Voters intended to nurture public education when, in 1998, they amended the constitution to declare that providing a "high quality" public education is "a paramount duty" of the state. A current lawsuit that relies on that provision asks the courts to order the Legislature to give public schools more money and quit harassing teachers with FCAT-based school grades and performance reviews. Leon County Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford has ruled that courts have that authority, if the plaintiffs were to prevail. The 1st District Court of Appeal sort of agreed, but mostly asked the Florida Supreme Court to weigh in.

Of equal note, Judge Fulford's colleague on the Leon County circuit bench, Judge Terry Lewis, has issued a ruling that, if it stands up, would stop the enemies of public education from wielding a new constitutional bludgeon. This spring the Legislature endorsed a constitutional amendment for the November 2012 ballot that, if approved, would kill off the current constitutional prohibition against giving state money to religious institutions. That prohibition is the only thing that has kept Tallahassee from giving vouchers to every parent who wants to send his or her child to a private religious school.

The Legislature called its proposed constitutional change the "Religious Freedom" amendment. Nobody would vote against "Religious Freedom," right? But Judge Lewis correctly ruled that the Legislature's language describing the amendment was deceptive. Leave it to our lawmakers to lie in the service of religion.

The lawmakers claim that Florida's prohibition against giving state money directly to religious institutions amounts to discrimination against religion.

RNC considers potential penalties for Florida's early primary

"Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus says the delegates to be awarded in Florida's primary might be divided up proportionally among the candidates, rather than awarded en masse to the winner, thereby diluting the state's impact on the nominating process. If that happens, the Florida primary winner could be awarded 15 to 20 delegates instead of 50, cutting the value of a victory."

The potential penalty is in response to the Florida GOP's decision to set the primary for an earlier date, Jan. 31, in violation of party rules.

In a letter to state Republican Party Chairman Lenny Curry, Priebus also raised the possibility that the Florida delegation to the 2012 convention in Tampa could get less-than-choice locations for its hotel accommodations and convention floor seating, and reduced guest passes and VIP privileges.

Many members of the Republican National Committee are angry that Florida, in a bid to have a bigger impact on the nomination, moved up its primary date to Jan. 31, a violation of party rules intended to delay the start of the primary season.

Ron Paul's stealth Florida campaign

"U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, the grumpy old man of the Republican presidential field, is benefiting from a stealth campaign in Florida that could make him a surprise contender in the Jan. 31 primary, especially if he wins Tuesday's Iowa caucus." "'Stealth' campaign promotes Ron Paul in Florida".

Romney and Gingrich in dead heat in Florida

"As Florida voters begin to focus on the state's pivotal GOP presidential primary at the end of January, the leading contenders are former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia, according to a poll by TelOpinion Research. Romney and Gingrich are essentially in a statistical dead heat, with Romney leading with 27 percent of the vote to Gingrich's 26, according to the telephone survey of 780 Republican voters, conducted from Dec. 15-19." "Romney, Gingrich Tied in Florida, Poll Finds".

Lobbying matters

"Though Florida law gives regulators the power to stop giving Medicaid money to homes caught abusing and neglecting residents, The Miami Herald found regulators routinely funnel millions every year to some of the state’s most dangerous facilities."

Since 2007, the Agency for Healthcare Administration has doled out more than $23 million to nearly 90 homes that could have been cut off from public dollars — including facilities where caretakers were caught beating and sexually abusing frail elders.

The failure of AHCA to turn to one of its toughest enforcement tools more often comes after years of neglect and abuse cases rising in ALFs across the state — with nearly one resident dying a month at the hands of caretakers. Most of the money goes to the ALFs to provide a range of support services like feeding, bathing, medication supervision and health therapies.

Occupy Tampa

"Occupy Tampa has moved its headquarters from downtown to a site in West Tampa owned by strip club king Joe Redner. Redner opened Voice of Freedom Park, 2101 W. Main St., to the protesters earlier this month and the group moved its headquarters roughly two miles west to the new site this week." "Occupy Tampa moves headquarters to Joe Redner's park".

Scott's hospital commission

The Sarasota Herald Tribune editorial board: "A state commission that has spent eight months examining hospitals and health care in Florida meets today, three days before its deadline for making recommendations to Gov. Rick Scott. The Commission on Review of Taxpayer Funded Hospitals has expended significant time and energy, and its 10 members may feel compelled to issue wide-ranging recommendations to justify its efforts or, in some cases, pursue their ideology-based goals."

