The poll, conducted by Atlanta-based Strategic Vision LLC, found 41 percent of potential voters supported GOP hopeful McCollum while 39 percent opted for Democrat Sink. The poll, with a margin of error of +/- 3 percent, showed 20 percent were undecided in that race.

Why is Bill McCollum sitting on his hands?

"A price tag is now emerging for what last year’s collapse of investment giant Lehman Brothers could cost the state of Florida: more than $1 billion. The losses could make Florida and its citizens among the biggest casualties in the biggest bankruptcy ever."

In the past decade, Florida paid Lehman at least $27 million in fees for managing public investments and brokering and underwriting bond deals.

The storied bank hired former Gov. Jeb Bush as a consultant in June 2007, five months after he left office. As governor, Bush also served as a trustee for the State Board of Administration, which invests public money.

Lehman was the dominant Wall Street broker that sold the state board [on which Jebbie sat] $1.4 billion of risky, mortgage-related securities that started tanking in August 2007.

Bush has said he had nothing to do with those sales.

# Until January 2007, Jeb Bush, as governor, is one of three trustees of the State Board of Administration. The SBA administers $180 billion in Florida assets, including the Local Government Investment Pool.

# In February, out of office, Mr. Bush forms Jeb Bush & Associates.

# In June, the Lehman Brothers investment firm hires Jeb Bush & Associates as consultants.

# In July and August, Lehman Brothers sells the Florida pool $842 million in mortgage-backed debt. At the time, the SBA's executive director is Coleman Stipanovich. Promoted to the job in 2002 by Gov. Bush and the other SBA trustees, Mr. Stipanovich is the brother of Jeb Bush's former campaign manager.

"Some conservatives fretted privately"

"The fourth African-American ever on the Florida Supreme Court formally took his seat Friday, making Charlie Crist the first governor to pick a majority of the high court in his first term."

Justice James E.C. Perry is the fourth and, most likely, the final Crist appointee on the seven-member court.

But though they've all been chosen by the same governor, the justices already are showing signs they won't vote as a bloc.

On Thursday, the two Crist appointees considered most conservative -- Justices Charles Canady and Ricky Polston -- cast the only dissents in a case concerning Florida's ban on gay couples adopting children.

The other two Crist picks -- Perry and Justice Jorge Labarga, the second Hispanic to serve on the court -- joined the majority in ruling that the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar could file a friend-of-the-court brief in the gay adoption case. Perry joined the ruling though he was not yet formally invested as a justice.

Though the justices didn't rule on Florida's gay adoption ban itself, some conservatives fretted privately that Thursday's ruling indicated Crist didn't appoint enough solid conservatives when he had the chance.

"Savaging Florida's growth laws isn't 'balance'"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial Board: "Before Charlie Crist flies again, his doctor should check him out. Could be the governor has some ear damage from the hasty plunge into his Senate campaign. Or a touch of vertigo, perhaps, from his rapid ascent into national politics last year. Something's distorting his sense of balance."

Lawmakers, with the governor's complicity, used the economy as an excuse for big business interests to gut Florida's growth management laws -- the sponsor and champion of the bill, Sen. Mike Bennett, is, surprise, an electrical contractor for Pete's sake. Instead, they should have used this past session to fix the law's few technical problems. (The real problems with growth management in Florida had less to do with the law than with elected officials' failure to enforce it.) The traffic concurrency provision, which required developers to build or improve roads inside big cities before adding homes, wasn't working. It instead encouraged sprawl into urban fringe and rural areas. Also, the review process for massive Developments of Regional Impact had become unwieldy and unreasonably costly to developers.

But abolishing that review altogether? Ending transportation concurrency not just inside big cities but in thinly populated areas? Promising to sincerely talk next year -- an election year -- about charging developers a traffic "mobility fee" to help with road improvements? Come on. Just thinking about SB 360's imbalance is dizzying.

The governor really should stay out of high places, that is, unless Sen. Bennett's standing by to catch him.

Laff riot

"Martinez says Cuban spy case should be wake-up call for Obama".

Expensive

"While Aronberg had been looking at the race for months, his announcement surprised some leading Democrats who had hoped to avoid an expensive primary between Aronberg and two others eyeing the seat: former gubernatorial candidate Rod Smith, and state Sen. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach." "State Sen. Dave Aronberg's bid for attorney general means the Democrats' primary will be expensive".

Obama's Florida strategy: 2010 and 2012

Maurice A. Ferre, a former Miami mayor, Miami-Dade County commissioner and state legislator asks "How will Obama carry Florida in 2012? The same way he carried it in 2008 by almost 380,000 votes -- a 600,000-plus Democratic swing from Bush's 2004 victory. According to Democratic strategist and pollster Sergio Bendixen, the Obama Florida victory number included a plurality Latino vote of more than 200,000."

By 2012 there will be almost one million Puerto Ricans in Florida, all U.S. citizens. Puerto Ricans are the political opposites of Cuban Americans, voting more than two-to-one Democratic. What happens if by 2012 instead of 300,000 registered Puerto Ricans, the goal of 500,000 Puerto Rican voters in Florida is met? If Florida votes for Obama in 2012, along with California, New York and the Southwest, there is little doubt who will dominate presidential politics for years: Democrats.

So the real political question is: Will Emanuel and Obama political heads David Plouffe and David Axelrod concentrate on building up Obama's South Florida and Hispanic vote leads for the 2010 races for U.S. senator and governor? If the answer is yes, we can then bet on Alex Sink as our first female governor and -- maybe -- Kendrick Meek as our next U.S. senator.

As for Puerto Ricans in Florida: How about Obama's promise to solve the political-status impasse of Puerto Rico by 2012? On May 19, Puerto Rico's representative in the U.S. House, Pedro Pierluisi, introduced a bipartisan bill with 84 co-signatures, where Congress would, for the first time in 111 years, ask Puerto Rican-born U.S. citizens registered to vote anywhere in the country if they are satisfied with the current political status of Puerto Rico as a U.S. Territory or if they want a change. If the answer is change, a second plebiscite would ask for a preference between U.S. statehood and one of two forms of independence.

On immigration reform, Obama said, ''I hope I can get something moving this year.'' As for Puerto Rico's political status, just a little movement is enough to motivate Florida Puerto Ricans. If Pierluisi's ''Puerto Rico Democracy Act 2009'' prospers, that alone will induce thousands of Puerto Ricans to register to vote in Florida, to help decide their island's political future in plebiscites in 2010 and 2011. These same voters will be ready to vote for Obama in 2012, along with other Florida Latinos.

Is this an editorial?

Who writes these headlines?: "Crist's high court pick puts him in political center".

Unintended consequences

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Say a powerful developer seeking a significant zoning change decided to donate money for a swanky renovation to City Hall but evoked his right to anonymity. Unlike a campaign contribution, which is public record, the anonymous donation would mean citizens have no way of knowing about his potential influence over the city council."

And what would stop politicians from soliciting anonymous donations for their pet projects — perhaps a building named in their honor at a state college? Special interests seeking influence with the politician would be able to give to the pet project with no public disclosure.

