The pertinent tragedy—for Democrats—was the ruinous primary fight between Betty Castor and Peter Deutsch in the 2004 U.S. senate race.

It was a tragedy for their party because Deutsch's attacks on Castor left her vulnerable in the general election on the key issue of combating terrorism. Capitalizing on that vulnerability, Mel Martinez defeated the better-known Castor, winning back the seat that Paula Hawkins lost to Bob Graham in 1986. ...

It could happen to Democrats again — the second time as farce — if Alan Grayson follows Deutsch's playbook in running against a fellow Democrat. Of the two, Demings has more appeal to independents; her law-enforcement career might win her some Republican support, even. But she is new to politics, unfamiliar with the issues and untested on the campaign trail, while Grayson is none of these things.

And Demings, like Betty Castor, might prove vulnerable — if she can't handle his rat-tat-tat, if he pounds her on some manufactured issue, say, from her law-enforcement background, and if Democrats tolerate his bullying behavior. The last point deserves emphasis: Democrats lack their own version of Ronald Reagan's famous 11th Commandment: "Thou shall not criticize another Republican."

Of course, Grayson and Demings might not run for the same seat. One of them could run for the new congressional seat south of Orange County that will favor a Democrat who appeals to Hispanic voters. But I'm betting on a showdown in District 8. In Demings' case because the women's advocacy group EMILY's List driving her campaign has targeted Webster, an ardent abortion foe. In Grayson's case because he seeks redemption for losing so badly to Webster in 2010.

So stay tuned Republicans. You'll love this one.

West shrugs as "country clubs manipulate visa program"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: with it coming to light that "resorts and country clubs manipulate a federal visa program to hire foreign workers instead of locals, one congressman wanted to fix the problem, while another said it's "not the federal government's role."

The latter response, from U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation, is jaw-dropping. "It is not the federal government's role to mandate the hiring practices of private businesses, as long as they are not employing illegal aliens and breaking the law," Rep. West wrote in a letter to the Hispanic Human Resources Council of Palm Beach County.

This small-government boilerplate plays great on proposals to expand federal powers. But in this case, the question was how to fix a federal visa program administered by the federal government via guidelines set out by federal lawmakers. The Constitution gives Congress power to "establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization," which the courts long have interpreted to include immigration authority.

upscale resorts and country clubs are importing hundreds of foreign workers to work as waiters, cooks and cleaners after claiming that they cannot find willing and able local workers.

But they're not looking very hard, since they do not work with the county's Workforce Alliance, and their only recruiting is minimal advertising in local newspapers and on a state jobs website - just enough to get federal clearance to bring temporary workers into the United States.

Special primary to replace Hill on Sept. 20

"Rick Scott has set a special election to replace former Florida state Sen. Tony Hill, a Jacksonville Democrat. Hill resigned his District 1 seat earlier this month to take a newly created job as Jacksonville's director of federal policy. Scott on Friday set a special primary for Sept. 20 and a special general election for Oct. 18." "Special election set for Fla. state Senate seat".

Debt dopes

"Debt ceiling: GOP holdout Rep. Bill Posey sheds light on behind-the-scenes negotiations". See also "Vern Buchanan backs Boehner plan on debt" and "GOP debt-ceiling vote finds U.S. Reps. Allen West, Tom Rooney reversing roles". Related: "Florida mayors urge congress to increase ceiling".

The Palm Beach Post editors: "Friday's sobering report on the economy brought into even sharper focus how much damage members of Congress - particularly House Republicans - are inflicting on the country."

But the ideologically rigid members of the House tea party faction - supported in large part by wealthy Americans whose only priority is not paying more in taxes - do not care that every dollar paid to China in higher interest is a dollar that can't go for deficit reduction. They do not understand that the power they demanded after their victories in November comes with responsibility. They are like children in a divorce who are determined to punish their parents. And House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, decided that he had to placate them to keep his job.

Alleged journalists don't like boycotts

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Gay group wrong to demand business association disinvite Allen West".

These media company employees are apparently unfamiliar with the fundamental role of "boycotts" in Western history. Let's start with the Dick and Jane of research tools, Wikipedia:

The word boycott entered the English language during the Irish "Land War" and is derived from the name of Captain Charles Boycott, the land agent of an absentee landlord, Lord Erne, who lived in Lough Mask House, in County Mayo, Ireland, who was subject to social ostracism organized by the Irish Land League in 1880. As harvests had been poor that year, Lord Erne offered his tenants a ten percent reduction in their rents.

In September of that year, protesting tenants demanded a twenty five percent reduction, which Lord Erne refused. Boycott then attempted to evict eleven tenants from the land. Charles Stewart Parnell, in a speech in Ennis prior to the events in Lough Mask, proposed that when dealing with tenants who take farms where another tenant was evicted, rather than resorting to violence, everyone in the locality should shun them. While Parnell's speech did not refer to land agents or landlords, the tactic was first applied to Boycott when the alarm was raised about the evictions.

Despite the short-term economic hardship to those undertaking this action, Boycott soon found himself isolated — his workers stopped work in the fields and stables, as well as in his house. Local businessmen stopped trading with him, and the local postman refused to deliver mail.

The concerted action taken against him meant that Boycott was unable to hire anyone to harvest the crops in his charge. Eventually 50 Orangemen[*] from Cavan and Monaghan volunteered to do the work [a/k/a "scabs"]. They were escorted to and from Claremorris by one thousand policemen and soldiers, despite the fact that the local Land League leaders had said that there would be no violence from them, and in fact no violence materialized. This protection ended up costing far more than the harvest was worth. After the harvest, the "boycott" was successfully continued ...

dates back to at least 1830, when the National Negro Convention encouraged a boycott of slave-produced goods.

Other instances of boycotts are their use by African Americans during the US civil rights movement (notably the Montgomery Bus Boycott); the United Farm Workers union grape and lettuce boycotts; the American boycott of British goods at the time of the American Revolution; the Indian boycott of British goods organized by Gandhi; the successful Jewish boycott organized against Henry Ford in the USA, in the 1920s; the boycott of Japanese products in China after the May Fourth Movement; the Jewish anti-Nazi boycott of German goods in Lithuania, the USA, Britain and Poland during 1933 ....

Never mind

"Florida Lottery Sales Up, But Do Proceeds Enrich Education 'Enhancement'? No Answer".

Scott pushes phoney voter fraud claims in DC federal court

"Florida's top election official said he asked a federal court in Washington, D.C., rather than the U.S. Justice Department to approve a new state election law on Friday because he wants the decision to be free of 'outside influence.'"

Opponents of the Republican-sponsored law contend it's designed to suppress turnout by minorities who tend to vote Democratic.

Secretary of State Kurt Browning disputed that argument in his request for a declaratory judgment from a three-judge panel in Washington. His filing means the court instead of Attorney General Eric Holder will decide if the law complies with the federal Voting Rights Act.

Republicans say the law is needed to prevent voting fraud. Florida is one of several states in which GOP-controlled legislatures have passed such laws this year.

It 'jus water

"State may cut back on beach water testing".

Hasner insists he's crazy

"Adam Hasner is branding himself in Florida's Republican U.S. Senate primary as the perfect trifecta: an anti-establishment, principled conservative who was among the first to confront Charlie Crist's moderate ways."

Once called the "most partisan Republican in Tallahassee," by Marco Rubio, Hasner waged battles against labor unions and led the charge in 2009 to reject $444 million in federal stimulus money for unemployment compensation, saying it hurt businesses and created new entitlements.

