Lacking a single hire to staff Florida's government, incoming Gov. Rick Scott on Friday asked most of Gov. Charlie Crist's administration to rescind their resignations and stay on board for up to three months.

The about-face leaves in place agency heads and mid-level staffers from an administration Scott repeatedly criticized from the campaign trail as unresponsive to private business and ill-equipped to foster job growth. Scott's transition team initially asked for hundreds of resignations, more than Crist did when he succeeded former Gov. Jeb Bush.

And it's the first public indication from Scott's secretive team of a transition clogged under the leadership of Enu Mainigi, his personal attorney and most important hire to date.

The insiders, lobbyists, business owners and former government officials who make up the transition team say time is running out and they fret the slowdown is hurting Scott.

Mainigi, a Washington, D.C.-based corporate defense lawyer, disputes there is any clog and challenges accusations that she is being overly protective of Scott. She writes off the criticism as backbiting inherent in the sport of Tallahassee politics.

Fragile 'Glades choking with pollution, while Florida dithers

As the assorted wingnuts that call the shots in Tally pontificate on the benefits of polluting the River of Grass, a "Miami federal judge expressed support Friday for a new $1.5 billion Environmental Protection Agency plan to reduce pollution-laden farm runoff that is choking the fragile Everglades. He urged state officials to cooperate rather than mount unnecessary delays." "Judge backs EPA's Glades cleanup plan".

Carl Hiaasen the other day: "Florida fights for rights of polluters" ("Farms, mills and municipalities that use Florida waterways as a latrine got more good news last week from their stooges in Tallahassee. The latest battle to stop the enforcement of federal pollution laws will be paid for by state taxpayers.")

Ricky's tax cuts will surely fix this

"Twelve percent of Florida's eligible work force, which translates to more than 1.1 million people, did not have jobs last month ... State economists predicted double-digit unemployment would continue in Florida until sometime during the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2012 - just as the presidential campaign rolls into high gear." "Fla. unemployment numbers worsen in November". See also "Florida unemployment rate rises", "Florida Unemployment Reaches 12 Percent" and "Florida jobless rate rises to 12% in November" and "".

A Republican thing

"Breaking? Study Finds Fox News Viewers Are The Most Misinformed".

Bits and Pieces

Kevin Derby: "Political Bits and Pieces".

Greedy first responders

"Jon Stewart Lambastes The Media Over Lack Of 9/11 Responders Bill Coverage (VIDEO)". See also "Senate Republicans Explain Their Vote Against First Responder Health Care" and "Stewart Dedicates Last Show Of 2010 Entirely To 9/11 First Responders Bill". More: "Daily Show: 9/11 First Responders React to the Senate Filibuster".

CNN gets into bed with GOP Teabaggers

"CNN announced Friday it will co-host a Republican presidential primary debate in Tampa along with the Tea Party Express during Labor Day week 2011."

CNN said its debate will have "specific emphasis on the issues that matter most to Tea Party Express: the economy and government spending."

As to why the news network is teaming up with the political movement, CNN political director Sam Feist called the movement "a fascinating, diverse, grassroots force that already has drastically changed the country's political landscape."

He said it's "a natural fit for CNN to provide a platform for the diverse perspectives within the Republican Party, including the Tea Party movement." ...

the organization, founded by a long-time Republican Party political consultant, has encountered some criticism from other activists in the diverse, decentralized movement who have suggested it was simply a way for traditional Republican operatives to take advantage of the movement.

South Florida undocumented DREAM

"The bill known as the Dream Act would offer about 2 million illegal immigrants in the U.S., including an estimated 183,000 Florida residents, a pathway to residency and eventual citizenship. Most are young immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children by their parents, and because they lack legal status, are often denied college scholarships and the right to join the military. Getting a drivers license also can be difficult." "Undocumented residents in South Florida pin hopes on Dream Act's passage".

LeMieux outa there

"Departing LeMieux gets flattering send-off".

"Separate-but-equal" RPOF-led Legislature

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board write that, "in Tallahassee, a steroidal confidence among Republicans that resembles the strut that tripped Washington Democrats increasingly is on display."

Any trace of caution and humility seems gone, buried with the Democrats and an independent whose losses in November will give the GOP all the keys to the capital.

Gov.-elect Rick Scott gets his key next month from Gov. Charlie Crist and Chief Financial Officer-elect Jeff Atwater receives his from Alex Sink, giving Republicans every state cabinet post. House Speaker Dean Cannon and Senate President Mike Haridopolos will preside over veto-proof majorities.

Mr. Haridopolos is talking of aggressively commandeering the most conservative Legislature since Reconstruction. Mr. Cannon launched an attack last month on the judiciary, though he said the separate-but-equal Republican-led Legislature needs to exercise "humility in the use of power." And despite priding himself on his constituent reach, Mr. Cannon this month kept them in the dark on a conference he secretly convened for the 80 House Republicans.

They and Mr. Scott display a swagger, buoyed by their party's wins and their confidence that they're doing what the electorate wants: promoting jobs.

But like Washington Democrats following their imagined mandate in 2008, Tallahassee's leaders are straying. It's not just jobs they're focusing on but rolling back regulations that protect the environment. They're considering deregulating the insurance industry and making it easier for Florida utilities to raise rates. And they may cut school taxes 19 percent by paying for them ... how?

2010 Lie of the Year

"PolitiFact editors and reporters have chosen 'government takeover of healthcare' as the 2010 Lie of the Year. Uttered by dozens of politicians and pundits, it played an important role in shaping public opinion about the healthcare plan and was a significant factor in the Democrats' shellacking in the November elections." "The biggest lie of the year is . . .".

Committee assignments

"On Friday, House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, named committee and subcommittee assignments for the 2011 session." "Dean Cannon Names House Members to Committees".

Not nutty enough for Mack

"Rep. Connie Mack IV opposed the tax-cut package that President Barack Obama signed into law Friday because it will extend Bush-era tax rates for two years rather than making them permanent." "Fort Myers Congressman Mack votes against bill, urges permanent tax cuts".

FCAT follies

"Florida Democrats are continuing to propose dumping the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test as their Republican counterparts continue to put more emphasis on standardized exams." "Florida Democrats Work To Discontinue FCAT Exams For High School Students".

"The beginning of what, we must ask"

"Union spokesman Matt Puckett says the association first saw the $1 billion figure in Scott’s '7-7-7' plan for cutting government spending and creating jobs. Members found the number alarming, and started calling attention to it, culminating in an ad which, in the words of FactCheck.org, 'takes a half-baked proposal to an illogical conclusion.'"

"One of the editorials slamming Scott’s prison plan summed up its critque of Scott’s supposed plan to cut $1 billion a year in prison spending:"

Being governor is serious job, and by his own staff’s admission, this is a half-baked plan that is just "the beginning." The beginning of what, we must ask.

