Lawmakers are assuming they'll have about $3 billion in federal stimulus money to fill that hole. But the U.S. Department of Education isn't expected to tell states such as Florida how to apply for a federal waiver to tap more than $2 billion in education money until next month.

With the 60-day lawmaking session nearing halftime, lawmakers have yet to decide between three equally grim options: requiring school districts to raise their millage rates to make up the lost property-tax revenues; raising other taxes instead; or cutting classroom spending for the third year in a row.

Was restoration a PR stunt?

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Crist is touting the fact that more than 138,000 ex-offenders have had their civil rights restored since he urged the Florida Board of Executive Clemency to change state rules in April 2007 to make restoration virtually automatic for nonviolent offenders."

However, Gov. Crist and the Legislature must further reform the clemency process for the hundreds of thousands of felons in Florida who remain disenfranchised. ...

[A]ccording to a report by the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, about 950,000 Floridians who have completed all the terms of their incarceration or supervision are barred from doing that because of felony convictions. That number includes thousands with nonviolent offenses who are eligible for rights restoration under the new, expedited procedures. ...

If Gov. Crist is truly committed to giving ex-offenders who have served their time a real second chance, he must take a second look at clemency reform

Kottkamp in another jam

"Eighteen months ago, Gov. Charlie Crist created a Children and Youth Cabinet with a simple promise: `Children are our highest priority.'"

But not everyone on the panel is convinced. Three Crist appointees say their effort to grab the Legislature's attention on the plight of Florida's kids this spring was watered down by Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, resulting in a muffled message being sent to Crist and legislators.

Kottkamp, chairman of the 15-member advisory panel, called their letter to legislators ''overly aggressive'' and signed a much milder version, which one advocate says was ''significantly toned down'' and another called ``embarrassing.''

"Ethics"?

"The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday upheld an ethics reform enacted in 2005 to curb the influence of lobbyists by requiring them to publicly disclose their pay and banning gifts to lawmakers." "State's top court upholds rules for lobbyists" ("more than 2,000 lobbyists in Tallahassee were paid in excess of $116ƒ million to ply their trade with the Legislature last year.")

One of twelve Orange teachers to be laid off?

"Suddenly the prospect of laying off maybe 700 teachers out of the 12,000-teacher work force has turned into layoffs of 1,000 or more." "Legislators sleep as the education funding crisis deepens".

Water "giveaway"

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "Bottled water companies have quite the deal. They pump about 5.4 million gallons of water a day from state springs and aquifers, bottle it and sell it — and Florida does not collect a dime on those sales. Gov. Charlie Crist would not end the giveaway outright. But his proposal for a 6-cents-per-gallon tax is a reasonable starting point the Legislature should embrace. " "End the water giveaway".

"State lawmakers don't have a clue"

The Tampa Trib editors: "It's reassuring to see the Tampa City Council understands the urgent need to conserve water. It's dismaying to see state lawmakers don't have a clue about the need to protect Florida's water resources." "An Irritating Snub Of Conservation".

Osceola's revenge

"If the Seminole Tribe of Florida follows through with plans to expand its casinos and resorts, it will siphon off $95 million in annual tourist and convention business from around the state and gain an even greater competitive advantage."

Those were the conclusions of Amy Baker, the Florida Legislature's chief economist, in a report presented to the House Committee on Seminole Indian Compact Review on Friday. The panel is writing legislation to guide the governor on how to renegotiate a new gambling agreement with the tribe.

In addition to ''cannibalizing'' the tourism and convention business in Florida, Baker said the existing tax rate imposed on horse and dog tracks and jai-alai frontons gives the Seminoles a $272 million tax advantage if they were to install all the slot machines they're planning. As a sovereign nation, the tribe not only doesn't pay a slot machine gaming tax, it also doesn't pay sales tax on merchandise and lodging or property tax on its buildings.

Dereg ... Yeah, that's the ticket!

"The so-dubbed 'Consumer Choice and Protection Act' removes the Public Service Commission's authority to regulate rates and quality of service for all but the basic landline phone service -- defined as just a single line and no extra features." "Phone companies lobby for deregulation".

Dreaming of the good ole' Batista days

"Cuban-American voters here remain dominated by an older generation with more extreme views on U.S.-Cuba foreign policy, including support for the U.S. embargo against their communist homeland, according to an exit poll taken during the 2008 election."

Cuban-American voters here remain dominated by an older generation with more extreme views on U.S.-Cuba foreign policy, including support for the U.S. embargo against their communist homeland, according to an exit poll taken during the 2008 election. ...

Of the Cuban-American voters polled, 21 percent said they were Democrats, while 58 percent said they were Republicans.

President Barack Obama earlier this month signed a $410 billion spending bill that rolled back Bush administration limits on Cuban-Americans visiting their relatives on the island. The bill effectively allows visits once a year, removes restrictions on how long people can stay in Cuba and permits spending up to $179 a day. However, the changes only remain in effect until the fiscal year ends Sept. 30.

Citizens

"State consumer advocate urges 30% hike in Citizens rates".

"Recession-ravaged state budget"

"Staring at a $6 billion shortfall, Florida lawmakers are about to put a human face on the recession-ravaged state budget." "Florida budget cuts could hit children, elderly, LEOs".

Session summary

"2009 Legislature roundup".

Heaven help us

"House Bill 847, sponsored by Rep. Ronald Renuart, R-Ponte Vedra Beach, would designate part of State Road 9A in Duval County the 'Ronald W. Reagan Memorial Highway' after the Republican icon." "Naming roads gets political spin".

"Sweet"

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "A new initiative by the Florida Agriculture Department to use the property tax code to shore up the citrus industry’s defense against disease is a smart idea." "A sweet tax plan to protect our citrus".

"Frugality is in"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "The fat cats at American International Group might not get it, nor, for a time there, the CEOs of the Big Three U.S. automakers. But a lot of municipal officials have figured out that excess is out, frugality is in. This is a message that needs to trickle up, way up." "Belt-tightening".

Hurry up and wait

"In tough budget year, families awaiting claims from state may have to wait even longer".

"Fishing industry should take long view in Atlantic ban"


The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Few food fish please the palate like the red snapper. But until snapper stocks, particularly the larger breeding fish, are again plentiful off Florida and other Southern Atlantic coastal states, it is sensible to ban their catch by both commercial and recreational fishermen.". "Seeing red over red snapper".

