The latest from the "values" crowd

"With Florida's real-estate market in shambles, this would seem to be a good time to buy environmentally sensitive land and protect it from development. But those same real-estate problems are drying up tax dollars -- and threatening to block additional money next year for the state's key land-buying program. " "State land-buy program in danger".

You don't think ...

"The Green Party has gotten an official go-ahead to investigate five mysterious candidates who ran as Greens without the knowledge or blessing of the party. One ran in District 27, represented by Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, and another ran in District 25, represented by Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach."

Some believe the five may have run for office to peel away votes from Democrats.

Pasco County Circuit Judge Stanley Mills is allowing the Greens to subpoena testimony and records to get to the bottom of who, if anyone, was behind the effort, although the candidates ultimately had little or no impact on the elections.

The mysterious candidates suddenly filed for the races shortly before the June 20 cut-off date. The Greens went to great lengths to track them down, for the most part to no avail.

Tallahassee election law attorney Ron Meyer is representing the state Green Party in the motion against Sarah Roman, a 23-year-old waitress with a net worth of less than $5,000. Meyer wants to know how she was able to afford the $2,000 filing fee to enter the state House race in Pasco County against Republican incumbent Robert Schenck.

Another fine Jebacy

"Florida's jobless rate highest in 33 years". See also "Heavy Job Losses Hurt Polk, State" and "Big Bend jobless rate soars".

But the lottery is OK?

"The hidden costs of expanded gambling in Florida include more compulsive gambling, increased crime and a government addicted to revenue generated by people's losses, a former House speaker and an economics professor warned lawmakers Friday."

Marco Rubio, former House speaker and U.S Senate candidate, joined leaders of the Christian Coalition and the Florida Baptist Convention at a news conference to condemn legislators for considering allowing more gambling in the state.

''There is a real moral issue with asking government to expand its operations to be increasingly dependent on an activity we should be discouraging, not encouraging,'' said Rubio, a Republican from Miami.

"Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Asphalt"

Ruth's on fire: "Here's the problem with all of these annoying wetlands: They're so …so … uh, well, they're wet is what they are."

So you really have to admire the profile in porridge House Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Asphalt, demonstrated when he summoned up the courage of a thousand snipes to introduce a bill that would render the effectiveness of wetlands protection regulations to the pain and suffering one risks from removing a mattress tag.

Under the provisions of Patronis' "Real Estate Developer Protection Act of 2009," anyone who wishes to destroy one of those bothersome wetlands thingies need only to submit an application that has been signed off on by "scientists, engineers, geologists, architects or other licensed professionals," such as hairdressers, dog groomers, plumbers, manicurists, tree trimmers and/or morticians.

And as long as the licensed professional — such as a real estate broker — signs a document noting the paving over of a wetland won't lead to water pollution, the onset of Armageddon or David Caruso getting another television series, the application shall be deemed to be in perfect working order and thus must be approved. It's as easy as that.

Wingnut-ville

"''Critical analysis' is the latest buzzword in the creationist movement to sneak intelligent design or creationism into the curriculum,' said David Karlen, a Tampa biologist and a member of the Florida Academy of Sciences." "Anti-Evolution Bill Still A Fruitless Exercise".

SunRail

"Central Florida's $1.2 billion commuter rail project looks like it's once again tied down on the tracks as the final deadline of the 60-day legislative session steams closer." "SunRail headed toward a late-session budget fight".

"How Florida can lead against 'libel tourism'"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "State Sen. Ted Deutch, the Delray Beach Democrat, is sponsoring a bill that would protect authors from foreign courts' judgments in defamation or libel cases. The bill seems out of place:"

What have foreign courts got to do with Floridians' freedom of speech? Before the age of the Internet, maybe nothing. Not anymore.

Every Floridian who writes virtually anything on the Web that's accessible abroad, or who happens to publish or author books that sell so much as one copy abroad through Web sites like Amazon (or are excerpted on the Web and readable abroad), is vulnerable to being sued for libel or defamation. The legal standards wouldn't be those that apply in the United States, where the First Amendment provides broad protection for speech, but those of the nation where the suit is filed. People who want to silence authors writing damagingly about them (even if the information being published is correct) can shop around for a court system where libel or defamation standards are low, and sue for damages.

Deutch's bill would enable writers or publishers to have local courts annul the judgments of foreign courts. It sounds arcane. It may instead be timely for the next blogger or author whose idea of free speech is a foreigner's excuse for intimidation and censorship.

What about that "former schoolmate of Newt Gingrich"?

"As a grand jury reconvenes this week in Tallahassee to continue examining Sansom's ties to the school, some wonder why Richburg has not endured equal scrutiny."

It was Richburg who urged Sansom to get millions in state construction money for the college. It was Richburg who pushed Sansom to get favorable legislation passed. It was Richburg's idea to set up a meeting of the board of trustees that has raised the specter of a Sunshine Law violation.

''Why is Ray Sansom the only one being brought on the carpet?'' asked Judy Byrne Riley, a former member of the college foundation. ''Ray bears some responsibility,'' she said. ``But the sympathy in the community is with Ray Sansom. I don't hear any sympathy with Bob Richburg.''

Richburg, 64, is the son of educators and a former schoolmate of Newt Gingrich ...

The Grover Norquist effect

Wingnut Grover Norquist infamously said his "goal is to cut government in half in twenty-five years, to get it down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub." Florida's veterans may be paying the price for GOPer adherence to Norquist's insane philosophy of selfishness, forcing government to operate on the cheap.

"A five-member team of doctors and administrators arrived at Miami VA Hospital to investigate how veterans were exposed to risk of HIV and hepatitis through contaminated colonoscopies." "Colonoscopies suspended at Miami VA Hospital as investigation opens".

Related: "Drowning America in a Bathtub: The Republican Doctrine" and "“Drown it in a Bathtub?” - How Grover Norquist, the Club for Greed, and Arnold Let SoCal Burn".

"That question deserves a response from the Legislature"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editors:

The fresh water beneath Florida is an ever more precious public resource as demand outstrips rainfall's ability to replenish the aquifers. So why is the state allowing companies to bottle 2 billion gallons of it a year, practically for free? That question deserves a response from the Legislature, now in session.

The not-as-big dig

"The Florida Department of Transportation on Friday had been expected to complete a review of a stalled project to build a $1 billion tunnel under Biscayne Bay to the Port of Miami." "State review of Port of Miami tunnel options is delayed".

Imagine that?

"Eleanor 'Leisa' Adderley, 45, is accused of firing a bullet into the couple's bed while her husband, Frank, lay in it last July and then firing two more shots as he ran to a neighbor's house. The impetus, according to court records: She had discovered that her husband of 17 years had a recent affair with another woman." "Critics contend special treatment given to Fort Lauderdale police chief's wife".

Washed up

"Once a power couple, Kevin and Mary McCarty pay for ill-gotten gains".

"Florida Republican Party circles are hearing increasing talk of conservative dissatisfaction with Gov. Charlie Crist, and a possible primary challenge if he runs for the U.S. Senate next year."

Party figures say a primary challenge is more likely if Crist switches offices, running next year for the Senate instead of re-election as governor.

"In Tallahassee, there's a conservative Republican Legislature to balance the governor," noted Tony DiMatteo, former Pinellas County Republican chairman, who has pronounced himself disillusioned with his county's favorite son governor.

The talk of a primary challenge to Crist focuses on individuals including former state House speakers Marco Rubio and Allan Bense.

Rubio has formed an exploratory Senate campaign committee and issues veiled criticism of Crist, but won't say whether he would run against him in a primary. Bense says he's out of politics, at least for the moment.