Big of him

"Thrasher ‘does not condone’ group that says Planned Parenthood efforts similar to ‘genocide’".

Republican Congressman to embarrass Florida

"Republican Congressman Cliff Stearns of Ocala could play a major role in health care repeal efforts and investigations into the Obama Administration’s greenhouse gas regulations for the House Energy and Commerce Committee when the new Congress takes over next month." "Florida congressman to oversee ‘ground zero’ for health care repeal".

Too early to tell

"A legislative report says it's too early to tell if investing state pension funds in Florida-based technology companies will create many news jobs in the state." "Fla. employee pension investments create 176 jobs".

Ricky's "numbers just don’t seem to add up"

"Gov.-elect Rick Scott has continued to draw scrutiny for his supposed goal of shaving $1 billion a year from the state’s annual prison budget. The numbers just don’t seem to add up. How could the incoming governor possibly find that much waste in an overall budget of $2.4 billion — 'a whopping 42 percent reduction' — without wreaking havoc on the state’s criminal justice system? According to Brian Burgess, the communications director for Scott’s transition team, those reports are based on 'fantastic claims.'" "Scott team: Reports of $1 billion annual cuts to prisons ‘fantastic claims’".

Sink has not ruled out running for office again

"Sink told reporters Thursday that she has not ruled out running again for office one day. As for the immediate future, the former bank executive said she is investigating 'business opportunities,' but has no specific plans as of yet." "Sink says running for governor was right".

Rick Scott: All Teabaggery all the time

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Could Rick Scott, who's all about getting people back to work, manage to kill the planned Orlando to Tampa high-speed rail line and the 24,000 jobs it would bring Florida?"

The answer's yes, if, in the end, the governor-elect cares more about partisan politics than an economic opportunity that anyone with his supposed business savvy would be daft to resist.

Regrettably, Mr. Scott's sending signals that to him, politics may well be more important than doing what's clearly in the best interests of Florida. How unfortunate for the state, which needs the stimulative, potentially transformative high-speed line.

And how ironic for someone who cast himself as a political outsider in his run for governor. ...

Why would Rick Scott oppose such a system? Because President Obama's stimulus program, which he savages, underwrites so much of it? Because it has become a badge of honor among conservative governors to reject federally funded rail projects? Because, even though it would better connect Floridians and deliver all those jobs, Mr. Scott thinks opposition would somehow help him among his conservative constituency?

We've tried, but we can't think of another reason.

Enough already with the raw sewage

"A federal judge in Miami is demanding answers from Florida and federal officials on stemming the flow of pollution into the Everglades." "US judge seeks answers on Everglades fixes".

Wingers think this activist court is just dandy

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "A Florida appeals court ruling has made it financially risky to challenge growth management rules. The decision opens the door for local governments and developers to disregard guidelines intended to curtail taxpayers' costs and protect public resources."

Ironic that "Paul Hawkes and Brad Thomas were the judges who took the harsh stand. The former legislative staffers also led the charge for the construction of the opulent 'Taj Mahal' courthouse in Tallahassee." "Court deals blow to smart growth". See also "Appeals court sanctions environmental groups in land-use case".

Meanwhile, back at the Taj Mahal ...

"Fasano urges state leaders to block move to 'Taj Mahal' courthouse".

RPOF nominating calendar skirmishes

"Despite that the fact that no individual has come forward as a 2012 presidential candidate on either side of the aisle, skirmishes related to the nominating calendar are already underway." "Florida GOP hopes early straw poll will end presidential calendar dispute".

Lies and liars of the year

PolitiFact asked its "readers to pick what they thought was the most significant lie of the year in 2010, and 3,289 people voted. The decisive winner was the same one PolitiFact editors and reporters selected for the 'Lie of the Year.' Here are the readers' poll results:"

1. ObamaCare is a "government takeover" of health care. — Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio; Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R-Fla.; the Republican Party of Florida; Lt. Gov.-elect Rebecca Kleefisch, R-Wis.; and others: 43.9 percent. ...

3. "The stimulus has not created one private sector job." — Gov.-elect Rick Scott, R-Fla., and others: 13.9 percent

We're lookin' forward to Ricky's promised 700,000 jobs

"State economist Rebecca Rust said anecdotal reports indicate holiday season hiring from October through December will be up this year, possibly hitting 40,000 additional jobs. She noted that some of those jobs typically become permanent." "State readying unemployment numbers from November".

Will Billy's forum shopping pay off for Teabaggers?

"PENSACOLA — Health care for uninsured Americans in 20 states, including Florida, now rests in the hands of a federal judge who heard oral arguments Thursday in the states' lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the national health-care law." "U.S. judge in Pensacola weighs Florida's challenge to Obama's health care law". See also "Florida Presents Case Against Obamacare" and "Judge hears argument on healthcare law".

Who's runnin' Tally these days?

The Palm Beach Post editors: "Florida's prescription drug dealers are getting an extra four months to peddle their pills because state legislators inadvertently delayed implementation of new pain clinic regulations and increased the cost to taxpayers." "Pushers can keep pushing". See also "Bill Cotterell: McCollum plays a role in another big case".

Now they tell us

"The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office is investigating more than $500,000 in secret payments from the owners of the Flagler Dog Track to a company tied to Congressman-elect David Rivera, the Miami Herald has learned."

Rivera, a Miami Republican elected to Congress on Nov. 2, has previously denied working for the dog track, though he played a public role in supporting the pro-slots referendum campaign. Rivera never reported receiving any money from Flagler during his eight-year tenure in the Legislature.

Rivera, who is scheduled to be sworn in as a member of Congress on Jan. 5, declined to be interviewed for this article, but he released a statement saying that he never received any money from the dog track or from Millennium.

Florida Republicans assert themselves in Congress

"The deeply unpopular, $1.1 trillion spending bill -- including its more than 6,700 earmarks -- went down in flames Thursday night. And Florida Republicans in Congress can claim their opposition as some of the ammunition that shot it out of the sky." "Florida Congressional Repubs Piled Pressure on Dems Over Now-Deceased Spending Bill".

Nothing left to foreclose on?

"Foreclosure filings in Florida fell 42 percent in November from the previous month, with one in every 267 housing units receiving a filing last month, according to a report released Thursday by Realty Trac, a California-based company that tracks foreclosed properties." "Foreclosures Down in Florida, But Cases Linger in Courts".

Sink makes good use of her last days as CFO

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Alex Sink is making good use of her final days as Florida’s chief financial officer by calling on President Barack Obama and the BP claims fund to speed up payments to victims of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill." "Get moving on Florida's oil claims".

From one wingnut to another

"Florida TaxWatch Releases Handbook to Help Rick Scott".

