A shadowy group calling itself the Small Business Advocacy Council, created just three weeks before the election, paid for a series of misleading attacks on Bates delivered to city voters in mailers and robocalls.

The first word most voters got of who was really behind those attacks didn't come until Election Day, when the Sentinel reported that the Small Business Advocacy Council had been bankrolled by political committees chaired by none other than Republican state Reps. Chris Dorworth of Lake Mary and Matt Gaetz of Fort Walton Beach. Because of the council's late birth, it wasn't required by law to file a campaign finance report until Nov. 4, four days before Election Day.

While ECOs can run ads to influence voters, they can't endorse a candidate. But in a two-candidate race like the one in Altamonte Springs, an attack on one might as well be an endorsement of the other. If there were any doubt, both the Dorworth and Gaetz committees also made direct contributions at the $500 limit to the campaign of Bates' opponent, CSX lobbyist Bob O'Malley.

The fact that Dorworth, in line to become Florida House speaker in 2014, chose to bankroll underhanded attack ads in this local nonpartisan race — ads O'Malley tried to distance himself from — speaks volumes about his priorities and politics.

Shouldn't he be above this sort of sleaze?

Cain leadership team replete with Fla-Baggers

"Leading in national polls and doing well in Florida, businessman Herman Cain announced on Friday that he has leadership set up in all 67 counties in the Sunshine State. The Cain team released a list of new county leaders on Friday and their county chairmen in Florida include many campaign veterans, tea party activists and local Republican leaders." "Herman Cain Builds His Team in Florida".

BOG makes plans

"Board of Governors Studying Plan for Higher Education Reform".

"Thinly veiled GOTV push for religious right"

"Saturday, 34 churches in Florida will host a viewing of 'One Nation Under God,' which is being promoted as a 'two-hour premiere DVD event featuring top American thinkers and political leaders who will bring the truth about God and America to people gathered in homes and churches across the nation.' The event is a thinly veiled national get-out-the-vote push for the religious right."

According to the event’s website, speakers include some big names in the Christian right: David Barton, James Dobson and Lila Rose of the anti-abortion group Live Action, to name a few. Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich is listed, as well. ...

John Stemberger, president of the anti-abortion and anti-gay Florida Family Policy Council, is also listed as a participant in the event. Stemberger recently attended the Florida Renewal Project’s Pastors’ Policy Briefing. The “briefing” was aimed at getting churches and religious leaders involved in elections. Media outlets were barred from the event and a reporter was even escorted away from the meeting between presidential candidates Rick Perry and Gingrich and pastors.

Right Wing Watch reported that Stemberger recently appeared on a conference call for Champion the Vote, a California-based religious voter mobilization effort. During the call, Stemberger reportedly promoted “One Nation Under God” and warned that America is being “fundamentally transformed into a different type of culture, a different country” and said that “we will lose this beautiful thing we call America” ....

League of cities goes off deep end

"Rarely on friendly terms, the Florida League of Cities and the Police Benovolent Association are duking it out in court, trying to force the other to give up information both insist is private. Palm Beach County PBA President John Kazanjian this week was sued by the group that represents the state’s municipalities. It wants a judge to force him to give up personal emails it insists are public records." "Police union, cities take pension feud to court".

"Interest in gambling to run amok"

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Barrel racing isn't exactly the sport of kings, and Weston isn't clamoring for a new jai-alai fronton. Both, though, stand to become thorny challenges to those seeking to curb the spread of gambling in Florida. At the moment, interest in gambling is starting to run amok."

"It's easy to pick through and find flaws in the recently filed casino bill that its sponsors, state Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, and state Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, insist is necessary to curtail seedier and widespread gambling outlets. The real culprit, though, is a gambling loophole the Legislature created roughly three decades ago, and which could prove big enough to drive a gravy train through." "State needs to fix gambling frenzy".

"Selling an illusion"

"Resort casinos would boost state coffers next year by about $155 million, mostly from licensing fees, but the net benefit to the state once the resorts are in full swing in 2015 would be only between $4 million and $102 million a year, according to state economists." "Florida economists: Casino revenue would be mild boost to state coffers". See also Fabiola Santiago's "Gambling industry is selling an illusion".

Will South Florida home prices rebound?

"NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun says South Florida home prices will rebound by 10 percent in the next two years. John Tuccillo disagrees. Tuccillo, a Sarasotan and former NAR chief economist, attended Yun’s speech ... at the National Association of Realtors convention and told me at its conclusion that Yun 'got it wrong.' Distressed inventory will keep prices from going up much, Tuccillo said. Look for 5 percent appreciation — at most." "Lawrence Yun, Realtors’ economist, expects South Florida price rebound".

Runnin' gub'ment like a bidness

"For the second year in a row, Florida is giving up on collecting more than $100 million in taxes, fees and fines owed the state."

Last year Florida wrote off more than $109 million as uncollectable. But new data collected by a state agency shows that the state forgave $110.5 million for the fiscal year that ended June 30 despite a budget shortfall.

A large portion written off by state officials was unpaid taxes, including sales taxes, corporate income taxes and unemployment taxes owed by businesses.

"A virtual clown brigade"

Beth Kassab: "It turns out a virtual clown brigade has been minding the $1.7 billion Florida has promised to companies in exchange for creating jobs and investing in the state."

How else do you explain the flow of wrong and misleading information out of the Department of Economic Opportunity in recent weeks?

It would be comical if it wasn't true. ...

Before lawmakers even think about giving these programs more money, at the very least they need to ensure that the public has access to reliable information about how well, or poorly, incentives are working.

"Whodunit over a political contribution"

"In a sign of the fight for the Jewish vote, Sen. Bill Nelson’s campaign is embroiled in a whodunit over a political contribution made by an Islamic activist who has branded Israel a 'terrorist state.'"

Nelson’s campaign says it rejected a $500 donation made at an Oct. 22 fundraiser by activist Ahmed Bedier due to his strident criticisms of Israel.

But Bedier said he never gave the contribution in the first place. So nothing was rejected. The host of the event, Ocala pharmacist Manal Fakhoury, said Bedier is telling the truth.

“He did not give money,” said Fakhoury, who held the fundraiser for 60 people at her home. “I saw the list’’ of donors.

Regardless of who’s telling the truth, the controversy exposes the tightrope politicians walk when they even appear with Islamic activists in a state with a strong and influential Jewish population, which leans heavily Democratic.

Republicans have been feverishly trying to turn more Jewish support to the GOP, claiming Democrats are too soft on Israel.

Atlas laughed

Some kiddies really like that greed stuff.

