Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush told Newsmax, a West Palm Beach-based conservative and influential website, that he would consider running as Mitt Romney’s vice presidential running mate.

the race within three points at 49-46 [in Obama's favor]. Bush continues to be a popular [(more accurately polarizing)] figure in the state with 52% of voters viewing him favorably to [a strong] 40% with a negative opinion

on the ticket Romney actually drops from 45% to 43% with Obama staying at 50%. There's not much evidence Rubio would be able to draw Hispanic voters to Romney. In the straight Obama/Romney match Obama leads 52-37 with Hispanics and in the Obama/Biden v. Romney/Rubio match Obama still leads 52-37 with Hispanics. Rubio is not an overwhelmingly popular figure in Florida with 43% of voters approving of him to 41% who disapprove.

West and Scott aren't serious VP possibilities anyway, but they'd both have a negative impact on Romney in Florida. With West on the ticket Obama's lead expands to 10 points at 50-40 and with Scott in the mix it goes even larger to 11 points at 51-40.

Redistricting goes to court

"Florida Supreme Court justices were wary of arguments Friday by the state Democratic Party and allied groups urging that they toss the legislature's latest attempt at drawing new Senate district lines." "Florida justices hear Democratic challenge to Senate district line rewrite". See also "Fla. justices cool to redistricting challengers".

Desperate

"Pawlenty stumps for Hasner and Romney in Boca".

Scott vetoes

"Scott vetoed four budget-related measures Friday, including one designed to shore up the state hurricane catastrophe fund by selling tax credits to insurance companies. The so-called Florida Insurance Tax Pre-Payment Program was pushed by banking industry lobbyists and was one of the last budgetary maneuvers by Senate Budget Chairman JD Alexander, R-Lake Wales." "Scott vetoes four budget-related bills, including hurricane catastrophe fund proposal".

Florida adds jobs, Scott takes credit, but Florida still trails national trend

"During the past 12 months, the state has fared better, adding almost 90,000 jobs — an increase of 1.2 percent. Nationally, total jobs are up 1.5 percent." "Florida, Orlando jobless rates fall in March". See also "Region's jobless rate takes another big drop", "Palm Beach County's unemployment at 40-month low" and "State Employment Outpacing Florida Economists' Projections for Recovery".

"Scott's phony commitment to cost-efficient government"

"Scott, ignoring calls for a veto from influential business leaders, signed a measure into law Friday that will create the state's 12th public university."

Scott's decision will allow a branch campus of the University of South Florida in Lakeland to become a stand-alone university. It follows months of wrangling over the future of the school that will now be called Florida Polytechnic University.

Last year backers of the school called for independence, but instead the state board that oversees universities insisted that the school meet accreditation and other requirements over the next several years before being allowed to part from USF.

State Sen. J.D. Alexander, however, used his clout in the GOP-controlled Legislature to pass a bill that called for a "divorce" from USF as soon as possible.

The Lake Wales Republican and powerful Senate budget chairman called it a "great day for Florida." He said it will help the state since the school's focus will be on producing graduates in fields such as science, technology, engineering and math.

But critics questioned the idea of establishing a start-up university during a year when the overall state university system had its state funding cut by $300 million. The school also will not initially have any students since current USF students will be allowed to remain enrolled at the branch campus.

"This move is nothing more than an appalling and wasteful power play by the Republicans in Tallahassee," said Florida Democratic Party spokeswoman Brannon Jordan.

Bully 1, Common Sense 0.

Actually, it wasn't as close as the score indicated. State Sen. JD Alexander got what he wanted while everyone else, especially the students of what we'll have to start calling Florida Polytechnic, got mugged.

They can spin it any way they want, but that's what happened when Gov. Rick Scott announced late Friday afternoon he had signed the bill taking Poly away from the University of South Florida. It now becomes the state's 12th independent university.

Scott did this despite impassioned requests by the thousands to veto Senate Bill 1994, which moved up the timetable established by the Board of Governors for an independent Poly from eventually to immediately. Apparently, it makes sense in Tallahassee to create a new university while slashing the budgets of the other 11 by hundreds of millions.

Gaetz claims FlaDems wanted back-door redistricting deal

"While publicly posturing for "fairness" in redistricting, a group of top Florida Democrats privately pushed for maps that would benefit party brass, according to documents obtained by Sunshine State News."

Among the maneuvers detailed in intra-party emails and other correspondence about Senate district boundaries that would ultimately come under review by the state Supreme Court:

- Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith "attempted to cut a deal to alter an area of the state that was not objected to in any way by the Florida Supreme Court for the sole purpose of creating a district for himself so he could return to the state Senate."

- Another state Senate seat would be drawn for Volusia County Democratic Chairman Frank Bruno.

- Changes would be made in Broward County to "further weaken the area represented by Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff," R-Fort Lauderdale.

- In exchange, the Democratic Party would assure the necessary votes for the revised maps, drop its lawsuit and file a brief in support of the plan at the high court.

An FDP spokesman flatly denied the scenario. ...

Redistricting Committee Chairman Don Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, confirmed that he was approached by Democrats "to enter into some kind of political deal."

Weekly Roundup

Michael Peltier: "Scott signed a $70 billion budget this week as he touted new money for education, but wielded more than $142 million in vetoes for projects he said the state can't afford. Facing a budget that had already been cut after successive years of tough economic times, the governor's veto pen used less ink this time, as he marked out far less than the $600 million he axed a year ago." "Weekly Roundup: $70 Billion Good; $142 Million Bad".

Enlisting [certain] Florida Christians in a high-tech outreach program by identifying and signing up tens of thousands of area Christians who aren't registered to vote so they can cast ballots this fall and beat President Barack Obama in November.

In this case, FFA and other like-minded groups are "mining" telemarketing databases of people who have bought magazine subscriptions and other consumer products to identify those whose buying patterns indicate they are likely social conservatives.

Their names and addresses are then cross-checked against voter-registration lists to find out who is not registered.

Late last month, Florida Family Action launched its eight-stop "Ignite to Action Tour" to recruit volunteers. They're being given the data-mined names and assigned to contact them through phone banks, neighborhood canvassing, church events and other meetings, to get them registered.

The goal — defeating Obama — is shared with passion by volunteers such as Laura Caruso, who hosted the organizing rally at the Marks Senior Center on March 28.

"What motivates me is that the left in this country are forcing a fundamental and radical change in the very nature of America," Caruso said in an email.

"People are encouraged and motivated by the knowledge that conservative Christians have a solid plan of action for the campaign season," she added. "They are ready to plug in, anxious to act on what they believe, and especially excited about the availability of so many high-tech tools."

Obama won Florida by 236,450 votes in 2008. The Family Research Council, a political organization affiliated with FFC, estimates the state was home to 668,890 conservative Christians who didn't cast ballots that year because they weren't registered.

In one respect, the movement is borrowing from Obama's campaign tactics, according to Mat Staver of Maitland-based Liberty Counsel, an ally of Florida Family Action that has participated in some of the efforts.

Local projects

The Daytona Beach News Journal editors think "Scott got it right on most local projects".

