Vouchers for everybody?

Not even former Gov. Jeb Bush went there.

"Awful idea,'' said Mark Pudlow, spokesman for the state teachers union.

Rick Scott's appearance at the St. Petersburg voucher event -- his first school-related event since his election Nov. 2 -- is the latest signal that Florida schools are in for a wild ride that may make the aggressive reforms of the Bush years look tame.

Just last week, Scott named an 18-member education transition team stocked with those who believe even more accountability and school choice is the antidote for ailing schools. The only teacher on board? From the online Florida Virtual School.

Meanwhile, Scott put former Washington, D.C., schools chief Michelle Rhee -- perhaps the most polarizing education figure in America -- in charge of the group, and did nothing to dispel rumors she might be Florida's education commissioner.

"educational savings accounts'' by name. But that's the proposal being crafted by Bush's education foundation to fit with Scott's vision of allowing state education dollars to follow all students to the schools their parents choose.

The state's current voucher programs, by contrast, are limited to students who are low-income or disabled.

RPOFers runnin' Florida like a bidness

"If Congress approves a deal to reauthorize lapsed unemployment benefits, Texas officials say they will start making payments within a week. The New York Department of Labor says it will take a few days. But the agency administering jobless benefits in Florida can't provide an estimate." "Florida's jobless face longer waits for aid than in other states".

The best they can do?

"After campaigning as an outsider, Gov.-elect Rick Scott is ready to turn insider again Friday, sitting down for 15-minute, closed-door interviews with contenders vying to become the next Florida Republican Party chairman."

In the race are RPOF vice chair Deborah Cox-Roush of Hillsborough County, Sarasota County Chairman Joe Gruters, Palm Beach County Chairman Sid Dinerstein, Pinellas County State Committeeman Tony DiMatteo and Jefferson County State Committeeman Dave Bitner, a former state legislator.

Never mind them Sunshine Lawrs

"Gov.-elect Rick Scott is so committed to finding outsiders to staff his administration, he's reaching into his own pocket for more than $125,000 to pay the salaries and expenses of a New York head-hunting firm to recruit talent".

The agreement signed by Scott and the Gerson Group, however, demands that any confidential documents the recruiters obtain in the process be kept strictly confidential, even though state law requires that transition documents be public record. ...

Although the transition team is required to make all documents public, the agreement also says that D'Elia and Hale will not reveal any confidential information they obtain, and that all confidential information is the "exclusive property of the transition team."

The agreement does not define "confidential information" and Pat Gleason, Gov. Charlie Crist's public records attorney, said it appears that the language is standard for recruiting private businesses. Both parties must keep confidential Social Security and similar documents out of the public record, she said, but anything beyond that would not be consistent with the state open records laws.

Who cares about facts? State employees in wingnut crosshairs

Aaron Deslatte notes that "which found Florida in 2009 had the lowest per-capita number of state workers and payroll expenditures in the nation ... Last year, on average, state governments had 216 workers for every 10,000 people. Florida had 117 workers. And the national payroll cost of $72-a-year per-resident was nearly double the $38 per-resident Florida paid."

And what do our elected geniuses make of these discomfiting facts?

Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, was unswayed: "I think that's just representative of where our economy is, and I think you can still see some reductions," he said.

Dead Manatees

"The preliminary figures indicate manatee deaths in from Jan. 1 to Dec. 5 of 2010 were nearly double the five-year average for the same time period." "Record number of manatee deaths in 2010".

Leon DEC Kerfuffle

"State Democratic Chairwoman Karen Thurman ruled Friday that the results of a controversial election on Monday were valid. Supporters of ousted Leon County Democratic Chairman Larry Simmons vowed to continue fighting." "Thurman: Leon County Democratic Executive Committee vote stands".

RPOFers warned not to document their "intent"

"The Florida Senate’s reapportionment committee met yesterday to discuss a contentious issue — the redrawing of district lines to reflect data gathered in the newest census. It’s an issue that has become more convoluted thanks to the recent passage of Amendments 5 and 6, the so-called 'Fair Districts' amendments that created strict rules for how politicians can draw up district maps."

Under Amendments 5 and 6, which passed in the November elections, districts must be as contiguous as possible, and may not be drawn with the intent of marginalizing minority groups or favoring any incumbent or political party.

State Sen. Jack Latvala, R-St. Petersburg, warned fellow committee members that "intent" could be determined by analyzing lawmakers’ electronic communications, which could become evidence in such a lawsuit.

Time to cut taxes

"State economic forecasters predicted Friday that without additional appropriations, Florida’s Medicaid program could begin running a deficit as soon as the 2011-2012 fiscal year." "Florida Medicaid Likely to Run Over $2 Billion Short Next Year".

Not exactly Florida's finest

"With Republicans retaking control of the U.S. House, Florida will have more committee leaders than any other state." "Florida's Capitol clout grows".

Walking anachronism takes his leave

"Congressman who tightened U.S.-Cuba embargo retires".

Smoke, mirrors, and a phony grading system?

"Many Florida high schools held pep rallies and pizza parties this week to celebrate A and B state grades, even though standardized test scores statewide improved only marginally and still fewer than half of high schoolers read at grade level."

The dramatic improvement shown by Florida high schools this week under the new state grading system has raised questions about whether the higher grades were warranted.

Under the new system, almost half of the 470 public high schools graded by the state improved by at least one letter grade. Overall, the percentage of schools getting an A or B for the 2009-10 school year jumped to 71 percent, up from 41 percent the previous year.

Meanwhile, Florida students on average continue to lag behind their peers in other states in many performance categories.

Congress goes South

"South Florida Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart will take a coveted spot on the House Appropriations Committee next year ... Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Miami was named chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee. John Mica of Winter Park was named chairman of the transportation committee, the largest panel in Congress." "Diaz-Balart gets more clout on spending". See generally "Tour the New House" and "Meet The Chairmen!"

"Lawlessness in the legal system"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Floridians today can't erase the history of lawlessness in St. Augustine during the civil rights struggle of the 1960s. But the state can set the official record straight by exonerating the accused lawbreakers and making it clear they were victims of a system that denied them equal protection of the laws."

