The next Senate president will be Republican Don Gaetz of Niceville, who will be formally designated in Tallahassee on Sept. 19. After Gaetz's coronation, the jockeying for his successor for the 2014-16 term will intensify. Just wait and see.

Latvala says it's premature to be counting votes in a Senate leadership race until it's known who will be elected in 2012.

Sen. Andy Gardiner of Orlando has been seeking the job for more than a year and said Friday he is pleased with his level of support from GOP senators. But he hasn't declared victory.

"Business-first, everything else a distant second"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Scott's finally getting out more. Appearing at events other than those aimed at Tea Party enthusiasts. Talking to the press. Doing some workday stints in places he hopes will resonate with the public. Last week Scott worked inside a Tampa doughnut shop."

Scott's overtures might be driven by some profoundly low poll numbers. This month, only about one in three Floridians surveyed said they approve of the governor.

But Scott's makeover won't win over more Floridians unless he moderates his business-first, everything else a distant second approach to governing. Florida's hurting. Here are just a few places where Scott could make a considerable difference, and consequently see his poll numbers rise.

Ricky wants toll-taxes and privatization. The best he can do?

Aaron Deslatte: "Scott has seen the transportation future of the state, and it is a paved and tolled re-hashing of the past."

In case you missed the news, the governor's Department of Transportation announced last week that Florida would be embarking on an expanded road-building plan that will emphasize building new corridors that could fuel residential development, and tolling the people who move there. Sound familiar? ...

And he wants to privatize -- bridges, roads, even South Florida's Tri-Rail commuter system, if he can find a buyer.

Legal eagle

"Scott weighs in on health care ruling". More: "Florida reacts to today’s health care ruling".

Grayson into the lions den

"A group of Democrats in this giant senior community will host former U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson at an event Saturday." "Alan Grayson to speak Saturday in Villages".

"In Florida, Perry is expected to instantly compete"

"Perry is expected to declare his candidacy on Saturday afternoon at the conservative RedState Gathering in Charleston, S.C. Florida Gov. Rick Scott is slated to speak at the gathering tonight and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Adam Hasner of Boca Raton is scheduled to speak Saturday, a few hours after Perry."

Florida could provide an early test of Perry's viability as a candidate. Once he's officially declared, the Republican Party of Florida will invite Perry to next month's Presidency 5 conference in Orlando, which features a nationally televised debate and a straw poll.

The American Conservative Union is also hosting a three-day Orlando gathering, featuring the Republican presidential candidates, at the same time as the Florida GOP convention.

Nationally and in Florida, Perry is expected to instantly compete with GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney.

"Brain drain astounding"

"'Brain drain astounding' as dozens depart water district under state cutbacks".

"The crackdown is welcome"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "The practices of some of the nation’s largest for-profit colleges are less than upstanding. A lawsuit joined by the Justice Department and a handful of states, including Florida, will give the public a clearer picture of this shady side of the for-profit, publicly traded education business. The crackdown is welcome." "For profit, not always for learning".

State's former top watchdog for long-term-care facilities sues

"The state's former top watchdog for long-term-care facilities has filed a civil lawsuit against the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and two industry groups, alleging 'retaliation' against him for merely doing his job."

In Florida, the ombudsman leads a program that sends volunteers into long-term-care facilities to try to ensure residents are treated properly and to investigate their complaints. Jim Crochet took over the job in May after being recommended by the head of the Florida Assisted Living Association.

Lee's ouster drew widespread attention, in part because of reports that Gov. Rick Scott was involved in the firing and because Lee's previous performance evaluations were "stellar," as the lawsuit notes. The U.S. Administration on Aging has been investigating Lee's dismissal and whether it violates federal law against political interference in the program.

The investigators' report has yet to be made public.

The civil lawsuit includes a series of allegations related to industry officials clashing with Lee or seeking his dismissal.

After a Jan. 20 meeting with a Florida Health Care Association lobbyist, the lawsuit says Lee reported to his supervisor and the department's inspector general that he had been subject to a "willful attempt to interfere with the performance of the ombudsman's duties.''

A week later, Lee sent letters to all Florida nursing homes seeking information about their ownership and directors — a move required under the federal government's health-care overhaul policies. The request was rescinded by Lee's successor after industry protests, though Lee and others say that nursing-home owners sometimes create webs of hard-to-track companies to avoid lawsuits.

Lee was forced to resign Feb. 7.

The Week in Review

"The Week in Review for Aug. 8-Aug. 12".

"Local families struggling as much as ever"

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "While economists talk of recovery, local families appear to be struggling as much as ever as unemployment hovers around 11 percent. Last month, one in five residents of Hillsborough County, for example, relied on food stamps. When lawmakers talk of plans to further cut social spending to solve debt issues — but steadfastly refuse to entertain any revenue increases — these are the neighbors who will feel it most." "Tougher times for struggling families".

Citizens hearings

"Tampa Bay area property owners will get a chance to speak out against the controversial rate increases proposed by Citizens Property Insurance." "Sinkhole insurance hearing coming to Tampa".

Frankel slammed

"West Palm transition team urges salary and benefit cuts, and slams former mayor Frankel".

Protesters greet Ricky at Walmart

"Protesters greet Rick Scott during Walmart visit".

"Bondi is facing a management crisis"

"Eight months after she took office as a first-time elected official, Attorney General Pam Bondi is facing a management crisis replete with allegations of old-fashioned political interference in cases and a revolving door between lawyers and the companies they investigate."

An outside investigator is looking into the circumstances surrounding the May firings of foreclosure fraud investigators June Clarkson and Theresa Edwards. This week, another investigator abruptly resigned after giving the media a 16-page memo noting that two other high-profile lawyers in the attorney general's office had taken jobs with companies under investigation, and accusing top management of interfering in an investigation of a prominent Tampa car dealership.

So far, most of the allegations of impropriety in Bondi's office remain just that: allegations. Many of the individuals involved are not giving interviews, and documentation is sparse. Nonetheless, they've posed – at the least – image problems for Bondi, a 45-year-old former Hillsborough County prosecutor who in January was sworn in as the state's first female attorney general.

The latest blast came from Andrew Spark, who resigned from Bondi's Tampa economic crimes office and said in a 16-page, memo that he was speaking out because the public deserved "fair and honest government, independent of personal connections and powerful interests."

Florida country clubs improperly rejecting local applicants in favor of pliable foreigners

The Palm Beach Post editors write that "the federal visa program that Palm Beach County resorts and country clubs manipulate to replace local workers with foreigners seems rife with fraud and abuse. Fortunately, the federal government agrees."

Concerned about a litany of abuses, the U.S. Labor Department has proposed changes to the H-2B visa program for importing temporary workers that will raise the wages these workers earn and require employers to try harder to find local workers before looking overseas. These proposed rules also would give local workers a real chance to apply for the more than 1,500 of these local seasonal jobs by no longer requiring them to submit applications months in advance. ...

The Labor Department has found alarming evidence of widespread abuse of this program. A federal auditor investigating employers of H-2B workers around the country found that more than half of them were violating program guidelines by, among other abuses, underpaying workers, lying about how many workers were needed and improperly rejecting local applicants in favor of pliable foreigners. ...

The feds even cited a particularly chilling case of employers "conspiring to hold approximately 39 Filipino nationals in forced service to work in H-2B status in country clubs and hotels in Southeast Florida."

These revelations, which come as unemployment in Florida remains about 10 percent, are sadly unsurprising. While visa programs for foreign workers are important for filling legitimate gaps in the workforce, the lax guidelines for hiring have created too many opportunities for abuse and exploitation. These new rules, if approved, would go a long way toward fixing the problem.

"Federal mortgage giants may become landlords to 14,000 foreclosed Florida homes"

"Federal mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may become landlords to nearly 14,000 foreclosed Florida homes as the Obama administration seeks ways to deal with mounting bank repossessions." "Feds to be foreclosure landlords? U.S. seeks ideas".

Judicial commission appointments

"3 appointed to Fla. judicial commission".