Florida, the knuckle-dragger state

"State Sen Steve Wise, R-Jacksonville has quietly filed legislation that would change the way Florida schools teach Charles Darwin's theory of evolution."

And though it has yet to have its first hearing, the bill has the science community is up in arms. ...

The Florida Academy of Science says the bill "leaves the door open for the introduction in the public school curriculum of nonscientific and covertly religious doctrines."

"The budget dance has started"

"After dire warnings, Florida senators have drawn up initial budget proposals that would shield public schools from massive cuts next year -- but chop funding for a wide range of programs."

The Senate proposals rely on money the state might not even get -- and the House indicated Thursday that its budget proposal probably won't match the Senate's plan.

"We've got our work cut out for us," said Rep. Anitere Flores, a Miami Republican who oversees the schools budget in the House.

With details of the initial Senate proposals surfacing during the past two days, leaders of health- and human-services programs also are bracing for cuts as lawmakers try to plug a roughly $3 billion budget hole.

As an example, agencies that serve people with developmental disabilities could lose millions of dollars after also sustaining budget cuts this year.

Relax ... we don't have an intangibles tax

"In a gruesome budget year, who's first in line for the few spare dollars available - Florida's schoolchildren or its poorest and frailest residents? Hospitals versus high schools. Foster kids versus Advanced Placement students. Those are the kinds of funding choices that some lawmakers complain they are facing as they work to plug a $6 billion hole in the state budget, of which schools and health care claim the largest share." "Budget Reality: Some Will Suffer".

Free Lunch?

"Sen. Al Lawson's attempt to exempt $20 from the legislative gift ban went down in flames at its first committee stop Thursday. Lawson said the four-year-old ban has caused the city of Tallahassee to lose millions in catering and restaurant income." "$20 gift ban exemption fails". See also "No Such Thing As Free Lunch For Fla. Lawmakers".

"874,000 were jobless last month"

"Another 75,000 Floridians lost jobs in February as the ranks of the state's unemployed swelled to its highest number in 33 years."

The Florida unemployment rate shot up to 9.4 percent in February, its highest since 1976 when an inflationary economy helped Democrat Jimmy Carter unseat Republican President Gerald Ford.

The Agency for Workforce Innovation said Friday that 874,000 were jobless last month, which figures to almost one of 10 eligible workers in Florida.

Session update

"2009 Legislature roundup".

Stop the gerrymandering

"Groups push to end gerrymandering in state".

$8 an hour

"If passed, the legislation would trump a Florida Supreme Court decision last October that struck down the cap on lawyer fees."

The Supreme Court decision last fall was in the case of a nurse who was injured lifting a patient at a nursing home. Her lawyer helped her win $3,344 in lost wages and medical expenses after her initial claim was denied.

The law, though, limited his fee to about $8 an hour while the insurance company's lawyers were paid about $150 an hour.

Poor Bill

"Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum upped the financial and political stakes of his campaign against Internet sex crime, urging Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink Thursday to greenlight another $975,000 in television spots under a no-bid contract with his former campaign consultant."

McCollum has already dropped about $1.4 million in state funds on public service ads about on-line predators, and he asked for Sink's ''continued support.'' She said she backs the message, not the method. ...

The ad, which has aired in South and North Florida, is now slated to run for five weeks in Tampa, Orlando, Sarasota and Fort Myers. That keeps McCollum in the public eye while he decides whether to seek re-election or a higher office.

McCollum is likely to face Republican rivals in an open governor's race -- possibly former House Speaker Marco Rubio of Miami and U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan of Sarasota.

See you in Havana

"The new travel rules have led to a flurry of interest among local Cubans, according to the three travel agencies in the Orlando area that are authorized to book charter flights to Cuba." "Some Cubans embrace easier rules for family visits".

"Passing a bill like this is cheap ... on many levels"

Scott Maxwell: "This is a law that would force women who want an abortion in the first trimester to get an ultrasound and then look at the fetus -- or fill out a form and sign a waiver, saying they refused to look. It also demands that they be given 'a description of the fetus, including a description of the various stages of development.'"

Their hope is that, if you force a woman to stare at an image of her fetus — and to hear details about how the dot in her womb might one day have arms and feet, fingers and toes — she might be traumatized into changing her mind at the last moment.

Even if it means further traumatizing victims of rape or incest — which this would.

Crist, however, has played this one close to the vest. His office could not provide details Thursday about where he stands on the issue. And last year, he avoided taking a stance during the debate.

That's our Charlie.

Pennies

"Few things go untouched as legislators and agencies offer up ideas on how to whittle the state's $3 billion budget deficit." "Florida lawmakers pinching pennies".

"Local Telephone Company Choice and Protection Act."

The Miami Herald editorial board: "When politicians introduce new legislation, the first opportunity for truth or deception comes when they give their bill proposals a name. So it is with a couple of bills quickly moving toward passage in the House and Senate that would reduce oversight of local telephone companies. The legislation is entitled, 'Consumer Choice and Protection Act.' A more-appropriate name for the bills would be the `Local Telephone Company Choice and Protection Act.'" "Less protection for phone customers".

Revolving chairs

"Former House Speaker John Thrasher said Thursday he likely will run in 2010 for a seat that will be vacated by state Sen. Jim King, R-Jacksonville." "Former speaker of House weighs 2010 Senate bid".

At the trough

"If Central Florida gets $2.7B, where will it go?".

Sunrail

"SunRail's backers plan to bring U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D- Jacksonville, to the state Capitol next week to step up the lobbying push for Central Florida's $1.2 billion commuter rail project. But the senator standing in the way of the bill at the moment said Thursday there was only a "50-50 chance, probably less" his committee would take up the bill next week." "Senate budget includes nearly $600 million in fees".

Back to work

"Grand jury investigating Ray Sansom resumes its work".

King [of the] Air

"The Florida Senate's budget would sell the state's King Air plane used extensively by Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, downsizing the executive air fleet to one jet reserved primarily for Gov. Charlie Crist's use." "Florida may sell Kottkamp's favorite plane".

"Interesting witnesses"

"State Attorney Willie Meggs said Thursday the grand jury investigating former House Speaker Ray Sansom's dealings with a Panhandle college is 'making progress' and that he will be ready to call a series of interesting witnesses in three weeks." "State Attorney: Grand jury is 'making progress' in Ray Sansom investigation".

Possible rate increases

"State CFO: Expect huge insurance rate hikes if major hurricane hits".

"Crafting a new deal"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Fortunately, even the often delusionally optimistic Gov. Crist has acknowledged that the U.S. Sugar deal is too expensive. Crafting a new deal will be more complicated, but it's the only option to get land for Everglades restoration." "Reality on U.S. Sugar deal".

"Incredibly shortsighted"

"House Democrats are calling out House Speaker Larry Cretul over his chamber's reluctance to take $1 billion in federal economic stimulus money intended to expand unemployment benefits for laid-off workers." "Dems call out House speaker on unemployment bucks".

The The St. Petersburg Times editorial board agrees: "Florida's economy is in dire straits, and the state's unemployment rate is at 8.6 percent and climbing. Yet the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature may leave behind more than $1 billion in federal help to extend unemployment benefits because the state would have to contribute some modest money. This is incredibly shortsighted, and it needlessly makes life more difficult for jobless Floridians who could use a little more help." "Jobless need the help".

Any day now

"Florida will learn within the next couple of weeks whether the federal government will release billions of stimulus dollars for the state's public schools, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Thursday." "Education chief expects decision on stimulus money for Florida soon".

Blah, blah, blah ...

"Florida's family friendly image is No. 1".

