The state Supreme Court is expected to rule Friday whether Gov. Rick Scott overstepped his authority by refusing the $2.4 billion in federal funding for the project, effectively killing the line between Tampa and Orlando. On Thursday, justices grilled lawyers representing Scott and a pair of state senators who filed suit, attempting to sort out the powers of the Legislature and governor in what could be a last gasp for rail advocates.

One justice, Barbara J. Pariente, said she "cannot clearly see the legal right" to bind the governor and future legislatures to complete the train.

"Taj Mahal" update

"Florida's taxpayers will not pay all of the bills for furnishing the posh new 1st District Court of Appeal building, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater said." "Florida CFO rejects bills for furniture, photos at 'Taj Mahal' courthouse".

Sorry Ms. Bondi, but Florida required to implement HCR

"A federal judge said states should continue to implement the federal health care law championed by President Barack Obama as the suit moves to the U.S. Supreme Court." "Florida judge: States should move forward with federal health care law". See also "Vinson Orders Feds to Move Fast on Health-Care Law Appeal", "Florida judge: States should move forward with federal health care law" and "Judge: States must continue with Obama health overhaul".

"Florida's return to the environmental dark ages"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "For Florida's politicians, this ought to be elementary:"

Protect the environment because the environment drives Florida's economy — and because good stewards of the economy win elections.

In fact, many state lawmakers are paying lip service to that notion, saying we need to safeguard what makes Florida unique because of our tourism and all the people who want to move here.

But get past the talk and here's what lawmakers actually are busy proposing: diluting the funding that water-management districts need to oversee projects, including Everglades restoration; weakening laws and departments that can check sprawl; laying the groundwork for selling environmentally sensitive lands; and halting land-preservation purchases.

Florida's environmental quality of life actually increases chances that companies and families would want to remain or relocate here.

See you in Havana

The Tampa Tribune editors "have never followed the foreign-policy logic of allowing flights to Cuba from Miami but not from Tampa, home to thousands of Cuban-Americans."

So when President Barack Obama recently decided to allow any airport that is capable of handling the immigration oversight to apply to host direct charter flights, we joined many other Tampa interests in welcoming the business opportunity. ...

But more contact is exactly what some people don't want. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Miami has said he is determined to find a way to limit the flights to the existing gateways of Miami, New York City and Los Angeles. Rubio argues that additional flights would additionally strengthen the Castro regime.

So far his efforts to frustrate a slightly more open attitude toward Cuba have failed. Unfortunately for Tampa-area residents with close family in Cuba, Rubio promises to keep trying to restore Miami's Florida monopoly.

This country's half-century attempt to isolate and impoverish Cuba must continue, it can be argued, if for no other reason than to express moral indignation at the heavy-handed one-party system and state-run economy.

The stronger argument, with revolution on the minds of information-hungry populations in Libya and many other unlikely places, is that contact with the outside world is a powerful enemy to a repressive regime.

Ricky starts by losing 1,600 jobs

"State Department of Health plan would cut 1,600 jobs".

The Tri-Rail comparison

"Gov. Rick Scott has pointed to state subsidies of Tri-Rail as a warning against high-speed rail. But is the comparison valid?" "Gov. Rick Scott raps Tri-Rail while rejecting high-speed rail funding".

Voucher madness

"For years, private-school vouchers have been criticized as a drain on public school funding and a violation of church-state separation. But a new voucher bill is coming under fire for a whole new reason: Giving voucher providers special access to restricted state information." "New voucher bill 'smacks of favoritism,' critics say".

"Broward private schools benefit from vouchers".

Which side are you on?

In her latest column, Jackie Bueno Sousa starts out correctly - by noting that "Public union leaders are being unfairly blamed for the fiscal mess at many of our state and local governments" - but quickly falls into a black hole of nonesense; she continues:

Sure, compensation — particularly pensions and benefits — for many public employees is overly generous. No doubt some public unions have a stranglehold on the democratic process by essentially ensuring the success or failure of political candidates.

Privatization kickbacks

"Gainesville businessman Edward Lee Dugger has admitted paying kickbacks to former Florida corrections officials to gain access to a prison canteen business that provides snacks and other items to inmates and visiting family members." "Gainesville businessman admits paying kickbacks to former Florida corrections officials".

Bring it on, Ricky

Related: "Rasmussen Poll Shows Scott Walker Flailing".

Public records

"The office of Gov. Rick Scott will now be charging for public records requests, under a new policy announced today." "Scott to charge for public records".

Will Florida's workers get the same support?

The Miami Herald editorial board is happy to support collective bargaining for employees who work out-of-state: "Gov. Scott Walker’s showdown with public employees in Wisconsin has turned from a necessary exercise in deficit reduction into a harsh union-busting maneuver that has more to do with politics than with fiscal responsibility."

Mr. Walker has insisted that in order to erase the state’s $3.6 billion deficit — coincidentally, the same as Florida’s — Wisconsin would not only have to slash the pay and benefits of public workers, but also strip the unions of the right to negotiate contracts for their members. That’s what has turned Wisconsin’s deficit shortfall into a political confrontation with nationwide repercussions.

Mr. Walker is following a conservative political blueprint other governors can copy if he’s successful, designed to weaken public unions that contribute mostly to Democrats. Yet it’s hard to see what is “conservative” about telling workers that they cannot sit down to negotiate with their own government. It’s anti-democratic and fundamentally unfair.

Most negotiations revolve around basic issues like working conditions, grievances over hours, vacations, sick leave, schedules and breaks and so forth. Stripping unions of the right to bargain over these issues won’t fix the state’s deficit, but it will demoralize union members and eventually thin their ranks.

Mr. Walker denies political motivation, saying he just wants to improve the state’s finances. Yet when unions made major concessions regarding bigger deductions from their paychecks for pensions and health benefits to offset reduced state outlays — amounting to an effective pay cut of around 7 percent — it was not enough to end the standoff with the governor and his allies in the Republican-controlled Legislature. They sense a once-in-a-generation chance to roll back union rights and cripple their political adversaries in one mighty power grab.

"Awake the State" to flop?

