Ana Alliegro, a Republican political operative, delivered the cash-stuffed envelopes to a Hialeah mail house that sent out fliers in a congressional race against a Rivera political rival, the mail house owner told the FBI.

The FBI has the envelopes to check for fingerprints and handwriting comparisons.

Alliegro went missing two weeks ago, shortly after her computer was seized by FBI agents and just hours before she was scheduled to talk to a federal prosecutor about her involvement in the Rivera-Sternad operation. She also had been jailed by Miami cops on an old suspended driver-license warrant. . . .

Sternad initially failed to report the cash receipts or expenditures — totaling at least $47,000 — which could violate federal campaign laws concerning financial disclosures for congressional candidates. It’s also illegal to conspire to break federal laws and launder money.

Rivera, already under a separate federal criminal investigation into his personal and campaign finances, denied any association with Sternad, who often attacked candidate Joe Garcia in the Aug. 14 Democratic primary.

Garcia won that race and now faces Rivera in the general election for the Kendall-to-Key West District 26 seat.

The Interstate 4 corridor

"Today's installment of 'Letters from Florida' describes the Interstate 4 corridor and its importance to the presidential race." "Presidential voters along I-4 angry, discouraged, likely to decide race".

Po' Paul

"Republican vice president nominee Paul Ryan said today that he expected the negative reaction he received during a New Orleans AARP event and that the 2011 tax return release by GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney shows his family's generosity." "VP nominee Ryan says he expected negative reaction at AARP".

You know a GOPer is desperate when he shows up in Little Havana: " "Paul Ryan courts Cuban-American voters in Miami".".

Does Florida "hold special promise for Romney"?

"Mitt Romney leads President Barack Obama in Florida by a single point, 48-47 percent, in a new installment of the Purple Poll, a result unchanged from the poll’s last installment in August. . . . The result differs somewhat from a couple of other recent polls, including a Fox News poll showing Obama with a 5-point lead in Florida." "Purple Poll: Romney over Obama 48-47 in Florida".

More: "In the race for the 270 electoral votes need to win, Florida (29 votes) is always the biggest up-for-grabs state, and this year it seems to hold special promise for Romney. Unemployment there still exceeds the national average, helping his indictment of Obama’s economic performance. The housing collapse has left vast numbers of homeowners in default. Yet two polls of likely Florida voters, one by Fox News and one by NBC, showed Obama leading 49 percent to 44 percent." "Tide shifts to Obama in most competitive states".

"Watch for absentee ballot fraud"

The Palm Beach Post editors warn: "Watch for absentee ballot fraud in Palm Beach County".

Orlando Mormon critical of Romney faces expulsion

"Local Mormon critical of Romney: I face expulsion".

So much for judicial independence

"The Republican Party of Florida waded into a traditionally apolitical fight Friday, announcing it will oppose the retention of three state Supreme Court justices on the November ballot."

Supporters of the justices accused the state GOP of using the merit-retention vote, and the case, as a subterfuge to try to seize control of the courts. If a majority of voters reject the justices, Republican Gov. Rick Scott will have an opportunity to appoint their replacements. . . . The decision by the state GOP to enter the debate allows the party to use its fundraising heft to steer money into opposition campaigns. Party officials would not say how much money they are willing to devote to defeating the justices.

“We are not talking strategy,” said Brian Burgess, a party spokesman.

Authors of the decades-old merit retention law said it was adopted in response to a system in which the Legislature became too cozy with the Supreme Court, forcing the impeachment and removal of corrupt judges.

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board writes that "the campaign by the misnamed Restore Justice 2012 group seeks to oust the justices because it disagrees with some of the court's opinions. The state Republican Party injected unprecedented political pressure into the mix late Friday by announcing that it opposes the retention of the three justices. This is just the latest in a growing special-interest movement nationwide aimed at intimidating the courts." "On ballot, a supreme attempt to intimidate".

Campaign Roundup

"Campaign Roundup: Democrats get cash boost, Republicans oppose Supremes".

"Scott has boxed himself into a corner"

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "Florida's jobless rate remained mired last month at 8.8 percent even as employers added a net of 23,200 jobs since July. But the reality is the state's unemployment rate, just like the nation's, should be much worse, and it's disingenuous of Gov. Rick Scott to boast that the state's job creation efforts have somehow led to a more than 2 percentage-point drop in unemployment. The sad fact is, discouraged, jobless Floridians have impacted the unemployment rate more than anything coming from Tallahassee. . . . Florida has real jobless problems that demand real solutions. And it needs a governor who comes to work leaving the rose-colored glasses back at the mansion." "Scott has skewed view of jobless rate".

Aaron Deslatte: "Gov. Rick Scott is going to have a hard time during the next two years trying to explain to voters that placards and politicians don't lie, but economists do."

When the governor got into a disagreement with a reporter last week over the relationship between Florida's declining unemployment rate and its worsening labor market, the exchange illustrated how Scott has boxed himself into a corner tying his score card to an imprecise measure of economic recovery.

Scott was trying to explain how the drop in the unemployment rate to 8.8 percent shows the progress he's made during his first two years. . . .

The governor says the rate has fallen because the state has created 153,000 new private-sector jobs since he took office. But state economists draw a more complicated picture of a churning labor market that's seen more people moving into the state looking for work, and large numbers of would-be workers giving up their job search.

"What we're seeing is participation in the labor force is declining," ERD coordinator Amy Baker said.

Confronted with that analysis, Scott said: "That's not true." He then jousted with reporters over his campaign pledge to generate 700,000 new jobs on top of the normal economic growth projected before he took office.

"Tell me what 'normal growth' is?" he chided one reporter.

"Dream on"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board wites that, with respect to immigration reform, voters "have an unenviable choice: a candidate whose immigration plan in wrong-headed and another whose plan makes sense but whose commitment is suspect." "Immigration reform coming? Dream on".

Romney trails in ground game

"Romney campaign trails in crucial ground game" ("The Democratic campaign boasts nearly three times as many offices in eight swing states.")

FlaDems closing fundraising gap

"After Republican candidates depleted their accounts during a series of free-spending primary battles, their Democratic opponents now appear to be closing the fundraising gap." "Money becomes tight in state Senate races".

"Before he knew it, he had to buckle down to a serious grilling"

Fabiola Santiago: "The Big Meet didn’t come close to bullfight status, but interviewers Jorge Ramos and Maria Elena Salinas, the anchors of Univision’s nightly news, gave no free passes — not even to a friendly president more popular than his challenger with the network’s national audience."

As a result, the winners were the country’s 50 million Hispanics, whose concerns — the economy and jobs but also immigration, health and education — were pointedly posed before the candidates.

Republican challenger Mitt Romney seemed relaxed and tanned, but nothing could save him from the 47 percent question. He fell short all night, choosing to answer questions with well rehearsed campaign-trail lines.

President Barack Obama, who is handily winning the Hispanic vote, strolled on set exuding confidence — too much of it, perhaps — but before he knew it, he had to buckle down to a serious grilling on his failure to deliver immigration reform.

“You promised that, and a promise is a promise, and with all due respect, you didn’t keep that promise,” Ramos said at one point. Salinas also delivered a reminder of that failure at the end of the interview.

Though neither candidate said anything news-breaking, their presence alone at a forum of this magnitude conducted in Spanish was significant and unprecedented, an important recognition of the country’s fastest-growing minority.