Peas in a pod

"Alaska and Florida consider bans on bestiality".

The Senate has begun what it calls an ''exercise'' in which all agencies are asked to plan for cuts of from 10 percent to 20 percent in next year's budget. What senators heard Thursday was a long list of horror stories: a 20,000 wait list for early childhood education, 70 state trooper layoffs, early-inmate releases and eliminating payments for eyeglasses, dentures and hearing aids for nearly 60,000 poor, elderly Floridians.

''These cuts are somewhere in-between malfeasance and malpractice,'' said Sen. Durell Peaden, R-Crestview, who oversees healthcare spending.

Crime scene

"Since the [2000] ballots are historic, the Smithsonian Institution might be interested, Sen. Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, suggested."

"Well they are historic documents, aren't they?" committee Chairman Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, wanted to know.

"It's a matter of opinion," Browning said.

"Well, we Republicans think they're historic," Fasano quipped.

Billy's rules

"Unlike Attorney General Bill McCollum, two other statewide officeholders who ran public service announcements last year did not appear in them and sought competitive bids." "Democrats blast Bill McCollum's public service ads".

Frank Cerabino has a little fun at Boy Scout Bill's expense: "Who could possibly be against joining this Jiminy Cricket look-alike to save the children?"

OK, McCollum is a bit of a political stalker himself.

His political career peaked during his days as a Bill Clinton predator, wasting America's time and money by being one of the Republican congressmen prosecuting a what-now-seems-quaint presidential misadventure.

But I feel sorry for the guy. McCollum's star turn in the Clinton show failed to get him the U.S. Senate seat he thought he had earned. He lost two bids for the Senate, including one when the eventual winner, Mel Martinez, accused McCollum of being too gay-friendly.

C'mon, McCollum's about as gay-friendly as your average gansta rapper.

And now he's getting ripped by the Democrats for trying to buy ballot-box appeal in the guise of self-starring public service ads for his office.

Swell

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Floridians who played by the rules when buying their own homes but, through various bailout plans, are paying for the mistakes and greed of others also might have to pay more to insure their cars even though they've followed the rules on personal credit." "Give Floridians some credit"

What's next? Amway?

"Florida officials are pressing the Legislature to pass a new law they say will help them get tough on rogue pest-control companies." "Officials bugged by pest-control fraud aim to get tough".

When you load the Legislature with RPOFers ...

... the results are predictable:

The Miami Herald editorial board: "For too long the Florida Legislature has been reducing its general-revenue contribution to the state's public-education budget and making up the difference by raising a school-board tax called the Local Required Effort."

Though school boards had no control over this, it looked as though they were responsible for increasing property taxes when it was really done by state lawmakers.

From the sentiments expressed during Wednesday's education rally in Tallahassee, the days of the Legislature getting by unnoticed for underfunding schools are over. Now perhaps legislators will take their education-funding responsibilities and obligations to Florida's school children more seriously. As in, if they don't do right by Florida schools they run the risk of voter backlash by angry parents and school employees, not to mention business leaders who know how important education funding is to the state economy.

Sorry you weren't there

"The night of fun was Tuesday. The governor and nearly a thousand of his closest friends were there to take in the sketches, songs, videos and alcohol." "Skits".

Desperate

"Former Gov. Martinez Named A 'Great Floridian'".

After 8 years of Jebbie, the light bulb goes off

The The Orlando Sentinel editorial board is in a dither:

This mess is due partly to the economy but also to a state government that has never taken public education very seriously. Florida has long been mired in the bottom tier of states in how much money it spends per pupil on education.

What's happening right now perfectly illustrates why that is.

Mr. Crist showed up in Jacksonville where, asked about a proposal to increase the sales tax by a penny to support education, dismissively responded, "I don't like that. I don't like taxes."

Thanks for clearing that up, governor. Neither do we. Maybe a higher sales tax isn't the way, but what would he suggest, aside from some chump change out of a gambling compact with the Seminole Indians? Or hoping for federal bailout money that may or may not come, and certainly will have plenty of federal strings attached if it does?

We wonder to whom Mr. Crist owes his loyalty: Florida's schoolchildren or Grover Norquist, the anti-tax crusader who in an opinion column recently reminded Mr. Crist and 30 Republican state legislators that they've signed a pledge to never increase taxes.

Good luck with that

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board is smoking something if they think their RPOFer friends in Tally will consider this: "As Florida lawmakers look to solve the state's budget crisis, here's an idea the Legislature needs to embrace: Funnel state funds to preventive treatment for the severely mentally ill to ultimately lower the demand for forensic hospital beds." "Plan improves care, saves money".

Embarrassing

Who elects these people? "In all that mass of zeroes there is $393,000 coming to Florida from the National Endowment of the Arts to recover or preserve arts jobs. That got hoots from Florida senators."

"What jobs? Don't tell me some artist," said Sen. Mike Fasano, a New Port Richey Republican. "What, draw a picture? That's wild."

Tuff job

"More than 100 female employees have filed a lawsuit against the state Department of Corrections, alleging they were subject to constant sexual harassment from male inmates." "Female prison employees sue over inmates' sexual harassment".

Fees and Fines

The South Florida Sun Sentinel editorial board: "There seems to be a good deal of anger over the increased fees and fines being levied by cash-strapped governments, as detailed in the Sun Sentinel this past week."

Nobody likes being nickel-and-dimed to death, but city, county and state governments in Florida are tapped out, and looking for revenue wherever they can find any. It is a strategy being repeated nationally.

On top of that, nobody wants to cut education. Nobody wants to cut police. Don't even think about cutting fire service. Nobody wants to cut park hours.

Sorry, but not everything can be spared. And demanding no cuts is unrealistic at a time when revenues are falling and state and local government expenses are either unchanged or rising. There is going to be pain.

Sad day

"A real estate developer from Miami-Dade County, Tate wrote the legislation in 1987 that created what is now called the Stanley G. Tate Prepaid College Program to allow families to pay future tuition and fees over time."

The goal was to make college more affordable, said Tate, who oversaw the program for 18 years. Now he is pouring thousands of his own dollars into a campaign to kill a proposal from Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, and Sen. Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, to allow six of Florida's universities to raise tuition by up to 15 percent a year. Tate has commissioned a Web site, hired a public relations firm and bought full-page ads in newspapers attacking the bill.