Scott way behind schedule

"Scott has made jobs a central focus of his administration. While running for governor he promised that he would help spur the creation of 700,000 jobs over a seven-year period. So far Florida has added roughly 64,300 jobs during Scott's first 14 months in office." "Fla. to announce March jobless numbers".

"Congress backslides"

The Tampa Bay Times editors: "The members of the national commission that President Barack Obama appointed in the wake of the BP oil spill have performed another public service this week by calling out Congress for doing virtually nothing to make offshore drilling safer since the well exploded two years ago today."

While the administration and the industry have followed through with reforms, Congress has not backed up the effort with stiffer fines or regulations. That is the only way to get new safety requirements to stick from one administration to the next, and to bolster the nation's ability to avoid another spill and respond appropriately if one occurs.

"Arcane rules"

"Several congressional candidates in Florida have been tripped up by arcane rules governing their qualifying petitions, Sunshine State News has learned." "'Ridiculous' Petition Rules Snag Congressional Candidates in Florida".

Another hurdle for Aronberg

"The race to become Palm Beach County's next top prosecutor is poised to turn into a three-for-all. A day after attorney Robert Gershman announced he would challenge once-lone candidate Dave Aronberg to become the county's next state attorney, a little-known former federal prosecutor Thursday filed papers to seek the powerful post." "GOP candidate's entry brings field for Palm Beach County state attorney to three".

State defined contribution plan under the gun

"The deadline is coming for Gov. Rick Scott to act on a measure that would reduce state contributions to the retirement accounts of more than 100,000 government employees who have chosen the state's 401(k)-style retirement plan."

The changes in HB 5005 would apply to a provision that steers money into the retirement accounts of employees who are part of the defined-contribution investment plan. The bill would reduce allocations to investment plan accounts by 30 percent. Regular employees, for example, would see allocations drop from 9 percent of their total compensation to 6.3 percent in the upcoming fiscal year.

Senate Budget Chairman JD Alexander said the change is intended to keep the government's share of retirement contributions equal for the defined contribution plan and the defined-benefit pension plan.

Out here in the fields

"State Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, says he is 'shocked and surprised' that Gov. Rick Scott cut funding for a community health center in Apopka that would have gone toward providing specialized care to a community of farmworkers facing serious illnesses due to pesticide use." "Fla. senator: Scott budget veto ‘allows poor black farmworkers to die’".

Bulldozers, start your engines

"The governor's veto action this week left the regional planning councils and some growth management supporters concerned. The planning councils under state law are responsible for reviewing local development proposals and establishing regional plans that include economic development." "Scott vetoes $2.5 million for regional planning councils -- again".

Wage theft: Florida vacated the field when "Jeb!" eliminated the Department of Labor

"The report, 'Cracking Down on Wage Theft' (.pdf), adds that 'a sharp decrease in union membership and an increase in low-wage and informal employment … has led to a significant rise in wage theft, to the point that it is virtually ubiquitous in certain industries,' like the retail and food service industries."

In a phone conference held Wednesday, Tim Judson — the senior policy specialist for workers’ rights at the Progressive States Network who coauthored the report — said Florida vacated the field by eliminating its Department of Labor in 2002.

The report explains that

Florida lawmakers abolished the state’s Department of Labor and Employment Security in 2002. The move eliminated any mechanism for enforcing the state’s wage laws. In 2010, Miami-Dade County stepped forward and enacted the nation’s first sweeping municipal wage theft law. Worker advocates and county officials crafted an innovative mechanism for enforcement, administered by the Department of Small Business Development. The Wage Theft Ordinance entitles workers to double-liquidated damages, and makes employers liable to the County for administrative hearing costs. In its first year, the county processed 662 claims and workers recovered $1,760,177 in wages. For the last two years, state lawmakers have sought to abolish the program through legislation pre-empting local governments from enforcing wage laws.

This push to terminate Miami-Dade’s wage theft ordinance started in the 2011 legislative session, when state Rep. Tom Goodson, R-Titusville, filed a bill to prohibit local governments from adopting or maintaining any “law, ordinance, or rule” that would address wage theft. Goodson’s bill did not pass.

In the 2012 legislative session, Goodson filed the bill again, as did state Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs. This time the House version passed but the Senate version died in committee.

The Research Institute on Social and Economic Policy (known as RISEP) at Florida International University released its second study on wage theft in Florida in January. It shows how wage theft remains a widespread problem that affects millions of Floridians.

In a Fox poll, no less

Obama edges Romney in Florida 45-44, even with Rubio on the ticket. "Fox News Poll: Obama and Romney in Tight Race in Florida" ("a margin of sampling error of ± 4 percentage points.")

Rivera laffing his way back to Congress?

"State prosecutors say they won't charge Republican Congressman David Rivera with a crime, but allegations of questionable financial practices will make his re-election campaign difficult. Rivera, who is still facing a federal probe over possible tax evasion, is running in South Florida's newly created, heavily Hispanic 26th district. But despite his apparent weakness, Florida Democrats are having a tough time challenging him. Their first candidate dropped out, and the second choice declined to run. Their latest pick has no political experience." "Rivera's foe still unclear".

"Was Ted Nugent unavailable?"

"Scott's task force raises doubts". See also: "Gov. Rick Scott’s task force to explore Stand Your Ground laws dominated by lawmakers who support gun rights" and "Panel named to review Stand Your Ground law, in wake of teen's death".

The Orlando Sentinel editors ask, "Jason Brodeur on a panel reviewing gun laws? Was Ted Nugent unavailable?"

We were caught off guard by the governor's announcement about his task force Thursday because, a day earlier, he told the Sentinel's editorial board, "My goal is to get it out in the next couple of weeks."

That wasn't Scott's only verbal misdirection. He was vague or evasive on other important issues. In hindsight, it's not surprising he didn't offer any details about the lineup he had in mind for his task force.

"Misguided rhetoric about from the tea party crowd"

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "The fluoride fight has become a traveling road show with more heat than light and many of the same faces. Four county commissioners blindly accepted misinformation about fluoride and misguided rhetoric about small government from the tea party crowd: Nancy Bostock, Neil Brickfield, John Morroni and Norm Roche. In Tarpon Springs this week, the city commissioners were not so easily manipulated or bullied." "Rejecting fluoride double-talk".

"If you said unions, go to the head of the class"

Nancy Smith is on fire about ALEC critic. She writes, "Guess who especially doesn't like them apples? If you said unions, go to the head of the class." "ALEC: Progress Florida's Latest Good-Guy Target".

"Oops!"

"Rubio, for the umpteenth time, said he does not want to be vice president, but the media continues to press the issue." "Marco Rubio shuns vice-president talk during immigration pitch".

Nevertheless, the self-important Rubio seems to have overlooked his denials. "Marco Rubio: 'If I do a good job as VP ...' Oops!".

The 1-minute, 39-second video was recorded by someone at the Broward Democratic Party's monthly meeting Tuesday. It begins with the sound of people chanting "run, Nan, run" after a member of the audience asked about her plans to challenge Florida Gov. Rick Scott.

