If the state were serious about investing in its future, it'd be investing more in its 11 colleges and universities. Instead, legislators are shifting more of the responsibility of paying for college to students and parents while indemnifying the state on the back of half lies: Yes, the bad economy is contributing to large budget deficits. No, the economy is not alone to blame. Legislators (and, to some extent, voters) are, for setting up those deficits through a decade-long carnival of tax cuts.

Close ... but no cigar

"New film doesn't 'out' Gov. Crist".

The best they could do

"Lawmakers passed a resolution to extend session for a week to consider the budget, and other conference-committee topics are still on the table for action. Here are some highlights from Friday's action:" "Last day of regular session closes".

"Legislators, unable to ignore a budget crisis, raised tuition and taxes and rejected a rail line and offshore drilling." "State budget remains undone for now". See also "Session Stumbles to Partial Close"

"Legislators will return for a brief extended session next week to complete work on the state budget. Bills to open the gulf to offshore drilling, rewrite election laws, encourage renewable energy uses and buy a rail line for a Central Florida commuter train were rejected." "Lawmakers have unfinished business".

"Plagued by a historic budget deficit and turmoil in the House leadership, Florida lawmakers came to a partial close of their annual session Friday, cutting deals on property insurance and school funding, while rejecting the governor's renewable energy bill." "Session's casualty list is lengthy".

"Lawmakers left the Capitol on Friday after passing a property insurance increase and other bills at the last minute but failing to give Gov. Charlie Crist the clean energy bill that was high on his priority list. Lawmakers will return next week to vote on the budget - the details of which are still being worked out - but won't take up any other issues." "Fla. lawmakers finish all work except a budget". See also "Legislature wraps up all its business - except for budget" and "Extended session to vet budget".

Desperate

"U.S. Republicans enlist Jeb Bush in party's bid to rebuild".

This is what passes for "justice" these days

"The new legislation passed Friday was hailed by business groups who said it saves small business owners from higher workers' compensation rates."

The bill (HB 903) passed on a 22-16 vote, effectively trumping the high court's decision in Ocbober that struck down the cap on lawyer fees.

The justices ruled attorneys should be paid reasonably for representing injured workers.

The Supreme Court decision 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.

SunRail dead

"The proposed Central Florida commuter-rail system crashed to defeat -- for the second time in two days -- in the Florida Legislature on Friday. The failure in the Senate of language backing SunRail appeared to ring a death knell for the proposed 61.5-mile system connecting DeLand and metropolitan Orlando."

Opposition from the AFL-CIO and some other unions also buoyed SunRail's critics and played a key role in defeating the project.

The SunRail amendment was drawn up as a template for future commuter-rail arrangements in the state. It would have allowed the state to contract out certain work -- such as maintenance and signal operations -- along the SunRail corridor and future corridors rather than having CSX use its unionized employees.

Union leaders called it a form of union-busting and said it was a safety issue. Proponents maintained opposition often was misguided, misplaced or worse.

Replacements

"President Barack Obama is apparently preparing to replace the top federal law enforcement officials in Florida, including U.S. Attorney A. Brian Albritton."

The Florida Federal Judicial Nominating Commission is accepting applications from candidates for eight jobs: U.S. attorney and U.S. marshal for the northern, middle and southern districts and judge vacancies in the middle and southern districts.

Another fine Jebacy: a "fiscal time bomb"

"State lawmakers learned this week that former Gov. Jeb Bush's controversial Medicaid reform plan from 2005 includes a time bomb for hospitals: A $300 million penalty."

Who are these idiots?

Just informed of the penalty, legislative leaders now are scrambling in the waning days of the lawmaking session to pass special budget language that asks the federal government to give the state more time.

From the "values" crowd

"Public libraries apparently have become victims of the rampant budget cutting underway in Tallahassee to make ends meet. According to a news release just received from the Florida Library Association, 'an appropriations conference committee for the House and Senate have agreed to eliminate all funding for Florida's State Aid to Public Libraries program.'" "State library funding cut?". More: "Florida libraries lose funding" and "Closings, service cuts likely as Florida axes library money".

Still more from the "values" crowd

"Florida arts funding shrivels".

A degree of "drastic"

"Florida's public schools were breathing easier after finding that funding cuts will not be as drastic as had been expected." "Legislature spares Florida public schools from the worst". See also "Schools get their funds".

Drilling

Update: "A move to fight greenhouse gases and another to allow offshore drilling canceled each other out on a chaotic last day of the legislative session." "Green bill, drilling proposal both fall".

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board commends the compromise that "sets a goal of having 20 percent of [Florida's] electricity generated by clean (and mostly renewable) energy sources by 2020", but finds it "distressing to think that this could all be for naught if the House tries to use this bill to fast-track an end to the 19-year-old prohibition against drilling for oil and natural gas in state waters."

Just a little bit ...

"Lawmakers would let the Seminole Tribe offer the game - but only at its flagship casino in Hollywood, Fla." "House agrees to blackjack at 1 tribal site". See also "House gives counter offer on gambling" and "House offers blackjack in Broward County".

No charge ...

"Roger Bentley paid West Melbourne $243.81 for responding to a crash in January caused after he made an improper turn. Bentley won't get his money back, but he is still glad Florida lawmakers just passed a law that prohibits charging for police and fire response to crashes." "Law forbids crash billing".

