Nearly $1 million of that money was for a program that aids in cancer prevention and increases access to quality care for cancer patients. We understand that Gov. Scott campaigned against the health care law even before deciding to run for governor. We understand that Attorney General Pam Bondi, like nearly two dozen of her Republican counterparts in other states, is part of a legal challenge to overturn the law. We understand that the law will be a major issue next year in the 2012 election.

Yet is maintaining party loyalty more important than protecting Floridians' interests? Must Republicans resist implementing the law simply because a Democratic president and Congress enacted it? That's the only plausible explanation, given that much of the law mirrors Gov. Scott's own prescription for the American health care system. ...

We are confident of two things: Florida will have to scramble needlessly if the court upholds the law, and Florida has no alternative if the court strikes it down.

Haridopolos admits he didn’t tell the truth

"Testifying in a deposition, Senate President Mike Haridopolos admitted he didn’t tell the truth last year when he denied knowledge of a secret settlement that ended Jim Greer’s tumultuous tenure as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida."

The Senate president’s sworn testimony offers new glimpses into the elaborate behind-the-scenes machinations by top Florida Republican leaders in late 2009 and early 2010 to coerce Greer’s resignation, which included the sweetener of a $124,000 severance payment.

But the payment was never made and is now the subject of a civil lawsuit filed by Greer against the Republican Party of Florida.

A statewide grand jury has charged Greer with fraud and money laundering in connection with Victory Strategies, a Greer-founded firm that conducted party fundraising.

In his statement, Haridopolos says he had no knowledge of Victory Strategies at the time he helped orchestrate Greer’s removal.

Greer’s attorneys say their client is innocent and suggest that Republicans orchestrated the criminal charges against him to avoid paying his severance.

The severance deal is key to Greer’s defense, as are the poor memories of politicians such as Haridopolos, who might have to take the stand and admit under oath that he’s not always truthful.

Haridopolos said that in discussions with House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, and party attorney Jason Gonzalez, he supported the severance payment "if [Greer] had not done anything wrong, nothing illegal … I thought that was fair."

Standing room-only crowd for Newt in Naples

"Speaking to a standing room-only crowd in Naples on Friday, presidential candidate Newt Gingrich detailed his views on immigration, just days after breaking with what has become a Republican hard line on the topic."

"I do not believe you can pass comprehensive legislation," Gingrich said to nearly 1,000 people gathered at the Naples Hilton.

The event, which was moved from another location to the hotel to accommodate more people, was so crowded that some people left when they found out that they would have to listen to him from an adjacent room.

Do they even know what anarchists are?

"Up to 15,000 protesters are expected to descend on Tampa next summer for the Republican National Convention. Many will wave signs and march peacefully. Then there are the anarchists." "Tampa police prepare for anarchist attacks at 2012 Republican National Convention".

"Florida legislators turn their gaze toward 2012"

"As the end of 2011 nears, Florida legislators now turn their gaze toward 2012 with proposed new business-related laws and key issues in mind." "2012 legislative sneak peak".

"Up pops a state senator"

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Wage theft is a problem in South Florida, robbing myriad employees, from hotel maids to private school teachers. Just as local governments are rising to address this scourge, up pops a state senator to exacerbate the problem."

SB 862 is more an affront to local control than a genuine effort to protect employees from unscrupulous employers. The one-page bill sponsored by state Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, would bar counties and municipal governments from passing ordinances addressing wage theft, reserving the matter simply for the state.

Wage theft occurs whenever an employee is not paid for work performed, forced to work off the clock, wrongly classified as an independent contractor, not paid for overtime or paid below the minimum wage. Unfortunately, the problem is spreading, particularly in South Florida's service-sector economy, where many low-wage hourly jobs are excluded from federal and state laws.

