From a prison-building company to a high-powered lobbying firm to Big Sugar, the top contributors to Crist's campaign represent some of the biggest special interests in the state Capitol. The most generous city to the governor's campaign: Tallahassee.

Big chunks of campaign money also came from law firms. Lawyers at Orlando-based Morgan & Morgan -- where Crist's lieutenant governor, Jeff Kottkamp, previously worked -- contributed at least $87,400. And employees of Rothstein, Rosenfeldt, Adler of Fort Lauderdale gave about $77,750, according to a Herald/Times analysis of contributions Crist received between April and June.

These figures don't include "bundled'' checks collected by the lawyers from family members, friends and clients.

Rubio crushing Crist among the RPOFer faithful

"If Republican Executive Committees decided statewide primary elections, Charlie Crist's senate campaign would be in big trouble. The Pasco and Lee county RECs have held informal straw polls lately, where Marco Rubio blew away Crist among the party faithful. Last night, the Highlands GOP held their own vote that produced 75 votes for Rubio and one for Crist." "Marco Rubio crushes Charlie Crist in another straw poll".

Alleged "journalism" alert

This from an alleged journalist writing a supposed "straight news" story: "Most private-sector employers no longer permit workers to save leave or vacation time -- or be paid for it when they leave. But for Orlando employees, it's still allowed."

Charlie firmly ensconced behind Lemieux's skirt

"The Legislature's leading voice on the Seminole gambling deal, Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, said legislators won't play a role in negotiations between the governor's office and the tribe, casting more doubt on whether the high-stakes deal will come together." "Lawmaker: It's up to Crist to cut Seminole gambling deal". See also "Gambling talks start and stop again with no resolution" ("Lawyers for Gov. Charlie Crist and the Seminole Tribe met on Wednesday for the second full day of talks since they began negotiations in early July and many of the same issues that divide them remain, said George LeMieux, who is representing the governor.")

CD 7

"Sponsored by the Progressive Democrats of America, the event is expected to include 10-minute statements, as well as five-minute question-answer periods with candidates Heather Beaven, Fay Armitage, Peter Silva and Stephen Bacon. ... The winner of the Democratic primary in 2010 would run against John Mica, R-Winter Park, in the general election." "Candidates forum set for 7th District".

That's our Charlie

"Charlie Crist chooses cash over Jim King memorial".

While Crist cruises for cash

"The state promised to test water, and the county promised to test soil."

Still, Acreage residents shouted in anger and frustration during a Thursday night meeting updating residents on the state Department of Health investigation into a potential brain-cancer cluster in The Acreage.

Why aren't government agencies more closely scrutinizing nearby Pratt & Whitney, the jet engine company that for decades has soured its Beeline Highway land with contaminants, they demanded.

Feeney avoids criminal charges

Tom Feeney, the disgraced former Congressman and Black Jack Abramoff associate, infamous for, as state Republican House Speaker during the 2000 election, "scheming to award Bush the state’s 25 electoral votes via an arcane legislative procedure", has managed to avoid criminal prosecution. The Obama Justice Department was nicer to Feeney - - than the Rove-Bush Justice Department was to Alabama Governor Don Siegelman.

The The Orlando Sentinel reports that the "Feeney [criminal] investigation was part of a broad federal inquiry into Abramoff, a Washington influence-peddler whose web of corruption led to the convictions of several Capitol Hill aides and one congressman, former U.S. Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio."

Last year, Abramoff got four years on corruption charges for trading luxuries such as golf junkets for political favors. Feeney was a target because of the 2003 Scotland trip, one of three that Abramoff took with lawmakers in the early half of the decade.

The trip, a $160,000 junket for eight that was paid for by a think tank connected to Abramoff, came during Feeney's first year in Congress. At the time, his résumé as a former Florida House speaker and fiery conservative made him a rising star among newly elected Republicans.

A House ethics committee determined in 2007 that the golf junket — luxury-hotel accommodations and a round of golf at the famed Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews — violated congressional rules.

Feeney agreed to pay $5,643 to the U.S. Treasury for what he said was his share. But he hotly denied ever doing any favors for Abramoff and said he paid his own airfare and greens fees.

The ethics ruling triggered a federal investigation.

Florida looks for another $85 million in federal stim help

"Florida's welfare rolls grew 15.2 percent over the past year, according to the latest data, a trend many economists say will continue even after the recession ebbs."

Don Winstead, deputy secretary of Florida's Department of Children and Families, "estimates the welfare program will need about $85 million in federal stimulus help over two years." "Florida's welfare rolls just keep growing".

Sansom

"More details emerge in the criminal investigation into relationship between former House Speaker Ray Sansom and the North Florida college that gave him a $110,000-a-year, part-time job the same day he was sworn in." "New details in Sansom case".

Related "Florida House investigation into former Speaker Sansom to begin next week" and "Sansom case: FBI sat in on interviews" ("An investigator for the Leon County state attorney’s office has interviewed 16 people in Okaloosa County over the last two weeks and an FBI agent sat in on two of those sessions.")

Sink

"When Alex Sink became Florida's top financial watchdog almost three years ago, she put her assets in a blind trust, which she said would help her avoid conflicts of interest."

Yet Sink's effort to avoid potential conflicts and hold herself to a self-proclaimed higher standard has an unintended consequence: There is less public disclosure about her finances than other officials and greater uncertainty as to whether she is deciding matters in which she may have a financial interest.

Why? Because blind trusts are not regulated in Florida and there are no rules guaranteeing that officeholders' financial dealings are being handled independent of their public duties.

Entrepreneurs in action

Those hard charging, risk takers never cease to amaze: "Altamonte Springs executive convicted in $7 million fraud" and "Disney World price hike takes effect tomorrow".

Obama administration resolves 'Glades dispute

"After eight years of bickering, the state and the federal government have finally shaken hands on how to split the massive bill to restore the Everglades." "Dispute over Everglades funding finally settled".

Thank you, Mr. Obama

The federal government continues to save Florida from itself: The Miami Herald editorial board writes: "In all, Florida will get around $87 million from the feds' $1 billion COPS program. South Florida communities on the receiving end include Fort Lauderdale, Miramar, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Lauderhill and the Seminole Tribe in Broward; Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach in Miami-Dade and the Monroe County Sheriff's Department."

Thank's again, Mr. Obama

"The U.S. Department of Transportation on Friday outlined specific projects Miami-Dade Transit will finance with federal stimulus money." "Miami-Dade announces projects funded by stimulus money".

Forever

Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "By approving the $2.7 million purchase of a conservation easement on almost 700 acres of the Gene Evans family ranch in Flagler County, the Florida Cabinet has commendably protected the southern shore of pristine Lake Disston from development and preserved critical wildlife habitat adjacent to the Heart Island conservation area." "Evans tract a Forever good deal".

