"Florida wreaks havoc on presidential primary schedule"

"State leaders wreaked havoc on the presidential primary schedule by setting Florida’s 2012 presidential primary for Jan. 31 — provoking a torrent of anger in Iowa and South Carolina." "Florida sets Jan. 31 primary date, bucking GOP rules". See also "Florida presidential primary will be held Tues., Jan. 31", "Florida's presidential primary election set for Jan. 31", "Early primary could hurt Florida, some Republicans say", "Presidential primary schedule likely to start in early January with Florida setting Jan. 31 election" and "Early-Voting States Want Tougher Penalties for Florida; GOP Says No". Related: "Strawn wants punishment for pro-calendar leap voters" ("chairman of the Iowa Republican Party is asking officials at the national level to enforce new sanctions on Florida Republicans.")

"Critics of the decision, including some prominent Florida Republicans, say the move could backfire and actually diminish Florida's influence."

That's because, under national party rules, the RNC decreed that only Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina can conduct elections before March 6 — Florida will have lose half of its 99 delegates, making it less of a prize for candidates who don't want to spend the millions of dollars it costs to run a statewide election in the Sunshine State.

"The only thing others will say is that going early will help Florida be more significant. I would submit that we will be less significant, because no candidate can get momentum from the few delegates they will get from Florida," said Republican national committeeman Paul Senft of Haines City. "Further, how much more significant can we get than hosting the convention? … We will have little, if any, impact on the delegate count for any candidate."

Nonsense, counter supporters of the early primary. Delegates don't mean much, anyway.

"It is indisputable that what matters most in the early primary season is MOMENTUM, not delegates,'' U.S. Rep. David Rivera of Miami wrote in an e-mail to party officials Friday. "That is why states like Iowa and New Hampshire, which have minuscule delegates, matter. As in 2008, Florida will provide overwhelming momentum not because of our delegate count, but because Florida's critical role in the November election."

Rivera, 46, may not recall the 1976 primary when Gerald Ford lacked enough delegates to secure the nomination, and only won after a convention floor fight with Ronald Reagan.

"Early primary a gamble for Florida".

"Paul Senft, one of three Florida representatives on the Republican National Committee, emailed the four GOP leaders of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada Friday morning to apologize for and note his embarrassment of his inability to keep his state’s primary from moving into January." "Not unanimous in Florida about the date".




And the guy has the audacity to expect a pension?

"A Hillsborough County deputy was shot Friday night while responding to a 911 call." "Hillsborough deputy wounded in shooting; suspect in custody".




PBA wins privatization case

"A state judge ruled Friday that the Legislature violated the law and Florida's Constitution by using budget language to order prisons to be privatized in 18 South Florida counties, and demanded that the project be stopped immediately."

"Actions taken to date are declared illegal without authority in violation of law," Leon County Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford wrote in a strongly-worded, six-page decision that faulted lawmakers for a lack of transparency.

Fulford said the Legislature trampled on existing privatization law by ordering the Department of Corrections to seek proposals from private vendors to run 29 prisons and work camps. She also found that the project violated state law because the agency failed to do a business-case study of the pros and cons of privatization before seeking proposals from vendors.

Fulford emphasized that privatizing state prisons is allowed by law, but that the Legislature went about it the wrong way.

"Florida judge rules prison privatization procedure unconstitutional". See also "Florida judge calls prison outsourcing unconstitutional", "Judge blocks lawmakers' plan to privatize 29 South Florida prisons", "Prison privatization plan ruled unconstitutional" and "Prison privatization on hold after court ruling".

Meanwhile, legal geniuses "Rick Scott, Mike Haridopolos Critical of Judge's Prison Ruling".

Note: Fulford is the same judge who is hearing the FRS lawsuit.




No can do Ricky

"U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown has waded into the uproar surrounding Workforce Central Florida, insisting that Gov. Rick Scott has no authority to block federal funding of the region's embattled jobs agency. Brown, D-Jacksonville, said in a statement that she had spoken with U.S. Labor Department officials and was assured that 'it is out of the purview of the Florida Governor to halt the program's funding.'" "Scott can't stop Workforce funds, Rep. Brown says".




Entrepreneurs in action

"20 South Floridians indicted in home equity loan fraud case".




What's wrong with Hillsborough?

"Iuculano launches anti-gay attack on Beckner".




Yost lashes out at Brown

"In an email sent out to supporters this morning, Corrine Brown opponent Mike Yost lashes out at the Democratic congresswoman’s decision to continue her lawsuit against Fair Districts Amendment 6." "Yost on redistricting appeal: Brown ‘as predictable as they come’".




Runnin' wit' the devil

"At an Orlando conference for crisis pregnancy centers packed with more than 1,000 attendees, former Planned Parenthood employee-turned anti-abortion advocate Abby Johnson told the room that they had to fight Planned Parenthood, a group she says is 'working with the devil.'"

Meanwhile, erstwhile devil-fighter,

Congressman Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, has asked the president of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards, for the organization’s financial and policy records as part of an investigation into the chain of clinics. Stearns chairs a subcommittee on oversight and investigations in the U.S. House. Stearns was asked to look into Planned Parenthood by Americans United for Life, an anti-abortion rights group that put together a report with the aim of convincing members of Congress to defund Planned Parenthood.

"Abby Johnson: Planned Parenthood ‘working with the devil’".




"Looking more like Old Florida than new"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board:

Not one woman sits on the Board of Trustees at St. Petersburg College, where more than six of every 10 students are female. There's only one woman and one minority on the board at Hillsborough Community College, where women and minorities make up 56 percent and 50 percent, respectively, of the student body. Gov. Rick Scott, in finally making appointments at these two taxpayer-funded institutions, has produced boards of trustees that look more like Old Florida than new.

"Lack of diversity on college boards".




"Unless money falls out of the sky"

"Jane Johnson, the governor's top budget aide for health care spending, warns at hearings on legislative budget requests that 'unless money falls out of the sky' more budget cuts appear likely." "Health care agencies are told that budget cuts will likely be 'a reality' in 2012".




Week in Review

"The Week in Review for Sept. 26-Oct. 1". See also "Weekly Roundup: Hello, January Primary; Goodbye, Colorful Governor".




Polluters outraged

"The waters of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge - a remnant of the northernmost portion of the original Everglades - must be protected by Florida's strict phosphorus reduction rule, a federal judge ruled today." "Judge: Water leaving Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge must meet strict phosphorus rule".




Atwater's Teabaggery

"'There are people bent on changing who we are. Half the population feels entitled to the sweat and sacrifice of the other half,' Atwater told an Indian River Tea Party gathering in Vero Beach last week." "Jeff Atwater Assails Citizens Insurance, Encourages Conservatives".




One in six Floridians live in poverty

The Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy reports that "the number of Floridians in poverty surpassed three million in 2010, the Census Bureau reported last week."

One of every six Floridians and almost one of every four children under 18 live in poverty. That means they live in a two-person family earning no more than $14,676 annually or a three-person family earning no more than $17,374.

It is in this environment of growing poverty that the Florida Legislature cuts safety net programs like unemployment compensation and Medicaid designed to cushion Floridians from the worst effects of economic downturns. State policymakers also reject federal funding for health and social services for Floridians and oppose the federal health care law that would provide insurance coverage to millions of the uninsured.

Read the report.

"Three Million Floridians in Poverty; Legislature Cuts Safety Net".




Broken clocks

"The GOP presidential candidates and Florida Republicans disagree on many issues, but they mostly agree that K-12 education policies should be designed at the local level and that the federal government should play a limited role." "GOP presidential candidates want to limit federal role in K-12 education".




Poor Vern

"Buchanan has been plagued with rumors of campaign fraud in recent years. In June, his former business partner was fined nearly $68,000 for reimbursing employees who donated to Buchanan’s 2006 and 2008 campaigns. That business partner alleges Buchanan himself orchestrated the scheme. At least 14 other lawsuits have made similar allegations." "Venice retiree files ethics complaint against Buchanan".




