Hacker claims he got into website with voting records

"Florida was the joke of tech websites this week after a hacker boasted he tapped the 'inside details of Florida voting systems.'"

Twice in a week, the anonymous Twitter user @Abhaxas posted links to lists of voting-related files.

“Who still believes voting isn’t rigged?” he wrote above one list. “If the United States government can’t even keep their ballot systems secure, why trust them at all? FAIL!”

Except he didn’t breach any voting systems, the Florida Division of Elections says. And a major Web vendor to most of the state’s elections supervisors, VR Systems, doesn’t use the same kind of servers accessed by the hacker.

“To my knowledge, we have had no instance of hacking on any of our services,” said Fred Schmidt, VR Systems’ manager of applications development.

So what did the hacker get?

Bondi tries again

"Attorney General Pam Bondi on Friday filed an amended 2010 financial disclosure form. The move came the day after the Times/Herald reported that she failed to include personal bank accounts on her 2009 and 2010 financial disclosure forms." "Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi files amended disclosure form".

Ricky flip flops again

"Camping plan is out". See also "Florida Gov. Scott retreats on state parks plan".

Scott's man crush

"Healthy competition. Friendly rivalry. Man crush. Call it what you will, but Florida Gov. Rick Scott has a major case of Texas Gov. Rick Perry on the brain." "Governor ID: The Rick edition".

State House 75

"Two more candidates jumped in the race for state House 75, bringing the field to four seeking the post Rep. Trudi Williams, R-south Lee County, gives up after next year because of term limits. Republican Ray Rodrigues of Estero, and Libertarian William Tolp of North Naples filed their papers for the seat - which allows them to start raising money - but both also say they'll be watching to see how the district lines may change. Rodrigues, vice chairman of Lee County's Republican Executive Committee, has run for countywide office twice before, for elections supervisor and school board, and lost in the Republican primary." "Four file to run in race for House 75 seat".

"Tiny rise in South Florida home prices"

"Data show tiny rise in South Florida home prices in first half of 2011".

Daddy's boy

"From his perch on a congressional subcommittee, Florida Republican Congressman Gus Bilirakis insisted that the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has a role to play in stimulating economic growth while still protecting the nation." "Gus Bilirakis Joins Probe of Department of Homeland Security".

Entrepreneurs in action

"A small home-based Florida company has won a $207,784 contract to 'improve employment services' for 25 individuals treated for mental illnesses. "

Wilson's resume lists no academic credentials in mental-health -- and that raises further questions about any special expertise she may have in the field.

Holding a bachelor's degree in sociology and a master's in communications, Wilson completed a course for "certified mental health first-aid instructors," a program of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare.

"Like journalism, you learn it in the field," the self-described "social entrepreneur" told Sunshine State News.

Another RPOF unfunded mandate

"Keeping early voting could cost Palm Beach County taxpayers more after changes imposed by the Florida Legislature threaten to worsen the local budget squeeze. The Legislature cut the number of days early voting is allowed from 14 to eight, while increasing the hours early voting sites can operate. Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher said that will require her to open more voting sites and pay poll workers overtime for extended hours to accommodate the expected crowds." "Legislature's changes to early voting could cost Palm Beach County".

Meanwhile, RPOFers want tax cuts

"The state's unemployment rate in May was 10.6 percent, down from 10.8 percent in April and 11.3 percent a year ago. State officials will release June jobs statistics July 22." "Jobs report 'awful from start to finish'".

Its the constitution, stoopid

"In a decision that could open the gate to flood of lawsuits, the Florida Supreme Court on Friday rejected a key part of a 2005 law that made it harder to sue for asbestos-related injuries." "Florida Supreme Court rejects asbestos claim limit".

'Ya reckon?

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board this morning: "Results from a groundbreaking study prove what many health care advocates have assumed but some fiscal conservatives questioned: Being enrolled in Medicaid is better for the poor than being uninsured."

Researchers with the respected National Bureau of Economic Research — a private, nonprofit and nonpartisan research firm — found that people who go from being uninsured to being insured under the state-federal program for low-income Americans are more likely to take care of their health and feel healthier, happier and more financially stable. For millions of uninsured Americans, the research suggests that the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act in 2014 cannot come soon enough.

It would seem obvious that when low-income people go from being uninsured to being covered under Medicaid that their access to medical treatment improves, as does their peace of mind. But some conservatives, including an expert with the American Enterprise Institute, have suggested that academic research points to the opposite conclusion: that doctors are so reluctant to take Medicaid patients due to the program's low reimbursement rates that uninsured people who pay cash, rely on emergency rooms or even charity care are better off.

That brings us to former Florida House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, who wants to be the Republican U.S. Senate nominee in the worst possible way, even it means rebranding himself as the Shih Tzu of the tea party.

"Today the biggest threat to our liberty is not a foreign government, but our own," the sage of Boca Raton opined, adding: "We face more restrictions on our liberties from stifling bureaucrats than from threats abroad." ...

However, there is no evidence Field Marshal Erwin Rommel's Afrikakorps is getting ready to invade Wauchula. ... Nor are V-1 rockets hurtling over Two Egg. ...

But like any huckstering glad-hander, Hasner proclaimed he was proud that he didn't raise much money since the apparent lack of interest in his political ambitions by people who could help him validates his image as a grass roots candidate fighting against dealmaking Tallahassee "insiders."

If anyone would know how to take on "insiders" it would be Hasner, who served as a Tallahassee insider for eight years, including his stint as a dealmaking insider's insider majority leader from 2007 to 2010.

Interesting, isn't it, how some politicians decry the evils of "insiders," while they shill and kowtow and grovel away any scintilla of self-respect or intellectual honesty to gain entry to the world's most exclusive club of insiders?

Dems crossing their fingers

Dems nationwide are crossing their fingers about the possibility of Florida's "After All, He Is Black" crowd having an earlier role say in the Republican primary process.

"Here's something new for Florida: hold an election on a Thursday or a Saturday."

That prospect looks more and more likely as Florida Republican leaders look to schedule the 2012 presidential primary early enough to ensure the state is crucial in picking the Republican nominee but late enough to avoid wreaking utter havoc on the national primary schedule.

That would make it the fifth nominating contest — after Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina — but would still run afoul of rules set by the Republican National Committee.

