Some of the proposals that failed included:

• A bill prohibiting Florida courts from relying on Muslim Sharia law[*] or legal codes from other nations when making decisions (SB 1294, HB 1273).

• A resolution calling on Congress to amend the U.S. Constitution[**] so that federal laws can be overturned if two-thirds of state legislatures agree (SCR 1558).

• A repeal of the Florida Climate Protection Act, which authorizes the state to create a cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emission (SB 762).

But tea party leaders have been most vocal about the Legislature's failure to approve tougher immigration standards. They wanted lawmakers to:

• Force Florida businesses to use a federal database, known as E-Verify, to check their employees' citizenship (SB 518, HB 691).

• Let law enforcement check the citizenship of citizens when there is "reasonable suspicion" (SB 136, HB 237) [a/k/a "papers please" legislation].

• Expedite the deportation process by creating new agreements between the state and federal government (SB 304, HB 205).

Florida GOP blind to Obama's success on job front

"Florida's labor landscape continues to improve slowly, with unemployment rates across the state and in Central Florida falling to some of the lowest levels in two years." "Florida, Orlando jobless rates drop in April". See also "Palm Beach County jobless rate at 10.2 percent as more people return to work".

To the chagrin of Florida's Teabaggers, the improvement is decidedly not a Florida thing, but rather part of a national trend. See "Thirty-nine states see unemployment drop".

Florida Republicans took pain to ignore these numbers as part of a national trend - and hence attributable to national (read President Obama's) policy. Rindded, Ricky Scott

took the opportunity to tout the numbers, as well as reductions in business and property taxes that he pushed for and the Legislature delivered. ...

Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, a candidate in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, took to Twitter to tout his efforts to reduce taxes and eliminate regulations in the recent legislative session. One of his opponents in the race, former state Rep. Adam Hasner, seemed unimpressed with an unemployment rate that remains in double digits, but blamed their mutual opponent of U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, and President Barack Obama.

"Florida's unemployment rate is headed in the right direction, and that's good news for those Floridians who have been able to find jobs in this difficult economy. But it's little comfort to the nearly 1 million Floridians who are still unemployed, and the other Floridians who have given up looking for work altogether. Florida's unemployment rate is still higher than what President Obama and Senator Nelson promised it would be when they rammed the stimulus through Congress, and their economic policies of stimulus, debt, bailouts, cap-and-trade and Obamacare are burdening job creators and stifling economic growth," Hasner said.

"This is the fourth straight month of decline in Florida's unemployment rate and the lowest rate in more than a year and a half -- very encouraging for Florida's employers and job seekers. With Governor Scott's laser focus on job creation, we can expect continued improvement in Florida's business outlook and employment opportunities," said AWI director Cynthia Lorenzo.

RPOF anticorruption fail

Steve Bousquet: "A grand jury report, issued after a string of scandals, urged lawmakers to address anticorruption efforts. The report fell on deaf ears." "Legislature passes on ethics reform".

Florida Teabaggers move North

"Two Florida tea party favorites, Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Allen West, have helped out the GOP with an unexpectedly competitive congressional race in New York."

Both Rubio and West vouched for Corwin’s conservatives bona fides, with West calling her the “only endorsed Tea Party candidate and the only candidate who will stand up to Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi and their out-of-control spending agenda.”

Another privatization flop

"While Our Kids of Miami-Dade and Monroe is overhauling how it serves foster families, after the February death of 10-year-old Nubia Barahona, the agency may now face sanctions for how it spends taxpayer money and follows purchasing and bidding guidelines." "DCF contractor may be asked to repay misused public funds".

Post mortem

See "Broward Dems notch few victories in Tallahassee" and "Miami-Dade lawmakers scored legislative wins in Tallahassee".

Florida slave labor

"Spokesmen for the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Florida, which represent thousands of Florida firms, said they are studying bills recently introduced in Utah and Texas. Both organizations said discussions had just begun and gave few other details."

However,

Legislators who back strict immigration enforcement at the state level have said they want Snyder to reintroduce a version of his bill. That measure mandates the use of the federal E-Verify system, which determines whether Social Security numbers presented by would-be new employees are valid. It would also involve state, county and local law enforcement officers in determining the immigration status of people suspected of crimes. Snyder's bill passed two House committees but failed in the Senate.

The Florida Chamber and Associated Industries, as well as Florida's agriculture industry, which relies heavily on undocumented workers, crusaded against the bill. They warned it would cripple agriculture and might set off boycotts of Florida, such as the ones that damaged the Arizona economy, and could harm Florida tourism.

