Over the next 2 ½ years, nearly $1.3 million in charges wound up on Melanie Phister's AmEx -- $40,000 at a London hotel and nearly $20,000 in plane tickets for indicted former House Speaker Ray Sansom, his wife and kids, for starters. Statements show thousands spent on jewelry, sporting goods and, in one case, $15,000 for what's listed as a month-long stay at a posh Miami Beach hotel, but which the party says was a forfeited deposit.

Not only did certain elite legislative leaders have their own party credit cards to spend donors' money with little oversight, but Phister's records show these leaders also liberally used an underling's card -- without her knowledge, she says.

"I did not have the sole discretion to initiate credit card spending,'' Phister said in an e-mail statement. "Over that period of time, there were multiple instances when the card was used to make purchases that I had no knowledge of, and I did not regularly review the monthly credit card statements which I understand were sent directly to the Party's accounting office.''

Even after a series of embarrassing revelations over profligate credit card spending by the likes of Republican U.S. Senate front-runner Marco Rubio, Sansom and incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon -- and pending state and federal investigations of party finances -- revelations of the huge charges on Phister's card had veteran GOP fundraisers apoplectic.

What will Charlie do next?

"Gov. Charlie Crist's (R-FL) Senate campaign in Florida just announced raising $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2010. This might seem impressive in theory, but in fact was less than a third of the amount that was raised by his rival in the Republican primary, the former underdog and (now frontrunner) Marco Rubio, whose campaign announced two days ago that he took in $3.6 million." "Crist Raises Less Than A Third Of Rubio's Haul In 1st Quarter". See also "Fundraising for quarter: Crist $1.1M, Rubio $3.6M", "Crist trails Rubio in campaign fundraising for Senate race" and "Crist's fundraising totals less than a third of Rubio's for first quarter".

Despite the denials, the word is that Charlie is seriously looking at his non-RPOF U.S. Senate primary options. The key will be whether he vetoes the teachers bill (see below).

"Veto, baby, veto!"

Further Update: The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Crist should veto teacher tenure bill".

Update: "Veto terrible merit pay bill: After one lost school decade, state could lose another.".

"Florida teachers, frustrated and furious by the Florida Legislature's passage of a sweeping merit-pay bill, kicked up their campaign Friday to convince Gov. Charlie Crist to veto the landmark legislation." "Teachers tell Crist on merit pay: 'Veto, baby, veto!'". See also "Teacher tenure bill a test for Crist".

"Crist now is at the center of a political firestorm over a contentious education bill that the Florida House voted to send him for approval."

Whether Crist will sign SB 6, the so-called teacher tenure bill, is anything but certain. Though supportive earlier in the session, the governor said this week that he cannot ignore the loud outcry from teachers and some parents.

During an appearance Friday in St. Petersburg, Crist said he has never had an issue put as much political pressure on him since taking office.He said he had gotten "a ton" of pressure. His office has been flooded with calls and e-mails urging a veto.

That sentiment echoes News Channel 8's SurveyUSA poll conducted Friday. Of 428 [Tampa] Bay area people surveyed who were familiar with the bill, 62 percent said Crist should veto it; 33 percent said he should sign it into law. A majority - 67 percent - said the bill would be unfair to teachers, and 47 percent said the bill would harm the quality of education in public schools.

Shouldn't Jebbie "take some responsibility"?

Tom Nickens: "If Jeb Bush wants to be governor again, the job will be open soon."

If he wants to be a U.S. senator, he should run against Gov. Charlie Crist in the Republican primary instead of sniping at him in the national media.

Of course, Bush won't enter either race.

Why should he?

Bush is advancing his conservative agenda in the Legislature and influencing the Senate race without coming out of the shadows. He has tremendous clout and no accountability. He makes tons of money, travels the world and answers to no one. ...

Now he's more like Voldemort in the Harry Potter books. You can feel his presence in the room, his surrogates are doing the dirty work and he still finds ways to leave his own mark.

Bush has more influence over the Legislature as the former two-term governor than the guy actually living in the Governor's Mansion.

But you have to feel for Crist. He is running against both Marco Rubio and Bush's shadow in the Republican primary for Senate. Even the Fox television debate between Rubio and Crist became two against one when Fox aired a video clip of Bush criticizing Crist's support of the federal stimulus package.

"I consider it unforgivable in the sense we're now in a battle for our country's future,'' Bush said.

How would Bush have dealt with the economic crisis in Florida without the federal stimulus money?

How would Bush explain laying off thousands of teachers or denying medical care to Floridians on Medicaid if there were no federal money?

Shouldn't Bush take some responsibility for the state's situation since he cut billions in taxes that could have helped Florida better weather the recession? Shouldn't he take some responsibility for the overdevelopment that contributed to the housing crash?

Bush cannot be bothered with such questions any more. ...

It must be nice to get your way and settle old scores without having to defend your own record.

"Teacher retribution"

Deputy editorial page editor of The Palm Beach Post, Jac Wilder VerSteeg reminds us that "politicians who have made life tougher on teachers haven't suffered. In 1999, then-Gov. Jeb Bush and the Legislature usurped the FCAT and turned it into a weapon to bludgeon teachers, administrators and students. Did Jeb pay? He did not. Not only was he reelected in 2002, he remains popular, and the Legislature is full of senators and representatives who sing hosannas to his "bold" educational 'reforms.'"

VerSteeg as a suggestion for teachers and their friends, pointing out that

there is one statewide race that lends itself to teacher retribution. Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, is running to replace Ms. Sink as chief financial officer. As president, Sen. Atwater could have blocked merit pay. Instead, he backed it. ...

Teachers can't get to each individual legislator who arrogantly dictated merit pay. But by knocking off Sen. Atwater, they could let it be known that any legislator who has statewide ambitions can't afford to tick off teachers.

Teachers should go after Sen. Atwater early and hard. If they can't deprive him of office, of course, nobody will take their threats seriously. But that's already the situation. Politicians have decreed that they'll misuse a bunch of tests to gauge teacher effectiveness. Make Sen. Atwater's bid to become CFO a test of teachers' political effectiveness.

Yee haw!

"The bill, HB 31, is a response to a 2008 lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union against Santa Rosa schools. The ACLU challenged teacher-led Bible study and administration-promoted prayer. A federal court-approved consent decree last year prohibits school officials from instigating religious activities in conjunction with school events." "Fla. House panel approves school-prayer measure".

Crist takes on the Legislature

Aaron Deslatte: "Crist is scrambling to balance his teetering U.S. Senate campaign by striking out against one of the only institutions more unpopular with voters than he appears to be: the Florida Legislature."