Seminole war

"The chairman of the Seminole Tribe broke his silence and vowed to oppose any effort to bring new resort casinos to Florida because they would end the tribe's gambling monopoly and breach its revenue-sharing agreement with the state." "Seminole Tribe vows to oppose resort-casinos proposal".

"War is raging over absentee ballots"

"In the fierce Hialeah mayoral race, a war is raging over absentee ballots. Part of the problem: There is no penalty for violating Miami-Dade’s ordinance regulating absentee ballots — though that may change." "In Hialeah, accusations fly over absentee ballots". A little history from Fred Grimm: "Absentee ballots still source of election fraud".

Funny how the GOPers aren't insisting on tightening up one of the few sources of real election fraud - absentee/mail ballots. Not how to figure why that is: the Florida Republican Party always has plenty of cash to operate high cost absentee ballot programs.

"A collective gasp swept across the room"

"A collective gasp swept across the room."

Michael Long, the lone student member of the Florida Board of Governors, had just told the audience that Sen. J.D. Alexander threatened to stop supporting higher education if the board didn't make the University of South Florida Polytechnic the state's 12th public university.

Heads turned to Alexander, sitting right behind Long. The senator remained silent.

Long continued.

"He is leveling his power in the Legislature," Long said. "I do not feel very well represented by J.D. and his comments."

It was an intense moment in a debate filled with fireworks. The board that oversees the state university system was about to decide whether USF's campus in Lakeland should become independent — a move, pushed by Alexander for months and opposed by students, faculty and a slew of community members.

There had been whispers that the bullish Alexander tried to intimidate the board members before the meeting. But of the 15 at the table, the 20-year-old New College sophomore was the only one to directly speak out.

Fifty percent of Florida voters disapprove of the way Scott is doing his job as governor, a poll released by Quinnipiac University shows.

Just 36 percent of the people responding to the poll said they approved of Scott’s performance and 14 percent said they didn’t know.

This is virtually unchanged from a previous Quinnipiac poll released back in September. Back then Scott had a 37 percent favorable rating.

36 percent approve of his job performance, while 50 percent disapprove. Among independent voters, the key to carrying Florida, Scott has a 56 - 29 percent disapproval rating. Scott gets a 67 - 22 percent thumbs up among Republicans, but a 73 - 14 percent thumbs down from Democrats. He does okay with men, who split 43 - 46 percent, but woman say no way 55 - 30 percent.

"Mack blowing away Republican competition"

"Congressman Connie Mack is blowing away the Republican competition and is in the best shape to best Sen. Bill Nelson, the only Democrat elected to statewide office in Florida"

Congressman Connie Mack’s entrance into Florida's moribund Senate race has propelled him into instant-frontrunner status in the Republican field and threatens incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson, according to a new poll.

“The entrance of Congressman Connie Mack into the Senate race changes what had been shaping up as an easy reelection for Sen. Bill Nelson into a tough fight that the incumbent could lose," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

“The fact that Mack is essentially tied with Nelson, who has been a statewide political figure for two decades, should set off warning bells at Democratic headquarters.”

Nelson is the only Democrat elected to state-wide office in Florida.

What makes the numbers so surprising is that Mack didn't make a high-profile announcement, entered the race relatively recently and has yet to really campaign. But he's the son and namesake of a former well-liked Florida Republican senator, who was the grandson of a famous baseball player. So Mack, R-Cape Coral, could be enjoying some residual benefits of having high name-identification.

The other Republican candidates are suffering from the opposite name ID effect: They have almost none. So George LeMieux garners 9 percent, Mike McCalister 6 percent and Adam Hasner and Craig Miller tie at 2 percent. Prior to Mack’s decision to run for Senate, which he declined to do earlier this year, the race had no big name and was overshadowed by the presidential contest.

But despite the big lead, Mack's victory is not assured. Nearly half of the electorate, 45 percent, are undecided and the primary is in August. That means the others have lots of time to raise money, campaign and to start taking shots at Mack, who now has a political target on his back.

"Scott mum on allegations against Cain"

"Gov. Scott mum on allegations against Cain".

Scott runnin' gub'ment like a bidness

"The Department of Economic Opportunity, created under Gov. Rick Scott, has lost track of millions of dollars it has already spent. Even so, the agency wants lawmakers to set aside more money for incentives next year." "State agency lost track of cash incentives".

Occupy Florida

"Occupy Miami protesters asked to leave temporarily". See also "Jacksonville city councilman continues to spar with Occupy protesters".

Rubio don' like that intertube neutrality thing

Marco Rubio supports a Senate resolution to repeal the FCC’s net neutrality rules

The resolution would repeal the net neutrality rules issued last year that go into effect this month. Net neutrality is the idea that consumers should have access to all Internet content and services, and not by limited by Internet service providers "that want to treat them differently so they can charge you more depending on what you use." ...

Matt Wood — policy director for Free Press, which manages the Save the Internet campaign — tells The Florida Independent that if the Senate resolution becomes law, the FCC “would not be able to adopt regulations on that issue again without further authorizations by Congress; if it does pass into law it would take away even more of the FCC’s power to oversee broadband and protect consumers online.”

Wood adds that repeal of FCC rules “would allow [Internet service providers] to block consumers from websites, from lawful content of your choice, block and charge you more to access certain sites, speed up certain sites or slow others down.”

PIP

"An amendment to HB 119 would cap attorneys fees and require insurers to reduce their rates. The proposal would also automatically repeal PIP In 2015 unless Legislature agrees to re-enact the insurance requirement." "PIP stands to change or die under new proposal".

Theme parks rolling in dough

"Operating profit at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts surged 33 percent to $421 million on sales that were up 11 percent to $3.1 billion." "Disney reports record $4.8 billion profit in 2011".

Teabaggers got taken by Scott

"On Rick Scott's first day as governor, he declared ethics and integrity "essential to maintaining the public trust" and ordered his office to find ways to implement suggestions from a grand jury assembled to investigate public corruption."

More than 10 months later, there appears to be no plan.

That frustrates some tea party activists who propelled Scott to victory. They believed Scott was talking about ethics reform in all those campaign ads where he blasted "Tallahassee insiders."

"He led Florida voters to think he was going to be a strong proponent of ethics reform, and his record shows he's very weak," said Nick Egoroff, a tea party activist from Orlando. "I haven't heard him say one word on it."

A pair of Republican senators who have been unable to push ethics reform through the GOP-controlled Legislature also said they were "disappointed" in Scott.

