The Republican National Committee has decreed that only those states can hold primaries or caucuses before March 6 without being penalized by losing half their delegates. But Arizona recently set its primary for Feb. 28. In response South Carolina, which has been scheduled to vote the same day, is expected to move earlier.

Scott appointed Martinez to the panel, along with a deputy chief of staff and former GOP political operative, Jenn Ungru, and former Democratic Sen. Al Lawson of Tallahassee.

Senate President Mike Haridopolos selected three senators: fellow Republicans Rene Garcia of Hialeah and John Thrasher of St. Augustine and Democrat Gary Siplin of Orlando, who at times votes with Republicans.

House Speaker Dean Cannon chose three fellow lawmakers: Republicans Carlos Lopez-Cantera of Miami and Seth McKeel of Lakeland, and Democrat Cynthia Stafford of Miami.

Each of the three Republican leaders was required to appoint a Democrat.

Waitin' on Ricky's jobs

"Florida's unemployment rate seems stuck in place, not worsening but staying at an uncomfortably high 10.7 percent for three months. Be prepared for it to stay high for quite some time. The latest state projections place the jobless rate at 10.6 percent through the end of 2012, a state economist said Friday." "State jobless rate may stay above 10%". See also "Florida Jobless Rate Steady, but Slight Increase Predicted".

Our Governor remains oblivious: "Responding to new unemployment numbers, Scott says Florida ‘on the right path’".

"Argenziano ramping up her attacks on Republicans."

"Blocked from running as a Democrat, Nancy Argenziano says she will challenge U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Tallahassee, as a member of the Independent Party. A new state law prohibiting candidates from switching parties within a year of an election qualifying period snared Argenziano."

Calling the party-switch restriction "one of the least-known provisions of a horrendous bill," Argenziano is already ramping up her attacks on Republicans.

"The ringmasters -- [Sen.] J.D. Alexander and [Senate President] Mike Haridopolos -- gutted the hell out of everything with this bill," she said. "Republicans are so quick to follow because they are enamored of their chairmanships or whatever."

Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, who sponsored the election-reform law in question, House Bill 1355, said Argenziano's predicament "is her own fault."

"If she had read the rules, she could have done what Charlie Crist did and simply register 'No Party Affiliation,'" Baxley said, referring to Crist's "independent" U.S. Senate run in 2010.

Argenziano says she is seeking legal advice on a possible challenge to HB 1355. She believes it could be unconstitutional because it treats NPA registrants differently.

The ACLU and union organizations are said to be looking at challenging other provisions of the law, including those that tighten voter registration rules and make stricter regulations governing third parties.

Fred O'Neal, founder of the Florida TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party, expects many minor parties will be strangled by the new regulatory red tape.

Theme park OSHA fines a pittance

"Federal investigators have cited Walt Disney World with four workplace-safety violations, and proposed $69,000 in fines, following a probe into the death of a resort mechanic who was killed while working on a roller coaster in Disney's Animal Kingdom."

While a relative pittance for a company of Disney's size, the $69,000 in total fines proposed by OSHA is a hefty amount for the agency. OSHA proposed fines totaling $75,000 for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment following a probe triggered by the February 2010 death of a SeaWorld Orlando killer-whale trainer.

Weekly Roundup

"Weekly Roundup: Fall is in the Air". See also "The Week in Review for Sept. 12-Sept. 16".

Hasner teabags

"In his campaign for the GOP nomination in the race to unseat Sen. Bill Nelson, Adam Hasner has been positioning himself as a tea party favorite on a slew of issues, but none seem as close to his heart as his long-time crusade against the supposed threat of Sharia in the U.S." "How one GOP Senate candidate’s ‘good friend’ is fighting ‘Stealth Jihad’ in Florida".

Stearns can't get his hypocrisy straight

"Though Congressman Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, is criticizing President Obama’s push for green jobs, the Florida lawmaker was happy to welcome a federally funded green jobs effort in his own district last year." "Stearns criticized for inconsistency on green jobs stimulus money".

Florida's "handful of gimme and a mouthful of much obliged"

"Florida gets almost $1 million from Affordable Care Act to open new community health centers".

Thank you, Mr. Obama

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "There's a lot to like about a new federal plan that could help boost Everglades and South Florida wetlands restoration efforts by preserving as many as 150,000 acres between Orlando and Lake Okeechobee — many of them wetlands that feed the River of Grass. The plan, costing at least $600 million, would make the federal government a more active partner in Everglades restoration — a responsibility it hasn't fully lived up to since agreeing in 2000 to share the project's funding."

"The money would come from offshore oil leases. By preserving the wetlands, forests and prairies north of Lake O, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would be safeguarding habitats that several protected species call home — the Florida black bear, panther, scrub jay and Everglades snail kites, among them." "Proposed purchase of land north of Lake O has potential benefits for Everglades".

Evers changes his mind

"Sen. Greg Evers, R-Crestview, filed SB 238 on Wednesday to repeal a requirement in state law for gasoline to have 10 percent ethanol. 'We were led to believe you would see virtually no changes in the gasoline,' Evers said Wednesday. 'And that's just not the case.'" "Senator files bill repealing ethanol fuel requirement that he voted for in 2008".

Trading barbs

"A working group set by the state's insurance consumer advocate to review the state's personal injury protection mandate held its first meeting on Thursday. Insurance companies, physician groups and the state's trial attorneys traded barbs at the inaugural session." "Group urged to take a "rough" look at Florida's no-fault auto insurance law".

Entrepreneurs in action

"A federal judge socked a convicted Miami healthcare executive with a 50-year prison sentence, the longest term ever imposed on a Medicare fraud offender." "Judge sends Medicare offender to prison for 50 years".

Federal grants

"The Tampa Bay area doesn't have a representative on Congress' deficit-cutting supercommittee, but that doesn't mean the region lacks a stake in the outcome. The 12-person committee, officially known as the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, has until late November to craft a plan that cuts the nation's budget deficit by $1.2 trillion. If that fails, billions in cuts kick in for the military, Medicare and other programs in 2013. That's when local governments could feel the pain."

Federal grants recently bought breathing gear for Tampa firefighters. They boost security at the Port of Tampa and help house Hillsborough County residents crippled by AIDS. They cover 90 percent of Pasco County's elderly nutrition program, providing 200,000 meals a year to needy senior citizens. They finance the drug court program in Clearwater.

"They're the unsung programs that don't get much attention," said U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa.

Florida gives up collecting millions in taxes, fees and fines

Gary Fineout: "Despite a long-running budget crunch, Florida is giving up on collecting tens of millions in taxes, fees and fines owed the state."

Last year Florida wrote off more than $109 million as uncollectable, forgiving the debts of everyone from those whose businesses owed unemployment taxes, to people who received treatment from county health departments and polluters fined for spilling oil or other chemicals.

