Audubon lobbyist jumps into AG race

"Eric Draper, a conservationist and lobbyist for Audubon of Florida, joined the 2010 race for state agriculture commissioner Thursday, saying he wants to be Florida's "top environmental steward" in the Cabinet post."

Draper, 55, is Audubon's deputy policy director for Florida and has been involved in Democratic politics for more than two decades. A Tampa native, University of South Florida graduate and third-generation Floridian, he becomes the third Democrat to declare for the post. ...

Other Democrats who have announced for the position are former Suwannee County Commissioner Randy Hatch of Lake City and Rick Minton of Fort Pierce, a former state legislator. The Republican candidates are state Sen. Carey Baker of Eustis and U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam of Bartow.

Grayson hates the troops, and apple pie

The GOPers reach into the old playbook, and come up with another loser line: "GOP slaps Grayson for "not supporting" the troops".

Meantime, the latest RPOFer slithering out from under a rock to challenge Grayson? Why, it just might be ethically challenged Dick Crotty: "Despite the recent political dings, Crotty still harbors ambitions for a potential congressional run next year against freshman Democrat Alan Grayson. Crotty said he will make up his mind by July 4." "Crotty: "Conservative principles" keep Orange County strong".

Fees and Taxes

"TweedleFee and TweedleTax".

Not helpful

"A bank where Senate president and Republican candidate for state CFO Jeff Atwater worked has been named one of the seven weakest in Florida." "Senate president Jeff Atwater's old bank dubbed one of Fla's weakest".

Charlie trolling for campaign checks

"Crist vetoed a state contracting bill Wednesday evening, claiming the bill would inject 'unnecessary uncertainty' over the process of hiring private vendors through state agencies. The bill, SB 2694, was sponsored by Senate Ways and Means Chairman J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, a critic of rampant contracting woes that resulting from the state's attempts to privatize various government services, largely under then-Gov. Jeb Bush." "Crist vetoes bill imposing controls on state contracts with private companies".

Charlie's not interested in annoying the pigs who have fed at the public trough during the RPOFer privatization bonanza; Charlie has learned from "Jeb!", who was

an aggressive privatizer, and as The Miami Herald put it after a careful study of state records, "his bold experiment has been a success — at least for him and the Republican Party, records show. The policy has spawned a network of contractors who have given him, other Republican politicians and the Florida G.O.P. millions of dollars in campaign donations."

What's interesting about this network of contractors isn't just the way that big contributions are linked to big contracts; it's the end of the traditional practice in which businesses hedge their bets by giving to both parties. The big winners in Mr. Bush's Florida are companies that give little or nothing to Democrats. Strange, isn't it? It's as if firms seeking business with the state of Florida are subject to a loyalty test.

So am I saying that we are going back to the days of Boss Tweed and Mark Hanna? Gosh, no — those guys were pikers. One-party control of today's government offers opportunities to reward friends and punish enemies that the old machine politicians never dreamed of.

It seems Charlie misspoke

"When Gov. Charlie Crist proudly announced that he was vetoing a pay cut for 28,000 state workers, there were some salaries he couldn't save from the budget ax: his own, state Cabinet members' and those of about 1,000 judges, prosecutors and public defenders in the state." "Florida officials' salaries to be cut 2 percent". See also "Despite veto, top salaries take a hit".

Charlie breaks phony tax pledge

"Florida Gov. Charlie Crist signs $1-per-pack cigarette tax hike into law".

RPOFer retread

"Republican Gayle Harrell ready to make a comeback to District 81 state representative seat".

Drought

"Water tends to bring local politics to a boil".

Taxwatch who?

Florida's media companies never fail to give headlines to the geniuses at "Taxwatch": "Group finds Dade 'turkeys' in Florida budget".

Just who are these self proclaimed "Taxwatchers"; well, here they are:

Chairman
David A. Smith, Chairman and CEO, PSS World Medical

President & CEO
Dominic M. Calabro, President & Chief Executive Officer, Florida TaxWatch

Chairman-Elect
Martha Barnett, Partner, Holland & Knight

Treasurer
Marshall Criser, III, President - Florida, AT&T

Secretary
John Zumwalt III, President & CEO, PBS&J

Immediate Past Chairman
Michael A. Jennings, Vice President Government Relations, Prudential Financial

Chairman Emeritus
Mark C. Hollis, Publix Super Markets, Inc.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AT LARGE

* John Baker, President & CEO, Patriot Transportation Holdings
* Barney Barnett,Vice Chairman, Publix Super Markets, Inc.
* Rober E. Coker, Senior Vice President, U.S. Sugar Corporation
* Steve Evans, IBM retired
* Ed Hannum, President & Chief Operating Officer, AvMed Health Plans
* Martha Korman, President and CEO, National Graphics Imaging
* Ron LaFace, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig*
* David Mann, Executive Vice President, SunTrust Bank Florida
* Paul Noland, Sr. Vice President, Walt Disney World Resort
* Michelle Robinson, President - Southeast Region, Public Affairs, Policy & Communications, Verizon

Times are tuff

"Homeless man skips on bill to get arrested".

But ... I'm a "major GOP donor"

"Developer and major GOP donor Jay Odom was booked into Leon County Jail today and released on his on recognizance following the Wednesday grand jury indictment." "Jay Odom booked and released from jail".

