Hillsborough County actually has a law that strippers must keep a six-foot distance from patrons, but wanton groping is bound to occur as delegates celebrate the wild and crazy nomination of Mitt Romney. Hopes that Missouri Congressman Todd Akin would be caught with a naked dancer writhing on his lap have been put on hold. As of this writing, Akin says he won’t come to the convention, a monumental relief to Romney but a disappointment to those who are curious to hear Akin clarify his odd theories of female biology.

Florida RNC delegates

"Florida RNC delegates named—finally".

Biden to Orlando

"Biden skipping stop in Tampa, still coming to Orlando Tuesday".

Afraid of their own shadows

"Climbing, flying drones on the prowl for police at Republican convention". Meanwhile, "This Week in Tampa".

Just another knuckle-dragger from central Florida

"Nearly two decades ago, former Republican state lawmaker Bob Brooks made headlines for his attacks on abortion and condemning Walt Disney World for offering its gay employees benefits."

But in his current state House campaign, his Democratic opponent Linda Stewart says Brooks is avoiding that record because it would show he is too conservative for a competitive district that is trending Democratic. ... Brooks distanced himself from the recent remarks of Missouri U.S. Rep. Todd Akin and the GOP's platform to outlaw abortion. Akin said "legitimate rape" victims were unlikely to become pregnant; he has since apologized. Brooks said Akin's remarks were "clearly incorrect." In the ensuing uproar over Akin's comments, added attention fell on the official Republican Party platform, which would outlaw abortion, even in cases of rape and incest. Brooks said he opposes abortion in most instances but said he is "not in sync" with the party's platform in cases of rape and incest. "The decision on what to do should be up to the woman," he said.

"Rubio is wrong"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Sen. Rubio is wrong if he thinks that Rep. Paul Ryan’s plan is the way to save Medicare, wrong when he accuses President Obama of doing nothing to reduce Medicare costs and wrong when he says those near or in retirement shouldn’t play any part in saving it." "Editorial: Rubio right on Medicare diagnosis, wrong on treatment".

"How to avoid being arrested"

Joe Henderson has now "been briefed on how to avoid being arrested while covering a news event." "At the RNC, be prepared for anything".

Campaign Roundup

"Campaign Roundup: Early voting and eyes on Isaac".

Redistricting will produce only marginal short-term changes

Aaron Deslatte: "After millions of dollars spent and years of litigation over Fair Districts, Floridians will go to the polls in two months and get a heaping dose of political pragmatism."

Florida's most recent round of redistricting is still being litigated. But it's clear the new districts will produce only marginal short-term changes in the composition of the Legislature and congressional delegation.

Although all 120 seats in the Florida House are up this year, Democrats — who hold only 39 seats — stand to gain only about four more — even though Democrats outnumber Republicans in 59 of the 120 new districts. The spread would be even greater if Democrats weren't so heavily concentrated in a minority of these districts. The average Democratic voter-registration advantage in those 59 seats is 23.9 percentage points. The average GOP advantage in the 61 districts where they outnumber Democrats: 10.2 percentage points. Senate seats tell a similar story. Democrats hold 12 of the 40 Senate seats but have a registration advantage in 19 of them, outnumbering Republicans by an average of 22 percentage points. Republicans outnumber Democrats in the other 21 by 8.4 percentage points. Still, Democrats expect to pick up two or three seats, at most. Social scientists have offered a range of explanations for the imbalance: Democratic registration does not equal Democratic performance, especially in the South; the GOP's cash advantage scares away many would-be Democratic candidates; and Democratic voters tend to be younger and more diverse, living clustered into denser urban areas — and less likely to vote — while Republican voters generally are more dispersed through the suburbs.

Sue Carlton: "It is disconcerting how my downtown has been transformed by tall, black, heavy metal fences, things out of a prison movie, there to protect Important Buildings that have windows whited-out to reinforce them should someone aim a brick." "Hiding Lady Justice, fencing a city".

Weekly Roundup

"Weekly Roundup: Republicans and Isaac Head Toward Florida". See also "Week in Review for Aug. 20 to Aug. 23".

Privatization Follies

"An investigation into a program for delinquent girls at Florida detention centers was badly flawed, the governor’s office says." "DJJ probe of Miami group bungled, state says".

Gov. Rick Scott’s administration filed papers with U.S. District Court in Washington, saying that 96 hours of early voting, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for eight days, including a Sunday, would comply with the Voting Rights Act.

Hillsborough, Collier, Hardee and Hendry counties agreed in writing to hold eight 12-hour days of early voting in an effort to win statewide approval of the new schedule from a panel of three federal judges.

Those four counties and Monroe, in the Florida Keys, cannot implement changes to voting without federal approval so that minority voters are protected from discrimination.

The state acted despite Monroe County’s refusal to join the other four counties in the state’s request. Monroe wants 12 days of early voting for eight hours each day, saying that is better for Keys voters.

Three federal judges last week denied the state’s petition for preclearance, saying the new law allowed a minimum of 48 hours of early voting that would discourage African Americans from voting.

“Having invited Florida to bring such a plan to the court for review, the court should permit this amendment,” the state said in court papers.

The state’s request applies only to the five preclearance counties. Elsewhere, county supervisors of election still have the discretion to schedule early voting, from a minimum of 48 hours, or six hours a day for eight days, to a maximum of 96 (12 hours a day for eight days).

The best they could do?

"For Florida political leaders, the Republican convention in Tampa is a rare chance to shine in front of a crowd of the most influential, wealthiest and most active party members in the nation, people who can make or break a political career. ... At least five have landed the most coveted favor, a convention speaking slot. They are: Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, former Gov. Jeb Bush, U.S. Senate candidate and Fort Myers U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and Gov. Rick Scott." "Florida's 'Fab 5' land coveted RNC speaking slots". See also "Connie Mack, Marco Rubio Get Closing-Night Stage Time at GOP Convention" and "Rick Scott, Will Weatherford, David Rivera Among Florida's GOP Convention Delegates".