"I am planning on running for governor in 2014," Rich responded, eliciting more cheers and even a standing ovation from some.

The Weston Democrat didn't expect the video to bring so much attention to her pending candidacy, she said Wednesday. ...

But other prominent Democrats are also rumored to be considering a run for governor in 2014, including state party chairman Rod Smith, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and Alex Sink, who lost to Scott in 2010.

Even former Gov. Charlie Crist, who dropped his Republican Party affiliation, is rumored to be considering a bid as a Democrat.

During her statement to Broward Republicans, Rich mentioned that Crist could be running as a Democrat. That elicited jeers from the crowd.

Republican consultant Brian Hughes, a former spokesman for Scott, said Democrats would do well to question a run by Crist. Rich's campaign would have credibility, he said.

The rich are different

"Mitt Romney has accomplished something remarkable: After six years of running for president, millions spent on TV ads and copious debates, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee remains a stranger even to his supporters." "Tampa Bay focus group provides a window into Romney's woes".

Let them eat cake

"A day after the governor vetoed $142 million from the state budget, officials at an organization that provides legal help for low income Floridians said the decision will mean fewer attorneys." "Gov. Rick Scott veto hurts legal assistance program for poor".

Rubio fights for banks

"Over the objections of Florida lawmakers, the U.S. Treasury Department has issued a new rule that will force banks to disclose the identity of foreigners who deposit their money in America."

"This is going to have a devastating impact on Florida and Florida banks," said U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who has filed legislation, along with U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, to block the rule. Banks in South Florida could be hit especially hard.

Rubio and others argue the change, announced late Tuesday, will harm states such as Florida whose banks have significant foreign deposits. According to one estimate, foreigners have put as much as $100 billion in Florida banks -- roughly $1 out of every $4 in the state. ...

While generally panned in Florida, the move did generate applause from groups committed to stem the global flow of illicit money.

"If you want to get to the heart of any violent crime, it comes down to money," said Heather Lowe of Global Financial Integrity, a Washington-based group that backs stronger reporting rules.

She said transparency makes it more difficult for black-market brokers to bank their money, in addition to helping the U.S. recover tax money that "we sorely need."

The upward redistributionist crew's war on public sector workers

Dean Baker writes, "welcome to the latest episode in the long-running battle to redistribute ever more income to the rich. Having already achieved great success in depressing the pay of workers throughout the private sector, the call is to cut the pay and benefits of workers in the public sector. Won't you join the cause?"

Politicians across the country are using heaping doses of the politics of envy to try to arouse the anger of workers. However, their targets are not the corporate CEOs pulling down tens of millions of dollars a year in pay and bonuses. Nor is it the Wall Street crew that got incredibly rich inflating the housing bubble and then took government handouts to stay alive through the bust. The targets of these politicians' wrath are school teachers, firefighters and other public sector workers.

They are outraged that many of these workers still earn enough to support a middle-class family. Even more outrageous, many of these workers have traditionally defined benefit pensions that assure them of a modicum of comfort in retirement. Having managed to ensure that most workers in the private sector did not benefit much from economic growth over the last three decades, the same upward redistributionist crew is turning their guns on public sector workers.

Mica discovers "ethics"

"Rep. John Mica Chips Away at Tip of GSA's 'Outrageous' Iceberg".

Accoutrements of a "single man running as a political conservative"

"Working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, prosecutors examined Rivera’s spending from campaign accounts during his years as a state lawmaker and concluded that Rivera 'essentially live[d] off' campaign contributions for several years, according to a memo released late Wednesday. But state laws on campaign and legislative spending made prosecution impossible, the State Attorney’s Office concluded."

For example, the FDLE found that Rivera, a Miami Republican, charged travel expenses to both his campaign accounts and his legislative office account — resulting in $29,500 in double-billing from 2006 to 2010, the records show. But prosecutors said they could not charge Rivera with felony theft, because state law says any charges based on false travel vouchers must only be misdemeanors — and must be prosecuted within two years of the offense.

Through his campaign, Rivera issued a statement calling the prosecution memo "outrageous and libelous." He said the report fails to mention 'detailed evidence refuting all of their false allegations' that Rivera provided to investigators.

"In the end, however, one fact remains. Congressman Rivera has been exonerated," the statement said.

Much of the investigation focused on expenses charged to Rivera’s campaign accounts, including dry cleaning services, pet services, dental care, and 'travel expenses for his girlfriend,' according to a July 2011 FDLE report. The FDLE believed Rivera spent as much as $65,000 in campaign funds on "non-campaign related credit card charges" from 2006 to 2010, records show.

But Rivera argued that his entire life is devoted to politics — making almost every expense a political expense that can be reimbursed with campaign funds, according to the prosecutors’ memo. Indeed, Rivera argued that he was still owed thousands of dollars in campaign funds for gas and wear and tear on his car from driving to political events. ...

In a meeting with prosecutors, Rivera also said it was not improper to use campaign funds to pay for expenses for female travel companions because "as a single man running as a political conservative, it was necessary for him to appear at campaign related events with a female escort," the memo says.

In a second statement issued late Wednesday, Rivera's campaign said: "Among the many fabrications in their report, Congressman Rivera never stated his campaign travel included female companions due to his status as a "single man running as a political conservative." Congressman Rivera plans on conferring with attorneys to consider the possibility of legal action against the State Attorney for this and other libelous statements."

Prosecutors also investigated whether Rivera filed misleading financial disclosure statements while in the Florida Legislature, by failing to disclose some $510,000 paid by a Miami dog track that hired Rivera as a consultant for a political campaign to win voter approval for slot machines at parimutuels. The money was paid not to Rivera, but to Millennium Marketing, a company managed by Rivera’s mother and her business partner, records show.

Investigators traced at least $137,000 of that money from the company back to Rivera. But Rivera’s mother, Daisy Magarino, and her partner, Ileana Medina, told prosecutors that the payments to Rivera were loans, not income. When Rivera needed money, "they lent it to him," Medina told prosecutors.

Magarino and Medina provided copies of promissory notes intended to confirm the loans — but they could not produce originals. However, prosecutors said they could not disprove the characterization of the payments as loans.

The dog-track payments remain the subject of a separate investigation by the FBI and the IRS.

Mini Mack's daddy lashes out against the "liberal media"

William March: "The Connie Mack IV Senate campaign is lashing out against the 'liberal media,' singling out two newspapers and two reporters – Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times and Marc Caputo of the Miami Herald – it says are attacking Mack to help Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson."

And the campaign is rolling out its big gun for the attack: It’s in a letter from Mack’s father, former Sen. Connie Mack III, an elder statesman among Florida Republicans, to donors and supporters.

The fracas follows comments by state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater saying he is seriously considering jumping into the race.

It also follows a weekend story by Caputo and Smith saying Republicans were disillusioned by Mack’s "lackluster" campaign. Caputo had earlier done a story on Mack’s history of bar brawls and financial problems that led GOP primary opponent George LeMieux to call Mack "the Charlie Sheen of Florida politics.