Privateer "shenanigans"

"Two weeks ago we reported that Florida Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, was calling shenanigans on two contracts within the state Department of Transportation that included raises for private contractors. State employees have not had raises for three consecutive years." "Florida Transportation Department puts brakes on raises for private contractors".

"The Department of Transportation said Thursday that it will not allow private contractors to receive automatic pay hikes this budget year -- a savings of at least $10 million -- after a state senator called attention to the practice in a public records request."

The decision by DOT Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos came in a letter to Sen. Dave Aronberg, a Greenacres Democrat who publicly asked for the list of road builders, maintenance crews and other contractors entitled to the salary ``escalation clause'' earlier this month.

Aronberg, who is running for attorney general, argued that because of the state's deep budget woes, awarding automatic pay hikes to private contractors ``was unfair to state workers and unfair to taxpayers.'' ...

Aronberg said Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson raised the issue late in last spring's legislative session and asked Senate President Jeff Atwater to order a review of contracts. But Atwater didn't respond, prompting Aronberg to follow up with a public records request for the pay hike information.

Aronberg has also asked the Department of Environmental Protection to do a similar review, since many of its private contracts also allow for automatic salary hikes. He said he expects other agencies to be forced to make changes to other private contracts.

"We're cutting police and cutting teachers. We're demanding more from state employees during these critical budget times and, at the same time, giving automatic raises to private contractors,'' Aronberg said. ``There seems to be a double standard for private workers and state workers.''

Not so fast

"Here's a switch: Florida property values didn't fall as far as state economists had forecast. But the predictions weren't off by much, and the economy still has a long way to go before it recovers, according to a new estimate the economists released Thursday." "Florida property values not as low as was predicted".

See also: "Property decline in Southwest Florida is slowing". But see "Fla. Property Values Will Drop".

Disney: Republican to the bone

Mickey Mouse:

Disney gave $75,000 to the Republican Party of Florida during the first six months of the year, according to state campaign-finance records. It also gave the GOP, which controls both the Governor's Office and the Florida Legislature, another $3,801.25 worth of free tickets, food and drinks for use in party fundraising.

By comparison, during the same period of last year, Disney gave the party $50,000 in direct contributions, although it gave more in free goodies -- $82,187.47 worth, to be exact. During the first six months of 2007 (which, like this year, was a non-election year), Disney gave $55,000 in checks and no freebies.

On the other hand, Disney gave just $5,000 to the Florida Democratic Party through the first half of this year. That's down from $30,000 plus $5,167.18 in freebies during the same period last year and $10,000 two years ago.

That librul media ...

The Palm Beach Post editorial board endorses a colossal do nuthin', even though they "strongly disagree with his belief that raising new revenue isn't a priority for Florida." "Return Negron to Capitol".

"The higher he aspires ... the lower he grovels"

Stephen L. Goldstein: "Charlie Crist has sold his soul to the devil so many times, he's proof of reincarnation. But he's unfit for public office, let alone the seat in the rarefied air of the U.S. Senate that he now covets. "

The higher he aspires on the political ladder, the lower he grovels.

Recently, in a strategic suck-up to radical Republicans, the guv publicly opposed the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court. He alleges that she "would not strictly and objectively construe the Constitution and lacks respect for the fundamental right to keep and bear arms." Even U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, whose seat Crist wants, has said he'll vote for Sotomayor.

Crist's position is a crass political calculation for the consumption of certain Florida voters. What his buzzwords really mean is: Right-wingers, don't support my opponent Marco Rubio. I'll do your bidding ...

This time the guv stooped so low to conquer, he may have dug his political grave by alienating moderate voters. He's running out of time — and souls — to redeem himself.

Off Topic: Peltier

"Leonard Peltier's first parole hearing of the Obama Era -- on Tuesday, July 28 -- inspired hope of an intensity that will have a major impact on the new presidency. A decision must come from the Federal Parole Commission within three weeks. His attorney is calling for a surge of public support that would create an irresistible political climate for Leonard's release." "How Leonard Peltier Could Leave Prison by August 18". Read more about "Leonard Peltier" and what you can do.

HD 57

"The first Democrat has entered the race for state House District 57, which covers Westchase, Town 'N Country and South Tampa."

Tampa attorney Clifford L. Somers, 68, filed candidacy papers with the Florida Division of Elections on July 16, bringing to three the number of people vying for state Rep. Faye Culp's term-limited seat.

Republicans Todd Marks and A.J. Matthews tossed their names into the contest earlier this year. Matthews helped Culp and her predecessor get elected.

Somers is perhaps best known for representing Dr. Ernest Palmer, a Hardee County doctor once accused of orchestrating a December 1978 baby swap that made national headlines and was the subject of a 1991 made-for-TV movie called Switched at Birth.

"Debate offers pros and cons of Hometown Democracy"

"City and county governments have treated growth-management plan changes"

"like Halloween candy" for developers and voters need a "veto," the head of a controversial constitutional-amendment campaign said Thursday.

But the leader of an opposition organization said Amendment 4 would needlessly delay economic growth and make it easy for "no-growth" voters to scuttle even the best changes in growth plans.

Time to give corrections officers a pay cut ...

... and why not eliminate those excessive disability benefits while we're at it: "Swine flu confirmed at Pinellas County Jail".

"'Adopt an Elected Official'"

"The folks at the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association have come up with an interesting new program they call 'Adopt an Elected Official.'"

It goes beyond love and a few bundles of campaign cash.

Take adopting a Charlie Crist, for example.

Sure, Charlies are doe-eyed little guys who jump up and down every time you come home from work, bring you your slippers and tell you they love you.

But Charlies, you'll quickly learn, do this to everyone. And just when you're getting attached to the little scamp, you'll find him making plans to move up and out to a more powerful family. (A warning sign: If your Charlie brings home a cute date who looks good in front of cameras, he is probably planning a move.)

Dean Cannons also can be deceiving.

Admittedly, these guys look clean-cut and strait-laced. But just when you think your little Dean is old enough for, say, some innocent fun at the beach, you'll turn your back for one minute and find the little fella trying to plop oil derricks all over the beachfront while his new best friends, the oil execs, egg him on.

"South Florida Water Giveaway District"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Call it the South Florida Water Giveaway District. That's because any pretense on the water management district's part that it's carefully watching over its 16-county water supply is now gone."

It's truly astonishing what the South Florida Water Management District is now planning to do with its share of the state's limited water supply. For all intents and purposes, it's giving those with an insatiable thirst all they could possibly want.

It apparently doesn't matter to the district that the aquifer no longer can accommodate Florida's runaway growth. Come 2013, new developments won't be able to tap the underground water supply.