Ricky's big promises

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Gov. Rick Scott said he'd make himself more available to Florida's media corps during a luncheon appearance last week at the Florida Publishers Association and Florida Society of News Editors joint annual meeting. Let's hope the governor complies with his pledge. As we've said before, the governor only hurts his own cause by keeping the state's media organizations at arm's length. That was proven to be the case in this year's session, where the governor struggled to build broad support for key pieces of his agenda." "Gov. Rick Scott pledges to spend more time with Florida media organizations".

Entrepreneurs in action

"Even before they start boring the tunnel to the Port of Miami, executives of the multinational firm in charge of the project are asking for more money from an emergency reserve fund to cover the cost of what they say is needed grouting in the limestone beneath Biscayne Bay, where the $1 billion roadway will be built." "Firm building Miami tunnel seeks more money months before starting to drill".

Batista crowd in a dither

"The quest for Tampa International Airport to provide direct flights to Cuba continues weeks after many expected charter flights would have begun, following initiatives the Obama administration outlined in January." "Tampa officials, groups continue to push for Cuba flights".

TeaBagger settles lawsuit

"A state prosecutor and a lawyer who resigned over an order to stop speaking at tea party rallies and other conservative gatherings said Thursday they have settled a federal lawsuit she filed over her ouster."

State Attorney Robert "Skip" Jarvis of Live Oak said his office will pay a portion of KrisAnne Hall's legal fees. Hall, a former assistant state attorney, agreed to drop her suit in U.S. District Court in Jacksonville. Both declined to say how much of her lawyer's fees the state would pay, and the information was not immediately available from public records. ...

Hall was fired last year when she resisted Jarvis's order that she stop speaking at tea party rallies and on talk-radio programs in the North Florida area. Jarvis maintained that, even though Hall traveled and spoke on her own time and stated that she was not speaking for the state attorney's office, her activities inevitably reflected on the Third Circuit prosecutor's office.

Hall argued that she did not give up her First Amendment rights when she became a state employee. She said she did not take sides in partisan elections but only taught people about the original intent of the nation's founders.

Jarvis, who is up for re-election next year, was picketed by Hall supporters at his Live Oak office. Some political candidates last year rallied around Hall, but Jarvis insisted the issue had become a test of an employer's ability to control activities of employees that reflect on an agency.

Hall will not get her job back under the agreement.

Like flies to a corpse

"Florida’s political and legal leadership continued to react Thursday to a jury finding Casey Anthony not guilty of murder or manslaughter in the case of her dead 2-year-old daughter, Caylee." "Florida Politicians, Lawyers Continue to Respond to Casey Anthony Decision". See also "Florida lawmakers introduce 'Caylee's Law' in response to case" and "Florida Senate ready to start work on a 'Caylee's law' this fall".

Wingnuts with bucks

"A Republican-leaning fundraising group with ties to GOP strategist Karl Rove has launched a new phase of its $20 million ad campaign attacking Democrats. Crossroads GPS is running television ads targeting five Democratic senators up for re-election in 2012. They are Bill Nelson of Florida ..." "GOP-leaning group hits Democrats in new TV ads".

SunRail

"SunRail watch: How to make it work, unlike TriRail".

Harder to challenge the language of a ballot measure

"Florida GOP legislators slipped new little-noticed rules into this year’s elections bill that make it harder to challenge the language of a ballot measure, just as two controversial amendments made their way onto the 2012 ballot." "Elections overhaul makes it harder to challenge 2012 ballot measures".

"Scott's primary threat"

Kevin Derby: "Rick Scott's Primary Threat Is in the General Election".

Never mind the pollution

"The chorus of voices speaking out against a set of strict pollution standards to govern state waterways continues to grow. An Orlando meeting scheduled for July 25-27 will deal almost solely with the economic impact of the nutrient criteria, which industry leaders say will cost Floridians billions." "Conference on economic impact of new EPA water rules scheduled for late July". Related: "Infographic: Florida's best and worst beach water quality by county".

Florida's all-Republican Cabinet a "millionaires club"

"When Gov. Rick Scott and the all-Republican Florida Cabinet meet, it's mostly a millionaires club, new financial disclosure reports show." "Florida Cabinet mostly a millionaires club - only Bondi worth less". Related: "Scott remains far wealthier than other statewide elected officials".

Florida GOPers eying Social Security and Medicare

"As President Obama signaled Thursday that he was willing to negotiate a wide-reaching deficit agreement that could include previously untouchable entitlement programs including Social Security and Medicare, Florida's Congressional representatives said they may not be so willing yet to strike a deal." "Florida Republicans, Democrats not ready for a debt deal yet".

Allen West is positively drooling: "Shocker: Congressman Allen West 'commends' Obama".

The cost of manatees

"Does protecting manatees mean water will cost more?"

"Reducing taxes has no discernible impact on job growth"

The Saint Petersburg Times editors courageously state the obvious: "tax cuts don't produce jobs". They write:

It's a modicum of good news that Florida's unemployment rate has declined to 10.6 percent, the lowest since August 2009. But it would be a mistake for Gov. Rick Scott and state lawmakers to seize upon these numbers to justify further reducing Florida's already low corporate income tax rate to woo new companies here. Contrary to the common mantra of the state's Republican leaders, tax cuts don't produce jobs. Good schools, strong infrastructure and a good quality of life seem to be far better inducements for corporate relocation.

Recently, both a Tax Foundation study and University of Central Florida economist Sean Snaith have argued that reducing taxes has no discernible impact on job growth.

Imagine that

"To avoid a projected $25 million shortfall in next year's budget, Hollywood's finance director called for increasing property tax rates and fire protection fees at a Thursday workshop. On the upside, no additional layoffs or pay cuts were calculated into the city's financial blueprint and depleted reserves would be replenished." "Hollywood may raise tax rates and fire fees".

Ballard settles lawsuit over home infested with rotted wood

"Lobbyist Brian Ballard and novelist Jeffrey Shaara have quietly settled a contentious lawsuit in which Shaara accused Ballard of selling him a nearly $1 million home infested with rotted wood." "Lobbyist Brian Ballard, author Jeffrey Shaara settle lawsuit over sale of home".

Does Bondi need a lawyer?

"Bondi said she relied on her accountant when completing her 2009 form as a candidate and used that as a template for the 2010 disclosure. Nancy Watkins, one of Florida's best-known Republican campaign finance managers, was Bondi's campaign treasurer. Watkins did not return a call for comment." "Attorney General Pam Bondi will amend disclosure form that shows no income for 2010, no bank accounts". More: "Bondi will change her financial disclosure forms".

