"Stand your ground" review

"A task force reviewing Florida's so-called 'stand your ground' law is meeting in West Palm Beach." "Fla. task force holds meeting on self-defense law".

Democrats see it as scheme to discourage minority voters

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Recent sensible federal decisions should douse much of the firestorm over the Florida Legislature's voting revisions, which Democrats see as a scheme to discourage minority voters."

A U.S. district court judge earlier this month permanently blocked the onerous deadline the 2011 law imposed on third-party groups that register voters.

Last week the U.S. Department of Justice announced it would accept a compromise with Florida, permitting the state to reduce the number of early voting days from 14 to eight in five counties, including Hillsborough, that must be pre-cleared by Washington for compliance with the Voting Rights Act.

Other counties already were following the reduced schedule.

A federal court earlier had found the change would hurt black voters because more than half of black voters cast their ballots early.

But the judicial panel indicated the adverse effects could be mitigated by opening the polls 12 hours a day. The 96 hours of voting would be the same as the minimum that was required under the old 14-day law.

So the Department of Justice gave the go-ahead to Florida's plan for an eight-day, 12-hour-a-day schedule of early voting in all 67 counties.

No compromise could have salvaged the onerous registration mandate, which required groups to submit voter-registration forms within 48 hours or face $1,000 in fines. The law had previously allowed 10 days.

There was no reason for the change, other than to intimidate groups, including the League of Women Voters and the NAACP, that conduct voter registration drives. The law did indeed put an end to many registration drives, as groups feared harsh punishment should a volunteer miss the deadline.

'Glades cleanup deadlines pushed back to 2025

"Florida formally signed off on an $880-million slate of Everglades cleanup projects on Tuesday."

Though most environmental groups have applauded the plan, the Miccosukee Tribe and Friends of the Everglades have been critical, arguing it will push back cleanup deadlines to 2025 — almost two decades beyond an original 2006 target — and questioning whether the state has a firm plan to pay for the work.

"Governor pretended he had 'increased' funding"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Voters have good reason to be upset after more than $1 billion in education funding was gutted during Gov. Scott’s first year in office. Then, after part of the money was restored in his second year, the governor pretended he had 'increased' funding." "The governor’s listening tour".

Ann Romney to Largo

"Ann Romney headlining Largo rally".

Rivera tied to Digital Domain scam

"The governor’s office is looking into a $20 million business deal pushed by former Gov. Charlie Crist for a leading visual effects company that on Tuesday filed for voluntary bankruptcy protection."

After the deal was approved, Textor bundled $5,000 into a Republican Party of Florida account to assist Crist as he was running for U.S. Senate as a Republican at that time, according to the Palm Beach Post. Another $3,500 was donated to the campaigns of state Reps. Kevin Ambler, R-Tampa, and now U.S. Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, who backed the legislative change sought by Crist.

Textor professed at the time that the donations were a show of thanks.

Water, water everywhere

"Pointing to 'devastating costs,' Florida mayors are backing state efforts to sway Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson to replace federal freshwater quality standards with one overseen by the state." "Florida's Water Standard Request Continues to Tread Water at EPA". Related: "Despite revenue caps being lifted, water districts hold the line against tax increases".

Court to decide if lawmakers are adequately funding public education

"A trial court will decide whether state lawmakers are adequately funding public education after the Florida Supreme Court turned aside a last-ditch effort by Senate President Mike Haridopolos to block the suit." "Court: School Lawsuit Can Go Forward". See also "Justices decline to hear school funding dispute".

Florida pastor promotes film criticizing Islam

"Florida pastor Terry Jones' support and promotion of a film criticizing Islam that has sparked worldwide outrage from Muslims, including violent protests in Libya where a U.S. ambassador was killed in a firebomb attack on the embassy Tuesday." "Terry Jones: Florida pastor linked to Libya bombing protests".

Privatization follies

"As Florida’s Joint Legislative Budget Commission (LBC) prepares to meet Wednesday to consider a proposal to privatize prison health services, an attorney representing public-sector unions vows the state should be prepared for another lawsuit if approval of the proposal is forthcoming." "Unions Ready to Sue as Florida Budget Commission Considers Prison Health Privatization". See also "Legislative Budget Commission takes up prison health care privatization".

Graham calls for reopening of 9/11 investigation

"Former U.S. Senator Bob Graham called for reopening the 9/11 investigation yesterday. Graham was formerly the chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and he co-chaired the Congressional Joint Inquiry into 9/11 about a decade ago."