"E-mails shed new light on a construction deal that resulted in the indictment of three people, including former House Speaker Ray Sansom." "E-mails shed new light on Sansom deal". See also "Trail of e-mails detail building plans in Sansom case".

The kewl kidz are at it again

The Tampa Tribune editorial board thinks pay kuts are kewl:

The wage cuts were among the most hotly debated issues of the session. While the nonpartisan Florida TaxWatch* recommended cutting 5 percent of the workforce, lawmakers agreed they would rather see salaries trimmed than jobs lost and critical state programs compromised.

At first the House wanted a 4 percent pay cut for state employees earning more than $26,400 and a 5 percent cut for those earning above $80,000. The Senate countered with a 1 percent cut for employees making over $100,000. The chambers compromised with a 2 percent reduction in wages for the 28,000 employees making at least $45,000.

But Crist said he couldn't go along with it during a time of economic distress. Senate Minority Leader Al Lawson called his stance heroic, but it looks like pandering to us.

FlaDems grinning ear-to-ear

"Republicans are now poised to oppose an accomplished Latina federal judge for the Supreme Court, further alienating Hispanic voters the GOP has recently driven away in droves. The main line of Republican criticism is likely to concern affirmative action - which might provoke conservative extremists to predictable extremes and confirm an image of Republicans as the party of the male and pale." "Entering Obama's trap".

Haven't heard a peep from TaxWatch about this

Troxler: "Back during his junta years, then-Gov. Jeb Bush defended the practice of treating the public as three-card monte marks when it came to doling out taxpayer funds for corporate welfare interests."

The governor argued it was important to maintain confidentiality (read: mind your own beeswax) when it came to economic development (read: cronyism) in order to protect sensitive corporate information (read: planes, perks and private clubs) that could adversely affect profitability, share prices and "employee morale" (read: if the serfs ever found out about these handouts, we're toast).

"Muzzle" 'em

"Decrying an attempt to 'muzzle' local leaders, city and county officials are mounting a lobbying effort urging Gov. Charlie Crist to veto a bill that would prevent them from waging PR campaigns on ballot issues." "Local officials seek veto of bill to "muzzle" them".

A reality show in the making

"Those pesky pythons breeding, eating and booming in the Everglades could become targets of bounty hunters, if a preliminary proposal is implemented. " "State wants bounty hunters to control pythons in Everglades".

SD 28

"Ramos collects enough petition cards to qualify for special election ballot for state Senate District 28 seat".

In the event of a hurricane ...

"Here is a breakdown from the state Board of Administration of Florida's ability to pay claims after a major hurricane - plus a look at how the system was created." "State has a limit on hurricane payouts: $22.8 billion". See also "Floridians will pay more later if big hurricane hits".

"Fishing for federal dollars"

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "The dust hasn't settled over the political derailment of Florida's only commuter rail line, Tri-Rail. Yet, talk persists - thanks largely to an $8 billion pot of federal stimulus money - that the state has a good shot at renewing its quest for high-speed rail. Come again?! The state won't set a reliable funding source for an established commuter line, but it will go fishing for federal dollars to build high-speed rail?" "The ISSUE: Florida vies for federal high-speed rail funding".

Well, ... if unions don't like it ...

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Legislation that would make it easier for doctors and other health-care providers in Florida to get direct payment from insurance companies worries consumer advocates, unions and a major health insurer. They want Gov. Crist to veto the bill." "Let state's doctors get paid".

Laff riot

"Enterprise Florida*, the state's business and economic development agency, is calling on business, education, government and community leaders for ideas to update the state's strategic plan for economic growth. The board of Enterprise Florida develops the plan and submits it to the governor and legislative leaders. Every three years, the 'Roadmap to Florida's Future' is updated following analysis and feedback." "State seeks input on economic future".

- - - - - - - - - -
One doubts that this collection of dunderheads, who are "funded, in part, by the State of Florida", - and brags that Florida "is also one of only a few right-to-work states in the U.S." - has invited any of the elected representatives of organized labor to its meeting of "business, education, government and community leaders for ideas to update the state's strategic plan for economic growth".

"lax reporting"?

"Half of Florida's hospitals didn't find a single doctor problem during a 17-year stretch. Experts say that indicates lax reporting." "Florida hospitals not eager to report bad doctors, study says".

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge locks down Cuban vote

"A judge on Friday awarded more than $1 billion in damages against the Cuban government for the 1959 suicide of the father of a Cuban-American man involved in the CIA-backed capture and killing of revolutionary Ernesto 'Che' Guevara. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Peter Adrien said he wanted to send a signal to Cuba's government with the huge damage award, which likely will prove difficult to collect." "Miami Judge Awards $1 Billion in Lawsuit Against Cuba".

The latest from the Zell Corporation

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board:

Pressure has been building ahead of next week's meeting of the Organization of American States to invite Cuba back into the group, almost 50 years after it was kicked out. The Obama administration isn't ruling out letting the island eventually rejoin, but it wisely isn't rolling out the welcome wagon just yet.

"A group of politically connected businessmen"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "If there is a good reason for Hillsborough County to sell its Cone Ranch water preserve to a group of politically connected businessmen, it has not surfaced in the brief time since this fishy proposal emerged from the shadows." "A dubious deal for preserve".

