Rubio breaks out tired-old-GOPerisms

"Days after his endorsement of Republican front-runner Mitt Romney, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio returned Saturday night to the county that helped boost his national ascent."

In a real yawner, Rubio

said the military budget had been "eviscerated" by spending cuts, "a dangerous game of chicken" with national defense.

His speech bounced from the need for Medicare reform and criticism of business regulations to the use of military force in Grenada and praise for Ronald Reagan.

"In speech, Marco Rubio is mum on vice presidency, Mitt Romney".




"Foreclosure fiasco"

"Courts clogged with fallout from foreclosure fiasco".




The "Gunshine" State

"Last month’s shooting of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla., brought an avalanche of criticism directed at Florida’s Stand Your Ground law. Yet the controversial 2005 law was just one of dozens of pro-gun laws that have gotten their start in Florida — forging the state’s 'Gunshine' reputation — before spreading to other parts of the country."

From bring-your-guns-to-work laws to all-out bans on local gun restrictions, Florida has become a haven for Second Amendment enthusiasts. Statistics show the pro-gun agenda has triggered more gun sales, more permits and a sharp rise in justifiable homicides.

• Florida has about 900,000 licensed concealed weapons carriers, far more than any other state and nearly twice as many as Texas.

• The number of annual applications for concealed gun licenses has grown from 26,800 to 123,000 since 1998 (February was a record month for application requests, with 53,835).

• The number of “justifiable homicides” — typically shooting deaths deemed legal under Stand Your Ground — has tripled in the last seven years.

A representative for the NRA, which has given millions of dollars in political donations, did not respond to requests for comment. Florida’s top NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer declined to comment, citing “media bias and slant” against gun rights.

"Florida: fertile ground for pro-gun laws".




Why is this man smiling?

"Today, at $393,873 a year, Stuart Rogel of the Tampa Bay Partnership is paid a salary, bonus and other compensation approaching the levels of the top public officials in Tampa – exceeding, for example, the $355,000 that Tampa International Airport chief Joe Lopano receives." "At Tampa Bay Partnership, high pay but debatable results".




West on the move

"U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation, is holding two official town hall meetings on Tuesday. ... He's also kicking off a series of town hall meetings in the district he hopes to represent starting next year. He's leaving his Broward-Palm Beach county district for a new district in northern Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties that gives him a better chance at winning a second term." "Allen West sets town halls in district, starts campaigning".




Integrity Florida

"Here are some of the types of problems the founders of a new state watchdog group would like to solve or prevent:"

A $34.7 million road project that would benefit state Sen. JD Alexander, R-Lake Wales, despite the state's budget shortfall.

Fines levied against former state Rep. Frank Peterman, D-St. Petersburg, for taking taxpayer-paid trips home.

For the fifth straight year, failure of a bill outlawing financial conflicts of interest for Florida lawmakers.

All are cited on the "State Integrity Investigation" report — a collaboration of the Center for Public Integrity, Global Integrity and Public Radio International — which recently gave Florida a C-minus on a nationwide study of accountability in state governments.

But the national group only rarely looks at state or local governments.

Who plays the same role in Tallahassee, Tampa and county offices throughout Florida?

Nobody, said Dan Krassner, a veteran public issues and communications consultant in Tallahassee.

Krassner hopes to remedy that with a new nonpartisan, nonprofit organization called Integrity Florida, which will research government accountability and money in politics.

Krassner has what some think is a sound idea, and he has a bipartisan board of directors with credible names — former newspaper executives Rosemary Goudreau and Martin Dyckman; former Common Cause Florida chief Ben Wilcox; former Gainesville Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan and others.

"Group keeps eye on state accountability".




Week in Review

"The Week in Review for March 26 to March 30".




"Uphold healthcare reform"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "The Obama administration devised an imperfect but workable and comprehensive solution to a pressing national problem. The Republicans offered none. Unless the court has a solution of its own, it should not turn back the clock." "Uphold healthcare reform".




What is Publix's problem with Florida tomato pickers?

"Farmworkers, students and community leaders are protesting Publix's refusal to participate in a program that helps raise the wages of Florida tomato pickers. Protesters gathered outside the opening of a new Publix in Miami Saturday. They chanted, held signs, and a delegation went inside to speak with the store management and deliver letters from students." "Farmworkers, students protest outside Miami Publix". See also "Farmworkers, students protest outside Miami Publix".




Battlin' for Teabags

"Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux aggressively pointed out differences between himself and GOP Senate frontrunner Connie Mack IV at a Saturday night forum with tea party organizers, drawing a sharp response from Mack." "Mack, Lemieux draw contrasts in GOP Senate race".