Now it's all starting to make sense. Thinking of a Panhandle Waffle House as Florida's version of Chautauqua puts the state's headlong charge toward the 19th Century into the proper perspective.

State Rep. Brad Drake, R-Eucheeanna, says it's time to stop coddling condemned criminals by injecting them with lethal sedatives.

And who better to know about lethal injections than the pork-chop-'n-eggs crowd at the Waffle House?

"I am sick and tired of this sensitivity movement for criminals " Drake wrote in a statement. "I have no desire to humanely respect those that are inhumane."

Talk like that is practically tough enough to unclog an artery.

Throwing spear-tipped dwarfs at condemned prisoners could save on bullets, not to mention allowing legislators to take credit for being tough on crime while creating jobs at the same time.

I know. It sounds far-fetched.

But it's best to reserve judgment on the flying-dwarf-assisted-execution idea until we get the detailed analysis back from the Waffle House.

Buchanan: "I know nothing, I see nothing, and I say nothing!"

"A federal court has fined an auto dealership formerly co-owned by Florida congressman Vern Buchanan for a scheme to reimburse employees for political contributions to his campaign. ... The FEC says Kazran funneled $67,900 in illegal donations to Buchanan's past campaigns. Buchanan's campaign has repeatedly denied any knowledge of the scheme." "Car dealership fined for Buchanan contributions". See also "Former Buchanan dealership fined for campaign violations".

Scott public records continue to dribble out

"The Governor's Office released 87 pages of public records Friday showing e-mails Gov. Rick Scott sent and received in the final days of his transition into office that have yet to be made public."

The documents, which the Governor's Office has had for nearly six months, include about 65 new e-mails beyond what the Times/Herald received in August, when Scott and his team acknowledged transition e-mails were deleted in a possible violation of state public record law. ...

The BlackBerry pages shed little light on the nascent days of Scott's administration. The pages show messages were sent and received, but the information is incomplete. In some instances, it's unclear if Scott was the recipient or sender.

The Governor's Office also redacted information from 74 e-mails they said were "not state business," including at least 24 from top-level staff on his transition. Many of those e-mails were about Republican Party business or involved his family, according to Scott's office.

'Glades

"The governing board of the South Florida Water Management District ... voted unanimously to move forward with eight public/private partnership projects to store water in the Northern Everglades." "Water Management District unanimously approves Everglades projects". See also "Floridians: `Don’t cut Everglades funds’".

"They paved paradise and put up a parkin' lot"

"Gov. Rick Scott has made some interesting environmental appointments lately. His choice for an appointee to the state’s wildlife commission was a former paving contractor who has tangled with environmental regulators in the past, and on Thursday, Scott tapped an ex-chemical exec to sit on the board of the St. Johns River Water Management District."

Scott’s appointment of Charles Roberts raised eyebrows, considering there were several other, seemingly more qualified, applicants.

Amtrak route

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board believes the "Proposed Amtrak route needs a careful look".

"Last thing Miami needs"

Fabiola Santiago asks "Who wants to be in the midst of addicted gamblers, high-stakes prostitution and organized crime? If you think the streets aren’t safe now, wait until easy money starts to flow, wait until the gamblers and the gangsters are fully in charge. Wait until the people most needing jobs stay jobless because last time I checked, there wasn’t a training school in town for wheelers and dealers. Wait until the crime rate soars so high your taxes have no way to go but up, up, and up to pay for the law enforcement." "Last thing Miami needs is to become Vegas".

Weekly Roundup

"Weekly Roundup: No Money, More Problems for Lawmakers".

Occupy Miami

"Since protesters took over a New York City park, demonstrations have sprouted from Boston to Los Angeles and Detroit. In Miami, participants expect at least 500 to attend Saturday". "Slow to start, Occupy Wall Street hits Miami". See also "Miami begins to mobilize in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street".

Occupy Tallahassee

"Occupy Movement Arrives on Steps of Old Capitol".

Occupy Orlando

"Waving Americans flags and holding handmade signs, more than 300 demonstrators are at Senator Beth Johnson park this morning preparing for today's Occupy Orlando march." "Occupy Orlando: Protesters set to march past downtown Orlando banks".

Occupy Fort Lauderdale

"At least 200 people — men and women, young and old, white, black, Latino, married couples and singles — met in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Saturday evening in the first Occupy Fort Lauderdale general assembly, to voice their ideas and hopes as well as frustration and anger with corporate greed and the two-party system." "Occupy Fort Lauderdale draws hundreds of protesters".

Occupy Sarasota

"Participants in today’s Occupy Sarasota protest, inspired by the unfolding Occupy Wall Street movement in New York City, spoke with The Florida Independent about why they decided to join the fledgling campaign, and what’s next for Occupy protesters in the Sunshine State." "Occupy Sarasota protesters speak out".

"Florida Democrats found a new worry this week"

"With an election year bearing down and President Obama already in a fierce fight for a second term, Florida Democrats found a new worry this week. The state Democratic Party reported its worst fund-raising quarter in five years, falling farther behind already dominant Florida Republicans in the crucial sprint for campaign cash. Over the past three months, the GOP collected $5.5 million, compared to $894,000 for Democrats, state records show."

For Florida Democrats, the grim toll proved especially discouraging -- and ill-timed.

It was made public the same day Obama swept through Orlando for a pair of fund-raisers, while promoting the jobs package he is struggling to get through Congress.

The Obama campaign and the Democratic National Committee reported this week that they had raised a formidable $70 million in the last quarter for the president's re-election bid. Two-term Florida Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson also collected nearly $2 million during the third quarter for his re-election campaign.

RPOFers prefer "None of the above" in Senate Primary

"Though it's still 10 months until the U.S. Senate primary, four Republicans have been campaigning for the nomination since spring. Yet poll after poll shows that more than half of GOP voters, asked to choose one of them, respond, 'None of the above.'" "U.S. Senate primary: To GOP voters, 'none of the above' looks good". See also "Hasner tops LeMieux in 3rd quarter Senate GOP money chase". Related: "U.S. Senate candidate Craig Miller to spend day working at Lake County tire shop". Meanwhile, "Hasner out-raises LeMieux in race for Nelson's U.S. Senate seat; Nelson doubles them both"

Tri-Rail takeover

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "State takeover of Tri-Rail ill-advised".

The book thing

"Iorio writes about leadership in motivational book".

Stearns at the feet of his master

"Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, yesterday appeared on the 700 Club to talk about his recently launched investigation into the finances and policies of Planned Parenthood. During the interview, he discussed the influence of anti-abortion groups on his decision." "Stearns explains Planned Parenthood investigation to Pat Robertson".

Entrepreneurs in action

"Deepwater Horizon Spill Cost to Florida at $12 Million -- and Rising".

Ricky goes to Brazil

"Scott to Head 200-Strong Business Delegation Flying to Brazil to Grow Trade".

"Unintended negative consequences?"

Bill Maxwell: "For nearly two decades, public school educators have been trying to close, or at least narrow, the race- and income-based achievement gaps in graduation rates and test scores. The movement, which became a mandate with passage of the No Child Left Behind Act during President George W. Bush's first term, has become an obsession."

The first serious doubts about the measure's effectiveness came after a 2008 report by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a Washington think tank, which showed that from 2000 to 2007, progress for students who were the highest achievers on the National Assessment of Educational Progress did not increase, while progress for the lowest-achieving students greatly improved.

Now, Fordham has reaffirmed the 2008 findings and introduced more critical statistics in a new study, "Do High Flyers Maintain Their Altitude?" This study found that the federally mandated effort to make schools more accountable for increasing low-performing students' achievement may be harming the highest-performing students.