"Tuesday's 'Awake the State' protests might draw a combined crowd of 8,000 at sites across Florida, but organizers say the turnout in Tallahassee, when the Legislature opens, will be tiny. A permit request for the Leon County Courthouse grounds says "less than 100 people" are expected to attend the 10:30 a.m. event. It is one of 17 scheduled rallies protesting Gov. Rick Scott's proposed $5 billion in state budget cuts."

Meantime, at the Capitol, tea party groups will conduct a noon "Save Our State" rally in support of the governor. Among the confirmed speakers will be state Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island.

Inspired by the raucous public-employee protests in Wisconsin's capital, Florida's "Awake the State" campaign has been drumming up support via social-media sites for the past few weeks. March 8 was the designated rallying date, as it is opening day for the 2011 Legislature.

But Tallahassee protest organizers were caught napping when tea party groups pre-emptively reserved the old Capitol grounds, a favored location for large political gatherings of thousands of people.

The courthouse grounds, a much smaller venue two blocks away, can only accommodate about 100 persons, a county official said.

Stimulus kicking in

"Employers hired more workers in February than in any month since May last year and the unemployment rate fell to a near two-year low, raising hopes the economic recovery has gathered critical momentum." "Feb. payrolls surge, jobless rate near 2-year low".

Entrepreneurs in action

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Fewer scams, lower rates: End state's reputation as the national center of auto insurance fraud".

Obama shares stage with proto teabagger

"Eager to show some bipartisanship, President Barack Obama is sharing a stage in Florida with Jeb Bush, brother of the former president whose policies Obama blames for sending the nation's economy spiraling into a recession."

Recall how Jebbie,

said Obama's tendency to blame his brother's administration for problems, including the economic crisis, was "childish."

His sometimes stinging response filed Wednesday with the Florida Supreme Court calls them “senators whose policy preferences have not prevailed in the political process.”

Republican Thad Altman and Democrat Arthenia Joyner filed the lawsuit Tuesday, saying Scott overstepped his executive authority by killing the project after the Legislature approved it and appropriated money for it.

Oral arguments in the case are set for 3 p.m. on Thursday. Both sides have asked the judge to rule by Friday. ...

In a 29-page court document filed Wednesday, attorneys for Scott argue that the Legislature appropriated only $131 million for high speed rail, not the entire $2.4 billion awarded by the federal government.

To fulfill the request made by Altman and Joyner, Scott’s attorneys say, would require the court to order the Legislature to appropriate the entire $2.4 billion, order the governor not to veto the legislation, and, if the governor does veto the legislation, not to override the veto. ...

In a reply to Scott filed by Altman and Joyner on Wednesday afternoon, the pair said it’s incorrect that they want the court to take over the rail project.

They say Scott "set up a fake argument just in order to tear it down."

Joe Little weighs in:

Joseph Little, professor emeritus at the University of Florida law school who specializes in state Constitutional law, said he believes Altman and Joyner have a strong case.

“In my opinion, once the Legislature enacts the statute and directs that something be done, then the governor’s job is to enforce that statute,” Little said. “He can say he doesn’t like it, but he has to enforce it.”

Conservative leaders at the state and national level, who are usually defenders of the rule of law and the limits of constitutional authority, have been oddly silent on the issue.

Privatization follies

"The recommendations, released in a 154-page report late Tuesday, call for cutting 1,608 department jobs and consolidating dozens of divisions and bureaus. One of the proposals would buck the powerful doctors' lobby by lifting a requirement that the department secretary be a physician. The reorganization would lead to many department duties being shifted to other state agencies, privatized or eliminated altogether."

In another big change, the report calls for contracting with a private company to run at least part of the Children's Medical Services program. CMS serves children who have a variety of serious medical conditions.

Haridopolos ignores his own advice to return calls from the media

"Senate President Mike Haridopolos' $152,000, four-year-old book became available today to anyone with a Kindle. For $9.99, readers can get advice on how to display their names on a campaign sign and learn that the Legislature has two branches, the House and Senate."

Haridopolos didn't immediately return a request for comment made through his legislative office. He also didn't respond to several requests for comment on the original story, ignoring his own advice in his book to promptly return phone calls from the media.

Florida's campaign finance system concentrates power among a few

"The state’s campaign finance system is tilted to favor political parties, a dynamic that contributes to a partisan divide in the Capitol and concentrates power among a few lawmakers." "Campaign dollars are hard to track".

"Florida is not one of those enlightened states"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "President Barack Obama extended an olive branch this week to opponents of health care reform by agreeing to let states act sooner to create their own programs. It’s a smart political move for the president, and it could lead to innovative solutions by states whose leaders are sincerely interested in ensuring their residents have access to affordable health care. Unfortunately, Florida is not one of those enlightened states."

More than 4 million Floridians are uninsured, yet Republicans in Tallahassee fight health care reform at every turn and are more interested in saving money and battling Obama than in helping residents get coverage. Gov. Rick Scott deceives voters by calling the federal law a jobs killer, and Attorney General Pam Bondi basks in publicity surrounding the Florida-led federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the law. The state Senate even plans to vote next week to place a state constitutional amendment on the ballot that aims to prevent Florida from participating in national health care reform.

There's an idea

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Pay for drug database with money seized during last week's statewide raids on clinics".

"Significant partisan divide"

"The U.S. government won't grind to a halt Friday after bipartisan House and Senate votes this week to finance another two weeks of federal operations. But as anyone who's attended recent congressional town hall meetings in Palm Beach County can attest, a significant partisan divide remains over spending, taxes and the deficit." "Fla. reflects partisan divide in vote delaying U.S. government shutdown". Related: "Republicans Look to Force Bill Nelson's Hand on Spending".

Scott's fool's gold

"Florida's corporate-tax rate has become a pivotal driver of state politics ever since Gov. Rick Scott proposed cutting education and other expenses to give businesses a tax break. He wants to eliminate the corporate tax during the next seven years in hopes of luring more companies to the state."

But in a recent survey of business executives for Area Development magazine, corporate taxes ranked sixth among the most important factors when companies relocate or expand — trailing transportation, labor costs, tax exemptions, occupancy and construction, and tax incentives.