But Hasner also supported a watered-down climate-change law that the Legislature now wants to repeal. And he voted for a budget with $2.2 billion in tax and fee increases and billions more in federal stimulus money. He also favored high-speed rail and SunRail, which tea party activists came to abhor.

Weekly Roundup

"Weekly Roundup: Sinkhole Black Hole".

"Florida Republicans have turned down millions in federal funds that would have gone to fight child abuse and neglect"

"Since federal health care reform was passed, Florida legislators have turned down millions in federal funds that would have gone to home visiting programs that aim to fight child abuse and neglect. According to new reports, Florida leaders say they have declined the funds because the state is currently a lead plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging the federal government over the very law that allocates the funds."

Strangely,

Other states involved in the case against federal health care reform have accepted funds from the law.

"Hubris is no one's friend and irony is a nag"

Even Kathleen Parker can see: "Take names. Remember them. The behavior of certain Republicans who call themselves tea party conservatives are the most destructive posse of misguided 'patriots' we've seen in recent memory."

Parker contines, writing that

the bottom line is that the tea party got too full of itself with help from certain characters whose names you'll want to remember when things go south. They include, among others, media personalities who need no further recognition; a handful of media-created "leaders," including Tea Party Nation founder Judson Phillips and Tea Party Patriots co-founders Jenny Beth Martin and Mark Meckler (both Phillips and Martin declared bankruptcy, yet they're advising tea party Republicans on debt?); a handful of outside groups who love to hurl ad hominems such as "elite" and "inside the Beltway" when talking about people like Boehner when they are, in fact, the elite (FreedomWorks, Heritage Action, Club for Growth, National Taxpayers Union, Americans for Prosperity); and elected leaders such as Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, head of the Republican Study Committee, and South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, who grandstand and make political assertions and promises that are sheer fantasy. ...

Hubris is no one's friend and irony is a nag. The tea partyers [sic] who wanted to oust Barack Obama have greatly enhanced his chances for re-election by undermining their own leader and damaging the country in the process. The debt ceiling may have been raised and the crisis averted by the time this column appears, but that event should not erase the memory of what transpired. The tea party was a movement that changed the conversation in Washington, but it has steeped too long and has become toxic.

It's time to toss it out.

Batista crowd panicking

"Cuba approves flights from 9 more American cities, including Tampa and Fort Lauderdale".

Derby: Some Candidates Wilting

Kevin Derby: "In GOP's Growing Presidential Field, Some Candidates Wilt".

Turning higher education into a factory

"Here's a piece of advice for college freshmen in Florida who plan to earn a bachelor's degree at a public university: Know what you want to study in advance, or it could cost you a lot more on the tail end. In a push to save money and force students to finish their studies as fast as possible, Florida's public universities have doubled the fee they charge students who take more classes than they need for graduation." "College students: Know your major or you may pay double".

Wingnut parade

"Presidential hopeful Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., is scheduled to speak at CPAC FL in September. The American Conservative Union event — its first regional Conservative Political Action Conference — will be held in Orlando." "Bachmann adds second Florida conservative event to schedule".

"Research Desk"

"Scott names new agency heads, Jotkoff leaves FL Democratic Party, and Veterans' Hall of Fame Controversy". See also "Florida drug law unconstitutional, Lethal injection drug challenge, Randolph wants to see redistricting lawsuit billing records", "Keck to leave Department of Citrus, Rep Bullard hosts agriculture roundtable, Group fights citrus greening" and "Haridopolos comments on Senate race, Bachmann joins CPAC FL, Tracking campaign donations from developer Catalfumo".

Redistricting Round-up

"Round-up of redistricting coverage for 7/29".

Rick Scott will get right on it

"After an eight-month fight to win unemployment benefits, Glen Thibodeau's victory rang surprisingly hollow."

Florida's Unemployment Appeals Commission had ruled in his favor, but the Orlando man was told he wouldn't get the money he was owed — at least $7,500 by his count.

Wait till the Teabaggers hear this

"A heavy-hitting fundraiser for GOP Senate candidate Adam Hasner wants Republicans to 'embrace the principle of compromise' and back a tax increase to break the debt-deficit deadlock in Washington, D.C." "Adam Hasner Fundraiser Pitches Tax Increases in D.C.".

Nah ... Ricky didn't storm Iwo with with Reagan

"The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs sought to distance the Scott administration from its list of controversial names that it had initially put forth to be the first class of people inducted into the newly created Veterans Hall of Fame. ... Yesterday, news hit that the first list was to include six governors who served in the Confederate Army – one of them convicted of intimidating black citizens, and Gov. Rick Scott, who served in the Navy." "Vet affairs will put out new list of names for Hall of Fame".

Tallahassee Geniuses

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "It took nearly a decade, but a federal court judge has finally put due process back into Florida drug laws by declaring a key statute unconstitutional. The results could throw the state's criminal justice system into mass confusion as the legality of past drug-related convictions is questioned. Lawmakers must fix the law as soon as possible."

One of the fundamental precepts of criminal law is that for a person to be guilty of a crime he or she must have intended to commit it. This intent requirement, or mens rea, ensures that innocent conduct isn't treated as criminal.

While Florida's drug law didn't explicitly include this guilty knowledge requirement, the Florida Supreme Court in a series of cases read the requirement into the statute as a way to salvage its constitutionality. The court required juries, to determine guilt, to find that defendants knew of the illicit nature of the substances in their possession.

But in response, and explicitly citing the Supreme Court's decisions, state lawmakers repealed this intent requirement in 2002. They did so in contravention of the due process right of criminal defendants to be presumed innocent until the state proves them guilty of every element of a crime. Nonetheless, this is where the law has stood since.

"Thanks to legislation Scott signed into law"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Because a rise in sinkhole claims has caused Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to pay out more than it collects in premiums for that particular line of coverage, it's payback time. Thanks to legislation Gov. Rick Scott signed into law in the spring, sinkhole policyholders soon will feel like they've been thrown, head-first, into the gaping cavities." "The bottom could fall out for homeowners needing sinkhole coverage".

Sink staffer gets sum' Ricky-love

"Scott named former Alex Sink staffer Doug Darling as the head of the new Department of Economic Opportunity, his office announced Thursday." "Scott names director for new jobs department". Related: "Rick Scott Fingers Old Hands to Run State Agencies".

Mica union-hate "has crippled FAA"

Mark K. Matthews*, writing for the less-than-union-friendly Orlando Sentinel does his best to paper over John Mica's embarrassing behavior in this "story" today: "It's known as 'the other stalemate' on Capitol Hill: a feud between two congressional lions [sic], Republican U.S. Rep. John Mica and Democratic U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, that has turned surprisingly personal and forced a partial shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration since July 22."

Two legislators, each with decades of experience and reputations for pragmatism, have been sucked into the same vitriolic partisan sniping that has permeated the Capitol during the months-long fight over the debt ceiling. ...

At issue is an operating plan for the FAA that Congress has been unable to agree on since 2007. Instead, Congress has kept the agency in business — it spends about $16 billion a year, much of it on airport construction projects — by passing nearly two dozen extensions. (The agency's air-traffic-control operations are funded separately.)

But when the time came for the latest extension, Mica, of Winter Park, inserted the last-minute elimination of subsidies to airlines that fly into three rural airports, including one in Nevada, home of Majority Leader Harry Reid. (Agreed-on language had already eliminated subsidies for 10 other small airports.) ...

Rockefeller and other Democrats said the subsidy dispute is serving as a proxy issue for a deeper conflict over what they call an anti-union provision supported by Delta Air Lines, a largely nonunion carrier seeking to strengthen its ability to fight labor unions.

