ECON 201: FREE MARKET THEORY. Sponsored and faculty approved by: Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation. Evils of government regulation; wisdom of tax cuts for the rich; rehabilitation of trickle-down theory. 3 credit hours.

POLI SCI 400: ADVANCED SOROS. Sponsored and faculty approved by: Soros Fund Management. Topics include advancement of international socialist conspiracy; ...

POLI SCI 400: EXPLORATION OF U.S. CITIZENSHIP. Sponsored and faculty approved by: Committee of Real Americans, If You Know What We Mean, and We Think You Do. Lecture topics include forensic examination of birth certificates; deconstruction of constitutional citizenship; field trip to Kenya; legal claims that Hawaii was never a valid state in the first place. 3 credit hours.

METEOROLOGY 300: CLIMATE 'CHANGE.' Sponsored and faculty approved by: National Council on Digging Up Fossil Fuels and Setting Them on Fire. Topics include, "It Snowed Last Winter Up North, Didn't It?" 3 credit hours. ...

"Stare-down over judicial nominations"

"In a stare-down over judicial nominations, Gov. Scott blinked. As if he had much choice."

Looking to fill two seats on Florida's 1st District Court of Appeal, Scott was given a list of seven names from the Judicial Nominating Commission.

According to state rules, up to 12 names (six for each slot) could have been provided. And Scott requested that complement.

But Katherine Giddings, a member of the 1st DCA nominating commission, said at a meeting Tuesday, "We let the governor know we sent him the seven names and those are the names we're going to be sending."

In other words, he gets what he gets.

Having made two unsuccessful requests for more names, Scott will proceed to interview the seven candidates forwarded by the JNC, said Scott spokesman Lane Wright.

The nominees to replace retiring Judges Charles Kahn and Peter Webster are: Jim Daniel, Miguel Olivella Jr., Stephanie Williams Ray, Charles Stampelos, Ronald Swanson, Jessica Enciso Varn and Waddell Wallace,

The JNC reported received 25 applications and interviewed 16 candidates.

Haridopolos "meltdown"

"Asked in March about his campaign against Sen. Bill Nelson (D), Florida Senate president Mike Haridopolos pointed to his performance in the legislature. 'I think I'll be judged on how I do my current job,' said Haridopolos. 'My job is to be the spokesman and keep the trains running on time.'"

A few months later, his first session in the job is over, and it ended with an ugly legislative meltdown.

Haridopolos was out-manuevered in the final days of the session by more liberal Republicans who stymied him on some conservative proposals. On one measure, he was outvoted 32 to 6. The night the session was supposed to end, disputes with the state House forced lawmakers to stay on to break the logjam.

The trains did not run on time. Will it take a toll on Haridopolos’ Senate bid?

Losing the best

"Pension system changes spur more teachers to consider retirement".

From the "values" crowd

"A popular bill that could have regulated sex between the developmentally disabled in group homes was thwarted by last-minute legislative infighting." "Legislature kills bill that would have monitored sex at group homes".

Checking the Teabaggery

"State Sen. Jack Latvala failed to pass 29 of the 38 bills he sponsored this year, but he might have been the session's most effective lawmaker. ... State Sen. Jack Latvala, a St. Petersburg Republican, dismantled some of the top priorities of the conservative House by assembling interchangeable coalitions of senators attracted to his independence and reverence for Senate traditions." "Latvala slowed conservative march".

Will Scott lose 600 jobs?

"Florida officials apparently plan to shut down Glades Correctional Institution, possibly leaving its 300-plus workers without a job in an already-economically ravaged region by July 1."

Mothballing the Belle Glade prison, one of the state's oldest, is part of a Department of Corrections overhaul approved by lawmakers during the legislative session that ended Saturday.

Department officials would not confirm Wednesday that the prison is slated for closure but state budget documents show that GCI and Hendry Correctional Institution are both excluded from a plan to privatize all other prisons in the 18-county region in which they are located.

Prison officials did acknowledge that Hendry Correctional is scheduled to be closed. It has a staff of 323, while GCI has 346 employees, according to the prisons' websites.

Just in case

"Florida’s largest property insurer to pad financials as storm season approaches". "Citizens to Borrow Nearly $1 Billion Ahead of Hurricane Season".

Rubio strides world stage

"Florida Sen. Marco Rubio on Wednesday called for the Obama administration to ratchet up the pressure on Syrian President Bashar Assad, whose regime has attacked antigovernment protesters." "Sen. Marco Rubio urges more U.S. action against Syria".

"Prosecutors off the hit list"

The Palm Beach Post editors: "Many bad things happened in the just-finished session of the Florida Legislature, but at least the state's prosecutors got off the hit list." "A reprieve for prosecutors".

Environmentalists lose out

"Session Bears Little Fruit for Environmentalists".

Romney picks up Florida cash

"Several high-level Florida Republican fundraisers will be among scores of Mitt Romney backers flying to Las Vegas this weekend for a dialing-for-dollars marathon expected to raise $2-3 million for Romney’s campaign—part of his attempt to outdistance the rest of the slow-starting Republican field in fundraising.
Bill 'Hoe' Brown of Tampa said he’s heading to Vegas Sunday for a reception the night before the call day, Monday, and expects other GOP fundraisers including Brent Sembler of St. Petersburg and John Rood of Jacksonville to be among the group." "Floridians head to Vegas to raise $$ for Romney".

Wood, R-Haines City, gets primary challenge

"Rep. John Wood, R-Haines City, will be facing a primary challenge in 2012 from a conservative challenger for the Republican primary nomination -- John Lindsey, who took 31 percent of the vote against Dennis Ross in a congressional primary in 2010. Speaking to Sunshine State News Wednesday, Lindsey, who filed with the state Monday, said that redistricting, which will occur in 2012, had nothing to do with his consideration and that he was taking aim at the incumbent." "John Wood Gets Republican Primary Challenger in John Lindsey".

"'A great gift to the business industry'"

"A just-passed overhaul of Florida's unemployment laws gives employers the ability to challenge jobless benefits to former employees for behavior that has little to do with how they conduct themselves at work."