"The low-income people don't have anyone to stand up here for them," he told a House panel that oversees university budgets. "The African-American people don't have anyone to stand up here for them. I'm here representing them. ... I'm begging you not to do it."

But the House panel voted against him - unanimously ...

FRS

"The people who run Florida's giant public employee pension plan recently distributed a report reassuring hundreds of thousands of workers that their retirement fund was financially healthy and running a surplus."

The plan "was fully funded for the 11th consecutive year, with an estimated $8.7 billion surplus, a major achievement considering the fact that most state public pension funds in the United States are underfunded,'' the report said.

But records show that almost three weeks before distributing the report on March 5, the people who run the pension fund knew that it faced a massive funding deficit.

"Attacking local government control of wetlands permitting"

Denise Layne, executive director of the Coalition 4 Responsible Growth:

For the fifth year in a row, the Florida Legislature is attacking local government control of wetlands permitting, especially aiming at Hillsborough County's Environmental Protection Commission (EPC). In the name of streamlining, legislators maintain that local wetland review duplicates that of other state agencies and is a reason for the state's economic crisis. Ha!

Bushco dead enders living in the past

Florida is turning bluer by the day, and "bleeding voters in Florida".

Unfortunately, Suzanne Kosmas is stuck "in a district tailored for Republicans." She's also got to deal with right wing newspaper companies: "On card-check bill, Nelson and Kosmas will show if they leveled with voters"

Fortunately, the RPOF has no new ideas, just the same old Bushco dead enders, who are living in the past:

Kosmas previously served in the state Legislature; her eight years in Tallahassee were marked by fights for more funding for the arts and medically needy, and against school vouchers.

John Dowless, an Orlando-based Republican consultant, said this illustrates Kosmas' liberal bent and will force her to make a choice.

"She'll have to decide to vote her conscience, which is very left-leaning Democrat, or to moderate her vote," he said.

including state Sen. Lee Constantine, R- Altamonte Springs; state Rep. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange; and Brian Rooney, brother to U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R- Tequesta.

"Any of the potential Republican candidates on our side would provide a great voice to holding Kosmas accountable for siding with partisan leaders like Nancy Pelosi," said Paul Lindsay, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Even Kassab gets it

Like a broken clock, even the generally uninformed* Beth Kassab is right at least twice a day: "SunRail vs. schools? That's not the choice".

- - - - - - - - - -
For more on Chamber of Commerce shill Beth Kassab see "Pathetic" (scroll down).

At the fed trough

"The federal government has approved nearly $731 million in funding for 48 states, including $91 million for Florida to help stabilize housing markets hit hard by foreclosures." "Florida to get $91M to stabilize housing market".

More: "Florida awaits first stimulus payout", "Crist asks citizens to press for stimulus money" and "Eight road projects in Palm Beach County will get federal stimulus aid".

My garage is available

"The state's flailing economy resurrected the disputed 2000 election Thursday during Senate budget discussions." "Storing 2000 ballots costs $153,000 a year".

And since last year's election, Democrats netted 34,000 more registered voters than Republicans. As of Jan. 31, Democrats accounted for 42 percent of the electorate and Republicans for 36 percent in America's biggest battleground state.

That's the biggest registration advantage Democrats have enjoyed in more than a decade.

Brilliant mistake

"State agencies presented dire scenarios Thursday of the impact of budget cuts that included hundreds of layoffs, severely reduced services, thousands of children and the sick kicked out of programs as well as changes in the way people interact with government." "Trooper layoffs, school-readiness drops among Senate committee nightmare scenarios". See also "Florida puts tighter squeeze on spending".

"All about the money"

"From reducing prison costs to grappling with the state's prepaid college funds, the state Legislature turns its attention Thursday to virtually every aspect of the state budget."

This is the first week the budget committees meet with the new and bleak economic forecast issued by the state Revenue Estimating Conference on Friday. Factoring in the lower-than-expected tax collections, the budget deficit could reach $3 billion next year.

From the "values" crowd

"A House panel voted to require that women get ultrasounds before abortions." "Ultrasound abortion provision revived in Florida House". See also "Bill On Abortion Ultrasound Requirement Is Back" ("The bill, which comes this year from Rep. Anitere Flores and Sen. Andy Gardiner [both RPOFers], sparked some of the most emotional discussion of the 2008 legislative session, ultimately passing the House but falling short in the Senate.")

Meantime, "Thousands rally in Tallahassee to protest cuts to Florida schools".

Rate increase?

"Florida Power & Light wants to increase customers' base rates by 31 percent next year - that's an additional billion dollars a year." "FPL seeks hefty increase in base rates".

Castor's "electronic revolution in health care"

The Tampa Trib editors:

This week USF Health CEO Stephen Klasko and Tampa Congresswoman Kathy Castor launched a program Klasko is convinced will be the beginning of "an electronic revolution in health care."

Through PaperFree Tampa, a public-private partnership, the university will hire some 130 people to fan out into 10 counties and meet one-on-one with physicians to persuade them it's time to convert from paper pads to an all-electronic prescription system.

It's the first regional initiative to call upon federal stimulus monies to help integrate electronic prescribing hardware and software.

Clerk fight

"Florida's circuit court clerks have won a compromise in the state Senate, killing part of a bill that would have taken away their power to collect fees and perform other duties. But the House might not agree to go along - and even if it does, clerks say, the Senate's compromise doesn't go far enough." "Circuit Court Clerks Win Battle In War To Retain Power".

"A compromise bill being worked on by lawmakers would see court clerks retaining some of their duties -- but losing control of their spending. " "Bill would see court clerks keep duties, lose some power".

Background: "Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff and Sen. Ken Pruitt proposed this spring to gradually transfer those court-related responsibilities to chief judges and courts administrators of Florida's judicial circuits. Doing so, said Bogdanoff, would save money and introduce needed accountability into a system that has allowed clerks to grow too powerful."

"Jerk!"

"The national fight over ensuring secret ballots for union votes erupted Wednesday in an emotional quarrel between two Palm Beach County lawmakers that included one calling the other a "jerk" in a Florida House committee meeting. Rep. Mary Brandenburg, D-West Palm Beach, called Rep. Adam Hasner, R-Boca Raton, a 'jerk' from her seat in the House Policy Committee. Her microphone was turned off, but her comment was audible from at least the third row in the meeting room." "Democrat calls GOP colleague 'jerk'".

