After only about a week as a presidential candidate, Perry is working hard to establish a presence and a campaign team in Florida, with some initial indications of success.

But questions also have been raised about whether his well-publicized enmity with the Bush family could affect his chances in Florida, where former Gov. Jeb Bush still dominates GOP politics more than any other single individual.

"Scott downplays cost of laying off state employees"

"Scott says a massive South Florida prison privatization plan won't fly if it doesn't save the state money. Scott on Friday also downplayed the cost of laying off state employees at those prisons." "Scott: Fla. prison privatization hinges on savings".

Rickster's job plan stalling

"Florida's unemployment rate stalled at 10.7 percent in July ... and the state lost more than 22,000 jobs from the previous month. ... The state average is ... 1.6 percentage points higher than the national rate of 9.1 percent." "Florida's unemployment rate 10.7 percent in July". See also "Scott still positive on jobs despite Fla. losses", "Southwest Florida jobless rate flat" and "Gainesville jobless rate climbs for third straight month".

Will Scott take responsibility?

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Honoring Florida's constitutional requirements for open meetings and public records has been one of Gov. Rick Scott's toughest adjustments from private business to public office. Now, just as the administration has been making positive changes, comes the revelation that the e-mail accounts of most of Scott's transition team were deleted soon after he took office and that public records probably were destroyed in violation of state law." "Another public records affront".

"Scott on Friday enlisted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate why e-mail accounts from his transition, including his own, were deleted and whether any of the records can be recovered."

"State law requires transition records be kept. State archives include documents from governors' transitions back to 1971. State law carries a maximum $500 fine for violations of public records law and more serious penalties, including impeachment, for any official who "knowingly violates" the statutes."

And then there's sum good ole Texas incompetence to boot:

The e-mails for Scott's transition team were maintained by Rackspace, a Texas company. The contract with Rackspace was with another Texas company, Harris Media, which handled online communications for Scott's campaign and transition.

Week in Review

"Weekly Roundup". See also "The Week in Review Aug. 15-Aug. 19".

"Sometimes tangled and often tempestuous speech"

"With Congress on its August vacation, West’s trademark brand of heated rhetoric is providing plenty of material for cable TV and the conservative and liberal blogospheres." "Allen West’s words inspire friends, enrage foes".

GOP candidates go teabagging

"The four major GOP candidates -- former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner of Boca Raton, former appointed Sen. George LeMieux and businessmen Mike McCalister and Craig Miller -- will share a stage for the first time in Orlando on Saturday, at a debate sponsored by the Florida Family Policy Council and the Central Florida Tea Party." "Let the elbowing begin: Florida GOP Senate candidates head into Saturday debate". See also "Wide-open GOP field masses for U.S. Senate debate".

Brazilian boondoggle

The Sun Sentinel editors: "In a time of incredibly tight government spending, it might seem like the wrong message to send a South Florida public official to Brazil on a trade mission. But it doesn't have to be, as long as there is a proper accounting for what was gained after the trip concludes." "Trip could be worthwhile if benefits explained".

Prison health care watchdog shuttered

"The watchdog agency for Florida’s prison health care system officially closed down on Thursday, prompting criticism from lawmakers who hoped it could be preserved."

State Sen. Arthenia Joyner and Rep. Mark Pafford, both Democrats, said they worried the shuttering the Correctional Medical Authority — which was created to help ensure that inmate care complies with the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment — would weaken oversight of the medical treatment for prisoners and could expose the state to lawsuits.

"Grades are flawed"

"Former Education Commissioner John Winn tells a higher education panel on Thursday that a newly-enacted grading formula for high schools masks serious problems. He points to recent college readiness score as proof the grades are flawed." "Top state education official says high school grading formula is flawed".

"Talk about influence"

The Sun Sentinel editors: "Talk about influence. Future House Speakers Will Weatherford and Chris Dorworth registered for the conference. ALEC's fingerprints were all over Dorworth's bill prohibiting state employers from withholding union dues and requiring members to approve using dues for political campaigns." "Stealth ALEC courts Tallahassee Republican lawmakers".

"Cloud now hanging over the state's chief law-enforcement officer"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "A misstep that raises questions about her managing skills is just about the last thing Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi needs. Unfortunately, that's the cloud now hanging over the state's chief law-enforcement officer, who is still in her first year on the job." "Pam Bondi must protect AG's good reputation".

Stearns embarrasses himself

"U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns is again defending his push to have some of the first responders to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks checked for terrorist ties."

The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that — in accordance with an amendment the Ocala Republican tacked onto the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 — the FBI had screened some 60,000 emergency responders to the attacks on the World Trade Center and had not uncovered any suspected terrorists.

Stearns had proposed the measure as a way to ensure potential terrorists did not reap taxpayer-funded benefits paid to victims in New York City for health care or lost income.

Federal investigators had not finished the entire list of initial names and will continue to process more people as they request benefits, the Journal noted. So it remains to be seen whether any terrorists would eventually be identified.

Still, the initial results prompted angry responses from some of Stearns' colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

Republican Rep. Peter King, of New York, called the exercise “shameful” and “a waste of time.” He also told the Journal that “it put a cloud over extraordinarily good people for no reason.”

"Law of unintended consequences"

Aaron Deslatte: "Scott and Republican lawmakers keep getting reminders that the law of unintended consequences is one they can't repeal." "Tallahassee can't repeal the law of unintended consequences".

On the hustings

"The former governor strolled on stage Monday in a Polo shirt and khakis, endorsing Jackie Pons for superintendent of schools in solidly Democratic Leon County." "Charlie Crist briefly back on the campaign trail".

Republican pollsters like Mitt

Republican pollsters: "If the presidential election were held today, Florida would be a jump ball between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama: 45 percent to 44 percent." "Mitt Romney Leads GOP Field in Florida, With an Asterisk".

Related: "With Rick Perry surging in the polls, former Massachusetts governor gets the backing of eight state legislators". ""Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman Add to Their Teams in Florida"".

Even Ricky can't ignore it

"After years of rampant abuse in some Florida assisted living facilities, state agents have launched a major crackdown by banning new residents from troubled homes and slashing state funds to the worst abusers — including one that forced frail residents to sleep on box springs covered with cardboard and shower with contaminated well water." "Florida cracks down on troubled ALFs".

Affirming counties' rights

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Term limits for county commissioners have survived a state appeals court's scrutiny. That's a victory for those who like term limits and a defeat for those who don't. And unless the Florida Supreme Court decides to disagree, next year will mark the end of the careers of Karen Marcus (27 years) and Burt Aaronson (19 years) on the Palm Beach County Commission." "High court backs the voters".