Climate change deniers

"Tallahassee has lost its passion for combatting climate change. Some lawmakers attempted last month to repeal the Florida Climate Protection Act, arguing it was no longer needed." "Climate change not a priority in Tallahassee". Fred Grimm: "For Scott, global warming is just hot air".

They're jus' teachers

"Budget planners endorse one-day furlough throughout Palm Beach County schools". See also "No raises or step increases for Marion County teachers" and "Local schools face $7.2 million shortfall; for now, no layoffs planned".

"Mormon billionaires to square off in Florida"

"Call it Mormon War III. Jon Huntsman's announcement that he will, if he runs for the GOP presidential nomination, locate his campaign headquarters in Orlando is a not-so-veiled shot at fellow Mormon Mitt Romney."

Religion isn't supposed to play a role in politics, but it clearly does when Mormons are in the mix. In 2008, Romney was dogged by questions about his faith, particularly by Huckabee, a fundamentalist Christian who once asked Romney if he believed Satan was Jesus' brother. (Mormon doctrine says yes, but Romney hedged.)

Florida's Mormon population is relatively sparse -- estimated at about 100,000 -- yet LDS voters are almost universally Republican, so their votes are a factor in any GOP contest.

"Huntsman is dangerous because he's competing for the same base," Wagner said.

"Last time, Romney courted the ultra-conservatives. This time, he's focusing more on money, not trying to 'out-right' everyone. Huntsman can appeal to groups outside conservatives, and Florida has that broader Republican electorate."

Both men have the ability to raise copious campaign cash through their well-honed personal and corporate connections. Romney says he is on track to collect a record $1 billion -- matching Obama's target.

For Huntsman to headquarter his campaign in Orlando would be symbolic in ecclesiastical terms. Orlando is the only city in the state with a Mormon Temple, an exclusive edifice where qualified tithes-paying church members perform baptisms for the dead and other holy rituals.

Even with their heavy Republican bent, and contrary to popular belief, Mormons are not all of one mind politically. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada is a leading Democrat on the national scene, and it is widely believed that a few Democrats are sprinkled among the church's Quorum of Twelve Apostles.

Whereas today's church stands officially against gay (and plural) marriage, it has sent out homosexual missionaries under a sort of don't-ask-don't-tell policy. Like the Catholic Church, the LDS church also has assumed a "liberal" position on open borders and immigration.

Ricky regrets septic-tank inspections

Aaron Deslatte: "Florida's CEO governor is getting an earful from the company, but Rick Scott appears unflinching in his vision. He says his biggest regrets from his rookie legislative session are that an immigration bill and repeal of a septic-tank inspection mandate did not pass, and an insurance bill he signed last week did not go far enough to scale back the state's underpinning of the property-insurance market." "Rick Scott, CEO, unfazed by criticism".

With the stroke of his pen, Ricky cancels Miami-Dade's Sunday vote

"A Miami-Dade judge on Friday backed the county elections department’s decision to cancel a day of early voting for Tuesday’s special election."

Circuit Judge Barbara Areces dismissed a lawsuit filed by county mayoral candidate Marcelo Llorente, who argued the elections department acted unconstitutionally when it did away with early voting scheduled for Sunday.

Lester Sola, the Miami-Dade supervisor of elections, changed the schedule earlier this week to comply with a new elections law Gov. Rick Scott signed on Thursday. The law requires early voting to end three days before Election Day.

Vern who?

"An Emergent Vern Buchanan Pushes to Slow Foreign Aid".

"Florida continues to jeopardize its environment"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Florida continues to jeopardize its environment, tourism and public health by fighting the federal government over new clean water rules. Fortunately, state lawmakers did not pass legislation that would have barred the state from enforcing the rules, which are designed to curb pollution in lakes, rivers and estuaries. But that is small consolation; the state’s Republican leaders are continuing a lawsuit challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority and the scientific basis for moving ahead. Only a strong mandate by the EPA will protect the state’s resources." "Obstructing the path to cleaner water".

Scott signed the bill without comment. Critics of the legislation assailed him for endorsing "voter suppression" tactics aimed at making it tougher for President Barack Obama to capture Florida's prized 29 electoral votes in 2012.

"I want people to vote, but I also want to make sure there's no fraud involved in elections," Scott said earlier. "All of us as individuals that vote want to make sure that our elections are fair and honest."

