Uh, Mr. Speaker? Your job running the Florida House is supposed to be all about hot walking developer interests, giving pedicures to the insurance industry and blowing air kisses to all those bankers sitting in the gallery.

But there was Cannon, doing his best "give me a campaign contribution or give me death!" diatribe during this week's legislative special session, otherwise known as the "Let's shaft Charlie Crist'" cocktail hour.

Cannon, an attorney, who apparently went to the Spike's School of Barristery and Small Motor Repair, reserved his extra-special ire for the Florida Supreme Court, which had the audacity to apply the law to stuff. Such fuddy-duddies.

"Scott's gala game is on"

The rich are different

"Rick Scott has resurrected the inaugural ball after an eight-year hiatus and plans two days of festivities in the capital city and around the state to celebrate his Jan. 4 swearing in."

Gov. Charlie Crist called off his inaugural ball in 2005 and replaced it with a public barbecue on the lawn of the governor's mansion after it was reported that he was willing to take private donations of as much as $500,000 to raise up to $3.5 million for his swearing-in celebrations. In cancelling the ball, he said he "didn't feel right" having the $100-per-ticket fete while homeowners and businesses struggled with escalating insurance premiums and property taxes.

But, even with unemployment hovering around 12 percent —- more than triple the 3.7 percent when Crist canceled his ball — and Scott's pledge to voters that his election means "the end of politics as usual in Tallahassee," Scott's gala game is on.

Scott, a multi-millionaire who spent at least $73 million on his campaign for governor, is charging $95 a ticket for his inaugural ball and has capped individual contributions for his inaugural events at $25,000.

Oh yeah, and then there's this house ...

"Norman's new disclosure form includes $500,000 house".

Scott inserts his nose into the AIF's derriere ...

... while Florida's alleged political journalists stand outside the locked room: "Rick Scott lays out agenda in private speech to business groups".

Imagine that, a "self-important politician"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Florida Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp made a ridiculous request for a state-paid security detail while he was on vacation in Italy. Ridding Tallahassee of this self-important politician can’t happen soon enough." "Kottkamp can't go soon enough".

Will LeMieux give as much attention to Disney workers?

"If the National Football League could throw a penalty flag at the players union, it would be for political interference. The NFL Players Association has turned to Congress for help in preventing team owners from locking out union members next season. Steps the union has taken include drafting letters for lawmakers to send to the league and holding a briefing for members of Congress and their aides on the economic impact of a labor dispute, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press."

One union-drafted letter asks Commissioner Roger Goodell to commit to no lockout next year - and, failing that, seeks a batch of information from the league, including each team's financial statements and salary figures of top officials as well as information on government subsidies for stadium construction and renovation.

The union found no takers for that letter, but it did get Sen. George LeMieux, R-Fla., to write to Goodell and the union expressing concern about the economic impact of a lockout and urging both sides to reach an agreement. LeMieux's letter, sent in August, contains passages nearly identical to a draft letter circulated by the union, including this section: "I understand that you are currently engaged in negotiating a collective bargaining agreement, and I do not seek to interject myself into those discussions. However, on behalf of fans, businesses and communities, I urge you to sit down now to work out whatever differences you might have."

GOPers in action

"House GOP blocks bill to extend jobless benefits past Dec. 1".

It ain't my fault

"Susan Bucher, in an interview with The Palm Beach Post's editorial board Thursday, said the county is using old 'analog' equipment and blamed her predecessor, Arthur Anderson, for buying the wrong stuff." "Palm Beach County Elections Chief Susan Bucher wants to retry touch-screen voting".

Grayson keeps on keeping on

"Watch Alan Grayson: 5 Things The Rich Can Do With Their Tax Cuts".

Any U.S. bidders?

"A consortium of European companies is vying to finance and operate Florida's high-speed rail line between Tampa and Orlando." "European Group Gears Up Florida High-Speed Rail".

Teacher haters in hiding

"The highly contentious teacher merit pay proposal that was shot down by Gov. Charlie Crist last spring has re-emerged, but with some preliminary concessions to teachers and also perhaps to Gov.-elect Rick Scott, who -- as the father of a special education teacher -- voiced concerns about the proposal’s fairness to some educators. ... So far, no lawmaker has been officially attached to the bill as a sponsor, and Thrasher did not return calls seeking comment." "New Teacher Merit Pay Details Emerge".

Lookin' for more wingnuts

"20 States Up for Health-Care Challenge, but Bill McCollum, Pam Bondi Look to Get More".

Amendment 'would give egg the rights of a living person'"

"The amendment is called the 'Florida Personhood Amendment' and, according to the state’s election website, would define all human beings as 'persons under the constitution regardless of age, race, health function, condition of physical and/or mental dependency and/or disability.' The amendment is sponsored by Personhood Florida, a group whose mottos include 'to enjoy and defend life' and 'justice for all human beings cannot wait.'" "Progress Florida questions Scott’s stance on proposed ‘personhood’ amendment".

Fair District follies

"Gaetz, Bennett split on continuing to fund anti-Amendment 6 lawsuit".

A Republican thing

"Florida's No. 2 official [Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp] wanted a member of the Florida Highway Patrol to accompany him and his family because of terror threats against U.S. citizens. The state said no." "Kottkamp sought security for a birthday trip to Italy".

Tampa's loss

"Jim Davis says he won't run for Tampa mayor".

Hmmm ... might that include bashing working people and their unions?

"Newt Gingrich is urging GOP governors to turn what he calls "the rejection of the left" into "the replacement of the left" by enacting conservative, transformational policies in the states." "Gingrich: GOP governors primed for big change".

Are chain gangs in Florida's future?

"Scott announces 'law and order' transition team".

Yee haw! Vouchers for everyone!

"As school board members were sworn in this week, Broward County Public Schools, the sixth largest public school system in the United States, face another year of funding cuts. And with expectations that state legislators do not intend to help schools stay afloat, they are worried." "Confronting budget cuts and a hostile state legislature, schools face an uncertain future".

Teabaggers look the other way

"House Dems Try To Exploit Embarrassing Moment ... When Freshman GOPer Asked For His Gov't Health Care ... To Expose GOP Hypocrisy".

