Republicans trade decent treatment of elderly for partisan gain

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "To score political points against President Barack Obama's health care reforms, Florida's Republican legislative leaders have rejected millions of federal dollars to help the frail elderly stay in their homes."

It is unconscionable and suggests Tallahassee's leadership is ready to trade commonsense and decent treatment of Florida's elders for purely partisan gain.

The five-year, $35.7 million grant left on the table by the state Legislative Budget Committee last month means Florida won't participate in a compassionate federal program launched in 2005 under Republican President George W. Bush. It pays for seniors and the disabled to be cared for at home or at an assisted living facility rather than be consigned to a nursing home.

Dem in Medicaid mess

"Months after Florida lawmaker Daphne Campbell [a Democrat whose House district covers northeast Miami-Dade] promised to crack down on Medicaid fraud, state agents are now carrying out her pledge by focusing on an unexpected target: Campbell’s own health-care business." "Medicaid fraud probe focuses on state lawmaker".

Ricky's bad week

"Weekly Roundup: Big and Mostly Bad for Gov. Rick Scott". See also "The Week in Review for June 27-July 1".

SunRail approved, Teabaggers on fire

"Branded the Great Divider by Florida's mainstream media, Gov. Rick Scott is now the Great Uniter. Everyone is mad at him. Red-meat conservatives feel furiously betrayed after he approved SunRail, a multibillion-dollar train project they dismiss as a boondoggle. Lefties -- who have been quiet on the issue, or passively supportive -- call him a hypocrite for killing high-speed rail (read: Obamarail) and green-lighting SunRail, which was backed by GOP leaders." "On SunRail, Rick Scott Takes Train to Middle of Nowhere".

"In an affront to his tea party base and to backers of a Florida bullet train he killed earlier this year, Gov. Rick Scott on Friday gave the green light to SunRail, a controversial Orlando-area commuter rail project on hold since he took office."

Critics characterized the move as hypocritical in light of Scott's high-speed rail decision and stated principle of limited government spending, but he defended it by saying SunRail was in the works before he became governor and was so far along he had no choice but to approve it. ...

Detractors, though, accused Scott of putting politics before principles.

"He is an insider now. He can no longer say that he is an outsider," said state Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, referring to Scott's pitch on the campaign trail that he was not part of the Florida political establishment.

Joyner was one of two state senators to unsuccessfully sue Scott in the Florida Supreme Court after he rejected $2.4 billion in federal funding for a high-speed rail line connecting Tampa to Orlando, citing concerns about potential costs to Florida taxpayers.

Although the federal government was prepared to pay for nearly all of the bullet train's construction, Scott continued to fret about possible state expenses.

The line was part of President Barack Obama's vision for a nationwide high-speed rail system.

"It was all anti-Obama," Joyner said. "It's clear the high-speed rail project was rejected purely for political reasons."

Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, a champion of high-speed rail and critic of SunRail, decried Scott's decision, calling out the deal's payment to CSX, a Jacksonville-based freight operator.

"It is unclear if when making the decision the governor had a change of heart, if he simply succumbed to the desires of the big money special interests, or if he has a severe case of amnesia and thought that he was supposed to be representing CSX instead of Florida's taxpayers," she said. "When the SunRail/CSX commuter project is viewed from a purely business vantage point, the project falls so far below what a savvy business owner would accept that it is somewhat baffling." ...

Everett Wilkinson, chairman of the South Florida Tea Party, said that Scott's decision was "influenced by big-money lobbyists" and that the governor "failed to deliver on his promises."

"I really thought he was going to fight more for the taxpayers and wouldn't give up," Wilkinson said. "Tea party members are shaking their heads wondering why Scott did this. In the coming weeks, I am sure Gov. Scott will face disappointed and angry tea party members across Florida."

Seemingly incurable disease spreads in Florida

"Wal-Mart to add new stores, upgrade others in S. Fla.".

"Few things come easy in the Glades"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Few things come easy in the Glades, not even drinking water. As if nearly 40 percent unemployment and the imminent closing of the nearby prison weren't enough, the three cities in western Palm Beach County are facing yet another survival threat: leaky pipes and a money-losing water utility." "Bigger county role inevitable".

"Scott wouldn’t know because he doesn’t read newspapers"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Gov. Scott’s automated calls started in May, in an attempt to drum up support for the nationally unpopular governor. In the first call, he cheerily dissed a number of hometown projects as 'special-interest waste.' That only ticked off Republican lawmakers, who had crafted the state budget and whose projects, some that would have improved residents’ quality of life, went nowhere."

In the second call, he touted getting tough on welfare recipients — a perennially favorite group to smear — and cracking down on Florida’s pill mills. (Of course, it took a while for it to dawn on the governor that these were a problem worth tackling.) In the third call, last week, he talked of lowering property taxes and whacking water management districts. ...

Gov. Scott may have missed that, coincidentally, residents in Miami-Dade were dodging the shrapnel of a bruising campaign for county mayor, and robocalls were a big part of each campaign’s strategy.

Of course, Gov. Scott wouldn’t know because he says he doesn’t read Florida newspapers. Too bad he didn’t get a clue. The robocalls aren’t necessarily lifting his dismal poll numbers. The good news is that we taxpayers aren’t funding this cheerleading campaign — the state Republican Party is. The bad news is, those calls are annoying the heck out of people.

Not so long ago ...

"Fort Lauderdale marks 50th anniversary of fight to desegregate beach".

"Scott has started to take crisis seriously"

The Miami Herald editors: "After years of lackadaisical oversight of the state’s 2,850 private assisted-living facilities, Florida regulators are starting to crack down. Hallelujah! ... Rick Scott has started to take this crisis seriously, as he should. We’ve said it before: His commitment must be long term and transparent, giving Floridians all the information they should have to evaluate such facilities." "Scott steps it up on regulating ALFs".

Many homes worth less than the homestead exemption

"[M]ore than 18,800 homeowners in Broward County and 16,700 in Palm Beach County--[are] living in houses, condos or coops-- ... are not required to pay property taxes because the value of their units is less than their $25,000 homestead exemption." "Many property owners paying no taxes".

Blame the workers

"Gimenez takes oath, then requests union pay cuts".

Florida continues to "embarrass" itself

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Legalized gay marriage continues to be a national trend. Unfortunately, don't expect that trend to come to Florida any time in the near future."

The nation seems much more aware that same-sex marriage is a matter of equality for all. Just don't expect that awareness to reach Florida soon.

Florida was, embarrassingly, the last state to stop banning gay adoptions, and that didn't happen until last year and not until after numerous court battles and legislative attempts. It will be even harder to get same-sex marriage legalized in Florida, since state voters approved the Marriage Protection Amendment to the state constitution in 2008.

Florida for sale

"Despite strong criticism from members of his own party, Republican Gov. Rick Scott on Friday defended his administration's push to add new campgrounds with spaces for recreational vehicles in more than 50 state parks, including Dunedin's popular Honeymoon Island State Park." "Gov. Rick Scott defends plan to expand camping in state parks".