Rubio looks to create an economic underclass of legal immigrants

"Although Rubio has not yet written a bill, the version he has discussed contains a major difference from the Dream Act as it stands: Beneficiaries would be eligible for non-immigrant visas that would allow them to stay in the country legally and work. But those visas would not be a path to permanent residence or citizenship."

Rubio's stance, and news reports that other Republican members of Congress may introduce their own versions of the Dream Act, have brought the lawmakers strong opposition from a traditional ally: the Federation for American Immigration Reform, the most powerful conservative immigration­-­related group in the U.S.

"Besides being an inept political stunt that is unlikely to gain them much traction among Latino voters, the Dream Act 2.0 is based on the same flawed premises that make the Democrats' Dream Act a bad idea," federation President Dan Stein said. "Pandering to Latino voters with the Dream Act 2.0 not only won't impress voters who are committed to amnesty for illegal aliens, but would only exacerbate the problem of illegal immigration."

Rubio also drew the ire of the Tequila Party, a national Hispanic group that called his plan "a divisive tactic" that would turn beneficiaries into a permanent underclass.

Web war

"Web pages bearing the names of three Republican candidates in the 19th Congressional District aren't their websites at all -- and they're not very complimentary." "CD 19 Cyber Campaign Heats Up as Trey Radel Foes Blast Co-Opted Web Pages".

Explaining Central Florida

Joy Reid: "Read this: Steve Schale explains Central Florida (with bonus polling geekery)".

Obama's campaign launches Spanish-language TV and radio ads in Florida

"President Barack Obama's re-election campaign launched Spanish-language TV and radio ads in Florida on Wednesday, featuring an Orlando Latina, and added a few words of his own in Spanish. The positive ads deliver first-person accounts from Obama for America organizers about how the president's policies affected Hispanic families and communities." "Obama launches Spanish ads in Florida".

"Stand Your Ground" Task Force

"Rick Scott: Expect 'Stand Your Ground' Task Force within Two Weeks". The Palm Beach Post editorial board thinks the "NRA should save its ammo".

$38 million in vetoes to health care services

"Of the more then $142 million that Gov. Rick Scott vetoed from the already tight $70 billion budget yesterday, more than $38 million came in cuts to health care services. The Florida Current reports that Scott stands by eliminating the projects because they 'weren’t a good use of taxpayers’ money and did not serve a statewide need.'" "Scott says he gave each health care project in the budget ‘equal and fair consideration’". See also "Scott's health care vetoes hit young, old across the state". But see "Scott approves funding for breast and cervical cancer detection program".

Road projects vetoed

"Scott's line item vetoes took about $1.4 million for six road projects in Broward and Miami-Dade counties and $5 million for infrastructure improvement in Miami. Another $12.3 million came from state payments to the expressway authorities." "Veto pen blots out funding for 6 South Florida road projects, expressway authorities".

Frankel claims lead

"Lois Frankel is claiming a strong lead over Kristin Jacobs in the contest for the Democratic nomination for Congress in a critical Broward-Palm Beach County district. Though a large share of Democrats haven't yet made up their minds, Frankel's campaign said Wednesday a new poll shows her leading Jacobs 46 percent to 16 percent." "Lois Frankel poll shows lead over Kristin Jacobs in Congress primary".

Scott wastes money on drug testing welfare applicants

"Required drug tests for people seeking welfare benefits ended up costing taxpayers more than it saved and failed to curb the number of prospective applicants, data used against the state in an ongoing legal battle shows." "Florida didn't save money by drug testing welfare recipients, data shows".

"Mini Mack" gets a Super PAC

"Freedom PAC, the second shadowy political-action committee in Florida’s U.S. Senate race, announced itself Wednesday and pledged to get Congressman Connie Mack elected."

The announcement of the "Super PAC" comes just as Mack endured back-to-back losses in recent Republican straw polls and questions about his campaign, which only has about $1.3 million in the bank. Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson has $9.5 million on hand.

Freedom PAC, which can raise and spend unlimited sums from corporations to help out Mack, can effectively erase the cash deficit Mack has with Nelson. The committees are prohibited from coordinating most of their activities with the campaigns.

Mack was targeted in February by what appears to be a pro-Nelson committee, Saving Florida’s Future, which released a web ad. It mocked the Fort Myers congressman as a "Mini Mack" shadow of his dad, lobbyist and former Sen. Connie Mack III.

The three all have ties to Arthur Finkelstein, adviser for McCollum, Mack and the former senator, who wrote a fundraising-pitch letter Wednesday that complained about the way the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times cover his son.

Mack’s campaign also boasted Wednesday of winning an unscientific online poll and trumpeted the endorsement of the American Conservative Union, a Washington group headed by lobbyist and former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Al Cardenas.

Under federal law, a federal candidate may solicit for his Super Pac but only up to the federal limit, which is $5,000 per year ...

However, regardless of what a candidate solicits, donors can decide to give as much as they want [wink, wink]. That type of help is key in Florida, where a successful statewide campaign generally needs to burn through $1 million or more a week on television ads at the height of the election.

Election clock ticking on congressional redistricting lawsuit

"With the election clock ticking, a Florida circuit court judge said Wednesday he will decide quickly on whether to throw out the Legislature's congressional redistricting map, develop a new map in a matter of weeks or leave it alone."

At issue is the congressional redistricting map passed by legislators in February and whether it respects the political and geographic boundaries, creates districts as compactly as possible, and properly protects the voting rights of minorities.

A group of citizens, the Florida Democratic Party and the Fair Districts coalition have sued to invalidate the map. They allege it violates the new anti-gerrymandering standards imposed by voters in 2010.

Their most racially charged allegation is that the Republican map illegally packs Democrats into districts to bleach the adjacent districts and make them elect more Republicans. They argue that the black districts should include fewer Democrats, thereby spreading out their voting strength and making the adjacent districts more competitive.

The best he could do?

One of Scott's recent ads: "The setting: a high school classroom. Scott, in his trademark blue button-down, is joined by a woman who says she teaches American government. The unidentified woman goes on to praise the hospital executive-turned-state leader."

Strange, that.

Scott, after all, picked some pretty high-profile fights with the state’s 180,000 public school teachers in 2011 -- supporting and signing a bill that tied teacher pay raises to the test scores of their students, championing a proposal that cut teacher pay 3 percent to help the state balance its budget, and lobbying lawmakers on a failed proposal that would strip power from the teachers' union by prohibiting it from collecting dues through automatic payroll deductions.

Her name is Heather Viniar. She’s 26, and a first-year teacher at Immokalee High School in Collier County.

Viniar -- who switched her party affiliation in 2011 from Democrat to Republican and didn’t vote in the 2010 governor’s election, according to voting records -- said she’s aware that many public school teachers and the teachers’ union have often opposed Scott’s policies. (Viniar had been a member of the union, the Florida Education Association, but stopped paying dues because she couldn’t afford them.)

Is state forcing counties to pick up too much of the cost of juvenile detention?

"An administrative law judge Monday will hear arguments in part of a wide-ranging dispute about whether the state is forcing counties to pick up too much of the cost of juvenile detention." "Florida counties challenge costs of juvenile detention".