And as lawmakers head into the final three weeks of the session, that poses some fascinating potential battle-lines for the lame-duck governor and lawmakers outraged to find themselves struggling against an executive from their own party.

"I guess like all of America he can change his mind when the political winds change," said Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales.

What's driving this animosity?

Alexander was referring to Crist's recent hedging on whether he would sign a contentious bill doing away with tenure and instituting merit pay for teachers. But the list of GOP grievances with their governor is a long one.

Crist and the Republican-led Legislature have quarreled over spending, stimulus funds, Everglades restoration and insurance rates. And they could find themselves at odds over cuts to state workers' pay and pensions, and Crist's call for a corruption-cleanup bill presently going nowhere in the Capitol.

Senate President-designate Mike Haridopolos blistered Crist's veto of a campaign-finance bill (HB 1207) that would have brought back "leadership funds" for incoming House and Senate leaders, allowing them to raise unlimited cash and pump up to $50,000 into individual legislative races.

AIF says "Jump!"

The Orlando Sentinel editors board: "Even as they struggle to balance Florida's budget, state lawmakers seem poised to expand a property-tax break that'll make it harder for local governments to pay for basic services such as schools, roads and police."

The reasoning behind this proposal is dubious, and the timing is terrible. It would benefit a large landowner now locked in tax disputes with two counties, and it could serve the business interests of one of its sponsors in the Legislature.

If enough lawmakers don't come to their senses to stop it, Gov. Charlie Crist should ready his veto pen.

Florida created the tax break at issue, known as the agricultural exemption, decades ago. It was intended to reduce property-tax bills for farmers, and ease the pressure on them to sell out to developers.

The principle is sound, but large and savvy landowners have exploited the break at the expense of local governments and other taxpayers. While waiting for the right market conditions to develop their property, those landowners run a few head of cattle or plant a few trees to cut their tax bills to less than 10 percent of what they would otherwise pay.

Local governments have lost untold millions this way. Those losses have squeezed budgets and shifted more of the property-tax burden to other businesses and homeowners.

CD 19

"America's first congressional race of 2010 heads into its final days with a flurry of mailings, TV ads and phone calls from the three candidates vying to replace Robert Wexler. Democrat Ted Deutch, Republican Ed Lynch and no-party candidate Jim McCormick are on the ballot in Tuesday's special election in congressional District 19." "Early voting turnout strong as election day nears for Wexler's congressional seat". See also "Early voting under way in special election to replace Robert Wexler".

Privatization follies

The Miami Herald editorial board: "It's hard to get a straight answer out of Tallahassee during the legislative session, as Miami-Dade Public Defender Carlos Martinez knows all too well."

Mr. Martinez was in the capital this week tracking rumors that a failed 2009 provision to privatize part of his office has been resurrected. Will it be added to legislation in conference committee? If so, the proposal was a bad idea last year, and it still is.

It would farm out third-degree felony cases for indigent defendants in Miami-Dade's 11th Circuit to a private law firm without first seeking bids.

Phew! ... at least it ain't a tax

"Will Florida take a cut? Red-light cameras make millions -- but may be in peril".

Sales tax

"Florida could become the 24th state to collect sales tax on purchases from Amazon.com and other online and out-of-state vendors if some lawmakers and business advocates get their way." "Lawmakers Call for Tax on Out-of-State Sales".

Nothing better to do?

As Florida crashes and burns, "some in the Legislature want to bar illegal immigrants from claiming a lottery prize."

Noncitizens could still play the lottery, doing their part to pay for Bright Futures scholarships and school classrooms. But they couldn't claim a prize even if they picked all six numbers.

The provision is in two bills: Senate Bill 856 by Sen. Carey Baker, R-Eustis, and HB 219 by Rep. Sandy Adams, R-Oviedo. The bills also would require that foreign nationals who might get lucky while visiting Florida prove that they were here legally.

Adams' bill is mostly a requirement that businesses holding state contracts verify with the government that they don't employ illegals. She said the lottery language was not her idea and was put in the bill at the request of Rep. Rob Schenck, R-Spring Hill, who chairs a House committee that recently passed her bill.

"We're just saying that if we're really serious about cracking down on illegal immigrants in this state, we're going to put in another level of protection to identify them," Schenck said.

Baker was a little more blunt. "If you're here illegally, you shouldn't reap the benefits," he said. "I have no sympathy for someone here illegally."

Another lazy public employee ...

... whose family probably will get some publicly funded death benefit: "An off-duty Miami firefighter who recently returned from a rescue mission to Haiti died Thursday night after his motorcycle collided with a car" "Miami firefighter, Haiti rescuer, killed in Hollywood motorcycle crash".

Space race

"Calling President Barack Obama's NASA budget 'unacceptable,' U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas joined Rep. Bill Posey in demanding a greater commitment for space exploration from the White House. Kosmas, D-New Smyrna Beach, and Posey, R-Rockledge, spoke Friday at a congressional forum in Cocoa in advance of Obama's scheduled visit to Florida on Thursday." "Florida's Space Industry on High Alert".

PSC

"The House bill to split the Public Service Commission’s staff from the beleaguered panel was unanimously approved by the House Appropriations Council Friday with minor tweaks that did not address wide disparities between the plan and a measure already approved by the Florida Senate." "PSC Re-org Clears Final Committee, Senate Future in Doubt".

You're pretty much screwed when your entire campaign message is, "No really, I'm running as a Republican!" That's what we heard last week, and it's going to be what we hear next week. In this primary, nothing else matters.

Rarely have polls swung so sharply. Last May, one survey found Crist with a 37-point lead on Rubio. Early last month, a poll showed Rubio with a 34-point advantage.

Yet in an interview after the news conference, Crist seemed content, his smile as warm as ever. He said he enjoyed his debate with Rubio on Fox News last Sunday. He used the encounter to call attention to a joint investigative report by The St. Petersburg Times and The Miami Herald on Rubio's alleged private use of funds from two political committees he controlled.

"The more people hear about the reality of Marco Rubio instead of the idea of Marco Rubio, they don't like what they see," Crist told me, adding he was not worried that going on the attack might clash with his nice guy image. "I always enjoy telling the truth." And there is at least some evidence in the most recent polls that it's now Rubio's turn to come back to earth. One showed Crist within 11 points, though others showed a gap still in the 20- to 25-point range.

Sink shake up

William March: "With her fundraising slowing, her polls looking less favorable than last year and some Democrats expressing dissatisfaction with her campaign, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink is shaking things up."

Sink announced Thursday her campaign manager, Paul Dunn, is leaving, and she's adding a new deputy campaign manager in charge of finance, Shellie Levin of Miami.