Press lobbyists to handle lobbyist reporting?

Outsourcing madness: "The Legislature's latest privatization effort is drawing attention from lobbyists and the news media, and for very different reasons."

In a little-noticed action, lawmakers rewrote their rules last session and added a provision to outsource the Office of Lobbyist Registration.

But months earlier, e-mails show, a private, for-profit group, the Florida Press Association, was in informal talks with a key legislative staffer on the subject. The group lobbies on behalf of newspapers, whose reporters are among the most intense lobbyist-watchers in the state.

The lobbyist registration office has only three workers, but its output is monitored closely by everyone who follows state government because it records registrations of thousands of lobbyists and their clients, as well as compensation reports lobbyists have been required to file since 2006.

The mountain of data is stored in an aging mainframe computer that legislative technical experts say costs $2 million a year to maintain. The idea is to shut off the computer and hire a private firm that can modernize the lobbyist website for less money while turning a profit.

Privatizing lobbyist reporting was in part the brainchild of Steve MacNamara, who at the time was chief of staff to Senate President Mike Haridopolos. MacNamara is now Gov. Rick Scott's chief of staff.

Perhaps more employees need to be hired?

The Sarasota Herald Tribune editors wonders "just because revenue for overtime isn't budgeted doesn't mean the costs won't be incurred. The question should be answered: Why have those costs been so high?" "Editorial: Over budget on overtime".

The last refuge of scoundrels ... a "task force"

"Following months of controversy over the state's watchdog program for long-term care, Florida Gov. Rick Scott has ordered the creation of a task force charged with improving patient safety and monitoring in assisted-living facilities."

The move this week comes after a yearlong investigation by The Miami Herald exposed lax enforcement of facilities in which residents were neglected, beaten and left in filthy and dangerous conditions. The paper cited the deaths of 70 residents from abuse or neglect since 2002.

This and that

"Haridopolos comments on Senate race, Bachmann joins CPAC FL, Tracking campaign donations from developer Catalfumo". See also "Keck to leave Department of Citrus, Rep Bullard hosts agriculture roundtable, Group fights citrus greening".

"Florida a state where harmful policies enacted"

"A policy research group has included Florida in a list of states that made unnecessarily austere budget cuts this past year."

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities writes that out of the "47 states with newly enacted budgets, 38 or more states are making deep, identifiable cuts in K-12 education, higher education, health care, or other key areas in their budgets for fiscal year 2012." Florida was used many times as an example of state where harmful policies were recently enacted.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is a "policy organization working at the federal and state levels on fiscal policy and public programs that affect low- and moderate-income families and individuals."

According to their research, the services hardest hit by state cuts have been education and health care.

"The group writes:"

This level of budget-cutting is unnecessary and results, in part, from state and federal actions and failures to act. To be sure, with tax collections in most states still well below pre-recession levels and lagging far behind the growing cost of maintaining services, additional cuts at some level were inevitable for 2012. But the cutbacks in services that many states are now imposing are larger than necessary.

Florida was listed several times for its cuts to K-12 and higher education, as well as deep cuts to health services.

Redistricting controversy

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "If legislators hoped their hearings on redistricting in Orlando Wednesday would convince Central Floridians that lawmakers intend to honor them by drawing fair districts, those hopes were largely dashed. And no wonder." "Redistricting hearings engender little trust among the public".

"Round-up of redistricting coverage for 7/29" See also "Here's a primer on congressional and legislative redistricting" and "How to draw minority seats is crux of redistricting controversy".

Scott Maxwell: "When Florida legislators swung through town this week, hundreds of Central Floridians poured into the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre to demand that politicians treat them, their money and democracy with more respect. So I'm here to give you a behind-the-scenes look at what went down — everything from the best zingers to the legislator [State Rep. Chris Dorworth] who seemed more interested in his Facebook account than in what his constituents were saying." "What not to 'Like' during hearing | Video".

"Friendless in Tally"

"In 2008, Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Legislature established the Office of the Small Business Advocate, a four-member agency that reviewed hundreds of proposed regulations and worked with an advisory board of business owners and lobbyists to determine how to respond to new regulations. All that ended when Gov. Rick Scott vetoed $500,000 that lawmakers had set aside to run the operation. Besides, the governor's new initiative to block regulations had jumped to a quick start by going after some of the 20,000 state rules Gov. Scott found offensive."

The big problem is Gov. Scott's new office lacks the transparency needed to show it's truly effective in going after burdensome rules, particularly those that may impact small businesses. The new Office of Fiscal Accountability and Regulatory Reform can tackle regulations that may offend big corporate interests or conservative political ideology, but not necessarily bother a small business.

Insurance industry whines

"Sharply higher claims payouts are driving up Florida homeowner and auto insurance premiums, even though the state hasn't been hit by a hurricane in more than five years, a new industry study shows." "Soaring Claims Drive Florida Insurance Rates Higher".

Teabaggers turn to Florida

"Having entered the Republican presidential race last month, U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, a favorite of the tea party movement, is riding high in the polls and turning her attention to delegate-rich Florida."

The American Conservative Union (ACU) announced Thursday that Bachmann will address its Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Florida event which will be in Orlando on Friday, Sept. 23. The CPAC FL meeting will be held at the same time as the Republican Party of Florida’s (RPOF) Presidency 5 meeting. The RPOF event will feature a debate by the field of Republican candidates and a straw poll. While the Bachmann camp has not committed to the straw poll, it has left the door open to participating. ...

A poll from the American Research Group released earlier in the week revealed a close contest in Florida between the Republican presidential candidates. While Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who has yet to officially enter the race, topped the poll with 16 percent, Bachmann was right behind him, tied with Romney for second, with 15 percent.

Nothing better to do, Florida Republicans fight "Backdoor amnesty"

"HALT, an immigration-enforcement bill, is necessary because President Obama is seeking 'backdoor amnesty' for millions of undocumented immigrants, Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, said Tuesday during a House Judiciary committee hearing." "Bill cosponsored by Buchanan, Nugent, Young said to fight ‘backdoor amnesty’".

They're 'jus birds

"Commission OKs windmill rules, but environmentalists fear for birds".

"Atavistic and repugnant"

"A federal judge has declared Florida's drug statute unconstitutional on grounds that it does not require criminal intent be proven by prosecutors. If upheld on appeal, the decision has the potential to place in jeopardy hundreds, and possibly thousands, of drug convictions."

U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven of Orlando noted in an order issued Wednesday, that Florida is the only state to eliminate criminal intent as an element of the crime in its Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act. Legislators excised it in 2002.

Scriven cited the example of a student who hides his cocaine in a friend's backpack without telling him. The friend, having no idea it is there, is guilty of possession even if he had no intent to possess it or didn't know it was there.

Elimination of the intent element is "atavistic and repugnant to the common law," Scriven wrote.

Steak-preneur is just one of us

Craig Miller, "the businessman and Republican candidate from Winter Park is striving to gain name recognition and distinguish himself from the party's front-runners, former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux and former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, for the chance to take on incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson in 2012." "U.S. Senate candidate Craig Miller seeks 'Main Street' image".

Batista crowd upsetting a "growing numbers of Cuban-Americans"

"Sonia Rodriguez whipped up milk-and-espresso drinks at the Latin American Grill as talk turned to a new push in Congress to tighten restrictions on travel to Cuba. Like growing numbers of Cuban-Americans, she's worried about the U.S. reinstating strict limits on how often she can visit relatives and even how much money can be sent to loved ones on the island."

