Ricky, Jebbie say no thanks to Obama spanking

"[B]oth Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Jeb Bush shot down trial balloons Monday, once again saying they are not running for president." "Scott and Bush Slam Door on 2012 Runs".




FSU hopes to avoid Koch fiasco in the future

"Stung by widespread criticism of its unusual contract with a conservative billionaire donor, Florida State University has turned to its faculty for guidance on avoiding such a fiasco in the future."

On Monday, a group of faculty leaders planned their approach for a review of the university's contract with the Charles G. Koch Foundation, which gives the foundation the right to screen candidates for two positions in FSU's economics department in return for $1.5 million over six years. ...

The arrangement, signed in 2008, is believed to be the only one of its kind and has been slammed as an attack on academic freedom. University hiring is traditionally the purview of faculty and administrators and off-limits to outside influences.

"FSU faculty group plans review of Koch deal".




The gub'ment tit

"Road builders heightened the pressure Monday on Gov. Rick Scott, delivering close to 3,600 petition signatures opposing a proposed $150 million shift of gas tax dollars they warn will cost thousands of jobs." "Business groups press governor to veto cuts they say will cost jobs".




Villages idiot

"Governor Will Leave Tallahassee to Sign Budget in The Villages".




"Scott's elections chief defends changes

"Scott's elections chief is defending a law that reduces the number of days for early voting, arguing that polling places will stay open the same number of hours they are now."

Yes, fewer days, Secretary of State Kurt Browning wrote in a Monday guest column in the St. Petersburg Times. But longer hours on those days.

"The number of days polls remain open has been reduced from 14 possible days to eight days," Browning wrote. But "the total number of hours available for early voting will remain the same."

Later, Browning added: "Today, the following remains true: Early voting remains at 96 hours, with greater flexibility for counties."

"[PolitiFact Florida] wanted to see if Browning is right." "PolitiFact Florida: Flexibility in early voting could mean fewer hours to vote".




DCF gutted

"DCF to lay off 500 workers".




It ain't beanbag

The Miami Herald editorial board thinks a "Police PAC’s ad unfair to candidate Gimenez" "PBA assault".




Scott rushing to take credit

"Crime rate drops in most of South Florida's large cities, FBI says".




Webster gets a pass

"Are zombies and loud-mouthed protesters a thing of the past for the congressman? They didn't show up to greet him at a town hall event last week in Windermere, as they had the month before in Winter Garden and Orlando." "Dan Webster on recent protests and re-election plans".




Utilities continue PSC purge

"The executive director of the Public Service Commission, hired by four consumer-friendly commissioners who were ousted last year, has been ousted himself. Timothy Devlin, 59, resigned Monday at the request of PSC Chairman Art Graham. Devlin, a 35-year veteran of the agency that regulates utilities, has been in the job since Jan. 25, 2010."

"Last year, the Legislature purged the PSC of four appointees of then-Gov. Charlie Crist. Crist had appointed them because he thought legislators had become too close to the utilities they regulate."

A year ago, when Devlin asked the utility companies to report their hiring of former PSC employees, the goal was to determine whether there was an indirect cost to customers when utilities are able to buy access and insight into regulators. The utilities successfully fended off the request and haven't reported the information. ...

Former Commissioner Nathan Skop, who nominated Devlin to become executive director, blasted Graham's removal of him as "absolutely shameful." He called Devlin "a veteran of unquestionable integrity who is well respected by PSC staff."

"PSC executive director pressured to resign".




Pawlenty formally kicks off campaign in Tampa

"As the potential Republican field shrinks, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who formally kicked off his presidential campaign Monday, looks like a top contender." "Pawlenty's 1st campaign stop: Tampa". See also "Former Minn. Gov. Pawlenty, candidacy newly declared, hits presidential trail in Coral Gables".




"Before Braman descended from the mountaintop"

Fred Grimm: "Norman Braman, [Miami-Dade's] self-appointed, self-financed arbiter of public ethics, has advised the voters to just say no, all down the line."

“Frankly, they are not true reform,” he said.

Braman is offended, among other problems, that the commission rushed the proposals onto the ballot without a public hearing. Though the commissioners rushed them onto the ballot mostly because they were afraid of how Braman and his angry minions might react if they didn’t.

He also seems bothered that the charter proposals don’t mirror his “covenant with the people.” Though I can’t remember Braman seeking public input before he descended from the mountaintop with his coveted covenant.

While angry Norm advises the angry masses to vote no on the charter proposals (while voting for the particular candidates he has endorsed), the more circumspect Merritt Stierheim, the former county manager, Miami city manager and school superintendent has found merit in the proposals that would ...

"Voters ready to just say no".




Little interest in Miami-Dade race

"Voters show low interest in Miami-Dade mayoral race". See also "Who will win Tuesday? It’s a secret in one Miami-Dade race".




"Big Grass is worse than Big Oil"

Mike Thomas: "Big Grass is worse than Big Oil. Grass is destroying Florida, particularly St. Augustine grass." "Water-gulping grass is ruining Florida".