At least for the time being, her campaign will operate under the direction of Jim Cassady, whose title is chief of staff. Cassady was previously chief of Sink's staff as Chief Financial Officer, and worked on the 2006 campaign in which she won the CFO job.

Levin, 58, a lawyer and fundraiser for Democratic candidates, is a veteran of 13 years as a strategist with Emily's List, the national political fundraising group that supports pro-choice women candidates.

The campaign announced the moves only in a terse statement saying Levin "will help the campaign continue to reach out to Floridians up and down the state to share Alex's vision for the future of Florida."

But campaign insiders say that Sink is seeking to reshape the campaign with people who have long known and worked with her.

"Political firestorm"

"Crist is now at the center of the political firestorm over a contentious education bill that the Florida House voted Thursday to send him for approval."

Whether Crist will sign SB 6, the so-called teacher tenure bill, is anything but certain. While supportive earlier in the session, the governor said this week that he cannot ignore the loud outcry from teachers and some parents. Thursday, the governor repeated his concerns about the proposal and refused to say whether he would veto it.

"The Legislature truly just doesn't care about public schools," thundered Andy Ford, president of the Florida Education Association, the teachers union. "The 2010 legislative session turned back the clock to the 1960s in Florida. They've truly just undone everything we've accomplished since Reubin Askew was governor."

If it becomes law with Crist's signature, the Florida Education Association may challenge the legislation in court, arguing that it interferes with collective bargaining and leaves too many details to be worked out later by the Florida Department of Education.

Meek in

"Democrat Kendrick Meek is the first U.S. Senate candidate in state history to qualify for the ballot by petition. Meek, a four-term congressman from Miami, reached his goal Thursday after supervisors of elections certified 115,557 petitions. He needed 112,476 to qualify." "Meek petition drive certified for Senate bid".

Gambling

"The state's $1 billion gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe easily scaled its first legislative hurdle Thursday as lawmakers disregarded warnings from Christian groups and rival horse and dog tracks that the measure would be bad for the state." "Seminole gambling deal passes Florida House panel".

"Gambling camel's nose is now well under the tent"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Nearly three years ago Gov. Charlie Crist made a compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida that would give taxpayers a cut of gambling profits while, at the same time, preventing the spread of new casinos. The Florida Supreme Court killed the deal."

Last year, the governor completed a second agreement, but the state House of Representatives balked.

But this week the governor, tribe and legislators agreed upon a third compact that will aid the state in hard economic times. It will raise more than $1 billion the next five years, money that the governor would like to go to education.

The downside to the deal is that the gambling camel's nose is now well under the tent, and no one should be surprised to see Vegas developers clamoring to enter the Sunshine State five years hence.

Not a joke

"Mired in a financial scandal that threatens to drag into the fall elections, Florida Republicans have tapped a firm that investigated the Enron debacle to probe credit card charges and contracts tied to ousted chairman Jim Greer." "Florida GOP taps Enron auditor to review party finances".

Social Security

"Can Florida voters handle the truth? Stay tuned for the fallout from statements about Social Security made by former state House Speaker Marco Rubio in his first TV debate with Gov. Charlie Crist." "Social Security, Marco Rubio faces truth; Crist isn’t".

Cuba

The Miami Herald editorial board works hard to pump up its readership, writing this morning that "this tired and aging tiger cannot change its stripes. Finding a real job for one million idle workers in state-run enterprises is impossible for a country that can't attract investment, doesn't believe in free markets and doesn't have the money to compensate for money-losing enterprises. "To spend more than we take in puts the survival of the revolution at risk,'' Castro warned. It is likewise impossible for the regime to act sensibly to resolve the political crisis sparked by hunger strikes." "Standing up to Cuba's crisis".

Crist nosediving

"Gov. Charlie Crist's (R-FL) Senate campaign in Florida just announced raising $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2010. This might seem impressive in theory, but in fact was less than a third of the amount that was raised by his rival in the Republican primary, the former underdog and (now frontrunner) Marco Rubio, whose campaign announced two days ago that he took in $3.6 million." "Crist Raises Less Than A Third Of Rubio's Haul In 1st Quarter".

School prayer

"At the urging of a recent Pace High School class president, and over the warnings of civil libertarians, a House panel this morning unanimously approved a watered-down school-prayer measure that sponsors hope will protect religious freedom." "House panel unanimously approves school-prayer measure".

Class size

"New class-size amendment clears state House; will be on November ballot".

"It can't be true"

Paul Flemming: "An argument made with erroneous data doesn't nullify the point. It just undermines the discourse right along with the odds of coming out the other end with good policy."

As Republicans have rammed through their merit-pay legislation in this year's session, they've repeated a startling statistic aimed at showing that bad teachers are entrenched in schools. Without tougher standards — eliminating tenure, requiring that teachers be primarily evaluated on quantitative student test results and making it easier to can teachers who aren't up to snuff — Florida's schools won't get better, they say.

Sen. John Thrasher and Rep. Tom Grady are chief among the lawmakers who have relied on an incredible set of facts to make their points.

"Under current law, as it works today, 99.76 percent of all teachers in the state of Florida receive a satisfactory or better rating," Grady said on the floor of the House Wednesday. "That applies to the failing schools of Florida."

Department of Education officials started this with testimony and evidence offered in hearings and to legislative staff. They said last year, 99.74 percent of Florida's 237,868 teachers got satisfactory ratings. Furthermore, DOE folks said, 39 districts reported every single one of their teachers got satisfactory or better evaluations.

Problem is, it can't be true.

"A contentious debate"

"It started with a simple request in 2004."

Muslims asked Hillsborough County school board members to consider giving students off for two of their most important holy days, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

The request didn't seem unreasonable, given that the school district's calendar already included days off for Christian and Jewish holidays.

To be fair and avoid potential lawsuits, board members directed a committee of school leaders, teachers, parents and others to study the idea. Its recommendation: Eliminate all school holidays built around religious celebrations.

That was the beginning of a contentious debate that saw Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly criticizing school district leaders on national television and school board members receiving death threats.

Six years later, the debate is still heated, as the school board weighs whether to keep schools open on Good Friday.

Low attendance among students and employees on Good Friday is driving the possible switch, but such a move could mean scrapping the whole secular calendar.

Jobs slashed

"About 20 out of 40 management and other staff positions at the Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance are being eliminated." "Embattled workforce alliance slashes jobs".

Children's services boards

"Florida's nine regional children's services boards on Thursday narrowly survived what they saw as a grave threat: a plan to ask voters every six years whether to renew the tax-assisted boards or abolish them." "Vote ends referendum-requirement plan for children's services boards".