Soon after taking office, President Barack Obama eased the family travel restrictions to pre-Bush administration levels. He has also issued regulations encouraging travel opportunities for religious, cultural and educational groups. Pure tourist travel is still prohibited under the U.S. trade embargo imposed on Cuba decades ago.

But two Republican Cuban-American congressmen from Miami-area districts are sponsoring measures to roll back the Obama changes, highlighting the division between those who left Cuba long ago and those who arrived more recently and still have ties to the Caribbean nation.

Last week, the Republican-led House Foreign Affairs Committee approved a sweeping bill targeting a Cuba travel and remittances. Republicans and Democrats on the panel backed the move pushed by Rep. David Rivera, R-Fla.

Rivera says the Bush limits were enacted because of abuses to the system, and that a visit once every three years was a reasonable compromise. There is currently no limit on the number of trips Cuban-Americans can make to visit family in Cuba.

Although the full House likely will approve the bill this fall, its prospects are bleak in the Democratic-controlled Senate. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart has pushed for a narrower measure targeting only Cuban-Americans. His measure is part of a must-pass financial spending bill, although Senate Democrats could oppose the provision on Cuba. All but certain is opposition from the Obama administration.

Diaz-Balart said too many people were taking advantage of eased travel to Cuba to act as merchandise couriers, propping up the island's faltering economy, and in turn its government.

Ricky shill puts him in military "Hall of Fame"

Lloyd Dunkelberger: "Scott’s office sought to distance itself Thursday from the embarrassment of a list of prospective inductees to the new Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame that originally included six former members of the Confederate army, a former governor convicted of intimidating black citizens and Scott himself."

Incredibly,

the list included Scott, who served 29 months in the U.S. Navy as a radar technician ....

Haridopolos questions Hasner's Teabag Cred, Pines for "Jeb!"

"Haridopolos questioned Hasner's credentials as a conservative – a shot at the heart of his campaign, because the primary is rapidly turning into a race to the right. The two leading candidates, Hasner and George LeMieux, are fighting to be perceived as the true conservative in the race, and each says the other isn't."

Haridopolos also said he's still hoping for "a principled and trusted conservative" to get in the race, such as former Gov. Jeb Bush.

"Power play by an arrogant lawmaker"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "We should have seen this coming. Months after securing $35 million for University of South Florida Polytechnic’s new campus in Lakeland, state Sen. J.D. Alexander wants the campus to sever its ties with USF and become an independent school. It’s another power play by an arrogant lawmaker who respects no authority other than himself." "Power play threatens USF vision".

A state lawmaker on Wednesday requested all documents related to the resignations, while a liberal public interest group has been circulating a petition asking for the state inspector general to investigate.

"As a member who represents an area ravaged by foreclosure fraud, these terminations present an overwhelming public concern," said Rep. Darren Soto, D-Orlando, in a letter to Bondi.

Progress Florida, a St. Petersburg advocacy group, is asking for an investigation into Bondi's actions.

"We think the big banks and the financial industry have leveraged their enormous political power to have these attorneys removed," said Mark Ferrulo, executive director for Progress Florida.

Bondi said that such suggestions are "unfounded and offensive."

Clarkson said that after Bondi took office, she and Edwards were questioned intensely about their ongoing cases by Richard Lawson, appointed by Bondi as head of the Economic Crimes Division.

In particular, he asked about Jacksonville-based Lender Processing Services and Tampa-based ProVest, Clarkson said.

"We were under fire like you have no idea," Clarkson said. "It was like our home team was against us."

Lender Processing Services donated more than $40,000 to campaigns in the 2010 election, largely to Republican candidates, including Bondi. The company donated $36,500 to the Republican Party of Florida, according to campaign finance records.

"Nelson zigzags"

"Sen. Bill Nelson zigzags on debt ceiling votes".

Haridopolos disses Hasner

"If there was any doubt that there was no love lost between Florida state Senate President Mike Haridopolos and former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner during the Senate race earlier this year, Haridopolos has cleared it up by indicating where his loyalties (don't) lie, now that he has dropped out the Senate race." "Haridopolos: I Won't Be Backing Hasner".

Political insults

Bill Cotterell: "The art of the political insult is long lost in Washington, but maybe U.S. Rep. Allen West can revive it." "The art of the political insult".

This and that

"New deputy chief for Haridopolos, DJJ reforms, prison privatization, and redistricting".

GOPers trying to hide Scott

"Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said Wednesday that neither Gov. Rick Scott's low approval rating nor the immigration debate will hurt the GOP as it tries to carry crucial Florida in next year's presidential election."

Scott's approval rating has dipped below 30 percent, which has Democrats citing the governor as a reason not to support the GOP. But Priebus said voters won't care.

"He's not on the ballot and I don't think that a governor that's been there for two years is going to affect what people think about the direction of our country and who sits in the White House," Priebus said during a conference call with reporters to discuss Florida's role in 2012.

But he did say another politician who will have only been in office for two years and who also may not be on the ballot could play a role in helping Republicans: Sen. Marco Rubio.

Rubio, who some speculate could be a potential vice presidential pick, is among several Republican Hispanic politicians Priebus said could excite Latino voters.

Blame the unemployed

"Florida's jobless workers are facing additional hurdles to qualify for state unemployment compensation. Several new requirements go into effect Monday under a law passed this year to help reduce unemployment taxes paid by businesses." "Florida jobless facing new compensation hurdles".

Redistricting round-up

"Round-up of media coverage of redistricting for 7/28". See also "Candidate for state office takes stab at resketching districts" and "Gaetz: Legislature will vote early on new maps".

RPOFer plans "hit a snag"

"It didn't take long for Florida's plans for a premier presidential primary spot to hit a snag. The snag: Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer wants to move her state's primary up to Jan. 31." "Early Arizona primary date could upset Florida's hopes".

"Staggering"

"Citizens' Insurance board okays 'staggering' sinkhole rate increases".

West volunteers to drive

"A movie clip used to fire up Republicans during a showdown over deficit-reduction sparked an outcry on Wednesday from Debbie Wasserman Schultz and other Democrats."

Congressman Allen West, a Republican from Plantation, scoffed at her objections.

"Tell them to get a life," West said in an interview. "We can’t even look at a clip of a movie? Tell them to come up with a plan about this debt ceiling instead of worrying about us looking at the clip of a movie."

The segment from “The Town” depicts a couple of bank robbers preparing to beat up another character.

“I need your help,” one robber says. “I can’t tell you what it is, you can never ask me about it later. And we’re going to hurt some people.”

“Whose car are we gonna take,” the other character replies.

West stood up at the Republican meeting and said, “I’m ready to drive the car.”

"Something here does not add up"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Was it leaving or not? That’s the question Hillsborough County needs to answer about a deal to give taxpayer money to a global financial services firm in exchange for keeping its jobs in Tampa. Something here does not add up." "Secrecy, subsidies and spin".

Killing them softly

"The Florida Department of Corrections signed off last month on using pentobarbital, a barbiturate, as part of the state’s cocktail of three lethal drugs. The pentobarbital is intended to knock condemned inmates unconscious before a second drug paralyzes them and a third stops their heart. The state previously used sodium thiopental, a different barbiturate, to sedate the inmates. The corrections department had to change its protocol after the Illinois pharmaceutical company that sold it the sodium thiopental discontinued its production of the drug earlier this year. The company did not want the drug to be used in executions."

Other states have since made the switch to pentobarbital, which is used to euthanize animals. But Valle would be the first Florida inmate to be executed under the new rules, and he raised questions about whether the drug in the amount prescribed by the state could cause him to suffer pain.

