Charlie wimps out

"Crist blamed a busy schedule for missing an early U.S. Senate campaign showdown during his swing through Palm Beach County on Friday to appear at a journalism convention. Crist strolled into The Breakers in Palm Beach a few hours ahead of the scheduled appearance his U.S. Senate Republican primary opponent, former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio." "Crist visits Palm Beach, misses Rubio". See also "Florida Rep. Marco Rubio has the floor to himself at Florida Press convention".

PlaneGate: Sink "in damage control"

"State Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink is the top fundraiser in the governor's race, but her financial report released Friday suggests she's in damage control over her use of state airplanes. The report shows her campaign recently made an unusual $17,000 payment to her own agency for 20 airplane trips to different cities where she had state business -- and campaign events." "State CFO Alex Sink reimburses state for use of plane". See also "Sink says she didn't abuse use of state aircraft".

Embarrassing

"Crist teams up with a ‘Real Housewife of N.Y.’ for fundraiser" ("The host committee for Zarin’s fundraiser for Crist is peppered with NYC socialites and also includes Donald Trump and New York Yankee slugger Johnny Damon.")

Tuff talker

"Rubio Predicts He Can Beat Crist". More: ""Rubio says he will win Fla. Senate race on ideas"".

"Fishing elsewhere for lobbyists' money"

"State legislators can't take even a bottle of water from lobbyists, but the ban on gifts won't stop enterprising lawmakers from fishing elsewhere for lobbyists' money."

Thirteen House members belong to a charity called the Florida Hispanic Legislative Caucus, which is holding a deep-sea fishing tournament in Key West this weekend to raise money for the nonprofit group.

For $15,000, donors get two suites at a Marriott resort and assorted promotional goodies. They also get valuable face time with legislators, seven of whom plan to attend.

The caucus' chairman, Rep. Juan Zapata, a Miami Republican, says lobbyists and clients support the caucus for other reasons.

Charlie "impresed"

"Applicants for [Hillsborough] elections supervisor impress Crist". The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Keep Latimer on elections job".

"Shaping up to be one bizarre election cycle"

"Three of Florida's four Cabinet members are spending more and more time away from their Capitol offices as they rush around the state to collect campaign checks at dinner soirees, fishing trips, coffees and private parties. The packed schedules reflect the reality of what is shaping up to be one bizarre election cycle." "The one place you're least likely to see Crist, Sink, McCollum? Tallahassee".

Never mind

"High court sets free death row inmate".

As developers rub their thighs in glee ...

... "We're stuck in park". The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "The future has arrived in west-central Florida. And it’s not pretty. A study out this week by the Texas Transportation Institute added to the body of evidence that a region whose population is expected to double, to 7 million people, by 2050 can’t keep just building roads to solve its traffic problems."

Negron at the trough

"Negron's financial advantage grows in special state Senate race".

"One of the hottest races of 2010"

"The campaign to succeed Florida’s longest-serving state legislator next year will feature a unique field in one of the hottest races of 2010."

Senate Minority Leader Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, has represented the Big Bend area in the House or Senate since 1982. He’s planning a congressional campaign next year, but would be forced out of the Legislature by term limits anyway.

Running to replace him are three Democrats -- none currently holding public office, all with past experience winning major campaigns and each with a particular power base in the diverse district that runs from the farmlands of Madison County to the edge of Panama City.

Yee haw!

"Plan would open Big Cypress to hunting, vehicles".

Hate crimes?

The Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "Nobody questions that crimes against the homeless, in South Florida and elsewhere, have been gruesome, violent and cowardly. What is highly questionable is whether those deplorable crimes should be classified as hate crimes." "Treat crime severely, but not as a hate crime".

HD 26

"A battle between family members threatens to tarnish the reputations of Mayor Fred Costello and his wife, Linda, who are fending off claims of abuse being leveled by their troubled daughter. ... Fred Costello, a Republican who has announced his candidacy for state House 26 seat in 2010, says they are innocent victims of their daughter's lashing out." "Ormond mayor, wife face daughter's attack".

The Democrat gets played by Rick Berman

Reading this in the The Tallahassee Democrat: "Economy, minimum wage take a toll on teen jobs", accompanied by a picture of the smiling, pretty face of one Kristen Lopez Eastlick, you might not realize you were reading the rantings of a drooling knuckle-dragger.

You see, Ms. Eastlick, as the Democrat discloses, is a so-called "economist" for the pleasant sounding "Employment Policies Institute". Although the clickable link to the website is for some reason not provided by the Democrat, a quick cut and paste of the URL will take you to the benign looking site of the Institute, which describes itself as "a non-profit research organization dedicated to studying public policy issues surrounding employment growth." The site provides no information as to its founders or funding sources.

"The Employment Policies Institute (EPI) is one of several front groups created by Berman & Co., a Washington, DC public affairs firm owned by Rick Berman*, who lobbies for the restaurant, hotel, alcoholic beverage and tobacco industries. While most commonly referred to as EPI, it is registered as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization under the name of Employment Policies Institute Foundation. In its annual Internal Revenue Service return, EPI states that it 'shares office space with Berman & Company on a cost pass through basis'." "SourceWatch: Employment Policies Institute".

A bit more about the happy, shiny people Ms. Eastlick works for:

- In October 2008, as Republicans were accusing ACORN, which organizes in low-income communities, of "voter fraud," EPI took out a full-page ad in the New York Times that directed readers to www.RottenAcorn.com. The ad accused 'ACORN of a list of abuses that suggest hypocrisy on some of the group's signature issues: intimidating and firing its own employees if they try to unionize, misappropriating millions of dollars from taxpayer-funded government grants and advocating minimum wage while paying its own employees less than minimum wage,' reported ProPublica. EPI and Center for Consumer Freedom spokesperson Tim Miller said they placed the ad because after the election, "a lot of the coverage of ACORN is going to go away, but they are going to continue the same corrupt and fraudulent practices."

- The Employment Policies Institute was launched in 1991, around the time of the economic recession that led to the electoral defeat of then-president George Bush. EPI deliberately attempted to create confusion in the eyes of journalists and the general public by adopting a name which closely resembles the Economic Policy Institute, a much older, progressive think tank with ties to organized labor**. In addition to imitating the name and acronym of the Economic Policy Institute, Berman's outfit even used the same typeface for its logo. In reality, the two groups have dramatically different public policy agendas. The Economic Policy supports a living wage and mandated health benefits for workers. Berman's organization opposes both and in fact opposes any minimum wage whatsoever.

- In 1992, Los Angeles Times business columnist Harry Bernstein noted that EPI was using "misleading studies" to help put a positive spin on rising unemployment. "The conservative EPI, financed mostly by low-wage companies such as hotels and restaurants, is issuing reports the titles of which alone could help put a bright face on the miserable job scene," Bernstein wrote. "The latest one is 'The Value of Part-Time Workers to the American Economy.'

- The Employment Policies Institute, in a 1994 R.J. Reynolds-drafted press release, predicted the loss of 2-3 million jobs if the Clinton Healthcare plan was enacted. The Clinton plan was to be funded through an additional federal tax on cigarettes. A 1997 internal Philip Morris presentation called indicates PM planned to "sponsor and participate" in the Employment Policies Institute to gain the organization's help in promoting PM's Accommodation Program, a strategy the company designed to fight smoking bans and preserve smoking in public places.