"That would be so poetically tzedaka"

Daniel Ruth: "If there is any justice, one can only hope Richard Nixon is spending his afterlife stuck in a synagogue seated next to a drunk Irish priest on one side and Golda Meir on the other, while listening to a black rabbi." "Tricky Dick's reels of shame".

Slipping through the cracks

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Florida needs those billions".

Now that the campaigns are over

"In a fascinating article published [yesterday] morning, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune‘s Jeremy Wallace reports on how Sarasota County state legislators are pushing back on some items on Gov.-elect Rick Scott’s agenda, in particular his pledge to reduce property taxes by 19 percent." "State Sen. Detert: Scott’s 19 percent property tax cut may be unfeasible".

Discount? What discount?

"Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the state's largest property insurer, may go after homeowners and business owners who thought that they had storm-proofed their property." "Citizens may go after homeowners who got discounts".

Ricky fails his first task: Transition team flops

"With time running out before Governor-elect Rick Scott takes office, his transition team plans to ask many high-level state officials to remain on the job past the inauguration date of Jan. 4." "Scott will ask high-level state officials to remain on the job past inauguration".

Pigs at the trough

"AT&T will not challenge the state's decision to award a $20 million health information technology contract to one of its competitors. Agency for Health Care Administration spokeswoman Shelisha Durden said the state is drafting a four-year $20 million contract with Harris Corporation as previously announced. AT&T spokesperson Gretchen Schultz confirmed on Thursday the company didn't challenge the decision as it warned it would. The company wouldn't comment on its change of plans." "Health care agency will award $20 million contract as planned".

"Nothing stops the 'we're-taxed-too-much' mantra"

Stephen Goldstein: "Taxes: Mention the word, and it's like feeding time for one of Pavlov's dogs. Most people will salivate and yelp, 'They're too high.' Americans howl that they are crushed by an onerous financial burden from out-of-control government. It's the daily grind of cable TV pundits, the rallying cry of politicians, the raison d'être of the tea party. It doesn't matter if the economy is good or bad, or how little or how much people actually pay in taxes, nothing stops the 'we're-taxed-too-much' mantra."

But before anyone can say that taxes are too high, we have to answer the simple, but never asked, question: How much is appropriate? In other words, what is the reasonable cost all of us should gladly pay for the privilege of living in this country? My dueling partner, Kingsley Guy, has never been able to tell me, because he's in an ideological straitjacket. Marco Rubio told me that taxes were too high if they dampened the economy. Perhaps, he'll spend the six years Floridians gave him in the U.S. Senate learning something about economics. ...

Florida voters elected Rick Scott governor partly because he said he would reduce property taxes and let corporations pay nothing. But according to the latest data from the Tax Foundation, Florida is a low-tax state: Our state-local tax burden is the 47th lowest in the nation and we have the 5th best tax climate for businesses. Our governor-elect seems like a loose cannon, targeting solutions for problems that don't exist.

Never mind the constitution

"Key Florida lawmakers already are looking at ways to inject some flexibility into the class-size rules this spring. Those efforts include finding ways to minimize fines that districts face if they fail to shrink all their classes, said state Sen. David Simmons, R- Longwood." "Legislator aims to ease class-size law, reduce fines".

Let them eat cake

"Sarasota area jobless running out of time". See also "House passes unemployment and tax cut extensions, Fla. delegation mostly in favor".

Heavy trucks

"Crist has extended an emergency order lifting weight restrictions on trucks transporting freeze-threatened crops for two more weeks through Dec. 31." "Crist extends crop freeze emergency order".

FCAT follies

"A change in the rules helped some South Florida high schools raise their state-issued grade." "Schools outsmart failure on the FCAT".

Lawmakers — even before the national partisan debate over health care reform — have balked at taking full advantage of the state-federal child health insurance program, leaving Florida with the second highest percentage of uninsured children in the country. Nor have they been willing to increase standards for voluntary pre-K.

That's shortsighted. Florida's uninsured children — at least 548,000 — can still show up in emergency rooms or elsewhere and receive expensive care that often ends up paid for by taxpayers.

No one left to defraud

"Florida Gov.-elect Rick Scott faces deepening statewide budget gap".

Foley

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Best for him, best for city". See also "Foley concerned about potential diminishing of West Palm mayoral power".

Legitimate questions?

Howard Troxler: "Health suits raise legitimate questions". More: "McCollum's challenge of Obama's health care plan is central to national debate".

Who appointed TaxWatch?

"Today, a group of experts will present the incoming chief executives with some real voices of experience. For the third time, Florida TaxWatch has assembled a group of government experts to give insights on issues and events Scott can expect to encounter, once he's sworn in on Jan. 4." "Governor-elect Scott to receive transition insight today".

Big of him

"Scott visits Port of Miami, promises to study dredging proposal".

Bill didn't get the memo

"Apparently, Bill Nelson didn't get the memo. Or maybe he just forgot. From President Barack Obama to the lowest ranking Republican on Capitol Hill, budget earmarks have become a Washington whipping boy. But Florida's senior senator is sparing the rod and liberally piling on the pork as he and fellow Democrats in the state's House delegation shoved millions of dollars in special projects into the lame-duck Congress' omnibus budget bill this week." "Bill Nelson Tone Deaf on Earmarks".

Bla, blah, blah

"President Barack Obama may be an excellent communicator but he faces a serious challenge in that department from incoming U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, argued a prominent communications expert on Wednesday." "Communications Guru Gives Marco Rubio High Marks".

Straw poll laff riot

"Look out Iowa, South Carolina and New Hampshire."

Republicans in the nation's biggest swing state are preparing to weigh in on their party's presidential nominee as early as fall 2011.

The concept: a non-binding Florida straw poll at a massive event billed as "Presidency V,'' which would also feature a nationally televised presidential debate. The plan, still in its infancy, enjoyed wide support from Republican Party of Florida leaders at its quarterly meeting last weekend.

Cold

The Palm Beach Post editors: "Along the urbanized east coast, many Floridians never see the state's second-biggest industry except at the grocery store. Unfortunately, we soon will see less of it. The cold weather of Sunday and Monday nights didn't hurt crops severely, but Tuesday night was colder and, unfortunately, calmer with no clouds." "Their losses are state's losses".

Chamber blather

"Florida Chamber Study Shows Trade and Logistics Could Lead to 143,000 Jobs".

Not so fast, Mr. Scott

"Governor-elect Rick Scott's ambitious plans to overhaul Florida government are already drawing scrutiny from local legislative leaders. While saying they generally support Scott, senior members of the Sarasota-Manatee legislative delegation predicted the new governor will not have a complete green light next year in Tallahassee, even from a Legislature in which Republicans hold a 2-to-1 advantage." "Governor may face fight from local lawmakers".

