Scott's Attempt to Discourage Black Voting in I-4 Corridor Rejected by Court

This will put a serious damper on the Florida Republican Party's voter suppression effort in at least part of the critical I-4 corridor: "Florida's decision to reduce the days of early voting discourages African-Americans from voting and cannot take effect in Hillsborough and four other counties in the November election, a panel of judges ruled late Thursday."

The long-awaited decision strikes down changes to early voting in those counties, part of an overhaul of election laws that has been under steady legal and political assault since it passed the Legislature and was signed into law last year by Gov. Rick Scott.

"The state has failed to satisfy its burden of proving that those changes will not have a retrogressive effect on minority voters," the judges wrote, adding that a shorter early voting period is "analogous to closing polling places in disproportionately African-American precincts."

The ruling by a three-judge tribunal in U.S. District Court in Washington means the five counties must offer 12 days of early voting, instead of the eight called for under the new law.

Besides Hillsborough, the affected counties are Monroe, Collier, Hardee and Hendry.

"Judges block reduction of early voting in 5 Florida counties, including Hillsborough". See also "Florida law could sharply reduce minority votes, federal court says", "Federal court rejects Florida early voting changes, says they’d cut black participation" and "Early voting cutback could hurt blacks, court rules".

"The court ruled late Thursday that Florida was unable to rebut testimony that a reduction in the form of voting that is disproportionately used by African-Americans make it more difficult for some minority voters to cast a ballot."

“We just got the ruling last night and we’re still evaluating what the ruling exactly means and what are options are,” said Chris Cate, spokesman for Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner.

Of Friday the incoming leader of Florida House Democrats called on Gov. Rick Scott to throw out what he called a “Voter Suppression Act.”

“It is imperative that Governor Scott and the state’s top election officer take action now to ensure statewide, uniform early-voting standards that maximize early voting opportunities in all 67 counties,” Rep. Perry Thurston, D-Plantation, said in a prepared statement.

In 2008, early voting was allowed for 14 days and a total of 96 hours. The 2011 law reduced the number of days to eight and set a minimum of 48 hours with election supervisors having the option for up to 96. The court prohibits the application of the new rules in the five counties.

“Every county must follow the law as it applies to them and that is what these counties have been doing,” Cate said.

However, there is the uniform statewide application of voting procedures.

“I can tell you, you can expect significant litigation on this point,” Sancho said. “It’s in the statute and someone will make a case for a uniform voting standard and bring it before a legal authority.”

"Court rejection of voting law changes leaves confusion".




Week in Review

"Week in Review for Aug. 13 to Aug. 16".




Nelson v. Mack cheat-sheet

Politifact: "We've watched the budding matchup between Republican Rep. Connie Mack IV, left, and Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson for months, vetting many attacks you might have seen on TV. (If you haven't seen them yet, don't worry — you will.) Consider this a cheat-sheet on what to expect through Election Day. " "A Senate showdown primer".




No longer an outsider

"Scott's image as an outsider will officially come to an end at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, where he'll serve as a hometown host of the four-day party. When he isn't polishing his convention speech, Scott will rub elbows with deep-pocketed GOP donors and reconnect with people who worked on his campaign two years ago." "Rick Scott will be schmoozer-in-chief at GOP convention". See also "Bill Nelson, Connie Mack IV to battle for U.S. Senate".




Yee haw!

"Conservation panel approves shooting park for wildlife area".




Hialeah firefighter uncovers absentee-ballot fraud

"A Hialeah activist and union leader says he is the anonymous donor who hired the private investigator who first uncovered evidence of door-to-door ballot brokers and sparked a criminal probe that has led to two arrests. Eric Johnson, vice president of Hialeah’s firefighters union, said Friday that he hired investigator Joe Carrillo to try to uncover absentee-ballot fraud, an issue that Johnson said he has complained to the police about for years. Johnson’s role in the investigation was first reported by blogger Elaine de Valle on her website, politicalcortadito.com." "Hialeah activist: I hired ballot-broker private eye". The blog post: "There are two heroes: Firefighter hired PI".




State Medicaid rule limits Medicaid payments for undocumented immigrants in charity hospitals

"Hospitals throughout Florida are challenging a state rule that limits payments to treat undocumented immigrants."

The hospitals say the Agency for Health Care Administration made the rule without following the proper procedures and unfairly wants them to reimburse the state for some of the Medicaid payments used to treat immigrants who are in the United States illegally.

At issue is a technical dispute over how much Medicaid pays for emergency services and when an emergency patient turns into a "stable" patient still in need of care. AHCA's position is that Medicaid covers emergency care for undocumented patients, but not the ongoing treatment needed to keep the patient stable.

The rule could save taxpayers "millions and millions of dollars," but it would burden large hospital systems that provide loads of charity care, said Joanne Erde, an attorney representing the hospitals.

"Hospitals battle Medicaid rule changes over undocumented immigrants".




Florida unemployment up to 8.8%

"The state Department of Economic Opportunity announced an 8.8 percent, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July, with approximately 816,000 out of work from the work force of 9.27 million." "Florida's Jobless Numbers Grow as Sunshine State Slows Through the Summer". See also "Unemployment rate bumps up to 8.8 percent". Related: "Unemployment picture clouds Scott's Manatee jobs event". More: "Florida unemployment rises to 8.8 percent".




"On the cheap"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board on "a lost opportunity for Florida."

The National Institute for Early Education, which is housed at Rutgers University and supported by the Pew Charitable Trusts, has reported that in 2011 ranked first for access to pre-Kindergarten programs for 4-year-olds. The 164,000-plus students enrolled was a remarkable 76 percent of eligible children. For once, Florida was well ahead of states like Massachusetts and North Carolina in some measurable education category.

However, according to the institute, “Florida ... currently has the lowest reported level of per-child spending on its pre-K program.” Florida provided only $2,422 per child in 2011. Eighteen percent of that came from the federal stimulus that so many Florida politicians claim to hate. The institute estimated that Florida needed to spend another $2,042 per student to meet minimum standards.

Top-ranked New Jersey provided $11,669 per child from all sources. For perspective, North Carolina and Massachusetts once again were ahead of Florida, providing totals of $7,910 and $3,691, respectively.

Further, the National Institute for Early Education graded each state according to 10 “quality standards,” and Florida scored just 30 percent. Florida does not require pre-K teachers to have a college degree, allows a staff-to-child ratio higher than 1-to-10 and does not provide any meals.

Florida is blessed with a voluntary pre-K program available to every 4-year-old because voters in 2002 put the program into the state’s constitution. But when it was implemented in 2005, the Legislature and then-Gov. Bush had given the state a program done on the cheap.

Instead of a full day of education, Florida authorized just three hours a day. Instead of fully qualified teachers, Florida settled for teachers with a high school diploma. Despite promises of improvements, Florida has continued to shortchange its pre-K students. It does so even though the program is provided almost exclusively through private centers with what amounts to a voucher program — a setup that ought to thrill Florida’s voucher-happy legislators.

"Editorial: Florida should spend more on state’s pre-K program".




The best they could do?