Add that both candidates underestimated Ramos and Salinas — journalism royalty to consumers of Spanish-language news and excellent interviewers — and it’s not a stretch to say that these forums will be remembered as historic.

Determining "who can vote based, not on citizenship, but assumptions about whom voters will support"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "It’s election season, as if anyone needed reminding, and candidates on the national, state and local levels want to lure voters to the polls. It’s the American way. Except . . . Florida continues its bad habit of engineering who can vote based, not on citizenship, but assumptions about whom voters will support based on age and ethnicity, skin color and past behavior." "A vote for fairness".

Scott's "handful of gimme and a mouthful of much obliged"

"Time after time since taking office, Gov. Rick Scott has boasted of rejecting billions of dollars from the federal government. Now, Washington has turned the tables, shutting down Scott’s plea for financial aid in a move that almost instantly took on political tones."

The Federal Emergency Management Agency refused Scott’s request for a presidential declaration of disaster for damage caused by Tropical Storm Isaac, declining to provide $26.9 million in aid to hard-hit counties.

Scott moved this week to appeal the decision, but not before the issue was cast in a political light, highlighting Florida’s importance in the presidential election and the rocky relationship between Washington and the Sunshine State.

“Today, I asked the Division of Emergency Management to appeal the denial to ensure Florida communities have the full capability to recover from Isaac’s damage,” Scott wrote to FEMA’s director, Craig Fugate, this week. The letter states that the cost of damage to Monroe, Broward, Palm Beach, Collier, Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Franklin and Martin counties is actually about $10 million worse than originally thought, at about $36.6 million.

The Republican Party of Florida quickly blasted President Barack Obama for not “redistributing” money to hurricane victims.

Good luck with that

"Restoring millions slashed from the budgets of Florida's water management districts would help boost jobs, tourism and the environment, according to a coalition of former agency leaders. Twenty former board members from Florida's five water management district's this week sent a letter to Gov. Rick Scott calling on him to support sending more money to the agencies that guard against flooding, protect water supplies and lead environmental restoration." "Water district advocates call for governor to restore budget cuts".

Mack's chances "slipping away"

"The Republican shot at unseating U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is slipping away, according to a new Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times poll."

Nelson leads Republican U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV 48-40 percent, the new poll shows, a three-point shift in the Democrat’s favor since July.

That’s the good news for Mack, who is losing by double digits in a slew of other recent surveys.

With the exception of an outlier poll from an Orlando firm, Gravis Marketing, Mack has been trailing between eight and 14 points in the last seven statewide polls. The average of those polls, as compiled by Real Clear Politics, lists the spread at eight points, matching the Herald/Times poll.

The percentage of undecided voters, however, remains unusually high at 11 percent with a little more than six weeks to go in the race.

Mack’s decline is even sharper when voters are asked if they have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of him. In July, 30 percent of voters surveyed said they had a favorable view of the four-term U.S. representative from Cape Coral and his unfavorable rating was only 13 percent. Now, Mack is disliked by 33 percent of the voters surveyed and his favorability rating has dropped to 27 percent.

The telephone survey of 800 registered Florida voters — all likely to vote in the Nov. 6 election — was conducted Sept. 17-19 for The Miami Herald, the Tampa Bay Times, El Nuevo Herald, Bay News 9 and Central Florida News 13.

Scott flops like a mackerel

"While Scott rode the tea party message into office after an upset win in both the GOP primary – in which he also ran against much of the Republican establishment – and the general election, his outsider image has softened a bit as he has moved to bring more 'insiders' with Tallahassee experience into his inner circle." "Adam Hollingsworth: Rick Scott's Staff Will Listen to Lobbyists, But No Favoritism".

"Charlie's days as the pretty face for a big-name personal injury lawyer are numbered"

Nancy Smith: "We can be sure of only one thing. Charlie's days as the pretty face for a big-name personal injury lawyer like John Morgan are numbered. It's no secret along the I-4 corridor that Carole Crist, who didn't marry Charlie so he could line his pockets chasing ambulances, wants her husband back in high-profile politics. And pronto."

Which, incidentally, is just as well. By all accounts, Florida's 44th governor doesn't practice much, if any, law at the firm. Actually, when I called Morgan and Morgan, nobody there could name me a single Charlie Crist case in the last two years. What the folks there did tell me is that the firm's investment in Charlie has paid off. His billboards up and down Florida highways suck clients in like a giant sand dredge, and Morgan -- a significant donor to the Democratic Party -- is likely to help launch Charlie's career as a cash-carrying Dem.

For a while, Charlie thought the wind was blowing him back into the governor's mansion. After all, Rick Scott's approval ratings were bunched down around his ankles, the Dems' candidate cupboard looked bare and talk of any Scott challenge in 2012 invariably turned to Charlie as the Democrats' last and best hope to reclaim leadership in Tallahassee.

But then he spoke at the Democratic National Convention as a maverick, a Republican turned independent who now backs "good for Florida" Democrat incumbent Barack Obama. It was clear he believed the delegates would rise to cheer him wildly. That didn't happen. Even when he said, "I didn't leave the Republican Party, the Republican Party left me," the reception was at best polite.

Charlie expected, perhaps even relished, the outrage he conjured among Republicans. What he didn't expect was the Democrats' disdain, not only in Florida, but in the liberal-leaning mainstream press.

Summing up "Charlie Crist: A Sorry Legacy," his piece in HuffPost the day after the Democratic National Convention, journalist Eli Lehrer said this: "The bottom line is simple: Charlie Crist was a bad governor and appears to have no core political principles. While his speechifying may help President Obama and the Democrats, they should learn what Republicans have found out through painful experience: Charlie Crist is a political opportunist with a sorry legacy."

And in the polls? Charlie's not faring that well. . . .

Then, on Thursday, a poll conducted for the Tampa Bay Times, Miami Herald and their affiliates had Democrat Alex Sink -- not Charlie Crist -- defeating Gov. Rick Scott in a 2014 governor’s election. Conducted by Mason Dixon, the poll showed Sink beating Scott 47 percent to 39 percent, and Charlie essentially tied with Scott.

Back to Boca

"Days after uproar over Boca remarks, Romney back in county for money".

Scott disses Teabaggers

"The Republican governor rejected a candidate with tea party backing". "Scott reappoints Edgar to Florida PSC". See also "Scott reappoints veteran Lisa Edgar to Public Service Commission".

Gambling pumps $936,500 since April into Florida Committee

"Malaysian-based gambling giant Genting has pumped $936,500 since April into a political action committee designed to sell the concept of Las Vegas-style casinos to voters in the Sunshine State, documents made public Friday show. But the casino company is still coy about its exact aims in Florida." "Gambling giant spends more than $900,000 on pro-casino PAC".

Rick Scott, Rick Perry and Scott Walker brain trust

"A group of Chinese private investors will be in Florida next week, but Gov. Rick Scott was already suited up at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas on Friday [with fellow geniuses Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Texas Gov. Rick Perry] to begin promoting the Sunshine State." "Rick Scott Selling Chinese Investors on Florida ... at Cowboys Stadium".

Scott still can’t gain ground with his constituents even after a recent Republican Party TV ad blitz that emphasized his focus on improving schools. An even 50 percent of voters disapprove of Scott’s job performance in the poll, with 38 percent approving and 12 percent not sure. That’s a slight change from a July Herald/Times/Bay News 9 poll in which 51 percent disapproved of Scott’s job performance, 40 percent approved and 9 percent had no opinion.