The main reason for Obama's enhanced standing in the state is that his own popularity is on the rise. 51% of voters now approve of him to 45% who disapprove. His numbers with Republicans are unchanged from the last time we polled the state but he's now getting strong marks from independents (57/37, up from 43/50) and Democrats are unifying around him as the general election approaches (he's at 86/11, up from 73/20).

[Public Policy Polling] also looked at how four prominent Florida Republicans- Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Allen West, and Rick Scott- might affect the race as Vice Presidential candidates. Only Bush has a positive impact for Romney, bringing the race within three points at 49-46. Bush continues to be a popular figure in the state with 52% of voters viewing him favorably to 40% with a negative opinion.

Rubio's drawn the most attention as a potential Veep pick, but with him on the ticket Romney actually drops from 45% to 43% with Obama staying at 50%. There's not much evidence Rubio would be able to draw Hispanic voters to Romney. In the straight Obama/Romney match Obama leads 52-37 with Hispanics and in the Obama/Biden v. Romney/Rubio match Obama still leads 52-37 with Hispanics. Rubio is not an overwhelmingly popular figure in Florida with 43% of voters approving of him to 41% who disapprove.

West and Scott aren't serious VP possibilities anyway, but they'd both have a negative impact on Romney in Florida. With West on the ticket Obama's lead expands to 10 points at 50-40 and with Scott in the mix it goes even larger to 11 points at 51-40.

The "Maestro" foundering

"In a series of one-two-three blows, George LeMieux's Senate campaign has been staggered by anemic fundraising, the specter of a big-name Republican jumping into the race and new court documents that make him a witness in the criminal case against the former governor's handpicked Republican Party of Florida chairman."

LeMieux's campaign got even tougher this week when Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater said he was considering entering the Republican race to unseat Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson.

As a statewide officeholder and solid fundraiser, Atwater would pose an immediate threat to Mack's top-dog status and would further threaten the viability of LeMieux's candidacy.

Budget blues

"Scott on Tuesday signed what he called an 'education budget' that adds $1 billion in public school spending and allows higher tuition at state colleges and universities."

Scott also vetoed nearly $143 million in line-item projects championed by fellow Republicans in the Legislature that he said did not benefit the state as a whole or weren't worth the investment. He vetoed grants for autism, Alzheimer's care, disadvantaged youths, clinics, courthouse, road and seaport improvements, the Florida Aquarium in Tampa and a Bay of Pigs museum in Miami.

The $70 billion budget includes a 5 percent tuition increase at state colleges. But Scott sent shock waves through the state university system by suggesting that the Board of Governors limit universities' tuition hikes to 5 percent as well, though universities can seek a tuition increase of up to 15 percent. Universities had been counting on higher tuition rates to help offset $300 million in state funding cuts.

They also said the $1 billion "increase" is not an increase at all, because it must pay for an influx of more than 30,000 new students, a decline in property tax revenue for schools and loss of federal stimulus money for education.

The $150 per pupil increase means the average state spending per student will be $6,357 for 2012-13. Andy Ford, president of the Florida Education Association, a teachers union, called the budget "a dismal failure" and chastised Scott for claiming it helps education.

"He has failed to point out that this budget restores less than a third of what was cut from last year's education budget and that our schools are still miles behind the funding levels in our state five years ago,'' Ford said. School districts across the state are considering layoffs of teachers and other personnel and curtailing arts and sports programs, the union leader said.

"Republicans in Tallahassee continue to ignore reality"

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "Standing before kindergarteners in suburban Jacksonville on Tuesday, Gov. Rick Scott tried to recast himself as a champion of public education."

The backdrop for his signing of the 2012-13 state budget was meant to highlight spending an additional $1 billion on public schools next year. But the reality is Florida still will spend less next year per student than it did before Scott took office in 2011 and roughly $800 less than in 2007. The Legislature — and Scott — are still shortchanging the future by insisting on special interest tax breaks rather than adequately funding Florida's needs.

Yet the governor — despite championing the 11 public universities as the state's best economic engine — accepted the Legislature's shortsighted scheme to raid $150 million in reserves from the universities to cushion a $300 million cut in state funding.

In the past five years, Republican legislators have cut higher education funding by one-fourth even as students have paid dramatically more. ...

Republicans in Tallahassee continue to ignore the reality that Florida can't keep cutting taxes for special interests ($134 million alone next year) and still expect there's enough left for real investment. Acting the part of education governor is no substitute for true advocacy. Until Scott goes beyond sound bites to demand lawmakers make significant new investment in Floridians and their future, his staged performances don't square with reality.

Deniers in a dither

"Poll: Global warming at root of recent wild weather".

Tampa "easy fodder for political pundits"

"Mayor Bob Buckhorn wants to put the city's best foot forward for the Republican National Convention, but he might have stepped in it with his 'clean zone.' The plan to control what protesters wear and carry during the RNC has made the city easy fodder for political pundits and has given free-speech advocates fits." "Tampa seeks clean break from RNC protest zone".

Serial entrepreneur in action

"The U.S. Department of Labor has notified Savtira Corp. -- the latest company founded by serial entrepreneur Timothy Roberts -- that it may be fined and could face legal action if the Tampa technology player does not reimburse its employees for back pay." "Labor Department cracks down on back pay owed by Tampa tech firm Savtira".

Alzheimer's initiatives, mental health projects and rape crisis programs vetoed by Scott

"Hospital projects, Alzheimer's initiatives, mental health programs and rape crisis programs were vetoed by the governor on Tuesday." "Scott's health care vetoes hit young, old across the state".

FCAT follies

"Florida public school students in the midst of high-stakes testing". Related: "Honesty pledge on FCAT enrages parents".

Legislature's shilling puts homeowners in jeopardy

"The Florida Legislature's attempt to speed building permits and kickstart construction has inadvertently put the state's homeowners in jeopardy of being booted out of the National Flood Insurance Program. Without flood insurance, you can't get a mortgage in much of Florida. The impact on housing, construction and the state's fragile real estate market would be devastating." "Florida flood insurance put at risk".

Women's pay equity in Florida

"Working women in Florida make 80 cents for every $1 paid to men, according to a report Tuesday based on U.S. Census data. That puts Florida 11th among all states in women's pay equity, according to the ranking by the National Partnership for Women & Families." "Women paid 80% vs. men in Florida".

Wasserman Schultz spanks Motor City Madman

"Wasserman Schultz blasts rocker Ted Nugent's comments".

Rivera gets a pass from Florida cops, FBI investigation continues

"U.S. Rep. David Rivera will not face criminal charges following an 18-month investigation of his personal and campaign finances by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, according to sources close to the probe."

Although records released late Monday show FDLE last year suspected Rivera of “possible criminal and ethical violations,” ranging from campaign fraud to falsifying financial disclosure forms, prosecutors have concluded that they cannot charge the Miami congressman with any crimes because of ambiguities in the state’s campaign finance laws and a shortened statute of limitations that barred prosecution for expenses more than two years old.

