"Jeb!" denies Perry rift

"Jeb Bush isn’t running for president in 2012, he said for the umpteenth time Tuesday."

He denied reports of friction between his family and Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who has taken criticism in his first two weeks as a candidate from former members of the George W. Bush administration.

Jeb said rumors of a Perry-Bush feud were greatly exaggerated, though he allowed that Bush-allied strategist Karl Rove may feel differently.

"Jeb Bush (still) not running, may endorse in 2012 primaries".




Will state's emergency management director wear a blue vest and greet visitors at the door?

"A Walmart executive from Arkansas wouldn't seem the logical choice to lead Florida through a vicious hurricane, wildfire or terrorist attack."

Not surprisingly, many have

questions about Koon, who makes $140,000 annually as the state's emergency management director.

"I know there's a part of all of my counterparts . . . that would want to see him battle-tested," said Wayne Sallade, Charlotte County's emergency management director of 24 years. ...

County emergency officials couldn't help themselves from making obvious wisecracks when they heard the news. Would they have to wear blue vests and greet visitors at the door?

To prepare for hurricanes, Florida turns to former Walmart executive".




Private prison investigation

"A federal grand jury in Pensacola is investigating the building and funding of a privately owned correctional facility that opened last year in East Milton, including the role of former state Rep. Ray Sansom." "Feds probe Sansom's ties to Milton prison".




Ricky's silly 2 percent solution

"Welfare drug-testing yields 2 percent positive results".




Big of her

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi's consumer protection credibility took a hit last month after her office ousted two top foreclosure fraud lawyers. She tempered the damage this month when she decided Florida would join an anti-fraud lawsuit against the nation's second-largest for-profit college chain. Bondi's interest in cracking down on alleged fraud in the for-profit college industry in Florida is commendable. Unfortunately, her office seems to be the only state agency taking the issue seriously." "Bondi needs company in watching for-profit colleges".




At least they read

Scott Maxwell: "Readers blast uncaring pols, absurd columns".




RPOF using redistricting to shore up majority

"GOP using redistricting to shore up House majority". See also "Round-up of media coverage of redistricting for 8/24".




"Republican Party 'subsidiary'" lauds Scott

"Associated Industries of Florida on Monday touted survey results showing support for some of Gov. Rick Scott's policies and said the results showed overall increased support for the governor."

AIF backed Scott last year and Scott previously served on the group's board of directors. A Florida Democratic Party statement described AIF as a Republican Party "subsidiary" and said the survey showed continued disapproval of Scott, even by Republicans.

The industry group highlighted results showing support for Scott's initiatives including property tax relief, pension reform, drug testing for welfare applicants and eliminating teacher tenure. To download the survey report, click here.

"Associated Industries of Florida says survey shows support for Scott's policies".




Recommended Reading

"Recommended Reading for Wednesday, August 24".




Stearns plays defense

"Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, has been playing defense lately. A recent water pollution hearing he sponsored in Orlando has been subject to scrutiny, mainly because he invited a slew of agriculture and industrial interests to testify, and only one environmental advocate (who was invited at the last minute). In a new op-ed, Stearns again defends himself against claims that the hearing was one-sided, writing that 'no environmental groups contacted [his] office or the committee office seeking to testify until after it was final.'" "Florida congressman again defends water hearing critics say was one-sided".




Teen pregnancy rates soar

"Florida counties with highest teen pregnancy rates saw increase in 2009".




Good luck with that

"A coalition of environmental groups (including 100o Friends of Florida, Audubon of Florida, the Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, the Florida Wildlife Federation and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida) have sent a letter to Gov. Rick Scott and the Department of Transportation, outlining their concerns with the recently renewed Future Corridors Action Plan." "Environmental groups urge Scott to rethink highway plan".




"Six in the Morning"

"Six in the Morning: A six-pack of infobits you might have missed".




Hypocrites run wild in Tally

"State Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples, says the Legislature will yet again reject home visiting grants from the federal government because the money is still allocated from the Affordable Care Act."