A divided Supreme Court ruled 4-3 to grant him a hearing — and ordered the corrections department to provide documents from the drug’s manufacturer, Lundbeck, on the safety and efficacy of pentobarbital.

The head of Lundbeck, a Danish company, has twice written Gov. Rick Scott urging him not to use the drug for capital punishment. Staffan Schüberg, president of Lundbeck, wrote to Scott in May and again in June after he said his letters to the corrections department went unanswered. It is unclear if Scott’s office has responded, either.

"The use of pentobarbital outside the approved labeling has not been established," Schüberg wrote. "As such, Lundbeck cannot assure the associated safety and efficacy profiles in such instances. For this reason, we are concerned about its use in prison executions."

Central Florida minority House District?

"Central Florida's growth means greater congressional clout next year, and Hispanic and black leaders told lawmakers Wednesday they expect the region to be rewarded with at least one new U.S. House district likely to elect a minority candidate." "Leaders hear call for minority seat in Congress".

"Political clout of charter school management companies"

Fred Grimm: "The new governor made it clear on just his third day in office that the fix to Florida’s education woes could be found on the campus of an Opa-locka charter school."

“We have to make sure our system does exactly what you are doing here at Florida International Academy,” Rick Scott said back in January.

Six months later, his words took on unintended irony. Despite the considerable flexibility granted charter schools, Florida International Academy had flunked. The charter’s elementary school, based on student FCAT scores, was rated an “F” school, one of only five failing schools in Miami-Dade County.

In March, when Scott signed a state law that swapped teacher tenure for a merit pay and retention system based on test scores, he used another charter school as a backdrop – the KIPP Impact Middle School, in Jacksonville. When the state ratings came out earlier this month, the Jacksonville Times-Union reported that the KIPP school scored the lowest FCAT results in the newspaper’s five-county circulation area.

Unless all this has more to do with the political clout of charter school management companies than with actual student achievement.

Hey, kids! A real civics lesson.

"Scott watchdog showing signs of loose dentures"

The Tampa Tribune editors: "Florida's 1.9 million small businesses may have thought they had a friend in Tallahassee, but that ended in May, when Gov. Rick Scott abolished the state's Office of the Small Business Advocate. To fill the void, the governor established his own watchdog operation — one that is showing signs of loose dentures." "Small businesses lose big advocate".

Boycott threatened

"A business group's plan to host U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation, at a public meeting is drawing fire from the state Democratic Party's gay caucus. Michael Rajner, legislative director of the Florida Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Democratic Caucus, is demanding that the Wilton Manors Business Association President Celeste Ellich withdraw the invitation." "Gay group calls for business boycott over Allen West appearance".

"RNC Thinks Obama is Weak in Florida"

"The Republican National Committee on Wednesday unveiled a new ad running in Florida and other battleground states in the 2012 presidential election." "Thinking Obama's Weak in Florida, RNC Piles On in New Ads".

Batista crowd in a dither

"Cuba grants landing rights for Tampa flights".

"The worst possible motives"

Kenric Ward, apparently with a straight face, pens the following: "As if the job of redrawing 187 congressional and legislative districts weren't complicated enough, liberal groups are ascribing the worst possible motives to Florida lawmakers assigned to the task." "Liberals Behaving Badly: Florida Redistricting Hearings".

The rich are different

"Rooney: If default, don't pay Congress". See also "Florida Repubs: If Feds Default, Congress Shouldn't Get Paid".

Voucher madness

"Thanks to tinkering from the Florida Legislature, enrollment in Florida's corporate tax credit vouchers soared last year, with a 20 percent increase in students. The enrollment surge coincided with an apparent increase in demand for the voucher program. Step Up For Students, the administrator of the corporate tax credit scholarship, said Wednesday that it had to stop accepting applications in May when it hit 33,000 new students. Last year, the program cut off new applicants in September." "New Law Boosts Enrollment in Tax Credit Voucher".

Teabaggers face tough questions

"The suit was filed by a group of Sarasota and Charlotte County residents with ties to the tea party — Andrew Worley, Pat Wayman, John Scolaro and Robin Stublen — who claim the state's contribution requirements put an unconstitutional burden on their right to free speech."

Hinkle peppered Paul Sherman, an Institute for Justice attorney representing the plaintiffs, with questions about their reliance on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, known as Citizens United, that corporations can spend without limit on independent political broadcasts.

Hinkle said that case was limited to a corporation spending its own money and questioned whether it could be applied to a group collecting contributions.

"Doesn't the state have an interest in keeping contributions separate from personal accounts?" Hinkle said, pointing to laws that prohibit the commingling of business and personal accounts.

Sherman, however, said there shouldn't be more burden on a grass-roots group than a corporation in a political debate.

Plaintiffs are not challenging Florida's expenditure laws, which means political groups could be in the awkward position of reporting what they spend money but not disclosing the sources of that cash.

Hinkle gave at least some credence to the plaintiff's argument, disputing that the state only asks for financial information groups already would keep.

Using public money to fight the public's vote is something you'd expect from a third-world dictator … not an American public servant.

Alas, Cannon's office said Tuesday that he probably won't show up for his hometown [redistricting] hearings.

and that he didn't want his appearance "to diminish the opportunity for public input by shifting the focus of the meeting from his constituents to himself."

OK. As long as it's not because he's a coward.

"I just want to say one word to you, just one word": "asphalt"

"Gopher tortoises are in trouble but won't get federal protection". See also "Gopher tortoise makes slow progress toward federal endangered species protection".

Texas diploma mill system coming to Florida?

"Controversial changes that have rocked Texas’ higher education system may be coming to Florida."

Gov. Rick Scott has begun discreetly promoting the same changes to the higher education system that Texas Gov. Rick Perry has championed. The proposals include some of the same reforms pushed by conservatives in K-12 schools: merit pay for professors, tenure reform, and generally a much greater emphasis on measurement of whether professors are turning out students that meet certain goals.

The attempt in Texas has caused something of an identity crisis in that state’s higher education community, with opponents saying what needs to be reformed is Perry’s control over university policies.

Scott told the News Service of Florida on Tuesday that he has discussed the Texas reforms with his appointees to university and college governing boards in an effort to line up support for a nascent campaign to dramatically change how universities and colleges are funded, overhaul professor tenure, emphasize teaching over research, and give students more influence.

Perry’s proposal tries to mold state universities into operating more like businesses, treating students more like customers, and universities like companies that offer a product -- a degree.

The suggested changes include, in addition to professor merit pay, a greater emphasis on student evaluations and teaching in awarding tenure, abandoning the traditional accreditation system, and giving more state funding directly to students. Many of these ideas are outlined in a report called “Seven Breakthrough Solutions,” put out by a Perry donor named Jeff Sandefer and the right-leaning Texas Public Policy Foundation in 2008. ...

Gerry Griffin, a former member of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and former director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, is part of a group opposing Perry’s changes.

Griffin, an alumnus of Texas A&M University, said the group is concerned “and trying to take the stance that we are against these kinds of reforms that have been shoved on our universities.”

The group, the Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education, includes former members of university governing boards, former university presidents, and prominent alumni and business leaders, such as Gary Kelly, CEO of Southwest Airlines.

Griffin said the solutions are too simplistic.

“Universities are not a factory,” he said.

Top-tier research institutions such as Texas A&M University and the University of Texas would become “diploma mills” if the full extent of the reforms were implemented, Griffin added.

“At the end of the day, the reformers that started down this path only thought of numbers,” Griffin said. “They didn’t think about the quality of education.”