But some supervisors who run elections in Florida say the state's voter registration database is highly reliable. A statement from their statewide association warns Scott that the changes could cause chaos and confusion at the polls next year.

. He broke weeks of silence Thursday about an hour after his boss, Scott, signed the legislation.

"I know bad election law when I see it," Browning said. "I don't think this bill is bad for Florida. ... It doesn't negatively impact Florida voters."

Republicans took aim at Florida's popular early voting process because it has favored Democrats and was utilized by African-Americans in 2008 as Barack Obama won Florida and the presidency. The other form of early voting, absentee ballots, which heavily favors Republicans, was untouched by the new law.

In another craven move by Republicans, voters who change their residences a lot such as renters, college students and the poor will now to be handed provisional ballots at the polls, which may or may not be counted. For the last 40 years, Floridians who moved out of the county of their registration had the convenience of changing their address at the polls, and with the state's new voter database, there's no chance of someone voting twice. But the rules were tightened to disadvantage Democratic voters.

The new law also suppresses voting by threatening groups that conduct voter registration drives. ...

It's no shock that Scott failed to stand up to Republican legislators and veto this assault on the constitutional right to vote. It is disappointing that Secretary of State Kurt Browning, the former Pasco elections supervisor once known for his integrity and independence, is sacrificing his own reputation to defend the indefensible for his new boss.

GOP wingnuts embarrass themselves in Jax


"Republican leaders said over and over in recent weeks that a race for mayor of Jacksonville amounted to the first big Florida fight in the 2012 presidential race."

"The liberal organizers who want to keep the American people enslaved by wasteful spending and hideous deficits need to know that they have jumped the gun on 2012 and have awakened a sleeping giant," Duval County Republican chairman Lenny Curry declared this month before handing a $50,000 check to Republican mayoral candidate Mike Hogan. "We're going to send a message that Florida is red."

"Jacksonville has always been a conservative stronghold for Republicans, and we're going to have to really study what happened in this race," said Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, a U.S. Senate candidate who had expected Hogan to win handily.

Nice dinner a must

"State investigators have found no evidence that Carol Wehle used her position as executive director of the South Florida Water Management District to help her boyfriend land a $120,000-a-year job as the district's engineering auditor." "State finds no fault in hiring of water district chief's boyfriend".

Employer loyalty

"As governments across Florida trim their employee ranks, Hillsborough County is introducing a change that is sending waves of anxiety through its workforce. County government employees were told this week that some of them will soon be forced to reapply for their jobs and compete against outside applicants." "County workers must reapply for jobs". Meanwhile, just down the road: "Orange leaders spend $52,000 on office renovations".

Race to the bottom

"First, Florida Gov. Rick Scott congratulates Texas Gov. Rick Perry on his state's top ranking for being business friendly. Then, Scott issues a challenge to his fellow Republican in a letter Thursday. Scott wrote: 'Florida will not settle for third place.'" "Rick Scott challenges Texas' top ranking in business environment". See also "Gov. Scott issues challenge to Texas governor ".

"The same people who always get it"

"Escambia County Commissioner Marie Young on Thursday asked fellow commissioners why $4.38 million in BP grant money is proposed to go to 'the same people who always get it.'" "BP money slated for 'the same people who always get it"".

Empty suits stride world stage

"Two Florida Republicans in Congress are calling out the White House, urging the Obama administration to get cracking on submitting free-trade agreements to Colombia and Panama." "Connie Mack, David Rivera Attack White House for Stalling on Latin American Free-Trade Deals".

Chamber suckles public tit

"Cozy arrangement with South Lake Chamber not in Clermont's best interests ".

Randolph gets last laugh

"Gregory Campbell, the son of Democratic state Rep. Daphne Campbell, has been snared in a $299,000 Medicaid scheme, accused of fraudulently billing the agency for clients he didn't provide any services for. The charges include grand theft, organized fraud and Medicaid fraud, all first-degree felonies."

"During this year's legislative session, [Rep. Daphne Campbell] infuriated fellow Democrats with her support of bills that put further restrictions on abortion. The anger erupted on the House floor when she and Rep. Scott Randolph of Orlando got into a skirmish, with Randolph promising to find someone to unseat her in 2012." "State lawmaker's son charged with Medicaid fraud".

Mica out of his league

"Mica critical of president's Israel stance".

Fat clowns stick together

Beth Kassab observes that "it's been a tough few years to be Ronald McDonald."