What's the problem?

"Broward, Palm Beach schools stay A-rated" and "Palm Beach County schools maintain A rating".

Jeb dead-enders

Kingsley Guy has "Some advice for Republicans wanting to challenge Obama": "Stick close to Jeb Bush. The former governor's support and advice will be important to winning Florida, and as Florida goes, so goes the nation."

"Chilling effect of scrutiny on state government"

"Scott, whose relationship with the media has been a little rocky since he took office in January, spoke at the annual Florida Press Association/Florida Society of News Editors convention and was twice asked about his policies on public records."

St. Petersburg Times Editor Paul Tash told Scott told that one of his reporters obtained thousands of pages of public records at a cost of about $150 to investigate a story on the exorbitant cost of a courthouse, but under Scott's policy it would have cost her thousands of dollars to get the same records.

"Governor, is the extra revenue to the state worth the tradeoff of the chilling effect of scrutiny on state government?" Tash asked.

Scott defended his policy.

A raft of new laws and a shrunken state budget take effect today. The Republican-led Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott have bragged they cut business regulation, corporate income taxes and property taxes for water management districts. ...

The only real winners are incumbent politicians who voted for these changes and expect campaign contributions from the special interests they served

• State workers face a fifth year without a raise, and 4,500 will no longer have jobs. ...

• Parents in the 50,000 poor Florida families who qualify for temporary federal assistance will be forced to pay for drug tests before the family receives an average $240 a month in benefits. ...

• The 10.6 percent of Florida workers who are out of work will see less unemployment compensation. As the unemployment rate shrinks, those still hunting for jobs will see those benefits cut again.

• A women seeking an abortion will be required to pay for an ultrasound even if she doesn't want one. ...

• Nursing home residents will likely see smaller staffs to watch over them, as the state rolled back requirements on staffing levels under Medicaid.

• Residents with landline phones will likely see bigger bills, as lawmakers deregulated the industry.

• Property owners can expect another 15 percent increase in their insurance bills, as lawmakers allowed virtually automatic increases for reinsurance costs.

• State university students will once again see 15 percent increases in tuition, while those at state and community colleges will pay 8 percent more.

• Public school students will return in the fall to school districts that have 8 percent less funding per child, a number sure to affect the classroom after four years of stagnant investment. Prekindergarten providers will see a 7 percent cut.

What the governor and state lawmakers won't be able to run from is the devastating impact this year's legislation will have on so many Floridians.

What the governor and state lawmakers won't be able to run from is the devastating impact this year's legislation will have on so many Floridians.

Elections have consequences, and this is the result of the choices voters made in 2010. Scott won't be on the ballot for more than three years, but every state legislative seat will be on the ballot next year.

That will be the next opportunity for voters to make clear what they think of the sharp right turn that Florida has taken.

First round of FRS case goes against workers

"A judge has refused to set aside public employee pension contributions in a separate account pending resolution of a lawsuit challenging those payments required by a Florida law that went into effect Friday." "Judge refuses to set aside Florida pension funds". See also "No Injunction, Pension Requirement Begins", "Judge rules against unions’ request", "Judge rules against putting pensions in separate account", "Judge won't force state to set aside pension contributions from public employees" and "Leon County judge hears first round in state retirement overhaul case". Related: "State employee pension law shifts burden".

To summarize, the court denied a temporary injunction which would have required that the state place the forced deduction of 3% of gross compensation into a segregated fund pending final resolution of the FRS case. The Judge did not rule on or even consider the key issue of whether the 3% deduction was permissible, but rather left that to be decided after a trial on October 26.

Plaintiffs had argued that placing the 3% into a segregated fund would have made it easier for employees to recover improperly deducted monies should there be a final determination that the forced 3% deductions from gross compensation were improper. In that regard, the plaintiffs are variously arguing that the newly required 3% deduction from gross income are improper because (1) the deductions impair the contractual rights of FRS participants; (2) the deductions are a "taking" of FRS participants' property rights without just compensation; and (3) for unionized employees, the deductions - adopted unilaterally by the Legislature - abridge the fundamental Florida constitutional right to bargain collectively.

Judge Fulford made clear that she was not considering whether the 3% deductions are/were "lawful" in the first place, and instead deferred resolution of that issue until after the trial scheduled for October 26 at 7:30AM in Tallahassee.

The Judge merely ruled that it was unnecessary to segregate the 3% deductions to facilitate reimbursement of these monies in the event it is ultimately determined that the 3% was improperly deducted.

Yet to be decided are (1) whether the deductions impair the contractual rights of FRS participants or (2) whether the deductions amount to an unjust "taking" of FRS participants' property rights or (3) for unionized employees, whether the deductions - adopted unilaterally by the Legislature - abridge the fundamental Florida constitutional right to bargain collectively. These issues will considered at the October trial.

SunRail decision today

"Gov. Rick Scott's decision on SunRail expected today".

CNN teams up with Teabaggers

"The Florida State Fair Authority announced Wednesday that the State Fairgrounds in Tampa has been selected as the host site for a Sept. 12 Republican presidential debate hosted by CNN and the Tea Party Express." "Florida State Fairgrounds to host CNN/Tea Party Express debate".

"The Manchurian Candidate meets the Koch brothers"

Daniel Ruth would "like to welcome you to the Tampa Tea Party/912 Project Liberty Summer Camp. I see from the paperwork that you have all paid your fee for a week of exciting political re-education activities with the required beaver pelts. Before you head off to your camp bunkers to unpack your muskets, your "Gospel According to St. Ron Paul," and your spatterdashes, we'd like to review the week's thrilling schedule of proselytizing tea party events. Think of this as sort of The Manchurian Candidate meets the Koch brothers."

"As veteran pols, Haridopolos, Hasner and LeMieux will provide invaluable lectures on the fine art of pandering for votes, a skill many of you who aspire to a career in Florida politics must master."

You'll be very happy to know we've invited some special camp counselors to be on hand during the week — Republican U.S. Senate candidates: Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, former Florida House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux and Mike McCalister, who is a retired former Special Operations officer, which means he could kill you with his left nostril if he wanted.

While McCalister conducts a seminar on how to kill someone with your tonsils — if you want to — Hasner will provide his unique expertise on how, after once claiming to be environmentally sensitive, to properly deny that global warming has anything whatsoever to do with humankind if it will help wheedle a few votes out of fringe political groups. As we all know, global warming is simply caused by illegal immigrants.

You'll also want to play close attention to Haridopolos, who will explain the fine points of how to get paid $152,000 in public money from a community college to write a book that is the equivalent of Little Lord Fauntleroy Goes to Tallahassee, which eventually sells only 70 copies and makes $488. The man is a genius.

Finally, LeMieux will offer his views on the importance of forging lasting friendships and loyalties in public life. If you want, you can skip this session. He probably will, too.

Rich kiddies only need apply

The Sun Sentinel editors: "Florida university students will pay more in tuition, many will go deeper in debt, and they won't get the full benefit envisioned from their higher tuitions. They can thank lawmakers for it." "Thank state lawmakers for tuition rate hikes that will put more grads in debt". Related: "How Did the Bad Guys Get Their Hands on All-Republican Bright Futures?".