This is not the first time Graham asked for the investigation be re-opened. However, this time, his pleas follow a complaint filed in an U.S. District Court against the FBI and the U.S. Justice Department.

The complaint, filed by Broward Bulldog editor Dan Christensen, accuses these federal agencies of improperly withholding records of an investigation from Congress, the 9/11 Commission and the American public that show a link between a Saudi family in Sarasota and the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2011.

9/11 Hypocrites

Scott honors "emergency personnel for their quick and selfless actions", yet guts their pensions. "Floridians Remember 9/11". The libruls on The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board think the pension haters should better time their anti-firefighter sentiments (which the editors gleefully share): "Janet Long gets points for candor and a deduction for insensitive timing. The Pinellas County Commission candidate accurately described this week how firefighters' unions often play on emotions to protect lucrative pensions and other benefits that are out of step with today's economic realities. But she framed her argument poorly, and making that mistake on the eve of the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks compounded the error." "Candor is marred by insensitivity".

Privatization flop

"The Department of Economic Opportunity threatened to terminate Deloitte Consulting's contract to replace the state's 30-year-old mainframe unemployment compensation system, but is asking lawmakers for more money after the company pledged to devote more resources to the project in order to meet the contract deadlines." "After delays, vendor to get more time, money to revamp unemployment mainframe".

Now the work begins

"Delegates to the national convention are a campaign's worker bees. That is they knock on the doors and make the phone calls to get the votes. " "With conventions over, delegates' work begins".

"Without taking sides on merits of keeping Pariente, Lewis and Quince, the Florida Bar offers volunteer lawyers as speakers on how retention works." "Top Florida lawyers rally around challenged Supreme Court justices".

EV fight heads to Jax courtroom

"Florida's fight over early voting is moving to a new venue — a courtroom in Jacksonville. Eight weeks before Election Day, as the state seeks federal approval of its new eight-day, 96-hour early voting timetable, U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville, wants a federal judge to return early voting to its old 14-day schedule." "Fight heading back to court".

FPL rate case settlement

The Palm Beach Post editors: "Reject settlement of FPL rate case".

Virtual education scam

"Online educator K12 under investigation". See also "Read the Documents Behind the Department of Education’s Investigation of K12" and "K12 Responds to Report As Stock Price Falls".

"Do you want purity? Or do you want to win?"

Daniel Ruth reminds us that "Crist was practically given the bum's rush out of the GOP after he had the audacity of good manners to warmly welcome Obama to Florida and accept a boatload of stimulus money."

For his sin of common sense, Crist was denied a U.S. Senate seat, which eventually went to a handsome Miami 12-year-old. And since then the former governor has been walking the streets of St. Petersburg contemplating his next political move.

It is conventional wisdom that Crist is positioning himself to run for governor in 2014. This might be a very technical political science term some of you might not understand, but — Duh!

Come 2014, the challenge is awfully basic. If the Democrats can't come up with a candidate who can defeat bumbling Republican incumbent Gov. Rick Scott, who makes Dagwood Bumstead look like Warren Buffet, they pretty much deserve whatever happens to them.

And if the Democrats are going to start imposing an ideological purity test on candidates before welcoming them into the fold, they are no better than the dogmatic oafs on the Republican right who drove the likes of Utah's Robert Bennett and Indiana's Richard Lugar out of their Senate seats.

The idea that professional politicians who spend their entire waking moments plotting, strategizing, conniving, angling to gain any edge, would take umbrage at Crist for doing exactly that to advance his own political agenda is beyond ridiculous.

Instead of treating Crist as if he's an uninvited interloper, [Rod] Smith and the rest of the Democrats should welcome him with open arms, if for nothing else than to watch one of the state's best politicos in action again.

Do you want purity? Or do you want to win?

"Former Republican lawmaker Nancy Argenziano was foiled this year in her attempt to run for Congress as a Democrat. But now running as an independent for a state House seat in Citrus and Hernando counties, the outspoken -- and often controversial -- Argenziano has received the backing of the Florida Democratic Party as it tries to knock out a Republican incumbent."

The party's somewhat-unusual support of Argenziano came after Democrat Lynn Thomas Dostal withdrew from the House District 34 race just days after winning the Aug. 14 primary. Dostal's move cleared the way for a one-on-one race between Argenziano and Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness, and eliminated the possibility that Smith would face a divided opposition that could help him more easily win re-election.