Some towns have banned his signature Happy Meals. Other cities have called attention to the fat, salt and calorie content of his menu items. The latest assault came this week when a group of health professionals called for McDonald's to end Ronald's run as the face of the fast-food giant.

He was even lambasted at his own shareholder's meeting on Thursday by critics who claim he's hurting children with the sale of each French fry.

He can in the Florida Legislature.

Lawmakers passed a bill that shields restaurants from cities and counties that may try to control how a restaurant markets itself, meaning this state is now a safe haven for Happy Meals.

As Florida burns ...

"Florida Republican Congressman Cliff Stearns and Congressman Jim Matheson, D-Utah, want to know what the National Football League and the League's Players Association are doing to combat human growth hormones (HGH) in their sport. The pair teamed up to send a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Players Association Director DeMaurice Smith demanding an answer. The representatives also insisted that Congress should keep out over continued negotiations between NFL owners and players -- a boiling pot that threatens to impact the 2011-12 football season." "Cliff Stearns and Jim Matheson Want NFL to Crack Down on Steroids".

"Lawmakers put Scott in a fiscal box"

"While Gov. Rick Scott looks to trim the $69.7 billion state budget through line-item vetoes, lawmakers put him -- and Florida taxpayers -- in a fiscal box with one big-ticket item: SunRail." "SunRail Pushed Onto Rick Scott by GOP Lawmakers".

Life insurance practices under fire

"Insurance commissioners from across the country grilled executives from Nationwide and MetLife Thursday in Tallahassee on their life insurance business practices."

In particular, regulators pressed the companies to explain why they aggressively examine death records when seeking to stop annuity payments, but are less vigilant when it means they have to pay claims to beneficiaries. They also wanted to know why the companies take so long to hand over unclaimed benefits to states.

Florida insurance commissioner Kevin McCarty, president-elect of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, led the daylong hearing, which drew colleagues from more than a dozen states. The hearing was part of a national effort targeting multiple insurance companies.

Alexander blows top over 4 day work week

"Members of the citrus industry are begging Gov. Rick Scott to veto management shake-ups driven by one of their own, Sen. J.D. Alexander."

The Department of Citrus, founded in 1935 to promote the fruit, regulates the industry through a 12-member commission. Citrus growers fund the agency through a "box tax" on crops, so it runs without state dollars. ...

The department's executive director would be subject to Senate confirmation. Also, limits would be imposed on the box tax. The tax on orange juice, for example, could not exceed 25 cents, which is its current rate. The current cap is 30 cents. ...

Alexander, who did not respond to a call for this story, over recent months has expressed frustration with the department, including its experiment with a four-day work week and adding to the box tax.

Depending on the outcome, we'll be talking a lot about what went wrong for the losing campaign and coalition. Rest assured, however, there are a lot of people quite unsure what happened in sleepy Jacksonville. Their perception that a GOP candidate would always win in Duval - even if his nomination elicited howls of protest from prominent civic leaders - has been shattered.

"Governor, veto this bill"

"Scott has yet to sign a sweeping elections bill that rewrites much of the state's voting laws, but the measure is already having repercussions in a South Florida mayoral race – and drawing challenges from Democrats in Florida and in Washington. Elections officials in Miami-Dade have canceled early voting hours for Sunday in anticipation that Scott will sign the bill by Saturday, his deadline for a decision. Among other things, the bill prohibits early voting three days before an election; the Miami-Dade mayoral primary is next Tuesday." "Protests grow as Scott considers an elections bill".

Howard Troxler writes - "Here is how bad this bill is, governor:"

The League of Women Voters has announced that if you sign it, the league will suspend all voter registration efforts in Florida, for fear of being punished by the government.

And for what reason?

"Voter fraud." It is a Big Lie told so often that too many people believe it.

"Everybody knows" that there is voter fraud in Florida. "Everybody knows" that Mickey Mouse was registered to vote in Florida.

Except ...

IT ISN'T TRUE.

It isn't true. It isn't true!

Those anecdotes cited by legislators during debate do not exist. They make it sound like terrorists, commies and ACORN (same thing, I guess) are stuffing the voting rolls with fake names and dead guys willy-nilly. It isn't true.

If you make this our law, all the things that we were once taught about our American democracy will no longer apply in Florida. We'll want fewer people to vote, not more. Signing up voters is not a patriotic duty; it will be a suspicious activity.

Good grief!

Governor, veto this bill.

