Scott needs to either push lawmakers — or lead

The Miami Herald editors: "Gov. Rick Scott needs to either get behind state lawmakers and push — or jump out front and lead. Either way, reforms that crack down on the worst assisted-living facilities in the state should not remain stalled in the Legislature or, worse, be allowed to die from lawmakers’ inaction." "Gov. Scott needs to push Legislature for ALF reforms".

"Energy Plan Given Spark of Life"

"Putnam's Energy Plan Given Spark of Life as Session Enters Final Phase".

"Leave it to the Confederacy of Dunces"

Daniel Ruth: "Ah, from the mouths of fools."

Leave it to the Confederacy of Dunces, otherwise known as the Florida Legislature, to expose its self-importance.

During a heated debate over whether lawmakers should pay the same rates for health insurance as state employees, Sen. Mike Bennett, R-He Thinks He's Special, argued if elected officials had to cough up more money "you're going to lower the pool of people who can afford to take this job."

Sen. Joe Negron, R-Martin Luther, began the apostasy when he suggested it might be a nice act of solidarity if the Legislature voluntarily agreed to give up its cushy health insurance plan, which calls for only $8.34 a month in individual coverage and $30 a month for family coverage.

Negron argued legislators should pay $50 a month for individuals and $180 a month for family coverage, just like janitors, prison guards and other state workers.

By a voice vote the measure was killed faster than an al-Qaida kingpin on the receiving end of a drone strike. That enabled all those brave, courageous, principled Tallahassee Disraelis to avoid having their names attached to rejecting Negron's idea.

Still, a few of the Legislature's Foundering Fathers did seize upon the heretical notion they should pay as much as a state custodial workers. They noted the extreme sacrifices they make to serve, not to mention how much more valuable they are to the inner workings of government.

"Partisan rancor"

"Partisan rancor divides state congressional delegation".

"Spin over substance"

Scott Maxwell: "With chamber groups, it's spin over substance".

Judge hears case against voter sign-up law

"The League of Women Voters and other nonprofit organizations that wage voter registration campaigns challenged the state of Florida in a Tallahassee federal court Thursday, in a fight that could determine how many Floridians vote in November." "U.S. judge hears registration groups' case against voter sign-up law".

School prayer

"School prayer bill likely to become law".

Citizens "Reform" Faces Rising Storm

"Reform of Citizens Insurance Faces Rising Storm Among GOP Senators".

Anti-Sharia' Bill

"Florida mulls outlawing Shariah, other foreign law". See also "House Passes 'Anti-Sharia' Bill; CAIR Vows Court Challenge" and "‘Anti-Sharia’ bill banning foreign law passes House over protests".

ProtoBagger attempts to position himself as a moderate

Howard Kurtz is laughably wrong when he writes that the GOP "has marched inexorably to the right in a way that leaves [Jeb Bush] decidedly out of step." Kurtz is buying in to Jebbie's attempt to position himself as some sort of a moderate, as indicated by this recent utterance by Bush:

“I used to be a conservative and I watch these debates and I’m wondering, I don’t think I’ve changed but it’s a little troubling sometimes when people are appealing to people’s fears and emotion rather than trying to get them to look over the horizon for a broader perspective.”

Florida [law enforcement] officials planned to seize Terri Schiavo on Thursday from her hospice bed. But local police got in the way ... Participants in the high stakes test of wills, who spoke with The [Miami] Herald on the condition of anonymity, said they believed the standoff could ultimately have led to a constitutional crisis and a confrontation between dueling lawmen."

Under President Jeb, the nation still would have had large federal tax cuts, skewed heavily toward the rich -- or the "risk takers" and "job creators," in Bush family parlance.

In Florida, he reduced taxes by $12.2 billion over his eight years, with more than half of that going to the wealthiest 4.5 percent of the population. That saved the average risk taker more than $1,500 a year by the time Jeb left office. And much as President George W. Bush cites tax cuts as the explanation for any positive economic results, Gov. Jeb Bush says that his tax cuts created jobs in Florida and gave us the best economy in the country. (In reality, Jeb had the lowest job-creation rate of any Florida governor dating to 1971.)[*]

The results are unclear: Jeb says that students who used vouchers to attend private schools received better educations than they had been getting in public schools. But all we know is that the vast majority of such schoolchildren received religious educations at the public's expense. Gov. Bush refused to release the scores for the few voucher children who had to take the public-school standardized test, so whether their educations were superior or awful remains anyone's guess.

In public, of course, Jeb has supported his brother's decision to invade Iraq. "It's tough," he said in a recent interview with Newsmax.com. "Thank God the president has been resolute, because it's not a popular war." But would Jeb have made the same choice? Would his state of the union speech this week have to include a lengthy discussion of a war in Iraq gone horribly wrong?

Unlike George, who ridiculed his classmates at Yale University for opposing the Vietnam War but then sought refuge in the National Guard, Jeb was troubled enough by that war that, according to his mother in a 1984 interview, he considered registering as a conscientious objector. Ultimately, he chose not to hurt his father's political career -- at the time, George H.W. Bush was President Richard M. Nixon's ambassador to the United Nations -- and registered for the draft. He was never called. "I had no compelling reason to go to Vietnam" he told the Miami Herald in 1994.

Sweeping anti-abortion legislation

Update: "Senate's defeat of opt-out measure on birth control pleases local advocates".

"The House passed sweeping anti-abortion legislation, but the future of the bill remains in doubt in the Senate." "Anti-abortion measure passes House, prospects in Senate uncertain".

"No-Fault Insurance Reform"

"No-Fault Insurance Reform Poised for House Vote".

"Reversal on oversight of offenders"

"Looking to cut expenses by about $79 million through June, the state’s probation officers are being told to curtail monthly field visits of offenders." "Probation officers alarmed by policy reversal on oversight of offenders".

Critics — including the Florida Democratic Party, League of Women Voters, National Council of La Raza and Common Cause — have argued the new districts violate the Fair Districts amendments passed in 2010 because they were drawn with the intent of preserving huge Republican majorities in the Legislature for the next decade.

Several justices questioned whether the high court had an obligation to provide some parameters for following Amendments 5 and 6, which created sometimes-conflicting and often-ambiguous new standards for drawing the maps. For instance, when does reducing the number of minorities in a minority-held House district go too far and unconstitutionally abridge their rights?