Still draggin' them knuckles in Tally

The Miami Herald editorial board: "The fundamental unfairness and illogic of Florida's ban on gay adoptions gets more obvious with every new legal assault on it. The ban has been found unconstitutional in two state court circuits and is the target of two new bills in the Legislature. Whether the Florida Supreme Court will agree that the ban is unconstitutional, or lawmakers will come to their senses this year and end the ban isn't clear."

Unfortunately, politics still trumps common sense when it comes to issues involving homosexuality in Florida. While the private sector has kept up with changing times by offering partner benefits, for example, the public sector is still hampered by political expediency.

SunRail

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Commuter trains can be a great way to move a lot of people from one place to another, especially when the trains are run efficiently and intersect with dense population areas. This is why the idea of a central Florida commuter line between DeLand and Poinciana, which would pass through busy Orlando, is so appealing. However, the appeal of the proposed 61-mile SunRail project under consideration in the Legislature loses much of its luster because of its high sticker price and its overly generous indemnity provisions." See what they mean here: "This train has too much baggage".

However, "[b]ehind the scenes, some South Florida legislators are trying to tie the fate of the insurance legislation authorizing the $1.2 billion rail deal to creating a new source of revenue for the Tri-Rail commuter rail system in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties." "SunRail picks up rider from South Florida".

Chamber of Commerce A**wipes at it again

Garbage like this must make the drafters of the first amendment roll over in their graves: The Orlando Sentinel/Zell Corporation editorial board: "On card-check bill, Nelson and Kosmas will show if they leveled with voters".

Redistricting

Scott Maxwell:

Republican John Mica lives more than 130 miles from many of the residents he represents. Much of the congressman's district is actually in Flagler and St. Johns counties. In fact, just about the only part of Orange County included in Mica's district is the swath of land around his Winter Park home.

Downsize this

"Florida growth fizzle is official". See also "Manatee’s population growth hits wall", "Southwest Florida keeps on growing, but pace has slowed, Census says" and "Polk's Population Is Still Growing, but Slowing".

"Another Glance"

"The Everglades, Cuba, NASA, a national insurance backup fund, offshore drilling, climate change, the Apalachicola River - all issues important to Florida that the state's Washington representatives say will get a different look under President Obama." "Fla. Issues Get Another Glance on Obama's Watch".

Lightweight weighs in

"Mack calls on Secretary Geithner to resign or be fired".

Courtesy of the feds

"Florida is about to get $65 million for homeless-prevention programs — money that advocates say is desperately needed to help keep the recently unemployed from winding up in shelters.
" "$65M will help keep roofs over Floridians' heads".

RPOFer sniping

"Hernando GOP Unity Rally a memory as sniping resumes".

CIs

Update: "Rachel's Law moves forward".

"The parents of an undercover civilian killed in a drug sting fight for a bill to protect informants." "Parents of informant killed in sting fight for `Rachel's Law'".

Drowning the baby

"As Florida lawmakers inch closer to the conclusion that the only way out of this year's fiscal crisis is to raise new revenues, they're offering a bevy of bills to streamline regulations, dismantle or merge agencies, to send the politically appealing message that they're serious about scaling back government. " "Crisis brings lawmakers chance to deal".

Brain dead

"The first stop for a proposal to require a woman view an ultrasound before receiving an abortion cleared its first House committee today." "Abortion ultrasound bill passes first hurdle".

The campaign continues

"Four months after the election, President Barack Obama is resurrecting his campaign army in Florida and nationwide to help him sell his $3.5 trillion budget to Congress."

It's the first call to action by Organizing for America, the Democratic Party initiative to turn the campaign's vast grass-roots network into a year-round support system that registers voters, promotes the administration's policies and lays the groundwork for a second term.

Known informally as Obama 2.0 because it represents the second phase of the Internet-savvy campaign, the program will test the staying power of a celebrity president long after the bumper stickers start to fade.

The Democratic Party plans to deploy staffers across the country over the next several weeks, including 35 to 40 people in Florida, the nation's largest swing state. The campaign-in-waiting could set the stage for Florida Democrats in the 2010 election, when a U.S. Senate seat and possibly other statewide offices will be up for grabs.

Perhaps King J.D. should get a job

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "the threat to cut state employee's salaries by 5 percent is like imposing a 5-percent tax on them in order to make life easier on ... exactly whom?"

On the lawmakers themselves who are, to date, unable to summon the courage to even out Florida's inequitable tax structure and be sure everyone pays a little bit for services we all require and enjoy.

These services are provided, and the laws the Legislature passes carried out, by the staff of the state of Florida — the men and women who are in every line of work protecting, teaching, building and maintaining the functions and infrastructure of government.

No question there may be more efficiencies to find, and perhaps there are even some divisions where redundant or inept employees are still on the payroll. That is true anywhere, public or private and regardless of hard times.

But given that the state has cut its staffing in all departments for three years running and, during that time, given no raises whatever to state employees, it is getting increasingly hard to make a case, as some do, for hiring fewer people but better ones and paying them more. ...

Yet government employees remain a favorite whipping boy of the high and the mighty. Senate budget chairman J.D. Alexander, R-Winter Haven, who has proposed this 5-percent pay cut, is an heir to the Ben Hill Griffin land baron family that has holdings from Central Florida through the Everglades. So perhaps it understandable that he can't comprehend the working lives of state employees.

told the labor activists that the Republican leadership of the Legislature did not give state workers any pay raises when times were good — and now wants to cut salaries in an economic crisis. Sands said the GOP tries to make the Democrats look like tax-and-spend liberals for advocating repeal of some tax breaks given to the wealthy in the past eight to 10 years.

"They try to bait us every day," said Sands. "They made the state what it is today. What we're experiencing right now is the Jeb Bush legacy; you know, he claims he took $18 billion in tax cuts, and that's a really wonderful thing, but the problem is real people didn't benefit from most of that. It went to the really wealthy."

Laff riot

"'Card check' bill advances in Senate".

No more ... "You're going straight to the Principal"

"Budget crunched elementary schools could open in central Florida this fall without principals." "No principal proposal for hurting schools".