He retains sky-high name recognition of 96 percent but has lost much of his popularity, with voters now evenly divided on whether they like him. . . .

The poll also revealed that Crist’s highly publicized endorsement of the president, including a prime-time speech at the Democratic National Convention, has done nothing to help the president politically in Florida. Only 8 percent of voters say they are more likely to vote for Obama because Crist endorsed him, and they already supported Obama. Another 13 percent say they are less likely to vote for the president because of Crist’s action, and the remaining 79 percent say it doesn’t matter. In a hypothetical match-up for governor in 2014, Sink would beat Scott, 47 percent to 39 percent, with the rest undecided. Crist has a two-point edge over Scott in a similar match-up, 44 percent to 42 percent, but that’s within the poll’s margin of error.

“Alex Sink is much stronger against Scott in a rematch than Crist,” pollster Brad Coker said. “(Scott’s) dream race would be against Charlie Crist.”

Sink is more popular than Crist, with a better than 2-to-1 favorability rating, but only 81 percent of voters recognized her name. When Sink narrowly lost to Scott in 2010, 98 percent of voters recognized her name.

A rough week for Scott

"Rick Scott is hoping for a little good news when the state announces its August unemployment numbers. It's been a rough week for the first-term Republican governor, who came into office on a promise of creating 700,000 new jobs." "Scott hoping for reversal in state's unemployment". Meanwhile, "Lockheed to slash jobs in missiles, training".

"Somebody check to see if Gov. Scott has wax in his ears"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Somebody check to see if Gov. Scott has wax in his ears. After conducting a 'listening tour' of schools, the governor has decreed that reducing overregulation is the way to improve education in Florida."

Maybe this is more a vision problem. The governor sees everything in terms of “treating government like a business.” And he has only two solutions: Cut taxes; cut regulations. Cutting taxes is a non-starter. The governor cut education spending $1.3 billion his first year, restored in the neighborhood of $1 billion his second year, and has sort-of pledged to hold education spending steady in the next legislative session. You even can argue that Gov. Scott raised taxes on teachers when he supported and signed legislation requiring them to contribute 3 percent of pay into a retirement system that since 1974 had been non-contributory.

But Gov. Scott already increased education red tape. He advocated and signed legislation that greatly expands the number of high-stakes tests and subjects teachers to a never-ending series of evaluations that will generate thousands of forms filled out for no valid purpose. . . .

Schools can just cut regulations until — as with the religion-oriented voucher schools former Gov. Bush loved so much and that the Legislature and Gov. Scott keep expanding — there is no way to know if the teachers are qualified or the students are learning. The goal should not necessarily be less regulation or more regulation. It should be meaningful regulation. Of course, the state also should have meaningful testing, meaningful levels of support and meaningful teacher evaluations.

A meaningful listening tour would have helped.

"Can Sunshine State Afford More Tax Breaks?"

"Florida Veterans Property Tax Amendment: Can Sunshine State Afford More Tax Breaks?".

OMG!

"Just before 4 p.m., and fresh from being grilled on Spanish-language network Univision, Obama and his Secret Service men walked into OMG! Burgers in South Miami for a quick meal." "OMG! President Obama eats at South Miami burger joint".

Florida gold

"With simultaneous campaign fundraising visits to Tampa and Sarasota on Thursday, President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney took yet another dip into Florida's pool of electoral cash." "Both campaigns seek local votes, bucks". See also "At Tampa fundraiser, Obama implores backers to keep up fight". See also "Days after uproar over Boca remarks, Romney back in county for money".

Teabaggery

The STampa Bay Times editorial board: "It's hard to defend the indefensible when the facts are not on your side. Pinellas County Commissioner Neil Brickfield makes several inaccurate statements as he tries to justify why he voted to stop adding fluoride to the county's drinking water. Brickfield misrepresents established science, and he misleads voters in the same fashion he was misled before voting against the public health." "Brickfield strays from fluoride facts to defend his vote".

EV litigation

"A lawyer for opponents of a controversial change in early voting in Florida told a federal judge in Jacksonville that the law would disproportionately harm black voters and should be blocked." "Federal Judge in Jacksonville Weighing Request to Block Early Voting Law".

Lo tech

"Woman signals Obama for help with sign on roof".

Scott's revised voter purge

"Two Miami-Dade County voters and Hispanic voting groups have asked a federal judge to halt Gov. Rick Scott’s revised to purge voter rolls of non-citizens, saying it comes too close to the Nov. 6 election and remains problematic." "Revised try at purging noncitizen voters draws legal fire".

Ryan to UCF

"GOP VP candidate Paul Ryan coming to UCF Saturday". See also "GOP vice presidential nominee Ryan returns to Fla.".

Teabaggers assert themselves

"Gainesville Tea Party, others may be stirring opposition to PSC's Lisa Edgar".

"Swanky group of Florida high rollers"

Daniel Ruth: "Until a few days ago, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney had been campaigning as if he were stumping to become commodore of his yacht club — low-key, cautious, circumspect and about as spontaneous as a North Korean May Day parade."

Then came the release of a surreptitiously recorded speech before a swanky group of Florida high rollers, in which Romney essentially wrote off 47 percent of the electorate as good-for-nothing, non-taxpaying freeloaders living off government handouts.

There's a winning strategy for you — portraying nearly 50 percent of the body politic as big moochers.

And yes, that cacophonous thunderclap you just heard were the foreheads of the entire Romney campaign team hitting the headquarters conference table.

"The biggest jobs-incentive failure ever in Florida"

The Palm Beach Post editors: "After securing $135 million in promises statewide, Digital Domain is the biggest jobs-incentive failure ever in Florida. Incentives might still make sense in some cases. But as Digital Domain unwinds, it should provide all the incentive cities like West Palm Beach need to examine their own practices in detail. Regret now will help the city have no regrets tomorrow." "West Palm Beach should review Digital Domain dealings".

Scott fights for 47%

"Scott said Thursday that he would appeal the decision, which could leave Palm Beach County, its cities and special drainage districts on the hook for $6 million for damage and expenses they incurred as a result of the storm." "FEMA says no to Florida’s $6.5 million request for Isaac repairs".

"Obama called out by a popular Univision newscaster"

"After a warm welcome from an audience of college students, Obama was called out by a popular Univision newscaster for talking big about immigration reform in the last campaign but failing to pass it. Obama said he tried to build support for immigration reform early in his term and then ran into roadblocks when Republicans in Congress declined to work with him on it."

On a stage at the University of Miami, Univision anchor Jorge Ramos told Obama it sounded like a promise in 2008 and that, "with all due respect, you didn't keep that promise."

Obama said that the president is not "all-powerful," and that he can't act unilaterally without Congress. He said he had learned from his time in office.

"Most important is you can't change Washington from inside, only from the outside," Obama said at the forum, adding that the American people prompted Washington to act. "That's how some of our biggest accomplishments like health care got done — mobilizing the American people,"

Across the state in Sarasota, the Republican nominee said Obama's admission was another reason voters need to reject him in November.

