Democrats asked why such a sweeping piece of legislation was being rushed.

"This is an extreme makeover," said Rep. Dwayne Taylor, D-Daytona Beach, "and getting it just last night, I haven't been able to digest all that's in it."

The bill's most controversial provision would wipe out a 40-year tradition in Florida that allows voters who have recently moved to update their voting address at the polls when they vote. The bill would require those voters to cast provisional ballots instead.

Baxley defended the change as needed to prevent fraud, such as the same voter voting twice.

Leon County Supervisor of Elections Ion Sancho called it "disturbing" and "appalling" to threaten the disenfranchisement of tens of thousands of voters solely because they moved.

LeMieux to announce

"George LeMieux is set to enter the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, a possibly contentious contest in which the winner will face incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson. The Buzz is LeMieux will make the announcement next week." "Republican George LeMieux ready for U.S. Senate race".

They'll "sit and sneer at each other"

"The House and Senate next week will vote out their 2011-12 budget plans: $66.5 billion and $69.8 billion, respectively."

But this is no abstract game. The outcome has real-world consequences affecting each Floridian. By session's end, lawmakers will decide how many state workers are laid off, how much schools are cut, how much money state attorneys will receive, whether transplant patients go without medication or if there's more state oversight of the taxing powers of state water-management districts. ...

How will it get done? The master of the game, Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander — crafting his third budget in 14 years — won't say. He smiles when asked the question: "We'll sit and sneer at each other."

Another one bites the dust

"WMFE selling its Orlando TV station".

Well ... he is good at pleading the fifth

Aaron Deslatte: "Cynics might say Gov. Rick Scott is pushing tort reform because he's getting dragged to the courthouse so often." "Gov. Rick Scott is also Defendant Scott".

Most states forbid Scott's "share shuffle"

"If you have a $62 million investment, representing the biggest single chunk of your $218 million in wealth, and you put it in a trust under your wife's name, does that mean you're no longer involved in the company?"

Florida Gov. Rick Scott says it does.

Scott has aggressively pursued policies like testing state workers and welfare recipients for drugs, switching Medicaid patients to private HMOs and shrinking public health clinics. All these changes could benefit that $62 million investment, but Scott sees no legal conflict between his public role and private investments.

And, experts say, under Florida law he is correct.

But in Florida, nothing bars Scott from promoting policies that could benefit a company from which his family benefits financially.

• Scott supports bills that would move nearly 3 million Medicaid recipients into private managed care plans. Solantic accepts traditional Medicaid at only one location but it contracts chainwide with several private Medicaid plans. If passed, the law would dramatically increase Solantic's potential patient base.

Would the company seek contracts with new Medicaid HMOs? "We don't have enough information at this time," said chief executive Karen Bowling.

• Scott favors legislation that would require all adult welfare recipients — about 58,000 people — to have drug tests at their own expense. About 100,000 more would be affected by his plan to do random drug screenings of all state employees at a maximum cost of $3.5 million to the state. Bowling said Solantic would not bid on that job as long as Scott's shares remain in the trust.

"We don't have centers in Tallahassee and don't have plans to open one," she said. "I would think most of the state volume would be there."

• Scott's budget slashes funding to public health departments, which handle checkups, immunizations and travel shots for many people who don't have private physicians. Solantic, which charges $50 for a basic physical and recently started catering to international travelers, could pick up some of this business.

Bowling said physicals and shots are a very small percent of Solantic's revenues; more than half its business is nights, weekends and holidays when most other providers (including health departments) are closed.

• Scott appoints the heads of the Agency for Health Care Administration and Department of Health, which license, inspect and investigate complaints against providers such as Solantic. Herron, the ethics lawyer, said it's legal.

"An avalanche of boos" for Scott at Rays game

"The booing began in earnest well before the game even got under way. But it had nothing to do with the Tampa Bay Rays. ... It had everything to do with who was throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to kick off the Rays' season – Gov. Rick Scott."

Scott, wearing a No. 45 Rays jersey to mark that he's the 45th governor of the state, took to the mound amid an avalanche of boos and just a smattering of applause. ...

Hours before the game began, about 100 sign-toting protesters gathered outside the stadium, urging those arriving to unleash their boos on the governor.

They carried signs that said things like "Hey Rick, pick on someone in your own tax bracket" and "Trade Rick Scott to the Yankees."

Ironically, Scott also was booed at a New York Yankees spring training game at Legends Field recently.

More from the "values" crowd

"A proposal that would permanently divert at least $194 million annually in real estate-related taxes from Florida's affordable housing program to general state spending won approval Friday from the Senate Budget Committee."

The panel also voted to slash health care spending for transplant recipients and other "medically needy" patients with catastrophic illness but who lack sufficient insurance coverage.

Those were among several cost-cutting bills the committee approved that would conform state law to a $69.8 billion budget the panel approved Thursday for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

That sets the stage for floor action in both legislative chambers, which will be followed by negotiations to settle differences in their respective appropriations bills.

"The irony of ironies"?

Kenric Ward: "Score another victory for the Confederates. In what surely has to be the irony of ironies, yet another federal judge has sided with the Sons of Confederate Veterans in the group's ongoing battle to distribute its 'heritage' license plates." "Florida Legislature Burned by Confederate Plate".

Actually, Mr. Ward, it is hardly the "irony of ironies", but rather a poignant manifestation of the difference between the plantation system extolled by "southern conservatives", and the "liberal" federal constitutional regime so many Northerners sacrificed for.

Audubon Society gets off its derriere

"The Florida Audubon Society filed a motion in the Florida Supreme Court on Friday asking to enter a brief supporting a suit challenging the constitutionality of Gov. Rick Scott’s executive order freezing rule-making."

Specifically, the motion mentions a rule on hold intended to protect Miami’s Biscayne Bay. “This delay only exacerbates and aggravates the current degradation of Biscayne Bay’s vulnerable ecosystem and aggravates and increases the difficulty (and cost) of restoration,” say court papers.

Eric Draper, executive director of the Audubon Society, said other rules on hold are also at issue.

"Scott bent on destroying Florida's environment"

The words of the Tampa Trib editorial board: "The gist of growth management bills moving through the Legislature is simple: Let developers do as they wish and prevent citizens from doing anything about it."

This effort has nothing to with creating jobs — the state is swamped with unoccupied dwellings. But it will ensure that when growth does return, developers can do as they please without regard for the costs to taxpayers or impacts on communities.

We have been there before. Until growth laws were adopted, developers built hither and yon across the countryside and left taxpayers with a costly backlog of needs for roads, schools and other necessities.