"Facing FBI scrutiny"

"A failed Democratic congressional candidate whose campaign is under federal grand jury investigation abruptly amended his financial disclosures to show he loaned himself nearly $53,000 more than he originally reported." "Facing FBI scrutiny, former Democratic candidate files amended campaign finance report".

Tampa, "where tea party politics will lead cities"

"'The GOP convention's host city is a disaster, and a perfect reflection of where tea party politics will lead cities.'" "Scalding Tampa".

Republican leaders quietly ask judge to shield lawmakers

"Republican leaders have quietly asked a Leon County judge to shield lawmakers and their aides from having to testify during a trial to determine whether the state’s congressional redistricting plan runs afoul of new standards for drawing the state’s political maps." "Florida lawmakers seek to block redistricting testimony".

Stearns has $2 million, and no campaign to spend it on

"Twelve-term U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns lost his Republican primary to a little known tea party opponent last week with as much as $2 million still sitting in his campaign account. Now he has no campaign to spend it on." "Cash, but no campaign".

West, Murphy to debate

"U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Palm Beach Gardens, and Democratic challenger Patrick Murphy have set aside Oct. 19 for a one-hour debate on WPTV Channel 5 if their campaigns can agree on the format for the showdown." "Tentative agreement for congressional debate between Murphy, West".

"Law tying teacher salaries to test scores still intact"

"Palm Beach County School District and teachers union officials Thursday applauded a judge’s decision striking down the state’s rules putting a merit pay system in place, but their enthusiasm was tempered by the fact the law tying their salaries to evaluations and test scores was still intact."

Late Wednesday, Administrative Law Judge John Van Laningham declared the rule the state Department of Education created to put merit pay in place to be invalid. State officials “failed to materially follow the applicable rule making process,” Van Laningham wrote.

But his ruling does not strike down the merit pay system, which was created in a bill passed by the legislature last year. It only strikes down the rule governing the way the law would be carried out. State officials did not follow proper procedures in creating it, Van Laningham said.

Protests at Republican convention

"Tampa strives for balance on protests at Republican convention".

GOP leaders have been in constant contact with hurricane expert, Pat Robertson

Frank Cerabino: "Party leaders have been in constant contact with the nation’s foremost faith-based hurricane expert, the Rev. Pat Robertson, who has assured us that God has merely directed the path of the storm toward Key West, as a way to endorse the party’s efforts to thwart the homosexual agenda. Once God issues his judgment on the Sunday afternoon tea dances in Key West, the storm is predicted to continue on a northerly path that may bring it perilously close to the convention site, which is in a low-lying coastal area." "A few contingency plans for the GOP convention prepping for Hurricane Isaac".

Blame lays squarely on the shoulders of the Republican-led Legislature

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "The Pinellas County Commission, for one, knew many taxpayers wouldn't be happy when they opened their TRIM — truth in millage — notices this week and saw close to a 5 percent increase in the tax rate it charges for general government services."

So the Republican-dominated board took the unusual step of including a note to taxpayers passing the buck, and rightly so. The blame for this increase in millage lays squarely on the shoulders of the Republican-led Legislature, which instead of spending the time and resources to correct a faulty Medicaid billing system, just decided to require immediate and extraordinary payments from counties so the state would not have to make more cuts or raise taxes.

Babies on parade

"The Florida Democratic Party displayed its new line of state House candidates for Tallahassee lobbyists this week in a sedate little reception in the Governors Club, the private redoubt of corporate deal-making a block from the state Capitol." "Democratic House candidates make their Tallahassee debut".

But 49 percent of the 1,241 likely voters polled during the past week still say they disapprove of Scott's performance as governor. The numbers in the latest poll are improving for Scott, who has consistently languished below the 40 percent marker in many previous surveys.

Investigators suspect Rivera was behind unknown political newcomer

"The FBI and Miami-Dade police have opened separate criminal investigations into the campaign of a Democratic congressional candidate who, vendors say, was aided by GOP Rep. David Rivera."

Federal agents gathered campaign records, invoices and began interviewing employees at two mail and data companies used by Democrat Justin Lamar Sternad’s primary campaign. Sternad spent about $43,000 in unreported cash and checks on mail services, a witness told The Herald and authorities. Some of the money was stuffed in envelopes bulging with $100 bills. Federal law required Sternad to quickly report any contributions — including loans —just before the Aug. 14 primary, which he lost to Democrat Joe Garcia, a longtime Rivera rival who Sternad bashed in one of his 11 mailers. Rivera, investigators suspect, was behind the sophisticated mail campaign run by Sternad, who was an unknown political newcomer and hotel night auditor.

Michelle Obama fires up FlaDems

"Michelle Obama fires up Dems in South Florida". See also "First lady Michelle Obama exhorts the party faithful in Fort Lauderdale".

Florida's latest ACT scores "among the lowest in the country"

Jebbie Bush's education legacy: Florida's "average composite ACT score for the four exams — 19.8 out of a possible 36 points — was still among the lowest in the country. Only three states — Arizona, Mississippi and Tennessee — and Washington, D.C.— posted a lower composite score than Florida." "Florida's ACT scores inch upward but still lag nation".

Obama with small lead in Florida, other swing states

"August 23, 2012 - Ryan Micro-Bump In Florida, Wisconsin, But Not Ohio, Quinnipiac University/CBS News/New York Times Swing State Poll Finds". See also "Poll shows Obama with small lead in swing states".

Florida dead last in providing unemployment compensation

Courtesy of the "values" crowd: "Only one in three applicants for unemployment compensation in Florida receives any money, ranking the state dead last among the 50 states." "Getting an unemployment check in Florida is frustrating ordeal for many".