In Florida, employers can fire employees for virtually any reason. But state law has held that even poorly performing employees are entitled to jobless benefits — up to 26 weeks under the state plan — if they've worked long enough to earn them.

The policy helps workers and props up the economy by providing the unemployed a source of income while they look for new jobs. ...

Republican lawmakers lauded the bill, saying it would help make Florida more "business-friendly." State Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism, called the measure "a great gift to the business industry," according to the News Service of Florida.

"Slower Florida recovery"

"Nose-diving home equity means slower Florida recovery".

"Florida made a half-start"

The Palm Beach Post editors: "Texas showed how to save money and lives, and cut crime. Florida made a half-start".

Confederate Flag fight

"A new civil war is brewing in Florida, now that the Legislature failed to approve a Confederate license plate."

In a March 30 decision, a federal judge ruled that Florida's program -- under which the state Legislature approves the plates -- was unconstitutional because it gives "unfettered discretion to engage in viewpoint discrimination."

The Florida SCV ignited the legal battle when it sued the state after the Legislature failed to approve the Confederate plate.

Since the court ruling, SCV leaders tried to get lawmakers to reconsider, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.

"They had a million and one excuses. We got nowhere," said John Adams, first lieutenant commander of the Florida SCV.

Adding to the irony, and fueling Southern angst, state lawmakers did find time to approve a "Hispanic Achievers" plate during the session.

"We still have a Legislature that was discriminatory, and continues to be," Adams fumed.

Heading back to court, the 1,500-member heritage group now asserts that the Legislature created an "unconstitutional forum" and failed to address U.S. District Judge John Antoon's order to remove itself from the plate-approval system.

In his motion, attorney Fred O'Neal, representing the SCV, asked the court to either strike down the statutes in question or re-open the case.

"Long overdue"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "It took a decade and was far too politically contentious, but the Legislature may finally have a comprehensive plan for attacking the prescription drug abuse epidemic that claims seven lives in Florida every day and contributes to the illegal drug supply across the eastern United States." "Drug deal long overdue".

Committee faces $15,250 fine

"A committee that boosted former Democratic state Rep. Kevin Rader's unsuccessful 2010 bid for state Senate is facing a $15,250 fine for failing to file a campaign finance report just before last year's Aug." "Pro-Rader committee faces $15,250 fine for tardy report; appeal planned".

Rivera's Fl-oil-duh

"David Rivera leads the charge while Corrine Brown wants no drilling in eastern Gulf". "Florida Congressmen Clash on Offshore Drilling".

Insurance companies could delay payouts

"If Florida homeowners fall victim to a hurricane this summer, they may end up paying for some repairs out of pocket, under provisions in a property insurance bill that landed on Gov. Rick Scott's desk Wednesday. The bill (SB 408) allows insurance companies to withhold payment for full replacement value until a homeowner submits receipts from a contractor." "Bill lets insurers delay payouts to homeowners".

Call it a tie

"There were no clear winners or losers on lawsuit reform in this year's legislative session. In the perennial battle between the powerful business and health care lobbies and trial lawyers, the 2011 session could probably best be declared a tie, with each side walking away with its fair share of victories and defeats." "Trial lawyers take 'dings' but survive Florida Legislature".

Never mind those FEC fines

"Candidates, consultants and political organizations owe the Florida Elections Commission almost $1.4 million in unpaid fines from cases stretching as far back as 1990, state records show." "Florida Elections Commission is owed almost $1.4 million in unpaid fines".

Under the terms of a 2008 deal with the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, FSU's economics department is scheduled to receive $1.5 million over six years to hire professors. But faculty members hired with foundation money must be approved by an advisory committee handpicked by Koch. That means Koch effectively holds veto power, an arrangement rarely found in the academic community and that threatens independent thinking.

Randolph protest

"Miami lawmaker protests state Rep. Scott Randolph".

"That simply wouldn't do"

Scott Maxwell points out that "early voting thrived — until last week anyway, when modern-day Republicans decided they'd had quite enough."

The problem, you see, was that early voting tended to favor Democrats — often working people who wanted to vote on a weekend. Also because of the simple fact that Florida has more Democrats than Republicans.

And that simply wouldn't do.

So GOP legislators decided to attack early voting. And voter registration. Any part of democracy that didn't benefit their party.

They shortened early voting from 14 days down to eight. They made it harder for people who have moved in the past year or changed their names to cast ballots on Election Day. And they successfully put groups that register new voters, like the League of Women Voters, out of business.

Even Republican elections supervisors were puzzled by the attack. "I'm not sure the system was, in any fashion, broken," said Seminole's Michael Ertel.

It wasn't.

They didn't target all early voting — only the parts that helped Democrats.

Republicans did nothing to change the rules surrounding absentee voting.

Even though absentee voting is infinitely easier. (Voters needn't leave their house, prove they are absent or even request their own ballots.)

Even though absentee voting lasts much longer than early voting. (Forget eight days. Absentee voters can start casting ballots up to a month in advance.)

And even though absentee voting is more susceptible to fraud. (Absentee voters needn't offer any in-person proof that they cast their own ballot.)

"There is more opportunity for front-end fraud," said Ertel. ...

So why not target absentee voting?

Because it benefits Republicans — a lot.

Absentee votes were credited with delivering George W. Bush his razor-thin victory in 2000. Ever since, GOP candidates have worked the tactic with great success.

In fact, absentee voters gave Republican Rick Scott his victory over Democrat Alex Sink last year.

In counties like Seminole, Scott and Sink ran neck-and-neck in traditional early voting. But Scott received 50 percent more votes among absentee ballots.

Republicans weren't going to derail that gravy train.

So they concocted bogus claims about fraud and then started cracking down … but only on certain kinds of voters.

Shuttering schools

"Longwood Elementary to close despite protests". See also "Broward Schools: Closing schools might be necessary".

Here's an idea: raise wages to attract workers

Dara Kam writes that"the Republican-controlled state legislature failed this year to pass any immigration bill -- Arizona-like or Arizona-lite -- as Congress, whether controlled by Republicans or Democrats, has failed to do with immigration-related bills offered practically every year since 2004."