Florida's current corporate-tax rate of 5.5 percent is already near the bottom among states with flat rates, which range from 4.6 percent to 9.9 percent. The tax now funds education and other services, generating about $2 billion a year in revenue for a state currently facing a $3 billion budgetary shortfall.

Of the 32 states with flat rates, only five have rates lower than Florida's: South Carolina, Utah, Michigan, Colorado and Ohio. Those states combined are home to 52 headquarters for companies on the Fortune 500 list of largest U.S. corporations. The five states with the highest tax rates — Pennsylvania, Minnesota, New Jersey, Rhode Island and California — are home to more than 120 Fortune 500 headquarters.

Does these count as Ricky-jobs?

"More rickshaws coming to Fort Lauderdale".

"A legal no-brainer"?

Bill Cotterell: "State Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, has a bill allowing concealed-weapons permit owners to wear their guns openly, Old West style. There are fashion reasons not to, but it seems like a legal no-brainer." "Clarence Thomas may be silent, but the Curmudgeon never is". Related: "Stearns gives gun bill another shot".

Rules for teabaggers

Joy-Ann Reid: "For the enterprising conservative seeking political stardom, some tips for getting to the top."

1. Smack the teachers around.

Maybe you grew up respecting teachers, policemen and firefighters. But if you want to make it in today’s GOP, they are “public enemy No. 1.” stardom is directly connected to your propensity to punch them — especially teachers — in the face.

2. What’s good for Wall Street doesn’t work for people who aren’t rich. ...

Wall Street has to dole out obscene salaries and bonuses to retain top talent — otherwise, who’d tank the economy so tea party governors could cut corporate taxes and slash spending on the backs of poor people and teachers? ...

3. Corporations, good . . . unions, bad.

Florida Romney country?

"2012 Around the Corner, Mitt Romney Continues to Build in Florida".

"Free Market Florida"

"A new group claiming that California-style regulation and litigation are crippling Florida’s economy has launched to 'take the fight to' environmental groups and other 'special interests.'" "Free Market Florida prepares to do battle with environmentalists".

5 gears in reverse

"Responding to a Florida Independent story revealing ties between Project SOS, a federally funded Jacksonville abstinence education program, and Martin Ssempa, a controversial Ugandan pastor who supports a law in that country that prescribes the death penalty for homosexuality, program founder Pam Mullarkey says she wants to 'dissociate and distance' herself from 'allegations' about Ssempa made by 'the US media.'" "Project SOS founder says she won’t work with ‘Kill the Gays’ pastor ‘in the foreseeable future’".

"Pain-Capable"

"State Rep. Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami, says he filed House Bill 321 because he’s 'pro-life, a devout Catholic and based on the scientific evidence,' he believes 'you can have a debate on when a child can feel pain and when that fetus is viable.' His bill, titled the 'Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act,' would not allow a woman to have an induced abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy." "Trujillo says science on fetal pain is inconclusive, still pushing forward on anti-abortion bill".

Jebbie's "bureaucratic nightmare"

"The Medicaid Reform Pilot program running in Broward County since 2006 has not improved or increased health care coverage, but has instead become a bureaucratic nightmare with lower costs because of reduced services. That was the consensus of speakers at a Tuesday evening workshop held in Hollywood and organized by Democratic state Rep. Elaine Schwartz." "At Broward workshop, testimony that Medicaid Reform Pilot is a failure".

"No Crist to save teachers from the Republicans"

Mike Thomas: "This time there will be no Charlie Crist to save teachers from the Republicans."

One of Charlie's last acts as governor was vetoing the infamous Senate Bill 6, which would have tied teacher pay and job security to student test scores. Teachers and their unions cheered, but I knew it was a short-lived victory. The unions are on the wrong side of history.

A new bill has been filed, and Rick Scott will sign it.

Nelson files bill "amid the glare of publicity"

"Facing a protest by Holocaust survivors, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson filed legislation that would allow them to sue European companies that have failed to pay their families’ life insurance claims from before World War II." "Sen. Nelson files Holocaust survivors’ bill".

Rising casino revenues

"While casinos in other parts of the country struggled, Florida tribal casinos enjoyed rising revenues in 2009, a new report says." "Florida casinos buck national trend".

Farmworker protest

"Immokalee farmworkers group plans Publix protest Saturday in Tampa".

Scott's "sweeping and ill-advised change"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "The details of the budget process in Florida might seem like a subject that would matter only to accountants. Or geeks."

But Gov. Rick Scott has proposed a sweeping and ill-advised change in that process that deserves the attention — and opposition — of all Floridians, starting with members of the state House and Senate. It could have a negative impact on what state government does, who it serves and how accountable it is to the public.

In his proposed state budget, Mr. Scott has called for shrinking or eliminating 124 trust funds associated with specific government activities or programs. The cash from those funds, almost $8.5 billion, would be dumped into the general fund, the biggest pot of money under state government control. There, it would be available to spend on "Florida's highest priorities," according to the governor's office.

Problem is, trust funds weren't created to bankroll the broader priorities of whoever happens to be in charge in Tallahassee.They are intended to provide a consistent and predictable source of money for narrowly defined purposes.

Alleged "journalists" at work

One wonders if it was the "writers" - in this case Matthew Haggman and Martha Brannigan - or the editor(s) that slurred the union in the following Miami Herald article this morning:

Former TWU union boss Wessell Clarke told The Miami Herald last week it was his understanding the 12 union members "are working on the mayor’s behalf."

The claim was denied by Talib Nashid, the current transit union boss, who said committee members were talking with workers across the far-flung bureaucracy about the current federal audit into the transit agency and the county’s budget – even though the budget was passed in September.

Tampa election detail

"Analysis: Breaking down the election results".

"Revolving door in Tallahassee"

"Term limits have spun a revolving door in Tallahassee, where the House seems like a training ground for future senators." "How term limits reshaped Florida politics — for better or worse".

Posada

"Top Cuba exile leader may have funded ex-CIA agent".

Florida's "Isolated GOP Governor"

The Huffington Post's Sam Stein: "Down in Florida, Gov. Rick Scott's steadfast opposition to a national high-speed rail project has put him squarely on an island, with federal, state and even local officials all petitioning him to change course. "

The latest chapter in the saga came on Tuesday, when leading Republican and Democratic state Senators formally sued the governor in Florida Supreme Court in an attempt to salvage the high-speed rail plans. Just hours later, the Court announced Scott had until noon on Wednesday to respond in kind. His office responded to the lawsuit (not the Court) with a statement from the governor declaring that his "position remains unchanged."