Haridopolos spinning on his head

Haridopolos' "tone was starkly different from the final rocky hours of the session, when Haridopolos looked despondent as he apologized to senators about how it closed. On Wednesday, he said he was thrilled with the session overall but disappointed the state House did not take up measure to compensate a Brevard County man wrongfully incarcerated for murder and a Broward man disabled after a deputy smashed into his car." "Florida Sen. Mike Haridopolos touts session, says he takes on 'tough issues'".

Bought and paid for

"Florida utilities, casino operators, local governments and a host of other interests spent more than $55.1 million to lobby Tallahassee lawmakers and the governor during the first three months of the year, according to [an] ... analysis of lobbyist compensation data released this week." "Florida lobbyists still spending big to influence Tallahassee". See also "Companies set record on Florida lobbyist spending".

"The Maginot Line of dirty water"

Mike Thomas: "Florida has spent years defining dirty in lakes and rivers all over the state, working in concert with the very industries that dump poop and fertilizer in them."

I can assure you of one thing. Having spent my entire life in this state, this ain't working. I've watched Lake Butler, Crystal River and Weeki Wachee Springs all turn green, green and green.

That's just to name a few.

And so, spurred on by a lawsuit from the communist environmentalists to do something about this, the EPA decided to attach numbers to dirty. No more guesswork. ...

The EPA claims it would be millions and millions, and well worth it.

The state claims it would be billions and billions, and might not do squat.

This dispute is bigger than just us.

If Florida knuckles under, the feds will move on to other states with their demands for cleaner water. So polluters and mudfish all over the nation are cheering us on.

We are the Maginot Line of dirty water.

"Arrogance, bullying and duplicity"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "The arrogance, bullying and duplicity of 1st District Court of Appeal Judge Paul M. Hawkes has been well documented. Now new charges from Florida's Judicial Qualifications Commission have uncovered even more evidence that Hawkes, a former political operative who orchestrated the building of the 'Taj Mahal' courthouse in Tallahassee, is not fit to sit on the bench." "'Taj Mahal' judge must go". The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Taj Mahal shenanigans".

Priorities

"Teachers saved in PBC, sacrificed in Broward – why?" Related: "871 Broward school officials to take furloughs".

"Power grab by the Legislature"

"Audubon of Florida and the Everglades Foundation ask Gov. Rick Scott to veto SB 2142. Sen. Alan Hays says the bill makes the districts and their appointed boards more accountable to the public. But former House Speaker Dick Pettigrew said the bill is a power grab by the Legislature." "Groups say bill slashing water management district taxes undermines governor's authority".

DCA employees let go

"SB 2156 would transfer DCA's Division of Community Planning to a new Department of Economic Opportunity, with 29 positions in that division being cut effective June 30. One laid-off supervisor said there was 'gallows humor' for the laid off employees while the mood was more somber during an afternoon meeting for employees who are staying." "Some DCA employees receive their pink slips as part of department breakup".

I'm shocked, shocked...

"Scott's Washington, D.C.-based lawyers said the governor has no conflict because of the ownership transfer to his wife's trust." "Florida ethics panel rejects Solantic complaints against Gov. Rick Scott".

GOPers give Ricky a pass

"According to a poll unveiled Wednesday, Republican voters don't think their representatives in Tallahassee are doing enough to help Gov. Rick Scott get the Sunshine State back to work."

The poll, from Sunshine State Communications, a firm with connections to prominent Republicans, found that a strong plurality of Republican primary voters think the Legislature let Gov. Rick Scott down in his effort to bring jobs to the Sunshine State -- even though Republican supermajorities dominate both the House and the Senate.

When the session started in March, Republicans controlled 81 of the 120 seats in the Florida House and 28 of the 40 seats in the Senate. Most of the current leadership in the Legislature -- including Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, who is running in a crowded Republican primary to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012, and House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park -- backed then-Attorney General Bill McCollum over Scott in a heated Republican gubernatorial primary last year.

The poll found that 49 percent of those surveyed believe the Legislature didn't do enough to help the governor. While 36 percent of those surveyed were undecided, a mere 15 percent thought the Legislature did do enough to help Scott with his jobs plan. ...

The poll of 457 likely Republican primary voters was taken on May 12-13 and has a margin of error of +/- 4.58 percent.

Conforming bills

"In the wake of a session that included what veterans said was an abnormally large number of 'conforming bills' usually meant to simply bring state policy in line with the next year’s budget, interest groups and others are still sifting through all that was in them more than a week later." "In Spate of Conforming Bills, Dozens of Changes to Law".