Ricky on illegal immigrants

"Scott said Friday he believes the Legislature will pass a law next year that cracks down on illegal immigrants, despite lawmakers' failure to reach a consensus on the issue this year." "Gov Scott to push for Fla immigration law in 2012".

Follow the money

"To serve as Florida financial regulation chief, attorney had to give up suit".

[W]ithout access to the server, it's impossible to know how many e-mails from Scott or his staff were lost between Election Day and the inauguration celebration, a two-month stretch when the team made key hiring moves and shaped the new administration's agenda.

Chris Kise, the Scott transition's attorney and public records adviser, said he was ultimately responsible for not preserving the electronic database. ...

Kise's involvement followed a Times/Herald report that Scott's office failed to turn over any work product related to a $25,000 state contract the transition gave to an opposition research team.

It was also three months after Rackspace, the private company that hosted the e-mail accounts for Scott's campaign and transition, deleted nearly every transition e-mail account.

Kise said the server was wiped after transition staff received a message from a consultant that transition e-mail accounts were scheduled to be closed. Kise said he did not know that meant the accounts would be deleted and become inaccessible.

Kise said between 40 and 50 transition e-mail accounts, including Scott's, were deleted.

Candice Odom, a public records specialist for the Council of State Archivists who also held a similar position at the State Department, said lost e-mails would violate state law, which also requires the destruction of public records to be documented.

Webster "watch list" finally receives Florida press coverage

"Staffers of at least one Congressional office, Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.), distributed 'homework' to Congressional town hall attendees in the form of a 'watch list' [.pdf] that features photographs, personal information and pointed questions about six activists who are constituents of Rep. Daniel Webster (R-Fla.), each of whom was openly critical of Webster at his town halls earlier this year."

"Florida is going backward in preparing students for college"

"Test results show Florida is going backward in preparing students for college, yet the state's high schools keep getting high grades from the state, a former education commissioner told a higher education study panel Thursday." "Ex-education chief says Florida going backward".

"Florida ranks 49th in the nation in percentage of uninsured infants, toddlers"

"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded Florida about $1.8 million to help the state sign up more children for health insurance. According to the Children’s Movement of Florida, the state of Florida currently 'ranks 49th in the nation in the percentage of uninsured infants, toddlers and other children, and one recent report places our state last. More than 18 percent of our children – about 800,000 of Florida’s youngest, most vulnerable citizens – do not have health insurance.'" "Florida receives almost $2 million in federal grants to sign up children for health coverage".

Spanked but unbowed

"Scott is the subject of numerous lawsuits seeking to thwart his agenda, and Tuesday he experienced his first legal setback when the Florida Supreme Court found he 'overstepped his authority' in seeking executive approval of new agency rules."

The decision prevents the office he set up to review new and existing rules from stopping new rules, but Scott’s office will continue to be involved in the rule-making process, even if it doesn’t have a de jure veto power over new rules.

Scott said he disagreed with the decision, but remains confident he is on solid legal ground in other lawsuits.

Romney, Huntsman endorsements

"With Texas Gov. Rick Perry catching him in polls at the state and national level, former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts looked to secure Florida behind his bid for the Republican presidential nomination by unveiling the endorsements of several state legislators. Former Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah also added to his bench in the Sunshine State this week."

Romney announced the support of five state senators -- J.D. Alexander of Lake Wales, Mike Bennett of Bradenton, Anitere Flores of Miami, Evelyn Lynn of Daytona Beach and Stephen Wise of Jacksonville. The former Massachusetts governor, who came in second in the 2008 Florida presidential primary, also received the backing of three members of the Florida House -- Daniel Davis of Jacksonville, Shawn Harrison of Temple Terrace and Ed Hooper of Clearwater.

Hasner, LeMieux battle over who is crazier

"While the Republican primary to see who will challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is still a year away, two of the leading hopefuls turned up the heat and fired away at each other Thursday."

The team behind former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner launched a new video ad against their candidate's GOP rival, former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux. The ad links LeMieux to the man who appointed him to the U.S. Senate -- former Gov. Charlie Crist. LeMieux had been a close associate and former chief of staff to Crist -- the man who left the Republicans during the 2010 U.S. Senate race. ...

"George LeMieux only spent 16 months in the U.S. Senate, but he's already mastered the Washington art of political deception," said Douglass Mayer, a spokesman for Hasner. "George LeMieux is campaigning around Florida, downplaying his ties to Charlie Crist and distorting the truth about the nearly two decades he spent at Crist's side advocating for liberal policies within the Republican Party. But the video doesn't lie. He should come clean about the true amount of time he spent working for Charlie Crist, and his key role in pushing for felons' voting rights, extreme global warming legislation, and other liberal policies that are contrary to his reinvented image as a 'true blue conservative.'"

The LeMieux team fired back with their own attack, calling Hasner’s conservative credentials into question. They pointed to a Christian Coalition of Florida “F” grade of Hasner’s record in 2007 and claimed Hasner backed weakening parental consent laws on abortion. They also argued that Hasner voted against school choice for military families in 2004.

Right wing pollsters don't think "class-warfare" will fly in Florida

Rick Scott's pollsters don't think Floridians will go for that taxing the rich thing. "Obama's Class-Warfare Strategy a Loser in Florida".

"Woefully out of touch"

Scott Maxwell: "Rick Scott swallowed his pride (and probably some bile) and walked into the Orlando Sentinel on Thursday morning. Wearing his trademark boots — the ones with the state seal and "45th GOVERNOR" embroidered on the front — Scott settled in for an hour's worth of questioning. This was part of the "Reinventing Rick" tour, the one he launched when his approval ratings dipped just below head lice."

Within the hour, Scott gave thorough answers to a few questions, incomplete or evasive ones to many more — and at least once told a flat-out lie.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure he has a man-crush on Rick Perry.

On at least three different topics, Scott longed for Florida to be more like Gov. Perry's Texas. (Presumably, that doesn't include the Lone Star State's tar-covered beaches. But Scott later said he wasn't ready to rule out near-shore drilling off Florida's cost. So who knows?)

"How can you justify having taxpayers pay for your health care while you oppose the same type of coverage for them?"

Scott responded: "I get the same health care every other state employee gets."

That is simply untrue.

The vast majority of state employees are not eligible for the taxpayer-subsidized plan Scott gets — $8 a month for individuals and $30 for families. It's only for a certain class of folks — including elected officials, political appointees and high-ranking bureaucrats.

Most state workers pay more than five times as much. It's still a good deal. And still subsidized. But it's not what Scott gets.

If I had to guess, Scott's fib wasn't intentional. It was probably based on being uninformed. And you can rightfully argue that taxpayers still come out ahead regarding his compensation, because he made a campaign pledge to take no salary.

But it's still telling that the state's chief executive is so clearly unaware of the benefits his employees receive — even as he fights to cut them.

One more shot for PIP?