Berman & Company - Chief Administrative Officer
Berman & Company - Government Affairs Director
Guest Choice - Program Manager
Center for Consumer Freedom - Government Affairs Director
American Beverage Institute - Director of State Affairs
American Beverage Institute - Director of Legislative Affairs
American Beverage Institute - Spokeswoman
American Beverage Institute - Lobbyist
American Beverage Institute - Chief Administration Officer
American Beverage Licensees - Spokeswoman
Employment Policies Institute - Director of Policy Analysis
Employment Policies Institute - Spokeswoman
Employment Policies Institute - Economic Analyst
Employment Policies Institute - Senior Economic Analyst
Activist Cash - Senior Research Analyst
Center for Economic and Entrepreneurial Literacy - Senior Economic Analyst

Ms. Palin announced last week that she not only won't seek a second term as Alaska's governor, she's planning to leave office more than a year before her first term expires.

Mr. Crist announced in May that he won't seek a second term heading Florida's government, making him the state's first sitting governor to decline a re-election bid since the state constitution was changed in 1968 to allow two terms.

Hence we all got handed his tortured rationale for why he wants to bounce from Tallahassee to Washington and into the Senate seat Mel Martinez is vacating: It's about solving the real problems saddling Florida, which, wouldn't you know, happen to be flowing from the nation's capital.

Yeah, and Ms. Palin was equally convincing, saying she'll "make a positive difference and fight for all our children's future from outside the governor's office.

They don't set a lovely table — as Mr. Crist enjoys doing as governor — only to neglect seeing that the meal gets properly cooked and served. They don't say they'll champion kids' health care and education, preserve the environment and protect homeowners from predatory insurance practices but then run for cover as the problems involving them intensify. They don't take billions in stimulus cash from Washington but fail to strengthen the state budget's foundation so that it can withstand future economic slides. They don't add to the mess, allowing raids on state trust funds, and pretending that expanded gambling will solve the state's education mess. Leaders don't. But Mr. Crist did....

But we understand that with Mr. Crist, he's always looking to the next job. He's given up each of his statewide posts — education commissioner, attorney general and now, governor — after just one term to seek higher office.

That's Bunyan-sized ambition. But unfortunately it's also the mark of a quitter, one who's concerned that chronic problems he might not be able to solve could tarnish his smaller achievements.

And, as a consequence, block his path to the top.

Sore loserman

"Jeb Bush says GOP lost elections on tactics".

Crist "on his way to drowning Rubio,"

"The Florida economy may be in the dumps, but Charlie Crist's campaign fundraising machine is humming along."

Crist announced Thursday that in just 50 days he raised an eye-popping $4.3 million for his U.S. Senate campaign. That not only dwarfs the previous Florida U.S. Senate fundraising record set by Republican Mel Martinez -- $1.7-million in his first fundraising period in 2004 -- but it highlights the huge hurdles for Crist's Republican Senate rival Marco Rubio, who raised just $340,000 in the same period.

it's not clear how much of Crist's total can be spent in the GOP primary because the maximum campaign donation allowed is $2,400 per election. The Crist campaign had been pressing people to donate $4,800 -- or $9,600 per couple -- with half to be used in the general election.

But even if half of Crist's money must be held until after the primary, he's still on his way to drowning Rubio, the former state House speaker....

Rubio has challenged Crist to a series of 10 debates, but the governor declined, saying through a spokesman on June 22 that he was too busy governing Florida. That day Crist was in Washington raising campaign money.

"A two-bit way to run a budget"

The Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "2010 is an election year, and with so many elected officials reluctant to break their "no new taxes pledges" as they campaign for higher office, it remains to be seen how much headway they will make in addressing Florida's fiscal problems. If so, expect more spending cuts and more user fees. For the nation's fourth largest state, it may be politically expedient, but it's a two-bit way to run a budget." "Fee hikes key to Florida's new budget".

Orange going blue?

"Orange County Commissioner Linda Stewart leads a pack of potential contenders to follow Crotty" as Orange County Mayor. "Orlando area voters pan politicians in Realtors Association poll".

Charlie's "mission accomplished"

Paul Flemming: "In both the Seminole and the judicial-nominating case, Crist is the ultimate winner."

# The tribe has expanded gambling, and the Legislature this year passed an agreement — still in process, but nonetheless an agreement — to allow it. That wouldn't have been the case without Crist's move, and his loss in court.

# Crist now must make an appointment to the 5th District from a list he said he didn't like, though no one has said there aren't qualified candidates among those he must choose. Labarga, for instance, was on the original nominating list that the governor asked to be rejiggered to reflect greater gender and racial diversity. By his actions, Crist sought the appearance of diversity, or, the appearance of the desire for more diversity.

In both court cases, Supremes aside, Crist can legitimately declare mission accomplished.

Pathetic

"Read Crist’s lips: No new stimulus - probably".

Another RPOFer soft landing

"FAU President Frank Brogan, a former Florida lieutenant governor, has applied to be the next state university chancellor. He's considered a front-runner." "FAU chief seeks top college post".

Citizens

The Miami Herald editorial board: "As a rule, we like insurance-rate increases about as much as we like hurricanes -- not at all. However, the latest hike proposed by Citizens Property Insurance is necessary, and, in fairness, overdue." "Citizens' premium rate hike is necessary".

"Pointing fingers and playing dumb"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "It should not take a lawsuit for Miami-Dade County officials to toss out a local ordinance that has created a shantytown of sex offenders under the Julia Tuttle Causeway. Yet that's what the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida was forced to do on Thursday -- file a lawsuit -- after local and state officials spent the past couple of years pointing fingers and playing dumb." "Miami-Dade's sex-offender law must be changed".

"Save our Homes"

"An appeals court has ruled that the "Save our Homes" amendment that caps tax assessments on homesteaded property is constitutional. The 1st District Court of Appeal upheld a lower court ruling Wednesday that rejected a challenge by an Alabama couple who own a second home in the Florida Panhandle and claimed the provision was discriminatory." "Appeals court upholds Save Our Homes amendment".

High-speed rail "closer to reality than ever before"

"Left for dead nearly five years ago with little prospect for revival, the idea of a high-speed passenger train connecting Tampa and Orlando -- and eventually cities around the state -- is closer to reality than ever before." "Florida dream rides U.S. rail plan".

Looking for a federal handout

"Congressman Tom Rooney’s request of $43.6 million for Florida’s citrus industry has been included in the 2010 Agriculture Appropriations bill that is headed to the Senate. The request for the money — to pay for the Citrus Health Research Program — was the only one in the bill by the freshman Republican from Tequesta." "Rooney's request for $43.6 million for citrus industry money included in bill".

Big of 'em

"The VA has promised free treatment to veterans infected by improperly cleaned equipment used in colonoscopies. " "VA offers free care to veterans who might have been infected at hospitals in Miami, elsewhere".

Jeff Atwater on a roll

"$500k for Jeff Atwater's CFO campaign".

Hillsborough SOE

"Former state Rep. Sandy Murman is among the latest of 22 applicants vying for the job of Hillsborough County elections supervisor - and among the six whom Gov. Charlie Crist will interview personally for the position today." "Crist screening for elections job".