Silly constitution keeps gettin' in the way

"Right now 399 inmates, including three females, await their fate on Florida's death row. But the state has executed just 69 people since the death penalty was reinstated by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1976."

The status of the death penalty in the Sunshine State is far from settled -- and, with the death of toddler Caylee Anthony and the emotional trial of her mother, the issue has suddenly sprung to life again.

Here is the problem: With the current rate of executions, it would take the state of Florida nearly 200 years to execute the prisoners currently on death row. Inevitably, with the backlog, some of them will see their sentence effectively commuted to life in prison.

But that's not the only problem plaguing Florida's death penalty. A recent ruling from a Miami federal judge has called into question the state's entire method of arriving at death sentences.

Plus he was mean to Dubya

"Florida Republican Congressman Connie Mack, the chairman of the U.S. House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, turned up the heat on Venezuela this week and called for the Obama administration to include that South American nation on the list of countries that are recognized as state sponsors of terrorism. " "Connie Mack Calls for U.S. to List Venezuela as State Sponsor of Terror".

Bits and Pieces

Kevin Derby's "Political Bits and Pieces".

Death penalty "a dangerously faulty process"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Florida's death penalty is costly to administer, fraught with legal pitfalls and, according to at least one federal district judge, unconstitutional."

But the legislative agency charged with evaluating the way the state administers the death penalty ceased to exist last week — even as Gov. Rick Scott signed his first death warrant.

As a fiscal conservative looking to make government work better, Scott should not be satisfied with the problem-ridden status quo. He should use his executive authority to create a task force to do a comprehensive review of the state's death penalty. ...

Florida has the dubious honor of exonerating 23 inmates sentenced to death, more than any other state, which is indicative of a dangerously faulty process.

"Dems edge GOPers"

"A poll released by a left-leaning North Carolina polling shop Wednesday found that Florida voters are against the Ryan Medicare plan and aren't completely on board with gay marriage, but they love the Florida Gators."

* Forty percent of voters oppose U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan's Medicare overhaul, with 24 percent supporting it.

* On gay marriage, 53 percent think it should remain illegal, while 37 percent support it. However, only 31 percent said there should be no legal recognition at all of same sex couples.

* Generally, Dems edge GOPers in a popularity contest.

New RPOF communications director

"Brian Hughes is the new communications director for the Republican Party of Florida. He moves over from Gov. Rick Scott's office, where he served as deputy communications director." "Hughes named RPOF communications director".

Raw political courage

"In response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in March that appears to threaten a Florida law making it illegal to disturb military funerals, state Rep. Pat Rooney, R-Palm Beach Gardens, has proposed a bill that would create a 500-foot buffer around military funerals." "Rooney files funeral protest bill in reaction to Supreme Court free speech decision". More political courage: "South Florida legislator crafts 'Caylee's Law'".

Workers' comp carrier on hook for exploitation

"A panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee ruled on Tuesday that Luis Aragon was entitled to benefits after falling from a roof at a Jacksonville job site, suffering injuries to his foot and arm. ... Concluding that the employer, HDV Construction Systems, should have known it had an undocumented worker in its employ, the judges said it was only right that the company foot the bill. To rule otherwise, the judges said, would have put Aragon's medical bills on the taxpayers, presumably through unreimbursed emergency-room care."

Robin Stublen, a tea party activist and proponent of E-Verify, said Florida's workers' comp board should look into levying fines against employers who hire illegals and that offending companies' books should be audited.

And he wasn't ready to cut Aragon any slack, either.

"No one forced this man to come here. He knew, or should have known, that he was breaking our laws. He should not be rewarded for breaking those laws," Stublen said.

Feds will have less influence in redistricting

"As Tallahassee legislators prepare to set new lines for the 2012 elections, it looks as if federal lawmakers will have even less influence than usual."

The two state lawmakers in charge of redistricting have pledged not to meet with lobbyists representing members of Congress looking to safeguard their seats. Similarly, they've prohibited their staff from including incumbents' home addresses on draft maps of future districts so as not to influence the new boundaries.

The tack has Senate reapportionment chair Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, predicting a major shake-up in how Florida's congressional districts are configured.

"I would be surprised [when the maps are done] if there are not incumbents who discover they no longer live in the districts they represent," Gaetz said.

Thanks to a population boom during the past decade, Florida will add two new U.S. House seats to the 25 the state already has — and which Republicans control by a 19-to-6 margin. How — and where — those new seats are drawn will have a significant impact on the next decade of elections.

Complicating matters is a constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2010 that expressly forbids the Legislature from drawing congressional districts that "favor or disfavor an incumbent or political party." The so-called Fair Districts measure also pushes lawmakers to create seats that are "compact" and respect city or county lines.

The best Pawlewnty could do?

"GOP Presidential Candidate Tim Pawlenty Gets the Backing of Future House Leadership". See also "Florida brass back Pawlenty".

Rubio, Ros-Lehtinen would chase kids across state lines

"Florida GOP lawmakers recently introduced federal legislation requiring each state to uphold other states’ parental notification before abortion laws in both chambers of Congress. The Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act (aka CIANA) was introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in an effort to correct a 'loophole' in abortion laws that allows a minor to cross state lines in order obtain an abortion without notifying her parents."

Critics of the bill claim that it is "hopelessly complicated," as well as unnecessary.

Big of him

"The new chief of staff to Gov. Rick Scott , Steve MacNamara, sent out a blanket email to his contacts from his personal account reminding them of his new job and the changes it might bring. The message was clear: Starting July 5, any emails that aren't personal in nature will be immediately forwarded to his personal account and be subject to public record requests." "Scott's new aide says his personal email account will be public record".

Piece by piece

"More than 400 people packed a senior center in Dunedin while hundreds more clamored to get in. In Crawfordville, some speakers among the crowd of about 100 said the proposal for 120 camp sites at Wakulla Springs appears rushed." "Hundreds pack into DEP public hearings on proposals for campgrounds in state parks".

Scott looking at a challenger?

"In a recent poll of Florida Current readers, respondents said that they thought Scott would draw a GOP challenger because some Republicans think Scott will lose in the general election. This view is perhaps reinforced by the drop in Scott's approval ratings. A Quinnipiac University poll released in late May that found that 57 percent of voters disapprove of the job the governor is doing. Public Policy Polling released a poll last week that found that 59 percent of those surveyed disapproved of Scott. Even so, Scott stated that he will seek re-election in 2014." "Readers think Rick Scott will draw Republican challenger in 2014 election".