Sen. Simmons' legislation might make sense if the state of Florida had an agency to watchdog wage theft. It doesn't; all that went away in 2000 with the abolishment of the Florida Department of Labor. Simmons' bill offers no state government alternatives, leaving aggrieved employees in Florida with either spotty coverage by the U.S. Department of Labor or the long odds that come with taking their allegations to court.

"In a narrow decision"

"In a narrow decision Wednesday, the 1st District Court of Appeal ruled not to dismiss the case brought by public school students and parents and two advocacy groups that contend the Legislature is not providing enough money for schools." "Education lawsuit moves to Florida Supreme Court".

"Turkey on Tracks"?

"Predictions of a 1-cent sales tax increase in four Central Florida counties are greatly exaggerated. Or are they? Officials at Metroplan Orlando deny a TV news story that said an agency report will propose the tax hike to cover funding gaps for the SunRail commuter train in Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Osceola counties. The one-penny boost would generate $488 million a year." "Turkey on Tracks: Will SunRail Gobble More Tax Dollars?".

"Trying to game Floridians"

Randy Schultz: "Schultz: Gambling supporters trying to game Floridians" "Gambling supporters trying to game Floridians".

The Miami Herald editors: "Just weeks away from the legislative session, very big questions need to be answered about bringing gambling casinos to South Florida." "Vital questions need answers".

"Benefits to Business With Little Accountability"

Imagine that, "State Provides Billions in Benefits to Business With Little Accountability".

Yawwwnnn...

"Local conservative talk radio host considers run for Congress".

Welcome to Florida: "low pay, lack of diversification"

Aaron Deslatte points out that "Nearly half of the new jobs created this year — 39,400 jobs — are in leisure and hospitality services, or as the Department of Economic Opportunity puts it, "food services and drinking places."

Secondly, whether you agree with President Barack Obama's stimulus plan or not, it is impossible to argue with the fact that the stim-bucks spent in Florida since 2009 have kept a lot of government workers and road-builders drawing paychecks and contributing to the economy.

But the latest report released this week by the Collins Center for Public Policy shows that the stimulus ride is fast coming to an end.

Through October, Florida has spent $20.1 billion of the $24.6 billion it is expected to receive under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

State agencies have spent 78 percent of their $7.5 billion in stimulus cash. Cities, counties and other local organizations have burned through 60 percent of their $2.6 billion.

As the money runs down, jobs are being quietly cut. The regions with the biggest job gains this year are Tampa Bay, Miami and Orlando. Those with the biggest losses are metro areas more heavily dependent on state and federal government workers: Brevard County and Tallahassee.

In the third quarter, the jobs supported by stimulus cash declined by 15 percent, or 9,104 full-time positions. Most are teaching and support positions in public schools that have run out of federal funds. There were 40,762 education jobs propped up by stimulus bucks, a 16 percent decline from the previous quarter. And 80 percent of the education money has been spent.

Lawmakers will face a $1.9 billion budget shortfall in 2012, a figure that includes making up for some of those education stimulus dollars. But House Speaker Dean Cannon said this week that "there is probably no major policy area that won't see reductions."

Lawmakers will have to break bread, or belly up to a bar somewhere, and decide what's best for the kids.

"Nelson stands out like a sore thumb"

"In a state dominated by Republicans, Bill Nelson stands out like a sore thumb. He's probably used to it by now. For most of his two U.S. Senate terms, Nelson has been the only Democrat to hold a statewide elective office in Florida, with Republicans in the other Senate seat, the governor's office, usually the entire state Cabinet, and in big majorities in the state Legislature." "Once again, GOP hopes this is their chance to defeat Nelson".

Big of 'em

"A group of county officials, country club and hotel executives, and educators have raised the possibility of eliminating the use of all foreign guest workers in the hospitality industry in Palm Beach County over the next four years." "PB County officials aim to hire locals instead of foreigners".

"Florida wildlife officials slightly cringing"

"The good intentions of Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson to help control the invasion of Burmese pythons in the Everglades has Florida wildlife officials slightly cringing." "Florida's new prisons chief gets down to business".