Busy bodies

"The leader of the movement to ban same-sex marriage in Florida now wants to make it harder and more expensive for heterosexual couples to marry — and divorce." "Would $100 marriage-license fee help prevent divorce?".

"Startling admission"

"Thousands of students pinning their hopes for a degree on Florida's community colleges could be left without a seat in class next fall because of state budget cuts and mushrooming enrollment."

The startling admission from state officials comes as more and more people are looking to community colleges for retraining in a tough job market and a growing number of high-school students sign up for dual enrollment.

Another vacuous PR stunt

"Navy sailors and others in north Florida are getting a chance to voice their concerns to Gov. Charlie Crist as he holds a town hall meeting at Mayport Naval Station." "Florida governor holds town hall meeting on base".

"The malfeasance may go deeper"

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "Hillsborough Elections Supervisor Buddy Johnson's spending of tax dollars is already the focus of an FBI investigation and at least two ongoing audits by state and local officials. But as ... the malfeasance may go deeper." "Expand Buddy Johnson investigation".

More unfunded, feel good RPOF mandates

"Ratcheting up the standards for high school graduation, Florida lawmakers Tuesday proposed requiring students to take tougher math and science courses and post higher test scores." "State gets tough on schoolwork".

But here's the kicker: "GOP Bill Raises Academic Bar, Not Funding".

Related: "In Tallahassee, a pair of plans are floated".

What a bargain!

"Big business scored a victory Tuesday ...".

The debate focuses on the Supreme Court's ruling in October that lawyers must receive "reasonable fees." The Port Charlotte attorney for an injured nurse was initially awarded $685 after 80 hours of work.

Whatever

"[W]ith Florida in the midst of its annual Sunshine Week, Gov. Charlie Crist and state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink unveiled an Internet site Tuesday that will allow Floridians to see who is getting state tax dollars -- and how much. ... Information on the site, flgov.com/sunshinespending, will be updated nightly." "New site shows tax spending".

Online

"Florida state contracts go online".

CIs

"A push to regulate the use of confidential informants cleared an important hurdle on Wednesday, but only after the heart-wrenching pleas of a grieving father left some lawmakers wondering whether 'Rachel's Law' goes far enough." "Updated: Rachel's Law passes Senate committee".

Will that be cash or charge?

"The Florida Senate began pushing back Tuesday against the dozens of cash-strapped local governments that have begun charging crash victims for police and firefighter response." "Senator files measure that would ban Florida cities, counties from charging fees in crashes".

Miami

"City to vote on Marlins stadium Thursday".

State worker pay cuts! What a great idea!

"State employees, who have not had a general pay raise in three years, could get hit with a 5-percent pay cut as Florida deals with an unprecedented fiscal crisis, a major Senate money manager said Monday." "5-percent pay cut proposed for state workers".

"Florida taxpayers could save upward of $304 million if the Legislature cut every state worker's salary by about 5 percent, according to an analysis produced by the state Senate."

Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander confirmed Monday that staffers have analyzed a variety of pay-cut scenarios in order to help legislators figure ways to fill a budget deficit that could reach $3 billion next fiscal year.

'Glades

"The change would allow the agency to reach beyond traditional fixed-rate loans into the largely unregulated world of derivatives and hedge funds to secure financing for Gov. Charlie Crist's proposed $1.34 billion land deal with U.S. Sugar Corp. " "Water manager: Financial changes may allow involvement by Wall Street hedge fund manager in U.S. Sugar deal".

Never mind

"Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater said Monday that he will return a $5,000 political donation he received from a New York politician who is under indictment for alleged influence-peddling. Former New York Senate Republican leader Joseph Bruno contributed the money Oct. 28 to Preserve the American Dream, Atwater's political committee. In January, Bruno was indicted by federal prosecutors on eight felony counts of using his office to enrich himself." "Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater to return tainted donation". See also "Florida Senate leader Atwater to return donation from indicted New York politician Bruno".

Begging for dollars

"'Rally in Tally' to support education", "South Florida students 'Rally in Tally' for school funds" and "School leaders point out funding problems to state legislators".

At the federal trough

"Florida has met all deadlines so far and is well ahead of schedule with the submission of a key document needed to obtain billions in federal recovery money, Gov. Charlie Crist's 'stimulus czar' said Tuesday."

Don Winstead provided Crist, Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp and agency heads with an update on Florida's stimulus progress. He also reported on a stimulus meeting in Washington last week with Vice President Joe Biden and other federal officials.

Crist, who has taken heat from some of his fellow Republicans for embracing Democratic President Barack Obama's stimulus plan, said he found amusing Winstead's recollection of how many states attended the meeting.

"I have colleagues that have at least intimated that this money from Washington is not something that they welcome with open arms," Crist said. "Yet 49 out of 50 states show up and get it and the one that didn't show up it was a logistics issue. Noted."

Raw political courage

"Property tax cut proposals could help business owners and others while draining money from local governments." "Two new property tax cuts in the offing". See also "Property tax proposals would cut $1.2 billion in 3 years".

Failed education policy

"The State Board of Education unanimously approved intervention plans Tuesday for closing one and revamping 11 schools with the worst student achievement records in Florida." "Fla. education board focuses on failing schools". See also "State Approves Rescue Plans For Poor Performing Schools".

RPOFers blame Dems for their own incompetence

"For the past six weeks, the House Finance and Tax Council held hearings to review sales-tax exemptions on everything from Super Bowl tickets to satellites, Bibles and even dirt."

But Monday, House Finance and Tax Council Chairwoman Ellyn Bogdanoff, R- Fort Lauderdale, said she couldn't recommend a single exemption that should be eliminated — and she blamed Democrats.

"They have abdicated their responsibility to participate in this process," she said, surprising the council's Democrats and then adjourning the meeting without allowing them to respond

"Growing rift within the Republican-controlled Legislature"

"The Florida Senate's budget chief said that $2 billion in tax and fee increases, as well as cuts to state-employee pay, may be unavoidable to balance a revenue shortfall projected at $6 billion."

But in a sign of the growing rift within the Republican-controlled Legislature, House members are firmly opposed to any tax increase — and they've got the support of Gov. Charlie Crist.

Crist said Monday that he's "not much" interested in considering taxes, despite a dire 2010 budget estimate by state economists Friday.

RPOFers: Still the Same

Troxler: "Just ask folks in Tallahassee. We've gotten too tough on developers in this state, and we went and caused our current recession."