It apparently doesn't matter that even the St. Johns River Water Management District, notorious for letting the thirstiest developer and utility dip their snouts in nearly any water source they desire, has imposed twice-weekly irrigation limits. So did the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

Birther madness

"U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, the Melbourne-area lawmaker who introduced the bill requiring presidential candidates to submit their birth certificates, is catching heat."

A constituent e-mailed him wanting to know why he voted for a resolution Monday celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hawaiian statehood, which also recognized it as Obama's birthplace.

"I replied that this is not about Obama and it's not about me. It's about the Constitution," Posey said of his legislation, which has made him a hero to some and the butt of jokes on late-night TV.

Posey said the intent has been misunderstood and overblown. He said questions have been raised over the years about the birth credentials of several candidates and he merely wanted to settle the controversies.

When asked if he personally had any disbelief that Obama was born in Hawaii, he said, "I'm just not getting into the weeds. My point is, it doesn't matter. I just voted for a resolution yesterday."

"A leadership vacuum"

"St. Petersburg faces a leadership vacuum, and it's underscored by the looming retirements of Carl Kuttler at St. Petersburg College and the lackadaisical, wide-open mayor's race under way." "St. Petersburg needs new leaders to emerge".

Poverty

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "Poverty law".

"Good news"?

"Orlando's housing starts, once a bellwether of success, have been cut by more than half during the past year, according to a real-estate analysis released Thursday. The good news: Buyers are a little busier than builders, shrinking the pool of unsold new homes in the metro area by more than a third from this time last year." "Have housing starts hit bottom?".

At issue is who emerges as chairman of the 56-member Rules Committee -- a moderate backed by Mr. Steele or one of the two conservative candidates.

Some members say the outcome matters because the winner assumes a powerful post that could tilt the 2012 presidential nomination playing field, while others say panelists wish to free themselves from the national chairman.

The contestants in Thursday's election are Jim Greer of Florida, considered a moderate; and Bruce Ash of Arizona and Curly Haugland of North Dakota, both viewed as conservatives. RNC members and panel alumni once shy about blasting each other in public have drawn unusually stark battle lines.

"Greer is the single most disliked guy on the RNC -- that would be my guess," former South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson, who lost a hard-fought contest for RNC chairman to Mr. Steele in January, told The Washington Times. "Curly should win the rules chairmanship but [Mr. Steele's] paid staff is working against Haugland."

Mr. Greer, an ally of Florida Gov. Charlie Crist as well as Mr. Steele, already has reminded Rules Committee members that he has the chairman's backing, an act that ruffled feathers on the famously independent-minded panel.

The Palm Beach Post editors want you to know ...

... that police unions are bad: "Cops go bad, keep working" ("doing a favor for the police union, the Legislature and Gov. Crist made it even harder to fire police officers. The move won't win them any favors from the places where those bad cops get dumped.")

The best he can do?

"Attorney General Bill McCollum is well on his way to locking up support of the state's Republican Establishment in his race for governor. His campaign released its 'leadership structure' today. The state chair is Charlie Bronson, the incumbent agriculture commissioner who'd wanted to run for governor himself until party officials made clear a primary wouldn't be tolerated. Also included are the current and future legislative presiding officers, a raft of former officeholders, Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty and 13 of the state's Republican congressional delegation. But it's at least a little interesting that two congressmen -- Adam Putnam of Bartow, who's running for Ag Commissioner; and Winter Park's own John Mica -- aren't on McCollum's list." "Most of GOP Establishment on McCollum's team".

10th amendment wingnuttery

Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "State Sen. Carey Baker wants to make sure that Floridians don't have too much access to health care."

To that end, the Eustis Republican is sponsoring a proposed constitutional amendment that would specifically cut Floridians out of any federal health care plan proposed by the Obama administration. Putting it on the ballot will require a 3/5 vote of the state Legislature, followed by a 60-percent approval from voters.

Baker's proposal -- with a House companion sponsored by Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood -- suggests it would "preserve the freedom of all residents of the state to provide for their own health care."

"A law or rule shall not compel, directly or indirectly, any person, employer or health care provider to participate in any health care system," states House Joint Resolution 37. It says every Floridian and every employer in the state can buy health services, while "providers" — doctors, for instance — can sell their services, free of government (you finish the sentence). ...

"Today, we're drawing the line in the sand," said [gun entrepreneur] Sen. Carey Baker, R-Eustis, in a statement issued when he and [all purpose wingnut] Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, introduced their constitutional amendment this week. "It is bad enough that our federal government wants to choose your doctor and ration your treatment, but to do so virtually in secret and in such a rush proves that the goal is not to get better health care but to get socialized health care."

Plakon quoted Dr. Benjamin Rush [who is surely turning over in his grave as a result], a signer of the Declaration of Independence and delegate to the constitutional convention, who warned that medicine might become "an undercover dictatorship and force people who wish doctors and treatment of their own choice to submit to only what the dictating outfit offers."

You thought Jefferson and Adams could see over the horizon? Here's a guy who foretold creation of HMOs, and history barely notes his name.

Baker, by the way, is a candidate for agriculture commissioner. ... And it's worth noting that all state legislators who will vote on their amendment have fully paid-up family health insurance, provided by the.... ummm, oh, the... uh, you know... the government.

What about local employees?

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "It's understandable Tampa City Council would want city contracts to go to local vendors. But members should be wary of a local preference rule, which could end up hurting taxpayers and the economy." "Local preference could rig work bids".

More from the "drill, baby, drill" crowd

Mike Thomas: "Some in Congress now want to bribe Florida into accepting offshore oil and gas rigs. I'm good with that. Energy companies get drilling rights by leasing tracts of submerged land from the federal government. They also pay royalties on what they pull up. The proposal would cut us in on 37.5 percent of this booty. It could be worth billions of dollars for a state in desperate need of billions of dollars." "Why shouldn't Florida cash in on oil drilling?".

Water war still on

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board:

a dispute continues over the use of the water in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river system, and after almost 20 years of fighting in courts and maneuvering in state governments, it's still unsettled whether those waters are better used quenching the thirst and watering the lawns of people in Atlanta, maintaining the fertile farms of central Georgia, generating electric power in Alabama, or feeding the rich sea life of the Apalachicola region.

U.S. District Court Judge Paul Magnuson ruled last week that Lake Lanier, created by damming the Chattahoochee, was intended not to ensure northern Georgia's water supply but to produce electric power. And he gave Georgia, Alabama and Florida three years to work out a deal, with Georgia's position being weakened considerably by the ruling.

Is that the end of it all, a clear victory for Florida? Hardly.

Yee haw!

"Former Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair is looking to restart his political career with a run for a state House seat that will become vacant next year."

But Blair could face a tough challenge in a Republican primary for the seat representing District 47 - Carrollwood, Northdale and the northwest corner of Hillsborough County.

Recently retired Verizon executive Irene Guy, well-known on the Tampa political scene, said Wednesday she's making plans to run for the seat.

