Never mind

"Rick Scott: In-house lobbyists are OK, after all".

The best he can do?

"Scott has now hired nine agency heads. But he has yet to pick bosses for 16 other departments following a two-month transition and nearly three weeks in office." "Scott names ninth agency head; 16 more to go". See also "Scott names DMS secretary".

Haridopolos' "embarrassment"

"Academics around the country hailed the move last week by President Barack Obama to loosen travel restrictions to Cuba."

But there was no celebrating by scholars at Florida's public universities.

A 2006 state law prohibits them from using state money or tapping into their budgets for travel to countries considered "terrorist states'' by the federal government, Cuba being one. ...

Margaret Miller, director of the University of South Florida Institute for Research in Art, calls the law an "embarrassment.'' ...

Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, who sponsored the bill in 2006 and is a 2012 U.S. Senate candidate, stands by it.

Concrete and panthers don't mix

"Gov. Rick Scott in his campaign blasted the state agency that is charged with preventing sprawl and protecting open spaces, accusing it of 'killing jobs all over the state.'"

His transition advisors – mostly developers and lobbyists – proposed a radical idea: shutter the state Department of Community Affairs, gut Florida's once-heralded growth-management law and "restructure the company" to better attract jobs.

"They have a strange way of showing it"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Florida’s Republican political leaders are fond of saying they want to run government like a business. They have a strange way of showing it. Gov. Rick Scott, Senate President Mike Haridopolos and House Speaker Dean Cannon seem to be more concerned about the politics of high-speed rail in Florida than the impact the system could have on the state’s economy and future." "Not time to stall on the tracks".

Bought and paid for

"Gov. Rick Scott, legislative leaders will be boon for business". "AIF Has High Hopes for 2011".

They're only Florida scrub jays and Panthers

"Two national environmental groups on Thursday filed a lawsuit claiming that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had failed to consult with wildlife agencies on regulating pesticides that are harmful to endangered species, including the Florida panther."

The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco by the Center for Biological Diversity and the Pesticide Action Network, cites the regulation of pesticides that have been important to Florida farmers. A Florida Farm Bureau Federation representative said the lawsuit raises concerns for farmers.

The pesticides, according to the lawsuit, pose a threat to more than 200 species of endangered and threatened wildlife. They include the panther, the Key Largo woodrat, the Florida scrub jay, the piping plover, the Gulf sturgeon, the frosted flatwoods salamander, the eastern indigo snake and three mussels species found in the Apalachicola and Ochlockonee rivers.

The pesticides include the fumigant methyl bromide, which is used on strawberries, and atrazine, a weed-killer that is important to corn growers in the Midwest and sugar growers near the Everglades.

His way

"Throughout his campaigns, gubernatorial transition and first weeks in office, Scott and his top staff dramatically changed the politician-press ground rules. While insisting he runs an open shop, even signing an executive order continuing the Office of Open Government as one of his first acts, Scott has made it clear he will do it his way." "Scott shakes up politician-press relationship".

Yes, Master

"Unions see sharp membership declines again".

Florida for sale

"Floridians could be driving on the Walt Disney Turnpike as they drive by a large picture of Mickey Mouse after the upcoming legislative session. In response to Gov. Rick Scott's request for creative ideas to cut into Florida's now more than $3.6 billion budget gap, Rep. Irv Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, this week filed HB 313. The measure would allow advertising space to be sold and displayed on state transportation property." "Want to drive down the Geico or Disney Turnpike?".

Wingnut fights laws that "prevents employers from cheating workers"

"State Rep. Tom Goodson, R-Titusville, filed a bill Tuesday that would 'preempt regulation of wage theft to state, except as otherwise provided by federal law, & supersedes any municipal or county ordinance or other local regulation on such subject.'"

In other words, if passed, this bill would do away with a Miami-Dade ordinance passed in 2010 that prevents employers from cheating workers out of wages they are owed.

Nuclear scam

"SB 200 would repeal 2006 law that allows utilities to charge for nuclear projects regardless of whether they are built." "Fasano targets nuclear charges with bill".

Deep thinker

"Asked about his 'wish list from Washington' during yesterday’s Twitter “town hall,” Gov. Rick Scott tweeted that he wants the federal government to “stop giving us mandates” and 'reduce our federal taxes.'" "Florida Democrats want more federal cash". See also "Scott's Twitter followers get message: Reduce federal taxes".

What's a fraudster to do?

"Florida spends a higher percentage of its budget on just 3 million Medicaid recipients than England's oft-criticized 'socialized' system expends in serving that country's entire [55 million] population." "Medicaid Makes 'Socialized' Medicine Look Like a Bargain".

Related: "Flawed Medicaid Proposals Would Kill Florida Jobs" (warning to knuckle-draggers, this article has big words).

That's our Bill

"That's what you call a power dinner! Political powerhouse Bill Clinton broke bread at Prime 112 in Miami Beach with on-again, off-again lovebirds Cameron Diaz and Yankee Alex Rodriguez last night in Miami Beach. Later in the evening, Clinton materialized at the nightclub Mansion for the 33rd birthday of NFL receiver Chad Ochocinco." "Bill's excellent SoFla adventure: Clinton dines with A-Rod, parties with Ochocinco".

Say what?

Steve Bousquet: "Courts have ruled that nothing in Florida's Sunshine Law guarantees citizens the right to be heard at public meetings. The Legislature could change that." "Weighing the public's right to speak".

"Betrayal and Vengeance"

"Buried in the thousands of pages of evidence that state agents gathered as they built a case against ousted Florida GOP chairman Jim Greer are some nuggets: Greer was trying to sell a tell-all book, 'Betrayal and Vengeance,' which included 'intimate knowledge of Governor Crist'." "Prosecution records: Jim Greer was writing a book that promised 'intimate knowledge of Governor Crist'".

"Hammering DMS"

Aaron Deslatte: "One certainty in the budget fight that's coming in Tallahassee is that the state's Department of Management Services will never look the same."

Scott has signaled he plans to root out bad deals overseen by DMS. He has already put the state planes managed by DMS up for sale. He has also indicated that public-employee pensions overseen by DMS will get more expensive for workers, particularly for [woefully underpaid] state employees who now don't have to contribute to their retirement funds.