"Miami police rumor mill"

"Miami City Manager Johnny Martinez issued a press release Friday — saying nothing — to tamp down rapidly-spreading rumors regarding the city’s police department: 'There have been no demotions and/or firings at this time. No further comment,' was all it said. Since last week, when Martinez denied Police Chief Miguel Exposito permission to demote three senior officers, rumors have been flying about Assistant Chief Roy Brown and Cmdrs. Jose Perez and Ricardo Roque being demoted." "Miami police rumor mill prompts one-line statement from manager".

Empty suits grub for votes

"Florida Republicans reacted to the newly named members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction this week while that body prepares to take on the task of cutting $1.2 trillion from the federal government over the next decade. " "Florida Republicans Kick New Committee on Deficit Reduction".

West laff riot

"Allen West Says 'Nanny State' Weakens America".

Ricky insists he's not a hypocrite

"Scott responded to criticism that he participates in Florida’s taxpayer-subsidized health care insurance plan for state employees by saying that he takes part in the same plan as all state workers. Scott, a multimillionaire and former hospital chain executive, is not accepting salary for his job as governor, but is paying less than $400 a year for insurance for himself and his wife." "Rick Scott defends his low-cost government health insurance".

Florida's relevance in GOP nomination at risk

"With its oceans of corn, a fixation with ethanol and an overwhelmingly white electorate smaller than Hillsborough County's, Iowa has long drawn skepticism and scorn for its influence in picking presidential nominees." "With all eyes on Iowa straw poll, state's relevance in GOP nomination at risk".

"Scott defends decision to not implement health care reform"

"Scott defended Florida’s decision to not implement federal health care reform in the state in an interview with C-SPAN." "Scott defends rejection of federal health care money during a C-SPAN appearance".

Runnin' gub'ment like a bidness

"Florida doesn't have one, or even two education commissioners earning a paycheck right now. Try three."

This month, newly hired Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson began his $275,000-a-year job in Tallahassee. Robinson, who now is one of the highest-paid people in state government, was lured away from Virginia after Commissioner Eric Smith resigned under pressure from the administration of Gov. Rick Scott.

But Smith - whose last official day was in June - will keep drawing a state paycheck until Sept. 20. Smith, who was also earning $275,000 a year as commissioner, had 548 hours of unused annual leave according to the Department of Education.

Also getting paid is one-time commissioner John Winn. Winn, who began his career in Florida as a teacher and rose to the position of commissioner under then-Gov. Jeb Bush, was hired to fill in as interim commissioner from mid-June to the end of July.

Winn has since stayed on temporarily to serve as chief of staff and senior adviser to Robinson at a salary that could run up to $228,000 a year. He also already receives a nearly $11,000 a month retirement check from the state.

State "effectively shut out competing health insurers"

"A third of state employees currently covered by HMO plans will need to reconsider their health insurance next month if new statewide contracts go into effect as planned. To trim the state's health costs, the Florida Department of Management Services has awarded health maintenance organization contracts to just one provider per county, effectively shutting out competing health insurers." "State employees may get new HMO plan".

Park officials told the public the choices were rooted in their extensive expertise, but internal emails show they knew it was a rush job. In a May 9 email, parks planning chief Albert Gregory wrote that the list of parks was "based on a fast assessment that was done to meet a very short deadline. It involved only two questions: (1) is there a large enough area of uplands in the park to build additional campsites; and (2) how many? It didn’t consider anything else."

But the push for privately run campgrounds in the publicly owned parks — including spaces for recreational vehicles — ran into serious problems. Officials faced not just vocal opposition from fans of the parks, but also landscape issues and legal questions from federal officials.

In the end, none of the proposed plans will be headed to an advisory committee vote this month. Florida Park Service Director Donald Forgione conceded in an interview last week that "we definitely need to do our due diligence a little more."

E-mails between Department of Environmental Protection staffers as they rushed to add privately built and run campgrounds to more than 50 state parks reveal an abdication of stewardship to curry favor with a new boss. That's not the mission for the state's environmental protection agency, much less the state park system. Citizen outrage derailed the plan for at least Honeymoon Island State Park. ...

[I]t's clear the plan was half-baked from the start, built more on political rhetoric than on sound environmental or recreational policy. That's a surefire way to guarantee Florida's long-term interests aren't being served. Floridians deserve more from their leaders and government, particularly an agency with a title that includes "environmental protection." Going forward, the DEP can expect much more scrutiny of its private campground plans, and it has no one to blame but itself.

Teabaggery to hit home

"The federal debt debate that has divided Congress and disrupted financial markets next could affect state budget writers."

Florida's credit rating appears safe with Standard & Poor's giving it a boost in July and Republican leaders in the Legislature crafting recent budgets with warnings from financial ratings agencies ringing in their ears.

But the debt deal in Congress includes $2.1 trillion to $2.4 trillion in cuts over the next decade, which could trickle down to Florida where federal spending remains the state budget's largest source of money.

Most of the federal cuts have not been identified — a so-called super committee is tasked with finding $1.5 trillion in savings.

But at least $917 billion in automatic cuts start next year and could mean less money for programs like highway construction and housing assistance.

One of three Florida families struggling to eat

Another fine Jebacy: "Nearly one out of three Florida families are struggling to put enough food on their tables, according to a new study released on Thursday." "Florida fourth in nation for 'food hardship,' group says".

Rick's mancrush pays off ... for Texas

"A recent announcement from a Florida-based call center to create 500 [call center] jobs at a pair of Texas locations has added another wrinkle to competition between the governors of each state." "Florida company to create 500 jobs — in Texas".

West whinge

"Post: Allen West says Congress deserves to be criticized for its actions on debt ceiling".

"False"

"Gov. Rick Scott says rail would have cost state taxpayers $1 billion to build".

"Recommended Reading"

"Medical journal criticizes doctor-gun law, Sinkhole rally planned, Florida company creates 500 jobs in Texas, and PolitiFact checks Scott's rail claim." "Recommended Reading for Friday, August 12".

Miami Mayor's daughter gathers paperwork for FDLE

"Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado’s daughter Raquel, treasurer for his 2009 campaign, said she visited the bank Thursday to gather paperwork requested by law officers who are investigating possible 'campaign-reporting irregularities.'" "Miami Mayor Regalado gathering documents for FDLE campaign-reporting probe".

GOPer-Bagger political stunt hurt Florida

"University of Florida survey of those in real estate business shows a drop in confidence about the outlook for the state. The dip is due to concerns over the bruising political fight over the debt ceiling and unease about unemployment and the direction of the state's economy." "Florida real estate market outlook dips due to political fighting and economic worries".

Lookin' at PIP

"Robin Westcott is creating a working group to look at personal injury protection insurance. She said she is looking for consumers, insurance industry representatives, legislators and health care providers to serve on panel. An ambitious schedule would require group to meet in November and finalize its recommendations before 2012 session." "New insurance consumer advocate getting into battle over no-fault auto insurance".

Bank accused of cheating state pension fund

"Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday filed a lawsuit against Bank of New York Mellon, alleging the bank overcharged the state retirement fund by millions of dollars for foreign currency exchange in violation of the Florida False Claims Act."

Note that the suit was the product of a whistleblower's work, not hers:

With the suit, Bondi takes over a whistle-blowers' lawsuit alleging that the bank defrauded Florida's pension fund with a secret markup on billions of dollars, collecting a higher currency-conversion price than it actually got and pocketing the difference. The whistle-blowers filed a similar lawsuit in Virginia.

So much for public-private partnerships

"Millions of dollars in 'work force' contracts in Florida are under federal investigation amid allegations that funds were disbursed illegally. The U.S. Department of Labor is reportedly probing 24 regional work force agencies for alleged irregularities that include conflicts of interest by members of the governing boards." "Feds Probe Work Force Boards Over Conflicts of Interest".

Miami's fire union delays mayoral recall decision

"Miami’s fire union delayed a planned vote Wednesday night on whether to support a petition recall of Mayor Tomás Regalado that already has the backing of the city’s police officers. After three and a half hours of debate, leaders of the Miami Association of Firefighters put off the vote until Sept. 14 so they could provide their 1,100 members with more information about the proposal. Union leaders said frustrated firefighters want the mayor out of office, but also questioned whether a mayoral recall would be worthwhile." "Miami fire union delays vote on mayoral recall".