Businesses feared that requiring them to use the federal E-Verify system to ensure that workers are in the country legally, as Snyder's bill would have done, would have been costly and unreliable.

Agricultural interests, already struggling to find enough workers, were convinced the plan would be devastating.

The Teabagger state

"Lt. gov to speak to local tea party".

They're just birds

"28 Florida species among 251 feds would consider for endangered species list under deal".

The Chamber-owned Legislature stiffs insurers

"Legislators delivered for most Florida businesses in the 2011 session, as much of their agenda is making it into law. But there was one glaring exception -- insurance companies. Businesses received a windfall of tax breaks and deregulation, but private insurers, whose prices are set by the Office of Insurance Regulation, were not invited to the party." "Insurers See Slight Progress, Missed Opportunity in Session".

Medicare kerfuffle ensnares Rooney and West

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Medicare reform was on the table, then off. Now - maybe - it's back on the table. That's where it needs to be."

When President Obama failed to endorse proposals from his own budget-cutting commission or offer any meaningful spending reforms, Republicans filled the void with Rep. Paul Ryan's "Path to Prosperity," which converts Medicare to a voucher system. After the House passed that blueprint, the Democratic Congressional Committee attacked Republicans, including Tom Rooney and Allen West, for "voting to end Medicare" and "raise health care costs" for seniors. Republican protests that their plan leaves Medicare intact for those 55 and older haven't provided much protection as campaigning for 2012 cranks up. Mr. Obama even offered his own vague Medicare plan as a campaign ploy to show him vowing to "save" Medicare.

"Billie's back"

"After being ostracized from Indian politics the last eight years, a former Seminole chief is once again going to head the tribe." "Billie's back: Political exile over for Seminole chief".

We don' need no stinkin' reger'lations

"A company representative said 97 percent of the underground chemical mass will likely be gone in three years, but it could take 80 years to finish the cleanup." "Raytheon neighbors will live with pollution for years".

To replace Bovo

"With Esteban Bovo having resigned his seat at the end of March, during the middle of the legislative session, to run for the Miami-Dade County Commission, three Republicans and a write-in candidate have filed to claim the seat."

A special primary election on May 24 and a special general election on June 28 will decide the winner. The seat represents parts of Miami-Dade County.

The CEO of the Oliva Cigar Company, Jose Oliva, has his eyes on the Republican nomination. With roots in the community and having called the district home since 1974, Oliva has chosen to play up his conservatism. According to Oliva’s campaign team, their candidate will fight for "lower taxes, small and accountable government, conservative family values and to make Florida a business-friendly state." ...

Rafael “Ralph” Perez is also seeking the Republican nomination. Perez is no stranger to politics, having served as an aide to Marco Rubio during his time in the Florida House and as a deputy chief of staff under former Speaker Johnnie Byrd. Perez ran in the Republican primary for another House seat representing parts of Miami-Dade County back in 2008, but he came up short to another former legislative aide -- current Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami. ...

Looking to capitalize on his background in the community and in city government, Frank Lago is also running for the Republican nomination. Lago’s background is in city government: managing the Parks and Recreation Department of the city of Sweetwater before serving as chief of staff to Mayor Manny Maroño.

Vern stands up for torture

"Vern Buchanan Demands Obama Call Off Investigation of CIA Agents Accused of Torture".

Jax reluctantly agrees to recycle some sewage

"North Florida during the late 2000s waged legal warfare on Central Florida for wasting a lot of water, including treated sewage, even as the Orlando area sought permission to pump large volumes from the fragile St. Johns River. On Tuesday, the tables were turned somewhat when JEA, Jacksonville's municipal utility, was roundly criticized for seeking a huge permit for water use while agreeing to increase its recycling of sewage to a level that would be considered puny in Central Florida." "Jacksonville criticized for not recycling wastewater as Central Florida does — but still gets large water-use permit".

Medicaid gravy train

"In a potentially huge change, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida plans to enter the Medicaid program and compete in what likely will become a statewide managed-care system."

Meanwhile, last year's federal health law will change Medicaid eligibility standards in 2014. That move, which is part of the Obama administration's effort to make sure almost all Americans have health coverage, will increase the number of beneficiaries in Florida.

About 2.9 million Floridians are enrolled in Medicaid, with about 1.3 million already in managed-care plans, according to AHCA figures. That managed-care total likely would more than double under the legislation passed last week --- and could go even higher based on the federal eligibility changes.

Teabagger grabs Scott appointment

"Gov. Rick Scott today appointed a four new faces to the nine-member board that oversees the South Florida Water Management District, the largest and oldest of the state's five water management districts."

In are Daniel DeLisi (who replaces Charles Dauray, a Crist appointee who wanted his job back), Daniel O'Keefe, Timothy Sargent and Jim Moran.

Moran and his daughter, Marianne Moran, run the Tea Party in Action. During Scott's primary campaign last summer, Marianne Moran organized a protest of then-Gov. Charlie Crist's deal to buy U.S. Sugar/Everglades restoration deal outside the SFWMD and featured Scott as the keynote speaker.

Public employee pay slashed

"The new requirement that state and county workers contribute to their pensions is deeply reducing Palm Beach County's budget woes next year, chopping tens of millions of dollars from its expected shortfall, county officials say." "Lawmakers' decision to force government workers to contribute to pensions eases county budget woes".

Scott protests

"More than 100 people, including five Democratic state lawmakers, showed up west of Delray Beach Tuesday afternoon to protest the policies of Gov. Rick Scott and the Republican-controlled legislature. ... organizers around the state said the broad sweep of budget cuts, partisan legislation and social agenda votes have made the opposition to Gov. Rick Scott and the Republican-ruled legislature more diverse." "Republican agenda victories stir Democratic protests across Florida".

"Nearly everything they wanted"

"With nearly 15,000 businesses off the tax rolls, less regulations and red tape to get through, and a move to consolidate and streamline state government bureaucracies, Florida businesses got nearly everything they wanted in the 2011 legislative session." "Florida Businesses See 2011 Session as Shot in the Arm".