Fifth leader in the past five years

"Ken Tucker is the fifth leader of the Florida prison system in the past five years." "Nelson effort to ban interstate python trade concerns Fla. wildlife officials".

The original lawsuit named the party and former Chairman John Thrasher in a bid to collect $5 million in damages. Greer claims the party cheated him out of $123,000 in severance pay after he resigned in January 2010.

Greer says the party later sent political consultants Pat Bainter and Marc Reichelderfer to offer him $200,000 in "hush money'' if he would forgo making a claim against the party

Damon Chase, the Orlando lawyer who represents Greer, said Haridopolos was added after he testified that he did nothing to enforce the severance agreement despite a clause that required it.

Haridopolos could not be reached for comment.

GOP front group goes after Nelson

"On Tuesday, the team at Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies continued to attack President Barack Obama and Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson -- both of whom appear to be headed for fights in the Sunshine State as they seek another term in office." "Conservative Group Takes Aim at Obama and Bill Nelson".

Scott's approval ratings still slumping

"Two polls show Florida Gov. Rick Scott still struggling for approval almost a year into his term." "Gov. Scott still struggles in polls".

Progress Energy customers get rate hike, shareholders get a pass

"Progress Energy customers have to pay $140 million next year for electricity the utility purchases while the company's broken Crystal River nuclear plant is off line, the state Public Service Commission unanimously ruled Tuesday." "PSC votes in favor of passing $140 million in fuel costs along to Progress Energy customers". Related: "PSC OKs $140.1 million in replacement power charges for Crystal River nuclear plant" and "State regulators approve nuclear costs paid to FPL".

Public hospitals for sale?

"A proposal to require the sale of all public hospitals and their assets to the private sector got a chilly reception Monday from a majority of those on the state panel charged at looking at public hospitals." "Commission is asked to require the sale of all public hospitals and their assets".

Gambling lobbyists laffing their way to the banks

"The only winners so far in the effort to allow luxury resort casinos in South Florida, which has widespread implications for every form of gambling in the state, are lobbyists." "Gambling groups spend millions on lobbyists".

Scott's jobs czar

"As Gov. Rick Scott's jobs czar, Swoope (rhymes with "hope") must open the door to more business in Florida, finding a better calculus than his predecessors to lure new companies across the state line while keeping existing employers from escaping."

There have been early signs of success. The state's 10.3 percent jobless rate is its lowest since June 2009. In September, Time Warner announced plans to create 500 jobs in Hillsborough County. The company got state and local tax incentives worth $3 million.

But there have been hints of trouble, too. CCS Medical, one of Tampa Bay's biggest private employers, moved its headquarters and 230 high-paying jobs to Dallas. Foreclosures in Florida hit an 11-month high in October, statewide construction expenditures have dropped three consecutive quarters, and the number of children living in poverty in Florida — nearly one in four — is growing faster than the national average.

Florida had second highest number of mass layoffs in October

"Florida had 91 mass layoff actions during the month of October, the second highest number in the nation, according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics summary released Tuesday. The Bureau summary also indicates that Florida had the second highest number (more than 6,500) of initial claimants for unemployment insurance in October, behind only California." "Florida second in the nation in mass layoffs for October".

Florida had second highest number of claimants for unemployment in October

"Florida had 91 mass layoff actions during the month of October, the second highest number in the nation, according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics summary released Tuesday. The Bureau summary also indicates that Florida had the second highest number (more than 6,500) of initial claimants for unemployment insurance in October, behind only California." "Florida second in the nation in mass layoffs for October"

"Hello, goodbye"

"Agencies governing health, transportation and elder affairs have made several staff in upper mangement changes this week." "Hello, goodbye: Staff come and go at state agencies".

The best he can do?