Sumthin's gotta give

"5-foot alligator found swimming in pool".

"Florida Forever"?

"The fate of Florida Forever now rests in a few powerful hands. With a little help from the sugar lobby, the largest environmental land-buying program in the nation still could survive, at least in a dramatically slimmed-down fashion."

"The embezzlement of students' future"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial Board: "The Legislature's tuition-hike mechanism for Florida's colleges and universities represents only half the embezzlement of students' future. The other half is Bright Futures, the state-funded scholarship." "Bright Futures should be reformed, not cheated".

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Legislators flunk fixing scholarship".

DNA

"Florida's felony arrestees may have to submit DNA".

Insurance increases

"The bill (HB 1171) allowing consumers to pay higher, unregulated rates to buy property insurance from highly capitalized national insurers passed the Senate on a 27-9 vote Friday. But Gov. Charlie Crist has long opposed bids by the large financially sound national companies who have annually sought double-digit rate increases and is expected to veto the bill." "Lawmakers vote to deregulate some Fla. insurance".

See also "Hurricane insurance rates will go higher". Related: "Citizens insurance hikes win approval in Florida Legislature" and "A blow to Fla. homeowners: 10% insurance hike".

Hmmm?

"Text messaging is an everyday habit for many, but if public officials use it to talk about public business, they could be violating the law." "Texting by public officials: Does it violate Sunshine laws in meetings?".

The Latest Rumor

Yesterday we relayed this bit of gossip:

Mel Martinez resigns soon; Crist appoints caretaker - Jim Smith - and announces his candidacy for Sen.

[Jebbie] has consistently and wisely laid low since leaving the governor's mansion in 2007, mindful of Bush fatigue. But Jeb was always the ambitious one. He was always the one who was going to be president. So it's hard not to look at his re-emergence [in the latest silly GOPer re-branding effort, called what they're calling the National Council for a New America] as strategically significant, perhaps an attempt to position himself for a Senate run next year. Could Bush's involvement with NCNA be a sort of trial run, to see whether people are ready for another Bush on the national stage? As [Todd Beeton] wrote on Monday, Chris Cillizza is reporting that Jeb's successor, Charlie Crist, is a "near lock" to run for Senate and will be announcing by May 5. Jeb already had to subsume his own presidential ambitions for his younger brother. It's hard to believe that Jeb would now be willing to let his younger...and tanner...governor step on what could be his one shot at the Senate.

March

"Smaller crowd marches for immigration reform in Orlando".

Primary enforcement

"It took more than two decades. But it will soon be the law of this state that a police officer can stop a motorist for one reason: not wearing a seat belt."

Year in and year out, the idea known as primary enforcement went nowhere in a state Capitol with a strong libertarian streak. The arguments were familiar: It's the intrusion of Big Brother. Police have better things to do. Lately, African-American legislators voiced concerns that giving police that extra authority would encourage racial profiling.

New rules

"Florida governor gets bill to end retiree double-dipping". See also "New rules on double-dipping on public jobs await Crist signature".

Furloughs

"Leon Clerk of Courts announces furloughs".

Foster kids

"Former and current foster children could soon get access to their own records to help with their medical histories, Social Security cards, birth certificates and other information after legislation passed Friday." "Bill gives foster kids access".

The vote, 76-41 along mostly party lines, came after Department of Community Affairs Secretary Tom Pelham warned that House changes to the Senate growth management bill ``will substantially undermine Florida's growth management laws.''

In a press release on Tuesday, Pelham warned that provisions in the House bill ''open up the state's major rural areas to unchecked development,'' eliminate the requirement that developers have roads in place to serve development, and abolish the state review process for large developments ``in major portions of the state.''

If you think that Florida needs to throw out its laws about growth …

If you think Florida's best answer to the economy is to open our state to developers wider than we have in decades …

Then you're in luck, because a growth bill passed by the state House on Wednesday does those things. This is probably the biggest thing the Legislature will pass in 2009. ...

The name of this bill, the House's revised version of Senate Bill 360, is ironically titled the "Community Renewal Act." It would be better titled the "Katie Bar the Door and Strip Mall Act of 2009." ...

The weirdest part of the House debate was the utter righteousness of the members. This was no sneaky, secret attack on Florida's growth laws — it was a full-frontal act of war, done shamelessly in the open.

The bill passed 76-41, with the Republican majority mostly in favor, and the Democratic minority mostly opposed.

It passed over the objections of Tom Pelham, the secretary of the state Department of Community Affairs, who has held that job under two Republican governors.

Yet the members dripped with contempt for Pelham during the floor debate.

"'Crist wants out, leaving Floridians with the mess'"

"Crist hasn't even entered the race for U.S. Senate yet and he's already drawn his first attack ad."

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee will run ads in Tallahassee starting Thursday attacking the Republican governor by saying he wants to abandon the state in tough times. The DSCC may later expand it to other markets, said spokesman Eric Schultz.

"Florida faces tough times and the budget mess could mean cuts in police, schools and health care, but instead of working to fix it, Charlie Crist wants to quit to go to Washington," an announcer says in the ad. "Crist enjoys being governor when he attends basketball games and Super Bowl activities, and when he takes over 60 days off with no schedule, but now the job's getting tough, and Crist wants out, leaving Floridians with the mess."