Never mind the constitution

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Give schools a [class size] break".

"Murderous reality created by Second Amendment absolutists"

Fred Grimm: "Once again, innocents in communities like Liberty City suffered the murderous reality created by Second Amendment absolutists -- those who talk of the right to own military assault weapons as if these guns should be regarded no differently than handguns or hunting rifles." "No excuse for this kind of firepower".

Better than nothing

"But the sharp declines were not a signal that Florida's foreclosure crisis is suddenly over. The change more likely reflected the delayed effects of a short-lived foreclosure moratorium imposed in October by several big, national home lenders after reports of sloppy documentation and rushed processing." "Orlando-area foreclosures fall 50%, but drop may be brief".

Skeptical response

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "Pinellas County political candidates and voters already complain that local election seasons are too long, thanks to Supervisor of Elections Deborah Clark's penchant for sending out mail ballots six weeks before Election Day. Now Clark wants the season to be even longer. She's asking St. Petersburg to make its city primary election two weeks earlier. It's an idea that deserves the skeptical response it is getting from some City Council members." "Longer isn't better for election season".

RPOFer unity

"In a show of unity after their party's successful election last month, Miami-Dade Republicans are expected to rally around a new, consensus leader Thursday. State Rep. Erik Fresen is the only candidate seeking to replace U.S. Rep.-elect David Rivera, the county party's outgoing chairman." "Dade GOP to select new leader".

That's a jump from the $2.5 billion budget gap that the analysts were predicting just a month ago for 2011-2012, which starts July 1. And it could easily could widen to a $4.5 billion, depending on how much money lawmakers decide to set aside for a rainy day.

That's bad news for Gov.-elect Rick Scott, who ran for election on pledges to slash business and property taxes. Scott claims that tax cuts will boost the economy and improve the state's fiscal health, but when and to what extent that would happen remains unclear.

In the meantime, Scott will have to propose his first state budget proposal in early February based on Tuesday's revenue estimate.

But Scott won't say what he'll reduce in the budget -- which he'll propose in February -- to offset his tax cuts.

The top budget writers for the House and Senate are also puzzled by Scott's pledge to cut taxes in a year of big budget holes.

"I haven't heard from him how he'll do it all,'' state Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales said, echoing his House counterpart, state Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring.

So far, the soft-spoken Scott has listened more than he has talked to legislators. From the questions Scott posed, it was clear that he wants to overhaul state workers' pensions and may tackle teacher tenure.

Wingnut calls for censorship

"Rep.-elect Allen West (R-Fla.) may have proven himself a prime pupil for fellow Rep. Michele Bachmann's forthcoming constitutional classes, when he recently displayed selective reverence for the Tea Party's most sacred document by calling for American news outlets to be censored for running stories based on the recent WikiLeaks cable dump." "Allen West: Government 'Should Be Censoring The American News Agencies' That Collaborated With WikiLeaks". See also "West calls for ‘censoring’ news outlets working with WikiLeaks".

Knuckle-draggers of the day

The constitutional law scholars comprising the Tampa Tribune editorial board are our Knuckle-draggers of the day. However, the day is still young, and there are plenty out there who are capable of giving them a run for their money.

Meanwhile, The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board observes that "health care reform should ultimately withstand constitutional challenges filed by opponents. And that makes it all the more aggravating that Florida's highly partisan leaders are trying to stonewall its implementation, demonstrating both contempt for federal authority and a lack of compassion for the 4 million Floridians without health insurance and other residents who could benefit under the new law."

The editors single out the empty suits who

gloated that the ruling was progress for their anti-health reform efforts. Senate President Mike Haridopolos promised Floridians will ultimately opt out all together under a constitutional amendment he's proposing: "If Obama- Care somehow survives these legal challenges, Floridians can have the same opportunity to do what companies and big labor unions are already doing — opt out of this new law." That's a waste of time and money on an issue that ultimately will be decided at the U.S. Supreme Court. The real message coming from the Republican leadership in Tallahassee is not just a disregard for federal authority but for millions of Floridians who can't find or afford health insurance. Their message to their constituents: You're on your own.

Opting out of health insurance, when you have the income to pay for it, is an irresponsible act. It means that you spend your money on whatever you want, while expecting other people to pick up the tab if you get sick or injured.

It's a selfish decision and a short-sighted one. So why are Republicans -- the so-called party of personal responsibility -- standing up for it in their war against federal health-care reform? ...

Republicans and many of the state attorneys general challenging the health-care law paint the individual insurance mandate as "big government" run amok, infringing on liberty and personal freedom. But the flag-draped imagery is full of holes.

Health care isn't free. Failing to pay your fair share toward the good of the nation has nothing to do with liberty, and everything to do with irresponsibility.

Dumb and dumberer

Nancy Smith: "You Were Expecting What? Intelligence? Oh, Rick Scott, You Silly!".

As Ricky frets ...

"As Florida puts the brakes on its high speed rail plan [(postponed from Nov. 15 to early next year, as Gov.-elect Rick Scott frets about unforeseen costs to Florida taxpayers)], corporations from around the world are eagerly pressing for bragging rights as builders of the first such line in the United States." "Florida sidetracks rail, but international builders are all aboard".

Pay-to-play in Tally, or "you're 'toast'"

Fred Grimm: "Pay-to-play was described as only half the Tallahassee ethos."

Don't pay, Alan Mendelsohn told U.S. District Judge William Zloch during his federal court confessional, and you're "toast.''

"This is a pretty sorry state of affairs with regards to what goes on in the statehouse,'' said Zloch, disgusted by the wider implications of Mendelsohn's guilty plea -- that power and influence are commodities bought and sold in the state capital.

Except the Mendelsohn investigation has wound down to something less than the case that would expose an utterly corrupt legislative process. ...

What the Mendelsohn case (again, so far) revealed was a legislative process so completely sodden with influence money that he figured to embezzle hundreds of thousands of dollars without anyone noticing. He got away with it, too, until he made the mistake of defrauding a fellow crook.

Speaking of paying to play ...

Daytona Beach "Locals have hand in donating to Scott's inauguration" ("companies with local ties were among the contributors, with Radiology Imaging Associates giving $10,000; Delaware North Companies (owner of the Daytona Beach Kennel Club) giving $6,000; and Mori Hosseini's Intervest Construction giving the maximum $25,000.")

"Bold New" what?

"With most of Florida still recovering from the 2010 election cycle, Jacksonville turns its attention to the battle shaping up to see who will be the Bold New City of the South’s next mayor."