SD 8

"The Republican Party of Florida has locked in $2 million worth of television-advertising time for Senate candidate Dorothy Hukill, in what will be one of the most expensive legislative races in Florida this fall. Hukill, a state representative from Port Orange, is running against Democratic Frank Bruno, the countywide elected chairman of Volusia County, in Senate District 8 — a tossup district that runs from New Smyrna Beach to Ocala." "GOP buys $2 million of ad time for local Senate race".

Is DEP misrepresenting issue to EPA?

"The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is telling federal officials again that DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. in prior jobs did not work for a pollution permit holder in violation of federal law. But a group that petitioned the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency says DEP is misrepresenting the issue to the federal agency." "DEP again argues no law violation in Secretary Vinyard's prior jobs".

"GOP-backed constitutional amendments"

"Groups both for and against constitutional amendments strive to reach voters in noisy presidential election year." "Sen. Rich rallies support against GOP-backed constitutional amendments".

Wetlands mitigation bank challenged

"The Highlands Ranch Mitigation Bank permit was issued in August, three months after DEP scientist Connie Bersok said a permit should not be issued. The Florida Wildlife Federation petition contends DEP doesn't have the authority to waive the financial responsibility requirement for the mitigation bank." "DEP permit for wetlands mitigation bank is challenged by Florida Wildlife Federation".

"Florida is dead last in the nation"

John Romano: "There's a nifty little fact on Florida's Department of Economic Opportunity website."

If you go to the page where folks file claims for unemployment benefits, it cheerfully points out that the number of individuals seeking benefits declined from 556,941 to 325,448 in Rick Scott's first 17 months as governor.

That's just wonderful. Uplifting. One might even say it's terribly impressive.

One might also say it is horribly misleading.

You see, Florida isn't really efficient when it comes to actually providing unemployment assistance for its residents. Based on U.S. Department of Labor statistics, Florida is dead last in the nation in the percentage of unemployed workers receiving benefits.

Color me pinko, but I'm not sure that's something to brag about.

Now there are a lot of reasons why only 16 to 17 percent of Florida's unemployed have been receiving state assistance in the past couple of years. For instance, a lot of those unemployed have already maxed out their benefits. And others were not in their jobs long enough to qualify for unemployment insurance.

But there are some workers' rights groups who also believe a significant factor is policies enacted during Scott's tenure that have made it more difficult to apply for assistance.

Grayson update

"The race for the newly drawn 9th congressional district is heating up, with Republican Todd Long accusing Democrat Alan Grayson of distorting his positions and dodging debates." "Republican Todd Long rebuts Alan Grayson's claims in 9th district race".

"Not big contributors"

"A Contribution Link analysis of the 396 Florida delegates to the Republican and Democratic national conventions found they are not big givers. However, 80 percent of the Republican delegates and 82 percent of the Democratic delegates contributed to at least one state campaign during the past two election cycles." "Political convention delegates not big contributors".

Stoopid

"The chairman of the Maryland Democratic Party reports that a Democratic congressional candidate has been registered to vote in both Florida and Maryland since at least 2006." "Md. Democratic congressional candidate withdraws after state party says she voted in two places — Maryland and Florida".

Obama has his vote

"The 46-year-old, six-foot-three Republican gave Obama a bear hug, raising him off the ground as Obama marveled at the man's strength - and enthusiasm. . . . He said Obama had his vote." "Obama gets a rise out of a Fla. supporter".

Battle for Jewish vote in Florida

"Last week’s Democratic platform flap over Jerusalem touched on big issues of religion, international diplomacy and ancient land disputes. But it was also about perhaps 100,000 or fewer Jewish voters in South Florida, the Cleveland area, suburban Philadelphia and a handful of other targeted spots in presidential battleground states. Roughly three out of four Jewish voters backed Barack Obama in 2008, continuing a trend of overwhelming Jewish support for Democratic candidates in presidential and congressional elections." "Democratic platform flap on Jerusalem signals battle for sliver of Jewish vote in Florida".

Can't get enuf Rubio

Kingsley Guy: "Depending on the outcome of the upcoming election, Rubio's ascendency to the national ticket is either four or eight years away. When the GOP convention rolls around in 2016 or 2020, expect Rubio at the very least to be the Republicans' vice-presidential choice." "Rubio's star could be rising to top".