The state annually collects $37 billion in taxes and fees so $109 million is a relatively small amount but state lawmakers this past year were confronted with a nearly $4 billion budget gap.

Some have suggested cracking down on those who refuse to pay up. A state panel responsible for keeping watch on the state's election laws wants scofflaws blocked from being able to campaign for office if they have unpaid fines.

"Rampant infighting inside Carroll's office"

"The Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed Friday that investigators are looking into a possible illegal recording within Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll's office."

The recording is of Carroll's chief of staff, John Konkus, whispering to another staffer that Gov. Rick Scott is "not leading" on an internal issue.

Konkus is heard talking to Carletha Cole, another Carroll staffer who recently was fired after she complained to the Florida Times-Union about rampant infighting inside Carroll's office.

It's the second FDLE investigation in a month involving the Governor's Office, which declined to comment.

Pipeline jobs

"FPL planning natural gas mega-pipeline".

Florida's Perry problem

"Florida’s most experienced political professionals are closely divided on whether Rick Perry or Mitt Romney will win Florida’s Republican presidential primary, but overwhelmingly they see Romney as the stronger candidate to beat Barack Obama in Florida." "Fla. insiders like Mitt against Obama".

Alleged journalists attack unionized workers yet again

The uninformed gasbags comprising The Miami Herald editorial board write that "Hollywood voters rightly say unions have to pay" in connection with the recent referendum slashing employee pensions. "".

With all due respect, these "unions" are not out-of-state thugs as the willfully ignorant editorial board writers imply - you know, the same hacks who jump whenever their owners snap their fingers - but rather they are the local firemen and cops who form a local association and voluntarily pay dues. Under Florida law, these "unions" are powerless - the cities and counties have unilateral authority to set wages and benefits. Funny how that is never mentioned by Florida's ink stained wretches.

More importantly, the referendum does not mean "unions have to pay", but rather our local firemen and cops have to pay.

"Twisted debate on Cuba"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Tampa City Council member Mike Suarez is enabling area residents to hear a twisted debate on Cuba without having to travel all the way to Miami. Suarez objected twice in recent weeks when his colleague, vice chairwoman Mary Mulhern, asked the council to send a letter to the Cuban government welcoming the resumption of cultural ties. President Barack Obama cleared the way this year for Tampa to resume direct flights to Havana after a 50-year hiatus. Mulhern, who made the trip last week, saw the letter as a form of protocol that would build trade relations down the road. But Suarez jumped the shark, protesting that the letter would constitute a political overture to the Communist government." "Let old Cuban dramas rest".

"Don't you just hate it when the EPA stops polluters?"

Lauren Ritchie explains the fight between Florida's Agri-GOP and the EPA: "What's at stake is the health of Florida waters — its lakes, rivers, streams and canals — and whether people can fish, boat, swim and play in them in the future."

This all started in 1998, when the EPA ordered states to set limits on water pollution caused by nitrogen and phosphorous (think: fertilizer).

The federal agency warned it would impose its own rules if states didn't get in gear by 2004. Of course, Florida didn't.

In 2008, the Tallahassee law firm called Earthjustice got fed up and sued on behalf of five environmental groups to make the EPA enforce the Clean Water Act. ...

These rules are critical because they will determine the destiny of Florida's waterways for years to come.

The EPA plan isn't perfect, but it's doable, can be easily understood even by those without a science background and would produce results that would help clean up water pollution that both the federal agency and the state recognize is rampant in Florida.

Perhaps that's why the proposal is being demonized by Big Agriculture, an industry that doesn't even fall under these provisions because it's primarily regulated through a separate set of rules.

Still, its lobbyists are out doing an extensive trick-pony roadshow to ratchet up the pressure. They say the EPA is limiting agricultural runoff in other states, and they're afraid they'll be next.

Don't you just hate it when the EPA stops polluters?

Scott contends that Florida can take care of its waters better than the EPA can. Really? Is that why 688 of them fail to meet water quality standards?

Here's the danger: If the polluters can push the feds out of the picture, Florida's surface waters will be subject to death by a thousand little cuts. Scott, after all, doesn't have what might be described as a sterling reputation for defending the environment.

In her opening remarks, Tea Party Express co-chair Amy Kremer, after all the usual yada-yada-yada about taking the country back blah-blah-blah, told the assembled crowd as they fingered their nooses and stirred their tar pots that it is the tea party that "is going to choose the next president, not the Republican Party."

And not one of the eight pandering sycophants on the stage had the intellectual honesty to respond to Kremer's demagoguery by saying something like: "Excuse me, but I'm running to capture the Republican Party nomination for the presidency of the United States. I'm a Republican first and proud of it. Really, one of the biggest miscalculations my party ever made was giving you folks any credibility. And while I certainly welcome any support I can get, I'm not campaigning to become the leader of a foaming-at-the-mouth political cult. Frankly, I'm only here tonight to get some national face time on CNN."

Now that would have taken some political courage.

Cannon wants GOP primary before Feb. 28

"House Speaker Dean Cannon says he is determined that Florida be the fifth state in the nation when it comes to choosing a presidential nominee. That means Florida would have to set its primary before Feb. 28, which is the date Arizona recently chose, breaking Republican National Committee rules. The RNC only wants Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina to vote before March 6." "Committee to set Fla. presidential primary to meet". See also "Selection Begins Friday for GOP Primary Committee".

"Federal government a more active partner in the Everglades restoration"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "There's a lot to like about a new federal plan that could help save the Everglades by preserving as many as 150,000 acres between Orlando and Lake Okeechobee — many of them wetlands that feed the River of Grass"

The plan, costing at least $600 million, would make the federal government a more active partner in the Everglades restoration — a responsibility it has shirked since agreeing in 2000 to share the project's funding. The money would come from offshore oil leases.

By preserving the wetlands, forests and prairies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would be safeguarding habitats that several protected species call home: the Florida black bear, panther, scrub jay and Everglades snail kites, among them.

Grayson talks Taliban

"Grayson correctly quoted a figure from a national story about U.S. money being diverted to "the Taliban, criminals and power brokers with ties to both." A member of the Commission on Wartime Contracting -- and an expert in the field of government contracting -- found this information credible based on extensive research."

But Grayson's statement comes with two minor caveats. He said that tax dollars went "straight to ... the Taliban." The process is actually more complicated and involved a type of money laundering. And the money went to bad actors other than the Taliban in some cases. Those are noteworthy clarifications and enough to rate Grayson's statement Mostly True.

Huntsman gets desperate

"Down in the Polls, Jon Huntsman Looks to Jeb Bush Jr. for a Jolt".

Toll-taxes

"Motorists across Florida and the nation should expect more toll roads ahead as gas-tax revenues dwindle and Congress struggles just to extend the levy for another six months." "Experts: More toll roads likely as gas taxes drop off".