The panel was created by first-year Gov. Scott, who once headed the nation's largest for-profit hospital chain. Scott's order creating the commission and setting its agenda reflected his biases, using assumptions that undervalued public hospitals.

Dirty water delay

"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the delay would allow the Legislature to approve replacement rules being developed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. But an attorney representing environmental groups is asking whether the delay would violate a court agreement that required EPA to propose the federal rules." "Feds propose delaying controversial water quality rules while Florida works on its own".

Bondi loses, appeals

"Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a motion Friday with the 4th District Court of Appeal, asking it to certify as a matter of great public importance its recent decision in a case against a law firm accused of using fraudulent practices to speed up foreclosure cases."

On Dec. 14, the court stated that Bondi’s office lacked authority under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA) to issue a subpoena for extensive records of the David J. Stern law firm, reversing a lower court decision to deny a motion to quash the subpoena.

Redistricting map changes

"Reapportionment Committee chairman Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, said there is "nothing earth-shattering" in either of the proposed committee substitutes, but that the new measures include input from people, including supervisors of elections, who offered suggestions for making the boundaries smoother." "Redistricting maps get year-end changes". Related: "2012 Session Outlook: Redistricting and Reapportionment".

Week in Review

"The Week in Review for Dec. 27 to Dec. 30".

Privatization follies

"As nearly two dozen states, including Florida, work to turn over their Medicaid programs to private plans hoping for cost savings and better health care, Connecticut -- the 'insurance capital of the world' -- and Oklahoma are doing the opposite, Kaiser Health News reports."

On Sunday, Connecticut ends its 15-year history with managed care organizations because, state officials say, they did not fulfill their promises. Instead, the state will take on the financial responsibility. In 2005, Oklahoma moved away from using private plans, and officials there express no regrets. Nationally, managed care plans oversee care for 27 million of the 60 million people enrolled in Medicaid, and control $150 billion of the $400 billion in Medicaid spending.

League of Cities says "jump!" - editors say "how high?"

"Address muni pensions".

School food program transfers to DAG

"Florida's school food and nutrition program transfers to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services from the Department of Education, effective Jan. 1." "Florida's school program soon to be under department of agriculture".

Scott's veto of public broadcasting funds creates funding crisis

A funding crisis is "the local legacy among area public broadcasters after Gov. Rick Scott's decision in June to veto nearly $4.8 million in state funding for such outlets across Florida. Each public TV station lost more than $300,000; each radio station more than $60,000. Across the Tampa Bay area, WEDU, WMNF and WUSF radio and TV stations saw total losses of up to $1 million." "Florida public broadcasters search for solutions to their funding crisis". Meanwhile, "State keeps funding dangerous ALFs".

The latest exhibit against him is his admission that he lied to a reporter about a key issue in the ongoing saga of an ousted chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. Lying to a reporter is not a crime, but doing so deceives and breaks the faith of the readers and viewers of those false statements.

Mr. Haridopolos’ backtracking came in a sworn deposition in a lawsuit brought by Jim Greer, the ex-party chairman, who wants the $124,000 settlement promised him for his resignation. Mr. Haridopolos had told Miami Herald reporter Marc Caputo in a videotaped interview that there was no such settlement. Now he says he wasn’t truthful because he thought the settlement was confidential. Gee, has he never heard of “No comment”? Or “That’s confidential”?

Mr. Greer has been charged by a statewide grand jury with fraud and money laundering related to party fundraising and payments to himself. He has claimed that party officials knew of his activities and are using the criminal inquiry as an excuse not to pay the settlement.

Mr. Haridopolos’ testimony also was replete with fuzzy memories about transfers of large sums, of his own consultant having meetings about the settlement and even if he had voted for Greer as chairman in 2009.

Mr. Greer, the Senate president testified, was a bit of a nasty fellow although Mr. Haridopolos praised him when he resigned. Nice words but all “political,” he says. That’s a candid if telling admission about politics. This is hardly the memory that one might expect from an erstwhile history professor. And hardly the transparency he promised when with great trumpets he removed the door to his office to herald his arrival as state Senate president in November, 2010.