The state already provides ways for universities, museums, athletic departments and others to get around public records law by creating separate nonprofit organizations to raise money for them. That should suffice.

The legislation claims the public's interest is served because it would protect donors and potential donors from identity theft by shielding their name, address and phone numbers. A donation record likely contains less information than what can be found in county property records. And if there is sensitive information in such donor files, the bill should have been more narrowly tailored to accomplish that goal.

Instead, the governor is being presented with a measure that would reduce access to government records and increase the risk of corruption. Crist should veto SB 166.

"Something is haywire with the FCAT"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Tenth-graders who just got their FCAT scores came up through the high-stakes testing system, which began in earnest eight years ago. For all the early-grade improvement since then, this year's 10th-grade reading scores confirm that something is haywire with the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test." "Breaking the FCAT grip".

The Zell corporation foams at the mouth

The The Orlando Sentinel's anti-worker gasbags are at it again:

Mr. Dyer and the council need to resist the temptation to deplete reserves or raise taxes to beat the political heat generated by the city's unions.

We sympathize with those employees whose jobs are at risk [sic], just as we feel for the many, many employees at other workplaces who have lost their jobs in the recession. But governments, just like businesses and families, need to live within their means.

When slum lords buy newspapers ...

... the right wing blather never ceases: "After two days of high-level meetings, the foreign ministers of the 34-member OAS decided to allow Cuba to regain active status in the Washington-based group. That's it. That was the great achievement of this week's gathering, which followed last month's OAS presidential summit in the Caribbean." "Irrelevant OAS misses big opportunity".

Big of 'em

"State workers honored for innovation at awards luncheon".

Now you see him, now you don't

Steve Bousquet: "Sometimes the absence of the bully pulpit can be as revealing about Crist as the moments when he uses it. This was the case Monday when he signed a highly controversial bill that weakens Florida's growth management laws."

Advocates said the bill would help the economy by encouraging construction. Opponents say it will add even more sprawl and gridlock on Florida's highways.

Rather than wheel out the pulpit, Crist quietly signed the bill into law in the solitude of his office. His communications director, Erin Isaac, sent the media an e-mail at 5:05 p.m. that described the bill in legislative jargon as "the Community Renewal Act" and was devoid of a single canned quote from Crist.

This was one of those times when Crist did something that he didn't "want to make sure that people know about."

On Thursday, Crist was asked whether he had read Howard Troxler's column in the Times that morning accusing him of "selling the state down the river" and being "gutless" for signing the growth bill in silence, with scant explanation of his actions.

"No," Crist said.

FlaDem GOTV dream

"Claiming that offshore drilling is the answer to the nation's addiction to foreign oil, conservative activists are gearing up for a constitutional drive to lift Florida's 20-year-old ban." "On offshore oil, a cracked door".

Chris Craft

"Some Democrats hoped state Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, would challenge freshman U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, next year. With Aronberg running for attorney general, many Democrats are waiting to see whether St. Lucie County Commissioner Chris Craft will run for Congress." "St. Lucie County commissioner weighs congressional run".

"Pitting developers against one another"

"A New York-based developer may mount a legal challenge against part of Florida's new growth-management law, arguing that it violates the U.S. Constitution."

The growth-management bill that Gov. Charlie Crist signed on Monday has drawn loud objections from environmentalists, who complain that it is a gift to developers. Now, however, a portion of the law is pitting developers against one another.

Cairo speech

"Obama's Cairo speech finds support, with reservation, in South Florida".

McCarty

"Having gone from power broker to supplicant, former Palm Beach County Commissioner Mary McCarty rose before U.S. District Judge Donald Middlebrooks and, sobbing, begged forgiveness." "I'm a criminal, McCarty sobs".

"There may be more than 150,000 on the loose"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Florida U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is sponsoring a measure that would ban the import and trade of the Burmese python, which has already proved to be a threat to native wildlife. The measure deserves adoption." "Kill the snakes". The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Time for python bounties".

Pivatization follies

"Florida's prison system is embroiled in a lawsuit filed by an ousted vendor on a major contract that accuses the state of illegally favoring a competitor."

The lawsuit was filed by MHM Correctional Services, which wants to extend its 2 ½ year contract to provide mental health care to more than 15,000 inmates in a dozen South Florida prisons.

In an effort to save money, the state privatized prison health care several years ago, but a legislative watchdog agency said in a report last January that the change has yielded ``mixed results.''

AG race

"State Sen. Dave Aronberg wants to be Florida's attorney general, and fellow Democrat Dan Gelber, of Miami Beach, is expected to battle him." "Sen. Dave Aronberg likely to face Dan Gelber in attorney general race". See also "State Sen. Dave Aronberg's bid for attorney general means the Democrats' primary will be expensive", "Aronberg to run for attorney general" and "Aaronberg announces for attorney general; may trigger three-man primary".

Meantime, "Kottkamp 'close' to A.G. announcement".

Courtesy of "the People's Governor"

"An environmental group charges that enforcement actions against polluters by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection have declined. During 2008, for the second year in a row, the number of civil penalties assessed by the department went down, contends Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. The dollar amounts of penalties assessed and collected both declined during 2008 from 2007 levels, the organization said." "Group claims state taking fewer actions against polluters".

Chain Gang Charlie's world

"State Supreme Court justices said they were appalled by the routine handcuffing, shackling and chaining of juveniles in Florida's courts during oral argument Thursday over a proposal to ban the blanket use of such restraints." "AP: Fla. Justices Horrified by Restraints on Juveniles".

"The Democrats' Katherine Harris"?

Scott Maxwell writes that he's not sure he's "heard a more far-fetched political plan recently than U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown's interest in running for the U.S. Senate."

He continues, citing what are sure to become RPOFer talking points:

[s]ome of those most salivating over this idea are Republicans — and the political scribes who would get to cover this train wreck of a race.

She would be the Democrats' Katherine Harris.

The fact that Brown would even float such a plan is more a reflection of her ego than reality.

Sure, she has endeared herself to constituents in her [RPOFer] gerrymandered district. But if she were to try to win votes statewide, she would run headfirst into an opponent who would seize upon the fact that the woman has more baggage than Port Canaveral's newest mega-liner.

Need some examples?

Most notable was the 1998 case in which her daughter received a $50,000 Lexus. The car was the gift from the aide of a West African millionaire who had been jailed in the U.S. and received help from Brown, who lobbied for his release.

There was also Tropical Storm Fay, when Brown called Jacksonville officials and asked them to deliver sandbags to her home — which they did, even though neighbors didn't get the same treatment.

Brown's daughter ultimately sold the car and donated the proceeds to charity. And Brown repaid the city for its storm aid. But it still stank.

What the "small government" mentality breeds

Joel Engelhardt: "Most residents don't care if Palm Beach County cuts two electricians from its budget or four. Most residents don't care if code enforcement is decimated, unless, that is, their neighbor's house is the one breeding rats." "Here's how 'small' government looks".