Shuttle

"A U.S. Senate budget panel recommended Thursday that the space shuttle should be allowed to fly beyond its scheduled retirement in 2010 -- a proposal that directly contradicts a recent White House plan to mothball the shuttle next year." "Senate Budget Committee wants to keep shuttle flying".

Them darned minorities

"A Central Florida appellate judge who retired in January has blasted Gov. Charlie Crist for refusing to name a replacement until he gets more minority candidates. In a letter to Crist's general counsel Thursday, former Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Robert J. Pleus of Windermere wrote that the governor's refusal to name a replacement was backing up the court dockets and damaging the justice system." "Retired judge rips Crist for delay in filling seat".

Veterans go to school

"Florida's universities have just five months left to prepare for a crush of veterans expected to enroll in college courses under the new multi-billion dollar GI Bill." "Florida colleges and universities brace for influx of veterans".

The action kicks off at 8:30 a.m. in the Senate Education Pre-K Committee at which Tampa Republican Sen. Ronda Storms' ''inspirational message'' bill will be heard. It has already drawn fire from the Anti-Defamation League for being ``divisive and unconstitutional.''

At the same time, the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee takes up Democratic leader Al Lawson's effort to weaken the so-called ''gift ban'' prohibiting lobbyists from entertaining legislators.

Overshadowing it all: The budget.

Senate moves on taxes

"Florida Senate budget writers sent a message to the House and governor Wednesday: It's time to start talking about new taxes. They are prepared to increase cigarette taxes, eliminate sales tax exemptions and even ask voters to raise the state sales tax a penny to pay for public education." "Florida Senate pushes tax increases to fund education budget".

Restoration

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Within months of becoming governor, Charlie Crist made good on his campaign promise to ease the restoration of civil rights -- including the ability to vote -- for ex-felons who had paid their debt to society. But a new report by the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida finds that the process isn't going as smoothly as it should for 1 million-plus people barred from voting or holding jobs in a number of regulated industries." "Life after prison".

The Gambling solution?

"Teens could gamble, Tampa Bay Downs could install electronic bingo and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino could offer roulette and craps under a pair of Senate bills that breezed through committee Wednesday." "Gambling Bill Clears Senate Panel". See also "Senate panel OKs gambling accord" and "Senators bet 18 isn't too young to gamble".

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Florida lawmakers are behaving as if the pot of gold they envision coming from a gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe is real instead of a mirage. They should get a grip. Take a deep breath. Pinch themselves back to reality. We're in the midst of a record-setting recession, and every one of the rosy projections by lawmakers of hundreds of millions in new revenue for Florida schools will be affected by the harsh reality of the global economic collapse."

You wouldn't know this from looking at the revenue projections in the House and Senate bills describing how the state can make Gov. Crist's illegal gambling compact with the Seminoles all legal and good. The Senate plan estimates that a new pact could produce $400 million in annual payments to the state from the tribe. The less-ambitious House plan projects $100 million in annual revenues to the state.

These dream-like numbers are emblematic of lawmakers' muddled thinking and utter desperation to find an easy way to honor their constitutional mandate to provide a ''high quality'' education for Florida children. Reliance on gambling proceeds to fund education is risky at best, a leadership failure at worst.

Instead of making a straight-forward assessment of state resources and revenue streams -- review Florida's outdated tax code, for example -- lawmakers are looking for the quick fix.

From the "values" crowd

"Florida is on the verge of forfeiting more than $1 billion in federal stimulus funds that could help 250,000 Floridians whose unemployment benefits are running out." Get this: "the House leadership sent an e-mail to members telling them how to respond if constituents are upset that the state would turn down more than $1 billion in aid. The e-mail said taking the money now would mean a hardship later for Florida companies that pay into the state's unemployment insurance fund."

And behind it all are the usual suspects: "Republicans say there are too many strings attached". And,

Tammy Perdue, general counsel of business lobbying group Associated Industries of Florida, is concerned the state would be on the hook to pay out at least an additional $74 million annually in unemployment benefits if it amends its laws to get the federal money. ''We don't believe the pot of money is really worth that long-term exposure,'' Perdue said.

No more arrests for "throwing an eraser" ?!?

"Children no longer would be arrested for such minor violations of zero tolerance polices as bringing plastic butter knives to school, drawing pictures of guns or throwing an eraser under measures moving through the Florida Legislature." "Bills Would Loosen Zero Tolerance Policies In Florida".

Caesar Crist?

"Crist said after the meeting that he believes the Immokalee workers are not being treated with dignity by their employers and that he will not tolerate injustice or arrogance." "Crist, farmworkers talk about labor conditions". See also "Farm workers push Crist on labor laws".

"Former Gov. Jeb Bush repeatedly declined invitations to meet with the group ...". "Crist first Florida governor to meet with farmworkers group since 1990s".

Skulking in the shadows

"As a grand jury today in Tallahassee continues examining Rep. Ray Sansom's ties to Northwest Florida State College, some wonder why college president Bob Richburg hasn't endured equal scrutiny. " "Sansom's counterpart avoids scrutiny". Background: "The rise and fall of Ray Sansom".

Brilliant

"Florida senators on Wednesday offered a stitched-together plan to avoid teacher layoffs and school closings by drawing on stimulus cash from Congress and increased taxes from smokers and gamblers." "Florida Senate plan aims to rescue schools".

"A right to know who has access to the governor"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "What is troubling is that Gov. Crist refuses to make public his political-travel itinerary and the names of the owners of the private jets he uses. The governor who refreshingly promised a more-transparent government should rethink this position -- and make full disclosure. Floridians -- all of them -- have a right to know who has access to the governor." "Open government means full disclosure".

The South Florida Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Crist's response to flights is dismissive, weak".

"The Florida Chamber of Commerce says ..."

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "When Florida workers are injured on the job but denied compensation, they have the right to pursue a challenge. But a bill scheduled to be heard by the Florida House today would make it more difficult for injured workers to hire a lawyer."

The Florida Chamber of Commerce says it is vital that lawmakers pass legislation, HB 903 and SB 2072, to set aside a 2008 Florida Supreme Court ruling that released attorney fees from statutory caps. Otherwise, the chamber claims workers' compensation insurance rates could rise sharply, repeating the era when Florida had some of the highest rates in the nation. But that alarm is premature. Employers will actually see lower rates this year than last. And the proposed legislation would undermine workers' rights.

Wage cuts for thee ...

Even though Florida's state employees are already at the bottom of the barrel, The Tampa Trib editors think "lawmakers are right to consider salary cuts this year." "Fair To Look At Wage Cuts".

Hasner blames Dems

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "In Tallahassee, March 2009 sounds a lot like December 1991. Uh-oh."

That year, the Legislature was trying to deal with the last recession to hit Florida and the state budget hard. After the Florida Supreme Court ruled that then-Gov. Lawton Chiles and the Florida Cabinet couldn't cut nearly $600 million from the budget on their own, Mr. Chiles called the Legislature into a special session that closed the gap but ended with Democrats and Republicans accusing each other of deception and betrayal.

Then, Democrats controlled Tallahassee. Now, Republicans are in charge. Once again, at least in the House, each party is accusing the other of putting politics over responsibility as legislators look at a $6.5 billion problem in next year's budget. "The (Democratic) leadership is telling their members to stand on the sidelines and let the Republicans get us out of what they got us into," said House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Delray Beach. Said Rep. Ron Saunders, D-Key West: "The Republicans want to get just enough votes from their members to pass tax increases, get all the Democrats to vote for them, and then accuse us of raising taxes. But they are the majority. The onus is on them."