Citizens

"Crist this week signed bills that boost property insurance rates on customers of Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and make the zero-tolerance policies adopted by many Florida schools more tolerant." "Citizens insurance rates, school tolerance to rise".

Drugging our foster children

"A state database of foster-care records badly underreported the number of foster children on powerful psychiatric drugs, child-welfare bosses revealed." "More Florida foster kids than thought are given mental-health drugs".

It's the old slippery slope. Make a guy in Florida wait an extra day for his weapons permit, and pretty soon Barack Obama will confiscate your Glock to prepare for the impending United Nations takeover of America.

The e-mails to Charlie were followed up by a visit from legendary NRA leader and lobbyist Marion Hammer. Asked what he told her, Charlie responded, "That I love her."

You bet he does.

After socializing property insurance, giving felons voting rights, nominating a Democrat for the state Supreme Court and grabbing Obama's stimulus cash with both hands, Charlie is on shaky ground with many in the Republican base.

Crist "breaking a pledge against raising taxes"

"Breaking a pledge against raising taxes, Gov. Charlie Crist signed Florida's $66.5 billion budget". "Gov. Charlie Crist signs budget, restores state workers' pay". See also "Crist signs cigarette-tax hike, calls it a 'health issue'".

Running government like a business

"A grand jury investigating Ray Sansom's ties to a Panhandle college issued a second round of indictments Wednesday, accusing the ousted House speaker of lying about a developer's plans to store aircraft in a taxpayer-funded building. The felony perjury charge is based on newly surfaced documents, including an e-mail Sansom received from the college president indicating that developer Jay Odom, who was also indicted Wednesday, would use part of the facility." "Another indictment for former House Speaker Ray Sansom". See also "Grand jury adds perjury charge to list of Sansom's legal woes" and "Developer in Ray Sansom scandal indicted". Related: "Is this Willie Meggs' 'smoking gun'?".

A The Saint Petersburg Times "special report": "The rise and fall of Ray Sansom"

That didn't take long

Last week we wrote: "wait till the editorial boards unload on this": "Grayson proposes requiring at least a week's paid vacation for many workers".

The good little boys and girls on the Orlando Sentinel editorial board were of course the first to respond, with this predictable editorial: "Reason takes a holiday". Master Zell is no doubt proud.

Perhaps this explains ...

why the Orlando Sentinel editorial board spends so much time catering to the wingnut fringe: even though Orange County has been blue in recent preznit elections, the readers of the Orlando Sentinel (those that participate in online polls anyway) apparently spend a lot of time picking scabs from their knuckles. Consider the following responses to this Sentinel online poll question: "Is Sotomayor a good pick for high court?"

No. She's a judicial activist and too liberal. 59.2%[*]

No. If not for her ethnicity and gender, she wouldn't be under consideration. 9.8%

Yes. She has solid legal qualifications. 28.4%

Yes. Her humble background would give her the empathy that President Obama wants in a justice. 2.6%

"Florida's flawed system should be abolished"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial Board: "There are many ways to make the case for abolishing the death penalty in Florida."

First, consider the extra $50 million that the state spends each year on death-penalty prosecutions and appeals.

Then look at the deep flaws that the American Bar Association found with Florida's system of capital punishment -- and recognize that those legal inequities haven't been addressed in the three years since the Bar released its review.

Finally, consider the haunting probability that the state has executed innocent people -- mistakes it can never correct.

Wingnuts inflamed?: Charlie to appear with Salazar

"A member of President Barack Obama's Cabinet is making his first official trip to the Everglades. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar joins Governor Charlie Crist and Senators Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson in visiting the swampland Thursday. They're scheduled to attend a briefing on invasive species and then take an air boat tour." "Interior Secretary visiting Everglades".

Frankel

"Will Frankel seek third term as West Palm Beach mayor? Nothing's decided, she says".

Charlie hustling for Big Bend voters

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "When Gov. Charlie Crist Wednesday vetoed a $30 million pay cut for state workers, he undid years of morale-squashing actions by elected state officials who had habitually expressed little or no appreciation for the very workforce that carries out the policies they write and expect to be enforced." "A good day".

"Patchwork budget"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board writes that "this is a budget patched together with federal stimulus money, gambling proceeds, higher cigarette taxes and increased fees. Without the federal money, public education would have faced further cuts instead of a $25 increase per student. A tuition increase of up to 15 percent covers up another cut of more than $100 million in general revenue to universities. Trust fund raids helped balance the budget, but siphoning away that money means road projects will be delayed and affordable housing units will be even more scarce." "Patchwork budget only short-term fix". Background: "Crist signs $66.5 billion state budget; vetoes pay cuts, gun-fund raid".

Good luck

"DOE worker responds to layoff with lawsuit".

Storms urges nanny state

"Haunted by stories of a 3-month-old baby boy tossed from a moving car on Interstate 275, state Sen. Ronda Storms wants answers."

When she got involved with boyfriends who were criminals, why didn't someone step in? When McTear beat her up, why was Bedwell not told that she had to go to a domestic violence shelter with her son? And why was it up to the teen to follow through with obtaining orders to keep McTear away?

"She should not have had a choice about her level of protection," Storms said.

The Crist rate increase

"Crist has signed legislation that boosts property insurance rates by 10 percent on more than 1 million customers of the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp." "Crist signs sweeping insurance measure".