"Easing the persecution of wealthy part-time Florida residents"

Daniel Ruth is on fire: "You know what the problem is with this country? Well I'll tell you what's wrong with this country — convenience store clerks, supermarket cashiers, pool cleaners, shoe salesmen, those dreadfully greedy public school teachers and, well, you."

And that's why you have to admire patriots like Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-What's Mine Is Mine, What's Yours Is Mine Too, who had the courage of a thousand Limbaughs to speak the unspeakable.

The real freeloaders, Hatch insisted, are the poor and the middle class. "They also need to share some of the responsibility," he noted. After all, they evade their fair share of the tax burden by taking advantage of irresponsible tax breaks for things like, children and mortgages on $100,000 homes.

Hatch, who has a net worth between $2 million and $5 million, is also locked in a tough re-election bid back in Utah from the tea party, which also ousted longtime uber conservative Republican Sen. Robert Bennett in 2010 after accusing him of not loving the U.S. Constitution enough.

You know, when your political future is in the hands of a tea party star chamber who thought Robert Bennett was whistling The Internationale in the shower simply because he once said good morning to a Democrat, perhaps you might turn into a lawn jockey for the silk stocking set.

According to the Lee County Property Appraiser's Office, the 13,418-square-foot property, which our cottage owner told us is used as a winter getaway home by a Michigan couple, has an assessed value of $3.6 million.

Clearly, if the Marxist in the White House had his way, these poor people might have to downsize to a 13,000-square-foot second home, setting off a domino effect of downsized extra mansions ruining the property values of Sanibel and Captiva Islands. ...

How can anyone be expected to live like this?

So won't you do your part? For your country? For the besieged winter mansion owners of Sanibel/Captiva? For Orrin Hatch? What should we call this? The Free the Fortune 500 Telethon?

If you are a plumber, or paralegal, or insurance adjuster, or machinist, it's not too late to avert a national crisis. Call your senator, or member of Congress or that communist in the White House and tell them you want to pay more in taxes, much more, even it means taking on a second job to do the right thing if it will help ease the persecution of wealthy part-time Florida residents.

Crazies judge Florida second only to Indiana

"Indiana toppled Florida as the leading education-reform state in 2011, according to a competition conducted by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute on Thursday."

In a vote by "Ed Reform Idol" [sic] judges as well as in-studio and online audiences, Indiana finished first among five finalists. The other states were Illinois, Ohio and Wisconsin.

"Six in the Morning"

Travis Pillow's "Six in the Morning: A six-pack of infobits you might have missed".

Hasner burnishes his crazy bona fides

"This weekend, Gov. Rick Scott and GOP Senate candidate Adam Hasner will speak at RedState Gathering 2011, an event for conservative politicians and organizations who are looking toward the 2012 elections."

This event is sponsored by Heritage Action for America, FreedomWorks, the Faith and Freedom Coalition, Let Freedom Ring and South Carolina Fair Tax, organizations that actively promote among other conservative policies a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, strong support for school choice and anti-abortion policies. ...

[T]he Faith and Freedom Coalition, led by Ralph Reed, the former executive director of the Christian Coalition, works to enact legislation to support traditional values and lower taxes.

South Carolina Fair Tax supports a plan to replace national income taxes and to eliminate the Internal Revenue Service and the 16th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which authorizes Congress to collect taxes.

FreedomWorks also calls for less taxes and government, and recently endorsed Adam Hasner, who is running for the GOP nomination to challenge Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.

Hasner, a former state representative, is described on the RedState Gathering web page as “Florida’s next conservative rising star.”

That explains it

"The State Department recently rerouted[*] the approval process for the law’s four most controversial provisions — tighter regulations of third-party voter registration drives, limitations on voter address changes at the polls, a reduction in the number of days of early voting, and a shortening of the shelf life for signatures gathered in support of ballot initiatives."

The decision to change the venue for the process came a week and a few days after the Justice Department sought additional information about three of those provisions, which had drawn specific objections from groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and the League of Women Voters.

'Glades

"Advocates of Everglades restoration might have felt as if they won the Florida lottery Thursday." "Jackpot of a News Day in Everglades Restoration World". See also "Florida officials welcome announcement of $100 million to help Everglades".

"Where Men Win Glory"

Although off topic, please click over to "Portraits of Navy SEALs killed in helicopter crash". Related: "Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman".

Redistricting update

"Round-up of media coverage of redistricting for 8/12". See also "Groups call on lawmakers to finish redistricting work by January".

Teabaggers in a dither

"Religious groups met Thursday night and asked state officials to be more generous with $1 billion in federal foreclosure aid Florida is distributing." "Churches push Florida to expand foreclosure aid".

"Would these jobs meet the Tea Party's litmus test?"

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune editors: "Scott's decision to hire Robin Stublen of Punta Gorda as a 'deputy director of public liaison' is news, but no surprise. It's news because Stublen will be paid $70,000 a year to represent the governor as a 'special assistant' in Southwest Florida — from Sarasota and Charlotte counties down the coast to the Keys."

Stublen and the other special assistants may well provide useful aid to the governor and public, but neither they nor the governor can successfully argue that these positions are essential to government. In other words, would these jobs meet the Tea Party's litmus test?

Lane Wright, Scott's press secretary, said the assistants provide invaluable services and information, and work long and hard for their money.

The same can be said, of course, about legions of public-sector employees who have been subject to pay cuts and berated by many Tea Party members and arch-conservatives.

Perhaps, as a result of this job, Stublen will come to recognize the unfairness of such anti-government demagoguery and the value of the public sector — of which he is now a member.

Teabaggers fight for the right to defecate

"State Rep. Marti Coley has filed legislation again that seeks to repeal a statewide requirement for septic tank inspections. But even some supporters of the repeal are suggesting a different approach may be needed on the issue in the coming year." "Coley again files septic tanks bill but springs protection remains an issue" ("Sharon Witt Glass, public awareness coordinator for Santa Rosa County Tea Party Patriots, said a repeal bill this year may need to include protection for springs.")

Incompetent

"Suspended Tamarac Commissioner [and Democrat] Patricia 'Patte' Atkins-Grad is arguing that she is mentally incompetent to defend herself against public corruption charges." "Suspended commissioner Atkins-Grad says she’s incompetent to stand trial".

"Whoever has the plan for jobs is going to win," he said. "President (Barack) Obama, just because of what's happened with jobs, he's going to have a tougher time. But if the Republican candidate doesn't have a plan for jobs, he's not going to win."

Scott, the Republican governor of the country's largest swing state, said that he has been courted by several GOP primary candidates. He talks often with Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who is expected to announce his intention to run this weekend. And he's met former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, calling him an interesting candidate.

For now, however, Scott isn't endorsing any candidate.

Scott likin' the gub'ment health care

"Gov. Rick Scott, a critic of the federal health care overhaul, is paying less than $400 a year for health insurance for himself and his wife."

Scott is among nearly 32,000 people in state government who pay relatively low health insurance premiums. It's a perk that is available to high-ranking state officials, including those in top management at all state agencies.

Nearly all 160 state legislators are also enrolled in the program that costs just $8.34 a month for individual coverage and $30 a month for family coverage.

Brian Burgess, a spokesman for Scott, confirmed the governor and his wife are enrolled in the state health insurance plan, but refused to discuss why Scott signed up. He called the governor's health care coverage "private matters."

Sentinel's Grayson fixation "over the top"

"Once again, Alan Grayson goes over the top".

Cannon whines about so-called "politically motivated ruse"

"Several groups who backed the Fair Districts constitutional amendment renew their complaints about how the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature is handling redistricting. House Speaker Dean Cannon called the complaints a "politically motivated ruse" to mislead the public." "Groups call on lawmakers to finish redistricting work by January".

Nan Rich "calls out Legislature for 'hypocrisy'"

"State Sen. Nan Rich, D-Weston, criticized the Florida Legislature today for its 'hypocrisy' in accepting funds from the Affordable Care Act for Title V abstinence-only education grants, while at the same time rejecting millions that were allocated to child abuse and neglect prevention programs." "State senator calls out Legislature for 'hypocrisy' over Affordable Care Act dollars".