Researchers tracked the scores of approximately 82,000 students on the Measure of Academic Progress. They found that many high-performing students lose ground from the elementary grades to middle school and from middle school to high school.

Here is the question for U.S. educators: Is focusing on getting all students to be proficient on reading and math tests having unintended negative consequences? It is a tough question for many Americans to answer, because it goes to the core of our concept of equality.

Still, the mounting empirical evidence cannot be ignored.

"First annual Florida Energy Summit"

"By Friday afternoon, more than 440 people had signed up to attend the first annual Florida Energy Summit Oct. 26-28 in Orlando -- with 46 sponsors exhibiting in the trade show and plenty of time for those numbers to grow significantly." "First Florida Energy Summit Pulling in Participants".

"The trail quickly leads to Republicans"

Aaron Deslatte: "'Follow the money' is an adage for making causal connections between politicians and the interest-groups writing big checks and expecting paybacks in the form of preferable policies. But in modern Florida politics, you don't have to follow it far. The trail quickly leads to Republicans, thanks to the super-majorities they've established in the Florida Legislature over the last decade that give them a virtual public-policy monopoly."

For the last four years, Democrats have pointed to 2012 and the hope that voters would pass redistricting reforms so legislative and congressional maps would become more of an even playing field for a minority party with some 550,000 more voters than Republicans – but the inability to even pass the flu in the Capitol.

The publicly drawn maps so far suggest the Fair Districts compactness standards could lead to more Democratic-performing maps, but not enough to retake majorities. And the legal requirements to draw minority-access seats could negate even that advantage.

Big talk

"Last week, Gov. Rick Scott’s new 'economic opportunity' director told legislators and reporters that the state had awarded 'millions of dollars' to companies over the last decade in exchange for jobs that never materialized."

The fledgling Department of Economic Opportunity had produced a legislatively-mandated “business plan” in September noting that of the 729 tax-incentive contracts Florida has signed with businesses over the last decade, just 71 percent were fulfilled.

Although he couldn’t name any specific companies or amounts, DEO Director Doug Darling suggested the agency would take steps to recoup the money in cases where the promised jobs never materialized.

“The last five years have been anything but normal,” he said. “Any decision we make has to be made in light of that. Will a company be able to rebound? We want companies we originally contracted with to be successful. But if they can’t, then we’re going to have to take other steps.”

The Orlando Sentinel made a public records request for the names and amounts last week. On Thursday, the agency released a list of companies that hadn’t made good on jobs pledges over the last three years — but none of them were paid “millions of dollars.”

Could be ... the lobbying and contributions

"Critics say the advertising deal has driven dozens of other traffic schools out of business because of perceptions that Underwood's school is the only one approved by the state. Competitors wonder how much of his success is due to the more than $700,000 he has spent on lobbying and campaign contributions since 2005." "Florida tries to undo traffic school owner's publishing contract".

"Florida Hispanics' frustration"

"Florida Hispanics' frustration with President Barack Obama is jobs".

This time the questions came on conservative talk radio where hosts usually refrain from pushing Scott for answers.

Bud Hedinger on 540-AM in Maitland referred to Times/Herald video and asked Scott about his promise and his position now, which is to question the validity of the state’s economic forecasting. "It doesn’t seem to square, sir," Hedinger said.

"I could argue that I don’t have to create any jobs," Scott told Hedinger. "I just have to make sure we don’t lose jobs.

Florida Forever

"The invitation-only gathering of about 50 included presentations by Republican Sens. Jack Latvala, Thad Altman and Paula Dockery. 'We need a better message, and we need to stop a lot of the bad stuff that is happening now,' Dockery said afterward." "Florida Forever supporters, Senate allies huddle in Orlando".

Funny how that works

"Weatherford Top 3Q Fundraiser in House".

"Unintended consequence for Republicans"

"A fledgling state health insurance program could have an unintended consequence for Republicans who created it: helping President Barack Obama implement his controversial health care law in Florida."

Florida Health Choices is scheduled to open in early 2012, nearly four years after lawmakers first approved the plan and two years after Congress passed their own law.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio helped create the program when he was state House speaker. An expansion approved this year by lawmakers was applauded by Gov. Rick Scott. Both Florida Republicans want to repeal "Obamacare."

But before the state program can get on its feet, it might be consumed by the federal health care law.

At the center of the federal law are state insurance exchanges, web-based programs where businesses and individuals can search, compare and buy health coverage.

At its most basic, that is Florida Health Choices.

Unlike the federal law, Florida's program is not open to individuals, does not offer any new tax breaks for businesses and does not require insurers to offer minimum health benefits.

But if the federal law is upheld in court, some say Florida Health Choices could become the basis of an insurance exchange envisioned in the federal law.

"It just shows a lack of understanding"

"Justin Shiver came away from a year in Iraq with one overriding thought: We need more anthropologists."

They are the ones really making a difference over there, said Shiver, who worked as a combat medic. They help soldiers and locals work together. They are the reason Americans haven't been rejected as enemies. More than anyone with a gun, Shiver says, anthropologists save lives.

That's why the 26-year-old University of South Florida student, who's studying to become an anthropologist himself, was so confused by Gov. Rick Scott's comments this week.

While promoting his jobs plan, Scott said the state doesn't need a whole lot more anthropologists. Rather, Florida should prioritize degrees in science, technology, engineering and math (known as STEM fields), the governor said.

"It just shows a lack of understanding," Shiver said. Anthropology is a science. The study of people and the way they interact among cultures is important to a number of professions, he said.

Working for unemployment compensation?

"Among the items in Gov. Rick Scott's legislative priorities for the coming session is a message for people receiving unemployment compensation in Florida: you’ll have to work for it." "Scott to jobless: You'll work for benefits".

Will Central Florida follow suit on gambling?

"Fissures are beginning to appear in Central Florida's $28 billion tourism industry over whether to embrace high-stakes gambling, something most industry leaders have long considered incompatible with the region's carefully cultivated reputation for family-friendly entertainment."

With casino executives aggressively lobbying the Florida Legislature to build Las Vegas-style casino resorts in South Florida, some local tourism leaders say Central Florida must consider following suit — or risk losing convention business to Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

Thanks to Scott, "Clemency backlog is getting bigger again"

"Mark Heidrich is a full-fledged citizen of Florida again, and he couldn't be happier. Heidrich, 57, of New Port Richey made a serious mistake more than a decade ago and served his time. But he has been paying for it ever since he walked out of prison."

He left prison in 1998, has stayed out of trouble, and has been trying for seven years to get his civil rights restored. He works six days a week as a chef at a Beef 'O' Brady's in Port Richey (his drug conviction cost him his license as a funeral director).

Heidrich's one-man struggle for redemption illuminates the cumbersome, time-consuming and highly secretive clemency system in Florida.

Bespectacled and dressed in a dark pinstripe suit, he's the human face of the monstrous backlog of petitions from people who broke the law and paid the price, only to discover they are barred from full citizenship by law for years later.

The backlog is getting bigger again, for two reasons: a series of cuts to the Parole Commission's budget, and the decision by Scott and the Cabinet last March to eliminate a streamlined civil rights restoration process. In most cases, ex-offenders seeking full citizenship have to wait for a public hearing. ...

"Case No. 40, Mark L. Heidrich. Mr. Heidrich is here," the clerk announced, and Heidrich nervously stepped to the lectern in the basement Cabinet room of the state Capitol.

"I made some really bad decisions in my lifetime," he began.

Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi [who apparently has no problem being soft with fraudsters] at first appeared skeptical that Heidrich was rehabilitated.

"Governor, I would just point out that this is trafficking in cocaine and LSD, and he's only been released since '98," said Bondi, who suggested Heidrich wait a few years and reapply for citizenship.

Bondi noted that Heidrich has had two speeding tickets in the past decade.

The clemency staff told Scott that with the backlog, Heidrich's case might not come up for five more years. Inexplicably, the mood changed and Bondi extended mercy.

Little Marco strides world stage

"Sen. Marco Rubio is telling Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that the United States should review and revise $53 million weapons sale to Bahrain to make sure none of the items can be used to disrupt or restrict anti-government protests." "Rubio to Clinton: Review, revise Bahrain arms sale".

"Mister Chips of the pocket protector set"

Daniel Ruth: "If Gov. Rick Scott has his way, Florida university students like myself, who have all the aptitude of Sasquatch when it comes to arithmetic-related disciplines, would be reduced to second-class academic citizens."

Over the past few days, the Mister Chips of the pocket protector set has disparaged liberal arts degrees, especially calling out anthropology as having less economic value than the University of Miami's basket-weaving department for the football team.

The governor argues that students who prefer to major in science, technology, engineering and math, otherwise known as STEM disciplines, should receive larger state education subsidies than those who might want to explore history, psychology or perhaps the use of ironic imagery in the works of Shakespeare as English literature scholars. ...

Instead of treating history majors as if they were preparing themselves for a career as a street mime, the Dumbledore of computer science would be performing a far greater service to higher education by embracing the notion that a university experience should be one of exploration, intellectual curiosity, trial and error along with the occasional keg or two.

Do we need more engineers, scientists, math whizzes and tech geeks? You betcha. But we also need dedicated historians and political scientists and anthropologists and sociologists and English majors pondering the Bronte sisters.

Banks want to foreclose without the bother of judges and all that

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board: "Bankers and many state officials, including Scott, believe an adjustment in state law can help speed up the process and correct the market, a key improvement if Florida's economy is to return to normal health. Thus, lawmakers are considering moving at least some foreclosures out of the courts. Florida is one of 26 states that require foreclosures to go through the courts."

While the idea has some merit, lawmakers should proceed with considerable caution. The state has a duty to protect the due process rights of its citizens. Banks often rushed mortgages out the door and even homebuyers who lacked adequate financial resources were encouraged to buy. In short, many homeowners who are living in houses they no longer make payments on are not entirely to blame.

While no specific proposals have surfaced in Tallahassee, it is possible that all new foreclosures will not go through court unless the homeowner challenges the bank. This could mean more legal costs for the homeowner.

The Florida Bankers Association notes that the average duration of foreclosure, from default notice to repossession, is about 200 days longer in Florida than the national average. Estimates vary, but the time it takes a bank to get the home in its possession ranges from 728 days to 757 days.

In states where the court systems do not handle foreclosures, it takes 550 days, according to Lender Processing Services.

The change in Florida law, it seems, would save the banks about six months. It would still take more than a year to foreclose on an average Florida home. Further, the current backlog of foreclosures would not be affected by a change in state law.

Medicaid deform

"The Agency for Health Care Administration has asked for another two-week extension of the waiver that allows the state to operate its Medicaid reform program in five counties." "State asks for 7th extension of Medicaid reform waiver".

Yee haw!

"The rural county in the heart of Florida had an uninsured rate of more than 36 percent the past two years, while St. Johns and Leon counties had the lowest percentage of uninsured." "Census data shows DeSoto County with highest rate of uninsured persons in Florida".

Raw political courage

"Three Republican state legislators advocated less regulation and taxes on businesses and less government in people’s lives in response to concerns from local insurance and financial advisers Thursday."

State Sen. Steve Oelrich of Cross Creek and Reps. Keith Perry of Gainesville and Charles Van Zant of Keystone Heights fielded questions during the Gainesville chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers’ legislative day at the Gainesville Country Club.

Empty suit holds a hearing

"A committee chaired by U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., is holding [hearings] in Washington looking into emails and documents related to $535 million in government-backed loans given to a now bankrupt company. Stearns, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, has been spearheading a probe into Solyndra, a solar panel company that received the federal loans before going belly up." "Rep. Cliff Stearns chairs probe into federal loan to bankrupt company Solyndra".

Good luck with that

"Florida’s Department of Health suggested cutting state funding to crisis pregnancy centers, among other services, to state legislators during a committee meeting last week. ... Crisis pregnancy centers (known as CPCs) are often religious centers created to persuade women to not have abortions. Florida is among a handful of states that provides public funding to CPCs. Compared to other state-funded groups that provide similar services, CPCs serve dramatically fewer patients and provide fewer services." "State health department suggests cutting taxpayer funding for crisis pregnancy centers".

Never mind

"Contradicting what he said a day earlier, Mayor Carlos Hernandez said he earned no interest on $180,000 in loans he made to convicted jeweler Luis Felipe Perez." "Students to Scott: We matter".

Heritage Foundation whines about Nelson

"Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson's highly paid spokesman crossed the line when he touted a political poll to a Florida newspaper, a Heritage Foundation fellow charged." "Bill Nelson's Spokesman Draws Heat over News Tip about Marco Rubio". Related: "US Sen. Nelson irks GOP with appearance in ads".

Eying the Latino vote

"Latino entrepreneurs, conservative policy groups and media outlets continue to closely track what GOP 2012 presidential candidates are saying about issues important to Hispanic voters." "Hispanic organizations, businesses, media evaluate GOP presidential candidates’ messages".

PBA, Teamsters fight over corrections officers

"Teamsters, PBA Battle Heats Up as Corrections Vote Showdown Looms". See also "Teamsters file wage-theft complaint on behalf of prison guards" ("union's action comes a week before unionized correctional system employees vote on whether to change their collective bargaining representation.")

Fla-baggers raising Cain

"A new poll of Florida Republicans found businessman Herman Cain leading the pack of GOP presidential candidates in Florida with the strong backing of supporters of the tea party movement. Florida Republicans who did not identify themselves as tea party supporters broke toward former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts."

A poll unveiled by the American Research Group (ARG) on Thursday found Cain, who won the Presidency 5 straw poll last month in Orlando, now led in Florida among likely primary voters with 34 percent followed by Romney, who placed second in the 2008 Florida presidential primary, with 28 percent. Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich placed third with 11 percent.

The rest of the field lagged behind in single digits.

A Hialeah thing

"Hialeah mayor: I got no interest on loans to Ponzi schemer".

"Tally is awash in special interest money"

"The economy might be down in Florida, but the state Capitol is awash in special interest money."

In the past three months, the Republican Party of Florida and the Florida Democratic Party took in $5.5 million and $894,000, respectively. And the 40 political committees linked to top legislators pulled in nearly $1.8 million more.

"Florida Republicans lathering themselves in cash from interest groups"

"With billion-dollar resort casinos and health-care privatization efforts up for grabs, major gaming and insurance interests are dominating the political money chase in Florida, new state fundraising reports show. Florida Republicans, who control the Legislature, governor's office and virtually all state agencies, are lathering themselves in cash from interest groups at the expense of out-of-power Democrats, who posted their worst fundraising quarter in at least six years." "Health-care, gaming cash pours in for Florida Republicans".

"Panhandle Republican wants to bring back firing squads"

"A state lawmaker wants to test the limits of cruel and unusual punishment with a 'lead cocktail.' Rep. Brad Drake, a Panhandle Republican, wants to bring back firing squads."