Ordinances prohibiting guns in parks are now null and void

"As of Saturday, gun laws are uniform throughout the state. Local ordinances prohibiting guns in parks or at the ocean are null and void." "New state law puts bullet in local gun ordinances". See also "With change in state law, guns now allowed in Palm Beach County governmental center".

Florida GOP caught in a three way immigration vortex

Florida's Republicans are caught in a three way jam on immigration: (1) one faction, including TeaBaggers, wants every employer to E-verify the immigration status of their workers and and also opposes a path to citizenship, and even rejects allowing the children of undocumented workers to pay in state tuition rates; (2) the country clubbers want businesses to be free to exploit undocumented workers without having to verify their immigration status; and (3) GOP strategists don't want to risk losing the Latino vote.

That being the case, Mary Ellen Klas wonders: "[c]an Florida legislators turn their backs on immigration reform?"

That is the question hovering over Republicans after Rick Perry's performance in last week's presidential debate and the results of the Florida straw poll, which show that being soft on the issue can imperil Republicans strapped to a primary.

Florida's tea party activists say they will accept nothing short of requiring every employer to check the immigration status of their workers through the federal E-verify program when legislators convene the regular session in January. But armed with the support of Florida's powerful agriculture and business groups, the same legislative leaders who last year promised Arizona-style immigration reform are now barely offering tentative support for it.

Senate President Mike Haridopolos said his chamber is ready to revive a Senate bill, which gives police additional enforcement power. But the watered-down measure does not include E-verify and is too weak for many in the tea party.

Gov. Rick Scott, after requiring state agencies to use E-verify and campaigning for it to be implemented statewide, told the Times/Herald Thursday that his priority is not E-verify but to give law enforcement the ability to check the immigration status of people they stop.

"Immigration reform gets little traction among Florida GOP lawmakers".


House to spend tax dollars attacking Fair Districts

"Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, told reporters yesterday that the House plans to join two members of Florida’s congressional delegation in appealing a judge’s decision to reject a lawsuit that sought to block one of Florida’s Fair Districts amendments from taking effect."

Cannon has been hit with criticism for the Florida House’s participation in the lawsuit, originally filed by U.S. Reps. Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville, and Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami. A federal judge threw out that lawsuit three weeks ago.

"Florida House will continue to fight Fair Districts amendment in court". See also "Florida House to continue fight to overturn congressional Fair Districts amendment" and "".


Second amendment stoopid

"West Palm Beat: Mayor revises executive order on guns in city hall… again".


FRS slow walking Fasano's info request

"When state Sen. Mike Fasano requested records about a $125 million pension fund investment, the head of the State Board of Administration sent him a three-page invoice for $10,750.13."

"The cost to the Florida Retirement System (FRS) for satisfying your inquiry using original documents is estimated to exceed $10,000," SBA chief Ash Williams wrote, "and completion of the associated legal process will likely take months."

Stunned, Fasano fired back with a letter to the SBA trustees: Gov. Rick Scott, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Attorney General Pam Bondi.

"I do not want to accuse anyone of attempting to hide anything… '' wrote Fasano, R-New Port Richey. "However, when a $10,000 bill is sent with a warning that it could take months to supply the information requested, a reasonable person could perceive that perhaps something is in fact being hidden."

"At issue is the SBA's decision to invest up to $125 million of public pension money in a hedge fund called Starboard Value and Opportunity, a spinoff of Ramius LLC."


Williams signed off on the investment in early 2010 after exchanging e-mails with Ramius' president, Thomas Strauss. Strauss was a client at Fir Tree Partners, a hedge fund where Williams was a managing director before taking over the SBA in October 2008.

Williams said the firm was under consideration when he arrived at the SBA and won the deal on merit.

"Fasano miffed by invoice for records". Related: "A letter from the head of the State Board of Administration to state Sen. Mike Fasano", "The preliminary invoice in response to the public records request" and "The senator's written response to the SBA board of trustees".


Hialeah lays off nearly 40 percent of the fire department

"Hialeah’s mayor promises services won’t change despite laying off nearly 40 percent of the fire department. But critics say officials are putting them at risk in favor of political expediency." "In Hialeah, fallout after firefighter layoffs".



RPOF to finalize Jan 31 primary date today

"Florida leaders have agreed to move the state's presidential primary to Jan. 31, more than a month ahead of schedule, in order to make sure the nation's largest swing state will go fifth in the nominating pecking order. The move is expected to be formalized Friday by a panel named by Gov. Rick Scott and GOP legislative leaders, and forces the traditional early-voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina to advance their own caucuses and primaries to early or mid-January in order to keep their political pole positions." "Florida moving presidential primary to Jan. 31". See also "GOP starting line inches toward New Year's Day", "Florida's early primary plan draws criticism from South Carolina GOP" and "Dean Cannon Unconcerned About Early Primary Backlash".

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "The move would put Florida in position to be among the first primaries in the nation, giving it more influence in picking the presidential nominee for the Republican Party. But it also violates the party's scheduling rules, and it will result in a loss of delegates at the national convention next year in Tampa. There is no good answer to this quadrennial quandary, except to say that this elbow-throwing gamesmanship is no way to pick a nominee for president." "Florida's power play". The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Florida a primary player".

However, Daniel Ruth points out that "will it really matter? Well, considering the cast of Jersey Shore loom as more viable presidential timber than the current Republican field of cranky, delusional, megalomaniacal, huckstering, whiny candidates, the nominating process has lost some of its luster. With crowds cheering over letting uninsured people to go ahead and die, this has not exactly been a Lin-colnesque moment on the hustings."



Stearns' folly

"Wasserman Schultz: Planned Parenthood investigation ‘burdensome and politically motivated’".



Rubio strides world stage

"Florida Sen. Marco Rubio arrived in Libya on Thursday, joining a small group of lawmakers for meetings with the former rebels who have ended the rule of Col. Moammar Gadhafi." "Sen. Marco Rubio in Libya to meet with opposition movement leaders". See also "Rubio 'cautiously optimistic about Libya's future' after touring Tripoli".



Impending collapse of utility authority

"Scott does not plan to intervene in the financial travails of the Glades Utility Authority, leaving the utility and county to find a way out of its impending collapse." "Gov. Scott won't intervene in Glades utility $2M shortfall; leaving county to work on bailout".



"Florida should avoid a recession"

"Florida should avoid a recession through the start of 2012, even as some state economies show signs of shrinking, according to a Federal Reserve index." "No Florida recession, Fed index says".



"Florida courts will run out of money"

"Chief justice warns Florida courts will run out of money". See also "Florida's courts hammered yet again with budget shortfall".


Worshipping TaxWatch

Avoiding the structural deficiencies in Florida's public finance system - exacerbated by 8 years of Jebicide - the Orlando Sentinel editorial board yet again worships at the feet of TaxWatch: "Some sensible ways to shore up budget".


The first Miami-Dade labor contracts up for a vote go down

"Miami-Dade’s supervisors and professional employees rejected labor contracts Thursday, the first two of the county’s 10 bargaining units to act on proposed concessions under the county’s lean new budget, which takes effect Saturday. The action of the two groups, who may be the most closely aligned to the administration, could signal trouble ahead from the eight other union groups, including water and sewer workers and police officers." "2 union groups reject Miami-Dade labor contracts".


Death penalty politics

The Sarasota Herald Tribune editors: "Death penalty's high price".


Medicaid deform

"This is the sixth extension that has been sought by state officials who have been negotiating to get a 3-year extension of a five-county Medicaid pilot program. The negotiations are expected to set the stage for the approval of a statewide Medicaid managed-care program." "State seeks another extension for its Medicaid program".