"Saying there is strength in numbers, Republican congressional candidate Todd Long stood arm-in-arm with two former political foes on Friday — John Quiñones and Mark Oxner — as the three announced they will work together to battle Democrat Alan Grayson for the 9th District seat in November." "Former Republican foes present united front to fight Grayson".




Voucher madness

Aaron Deslatte: "Legislative elections this fall may have outsized importance for the future direction of public schools, charters and school vouchers -- and the unions, for-profit companies and education advocates attempting to gain sway."

In last week's primaries, one aim of the "school choice" organizations working under the banner of Florida Federation for Children was to elect Democrats that were more supportive of expanding private school-vouchers. The group's top goal is passing the "parent trigger" bill to let parents in failing schools decide on corrective steps, including turning schools over to for-profit charter companies. ...

School-choice supporters backed Democrats in three hard-fought Senate primaries – Victoria Siplin in Orlando, Ron Saunders in Key West and Mack Bernard in West Palm Beach – and came up short in all three, although Bernard is in a recount and down only 34 votes.

"It looks like Democratic primary voters went for more liberal candidates," said incoming Senate President Don Gaetz, a former Okaloosa schools superintendent and school-choice proponent. "But all that means is there will be spirited and healthy debate on the floor of the Senate." ...

The state's largest teachers' union, the Florida Education Association, poured money into a counter-offensive to preserve its toehold in the Senate.

Rep. Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando, got $50,000 from the FEA that went to pay for direct-mail, radio and newspaper ads in her win over Siplin.

And Rep. Dwight Bullard, a Miami Democrat, teacher and son of former Rep. Ed Bullard and termed-out Sen. Larcenia Bullard, benefited from an electioneering group created by his father in late July. Thanks to $349,000 from unions that bought a wave of mail and radio, Bullard kept the Dade-Monroe seat in the family. ...

"It appears at least on the Democratic side, public schools were the winner. The schemes didn't pan out," said FEA President Andy Ford.

But on the GOP side, he added, "the moderates didn't win when you were up against the extremist view."

Now two or three fights this fall – like the SD 8 matchup of Republican Dorothy Hukill, R-DeLand, versus Democrat Frank Bruno, and the SD 34 race of Republican Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, versus Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach – could tip the scales.

"'School choice' measure hinges on outcome of Senate races".




Where's Pammy Bondi when you need her?

"Executive says he didn't get airport post after refusing to give to GOP".




Four weekend recounts

"Two state House races, one state Senate contest and a single judicial election from Tuesday’s primary are headed into weekend recounts." "Runoffs Called for in One Judicial, Three Legislative Contests".

"Jeff Clemens clung to a 29-vote lead over Mack Bernard on Friday night in the nail-biting state Senate District 27 race, with hundreds of ballots with questionable markings slated for review Saturday." "Clemens-Bernard race tightens".

Related: "Recount looming in Palm Beach Senate race" and "Razor-thin races dominate Florida Senate primaries".




Just a another "conservative Christian Republican with a libertarian slant"

"North Central Florida’s new Republican congressional nominee is a self-styled 'conservative Christian Republican with a libertarian slant' who plans to take a hatchet to thousands of pages of federal regulations, beginning with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act."

There’s certainly a lot more to Yoho’s congressional campaign than the usual smattering of right-wing platitude. His interpretation of the Constitution places him well outside the mainstream of his political party, especially on matters of foreign policy and civil liberties.

Yoho is a self-styled “conservative Christian” and “very pro-life; life begins at conception.” He insists, however, that controversial social issues such as abortion and homosexual marriages are properly “states issues. That’s the way our founders set up this country. I’m a big believer in the 10th Amendment, and leaving the federal government to that handful of powers delegated to it in the Constitution. The social issues are important, but this election is more about stopping socialism in our country, where the federal government dictates everything you do. Once we halt this socialism, these social issues can be dealt with at the local level. Let’s leave the federal government out of it.”

When asked if he would continue Stearns’ efforts to investigate alleged fraud at Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion-provider, he says, matter-of-factly, “That’s something that should have been done a long time ago. I’m glad [Stearns] looked into it. He’s written a letter and I haven’t seen anything else [done] about that. We spend millions of dollars on that agency. Especially in this economy, where 42 cents of every dollar is borrowed money, that’s just inappropriate.”

He toes the typical line on immigration. “This is a classic example of Congress having failed to lead,” he says. “We have an immigration crisis 30 years too long in the making. It is both a national security and an economic issue. I don’t care how we do it, but we need to close off our border, and we definitely have the technological means to do so.

Much more here: "Rising Star Ted Yoho, 'Republican with Libertarian Slant'".




Country club overflow

"Initially, former ambassador and developer Mel Sembler planned to throw the reception at his office, which holds up to 100. But the Ryan pick prompted a move to the Club at Treasure Island, where Sembler's a member and there's banquet space for 350." "Romney running mate Paul Ryan's first Florida fundraiser forced to move to a bigger venue".




And he's bringing his mommy

"Ryan takes Medicare mother on campaign trail".




Complaint against Aronberg

"A Palm Beach Gardens resident has filed ethics and elections complaints against state attorney candidate Dave Aronberg, saying he took financial help to run a negative campaign against a potential political rival without formally declaring his candidacy. The complaints, citing a July 22-23 series in The Palm Beach Post, allege that Aronberg’s actions violated laws meant to limit campaign contributions and assure transparency in campaigns. Aronberg, a Democrat, is the front-runner in a three-way race for state attorney." "Complaints lodged against state attorney hopeful".




A problem waiting to happen

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "Whether St. Petersburg's new law goes too far during the RNC in limiting innocent and constitutionally protected activities will depend on how police use their enforcement powers." "Balancing civil rights, safety".

Bill Maxwell writes that, "Despite the denial, Ryan's a Rand fan". Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry follows.


Scott's Attempt to Discourage Black voting in I-4 Corridor Rejected by Court

This will put a damper on the Florida Republican Party's voter suppression effort in at least part of the critical I-4 corridor: "Florida's decision to reduce the days of early voting discourages African-Americans from voting and cannot take effect in Hillsborough and four other counties in the November election, a panel of judges ruled late Thursday."

The long-awaited decision strikes down changes to early voting in those counties, part of an overhaul of election laws that has been under steady legal and political assault since it passed the Legislature and was signed into law last year by Gov. Rick Scott.

"The state has failed to satisfy its burden of proving that those changes will not have a retrogressive effect on minority voters," the judges wrote, adding that a shorter early voting period is "analogous to closing polling places in disproportionately African-American precincts."

The ruling by a three-judge tribunal in U.S. District Court in Washington means the five counties must offer 12 days of early voting, instead of the eight called for under the new law.

Besides Hillsborough, the affected counties are Monroe, Collier, Hardee and Hendry.

"Judges block reduction of early voting in 5 Florida counties, including Hillsborough". See also "Florida law could sharply reduce minority votes, federal court says", "Federal court rejects Florida early voting changes, says they’d cut black participation" and "Early voting cutback could hurt blacks, court rules".

"The court ruled late Thursday that Florida was unable to rebut testimony that a reduction in the form of voting that is disproportionately used by African-Americans make it more difficult for some minority voters to cast a ballot."