Indeed, hammering DMS is the best way for Scott to publicly flog the "special interests" he vilified during his campaign.

"A lot of people have made money off the government. And it's not things I think government should be doing," Scott said last week, singling out the agency. "We don't need to be spending this money. We don't do a good enough job on how we buy things."

On Friday, Scott named John P. "Jack" Miles, a retired purchasing executive who now lives in Winter Park, as his new DMS secretary.

Brilliant mistake

"A legislative study shows Florida's 59 enterprise zones are attracting relatively few new businesses and jobs to economically distressed areas. ... The state has spent $187 million for various business incentives in the enterprise zones over the past five years". "Fla. enterprise zones attract few businesses".

Speaking before the annual legislative planning session for reporters and editors from around the state, Scott reiterated that his spending proposal to lawmakers would stay true to his campaign promises to slash property taxes $1.4 billion and start phasing out the corporate income tax to the tune of $700 million.

That $2.1 billion tax cut – presuming it is fully paid for in the first year, which was his campaign pledge – would come in addition to the $3.6 billion shortfall Scott's budget-writers must close.

"State authorities said Thursday they are investigating financial dealings by South Florida U.S. Rep. David Rivera, who failed to report loans from his mother's gambling-related marketing company before the election. Florida Department of Law Enforcement Spokesman Keith Kameg said his agency is leading the investigation involving the freshman Republican congressman." "Fla. probes finances of Rep. Rivera".

Unemployment numbers coming

"Florida awaits new unemployment figures".

After all, they own them

"If the businesses that make up the Florida Chamber of Commerce are a little excited about the 2011 legislative session, it’s with good reason." "Florida Chamber Looking Forward to Promising Legislative Session".

RPOFers breathe sigh of relief

"Septic Tank Inspections Delayed Six Months".

Defined benefit recipients at work

"Two Miami-Dade police officers were shot and killed in a gunfight with suspects as they tried to serve a warrant for a violent fugitive in a Miami home Thursday morning." "Two Miami-Dade officers shot and killed while serving an arrest warrant".

RPOFer short list

"Mike Grissom, a veteran GOP operative, is a leading candidate to be the state Republican Party's new executive director, informed sources tell Sunshine State News." "State GOP Director List Shrinks".

Cannon just doesn't get that separation of powers thingy

"While professing not to have a concrete plan just yet, House Speaker Dean Cannon said Thursday that his chamber would try this year to strengthen the Legislature's hand in proposing changes to Florida's constitution." "House speaker wants to restrict high court's powers".

"More than just extremism run amok"

Scott Maxwell: follows up on his previous piece about "freshman legislator Jason Brodeur's far-out idea to arrest and fine doctors who ask their patients questions about gun safety."

Based on the overwhelming response — from everyone from pediatricians to die-hard gun lovers — most people agreed that, if this idea were any fringier, it'd be hanging on the curtains.

But now another group of doctors has raised a new concern that Brodeur's proposal may be more than just extremism run amok … it could also be deadly.

But this is Florida, the Gunshine State, where barely conscious yahoos can arm themselves right up to the drool. The Florida Legislature seems hellbent on turning the state into something out of The Wild Bunch.

How to say nothing in 140 characters or less

"Governor reaches out via Twitter". See also "Gov. Scott's Twitter town hall", "Update: Questions and answers from Gov. Rick Scott’s Twitter ‘town hall’", "Gov. Scott hosts Twitter town hall" and "Rick Scott on Twitter has the answer in 140 characters or less".

Scott's "new board of directors"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board points out that "Rick Scott didn't exactly have a warm relationship with the press during his campaign for governor. There's nothing wrong with that: Politicians aren't required to get along with journalists and vice versa. But now that Scott is in the governor's office, he needs to keep open lines of communication with Floridians as he develops policies, deals with the Legislature and presides over the executive branch."

But journalists are raising more substantive questions about Scott's approach to controlling access to events such as receptions and dinners that include legislators. Under the state's Sunshine Law, these gatherings may be considered a public meeting. Scott and his staff have limited the number of reporters allowed at these events, even when space was not an issue. And, in one instance, an editor said the governor's staff tried to control his news organization's decision on assigning a reporter. The governor apparently didn't know that, as a matter of journalistic ethics, editors don't allow public officials to pick and choose the reporters who cover them. This was a serious blunder that will set off alarm bells in newsrooms across the state.

These missteps may reflect Scott's lack of familiarity with the requirements of public service. His background in the private sector didn't prepare him for the level of public scrutiny he will receive -- and should receive -- as governor of the nation's fourth-largest state.

Scott can't run Florida like a business. He will have to operate in the public realm, explaining and defending his actions and building support for his proposals. Any hint of secrecy or evasion will remind the public of his promises of transparency and undermine trust in his administration.

The governor says he wants to concentrate on fulfilling his promise to put Floridians back to work. There's no reason he can't do that in an open and transparent way, inviting the state's citizens -- his new board of directors -- to assess his performance.

Return to sender

"Miami-Dade County must repay $3.6 million in federal Community Development Block Grant money because the county can't show auditors the money was properly used." "Dade must repay $3.6M in HUD funds".

Marco ready to ditch Teabaggers?

"New Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is at the center of an impending struggle between established Republican leaders and the Tea Party faction in the U.S. Senate." "Tea Party and McConnell both tugging at Rubio".

Lovey dovey

"Nelson, Rubio plan to sit together during State of the Union speech".

Local-option tax

"As public schools in Florida brace for big budget cuts next school year, key state lawmakers will consider allowing local districts to keep charging an optional property tax introduced two years ago. The idea, being researched by a state Senate committee, could generate tens of millions of dollars in a year when school districts are expecting to lose billions." "School budget cuts may revive local-option tax".

Big plans

"Less than three months into their legislative careers, four Republican freshmen House members are already jockeying to become speaker of the House in 2016." "House Freshmen Eye Speaker Post".

RPOFers say no to HCR

"Florida’s congressional delegation, like the overwhelming majority in the U.S. House, broke on party lines when the new Republican majority voted Wednesday to repeal the federal health care bill enacted in 2010 with the support of President Barack Obama. Those divisions filtered down at the state level as Republicans in Florida praised the repeal measure, while Sunshine State Democrats continued to back Obama and the health care laws." "Partisan Divide on Health Care Repeal Trickles Down to Florida".