Fundraising quarter ends Friday, Nelson challengers scrambling

"With the third quarter of 2011 ending on Friday, the four leading Republican candidates looking to challenge Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012 scrambled this week to raise funds, hoping for an impressive showing that will help propel them ahead of the pack." "GOP Senate Hopefuls Scramble to Raise Funds to Take on Bill Nelson".



Obama barely edges Paul in Florida

"A poll from Public Policy Polling, a firm with connections to prominent Democrats, found that President Barack Obama would have a fight to keep Florida in his column in 2012 as two Republican candidates -- former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas -- were right on his heels in the Sunshine State."

"Obama led Romney by the skin of his teeth, taking 46 percent against the Republican who was right behind him with 45 percent. Obama led Paul by the same margin, beating the Texas congressman 45 percent to 44 percent." "Ron Paul and Mitt Romney Close in on Obama in Florida". The poll results are here: "Florida close".


"Rubio auditioning for vice-president?"

"Is Marco Rubio auditioning for vice-president?"


Legal giant Dean Cannon disses PBA lawsuit

"A Leon County judge is mulling a union request to block efforts to privatize prisons in 18 South Florida counties, as the Florida Police Benevolent Association says lawmakers violated the state Constitution in crafting the plan. Meanwhile, Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon called the legislation justified." "Union Lawsuit Over Private Prisons in Judge's Hands". See also "Prison guards challenge privatization of South Florida lockups" and "Judge hears Fla. prison privatization challenge".


Huntsman keeps hoping

"Former Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah garnered the support of three Florida Republicans on Thursday -- state Sen. Rene Garcia of Hialeah, state Sen. Paula Dockery of Lakeland and Longwood Mayor Joe Durso. " "GOP 2012 Hopeful Jon Huntsman Gets Backing of Two Florida State Senators".



Negative effects of gaming

The TC Palm editors: "Studies show many negative effects on communities when gaming options are close at hand. These include: all sorts of social problems, increases in foreclosures and prostitution, and a loss of jobs in existing businesses and restaurants suddenly forced to compete with casinos." "What price is Florida willing to pay to add destination resort casinos to its already plentiful gaming options?".

A second round of deleted Scott e-mails

"For a second time, e-mails to and from Florida Gov. Rick Scott have been deleted in possible violation of state law."

Scott's team acknowledged in August, months after a Times/Herald request for transition records, that dozens of e-mail accounts had been deleted from a private computer server where the documents were stored.

The accidents keep piling up:

Now, Scott's office has confirmed e-mails stored on Scott's iPad were deleted when a Governor's Office staffer in charge of technology tried to print the documents. Both incidents have been described as accidental.

Meanwhile, Scott's office has not fulfilled requests for other public records from the transition, including one for documents that would show whether Scott crafted his legislative agenda with the same type of focus group testing that shaped his $80 million campaign for governor. ...

Violations of public records law carry a maximum $500 fine and more serious penalties, including impeachment, for any official who "knowingly violates" the statutes.

"E-mails evaporate again". See also "FDLE investigating missing e-mails" and "".




Florida's cities have higher unemployment rates

"Florida’s unemployment rate hit 10.9 percent for August, but 12 out of 20 metropolitan areas had higher unemployment rates, according to the “Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment” report (.pdf) released Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics." "Many Florida cities seeing unemployment rates above statewide average".




"Florida primary mayhem"

"Brushing aside threats from national Republicans, Florida’s GOP is preparing to set its primary election for Jan. 31 – ahead of every state in the nation, including Iowa and New Hampshire. The leapfrog is prompting states traditionally first to vote to consider moving their elections closer to the holiday season and damages the hopes of lesser known candidates who cannot afford to compete in a state as big as Florida so early." "Florida creating primary mayhem".

"The move is expected to be formalized Friday by a panel named by Gov. Rick Scott and GOP legislative leaders, and forces the traditional early-voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina to advance their own caucuses and primaries to early or mid-January in order to keep their political pole positions."

Florida Republican leaders said the move was necessitated by a rush of states such as Missouri, Michigan and Arizona to hold their elections sooner in the hope of having more sway in the presidential race. ...

But critics say the state is bucking the calendar both national parties agreed last year to follow for the sake of trumpeting its own outsized importance.

"It's just a big game of chicken, and the voters deserve better than this," said Florida Democratic Party Executive Director Scott Arceneaux.

"The Republicans and the Democrats agreed to a calendar over a year ago. The Republicans here in Florida don't want to follow their own rules."

"Florida moving presidential primary to Jan. 31". See also "GOP presidential primary likely on Jan. 31" and "Florida will likely hold early primary, disrupting nominating process".




Stearn’s publicity stunt condemned

"Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., have joined a handful of members of Congress in condemning Rep. Cliff Stearn’s recently launched investigation into Planned Parenthood’s finances and policies." "Members of Congress condemn Stearns’ Planned Parenthood investigation".




"Firearms in parks, buildings and other public places"

"Local officials across Florida are scrambling to repeal gun control ordinances, including bans on firearms in parks, buildings and other public places, before a new state law goes into effect. The new state law requires governments at the local level to follow state gun laws, which are generally less restrictive. The new law is one of 29 that become effective Saturday." "New Fla. gun law has local officials scrambling".




Scott to review agency contracts

"Gov. Rick Scott's office recently resumed reviewing state agency contracts of $1 million or more after a months-long hiatus, according to an internal memo obtained by the Times/Herald."

Scott initiated the process on his Jan. 4 inauguration day with an executive order that also froze agency rulemaking. The part dealing with contract review expired after 90 days.

Jerry McDaniel, director of Scott's Office of Policy and Budget, resurrected the process with a Sept. 15 memo to executive agencies that the Times/Herald received through a public records request.

He didn't leave it at contracts. The agencies must also flag requests for proposals, invitations to negotiate and other competitive solicitations on a weekly basis.

"Governor's office again reviewing contracts".




Polluters go after Sierra Club

"Free Market Florida, the group that has long decried a set of federally mandated water pollution standards [a/k/a the folks who will benefit from the abandonment of the EPA’s nutrient criteria], has unveiled its latest video, this one aimed at two environmental groups: the Sierra Club and Earthjustice." "Free Market Florida unveils new clip it says ‘unmasks Sierra Club as enemy of American prosperity’".




"Education privatization further and faster than any other state"

"Florida is pursuing education privatization further and faster than any other state, conducting a risky experiment with the education of 2.6 million public school students and the schools that serve them. Florida already is the leader among the states in the number of students in voucher programs and public dollars expended for them. The Florida Legislature went even further in its 2011 session, expanding every alternative to traditional public schools—even while it cut public school funding for the fourth year in a row." "Florida Pursues Risky Experiment Of Education Privatization".




"Massive bonus to managed care plans"

"The Medicaid legislation passed during the 2011 session aims to expand Florida's experimental managed care plan. One of the most controversial issues debated was the question of what standards should be used to regulate HMO profits."

The choice selected by the legislature—called “achieved savings rebate”—delivers a massive bonus to managed care plans and their frequently out-of-state executives and investors, at the expense of the most vulnerable patients and Florida taxpayers.

The option not selected—“medical loss ratio”—would have reduced HMO profits and provided more accountability that has been lacking for Medicaid managed care in Florida.

"Medicaid Plan Increases HMO Profits".




"Ros-Lehtinen the lone Republican"

"In its latest appeal for donations, the National Organization for Marriage is calling on supporters to fund a new campaign that targets U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami, for her recent decision to co-sponsor the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act."

The appeal espouses the notion that LGBT rights groups are “desperate to divide the Republican Party,” given Ros-Lehtinen is the lone Republican joining 124 Democrats co-sponsoring the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act.

"National Organization for Marriage attacks Ros-Lehtinen over same-sex marriage".




Cuban oil

"A group of lawmakers warned a Spanish company against drilling for oil off the coast of Cuba, saying the investment would benefit the Castro regime." "Lawmakers warn against oil drilling".