That transparency has been absent in his professional life since he was elected in 2000 to the Florida House. He first collected $150,000 from his former employer, Brevard Community College, for writing a book of “historical value.” So said the college. The 175-page result details his political observations. Since when do community colleges receive public money to sponsor such books? Mr. Haridopolos also got $75,000, full-time pay, for teaching one class at the University of Florida. When questioned about his lack of a doctorate for that pay level, he said he was earning one at the University of Arkansas. The university said he had not been enrolled there since 2000.

Empowering lobbyists

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Term limits sap expertise and empower lobbyists, but residents approved them 2-to-1".

Daddy's boy

"Connie Mack, son of a former senator and grandson of a famous baseball manager, is far outpacing the rest of the field of Republican Senate candidates in Florida." "Poll: Mack holds big lead in GOP Senate race".

But they looked the other way when WalMart crushed "mom-and-pop shops"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Gov. Rick Scott, Senate President Mike Haridopolos and House Speaker Dean Cannon have been all too happy to stand by and let the nation's Internet-only retailers reap huge competitive advantages over Florida merchants, thanks to a giant loophole in sales tax policy."

But now that the largest among these carpetbaggers — Amazon.com — is engaging in predatory practices specifically designed to undermine bricks-and-mortar retailers, will they finally stand up for Florida merchants, workers and schoolchildren by passing Internet sales tax reform? Or will they continue to do the bidding of out-of-state companies who don't employee Floridians or support our communities?

The company that has blocked sales tax reform across the country launched an all-out attack on traditional retailers this month. Amazon transformed its vast customer base into an army of corporate spies. Customers who used Amazon's price-check application in a traditional store that day could buy select items from Amazon for 5 percent less. The gimmick cost Amazon little. Customers could collect no more than $15 in savings over three items. But in exchange, the behemoth gained a vast collection of information on its competition, from big-box retailers to mom-and-pop shops.

As Scott dithers, 20 percent of Floridians rely on public charity (the rest of us)

The Miami Herald editors: "At the state level, Gov. Rick Scott is trying to persuade the Obama administration to give Florida a waiver from federal requirements in return for Medicaid funds. The main issue is how to control the unmanageable costs — Medicaid now takes the lion’s share of the state budget — without shortchanging patients. The irony is that Republicans in Tallahassee condemn the federal healthcare overhaul for 'rationing care' but they’ve devised a system that perforce rations care for Medicaid patients by putting them into managed-care systems."

Whether this is a good idea is unclear because the effectiveness of the state’s Medicaid reform plan has yet to be tested. But a recent study by Georgetown University and a private fund says 800,000 people may be forced out of Medicaid if they must pay the state’s proposed $10 per month premium.Meanwhile, Gov. Scott has turned down millions in planning funds from Washington to begin implementing the Affordable Care Act, under the dubious theory that it’s not legal until the Supreme Court says so. Even governors of other states who don’t like the new healthcare law are eagerly accepting the money. Mr. Scott should do likewise.

The Supreme Court’s failure to uphold the Affordable Care Act would be a huge setback for reform. Consider: Florida is the lead plaintiff in the case, and yet the sorry state of our state should be Exhibit A for the federal government, given that 20 percent of Florida residents don’t have insurance and have to rely on public charity (the rest of us) when they have to go to a hospital.

Until the court decides, though, there’s other work to be done at the federal level. At last count, 781 cases of Medicare fraud had been brought in the Southern District of Florida between 2005 and 2011, involving $2.9 billion in fraudulent claims. A total of 160 defendants were charged in the year that ended Sept. 30.

"Money for work on nuclear plants"

"An advocacy group notified the state Public Service Commission that it is taking the unusual step of appealing an order that allows utilities to collect money for work on future or existing nuclear plants." "Clean energy group to challenge PSC decision on nuke funding".

Personnel changes

"Scott’s office announced a few personnel changes on Thursday ahead of the new year."

Bonnie Hazelton is the new director of the Office of Open Government, replacing Carolyn Timmann, who left the position to run for the Martin County Clerk of Courts. Hazelton was most recently the director of the Office of the Ombudsman and Public Services at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Tom Doughty will take the reins of the Information Technology department of Scott’s office. He replaces Bruce Slager as IT director.

Mike Dew takes over as director of external affairs for Scott’s office from Karen Giorno, who served in that position since April. Dew will carry on supervising Scott’s regional representatives as he does in his current role as director of public liaisons.