Prosecutors also concluded that Rivera did not break any laws by raising hundreds of thousands of dollars in secret donations to a campaign for an obscure post within the state Republican Party. The state attorney’s office is expected to issue a memo formally closing the investigation in coming days.

He still remains under investigation by the FBI and the IRS over a $510,000 payment from a dog track to a company managed by Rivera’s mother and godmother.

Defenders of the Environment to sue to remove Rodman dam

"Florida Defenders of the Environment and the Florida Wildlife Federation announced in February they would sue under the federal Endangered Species Act to remove the dam, built in the 1960s as part of the Cross Florida Barge Canal." "U.S. Forest Service says it will revisit Rodman Reservoir dam".

State elections officials could not reproduce the mistake

"They think they know what happened. But they can't make it happen again. After spending a month examining the election-night error that led to wrong results in two Wellington races, state elections officials said Tuesday they could not reproduce the mistake, even as they promised that new procedures - already in place - will prevent it." "State splits blame for election error in Wellington".

"Party Disaffiliation Challenge"

"A Florida law that bars candidates from switching parties in the year before an election could face a court challenge on the grounds that it amounts to a lifelong ban." "Party Disaffiliation Challenge: What's the Meaning of 365 Days?".

ALEC to renew focus on anti-union effort

"The American Legislative Exchange Council said Tuesday that it would shift focus from social to economic issues, abandoning causes like gun rights and voter identification laws."

Sparked by several defections by a number of large companies in recent weeks, ALEC’s announcement signaled a major about-face for an organization that wielded considerable sway in changing the way 25 states deal with deadly encounters and self-defense.

ALEC, an organization of hundreds of state legislators and private companies, also supported the recent wave of voting law changes that critics decry as voter suppression. ...

After Gov. Jeb Bush signed the bill, NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer kicked off the multistate plan, pitching the Stand Your Ground law language to ALEC during a closed-door meeting, where members drafted model laws for other state legislatures.

Anti-Romney ad on the air in Florida

"An independent group supporting President Barack Obama's re-election is spending $660,000 to run a TV ad in four states [including Florida] bashing Mitt Romney." "Pro-Obama super PAC runs ad bashing Mitt Romney".

Racial profiling

"Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Miami, appeared before a congressional panel exploring legislation to prohibit the practice of racial profiling by those in law enforcement." "Rep. Frederica Wilson calls for tougher laws to prohibit racial profiling".

"Florida is a national leader in passing crazy laws on the whims of deep-pocketed lobbyists"

Daniel Ruth: "Because Florida is a national leader in passing crazy laws on the whims of deep-pocketed lobbyists, more than two dozen other states approved their own versions of Oxbow Incident vigilantism. And the NRA was well pleased — until Trayvon Martin became the poster child for the all too intended consequences of 'stand your ground.'" "NRA shooting wildly from lip". Related: "Gun permits in Florida: A growth industry".

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "Lawmakers play fast and loose".

Luv 4 Sale

"Drawing on his nearly 20 years in Congress, U.S. Rep. John Mica of Winter Park posted $450,000 in fundraising to start the year, giving him a big edge in his Republican primary fight against freshman U.S. Rep. Sandy Adams of Orlando." "Mica opens money lead over Adams in primary fight".

Demings doubles Webster

"Freshman Republican — U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, R-Winter Garden — had a lackluster quarter."

Webster raised about $148,000, less than half the roughly $330,000 collected by Democratic challenger Val Demings. The former Orlando police chief received contributions from more than 2,500 individuals last quarter, according to her campaign.

"Shocking depths"

"The plot to make Dave Aronberg the most powerful politician in Palm Beach County without having to face the voters has sunk to shocking depths." "Unseemly push for Aronberg".

Domain-gate

"A cyber-squatting congressional candidate who controls nearly two-dozen Internet domain names of Republican rivals is under increasing pressure to release them, or face complaints with the Federal Election Commission."

Sunshine State News, which reported earlier this month that "Friends of Trey Radel" had purchased six website addresses of fellow candidate Chauncey Goss, on Monday obtained an expanded list of domain names owned by Radel's campaign.

The roster includes nine additional Web addresses for Goss, as well as multiple domain names for candidates Gary Aubuchon, Paige Kreegel and Brian Owens.

The Radel camp also landed an Internet address for Gary Price, a Naples city councilman who considered a congressional bid, but decided against it.

With more than a half-dozen Republicans jockeying to succeed Rep. Connie Mack, who is running for U.S. Senate, the CD 19 primary is hotly contested. Whoever emerges on top will likely win the general election as the district is roughly 70 percent Republican.

The purchase of rival candidates' names by the Friends of Trey Radel has raised the temperature of the GOP race.

Relocated tortoises

"Florida's approach to saving gopher tortoises from extinction a decade ago allowed developers to bury the docile reptiles alive in their burrows in return for what critics called 'blood money' that was used to buy and protect tortoise habitat elsewhere."

Now, as development throughout the state starts to show signs of recovery, nearly five years after government-sanctioned tortoise deaths were ended, defenders of the reptile say it is better off, though they don't yet know if the state's new approach of relocating tortoises when they get in the way will ultimately save the creatures from oblivion.

"The main thing is they are not being buried anymore," said Matt Aresco, a Panhandle ecologist who led opposition to the "entombment" of tortoises. "And the second thing is they are being put on protected sites."

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission allows developers to move tortoises that are blocking construction just a short distance to an undisturbed area of the same development tract. Most of the time, though, developers pay the owners of designated ranches, timberland and other largely natural landscapes to take in tortoises from construction sites.

To get paid for adopting these long-living land dwellers, those landowners must permanently designate their acreage as green space and ensure it remains healthy — not overgrown with brush, for example — as tortoise habitat.

"State voters still can't get respect"

Randy Schultz: "From Palm Beach County to Tallahassee, regardless of party, elected officials are demonstrating how little regard they have for those who elected them." "In this election year, state voters still can't get respect".

"Importance of the Latino vote"

"Obama, Romney and the importance of the Latino vote".

"Fearless (some would say heartless) eliminator of budget minutiae"

Fred Grimm: "Scott loves to zap the so-called “turkeys” he sees lurking in the state budget. Last year, with considerable flourish, he exercised his line-item veto on a long list of what he characterized as 'short-sighted, frivolous, wasteful spending.'"

But last week, our great bird hunter, the fearless (some would say heartless) eliminator of budget minutiae, shrugged off a $2.2 billion turkey.

He vetoed HB 177 that would alter the state’s infamously tough sentencing law to allow a limited number of non-violent drug offenders to leave prison and enter a drug treatment program after serving half, rather than the compulsory 85 percent of their prison sentence.

Buchanan trails Fitzgerald

Jeremy Wallace: "Despite his advantages as a three-term incumbent and finance chairman of congressional Republicans’ election efforts, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan trailed Sarasota Democrat Keith Fitzgerald in campaign contributions for the last quarter, records released Monday showed." "Buchanan trails Fitzgerald in first-quarter campaign contributions".

"Alcee Hastings Draws GOP Foe"

"Alcee Hastings Draws GOP Foe; Debbie Wasserman Schultz Loses One".