DWS denies assertion that Obama is losing support from Jewish Dems

"DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz denied a POLITICO assertion on Wednesday that President Obama is losing support from Jewish Democrats because of his policy on Israel." "Has Obama turned off Jewish Democrats?".

Bushco yawner

"Jeb Bush Jr. launches SunPAC to ‘promote the core Conservative values’".

FHP "cut, over and over, personnel and budget-wise"

"After eliminating thousands of rank-and-file jobs from the state work force, Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature are turning their cost-cutting attention to a more politically sensitive area: law enforcement."

A little-noticed bill the governor signed last month creates a task force on law enforcement consolidation — an idea likely to send shivers up the spines of police officers in a time of double-digit unemployment. ...

Steve Casey, executive director of the Florida Sheriffs Association, said his group opposed it because of uncertainty over whether the state would provide money to sheriffs to do that work. "We'd have to lobby for contract funds," he said. "The FHP does that now."

Casey said his group thought a better idea would be to allow sheriffs to contract with Highway Patrol on a case-by-case basis for short-term needs such as adding traffic investigation support.

The sheriffs' longtime lobbyist, Frank Messersmith, said: "We did not advocate eliminating FHP, and if you ask any sheriff in the state, every one would say FHP has been unfairly criticized. They have been cut, over and over, personnel- and budget-wise."

Tony Hill walks

"On the eve of becoming Jacksonville’s first black mayor, Alvin Brown announced that a pair Democratic legislators from Northeast Florida would serve in his administration."

Sen Tony Hill, D-Jacksonville, has accepted a position as “special assistant and liaison” to Tallahassee and Washington D.C., using his political connections to serve Brown.

Hill -- who is term limited out of office in 2012 -- resigned his post. A special election will be required to fill his seat.

Two former lawmakers - Terry Fields and Audrey Gibson - are among four candidates who had already filed to run for Hill's seat in 2012 and have indicated they will likely run in the special election.

Rep. Mia Jones, D-Jacksonville, also is taking a position as special assistant. But Jones said in a statement that the position “ “does not conflict with my legislative duties in the Florida House of Representatives” and that she would not have to resign.

An extra month of deform

"Federal officials have agreed to extend Florida’s controversial Medicaid pilot project by one month while deciding whether to give the state permission to turn health care for the poor over to HMOs." "Feds extend controversial Medicaid project".

"All the children are above average"

"More than two-thirds of Florida's public elementary and middle schools received an A or B grade on the state's annual assessment this year, the Department of Education said Thursday." "Fla. gives most elementary, middle schools A or B".

Scott whines about others matching his millions in campaign spending

"A Florida federal judge has struck down a provision of state campaign finance law that attempted to negate an advantage for millionaire candidates like Rick Scott by providing matching tax dollars to their opponents."

The decision of U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle parrots Monday's 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court ruling against Arizona's campaign finance matching law.

The Florida ruling, which had been expected in light of the Supreme Court decision, is a late but important win for now Gov. Scott, who brought the lawsuit during his Republican primary against Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum.

The provision of the law limited Scott's campaign expenditures to $24.9 million in the primary. For every $1 Scott spent over the limit, McCollum would have received a $1 match in taxpayer funding.

Scott argued that the cap was a violation of his First Amendment rights because it restricts his free speech by benefiting his opponents' speech. He won a temporary injunction that prevented McCollum from getting taxpayer assistance in the primary, but the case was not resolved.

Choice politics

"Mandatory-ultrasound law goes into effect today".

Teabagger madness

"In the past week, Florida lawmakers turned down a $2.1 million federal grant that would pave the way for the state to receive $35 million in federal funding that would move elderly and disabled patients from nursing homes to their own homes during the next five years."

"Five days a week of day care costs $15,000 a year and enables a caregiver to continue working. Compare that cost for a family to $70,000 a year for nursing homes," said [Mary Ellen] Grant, who operates Share the Care, an Orlando nonprofit that provides day care and support for caregivers of the elderly.

It makes more sense, Grant says, to move people out of nursing homes and support them — by providing independent-living facilities or care at home with their families — than to spend more money on nursing-home care.

That's the latest example of Florida turning down federal money because it's related to the health-care overhaul. So far, the state has turned down, given back or refused to apply for at least $54 million in federal funds.

Last year, the state filed suit against the Affordable Care Act, challenging the constitutionality of the "individual mandate," which requires all Americans to buy health insurance or pay a penalty.

Bureau of Rehabilitation and Re-employment Services slashed

"Scott says he wants to get Florida back to work, but things aren't working out so well at the Bureau of Rehabilitation and Re-employment Services, which is tasked with helping injured employees get back on the job."

Effective Friday, the BRRS will lose 55 of its 82 staff positions and see its funding reduced by two-thirds. Regional offices are being consolidated, leaving some residents hundreds of miles away from services.

Sunshine State News' calls to the BRRS went unanswered or unreturned. Its overseer, the state Department of Education, offered only a boilerplate recitation of the bureau's duties.

The best they could do

"State Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, will officially be named the Senate President Designate in a ceremony in September, Senate President Mike Haridopolos announced Wednesday afternoon." "Gaetz to be named next Senate President in September".

"Crist's shadow looms over the Florida GOP"

"He has been off the public stage for nearly seven months and yet Charlie Crist's shadow still looms over the Florida GOP."

The main Republican candidates for U.S. Senate held their first debate Thursday, and it sometimes felt like a game of who could sound most disdainful of the ex-governor.

"I never supported Charlie Crist in his U.S. Senate race despite a lot of pressure to do that,'' stressed state Senate President Mike Haridopolos.

Former state Rep. Adam Hasner boasted that his antagonism to Crist was well known in Tallahassee.

Not much of a "debate"

"Florida GOP Candidates for U.S. Senate Mostly Agree". See also "Republicans bash Obama and Nelson at first Senate debate".

"Veto speaks poorly of Legislature"

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "It's notable that the governor rejected the legislation even though it passed the state Senate with just one dissenting vote, and the House by more than 3-1. Such strong support for a broadside against the public's right to know does not speak well for the current Legislature's appreciation for government in the sunshine." "Gov. Scott gets kudos for nixing bill to close records, but veto speaks poorly of Legislature".

West: "a Tet moment"

"Fresh from a visit to Afghanistan, South Florida Congressman Allen West called Taliban maneuvering and President Obama’s troop withdrawal plan 'a Tet moment.' It was West’s way of saying U.S. forces can achieve victory, but not if they are withdrawn too quickly and our war-weary nation loses heart." "Allen West calls Afghan plan a `Tet moment".

Rubio is poised to shape the U.S. Senate race

"It happens almost every time Sen. Marco Rubio sits down for a national TV interview. Will you be on the Republican presidential ticket in 2012?"

Even if Rubio resists, he is poised to shape the race. Candidates will seek his endorsement for the same reason they want him on the ticket.