State employees dropping

"Applications to the state's deferred retirement program, known as DROP, spiked leading up July 1, when major changes to the public pension plan took effect. The numbers haven't been tallied yet, but state Department of Management Services Kris Purcell said it is "safe to say significantly higher than most years and higher than last year."" "DROP gets lots of new members with pension changes".

"Welcome back, Jim Crow"

Echoing what The Miami Herald editorial board wrote back in March in "Welcome back, Jim Crow" about Florida's toughening the felons’ rights-restoration process,

Former President Bill Clinton Wednesday compared GOP efforts to limit same-day voter registration and block some convicted felons from voting to Jim Crow laws and poll taxes.

In a speech to liberal youth activists Wednesday, the former president called out proposals in battleground states like Florida and Ohio that could limit the voter rolls.

Gimenez takes the reins

"As Miami-Dade County’s new mayor, Carlos Gimenez, formally took office, he said his priorities include reducing the property-tax rate and making government more efficient." "New Miami-Dade mayor takes ceremonial oath".

But as surely as night will follow day and Lucy Van Pelt will yank away the football that Charlie Brown is about to kick, Scott switches to tired talking points that usually begin with, "Step one ..." Even our most highly decorated journalists can’t move the governor off a communications strategy that defies parody.

What would Adams say about the twits and wisdom of Scott’s top flack, Brian Burgess, who has acquired a cult following for his tweet-length diatribes against reporters who displease him?

Burgess is paid $110,000 a year for his public service as a reporter-wrangler. According to a recent TaxWatch study, that’s a drop in a $12 million public relations bucket.

In his first state of the state speech, Scott bragged about selling the state airplanes. "Burdening taxpayers with these ongoing expenses is irresponsible and not a core function for government to meet the state's critical needs," Scott said.

One could say the same about taxpayer-funded media critics.

The Week Ahead

"During a light holiday week, the highlight of the week will be the final space shuttle launch on Friday. Plus, the Department of Environmental Protection holds public workshops on controversial proposals to allow private vendors to build campgrounds in state parks." "The Week Ahead for July 5-July 8".

"Pink Slip Puppet"

"In a new YouTube clip titled 'Mike Haridopolos–Pink Slip Puppet,' the progressive group Florida Watch Action uses a series of short sound bites to tie Florida Senate President and U.S. Senate hopeful Haridopolos to Gov. Rick Scott, specifically highlighting his positions on education funding, offshore drilling and high-speed rail. Check it out after the jump." "Florida Watch Action ties Haridopolos to Scott in new video clip".

Why not raise wages?

"The Legislature in May attempted to enact a statewide E-Verify program that, under one amendment, would have required all state agencies to use the system to check immigration status of employees. But the E-Verify portion of the bill failed after an impassioned plea by Sen. JD Alexander."

The Central Florida farmer suggested that the E-Verify requirement could have wrecked the state’s farming, hotel and construction industries because it would make it difficult to find workers since few U.S. citizens want those jobs. ...

The Central Florida farmer suggested that the E-Verify requirement could have wrecked the state’s farming, hotel and construction industries because it would make it difficult to find workers since few U.S. citizens want those jobs.

"Americans don’t want to do it," Alexander said during an emotional debate May 3. ...

One of the business leaders who spoke Tuesday was Jose Gonzalez, vice president for governmental affairs for Associated Industries of Florida, a Tallahassee-based group that represents 10,000 employers and lobbies Florida government.

Gonzalez suggested that the proposed state E-Verify program that failed earlier this year could have deprived the state of essential workers needed for the hospitality, farming and construction industries.

Four candidates file to fill Hill seat

"With state Sen. Tony Hill, D-Jacksonville, resigning his seat to serve in the administration of newly elected Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, the four candidates who filed to run for the seat in 2012 are moving up their calendars to take part in a special election later this year." "Senate Candidates Changing Plans for Special Election on First Coast".

Ruining your resume

"Six of nine high-level vacancies have been filled since the administration of Gov. Rick Scott cleared out most top officials in the Department of Environmental Protection. The two modified positions with vacancies are water policy director and deputy secretary of water policy and ecosystems projects, which was formerly the deputy director for policy and planning." "DEP still working to fill high level vacancies, including modified positions".

Wingnuts run wild

"Florida Libertarian Party demands arrest of TSA agents".

Trib editors drooling by the bucket

The Tampa Tribune editorial board publishes a Chamber of Commerce press release: "NLRB pleases unions by strangling economy".

"Insider poll"

"A strong plurality of our insiders — 37 — view LeMieux as the strongest general election candidate, compared with 27 for Hasner, 11 for Haridopolos and two for McCalister. But among Republicans, 16 said Hasner was strongest in the general, 13 said LeMieux and nine said Haridopolos." "Introducing the St. Petersburg Times' Florida Insider Poll".

Your tax dollars at work

"As a candidate, Scott bashed Tallahassee’s special interests and derided the business-as-usual style of state politicians. As governor, he needed to make nice with the Capitol crowd that largely runs the town. He needed Hayden Dempsey — a 43-year-old lobbyist, Jeb Bush hand and an early Scott supporter"

who as special counsel and legislative affairs director earns $140,000 a year.*

But not everyone was impressed. Sen. Dennis Jones, R-Seminole, said he’s known Dempsey for years but didn’t hear a peep from the governor’s senior staff all session.

The best he could do

"Gov. Rick Scott will add 200 more jobs to his tally this week when he trumpets the opening of Keystone terminal at the port in Jacksonville, and the terminal’s first customer, Vulcan Materials." "Scott to Trumpet Port Terminal in Jobs Hunt".

Ending medicare

"U.S. Rep. Deutch tells seniors Medicare benefits shouldn't be cut".

GOP security challenge

"Tampa's GOP convention a security challenge".

"Playing both sides against the middle"

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "State lawmakers insist they are following the letter of the law, and the will of the people, on redistricting. They say so even as they're poised to fight a very popular constitutional amendment requiring new congressional and legislative boundaries be drawn with competition in mind, not lawmakers' own job security. Talk about playing both sides against the middle." "State legislators have heavy lift with reapportionment".