Nelson weighs in

"With the federal government reaching the debt ceiling earlier in the week, Florida Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio -- and the field of GOP candidates looking to knock off Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson -- weighed in this week, calling for fiscal restraint." "Marco Rubio and GOP Challengers to Bill Nelson: Focus on Debt Ceiling".

"Lobbying stars aligning for insurance industry"

Now that "Gov. Scott signs in sweeping insurance changes", the The Saint Petersburg Times' Business Columnist, Robert Trigaux writes that "Insurers win; Florida could lose".

Opening the door for graft

"HB 7207 would make sweeping changes to the state's 25-year-old management system, substantially reducing state oversight of local land use decisions. Former Gov. Bob Graham called the bill 'detrimental' to the economy, while Nat Reed said the legislation will open the door for bribery and graft among local officials." "Critics say growth management bill will harm economy and increase corruption".

Huntsman state HQ in Orlando

"Although he hasn't officially jumped into the race, potential Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman has decided to open his national headquarters in Orlando, his advisers confirmed Wednesday. ... The former Utah governor's exploratory committee also named Nikki Jerger Lowrey, a onetime aide to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, as its Florida director." "Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman's presidential campaign to set up in Orlando". See also "Should he run, Huntsman to base WH campaign in Fla" and "The sun's shining for Huntsman in Florida".

Scott vows vetos

"Scott vowed Tuesday to pare the $69.7 billion state budget approved by lawmakers, reining-in public-sector spending and easing a debt burden that has skyrocketed under fellow Republicans the past decade." "Gov. Scott poises with veto power -- over his own party's spending plans".

Yee haw! I gonna kill me sum bar

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "State wildlife officials have concluded there are just too many darned black bears roaming around inhabited Florida. But is that the bears' fault, or the fault of politicians who have allowed developers to pave over more of the state? And before open season is declared by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the bear is removed from the state's list of protected animals, the justification should be more compelling than a nearly 10-year-old data base." "Don't let Florida black bears be victims".

"Seniors Tax Simplification Act"

"Florida Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio today introduced a bill that would that would simplify the tax code and filing requirements for seniors. The legislation, titled 'Seniors Tax Simplification Act,' would create a new 1040 form making it easier for seniors to file for Social Security benefits, dividends, capital gains and interest." "Sens. Nelson, Rubio team up on taxes".

Florida's "public shaming"

"When federal officials announced this month that Florida ranked No. 3 in the nation when it comes to costs incurred from fatal vehicle crashes, traffic safety advocates embraced the public shaming as new ammunition in the effort to tame the state's highways." "As crash costs surge, safety advocates ask if Fla. will act".

While the rest of us were sleeping

While the rest of us were sleeping, Florida's firemen (who actually have pensions) yet again see, touch and smell the things the rest of us never have to concern ourselves with: "Firefighters find body inside burning van in Deltona" ("Firefighters early today made a gruesome discovery: a body inside a burning vehicle.")

Dubya's 2000 lawyer cashes in (on Floridians)

"Legal bills continue to mount for the defense of insurance commissioner Kevin McCarty and the state Office of Insurance Regulation."

So far the state has been billed more than $55,000 by high-powered attorney Barry Richard, who is charging up to $715 an hour to defend against a lawsuit filed by the owner of a Texas insurance company who alleges McCarty unfairly rejected his proposal to do business in Florida.

That makes Richard, who represented George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential election recount, the highest-paid outside counsel hired by the state insurance office in the past four years.

In three other cases, the state's risk management office paid outside attorneys between $85 and $95 an hour to defend the insurance office, with charges totaling between $15,748 and $115,772. In those cases, risk management covered all the costs.

In this case, McCarty's office is picking up some of the costs.

Search narrows

"The search for Florida's next education commissioner has narrowed to about a half dozen potential candidates, though it remains to be seen whether recruiters will be able to lure them from top jobs to tackle one of the country's largest school systems." "Search narrows for Fla. education commissioner".

"Scott's taking an active interest in SunRail"

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "Scott's taking an active interest in SunRail, according to several regional business leaders and politicians who've met with him, precisely because the more he looks, there's more for a businessman like Scott to like." "Scott warming to SunRail?"

Alligator tears

"Toward the end of this year's legislative session, state lawmakers seemed near tears as they explained why they had to cut so much from public schools, nursing homes and hospitals. The leaders, however, managed to find money in the $68 billion state budget for a dozen or so pet projects, in the process pumping up the budgets of a few state colleges and universities." "Lawmakers spare pet university projects".