One other Republican candidate, Richard Reidy, an aide to County Commissioner Ken Hagan, already has filed, and other prominent Republicans may be interested as well. Former state Sen. John Grant and radio host and lobbyist Bill Bunkley are both considering entering the race.

For Crist, "an opportunity to take the easy way out"

Pamela Hasterok: "Every time gas prices go up, Congress attacks Florida's beaches. This time senators from oil producing states propose drilling within 45 miles of the Gulf coast. That would undo a 2006 moratorium banning oil drilling within 125 miles of the Panhandle and 235 miles away from Tampa south for at least another 13 years."

Crist, a Republican running for retiring Mel Martinez's U.S. Senate seat, calls it an opportunity. He contends the state can split the baby -- drill for oil, reap a portion of the profits and still protect our beaches and tourism. Too, he says it would help us become energy independent.

It's hard to see how drilling off Florida's coast would make America anything but more dependent on cheap oil. For Crist, it's an opportunity to take the easy way out while drumming up support from voters frustrated over the high price of gas.

Sobel

"When a secretive electioneering group attacked Eleanor Sobel's political opponents in a Broward state Senate race last year alleging "shady land deals,'' Sobel vowed she had nothing to do with it."

"I have no control over those groups,'' Sobel told The Miami Herald in August as People for a Better Florida Fund filled mailboxes with last-minute missives just before she defeated Tim Ryan and Ken Gottlieb.

But new court documents provide clear links between Sobel's campaign and the attack ads.

Sobel's political consultant was also a paid consultant for an affiliate of People for a Better Florida Fund and helped coordinate the attacks and plot strategy, according to e-mails and a deposition taken in a defamation suit Ryan filed against the group. Another campaign vendor also was paid in the effort.

Hastings

"Citing "pressure" from the Obama administration and other members of Congress, U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings has withdrawn an amendment that aimed to weaken the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy that bans gays and lesbians from openly serving in the military. Hastings, D-Miramar, wanted to add language to a defense appropriations bill to prohibit spending money to investigate or discharge members of the military who reveal they are homosexual or bisexual." "Hastings cites White House 'pressure' in giving up attempt to strike military's gay ban".

Perhaps this one will pass, Billy

Alleged Floridian, and Birther nut, "Congressman Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, and 30 of his colleagues introduced legislation that would require bills to wait 72 hours between the time they are printed for review and voted upon." "Congressman Posey, others propose wait time on bills".

Florida receives federal bail out

"Florida school districts received $28.9 billion in government funding in 2006-07, the fourth-largest amount in the country, according to a new Census Bureau report. Only California, Texas and New York schools collected more." "State 4th in D.C. funding for schools".*

- - - - - - - - - -
*10th amendment experts, RPOFers Baker and Plakon presumably want to return the federal portion of these monies.

HD 57

"The first Democrat has entered the race for state House District 57, which covers Westchase, Town 'N Country and South Tampa. Tampa attorney Clifford L. Somers, 68, filed candidacy papers with the Florida Division of Elections on July 16, bringing to three the number of people vying for state Rep. Faye Culp's term-limited seat." "Democrat Clifford L. Somers joins race for House District 57 seat".

On King

Mark Lane: "Sen. Jim King -- the death of a guy who loved his job".

Off topic

"Central Fla. man finds mouse in Diet Pepsi can". See also "Man charged with attacking roommate with coconut".

Our spineless Governor

"Crist, who has kept himself at arm's length in the thorny debate over sex offender residency laws, inched toward a compromise on Wednesday, saying he would help 'facilitate a solution.' However, he reiterated his position that the state would not overrule local laws -- even if the residency boundaries vary greatly from one municipality to another." "Governor joins debate on sex offender laws".

Brilliant

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "While no one wants a registered sex offender living nearby, they have to live somewhere. Where? The answer in Miami-Dade County is under a causeway." "Strict rule hurts public safety".

Racinos

"Blaming the state's budget crunch, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has drastically reduced its policing of Broward County's three parimutuel 'racinos,' including no longer keeping on-site offices at the gambling facilities." "FDLE to reduce policing at Broward County's three `racinos'".

Never mind

"Five Florida counties made a national news organization's list of places `where the jobs are.' Four of them have unemployment rates above 11 percent. Oops! " "Need a job? Website probably won't help".

Florida's Ponzi scheme

Scott Maxwell: "Bernie Madoff went to prison for running a Ponzi scheme."

By that same measure, Florida's politicians should be doing time as well.

They built our state's economy upon the premise of sucking new people in.

And now that the growth machine has stalled, we're in trouble.

A new report from the independent Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy spells out precisely why Florida is suffering more than most states during the current recession.

Busy little wingnut

Crist's latest pander to the RPOF base: "Crist says he's open to oil drilling off Florida coast".

Charlie's been a busy little wingnut, with this oil drilling blather close on the heels of his recent pronouncement that Sotomayor doesn't belong on the Supreme Court, and Charlie having "essentially guaranteed that the remaining wetlands of western Miami-Dade will be paved, dooming any hope for reviving the Everglades."

BTW, I'm running for Guv

"Attorney General Bill McCollum presented a $2 million check to The Florida Bar Foundation Tuesday to provide legal help for people facing foreclosure." "State puts $2M toward helping people facing foreclosure".

Who hired this lawyer?

"Negotiations over a gambling deal between the governor and the Seminole Tribe have been on hold for the past three weeks as both parties await word on whether the House and Senate will modify their take-it-or-leave-it offer. 'The ball is kind of in their court,' said George LeMieux, former chief of staff for Gov. Charlie Crist and now on the legal team representing the governor in the talks." "Talks over Seminole gambling agreement on hold".

Interstate 4 kill zone

"A second bear [in a week] has been struck and killed by cars along Interstate 4 in Seminole County." "Second bear killed on Seminole County interstate".

Florida intern doesn't get her man

"Tenn. state senator quits after affair with intern". Background: "Young Republicans in action" (scroll down).

McCollum confused

"Crist and Cabinet members sent Miami-Dade and other urban counties a message Tuesday when they rejected the county's attempt to move the development line west to accommodate a Lowe's Superstore. Crist and the Cabinet, voting 3-1, agreed with an administrative law judge that the county violated the state's Growth Management Act when it expanded the urban development boundary for the home improvement center."

Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson was the lone no vote.

But Attorney General Bill McCollum also seemed to waver. When he was first asked his vote, he responded: ``I didn't say no.'' Twenty minutes later, he amended his vote to ``yes'' and explained that he still had questions about the issue.

Limbaugh law

"Seven doctors recently appointed to a state panel aimed at controlling pill mills have only a few weeks to decide how pain medicine can legally be practiced in Florida." "Panel to decide how Fla. pain clinics can operate".

Consumer confidence ...