And why not? Scott has, if anything, shown remarkable imperviousness to political pressure on this front, continually insisting the plan would cost the state an additional $3 billion in overlays -- a number defenders insist is pure fiction. While in D.C. for a national governor's convention on Friday morning, he met with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood at LaHood's office in the southwest corridor of the city. A long, frank discussion ended with the governor promising to provide a list of what he needed to support the high-speed rail project by the end of this week. So far, Transportation officials confirm, he has not provided it.

Unlike Walker -- who still retains the backing of Republican office-holders in state -- Scott has engendered the opposition of GOP lawmakers in state and federal office. And on Monday night, the mayors of three affected cities -- Orlando, Tampa, and Lakeland--gathered privately with the governor to pitch him, once again, to accept the plan.

The rich are different

"Gov. Rick Scott: Leaving on His Own Jet Plane".

Obama soils himself

"President Barack Obama will share a political stage at a Miami high school Friday with former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, giving the president’s education initiative a bi-partisan boost. The Republican governor, who last summer criticized Obama as 'childish' for continuing to blame the sluggish economy on former President George W. Bush, will join the president and Education Secretary Arne Duncan at Miami Central Senior High School where Obama is to deliver remarks on his push for improving U.S. schools." "Jeb Bush teams up with Obama to promote education reform". See also "President Obama, Jeb Bush to tour Miami high school noted for turnaround".

Republicans distancing themselves from Rivera

"The investigations into Rep. David Rivera’s finances have top House Republicans worried and looking to distance themselves from the freshman lawmaker." "House leader 'concerned' over investigation of Rep. Rivera".

Scott goes after state employees

"In Florida's budget, most of the money is in salaries and benefits for state employees and public school teachers as well as the state-federal Medicaid health care program for low-income and disabled people. So that's where Republican Gov. Rick Scott and the GOP-controlled Legislature have been looking for savings in the face of a forecast shortfall of $3.6 billion or more for the budget year beginning July 1." "Florida budget cutters focus on public employees".

While the rest of us were sleeping

"A wildfire on the southern end of Volusia County quadrupled in size Tuesday, burning more than 16,144 acres in Volusia and Brevard counties. However, parts of Interstate 95 and U.S. 1 that had been closed Monday were reopened, and firefighters said Tuesday night they were moving toward the 'mop up' phase." "Wildfire grows but firefighters move toward 'mop up' phase". See also "'Iron Horse' brush fire 25 percent contained as crews search for hot spots" and "16,000-acre brush fire 25 percent contained".

Turning the couches upside down

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "You know the economy is shaky when lawmakers begin to turn the couches upside down for spare change. That is essentially what is happening now, as Florida legislators consider adding advertising to some taxpayer-owned assets. The idea has been floated in Tallahassee at the same time lawmakers are considering legalizing online poker at dog tracks, horse tracks and jai-alai frontons. In the face of a $4 billion budget shortfall, lawmakers such as State Rep. Irv Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, are being aggressive. Slosberg suggested selling naming rights to the Florida Turnpike." "Ad revenue is tempting for state lawmakers".

Not do bright

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Bright Futures reform needed".

Death penalty lawsuit

"State Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda wants to abolish Florida's death penalty." "Rehwinkel Vasilinda files bill to abolish state's death penalty".

Rubio strides world stage

"Sen. Marco Rubio Elevates Florida Role in Latin America Policy".

Attack on Florida unions unabated

Over at Daily Kos, a diary discusses

HB1023, which has just been introduced in the legislature by Rep. Scott Plakon (R-Longwood). The remarkably short little bill aims to decertify all -public- -unions- (actually all unions, whether public or not) (excepting police and firefighters) that do not have at least 50% membership as of July 1, 2011. ...

HB1023 is just one of the several bills being discussed in committees right now, although it's the one I'm most concerned about. Two (SB830 and HB1021) look to remove the ability of members to have dues automatically deducted form their paychecks, while another (HB1025) requires unions to send out annual financial statements including information about how members can go about getting their unions decertified.

Dear Representative Plakon

I'm writing in response to House Bill 1023 (HB1023) which you have sponsored. First, I want you to know I oppose this Bill for all the obvious reasons. More importantly, I want you to withdraw firefighters as an exclusion from your Bill. As a firefighter for almost 30 years and the President of Orlando Professional Fire Fighters IAFF L-1365, a labor union, we do not wish to be excluded from your attack on unions. Although I do not speak for the entire State of Florida and it's firefighters, I do speak for Orlando Fire Fighters IAFF L-1365 and know that many firefighter union leaders share the same opinion of HB-1023 and object to the exclusion of firefighters unions.

Professional Fire Fighters are proud labor unionists and we stand with the rest of labor during this unjust and ideological attack by you and the right wing of your party. To exclude us is a mistake, we will not show favor to those who attack labor and the working class, excluded or not. I would prefer you not hide behind firefighters in your ideological and self serving attack on labor and the working class of this State.

Sincerely

Steve Clelland, President
Orlando Professional Fire Fighters IAFF 1365

Tampa

"Ferlita to face Buckhorn in runoff; Greco edged out". The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "A last hurrah and a fresh start".

It's Obama's fault!

"Rising Gas Prices: All Signs Point to Obama".

Does Scott administration wants a fight with the Legislature?

"E-mails obtained by the Florida Tribune show that members of Gov. Rick Scott’s own staff were suggesting that state lawmakers needed to sign off on the sale of the state’s two airplanes. Additionally, the former head of the state agency responsible for the planes cautioned late last year that the elimination of the state’s aircraft service itself could require a change in state law." "E-mails show Scott's own staff suggested legislators needed to approve plane sales".

Debtors prisons next?

"Bill would garnish wages of public employees with unpaid fines".

Never mind them judges

"Bankers want to do an end-run around the judicial system, which is backlogged and choked by fraud." "Hays says bill would help stem "coming tsunami" of commercial foreclosures".