“We just got the ruling last night and we’re still evaluating what the ruling exactly means and what are options are,” said Chris Cate, spokesman for Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner.

Of Friday the incoming leader of Florida House Democrats called on Gov. Rick Scott to throw out what he called a “Voter Suppression Act.”

“It is imperative that Governor Scott and the state’s top election officer take action now to ensure statewide, uniform early-voting standards that maximize early voting opportunities in all 67 counties,” Rep. Perry Thurston, D-Plantation, said in a prepared statement.

In 2008, early voting was allowed for 14 days and a total of 96 hours. The 2011 law reduced the number of days to eight and set a minimum of 48 hours with election supervisors having the option for up to 96. The court prohibits the application of the new rules in the five counties.

“Every county must follow the law as it applies to them and that is what these counties have been doing,” Cate said.

However, there is the uniform statewide application of voting procedures.

“I can tell you, you can expect significant litigation on this point,” Sancho said. “It’s in the statute and someone will make a case for a uniform voting standard and bring it before a legal authority.”

"Court rejection of voting law changes leaves confusion".




Week in Review

"Week in Review for Aug. 13 to Aug. 16".




Nelson v. Mack cheat-sheet

Politifact: "We've watched the budding matchup between Republican Rep. Connie Mack IV, left, and Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson for months, vetting many attacks you might have seen on TV. (If you haven't seen them yet, don't worry — you will.) Consider this a cheat-sheet on what to expect through Election Day. " "A Senate showdown primer".




No longer an outsider

"Scott's image as an outsider will officially come to an end at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, where he'll serve as a hometown host of the four-day party. When he isn't polishing his convention speech, Scott will rub elbows with deep-pocketed GOP donors and reconnect with people who worked on his campaign two years ago." "Rick Scott will be schmoozer-in-chief at GOP convention". See also "Bill Nelson, Connie Mack IV to battle for U.S. Senate".




Yee haw!

"Conservation panel approves shooting park for wildlife area".




Hialeah firefighter uncovers absentee-ballot fraud

"A Hialeah activist and union leader says he is the anonymous donor who hired the private investigator who first uncovered evidence of door-to-door ballot brokers and sparked a criminal probe that has led to two arrests. Eric Johnson, vice president of Hialeah’s firefighters union, said Friday that he hired investigator Joe Carrillo to try to uncover absentee-ballot fraud, an issue that Johnson said he has complained to the police about for years. Johnson’s role in the investigation was first reported by blogger Elaine de Valle on her website, politicalcortadito.com." "Hialeah activist: I hired ballot-broker private eye". The blog post: "There are two heroes: Firefighter hired PI".




State Medicaid rule forces treatment of undocumented immigrants on hospitals that already provide charity care

"Hospitals throughout Florida are challenging a state rule that limits payments to treat undocumented immigrants."

The hospitals say the Agency for Health Care Administration made the rule without following the proper procedures and unfairly wants them to reimburse the state for some of the Medicaid payments used to treat immigrants who are in the United States illegally.

At issue is a technical dispute over how much Medicaid pays for emergency services and when an emergency patient turns into a "stable" patient still in need of care. AHCA's position is that Medicaid covers emergency care for undocumented patients, but not the ongoing treatment needed to keep the patient stable.

The rule could save taxpayers "millions and millions of dollars," but it would burden large hospital systems that provide loads of charity care, said Joanne Erde, an attorney representing the hospitals.

"Hospitals battle Medicaid rule changes over undocumented immigrants".




Florida unemployment up to 8.8%

"The state Department of Economic Opportunity announced an 8.8 percent, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July, with approximately 816,000 out of work from the work force of 9.27 million." "Florida's Jobless Numbers Grow as Sunshine State Slows Through the Summer". See also "Unemployment rate bumps up to 8.8 percent". Related: "Unemployment picture clouds Scott's Manatee jobs event". More: "Florida unemployment rises to 8.8 percent".




"On the cheap"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board on "a lost opportunity for Florida."

The National Institute for Early Education, which is housed at Rutgers University and supported by the Pew Charitable Trusts, has reported that in 2011 ranked first for access to pre-Kindergarten programs for 4-year-olds. The 164,000-plus students enrolled was a remarkable 76 percent of eligible children. For once, Florida was well ahead of states like Massachusetts and North Carolina in some measurable education category.

However, according to the institute, “Florida ... currently has the lowest reported level of per-child spending on its pre-K program.” Florida provided only $2,422 per child in 2011. Eighteen percent of that came from the federal stimulus that so many Florida politicians claim to hate. The institute estimated that Florida needed to spend another $2,042 per student to meet minimum standards.

Top-ranked New Jersey provided $11,669 per child from all sources. For perspective, North Carolina and Massachusetts once again were ahead of Florida, providing totals of $7,910 and $3,691, respectively.

Further, the National Institute for Early Education graded each state according to 10 “quality standards,” and Florida scored just 30 percent. Florida does not require pre-K teachers to have a college degree, allows a staff-to-child ratio higher than 1-to-10 and does not provide any meals.

Florida is blessed with a voluntary pre-K program available to every 4-year-old because voters in 2002 put the program into the state’s constitution. But when it was implemented in 2005, the Legislature and then-Gov. Bush had given the state a program done on the cheap.

Instead of a full day of education, Florida authorized just three hours a day. Instead of fully qualified teachers, Florida settled for teachers with a high school diploma. Despite promises of improvements, Florida has continued to shortchange its pre-K students. It does so even though the program is provided almost exclusively through private centers with what amounts to a voucher program — a setup that ought to thrill Florida’s voucher-happy legislators.

"Editorial: Florida should spend more on state’s pre-K program".




The best they could do?

"Saying there is strength in numbers, Republican congressional candidate Todd Long stood arm-in-arm with two former political foes on Friday — John Quiñones and Mark Oxner — as the three announced they will work together to battle Democrat Alan Grayson for the 9th District seat in November." "Former Republican foes present united front to fight Grayson".




Voucher madness

Aaron Deslatte: "Legislative elections this fall may have outsized importance for the future direction of public schools, charters and school vouchers -- and the unions, for-profit companies and education advocates attempting to gain sway."

In last week's primaries, one aim of the "school choice" organizations working under the banner of Florida Federation for Children was to elect Democrats that were more supportive of expanding private school-vouchers. The group's top goal is passing the "parent trigger" bill to let parents in failing schools decide on corrective steps, including turning schools over to for-profit charter companies. ...

School-choice supporters backed Democrats in three hard-fought Senate primaries – Victoria Siplin in Orlando, Ron Saunders in Key West and Mack Bernard in West Palm Beach – and came up short in all three, although Bernard is in a recount and down only 34 votes.

"It looks like Democratic primary voters went for more liberal candidates," said incoming Senate President Don Gaetz, a former Okaloosa schools superintendent and school-choice proponent. "But all that means is there will be spirited and healthy debate on the floor of the Senate." ...

The state's largest teachers' union, the Florida Education Association, poured money into a counter-offensive to preserve its toehold in the Senate.

Rep. Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando, got $50,000 from the FEA that went to pay for direct-mail, radio and newspaper ads in her win over Siplin.