"As criticism mounts against the state's no-fault auto insurance law one leading House Republican says legislators should give personal injury protection one more shot before it is eliminated. 'If we can't fix it, then we'll flush it'' said Rep. Bryan Nelson." "One more year on the road for no-fault auto insurance?".

See 'ya in court

"Florida's next banking commissioner is friends with Gov. Rick Scott and even lives right down the street from him in Naples. Former state legislator Tom Grady also has another connection: He's part of a lawsuit against his new bosses that contends that the state failed to pay him and other lawyers more than $1 million that was owed to them." "New Florida banking regulator suing his bosses".

Vern speaks

"Florida Republican Congressman Vern Buchanan’s bill to open up the bicameral 'supercomittee,' tasked under the recent federal debt-ceiling deal to cut spending, received some conservative support Wednesday when the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) backed the bill." "Conservative Group Backs Vern Buchanan's Plan for Supercommittee Sunshine".

Heavily scarred knuckles required

"AIF creates search committee to find replacement for Barney Bishop". See also "Associated Industries starts charting new era".

Recommended Reading

"Recommended Reading for Friday, August 19".

Charter madness

"Speaking to the crowd of about 2,000 Charter Schools USA employees, Scott gave a nod to the charters that are independently operated, but financed with tax dollars. Charter USA manages 25 charters in Florida with about 23,500 students, making its operation larger than 40 of 67 public school systems in the state."

Charters were under fire earlier this summer when school grades came out and charters earned nearly half of the 31 F grades handed out statewide, although they represent only a fraction of the state's more than 3,000 public schools.

Overall, they performed no better than traditional schools, although they originally had been billed as a superior alternative. ...

Scott also commented on criticism of Charter Schools USA for holding the event.

The for-profit management firm, which is paid with tax dollars, bused in employees from across the state for the daylong event, including lunch, at the upscale Rosen Plaza. Orange and Seminole school district officials said the expense was misguided when schools across the state face a budget crisis for daily operations.

"Leave it to the local educators to decide how to best spend their money," Scott said.

Charter schools, including those managed by Charter Schools USA, have complained that they are inadequately funded by the state.

"Scott everyone's favorite whipping boy, with reason"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board:"From the headlines generated after the Florida Supreme Court ruled this week that Gov. Rick Scott cannot suspend his executive agencies' rule-making responsibilities, you would think the 'power-grabbing' governor got his comeuppance."

And he did to a degree. But the difficult case raises legitimate questions about the extent of the chief executive's authority.

Scott has become everyone's favorite whipping boy, with reason. His interactions with state employees and the media have been inept, and he is frequently disdainful of opposing views.

Sansom goes on the offensive

"Former Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom said he's filed an ethics complaint against the state prosecutor who pursued criminal charges against him over his dealings with a Panhandle college." "Ray Sansom files ethics complaint against prosecutor Willie Meggs".

Not a joke

"Contest winners to get hotel stay and Scott visit".

Raw political courage

"Gov. Rick Scott criticized the state's 24 regional work-force boards Thursday ... Scott said if board members want agency business, they should step down. 'If they are in a position that holds a conflict of interest," he said, "then they need to resign.'" "Gov. Scott blasts jobs agencies' actions | Video". See also "Scott Wants More Transparency for Workforce Boards".

Then last week, Assistant Attorney General Andrew Spark released a 16-page diatribe accusing the office of failing to aggressively pursue foreclosure and consumer protection cases.

"The people of the State of Florida are entitled to fair and honest government, independent of personal connections and powerful interests, and I have decided to speak out," Spark wrote. He quit the next day.

Democrats are seizing on the controversy, turning what Bondi has characterized as issues with subpar, disgruntled personnel into political embarrassment by calling for independent investigations and introducing legislation aimed at Bondi's office.

Among Spark's revelations: Two top lawyers left Bondi's office to work for companies under investigation, and when he launched an examination of the advertising practices at Tampa's Ferman Motor Cars, his supervisor noted that Robert Shimberg, who helped raise money for Bondi's campaign and served on her transition team, is Ferman's company attorney.

"This appears to be a small case, but the target is a very prominent Tampa business and their long time counsel is Robert Shimberg," wrote Richard Lawson, director of the AG's Economic Crimes Division, in an e-mail after Spark received approval to investigate Ferman. "You should be aware of this in case the AG has any questions. If the case develops into something more significant I will advise accordingly."

A short time later, Spark's direct supervisor suggested that the case be settled by allowing Ferman to resolve the advertising question with fine print.

Recommended Reading

"Recommended Reading for Thursday, August 18".

"All candidates at Fox News debate will be included in RPOF Presidency 5 poll"

"Mitt Romney and Michele Bachmann say they're skipping the Florida straw vote, but it looks like their names will be on the Sept. 24 poll ballot anyway." "Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann 'Likely' on Florida Straw Ballot".

Redistricting update

"Miami residents urged state lawmakers to use common sense when drawing new legislative and congressional districts, keeping cities and neighborhoods together and avoiding gerrymandering." "Florida redistricting committee hears pleas from cities, minorities". See also "Miami-Dade presents complicated brew for lawmakers" and "Passionate, polite residents greet lawmakers at Miami redistricting hearing".

More: "Round-up of media coverage of redistricting for 8/18" and "The Republican Party’s ‘Traveling Medicine & Redistricting Hearing Show’".

Only 17 percent deemed college ready

"More than 117,000 high school graduates in Florida took the college readiness exam this past year. But only 17 percent were deemed to be college ready in the four subject areas of English, reading, math and science." "Florida's ACT scores rise but the state still lags behind national average".

"Florida is getting older"

"Florida is getting older – according to U.S. Census figures, older populations have been growing in Florida over the past 20 years. Projected figures show that 27% of Florida’s population could be over 65 years old by 2030." "Infographic: Aging in Florida".

Does the Rickster read newspapers?

"In January, the freshly inaugurated Gov. Scott was asked by reporters if he read Florida papers. "No," he answered."

Thus was born Rick Scott, the Governor Who Does Not Read Newspapers.

Ricky's toll-tax

"The Scott administration has embraced a new transportation plan that calls for an increased use of toll roads. The first project announced is a $291-million project that is the first part of a proposed outer beltway in the Jacksonville area. " "State announces major new toll road for Northeast Florida".

Florida's undercapitalized banks

"21 Florida banks among nation's 154 undercapitalized institutions".

Florida at the federal teat

"Florida is getting $97.7 million in federal funding for loans to help start new businesses and expand existing ones." "Florida getting $97.7 million for business loans".

"Florida epicenter of foreclosure crisis"

"Florida metro areas dominate the top 25 list for cities with the worst foreclosure rates — including the eight highest in the nation". "Florida is now epicenter of foreclosure crisis, report concludes".