"The field includes a number of prominent Republicans including Duval County Tax Collector Mike Hogan, who also served on the Jacksonville City Council as well as winning two terms in the House; Audrey Moran, most recently president and CEO of the Sulzbacher Center and a former chief of staff under Mayor John Delaney, a former assistant state attorney who also served director of legislative affairs for Mayor Ed Austin; and Rick Mullaney, who also served as chief of staff under Delaney as well as general counsel of the city. Retired Air Force veteran Robert Hutcherson, James Moser and David Crosby are also running for mayor as Republicans.

On the Democratic side, Alvin Brown, a Clinton administration official who served closely under Al Gore and former U.S. Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, and City Councilwoman Glorious Johnson are the top candidates in the race. Registered nurse Brenda White, retired Marine and correctional officer Warren Lee and Christopher Hills round out the Democratic field.

Polluted water committee

"Last Tuesday, House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, announced the establishment of a Select Committee on Water Policy that aims to 'thoughtfully address the profoundly important issue of Florida’s water resources.' But a review of campaign contributions given to one of the committee’s leaders raises questions about whether environmental priorities will guide the committee’s work."

But who makes up the committee? ... Cannon named state Rep. Trudi Williams, R-Fort Myers, as chairwoman of the committee ...

In 1999, Williams was appointed to the governing board of the South Florida Water Management District by then-Gov. Jeb Bush and, during her most recent campaign, ran on a platform that touted a heavy focus on water policies and the environment.

Though Williams has portrayed herself as an environmental ally, many of her past campaign contributors are notable environmental foes.

Rotten teeth OK with Putnam

"The State Board of Education was slated to discuss moving ahead with a ban on certain sodas and chocolate milk at its meeting this Friday in Miami. If the board had moved ahead Florida could have been the first state to ban the sale of chocolate milk. But in a letter to State Board Chairman T. Willard Fair[*] dated Nov. 28, Putnam criticizes the focus on sugary drinks and asks board members to consider postponing action." "Incoming Agriculture Commissioner wants to delay ban on sugary drinks in schools".

- - - - - - - - - -
* You remember Mr. Fair, the man who publicly announced to Jebbie Bush: "In my judgment, there is no greater person on this Earth than you. I love you."

Bush-era holdovers "plotting to turn public schools into relics"

Daniel Ruth: "Let's face it, by now it's become abundantly obvious that former Gov. Jeb Bush, and his political paramour, Gov.-elect Rick Scott, regard a public school education with about the same esteem as the Taliban's Mullah Omar has when finding himself stuck in an elevator with Lady Gaga."

A few days ago, the governor-to-be proposed blowing up the state's public school system, calling for a gimmick to provide every family in the state vouchers to send their little dickens to any educational system they want: private, public or even virtual schools. If he succeeds, families would receive a voucher worth $5,500, or about 85 percent of the per-student cost of educating a Florida public school student, to be applied to their kiddo's learning.

Or put another way, much like the way he ran the massive Columbia HCA hospital chain, Scott would, in effect, lead a hostile takeover of public institutions. He would essentially privatize the schools, drive out the public sector end of education and leave families to fend for themselves in educating their children — only without (hopefully) all the fraud charges that Scott's hospital company resolved by paying record fines.

The plot to turn Florida public schools into relics was hatched by the governor-elect's 18-member education star chamber transition team, which included so many Bush-era holdovers it is little wonder Jeb's dog Marvin wasn't on the panel. ...

In the end, a cynic might well come to the conclusion that Scott's scam to blow up the state's public school system has less to do with some surreal argument about improving educational quality and more to do with an attempt to geld the state's teacher unions by methodically draining away school funding.

"We need a timeout for sanity"

Scott Maxwell: "This, my friends, is the sorry state of education in Florida. We've already cut sports programs, music classes and guidance counselors."

Yet, with state funding levels that make Florida look like the dollar store of public school systems — we usually rank about 40th for per-pupil spending — Tallahassee lawmakers want to cut even more.

And Gov.-elect Rick Scott wants to siphon another $1.4 billion in property taxes away from schools as well.

We need a timeout for sanity. Because we can do better.

I'm not even talking great. I'm just talking average.

Maybe that should be our new goal — to simply fund our children's education worse than only half of the states in America.

Raw political courage

"Lost sales because of BP's Deepwater Horizon oil spill were bad enough. Now the Florida Retail Federation wants a couple of sales-tax holidays to lure visitors back and jump-start sales. And they want BP to pay for it." "Sales-tax holidays proposed". See also "FRF to BP: Cough Up $20 Million to Revitalize NW Florida Retail Market".

Anything to win

"Sheriff Al Lamberti wants to end the 'party' at the Broward Sheriff's Office. He's thinking about making a push to make elections for his office nonpartisan. He says he just wants to take partisan politics out of the sheriff elections. But critics say it's a move to make it easier for Republicans, like Lamberti, to win more easily in overwhelmingly Democratic Broward." "Al Lamberti may push for nonpartisan Broward sheriff's elections".

Florida's unemployment rate well above the national average

The Daytona Beach News Journal editors: "Florida's unemployment rate has been running well above the national average." "Local leaders should talk about jobs, jobs, jobs".

Conflict of interest?

"Rep. Rich Glorioso ... is one of 28 initial applicants seeking to become the next secretary of the Department of Transportation." "House member among those seeking top job at Department of Transportation".

Foreclosure crisis

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "When the Florida Supreme Court issued an administrative order designed to keep lenders from delaying foreclosure auctions solely as a tactic to save money, justices inadvertently worsened the state's foreclosure crisis." "New solution, new problem".

Top Florida political story for the year?

"Fall of Crist? Election of Rick Scott? What's the top political story for the year?"

Another greedy public employee

"Fla. corrections officer, son shot, killed".

Foley slows way down

"Mark Foley announced Tuesday night that he will not run for mayor of West Palm. 'After much prayer and consulting with my family over the last couple days, I've come to the conclusion that is now is not the time,' Foley, a Republican, told his radio audience." "Mark Foley says he's not running for mayor of West Palm Beach".

Yee Haw!

"Deputies: Jewelry store owner, suspects exchange gunfire". More: "Man shoots Fla. school board members, self at meeting |".

Rate freeze

"The Public Service Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved a plan to freeze Florida Power & Light customers' base rates through the end of 2012. FPL struck the agreement this summer with consumer advocates, Attorney General Bill McCollum and others who had opposed the utility's request to raise base rates by a record $1.27 billion last year. The groups started negotiating with FPL after the PSC rejected all but 6 percent of the proposed increase in January." "PSC freezes FPL's base rates for two years". See also "Florida Power & Light's customer base rates frozen through 2012".

Contribution reports released Monday show Scott has collected more than double the amount Gov. Charlie Crist spent on the inauguration following his 2006 victory.