Budget deal moves to conference

"House and Senate leaders finally moved budget negotiations into the open on Tuesday and extended their session through next week to allow for a final vote."

Funding for commuter rail through Orlando, a $1 tax increase on cigarettes, a gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe and a state worker salary cut of roughly $30 million are among the many issues that lawmakers have agreed to include in next year's state budget. Some of the details remain up for negotiation in the coming days of conference committees, along with hundreds of specific budget line items.

Conferencing is expected to last through the weekend, with the final budget reaching lawmakers' desks Tuesday. A vote is expected May 8.

Gambling cash

"The House and Senate took a step closer to a deal on a proposed Seminole Indian gambling agreement. The Senate is no longer pushing to give the tribe full-blown casinos with craps and roulette, but would still allow blackjack and other card games at the Seminoles' casinos in Broward County and Tampa." "Legislature moving closer to deal on Seminole gambling". See also "Slots and blackjack in Palm Beach County? Lawmakers put it on the table", "Last-minute talks over Seminole gambling deal begin" and "Chances fade on deal for gambling". Background: "Seminole Tribe gambling deal holds up budget".

Right-wing fools

"Florida rejected $444 million in federal stimulus money Wednesday after House Republicans said the unemployment aid would hurt businesses and create new entitlements."

The proposal, already turned down by the Senate, would have, among other things, extended benefits to some part-time workers and a person who quits his or her job out of necessity like spousal relocation or domestic violence.

Democrats assailed the move as callous when the state's unemployment rate is at a 30-year high. About 40,000 people would have been eligible under the new rules.

''Once government provides that handout, it never takes it back,'' said Majority Leader Adam Hasner of Delray Beach.

Back at the ranch

"A new initiative will recognize the state's top charter schools." "3 local charter schools are honored".

SunRail

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Although Senate President Jeff Atwater yanked the bill from its last committee hearing for a full vote in the Senate, it has yet to be placed on the agenda, signaling supporters do not have the votes. But the situation is fluid." "Bad rail deal should hit end of the line".

More: "SunRail has 3 days to get 21 senators on board" and "SunRail gaining steam; key vote could be Thursday".

Free Choice

Florida AFL-CIO President Cindy Hall: "Unfortunately, some legislators in Tallahassee want to block the Employee Free Choice Act in our state and deny Florida's workers the benefits that workers in other states will enjoy."

HJR 1013 and SJR 1908 would enshrine the rights of the corporations and CEOs to fire, harass and intimidate workers trying to form unions and ensure that the corporations, not the workers, are able to decide whether unions are formed by a majority sign-up or a ballot election.

Florida's workers need the Legislature to solve our budget crisis, fix our schools and improve health care for our children. They need the Employee Free Choice Act from Congress, not a mean-spirited campaign funded by out-of-state special interests that kicks our workers when they are down.

Big of 'em

"House OKs additional $1.8 million for slain BSO deputy's family".

"Arm-twisting by Wackenhut's army of registered lobbyists"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial Board: "The GEO Group, a Boca Raton-based operator of psychiatric facilities and subsidiary of the massive Wackenhut Corporation, says it can run the [Northeast Florida State Hospital] more cheaply, saving the state $3.3 million next year while providing the same level of service. But legislators have no evidence to support that claim, just a vague argument that privatization must be more efficient -- and a lot of political arm-twisting by Wackenhut's army of registered lobbyists."

The 800-plus people (one from Flagler, 63 from Volusia) at Northeast Florida State Hospital are there because they need intensive, specialized care. And the hospital is the most efficient, effective place to provide it. Handing it off to a corporation whose main goal is profit would be a mistake.

The latest from the "values" crowd

"The cost of improving access to KidCare is a point of disagreement between the two chambers. The House claims it would cost money, since the changes presumably would lead to higher enrollment. A report from House staff cites data from state economists who estimated the cost of some of the bill's provisions at several million dollars." "KidCare fix hits new hurdle".

Jebbie's unfunded education mandates flop

"Former Gov. Jeb Bush's Foundation for Florida's Future has been pushing to raise the curriculum requirements for high school students, phasing in algebra II and geometry as required math classes, and biology I and chemistry as required science classes. In addition, the proposal would have increased the required graduation score on the 10th-grade FCAT to 3 from 2."

Patricia Levesque, executive director of the Foundation for Florida's Future, said she still has hope for this year, but also, "If it's not going to pass this session, it will be disappointing and it will be another year wasted in the lives of kids that need to be prepared for the future that awaits them once they leave high school.

Remind us ... why was Buddy Dyer indicted?

"The money was paid in an unusual way -- in two installments, apparently to get around a requirement that Space Florida's board of directors approve any contract of $100,000 or more. The move was so blatant that an executive in an agency under Gov. Charlie Crist worried it was a 'potential misuse of funds.'" "Lawmakers erupt over Space Florida's $300,000 in lobbyist fees".

'Glades

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Crist continues his attempts to stack the South Florida Water Management District board, which will vote next month on his proposal to buy a heaping dose of U.S. Sugar."

When the board voted 4-3 in December to pay $1.34 billion for 180,000 acres, the seat representing the Glades had been empty for nearly six months. The vacancy occurred the day Gov. Crist announced the original purchase. The Glades' representative, Malcolm "Bubba" Wade, resigned because he is a U.S. Sugar vice president.