"This year's 'dirty water bill'"

"Business group lobbyist says bills seek to avoid duplication but one environmentalist says they represent this year's 'dirty water bill.'" "Bills filed to streamline state permitting processes".

Will Scott back up his words?

"A sweeping bill meant to boost the power of the state’s ethics commission has been filed by Sen. Mike Fasano. But it remains unclear whether or not the GOP-controlled Legislature will pass the measure since it includes ideas that have been previously rejected. Fasano’s bill is modeled after the recommendations that came from a critical grand jury report that said the state needed to toughen up its ethics laws in order to battle corruption. Gov. Rick Scott has previously voiced support for carrying out the changes recommended by the statewide grand jury." "Sweeping bill would boost power of ethics panel to investigate elected officials".

Thank you, President Obama"

"A dam good fix for damaging Glades canals".

Braynon routs Celestinin a special election

"Democrat Oscar Braynon II handily won a seat to the Florida Senate Tuesday, defeating Republican Joe Celestin in a rout in a special legislative election. With a majority of precincts reporting, unofficial results gave Braynon an easy victory, expected in the heavily Democratic district." "Braynon defeats Celestin in Florida Senate race".

We urge Boehner to attend a Florida bargaining session

"Boehner: Unions Have 'Machine Gun' Pointed At 'Heads Of Local Officials'".

Funny that ...

Regarding the potential NBA labor fight (more precisely, the owners (a delicious double entendre) preventing the players from working (via a lockout) the Orlando Sentinel editorial board finds the "thought of rich players and even-richer team owners squabbling over money is hard to stomach, especially when much of America is still struggling to recover from the Great Recession." "NBA lockout would be Orlando's Loss".

Funny how the editors were unable to put pen to paper about the recently concluded labor negotiations involving more 20,000 lowly paid Disney employees. It would have been nice to read something like this: "The thought of the immensely rich Disney company squabbling over money with lowly paid central Florida Disney employees is hard to stomach". No such luck.

Bus drivers have temerity to participate in political process

"County bus drivers are part of a 12-member 'education' committee created in January by the transit union, which supports Mayor Carlos Alvarez. One driver was at an early-voting site Tuesday passing out leaflets in favor of the mayor." "Role of transit workers in Alvarez campaign questioned".

Haridopolos' sweetheart deal

Fred Grimm: "Few authors in academic publishing have landed a book deal like that enjoyed by the Florida Senate president and celebrated author of an 175-page examination of . . . well . . . legislative history and processes."

Few authors in academic publishing have landed a book deal like that enjoyed by the Florida Senate president and celebrated author of an 175-page examination of . . . well . . . legislative history and processes.

Most authors of academic works collect a piddling 15 to 20 percent royalty on their sales, in a segment of the publishing industry that gets excited over the prospect of selling 5,000 copies. “The most I’ve ever made was enough to take my wife and myself to a nice dinner,” lamented Robert Jarvis, Nova Southeastern law prof and the author of 18 academic books, all of them actually published.

Prof. Mike Haridopolos was paid $152,000 a [single] copy.

Another remarkable deal. Here’s a fellow with no more than a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas (the Harvard of the Ozarks), who landed a sweet university gig in an era when his very Legislature was committing unspeakable acts upon higher education.

No one has quite explained how Haridopolos the Senate president has managed to get so much money out of institutions with such desiccated budgets.

Opposition to Ricky's cuts

"A majority of Floridians don't want the state to abandon either restoration of the Everglades or state-regulation of growth, according to a new poll commissioned by an environmental group opposed to budget cuts proposed by Gov. Rick Scott." "Poll shows support for 'Glades, growth management".

"She insists it was lawful"

"Miami-Dade prosecutors say the politician illegally solicited a $25,000 "donation" from a prominent developer; she insists the request was lawful." "Lawyers give opening statements in Spence-Jones bribery trial".

"Classic chamber double-speak"

Mike Thomas: "Scott went on CNN on Sunday to argue that Florida would be better off using ObamaBucks to expand our ports than build high-speed rail."

Backing that up, the Florida Chamber of Commerce says better ports could bring us 143,000 new jobs.

If ports are so great, how come Scott isn't putting any state money or any long-range planning into them? And this is classic chamber double-speak, talking about the need to invest in the future while at the same time glomming on to the latest scheme to slash taxes for its members.

Rail dreams

"Florida's governor joins others at a black-tie affair at the White House on Sunday evening. The Obama administration lobbies Rick Scott on high-speed rail, but Scott remains unmoved." "Gov. Scott goes to White House"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "The project's key backers must make the case for SunRail to the governor." "Saving commuter rail".

Public employees at work

"A wildfire in central Florida has burned more than 13,000 acres, prompted evacuations and destroyed some structures." "Central Fla. wildfire grows to 13,000 acres". Meanwhile, "Thousands expected for fallen officer's funeral".

Scott can't get his facts straight

"PolitiFact: Gov. Rick Scott reaches too far to compare state pension problems with Social Security's".

"A giant step backward"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Attorney General Pam Bondi wants to make it harder for felons to get their civil rights restored. This is a giant step backward and a waste of resources with questionable long-term benefit to public safety." "Step backward on rights".

Rod Smith's "unenviable task"

Daniel Ruth: "Consider that you are Rod Smith, the newly minted chairman of the Florida Democratic Party, an unenviable task somewhat akin to being given the reins managing the careers of Mel Gibson, Lindsay Lohan and Amy Winehouse." "Smith finds few stars in Democratic skies".

Teabaggers go after Alvarez

"Alvarez’s base is largely supporting a campaign to recall him from office. To defeat the effort, Alvarez will have to rely on the support of county employees and their unions. He will have to court swing Anglo voters and pivotal black voters who have been wary of him in the past." "To win recall, Mayor Alvarez may need to appeal to new groups".

Ricky's guy

"Enterprise Florida names new president at Scott's urging".

"Contest to replace U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson"

"Tuesday is Election Day in the contest to replace U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson in the Florida Senate. Vying for her post: Democrat Oscar Braynon II and Republican Joe Celestin." "Voting takes place Tuesday in Florida Senate race".

As Ricky fiddles ...