[T]he lawlessness in St. Augustine was not in the streets, but in the legal system. The system not only discriminated against blacks; it punished blacks and whites who lawfully protested the discrimination.

"This lawsuit looks political"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "When it comes to pollution of Florida waters, many of the state's leading politicians would rather fight than clean."

[T]his lawsuit looks political. It looks like Mr. McCollum's lawsuit challenging the federal health care law. He filed that one during his run for governor. Again, Mr. McCollum filed not at the federal courthouse in Tallahassee but the one in Pensacola. He claimed that the caseload in Pensacola is smaller, and the lawsuit needs quick attention. In fact, he believes that his odds are better when claiming government overreach with the more conservative judges in Pensacola.

Same old song and dance

The reliably right wing Orlando Sentinel editorial board predictably buys into TaxWatch's usual tonic, laughably calling it "Sensible ways to save".

Arizona-like immigration law on Florida's horizon

"In 2011, the Republican-controlled Florida legislature will discuss a measure announced in August by state Rep. William Snyder, R-Stuart, that mimics Arizona’s S.B. 1070 immigration enforcement law." "State Rep. Snyder on his Arizona-style immigration bill: 'It’s a work in progress'". Related: "State Sen. Detert files yet another immigration enforcement act".

Never get between a RPOFer and a free plane flight

Steve Bousquet: "Frank Peterman, the state juvenile justice secretary [is] now facing possible punishment for excessive travel at taxpayer expense. The Ethics Commission has found probable cause that he violated the ethics laws, which means the former St. Petersburg lawmaker faces a full investigation just as his career in state government is ending."

Peterman, 47, took the $120,000 job at DJJ in 2008 and continued to preach at his church in St. Petersburg. He decided the agency needed a satellite office in the city, and that became his workplace much of the time.

He began commuting regularly by air between Tampa and Tallahassee, even after a 2009 edict that restricted trips to "mission critical" travel.

Within 18 months he racked up more than $44,000 in travel bills, more than half of it between those two cities. His parking fees totaled $2,169. Fees for checked baggage: $562.

Motley crew of potential Nelson challengers

"Buoyed by November's GOP wave and eager to get a head start in what could be a crowded primary, Republican legislators and congressmen are wasting no time taking on Florida's senior senator, deserting a long unwritten rule against legislators aggressively attacking members of the state's congressional delegation."

• Outgoing Sen. George LeMieux, 41, of Broward County, appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist last year to fill the unexpired term of Mel Martinez, is aggressively testing the waters to take on Nelson.

• State Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, has all but announced his candidacy. He is not well known statewide, but his legislative position will enable him to raise considerable money and elevate his profile.

• U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fort Myers, has taken a similarly aggressive posture against Nelson. Just before election day, his campaign issued an unusual fundraising appeal that lacked any reference that Mack was on the ballot for the U.S. House. Instead it cast Nelson as a liberal "professional politician."

• Former state House Majority Leader Hasner, 40, is talking to key Republican leaders across the state and country and expects to make a decision after the holidays.

• U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, has long been viewed as a future Senate candidate but lately sounds more focused on his new post as the only Floridian on the influential House Ways and Means Committee. A multimillionaire who can self-fund a campaign, Buchanan, 59, has the luxury of waiting until late in the political season to decide his future.

• Plant City Republican Mike McCalister declared his candidacy Dec. 6 in the Villages. The retired Army colonel was a late entry in the race for governor this year and took a surprising 10 percent of the vote in the GOP primary, which helped Rick Scott defeat Bill McCollum.

Other peoples blood

"Cuban-born Ros-Lehtinen brings hawk's view to foreign affairs".

Caveat emptor

"A state appeals court has ruled against Republican donors who were trying to get party-switching Gov. Charlie Crist to return their campaign donations." "Court rules against donors seeking Crist refund".

Election-fraud charges

"Prosecutors formally filed a dozen election-fraud charges against suspended [Daytona Beach] City Commissioner Derrick Henry and his campaign manager Thursday, a week before the special election set to refill Henry's empty Zone 5 seat." "Charges formally filed against suspended commissioner".

That disclosure by Alan Mendelsohn, a prominent ophthalmologist, was the highlight of his plea hearing in Fort Lauderdale federal court, where he said he had funnelled $82,000 to a former state senator through her associate.

Mendelsohn, who raised millions for Republicans, said that he and a lobbyist were pressured by one-time Fort Lauderdale Sen. Mandy Dawson to hire her former aide, Venica Blakely, to work for their political action committees.

"Absolutely,'' he said.

The judge expressed disgust: "This is a pretty sorry state of affairs with regards to what goes on in the statehouse.''

The unusually candid exchange came as Mendelsohn, 52, pleaded guilty to a single conspiracy charge, which accused him of bilking the U.S. government by failing to report more than $700,000 in income diverted from his political action committees, his lobbying clients and his medical practice.

The puffery also got him into serious trouble when he promised a wealthy Fort Lauderdale businessman [who himself was] facing potential fraud charges that he could exploit those supposed relationships to derail state and federal criminal investigations into the businessman's company.

In 2007, Mendelsohn asked Joel Steinger, the top executive at Mutual Benefits Corp., which sold AIDS patients' life insurance policies, if Steinger could contribute $400,000 to a state Senate campaign in Ocala. ...

Steinger later turned the tables against Mendelsohn, wearing a wire for the FBI to help bring him down in a sting operation in which Steinger gave the doctor $150,000 for one of his political action committees.

Steinger was later indicted on fraud charges related to Mutual Benefits. He and others await trial next year.

The Mendelsohn case was among a string of corruption investigations in recent years, including Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein and, most recently, a federal probe into credit-card spending sprees by former leaders of the Republican Party of Florida.

Another RPOF stunt

"At the urging of President Mike Haridopolos, a Senate panel voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to revive a constitutional amendment that attempts to block federal health-care mandates." "Haridopolos ready to fight health care".

Like talking to a brick wall

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board gives a little advice to the small man:

The state is facing a $3 billion shortfall in next year's budget. You would make it worse by phasing out the corporate income tax, which generates $1.6 billion a year. Where's the urgency? Florida already has one of the nation's lowest corporate tax rates.