Blame the bureaucrats

Mike Thomas: "The latest Rick Scott assault on all that is good and holy is his vivisection of the state's water management districts. He slashed their taxes, whacked their budgets, lowered their credit ratings and sent their job-killing bureaucrats packing." Thomas continues, saying

wish I could say the two water districts overseeing our region — the South Florida and St. Johns — didn't have this coming.

'Glades

"Environmentalists wary outflow of water district staffers will slow Everglades projects".

Ricky can't get his hubris straight

"Scott is trying to take the long view when it comes to Florida’s debt. Consistently railing against the federal government’s $14.2 trillion debt, Scott is also trying to hold the line on debt at the state level." "Amid Downgrades and Market Shakeups, Florida Keeps Cool Head".

Six in the Morning

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

West admonished by challenger

"One of Rep. Allen West’s 2012 Democratic challengers, Patrick Murphy, recently sent out an email to his supporters criticizing West for his consistently aggressive rhetoric." "Murphy to West: ‘This is Congress, not a professional wrestling match’".

Not so "Secure"

"A rally in Miami brought out activists upset with the federal government’s Secure Communities immigration enforcement program, as well as residents who say they’ve seen firsthand why Secure Communities doesn’t work." "At Miami rally, stories about why Secure Communities doesn’t work".

Ricky on a junket

"Broward Commissioner Sue Gunzburger to join Gov. Rick Scott on Brazil trade mission".

Uptick in hospitality jobs

"Florida tourism increased 7 percent this spring over last year, a boost in visitors that added hospitality jobs and cash to the state's economy." "Florida tourism on the rise, adding hospitality jobs, cash to state's economy".

Crazy train to add another passenger

"Buchanan not ruling out Senate run".

Credit-card debt in Florida has dropped sharply

"While Congress struggles to rein in the nation's deficit spending, many Florida consumers are successfully paying down their credit-card debt and their home mortgages. Credit counselors are seeing a steep decline in household debt over the past year, as anxious consumers try to reduce their vulnerability to the economic slowdown. After decades of borrowing and overspending, many Floridians now appear better prepared to withstand another recession if there is one."

A nationwide survey released Thursday indicates that credit-card debt in Florida remains high but has dropped sharply. Credit Karma — a nonprofit debt-management group that surveyed those seeking its services — said average credit-card balances in Florida declined from $7,726 in July 2010 to $6,442 last month. In addition, the average mortgage dropped from $174,309 a year ago to $161,785 last month, though student-loan debt rose.

Not your science teacher's Republican Party

"Rick Perry says he doesn't believe in global warming".

For-profit charter school buses employees to rally

"A for-profit charter school management company that operates a school system larger than a majority of Florida's public school districts is busing its employees to Orlando Thursday for a rally to kick off the new school year. It's an expense that public school systems facing a budget crisis say they wouldn't even consider in light of funding cuts from the state Legislature." "Charter school rally today to attract thousands, Gov. Scott".

"Do you know where your congressman is?"

"It's August, do you know where your congressman is? Not in Washington. Maybe not even in the country." "Do you know where your congressman is?".

We're about to see Rick Perry try. ... But as the focus of the contest soon shifts to Florida, Perry and Bachmann are invisible in the state while Romney has an expansive political network still in place since his campaign here four years ago.

It's a different story with Perry, who formally jumped into the race Saturday.

Perry campaign officials are talking to some of the top Republican strategists, including former George W. Bush Florida 2004 chief Brett Doster and the Tallahassee team of Randy Enwright, Jim Rimes and Rich Heffley. The late entry into the contest has also contacted many of the state's top money-raisers and found some keen interest.

"You will see quite a number of top fundraisers come on board for Perry. I've talked to many of my Republican friends in Florida, and there is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm for Perry," said St. Petersburg doctor Akshay "A.K." Desai, a top GOP fundraiser helping host Perry's first Florida fundraiser, tentatively planned for Sept. 13 somewhere in the Tampa Bay area. "Some of the people who signed up with other candidates, I think you will see moving to Perry."

Local party leaders in Florida say they struggle to communicate with anyone in the Bachmann campaign but Perry's people are talking about a vigorous Florida effort.

If they want to seriously compete, it better happen soon.

King Scott loses a big one

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board this morning: "Scott overstepped his constitutional authority and undermined the Legislature's power in his effort to unilaterally take control of rulemaking by state agencies. That was the logical ruling of the Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday, and it is a basic lesson that the former private hospital CEO and an acquiescent state Legislature should take to heart. Being the governor of Florida comes with extraordinary power, but the constitutional limits on that power are consequential."

"In a different era, it wouldn't have taken a blind woman dependent on public assistance to challenge Florida's micromanaging governor. Republican legislative leaders were too busy kowtowing to their new governor in January to protect the lines of authority. They should have been first in line to force Scott to step back, ideally by suggestion and then by stronger language." "Scott gets lesson on power's limit". See also "Florida Supreme Court: Rick Scott overstepped his authority".

The wingers are in a dither:

Chief Justice Charles Canady and Justice Ricky Polston disagreed with the majority.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, a Scott supporter, described the court's opinion as "bizarre," questioning why justices would decline to quash the executive order but expect the governor to not implement it.

"It proves how outcome driven the opinion is," he said. "The court doesn't like the governor's policies."

He also warned that the Legislature might give the governor more rulemaking authority.

Citizens appointments

"Atwater announces appointments to Citizens board".

"Miami headed down a precarious path"

The Miami Herald editors: Miami,

if not in trouble with a capital T, is headed down a precarious path. This is the second year in a row that a state of “financial urgency” has been declared, the second time unions will have to give back or have commissioners take what they need to fill the budget gap. Last year, they cut about $80 million out of the union contracts. The city can only dip into this well so many times. It’s not the right solution for a chronic problem.

Looking over his shoulder at former Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez’s fate — booted from office — Mr. Regalado decreased the tax rate at a cost of $3 million to the city. This politically expedient move might cost the city more in the long run. (Already the police and fire unions are rattling those sabers, talking recall.)

Take the reins, Mr. Mayor. Miami’s residents need a leader.

Medicaid waiver "stumbling block"

"Florida officials meet face to face this week with federal authorities to discuss pending Medicaid waiver. AHCA Assistant Deputy Secretary or Medicaid Finance Phil Williams says there's a 'short list' of differences but chief among them is a medical loss ratio requirement." "Medical loss ratios are stumbling block in Medicaid negotiations". Related: "Florida's Medicaid director leaving her job".

DEP hires

"Secretary Herschel Vinyard announced the hiring of two new employees responsible for helping with water policy and working with water management districts. Gov. Rick Scott has complained that the districts have strayed too far from their 'core mission.'" "Department of Environmental Protection announces key hires".