Empty suit strides world stage

"Rubio calls for tough UN reforms to suit U.S. interests". For more on Mr. Rubio see "Marco Rubio's lavish rise to the top".

"Florida voters just disapprove"

"Florida voters just disapprove. Whether it's Democratic President Barack Obama, Republican Gov. Rick Scott, their political parties, the tea party, the Occupy Wall Street movement or plans to trim entitlements, all get relatively low marks in the eyes of Florida voters, two public-opinion surveys released Thursday show."

One of the polls, by Quinnipiac University, showed that Florida was the most-displeased swing state when compared to contemporaneous surveys conducted in Ohio and Pennsylvania. A full 83 percent of Floridians said they were dissatisfied with the direction of the nation.

When it comes to just Florida Republicans, there's not much of a sense of satisfaction with their candidates for the White House. None is a clear frontrunner. Mitt Romney, essentially running for president since 2008, is statistically tied with Herman Cain, a political newcomer who is the latest in Romney alternatives.

Here's what GOP voters especially like: Medicare and Social Security, according to an AARP poll of 500 likely Florida Republican voters. And those are the two programs that their candidates want to reform and trim. ...

By wide margins, the survey shows that Republicans of all kinds — whether they're Hispanic, moderates or in the tea party — would rather fix the nation's budget by withdrawing from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, eliminating foreign aid or eliminating so-called tax loopholes.

The issues are particularly important in Florida, which has the largest number of retirees in the nation. The poll shows that 60 percent of the Republican primary voters in Florida are retired, and that 87 percent of all respondents say Social Security benefits are or will be important to their retirement. Nearly 45 percent say they rely on Medicare for health insurance.

Out here in the fields

"Feds rip mismanagement of Homestead farmworker housing".

Q Poll: 52% approve of Rubio’s job performance

"Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has emerged unscathed from a controversy stemming from the date on which his family emigrated from Cuba, according to a new poll Friday."

Forty-nine percent of Florida voters approved of Rubio’s job performance - unchanged from late September, reports a new Quinnipiac poll. Only 29 percent disapproved of his job performance, slightly down from 31 percent in September.

A majority of Hispanics - 52 percent - approved of Rubio’s job performance, compared to only 23 percent who did not approve. The breakdown for Hispanic voters in September was not available.

Hastings rolls up his sleeves

"Hastings tries to save Broward mail centers".

Does GEO own the Florida GOP?

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Leon County Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford was right to stop Gov. Scott from taking bids to privatize 29 South Florida prisons. The Scott administration had planned to begin accepting bids today, despite Judge Fulford's earlier ruling that the Legislature unconstitutionally enacted the privatization plan."

Should that ruling stand up on appeal, Gov. Scott and legislators will have to be more transparent about trying to reward Boca Raton-based GEO Group for its campaign contributions by putting one-fifth of Florida's prison population in the company's control.

The Legislature slipped the privatization language into the must-pass budget, so the plan avoided debate and an up-or-down vote. "If it is the will of the Legislature to itself initiate privatization of Florida prisons, as opposed to (the Department of Corrections)," Judge Fulford said, "the Legislature must do so by general law, rather than using the hidden recesses of the General Appropriations Act."

In a report titled "Gaming the System," the Justice Policy Institute blames "lobbying largely led by the GEO Group," for the Legislature's tactic. The report says that private prison companies such as GEO have a vested interest in pushing legislation that keeps people incarcerated. "They have worked hard over the past decade to create markets for their product," the report said.

GEO has worked hardest in Florida. The nation's second-largest operator of private prisons, its subsidiaries and its employees have donated nearly $1.5 million to Florida politicians, mostly Republican, since 2003, according to the National Institute on Money in State Politics. That's more than 60 percent of its $2.4 million in political donations during that period. The largest chunk, $705,000, came in 2010. GEO also gave $25,000 for Gov. Scott's inauguration party.

Sarasota connection?

"In September, news about a previously unknown FBI investigation into possible ties between 9/11 hijackers and a Saudi family living near Sarasota led the agency to deny there was any connection and assert that it made all of its files available to congressional investigators a decade ago."

But two months later, the FBI has been unable or unwilling to substantiate that it disclosed any information regarding its Sarasota investigation to Congress, says former Florida U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, who co-chaired Congress’s bipartisan joint inquiry into the terrorist attacks.

“My suspicion is that either, one, the documents don’t exist; two, that if they do exist they can’t find them; or three, they did find them and they did not substantiate the statements that they’ve made and that they are withholding them,” said Graham. He has long contended the FBI stonewalled Congress about what it knows about possible Saudi support for the 9/11 hijackers.

The FBI investigation began shortly after 9/11 when residents of the gated community of Prestancia, south of Sarasota, called to report the abrupt departure from their luxury home of a Saudi family about two weeks before four passenger jets originating in Boston, Newark and Washington were hijacked. The family left for Saudi Arabia, leaving behind cars, clothes in the closet and a refrigerator full of food.

Neighbors said agents searched the house and hauled away bags of belongings. But the most important information came when the FBI examined gatehouse security logs and photographs of license plates, according to then-homeowner’s association administrator Larry Berberich and a counterterrorism agent involved in the investigation.

They said the security records revealed that the home was visited by vehicles used by 9/11 terrorist leader Mohamed Atta and fellow hijacker-pilot Ziad Jarrah.

LeMieux's Palm Beach County Team

"LeMieux won the backing of Palm Beach County Commissioner Karen Marcus and former state Rep. Carl Domino. His team in Palm Beach County also includes state Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, who represents part of the county, and tea party leader Alex Berry. Other Palm Beach County residents who endorsed LeMieux include Deputy Mayor Susan Haynie of Boca Raton, Vice Mayor Lisa Tropepe of Palm Beach Shores, philanthropist Yvonne Boice and Republican activists Marilyn Parmet and Joy Stone." "GOP Senate Hopeful George LeMieux Unveils Palm Beach County Campaign Team".

Gambling with casinos

"Economic reports released Thursday indicate that the revenue from three high-end resort casinos -- proposed in two bills now before the state Legislature -- may not cover the lost annual revenue from the Florida Seminoles or ... other pari-mutuel facilities." "Casino Revenues Remain a Gamble for Florida, State Economists Say".

"Botched Crystal River nuclear plant project"

Daniel Ruth: "Progress Energy's bumbling managed to turn a nuclear power plant repair project into Monty Python's ramshackle Trojan Rabbit. What began as a $230 million job now has risen to $2.5 billion with the meter still running. The botched Crystal River nuclear plant project already has made it one of the most expensive in U.S. history. But since Progress Energy operates three other nuke facilities in the Carolinas, it's possible the company could break its own record." "Progress Energy's nuclear nightmare". Related: "Gulf Power Nuclear Option Faces Legal Opposition".