Yet at a time when overbuilding has lowered property values for virtually every homeowner in Florida, lawmakers would eliminate the requirement that developers demonstrate the need for the new project, weaken the rule that the necessary roads and other services be available, and virtually end state oversight, which has proved critical in ensuring local governments follow their plans. ...

Growth management may well be jettisoned in a year when lawmakers appear http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifinterested only in hearing what campaign contributors say. But Floridians will be paying the price and suffering the consequences for decades.

Exporting hate

"More die in riots over Gainesville pastor's Quran-burning".

Florida's "prescription drug monkey"

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "Prying the prescription drug monkey off Florida's back is going to require more than just one approach. That means Scott ought to accept OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma's $1 million offer to set up the database. And his recent order for random drug testing for state employees suggests he has overcome his qualms about expensive governmental intrusion." "Pill-mill problem: Get on the same page".

It seemed like a fine idea at the time ...

The Saint Pete Times editors: "Motorists should not have their constitutional rights violated to use one of the state's toll roads, which is what the Florida Department of Transportation appears to have done in harassing perhaps 260,000 drivers in a fumbling attempt to detect counterfeit currency. The suspended program cost more than the illegal tender confiscated, and now the department could find itself in an even deeper financial hole as the subject of a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of detaining motorists at toll plazas and forcing them to answer personal questions." "Hefty toll to find bogus bills".

Bits and Pieces

Kevin Derby's "Political Bits and Pieces".

Tax cuts for 'ye ...

"Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs asked health-care industry leaders Friday to lobby for legislation, stalled in Tallahassee, that would expand the number of industries to which local governments could offer temporary tax breaks." "Jacobs enlists health leaders to push tax breaks".

"One-term wonder?"

Mike Thomas: "Rick Scott, the one-term wonder? Poll says yes".

"A coup brewing in Tallahassee"

The Sun-Sentinel editors: "There's a coup brewing in Tallahassee. Some lawmakers — still stinging after the state Supreme Court struck three of the Legislature's flawed constitutional amendments from last year's ballot — have offered an array of proposals that would take authority and independence from the judiciary." "Legislation would weaken, undermine Florida's judiicial branch".

12 years of RPOF "leadership"

"Palm Beach County homeless count includes people displaced by economic hardship".

So much for affordable housing

"The so-called State Economic Enhancement and Development (SEED) Fund would be housed in Gov. Rick Scott's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development. It would spend money from trust funds dedicated to affordable housing, transportation projects and trade and promotion." "Bills would move trust fund money".

Rich kids only need apply

"Florida university students can expect to pay at least 15 percent more for tuition next school year — a financial burden that comes at the same time state lawmakers are considering slashing all Bright Futures scholarships by about $1,000 a year. Community college students also face an increase – possibly up to 8 percent – as the Legislature searches for ways to help colleges recoup lost revenue." "More pocketbook pain for Florida college students".

Florida Lawmakers "preparing to gut union strength"

"While political assaults on public employee unions in Wisconsin and other states have been grabbing the headlines, the workers' counterparts in Florida also have been under attack from the Republican-controlled Legislature."

Lawmakers are preparing to gut union strength, curbing their ability to collect dues through automatic paycheck deductions, forcing them to get written permission from each member before making political contributions and calling for unions that fall below a certain level of membership to be stripped of collective bargaining rights.

"Florida’s desire for its own special place in the sun"

"With Florida lawmakers feuding with the traditional early presidential voting states of Iowa and South Carolina, the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida has proposed a compromise. Chairman Dave Bitner is now advocating 'moving the primary into late February, making Florida fifth on the calendar,' saying this would satisfy both the national party’s desire for an 'orderly primary calendar' and Florida’s desire for its own special place in the sun." "Florida GOP chair offers 2012 deal". Related: "S. Carolina GOP fuming over Florida early primary date".

They're jus' bedsores ...

"Lawmakers are considering a proposal to make it more difficult to sue negligent nursing homes and limit the amount of money awarded in a lawsuit. The proposal (HB 661, SB 1396) would cap non-economic damages at $250,000 in wrongful death cases involving nursing homes for the first time. It would also make it more difficult to obtain punitive damages, and prohibit naming an out-of-town owner or investor of a nursing home in a lawsuit. The measure passed the House Civil Justice Subcommittee on Friday in a party-line vote after an hour of testimony and debate. The bill drew the ire of lobby groups like the AARP and the Florida Justice Association, which represents trial lawyers." "Legal Protections for Nursing Homes Advance".

"Dirt-dealing plan"

"With more than 6.8 million acres already under state and local government control, the Florida Legislature is angling to sell and buy more land. The dirt-dealing plan, buried in a Senate budget bill, directs agencies to sell off unneeded property. But it also would funnel all proceeds into the Florida Forever trust fund for the purpose of acquiring still more acreage." "Land-Recycling Scheme Buried in Budget Bill".

"The Manchurian Uterus"

"News that state Rep. Scott Randolph was scolded for saying the word 'uterus' on the House floor has prompted hundreds of people to go online, and to say the word 'uterus.' The story has prompted a series of e-protests, and the creation of a Facebook page for the Uterus. In case you missed it: Randolph's wife, Susannah, gave him the idea to use time during a House floor debate to argue that the only way she should could protect her rights as a woman was to 'incorporate her uterus,' since Republicans are fiercely antiregulation when it comes to business." "Ban on 'uterus' draws a backlash".

Busy bees

"Medicaid, pensions, health care"

Balancing budget on the backs of public employees

"[A]s lawmakers reach the halfway point of the 2011 session, there's no doubt that public employees will see their take-home pay drop as they help pick up some of their pension costs. The only question is how far legislators go in revamping Florida's massive retirement system in the name of saving money." "No Doubt Public Employees Will Pay to Balance Florida Budget".

"A recipe for abuse"

The Saint Pete Times editorial board: "Buss is an encouraging appointment by Gov. Rick Scott, but where Scott's corrections program goes awry is in his attempt to wring millions of dollars from the budget by shifting to private prisons and probation services. Buss also wants to privatize all prison health care programs — something with which the state has had woeful experience. Injecting a profit motive into the provision of inmate health care is a recipe for abuse. Research shows private prisons save little if any money and have a questionable track record." "Fresh ideas on prisons".

"A roomful of lobbyists waiting breathlessly"

"By a one-vote margin,12 to 11, the House Finance and Tax Committee initially voted down the legislation (HB 493), which would have ensured that online-travel companies selling hotel rooms can continue to pay sales and hotel taxes on the lower, wholesale rates they negotiate with hotels rather than the higher amount they charge consumers. The vote — which took place in front of a roomful of lobbyists waiting almost breathlessly for the final tally — would have effectively killed the legislation less than halfway through the Legislature's annual 60-day session. But committee members agreed before adjourning for the day to resurrect the bill and make it available for a re-vote at a later date, leaving it a glimmer of life." "Bill to help Expedia, other online companies with taxes is in trouble".