Librul editors don't like hometown help

"Given the dismal jobs climate, it is understandable that elected officials are looking for any way to boost employment. But the idea in Hillsborough County to steer government contracts to local vendors is a heavy-handed and unfair scheme. " "Unfair, wasteful jobs plan". Meanwhile, "Medicaid contracts to favor FL-based HMOs".

Big of him

Bill Cotterell: "Scott: 'I want to fix this stuff, as much as I can'".

Low income growth

"Here is some recognition we could do without: only five metropolitan areas in the United States posted lower income growth in 2010 than the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota market." "Region ranks near bottom in income growth".

"Those with power to change things like things as they are"

Bill Cotterell writes that "the Florida Commission on Ethics is such a short-leashed watchdog. The reason ... is that those who have the power to change things like them just as they are. That's not the fault of the nine-member commission, which has futilely asked the Legislature for some teeth over the years." "Ethics has its limits".

GOPer gamesmanship creates pension fund problem in Florida

"Political drama in Washington and the ensuing turbulence on Wall Street has cost Florida's state retirement fund $8 billion in market value since the end of July." "Plunge shrinks state pension fund's value by $8 billion".

State's new textbook adoption process in court

"Citizens for National Security, based in Boca Raton, wants a judge to toss out a new law that delegates the review of state education materials to just two people, saying the state will be unable to provide high-quality education as a result."

The old textbook adoption process required a committee of at least 10 members — including teachers and a school board member — to review materials and make recommendations to the state education commissioner.

The new process leaves the job to two subject matter experts selected by the commissioner, with a third breaking a tie.

The agency pushed the changes, citing cost savings derived from digital reviews of materials and not paying substitutes for taking over classrooms of the teachers on the committee.

That suggests trouble for this two-century-old experiment called America, where an informed electorate is assumed to share the values upon which the nation was founded, which in turn inspired the constitutional principals of rule of law, individual rights and representational government.

"Bright spot in Florida's otherwise lackluster real-estate landscape"

"Fort Lauderdale has emerged as a bright spot in Florida's otherwise lackluster real-estate landscape, and an industry analyst said he sees signs that sales momentum is building across the state." "'Momentum Is Building' in Florida Home and Condo Sales".

Daddy's boy threatens to hold his breath

"Florida Republican Congressman Connie Mack said on Wednesday that he intended to introduce a measure of no-confidence against U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. Mack has been calling for months for Geithner’s resignation." "Connie Mack, Rand Paul Ready-Aim-Fire at Treasury Secretary Geithner".

Now you can robocall Ricky

"Fed up with those Republican Party-paid-for Gov. Scott robocalls? Now you can robocall Scott. The group PinkSlipRick.com is letting people record 60-second phone calls that it will send to Scott's office on Monday." "Turn the tables on robocalls".

"We keep voting to pass the buck to the next guy"

Mike Thomas: "Florida is proof that democracy has no place in determining who pays property taxes. We keep voting to pass the buck to the next guy. Each referendum creates a new set of inequities, laying the groundwork for yet another referendum." "Dorworth's property-tax plan would cut life out of businesses".

Bishop out

"Barney Bishop has resigned his position as one of the top business lobbyists in Tallahassee: president of Associated Industries of Florida." "Associated Industries of Florida chief resigns".

Stearns makes excuses

"Environmental groups are disputing claims by Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, that they weren’t included in the congressman’s Tuesday water pollution hearing because they didn’t ask to be." "Environmental groups maintain they were shut out at Stearns’ water pollution hearing".

"Six in the Morning"

Travis Pillow's "Six in the Morning: A six-pack of infobits you might have missed".

Medicaid deform

"As Florida waits for approval from the federal government before moving forward with its plans to overhaul Medicaid, patient advocates remain concerned about problems with prenatal care access that plagued a five-county pilot program similar to the new statewide measure." "Advocates, doctors concerned about prenatal care access in state Medicaid overhaul".

West embarrasses himself

"West, R-Fort Lauderdale, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel Tuesday that sexuality is a 'behavior' that can be changed, something he’s 'seen people do.'" "West discusses LGBT issues, ice cream".

Wait 'till the RPOF-Baggers hear about this

"$100 million buy will preserve open lands".

Revolving door blues bill

"Idea is, quit AG's office and you won't be able to work for a firm under investigation". "Bill Aims to Close Revolving Door Between AG, Probed Companies".

"Scott says S&P was justified"

While moderate Republicans like "Steve Forbes says S&P’s downgrading of U.S. credit was a political and 'outrageous move.'", Ricky Scott's nose remains firmly inserted into Teabagger derriere:

Gov. Rick Scott said the S&P was justified in its decision because Congress and the Obama administration have failed to cut enough spending to significantly reduce the deficit.

“In contrast to trying to be mad at a rating agency, when we all know that this country is spending more money than it should be spending -- it’s the wrong approach,” Scott said.

Gettin' desperate ... an endorsement from Jebbie Junior?

"Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman announces Jeb Bush Jr. endorsement".

"Crazy as it may sound"

Adam C. Smith: "Crazy as it may sound, many of the savviest political minds in Florida think Charlie Crist will run for governor in 2014."

The St. Petersburg Times' latest Florida Insider Poll surveyed 98 people — consultants, lobbyists, fundraisers, activists — and 49 percent predicted Crist would run, including 56 percent of the Democratic insiders and 45 percent of the Republicans. ...

Given the choice of Crist, former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, state Sen. Jeremy Ring, former gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink and state Democratic Party chairman Rod Smith, 47 percent said Crist would be the strongest Democratic nominee (including 41 percent of Democrats surveyed and 49 percent of Republicans). Twenty-two percent said Smith would be the strongest Democrat, 17 percent said Iorio and 11 percent said Sink.

"150-mile gift-in-the-making to J.D. Alexander"

The Orlando Sentinel editor: "The Scott administration announced plans Friday to boost Florida's commitment to road construction, which it said should help build the Wekiva Parkway and complete the beltway around Orlando. Getting work going on the Wekiva, and other roads and bridges, according to the administration, also should help the state take advantage of low construction costs."

Sounds good — great — but up to a point. This point: The plan also could help build roads to nowhere, and lead to our tolls funding projects far from Central Florida. ...

Scott says his transportation plan will give Florida "state-of-the-art infrastructure." The high-speed Orlando-to-Tampa train that Scott rejected is state-of-the-art. Roads — part of Florida since the Spaniards were in charge — aren't.

And when he says the state's plans for its roads "will make Florida tough to beat for the place where we all want to live, work and play," well, that's just not the case with administration designs on roads like the Heartland Giveaway, er, Parkway.

That 150-mile gift-in-the-making to J.D. Alexander, the Senate's budget chief, is as necessary to Florida's well-being as a lighted bocce ball set from the Hammacher Schlemmer gift catalog.

Ugly visual

"Rick Scott fishes in Keys to lure tourists".

"Expansion of nuclear power in the state"

"Against a backdrop of Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant disaster and fears about the stability of the U.S. economy, Florida utility regulators are considering an expansion of nuclear power in the state and how much of the bill will be shouldered by rate payers." "FPL seeks rate increase for nuclear expansion that opponents say may never come". See also "Florida Power & Light and regulators square off over nuclear plant costs".

Boyd speaks

Bill Cotterell : "Boyd: Entitlement changes a must".

County Commission term limits restored by court

"An appeals court restored term limits to the Broward County Commission in a ruling Wednesday that spells the end on the dais for the county’s long-serving politicians. Broward voters in 2000 embraced term limits overwhelmingly, voting 122,475 to 30,463 to limit county commissioners to three consecutive four-year terms." "Appeals court upholds county commission term limits". See also "Appeals court decision buttresses term limits for Palm Beach County commissioners".

Democrats were quick to criticize Scott's latest hire, which comes amid a reshuffle in Scott's inner office and a new media strategy aimed at thawing relations with newspaper and editorial boards.