"A target closer to home"

"Even as Florida Democrats gathered in Charlotte, N.C., to nominate President Barack Obama for re-election, they were still mindful of a target closer to home: Republican Gov. Rick Scott."

Party officials and activists are clearly animated by the prospect of defeating Scott, who emerged from one of the closest elections in Florida's history to become one of the most unpopular governors in recent memory. And while Scott's numbers have improved recently, Democrats are still hopeful that 2014 will bring their first victory in the race for governor in 20 years.

A question still hovers over the race, though: who will their candidate be?

Former Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink lost to Scott in 2010; most of the mayors thought to be interested in the office, as well as Sen. Nan Rich of Weston, have never run a statewide race; Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith was Sink's running mate and is currently focused in part on his 25-year-old son's battle with a rare form of cancer. Former Sen. Dan Gelber was defeated soundly in the 2010 attorney general's race.

"Obama a clear advantage among Hispanic voters in Florida"

"The explosive issue of immigration reform has given President Barack Obama a clear advantage among Hispanic voters in Florida while giving many conservatives one more reason to rally behind Republican challenger Mitt Romney." "Obama, Romney immigration clash gives voters distinctive options".

"Firing good teachers for no reason"

"The union representing Palm Beach County public school teachers wants some sort of job security that would prevent the school district from 'firing good teachers for no reason' once the merit pay system passed by the state Legislature takes effect." "Teachers union, district spar over ‘job security’ issue that stems from new merit-pay system".

Selling water

"Although West Palm Beach water officials say they don’t need help from outsiders to buttress their supply, two rock-mining companies want the city to buy into their plans to build reservoirs and then sell the water to the city." "Private companies lobby to dig reservoirs and sell water to West Palm".

Corporate welfare

Nancy Smith: "Digital Domain Media Group's collapse last week made victims of all Florida taxpayers. To the tune of $20 million. But few of those taxpayers will feel the pinch quite as directly as the long-suffering citizens of Port St. Lucie. " "Digital Domain Victim Port St. Lucie Plenty Used to Taking a Sucker Punch".

Flobama

"So goes life in a swing state."

President Barack Obama — buoyed by higher poll numbers after his Democratic Party's convention — journeyed to Florida for a two-day swing, bouncing from Tampa Bay to Central Florida on Saturday, and then the Space Coast and West Palm Beach on Sunday. In his wake, former President Bill Clinton will stump Tuesday in Miami and then in Orlando on Wednesday, the same day that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's wife, Ann, heads to the Tampa Bay area.

Nelson has not been tested in a while

Jeremy Wallace: "While U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, a Democrat, has the power of incumbency, he has not been tested in a while, said Jennifer Duffy, an analyst with the Cook Political Report based in Washington, D.C. Nelson easily won his re-election in 2006 against former U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris. Six years before that he defeated former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum comfortably." "Florida Senate race tough to assess".

Palm Beach FlaDem Apocalypse

"Palm Beach County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Alan Siegel resigned Friday, two days after he told an interviewer at the Democratic National Convention that pro-Israel Christians want to see Jews 'slaughtered.'"

Siegel’s on-camera remarks to the conservative Patriot Update website quickly ricocheted through the conservative blogosphere and led Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith and other elected officials to demand Siegel’s resignation. Siegel apologized Thursday but initially resisted calls for his resignation, saying he would take an indefinite leave of absence. By Friday afternoon, however, Siegel submitted his resignation.

Expect the 9/11 hypocrites to be out in force

No doubt the firefighter pension haters will be out in full force, boo hooing and waving flags: "Here are some commemorations scheduled for Tuesday to remember 9/11".

The outlandish notion that the welfare of kids ought to trump business interests

Fred Grimm: "The feds just don’t understand how we do business down here in Florida."

The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division fired off a letter to the state attorney general’s office last week, threatening to sue the state for sticking medically fragile kids in geriatric warehouses.

Apparently the feds regard these individual as mere children. In Florida, they’re considered the very cogs that keep the state’s faltering nursing home industry humming along. They’ve been privatized.

The letter from Assistant U.S. Attorney General Thomas E. Perez charged that the state was failing to provide the appropriate community-based services required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“Hundreds of children are currently segregated in nursing facilities throughout Florida,” Perez wrote. “They are growing up apart from their families in hospital-like settings, among elderly nursing facility residents and other individuals with disabilities. They live segregated lives — having few opportunities to interact with children and young adults without disabilities or to experience many of the social, educational and recreational activities that are critical to child development.”