Dems looking to "lock down the Hispanic vote in Florida"

"President Obama's pick for the U.S. Supreme Court could boost Democratic efforts to lock down the Hispanic vote in Florida and nationwide." "Democrats likely to get a boost from Sonia Sotomayor pick".

Will Alexander sue Charlie?

"Senate budget chairman JD Alexander, R-Lake Wales, said today that Gov. Charlie Crist’s veto of budget language that mandated a 2 percent pay cut for state employees making more than $45,000 was unconstitutional."

While the state’s constitution allows governors to veto line items in a

budget approved by the Legislature, it does not allow the governor to

veto “proviso” language that spells out how the executive branch shall

carry out certain spending decisions unless each of those corresponding

spending line items are also vetoed.

“It’s clearly unconstitutional,” said Alexander.

We don't care how you do things up North

Bill Cotterell: "Florida [is] one of only three states that licenses and regulates the practice of interior design? That's what the Institute for Justice would like to know. Representatives of the libertarian Washington legal foundation came to town Wednesday to file a federal lawsuit aimed at overturning the law. They contend that looking good is none of the government's business." "Designers have a point: Match regulation with a need for it".

Whoop-dee-doo

"State to release reading, math FCAT scores".

Nose-dive

"Property values nose-dive in Orange County".

At the trough

"In the midst of a $6 billion state budget deficit and widespread private-sector layoffs, one Florida industry looks recession-proof: lobbying state lawmakers." "Lobbyists at Florida Capitol rake in up to $45M".

As Charlie dithers

"Florida's consumer confidence index declined from April to May by one point to 71 - compared with a benchmark of 100 established in 1966 - reflecting consumer pessimism about personal finances, a University of Florida survey released Tuesday said." "Florida consumer confidence shrinks".

TaxWatch blather

"TaxWatch targeted only $14.975 million in 'turkeys' -- Tallahassee-speak for questionable items stuck in the budget by lawmakers -- that it thinks Gov. Charlie Crist should consider vetoing in the proposed 2009-10 spending plan. That is a fraction of the overall $66.5 billion budget and is far less than the amount of turkeys TaxWatch typically has found in past years." "Watchdog group finds few tax 'turkeys'". See also "This year, turkeys are scarce in Florida's budget", "Group finds Dade 'turkeys' in Florida budget" and "TaxWatch lists targets for governor's veto pen".

Fire away ...

"A federal judge has tossed out Florida's electioneering communications law, effectively freeing groups to spend unlimited sums of money to attack candidates in elections without publicly disclosing their donors."

In striking Florida's broad campaign-season reporting requirements, U.S. District Judge Stephan Mickle said the state had placed an unconstitutional burden on nonprofit organizations that want to discuss candidates and issues on the ballot.

The Broward Coalition of Condominiums, Homeowners Associations and Community Organizations brought the lawsuit, after the group ran afoul of the reporting law when it tried to print a newsletter including information on candidates and constitutional amendments in last November's elections.

Sansom charged with perjury

"The grand jury considering charges against former state House speaker Ray Sansom indicted developer Jay Odom, inset, today on a felony charge of official misconduct for his role in the $6 million airport building Sansom secured funding for in 2007. The jury added a perjury charge for Sansom as well." "New charges in Sansom case".

Background: "Grand jury reviews new evidence".

Supreme politics

"Obama's nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court is a source of pride for many Hispanics who see one of their own reaching a milestone." "Sotomayor's nomination is source of pride for Hispanics in Central Florida". See also "Praise for Sotomayor in Florida underscores GOP's dilemma".

Related: "Democrats likely to get a boost from Sonia Sotomayor pick" and "Hispanic Supreme Court nominee creates strategic problems for Republican opposition".

Fortunately for the FlaDems, there's of shortage of right-wing gasbags to publish GOP talking points: "Identity politics in the court".

McCarty

"Crist has rejected a state senator's demand to fire Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty if he refuses to resign. Crist said Tuesday that McCarty has done a good job and should stay on. ... Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, has complained that McCarty broke a promise to not recommend that Crist veto Bennett's bill deregulating rates for consumers willing to pay more to highly capitalized insurers for property coverage." "Crist backs McCarty in Fla. insurance bill dispute".

Checkbook Charlie at work

Charlie wouldn't want to offend the NRA, now would he?: "Crist plans to veto a $6 million transfer, or what critics call a 'raid,' on a fund backed by fees that people pay to seek or renew their concealed weapons permits." "Gov. Charlie Crist to veto 'raid' on gun fees". See also "Gov. Crist likely to shield gun fund from transfer" and "Weapons-licensing fund raid at risk".

Serial bar flunker to judge Sotomayor's fitness?

"Crist on Sotomayor".

The gay thing

Scott Maxwell writes that "if a politician who argues that gays are not fit to run families is actually gay himself, then their own logic suggests they're not fit to run our state or country, either."

The problem, however, is that the business of "outing" closeted gays isn't that simple.

No one has offered anything close to concrete proof that Crist is gay. Not in the movie. Not in real life.

In Outrage, which opens in Orlando next month, the "proof" comes from second- and third-hand sources — people who say they heard from someone else that Crist had gay encounters. ...

I mean, if a reporter at this newspaper tried to write a story based solely upon information he got from someone who got it from someone else about yet another person, good luck finding an editor willing to publish it.