Pip-squeaking

"On federal debt and Libya, Rubio finds his voice".

Tuff guy afraid to testify

"Attorneys for [Luis Posada Carriles] accused of lying to U.S. immigration authorities about his alleged role in deadly 1997 bombings in Cuba rested their case Friday without calling their client as a witness." "Defense rests in Cuban ex-CIA agent's perjury case".

Car dealer threatens Miam-Dade commission

"Car dealer Norman Braman tells the Miami-Dade County Commission to adopt more-stringent charter reforms." "Braman to county commission: embrace reform or else".

Haridopolos and Cannon work the gerrymandering thing

"Florida legislative leaders Mike Haridopolos and Dean Cannon have resubmitted the state's new anti-gerrymandering amendments for federal approval, but in a way that critics say seeks to allow the Legislature to continue drawing districts to benefit Republicans."

The action means the amendments continue to be a political football despite having been approved by 63 percent voter majorities in the November election.

Republicans, including Cannon, the state House speaker, and Haridopolos, state Senate president, oppose the amendments because of the likelihood they'll reduce the Republican majorities in the state House, Senate and congressional delegation.

The amendments would forbid drawing legislative districts designed to benefit either political party or incumbent officeholders.

Before taking effect, the amendments must get federal approval from the U.S. Department of Justice, called "preclearance," to assure they don't undermine minority voting rights under the federal Voting Rights Act.

Gov. Charlie Crist submitted a routine application for that preclearance before leaving office, but Gov. Rick Scott withdrew it just after taking office. That drew accusations that he was trying to frustrate the will of the voters.

On Tuesday, Cannon and Haridopolos submitted a new application, but said in it that the amendments could harm minority voting rights in Florida, depending on how they're interpreted.

If so, Cannon and Haridopolos said, the Department of Justice shouldn't approve them.

Under another interpretation, the two said, the amendments would not harm minority voting rights and could be approved. That interpretation, they said, would allow the Legislature to continue to pack black and Hispanic voters into a few districts, as they have done in the past.

"Politics will top Census"

"Politics will top Census numbers in carving out legislative representation".

Stoopid

"Florida's new performance pay law would put in place a evaluation system that has been questioned nationally." "Does teacher merit pay bill rely on flawed model?".

Medicaid deform

"The Florida House passed a bill that would dramatically overhaul the Medicaid system, shifting patients into private managed care plans." "House passes massive Medicaid overhaul bill". See also "Florida House passes Medicaid privatization plan".

Dead birds

"Scientists grapple with BP oil spill's cost to bird life".

So much for the "will of the voters"

"State lawmakers are poised to ease class-size requirements. Cash-strapped school districts have asked for the change, though voters rejected the move at the polls last year." "Lawmakers seek ways around class-size rules".

The Confederacy wins one last battle

"A federal district judge in Orlando has sided with the Sons of Confederate Veterans in a legal fight over specialty car-license plates showing the Confederate flag."

U.S. District Judge John Antoon II ruled in favor of the group, which had challenged the constitutionality of state law establishing the license-plate program.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans, Florida Division, had argued that the state's "specialty license plate program constitutes a public forum for free speech."

Sore loser keeps up the wingnut fight

"Claims that the Florida Bar has beaten back judicial reforms proposed by House Republicans were denied by House Speaker Dean Cannon's office Wednesday. Reacting Tuesday to an e-mail issued by three Palm Beach County attorneys and a Palm Beach County judge, Cannon spokeswoman Katie Betta said GOP leaders are continuing the push to reform courts and curb the Bar's influence." "Florida Bar Lawyers Claim Victory in Court Reform Fight".

Today in Tally

"Today in Tallahassee: Petition-gatherer crackdown, budget bills".

Pension-pay cut moving in Legislature

"Bill requiring government workers to contribute 3 percent of salaries moves on party lines vote". "House Committee Backs 'Modest' Pension Reform for State Employees". Related: "Senate moving ahead with dramatically different pension proposal".

Budget blues

"Senate Moves $69.8 Billion Budget".

"Who cares about privacy, ethics or millions of wasted dollars?"

Scott Maxwell: "Scott wants to start randomly drug-testing state employees."

This idea has outraged many who say it would be wildly expensive, unnecessary and a clear violation of privacy and the U.S. Constitution.

But I say: Bring it on!

Who cares about privacy, ethics or millions of wasted dollars?

If there's some teacher's aide at the Florida School for Deaf and Blind who's smoking wacky tobacky on the weekend, we have a right to know!

Even if she's not smoking, she owes us a blood test. Because you can't expect to live a life of luxury — earning $22,000 for the privilege of helping blind kids learn math — without making sacrifices.

Now, I know that many of these employees do top-notch jobs and offer no indication whatsoever that they're using drugs.

Scott doesn't care. He says: "Floridians deserve to know that those in public service, whose salaries are paid with taxpayer dollars, are part of a drug-free workplace."

And whatever our governor says goes double for me. In fact, I say: Let's expand it!

Don't let the door hit you on the derriere

"Scott has replaced his transition director, despite several holes that remain in his administration. ... Mainigi will remain an adviser to Scott but will focus on her corporate law practice at the Williams & Connolly firm in Washington, D.C." "Gov. Rick Scott replaces transition director Enu Mainigi".

Rivera lookin' at a RPOF challenge?

"Anxious to hold onto Florida's 25th Congressional District, Republicans are quietly maneuvering for the seat held by Rep. David Rivera. Rivera, who was elected last year, has been dogged by allegations concerning past financial dealings. A criminal investigation is reportedly under way by the state attorney's office. In the event that Rivera is sidelined -- or even if he isn't -- several big-name Republicans are said to be interested in running in the GOP-leaning district that stretches from Miami-Dade to Collier County. Among the prospective, though unconfirmed, candidates ...." "Will GOP Challenge David Rivera?".

Even the Teabaggers don't like it

"Florida's largest utilities close to controlling everything, squelching competition". "A Renewable Energy Bill That Even the Tea Party Can't Like".

HCR in 11th Circuit

"Florida's lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of federal health care reform legislation is one step closer to the U.S. Supreme Court. Oral arguments for the U.S. Department of Justice's appeal of a Florida judge's ruling that the law is unconstitutional are set for June 8 before the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals." "Florida's health care reform lawsuit heats up June 8".

Republican motion in $20 sex case

"Former [Republican] state representative Bob Allen will not get a new trial. Allen, found guilty of agreeing to pay $20 to perform a sexual act on an undercover Titusville police officer in 2007, asked for a new trial this year because he thought his lawyers did not represent him effectively." "No new trial for former representative Bob Allen".