I know that some people claim the recession was kicked off by the collapse of the national housing bubble and shaky mortgages. But we in Florida know the real reason: too much regulation.

Fortunately, our Florida Legislature is on top of this problem this year.

The Legislature understands what Florida needs to do to get back to the good old days, when all you needed to build were a deed and a shovel.

Good luck

"Gay rights advocates hope Hollywood can step in where Florida political muscle struggled. Flanked by the nephew of Harvey Milk -- the first openly gay city official in California, who was slain in 1978 -- lawmakers and advocates pushed for changes to laws during a rally Monday outside the Capitol. Among other things, the changes would allow gays to adopt children." "Tallahassee rally urges lifting of gay adoption ban". See also "Milk nephew, activists continue fight for equal rights".

Learners permits

"Student government leaders from several of Florida's public universities want Gov. Charlie Crist to hold down budget cuts on higher education." "Fla. student body presidents lobby Crist on cuts".

Just doin' bidness

"Palm Beach County physical therapist charged with defrauding Medicaid".

Chamber embarrasses itself (again)

"City Commissioner Cara Jennings said Tuesday she was protesting the injury of friend when she was arrested Monday outside the Israeli consulate in Miami. Tristan Anderson, 37, of California was protesting the construction of an Israeli security barrier near the West Bank village of Naalin when he was struck in the head by a tear gas canister fired by an Israeli soldier, according to The Washington Post."

George Babbitt weighs in:

Tom Ramiccio, president of the Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce and a former mayor, acknowledged Jennings' right to protest but said her arrest is bad for the city's reputation.

"From an image standpoint, it gives Lake Worth a black eye," Ramiccio said. "It's a sad day in Lake Worth when you pick up the paper and see your city commissioner has been arrested."

The nerve of some people

"His pleas of innocence were ignored by Broward County jurors, who convicted him."

They went unheeded until one of his many letters to the outside landed on the desk of someone who believed he might be telling the truth.

That someone was the same judge who sent McGee to prison.

Broward Circuit Judge Paul Backman eventually overturned McGee's conviction. The victory, though, came a year after McGee finished serving his prison sentence.

CCs

"Enrollment overwhelming community colleges in Fla.".

GOPer madness

"Haridopolos offers bill to make it cheaper for cigarette makers to appeal judgments".

"A spreading plague of vacant homes"

Mike Thomas: "Florida is dying from a spreading plague of vacant homes, vacant stores and vacant offices. And up in Tallahassee, the solution offered by legislators is more vacant homes, more vacant stores and more vacant offices." "We're dying from plague of vacant buildings, homes".

"Routinely delay, deny or botch medical care"

"U.S. immigration authorities routinely delay, deny or botch medical care for immigrants in detention, according to separate reports by two advocacy groups released Tuesday." "Groups bash US health care for detained immigrants".

House members gave early approval last week to a wide-ranging bill that includes a call to split up the agency ... the House bill on the issue contains other provisions that would strip away the agency's powers.

Former friends

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "There's nothing like a financial crisis to turn allies into enemies."

Florida's judges and court clerks are at each other's throats over a move to strip the clerks of their duties and turn them over to the state's court system.

Make no mistake, this is all about money. Courts are starved for it. They face crushing caseloads and a Legislature that, when it wasn't cutting the budget for courts, wasn't providing sufficient increases.

The proposed solution isn't much better.

The debate that never was

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "If the opponents of the South Florida Water Management District's $1.34 billion purchase of U.S. Sugar's land get their way, the three-day trial that begins today in Palm Beach County will be the debate that taxpayers never got."

In challenging the district's right to borrow up to $2.2 billion, to pay for the land, opponents will portray the deal as a U.S. Sugar bailout that will not save the Everglades. If they succeed, Circuit Judge Donald Hafele could stop the deal by declaring that the district can't issue "certificate of participation" bonds, which don't require a public vote.

Session News

- "Lawmakers will get the first chance to mull over Friday's announcement that the current budget deficit has grown to $700 million and next year's hole could be as big as $3 billion." "As Week 3 begins, legislators will come to grips with grim budget numbers".

- "Storm clouds are on the horizon for state's Sunshine law".

Meantime, "Special interests funnel $6 million to Florida lawmakers".

Class size games

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "In 2002, 52 percent of voters approved a state constitutional amendment limiting class sizes. Rather than implement the new requirement straightforwardly, lawmakers have since attempted -- and in some ways succeeded -- in evading voters' intent."

After the amendment passed in 2002, then-Gov. Jeb Bush launched an attempt to repeal it. That failed. But lawmakers short-changed school districts by about $600 million of the estimated $2.5 billion needed to comply with it. They continued to cut taxes. And they created a self-fulfilling prophesy: That the amendment would be unaffordable, and would therefore require altering. That's what lawmakers are proposing now as a full-blown economic crisis rattles the state's finances.

If the Legislature had the kind of record education advocates could support, a mix of those proposals might be a fair way to navigate through the economic downturn. Class-size reductions were never the perfect way to improve education. Some flexibility in applying them, along with other reforms (better pay, more focus on low-achieving schools) would likely result in improved student achievement. But the Legislature doesn't have that kind of record. Its motives toward public education, from high-stakes testing to vouchers to poor funding, have been more undermining than constructive.

It's a simple message. Do what's necessary to commit to class-size reductions as voters intended them. Then talk flexibility.

Exemptions

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "Florida lawmakers are finally taking a hard look at sales tax exemptions, which have long symbolized the undue influence of special interests in Tallahassee. But the true show of lawmakers' mettle depends on more than lip service." "Tax exemptions ripe for whacking".

That's our bill: Squeaky, but not clean

The Miami Herald editorial board: "State Attorney General Bill McCollum says those TV ads he's been running since January warning against Internet predators is an effort to raise awareness about a serious crime issue affecting children. We will give him the benefit of the doubt insofar as intentions, but critics who say that Mr. McCollum is promoting his own political prospects with state money have good reason for their concerns."

In the first place, Mr. McCollum, a Republican, is a fixture on the Florida political scene. He's a former member of Congress, failed Senate aspirant and current officeholder who has made it clear he will either seek reelection or run for higher office in 2010. This certainly is his right, but he shouldn't try to do it with public money. ...