"On what basis do we substitute our judgment for the judgment that has been made by the Legislature?" Chief Justice Charles Canady asked.

Legislative lawyers said the justices should accept that lawmakers gave it their best effort.

"This is an incredibly difficult balancing of standards that takes thousands of hours to do," said George Meros, a GrayRobinson lawyer arguing for the Florida House.

"If the Legislature is showing a good-faith effort [to follow the amendments] … that is the deference the court should show."

But Justice Barbara Pariente suggested the court had a duty to do more than just rubber-stamp the maps because that would effectively say the court agreed with the Legislature's legal interpretation of how to implement the amendments.

"Latchkey kid creation act"

The Tampa Bay Times editors: "In Tallahassee, they are calling it early learning reform."

But it's really a latchkey kid creation act. With little notice, the Legislature appears ready to end subsidized after-school care for up to 15,000 children between 5 and 12 years old who come from homes of poor working parents. Lawmakers say they are just reorganizing the state's School Readiness Program to reduce the 75,000-person waiting list for subsidized care for infants to 5-year-olds. But pitting the needs of the youngest against those of school-aged children is a false choice, forced by the Republican leadership's continued refusal to consider new revenue.

Jebbie teases knuckle-draggers

The man one Florida editorial board described as possessing "dangerous arrogance and a nasty vindictive streak" continues to tease the extreme elements of his "Ghastly Outdated Party".

"Republicans are still pining for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush despite his repeated and vehement refusal to be sucked into the 2012 Republican vortex."

The Bush murmurs persist, even as a resilient Romney marches toward Super Tuesday with a commanding lead in cash, delegates and momentum over a sagging Rick Santorum.

“I have the perfect candidate — Jeb Bush. But he’s not running,” former George W. Bush chief of staff Andy Card told Charlie Rose on CBS on Wednesday, echoing the sentiments of many in his party. ...

Bush — who has refused to endorse Romney in 2012 as he did in 2008 and whose son endorsed Jon Huntsman — has fanned the flames himself, possibly to whet his party’s appetite for a 2016 run. After keeping a low profile during the hotly contested Florida primary in January, he popped up last week at the height of the Romney-Santorum duel in Michigan to declare his problems with the GOP presidential field.

Assisted living facility reform going down

"After years of people dying of abuse in Florida's assisted living facilities, lawmakers this year unveiled some of the toughest legislation in the nation to protect residents and punish the worst abusers. But with just about a week left in the legislative session, major proposals to shut down dangerous homes, investigate deaths and dramatically raise credentials of caregivers will now require the Senate's most powerful leaders to save it. The 60-day session ends next Friday." "ALF reform may be in jeopardy".

Absentee ballot request kerfuffle in Orlando

"Orlando candidates spar over absentee votes".

State saves dollars at expense of public safety

"Buckling under the weight of a $79 million deficit, Florida's prison system is cutting back on the visits that probation officers have with offenders — a move sure to raise public safety concerns." "Florida prison system to cut back visits probation officers make to offenders".

"Florida’s radically downsized scholarly aspirations"

Fred Grimm: "Who needs higher education? We’ve got the Redneck Yacht Club."

Thousands made the pilgrimage to the bemired retreat in rural Charlotte County this past weekend and turned the occasion — known as the world’s largest mud festival — into a sodden demonstration of Florida’s radically downsized scholarly aspirations.

The epic moment came as the driver of a camouflage-painted van with five-foot-tall tires roared up out of the muck and, just for the hell of it, crushed a parked 1994 Toyota belonging to an unsuspecting 16-year-old girl. The driver was charged with criminal mischief. He should have been awarded an honorary diploma by the state Legislature.

Think of him as our intellectual future.

Think of that flattened Toyota Corolla as a metaphor for higher education. Three days later, perhaps inspired by the Charlotte County mud fest (or by Rick Santorum’s derisive comments about college education), our state legislators took another mighty chunk out of that snobby state university system. The Senate and House, working toward a budget compromise, agreed to subtract another $289.3 million from higher education.

One bad budget year, of course, might be an aberration. But this was the fifth year in a row that Tallahassee pummeled the education budget. Even without this year’s $289.3 million cut, funding is down 24 percent from 2007, back when Florida still considered college education worthy of public investment.

“The effect of the budget cut is even more severe when enrollment growth and inflation are considered,” warned the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy. “With additional enrollment factored in, state dollars provided per full-time-equivalent student declined 30 percent during that period.” Calculate inflation, and the cuts amount to 35 percent.

Thomas Breslin, professor of politics and international relations and chair of the faculty senate at Florida International University, has an even longer memory. “Veteran faculty are aware that in the years 1989 through 1992 the State University System took a 26.2% cut in General Revenue and Lottery funding, without tuition increases. The results were devastating and never made up by the legislature,” he told me by e-mail Wednesday. “The threatened cuts would be much deeper.”

Breslin added, “In the past 18 months, the state’s public universities have seen enrollments grow by 18,000 students while their budgets were being slashed by $164 million. Community colleges took similarly Draconian cuts. This portends disaster.”

Medicaid deform

"Florida counties stand to lose nearly $300 million in state revenue over the next few years, a punishment of sorts for what the state says are unpaid Medicaid bills."

But counties say much of what the state categorizes as delinquent bills are actually erroneous charges created by a faulty state billing system, and that the state's decision to collect is masking a ploy to shift additional costs to local governments.

Led by the Florida Association of Counties, local officials are begging legislators for a fix as House-Senate budget negotiations commence.

Under the controversial proposal, the state would withhold revenue sharing dollars from counties equal to a portion of the delinquent bills as well as any future payments counties owe under the Medicaid program. Currently, counties are allowed to dispute the amounts they owe and pay what they think is fair.

Miami-Dade could lose an estimated $31 million in revenue sharing in the upcoming fiscal year with the new system and Pinellas could see an $8.6 million decrease, according to the Association of Counties.

"Preserving their entitlement-reform virginity"

Frank Cerabino: "Florida's 160 lawmakers get state-provided health insurance by paying a premium of only $30 a month for family coverage, or $8.34 a month for individual coverage. ... And to make it worse, the legislators are also hosing their fellow state workers, the 27,000 state employees who earn less money than legislators get paid, yet have to pay much higher premiums to be in the same state health insurance plan."