Teacher layoffs

Kenric Ward: "Teachers Union 'Crying Wolf' Over 'Layoffs' as Districts Eye New Salaries".

"What's the legal term for Duh?"

Scott Maxwell: "For today's political update, we visit our state capital, Havana."

Oops. I meant Tallahassee.

I've been getting the location confused ever since Florida leaders started using the public's money to try to overturn the public's vote. It's the kind of thing you'd expect in countries run by dictators or authoritarians.

Anyway, the latest out of Pyongyang has Speaker Dean Cannon trying to decide whether to continue trying to overturn your vote for Fair Districts.

A federal judge told Cannon that, no matter how much he and Democratic U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown like the gerrymandering status quo, they have no legal right to overrule the public.

What's the legal term for Duh?

The ruling sent shock waves through Damascus — sorry, Tallahassee — where legislators scrambled for answers.

Obviously, their first instinct was to blame the ruling on a liberal activist judge who was "legislating from the bench."

But that was hard to do when Judge Ursula Ungaro was first put on the bench by Republican Gov. Bob Martinez — and then later promoted by Republican President George H.W. Bush.

So now everyone in Riyadh is wondering how they can justify spending even more of the people's money against them.

Enough TaxWatch-worship

"State GOP Takes Wary Approach to TaxWatch Agenda". Background: "TaxWatch report suggests more than $4 billion in government cost savings".

State scraps plan to limit HMO choices

"State officials have scrapped a move to limit to the number of HMO choices for state employees in an attempt to settle legal challenges." "State backs off plan to limit HMOs for state workers".

Proposed DEP draft water quality rule criticized by all

"If the department proceeds with rule adoption, DEP hopes the rule would replace U. S. Environmental Protection water quality standards that industry groups claim would cost them billions of dollars to comply with. Industry and environmental groups alike have criticized the draft state rule but industry reps have offered support for the effort." "DEP draft water quality rule faces criticism on both sides".

Recession inequality

"The impact of the recession and inequality on U.S. and Florida workers".

"Split response from Florida pols"

"President Barack Obama, just days away from introducing a blueprint to reduce the nation's deficit, has taken off the table any cost-cutting changes in Social Security benefits." "Obama reversal on Social Security draws split response from Florida pols".

Legal "scholars" speak

"'Disruptive' Teachers Union Lawsuit Won't Wash, Say Supporters".

Meanwhile. the Sarasota Herald Tribune editorial board: "the biggest classroom morale buster may be the new state law that heaps additional job insecurity on teachers — those public servants on whom we rely to prepare Florida's next generation of citizens, workers and leaders. Passed by the Legislature in the spring and signed by Gov. Rick Scott, the new law ties teacher pay and job longevity to evaluations that are largely based on student learning metrics — metrics that are ill defined, undeveloped and unproven."

Who will create these tests and how they will be paid for are questions of great concern.

On Wednesday, two unions — including the Sarasota Classified/Teachers Association — filed a lawsuit against the new state law, charging that it violates collective bargaining guarantees that are ensconced in the state constitution.

The litigation, unfortunate though it may be, is evidence of the Legislature's failure to get and heed adequate teacher input before making sweeping changes.

Nobody, including teachers, should be exempt from accountability. But the state measure — too glibly described as "merit pay" — does little to reward classroom excellence. Instead, it focuses on testing-intensive teacher evaluations that are problematic at best.

Board of Governors meets

"The Board of Governors voted Thursday to seek $460 million more in funding than it received in this past session, and discussed plans for strategic changes across the state university system, including a greater emphasis on online classes." "Board calls for increased university funding, mulls strategic changes".

He has been assailed on national TV for saying government programs have "weakened us as a people," subjected to negative political ads and labeled a traitor by pro-immigration groups. ...

But there are also attacks in darker corners of the Internet, questioning whether he is a natural-born citizen (his parents were Cuban exiles) as well as the type of dirt-digging a presidential candidate might expect. A Miami TV station recently carried a report about a major drug bust that netted his brother-in-law — in 1987.

Rubio, 40, has pursued an elaborately scripted path since taking office in January. He eschewed national media just long enough to gain the label that he was focused on Florida and learning the ways of the Senate. Glowing national TV profiles followed as did a series of speeches his office aggressively promoted as "major" addresses, much in the way presidential candidates do, or the president himself. ...

Cast as the next "great communicator," Rubio exposed himself to a fierce backlash from the left when he said government programs have "weakened us as a people." ...

A growing number of Republican insiders think Rubio is actively laying the groundwork for higher office. Certainly he would be a top pick for any of the presidential candidates. The major ones have reached out to him, including Mitt Romney, Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann.

Why why wasn't medical examiner reappointed?

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Motivations aside, Gov. Rick Scott has a right to make appointments any way he sees fit."

If there is somebody in a high-profile position whom Scott doesn't want to reappoint, that is his right. And even if he is motivated by political reasons — hey, he's the governor. Every governor makes some decisions and appointments for political reasons. This governor is entitled to do so as well. That being said, the people of South Florida and Joshua A. Perper, chief medical examiner for Broward County, are also entitled to an explanation as to why Perper has not been reappointed to his post.

Second amendment takes a back seat to the first

"A federal judge Wednesday blocked a Florida gun law that restricted doctors from asking patients about firearms. Judge Marcia G. Cooke said doctors had a First Amendment right to ask about firearms, and she rapped the state's lawyers for failing to provide more than anecdotal evidence to show the law was needed." "Judge blocks Florida law restricting doctor gun talk". See also "U.S. judge blocks Florida gun law fought by doctors" and "Judge blocks law restricting doctors' gun questions".

Florida's economy "sputtering"

"With the economy sputtering, state analysts will gather Oct. 11 and dish out bad budget news."

Amy Baker, coordinator of the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research, said Wednesday that earlier projections of general-revenue growth this year and during the 2012-13 fiscal year will drop "fairly significantly."

That means more difficult budget choices for lawmakers when they start the 2012 legislative session in January --- though Baker said things won’t be as bad as during this spring’s session, when lawmakers faced a $3.6 billion shortfall.

"Obama's stimulus provided an economic lifeline"

The Sarasota-Herald Tribune editors: "Since he became Florida's governor, Scott has rejected more than $2 billion in federal funds for high-speed rail and health care needs. And this week, Scott signaled that he might reject funds resulting from President Barack Obama's proposed $447 billion jobs bill if they increase the national debt."

Scott was joined in his skepticism by Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon, who said last week, "The answer to the current economic problem is not spending more money." And state Senate President Mike Haridopolos said Obama should cut taxes and repeal the health-care reform law rather than push for more federal spending. ...

Federal money may not be "the answer" to the nation's and the state's continuing economic malaise, but it sure could help.