"In an email sent out to supporters Tuesday morning, Republican congressional candidate Mike Yost writes that 'Washington Democrats' like Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville, his 2012 opponent, 'are so far out of touch with reality that it is no wonder the $15 Trillion of current debt is growing.'" "Corrine Brown opponent pounces on ‘Super Committee’ failure remarks".

Another right wing "foundation"

As if Florida's James Madison Institute wasn't enough: "Tarren Bragdon, the president of the conservative Foundation for Government Accountability, has sent a letter to federal health officials lobbying for approval of the state’s Medicaid reform plans."

Bragdon’s new Naples-based “free market” public policy group, which has so far declined to disclose the source of its funding, is telling federal officials in a letter that the program “is a decided success.”

Bragdon’s new group has ties to right-wing organizations such as the Cato Institute and the Heritage Foundation. These groups also have deep ties to the controversial Koch brothers. The billionaire brothers have pumped millions of dollars into groups that lobby and advocate on behalf of big business and seek to undermine labor rights around the country.

At the federal trough

"South Florida Congressman Allen West and defense industry leaders in Florida hope to fend off budget cuts that they fear will severely squeeze contractors in the state who do $14 billion worth of business." "Floridians try to shield defense from budget cuts".

Broward "campaign funding that can verge on bribery"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Broward residents once watched the corruption follies of Miami-Dade with a bit of schadenfreude; since 2007, they have watched their own, from a once-revered sheriff who mixed public and private business to a School Board member who stuffed money into her luncheon doggy bag."

Private businesses line up to make millions from government land-use votes, contracts and purchases, and too many are not shy about participating in campaign funding that can verge on bribery plus other gifts and perks.

Fed-up Broward voters demanded last fall that a reluctant County Commission impose a new ethics code and hire an inspector general to keep tabs on their elected officials. While similar steps in Miami-Dade haven’t rendered local politics pure, they have helped. It’s just sad that too many people in public life begin their service with honorable intentions and then need such watchdogs.

That was fast

"A week after including a new job training program for unemployed workers in a proposed committee bill, Gov. Rick Scott is giving up on the idea, at least for now."

Florida Works was to be based upon Georgia Works, a program that provides job training at a business and a stipend to people receiving unemployment compensation benefits, which is paid for by an assessment on businesses. In Scott’s proposal, however, there would have been no stipend, no assessment and businesses would not have been required to hire the trainee as in existing job training programs.

Tom Klendenning, director of the division of workforce services for the Department of Economic Opportunity, presented the bill and the program to the House Business and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee the past week, but now the program is shelved.

Runnin' gub'ment lke a bidness

"Fading hopes for Christmastime delivery of more than $100 million in 'A' school bonus checks were dashed Tuesday as state officials acknowledged that a month-long appeal process will push disbursement into the new year. Even more troubling, Florida Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson warned that there might not be enough money to fully fund the program." "Tardy 'A'-School Bonuses Could Be Smaller, Too".

"Supreme arrogance"

The Tampa Tribune editors: "State Sen. Jim Norman may have been cleared of criminal violations, but that hardly restores the reputation of a deceptive, self-interested politician who has displayed little regard for ethical behavior. Nevertheless, U.S. Attorney Robert O'Neill was right to announce he had closed the investigation into Norman, a former Hillsborough County commissioner, since investigators found no 'violation of a federal criminal law.' But if no laws were broken, Norman behaved with supreme arrogance, keeping secret his family's financial dealings with a wealthy political power broker who frequently appeared before the commission, where Norman championed his agenda." "Norman is not in the clear". Background: "Federal inquiry clears state Sen. Jim Norman".

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "This nation's ethics laws are meaningless when the spouse of a county commissioner can walk away with a $500,000 lakefront home thanks to a political donor. U.S. Attorney Robert O'Neill, the chief federal prosecutor in Tampa, announced Monday he could find no criminal violation in a $500,000 loan that political benefactor Ralph Hughes gave in 2006 to Mearline Norman, the wife of then-Hillsborough County Commissioner and now state Sen. Jim Norman. Having the investigation end on terms that give Norman any sense of victory only further damages public confidence in government and the political process."