"Florida and U.S. consumers seem to be more concerned about the struggling job market than the rallying stock market. Despite recent good news in the form of rising stock indexes and flattening home prices, state and national consumer confidence fell in July, according to numbers released Tuesday."

The state's consumer confidence index fell to 67 for July, down from its most recent peak of 72 in April. ...

"This decline comes as a bit of a surprise,'' wrote Chris McCarty, who manages the survey for the University of Florida's Bureau of Business and Economic Research, in his monthly announcement. "Given that the stock market is now up for the year and housing is showing strong signs of stabilizing, I would attribute much of this decline to the news about employment.''

Statewide unemployment hit 10.6 percent last month.

Just do it

"State health officials and a nonprofit group, Donate Life Florida, announced Tuesday that organ donors can now register their gift through a special website, www.donatelifeflorida.org, rather than fill out paperwork at a driver's license office." "Organ donors in Florida can now register online".

"An alternative to the gas tax"

Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Federal, state and local gas taxes pay for the majority of roads and bridges and help pay for mass transit. Sometime in the future, that won't be as effective. Fuel efficiency improves the environment and lowers the country's foreign debt. It also reduces gas tax receipts, reducing governments' ability to maintain infrastructure. An alternative to the gas tax is needed. Planning for one should start now."

University of Iowa researchers are doing just that, thanks to a $16.5 million study paid for by Congress. Researchers are drafting several hundred drivers in six cities, including 250 drivers in South Florida, to study their driving habits. ...

[Under consideration is] the feasibility of replacing the gas tax. Instead of paying 18.4 cents in federal gas taxes at the pump, drivers would pay a fee based on the number of miles they've driven, whether their vehicle gets 12 miles per gallon or 50 miles per gallon. ...

The Obama administration isn't interested in a higher transportation tax, at least not now.

Neither is John Mica, R-Orlando, the ranking member of the House Transportation Committee and co-author, with the committee's Democratic chairman, of a bill that aims to spend $450 billion on infrastructure in the next five years. If the transportation trust fund is to keep going short of a higher tax for the next 18 months, the money would have to come from the federal government's general revenue. That's the option the Obama administration favors.

It's more deficit spending, since the money isn't there. It also makes the case for reforming the trust fund -- in funding mechanism and mission -- more compelling. Iowa University's study involving South Florida drivers is only the start of a long road, most of which has yet to be built.

Never mind

"Apopka mother wrongly jailed on prostitution charges".

Hillsborough follies

"Former Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair [a conservative Republican] said he spent the days after his arrest for scuffling* with his teenage sons worried about the impact it would have on his political career. Now he says the incident could serve as a platform that re-launches him back into public service." "Blair says scuffle with sons could revive political career".

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*It was actually a bit more than a mere "scuffle": "Blair continued to yell at him, pushed him, punched him once in the face and then put him in an arm lock.".

Florida winning "race to the [bottom]"

The Bushco apologists on the The Miami Herald editorial board: "A decade into former Gov. Jeb Bush's signature [?] accountability program, Florida now is poised to lead the nation in a new federal initiative, which U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan has dubbed the 'Race to the Top.'" "New education initiative shows promise".

Let's get real about where Florida's "signature accountability program" has gotten us:

State spending on education as percentage of total resources
Florida ranks 42nd. As a state, Florida spends only 3.1% of its resources on education.
Source: Education Week, Quality Counts, 2009

State per capita spending on corrections vs. education
Florida ranks 50th in per capita spending on education, but ranks 16th in the nation in spending on corrections.
Source: NEA Rankings of the States 2008

High School Graduation Rates
Florida ranks 43rd, with 60.8 percent of public high school students graduating with a diploma.
Source: Education Week, Quality Counts, 2009

Standardized Test Scores
Florida students rank 48th in the nation in average composite scores on the ACT, a standard college entrance exam.
Source: American Legislative Exchange Council, Report Card on American Education, 2008

WTF

"Lawmakers to propose ban on driving while texting".

Organized-labor officials complain the state is using SunRail to bust the unions that dominate much of the railroad industry — and they can't allow that to happen.

"The goal, of course, is to go nonunion. We just get eliminated," said John Gaige, a 62-year-old union signalman who works in South Florida.

State officials deny the charge. They contend they are neither pro- nor anti-union, but promoting a right-to-work place [sic] where employers can hire whomever they choose....

SunRail would run for 61.5 miles through Central Florida, with 17 stops, from DeLand in Volusia County through downtown Orlando to Poinciana in Osceola County. Four counties and the city of Orlando would be responsible for operating the $1.2 billion venture, though they would hire private companies to do the work.

The state Legislature still would have to approve an insurance arrangement deciding who pays if there is an accident because Florida intends to purchase the tracks from the CSX railroad company based in Jacksonville....

Union officials say they won't budge because SunRail is being promoted as the template for all future commuter trains in the state. In other words, if the union is excluded from SunRail, workers could lose out on hundreds of new jobs if planned projects in Jacksonville and Tampa are realized.

says, in part, "Ideally, the FDOT proposal would provide the freedom to undertake the operations and maintenance of the corridor using non-union contract labor, which would be the most effective and efficient approach."

Cuba

"Key West has not had air travel to Cuba since 1959, but the city's airport is hoping to restore the route -- if it can get permission from the U.S. Department of Treasury." "Key West looks to restore flights to Cuba".

Grayson supports public option

"U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson defended Washington health care reform efforts Monday at a forum organized by his office, and strongly defended the need for a public option in any resulting legislation. The freshman Orlando Democrat said most Americans live in a state or region where one or two health insurance companies dominate up to 80 percent of the market, deriding it as a 'monopoly or an oligopoly' where insurers can 'jack up prices knowing people literally have no where else to go.'" "Grayson tells health professionals he favors 'public option' plan".

Crist blames his staff

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Crist blamed the 'inexcusable mistake' on staffers and gave the anti-Semitic DVD two thumbs down. That's a pretty embarrassing gaffe for the man who would be senator." "Crist's letter furor".

It's all a big left wing conspiracy

More right wing hysteria, this time from a Zell Corporation blogger, who "searched the local newspapers this morning looking for any mention of the complaint filed by U.S. Naval Commander Jeffrey Gordon against the Miami Herald’s military reporter, Carol Rosenberg."*

The blogger continues: "Do not let the defenders of our freedom suffer abuse from any of the military-hating, lying lumps of leftist horse manure masquerading as journalists. The left-wing press would like to ignore this story. Don’t let them do it. Take action, and take it now." "Is the "left-wing" media burying stories?" Background from the Washington Post: "Navy Spokesman Alleges Abuse by Miami Reporter".

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*Would this be the same Miami Herald, whose endorsement "of President Reagan for a second term prompted the newspaper's editor to resign because The Herald's publisher had overruled an editorial board decision to endorse Walter F. Mondale, according to Jim Hampton, the editor." "Endorsement Agonies At The Miami Herald".