Cannon and Haridopolos should know. They've been in legislative leadership roles the whole time Obama's stimulus provided an economic lifeline that kept Florida's head above water in the Great Recession.

In all, Florida received $11.3 billion in stimulus dollars between February 2009 and this July, according to the latest White House figures. That money has helped police officers, firefighters and teachers keep their jobs, provided jobs for the construction industry, helped families on Medicaid and unemployment, and filled myriad other needs.

The stimulus funds have not prevented hard times for Florida and its people, or tough budget decisions by the Legislature. But they have eased the economic stress and suffering, and have helped keep a dire situation from becoming even worse.

Florida is still struggling. Its 10.7 unemployment rate is above the too-high national rate of 9.1 percent. Recent estimates put the 2012 state budget shortfall at $400 million.

Sinkhole Alley

Mike Thomas: "Sinkhole Alley folks apoplectic at Citizens' rate hikes; what did they expect?".

Wingnuts think it was a great idea

"Florida’s new law requiring welfare recipients to undergo drug tests before receiving state aid garnered high marks in a study released on Wednesday by the Naples-based Foundation for Government Accountability, a conservative think tank launched earlier in the year." "Welfare Drug Test Saves Taxpayer Money, Study Finds".

Rickster laff riot

"Gov. Rick Scott stopped by MSNBC’s Morning Joe to talk about the GOP presidential race and Florida today. During the interview, he told the panel he is skeptical of President Obama’s jobs bill and wants Florida to be a 'model for the country.'" "Scott wants Florida to be ‘the model for the country’".

Medicaid deform

"Kaiser Health News reports that states all over the country, including Florida, are moving toward Medicaid managed care and are looking 'to private health plans for help closing budget gaps.'" "Kaiser Health News: States moving toward more Medicaid managed care".

Redistricting update

"September 19 redistricting committee meetings noticed".

"Knucklehead Capital of America"

Carl Hiaasen: "On the day after Christmas in 2000, flight controllers at Miami International Airport were annoyed to peer out at one of the crowded taxiways and see a small Piper Cherokee."

The plane wasn’t moving, and the cockpit was empty. One official in the flight tower spotted two men walking away, crossing the airfield in the direction of the main general aviation hangar.

Even in Miami this doesn’t happen every day. Even rookie pilots know to radio the tower if their aircraft conks out while rolling toward the runway. Nobody just abandons a plane in a line of waiting commercial jetliners.

The men who pulled this stunt were named Marwan al-Shehhi and Mohamed Atta. Nine months later they would be infamous, but on Dec. 26, 2000, they seemed just like two more knuckleheads in the Knucklehead Capital of America.

They had learned to fly at Huffman Aviation in Venice, near Sarasota.

Elderly, disabled refugees need assistance

The Miami Herald editors: "Extend deadline, let elderly, disabled refugees continue to get assistance". "Don’t compound the problem".

"EPA appears to have capitulated again"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Floridians who banked on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to protect the state's waters have a right to be disappointed."

The agency appears to have capitulated again by approving this month the state's request to lower standards for water bodies too polluted or physically altered to be redeemed in a "cost effective" way. The true impact remains to be seen, but this puts a new weapon into the hands of the environmental wrecking crew in Tallahassee.

"Either we have no water problem or we do have a water problem"

Sen. Evelyn Lynn, a "Republican senator from Ormond Beach is raising the controversy over water bottling to another level with a bill filed Wednesday. SB 216 by Sen. Evelyn Lynn would place a 10-year ban on permits for the purchase of water with the intent to resell the water to the public for a commercial profit." "Senator wants a 10-year ban on water bottling permits".

State: Buss can't testify

"The state does not want recently ousted Department of Corrections Secretary Ed Buss testifying in a lawsuit filed by the Police Benevolent Association to stop privatization of prisons in South Florida." "State: Buss can't testify in prison privatization lawsuit".

Fla-baggers booed Perry

"Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry had the tea party crowd on his side at Monday night's debate, only to get booed when he espoused moderate-sounding positions on immigration." "On immigration, Rick Perry strays from tea party script".

New York congressional election could reverberate in South Florida

"Republicans are hailing their victory in a heavily Democratic New York congressional district with a large Jewish population as a rebuke of President Obama that will reverberate nationally and in South Florida." "GOP win in Weiner's old N.Y. district a concern for Obama in Florida?".

As if they weren't already underpaid

"For the second time in six years, a federal investigation has found the Florida Department of Children and Families violated labor laws by causing its employees to work overtime that went unrecorded and unpaid." "Feds: DCF Violated Labor Law for Unrecorded and Unpaid Overtime".

Another spill?

"Tar balls, dead marine life raise more questions about oil in the gulf".

Sansom's complaint about Meggs trashed

"The Florida Commission on Ethics has dropped former House Speaker Ray Sansom's complaint against Leon County State Attorney Willie Meggs. The commission dismissed it without investigation, which happens with about half of all complaints." "Florida Commission on Ethics dismisses Ray Sansom's complaint against Willie Meggs".

Teamsters file ethics charge against Scott

"Florida policymakers' push to privatize a huge part of its prison system has drawn the wrath of the Teamsters union, which announced Wednesday that it had filed an ethics complaint against Gov. Rick Scott. The complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics says Scott's privatization push is 'tainted' because he accepted $30,000 for his inaugural committee from the two largest companies vying for the contracts, the GEO Group and Corrections Corp. of America. The companies also contributed more than $1 million to candidates in 2010, it says." "Teamsters seek to block prison privatization". See also "Teamsters accuse Gov. Scott of conflict of interest in privatization of Florida prisons" and "Teamsters, Governor's Office Clash on Prison Bidding".

"Lower scores in the Sunshine State"

"The College Board announced Wednesday that more high school students are taking the SAT test across the nation and in Florida -- but state Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson maintained that the higher number of test takers led to lower scores in the Sunshine State." "Florida SATs: Participation Up, Scores Down".

Admin law judges and mediators on chopping block

"Administrative law judges and workers compensation mediators have been targeted for reductions under a list of options to reduce spending by 10 percent that was submitted by the Division of Administrative Hearings Tuesday as part of this year's budget exercise. The reductions, according to budget documents, could slow down the legal system where proposed rules and state procurements are challenged and could slow down access to benefits for injured workers, according to the documents." "Judges and mediators included in possible list of reductions".

"Bullied by a single state legislator"

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "When the Florida Board of Governors convenes today to discuss the future of the University of South Florida Polytechnic campus in Lakeland, it should not abdicate all responsibility and allow itself to be bullied by a single state legislator." "Stand up to campus bully".

"Gospel of the Miami-Dade school district"

"Superintendent Alberto Carvalho brought the gospel of the Miami-Dade school district to Congress Wednesday, trumpeting his efforts to turn around long-struggling schools as a national model and urging lawmakers to revamp how the federal government measures student success." "Revamp No Child Left Behind, Miami-Dade schools chief tells Congress".