"This week, Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, had the bad manners to suggest this ought to be addressed. ... He suggested that Florida lawmakers ought to get the same insurance deal that the state's corrections officers, child abuse investigators and janitors get."

But the bipartisan entitlement-preservation express was a runaway train. And no excuse would be spared.

"We are in a different class than janitors," Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, said.

"We have to run for office. We get attacked by our opponents. We get falsely accused of a crime by opponents. We get charged with ethics violations and election law violations," he said. "They don't."

And so in the end, the legislators overcame their bipartisan differences to vote down Negron's attempt to reform their own entitlement.

And it was done in the best way possible. A voice vote. This way nobody's vote would be recorded, thereby preserving their entitlement-reform virginity when it comes to trimming a benefit they aren't actually receiving.

From the "values" crowd

Local government "would be unable to create an out-of-court system to help workers who accuse employers of cheating them out of their pay under a measure approved along party lines by the Florida House on Wednesday." "Florida House passes bill that would prevent county anti-wage-theft laws".

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Bills would hinder workers from recovering stolen wages". See also "GOP bill that would eliminate Miami-Dade wage theft ordinance passes in the House".

"Gotta Be a Better Way"

Nancy Smith: "Farewell Speeches: Gotta Be a Better Way to Kiss Goodbye".

"Though the legislative session isn't scheduled to end for more than a week, state senators took time Wednesday to pay tribute to Evelyn Lynn, the Ormond Beach Republican who will be leaving because of term limits after a combined 18 years in the Legislature." "State legislators pay tribute to departing Sen. Lynn".

Wingnuts in a dither

"The National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba will begin a U.S. tour in October, hitting 10 states." "Cultural exchange with Cuba has beautiful strings attached".

Not "inspired" by the first amendment

"A measure allowing public school students to offer 'inspirational messages' at assemblies is set for final passage tomorrow, despite objections from Democrats and civil rights groups that the proposal is unconstitutional and could prompt bullying." "Student 'inspirational messages' poised for final passage in Tallahassee". See also "Dems introduce amendments to school prayer bill aimed at protecting against ‘messages of hate’".

Joe Redner looks to make a mint

"From vodka bars to art museums, GOP has convention party sites lined up".

Good luck with that

"Florida lawmaker introduces amendment mandating random drug-testing of state legislators".

Charter madness

"The GOP-sponsored Parent Empowerment in Education bill, also known as the 'Parent Trigger bill' for K-12 education, passed a state Senate subcommittee Tuesday. The bill was filed by Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Ft. Myers."

The bill, also introduced in the Florida House by Rep. Michael Bileca, R-Miami, would authorize “parents of students who are assigned to certain underperforming public schools to submit a petition to the school district requesting implementation of a school turnaround option.”

The U.S. Department of Education‘s “turnaround” models include replacing the principal, rehiring no more than 50 percent of the staff and reopening a school as a charter school (i.e. one that is publicly-funded, but privately-managed).

All it takes is money

"Despite the hotly-contested primary race in Michigan yesterday, Florida remains the state in which the most amount of money has been spent by Super PACs in a primary." "Florida still leading the pack in primary Super PAC spending".

"Foreclosure speed-up"

"A bill designed to reduce the hefty backlog of foreclosure cases in Florida courts passed through the House on Wednesday with a bipartisan 94-17 vote." "Foreclosure speed-up bill passes House".

Never mind the sewage

"The Legislature in 2010 OK'd a statewide requirement for septic tank inspections, but it prompted a backlash among rural residents who viewed it as a government intrusion. HB 999 by Rep. Chris Dorworth attempted to strike a compromise with the Senate by requiring such inspections in the 19 counties with the largest first-magnitude springs. " "House passes bill repealing septic tank inspection requirement".

Florida Forever remains without money

"The two sides also got closer on spending for petroleum contamination sites and beach restoration projects. But Florida Forever remained without money, though Sen. JD Alexander reiterated his support for the conservation land-buying program." "House and Senate negotiators agree on Everglades restoration, invasive plants spending".

Wingers take to the media to complain about Judge

"Jackie Fulford, the judge who ruled unconstitutional the prison privatization measure approved by the Legislature last year and is now deciding whether state employees can be forced to contribute to their retirement, stirs strong feelings in Florida legal and political circles."

To some she's a hard-working judge who keeps politics out of her opinions.

To others, though, -- such as Senate President Mike Haridopolos and Gov. Rick Scott [not exactly legal giants] -- her privatization ruling was an example of overreach by Florida's judiciary.

Tuition increases

"Florida lawmakers, racing against the clock to reach a deal on a roughly $70 billion state budget, have signed off on a deal to raise tuition for college students. House and Senate budget negotiators have agreed to the tuition hike even though Gov. Rick Scott has continued to oppose raising the cost of college right now. The deal reached today calls for tuition to go up by 5 percent for students who attend one of Florida's 28 state colleges. " "Fla. lawmakers reach deal on college tuition".

Florida's Club for Growth shills

"Sen. Marco Rubio and six Florida congressmen -- all Republicans -- earned top scores from the conservative Club for Growth for their votes on key issues last year."

Rubio's 97 percent score ranked him 10th in the Senate and garnered a [so-called] "Defender of Economic Freedom Award." ...

In the House, six Florida congressmen posted scores of 80 percent or higher. Their scores (and their House rank):

- Rep. Connie Mack, R-Naples: 98 percent (14th).

- Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland: 96 percent (21st).

- Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Tallahassee: 96 percent (26th).

- Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala; 87 percent (48th).

- Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Pensacola: 86 percent (49th).

- Rep. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge: 80 percent (74th).

"Possibility of an openly gay lawmaker"

"The resignation of state Rep. Richard Steinberg and redrawn state House maps through redistricting has created the possibility of an openly gay lawmaker winning the Miami Beach seat." "Steinberg’s resignation may open door for election of first openly gay lawmaker in Tallahassee". Related: "Gay, transgender candidates wade into Central Florida politics".

Mica locks down campaign contributions

"'The cruise industry … is one of the most incredible entrepreneurial achievements by the private sector that I have seen in my lifetime,' said Republican U.S. Rep. John Mica of Winter Park, who heads the House transportation committee." "Lawmakers declare Italian cruise ship disaster an exception".