A real yawner

"Jon Huntsman Jr., diplomat and Utah's reform-minded former governor, whose potential as a presidential candidate has long worried Barack Obama's advisers, courts Republicans in St. Petersburg." "Potential presidential candidate visits".

The amendments are straight out of the Republican Party playbook: overturn abortion rulings, cap state revenue, lower property taxes, restrict court power, loosen the separation between church and state, and prevent President Barack Obama's health care law from taking hold in Florida.

Democrats say the amendments are politically motivated and designed to attract conservatives to the polls in November 2012, when Obama faces re-election. Republicans say they are pursuing what they have been attempting for years and what voters elected them to do.

"If we bring people to the polls who oppose abortion, want smarter government, want less taxes and don't want government to tell them what health insurance to buy, then yes, those are the people we want voting,'' said Rep. Will Weatherford, the Wesley Chapel Republican in line to become House speaker in 2012.

"Legislature writing law based on stereotype and caricature"

Howard Troxler: "This year, more than any of the past 30, I often got the impression that the Legislature was writing law based on stereotype and caricature."

Like the cardboard cutouts that pop up on police training ranges, straw men were always popping up in the Legislature's debates.

These included public school teachers (incompetent union hacks), government employees (dead weight), political activists (all engaged in voter fraud), women seeking abortions (baby killers), poor people on Medicaid (leeches), people on unemployment benefits (bums) and even voters who moved more often than Decent People ought to, and therefore who should not be allowed to cast a regular ballot on Election Day.

Each group got whacked. Teacher tenure, repealed. Those state employees not fired will have their paychecks docked for pensions. Suspicious groups (you know, like the League of Women Voters) face tough new laws and penalties when registering voters. Women who seek abortions must get ultrasounds and either hear a little talk from their doctor, or else be put on the spot to refuse it. Unemployment benefits, cut. Medicaid, turned over to private corporations, with the poor blocked from suing for malpractice (only people with money should be able to sue for malpractice). And so forth.

Decent People, meanwhile, do not care about the physical Florida or the environment. Decent People wanted the Legislature to throw out 30 years of laws that regulated growth. Decent People want to cut the public schools while expanding charter and voucher schools.

"'Awake the State,' Again"

"It's all over but the shouting and the honking. Three days after the 2011 Legislature adjourned, union members and liberal groups plan to rally Tuesday outside selected legislators' district offices and on streets across Florida." "Budget Protesters Try to 'Awake the State,' Again" ("See list here for times and locations of all "Awake the State Again" rallies.")

Please Mr. President, save us from ourselves

"Florida environmentalists are launching a national ad campaign urging President Barack Obama to rescue the lagging multibillion-dollar Everglades restoration effort, with some activists arguing it could give him an edge in the swing state in 2012." "Greens to Obama: Save Everglades".

We don' want no stinkin' health care

"Health-care reform challenge takes next legal step".

"Do it the governor's way or get lost"

"U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., who tried to get Scott to change his mind, said the reallocation of the money was 'a somber reminder that Florida lost a major new transportation system and 24,000 good-paying jobs simply because of political extremism, a mindset that we had to do it the governor's way or get lost.'" "High speed rail: 15 states split up Florida grant".

More: "Northeast, Midwest get $2B in rail money that Florida turned down". See also "Florida's high-speed rail money goes to 15 states". The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "Other states get Florida rail money".

Koch krap at FSU

"A conservative billionaire who opposes government meddling in business has bought a rare commodity: the right to interfere in faculty hiring at a publicly funded university."

A foundation bankrolled by Libertarian businessman Charles G. Koch has pledged $1.5 million for positions in Florida State University's economics department. In return, his representatives get to screen and sign off on any hires for a new program promoting "political economy and free enterprise."

Traditionally, university donors have little official input into choosing the person who fills a chair they've funded. The power of university faculty and officials to choose professors without outside interference is considered a hallmark of academic freedom.

Under the agreement with the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, however, faculty only retain the illusion of control. The contract specifies that an advisory committee appointed by Koch decides which candidates should be considered. The foundation can also withdraw its funding if it's not happy with the faculty's choice or if the hires don't meet "objectives" set by Koch during annual evaluations.

"Florida's GOP rams through a not-so furtive ploy"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "As expected, Florida's GOP-controlled Legislature rammed through a not-so furtive ploy last week to tighten the party's hold on power."

Just in time for the 2012 elections, House Bill 1355 erects new roadblocks to registering and voting, at least for — surprise, surprise — Democratic-tilting groups such as collegians, minorities, and the poor.

The measure would cut early voting in half. It would ban the longtime practice of updating addresses at Election Day polls for the one in six Floridians who move each year. And it would bludgeon voter registration groups with burdensome prerequisites and late fines.

The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law rightly said the Legislature has "declared war on voter registration."

On Monday, the first casualty fell.

Long a stalwart in voter registration drives, the League of Women Voters of Florida announced that if the bill becomes law, the nonpartisan group will abandon those efforts.

The League of Women Voters of Florida announced Monday it will cease its voter registration drives, which have registered thousands of voters. The question now is: How many other similar groups will be next to write off Florida?

Proponents clearly wanted to discourage voter registration, particularly the registration of citizens who may not vote their way. ...

The Republican leadership claimed the election changes, which will also make it more difficult for college students to register, were necessary to curtail voter fraud.

It's an imaginary threat. Sometimes forms with obviously fake names, such as Mickey Mouse, have been turned in to election supervisors, but they are immediately rejected. This has not been a serious problem.

Secretary of State Kurt Browning's office reports that in the last three years 31 cases of alleged voter fraud were referred to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for investigation. Only three resulted in arrests.

The League of Women Voters is urging Republican Gov. Rick Scott to veto the measure.

That is unlikely. But if Scott wants to do what is right, and not what is politically advantageous, he would consider how he would feel if the Democrats enacted laws specifically to chill tea party voters.