Offering taxpayer-funded postage for absentee ballots certainly removes the excuse for using so-called boleteros, ballot brokers, now paid by various candidates, to be snooping around nursing homes and county-run comedores to “help” the elderly or infirm fill out their ballots and, often, to take the ballots with them to the post office.

In Miami-Dade it’s already illegal for anyone to carry more than two ballots to the post office, thanks to a law proposed by Commissioner Rebeca Sosa last year. Now, even with prepaid stamps for ballots, Miami-Dade’s cities still have to put their money where their integrity should be and fund their portion for absentee voters within city limits. But as Commissioner Barbara Jordan pointed out at Tuesday’s meeting, paying the postage is but “a Band-Aid.”

The greater issue is maintaining the integrity of “one person, one vote.” Absentee ballots began as a way to help voters who were going to be out of town on Election Day or were too old or ill to be standing in long lines to vote. They should not be disenfranchised.

But the reality is absentee ballots today are more a convenience than a rare exception. About one-third of voters now use absentee ballots, and the GOP-led Legislature has moved over the past 10 years to make it easier to vote absentee because Republican-leaning voters are more likely to use them. Tallahassee went so far as to remove the requirement of having a second person sign the outside envelope of an absentee ballot to vouch that the voter alone filled it out. Wrong call.

Fading in Florida, Romney fends off hidden-video questions

"Fending off questions about his hidden-video remarks, Mitt Romney sat with Univision’s top hosts at the University of Miami for an interview focused on the nation’s diverse Hispanic community."

A FOX poll of likely Florida voters released just before the event showed Obama leading Romney 58-37 percent among Hispanics. Overall, Obama has an inside-the-error-margin lead of 49-44 over Romney, who plans to use his two-day Florida swing to raise an estimated $7 million.

"Politically, though, it is a memo aimed at one reader: Gov. Rick Scott"

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "University of South Florida president Judy Genshaft’s upbeat 'state of the university address' on Wednesday served as a powerful reminder to Tampa Bay of the impact a major university makes on an urban community. Politically, though, it is a memo aimed at one reader: Gov. Rick Scott, who like other conservative governors around the nation cares more about how universities create jobs and stimulate the economy than about the value of a broad liberal arts education." "USF sends a message to capital".

League of Women Voters growing

Beth Kassab: "Since Barack Obama's election four years ago, registration in the Republican and Democratic parties have each declined by 1 percent in Orange County. Meanwhile, people registered without a party affiliation edged up 1 percent. Make that a 3 percent jump when you count people registered with the Independent and Independence parties, a common mistake among voters looking to dump the traditional parties."

And, in greater and greater numbers, people in Orange County are finding refuge in the League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan group that focuses on voter education and access.

Orange's league is growing at a faster clip than any chapter in Florida. Membership increased about 25 percent during the last year to 426 people (men, too).

"Arguably the most closely watched state House campaign in Florida"

"For the past four years, there has been no greater champion of conservative causes in the Florida Legislature than state Rep. Scott Plakon."

The Longwood Republican has fought to place new limits on abortion, decertify labor unions, repeal cap-and-trade laws and allow tax money to go to religious institutions. He has tried to limit food stamps, ban Internet café gambling locations, encourage pre-marital counseling and block the federal government's healthcare overhaul.

Along the way, Plakon has compiled 100-percent voting records with such organizations as the Christian Coalition of Florida, the American Conservative Union and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Americans for Prosperity, the tea-party backed group paying for TV ads to defeat President Barack Obama, chose Plakon as its Florida "legislator of the year."

But the same record that has made him so popular with conservatives may now be Plakon's greatest liability. Redrawn political boundaries forced Plakon out of a safely Republican seat and into a much more moderate district — and Florida Democrats have made defeating him one of their top goals this fall.

The race for House District 30, which pits Plakon against Maitland public-school teacher and Democratic family scion Karen Castor Dentel, is arguably the most closely watched state House campaign in Florida this year.

Sales of single family homes rise

"Housing figures released Wednesday were good news for Florida, with prices and sales both increasing in August from a year earlier, according to statistics released by Florida Realtors. Sales of single family homes in Florida rose 10.8 percent in August from a year earlier, while pending sales -- those signed but not closed upon -- jumped 40.2 percent from August 2011. Pending sales tend to close within 90 days." "Home Sales in Florida Continue Run in August".

Scott blames FDLE

After all, she was a Democrat: "Melissa Sellers, a spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Scott, blamed the FDLE for rejecting Dullivan and denied that the governor's office was screening parents for their political affiliation." "Security check kept parent out".

Big of him

"GOP hopeful Mitt Romney used his opportunity to address Latino voters nationwide tonight to tell them that if elected in November he will not be president only for the more affluent half of the country, but for everyone." "In Miami, Romney fights back, says he supports the 100 percent". See also "In South Florida, Romney says he'll support nation's '100 percent'".

Science get hijacked by GOPer politics

Frank Cerabino: "The ad against Murphy, which is being paid for by a Super PAC supporting his opponent, U.S. Rep. Allen West, is similar to ant-research attack ads that have been paid for by other Super PACs opposed to Democratic congressional candidates in Oregon, Texas, California and Virginia. Fisher says it’s “frustrating” to have science get hijacked by politics." "Ant researcher frustrated that work is fodder for pesky political attack ads".

Layoffs

"American Airlines warns workers of potential layoffs at Miami International Airport". Meanwhile, realizing these folks must be part of the 47%, "Scott said he has asked state and local economic-development and employment agencies to help the workers find new jobs." "Gov. Scott seeks help for airline, wind-energy workers losing their jobs".

Household income falls

"14% dive for household income in South Florida".

Alvin Brown one year later

"As Democrat Alvin Brown kicks off his second year as mayor of the Sunshine State’s largest city, he’s receiving criticism and accolades from some very unlikely sources."

A series of articles in recent months has drawn attention to criticisms Brown, the first Democratic mayor of Jacksonville in 20 years and the first African-American to occupy the office, has received from his party’s committed progressive wing. Particularly in question is his failure to support an expansion of Jacksonville's human rights ordinance to include homosexuals, and his apparent reluctance to endorse President Obama’s re-election bid. “Clearly, the progressives are disappointed in him as a mayor,” says Dr. Matthew T. Corrigan, chair of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of North Florida and an expert on state politics. In an interview with Sunshine State News, Corrigan said, “He made a promise before he was elected, that he would work along party lines and not as a partisan Democrat. He also promised not to raise taxes. He had to run, and now has to govern, as a conservative Democrat. Progressives are wary of that.”

Still slush

Fred Grimm: "Who would have thought that Mary McCarty, the onetime slush-fund queen of Palm Beach County, was such an inspirational figure down in Broward? The Broward County Commission, with only a single dissenting vote (Lois Wexler), decided last week to channel some $600,000 in unspent office funds into their own sweet individual discretionary funds to spread around their districts. That won’t quite amount to the unfettered buckets of slush that empowered (and enriched) Mary — and helped put her in prison — but it’s a start." "By any other name, it’s still slush in Broward".

Posey wakes up

"Bill Posey Ready to Launch a Joint NASA Administration Overhaul Bill".