Entrepreneurs in action

"Indicted Fort Lauderdale brothers arrested again on fraud charges".

The Legislature has fought the new standards every step of the way, from trying to keep the amendments off the 2010 ballot to proposing its own changes. The House joined a federal lawsuit over identical standards for congressional districts and lost. Just weeks ago, a House committee approved legislation that would have shielded lawmakers from testifying in court about redistricting, but House leaders abandoned it after a public outcry. So public trust in the Legislature's intentions is running low.

In a 4-3 order, the court asked for the addresses of incumbent legislators. It's logical that knowing where lawmakers live is key to determining whether the districts improperly favor incumbents.

The new state Senate districts appear the least defensible. In the new map for the 120-member House, more than three dozen members find themselves sharing a new district. But in the 40-member Senate, the League of Women Voters and Common Cause say, no incumbents who could seek re-election are in the same district. It's hard to believe that is a coincidence. It's harder to believe it's an accident that those same incumbents are in new districts where they already represent more than two of every three residents.

"Impasse over budget negotiations resolved"

"With an impasse over budget negotiations resolved, the Florida Legislature appears on schedule to wrap up their 60-day session on March 9." "Budget negotiations resume after brief standoff". See also "Early sparring aside, Florida House and Senate appear closer on narrowing their budget gap" and "Budget Talks Advance on Senate Cuts from Higher Education".

Personhood Florida push

"The head of anti-abortion group Personhood Florida says that his group is continuing its push for an amendment on the state’s 2014 ballot, despite receiving little help from state legislators or pro-life groups." "Personhood Florida continuing push for 2014 amendment".

From the "values" crowd

"Florida government slow to right wrongs on claims bills".

"With a total of three minutes of deliberation"

"Ignoring about 50 people who wanted to testify – and with a total of three minutes of deliberation – a Senate panel Tuesday slammed through a measure that both Muslims and Jews say is discriminatory and would prohibit them from freely practicing their religion. The 5-2 vote by the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Subcommittee approved legislation, SB 1360, that would ban any court or legal authority from using any sort of religious or foreign law as part of a legal decision or contract." "Senate panel rams bill Muslims, Jews call discriminatory".

But they were wearing red suspenders ...

"Former GOP Chairman Jim Greer has filed lawsuits against two Tallahassee law firms seeking damages for advice he says he got before he lost his job as head of the state party."

Damon Chase, a Lake Mary lawyer, filed the suits in Leon County Circuit Court against Ausley & McMullen, the law firm where Republican Party of Florida lawyer Jason Gonzalez works and Gray Robinson, an Orlando law firm that drew up the paperwork for Victory Strategies, a political consulting company Greer formed with a subordinate.

Greer, now facing criminal charges in connection with money the party paid to Victory Strategies, has already filed a civil suit against the Republican Party, Senate President Mike Haridopolos and Senate Rules Chairman John Thrasher. GOP lawyers will be in court in Seminole County Wednesday seeking a change of venue that would move the case to Tallahassee.

The new lawsuits seek damages in excess of $15,000 from each law firm. Greer accuses the Ausley firm and Gonzalez of misleading him during negotiations over a severance agreement that was supposed to pay him $124,000 in return for his resignation.

Greer says he was advised by Ausley lawyers to remove any mention of Victory Strategies from the agreement and urged by the firm to destroy copies of it after it was signed by party leaders. Greer claims that lawyers from the firm later lied when asked about the existence of the agreement and urged him to remain silent about it. Ken Hart, managing partner at the Ausley firm, declined to comment.

Greer was later indicted by a statewide grand jury for shifting more than $300,000 from party accounts to Victory Strategies. He faces trial July 30 in Orlando. Now he accuses the firm of “severely and irreparably damaging’’ his reputation.

His lawsuit against the party is an attempt to collect the $124,000 party leaders promised him.

The lawsuit against Gray Robinson accuses the firm of improperly disclosing documents relating to the formation of Victory Strategies and a contract the business had with the party.

"Casinos only a matter of time"

"Destination casinos only a matter of time, analysts say".

Orchestra will skip Miami

"In its first U.S. tour since Fidel Castro took power in 1959, the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba will perform in the Tampa Bay area in November, including a chamber music concert at the Cuban Club in Ybor City."

The Cuban orchestra may play elsewhere in Florida, but tour producer Leonid Fleishaker of New York-based World Touring Entertainment said that contracts have not been finalized. The orchestra will not play in Miami.

Moderate GOPer retiring

"Republican Sen. Dennis Jones bucked his party on abortion, Terri Schiavo, private school vouchers and prison privatization. Now that the moderate from Seminole is retiring, is anyone left to follow his lead?" "A moderate influence".

"Tax breaks are in the works for industries"

Zac Anderson: "Special tax breaks are in the works for industries ranging from airplane manufacturers to fruit packers and broad reductions are planned for corporations throughout the state under a $124 million tax cutting plan nearing final passage in the Legislature." "Legislature set to pass $124 million in tax cuts".

Senate Budget Committee votes to keep perk

"Sen. Joe Negron wants Florida legislators to pay as much for health insurance as state employees do. But a majority of his colleagues on the Senate Budget Committee voted Tuesday to keep the perk."

The Stuart Republican filed an amendment that would have increased lawmakers' monthly premiums from $8.34 to $50 a month for individuals and from $30 to $180 a month for families. The change would have brought lawmakers' health insurance costs in line with that of state workers, who've gone for six years without a pay raise.

"To me there's just no rationale for it," Negron argued. "We should all be treated equally. Legislators shouldn't have richer benefits than the people that we work with."

But Republicans and Democrats on the committee questioned the amendment, saying the cheap health care is a perk for an otherwise demanding job that pays less than $30,000 although it takes up so much time that some lawmakers have no other employment.

Miami-Dade mayor pushes changes

"Eight months since a special election and six months ahead of the next vote, an optimistic Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez plans to push job creation and government reform in his first state-of-the county address." "Miami-Dade mayor to push commission term limits, more reforms".

Tuesday marks the last day for committee hearings. By day’s end, any bills that haven’t made it through the committee process will be all but dead.

The House will take up a sweeping health care bill, HB 1419, that includes new requirements for hospitals to contract with managed care providers. ...