And you would cut school property taxes by 19 percent, but make up the dollars lost to districts with additional state funds. That would squeeze another $1.4 billion out of the budget. Where, exactly?

You insist that billions could be saved by running state government like a business. We're all for cutting the fat, but we're skeptical that so much has been left behind by Republican governors like Jeb Bush, and the GOP-controlled Legislature.

We suspect the only way to cover the costs of your proposals and balance the state budget would be deep spending cuts that would take a toll on schools, public safety, transportation, parks, cultural facilities and other quality-of-life components.

If that happens, the state will find it much harder to attract and keep world-class institutions like Sanford-Burnham. Why would a nationally coveted employer choose Florida if its employees were stuck with substandard schools and gridlocked highways?

West already "vulnerable"

"Because the makeup of Republican U.S. Rep.-elect Allen West's Palm Beach-Broward congressional district is likely to change when new boundaries are drawn to reflect 2010 census data, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report has pegged him as one of the top 10 vulnerable House incumbents for 2012." "Before swearing in, Rep.-elect Allen West already on a 2012 vulnerable list".

The attack on public employees begins

"Facing the possibility of a $3.5 billion budget shortfall, some state senators see the state employee pension plan as ripe for the plucking." "Senators Sharpen Knives for State Employee Pension Cuts".

"With a $1.1 billion deficit looming in the state's employee health and pension accounts, lawmakers are poised to blow up the benefit programs and impose tough new limits on local governments, the chairman of the Senate committee said on Thursday." "State frets over pension debts of St. Petersburg and other cities". See also "Want to save billions? Lower drug penalties and slash pensions says group" ("Florida TaxWatch report has 125 recommendations that could save $4.3 billion") and "Gov.-elect Scott eyes cuts to employee pensions".

He probably expects a pension

"Orange County deputy shot twice in the head during traffic stop in Orlando".

Dreamy politics

"Cuban-American Republicans from Miami helped House Democrats pass the DREAM Act on Wednesday."

Meanwhile, "Florida Republican Senator George LeMieux joined opponents in the Senate." "DREAM Act backed by Miami Cuban Americans".

The summer of '64

"Top state officials passed a resolution apologizing to civil rights activists who were arrested and beaten in St. Augustine in the 1960s." "Crist, Cabinet pass resolution for civil rights-era activists".

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Floridians today can't erase the history of lawlessness in St. Augustine during the civil rights struggle of the 1960s. But the state can set the official record straight by exonerating the accused lawbreakers and making it clear they were victims of a system that denied them equal protection of the laws." "State should clear activists' records". The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Setting right an old wrong".

Ritter woes

Michael Mayo: "Things keep getting worse for Broward County Commissioner Stacy Ritter and husband/lobbyist Russell Klenet." "Stacy Ritter campaign violation woes: Q&A transcript".

State employees are overworked, underpaid

Bill Cotterell: "Gov.-elect Rick Scott, who has promised to shrink the size of state government, will inherit a workforce that is, per capita, the nation's smallest and least expensive."

That's the bottom line of the Annual Workforce Report issued Wednesday by the Department of Management Services. The 69-page compilation contains facts and figures about state personnel ranging from agency-by-agency personnel headcounts to ethnic diversity numbers for each salary classification.

The only major growth in state government is in the unemployment office. With nearly 12 percent of Floridians out of work, the Agency for Workforce Innovation added staff to handle benefits applications swelling its own ranks by nearly 13 percent.

The prison system also posted 2.6 percent employment growth, as the inmate population topped 100,000 this year, and the Department of Children and Families had 3.2 percent growth to serve the needy. ...

The report said Florida ranks lowest in per-capita payroll costs, at $38 per resident. That was a little above half of national average of $72 per citizen.

As of June 30, Florida had 117 full- and part-time state employees per 10,000 in population — also last in the nation. The national average was 216 employees per 10,000 residents.

Scott's seven-step plan to create 700,000 new jobs in seven years calls for a 5 percent reduction in the size of state government. The incoming governor has said he hopes to do it without layoffs, through attrition.

The gerrymandering begins

"Florida will get at least one, and possibly two, more congressional districts after the U.S. Census data is released, but the state Legislature will decide where those new districts will be drawn on the map." "Senators Begin Lengthy Road to Redraw Districts".

Are cartoons next?

"In a preview of the education agenda for the upcoming session, members of the Florida legislature gathered at Tallahassee’s Miracle 5 movie theater on Tuesday for a screening of Waiting for Superman". "Superman screening for lawmakers offers glimpse of school-reform debate".

Ethics laff riot

"The newly appointed chair of the Senate’s ethics committee hinted Thursday that proposals to give the Florida Ethics Commission some muscle may stand a chance this year, after being brushed aside the past few years." "Ethics Chair Hints at Sharper Teeth for Ethics Watchdog".

"Plutocrat Lollapalooza 2010 Tour"

Daniel Ruth: "Gov.-elect Rick Scott could well spend the next four years more out of the sunshine than Dracula."

Gracious, for a chap elected to lead the fourth-largest state in the union, Scott has become so gun-shy around the scribbling corps he is beginning to make Thomas Pynchon look like a craven publicity hound.

Well, why not? During his campaign for the Governor's Mansion, which must look like a FEMA trailer to the fancy-pants mega-mogul, Scott avoided annoying reporters' questions with greater vigor than he did when he took the Fifth Amendment 75 times in a deposition.

In recent days, Scott has embarked on a tour of the state that has been half grip-and-grin with the great unwashed and half a Skull and Bones Society sweat lodge attended by a debenture of financiers.

The behind-closed-doors soirees have included secret handshakes with all manner of business interests who have been given hoity-toity, For-Your-Checkbook-Only private access to the newly minted governor.

No doubt the closed-curtain chit-chat has been dominated by high-minded great social intercourse calling for good, transparent, accountable government that makes Plato's dialogues look like idle Facebook gossip.

Scott defended excluding reporters from his Plutocrat Lollapalooza 2010 Tour by arguing that many people — especially folks looking to grease more palms than a Chicago ward committeeman on election day — are reluctant to speak candidly in the presence of a bunch of ink-stained wretches who might possibly regard the sight of a governor-elect crawling into bed with the state's silk-stocking crowd as just a tad tacky.