But proof, schmoof; the story has caught fire.

And there are plenty of Crist foes on both sides of the political aisle who are eager to stoke it — Democrats, as well as social conservatives who think Crist is too moderate.

And then there's the media, which by writing about the movie circumvent their traditional burdens of journalistic proof.

Pieces about Crist's sexuality have run everywhere from the Orlando Sentinel and Miami Herald to the Chicago Tribune and Seattle Times in recent weeks. ...

Not only did Crist support the ban on gay marriage, but he also favors the ban on gay adoption — an outdated law that puts Florida in a league of its own when it comes to discrimination.

Tri-Rail

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "For years, the people who run Tri-Rail have been telling state legislators that there's no tomorrow for the commuter railroad. This year, the warning was: If the Legislature doesn't allow a $2 tax on rental cars to replace contributions from Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, Tri-Rail will cease to exist." "The right train of thought on Tri-Rail".

Cuba

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "President Obama's call for talks with the Cuban government on immigration issues is smart precisely because of the criticism raised by South Florida congressional representatives." "U.S. wise to seek talks with Cuba on immigration".

Entrepreneurship

"Frank L. Amodeo, an Orlando businessman who thought he had the powers of an Old Testament prophet and that he one day would rule the world, learned Tuesday where he'll spend his next two decades: in prison. ... His crimes stemmed from his private-equity firm Mirabilis Ventures Inc., which created and bought distressed companies, including ones that provided payroll services. He held onto employee withholding taxes that should have gone to the IRS." "Tax cheat Frank Amodeo gets 22-1/2 years in prison, $181 million in restitution".

"An Orlando businessman charged with creating one of the largest employment tax-fraud schemes in the history of the Internal Revenue Services has been sentenced to 22 1/2 years behind bars. A federal judge sentenced 48-year-old Frank Amodeo Tuesday for failing to collect and pay payroll taxes and obstructing a federal investigation." "Former Fla. exec sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison".

The water's warm

"Dockery Considers Run for Governor".

"A bad environment for the environment in Tallahassee"

Mark Lane: "There are only two parts of the business cycle when the Florida environment is in danger -- good times and bad times." "Bad times make state less green".

"Everything is connected by the dollar signs"

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "Everything is connected by the dollar signs. Local governments, the ones closest to our daily lives and whose officials we know best, are affected by the new bare-bones state budget, plus an ongoing push to reduce property taxes."

A constitutional amendment to extend Save Our Homes-like protections to non-homestead property owners with a 5 percent cap on assessed-value increases and giving first-time homebuyers a tax break on their new homes for five years will be on the 2010 ballot.

Property taxes are to local governments what the 6 percent sales tax is to the state of Florida's bank account, and state lawmakers haven't thus far found the courage or imagination to revamp the sales tax system thoroughly. So citizens do what they can to make things better for themselves, including reducing property taxes via constitutional amendment.

This impulse to use amendments approved statewide to curtail the growth in local government revenues or their ability to raise money mean that, regardless of how local voters feel or have voted, our local county, city and school districts must steadily shave their budgets, and the services therein.

"Under pressure"

"Crist is under pressure to veto a bill that loosens a transportation requirement for new development." "Legislation to ease development rules disputed".

Draggin' them knuckles ...

"'What you are seeing is a radicalization of the Democratic Party moving away from the mainstream values of the American people,' said Mathew Staver, founder of the Maitland-based Liberty Counsel, which challenges gay-rights issues in court." "Gay activists vow to fight on despite marriage ban".

"The way this money is allocated smells"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "They don't call them slush funds, but that's what the Miami-Dade County commissioners' ever-growing discretionary accounts really are. Each elected official gets to reward constituents virtually without accountability. No matter how worthwhile the cause, the way this money is allocated smells. It's bad government." "County slush funds out of control".

As of last week, he ceased to exist. That Charlie Crist was governor of Florida, desperate for the $13.7 billion the state would get from the stimulus. That Charlie Crist wanted the federal money so he could round off the edges of the next two state budgets. That Charlie Crist wanted people to think that Florida is spending a little more on education than last year even during historically bad financial times without raising taxes.

Clerk bill

The Miami Herald editorial board: "The lobbyists, statistics, studies and letters to the editor generated by a dust-up between the state's judges and 67 county court clerks during the legislative session have faded, and in their wake is SB 2108. Gov. Charlie Crist should sign this bill, which was unanimously approved in the Senate and passed in the House on a 75-32 vote. The dispute was over the fines levied by the courts and collected by the clerks. The courts have been increasingly starved for funding, while watching the clerks use the money generated by the fines pretty much as they pleased." "Crist should sign court funding bill".

Lucky Charlie?

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Gov. Charlie Crist is now running for the U.S. Senate, but his political fortunes could well depend on the weather and whether Florida is lucky enough to escape a massive hurricane this year." "Averting financial disaster".

Cuba and the OAS

Andres Oppenheimer: "Key U.S. senators and most Cuban exile leaders are up in arms over the Organization of American States' move to lift Cuba's decades-old suspension from the group, and possibly readmit it. But perhaps they should welcome the debate, and turn it against Cuba's military dictatorship." "U.S. should help end Cuba ban -- with a twist".

Privatization follies

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "The Legislature decided to take over review of most state contracts this year — or at least that's the plan unless Gov. Charlie Crist wisely puts the kibosh on this rushed-through idea."