Hawkes jammed

"The appellate judge who orchestrated the construction of the elaborate "Taj Mahal" courthouse was charged Tuesday by the Judicial Qualifications Commission with abusing his authority as a judge, destroying public records and conduct that demonstrates he is unfit to hold office." "JQC charges 'Taj Mahal' judge".

Ricky'st education tantrum

"Gov. Rick Scott warns he may veto more than a hundred million dollars in college construction projects in the new state budget." "Gov. Rick Scott threatens veto of college construction projects".

Rick 'da man

"During the legislative session, lobbyists are sent scurrying all over the Capitol to marshal votes for their clients’ bills. Now that session is over, interest groups have just one man to lobby -- Gov. Rick Scott." "Unsatisfied Groups Turn to Gov. Rick Scott After Session".

Bondi rightly balking?

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Attorney General rightly balked at a government mandate to devalue mortgages".

Budget blues

"Gov. Scott poises with veto power -- over his own party's spending plans".

Friends of Ricky multiply

"The number of lobbying firms that reported earning a least a half-a-million dollars in the first quarter of 2011 rose from seven to 11. Among those firms that reported earning money was The Rubin Group, the firm led by long-time lobbyist William Rubin. Rubin is a friend of Gov. Rick Scott." "".

Ricky's a never ending PR stunt

"Don't call it a comeback: Scott launches campaign to tout successes".

Florida GOP presidential primary up for grabs

"A poll released on Monday shows that Florida is up for grabs in the Republican presidential race, with more than 40 percent of likely primary voters either undecided or backing a candidate who has decided not to run for the nomination."

With Florida set to have an early primary in 2012 and the Republican Party of Florida heavily promoting its Presidency 5 straw poll in Orlando in September, the poll from Republican firm Sunshine State Communications finds that the field of candidates needs to familiarize itself with voters in the Sunshine State. The poll finds that 32 percent of those surveyed were undecided -- easily surpassing any of the candidates included in the poll.

Former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts leads the field of candidates with 16 percent and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia is right behind him with 15 percent. With former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas announcing Saturday that he is not running for the Republican presidential nomination, his supporters can play a pivotal role in the primary battle.

The poll was taken before Huckabee made his announcement and showed the former Arkansas governor took 11 percent of those surveyed. Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, who has downplayed talk about running for the Republican nomination in 2012, took 9 percent while former Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, who is still considering whether to run, stands at 8 percent.

The rest of the field trails the leaders.

Rivera cleared

"The Federal Election Commission has found 'no reason to believe' that Rep. David Rivera violated campaign finance law during the 2010 election by coordinating a campaign attack." "FEC clears complaint against Rep. Rivera".

Insurance battle

Update: "Gov. Rick Scott signs sweeping property insurance changes into law".

"With a sweeping property insurance reform bill awaiting Gov. Rick Scott's signature, supporters and opponents of the proposal continue to battle." "Sides battle over Florida insurance bill as it awaits Gov. Rick Scott". See also "Insurance Reform Post-Session Battle Begins".

Political hackery

"Gov. Scott offers a personalized welcome to state".

"Nothing fair or fiscally conservative about it"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board:

Leaders in the Florida Legislature frequently talk about their fiscal conservative principles. But in passing four bills that would make it harder to bring personal injury cases and cap the damages that courts can award, lawmakers have closed or curtailed access to the courts for thousands of injured Floridians. That makes it far more likely that the cost of catastrophic injuries due to medical malpractice or a faulty vehicle design will shift to taxpayers. If Gov. Rick Scott signs the bill he will signal he would rather let wrongdoers off the hook and shift the burden to taxpayers.

"Bits and Pieces"

Kevin Derby's "Political Bits and Pieces".

Cancelling the last day of Miami-Dade early voting?

"The House of Representatives and the Senate passed a bill that required the Elections Department to cancel the last day of early voting in the 2011 Miami-Dade County Special Election. Gov. Rick Scott is expected to sign this bill and the vast majority of it will become law on or before May 21." "Early voting in Miami-Dade special election ends May 21".

Homebuilders hurtin'

"Builders are struggling to compete with waves of foreclosures that have forced down prices for previously occupied homes. The weakness is weighing on the economy." "Homebuilders missing
out on economic recovery".

"Confusion at polls"

Jackie Bueno Sousa: "Ignorance leads to confusion at polls".

"The daughter of a super lobbyist"

"It pays to be the daughter of a super lobbyist, but things can get complicated."