"HIV/AIDS medication funding crisis"

"Officials: Florida ‘very close’ to a solution to HIV/AIDS medication funding crisis".

West makes his mark

"Bill to delay ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal introduced in House, Reps. Miller, West sponsor".

"Jeb!" tripping over his own drool

"Former Gov. Jeb Bush has established himself as a national leader on education [among the knuckle-draggers], with policies he developed in Florida spreading to other states. With his agenda once again ascendant in this state, he recently laid out some of his ideas for a libertarian media outlet."

In a video posted Wednesday as a precursor to National School Choice Week (which begins Jan. 23), Bush tells Nick Gillespie of Reason that one of his top school-reform priorities is “applying digital learning as a transformative tool to disrupt the public education system.”

Bush describes the nation’s system of school districts as thousands of little monopolies, and talks about the possibility of creating electronic suites of course materials, stored by the thousands in digital libraries and marketed around the country.

AIF=Polluters

"A group of Florida lobbyists, along with agriculture and industry executives, are once again pushing hard against EPA water quality rules, using cost estimates written in part by potentially affected industries to make their case." "In letter blasting water quality rules, Associated Industries of Florida cites studies paid for by polluters".

Raw political courage

"Senator wants to bring back sales tax holiday this year".

How things work

"David Browning, a well known Florida political fundraiser and consultant, has joined the powerhouse lobbying firm of Southern Strategy Group." "Top GOP fundraiser joins powerhouse lobbying firm".

"Staving off shortsighted cuts to education"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board whines about "Florida not getting its fair share", complaining that "there is another discussion Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders should be having: how Florida can collect its fair share of federal money. Every dollar from Washington could help stave off shortsighted cuts to education and other areas."

A new report from Florida TaxWatch is a reminder of what's been true for a least a dozen years. Florida remains a donor state, with residents sending more tax money to Washington than the state proportionately receives in federal grants for transportation, education, Medicaid and other functions. The nation's fourth-largest state ranks 33rd when it comes to grants received per taxes paid.

Your tax dollars at work

"Charter schools typically receive a mixture of public and private money and operate free of many regulations that govern traditional public schools in exchange for achieving promised results." "Charter schools expand with public, private money".

Out here in the fields

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Since farmworkers are an integral part of Florida's agricultural industry -- there are an estimated 250,000 laborers statewide -- their welfare should also be taken into account when a disaster is declared. As it is they have few resources to turn to when their work literally withers on the vine because of the cold." "Send help for farmworkers, too".

This week, aides to Fernández Rundle asked detectives in the Miami-Dade Police Department's public corruption squad to begin working with the FDLE's Tallahassee office, which will now lead the Rivera probe. Miami-Dade detectives had previously been working primarily with a team of investigators and prosecutors within Rundle's office.

Scott "boldly predicts" to cut taxes

"Gov. Rick Scott said Wednesday he will rally public support and convince lawmakers to dig out of a $3.5-billion revenue hole and cut taxes at the same time." "Gov. Scott plans tax cuts".

"As Gov. Rick Scott boldly predicted he would keep a campaign promise to cut taxes, both top legislative leaders Wednesday expressed doubt because of the size of the state's budget shortfall."

Scott called the current state budget "bloated'' and said he'll be more careful with tax dollars, an indirect slap at his fellow Republicans who crafted it.

"I believe our existing budget is bloated,'' Scott said, declining to cite one example of wasteful spending. "I believe that we're not cautious enough about how we spend money.''

Pleading the fifth in 140 characters or less

"Gov. Scott to hold Twitter town hall". See also "Update: Join Gov. Scott's Twitter town hall today".

They can almost see Russia from the Cabinet Room ...

"For the first time in more than a century, all members of the state Cabinet are new to their jobs."

Haridopolos a one trick pony

"Florida's new Senate president says he'd like to cut taxes in addition to slashing more than $3 billion from the state budget. ... [and] said much of the savings will come by cutting state employee pay and pension benefits." "Haridopolos says billions in cuts are priority". But see "Lawmakers casting doubt on Scott's promises of tax cuts".

Rich brat attacks defined pension

"Jeb Bush: Eliminate 'defined-benefit pension system'".

"Bigotry at the highest level of state government"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board:

The same day that Gov. Rick Scott reopened the door to Florida banning gays and lesbians from adopting, the North Miami man whose case helped overturn the ban was formally declared the father of two brothers he’s raised since 2004. Martin Gill’s sons now have a brighter and more secure future. Bigotry at the highest level of state government should not block that chance for Florida’s other abandoned or orphaned children.

Be afraid ...

"Speaking in Tallahassee Wednesday, two key leaders of the Florida House offered glimpses into the 2011 session which starts in March." "House Leaders Lay Out Issues for the 2011 Session".

Raw political courage

"Bondi to press Feinberg on oil spill payments".

Nelson to run again

"U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said Wednesday he'll seek a third term, and that he's confident he and President Barack Obama will fare well with the state's voters in 2012 when Florida will have 29 electoral votes in the presidential election." "Sen. Nelson announces plans to seek re-election". See also "Bill Nelson to seek 3 r d US Senate term" and "Sen. Nelson announces plans to seek re-election".

Marc Caputo: "Sen. Bill Nelson has been here before -- the lone statewide Democrat in a red sea of Republicanism. After telling reporters Wednesday that he'll definitely run again for reelection in 2012, Nelson said he's not too concerned with the results of November's elections, which swept Republicans into office throughout Florida and the rest of the country." "For last Democrat standing, a road of resistance". Related: "Bill Nelson Talks Politics and Policy in Tallahassee".

Dem likes sales tax increase, property tax cut

"Florida House Democratic Leader Ron Saunders said he could support a sales tax increase to help pay for a property tax cut that Republican Gov. Rick Scott is pushing." "Open to raise sales tax for property tax cut".

"FCAT creates more harm than good"

"Saying the FCAT creates more harm than good, a freshman state legislator said Tuesday she is championing a bill in the House that would do away with the annual state exams." "Florida lawmaker pushes bill to end FCAT".

Scott stands tall for sewage

"Septic tank measure becomes law without Scott's signature".