Drake said he was tired of all the talk about how to properly execute someone on death row, so he had an idea — get rid of lethal injection and let inmates choose between the electric chair or a firing squad.

He drafted the bill after overhearing lunchtime chatter at a Waffle House in support of execution by firing squad.

"I say let's end the debate. We still have 'Old Sparky.' And if that doesn't suit the criminal, then we will provide them a .45-caliber lead cocktail instead," said Drake, a marketing executive who was first elected to the House in 2008.

Here's how Drake, 36, put it in an interview with the Florida Current: "There shouldn't be anything controversial about a .45-caliber bullet. If it were up to me, we would just throw them off the Sunshine Skyway bridge and be done with it."

"State anti-immigrant measures"

The Miami Herald editors argue that "State anti-immigrant measures harm their own economies". "Immigration backfire".

Obama in Orlando

"Saying the nation's 'rugged individualists' can work together for the common good, President Barack Obama told an Orlando gathering tonight that America needs his $447 billion jobs program." "America needs my jobs bill, Obama tells Orlando fundraiser".

Another front group

"A newly formed small-business advocacy group praised Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday for his continued efforts to reduce regulations, but added that federal regulations continue to hinder economic growth." "Small-Business Group Praises Scott, Criticizes White House Overregulation". Related: "Business groups target federal regulations designed to protect water quality, children".

Jebbites fall to their knees

"Jeb Bush was on CNN tonight and let's get this part over: Asked if he would run for president, he said he decided against it in 2012 not for political calculations but for personal reasons, by which he means family. But asked if he would run in 2016, should Barack Obama win, Florida's former governor would not rule it out, joking that his answer created 'a little opening' that 'all the bloggers' will pick up on." "Jeb Bush leaves 'a little opening' for future presidential run".

"A rare double cherry-pick"

"What we have here ... is a rare double cherry-pick"

LeMieux says that Hasner "cited his efforts to weaken pro-life and school choice legislation as unequivocal proof that he’s a moderate."

What we have here, based on our review, is a rare double cherry-pick. LeMieux has cherry-picked Hasner cherry-picking his own record. It is true that Hasner cited a vote on judicial bypass and expanding a voucher program as proof that he is a moderate Republican in 2004 and he did use the word "moderate" on his own mailer.

But those 2004 votes have caveats of their own [see here].

And being labeled a "moderate" does not tell the full picture of Hasner's voting record on the issues of abortion and school choice.

Rubio stalls jobs bill

"Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., yesterday joined Senate Republicans in stalling President Obama’s jobs bill. According to an impact report compiled by the White House, Obama’s American Jobs Act would have created thousands of education and infrastructure jobs in the state of Florida."

Florida would have "receive[d] $1,280,300,000 in funding to support as many as 16,600 jobs." "Rubio joins Senate GOP in blocking jobs bill". Meanwhile, "Rubio cosponsors bill that would eliminate one out of every 10 federal jobs".

LeMieux denies knowledge of Greer mess

"Republican U.S. Senate contender George LeMieux denied he had anything to do with the formation of disgraced former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer’s fundraising company." "LeMieux Denies Knowledge of Greer's Victory Strategies Formation".

All this and no surprises

"Fewer business taxes, new toll roads and more science graduates are among the goals Gov. Rick Scott set Wednesday for his second year in office." "Gov. Rick Scott rolls out his job agenda". See also "Scott seeks to cut more Florida taxes and rules, but on more modest scale", "Scott economic agenda continues to rely on tax cuts and budget cuts", "Scott begins laying out legislative agenda" and "Rick Scott's Agenda: Cut Taxes, Train Unemployed".

RPOFers in action

"Region's foreclosure rate jumps 27 percent".

Stearns opens mouth ...

"The wind power industry is lashing out at Florida Republican Cliff Stearns over comments the Ocala congressman made about the country’s competitiveness with China when it comes to renewable energy manufacturing. In a recent interview with NPR, Stearns said that U.S. 'can’t compete with China to make solar panels and wind turbines,' so the country should instead invest in other developing technologies." "Wind energy industry slams Florida congressman".

West rolling in cash

"West tapped into a nationwide network of small donors to raise a $1.9 million in campaign contributions between July 1 and Sept. 30, his campaign said Wednesday. The haul came from more than 42,100 individual contributors giving an average of $47 apiece, West's campaign said. West announced his third-quarter fundraising figure a day after Democrats Lois Frankel and Patrick Murphy said they had collected $415,000 and $313,000, respectively, in their quests for West's Palm Beach-Broward congressional seat." "West's $1.9 million far outpaces Democratic contenders' contributions in U.S. House race".

Yee haw!

"Charging that the National Park Service put the interests of off-road-vehicle riders over wildlife protection and other users, a group files suit to halt expanded access to the Big Cypress National Preserve" "Big Cypress swamp buggy plan draws lawsuit".

"Person with the weapon is supposed to inform the staff he is armed"

"Capitol staffers who deal with the public are clearly concerned about their safety after a new law went into effect Oct. 1 allowing anyone with a concealed weapons permit to legally bring a gun into the building."

"What does that mean to you? People are allowed to walk freely through the Capitol as long as they have a concealed weapon permit," Capitol Police officer Scotty Winfrey said. "They will not be marked, nor stopped, nor detained in any way once they're inside the building. The only time that they're not allowed to go in is when a legislative meeting is taking place."

That prompted a series of questions from some of about a dozen staffers who attended the meeting, which was not mandatory for Capitol workers.

None of the staffers gave their names, saying they feared losing their jobs.

One, who works for the Senate sergeant's office and frequently mans the doors to committee meeting rooms, asked if he and others could get advance notice when someone with a weapon enters the building.

"No," Winfrey said. Instead, the person with the weapon is supposed to inform the staff he is armed.

Legislature can set university tuition rates

"The Legislature does have the power to set tuition rates for state universities, an appellate court ruled Wednesday, siding against a group of plaintiffs led by former Gov. Bob Graham. A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal agreed with a circuit court that the Legislature — not the Board of Governors of the state university system — has the power to set tuition and fees. The appeals court decision was a victory for the Legislature, Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island and House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, who were named in the lawsuit." "Court: Lawmakers can set tuition rates". See also "Court Rules Florida Legislature, Not Board of Governors, Sets Tuition".

Hasner, LeMieux yawner

"LeMieux Pushing 'Four Freedoms'; Hasner Says Plan Lacks Imagination". Related: "LeMieux outlines positions on spending, economy".

Good luck with that

"State Sen. Nan Rich, D-Sunrise, has introduced a bill for the upcoming legislative session that would expand early voting sites around the state. Senate Bill 516 would remove some restrictions on early voting sites in the state." "State senator files bill to expand early voting".

Browning pushes voter suppression scheme

"In an effort to push forward the Legislature’s controversial elections overhaul, the state of Florida has filed a complaint challenging sections of the Voting Rights Act. The complaint — which was filed today by Florida Secretary of State Kurt Browning — argues that federal preclearance requirements for state election laws are 'unconstitutional.'" "Florida secretary of state challenges Voting Rights Act".

Local preferences flop in Hillsborough

The Tampa Tribune editorial board thinks its a great idea to spend public dollars on out-of-state companies; after all, why pay local construction workers when you can hire low-bid contractors with non-union employees who work without health insurance and sleep in their cars until the job is done.

"A proposal to give local business an advantage when bidding on Hillsborough County projects didn't pass last week, but unfortunately it didn't exactly fail either."

County commissioners voted to give Commissioner Les Miller a chance to tweak his proposal to win more support from the business community. Miller was clearly surprised that business leaders speaking at the Oct. 5 public hearing turned up their noses to preferences as if he had offered them sour milk.