Uniform accounting

"The Florida Senate has passed a proposed state constitutional amendment to require a uniform accounting for state and local government funds." "Florida Senate OK's proposal for uniform accounting".

This just a day after Gov. Charlie Crist bucked fellow Republicans and vetoed an elections bill he was expected to sign -- and the same day he reversed course and hinted he might veto a teacher tenure bill favored by Jeb Bush and other Republican leaders. On top of that, Crist plans to call the Legislature into special session this summer to overhaul state ethics laws -- an issue Republican leadership has avoided this year.

Rubio rakes in the cash

"Marco Rubio, up in the polls and surfing a wave of voter frustration, is chipping away at Gov. Charlie Crist's best hope for winning the Republican U.S. Senate primary: money."

Rubio's campaign announced Wednesday that it raised $3.6 million in the first quarter of 2010, a total that could go a long way toward erasing what was once Crist's multimillion-dollar fundraising advantage.

Rubio's haul in the first three months of this year was more than he had raised throughout the entire campaign and double the $1.75 million he reported raising in the last quarter of 2009.

It upped his total to almost $7 million, the vast majority of which the campaign said was available to spend for the Aug. 24 primary.

The Rubio camp did not say how much cash on hand it has, but it ended 2009 with about $2 million in the bank.

Crist's "dramatic shift"

"A group of far-reaching education reforms appears headed for final passage in the Legislature today -- leaving the final say up to Gov. Charlie Crist, whose support for the most controversial part of the package may be wavering." "Legislature poised to pass education overhaul today". See also "House Roars on, Readying for Teacher Performance-Pay Vote".

"In a dramatic shift, Gov. Charlie Crist signaled Wednesday he might veto a bill tying teacher pay to student test scores, even as Florida legislators prepared for a final vote on the politically polarizing measure Thursday." "Crist hints he’ll veto teacher merit pay bill". See also "House to vote on merit pay".

Even the wingers on The Tampa Tribune editorial board are getting cold feet:

Contrary to the claims of teachers' unions, Florida's education system is not going to crumble if state lawmakers eliminate teacher tenure.

Florida has long needed a merit-pay system that would motivate the best teachers to remain in the profession.

But it can do far better than this clumsy legislation - already passed by the Senate and likely to be approved by the House this week. It needlessly slights teachers and arrogantly robs local school districts of the ability to respond to their specific needs.

Gambling

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "Expected to be ratified by the House and Senate today, the compact gives the Seminoles exclusive operation of Las Vegas-style slot machines at its four casinos outside of Miami-Dade and Broward counties, plus exclusive operation of blackjack, chemin de fer and baccarat games (all currently illegal in Florida) at five of its seven casinos. In exchange, a revenue-sharing agreement with the tribe means $435 million for the state coffers this year." "Budget winner".

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Gambling deal a good bet". More: "Seminoles OK gambling compact; Crist hopes to sign bill next week". The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "No bets are off in Florida: Deal leaves state open to much more gambling.".

Greer and McCollum sittin' in a tree ...

"In all this mess about the Republican Party offering former Chairman Jim Greer a now-disputed severance package, there is little talk about Attorney General Bill McCollum's involvement."

But a new document obtained by the Times/Herald describing Greer's negotiations with the Republican Party concerning his severance package illustrates his close connection to McCollum.

Greer writes to GOP general counsel Jason Gonzalez that he will honor the "commitments that I have made to the House, Senate and McCollum's campaign" upon his departure. It's unclear what commitments Greer is referring to.

In the document, Greer also takes credit for helping McCollum, "who I might add would not be without question the presumptive nominee if not for my efforts. McCollum's campaign spokeswoman Kristy Campbell said no commitments exist and disputed Greer's role as king-maker.

Tally update

"In Tallahassee today, education bills and gambling deal".

Bright futures

Mike Thomas: "The hugely popular Bright Futures scholarship program is in the budgetary chop shop in Tallahassee. Proposals include cutting the dollar value of scholarships or reducing their number by raising academic requirements. I agree Bright Futures has to be reined in, but there is a better way to do it." "Want to save Bright Futures? Try a little competition".

Wingnuts run wild

"Rubio's fundraising announcement also set off speculation among conservative bloggers about Rubio as a presidential candidate in 2012 or soon thereafter - speculation that Rubio has brushed off."

Jebbie's dead hand

Michael Bender: "It should come as no surprise that one of the most popular Republican governors in modern Florida history is enjoying another successful legislative session. No, not Charlie Crist. Jeb Bush." "Ex-Gov. Bush having 'best session ever' with controversial education proposals".

Charlie threatens a veto

"Crist: I'll Veto Any Insurance Increase".

Children's Services Councils

"A proposal that could jeopardize Children's Services Councils isn't very popular in Sen. Joe Negron's home district, but his fellow state lawmakers showed the idea overwhelming support Wednesday morning." "Negron's Controversial Bill Passes Through Committee".

Greer

"Lawyers for former Republican Party chairman Jim Greer say Attorney General Bill McCollum and the statewide grand jury he oversees should bow out of a criminal investigation into GOP expenditures and leave it up to federal authorities." "Greer's attorneys want McCollum to bow out of criminal investigation".

'Glades

"A half-billion-dollar deal aimed at buying farmland in the Everglades to help the ailing ecosystem should be rejected because it serves no public purpose and will only delay restoration further, an attorney argued Wednesday before Florida's Supreme Court." "Everglades restoration land swap deal unworthy, foes tell Florida Supreme Court".

Joel Engelhardt: "With stakes so high, it's not surprising that Florida Crystals has established itself as the deal's biggest critic. The deal can't move forward until the Florida Supreme Court rules on a case it heard Wednesday. If Crystals can stall until Gov. Crist is out of office in November, the deal may collapse." "Sugar deal's sour politics; biggest critic has self-interest at heart".

Bozo

"House Speaker Cretul apologizes to Bovo after 'Bozo' remark".

Entrepreneurs in action

"Authorities have charged two South Florida brothers with submitting about $14 million in bogus Medicare bills for HIV medical services never provided to patients." "South Fla. brothers charged in Medicare scam".

Lake O

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Public safety is the priority in deciding when to dump Lake O water".

The elections bill was a priority of GOP lawmakers, who want to use the funds as vessels for special interest money to influence elections and help favored candidates. ...

Crist, a Republican, said leadership funds are a vestige of Florida's political past that should be forgotten. He also referred to recent scandals at the Republican Party of Florida. ...

The leadership funds bill was born, in part, because of Thrasher's successful race for state Senate last fall. Haridopolos, slated to become Senate president in November, and other Senate Republicans wanted the party to support Thrasher, but they couldn't get Greer to lend party support.