"After slashing jobs for teachers, public employees, firefighters and policeman it's unconscionable the governor would offer his tea party cronies lavish government jobs. I guess the governor only believes in less government when it means cutting critical services for Floridians," said Florida Democratic Party spokeswoman Brannon Jordan.

"Lowering property taxes may cause trouble"

"A public policy research group [The Collins Institute] has released a report stating that restricting property taxes may make it harder for Florida counties to deal with the ongoing recession. According to the latest report [.pdf] by the LeRoy Collins Institute, The Double Whammy Facing Florida’s Counties, recent property tax legislation coupled with the economic downturn particularly related to the housing crisis has counties making up for lost revenue by cutting spending."

From 2008 to 2009, public safety spending was most affected and dropped 40 percent.

In 1976, the range of revenues across counties was between $80 and $704. However in 2009, the range was $633 to $2,988, which shows that the ability to fully fund services for citizens deviates significantly among counties.

According to [Carol Weissert, Florida State University political science professor and LCI director], recent property tax legislation is partly to blame for the lack of county revenue. In 2008, voters approved Amendment 1, which doubled the homestead exemption and put a cap on tax assessment. These measures greatly affected property taxes, which are the most relied upon for revenue in the state of Florida. In 2009, 55 percent of the average county’s revenue was dependent on property taxes.

Wiessert believes legislation on the upcoming 2012 ballot may be even more detrimental toward counties in the future. Amendment 4, which extends a cap on assessments to non-homestead properties and gives a large tax break to first-time home buyers, will cause another drop in property tax revenue which will affect local counties and school districts.

Charter madness

"Charter-school requests booming in Central Florida".

Routine parts of election law approved

"Parts of Florida's new election law win U.S. Justice Department approval but a federal court will have to decide on four hotly contested provisions." "Justice Department approves routine parts of new election law".

"The most controversial provisions of the new law are still unresolved but the U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday gave the go-ahead to dozens of changes that the Republican-controlled Legislature made to the state’s election laws this year." "Department of Justice signs off on parts of new election law". See also "" and "".

Stearns bars environmentalists from "public" hearings

"Appearing at a congressional hearing conducted by U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, a cavalcade of water experts disputed the EPA's tactics and questioned its motives."

Before convening Tuesday's hearing at the University of Central Florida, Rep. Stearns, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, said:

“Although the EPA originally accepted the standards set by Florida, under outside pressure the EPA decided to impose its own standards. Numerous studies in Florida indicate that the Washington-imposed standards will have a devastating impact on Florida’s job creation, economy and certain agencies."

Stearns, in turn, was criticized by environmentalists who were angered at being omitted from Tuesday's list of speakers.

“If Stearns wants to hear from his constituents, he should make room to hear from business owners and residents who have endured the public health threat posed by toxic algae outbreaks and fish kills at dozens of cold-water springs, at Sanibel Island, Naples, Daytona, and other tourist beaches, and along the St. Lucie, Indian, St. Johns and Caloosahatchee rivers,” said Earthjustice attorney David Guest.

A lawsuit by Earthjustice spawned the EPA's proposed numeric nutrient criteria.

Industry lapdogs need only apply

"Commissioners agreed Tuesday to individually interview applicants by Aug. 22 to replace Timothy Devlin, who was pushed out after 35 years with the agency. At an Aug. 23 meeting, commissioners will cast vote sheets to determine which two or three candidates they want brought back for more interviews." "PSC to interview 15 to replace ousted executive director".

Following Kathy Castor's lead

The Palm Beach Post editors: "We are pleased to report that bipartisanship did break out before Congress blew town, and this pleasant change from Washington's regular programming could benefit Florida. Seven Republican and two Democratic senators - including Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio of Florida - from the five gulf states that the BP oil spill fouled last year are sponsoring legislation that would dedicate 80 percent of the damage fines to restoring the coastal ecosystems and economies of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas."

The legislation, which is similar to what Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, has proposed in the House, would create the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council to administer and dole out the money, based on a formula.

Six in the Morning

Travis Pillow's "Six in the Morning: A six-pack of infobits you might have missed".

Mica's allows his union hating to cloud his vision

Dana Milbank: "Mica overreached."

Letting his anti-labor ideology take over, he tried to use the FAA bill to overturn a decision by the National Mediation Board to rescind an old rule that had made it unusually difficult for airline workers to organize. Delta Air Lines furiously lobbied Congress to intervene.

Mica knew Senate Democrats would resist, so he tried to create a bargaining chit: He drafted plans to cut funds for small airports in the home states of Reid (Nevada) and Jay Rockefeller (West Virginia), chairman of the Senate transportation panel.

The Floridian publicly admitted his ruse. "It's just a tool to try to motivate some action" on the labor rule, he told a group of airport executives last month, according to Aviation Daily. "I didn't plan it to be this national issue," he told me.

Senate Democrats, seizing on Mica's admission that the bill was a "tool," refused to deal. They let the shutdown happen and railed against Mica after lawmakers left for recess.

"Proposals to punish rogue operators quashed"

The Miami Herald editors write that, "instead of looking out for the powerless residents, lawmakers have focused on relaxing the rules and shackling regulators, stripping enforcement authority from the state and leaving those inside to fend for themselves. Many proposals targeted the Residents Bill of Rights and strong regulations in place since the 1980s."

Among the truly appalling changes promulgated in Tallahassee are laws undermining transparency — rolling back a requirement to report abuses and deaths to the Legislature — and blocking efforts to increase supervision and visits to homes with a bad record. State inspectors can no longer call doctors to remove residents who may have been abused. Proposals to punish rogue operators were quashed.

In all, lawmakers have promoted some three dozen bills to weaken regulatory oversight since 2007, giving operators of the facilities what they want instead of the protection that residents need and have a right to expect. The pattern of mistreatment, abuse and dangerous practices discovered by Neglected to Death is linked to gaps in state enforcement made wider by changes in the law sought by assisted living facilities ["ALF"] operators.

Sometimes lawmakers seemed so eager to comply with demands from the Florida Assisted Living Association that they introduced bills without fully understanding the content. One proposal pushed by FALA was handled by Hialeah Sen. Rene Garcia, who chairs the health committee. He told Herald reporters that he was unaware that a key provision weakened the state’s authority to revoke the licenses of repeat offender homes.

Another bill co-sponsored by Rep. Daphne Campbell, a Miami-Dade Democrat, would have denied public access to the list of troubled ALFs. Fortunately, it was vetoed by Gov. Scott.

KidCare push

"State Agencies Push KidCare Program Enrollment".

Teabagger leads Florida GOP U.S. Senate field

"Rick Scott proved an outsider who spends more than $70 million of his own money can get elected in Florida. Mike McCalister is testing whether an outsider without Scott's personal fortune can win."

"I'm not a politician and if that's what you're looking for, I'm not your guy," McCalister told a tea party audience of about 100 west of Boca Raton on Monday night.

On Tuesday, he introduced himself to a different tea party crowd of about 80 as a "God-fearing, America-loving, flag-waving, gun-owning businessman who's running for U.S. Senate."

McCalister's campaign raised a meager $12,171 through June 30. But he emerged last week as the surprise leader among 2012 Republican Senate candidates in a Quinnipiac University poll.

Redistricting update

"Redistricting hearings heading to Southeast Florida".

Recommended reading

"Recommended reading for Wednesday, August 10".

'Glades restoration

"U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and leaders from Florida government, agriculture and conservation will visit the 548-acre Winding Waters Wetland Preserve in suburban West Palm Beach Thursday to announce several major Everglades restoration projects, the USDA said today." "U.S. agriculture secretary, state officials to tour Winding Waters, announce Everglades restoration".

Republican contest to take on Nelson in 2012 heating up

"Though the primary is more than a year away, the Republican contest to take on U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012 shows signs of heating up. On Monday one candidate scored a major endorsement, another went on the attack."

Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, who is running in the Republican primary, unveiled the support of Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi. ...

LeMieux found himself under fire on Monday from one of his Republican rivals, former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner.

Hasner and his team took aim at LeMieux for backing the Task Force For Responsible Fiscal Action which, they argue, is much like the joint committee that was set up after the recent debt-ceiling deal to make recommendations on how to cut spending.