"You have the economy to thank"

"Traffic congestion is getting worse again, and by some measures you have the economy to thank if you're sitting in traffic. A recent study doesn't paint a pretty picture of mobility in South Florida." "South Florida traffic congestion rising as job market recovers".

That silly constitution thingy

"School Districts Face Class-Size Fines of $31 Million".

Entrepreneurship

"Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein's luxury properties, including his waterfront multimillion-dollar mansion in the exclusive Harbor Beach enclave of Fort Lauderdale, will soon likely be up for sale." "Rothstein's home, properties likely coming to market soon".

Running gubment like a bidness.

"Florida's politicians are staying mum, but interest on the state's $2 billion unemployment-insurance loans continues to mount. The interest on the federal advances, which the state is using to fund jobless benefits, starts coming due in September. By then, the state will have racked up $61 million in interest charges." "Florida Businesses Hammered by Jobless Loan".

Breaking the Scott casino code

Tom Lyons: "Political reporters statewide have been trying to decipher our new governor's recent messages expressing -- or not? -- an unexpected new willingness to expanding casino gambling." "Breaking Scott's code on expanded gambling".

'Ya reckon?

"Scott: We "clearly need" better growth management".

Greer's tell-all book on hold

"An Orlando judge ... temporarily sealed the manuscript of a tell-all book ousted Florida GOP chairman Jim Greer was trying to sell to a publisher." "Judge: I'm temporarily sealing Jim Greer's tell-all book".

Parental Comprehensive Assessment Test follies

Mike Thomas: "How far can we go with this parent-grading idea?".

Good luck, Bill

"U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson leaned hard on new Gov. Rick Scott Wednesday to punch the state’s ticket for a high-speed rail connecting Tampa and Orlando, particularly since the federal government has offered to pay 90 percent of the cost." "Nelson Leans on Scott to Get on Board With High-Speed Rail".

Florida already the cheapest place for business

"Gov. Rick Scott and top legislative leaders spent much of last year talking about the need to make Florida more pro-business, but the state dominates a new report listing the 20 cities with the lowest operating costs and best business climate."

In a ranking of the 20 cheapest cities to set up shop, Florida appears five times, with Orlando claiming the top spot. Jacksonville finished third, and Broward County ranked 20th. Tampa Bay was seventh, and Palm Beach County came in at 16th.

No other state placed more than one city on the list of top 20.

Florida GOPers join publicity stunt

"Florida Republicans joined the celebration when the House voted 245 to 189 for repeal. Florida Democrats accused Republicans of engaging in a political stunt, knowing that repeal has virtually no chance of passing the Senate." "Florida Republicans join celebration as House votes for repeal of health care law".

Scott presser a laffer

Among Scott's press conference laffers is this: "Scott believes his government is very open". See also "Rick Scott Focused on Job Creation" and "Scott denies he's shutting out media, public".

Putnam opposes Department of Citrus merger

"Florida's new agriculture commissioner says merging the Department of Citrus into his agency would not save money." "Putnam: No savings for state in citrus merger".

Democrats in Congress rallied around the new law, and some Florida patients who already have benefited from its provisions urged Congress to save it.

"The Republicans in the House are willing to take away access to affordable quality health care for Americans just to score political points," said U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, of Weston, who is spearheading a Democratic drive to keep the law. "Every minute that they spend fruitlessly trying to repeal health care reform is one less minute they are going to spend trying to create jobs and get people back to work."

The stakes are high in Florida because of its extraordinary rate of uninsured patients and a huge elderly population that depends on intense forms of health care and medicine. The latest government figures indicate that one in five Floridians is uninsured, a higher rate than any large state, except Texas.

House Republicans plan to fulfill their campaign promise to vote to repeal the law — probably Wednesday — knowing it has little chance of passage in the Senate. Even if the repeal bill emerges from Congress, it is sure to be vetoed by President Barack Obama.

Mini-DREAM unlikely

"For years, former state Rep. Juan Carlos Zapata of Miami tried unsuccessfully to get his fellow Republicans in Tallahassee to pass a bill allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at Florida's public universities."

Zapata left the Legislature last year due to term limits. But a version of his bill is back, this time pushed by one of his former colleagues from South Miami-Dade, state Rep. Dwight Bullard.

Ten states have similar laws in place, but if past Florida legislative sessions are any indication, there is little reason to expect that Bullard, a Democrat, will have any better luck than Zapata in getting the bill passed in the GOP-controlled state House and Senate.

It's the Miami-Dade economy, stupid

Jackie Bueno Sousa: "Now that a recall election date has been set, let's start the rhetoric with a classic campaign message."

It's the economy, stupid.

More specifically, it's our economic base -- or lack of one -- that's really at the heart of the recall election. Come March 15, Miami-Dade voters won't just be deciding whether to keep Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez and County Commissioner Natacha Seijas.

They'll be casting a vote on the priorities of our leadership -- and, in turn, possibly determining the county's agenda for some time to come. That's because the tough choices that led to the recall effort -- whether to raise property taxes, what to do about compensation of county employees -- likely will come before county leaders again and again in the years ahead.

Ricky's first amendment problem

"Speaking to the board of the Florida Society of News Editors, nine Tallahassee correspondents said Scott's team is imposing an unprecedented level of control over access to Scott and to events that previously would have been considered open. The governor's office also has tried to 'cherry-pick' reporters to provide pooled reports to the rest of the press corps, instead of allowing the journalists to choose."

The journalists pointed to several examples, including a post-inauguration reception held on the scenic 22nd floor of the state Capitol, where Scott's staff restricted access to a select few. ...

A voice message and an e-mail seeking reaction Tuesday from Scott's communications director, Brian Burgess, were not immediately answered. ...

Jim Baltzelle, FSNE president and Florida chief of bureau for The Associated Press, said the incidents raised concern about the freedom of the press. He said FSNE would consider how to formally respond.

Aaron Deslatte, Tallahassee bureau chief for the Orlando Sentinel, said he's been given very little access to the governor because during Scott's campaign, his staff considered the newspaper "hostile.'' He said his only recourse has been to make several requests for public records. But the administration, he said, has been slow to respond and, in one case, said it would charge him $400 for printing by an outsourced provider even though Deslatte said the information is available electronically.