"DEA sets up Fla. pill mill hotline".

Former friends

"A group of Holocaust survivors, who once considered themselves friends of U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, will be protesting his Miami Beach fundraiser with President Barack Obama on Friday because they say the Florida Democrat has broken a promise to them."

Their unprecedented protest outside the swank Fontainebleau Hotel will be aimed at Obama, too.

Three years ago, they say, Sen. Nelson promised South Florida survivors in his Washington office that he would file legislation to allow them to sue European insurers that sold their families millions of dollars in life insurance policies before World War II. During the 2008 presidential campaign, they say, Obama and vice presidential candidate Joe Biden gave their word of support, too.

Now, a group of survivors, who were children during World War II, say Nelson and Obama have gone back on their word. They accuse them of siding with giant insurance companies over Holocaust survivors.

First lesson: pay attention to teabaggery

"Crist will lecture at Stetson law school".

Tampa voters go to the polls

"Tampa voters will go to the polls to elect a mayor and seven city council members from a crowded field of candidates ... Political analysts say it's unlikely any of the mayoral candidates - Bob Buckhorn, Dick Greco, Rose Ferlita, Tom Scott and Ed Turanchik - will get more than the 50 percent in Tuesday's citywide contest needed to avoid a runoff." "Tampa residents go to the polls to elect mayor".

When it comes to FRS, Scott is "comparing apples and aardvarks"

Bill Cotterell: "In proposing that state employees pay 5 percent of salary toward their pensions, Gov. Rick Scott makes good political and policy arguments. But when he citing the 'unfunded actuarial liability' of the Florida Retirement System, he's comparing apples and ."

But aardvarks the keep at it: "Florida’s pension system: A ‘ticking time bomb’ as Rick Scott says, or rock solid?".

Bits and Pieces

Kevin Derby's "Political Bits and Pieces".

"Lining the pockets of insurance companies"

Broward County is "the largest of five counties participating in a 2006 pilot program implemented under former Gov. Jeb Bush that puts Medicaid recipients into privately managed care. Gov. Rick Scott and Republican lawmakers want to expand the program statewide during the upcoming legislative session, which begins March 8."

"Let me tell you a doctor's perspective on Medicaid - we don't participate. It's that simple," said Dr. Miguel Machado, a St. Augustine neurosurgeon and head of the Florida Medical Association.

Doctors also complain the Medicaid HMOs refuse the tests and medicine they prescribe.

Broward County obstetrician Dr. Aaron Elkin can no longer see pregnant Medicaid patients in the critical first trimester because private providers won't pay for it. If a patient has a suspicious breast lump, he said, timely mammograms and biopsies are impossible.

Critics say the state is jeopardizing the care of poor and disabled patients to line the pockets of for-profit insurance companies, especially because there's been little data evaluating the pilot program five years later. That data showed a small decrease in expenditures, but it was unclear if that was because patients got less care or it was delivered more efficiently.

"Governing Florida like a business"

Kenric Ward: "Rick Scott is governing Florida like a business -- and that's made the former health-care CEO the bete noir of pro-labor progressives and union-loving Democrats. But Scott's agenda is just what the voters ordered to revive an ailing economy, say corporate leaders and grass-roots conservatives."

Seth McKee, a political science professor at University of South Florida St. Petersburg, sees built-in problems to running a state like a business.

"By its very nature, representation involves lots of compromise and responsiveness to voter concerns, and if Scott continues to be tone deaf, he will be bipartisan in his alienation of political supporters in and outside of Tallahassee. He definitely isn't behaving in a manner that reflects a desire to win re-election," McKee said.

"Perhaps most striking is that he doesn't even bother cultivating support for his plans from the Florida electorate -- beyond a very small group of tea party folks. It's bizarre," McKee added.

But Lee, who served in the state Senate for 10 years, says it would be a mistake to dismiss Scott as some sort of novice.

"The environment drives a lot of the mandate. People want to shrink and right-size government. [Scott] doesn't have the vocabulary of a politician, but it would be naive to underestimate his political acumen. His high-speed rail decision was a good example of that," Lee said.

Political observers have also noted that Scott has stopped short of making a Walker-esque attack on public unions' collective-bargaining privileges[*], which may suggest he's more savvy and less ideological than his critics care to admit. He's at least keeping his options open.

Lee said that even Democratic businessmen he knows are "incensed at the pro-government worker rhetoric" wafting around the state. "These guys look at their offices and half the cubicles are empty. The dynamics of the times drive people's ability to change," he said.

Haridopolos needs to disgorge this $152,000 now

"New Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos was paid $152,000 by Brevard Community College for his 2007 book, 'Florida Legislative History and Processes.' It was supposed to be a textbook-quality look at Florida political history, but its 175 double-spaced pages mostly contain his political advice, with some basic government included. Only one copy exists publicly, stored at the school."

t was supposed to be a textbook-quality look at Florida political history, but its 175 double-spaced pages mostly contain his political advice, with some basic government included. Only one copy exists publicly, stored at the school.

As Scott sleeps, "Florida's center of illicit drug trade"

"After two years and more than 5,000 deaths from prescription drug overdoses, the tool that could be the key to helping reverse Florida's position as a center of illicit drug trade is on the brink of collapse." "A planned database to monitor Florida's infamous pill trade is being swallowed up by politics". Related: "Pill Mill Fight Path Unclear in House".

Rail dreams

"Florida gets more time for hi-speed rail". Travis Pillow asks: "What next for Florida’s rail systems?"

Did Ricky reject the cost of the meal?

"Gov. Rick Scott dines with Obama at White House".

And your "free market" solution for this is what ...?

"Florida not only leads the United States in the number of [children who died of abuse or neglect after child welfare authorities had performed at least one investigation], it dominates the nation."

After a controversial decision by child welfare administrators to halve the number of children taken into state care — while reducing the number of children receiving protective services with their birth families — the number of dead children with a child protection investigative history almost doubled, from 35 in 2001 to 69 in 2009. No statistics are available for 2010.

Over the past six years, 41 percent of all children who died of abuse or neglect in Florida had been the subject of at least one prior contact with child protection authorities, the state Department of Health reports. The average for all other states: about 12 percent.