Educated need not apply

"With a national reputation as a leader in education reform, and more aggressive changes on the way, Florida should be an easy sell for those seeking a new education commissioner. But with less than three weeks until the deadline, the position hasn’t generated much attention. In fact, no one has yet applied." "No applicants for state’s top education post".

"Meltdown laid bare the immaturity of legislative leaders"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "The Friday night meltdown of the Florida Legislature laid bare the immaturity of legislative leaders and their lack of respect for openness, fairness and their own colleagues."

Two years after former House Speaker Ray Sansom was indicted for sneaking a project into the state budget on behalf of a campaign contributor, transparency should be embraced in Tallahassee. But for all their pledges of openness, Cannon, R-Winter Park, and Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, allowed the state's 2011-12 budget to become a catchall for stashing special interest legislation that wouldn't stand the light of day.

Privatization follies

"The new audit raises an alarm about a $63 million cleaning contract the county has with Sunshine Cleaning Systems Inc." "Broward overpaid almost $1 million to clean airport, audit says".

"For the average Floridian, not much to celebrate

The Miami Herald editorial board: "For the average, hardworking Floridian, there’s not much to celebrate. Attacks on immigrants, on women’s reproductive rights, and children in public schools continued, though an Arizona-style immigration law wisely failed as did a gun law that would have allowed weapons in schools.
The promise of jobs in the state budget remains just that, a promise that bets on gutted regulations and lower taxes to court more businesses to the Sunshine State." "Florida’s bargain-basement budget".

Weak bench

"With Rep. Bill Proctor, R-St. Augustine, facing term limits, two Republicans have already filed to run for his seat and another candidate, who has filed for another seat, could also be in the running. Proctor currently represents parts of Clay, Flagler and St. Johns counties -- but the district could change with the Legislature tackling redistricting in early 2012." "Conservative Field Starting to Line up for First Coast House Race".

Cotterell's "session notebook"

Bill Cotterell: "Emptying the session notebook".

"Comrade in cluelessness"

Daniel Ruth: "For a minute there I had a flashback to my time teaching college students in a beginning reporting class. There, on the floor of the Florida Senate, were John Thrasher, R-What, Me Worry? and his comrade in cluelessness, Mike Bennett, R-Which Way Did He Go?, demonstrating for all the world to see a level of civic illiteracy that would have made Glenn Beck weep with envy." "Trying to get through
to Generation Huh?"

Scott spinning

"First Session for Gov. Scott Ends With Mix of Victories and Defeats". The - pensions are bad - Chamber hacks on The Sun Sentinel editorial board are happy: "Fallout from the Florida Legislature".

"Overview of health issues during the session"

"In any other year, a historic overhaul of the Medicaid system would have overshadowed every health issue in the Legislature. But when lawmakers went home early Saturday morning, Medicaid might not have even been the noisiest health-related debate of the 2011 legislative session. Lawmakers passed a nearly $70 billion budget that included deep cuts to hospitals, nursing homes and dozens of other health programs." "In Huge Year in Health, Winners and Losers".

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "The federal government will have the final word on the state's Medicaid reform since Florida will need a waiver from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to implement the changes. Hopefully, the feds will force Florida to make this mediocre plan better." "Legislature gets a C-minus on Medicaid".

"Lawmakers exhibit an astounding disregard for the truth"

The Tampa Tribune editors: "Lawmakers throughout the legislative session exhibited an astounding disregard for the truth. They blamed, for instance, the economic downtown on growth controls that had not stopped an orgy of development that has left the state with hundreds of thousands of empty homes and foreclosures, and depressed property values for everyone."

Yet there were occasional moments of raw candor.

The most honest statement we heard during the session came from Sen. Ronda Storms of Brandon, who while arguing in favor of the ultrasound anti-abortion legislation that passed both chambers, acknowledged the issue is averse to the "less government" mantra usually espoused by Republicans.

"There's no question about the contradictory positions that we all take," she said on the Senate floor last week. "I'm not ashamed of it. I'm not embarrassed by it. … We all (Republicans) say we're for less government except here. Or we're (Democrats) for more government, except here."

In contrast to the self-serving justifications one frequently hears from legislators, Storms had the courage to concede the contradictions and admit her pro-life beliefs transcended her usual emphasis on less government.

Winter Park hires wingnuts to fight union

"Members of AFSCME have criticized the use of tax money to pay a group that they say has a politically right-leaning agenda. Kulture didn't immediately respond to a request seeking comment, but its website includes writings from a member of the Ayn Rand Institute, a group that promotes the author's philosophy of unrestrained capitalism, along with articles with titles such as 'The Moral Justification of 'Outrageous' CEO Salaries.'" "Winter Park pays $2,500 a day to fight union organizing".

"Greatest rightward shift since secession"

Mike Thomas: "Scott entered the Governor's Office as a wildly firing cannon."

It was Cannon who aimed the cannon at the targets he wanted to hit, while sparing those he did not.

He was instrumental in orchestrating the greatest rightward shift in this state since secession.

Growth management, teacher tenure, government regulation: Gone, gone, gone.

Ultrasounds for abortions, HMOs for Medicaid, tax cuts for homeowners: Pass, pass, pass.

In Cannon's words: "A smashing success.''

He got more of what he wanted than did Scott or Senate President Mike Haridopolos. His only big miss was a plan to split the Florida Supreme Court like an atom at Los Alamos.

How many idiots can you fit into a legislative chamber?

Gary Fineout: "Biggest questions of the session answered".

Yawn

"Jon Huntsman is heading to Florida on Tuesday to meet with donors and activists — but not with Republican Gov. Rick Scott." "Huntsman set to court Florida GOPers".

"'A last-minute surprise'"

"Legislation backed by the industry would have let online travel companies continue to pay the tax on the lower wholesale cost of a room rather than the retail price they collect from consumers. A state law sanctioning the practice would have spelled doom for the lawsuits. The legislation had strong Republican support in both chambers. But late last week, the Senate was unable to pass a bill." "Online travel providers lose chance to settle tax dispute in Florida Legislature".