Bought and paid for

"Two senators from oil-producing states have introduced legislation that would bring oil drilling to within 45 miles of Florida's Gulf coast. The bill sponsored by Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Mary Landrieu, D-Louisiana, would effectively void a 2006 law crafted by Florida's congressional delegation, which put a massive swath of federal waters close to the state off-limits until at least 2022." "Supporters of drilling eyeing area off coast".

Entrepreneurship

"A nonprofit group that provides eyeglasses to poor children in Florida has been ordered to reimburse more than $100,000 to the state in questionable expenses including hotel bills, legal fees and payments to a lobbyist." "State, eye care provider feud".

Jury OKs "private deportation of undocumented immigrant"

"A South Central Florida hospital that quietly chartered a plane and sent a seriously brain-injured illegal immigrant back to Guatemala over the objections of his family and legal guardian did not act unreasonably, a jury found Monday."

Like millions of others, Jimenez came to the United States to work as a day laborer, sending money home to his family. In 2000, a drunk driver crashed into a van he was riding in, leaving him a paraplegic with the cognitive ability of a fourth-grader.

"Jim King's death silences a voice of reason"

"King's adherence to core conservative principals found a sharp contrast during his term as Senate president. As House Speaker Johnnie Byrd lurched from one divisive debate to another, King didn't bother to hide his disdain. That divide might have culminated in October 2003, when, under pressure from Byrd and Gov. Jeb Bush, King supported an emergency law to reinsert the feeding tube of Terri Schiavo, a Pinellas County woman who was in an irreversible vegetative state."

"King said later that he regretted that vote almost immediately, feeling he'd betrayed his own position as a staunch advocate of the right of individuals and families to make end-of-life decisions. And when the question was pressed on the Legislature again in 2005, King sided with Democrats in rejecting an appeal for further legislative intervention." "Florida loses a titan". The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "Political legend".

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "State Sen. Jim King, who died of cancer on Sunday, did something in 2005 that few politicians at any level do: He admitted a mistake, and did something to avoid a repeat."

After pressure from then-House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, who was looking for an issue on which to hang his U.S. Senate campaign the next year, the Legislature approved H35-E, to overturn a court ruling that allowed removal of the feeding tube keeping Ms. Schiavo alive. The margin was just 23-15 in the Senate, where Sen. King was president. Without his help, the bill might have failed. Then-Gov. Jeb Bush signed the legislation, and the case went back to the courts.

Not surprisingly, the law was ruled unconstitutional. It was an attempt by the legislative branch to create a onetime exemption to Florida's death-and-dying laws. But in March 2005, after the Florida Supreme Court had ruled, the state House again tried to intervene. Mr. Bush was willing to send in state law enforcement to prevent removal of the tube.[*]

Hours after a judge ordered that Terri Schiavo was not to be removed from her hospice, team of state agents was ''en route'' to seize [Schiavo] and have her feeding tube reinserted -- but the agents stopped short when local police told them they intended to enforce the judge's order, The Herald has learned.

Agents of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement told police in Pinellas Park, the small town where Schiavo [lay] at Hospice House Woodside, on Thursday that they were on the way to take her to a hospital to resume her feeding.

For a brief period, local police, who have officers at the hospice to keep protesters out, prepared for what sources called "a showdown.''

In the end, the squad from the FDLE and the Department of Children & Families backed down, apparently concerned about confronting local police outside the hospice.

''We told them that unless they had the judge with them when they came, they were not going to get in,'' said a source with the local police.

The cost of silly RPOFer "Tuff on Crime" blather

Fred Grimm: "It's not enough to know we've overreacted. Not hardly. Not when it comes to criminal justice."

Not even when it becomes obvious that "get tough'' policies have become counterproductive and insanely expensive.

Florida's get-tough sentencing policies have packed the state's 60 prisons with 100,000 prisoners, too many of them of the non-violent, drug-addicted variety. We'll spend $2.4 billion this year to warehouse state prisoners. The trend lines indicate we'll need another 15 prisons within the next five years to maintain our irrational exuberance for harsh sentences with no rehab.

Prison costs go up in a budget-slashing year because we insist on packing druggies and juvies off to prison while spending relatively little on counseling or drug treatment or job training or in-prison education. Half of Florida's inmates, released unprepared to cope with the outside world, re-offend.

SD 28

"The gerrymandered boundaries for state Senate District 28 caused some confusion as early voting for the Aug. 4 election kicked off Monday. 'We had 10 people just show up and not one is in the district,' said St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections Gertrude Walker said shortly after the polls opened Monday morning." "Gerrymandered District 28 makes for confusion on early voting's first day".

"The dead zone"

"The dead zone -- an area so low in oxygen that it hosts almost no life -- still spanned 3,000 square miles when measurements were taken last week. In comparison, a coalition of state and federal agencies wants to see the dead zone shrink to a five-year average of 2,000 square miles by 2015. That average now is about 6,000 square miles, with 2009 included." "Pollution still feeding Gulf dead zone".

Klein

"Rep. Klein pushes bill to expand Fort Lauderdale missing-children program".

Pipeline

"Florida's population growth and economic prosperity will require a gas pipeline, angling down the peninsula from near the state line to south of the Space Coast, a Florida Power & Light Co. executive testified Monday. And the state's biggest power company's investors should pay for the $1.6 billion project, rather than spreading the cost over millions of Floridians, an attorney for a major gas-transmission company told the Public Service Commission." "FPL: State's growth calls for new gas pipeline".

Market forces

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "It's not enough, apparently, that State Farm Florida will cancel its remaining 700,000 homeowners policies over the next two years. Now the state's largest private property insurer wants to pick the pockets of its customers one last time as it flees the state." "Like a good neighbor ... not".

Young Republicans in action

"While enrolled in a Tennessee legislative internship program for college students, [former (Port Orange) Spruce Creek student-body president McKensie] Morrison developed a sexual relationship with state Sen. Paul Stanley, a married father of two, according to a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation affidavit filed in a Tennessee court." "Sex scandal is grad's latest run-in with law".

You know, the same Tennessee State Senator Paul Stanley who, while in the House served as Republican Floor Leader and has 100% rating from the National Federation of Independent Businesses, NRA and Tennessee Right to Life, and blathers about being an Evangelical Christian Investment Banker, and of course a proud member of the "Chamber of Commerce".

Privatization scam gets new life

Bill Cotterell:

But the chairman of the Senate budget committee remains skeptical. For about two years, Sen. J.D. Alexander has wanted the Department of Management Services to put the project out to new bids rather than signing the 25-month extension with Accenture....

This is one of those "B-HAGS" left over from the Jeb Bush administration. Bush, who did more than any governor in privatizing and computerizing state government, didn't like bureaucratic acronyms but coined a short-lived one for "big, hairy audacious goals" early in his term.