He's from Florida. He's a rising national figure with tea party and establishment Republican credentials. He's the son of working-class Cuban exiles and could counter Democratic inroads into the burgeoning Latino vote.

"He's a rock star," said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. "The presidential candidates are going to be knocking on his door. He's a popular guy not just in Florida but around the country."

Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, a leading tea party figure and one of Rubio's earliest backers, said Rubio will be under pressure as the race narrows.

"Expensive court battle"

"A new state law requiring all welfare applicants to be drug-tested goes into effect today — even as opponents say the statute is riddled with problems and will not withstand a legal challenge. It also could end up creating an expensive court battle for the Department of Children and Families — the state agency charged with administering the federally funded welfare program — in a year when the department already has made $48 million in cutbacks." "New drug tests for welfare applicants face hurdles, questions".

Low-key Florida approach for Pawlenty

"Tim Pawlenty held a series of meet-and-greets with the state’s political elites over the past three days. Why such a low-key approach for the Republican presidential candidate?" "Tim Pawlenty’s takes low-key Florida campaign swing".

"It was very interesting," Scott said. "They wanted basically to know what am I doing in Florida."

Scott said he gave an overview of his agenda since taking office in January: education and Medicaid reform, tax breaks for businesses, drug testing welfare recipients and overhauling the public employee pension system.

[Florida Democratic Party spokesman Eric] Jotkoff blasted Scott for flying off to "kiss the Koch Brothers' ring" while wildfires were spreading across the state.

Teabaggers dancing in the streets

"Florida Republican leaders may set the state's 2012 presidential primary on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday in early March in hopes of giving the Sunshine State early election clout while avoiding the wrath of national GOP calendar enforcers." "Fla. leaders may set presidential primary for first Thursday, Friday or Saturday in March".

Gimenez it is

"Miami-Dade voters pick Gimenez as new mayor". More: "New Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez faces heavy agenda". See also "Defeat of Jeb’s Machine" and Jackie Bueno Sousa's "For new mayor, now comes the hard part".

"The Reinventing Rick Tour"

Scott Maxwell: "For rail watchers, this is a suspense-filled week. Will Rick Scott keep or kill SunRail? Obviously if Scott were a man of his word, he would kill it."

Which brings us to RickRail.

See, if Scott signs off on SunRail, it will be his project as well.

So why is Scott even considering this project?

Not on behalf of weary Interstate 4 commuters, but rather because Rick Scott's about as popular as a bunion.

He has an approval rating of 29 percent, making him one of the least popular governors in America and in Florida's recent history.

Suddenly, the governor is learning that Tea Partiers alone do not make for a meaningful coalition.

And that an unpopular leader is an impotent leader.

A governor, after all, can issue only so many executive orders. He needs legislators and other leaders help him pass laws.

Yet right now, many politicians would rather be photographed in a compromising photo with a farm animal than shaking hands with Rick Scott.

That's why we're seeing the Reinventing Rick Tour.

Scott's "pro-business agenda" at work

"The Florida Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments in a challenge to Gov. Rick Scott's suspension of state rulemaking. The case being heard Wednesday was filed on behalf of Rosalie Whiley, who is blind. She says the freeze delayed a rule that would have made it easier for her to reapply for food stamps."

Scott froze the process when he took office in January to determine if any proposed rules might conflict with his pro-business agenda.

"Scott can help swing Florida for Obama in 2012"

"Public Policy Polling (PPP), a firm with connections to prominent Democrats, unveiled a poll Tuesday that shows, after six months in office, Gov. Rick Scott remains deeply unpopular with voters in the Sunshine State and is, for the moment, in bad shape to be re-elected in 2014."

The poll found that 33 percent of those surveyed approves of Scott’s performance in office while 59 percent disapproves of the Republican governor. In March, Scott stood with 32 percent approval and 55 percent disapproval. The poll also found Scott can help swing Florida for Democratic President Barack Obama in 2012. While 26 percent said Scott’s first six months as governor will make them more likely to vote for the Republican presidential candidate in 2012, 40 percent of those surveyed say the governor’s actions are leading them to vote for Obama.

The poll found that Scott was losing moderate voters -- and even somewhat conservative ones. Scott was severely upside down with the 30 percent of those surveyed who identified themselves as moderates. While 21 percent of the moderates approved of Scott, 71 percent of them disapproved. Of the 23 percent of voters who identified themselves as somewhat conservative, 40 percent approved of Scott but more -- 47 percent -- disapproved of the governor. Only among the 20 percent of those surveyed who identified themselves as very conservative did Scott do well. He won the approval of 72 percent of the very conservative voters and the disapproval of 18 percent of them.

"54.7 percent of the state’s 2.8 million new residents are Hispanic"

"There was little surprise when Census numbers came out earlier this year that Latinos had comprised most of Florida’s explosive growth -- about 54.7 percent of the state’s 2.8 million new residents were Hispanic."

But the numbers also contained a subtle shift in the Latino population. In 2000, Puerto Ricans and Mexicans accounted for a total of about 5.3 percent of the state’s population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, putting them on equal footing with Cubans, who made up 5.2 percent of the people in Florida.

A decade later, Puerto Ricans and Mexicans are 7.8 percent of the state’s residents, eclipsing the 6.4 percent that Cubans account for. And many of those new residents -- more than 365,000 of them -- are Puerto Ricans.

Perhaps nowhere is the growth more pronounced than in Central Florida. In Orange County, Puerto Ricans now account for 13 percent of the population and a quarter of the total population growth since 2000, according to the Census Bureau. In Osceola County, the increase has been even more notable. Almost 44 percent of the population growth has come from Puerto Ricans, who now account for more than a quarter of the county’s total population.

Not all of us have private jets

"Facing an end-of-the-week deadline to decide the fate of a controversial commuter rail project, Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday sent his top transportation adviser to Central Florida to warn local officials that they'll be on the hook if the project ultimately fails." "Scott warns on SunRail as his decision nears". Related: "FDOT SunRail Tour Draws Cheers and Jeers".

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "Scott has another opportunity to define himself this week. He can add credibility to his claims that he places principles over politics by canceling the expensive SunRail commuter rail project in the Orlando area. Or he can bow to pressure from Central Florida and let the project go forward like just another calculating politician." "Scott's SunRail test".

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Dear Gov.: Let SunRail roll"."Florida chooses ignorance"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Officially, Florida stops examining the state's death-penalty system on Friday . Practically speaking, the problems with that system will continue." "Florida chooses ignorance".

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Bolster integrity of death penalty process to maintain support".

Florida for sale

"A controversial proposal to let private contractors build and operate campgrounds at Florida state parks, including allowing recreational vehicles at Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, is drawing fire from fresh quarters this week." "Proposal to put privately run campgrounds in Florida state parks draws opposition". See also "Resistance building to state plans to add campgrounds in four state parks".

