replacement through November 2010." "Greene's plans recall scenario she denounced in 2000 race".

On the net

Tom Blackburn: "In the past week I have been reading the stuff that is going to replace old-fashioned newspapers, and I am getting dumber by the hour. You have to move tons of dirt to find a nugget in what is called the Net or the Blogosphere. " "4 score & 7 yrs ago r frs...".

Tally Town

"Bill Cotterell: Downtown could change as state unloads property".

"Huge favors for developers at nasty expense to the public"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Last April, Florida was home to 18.8 million people. Next month, the forecasters predict, the state will be home to -- 18.8 million people."

That's zero-growth for the first time since the state began estimating population in the middle of the last century. Demographers say Florida should expect no more than 1 percent growth during the next four years.

Population growth is the engine that drives the state's economy. Seeing that engine stalled seems to have sent several legislators into a panic, unless that is, they're not panicked at all but merely taking advantage of anxious times to press huge favors for developers at nasty expense to the public.

Courageous hunter

"Come on, shooting a duck dead, with a bow and arrow? What could inspire such cruelty toward a defenseless creature? " "It's a sick soul who'd shoot arrows through a duck, even an ugly one".

All of that and nothing

The Miami Herald editorial board: "You can't blame the people at the Swiss company, Nestle, for being just a little bit confused at the strange state of politics and business in Florida."

"Just a few years ago, the state was putting on a full-court press to get Nestle Waters of North America to build a plant in rural Madison County and take as much water as it wanted from a cold-water spring in a state park. For free, of course. As a sweetener, the state would throw in tax incentives worth millions. Now under a new governor, Charlie Crist, Florida wants to impose a 6-cents-per-gallon tax on bottled water." "Times are tough, no more freebies".

"Quit starving our schools and universities"

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "here in Florida we are letting our public schools and universities languish, even though we once passed a constitutional amendment demanding quality public education. We continue to ignore its call."

What we do in Florida is bow to the lowest-common denominator approach to managing government, which by extension includes public schools, colleges and universities.

It's a shame and an embarrassment, and it is so self-defeating that one can only conclude our educational system has personally failed our state legislators who don't seem to know how to connect the dots.

"It's Tallahassee legislating at its worst"

The Tampa Trib editors: "When the state's development friendly lawmakers aren't trying to undo growth management laws, they're trying to gut or eliminate altogether the agency charged with enforcing them, the Department of Community Affairs."

It's Tallahassee legislating at its worst.

Gov. Jeb Bush at one time proposed folding DCA into the Department of State, but, fortunately, public outcry stopped that scheme. Instead, in Bush's last term, misguided lawmakers decided to slowly bleed the department by eliminating three or four positions a year.

The attack on development oversight has continued the last two years. Last year Secretary Tom Pelham lost eight positions. But some lawmakers pledged to Pelham that the positions would be restored if he supported their flawed growth management legislation. Pelham declined.

A couple of weeks ago, another handful of planners were let go.

The worst offenders are in the House. Speaker-elect Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, has long had it in for the department. But Rep. Rich Glorioso, a Plant City Republican, also wants the agency's budget slashed by 50 percent this session.

Many of our current leaders are disciples of Jeb Bush, who opposed the class-size amendment and wanted to redirect public money into private schools. The new generation of Jeb Lites crave his popularity, but lack his intellect.

On the cheap

"Consumer advocates in Florida are warning that some health insurers are using misleading tactics to steer patients toward cheaper medicines — and the results can be harmful." "Health insurers push generics, but what are patients getting?".

The poor things

Aaron Deslatte: "Florida's economic meltdown is affecting even the hardiest of industries: lobbyists." "Lobbyists down but not out in Tallahassee". Related: "Through lean times, lobbyists are feasting".

Scramble

"From research labs to city halls, South Floridians are scrambling to get a piece of the economic stimulus money that will flow from federal coffers." "South Fla. scrambles for economic stimulus money".

Deep thinkers

"Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Indialantic, and Rep. Dean Cannon, R- Winter Park, are slated to assume the top leadership jobs in their respective chambers in 2010. "

If Florida opts to balance its $66 billion budget with heaping helpings of federal stimulus money — Crist has recommended using $4.7billion in the 2009-10 budget — they'll be the presiding officers when the money runs out.