Invasive creatures

The Miami Herald editorial board:"As a Senate hearing so aptly pointed out Wednesday,"

the United States needs to take control of the exotic species that have invaded every region of the country. The pest du jour at the hearing was the Burmese python, which Sen. Bill Nelson wants banned from importing and pet store inventories.

In truth there are hundreds of invasive creatures threatening our native species -- everything from the zebra snails that plug up power-plant intake pipes in the Great Lakes to the glassy-winged sharpshooter, a bacteria-carrying insect that has caused nearly $40 million in losses in California's wine country.

In all, say scientists with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, nonnative species -- plant and animal -- cost the country $100 billion a year.

Whatever

"Rack up three crash-related tickets in three years and you'll be back behind the wheel -- for a driving test -- under a new Florida law that becomes effective Jan. 1." "Florida's worst drivers will have to retake driving test". See also "State's worst drivers will soon have to pass driver education class, driving test".

"Marathon fight"

"Swine flu isn't going away anytime soon. So states must prepare to vaccinate against it and cope with its consequences. State and local officials say they are getting prepared." "Florida, U.S. brace for marathon fight against swine flu".

State CFO Alex Sink said she wants to know why the state approved the arrangement a decade ago that permitted Stanford's Miami office to take deposits for the controversial investments now at the center of a massive federal fraud case.

''This is very troubling and should not have happened,'' said Sink, whose agency includes the Office of Financial Regulation. ``It just adds to a lot of the frustrations I've had over the lack of regulatory mentality.''

Though regulators for the Office of Financial Regulation said they are reviewing the matter, Sink said she doubts the agency that signed the deal should investigate itself.

Though the banking director who signed the agreement, Art Simon, is retired, at least one of the regulators who helped negotiate the terms, David Burgess, still works there.

Burgess could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Linda Charity, acting director of the Department of Financial Services, said her office has been investigating the special trust office set up by Stanford since 2007. ''I can tell you that we have been well aware of this and have been looking into since 2007,'' she said, adding that regulators took no action.

State Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, a former U.S. Treasury attorney who worked on international money laundering cases, said the state should impanel a grand jury.

Jebbie whines

Tucker Carlson genuflects: "Jeb Bush: The Future of the Republican Party".

RPOFer AG woes

"So far, even with other statewide races crowded with candidates, Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp is the only big-name Republican talking seriously about running in the Republican primary for attorney general. But not all Republicans are happy with the idea that Kottkamp would be the only contestant for the party's nomination to an office that many perceive as the state's second-most important."

"One name stirring interest is Holly Benson, head of the state Agency for Health Care Administration. Benson says she hasn't really thought about the race, but confirmed that people have talked to her about it and didn't deny she's interested." "Kottkamp challengers expected for AG nod".

Sansom

"A criminal investigation of former state House Speaker Ray Sansom has recovered e-mails that a state college failed to release as part of a public record requests from The Palm Beach Post." "More e-mails come to light in Sansom probe".

'Glades

"South Florida water managers are calling out the Obama administration over long-stalled Everglades restoration and are threatening to scrap a state and federal partnership aimed at saving the famed River of Grass. The South Florida Water Management District's board on Wednesday reacted angrily to another delay in a seven-year negotiation between the agency and federal government over a plan to split the multibillion-dollar costs for restoring water flows to the Everglades." "Water officials say delays could scrap federal Everglades deal".

Facebook rules

Joel Engelhardt: "Yes, there already has been an attorney general's opinion about what cities - not individual politicians - can and can't post on Facebook." "Politician's friend: Facebook".

Aronberg fundraiser screw up

"Democratic attorney general candidate Dave Aronberg says he barely knows an ex-con who arranged a fundraiser for him." "Attorney general candidate denies close ties to ex-con".

"Drug database could work against patients"

Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "'Once doctors know that there is a . . . database of controlled substances prescriptions that overzealous law enforcement will be scrutinizing to harass doctors, there may be no doctors left who are willing to treat chronic pain,' said U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, arguing in 2004 against a nationwide drug database. That should be a serious concern for Florida lawmakers, who represent a population that includes a large proportion of seniors -- who are, in turn, more likely to need pain relief and palliative care." "Pain and punishment".

"The city should honor its obligations"

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker

is calling for the city to renege on its contracts with the city's three unions — police, firefighters and the blue- and white-collar workers. He wants to save $2.5 million by forcing a wage freeze on the unions starting with the next fiscal year Oct. 1. To do so, Baker is ready to declare the city has a financial emergency. But the facts are that city officials signed those contracts and there is money in the bank to pay them. The city should honor its obligations.

Cities sue to stop "developer-relief act"

"A group of local governments, including several from South Florida, sued Gov. Charlie Crist and the Legislature on Wednesday, accusing the state of violating its constitution in passing a growth-management law that opponents bash as a developer-relief act. Crist signed the bill into law June 1 to the delight of builders and business groups." "Local governments sue over Florida's new growth-management law". See also "Lee County joins suit against state".

"Crist was wrong"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Crist was wrong to sign a bill that could put decisions about the public's most precious resource [water] out of public view." "Watered down authority".

10 percent increase

"Most South Florida homeowners covered by the state-run insurance company will see a 10 percent increase in their premiums next year, but a lucky few could wind up with rate cuts." "Citizens Insurance premiums going up for most in South Florida". See also "Citizens Insurance OKs 10-percent rate hike" and "Citizens' rate shift could be up, down".

Dyer

"Recession stalls agenda, but Mayor Dyer stays optimistic".

Appointment fight

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "The court ruled Crist does not have the authority to demand new nominees. It has said in the past, and affirmed in this opinion, that the purpose of the nominating commissions is to judge the qualifications of applicants. It is a restraint on the governor's appointment power." "Court curbs Crist's power".

"20 in all" seek to replace Busansky

"Former Hillsborough County Superintendent of Schools Earl Lennard has joined the pool of applicants, now 20 in all, seeking the post of elections supervisor. Since retiring from the school superintendent's job, Lennard, a Republican, has flirted with entering politics ... Another new applicant is Deborah Cope, a local Democratic Party activist, information technology consultant and former candidate for the state Legislature." "Ex-school executive wants elections job".

Python fever

"Sen. Bill Nelson told a congressional panel that the Burmese python, a killer pet thriving in the Everglades, tops a long list of invasive species spreading across the country." "South Florida's killer pythons capture U.S. attention". See also "Nelson urges federal ban on Burmese python following death of 2-year-old".

Nobody expected the former state House speaker from Miami to match Crist in fundraising, but Rubio's announcement Tuesday that he raised just $340,000 had Republicans questioning his ability to compete.

''It's hard to call him credible when he only raised that much in his first quarter. . . . No candidate wins if they're outraised 10 to one,'' said Republican consultant Jamie Miller of Sarasota. ...

The actual fundraising reports are not due until next week, and the Crist campaign on Tuesday did not release its campaign finance numbers or comment on Rubio's figures. Crist allies say he is likely to raise about $3 million in his first quarter as a U.S. Senate candidate, but even that may be a low-ball for a sitting governor who has been raising money at a breakneck pace.