Ohio and Pennsylvania, the three states that for the past half-century have predicted the presidential winner, according to the first Quinnipiac University "Swing State Poll" of the 2012 cycle released today. The president leads the other top GOP contenders, although half the voters in each state say he does not deserve a second term. Since 1960, no candidate has won the presidency without carrying at least two of these three states.

From the "values" crowd

"Among the long list of federal health grants the state has shunned in past year was a small award that would have 'reduced the burden of cancer.'" "Florida lawmakers turned away grant money for cancer control programs".

Florida's Cainites "straddling a fine line"

Adam C. Smith: "Florida launched Herman Cain into the top tier of presidential candidates six weeks ago by overwhelmingly backing him in a high profile mock GOP primary election, and it was one of the first states where the Georgia businessman put together a serious campaign operation."

But as sexual harassment accusations swirl around the former CEO, some of his highest profile Florida supporters now find themselves straddling a fine line — standing by him even as they sound skittish about fully embracing him or weighing in on the allegations.

"I'm still with the campaign. … Obviously he's got some challenges he's working through right now,'' said former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, one of Cain's Florida chairmen, repeatedly declining to say whether he remains fully committed to Cain. "I've made my comments," he said.

Tampa businesswoman Kathleen Shanahan, another statewide campaign leader and former chief of staff to Gov. Jeb Bush, said she is unaware of any Florida supporter dropping off the campaign team. But she declined to comment on the harassment allegations. ...

"Naturally it gives me pause, and I pay attention to sexual harassment having been sexually harassed myself and being in a male-dominated field,'' said state Sen. Ronda Storms, a Cain supporter from Valrico.

"This kind of stuff happens. It happens all the time, but you have an affirmative obligation to come forward at the time it happens,'' Storms said, referring to Sharon Bialek, a woman who held a news conference earlier this week to say Cain tried to fondle her in 1997. "You don't get to come forward 15 years or 14 years later and say this happened." ...

Palm Beach City Commissioner Bill Diamond, helping host a Nov. 16 fundraiser for Cain at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, said the negative publicity has galvanized many supporters for Cain and ultimately could make him a stronger candidate.

Even worse than minimum wage and child labor laws

"The National Federation of Independent Business released a study on Wednesday that found that the health insurance tax (HIT), one of the key components of the federal health-care law backed by President Barack Obama, would lead to the loss of thousands of jobs across the Sunshine State in years to come." "Obama Health-Care Law and HIT Will Bring Job Losses, Business Study Finds".

"Words matter"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Words matter."

And these should disqualify Sen. Alan Hays from sitting on a panel charged with drawing congressional and legislative districts: "We all know there are many Hispanic-speaking people in Florida that are not legal," Hays said at an Oct. 18 meeting of the Senate redistricting panel, "and I just don't think that it's right that we try to draw a district that encompasses people that really have no business voting anyhow."

One needn't be a grammarian to draw districts. So we'll excuse Hays' embarrassing "Hispanic-speaking" gaffe.

But we can't excuse Hays for his daft and ultimately demeaning suggestion that legislators summarily rule out drawing a Hispanic-majority district because some of the district's residents might be illegal immigrants. And it's unacceptable that he disparaged Hispanics as a group by saying "we all know" many of them are illegal.

Because Hays has refused to explain himself or offer an apology, we can only assume that he stands by what he said. And conclude that he's unfit to serve on the committee.

Senate President Mike Haridopolos should toss him off. But neither he nor the redistricting committee chairman, Don Gaetz, seem bothered by fellow Republican Hays' remarks.

Gingrich's Florida campaign finds new life

"Once written off in the contest for the Republican presidential nomination, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich is starting to focus on Florida as his campaign finds new life in the fluid race to see who emerges to challenge President Barack Obama in 2012."

A poll released on Wednesday from Rasmussen Reports found that Gingrich was making strides in the Sunshine State. Despite allegations of sexual harassment, Cain continues to lead in the Sunshine State with 30 percent. Romney stands in second with 24 percent. Gingrich comes in third place with 19 percent, his best showing in a Florida poll to date. None of the other candidates in the race breaks double digits. The poll of 788 likely Florida Republican primary voters was conducted on Tuesday and had a margin of error of +/- 4 percent.

Dorworth flops as local kingmaker

"Altamonte Springs Mayor Pat Bates held on to her office, fending off a challenge from CSX Transportation lobbyist Bob O'Malley in the city's first contested election in a decade."

"O'Malley's campaign was aided by the Small Business Advocacy Council in Tallahassee, which sent numerous mailers accusing Bates of being a 'liberal Democrat.' In response, Bates, who has been on the City Commission since 1997 and became mayor in 2008, maintained that she is a fiscal conservative." "Altamonte Springs Mayor Pat Bates re-elected".

"O'Malley's campaign was aided by the Small Business Advocacy Council in Tallahassee, which sent numerous mailers accusing Bates of being a 'liberal Democrat.' In response, Bates, who has been on the City Commission since 1997 and became mayor in 2008, maintained that she is a fiscal conservative."

O'Malley, who had the endorsement of local Republican leaders, distanced himself from the mailer, saying he had nothing to do with the council or its mailer. A financial report showed the council was funded by two organizations started by Republican legislators: Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, whose Economic Freedom Foundation contributed $5,000 to the council, and Rep. Chris Dorworth, R-Lake Mary, whose Citizens for Enterprising Democracy contributed $10,000 to the council. Both groups also contributed directly to O'Malley's campaign.

FRS "one of the healthiest pension plans in the country"

"The relative financial health of the 208 pension plans for public employees and elected officials of Florida's 100 largest cities have been analyzed and graded in a report released Wednesday by the LeRoy Collins Institute."

The grades range from an "A" for those pension plans that are more than 90 percent funded to and "F" for those funded at less than a 60 percent rate. The highest rated was Melbourne's general employee with a 190.1 percent funding, compared with the low of Cooper City's general employee and police pension fund with 35.48 percent funding.

The majority of the plans, about 53 percent, received “B” -- 80 to 90 percent funded -- or “C” grades -- 70 to 80 percent funded. "A" grades went to 14 percent of the municipal plans and nearly a third earned a “D” or “F” grade. By comparison, Florida's pension plan funding of 87.9 percent has been considered by analysts as one of the healthiest pension plans in the country.

South Florida employees skipping employer health benefits

"The rising cost of health insurance is pushing more South Florida employees to consider what had been unthinkable: Passing up medical coverage offered at work."