Goin' after them teachers

"Florida is expected to adopt a merit-pay law next year that would tie teacher compensation to student performance on tests. But the sequel to this year's failed and, to many teachers, infuriating effort could be a somewhat milder version than the bill Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed last spring." "Merit pay: 2 plans on state lawmakers' radar".

But Teabaggers can't find the word "rail" in the Constitution

"U.S. Rep. John Mica was selected by his fellow Republicans in Congress to chair the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure -- giving a Floridian the gavel over the powerful committee overseeing highways, aviation, rail, maritime shipping, public buildings and the Coast Guard, amongst other tasks." "John Mica Selected to Lead Transportation and Infrastructure Committee".

Texas sewage

"Heroic Media, the Austin, Texas-based anti-abortion group that counts Sarah Palin among its endorsers, has been branching out from its Texas roots to create a presence in Florida. In recent weeks, both billboards and television commercials have been showing up in the Jacksonville area." "Texas anti-abortion group targets Planned Parenthood, African-Americans in North Florida ad campaign".

Corrections Officer

"When it comes to describing his plans for dealing with the state’s $2.5 billion projected budget deficit, Gov.-elect Rick Scott has been short on specifics. In a recent interview on Bloomberg television, he singles out prisons, pensions "and other areas" for spending cuts." "Prison spending plays major role in debate over projected state budget deficit (Updated)".

Billy loses his spine

"McCollum, who said during the meeting that the significance of the case paled in comparison to others before the board, did not cast a vote on the pardon, letting it stand as a 3-0 decision." "Clemency board pardons Jim Morrison". See also "Morrison pardon doesn't change The Doors' history".

Sea cows a comin'

"Manatees are on their way".

Entrepreneurs in action

"Indictment: Scammed $1.2M from 181 investors".

Faster, faster

"The county first will try counting votes at one of about 20 locations scattered throughout the county, work that was previously done at a warehouse in Riviera Beach, county Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher said. By the end of 2011, she hopes to have modems that work with the county's existing vote scanners, letting her staff send results in directly from the precinct." "Palm Beach County explores ways to count votes faster on election nights".

Little man, big decisions

"The U.S. Department of Transportation with stunning swiftness redirected $342 million to Florida on Thursday to complete financing the construction of a high-speed rail line between Tampa and Orlando. Despite the extra funding, one hurdle remains. Incoming Republican Gov. Rick Scott must accept the funds, but Scott on Thursday, maintained his previous caution toward the project." "Florida gets high-speed rail funds taken from Ohio, Wisconsin".

The small man "toured the Port of Miami, but did not commit to supporting a deep dredging project that could provide thousands of jobs." "Gov.-elect Rick Scott to study Port of Miami project". See also "Feds Sending Another $342 Million to Florida for High-Speed Rail" ("Republicans and Dems in Congress like the idea; will Rick Scott?")

Water war

"Georgia is locked in a tri-state legal battle with neighboring Florida and Alabama over water that has environmental and economic implications for the region." "Lawmakers meet to discuss future of water supply".

Florida's foreclosure crisis is so bad that more homes are being vacated than are being sold to home buyers, adding to excess inventory, Baker said. Three of the top 10 metropolitan areas with the highest numbers of foreclosures are in Florida: Cape Coral/Fort Myers (No. 2), Miami-Fort Lauderdale (7) and Orlando-Kissimmee (10).

Due to record foreclosures and a continuing drop in the value of real estate, property-tax collections are running $150 million below the state's conservative projections. Median home prices have dropped by nearly 50 percent, from 257,800 five years ago to 136,000 today, Baker's report said.

Federal economic stimulus money will soon dry up and the state will also have to start repaying a $1.8 billion loan from the federal government for unemployment compensation.

hinted that Gov.-elect Rick Scott's campaign promises for deep spending and tax cuts may run into trouble in the Legislature. ...

"Now we are in the governing mode," [Committee Chairman JD Alexander, R-Lake Wales] said. "I would hope that all of us take a deep breath and move away from campaign rhetoric and start focusing on how do we make the best decisions possible to move our state forward."

Bits and Pieces

Kevin Derby: "Political Bits and Pieces".

Florida fights clean water rules

"Florida sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday seeking to block new clean water regulations opposed by business and agriculture interests as well as some municipal utilities."

Florida is the first state where the EPA has imposed such regulations although 13 others have adopted similar rules of their own. ...

The case was filed in the same Pensacola federal court where McCollum is challenging President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

Hurry up Ricky, and "Get to Work"

"Thousands of Florida mortgage brokers will be out of work after Dec. 31." "Thousands of Fla. mortgage brokers may lose jobs".

Heaven help us

"After Christians complained about Halloween decorations, the state has decided to ban holiday decorations of any kind at all toll booths along the 460 miles of Florida's Turnpike." "Turnpike bans holiday decorations after Christians' Halloween complaints".

Haridopolos thickens the plot

"Senate President Mike Haridopolos has thickened the plot by saying Republicans would resurrect the teacher pay and accountability bill that was vetoed by Gov. Charlie Crist last session. ... Now, with Republicans gaining supermajorities in both the House and the Senate, and Crist leaving office, GOP leaders are confident they can enact an SB 6-style reform bill. Incoming Gov. Rick Scott -- a vocal proponent of performance-based compensation and competition-driven school initiatives -- is on the same wavelength." "SB 6, Part Deux: GOP Pushes School Reform".

House committee chairmen named

"Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, named more chairmen and vice chairmen of House committees Tuesday, committees that will shape legislation and laws in Florida for the next two years." "Dean Cannon Names Committee Leaders". Related: "Florida House Creates Select Committee on Water Policy".

How many wingnuts can you fit in a theater?

"Several state legislators screened the education reform documentary 'Waiting for Superman' in Tallahassee Tuesday, then discussed the possibility and parameters of legislation to improve Florida's schools." "Legislators View Education Reform Flick ‘Waiting for Superman’".

A question for the teacher haters

The Palm Beach Post editorial board "what reform have teacher unions blocked?"

Since 1999, when Jeb Bush first used the FCAT as a school-grading tool, there's been a boom in vouchers and charter schools. The state constantly has trumpeted educational progress, most recently in Tuesday's improvements in high school grades.