In terms of perspective, Rep. Saunders has the edge on Rep. Hasner, who has been in the Legislature just since 2002.

Sad day

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board writes today that "Voters in this state are losing another valued ally with Common Cause's decision to shut down its Florida operations and lay off longtime state executive director Ben Wilcox. The cuts, part of the nonprofit government watchdog group's larger national response to falling contributions in the dour economy, come at a bad time for Floridians." "Florida losing an uncommon voice".

If you have the cash

"Floridians may soon be able to pay to get a civil-court hearing and jump the line of the state's clogged and underfunded courts." "Proposed bill offers option for swamped courts".

'Glades

"Version No. 3 of the governor's Big Sugar buy is expected to net less than half the land for Everglades restoration but cut taxpayer costs by about $800 million." "Gov. Charlie Crist to downsize Everglades-U.S. Sugar deal".

Class size compromise?

"Florida Senate leaders are crafting a plan to combine a proposed class-size amendment with a penny sales-tax increase for education and put the issue before voters as early as this fall. The deal is designed to bridge the divide between Republicans and Democrats on the two major education issues of this year's legislative session. Republicans would get the class-size modification they want, and Democrats would get the penny sales tax they have been hoping for as money dedicated to public education." "Class-size amendment linked to penny sales-tax hike".

A Florida visual

"The image is surreal, oddly compelling and a spot-on barometer of how badly Florida's construction industry is struggling: more than 2,000 green, molded plastic portable toilets lined up like boxy soldiers". "No relief in sight for portable-toilet companies".

Who Elected ...

... the Zell Corporation anyway? The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Obama needs to stand up to his party and govern more from the center".

Note: "center" = Chamber of Commerce

Why not in-state (or better yet, in-Country) products?

"The state is issuing the 'Florida Backyard' card program to encourage consumers to shop in state as a way to jump-start the local economy." "Florida launches program to encourage in-state shopping".

A bit over the top

"A Collier County man says state social workers trapped his family during a routine visit with his grandchildren that ended with his daughter and wife being detained by immigration officials." "Immigrants held during DCF visit in Florida".

Prepaid

"Businessman crusades to keep prepaid tuition cheap".

"Great Floridians"

"With just one jocular partisan shot, Gov. Charlie Crist paid a warm tribute Wednesday night to six "great Floridians" whose pioneering service shaped the state's cultural, educational and environmental quality of life." "Crist lauds 'great Floridians'".

No fake tans

"Teens who 'fake bake' may be out of luck under a new bill that would prohibit those under 16 from using tanning beds." "Florida bill may burn underage tanners".

Lawsuit

"Clerks of court throughout the state have been collecting filing fees they shouldn't in divorce cases since last July, a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Tampa claims." "Fla. clerks of court sued".

More and more, the Democratic chief financial officer looks like someone gearing up for a major statewide race — say, an open governor's seat — rather than a low-profile re-election campaign with no strong challenger on the horizon.

Sink has raised her public profile lately on issues ranging from antifraud protection for seniors to chastising potential gubernatorial rival Bill McCollum over publicly funded TV ads featuring the Republican attorney general.

She has added veteran political hands to her office payroll. And at a time when many state politicians are consumed with the budget crisis in Tallahassee, Sink has been organizing campaign fundraising receptions from Tallahassee to Tampa to Miami.

Session Agenda

"Today at the Florida Capitol".

Because the Chamber and the AIF said "No!"

"A bill to toughen emission standards gathered steam in the Senate, but is going nowhere in the House." "Bill strengthening Florida auto emissions rules unlikely to pass".

The Economy, Stoopid

The Miami Herald editorial board: "This year Floridians want lawmakers to keep their focus lasered on fixing the state's faltering economy and finding solutions to the $3 billion deficit that won't throw the poor, elderly and ailing under the train. But these compelling mandates haven't stopped some legislators from wasting their counterparts' time with issues that simply don't resonate with the majority of Floridians. Take Miami Republican Rep. Anitere Flores' revival of a bill requiring pregnant women seeking abortions in their first trimester to submit to an ultrasound." "Stick to the economy".

You go, girl!

"The state's chief financial officer has angrily accused state Rep. Pat Patterson of DeLand of bottling up legislation meant to increase the penalties for unscrupulous insurance agents who bilk seniors out of their life savings."

Sink's office is particularly miffed at Patterson, a Republican and insurance agent who chairs the House's Insurance, Business and Financial Affairs Policy Committee. He has told Sink's staff he doesn't plan to give the bill a hearing in the 60-day legislative session.

"Ballot in the post office as good as one in the hand?"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Is an absentee ballot in the post office as good as one in the hand? Palm Beach mayoral candidate Gerry Goldsmith, in contesting a one-vote loss to Jack McDonald, argues persuasively that it is."

State law says that to be counted, absentee ballots "must be received by the supervisor by 7 p.m. the day of the election." Someone from Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher's office last checked the post office box at 5 p.m. on March 17, the day of the Palm Beach runoff. Typically, no ballots are placed in the box after 10 a.m., so workers felt that a 5 p.m. check would be enough. It wasn't.

Has it come to this?

"FSU students raise cash to save professors".

Don't give this state employee a pay cut

"Justice can be swift in Broward County, as one judge demonstrated Tuesday when he leaped from the bench to come to the aid of a woman whose ex-boyfriend attacked her in court." "Broward County judge vaults bench to restrain attacker". See also "Judge leaps to victim's aid during attack in his courtroom | Video".

Gambling

"The Florida Senate proposed a dramatic increase in gambling options for the Seminoles, while a House bill would ban existing blackjack and banked card games. " "Florida Senate, House lay out opposing gambling proposals". See also "Florida Senate bill allows Vegas-style gambling", "Senate, House split over Seminole gambling compact", "Seminoles to get full-fledged casinos?", "Senate's budget plan to include big slug of gambling money" and "Florida Senate looks to gambling, cigarettes to help raise money for budget". Related: "Visiting Indian casinos in Florida could be a gamble".

Do these people ...

... actually read what they write? This is off topic, but makes you wonder what these supposed "journalists" who are self-described "capitalists" did when they were in college, aside form stare at sports on the TV set:

The owners, he says, are much more financially able to withstand an extended work stoppage than are the players. Stern, Falk predicts, will crush the union if it doesn't agree to concessions.

"You don't tug on Superman's cape," Falk said of Stern. "He's relentless and will not give in. He's like Evander Holyfield. His ribs can be broken, his jaw fractured and blood coming from every orifice of his body. And you know what he's going to say, 'Let's go nine more rounds!' The owners are committed to making sweeping changes in the system."

From a fan's standpoint, nothing could be sweeter than to hear those words. In principle, most of us are probably capitalists who believe workers should earn what the market will bear. But, come on, NBA players have earned too much for too long.

Is there anything more frustrating to fans than when their team is forced to fork over $30 million buyouts just to make disgruntled players go away (see Steve Francis and Stephon Marbury)? It's as irritating as watching AIG execs getting huge bonuses after driving their company into the graveyard.

These huge guaranteed contracts mean ticket, concession and parking prices must be raised to help pay off Rashard Lewis' $118 million contract. In a good economy, NBA owners can get away with charging obscene prices to pay the obscene salaries, but in a rotten economy all those high-priced seats, swanky luxury suites and $7 beers will go unsold.

Sound for now

"Florida's state pension fund is sound and able to pay its current and future obligations even though its assets have dropped below projections of future payments." "State of Florida: Pension fund sound".

Florida already spends less per person than any state in the South."


The Tampa Trib editors: "With the state facing at least a $3 billion shortfall, Gov. Charlie Crist and state lawmakers must get serious about generating more revenue. Yes, more budget cuts are inevitable, but Florida already spends less per person than any state in the South."