The state Legislature has created a bit of controversy lately by rejecting grants for home visiting programs aimed at curbing child abuse and neglect in the state. The GOP-led Legislature says it has rejected the grants because Florida is in litigation with the federal government over the constitutionality of the law that allocates the funds: the Affordable Care Act. (Some legislators have claimed “hypocrisy,” because the state did accept money from the law for abstinence education.)

"Lawmaker: Florida Legislature will again reject home visiting grants".




"Deutch pitches $5 billion 'infrastructure bank' plan"

"Deutch pitches $5 billion 'infrastructure bank' plan to cement firm in West Palm".




Bense backs Hasner

"While there had been speculation that former Florida House Speaker Allan Bense would seek the Republican nomination to take on Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012, the former state legislative leader endorsed a candidate already in the field -- former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner." "Passing on Senate Race, Allan Bense Backs Adam Hasner in 2012".




PSC Director candidates

"After receiving more than 100 applications at the beginning of the summer, the five commissioners narrowed their search to 15 candidates [for PSC Director] in previous meetings. The candidates were interviewed on the phone and in person -- 10 of them were in PSC offices Monday. Tuesday, commissioners voted on their top choices for a longer, in-depth interview. Aster Adams, director of the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, received the most votes of all 15 candidates with four. Braulio Baez, an ex-PSC commissioner and Tallahassee lawyer, and Chris Hart, the CEO of consulting firm Hart Enterprises and former Hillsborough County Commissioner, each received three votes." "PSC Narrows Director Search Field to Three". See also "PSC trims candidates for executive director to three".




Marco triangulates

Saddled with one of the weakest benches in recent memory, GOPers are desperate to find somebody, anybody to get up on the great white GOP horse; but can they really this desperate?

"Heralded as 'perhaps a new great communicator,' U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio delivered a speech before an adoring crowd Tuesday evening at the Ronald Reagan Library in California."

The 40-year-old Republican focused on what he views as the proper role of government and blamed both parties for turning it into a behemoth that threatens the greatness of the country.

"Sen. Marco Rubio faults both parties for 'behemoth' government". See also "Rubio courts establishment in 2.0 rollout".




Self dealing

"Florida's 24 regional workforce boards are now prohibited from awarding business contracts to companies controlled by or tied to agency board members." "State tells jobs agencies to stop doing business with board".




Privatization follies

"The state has been in secret talks to transfer the operations of the South Florida commuter rail line, Tri-Rail, to the Florida East Coast Railway, The Palm Beach Post has learned." "Report: State in secret talks to hand off Tri-Rail to FEC".




Yee haw!

"The execution of a man who fatally shot a Coral Gables cop 33 years ago can proceed next week, after the state’s high court OK’d using a new drug in lethal injections." "Florida Supreme Court: Execution is on for Miami man". See also "Florida Supreme Court Lifts Stay on Execution of Manuel Valle", "Florida Supreme Court clears the way for convicted cop-killer's execution" and "Florida Supremes approve death drug".




Dissing Presidency 5

The Daytona Beach News Journal: "Presidential contender Michele Bachmann came roaring out of Iowa after a win in that state's straw poll, but her Midwest momentum won't take her to Orlando next month for the Sunshine State's top Republican straw poll."

The Republican congresswoman from Minnesota recently confirmed she will not be competing in the Florida straw poll on Sept. 24, sending an odd message to one of the most influential states in the presidential contest. Now that Bachmann has won the Ames Straw Poll in Iowa -- perhaps the most influential GOP beauty contest -- she may want to reconsider her decision not to take part in the Presidency 5 straw poll held by the Republican Party of Florida.

"Candidates skip straw poll at their peril".




Florida government does create jobs ... for Indianans

"In a few months, Corrections Secretary Edwin Buss has hired more than a dozen people from his former state. They include his second-in-command, chief financial officer, personal secretary, regional coordinator and a warden — 14 people in all with a combined salary of more than $1 million." "Florida prisons chief packs staff with Indiana hires".