"The Villages, the Stepford Estates of the tea party"

Daniel Ruth: "To win the White House, Mitt Romney needs to carry Florida with its millions of seniors dependent on Medicare. What a brilliant idea, then, to select as a running mate a chap who advocates blowing up the current Medicare system and creating a future voucher program that would in all likelihood also increase out-of-pocket expenses for all the old coots. Say, there's a voter-friendly winning formula."

He might as well have picked Che Guevara III as his a running mate. Why Ryan, the Atticus Grinch of Congress? Was Simon Legree unavailable? So it was rather telling the Romney camp sent Ryan into the Villages, the Stepford Estates of the tea party, to defend the Medicare equivalent of "Hey you, geezer! Get off my lawn!" Only in the Villages, where folks probably regard the Koch Brothers as more liberal than Sacco and Vanzetti, could Ryan expect a rousing, cold-blooded reception from the inhabitants for wanting to transform Medicare. The Villages might be the only retirement enclave in Florida where a politician can advocate stiffing senior citizens on their medical care and be welcomed with the same enthusiasm as North Korea's Kim Jong Un showing up in a famine-stricken village to tout the South Beach diet. This was venturing into the belly of the ballot-rich bacchus feast to gorge oneself on filet of elephant. If the Romney campaign had wanted to demonstrate bold, visionary leadership and sell critics on the intellectual superiority of its ideas, Ryan would have been dispatched to Century Village in Broward County or perhaps Top of the World in Pinellas County, where the veep-in-waiting might have experienced somewhat fewer hosannas than the Children of the Corn-esque tea party accolades the Villages offered up.

Atwater to lead "Catholics for Romney"

"Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater will take a lead role for a group being announced this week called 'Catholics for Romney.' The group is being formed to address concerns that may arise on religious topics through the general election, Atwater said on Wednesday. In the campaign role, Atwater will be expected to discuss Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s policy initiatives that address religious freedom." "Jeff Atwater to Campaign on Catholic Faith for Devout Mormon Mitt Romney".

"Pseudo-reality imagined by Tallahassee"

Fred Grimm: "The Florida Unemployment Compensation Program was reconfigured last year into a bureaucratic morass that has the effect, if not the secret intent, of clogging up jobless benefits. The Miami Herald’s Toluse Olorunnipa reported that the new system begrudges benefits to only 16 percent of Florida’s unemployed workers. We’re dead last among the 50 states."

Mind you, the program formerly known as unemployment compensation is not some kind of welfare giveaway with a roster full of shameless recipients mooching off society. It’s an insurance program that guarantees temporary assistance for employees who’ve lost jobs “though no fault of their own.” In Florida, the average weekly check is about $230. But the rechristened “Reemployment Assistance Program” has been larded up with requirements that take applicants through a bewildering online maze that includes a 45-question “skills assessment test.” Recipients who finally manage approval must then demonstrate that they’ve applied for five jobs each week.

Olorunnipa reported that eligible applicants can find themselves simply consigned to oblivion — never officially denied their benefits, but simply ignored by the faceless bureaucrats out there beyond the Internet. Meanwhile, the maximum time a jobless worker can receive benefits has been shortened to 23 weeks from 26. But in the pseudo-reality imagined by Tallahassee, this bleak stuff has been declared great news. The unemployment rate in Florida, which is based on criteria other than unemployment claims, ticked up to 8.8 percent in July. Florida’s job growth lags behind the national rate. But Gov. Rick Scott prefers to embrace, instead, this mighty drop in the number of workers receiving unemployment benefits. That has become his leading economic indicator, his proof that Florida, under his leadership, has stanched its unemployment crisis. In a speech last month, he bragged, “The number of people on unemployment has gone from 568,000 to 320,000 people.” Of course, as Olorunnipa reported, 250,000 of those people had been tossed off the rolls because they had exhausted their benefits. And thousands of new applicants, who would have been eligible under the old program, had been denied compensation. Scott rather resembles a doctor who, after a disease has killed most of his patients, declares that he brought an end to the epidemic. But Florida, you see, is in the midst of what we’ve decided to call an economic resurgence. We’ve declared an official end to rampant joblessness. Because, comrade, reality is what we say it is.

From the comfort of their "well-padded" office chairs

The Miami Herald editorial board shares this wisdom with us from the comfort of their "well-padded" office chairs:

Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Abby Cynamon dealt the city its latest setback on Monday. She ruled that City Manager Johnny Martinez did not have the authority to invoke a state of “fiscal urgency,” which would force the unions back to the negotiating table to help balance the budget. Otherwise, the city can impose layoffs and dial back pension benefits as it did two years ago. (Last year, the city and unions worked somewhat cooperatively to help close a $61 million gap). Tuesday, the city appealed the ruling to the Third District Court of Appeal. Judge Cynamon’s finding handed a victory to Miami’s police union, which sued — and is loathe to make any more concessions out of its well-padded contract agreements.

Mini-Marco shrinks into irrelevancy

"Sen. Marco Rubio to West Palm Beach crowd: Leaving Medicare as is will bankrupt it".

State officials scrambling over early-voting proposal

"Attorneys for the state have asked a federal court to approve a change in early-voting hours in Collier, Hardee, Hendry and Hillsborough counties -- but appeared to stop short of asking for that same approval in Monroe County, where a controversy has flared about the issue. The state filed documents in federal court in the District of Columbia on Wednesday seeking approval to use eight, 12-hour days of early voting in the four counties during the November elections." "State Asks for Approval of Early Voting Changes". See also "Florida asks court to approve early voting plans".