SD 27 Scramble

"With state Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, running for attorney general, the scramble is on to fill his trans-Florida District 27 Senate seat, which runs from Palm Beach County to Lee County on Florida’s Gulf Coast." "Who’ll replace Aronberg in Senate?".

Tiny steps ...

"Two Florida farms have decided to participate in a deal to boost the wages of the state's tomato pickers, joining an agreement with a farmworker advocacy group and upscale Whole Foods Market, the grocery chain announced Thursday."

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers and Whole Foods said the farms will pass on to pickers a net penny more per pound of tomatoes sold to the Austin, Texas, based company. Whole Foods will foot the bill. ...

If all Florida tomatoes purchasers joined the penny deal, the farmworkers could nearly double their earnings. The idea is that the national restaurant and grocery chains that have the deep pockets pay the extra money, including administrative costs, and the farmers pass it on to the workers when they receive their checks. The deals also permit the coalition to serve as a mediator when labor complaints arise.

But such agreements have existed on paper only since the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange, which represents most of the state's tomato growers, threatened two years ago to levy a $100,000 fine on any member who participated.

Whole Foods signed the deal with the coalition in 2008 but was unable to find farms willing to pass along the money. Whole Foods said Lady Moon Farms and Alderman Farms, both medium-sized family farms that sell organic produce, have agreed to participate this season.

Charlie sashays with "disgruntled property owners"

"Looking very much like a candidate for U.S. Senate, Gov. Charlie Crist stepped before the TV cameras ... to sign a bill that will make life easier for disgruntled property owners who challenge their tax bills." "Crist signs measure relaxing property appraiser protections".

The revolving door

"Jason Gonzalez, general counsel to Gov. Crist, resigns to spend time with family".

Another fine Jebacy

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board this morning: "Eight years ago, Florida legislators and then-Gov. Jeb Bush took a wrecking ball to 30-year-old reforms intended to reduce political influence in filling judicial vacancies. Now, predictably, the damage is starting to pile up."

Why should Floridians care? Because the independence and integrity of their court system is at stake.

Legislators in 2001 junked the system set up in 1971. Back then, the nine-member commissions responsible for nominating judges had three members appointed by the governor, and three appointed by the Florida Bar. Together, those six appointed three more.

That may not have been a perfect system, but it struck a better balance between the governor and the Bar than the one that replaced it. Now the governor picks five members himself, then appoints the other four from a longer list submitted by the Bar.

Which BTW includes you, Ms. Parker

"Kathleen Parker: GOP's problem: It's the messenger".

From the "values" crowd

"The University of Central Florida plans to eliminate five academic programs during the next two years because of state budget cuts, leaving nearly 1,100 students scurrying to complete degrees before their majors disappear. The cuts also mean 51 employees will lose their jobs, including 45 faculty." "UCF students, faculty face program cuts".

Peaceful co-existence

"When a nonprofit pregnancy center decided to expand in North Tampa, it found the perfect location: next door to an abortion clinic."

"It was a God thing," says Pat Layton, president and founder of A Women's Place, a faith-based agency that offers a range of support services to pregnant women, from ultrasounds to adoption referrals. "But to be honest, we definitely did it on purpose."

For the last year, the ministry and All Women's Health Center of North Tampa have operated side by side in separate buildings in a professional office complex on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

And they've done it with no disruption, despite their polar opposite objectives.

"We've got a great relationship. Things are very peaceful around here," says Heidi Mullis, the clinic's administrator. "I've even sent a few women over there, if they just want a sonogram or if they're still undecided about what to do."

Cuba

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Door is open, but will Cuba walk through?". See also "Raúl won't face OAS challenge", by Marifeli Pérez-Stable, vice president for democratic governance at the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington, D.C., and a professor at Florida International University.

'Ya reckon?

"Florida's failure to support Tri-Rail hurts road, transit projects".

Orange County laff riot

"Orange County government has weathered hurricanes by relying on healthy cash reserves, and it will emerge from this 'economic tsunami' by leaning on the same 'conservative principles,' County Mayor Rich Crotty will argue Friday in his State of the County Address." "Crotty says 'conservative principles' will guide county out of economic downturn".

Dumping "contaminated" water into Lake O? No problem

"Water managers may pump canal water into Lake Okeechobee even if it's contaminated, an appeals court ruled." "Court rejects Lake Okeechobee backpumping ban". See also "Judges: South Florida water managers did not violate Clean Water Act".

He did it in a gutless fashion, too, waiting until the close of business to send out a brief announcement that he was signing Senate Bill 360.

Look. If you're going to destroy your state to get elected to the U.S. Senate, be proud of it. Do it at a news conference. Surround yourself with bulldozers and smiling developers. Order a cake.

But apparently he couldn't quite fit this one in with all those other bill-signing ceremonies he's been racking up:

The battle for Florida is finished now. It's over.

From here, it's just a matter of how soon the banks are willing to lend money to developers. Sure, the economy is bad now, but this is a long-term game. The prize was the rest of the century.

It poses such a threat that even some pro-growth commissioners on the Miami-Dade County Commission approved a resolution asking the governor to veto it. One of the bill's biggest flaws is removal of state oversight of a Development of Regional Impact. Until now the Department of Community Affairs has had authority over DRIs, which are just what they imply: developments of such large scope that they impact an entire region.

They bring more traffic, more demand for classrooms, more use of water and sewer systems. Their swelling of the local population can even affect hurricane evacuation times. ...

Mr. Crist, who is running for the U.S. Senate, has made a bad call at a time when his leadership was most needed.

She's in

"U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown joins race for Senate seat".

Big of him

"Crist said Wednesday he likely will reject legislation allowing large national companies to charge whatever rates they wish for property insurance in Florida." "Crist likely to veto insurance bill".

Charlie jumps on Jebbie's $200 million boondoggle

"The state's decision to consider a no-bid contract extension for a controversial human-resources company has renewed criticism from a leading state senator who says privatization initiatives have cost taxpayers $200 million with little to show for the money."

Senate budget chairman J.D. Alexander persuaded fellow lawmakers during the spring legislative session to increase scrutiny of large state contracts -- only to see Gov. Charlie Crist veto the proposal last week.

When Alexander got word Tuesday that the state's Department of Management Services might offer a five-year extension on a contract for state human resources services to Ohio-based Convergys, the Lake Wales Republican urged Crist to solicit bids for the contract.

Electioneering

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Local governments throughout Florida are urging Gov. Charlie Crist to veto a bill that would bar them from using taxpayers' money to influence elections. They claim it is a violation of free speech. It is nothing of the sort." "Putting fairness in electioneering".

Election law

"One-time city commission candidate Robert Avila likely violated campaign finance laws when he used a credit card to pay for campaign signs and filed a false treasurer's report, according to the Florida Elections Commission."

The commission voted unanimously last month to find probable cause that Avila committed two infractions during the 2008 municipal election when he charged $966 on a personal credit card to pay for his campaign signs. Each count carries a maximum $1,000 penalty. ...