Over on the Senate side, the Budget Subcommittee on Finance and Tax takes up several tax-related bills, including one that would lower the corporate income tax, update the communications tax and give voters the chance to give broader homestead tax exemptions to the spouses of military veterans. ...

Elsewhere in Tallahassee, expect a showdown at the state Department of Education. The Board of Education will take up a controversial proposal to change the school grading formula. The new formula would raise the standards — and include test scores from children who have disabilities or are just learning English. Superintendents, union leaders and advocates for children with disabilities are fighting the changes.

Public budget conference talks

"Senate President Mike Haridopolos says upcoming budget conference sessions will be fully available to the public." "Budget Conference Talks Will be Held in Public, Haridopolos Says". Related: "House, Senate leaders getting closer to a deal on budget allocations" and "Florida House and Senate leaders look to reconcile budget conflicts".

Blunt Amendment

"A Catholic political action committee has released a video ad asking supporters to call upon lawmakers to pass an amendment that would roll back a recent decision by the Obama administration requiring insurance providers — with the exception of religious employers — to cover birth control as a preventive service. Critics say the amendment will allow an insurance company to exclude coverage of any health service that they deem violates their religious or moral convictions." "VIDEO: Catholic PAC releases ad for Blunt Amendment".

An ugly visual

"U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, 75, says young people identify far more with President Barack Obama than any of the Republican presidential candidates. " "Hastings says Obama is hip to hip-hop".

"State's numeric nutrient criteria would fail to protect water quality"

"Environmental groups are challenging the proposed state rules, which would replace federal rules that utilities and industry groups oppose as being too expensive and difficult to meet. On the opening day of testimony, marine scientist Brian Lapointe said the state's numeric nutrient criteria would fail to protect water quality in Biscayne Bay, the Florida Keys, Florida Bay and along the southwest Florida coast." "Hearing begins on challenge to proposed state water quality rules".

"Believe it or not, state lawmakers ... think this is a bad idea"

The Miami Herald editors: "Some employers refuse to pay their workers after the job’s been done. Others simply can’t for lack of funds. Either way, it happens far more than it should, and Miami-Dade County has come up with an innovative solution — the Wage Theft Ordinance that gives workers who have been stiffed extra muscle to go up against their delinquent employers and win."

Believe it or not, state lawmakers, including some from Miami-Dade County, think this is a bad idea. Legislators in the House are poised not only to gut Miami-Dade’s law — flagrantly overriding the county’s home-rule charter — they seem intent on making it nearly impossible for cheated employees to have any recourse at all. They should back off.

"Hinky behavior ... in return for funneling business"

Daniel Ruth: "Pardon the silly question, but is it not unreasonable to assume that if one engages in hinky behavior by accepting material benefits from a private contractor in return for funneling business to said contractor, you could conclude that one was pretty much giving up their right to privacy, not to mention their employment status?" "Mum's the word on VA misdeed".

Foreclosure backlog

"Bill to break up foreclosure backlog heads to Senate floor".

Big of them

"Senate Committee Votes to End Distribution of Social Security Numbers".

"Robinson wants to move too quickly"

The Miami Herald editors: "The Florida Board of Education meets Tuesday to decide new rules to rank public schools and make them more accountable. The focus is in the right place but Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson wants to move too quickly and too broadly to institute the new rules." "Don’t pull ‘F’ trigger".

Elevating industry's interests over state's long-term needs is not the answer

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "It would be one thing if Florida lawmakers genuinely tried to improve an ineffective wetlands mitigation policy."

But elevating a single private industry's interests over the state's long-term water needs is not the answer. Changing state law so that the Department of Transportation is more likely to purchase wetland mitigation credits from private mitigation banks is another government giveaway masquerading as environmental protection. Private mitigation banks may have a role to play, but they should not be allowed to corner the market.

Romney flopping following his Florida victory

"Following his big Florida victory, Mitt Romney failed to take his main opponent Rick Santorum seriously, opening the door to the upstart challenger who may win Romney’s native Michigan." "Gaffes, miscalculations weigh on Romney after Florida win".

"Norman signs admission of guilt", gets challenger

"Norman signs admission of guilt for not reporting $500,000 loan". See also "Norman not tied to truth".

Meanwhile, "Former state Rep. Wallace to challenge Norman for Senate seat".

"At odds on how deeply to cut"

"With time running out on the 2012 session, Florida House and Senate leaders said Monday that they remained at odds on how deeply to cut Florida's colleges and universities." "University budget cuts divide lawmakers".

"As the Senate turns"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "With three weeks left in the 2012 legislative session last week, the news was focused on who will become president of the Senate in 2014 and 2016."

The distraction may seem odd, given the pending policy and budget choices that will profoundly affect so many lives. So why is the Capitol press corps captivated by two senators attempting to wrest power away from other senators?

Two-tier tuition proposal

The Sun Sentinel editors: "Florida needs to raise its too-low tuition rate, we agree, but the two-tier proposal before state lawmakers is not the way to go about it." "Oppose two-tier tuition plan".

"If the state gets hurricanes, rates go up"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Florida homeowners have more evidence that this is how property insurance works: If the state gets hurricanes, rates go up." "Rigging the hurricane game". Related: "Fasano feted, but vows to fight surplus lines bill".

Two more GOPers jump in to challenge DWS

"Two more Republicans have jumped in to challenge Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fort Lauderdale, and Broward County's GOP chairman says a 'spirited primary' will help the party 'put our best foot forward.' Gineen Bresso and Juan Eliel Garcia joined the Republican contest in the 23rd Congressional District, bringing the number of GOP hopefuls there to six. " "Two More Republicans Announce Challenges to Debbie Wasserman Schultz".

Health advocates denounce overhaul bill

"Public health advocates spoke out against a bill aimed at reorganizing the state’s Department of Health (DOH) during its passage in a House health committee today." "Public health advocates denounce Department of Health overhaul bill". Related: "House includes top priority of potential Senate president in health agency overhaul".

"Florida's 'anti-Sharia' legislation"

"Florida's 'anti-Sharia' legislation received some added impetus last week when a Pennsylvania court bowed to Islamic sensibilities and acquitted a Muslim defendant of assault." "Bizarre Verdicts Could Fuel Rep. Larry Metz's Anti-Sharia Bill".