They correctly pointed out that a protectionist approach is economically and politically wrong because it violates free-market principles. The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce is officially opposed to local preferences.

"Scott’s remarks 'unprovoked, ill-informed and insulting'"

"Scott also wants state colleges and universities to produce more graduates in science, technology, engineering and math, subjects that account for about 20 percent of all graduates."

Scott said those degrees will build a more employable workforce, but he did not provide details on how to increase those graduates.

In recent days, Scott has implied that the state should give bigger subsidies to students who study one of the so-called “STEM” subjects. Currently, state taxes follow the student no matter the major.

“How many more jobs you think there is for anthropology in this state?” Scott told a group of Tallahassee business leaders Tuesday. “You want to use your tax dollars to educate more people that can’t get jobs in anthropology? I don’t.”

The jab at anthropology was the second in two days from Scott and brought a response from the American Anthropological Association.

“It is very unfortunate that you would characterize our discipline in such a short-sighted way,” AAA President Virginia R. Dominguez and Director William E. Davis wrote in their letter.

“Perhaps you are unaware that anthropologists are leaders in our nation’s top science fields, making groundbreaking discoveries in areas as varied as public health, human genetics, legal history, bilingualism, the African American heritage and infant learning,” the pair wrote.

Brent Weisman, chair of the University of South Florida’s anthropology department called Scott’s remarks “unprovoked, ill-informed and insulting.”

“People with degrees in anthropology do good work,” Weisman said. “They have the very kinds of skills that are necessary to confront the problems that exist in Florida.”

"Florida's resurging foreclosure activity"

"The state is part of a nationwide trend in resurging foreclosure activity that had lulled as a result of the 'robo-signing' revelations of October 2010. " "Florida's foreclosure rate picks up steam again".

"State's court system in a financial bind"

"Expected revenue shortfall left the state's court system in a financial bind, so state Chief Justice Charles Canady requested money to keep the courts functioning." "Gov. Scott approves $45.6 million courts loan".

'Glades

"Restoration yet to start one year after Florida's $197 million Everglades land deal".

Dirty laundry in Hialeah

"It’s almost déjà-vu in Hialeah politics: The city’s mayor has encountered critical questions on the campaign trail about his financial dealings with a convicted Ponzi schemer."

Months ago, then-Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina faced similar treatment from the media over his loans of $750,000 to the imprisoned jeweler, Luis “Felipito” Perez.

Carlos Hernandez took over Robaina’s job as mayor in May and is running to keep the seat in November.

But his newfound political status has prompted questions about his $180,000 in loans to Perez, who maintains from behind bars that he paid Hernandez in interest-only payments, at an annual rate of 36 percent.

Hernandez is not under federal investigation — unlike his predecessor Robaina, who is suspected of taking secret cash payments from Perez and not reporting them. Robaina denies any wrongdoing.

For his part, Hernandez failed to disclose the interest he earned on his loans to Perez on his federal tax returns for 2007-09.

We must start by realizing that Florida's economy is worse than America's in general. Our unemployment rate alone is significantly higher — 10.7 percent in Florida, compared with 9.1 nationwide.

So if you're mad at Washington or Wall Street, you should be downright livid at Tallahassee.

But that's just the start of the Sunshine State slump. Florida also has lower salaries, more uninsured residents and a foreclosure rate that leads the nation.

On indicator after indicator, Florida trails America. Yet we have politicians in Florida pointing their fingers at Washington, which requires both selective outrage … and delusion.

Yet Florida remained desperate to score its next growth hit. So the politicians continued handing out corporate tax breaks — to the point that 98 percent of for-profit corporations paid no income taxes at all.

As a result, our budget became woefully dependent upon sales taxes — which are regressive, unreliable and now make up nearly three-fourths of the state's general fund budget.

The scenario was as unsustainable as it was predictable.

So now the politicians are once again looking to raid school budgets, and acting bewildered by it all.

"We're all hopeful that the economy will turn around," said Senate President Mike Haridopolos, "but at this point I don't see it happening."

No shock, Sherlock.

Continued Haridopolos: "We can't afford the government we used to have, so we're making adjustments."

By "adjustments," Haridopolos means more of the same failed policies that got us into this mess — cuts to things like education and social services, which have already been cut to the marrow, and nothing in the way of growing long-term revenues.

What's worse, Gov. Rick Scott wants to double down on these failed policies by cutting corporate taxes even further...so that no companies have to pay.

You could maybe see the logic in his plan — if there was any evidence to suggest that low corporate taxes lead to more jobs.

There is not. To the contrary, Florida has one of the lowest corporate tax rates in America — and one of the highest unemployment rates. Those are the facts.

Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature face a $1.5 billion revenue shortfall, state economists said Tuesday, complicating a budget picture in which health care and education costs are expected to rise as much as $1 billion.

The new revenue forecast is $600 million lower than state economists projected in March for the 2011-12 budget and $968.3 million lower than predicted for 2012-13.

Wednesday Morning Reads

"Wednesday Morning Reads: Campaign dollars, welfare applicants, and Rick Scott".

Texas model a "poor fit for Florida"

The Orlando Sentinel editors warn that "the model for reform that the governor [the fellow who doesn't understand the significance of disciplines like Anthropology] has been eyeing, a proposal drafted by a free-market think tank in Texas, would be a poor fit for Florida." "Reform universities, but don't copy Texas".

Scott's 2012 Legislative Agenda

"Job creation, with an emphasis on positions in high-tech fields, will remain Gov. Rick Scott's focus when he starts rolling out his agenda for his second year in office Wednesday in Orlando. On Tuesday, Scott offered a sneak preview of his goals for the 2012 legislative session." "Focused on Jobs, Rick Scott to Unveil 2012 Legislative Agenda".

Obama in O-town

"Barack Obama stumps for jobs bill, raises cash during Orlando stop".

Scammers

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "It is now easier in Florida to lay claim to someone’s house than to get a driver’s license, apparently. Florida’s Legislature needs to close this unintentional loophole to protect property owners." "Protect homeowners from scammers".

Good luck with that

"Amtrak Ranks Florida East Coast Line 'Most Promising' For Expansion".

"After all, he is black"

"Florida is challenging the federal government's long-standing authority to review and approve new voting laws in five counties in order to protect minority voters from discrimination."

The counties, which include Hillsborough and Monroe in the Florida Keys, find themselves at the center of a growing legal battle as the 2012 presidential election unfolds in the nation's largest battleground state.

Gov. Rick Scott's chief elections officer, Secretary of State Kurt Browning, asked a federal court Tuesday to remove the five counties from the voting law preclearance process after 40 years. The other counties are Collier, Hardee and Hendry.

At issue is a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, considered a centerpiece of historic civil rights legislation pushed by President Lyndon Johnson in an era when black voters, mostly in the South, routinely confronted poll taxes, literacy tests and other racially motivated barriers to voting.

Entrepreneurs in action

"Homebuilder to pay $625K fine; chunk of that coming to Florida".

Workers' comp rates

"A hearing Tuesday on whether to raise workers' compensation insurance rates in Florida also acted as a sounding board for airing complaints about the system." "Workers' comp rate hearing raises larger reform issues".

Oil drilling ban

"Former Gov. Charlie Crist and former CFO Alex Sink headlined a February rally at the Capitol to announce a campaign for a state Constitution amendment to ban on oil drilling in Florida waters. But the campaign faces an uphill challenge, organizers say, because of a recent election law change that allows petition signatures to be valid only for two years." "Oil-drill ban petition organizers worry about its prospects".