A strata of young, physically fit workers have always skipped employer health benefits they view as an unnecessary cost. But insurance agents say a growing number of older employees and even families are trying to save money by switching to low-priced health policies they buy on their own.

"Slade backs Lemieux"

"Former GOP chief Slade backs Lemieux for U.S. Senate race".

A tax increase in Tally?

"Prospect of online sales tax grows".

Will "judges be picked for their political leanings"?

Tom Lyons writes that there was

a perception during the past session that even though a fourth of Florida's lawmakers are lawyers, the legislature has factions that want to punish the court system for rulings they don't like. Some lawmakers have been seeking major changes without good cause, Byrd says.

Instead of focusing on hiring more judges and replacing laid-off judicial assistants to keep courthouse dockets moving efficiently, the house speaker sought a new format for the state supreme court. He wanted it split in two, with three new justices appointed, so one division would handle criminal cases while the other dealt with civil cases.

That would have provided a chance to pack the court with judges picked for their political leanings, critics said.

Another proposal could have led to more "packing." It called for doing away with judicial nominating committees in interviews of would-be appointees to state appellate court positions. The governor must now choose from among a small pool selected by the committees. The proposed change would have given the governor far more leeway, with his choices subject to confirmation only by the senate.

Some lawmakers even wanted a provision requiring the Legislature to approve all rules of court, a realm long left to the state supreme court. Such meddling in court procedures could make fairness take a backseat to politics and political showboating ...

"A fourth straight year of heavy raids on Florida’s affordable housing fund"?

"The Sadowski Housing Coalition, an association of business groups, charities and advocacy groups for the poor and elderly, is hoping to prevent a fourth straight year of heavy raids on the Florida’s affordable housing trust fund." "Sadowski coalition looks to prevent affordable housing trust fund raid this year".

"Shaky accounting over millions in tax breaks"

"Gov. Rick Scott's new jobs agency is asking lawmakers to double-down on the amount of job-creation cash it gives out to companies despite some shaky accounting over millions in tax breaks the state has paid out in past years."

But the agency's $230-million business incentive budget request – up from this year's $93 million -- comes amid growing evidence that the state hasn't been keeping track of the millions of dollars agency documents say has been paid out to businesses that haven't met their job-creation targets.

Tenth Amendment wingnuttery

"State Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-Fort Meyers, and Sen. Greg Evers, R-Pensacola, are together attempting to curb the power and scope of the federal government."

Caldwell’s House Bill 553, the “Intrastate Commerce Act,” ”provides that certain goods grown, manufactured, or made in this state and services performed in this state are not subject to authority of U.S. Congress under its constitutional power to regulate commerce,” according to the bill’s summary.

The bill is strikingly similar to model legislation that goes by the same name and was created by the Tenth Amendment Center. According to the organization’s website, it is “a national think tank that works to preserve and protect the principles of strictly limited government through information, education, and activism.”

Anti-choice crowd hangs tough

"Bryan Longworth, the head of Personhood Florida, says he is undeterred from his goal of placing a 'fetal personhood' amendment on Florida ballots, despite the sound rejection of a similar initiative in Mississippi".

Longworth shamelessly continues:

We’re following the William Wilberforce pattern. He didn’t win the first time, didn’t win the second time, the third time … but he kept trying.”

Longworth’s reference to Wilberforce (the leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade) is one of many allusions to slavery that anti-abortion activists often make. Longworth has no doubt that abortion, like slavery, will one day be outlawed.

Florida House Dems request hearings on state voting laws

"Following Sen. Bill Nelson’s lead, House Democrats from Florida have sent a letter to House leaders requesting hearings on the impact of new state voting laws on voter rights." "Florida House Democrats seek investigation into new voting laws". Related: "U.S. attorney general: State voting restrictions ‘inconsistent with what we say we are as a nation’".

Slots

"A proposal to expand gambling by allowing slot machines at the Palm Beach Kennel Club cleared an early hurdle Tuesday when Palm Beach County's legislative delegation endorsed a bill calling for a voter referendum on the matter." "Slots at dog track could go on PB County ballot under bill backed by local lawmakers".

Legislators "want to tell local governments how to do it"?

"Attorney Nancy Linnan said legislators won't want to see growth management this year, but there may be other issues that arise in coming years. The FSU College of Law panel was chaired by former DCA Secretary Tom Pelham, who said the Legislature is anti-planning and 'they want to tell local governments how to do it.'" "Growth-law panelists predict legislative tinkering in years ahead".

Grubbing for the Cuban vote

"Hoping to discourage oil drilling in Cuban waters near South Florida, Senators Bill Nelson and Robert Menendez introduced a bill on Wednesday that would make it easier for Americans to sue foreign polluters for damages." "Sen. Nelson tries to block Cuba drilling".

That's a relief

"Legislation would set rules for shackling of incarcerated pregnant women".

Entrepreneurs in action

"Developer never disclosed remediated landfill beneath homes".

"Six women forced out at the Department of Health in the past two weeks"

"The head of Florida's main health agency this week tried to allay fears that a shakeup in his department could be a prelude to the end of the bureau that helps out children with severe medical problems. Frank Farmer, secretary of the Department of Health sent an email Tuesday to more than 2,300 employees who work in the Children's Medical Services department after the abrupt resignation of longtime CMS director Phyllis Sloyer."

Sloyer was one of six women who were forced out at the Department of Health in the past two weeks. Division Director Lisa Conti over environmental health; Jean Kline of Emergency Medical Operations; Monica Hayes, director of the Office of Minority Health; Willie Jean Munden, director of the Alachua County Health Department; and Julie Meadows-Keefe either resigned or were terminated. ...

Sloyer was hired by the state in August 1981 by the administration of then-Gov. Bob Graham and worked for every governor since. She is the past president of the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs. In Florida she was responsible for the implementation and operation of the CMS Network, a managed system of care for children with special health care needs.

Sloyer is a pediatric nurse and has a doctorate in public administration – health services management. She scored a near-perfect 5 in her most recent job evaluation, which was finalized in January. Joseph Chiaro, who conducted the evaluation, noted that Sloyer is "an outstanding employee."

Sloyer was not the only one with a solid evaluation who was forced out according to Florida Department of Health records. All the women scored well on the latest evaluations.

"My reading of the bill is that it will not stand a constitutional challenge," said William Thompson, an industry analyst at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. "It is unconstitutional to charge one casino 10 percent and another 35 percent for the same kind of gaming."