Lawsuit claims legislation interferes with right to bargain

"State teachers union sues to block Fla. merit pay law". See also "Sarasota teachers sue over merit pay law", "'Disruptive' Teachers Union Lawsuit Won't Wash, Say Supporters", "Florida merit-pay law challenge is part of bigger fight by unions against GOP legislatures", "Senator wants a 10-year ban on water bottling permits", "Florida Education Association, teachers file lawsuit against state education overhaul" and "Fla. teachers union files suit over merit pay law".

"A planning travesty"

"The former head of Florida's growth-management agency testified Tuesday that the proposed city of Farmton would be 'a planning travesty' if allowed to move forward because it would bring as many as 23,000 homes to a remote, environmentally sensitive area."

Tom Pelham, former secretary of the state Department of Community Affairs, told an administrative law judge that he rejected Farmton plans approved by Volusia County because they would have allowed excessive development on a massive expanse of wetlands and forests. ...

Farmton, which could one day have 50,000 residents, is proposed for 59,000 acres west of Interstate 95 in Brevard and Volusia counties. The acreage, one of the largest undeveloped tracts in Central Florida, is now a tree farm that's home to black bears and other wildlife.

"Florida has 3rd highest rate of uninsured residents"

"Florida, the state which led the challenge to the health care overhaul law, had the nation's third highest rate of residents without health insurance during the past three years, according to Census data released Tuesday." "Census: Florida has 3rd highest rate of uninsured residents".

"In Florida, 3.8 million people — more than one in five — were without health insurance last year. Nationwide, the number of uninsured was closer to one in six." "Numbers of poor, uninsured increase, census figures show".

See you in Havana

"Island Travel & Tours will offer a flight from the Washington area and become the third company to offer Cuba service from Tampa." "New charter flights from U.S. to Cuba announced".

The Sarasota connection

The Sarasota Herald Tribune editorial board: "A statement by FBI Miami — discounting new reports of a possible 9/11 link to a Saudi family that once lived in Sarasota — is wholly unsatisfying."

It points to a need to release information long withheld by the U.S. government.

The FBI statement is at odds with a counterterrorism agent's revelation that the family had received phone calls from numbers linked to the 9/11 hijackers — some of whom took flight training in Venice.

The FBI statement also conflicts with reports that the family was visited by people using a car licensed to Mohamed Atta — who crashed the first plane into the World Trade Center that terrible September morning in 2001.

Last week's bombshell report about the former Sarasota family — heretofore undisclosed despite intense media coverage of the 9/11 investigation and the attacks' al-Qaida perpetrators — was written by independent reporters Anthony Summers and Dan Christensen. It was widely published and led to further reporting by the Herald-Tribune, which detailed the Saudi family's sudden abandonment of their home in the Prestancia subdivision less than two weeks before the 9/11 tragedy.

Crazy train heads back to Orlando

"While most eyes will be focused next week on the presidential candidates speaking at the Republican Party of Florida’s Presidency 5 summit and the American Conservative Union’s Conservative Political Action Conference meeting in Orlando, the field of Republicans aiming to replace Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012 will also be on stage." "With Straw Poll at CPAC Looming, GOP Senate Hopefuls Build Support".

Higher Education Coordinating Council

"Higher Ed Council Prepares Goals for Legislature".

Perry not crazy enough for Florida GOP primary voters?

"A darling of the tea party, Rick Perry could lose some Republican support for his positions on an Arizona-style immigration law, tuition help for some illegal immigrants and his opposition to a border fence." "Will Rick Perry’s political stock plunge over his immigration stance?" Related: "Perry assailed by GOP rivals, defends his record".

"First impressions are discouraging"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Floridians are getting an unusually close look at the Republican candidates for president with Monday night’s debate in Tampa and next week’s debate in Orlando. Halfway through the doubleheader, the first impressions are discouraging." "Many voices, few answers".

At the zoo

"Newt Gingrich seeks out crowd at Tampa zoo event".

What's a winger to do?

"Florida, you may recall, wrestled with the vaccines in 2007. Three Republicans pushed a proposal to make the vaccine mandatory for 11- and 12-year-olds. But the plan, pushed by drugmaker Merck, came under opposition from religious conservatives who said it was akin to promoting early sex." "Gov. Rick Perry's vaccine quandary familiar to Florida Republicans".

"Clash of the silk suit titans"

Fred Grimm: "The capital seems peaceful enough, even a little sleepy in the muggy September heat. But down in the nether regions of Tallahassee, out of public view, terrible mercenaries prepare for the coming battle. Call it the clash of the silk suit titans."

Gambling interests, from South Florida, from Las Vegas, from around the globe, are hiring fearsome armies of lobbyists to shape or thwart gaming legislation percolating in the Legislature. Particularly, the twin bills sponsored by Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff of Fort Lauderdale and Rep. Erik Fresen of Miami that would permit three giant “destination casinos” in South Florida.

Rubio can't make house payments, lectures Obama on foreign affairs

This borders on the absurd: the man who could not keep up with his mortgage payments as criticizes President Obama as "so slow and hesitant that we have missed some significant opportunities to alter the strategic landscape in America’s favor." "Marco Rubio: American Global Leadership 'Missing'". See also "Rubio: Obama missed chances in Iran, Syria".

Background: "Senate candidate Marco Rubio in foreclosure tangle over Tallahassee property" ("Marco Rubio is again answering questions about troubles with his personal finances after a bank sought to foreclose on a Tallahassee home he owns with another Miami lawmaker. Rubio and David Rivera, the House budget chairman who is running for Congress in Miami, failed to make payments for five months").

Citizens lash out against Citizens

"Homeowners trying to stay afloat lash out against increases in sinkhole insurance rates from state-run Citizens Property Insurance." "Citizens policyholders jeer rate hikes". See also "Citizens Blast Citizens' Rate Hike Proposal".

"Florida will be the center of the political universe in 2012"

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board writes "forget about Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. Florida will be the center of the political universe in 2012."

Florida is a king-maker in both the primary and general election contests for president, the GOP candidates are coming back for the Presidency 5 convention and debate held in Orlando from Sept. 22 to Sept. 24, with the sponsors being Fox News and the state GOP. The Presidency 5 convention will end with a non-binding straw poll -- an event that is growing in importance as Republicans battle it out for frontrunner status.

Florida has been a key swing state in presidential elections and an important primary state -- especially on the GOP side -- for years. ...

In the past, Florida lawmakers have erred in scheduling the primary too soon in the election calendar, in a vain attempt to compete with New Hampshire and Iowa as the "first" states. When lawmakers scheduled the primary for Jan. 29 in 2008, both parties retaliated by cutting Florida's clout at the nominating conventions.

