"Redistricting promises to be particularly tumultuous"

"Big changes are coming to Florida’s political maps after a decade of population shifts. The upcoming round of redistricting promises to be particularly tumultuous when two new anti-gerrymandering laws are factored in with the political realities of partisan rivalry, incumbent self-preservation instincts and court challenges." "Florida faces fine lines of redistricting".




"Guns, campaign cash and abortion"

"Today in Tallahassee: Guns, campaign cash, abortion and more".




Sansom goes on trial today

Update: Opening statements under way in Sansom trial"".

"Former Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom goes on trial Monday, charged with improperly directing state money to benefit a campaign contributor." "Nearly 2 years later, Sansom gets his court time".




Winuts run wild in Ricky's house

"The Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank ... along with the similarly aligned Reason Foundation and conservative Heritage Foundation, have helped shape Gov. Rick Scott's policies on everything from education to health care to transportation."

Want to better understand the governor? Take a look at these think tanks.

Much of Scott's thinking on school vouchers and the economic benefits of free trade with Colombia and Panama comes from Cato Institute policy papers.

"That's what we do," said David Boaz, executive vice president of the Cato Institute. "We try to influence public policy."

The governor cited reports from Reason and Heritage that deemed high-speed rail a waste of taxpayer money when he decided to stop construction of a bullet train between Tampa and Orlando.

He has tapped members of the organizations for leadership roles in his transition to governor and in his administration. One of his top policy advisers is Mary Anne Carter, who worked for the Heritage Foundation.

"Gov. Rick Scott guided by 3 think tanks: Cato Institute, Reason Foundation, Heritage Foundation".




Another teabagger in the wings

"Adam Hasner may try to follow Marco Rubio's path to U.S. Senate".




Charge it

"Small claims courts in Broward and Palm Beach counties are reporting a spike in the number of cases against debtors, who typically owe between $2,000 to $4,000. Some judges say they are handling more than 25 such cases a week, compared to just a handful a few years ago." "Companies filing more lawsuits over credit card debt in South Florida".




"A bright shining lie"

From Daily Kos: "NYT taking Koch Bros. dictation on Florida High Speed Rail".




Healthcare workers have had enough

"Health Unions Small But Gaining Ground".




"Numbers state lawmakers should keep in mind"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Construction workers who lost their jobs in recent years are losing hope. From January to January, Florida's construction industry lost 24,000 jobs. Nationwide, the unemployment rate in the industry is 21.8 percent."

Those are numbers state lawmakers should keep in mind as they try to balance this year's budget. With no new federal stimulus spending on the way and homebuilding stagnant, the Legislature should resist efforts to raid the state's Transportation Trust Fund to fill budget holes elsewhere.

"Robbing roads is dead end".




The AIF and Chamber say "Jump!"

"Businesses Back Move To Weaken Florida Judges".




"Hurricane Rick"

"Gov. Rick Scott is unleashing a Category 5 hurricane on the benefits of Florida's public-sector workers, says Claudie Pouncey, president of the Space Coast AFL-CIO." "Speakers blast governor's policies".




Good to know

"Wealthy Americans start shopping again".




This guy's a "centrist"?

"No longer able to help set state government's agenda, the former senator from Altamonte Springs — one of Florida's last centrist Republican legislators — now worries about Tallahassee's rightward turn." "Front & Center: Lee Constantine on Tallahassee's rightward turn".




Public employees at work

"Police in Ocoee have evacuated an apartment building this morning after discovering an alleged meth lab in one of the units. Fire rescue crews ..." "Ocoee apartments evacuated after alleged meth lab discovered".




"Get on board"

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "Law enforcement, the medical community, pharmaceutical companies, Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Florida Senate stand firmly behind a comprehensive policy, from creating a database to stiffer regulation of pain specialists. The governor and the House should get on board." "Blocking effective antidrug steps". The Sarasota Herald Tribune editorial board: "A new, improved pill mill bill".




Pension attacks keep-a-comin'

"Experts say Florida overstates future pension returns".




Fl-oil-duh

"Is state still trying to collect from BP?"




"Speech isn't so free"

Bill Cotterell: "If we had more guys like David Wussler in state government, we'd have fewer guys like David Wussler in state government." "Speech isn't so free for an auditor".




"Tuesday’s historic recall won’t mean much unless ..."

"Even the most fervent supporters of tossing out Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez and longtime Commissioner Natacha Seijas say last Tuesday’s historic recall won’t mean much unless there is widespread reform at County Hall. Yet changing the county charter — the rulebook that politicians and bureaucrats play by — may prove even harder than the ouster of two of the county’s most powerful leaders." "Will voter revolt bring real change at Miami-Dade County Hall?" See also "Spanish-language radio had key role in recall". Myriam Marquez: "With recall done, time to fix charter".