Right wing GOTV scams

"It might sound like an initiative straight from the Department of Government Redundancy: a constitutional change that Florida lawmakers labored for two years to place on this fall's statewide ballot even though it will have little real-world impact. Amendment 1 prohibits laws from compelling any person or employer to purchase, obtain or otherwise provide for health-care coverage." "Amendment opposing health-care law likely will have little effect". But see "Florida Health Care Amendment Gives Voters Chance to Speak Out on Insurance Mandates". "Amendment 6 would restrict public dollars from funding abortions or health insurance that covers abortions, except in areas covered by federal law. It also overrides Florida court decisions that have upheld broader privacy rights than the U.S. Constitution affords. Supporters say that would create an opening to push for broader parental-consent laws for minors seeking abortions." "Groups say abortion amendment would impose religious dogma".

Never mind

"Rick Scott is standing by his number on jobs created since taking office as he expressed 'hope' that job growth trends would not return to a downward slide when the latest unemployment numbers arrive on Friday. Scott, who campaigned on a promise of creating 700,000 jobs in seven years and maintains that outlook, repeatedly pointed on Tuesday to the figure of 130,000 private jobs having so far been created in Florida since January 2011."

When pressed Tuesday that the state’s positive numbers come in part from people giving up seeking work and who no longer qualify for unemployment benefits, Scott repeatedly pointed to the private-sector jobs. . . .

Scott declined to respond or comment on statements last week from Florida economists that projected if the number of people who stopped looking for work were still included in the monthly unemployment numbers, the state’s mark would touch 9.8 percent.

Walmart creeps

"Walmart apologizes for rejecting school chorus on 9/11".

Atwater sees no problem with 47% remarks

"Florida's Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater defended Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney from the national media onslaught coming his way for unguarded closed-door statements made months ago in Boca Raton." "Jeff Atwater Defends Mitt Romney’s Campaign Strategy Comments".

PSC appointment

"Rick Scott has until Sunday to decide whether to reappoint the longest serving member of the powerful state utility board, eight-year veteran Lisa Edgar, or go in a new direction. Scott interviewed Edgar and three other candidates on Tuesday, including Aventura city commissioner Luz Urbaez-Weinberg, Tampa Bay Water official David Polmann and a Ken Littlefield, a former Wesley Chapel state legislator." "Scott must decide whether to bring in new blood or keep utility board static".

"Mike! I said I've answered all your questions," said Scott, briefly abandoning his normally laid-back demeanor and raising his voice in response to Bloomberg reporter Michael C. Bender.

The reporter had pointed out the findings of Amy Baker, the Florida Legislature's chief economist, which showed that Florida's unemployment rate is falling for a dire reason: a shrinking workforce.

For the past few months — as Scott has touted the 2 percentage point drop in the unemployment rate — economists have noted that the rate is falling because people have given up looking for work and aren't being counted among unemployed. Job creation has been mediocre compared with other states and is lagging the national growth rate.

Meanwhile, Scott — who based his 2010 campaign and governorship on his ability to create jobs — said last week that "Every economic indicator we have is good."

As Scott's message has begun to diverge from that of economists and other state officials, media scrutiny has intensified.

Boca made him do it

"Mitt Romney’s description of nearly half of America as “dependent upon government” and unwilling to 'take personal responsibility and care for their lives' came during a fundraising trip to Boca Raton in which Romney had earlier tried to dispel the notion he doesn’t care about middle-class voters."

It marked the second time this year that the Republican presidential nominee’s private words to big-dollar Palm Beach County contributors created a national flap. . . . “In Mitt Romney’s America, if you aren’t born to wealth and privilege like he was — if you are a firefighter, a teacher, a student or senior — you’re on your own and can expect nothing from a Romney administration,” Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith said. “That’s not an America I want to live in, because this vision for our country continues to prioritize the wealthiest few Americans while doing nothing to grow our economy for Florida’s millions of middle class families.”

Former West Palm Beach mayor Lois Frankel, running for a Palm Beach County-Broward County congressional seat, called on Republican foe Adam Hasner to condemn Romney’s “offensive and derogatory comments” and resign as a member of Romney’s campaign steering committee. The Hasner camp declined comment.

U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Palm Beach Gardens, who is no stranger to controversial remarks, told Fox News that “Mitt Romney probably could have better explained himself. I think he was a little clumsy in doing it.”

"Call it official neglect"

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "Call it official neglect. Florida is accused by the Obama administration and the parents of sick and disabled children of warehousing hundreds of those children in large nursing homes rather than helping them stay home with their families." "Florida’s sick and disabled children deserve better".

Angry man

"Sen. John McCain bashes President Obama on foreign policy during visit to Tampa". See also "McCain criticizes Obama Mideast policy during Tampa visit".

Pundits suggest the election is all but over and Romney blew it

"Republicans quietly grumble and pundits imply [that] the election is all but over and Romney blew it." Florida's Romney investors beg to differ:

"Nobody's getting weak-kneed," said Brian Ballard, a top Romney money-raiser in Florida, who said planned Romney fundraisers in Miami today and Palm Beach Thursday have generated significant support and interest. "The folks I talk to still very much think Mitt is going to win. People are voting with their checkbooks," he said. "It's a uniquely Washington thing that when the first bump in the road occurs, people like to point fingers." Campaigning for Romney in Tampa on Tuesday, Arizona Sen. John McCain brushed off the second-guessing of Romney as beltway chatter. . . . "He has to show in the debates he is up to the task," said Republican strategist Jamie Miller of Sarasota. "Those of us who believe in him know he's up to the task, but I'm not sure he's made the sale to American people." "He needs to communicate what he's trying to do, and to communicate with the middle class, the backbone of the country," added Pinellas GOP chairman J.J. Beyrouti. "Time is running out." Tallahassee GOP strategist J.M. "Mac" Stipanovich said rough patches tend to be cyclical in campaigns, and Romney has plenty of time to regain the momentum. "He can't continue this way for another three weeks and get well, but as you and I sit here talking today hopefully these are all teachable moments, and he will learn from them and move on," Stipanovich said. "What Gov. Romney has to do is prove that he's able to seize an opportunity and make the most of it. There are damn sure a hell of a lot of opportunities for him."

Curious timing

"Secretary of labor to announce grant program in Clearwater".

She forgot the campaign contribution

"Parents who were invited to meet with Gov. Rick Scott last week were given a routine security clearance but at least one Tallahassee parent was surprised to learn she wasn’t safe enough to meet with the governor". "Parent locked out of governor’s meetings because of a security check".

If it was a strike, the traditional media would be outraged

"Panthers lay off workers amid lockout".

"The specter of privatizing"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "The Legislature will not be in session until March, but already the signs point to another battle over whether to privatize South Florida’s state prisons."

State lawmakers have tried twice to privatize 26 prisons and work camps, which would be the largest shift by any state. But in 2011 a judge struck down the effort as unconstitutional, because legislators slipped it into the budget instead of putting it up for an individual vote. The state appealed, but lost this summer.

Last spring, legislators tried again to ramrod the plan into law, despite protests that it was being rerouted through friendly committees without the required study. Ultimately, a group of Republican senators joined with Democrats to kill the proposal.

But privatizing more of the Department of Corrections is never out of mind. Last week a legislative budget panel approved a plan to outsource prison health services to two private companies. That plan, while mired in its own lawsuits, has not been nearly as controversial as the broader push, but it may be a sign of more to come.

The specter of privatizing more state prisons makes many uncomfortable. For-profit companies would want more inmates in prison, despite bipartisan calls for sentencing reform. Then there are questions about security and accountability.