Only candidates for statewide office are permitted to use credit cards. Municipal candidates are required to pay for goods and services by campaign check or with petty cash.

Clearing the decks for Negron

"Former state representative Joe Negron will face off against Democratic challenger Bill Ramos and a virtually unknown write-in candidate in a special election Aug. 4 to replace retiring Sen. Ken Pruitt."

Negron avoided a potentially nasty GOP contest when his political nemesis Art Argenio suddenly dropped out of the race last week under pressure from Republican leaders to avoid a divisive primary.

Desperate measures

"Trying to make the best of a bad situation, federal officials might use foreclosed homes as temporary housing for hurricane evacuees in Florida as soon as this summer." "Foreclosed homes could become hurricane shelters". Related: The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial Board: "Worst problems from 'cane season could be fiscal".

High-speed rail hopes

"Florida's hopes for high-speed rail got a jolt from the vice president, who hosted states interested in an $8 billion pot of cash for transit at the White House." "Vice President Biden lifts Florida's high-speed rail hopes".

Disaster plans

"Crist gave a pep talk to workers at the Florida Emergency Operations Center on Wednesday, and reminded Floridians to update their disaster plans." "Crist: Have a disaster plan".

"'Embarrassment for everyone'"

Frank Cerabino: "It looks like Florida has dodged a self-inflicted wound."

According to some projections, the $2.50 toll would have gone as a high as $10 in a decade so that the foreign bid winner could make money off the deal.

Of course, there's no guarantee that the state won't raise the toll on Alligator Alley, but at least if that happens, you know where to find the people who are responsible, and they can be held accountable.

Same goes with road maintenance.

Hocking Alligator Alley would have been one of those short-sighted moves instantly regretted as soon as that upfront cash disappeared.

McCarty

"Former Palm Beach County Commissioner Mary McCarty should stop minimizing her 'brazen,' years-long pattern of manipulating her public office for profit, federal prosecutors said today in a memo demanding the maximum five-year prison term at her sentencing Thursday." "Prosecutors unload on McCarty in pre-sentencing memo, seek 5-year maximum". Related:pThe Palm Beach Post editorial board: "McCarty, out of sight".

"A tough slog"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "It's a tough slog getting water managers today to meet or even think about meeting their responsibility to safeguard Florida's water supply. But what's difficult today would soon become impossible if Gov. Charlie Crist fails to veto a bill that would give unprecedented power to a handful of bureaucrats." "Kill destructive water bill".

KidCare

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "It must be a joy in the Florida Legislature when, in the midst of the usual battles — economy vs. environment, companies vs. consumers — lawmakers can tackle an issue that draws support from all quarters. Such was the case with the KidCare legislation (SB 918), which Gov. Charlie Crist signed into law on Tuesday." "Editorial: An easy victory".

Runnin' gubment like a bidness

"Florida's child welfare chief says his agency botched the bidding process to develop a portable device to help caseworkers keep track of kids in state care." "DCF chief says agency botched tracking program process".

Democratic U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown of Jacksonville said Tuesday that she is forming an ''exploratory committee'' that will allow her to raise money and campaign for the seat currently held by Republican Mel Martinez. He is retiring in 2010.

Brown, along with Meek's mother and Alcee Hastings of Miramar, became the first black members of Congress from Florida since Reconstruction when they were elected together in 1992. Carrie Meek retired in 2002, paving the way for her son to win her seat.

1-800-403-2195

Callers to 1-800-403-2195 will be treated to hold music while he scheduler tries to find Crist, reminders that Crist has missed 62 days of work, and invitations to schedule meetings with Crist on "big yachts" and "rubbing elbows" with celebrities." See "DSCC launches Charlie Crist hotline" and "DSCC: Crist, MIA At Work" (links courtesy of the Senate Guru).

"The Godfather of Tallahassee's Republican culture of corruption"

"Marco Rubio is running for U.S. Senate with a potentially serious blemish on his public record: His hand-picked budget chief was indicted for official misconduct during Rubio's tenure as Florida House speaker."

There's no evidence Rubio knew that Sansom had budgeted $6 million for a donors' aircraft hangar in the guise of funding a college educational facility, as alleged in the indictment. That budget item apparently raised no red flags with the speaker, and his rival for the Republican Senate nomination, Gov. Charlie Crist, declined to veto that appropriation despite it being flagged as a ''turkey'' by Florida TaxWatch.

But that's not stopping the Florida Democratic Party from dubbing the Miami Republican ''the Godfather of Tallahassee's Republican culture of corruption,'' and his association with Sansom is prime fodder for attack.

"Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your mouth ..."

"Charlie Crist -- governor and Senate candidate -- flew to two Florida cities for ceremonial bill signings at taxpayer expense. ... Crist had actually signed both bills into law earlier in the day in the state Capitol. The ''fly-around,'' as it is known, put the issue he was touting, and his image, on newscasts in the state's two biggest TV markets." "Crist's 'fly-around' costs taxpayers".

That's a lotta fly-arounds

"More Than 100 Bills Await Crist's Decision".

Cuba

"Clinton said a rancorous Organization of American States conference in Honduras failed to reach a consensus on moves to allow Cuba to rejoin. Clinton said before departing for Egypt to join President Barack Obama that a frantic day of negotiations had not produced agreement among the 34 members about what to do about Cuba. But she said the talks would continue in her absence and that a deal could be possible." "No consensus on letting Cuba rejoin OAS, Clinton says".

Crist bathes in Obama's reflected glory

"Crist on Monday signed legislation that will extend unemployment benefits for an estimated 250,000 jobless Floridians beginning in early July."

The extended benefits will take another month or so to be distributed because of computer programming issues at Florida's Agency for Workforce Innovation, which handles unemployment for the state.

Payments will be retroactive to Feb. 22 for those eligible. Initial payments could be as high as $5,100 for some of Florida's jobless, with additional payments of up to $300 a week for up to 20 weeks, the agency said Tuesday.

The extended benefits will boost Florida's economy with an infusion of an estimated $418 million in federal funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed by President Obama on Feb. 22, according to the agency.

The Jebonomics dynamo

"The Sunshine State ranked 48th in the country in economic growth in 2008, according to new federal data." "State ranks 48th in economic growth".

Debate blather

"Leadership Florida and the Florida Press Association announced Tuesday that they plan to hold a series of debates, probably in August and October 2010, featuring primary and general election candidates in the races for governor and U.S. Senate."

The 2010 debates will appear on network and independent commercial stations across Florida's 11 designated media markets. WPLG-TV, an ABC affiliate, will broadcast in Miami, as will WKMG-TV (CBS) in Orlando and WJXT-TV in Jacksonville. Commercial stations that will broadcast the debates in Tampa Bay, Sarasota and other markets have not been announced yet.

Both the primary and general election debates will take place at the Broward County campus of Nova Southeastern University. No decision has been made yet on moderators or formats for the debates.

The debate sponsors said they also are weighing the prospect of debates or forums in the races for Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Agriculture.