Disney the Geppetto to Reedy Creek's Pinocchio

"It's not quite white smoke rising from St. Peter's Basilica, but Florida's most mysterious election process is unfolding this month at, of all places, Walt Disney World."

About two weeks from now, Disney will formally nominate a new candidate for a seat on the board of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the obscure government that oversees the giant resort's 25,000 acres in Central Florida.

The assignment comes with what may very well be the greatest perk of any elected office in the state: a piece of the Magic Kingdom itself. Because board members must also be landowners in Reedy Creek, Disney awards them 5 acres of its property — albeit on inaccessible, undevelopable tracts of land.

Disney has already settled on its chosen candidate, and it is someone the company knows very well: Thomas M. Moses was Reedy Creek's second chief executive and spent three decades as its district administrator — the equivalent of city manager — until his retirement in 2001.

But Reedy Creek is technically a democracy, so an election must be conducted later this month. Just don't expect to stay up late waiting for returns: Reedy Creek board elections are decided by district landowners, who get one vote for each acre they own. And Disney owns two-thirds of the district's property — about 17,000 acres.

"They are being well-compensated and well cared for," said Bill Warren, a former Disney executive who is now Reedy Creek's district administrator. ...

Disney, sensitive to criticism that it is the Geppetto to Reedy Creek's Pinocchio, says there is strict separation between the two entities. ...

"Our job is not just to do things to facilitate the company's projects," said DeWolf, the retiring board president. "It is also to protect the public's interest in the municipal services that we provide."

Even Disney is not entirely immune. When company representatives recently appeared before the board seeking an easement to build pedestrian bridges across Reedy Creek-owned canals, they were met with questions about liability, responsibilities for repairs and more. The Disney employees were forced to return again the following month with more-detailed answers.

Still, though questions are common, denials are not. And if there have been votes that weren't unanimous, nobody can remember them.

The 2011 Legislature was one of the most conservative and reckless in modern history, as the veto-proof Republican majority ran roughshod over reasonable policy and treated compromise as a dirty word. In just 60 days, it reversed decades of bipartisan efforts to manage growth, protect consumers, improve public education and encourage voting. This radical agenda does not reflect mainstream Florida, but it is a sobering reminder that elections matter and there are consequences for failing to participate.

this Legislature treated public school teachers, college students, lawyers, government workers, union members, voters, women and consumers as enemies. Among the powerful smiling when the legislative session ended Saturday morning: developers, property insurers, health maintenance organizations and polluters.

Session splits RPOFers

"Republican lawmakers split at the end of session".

"SunRail fight switching into high gear"

"The fight over SunRail is switching into high gear as business interests and community activists square off on the controversial project." "Fight Over SunRail Gaining Steam, Gov. Rick Scott Feeling Heat".

Is that "reform" or "deform"?

Here's the headline: "Lawmakers deepened hole for Florida's schools, but also passed major reforms".

Here's the story:

For schools, the annual legislative session left in its wake a $1.1 billion funding cut — and, unlike in years past, a slew of new policy reforms to go with it.

Lawmakers slashed spending by an average of $542 per student, a cut of nearly 8 percent, steeper than the Florida House or Senate originally proposed.

And they overhauled how teachers are evaluated, paid and fired; made major changes to benefit privately-run charter and virtual schools; and expanded school voucher programs.

Gaping budget holes have overshadowed ambitious education policies before in the Legislature. But not this year.

Definition of REFORM

transitive verb

1a : to put or change into an improved form or condition

b : to amend or improve by change of form or removal of faults or abuses

2: to put an end to (an evil) by enforcing or introducing a better method or course of action

3: to induce or cause to abandon evil ways

"Contemptuous attitude toward voters"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board writes that Republican "State Sen. Mike Bennett displayed a notably contemptuous attitude toward voters while endorsing legislation that will make it more difficult for the poor and young, particularly college students, to vote. The Manatee Republican lamented that the state made it convenient to vote ... All legally registered voters are entitled to vote. It is not up to Bennett or anyone else to determine if American citizens possess the prerequisite 'passion' to participate in the democratic process." "".

Limousine liberals

"That long-playing labor dispute at the Kravis Center could create a momentary headache for liberal comedian Bill Maher and some questions for Democratic congressional hopeful Lois Frankel from her longtime union allies."

"Bill Maher's a guy that speaks about injustice and hammers it home to everybody about hypocrisy," said Terry McKenzie, a former stagehands union president. "In a perfect world, Bill Maher wouldn't cross a picket line."

Maher's publicist didn't respond to a request for comment Friday.

The stagehands have not gone on strike during the dispute, but have organized "informational pickets" at selected Kravis Center events. They picketed an April 20 roast of former West Palm Beach Mayor Frankel, who's running for the seat of freshman U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation.

"I didn't even see the picket. There may have been people picketing, but people are out with signs all the time," Frankel said. Had she seen the picketers, Frankel said she still would have attended because the event wasn't hers but the Northwest Community Consortium's to raise money for low-income neighborhoods.

It never ends

"Early voting begins Monday in election to pick new Miami-Dade mayor".

"Grayson eyeing a comeback"

"Former Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson is no longer a member of Congress, but he’s just as ubiquitous and raucous as ever."

Grayson, who lost his Orlando-area seat in November, is still bomb-throwing, still delivering unapologetically liberal rhetoric that defined his single term in the House and quickly became his trademark – raising speculation that he’s looking to make a comeback. ...

The Florida Democrat himself acknowledges that he’s interested in a return engagement – asked whether he’s given the idea of running another campaign, he responded simply: "Yes."

Five years without pay raises

"It was a tough legislative session for state employees."

There will be fewer of them in the fiscal year starting July 1. That date also marks a fifth fiscal year without general pay raises. Those that remain will find their gross pay 3 percent lighter as they start kicking in to the state pension pot. ...

Organized workers in state agencies — like hundreds of thousands of teachers, county and municipal workers, police and firefighters statewide — opposed Gov. Rick Scott’s election last year. They staged rallies against his policies on opening day of the session March 8, booed him in the Springtime Tallahassee parade April 2 and have another series of mass protests planned for next Tuesday in major Florida cities.