"Unfair and anachronistic policy enacted solely to keep African Americans from exercising their right to vote"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "If Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet went strictly by the numbers, then they would make it easier for ex-felons to regain their civil rights — particularly to vote — after serving their time in prison. But instead, they made it harder."

If the governor and Cabinet were compelled by a sense of fairness, they would be satisfied that each ex-felon already paid a debt to society. Instead, these elected officials continue to punish people long after they have left prison behind.

And if they really were concerned with the safety of Floridians at large, then they would ensure that ex-felons have a chance to rejoin civil society more intent on living law-abiding lives. Instead, their decisions put everyone at risk of being victimized by an ex-felon who sees no other way out than to reoffend.

Floridians should be troubled that the Republican governor and Cabinet seem motivated by something else: politics, rooted in the concern that many ex-felons in this state make up a demographic that is more likely to vote for “the other party.”

Shame on them. They have willfully rolled back the progress made by former Gov. Charlie Crist, a Republican, too, at the time, who recognized an unfair and anachronistic policy when he saw it — one enacted in the 19th century solely to keep African Americans from exercising their hard-won right to vote.

Worse, the officials’ uncalled-for action goes hand-in-hand with legislative initiatives governing early-voting and provisional ballots that are guaranteed to further suppress minorities’ access to the polls.

FDLE investigtating Miami Mayor

"Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for contributions made to his 2009 campaign." "FDLE opens probe into Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado’s campaign finances".

"Nuclear power bills sure are piling up"

"For an energy source once touted as too cheap to meter, nuclear power bills sure are piling up. U.S. taxpayers are on the hook for a growing, multibillion-dollar tab to dispose of tons of radioactive waste and Florida's two biggest utilities are seeking another round of rate increases to help pay for new reactors." "Nuclear Power Boosts Bills and Piles On Radioactive Waste".

"Praying for political payoff"

Another irresistible Daniel Ruth column: "Blessed are the theological political prevaricators, for they shall inherit one heck of a mass mailing list of campaign contributors." "Fervently praying for political payoff".

PBC's portfolio loses AAA rating

"Palm Beach County's $1.8 billion investment portfolio lost its top AAA rating on Monday as a result of the first downgrade of the U.S. government's debt, the county clerk and comptroller said. Standard and Poor's downgraded the county's portfolio to an AA rating, since its largest portion of money is invested in government securities. The announcement came just days after S&P lowered the U.S. credit score from a AAA to AA+ rating." "Clerk says Palm Beach County won't suffer from portfolio downgrade to AA".

Miami police to start a recall effort against Mayor

"As Miami commissioners met behind closed doors to iron out final details on sought-after union concessions, city police voted overwhelmingly to start a recall effort against the mayor." "Miami closer to forcing cuts in union contracts to balance 2012 budget".

Rubio overlooks Florida pork

Mike Thomas: "Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio want to move a nuclear aircraft carrier from Norfolk, Va., to Jacksonville. This would cost as much as $500 billion in upfront money, followed by the ongoing cost of duplicating services at the two ports."

The rationale is that all the East Coast carriers are bunched up at Norfolk, making them more vulnerable to natural disasters and sneak attack.

Actually, the real threat to these uber-expensive and vulnerable weapons systems is from future budget cutters. So the Navy is sending one of them to Florida, along with a flotilla of federal bucks, to create a massive jobs program and spread out political support for the fleet.

We now move on to some Tampa pork. This air base should have been shut down years ago. It is poorly situated in a dense urban area, next to major civilian airports. But local congressional support and heavy lobbying have kept it open.

But the fact that Ruddy was encouraged to consider running by Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio ("flattering," says Ruddy) is a sign of how unsettled the contest is for the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson.

Additional confirmation comes from last week's Quinnipiac University poll that showed 53 percent of Republican voters undecided in the Senate primary and Plant City tree farmer and retired Army Reserve Col. Mike McCalister leading the current four-candidate field with a meager 15 percent.

Trailing McCalister were former appointed Sen. George LeMieux (12 percent), former Ruth's Chris Steakhouse CEO Craig Miller (8 percent) and former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner of Boca Raton (6 percent).

"Forced out while investigating companies with strong Republican ties"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "June Clarkson and Theresa Edwards, two lawyers who worked in the attorney general's economic crimes bureau focusing on foreclosure fraud cases, were forced to resign in late March after being accused of poor job performance. "

The women claim otherwise, insisting they were forced out of their jobs while investigating two companies with strong Republican Party ties, Jacksonville-based Lender Processing Services and Tampa-based Pro-Vest. Lender Processing Services donated $40,000, mostly to Republican candidates, in 2010, including Bondi, and another $36,500 to the Republican Party of Florida.

Under Bondi's predecessor, Bill McCollum, both Clarkson and Edwards had received positive job evaluations from the attorney general. At least on the surface, it is curious that the two veteran staff lawyers' job performance could so badly deteriorate only two months into Bondi's time in office to justify their forced resignations.

"Fair District reforms collide with minority interests"

"Pushed by the progressive left, Fair Districts' reforms collided with minority interests at the state's redistricting road show in Central Florida." "Minorities, Liberals Falling Out Over 'Fair Districts'". See also "Minorities, liberals falling out over ‘Fair Districts’".

Romney in the money

"If money talks, Mitt Romney has to like what he is hearing out of Florida so far. Not only is Romney way ahead of all other GOP presidential contenders in most public polling in Florida, but he is also way ahead in the money game statewide and locally." "Floridians' wallets open for Romney".

Republican vs. Republican

"Florida redistricting could pit Republican vs. Republican".

Harrington wants rematch

"With U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schulz being named as chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the South Florida congresswoman is raising her profile on the national level. Karen Harrington, meanwhile -- a restaurant owner who was Wasserman Schulz's Republican opponent in 2010 -- is looking for a local rematch."

"While Harrington may face other Republicans in a primary -- activist Joe Kaufman and businessman Joe Goldner -- there are other signs that conservatives across the state are getting behind her. Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, announced Thursday that he will be hosting a fundraiser for Harrington in Ocala on Wednesday. Baxley, a former chairman of the state Christian Coalition, is one of the leading conservatives in the Florida House." "Karen Harrington Tries to Take the Fight to Debbie Wasserman Schultz".

"Enviro battle brews"

"An environmental fight is brewing over plans by Port Everglades to blast and dredge a deeper entrance channel to accommodate the super freighters that are beginning to dominate the world's trade routes." "Environmental battle brews over Port Everglades dredging plan".

The Rick and Rick pray-fest

"After some earlier speculation that he would participate in the event, Gov. Rick Scott issued a proclamation (.pdf) encouraging “all citizens to pray” on Saturday, and submitted a video message". "Scott’s video message for Rick Perry’s prayer event".

Dreams of Ricky

Nancy Smith thinks (hopes) "The governor just might have turned a corner."

"So, how come Rick Scott is bucking a negative trend he virtually set all by himself three months ago? Observers around Tallahassee account for his [whopping increase in the polls of] 6 points because of a number of reasons. Here's what they tell [Smith]:"

The governor makes a conscious effort to bypass the filter in the Florida Press Center. Since he's taken office, he has participated in more than 100 in-state radio interviews. He's talking to people directly in towns like Boca Raton, Tarpon Springs, Ocala, Titusville, Lake City, Destin -- and often they're the kind of programs that welcome listener questions. These radio "appearances" are bringing Scott closer to Floridians and their problems. They're beginning to have an effect. And the governor is getting credit for his forthright approach, for reaching out with real candor.

Scott's biggest numbers came from his Republican base. There, he climbed from a 51-to-61 percent approval rating -- mostly, say GOP observers, because he's finally managed to cajole the diehard Bill McCollum faithful who had a tough time accepting him as the party's No. 1.

He promised to champion an immigration bill, see it through to passage, during the 2012 legislative session. It's likely to be a sticky issue again with his plurality of friends in the business community. But for now, that issue alone -- that promise -- is helping him recapture the tea party folks who did the most to put him in office.