The Convergys contract for state personnel services, fraught with maddening errors that had state employees furiously phoning their legislators, was the biggest of Bush's "outsourcing" undertakings. MyFloridaMarketPlace, widely known as MFMP, was another big and audacious departure from the old way of doing business — allowing state agencies to purchase equipment and services over the Internet.

Accenture, a New York company, created it — collecting a 1-percent fee from companies selling products online. The contract has been controversial from the start, in 2005, with Accenture not netting as much in fees and the state not always happy with the service.

"It sure seems like they haven't been as transparent as I understood the governor's direction was," Alexander said. "About two-and-a-half years ago, I'd asked that they make plans to fully bid this contract at this time. It's disappointing that they've chosen not to really use every opportunity to get the best deal for the state of Florida."

Alexander added that "my job isn't to be for or against any company" but that he thought the process called for "clear, open, competitive bids" rather than renegotiation with the current vendor.

"Case is one of the first of its kind"

"The last-minute attack ads were damning. They accused the state Senate candidate of a 'shady' land deal that had taxpayers shelling out $12 million for a $1-million piece of property his family owned in Davie."

The ads were wrong--the real estate had been appraised at $15.5 million. But they may have worked: the candidate finished last in a tight three-way Democratic primary last August.

Now Tim Ryan, a onetime member of the state House, wants the people responsible for the ad campaign against him to answer for their claims. He's pursuing a lawsuit that alleges not only that he was defamed by the group, People for a Better Florida Fund Inc., but that its creators lied as part of a conspiracy to keep him out of the state Senate district 31 seat, which represents a chunk of southern Broward County.

The case is one of the first of its kind in the state--a losing political candidate using the courts to go after what's known in the jargon of campaign law as an electioneering communications organization. Such groups, also called 527s after the section of the U.S. tax code that regulates them, are allowed to raise unlimited amounts of money to make claims about candidates and issues, but are barred from telling people how to vote.

"One of only eight people in the world"

"Tougher sentencing laws and restrictions on parole in Florida and other states have resulted in a record number of criminals serving life sentences, according to a new national study."

Last May, the nation's highest court agreed to review the case of Joe Sullivan of Pensacola, sentenced to life without parole at age 13 for the rape of a 72-year-old woman in 1989. Sullivan, who is mentally disabled, admitted burglarizing the woman's house on that day but has denied committing rape.

He is housed at Santa Rosa Correctional Institution in Milton. His lawyers want the Supreme Court to rule on whether Sullivan's sentence violates the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

According to the Equal Justice Institute, Sullivan is one of only eight people in the world serving a life sentence without parole for a crime that occurred at age 13.

``They ought to be raising questions about the rising number of violent felons,'' said Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, a Republican running for attorney general in 2010 on a platform that emphasizes public safety. ``These people are in prison for a reason,'' he said.

One trick ponies ...

Yesterday we got this from the The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Make federal workers share our pain", consistent with the editors' longtime class war against anyone with a defined benefit retirement plan (see also "Trib editors go off deep end"). Today we get more of the same: "Public employee perks batter local taxpayers".

King passes

""Giant of state government" dies". See also "Updated: Friends recall Jim King's passion for people, politics, FSU".

Can't pave that ... yet ...

"Florida Keys program teaches global lessons on the ocean".

Rooney challenger?

"Democrat Craft “leaning” toward challenging Rooney in congressional District 16".

Cuts

The Orlando Sentinel editors:

First, Uncle Sam's cavalry galloped into the state with billions of stimulus dollars that saved the day for many districts such as Seminole, which used part of its $22 million share to save the jobs of more than 150 teachers who were on the chopping block.

Then the Legislature punted into the laps of local school districts the option of imposing a temporary, two-year property-tax increase of $25 per $100,000 of taxable value. It's understandable that most of the state's 67 school boards — including Lake, Seminole, and Volusia — are expected to seize the chance to replenish depleted coffers.

Whew. Problem solved. Except the stimulus cash dries up in two years. So does, in all likelihood, the goodwill of overburdened taxpayers who would need to approve stretching the property-tax boost beyond that.

AWOL

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Where's the Miami-Dade leadership?".

Huh?

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board claims that the federal dollars flowing into Florida should not be "seen as unexpected largesse that we're lucky to get instead of, as taxpayers, ... our money that's just now coming on home to roost." "They're all our dollars".

The editors forget that "Southern states have been benefiting from Northern taxes for years. ... Studies by the nonpartisan Tax Foundation have consistently shown that these Senators' states receive far more from the Federal government than they pay back in taxes. That's an irony that could lead to some Blue State bitterness: They love to preach about fiscal responsibility and lower taxes, but they keep dipping their beak into the Federal trough.".

Probably still getting insurance from his mommy

"Jonah Goldberg: Obamacare is a simple bait-and-switch".

The governor's unseemly burst of groveling is directly connected to his upcoming run for the U.S. Senate. Sucking up to the National Rifle Association and the Christian right, Crist last week declared his opposition to the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor, whose confirmation is already a done deal.

Many of Crist's longtime supporters were surprised, but they shouldn't have been. Charlie has no problem with timely pandering....

Like his stance against Sotomayor, Crist's unexpected support for the lax development law disappointed those still clinging to the notion that he's a different breed.

The same fellow who fancies himself a crusader for the Everglades has -- if SB 360 is allowed to stand -- essentially guaranteed that the remaining wetlands of western Miami-Dade will be paved, dooming any hope for reviving the Everglades.

Only as craven political strategy does Crist's latest cave-in makes sense.

Why are these men smiling? ...

... cause they just bought them some Charlie: "Some of Gov. Charlie Crist's donors who have maxed out".

Rubio getting into Crist's head?

Adam Smith: "Maybe Marco Rubio is getting into Charlie Crist's head.

Gov. Crist may be the overwhelming favorite to win the Republican Senate nomination, but his announcement last week that he opposed Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court smacked of a guy wary of Rubio's efforts to cast him as too liberal for the GOP faithful.

Crist said he was concerned about Sotomayor's commitment to the Second Amendment, which is rather odd since Crist himself infuriated some conservatives by appointing James Perry, a Democrat opposed by the National Rifle Association, to the Florida Supreme Court.

After a staff shakeup that pushed out Rubio's chief money-raiser and campaign manager, the Miami Republican is bringing in former Dick Armey adviser Pat Shortridge to serve as a senior campaign adviser.

Travel time

"Rather than drive or fly commercial planes, a small group of lawmakers has billed taxpayers for the convenience of getting to Tallahassee on private planes -- some of them linked to lobbyists and companies with a stake in the decisions legislators make."