Julie Kay Roberts fills a vacancy in Scott’s office as chief of protocol, but will continue in her current position as director of scheduling.

FPOF hires

"In a press release Thursday, the RPOF said Kristen McDonald, who was a communications assistant, will be the party's press secretary. She completed a six-month internship early this year in Gov. Rick Scott's communications office. ... Dan Dawson joins the RPOF staff as new media director. He was a travel aide and new media director on Jeff Atwater’s CFO campaign. Dawson then started his own consulting business. This year he ran the 'war room' in Orlando for Jon Huntsman's presidential campaign." "RPOF appoints two during staff changes".

Damn reger'lations

"Winn-Dixie recalls canned green beans".

Minumum wage

"The minimum wage rises 36 cents -- about 5 percent -- to $7.67 an hour beginning Jan. 1." "Minimum wage rises Sunday".

Clemens may run for a Senate seat

"Rep. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, whose District 89 seat is being broken up by redistricting, says he will run for a Senate seat in central Palm Beach County if one is created during the Legislature's redrawing of district maps." "Orphaned House member says he'll run for Senate".

Session Outlook: Economic Development, Redistricting and Utilities and Energy

"2012 Session Outlook: Economic Development", "2012 Session Outlook: Redistricting and Reapportionment" and "2012 Session Outlook: Utilities and Energy".

To the victor go the spoils

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Florida's government spends billions in taxpayer dollars on contracts for goods and services. The total only grows as private companies take over more state responsibilities, like prisons and child protection. And the sheer volume of contracts magnifies the risk that waste, fraud or abuse will go undetected. Jeff Atwater, Florida's chief financial officer wants the Legislature to add another set of eyes — his — to the contracting process. At a time when lawmakers are slashing basic services to balance the budget, any reasonable effort to ensure state government is getting a good deal for taxpayers deserves serious consideration." "Let CFO review contracts".

So long as it isn't just another manifestation of the Florida Republican Party spoils system. As Paul Krugman pointed out,

there's a lot of experience with privatization by governments at all levels -- state, federal, and local; that record doesn't support extravagant claims about improved efficiency. Sometimes there are significant cost reductions, but all too often the promised savings turn out to be a mirage. In particular, it's common for private contractors to bid low to get the business, then push their prices up once the government work force has been disbanded. Projections of a 20 or 30 percent cost saving across the board are silly -- and one suspects that the officials making those projections know that. ...

We don't have to speculate about what will follow, because Jeb Bush has already blazed the trail. Florida's governor [was] an aggressive privatizer, and as The Miami Herald put it after a careful study of state records, ''his bold experiment has been a success -- at least for him and the Republican Party, records show. The policy has spawned a network of contractors who have given him, other Republican politicians and the Florida G.O.P. millions of dollars in campaign donations.''

What's interesting about this network of contractors isn't just the way that big contributions are linked to big contracts; it's the end of the traditional practice in which businesses hedge their bets by giving to both parties. The big winners in Mr. Bush's Florida are companies that give little or nothing to Democrats. Strange, isn't it? It's as if firms seeking business with the state of Florida are subject to a loyalty test.

So am I saying that we are going back to the days of Boss Tweed and Mark Hanna? Gosh, no -- those guys were pikers. One-party control of today's government offers opportunities to reward friends and punish enemies that the old machine politicians never dreamed of.

"Troubling and reminiscent"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "A new study by the Americans for Insurance Reform should reverberate in Tallahassee as Gov. Rick Scott and state lawmakers prepare to reform no-fault auto insurance, including personal injury protection, or PIP."

The project of the New York Law School's Center for Justice and Democracy claims insurers have faked some of the industry's "crises" to pump up profits and concludes that the professed need for premiums to rise to outpace claims and other expenses is simply a myth.

The insurance industry was quick to dispute the study, insisting that insurance markets remain competitive and coverage remains affordable. Still, the findings are troubling and reminiscent of another insurance crisis back in 2003 that had tied up the state capital in controversy.

Medical malpractice was the burning issue, and at the time the war of words between the attorneys, physicians, insurance industry, not to mention then-Gov. Jeb Bush and Senate President Jim King, left lawmakers reeling as to how best to proceed in crafting a meaningful reform.

Enter the seemingly extraordinary idea of taking sworn testimony as senators used the chamber's subpoena powers to obtain answers to a host of questions that had eluded them, such as "How much money is the insurance industry taking in from premiums and how much is it paying out in benefits?" Or, "Have some insurers moved profits around to conceal profits?"