Hasner announces Jax endorsements

"Former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner announced Wednesday that three state legislators from the First Coast are backing his bid for the Republican nomination to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012. Hasner’s team sent out a statement announcing they had the support of Rep. Daniel Davis, R-Jacksonville; Rep. Lake Ray, R-Jacksonville; and Rep. Mike Weinstein, R-Orange Park." "GOP Senate Hopeful Adam Hasner Gets Support on the First Coast".




Carroll changes the subject

Out Lt. Gub'ner has had enough of this, so she holds a press conference about this: "Carroll Plugs Florida's Aerospace Potential on D.C. Visit".




Vern not runnin' for U.S. Senate

"U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan will not run for the U.S. Senate. After months of keeping the option of a Senate run open, the Longboat Key Republican has declared that he will not try to run against U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, a Democrat, in 2012. He will seek re-election to the 13th District congressional seat." "Vern Buchanan not running for U.S. Senate".




"Push to expand casino gaming"

"An inexorable push to expand casino gaming is gaining momentum in Florida."

Seeking to lure high-rolling "whales" to Las Vegas-style destination-resort casinos in Miami and Broward County, promoters are betting that the 2012 Legislature will go along for the ride.

Amid the state's search for jobs, gamblers are getting a more friendly reception from lawmakers and Gov. Rick Scott.

Scott has said he would support casinos as long as local voters approve.

"Is Florida Warming to Las Vegas-Style Destination Casino Gambling?".




"Stain on the judiciary"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Paul Hawkes is the arrogant, duplicitous judge on Florida's 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee who put construction of a lavish $50 million courthouse for himself and his fellow judges before judicial ethics or integrity. Now, as he answers for his actions before Florida's Judicial Qualifications Commission, Hawkes should forfeit his job. Any sanction short of Hawkes' removal from the bench would be too lenient in light of the stain he has left on the judiciary." "Arrogant judge merits no leniency".




Kirk passes

"Former Florida Gov. Claude Kirk dies at 85".

Nelson challengers "curiously quiet"

"Sen. Bill Nelson's prospective GOP challengers were curiously quiet this week after the Democrat was raked over the coals by the National Republican Senatorial Committee." "Tom Rooney Assails Bill Nelson Stance on Funding Bill -- But No One Else?".




Stearns grubs for wingnuts

"Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, is moving forward with his plans to launch an investigation of Planned Parenthood, a national chain of women’s health clinics."

Stearns mentioned back in July that such an investigation was possible, after the release a report arguing that lawmakers should defund Planned Parenthood. The report was written by Americans United for Life, an anti-abortion group. As The American Independent reported, Americans United called upon Congress to hold an investigation looking into Planned Parenthood’s finances and practices. While Planned Parenthood has called the report false and “ideologically driven,” Stearns did not rule out launching an investigation.

Sarah Kliff of Politico reports that Stearns, who chairs a subcommittee on oversight and investigations, has already asked the president of Planned Parenthood to provide the committee with a range of documents.

"Florida congressman moves forward with Planned Parenthood investigation".




Teabagger Alert: Rubio a mini-Perry on tuition breaks for undocumented children

"Texas Gov. Rick Perry has created a hornet's nest of controversy in conservative circles by defending his Texas policy of offering in-state tuition to undocumented students."

It is one of the deviations from conservative orthodoxy that has brought Perry strife in Florida, especially in tea party circles. Florida does not allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition.

Down the line, conservatives may have other high-profile figures to question on the issue: Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a tea party favorite and GOP vice presidential possibility, once backed a bill similar to the Texas law when he was in the Florida legislature.

But for now it is Perry taking the heat.

"If you say that we should not educate children who have come into our state for no other reason than they have been brought there by no fault of their own, I don't think you have a heart," Perry said in the GOP presidential debate Thursday in Orlando.

"Florida's political climate cool to in-state college fees for immigrants, as issue becomes hot".




Charter madness

"School board might open its own charter schools".




Scott grilled

"Scott was grilled at a Sun Sentinel editorial board meeting today on a range of issues, including home and automobile insurance." "Gov. Scott answers questions about auto, home insurance".




A Legislature that claims to decry government interference

The Tampa Tribune editors:

When the Florida Legislature passed its infamous gag law preventing doctors from talking to patients about the risks posed by firearms in the home, it was generally taken for granted that the vote was a bow to the gun lobby. It was indeed. Not surprisingly, a federal judge recently blocked the law from being enforced.

And when lawmakers passed legislation requiring Floridians applying for welfare to submit to drug tests, they were accused of an uncivil, unfair and even unconstitutional attack on the poor. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit in Miami last week on behalf of a veteran who refused to take the test and was denied assistance to help care for his son. Also last week, state Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, filed a bill to repeal the law.

Both laws are in their own way unsettling, because they come from a Legislature that decries excessive government interference.

"More laws than we need".




We don' need no stinkin' gub'ment reger'lations

"131,300 lbs. of ground beef, some shipped to Fla., recalled".




Carroll takes heat

"A former aide to Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll who was booted this month for publicly slamming her boss’ office wants Carroll to face the same fate."

“I am hereby calling for the removal of Jennifer Carroll from the office of lieutenant governor for not faithfully performing the duty of office,” wrote Carletha Cole in an email with the headline “Impeach Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll.”

The House and Senate can vote to impeach a lieutenant governor.

In the email, Cole alleges that Carroll created a hostile work environment.

She says that Carroll’s travel aide routinely withheld important information, and that the issue blew up during a staff meeting.

"Ex-Carroll staffer calls for her impeachment, says she created hostile work environment".




Regalado squeezes workers while denying he's a crook

"Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado has hired a high-profile defense in response to a state investigation of his 2009 campaign finances."

Among the irregularities the [FDLE] is looking into: about $40,000 in contributions that mysteriously appeared in Regalado’s final campaign report after the deadline for new contributions.

Regalado also accepted at least $8,000 from individuals and companies based in Dominican Republic — donations that are prohibited by federal and state laws.

"Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado hires a criminal-defense lawyer in campaign-finance probe"




"Jeb!" ain't all that

"He’s been called the candidate who could unite all factions of the party, but there’s plenty in Bush for Republicans to grumble about."

He’s been aggressively moderate on immigration, telling Newsmax that the GOP needs to “change the tone of conversation” on the debate, and there’s little indication that the activists who resent his establishment ties have warmed to him.

In fact, Bush proudly opposed Arizona’s controversial immigration law — a stance that’s given Perry some trouble. Further, in a cycle where activists want an aggressive attack against Obama (witness Donald Trump’s strange rise before opting out of a run), Bush’s quiet temperament probably wouldn’t sell.

Soon after the 2008 election, he told The Wall Street Journal that Republican “chest-pounders lost.” Yet a chest-pounder is exactly what voters are looking for right now, and Bush doesn’t appear to want that role.

"Even ‘perfect’ candidates have flaws".




RPOFers dissatisfied with U.S. Senate candidates

"Not satisfied with their current U.S. Senate primary candidates, some Republican insiders are seeking to recruit new ones, possibly including popular Tampa Bay area political figures Tom Lee and Rick Baker. At the same time, U.S. Rep. Connie Mack of Fort Myers, who previously said he wouldn't enter the Senate primary, appeared to re-open the door in comments to the Tampa Tribune this week." "GOP insiders: Tom Lee, Rick Baker could perk up Senate race". See also "GOP insiders: Tom Lee, Rick Baker could perk up Senate race".




Accelerated redistricting map timeline

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Finally, signs of responsiveness on what are among the most crucial electoral decisions in advance of the 2012 elections."

On Sept. 22, the state Senate's Reapportionment Committee announced an accelerated timeline for releasing drafts of new district maps, a public comment period and potential resolution by the Legislature early next year. The new timing announced by committee Chairman Don Gaetz is far better than the unacceptable pace lawmakers initially proposed.