Teacher layoffs

"The Florida Education Association is shopping an unsubstantiated story that 'thousands of teachers and support staff' will be laid off at public schools this fall. FEA President Andy Ford made the claim to Florida News Network Tuesday, but offered no specific numbers to back it up."

Kenric Ward whines that that can't be true because ... yah know ... the Rick Scott administration hasn't confirmed it: "The state Department of Education could not corroborate Ford's claim, saying it is too soon to make any calculations." "Union Claims 'Thousands' of School Layoffs, But Where?".

Scott opens mouth inserts foot

"As critical as Gov. Rick Scott has been of President Obama and Congress over their fiscal fight and credit downgrade, Florida political leaders have one of their own to contront. ... But Scott told reporters Tuesday he was confident Republican leaders acted responsibly when they limited property-tax authority for four of the state's five water districts." "Scott on water district credit downgrade: 'We did the right thing'". See also "Rick Scott on WMD's S&P Downgrade: 'It's Good' ".

Bondi denies she's corrupt

"Bondi says office is clean, despite former employee allegations".

At the trough

"Casino operators, utilities, health care companies and agricultural companies shelled out millions of dollars during the first half of the year to lobby the Florida Legislature, Gov. Rick Scott and other top state officials."

Lobbyists were required to file new reports by Sunday that disclosed how much they were paid during the second quarter of 2011. The new totals show that legislative lobbyists earned as much as $64.8 million in the first six months of this year. That's an increase over 2010 when reports showed lobbyists were paid nearly $62.6 million.

Wanna guess how this will turn out?

"Consumer advocates urged state regulators on Tuesday to reduce Progress Energy Florida's customer charge for a planned nuclear power plant because the utility has not yet made a firm commitment to actually build the facility." "Fla. PSC focusing on Progress Energy nuclear costs".

Meanwhile, the News Journal editorial board argues that "Florida should persevere on nuclear power plants".

"Talk about selective principles"

Scott Maxwell: "In recent months, Florida politicians have turned away millions of federal dollars meant for Floridians in need."

There was money for the disabled.

For the elderly who can't afford medicine.

Even for dying children who need help from hospice.

In each and every case, the money was there — paid in part by Florida taxpayers.

But Florida Republicans turned it down, claiming they didn't want anything to do with "Obamacare."

How very convenient for them and their subsidized health-care plans.

When you're getting taxpayers to underwrite your $8-a-month insurance policy, the life-and-death woes of the commoners probably seem far removed.

Turning down this money didn't save you a single cent.

Other states were ready to take the money. Even other conservative leaders who opposed to the Affordable Care Act couldn't be so callous as to reject ready money for constituents in need.

So Florida continues to send more money to Washington than it gets back … with the blessing of Gov. Rick Scott and House Speaker Dean Cannon.

Except this story gets more interesting.

Because it turns out, Florida didn't turn down all of the money authorized by the Affordable Care Act.

While Florida Republicans turned down, gave back or refused to apply for more than $50 million in funds, they did accept $2 million …. to promote abstinence.

Talk about selective principles.

"Not the acts of someone who values Florida's natural heritage"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Over the last 40 years, every governor, regardless of party or political views, has worked to safeguard Florida's natural riches."

Scott, so far, has been the sad exception. Indeed, he appears determined to dismantle the admirable work of his predecessors.

Deriding government safeguards as "job-killing regulations," he has all but declared war on natural Florida. He killed the state's growth management program, eliminated funding for the purchase of natural lands and approved legislation gutting water conservation efforts. He also has refused to rule out support for near-shore drilling.

It would be one thing if Scott, who has only been a Florida resident eight years, had systematically sought to streamline requirements and jettison unnecessary regulations. But there has been no attempt at balance or any reflection on the abuse that initially made these regulations necessary.

These are not the acts of someone who values the natural heritage that underpins the state's tourism industry and its appeal to residents and visitors alike.

Another "Jeb!" yawner

"Jeb Bush tells 'Hannity': I don't anticipate 2012 run".

When you lose Oppenheimer ...

Andres Oppenheimer: "Despite the avalanche of bad news for President Barack Obama, he remains the most likely winner of the 2012 elections. That’s the conclusion I reached after watching the top Republican presidential hopefuls in recent weeks, as they started in earnest the race for their party’s nomination. They have taken such a hard line on issues that are dear to Latinos, that I don’t see how any of them can win the 40 percent of the Hispanic vote that pollsters say Republicans will need to win the White House."

Several Republican Party leaders, including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and former Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, have recently launched a Hispanic Leadership Network to woo Latinos to the Republican Party. Last week, I asked Gutierrez how his party can improve its standing among Latinos with its current anti-immigration, anti-social programs rhetoric.

Gutierrez, who supports former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, the Republican front-runner, and considers his candidate to be a “pragmatist,” conceded that Republicans will have a hard time winning with any candidate who Hispanics perceive as hostile to them.

“The Republican nominee will have to be someone who is a moderate,” Gutierrez told me. “We have to embrace immigration: If we are the party of prosperity, we have to be the party of immigration.”

My opinion: Republicans have a big problem with Hispanics. Granted, Obama is facing an economic slowdown that affects Hispanics more than most other Americans, and he has failed to meet his campaign promise to pass a comprehensive immigration reform that could benefit millions of Latinos.

In addition, the Obama administration has deported nearly 1 million undocumented immigrants over the past three years — more than Bush in his eight years in office. But Republicans won’t be able to criticize Obama on any of these counts, because their presidential hopefuls are calling for deeper budget cuts without new taxes on the rich, and come across as supporting the massive deportation of all undocumented immigrants.

Barring a shift to the center that would help Republicans win more Hispanic votes, or a worse-than-expected U.S. economic downturn that would drive Latino voters to stay at home on election day rather than voting for the president, Obama will be reelected in 2012.

The best they can do?

"Conservative Catholic blogger joins U.S. Senate race".

Huckabee a Panhandler

"In Ames, Iowa, for the GOP straw poll, Buzz caught up with a Floridian — Mike Huckabee. "Yep, I'm voting in Florida now," said the former Arkansas governor who last year moved to Miramar Beach in the Panhandle." "A new Floridian".

FlaBagger frenzy

"U.S. Rep. Allen West not only supported the debt ceiling deal, he actively tried to get others on board. Tea party and other supporters are incensed. Some are talking about recruiting a candidate to run against him in the Republican primary." "Rep. Allen West taking heat from backers for debt limit vote".

Pure and simple ignorance

"Before the Tiger Bay Club of Polk County Monday, Senate President Mike Haridopolos said 'every teacher should not have a guaranteed, lifetime job' and that comment has rattled the teachers' union president."

Marianne Capoziello, president of the Polk Education Association who was not at Tiger's Bay monthly luncheon, said ...