The attorney general added fuel to the concerns of critics by hiring the same Philadelphia-based firm that worked on his 2006 campaign to produce the current TV blitz. Chris Mottola got two no-bid contracts worth $1.4 million to do the job, with Mr. McCollum resorting to a loophole for ''artistic services'' to win an exemption from rules that mandate competitive bidding for state contracts.

Not merely tone deaf ... but brain dead

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "University of South Florida president Judy Genshaft must know that appearances can be as important as reality. Surely, she knew this when she handed out hefty bonuses to four top staff members — after the university had slashed millions from the budget, frozen salaries and ordered big layoffs." "Cringing at USF bonuses".

In a word ...

"Lawmakers may well twist themselves into a knot this year trying to decide the definition of a property tax increase. Is it simply whether a tax bill goes up from one year to the next? Or could it be a tax increase even if Florida lawmakers spend the same amount of property taxes on schools next year as they spent this year? The outcome of that debate could determine how lawmakers plug a $1 billion hole in the state's K-12 education budget." "Definition of property tax increase could affect schools, U.S. Sugar deal".

Delightful

"A widely-known megachurch founded by an architect of the religious right and seen as a national political force selected a grandson of Billy Graham on Sunday as its new leader."

The overwhelming vote by congregants at Coral Ridge Presbyterian in Fort Lauderdale to appoint the Rev. Tullian Tchividjian could represent a softening of the message spread by the Rev. D. James Kennedy, who was pastor at the church until his death in September 2007.

Kennedy's preaching against homosexuality and abortion made him one of evangelical Christianity's most divisive figures, and he worked to inject his faith in all aspects of public life and the political process, like allies the Rev. Pat Robertson and the Rev. Jerry Falwell.

Tchividjian insists he holds the same theological positions of Kennedy

Here's an idea ...

... Rev. Tullian Tchividjian probably won't like: "Tax Bibles? Lawmakers spur frenzy when they try to change sales-tax exemptions".

Another RPOFer tax "fee" increase

"New fees raise cost of driving in Florida".

Will Charlie bend over for Fasano, Legg and Weatherford?

The Tampa Trib editors: "By thrusting their noses into it, [Republicans Sen. Mike Fasano and Reps. John Legg and Will Weatherford] politicized the issue."

Martin was the board's lone Democrat, and the Pasco GOP has tried, unsuccessfully, to put a Republican in the post - even though voters amended the state constitution in 1998 to make school board races nonpartisan contests. Party activists also have tried to have Martin removed before.

Although the lawmakers deny any political motive, the fact remains Republican legislators were interested in unseating a Democrat who was elected by voters three times. This is not their job.

If Fasano, Legg and Weatherford want to do something about school board members who have failed voters and constituents, as Martin did, they're free to push legislation in Tallahassee allowing voters to recall school board members, something state law now doesn't allow. That's their arena. Absent that, they should stick to their legislative efforts and quit acting like school principals taking roll.

Crist needs to pick the best person for the job and not bow to any political pressure.

Stim cash

"Local police agencies count on stimulus aid".

Up and out?

Randy Schultz: "The power people love John Kastrenakes the way Florida State fans loved Steve Spurrier. John Kastrenakes is the federal prosecutor who in nearly three years has purged Palm Beach County of three corrupt commissioners and put the other commissioners and their enablers on notice that business as usual may get them lodging at Uncle Sam's expense."

So here's the problem:

Mr. Kastrenakes is, in fact, one of 11 finalists for two circuit court judgeships in Palm Beach County. Based on his background and recent record, he's a great candidate. Aside from bringing corrupt politicians to justice, he just got a conviction in the 2006 murders of a drug-running couple and their two young children. He's a wonderful straight-talker. During the trial for a 1998 double-murder on Singer Island, he mocked the defense attorney's closing argument, "Talk is cheap, and lawyer talk is the cheapest of all."

But based on his recent record, who would want John Kastrenakes to get that new job except the people who worry most about what he might do in his current job? You want Mr. Kastrenakes to keep going. As we've seen, he puts people away, and those people start telling him things. And yet, if the governor wants to look like someone who's for clean government in Palm Beach County, Mr. Kastrenakes is the perfect choice - even if he won't have many real letters of recommendation. Who from the establishment could he ask to write? He might have to indict that person.

"Pitfalls"

The South Florida Sun Sentinel editorial board:

National leaders should be careful to avoid the pitfalls that beset Florida's Special Teachers are Rewarded, or STAR, program, which lacked flexibility in the size of bonuses and how teachers were chosen. Based mainly on Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test scores, that effort resulted in a boondoggle that turned off many Floridians to the whole merit pay idea.

In the latest election cycle, dozens of Florida legislators raked in $6 million in special-interest campaign money and spent a good deal of it on themselves for meals, rental cars, plane trips and hotels.

Some lawmakers are feeding at the trough of contributors, enjoying expensive dinners at upscale restaurants with donors' money at a time when one in 10 Floridians are on food stamps. Others are churning cash from one political committee to another, using it to finance direct contributions and attack ads for other candidates, thereby strengthening their own clout in a virtually untraceable shell game.

All of this is legal. Florida law bans legislators from accepting more than $500 from each donor who contributes to their individual campaign accounts.

But there is no limit on the amount of cash that lawmakers can collect from all manner of special interests in separate fundraising committees that the lawmakers create to advance broadly defined public purposes, such as getting one another reelected.

"Downright hysterical"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "It's a spring ritual in the Florida Legislature -- a drizzle of proposed exemptions to the public records law, all of them slippery, most of them unnecessary, some of them downright hysterical (not in the funny sense)." "Lawmakers seek hiding places".

"A lousy show of leadership"

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "on Wednesday, Rep. Julio Robaina, R-Miami, was removed as chairman of the House Criminal and Civil Justice Policy Council after he crossed Speaker Larry Cretul over a bill to limit lawyer fees."

It's apparent that if you're not a sheep — as former Speaker Johnnie Byrd infamously alluded to fellow House members in 2004 — you get a political shearing.

With issues as grave and as seemingly resistant to solution as they are just now, leadership should be embracing independent, creative, confident decision-making and welcome the cross pollination of ideas from both parties.

That was a lousy show of leadership on the part of Mr. Cretul, even if he kind of liked the way it felt to throw his new-found weight around.

"Sometimes it's not easy to admit that you live in Florida."