If teacher unions have blocked reform, it doesn't show. In particular, it doesn't show in Hillsborough County. Dr. Rhee, who took on the nation's worst school system, is a celebrity reformer. She was given heroic treatment in Waiting For Superman, a film that touts charter schools. There was a rumor she might be Florida's next education commissioner. And she just formed a national group to push reforms.

But [Hillsborough County Superintendent MaryEllen Elia] is an actual Florida reformer. The lesson from her school district is that teachers will agree to evaluations and merit pay. They don't like to be bullied. They do like to be asked. It's not too late for Rick Scott - or Sen. Thrasher and his comrades in the Legislature - to ask them.

"Loving a Lawsuit"

Nancy Smith: "My Two Firsts: Loving a Lawsuit and Praising Bill McCollum".

Entrepreneurs in action

"Bank of America has agreed to a $67 million settlement with several states including Florida amid an investigation into allegations members of the bank took part in a scheme involving bids on municipal bond derivatives." "Fla. A.G.: Bank of America rigged municipal bond bids".

Haircut raids

"Civil Rights Association, Rep. Brown up in arms over 'SWAT-like' barbershop raids".

Limbaugh scratches Orlando off his list

"No more pain management clinics will be allowed to open for the next year in the county that is home to Orlando. Orange County commissioners on Tuesday imposed a yearlong moratorium on the clinics in unincorporated parts of the county in an effort to stop prescription drug abuse in the area." "Fla. county stops new pain clinics".

Whatever

"Florida's clemency board on brink of pardoning Doors' singer Morrison for 1969 exposure conviction".

Taj Mahal for rent ... not cheap

"The $49 million 1st District Court of Appeal continued to get bashed Tuesday and a state Senate committee chairman said he'd offer the new building to other tenants." "Fla. Sen. Fasano: Offer new 1st DCA building to other tenants".

Hate crimes

"Broward County leads Florida in the number of hate crimes reported in 2009." "Broward leads Florida in reported hate crimes in 2009, report says".

Mr. Huckabee comes to Florida

"Huckabee comes to sell books, test political waters".

Tally Dem kerfuffle

"After dumping their chairman Monday, Leon County Democrats want to run off Democratic National Committeeman Jon Ausman for taking sides in party primaries." "Local Democrats in disarray".

Yaaawwwnnn

LeMieux "said he'll decide "pretty soon" whether to run for the Senate in 2012, when Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson is up for reelection." "U.S. Sen George LeMieux still deciding whether to challenge Bill Nelson".

Wrong again

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Allen West's staff choices continue to suggest that the congressman-elect will govern much like he campaigned: as a soldier waging war rather than a lawmaker setting policy."

Mr. West's first decision after winning was to hire hyperbolic radio talk-show host Joyce Kaufman as his chief of staff. Ms. Kaufman, who has no relevant experience to run a congressional office, resigned after learning that her comments may have incited a threat of violence that led to a three-hour lockdown last month at 300 Broward County schools.

Mr. West's second act was to hire former WPTV-Channel 5 reporter Angela Sachitano as his press secretary. Ms. Sachitano was suspended last summer for moonlighting as Mr. West's media consultant. Ms. Sachitano, who maintains that she has a "stellar reputation as a journalist," also has been accused by West Palm Beach police of illegally taping detectives while reporting a story. In Florida, doing so is a third-degree felony. Depending on who you believe, she was fired from the station or resigned to work for Mr. West.

Any rookie reporter should know that it's unethical for reporters to work on political campaigns.

Silly School Grades

The Saint Petersburg Times editors point out that

a change in how schools were graded this year makes year-to-year comparisons almost futile. Only half of a high school's grade was based on the old formula, which focused almost exclusively on FCAT scores. So a school may have improved or it may have worsened, but its change in letter grade this year is no sure indication of either.

'Glades

The Orlando Sentinel editors believe that "fears are well founded — not just because of the growing backlash among some in Washington against infrastructure and environmental protection projects. But because Washington officials are expert at turning their backs on the Glades. In its decade-old Everglades cleanup agreement with Florida, Washington promised to pay half the project's cost. But as of last year, according to the Everglades Coalition, it had paid about one-sixth of what Florida had invested." "Everglades angst".

This will be the last time ...

"Gov. Charlie Crist and the three other members the Florida Cabinet met for the last time Tuesday. During an unusually lengthy meeting that lasted five hours, the four approved a controversial biomass plant in Gainesville, approved the transfer of state lands in Collier County to the federal government and even honored a Labrador retriever named Ace, which was formally retired from the state Fire Marshal's Office as an accelerant sniffer." "In last meeting, Cabinet approves power plant". Related: "Sink takes swipe at BP claims czar in last Cabinet meeting for her, Crist, others".

Firefighters rescue 15

Gulf Breeze - "15 saved in apartment fire".

The fire apparently was due to a space heater. Here are some space heater safety tips from IAFF, Local 2. And, in advance of, and during the holidays IAFF Local 1197 offers the following holiday fire safety tips for holiday lights and candles, trees, decorations and wrappings.

A few days ago the Florida Commission on Ethics, which has all the enforcement teeth of Barney Fife trying to arrest John Dillinger, found that Haridopolos had indeed committed a fairly serious breach of propriety by omitting nearly a million dollars of assets and income from his financial disclosure forms, the penalty for which includes some incredibly severe clucking, a rather highly indignant arched eyebrow or two and a withering glare of disappointment.

That's largely because the Ethics Commission has no authority to levy fines or impose very much of any sort of penalty against public officials who might be scruple-challenged. Instead the job of imposing sanctions on a pol with all the attention to detail of Wile E. Coyote contemplating a bomb fuse remains the purview of the Florida Legislature.

And thus the probability the Senate president's fellow senators will take any action against the very guy who holds power over them — from office and committee assignments, as well as determining which legislation will ever see the light of day — is about as likely as the Cleveland City Council approving a "LeBron James Day" proclamation. ...

Of course, the unspoken implication here is that Haridopolos is so busy, so important, so preoccupied with his duties as a big shot stable boy for Tallahassee special interests, he simply didn't have the time to do his due diligence with respect to his own financial paperwork.