Under state elections law, a party can raise unlimited sums and directly contribute $50,000 to a candidate's campaign. Others -- such as an individual contributor or a lawmaker's personal political committee -- can contribute only $500. Also, a political party can spend unlimited amounts on polling and ads that generally support a candidate.

Under the leadership funds bill, a legislative leader would have access to a party account with the same campaign-finance powers as the party itself. Leadership funds could be set up only by four lawmakers: the minority leader in each chamber and the House speaker and Senate president or their designees.

"A scandal waiting to happen"

The Miami Herald editors: "Whether it's pols going wild with the party credit card or the creation of slush funds for ranking lawmakers, Florida's leaders show a brazen disregard for standards of accountability and transparency."

Democrats abolished leadership funds 20 years ago. Their reemergence in the GOP ranks was a scandal waiting to happen. Gov. Crist, a U.S. Senate candidate, was wise to stop it.

As things stand, the state's most powerful special interests already drive the legislative agenda through contributions to obscure political committees controlled by individual lawmakers. Since 2008, they've given about $4.1 million, with about 42 percent going to committees connected to incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos.

These slippery arrangements erode the integrity of the political system and speak volumes about the powerful individuals who stand to gain. They breed mistrust in government and public cynicism.

They call this "reform"?

"Three hotly debated education bills are heading for what appears to be final passage in the Florida House. The chamber begins floor action Wednesday on a proposed state constitutional amendment (SJR 2) that would loosen class size limits and a bill (SB 6) that would make it easier to fire teachers and link their pay to student test scores. Another bill (SB 2126) on the calendar would expand a program that provides private school vouchers to low income students." "Education bills head for Fla. House floor votes".

Beaven rolling

"Beaven picks up vets support against Mica".

Budget blues

"With both chambers of the Legislature passing their initial budgets last week, the House spent early Tuesday evening paving the way to meet with the Senate in conference to hammer out a final budget." "House Sets Stage to Conference with Senate".

Early fundraising numbers

"First-quarter 2010 fundraising numbers are trickling in, although candidate reports aren't due until next week." "First-quarter fundraising numbers trickle in from some statewide candidates".

After all ... they're just another business ...

... and they hate unions along with the rest of them. The sanctimonious Saint Petersburg Times editorial board gives us this garbage this morning: "The last time the Legislature attempted to modernize [read gut] the retirement system — by establishing an alternative 401(k)-style option — it also made concessions to pension members. The Republican-led Legislature in the past decade has repeatedly lowered employers' contribution rates and enhanced benefits for the politically powerful police and fire unions. Now those same unions*, whose members, along with elected officials, receive the most generous payouts, are helping put a lid on real reform." "Florida's pension clock running out".

To the chamber of commerce types, "reform" equals elimination of defined benefit retirement plans. If the editors shared the details of their wages, perks, deferred income and separation packages with us, the rest of us would perhaps be able to put their preaching about defined benefit plans in better context.

- - - - - - - - - -
*No surprise that The Saint Petersburg Times is a nonunion newspaper. No doubt the owners, and their shills on the editorial board, don't want their employees seeing public employees getting decent pensions, and in turn getting all uppity with management about improving their lot in life. Nah ... that couldn't possibly be a motivation for the editorial board slamming unions at every opportunity.

Time to get that yacht you've always wanted

"Tax breaks for yacht buyers, movie producers and back-to-school shoppers were included in a package of incentives Florida lawmakers approved Tuesday in hopes of sparking the state's stagnant economy." "House approves tax breaks for large boat buyers, back-to-school shoppers to spur economy".

Games on

"Crist and legislative leaders announced their $1 billion gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe on Tuesday, saying the long-sought agreement would inject needed cash into Florida's budget and free the tribe to create jobs as it expands its gambling empire."

The linchpin of the deal is the plan to authorize -- for five years only -- card games that currently are not legal in Florida: blackjack, baccarat and chemin de fer. The tribe will have exclusive operation of the table games at its three Broward casinos and its casinos in Immokalee and Tampa, but not at its Brighton casino in Okeechobee or its Big Cypress casino in Clewiston.

The tribe will guarantee the state $150 million per year in years one and two of the compact. The tribe will pay a minimum of $233 million in years three and four, and $234 million in year five, or, beginning in year three, pay 10 percent of its net revenue from the exclusive games -- whichever is greater. Legislative staff members expect the payments to exceed the minimum amounts by an estimated $200 million over the five-year life of the table games.

After the tribe operates the card games for five years, the Legislature must either pass a law to allow them to continue or order the games to cease. Lawmakers could also expand casinos to other parts of Florida. In that case, the tribe would be allowed to reduce the amount of money it pays the state.

RPOF shores up its fundraising base

"Florida's Medicaid system would be drastically revamped with nearly all patients getting managed care provided by private companies under legislation proposed Tuesday in the Florida House." "AP: Private companies would manage Fla. Medicaid".

"The state has been gradually replacing traditional Medicaid, which compensates doctors and hospitals for each visit, with HMOs and other forms of managed care. The latter model, which pays a pre-negotiated monthly rate, offers predictability and potential cost savings, though critics argue that it encourages skimping on care and provider reimbursements."

The proposal faces opposition from hospitals and doctors complaining the bill would force them into signing contracts with HMOs, making it harder than ever for Florida to retain and recruit medical professionals.

Nonprofit groups advocating for seniors and people with disabilities also sounded alarms, arguing that the needs of those people are not served well by one-size-fits-all, managed-care approaches.

At the trough

"In Tampa, the Workforce Alliance is being investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for spending irregularities, while a senior official was recently fired, and the agency's president resigned after reports of extravagant spending of taxpayer dollars. Add to this, two Pasco people who were arrested in March, and charged with creating fake training programs only to collect grant money from that county's workforce alliance. At the time, law enforcement officials said the contractor's owner also served as chairman of the workforce board. On Tuesday, the overall issue of ethics at workforce boards heated up." "Bill would create ethics standards for workforce boards".

Grandstanding

"Continuing his perennial campaign against the Castro regime, Miami Republican Rep. David Rivera wants to prohibit the state from distributing a 'virtual stamp of approval' on goods being exported from Florida to Cuba. ... While the policy impact of Rivera's proposal is a little hazy, the politics seem clear: Rivera is seeking support for his congressional run in a district that is heavily Cuban-American." "Lawmaker: Keep Florida exports stamp off goods sent to Cuba".