Pink Friday

"DCF, Department of Juvenile Justice will suffer most of the staff cuts." "Florida expected to lay off 1,600 state workers by Friday". See also "Florida expected to lay off 1,600 state workers as new budget year begins Friday". See also "Tallahassee Braces for Government Worker Layoffs" and "Pink slips flowing throughout state government".

21,700 Haridopolos books to go ...

"'The total number of books sold as of today is 70 and the total royalties awarded to Brevard Community College is $487.90,' Pinar Eskicirak, the college's budget coordinator, wrote on June 21. ... Haridopolos was paid $152,000 to write the book. So the college only needs to sell about 21,700 additional copies to break even." "Haridopolos' book a tough sell".

A bargain

"Former first lady Carole Crist sold her four-bedroom, four-bath Fisher Island condo for $3.5 million, the Sun-Sentinel reports." "Former first lady sells Fisher Island condo for $3.5M".

Scott getting desperate

"For the first time anyone can recall, Gov. Rick Scott has the state GOP paying for regular recorded calls touting his day-to-day accomplishments." "Looking for support, Gov. Scott gets on the phone — and dials you". See also "Robocalls from Gov. Rick Scott jangle some Floridians".

Scott the least popular Governor in the country

Aaron Deslatte: "In the deluge of data over Gov. Rick Scott's lagging popularity, the Democrat-aligned Public Policy Polling has released a new survey showing the first-term Republican governor's popularity at 33 percent -- and suggesting if former Gov. Charlie Crist switches to the Democratic ticket in 2014, he could "crush" the current governor." "Poll: Crist as a Democrat could crush Rick Scott".

One trick pony

"Marking his final bill action of the 2011 session, Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday signed a bill that creates a state-funded, statewide boarding school for at-risk youth, but added a caveat that he was concerned about the cost to taxpayers." "Statewide boarding school approved by Gov. Scott".

Knuckle-dragger-fest

"The American Conservative Union will announce today that it plans to hold the first regional Conservative Political Action Conference this fall in Orlando, potentially making 'CPAC FL' a key stop in the 2012 presidential primaries. ACU will host the event on Sept. 23, a day after the Fox News debate in Orlando and in the middle of the Republican Party of Florida’s Presidency 5 summit." "ACU plans regional CPAC in Orlando".

Entrepreneurs in action

"Reacting to a St. Petersburg Times report on investors paying only nominal prices for homes seized to pay back homeowner association fees, state Sen. Michael Fasano said Tuesday that he plans to propose legislation to give banks a chance to pay the delinquent fees or kick-start their own foreclosure actions." "Fasano wants loophole closed".

Lax nursing home standards in effect Friday

"Advocates for nursing home patients and the workers who care for them are calling on facilities to maintain their current staffing levels even though more lax standards go into law Friday." "Groups call on nursing homes to maintain staffing". See also "Scott vetoes measure that would have eased assisted living facility reporting requirements".

The Week Ahead

"The Week Ahead for June 27-July 1".

Florida TeaBagger twosome: first Scott and now Bachmann

"Michele Bachmann's formal announcement of her candidacy for president was met with this response from Florida tea partiers: Amen."

After the debate, Bachmann's Florida poll numbers shot up from 7 percent to 17 percent, putting her just 10 percentage points behind Romney, according to Public Policy Polling, a firm that typically polls for Democrats and liberal groups.

Bachmann does even better against Romney in Florida if Sarah Palin decides not to run. More than two-thirds of Palin voters favor Bachmann, while Romney pulls only a fifth.

What's remarkable about her popularity is that she has yet to visit the Sunshine State.

"He'd be doing better not trying to kill Harry Potter"

"Rick Scott’s self-congratulatory little letter to Florida newspaper editors has grabbed some national network attention, but probably not the kind the governor would write home about."

On “The Colbert Report” last night, comic anchorman Steven Colbert did a spoof of Scott’s efforts to raise his low poll numbers by posting on his Web site a model letter for supporters to sign and send to their local editors, effusively praising the governor. The bit opened by citing a Quinnipiac University Poll that said only 29 percent of Floridians approved of Scott’s job performance.

“He’d probably be doing better if he wasn’t trying to kill Harry Potter,” Colbert theorized, flashing a picture of Voldemort from the Potter movies on screen next to Scott’s head shot. “It was a campaign promise, what can he do?”

Technical rescue team in action ... pension cuts next

"A worker on a high-rise building was rescued Friday after a scaffold mishap left him dangling 120 feet in the air on the side of a Biscayne Boulevard condominium. ... We train for this all the time," said [Ken] Attai, a member of [Miami] Fire Rescue's Technical Rescue Team. "This is one of our bread-and-butter operations."" "Worker dangling from Miami building rescued".

Scott slashes unemployment benefits

"Gov. Rick Scott signs bill reducing unemployment benefits". See also "Scott signs bill linking Florida unemployement benefits to jobless rate" and "Gov. Scott OKs cut in unemployment compensation".

"Scott's contempt for the public and the environment"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Displaying contempt for the public and the environment, Gov. Rick Scott's Department of Environmental Protection has provided only scant notice of its plan to turn over portions of up to 56 state parks to private corporations to build and run campgrounds."

Generations of Floridians and their tax dollars have built one of the best state park systems in the country. DEP's curiously quiet campaign to abruptly change that system is reckless. The parks division should slow down and make its case to the public that swaths of unspoiled public parks should be turned into commercial profit centers filled with RVs.

SCOTUS clears way for Scott to spend millions on re-election campaign

"A divided U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision on Monday that guarantees the end of a key part of Florida’s public financing system for campaigns."

The decision, just as importantly, will likely end an ongoing federal lawsuit that Gov. Rick Scott first filed last year and clears the way for Scott to spend millions on his re-election campaign without having to worry that a potential opponent can match his spending with taxpayer help.

Drug testing frenzy

"Starting next month, Florida's social service agency will refer every welfare applicant who fails a drug test to a child abuse hotline. State officials deny the drug test results may be used to remove children from their parents, but civil rights activists fear it will. Beginning Friday, anyone applying to the state for temporary cash assistance must pass a drug test to receive benefits." "DCF: Positive drug test will lead to child abuse hotline referral".

Florida reps silent on labor rights

"An influential House Democrat said on Monday he will oppose a long-awaited trade pact with Colombia unless Republicans agree to include an action plan on workers’ rights."

South Florida business promoters and the region’s large Colombian-American community eagerly await congressional approval of a pact negotiated by the former Bush administration and refined by Obama’s trade reps. ...

South Florida members – notably Mario Diaz-Balart, a Republican from Miami -- are pushing hard to complete the trade deal, knowing it means big business for the region.

The pact came close to final approval this spring when Colombian leaders moved to improve labor conditions and prevent violence against union organizers. These actions helped reassure President Obama and overcome resistance from unions who remain wary of trade deals that they fear will send jobs overseas.

But Sander Levin of Michigan, the top Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee, balked when an action plan spelling out worker protections was not incorporated into the implementing bill.

Voucher madness

"The bills aim to expand charter schools, virtual schools, school vouchers and a program that allows students to transfer out of failing public schools." "Gov. Rick Scott signs education choice bills".