It has been more than 10 months, and Gov. Crist still hasn't made the appointment.

Charlie was "against it" before he was "for it"

"Crist, who has long fought tuition increases, embraced the idea of 'tuition differential' increases late last year, and is expected to sign the bill." "Crist gets bill authorizing 15-percent state university tuition increase".

After all ...

Charlie's quite the expert on rank opportunism: "While GOP shows outrage over Specter, Crist says senator probably had a tough choice"."Florida rediscovers citizenship education"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial Board: "Civics recourse".

"Reject pay cuts"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board:

The courts, in case the legislative branch has forgotten, make up the third branch of government. After previous cuts, that branch is struggling to function properly at the trial court level. State prosecutors haven't had even cost-of-living raises for three years. Some with families work as valets on the weekend. State attorneys report losing many good prosecutors to private practice. Public defenders speak openly about suing because they can't offer a constitutional defense. And legislators know that they never will make up the losses from these tough-times cuts when times get better.

"Flurry"

"Flurry of bills advance as Legislature's session winds down".

Stop and frisk

"The Legislature on Wednesday sent a bill to Gov. Charlie Crist that would allow police officers to pull over drivers for not wearing a seat belt. The governor said he would sign the measure into law." "Legislature passes seat-belt bill".

Just days after a grand jury castigated the Legislature for its cozy and costly relations with corporate wheeler-dealers, Rep. Dean Cannon of Winter Park orchestrated a late-session attack on the ban on oil drilling in state waters.

Oil lobbyists helped write the bill. Environmentalists and other concerned citizens were kept in the dark. Little debate was allowed.

The grand jury had issued the critical report while indicting Panhandle Rep. Ray Sansom, who was forced to step down as House speaker, for quietly funding a $6 million airplane hangar sought by a political supporter.

But that looks like chicken feed compared to what Cannon and the House were willing to give away - Florida beaches.

But that did not stop the Sarasota Republican from voting for legislation to allow oil drilling rigs as close as three miles to the region's prized beaches.

Holder explained his vote Tuesday in part by saying that he did not expect the bill to pass anyway.

The legislation indeed appears headed for defeat in the Florida Senate, but Holder's decision to support it in the House stunned area residents and almost instantly turned him into a target for Democrats in 2010.

More RPOF "values"

"Florida Forever is no more as leaders omit it from budget".

Session extended through next week

Update: "House and Senate leaders finally moved budget negotiations into the open on Tuesday and extended their session through next week to allow for a final vote. Funding for commuter rail through Orlando, a $1 tax increase on cigarettes, a gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe and a state worker salary cut of roughly $30 million are among the many issues that lawmakers have agreed to include in next year's state budget." "Brokered budget to move forward". See also "It's official: Session will go into overtime".

SunRail update: "Sidetracked by a budget impasse that was largely cleared away Tuesday, the $1.2 billion project now has only three days to round up the 21 votes necessary in the 40-member Senate to win approval of a $200 million insurance policy that would assign liability in the case of accidents. But the SunRail bill (SB 1212) was not scheduled to come up for floor debate today, increasing the chances that it could run out of time to be heard during the final three days of the legislative session." "SunRail has 3 days to get 21 senators on board".

"Florida lawmakers began negotiating a budget Tuesday that likely will tack an extra $1-a-pack tax on cigarettes and might slow down a Central Florida commuter-rail project." "Session extended to iron out budget".

"As Florida lawmakers begin their first full day of sorting out the nitty-gritty of their budget details, they've promised to do it in the open." "Lawmakers vow open budget battle". See also "Lawmakers hatch budget deal to raise cigarette taxes, fees", "Florida budget begins to take shape" and "Seminole Tribe gambling deal holds up budget".

The Miami Herald editorial board: "In politics, being supportive of education is a 'motherhood and apple pie' concept, right up there with family and patriotism. In a few days, Floridians will learn whether state lawmakers can deliver on their oft repeated commitment to education in a tough recession -- or if they merely are in love with the idea of 'supporting education.' So far, it's not looking good for lawmakers' word being their bond. " "Crunch time for budget priorities".

The last of fit ...

"Crist released the remainder of fourth-quarter money to state agencies, schools and courts after holding onto a portion in March in case money ran low. Crist's action followed his March 19 decision to keep back 15 percent of final state allocations before the July 1 start of the state's budget year." "Crist releases funds for agencies, schools, courts".

Gambling

"With the future of gambling in Florida still unresolved, lawmakers are considering giving the state's struggling horse and dog tracks a new video-style gaming machine to help them attract new business." "New games in the pipeline".

Obama continues to deliver for Florida

"Everglades restoration got $96 million of economic-recovery money on Tuesday, mostly to pay for construction of a storage reservoir in Palm Beach County and improved water flow through Picayune Strand in Collier County." "$96 million more approved for Everglades restoration". More: "In 100 days, Obama's won over some in Lee County".

Lee County? Now that's impressive.

Welcome to Florida ...

... now learn a bit more about EFCA before you open your mouth about it again.

"McGovern recently bought a two-story, four-bedroom home in the southern end of St. Augustine Beach, an area steeped in history with milder winters than South Dakota." "McGovern sees connection between Obama, Lincoln".