"General chaos could come"

"Higher mortgage rates, costlier loans for governments and general chaos could come to South Florida from Washington’s debt woes. But watch for Brazilian condo buyers, too." "Washington’s debt crisis: the elephant in the room for South Florida’s economy".

"If this doesn't stink, you need your schnoz checked"

Scott Maxwell: Florida's Republican Attorney General Pam Bondi "made jaws drop when it was revealed that her office ousted two of its top investigators."

assistant attorneys general Theresa Edwards and June Clarkson were making national news uncovering foreclosure fraud when Bondi's office forced them out.

At first, Bondi's office refused to say why. But after public outcry intensified, Bondi's deputies claimed Clarkson and Edwards were guilty of "poor performance."

It was an interesting claim for two people who had recently helped net a $2 million settlement. Also for two people with stellar job reviews.

Most damning, however, was the office's claim that Edwards had been a poor performer for "several months" — even though a supervisor's review from just four weeks earlier concluded: "I cannot overstate the degree to which I respect Ms. Edwards and her work with this unit."

If this doesn't stink, you need your schnoz checked.

"Perry eyes Florida talent"

"Texas Gov. Rick Perry is exploring a run for president in a behind-the-scenes effort to set up a shadow campaign that stretches from Austin to New Hampshire to Miami."

"Florida has a long way to go"

"Researcher: Low-wage job numbers a ’cause for concern’".

Florida International University's Research Institute for Social and Economic Policy reports that "The last five months have seen steady declines in Florida’s unemployment rate, from 12% in December to 10.6% in May. The improvement leveled off in June, when the unemployment rate was unchanged. Since January 2010 the state has gained 85,500 jobs, according to seasonally adjusted figures, the longest and largest continuous gain since the recession began more than three years ago. However the state has a long way to go to make up the over 700,000 jobs lost since the start of the recession."

The good signs of growth are largely concentrated in a few industries, with three industries responsible for 60% of the gains. The top job creator, Accommodation and Food Services added nearly 20,000 jobs, or 23% of the total. Health care continued to add jobs as it has through most of the recession, and Administrative and Waste Services added over 16,000 jobs. Some smaller sectors such as Real Estate and Arts have seen significant improvements as well, as has Manufacturing, while others such as Wholesale Trade, Education and Information lost jobs.

While the addition of jobs is sorely needed in the state, the majority of the jobs created are in industries that pay below the average wage in the state. The industry that added the most jobs, Accommodation and Food Services, also has the lowest average annual wage at $18,842 per year. Two-thirds of the jobs added in the last five months were in below-average paying industries.

"A six-pack of infobits"

Travis Pillow: "Six in the morning: A six-pack of infobits you might have missed but shouldn’t have".

"Regulators set clock back on conservation in Florida"

"State regulators set the clock back on energy conservation in Florida on Tuesday by reversing a rule that would have required Progress Energy Florida and Florida Power & Light to encourage customers to use less electricity." "Progress Energy, Florida Power & Light no longer required to expand energy conservation programs".

"Doubts about 'stable' SunRail revenue sources"

"Doubts about 'stable' revenue sources are dogging the SunRail commuter train before it even has a locomotive. Tax increases or further cuts in social services appear to be the only way Central Florida governments will be able to satisfy federal funding requirements." "Florida Train Heist: Robbing Peter to Pay Paul on SunRail".

"Paul flopping badly in the Sunshine State"

Kevin Derby: "Ron Paul’s supporters insist their candidate is gaining momentum as the Texas congressman makes his second bid for the Republican presidential nomination. He certainly has more name recognition and a larger war chest this time around -- but he is flopping badly in the Sunshine State." "Ron Paul Needs to Focus on Florida".

Florida Congressmen deluged with calls

"Phone lines to Capitol Hill were flooded on Tuesday when thousands of constituents called and e-mailed Florida members of Congress urging a resolution of debt-reduction talks before the nation defaults on its obligations." "Callers deluge Florida members on debt clash".

Medicaid deform

"Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration began making plans to move the state’s long-term care Medicaid recipients into managed care plans Tuesday, but it has until Monday to submit the federal waiver request necessary to implement the changes." "Florida Moves Toward Initial Medicaid Changes".

Libertarians don' like that disclosure stuff

"A federal judge is hearing arguments in a challenge to a Florida campaign law regulating political committees and similar groups. The hearing is set for Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle in Tallahassee. The law is being challenged by three Sarasota residents backed by the libertarian Institute for Justice. It requires political committees or groups to disclose who made contributions to them, how much and what the money was spent on. " "Judge hearing challenge to Florida campaign law".

Jackson stumps against Florida's new election law

"The Rev. Jesse Jackson was in his element. The longtime civil rights leader spoke to nearly 500 people at 34th Street Church of God on Tuesday afternoon, stumping against Florida's controversial new election law." "Jackson rails against election law". See also "Jesse Jackson blasts gerrymandering, but won’t touch Fair Districts lawsuit" and "Jesse Jackson, in Tampa, urges DOJ to reject new election law".

Never mind the sinkholes

"The state-run property insurer took a step toward imposing massive rate hikes for sinkhole insurance Tuesday, tentatively approving new premiums that would force many policy holders to either pay thousands of dollars more next year or drop coverage altogether." "Proposed sinkhole insurance rates likely will force people to drop coverage".

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "The quickest way to squash the anemic economic recovery in Florida is for Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to approve absurd increases in premiums for sinkhole coverage. " "A formula to sink the economy".

"Taj Mahal" update

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Judge Hawkes, who allegedly bullied court employees who challenged him, has spent so much time complaining of mistreatment that he has yet to answer the charges. Judge Backman noted that failure as he scheduled a trial for early November. If the six-member hearing panel that Judge Backman chairs upholds the charges, the Florida Supreme Court can reprimand Judge Hawkes or remove him. The courthouse, unfortunately, stays either way." "Public is victim, not judge".

Mica hoofs it to Bunnell

"Mica meets with Bunnell officials, business leaders".

Some call it "bunk"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "When the Florida Supreme Court delayed a condemned cop killer's execution this week, it seemed to bolster an argument [by Republicans] heard in the state Capitol this year that the justices are to blame for a pileup of prisoners on death row."

But the evidence doesn't support that argument. And state House Speaker Dean Cannon's plan to radically restructure the high court to speed up its handling of death-penalty cases remains unjustified and unworthy of revisiting. ...

Earlier this year, state House Republican leaders pointed to the backlog of inmates on death row in calling for the seven-member Supreme Court to be expanded by three justices, then split into five-member criminal and civil divisions. The House Office of Public Information cited "current processing delays created by the existing Supreme Court structure."

Lawyers might call this a specious argument. We'd call it bunk.

The rich are different

"Bottle of white wine sets world-record price".

West's pusillanimity

"Allen West is one of Congress's, um, special people."

The freshman tea partier and former Army colonel has criticized President Obama for traveling to Afghanistan in the middle of the night because it wasn't life-threatening enough. He has claimed that Muslim congressman Keith Ellison "represent[s] the antithesis of the principles upon which this country was established." He has warned that those "Coexist" bumper stickers will lead to the downfall of America. During his 2010 campaign for Congress, he told his followers to "make [Democratic congressman Ron Klein] scared to come out of his house." He was fined by the military for intimidating an Iraqi policeman he suspected of terrorist ties by firing a gun next to his head and threatening to kill him. You would think that, as fond as he is of doling out baseless accusations and physical threats, West could handle a little criticism from a Democratic colleague.

But he can't ...