Entrepreneurs in action

"Clinic faces $200 million Medicare fraud allegation".

"Florida showdown with the Republican Party"

"Florida may be headed for a showdown with the Republican Party and the early primary states over the date of its 2012 presidential primary."

Some early-state Republicans are even calling for the party's national convention in Tampa to be moved to another state if Florida sticks to its schedule-busting, January primary.

The January date jumps ahead of Iowa, New Hampshire and other early states, breaking party rules.

Hard right spoiling for a fight

Hard righter, Nancy Smith appears to be spoiling for a fight with Florida's labor movement. She warns that "for public employees who are the members of these unions -- and I'm talking about teachers more than any other group -- protesting Wisconsin-style comes at great risk. For Florida teachers, the risk is closer to certainty. It's personal and it's not about being part of some grand brotherhood. It's a risk they shouldn't take. Period. You just can't compare the citizens' perception of unions in Florida and Wisconsin."

Smith argues that most Floridians "don't live in a union culture and they have little sympathy for union members or patience for union shenanigans[*]." "Florida Teachers, Beware Wisconsin Stinky-Cheese Effect".

- - - - - - - - - -
*Smith loses most readers, except of course her Teabagger audience, when she uses derogatory phrases like "union shenanigans" to denigrate the exercise of a fundamental constitutional right - which is what union concerted activity is in Florida. Too bad, because there may have been the glimmer of a legitimate point somewhere in her column.

"Modernizing Florida's tax structure"

The Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy: "Modernizing Florida's tax structure would (1) close the state's budget gap, (2) prevent the most severe cuts in essential services like education and health care, (3) increase fairness, and (4) fix the state's long-term structural budget deficit." "Tax Modernization Would Produce Revenue for Critical State Needs".

Bondi backwards on civil rights

The Sarasota Herald Tribune editorial board: "Unwisely, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi intends to make it harder for convicted felons to get their civil rights restored. This would be a step backward for the state and for community productivity. ... Bondi has offered few details, but her press release suggests she'd return to the type of cumbersome rights-restoration system of Florida's not-so-distant past." "Wrong way on rights restoration".

Renewable energy

"Utility-backed renewable energy legislation returns in the Senate".

"Simply too extreme"

"A handful of high-profile Christian activist groups and conservative legislators have declined to lend their support to Florida’s proposed fetal personhood amendment, an initiative that aims to outlaw abortion and some forms of birth control."

That’s not deterring Personhood Florida leader Bryan Longworth, who says many of those who “have a negative view of the bill have participated in an abortion” and “have to come to grips with the fact that they participated in taking their own child’s life.”

Anti-abortion critics say the initiative is simply too extreme, and are instead supporting legislation like a bill that would require that women seeking an abortion undergo mandatory ultrasounds.

"U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson has already dealt the Obama administration a staggering blow on health reform, and this week the administration may get another one from the fiery Florida judge." "Obama's 'risky move' in Florida".

Natural environment preservation programs on the chopping block

"Eager to slash taxes and restrain government spending, Gov. Rick Scott and Republican budget-cutters in Congress are seeking to chop big chunks of state and federal funding for programs designed to preserve the natural environment."

Government regulations to clean the air and water and prevent global warming are under attack. Even Everglades restoration, long a sacred cow for environmentalists and leaders of both political parties, may fall victim to the budget ax.

Stop "Waiting for Stoopid"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Orange County School Board Chair Bill Sublette shoots down the myth of charters as 'a silver bullet,' an impression that might have been left with those who saw the documentary 'Waiting for 'Superman.''"

Orange has closed six charters since the first one opened in 1997, including Cyber High in 2002, MESTA High in 2004 and Origins Montessori Charter School in 2007. Not that it's a simple matter to pull the plug on a lousy operator. Imminent threats to health and safety are the surest route to closure. Otherwise, charter sponsors must document other "good causes" such as student performance and financial woes. And then provide the charter 90 days to clean up its act. After that, schools can drag out a closure for months with appeals.

Meanwhile, there's evidence that the seductive promise of impressive gains may be overstated. A recent U.S. Department of Education report found that fourth-graders in traditional public schools outscored their peers in charter schools on average by 4.2 points in reading and 4.7 points in math on the National Assessment of Educational Progress test.

Will Bondi hide under her desk?

"A group of faith community leaders will submit a petition to the State Attorney’s Office in Orlando Friday morning requesting that Florida Attorney General Pan Bondi hold banks accountable for their role in the mortgage crisis that has caused an avalanche of foreclosures." "Churches petition state's Attorney General to go after banks over foreclosure".

Recall begins

"Early voting began Monday at 20 locations in the recall election for Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez. More than 20,000 absentee ballots have already been returned for the March 15 election." "Early voting begins Monday in Miami-Dade recall election".

"Political theater for ... a governor seeking national name recognition"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board warns against a "protracted fight, like the one that continues in Wisconsin, [as] good political theater for union leaders and for a governor seeking national name recognition. But it's a bad way to craft the best policy."

Nevertheless the editors continue their shilling for the Chamber of Commerce/League of Cites/James Madison Institute/TaxWatch axis, although even the editors have come to acknowledge that:

The many lower-income workers on state and county payrolls, whose pensions are relatively modest, would be hardest hit. We're talking about highway patrolmen, game wardens, clerks and secretaries.

Rubio stays under his rock

"Despite his high-profile post, Florida’s Republican 'rising star' is staying out of the spotlight." "In D.C., Marco Rubio takes measured approach".

Florida a proxy fight for 2012

John Kennedy: "Florida hasn't been rocked yet by the kind of political convulsions coursing through Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio, where unions and Republican governors have squared-off in angry protests and even walkouts by Democratic lawmakers."

President Obama carried each of these states in the 2008 presidential contest and next year, combined, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and Florida contain one-quarter of the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House.

Florida is the largest of these toss-up states. And the Tallahassee power struggle, while growing more fierce, is clearly looking like a proxy fight or - this being Florida - spring training, for the 2012 campaigns.

"Gov. Scott campaigned on exactly what he's doing now, and, unlike a lot of politicians, he's keeping his promises," said Robin Stublin, with Florida Alliance, a coalition of 130 tea party groups planning to rally on the steps of the state's Old Capitol within hours of the session's opening.