Meanwhile, "Democrats accused Republican Gov. Rick Scott of bullying the supervisor of elections in Monroe County on Wednesday, the latest salvo in the high-stakes battle over early voting in the November elections in Florida. ... State officials are scrambling to come up with an early-voting proposal that would be acceptable to a federal court after a three-judge panel last week refused to let new restrictions take effect in five counties covered by federal voting laws — Collier, Hardee, Hendry, Hillsborough and Monroe." "Gov. Scott says no to more days for early voting in Florida". See also "Showdown Looming Between Rick Scott and Monroe Elections Supervisor?". Related: "Joyner, Gelber tell Scott to end early-voting confusion".

What's next? The National Guard?

"100 Broward deputies to help at RNC in Tampa".

Florida's teacher merit-pay system struck down as "wholly invalid"

"A judge Wednesday struck down as 'wholly invalid' the state's rules governing Florida's new teacher merit-pay system." "Judge strikes down state merit pay rules as 'invalid'". See also "Judge rejects Florida teacher evaluation rule".

Florida turns down grant money for At-Risk Families

Ashley Lopez: "Even after Florida lost its legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act, state officials continue to turn down grant money connected to the law." "State Officials Still Turning Down Federal Money for At-Risk Families".

Florida wants its military cash

"But nobody really believes Congress won't 'kick the can down the road.' A consultant tells a state panel examining the issue that Congress likely won't enforce the mandatory budget cuts that could threaten military-reliant businesses and jobs in the state." "Federal budget 'sequestration' threatens Florida military bases".

Scott: If only Obama were not President

"Forget any talk of Florida Gov. Rick Scott torpedoing his message of progress being made in Florida’s economy for the sake of any ongoing national campaign seeking to paint a bleaker picture. Instead, Scott said Tuesday that Florida’s resurgence should be seen as a national model, one that a more receptive White House occupant could emulate in the not-too-distant future." "Rick Scott: To Create Jobs, Florida Needs a 'Federal Partner' in the White House".

Florida would face tuffer RNC penalties

"Under new Republican party rules, Florida Republicans would see their delegates cut 90 percent if they hold their presidential primaries before Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada." "Florida to face stiffer RNC penalties if it moves up primary date again". Meanwhile, "Rick Scott: ‘Absolutely, All Our Delegates Should be Seated’".

Scott said he will “take all necessary and appropriate action to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed,” a statement some elections officials said sounded like he’s considering removing the supervisor, Harry Sawyer Jr. from office.

“He’s trying to intimidate me, no doubt about it,” Sawyer said.

Sawyer, the longtime Monroe County supervisor of elections and a Republican, insists on offering early voting for 12 days and that more people will vote if early voting takes place over a longer period.

Sawyer says the eight-day provision does not apply to Monroe, one of five counties in which any election law changes require preclearance by the U.S. government or federal courts because of past discrimination.

The others are Hillsborough, Collier, Hardee and Hendry, where election officials agreed to Scott’s request Monday to provide eight days of early voting for 12 hours each from Oct. 27 through Nov. 3.

All four submitted identical emails to the state, pledging that if the early voting changes receive preclearance, they would “offer early voting for 12 hours per day on each day of the early voting period, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.”

Harry L. Sawyer Jr. — fifth-generation Conch, former Monroe County Sheriff’s detective and for the last 24 years the Key West-based supervisor of elections — has told fellow Republicans Gov. Rick Scott and his secretary of state that he’s not playing the disenfranchisement game.

He’s not going along with Scott’s scheme to keep Florida Democrats from voting in the upcoming presidential election by curtailing early voting hours.

He’ll offer 12 days of early voting that includes two Saturdays and will run for eight hours each day at five sites from Marathon to Key West.

Scott wants only eight days, despite a federal court ruling saying such a move could hamper African-American turnout.

“There’s an element here of discrimination that has been alleged by the people . . . and I agree with that,” Sawyer told me in a refreshingly candid conversation. “It’s [affecting] mostly working people, Hispanics and African Americans. They just can’t take off from their job any time they want to and stand in a long line and vote. They have family to take care of as well. A lot of factors why they need early voting.”

In a conference call Tuesday, Secretary of State Ken Detzner tried to strong-arm five supervisors of elections into agreeing with Scott’s plan.

Sawyer wouldn’t go for it — and Monroe County ended up the lone holdout.

"Scott and his right-wing extremists"

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "Gov. Rick Scott and his right-wing extremists in the Legislature are putting their hatred of President Barack Obama and health care reform ahead of Florida’s poor children." "State picks ideology over health".

Medicaid plan would transform Florida health care

"Medicaid plan would transform health care in Florida".

"Rivera helped run a shadow campaign that might have broken federal laws"

"Fueled with $43,000 in secret money, Republican Rep. David Rivera helped run a shadow campaign that might have broken federal laws in last week’s Democratic primary against his political nemesis Joe Garcia, according to campaign sources and finance records."

As part of the effort, a political unknown named Justin Lamar Sternad campaigned against Garcia by running a sophisticated mail campaign that Rivera helped orchestrate and fund, campaign vendors said.

Among the revelations: The mailers were often paid in envelopes stuffed with crisp hundred-dollar bills.

Rivera and Sternad have denied working together in his campaign, which ended Aug. 14. But Hugh Cochran, president of Campaign Data, told The Herald this week that Rivera contacted him in July and requested he create a list of voters who were ultimately targeted in the 11 mailers sent by Sternad’s campaign.

“David hired me to run the data,” said Cochran, who is a retired FBI agent.

Cochran said he spoke numerous times with Rivera, produced the lists of targeted voters and emailed it to Rapid Mail and Computer Services in Hialeah, which mailed the fliers. Cochran cc’d the owner and Rivera in a July 29 email, which he provided to The Herald.

When contacted by the Herald for comment, the Rivera campaign responded via email Tuesday night: “Congressman Rivera has never met or spoken to Mr. Sternad and knows absolutely nothing about him or his campaign.”

But Rivera’s campaign acknowledged he might have received an email from Campaign Data intended for Sternad’s use.