But Scott, a wealthy health-care executive who made cutting the size and cost of government a centerpiece of his eight-month campaign, got a substantial start on what he wanted to do during his first session. The number of authorized positions in the state budget fell from 126,765 to 122,236. It’s estimated that 1,300 of the 4,529 eliminated positions are currently occupied by people who will lose their jobs.

There are 1,751 Department of Corrections jobs to be privatized in an 18-county region. If they don’t get, or want, jobs with private companies that get contracts to run the institutions, a number of those officers will "bump" down the seniority ladder. That could mean a dismal chain reaction of job changes all over Florida.

Scott "embarks on statewide victory lap"

"Florida Gov. Rick Scott came into his first legislative session with goals as specific as they were bold on tax cuts, spending cuts, state workforce reductions and pension contributions."

He failed to reach his targets, but a powerful Republican Legislature approved portions of each, allowing him now to embark on a statewide victory lap to sign bills in front of TV cameras.

Scott calls the session an unqualified success, which he measures by the undeniable steps lawmakers took toward his broad goals. That self-evaluation, however, departs from his devotion to rigid measurements and acknowledges the give-and-take of a legislative process he criticized from the campaign trail a year ago and learned on the fly once he took office.

"She's No Conservative"

As Kevin Derby puts it, "There are many forms of conservatives out there -- but Rep. Daphne Campbell, D-Miami Shores, is not one of them." "Daphne Campbell Solid on Life, but She's No Conservative".

"Scott has a legal and moral obligation"

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "Rick Scott has a legal and moral obligation to come to the rescue of the state's elderly and mentally ill who have suffered shocking neglect and abuse in the state's assisted living facilities." "Scott should act to protect vulnerable".

The two Republicans benefiting most from the distraction of the governor’s glassy-eyed extremism are House Speaker Dean Cannon and Senate President Mike Haridopolos. Both are ambitious and trying hard to look like grownups, though in fact they’re not all that different from Scott — just more polished.
Haridopolos is gunning for the U.S. Senate seat held by Bill Nelson, so he’s been more careful than Cannon about letting his true colors show. It was Haridopolos who publicly balked at Scott’s screwball proposal to slash Florida’s corporate income taxes by $458 million, which would have shifted a devastating burden to the public sector. ...

Scott’s headline-grabbing antics have provided a measure of cover for lawmakers whose agenda is no less dangerous for the state’s future, and whose allegiance to wealthy special interests is no less devout. What happened in Tallahassee this spring virtually guarantees higher taxes and fewer services for ordinary Floridians. ...

While it was predictable that the Legislature of 2011 would be owned by the corporations and utilities that bankroll political campaigns, the degree of subservience was historic. ...

The governor’s an easy target, but what did we expect? He hasn’t lived here long enough to understand the place, and what he doesn’t know about it could fill Lake Okeechobee.

But it would be a huge mistake to believe that Scott is more of a threat than Cannon or Haridopolos, who do their dirty work in the governor’s twitchy shadow.

That year, he explained, the [Florida] Legislature voted to censure President Herbert Hoover's wife for inviting the black wife of a black Chicago congressman to a White House luncheon.

"This year might rival that," Graham said.

It's the 21st century, so the Legislature doesn't do righteous indignation over racial mixing anymore.

But when it comes to harmful impact on Floridians' everyday lives, the 2011 session might go down in the history books.

"Haridopolos a picture of dejection"

"The end of the lawmaking session should have been Senate President Mike Haridopolos' triumph but he was a picture of dejection, battered and disappointed by the gamesmanship, score-settling and GOP infighting." "Political games, settling scores". See also "Rancor, political games take toll on Mike Haridopolos in lawmaking session" and "Senate President Haridopolos faces harsh criticism by Republican rivals" (among them, leadership luminary "Adam Hasner scoffed at Haridopolos' leadership while campaigning in Jacksonville").

Teabagger got his

"There were some rookie mistakes, to be sure. But for Gov. Rick Scott, the millionaire health care executive who has never held office, his first legislative session was an astonishing victory." "Scott's agenda largely met as session ends". See also "Scott: Legislative session set state in the 'right direction'".

"Session of regression"

The Tampa Tribune editors: "A notably mean-spirited and shortsighted Florida Legislature was finishing the session late last night. Residents should be grateful it can do no more harm. Taxpayers ultimately will end up paying a heavy price for the session's pandering to special interests". "Session of regression".

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "It's with a huge sense of relief that we note the end of the legislative session. And with an equally strong sense of foreboding note that the most extreme Legislature Florida has had in generations will tee it all up again next year. Ugh." "Legislators behaved like a wrecking crew during disastrous session".

Notwithstanding their criticisms, the worker-hating, Chamber hacks comprising both these editorial boards can't resist praising the RPOF's 3% pay cuts for state and local public employees who have the temerity to receive ... get this ... pensions! Because these editors employ workers without pensions - and, if anything, instead cheap 401(k) plans - the editors think it is just grand that the Governor is attacking defined benefit pension plans.

"Winners and losers"

"Some bills that passed and failed in the 2011 session. All passed bills await Gov. Rick Scott's approval." "Florida Legislature's 2011 session winners and losers". Related: "That's a wrap: Key issues as they stand at the end of session ", "Clear winners and losers in Florida Legislative session", "Who won and who lost in Fla.'s 60-day 2011 legislative session? ", "GOP-led legislature passed wide range of bills this session" and "A summary of the session".

No excuse

"Justice denied to Florida men after lawmakers quarrel". More: "Compensation bills for 2 men die amid power struggle in Legislature".

Stoopid in action

"A new statewide charter boarding school for troubled youth was quietly passed by Florida lawmakers amidst a crush of bills dealing with the budget in the final hours of the legislative session."

[A]n early staff analysis of the proposal said it could cost up to $10 million in state funds to operate. ...

Meanwhile, some lawmakers are left wondering this weekend what else was in the dozens of complex bills they voted on during a marathon last day of session that lasted from 10 a.m. until well after midnight.