There's no room for doubt in what Florida voters want — no, actually, in what they demanded: electoral districts that are far more competitive than the gerrymandered ones that currently exist. ...

The new schedule could help dispel those suspicions. The committee's final recommendations should be ready for the full Senate as early as the first week of next year's legislative session, which starts in January as opposed to March.

"Florida might just get fairer districts".




Haridopolos speaks

"Haridopolos: Florida Offers Stability, Not Stimulus".




Romney's team

"On Tuesday, after finishing in third place in the Presidency 5 straw poll in Orlando, former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, one of the leading candidates for the Republican presidential nomination, unveiled his team to lead his efforts in the Sunshine State."

Molly Donlin, who led former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s efforts in Florida in the 2008 battle for the Republican presidential nomination, will be Romney’s director in Florida. J.C. Hernandez, the former Miami-Dade GOP executive director and Marco Rubio staffer, will be serving as Romney’s field director. Alex Melendez -- who worked for successful Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott in 2010 and GOP presidential nominee John McCain in 2008 -- will lead Romney’s team in Tampa Bay, while political consultant Andrew Messer will lead his efforts in North Florida. Veteran Florida Republican leader Brett Doster, who led George W. Bush’s efforts in Florida in 2004, will be a strategic adviser for Romney in the Sunshine State.

"Mitt Romney Names Florida Campaign Team".




Obama on his way to O'town

"President Barack Obama will travel to Orlando on Oct. 11." "President to visit Orlando".




A perfect time to cut taxes

"State policy-makers in Florida have been antagonistic toward federal grants. Gov. Rick Scott and the state Legislature have expressed distaste for accepting some federal money, and have even turned away millions of dollars that were already awarded to the state — notably for health programs and transportation. Already, state policy-makers are saying they may eschew possible federal funds that could be set aside to help the state tackle its persistent unemployment problem." "Census report: Florida received third least amount of federal aid in 2010".




Scott opens mouth ...

"After surprising Cain straw poll win, Scott still confident Florida will determine GOP nominee".




Good luck with that

"State Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, has filed a bill that would end the death penalty in Florida." "State lawmaker introduces bill to end death penalty".




Or so they say

"State Employee Pension Changes Keep Retirement Funding Stable".




"Pension envy"

Fred Grimm: "So let’s compare pensions".




"School accountability has gone awry"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "When a school can earn an A from the state and yet be given failing marks by the federal government, there should be no doubt that school accountability has gone awry." "No Child standards need tweak".




"Bizarre final budget hearing"

"In a bizarre final budget hearing even by Miami standards, commissioners finally signed off on a $479 million spending plan for 2012 at 3:32 a.m. Wednesday morning, completing a lengthy session that included a last-minute union deal, and had commissioners confused from the start as numbers changed throughout the day." "Miami ekes out its 2012 budget with a host of concessions from its unions".

Jeb is crazy enough to win the GOP nomination

Mike Thomas whines that he and the rest of

the Jebbies must decide if their search for an alternative to Romney turns into a search for an alternative to Perry.

Which would be Romney.

Unless Gov. Chris Christie becomes the alternative to Perry and Romney, given that Jeb isn't interested in becoming the alternative to all of them.

Jon Huntsman apparently was a suitable alternative to Jebbites like Thomas, but even Thomas concedes

Jon Huntsman isn't crazy and won't even pretend he's crazy, ruling him out.

"Straw poll vaults Cain as Perry fizzles".

Thomas seems to concede that Jeb Bush is crazy; indeed, crazy enough to win the GOP nomination




Rubio laff riot

"Marco Rubio, the West-Miami Republican tea party favorite, is about to write about his life story, his political thoughts and the story of his improbable victory last year in the Senate race vs. former Gov. Charlie Crist."

Born in 1971 at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami, Rubio is the son of Cuban immigrants who left Cuba just before the 1959 revolution. The family later moved to Las Vegas, where Rubio’s father worked as a bartender and his mother at the Imperial Palace casino.

In 1985, Rubio’s family moved back to Miami, where he graduated from South Miami Senior High School four years later. He graduated from the University of Florida and then the University of Miami with a law degree. At age 27, he was elected to West Miami City Commission and then won his state House seat in 2000. Seven years later, he served as the first Cuban-American House speaker in Florida history.

Despite being able to command the nation’s microphone almost at will, Rubio still wants more. And his book is the key.

"Rubio to pen autobiography".




"We're talking certifiably Norman Bates kind of crazy"

Daniel Ruth: "Let's suppose for a moment that you are a Republican and in a moment of experiencing a massive brain lapse, you think it might be a peachy idea to run for public office. Where to begin? What to do? "

Judging from the Conservative Political Action Conference held in Orlando last week, the first thing you need to do is get completely crazy. Not just a little bit crazy. Not just the addled Uncle Festus in the attic crazy.

Nosiree, we're talking certifiably Ezra Pound/Zelda Fitzgerald/Col. Kurtz/Norman Bates kind of crazy.

Ruth continues:

Fortunately, once you check your sanity at the gates of FreedomWorks, you'll have no shortage of role models to emulate.

What better place to start than Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll, who channelled her inner Carrie Nation, accusing the media of engaging in a calculated assault on Christianity by promoting the ideas espoused in The Da Vinci Code and condemning the The Passion of the Christ. ...

It is axiomatic in Republican Party politics that candidates for office face having their Koch Brothers epaulets ripped off if they don't invoke Ronald Reagan's "Shining City on the Hill" reference in every speech. ...

During his speech at CPAC, Senate candidate Adam Hasner at times sounded breathier than Enya as he decried the short memories people have in politics. That is actually a good thing for the former Florida House member, since he supported high-speed rail and the federal stimulus package before these issues became satanic policies aimed at opening the doors to communist domination.

Still Hasner won the straw poll, as well as a two-week engagement opening for Celine Dion at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Much more here: "Republican Party sends in the clowns".




Islam and Teabaggery clash at Broward GOP meeting

"Islam and tea-party activism clashed at a raucous meeting Monday night when a group of Broward County Republicans blocked a Muslim activist as a member of the party's executive committee."

Republicans, who changed their rules to publicly vet Nezar Hamze then vote on his application by secret ballot, said they didn't oppose him because he was a Muslim — but because he is associated with the Center for American-Islamic Relations, whose Washington-area affiliate was an unindicted co-conspirator in a federal terrorism indictment.

Hamze, CAIR's South Florida director, said his local group had nothing to do with the suspect activities in Washington. He said CAIR advocates for civil rights for Muslims, who have been unfairly targeted ever since Sept. 11.

"I'm aligned with Republican values. And I want to serve the party," Hamze said, who earlier told a reporter that any effort to block him was the result of anti-Islamic "bigotry."

At times, when he addressed the packed room at the Sheraton Suites in Fort Lauderdale, a few members shouted out among the crowd of about 300.

"Terrorist!" said one man. ...

In the end, the Broward Republican Executive Committee voted 158-11 to block him from committee membership. He can still attend meetings, but as a member of the public. ...

After the vote to deny membership, Broward Executive Committee chairman Richard DeNapolis said simply: "Mr. Hamze, your membership has been denied."

The crowd cheered loudly.

"Broward GOP blocks Muslim from top committee".




New GOP darling would hit Floridians with 15 percent tax rate

"Herman Cain stunned the Republican political establishment Saturday, easily winning Florida's Presidency 5 straw poll by trumpeting a platform of tax reforms he calls the '9-9-9 Plan.'" Among other things,

Cain's national sales tax, in effect, would attempt to make up for the reduction of federal revenue by creating the 9 percent income tax. The national sales tax, which would help fund the federal government, would be on top of state and local sales taxes, which fund state and local government. In Florida, that would create a hypothetical tax rate of 15 percent in most parts of the state. In the Wall Street Journal, Cain said the national sales tax would be levied "on all new goods." (A good question to ask would be whether services are exempted.) Most economists agree that a national sales tax would raise the relative tax burden on low- and middle-income earning taxpayers. "The main reason is that low- and middle-income households consume more of their income than high-income households do," said William Gale, senior fellow for economic studies at the Brookings Institution.