“Anything Campaign Data mistakenly sent to Congressman Rivera was done so in error, which has occurred previously, and without Congressman Rivera’s knowledge or consent,” Rivera’s campaign said.

Sternard and his attorney declined comment.

Rubio censors press

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who often speaks passionately about government oppression in his parents’ native Cuba, will practice a form of censorship today when he speaks to the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches." "Editorial: Why is Marco Rubio shutting out the press from West Palm Beach speech?".

"Desperate to improve his bottom-of-the-barrel approval ratings"

Scott Maxwell writes that "the newest, high-profile opponent of FCAT is the man who, just a few months ago, was the highest-profile supporter of it … your governor. What you're seeing is raw politics — a man desperate to improve his bottom-of-the-barrel approval ratings by telling fed-up parents that he is their empathetic savior." "Meet the new Rick Scott -- FCAT foe".

"Teachers unimpressed"

"Scott is promising a better measurement of student progress but is unclear about what he means." "Governor talks up new school testing system in video; teachers unimpressed".

Sockpuppetry

"A political writer for Examiner.com who for months has written stories attacking opponents of Hallandale Beach mayoral hopeful Jay Schorr did not tell her readers that she is Schorr’s wife." "Blogger covering Hallandale Beach election is candidate’s wife".

At issue is whether all 67 counties will operate under one early voting schedule, or five counties — including Monroe — will offer more days than all the others. Days after a federal court ruled that eight days of early voting could depress African-American turnout, Scott’s chief elections advisor tried to get five counties to agree to eight days of early voting anyway — for 12 hours a day. Court approval is critical. Because of past evidence of discrimination, election law changes need clearance from the federal government or federal courts before they taking effect in Monroe, Hillsborough, Collier, Hardee and Hendry counties. Because the judges rejected the shorter early voting schedule in those counties last week, the counties must provide up to 14 days of early voting under the old law. During a conference call with Secretary of State Ken Detzner, four of the five said yes to eight, 12-hour early voting days for the general election, in hopes that would satisfy the federal judges.

"A city run by Democrats" "When GOP delegates make their way downtown each day next week, they'll get a reminder that they're holding their quadrennial convention in a city run by Democrats. A billboard scheduled to go up today on Interstate 275 at Armenia Boulevard welcomes Republicans to a city 'Where the mayor and all city council members are Democrats.'" "Billboard reminds GOP Tampa leaders are Democrats".

Instead of conceding, he claimed election fraud "In what is likely to be the closest outcome of any legislative race this season, Miami Gardens Rep. Barbara Watson edged out North Miami Beach Rep. John Patrick Julien in the contest for House District 107 by a narrow 13 votes, according to a manual recount by Miami Dade County officials."

That was Saturday. On Monday, Julien did not concede the election. Instead, he claimed election fraud. Julien went to the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s office Monday with what he called evidence of a third boletero submitting hundreds of absentee ballots on election day, according to Miami Herald news partner CBS-4. Absentee voting has come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks, as police and prosecutors pursue a vote-fraud probe that has led to the arrest of two Hialeah boleteros, or ballot-brokers, accused of collecting absentee ballots from voters and in some cases fraudulently manipulating the votes. Absentee ballots accounted for more than one-third of all the ballots cast in Miami-Dade County. Julien told CBS4 said the woman, whose business card boasts she is the “Queen of Absentee Ballots,” approached him wanting “thousands of dollars” to deliver the absentee vote. He told her he wasn’t interested. Watson and Julien, both freshmen Democrats, were drawn into the same district during the painful redistricting process last session that pitted a handful of incumbents into the same districts because of new redistricting rules. Watson’s victory came despite Julien’s nearly three-to-one fundraising advantage. Watson, a former vice mayor of Miami Gardens and a member of the city council, raised and spent about $30,000 while Julien, a former member of the North Miami Beach city council raised nearly $107,000 and spent $82,000 by the last report.

A victory for the Fraternal Order of Police "A judge said Miami City Manager Johnny Martinez wasn’t empowered to declare financial urgency. The decision may now rest with the City Commission."

Her opinion delivered a victory to the Fraternal Order of Police, which sued the city three weeks ago for having improperly invoked the obscure state statute.

"Bad news for Florida's wetlands?" "Florida environmental officials have approved a controversial 'land bank' business that would generate profits by replacing wetlands paved over by developers, even though one of their own experts warned earlier this year that the project's environmental value was inflated and could lead to a net loss of wetlands statewide. On Friday, the Florida Department of Environmental Project signed off on a request by backers of the Highlands Ranch Mitigation Bank in Clay County to increase the property's potential value to nearly double what other state officials and a state judge previously had determined it to be worth." "Is decision bad news for Florida's wetlands?".

"Scott and Romney: United At Last" "Scott is scheduled to speak between House Speaker John Boehner and RNC Chairman Reince Priebus at the beginning of the evening program that convenes at 7:45 p.m. capping a remarkable reversal in Scott's relationship with the national party and presumptive nominee Mitt Romney." "Gov. Scott gets premier speaking time at RNC".

State economists lower deficit projections "The state employee health insurance trust fund is projected to have a deficit of $72.3 million for the current fiscal year." "State economists lower deficit projections for state worker health insurance fund".

TeaBaggers look to challenge voters "A Tampa group that has been combing through voter rolls says thousands of felons are registered to vote in Florida."