And Rep. Dwight Bullard, a Miami Democrat, teacher and son of former Rep. Ed Bullard and termed-out Sen. Larcenia Bullard, benefited from an electioneering group created by his father in late July. Thanks to $349,000 from unions that bought a wave of mail and radio, Bullard kept the Dade-Monroe seat in the family. ...

"It appears at least on the Democratic side, public schools were the winner. The schemes didn't pan out," said FEA President Andy Ford.

But on the GOP side, he added, "the moderates didn't win when you were up against the extremist view."

Now two or three fights this fall – like the SD 8 matchup of Republican Dorothy Hukill, R-DeLand, versus Democrat Frank Bruno, and the SD 34 race of Republican Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, versus Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach – could tip the scales.

"'School choice' measure hinges on outcome of Senate races".




Where's Pammy Bondi when you need her?

"Executive says he didn't get airport post after refusing to give to GOP".




Four weekend recounts

"Two state House races, one state Senate contest and a single judicial election from Tuesday’s primary are headed into weekend recounts." "Runoffs Called for in One Judicial, Three Legislative Contests".

"Jeff Clemens clung to a 29-vote lead over Mack Bernard on Friday night in the nail-biting state Senate District 27 race, with hundreds of ballots with questionable markings slated for review Saturday." "Clemens-Bernard race tightens".

Related: "Recount looming in Palm Beach Senate race" and "Razor-thin races dominate Florida Senate primaries".




Just a another "conservative Christian Republican with a libertarian slant"

"North Central Florida’s new Republican congressional nominee is a self-styled 'conservative Christian Republican with a libertarian slant' who plans to take a hatchet to thousands of pages of federal regulations, beginning with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act."

There’s certainly a lot more to Yoho’s congressional campaign than the usual smattering of right-wing platitude. His interpretation of the Constitution places him well outside the mainstream of his political party, especially on matters of foreign policy and civil liberties.

Yoho is a self-styled “conservative Christian” and “very pro-life; life begins at conception.” He insists, however, that controversial social issues such as abortion and homosexual marriages are properly “states issues. That’s the way our founders set up this country. I’m a big believer in the 10th Amendment, and leaving the federal government to that handful of powers delegated to it in the Constitution. The social issues are important, but this election is more about stopping socialism in our country, where the federal government dictates everything you do. Once we halt this socialism, these social issues can be dealt with at the local level. Let’s leave the federal government out of it.”

When asked if he would continue Stearns’ efforts to investigate alleged fraud at Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion-provider, he says, matter-of-factly, “That’s something that should have been done a long time ago. I’m glad [Stearns] looked into it. He’s written a letter and I haven’t seen anything else [done] about that. We spend millions of dollars on that agency. Especially in this economy, where 42 cents of every dollar is borrowed money, that’s just inappropriate.”

He toes the typical line on immigration. “This is a classic example of Congress having failed to lead,” he says. “We have an immigration crisis 30 years too long in the making. It is both a national security and an economic issue. I don’t care how we do it, but we need to close off our border, and we definitely have the technological means to do so.

Much more here: "Rising Star Ted Yoho, 'Republican with Libertarian Slant'".




Country club overflow

"Initially, former ambassador and developer Mel Sembler planned to throw the reception at his office, which holds up to 100. But the Ryan pick prompted a move to the Club at Treasure Island, where Sembler's a member and there's banquet space for 350." "Romney running mate Paul Ryan's first Florida fundraiser forced to move to a bigger venue".




And he's bringing his mommy

"Ryan takes Medicare mother on campaign trail".






"A Palm Beach Gardens resident has filed ethics and elections complaints against state attorney candidate Dave Aronberg, saying he took financial help to run a negative campaign against a potential political rival without formally declaring his candidacy. The complaints, citing a July 22-23 series in The Palm Beach Post, allege that Aronberg’s actions violated laws meant to limit campaign contributions and assure transparency in campaigns. Aronberg, a Democrat, is the front-runner in a three-way race for state attorney." "Complaints lodged against state attorney hopeful".




A problem waiting to happen

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "Whether St. Petersburg's new law goes too far during the RNC in limiting innocent and constitutionally protected activities will depend on how police use their enforcement powers." "Balancing civil rights, safety".

"Romney risks a total debacle among Hispanic voters"

Andres Oppenheimer: "Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney was already polling at historically low numbers among Hispanic voters before his decision to name Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate. Now, Romney risks a total debacle among Hispanic voters that could cost him the election."

There are five major reasons why Ryan, a darling of the Tea Party who is known for his budget-cutting proposals and hard-line stands on immigration in recent years, will have a hard time helping Romney solve his Latino vote problem. ...

My opinion: Romney’s pick for vice-presidential nominee, coming shortly after Romney’s foreign policy tour in which he traveled to Europe and Israel without even making a symbolic stop in Mexico, will make a bad situation worse for the Republican campaign. It suggests that Romney has thrown in the towel on the Hispanic vote. That may turn out to be the biggest mistake of his campaign — and a godsend for Obama.

"Romney risks 'Hispanic debacle' in November".




Voter purge resumes

"Florida has reached an agreement -- in principle -- with the federal government so efforts can be restarted to clear noncitizens from the county lists of registered voters."

The Division of Elections announced Thursday that an agreement has been reached with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that will grant the state access to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program (SAVE) database.

State leaders have contended that the database will provide the state election supervisors with more reliable information so they can conduct further background checks on voters whose residency remains in question. ...

Detzner had announced on Tuesday that he expected the review to be restarted soon so supervisors could complete their tasks before the Nov. 6 election.

The state had come under fire earlier this year for asking supervisors to review about 2,600 voters for their residency, while holding back on another 180,000 other names.

The state release on Thursday noted that elections employees are now being trained to use the federal database.

"Florida, Feds Reach Agreement so Search can Resume for Noncitizen Voters". See also "Voter purge to continue after feds, state finalize agreement".




Luv 4 Sale

"Four major Tallahassee firms top $1 million in client fees -- and that's only a general range of influence costs." "In session or out, lobbying remains a big business".




They got theirs

"The Villages, an adult community in Central Florida with 41,000 voters, has become a key piece in the Republican campaign effort."

As the sun goes down at the Villages, a 55-and-up retirement community, a crowd slathered in sunscreen ambles about, tossing back vodka and gin-and-tonics (easy on the tonic).

“Most everyone worked 40 to 45 years to get here,” says Mike Mittal, a 69-year-old retired corporate pilot from Cincinnati who moved to town four years ago. “And they just want to have fun now.”

Their playground is a five-square-mile area about 90 miles northeast of Tampa Bay that once was rolling cow pasture and ripe watermelon fields. Disneyland for Adults or The Bubble is what residents call it now. ...

Drawing retirees from the Northeast and Midwest, this planned community is one of the most crucial — and dependable — voting blocs in the nation. The development’s 61,000 registered voters reside in a battleground region that Republicans need to dominate if they are to defeat President Barack Obama in Novem- ber.

Twice as many Republicans as Democrats live here. The independents tilt rightward, too. With a voter turnout averaging 80 percent, it has become a fixed stop on the campaign trail for Mitt Romney, who has visited twice in the past year.

One man is credited with molding this constituency.