"Federal dollars will be needed again this year"

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "Our bottom-of-the-barrel approach to managing Florida's basic responsibilities to its citizens has children's advocates on edge — and rightfully so. It took securing a federal waiver for Florida to snag much-needed stimulus dollars for education last year. Additional federal dollars will be needed again this year, though only the state Senate is acknowledging this reliance. The ugly truth is that Florida is just scraping by on its own resources, yet there are a number of social-service federal-matching programs that the state cannot afford to lose out on." "Federal waiver key to keeping kids out of foster care".

Race to the bottom

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Health-insurance subsidies for retired public employees in Florida add up to big bucks. Eliminating them would save state government $224 million a year. City and county governments that participate in the state plan would save another $111 million. Such moves, no matter how justified, are inevitably described by opponents as balancing the budget on the backs of public employees. In fact, such moves would lift a burden from the backs of taxpayers. Many, if not most of them, don't get benefits as generous as those for public employees." "Florida can't afford to subsidize retirees' health care".

RPOF challenging "century-old ban on public funding of religious organizations"

"Separation of church and state is a celebrated American principal, but Republican lawmakers say Florida has too much of it."

The Florida Senate's Committee on Education PreK-12 approved Tuesday a constitutional amendment that seeks to repeal a century-old ban on public funding of religious organizations. The 6-2 vote fell along party lines.

The bill is being pitched as the "religious freedom'' bill by Republican leaders, but critics say it as a pro-church effort that attempts to abolish Florida's strict divisions between church and government.

If approved by three-fifths of the House and Senate, the bill would be one of many sweeping changes facing voters on the November ballot. It needs 60 percent of the vote to become law.

Sen. Thad Altman, a Brevard County Republican, called the constitutional ban an "anti-American and prejudicial'' act that prohibits citizens from seeking aid from sectarian hospitals, soup kitchen, homeless shelters, work release programs and other social service providers.

Another worst 'worst' listing

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "South Florida all too often finds itself tops on lists of dubious distinction, from dangerous roads to rude customers to the proliferation of beach litter and drowning deaths. Count the region's ranking as the pill mill capital of the nation among one of its worst 'worst' listings — one that demands immediate legislative attention." "Time overdue for toothy restrictions on pill mills".

Social media

"The Florida Supreme Court formally reprimanded Circuit Judge Angela Dempsey for a pair of mistakes in her 2008 campaign today and warned judges to watch what they say on new social media like YouTube." "Florida Supreme Court formally reprimands Circuit Judge Angela Dempsey".

What are the slaves to do?

"The fungus was discovered last month near Immokalee and it could take many years for the disease to spread statewide. But when it does, growers will face increased costs and smaller harvests because the disease leads to premature fruit drop." "‘Black Spot’ disease is latest threat to Florida’s citrus industry".

Bad firefighters

"Today, Palm Beach County commissioners will consider calling a referendum this fall to do just that, by shifting financing of fire-rescue services from property taxes to sales taxes. The proposal unfortunately would assure a continuing stream of revenue for fire departments. Why unfortunately? If passed, the proposal would shield fire-rescue departments from tough budget decisions that often result in reasonable limits on pay and staffing."

As far as the "liberal" Palm Beach Post editorial board is concerned, here's all you need to know:

Firefighter unions, which wield undue influence because they provide money and staff to local political campaigns, got the county-by-county sales-tax option through the Legislature last year.

Imagine that

"A bill in the Florida Legislature would require middle school students to show that they know a few things about government in order to get to high school -- which worries some educators." "Florida legislative leaders reach Seminole gambling deal".

Boyd defends his vote

"Boyd defends health-care vote: 'Give it a chance'".

Not so fast with the drilling

"Florida Democrats have sent letters to President Barack Obama, protesting his plans to expand oil and gas drilling as close as 125 miles off Florida's coast. U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Alcee Hastings and Corrine Brown wrote to Obama Tuesday, asking for a meeting with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and presidential advisor Carol Browner, a Florida native who last week said the 125-mile proposed buffer should keep Florida protected." "Three Florida Democrats oppose offshore drilling".

Rubio

"Many Social Security experts agree that raising the retirement age is one of the solutions that must be considered if the 75-year-old entitlement program is to avoid insolvency. ... Rubio may have the experts on his side but there are political risks in Florida, just as there were when he disagreed with Crist and said illegal immigrants should not be counted in the 2010 census. That stance could cost the state millions in federal aid to cover services." "Rubio's call to change Social Security puts him in line with experts, if not voters".

'Glades appeal

"The Florida Supreme Court will hear a legal challenge to a state deal aimed at buying 73,000 acres of farmland from U.S. Sugar Corp. for Everglades restoration projects. The court was set to hear the case Wednesday afternoon that calls for the state to pay $536 million for the land." "Fla. Supreme Court to hear Everglades case". See also "High court to weigh in on Everglades restoration" and "Everglades land deals and Big Sugar battles head to Florida Supreme Court".

Crist holds a press conference

"Crist announced Tuesday that he wants to make reduced-cost drugs available to all Floridians. In a press conference with Douglas Beach, secretary of the state Department for Elder Affairs, Crist said he was lifting the age and income limit for his Florida Discount Drug Card program." "Discount Prescription Drugs for All, Crist Announces".

Sea cow

"Biologists have released a manatee back into waters near the Atlantic coast after the mammal was found suffering from effects of the winter weather." "Manatee released into wild after winter rescue".

Although his North Florida district was among the state's most conservative, he was seen as a moderate Republican, and, under his influence, the Senate usually was, too. Or at least the more moderate of the two chambers.

Not this year.

Joe in town

"VP Biden meets with Haitian-Americans in Miami".

Crist will turn on state employees

Bill Cotterell: "State employees have more to worry about this month than in most budget negotiations."

... Republicans who run the Capitol distrust government itself — and thus have no particular concern for its employees. ...

Trailing Marco Rubio in the GOP Senate race, it's not likely Crist will get in the way if the Legislature turns on state employees. Voters in Republican primaries tend to believe the myth that Florida government is big, wasteful, inefficient and in need of all the trimming it can get.

Has it come to this?

"Johnston's IQ scores have varied throughout his life, ranging from 57 to 83. His attorney, Todd Johnston, has argued that the latest most accurate test scores him at 61 — lower than previous tests — and qualifies him to be spared the state's death penalty. The state has pointed to earlier tests in 2005 that scored Johnston's IQ at 84." "Death-row debate: Will killer’s low IQ save him from lethal injection?".

Will they twitter death cases?

"Florida Supreme Court now using Twitter".

Florida tea partiers a GOP front group

"Florida has a Tea Party and a tea party movement, and no, they are not the same thing."