Big of him

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: Although Rick "Scott has played the prince of darkness more often than the angel of light", he was big enough to "legislation that would have hidden from the public any records associated with business proposals made to the agencies in charge of public airports. Had the bill become law, taxpayers would have lost the opportunity to review and evaluate such proposals until after deals committing public dollars to private businesses had been cut." "Gov. Rick Scott stood up for the public's right to know in vetoing a bill to hide airport authority records"

"Switch could have potentially raised local property taxes"

Did you know that the "Florida Highway Patrol [was] almost disbanded"? "It would have been the biggest outsourcing in recent history and it was backed by Governor Rick Scott. It was the sheriffs, not the patrol that pushed back and said no."

"Ballard Partners expanding"

"Ballard Partners on Monday says it is expanding into the Miami area. The move comes shortly after the departure of one of the founding partners of the lobbying firm that is a top money-earner in Tallahassee." "Top lobbying firm announces another expansion".

Miami-Dade election day

"It’s Election Day in Miami-Dade County". See also "Robaina, Gimenez campaign down to the wire" and "Special election Tuesday for Miami-Dade mayor's post".

Sorry Ricky, merely "being there" ain't enough

A "report [released by the U.S. Conference of Mayors] identifies years by which U.S. cities will return to pre-recession employment levels. No Florida metro market is expected to hit that target this year or next. Just one -- the relatively small Palm Coast region south of Jacksonville -- is expected to reach that target by 2013. Only the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford market is projected to rebound by 2014." "Jobs, Ahoy: Florida Waits For Its Ship to Come In".

Florida Energy and Climate Commission disbanded

"The Florida Energy and Climate Commission met for the last time before being dismantled Monday, reviewing grants funded by federal stimulus money and state grant programs."

Some commissioners bemoaned the break-up of the panel. Under the reorganization, a new energy panel will be set up under Putnam’s office, with statewide energy policy set by Scott’s office. Climate considerations won’t be as prominent.

“We’re taking the word ‘climate’ out of our deliberations, and that’s a mistake,” said Commissioner Kathy McLeod. “We can take the word climate out of our name, but it doesn’t change the fact that climate change is happening,” she added.

McLeod warned of the dire consequences of not assuming the validity of global warming and climate change.

Although most Republicans and conservatives vehemently deny the truth of human activity-induced climate change and most Democrats and progressives push for greater environmental protections to mitigate its effects, she said the issue “shouldn’t be partisan” and noted that Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman both recognize global warming as fact.

Passing the problem off ...

"Just weeks after ordering a crackdown on troubled assisted living facilities, Florida Gov. Rick Scott is launching a rare task force to search for ways to improve homes that have left frail residents to fend for themselves in squalor and dangerous conditions." "Florida task force to help boost troubled assisted living facilities".

Even a broken clock ...

... is right twice a day. The frequently wrong Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board writes this morning that "a number of Florida jobs -- even barbering -- require state licenses. But until recently, felons couldn't get those licenses. They carried a figurative ball and chain as they faced the challenge of re-entering society. But Gov. Rick Scott changed much of that on June 21 when he signed Senate Bill 146, which allows ex-convicts to get vocational licenses and government work permits, even as they have to wait for other rights and privileges, such as voting. Scott and the Legislature did the right thing in reforming the process." "Professional licenses law will help ex-felons find work, stay out of prison".

When new employment statistics were announced this month, Gov. Rick Scott was quick to jump on the data, noting that Florida has been steadily gaining jobs - nearly 61,000 since he took office in January.

While the state has been bleeding higher-paying jobs, particularly in the construction field, most of the jobs added have been in lower-paying leisure and hospitality services sector.

The newer jobs pay an average of $21,176 a year, based on 2010 data, compared with those in the construction sector that had an average salary of $39,916.

"The question is: Is this going to be a structural transformation where we reduce our already low share of jobs here in science and technology and management and add to the share that's in the services industry?" Denslow said. "I don't think we know yet."

Florida has added 24,900 jobs from May 2010 to this May, with the largest gains in leisure and hospitality services.

Meanwhile, Florida was losing jobs in some of the higher-paying fields, including construction, which lost another 14,300 jobs over the same time.

Currently, the state has 337,000 construction workers.

"It's going to have to come from the other sectors," said Sean Snaith, an economist at the University of Central Florida.

Snaith said Scott has a chance to make good on his political promise to create 700,000 [actually 1.7 million*] jobs over the next seven years, in part, because he came into office essentially at the bottom of the business cycle. Florida's unemployment peaked at 12 percent the month before Scott's inauguration.

That's right: 1.7 million. Even [Rick] Scott has been clear about that.

Here's why: Back when Scott and Alex Sink were in the throes of a heated campaign, Florida economists released a report that said the state would rebound with more than 1 million new jobs during the next seven years — no matter who was in charge.

Essentially, economists with the Economic Estimating Conference said that even if a blind monkey were running the state, tourism would rebound and the state would net an additional 1 million-plus jobs by 2018.

Obviously, both Sink and Scott wanted voters to think they would make a better governor than a blind monkey would.

So Scott made it clear that his 700,000 were in addition to the 1 million jobs we could expect with the monkey.

Budget ax falling on state jobs Friday

"The biggest work-force shake-up in Florida government history has started. About 1,295 state workers should learn by Friday if they are losing their jobs." "Florida workers in fear till Friday".

Privatization follies

"The debate continues over privatizing the prison system as a way to save the state money". "Don't Put Away So Many Prisoners".

"Wild cards in Florida's politically charged Redistricting process"

Aaron Deslatte: "Florida lawmakers tasked with redrawing the state's political maps are professing they'll follow the constitutional amendments passed last year to strip partisanship from the redistricting process. Meanwhile, their lawyers are trying to invalidate them in court."

A federal lawsuit set for a July 29 hearing in Miami is one of the major wild cards in Florida's politically charged process of redrawing legislative and congressional maps during the next year.

"Questions continue to swirl around Robaina"

"Two big-spending candidates trumpeting their reform credentials are vying in Miami-Dade's closely contested mayoral runoff election, but have voters just tuned them out? Julio Robaina and Carlos Gimenez are fighting down to the wire. Robaina, the mayor of Hialeah, edged Gimenez, a county commissioner, in the initial round of voting and he maintains a sizable fundraising lead, as well as the backing of the influential Latin Builders Association."

But questions continue to swirl around Robaina, and polls sponsored by local media, which have endorsed Gimenez, show the commissioner with a lead heading into Election Day Tuesday.

"Gimenez has gained steam and Robaina has received a lot of negative publicity," says Sean Foreman, a political science professor at Barry University in Miami Shores.

Scott still playing to his Tricorn Constituents

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Roused by his tea party base, Gov. Rick Scott early this year halted a decades-in-the-works bullet train linking Tampa and Orlando — citing concerns about possible costs to Florida taxpayers."

Yet a different fate awaits a commuter rail line in Central Florida that would cost state taxpayers even more.