"The facts on Herman Cain's 9-9-9 tax reform plan". Related: "Herman Cain Draws New Attention -- And Scrutiny".




Another fine statistic

"Florida has fewer registered nurses in schools than 47 other states".




Florida ninth worst state for student loan defaults

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Figures released by the U.S. Department of Education this month showed more than one in 10 Floridians required to start repaying student loans in 2009 had defaulted by the end of last year. The state's 10.5 percent default rate topped the national rate of 8.8 percent, and made Florida the ninth worst state for students going belly up on their loans." "Student loan default surge begs for state action".




From the "values" crowd

"McClatchy/Kaiser: Lawmakers straining budgets of children’s hospitals".




Apopka handout

"In a committee meeting held last week, state legislators from both parties began moving forward on plans introduced by state Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, to help farm workers and residents of Apopka." "Legislator’s plans to help Apopka workers move forward".




LeMieux endorsements

"Three more state legislators are backing former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux for the Republican nomination to take on Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012.
"

Two state senators -- Nancy Detert of Venice and Paula Dockery of Lakeland -- and one state representative -- Clay Ford of Gulf Breeze -- gave LeMieux their endorsements on Monday in a statement released by LeMieux's campaign team.


"Three More State Lawmakers back George LeMieux".




Drug testing lawsuit drags on

"A federal judge in Orlando on Monday gave Florida officials 14 days to respond to a lawsuit challenging the state's ability to drug-test applicants for temporary cash assistance." "State Gets 14 Days to Defend Drug-Testing Law".




Florida's Obama-bashing one step closer to the SCOTUS

Travis Pillow: "The Justice Department did not seek a circuit court rehearing by Monday's deadline, which increases the chances that the challenge will reach the high court during its upcoming term." "Florida's challenge to federal health care reform moves a step closer to U.S. Supreme Court".




Home sweet home

"29 billionaires call Florida home".




Buss testifies

"Saying an important principle was at stake, Gov. Rick Scott was insistent that former prison chief Ed Buss not testify under oath in a lawsuit against the state over the privatization of dozens of state prisons. But a state judge ruled Buss had to answer questions and on Monday he was deposed." "Fired prisons chief talks".

"What's wrong with Florida?"

"In the last four presidential elections alone, Florida has been the most important swing state in the nation, and it is projected to be among the five most important in 2012. And yet the Sunshine State has failed to put forward a single presidential nominee or seen one of its own elected to the presidency during this era."

Florida's increasing prominence and the size and diversity of its population now make it a place that the national parties regularly look to for presidential candidates.

Much like Virginia in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and Ohio in the late 19th and 20th centuries, Florida, together with Texas and California, is uniquely positioned to produce viable national candidates today.

While size and state influence are often crucial, being in the right place at the right time also matters. The elections of Lyndon Johnson and George Herbert Walker Bush are recent cases in point.

"David Colburn: What's wrong with Florida?".




"Critical" River of Grass program to be gutted

"The agencies in charge of restoring the Everglades are set to gut a science program critical to determining whether work they’re doing is helping or hurting plants and animals that live there — from algae that anchors the bottom of the food chain to alligators that feast at its top."

The budget for the long-running monitoring program, which assesses key “indicator” species that serve as the vital signs of complex, interconnected Everglades ecosystems, is being slashed by almost 60 percent overall, with nearly a dozen research projects eliminated completely.

The cuts, all but finalized, drew sharp criticism from some members of an interagency Everglades restoration group that reviewed them last week. They warned that the resulting data gap could compromise the ambitious multibillion-dollar restoration effort.

“It’s devastating. It’s completely killing the science, the foundation on which everything was built,’’ said Ronnie Best, coordinator of the greater Everglades science program for the U.S. Geological Survey. “We can’t move forward in the future with any confidence that what we’re doing is making a difference because we won’t be out there monitoring.’’

"Cut of key monitoring program imperils Everglades restoration, experts warn".




Despite union pressure

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Despite the political pressure from public unions, nonprofit groups and arts supporters, the Miami-Dade County Commission approved the budget for the coming fiscal year that includes $400 million in cuts to balance the books and a reorganization of departments that Mayor Carlos Gimenez promises will result in better service for residents and more government efficiencies for taxpayers." "Miami-Dade: More left to do".




Florida may "go fifth"

"With a week to go before the Republican National Committee’s Oct. 1 deadline for states to schedule their primaries or caucuses, South Carolina officials are working to help Florida go fifth in picking a presidential nominee." "Florida in talks for 5th primary spot".




"Southern Bellwether"

"Southern Bellwether: Florida’s Crucial 2012 Contest Takes Shape".




Millionaire goes after tenure

"Scott's questions put university tenure under scrutiny".




"Something smells here"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "It was bad enough the Republican-controlled Legislature, which purports to be against unnecessary regulation, tied up state election laws with red tape last session. Early-voting days were cut, voter-registration groups were burdened with onerous restrictions, and some voters who move will no longer be able to cast regular ballots at the polls."

But another troubling part of the law went mostly unnoticed. It will dictate who can and cannot run in partisan elections, especially in 2012.

Under the provision — sponsored in the House by Rep. Dennis Baxley, an Ocala Republican — candidates in partisan contests must be registered members of their chosen political party for 365 days before the qualifying period ends.

This means there is no telling how many candidates now have been stymied in their plans to seek office in 2012. Qualifying for the general election ends on June 8 of that year, so candidates must have had their party selections formally declared by June of this year — barely days after Gov. Rick Scott signed the legislation.

Something smells here.

Clearly, this is a vengeful slap against former Gov. Charlie Crist, who left the Republican Party last year to run for the U.S. Senate with no party affiliation after polls showed he would not capture the GOP nomination.

"An election-law overreach".




Unemployment tracker

Each month, [The Current will present an infographic "updated to display the latest Florida and national statistics on jobless rates dating back for the previous five years." "The Current debuts new graphic feature to track unemployment".




The best they can do

Jeremy Wallace: "Republicans are convinced that U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, a Democrat, is vulnerable in his 2012 re-election bid. But if last weekend is any signal, they are still not certain that any of the four candidates who are so far bidding to take him on in 2012 are up to the task." "Senate contenders to Nelson fail to excite GOP".




"Most gerrymandered"

"The most gerrymandered districts of 2011".




"Work-force system needs overhaul"

Beth Kassab: "Beth Kassab: State's work-force system needs overhaul".




"Aligning college degrees with employers' demands"

"Florida's colleges and universities are facing mounting pressure to graduate more students with science and math degrees as part of a statewide effort to more closely align college degrees with employers' demands and keep Florida competitive with other states." "Universities Pressured to Boost Science, Math Degrees".




Welfare drug testing in court today

"A 35-year-old Orlando father is expected to be in federal court this morning, challenging a new state law that requires welfare applicants to undergo drug testing. Attorneys for Luis W. Lebron, a Navy veteran and student at the University of Central Florida, will ask an Orlando federal judge to order an immediate stop to the tests."

The ACLU filed a class-action suit with him as lead plaintiff on Sept. 6. It asks U.S. District Judge Mary Scriven to order a halt to those tests.

At today's hearing, she'll hear lawyers for Lebron argue for the ban and those for the Florida Department of Children and Families defend it.

"Orlando dad in court today to fight welfare drug-test law". See also "Federal judge hearing arguments on drug test law".