Teabagger laff riot

"The tea party wave that swept the nation this fall continues to roil the political waters in Florida. Now the tide is turning on itself, threatening to drown out the movement's message and potentially sink its future. Orlando has become the center of fierce infighting as three tea groups joust with each other for voter attention and donor cash." "Tea Parties Boil Over in Orlando".

Buchanan an "embarrassing re-elect"

"In a report issued today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (aka CREW) lists">lists the 11 'most embarrassing re-elections of 2010,' naming Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, among them and citing a long list of allegations of campaign finance violations as evidence. Buchanan’s name comes up frequently in news articles speculating about which Republicans will compete to challenge Democratic incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012." "Rep. Buchanan included in watchdog group’s list of 'most embarrassing re-elects'".

"More than that"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Gov.-elect Scott wants to end Florida's corporate income tax as a way of luring businesses. It will take more than that." "Push to attract more jobs should not included sacrificing Florida's environment".

"Not holding our breath."

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "The latest batch of impressive reforms offered up by the Florida Ethics Commission — whose members are appointed by the governor, House speaker and Senate president — won't go anywhere unless Republicans who run the Legislature sign off on them."

People like Senate President Mike Haridopolos, who just admitted wrongdoing for failing to disclose assets, as well as clients who paid him tens of thousands of dollars.

And people like Senate Rules Committee Chairman John Thrasher, who simply cast Mr. Haridopolos' ethics policy failures as "mistakes."

You'd think the Legislature would be eager to increase its standing and those of other public officials in the wake of scandals that caused Gov. Charlie Crist to remove dozens of officeholders due to corruption charges. And in the wake of former House Speaker Ray Sansom getting booted from his job. He funneled more than $30 million in taxpayer money to a community college where he'd taken a $110,000 job, and now faces trial on a charge of grand theft.

But will the Legislature bite? ...

We're hoping so, but not holding our breath.

Broward GPOers

"Richard DeNapoli, a Hollywood Republican activist, will lead Broward Republicans for the next two years at a time when the party needs to heal divisions as it attempts to expand its influence. But even Monday night's vote among the 250 or so activists was divisive: DeNapoli won after a second round of voting when two other candidates threw their support behind the initial second place finisher, former Davie Town Mayor Tom Truex, a well-known social conservative. DeNapoli received 129 votes, while Truex got 125 votes." "Richard DeNapoli to lead Broward GOP". The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Thankless political job draws multiple applicants".

Rhee out, and that's a good thing"

Mike Thomas: "It appears that Michelle Rhee, the bomb-throwing school reformer and favorite of Gov.-elect Rick Scott, will not be Florida's new education commissioner. And that's a good thing." "I'm glad school reformer Michelle Rhee not coming to Florida".

Ricky likes them federal handouts

"At a news conference at the museum after the meetings, Scott noted that the military accounts for about 10 percent of Florida's economy. 'We want to make sure we're always thought of as a very military-friendly state,' Scott said." "Scott touts jobs plan".

"Brutal politics afflict clemency process"

Fred Grim: "Jim Morrison, convicted of a lewd act on a Miami stage 41 years ago that only enhanced his counterculture image, gets special consideration by the state clemency board this week. Kenneth Young, 25, model prisoner for 10 years now, consigned to life in prison for crimes committed when he was 14, doesn't rate a hearing. ... Young's rejection, meanwhile, reveals the brutal politics afflicting the clemency process." "Clemency process favors rock idol over a hard case".

Stop whining and "get to work"

The Orlando Sentinel editors point out that "Gov.-elect Rick Scott complained last week that he hadn't been given a heads-up by the White House before President Barack Obama decided to rescind his proposal to allow more drilling in federal waters, including the eastern Gulf of Mexico."

"I was not contacted," Mr. Scott huffed.

This is rich. Mr. Scott — who ranted in his campaign against "Obamacare," derided opponent Alex Sink as an "Obama liberal," and accused her of "Obama math" — expected a courtesy call from the White House.

Mr. Scott should take the snub as a signal to "get to work" on making peace with Mr. Obama.

We wouldn't expect Florida's governor to adopt the president's agenda. But if Mr. Scott can at least forge a civil and constructive relationship with Mr. Obama, Florida stands a better shot of getting White House support for important state priorities, like reforming Medicaid and restoring the Everglades.

Fasano disgusted, outraged

"Sen. Mike Fasano tours the new 'Taj Mahal' courthouse Monday. 'It disgusts me, it's outrageous,' he says." "Fasano irked by opulent courthouse".

Nelson not exactly quaking in his boots

"Republican U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, whose 16-month appointment ends next month, told a Forum Club of the Palm Beaches lunch he'll decide 'pretty soon' whether or not he's running in 2012, when Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson is up for reelection. He was asked afterward what some of the factors will be in his decision. He mentioned his family first, then said he'll consider who else is running." "LeMieux says he won't run against 'a Jeb Bush' in 2012 for U.S. Senate". See also "Sen. George LeMieux Weighs U.S. Senate Run".

Stoopid

"Committee meetings for the 2011 legislative session begin Tuesday, and the biggest item on any agenda is Senate Joint Resolution 2, known as the Florida Health Care Freedom Act, which would place a constitutional amendment on the ballot to opt out of the Affordable Care Act." "Health Care Amendment on Tap as Committee Meetings Start". See also "Florida Republicans continue fight against Affordable Health Care act".

Entrepreneurs in action

"Feds arrest Fla. man in $110 million Ponzi scheme".

Never mind

"A proposal to prohibit message sending while driving has returned in the Senate, with Sen. Evelyn Lynn filing a measure that would bar drivers from sending or reading text messages, E-mails, or other forms of communication." "Texting While Driving Bill Will BRB".

Pet abuse

"Fasano: Domestic violence law should include pet abuse".

Last time

"Crist, Cabinet meet final time as executive branch".

'Glades

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Obama's recent appointment of Shannon Estenoz as the federal point person for Everglades restoration is an opportunity for both the decades-long initiative and for Florida's incoming governor, Rick Scott. The governor-elect would do well to take advantage of the opportunity." "Obama appointee takes on Everglades Restoration".