The creator of the Villages, H. Gary Morse, inherited his father’s development business and turned it into one of the most lucrative residential projects in the United States, ushering him into the ranks of the world’s richest. Morse and his family have contributed $1.8 million to the cause of removing Obama from the White House.

His biggest contribution, however, will be the Villages’ vote on Election Day. Morse, now 75, controls just about every facet of life here. And that includes politics ...

Morse seems to be everywhere in the Villages — and nowhere.

"‘Disneyland for adults’ — The Villages is a coveted cache of GOP voters".




Greenwood goes geriatric

"Republican vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan will make a stop Saturday at The Villages, the sprawling retirement community northwest of Orlando. One week after being chosen as Mitt Romney's running mate, Ryan will headline the campaign event at Lake Sumter Landing, which will include an appearance by country music artist Lee Greenwood." "Paul Ryan to campaign at The Villages on Saturday". See also "Paul Ryan's mom to hit campaign trail with v.p. candidate son".




The real cost to Florida of extending Medicaid coverage "would be little to nothing"

The Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy: "Although the extension of the Medicaid safety net is now the law, some governors and others opposed to the Affordable Care Act have taken to describing it as optional. Because it has become clear that Medicaid expansion would increase the state's share of Medicaid costs by a negligible amount, opponents have been forced to try to shift the focus."

In defending his intent to reject the opportunity to extend coverage to more than a million uninsured, low-income Floridians for pennies on the dollar, Governor Rick Scott has insisted that the burden of the current Medicaid program is already too onerous. One particular claim used by the Governor is that "Medicaid [spending] has been growing three and a half times as fast as General Revenue."

[The Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy analyzes] the "statistic" behind this claim and explain[s] how it is misleading and so inapplicable to current conditions that updating the underlying data used to derive it would yield a conclusion opposite to the one advanced by the Governor and others.

The net cost to the state of extending Medicaid coverage to more than a million of the lowest-income, uninsured Floridians would be little to nothing, particularly after factoring in reductions in the cost of the delivery of "uncompensated care" in settings such as hospital emergency rooms.

"Medicaid Spending Trends Do NOT Justify Opposition to Its Expansion".

The Sarasota Herald Tribune editorial board: "Scott's opposition to expanding Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act was already unfortunate from a humanitarian standpoint. To abruptly reject health care coverage for more than a million Florida residents as Scott did -- without consulting the Legislature or considering funding options -- was shortsighted. But even from a cold, hard economic view, Scott's stance looks increasingly questionable and demands careful scrutiny by the Legislature." "Revisit Medicaid expansion".

"Careful scrutiny by the Legislature"? Good luck with that.




"The self-made man myth needs to be exploded"

The courageous Robyn Blumner: "Joan Didion wrote, 'We tell ourselves stories in order to live.' I'd modify that slightly for this presidential election year and say, we tell ourselves stories in order to vote. Which is why Mitt Romney maintains a huge lead in the polls among blue-collar white men."

"White men have been fed the myth of the rags-to-riches, self-made man, the quintessential American narrative that says hard work and perseverance will equate to success. The idea cemented in the male cerebral cortex is that people who start from nothing can work themselves from the Horatio Alger mailroom to the corner office."

Actually, here's the story of today's economy that blue-collar workers should take to the voting booth: Our striving Horatio Alger hero watches helplessly as his company is bought out by a private equity firm that then saddles it with debt, cuts wages and worker benefits, outsources jobs overseas and leaves the company foundering after having made a fortune for investors.

Americans are all about hard work. We've increased productivity by 80 percent since 1979, but with almost no corresponding income gains for average workers. It nearly all flowed to the top 1 percent. Shhh, don't tell the working stiffs.

Obama does better among white women and minority voters because they never bought into the self-made-man myth. ...

The self-made man myth needs to be exploded. It dangerously serves the interests of the top 1 percent. Hard work is an important component of success, but it's not the only one. Government plays a pivotal role, from making college affordable to protecting workers from exploitation.

Today there is less social mobility in America than in hidebound Europe. But America's rags-to-riches narrative smothers the American reality, resulting in powerless workers voting for politicians who will keep them that way. It's a story with a very bad ending.

"Stories white guys tell themselves".

Meanwhile, "Florida tourism still on record pace".




Debating where to debate

"Nelson, Mack debate where to debate".




"Force-placed" insurance

"Insurance Consumer Advocate Robin Westcott thinks 'force-placed' or 'lender-placed' insurance is impeding Florida’s economic recovery and wants a national insurance group to tackle the issue. She sent a letter Tuesday to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners asking for greater transparency in the little-known market." "Consumer advocate fears for insurance of troubled homes".




"Use of swastikas ... a growing trend"

"Robert Tanen with the Anti-Defamation League in Boca Raton said the use of swastikas to deface religious institutions has become a growing trend." "Synagogue's bus defaced with painted swastika, symbols".




Another soiled career

"Gov. Rick Scott announced Thursday that his legislative affairs director, Jon Costello, is resigning effective Sept. 7. Costello told The Florida Current that his departure was entirely voluntary. He said he hasn't talked to potential employers yet because he thought it was appropriate first to make public his intention to leave." "Jon Costello, legislative affairs director to Gov. Rick Scott, is leaving effective Sept. 7". See also "Rick Scott Losing 'Invaluable' Legislative Affairs Director, Jon Costello".




Bring on the Medicare debate

The Miami Herald editorial board: "GOP VP choice makes Medicare, spending focal points of the campaign". "Enter Mr. Ryan".




Putnam talks "unleashing"

On the heels of GOPer outrage over Biden using the word "chains", Adam Putnam steps into dangerous territory: "Adam Putnam: 'Mitt Romney Wants to Unleash America's Energy Potential'".




Entrepreneurs in action

"Seven doctors among 11 charged in latest pill mill crackdown".




But ... it's a private school

"The single mother of a 12-year-old autistic boy who police said was roughed up by a teacher at a private Davie school broke into tears Thursday evening as she described the episode's effect on her son." "Teacher hurt other students, lawyer says".




Ten Commandments kerfuffle

"Federal appellate judges this week ordered a lower court in Florida to plunge back into a dispute about whether a Ten Commandments statue outside the Dixie County courthouse is unconstitutional." "Legal fight over religious statue at Florida courthouse sent back to lower court".




Recount it is

"Nail-biter Florida Senate race between Bernard and Clemens gets recount".




"Old guard Republican leaders fall"

"Primary voters this week ousted two Republican Party veterans — Broward state committeeman Ed Kennedy and Palm Beach County state committeewoman Fran Hancock — from their leadership roles."

The only big winner was Sharon Day, the Broward state committeewoman, with 74.5 percent. A Day defeat would have been hugely embarrassing for Republicans, because she's the No. 2 official at the national Republican Party.

"Old guard Republican leaders fall".




Scott appointments

"Scott makes 9th Circuit nominating commission appointments".




Never mind

"Florida lawmakers Thursday changed their minds about a $30 million cut to the budget for Florida’s court clerks. The Joint Legislative Budget Commission approved a request by Gov. Rick Scott to restore $29.5 million to this year’s spending plan for clerks, which has been in effect seven weeks." "More funding filed for court clerks".