Prosecutors face a burden in corruption cases in connecting gifts with an overt act that perverts the democratic process. Federal corruption laws require prosecutors to prove that public officials have been unduly influenced by monetary gain. While the federal case against Norman is virtually sealed from public view, several attorneys suggested that because Norman was in lockstep with Hughes' antitax, antiregulatory agenda, prosecutors faced a tougher time showing that Norman carried Hughes' water out of thanks for his generosity. And Hughes died in 2008, leaving the government without a principal witness.

Giving officials a pass because their philosophies align with a benefactor — which is usually the case — overlooks the many ways that gifts manifest as corrupting influences. The legal line blurs even further with donors who exploit loopholes by laundering gifts through family members. There is no defensible excuse for an official to accept any gift of significant value — and certainly not a second home. And disclosure is not good enough. In Norman's case, the gift became public knowledge amid a highly charged state Senate race, which his supporters mischaracterized as dirty politics, not the sleazy behavior it was.

The real crime here is that such an obvious conflict of interest as this one is apparently legal.

Gingrich in Naples

"Newt Gingrich, the latest Republican to rise from the polling ashes to the top tier of candidates, will be in Naples on Friday and Saturday to campaign and sign books." "GOP candidate Gingrich in Naples this weekend".

Internet sales taxes

The Sun Sentinel editorial board wants Florida to "Tap Internet sales taxes".

Union haters gear up for the session

"Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida has contracted the services of a large legal firm [GrayRobinson, P.A] to head its lobbying efforts in Tallahassee for the 2012 legislative session."

The Florida ABC last year supported the “Wage Protection” bill filed by state Rep. Tom Goodson, R-Titusville. Goodson and state Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, recently filed a very similar bill for the 2012 legislative session. The measure would prohibit Florida municipalities from “adopting or maintaining” local ordinances that crack down on wage theft, the practice of stiffing employees out of wages they are due.

Associated Builders and Contractors also has several political action committees “to work within the federal and state election processes,” including several specific to Florida chapters.

ABC has, according to Open Secrets, contributed more than $10.7 million to political campaigns from 1990 through 2012, and over 98 percent of those contributions have gone to Republicans.

Open Secrets also shows that GOP members of Congress from Florida — including Vern Buchanan, Ander Crenshaw, John Mica, Dennis Ross, Tom Rooney, Steve Southerland and C.W. Bill Young — have received contributions from the group.

Never mind the evidence

"Four DNA tests, a judge’s apology and evidence that points to another man all indicate Anthony Caravella had nothing to do with the 1983 rape and murder of a Miramar woman. But attorneys defending the city of Miramar and the Broward Sheriff’s Office in a civil lawsuit filed by Caravella still insist he did it." "Police insist man freed by DNA evidence still guilty".

Entrepreneurs in action

"Florida Keys vacation-fraud suspect facing more than 100 charges".

Something akin to: Meet the new maps, same as the old maps.

To protect minority groups, the once-a-decade redrawing may not look that different from today —with jagged, oblong, or geometrically challenged districts zigzagging across the landscape, irrespective of municipal and county lines.

Occupy Florida

"Occupy Miami has wedding, feuds, nightly flicks and staying power".

Same old, same old

"State CFO Jeff Atwater on Monday unveiled his agenda for the 2012 legislative session. Atwater, a Republican who was president of the Florida Senate before being elected to his current post in 2010, said his focus would be on cutting back regulations, fighting fraud and increased transparency and consumer protection." "Jeff Atwater Unveils Agenda for 2012 Legislature". See also "Atwater's Christmas -- err legislative -- list". Related: "Fla. House speaker narrows focus of 2012 session to budget, redistricting".

Smith's claim "Mostly True"

"Republicans have ruled the power centers of state government — the House, Senate and governor's office — since the election of Gov. Jeb Bush in 1998. So what happens when a host of essentially locked-out Democrats comes together for a rally amid the worst recession since the Great Depression?"