Castor hits another homer

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Congresswoman Kathy Castor recently filed legislation essential to Florida and other states impacted by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The Tampa Democrat's bill, if passed, would see to it that most of the money expected to be paid out by BP in fines and penalties would go to Gulf Coast states and not be diverted to other parts of the country." "Castor's bill would aid Gulf states".

Let the teacher hating begin

"Florida lawmakers will host a private screening on Tuesday of the film Waiting for Superman, the pro-charter school documentary that blames teachers' unions for much of education's woes."

The House and Senate are inviting lawmakers, government officials and education community leaders to the showing at Tallahassee's Miracle 5 Cinema. The 4 p.m. showing will be followed by an hourlong panel discussion, with participants still-to-be-determined, said David Bishop, spokesman for Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island.

But prospects of Haridopolos and House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, hosting their own version of television's At the Movies around education reform didn't sit well with the state's largest teachers' union.

"It's a terribly skewed view of education,'' said Mark Pudlow, a spokesman for the Florida Education Association. "But I'm sure the members will enjoy it immensely.''

Former Washington, D.C., schools chancellor Michelle Rhee, whom Gov.-elect Rick Scott named Thursday to head his education transition team, is featured heavily in the film.

Rhee is an outspoken critic of teacher tenure and is portrayed in the film struggling with teacher-union resistence as she tries to shift pay structures and reward effective educators.

Warm for the winter

"FPL officials acknowledge the utility has a moral responsibility to protect the site's wintering manatees, thought to make up one-fifth of all the manatees in Florida waters." "FPL customers pay to keep Indian River manatees cozy — and alive".

Jebbie's dream world

"A new outreach group led by the former governor could help clarify the message to a complicated and diverse Hispanic population". "GOP Future Looks to Hispanics and Jeb Bush".

Ricky just fine with untreated human waste that chokes Florida's waterways

"In their quest to reduce regulations, particularly on businesses, Gov.-elect Rick Scott and Florida's new legislative leaders are taking aim at a whole range of environmental protection efforts."

Their first target was a new law requiring every homeowner and business with a septic tank to pay for an inspection every five years. Untreated human waste leeching from Florida's estimated 500,000 broken septic tanks contributes to health warnings across the state and chokes waterways with algal blooms.

State leaders decided the new law is too expensive and voted in November to delay when it takes effect. They hope to kill it in the next legislative session.

"Uphill climb"

"Sarasota GOP head has uphill climb for state job".

A "surcharge" not a "tax"

"Bottled water could get a few cents more expensive in Florida under a proposed surcharge to pay for environmental cleanup work." "Bottled Water Tax Back on Senate Menu".

When Floridians stop reading ...

Nancy Smith: "It must be killing Florida’s media elite that Rick Scott doesn’t give a blue blog what they write about him." "Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Media Elite? Not Rick Scott".

Yee haw!

"Scott meets with Panhandle lawmakers".

About Charlie

"His term has been one of the most turbulent in Florida history, but Gov. Charlie Crist leaves office content with his accomplishments and optimistic about his future in or out of politics." "Gov. Crist content, optimistic for future".

Country clubbers grasping at straws

Kingsley Guy worries that the demographics are changing, and before long the whitebread teabaggers will be unable to carry the day for the RPOF. In his eyes, however, the "saving grace for the Republican Party is straight-line projections rarely hold true, and voting trends change. For instance, African-Americans voted primarily Republican from the end of the Civil War to the dawning of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal. Republican Party survival will depend upon broadening its demographic base, and Florida is helping to lead the way."

In the last election, Republican Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American, easily won the U.S. Senate seat. He faced Gov. Charlie Crist, running as an independent, and a bonafide Democratic candidate in Kendrick Meek. Yet Rubio captured nearly 50 percent of the vote, a remarkable feat in a three-way race with strong opposition.

His victory margin was made possible, in part, because he won 55 percent of the Hispanic vote. Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott also showed great strength among Hispanics, capturing 50 percent of that vote.

Florida has a large Cuban-American voting bloc with historical anti-Castro ties to the GOP, but Republican Hispanic support in Florida goes beyond that. Hispanics are well-integrated into the economic fabric of the state, and the GOP message of economic opportunity rather than welfare-state paternalism plays well with them.

Florida also elected two African-American Republicans to high office. One of Scott's better early decisions was to name Jennifer Carroll as his lieutenant-governor running mate. Carroll, an immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago, rose from the enlisted ranks in the Navy to retire as a lieutenant commander. In 2003, she became the first black woman ever elected to the Florida House as a Republican.

In District 22, Allen West became the first African-American Republican to be elected to Congress from Florida since Reconstruction. His fiery and inspiring rhetoric is backed by a solid understanding of U.S. history and constitutional principles. He has what it takes to rise to a leadership position in the GOP. West will be joined in the House by Tim Scott of South Carolina, also a conservative Republican of African-American descent.

Second Neo-Nazi trial in Pasco

"Neo-Nazi set for retrial on murder charge in Pasco".

Perhaps paving it over ain't such a great ideer

The Miami Herald editorial board: "A 2009-10 fiscal-impact assessment by the Parks Service found that the state's 160 parks had a direct impact of nearly $950 million on local economies throughout the state and accounted for 18,900 new local-area jobs. Last year the state park system contributed more than $66 million to the general revenue fund via state sales taxes." "`The Real Florida' a moneymaker".

Builders want their payback

"Builders Hope New Legislature Will Cut Regulations, Reignite Growth".

Health Management Associates, a company from Scott's hometown of Naples that runs dozens of clinics and 22 hospitals, contributed $25,000. So did Gary Morse, developer of The Villages in Central Florida. Florida Crystals of West Palm Beach hit the $25,000 ceiling as did U.S. Sugar.

Scott, a wealthy health care executive, is known as the $73 million man for the amount of money he spent bankrolling his own campaign. ...

Scott spokeswoman Erin Isaac dismissed any notion that contributors are expecting payback and that the ceremonies are too lavish at a time when more than 1 million Floridians are out of work and record numbers are receiving food stamps.

"No and no," Isaac said in a tersely worded e-mail.

Chief fundraiser and Tallahassee lobbyist Brian Ballard said the inauguration committee has not set a contribution target.