Sound bites

"Ron Sachs Communications, a PR outfit in Tallahassee, is promoting a web video that sums up Florida’s turbulent election campaign through a series of sound-bites. The video -- called 'Florida 2010: The Dominoes As They Fell' – starts with Florida Senator Mel Martinez’ decision in January 2009 to leave office, setting off a surprising chain of events." "Sound-bite video sums up Florida elections".

Laff riot

"Ending Bid for Congressional Leadership, Connie Mack Takes Aim at Bill Nelson".

Whatever

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Rubio and Nelson should team up for Florida".

"After all, he is black"

As we read "Battle over GOP's Steele spills over into 2012 Tampa convention", we recall that Hillsborough County Republicans are less than sophisticated about African-Americans, particularly the uppity kind. Consider the notorious email forwarded by David A. Storck, Chairman of the Hillsborough County Republican Party during the 2008 election.

Grayson haters can't give it up

The The Orlando Sentinel Grayson haters, happy that their do boy-Webster is in DC parroting Heritage Foundation press releases, can't give up their anti-Grayson campaign: "Grayson gets most airport parking freebies".

"Gov. Lightweight"

Scott Maxwell: "Charlie Crist wants to pardon The Doors' front man for his conviction on charges of indecent exposure and profanity. Why not? Such a crusade seems just about right for Gov. Lightweight." "Looking to fix injustices? Start with living people, Charlie".

Perhaps we should build more overpasses

"Desperate to cut into the state's $20 billion annual Medicaid pricetag, state lawmakers began this week tossing out ways to cut costs, including shuttling more low income patients into private managed care programs and creating new limits on lawsuits against doctors." "Tallahassee lawmakers mull overhaul of Medicaid". See also "Lawmakers weigh plans for Medicaid overhaul" "Medicaid: Should Florida Follow Texas and Just Opt Out?"

Maybe next time

"The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday belatedly upheld a defunct state plan to float bonds to pay for a $536 million, 73,000-acre land deal with U.S. Sugar Corp. -- but the judicial approval came tempered by an important exception and a pointed critique from one justice, who branded such financing schemes a 'shell game' intended to avoid taxpayer scrutiny." "Florida Supreme Court upholds issue of bonds for U.S. Sugar land deal". See also "Fla. court approves Everglades land deal".

RPOF continues to purge women

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "It's a shame, but hardly a surprise, that Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos snubbed Lakeland Sen. Paula Dockery and left her the only Republican in the upper chamber without a committee chairmanship."

Dockery has chaired several committees since her election in 2002, among them Environmental Protection and Law and Justice, as well as served as majority whip. But she enjoys a reputation as something of a maverick – an attitude that won't be tolerated under the new leadership.

Sentinel editors publish GOP talking points

"Pelosi's re-election: Do Dems have a death wish?".

What's a wingnut to do? ... state employee pension plan in great shape

"Florida's State Board of Administration said Wednesday that it beat its investment objectives last year, with its giant pension fund leading the way. Rebounding from the recession, the pension fund gained $9.8 billion after payment of benefits and was worth $109.3 billion in the year ended June 2010."

The SBA's investment performance came under fire during the recent election season. Republican Gov.-elect Rick Scott accused his Democratic rival, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, of poor oversight of the SBA, which is governed by a three-member board that includes the governor, the CFO and the attorney general.

Funny how that works

"Give $25k for the Scott inauguration, get VIP treatment from Florida's new governor".

Thank you, Mr. Obama

Slow but sure: "Statewide, the total number of 'enplanements' -- the number of passengers boarding a flight, including origination, stopovers and connections -- at Florida's 14 major airports rose by 3.8 percent. The average daily room rate at hotels and motels rose by 1.2 percent, and monthly hotel occupancy rates were up 5.1 percent." "Florida tourism numbers up, mostly".

Frederica goes to Washington

"From family politics to the halls of Congress".

As long as the Chamber gives permission

"Fresh off promising that the Florida Legislature won't raise a dime in taxes, lawmakers on Tuesday enacted a law that allows citrus growers to triple the 1-cent-per-box tax on oranges and grapefruits to pay for disease research. The measure, tucked into HB 981, an agriculture bill overridden on Tuesday, won't raise much money in revenue terms — between $3.5 million to $4.5 million a year. It's a tax the industry asked to have imposed on itself". "The new, no-tax Legislature approved a tax on its first day in power".

Something, anything

"Business leaders: Build light rail leg to Tampa airport".

LeMieux helps kill pay equity for women bill

"GOP blocks pay equity measure in Senate". In his chasing the Chamber-AIF vote in his senate race, LeMieux voted "no", Nelson voted in support of the bill.

They can hope

Beth Reinhard: "Look for the Republican Party to try to build on its appeal to Hispanic voters in 2012, when the nation's fastest growing minority group will help decide whether or not President Barack Obama gets a second term." "GOP to build on success with Hispanic voters".

This won't help: "Proponent of Arizona-style immigration law to chair Judiciary Committee" ("State Rep. William Snyder, R-Stuart, will chair the Judiciary Committee ... In August, Snyder announced, along with Attorney General Bill McCollum, draft language of an immigration bill that mimics Arizona’s controversial S.B. 1070.") We predict Snyder will fold like a cheap suit, and the Teabaggers will flock to the polls to vote for him next election anyway.

Enjoying a vetoproof majority, the Republican leadership spent more time settling old scores and railing against Washington and the courts Tuesday than explaining exactly how it will dig Florida out of a $3 billion budget shortfall, improve schools or truly affect Florida's unemployment rate.

High mark for Hubris in Tally

"The Florida Legislature christened a new era of conservative government Tuesday, flexing its newfound muscle by overriding eight vetoes in a half-day special session." "8 Crist vetoes overridden".

"Michael John Haridopolos and Roy Dean Cannon Jr. were installed as the new Senate president and House speaker, respectively. Together, the two men will preside over the first Republican-led, veto-proof Florida Legislature since Reconstruction." Cannon, who claims to be a lawyer,

used his speech to take shots at the federal government and the Florida Supreme Court.