"Florida home prices bottomed earlier than previously thought"

"A new home sales measure says Florida prices hit a soft bottom in 2009, years earlier than what some experts have declared as the low point for real estate." "Florida home prices bottomed earlier than previously thought, according to one study".

Too much red tape

"Florida fat report: Obesity could more than double by 2030".

Sore Losermen can't give it up

"The Florida Health Care Amendment ('Amendment 1') has two purposes: to allow the state’s voters to register their symbolic opposition to the health insurance mandate of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA; known as 'Obamacare' to critics), and to make it difficult for the Florida Legislature to implement its own statewide version of such a mandate in the event the U.S. Congress overturns the controversial federal law." "Florida Health Care Amendment Gives Voters Chance to Speak Out on Insurance Mandates".

Now he's a pension expert?

The man who pled the fifth amendment 75 times in one sitting is now a pension investment expert: "Rick Scott said Tuesday he remains 'extremely concerned' that a 7.75 percent projected earning rate of the Florida Retirement System's massive investment portfolio is too high, and that meeting pension payments to hundreds of thousands of government retirees could become a big burden on future state budgets." "Scott very concerned about state pension fund's investment return".

George P. Bush lectures on "how wealth is created"

"With his campaign needing a lift, surrogates for Mitt Romney tried Tuesday to defuse the uproar over a video in which Romney suggests that almost half of all American voters are dependent on government handouts, 'believe that they are victims' and refuse to take responsibility for their lives."

In east Orlando, George P. Bush — the son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush — said Romney was highlighting government spending. "We have to be mindful," Bush said, "of how wealth is created, who's paying taxes and how we can fund entitlements."

SD 27

"Circuit Judge Terry Lewis' decision lets stand an election decided by 17 votes. Lewis said the evidence was not conclusive enough for him to overrule the local canvassing board." "Judge rejects Bernard's challenge in close Senate race".

Just what we needed

"David Christian, who has worked in Washington and Tallahassee, will start next week." "Chamber adds veteran lobbyist to its ranks".

Good luck with that

"Last year, the Legislature passed and Scott signed a bill cutting property taxes collected by the five water management districts by $210 million. The revenue caps were lifted by the Legislature this year, yet the districts are not raising taxes because of what some perceive as pressure from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection." "Former water district board members urge Gov. Scott to restore lost tax revenue".

Palm Beach GOP Black Caucus

"Pollsters say that almost all African-Americans and most Latinos will vote for President Obama in November." But then there are folks like "Michael Barnett, 35, of Boca Raton, [who] is president of the [teeny tiny] GOP Black Caucus in Palm Beach County." "In political choices, minority firm owners weigh social leanings and business interests".

Citizens

"Jeff Atwater to Citizens Property: Take Your Time". See also "Atwater urges Citizens to take it slow on loan program".

"Scott’s opponents are wary of the governor’s newfound enthusiasm"

"Following a weeklong 'listening tour' of Florida schools, Gov. Rick Scott said Tuesday he will name a panel of five superintendents to recommend cutting regulations and red tape that distract teachers in the classroom. . . . Although he didn’t cite specifics, Scott said the legislature is contributing to the regulatory burden on teachers by approving new requirements and classroom standards each year." "Gov. Scott says education is top Florida priority, vows to cut schools’ red tape". See also "Scott wants to reduce schools' paperwork". Meanwhile, "Rick Scott Shows No Signs of Budging on Tuition Hikes".

It ain't beanbag

"The District 6 Hillsborough County Commission race heated up Tuesday as Democratic incumbent Commissioner Kevin Beckner found himself targeted in an election contribution complaint." "Campaign contribution complaint filed against Beckner".

But the early maneuvering isn't exclusive to the Democratic side of any potential 2014 ballot. Under the radar, Gov. Rick Scott is raising millions of dollars. A campaign-style ad touts his education credentials. And he has embarked on a statewide "listening tour" of school administrators, teachers, students and parents.

"Governor Scott's top priorities continue to be to help Floridians get a great education and a great job while keeping the cost of living low," said Jackie Schutz, deputy press secretary for Scott. "His events across the state focus on these goals."

Longtime political observers see the flurry of activity differently.

Scott and his team "are definitely in active campaign mode, and they're actively engaged in an image makeover for this governor," said Aubrey Jewett, a political scientist at the University of Central Florida.

Appearance schedule

"Obama in Hillsborough, Romney in Sarasota this week".

He's all yours

"Former Gov. Charlie Crist would be riding a new horse ... well, donkey ... if respondents to the latest Florida Current poll have their way." "Readers Poll: Charlie Crist, a new party animal".

Florida donors thought the message was grand

"Romney's speech to Florida donors stirs controversy, outrage".

Meanwhile, George P. Bush draws smattering of Young Republicans

"Florida became the battleground for the youth vote Monday, as Michelle Obama and the son of former Gov. Jeb Bush arrived within hours of each other on college campuses in Tallahassee and Gainesville hoping to drum up support for their candidates among pivotal young voters."

The first lady spoke to a standing-room-only crowd of 10,750 cheering supporters at the Stephen O’Connell Center at the University of Florida and then darted to Tallahassee to another packed house of 8,850 at the Leon County Civic Center.

The greeting was more subdued for George P. Bush, son of Florida’s former governor and nephew of the former president, as he launched his six-college bus tour on behalf of the Maverick PAC, a political action committee designed to increase activism among young Republican professionals.

About two dozen members of Florida State University’s Young Republicans Club greeted Bush for the first-of-its-kind event intended to counter the Democrats’ successful youth campaign four years ago.

The Week Ahead

"The Week Ahead for Sept. 17 to Sept. 21".

It beats working

"Count George P. Bush among those who wish his father, former Gov. Jeb Bush, will run for president someday. But he doesn't think it'll happen."

But the son might follow in his father's path. He is considering running for office in Texas, where he now lives.

Toxic Blue-Green Algae Blooms

"In Summer, Toxic Blue-Green Algae Blooms Plague Freshwater".

"Rubio invokes a boutique brand of anti-Fidel Castro freedom"

Stephen Goldstein: "Freedom: It's the watchword of the right-wing nut jobs who have turned the Republican Party into a looney bin, the mantra that informs the beginning, middle, and end of every speech their spokespeople deliver, the lingua franca of their narrow, calcified slice of the hoi polloi, the poll-tested word guaranteed to resonate with gullible multitudes."

One of their major, Koch-brothers-backed front groups calls itself FreedomWorks. It should add "with billionaires' money." If they had their way, they'd rename the Liberty Bell and Statue of Liberty — and french fries.

Sen. Marco Rubio invokes a boutique brand of anti-Fidel Castro freedom. Rep. Ron Paul glorifies freedom from anything and anyone governmental, especially the Federal Reserve. Mitt Romney revels in the quasi-religious freedom of markets. State your preference: There are freedom-lovers only too willing to join your cause or to invite you to embrace theirs. No matter that it's verbal mush, they'll jump at any chance to "let freedom ring."

Grayson not shy in debate

"Grayson-Long debate in downtown Orlando gets testy".

'Ya need to be careful with that Public Disclosure of Financial Interests

"Okaloosa County Commissioner James Campbell had planned to retire in the coming weeks from both his elected and city government positions."