House Bill 487 designates three destination resorts in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, with each venue's casino revenues taxed at a 10 percent rate. The measure, as written, would keep the gaming tax for pari-mutuel casinos at 35 percent.

Thompson says the principle of "horizontal equity" -- "equal taxes on equal objects" -- was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. The high court struck down an Iowa law that had set a 35 percent tax rate on slot revenues at racetracks and a 22 percent rate on slots at other casinos in the state.

Florida's Cain dead enders

"A top Florida supporter of Herman Cain says the Republican presidential candidate deserves the benefit of the doubt after a woman today publicly accused Cain of reaching under her skirt and pulling her head toward his crotch 14 years ago, when she was seeking employment help."

"Herman Cain has said categorically that he didn't do this In our country you're innocent until proven guilty," said state Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, the first Florida legislator to endorse Cain and one of four statewide campaign chairmen for Cain's campaign. ...

"The fact she chose to use Gloria Allred means she's not credible. Glorida Allred is a liberal assassin who chose not to defend any of Bill Clinton's accusers," said Dinerstein.

Orlando consultant Sarah Rumpf, who provided some early help to Cain but isn't affiliated with the campaign, said she has met Cain several times and never seen signs of the kind of behavior alleged by Bialek.

"I'm not saying this person's lying," Rumpf said. "But it doesn't reconcile with my conversations with him and what I know of him."

Chilling development challenges

"1st District Court of Appeal refuses to hear challenge of December ruling against 1000 Friends of Florida and the Martin County Conservation Alliance, which had sued over Martin County comprehensive land-use plan changes. Some observers and a dissenting judge say the case could have a chilling effect on development challenges." "Court rejects appeal of environmental group ordered to pay developers' legal costs".

Foul air

"7 Florida facilities run afoul of EPA air quality standards".

Big of them

"Despite sweeping growth law changes made by the Legislature this past session that reduced state oversight of land-use changes, the DRI process has remained in place since 1972. Tallahassee lawyer Nancy Linnan said developers don't want to eliminate the DRI process but they do want to streamline it and make it less costly without changing the planning outcome." "Senate panel urges keeping 'Development of Regional Impact' process".

Lobbyist loophole

"The Florida Legislature's upcoming fight over gambling may already be creating an economic boom for lobbyists."

Lobbyist registration records back up Scott's contention: More than 100 lobbyists have signed up to represent various gaming companies. And this doesn't count the dozens of lobbyists already registered for business groups that have vowed to fight the proposal. ...

Many of the lobbyists hired so far have ties to Scott or legislative leaders. They include such figures as former U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart and former Republican Party of Florida chairman Al Cardenas.

One of the latest lobbyists hired is Julie Fess, a former aide to House Speaker Dean Cannon. Fess left her job as Cannon's legislative aide in September. Last month she registered as a lobbyist for Arcola Systems Florida, a company that makes software used by Internet cafes.

State legislators and many top employees in the Florida Legislature are banned from lobbying state legislators for two years after leaving the government. But the law does not cover employees like Fess, who was a legislative aide.

Privatization follies

"As Florida faces legal obstacles in its plan to turn dozens of state prisons over to a private firm, a second privatization venture faces harsh criticism."

The Legislature not only decreed that 29 prisons in South Florida be privately run — a plan declared illegal by a judge — but ordered all inmate health care statewide to be handled by private firms.

The outsourcing of physical and mental health care, dentistry and prescription drugs to more than 100,000 inmates was a campaign pledge of Gov. Rick Scott, who called for competitively bid health care contracts. ...

Lately the project has run into so much resistance from private vendors, who have bombarded the state with more than 600 questions, that the Department of Corrections has pushed back its schedule to implement the project by several weeks.

Claim of Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, is "Mostly False"

"State Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, ignited a firestorm of criticism when he said congressional districts should not be drawn to benefit potentially illegal Hispanic immigrants and that the state should first check their citizenship."

Hays said that Florida doesn't require "any proof of citizenship necessary before you register to vote."

There is a kernel of truth here: According to the state Division of Elections, state law doesn't require new voter applicants to prove their citizenship in some physical sense. They simply must sign a sworn statement attesting that they meet the voting requirements — including being a citizen.

But there are a couple of critical caveats.

First, lying on a voter registration form about your citizenship status can lead to a felony conviction. Second, the most common way to register to vote in Florida is during the process of obtaining a driver's license. And during that process, people are asked to verify their citizenship.

Lastly, we have to consider the experiences of two supervisors of elections, who said there is no widespread problem of illegal immigrants registering to vote.

Industry stalls reforms

"A task force charged with helping clean up rogue ALFs told the state to get tougher on homes but was split on other crucial issues."

While the group agreed on a host of improvements, including boosting training hours for ALF managers, battle lines were clearly drawn during the meeting between industry representatives on the task force and advocates for elders and disabled people.

Bones for the locals

"Tampa's 2012 RNC host committee unveils networking plan to help small businesses".

"30-year old loophole"

"Florida gambling regulators are hit with legal challenges over their decision to expand horse and jai alai permits because of tangled interpretations of state gambling law and a 30-year old loophole" "State draws round of lawsuits over gambling permits".

Tuition rate increases

"Florida's rising tuition rates".

"Foreigners who secretly deposit money in U.S banks"

"In a rare show of solidarity, all 27 members of Congress from Florida — 20 Republicans and seven Democrats — have united against a plan proposed by the Internal Revenue Service to collect details about foreigners who secretly deposit money in U.S banks." "Would IRS rule prompt foreigners to yank billions from Florida banks?"

Former Crist aide seeks House seat vacated by Rep. Gary Aubuchon, R-Cape Coral

"Dane Eagle, longtime travel aide to former Gov. Charlie Crist and a Cape Coral mortgage broker, announced this week that he will seek the open state House seat vacated by fellow Republican Rep. Gary Aubuchon, R-Cape Coral. ... Eagle's immediate challenge could be explaining his loyalty to Crist to fiercely conservative Republican voters in Aubuchon's district." "Crist aide wants House seat".

Feds cut Florida a deal

"State officials said Tuesday that the federal government has agreed to allow use of the low income pool money for the next three years to help pay the health care costs for people without adequate insurance coverage." "Florida works out deal to preserve $1 billion for health care".

Florida conservatives like Mississippi strategy

The failed Mississippi anti-choice strategy of treating a fertilized human egg "as a person under the state constitution, [is] an antiabortion strategy that a group of Christian conservatives are hoping to mimic here in Florida." "Florida antiabortion group wants its own 'personhood' amendment, faces long odds". Related: "'Personhood' effort still alive after Miss. Defeat".