Raw political courage

"Tax breaks, Hall of Fame, free park entry among new veteran perks in Sunshine State". "Gov. Rick Scott Salutes Veterans, Touts New Laws". See also "Scott touts Florida's 'military-friendly' perks for active-duty members and vets".

Hughes bolts Guv's office

"Gov. Rick Scott's spokesman, Brian Hughes, is leaving to become the chief mouthpiece of the Republican Party of Florida. Don't call it a shakeup, though, unless Trey Stapleton was forced out." "Scott spokesman goes to GOP". See also "Another departure for Scott administration".

Collective bargaining, Florida style

"Teachers will return to school in August without pay raises awarded annually for length of service, and will face insurance premium hikes of 19 percent for themselves and up to 44 percent for dependents. Younger teachers will also lose thousands of dollars upon retirement after the district halved a bonus for each unused sick day paid upon retirement." "Manatee teachers reject contract, but get no say".

Dems struggle to connect with Hispanics

"Florida Democrats have seen their registration numbers swell in recent years, due in large part to a surge in Hispanic voters. But despite their success on paper, state Democratic officials are struggling to connect with Hispanics, who have little representation among the party's Florida leadership. That could spell trouble not just for the future of the party in a state that's now nearly a quarter Latino, but also for President Barack Obama and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, who will be counting on Latino support during tough races next year."Florida Democrats have seen their registration numbers swell in recent years, due in large part to a surge in Hispanic voters."Florida Democrats struggle to capitalize on Hispanic surge".

"Nostalgic for Crist"

"League of Women Voters nostalgic for Crist".

GOPer blame the unemployed

"State Sen. Nancy Detert and state Rep. Doug Holder, who represent each other, carried a set of changes to Florida’s unemployment compensation system through the Legislature this year, and had good things to say about the new law after Gov. Rick Scott signed it last week." "Unemployment compensation and the 'job tax'".

Greer lawyers up

"Former Republican Party of Florida chair Jim Greer has same attorney as Casey Anthony".

Luv 4 sale

"The Haridopolos campaign says it raised more than $900,000 in the last quarter. No cash-on-hand numbers are available. Spokesman Tim Baker said they're very pleased with the haul, which comes on the heels of a big debut fundraising quarter that brought in $2.6 million." "Haridopolos fundraising in".

Gimenez

"Gimenez as to be installed as new Miami-Dade mayor".

So far, though, the governor's nontraditional outreach seems to have had little impact. His approval ratings have ranged from a low of 29 percent in a Quinnipiac University poll in May to a high of 45 percent in a survey done last month by two Republican consulting firms. Last week, the Democratic-affiliated Public Policy Polling put his approval rating at 33 percent and said Republican presidential candidates would be wise to keep their distance from him.

Republican communications strategist Sarah Bascom said that it makes sense for Scott and the state GOP to go into campaign mode now, to offset stories about the state's sour economy, $3 billion in budget cuts and pessimistic electorate.

Over the weekend

You may have missed these posts over the weekend: "Florida Political News: July 3, 2011", "Rubio drags his knuckles 'til they bleed", "The allocation of the immaculate conception", "Florida Political News: July 4, 2011", "Florida Republicans ditching their tricorn hats" and "Experts take down Jebbie's education claims".

Voucher madness

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "From the campaign trail, Scott was clear. Charter schools — the private schools funded by public dollars, but free of many of the rules governing traditional public schools — would be a priority. So would expanding homeschooling and virtual education."

Thus, his hand in the hiring last month of Florida's new commissioner of education wasn't particularly surprising. Scott wheedled members of the state Board of Education to tap Gerard Robinson as the replacement for Eric Smith, who announced his resignation in March.

In Robinson, fished from a pool of 26 candidates, Scott would have had to call Central Casting to find a more like-minded actor to star in his conservative program to recast Florida education.

Thanks for your service ...

... you're fired: "About 1,300 workers have lost their jobs under the new state budget approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott." "State workers get pink slip under Gov. Rick Scott's budget".

Meanwhile, "Outgoing city manager to get payout of almost $300,000, plus a pension later".

"Critics question GOP strategy of forgoing millions in grants"

"Is the Obama administration bleeding Florida's health-care system, or offering lifesaving infusions of funds? The diagnosis depends on political perspective, and for now, the state's Republicans are taking a pass on the cash." "Florida House Holds Line on Federal Health Handouts".

Court limits exploitation of undocumented workers

"Employer knew or should have known that injured man was an undocumented worker". "Appeals Court: Illegal Residents Entitled to Workers' Comp".

Mack laff riot

"Connie Mack Claims Plan to Cut Federal Government Gaining Momentum".

Ricky's vetoes

"In his first session, Scott signed more than 260 bills passed by the Legislature, but he did find areas to nitpick lawmakers’ work, vetoing a handful of bills. Scott vetoed 10 bills, but six of those were related to line-item vetoes, conflicted with legislation he already signed or overlapped laws he signed previously. Another bill, HB 437, which alters motor vehicle license processes for manufacturers and distributors, became law without Scott’s signature. It’s tough to find a unifying theory to explain Scott’s other four vetoes." "Scott in Line with Legislature, But Finds Bills to Veto".

"Haridopolos slyly hawking beachfront drilling"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Less than a year after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill was finally plugged, Senate President Mike Haridopolos looks to be slyly hawking beachfront drilling again." "Beachfront drilling returns".

Weatherford's "false" claims about redistricting legal fund

"Redistricting will be a messy battle in 2012. And that means legislators need money to protect their turf. But how much have they set aside to wage the war?"

The Orlando Sentinel has reported that the House set aside $30 million that can be used for redistricting and to fight potential lawsuits. But state Rep. Will Weatherford, the House redistricting chairman and a Republican from Wesley Chapel, rejected that claim while speaking at a public legislative redistricting meeting in Panama City.

"There is no $30 million pot of money. That doesn't exist," Weatherford told the June 22 audience. "Your tax dollars are not being spent on anything like that. There is no large pot of money out there that is fighting anything."

Several readers saw the Sentinel's reporting and the response from Weatherford and asked us to look into it. ...

• Of the $8.49 million in the "Legislative Carry Forward" fund, about $571,000 has been spent — including $18,932 for the redistricting committee. The fund includes small allotments for House members, but the biggest chunk of the money — nearly $8 million — is available in a "General House" fund that is available to be used on redistricting. (The redistricting committee has no specific allotment.)