Let's hope that doesn't happen again. Florida should be content to come after the warm-up states: Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. This would position Florida as the clean-up hitter in the national contest.

The presidential game already is under way. And the candidates are flocking to Florida long before the snow begins to fall in Iowa and New Hampshire.

"Resigned under pressure today"

"High-ranking Department of Children and Families administrator Nancy Dreicer resigned under pressure today, after The Palm Beach Post reported that a judge ruled she fraudulently tried to stiff creditors." "Key Florida children's agency official quits amid fraud rulings over her company".

"Faith and Freedom", Republican style

"The Faith and Freedom Coalition will be hold a kickoff for the Republican Party of Florida’s Presidency 5 event next week in Orlando. The FFC event will be held on Thursday, Sept. 22, the first day of Presidency 5, which will feature a debate between the candidates and a straw poll vote." "Social Conservatives Host 2012 Candidates and Florida Republicans at P5".

Thrasher on Greer: "I hear nothing, I see nothing, I know nothing!"

"The state senator who succeeded Jim Greer as head of the Republican Party of Florida signed a severance agreement that promised the disgraced party chairman tens of thousands of dollars. But state Sen. John Thrasher now says he never thought the contract with Greer was executed."

Depositions filed last week at the Orange County Courthouse show how top GOP officials such as Thrasher have distanced themselves from the severance agreement they signed, promising Greer more than $11,000 a month for almost a year after he stepped down as party chair in February 2010.

Greer is charged with steering almost $200,000 of party money toward a fundraising firm, Victory Strategies, he had formed with a top aide while keeping his interest in the company a secret. He has pleaded not guilty and says he is the victim of party conservatives who turned against then-Gov. Charlie Crist, Greer's political benefactor.

Thrasher repeatedly said he "doesn't recall" details of how Greer's severance contract was developed [and] also said he doesn't recall making public statements to reporters in the weeks leading up to Greer's departure that no such agreement existed.

Scheme "to funnel 'secret, illegal contributions'"

"In a recently filed court document, a one-time business partner of Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, requests that the Federal Election Commission add Buchanan to a case that was initially filed against him and the duo’s former car dealership, Hyundai of North Jacksonville."

The FEC initially filed suit against Buchanan’s former business partner, Sam Kazran, and the Hyundai dealership in December — alleging that nearly $68,000 of donations to Buchanan’s 2006 and 2008 campaigns had been reimbursed with dealership funds. In a court filing, the FEC said the reimbursements were part of an “extensive and ongoing scheme” to funnel “secret, illegal contributions” to the campaigns.

Kazran and the dealership were eventually fined nearly $68,000 for using the funds to reimburse employees for their donations, but Kazran has long alleged that Buchanan (who was a majority stakeholder in the company at the time) ordered the violations. In fact, he gave a lengthy deposition to the FEC with specific claims and voicemails from Buchanan himself. In August, two former Buchanan employees backed Kazran’s story — claiming they had been reimbursed for their donations, which they were initially pressured into making.

Kazran has since been attacked by Buchanan’s spokespeople, and says he wants to clear his name.

In his new document, Kazran requests that the court reconsider a motion that sought to name Buchanan and Vern Buchanan for Congress as the proper parties in the action.

"The same empty talk from Florida Republicans"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "We're hearing the same empty talk from Florida Republicans about not taking money from President Obama's second stimulus plan that we heard about President Obama's first stimulus plan." "Take bucks, don't pass them".

Citizen sinkholes

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "For a change, the next big increases in the cost of homeowners insurance won't fall hardest on South Floridians. The issue itself, though, shows how far the state remains from solving the homeowners insurance crisis." "Dig Florida out of a hole". See also "Citizens Board Agrees to Stair-Step Statewide Sinkhole Insurance Rate Hike" and "Citizens board approves caps to sinkhole premium increases".

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "Citizens Property Insurance Corp. took a significant step forward Monday by pledging to spread over time its indefensible proposed rate increases for sinkhole coverage. But the new plan still would be untenable for many elderly and middle class homeowners in the Tampa Bay region." "Pain eased, not erased, by Citizens".

"Austere budget cuts"

"Economists tell the Public News Service that austere budget cuts in states such as Florida are 'a big part of why the economy is back at risk.'" "Public News Service: Austere budget cuts increase risk of another recession".

See you in Havana

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Capitalize on new Tampa-Cuba flights".

Teabaggers agree with ACLU

"Denting the stereotype of tea parties as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Republican Party, tea activists around Florida are applauding a federal judge's decision upholding the Fair Districts amendments." "Tea Partiers Hail Judge's 'Fair Districts' Ruling, Agree With ACLU".

"State Legislature turned away $2.8 million"

"The state Legislature turned away $2.8 million in annual funding from the federal government for comprehensive sex education in Florida." "Legislature turns away millions for comprehensive sex education".

"Department of Economic Opportunity"

"Agency for Workforce Innovation director Cynthia Lorenzo will be chief operating officer at the new Department of Economic Opportunity, the new agency's executive director Doug Darling announced Monday." "Department of Economic Opportunity Leadership Named".

"Lightning in a bottle" for gambling?

"The sponsor of the bill to bring resort casinos to South Florida believes that the arrival of gambling giant Genting, the state's dismal economy and a rush of casino cash gives legislators a chance this year to catch 'lightning in a bottle' and pass the long-sought legislation." "Legislators are counting on rare moment to bring resort casinos to Florida".

"Defaulting at higher rates than a year ago"

"More Florida students can't afford to pay their student loans and are defaulting at higher rates than a year ago, due to the economic malaise, higher interest rates and the rise of for-profit colleges, which often charge higher tuition than public colleges." "Florida student loan defaults rise".

A "clear wake-up call"

"Florida's chief financial officer is well aware that the state has had a "clear wake-up call" with increasing unemployment rates and underwater mortgages. " "Florida's chief financial officer urges legislators to reform tax code, balance budget".

"Unwilling to be a lapdog"

"The Florida Commission on Ethics has suffered its share of criticism over the years for being feckless, a toothless tiger."

Such criticism has a cheap-shot quality. The small watchdog agency is limited by the power it gets from the Legislature, which writes the ethics laws that govern elected officials.

Nine citizens serve on the Ethics Commission — a closely balanced group of Republicans and Democrats chosen by the governor, Senate president and House speaker. A couple of recent developments in Ethics Land suggest that the current group is unwilling to be a lapdog for people who thumb their noses at ethics in government.

Both developments involve a law that dates to 1976 when Reubin Askew was governor. He led a statewide petition drive to force candidates, elected officials and many appointees to reveal information about their personal finances as a check against potential conflicts of interest.

Not everybody takes financial disclosure as seriously as the Ethics Commission does.