"Florida has sacrificed its proud tradition of open government"

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "If Tallahassee is ready to be more accountable to taxpayers on economic development deals, the proof will be in the details. For too long, Florida has sacrificed its proud tradition of open government to the secrecy that insiders insist is necessary to lure businesses with public money." "Open up incentives to scrutiny".

"Drilling will remain off limits near Florida’s shores"

"Offshore oil and gas drilling will remain off limits near Florida’s shores under a five-year plan released on Tuesday by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. ... Interior is moving cautiously to allow more drilling in waters off Alaska and the central and western parts of the Gulf of Mexico. But the department -- despite pressure from oil interests and Republicans in Congress to significantly expand the drilling zone -- does not plan to open up most the eastern Gulf or south Atlantic waters." "Oil drilling to expand - but not near Florida". Related: "David Rivera Takes Aim at Cuban Drilling off the Coast of Florida".

Getting around Florida's new voting law

U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Miami has a "plan to get around Florida's controversial new voting law", she "wants people to vote absentee, because that does not require a state identification card. 'We're not calling it 'absentee ballots,' because people don't like that,' ... 'So, it's 'vote from home.' And we have a postcard that you can mail today to be placed on the list to get an absentee ballot when it's time for them to be released.'" "Dem urges 'vote from home'".

Florida's federal handouts slowing

"Florida jobs at stake in defense cutback".

Florida Family Association to "closely monitor" TV show about Muslim families

"A major Florida conservative organization plans to 'closely monitor' a new show -- 'All-American Muslims' on The Learning Channel."

On Tuesday, David Caton, executive director of the Florida Family Association, sent out an email to supporters focusing on the new show. The first of eight episodes of “All-American Muslims” will launch on Sunday.

“The program will profile five Muslim families who live in Dearborn, Michigan,” Caton wrote. ...

“Florida Family Association plans to closely monitor this show and contact advertisers,” added Caton in closing.

Florida falling behind

"During a town hall hosted by Florida health advocates today, policy experts warned that the state is falling woefully behind on plans for a state health insurance exchange program. By law, the state is required to have a fully operational exchange program by January 2013." "Town hall participants warn that Florida is falling behind in creating health insurance exchange".

Another Scott Junket

Gov. Rick Scott and Enterprise Florida are heading to Israel: "Scott’s office deferred comment on the Dec. 8-14 mission to Enterprise Florida. Enterprise Florida spokesman Stuart Doyle said details of the mission continue to be crafted, nor is a list available of those joining Scott. ... This will be Scott’s fourth foreign excursion since taking office in January." "Israel Next Stop on Rick Scott's Travels to Promote Florida Business".

Empty suit

"Gov. Rick Scott punted a question about Sen. Mike Fasano's bill (SB 836) that would ban television blackouts for sports teams that take public money during a wide-ranging radio interview Monday."

Rather than say whether he supported the idea, Scott told WNRP-AM host Rob Williams that taxes should be "fair" and talked about his push to give more tax breaks to businesses.

During the interview with the conservative Pensacola station, Scott said he supported the idea of Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal as a vice presidential candidate.

Weinstein does the developer dance

"Cities and counties would be barred from enacting transportation or school impact fees until mid-2015 under a measure filed Tuesday by a Jacksonville Republican. ... Representatives of local governments, however, say now is not the time, if ever, to further restrict the ability of cash-strapped local cities and counties from using impact fees to pay for the infrastructure needed to accommodate growth." "Rep. Weinstein Bill Aims to Limit Impact Fees on Development".

"Another tool for redistributing income and wealth upwards"

The Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy at Florida International University: "Tax incentives designed as economic development tools do not work."

But they are not only failures in that regard; they are actually destructive forces in the economy.

Their failure is proved by the lack of jobs that have been created and the costs associated with their enactment. The simple fact is they do not CREATE jobs. At best, they simply move them from one state or locale to another. And if Florida can induce a company to relocate a job here, another state can induce another company to move a job there.

It is at best a zero sum game. For us. But it is not a zero sum game for the corporations.

These tax incentives should be seen for what they really are: another tool for redistributing income and wealth upwards.

Florida Republicans fight wage theft ordinances

"State Rep. Tom Goodson, R-Titusville, yesterday filed his first bill for the upcoming 2012 legislative session: House Bill 609, which preempts all local laws, ordinances or rules that address wage theft in the state."

State Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, yesterday filed the Senate version of the bill. He and Goodson want to prohibit Florida municipalities from “adopting or maintaining” local ordinances that crack down on wage theft, the practice of stiffing workers out of money they are owed.

Samantha Hunter Padgett, deputy general counsel for the Florida Retail Federation, told The Florida Independent Tuesday her organization supports Simmons’ bill because “existing state and federal laws address the issues raised in local wage theft ordinances.”

Goodson filed a similar bill during the 2011 legislative session; that measure would have done away with a Miami-Dade anti-wage theft ordinance passed in 2010 that created a process for workers to recover stolen wages. The Retail Federation has a pending court challenge against Miami-Dade’s anti-wage theft ordinance; it supported Goodson’s bill during the 2011 session. ...

The Research Institute for Social and Economic Policy at Florida International University issued a report that documents almost 3,700 wage theft violations from August 2006 through August 2010 in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties, with more than 1,600 violations from 2008 through 2010 in the accommodation, food services, construction, health care and social assistance industries.

"Florida still eating the dust of pacesetters like Massachusetts"

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Florida has made extensive changes to boost academic rigor in public schools and buff its national reputation, but benchmarks such as the National Assessment of Education Progress show that Florida's still eating the dust of pacesetters like Massachusetts." "Boost FCAT scores, and funding, too".

Cuba

"The State Department official who oversees the U.S. relationship with Cuba on Tuesday defended the Obama administration’s policies toward the communist island nation, including policies that allow Americans to send more money there." "Confirmation hearing focuses on Cuba".

That's because the long-running battle — which pits a pair of deep-pocketed rivals against each other — has opened up a lucrative new faucet of campaign contributions for candidates across Florida, as online-only travel companies and hotel chains pour hundreds of thousands of dollars into the political system.

"South Florida Water Management District may be breaking law"

"The South Florida Water Management District may be breaking state law in re-awarding land leases without competitive bids." "Questions Raised Over Land Leases by South Florida Water District".

The right thing?

Nancy Smith: "Finally, EPA Does the Right Thing for Florida".

The Week Ahead

"The Week Ahead includes the beginning of insurance open enrollment for state workers, a LobbyTools training session, university system Board of Governors meetings and a meeting of the Revenue Estimating Impact Conference." "The Week Ahead for Nov. 7 to Nov. 13".