"Jeb!" won't go away

Afraid to alienate a potential presidential candidate, if not this year, four years from now, Florida's political reporters fluff Jebbie Bush at every opportunity; the latest: "The former governor, who served from 1999 to 2007, still plays a significant role in shaping state education policy."

This session, Bush and his nonprofit organization, the Foundation for Florida's Future, have helped to fast-track a stream of legislation that could reset the education equation in Florida. The bills, moving steadily through both the House and Senate, could gradually shift the financial and competitive advantage away from traditional public schools to private schools and charter schools, which are often managed by for-profit companies.

The foundation's board of directors reads like a who's who of former lawmakers, top education officials and other power brokers. Among them: former Senate President Toni Jennings, former House Speaker Allan Bense, former state Board of Education Chairman T. Willard Fair and former Board of Governors member Zachariah Zachariah.

Executive director Patricia Levesque is equally influential. Her connections run deep, particularly in the state House, where she once served as staff director of education policy. Her husband, George Levesque, is a staff attorney in the House and has the ear of Speaker Dean Cannon.

Then there's Bush's himself.

Said Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs: "When there are big issues like (the education budget), I contact him and try to get his advice and support. He's very much involved in education policy in the Legislature. His advice is greatly respected."

"Bondi's unnecessary moral crusade"

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "Attorney General Pam Bondi is dragging Florida into an unnecessary moral crusade."

By signing on to a multistate federal lawsuit challenging the contraception coverage requirement in the health care reform law, Bondi is choosing the most narrow thinking in the Catholic Church over the rights of Florida women.

Bondi claims she is standing for religious liberty by asserting that religiously affiliated employers such as hospitals and universities that are engaged in secular work should not have to offer health coverage that includes contraception. But she ignores the liberty of employees at those institutions who should not be subject to religious tenets as a condition of employment.

West rakes in the cash

"Boosted by conservative fans across the country, South Florida U.S. Rep. Allen West has raised more money for his re-election campaign than any other House candidate this year except for Speaker John Boehner. West, a Republican freshman and tea party favorite from Plantation, raised $5.8 million through Dec. 31, more than $8 for every resident he hopes to represent in a newly drawn district anchored in northern Palm Beach County. Most of that money comes from outside Florida, a sign that his closely watched race has reverberations well beyond his home state." "West's millions rank him No. 2 in U.S. House".

PIP reform

"Cannon Expects PIP Reform to be Completed in Regular Session of Legislature".

West's old district

"Two Democrats with similar politics but differing styles are vying for their party's nomination in the South Florida congressional district being vacated by Republican Rep. Allen West. As redrawn, CD 22 has turned bluer and West opted this month to head north to the new 18th Congressional District on the Treasure Coast."

Spoiling for a showdown with the tea party favorite, former West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel announced for the seat 10 months ago. Shortly after West bolted, Broward County Commissioner Kristin Jacobs jumped in to challenge Frankel, while a third Democrat, Patrick Murphy, announced he would follow West up to CD 18 and battle him there.

Republicans hope to hold West's old district with the entry of former U.S. Senate candidate Adam Hasner.

Hasner, a former Florida House majority leader from Delray Beach, represented a central core of the district that straddles sections of eastern Palm Beach and Broward counties.

AIDS Assistance Program has longest waiting list

"Advocates launched a campaign to urge the Florida legislature to secure funding for the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program the same week it was announced that almost 1,100 Floridians who live with HIV are on the drug assistance programs waiting list." "Florida’s AIDS drug program has the longest waiting list in the U.S.".

immigration policies unimpressive

"GOP presidential candidates have voiced their support for immigration policies that leave out most Latino voters, who are looking for a common sense solution to the issue, but Democrats are not doing much better, participants in Spanish language Univision news show Al Punto said Sunday." "Spanish language media: GOP presidential candidates move forward with immigration policies despite Latino disapproval".

"Hired guns" targeted

"A bill is moving through the Legislature targeting what some lawmakers described as "hired guns" -- expert witnesses testifying in court cases."

The House's 77-34 vote on HB 243 on Friday was a victory for business groups that have lobbied to place more restrictions on experts, whose testimony can be critical in civil and criminal cases that deal with complex scientific evidence.

Sponsor Larry Metz, R-Yalaha, said the bill is not aimed at giving an advantage to businesses or any other parties in lawsuits. Supporters said they are trying to ensure that testimony is legitimate, with Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton, saying that some witnesses rely on theatrics in front of juries.

"I'll choose science over theatrics,'' said Gaetz, an attorney.

But opponents said the new standards would benefit deep-pocketed companies trying to fend off lawsuits filed by injured people. They said the standards would lead to costly and time-consuming hearings.

Also, they said, the changes could drive up costs for prosecutors who might need expert testimony to get criminal convictions.

Occupy Sarasota arrest investigation

"ACLU investigates Occupy Sarasota arrest in Sarasota".

"State risks having federal government step in"

"With the end of this legislative session a mere two weeks away, state lawmakers are no closer to implementing a state health insurance exchange program that is mandated through the Affordable Care Act. And, as the deadline for the mandate looms, the state risks having the federal government step in and create a program in place of the state." "State lawmakers continue to risk federal intervention as they delay creating state exchanges".

"Unpredictable and simplistic"

The Tampa Bay Times editors: "Accountability in schools is a good concept, but it is bad in practice when it is unpredictable and simplistic. And that's the problem with the new school grading system the state Board of Education will vote on Tuesday."

Among the bad ideas:

• Schools would get an automatic F if they do not have at least 25 percent of their students score as "proficient" in reading on the FCAT 2.0, a tougher version of the old test. A school where students test this poorly on reading certainly has serious problems, but an automatic F does nothing to address them. And by automatically flunking a school, this fails to look at any other subject the school teaches or any programs it has to improve student performance.

• When the learning gains of the lowest-performing 25 percent of students are measured in reading and math, the state would exclude any students who are testing at grade level — even if they are among this lowest quarter of performers. Schools could effectively be penalized for their own success. If nearly all its students are performing at grade level, the scores of only a handful of low-performing students could drag down that portion of the school's grade.

• More special education and students who are learning English would be included in the school grading. The federal government wants Florida to deal with evaluating special needs students and those who are still learning English. But the draconian measures before the state board are certainly not what federal officials are seeking.