Cannon blasted Congress for "taking over banks and financial institutions,'' "socializing medicine'' and "trampling the property rights of citizens and the sovereignty of states.''

Cannon said the Supreme Court's decision to strike several constitutional amendments - crafted by the Legislature - from the statewide ballot would "endanger its reputation for impartiality.''

"These are just a few examples of threats to freedom and the cost that the loss of liberty has occasioned, but there are many others,'' Cannon said.

The last bulwark

A motley crew of Dems are left to stand against the right wing forces that have seized Tallahassee:

"Everybody talks about bipartisanship," said Rep. Elaine Schwartz, D-Hollywood. "I think 'bipartisan' means 'do it my way or here's the door.' I don't think that I or the [minority] caucus will be effective, except to try to communicate, and let everyone know what's really happening here."

Republican leaders emboldened by their new, veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate delivered speech after speech in ceremonies on Monday and Tuesday promising to slash spending, shrink government and, more to the point, to steer the state Legislature further to the political right.

He really couldn't do any worse

It was reported yesterday that Scott was employing two odd balls from the economics world to advise him, Arthur Laffer and his disciple, Donna Arduin:

The Scott transition advisory team also includes Arthur Laffer, who worked in the Reagan Administration and for whom the Laffer curve, which illustrated that in certain cases lower tax rates could increase tax revenues, is named. The idea is the underpinning of supply-side economics.

Donna Arduin, a partner of Laffer's at Arduin, Laffer and Moore Econometrics, who was a top economic advisor to Jeb Bush and is credited with helping craft his budgets.

What "lurks behind this spontaneous desert populism"?

Fred Grimm catches Governor Ricky shilling for the delightful Corrections Corporation of America. Grimm writes Scott's "notion of requiring state and local policemen to lock up suspects who have no proof they entered the country legally also fit nicely with the tea party insurgency erupting across the country."

Politicians in at least a dozen other states, including Florida's Gov.-elect Rick Scott and U.S. Sen.-elect Marco Rubio, have talked of emulating Arizona's rebellion. "Let's get to work, and bring the Arizona law to Florida now,'' Scott said during his gubernatorial campaign.

Something else lurks behind this spontaneous desert populism. Something not so very spontaneous.

A National Public Radio investigation has traced the origins of SB 1070 to a template contrived at a December meeting in Washington, D.C., by the American Legislative Exchange Council, a corporate-sponsored "information'' gathering that most of us would mistake as a plush junket for state lawmakers, financed by corporate lobbyists.

NPR found that one of ALEC's corporate sponsors, Corrections Corporation of America, which operates private prisons in 19 states, was particularly interested in pushing the get-tough immigration legislation.

Teabaggers make empty threats

The Teabaggers are desperately trying to shed their well deserved reputation as RPOF pool boys: "The wave of tea-party outrage that Republican lawmakers rode into veto-proof power this year could come back to haunt them, tea-party activists warned as lawmakers met at the Capitol on Tuesday." "Tea party activists warn they are watching GOP lawmakers".

"Haridopolos' base display"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "It’s no wonder the public holds politicians in such low regard. In Washington and Tallahassee, scandalous conduct that would get an average person ousted from a job, if not arrested, is treated with a big shrug or a tap on the wrist." The editors point out

Senate President Mike Haridopolos' base display of protecting one of his own. Haridopolos rewarded disgraced freshman Sen. Jim Norman, a Republican from Tampa, with a committee chairmanship.

Norman, a former Hillsborough County commissioner, was appointed chairman of the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee, not the most powerful body but still a prize. Haridopolos apparently doesn't care that Norman is under investigation by the FBI and faces state ethics complaints for failing to disclose that his wife purchased a lakefront Arkansas home with $500,000 from the late Ralph Hughes, a businessman with close ties to Norman.

Instead of isolating Norman as ethically tainted, Haridopolos gave him a coveted leadership spot. The communication is clear: Ethics infractions will be overlooked for someone loyal to the party. Rules don't apply.

Only Knuckle-draggers need apply

"Gov.-elect Scott looking for a few good outsiders ready to work".

"Nothing scares them more than a fair fight"

Scott Maxwell wonders who is behind the apple-pie titled "Florida Leadership Alliance" and "Citizens for Housing and Urban Growth", the groups funding the litigation against the fair-districting amendments overwhelmingly approved by the voters. Turns out that

The Florida Leadership Alliance is run by state Sen. Don Gaetz.

Citizens for Housing and Urban Growth is controlled by a cluster of legislators, including Sen. Mike Bennett of Bradenton and state Rep. Ron Reagan of Sarasota.

In other words: The state lawmakers you elected are helping fund a lawsuit filed by the federal lawmakers you elected … all in attempt to overturn the amendment you approved.

If you're wondering where the state legislators got their money, well, that's many of the usual suspects: Power companies, law firms, builders, you name it — all the people who benefit from the status quo.

It doesn't stop there.

Gaetz — the guy who's funding the fight against fair districts — was recently appointed to head the Senate committee that's in charge of — guess what? — redistricting!

Yes, our new Senate president, Mike Haridopolos, made that happen.

Not to be outdone, the new House speaker, Dean Cannon, put another vocal opponent of fair districts, Will Weatherford, in charge of redistricting in that chamber.

Ain't politics grand?

"Hard future times for low-income Floridians"

"Scott on Monday announced a group of ardently conservative and notably controversial economic thinkers who will advise him on his first budget proposal. The high-profile list includes the economist who inspired Reaganomics, a fiscal fix-it expert who has advised four Republican governors, and a budget analyst from the influential, Washington D.C.-based libertarian think tank, the Cato Institute. Critics say it's a troubling combination of economists who have promoted flawed theories in the past and will surely lead to hard future times for low-income Floridians or those who rely on social services." "Governor-elect Rick Scott's critics fear cuts to Florida social services".

Idiot wind

Anthony Man: "More than 1,400 people were treated to a dose of conservative commentary from syndicated radio talker Lou Dobbs, the former CNN star. He spoke and answered audience questions posed by South Florida's most prominent conservative radio talker, Joyce Kaufman." "Joyce Kaufman, Lou Dobbs discuss politics, policy". More: "Video: Lou Dobbs at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts".