Tampa Vote Fair says it found the names of 21,582 felons on voter rolls statewide and 1,375 in Hillsborough County. The group says its research shows some of the felons voted while behind bars. Individuals convicted of a felony aren't allowed to vote in Florida unless they go through a process to restore their rights. The group says its research did not include any felons who were eligible to have their rights restored. ... Voter registration lists and potential voter fraud have been in the spotlight in Florida this year with Gov. Rick Scott's efforts to remove ineligible voters from the rolls. Tampa Vote Fair sent its data on felons to the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office, which says it is forwarding the list to the Florida Division of Elections. "We take any information we receive from citizens very seriously," said Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Earl Lennard. Lennard said his office would need more information in order to act on the list provided by Tampa Vote Fair. "What we need is additional information from the Department of Corrections that the state has access to that would further identify exactly whom you're talking about," Lennard said. That information could include driver's license numbers and the last four digits of a Social Security number, information that could be used to further verify the identities of those on the list. Lennard said his office could probably get the needed information and follow up on the issue in time for the general election in November. Tampa Vote Fair started its work using software from True the Vote, a Houston group that grew out of a Texas tea party organization, to look for issues like duplicate registrations. But Kelley says the research on the Florida felons was done without that software.

Righting a wrong inflicted by state lawmakers The Sarasota Herald Tribune editorial board: "A legislative commission's decision to restore funding initially cut from the Florida court clerks' budget rights a wrong inflicted by state lawmakers and enables the courts to operate in the public's best interests." "Victory for the courts".

Public officials "flouting the law" Fred Grimm: "As of Monday, 2,313 public officials still haven’t bothered to file the financial disclosure declarations required by Florida law. The forms were due on July 1. But look at the bright side: More than 35,000 did file their disclosures — something of a compliance miracle, given that there’s no particular downside to flouting the law." "These politicians need to pay up".

A "liberal" "Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson faces one of the toughest re-election fights of his career, with outside groups having already spent roughly $10 million attacking him as a liberal and for supporting the Affordable Care Act." "Nelson defends health care vote".

Let's hope they're not Villages idiots The Tampa Bay Times editors: "At a campaign stop Saturday at the Villages, Ryan also was less than truthful in his broad criticisms. "

He claimed Obama "raids $716 billion from the Medicare program to pay for the Obamacare program.'' The Medicare savings are in the Affordable Care Act, but there is no raid. And that money is tied to cutting Medicare payments to insurers, promoting efficiencies and paying for quality care rather than the number of procedures. It has nothing to do with the other controversial parts of the law, including covering millions of Americans with subsidized private insurance or Medicaid. Ryan also repeated the tired attacks on "unelected unaccountable bureaucrats in charge of Medicare who are required to cut Medicare in ways that will lead to denied care for current seniors.'' At least he didn't talk about death panels. But the truth is that the Independent Payment Advisory Board will be appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The advisory board is charged with recommending to Congress ways to slow increases in health care spending — but not in ways that ration health care or cut benefits. Ryan knows as well as anyone that it is important to get the specifics right.

Southerland claims "nothing inappropriate occurred" "Southerland’s name has been bandied about since Politico reported he was among a group of freshman congressmen who, along with family and staff members, took time out from a fact-finding mission in Israel a year ago to engage in a late night dip in the Sea of Galilee." "Steve Southerland's Name Floated into Kevin Yoder's Sea of Galilee Skinny-Dip".

Shooting range in wildlife area "Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is planning to build a shooting range at a state wildlife area in Osceola County over the objections of Audubon Florida. The state's Acquisition and Restoration Council, which reviews land-use plans for state-owned conservation lands, voted 5-0 last week to approve the shooting park at the Triple N Ranch Wildlife Management Area near Holopaw." "Audubon opposes state plan to build shooting range in Osceola wildlife area".

"HCA is denying any wrongdoing" The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "It will likely be months — if not years — before federal regulators determine if HCA hospitals in Florida endangered patients by performing a higher-than-average number of two popular, high-margin heart procedures. But already the case illustrates why federal Medicare costs continue to skyrocket. Medicare patients are insulated from the cost of such procedures, and doctors' decisions to perform them often go unchecked. The nation's health care costs won't stabilize until the incentives change."

HCA is denying any wrongdoing, though the New York Times reported that the chain's own 2004 audit — which was initially hid from regulators — found as many as 43 percent of 355 angioplasty cases were outside reasonable and expected medical practice. Some physicians had even doctored medical records to justify the unnecessary procedures. It wasn't until whistle-blowers went to federal officials that any real scrutiny began.

"Prostitution sting before Republican National Convention"

"Like a giddy debutante, the city of Tampa is spruced up in anticipation of what Mayor Bob Buckhorn calls his city’s 'coming-out party' as the Republican National Convention begins next week."

But while the city is putting on its party clothes, it’s also preparing for a disaster.

Local officials have set up security cameras throughout the city, set aside 1,700 beds at the local jail, created a video court system for first hearings and put extra shifts of public defenders on call to quickly process troublemakers.

They’ve even called in the cavalry. Forty-eight police officers on horseback outfitted with riot gear will be on patrol at the event, which will begin Aug. 27 and end with presidential candidate Mitt Romney officially receiving the GOP nomination on Aug. 30.

Ryan no help to GOP in Florida

The Tampa Bay Times' "latest Florida Insider Poll surveyed 117 of the state's most plugged-in and experienced political minds — campaign consultants, fundraisers, lobbyists, activists — and found nine out of 10 Democrats see Ryan hurting Romney in Florida, and one in three Republicans agree." "Political insiders' take on Paul Ryan's Florida effect".

"Scrutinize charter schools"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "This is a boom period of charter schools, but without strict rules that are strictly adhered to, the inevitable bust is going to be more damaging." "Scrutinize charter schools; it’s the public’s money".

"Florida more concealed weapons permits than any other state"

Scott recently "stated an amazing, if true, statistic about gun ownership in the state."

"I mean, I think we have more concealed weapons permits than any other state because Floridians care about their right to bear arms."

With 19 million residents, Florida is the fourth-most populous state in the country so it's no surprise it would be high on a concealed permit list.