T-Shirt sales booming

"Business in 2011: Has Anyone Heard the Governor Mention the Word 'Jobs'?".

"The Tampa Bay area a hotbed for anti-Muslim activity"

"The Tampa Bay area has emerged as a hotbed for Muslim and anti-Muslim activity. The local director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations says he's trying to cool things down." "Muslim Leader Reaches Out to Build Bridges in Tampa Bay".

Puffing Ricky

Nancy Smith: "Rick Scott: Florida's 2011 Man for All Reasons".

"So much for public safety or good government"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Five years after Florida's Legislature voted to cloak the names of people holding concealed weapons permits, the number of permits issued has more than doubled. But the most disturbing thing? Floridians have no right to know if their neighbors, estranged spouses or co-workers could be packing. Nor do they have any way to ensure that government bureaucrats are actually denying permits to people who shouldn't have them. So much for public safety or good government." "Lift gun law's cloak of secrecy".

Special districts under the gun

"One of Gov. Rick Scott's first moves in the new year will be to call for a sweeping review of some of the state's oldest governments - Florida's more than 1,600 special districts." "Gov. Scott's latest target: Florida's taxing districts".

Pari-mutuel loopholes

Update: "Bogdanoff offers new proposals on gaming bill".

"HB 4173 would repeal the statute allowing for summer jai alai permits, while SB 1376 would more clearly defines jai alai, horse racing, greyhound dog racing and the parameters for facilities to get new slot machines." "Battle over pari-mutuel loopholes prompts new bills from lawmakers".

Related: "Genting hype is hurting casino bill".

10. Outsourcing, in or out? ...

9. Greer's trial. When Jim Greer goes on trial for alleged misdeeds as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, the GOP's free-spending, credit card-loving ways will be on trial, as well.

8. Jack's turn? Two GOP senators are quietly battling to determine which one will become Senate president in 2014: Jack Latvala of Clearwater and Andy Gardiner of Orlando. ...

7. Line drawing. Reapportionment plans for the state House and Senate, and U.S. Congress will shape the state's political leadership for years to come.

6. Where there's a Will … Pasco's Will Weatherford, just 32, is the House point man on reapportionment and will become speaker of the House in fall 2012. ...

5. PPP. The three letters stand for presidential preference primary. Mark the date: Jan. 31. That's when Florida Republicans exert their influence in the selection of the GOP nominee to be formally crowned at the party's convention in August in Tampa.

4. Senate sendoffs. Next year is when term limits exact their full impact on the state Senate, emptying the chamber of much of its experience and institutional know-how. ...

3. Mack the Fourth. Will U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV follow his namesake father's footsteps all the way to the U.S. Senate?

2. Election machinations. The Legislature's big changes to early voting and voter registration in Florida are still unresolved and in the hands of three federal judges in Washington, D.C. Approved or not, they will be a rallying cry for Democrats in 2012.

1. Rick Scott 2.0. The governor has a full year of experience under his belt, and he embarks on the second year of his term with lots to prove.

"Stunting the growth of a promising new industry"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "This month a state House panel approved a bill to repeal the 2008 state law that requires most gasoline sold in Florida to include up to 10 percent ethanol. Sponsor Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Fort Walton Beach, decried the government 'crawling into our gas cans.' Time for a reality check: The bill wouldn't accomplish its purpose. And it could end up stunting the growth of a promising new industry in Florida." "Fla. shouldn't give up on renewable fuels".

2012 Session Outlook

See "2012 Session Outlook: Justice and the Courts" and "2012 Session Outlook: Real Estate and Growth Management".

Florida GOP locks crazies in the attic ... for now

"After an amped-up year of major policy changes, Gov. Rick Scott and Republican leaders may be moving toward the political middle - a stance many say is a sure sign that a major election season is approaching."

Ruling Republicans plan to advance a limited agenda when the legislature convenes next month, a downshift that could be designed in part to avoid the polarizing, partisan clashes that dominated this year's session and its aftermath.

Florida is the nation's largest toss up state in the presidential contest. But just as in the other key presidential battlegrounds of Ohio and Wisconsin, governors suddenly are showing signs of reaching out to opponents after declaring war on them.