Teabaggers outraged!

"Miami Republicans back DREAM Act for immigrants".

Good luck

"Ron Saunders, House Dems Get Ready for GOP Supermajority". See also "Dems name Sen. Nan Rich minority leader".

Collective action works

"The Florida Tomato Growers Exchange — a trade group representing 90 percent of the state’s tomato producers — has agreed to a penny-per-pound wage increase and new labor standards for workers throughout the state. This is the latest victory for the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, who have led efforts over the last two decades to pressure both producers and purchasers of tomatoes in Florida to improve working conditions and provide fair wages, spearheading successful campaigns in recent years against Taco Bell, Burger King, McDonald’s, Aramark, and Subway." "Tomato growers, laborers strike deal in ‘watershed moment’".

Dual role dole

State Rep. Jim Waldman's dual roles as public servant and Keiser University's lawyer raise questions"".

"Webster wants Congress emulate the Florida Legislature"

The ultimate empty suit, Dan Webster, briefly lost his mind the other night: "Webster was awed Sunday night when GOP leaders opened Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol for a welcome dinner in honor of the new class of Republican freshmen. The veteran legislator who beat bombastic one-term Democrat Alan Grayson became — just for a moment — a latter-day Mr. Smith in Washington."

"I thought that was pretty awesome," said the 61-year-old Webster, who had his picture taken with one of the hall's 100 statues: a marble likeness of another Daniel Webster, the famed 19th-century senator. The moment had him thinking — albeit briefly — of one day being enshrined there too. ...

Webster, [also] said he would like to see Congress emulate the Florida Legislature.

whether she should join a caucus — one of the informal groups of lawmakers that band together on certain issues. Among the possibilities were caucuses tied to the Tea Party, space issues and boating.

'Ya gotta problem wit that?

"GOP's Top Tax Guy: Republicans Will Block Permanent Middle-Class Tax Cut".

The boy from Panama City

"Joe Scarborough May Be Eyeing 2012 Run".

Raw political courage

"Top lawmakers promise to close loophole that allows felons to run summer camps".

Wingnuts run wild

"Leading a veto-busting supermajority of Republican lawmakers, House Speaker Dean Cannon would appear to have the cat by the tail. But in a job that former Speaker Johnnie Byrd once impolitically likened to herding sheep, Cannon faces many potential political pitfalls." "House Speaker Dean Cannon: Herding Cats or Sheep?".

Lighter than air

"Rubio chats with Nelson during D.C. visit". See also "Rubio helps choose Republican Senate leadership".

Your wagon or mine?

"Anti-tax group pledges $250,000 to fight regional rail agency".

Entrepreneurs in action

"Customers beware: Big-bank fees have hit record highs".

Say what

"A former University of Central Florida professor has filed a lawsuit against the school after she said she was let go because she refused to use a textbook that 'contains antiquated and offensive racial, ethnic and other stereotypes.'"

The lawsuit lists several specific examples of allegedly [sic] stereotypical depictions of particular races or ethnicities:

•In the third chapter, titled "People of African American Heritage," authors Larry D. Purnell and Betty J. Paulanka explain that, "Because significant numbers of African Americans are poor and live in inner-cities, they tend to concentrate their efforts on day-to-day-survival."

•The text says that in the black community "being overweight is seen as positive," asserting that, "It is important to have meat on one's bones to be able to afford weight loss during times of sickness."

•The chapter states that African-Americans tend to be loud, "high-keyed, animated, confrontational and interpersonal." The text includes "voodoo doctors" among a list of "folk" healthcare practitioners common to African-American culture.

•The lawsuit lists similar commentary on numerous other groups. Traditional Italian-American families, the text states, "recognize the father's authority as absolute; nothing is purchased, and decisions are not made without his approval."

•The text claims that Japanese wives "care for husbands to a great extent. Japanese men are presumed not to be capable of managing day-to-day matters."

•It explains that, in the company of Jewish people, jokes "that refer to the Holocaust or concentration camps" or "implying that Jews are cheap or pampered" are inappropriate.

"Alvarez is in trouble"

Michael Putney: "Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez is in trouble. Possibly career-ending trouble. It's mostly of his own making, but also due to forces beyond his control. Those include staggering local unemployment of almost 13 percent, falling home values, a continuing flood of foreclosures, a shaky economy and generalized distrust of government and dislike of incumbents. Then there were things under his control like handing out generous pay raises for his staff while demanding sacrifices from other county employees. Like his chief of staff moonlighting in Panama. And the big one -- pushing through a baseball stadium without voter approval." "Stadium, pay hikes endanger Alvarez".

The sacred franchise

"Anti-Norman write-ins go for Carl Crawford, Peter Pan and others".

Mack begins his Senate campaign

"Connie Mack: Will Bill Nelson support extending tax cuts?".

"Dirty water more of a threat than pollution rules"

The Tampa Tribune editors point out that "politicians, including House Speaker Dean Cannon, want to continue to fight the EPA, but dirty water is more of a threat to Florida's economy than pollution rules. As long as the EPA's cost estimates are correct, the state should cooperate." "EPA wise to delay water quality rules". The Orlando Sentinel editorial board adds: "Florida's misplaced outrage towards clean-water rules".

"Nothing but a mockery"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Florida's new legislative leaders dropped a plan to move control of the Department of Management Services from the governor's office to the Cabinet. That was the right decision -- made under the wrong circumstances. ... making the decision out of the sunshine turns Mr. Haridopolos' ballyhooed open-door policy into nothing but a mockery" "Right call on DMS".

Second amendment stoopidity

"Florida law protects Miami-Dade man who pointed gun at FPL workers, judge rules".

As Florida burns ...

"Gov. Charlie Crist said he has made up his mind and will pursue a posthumous pardon of rock icon Jim Morrison of the Doors, who was convicted of exposing himself during a Miami concert in 1969.." "Gov. Charlie Crist will pursue pardon of Doors rocker Jim Morrison".

Gov.-elect Rick Scott on Monday announced a group of ardently conservative and notably controversial economic thinkers who will advise him on his first budget proposal.