"Did Florida mess up by holding its primary early?"

"When Florida trashed the Republican National Committee's calendar by scheduling its primary on Jan. 31 rather than waiting until March, proponents of the maneuver hoped the early contest would give Sunshine State voters a big and potentially decisive say in the GOP nomination process."

But nearly four weeks later, Florida winner Mitt Romney is still spending money, trading debate barbs and battling for votes in Michigan and Arizona, where primaries are scheduled Tuesday. And the four-candidate fight for the Republican nomination should remain competitive at least through March 6, when 10 states hold primaries on Super Tuesday.

National polls of Republicans over the last few weeks show Rick Santorum leading Romney. Romney leads in Arizona and has been locked in a tight race with Santorum in Michigan.

In the biggest Super Tuesday states, Gingrich leads in his home state of Georgia while Santorum tops the field in Ohio.

The fluidity is good news for Republicans in states that worried about irrelevance a few weeks ago but are now being courted by candidates and saturated with TV ads from campaigns and super PACs.

Paul's Pants are on Fire

"There's no doubt gas prices in Florida have been on the rise — but have they really hit $6 a gallon? That was the surprising claim from Ron Paul at the Republican presidential debate in Arizona last week. ... We wouldn't bring a flaming Truth-O-Meter to a filling station, but that's what this one deserves. Pants on Fire!" "PolitiFact Florida: Ron Paul says gas in Florida hit $6 a gallon".

Florida taxpayers would pay for train crashes

"A bill awaiting Senate consideration may force Florida taxpayers pay damages for Amtrak accidents even in cases where the rail line is at fault." "Florida taxpayers would pay tab for damages caused by train crashes".

But what about the politicos who know Rubio best? The latest Tampa Bay Times Florida Insider Poll found significant skepticism about putting Rubio on the presidential ticket.

Among more than 100 Florida lobbyists, activists, political operatives and fundraisers who participated in the survey, Rubio was most frequently named as the best pick for vice president, regardless of the nominee.

Still, three-quarters of respondents did not name Rubio and only 37 percent said he would be a safe pick.

These are Florida politicos who paid close attention to Rubio's tenure as Florida House speaker. They are more likely to be acquainted with the baggage that surfaced in his 2010 Senate race — using Republican Party credit cards to pay for personal expenses, sometimes messy personal finances and sloppy adherence to financial disclosure requirements.

Short term thinking

"Abortion opponents admit they're doing everything they can to make the procedure more difficult for women in Florida to obtain." "For GOP, anti-abortion focus has benefits now, risks in November".

"Haridopolos' top deputies attempted to orchestrate a coup"

"When Mike Haridopolos was elected Senate president, he vowed to make the traditionally moderate chamber more conservative — in his own image. But the University of Florida history instructor miscalculated one thing: The Senate by its very nature moderate. Haridopolos and Senate leaders attempted to push several controversial conservative issues in the past year only to have the Senate hit the ideological reset button and vote them down."

The conflict played out again last week, when Haridopolos’ top deputies attempted to orchestrate a coup to designate the Senate president for 2014 and 2016.

Senate Rules Chairman John Thrasher and Sen. Joe Negron had each pledged to support Sen. Andy Gardiner, an Orlando Republican, but they viewed him as being vulnerable to rival Republican Sen. Jack Latvala of Clearwater.

So on Tuesday, a week after Latvala had helped defeat the prison privatization plan, Thrasher and Negron called in Gardiner’s supporters and told them Gardiner was dropping out. They presented the senators with two pledge cards and asked them to sign: one to elect Thrasher of St. Augustine Senate president in 2014, and the other to elect Negron of Stuart in 2016.

Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, politely gathered the pledge cards for “safe keeping” and then sought out Gardiner. When Gardiner told him he had no intention of dropping out, his supporters revolted against Thrasher and Negron, angered by their heavy-handed approach.

“I didn’t come here to relive Julius Caesar,” recalled Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Valrico. She wouldn’t say who played Brutus.

Within two days of the attempted coup, Latvala had seized the opportunity, formed a coalition with Gardiner, and the two agreed to join forces to support a Gardiner candidacy in 2014. Several of Gardiner’s supporters returning in 2016 have also pledged to support Latvala for Senate president, as have a handful of House members who are candidates running for a Senate post.

“The arrogance level of some of the people who lead the Senate led them to do what they did this week,’’ Latvala said when it was over. “They are so used to being able to tell the body what to do, they thought they could do it in the president’s race and it backfired miserably. That’s going to be a good lesson.”

Time for diplomatic and trade relations with Cuba

Kingsley Guy is sure to upset some of his fellow country clubbers with this column: "The U.S. government restricts drilling off Florida's Gulf and Atlantic coasts, but not so the Cuban government, and recently an exploratory well began operations just 55 miles from Key West. Cuban officials think the country may be sitting on billions of barrels of oil, and exploiting the resource could give Cuba energy independence and a commodity it could export for hard currency."

Cuba doesn't possess the technology or expertise to drill into the seabed a mile or more from the surface, so it has contracted with the Spanish firm Repsol to do the job. The company has a good safety record, but as the Deepwater Horizon blowout demonstrated, there's no fail-safe method of preventing a massive spill. As the rigs in Cuban waters proliferate, so will the chances of a disaster that could affect Florida and other U.S. states.

It's in Cuba's interest to stress drilling safety. An oil spill would threaten its tourist industry as much as it would Florida's. But unfortunately, there's something that's getting in the way of safety, and that's the United States' 50-year-old embargo of Cuba.

Among other things, it restricts trade in state-of-the-art drilling-safety equipment and inhibits communication between the two nations.

There's certainly some interaction across the Florida Straits, but should an emergency erupt, legal restrictions and bureaucratic inertia would disrupt cooperation between Cuba and the United States, and this could lead to a disaster for both countries.

It's time for U.S. and Cuban officials to put politics aside and make concrete arrangements on how they will respond to an oil spill. Those arrangements could, and should, include the lifting of all restrictions on the export of oil-well safety equipment from the United States. The next step might even include allowing U.S. firms to bid on Cuban oil leases and conduct the drilling themselves. Repsol's reaping financial rewards by doing so, and American drillers should be able to do the same.