Rubio, 38, has been seen as a wild card in a Republican primary that many national conservatives are touting as a contest for the heart and soul of the Republican Party. Early polls show the more moderate Crist is the heavy favorite to win the nomination and general election, but he antagonized many conservative activists for enthusiastically supporting President Obama's economic stimulus package.

Influential anti-tax groups including the Club for Growth and Americans for Tax Reform have been heaping praise on Rubio ...

''He's got to raise a lot more to make the race something he can win....'' Keating said. ``If he can get to the $4- to $5-million range, then I think it's a doable race. I don't know if he's on track or not.''

The Rubio campaign noted that nearly 2,500 people from all 50 states donated to Rubio's campaign -- including $144,000 online -- and most were small donors who can give again and again before hitting the maximum contribution of $2,400. ...

At this point in the 2004 Republican Senate primary, Mel Martinez raised $1.7 million, then-U.S. Rep. Mark Foley raised more than $700,000, Larry Klayman raised $673,000 and Bill McCollum raised $330,000.

Maddox jumps into Ag race

"Scott Maddox, who was Tallahassee's youngest city commissioner in 1993 when he was elected at 24, and who ended his tenure as Florida Democratic Party chairman under a financial cloud, is getting back into politics." "Maddox to run for Cabinet spot". See also "Scott Maddox running for agriculture commissioner".

"Investigate state's role in huge investment swindle"

The Miami Herald editorial board calls for a "state grand jury armed with subpoena power ... to find out why Mr. Stanford and his operation were allowed to flourish while fortunes vanished and regulators slept."

The state's role in the operation of accused swindler Allen Stanford stinks. As reported in a detailed story in this newspaper on Sunday, Florida regulators allowed Mr. Stanford to set up a dubious, one-of-a-kind office to handle vast investments, but never bothered to find out what he was doing with the money or whether he was playing by the rules. ...

If they had actually performed due diligence -- in other words, done their job -- they might have caught Mr. Stanford, or at least closed his shop, before he managed to get away with the nearly $7 billion that prosecutors say he unlawfully diverted. In fact, if they had possessed even a slight regard for the wellbeing of potential customers, they would not have given Mr. Stanford a clean bill of health to begin with. ...

Even the routine practices of the office should have set off multiple alarm bells. The Herald found that state regulators in 2001 duly noted that local documents recording the sale of certificates of deposit -- the amounts of money the office raked in -- would be burned after the figures were shipped to an office in Antigua, famous for its banking secrecy. And no one became suspicious? Amazing.

Dem CFO quandry

"Ted Deutch and Jeremy Ring: These two South Florida Democratic senators have been bandied about as potential candidates for CFO. Both could be well suited for the job. Deutch, 43, has been a major player on insurance issues since entering the Legislature in 2006. Also, his signature achievement (aside from the cigarette tax) came in the financial sector: He led the fight to divest state investments from terrorism-sponsoring states Iran and Sudan. Ring, 38, is a former executive at Yahoo! who is well-versed in financial matters. Last year, he was behind a successful bill that allowed the state to invest $2 billion from its financial portfolio into biotech firms. Ring is wealthy and could self-finance, in part, a statewide campaign." "South Florida legislators may be in running for state's chief financial officer, attorney general". See also "Democrats struggle to find a CFO candidate".

Who elected this genius?

"Gov. Crist urges caution during lightning storms".

PlaneGate: the missing words

"Top Florida officials misused state resources to travel between the capital and their homes, costing taxpayers at least $51,000 and raising potential IRS violations, according to state investigators' findings that were removed from a final auditor's report."

Tallahassee lawyer Jose Blas Lorenzo Jr. also filed an ethics complaint Monday accusing Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink of ''abusive, unauthorized use of state aircraft'' following reports by the Herald/Times and other news organizations.

Sink, along with Attorney General Bill McCollum and Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, spent $51,000 of taxpayer money from July 1, 2008, through Feb. 15, 2009, commuting to their homes or taking ''unnecessary legs during business trips,'' according to the Department of Management Services' March 3 audit. ...

Auditor Sandra Lipner wrote on March 4 that any state officials who used the state plane to transport "between the seat of government and a residence located outside of Tallahassee would appear to be a misuse of state resources.''

That statement, and her findings relating to travel by Kottkamp, Sink and McCollum, were not included in the final report.

Castor leads the way

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "With health care reform the rage in Washington, Congresswoman Kathy Castor may have her best shot at helping to stem the doctor shortage facing Florida in the not-too-distant future. The Tampa representative wants to make sure the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act is included in the reforms Congress debates." "A move in Washington to cure doctor shortage".

Race against Mica getting mighty crowded

"Nine-term Republican U.S. Rep. John Mica has additional company in his 2010 reelection bid."

Palm Coast Democrat Heather Beaven, a Navy veteran and chief executive of an education foundation, entered the race this week. Beaven, 40, had campaign kickoff events scheduled Tuesday in Flagler County. ...

The race for the congressional 7th District appears to be a crowded one. Also in it are Faye Armitage, a Fruit Cove Democrat who lost to Mica of Winter Park last fall; Peter Silva, a St. Augustine Democrat; and no-party-affiliated Stephen Bacon of DeBary.

Charlie's "fake anthrax powder" scare

"Without charging any suspects, state police closed an investigation into a threatening letter that contained a fake anthrax powder that was sent last August to Gov. Charlie Crist." "Police drop case of Crist 'anthrax' letter".

"A supreme smackdown"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "A unanimous Florida Supreme Court has delivered this Civics 101 lesson to Gov. Charlie Crist: The state constitution means what it says. We hope he was taking notes." "A supreme Civics 101 lesson served to Gov. Charlie Crist".

"Dubious property-tax break"

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "Three years ago Florida lawmakers created a dubious property-tax break for the Holy Land Experience. For tax purposes, theme park in Orlando is considered a church, not a business. That saves it $300,000 a year." "Holy tax break".

Never ending story

Now Jebbie's an expert on immigration

A bipartisan task force will recommend today that the United States overhaul its immigration system in response to national security concerns, saying that the country should end strict quotas on work-based immigrant visas to maintain its scientific, technological and military edge.

"The continued failure to devise and implement a sound and sustainable immigration policy threatens to weaken America's economy, to jeopardize its diplomacy, and to imperil its national security," concluded an independent Council on Foreign Relations panel, co-chaired by former Florida governor Jeb Bush (R) and former Clinton White House chief of staff Thomas V. "Mack" McLarty III.

Citizens

"Citizens Property Insurance leaders today will decide how it prefers to set new rates while questions remain about who has the final word and if any option will end up in court." "Citizens Insurance meeting to determine how to set rates".

Hate crime

The Miami Herald editorial board: "The Southern Poverty Law Center, for instance, has documented a staggering 926 hate groups operating in the United states. That's more than a 50 percent increase since 2000. ... The FBI's hate crime statistics for 2007, the last year figures are available, noted 1,477 hate crimes motivated by religious bias." "South Florida must do more to battle hate". Related: "Advocates push to add attacks on homeless to Florida hate crimes law".

"Private deportation"? Huh?

"Opening arguments are expected to begin Tuesday in the civil trial surrounding the case of a brain-damaged Guatemalan immigrant privately deported by Martin Memorial Hospital."