Scott has set the bar high for the cast of six, which includes Donna Arduin and Arthur Laffer, whose "Laffer Curve" became the basis for using tax cuts as a way stimulating the economy and a pillar of Ronald Reagan's economic philosophy -- and is blamed for leading the country into the largest deficit in decades. ...

Heading the team will be Arduin, who as budget chief to former Gov. Jeb Bush and then to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger earned a reputation as a proponent of deep cuts to social programs and privatizing government services. She has also worked for governors in Michigan and New York and is known to promote performance-based budgeting, forcing agencies to reach specific goals in order to receive funding.

Also among Scott's economic line-up is Tad DeHaven, of the Cato Institute, who has authored works condemning runaway federal spending.

The announcement brought sharp criticism from Bruce Nissen, director of research at the Center for Labor Research and Studies at Florida International University.

"[Laffer's] theory basically doesn't hold water and Donna Arduin is one of his disciples," Nissen said. "When you compliment that with extreme libertarian thinking of individuals from the Cato Institute and the rest, you get some extremely unorthodox and unusual economic policies."

The impact, Nissen said, will be felt by anyone who relies on social services and public education: "Anybody's who's on the lower 60 to 70 percent of the economic spectrum, they'll be the economic losers."

Special session

"Florida lawmakers are poised to do something they haven't done in 12 years and that they've accomplished only twice in the last 24 -- override a governor's veto."

The Republican-controlled Legislature's agenda for a planned one-day special session today includes override votes on up to seven bills and one budget item. All were vetoed earlier this year by Gov. Charlie Crist, who quit the GOP to run unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as an independent.

Incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, and House Speaker-designate Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, agreed Monday to drop their attempt to override Crist's veto of a bill that would allow doctors to repackage and distribute prescription drugs to workers' compensation patients because the controversial issue would be better left to next year's regular session.

The new leaders also will not pursue a measure to remove the Department of Management Services from the governor's office and place it under the Florida Cabinet, whose members are independently elected, because Scott said he wants to reorganize the agency.

The current system does not allow state regulators to steamroll opponents. But this bill would enable regulated interests to trample public concerns.

This Legislature, rightly, wants to make it easier to do business in Florida. But the state is not going to revive its economy by squandering its natural resources and threatening the public's health.

Ricky's $2.5 billion shortfall

"Gov.-elect Rick Scott has an aggressive and pricey agenda for his first year in office that includes slashing corporate income taxes, school property levies and state development rules."

Florida's budget woes, political and institutional intransigence in Tallahassee, and Scott's own lack of experience could all work against expectations that his first year in office could mirror former Gov. Jeb Bush's, which produced $1 billion in tax cuts and set the table for years of privatization and socially conservative policy debates.

But back then, Florida's growth-fueled economic engine was purring. Scott inherits an economy still hung over from a historic real-estate meltdown, and burgeoning demand for government services, from food stamps to classroom costs and health care for the sick and poor.

Increasing government costs and dwindling federal stimulus cash will leave Florida budget-writers facing a $2.5 billion shortfall. That's before the $700 million in corporate income tax cuts and $1.4 billion in school property tax cuts that Scott has pledged to push his first year.

"Don't hold your breath"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Over the past decade, Medicaid spending in Florida has roughly tripled to exceed $20 billion a year, more than a quarter of the state's budget. It is on track to top $25 billion and a third of the budget by 2014. While federal funds currently cover about two-thirds of Medicaid's cost in Florida, that share will drop next year unless Congress approves another round of aid to states. After the backlash against federal spending seen in this month's election results, don't hold your breath." "Florida legislators need to get control of runaway costs in Medicaid".

Haridopolos' and Cannon hand out the goodies

"With Republicans holding a 28-12 Senate majority, incoming President Mike Haridopolos rewarded allies and sought to maximize senators' experience. He also left no doubt about who's in his corner and who isn't." "Despite ethics complaints, Jim Norman snares chairmanship in state Senate". See also "Mike Haridopolos Names Senate Committee Chairs", "Cannon appoints 'Fair Districts' foe as chair of state House redistricting committee" and "Dean Cannon Names Committee Chairs to Lead House Till 2012".

Florida's "exaggerated, doomsday claims''

"For months, everyone from Florida's new Republican governor to its Democratic senator to its farmers, sewer plant operators and utilities has been trying to get the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to back off new water pollution standards for Florida."

Cleaning up the waterways, they warned, would ruin the state's already shaky economy.

On Monday, EPA officials announced they were ready to unveil the new pollution limits for Florida's rivers, lakes and springs -- but with a catch.

The federal agency will not implement the 168 pages of new standards, which could cost residents an extra 11 to 20 cents a day per household, for another 15 months.

The delay is necessary to counteract all the "exaggerated, doomsday claims'' that opponents have been spreading, explained the EPA's Atlanta regional administrator, Gwen Keyes Fleming.

"Tons of buried oil and tar"

"BP cleanup contractors say they will step up efforts in coming weeks to collect tons of buried oil and tar beneath the surface of beaches and waterways in Escambia County." "BP to tackle tricky cleanup of submerged oil, tar".

New kids on the block

"Eleven new members take their seats and two former leaders return to the Legislature's upper house when the Senate meets Tuesday in special session." "Meet the Newest Members of the Florida Senate".

Very short timers

"The two most recently-named Public Service commissioners are yet to make a regulatory ruling, but with a new governor taking office in January, they could have short terms." "Fate of Crist's PSC Picks Rests With Scott".

Papers please

"Incoming state House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, announced today the chairs of the Florida House’s key committees for the 2011 legislative session. State Rep. William Snyder, R-Stuart, will chair the Judiciary Committee, which considers civil and criminal law issues, public safety, and the administration of justice through the court system. In August, Snyder announced, along with Attorney General Bill McCollum, draft language of an immigration bill that mimics Arizona’s controversial S.B. 1070." "Proponent of Arizona-style immigration law to chair Judiciary Committee".