Union friendly states outpacing Florida

The Palm Beach Post editors write this morning that "Scott wants to end Florida's corporate income tax as a way of luring businesses. It will take more than that."

According to the Tax Foundation's 2011 State Business Tax Climate Index, Florida already ranks fifth in terms of its tax structure being "most welcoming to economic activity." South Dakota is the most welcoming state, followed by Alaska and Wyoming. Fourth is Nevada, and if any state has suffered more from the bursting of the housing bubble, it is Nevada. Being tax-friendly didn't save it.

It surveys corporate real estate executives, who judge states based on the quality of the workforce, transportation, utilities, incentives, ease of permitting, higher education and, yes, taxes.

In that survey, Florida ranked 14th, between Kansas and Michigan. Higher-tax states such as Ohio and Pennsylvania, which also have more union membership than Florida - a right-to-work state - rank higher.

Laffer: The phone call that never came

"Campaigning for governor, Rick Scott wasn’t particularly courteous when talking about President Barack Obama, whose policies he slammed on the campaign trail. But somehow the incoming governor was surprised this week to be left waiting for a courtesy call from Obama that never came: a heads-up about a ban on new drilling in the Gulf of Mexico." "Weekly Roundup: A Phone Call Would've Been Nice".

The Sarasota Herald Tribune editors point out that "Obama's reversal on Gulf drilling limits was right" "Changing the oil policy".

Sorry Ricky, but there's no one left to bill

"Scott, who had never run for office before his election last month, has the least political experience of any Florida governor in the modern era. Former Gov. Claude Kirk, a Jacksonville insurance executive elected in 1966, comes closest ... Scott's corporate tenure, however, was also marked by his forced resignation over a Medicare billing scandal, which led to his firm agreeing to the largest fraud settlement in U.S. history." "Early test for Gov. Scott Taking The Reins: Can an experienced CEO adapt to Tallahassee realities?"

Bushco's "convenient terrorist"

"The upcoming trial of Luis Posada Carriles will mark the first time that evidence gathered by Cuban authorities and the FBI will be presented in a U.S. courtroom to show the former CIA operative's alleged role in a string of Havana bombings."

The Cuban exile militant [sic] stands accused of lying under oath about his leading part in the hotel bombing campaign that killed an Italian tourist -- though he is not charged with causing the death.

Trained by the CIA in sabotage and explosives during the Cold War, Posada has been embraced as a hero in South Florida's Cuban exile community but vilified as a terrorist in Cuba and Venezuela and held responsible for the hotel assaults as well as a 1976 Cuban airliner bombing that killed 73, including the Cuban youth fencing team.

Good luck

Jane Healy: "It's time for Scott to embrace rail projects".

"Obscene is the first word that comes to mind"

Carl Hiaasen: "Just in time for the holidays, Congress has terminated unemployment benefits for millions of out-of-work Americans. We’re told this was done as an act of fiscal responsibility, to help prune the gargantuan national deficit."

It’s somewhat revealing, then, to follow another big battle on Capitol Hill. This one centers on the so-called Bush tax cuts, which are due to expire at the end of the month.

Democrats want to keep the lower rates for all Americans except individuals making more than $200,000 a year and couples earning more than $250,000. Republicans want to extend the lower tax rates for everybody, including the wealthy -- their most prized constituency.

The problem with the GOP tax plan is that it would add about $700 billion to the deficit over the next decade. A few years ago this would have been business as usual, because the Bush administration was printing money as fast as the Republican leadership could spend it. ...

This month alone, two million Americans will see their unemployment paychecks stop, all in the name of cost-cutting for the good of the federal budget. Meanwhile, the so-called deficit hawks want to give away a total of $700 billion to folks like me, who can get along just fine without it. Obscene is the first word that comes to mind. Sad is the second.

"Fat chance"

Mike Thomas: "Scott says having more insurers will increase competition and drive down prices. To that I say: fat chance. ... Good luck, Gov.-elect Scott." "Brace for storm of insurance-rate hikes".

The Confederacy is rising agin'

"After the midterms, the Republican Party now controls 72 percent of U.S. Senate seats in the 11 former Confederate states. Virginia is the contrarian holdout — the only Southern state without at least one Republican senator."

But perhaps the most dramatic — and equally important — changes have happened at the state level. The Republicans now occupy every governor's mansion in the South, save Arkansas and North Carolina. Travel further down the ballot, and things get no better for the Democrats. From governor to secretary of state to adjutant general, the GOP controls 81 percent of Southern statewide elective offices.

In seven states — including Florida — Republicans control every one.

Greedy public employees

"A 22-year-old woman who cheated death Wednesday night in a fiery crash that killed one man and left another badly hurt paused on Friday to thank a Boca Raton police officer who pulled her from a burning sport-utility vehicle." "Woman pulled from burning car thanks Boca Raton police officer who rescued her".

"You can take the man out of firefighting but, apparently, you can't take firefighting out of the man. During Wednesday night's deadly car accident on Interstate 95 in Boca Raton, a retired EMS supervisor [who retired in October after a 30-year career with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue] helped control the flames in the burning SUV while a police officer shot out a window and rescued the trapped passenger." "Retired firefighter played roll in I-95 crash rescue".

Foley back

"Mark Foley, once the most tarnished politician in the nation, could emerge as the face of West Palm Beach for the next four to eight years. That would have sounded preposterous after the Lake Worth Republican resigned from Congress in 2006, exposed for sending sexual Internet messages to male pages. Four years later, he's considering a run for West Palm mayor. And political watchers say he could have a good chance." "Will Mark Foley win West Palm city hall?".

"Pardon me"

Frank Cerabino: "Pardon me, but let's talk Doors and drawers".

"First-hand experience in the matter"

Jackie Bueno Sousa: "Given the number of times his actions have raised questions about possible conflicts of interest, you might think Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jose 'Pepe' Diaz isn't clear on what constitutes ethical behavior. Quite the contrary -- few public officials may have a better handle on the ins and outs of the county's conflict-of-interest rules. After all, Diaz certainly has had plenty of first-hand experience in the matter." "Diaz an expert on skirting ethics rules". The Miami Herald editorial board: "Miami-Dade’s conflicts of interest".