Richburg canned

"The trustees of Northwest Florida State College abandoned a $6 million airport project Tuesday and fired the school's longtime president, who has been indicted over the deal. ... The school trustees made both moves reluctantly, in part under pressure to act from Gov. Charlie Crist, as the small Panhandle school remains at the core of a political scandal that already has cost Destin's state Rep. Ray Sansom his position has House speaker." "NW Florida college cancels hangar project, fires president". See also "Richburg ousted by college trustees" and "College gives up $6 million project".

RPOFer Wingnuttery

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "With Florida's unemployment rate at a 30-year high, it's impossible to fathom why state lawmakers may forgo collecting $444 million in federal unemployment compensation for those out of work. But that is what the Legislature's cold-hearted Republican leadership is poised to do as the annual session winds to a dismal close." "Jobless lose again".

"The wrath of the powerful homeschooling community"

"A proposal to scale back Florida's successful virtual school has incurred the wrath of the powerful homeschooling community and drawn national scorn from education reform advocates." "Don't cut back on online courses, Florida Virtual School supporters say".

Raw political courage

"Lawmakers pass plan to outlaw human smuggling".

"Inscrutable"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board:

The word inscrutable should not be used lightly. It is precisely the right word to use when trying to comprehend why state Rep. William Snyder, R-Stuart, has all but killed the Second Chance Act for Children in Prison during this legislative session. ... While the bill sailed through a Senate committee and narrowly passed a House committee, Snyder has shut the door on its progress, and on many rehabilitated young people it could help. ...

The bill would allow inmates who were 15 or younger and sentenced to at least 10 years in prison without parole to be considered for release after eight years.

As Florida's jobless suffer ...

... we continue to see displays of raw political courage from Florida's political class:

Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, is doing his part to close a legal loophole regarding solicitation of minors via the Internet.

The language of the Florida law says it is illegal to use a computer for soliciting, seducing or luring a child for sexual contact to a minor who resides "in this state." That means a suspect can communicate with a minor outside Florida, and not be tried on state charges.

At the urging of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, Haridopolos filed an amendment to eliminate "in this state."

After all, they're just "employees"

"Employee shareholders who filed a class action lawsuit against the Clewiston sugar firm, its board, executives and controlling shareholders suffered a major setback Tuesday, when U.S. District Judge Donald Middlebrooks dismissed all but one count in the suit." "Employees' suit vs. U.S. Sugar suffers setback".

"Telecom 101"

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "Called the Consumer Choice and Protection Act (CS/SB 2626), legislation moving through the Senate and on to the House this week would basically lighten regulations that would, in turn, provide incentives for telecommunications companies to invest in infrastructure changes needed to get the job done — to compete and add services. But updating regulations for traditional local-exchange companies to something a little closer to what the wireless and cable companies enjoy has created concerns for consumers." "Lawmakers look smart in Telecom 101".

"If it comes at all"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Federal stimulus money for education comes with strings attached. But Florida school districts, universities and community colleges will be happy if it comes at all."

The Legislature and the state Department of Education have left school districts in a lurch in a couple of ways. The Legislature failed to maintain education spending at the 2005-06 level, making Florida ineligible for $2.2 billion in education stimulus money that the state was supposed to receive over the next two years. Then the education department, saying that it needed more information from Washington, delayed filing for a waiver that can free up the money. After the feds insisted that there was no reason to wait, the state finally applied on Monday. ...

To get a federal waiver for the stimulus money, the state has to show that even though education spending might have declined, the percentage of the dwindling budget that goes to education has not. It's hard to see how the state can make that case if the Legislature slashes higher education.

"Butt-out"

"The Florida Senate Tuesday unanimously passed a bill that will allow university boards of trustees sole authority to select a president." "Senate passes butt-out BOG bill".

Pay cuts

"State workers face a cut in pay, but legislative leaders must still agree on how much and who will feel the pain. ... Bypassing public conference committees, House Speaker Larry Cretul said he and Senate President Jeff Atwater will discuss cuts for state workers and will have a final number early next week. " "Details of state pay cuts being ironed out".

Believe it or not

"Harassment in Hollywood? Code enforcement wants chickens removed from Jewish home".

More Hasner stupidity

"A bill inspired by the horse-riding death of a Palm Beach County girl was approved Tuesday without the youngster's last name, because some lawmakers were concerned about her father's arrest record."

Originally introduced at the "Nicole Hornstein Act," it requires children 16 and younger to wear helmets while riding horses on public roads and trails. Nicole, 12, died in 2006 when her horse fell and her head hit the pavement.

She wasn't wearing a helmet.

Concerns from House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Boca Raton, about Gary Hornstein's lengthy arrest record forced the name change, said Sen. Dave Aronberg, a Greenacres Democrat sponsoring the Senate bill.

Whatever

"A bill that would allow law enforcement to ticket drivers simply for not wearing a seat belt is poised to pass after winning overwhelming support in the Senate." "Legislature close to passing mandatory seat belt law". See also "Bill allows stops for not wearing seat belt".

As long as your're wearing your seat belt

"Texting while driving likely to stay legal in Florida".

Citizens

"Rates for holders of Citizens Insurance Corp. homeowners policies are likely to rise by at least 5 percent, possibly more." "Citizens' rates headed up". See also "Senate's insurance bill caps Citizens hikes at 5 percent" and "Bills would raise Citizens Insurance rates by 5 to 20 percent".