• Blue Cross Blue Shield, the largest health insurer in the state;

• The GEO Group, which operates three private prisons in Florida and dozens more around the world; and

• U.S. Sugar, whose $197 million deal with the state for Everglades restoration Scott ridiculed during the campaign as a "secret tax'' on South Florida landowners.

Scott has also taken maximum contributions from lobbying firms (Brewton Plante, Tripp Scott and Holland & Knight) and groups that initially helped fund his primary rival (Robert Gidel's Liberty Partners and Green Solar Transportation, run by a pair of South Florida doctors, Paul Zimmerman and Gerald Glass).

Ricky "a bewildered bystander"

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "Rick Scott should accept the money for high-speed rail and embrace a regional project that will provide a tremendous economic boost to the Central Florida economy." "Rick Scott should accept rail funds".

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Rick Scott seems offended about the rapid-rail project, as if the federal bureaucracy has wrestled Florida to the ground and stuffed several billion dollars down its throat."

Scott has put that schedule in doubt. He wants someone to guarantee him the project will come in on budget, on time and perform exactly as promised. Let's not forget that it's a state project, not a federal one. How it is managed is up to Scott's administration. How it performs will depend on the competence of a yet-to-be-named private vendor.

Florida is at a decision point on its biggest infrastructure project. The federal government is offering 100 percent financing, with no monthly payments, ever. No state can expect a better deal.

It's estimated it will create at least 23,000 direct jobs and thousands more indirect jobs. State Sen. Paula Dockery of Lakeland says companies that want the rail contract may even offer to build a plant in Florida to manufacture rail cars.

Hearing Scott's elementary questions about rapid rail is disconcerting, like being on a train and seeing the conductor wandering down the aisle asking passengers where the train is going.

When he takes office next month, this will be Scott's project. He should be acting like the conductor, not a bewildered bystander.

Under water

"A CoreLogic report released Monday shows 46.4 percent of Florida mortgages are in negative equity, while another 4 percent are nearing negative equity." "Report: Nearly half of all Florida mortgages underwater".

Déjà vu all over again

"A bald tax-cutting governor looking to slash expenses and privatize prisons? Sounds familiar!" "Rick Scott, Meet George Drew".

More accurately: the "worst electorate"

"Two top-tier Florida candidates – Gov. Charlie Crist and Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink – won the dubious distinction of making MSNBC’s “Worst Candidate of 2010″ list".

Crist – an independent who jumped the GOP ship when it looked like he couldn’t win a primary against Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate race – and Sink – a Democrat who lost her bid for governor to Republican Rick Scott – were named as two of the three “worst candidates” by MSNBC hosts Chuck Todd and Savannah Guthrie.

But the worst of the worst, according to MSNBC’s "The Daily Rundown" hosts?

Sink.

Can Ricky think beyond tax cuts?

"State economists are updating Florida's general revenue estimate, and the outlook is not promising." "State economists updating Florida revenue estimate".

Teabaggers dancing in the streets

"Florida's legal challenge to the new health-care law was bolstered on Monday when a federal judge in Virginia ruled that the government cannot require everyone to get insurance." "Ruling bolsters Florida challenge to health care law".

'Glades

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Environmental causes have historically pitted opposing forces in a pitched battle: It's either jobs and the economy, on the pro-development side, or the environment, on the land-preservation front."

But lately, the environmental community has gotten smart, presenting a more holistic marketing message, particularly around the all-important Everglades restoration projects at the heart of many of these pro-growth/no-growth disputes. Such projects are not only key to environmental integrity, a recent report points out, but they are also powerful economic engines.

The year-long study, commissioned by the Everglades Foundation and released in October, concluded that advancing Everglades restoration would yield a bumper crop of new jobs, putting 400,000 people to work building reservoirs and stormwater treatment facilities and restoring hunting and fishing grounds, while injecting more than $46 billion into Florida's stalled economy over a 50-year period.

Unemployment comp

"Today, the state Department of Revenue will send notices to about 200,000 business owners warning them that their unemployment compensation taxes could jump dramatically next year. A similar batch of notices already has been sent, said a department spokeswoman." "Businesses face steep tax hike".

Don't be askin' for federal help

"Southern Farmers Struggle With Devastating Drought".

Another fine Jebacy

"Florida's lowest-performing schools are staying open, and they're not turning around, a new study reports. Despite the imposition of statewide testing and accountability measures, 'The vast majority of the state's low-performing charter and district schools failed to make notable improvements over five years,' said David Stuit, author of the report, 'Are Bad Schools Immortal?'" "Florida's Worst Schools Aren't Improving".

As RPOFers demand more drilling ...

"A baby sea turtle escaped from the jaws of a shark, only to get stuck in oil spilled from BP's well in the Gulf of Mexico. A young dolphin apparently was attacked by his mother, then swam into oil."

The animals are among thousands rescued since more than 200 million gallons of oil began gushing from the Macondo well about 50 miles southeast of the Mississippi River Delta, and among dozens still at Gulf Coast rescue centers five months after the well was capped.

Since the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded April 20, rescue officials say 2,079 birds, 456 sea turtles, some terrapins and two dolphins have been plucked from the oil.

Another 2,263 birds, 18 turtles and four dolphins were found dead with oil on them. All are being dissected to tell whether it was the crude from the BP well that killed them.

Caring for the animals can be time-consuming and costly, an ongoing legacy of the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and identifying whether BP is at fault is a complex matter for those working at the centers.

Rate hike

"The Florida Public Service Commission will discuss and possibly vote Tuesday on a settlement with Florida Power & Light Co. that could allow the electric company to charge its ratepayers more -- though not as much as the company originally had sought." "PSC to Move Forward With FPL Rate Hike Despite Suit".

Florida charter schools flop

"Florida data shows that students at charter schools are not significantly more proficient at reading, math and science than those at traditional public schools." "Data shows student proficiency levels not much higher at charter schools".

RPOFers keep heading down the wingnut trail

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "The path to a balanced budget keeps getting steeper for Florida legislators. The anticipated gap between taxes and spending next year has grown past $3 billion, due in part to a projected $300 million increase in the cost of the state's Medicaid program."

Meanwhile, more than 1 million Floridians remain unemployed. They are counting on action from their elected representatives in the capital that will revive the state's economy and create jobs.

Yet some legislators are eager to distract and divide Tallahassee by pushing an Arizona-style crackdown on illegal immigration. We hope for better judgment from their colleagues. And we hope Gov.-elect Rick Scott, though he touted the Arizona law in his campaign, doesn't go there now.

State Sen. Mike Bennett, a Bradenton Republican, has introduced a bill that would allow police in Florida to ask people they detain and suspect might be illegal immigrants to prove otherwise. Legal immigrants who aren't carrying documentation of their status also could face penalties under the bill.