Hospital officials won approval in 2003 from Treasure Coast Circuit Judge John Fennelly to privately deport Jimenez. Jimenez had cost the hospital more than $1.5 million, officials there said -- costs they paid largely without government help because Jimenez was an undocumented immigrant. ...

An appeals court later ruled that Fennelly did not have authority to approve the hospital's request, clearing the way for Gaspar to file a lawsuit against the hospital for false imprisonment.

By then Jimenez had been kicked out of two hospitals in Guatemala and had moved to a remote village, where his attorneys say he lives today with virtually no medical care.

Rail again?

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "After a quarter-century of effort, Florida is closer than ever to building high-speed rail. This week, the state will begin the process of applying for federal money to build the first leg of the system, from Tampa to Orlando. Federal officials say Florida has a competitive edge; it is more ready to build than almost any other state. It is crucial that Florida’s congressional delegation sends a positive message in Washington. " "Get on board for high-speed rail".

WD

"Former Senate President W.D. Childers, finished with his prison sentence but still fighting to overturn a bribery conviction, will get a hearing from a federal appeals court late this year." "Childers granted appeal hearing".

Vasilinda on energy policy

Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, who represents District 9 in the Florida House of Representatives, writes this morning in The Tallahassee Democrat that"Energy policy must change".

Our "green governor"

Mark Lane: "Crist finally gave up his last claims on being "the green governor" last week. He signed into law a bill that drastically reduces the ability of water management boards to, you know, manage water."

The districts' executive directors now will have sole authority to issue permits for large-scale water consumption and wetlands destruction. The boards will be bystanders.

Unless, of course, some executive director makes the wild and crazy move of saying "no" to a developer. Then, boards could hear appeals.

Entrepreneur flees

"Medicare fraud suspect from Miami-Dade flees country".

Impact fees

"Not surprisingly, anti-impact-fee sentiment has been intense in states such as California and Florida where the housing market has tanked."

In Florida, many local governments have suspended impact fees - sometimes to standing ovations from developers and real-estate agents at commission meetings. Meantime, lawmakers just passed laws to make it easier for developers to fight fees before a judge.

Some counter, however, that undermining impact fees could mean resources for roads, schools and other services will be stretched thin.

Existing taxpayers may eventually have to pony up increased taxes to cover newcomers' share, said Charles Pattison, president of 1,000 Friends of Florida, a Tallahassee-based advocacy group that promotes responsible development policies.

"You're also going to suspend your quality of life," Pattison said. "In Florida, that's become one of the bigger issues: Does growth pay for itself?"

Assault weapons

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Assault weapons turn mean streets into killing fields". "Ban assault weapons".

Except in Florida, the "partisans" were right

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "It's easy to compare the prolonged Minnesota Senate race to the prolonged 2000 presidential election. Both were determined by incredibly small margins after lengthy recounts. In both cases, partisans concluded that an election had been stolen." "Stolen? No, properly decided".

The best the RPOFers can do?

"State Sen. Victor Crist and former Hillsborough County Commissioner Chris Hart III are among the latest Bay-area residents to file applications for the post of Hillsborough County supervisor of elections." "Elections job draws Crist, Hart".

Some call it extortion

Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Forfeiture has its place in law enforcement. But it's an invitation to abuse -- and yes, extortion. There's a solution. Property may be seized or impounded, but only when a case is proven. Money-making has no place in forfeiture. Nor does the use of forfeiture as a means of punishing intimidation by police agencies who, at last check, are neither judges nor juries of individuals' criminal behavior, yet are empowered to act like it with the power of forfeiture."

Kevin Eugene Jones, a resident of Maryland, was on Interstate 4 near Daytona Beach in March when the Florida Highway Patrol says it clocked him going 141 mph on a motorcycle, charged him with fleeing and reckless driving and confiscated his motorcycle. He hasn't been convicted on the fleeing charge, a felony. But, to get his motorcycle back, he'll have to pay the highway patrol 70 percent of the bike's blue book value.

Police agencies call it forfeiture. Jones calls it extortion. ...

Volusia County and Florida have been at the center of the controversy. Former Volusia County Sheriff Bob Vogel used forfeiture to add $8 million to his department's coffers after his election in 1988. People carrying more than $100 were presumed guilty of drug trafficking. Cash was confiscated from 83 percent of the drivers Vogel's task force arrested, even though just 19 percent were charged with crimes and far fewer were actually convicted. A federal investigation ended what had amounted to highway robbery. More recently, small local governments such as Palm Bay have passed city ordinances enabling police to forfeit cars for a series of offenses. Palm Bay considered forfeiting vehicles that made too much noise until pressure from the American Civil Liberties Union compelled council members to amend the ordinance.

Something's gotta give

"From a mysterious fungus attacking bats in the Northeast to the emergence of Burmese pythons in Florida, native wildlife is facing new threats throughout the country." "Senate hearing focuses on threats to wildlife". See also "8-foot alligator captured in South Florida pool".

The Tampa Tribune editors: "Nix slithery import". Related: "Senate hearing focuses on threats to wildlife" and "Florida snake tragedy could aid Nelson".

'Ya reckon?

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Gov. Charlie Crist seems to be more concerned with campaign contributions than protecting citizens' rights and the state's resources." "Crist crumbles on tainted water bill".

Sarah, Charlie and Mike ...

... three peas in a pod.

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Sarah Palin, Charlie Crist and Mike Sanford don't make good advertisements for the GOP."

Crist is more moderate and leads one of the country's biggest states. His leadership out of this economic crisis, with the enthusiastic support of his state and national parties, could have boosted the Republican brand.

But not only did the Florida House in the most recent session refuse for ideological reasons to accept a much-needed $444 million boost for the state's unemployed, not a single Republican member of Congress from Florida voted for the stimulus package. As a result, as The Post reported Sunday, the state did not have any clout when it tried to change the formula for dividing stimulus money to give Florida a more favorable share.

Imagine the concessions Florida could have received if the state's Republican delegation had offered a significant number of GOP votes.

Gov. Crist did support the stimulus, but he had his own agenda. The stimulus brings more money to Florida for the next two years, which just happens to coincide with the period for which he will remain as governor. A courageous, competent governor would have run again to prove that he can administer a big, important state when a federal bailout no longer is available to prop up the budget.

This helps explain Florida's stim problem

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board, perhaps unintentionally, takes care of TaxWatch's transparent anti-Obama whining (see Stim cash and TaxWatch wingnuttery) in this editorial today:

Florida has never been awfully competent at making the most of federal matching dollars, leaving its share on the table because it refuses to meet the local/state requirements particularly in transportation and health care.

Florida had to mount a strong political appeal to get education stimulus dollars because for the last three years the state hadn't been funding education sufficiently to get the federal money without a waiver, which it got — eventually.

In addition, Republicans in the Florida Legislature declined $444 million in stimulus money that was to go for unemployment benefits even as Gov. Charlie Crist was embracing the recovery program as a way to help Florida ease over and through its economic travails.

Florida has always had a love-hate relationship with Washington and, despite a bipartisan effort by Florida Senators Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez to get a funding formula that would include unemployment and foreclosure rates and work better for this state, their effort was too little, too late.