"It's the grand lie. Teachers have always been able to be fired. The principals just needed to do the paperwork to end somebody's career."

In the collective bargaining agreement the teacher's union has with the Polk County School District, there are provisions for teacher dismissal.

After soiling memory of defenders of Bastogne, West declares DEFCON 1

"Declaring DEFCON 1, a return to maximum force, South Florida Congressman Allen West renewed his complaint on Tuesday about the "idle" congressional schedule during the August break." "Allen West urges Congress to return to duty".

"Bowing to political influence of private prison operator"

"The state of Florida will soon privatize 30 prisons to save money, but before that, taxpayers will be on the hook for a payout of up to $25 million. That's how much the Department of Corrections says it will cost to pay more than 4,000 displaced state corrections workers for their accumulated vacation time, sick leave and special compensatory time for working on holidays."

Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, who chairs a budget panel overseeing prison spending and who has opposed the privatization from the start, said he plans to hold hearings this fall on the issue.

Fasano accused top lawmakers of bowing to the political influence of a major private prison operator, the GEO Group, which is expected to bid on the regional privatization venture.

"This is all about the almighty dollars for the GEOs of the world," he said. "It's all about political contributions that were made, and the taxpayers are going to pay the consequences."

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "In preparing a massive change to shave $22 million from its prison budget, the state is overlooking other reforms that could save plenty more money."

The state Department of Corrections is readying to complete the largest prison privatization project in the country. On Jan. 1, if all goes according to schedule, 29 state prisons in 18 Florida counties, including South Florida's, will be operated by private companies.

The operative word is scheduled. The process could be halted by a lawsuit filed by the Florida Police Benevolent Association on behalf of unionized prison guards.

The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board hasn't been very supportive of state employee unions.

In this case, however, we wouldn't be disappointed if the lawsuit succeeds.

Another federal handout

What do the Teabaggers have to say about this? "Florida getting $97 million in federal funds for small business loans".

Jobs agency now faces criminal probe

"A U.S. Labor Department probe of Workforce Central Florida is focused on possible 'criminal conflict of interest' that may have tainted contracts awarded to companies owned by or tied to agency board members." "Jobs agency probe focuses on possible criminal conflict of interest".

Fraud they say

"Florida lawmakers have been frustrated trying to resolve insurance issues on many fronts in recent years. One of the most troublesome has been the growth of fraudulent claims for drivers who have personal injury protection insurance." "Cabinet, regulators want crackdown on PIP fraud". See also "Governor Scott: Legislature needs to tackle insurance fraud" and "Car crash fraud cases still rising, boosting insurance for all drivers, state says".

The Rickster's glamor shot

"Rick Scott's office has been working on softening his image lately and now wants to literally change the governor's image. In a release, the office sent a photo it wants the media to use, one of Scott without a tie and from a slight angle that shows no hint of his characteristic wide eyes." "Scott asks media to change his image -- literally". See also "" and "".

Another GOPer jumps in against Castor

"Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe said Monday he'll run against U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor for Tampa's District 11 congressional seat."

Age 51, Sharpe is a South Tampa resident, a U.S. Navy and Naval Reserve retiree and a Florida State University graduate with a master's degree in strategic studies from the University of South Florida. He and his wife have three children.

Prior to being elected county commissioner in 2004, he was a private school teacher and administrator.

He ran unsuccessfully for the same congressional seat in 1992, 1994 and 1996 against former Rep. Sam Gibbons, coming within 3 percent of winning in 1994. But Sharpe said he has a better chance now.

Flabaggers in a dither about Perry"

"Florida's Presidency 5 straw poll looms ever-larger now that Rick Perry is in the race and Tim Pawlenty is out. Pawlenty figured to make a strong showing in the Sept. 24 poll of 3,500 GOP delegates in Orlando. The former Minnesota governor had lined up support from top Sunshine State politicos, including the next three speakers of the Florida House, former Jeb Bush staffer and money man Phil Handy, and omnipresent political guru Justin Sayfie."

But when Pawlenty bowed out after finishing a distant third in the Iowa straw poll, the P5 field opened up.

Perry is expected to compete in the P5 straw poll, along with U.S. Reps. Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul, the first- and second-place finishers in Iowa. ...

"The landscape changed this weekend. With Bachmann's strong showing, there are a lot of great candidates to make P5 a pretty important event," Hughes said.

Perry spokesman Mark Miner would not confirm Monday that the governor will vie in the straw poll, but Perry got a boost when the father-son duo of state Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and state Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Shalimar, endorsed him.

Reps. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, and Clay Ingram, R-Pensacola, also jumped on board.

Pawlenty backers are keeping their powder dry ... for now.

Perry's reception among tea partiers has been mixed while Bachmann has been dubbed the "queen of the tea party" movement nationally.

"[Perry] has been making my head explode. The same guy who ushered in the Dream Act for the great state of Texas, and was a liberal Democrat not too many years back ... I did not trust his recent prayer shenanigans for a second," said Danita Kilkullen, who heads Tea Party Fort Lauderdale.

Tom Gaitens, Florida field director for the Washington, D.C.-based FreedomWorks tea party group, said the movement is "very much split."

"Bachmann is well-liked, but Paul has great sympathies among tea partiers. Perry would be a third choice, but growing."

Gaitens predicts that "mainstream establishment GOPers will go to Perry or Romney" and that will result in a "three-horse race" among Perry, Bachmann and Romney.

Florida courts begging for money

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Floridians depend on the judiciary to enforce the law, protect their rights and settle disputes. Courts should never be in the position of begging for money to carry out these essential responsibilities." "Gov. Rick Scott needs to back court funding vow with a plan".

T-shirt shops hiring

"Florida economists say there is no reason to think high unemployment is permanent. But the recovery might be slow, economists say, and workers will have to learn new skills while the economy recuperates." "Florida economists: High unemployment persistent but not permanent".

Try joining your union

"It won't be a big political-action committee with millions of dollars to spread around among powerful legislators and the political parties, but a group of public employees is forming a PAC to speak out for government workers in Florida." "Public workers form their own PAC".

Raw political courage: Rubio opposes slavery

"Marco Rubio: Let's put an end to modern-day slavery".

Miami declared "Financial urgency"

"Miami City Manager Johnny Martinez declared financial urgency Monday, giving the city’s four unions two weeks to negotiate new labor contracts or face cuts imposed by Miami’s five commissioners." "'Financial urgency:' City unions asked to redo contracts".

West ponders nomination for U.S. Senate in 2012

"U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation, received cheers and a standing ovation from a large tea party crowd on Monday — overwhelming the background of grumbling he has heard since he voted for the deal that raised the federal debt ceiling."

West also said Wednesday that his intention — at this point — is to run for a second term representing his Broward and Palm Beach County district in Congress. But, he said, he is open to the possibility of seeking the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2012.