Perhaps Rick Scott will moderate?

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Unless you've been wasting away in Margaritaville for the past decade or so, you know that Florida long ago emerged as a national political epicenter. Not only are we a pivotal Electoral College state, our demographics and politics make the Sunshine State a bellwether for political trends, issues and personalities."

It's a natural place, or should be, for one of the 2012 presidential or vice presidential election debates. Right now, our state's hopes for one of those high-profile, momentous events hinges on a bid from Lynn University in Boca Raton. The private university is the only Florida site on the list of candidates under consideration by the Commission on Presidential Debates.

You know what? Lynn may not be a household name in the state, but it's hard to imagine a finer contender.

"As long as Festus and Jim-Bob on the local board go along"

After 30 years, Howard Troxler, is "reluctant to say that it was the Worst Session Ever. But, you know, this one is in the running. Let's go through a few issue areas:"

(1) The biggest theme of 2011 was the repeal of a lot of Florida's laws about growth and the environment, in the name of "creating jobs."

We've been in a recession, and we haven't recovered yet. But when we do, these new laws are going to surprise, even stun, a lot of Floridians.

This Legislature threw out much of the Growth Management Act of 1985. It's back to the days in which anybody can build anything, as long as they get Festus and Jim-Bob on the local board to go along. ...

(2) The 2011 Florida Legislature also will be known for shutting down direct citizen political activity while cementing its own power.

That includes cutting back early voting, which has been increasingly popular.

That includes blocking many Floridians (those who have moved or changed their name) from casting a regular ballot on Election Day. ...

But for itself, the Legislature brought back a corrupt practice known as "leadership funds." It is legal again for the leaders of the Legislature itself to collect campaign money directly from those seeking favorable treatment.

(3) If it weren't for all the other bad ideas, the screaming headlines of 2011 would be about budget cuts as we have never seen. It will take months for the full, bitter effects to be felt around the state, from weaker enforcement of nursing home standards to less protection for nature to teacher layoffs.

(4) Floridians will find a slew of laws favorable to business and not so favorable to them. Homeowners insurance companies can raise rates more easily and don't have to pay the full value of a claim as fast. The last generation of Floridians who rely entirely on a wired telephone in their home will find that their phone company has been entirely deregulated and can do whatever it wants.

(5) For better or worse, the 2011 Legislature made large-scale changes more or less on the fly. It rewrote the rules for how teachers are hired and fired in Florida. In a stroke, it privatized Medicaid, turning over $20 billion-plus to private corporations to decide who gets what care, without even requiring them to spend X percent on patients!

It is Liberal Big Government for the feds to pass a health care law because that would Intrude on the Doctor-Patient Relationship. On the other hand, it's okay for the Legislature to stomp all over that relationship with new rules ordering every woman who wants an abortion to have an ultrasound first. ...

And on the bright side, they outlawed bestiality and droopy pants in public schools. Best of all, they adjourned.

What's wrong with Hillsborough?

"Florida Gov. Rick Scott, a pariah to the Republican Party just a year ago, showed Saturday night how that has changed, appearing as the headliner and biggest celebrity at a massive Hillsborough County GOP fundraising dinner. Fresh from his inaugural legislative session as governor, Scott was heartily applauded and praised at a gathering that included top party figures from all over the state." "Hillsborough GOP gives Scott warm reception".

Choking on his ascot

Poor Kingsley Guy is choking on his ascot about a rather mundane piece of NLRB litigation.

Kingsley writes about how "Rick Scott says he wants to bring jobs to Florida, which is a worthy and politically popular goal. Among the things he can do in support of this cause is offer Florida's moral and, if necessary, legal support to a nearby state that's involved in an imbroglio with the federal government over its own effort to attract jobs."

As has become painfully obvious in recent years, the Democratic Party is a wholly-owned subsidiary of unionized labor, and the unions are calling in a chit. The payback is coming from the Democrat-controlled National Labor Relations Board, which is going to court in an outrageous attempt to block the start-up of Boeing's South Carolina Dreamliner operation, into which Boeing already has sunk billions of dollars. The NLRB's un-elected bureaucrats claim the establishment of the plant constitutes illegal retaliation against unions for strikes against Boeing in Seattle, which is not in a right-to-work state.

Most people would view Boeing's action not as "retaliation," but as a logical and justifiable business decision. The strikes in Seattle cost Boeing and its stockholders hundreds of millions of dollars, and it makes perfect sense for Boeing to geographically diversify its manufacturing base so as not to be held hostage by the unions.

NLRB members may claim to be acting in the defense of workers, but what about working men and women in the Palmetto State? Does the NLRB and the current administration care about them?

The low country of South Carolina is one of the most economically depressed areas in the country, and a Boeing operation there would result in 12,000 new jobs that would have a ripple effect in support of other businesses. The South Carolina jobs, however, would not produce union dues that could then be recycled into campaign contributions, primarily to Democrats and the Democratic Party.

The NLRB complaint amounts to a dangerous assault on business and non-union workers. But it also is an assault on states' rights, with a federal agency siding with interests in one state against another.

"Fewer than 2 percent, actually"

Scott Maxwell: "GOP politicians would have you believe that the poor, poor businesses are overtaxed."

But would you like to guess what percentage of Florida businesses pay any income taxes at all?

Around 75 percent? Maybe 50?

Try 2.

Fewer than 2 percent, actually.

Out of 1.3 million for-profit corporations and companies in the state, only 24,112 paid any corporate income taxes at all last year, according to the state Department of Revenue.

More than 98 percent paid none at all.

Florida Republicans zealously pursue corporate-tax cuts, espousing a theory of trickle-down economics — trying to convince you that more money for corporations leads to more money for individuals.

Unfortunately, what has failed to trickle down to them is reality.

At 5.5 percent, Florida has had one of the lowest corporate-tax rates in America for years.

Yet we also have some of the highest unemployment rates and foreclosure rates.

We have lower-than-average salaries and fewer Fortune 500 companies than other states our size.

Quite simply, there is proof that low corporate taxes do not necessarily lead to an economic utopia.