GOPers rake it in

"Utilities, health care, gaming contribute to Q3 Republican fundraising haul".

Scott: who needs anthropologists?

"Spending money on science and math degrees can help Floridians find work and provide a return on taxpayers' investments, Gov. Rick Scott said Monday in an interview on The Marc Bernier Show on WNDB-AM in Daytona Beach. Scott said Florida doesn't need 'a lot more anthropologists in this state.'"

Predictably, anthropologists were not amused by Scott's comments.

"Perhaps you are unaware that anthropologists are leaders in our nation's top science fields, making groundbreaking discoveries in areas as varied as public health, human genetics, legal history, bilingualism, the African American heritage and infant learning," Virginia R. Dominguez and William E. Davis of the American Anthropological Association wrote in a letter to Scott.

Firing squads?

"Give condemned inmates firing squad option, lawmaker says".

Good money after bad

"According to the latest numbers from Florida’s new welfare drug testing requirements, the state is currently spending more money on drug testing welfare applicants than it is saving money by denying benefits to those applicants who fail the test." "Latest numbers show what welfare drug testing is costing the state".

Never enough

"Attorney General Pam Bondi has joined 24 other states in asking for a delay of a new Environmental Protection Agency air-quality standards for oil- and coal-fired power plants, even though President Obama's administration weakened the rule last week." "Bondi, FPL ask for delay in EPA air-quality rule, but FPL prepared to implement".

Perry dead enders

"Rick Perry is scheduled to be raising money in St. Pete Beach on Oct. 26, at a morning, $1,000-per person fundraiser hosted by Tony Buzbee, Jose Cuevas, Dr. A.K. Desai and Keith Overton. It will be at the Tradewinds Island Resort, where Overton is president." "2012 tidbits".

Billy bucks

"Nelson will report raising just under $2 million for the quarter, the [Saint Petersburg Times'] Buzz hears, and will have about $7.5 million cash on hand for his re-election campaign. No word yet from his Republican challengers." "2012 tidbits".

Libertarian takes on "reclusive" Young

"A Libertarian candidate says he'll challenge Rep. C.W. Bill Young and is taking a few shots at the long-serving Pinellas County Republican. A news release touting Michael Hull, 36, notes Young's age (80), says Young's primary residence is in Virginia, and asserts that Young has been 'considerably more reclusive and inaccessible to his constituents in recent years.'" "C.W. Bill Young faces challenge from Libertarian".

Thanks to the expanded political playing field he helped create three years ago, even a long-standing presidential election axiom — whoever wins two out of three between Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio wins the White House — is out the window.

It's absolutely plausible nearly one year out from the election that he will lose all three of those states — and a whole lot more. His approval ratings in Pennsylvania and Ohio are just as bad as in Florida, and his poll numbers are grim throughout the Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions. ...

And more bad news for Obama: Census shifts since the last election netted six more electoral votes to states McCain won in 2008. (Florida's population gains increased its electoral vote prize from 27 to 29.)

On top of that, Republican leaders in Pennsylvania are considering making their electoral votes go to the winner of each congressional district rather than to the popular winner statewide. That means the 20 electoral votes of a state that has gone Democratic in the past five elections could wind up closely divided between the Republican and Democratic nominees.

"Muscle-flexing by Florida"

Steve Bousquet: "With 29 electoral votes, Florida is the biggest state that's not a lock for either party in a presidential race."

Previous elections made "the I-4 corridor" a household term in national politics (as well as dimpled chads and the butterfly ballot, but that's another story).

The latest muscle-flexing by Florida is the decision by Republican leaders to manipulate the political calendar and schedule the state's presidential primary on Jan. 31, 2012, following Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.

Scott likes regressive toll-taxes

"With a coming nationwide trend of tougher fuel standards and vehicles with higher gas mileage acting to depress fuel tax revenue during the next decade, Florida and other states are embracing toll roads as a way to pay for their transportation needs." "Gov. Scott’s transportation plan paved with toll roads".

Freedom to pollute

"Despite proposed rule changes announced last week by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, utilities say they still have concerns about whether Florida is being treated fairly. Florida Power & Light supports the intent of the rule but still says a review is needed. Progress Energy and Gulf Power have raised concerns about costs but are still reviewing the rule requirements." "Electric utilities back Bondi's lawsuit against federal air pollution rule".

The Week Ahead

"The Week Ahead for Oct. 10 to Oct. 14".

Charter school madness

A Florida charter school operator closes her Florida charter and heads to Wisconsin:

Last week, as she was leaving the Milwaukee [charter school in the Milwaukee public school system], a reporter confronted [the Florida school's founder, Wendy] Alexander and asked whether parents would get their money back.

"I have no comment," Alexander said. "I hope so."

She wouldn't say what happened to the money.

Florida embarrasses itself (again)

"Former Sen. Al Lawson said Monday he would return to the Capitol to speak against a bill that would repeal Florida's ban on 'dwarf-tossing.'"

HB 4063, sponsored by Rep. Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, has gained national attention after the Florida Tribune first reported on the bill last week. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel lampooned Workman during his monologue on his ABC TV show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" after the story gained national media attention.

Lawson sponsored the bill 22 years ago as a House member, which led to the ban after dwarf-tossing in bars became a national controversy.

Alleged journalists parrot Chamber talking points

More of the same union hating this morning from the alleged journalists who comprise The Miami Herald editors, the folks who
who let their owners "overrule editorial board decisions".

These would-be journalists seem incapable of conducting a reasoned debate on the pension issue, and instead do little more than parrot Chamber of Commerce talking points.

Alabama's "papers please" law may impact Florida

"A number of school districts across Florida have been advised to monitor enrollment numbers for Hispanic migrant families relocating from Alabama after a federal judge upheld that state's new immigration enforcement law. ..."

On Sept. 28, Birmingham-based U.S. District Judge Sharon Blackburn backed the immigration law that allows state and local police to ask for residency papers during routine traffic stops and renders most contracts with illegal immigrants unenforceable.

The law, which went into place Oct. 1, also requires schools to find out for certain the immigration status of children when they register.

The last provision is what reportedly caused many parents in Alabama to pull their children from school on Oct. 1, even though nothing was expected to change for students already enrolled.

GOPers getting the double-dip they want

Just in time for the election, GOPers may be getting their second dip:

"We're not that optimistic at all," said [Senate President Mike] Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island. "We're all hopeful that the economy will turn around. But at this point, we don't see it."

As Florida's unemployment rate remains at 10.7 percent, state economists are expected to announce their latest revenue projections Tuesday.

The current $69 billion state budget required $4 billion in spending cuts, and Gov. Rick Scott has already directed agencies to prepare for an additional 10 percent reduction in spending.

Though Republican legislative leaders continue to rule out tax increases, Haridopolos said he would consider additional tuition hikes at state colleges and universities as a way to constrain higher-education outlays.

Never mind the anti-union violence

"The long-awaited trade deals -- Scott also slammed the Obama administration Monday for taking too long to send the proposals to Congress -- were originally negotiated by the Bush administration but were held up by wrangling over aid for workers who have lost jobs because of outsourcing and by concerns by organized labor about anti-union violence in Colombia." "Florida Officials, Businesses Look Forward to Trade Pacts' Passage".

Occupy Florida

"From more than 200 people gathering on a rainy Saturday on Miami Dade Community College’s Wolfson Campus this weekend to a smaller meeting this Sunday at the Miami Workers Center, Miami-ans are mobilizing in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement."

Occupy Wall Street has been gaining momentum all over the country, including in Florida. In the past few days Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale and others saw demonstrations in solidarity with the New York-based movement.