Law enforcement merger

"HB 1383, signed by Gov. Rick Scott on April 6, transfers 147 positions in DEP's Division of Law Enforcement to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which now has 720 sworn officers. Supporters said the move will save money and will result in better law enforcement. But some former state park managers say there may be a downside, too, depending on how officers are assigned in the future." "Law enforcement merger may save money, but will it protect state parks?".

Children of state employees to participate in KidCare program

"The Florida Association of Counties says its lawsuit to thwart the new Medicaid county billing requirements in HB 5301 will be surgically drafted so that the other provisions in the measure won’t be overturned, namely a change that would for the first time allow children of state employees to participate in the Florida KidCare program." "No severability clause? No problem. Counties say lawsuit will focus on county Medicaid billing only".

Bondi wants more

"Attorney General Pam Bondi wants a federal judge to delay the recently announced BP settlement because she says it doesn't give full compensation to Floridians." "Pam Bondi Wants More Floridians Included in BP Settlement".

"Redistricting briefs set stage"

"New constitutional provisions intended to protect minority voting rights emerged as key terrain in the legal contest over the state's revised Senate redistricting plan, as groups wrangle over what are sometimes conflicting standards." "Latest round of redistricting briefs sets stage for oral arguments".

Rubio strides world stage

"They rarely agree on contentious issues, but U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and President Obama had a similar mission at the Summit of the Americas over the weekend."

Each in his own way wants to exclude Cuba from such gatherings because its government has failed to respect human rights and pursue democratic reforms.

Rubio, a Republican from Florida, passed around a letter from the Ladies in White, who silently march through Cuban streets in protest.

Representing the Senate’s Western Hemisphere subcommittee, Rubio met with presidents from Latin America and with the the Colombian Congress. He also toured the Port of Cartagena, a hub for trade between Florida and Colombia.

"It's important to understand that Cuba does not belong at the Summit of the Americas because it fully rejects the fundamental right of the Cuban people to elect their own leaders in free and fair elections," Rubio said.

Obama made similar assertions in the face of sharp criticisms of the U.S. embargo of Cuba.

He and Rubio still disagree on Obama's new rules that allow more U.S. travel to Cuba. Obama said he hoped U.S. engagement would lead to a transition in Cuba.

"Legislative sleight of hand"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "This year, the state will raid clerks’ revenues ..., taking back $31 million from the current budget because of a legislative sleight of hand that began in 2009. That year — in the guise of raising more money for courts and clerks — legislators changed the system. They hiked fees for foreclosures and instituted an awkward process that requires the clerks to send their revenues to Tallahassee, which skims off 8 percent for “administration,” and sends the remaining money back minus the general fund grab and allocations for the 30 special funds." "The price of justice".

West rakes it in

"Allen West Among Country's Top Campaign Fundraisers". See also "Allen West raises $1.8 million in 3 months".

Budget blues

"Gov. Rick Scott to sign state budget". See also "Rick Scott to Sign Budget Tuesday at St. Johns Elementary School".

"Education budget keeps spending at 2007 levels"

"Scott has said that the 2012-2013 state budget he will sign Tuesday, which includes a $1 billion increase for K-12 public education over the 2011 budget, is a significant investment, a statement the Florida Education Association disputes."

According to the union, the budget includes money “for expanding charter schools and increasing money for corporate voucher schools,” and “for the second year in a row, Florida’s traditional K-12 public schools will not receive money from the state for school maintenance, repairs or renovations, allowing our schools to fall further into decay. All of the trust fund allocations in the K-12 arena will go to charter schools. Higher education will receive a very small portion.” ...

The Education Association, which represents 140,000 state teachers and support professionals, said in December that if Scott’s “budget proposal is enacted, spending will still stand nearly $800 per student less than our state’s commitment to education five years ago, the unfunded mandates are still in place, pre-K remains woefully underfunded and the brain drain at our public colleges and universities continues as universities in other states continue to gobble up our professors.”

Taxpayer dollars have been used to take a major benefit away from taxpayers. Former Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum couldn't wait to take the lead in suing to overturn ACA. In 2009, before he became governor, Rick Scott founded and invested millions in Conservatives for Patient Rights to fight federal initiatives and strengthen the "free market" in health care. What else would you expect from a man who made his millions as a corporate raider of for-profit healthcare providers?

But, now that the case has been argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, it is clear the strategy of the tea party/GOP/Scott cabal has backfired: It has put itself and the Court in a lose-lose position. If it rules against all, or any part of, the Act, it will infuriate millions of Americans already enjoying benefits from ACA — and throw the country into chaos. If it rules for the Act, it will infuriate the right-wing. ...

No matter which side wins in the Supreme Court, no matter which party wins in November, the fight for health system reform will continue and, until the issue is resolved, average Americans will be the losers. Thank you Gov. Scott!

Enough to make you cringe

The journalism majors at Politifact take a shot at the definition of "Communism": "PolitiFact Florida: Rep. Allen West goes too far in Commie comment".

False dilemma

The Palm Beach Post editorial board goes after public employees:

Fire-rescue workers have difficult jobs that can put them in dangerous situations, so they deserve fair compensation. But during the real estate bubble, their salaries rose to levels that are no longer sustainable and are out of whack with pay scales for other fire-rescue agencies and exceed those of law enforcement.

Winger whine

Nancy Smith argues that the traditional media was going all librul on self-financed gub'ner Rick Scott (she apparently thinks it is unfair to mention that Ricky once pled the fifth 75 times and his company paid a $1.7 billion federal fine). She writes: "If ever a story carried a ring of familiarity, the Gov. Scott Walker recall in Wisconsin is it for me. It's the story of a tea-party-conservative governor roundly disliked by unions, sour-grapes election losers and a liberal press."

Are your ears burning, Rick Scott?

The hostility toward Gov. Scott and the legislative leadership in Florida never reached the recall stage. Certainly the attempt to do the governor in was there. But the "Pink Slip Rick Scott" movement failed to collect more than 6,189 online recall petition signatures, never attracted the throngs of protesters in Tallahassee that descended on the Wisconsin Capitol and was unable to get HB 787, a Democrat recall-enabling bill, anywhere near the House floor in 2011.

Red tape

"Dole's recall of bagged salads includes Florida".

Birthers go after Rubio

"Although the name of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is mentioned more than any other as a potential GOP vice presidential candidate, a document found in the National Archives raises questions about whether the popular U.S. senator is actually qualified constitutionally to serve as president or vice president." "GOP 'superstar' for VP faces eligibility questions".

Scott not crazy enough for FlaBaggers

"Scott's keynote speech to the 'Tax Day' rally in Orlando came just two days after he rejected one of the tea party movement's top demands in Florida, that he veto an alternative-energy bill."

Yet the tea party crowd gathered at [Orlando's] Lake Eola Park on Sunday afternoon applauded enthusiastically for many of the governor's broader goals, such as reducing taxes and government and working to defeat the re-elections of Democrats President Barack Obama and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, many in the crowd of 2,500 or so noticeably dropped their hands in their laps in their laps whenever Scott talked about himself.