HCR repeal kerfuffle

"The new Republican majority in the U.S. House will vote Wednesday whether to repeal the health care law passed last year with the support of President Barack Obama. Florida’s congressional delegation is expected to mirror Congress as a whole and divide on partisan lines, with Republicans voting to repeal and Democrats voting to keep it in place." "Florida Congressional Delegation Splits on Party Lines on Health Care Repeal".

"Republicans pushing to repeal President Barack Obama's health care overhaul warn that 650,000 jobs will be lost if the law is allowed to stand. But the widely cited estimate by House GOP leaders is shaky." "FACT CHECK: Shaky health care job loss estimate".

Conflicting signals about Arizona-style

"Conflicting signals from Florida legislators about the possibility of an Arizona-style law are leaving Florida’s immigrant rights community confused about what to expect in 2011." "Uncertainty over Arizona-style immigration law in Florida leaves immigrant rights activists guessing".

FCAT follies

"Saying the FCAT creates more harm than good, a freshman state legislator said Tuesday she is championing a bill in the House that would do away with the annual state exams. But, kids, don't get your hopes up. It's not the first time a bill has been introduced in the state Legislature to end the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test -- and each attempt has failed. Still, Rep. Daphne Campbell is not deterred." "Florida lawmaker pushes bill to end FCAT".

No joy in "Nub City"

"Gov. Rick Scott brought his jobs message to the Panhandle on Tuesday, telling local business leaders he will keep his promise to make Florida the best state for job creation." "Gov. Scott takes jobs message to struggling Panhandle".

49 percent increase in short sales

"South Florida's short sale market heated up in 2010 with a 49 percent increase in purchases of the discounted properties compared to the previous year. ... A short sale is when a buyer pays less for a home than what is owed to the bank on its mortgage. Relatively rare before the real estate crash, short sales now make up about 32 percent of the South Florida market." "South Florida short sales increased 49 percent in 2010".

Scott favors politics and ideology over competence*

"George Sheldon, the popular chief of Florida's Department of Children and Families whose leadership helped bring national praise for the state's child-welfare reforms, is out of a job."

Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday named a new secretary to replace Sheldon: David Wilkins, a recently retired global managing director of sales for Accenture Health and Public Service, a management-consulting and technology-services company.

Most recently, Wilkins, 50, served on Scott's transition team. He is also the finance chairman of the nonprofit Florida Baptist Children's Home, which offers residential care, emergency shelters, adoption help and other services for kids in the state's custody.

The announcement came late in the day and caught many by surprise. Sheldon, 63, had been one of only a few state agency leaders that Scott had asked to stay on after initially calling for mass resignations — a common practice when a new administration takes office. The transition team's briefing to Scott noted that the $3 billion-a-year child-welfare agency "is widely recognized by many Floridians as the best-run department in the state."

"If hypocrisy were an Olympic sport ..."

Scott Maxwell writes that "if hypocrisy were an Olympic sport, Tallahassee would win gold. Remember back in 1992, when Floridians decided legislators needed term limits? Well, the politicians have now decided you were wrong." "Term limits for you, not for me — what hypocrites!".

Race to the bottom

"More states join Florida lawsuit against healthcare law". More: "White House says 7.8 million Floridians at risk".

Books and stuff

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "Give libraries some slack".

All together, now

"Ray Sansom, Jay Odom and Bob Richburg will go to trial together in March after a judge ruled in favor of a state motion to consolidate the cases." "Odom won't be on trial alone".

Posada

"Posada is charged with making false statements after he sneaked into the United States and sought political asylum. Prosecutors say Posada - considered to be Fidel Castro's nemesis - lied about how he reached American soil and failed to acknowledge his role in 1997 Cuban hotel bombings that killed an Italian tourist." "Tapes from '05 key to Posada federal perjury trial".

Follow the money

"For those following the money, another Rick Scott veteran has been hired to lobby the governor and Legislature: Lanny Wiles — a longtime Washington political operative, advance man extraordinaire for Scott, and husband of Scott's campaign manager, Susie Wiles — will be cashing in on his newfound Tallahassee clout." "Scott's advance guy will lobby".

Scott slams up against things he can't buy

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Last year on the campaign trail, Gov. Rick Scott and other Florida Republicans ran on a promise to crack down on illegal immigration. Now in office, they're running into the limits, practical and political, of a state trying to set its own immigration rules." "Editorial: Gov. Scott tackles employment verification effort".

Meanwhile, the RPOFer flip-flopping is getting mighty loud: "Florida legislator may dial back proposed Arizona-style law".

"Political 'hacktivists'"

"Political 'hacktivists' attack city websites in North Miami, Hillsboro Beach".

RPOFer fights for raw sewage

"A Florida lawmaker wants to escalate the growing feud between the federal government and the state over controversial water standards. Rep.Trudi Williams, R-Fort Myers, has sponsored a bill that would ban the state from implementing new federal water quality criteria that were adopted in November." "Bill would block DEP from implementing new federal water rules.".

Orlando bullet train

"A consensus may be forming -- which includes Gov. Rick Scott -- that a long-proposed Tampa to Orlando bullet train should roll if private businesses wants to pay for the remainder of the ride." "Rep. Mica: Scott Will Support High Speed Rail if Business Pays".

Workers are just more compliant in South Carolina

"A Florida home warranty company is adding 100 jobs to its call center in South Carolina." "Fla. home warranty company adding 100 jobs in SC".

Some might wonder whether his gratitude was worth the $243,000 extracted from campaign accounts for very murky "thank you'' campaigns. But that's exactly why Rivera's so damn thankful.

Despite discomfiting questions about his mysterious job history, personal finances, a secret $500,000 pro-gambling consulting contract and questionable thank-you campaigns, Rivera was still elected to the Legislature, then Congress. ...

Whatever other expressions of thank you the enigmatic Rivera offered his constituents, they're still waiting for those credible documents. Something. . . anything. . . that might make him believable.

Legislative roundup

"A roundup of everything that happened in Tallahassee last week that we didn’t have space for." "Your government at work: Notes from last week’s state legislative meetings".

For those of you who just can't wait ...