Our state will no doubt benefit from the federal package, but this distribution inequity shows once again that we need to work on a broader, more equitable state tax structure that doesn't rely on either using up trust funds, as we have, or federal relief to get us through difficult times.

Thank you Mr. Obama

The Miami Herald editorial board: " Federal stimulus money is paying for more than roads and bridges during this economic downturn. Ecological projects are part of the mix -- and that bodes well for Florida. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration received $167 million in February from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and Florida will get a fair share of that money." "Federal stimulus money for Florida's reefs a sound investment".

Meek

"Miami Congressman Kendrick Meek wound up a holiday weekend Panhandle tour Monday with a reminder that, even in a long-distance U.S. Senate race, all politics is local." "Meek shakes hands, collects signatures in Panhandle". See also "Updated: Meek concludes Panhandle swing in Tallahassee tonight".

Everyone's a Congressman

"Third-term state Rep. Dorothy Hukill wants to become a first-term congresswoman. Hukill, a Port Orange Republican, announced Monday she will challenge U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas for the 24th District seat in 2010." "Hukill joins race for Kosmas' seat".

Grayson

As the potential RPOFer candidates line up, Mike Thomas is "pulling for Alan Grayson vs. Rich Crotty. It would be one of the most brutal, most followed congressional campaigns in the country."

Thomas begins with these kind words (which he was for some reason never able to utter about Jeb Bush)

Grayson is ruthless, self-absorbed, without remorse and deeply in love with being Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando.

I'd take on Hannibal Lecter at dinner before I'd take him on in a political race.

I can see him peeling Crotty's thin skin off ever so slowly, and then enjoying his liver with fava beans and a nice Chianti.

The difference between the two is that when you attack Crotty, he takes it personally. Grayson is unencumbered by such emotions. He began campaigning for re-election the day he was elected. All he needed was an opponent.

And when Crotty emerged as a possibility, he wasted no time going after him. Last month Grayson sent a seven-page letter to the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority, attacking a toll increase that Crotty supported. He liberally cited a grand-jury report that referred to a "culture of corruption" at the authority. He called on Crotty to return $62,900 in campaign contributions "extorted" from authority vendors.

If Crotty runs, that report would be quoted more often than the Bible at the First Baptist Church of Orlando.

Democrats already are referring to him as "Corrupt Crotty."

Crotty did benefit from a sleazy relationship that has existed for decades in Florida between politically connected authority boards and campaign fundraising. But there is no proof he used his position to twist arms or extort money

contemplating the strategy of creating a candidate from scratch: House Speaker Larry Cretul.

He has the personality of a plant. He fell into the speaker job because his predecessor resigned in scandal [ahem, he was indicted], and his home county of Marion only contains 10 percent of the potential voters. He is a sure loser, which shows how nervous Republicans are about this race.

Silly

"More proof that even though the 2010 gubernatorial election is 16 months away, the silly season is in full swing." "Web parody takes aim at Sink".

The Sansom gang

"Newly disclosed e-mails show that developer Jay Odom had an interest in leasing property from Northwest Florida State College. Odom, state Rep. Ray Sansom and college president Bob Richburg were recently indicted for conspiring to use state funds to build a college facility at Destin Airport that would double as a hangar. All are charged with felony misconduct, and Sansom and Richburg also have been charged with perjury." "New e-mails outline Odom's involvement".

The usual suspects

The AP doesn't exactly tell the whole story in this piece about the Miami cheerleaders for the recent military coup in the Honduras: "More than two hundred Hondurans lifted candles, waived their blue and white flags and chanted 'Zelaya must go,' outside the Central American country's consulate in a show of support for their interim government. ... Zelaya was elected as a centrist but moved closer to Chavez. He was ousted [in a military coup] hours before a referendum on whether to open the constitution to changes."

They were joined by the usual - Batista was a fine man - crowd: "The twilight rally Monday on the edge of Miami's Little Havana was also studded with supporters from Cuba and Venezuela." "Miami protesters favor new Honduran gov".

Ahem, ... folks ... Zelaya is already gone, via a military coup recently condemned by the UN: "A one-page [United Nations] resolution — sponsored by countries often at loggerheads, including the United States and Venezuela — passed by acclamation after sustained applause in the 192-member body. It condemned Mr. Zelaya’s removal as a coup and demanded his 'immediate and unconditional restoration' as president." "Miami protesters favor new Honduran gov".

More from the military coups are kewl crowd: "Hold elections in August instead".

PlaneGate

The Tampa Tribune editorial board weighs in: "Similarly, McCollum has spent $59,597 to have an empty plane pick him up or drop him off at Sanford, near his Longwood home. Now some pundits are up in arms, calling for a law to make it clear state officials can't use state planes for commuting to Tallahassee. Their sense of outrage seems a trifle phony." "Politicians on the fly".

"Euphoria fades"

"A year later, U.S. Sugar deal euphoria fades".

Betty Castor

"Betty Castor, one of Tampa's best-known names in education and politics, is starting a new life chapter after leaving her position as director of the Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions at the University of South Florida. Castor wants to start her own education foundation and to work in East Africa, where her teaching career started some 40 years ago." "Betty Castor turning focus back to education, politics".

Just warming up

"Global warming forecast shows potential problems for Florida".

Insurance veto

Kevin McCarty: "Since Gov. Charlie Crist's veto of House Bill 1171, there has been considerable media coverage and commentary on the bill, its veto, and the Florida property insurance market in general. Unfortunately, a substantial amount of the commentary has included incomplete or incorrect information." "Insurance veto was to ease consumer pain".

Not "following the rules"

"A new state study found that child-welfare doctors and case workers aren't following the rules when it comes to the drugging of 6- and 7-year-olds in state care." "System faulted in boy's death in foster care".

Of the 40 Florida senators who began the year, 34 have served in the House previously. Of the 120-member House, only two served in the Legislature before they began their time in Tallahassee.

Spurred by the eight-year sprint, the trend is only accelerating. With 20 Senate seats up for grabs in 2010, at least 18 former lawmakers are in the running and more are expected to join. With Senate terms running as long as 10 years because of clever shifting of the timing of elections, many lawmakers in the "eight is enough" era will serve 18 years or more.

Laff riot

Michael Peltier: "Florida’s Speaker of the House [(would-be Congressman Larry Cretul, R-Ocala)] says lawmakers can be more efficient in how they handle the state’s business and can spend less time — and taxpayer money — in the process." "House leader pledges more efficient session".

Charlie on the campaign trail

Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "In one swoopy signature, Gov. Charlie Crist muddied his environmental and open-government credentials last Tuesday by signing a bill that endangers Florida's fragile water supply and shuts the public out of crucial growth-management decisions."

Crist can't claim ignorance. His office received 4,243 e-mails and letters asking for a veto, and only 70 in support of the legislation. And he hinted at a veto for weeks, saying he was "troubled" by provisions that will lead to crucial water-supply decisions being made by executive directors of water-management boards, rather than the districts' appointed governing boards.

Sink unsuccessful with the "'what, me worry?' crowd"

The Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "In several other states, investment agencies are overseen by boards of nine or more members. Sink, to her credit, acknowledged last year that the current system of leaving just three Cabinet members as trustees of the SBA is inadequate. She proposed expanding the agency's board to incorporate investment and financial experts. Such a change would require legislation and a constitutional amendment. But so far, the CFO hasn't persuaded the 'what, me worry?' crowd in the Legislature to go along." "Pension system needs better oversight.".