As tens of thousands of angry conservative voters began protesting big government and federal spending, Fred O'Neal decided to tap into that energy and create a state-recognized political party - the Tea Party. The party now has a candidate on the 2010 ballot to challenge Democratic U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson.

But many tea party activists don't agree with the strategy. They want to be a force of change that backs candidates who share their beliefs - not a third party that could split votes and benefit Democratic candidates.

"There's been a steady campaign to try to drive a wedge between the Tea Party and the other people in the tea party movement," O'Neal acknowledged. "They're trying to basically discredit what we're doing."

While O'Neal is hearing from some local groups interested in connecting with the party, he's also facing a lawsuit filed by other leaders who don't want him to have the rights to the name.

Tallahassee update

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "At the midway point, legislators are getting a few things right, and way too many things wrong." "Session 2010: Halftime in Tallahassee".

"The roller-coaster ride of controversial bills continues this week as legislators have a jampacked schedule of lengthy debates and long days."

On Monday, the House's Education Policy Council has scheduled a marathon eight-hour meeting to allow teachers to vent about their proposals to increase graduation standards, eliminate teacher tenure and link pay to student test scores. ...

Also Monday, the House Rules & Calendar Council will meet to discuss HJR 37 by [con law wizard] Rep. Scott Plakon, which would prohibit Floridians from being mandated to purchase healthcare insurance. ...

On Tuesday, the Senate will take up its just-completed gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe as well as its bill to lower tax rates for the parimutuel industry. ...

On Thursday, the House Select Committee on Seminole Compact will take up the gambling deal.

"A house of cards"

The Tampa Tribune editors: "Property insurance in Florida, as Rep. Bill Proctor of St. Augustine says, is a house of cards. One major storm would blow it all away and with it the state's economic future. Legislation sponsored by Proctor would begin to establish a market-based foundation for the state's property insurance." "Put property insurance on firm ground".

"The risk of embarrassment"

"In four public polls conducted over the past two months — two of them by or for Democrats, Daily Kos/Research 2000 and Public Policy Polling, and two by Republican or Republican-leaning pollsters, Fabrizio, McLaughlin & Associates and Rasmussen Reports — Rubio leads three-way contests. Three of the surveys show Crist in second place, while one has him third."

Insiders seem to agree that a Crist Independent bid would damage the governor’s credibility and rob him of much of the Republican and Democratic support he currently has in hypothetical ballot tests, certainly putting him at great risk of a third-place finish.

Running as an Independent would confirm the line of attack that Crist’s critics have leveled at him — that he is an opportunist who will do or say anything that he needs to in order to further his personal goals. And that would peel Republican and Democratic supporters away from him quickly.

Some observers doubt Crist’s fundraising ability as an Independent, noting that many of his contributors have already maxed out for the primary and general election.

Yes, Crist’s chances of winning a three-way race might be marginally better than his chances of defeating Rubio in a GOP primary, but the risk of embarrassment would also be much greater for the governor.

Good luck with that

"A bill proposed in the state Legislature this year would give gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people a weapon to fight back when they're discriminated against in housing or employment. It's called the Florida Competitive Workforce Act and it would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the state law that already protects people in employment and housing based on race, religion, sex, age and disability. ... Although the session is only half over, no one expects any groundbreaking GLBT legislation to become the law of the land in Florida this year." "Gay rights bills seen as progress".

Bought and paid for

"When powerful industries push their agendas in the state Capitol, they start cutting big checks to the little-known political committees of top Florida legislators who spend the money to help each other and themselves. Total contributed to the committees since the end of the 2008 elections: $4.1 million, according to a Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times analysis of the 36 committees tied to sitting legislators."

And, up to his neck in all this, budding author Mike Haridopolos:

About 42 percent of the money flowed to four committees tied to one lawmaker, Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne, who will lead the Florida Senate in November. And Haridopolos is pushing for even more fundraising power: He helped pass a bill two weeks ago that could increase -- by a factor of 100 -- the power of legislative leaders to directly contribute money to a candidate's campaign.

The money trail reveals at least one reason that some big issues -- limiting lawsuits, for instance -- dominate this lawmaking session. And it shows how legislators spend the cash of others by campaigning for friends, hiring consultants and dining around the state in places ranging from Cracker Barrel in Vero Beach to Urbane, an upscale Tallahassee restaurant.

"When I go on the road, I should pay for that?'' Haridopolos responded when asked if some lawmakers are using special interest money for regular living expenses. "My role is to help people get elected.''

It gave $735,200 to another committee that gave money to yet another committee to support the successful Oct. 6 Senate campaign of Republican John Thrasher of St. Augustine. A third committee that also received Freedom First cash, Don't Bank on Sink, launched a now-defunct website criticizing Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink, the state's chief financial officer.

About $295,000 of Freedom First's money came in six checks from the Florida and U.S. Chambers of Commerce. Another $105,000 came from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida.

"Commercial buildings are being abandoned"

"As home foreclosures continue to mount throughout Central Florida, code-enforcement officers say apartments, condominiums and other commercial buildings are being abandoned by their owners and repossessed by banks in growing numbers." "Foreclosures' coming wave: Commercial properties".

Desperate

"Giuliani to help Rubio's Senate campaign in Miami".

Journalists needed

Adam C. Smith has several questions, including these:

- If Charlie Crist heard "rumors" that ousted GOP chairman Jim Greer, his close friend, had a piece of a lucrative and possibly illegal, secret contract with the state GOP, what did he do about it?

- If state party chairman John Thrasher, House Speaker-designate Dean Cannon and Senate President-designate Mike Haridopolos really wanted to clean up a party beset by allegations of financial irregularities, why wouldn't they come clean weeks ago about having at least started to execute a severance agreement with Greer?

- Is Thrasher remarkably arrogant or remarkably boneheaded to sign a severance agreement for Greer more than a month before Thrasher was even elected party chairman?

- How many current and former legislators with state GOP credit cards are consulting with accountants and/or lawyers about amending their tax returns?

Teacher bashing

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "The Florida House is poised to ram through sweeping changes to employment rules for public school teachers this week without listening to critics or allowing any improvements to the legislation." "Teacher bill needs improvements".

Ready, set ... bulldoze

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Developers believe it's too hard to exploit Florida's natural resources to build whatever they want. They've enlisted powerful allies to make it easier: the Republican-dominated Florida House of Representatives." "Growth watchdog in danger".

Recession ... what recession?

"They are extravagant and self-indulgent, with their helipads, onboard gyms, mahogany interiors and glass-walled elevators." "Dredging work planned to attract mega yachts".

Condos

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "With Florida desperate for some economic good news, a small life preserver has been tossed to the state by two of the country's biggest mortgage underwriters." "Much-needed help for condo market".