The Cook Political Report's first, very preliminary look at the way states and their electoral votes might fall in the 2012 presidential election: With 270 electoral votes needed to win, Cook has the race 221 to 219 for the Dems, with 98 EVs rated as toss-ups. In the toss-up category is Florida, with our 29 votes, along with Colorado (9), Iowa (6), Nevada (6), Ohio (18), Pennsylvania (20) and Wisconsin (10). "2012 Electoral Vote Preliminary Ratings" (subscription needed).

Greer writing a book

"Prosecution records: Jim Greer was writing a book that promised 'intimate knowledge of Governor Crist'".

RPOFer "double donors"

"Fundraisers for Rick Scott's inaugural committee did double duty last month, raising money for the new governor's three-day inaugural bash but also asking donors to write a second check to replenish the state Republican party's depleted coffers after the November elections. The result from those double donors:"

$3 million to the inaugural committee and another $3.4 million to the Republican Party of Florida. The money given to the RPOF included 61 checks of $25,000 or more from some of the state's largest corporations.

Scott limited contributions to his inaugural celebration to $25,000, but donors were given a second chance to exceed their contribution -- by donating to the party -- and dozens of them did, according to a review by the Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times.

RPOFer flip-floppery a comin'

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Scott promised to bring to Florida an immigration law like the one Arizona passed last year, using the issue to bring Bill McCollum to his knees. Arizona's requires police to check the immigration status of people stopped or arrested if police suspect they are in the country illegally."

Mr. Scott, who couldn't stop talking about the Arizona law in his campaign, rarely mentions it lately. Some Florida legislators who echoed him also have backed away, apparently worried about alienating Hispanics and the business community.

The Florida Citizens Employment Protection Act would mandate that all employers use the federal E-Verify program to screen prospective employees' legal status to work in this country. It also would suspend the business licenses of companies that refuse to sign an affidavit declaring they have no illegal aliens working for them.

Supporters say the Citizens Employment Protection Act avoids the legal and logistical pitfalls of racial profiling and turning local police into immigration agents. By targeting employers, the bill would effectively block illegals from the job market.

Gov. Rick Scott has already signed an executive order implementing E-Verify at all state agencies. Now, lawmakers are maneuvering to extend E-Verify to the private sector.

The E-Verify initiative is not new. Last year, the Florida House passed an E-Verify bill authored by then-Rep. Sandy Adams, R-Oviedo. HB 219 cleared the House 112-0, but was bottled up in the Senate, where committee Chairman Jeremy Ring refused to let it come up for a hearing.

Adams has moved on to Congress, but Ring, a Democrat from Margate, is back as committee chair this year, and supporters of E-Verify are bracing for battle.

Try "alleged terrorist" instead of mere "militant"

"A Department of Homeland Security attorney who interrogated former CIA operative and anti-Fidel Castro militant Luis Posada Carriles after he slipped into the United States in 2005 is retaking the stand Tuesday to face cross examination in U.S. District Court." "Anti-Castro militant back in court in perjury case".

The New York Times: "Luis Posada Carriles, who as a Central Intelligence Agency operative waged a violent campaign against Fidel Castro’s regime for decades, is accused of lying to an immigration judge about his role in the bombings at Havana tourist spots in 1997. ... In Venezuela, he remains a prime suspect in the bombing of a Cubana Airlines flight that crashed off the coast of Barbados on Oct. 6, 1976, killing all 73 people aboard. Though he was never convicted, he was imprisoned for nine years in Caracas on charges of conspiring with the bombers. He escaped by bribing a warden and walking out of prison disguised as a priest." "Terror Accusations, but Perjury Charges".

Have another beer

"Newly elected U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland predicted Monday night that growing Republican power in Washington will restore competitive economic values and government accountability that he said President Obama's administration has eroded." "Southerland: Accountability on the way".

"The state GOP's image as a haven for on-the-make hucksters"

Daniel Ruth writes that "the very first thing [David] Bitner pledged to do after he was elected chairman of the Republican Party of Florida over the weekend was to promise to find out who had taken the country, go to wherever they were keeping it and get it back as soon as possible."

You certainly have to give Bitner credit for thinking big. After an acrimonious campaign for the chairmanship that involved backstabbing, innuendo and anonymous e-mails promising doom and despair no matter who won the job, you would think the incoming leader of Florida's Republicans would be preoccupied with replenishing the party's coffers and rehabilitating the state GOP's image as a haven for on-the-make hucksters.

But not David Bitner, the great country hunter, who promised the grand quest to track down Butte and return it posthaste.

"It starts now," Bitner proclaimed. Well, you can hardly argue the new chairman has time management problems.

Narrowing down the list of usual suspects for Inspector Bitner could be problematic. The country, it might be argued, could have been purloined by any number of people — trial lawyers, teachers unions, tree huggers, Democrats.

Payroll audit

Bill Cotterell: "Payroll audit is a gift to the governor".

Republican front group demands respect

"Dave Bitner isn't the only incoming Republican chairman who needs to assure tea parties. New RNC boss Reince Priebus raised the hackles of some tea partiers who feel they're not getting enough respect." "Tea Parties Keep Wary Eye on GOP Leaders".

"Class-size penalties"

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune editors: "Florida's education commissioner has recommended reductions in pending fines against school districts that failed to meet the state's strict class-size limit" "Erase school fines".

Slowly but surely

"Former Florida congressman Mark Foley, who toyed with his own possible run for mayor of West Palm Beach, says he's backing City Commissioner Molly Douglas." "Foley backs candidate in West Palm mayoral race".

Rubio suddenly an expert

Rubio couldn't make a house payment last year, and he's suddenly an expert on internationall affairs: "Rubio spent the weekend in Pakistan and Afghanistan and said he found encouraging signs, but he criticized the Obama administration's goal of beginning to withdraw U.S. troops this summer." "Sen. Rubio visits Afghanistan".

Catholic agenda

"Representing almost 2.3 million Catholics in the Sunshine State, the Florida Catholic Conference unveiled its goals for the 2011 legislative session, promoting policy that will win the backing -- and the opposition -- of liberals and conservatives alike." "Florida Catholic Bishops Unveil Legislative Agenda".

"If we had a real Republican running this state"

Mike Thomas: "If we had a real Republican running this state, like New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, he would go on Fox News, kill the train, bask in the outrage, and then disband the teachers union for an encore."