"Not a threat: FBI"

"Saudi couple who left country quickly not a threat: FBI".

For the next few weeks, the eight or so Republican presidential candidates will take their Barack Obama bashing-based campaigns to the nation’s most important swing state. They’ll debate Monday tonight in Tampa, and they’ll debate again later in Orlando, where they’ll also speak to a national conservative conference.

Crowning it all off: The Republican Party of Florida’s Sept. 24 straw poll — the best measurement of a candidate’s viability in a state that mirrors the nation’s political mood.

"Cannon furthered the insult"

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "Maybe now Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon will stop wasting taxpayer money and finally get the message that 63 percent of voters sent in November. On Friday, a federal judge in Miami quickly rejected a claim by two self-interested U.S. representatives who sought to invalidate a state constitutional amendment that prescribes how congressional districts are drawn."

Cannon should stop supporting the lawsuit and pledge to actually embrace the voters' will. ... Cannon furthered the insult when he used his office and state tax dollars to join their cause.

"Extremely important health insurance case"

Bill Cotterell: "Today, state employees around here have an extremely important health insurance case coming up at the Division of Administrative Hearings. Unfortunately, if DOAH could bottle its work product, it could put Sominex right out of business."

At 9:30 a.m., Administrative Law Judge Barbara Staros will begin hearings on a contract dispute involving three health maintenance organizations that want to cover more state employees in more places than the state wishes to do business with them. This is a result of a Department of Management Services decision to have only one HMO for state workers in each county — one of the insurance changes that, taken together, Gov. Rick Scott expects will save more than $400 million over a couple of years.

Florida Health Care Plan Inc., United Health Care of Florida Inc. and Coventry Health Care of Florida Inc. are asking DOAH to overrule the analysis of bids and procedures that DMS used in choosing an HMO for each county. AvMed Inc., the winner of HMO contracts for 38 counties, and Capital Health Plan, the only game in town for Leon and six neighboring counties, are playing defense as intervenors in the case.

Mack strives to be noticed

"Connie Mack and Rand Paul File No Confidence Vote Against Timothy Geithner".

While the rest of us watched television

"The day before the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, more than 350 South Florida firefighters ran in Saturday's inaugural Fort Lauderdale Tunnel to Towers 5K to remember and memorialize Steven Siller and the other 343 firefighters that died in the line of duty that day."

Siller, for whom the 5K is dedicated, was off duty on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, but when the news of the attacks came over his news scanner, he turned around his car and headed for Manhattan and the World Trade Center towers.

Siller was met with blocked traffic at the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. But, instead of conceding, he grabbed his heavy gear, abandoned his truck and ran through the tunnel.

Wearing 60 pounds of gear, Siller emerged from the tunnel and continued running toward the World Trade Center towers. He was then picked up by another FDNY crew, but it is believed that he met up with his crew, Squad 1, at Ground Zero.

Neither Siller, nor the rest of his squad, survived that day, but his heroic run through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel — a run of almost exactly five kilometers — has been recreated in cities across the United States since 2002.

Scott looks to reject federal financial help

"President Barack Obama's latest jobs plan calls for $130 billion in aid to state and local governments.

A state-by-state breakdown of the president's plan shows that Florida could receive more than $7.5 billion for schools, roads and other projects. That money would come into a state with a 10.7 percent unemployment rate and one of the nation's highest home foreclosure rates. But Scott spokesman Brian Burgess left open the possibility that the Florida governor could reject money under Obama's latest plan, especially if it added to the federal debt.

But wingnut "retreads" like "Jeb!" are OK?

The occasionally interesting Nancy Smith disappoints with this column today: "Don't look now, but here comes another Democrat[ic] loser looking to choke off party competition in the 2014 election – or at the very least grab a seat at the table."

No kidding, people. Can the majority of registered Democrats possibly be happy with Alex Sink right now?

Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich gets with the News Service of Florida, floats a trial balloon announcing her interest in running for governor in 2014, and barely two days later, up pops Sink.

The 2010 failed gubernatorial candidate circulates a hey-don’t-forget-about-me press release announcing the launch of something she calls the Florida Next Foundation[**].

“Florida Next,” Sink explains, “is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, communications and research organization that I have created to gather the best ideas from everyday Floridians, small-business owners, and entrepreneurs."

Way to stake your claim, Alex.

"Florida Next will use an aggressive platform focusing on interactive social networking, in-person policy forums around the state, opinion polling and online surveys, to reach as broad an audience as possible so Floridians can share their ideas, concerns and aspirations."

Meanwhile, Rich is seeing firsthand that bringing a fresh message -- hers includes education and human services -- doesn't count for diddley. Old horses don’t like new ones anywhere near their pasture.

Redistricting update

"Legislature has received (to-date) 63 citizen-proposed redistricting maps".

And then there's the part where Texas' deforms have failed

"When Gov. Rick Scott asked for input from Florida college presidents this spring on the controversial Texas higher education reforms he supports, he received a three-page letter in July extolling the achievements of Florida colleges over their Texas counterparts. The letter crows that Florida colleges, for instance, have a three-year graduation rate 24 percent better than Texas." "College Presidents Push Back on Texas Higher-Ed Model".

"One of the governor's campaign gimmicks is simply bad policy"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "The federal courts have a chance to end the wholesale assault on personal liberty by Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature and strike a blow against Big Brother government."

A lawsuit filed last week by a U.S. Navy veteran seeks to overturn a new state law that requires welfare applicants to submit to a drug test before receiving cash assistance. The suit comes as preliminary results from the program suggest the scheme may not even result in significant taxpayer savings. What started as one of the governor's campaign gimmicks is simply bad policy, and Republican lawmakers should abandon it.

Dyer has a legitimate opponent

"Buddy Dyer didn't have much trouble winning the Orlando mayor's office in 2003, or holding onto it through two re-elections. But in City Commissioner Phil Diamond, Dyer will face a unique challenge in the April 3 city election: an opponent who has actually won an election before." "Commissioner Phil Diamond a unique foe for Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer".

James Madison Institute in a dither

"Florida's bid for federal funding of an early-childhood education program is drawing mixed reviews amid the specter of Obamacare."

A legislative panel's approval of a $3.4 million grant for a home-visiting program for at-risk mothers makes the state eligible for up to $100 million in federal Race to the Top education funds.

Proponents say such programs have proven effective at producing more healthy pregnancies, reducing child abuse and improving school readiness.

Noting that the state already provides some of these services, advocates say the federal grant will bring added support and structure -- and funds.

But critics warn that federal strings will bind Florida more tightly to Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act widely opposed by state Republican lawmakers.

"With this grant, as with federal funding in several other fields, state officials nationwide are placed in a difficult position akin to that of an audience member called to the stage to take part in a magician’s show," said Robert McClure, president and CEO of the James Madison Institute, a free-market research organization based in Tallahassee.