A wingnut's dream

"Gov.-elect Rick Scott will continue to push public funds to private schools through vouchers, charter schools and the Voluntary Pre-K Program. These Jeb Bush-era reforms coincided with laws to grade public schools and expand standardized tests such as the FCAT. The Foundation for Florida’s Future, chaired by Bush, parallels Scott’s education policies." "Scott plan calls for continued public spending on private education".

Yaaawwwnnn

"Amid national excitement over his candidacy, incoming Sen. Marco Rubio kept a low profile as he met with Florida Sen. Bill Nelson." "Marco Rubio brings the buzz to D.C.". See also "Rubio goes for low-key introduction".

"Waste seeps into the aquifer and goes with the flow"

Mike Thomas: "There are certain things you do not do in a civilized society. One is digging a pit latrine in your yard."

But that's pretty much the situation we have in Florida with old, unmaintained septic tanks.

That they are hidden underground doesn't change the gross reality of what they are dumping into our water. The waste seeps into the shallow aquifer and goes with the flow, often to the nearest spring or lake.

This year the Legislature passed a bill requiring that the systems be inspected every five years. This caused a revolt among many septic-tank owners who denounced it as a costly, big-government intervention.

Hispanic vote flips

"Overlooked amid all the good news for the Republican Party on Nov. 2: After losing the Hispanic vote in 2008 and 2006 in Florida, the GOP got it back in 2010." "Hispanic community goes Republican in latest election".

Wage theft

"Wage theft is when workers are paid below the minimum wage, not paid for overtime, forced to work off the clock, have their time cards altered, are misclassified as independent contractors, or are simply not paid a wage for work performed. Certain types of workers are more vulnerable to wage theft violations, such as low-wage and immigrant workers who encompass a large scope of Florida’s workforce." "Wage Theft in Florida: A Real Problem with Real Solutions -Fact Sheet".

Heros and zeros

Nancy Smith: "Don Gaetz, Hero; Susan Bucher Down in Chad Central, Zero".

"The hype is almost deafening"

"As Marco Rubio arrives in Washington in the coming week for Senate meetings and orientation, the hype is almost deafening." "Marco Rubio rollout aims to manage expectations".

Special session

"Florida lawmakers are poised to do something they haven't done in 12 years and that they've accomplished only twice in the last 24 - override a governor's veto."

The Republican-controlled Legislature's agenda for a planned one-day special session Tuesday includes override votes on up to nine bills and one budget item. All were vetoed earlier this year by Gov. Charlie Crist, who quit the GOP to run unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as an independent.

One Senate Democrat, Frederica Wilson, will miss the special session because she was elected to the U.S. House and will be attending a congressional orientation session. A special election will be called to replace her once she resigns from her state position.

The House will welcome 44 new members. They include three former representatives returning after being out of office for at least one term: Reps. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala; Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, and Irv Sloshberg, D-Boca Raton.

There'll be 11 new senators including two returning after breaks in service: Sens. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, and Gwen Margolis, D-North Miami Beach. This is a second comeback for Margolis, who was Senate president in 1990-92.

"The paperwork equivalent of a tidal wave"

"By the end of June, a towering backlog of foreclosure filings piled up on the court system in Orange and Osceola counties — the legal paperwork equivalent of a tidal wave." "Backlog, questions could slow foreclosures in Florida".

4.1 million Floridians without health insurance

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "The way many Republican politicians in Florida see it, the party's resounding victories in last week's elections amount to a work order from voters to demolish federal health-care reform. Never mind the exit polls that showed voters were far more concerned with reviving the economy."

But in their zeal to scrap the law, few if any Republicans are offering an alternative that would effectively address the overwhelming problem that spurred the effort to reform health care — the tens of millions of Americans without health insurance. ...

The Census Bureau reported in September that 4.1 million Floridians didn't have health insurance last year, meaning 22.4 percent of them went uncovered — the second-highest share among states.

People without health insurance don't get the regular care they need to stay healthy. They often end up in emergency rooms, raising costs for everyone else. And a serious illness or accident can wipe out their savings.

A repeal bill passed by the GOP-led U.S. House would be a political ploy, not a serious policy effort.

Teabagger fail

"On Friday, the Tea Party Patriots lived up to just about every stereotype about the movement that its critics have about the tea party insurgency. In a single email, the Patriots acted paranoid, attacked fellow conservatives, alienated Republicans, sounded unhinged, got their facts wrong and had to sheepishly apologize to all involved. They also dished out the personal cell phone numbers of many incoming freshmen -- leading to a bombardment of calls from angry tea partiers." "Tea Party Fail".

RPOFers waste money "settling old scores with Crist"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "State legislators are getting right to work. Not content to wait till their regular meeting in March, they'll hold a special lawmaking session Tuesday in Tallahassee, the same day they swear in their new members."

Voters made it clear on Election Day that the most urgent matter facing the state is the economy. They said in no uncertain terms that Job One should be, well, jobs.

But it won't be. That's a mistake.

The incoming leaders of Florida's veto-proof, Republican-controlled Legislature, as their first action, plan to take up a series of bills that now lame-duck Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed. Many of the bills are benign. Some might even pump money into the economy. Some may deserve an override, the first in Florida since 1997.

But in a state staggering under an 11.9 percent unemployment rate, after an election that swept Republicans into office to cut government and create jobs, lawmakers should have no question about their top agenda item: jobs.

Not tidying up previous business. Not settling old scores with Gov. Crist, who enraged the Republican Party with his failed independent bid for a U.S. Senate seat.

Expect the worst

"Of all the issues Gov.-elect Rick Scott addressed during his campaign - abortion, immigration, health care, taxes, offshore drilling, school vouchers, gay marriage, limits on lawsuits, and the $1.7 billion in Medicare fraud fines paid by his former company, the environment received almost no play." "Scott's conservation policies a mystery". Here's a hint: "Rick Scott, others, seeking delay in EPA water rules" ("Politicians and agriculture and business interests say they will be too costly and set back Florida's economic recovery.")