If boondoggles are bad now, be advised that they could get worse with 160 members weighing in and responding to political supporters who have money to leverage influence accordingly.

"Past their prime?"

"Elections are the backbone of a democracy. But leaders of both major political parties are discouraging them in the 2010 campaign season - at least when it comes to primaries. The reason: fear." "Are state primaries past their prime?".

Checkbook Charlie to sign "sprawl" bill?

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial Board: "Senate Bill 360 ... was put together hastily, with only cursory input from local and regional government planners and other stakeholders. But more to the point, it is seriously flawed in the way it defines "dense urban areas," creating an open invitation to sprawl, exactly the opposite of what the bill is supposed to stop."

Crist and the bill's supporters say it would help revive Florida's housing construction and create jobs. But Charles Pattison, president of 1000 Friends of Florida, a growth watchdog group, rightly pointed out that the state has a huge inventory of vacant housing units and development plans already approved for more than 600,000 more. The bill would promote "unchecked and inappropriate development" in vast areas of the state, he said. Pattison didn't say it, but we will: This bill is nothing less than a huge land grab for developers, using the economy as excuse to let them have their way miles beyond what would truly be urban infill.

Little White House

"Supporters of the Key West home known as the Little White House are courting President Barack Obama. The house has completed a seven-year, $1 million renovation, and those that run it are hoping Obama will follow in his predecessors' footsteps and pay a visit, either for a vacation or official business." "Key West lobbies for presidential visit".

Some call it "entrepreneurship"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Health-care fraud is a problem that hits close to home for Floridians. South Florida has become the nation's capital for bilking Medicare and Medicaid. And U.S. Attorney R. Alexander Acosta of Miami, who has prosecuted more than 700 people responsible for more than $2 billion in fraudulent Medicare billings since 2006, has warned that his crackdown is chasing crooks elsewhere, including into Central Florida." "What we think: Root out health fraud".

But by raising questions about Sink, the state's chief financial officer and longtime Bank of America executive, the party walks a precarious line.

The GOP's own candidate, Attorney General Bill McCollum, spent 20 years in Congress, all of them on the committee that oversees banking, and he advocated many of the industry's issues. When McCollum left Congress in 2001, he became a lobbyist. His first client: the Mortgage Bankers Association of America.

With next year's governor's race likely to be overshadowed by a fractured economy and Florida's crippled housing market, a central question will be whether Sink or McCollum had any role in promoting or preventing the crisis.

McCollum's interest in banking began after he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 1980, when he joined the Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs Committee.

As McCollum settled into Washington, the subprime lending industry was being born. Significant legislation in the early 1980s, which McCollum and most members of Congress supported, loosened rules on mortgages so banks could sell exotic versions, such as interest-only and adjustable rate loans. The year before McCollum arrived, Congress allowed banks to charge much higher interest rates.

More than a decade later, he was pushing his own banking-related legislation, including a bill aimed at curbing the rapid increase of personal bankruptcy filings that stymied debt collection (a version passed in 2005).

Over the years, McCollum collected hundreds of thousands in campaign donations from financial institutions. In the 1998 cycle, his top contributor was Bank of America with $18,000.

In 1999, McCollum cosponsored the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which undid a Depression-era law and allowed holding companies of commercial banks to own investment firms. That and a subsequent law in 2000 changed investment rules to allow banks to take on riskier investments in mortgages.

More trouble for Sansom

"The grand jury that indicted ousted House Speaker Ray Sansom will reconvene Wednesday morning to review evidence that surfaced after the charges were filed in April." "Ray Sansom facing more scrutiny". Charlie turns on Sansom: "Crist: College should return money Sansom secured". See also "Sansom, Richburg grand jury to meet again" and "Sansom grand jury to reconvene".

Florida begs for more federal help

"Crist is asking that a federal disaster be declared after heavy rains flooded central and northeast Florida." "Crist asks disaster be declared".

At the trough

"In the midst of a $6 billion state budget deficit and widespread private-sector layoffs, one Florida industry looks recession-proof: Lobbying state lawmakers. The Capitol lobbying corps earned up to $45 million from January through March to influence the Legislature." "For Tallahassee lobbyists, tough times are good for business".

Charlie's finger's in the wind

"A growth-management bill awaiting Gov. Charlie Crist's signature is being hailed by developers as the coveted key to unlocking hundreds of delayed construction projects across the state."

The same bill is seen by environmentalists and local governments as a shortsighted solution that will exacerbate Florida's housing glut, increase traffic delays and allow uncontrolled development in rural areas.

It is up to Crist to sort it out. The governor said last week that he probably will sign the measure, known as SB 360, but his top guru for growth management, Department of Community Affairs Secretary Tom Pelham, sounds less certain.

Charlie made this bed ...

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial Board: "A few things are worth noting:"

Crist chose most of the members of the judicial nominating commission. When he became governor, the commission had two black members -- now it has none. And the list originally submitted to him includes the names of two women. A friend-of-the-court brief submitted by the Florida Association of Women Lawyers rightly points out that the 5th District appellate court is the most lopsidedly male appeals court in the state. Jacqueline Griffin, the court's only woman, was appointed in 1990. ...

Crist could save the Supreme Court the necessity of publicly chiding him, by choosing a name from the list provided.