A whole lot of blame-tossing against the party in charge.

Democratic Party chairman Rod Smith, a former prosecutor who lost his 2006 gubernatorial bid to Charlie Crist, roasted Republicans in his recent speech at the party's state convention as being out of touch with middle-class Americans.

He used the housing crisis as an example. ...

Rod Smith claimed that nearly half, or 46 percent, of Floridians owe more on their mortgages than the value of their homes. The most recent rate of underwater homes in Florida is 45.1 percent, behind only Nevada and Arizona. And that estimate is actually pretty conservative compared with what several metro areas are experiencing. Given the implications for our housing market, we suspect most Floridians are sorry that his claim checks out.

What's not so clear is Smith's suggestion that Florida Republicans are somehow responsible for the ailing housing market. While he doesn't explicitly blame Republicans for causing the housing bust, he does suggest it, and that's enough for us to downgrade his rating.

The housing bubble was a national phenomenon, at the heart of which were national lenders, and other states are feeling our pain. So we rate his claim Mostly True.

Sen. Jim Norman cleared

"After spending more than a year in the glare of a highly publicized federal investigation, state Sen. Jim Norman was officially cleared Monday."

U.S. Attorney Robert O'Neill said federal investigators failed to turn up evidence that Norman violated federal law when his wife, Mearline, accepted $500,000 from deceased conservative activist Ralph Hughes.

Mearline Norman used the money to buy and renovate a lakefront house in Arkansas, but Norman claims he had nothing to do with the loan or the purchase of the home.

Investigators "were looking at the house and the loan from Mr. Hughes," O'Neill said Monday, declining to delve deeper into details of the investigation.

Basically, there was no evidence unearthed by the investigators that there was a federal criminal violation."

FFWCC should take a bow

The Miami Herald editorial board: "The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission should take a bow for living up to the Conservation in its name. Its decision to add four more shark species to the list of sharks under protection in state waters should be instructive for other states and national and international regulators."

Sharks may not be the kind of fuzzy-wuzzy animals that nearly beg for shelter in the public’s arms. Large predators with their potential menace to humans long have posed a thrilling challenge for hunters and fishermen. Sepia photos of early tourist-anglers show just how long Florida’s economy has benefited from the impact of its bountiful large-species marine life.

But eliminate the large predators, and smaller ones survive in larger numbers to wreak havoc on their prey.

"FPL Projects Cheaper Energy"

"FPL Projects Cheaper Energy for Customers in 2012".

"Job growth concentrated in low-wage industries"

"In Florida, the leisure and hospitality industry, which has played a major role in the state’s 2011 job growth, does not always provide good wages and benefits to workers." "Sentinel: Central Florida job growth concentrated in low-wage industries".

Local term limits

The Sarasota Herald Tribune editorial board: "Sarasota County commissioners were misguided in their attempt to call a referendum that would loosen local term limits. A judge confirmed this Monday in ruling that the proposed ballot language was too faulty to go forward." "Flawed term-limit change". Thomas Tryon: Term limits have consequences

Super committee flop leaves winners and losers in Florida

"A congressional super committee's failure to agree on a debt-reduction plan Monday disappointed sugar growers and alarmed defense contractors in Florida while bringing a sense of relief to proponents of Social Security and Medicare." "As super committee fails to reach deal, here are winners and losers in Florida".

"Not the way to run a branch of government"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Much like the federal government, Florida's court system has been staggering from one financial crisis to the next."

In April, the system came within days of closing courthouses and furloughing employees before Gov. Rick Scott approved a $19.5 million loan for the courts. Then, last month, the governor OK'd a loan of $45.6 million. And that's only enough to keep the system in the black until March.

As Florida Chief Justice Charles Canady recently remarked, "This is not the way to run a branch of government."