Mortician may need help

"Political observers in both parties say Southerland is safe unless two things happen — a strong Democratic candidate arises in the Big Bend and the Republicans fail to deliver in Washington. But congressional redistricting in 2012 is in GOP hands in Tallahassee and, despite a new constitutional mandate forbidding incumbent protection or partisan gerrymandering, the Legislature could lop off some Democratic population pockets and pad Southerland's district with more Republicans in the western Panhandle — if he needed it." "Southerland ready for shift to office-holder".

Did "Sink deemphasize the Hispanic vote"?

Fernand R. Amandi: "Democrats squandered a genuine chance of recapturing the governor's office, a seat they haven't held for 12 years. This would have been a critical pick up, particularly with redistricting on the horizon and the 2012 campaign approaching."

How did this happen? One important factor: An early strategic decision by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink to deemphasize the Hispanic vote, ignoring a crucial element of the winning roadmap laid out by the Obama campaign in 2008.

For the past 10 years, our firm and others have heralded the increasing importance of the Hispanic constituency in statewide elections in Florida and elsewhere. Exhibit A: In 2004, George Bush won 56 percent of the Hispanic vote in Florida, but just four years later, Barack Obama won 57 percent of that vote, a swing large enough to turn Florida blue and help propel him into the White House.

Now, just two years after that, the Sink campaign received only 48 percent of this crucial vote and as a result lost the election by a single percentage point. Contrary to all the righteous indignation about the president and his agenda as an excuse for Sink's failure, it was this critical tactical error that cost her the election.

Have Hispanics become more conservative in the past two years? No. Have Hispanics abandoned the president or overwhelmingly disagree with his policies? No.

Rather, here is a more simple explanation of what happened: Hispanic turnout among conservative Cuban voters in Miami was up as a result of having Senate candidate Marco Rubio, a conservative Cuban, on the ballot, while turnout among progressive Hispanics, who actually form a majority of Hispanics statewide, was down because there was virtually no Democratic campaign to reach out to them.

Turnout was particularly low in non-Cuban Hispanic precincts in Miami-Dade, Broward and Osceola counties, three counties with majority Democratic voter registrations and sizable non-Cuban Hispanic populations.

Ricky don't like rules

"Gov.-elect Scott, staff get course in Sunshine Law".

Rail bidders holocaust role

"France's state-run railroad has for the first time expressed 'sorrow and regret' for its role in the deportation of Jews during World War II. But the mea culpa is confined to its English language Web site and part of a bid to secure a lucrative U.S. rail contract. The railroad, known as the SNCF, won an appeal in 2007 of a French lawsuit over its role in the Nazi deportation, and now is trying to convince Floridians of its good faith." "French Railroad Apologizes For Holocaust Role Amid Florida Bid".

Republican Party of Florida chairman race

"In the run for Republican Party of Florida chairman, Joe Gruters, the young party leader from Sarasota County, may have the inside track. Though GOP veterans Sid Dinerstein, Deborah Cox Roush and Sharon Day are angling for the position being vacated by state Sen. John Thrasher, incoming Gov. Rick Scott has said Gruters would be his choice." "Road to RPOF Chairmanship Runs Through Sarasota".

Smiling faces

"Incoming class contains 37 rookies and three old hands". "A Look at the 40 New Faces in the Florida House".

Yee haw!

"Fla. dealership offers free AK-47 for truck buyers".

Yaaawwwnnn

"Bush tells Florida crowd what he misses about presidency".

Teabaggers sounded as if they were leading an armed insurgency

Fred Grimm: "A quarter million Broward County students became so much collateral damage in the struggle between this far right, gun-loving militaristic duo [Joyce Kaufman and Allen West] and the various 'malevolent forces' they imagine are out to destroy them both."

Kaufman hosts an afternoon AM radio talk show on WFTL out of Pompano Beach where she demonstrates the kind of messianic self regard common among talk jocks on the wild side of right. (Lefties can't seem to garner enough audience to warrant super-ego radio.)

WFTL introduces her as "The most heavily armed talk show host in South Florida.'' Gun references abound. Hawking one of her sponsors, the Palm Beach Shooting Center ("You can use your own factory ammo at this range,'') Kaufman declares gun ownership not only a right but an obligation. From there, she goes off on Muslims, immigrants, liberals, RINOs (Republicans in Name Only) and the media as if all-the-above were the kind of cartoon enemies one exterminates in a video game.

Kaufman managed to transcend the shackles of the first-person pronoun and champion Allen West's improbable bid to oust Rep. Ron Klein from his District 22 congressional seat. Together, tea party zealot West and Kaufman could sound as if they were leading an armed, rather than an electoral, insurgency.

These numbers don't add up

"Former Gov. Jeb Bush shook up Florida's education establishment and sparked major reforms during his eight years in office. Now, Gov.-elect Rick Scott is ready to take the baton and finish what Bush began."

Get this:

Scott wants to change how schools are funded, reducing school property taxes by up to 19 percent and filling the gap with other state funds.

Sen. Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach, a former Volusia school administrator heavily involved in education issues during her stint in the Legislature, said that plan worries her.

"Certainly we want to reduce taxes, but we don't want to hurt education," Lynn said, adding that Scott may have to temper some of his camping promises once in office.

"He may change his thinking on some things when he sees how the process works."

Give the voters what they voted for

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "State Republicans ran the table on Nov. 2, winning the governor's race, all three Cabinet races and picking up veto-proof majorities in the state Senate and House."

So it escapes us how the person in line to become House speaker in 2014 — Rep. Chris Dorworth — could effectively champion the Republican Party's fiscal principles and serve as a credible leader. ...

He co-sponsored what certainly would have been an unconstitutional ban on abortions in Florida, declaring, "I'm not saying it passes constitutional muster." A disregard for the law of the land is not a quality for speaker of the House.

Mr. Dorworth fights for many of the causes his fellow Republican lawmakers believe in. Fewer rules on developers, for example. But unlike some of his peers, he's not well-equipped to make the case. Mr. Dorworth wants to dismantle the state agency that regulates growth, for example, but when pressed couldn't name a single instance where the agency blunted a worthy local development.

Unfortunately, Mr. Dorworth's ascendancy is a product of term limits that don't give time for lawmakers to rise based on their accomplishments. Mr. Dorworth was elected speaker-in-waiting by his peers barely two years after he was first elected to the House.