• Of the $23 million in the "House Discretionary Budget," about $700,000 has been spent so far on house reapportionment, and most of the money is not allocated for any specific use.

Cannon himself admits that the funds were bolstered in order to fend off redistricting challenges.

Which makes Weatherford's other claim that "your tax dollars are not being spent on anything like that" — simply not true. (Weatherford told us he wasn't trying to suggest that there are zero dollars for redistricting.)

Part of the problem in examining this claim is that the Sentinel's stories got somewhat lost in translation. The Sentinel never said there was a bank vault filled with money sealed behind a door with "Redistricting Only" written on it. But Weatherford, in responding to allegations, was able to suggest as much.

And that's what makes his claim — at least part of it — credible. There is, in fact, no $30 million pot of money for redistricting in the House. There are two pots of money available for lots of things, but the House speaker said the money predominantly is available to fight potential redistricting lawsuits. That admission, which is not in dispute, defies Weatherford's other point, that "your tax dollars are not being spent on anything like that" — referring to redistricting lawsuits. The Legislature is planning on doing exactly that. There's too much about this claim that is missing. We rate it False.

Florida voting database hacked?

We aren't sure what to make of this: "Hackers Access Florida Voting Database".

Confusing

"Donna Milo, a transgender woman running for Miami commission, refutes claims that she is against same-sex couples marrying." "Transgender candidate Donna Milo: I am not against gay marriage".

Fundamentally, Mr. Bush's presentation is based on the fallacious causal claim that his selected set of loosely coupled reforms introduced in Florida between 1992 and 2011 caused fourth-grade reading score gains ... No evidence is provided to sustain this linkage. Further, this claim ignores the fact that some of the favored reforms were implemented as late as 2010, and some are not yet implemented.

Real problems are ignored. The most troubling aspect of the presentation is the avoidance of and failure to address real problems while, instead, embracing false solutions.

... Same as the old boss

"Scott's political style has led him to trample a few toes inside government. But he has Hayden Dempsey, an accomplished 43-year-old lobbyist, to bring the outsider and the insiders together." "The governor's inside man".

FRS

Bill Cotterell: "With a tumultuous legislative session for state employees, with more than 1,000 layoffs and elimination of a few thousand vacant positions, there is a lot of rumor and misinformation about personnel changes. Gov. Rick Scott and some conservative legislators proposed a few big pension changes that didn't pass, so state employees — perhaps accustomed to being scapegoats for Florida's fiscal fortunes — are understandably concerned." "Sorting out the changes in FRS".

Thank you, President Obama

"Central Florida school districts are saying goodbye to nearly a half a billion dollars in federal economic-recovery money this week as they close their budgets for the 2011-2012 school year. The money, part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, saved thousands of teaching jobs in Florida during the past two years. It also helped support struggling schools and provided a financial cushion during a statewide economic downturn and resulting budget crisis."

As of June 22, Florida received about $5 billion in federal stimulus money to education alone, according federal data.

The lion's share of recovery funds went to school districts to pay for staff ...

"Instant runoff voting"

"Results of runoff elections are almost guaranteed — huge costs and few votes. Now, a group of civic activists based in Palm Beach County is touting a fix. They'd like Florida to adopt instant runoff voting, in which people rank their choices in races with more than two candidates." "Election reform: Activists say instant runoff voting would save tax money".

Florida Republicans ditching their tricorn hats

William March: "Some Republican fear the tea party movement that gave Republicans key wins last November could be a detriment in 2012."

Others cite the boost in energy and enthusiasm the movement gave Republicans, which helped produce their huge wins in 2010. That makes the movement positive overall for the GOP, they say, even if it turns off the left side of the political spectrum.

But there are hints that as the movement matures into a better-known political force, it has alienated independent and moderate voters:

• A recent poll by a Gainesville Republican pollster and political consultant said independent voters, crucial in a statewide Florida race, look unfavorably on the Tea party movement by a 3-1 margin. National polls indicate a dip in the movement's favorability since last year.

• A moderate Democrat beat a Tea party-oriented Republican in the recent mayor's race in Jacksonville, normally a GOP stronghold; in a special election in a GOP-dominated congressional district in New York, a Democrat won after a campaign that turned on the issue of the Medicare revamp favored by the Tea party.

• Republican candidates in Florida and at the national level are repudiating their past stances on issues including abortion, climate change and rail transit to appeal to Tea party voters, leaving them open to flip-flopping charges from Democrats.

"If the Republican brand and message are overshadowed by the Tea party movement, the Republican Party increases the risk of being marginalized with moderate Republicans and independents," said the analysis of a poll done by Alex Patton, Gainesville-based GOP pollster.

Patton said his poll was leaked against his wishes and has been so controversial among Republicans he didn't want to acknowledge writing the analysis. "That quote has caused me a lot of trouble," he said.

Pain at the Space Coast

"Workers at the Kennedy Space Center always knew the end of the shuttle program would bring hard times to Florida's Space Coast. They just couldn't predict how much pain." "Fla.'s Space Coast feels pain of shuttle's end".

Rubio tells [the National Review Online] that he will respond to Obama’s recent press conference, where the president reveled in class-warfare bluster. "Quite frankly, I am both disappointed for our country and shocked at some of the rhetoric," he says. "It was rhetoric, I thought, that was more appropriate for some left-wing strong man than for the president of the United States."

"Talking about corporate jets and oil companies," Rubio says, missed the point.

"Everybody here agrees that our tax code is broken," he says, and he is open to discussing tax reform. "But don’t go around telling people that the reason you are not doing well is because some rich guy is in a corporate jet or some oil company is making too much money."

Watching Obama brandish such talking points made Rubio wince. "Three years into his presidency, he is a failed president," he says. "He just has not done a good job. Life in America today, by every measure, is worse than it was when he took over."

"When does it start to get better?" Rubio asks. "When does the magic of this president start to happen?"

Candidates lining up for 2012

"Next year's voting cycle promises to be a wide-open affair. Because of the redistricting that's required after a census, many terms that are normally four years were limited to just two years in the 2010 elections." "With districts yet to be redrawn, candidates still lining up for 2012" (Volusia County).

Property owner relief

The Miami Herald editors: "As South Florida cities, counties and school boards brace for another tough budget year with foreclosures continuing to drag down property values, and thus, tax revenues, there’s one fair measure that Gov. Rick Scott signed into law recently that should bring relief."