The surest way to doom the state's economic prospects is to neglect its education system, infrastructure, resource protection and the social safety net that helps those in need regain self-sufficiency.

And there is one way to add some desperately needed dollars to Florida's coffers that actually would save thousands of state jobs.

All the state need do is begin collecting the sales tax on online purchases from out-of-state vendors.

I solemnly lobby ...

"A House panel on Tuesday approved a measure (HB 1499) that would put lobbyists, and all witnesses, under oath before testifying to legislative committees. Prevaricators would face second- and third-degree felony charges." "Bill would make lying before Florida legislative panel a felony offense".

On the other hand, if it was a giant cross ...

"During an economic crisis in which families are struggling to make their mortgage payments, state Sen. Ronda Storms wonders whether it's necessary to spend $50,000 to $100,000 on colorful, giant steel pinwheels clustered around the Florida Department of Transportation's Turkey Lake Turnpike Service Plaza in Orange County." "Storms: Funding Public Art Low Priority In Tough Times".

While we blather about "secret ballots" in Tally ...

"Petitions may be harder to fill": "Paid petition gatherers would have to undergo training and background checks, carry ID cards and pay state registration fees under a business-backed bill that would make passing citizen initiatives harder in Florida."

A regular laff riot

"Warning, Charlie Crist. Your rose-colored view of the world is now a punch line among fellow Republicans."

Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander has posted a sign at the entrance to his chamber's appropriations offices: ``BUDGET CHAIRMAN'S WARNING. Please Remove All Standard Issue E.O.G. [Executive Office of the Governor] Rose Colored Glasses Prior to Entering Suite. Failure to do so May Cause Severe Economic Pain to the People of Florida.''

Fastened to the sign: three pairs of rose-tinted sunglasses.

Is the sign meant as a thumb in the eye for Crist? ''A little bit,'' admitted Alexander, R-Lake Wales.

AG attorneys fees

"A House panel has approved a bill limiting fees the Florida Attorney General's Office will pay when hiring private lawyers for state cases." "Panel OKs Fee Limits On Lawyers Fla. Hires".

Oh yeah ... throw in the term limit thing

"A plan to help disabled veterans created controversy Tuesday when a Senate committee combined it with one to expand term limits for state lawmakers. ... The Senate Community Affairs Committee embraced the plan, but the bill lost several votes after Chairman Mike Bennett combined it with his proposal to ask voters to expand legislative term limits from eight years to twelve." "Term-Limits Plan Attached To Veterans Bill".

"Republican Party [Flying] Reptile"

"In his two years in office, Crist has flown to events on planes belonging to Harry Sargeant, a Boca Raton businessman whose contracts to send fuel to troops in Iraq have been questioned by Congress; Dick Mandt of Tampa, a former publisher of shopper newspapers, and Daytona Beach home builder Mori Hosseini, among others. All are Republican Party fundraisers." "Crist: No misuse of corporate jets". See also "Investigation update:" and "Florida Gov. Charlie Crist says he pays for trips on private jets".

Related: "Gov. Crist's flights: Does the public have the right to know who pays?".

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "Crist insisted once again Tuesday that he follows the letter of the law in determining whether the cost of his airplane flights are paid by the state, the Republican Party or out of his own pocket. That's good. But a governor who prides himself on transparency and public openness should go further and disclose the names of the wealthy donors and special interests who own the private jets he relies upon for political travel." "Clear the air on Crist's jet flights".

Health insurance mandate?

"Florida higher education officials may require health insurance for all students".

It never ends

"Defense lawyers on Monday accused a Broward County judge of injecting his "personal, political and religious views" into an illegal abortion case and asked an appeals court to reduce the bail of a woman charged with aborting her teenage daughter's pregnancy."

Public defender Howard Finkelstein said Judge John Hurley overreached when he set Tonuya Rainey's bail at $185,000.

The appeal the public defender filed Monday with the 4th District Court of Appeal in West Palm Beach asks that the bail be reduced to $14,000, the amount set before Hurley raised it.

"Judges don't sit as moral judges," Finkelstein said. "They sit as legal judges. When the police did not believe this was a case tantamount to murder, and when the State Attorney's Office didn't bring a case of murder, the fact that the judge went there because of emotional reasons is wrong."

Hurley on Friday said that the allegations against Rainey were "tantamount to murder" and that he was setting a higher bail with that in mind.

State Farm

"Florida denies State Farm's request for hearing".

Not a happy sing-a-long

"Parents sue school district over religious song".

Another gimmick

"Urging Floridians to help the state economy by shopping locally, Gov. Charlie Crist today unveiled the Florida Backyard Card discount Web site." "Gov. Crist Plugs Discount Card".

Flamingo Lodge

The Miami Herald editorial board: "This prized location doesn't deserve to sit forlorn and unused. The plan to replace Flamingo Lodge needs staunch champions in Florida's congressional delegation." "Replace Glades lodge".

"Dating violence"

"Dating violence: Law may keep teens safer".

Legislation neutered

"Originally written to require mandatory sterilization of most cats and dogs, a proposal by Rep. Scott Randolph scheduled for a vote by the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday will be amended to strike the mandatory provision that has left pet owners and some veterinarians upset. Panelists are expected instead to vote on an amended version of the bill that merely gives local officials the option of diverting a $5 surcharge already being tacked on to animal-control citations to help local governments pay to spay or neuter household pets. " "Animal neuter bill faces hurdles in Florida House".

Good luck

"Broward County teachers to protest before vote on raises today". See also "No guaranteed raises for Broward teachers".

What Sun-Sentinel idiot posed the question this way? "Today's Buzz: Should teachers get a raise when you're facing a layoff?".

Still afloat

"Bargain pricing and other measures helped Carnival maintain strong bookings that helped fuel a rise in earnings." "Carnival profit rises 10 percent".

Public finance

"Voters got a step closer to deciding the future of Florida's public financing for political campaigns while lawmakers moved toward shaving the program back if it's not eliminated altogether." "House to vote on resolution to repealpublic campaign-finance provisions".

That'll be an additional 15% please.

"Florida college students could soon face higher tuition after a proposal to allow most universities the power to raise tuition up to 15 percent a year passed a House council Monday." "Proposed bill would let universities make annual increases of up to 15 percent".

Wasserman Schultz

"Debbie Wasserman Schultz appeared on Good Morning America today to discuss her bout against breast cancer and says she'll introduce a bill to make more people aware of the illiness." "Wasserman Schultz talks about her breast cancer on Good Morning America".

And so it begins:

"Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum's $1.4 million ad campaign against online sex offenders has set off a pitched political battle that could foreshadow the race to succeed Gov. Charlie Crist."

Chief Financial Office Alex Sink has questioned McCollum's decision to award a no-bid contract to his former campaign media consultant to produce and air the ad. McCollum is on screen for most of the 30-second spot, which has run statewide.

Sink, a Democrat, and McCollum, a Republican, are potential rivals for governor -- as soon as 2010 if Crist runs for the U.S. Senate.

Late Monday, after the Democratic Party fired off three separate e-mails attacking McCollum, Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer demanded Sink stop the ``partisan witch hunt.''

"Jeb!"'s hand rises from the grave

"Battle breaks out on class size amendment".

None of our business

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board:

The majority of private flights were courtesy of Steven M. Scott, a Boca Raton physician, founder of a hospital physician network and of an HMO that makes millions providing health care to state workers and retirees, or of GOP fundraiser [and alleged war profiteer] Harry Sargeant of Delray Beach, a former fraternity brother of the governor. Other private flights have taken him to and from St. Petersburg, where he lived for years before becoming governor and where he still has a condo on Tampa Bay, or to South Florida, where his wife has a home on Fisher Island.