Meek in O-Town

"Rep. Kendrick Meek, a Miami congressman running as a Democrat for the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by Sen. Mel Martínez, visited Orlando’s Puerto Rican community leaders today to show support for the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor as U.S. Supreme Court Justice." "U.S. Senate candidate joins Orlando's Puerto Ricans behind Sotomayor nomination".

Limbaugh law

"The state's prescription drug problem is growing and its lax regulation has drawn the equivalent of pharmaceutical tourists from other states with tougher laws. For sure, a database won't solve all the problems, But it's a necessary first step toward curbing the abuse." "Pill database urgently needed".

"It could be a good thing"

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "Students throughout Florida's State University System will begin paying higher tuition, as much as 15 percent more per year, under legislation signed by Gov. Charlie Crist on Monday."

At that, Florida college students will be paying among the lowest tuitions for public universities in the nation, which is good.

Or at least it could be a good thing if only our universities weren't in such financial distress as to threaten the quality of educations and the competitive value of degrees students will receive.

Privatization follies

"Florida's child welfare agency has stalled trying to launch a once-heralded new computer software system for tracking abused or neglected children that was unveiled to much fanfare last year." "Contracting squabble stalls DCF abuse tracking system".

"One of the biggest - and worst - bills"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "One bill that hasn't even reached Gov. Crist's desk is one of the biggest - and worst - bills that got through the Legislature. That would be House Bill 1171, which would allow Florida's largest property insurers to charge whatever they want. The governor has many reasons from a consumer standpoint to veto the bill. It's worth noting, however, a concern about HB 1171 that comes from an unlikely source: the Florida Association of Insurance Agents." "Veto the 'State Farm Bill'".

Water wars

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "the region has not done enough to build adequate water storage facilities, so we're forced to wage a constant battle between managing our water supply and our safety risk. Municipal water officials in Broward and Palm Beach counties are so tired of this counterproductive tug of war that they're actually weighing something rather revolutionary in a region notorious for its territorial skirmishes: sharing — water, of all things." "Broward, Palm Beach counties ponder something promising: water-sharing reservoir".

River of Grass

"You can get into Everglades National Park, as well as other national parks, for free this summer under a fee-waiver announced Tuesday to offer affordable recreation during a time of economic stress." "You can get into national parks for free this summer".

Travelers alert!

"Dunkin' Donuts coffee is in, Starbucks is out on Florida's Turnpike. The change is part of a multimillion dollar makeover coming to all eight turnpike service plazas. Turnpike officials recently awarded a 30-year contract to tear down, rebuild and operate the plazas to Areas USA, the Miami operation of a Spain-based company that has concession contracts at Miami and Orlando international airports." "Florida's Turnpike to offer Dunkin' Donuts instead of Starbucks".

"Using taxpayers' money to influence elections"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Local governments throughout Florida are urging Gov. Charlie Crist to veto a bill that would bar them from using taxpayers' money to influence elections."

They claim it is a violation of free speech. It is nothing of the sort.

The measure protects the integrity of elections, specifically those asking voters to approve ballot initiatives, such as tax increases.

Election officials should be able to describe what a ballot initiative will do without putting a self-serving spin on it. But they should not use voters' tax dollars to tell them how to vote.

The electioneering bill, introduced by Sen. Charlie Justice of St. Petersburg and adopted this past session, is not the horror story the Florida League of Cities and a host of elected officials claim.

More privatization follies

"The Florida Senate's budget chief wants Gov. Charlie Crist to halt plans for the no-bid extension of a multimillion-dollar human services contract for five years."

Ways and Means Committee Chairman JD Alexander wrote Crist a letter Tuesday, urging that he direct the Department of Management Services to competitively bid the contract for such services as hiring, benefits and payroll.

Known as People First, the privatized personnel system launched by former Gov. Jeb Bush has been plagued by cost overruns and delays since it was outsourced to Cincinnati-based Convergys Corp. in 2002.

Revolving door

"Pruitt, who surprised colleagues on the last day of the extended legislative session by quietly announcing he wouldn’t complete his current four-year term, started with the Boca Raton- and Port St. Lucie-based firm on Monday. The new official title for the former state Senate president is senior advisor for government affairs and public policy." "Pruitt joins law firm providing government advice".

Light at the end of the tunnel?

"The National Association of Realtors reported Tuesday that the number of homes under contract for sale in April posted the largest monthly jump in nearly eight years." "Pending sales for homes headed up".

Entrepreneurs at the trough

"Florida's child-welfare agency's plans to launch a new computer system to track abused or neglected children — unveiled with much fanfare last year — have stalled. ... But the $9.8 million project is mired in a nasty fight between two companies, one of which has alleged the Department of Children and Families botched the bidding process and violated the state's 'Government in the Sunshine' laws." "Florida project to track abused, neglected kids stalls".

PBC ethics reform

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Despite budget hearings that begin next week, nothing is more important for the Palm Beach County Commission than changing the county's culture from one of corruption to one of ethics. That will mean building on the momentum from last week's release of the grand jury report that lays out the problem and recommends solutions." "Wanted: Ethics reform push for Palm Beach County".

Port Canaveral

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Commuter rail wasn't the only transportation project in Central Florida that state legislators stiffed during this year's session. In 11th-hour negotiations on the state's $66.5 billion budget, they threw logic overboard and raided funding for a project to prepare Port Canaveral for bigger cruise ships." "What we think: Don't neglect the port".

"Children caught in the middle of nasty divorces"

"Children caught in the middle of nasty divorces soon may have legal advocates to look after their interests. Gov. Charlie Crist signed into law on Tuesday a bill that will allow courts to appoint certified Guardian ad Litem volunteers to represent children in divorces even if there is no allegation of abuse or neglect." "Divorce law aids children".

KidCare

"It took three years for legislation to reform the state KidCare program to reach Gov. Charlie Crist, who signed the bill into law on Tuesday. Nan Rich, Senate sponsor of the bill, hopes the new law is just the beginning." "KidCare reform being instituted expands coverage". See also "Crist signs new KidCare legislation".

Sponsored by Sen. Mike Bennett, a Bradenton Republican and an electrical contractor, the bill passed both houses of the Legislature by wide margins.

Business groups such as the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Florida Association of Realtors hailed Crist's decision. The Chamber said the legislation "updates Florida's growth laws without compromising environmental or land-use protections.''

In signing the bill (SB 360), Crist, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, acknowledged the divisions it has caused. He has noted that his growth management expert, Tom Pelham, who runs the state Department of Community Affairs, had misgivings about the bill.

Crist has built a solid environmental record for his Senate run. He championed the U.S. Sugar buyout to help restore the Everglades, and he proposed Florida's first renewable energy standards. He tarnished that record Monday by signing what the Legislature named the "Community Renewal Act" but what more accurately should be called the "No Growth Management Act."

Sorry, Bill

"The state Republican Party, which had hoped to clear the field to give Attorney General Bill McCollum an uncontested nomination for governor, now finds itself with at least two potential challengers, veteran legislator Dan Webster and state Sen. Paula Dockery."