If the feds come down to Florida with some outlandish notion that the welfare of young Medicaid recipients ought to trump business interests, then, sure, the situation will sound like a Dickensonian nightmare. Perhaps Perez didn’t realize it, but the reason we consign kids to old folks’ homes was explained right there on Page 6 of his 22-page letter.

A vision that reflects today’s South Florida

The Miami Herald editorial board: "President Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney offer two contrasting visions for America. The diversity of people and faces to be found in the delegates at the convention in Charlotte suggest that Mr. Obama’s version holds greater promise for the kind of country that America is becoming, one that reflects today’s South Florida." "The challenge of a second term".

Same old Bob

"Former state lawmaker Bob Brooks has reintroduced himself in campaign ads for the House District 47 race, telling Orlando voters he's a teacher, doctor and father and casting himself as a political outsider despite the years he spent in Tallahassee. " "Ex-Rep. Brooks casts himself as Tallahassee outsider".

And he probably expected a pension

"A motorcycle police officer escorting President Barack Obama's motorcade has died after being hit by a pickup truck. Palm Beach County Sheriff's spokeswoman Teri Barbera says the Jupiter police officer was on Interstate 95 Sunday afternoon preparing to shut the roadway down when he was struck by a Ford F-150." "Motorcycle cop in Obama motorcade struck, killed by pickup".

Prosecutors believe Alliegro played a key role as a go-between for Rivera and a former Democratic congressional candidate who might have broken campaign finance laws in his failed bid against a rival of the Republican congressman in the Aug. 14 primary.

At issue: $46,000 in once-secret payments — many made with cash-stuffed envelopes — that candidate Justin Lamar Sternad used for mailers in his unsuccessful primary race against Joe Garcia, who now faces Rivera in the general election.

Sternad’s campaign finance disclosure reports initially gave no indication that he had paid for the mailers. He later amended the reports amid the FBI probe.

Investigators have focused on Alliegro because she acted as Sternad’s campaign manager. She may have first-hand knowledge of the source of the funds and whether Rivera was involved in funding the campaign of the political unknown, a part-time hotel worker.

"Largest jobs incentive failure in state history"

"In what stands to be the largest jobs incentive failure in state history, Digital Domain Media Group announced Friday that it would close its Port St. Lucie animation studio, a $20 million black eye for the state." "Florida loses $20 million after Digital Domain closes". See also "Port St. Lucie officials analyzing impact Digital Domain's downsizing has on city" and "Digital Domain defaults on $35M loan - WPEC-TV 12" ("Digital Domain media group got $132 million in incentives from the city of Port St Lucie and the state").

"The anemic condition of Florida's Democratic Party"

Douglas Lyons: "Charlie Crist's got nerve."

Florida's Democrats got a problem.

Bad enough the former Republican governor turned independent crashed the big party in Charlotte, snagging a speaking spot no less. Worse, Crist's endorsement of President Barack Obama and his supposed interest in all things Democratic exposes what is common knowledge — the anemic condition of Florida's Democratic Party.

"And they have the audio recording to prove it"

"On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said she was misquoted when a Washington Examiner reporter quoted her as saying that Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. told her 'that what the Republicans are doing is dangerous for Israel.'"

“I didn’t say he said that,” the Broward County lawmaker told Fox News, after the ambassador in question, Michael Oren, disputed the statement.

“And unfortunately, that comment was reported by a conservative newspaper. It’s not surprising that they would deliberately misquote me.”

Only they didn’t.

And they have the audio recording to prove it.

Examiner reporter Philip Klein captured audio of Wasserman Schultz’s remarks to a group of Jewish Democrats. Wasserman Schultz’s office confirmed the recording’s authenticity.

"I smell desperation"

Nancy Smith says, "You've got to hand it to Democratic Party fundraisers. They don't care who they let walk their donkey. Never mind that I'm the editor of a conservative Florida website, I just received my seventh plea for a handout from a star Dem. Hey, they must like me. . . . I smell desperation" "Democrats, All Right Already With the Panhandling Email".

"Appeal of Pension [D]eform Smackdown"

"On March 6, Judge Jackie Fulford of the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court of Florida struck down two particularly controversial provisions of last year’s Senate Bill 2100. She ruled as unconstitutional the bill’s requirement that all employees, regardless of when hired, pay 3 percent of their salary toward their pension. Her ruling upheld the law with regard to those hired after July 1, 2011."

