Now that we know him ... we don't like him

"Public Policy Polling released a new survey showing that Florida Gov.-elect Rick Scott’s favorability numbers remain in the low 30s, though fewer view him unfavorably. The polling service says the numbers show 'there is little doubt that he’s the most unpopular newly elected Governor in the country.'" "Poll: Scott 'the most unpopular newly elected Governor in the country'".




Haridopolos scrapes bottom of the barrel

Even the public employee pension haters on the Orlando Sentinel editorial board have to ask "what on Earth was Senate President Mike Haridopolos thinking when he hired a firm with ties to a legally compromised consultant — to advise him no less on reforming the Florida Retirement System?"

He was thinking that Charles LeCroy "is an expert in the field," said a Haridopolos spokesman — never mind that Mr. LeCroy was sentenced to six months in prison in 2005 after pleading guilty to two counts of wire fraud for engaging in a scheme to obtain municipal-bond business from the city of Philadelphia.

Then there is the massive Jefferson County, Ala., bribes-for-bonds investigation involving Mr. LeCroy. The Securities and Exchange Commission is pursuing a civil case against Mr. LeCroy concerning that one. ... it's astonishing that Mr. Haridopolos would be so reckless in his choice of advisers.

"Haridopolos' judgement".




Panhandle Blues

"Gov.-elect Rick Scott returned to the scene of one of his greatest triumphs Wednesday: the staunchly Republican Panhandle that played a important role in his winning election as Florida's next governor." "Scott gets a hero's welcome". See also "Scott calls on Panhandle base for support".




Blah, blah, blah

"Scott said he's asking business owners and executives to give him a list of regulations that interfere with their companies, then he's asking state agencies what the effect would be of eliminating them. But he said he hasn't begun identifying specific items he plans to eliminate." "Gov.-elect Scott vows to streamline regulations".




Blame public employee pensions

"As unfunded liability grows, more are calling for employee contributions and reduced benefits". "Local Governments Seek Pension Relief".




Let's cut their pension ... as they die in record numbers

"Florida again among top five states for law enforcement fatalities".




"The idiot saying all this"

"Last Jan. 28 there was a column in this newspaper about why Gov. Charlie Crist could still win the U.S. Senate race."

And who was the idiot saying all this?

That would be [Howard Troxler].

Rubio beat Crist by 19 points.

Wait, I got more.

"Columnist reminds us of the dumb things he said in 2010".




About Charlie

"Outgoing Gov. Charlie Crist will linger in some short-term memories for his failed independent Senate run and his pardon of singer Jim Morrison. People thinking longer term will recall a governor who persuaded Republicans and Democrats to work together but blundered away his potential for success at the national level." "Economy, missteps sank Crist's political career".




'Glades

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "The effort to restore the Florida Everglades is closing out the year with a flourish. A federal judge in Miami threw his support this month behind a plan by the Environmental Protection Agency to build a vast new series of marshes to filter polluted runoff before it enters the River of Grass." "Keep Everglades on track".




Solar

"The battle over who should pay for solar energy".




Officials' pensions

"Bill would reduce Florida's contribution to elected officials' retirement funds".




Subsidizing Star Island

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "The state's utilities could generate 40,000 of the 700,000 jobs Rick Scott has promised Florida — if the governor-elect gives a price break to companies that move to Florida or expand their operations here. And then passes those costs onto consumers."

That's what an economic development transition team has recommended to Mr. Scott, but it's a recommendation Mr. Scott ought to guard against.

"Electric shock".




Last minute appointments not so lame

Kevin Derby: "Lame-duck governor names Hernando County sheriff and Enterprise Florida appointments in his last days in Tallahassee ... In the dying days of his term, Gov. Charlie Crist has made a number of key appointments that will shape the future of the Sunshine State for years to come -- in fact, 14 already this week. " "Rush of Appointments as Crist Prepares to Leave".




Enough with the "ineffective, expensive punishment-first philosophy"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "To Floridians worried about Gov.-elect Scott's ultra-conservative bent, the only thing more alarming than news he is being advised to shake up the prison system might be news that Mr. Scott is being advised to use Texas as a model."

In fact, the recommended approach should be encouraging to Floridians regardless of party or ideology. Texas is at the forefront of states that have scrapped an ineffective, expensive punishment-first philosophy. If Mr. Scott follows suit, Florida could benefit from a focus on prevention and rehabilitation.

"Florida should move away from its expensive, ineffective tough-on-crime philosophy.".




Second amendment remedies

"Teen accidentally shoots sister, 10, in leg in Pompano".




Desperation

The Sun Sentinel editors: "The desperation exists because schools in Florida operate on a shoestring. Legislators treat them as an annoyance, while ambitious politicians use them as cannon fodder for political campaigns." "School fundraising getting out of control".




"Florida corruption tax"

"Florida ethics officials need more authority to investigate and more power to punish public officials and others for what amounts to a 'Florida corruption tax' that is eroding public trust and stealing taxpayers' money, a statewide grand jury said Wednesday." "State ethics officials need more authority to punish corrupt public officials".




Yee Haw!

"The governor-elect went on a whirlwind tour of Florida on Wednesday, stopping in cities -- including Miami -- that played an important role in his victorious campaign." "Gov.-elect Rick Scott's victory lap brings him to Miami".




No quorum for Alvarez

"A lack of a quorum forced the cancellation of a special Miami-Dade County Commission meeting called Wednesday to consider setting a recall election for embattled Mayor Carlos Alvarez." "Meeting to set recall election canceled".




Blame Mel

"Florida's representation in government underwent a huge change in 2010 and voters can either blame or thank former Sen. Mel Martinez, depending on how they feel about it. Republican Martinez's December 2008 announcement that he would not seek a second term created a domino effect that led to an election year unlike Florida had seen in more than a century."

If Martinez had just stayed put, Gov. Charlie Crist probably would have run for re-election. Same with Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Attorney General Bill McCollum. Instead, Florida has a new U.S. Senator, a new governor and three new Cabinet members.

And it was a year when tea party fervor over federal spending helped Republicans take back four U.S. House seats, including two candidates considered safe when the election cycle began.

"2010 election gives Fla. many new faces in office".