"Jeb!" and the "unqualified crony" thing

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "A Jeb Bush-era change gives the governor effective control of all nine members of every nominating commission. If the governor could ignore the commission, he could hold out for an unqualified crony." "Crist lost, but state gained".

Florida's infant mortality rate on the rise

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "If the death of a baby is heartbreaking, then the untimely deaths of hundreds of babies in Florida each year ought to inspire a lot more than just hand-wringing."

Particularly if death is a more likely outcome simply because of the skin the child is in. It's a festering issue in Florida — where a black baby is more than twice as likely to die as a white baby, a gap that's been increasing since 1970. It's a reeking disparity, but one that's finally being confronted with fresh commitment.

Last year, the state Department of Health's Office of Minority Health adopted the national "A Healthy Baby Begins With You" campaign, with an eye to reducing the state's shameful overall toll of 7.5 deaths per 1,000 live births — higher than the national average of 6.8.

That's something, at least. But it's going to take more than billboards and community fairs to get at such an intractable problem in a state where rising black infant mortality rates between 2000 and 2004 contrasted with a nationwide drop.

Wage Seizure

"While bankruptcy rates vary for many reasons, the five states that prohibit or strongly limit wage seizures - North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Florida and Texas - all have drastically lower rates than their neighbors, with particularly striking differences along borders, where economic conditions are similar but bankruptcy rates are not."

South Carolina's bankruptcy rate is almost one-quarter that of Georgia's; Pennsylvania has half the rate of Ohio; North Carolina has about one-third the rate of Tennessee; Texas has a smaller rate than all its neighbors; and Florida has just about half the rates of Georgia and Alabama.

The Carolinas, Pennsylvania and Texas prohibit wage garnishment, except in special circumstances such as unpaid taxes or child support. Florida prohibits garnishing wages from the head of a household.

The nationwide bankruptcy rate is 42 percent higher than the rate in those five states.

"Weird"

Troxler: "If you think it's weird in Florida now, just wait".

"Citizens Property Insurance faces tough fiscal choices"

"The Citizens Property Insurance board will decide Wednesday how to move toward greater financial soundness, including a proposal to reject rate cuts for policyholders to get there faster and cost some ratepayers thousands in cheaper premiums." "State-run Citizens Property Insurance may reject rate cuts".

"Under the laws of political reality ..."

George Bennett: "Under Florida's Truth in Millage law, a 15 percent property tax-rate hike proposed by Palm Beach County Administrator Bob Weisman for the coming year is not a countywide tax increase. That's because real estate values have plummeted and the higher rate would leave revenues relatively flat. Under the laws of political reality, however, bumping the rate from the current $3.78 to Weisman's $4.34 per $1,000 of appraised value would irk many homesteaders - the county's core voting bloc - when they see double-digit increases in their tax bills." "Tax-rate puzzle perplexes wary Palm Beach County officials".

Years before his banking empire was shut down in a massive fraud case, Allen Stanford swept into Florida with a bold plan: entice Latin Americans to pour millions into his ventures -- in secrecy.

From a bayfront office in Miami in 1998, he planned to sell investments to customers and send their money to Antigua.

But to pull it off, he needed unprecedented help from an unlikely ally: The state of Florida would have to grant him the right to move vast amounts of money offshore -- without reporting a penny to regulators.

He got it.

The new company was also allowed to sell hundreds of millions in bank notes without allowing regulators to check for fraud.

Over the next decade, the Miami office was among Stanford's busiest in the sale of controversial investments now at the heart of the federal government's sweeping fraud case against Stanford and his lieutenants....

Represented by a powerful Florida law firm, Stanford got approval to create the first company of its kind: a foreign trust office that could bypass regulators, according to records obtained by The Miami Herald.

Andrew Stoltmann, an adjunct professor of securities at Northwestern University, said the state failed by not performing routine examinations.

''You have to put yourself in a position to at least try to catch people committing fraud,'' said Stoltmann, who practices securities law in Chicago

Where's Jeff?

"The race for Florida attorney general may be one of the hottest contests in 2010, but on Independence Day, the presumed Republican frontrunner has yet to step in the ring." "Kottkamp has yet to enter AG race".

"'Reckless, out-of-control expansion of government'"?

Bill March:

In Florida, the Republican U.S. Senate primary sums up the opposing views.

Gov. Charlie Crist endorsed Obama's stimulus package, saying it would help government meet the needs of Floridians. His opponent, former House Speaker Marco Rubio, calls it a "reckless, out-of-control expansion of government."

"Americans understand that constitutional limits on government involvement in our lives and economy are the foundation of our prosperity," Rubio said. "They understand that government has never created enduring jobs or prosperity."

But even Rubio softens his rhetoric to take note that voters are mostly approving Obama's performance and giving his program a chance.

"We all agree that when government can help, it should help," he said.

A big tent

"South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford and Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer have left the state and are spending their holiday weekend in Florida." "SC gov, lt. gov both head to Fla. for holiday".

How many idiots ...

... can you fit in a phone booth: In Brevard County,

About 3,000 opponents collectively criticized the current administration as a free-spending government that is leading the nation with a socialist agenda.

Rebecca O'Dell Townsend, a St. Petersburg lawyer, told the crowd they cannot be asleep any more to the government turning toward socialism.

"Socialism is immoral and illegal because it is illegal under our Constitution," she said....

Virginia Heard, a grandmother from Cocoa Beach, carried a sign: "If you are not outraged you're not paying taxes." The reverse side said: "Charlie Crist -- A tax and spend socialist."

A stand offered "tax free tea," and there were tables containing petitions and fliers. They held signs with slogans such as "American, Not Socialist," "Don't tax me, bro" and "R.I.P. GM. Murdered by bailout."

The protest featured musical performances and a series of guest speakers, including 11-year-old Sara Warmack, whose speech on America's freedom has garnered more than 3,700 views on You Tube.

PlaneGate

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board think it "is probably time for a review of the rules governing use of state aircraft for statewide elected officials — the governor, lieutenant governor and three Cabinet officers."

Going forward, use of state aircraft should acknowledge that whereas top state officials once moved themselves and their families to Tallahassee to live while they were in office, sometimes for decades, today's culture is different. Spouses often have their own professions or jobs and home base for the children is often outside the capital city.

And even if the Tallahassee regional airport offered more frequent and convenient in-state flights, statewide officials who are obliged to travel around Florida would not find commercial flights to be efficient use of their time. These jobs are not easily defined by office hours or even weekdays, and make demands 24/7.

We're not making excuses for public officials who knowingly have allowed family to slip onto a state plane, perhaps thinking it wouldn't be noticed or really cost anything extra. They need to follow the rules as now written, which demand an accounting of who travels when and where and requires officials to pay out of personal funds for anything beyond their own official travel.

"Unsavory inner workings"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Some of the unsavory inner workings of how things get done in Miami and Miami-Dade County were detailed in a closed corruption probe of Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones and a prosecutor's report with accusations of kickbacks to former Miami-Dade Commissioner Barbara Carey-Shuler." "End pay to play".