Fulford, ruling in favor of the public-sector unions which brought the suit, found that the changes were unconstitutional on three grounds:

- They constituted an unlawful impairment of employees’ contracts with the state of Florida.

- They were effectively an exercise of eminent domain without due compensation to those employees who had their property (i.e., expected benefits) taken from them.

- The Legislature violated state employees’ state constitutional right to collectively bargain over the terms and conditions of their employment.

The lawsuit, Scott v. Williams, was filed by the Florida Education Association after lawmakers passed, and Gov. Rick Scott signed, a 2011 law that imposed a 3 percent levy on 623,000 government worker salaries to offset the state’s investment into the Florida Retirement System.

Lawmakers argued at the time that the change was needed to fill a $3.6 billion budget gap and bring Florida in line with 47 states that require their government workers to contribute to their pension plans. The savings was then plowed back into the budget, not into the retirement fund.

But Leon County Circuit Court Judge Jackie Fulford ruled earlier this year that the pension changes were unconstitutional because the changes impaired the contractual rights of the FRS employees, took private property without full compensation and impaired employee collective bargaining rights. She ordered the state to halt the practice and reimburse workers with interest.

Attorney General Pam Bondi and Republican legislative leaders immediately challenged the ruling and continued collecting money from employee payments. It is now up to the court to decide but a decision could take months.

If the seven justices uphold the lower court ruling, state and local governments will have to reimburse active workers in the Florida Retirement System and cover the resulting hole in their budgets. The state has already taken more than $900 million from employees and are expected to take up to $2 billion by June 30, 2013, the end of the state’s current fiscal year. State economists have predicted that revenues appear to be meeting expectations and, for the first time in years, legislators may not face another year of belt tightening.

If the court upholds the ruling, employees could see a 3 percent increase in their paychecks and cost of living adjustments could be resumed.

Weekly Roundup

"Weekly Roundup: Hope or Change?".

Empty suits preach to each other

"As a diverse group of Florida small-business owners were advised on how banks, university business schools, and the government can help them grow, they were also advised by leading economists in the state that doubt remains the hallmark of the country’s anemic recovery that has been sputtering for four years." "Uncertainty in Dodd-Frank, Presidential Contest Clouds Florida's Economic Future". See also "Jeff Atwater Says Bankers Privately Urge Reform of Dodd-Frank".

"Simply playing politics — dangerous politics"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Kiss your hard-earned tax money goodbye, Floridians — again. The state has rejected almost $28 million in federal funds because they come courtesy of the Affordable Care Act — sneeringly referred to as 'Obamacare' by many who oppose it , some on principle, and too many others who are simply playing politics — dangerous politics." "Blame Gov. Scott for Florida rejecting needed money for Healthy Start". Stephen Galvacky: "The Affordable Care Act, which some call Obamacare, would extend Medicaid coverage to more than a million uninsured, hard-working Floridians - if Gov. Rick Scott would let it. But Scott continues to reject the promised $20 billion in federal funds over the next decade, saying it's too expensive for Florida, even though the expansion would increase the state's Medicaid budget by a measly 2 percent over 10 years. The deal is that federal money would cover 100 percent of the expansion's costs until 2017, then 95 percent until 2020, then 90 percent thereafter. Yet Scott would rather lose that $20 billion to other states that implement the program." "Scott declines ACA, better have an alternative".

Campaign Roundup

"Campaign Roundup: Dropouts, self-financing and another lawsuit".

Scott determined to purge voter rolls

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "The courts seem to be the only branch of government protecting the right to vote. Voter registration and voting should be easy and convenient with no unnecessary barriers, but Republican governors and Republican-controlled legislatures in Florida and elsewhere don't see it that way. They have systematically been making voting harder for the young, African-Americans and Hispanics — groups that tend to lean Democratic. Fortunately, the federal courts have corrected some of the worst abuses by the executive and legislative branches."

A federal judge indicated last week that he will permanently block the strict limits on voter registration groups imposed in Florida last year, restoring the old rules giving groups 10 days instead of the 48 hours to submit completed voter applications. That's a big step toward making voter registration accessible again.