"Seedy pharmacies"

"While a new state law is hitting some pain clinics hard, authorities worry a loophole in the legislation will be a boon for other seedy pharmacies." "Some pain clinics find loophole in restrictive new Florida law".

Pleeze: Space heater safety

"Fire destroys Orange home, kills residents' dog".

Heavily subsidized by the federal government, Medicaid is Florida's health-care safety net for about 3 million poor and disabled residents.

By most accounts, the system is imperfect, with many doctors refusing to participate because of low reimbursement rates and administrative headaches.

But the non-binding resolution passed by the Legislature last month to upend the program alarmed many Democrats and even a few Republicans who called it premature. ...

The Senate voted last spring to expand the managed-care pilot to 19 additional counties, including Hillsborough, while the House proposed a more aggressive plan to transfer most of the state's Medicaid population into managed care.

Both chambers are revising their plans for 2011.

Whether and to what extent Florida can implement such aggressive reforms remains unclear, since federal regulators ... have refused so far even to grant Florida's request to continue the existing pilot project beyond next June.

'Glades

The Tampa Tribune editors point out that Rick "'I plead the fifth' 75 times" Scott frequently emphasizes the importance of cost-benefit plans in judging state programs. So he should be interested in a recent report that estimated restoring the Everglades would have a $4 return for every $1 spent. The study was conducted by Mather Economics of Atlanta for the Everglades Foundation." "The cost-benefit of restoring the unique 'River of Grass'".

Bits and pieces

Kevin Derby: "Political Bits and Pieces".

Florida banks rake in tax breaks

"Local governments across the state are losing revenue because banks are getting the homestead-exemption tax breaks intended for the homeowners whose properties the lenders have repossessed." "Cities, counties lose big bucks as banks get tax breaks on repossessed homes".

Ricky ain't cheap

"Donations top $1 million for Jan. 4 inauguration of Gov. Rick Scott".

"Drilling and tourism don't mix"

The Miami Herald editorial board write that "oil drilling and tourism, Florida's No. 1 industry, don't mix."

So the Interior Department's announcement of a seven-year moratorium on drilling in federal waters off Florida's Atlantic coast and in the eastern Gulf of Mexico is welcome news. Just weeks before the BP spill, President Obama proposed a plan to allow drilling 125 miles off Florida's Gulf coast and on the Atlantic's Outer Continental Shelf from Delaware to Central Florida.

Mr. Obama's drilling plan was intended to appeal to Republicans to support climate-change legislation, but it angered many Floridians opposed to drilling, including tourism officials. Now, the climate bill's passage looks undoable with the GOP's increased numbers in the House and Senate. That reality, plus fallout from the largest oil spill in U.S. history, apparently convinced the Obama administration to retreat from its pro-drilling stance -- good.

The oil and gas industry decried the new ban, saying it will mean fewer jobs and more dependence on foreign oil. What Big Oil didn't mention is that 43 million acres in the central and western Gulf are still very much open to drilling.

Gov.-elect Rick Scott and other Florida Republicans also criticized the ban, saying it will cost the state jobs. State Senate President Mike Haridopolos says drilling in Florida waters should be considered when it's "safe.''

But drilling off Florida's coast would add maybe 5 percent to U.S. oil production -- not really a solution to reducing our foreign-oil dependency. And it certainly doesn't address the 800-pound gorilla in the room -- climate change as the Earth's atmosphere heats up from greenhouse gas emissions. We need new solutions to these problems beyond just more drilling.

You can break it to my daughter

"A push for struggling schools to lengthen the school day may become a part of a larger education reform debate that lawmakers have hinted will be a major part of the spring 2011 legislative agenda." "Longer School Day Enters Reform Talk".

About Mica

"The same day an area congressman and Amtrak critic was picked to head the U.S. House Transportation Committee, Amtrak dropped its opposition to the state buying a track for a Central Florida commuter rail system. U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, who takes over the committee in January, doesn't think that was a coincidence. " "Mica's influence already showing".

Heroes and Zeroes

Nancy Smith: "High-Speed Rail Little Engine That Could Chug Florida Straight Over the Cliff".

How're them 401(k) plans workin' for 'ya?

"Despite Central Florida's reputation as a haven for retirees, the Orlando area lags nearly all of the country's other large metropolitan areas when it comes to how well-prepared its older residents are for their 'golden years,' a new study concludes."

The combined Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melbourne metro areas ranked 28th among the 30 U.S. metro areas included in the first Retirement Readiness Index, which surveyed more than 10,000 people ages 40 to 75 nationwide.

"A new day may be dawning"

Aaron Sharockman writes that "now that the winners have won, and the losers have lost — a new day may be dawning for Florida's political leaders."

"All of this truth made us start to question what was happening. But then Scott claimed that as head of the Columbia/HCA hospital chain, the company drove down national health care inflation from 18 percent to 8 percent in seven years. It was a preposterous claim that relied on a misinterpreted study and oversold one company's ability to change national inflation numbers." "PolitiFact Florida: Truth making a comeback since elections".

What will the Teabaggers say?

Incoming Republican U.S. Rep. Allen West has selected "Washington insider" Jonathan Blyth as his Chief of Staff: Blyth "has spent two decades working on Capitol Hill and as a George W. Bush presidential appointee to the State Department and Office of Personnel Management." "Rep. Allen West's new top aide opposite of radio talker Joyce Kaufman".

State papers over fiscal incompetence with stim dollars

"The federal stimulus money was touted as a historic opportunity to improve higher education, create jobs and stop the bleeding from of state cuts. But possibly its it's greatest impact at many Florida colleges and universities was helping to maintain the status quo for two years." "Federal stimulus money did little to help Florida colleges and universities".

Union haters: bypass the union and deal directly with teachers

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board this morning: "There's a reason why the state Legislature's teacher merit-pay bill wasn't on the now veto-proof Legislature's to-do list when it was busily overriding Gov. Charlie Crist right and left a few weeks ago. Senate Bill 6 had become poison, a result of miscalculations by the Legislature and the measure's champion, state Sen. John Thrasher."

If teachers felt snubbed then, they might want to avert their gaze from the list of Rick Scott's appointees to his education transition team. The governor-elect has made no secret that he wants to retool the public school system, though, as with many of his other priorities, he's been stingy with details.

Putnam, Bondi "standing stoically with polluters"

Carl Hiaasen writes that those who "use Florida waterways as a latrine got more good news last week from their stooges in Tallahassee. The latest battle to stop the enforcement of federal pollution laws will be paid for by state taxpayers."

Outgoing Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson — backed by Attorney General Bill McCollum — has sued to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from imposing revised clean-water standards for Florida’s rivers, creeks and lakes.

Standing stoically in support of the polluters, McCollum and Bronson say the new water rules are too costly, and based on flawed science (interestingly, data provided by the state itself). Endorsing that lame position are their successors, Attorney General-elect Pam Bondi and Agriculture Commissioner-elect Adam Putnam.