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "Clerks of court get budget boost".




Yee Haw!

"The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is proposing shooting ranges at the Triple N Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Osceola County. Audubon Florida says the proposal represents continuing pressure to use state lands for purposes other than conservation. Allied Sportsmen's Associations of Florida says 'we think there is no better place' than in an area where hunting is allowed." "Hunting supporters fire back at criticism of 350-acre shooting park on conservation land".




FPL settlement proposal draws criticism

"Florida Power and Light’s offer to settle its rate increase request by giving commercial users a break and raising fees for others got a thumbs down from the state’s consumer advocate." "FPL offers to settle rate case, state’s consumer advocate rejects it". See also "Consumers irate about FPL's deal with big power users" and "FPL rate settlement proposal continues to draw criticism".

Romney's Florida dilemma

"To get a more nuanced look at the economy’s role in the presidential election, The Miami Herald analyzed eight economic indicators for the 14 states where polls are the closest. The exercise was designed to roughly answer the question Ronald Reagan made famous in 1980 when unseating another Democratic president battling a battered economy. 'Are you better off than you were four years ago?'"

No swing state could honestly answer yes to that question — none have seen hiring return to where it was in 2008. But some clearly have done better than others, and the bulk of them are outpacing the country in some key metrics.

Ten have lower unemployment rates than the current national average, which hit 8.3 percent in July. The federal labor agency will release state-level unemployment reports for July on Friday. Only three swing states saw their unemployment rates increase more than the nation’s did during the last four years.

Eleven have lower foreclosure rates than the nation, and eight have seen stronger property values than the national average since 2008. And since the end of 2008, eight swing states have watched their economic growth outpace the nation’s. ...

“The question is, in states that are doing well, who do voters credit?’’ said Quinnipiac University pollster Peter Brown. ...

The question can be a dicey one for the Romney campaign as it balances criticizing the Obama economy without offending hometown Republican governors touting the rebounds underway in their states. At a Romney rally in St. Augustine, Fla., this week, Florida Gov. Rick Scott had encouraging words for the Sunshine State’s rebound, where unemployment is dropping faster than almost every state in the country.

“Even though we have a president that is making it much, much more difficult to do well, in Florida our economy is getting better,” Scott said, according to the Associated Press. “Just think what the state could do then if we had the right president.”

"Most swing state economies faring better than U.S.".




Florida DEP closes the case

"The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has closed the case on a suspended employee without investigating her claim she was being punished for her handling of a controversial wetlands case."

Connie Bersok, a DEP wetlands specialist, was suspended on May 11, two days after she wrote a memo critical of the permit application for the Highlands Ranch Mitigation Bank in Clay County. Wetland mitigation banks allow developers and governments to fill natural wetlands for construction and roads by paying to have wetlands restored elsewhere.

DEP said on May 30 that contrary to media reports, Bersok had not been on leave because of the memo -- rather she was placed on leave because of an investigation.

An investigation report later showed that, Mark Thomasson, director of DEP's Division of Water Resource Management, had cited Bersok for work attendance and conduct violations. The inspector general's investigation could not substantiate Thomasson's concerns and she was reinstated on June 5. ...

The Highlands Ranch Mitigation Bank is a proposed 1,575-acre project that includes the preservation and restoration of upland sandhill pine forests and various wetlands. DEP says a new approach is being applied to the project that holds the mitigation bank operator more accountable by releasing of credits only after environmental restoration is completed and verified to be successful.

On May 9, Bersok wrote a memo for the application file stating that she objected to the department issuing a permit for the project. Three days later she was suspended with pay and locked out of her computer and email account, and the file had been removed from her office.

"I believe that this action was directly related to Highlands Ranch Mitigation Bank," Bersok wrote to DEP Inspector General Candie Fuller in a May 13 email.

On May 31, Fuller determined that Bersok's case did not represent a "whistleblower" complaint under Florida law (FS 112.3187). The case, Fuller determined on a form's checkboxes, did not involve either a threat to public health or safety, or gross mismanagement or neglect of duty.

"DEP dihttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifdn't investigate suspended employee's claim of retribution".




"Ryan no help for Romney in Florida"

"The first Florida poll done after Mitt Romney announced his selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate shows him getting a slight bump in a number of swing states, but Florida isn’t one of them."

The poll, done by a partnership of Republican and Democratic pollsters in a dozen swing states, found the Romney-Ryan leading President Barack Obama and vice President Joe Biden in Florida by a single point, 48-47 percent.

That’s a slight improvement for Obama over the same poll’s mid-July result, Romney with 48 percent to Obama’s 45 percent. Considering the poll’s 4-point error margin, there’s little or no difference statistically between the two results.

"Purple Poll: Ryan no help for Romney in Florida".




Sorry, Mini-Mack: words mean things

"Did U.S. Senate candidate Connie Mack IV call Paul Ryan’s budget proposal 'a joke'? He says no, but it could depend on how you read the quote—and he continues to criticize the proposal as not tough enough."

At the time, Mack was being criticized by his former primary opponent George LeMieux for missing votes in the House while campaigning, including one on the budget proposal.

Asked about that, his answer included the following, according to a recording supplied by his campaign: “By the way, that budget vote this past week, you know that was kind of a joke, right? I mean, it’s not going to balance the budget for 24 years, the Senate’s not going to do anything with it.

"Did Mack call the Ryan budget “a joke”?".




Silent Scott

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "Scott silent as utility bills soar".




"Goodbye primary, hello general election"

"Florida's primary is over, but there are still 84 more days left of campaign season for all of the political junkies out there left unsatisfied by Tuesday's undercard races. The primary went a long way toward deciding the Senate leadership battle, but there are still plenty of questions left to be answered in the general election." "Campaign Roundup: Goodbye primary, hello general election".




Primary Roundup

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Primary colors".

Jeremy Wallace: "Primary results challenge political wisdom".

Bill Cotterell: "Primary results prove 'a wake-up call' for political pros". See also "Primary lesson: Voters don't always follow a script".

The big story: "U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, a longtime incumbent Republican from Ocala, has been handed a stunning defeat, undone by a veterinarian turned tea party candidate named Ted Yoho. The loss reverberated nationally, speaking not only to the lurking prowess of the tea party but also the threat facing incumbents."

For two years, U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns has used newfound clout in Washington as a spear against the Obama administration, heading probes into Solyndra and Planned Parenthood that have made him one of the most reviled figures among Democrats nationwide.

But Stearns' 24-year career came to a shocking end Tuesday by the hand of his own party, defeated in the Republican primary by a horse doctor from Gainesville named Ted Yoho.

As Stearns conceded Wednesday, the news reverberated nationally, speaking not only to the lurking prowess of the tea party but also the threat facing incumbents, especially those not pounding the streets with all the zeal of their first race.

"He thought he was invincible," said Ray Carlile, chairman of the O'Brien Tea Party in rural Suwannee County, which voted 2-to-1 for Yoho and helped him pad the 800 or so vote advantage that retired Stearns.

"Newcomer unseats Stearns".

"Yoho is expected to cruise to a very easy victory over Democrat J.R. Gaillot in the Nov. 6 general election." "Tea Party Newbie Ted Yoho Gives the Boot to 24-Year Veteran Cliff Stearns".

