"2012 political Buzz"

Adam Smith: "We've barely hit 2011, and the 2012 political Buzz is already going strong." "2012 campaigns take their first baby steps".




Haven't we had enough Arizona?

"The first of three immigration meetings set for Monday will be the Senate's first look at a debate over a comprehensive Arizona-style measure, a topic that Gov. Rick Scott made one of the biggest social issues of his campaign." "Florida Legislature to discuss immigration reform".

"New Gov. Rick Scott supports an Arizona-style law". "Lawmakers set for hearing on immigration issue".




Authority to freeze rules?

"Does Scott, or any governor, have the authority alone to freeze the implementation of rules? It's a process that begins when the Legislature passes a law and ends when regulators translate it into detailed guidelines that must be followed." "What does Scott's rules freeze mean?".




Warning to "foreclosure mills"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "The 4th District Court of Appeal's recent decision to uphold a class-action lawsuit alleging that Plantation attorney David J. Stern charged excessive fees to homeowners fighting foreclosures should be a warning to other 'foreclosure mills.'" "Courts must serve scrutiny: Mortgage borrowers who were duped are now getting 'ripped off.'".




Merger madness

Bill Cotterell: "AHCA, APD, DOH and DCF face a merger".




Enough gerrymandering

"Even after their November drubbing, Democrats are viewing 2012 with a glimmer of hope because of a voter-approved 'Fair Districts' amendment that forbids partisan gerrymandering when Republicans draw new political boundaries for Florida next year." "Dems say that passage of 'Fair Districts' amendment will help them win congressional seat".




Never mind the constitution

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "Scott and legislative leaders should signal to the Board of Education it can put off any fines for school not in compliance with class size requirements until lawmakers return to Tallahassee in March and abandon this plan all together." "Clean up the class size mess".




Recall fever

The Miami Herald editorial board: "The big question for commissioners is whether to put Ms. Seijas' name on the ballot alongside Mr. Alvarez or set a separate date for her recall vote. This should be a no-brainer: one election, two names on the ballot. It was voters' anger over spending that garnered sufficient petition signatures in both cases. Voters believe the county is over spending with Mr. Alvarez's budget, which raised property tax rates and included raises for most county employees. Ms. Seijas was among seven commissioners who voted for it." "One recall election, two names".




Ricky's favs

"As Rick Scott takes the reins of Florida government, some longtime political players find themselves marginalized or cut out of the decision-making loop altogether." "Scott Regime: Who's In, Who's Out?".




"Sobering reality"

"After the Pomp: Sobering Reality for Gov. Rick Scott".




Innocence panel

The Palm Beach Post editors: "Reduce wrongful convictions: Florida's new innocence panel must start to change the rules".




"Contaminated waterways"

"City tries yet again to find a way to clean up a tributary to the Miami River that is one of the state's most contaminated waterways." "Cleaning up Wagner Creek in Miami -- Florida's most polluted stream -- could cost millions".




One man's "freedom fighter"

"For some Cuban exiles, avowed militant Luis Posada Carriles is ... a patriot who has long battled a fearsome oppressor. To his foes, Posada is ... a dangerous force responsible for Havana hotel bombings, assassination attempts on Castro and one of the deadliest pre-9/11 airliner explosions."

"The trial also could underscore what critics consider the lax treatment Posada has received compared to others accused of orchestrating terrorist acts outside the U.S, and it will likely antagonize some of Miami's politically powerful Cuban-Americans, neither a welcome prospect for the Obama administration, which inherited Posada's case." "Fidel Castro foe finally going on trial in US".