Privatization run amuck

Fred Grimm says the "Grand jury should have named names" ("The statewide grand jury report released last month, with the kind of hyperbolic, angry language usually employed by bloggers and newspaper columnists, cited 'behavior that can best be explained by corruption of our officials by contractors, vendors and their lobbyists.'").

Nuthin' better to do

"With thousands of people from around the world planning to visit Central Florida for the Gay Days festivities in early June, religious conservatives from the Sunshine State are warning families not to visit the Magic Kingdom on the first Saturday of the month." "Social Conservatives Take Aim at Gay Days at Orlando and Disney".

"Birthers" or "doofuses?"

Leonard Pitts, Jr. points out that would-be GOPer candidate for president, "Donald Trump doesn’t like 'birthers.' He calls the word 'unfair' to people who don’t believe President Obama was born in the USA."

Very well, then. If not birthers, how about if we call them “morons?’’ How about ‘‘jackasses,” “imbeciles,” “idiots’’ or “doofuses?”

Entrepreneurs in action

"SEC claims Fla. couple ran $30M Ponzi scheme".

Prez primary pissing match

"Florida's insistence on an early presidential primary kicked up a storm Thursday from Republican officials in Iowa and South Carolina who are demanding the national party force the Sunshine State to pull back." "Battle over Florida primary".

"Florida’s insistence on an early presidential primary kicked up a storm Thursday from Republican officials in Iowa and South Carolina who are demanding the national party force the Sunshine State to pull back. If not, GOP leaders in the two states say, Florida should lose the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa." "Iowa, South Carolina outraged over Florida primary". See also "Early Florida GOP primary elicits move-convention threats".

"Scott praises, then cuts"

"Scott praises athletes, then cuts programs".

Where are the jobs, Ricky?

"Teleperformance ASD will cut 860 customer service and technical employees in Boca Raton by May 31, the company notified the state of Florida on Thursday. It is one of the largest layoffs in a decade in Palm Beach County". "Telecom firm to lay off 860 Boca Raton workers". More: "Two Broward insurance companies fold".

What's wrong with Hillsborough?

The Scott crowd has too much time on their hands: "They've called for his removal. They've said he is an idiot, a judicial activist, a traitor, a liberal and, yes, perhaps even a Democrat."

In the explosion of criticism against Hillsborough Circuit Judge Richard A. Nielsen after he invoked Islamic law in a case involving a Tampa mosque, the caricature of the judge is absurdly incorrect, friends say.

"In liberal land Christians praying is offensive, 'sharia' law is good," one blogger wrote.

A former Navy chaplain said on YouTube, "Nielsen empowers Islamic terrorists. … God remove him swiftly as a judge."

Critics might be surprised by a few facts gleaned from friends, colleagues and public records.

Nielsen is a registered Republican and a conservative. Jeb Bush, no bastion of liberal politics, appointed Nielsen to the bench in 2000. Nielsen is one of the most active members of Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz. He once removed himself from a case because one of the lawyers was in his Bible study group.

Deregulation frenzy

"You might expect a fight in Tallahassee over education, taxes or immigration, but the licensing of commercial interior designers has taken center stage in the state capitol. ... The House panel spent more time Wednesday on this issue than on the $66 billion budget proposal." "The real knock-down, drag-out fight in Florida is over commercial interior design".

[The] authors of Amendments 5 and 6 said the new request “contains a number of statements that are clearly intended to undermine the intent” of the changes. The application explains that the changes could potentially hurt minority voting strength, but would not if “properly interpreted.”

Former state Sen. Dan Gelber, a Miami Beach Democrat now affiliated with Fair Districts Now, the group that put the questions on the statewide ballot, said in a statement that he would likely file concerns with the U.S. Department of Justice.

The back-and-forth was just the latest twist for a pair of amendments that aim to stop lawmakers from drawing legislative or congressional districts that favor a particular political party. Lawmakers must finish drawing new Florida districts, including two new U.S. House seats, before the 2012 elections.

A look ahead

"A look ahead at the Legislature". See also "Today in Tallahassee: House budget marathon, Senate Medicaid bill" and "2011 legislative summary".

Masters of the universe

"Florida lawmakers take varying views of Obama's Libya explanation".

Sink beats Scott by 20 points

"Overall, 32 percent like his job performance, compared with 55 percent who disapprove. PPP, a firm that often polls for Democrats, says that in a hypothetical matchup, Scott would lose 56-37 to Democrat Alex Sink, whom he bested by the thinnest of margins in November." "New poll shows that Florida Gov. Rick Scott isn't popular". See also "PPP Poll: Rick Scott Upside Down, Marco Rubio Is Solid".

Smart pundits agree: Legislators are whores

Scott Maxwell can't resist pointing out that "Florida lawmakers are among the most innovative pimps you'll ever meet. Just when you think they've exhausted every possible way to prostitute themselves, they come up with something new." "Just what we need: More big money in politics".

On Sunday, Howard Troxler wrote that "The Florida Legislature proved this past week, once and for all, that it is the utter Whore of Babylon." Troxler has more today.

Medicaid deform

Update: "House Readies Medicaid Reform for the Grand Finale".

"The Republican-controlled House turned back a move Tuesday by Democrats to block the wholesale shift of Florida's Medicaid program to private companies and networks of hospitals and other health care providers. ... Republicans say contracting with health management organizations and provider networks would reduce rapidly rising expenses for the fraud-plagued, program that covers low-income and disabled people. It costs about $20 billion now and is forecast to grow to $28 billion by 2014-15." "Florida House begins debate on Medicaid revamp". See also "State House advances Medicaid overhaul".

Republicans won't say that privatizing has the delightful effect of filling RPOF campaign coffers. As Paul Krugman once put it:

Jeb Bush has already blazed the [spoils system] trail. Florida's governor has been an aggressive privatizer, and as The Miami Herald put it after a careful study of state records, "his bold experiment has been a success" at least for him and the Republican Party, records show. The policy has spawned a network of contractors who have given him, other Republican politicians and the Florida G.O.P. millions of dollars in campaign donations."

Speaking of privatization

"Senate budget would privatize many prisons".

Republican from Umatilla attacks "socialism" in Miami and Orlando

"A proposal to shrink Citizens Property Insurance Corp. by raising premiums and limiting the types of policies the state-run insurer can issue passed its first Senate hurdle Tuesday but not before intense debate over what has become Florida’s largest single property insurer with nearly 1.3 million policies."

“Socialism failed in Moscow," said Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla. "It’s going to fail in Miami and Orlando as well."

Who is Plakon's constituency?