See generally: "Ex-Senate President Tom Lee Scores Primary Victory Over Rachel Burgin", "Primary Victories Push Joe Negron to Future Senate Presidency", "Senate leader posts a clean sweep", "Bitter, Expensive Northeast Campaign Ends in Victory for Aaron Bean", "Edwards wins Democratic nomination in District 98 race", "Kelli Stargel Takes Down Two GOP Challengers in Senate Primary", "Joe Martinez’s day went to the dogs", "John Legg Advances to Senate", "Ellyn Bogdanoff Advances to Battle of Incumbents", "Florida primaries treat legislative leaders well", "Jeff Brandes Scores Victory for Joe Negron in Senate Leadership Battle" and "Longtime congressman beaten by horse doctor in Republican primary".




Yee haw!

"New 350-acre 'shooting park' with gun ranges, clubhouse proposed for state wildlife area".




"Florida history on election night"

"David Richardson, a 55-year-old forensic accountant and political newcomer, says he’s comfortable having made Florida history on election night. 'I am the first openly gay legislator in the history of Florida. And forever will be,' said Richardson, who on Tuesday defeated three other candidates to represent state House District 113 in Miami Beach." "David Richardson becomes Florida’s first openly gay legislator".




Medicaid costs from Affordable Care Act "difficult to pinpoint"

"Scott and Republican legislative leaders have long argued that the federal health overhaul would drain too much money from Florida's budget. But as a group of state analysts met Tuesday, it became clear that Florida's additional Medicaid costs from the federal Affordable Care Act -- Obamacare -- are difficult to pinpoint." "State Tab for Obamacare Hard to Predict". See also "State economists punt on Affordable Care Act".




Mini-Mack to address RNC

"U.S. Senate candidate Connie Mack IV to address Republican National Convention".




SD 27 Dem primary recount

"If Rep. Jeff Clemens' margin of 0.14 percent -- 35 votes -- holds over Rep. Mack Bernard in the Senate District 27 Democratic primary, it will prompt a manual recount." "Campaigns lawyer up as SD 27 primary likely heads to recount".




Braman's martyrs

Poor Norm: "Three of the four martyrs that Norman Braman unleashed against incumbent county commissioners did no better than Joe or the dogs."

A fourth member of Braman’s reform slate, Luis Garcia, barely made it into a runoff with County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro, who missed an outright majority by 11 votes.

In January, Braman and his followers had opposed a county ballot initiative that would have instituted eight-year term limits and barred county commissioners from holding outside jobs. Reformers were peeved that term limits would not be applied retroactively. (Others were bothered that the no-outside-employment ban came with reasonable salaries, based on a state formula, as opposed to the $6,000-a-year pay set back in 1957.) In January, about 83,000 voters said that reform package wasn’t good enough.

" But after the dismal showing by Braman’s slate on Tuesday, 'not good enough' begins to look better than nothing.".




Was Sternad a Rivera campaign plant?

"A Democratic congressional candidate may have violated federal campaign-finance laws after spending at least $24,000 in cash on mailers without disclosing the source of the funds."

Justin Lamar Sternad, one of several candidates who lost Tuesday’s District 26 Democratic primary election to Joe Garcia, paid for the mailers in cash. The work was done by Rapid Mail & Computer Services, a well-known Hialeah mail firm, owner John Borrero told The Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald.

Borrero estimated that each of Sternad’s six mailers cost $4,000 to $5,000. He said Sternad paid him, beginning in August, on repeated occasions. The payments could have totaled as much as $30,000.

“He came in and paid for them in cash,” Borrero said, adding that other campaigns had paid with cash but that many pay with a check.

Garcia and Democratic candidates in the other campaigns have claimed Sternad was a plant from the campaign of Republican Rep. David Rivera, who faces Garcia in the general election. ...

When asked by The Herald how he could afford all of his mailers, Sternad responded via email: “Kiss my ‘lily-white’ ass.”

"Suspected Rivera-ringer might have broken campaign laws".

"The state's most dishonest campaign"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Even in a presidential election year, the state’s most dishonest campaign is the attempt to kick three justices off the Florida Supreme Court."

The new tactic is a lawsuit alleging that justices R. Fred Lewis, Barbara Pariente and Peggy Quince are not qualified to be on the November ballot because they supposedly had court staff illegally assist them in completing election paperwork. Last week, Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis threw out the lawsuit ...

Rep. Scott Plakon-R-Longwood, is one of several House Republicans who accuse the court of “judicial activism,” meaning that he doesn’t like some of its rulings. He wrote to Gov. Scott, asking for a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation. Gov. Scott should have said no. Gov. Scott, who would appoint any new justices, asked the FDLE to investigate. In July, the FDLE reported that there had been no violations, finding that it was “common practice” for court staff to notarize election paperwork. In a statement, the governor still didn’t acknowledge that nothing illegal had been done.

When their six-year term ends, justices stand for merit retention, a Yes-No vote on staying in office. The system is designed to to remove judges because they are unfit to serve, not because people don’t like their rulings.

The Southeastern Legal Foundation, which brought the frivolous lawsuit, bills itself as a champion of conservative causes, such as limited government. In fact, the action against the justices is anything but conservative, since it seeks to undermine the separation of powers.

A tea party group called Restore Justice also is campaigning for No votes on justices Lewis, Pariente and Quince, based on selective rulings that date to the presidential recount in 2000. Under a different name, the group campaigned in 2010 against justices Jorge Labarga and James Perry because they tossed a deceptive health care amendment off the ballot. They won, but their margins were the lowest since 1990 and 1992, when three justices were targeted because of their ruling in an abortion case. ...

This campaign is a threat to Florida. Anyone who disagrees isn’t being honest.

"Reject smear campaign against Florida Supreme Court justices".




Admin ruling on voting restrictions in two weeks

"Judge Thomas P. Crapps of the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings will issue a final ruling in two weeks, regarding implementation of a controversial new elections law, HB 1355, by the Legislature during the 2011 session and signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott. Crapps announced his intention after adjourning a hearing Friday, at about 2:15 p.m."

The disputed provisions of the law are:

- reduction of the days and times during which voters may vote early;

- stipulations that a voter who has moved from one county to another, and failed to alert his new elections supervisor of his move before Election Day, will only be permitted to submit a provisional ballot (which is counted toward the election only if the voter proves his eligibility within a couple of days after voting); and

- the imposition of allegedly onerous new burdens and restrictions on organizations dedicated to registering people to vote.

"Republicans and the Scott administration insist the law is necessary in order to cut costs incurred by lengthy early voting periods and to prevent voter fraud." "New Voting Laws: Court to Issue Final Order in Two Weeks".




Tuesday's primary a snoozer

"Outside of some local, legislative and congressional races, Tuesday's primary election is a bit of a snoozer."

Unlike two years ago, when there were competitive primaries to pick Republican nominees for governor and attorney general and Democratic primaries for attorney general and U.S. Senate, there's only one statewide race on the ballot and even that's not stirring up excitement.