Why is SunRail likely to go forward when high-speed rail did not?

A mix of politics, legal concerns and an opportunity to more quickly move commercial cargo, opponents and proponents of the project say.

Tea party activists and other SunRail opponents plan to protest the project Tuesday when the state's transportation secretary hosts public hearings on the topic with Orlando-area city and county officials.

"Gov. Scott campaigned on government accountability and not putting the taxpayers at risk. That is his mantra. And he used that when he talked about the high-speed rail deal," said Beth Dillaha, a former Winter Park city commissioner and founder of the group vetosunrail.org. "I don't know how you could then support SunRail, which has all the same issues and then some."

The governor, though, faces challenges and opportunities with SunRail he didn't with high-speed rail. And while approving it will rankle Scott's tea party base, it could also help advance parts of his agenda.

Consider: ...

Teabaggers resort to attacking poor Charlie

Nancy Smith, who apparently sleeps in her tricorn hat, writes that "[a]s good as Gov. Rick Scott has been at pursuing job creation, his predecessor Charlie Crist, was even better at pursuing the opposite -- absolutely nothing. Make that worse than nothing. Surely the press remembers."

Yet, mainstreamers' stories continue to suggest the real job creation started not with Rick Scott's forays to California or Panama or Canada in his own plane, but as a natural turn in the economy and as a result of Governor Charlie's initiatives.

Good grief, what initiatives are those? ...

Oh, yes, and in case you didn't know, Florida led the nation in job creation in May. We actually posted 28,000 new workers in non-agricultural jobs – more than twice that of runner-up Ohio. It's true, we have nothing to brag about yet. But Florida is moving in the right direction.[*]

"Legislature recklessly killed Commission on Capital Cases"

The pro-death penalty Tampa Tribune editorial board recognizes the obvious: "When lives are at stake, it is paramount that the process be consistent and equitable. And the smallest lapse can result in death penalties being overturned or delayed."

Nevertheless,

the Legislature this session recklessly killed the Florida Commission on Capital Cases, which scrutinizes death penalty proceedings. The panel hears public comment and advises state government on death penalty issues. It also reviews the legal representation of death row inmates in appeals.

The commission, which includes four legislators and two judges, will be eliminated July 1. It was a short-sighted action that will save only $400,000 but could result in more delays and reversals in a death penalty system that needs more attention, not less. Indeed, even with the commission, Florida leaders have routinely ignored calls for death penalty reforms.

EPA alternately antagonizes and disappoints

"Floridians looking for "hope and change" aren't necessarily getting what they expected from the Obama administration's Environmental Protection Agency."

Under the leadership of Lisa Jackson, the EPA has alternately antagonized and disappointed business leaders and environmentalists.

Barney Bishop, president and CEO of Associated Industries of Florida, lit into Jackson on Fox News last week, declaring that her agency is "killing" the economy.

"I think that the face of the 2012 election is going to be EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. She is killing jobs quicker than the president can create them," said Bishop, who describes himself as a "lifelong Democrat."[*]

Not so "Bright"

"Bright Futures used to provide 100 percent scholarships to students who had an A average and met other criteria, and 75 percent scholarships to B students. They now provide a smaller, fixed amount. The program, while well-liked by Florida families, has created headaches for state legislators in recent years as state revenues have declined."

The state’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability reviewed the issue in 2003 and determined Bright Futures was effective, she said.

That study found the state’s high school graduates are better-prepared academically and that more are going to college, with the largest gains among minority students. A subsequent study found most Bright Futures recipients perform well and remain enrolled in college.

in the Sunshine State, the sore losers -- i.e., the people who can't accept that their side lost at the polls -- insist on trying to impose their will on the majority through the courts.

Since lawmakers left Tallahassee last month, several groups have stomped off to the courts, hoping that judges will overrule some of the key decisions of the peoples' representatives. Whether you agree with those decisions or not -- and we don't agree with all of them -- this tendency to resort to the courts when your side loses isn't one of the more attractive -- or healthy -- features of Florida politics.

There are instances when legislators overstep constitutional boundaries, but most of these lawsuits are driven by political disagreements, not constitutional principles.

Public employee unions in Florida are leading the parade to the courthouse. Lawmakers took away their members' unique status as pension beneficiaries who contribute nothing to their pensions. Beginning in July, public employees will contribute 3 percent of their salaries to their retirement plans. Naturally, the teachers union and several other public employee unions are suing the trustees of the state retirement plan, including Gov. Rick Scott, claiming that the pension changes violate the Florida Constitution.

Union leaders seem to believe that their members are constitutionally entitled to enjoy pension benefits far better than those available to most workers in the private sector.

"Private business takeovers of public institutions"

Fred Grimm: "On Friday, outside a Marriott Hotel on Fort Lauderdale Beach, demonstrators near the entrance indicated that not everyone’s thrilled by the private business takeovers of public institutions. They held signs demanding, 'Stop the War on Workers.'"

If public workers felt left out of Florida’s first privatization conference, they weren’t out of the discussion. Cities and counties and state agencies were said to be leasing out government operations like hamburger franchises to cope with escalating worker pensions and health care costs, intransigent unions[*] and rigid civil service structures. A city official from a community that had privatized water and sewer utilities said it was worth it, now that the private contractor’s human resources director, rather than him, had to deal with the worker “who had come in drunk for the fourth time.”

Much of the talk was about raising capital for major infrastructure projects. Private corporations, it was said, can cut years off the time it would take the government to finance and build big projects. The five-year I-595 project would have taken the state 20 years to build. And there was talk of how private companies were less risk adverse than public officials, cowed by their need to mollify the baying crowd.

But not much was said about the potential corruption that dogs public-private deals, which was like describing war without mentioning that there might be casualties. ...

Aside from the felons mucking up the works, the mad rush to privatize prisons, utilities, freeways, computer systems and chunks of public education has become so entangled with lobbyists and campaign contributions and donors to political slush funds that it’s tough to discern the sensible deals from low-down giveaways of public assets.

Another RPOFer lookin' at a Castor run

"Republican Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe is talking about challenging Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor for her congressional seat in 2012. Sharpe, who pushed hard for the high-speed rail line connecting Tampa to Orlando, said this week he wants to be able to participate in national discussions on deficit reduction and America's wars."

Sharpe, a retired naval officer who worked on John McCain's presidential bid, is already floating a platform that could fly in Castor's heavily Democratic district.

"Coronation of new Miami City Manager"

The Miami Herald's "Political scene": "Last week’s coronation of new Miami City Manager Johnny Martinez wasn’t all smooth sailing: Before casting a vote, Commissioner Frank Carollo blasted Martinez on issues ranging from finance to politics." "Political scene".

"Insiders getting new roles"

Bill Cotterell: "Steve MacNamara, who had been chief of staff for Senate President Mike Haridopolos, moves into the governor's office as Gov. Rick Scott's top aide. ... MacNamara will be replaced in the Senate office by Craig Meyer, who will remain Senate budget committee staff director, his current job."