"A bill filed by state Rep. Scott Plakon, a Republican from Longwood, threatens to dismantle university unions as well as many other government-employee unions if fewer than half of eligible employees are members."

Convincing employees to pay 1 percent of their salaries to join can be a tough sell. That's because all faculty — union members and non-members — enjoy the benefits of the contracts and salary changes the union negotiates on their behalf.

Legislators return favor

"Legislators return favor to FPL with renewables bill".

Darden Restaurants shameless

"Darden Restaurants is lobbying the Florida Legislature for a tax break that would save the company as much as $5 million a year in sales taxes even as lawmakers weigh deep spending cuts to public schools, prisons and many other areas to cover a nearly $4 billion budget shortfall." "Darden seeking one-of-a-kind tax break from Legislature". See also "Darden profits jump 14 percent".

"It's a Baker Act Convention"

Daniel Ruth: "To paraphrase Mark Twain's famous line, no scintilla of common sense, reality or functioning brain synapses are safe while the Florida Legislature, that parallel universe of addled delusion, is in session."

This isn't even a legislative session at all. It's a Baker Act Convention, an assemblage of crazy people who gather together once a year in a heated competition to see who can come up with the dopiest ideas for laws to foist off on the body politic.

"Legislators willing to divert dollars to cronies"

The Tampa Trib editors: "Former Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom got off in his trial for conspiracy, but he was not vindicated as he claimed. The episode may not have represented corruption, but it revealed a legislative leadership willing to mislead and divert public dollars to political cronies." "The shameful Sansom case".

Gentlemen, start your bulldozers

"Bills gutting growth management sailing through Legislature". See also "Losing controls on growth".

In Tally, "unlimited payoffs from those seeking favorable treatment"

Howard Troxler: "There is no state, no nation, no planet, and no universe where it should be legal to pay off a Legislature directly."

There is no government in which a sworn lawmaker should be able to take unlimited payoffs from those seeking favorable treatment.

And yet this is now precisely the law of Florida.

In Sunday's column I called the Florida Legislature "the Whore of Babylon" for passing a law last week that legalizes its own bribery.

But the topic cries out not to be forgotten. This is a turning point in Florida's history.

It is now legal in Florida for the leaders of our House and Senate, of both the Republican and Democratic parties, to operate what are laughably called "leadership funds."

"Code of honor"

"Three Republican legislators today proposed a 'code of honor' forbidding state lawmakers from voting on any issues they have a personal financial stake in." "Lawmakers propose 'code of honor' bill".

"Singling out unions"

Even the Orlando Sentinel recognizes that the "Florida GOP legislators [is] singling out unions".

"Job-killing regs" kill no jobs

"As lawmakers seek to close a budget gap and eliminate 'job-killing regulations,' a vast deregulation bill would free auto repair shops from providing customers with written estimates that break down the cost of parts and labor."

It would halt inspections of businesses that sell ice, and stop state reports on how charities use their contributions.

Twenty different businesses are targeted in the bill, including movers, interior designers, talent agents and sports agents that recruit and represent student athletes.

And how much money would the state save with these changes?

None.

No Casinos

"A major effort to sprinkle Las Vegas-style casinos throughout Florida is no longer a safe bet, a top lawmaker said Tuesday. State Sen. Dennis Jones, R-Seminole, who has spearheaded the Senate’s gaming efforts the past few years, is withdrawing a proposal to bring five “destination resorts” to the state that would have featured full casino gaming." "Casino bill is dead for session".

We don' need no stinkin' regerlations

"Five S. Fla. eateries closed for health, safety violations".

"Death match"

"Hundreds of green-clad government employees converged on the Capitol on Tuesday for a "death match" with conservative legislators who want to cut pensions, end deduction of union dues and privatize thousands of state jobs." "State workers go green for anti-Gov. Scott rally". Related: "Scott and legislators under fire from protesters".

Budget blues

"Setting up a possible showdown in May, the Senate on Tuesday released a proposed budget for the next fiscal year that is $3.3 billion larger than a competing House plan." "Senate's budget plan higher than House's proposal". See also "Senate, House Budgets at Odds Over How, Not How Much".

College professors next on the chopping block

"Bill Ending Tenure at State College System Clears House Subcommittee".

Lightweight to face Wasserman Schultz

"Karen Harrington announced on Monday that she will run once again for Conrgess against Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz."

Harrington defeated two candidates -- Robert Lowry and Donna Milo -- for the Republican nomination in 2010. So far, at least two other potential candidates stand in Harrington’s way for the Republican nomination. Tea party activist Joe Goldner has filed to run against Wasserman Schultz. Goldner has called for the impeachment of President Barack Obama and supports the federal Defense of Marriage Act Coral Springs businessman James Gleason, who is a vice president of the Republican Business Network, is also considering joining the race.

Florida Forever

"Any revenue for buying land would have to come from the sale of other state lands. Environmentalists are not sure if they like the idea." "Senate budget proposal would include $308 million in spending for Florida Forever".

Scott's rule-making freeze in court

"A blind woman who said her application for food stamps was stymied by Gov. Rick Scott's edict freezing new state regulations filed suit Tuesday in the Florida Supreme Court, saying the governor violated the constitutional separation of powers." "Suit challenges Gov. Scott's rule-making moratorium".

RPOFers save themselves from ethics rules

"Sen. Mike Fasano’s effort to stiffen penalties against corrupt lawmakers and public officials was killed on a 3-8 vote by the Senate Rules Committee, with most of the nay votes coming from fellow Republicans." "Rules Committee kills ethics bill targeting corrupt officials".

"The law of unintended consequences"

The News-Journal editors: "In 2009, the Florida Legislature passed a law tying state court funding to civil filing fees. It seemed like a reasonable move. Foreclosures were skyrocketing, and legislators figured it was only fair that users pay for services. Lawmakers saw dollar signs and a way to unburden the state general fund and to fund the overall court system, which has 20 circuit systems and hears both criminal and civil cases."

But the Legislature made court-system funding too dependent on these fees. Two years later, court revenues across the Sunshine State have fallen through the floor as the number of foreclosure filings has fallen. Yes, fallen. Foreclosures fell because of lawsuits and political pressure questioning the paperwork behind the original mortgages and the foreclosures.

What a deal

"The Florida Prepaid College program was always billed as a bargain for families with college-bound children. It was a really good deal for those who bought into the program before 2007."

That was before the Legislature created "differential tuition," which allows universities to raise rates up to 15 percent a year until Florida's traditionally low tuition costs meet the national average.

Now, when you buy into the prepaid program, those anticipated increases are factored in. The most recent price to sign up a newborn for a four-year university plan was more than $45,000 -- more than double the cost two years ago.