The race to see which Republican will face Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson seems to be all but forgotten after four major candidates, including former Sen. George LeMieux, dropped out. That leaves Rep. Connie Mack IV as the heavy favorite against former Rep. Dave Weldon, who doesn't have statewide name recognition or the money to effectively reach voters.

"There's hardly anything that's really driving folks to the polls at all," said Dan Smith, a University of Florida political science professor. "Having LeMieux dropout undercut some of the excitement among the Republicans. Dave Weldon's campaign was late to get in, slow to ignite and it does seem like a coronation of Connie Mack."

"Fla. primary lacks excitement of statewide battles". See also "Will early primary mean lower voter turnout?".




The Ryan risk

William March: "Choosing Paul Ryan as his running mate, Mitt Romney made a bold statement on his campaign's central economic issues but also one that could be risky — particularly in the crucial swing state of Florida."

"Both Ryan and Romney want to end Medicare as we know it and implement budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthiest few — no matter the expense for the middle class or the consequences for our economy, said Florida Democratic Party executive director Scott Arceneaux.

Edward F. Coyle of the Alliance for Retired Americans, a liberal-oriented group, said the Ryan choice creates "the most anti-senior ticket ever."

Obama campaign manager Jim Messina said Romney "doubled down on his commitment to take our country back to the failed policies of the past."

"Romney's VP choice could be risky in swing state Florida". See also "'Game On' -- Florida Voices: Paul Ryan" and "Of Mitt Romney's gaffe and Paul Ryan's Tampa Bay plans".




Supervoters deliver

Anthony Man: "For candidates, supervoters deliver super results".




While the Old White Men hide in the Fly Loft

Pam

Bondi fits in with a list of speakers that showcases Republican race and gender diversity. So would Rubio, a potential candidate for keynote speaker now that Ryan has landed the VP slot. In 2008, Sarah Palin filled both roles.

The overall speakers list, in fact — unlike the top of the ticket — is heavy with Hispanics and women.

They include former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; Texas Senate nominee Ted Cruz, a Hispanic whose presence is also a nod to the tea party movement; Puerto Rican Gov. Luis Fortuño; Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin; South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez.

Bondi may not get the kind of spotlight she'd have enjoyed if the legal challenge she led to the Obama administration's Affordable Care Act had succeeded. She said last week she's been told not to discuss the time of her appearance.

Also missing from the list is the name expected to be listed second to Romney on the Florida ballot Nov. 6 — Senate candidate Connie Mack IV.

"Like everything at RNC, who speaks is a matter of politics".




"Scott’s been on the losing side in nearly every case"

"Thus far, Scott’s been on the losing side in nearly every case and the legal costs are growing. Florida taxpayers have spent at least $900,000 on private lawyers, filing fees, expert witnesses and other costs associated with the lawsuits. Nearly all of the cases, including at least five election-related cases, are still working their way through the courts."

While the GOP-dominated legislature blames judges for striking down what they say is good policy, most of the federal judges who’ve ruled that the new laws are unconstitutional were nominated by Republican presidents George H.W. Bush or his son, George W. Bush.

Scott or his agencies have lost challenges to laws banning doctors from asking patients if they own guns, requiring state workers to contribute 3 percent toward their pensions and forcing applicants for welfare benefits to undergo drug screening. And a judge also struck down as unconstitutional a part of last year’s budget that would have privatized a quarter of the state’s prison system.

Cases yet to be ruled on include changes in teacher pay, privatization of health services in the state’s prisons and a lawsuit filed by the Palm Beach County Commission, challenging a state law allowing people with concealed weapons permits to bring their guns into public buildings.

"Legal tab piles up as Scott Adminstration defends changes to laws and policies".




Obama gushes about Crist?

"Most Democratic leaders in the state seem to think the question is not if, but when the Republican-turned-independent becomes a Democrat, with an eye on the 2014 governor's race. By that line of thinking, it seems inevitable he also will endorse President Barack Obama."

The question is: When does it make sense? Just thinking out loud here, but what better time than Aug. 27-30, when thousands of journalists from across the country converge in Tampa Bay hungry for any tidbit of surprising news? Crist is mum on his plans for now, but Obama and senior adviser David Axelrod both have gushed about Crist to Buzz. Surely they'd love to see him take the stage at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, arguing that his lifelong party has become too extreme.

Whether Crist could win anything but a crowded Democratic gubernatorial primary remains an open question, however, given his long record as a self-described conservative Republican. A July 26-29 automated poll by the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling suggests Crist wouldn't even be especially strong against unpopular Gov. Rick Scott.

Thanks to Scott's rising approval ratings among independent and Republican voters, Crist only narrowly leads Scott 44 percent to 41 percent. Forty-one percent of Florida voters had a favorable opinion of Crist and 41 percent had an unfavorable opinion — not exactly a groundswell of support.

"Speculation among state leaders that Charlie Crist could turn Democrat, eye 2014 governor's race".




Heartburn

"Endorsement question gives South Florida candidates heartburn".




Batista would be proud

"A Florida House candidate may have broken campaign-finance laws by spending more money than he raised, back-dating checks and potentially using money from another campaign managed by the same political consultant, bank records from a lawsuit show."

The suit against Maykel “Miguel” Balboa was filed by his Republican primary opponent, Rep. Eddy Gonzalez of Hialeah, who failed Friday to persuade a judge to toss the political rookie Balboa from the ballot or shut down a political committee managed by consultant Sasha Tirador — who is also Balboa’s boss.

“He’s just pissed off because Balboa, with very little money, is literally beating Eddy Gonzalez,” Tirador said of Gonzalez’s lawyer, J.C. Planas.

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jerald Bagley said he didn’t feel comfortable regulating political speech or disqualifying candidates so close to Tuesday’s election. He pointed out that Gonzalez had other remedies — namely an elections complaint — to stop Balboa’s allegedly unlawful conduct.

Gonzalez plans to file such a complaint on Monday and send the records to the Miami-Dade state attorney’s office, Planas said.

“What we have found is a serious violation of the campaign finance laws,” he said in an email.

Planas, a former state representative, attached to the email subpoenaed bank records of Balboa’s campaign account — a move Balboa and Tirador’s lawyer, Joe Geller, called a blatant political maneuver days before Tuesday’s election.

"Bank records raise questions in Hialeah legislative race".




Joe Carillo: Boletera detective

"Joe Carillo: the private eye who blew open the Hialeah ballot case".




So much for Bondi's tough-on-drugs message

Scott Maxwell: "Bondi and Co. aren't sending the tough-on-drugs message they've crowed so much about. Right now, they're sending a message to other doctors in the state that, even when Florida portrays you as one of the state's most extreme pill-mill offenders, you might get off easier than a pot peddler." "Secret deal for doctor weakens pill-mill fight".




Scott has cost homeowners hundreds of millions of dollars

"The state-run insurer is using a massive home inspection program — along with dozens of coverage cutbacks and policy changes — in an aggressive campaign to bolster its bottom line and reduce its level of risk. The campaign — which has intensified at the urging of Gov. Rick Scott — has already cost homeowners hundreds of millions of dollars. And the pocketbook impact could easily reach the billions as more and more homeowners are affected." "Citizens Insurance: A storm over reinspections, rate hikes".