MacNamara will get $189,000 annually in his new job. That's more than Prendergast's $150,000 salary or the $175,000 MacNamara was paid by the Senate.

"Unholy alliances"

Scott Maxwell: "The congressional districts that slice apart Central Florida look as if they were drawn by a blindfolded toddler. In reality, these districts were drawn with painstaking — and nefarious — precision."

Why? Because Republican politicians don't want black Democrats in their districts. Nor do the liberals want rural conservatives. So the politicians form unholy alliances. And it works.

The previous time the Florida Legislature drew new lines, not a single legislative or congressional incumbent in the entire state lost a bid for re-election.

Still waitin' on them 1.7 million jobs

The Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy, an independent Tallahassee research group, reports that "the number of jobs in Florida increased modestly in May, a continuation of a trend that began late in 2010. But the state has a long way to go before it regains the 900,000-plus jobs it lost due to the Great Recession."

Barring catastrophe, Florida will gain hundreds of thousands of jobs in coming years through natural growth as the economy strengthens.

A governor's role in job creation is limited, despite claims of responsibility for achieving Florida's modest job growth so far this year.

Although the Governor and legislative leaders insist that "government doesn't create jobs," they spend hundreds of millions of tax dollars each year, much of it going to large profitable corporations, hoping to create jobs.

Many economists doubt that incentives for companies in the hopes of creating jobs actually work. The "net effect is to starve government of the resources it needs to finance the services it should be providing."

That's right: 1.7 million. Even [Rick] Scott has been clear about that.

Here's why: Back when Scott and Alex Sink were in the throes of a heated campaign, Florida economists released a report that said the state would rebound with more than 1 million new jobs during the next seven years — no matter who was in charge.

Essentially, economists with the Economic Estimating Conference said that even if a blind monkey were running the state, tourism would rebound and the state would net an additional 1 million-plus jobs by 2018.

Obviously, both Sink and Scott wanted voters to think they would make a better governor than a blind monkey would.

So Scott made it clear that his 700,000 were in addition to the 1 million jobs we could expect with the monkey.

"Rick Scott's 700,000 jobs".

You can expect Ricky to be waffling on that 1.7 million jobs promise real soon.

"Gaming interests see an opening"

"Florida was once the state where casino blueprints went to die. Three times in one 16-year span, voters rejected the idea of Las Vegas-style casinos."

So the pro-gaming forces regrouped and shifted strategy. A giant leap into Vegas territory was no longer the goal.

Instead, the industry pushed for baby steps. Small-scale slots parlors came to horse and dog tracks — but only in South Florida. Poker rooms spread steadily — small-stakes games at first, then high stakes.

Now that state leaders are once again debating whether to allow Vegas-style resort casinos, the cumulative effect of those previous baby steps is clear: South Florida voters have grown accustomed to, and tolerant of, gambling. And Florida is already a big-time gaming state, regardless of whether new resort casinos are built. These days, an assortment of prominent casino developers are vying for a piece of the action. An international casino giant purchased the waterfront Miami Herald building in Miami hoping to build a casino and hotel project, and other big players, including Wynn Resorts, are lobbying state lawmakers.

In today’s sluggish economy, gaming interests see an opening for glamorous large-scale casinos that previously might have been shunned as too massive. Jobs — in particular, the jobs associated with upscale casino amenities such as restaurants, convention space, and hotel rooms — are a key selling point.

Further emboldening the industry: growing public acceptance of Florida’s gaming identity, particularly in South Florida. Fifty percent of likely voters in Miami-Dade County said in a Bendixen & Amandi poll conducted last week that they support building additional casinos in Miami or Miami Beach. About 38 percent were opposed, the rest undecided. Male voters tended to be more pro-casino than female voters while white and Hispanic voters supported casinos far more than black voters.

"Vulnerability to corruption, coercion and fraud"

"Once a minor factor, absentee ballots are now swaying local elections despite greater vulnerability to corruption, coercion and fraud." "Absentee ballots: Everyone’s doing it".

From the "values" crowd

Among the many components of the so-called "conservative governing philosophies of Republican Gov. Rick Scott and the GOP-majority Legislature" is "the fifth budget in a row without an across-the-board raise for state workers." "Many new Florida laws reflect GOP philosophy".

"Basic civics is a stretch for the-powers-that-be"

Stephen Goldstein writes that, "Politically left, right or center: Every Florida voter needs to become 'a card-carrying member' of the American Civil Liberties Union and also support Fair Districts Florida. Both nonpartisan groups are defending your voting rights and the power of your vote. It's high time you did, too."

If nothing else, we expect fair elections that honestly represent our individual and collective will, whether our candidate or position wins or not. That's ingrained in us as Americans. But apparently, basic civics is a stretch for the-powers-that-be in Tallahassee. They are doing everything they can to stay in power by disempowering you. So, give them a lesson in "people power" by standing up for your rights. Try it. You'll like it.

1. Help the ACLU of Florida overturn (what critics call) a voter suppression law: ...

2. Help Fair Districts Florida end gerrymandering: ....

"A system close to producing fixed elections"

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "The redistricting hearing held in Tallahassee last week was supposed to encourage Floridians."

But we're not encouraged. We would be if the Republican-led forums seemed like sincere efforts to bring about fairer elections. But they're not and we're steamed. ...

[I]nstead of conceding the need to fix a system that comes close to producing fixed elections — incumbents hardly ever lose — Sen. John Thrasher, a former state GOP chairman who holds sway over his caucus, made this ridiculous statement: "It's not because of district lines" drawn by Republicans that Republicans dominate Florida politics.

Rather, Thrasher said last week, it's because Floridians want lower taxes and smaller government. Ah. This has nothing to do with the majority rigging districts. It's all about policy.

We'd be encouraged if legislators actually engaged citizens at the hearings. If they seemed alive, even. But members of the panel have been ordered by their leaders not to speak with the public at the hearings.

"Kill more. Kill them faster"

Mike Thomas: "Support of the death penalty is almost a prerequisite to holding statewide office in Florida. Kill more. Kill them faster. But this political agenda is clashing ever more often with the constitutional requirement of due process. And so we are spending millions of dollars sentencing far more people to death than we can possibly kill. The result has been a growing glut of death-row inmates." Thomas explains here: "Casey Anthony case, others show Florida's death-penalty system is broken".

Another fine Jebacy

"Decline in minority enrollment alarms Florida's law schools".

"Clueless governor"

Myriam Marquez writes that "everyone’s scrambling to plug this hole created by a novice governor whose staff didn’t seem to have a clue ..." "When smart food policy meets a clueless governor".

TeaBaggers "dear to the base of the GOP"

"Beware, Florida Republicans: The tea party movement that swept you into office in 2010 could cost you the next election. That's the takeaway message from Republican pollster and consultant Alex Patton, who conducted a recent survey showing that, by a 2-1 ratio, registered Florida voters said the tea party movement did not represent their views."

But there's a catch for Republicans: The tea party movement is dear to the base of the GOP. Last year it helped fuel the Republican takeover in the Florida Cabinet as well as the U.S. House.