Scott is no longer test-driving the office. He's wearing his safety helmet, he's strapped in, he's gripping the wheel with both hands. Those close to him say he's getting better advice these days. They give some of the credit to Steve MacNamara, his new chief of staff. They claim that for the last month at least, he's felt more comfortable in his skin, as if he enjoys what he's doing, as if he fears no one, not even the voracious press corps -- which, for the first time last week, he plied with doughnuts in his office. It's infectious, they say -- this new relaxed Rick -- and voters are beginning to sense it.

The governor's once-a-month "Let's Get to Work Days," his resurrection of Bob Graham-style workdays, is a popular decision. It was announced and discussed in the right time period to have a possible effect on the Q-Poll's survey results. Last week Scott spent Wednesday morning in a Tampa bakery while protesters gathered outside. Most savvy politicos see these days as one of Scott's smartest moves. As one of them told me, "It's what he's going to learn from middle class Floridians, not so much what they can learn from him. If anything is going to help him get beyond his talking points in interviews, being close to real people with real problems will."

The "strike" word

Bill Cotterell: "What if a wealthy 'outsider' with no government experience, but lots of corporate confidence, became governor and his polices so outraged a large group of vital employees that they went on strike?"

It happened a little more than 40 years ago, when Florida schoolteachers walked out of classrooms across the state. Gov. Claude Kirk, a Republican who came to Tallahassee straight from the corporate world, never really recovered. ...

Maybe it could happen again, not in the schools but in the prisons.

There's a union election brewing among correctional officers working for the Florida Department of Corrections. And the possibility of a strike — or the impossibility of it — is being bruited about in the run-up to a vote.

Besides being a tall Republican with no prior public service but a successful career in business, Gov. Rick Scott has little in common with Kirk. But a walkout by prison officers would be as tumultuous as the great teacher strike of Kirk's administration.

Scott would probably have to activate the National Guard if enough prison officers struck. He'd probably fire every striker, as President Reagan did with air traffic controllers 30 years ago.

The Florida Police Benevolent Association is currently defending itself against organizing efforts by the Teamsters union and a separate incursion by the International Union of Police Associations. What's at stake before the Public Employees Relations Commission is representation rights for — and dues collection from — about 20,000 prison employees.

Round 1 last week went against the PBA, which tried to dismiss the challenge on grounds that Teamster bylaws explicitly recognize the use of strikes when reason fails. Since the Florida Constitution prohibits strikes by public unions, the Teamsters agreed not to, but the PBA contended that the insurgents were still using strike talk as a tough recruiting tool.

"Six in the Morning"

Travis Pillow's "Six in the Morning: A six-pack of infobits you might have missed".

"The turtle’s existential crisis"

Fred Grimm: "Not that the eastern gopher tortoise doesn’t face oblivion."

The poor turtle just lacks the money to make it official.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided last month that despite the turtle’s existential crisis, the gopher tortoise would not be listed among species threatened by extinction.

The designation was “warranted,” but the agency decided it was “precluded from doing so at this time due to higher priority actions and a lack of sufficient funds.”

The gopher tortoise, apparently, is not among those threatened entities deemed worthy of a Washington bail-out. (Yet the feds hardly hesitated when big investment banks and car manufacturers tumbled toward extinction.)

"Hunting on Southwest Florida Water Management District land"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board finds it "understandable that horseback riders and others would be reluctant to share the woods with sportsmen [hunters], particularly given the common depiction of hunters as reckless slobs who are intent on killing whatever comes into sight. But the stereotype is false. Most hunters are as devoted to conservation as bird watchers and other outdoor enthusiasts. " "Share the land".

See you in Havana

"Obama’s new rules have uncorked half a century of pent-up demand to visit a land still restricted to American tourists. Virtually any American can now go to Cuba legally through tours run by licensed educational, religious and cultural groups." "It's getting easier to visit Cuba".

KISS

"Miami City Manager Johnny Martinez tries to keep complicated job simple".

Scott figures shirt changes will make a difference?

Bill Cotterell: on how "Rick Scott has made moves after the first six months of his administration that indicate he believes it takes a Tallahassee insider to govern."

Gone are the immaculately tailored blue suits, replaced by five pastel dress shirts with open collars and the state seal embroidered over Scott’s heart. Gone are the brusque tea party talking points, replaced by folksy reminiscences about family, his Navy days and business realities learned selling doughnuts and cleaning phone booths.

Gone, too, are four high-level aides who were part of the Praetorian Guard around Scott for six months marked by rigid adherence to message and public relations gaffes that played a part in driving his approval rating to 29 percent statewide in one much-ballyhooed poll.

South Floridians disappointed

"In South Florida, a majority of respondents to a Miami Herald/WLRN query disapproved of the deal — albeit for differing reasons. Many were disappointed in Obama’s handling of it, and many saw the deal as political posturing by republicans. Some even said they would change their vote for president because of the way it was handled." "South Florida readers disappointed by the federal debt deal".

Enough Braman already

"Norman Braman call leads to new Miami-Dade schools program".

36 minutes

"Facing criticisms about the handling of the state's $130 billion investment portfolio, the executive director and chief investment officer of the State Board of Administration tried to reassure Gov. Rick Scott that everything is fine."

Yet,

Overall, the SBA public records exemption was a topic for less than 36 minutes in a public meeting, according to our review of videos from committee hearings and from the floors of the House and Senate.

Of that, about 25 minutes of the discussion came from one senator, Fasano, during a back-and-forth with Williams and a subsequent committee speech.

The program, which started under President George W. Bush, is designed to save states millions in Medicaid costs because residential care for older citizens is less expensive than long-term institutional care.

To that end, the feds offered Florida – which has one of the nation’s largest populations of seniors – almost $36 million in phased grants. No thanks, said geniuses like Rep. Rob Schenck of Spring Hill and Rep. Denise Grimsley of Sebring.

The money for moving sick and older residents back home was unnecessary, said Grimsley and Schenck, because state agencies already try to do that. That might come as a surprise to those with relatives in Florida nursing homes.

Even though no state funds were at stake, the members of the Legislative Budget Commission want you to believe that they rejected the $2.1 million seniors grant because of their staunch frugality. But guess what else they did at the same meeting?

They unanimously voted to hand out a total of $7.5 million to two business firms that were considering expanding operations in Florida or moving here. Here’s the best part: The lawmakers weren’t even given the names of the corporations — one was coded “Project Equis,” the other “Project Christmas.”

I’m totally serious. And these yahoos forked over the money anyway.

This is Florida’s so-called leadership in the year 2011. Screw the sick, poor and elderly, and grovel worshipfully before any half-assed company with a letterhead and a lobbyist.

Teabaggers swoon over Rubio

Mike Thomas asks if you "have you listened to the conservative commentators after Marco Rubio waxes poetic about the American dream, and the threat that President Barack Obama poses to it?"

They practically swoon.

They are like Bruno and Carrie Ann shouting 10! after a Hines Ward fox trot.

Except they shout: Vice president!

"Fierce battle for state’s Hispanic vote"

"Both parties are gearing up to to wage a fierce battle for the state’s Hispanic vote. For Democrats, the president’s reelection may ride on their success." "Battle brews for Florida’s Hispanic voters".

"Obama quietly revs up Florida"

"As Republican presidential candidates prepare to buzz into Central Florida for high-profile debates, speeches and a straw poll, President Barack Obama's re-election campaign is quietly working under the radar here." "Obama quietly revs up Florida fundraising, organizing for 2012".

Florida Republicans chant "deregulation" mantra as "vulnerable residents were dying of abuse and neglect"

"While vulnerable residents were dying of abuse and neglect in ALFs, Florida lawmakers waged a campaign to slash state oversight of the state’s troubled homes."

the next three years, lawmakers rejected sweeping plans to toughen Florida’s ALF law — often at the urging of industry leaders — while stripping away enforcement powers that left hundreds of residents to fend for themselves in dangerous conditions.

While frail residents were dying of abuse and neglect in ALFs across the state — nearly one a month — lawmakers pushed three dozen pieces of legislation since 2007 to cut crucial protections that had been in place for a generation.

The changes in Florida’s ALF law created even more gaps in a state enforcement system that was already failing to investigate dangerous practices and shut down the worst offenders.