It ain't beanbag

"Circuit Judge Krista Marx chose not to run for state attorney after she learned supporters of the lone candidate in the race, Dave Aronberg, planned to attack her reputation and challenge her husband's judicial seat, The Palm Beach Post has found." "Warnings lead Circuit Judge Krista Marx to abandon campaign for state attorney".

New Redistricting Map

"The second draft of the Legislature's redistricting plan for the state Senate answered all of the objections of the Florida Supreme Court to the first proposal and should get justices' approval, according to a Senate brief in the case." "Senate Argues for Its New Redistricting Map".

Attack on public employees continues

"Three days after a trial judge ruled the Legislature’s 2011 effort to make public employees pay part of their pension costs was unconstitutional, lawmakers passed another pension bill reducing government contributions to more than 100,000 public employees."

On the last day of the 2012 Legislature, the House and Senate endorsed House Bill 5005, which cut government pension contribution rates for state workers, law enforcement officers, county workers, school employees and university workers who are part of a 401(k)-type retirement plan.

The bill is awaiting the approval of Gov. Rick Scott, who has made cutting state pension costs one of his top priorities. Scott, who has until Saturday to act on the bill, has not taken a position on the latest measure.

The cuts are dramatic in some cases. ...

The bill, if approved by Scott, would save the state and other government agencies more than $172 million. Local school boards would see a $53 million savings, state universities $42 million and counties $49.5 million.

But opponents of the bill see it as another move undermining retirement plans for public workers. The employer contribution cut would come on top of the 3 percent mandatory contribution of last year — which most workers view as a 3 percent pay cut. It would also mean the workers in the 401(k)-type plans would have less money to invest and less money to retire on in the future.

FCAT follies

"FCAT testing begins in Florida schools today".

No green card ... no FlaBar card?

"Can an immigrant without a green card get a Florida Bar card? Aspiring lawyer Jose Godinez-Samperio, 25, a Tampa-area resident, is hoping the answer is yes. A native of Mexico who entered the United States legally with his parents 16 years ago on a tourist visa, Godinez-Samperio is a graduate of the Florida State University College of Law, the valedictorian of the Armwood High School class of 2004, an Eagle Scout — and an undocumented immigrant." "Undocumented immigrant seeks Florida Bar admission".

Wage-theft

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "In calling for the Palm Beach County Commission to do more to combat wage theft, advocates insist that the problem is more pervasive than most non-victims realize and more difficult to resolve than most victims can manage. There is hyperbole to both claims, but their central point is valid: Wage theft is real, it often harms those least able to protest, and commissioners should see whether there's a role for government."

On Tuesday, commissioners will consider whether to draw up a wage-theft ordinance that would allow the county to investigate allegations that employers stiffed workers. Under the proposal, modeled after a Miami-Dade County program, the county would negotiate with businesses on workers' behalf and could adjudicate cases in administrative hearings.

Advocates say such a system would make it easier for low-wage workers to take on employers who refuse to pay them or pay less than promised. Employees already enjoy protections against wage theft under state and federal law, but advocates say taking an employer to court can be prohibitively complex, costly and slow for many workers and unnerving for illegal immigrants. They say the county could resolve claims more easily and inexpensively.

Business groups have tried unsuccessfully to persuade state legislators to prohibit such ordinances. The Florida Retail Federation sued Miami-Dade County, alleging that its wage-theft program was unconstitutional. Last month, a judge threw out the lawsuit, calling the program "a responsible and reasonable exercise of government authority."

"There remains much work to be done"

The Tampa Bay Times editors: "The second anniversary of America's worst environmental disaster on Friday should serve as a reminder to the nation that there remains much work to be done." "Oil spill dangers persist".

"Just another calculating politician"?

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "17 months after his improbable victory, Gov. Rick Scott has an opportunity to show he is a different breed and not just another calculating politician." "Governor, veto Florida Polytechnic".

Rubio would have "12 hour" shelf life as VP candidate

"Florida Sen. Marco Rubio would not be a wise pick for number two on the GOP ticket this year, former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales told CNN Saturday."

Rubio is not ready to be president, Gonzales said, and the vice president "must be ready on day one."

"Rubio's resume does not reflect someone prepared to confront serious and dangerous issues that our country faces as president," Gonzales said.

Rubio might generate interest among Latinos "for the first 12 hours if selected for the number two spot, but that won't last," Gonzales said. ...

It's believed putting Rubio on the ticket could help Romney make up ground among Latinos. A March Suffolk University poll shows Hispanics favor President Barack Obama over Romney 62% to 26%.

Not too much to ask

Frank Cerabino: "Florida residents with gun permits shouldn't be encouraged to use their weapons more carelessly than U.S. troops in war zones." "In war zones, shooters must use restraint; In Florida, fire away!".

"Political spotlight will shine brightly on Florida"

"The political spotlight will shine brightly again on Florida, and the Upper Midwest, especially Ohio." "Obama defends typically GOP states in race to 270".

Hillsborough feasts on stimulus money

"More than $1.2 billion in state appropriations will soon start flowing to Hillsborough County, more money than any other Florida county got in the 2013 budget passed by the Legislature in March."

Pushing Hillsborough to the top of the heap was money for three highway projects totaling more than $808 million. They include $295 million for the continued widening of Interstate 275, and $257 million for the connector now under construction between Interstate 4 and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway.

Most of the money for those two projects consists of federal highway dollars passed through the Florida Department of Transportation. About $105 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as stimulus money, has been spent on the I-4-Lee Roy Selmon Expressway connector.

Women crossed party lines to thwart Haridopolos

"A group of women in the Florida Senate joined together in the past session to kill a number of bills, including the expansion of private prisons and anti-abortion measure."

Together, they defeated a massive expansion of private prisons, blocked an omnibus antiabortion bill from debate and prevented unregulated, out-of-state companies from taking over state-sponsored homeowners insurance.

The unexpected force of unofficial leaders and whips had crossed party lines to build moderate coalitions aimed at thwarting priorities of Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, and his deputies.

The Senate’s 13 women didn’t always vote together — in fact, a woman sponsored the so-called “parent trigger” education bill. But there was enough camaraderie among them, enough powerful voices to influence nearly every close vote of the session.

In the 40-member Florida Senate, where three men hold the most powerful positions, another group came into their own.

The women of the Senate.

"Doubts about Gov. Scott's sincerity"

The Sun Sentinel editorial board writes that a "veto raises doubts about Gov. Scott's sincerity in curbing prison costs, and ultimately his goals in seeking genuine prison reform." "Veto flubs start of prison reform".

Can car salesman Braman play with Santana Moss?

"A big name in sports was scheduled to hold a fundraiser for Miami-Dade Commissioner Barbara Jordan this weekend: pro football star Santana Moss. Moss, a wide receiver for the Washington Redskins, grew up in Carol City, which is in Jordan’s commission district. Jordan is one of four commissioners up for reelection who are being targeted for defeat by wealthy auto magnate Norman Braman." "Santana Moss to hold fundraiser for Miami-Dade commissioner".