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is noncommittal, even after one of his libertarian advisers came out with a study that said the train would cost a lot more than $2.7 billion and carry a lot fewer than 2.4 million passengers every year. ...

A year ago, Obama gave us $1.25 billion to build it. That didn't quite cover half the cost. Still, very tempting.

In October, Obama sweetened the pot with another $800 million. That covered 83 percent of the cost. More tempting.

And then last month, we got another $342 million. That covered about 90 percent of the cost. Most tempting!

The last check came with a not-so-subtle message. That money had been going for rail projects in Ohio and Wisconsin. But their Republican governors rejected it, saying they wanted to use the money for roads instead.

They got no trains. They got no roads. They got no ObamaBucks. They got no federal jobs.

If Rick Scott follows their example, Obama simply will give our money to train projects in Illinois and California.

"A victory for common sense and fairness"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "The policy change is a victory for common sense and fairness. The next goal should be to eliminate the travel ban entirely so any U.S. citizen can visit Cuba openly as a tourist without having to sneak through a third country." "Opening the door to Cuba". The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "Breaking barriers to Cuba".

Term limits

"A Democratic and a Republican lawmaker have proposed bills to lengthen terms for Florida lawmakers." "Proposal: longer term limits for Florida lawmakers".

Never again

"Any future court building will have to be approved by the State Courts Administrator, and that office will assign someone to monitor the project, under an order issued Monday by Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady in response to the controversy over the new district appeals court building in Tallahassee." "Chief Justice Canady: No More Buildings Like 1st DCA".

No shame

"Plans for a South Florida memorial to the victims of 9/11 are being reconsidered after an outcry from taxpayers." "Fla. 9/11 memorial may be nixed after complaints".

Nelson explains it all

"Republicans won all five statewide races in Florida in November, knocked off four Democratic congressional incumbents and padded their already lopsided advantages in the state House and Senate."

But the only Democrat remaining in statewide office - U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson - says that doesn't mean Florida has become a red state. ...

"Florida is not going more conservative," said Nelson, who's up for reelection in 2012, during a Palm Beach Post editorial board interview last week. "Florida is a reflection of the country, and that's because the country has moved to Florida."

That boffo GOP November, Nelson said, was "a phenomenon that was applicable to a country that was sour, that the people didn't think the country was going in the right direction and it was born in large part out of a sour economy.

"The economy is improving, albeit slowly in a place like Florida. And (President) Obama's faves are likely to go up."

"Widespread deception visited upon Florida courts"

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "Attorney General Pam Bondi wisely intends to continue the work started by her predecessor to investigate foreclosure malpractice in Florida. Banks, loan servicers and their law firms like to complain that the reason for all the faulty paperwork in foreclosure cases is due to the high volume of cases. In fact, corners often were purposely cut to speed foreclosures through the courts as cheaply and quickly as possible. The result has been widespread deception visited upon Florida courts." "Ferreting out mortgage fraud".

Ricky's silly "promise of $2 billion in tax cuts"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "In a matter of weeks, Gov. Rick Scott must figure out how to deliver on his campaign promise of $2 billion in tax cuts -- or else find a way to retreat gracefully in the face of a projected $3.6 billion budget shortfall (some say the real gap is around $4 billion)."

Senate President Mike Haridopolis, R-Merritt Island, said recently that Senate leaders aren't planning any major tax cuts -- but the governor is welcome to propose them if he comes up with offsetting budget cuts.

The underlying message from the Senate president seems to be this: We'll take the heat for $3.6 billion in cuts, but we're not going to don asbestos pants and slash another $2 billion for the governor.

Lazy bastards expect taxpayers to pay their pensions

As we enjoy the day off, "firefighters provided CPR at the scene and then transported him to Imperial Point Medical Center where he was pronounced dead" and "officers answering a 911 call about shots fired ... Six people were hit, including a woman in her 20's who was pronounced dead ... Police are continuing to search for the two gunmen who fled the scene."

RPOFers delay pill mill regs

"Drug users in Florida are dying of pill overdoses at a rate of seven per day as measures aimed at curbing crooked pain clinics are held up in a thicket of delays and setbacks."

After the legislature last year passed the toughest restrictions yet for pain clinics, here's what was supposed to have happened: The state boards of medicine and osteopathic medicine were to hammer out tough new rules for clinics, complete with penalties.

Those rules, combined with a prescription drug monitoring program that would come online Dec. 1, 2010, would staunch the flow of oxycodone painkillers and other powerful drugs from storefront clinics to junkies and multi-state drug traffickers.

Here's what actually happened: In a special session on Nov. 16, lawmakers overrode a veto and revived a bill that effectively quashed state agencies' ability to make rules.

Although the state Board of Osteopathic Medicine, which oversees doctors with osteopathic degrees, finalized rules before the veto override, the move shelved pain clinic standards of another medical panel, the Board of Medicine, nine days before they were to take effect.

Now, standards for physicians with doctor of medicine degrees have to wait for the legislature's approval during the coming regular session.

Adding to the uncertainty, Gov. Rick Scott's first executive order, signed the day of his inauguration, "freezes all new regulations" and creates an accountability office to review rules before they're enacted, possibly requiring pain clinic rules to jump another hurdle.

Rubio strides world's stage

"US Sen. Marco Rubio visits Afghanistan". See also "Rubio: U.S. 'Headed in Right Direction' in Afghanistan". Isn't Rubio young enough to enlist? Just asking.

Heroes and zeroes

Nancy Smith: "Martin Luther King Jr., American Hero; Arizona No-Show John Boehner, Zero".

Public finance

"Florida taxpayers spent more than $5.8 million to bolster the campaigns of 10 candidates for statewide office last year, giving public dollars to individuals who arguably didn't need the money but took it anyway." "Candidates collected $5.8 million in public money".

Ricky "a case study"

Steve Bousquet: "Scott's first two weeks in office are a case study in how governing can be disorderly and messy at times." "Gov. Rick Scott is straining so far to get his arms around Tallahassee".

Millionaire car salesman shakes up Miami politics

"Alvarez, Seijas in fight for survival".

Capping a tumultuous period for the GOP in America's biggest battleground state, the election came months after the ouster and subsequent arrest of former state party chairman Jim Greer on charges of stealing party funds.