The cash is flowing

"The Florida House and Senate signed off on a measure that could give transportation money to Cutler Bay, Doral, and Miami Gardens." "Cutler Bay, Doral, and Miami Gardens get good news".

Swine flu

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial Board: "Central Floridians can be confident that local health officials are responding effectively and appropriately to a new strain of influenza. " "Prepared, not panicked".

Florida Energy Associates, a corporation formed in December by Daytona Beach lawyer Doug Daniels, has hired at least 20 of the state's most prominent lobbyists to push bills through the legislature in the final week of session. Most of the lobbyists were hired in the last 10 days but the proposal has been planned for months.

The measure, slated for votes in the House and Senate this week, would give the governor and Cabinet authority to approve oil and gas exploration 3 to 10 miles off the Florida coast.

It came from Rep. Dean Cannon, the Orlando Republican slated to become Speaker of the House in 2010, who introduced a bill to lift the prohibition, claiming he wanted to start a "mature, thoughtful discussion" about state's energy policy.

If that's the case, why introduce it at the last minute and leaving no time for such a serious matter to be debated?

In truth, Cannon, the Associated Industries of Florida and Big Oil have been quietly planning this move, using the state's fiscal crisis to suddenly contend the drilling would be a panacea ...

The "values" crowd in action

"A bill to expand insurance coverage to children with developmental disabilities beyond autism is struggling in the Senate, with budget leaders concerned about costs." "Insurance bill for kids in jeopardy".

Yet more from the "values" crowd

"Elementary schools face big cuts".

You gotta problem wit' dat?

The Palm Beach Post editorial board:

The growth-at-any-cost Florida House wants to return to the bad old days when a developer could plop down a new town just about anywhere in the state.

Open issues

Aaron Deslatte: "The Florida Legislature is entering the final week of its 60-day regular legislative session with precious few of the big-dollar decisions resolved."

And unless lawmakers break the logjam in budget talks, many of them could get jettisoned when the clock runs out Friday, and the Legislature is forced into a $40,000-a-day special session to get the budget done.

RPOFer "political aspirations" exposed

"The budget standstill in the state Capitol has exposed the political aspirations of Florida's most powerful Republicans."

Cannon's insisting on a budget that would keep a positive balance sheet for three consecutive years, which would help him avoid deep cuts or embarrassing tax increases when he is expected to take over as House speaker in 2011.

In the Senate, President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, is trying protect a chamber that unanimously approved new cigarette taxes and gambling money in hopes of avoiding a third year of budget cuts.

Atwater is mentioned as a possible statewide candidate in 2010, and strategists say he'll be an easy target if he agrees to tax increases and education cuts.

Much of the budget - and the 2010 election season - depends on whether Republican Gov. Charlie Crist runs for reelection or the U.S. Senate.

Crist has inserted himself into the budget debate by insisting the economy will rebound in two years and replenish state sales-tax collections just as the $14 billion federal stimulus package runs out.

Several lawmakers believe that's a bet Crist will hedge for himself by running for U.S. Senate in 2010. He is adamant that he has not decided which office to seek.

We can hardly wait

"Pat Rooney Jr. - dog track president, restaurateur, radio personality, attorney, South Florida Water Management District board member, Steelers scion and brother of Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney - is considering a state House run." "Dog track's Rooney eyes starting gate for state run".

RPOFer bailout

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "The legislation to deregulate Florida's property insurance market has changed, but it hasn't gotten good." "The insurance bailout bill".

"Don't give insurers a blank check ..."

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial Board: "So Florida lawmakers want to deregulate property insurance rates to attract big private insurers to "hurricane land" and hold onto the ones threatening to leave. That may be one way out of the mire the Legislature's gotten the state into by allowing the industry to write our property/casualty insurance laws."

The other possibility: Bid the private insurers farewell and self-insure everyone in Florida under a state-run pool like Citizens, already larger than any private insurer in the state, with 1.3 million policies. At this point, we won't argue over which path would take us closer to reliable coverage at a fair price. Either choice -- caveats to follow -- should be better than this mess we're stuck in. Besides, the free marketers seem to be in control at the state capital anyway.

We don' need no stinkin taxes

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "Even as the leaders of the Florida House and Senate try to reconcile two versions of a new state budget, they are poised to fritter away another opportunity to collect billions of dollars in unpaid sales taxes."

States with smarter and more responsible leaders on this issue than Florida — 22 states so far — already have joined the Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board, an effort to standardize their tax codes.

Tuff talk from an empty suit

"Crist wants Destin Airport hangar money back".

"Promises made as property values mounted seem forgotten"

"Three months ago, Gov. Charlie Crist said the gloomy economic times made it imperative to help homeowners and businesses by lowering property taxes. ... But after nearly two months of deliberations with a Friday deadline nearing, lawmakers have all but ignored the issue that dominated their campaign promises for years." "Tax refrain fades to gentle whisper".

Limbaugh breathes a sigh of relief

"Even if the Legislature approves a bill to slow illegal painkiller prescriptions, storefront pain clinics will still be able to operate with little scrutiny." "Law may lack teeth to rein in pill mills".

"Lawmakers power-tripping"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "The Leon County grand jury that indicted former speaker of the Florida House Ray Sansom last week also sent legislative leaders a warning about corruption -- but the lawmakers obviously aren't listening and didn't get the message."