Not coincidentally, they are among the most forceful critics of the $787billion stimulus bill.

Not a nice visual

"In the face of massive budget cuts and new figures that showed 800,000 jobless Floridians and the worst unemployment rate in 16 years, state lawmakers are growing angrier by the day." "Wanted: Jobs for Florida".

Desperate

"It began with three mothers. And grew to include the signatures of more than 2,000 parents, students, teachers and other community members. The 500-foot scroll is headed for Tallahassee on Tuesday as part of a plea to lawmakers to not cut money to public education." "Signed scroll headed to Tallahassee".

See you in Havana

Mike Thomas: "With Cuba, emotions have blocked rational policy."

Our approach to the island is dictated by a Cuban exile community that cannot see beyond its hatred of Castro. Nobody dare run for office in Florida, or for president of the United States for that matter, without paying homage to the failed embargo.

Sen. Mel Martinez is among them. His parents evacuated him to the United States when he was 15 years old to escape Castro. His hatred is understandable, his hard line consistent.

He now is trying to block legislation that would ease the embargo, starting with travel restrictions.

That Martinez means well is not in doubt. But he is helping to perpetuate the very thing he despises.

From the "values" crowd

"Libraries in Pasco County may close on Mondays".

Once in a blue moon ...

Florida's editorial board's will remove their noses from the Florida Chamber's Limbaugh-sized derriere. The St. Petersburg Times editorial board gives us a stunner today:

Three of Florida's most powerful business groups — Enterprise Florida, the Chamber of Commerce and the Council of 100 — have offered 250 recommendations to the Legislature about how to respond to the economic recession. But their prescription reflects the self-interests of big business and developers rather than the welfare of all Floridians. It approaches the future by embracing the worst excesses of the past, and it would move Florida backward, not forward.

"That dreary annual IQ test"

Carl Hiaasen: "Every year, state water managers allow large bottling firms to siphon nearly two billion gallons from fresh springs and aquifers. The fees are laughably puny."

Now the issue is floating up again in that dreary annual IQ test otherwise known as the meeting of the Florida Legislature. Gov. Charlie Crist is pushing for a modest 6-cents-per gallon tax on water taken by commercial bottlers. ...

Perceptively noting that the budget is in shambles and the state is desperate for revenue, even some Republicans have expressed support for cashing in on the bottled-water craze.

In a charming understatement, Sen. Evelyn Lynn of Ormond Beach said ''it's somewhat of a contradiction'' for Florida to let bottling firms have all the water they want while curtailing use by homeowners.

However, Lynn wants to tax water bottles at the point of sale, meaning the money would come from the pockets of consumers. Crist's proposed fee is fairer, laying the burden where it belongs -- on the companies that are getting rich from tapping Florida's underground aquifers.

Not surprisingly, the industry greatly prefers a sales tax over an extraction fee. Its lobbyists are fiercely working to kill the governor's plan.

Bottlers say it's wrong to single out one group among the many private and public users of spring water. Although agriculture does draw billions of gallons from the same sources, few ranches or farms enjoy spectacular profits that water bottlers do.

The times are jittery for corporations such as Nestle and Coca-Cola, under fire for contributing a waste stream of plastic containers to the nation's landfills and dumps.

Words mean things

Mark Lane's "Words of the week".

"... the world record for spinning its wheels the longest"

The Tampa Trib editors: "Over many years the issue of rail transit in Tampa has been studied, argued, abandoned, resurrected, and refined, but never have voters been asked if they want to tax themselves to begin building a useful rail system."

Tampa probably holds the world record for spinning its wheels the longest on this issue. So it was frustrating to hear three county commissioners last week attack Commissioner Mark Sharpe, who had the courage to mention "referendum" out loud at a board meeting.

Whatever

"Pat Mica, wife of U.S. Rep. John Mica, has been selected to commission the U.S. Coast Guard's newest cutter, the Alligator, in a ceremony planned for 10 a.m., Monday, at the St. Petersburg Coast Guard Station." "Congressman Mica's wife to commission Coast Guard cutter".