In the final days of the legislative session, lawmakers amended a bill to protect children from sexual abuse that gave $1.5 million to Lauren's Kids, a nonprofit run by the daughter of Ron Book, the Tallahassee uber-lobbyist from Miami.

The problem is, according to all accounts, neither of the Books asked for the money. The bill, HB 215, says the money must be used to finance a 24-hour abuse hotline and pay for sexual abuse prevention education in schools — programs already offered by Lauren's Kids without state funding.

The money the Books did ask for but did not receive: $3 million to finance the cost of relocating victims of sexual assault who are too threatened to remain at home. Instead, the late-session allocation was tacked onto a bill victim advocates had worked on all year. Among other things, the bill limits a defendant's access to child pornography evidence, allows the admission of prior sexual crimes as evidence and ensures the HIV testing of sex offenders.

If anyone knows who came up with the idea of steering the money to Book's hotline and community awareness program in a year when $3.8 billion was being slashed from the budget, they are not saying. Nor is anyone claiming credit.

Fl-oil-duh

"U.S. Rep. West urges drilling to tap U.S. oil in Gulf, and greater pursuit of all other energy sources".

"LeMieux's mixed message"

"From his U.S. Senate office, George LeMieux declared he would have voted against the $787 billion stimulus. But behind the scenes, LeMieux was trying to secure hundreds of millions." "George LeMieux sends mixed messages on spending, earmarks".

At least 1,400 Broward teachers canned

"More than 1,400 teachers won’t be coming back to their Broward classrooms in August. And hundreds of more will likely be laid off as the school district grapples with a $140 million deficit." "1,400-plus teachers losing jobs".

Rubio wants a refund

"Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio introduced a proposal Tuesday that would allow states refusing federal funds to direct those monies to help pay down the national debt." "Marco Rubio Offers Proposal to Pay Down National Debt".

"Jeb!" sycophants run amuck

"Jeb Bush left the governor's office in 2007, but his influence still holds sway in Tallahassee, and now in state capitols from New Jersey to Oregon, where lawmakers are eager to adopt his education reform efforts." "Jeb Bush's education reform ideas draw national attention".

Brown goes sideways

"Democrat U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown again aligns with GOP in Florida redistricting battle".

Glowing inspection

"Florida nuclear reactors pass inspection in wake of Japan disaster".

Koch krap

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Florida State University President Eric Barron should stop defending an indefensible arrangement with a private foundation to fund and approve faculty positions in the economics department. Barron needs to either cut ties with the Charles G. Koch Foundation or convince it to rescind its restrictions." "FSU: For Sale University".

Under fire "for an unusual deal that gives a billionaire donor control over some faculty positions, Florida State University president Eric J. Barron has insisted that his institution's academic freedom has not been compromised."

But internal FSU e-mails show that top academic officers who reviewed drafts of the 2008 agreement with the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation had precisely those concerns.

Despite those fears, the arrangement — which was hoped to raise $6.6 million but ultimately yielded only about $3.5 million for the college's economics department — went through only minor changes.

"Planning a twofer"

Fred Grimm: "Appalachian oxy junkies have made that thousand-mile trek down I-95 or I-75 in such astounding numbers that doctors in the Fort Lauderdale area have become the most prolific dispensers of oxycodone in the nation. You’ve heard the stats. In 2009, Florida could claim all 50 of the nation’s top 50 docs excelling in that particular specialty — 33 of them working of Broward County. Oxy tourism sustains some 183 pain clinics in South Florida. But why here? Visitors are not, I’m guessing, planning a twofer — a stroll through the art galleries along Las Olas Boulevard after stocking up on oxy scrips." "Why South Florida is Candyland for oxycodone buyers".

RPOFers stick heads in sand

"Four hundred scientists gathered in Copenhagen this month to talk about the warming temperatures in the arctic. Their conclusion:"

The arctic's glaciers are melting faster than anyone expected due to man-made climate change.

As a result, the world's sea level will rise faster than previously projected, rising at least 2 feet 11 inches and perhaps as high as 5 feet 3 inches by 2100, they said.

In low-lying Florida, where 95 percent of the population lives within 35 miles of its 1,200 miles of coastline, a swelling of the tides could cause serious problems. So what is Florida's Department of Environmental Protection doing about dealing with climate change?

"DEP is not pursuing any programs or projects regarding climate change," an agency spokeswoman said in an e-mail to the St. Petersburg Times last week.