Proposed by Miami Republicans, state Rep. Ana Rivas Logan and Sen. Rene Garcia, the new law requires that property owners challenging their tax must pay at least 75 percent of that tax amount or make a “good-faith effort” to do so by April 1 — while the claims are under appeal before a county’s Value Adjustment Board. (Any homestead exemption and or other discounts could be taken into account in the partial payment.)

Previously, property owners could appeal without paying one cent into public coffers.

"The allocation of the immaculate conception"

Fred Grimm: "Call it the allocation of the immaculate conception — an unrequested $1.5 million surreptitiously folded into legislation even while $3.8 billion was being ripped from the state budget with brutal cuts in education and infrastructure and state worker pensions and programs for the poor, elderly and disabled."

Amid all that wreckage, a mysterious $1.5 million was tucked into House Bill 251: "For the purpose of funding Lauren’s Kids, a nonprofit organization ... to educate adults and children about sexual abuse topics through an in-school curriculum and maintain a 24-hour Crisis Hotline."

In 2011, this amounted to a miracle of biblical proportions. For starters, as The Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reported, Lauren’s Kids hadn’t requested state money to fund a hotline or in-school curriculum. Broward County’s Lauren Book had wanted $3 million for her relocation program to help victims of sexual abuse escape a threatening home environment. That request went nowhere. But some anonymous legislator – maybe it was the hand of God – conjured up $1.5 million for something Lauren didn’t know was coming. ...

Of course, state budget turkeys aren’t the obvious affront to good government they used to be, before the Tea Party ethic ruled Florida. When Gov. Rick Scott went on his veto frenzy last month, cutting $615 million, one line item after another, he bragged that he was stomping out "shortsighted, frivolous, wasteful spending ." Except the shortsighted, frivolous, wasteful projects, on closer examination, didn’t look so very boondoggly. They hardly gobbled.

Scott cut $12 million for homeless veterans and another $3.25 million for the Wounded Warrior Project and $500,000 for a rural health clinic in Apopka and $4.7 million from public broadcasting and $1.9 million to screen newborns for immunodeficiency disease and $569,000 for an outreach program for compulsive gamblers and $750,000 to divert non-violent prisoners out of jail and into treatment programs.

Scott, holding a red veto pen inscribed with “promises made, promises kept,” killed $750,000 for a program to ship surplus commodities into food pantries and $1.7 million for a program to keep kids out of gangs. Water projects, a mobile health clinic, diabetes research, the Florida Forever land acquisition program, an emergency operations center, a legal assistance program, a vaccination project, Everglades clean-up, citrus disease research. He slashed $167.5 million from college building programs, even vetoing the last $4.5 million needed to finish a $23 million health professions education building at Florida Gulf Coast University.

All that and more: vetoed.

The miracle seems less miraculous knowing that Lauren Book is the daughter of Ron Book, Florida’s self-described super lobbyist. In a state essentially run by special interests through their hired guns, this particular lobbyist has evolved into Florida’s master of the universe. Governors come and go, but Ron Book rules forever. That $1.5 million happened to fall out of the sky into a non-profit run by Super Book’s daughter becomes less mysterious than why the earmark was only $1.5 million and not the $3 million Lauren originally wanted. ...

When Scott went on his $615 million rampage, the poor lobbyists couldn’t save their clients’ projects. But when the super lobbyist roamed the capitol halls as super dad, he conjured up a $1.5 million tax-payer-funded immaculate-conception-of-an allocation. In a time of such dismal, slice-and-dice economics, Daddy Book’s magic earmark might be the close thing Tallahassee has to a heart-warming story.

On SunRail

The Daytona Beach News Journal editors: "State and local governments will pay for half of the $615 million needed to buy trains, new tracks, etc. According to SunRail, the state will then pay for all operations and maintenance costs for the first seven years. Local governments then assume those costs."

It should be noted, however, that no major commuter rail system in the United States recovers its costs via the farebox. The goal is to expand transportation options and make back some of the costs via fares. Subsidies cover the rest.

Public transportation saves about 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline per year, with households living near public transportation putting 4,400 fewer miles on their cars per year, according to the American Public Transportation Association.

That's a strong point in SunRail's favor. Nevertheless, local taxpayers won't be thrilled about the project if they end up heavily subsidizing the route.

SunRail could be an integral part of a growth management plan for Central Florida. We hope it attracts many riders and keeps the burden on taxpayers light. If it doesn't, residents of Central Florida will be comparing it to other notable transportation boondoggles -- not the Eisenhower interstate system.

Florida for sale

"A push for privately developed and operated campgrounds in Florida state parks, a concept that worries some environmentalists and lawmakers, shifts this week from bureaucratic offices to local public meetings that will consider the fate of De Leon Springs, Honeymoon Island and two other sites." "Halt privatized campsites at Florida parks, some state senators urge".

We don' need no stinkin' reger'lations

"The Duval County Department of Health is slated to issue a fish-consumption advisory on July 5, notifying residents of elevated levels of potentially harmful chemicals found in two tributaries near Jacksonville’s downtown urban core: Hogan’s Creek and Longbranch." "Fish found in Jacksonville contain high levels of mercury, PCBs".

Entrepreneurs in action

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Business at for-profit colleges in Florida and across the nation is booming, bolstered by enrollment from nontraditional students — often older and lower income — who are anxious for a ticket to a successful career in a tough economy. But reports of high-pressure and deceptive recruiting practices, high tuitions and high loan-default rates at some of these colleges cry out for federal and state authorities to wake up. The students are at risk, and so are taxpayers who back their loans." "Aggressive recruiting and loan defaults at for-profit schools demand more oversight".

More entrepreneurs in action

The Saint Pete Times editorial board: "Legislators need to shut an opening that allows investors to get title to properties for pennies on the dollar by satisfying outstanding homeowners association dues, then exploit those properties and profit until a bank forecloses." "Fix foreclosure loophole".

A million here a million there

"As a candidate, Scott reported assets of $218.6 million on Dec. 31, 2009."

In forms filed with the state's Ethics Commission, Scott claimed assets on Dec. 31, 2010, of $103.1 million. The slashed assets included a $47.8 million drop in value for his controversial ownership in Solantic Corp., a chain of urgent-care clinics the governor sold last week for an undisclosed sum.

Candidate Scott spent $73 million of his own money to become Gov. Scott.