Forty years ago this month, President Richard Nixon traveled to Communist China, which opened the way to diplomatic and trade relations with that country. It's long past time for the U.S. to pursue a similar course with Cuba, and the oil drilling issue could provide the opening to do so.

"Sweeping the vestiges of union and trial-lawyer influence out of the Capitol"

Aaron Deslatte: "Mark Wilson gets a report on his desk every morning at the Florida Chamber of Commerce headquarters on expected vote counts and opposition to the 60 bills his team of three dozen lobbyists tracks in the Legislature."

Next door to his office, a political operation staffed by former Jeb Bush and Ronald Reagan campaign hands is recruiting and researching legislative candidates — for the 2016 election.

While lawmakers a few blocks away are debating limits on injury lawsuits, the chamber is polling voters on the issue in two proposed new Senate districts to decide how potential votes this session can be used in the fall campaigns.

Wilson, the chamber's president and chief executive, is paid $308,000 — more than the governor's agency heads and many university presidents — to run what has become the most influential business group in Florida, thanks to an alignment of political stars and hefty campaign financing from major corporations such as Disney, Publix and Florida Power & Light.

And he's eyeing a massive goal ahead: using term limits and the once-a-decade redistricting process to preserve a GOP supermajority in the Legislature and sweep the last vestiges of union and trial-lawyer influence out of the state Capitol.

"Forking over taxpayer money to high-profile employees"

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "The former Hillsborough County administrator who surreptitiously boosted her pay while cutting other government services didn't commit a crime, a Florida circuit court judge ruled last week. Now county taxpayers are on the hook to pay Pat Bean another $316,465 in severance and legal costs, just the latest outsized payout to a local government official who was fired but still cashed in. If there is an upside in the end of this two-year debacle, it is that at least Florida has a new state law to prevent it from happening again. Call it the 'Pat Bean Rule.'"

In the eyes of the law, Bean may not have committed an illegal act. Padding her paycheck without regard to proper County Commission oversight was clearly an unethical, if not arrogant, abuse of Bean's authority. But the real crime may have been the incredible golden parachute the elected County Commission had agreed to in her contract.

In all, including money already paid to her and other perks, Bean's total compensation package walking out the door after her 2010 firing amounts to $455,000 from a job that paid $224,120 annually. And the Hillsborough County Commission is far from alone in Tampa Bay in forking over taxpayer money to high-profile employees who don't measure up.

Fired Pinellas County school superintendent Julie Janssen collected more than $400,000 in pay and benefits. Bean's compatriot in the paycheck-padding scandal, then-Hillsborough County attorney Renee Lee, negotiated a $156,000 severance package. HART chief executive David Armijo walked away with a $90,000 severance package, as did Hernando County administrator David Hamilton. Even little Madeira Beach forked over $78,000 in pay and benefits for City Manager W.D. Higginbotham Jr. after he asked to be fired.

That's rich, Scott whines about "fraud"

"Gov. Rick Scott met with top law-enforcement officers from across Central Florida on Saturday in a push to reform the state's no-fault auto insurance, a system he says is loaded with fraud and causing insurance rates to soar." "Gov. Scott tells cops PIP abuse is 'devastating'".

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Get PIP reform on road".

Public embarrassment for Haridopolos, Gaetz, Thrasher and JD Alexander

Lucy Morgan: "What are things in the Florida Legislature coming to when one senator needs protection to walk on the Senate floor?"

• The debate over privatizing much of Florida's prison system last week probably marks one of the few times a couple of senators provided an escort for one of their colleagues — from the opposing political party, no less.

• It attracted little attention last week when Sens. Charles Dean, R-Inverness, and Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, walked onto the Senate floor before the debate on privatizing prisons with Sen. Larcenia Bullard, D-Miami, between them.

• Bullard, who has been seriously ill with a recurring heart condition, had been in tears after days of pressure from Senate leaders and lobbyists who wanted her to be the deciding vote in favor of a bill that would have privatized 27 South Florida prisons.

This defeat was a particular public embarrassment for its supporters, who included Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne; incoming Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville; Rules chairman John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine; and Budget Committee Chairman JD Alexander, R-Lake Wales.

They don't take defeat well. It's probably no coincidence that this week Gaetz and Thrasher unsuccessfully tried to seize control of a battle over who will follow Gaetz as Senate president. One of those contestants happens to be Latvala, one of the key opponents of the prison privatization bill.

The Senate vote on prison privatization followed weeks of intrigue.

Obama has 12 offices up and running in Florida

"The Obama campaign now has 12 offices up and running in Florida, and last week campaign leaders moved into their new state headquarters, 1215 E 6th Ave., in Tampa's Ybor City neighborhood. The previous headquarters at 1702 N 14th Street will serve as a field office base for volunteer activities and voter outreach." "Different than 2008".

Grayson the early front-runner

"State legislators this year have carved out an Orlando-area congressional district, District 27, essentially designed to ensure Florida's fast-growing Puerto Rican population has representation in the state's congressional delegation. So far, though, Democrats have no Hispanic candidate for the Democratic-leaning district, where well-funded liberal firebrand Alan Grayson looks like the early front-runner." "Slow start for Dems".

Republican Women like LeMieux

"Straw polls are often meaningless exercises, but this one feels potentially significant: The Florida Federation of Republican Women, after putting questions to the leading Republican candidates for U.S. Senate, last weekend held a straw poll vote where George LeMieux won the most votes, followed by Mike McCalister, then front-runner Connie Mack." "Mack's bad poll".

More Steinberg

Fabiola Santiago wonders "What was Steinberg thinking?"

School grading formula criticized

"Teachers, superintendents and parents of special needs students urge the state Board of Education to reconsider a proposed grading formula, which is set for a vote Tuesday." "New formula for grading schools criticized".

Unlike the Florida Senate things are going smoothly in the House

"Amid all the turmoil in the Florida Senate about future leadership, it's easy to overlook how smoothly things are going in the Florida House. We hear Speaker-designate Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, has brought on a pro — former Jeb Bush chief of staff Sally Bradshaw — to help him with the transition into the role." "A little help".

"Voting-rights issues echo 60 years later"

"Blacks' voting-rights issues echo 60 years later".

"Inner workings of seedy clinics"

"Nearly 200 pages of court records detail the hustle-and-bustle of a massive Orlando pill-mill operation." "Records reveal the inner workings of seedy clinics".