Social issues low on the list

"Anti-immigration rhetoric flared up on Florida's 2010 campaign trail and became a winning wedge issue for Gov. Rick Scott, who used it to woo the tea party and help win election. But with the 2012 legislative session fast approaching, social issues such as immigration, abortion and welfare change are taking a back seat in the state capital." "This session, social issues are low on Florida lawmakers' list".

The Week Ahead

"The Week Ahead for Dec. 27 to Dec. 30".

Don’t ask, don’t tell about redistricting

"Many lawmakers and other key players in Florida’s process for drawing new congressional and legislative districts have adopted their own don’t ask, don’t tell policies. That includes Senate Reapportionment Committee Chairman Don Gaetz. The Niceville Republican insists he doesn’t know, nor does he want to know, how the maps proposed by his panel will affect incumbent members of Congress and the Legislature." "Lawmakers have little to say about redistricting".

From the "values" crowd

"Just as Medicaid prepares for a vast expansion under the federal health care overhaul, the 47-year-old entitlement program for the poor is under increasing pressure as deficit-burdened states chip away at benefits and cut payments to doctors." "State cuts to Medicaid affect patients, providers".

More from the "values" crowd

"Florida defends its denial of tuition waivers for homeless".

"Ask Charlie Crist"

Randy Schultz: "Name recognition alone can't create a network of professionals and volunteers. Ask Charlie Crist."

Not long ago, Mr. Crist was Florida's most popular politician. In 2008, Republican presidential candidates competed for his endorsement. Until that point, Mr. Crist had had the good sense to know his limits. In 11 years, he went from obscure state senator to governor by moving carefully, like someone testing rocks while crossing a stream. When he ran for the Senate in 1998 against Bob Graham, Mr. Crist knew that he would lose. The campaign, though, made him a statewide candidate.

His time on the vice presidential speculation list, though, made Mr. Crist stop looking at the rocks. In May 2009, barely two years into his term as governor, he announced that he would run for the U.S. Senate seat that Mel Martinez was leaving early. Mr. Crist then named his former chief of staff, George LeMieux, to be the placeholder. That was a sign of entitlement.

A year later, the tea party ascendant in the Republican Party, Mr. Crist had lost the GOP base. He had to make that Senate run as an independent, putting together his own organization. He did defeat a weak Democrat, Kendrick Meek, but he finished 20 points behind Marco Rubio.

Mr. Crist picked up some Democrats who thought that he had a better chance of beating Mr. Rubio. He probably picked up some moderate Republicans who shun the tea party's reactionary philosophy. What Mr. Crist couldn't pick up were all those Republican volunteers who staff phone banks, stuff envelopes and drive voters to the polls. He couldn't get the staffers who keep campaigns focused and nimble. He couldn't put together an organization to campaign effectively in Florida.

Granted, Mr. Crist had the additional problem of credibility as a third-party candidate. He left the GOP only because he would have lost the primary. Still, if someone with Mr. Crist's profile couldn't pull it off, who could?

Pari-mutuel confusion

"In spite of state laws on the issues, confusion still surrounds Internet sweepstakes cafes, Internet sales taxes, the tax rate on hotel rooms sold by online travel companies and what types of pari-mutuel activities are allowed in Florida." "Despite calls for clarity, some state laws remain muddled".

Second amendment stoopid

"Toddler critical after being shot in the head".

More Florida Republicans — about 370,000 — already have requested absentee ballots for the Jan. 31 primary than the number of Republicans who voted in the 2008 Iowa and New Hampshire contests combined.

The ever-growing volume of votes cast before the primary in Florida is one of the factors that make the state a very different challenge from the earliest elections, in Iowa on Jan. 3, New Hampshire on Jan. 10 and South Carolina on Jan. 21. Candidates not only have to grapple with the sheer size and diversity of Florida, but they must prepare for a contest where half the votes or more are in well before the primary.

Florida's fed stimulus "cushion is running out"

"Throughout the recession and economic hangover, Florida social-services advocates have warned that budget woes could unravel the safety net that supports millions of low-income families, seniors trying to stay in their homes, and people with debilitating illnesses or disabilities."But entering Florida's fifth year of billion-dollar budget shortfalls, the state's core social services — from medical care to drug treatment to organ transplants — have proven remarkably resilient to cuts, thanks largely to billions of dollars routed to Florida by the 2009 federal stimulus act.

