RPOF/Teabaggers running wild in Tally

"A 2009 law authorizing a statewide prescription drug database is 'on the way out,' says state Sen. Joe Negron."

The database has become a political football since Gov. Rick Scott announced last week that he wants to boot it. His call for repeal appeared to undercut Attorney General Pam Bondi's high-profile campaign against "pill mills" and elicited outrage from newspaper editorial boards darkly suggesting the governor, a former health-care executive, was playing into the hands of doctors and the pharmaceutical industry.

But Scott isn't the only one opposing the database, which is not yet operational due to a bidding dispute.

Negron, R-Stuart, told Sunshine State News: "Government has no business snooping into the medicine cabinets of citizens. The database is overly intrusive. It violates the privacy of law-abiding Floridians." ...

A growing number of Florida Republicans appear more attuned to the tea-flavored libertarianism of limited government. In one of his first acts as governor, Scott disbanded the Office of Drug Control, a Fasano initiative that was signed into law by then-Gov. Charlie Crist.

"Resistance to Drug Database Gains Strength in Legislature". See also "Backing National Marriage Week, Rick Scott Offers Florida a Valentine" and "Allen West and Connie Mack Speak at CPAC".




Go figure

Aaron Deslatte: "Gov. Rick Scott's budget sends variety of messages". See also "Florida Watch episode No. 3: Rick Scott’s budget" and "Scott's big tax cuts don't help everyone".




Gutting justice system

"Scott’s proposed budget cuts ranging from 5 percent to more than 7 percent for various parts of the justice system come on the heels of other recent cutbacks and, if enacted, will place an even greater strain on judges, prosecutors and public defenders. Although funding has dwindled, the number of criminal and civil cases has continued to rise." "Florida’s strained justice system workers fear more cuts".




Sorry Reince

"Sorry, Republican National Committee chairman Reince Preibus. It looks more and more like Florida Republicans will ignore your insistence that Florida move its 2012 presidential primary to March or later." "Primary change?"




Wingers flip flop on Arizona-style

The Sun Sentinel editors: "Thankfully, the white-hot zeal for an Arizona-style immigration law has run up against some cold, hard reality in Tallahassee." "Immigration reform hits snags in Tallahassee".




Charter school madness

"As Gov. Rick Scott backs away for now from a push for an expanded school voucher program, former Gov. Jeb Bush’s education foundation has begun quietly circulating draft legislation that may serve as the Legislature’s template to massively expand the number of charter schools throughout the state." "Talk Begins on Charter School Expansion Plans".




U.S. Senate on Vern's radar

"U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan is reaping the benefits of finally being in the majority in the House and enjoying new prominence on the Ways and Means Committee. But don't think that means the Longboat Key Republican has taken running for the U.S. Senate in 2012 off his radar." "Buchanan for Senate?".




"Some likely gains"

Adam Smith asks what "what would be the practical effect of requiring compact districts that don't favor incumbents? Certainly no Democratic tidal wave, but some likely gains." "Compact districts in Florida could lead to gains".




Florida: the place for losers

If you thought Donna Arduin was bad ("The Real Culprit" and "Marco's Muse"), Ricky has managed to dredge up another loser, education "superstar" Michelle Rhee.

"The spokesman from Florida’s teacher’s union wondered why lawmakers were listening to her. 'It’s a little difficult to understand why she is given rock star status,' said Mark Pudlow, of the Florida Education Association."

Washington D.C. schools score at the bottom of the national Education Week Quality Counts ranking, while Florida rates close to the top. He observed that some of Rhee’s controversial efforts to fire 'ineffective' teachers have been overturned by an arbitrator after the Washington Teachers Union fought the effort.

"'Star' educator Michelle Rhee sparks debate in Florida". See also "Why Michelle Rhee's Education 'Brand' Failed in D.C." ("Rhee was as a key, polarizing figure in Fenty's reelection campaign, which ended when he was defeated in the Tuesday primary by his challenger, D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray. Rhee brazenly politicized her job as Schools Chancellor in a way that may be unprecedented for education bureaucrats.")




West "vulnerable"

"Only a month on the job, U.S. Rep. Allen West has tossed out the seen-not-heard rule that new lawmakers typically follow, barreling to the top of the political insiders' lists of the most vulnerable members of Congress." "Taking a bulldog's approach".




Are these Ricky's jobs?

"Miami Beach investigates porn video shot in public".