Webster, a former state House speaker and state senator from Winter Garden, appeals strongly to social and religious conservatives. McCollum does also, but not as much.

"Webster is looked upon as one of the founding fathers of conservative politics in Florida," said Terry Kemple, a religious conservative activist from Brandon.

The state Christian Coalition recently held an appreciation banquet in Webster's honor.

Webster hasn't spoken publicly about the race, but told supporters to spread the word he's interested. ...

Dockery, meanwhile, built populist appeal over the last year with a crusade against a proposal for a state deal with CSX railway to form a Central Florida commuter rail system.

Does Blue Dog Boyd deserve a pass?

"If state Sen. Dan Gelber's selfless withdrawal this weekend from the U.S. Senate race is supposed to inspire Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson to put his Washington dreams on hold, it isn't working."

"Right now, I'm still running for Congress," Lawson said Monday afternoon.

Gelber, the former House Democratic Leader from Miami Beach, announced that he was dropping out so Democrats could unify behind Miami Congressman Kendrick Meek, who faces an uphill battle against Republican Gov. Charlie Crist.

Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer has been urging his candidates for months to do the same, unabashedly discouraging Republican primaries so the party can regroup in the upcoming midterm elections.

Lawson, an insurance broker from Tallahassee, faces a bruising primary against veteran Congressman Allen Boyd of Monticello.

Lawson said that he's been asked by his party to pull out of the race. Lawson said Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman asked him to consider running instead for the Cabinet slots being vacated by Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, or Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Bronson, a Republican who is being forced by term limits to step down.

No escapin' it

"Debates for the 2010 governor and U.S. Senate races will be broadcast statewide on network television stations in all 11 media markets, an historic level of exposure for what promises to be an historic election year." "U.S. Senate, Governor debates to be televised on major networks".

Another fine Jebacy

"Nearly three years into a Medicaid privatization program former Gov. Jeb Bush said could be a national model, state officials say they do not have crucial data to measure the program's effectiveness, including how many patients' treatments and prescriptions have been approved or denied."

Patients and health care advocates have complained they can't get doctors appointments and medications under the program, which began in October 2006. An Associated Press study found nearly 25 percent of doctors in Broward and Duval counties, the two biggest counties in the pilot program, have dropped out because of red tape and an inability to treat patients as they see fit.

The complaints have led to an outcry for accountability from the state's health care agency, especially after WellCare, the program's largest private health care provider, has admitted to stealing more than $35 million from the state under another program.

There's also been little evidence to show that the pilot, operating in five counties, has improved health care or saved the state money.

"Crist's disdain for the law, or his ignorance of it"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Gov. Charlie Crist's disdain for the law, or his ignorance of it, again has him thumbing his nose at it." "Restore the public's trust".

"Dems target Rooney"

"Democrats haven’t recruited a candidate to challenge U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, rooneymugbut the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is targeting the freshman House member with radio ads and automated phone calls that criticize his vote against a $787 billion economic stimulus plan." "Dems target Rooney with radio ads, robocalls". See also "Courier: Rooney one of six targeted by DCCC over stimulus opposition".

AG race

"State Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, sidestepped a U.S. Senate primary over the weekend but may be headed into a three-Democrat primary battle for the party's attorney general nomination. Gelber, state Sen. Dave Aronberg of Greenacres and former state Sen. Rod Smith of Alachua are all continuing to explore runs for the state's top legal post in 2010, when Republican incumbent Bill McCollum runs for governor." "Attorney general's race could become crowded".

"A potentially spirited Republican primary"

"With Republican state Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff running for the state Senate, the field is wide open to fill her House seat next year, already offering a potentially spirited Republican primary."

Three Republicans say they plan to run: Soil and Water Commissioner Oliver Parker, marketing company president Yomin Postelnik and attorney David Maymon.

"What makes this one so different?"

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "Hurricane season begins today, but it will not be like any other hurricane season in recent years. What makes this one so different? The recession." "Storm season starts today in a financially weakened state".

Another Chamber hack

"The Florida Chamber of Commerce has endorsed former state Rep. Joe Negron of Stuart to replace state Sen. Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, as the qualifying period for the Aug. 4 special election begins Tuesday." "Florida Chamber backs Negron for state Senate on eve of qualifying period".

"Unless he is convicted before then"

"State Rep. Ray Sansom, R-Destin, will be forced out of the House seat next year by term limits, unless he is convicted before then of the felony charges of official misconduct and perjury he presently faces." "Who'll run to replace Sansom? Here are some names".

Tuition increases

"Crist on Monday signed into law one of his top priorities of 2009: a bill that allows all 11 state universities to increase tuition by as much as 15 percent a year." "Boost in tuition set for 11 Florida colleges". See also "Crist signs university tuition hike bill, vetoes delay for condo sprinklers".

Fewer anti-Semitic incidents

"The number of anti-Semitic incidents in Florida declined 2 percent in 2008, according to annual statistics from the Anti-Defamation League." "Anti-Semitic incidents down in Florida, figures show".

"A particularly rotten political excess"?

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board this morning: "Crist can help right himself, and help restore the public's trust in those who govern, by signing a bill that would rid Florida of a particularly rotten political excess."

Somehow, county, city and school board officials got it into their heads that they are obliged to spend thousands of taxpayer dollars on campaigns to support ballot initiatives they like, and kill those they don't.

A bill before the governor would put an end to that egregious practice.

"It was kind of, 'do you know what you're getting yourself into,' " recalled Sink, who wound up throwing herself into that campaign only to see her husband lose handily.

Now it's Sink running for governor, and the odds look considerably better for her than her husband in 2002: There's no bruising Democratic primary, no popular incumbent to unseat, a revitalized Democratic Party and a likely rival, Attorney General Bill McCollum, with a serious charisma deficit.

Marco who?

The Buzz reports that the RPOF web site "contains plenty of news about Crist's campaign and endorsements but nada that we can see about Marco Rubio." "RPOF site ignores Rubio".

"Strings attached"

"Florida schools were thrilled to learn the federal government would be sending $4 billion to prevent a complete budget catastrophe during the next two years. What they didn't know until recently, though, was this:"

While scores of teachers statewide are being laid off, a big chunk of the federal stimulus money can't be used to save their jobs or to pay salaries for the vast majority of education employees.

And as school districts whittle spending on sports, the arts and college preparation, federal restrictions are forcing educators to funnel hundreds of millions of dollars into programs for poor and disabled children that might not be needed.

The largest pot — $2.7 billion during two years — will, in fact, save lots of jobs and cover day-to-day expenses such as paychecks, pencils and electricity.

But the two other largest pots, about $1 billion combined during two years, are earmarked specifically for programs for poor kids and special education.

Privatization floppery

"Friday would have marked a milestone in the history of Alligator Alley, but because no one submitted a bid to lease the storied highway its fate remains uncertain. " "With no lease bids, Alligator Alley in limbo". See also "State lease plan for Alligator Alley hits bump".

Safe?

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: ""

Here come 'da (campaign) checks

"Business interests hailed Gov. Charlie Crist's signing Friday of a bill that will undo a court ruling and restore caps on fees for lawyers who represent workers in compensation appeals for on-the-job injuries." "Businesses hail workers'-comp legal fee cap".