The 19 Democratic and Republican legislators took private flights totaling more than $37,000 during the recent legislative session, state records show. That represents a fraction of the state's $66.5 billion budget, but it raises questions about the relationships between lawmakers and the groups seeking their votes. And in a time of deep budget cuts, critics say it would be better to find a cheap commercial flight or simply drive -- as constituents do.

Rep. Tom Grady, R-Naples, a successful trial attorney whose net worth exceeds $10 million. He regularly charged taxpayers for use of a private plane arranged by the Naples technology firm InfiNetwork, one of whose executives donated $250 to Grady's campaign. The bill for taxpayers: $7,800.

Contrast that with Miami Rep. James Bush III, 54, a teacher and minister who sometimes gets to Tallahassee on a Greyhound bus. The trip takes about 12 hours and costs less than $100 each way.

``My purpose is to go and help the taxpayers and get to my committee meetings,'' said Bush, a Democrat. "That's why the people elected me as their representative. That's why it is important to do things in a reasonable manner.'' ...

Rep. Matt Hudson, a fellow Naples Republican, found a better value [than Grady]. His April 25 Delta flight round trip from Tallahassee to Fort Myers had one stopover in Atlanta, and it cost taxpayers less than $525 round trip.

The rental car from Naples to Fort Myers cost less than $40. He also drives a rental car from Naples to Broward County, part of which is in his district, where he can get a direct, round-trip flight from Fort Lauderdale to Tallahassee for less than $315.

"Business didn't delay these appointments. Politics did"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Only confirmation by the Senate is required for water district board members. With the Legislature having finished its annual session, even that won't be an issue until March. Judging by Gov. Crist's work schedule, pressing business didn't delay these appointments. Politics did." "Prevent political stall-ball".

This is what passes for RPOF leadership these days?

They're just books

"Jacksonville Mayor [Republican] John Peyton is proposing $1.1 million in cuts to the public library budget because of a shortfall in general revenue." "Jacksonville libraries may take hit".

Gerrymandering feud

Aaron Deslatte: "Florida's legislative black caucus could be heading toward an internal feud over a ballot initiative aimed at stopping lawmakers from gerrymandering districts." "Gerrymandering issue divides black caucus".

Another fine Jebacy ...

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "When it comes to high school graduation rates, Florida stands out like a big sore thumb."

A new report by the same institute that labeled Florida a "dropout factory" in 2007 paints the failure in stark numbers. In 185 high schools across the state, fewer than two-thirds of ninth-graders will earn a high school diploma. These "low-graduation rate" high schools make up 41 percent of all Florida high schools.

"Budget crunch"

"The bust in property values opened vast budget holes for local governments, and taxpayers across the region are sure to notice the difference." "Taxpayers will soon get less from local governments caught in budget crunch".

Feel free to pull a John Galt

Myriam Marquez carries the torch for millionaire entrepreneur who doesn't like the Chrysler bankruptcy plan, and of course blames Obama: "Auto bailout is undermining small businesses".

"What not to do"

Jane Healy: "Now that elected officials have started discussing budgets and similar matters for the next year, it's a good time to look at examples of what not to do."

What not to do, Part I: Use taxpayers' money to promote yourself.

This role stars Florida legislators. According to a report by the Sentinel's Tallahassee bureau, about 56 legislators have spent $243,000 in the past year sending mailers to their constituents supposedly keeping them up to date but really just spinning the voters.

And that's only a start. Another 25 have had their staffs design, print and mail these "newsletters" but haven't put in their tabs yet. Of course, this comes at a time when the state is laying off workers and raising $2 billion in taxes and fees....

House members, for instance, are allowed to run six pictures of themselves. Do people really need — or even want — to see six pictures of their legislator?

Scenes from the country club ...

... "ACK! BRBLE! PFFT!" "This happens every time the minimum wage goes up".

Amendment 4

John Hedrick, the point person for the Sierra Club on the Hometown Democracy campaign: "People need veto power of Hometown Democracy". But see "Amendment 4 would stop growth".

Why do the Trib editors hate working people?

The Tampa Tribune editorial board make fools of themselves this morning: "Make federal workers share our pain". For another recent hit by these geniuses see "Trib editors go off deep end".

We don't need the stinkin' government telling us what we can do

Wildlife expert battles 14-foot python inside pipe".

Villages idiot

"State Rep. Marlene O'Toole has introduced a bill that would preclude the federal government from regulating guns, ammunition and related accessories that are manufactured and kept in Florida." "Villages lawmaker's gun bill seeks haven from feds".

"Extreme heartburn"

"Southwest Florida has gone decades without a hometown candidate for statewide political office for residents to rally around."

The next 18 months, however, look different. Two candidates for Florida's attorney general have close ties to the area.

Republican Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp grew up here and held a House seat, representing Cape Coral, before being picked as Gov. Charlie Crist's running mate almost three years ago.

State Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, has represented large parts of Lee County since he was elected in 2002, winning plaudits for his attention to the area even from GOP voters.

Now those two are positioned for opposition in the same race, and it's already giving some prominent residents who have relationships with both extreme heartburn.

Good luck with that

Daniel Ruth: "Doing the right thing for homeless".

After all, it's Hillsborough County

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board:

The furor Hillsborough County Administrator Pat Bean created by handing double-digit pay raises to senior staff members points to a larger problem: a chief executive who is weak and lacks creativity at a time when the county needs a strong leader with vision. There is no perfect time to force out an executive with 32 years of institutional history, especially when that would carry a severance cost of a quarter-million dollars. But it is time for county commissioners to replace Bean.

Mica in action

"U.S. Rep. John Mica wades into proposed snapper ban".

40 years for two innocent men

Scott Maxwell: "State Attorney Norm Wolfinger has finally launched an investigation into the tale of twisted justice that involves false testimony, wrongfully imprisoned men and a supposedly magic dog in Brevard County."

when contacted last week, all but one of the leading candidates for governor and attorney general vowed to look into the Preston cases, if elected.

Democratic candidate for governor Alex Sink said such a review was simply "logical," given what's known.

Republican A.G. hopeful Jeff Kottkamp said, "Equal justice for all is a guiding principle of our society. Obviously a case of wrongful incarceration — or in this instance, cases ... is something we cannot tolerate."

Kottkamp's passionate remarks stand in stark contrast to the uninterested and dismissive responses from both his boss, Gov. Charlie Crist, and the man he wants to replace, Attorney General Bill McCollum.

Despite repeated calls to investigate the Preston cases — and the possibility that others may have been wrongfully convicted — both Crist and McCollum have sat on the sidelines, saying that getting involved is simply not their job.

"Military myths"

William March: "New research on political opinions of U.S. service members suggests the stereotype of the military as uniformly conservative and Republican doesn't hold true." "Studies debunk military myths".

Get a room

"South Florida's hotel business continued to slump in June, as the recession battered occupancy and pushed down room rates." "South Florida's hotel business lags in June".