Such a system rewards popularity, ambition and connections. Who's best for the state, who's right for the party, may not enter into the equation. That was the case when Mr. Dorworth was tapped to be speaker.

He should step aside and let his party select someone better suited to lead the House in four years.

RPOF laffs all the way to the country club

Michael C. Bender: "Republicans will swear in their first veto-proof Legislature in the modern era of state politics on Tuesday morning. Wasting little time, they'll open up a special session in the afternoon to override Crist's vetoes while the new transition team of Gov.-elect Rick Scott, also a Republican, observes it all."

Oh yeah, now that Scott has been elected on the strength of growing wingnut-teabagger-religious extremist part of the party faction of the RPOF, he has suddenly forgotten his friends:

Scott has not asked lawmakers to consider any specific issues on Tuesday.

That's in contrast to this summer when, embroiled in a Republican primary, he demanded lawmakers approve an Arizona-style immigration law during the oil-drilling special session that taxpayers were already "on the hook to pay for."

"The Arizona law is just a few pages long," Scott said in July. "It's not complicated, because it's just common sense."

Taxpayers are paying for this special session, too. But Scott has not raised the immigration issue.

The rich are different

"Government sell spoils of Madoff's lavish life in final auction of his possessions".

"We're in for a long four years"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "After campaigning on his passion to cut the state budget, Gov.-elect Rick Scott wants to confirm the feasibility of high-speed rail before he spends state money on the proposed line from Tampa to Orlando."

Walking away from the deal now will mean more than a lost opportunity. It will mean that even more of the federal fuel taxes collected here will be spent in other states, to help other cities grow.

If the new governor thinks that's a smart strategy, we're in for a long four years.

Where are the Teabaggers?

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Just two weeks after Florida voters delivered a veto-proof majority of Republicans to the Legislature, its new leaders are exploiting that power to try to force tax breaks for large landowners, roll back environmental regulations, help big business and rush privatization of Medicaid for the poor. The test now for Republican legislators, including two who beat Democratic incumbents in Pinellas County, is whether they will blindly embrace these bad ideas during a one-day special session on Tuesday or exert their independence on behalf of Floridians and push their leaders for more thoughtful consideration in the regular session." "Lawmakers: Serve people or lobbyists?".

It appears Florida's Teabaggers nothing more than a Republican Party front group, after all.

"Alice in Wonderland"

"Mae Duke, 83, thinks the bipartisan panel counseling President Obama on how to reduce the deficit needs a reality check."

"Who am I, Alice in Wonderland?" Duke said. "I live in the real world here.

"My neighbor lives on $395 a month and they are talking about reducing our cost-of-living increases? I don't know where those people writing that report are shopping, but around here everything keeps going up."

Duke, president of the Democratic Club at Century Village near West Palm Beach, was responding to a preliminary report issued by the panel, which was formed by Obama in February and will deliver a final report on Dec. 1. The group is headed by Alan Simpson, a former Republican Senate leader, and Erskine Bowles, who was chief of staff for former President Bill Clinton.

The report released Wednesday calls for permanently reducing the Social Security cost-of-living increases. It also recommends extending the retirement age to 69 - over a 65-year period - and eventually reducing benefits paid to those future retirees, except for the very poorest.

Earth to Jackson, Earth to ...

Tom Jackson: "State GOP must partner with voters".

"Lobbyists could peck new rules to death"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "The Legislature gets new leaders this week, and they can't wait to get started. On at least one issue, though, they should restrain themselves."

Among other things, they want to ease rules for septic tank inspections and fix a rebate program for energy-efficiency appliances. Sexy, right?

Similarly, a bill dealing with the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee sounds bland. In fact, the vetoed legislation (House Bill 1565) is a stealth attempt to weaken environmental rules.

After the Legislature passes a law, a state agency must write rules for implementing it. Currently, agencies must determine how much the rules would cost businesses and government. If the cost seems high, the agency has to consider alternatives. All well and good.

HB 1565, however, would require that the Legislature ratify any rule estimated to cost $1 million statewide over five years. As Audubon of Florida correctly points out, that's a tiny amount in a state this large. The practical effect would be that lobbyists or hostile legislators could peck any rule to death.

Environmental protection rules would be at greatest risk.

The West-Kaufman nutball express

"Rep.-elect Allen West (R-FL) is standing by the honor of his almost-chief of staff, right-wing talk radio host Joyce Kaufman, who pulled out of the job after media attention focused on her violent anti-government statement. And he's using some colorful language himself to describe her detractors." "GOPer Backs Anti-Gov't Yakker Against 'Vile' Left-Wing Machine".

This is an example of "why"

"A microcosm of why Florida is in such bad shape" is this embarrassing guest column in what purports to be a college newspaper. (Courtesy of "Why They Don't Take Florida Seriously").

Promising signs of growth in Florida

"The pace of the recovery in the nation is moderating and the lift spurred by nearly $800 billion in federal stimulus spending is fading, but there are several promising signs that growth will continue, including in Florida, a leading national fiscal analyst told reporters Friday morning." "Moody's Hopeful on Recovery, Notes Pent-Up Florida Demand".

"Stealth campaign" against Florida judges

"Using e-mails, websites and YouTube videos, conservative groups waged a stealth campaign against Florida Supreme Court Justices Jorge Labarga and James Perry. And some legal watchers are worried." "Florida judges may be on political hot seat".

I feel safer

"New Navy battleship commissioned in Fla.".

"Florida could find itself in recount hell"

"It took Palm Beach County nine days to finish a recount of about 50,000 votes in a school board race. What would have happened if canvassing boards across the state had needed to recount the nearly 5.4 million votes for governor?"

Hello, 2000.

In a recount, some boards would finish by the state-imposed 12-day deadline. Some wouldn't. State law says results submitted after the deadline should be ignored. Which means some votes wouldn't count. As in 2000, when an initial count showed that fewer than 2,000 votes separated George W. Bush and Al Gore, court battles would be fierce. So despite a change in voting equipment - two changes, in some cases - Florida still could find itself in recount hell.

No comment

"Project brings massive snails to South Beach".