But he should go further -- and to his credit, he told the News-Journal editorial board last week that he intends to. Florida's judicial nominating process -- once regarded as one of the most balanced in the country -- was badly subverted eight years ago, when the Legislature changed how the nominating commissions were appointed. Reverting to the old process, in which the governor and the Florida Bar Association worked together to choose members nominating commissions, would help ensure that the commissions act with independence. Moreover, it would erase the appearance of pique that's marring the current stand-off between the governor and his hand-picked commission.

Perhaps the feds will come to the rescue

"A bullet train, its supporters say, could boost tourism, create jobs and get cars off Florida's crowded roads. There's even $8 billion in federal stimulus money available to help build the proposed Tampa-Orlando-Miami line, where trains would move at least 110 mph and zip travelers from South Florida to Disney World in less than two hours. Although big obstacles stand in the way, Lee Chira, chairman of the Florida High Speed Rail Authority, said 'we've got a pretty good chance.'" "Florida still has chance for fast train, but other states vying for U.S. aid".

The latest from RPOFer-run-Tally

"Home insurance prices likely to rise by 10 percent".

"Meager rations"

"A stripped-down state budget means meager rations for the state and the Big Bend." "Budget lean for area projects".

Party insiders cleared the deck for him this week, essentially pinning the GOP's gubernatorial hopes on a two-time loser

McCollum, after all, radiates about as much charisma as a pile of mulch.

In fact, the only thing that made him look lively back in 2000 was the fact that he was standing next to Bill Nelson.

So Dems just love the idea of McCollum sharing the stage with their down-home CFO, Alex Sink.

They also love the fact that McCollum's best asset is his tenure — something that Americans decided was more a liability during last year's change-themed elections. (Hence this celebratory release from Florida Democrats: "Lifelong Politician Bill McCollum — 32 Years Running for Office.")

After all, the guy has about as much cross-party support as Dick Cheney.

He ticked off Democrats when he went after Bill Clinton in Congress and angered many black leaders when he fought Gov. Charlie Crist's efforts to restore civil rights to felons who had repaid their debt to society. And now he's even irritating members of his own party in what looks like a return to the days of party-boss, backroom-board dealing.

Anything for a buck

"Wal-Mart ... among stores busted for selling alcohol to underage customers".

"Fading"

"Florida's wildly popular Bright Futures merit scholarship is facing a dimmer future because of its ballooning costs, sparking worries that some students could be frozen out at a time when college costs are skyrocketing." "Is Bright Futures fading?".

Never too young to be dumb

"In her first session as a Florida legislator, this year, Republican Rachel Burgin emphasized social conservative issues and often followed in the footsteps of her predecessor, former state Rep. Trey Traviesa."

Burgin, who got her state House seat through an appointment process that caused controversy last year, hit a few bumps, including one bill regulating massage parlor advertising that drew some mockery.

Dems can only hope

"For those looking for the future of the Republican Party, he might just be the guy running for agriculture commissioner of Florida: Adam Putnam." "Putnam might be the future of the GOP".

Drill Baby, Drill!

"Two Central Florida lawmakers [Reps. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park and Charles Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights] are preparing to again try to lift the ban on offshore oil drilling within 10 miles of Florida's Gulf Coast." "Offshore drilling bill still on horizon".

Will there be a parade down Main Street?

"Three decades have past since Florida resumed executions when John Spenkelink was strapped into Old Sparky and electrocuted, the nation's first involuntary execution after a Supreme Court ban was lifted." "Fla. marks 30 years since death penalty's return".

Ron McAndrew, who spent 25 years in Florida corrections before retiring, including working his way up from an entry-level corrections officer to a warden in the Florida State Penitentiary, penned this: "Florida must abolish flawed death penalty".

"Gainesville carbon cure"

Mike Thomas: "Gainesville carbon cure trumps cap-and-trade".

All they're missing is the hoods

"At a time when the Florida electorate is growing increasingly diverse, the Republican party is gearing up to field an all-male, all-white slate in 2010."

The Republican front-runners for statewide office include Gov. Charlie Crist for Senate, Attorney General Bill McCollum for governor, Senate President Jeff Atwater for chief financial officer and U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam for agriculture commissioner. [The fiery haired] Putnam is the only one of the GOP candidates under 50 years old.

"Indefensible breach of government-in-the-sunshine"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Florida forces elected officials to spend public money on incentives for businesses without telling taxpayers which companies are seeking the cash, an indefensible breach of government-in-the-sunshine. But it's particularly outrageous when those elected officials themselves are in the dark." "Blindly giving away taxpayers' money".

See you in Havana

"In a fresh overture to Cuba, President Barack Obama is asking the communist government to resume talks on legal immigration of Cubans to the United States." "Obama in fresh overture to Cuba on immigration".

"Pick a problem, almost any problem"

Stephen Goldstein ain't happy: "how stupid, regressive, irrational, dumb, and backward Florida appears. Pick a problem, almost any problem, and we're never ahead-of-the-curve finding solutions to it; we're constantly losing ground." "Transportation woes: Political tactics dumb and dumber".

From the "values" crowd

House Majority Leader Hasner

was instrumental in killing an effort to get $444 million in federal stimulus dollars by broadening who is eligible for unemployment compensation.

But he was unable to drum up enough support for another of the association’s top priorities - a constitutional amendment to guarantee secret-ballot elections when workers vote to unionize.