But the families who purchased plans before differential tuition existed don't have to pay those fees. Instead, it's the universities -- and the cash-strapped state -- that ultimately lose out.

Glowing report

"Ship-repair firms in northeast Florida would likely be able to support the maintenance requirements of a nuclear aircraft carrier if one moves from Norfolk, Va., to Mayport, Fla., the U.S. General Accountability Office said Tuesday." "GAO: Fla. industry can maintain nuclear carrier".

With a "watchdog" like that ...

"The South Florida Water Management District has hired its executive director’s boyfriend for a $120,000-a-year job with her administration’s watchdog." "South Florida water district chief's boyfriend hired for 6-figure job".

Nancy Smith: "If ever there was a time and a place for a housecleaning, the time is now and the place is the South Florida Water Management District." "Trouble at SFWMD: Appoint Those Five Board Members Now".

Privatization piggery

"As the Florida Legislature's annual session was about to begin, the big public hospital system Broward Health saw a problem: proposed laws to make it difficult — perhaps even impossible — for its plan to transfer its hospitals to a new, nongovernment entity."

Broward Health deployed Ron Book, one of Florida's most influential lobbyists. In February, Book became the newest, most expensive person on the agency's roster of hired lobbyists. He was given a $114,000 contract in February, joining four other contract lobbyists earning $55,000 each. Broward Health also has a vice president of government affairs. ...

The North Broward Hospital District collects taxes and operates four public hospitals, including Broward General Medical Center, and dozens of clinics and health facilities in the northern two-thirds of the county. Property taxes account for about $154 million of the district's $1.1 billion annual budget.

The seven commissioners appointed by the governor last year unveiled and quickly voted in support of a plan to turn over the district's operations to a new nonprofit group, effectively privatizing the system. After a fierce public reaction, including angry public officials, commissioners softened their stance and said they were only studying the idea.

Supporters said it could reduce the tax money the district needs and allow new business ventures the public district can't engage in. Critics said privatizing the state's biggest public hospital system could mean less care for the uninsured.

The privatization effort, if successful, could reshape the medical landscape in Broward County. The public board would give up much of its regular oversight abilities, and most of the district's operations could be conducted outside the scope of laws that require public meetings and access to documents.

Mentally ill ending up in handcuffs instead of treatment

"South Florida jails aren't used only to house suspected criminals. They're also de facto mental institutions. With legislators in Tallahassee proposing dramatic cuts to mental health services, law enforcement is expecting to bear the brunt, with more mentally ill people ending up in handcuffs instead of treatment." "S. Fla. jails brace for more mentally ill".

"The lack of intellectual honesty here is remarkable"

The Saint Pete Times editors write that Scott's "lack of intellectual honesty here is remarkable."

Scott's intrusion into the private lives of dedicated state employees with no evidence they are illegally using drugs is wrong, ill conceived and likely unconstitutional. But that didn't stop the governor from issuing an executive order last week requiring all new hires in agencies he controls to be drug tested — and for current employees to be tested at least four times a year. State agencies already can require employees to be tested when they are suspected of using illegal drugs, so there is no safety issue here.

The governor's fuzzy reasoning is inexplicable.

But let's start with the conflict of interests. Scott is the founder of the Solantic "urgent care" clinics. I asked his communication office last week if his family would profit from the testing, or if he'd tell Solantic not to do business with the state.

"The claims of a conflict of interest are baseless," was the official response.

Oh. Good to clear that up.

Even if Solantic got all the business, it would have to test all 19 million Floridians a few times a year for Scott to recoup the $70 million he spent on winning the governor's office. But there's other game afoot, and he's got a long time left in office.

As a lawyer, Scott is familiar with the Fourth Amendment, which says the government may not unreasonably search or seize our "persons, houses, papers, and effects." You can almost hear the ACLU popping the latches on its briefcases and booting up its PCs to prepare lawsuits over whether drug testing is an "unreasonable" search.

Government shouldn't shy away from something for fear of lawsuits. But this puts the state in the position of arguing, "You want to work for us? You must be on something." ...

Scott probably wouldn't mind taking a test, as Martinez did, but are we going to require university presidents, Supreme Court justices and legislators? If not, is that equal protection of the laws, as required by yet another constitutional amendment? ...

Come to think of it, what about the CEOs and directors of the companies getting expansion incentives and tax breaks from state government? They're not state employees, but they're surely receiving what is now tax money. When the state cuts the corporate income tax from 5.5 to 3 percent, how do we know the blissful smiles on all those executive faces aren't caused by something other than the prospect of getting even richer?

Voucher madness

"Bills aim to increase number of students eligible for vouchers".

Pollster has close ties to RPOF

"National Republicans are circulating a blog item about a poll that suggests Broward Republican Allen West has a wide lead over his Democratic challenger, West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel. That could be — but the item doesn’t note that the polling firm that did the poll, ViewPoint Florida, has close ties to the Florida GOP." "Republicans tout GOP-leaning West Poll".

The poor thing

"Sentinel reporter Scott Powers was made to wait in a storage closet last week during a private fundraiser attended by VP Joe Biden." "'Good Morning America' interviews Sentinel reporter". Background: "How my wait in a closet almost brought down the White House".

West and Rooney will be hurt by "Fair Districts"

"Does Democrat-dominated Palm Beach County still have enough red precincts to help two Republican congressmen?"

Although Democrats hold a 45.3-to-28.9 percent registration advantage countywide, GOP-leaning areas in the county's north end and along the coast help form the backbone of Republican U.S. Rep. Allen West's District 22, which also extends into Broward County. And northern Palm Beach County Republican strongholds are a smaller but important piece of Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney's eight-county District 16.

When the Republican-controlled Florida legislature draws new political boundaries next year, lawmakers' traditional reflex will be to try to protect rising GOP stars West and Rooney. But a new law and old-fashioned math could bring headaches for Republicans.

The voter-approved "Fair Districts" law forbids drawing districts to favor incumbents or political parties. Even if opponents succeed in getting the law tossed, or if lawmakers figure a creative way around it, it'll be tough to find enough Republicans in Palm Beach County to help both West and Rooney.

In West's District 22, Republicans enjoyed an 8-point registration cushion when the GOP-led legislature drew its boundaries in 2002. By last November, Democrats held a 37.5-to-37.4 percent edge. West still handily defeated Democratic incumbent Ron Klein during the national GOP wave. But the past decade of registration trends and the district's tendency to tilt more Democratic in presidential years suggest District 22 will be a battleground in 2012 and beyond if it retains its current configuration.

RPOFers "gut environmental protections"

When the wingers lose the Tampa Trib editors, you know they've sailed off the deep end: "Florida lawmakers once again are seeking to gut environmental protections and strip local governments of their authority to respond to community needs. ... This deceptive measure threatens natural resources and local authority. It should be rejected." "Another attack on local rule".