To hear all this whining, you’d think the EPA had ambushed Florida businesses with the new water regulations. Not even close.

Jebbie's media friends get to it

"Jeb Bush for president in 2012?".

"Should the governor give back the money?"

Howard Troxler: "Early last year, the president of the United States came to Florida and gave us $1.25 billion for a high-speed rail line between Tampa and Orlando."

Then in October, the feds said to Florida, "Hey, are you guys still there?" and gave us another $800 million.

Finally, just last week the feds said, "All right already, quit twisting our arms!" and gave our state yet another $324 million. So the train is now "paid for."

The real choice, of course, is between (1) blowing the money in Florida or (2) blowing it someplace else.

Given that choice, I know what I'm supposed to say — the same thing as our U.S. senators, our members of Congress, our mayors, our civic and business leaders, our opinion-shapers.

I'm working up to it. Not quite there yet, though.

RPOFer "chest-thumping"

"Republicans wore red, white and blue wrist bands emblazoned "2012 starts today" at their first post-election state convention Saturday." Related: "Outsider comes inside: Scott makes debut at RPOF convention".

"Palm Beach County GOP Chairman Sid Dinerstein and four others vying to become head of the state party campaigned in Orlando this weekend with a mixture of chest-thumping over the Nov. 2 election results and reformist pledges for the future. Republicans swept five statewide elections last month, unseated four congressional Democrats and solidified the party's control of the state legislature." "Sid Dinerstein makes his pitch for state's GOP head, along with four others".

Never mind the Constitution

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "State must ease up on levying class size penalties".

Ricky's sloganeering

Thomas Tryon: "Rick Scott's actions, following his inauguration as governor, will speak louder than the words he's using to guide transition teams. ... In too many ways and too many times, Scott relied on dogmatic but vague slogans during and after his campaign. His recent grandstanding about the cost of dessert served once a week in Florida's prisons did little to advance an intelligent review of the huge costs of the state's corrections system." "Will Scott keep good government promise?".

Brilliant mistake?

"Lawmakers in 2008 authorized using pension funds to spur high-tech industries" "Auditors: Too early to evaluate pension-backed fund that created 186 jobs with $73 million.".

Apparently this is not a joke

The latest from the man who pleads the fifth: "Will Scott privatize Florida hospitals?".

Runnin' gubment like a bidness

"One of the big questions surrounding Gov.-elect Rick Scott's plan to cut billions of dollars in taxes is this: Where would he make up the difference? Florida's nearly 700,000 public employees could be about to find out. Scott wants to cut $1.4 billion next year from taxpayer contributions to the public employee pension program, and many legislators have signaled their support for the notion." "Scott may shrink tax money for public employees' pensions".

Well ... we did elect Rick Scott

"We're a bunch of dimwits. That's the verdict from the latest survey of America's smartest communities by Portfolio.com."

Portfolio.com is a pretty respected resource in the business world. And their methodology looks solid. They relied on Census data, measuring the number of residents of each community that had bachelor's degrees, advanced degrees and so forth.

And education truly can make a difference — both in terms of what individuals make (by 100 percent, in some cases) and in terms of an entire community's economy.

Fortunately, Orlando is on the rise in those respects. We're diversifying our low-wage economy, improving our higher-ed offerings. We opened up a medical school. And we have far fewer school-bus crash derbies and gator-wrestling matches than we used to.

"Republican assault on Florida's public schools"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "It is clearer than ever that Republicans intend to mount a frontal assault next year on Florida's public schools. "

Legislators show no interest in building consensus on efforts to abolish teacher tenure and create a merit pay system. Gov.-elect Rick Scott also pledges to slash school property taxes even as declining property values and tax revenues have forced deep spending cuts in education. But those misguided approaches are small potatoes compared with their pursuit of a radical plan to give all students tuition vouchers.

In Scott's fuzzy vision, every parent would be given public education money to spend on "whatever education system they believe in, whether it's this public school or that public school or this private school or that private school. ...

Now some Republicans are referring to universal vouchers as education savings accounts. Regardless of the packaging, this approach remains fatally flawed in at least three areas: The Florida Constitution ... Tax policy ... Education policy ...

"Floridians should start setting the example"

Stephen Goldstein: "America needs to become a nation of caregivers, not just gift-givers. We need a sea-change in the way we show we care about others. We need to balance the overwhelming materialism in our culture with a humanitarianism centered in each and every home. And Floridians should start setting the example. " "Crisis of care: Floridians should set a good example".

"Cash-starved county blew $800,000 on severance for fired officials"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "If Congress approves the tax deal struck by President Obama and Republican leaders, some 2 million Americans, including more than 100,000 Floridians, will get an extension on their jobless benefits. In Florida, those checks max out at $300 a week. But for top employees in some governments, taxpayer-supported groups and nonprofits in Central Florida, unemployment can be far more lucrative." "Outrage in Osceola".

Heroes of 2000?

Randy Schultz: "Heroes of the 2000 recount: The Florida Supreme Court".

Blame defined benefit plans

The Miami Herald editorial board joins their big business brethren in pushing to "shift the public-employee pension system to a defined contribution plan or else require employees to contribute to their current defined benefit plans."

The editors whine that "The private sector, federal government and other states have realigned their pension and benefit plans this way to deal with today’s economic reality." "Blueprint for a balanced budget".

And we should do this why? Because the vaunted "private sector" is moving away from defined benefit plans? The Herald editors of course have nothing to say about Florida government employees are already some of the hardest working, lowest paid 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." See "Aaron Deslatte: State workforce is lean - but who cares".

If the editors were forthcoming, they would be pointing out that Florida's state and local government needs to repair the damage done during the "Jeb!" years, and restore things like the intangibles tax, and otherwise have an honest discussion about public finance*.

Instead, Florida's media companies have for the most part shown themselves incapable of such discourse: as the Chamber of Commerce/TaxWatch lapdogs they - like most if not all of Florida's editorial boards - are, the editors toe the big business line that otherwise under-compensated public employees should not be setting retirement standards that make it difficult for Florida's private sector employers (like media companies) to exploit their employees and keep them in the dark about benefits like defined benefit plans.

National media outlets, like the Washington Post are kind enough to remind Floridians that it was one Jebbie, enabled by his worshipers in the Legislature, who

reduced taxes by $12.2 billion over his eight years, with more than half of that going to the wealthiest 4.5 percent of the population. That saved the average risk taker [sic] more than $1,500 a year by the time Jeb left office. ... Jeb Bush says that his tax cuts created jobs in Florida and gave us the best economy in the country. (In reality, Jeb had the lowest job-creation rate of any Florida governor dating to 1971.)