Even so, significant damage already has been done to Democratic registrations, according to the Florida Times-Union. From July 2011 to August of this year, only 11,365 additional Democrats registered statewide, while there were 128,039 added Republicans. Compare that to the years before the elections of 2004 and 2008, in which registrations by Democrats increased an average of 209,425 voters versus 103,555 for Republicans. The stark change is no coincidence.

Meanwhile, Scott remains determined to purge the voter rolls using a federal database that is a helpful but imperfect tool. The courts will have to remain vigilant, because no other branch of government is standing up for the rights of voters.

Florida GOP General counsel behind fake "progressives" group

"A Republican-linked group operating under a liberal-sounding name is targeting Democratic candidates in competitive state Senate races across Florida."

One piece slammed state Rep. Darren Soto, D-Orlando, for voting in 2008 for a National Rifle Association-backed bill allowing employees to keep guns in their cars when they park at work. Soto is running against Republican personal-injury lawyer Will McBride in a Central Florida district that includes parts of Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.

Another mailer criticized Volusia County Chairman Frank Bruno for voting to raise the county's gas tax more than 20 years ago. Bruno faces Rep. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, in a district that takes in parts of Volusia, Lake and Marion counties.

A third accused Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, of supporting former Republican President George W. Bush because she contributed to his 2000 campaign. Sachs is squaring off with fellow Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, after the two were drawn into the same South Florida seat as part of the once-a-decade process of redistricting.

The three races are viewed by strategists in both political parties as the most competitive Senate elections in Florida this fall.

Records show Progressives was formed late last month. It is an "electioneering communications organization," which means it can raise unlimited amounts of money to influence campaigns.

The group lists the same mailing address as a law firm and lobbying shop run by Tallahassee lawyer Richard Coates. Coates is also the general counsel for the Republican Party of Florida.

"Judicial slapdowns of ridiculous laws passed by renegades in the Legislature"

The Miami Herald editors: "Under Gov. Rick Scott, Florida has not sat still for rulings that haven’t gone its way. In fact, the state continues to throw good money after bad appealing several judicial slapdowns of ridiculous and unconstitutional laws passed by renegades in the Legislature. And the state’s records on winning appeals is dismal — and expensive. So far, courts have rejected egregious attempts to limit residents’ rights to vote, be fairly represented in the Legislature and speak without fear of being penalized by the government." "Another judicial smackdown".

"On a fast track"

"The search for a new Florida Education Commissioner is on a fast track, but the search firm hired to screen potential candidates may ask for more time." "Board of Education remains in hunt for new state commissioner".

"Consumers should be outraged by this corporate welfare program"

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "The state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. wants to make itself stronger by first making itself weaker. The insurer's board voted unanimously Friday to bribe private insurers with $350 million in sweetheart loans to take policies out of Citizens. That means Citizens initially will wind up with less reserves and riskier policies — and that homeowners will pay even higher rates for less coverage while private insurers make out like bandits. It is a flawed strategy that has failed before, and consumers should be outraged by this corporate welfare program."

Urged on by Gov. Rick Scott, Citizens is virtually giving away premium money paid by 1.4 million policyholders in order to shed policies. It reflects the typical Tallahassee thinking that government solutions are always bad and competition and the private market are always better solutions. The problem, of course, is that homeowners are hostages. They have to buy property insurance if they have mortgages, and private insurance remains unavailable or unaffordable — or both — in too many areas of the state.

"A much-deserved scolding"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "A federal judge has given Florida a much-deserved scolding for its senseless discrimination against American-born children of illegal immigrants. You’d think that the prospect of a state government creating huge categories of second-class citizens was a thing of the past, but when it comes to paying college tuition in Florida, that’s been the sad reality for years." "Judge right on in-state tuition for birthright citizens".

"Guns 'n' voters"

The Sarasota Herald Tribune editorial board: "If Josef Sever had just been satisfied with illegally buying guns and obtaining a concealed-weapons permit, he might never have gotten caught. But Sever also voted. And that's where Gov. Rick Scott had him. . . . So far, Scott's voter purge has been a bust, with only Sever's case surfacing among Florida's 11 million-plus voters. The governor might have better luck, and might better protect the public interest, through closer scrutiny of gun buyers and permit applications." "Guns 'n' voters".

Executives spent lavishly

"The massive state-run insurer will review its internal policies on travel expenses and corporate credit cards after a Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times series revealed that some executives spent lavishly for hotel rooms and meals." "State to rein in lavish travel spending at Citizens".