• Lawmakers said state regulators no longer have to report abuses and deaths to the Legislature, instead allowing them to keep the cases secret.

• Even as homes were caught breaking the law — including caregivers beating residents, doping them with powerful tranquilizers and locking them in closets — lawmakers rejected a plan to crack down on rogue operators.

• Though abuse cases have risen over the past five years, lawmakers blocked efforts to heighten checks on bad homes — including inspections every 15 months — saying they were too expensive.

• As the state was finding hundreds of people languishing without proper care, lawmakers stripped the authority of inspectors to call doctors and get them removed — leaving the decision to ALF operators.

The moves to change the state’s historic ALF law — one of the oldest in the country — came as abuse and neglect cases were rising in ALFs.

Led by Florida’s largest industry group, a dozen lawmakers stepped forward in the past five years to create 36 pieces of legislation to remove regulations — including parts of the Residents’ Bill of Rights that guarantees safety and protection to vulnerable adults.

The effort peaked this year, with legislators pressing 23 bills, including a plan by Sen. Rene Garcia — a powerful Hialeah Republican who chairs the Senate’s health committee — to overhaul ALF law.

The 37-year-old lawmaker, whose district includes more than 100 ALFs — including some of the most heavily fined homes in Miami-Dade — pushed to cut back penalties against caretakers and reduce the state’s power to close troubled homes.

"After all, he is black"

"Ladies and gentlemen, here he is, 'your boy,' that 'tar baby,' the president of the United Sates, Barack Obama ..."

Leonard Pitts Jr. warns that "these people don’t want to be friends. They don’t want to compromise for the greater good. They don’t want to solve problems unless by problems you mean his continued tenancy in that mansion on Pennsylvania Ave."

They have not been coy about this. Rush Limbaugh said it (“I hope he fails”) when Mrs. Obama was still picking out a dress for the inauguration. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said in November that, in a time of war and recession, his number one goal is to deny Obama a second term.

It is time Obama quit being surprised by the predictable, time he understood this is not politics as usual, not Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill snarling at one another by day and having drinks by night, like that old cartoon where the sheepdog and the coyote punch a time clock to signal the beginning and end of their hostilities. It is not Bill Clinton living in a state of permanent investigation, nor even George W. Bush being called incompetent all day every day.

No, this is a new thing, repulsion at a visceral, indeed, mitochondrial, level. Obama’s denigrators are appalled by the newness of him, the liberality of him, the exoticness of him and, yes, and the blackness of him.

“Your boy?” Really?

Sure. Why not. Didn’t Rep. Lynn Westmoreland call him “uppity?” Didn’t the ex-mayor of Los Alamitos, Calif., send out an email showing the White House with a watermelon patch?

See, here’s the thing: If, as is frequently said, Obama represents America’s future, what do they represent?

You know the answer. Worse, they do, too.

"A third of Florida's delegation preferred default to compromise"

Scott Maxwell: "There aren't many adults left in Washington. But Republican Sen. Marco Rubio and Democratic Rep. Corrine Brown might as well be wearing wear Pampers. Those two were among a third of the state's delegation who apparently preferred national default to compromise." "It's tough to sugarcoat Florida politicians' shenanigans".

"Pledge-signing robots and lap dogs for Grover Norquist"

Stephen Goldstein knows "these days it is politically correct to say both parties share the blame for running up the federal deficit and that they need to seek compromise, balance, fairness in any deal.

But I don't agree. On behalf of honest, decent, average Americans who struggle against the odds to overcome real obstacles to living full and productive lives, this is a time for raw revenge on a radical political minority and its enablers who are only out to consolidate their power and destroy a president.

Voters should unleash an uppercase Judgment Day in November 2012 on the tea party/Republican fringe that has abused its power.

Rampant speculation about Florida's U.S. Senate primary race

"The exit of Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos from the Republican U.S. Senate primary race should have brought clarity to the contest."

Instead the picture is muddier than ever.

Former Sen. George LeMieux, now the best-funded candidate, is suddenly aggressively attacking former state Rep. Adam Hasner as a phony conservative with a record of voting for tax and spending increases.

Hasner has started landing major GOP establishment support, but shows little sign of momentum among rank-and-file voters.

And a Quinnipiac poll last week found more than half the voters are undecided, but the front-runner is Mike McCalister, an obscure candidate most veterans of Florida politics wrote off as barely credible.

Meanwhile, speculation about another candidate jumping in, perhaps a very wealthy one, is rampant among Republican strategists in Florida.

"Consumer advocates contend that the costs don’t add up"

"Florida regulators will decide how much customers will pay next year for nuclear power plants that are still a decade away from construction, while consumer advocates contend that the costs don’t add up." "State leaders see nuclear power as inevitable to Florida’s energy future".

"When Scott tries to smile, it's just creepy"

Scott Maxwell writes that Ricky's "decided he's tired of playing the role of Voldemort in American politics. So to beef up his subterranean approval ratings, he redirected the "Reinventing Rick" tour to trying to make nice with the media he once loved to spurn. ... Here's the problem: When Scott tries to force a smile, it's just creepy."

Possible early states are "all states where Romney should do well"

A "look at some of the states talking about busting the national party's directive not to schedule a contest before March 6: Florida, Arizona, Colorado and Michigan. They're all states where Romney should do well, either because of his ties to the west and to Michigan, or his resources to organize Colorado caucuses and expensive TV ad buys in Florida, where he already has support." "Early Florida primary might be just fine by Mitt Romney".

Weekly Roundup

Michael Peltier's "Weekly Roundup: Who Loves You, Baby?".

"Scott staff changes"

"More changes in Gov. Rick Scott's office: Special counsel Hayden Dempsey, who oversaw legislative affairs and was one of the few Tallahassee veterans to join the Scott administration early on, is leaving. Seen as a contender for chief of staff before Scott appointed Steve MacNamara, Dempsey hasn't announced his next job. The new legislative affairs director will be former lobbyist Jon Costello, who previously worked under Dempsey, and for the Scott campaign." "Scott staff changes".

Florida rights restoration "huge backlog"

"Under new rules Scott and the Cabinet adopted in March, [felons] must now wait seven years for a clemency hearing. A huge backlog of pending cases means it likely will take much longer for felons to regain the right to vote, serve on a jury or run for office." On top of that, "a series of budget cuts has reduced the pace of clemency case reviews to a slow trickle." "Backlog of felons awaiting rights restoration".

RPOFers luvin' the unemployment

"Bad Jobs Report Stirs Anti-Obama Fire in GOP 2012 Hopefuls, Florida Repubs".

So much for that

"Former [Dem] U.S. Congressman Tim Mahoney was arrested on a DUI charge after police said they found him sleeping in his parked car on a South Florida road early Saturday." "Former U.S. Congressman Tim Mahoney was arrested on a DUI charge after police said they found him sleeping in his parked car on a South Florida road early Saturday.".

"Stutter-stepping down the road to voter suppression"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Florida's secretary of state is stutter-stepping down the road to voter suppression, and his new tack means taxpayers will be billed even more for the state's attempt to weaken democracy."

In what he claims is an effort to get the state's unfairly restrictive new voter laws a "neutral evaluation," Secretary of State Kurt Browning has withdrawn them from consideration by the U.S. Department of Justice and placed them before a panel of federal judges in Washington. Federal law allows him either option, but this unusual change-up shows that Mr. Browning was worried about the laws' prospects if scrutinized by the feds.

HCA investors in a dither

"Hospital corporation HCA warned investors in a Friday filing that reductions in Florida’s Medicaid program could cost the company $50 million over the next year." "HCA warns investors about the cost of Medicaid cuts".

"Would likely cause more problems than it would solve"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Scott suggested late last month that it's time Florida scrapped its requirement that motorists carry personal-injury protection, which pays medical benefits for injuries suffered in automobile crashes no matter who's at fault. The state would be better off if Scott instead worked with the Legislature to reform PIP, while keeping it mandatory. Making it optional or getting rid of PIP would likely cause more problems than it would solve." "Fix PIP, but don't kill the no-fault program".