Storm-surges

"When it comes to storm-surge damage, South Florida has more at risk than any other place in the country. A new study puts it at $53.6 billion." "South Florida leads nation in potential storm-surge losses".

Crist, who has the last word on most legislative actions, faces a clear choice with four weeks left in his last session as governor: He can ratify Republican proposals on education, property insurance, political fundraising and the budget, or use his veto pen to beat down party orthodoxy and revive the "people above politics'' populism that got him elected in 2006.

1. Don't make the race a replay of the Fox News debate. ...

2. Don't avoid the real issues. ...

3. Don't sell Florida short.

The wacky urologist

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "You could hardly blame patients for wondering what motivated Jack Cassell to become a doctor. To heal the sick? Sure, as long as they agree with his politics." "Politics and docs".

"Poverty of both revenue and courageous ideas"

The Tallahassee Democrat editors: "It's now wait-and-see time for the public, state employees in particular, as the Florida Legislature sends its appropriations wizards into conference. For the next couple of weeks they'll arm wrestle over differences in the state budget, a ragged document revealing the state's poverty of both revenue and courageous ideas." "Our Opinion: Short-term, short-sighted budgets rule".

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "About the best thing you can say for Florida's House and Senate spending plans is they're nearer to reality than the starry-eyed budget Gov. Crist dropped on the public in February. The next best thing you can say is they're a long way from being done deals." "Session 2010: A better way to spend".

Teacher bashing continues

"Teachers and their unions have been circulating petitions against the measure, making picket signs and holding rallies and demonstrations. They've flooded the Florida House with e-mails and so many calls that extra lines were put in and additional staffers assigned to answer the phones. ... The largely partisan debate is over a bill (SB 6) sponsored by Sen. John Thrasher of St. Augustine, who also chairs the Florida Republican Party."

And isn't this nice: "It's supported by GOP luminaries such as Gov. Charlie Crist and former Gov. Jeb Bush, who has remained a force in education policy debates through his Foundation for Florida's Future, and by business organizations including the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Florida." "Emotions high over Fla. teacher pay, tenure bill".

Actually, its all about bashing teachers and their unions; after all, unions tend to support Democrats. As Scott Maxwell recently wrote:

Florida has one of the worst-funded school systems in America.

Compounding the problem is the contempt Republican legislators have for teachers. That's right — teachers.

Sure, they'll try to tell you they just hate the unions. But who do you think comprises the union? It's your son's math instructor, your daughter's music teacher — and their soccer coach.

Underpaid educators have become the enemy.

In fact, the overall demonization of the working class is one of corporate America's most successful coups within the GOP — a party that once [back in the 1800s] championed the rights of the common man.

So much for clean energy

"In the last legislative session before his death, state Sen. Jim King tirelessly pushed for an energy compromise to reduce the amount of dirty fuel the state uses to produce electricity."

He called it "visionary'' and predicted it would spawn jobs in the growing alternative-fuel industry. It passed in the Senate, 37-1, but died in the House.

This year, environmentalists and green companies are urging the revival of the Jacksonville senator's vision from 2009. But with four weeks left of the legislative session, the prospects have vanished for a renewable-energy standard that would force the state to clean up the way it produces power.

Early voting begins

"Early voting starts Monday in special election to replace Wexler".

"Hard to imagine"

"It is hard to imagine what 'Walkin' Lawton' Chiles would make of today's campaign for U.S. Senate between Gov. Charlie Crist and former House Speaker Marco Rubio." "Chiles' walk still carries lessons for state politics".

Robbing the courts' trust fund

The Miami Herald editorial board: "As foreclosures continue to rattle the state's economy, Florida's courts are drowning in such disputes -- while facing little sympathy from Tallahassee."

Cuts for the judiciary, which has been underfunded for years, cannot continue. Some legislators have been tempted to rob the courts' trust fund, which experienced a $130 million surplus this fiscal year, to pay for other unrelated state programs. That remains a danger as legislators, reconciling House and Senate versions of their budget proposals, eye the trust fund to plug part of a $3 billion hole in the state budget.

No runoffs

Mary Ann Lindley: "The most important and yet most choice-limiting decisions of this election year in Florida will be on Aug. 24, date of the Democratic and Republican party primaries."

Since 2002, we haven't had runoffs in which the top two vote-getters square off for a party's nomination. So it's winner-take-all — yet that isn't really representative of the voters' will. ... Doing away with party runoffs, a GOP concept, was a ridiculously restrictive plan in some ways, a brilliant political strategy in others.

It can save campaigning money and the costs of holding elections. But it also discourages citizens from participating as voters because it limits our choices — turning more of us into armchair spectators.

"A rare display of discord and disintegration"

Aaron Deslatte: "Looks like Florida Republicans and ex-state party Chairman Jim Greer will be playing Deal or No Deal all the way to the fall elections."

Greer's lawsuit also says the criminal investigation into his financial dealings with the state party "may encompass" House Speaker-designate Dean Cannon, Senate President-designate Mike Haridopolos and party Chairman John Thrasher, who along with Attorney General Bill McCollum were key players in forcing Greer out of office.

To sum up: The Republican Party of Florida is basically accusing Greer of criminally concealing his personal benefit from a fundraising contract he secretly signed with a company in which he secretly owned a 60 percent stake. In response, Greer's lawyer is accusing the RPOF of a "political vendetta" to avoid paying him under the terms of the severance deal party leaders offered in January.

This can only get worse. ...

It's a rare display of discord and disintegration with the once-disciplined party machine. And Greer's lawsuit seems certain to keep alive the issue of the behavior of party leaders.

This fall, we'll see whether it costs the party a lot more than some "hush money" and dinner tabs.

"Crist and McCollum sit idly by"

Scott Maxwell: "Crist and McCollum sit idly by, focused on their quest for higher office. Fortunately, the candidates vying to replace Crist and McCollum have vowed to be more vigilant." "Will Florida lawmakers help imprisoned innocents?".

Ferre

"This underdog bid to overcome Meek and then take on whoever emerges from the Republican primary slugfest between Gov. Charlie Crist and former House Speaker Marco Rubio is driven by Ferre's belief that smart, centrist ideas and a generous dose of moxie generate more traction than monied campaigns. After making the rounds at condos, Democratic clubs and civic organization meetings in South and Central Florida, Ferre said he senses voters are so disenchanted by incumbents that they just might give him a shot." "Maurice Ferre, former insider, now an outsider in race for U.S. Senate".

So much for the "backlash"

George Bennett: "Health care backlash doesn't bring big bucks for GOP candidate Lynch; Deutch has 13-to-1 money edge".