Tragedy for Florida

"Falling Contributions Close Common Cause".

Meantime, AIF and the Chamber have no problem collecting bucks to lobby to hold employee workers' comp lawyers to $8.00 an hour.

Early voting election observation in jeopardy

The Daytona Beach News Journal editors: "The Florida Department of State has proposed an omnibus elections bill this year that contains several changes that would diminish transparency. One of these involves the strategic alteration of just a few words in Florida Statute 104.29 that would create major roadblocks for citizen observers and give senior election officials a free pass to prevent observation."

The change prohibits citizen observation at the main elections office where the absentee, early voting, overseas and provisional ballots are tallied -- more than 50 percent of the total votes in an election. Instead, citizen observation of vote tallying would be limited to polling places only. The proposed change also removes the misdemeanor penalty for a supervisor of elections or elections employee who interferes with citizen observation, limiting that penalty to poll workers only.

Such opinion letters carry the weight of law unless challenged in court. This opinion bars observers from entering the "central counting room" where all the votes are uploaded and accumulated on a central computer. The right to observe is provided in 102.5612(2) to political party designees, but the Secretary of State's opinion letter bars these observers by concluding that no counting or tabulating actually occurs in the central counting room, a statement that is absurd on its face.

Volusia County has used this opinion letter to keep observers out of the central tabulating room. Citizens in Sarasota, however, were allowed to observe despite the opinion letter, resulting in the discovery that elections staff were totaling election results on a handheld calculator and entering those results on a "manual entry screen" because the multi-million dollar voting system was unable to correctly total the votes.

At the federal trough

"Crist drew chuckles Monday when he introduced Don Winstead as Florida's "stimulus czar" - the key official charged with riding herd over $13.4 billion in federal stimulus money expected by the state." "Crist Introduces 'Stimulus Czar'".

Nope

"Meeting on U.S. Sugar deal canceled".

Chamber hacks

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board points out that "the insurance companies that make a healthy profit from workers compensation policies benefit most by delaying and denying benefits."

They have steadily pushed for regulation that makes it easier for them to say no when a claim is presented, and demanded hefty rate increases whenever legislation or court rulings promised to benefit workers or employers. What's puzzling is that the state's big business lobbying groups -- who are supposed to be concerned about the interests of all Florida employers -- have instead thrown their lot in with the insurance companies, pushing for legislation to increase the profits that insurance companies are able to squeeze from businesses' premiums while decreasing the protection those companies' workers are receiving. As a result, Florida's workers' comp insurance companies claim an average profit above 30 percent. ...

Crist has expressed mild approval of the House bill, telling The Miami Herald that he "like(s) less expensive insurance." But that simplistic analysis misses the point. Lower rates are great, but businesses also deserve insurance that actually protects their workers. ...

The groups purporting to speak for Florida's employers have been co-opted by the insurance-company cartel. It's up to lawmakers to see through the hype, and write laws that ensure companies pay a fair rate for coverage that actually protects their workers.

Attorneys fees

"A House panel has approved a bill limiting fees the Florida Attorney General's Office will pay when hiring private lawyers for state cases." "Panel OKs Fee Limits On Lawyers Fla. Hires".

As Charlie stares longingly at DC ...

"The state is staring down a $700 million deficit for the remaining fiscal year, and a whopping $6 billion deficit in 2009-10. Lawmakers and Crist are now counting on the federal government to send Florida at least $700 million in economic stimulus dollars by June 30, and roughly $3 billion for the following year. That leaves another $3 billion for state lawmakers to make up - and there is little agreement yet on how to do it." "Budget Cuts Frustrate Lawmakers".

Related: "Advocates for disabled to highlight services, make case to avoid spending cuts today".

How many fat guys in suits can fit in The Rotunda?

Lobbying frenzy: "Phone company giants are spending a mountain of money on big-name lobbyists to push a deregulation plan that supporters say would lead to lower rates. Opponents say the proposed legislation could bring higher bills and worse service." "Phone bill has pricey support".

Cat fund

"Warning that "the big one is going to hit" inevitably, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson called for federal loan guarantees Monday to sustain Florida's catastrophic hurricane fund." "Sen. Bill Nelson moves to sustain Florida catastrophic hurricane fund".

Anti-discrim charter provision on the chopping block

"A charter amendment that would strip this university city's anti-discrimination protections extended to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender residents is before voters Tuesday." "Gainesville, Fla., may shed gay discrimination ban". More: "Orlando gays eye vote that imperils their rights".

"The only way Florida can fight back"

The Tampa Trib editors are worried about workers being mistreated by unions: "Secret elections are imperfect expressions of the public will, but nothing else is better. They work well in a number of democratic contexts, especially in selecting government representatives and in whether a company's workers want to unionize."

The latter issue has become a flash point for partisan squabbling in Florida and across the country. It is sparked by the realization that a pro-union bill, strongly supported by Democrats, has a good chance to become federal law. Under the change, unions getting enough signatures on union-support cards can declare victory without bothering to hold an election.

Businesses correctly warn that the change would put them at an unfair advantage. In theory, the union could win before the business owner had a chance to make sure workers heard management's side.

The only way Florida can fight back [?] is to make a constitutional issue of it, and that's just what House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Delray Beach, proposes fellow lawmakers ask voters to do. He wants to put a state constitutional amendment on the ballot in 2010 that would require a secret vote before unions are allowed to represent workers in private or public workplaces.

Marlins

"Marlins get OK for long-coveted Miami ballpark".

Those difficult times are here. Lawmakers were self-serving in the years leading to the often-predicted real estate collapse. They're now proving stubborn to the point of willful negligence as they continue to find ways to evade their responsibility.

If an economy is rebuilt from that ashen thinking, it's not the kind of economy too many people would be proud of.

Before long, companies won't have to look south of the border for cheap, desperate and unskilled labor. Who needs the North American Free Trade Agreement when you have Florida? ...

Education in Florida is suffering. More cuts will amount to thievery from a generation's future. Higher taxes, a shared responsibility for all, are part of the solution.

Lawmakers may not be educated enough to understand what middle schoolers already do.

Wait til the "values crowd" gets a load of this

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board:

Rather than build 19 new prisons at a cost of $100 million each over the next five years — the state's projected need — Department of Corrections Secretary Walter McNeil and other highly placed public state officials and the courts are working to change the lives of inmates through education and rehabilitation.

"The greatest work of fiction to come out of the Legislature"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "It's the greatest work of fiction to come out of the Legislature this session. It goes like this: Florida needs the bills that would abolish or dismantle the agency regulating growth, the bills' proponents say, because they'd save the state tons of money, remove a lot of bureaucratic clutter while preserving regulatory principles and help rejuvenate the state's moribund economy." "Rep. Cannon and his allies should abandon nonsensical attack on DCA".

The Peoples' Governor

"Despite pledging to run the most open administration in Florida history, Gov. Charlie Crist will not fully disclose details of his political travel on private jets owned by special interests and wealthy Republican Party donors." "Charlie Crist shields details of travel on private jets". See also "Who buys when Gov. Charlie Crist flies?".

James, bring the "Charlie Crist has taken more than 100 flights on private jets since becoming Florida's governor"

"Jobs will be lost, programs axed and schools shuttered"

"The bombshell that Orange County's school leaders will have to cut nearly double what they anticipated from next year's budget has left thousands of teachers, parents and students anxious that their jobs will be lost, programs axed and schools shuttered."