Instead, Gov. Rick Scott removed Campbell from office on Monday, hours after the two-term commissioner and longtime Niceville parks and recreation director was arrested for allegedly failing to fully disclose money on his annual Florida Commission on Ethics Public Disclosure of Financial Interests. . . . According to the probable cause arrest affidavit, the Republican Panhandle office had a working agreement since 2004 -- Campbell's first year on the commission -- with the Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival to be compensated for recruiting sponsors. In 2005, 2006, 2010 and 2011 he failed to include his commission for attracting sponsors, the affidavit stated.

"Tea party-affiliated members want deeper cuts"

The Palm Beach Post editors: "Congress seems unable to agree on a new farm bill, which is the vehicle for the food stamp program known officially as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP.) Roughly 3.5 million Floridians receive SNAP benefits. The Senate has passed a bill that would cut food stamps by $4.5 billion over 10 years. A House committee has passed a version that would cut $16.5 billion over a decade. That’s stalled, in part because some tea party-affiliated members want even deeper cuts."

Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, is chairman of an agriculture subcommittee and favors the $16.5 billion in cuts. He characterizes them as an attempt to close loopholes. His office says the SNAP budget has doubled in the last two years, and the cuts he supports amount to just 2 percent.

But the charities point out that too many people who qualify for assistance don’t get it now. Many charities spend considerable effort helping people fill out applications for food stamps. And the “loopholes” Rep. Rooney would close actually represent efforts to cut bureacracy that delays assistance. Closing the “loopholes” would cut off people who, for example, have a car that puts them over the $2,000 asset limit but who have disposable incomes at the poverty level. Why make people sell a car they need to hold a job?

Debra Susie, executive director of Florida Impact, an anti-hunger organization, notes that Florida’s error rate in granting food stamps is less than 1 percent, second only to Alaska. So “fighting fraud” is not an issue for Florida.

"Romney supporters were nowhere to be seen"

"What seemed like a flash mob was part of a major voter registration effort, organized by the college administration. Several hundred students from [Miami Dade College’s] eight campuses came together to highlight the importance of voting in November’s national election."

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney supporters were nowhere to be seen.

"Dorworth is a credit-card-carrying member of the Atlas Shrugged wing of the GOP"

Daniel Ruth: "Unless voters in his state House district finally awaken to the realization they are represented by the political equivalent of DeLorean Motors, they will elect Chris Dorworth, R-Brother Can You Spare A Dime?, to another term in Tallahassee and clear the way for him to rise to the speakership in two years."

Say, you're going to need more Kleenex to handle all that drool. . . .

Irony abounds. Dorworth, a Lake Mary Republican, is a credit-card-carrying member of the Atlas Shrugged wing of the GOP. These are stout-hearted souls who love to tout their fiscal conservatism, rugged individualism, and tightness with a buck that would make Ebenezer Scrooge look like Beyoncé in a Jimmy Choo store.

Well, here is one possible explanation for how the Legislature's resident beefcake boy for red ink managed to become the Daddy Warbucks of clout.

Dorworth, R-Checks Please!, created one of those phooey-filled political action funds called Citizens for an Enterprising Democracy, which more accurately should have been named the Committee for Mr. Dorworth! Your Table Is Ready.

The future speaker has managed to pull in nearly $1 million to the fund, which is more about selling access and influence once he grabs the speaker's gavel. Does anyone honestly believe Disney Worldwide Services would fork over $155,000, or Automated Health Care Solutions would contribute $55,000, or Southern Gardens Citrus would offer up $32,500 because all these egalitarian corporations yearn to advance freedom and liberty and democracy for one and all? . . . .

Dorworth's ability to raise unlimited gobs of money from special interests seeking a seat at the speaker's table speaks to the corrupting influence of money run amok in Tallahassee.

Litigation narrows Clemens' lead in SD 27

"On Monday morning, Judge Terry Lewis of the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court of Florida effectively narrowed the lead of Rep. Jeff Clemens of Lake Worth over Democratic primary rival Rep. Mack Bernard of West Palm Beach. Bernard’s suit alleged that at least 40 absentee ballots and nine provisional ballots cast for Bernard were improperly discarded by the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office headed by Democratic Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher." "Lawyers for Mack Bernard: Palm Beach Elections Supervisor Not Counting Every Democratic Vote". See also "Judge rejects Bernard's challenge in close Senate race".

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "A Tallahassee judge took a good, hard look Monday at the signatures on 40 rejected absentee ballots from an eyelash-thin Palm Beach County state Senate race. What he saw wasn’t enough to make him second-guess the county canvassing board’s decision not to count them. That a judge reviewed the ballots and upheld the outcome should be good enough for anyone with credible concerns about this race."

After a hand recount in August, state Rep. Jeff Clemens edged out fellow Democratic Rep. Mack Bernard in the District 27 Senate primary by just 17 votes. But Rep. Mack’s campaign pointed to 40 absentee ballots that were rejected because of problems with their signatures, which must match signatures on the voters’ registration cards. The campaign collected sworn affidavits from two dozen of the voters, who said they had signed the ballot envelopes themselves.

The goal, of course, is to count all legitimate votes, particularly in a race this tight. Rep. Bernard’s lawyer argues that many of the 40 absentee ballots were tossed because Haitian-American voters whose primary language is Creole misunderstood the English ballot instructions, and printed their names instead of signing them. But voters have an obligation to complete ballots correctly, and Florida law, correctly, limits the ability of judges to second-guess elections officials tasked with deciding if the ballots meet legal requirements. Campaigns that seek out absentee voters, as Rep. Bernard’s did, also bear responsibility for informing those voters.

On Monday, Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis agreed that the signatures on the disputed ballots didn’t match the voter registration cards. And he ruled that state law doesn’t allow him to consider the voters’ affidavits or hear their testimony. Rep. Mack’s attorney said he would appeal, but his case, which he says is based on parsing state legislators’ intent when writing the law, seems weak.

"Illusion about holding the line on gambling"

Fred Grimm: "Leaders in the state Legislature, as they snuffed out bills that would have created so-called 'destination casinos' last session, explained that they’re determined to staunch the 'expansion of gambling.'"

Truth is, they’ve had about as much luck slowing down the gambling industry in Florida as they’ve had keeping Burmese pythons out of the Everglades. In November, voters in both Palm Beach and Lee counties will be voting whether to legalize slot machines at their local racinos. Not that local voters have any such authority. But the track operators know a “yes” vote will up the pressure in Tallahassee. Up in Gadsden County, 63 percent of the voters approved a slot referendum in January, as the local track operator replaced quarter-horse racing with a novel new form of pari-mutuel gambling: rodeo style barrel racing.

Gaming operators are talking about opening jai-alai frontons in Florida City and Sunrise, no matter that jai-alai has about as much cachet in modern Florida as shuffleboard. It’s all about slots, slots and more slots.

Meanwhile, gambling conglomerates, looking for destination casinos, are pouring money into Florida politics.

And on the other end of the gambling spectrum, Internet cafes have contributed more than $700,000 to state campaigns this year, looking to preserve the fiction that no gambling occurs in their storefront gambling dens.

It might work. In Florida, home of the un-roulette, we cling to an illusion about holding the line on gambling. But the line keeps moving.

Political cheerleader

Frank Cerabino: "College mascots usually don’t play a role in national politics."