"Conservative wing splinters" on union busting bills

"Republican lawmakers pushing a series of anti-union bills aren't getting the unanimous tea party support they expected."

Labor organizations call the bills pure union-busting. Dorworth said the legislation “allows union membership more control over how their dollars are spent.”

Though not necessarily objecting to the bills' requirement that members annually approve the use of dues for political purposes, a few tea party members and libertarians are lining up with unions in opposing the deduction ban.

In doing so, these conservatives aligned with Democrats who blasted HB 1021 on Friday. The House passed the measure 73-40.

"This is targeting teachers, and that's a crime," says Robin Stublen, a Punta Gorda-based tea party leader. "It's a blatant effort to stop political contributions and bust up [unions]."

Stublen notes that government agencies currently withhold payroll funds for a variety of purposes. Singling out worker-authorized union contributions for prohibition is not fair, he says.

"It's all about choice. As long as we allow automatic deductions for United Way, IRAs, braces, car payments, etc., give them that choice, too," Stublen said. ...

Stublen, who organized a tea party rally in Tallahassee on the opening day of the Legislature, urged fellow members in a recent online forum to ask themselves four questions about the bill: "Does it limit government? Is it fiscally responsible government? Does it promote free markets? Does it save tax dollars?

"The answer to these questions is a resounding no. We are on a very
 slippery slope here," he said. ...

Alex Snitker, a Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate last year, voiced similar concerns.

"It almost seems like a waste of time," he said of the prohibition on political withholding. "These legislators were elected to fix the economy, not go after unions."

Snitker, who says he is decidedly "not a union guy," said such legislation simply fires up the opposition.

"They're just pissing off the Democratic base and giving them more ammunition for 2012," he observes.

Not all tea partiers see it that way.

Tom Gaitens, state director for the national tea group, FreedomWorks, says, "Government should not be a party in a political process, especially when those contributions mainly go to one party."

Gaitens said passage of the Thrasher-Dorworth bills is among his group's "top 15" priorities.

Rumsfeld dead enders

"Rumsfeld commands a crowd at book-signing".

Glimmer of common sense?

Nancy Smith: "Scott – who convinced us after the election he’s the anti-regulation governor – apparently opposes a smart, carefully crafted bill aimed at stopping the costliest, most oppressive regulation of all: the EPA's numeric nutrient criteria, scheduled to go into effect in March 2012." "Why Is Rick Scott Only One Not Sold on Anti-EPA Bill?".

Attack on public education via charter schools

"With teacher merit pay reforms out of the way, the Florida Legislature has turned toward charter school expansion, considering two bills this week that would make it easier for highly-rated charter schools to expand enrollment, add grade levels and grant preferential admittance. And just like the swiftly-approved teacher merit pay reforms, the push to expand charter schools has the strong backing of Gov. Rick Scott." "Education in the Legislature: Charter Schools Are Next".

First the teachers, then the lawyers ...

"Republican lawmakers struggling to contain Florida's $20 billion-and-growing Medicaid program are taking an unconventional approach: They're going after trial lawyers and the rights of injured patients to sue."

Although lawsuits, insurance premiums and the amount of damages paid have all gone down since Gov. Jeb Bush drove through caps on medical-malpractice cases in 2003, GOP lawmakers appear poised to dramatically scale back personal-injury lawsuits.

The reason: They hope to entice the influential lobbies for hospitals, doctors and insurers to drop their opposition and swallow Medicaid reform.

"We're hopeful that we can craft a plan that won't make everyone happy but will offer some sweeteners to get them to buy into a reform package," said Senate President Mike Haridopolos, a Merritt Island Republican who has put Medicaid reform atop his agenda this session.

"A loan story"

"The feds are investigating whether Hialeah’s mayor evaded taxes on loan repayments, allegedly in cash, from a Ponzi schemer." "The mayor and the Ponzi schemer: a loan story".

Scott the "prince of darkness"

Tim Nickens writes that the "Scott administration views Florida's Sunshine Laws as a nuisance and the release of public records as a personal favor. It treats public records as private corporate documents and grudgingly distributes what it wants, when it wants — and to whom it wants." "The prince of darkness".

Powerful state Sen. J.D. Alexander (the Oliver Wendell Holmes of Lake Wales) floated his Judicial Workload Incentive Plan this week, a concept that seems novel only to someone unfamiliar with the piece-work pay offered by garment factories a century ago. Instead of dresses, judges earn extra by ripping through caseloads.

Judges, lawyers and prosecutors were incredulous. “They’ll turn us into hucksters,” a Broward County judge complained to me Friday, too wary, amid an anti-judiciary frenzy, to allow his name to be published.

Alexander shrugged off objections. “I’m very serious about it,” he told Steve Bousquet, of the Herald/St. Pete Times Tallahassee bureau. “What we’re trying to do is create some incentives for the courts that are fair and reasonable and save us a lot of money.”

Alexander, with plenty of political juice as chairman of Senate Budget Committee, intends to fold an incentive pay plan into the state budget that sweetens the salary of trial court judges by an extra $12,000 a year. But only if the judges meet performance goals. ...

Alexander figures it would be cheaper to dangle wads of cash in the judges’ faces. Let old-fashioned greed get justice moving again.

With 12 grand in the balance, a judge might hear something quite persuasive in a trial lawyer’s objection to an irrelevant line of questioning. A motion for a continuance? Not so much.

A plea deal, in this coming era, will translate into a year’s worth of tuition at his kid’s private school. One can imagine courtroom specials: very short sentences for very quick and cost-effective pleas. “Today only! Come on down! First five cases get probation.”

The staid, sometimes-plodding march of justice process would give way to a frenzied rush. Something like that classic scene from the 1950s sitcom I Love Lucy, with Lucy and Ethel (imagine them in black judicial robes) going berserk, mouths stuffed full of confections, working the assembly line of a candy factory.

Legislature "the utter Whore of Babylon"

Howard Troxler: "These are harsh words for a Sunday morning, but the occasion screams out for them. I take them from the Bible; please forgive me."

The Florida Legislature proved this past week, once and for all, that it is the utter Whore of Babylon.

It is now legal in our state to pay off the Legislature directly. Who says so? The Legislature.

This is not a joke.

This is not satire.

This is Florida — where the laws of our democracy are now openly, officially For Sale.

Legislators. Sworn to the sacred duty of writing the laws of a free people. Taking legal, direct payoffs from those seeking favorable laws.

If you can swallow that, then your moral relativism knows no bounds.