During the next few months, they'll learn exactly how the nation's 11th-largest school district will shed $240 million from its $1.4 billion budget. That could mean more than 1,000 people losing their jobs, as well as other drastic measures the district has been trying to avoid, such as the closing of more schools.

MBA Geniuses

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Florida Power & Light could not have picked a worst time than it did last Wednesday to announce an intention to seek a whopping 31 percent increase in the base rate for electricity. That was the day a rain storm left 17,000 FPL customers without power, causing some to wonder how well the utility manages with what it has." "This is news: high rates = lower bills".

Wasserman Schultz

"Wasserman Schultz to talk about her breast cancer on morning TV" "Wasserman Schultz to talk about her breast cancer on morning TV".

Background: It was reported yesterday that "Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz disclosed on Saturday that she endured seven major surgeries last year, including removal of a malignant tumor, to win a bout against breast cancer." "Wasserman Schultz says she's a breast cancer survivor". See also "U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz reveals cancer battle".

Perhaps part idiot is the real question

"In a jab at Florida Rep. Bill Posey's citizenship bill, Stephen Colbert said he wants Posey to undergo DNA testing to put to rest the persistent rumor that Posey is part alligator." "From Capitol Hill obscurity to scorn" ("Low-key Florida Rep. Bill Posey raises a stink with his bill requiring presidential candidates to provide proof of citizenship.")

"Slush funds"

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "The Florida Supreme Court's unanimous opinion upholding the ban on legislators accepting gifts from lobbyists was one of the few bright spots last week in Tallahassee." "Put limits on lawmakers' slush funds".

Hacks

"The pair shares an uncommon trait: They're red-meat Republicans from the most liberal stretch of Florida."

"Hasner and Bogdanoff are basically wolves in sheep's clothing," said Eric Jotkoff, spokesman for the Florida Democratic Party. "They claim to be moderates when they go to their district, yet they are leading ... the most partisan, divisive agenda we've seen in a long time in Tallahassee."

The RPOFer pitchfork crowd's a comin'

"Republican Buchanan votes for a 'tax thing'".

Forttunately, we're a low tax state

"Conducting a drill that asked them to look at worst-case scenario of between 10 percent and 20 percent cuts, grim-faced agency heads stood before powerful committee chairs and ticked off the list of horribles."

An addition of 20,000 to an already teeming wait-list for early-learning programs, pink slips for 70 state troopers, 60,000 poor and elderly adults denied dentures and hearing aids, 5,000 frail and elderly without in-home meals and daily living services, 328 severely disabled clients losing the health care that keeps them out of institutions, early release for thousands of prisoners.

"Not enough"

"They winter in Florida to take advantage of the warm waters. But experts say it's still not warm enough for the manatees." "Power plants to keep Fla. manatees warm".

There's an idea

"A central Florida county is considering electronically monitoring nonviolent offenders instead of keeping them in jail." "Florida jail considers electronic monitoring".

"In more normal times ..."

"State lawmakers have long wanted to improve high school graduation standards in Florida's public schools, and in more normal times bills like HB 1293 and SB 2694 would be embraced with open arms." "Tallahassee wants to raise academic standards".

Already a target

"Before he's even sworn in as Palm Beach County's latest (but not last) commission appointee, Steven Abrams has to wonder whether fellow Republicans will give him a clear shot at getting elected next year." "Abrams already target for 2010 ouster".

Water

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "Local governments are acting because the Southwest Florida Water Management District has not put meaningful watering restrictions in place to respond to the drought. Swiftmud should get serious when its governing board meets March 31, and it should bring some uniformity to the water restrictions of the 16 counties it serves." "Unify tough water rules".

Marlins

"A final vote on the Florida Marlins plan to move to Miami's Little Havana is expected from South Florida politicians." "Final vote looms for Marlins ballpark".

During the past two years, Crist's calendar shows about 100 occasions when he was scheduled to fly in or out of private air terminals to get to the capital, concerts, dinners, sporting events, political appearances and stays in St. Petersburg and South Florida.

Crist's office would not reveal who paid for specific flights or answer questions about them, despite the governor's vow of transparency when he took office. "Our constitution requires that our government be open and transparent," Crist said in his January 2007 inaugural address. "And under my administration it will be like never before."

Years ago, as a state senator, Crist took aim at then-Gov. Lawton Chiles for accepting about 30 flights on private jets to watch football games or go turkey hunting. Chiles later reimbursed the planes' owners more than $7,000. "The whole thing smells," Crist said at the time, calling for elected officials to fully disclose private flights.

Stud

"Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz disclosed on Saturday that she endured seven major surgeries last year, including removal of a malignant tumor, to win a bout against breast cancer." "Wasserman Schultz says she's a breast cancer survivor". See also "U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz reveals cancer battle".

"Conflict of influence"

Some might call this simple corruption:

The unlimited special-interest cash streaming into Florida legislators' political accounts has enriched a small group of influential consultants who received $19.5 million from political committees and campaigns in the 2008 election cycle.

The torrent of money flowing through the Capitol has also fueled an industry of consultants who lobby.

Of the 60 highest-paid consultants for lawmakers' committees, at least 12 work as lobbyists, according to a Herald/Times analysis. The consultant-lobbyists are hired by corporations to influence the same legislators who pay them for political help.

This circular network ties together special interests, lobbyists and lawmakers in a tight web of money and insider access. The lobbying clients seek legislative help. The legislators seek cash, for reelection or pet causes. The common link: the consultant.

Why can't she just be a good little Chamber girl?

Randy Schultz slams Lake Worth City Commissioner Cara Jennings. He begins with a backhand: "This time, at least, a Palm Beach County politician didn't get arrested for misusing an office to enrich herself." Read the rest of it here:"Unconventionally conventional".

Florida's Bedlam

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Last week, lawmakers toured the infamous ninth floor of the Miami-Dade County Jail, and were appalled at what they saw."

That county's jail has become one of the biggest mental-health institutions in the nation, and until recently, one of the most dreadful. Even as Florida officials toured the jail, a reporter for WFOR-TV CBS-4 in South Florida learned that six of the inmates in the facility had been in the jail for longer than state law allowed.

The sheer size of the Miami-Dade facility, with around 1,200 inmates on some form of psychoactive drug, earns its notoriety. But each of Florida's 66 other counties face the same problem: What to do with people whose main "crime" is mental illness, in need of treatment rather than imprisonment.

The spike in the numbers of mentally ill people behind bars is a symptom of the state's overall poor record in dealing with mental illness. Also earlier this month, the National Alliance on Mental Illness released its scorecard detailing the status of mental-health care in the states; Florida is one of 21 states to get a "D" grade. The state's community mental health system is overburdened to the point of collapse, the report pointed out. The state did particularly poorly promoting mental health and providing access to counseling and medication for the uninsured.

Pave everything

"A proposal that would make it easier for developers to build on wetlands was approved by a House committee." "Bill to ease wetlands development advances in Florida House". See also "Bill to ease wetlands development advances in Florida House".

The best they could do?

"Singer Lloyd Marcus told the crowd assembled in Lake Eola Park on Saturday that he was going to give them his take on the first days of the Obama administration. Then he shrieked. That pretty much summed up the mood in the park Saturday afternoon, when more than 4,000 people attended the Orlando Tea Party, a conservative rally aimed at expressing discontent with Washington." "Orlando 'Tea Party' rally draws more than 4,000".

Run, Adam, Run!

"The Florida Legislature is grappling with a $7 billion budget deficit, an insurance crisis and burdensome tax increases."

So why are legislators spending time arguing about a constitutional amendment requiring secret ballots when the state already uses them?