But now that cushion is running out. And much of the give-and-take over how to balance Florida's budget in the coming months will revolve around whether to replace stimulus cash — or cut services to the poor, sick and elderly by hundreds of millions of dollars."Loss of stimulus funds imperils social services".

"Unpromising patches of habitat have become vital"

"They are the most unlikely wildlife refuges: a corporate park next to Interstate 95, a set of retention ponds along Florida's Turnpike in Palm Beach County, a landfill in northern Broward County."

But these unpromising patches of habitat have become vital to many animal species, particularly migratory birds desperate for resting spots before long journeys to Mexico or Central America. With the spread of strip malls, housing and office buildings across South Florida, birds traveling what's known as the Atlantic Flyway are forced to rely on scraps of habitat that persist amid the concrete and steel.

Term limits

"Nearly a decade after Palm Beach County voters overwhelmingly approved term limits for county commissioners, the Florida Supreme Court will rule in 2012 on whether those limits are constitutional." "Only two four-year terms for Palm Beach County commissioners? Florida Supreme Court to decide in 2012".

"A spark for the state's stalled economy"

"[S]ome big-money backers are touting a new attraction that promises to boost jobs: Casinos. They argue Miami can become a shimmering East Coast version of Las Vegas, generating a spark for the state's stalled economy. Miami's selling points, they argue, could help the area transform itself into a serious rival to Vegas. " "Future of casinos in Florida may come down to jobs".

Southerland mailer off the mark

"U. S. Rep. Steve Southerland sent direct mail to his Florida constituents this month with a multiple-choice survey, telling them: 'Make your voice heard in Washington.'"

However, "Southerland's [mailer] implies the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 didn't help job creation. At one point in his note, he explains: 'Higher taxes, record spending, and bigger government have failed to create jobs or boost economic growth.' What does the evidence say?"

In November, the Congressional Budget Office released the most recent report, estimating that in the third quarter of 2011, Recovery Act policies:

• Raised real gross domestic product by between 0.3 percent and 1.9 percent.

• Lowered the unemployment rate by between 0.2 percentage points and 1.3 percentage points.

• Increased the number of people employed by between 0.4 million and 2.4 million.

• Increased the number of full-time-equivalent jobs by 0.5 million to 3.3 million. (Increases in FTE jobs include shifts from part-time to full-time work or overtime and are thus generally larger than increases in the number of employed workers.)

So, since the stimulus bill passed through August 2011, 2.4 million jobs were lost. But without it, 2.8 million to 4.8 million people might be out of work, according to the nonpartisan CBO and private economic analysts.

"A favorable regional image"?

"Millions of dollars and months of preparation focus on four days in August when tens of thousands of delegates, media, protesters and hangers-on will join Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and friends at the 2012 Republican National Convention."

But the greater payback for host city Tampa could take place in the years after presidential and vice presidential candidates are selected.

Sustainable improvements in transportation, economic development, security and high-tech communications are the Tampa Bay Host Committee's key goals beyond a short-term outlook to fill hotel beds and project a favorable regional image to a worldwide audience.

The best we can do?

"Some ... people to watch in Florida politics in 2012:"

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio: One of the few politicians who combines appeal to the tea party movement with solid backing from the Republican establishment. He's coveted as a running mate for the 2012 presidential candidate, a role he says he doesn't want. In any case, he will be a star at the 2012 GOP convention in Tampa.

State Sen. Jack Latvala: The experienced and canny veteran legislator, often a maverick, is mounting an insurgency against the Tallahassee GOP establishment by challenging the party's pick, Sen. Andy Gardiner of Orlando, for Senate president in the 2015-16 term. ...

Former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio: Is she headed for a race for higher office? Governor? Cabinet? A congressional seat after the district remapping? ...

Former Gov. Charlie Crist: The rumors never stop. Crist is attending another Democratic fundraiser. Crist is making calls to South Florida Democratic donors. Crist's new boss, superlawyer [?] John Morgan, is pushing him to Democratic leaders. ...

Former Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink: After she won the CFO seat in 2006 in her first run for office, the first new Democratic statewide winner in eight years, she looked like the party's future. ...

State Sen. Nan Rich: Can a South Florida liberal ever win another statewide election? Rich, an eloquent spokeswoman for the party's most idealistic issues, including education and helping children and the disabled, is likely to try to find out.