"Heartlessness writ large"

The Gainesville Sun editors argue that "a Florida law that denies in-state tuition rates to Florida-born students whose parents happen to be undocumented migrants is heartlessness writ large."

That law is now under legal challenge by five students who argue that their parents' legal status should have no bearing on their ability to affordably attend the very public colleges and universities that they help support with their taxes. ...

While of late states seem to be striving to outdo each other in passing increasingly draconian “get tough” on illegal immigration laws, Florida's law seems especially onerous and illogical.

What exactly is the public policy benefit of denying in-state tuition to someone who was born in Florida, raised in Florida, attended school in Florida and paid taxes in Florida?

Talk about punishing the child for the sins of the parents. If the courts don't throw it out first, the Florida Legislature should follow [Rick] Perry's example and get rid of this truly “heartless” law.

Big of them

"Florida to Accept YouTube, Twitter, Facebook Comments on Redistricting".

Democrats mobilizing Jewish vote

"The votes of Jewish retirees in the vast condominium communities in Broward and Palm Beach counties are hugely important — and could affect the outcome of next year's presidential election. To staunch the potential losses ... Democrats are mobilizing." "Democrats hope to avoid losing Jewish voters in South Florida".

"Monday Morning Reads"

"Monday Morning Reads: Mickey takes on gambling, prison food lawsuit & the continuing ALF scandal".

Judges leaving in droves

"Eight veteran judges serving in the Ninth Judicial Circuit have announced their departures from the local bench during the past 18 months. ... 12 percent of the Orange and Osceola circuit's 65 judicial slots".

But Chief Judge Belvin Perry attributes the departures, at least in part, to increasing caseloads, dwindling court resources, lack of judicial pay raises for several years and statewide policies that have effectively reduced take-home pay for judges.

Too many names

"Florida roads go by many names — too many, some say".

Gambling forum Monday in Miami

"With talk of Las Vegas-style gaming the topic of hot debate in South Florida, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce announced it will host a forum Monday bringing together key lawmakers and gaming executives. Those attending the forum will have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in a straw poll. Among the speakers: state Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff and state Rep. Erik Fresen, both of whom are sponsoring legislation that would authorize three casino licenses in Miami-Dade and Broward counties."

For more information, or to register in advance, can visit the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce events calendar at www.miamichamber.com/events.

"Eckerd College students join thousands of protesters"

"More than 200 Eckerd College students joined thousands of protesters outside the White House on Sunday in a boisterous attempt to pressure the Obama administration against approving a controversial oil pipeline." "More than 200 Eckerd College students join pipeline protest at White House".

Scarce among the hundreds of conservative activists gathered in Daytona Beach? Any enthusiasm for Mitt Romney, the man widely expected to win the Republican presidential nomination.

The weekend’s convention was billed as the biggest tea party gathering ever organized in Florida, but it wound up provoking plenty of disappointment, frustration and anger from activists attending it. Organizers had billed an event featuring a presidential debate, a Florida U.S. Senate debate, and speeches by luminaries including Scott and Rubio.

Presidential candidate Rick Santorum was expected Sunday, and Marco Rubio sent in a videotape, but the weekend was devoid of A-list speakers.

None of the major U.S. Senate candidates – Adam Hasner, George LeMeiux, and Connie Mack IV – showed up, nor did any other statewide elected official.

The absence of Tea Party favorites like Gov. Rick Scott and Sen. Marco Rubio rankled some of the activists. Both had tentatively agreed to attend but subsequently backed out, according to convention organizers who were left with a few low-profile Republican Senate candidates answering questions about abortion and the U.N. at a candidate forum Saturday afternoon.

Library love

Bill Maxwell: "Despite deep budget cuts and a slow economy, Florida’s libraries continue to be resilient and essential community treasures." "Snapshot shows love for libraries in Florida".

Disney cashes in its chips

"Walt Disney World, the giant resort near Orlando whose four theme parks draw more than 45 million visitors a year, has made preventing 'destination" casinos a top priority. And few, if any, businesses carry as much weight in Florida as Disney, which employs more than 60,000 workers, generates nearly $600 million a year in tax revenue — and doled out more than $2 million to political candidates and causes during the past election cycle." "Biggest foe of expanded gambling in Miami: Disney".

"Nelson barely acknowledges his Republican challengers"

"In his re-election bid, Sen. Bill Nelson has barely acknowledged his Republican challengers. Instead, he has focused on Gov. Rick Scott." "Nelson uses Scott as foil".

Occupy Orlando

"Different march. Different Saturday. Same message: Stop corporate greed, end government corruption and fix social inequalities. Hundreds of Occupy Orlando supporters took to the streets again Saturday for a march through downtown —the group's second large-scale demonstration in less than a month." "Occupy Orlando marches again to end government corruption and corporate greed". More on the occupations: "Numbers drop for second Occupy Naples rally, protesters demand to be heard - PHOTOS".

Never mind the constitution

"For Democrats — badly outnumbered in the Florida Legislature — the court system has become their most effective weapon against the GOP’s efforts to push conservative reforms."

Courts have nullified three bills passed by the Legislature last spring and signed by Scott, striking down moves to privatize prisons in South Florida, drug test welfare recipients and prevent doctors from asking their patients about guns.

Two other laws are under court review: an elections overhaul criticized for limiting voter registration and early voting, and a pension measure forcing state workers to contribute 3 percent of their salaries to a retirement fund.

A hearing has not been scheduled on a lawsuit filed in September by teachers over a law linking their pay to student performance and ending tenure for new instructors.

Week in Review

"The Week in Review for Oct. 31 to Nov. 4".

"Court should not end but amend"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "The Florida Supreme Court should not end but amend its mandatory foreclosure mediation program to fix problems that preclude lenders and homeowners from reaching an agreement." "Rescue mediation program".

Bank Transfer Day

"A steady stream of customers flowed through the Tropical Financial Credit Union in Pembroke Pines on Saturday to open accounts, withdraw and deposit cash and transfer loans from their banks." "S. Fla. credit unions mark Bank Transfer Day".

Florida muckety-mucks like like Obama's chances

"Among more than 100 of Florida's most plugged-in politicos, Democrats are more optimistic than Republicans about winning the White House next year. Nine percent of Democrats surveyed said they expect Obama to lose the election — and only if Mitt Romney is the GOP nominee — while nearly 29 percent of the Republicans predict Obama will win." "Florida GOP insiders unsure of winning state in 2012 presidential election".