The weekend before, a spontaneous protest took place in downtown Miami. About 200 people of all ages showed up to demonstrate. Following the momentum seen all over the country, groups are looking to show their support in greater numbers in cities all over the country — and Miami is among the cities looking to take continued action.

Much like the Occupy Wall Street movement, Miami demonstrators are not looking to choose leaders or decide on a single demand. Right now, veteran political activists and newcomers are looking to join a movement that expresses their many grievances with the state of the country. This movement, and the excitement that surrounds it, has provided the opportunity for large numbers to express their concerns.

"Carole Crist becomes a Democra"

"Former first lady Carole Crist becomes a Democrat".

A true laff riot: Scott's version of HCR

"As it fights to overturn the federal health overhaul, Florida is preparing to launch an insurance marketplace early next year that looks like a distant cousin of the ones being created under the federal law, according to Kaiser Health News."

[T]here are key differences between Florida's exchange and the type that will be available in 2014 in all states through the federal law:

--Florida’s exchange is open only to small employers, not to individuals.

--The federal law provides subsidies to help lower-income individuals buy coverage through the exchange, and tax credits to some small businesses that cover their workers. Florida does not.

--The federal law requires health plans to offer certain "essential health benefits." Florida does not.

Scott contributors look to reap spoils

"Florida Seeks Outside Counsel for Possible BP Lawsuit".

Obama's Florida money

"Miami is source of Obama's Florida money".

Yee haw!

"Police, chamber sergeants prepare for policy allowing guns in Florida Capitol".

Republi-baggers run wild in Pinellas County

Fred Grimm: "For too long, we patriotic Americans have allowed winos and crystal meth addicts and backwoods yokels with no access to city water or modern dentistry to appropriate the prestige that comes with jagged, decayed teeth and the subsidiary whiff of rotten breath. Finally, after a contentious three-hour public hearing last week, the Pinellas County Commission confronted the bright white shining truth behind healthy teeth and fluoridated smiles: Local governments have given into the world-wide conspiracy to drug us into submission."

"Fluoride is a toxic substance," declared Tony Caso of Palm Harbor. The St. Petersburg Times reported that Caso, a fervid tea party activist, warned Pinellas commissioners: "This is all part of an agenda that’s being pushed forth by the so-called globalists in our government and the world government to keep the people stupid so they don’t realize what’s going on."

Caso had constructed an utterly unassailable argument. It was stupid, sure, particularly to someone who doesn’t subscribe to worldwide conspiracy theories. But that’s obviously because Caso has been pumped full of toxic fluoride designed, as he said, "to keep people stupid." His very stupidity proves his stupid premise.

"This is the U.S. of A," Caso reminded the commissioners, in case they had misplaced their world atlases. "Not the Soviet Socialist Republic."

Perhaps under the stupefying effects of fluoride themselves, four of the seven commissioners voted to stop adding fluoride to the county’s water supply, rescuing 700,000 from the commie plot to control their minds, even while saving their teeth. ...

The state dental establishment, stunned by the Pinellas vote, harbors some meager hope that the commission will reconsider the fluoride issue at a meeting Tuesday. The Florida Dental Association warned that the Pinellas commissioners "failed to protect area residents against cavities and tooth decay by keeping its community water fluoridation program."

"Our community water fluoridation programs are vital to the public health," argued FDA President Cesar Sabates. "It is important that community leaders understand that cutting these vital health programs will directly lead to more cavities or tooth decay. This is especially true for low-income children, who have little access to dental services."

Not a good argument, that low-income children stuff. Not when the county commission’s facing down a roomful of rabid anti-government tea party activists.

The cowed commission also ignored 65 years of research supporting fluoridation as an effective public health measure against tooth decay. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has characterized fluoridation as “one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.” The American Dental Association, the American Medical Association and the U.S. Public Health Service have all endorsed fluoridation.

"There’s really nothing new on the scientific side that could justify this."

Tomar worries that the anti-fluoridation campaign will spread across the state (about 70 percent of Florida’s public water supplies are fluoridated). He said similar protests have flared up recently in Gainesville and Naples. He expects others will follow. Tomar spoke of a kind a perverse parallel to the anti-vaccination crusade. It hardly matters if the science is faulty, as long as the websites seem plausible.

"Florida a thriving mail-order exporter of concealed weapons permits"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Add this to the list of citrus, phosphate and other top Florida exports:"

concealed weapons permits. The Sunshine State has quietly become a thriving mail-order exporter of concealed weapons permits, which have been issued to nearly 100,000 nonresidents. Some of those packing heat up north with permission from Florida have been denied concealed weapons permits in their home states. It's bad enough that the NRA controls the Florida Legislature, but this state should not be known as the place to turn for a suntan, an orange — and permission to carry a concealed gun. ...

In one case cited by the newspaper, an individual had been denied a local concealed weapons permit because of his association with drug trafficking. In another case, an 18-year-old man was shot to death by an assailant who managed to obtain a Florida concealed weapons permit after his Pennsylvania permit had been revoked. Florida was more than happy to oblige both customers.

Florida’s 'Walmart Moms'

"In a nondescript office park outside Orlando, the fragility of Obama’s re-election prospects were on full display one night last week at a focus group organized by Democratic pollster Margie Omero and Republican pollster Neil Newhouse. Ten mothers in their 20s and 30s gathered around a conference table, sharing their outlook on life, leadership and America heading into the 2012 election." "For Obama campaign, a dire message from Florida’s “Walmart Moms”".

Florida first state since mandatory drug screening was ruled unconstitutional

"In 1996, Congress said states could test welfare recipients for illegal drug use, and in 1999, Michigan was the first state to require applicants to take drug tests, regardless of suspicion. But that law was struck down as unconstitutional, discouraging other states from requiring similar testing. This year, Florida became the first state to try mandatory drug screening of all applicants after Michigan's legal loss, while Arizona and Missouri enacted laws to test applicants they suspect might use drugs." "Florida is not the first state to require drug testing of welfare applicants".

The events surrounding the grand jury investigation began as early as February 2008 when Team Santa Rosa met privately with Gaetz, Sansom and several board members. Gaetz was a freshman state senator at the time and Sansom was incoming House budget chairman.

"One in four face financial ruin"

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "At one private health-care career college in Central Florida, 26 percent of students whose loans came due in 2009 had defaulted by the end of 2010, according to recent federal statistics. That means one in four face financial ruin — wrecked credit, docked wages and no more aid if they go back to school. A more extreme case, certainly, but not entirely out of the norm in the Sunshine State." "Florida must do its part to lower high student default rates".

Term limits quagmire

The Sarasota Herald Tribune editors: "When Florida's Supreme Court took up a pair of disputed term-limits cases in 2002, it did so, in part, to clarify state law. But the resulting ruling continues to spark legal struggles around the state."

The muddle needs to be cleared up — again — and quickly. ...

Florida's Fourth District Court of Appeal recently upheld a Broward County charter rule that restricts county commissioners to no more than three consecutive terms in office. Essentially, the court said the 2002 state Supreme Court ruling did not prohibit these term limits.

That outcome is quite different from what happened in Sarasota County — where, in 2005, a circuit judge invalidated term limits the voters had placed on county commissioners. The judge, citing the same 2002 high-court ruling, indicated that the justices had found that county term limits were not authorized by the state constitution.

33% false confession rate?

"Florida's Innocence Commission, a blue-ribbon panel trying to come up with ways to keep innocent people from being convicted, is meeting today in Orlando. The panel's main point of business is what to do about false confessions. Four of the 12 Florida suspects who have been wrongfully convicted and later cleared by DNA gave false confessions." "Firing of Health Care District internal watchdog under investigation".