Love 4 sale

"Casino operators, utilities, health care companies and agricultural companies shelled out millions of dollars during the first half of the year to lobby the Florida Legislature, Gov. Rick Scott and other top state officials. Many of the corporations that spent the most were those seeking help from the Republican-controlled Legislature to either pass or kill bills during the spring legislative session." "Tallahassee lobbyists raking in big bucks". See also "Lobbying income continues to rebound after down year".

"Dwindling Florida Forever program"

"State looking at millions in land buys paid from dwindling Florida Forever program".

"State workers may wind up in the middle"

"Three HMOs have filed legal challenges to a plan by the Scott administration to limit the number of HMOs state workers can choose. But that challenge may not be resolved by the time state workers are supposed to start their annual enrollment period." "State workers may wind up in the middle of clash over health insurance changes".

Time for Scott to prepare Florida to implementing Obama's health care reforms

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "By striking down the individual mandate portion of the federal health care reform law, a panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals would hobble the ability of the federal government to address a key problem: the shifting of $43 billion in costs to care for the uninsured onto others. But the ruling has a bright side. The panel upheld every part of the Affordable Care Act except the individual mandate as constitutional. Now Florida Gov. Rick Scott should see that Floridians benefit and better position the state to carry out the reforms."

The court rejected Florida's claim that the Affordable Care Act's expansion of Medicaid to cover all those who fall below 133 percent of the federal poverty rate is coercive. The court said that Medicaid-participating states have their own power to tax and raise revenue "and therefore can create and fund programs of their own if they do not like Congress' terms." ...

The 11th Circuit ruling stands in contrast to a recent federal appellate court ruling out of Cincinnati upholding the individual mandate and the rest of the Affordable Care Act. But both appellate courts lean toward all or nearly all of the law being found constitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court will ultimately rule, but it's time for Scott to better prepare Florida for implementing the reforms.

"Anti-abortion gala"

"Florida policy-makers headed to national anti-abortion gala in November".

Delta Airlines shill claims he's "willing to compromise on union issues"

"Mica, the Florida congressman now says he is willing to compromise on union issues and 'rural air service funding along with the number of flights moving in and out of Washington, D.C.’s airports.'" "In on-air interview, congressman says he is willing to compromise on FAA bill".

Hasner grubbing for wingnuts

"Hasner, among the Republicans vying to face Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson in the general election, has done well in getting prominent conservatives at the national level -- including Erick Erickson, the founder of RedState -- behind his campaign and he is starting to pick up steam with right-of-center Floridians such as state Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, and state Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood. In his speech in Charleston, Hasner took aim at politics in Washington and slammed the Obama administration. " "Adam Hasner Takes Aim at Obama and George LeMieux".

"Scott's vision for transportation needs scrutiny"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Gov. Rick Scott has launched his own stimulus program with the state's smart decision to speed up more than $1 billion in road projects. The move doesn't excuse the governor's decision to kill the federally funded high-speed rail between Tampa and Orlando. But it will create jobs, and it's a good down payment on improving critical links in the state's transportation system, including several vital routes in the Tampa Bay area."

"Scott's larger vision for transportation needs more serious scrutiny. It calls for Florida to depend much more on toll roads, do away with some local transportation authorities and partner much more directly with private business. This could create a two-tiered transportation network — one for more affluent commuters, and a cash-starved network for everyone else. But that is a debate for another day." "Projects pave way for better future".

Fasano continues Citizens fight

"Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, won a small battle last week in the fight against proposed rate increases for state-backed Citizens Property Insurance, but now he’s looking to win the war." "Tampa Lawmakers Hold Rallies Against Insurance Rate Hikes".

Pigs at the public dollar trough

Ignoring that charter schools are demonstrated failures, Mike Thomas applauds the "explosion in charter schools. Last year charter-school enrollment grew to 137,000 statewide. This year there has been a huge increase in applications to create more schools, which are publicly funded but independently run." "Public schools must adapt to choice or die off". See also "While Other Public Schools Moan Over Cuts, Charter Campuses Expand".

For a charter school reality check, see "The Myth of Charter Schools" and, if you're looking for hard "data", see the Orlando Sentinel's "Florida charter schools' many F's give ammunition to critics" ("Charters were seven times more likely than regular public schools to receive F's on state's report card ... Charter schools, which account for only a fraction of the state's public schools, received half of all the F's when the state handed out its annual letter grades").

West fancies himself defending Bastogne

"Report: 'NUTS!' is Allen West response to letter".

Standard & Poor's to lower credit rating

"The same new budget-slashing law that resulted in dozens of layoffs at the South Florida Water Management District has also prompted Standard & Poor's to lower the district's credit rating." "S&P lowers water district's bond rating because of new state law requiring tax cuts".

Where will Florida's prison shortcuts come from?

"Florida is moving forward with a timetable to turn over prison operations in the southern half of the state to a private contractor, after the Legislature approved the plan designed to save millions of dollars." "Privatization of prisons aims to save more than $20M".

Scott gets his facts wrong

"Scott is still being asked about rejecting $2.4 billion in federal money for high-speed rail. Recently he said the project would have cost state taxpayers $1 billion. Turns out, that's not true." "Scott gets costs wrong".

The week ahead

"This week lawmakers hold another round of redistricting public hearings, the U.S. Census releases detailed information for Florida, and the unemployment rate for July will be released." "The Week Ahead for Aug. 15-Aug. 19".

Never mind that swim

"Sewage spills into Hudson Bayou".

Florida prescription drug deaths increasing

"New data shows that prescription drug deaths in Florida increased nearly 9 percent last year compared with 2009 despite aggressive efforts by law enforcement to educate people about the dangers and to crack down on illegal distribution." "Deaths in Florida from oxycodone, other pain killers keep climbing". See also "Prescription drug deaths jumped up in 2010".

progressives' marginal results in the Badger State -- the cradle of collective bargaining -- should be a cautionary tale for Florida Democrats, and may further embolden conservatives.

Watch for Florida Republicans to take another run at "paycheck protection" to derail automatic dues-collections by unions.

Last week, at a national education-reform competition, Patricia Levesque, head of Jeb Bush's Foundation for Florida's Future, may have tipped the state GOP's hand when she declared, "We'll tackle collective bargaining next year."

Business groups, including the Florida Chamber of Commerce, have accused the Florida Education Association and other public-employee unions of using "Wisconsin-style" tactics of busing in demonstrators from out of state to pressure lawmakers.

Unions deny the charges, but left-wing adjuncts such as Progress Florida continue to organize protests and stir the social media pot with Twitter tags like #ItGetsWorseFL -- an obvious play on the LGBT anti-bullying "ItGetsBetter" campaign.