Temporary influx of BP dollars inflates bed tax collections

"Scott has his numbers right, but he's leaving out a couple of things. Tourism officials in the Panhandle admit that the boost is partly artificial, created by the temporary influx of BP dollars. And while bed tax collections are the highest they've been, occupancy rates were higher in the Panhandle in 2006 and 2007, and hotel operators were able to charge higher prices for their rooms in 2007 and 2008. With those minor points, we rate Scott's statement Mostly True." "PolitiFact Florida: Gov. Rick Scott says Panhandle set bed tax record".

You remember these crooks, some of whom are no longer with us



You remember these crooks, some of whom are no longer with us



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Here's today's "FloBama".

Try the Tallahassee Democrat's Capitol Twitter, as well as the new "mobile site" from the St. Petersburg Times and the Miami Herald." Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry follows.





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Perry not crazy enough for Florida GOP

"In interview after interview as they filed out of the Orange County Convention Center hall where votes were cast, delegates pointed to his support for a state-based version of the DREAM Act — which provides in-state tuition rates to some illegal immigrants — and his denouncement of those who disagree as lacking 'a heart.' ... Immigration is particularly potent in Florida politics. Florida Gov. Rick Scott won an upset victory in the GOP primary last year after attacking state Attorney General Bill McCollum for his more moderate stances." "Delegates slam Perry on immigration".

"GOP candidates keep piling on Perry in Orlando after his lackluster debate Thursday". Related: "Perry: Mistake by rivals to skip Florida test vote"; at the same time, "Activists question Rick Perry's commitment"..

More: "Supporter of Gov. Perry says no worries".

Meanwhile, it is unclear whether Perry is deseperate enough to want this: "Gov. Scott won't endorse, but clearly likes Perry".




Teabaggers dominate RPOF straw poll

"In a stunning upset, Atlanta businessman [and 'Tea Party pin-up'] Herman Cain won the Florida Presidency 5 straw poll in Orlando after three days of spreading his fiery message about tough decisions for tough times."

Cain, who has never been elected to any office, took 37.4 percent of the vote by Republican delegates gathered at the Orange County Convention Center for the Presidency 5 weekend.

He blew away the field, which included the party's most highly touted candidates. Texas Gov. Rick Perry finished second with 15.4 percent, and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney finished third with 14 percent.

Cain received 986 of the 2,657 votes cast by delegates at the Orlando event. ...

Cain favors throwing out the national tax system and replacing it with three flat taxes of 9 percent on individual income, corporate income and a sales tax. ...

Unlike the July straw poll in Iowa, where anyone could pay to vote at the state fair — which led campaigns to bus in their own voters — Florida's survey was carefully controlled.

The 3,500 delegates were all selected by each county's Republican executive committee or the Republican Party of Florida, based in part on each county's registered Republican voters.

What does this mean? The head of Florida's Republican Party explains:

"You know what? It shows you something. Florida is important. The road to the White House is right through Florida," said Florida Gov. Rick Scott. "It pays to be here."

"Herman Cain wins Florida GOP presidential straw poll". See also "Cain wins Fla. GOP straw poll, Perry finishes 2nd", "Rick Perry rebuffed as Herman Cain wins Florida straw poll", "In rebuke to Rick Perry, Herman Cain wins Florida Republican straw poll", "Cain Stuns Perry, Romney in Straw Poll", "Cain wins Fla. GOP straw poll, Perry finishes 2nd" and "Cain wins Presidency 5 straw poll".

"University of South Florida political scientist Susan MacManus said the results should be taken seriously as an indicator of the direction of the race."

"It certainly shakes up the field," she said. "I think now it's wide open."

She said the result was a blow to both Perry and Romney, but more to Perry: "He came in here the frontrunner, he spent a lot of money, he was the only one who did a lot of pre-convention appeals to the delegates – it's a major loss."

That could leave an opening for new candidates, including Sarah Palin and New Jersey Gov. Chris Cristie.

"Herman Cain surges past better-known GOP hopefuls in Florida straw poll".




Please ... enough with the "Education Governors"

"There are not enough textbooks to go around in Myrna Greenberg’s ninth-grade reading class. She would like to use the electronic Smart Board hanging from her Plantation High School classroom, but it’s not fitted with the proper plug-ins to make it run. She has 37 students in one class - 12 over the state-mandated limit."

Greenberg’s situation is emblematic of the challenges facing teachers and students throughout the Broward County School District, where another year of budget cuts and recent changes to the rules on class size limits (the now only apply to core classes, not electives or Advanced Placement courses) have resulted in more students in some classrooms with fewer resources.

School administrators have had to redistribute students to account for the loss of 1,100 teachers the district could no longer afford to keep on its payroll.

"Fewer teachers in Broward lead to larger class sizes".




What Adam Smith learned in Orlando

Adam C. Smith claims that "three days of campaigning in Florida by the Republican contenders and Saturday's stunning Presidency 5 straw poll result clarified quite a bit. Here are 10 things we learned about the Republican Party and its field of presidential candidates:"

1. The idea of Rick Perry is a lot stronger than the reality of Rick Perry.

2. Conservatives are as hungry as ever for a Romney alternative.

3. Electability matters. Debates matter.

4. Voters demand specifics.

5. It's too late for another viable candidate.

6. Perry made Romney a better candidate.

7. Illegal immigration is toxic among Republican primary voters.

Not so long ago, then-Gov. Jeb Bush supported driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants and then-state Rep. Marco Rubio supported a bill to give tuition assistance to children of illegal immigrants without causing a firestorm. Those days are gone.

8. Michele Bachmann is no longer relevant.

9. Republicans are energized.

10. Florida matters.

Three times the winner of the state party's straw poll has gone on to win the nomination. Cain will likely break that streak, but Florida demonstrated once again what an unpredictable and important political battleground it is. Cain may still be a long shot for the nomination, but the straw poll inflicted major damage to Perry, who campaigned harder than anyone.

"10 things we learned in Orlando". Related: "A Wrap on Presidency 5".




RPOFers oil Scott's feet

"With deeper ties to the tea party than the Republican Party, Scott campaigned against the state GOP during his race for governor. But Saturday, Scott asserted himself as de facto head of the Republican Party of Florida with a forceful speech that attempted to rally the troops heading into the 2012 election."

Scott was greeted like a hero in the Orange County Convention Center.

"Gov. Rick Scott delivers forceful speech at Presidency 5".




"Casinos face tough sledding"

"Battle lines are being drawn over a big-money issue likely to dominate Tallahassee in the coming months: plans to bring Vegas-style casino resorts to Florida. ... But in Florida, where gambling has had a long and contentious history, the move to bring in "destination casinos" faces tough sledding." "Groups rev up to fight gambling expansion in Florida". Related from The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Gambling vs. gaming: A guide to casino double talk".




Hawkes looks to settle JQC case

"Lawyers for 1st District Judge Paul M. Hawkes and the Judicial Qualifications Commission are discussing a settlement that would resolve the pending charges against the judge without a trial. Lawyers for both sides have submitted secret proposals to members of the commission that charged Hawkes with conduct unbecoming a judge." "Hawkes settlement?"




"Scott made heads roll"

Scott Maxwell: "Last week, Gov. Rick Scott made heads roll at Workforce Central Florida. Good for him — because Central Florida leaders weren't doing squat. That seems to be this community's M.O." "Scott Maxwell: Rick Scott made Workforce heads roll — good, because locals didn't act".




Crist would have a "reasonable chance" as a Dem

"While watching the Florida Gators game Sept. 17 from university president Bernie Machen's box, former first lady Carole Crist leaned over to state House Democratic Leader Ron Saunders and asked, 'Do you think Charlie should run as a Democrat for governor?'"

Saunders, who recalled the conversation, replied, "Might as well."

"He's always had a lot of support from Democrats," said Saunders, D-Key West. "I just think if he got a strong primary … of course, at this point Nan Rich is not campaigning. Someone like a Rod Smith might be tough, but I don't know if Rod would even run. So if Charlie switched parties and ran as a Democrat, I think he'd have a reasonable chance.