Second amendment stoopid

"Man shoots self while trying to shoot snake".

lost in courageous, selfless attempts to save others

Florida on the cusp of resort-style casino gambling

"The sponsor of the bill to bring resort casinos to South Florida believes that the arrival of gambling giant Genting, the state’s dismal economy and a rush of casino cash give legislators a chance to catch 'lightening in a bottle' and pass the long-sought legislation this year."

“There is an appetite now to catch these destination resorts and potentially inject $5 billion to $6 billion into the local economy – and that trickles up to the state,’’ said Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami. “If we weren’t in double-digit unemployment and a receding economy, I don’t think there would be much appetite for this bill but, in this environment, it’s almost an obligation to discuss it.”

In the next two weeks, Fresen and Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, will unveil their proposed legislation to allow Genting Malaysia Berhad and its competitors to bid on three licenses to bring resort-style casinos to South Florida.

Not everyone is convinced Florida is having a casino-lightening moment. Dan Adkins, vice president of Hartman Tyner which owns Mardi Gras Casino in Hollywood, for example, agrees the odds may be better than usual for getting a casino bill passed this year. But, after decades of trying, he predicts the odds “are still long.”

Part of the problem is that the resort casinos can’t agree on what they want. (Genting and Wynn Resorts want legislators to allow for multiple gaming permits to be issued in Miami, for example, while Sands wants a single permit.) Local horse and dog tracks still hold sway over many lawmakers, and the Seminole Tribe pays $250 million a year to keep competitors out.

To gear up for the fight, Genting, the Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts and Caesars Palace have hired dozens of lobbyists, written thousands of dollars in political checks and, in Genting’s case, invested millions in Miami real estate.

The Teabag express is on its way

"Florida will take center stage in the presidential race this month, starting with Monday's GOP candidates' debate in Tampa and leading up to the Presidency 5 straw poll, an event expected to identify clearly the leaders and challengers in the race." "Florida is focus of GOP presidential race". See also "Tampa debate on Monday to kick off big Florida push in Republicans' 2012 presidential race", "2012 presidential spotlight hits Florida this month" and "GOP candidates' September events in Florida".

The spats and ascot crowd

Kingsley and the spats and ascot swells down at the club don't believe in global warming.

"Perry has some explaining to do"

"The focus of the Republican presidential campaign this week turns to Florida, where one in six residents receives Social Security benefits. And Rick Perry has some explaining to do." "As Florida debate looms, Gov. Rick Perry rides into Social Security storm".

For developers, "the legal terrain has been dramatically shifted"

"This week, the project is headed back to a courtroom in DeLand. But thanks to a sweeping rewrite of the growth-management act, the legal terrain has been dramatically shifted in favor of the land's longtime owner, a Chicago-based private company called the Miami Corp., and other large landowners and developers." "Growth-law rewrite may pave way for Farmton's 23,000 homes".

Scott's corporate tax cut scheme in jeopardy

Aaron Deslatte: "Florida workers' paychecks are being squeezed, with both weekly hours and wages falling. The U.S. Census Bureau is poised to release new national data this week showing poverty increased in 2010."

State economists are quickly souring on Florida's short-term revenue picture, because the state's economy is more reliant than most on consumer sales, and shoppers can snap their checkbooks closed in a heartbeat.

So is now the time for Gov. Rick Scott to revisit his campaign pledge to eliminate the corporate income tax? Or is that pledge falling victim to Florida's still-skintight revenue picture? ...

But the political climate for giving tax cuts to major corporations has worsened. ...

Major tax reform is always easier when lawmakers have cash to burn.

When Gov. Jeb Bush and GOP lawmakers phased out the "intangibles" tax on investment earnings, they did so with the cushion of a white-hot real-estate market pouring cash into government coffers faster than they could spend it.

But state economists cautioned last week that Florida's economy was in danger of quickly slowing down, which could put the state budget in the red once again next year. On Friday, they officially put the brakes on their expectations for growth in 2012 and 2013.

"Essentially, the economy will be fairly flat … over the next 18 months," legislative economist Amy Baker said. "While we never had a strong recovery, we previously [expected] an uptick beginning in January that we have now removed."

"U.S. Senator-turned-banker"

That's our Mel, the "U.S. Senator-turned-banker". Ain't life grand:

When U.S. Senator-turned-banker Mel Martinez pulled out an oversized check at Miami Northwestern Senior High School on Wednesday, it was a big deal for the school and Liberty City.

“I’m extremely proud today on behalf of J.P. Morgan Chase to present a check for one thousand dollars,” Martinez said.

The bank chairman quickly corrected himself as the crowd laughed.

“A million dollars,” Martinez said. “Sorry about that. It’s that Washington-speak, you know. A thousand, a million, it’s all money.”

Perry eager to participate in Florida straw poll

"Michele Bachmann and Romney have declared they won't actively campaign for the Florida GOP's Presidency 5 straw poll mock election Sept. 24, but Perry says he's eager to participate." "GOP straw poll".

"Top Republican hopefuls have given up on the Hispanic vote"

Andres Oppenheimer: "Like many Latin American immigrants watching the Sept. 7 televised debate among Republican hopefuls, I drew a clear-cut conclusion after the show — these guys don’t like us."

How can the Republican Party win the 40 percent of the Hispanic vote that most pollsters say it will need in the 2012 elections if their front-runners alienate Hispanic voters on issues such as immigration and cutting social programs, I asked several Republican strategists.

Republican pollster Nicole McCleskey told me that “what’s going to be the key factor in 2012 is Obama’s poor performance among white voters. Because he is doing poorly among white voters, it decreases the necessity of the Republican candidate getting to that 40 percent figure.”

My opinion: In their quest for support of their party’s right wing in the primaries, top Republican hopefuls have given up on the Hispanic vote. That’s likely to cost their party the 2012 elections. ...

What we don’t need is cheap demagoguery. I, for one, felt that none of the front-runners likes Hispanic immigrants.

Huntsman shifts manpower out of Florida headquarters

"Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman is turning his attention away from Florida toward New Hampshire. Though he has hired former Jeb Bush and Tim Pawlenty fundraiser Ann Herberger, Huntsman is shifting manpower out of his Orlando campaign headquarters to New Hampshire, where he has consistently polled toward the bottom of the field. The campaign early on had committed to participating in the Florida straw poll, but on Friday said shifting attention to New Hampshire partly reflected "the diminished importance of Florida's 'P5.'" "Presidency 5 spurned".

Second amendment stoopid

"Deadly accidental shootings on the rise in South Florida".

Obama campaign hires Jotkoff

"Former Florida Democratic Party communications director Eric Jotkoff has been hired to be Florida press secretary for Barack Obama's campaign, Organizing for America." "Obama campaign hire".