Now, if it were Saint Mica

The Orlando Sentinel's endless attack on Gary Siplin continues today with this: "The Florida Senate has picked up the $109,000 tab for state Sen. Gary Siplin's [successful] four-year legal battle over an ethics complaint lodged by a former Orange County sheriff's deputy." "Florida Senate pays $109K for Siplin's legal bills".

Scott conceded that the nation, which has never failed to pay its bills, is entering new territory if Republican lawmakers and President Barack Obama cannot reach an agreement, but he added that financial markets have likely already figured in such a scenario and would not overreact if it comes to pass. ...

Others aren’t so optimistic. With 2.9 million Medicaid recipients and thousands more on food stamps and other federal assistance, the potential of a government shutdown August 2 could prompt the loss of critical services at a time when Floridians have already been subject to the most severe recession since the Great Depression.

Carol Weissert, political scientist and director of the LeRoy Collins Institute at Florida State University, said bedrock federal programs like Social Security and Medicare will likely not be affected, but Medicaid may not be so lucky if lawmakers have to choose what programs to fund. Other vulnerable areas are grants to states for education and transportation programs. ...

In April, more than 3 million Floridians receive food stamps through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The figure represents an 18.3 percent increase in the number of food stamp recipients from April 2010.

Meanwhile, Florida's Medicaid program costs $20 billion a year, with more than half of that coming from the federal government.

The ongoing bickering between Republicans in Congress and President Barack Obama over raising the debt ceiling could have a profound impact on Marion County if the stalemate is prolonged much beyond next week's deadline for action.

According to an annual report produced by state economists, Marion County received $2.7 billion in direct federal funding in fiscal year 2009, the most recent for which data are available.

"Arguments used over and over again by reactionary lawmakers to eviscerate sensible regulations"

"Last year's hysterical reaction from opponents of tougher federal clean-water rules was, unfortunately, only the beginning."

Since the Associated Industries of Florida's Barney Bishop hammered "radical left-wingers" for daring to impose new regulations that would strap businesses, we've seen a lawsuit from Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam.

The pair sued those awful left-wingers running the Environmental Protection Agency for imposing what will be new limits on how much phosphorus and nitrogen can get into waterways from sewage plants, industry and other sources.

Central Florida's John Mica got into the act, too, introducing legislation in Congress that would blunt the EPA's ability to toughen Florida's ineffective water-pollution limits. The EPA's "almost unprecedented power grab" would create a "regulatory nightmare," Mica gasped on the floor of the U.S. House.

Central Florida's Sandy Adams injected her trademark hyperbole. The congresswoman tied the EPA's coming rules to clean Florida's waterways to an imagined plot by President Obama to undermine anti-pollution efforts. And her office said the new EPA rules "would effectively kill job creation throughout Florida." ...

If the arguments against the EPA's tougher nutrient standards sound familiar, that's because they've been used over and over again by reactionary lawmakers to eviscerate sensible regulations. The anti-environment gang in Tallahassee killed state growth laws they said killed jobs. What nonsense.

Big of them

"The Public Service Commission is considering revised demand-side conservation plans for Florida's two largest electric utilities. The commission was set to vote Tuesday on the plans proposed by Florida Power & Light Co. and Progress Energy Florida. Each would slightly increase overall rates but give customers a chance to reduce their power bills by participating in the conservation programs. " "Florida PSC considering power conservation plans".

Please drug test someone in this welfare deal

"PricewaterhouseCoopers confirmed on Monday it will move 2,000 employees into a new office building in Tampa's West Shore area, spurred in part by $1.2 million in local government incentives."

At the same time, Hillsborough County leaders say they are looking into whether the accounting and advising giant is even entitled to the money.

The County Commission and the Tampa City Council approved the incentive package last week in the belief PricewaterhouseCoopers might be on the verge of moving more than 1,600 jobs to another state or overseas.

That was never the case, PricewaterhouseCoopers, or PWC, said Monday.

'Ya reckon?

"Recession hit minorities much harder than whites, report says".

Unannounced Perry leads in RPOF primary poll

"A new poll finds Gov. Rick Perry of Texas leading the Republican presidential pack in Florida, with U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota and former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts on his heels."

The American Research Group poll finds that Perry, who has yet to formally enter the race despite coming in second in two recent national polls, leads in the Sunshine State with 16 percent, followed by Bachmann and Romney with 15 percent each. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who also has yet to enter the race, came in fourth with 13 percent. Businessman Herman Cain is fifth with 11 percent. ...

The poll of 600 likely Republican primary voters in Florida (including 50 independents) was taken between July 18-24 and had a margin of error of +/- 4 percent.

A poll taken in May by American Research Group shows that Romney and Gingrich are now on the decline in Florida, while Perry, Bachmann and Cain are on the rise.

Republicans at work

As of "April, more than 3 million Floridians receive food stamps through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The figure represents an 18.3 percent increase in the number of food stamp recipients from April 2010."

Redistricting Round-up

"Round-up of media coverage of redistricting for 7/26".

Premature gesticulation

Without knowing her opponent, or even the district she will run in, we read that "Emily’s List backs Orlando’s Val Demings for congressional run".

Empty suit rising

Brent Batten: "U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, less than a year into his freshman term, is emerging as the Republicans’ most telegenic and relatable spokesman as the debt crisis puts a spotlight on the differences between their party and the Democrats." "Marco (not the island) garnering national attention".

Charter follies

"One charter school in Broward County was among the state's 27 worst schools, state officials have said. Imagine Charter School at North Lauderdale Middle, which earned an F grade this year, will face state sanctions for poor academic performance." "One Broward charter among state's 27 worst schools".

Republican donors licking their chops

"The fastest privatization venture ever undertaken by Florida took a big step forward Monday when the state formally sought plans from private firms to operate all prisons in an 18-county region in South Florida." "Private prison plan moves along for South Florida".

"One source of revenue continues to pay out"

"While sluggish sales tax receipts may have forced the state to slash government spending again this year, one source of revenue continues to pay out: Your name, address and driving history." "A surefire state revenue generator? Selling your driving records".

Jackson on town

"Jesse Jackson protests Florida elections bill".

"Republicans intent on driving the nation to the brink"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Escalating an avoidable economic crisis, House Republicans are intent on driving the nation to the financial brink at the behest of their most extreme members."

The president, congressional Democrats and what moderates remain in the Republican caucus need to come together quickly on a clean, substantive bill. The White House threw its support behind the Reid plan, calling it a "meaningful down payment" in controlling the debt and a "reasonable" step Congress and the administration could build on in any larger effort to close tax loopholes and curtail spending. In reality, the fallback plan is a measurement of how irresponsible House Republicans — including those in the Tampa Bay area — have been in blocking all attempts at consensus and compromise. The president, the Senate and the American people should not give in to their extremist approach.

Medicaid deform

"As Florida nears the Aug. 1 deadline to submit to the federal government its blueprint for shifting 3 million Medicaid patients into managed care plans, opponents are busy asking the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to turn the state down flat." "Critics seek to stop Florida's Medicaid handoff".

Florida’s Agency for Persons with Disabilities

"Florida’s Agency for Persons with Disabilities, despite consistently going over budget the past few years and facing a $120 million cut from the previous fiscal year, will remain within appropriations set out by the Legislature this year, its top financial director said Monday." "Disabilities Agency Vows to Stay Within Budget".

Teabagger to challenge Senate Majority Leader Gardiner

"Software company owner Ron Rushing will announce on Tuesday that he is pulling out of the Republican primary to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and will instead offer a primary challenge to Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, in 2012."