Headline idiots

Note the The Miami Herald's insistence on letting, in the headline no less, us know where the FlaDems held their convention, to wit: "at Fontainebleau Hotel": "Florida Democrats -- at Fontainebleau Hotel-- get behind Alex Sink".

Obviously, the employees who work for the media conglomerate doing business as The Miami Herald want you to think that the Democrats are wealthy hypocrites who hang out at ritzy South Beach hotels. To be sure, there are plenty of Dems who are wealthy hypocrites (witness the Dems, including many Friends-of-Obama, fighting the Employee Free Choice Act tooth-and-nail), but there is something else going on here: the Dems have a practice, if not a rule, of holding their events at places where the employees have selected representation by a labor organization, in this case Unite Here, Local 355; the employees who work at the hotel actually have crazy things like health insurance and job security (all rolled up in a - get this - collective bargaining agreement). Some of these unionized bellmen, housemen, housekeepers, and banquet servers at the Fontainebleau even earn enough money to send their kids - get this - to college! The arrogance of some people.

"Groups lurk in the shadows"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "If you thought last year's election was ugly, look out."

The 2010 elections might make 2008 look like a garden party, thanks to a gutless state Legislature and one of the worst court rulings to come along in years.

A federal judge last week laid waste to entire sections of state law that were supposed to provide some transparency to so-called electioneering communication organizations.

These groups lurk in the shadows, sometimes operating more like money-laundering enterprises than legitimate political organizations. They go by wholesome, patriotic names but launch despicable political attacks.

Cuba

"A diplomatic tug-of-war over Cuba's outcast status in the Organization of American States takes center stage at the group's meeting this week in Honduras, testing U.S. efforts to engage the communist nation." "US committed to new approach for the hemisphere".

"Back into the wild"

"A black bear that was spotted in a South Florida community last week has been released back into the wild." "Elusive black bear released in Collier Co.".

The pay factor

Bill Cotterell: "Crist vetoed the state income tax on state employees making more than $45,000 a year."

If you want to look at it coldly, cynically, with the assumption that everything a statewide candidate does in a pre-election year is politically motivated (which is almost always true), the pay-cut veto wasn't the best strategic move. Crist is running for the U.S. Senate against former House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami, who is angling for the right wing of a right-wing party. ...

Politically, you can make a case that Crist helped himself, but not a lot.

In the 2006 Republican primary for governor, running against then-CFO Tom Gallagher, Crist carried Leon County by an almost 2-1 margin, a cushion of more than 5,000 votes. But he won the GOP nomination by more than 300,000 votes statewide, so the area with the heaviest concentration of state workers was not really the keystone of his plan.

And in the general election, Crist lost Leon to Jim Davis by more than 12,000 votes. Toss in Jefferson, Taylor, Wakulla and Gadsden Counties, and the Democratic nominee finished 16,402 votes ahead of Crist for the region.
Advertisement

But Crist won statewide by 341,556 votes. So the Big Bend didn't really help Davis, did it? And the distant prospect of reducing that loss ratio isn't likely to make Crist veto a $30 million budget savings, is it?

Vetoing the pay cut will probably hurt him a little in the primary, against the more conservative Rubio. But that damage can be offset by mollifying the 30,000 gun owners who wrote to Crist, urging him not to allow the weapon-permitting pot to be drained.

A Panhandle thing

"FloriDUH: Religious protest at public high school graduation".

"Unintended consequences"

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "Tom Pelham, the Department of Community Affairs' straight-talking secretary, has a balancing act ahead of him, as do all local governments, if Gov. Charlie Crist allows a well-meaning but not well enough thought out growth bill to move forward."

Senate Bill 360 is a revision of Florida's 25-year-old growth laws and it's well-intended. But its the unintended consequences that will cost taxpayers more than they gain in the long run.

The measure will inadvertently [sic] allow costly sprawl in counties such as Leon because it allows residential development without the concurrency rules that mean roads will be expanded to avoid traffic congestion.

Rail

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "States are competing hard for a part of $8 billion in federal money to build high-speed rail lines, and if decisions are merit-based as promised, Florida is well positioned to win a big share." "Florida perfect for high-speed rail".

Entrepreneurial spirit "on the rise"

"Scam alert: Investment fraud on the rise in Florida".

"A monarch over a kingdom that's not hers to rule"

The Miami Herald editorial board: " Miami Dade College students may have to delay graduation before heading to a four-year university. ... The Legislature used federal stimulus money and other funds to help offset some of the pain, but another option -- a local vote that would have helped MDC raise millions of dollars within a year or two with a half-penny sales tax -- was blocked by one legislator."

That's all it took: one legislator from outside Miami-Dade acting like a monarch over a kingdom that's not hers to rule.

State Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff [Republican]of Fort Lauderdale never allowed a hearing on the bill in the House Finance and Tax Council that she heads. Even though the bill would have let local voters decide, Rep. Bogdanoff stubbornly viewed a democratic election as a tax increase from Tallahassee.

But 1,000 activists and elected officials at the state party's annual gathering on Saturday were buzzed before they even arrived, intoxicated by having a popular president in the White House, a 694,000-voter edge in statewide registration, and opportunities to challenge the GOP's hold on state government in 2010.

Meek alone ... or is he?

"Gelber told a crowd of 1,100 Democratic Party supporters that he is leaving the Senate race in order to help unify the party. ... That leaves U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek as the top Democratic candidate for the seat Republican Mel Martinez is leaving after one term." "Gelber drops out of Fla. Senate race". See also "Miami Beach: Gelber drops U.S. Senate bid".

Meek may have a party crasher: "Democratic Rep. Corrine Brown of Jacksonville considers run for Senate".

Sink

"Alex Sink was about as low-key as she could be when she got in the governor's race, but her first major event since then was quite the opposite."

Sink addressed a crowd of about 1,100 Democratic Party activists and supporters a little more than two weeks after simply issuing a press release saying she was running for governor. She was greeted with an extended ovation before making her first major address as a candidate for the state's top office.

The no primary problem

Jane Healy:

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist had barely announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate before insiders from both political parties decided to anoint their gubernatorial nominees — Attorney General Bill McCollum for the Republicans and Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink for the Democrats.

This may be good from a political fundraising perspective, saving all the money for the 2010 general election. But it hurts the voters. Without a challenge from someone within their own party, candidates get away with taking fewer stands on important issues. Voters ought to rebel and insist that the candidates answer some tough questions.

Dean Cannon, Ronda Storms and their ilk ...

... just don't get it.

"A group of activists intend to launch a petition initiative to place the issue of offshore oil drilling before voters in 2010. FloridaOil.org plans to ask Florida voters to lift the state ban and kick-start a new offshore drilling industry for the state."