"The problems of the past are behind us,'' declared Gov. Rick Scott, who was officially neutral, although his 10 appointees to the party executive committee united behind Bitner.

Congressional and legislative lines will be re-drawn, always a dicey process; a potentially divisive U.S. Senate primary; a looming showdown with the national GOP as Florida looks to buck the rules and schedule an early presidential primary in 2012 and stage a presidential debate in October. He also will have to rebuild the trust of the party's small donors, who stopped giving amid revelations of lavish spending by party officials.

What's more, Democrats still have a 600,000 voter edge, and Obama has already shown the capacity to build a juggernaut campaign.

"Expanding criminal investigation" of Rivera

"After dropping out of a state Senate race last year to run for Congress, David Rivera set aside tens of thousands of dollars from his dormant Senate campaign account to say 'thank you' to supporters of a race he never intended to finish." This latest by Rivera is being

scrutinized as part of an expanding criminal investigation of the Republican congressman's personal and campaign accounts by Miami-Dade police and prosecutors, The Miami Herald has learned.

Tampa GOPer convention team booted

"There's a new Republican national chairman in office, and he's about to clean house on the team putting together the 2012 Republican convention in Tampa." "New chairman targets GOP team setting up 2012 national convention in Tampa".

"Please do not rant against the liberals on this one"

Mike Thomas: "There will be no Arizona-style immigration law in Florida. There will be no crackdown on illegal workers. Gov. Rick Scott will be leading no bus caravans back to Mexico."

Too much of Florida's economy relies on illegal workers. So they aren't going anywhere except back to the hotel rooms, the construction sites, the restaurant kitchens and the vegetable fields.

If it's any consolation for him, McCollum was right when he said: "We don't need that law in Florida. That's not what's going to happen here."

Truth can be bad politics.

And please do not rant against the liberals on this one. ...

The business round tables that preside over Florida's economy don't mind if Republicans demagogue on illegal immigrants to get elected. If that's what it takes to beat Democrats, then so be it. But once they are in office, and it's time to govern, business is business.

"Las Vegas wants to come to Florida"

Michael Mayo: "Florida's gambling hodgepodge isn't meant to be consistent, rational or efficient. It hasn't been designed with the interests of gamblers or tourists in mind, but is mainly a testament to turf battles and special-interest legislation."

Over the last decade, South Florida's tribal casinos and pari-mutuel racinos arose despite widespread opposition by state political leaders, spawned by court battles, statewide amendment drives and local votes in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

The result?

A maddening mix that befuddles bettors and ultimately shortchanges the state.

You want to go someplace where you can play slots, blackjack, craps, roulette, poker, horses and dogs, all under the same roof?

For that, you still have to go to Las Vegas.

Now Las Vegas wants to come to Florida.

Central Florida Latinos want Congressional seat

"Florida's population growth has earned it two more seats in Congress. Because Hispanics in Central Florida have been key to that growth, Latino leaders are gearing up to try to claim one of those seats."

They also want the Florida Legislature to ensure that the 900,000 Hispanics living in the Interstate 4 corridor are better represented in Tallahassee.

Members of the Democratic National Committee, the Latino Justice Program and the National Association of Latino Elected Officials are among those already working to make that happen.

College students might openly carry weapons

"In the aftermath of Tucson's shooting rampage, lawmakers in Florida are ready to make their stand on guns clearer: They want more people to have the right to carry them in the open and fewer government restrictions."

Legislators have filed three separate bills, one that would restrict local governments from regulating firearms, another to stop doctors from even asking patients about them and a third to grant licensed gun owners the right to wear firearms outside their clothing — including on college campuses.

Never mind the wingnuttery

Myriam Marquez observes that at the Hispanic Leadership Network's meeting (little more than a jazzed up right wing GOTV conference), "no one mentioned the tea party or that GOP legislators had just spent days in Tallahassee discussing offensive Arizona-style tactics to harass people who talk with an accent or 'look' Hispanic." "GOP wise to court Hispanics".

"We do stupid like Nebraska does corn"

"Here in Florida, we see so many outlandish political ploys that it's hard anymore to get too worked up about any particular one. We do stupid like Nebraska does corn. Still, one Central Florida legislator's proposal for a new law is so box-of-rocks awful that it's worth highlighting." "An idea as dumb as it sounds: Make it a crime for doctor to ask you about guns".

Thank you, Mr. Obama

"Florida is stuck in the transition between the time when companies stop laying off and when they begin to hire, said economist Sean Snaith, director of the Institute for Economic Competitiveness at the University of Central Florida's College of Business. ... U.S. companies are predicting a 9 percent increase in jobs when adjusted for seasonal employment, such as summer workers." "Florida 'on the cusp' of job creation".

Fl-oil-duh

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board argues that "Congress mustn't drown out sensible proposals to eliminate oil spills." "Better ways to drill". Related: "Bob Graham Wants Greater Standards, Regulations for Drillers".

"It will be up to the Florida PSC"

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "It will be up to the Florida Public Service Commission to ensure a multistate corporate parent treats its Florida customers fairly." "What Florida needs from new utility".

Fop on first

"Sen. John Thrasher made an important political endorsement on Saturday. Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, had remained officially neutral in party primaries and races for Republican offices as chairman. But once the GOP state executive committee elected his successor, the powerful political player endorsed Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, for the party's 2012 U.S. Senate nomination." "Thrasher endorses Haridopolos for US Senate".

Wingnut of the week

We usually don't link to letters to the editor, but this laffer is worth a read: "Unions destroying America".

Biofuels

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "States that produce their own energy have a big economic advantage over states like Florida that do not. The unemployment rate in Florida in November was 12 percent. In Iowa, the leading producer of ethanol, it was 6.2 percent."

Florida imports almost all of its energy, which means it exports money. A good way to keep some of that money at home would be to look to what has always been a cornerstone industry in the state: agriculture. Lately it has suffered from bad weather and falling property values even as food and energy prices have increased. And unlike drilling for oil in state waters a few miles off shore, tapping biofuels would not jeopardize our coast or our $65 billion a year tourism industry.

Conservative Florida leaders, including Agriculture Secretary Adam Putnam from Polk County and Sen. Mike Bennett from Bradenton, are right to explore reasonable ways to help farmers and ranchers get into the energy business.