The top 10 of valid permits by state breaks down like this:

1. Florida: 887,000;

2. Pennsylvania: 786,000;

3. Georgia: 600,000;

4. Texas: 519,000;

5. Indiana: 406,000;

6. Washington: 351,000;

7. Utah: 347,000;

8. Tennessee: 341,000;

9. Michigan: 296,000;

10. Virginia: 279,000. ...

Scott said Florida has "more concealed weapons permits than any other state." A recent U.S. Government Accountability Office study backs Scott up. The state has about 887,000 valid concealed weapons permits, about 100,000 more than the next closest state, Pennsylvania.

Oh ... the horror

Them librul Tampa Bay Times editors are outraged that "hands leverage to the firefighters union, already one of the city's most politically influential special interests." "Regressive fire fee should go".

Firefighters, a "special interest"?

Another pro-voucher Dem bites the dust

"After recount, Clemens defeats Bernard by 17 votes in Florida Senate District 27" Related: "Nonpartisan website accuses anti-Clemens political committee of ID theft".

Ryan raises $1 million at Treasure Island

"After the Villages, Ryan's SUV took him and his mother two hours south to the Club at Treasure Island, where people paid between $2,500 to $50,000 to attend a Romney-Ryan private fundraiser that raised an estimated $1 million."

About 100 people stood outside in the drizzle and midafternoon heat, evenly split between Romney supporters and opponents.

"Yay, yay, that's him, he waved right at me!" said Bette LaPlatney, a Treasure Island resident and Romney supporter. "He's a good guy."

State Rep. Rick Kriseman, D-St. Petersburg, said the people pulling into the fundraiser in luxury cars "are the big names, but they also won't be the folks affected by his plan to cut Medicare."

Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus introduced Ryan at the fundraiser. Ryan touted Romney's record of leadership in Massachusetts and at the Salt Lake City Olympics, and suggested another Obama term would lead America to become more like Europe.

"We can dodge the European bullet, but our opportunity is beginning to shrink," he said. "Now is the moment to make sure we do what we need to do to get us back on growth, back on opportunity."

Mack declines debate with Nelson

"Republican U.S. Senate nominee Connie Mack IV, who has complained about the Tampa Bay Times' coverage of his campaign and about an editorial endorsement of primary rival Dave Weldon, has turned down an invitation to participate in a nationally televised Times debate against Sen. Bill Nelson." "Saying no to invite".

Not ready for international spotlight

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: Tampa claims it "is ready for the international spotlight. But the city's transportation system? Not so much."

The broader issue here is not the police or the Secret Service. It's decades of bad planning and the refusal to acknowledge that mass transit plays a role in every desirable city.

Entrepreneurs in action

"Not a single drop of the massive British Petroleum oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico touched the land-locked city of Homestead or the Keys peninsula to the south."

But a Homestead businessman saw the April 2010 oil-rig explosion and subsequent environmental disaster as an opportunity to cash in, authorities say. Jean Mari Lindor filed about $15 million in BP damage claims for himself and others for wages purportedly lost due to the spill’s economic hit on the region’s tourism industry.

Lindor submitted as many as 700 suspicious claims, mostly for low-income workers who each paid him a processing fee of $300, a prosecutor said in federal court last week. As a result, Lindor and the other South Florida claimants were paid about $3 million from the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, which was established by British Petroleum after the protracted Deepwater Horizon spill.

Lindor, arrested earlier this month, is among nearly 110 people nationwide — and 18 in Florida — who have been charged with defrauding the BP oil-spill fund program over the past two years, according to the Department of Justice. The majority of the offenders have been charged in Alabama.

Fraud pollution

"Fraud pollutes BP oil-spill compensation fund for Gulf Coast victims from Florida to Louisiana".

But demographic changes and recent election results reveal a more nuanced landscape now as the two major parties prepare for their national conventions. Republicans will convene Aug. 27 in Florida, well established as a melting-pot battleground state, to nominate Mitt Romney of Massachusetts. Democrats will toast President Barack Obama the following week in North Carolina, the perfect example of a Southern electorate not so easily pigeon-holed.

Obama won both states and Virginia four years ago, propelled by young voters, nonwhites and suburban independents. Virginia, long a two-party state in down-ballot races, had not sided with Democrats on the presidency since Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Jimmy Carter in 1976 had been the last Democratic nominee to win North Carolina. Each state is in play again, with Romney needing to reclaim Florida and at least one of the others to reach the White House.

Young religious voters are less likely than their parents to align with Republicans on abortion and same-sex unions. Younger voters generally are up for grabs on fundamental questions like the role of the federal government in the marketplace.

Ryan's Medicare voucher plan

Zac Anderson: "On Saturday, on his first trip to Florida as the Republican vice presidential candidate, Ryan was eager to reassure Florida’s powerful senior voting bloc it will not be affected by his Medicare reform plan. The congressman spoke at The Villages, the sprawling retirement community near Ocala, in front of a banner reading 'Protect and Strengthen Medicare.' His 78-year-old mother, a Florida resident and Medicare beneficiary, was at his side."

But for younger voters tuning into the Medicare debate, the message is less reassuring.

Under Ryan’s plan — largely adopted by Romney as the ticket’s official platform — people now under age 55 would receive a lump sum to purchase private health insurance when they become eligible for Medicare. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the voucher will be about $8,000 for a 65-year-old if the plan takes effect by 2022.

The voucher system would reduce federal spending because Medicare would not be on the hook for unlimited expenses.

But the CBO and other independent analysts predict that out-of-pocket costs for average consumers would increase substantially because the voucher payments wouldn’t keep pace with the premiums charged by private insurance companies and tied to rising health care costs.

What fraud?

The right-wing Tampa Tribune editorial board write that "Voter ID law stops fraud". What fraud?

Florida drowning in corporate cash

Scott Maxwell: "Florida is so flush with special-interest cash that our state is drowning in it." "Megadonors taint Florida politics, appointments".