Especially not the judicial branch, which has a constitutional duty to check abuses of power by the executive and legislative branches. What happens when courts must depend on the governor or Legislature for periodic bailouts?

Jax voters speak

"Jacksonville voters like the job being done by Mayor Alvin Brown far more than they like what Gov. Rick Scott or President Barack Obama is doing, according to a poll released Monday by the University of North Florida." "Poll: Voters approve of Brown; more dour on Scott, Obama".

"The cards are stacked against consumers"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "The Florida Public Service Commission today should not grant Progress Energy Florida's request to burden consumers with more of the growing expense of its Crystal River nuclear plant debacle."

Asking customers to pay another $140 million in replacement fuel costs in 2012 before the commission has fully investigated the plant's extended shutdown is premature and would amount to a bailout for a utility that has been less than candid with the public about its problems. The PSC should delay Progress Energy's request until at least next year, when the commission is scheduled to determine whether the utility acted prudently when it embarked on what has become an outrageously expensive do-it-yourself repair.

"Home Sales Rise 13 Percent"

"October Home Sales Rise 13 Percent Over 2010".

Gaetz wants more

"While civil rights advocates and policy-makers around the country have spoken out against increasingly strict and targeted voting rules levied by GOP-led legislatures, state Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Shalimar, last week introduced a new bill that would allow poll workers to ask voters for 'additional information' when they present their mandatory photo IDs."

House Bill 4129 would repeal a "provision that prohibits clerk or inspector from asking elector to provide additional information or recite elector’s home address after presenting picture identification that matches elector’s address in supervisor of elections’ records."

"To counter voter skepticism"

"The news conference called by the heads of South Florida's horse and dog tracks in October 2004 had one goal in mind: to counter voter skepticism."

After nearly two decades of partly kept promises that the Florida Lottery would benefit education, the industry was struggling to persuade voters that if they supported a constitutional amendment to give the South Florida tracks slot machines, the revenues would go to enhance public schools.

"The most partisan Republican in Tallahassee"

Adam Hasner is boasting "that Marco Rubio once called him 'the most partisan Republican in Tallahassee,' distanc[ing] himself from a state House campaign mailer describing Hasner as a 'moderate' and warned that the Muslim Brotherhood is trying to infiltrate America's legal system." "Hasner isn't quitting".

Occupy Florida

"Occupy Miami has wedding, feuds, nightly flicks and staying power".

"The gap between reason and whimsy is vast"

Carl Hiaasen: "Last week, Genting Americas traveled to Tallahassee to wow lawmakers with its plans for Resorts World Miami. A top executive from the firm made the kind of sky-high promises that might charitably be described as fanciful."

The president, Colin Au, predicted the casino bill would produce $1.7 billion in state revenues, along with 100,000 permanent jobs. A study commissioned by Genting said income from the combined three gambling resorts could be as high as $6 billion annually — more than all the joints on the Vegas strip put together.

Floridians accustomed to preposterous hype will hoot at these numbers. Even Bogdanoff cautioned the gaming company not to go overboard with its pitch.

The gap between reason and whimsy is vast. A recent report by state economists projected that the new casinos might generate $980 million in gaming revenues, which is only about $5.1billion shy of Genting’s sunny forecast.

Anticipating pushback from the theme parks, Au also guaranteed nonstop airline service to Miami from Asia, where the company is based and where much of the gambling business is expected to come from.

He added: “I’m even prepared to guarantee Disney 100,000 tickets that we will sell for them in our resort.”

What Au didn’t say, and will never say, is that Genting’s casinos have the same basic mission as Disney World and Universal: to separate tourists from as much of their money as possible before they go anyplace else.

By the time they get to Orlando, Dad might have a theme-park ticket in his wallet but little else. On the bright side, spending the night in a minivan at the Simba parking lot will be an unforgettable bonding experience for the whole family.

Rubio "playing all sides"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Finally, from Florida's junior U.S. senator comes some common sense advice to fellow Republicans about toning down the hostile rhetoric over immigration."