Ethics challenged Haridopolos schedules dozens of fundraisers

Aaron Deslatte: "Senate President Mike Haridopolos enjoys one big advantage over his Republican rivals in the 2012 U.S. Senate contest ahead: he can use the influence of his powerful office to command serious campaign cash."

Unlike other potential GOP candidates such as former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux or U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, Haridopolos has direct control over whether a host of issues in the upcoming legislative session pass or fail. Companies and interest-groups with interests in those bills are eager to pony up big checks to presiding officers seeking higher office.

That's part of why state legislators are generally barred from fundraising during the 60-day session slated to start March 8.

But the prohibition doesn't apply if they're running for a federal office.

Haridopolos has lined up dozens of fundraisers over the next few weeks. And the Merritt Island Republican told reporters last week he had no intention of curtailing them unless incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, a Democrat, agreed to his own fundraising cease-fire.

intends to press on. And his spokesman, Dan McLaughlin, said Haridopolos needs to get his own house in order. Haridopolos last week was formally reprimanded by the Senate Rules Committee for not disclosing the names of clients who paid him for consulting work.

"Someone who … admitted to serious ethics violations shouldn't be running around issuing challenges to others on how to behave in public office," McLaughlin said.

A message to you, Ricky

"Minutes after announcing the biggest raids so far against pill mills, South Florida's top law enforcement leaders last week sent a message to Gov. Rick Scott." "Politicians ask Gov. Scott to reverse stand on prescription drug monitoring program". Related: "11 South Florida pain clinics raided Wednesday".

Broward backwards on books

"Broward County libraries once again in budget-cut crosshairs".

While the rest of us were sleeping ...

... Florida firefighters were pulling the charred from human beings from their fiery death traps: "Two people were killed about 3:30 a.m. Sunday when the car they were in struck a tree ... and burst into flames. Hollywood Fire Rescue extinguished the blaze". "Two die in fiery Hollywood crash early Sunday".

And so it begins

"Demonstrators chanted 'Wis-con-sin' and 'the tea party's over' as they gathered in the sunny terrace between the state Capitol and Florida Supreme Court." "Pro-union rally held at Capitol" ("3 counter-demonstrators turn out to support GOP")

Haridopolos, the sorry state of Florida education

"His perch atop the state Senate earns him $41,181 a year. His salary as a UF lecturer is $75,000, paid for by private funds. He is tied for having the most expensive salary among six lecturers overseen by the provost’s office, according to UF figures. The average is $57,610. Critics questioned his academic credentials, as he has not finished his PhD at Florida State University." "State Senate president leads other life – as prof".

"His way or the highway"

"It hasn't been hard to figure out Republican Gov. Rick Scott's priorities as he heads into his first legislative session - his mantra has been jobs, jobs, jobs. What's less known is his strategy in achieving his top goals of making the state business friendly and trimming government spending."

[W]hile he pledges to cooperate, there are skeptics in both parties who are predicting he will start the session acting like a CEO whose goal is to push things through and ignore opposition.

"It's like we're all his employees and it's his way or the highway. I think he doesn't realize that the Legislature is an equal partner," said Democratic House Leader Ron Saunders of Key West. "It's like a corporate takeover, he's now the CEO of a new corporation. He acquired all of us as employees and expects us to fall inline without asking questions."

RPOFers jumping on the TABOR bandwagon

The Miami Herald editorial board: "In Tallahassee, nothing could be more in vogue than trimming government spending. But bad things happen when everybody jumps on the bandwagon without looking down the road, as could be the case with a fast-tracked proposal to set strict limits on growth in state revenue."

This fad has been tried elsewhere, but its shortcomings forced an eventual rollback.The measure, sponsored by Fort Lauderdale Republican Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff and championed by Senate President Mike Haridopolos, was approved 5-2 along party lines last week in a subcommittee meeting before the formal start of the legislative session.

Union busting under way in Tallahassee

Even the most predictable among us among us get it.

A column today by a noted right winger, Mike Thomas, although filled with misinformation and ignorance of basic principles of labor law (perhaps from spending too much time with his equally ignorant Chamber buddies), manages to muddle through to an obvious point:

[T]here is more than one way to bust a union. And the effort to do that is very much under way in Tallahassee. ...

Some Republicans are pushing legislation that basically would bankrupt the unions and eliminate their campaign contributions.State Sen. John Thrasher, the former chairman of the Republican Party, is leading legislators to the low road. He wants to forbid governments from deducting union fees from paychecks, and forbid unions from contributing to political campaigns without permission from members. This would pretty much bankrupt the unions and dry up a major source of campaign money for Democrats and various liberal causes.

It is a very big deal. The teachers unions spent millions trying to unseat Jeb Bush. They funded the class-size amendment, contributed to Thrasher's opponent in the last election, led the charge against a referendum that would have weakened the class-size amendment, and contributed to Alex Sink and the Fair District amendments, which Republicans are trying to overthrow.

Eliminating the union's political contributions would give Republicans a huge advantage in future campaigns.

I may disagree with many union positions [and he does]. But the fact that an organization disagrees with you doesn't negate its right to do so [big of you, Mikey]. ...

If union members don't want to pay dues, if they don't like what their leaders are doing with their dues, they are free to stop the money from coming out of their checks any time they want.

"Republicans have kicked over a political hornet's nest"

"Scott and the Florida Legislature's ruling Republicans have kicked over a political hornet's nest by promoting budget cuts, pension overhauls and civil justice changes, which are now emerging as targets for statewide rallies by Democratic-allied organizations." "GOP’s reform push stirs rivals".

For sale

"Lawmakers eye advertising on state parks and assets".

Did Scott break law in ousting advocate?

"Watchdogs of the nation's nursing-home industry are calling for an investigation into Gov. Rick Scott's abrupt dismissal of the state's long-term-care ombudsman, claiming that the governor's 'interference' was illegal. For two weeks, advocates for patients' rights have waged a campaign to persuade officials of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the federal Administration on Aging to look into the Feb. 7 ouster of Florida ombudsman Brian Lee." "Gov. Rick Scott broke law ousting state's nursing-home overseer, watchdogs say".