Maxwell can't bring himself to call it what it is: "corporate cash", not "special-interest cash"

Several candidates for president have released fewer than 12 tax returns

"PolitiFact Florida checked out Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s claim that major presidential candidates in modern times have released 12 years of tax returns."

Wasserman Schultz said: “Mitt Romney is the first major party candidate for president of the United States in modern times not to release at least 12 years of tax returns.”

There are several examples of major party candidates for president in modern times who released fewer than 12 tax returns. And those examples have been highlighted in recent news articles. Wasserman Schultz’s claim is not correct, and we rate the statement False.

Medicare dynamic

"Ryan didn’t just inject Medicare smack into the presidential race in swing-state Florida. He also created a new dynamic in the contest between Sen. Bill Nelson and Rep. Connie Mack — a race that could help determine who controls the Senate." "Medicare shaping tight Florida Senate race".

The Miami Herald editorial board: "GOP ticket should push real debate on Medicare".

Medicare flip-flop

"Paul Ryan, introduced his 78-year-old mother — a part-time Florida resident — to seniors in The Villages and spoke passionately about Medicare, a program that has provided old-age security for generations of his own family." "Paul Ryan talks entitlement reform during campaign stop in The Villages". See also "Paul Ryan at The Villages: Let's protect Medicare". Related: "Obama tees off on Ryan's tax and Medicare proposals".

Tax break initiative for companies has a "major loophole"

"A state program created to redevelop polluted areas is doling out tax breaks for companies that lease offices in downtown high-rises, build on pastureland and open restaurants on busy highways, even when there is no proof they are on contaminated land." "'Brownfield' companies get tax break without proof of pollution".

Florida is the nation's Medicare fraud capital

The Miami Herald editorial board: "If, as many Americans believe, the current system of federal funding for healthcare is unsustainable, alarming allegations out of South Florida are a big, costly part of the reason why."

Unfortunately, fraud and abuse in the healthcare industry are longstanding here. More troubling is that too many in charge of overseeing how these taxpayer dollars are spent are falling down on the job, allowing funds to be misappropriated — stolen, basically — but also putting patients’ health and well-being at risk.

Earlier this month The Miami Herald reported that the long-time director of the Miami Beach Community Health Center, Kathryn Abbate, allegedly stole almost $7 million from the center. Given that the center’s funding comes from federal grants, that’s $7 million of our money.

And Ms. Abbate, who’s been fired, had help: According the center’s board, Diego Martinez, the center’s chief compliance officer — a laughable title in this case — cashed thousands of dollars in checks for his boss. Mr. Martinez has resigned. So have the chief financial officer and the human resources director, both of whom, the board determined, “facilitated” the alleged embezzlement. And get this: the CFO admits that he knew of Abbate’s activities but didn’t alert the board. That’s a shameful dereliction of duty.

Ms. Abbate’s alleged thievery dates back to 2008. Who knows how many patients could have received care for that $7 million? However, there is evidence of an even more egregious money grab at hospitals that are part of the HCA powerhouse. As reported in The New York Times, the chain discovered, after a whistleblower complained, that some of its cardiologists were performing unnecessary heart procedures. This, of course, drove up costs — and profits. Doctors were unable to justify many of the procedures performed. HCA is the nation’s largest hospital chain, with 163 facilities. Florida, it seems needless to say, was Ground Zero for these offenses. The former Cedars Medical Center was among those involved.

HCA was mum as to whether it has contacted Medicare, Medicaid or private insurers about its findings. Nor has it said whether patients who underwent procedures needlessly were alerted.

With the sort of evidence unearthed, why should it be up to the violator to contact the authorities to say “my bad?” Rather, the feds should be all over such companies, doggedly pursuing reimbursement — and civil or criminal charges if any laws were broken.

These types of cases undercut the beneficial work of the federal programs that have kept seniors, children and some of the neediest among us in good health.

When it comes to Medicare, specifically, South Florida is the fraud capital of the nation.

"Shame on Braman"

"The incumbent Miami-Dade commissioners who defeated challengers backed by Norman Braman in last week’s election had powerful friends of their own battling the wealthy Miami auto magnate."

While Braman aired attack ads against Commissioners Bruno Barreiro, Audrey Edmonson, Barbara Jordan and Dennis Moss, a maze of political committees campaigned against Braman — bankrolled in part by unions, the Miami Dolphins and the Miami Marlins.

Braman, who engineered last year’s recall of Mayor Carlos Alvarez, targeted the four commissioners up for reelection who voted for the new $634 million Marlins ballpark in Little Havana. Braman generally opposes using public money for sports facilities; the Dolphins have their eye on a roof for Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens.

The anti-Braman effort wasn’t limited to ads. A union group funded in part by the Dolphins and Marlins staged two protests at Braman’s auto dealerships and one near his Indian Creek home, and tried to link him to an ongoing absentee-ballot fraud investigation, though there is no evidence to back that up.

The most visible portion of the campaign: a television ad featuring Braman as a puppet master pulling the strings of the candidates he supported: Luis Garcia, Alison Austin, Shirley Gibson and Alice Pena. Garcia narrowly secured a runoff against Barreiro; Austin failed to make a runoff against Edmonson; and Gibson and Pena lost to Jordan and Moss, respectively.

“Shame on Norman Braman for trying to hijack democracy, trying to buy the election, trying to put his cronies in office, trying to bully the commission,” the ad said.

FPL rate increase

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Regulators right to reject deal on FPL rate increase".

Slim odds of hurricane during Tampa RNC

"The worst hurricane ever to hit Tampa pretty much drowned the site of the Republican National Convention, which is scheduled for the end of the month — at the very height of hurricane season." "Odds of hurricane during Republican National Convention in Tampa: slim".

Related: "Convention doubles as pep rally for party faithful", "Tampa police arrest 16 in prostitution crackdown before RNC" and "Private security will fill void".