Courtesy of our education Governor

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "[A] solid third of the state's high schools moped over their D's and F's. That's a 22 percent jump over last year. ... considering that high school is the launch pad where tomorrow's adults make choices and chart their futures, it's fair to say that Florida no longer can tolerate failing high schools that hamstring graduates who need to compete in an increasingly nimble and global society. Reasons for this shameful showing — 44 high schools across the state got F's — are legion."

No surprise, though, that the Sentinel editors

side with advocates such as the Foundation for Florida's Future, launched by former Gov. Jeb Bush... .

Entrepreneurial spirit

The Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "Last month, the U.S. Department of Justice busted a Medicare fraud ring in Miami, indicting eight suspects who allegedly cheated the government out of $30 million."

South Florida, with more than 700,000 Medicare beneficiaries and a large immigrant population, is Scam Central.

Medicare lost $800 million to fraud in South Florida last year. "It's certainly an epidemic problem in Miami," said deputy chief Kirk Ogrosky, head of the Justice Department's criminal health-care fraud division. "When you have people, in some of our cases, that come from countries that have operated under socialist systems where they're used to taking advantage of the government and to the government providing benefits, there's a lot of fraud."

Somehow I suspect the swells will dig deep ...

... and find some spare cash to share with our bright eyed candidates.

Adam Smith

We've seen the grim unemployment and foreclosure numbers for Florida. Now we're about to see another telling gauge about the state of Florida's economy: campaign fundraising reports.

Tri-Rail

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "In the end, Tri-Rail blinked." "Buying a ticket to oblivion".

Insurance veto

Rep. Bill Proctor, chancellor of Flagler College and a Republican representing District 20 in the state House, writes in the The Tallahassee Democrat that "Crist was wrong on insurance veto".

Same old, same old

The Tampa Tribune editorial board wants Florida to repeat the same, failed economic policies of the past:

The state counts on sales taxes paid by tourists to help pay the state's bills, so a shortage of tourists hurts the state budget as well as the tourist industry's motels, restaurants and attractions.

The Leroy Collins Institute has warned that it's not just tourism that is disappointing. Florida's appeal to young, highly skilled workers also is eroding as other states offer cheaper housing and better education.

It will take more good jobs to attract the creative class, but the leisure class is an easier target. With a number of trends working against Florida, it makes sense to try some fresh ideas to encourage tourism and attract semi-permanent visitors, especially those with plenty of money.

"The group-hug issue of Florida politics"

Randy Schultz: "In Washington's polarized times, a remarkable thing happened last week."

Both of Florida's senators - one Democrat and one Republican - and 22 of the state's 25 House members - 12 Republicans and all 10 Democrats - signed a letter to the congressional leadership agreeing on the same issue. They don't want drilling in federal waters close to Florida's beaches.

The Washington political climate always can treat bipartisanship harshly, but conditions have been especially bad. President Obama's stimulus bill got three Republican votes, all of them in the Senate. The climate-change bill passed the House by just five votes, and the GOP promptly targeted the eight Republicans who voted yes.

Opposition to oil and gas drilling, though, remains the group-hug issue of Florida politics. Ander Crenshaw, the country-club Republican congressman from Jacksonville, and Robert Wexler, the South Florida Democrat whom Bill O'Reilly uses when he needs a ratings boost, signed the letter. So did Corinne Brown, the far-lefty from Jacksonville, and Lincoln Diaz-Balart, the far-righty from Miami.

It was a crafty letter. The best reason to keep drilling far from the Florida coast is to protect the Gulf Coast beaches that drive tourism that produces the sales-tax revenue that drives Florida's economy. Last fall, however, the Democratic leadership in Congress caved to the "Drill, baby, drill" crowd and removed most bans on offshore drilling.

Two drilling battles lie ahead for Florida. First is this one in Congress, over the area up to where Florida has jurisdiction - 10 miles out. Next year in Tallahassee will come a push for the state to issue leases in Florida waters, between 10 miles and 3 miles from shore. The claim will be the same: Florida can make America energy independent.

Great. And all Florida has to do is become Texas, or Louisiana or maybe New Jersey. No deal. The hype is bogus. But the threat is real.

What's a "Haridopolos"?

"The floodgates of support have opened wide for state Sen. Mike Haridopolos, who last week witnessed a procession of praise from former GOP rivals for the 2010-12 Senate presidency." "Hand it to Haridopolos: He's got party backing".

Smart guy:

Haridopolos is paid about $31,000 as a state lawmaker. At [his other government gig at] UF, he makes more than all but eight of the 41 political science faculty and staff members. His $75,000 salary is $5,000 higher than his predecessor, who had a doctorate and a higher-ranking title.

Haridopolos is seeking his doctorate at Florida State University, expecting to finish his dissertation in May about the rise of the Republican Party in Florida. Before teaching at UF, he worked at Brevard Community College.

In his last four years there, he was paid a $38,000 salary for writing a book [sic] on the state's legislative history. He said he has finally finished the book."UF considered boosting Haridopolos' $75,000 salary".

It seem's Mikey's a bit of a hypocrite: "Haridopolos fights government spending, takes government salaries ...".

He also seems to have a problem with writer's block: "Haridopolos was a Brevard Community College instructor. And for the past four years, his $38,000 salary didn't require teaching, only that he write a book, still unpublished, about his political experiences and legislative history called Florida Legislative History and Processes." More on the book deal: "Haridopolos book deal unusual, unpublished".

Mikey also seems to have a problem remembering where he goes to school: "State Sen. Mike Haridopolos, responding to his controversial hiring at the University of Florida, said ... that he was working toward a Ph.D. in history at the University of Arkansas. ... But officials at the University of Arkansas said Wednesday that Haridopolos hasn't been enrolled there since 2000." "Haridopolos not enrolled since 2000, University of Arkansas says".

That's our 2010-12 Senate President?

Stim cash and TaxWatch wingnuttery

"Floridians have received less federal stimulus money than any of their fellow Americans, despite an unemployment rate here that ranks among the highest in the country and a budget crisis that few states can match. 'It just shows how inept Florida's government officials are,' Florida TaxWatch President Dominic Calabro said."

Although that may be true, Mr. Calabro can't help but inject a bit 'o wingnuttery into the conversation:

"Relying on Washington has always been a bad deal for Florida."

"Florida ranks last in money received per person from the stimulus package".

Washington "has always been a bad deal for Florida"? Oh really?

It is no secret that Mr. Calabro and his patrons have a tedious right wing agenda, which explains why he is repeatedly quoted as a font of wisdom by Florida's "journalists".

Truth be told, relying on Washington has actually been a very good deal for Florida, to the detriment of Northern states that have subsidized Florida's low tax status for decades. For example, according to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, in the 25 years through 2005, Florida received more money from DC than it paid in federal taxes, making Florida one of the biggest federal money leeches among all states. See "Federal Taxes Paid vs. Federal Spending Received by State, 1981-2005" ("Comparing the amount of federal taxes sent to Washington with the amount of federal spending coming back to the state"). See generally "Do Southern Senators Really Want to Start a New War Between the States?" ("Southern states have been benefiting from Northern taxes for years.")

"What legal and ethical issues did Schiavo's case raise?"

"After Terri Schiavo".