DOC

Steve Bousquet: "Ed Buss doesn't look like a revolutionary. The low-key Midwesterner has taken the state Department of Corrections by storm as he sets about reforming and revitalizing the nation's third-largest prison system, a place long hostile to change and where outsiders are viewed with suspicion." "Ed Buss wastes little time changing Florida's Department of Corrections".

"High-stakes gamble by Scott"

"If Florida leaders refuse to carry out the new national health-care law, Uncle Sam is prepared to take charge on behalf of the state's consumers."

One year after President Barack Obama signed the health-care overhaul into law, federal officials are urging Florida and other reluctant states to shape it to meet their needs and to take advantage of millions of dollars of federal planning grants. Failure to participate, officials warned this week, means a loss of state control.

Florida and other states, for example, must show by 2013 they are set up to provide a health-insurance exchange, an online service for consumers to compare coverage plans and shop for affordable rates. If states are unwilling or unprepared, the law requires U.S. officials to step in and make a federal-run exchange available for residents at the start of 2014.

But Florida Gov. Rick Scott — backed by fellow Republicans in the Legislature who strongly oppose "ObamaCare" — has refused $2 million in federal planning money and ordered state agencies not to implement the law. In addition, Florida has challenged the law in federal court, in a lawsuit filed before Scott was elected in November.

The standoff reflects an ongoing political debate and a high-stakes gamble by Scott and other critics, who are counting on Congress to repeal the law or federal courts to rule it unconstitutional.

Don't we just love our teachers

"Seventeen stock clerks earned $52,000 or more, while 18 grass cutters and three pest-sprayers were paid about $50,000 — more per day than most 10-year teachers." "In Broward schools, some laborers make more than longtime teachers".

Scott's policy designed to benefit his (wife's) bottom line?

"One of the more popular services at Solantic, the urgent care chain co-founded by Florida Gov. Rick Scott, is drug testing, according to Solantic CEO Karen Bowling."

Given Solantic's role in that marketplace, critics are again asking whether Scott's policy initiatives - this time, requiring drug testing of state employees and welfare recipients - are designed to benefit Scott's bottom line.

The Palm Beach Post reported in an exclusive story two weeks ago that while Scott divested his interest in Solantic in January, the controlling shares went to a trust in his wife's name.

This raised a groundswell of concern and questions about his health policy initiatives, especially his push to move Medicaid into private HMOs. Solantic does not take Medicaid but does business with private Medicaid HMOs. The questions are growing louder with Scott's executive order on drug testing.

"Another huge presidential battle in Florida"

Adam C. Smith: "Get ready for another huge presidential battle in Florida."

In 2008, Obama was the first Democratic presidential candidate since Jimmy Carter to win more than 50 percent of the vote in Florida.

He won America's biggest battle­ground state by nearly 3 percentage points after launching the largest grass roots campaign Florida had ever witnessed, and outspending John McCain on TV ads roughly $36 million to $17 million. And that was in a national climate in which Obama was the candidate of change and longstanding GOP strongholds like Indiana and North Carolina went Democratic.

Winning Florida will take another herculean effort, and there's every sign that Obama and the Democratic National Committee intend to undertake it. The campaign had a stunning 600 paid staffers in Florida on Election Day 2010, and 2012 on-the-ground organizing is likely to start a year earlier this time.

Cut rate

"S. Fla buyers come out for real estate bargains in statewide open house".

The effect of Florida's "lower average wages"

"Even with its jobless rate falling to 11.5 percent, Florida is still tracking a huge 2.6 percentage points higher than the national average. That's better than a month ago, but it's still the kind of gap not seen since the wake of the 1970s recession."

Economists have long warned Florida would lag a national recovery. But was it supposed to be this far behind?

In a State of the States report last week, Wells Fargo Securities cited 10 states that had both weak economic fundamentals and had undergone a severe recession. Three of them — Nevada, Rhode Island and Florida — were singled out as "likely to have the most protracted economic recoveries."

The housing bust and related implosion of the construction industry have been the single biggest albatross holding down any robust recovery.

- Missing the manufacturing rebound: Makers of automobiles, durable goods, electronics, and business equipment are ramping up again. Florida isn't invited to the party.

- Trapped in a vicious cycle: With a higher unemployment rate than most states, many Floridians have less disposable income to spend at restaurants and shops. Those businesses then require fewer employees. That forces some to lay off workers or to close. Which leads to more unemployed.

- Lower average wages: Many of the newly created jobs pay less than the ones lost. Florida has lost construction, government and financial services jobs while it gained a little ground in retail, tourism and health care (primarily lower-paid home health aides and clinic workers). ...

Post recall circus

Myriam Marquez: "The best thing to emerge from the recall of Mayor Carlos Alvarez? An election in about 60 days." "Post recall: Let the circus begin".

Southerland speaks

"U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland told Big Bend residents Saturday he might have to vote for raising the federal debt ceiling, but he said conservative new Republicans in Congress will demand serious commitments to spending cuts and balancing the budget in return for their votes." "Southerland: Budget cuts necessary".

"Lobbyists pleading to keep their industries regulated"

The Sarasota Herald Trib editors: "You know that the anti-government clamor in the Florida Legislature has reached a fever pitch when lobbyists are pleading to keep their industries regulated."

The spectacle unfolding in this year's legislative session would be laughable if the consequences were not so dire for the state and its future.

With businesses worried about the potential loss of government oversight, Floridians in general should be on high alert over lawmakers' plans to slash education, growth management and environmental protection.

"A sprint to see how low Florida can go"

Thomas Tryon: "Florida began its annual race to the bottom as usual — with a head start over most states."

With a constitution that prohibits both an income tax and an inheritance tax — and grants substantial property-tax breaks for homesteads — Florida has long had one of the lowest tax burdens of the 50 states.

Florida has, in effect, run a marathon campaign to attract people and businesses by offering comparatively low taxes.

Now, first-term Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders are in a sprint to see how low Florida can go. ...

Florida's race to the budget bottom could be justified if there were compelling evidence that driving down state and local tax revenue translated into economic and social progress — or, if the state's taxes were out of line, on the high side, with national norms. But that evidence is lacking; Florida's taxes are only out of line on the low side. ...

So, when Florida's governor and Legislature say the state doesn't have enough money to fund vital services, what they're really saying is that Florida doesn't generate enough money.

Ricky to hand off another unfunded mandate

"Scott has proposed shifting a $4.4 million state pretrial intervention program to local public-safety officials, and separate bills pending in the Legislature would curb county-based pretrial release options." "State leaders may steer more inmates to local jails".

Ponzi schemer

"The feds are investigating whether Hialeah’s mayor evaded taxes on loan repayments, allegedly in cash, from a Ponzi schemer." "The mayor and the Ponzi schemer: a loan story".