The jurors warned about the risky convergence of power, control and secrecy in the backrooms of the Legislature and how easily leaders' rump sessions can lead to corruption. ''This state should be guided by openness and transparency,'' the jurors said, in an indictment that charged Mr. Sansom with falsifying the state budget to secure $6 million in funding for an aircraft hangar for a developer friend and major GOP donor.

Despite the warning, legislative leaders blithely went about their business. They huddled with lobbyists and special interests to craft a plan that would reverse Florida's 30-year ban on offshore oil drilling. They froze out public input when planning a massive overhaul of state election laws that would wipe out gains made since the 2000 Election debacle. They secretly decided on deep budget cuts for Florida's colleges and universities. On and on it went all week, with lawmakers power-tripping on changes that promoted personal agendas at the expense of good governance and effective policymaking.

Pension threat level red

The Florida League of Cities whines about those crazy pensions in "Rising pensions pose threat".

Rally

"'Rachel's Law' rally set for this afternoon at Capitol".

Collateral damage

"The recession has taken a grim toll at animal shelters as the rising number of abandoned dogs and cats has forced an increase in euthanization." "From corruption to mercy".

Legacy

"Palm Beach County Commissioner Addie Greene may be stepping down April 30, but she helped ensure that two pet projects she calls her legacy have the money needed to continue. Where the money comes from and how Greene helped secure the financing initially raised some eyebrows." "Palm Beach County Commissioner Addie Greene helped land money for her 'legacy' projects to continue".

Combination

"Will Universal, SeaWorld combine forces?".

Hmmmm

"It's time for a .pol domain".

"The Eighth Commandment"

"North Miami Beach Council candidate Hillel Hellinger may have been a no-show at several forums leading up to the city's May 5 election -- but he said he has a good reason: the Eighth Commandment." "Sabbath comes before politics for candidate".

proposals that could raise property insurance rates; create a Central Florida commuter rail system; increase cigarette taxes; and make major changes in growth management, telecommunications and workers' compensation insurance laws.

Crist says he has the answer. He's struck an elaborate deal with the Seminole Tribe that would allow blackjack, baccarat and more advanced slot machines -- as well as free booze -- at the tribe's six casinos in Florida in exchange for $1.1 billion to the state spread over the next two budget years. The Senate identified a different strategy -- allowing pari-mutuels across the state to expand gambling, including 24-hour operations and ATMs to give gamblers quick access to cash.

Both plans stink. Expanded wagering is a bad bet for Florida: Repeated studies have identified sharp increases in demands on social services and incidents of family violence and suicide, all related to problem gambling.

Even worse, the lawmakers panting after gambling money are dodging their duty to deal realistically with the state's troubled budget. Florida's $3 billion budget deficit wouldn't be nearly as bad if lawmakers had restrained themselves from handing out big-dollar tax breaks to wealthy investors and businesses. Those tax breaks were touted as sure means to boost the state economy, but the promised benefits never showed up.

"The governor simply is"

Mark Lane has Charlie figured out: "Charlie Crist is Florida's Taoist governor. He strives by not striving. He wins by not playing. He is the uncarved block upon which independent voters can visualize their wishes." Much more here: "Florida's governor of the Tao".

On a related point, the The Miami Herald reported yesterday that it "was a classic Charlie Crist kind of day. After a couple of short morning meetings, the governor hammed it up for the Tallahassee press corps participating in Take Your Child to Work Day and posed for pictures with their kids." "Crist knows where the cameras are". See also "Gov. Charlie Crist's agenda lags in Florida Legislature".

"The good, the bad and the downright ugly"

The The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board writes that "The only thing lawmakers must do each year is pass the state budget. But with the regular legislative session scheduled to end Friday, a few other significant measures hang in the balance. A look at the good, the bad and the downright ugly:" "Good bills and bad".

"Are they rigging the budget"?

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial Board:

Are legislators acting in the best interests of Floridians, or are they rigging the budget to favor special interests? A few weeks after the would-be House leader's indictment on official misconduct charges connected to his budget-rigging, it's a bit much to ask Floridians to take the Legislature on faith.

House Republicans are really making a name for themselves. It is almost as though they have a meeting every morning to dream up a way to look more stupid than the day before. Surely it was at such a meeting that they decided to introduce last-minute measures that would make it harder for Floridians to vote and welcome oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

And as if to add fuel to the fire they allowed testimony from an energy committee that will not disclose its membership and a lawyer from Texas who will not disclose his clients.

All this done as they looked down the barrel of a grand jury report criticizing secrecy.

The Obama 2.0 campaign

"Barack Obama's former campaign manager, David Plouffe, was in Tampa on Friday, talking to volunteer supporters and raising money for the Democratic National Committee at Mise en Place restaurant."

The Obama 2.0 campaign, as it's sometimes called, says it has put a staff in place in about 15 states so far, and hires are coming soon in Florida. It hasn't made any announcements yet, but we hear it's already tapped John Bivona for Florida field director. He was a regional field director based in Pinellas County during the election. Names in the mix for state director include veteran Florida organizers Ashley Walker and Nate Jenkins.

"Tallahassee is ready to sell out the state"

"A bitterly divided Florida House gave preliminary approval Friday to a controversial plan by Republican leaders to allow oil and gas drilling as close as three miles from Florida's beaches." "House approves oil, gas drilling".