Watchdog fired after the first inquiry

"An internal watchdog newly hired by the Health Care District to prevent fraud and misuse of taxpayer money was fired after launching her first inquiry. Days after her firing, compliance officer RoxAnne Harris appealed to the board chairman and was reinstated with full back pay. She's been on leave since Aug. 31 while her firing itself is investigated." "Firing of Health Care District internal watchdog under investigation".

Flobama

"President Barack Obama plans to visit Orlando on Tuesday as part of a nationwide tour intended to drum up support for his jobs bill — and his own re-election. With 13 months until Election Day, the once-popular president faces a steep climb to a second term, in part because of a disappointed — some say disillusioned — base. Polls in Florida show nearly 6 in 10 voters are unhappy with his performance." "Obama's visit to Orlando on Tuesday comes amid sour voter mood".

Luv 4 sale

"The next two Republicans slated to lead the Florida House have been traveling the state this summer for redistricting hearings — at the same time raising gobs of cash from health-insurance companies, Big Sugar and companies such as Walmart."

Since June, House Speaker-designate Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, has raised $459,500 in big checks through a political fund he controls called the Committee for a Conservative House.

Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Jacksonville, a dominant player in the plans to privatize the state's $20 billion Medicaid program, kicked in $325,000 of that. The company paid $200,000 in one day on Sept. 16.

Another $27,500 came from the Florida Police Benevolent Association, which recently successfully sued to block the Legislature's attempt to privatize 29 South Florida prisons.

"Unsurprisingly, businesses are not pleased"

The Palm Beach Post editors: "In a few months, hiring foreign workers is likely to get more expensive for American businesses, and that's mostly a good thing."

Making businesses pay higher wages to temporary foreign workers encourages them to hire out-of-work Americans, something that doesn't happen nearly enough in such sectors as the hospitality industry. Particularly in Palm Beach County, resorts and country clubs need to be pushed to look harder for local workers before shipping foreigners in.

Unsurprisingly, businesses are not pleased. Claiming financial ruin if new federal guidelines take effect that raise wages for temporary foreign workers hired on H-2B visas, several industry groups are suing the U.S. Department of Labor, hoping to overturn the increases.

The increases vary by industry and region but in many cases wages will rise by $3 or $4 an hour. The professional associations suing, which represent such groups as foresters, crawfish processors and hoteliers, claim the extra payroll costs will force them to hire fewer people and pass on added costs to customers.

But these wage rules apply only when companies hire H-2B workers. The fact that they are complaining now about wage rules that won't take effect until November underscores a key problem.

A sucker's bet?

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editors: "Florida is on the cusp of becoming the Disney World of gambling. Uh, make that gaming -- sounds a little more Disney-like."

This is the vision of state Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, a Fort Lauderdale Republican and co-sponsor of a bill to allow three multi-billion-dollar "destination resort casinos" in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

"Basically, we could become the Disney of gaming," Bogdanoff said to the Naples Daily News. "Disney was built here and brings in tourists from around the world. Gaming can do the same thing."

Bogdanoff and other lawmakers who want to expand gambling have entered the Magic Kingdom. They're looking at a down economy and another lean state budget and imagining that there is a politically painless solution to these problems. And whenever public officials start looking for an easy way out of their budget dilemmas, the nation's massive and hugely profitable gambling industry is there with an answer.

We'll turn your state into one big Disney World of slots, poker tables and roulette wheels! Step right up and place your bets on the new tax -- make that gaming -- revenue machine!

It's a sucker's bet. Florida will never become the Disneyland of casinos. Even if "destination" casinos pop up all over the state, legislators will still struggle to balance the budget, the schools will still need more funding and Medicaid will continue to devour a large percentage of state revenues.

Yee haw!

"Under threat of stiff financial and criminal penalties from the gun-friendly Legislature, cities and counties across Florida rushed to repeal all their local gun laws over the past few weeks. But now that 'No Guns Allowed' signs have disappeared from city halls, parks, campgrounds, libraries and other public buildings, local politicians are trying to figure out how to ensure the safety of government employees." "Guns in public buildings have local officials on edge".

"Chamber picking up where it left off"

Aaron Deslatte: "Florida business lobbyists were kids in the candy store during the spring legislative session, and who could blame them for being giddy?"

The Florida Chamber of Commerce invested $5.5 million to elect the biggest Republican supermajorities in history last year, and chamber President Mark Wilson proclaimed the window for pro-business legislation a "generational opportunity."

Despite some tea-party grumbling, the 60-day session saw the GOP reward its benefactors with a historic amount of payback: 31 of the Florida Chamber's top 36 issues passed, including abolishing teacher tenure and expanding charter schools, blowing up the state's growth-management department, scaling back security at ports, freeing telecommunications giants such as AT&T from state regulation and cutting corporate taxes. ...

Now, the Florida Chamber is picking up where it left off. Tops on its 2012 agenda will be more lawsuit limitations, including restricting the use of "expert witnesses"; more freedom for insurers to withhold paying claims in so-called "bad-faith" cases; and limiting attorney fees in personal-injury-protection lawsuits.

"Last year was a fantastic success for the business community, but much more needs to be done," said chamber Executive Vice President David Hart.

The chamber's agenda was part of a broader discussion last week of job-creation ideas among House lawmakers, university-system Chancellor Frank Brogan, a Gulf Power executive and Council of 100 Chairman-elect Marshall Criser III.

Yawner

"Ex-Florida U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez backs Romney".

Florida Morning

"Florida Morning: Rick Perry in St. Pete; Mel Martinez endorses Mitt Romney".

The Rickster's "charm offensive"

"You wouldn't have known it from his campaign, but Gov. Rick Scott insists he likes newspapers."

During his campaign, Scott bucked tradition and deliberately ignored newspaper editorial boards, although he did meet with The Ledger's board — but that was the only exception. Not surprisingly, none of the newspapers endorsed him.

However, after his popularity with voters plunged in the spring, Scott has been on a charm offensive since the summer. And part of that remake involves establishing a more cordial relationship with the state's media.

Now, Scott usually starts his day with a half-hour media briefing and he has more frequent press availabilities.

And in contrast to the campaign, as of Friday, Scott has now visited some 10 editorial boards, including stops Friday at newspapers in his hometown of Naples and in nearby Fort Myers. On Monday, Scott is scheduled to appear before the editorial board at the Herald-Tribune in Sarasota.

One helluva bill

"The head of the State Board of Administration is being called back to the Capitol to address a $10,750 invoice to a state lawmaker for a public records request centered on a $125 million investment by the agency in a private equity firm." "Senators to Review $10,000 Bill for Hedge-Fund Investment Records".

Poor lil' Ricky

Nancy Smith cries that "the press flat-out didn't like Scott. His communications office sparred with reporters daily. But you would think that a few folks in the press would open up a little dialogue on why they could conduct a public records feeding frenzy on one governor, after giving the other a free pass and a kiss on the cheek." "Email Vigilance? Not During the Charlie Crist Years".

The weather is nice in Spain this time of year

"Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll and space executives are in Europe this week to drum up high-tech and aerospace business for the state." "Florida Delegation Hunts for High-Tech Jobs in Britain, Spain".

Enough with the "lock 'em up approach"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board writes that "with tight budgets year after year, some conservative lawmakers are starting to see that Florida can no longer afford [the] lock 'em up approach. Legislators need to find the money to pay for more drug treatment now to achieve much greater savings in the future." "Drug treatment cheaper than cells".