Carl Hiassen: "Although such a law might thin the dating pool in certain counties,"

it should ultimately serve to protect household pets and domestic livestock, which evidently are at far greater risk than most of us had imagined.

The cry for justice first arose from the small Panhandle community of Mossy Head, where in 2006 a 48-year-old man was suspected of abducting a neighbor family's pet goat and accidentally strangling it with its collar during a sex act.

I wish I were making this up, but the story is true.

Session News

- "Advocates are urging the state to make it easier for felons to have their civil rights restored." "Florida urged to change rights-restoration rules for felons".

- "Legislators call them shell bills, blank slates to be filled in later in the legislative session." "Storm clouds are on the horizon for state's Sunshine law".

- "Moved by the story of a terrorized local woman, Tampa Bay area state legislators are pushing to increase legal protections for victims of abuse or harassment by someone they dated." "Officials Aim To Protect Daters".

- "Trouble accessing records can prevent Florida foster children from graduating from high school, finding a job -- or learning of their past. " "Clarification of law sought over foster children's records".

- "52 bills before Legislature this session seek to close access to various records".

Solar

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "A power company CEO and the head of a leading environmental organization will never agree on everything, but on one essential element of Florida's future we are absolutely united: the need to bring more solar energy to the state." "The Sunshine State Is Going Solar".

Quality of press skits to diminish

The state of journalism:

As the Florida Legislature begins its 2009 session - a session that will see budget cuts and decisions affecting everything from education to health care - the newspaper corps covering state government has shrunk to its smallest level in recent memory.

No one keeps exact numbers, but insiders say the number of full-time Tallahassee beat reporters has declined by half or more in the past three to four years.

Getting ready to rumble

"Court clerks and judges led by Orange-Osceola Chief Judge Belvin Perry are squaring off in Tallahassee over a push to strip the clerks of their main cash cow — court fees and fines they collect — to help shore up the court system." "Courts vs. clerks".

Under their noses

Aaron Deslatte: "So far, they've not looked into travel costs in the Governor's Office — remember Gov. Charlie Crist's $430,000 'economic-development trip' to Europe last summer — or the $425,000 worth of state plane rides racked up by Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp" "Some savings are right under legislators' noses".

Surely they aren't suggesting ...

... that we buy things made ... you know ... stateside?

The Tampa Trib editors this morning: "Many purchases are from sources so distant that our dollars can't find their way back to this community. But if we buy locally, the money is recycled immediately in paychecks, taxes, advertising, banking, insurance, real estate and countless other ways that strengthen the local economy." "Give The Mouse A Furlough And Shop Closer To Home".

Heck, if we bought local made stuff, what would Wal Mart (China's vendor of choice for its slave labor products), Mitsubishi and the rest of those fine folks do?

Oops! Our mistake, the editors don't seem to care whether you buy American made products; rather, they just want you to buy from local vendors.

The commies are a comin'

"Florida school districts, faced with crushing health-care costs, are ready to try a new course of treatment for their employees: bringing in their own doctors and opening their own primary-care clinics. Government agencies statewide are considering doing the same." "Health-care clinics for government workers may save time, money".

Public notices

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "It's bad enough the Florida Legislature continues to crank out public-records exemptions, those little waivers to the state's government-in-the-sunshine laws that ultimately make public information just a little more difficult to obtain." "Public notices shouldn't be kept on the down-low".

Ag race

"A Democrat has stepped up to run for commissioner of agriculture and consumer services: former state Rep. Rick Minton of Fort Pierce, who comes from a long line of citrus and cattle farmers. Republicans in the race include U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam of Bartow, state Sen. Carey Baker of Eustis, and state Rep. Marty Bowen of Haines City." "Democrat plows into agriculture chief race".

Poor Charlie

Adam Smith asks: "Where's the love for Charlie Crist, Jeb?".

Uppity public employees

Thomas: "School principal Trevor Honohan created quite a stir with the most reasonable of acts."

Given the reluctance of public officials to pay for public schools, he asked the public to chip in. His request came in a letter sent to parents of [Orange County's] Audubon Park Elementary students.

"I will not settle for budget cuts that will rip apart the foundation that has been set at Audubon Park Elementary School," he wrote. "Hard working teachers that we value and love will be unemployed. There is only one solution and it begins with us all. It is time to pay for what we don't have now; otherwise we will pay for what we didn't have later."

He skipped the bake sale and went right for the $500 checks. That was the amount suggested for each child in the school, an amount that might buy you a couple of weeks at a top prep school. He would throw in the first $1,000 to cover his two kids. If everybody who got a letter tossed money in the hat, eight teachers would keep their jobs.

Its a business thing

"Palm Beach County's system for selecting its bond underwriters is political, lucrative and unusual." "Palm Beach County's bonds system brazenly political, observers say".

"A half-baked Cuba policy that demands clarification"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Congress took a step toward improving U.S. policy on Cuba last week, which is good, but lawmakers sure went about it in a sneaky way. The substance of the change will be welcomed by most exile families who want to visit their relatives on the island more often. However, the legislative maneuvering that produced the change allows members of Congress to hide their political intent behind the veil of process. The result is contrived and confusing, a half-baked Cuba policy that demands clarification." "New Cuba policy . . . another fine mess".

Tuff campaigner

"Belle Glade candidate charged with aggravated assault on election night speaks out".

What's the vig?

"Nearly two-thirds of the state's clerks of court have contracts with a collections vendor who is married to the clerks' association president." "Clerk contracts given association head's wife".

Gambling

"As the chairman of a legislative committee reviewing the state’s agreement on gambling with the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida, Bradenton’s Rep. Bill Galvano plays a crucial role in this year’s budget debate. The stakes? An estimated $2.5 billion or more in recurring revenue over 25 years that the state, facing declining revenues and attempting to plug a gaping hole in its budget this year, desperately needs." "BH: Galvano at fulcrum of budget debate".

Let them eat cake

"State budget cuts are giving University of Florida undergraduates a sneak preview of the future. And it's a future with fewer of them around." "Undergraduate uproar at UF".

Kosmas

"Rep. Kosmas to appear today in Ponce Inlet".

Stanton

"The former Largo city manager who was fired after her plans to have a sex change became public is a finalist for the city manager's job in Lake Worth." "Transsexual city manager finalist for new job".