The state House embraced a plan to lift the 20-year ban on drilling in Florida waters this spring after Speaker-designate Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, attached the proposal late in the session to a more modest drilling bill. But the legislation hit a wall in the state Senate, where President Jeff Atwater, R-Palm Beach, refused to bring it to a vote because it had not received a full vetting in his chamber. Cannon and other lawmakers say they intend to improve the plan and bring it back next spring.

If they do, they'll receive a positive reception in the Senate, predicted Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Valrico, who supports the concept.

Say it ain't so, Alcee ...

"Taxpayers foot bill for Hastings’ $25k Lexus".

No wonder Charlie's skipping out

"The taxable value of property in Palm Beach County plummeted by 13.5 percent in the past year, confirming last month's announcement that the county and its municipalities are likely enduring their worst plunge since the Great Depression - or perhaps the 19th century." "Palm Beach County's 13.5-percent tax roll plunge may be worst since 1800s".

McCarty

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Facing a five-year prison sentence on Thursday, Mary McCarty argues that her crimes deserve just one year. So much for the contrite McCarty who after resigning her Palm Beach County Commission seat in January proclaimed, 'I get it.' She gets it as long as she doesn't have to serve it." "The max for McCarty, too". Joel Engelhardt: "All about Mary, after all".

Randy Schultz asks: "How can any Palm Beach County commissioners, after all that has happened over the last three years, remain in denial about public outrage?" "Make it 'Clean County'".

"Depends on what your definition of 'tax' is"

"When he signed a $66.5 billion spending plan last week, Gov. Charlie Crist stopped just short of bragging about maintaining most state programs without resorting to a tax increase. But that claim depends on what your definition of 'tax' is. Virtually every Floridian, from drivers to users of state parks to smokers - will pay more next year to raise Florida's revenue by more than $2.2 billion." "Floridians set to pay $2B more".

Slash and burn

"Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller Sharon Bock will be forced to cut 66 employees from her staff in order to close next year's $7.1 million budget shortfall, her office announced Saturday." "Clerk's office axes 66 workers to meet budget requirement".

Cuba

"A fight over Cuba's possible readmission into the Organization of American States is set to dominate the group's meeting this week in Honduras and may put Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in an uncomfortable position."

With numerous Latin American countries pushing to reverse the 1962 expulsion of the communist island nation from the bloc, the Obama administration's willingness to engage with Cuba will be tested at the session that Clinton plans to attend on Tuesday.

U.S. officials say they are ready to support lifting the resolution that suspended Cuba from the 34-country group but they insist on tying the island's readmission to democratic reforms under a charter the organization adopted in 2001.

Rail

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Federal transportation officials are scrambling to figure out who should get $8 billion allocated by Congress for high-speed passenger trains. Monday on this page we will present a strong case that a Tampa-Orlando connection deserves to be among the first projects approved. Today we look at a more basic issue of why taxpayers should invest so much money to begin building a network of very fast trains." "Fast trains efficient on right routes".

But the The Orlando Sentinel editorial board points out that Florida isn't ready for prime time:

Most anyone who attended last week's high-speed-rail workshop in Orlando came away excited. Giddy, even. If Florida were to host one of the systems the federal government is looking to invest in, they were told, the state would reap some monstrous dividends: at least 25,000 new jobs, relief for its congested highways and airports, and benefits galore for the environment.

But Florida's really not a strong candidate for high-speed rail. Not now, anyway, according to several federal transportation officials. Much as we would love to hop aboard dreamy 110-mph trains connecting Orlando to Miami and Tampa, that's just not going to happen until Florida takes more practical steps to fill in some glaring gaps in the transportation services it currently offers the public.

For one, it needs to make SunRail — the commuter-train service designed for Central Florida — a reality. And it's got to ensure the viability of Tri-Rail, currently serving commuters from Miami to Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach. It's essential because without local commuter-rail systems also running residents to their jobs and homes in those areas, high-speed rail really has no business moving people from one metropolitan area to the next.

Imagine a bullet train pulling into a terminal in Orlando — an Orlando that doesn't also operate commuter- or light-rail service. Most passengers would find themselves facing cumbersome connections to whatever might be their next destination. If they're spending almost as much time traveling in the Orlando area as it took them to get there from Fort Lauderdale, for example, it'll kill the whole point of riding the zippy train to Orlando in the first place.

Other applicants for billions of dollars of federal money that would seed high-speed-rail systems don't face that problem: Only three of 27 metro areas wishing to be served by high-speed trains don't have their own fixed-transit systems that would connect to them. Two of the three are in Florida: Orlando and Tampa.

"Florida's stale schools"

Mike Thomas: "Florida's stale schools hurt minority kids".

Muzzling local government officials

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Why would the Legislature want to muzzle local government officials?"

Easy. To keep them from criticizing state lawmakers' penchant for putting property tax cuts on the statewide ballot.

These proposals invariably pass, making legislators look like heroes, but the consequences for local governments charged with providing public safety and education, fire protection and trash hauling can be severe to local residents.

Local governments should not be treated like dangerous animals in need of a muzzle. Local officials have a right to speak up and to spend public money if necessary on public education campaigns to let voters know exactly what they will be voting on.

That's why the Florida League of Cities is asking Gov. Charlie Crist to veto SB 216. He should. This bill would make it illegal for city or county officials or government employees to comment on or mount an information campaign about ballot issues, everything from local-option sales-tax proposals to state constitutional amendment questions.

"Water woes"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial Board: "In Volusia County's ongoing water woes, no party can honestly claim clean hands."

Local cities put their desire for uncontrolled growth above environmental needs. County officials waffled when they should have taken a strong lead. The St. Johns River Water Management District has always talked tough about conservation and intra-county cooperation -- but when the district issued generous water-consumption permits to key East Volusia cities, it undermined a burgeoning effort to create a countywide water authority with bite. And when voters had the chance to mandate better water management in 2006, they blinked, rejecting a provision that would give a countywide water board authority over well fields.

Maxwell to the defense

Scott Maxwell wants us to know that all Republicans are not (always) wingnut toads; he wants us all to know that "many party leaders — including Central Florida's two highest-profile congressional Republicans — not only ignored Limbaugh and the other hyperpartisan pundits, they actually praised the president's pick." "Conservatives are right to reject rush to judgment of Sotomayor".

Is Pruitt in the Sansom-Richburg mix?

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "The Leon County grand jury asked itself a very important question: Why did former Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom, R-Destin, slip $6 million into the budget to build an airplane hangar for Northwest Florida State College?"

The grand jury already had decided that the cover story - the college would use it to train emergency workers - was bogus. So, why would Rep. Sansom and former college President James Richburg finagle the money? The real answer, grand jurors decided, was to help Jay Odom, a developer, jet service owner and big donor to Rep. Sansom and the GOP.

One 2007 e-mail from Richburg to Sansom contains the cryptic reference that "the project began with us in Port Saint Lucy (sic) on our visit to Senator Pruitt two years ago." Sen. Ken Pruitt, who has consulted an attorney, remembers the meeting in "broad context." He says they didn't discuss the $6 million hangar request but did talk in general about planning for a Homeland Security/Public Safety facility at Indian River State College. That facility will open this fall.