"Could Charlie Crist run for governor as Democrat?".




"Playing nice — for the moment"

Aaron Deslatte: "Florida lawmakers have been wrangling for months over accusations of back-room dealings in the once-a-decade process of re-drawing legislative and congressional districts. But now that the work has started, they're playing nice — for the moment." "All quiet on the redistricting front — for now".




"Legislature Getting Busy"

"Weekly Roundup: Legislature Getting Busy".




Rental housing construction boomlet

"Five years have passed since the collapse of the housing market brought an end to the condo construction craze that swept the region. But developers are set to kick off a new round of housing construction with plans to build more than 4,000 rental apartments." "Wave of apartment construction set to sweep South Florida".




Politically driven effort to undermine protection of environmentally valuable lands?

The Sarasota Herald Tribune editorial board: "The Southwest Florida Water Management District's assessment of its 'surplus lands' could turn out to be an exercise in good management and public stewardship. Or it could become a politically driven effort to undermine the district's longtime, deliberate efforts to protect water sources, environmentally valuable lands and the public interest by purchasing and preserving property." "Protect priceless public lands".




Florida's anti-science, anti-biology, anti-paleontology, anti-archeology, anti-astronomy, anti-geology, anti-genetics, anti-physics, and anti-carbon-dating lieutenant governor

Fred Grimm writes that "a media guy like me, back when the pointy-headed liberal elite was running amuck, might have come to the defense of evolution,"

but that was before the anti-science, anti-biology, anti-paleontology, anti-archeology, anti-astronomy, anti-geology, anti-genetics, anti-physics, anti-carbon-dating crowd included a Florida lieutenant governor and several leading contenders for the Republican presidential nomination.

Lately, I’m beginning to sense the error of my ways, now that Republicans have absolute control in Florida and seem confident of a landslide in 2012. I’ve seen the Gallup Poll that found a majority of Republican voters believe world history began less than 10,000 years ago, back when man was trying to keep those damn dinosaurs from trampling through the flower garden.

Carroll, in her fire-and-brimstone speech on Thursday, spoke disparagingly of how "some of our political leaders bow down to scientists and let them have the stage to push their evolution." She made it plenty clear that the coming Republican revolution would no longer allow "the minority to poison the minds of the majority." ...

Not all the Republican candidates are at war with science. Last month, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman tweeted to all the world, "To be clear. I believe in evolution and trust scientists on global warming. Call me crazy."

Such sentiments have left Huntsman with about one percent support among likely Republican voters, far behind the anti-science candidates.

Clearly, Huntsman’s problem is that he’s not crazy enough.

"For Republican candidates, politics trump science".




Them damn federal funds

"North Florida project to install high-speed Internet has federal funds frozen".




"The death penalty's profound shortcomings ..."

Darryl E. Owens writes that "state legislators should embrace a proposed bill that would substitute Florida's death penalty with a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Justice — if not vengeance — would be served. And the switch not only would save the state money prosecuting lengthy appeals, it could potentially save innocent lives." "We ought to be sure before taking a life with death penalty".

The Sarasota Herald Tribune editors: "The death penalty's profound shortcomings came to a head Wednesday night when the state of Georgia executed Troy Davis. We don't know whether Davis was innocent, as he insisted, or guilty, as the state and a jury concluded. But that's the problem. Without certainty of guilt, how does an execution serve the cause of justice?" "Death penalty's fatal flaws".




Florida is piggy bank for campaign cash

Frank Cerabino: "South Florida is one big outdoor piggy bank for campaign cash." "Biden breakfast brings local commuters to a halt".




Brain trust

"The three-day Presidency 5 was a mini-reunion for much of Gov. Scott's campaign team. Former policy chief Mary Anne Carter was one of his guests at the debate, and transition chief Enu Mainigi watched Scott's keynote speech Saturday. Pollster Tony Fabrizio watched the debate with the governor's guests as did political consultant Nelson Warfield." "Team reunion".




'Ya reckon?

"A new study shows that a community that has a high rate of uninsured members affects the health care access and quality of those who actually have insurance."

One of the key findings of the study was that “working-age adults with private insurance residing in areas with a high rate of uninsurance were less likely than their peer in areas with a low rate of uninsurance to have a usual source of care, an office-based visit, and any medical care expenditures.”

"Study: High uninsured rates affect health care of those with insurance".




Argenziano continues no-holds-barred criticism of RPOF

"Former state senator and former Public Service Commissioner Nancy Argenziano spoke to a full crowd at the Capital Tiger Bay on Friday, reviving her war stories of the Legislature and continuing her no-holds-barred criticism of her former party, the GOP." "Argenziano is back".




"Another thick-headed scheme that’s backfiring on Florida taxpayers"

Carl Hiaasen: "Scott’s crusade to drug-test cash welfare applicants is turning out to be another thick-headed scheme that’s backfiring on Florida taxpayers."

The biggest beneficiaries are the testing companies that collect $10 to $25 for urine, blood or hair screening, a fee being paid by the state (you and me) whenever the applicant tests clean — currently about 97 percent of the cases.

The law, which easily passed the Legislature this year, was based on the misinformed and condescending premise that welfare recipients are more prone to use illegal drugs than people who are fortunate enough to have jobs.

Statistically, the opposite is true, despite the claims of Scott and Republican legislators who cheered this unnecessary and intrusive law.

The Department of Children and Families reports that since July, when the drug-testing program started, only 2.5 percent of welfare applicants have failed.

By contrast, about 8.9 percent of the general population illegally uses some kind of drug, according to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. ...

Of the nearly 8,800 applicants who got screened for drugs, fewer than 4 percent tested positive. That little exercise in class-bashing cost taxpayers about $2.7 million.

Either the governor didn’t know about the earlier study, couldn’t handle the math or just didn’t want to be bothered with the facts.

"Taxpayers are also paying the governor’s legal fees to defend a predictable (and winnable) lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the blanket drug-testing requirement."

Here in Florida, Rick Scott’s campaign promise of mass job creation is at least coming true for professional urine samplers. However, in addition to being sued over drug-testing welfare parents, Scott also faces a court fight for ordering random substance screening on thousands of state workers.

Interestingly, the governor’s pee-in-the-cup mandate doesn’t apply to the one bunch that whizzes away more tax dollars than anyone else – the legislators who pass such useless laws.

I say line up all 160 of ‘em for a patriotic whiz-fest at the Capitol clinic. You think more than 2.5 percent might test positive? Let’s find out.

Much more here: "An offer legislators can’t refuse — or can they?"




Haridopolos won't go away

"Senate President Mike Haridopolos, who dropped out of the Republican U.S. Senate race, has about $2 million still in his campaign account. So what's he going to do with it? ... There's speculation he'll run for Congress in a couple of years, the Space Coast seat now held by Republican Bill Posey, though Haridopolos said he has no specific plans yet." "Haridopolos redux".




"Cutting courts out of foreclosure process could be costly"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board warns that "as Gov. Rick Scott, House Speaker Dean Cannon and Senate President Mike Haridopolos echo support for moving at least some foreclosures out of the court system to speed up the process, they should not erode borrowers' rights or encourage banks to cut even more corners. And they will have to address the fiscal impact on the courts, which rely heavily on foreclosure fees to keep the doors open." "Effort to cut courts out of foreclosure process could be costly to all Floridians".




Rubio looks North

"At the state GOP's Presidency 5 conference, two words automatically drew cheers: Marco Rubio."

Rubio insists he has no interest in vice president, but his latest staff hire may fuel the vice presidential speculation. Joining his office as press secretary is Alex Conant, who had been working on Tim Pawlenty's 2012 presidential campaign. Nice to have someone on board with national campaign experience.

"Hot for Rubio".