Rushing looks likely to run to Gardiner’s right. During his brief U.S. Senate bid, Rushing, who is from Windermere, backed the "Contract From America." It pledges that a candidate will back smaller government, repeal the federal health-care law, and lower taxes. The contract is being pushed by FreedomWorks and former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey. Myriad conservative candidates backed the contract in the 2010 cycle, including Mike Lee, Jim DeMint, Tom Coburn and Sharon Angle.

During his U.S. Senate bid, Rushing also backed the Fair Tax, gutting the EPA, reducing regulations on business, pushing to end foreign aid, slashing federal spending across the board by 5 percent, using the armed forces to secure America from illegal immigration, and repealing the federal health-care law backed by President Barack Obama.

Bad drugs

"Florida Supreme Court stays execution; drugmaker says anesthetic unsafe".

What's wrong with Tampa?

Daniel Ruth: "While white children splash and frolic in the invigorating waters of the Interbay Pool, a few miles away, tots of color stare forlornly through the locked gates of the Williams Park Pool. No pool for you." "A public perception belly flop in Tampa".

2,000 percent insurance premium increase?

"After the Legislature lifted a rate hike cap, the state-run property insurer is proposing to increase sinkhole insurance premiums by more than 2,000 percent in some parts of the Tampa Bay area, and an average of more than 400 percent across the state." "Citizens sinkhole rates may surge". See also "Citizens Property Insurance seeks big rate hikes".

All of the state cash budgeted for school construction and maintenance is going to the independent, tax-financed charters favored by the Republican-dominated Legislature and Gov.Rick Scott.

School district officials across Florida are bemoaning the Legislature's decision to cut traditional public schools out of PECO — the Public Education Capital Outlay program. The state's 350 charter schools will share $55 million, while the approximately 3,000 traditional schools will go without.

Hasner's claims Bagger turf, LeMieux says he's the true wingnut

"Mike Haridopolos' exit from the Florida Republican U.S. Senate primary is putting the focus on two men who aren't even in the race – Marco Rubio and Charlie Crist."

Haridopolos dropped out last week, leaving Adam Hasner and George LeMieux as the two most prominent candidates.

Hasner quickly jumped to portray the race as a moderate vs. conservative battle -- himself a conservative, former colleague and political ally of Rubio, and LeMieux, a long-time ally of Crist and allegedly a moderate.

Rubio defeated Crist in the 2010 U.S. Senate race and has since taken on hero status to conservative Florida Republicans.

But Hasner's claim on the conservative turf won't go unchallenged.

LeMieux vehemently denies Hasner's portrayal, saying that as an appointed U.S. senator, he had a more conservative record than Hasner did as a Florida House member.

Bondi doesn't want court to read ACLU brief

"Attorney General Pam Bondi has asked a federal court not to consider an amicus brief filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida in the so-called docs v. glocks case." "Bondi asks court to not consider ACLU amicus brief in guns and doctors case".

Wingers like Mack’s plan

"Florida Congressman Connie Mack’s plan to reduce the size and scope of the federal government and balance the budget by 2019 continued to build momentum Friday, as both a U.S. senator and prominent conservative groups backed his One Percent Spending Re-education Act of 2011." "Conservatives Begin to Cozy-Up to Connie Mack's 'Penny Plan'".

Dream on, Mr. Smith

"The state Democratic Party chairman says new, fairer districts should make it harder for Republicans to dominate elections." "State Democratic Party Chair Rod Smith".

Frankel takes shot at West

"Four months into her high-profile Democratic congressional bid, former West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel's campaign is still working on a website to outline her positions on issues. But Frankel moved with warp speed last week to create a site accusing U.S. Rep. and email flamethrower Allen West, R-Plantation, of being a misogynist."

A day after West sent his "shut the heck up you are not a Lady" email to U.S. Rep. and Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, the Frankel campaign registered the domain name WestHatesWomen.com.

Does Frankel really believe West "hates" women?

"Let's put it this way: I think his attitude towards women is very disrespectful. I do think his votes mainly and his attitudes towards women are hurtful and disparaging," Frankel said.

Stimulus flop in PBC

"The largest stimulus-fueled road projects in Palm Beach County have created less than 20 percent of the jobs once promised, a Palm Beach Post analysis based on federal job-creation standards shows." "Post investigation: Did stimulus money create jobs in Palm Beach County?".

Teabaggery

"Should Tallahassee Lead On Federal Issues?"

Smith goes after executive director of the Florida Audubon Society

Nancy Smith is after the executive director of Florida Audubon Society. "Lying About Lake O to Win Hearts and Minds". Related: "Army Corps' Repair of Unstable Dike Critical Factor in Level of Lake Okeechobee".

"State seldom cracks down on insurance companies"

"When Floridians complain that an insurance company's claims adjuster is mishandling, lowballing or delaying claims, there's a less than 16 percent chance the adjuster will be disciplined. When there's a complaint about a public adjuster -- one who advocates for consumers -- there's a 75 percent chance the state will crack down." "State seldom cracks down on insurance companies and their adjusters".

Redistricting update

"Round-up of media coverage of redistricting for 7/25".

"Principles can be damned inconvenient"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Principles can be damned inconvenient. This is an awful time for the state to face more than $30 million in judgments to 110,000 plaintiffs in Palm Beach and Broward counties who successfully sued the state over its failed citrus canker eradication program of more than a decade ago. " "State balking on payments".

Bits and Pieces

Kevin Derby's "Political Bits and Pieces".

Lakeland Republican strides world stage, makes fool of himself

"In the confusion that followed Friday’s attacks in Oslo, Norway, some observers in America — including one Florida congressman [Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland] — were quick to point to preliminary reports, which turned out to be inaccurate, that the perpetrator was an Islamic terrorist." "Confusion about perpetrator of Norway attack ensnares Florida congressman".

"The wrong direction"

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "The conservation plan for Progress Energy Florida that the Public Service Commission takes up Tuesday moves the state, the company and the industry in the wrong direction." "No retreat on energy efficiency".

"Brown's District Holds Key"

"The pitched battle over congressional map-making in Florida could begin and end in U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown's district." "Corrine Brown's District Holds Key to New Congressional Maps".

But Ricky promised ...

"Some of the deepest cuts to Florida schools in history will likely mean only moderate or no savings in school property tax bills for [Sarasota] area homeowners." "School cuts will not mean big tax bill savings".

Just birds

"Conservationists work to save endangered red-cockaded woodpecker" ("Population growth, however, is occurring mostly on public lands, owned and managed by state and federal agencies.") Meanwhile, the wingnuts are freaking: "The UN Wildlands Project ... Taking Over America Starting With Florida".

Scott's top attorney

Rick Scott's top attorney Charles Trippe is

a graduate of Columbia Law School, [and] came to Scott's administration from Jacksonville, where he was in private practice, and before that, a senior litigator for railroad company CSX Transportation Inc.

This job marks his first foray into government work and the world of politics.

And already, Trippe has faced the harsh criticism often hurled in political circles.

When arguing the high-speed rail case, he told justices the state had spent $110 million of the $131 million that had been appropriated by the federal government. In fact, the state had spent only $31 million.

Some rail supporters believe that fact was a linchpin in the case.

And e-mails show the governor's communications staff had the correct figure. That prompted die-hard bullet train backers to accuse Trippe of deliberately misleading the justices.

Trippe, though, said it was simply a mistake and a small point that wouldn't have changed the outcome. Still, he wrote a letter to the court to correct the record.

Three months later, Trippe appeared before the Supreme Court again on behalf of Scott, this time in a challenge of the constitutionality of an executive order requiring the governor's approval for new rules implementing state laws. A final decision is pending.

Court appearances, though, comprise a small part of his job.