The Batista crowd in the doldrums

Myriam Marquez: "One of the first things Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez did after his election was to go on Spanish-language radio stations to clear the air after a nasty mayoral campaign against Hialeah’s charismatic former mayor, Julio Robaina, that included charges that Gimenez wasn’t Cuban enough, an arrepentido."

Of course, Gimenez was born in Cuba. Robaina was born in New Jersey. But don’t let that stop the conspiracy theories.

If all politics is local, as former U.S. House Speaker Tip O’Neill used to say, then in Miami all local politics carries a foreign-policy litmus test.

"I am not a communist!" Gimenez told Miami’s popular Radio Mambí during Wednesday morning drive time. ...

The insinuations against Gimenez had been crackling for a while. Because Gimenez was running in a nonpartisan race, diehard Republicans would call radio stations to ask why certain Democrats who support lax U.S. policy toward communist Cuba were supporting the former county commissioner for mayor. Hmmm, must mean Gimenez is a commie.

Not so bright

The Sun-Sentinel editors: "FSU study of Bright Futures scholarships welcome".

Scott foolishly opens the door to drilling

The Saint Pete Times editors: "Scott and state Senate President Mike Haridopolos have short memories. They have forgotten about last year's BP oil spill. They have forgotten about the millions of gallons of oil that spewed into the gulf, the dead wildlife and the soiled Panhandle beaches. They have forgotten about the financial strain it placed on residents and businesses hundreds of miles from any oil. Floridians need to remind the governor and the Senate president of the devastating impact of the nation's greatest environmental disaster as the two foolishly open the door again to offshore drilling." "Remember the oil spill governor".

Vern sells some car dealerships

"Recently filed financial disclosure reports in Congress show that Rep. Vern Buchanan, a Longboat Key Republican, sold three of his six remaining car dealerships — all of which played a central role in a series of lawsuits filed by former employees — last year." "Buchanan down to three auto dealerships".

Not a guy who cares what others think

Tom Tryon: "Gov. Rick Scott said it. I believe it. 'It,' in this case, is Scott's recent response to reporters, who asked the governor about the latest decline in his public-approval rating. 'I don't think about it,' he said."

Tryon believes "Scott's assertion that he doesn't think about 'it' because he:"

*Is a kajillionaire who oversaw the creation of America's largest private-sector health care company by orchestrating takeovers, buyouts, mergers — closing facilities and cutting jobs and slashing costs along the way (sound familiar, state workers?).

People who perform those tasks — and, like Scott, appear to revel in doing them — don't spend a lot of time worrying about their popularity.

*Ran a successful campaign for governor, largely with his own money, against Bill McCollum, the Republican establishment's candidate, and the political leaders in Tallahassee, who also happen to be Republicans.

This strategy helped Scott win not only the primary but the general election (albeit barely, with less than a majority of votes). It also allowed Scott to deliberately cast himself as the rich guy whose success doesn't depend on whether he wins any high school popularity contests.

*Thinks he's right.

It's not as though Scott has bared his soul to the public or media but, seriously, does he act like a guy who cares much about what others think?

No.

Ricky's big plans

"Imagine you're Gov. Rick Scott. After spending $73 million of your own money to win office, you face protesters constantly, you have little privacy and you are America's most unpopular governor."

Maybe you'd think of calling it quits after one term?

No way.

There is zero chance he won't run for a second term, Gov. Scott said in an exclusive Political Connections interview airing today on Bay News 9.

"Frequently wrong"

As the frequently wrong "Politifact" takes a shot at "Florida under Gov. Rick Scott: Adding jobs, or destroying them?", let's recall that "for Scott to truly make his [700,000 job] goal, Florida will need to have 1.7 million new jobs by 2018", not 700,000:

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.

"Gimenez, Miami-Dade style"

A must read: "The Gimenez strategy to box Robaina into his older, Hispanic base would allow Gimenez — who was born in Cuba but speaks less polished Spanish than his rival — to work on attracting black and non-Hispanic white voters."

Yet the approach had its risks: If Robaina’s support among Hispanics was deep enough, he could still win, because older Hispanics make up the bulk of Miami-Dade’s so-called “super voters” — people who vote in practically every election.

To prevent that from happening, Gimenez’s camp put up a fight for the Hispanic vote, airing frequent ads on Spanish-language radio — and going after absentee ballots often favored by older Cuban Americans.

With little money or time to set up a high-manpower operation — because he jumped into the race so late —– Gimenez’s campaign eschewed sending campaign workers to voters’ doorsteps to urge them to fill out their ballots. Instead, in addition to the robocalls, the campaign targeted calls from workers in a campaign phone bank and mailed fliers to absentee voters. ...

Their first order of business: courting the endorsement of Llorente, the third-place finisher whose youth and squeaky-clean image could help Robaina or Gimenez appeal to younger Hispanics.

The two candidates called Llorente on Election Night, then again the following morning. He met with Gimenez over lunch at Novecento in Coral Gables, and with Robaina in the lobby of a hotel in Brickell.

Llorente threw his support behind Gimenez. To those close to them, the pairing was unsurprising: Their family ties run deep. ...

Llorente’s staff became part of Gimenez’s staff, a union both sides describe as seamless. The pairing gave the Gimenez team much-needed extra hands. Also joining the runoff team as a volunteer: Jose Mallea, who last year served as Rubio’s U.S. Senate campaign manager.

In the days immediately following the first-round election, the campaign was bogged down by a robocall that went after Hialeah and its politics, offending many in the overwhelmingly Cuban city.

Gimenez denied any connection to the smear. But he couldn’t escape questions about it in debates, and Robaina brought it up to try to poke holes in Gimenez’s message about honesty and integrity. The only possible silver lining Gimenez’s aides could hope for: that the continual reference to Hialeah would keep Robaina’s appeal from expanding outside of Hispanics.

Another low point for Gimenez came when a former first-round rival, ex-rapper Luther Campbell, endorsed Robaina. Gimenez had sought Campbell’s support and thought he had it: Gimenez’s campaign scheduled a news conference to announce the endorsement.

But the event was scuttled at the last minute, and Campbell instead backed Robaina.

Gimenez’s camp had calculated that he needed to win the black vote — along with the non-Hispanic white vote — to counter Robaina’s popularity among Hispanics. Though Gimenez later secured the endorsement of former U.S. Rep. Carrie Meek, he was outgunned in the black community by Robaina, who courted pastors and on Sundays campaigned tirelessly in black churches.