Because the amendment concerns a hot national issue for corporate interests - union organizing.

It's being pushed for the 2010 ballot by state Rep. Adam Hasner, R-Delray Beach, and seeks to undercut a proposed new federal law that would make it easier for employees to organize unions.

Hasner's proposal is one of a wave of similar amendment drives in a dozen states led by the national organization Save Our Secret Ballot.

SOS Ballot won't reveal its funding sources, but it has links to conservative business interests.

Hasner acknowledged he's looking seriously at challenging U.S. Rep. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, next year, but said his amendment is only about "enshrining the sacred right to a secret ballot, which I believe is a fundamental pillar of democracy."

Tuition to rise?

"A controversial plan that would allow college tuitions to rise by up to 15 percent a year ... is likely to continue toward passage." "Plan allows college tuitions to rise".

Silver lining

"Fla. country club in foreclosure, up for auction".

Not Cool

"Spoiled on cheap energy, Florida homes among highest energy consumers".

Let me tell you what to think ...

Pierre Tristam: "The class-size amendment always had its heart in the right place. Less so its thinking cap. The economic crisis is giving legislators a chance to make the amendment more flexible. They'd ask voters on the 2010 ballot to loosen some restrictions, allowing class sizes to be set by averages rather than strict limits. Short of repealing the amendment altogether (ultimately the better route to reform), legislators and voters should seize the chance to alter it. Barring flexibility, school districts will be required to meet limits by the 2010-11 school year, causing further stretching of diminishing dollars. A constitutional amendment intended to improve education should not become one of the instruments impairing it."

Quality education in Florida, still an oxymoron, is not about class size, anyway. It's about low teacher pay that discourages quality teachers from staying in the profession (or in the state). It's about stingy funding for struggling schools and capital and technological improvements to older schools. It's about a Legislature historically less interested in investing in the state's future than in bribing with low taxes an aging electorate and a short-sighted business class. The class-size amendment addressed none of those issues. In many ways, it exacerbated them by forcing districts to build schools differently and hire more teachers, rather than pay them better, to meet the requirements.

If improving education is the goal, I can think of several methods that would get us there more quickly and more effectively than smaller class sizes, especially given the resources that may be diverted to meeting class-size requirements.

Maxwell "tired of guys such as John Stemberger"

Scott Maxwell: "I can't help but think that many Americans who truly believe in family values are tired of guys such as John Stemberger spoiling their good name."

The latest from Stemberger and his Florida Family Policy Council calls for more government intrusion into our lives: higher marriage fees, state involvement in premarital counseling and possibly more obstacles for divorce.

Entrepreneurship, take 20

"iPod scam nets prison term".

Charlie's raw pusillanimity

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "The notice to state agencies last week that the state would be withholding 15 percent of their money for the next three months did not come from Gov. Charlie Crist, who claimed to know nothing about it hours before the announcement. "

It came from Jerry McDaniel, Crist's budget director. Crist's office contends that is because the move is only a precautionary step. Yet it is only the latest example of the ways the governor continues to distance himself from an economic crisis. This is a situation that demands strong leadership, and the governor has yet to step up.

Crist has avoided playing an aggressive, visible role in addressing sharp budget shortfalls that now reach more than $6 billion. ...

Asked Thursday by a reporter about whether he was planning to hold back 15 percent of state agencies' money in the fourth quarter, Crist told reporters he had not been briefed on such an option. Yet two hours later, McDaniel's memo was released. Crist's staff said the governor did not understand the question. That seems unlikely. ...

since taking office in 2007, Crist has treated the budget he must recommend by law as a perfunctory obligation rather than an opportunity to influence the legislative process.

Hacked

"Sen. Nelson says office computers were hacked".

And they call unions "thugs"?

The Associated Industries of Florida in action:

A nursing home worker, Emma Murray, was injured lifting a patient and had to undergo a hysterectomy. The nursing home's carrier refused to pay. In 2005, a compensation claims judge ordered the carrier to pay $3,244.21 in benefits. Even though Ms. Murray's lawyer spent roughly 80 hours on the case, the judge awarded just $648.84 in fees - $8.11 per hour - based on the statutory fee schedule of 20 percent for the first $5,000 in benefits. ... [By contrast] the insurance company paid its lawyer $16,050.

Nutz*

"Pay cuts still on table for State of Florida workers".

- - - - - - - - - -
*With apologies to General McAuliffe

Cat fight

Although off-topic, it is useful to gain insight in how the conservative mind works: "Being nice in catty fight? Fat chance".

Spoils of war

Adam Smith wonders: "We're past President Barack Obama's 50-day mark, so it's time for America's biggest battleground state to be crassly parochial: Where are the plum political jobs for Floridians?"

He has some predictions:

State Sen. Tony Hill, D-Jacksonville: He was an early and influential early supporter of Obama when most African-American leaders were jumping aboard team Clinton. The Buzz is an ambassadorship in the Caribbean or Bahamas.

Orlando developer Bob Mandell: He was another top fundraiser for Obama in the critical I-4 corridor. The Buzz for him is an ambassadorship to Costa Rica.

Tallahassee City Commissioner Allan Katz: A major fundraiser, Democratic National Committee member and the campaign's top negotiator on Florida's primary debacle. The Buzz is a senior foreign policy post.

Frank Sanchez: Former Tampa mayor and Clinton administration staffer who backed Obama early, raised big bucks and became a top Latino adviser nationally. He's a contender for a senior Commerce Department job.

"Making sure voters do the right thing"

Mark Lane "takes it personally when local governments try to educate him", but reminds us that

this is Florida, and most Florida city governments also consider it part of their job to make sure their jurisdictions grow as fast and as far and as high as the laws of physics and the state of Florida allow. And, sometimes, furthering that work includes making sure voters do the right thing.

"Honesty"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "An elected official in Florida may not deprive the public of"

"the intangible right of honest services" or "his or her commitment to provide loyal service or honest governance."

What about honesty is so offensive to state legislators that they wouldn't want those words to become law? Plenty, apparently. Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, hasn't gotten so much as a committee hearing or a House sponsor for his bill, SB 2258, that would enshrine honest services into state law.

Amateur hour

Mike Thomas thinks he's an expert: "Weakening tenure tomorrow would not prevent thousands of young, promising teachers from being laid off in the next school year. I hear complaints from Bush's group about burned-out teachers entrenched in their jobs. Yet every round of layoffs only magnifies their presence." "Tougher graduation rates the right call at the wrong time".

"Desperation changes any game of chance"

Pamela Hasterok: "How soon they forget. Not even five years ago, the speaker of the House said under no circumstances would he allow more types of gambling in Florida."

Today, lawmakers are arguing over not whether to permit extra gaming, but how much to allow. Table games like blackjack and baccarat at the Indian casinos? Video slot machines at dog and racing tracks?

Once the bastion of a Christian conservative anti-gambling sentiment, the House is acceding to the Seminole tribe's demand to have Las Vegas-style slot machines

"Taking gifts from a stripper"

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "When Florida's Judicial Qualifications Commission dropped its case against a former appeals judge accused of taking gifts from a stripper and helping to hide her assets, it abdicated its responsibility to police the judiciary. The JQC has denied the public a full accounting of what Judge Thomas E. Stringer Sr. did and why he resigned. It also has undermined confidence that it will adequately uphold its responsibility." "Judicial panel drops the ball".

Tri-Rail

"Tri-Rail may be breaking ridership records, but it's on fiscal life support." "Tri-Rail's success is critical to mass transit's future in Florida".

Clerks

"Bill to rein in clerks' budgetary independence".

Try a newspaper

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "Public notices must be noticed".