Entrepreneurship, Florida style

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "Medicare and Medicaid continue to attract crooks and con artists. Tens of billions of taxpayer dollars a year are lost to fraud or abuse in these programs for elderly, disabled and poor Americans."

With Congress considering proposals to extend coverage to millions more at a cost to taxpayers of at least $1.2 trillion over the next decade, it's more crucial than ever to crack down on cheating.

South Florida has become the nation's hotbed for bilking Medicare and Medicaid. And U.S. Attorney R. Alexander Acosta of Miami has prosecuted more than 700 people responsible for more than $2 billion in fraudulent Medicare billings since 2006. ...

The word is out in South Florida. In 2005, health providers here submitted 22 times as many claims for HIV drug infusion therapy as the rest of the country combined. Some former drug dealers in South Florida reportedly have switched to health fraud as a more lucrative criminal activity.

Check Book Charlie at work

"Gov. Charlie Crist apparently spoke too soon when he told school districts last month that 'there's no need to talk about firing teachers.' Hundreds of teachers in Orange County face unemployment when the new school year starts, joined by hundreds of others -- possibly more -- throughout Florida." "Hundreds of teachers face job losses in Orange County".

"Hardly anyone blames Charlie"

Carl Hiaasen the other day: As Check Book Charlie

launches off on his thrilling new quest, Floridians remain stuck with brutal unemployment, a patchwork farce of a budget and an embarrassing, rudderless Legislature. The schools are drowning, crime is rising, important services are being slashed and we lead the nation in both foreclosures and mortgage fraud.

Yet, judging by the numbers, hardly anyone blames Charlie. You can't describe his presence as electrifying, but the governor definitely has a gift for appearing sincere, well-intentioned and harmless. These days, that counts for plenty with voters.

The news of his candidacy didn't gladden the hearts of Democratic leaders, who were hoping Rubio would be the Republican choice in the race to replace outgoing Sen. Mel Martinez.

A darling of the Fox News crowd, Rubio comes from the lunar Limbaugh-Cheney wing of the party. He accuses moderates such as Crist of dodging core Republican values, when what they're actually trying to dodge is another bleak and humiliating election day.

Rubio has slammed Crist for accepting federal stimulus dollars and last week broadcast a Web video of the governor sharing a stage with President Barack Obama. Considering Obama's high ratings in the national polls, Rubio's strategy is baffling, to say the least.

Unlike Crist, the former House speaker has practically zero crossover appeal to Democrats, and he would have been a highly vulnerable opponent in the upcoming campaign.

But now the Democratic candidate, whoever that might be, will likely face a sitting governor whose durable popularity cuts across party lines. Unless he turns up in a Craigslist ad or as a wardrobe advisor to Miss California, Crist will be hard to beat. ...

Crist says he wants to go to Washington because he can better serve Floridians there. I remember another nice guy who left Washington because he said it was too hard to get anything done. His name was Lawton Chiles, and he came home and ran for governor.

It all boils down to the nature of one's ambition. Crist wants to be president someday, and there's nothing wrong with that. But a term in the Senate is six years, Charlie, not two. Try to control yourself.

Flyboys

"State auditors found that several top Florida officials used government planes to commute to Tallahassee and should repay taxpayers, according to a draft of an inspector general memorandum. ... The auditors did not identify the officials they suspected were using state planes to commute. ... Crist took 22 trips since January that began or ended in his hometown of Tampa-St. Petersburg or in South Florida, where his wife has a Miami condominium, flight logs show." "Auditors: Top politicians using state planes to commute, should reimburse taxpayers".

Good luck

"With private investors seeking to broker a sale of the 12,000-acre Cone Ranch near Plant City, worried environmentalists are pushing for the property to be protected under Hillsborough County's land conservation program." "Potential sale of Cone Ranch worries environmentalists".

Never mind

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "When House Speaker Ray Sansom was indicted by a Leon County Grand Jury just as the legislative session was beginning in March, legislative processes were also blasted in a scathing report about the way decisions are made on spending tax money."

Having such a scolding fresh in mind, lawmakers nonetheless proceeded to hold budget sessions out of the sunshine and leave major budget decisions and hotly political negotiations to not only the last minute but also in the hands of about half a dozen powerful leaders out of 160 members of the Legislature.

Though nearly anything she or any other announced candidate will do for the next 13 months may be considered useful political material, Florida CFO Alex Sink is nonetheless attempting to bring into the sunshine some of the fiscal decisions over which she and the Florida Cabinet have control.

Last week she launched a Web page to open state finances to public scrutiny. Although she is running for governor, Ms. Sink said the "Florida's Checkbook" project has been in development for six months and the new "Florida Financials" Web site allows citizens to see how much money is coming in and going out of the treasury.

"Bill gives power to 5 unelected execs"

"For years environmentalists and developers often said governing board members of Florida's five regional water management districts had too much authority and should be elected rather than appointed."

Now the Florida Legislature has agreed to transfer a big chunk of that authority into the hands of just five people, the executive directors hired by those boards. The rule change comes courtesy of an amendment tucked into a seemingly innocuous legislative bill that sets Florida on a course to use less water on landscaping.

Environmental advocates statewide are infuriated because the rule could move key discussions over who gets water -- and how much -- from public meetings to executive offices.