Randy Schultz: "Tallahassee behaved last week the way Tallahassee can behave when a powerful special interest wants something. In other words, Tallahassee acted against the public interest."

First, no major bills are supposed to arrive unannounced during the next-to-last week of the legislative session. Among other things, there's almost no time for debate. That applies this year especially, given the budget talks.

But Monday night an e-mail went out from a Tallahassee public relations firm saying that the state "has begun a healthy new dialogue based on facts, not fear, regarding possible exploration and production of oil and natural gas in the state's Gulf of Mexico waters." Tuesday afternoon, a follow-up release advertised a "conversation about taking a bold step to empower (the state's) economy through oil and gas exploration" that could mean rigs just 1 mile from the beach.

A conference call had been set up. A poll, concluding that Floridians would be OK with drilling, was ready. An economist had been hired to say that oil and gas "exploration" could bring Florida $1.6 billion a year from lease payments and royalties and create 19,000 jobs. Nearly two dozen lobbyists were at work. ...

this "Drill, baby, drill" campaign had been orchestrated for weeks, with the idea of springing it at the last minute. Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, is in line to be House speaker in 2011 and 2012. He replaced an innocuous one-page bill (HB 1219) that would have created a plan for offshore drilling with a 19-page bill that would wipe out the state's ban on drilling within 10 miles of the coast. ...

Tallahassee isn't just behaving badly. Tallahassee is ready to sell out the state.

"If they back off, it's because they got caught"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Last week, with just a few days left in the session, Republican legislative leaders proposed a terrible election 'reform' bill that came with no public comment or staff analysis. On Thursday, House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Delray Beach, said that Republican leaders might resist the temptation to ram the legislation through both houses. If they back off, it's because they got caught. The outcry over the GOP's sore-loser bill could be heard all over the state." "Defeat this attack on voters".

Jebbie spreads his cheeks ... Columnist inserts his nose

Florida's alleged journalists gotta keep their options open, with more layoffs inevitable in the newspaper industry. Surely there will be an opening for a flack at "Jeb!" Bush's phony, self aggrandizing Foundation for Excellence in Education.

Consider today's doggerel: "I've had little success selling Jeb Bush's education reforms to my liberal friends and colleagues. So I am trying something new. I'm calling them Barack Obama's education reforms." "Dems' school reform takes page out of GOP book".

Raw physical courage

Carl Hiaasen: "When you're a Miami-Dade commissioner, danger lurks at every ribbon-cutting."

One example of such a combustible situation was the grand reopening of the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach last November. Accompanied by Officer Paul Hernandez, [Commissioner] Diaz courageously attended the celebrations, which were crawling with glamorous celebrities and other suspicious characters.

On the first night, Heidi Klum was slinking around with two dozen sullen supermodels from Victoria's Secret. Kate Hudson and Gwyneth Paltrow hovered menacingly in the shadows.

Paris Hilton showed up late with her motley entourage, as did the brazen Mariah Carey. Meanwhile, unpredictable Martha Stewart was spotted on a spiral stairway, her intentions unknown.

Despite these eminent threats, Pepe Diaz refused to be intimidated or run off. He'd gone to the Fontainebleau to represent the good citizens of Miami-Dade and, by God, that's what he intended to do.

Something's rotten in Hillsborough

"Was it a voter education effort or a 'Vote for Buddy' education effort?"

Some members of a black advisory board created by former Elections Supervisor Buddy Johnson now say they witnessed firsthand the influence of paid consultants on the message being presented to voters.

It's the core of an ongoing federal investigation: how he and his office spent more than $2 million in local and federal voter education funding. Johnson could face criminal charges if it turns out he spent the money to further his re-election campaign.

For months, it was just criticism that Johnson's name and face were synonymous with the education effort. It became allegations of misconduct in March when one consultant, Michelle B. Patty, was accused of using voter education money to hire a woman to stump for Johnson on Election Day, a charge Patty has denied.

But no one who worked closely on the outreach effort had spoken out until now.

Marco wants a promotion

"A group of conservative, Republican activists in South Florida has launched an online petition to discourage Charlie Crist from running for the Senate: www.keepcharliecrist.com." Adam Smith suspects it "has more to do with helping likely Republican Senate candidate Marco Rubio than genuine fondness for Crist." "Keeping Crist".

Too bad it took an 11 year old

"Good question".

The best Central Florida can do?

Aaron Deslatte: "Two Central Florida lawmakers have been at the epicenter of the budget gridlock and have a vested interest in smoothing things out."

Rep. Dean Cannon, R- Winter Park, has been the House's lead budget negotiator for the past two weeks, and Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Indialantic, has been a key critic of the backroom negotiations involving Gov. Charlie Crist's pitch to borrow $1.1 billion from the Seminole tribe for the right to install blackjack tables.

One motivation for both: their own political futures. Cannon will be House speaker and Haridopolos the Senate president when Florida's $13 billion share of the federal stimulus money runs out in 2011.

Impasse resolution

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Despite the recession, it's hard for Florida Atlantic University to make the case that it can give the faculty only a 1 percent pay raise. FAU trustees approved that raise and a $1,000 bonus Tuesday for professors who haven't received an across-the-board raise since 2006, despite a special magistrate's ruling that the university could afford a 2.5 percent increase." "Raise questioning at FAU".