Whether the Left's ad-hominem demonizing of Gov. Rick Scott will be any more effective than the quixotic efforts to take down Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker remains to be seen. For the next 15 months, Obama and the Democrats appear to have bigger and more immediate electoral challenges of their own.

Badly outvoted at the Florida Legislature, reactionary liberals will look to unelected judges to impose a "progressive" agenda over the duly enacted reforms of the people's popularly elected representatives.

"Florida leaders defend deterioration of state's waterways"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "As Florida leaders continue to defend the deterioration of the state's waterways, the federal government continues to clean them up."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's announcement last week that it would spend $100 million to buy development rights on working agricultural land north of the Everglades is a boon for the environment and tourism. It is also an important step to providing South Florida with the drinking water the region will need to grow.

The money will be open to farmers and ranchers in four counties — Highlands, Glades, Hendry and Okeechobee — in exchange for them providing conservation easements to 24,000 acres of farmland.

Battle for Florida's crucial Hispanic voters

"The presidential election is 15 months away, but Republicans and Democrats already are going after the Hispanic vote with a zeal usually reserved for the final stretch. In late June, Crossroad GPS, a Republican organization, launched an estimated $5 million TV campaign targeted at Hispanics in Florida and other battleground states with large Latino populations." "Parties battle early for Florida's crucial Hispanic vote".

"False"

PolitiFact Florida decided to fact-check [Republican National Committee chairman Reince] Priebus' claim about national political conventions to see whether they are indeed four times a Super Bowl: "GOP convention's impact on Tampa not likely to be a 'Super Bowl times 4'".

"Super-conservative Svengali manages to sway state lawmakers"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Everyone knows what the legislators who run Tallahassee generally want: lower taxes, fewer regulations, weaker unions and a state that leans right on social issues like abortion and immigration."

How they get there is another story. Ask legislators during their campaigns which bills they're planning to write and often you hear, "I'm still working out the details."

How, then, do Florida's Republican legislators manage to craft specific bills that would, for instance, make it tougher for labor unions to collect dues?

Or would limit the amount of money the state of Florida can collect, based on population growth and inflation?

Go ask ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council, a big business-backed nonprofit that drafts model legislation, which is then offered to legislators in Florida and other states.

Ask ALEC, which last week hosted scores of legislators at its 38th annual conference in New Orleans, for details about who attended. For copies of legislation it's hawking. For answers about how the super-conservative Svengali manages to sway state lawmakers nationwide.

Only you're not likely to get them. ALEC's agenda practically mirrors that of Tallahassee's ruling majority. But ALEC keeps secret from the public the policy drafts it hands lawmakers, who then turn the drafts into bills back home.

Talk about influence. Future House speakers Will Weatherford and Chris Dorworth registered for the conference. ALEC's fingerprints were all over Dorworth's bill prohibiting state employers from withholding union dues and requiring members to approve using dues for political campaigns.

Meanwhile, tighter state spending caps, whose fate voters will determine in a 2012 ballot, resemble ALEC recommendations. As does the coming privatization of state prisons that would house 20 percent of Florida's inmates.

"They got theirs, so what do they care?"

Tom Tryon: "Florida has the 48th-worst ranking in the United States for the percentage of people under 65 without health-care insurance."

Yet the state's elected officials — including representatives, senators, the governor and members of the Cabinet — as well as top management have easy access to taxpayer-subsidized insurance.

Even more egregious: Legislators, most of whom hold other jobs, and the highest-paid officials not only pay a pittance in premiums, they pay far less than rank-and-file employees.

So, maybe the efforts by Gov. Rick Scott and the Republican-dominated Legislature to rebuff a federal program that would expand access to insurance in the state go beyond partisan or philosophical differences.

There are a lot reasons for Florida's ranking: a preponderance of jobs that don't include health-care benefits; relatively high rates of poverty; reasonable concerns about the costs of expanding coverage through the public sector.

But when it comes to that 21 percent who lack health-care insurance, perhaps the lack of urgency in Tallahassee can be explained by thusly: They got theirs, so what do they care?

"Political stories you should be reading"

Travis Pillow's "Six in the Morning: A six-pack of infobits you might have missed". Kathleen Haughney's "Monday morning reads: Five political stories you should be reading".

"Companies in the prison business that make substantial campaign contributions to legislators"

Bill Cotterell: "In the 2011 legislative session, budget managers decided to privatize operation of state prisons in the Department of Corrections Region IV. The policy probably originated with GEO Group or Corrections Corporation of America, or one of the other companies in the prison business that make substantial campaign contributions to legislators."

[T]he governor and Legislature were determined to move forward with the privatization. Not even a deputy secretary saying it "may cripple the agency" gave them any cause to pause.

"Course corrections"

"Reform the state pension system: check. Drug-test welfare applicants: check. Cut taxes and government spending: check and check. Still, Scott has also made numerous course corrections along the way." "Scott's promises: Mostly delivered but some course corrections".

Taxpayer funded coverage of the governor to continue

"When Republican Rick Scott vetoed $4.8 million for Florida public broadcasting stations, program supporters mocked the governor as a penny-pinching enemy of Big Bird and other familiar PBS figures."

Despite the veto, Scott did allow $2.8 million to flow to WFSU-TV and radio in with the bulk of the money maintaining the Florida Channel, which features live coverage of the governor, Cabinet, legislature and state Supreme Court.

"Seismic shifts for Florida's public schools"

"[T]he 2011-12 school year will be anything but routine, with seismic shifts for those who work and study in Florida's public schools." "Seismic changes, challenges define new school year".

Attacks on Nelson gettin' desperate

"With many Floridians unsure about Democratic incumbent, pack of Republicans look to portray him on their own terms". "GOP Hopefuls Sharpen Their Attacks Against Bill Nelson". Related: "No clear GOP candidate emerging to challenge Nelson".

Florida stops weekly tests for bacteria at 58 beaches

"To save more than $500,000 a year, Florida health officials will stop weekly tests for bacteria at 58 beaches statewide, including Patrick Air Force Base." "State limits beach water sampling".

Privatization follies

U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, and chairman of the House transportation committee, "suggested the authority sell parts or all of its 105-mile system and use the proceeds to pay for the parkway." "Stars must align for Wekiva Parkway without higher tolls".

Rouson await

"Rep. Rouson awaits redrawn district".

"Reflection of how deeply the Florida Legislature is in the pockets of special interests"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "It is a reflection of how deeply the Florida Legislature is in the pockets of special interests that lawmakers have continually sought to eliminate protections for assisted-living facility residents, though abuse is widespread." "Ignoring the vulnerable".

Related: "Are poor suffering because of cuts at Jackson Health System?".

Charter madness

"While Other Public Schools Moan Over Cuts, Charter Campuses Expand".