Unnecessary and tragic

The Miami Herald editorial board: "The accidental deaths earlier this month of a 17-year-old boy and the young man charged with his care and the injuries to six other boys — all in a vehicle that plunged into a canal — were as unnecessary as they are tragic. The boys had no choice in this matter; they were delinquent kids in state custody, placed in a private school." "An accident waiting to happen".

"Nelson likely to win third term"

"One reason Florida's U.S. Senate race has yet to capture much attention and excitement? Even in a political climate where the public is fed up with Washington politicians, politicos in Florida overwhelmingly expect Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson to win another term." "Political insiders say Sen. Bill Nelson likely to win third term".

Fitzgerald "Winner of the Week"

Adam C. Smith says Keith Fitzgerald, the former Democratic state representative running against U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, is the "Winner of the Week" because he

received plenty of ammunition to question Buchanan's fitness for the job last week. While Buchanan declared himself "completely exonerated" by a Federal Election Commission report about alleged illegal campaign contributions, the report cast serious doubts on Buchanan's truthfulness and his compliance with federal law.

What a deal

"While many Americans believe that illegal immigrants don't pay taxes, the Social Security Administration sees billions of dollars flow into its coffers every year that have been deducted from paychecks issued to undocumented workers using false names and phony Social Security numbers - money those workers will almost certainly never see again." "Illegal workers pay taxes, won't benefit".

Desperate GOPers grub for the "Jeb!" endorsement

"Jeb. Sr. — the elusive endorsement that seems most coveted by the candidates." "As GOP candidates vie for Bush backing, Jeb hangs back".

"The year of good government"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "The year of good government in the making".

Paper pushers go after law enforcement officers and firemen

"The Florida League of Cities, an organization representing the state’s municipalities, is lobbying hard for the proposed legislation. The bill negates a law passed in 1999 under then-Gov. Jeb Bush, requiring cities to dedicate growth in tax revenue from property and casualty insurance premiums to extra police and firefighter pension benefits." "Florida legislators target extra pension benefits for police, firemen".

"Bondi has moved farther and faster politically than almost anyone"

"In September, when Mitt Romney opened his Tampa campaign headquarters, one other speaker shared his stage, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi."

Bondi had turned down Romney for an endorsement, staying neutral in the primary, but he wanted her on the stage with him. That's a measure of the political cachet she has built up after only 11 months in office.

Political insiders say she has moved farther and faster politically than almost anyone on the current Florida political scene.

In 2010, she won a statewide race for Florida's highest-profile Cabinet post in her first run for elective office, a rare feat.

She said at the time, and often repeats, that she has no ambitions beyond the attorney general's office.

"I want to run for re-election for attorney general. Do I want to be governor? No," she said. "I just want to be the best attorney general I can.

"In Tallahassee, you see people running for the next office while they're in one — not me."

But her political assets — she's young, photogenic, speaks well in public and has a political base in the crucial Tampa Bay area — make other Republicans see her as a potential candidate.

Her national image, shaped by years of appearances as a Fox News legal affairs commentator, got another boost when she recently helped moderate a presidential primary debate.

For Republicans, such assets outweigh controversies that have affected her tenure as attorney general — the biggest over accusations that her office hasn't been aggressive enough in prosecuting mortgage foreclosure fraud.

"Was 2011 wacky, or what?"

"Was 2011 wacky, or what? See what you remember, and no fair peeking at the answers!" "A quiz on 2011’s politics of the absurd".

"Who owns that water"?

"The next time you go to your kitchen faucet for a drink, think about who owns that water."

Because for every expert who says it belongs to you, others counter you merely have Florida's permission to use it, and you pay only for having water sanitized and pumped into your home.

That disagreement illustrates an intensifying debate over whether the state should regulate water in the future as essentially the private property of metropolitan utilities, agricultural corporations and owners of large properties.

"Scott awakens old animosity"

"And suddenly, Scott was at the center of the latest in a 50-year series of racially charged conflicts between a predominantly white Florida government and one of the nation's most prestigious black universities, conflicts that have provoked lingering bitterness in generations of FAMU alumni." "Scott awakens old animosity between political leadership, FAMU".

Miami-Dade Commissioners’ resort-casino priorities

"In a bid to ensure Miami-Dade County emerges a winner, the county commission has written state lawmakers spelling out commissioners’ resort-casino priorities." "Miami-Dade Commission weighs in on casino resorts".