But Marco Rubio's admonishments to the GOP in recent weeks would be even more impressive if it was matched by action. As a politician who has relied heavily on his parents' legal immigration from Cuba in his own narrative, Rubio should feel an obligation to help sort out the country's immigration issues in a fair and reasonable manner.

Rubio was once considered a moderate on immigration issues ... But since running for the U.S. Senate in 2010, a campaign that led him to cater to the tea party movement, Rubio has all but retreated. He has backed away from his push for in-state tuition for immigrants' children and formally opposes the DREAM Act. And after initially objecting to Arizona's immigration law, he embraced it after it was modified but hardly corrected. He supports tweaking guest worker programs or trying to woo high-achieving foreign scholars through visa modifications. Those would be steps in the right direction, but it all looks more like political calculation than serious commitment to a solution.

"BTU needs to move decisively"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "The BTU needs to move decisively to strengthen itself or let its enemies dominate the public debate." "An F in ethics".

"Dashed hopes are inevitable"

"Sponsors of a bill to bring 'destination resort' casinos to Florida make no revenue promises, but opponents warn that dashed hopes are inevitable." "Casino debate revives concerns over broken promises". Related: "Gambling in Florida may be set to explode".

"A perplexity peculiar to campaigning in Miami"

Fred Grimm: "Don’t worry Herman. When it comes to this Cuban immigration stuff, we’re all befuddled. ... Cain was flustered by a perplexity peculiar to campaigning in Miami. You could almost see the neurotransmitters firing blanks as Cain walked along, a gaggle of reporters in tow, wondering what the hell the aqueous state of someone’s tootsies had to do with foreign policy."

This time, Cain was flustered by a perplexity peculiar to campaigning in Miami. You could almost see the neurotransmitters firing blanks as Cain walked along, a gaggle of reporters in tow, wondering what the hell the aqueous state of someone’s tootsies had to do with foreign policy.

The answer is everything, at least in Miami. Poor Cain was making a campaign swing through South Florida, including that mandatory photo-op at Versailles, a Cuban food emporium favored by visiting politicians, perhaps because the famous decor allows a candidate to simultaneous sip café con leche and mingle with fervent ethnic voters while admiring his own inspiring image on the restaurant’s mirrored walls.

But in Little Havana what was supposed to be Cain’s great asset — his vaunted, no-nonsense, pizza magnate approach to government — collided with the strange and inscrutable contradictions that flourish down here in the subtropics. Like giant African snails or Burmese pythons or Hialeah elections.

Synapses misfired. He could only answer The Herald’s Marc Caputo’s query with a quizzical rephrasing of the question: "The wet-foot, dry-foot policy?"

"School recognition" funds delayed

"Staffers at Florida's 'A'-rated schools shouldn't count on getting their 2011 bonus money by Christmas. 'School recognition' funds totaling more than $100 million have been delayed by the state's new grading formula for high schools, and the Department of Education will not release any award dollars until those calculations are complete." "'A'-School Recognition Dollars May Not Get Home for Christmas".

"Wealthy men who cheat on their wives"

Scott Maxwell: "If a Brevard County legislator gets his way, Florida will completely overhaul its alimony laws. And some of the biggest winners could be wealthy men who cheat on their wives." "In new alimony bill, wealthy, cheating men could pay less".

Hillsborough GOP "moving to the right"

"Once centered on the city of Tampa, the [Hillsborough] Republican Party has been moving east, and at the same time, moving to the right." "New Hillsborough GOP chief wants renewed city involvement".

"Brown, sewage-clogged water"

"Fish gasped for oxygen in brown, sewage-clogged water on Friday while white-bellied carcasses floated near the sea walls of residential neighborhoods." "Hollywood residents reel as waterways fill with raw sewage".

Entrepreneurs in action

"Fake food stamp websites scam poor Floridians, officials say".