But when Lynn University, a 2,400-student private school in Boca Raton, scored a coup by becoming the site of one of the three upcoming presidential debates, Big LU, the mascot of the Fighting Knights, found himself with a new role.

He has been recast as a political cheerleader.

While President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney debate inside the Wold Performing Arts Center on Lynn’s campus on the night of Oct. 22, Big LU will be standing on the school’s soccer field, the designated student watching area, and reacting to the big-screen TV broadcast of the debate.

While none inflict the public with the TV ad barrage or command the news coverage of the Barack Obama-Mitt Romney contest, they do offer county voters a chance to make a slew of decisions that could have big impacts – from county law enforcement to helping determine which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives.

The hottest races could go either way on Nov. 6. Republicans have a fighting chance in many, even though they're vastly outnumbered by Democratic voters in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

One plus for Democrats: Their turnout tends to surge in presidential election years. Still, political insiders say, don't expect Obama and Romney to help or hurt all the other candidates. Gone are the days when a presidential candidate had coattails that made a decisive impact on races all the way down the ballot.

Around-the-clock surveillance?

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "The Tampa City Council, which has limited powers to check the mayor, should subject this surveillance camera plan to rigorous debate. Law-abiding residents in public spaces should not be subject to around-the-clock surveillance by their local government." "Tampa's prying eyes need to go".

"Nasty automated telephone calls"

"Pinecrest Mayor Cindy Lerner said that state Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, R-Coral Gables, and Florida Power & Light, are behind a series of nasty automated telephone calls to her constituents. Lerner, a former Democratic member of the state House of Representatives, has been an outspoken critic of FPL’s plans to put eight-story-high power lines along U.S. 1 through Pinecrest and neighboring communities." "Pinecrest mayor says state senator backs FPL against his constituents".

"Low levels of Cuba-related contributions this year"

"Just weeks short of the Nov. 7 elections, donors and political action committees linked to Cuba issues are notable by their absence from the campaign."

John Henry Cabañas, the pro-Castro Miami businessman who donated $75,000 to President Barack Obama’s coffers in 2008 and $14,400 to Joe Garcia’s bid for a U.S. congressional seat in 2010, has given them nothing this year.

The U.S. Cuba Now Political Action Committee, created last year to support candidates who favor ending the U.S. embargo, reported in its most recent filing with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) that it had collected only $6,600.

The pro-sanctions U.S.-Cuba Democracy PAC, which collected $803,000 in 2008, reported taking in $360,000 in its most recent filing to the FEC and said it planned to hit $650,000-$700,00 by Election Day.

Would-be donors say the low levels of Cuba-related contributions this year are due to the slow economy, fatigue with the issue and the likelihood that Congress, stalemated between Democrats and Republicans, can’t significantly change course on Cuba.

"Legal showdown over Florida’s commitment" to "'medically fragile' children"

They're called "'medically fragile' children, but labels don’t begin to convey the yeoman help they need to survive. Now, however, Washington and Tallahassee are locked in a legal showdown over Florida’s commitment." "Sick kids getting less help".

"Many living in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area are heavily in debt"

"Many of those living in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area are heavily in debt, concludes a new survey."

South Floridians owe -- a lot -- on car, home and student loans. The average South Florida mortgage balance is more than $30,000 higher, for example, than the average U.S. home loan balance, according to a report released by Credit Karma, a consumer website. One reason is that South Florida has a higher cost of living than some other parts of the country, said Kenneth Lin, CEO of Credit Karma. Many South Floridians also bought homes a few years ago when prices were inflated during the housing boom, said Lin. Some are now stuck with high mortgage balances, he said.

Boleteros spurned

"Some judicial candidates said they were appalled that absentee-ballot brokers, sometimes shamelessly, sometimes obliquely, promised to deliver votes — for a price." "Judge hopefuls spurn boleteros".

"Mack’s linking Nelson to the president may not prove damaging"

"A generation ago, a candidate named Connie Mack was elected U.S. senator in Florida after Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis withdrew his campaign from the state, hurting Democrats up and down the ballot."

This fall, Connie Mack IV can’t count on history repeating.

With presidents past, present and possibly future stumping through Florida in recent weeks, coattails are certain to play a big role in this year’s Senate contest between Mack and two-term Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson.

“It’s a different era, and a different race for young Connie than for his dad,” said Republican strategist Rick Wilson, who was an aide to the elder Mack in his 1988 Senate race against Democrat Buddy MacKay.

“But he just may not get the help his father did. Neither President Obama nor Mitt Romney is going to abandon Florida. Instead, Connie’s luck needs to change a bit,” Wilson said.

Mack, a four-term U.S. House member from Cape Coral, has repeatedly sought to tar Nelson and Obama as “lockstep liberals” in TV spots attacking his opponent for supporting the White House on the Affordable Care Act, stimulus package and Bush-era tax cuts.

But some polls last week showed Obama gaining, opening up narrow leads in Florida and across the nation, which suggests Mack’s linking Nelson to the president may not prove so damaging.

And while Romney’s numbers decline, Mack’s might be slumping even more. A Survey USA poll last week showed him trailing Nelson by 11 percentage points, with a Public Policy Polling survey a week earlier placing Mack 7 percentage points back.

CD 19

"Facing a well-funded Republican opponent with no extra help from his own party, Democrat Jim Roach has taken on what many consider a quixotic quest to represent the residents of Congressional District 19 in Southwest Florida." "Democrat Jim Roach Faces Uphill Fight for Southwest Congressional Seat".

How Florida’s poor fare in comparison with the rest of the nation

The right-wing "Sunshine State News interviewed [Robert] Rector Friday, and asked him how Florida’s poor fared in comparison with those of the nation."

“None of these data sets allow for any type of state breakdown. They’re simply too small. They’re very good at providing national figures but you can’t break them down by state at all,” he says. “I would imagine, having looked at a lot of different data sets, that there is not a whole lot of variation. Florida is a fairly affluent state, so I would guess that Florida’s poor probably look marginally better than the national figures, but not by a whole lot.”

Privatization follies

"Unions Sue to Block Privatization of Health Care in Prisons".

"Foul-smelling disaster"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Foul-smelling disaster is not how this Hollywood script was supposed to end, but then this isn't Hollywood. It's Florida's Port St. Lucie trying to become a new center of the animated film industry, using taxpayers' money."

It now looks as if those dollars, including $20 million from state taxpayers, have turned to fairy dust and blown away. Gov. Rick Scott is right to try to figure out exactly how it all happened.

But there are questions beyond the budget process that need attention to maintain public support for the state's jobs incentives programs.

Why must so many of the deals be hush-hush for so long? Why isn't the public clearly shown which companies have gotten what, and what the state has gotten in return? How many current or former lawmakers or their families have gotten money back from the companies they helped get state or local subsidies?

As the Tribune's Michael Sasso reported last week, a $20 million gift from the state to a film company was tucked into the 2009 state budget, according to some reports, by former Rep. Kevin Ambler of Tampa. It happened outside the state's normal review process. Late last year Ambler, who left the Legislature in 2010, took a paying job on the company's board, and his son appears to have gotten one of the hundreds of jobs the company promised to create, paying an average $64,233.

Last week, Digital Domain Media Group announced that it couldn't repay $35 million in private loans. It filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, with debts of $215 million and assets of only $205 million.

The Palm Beach Post reports that in addition to $20 million from the state's Quick Action Closing Fund, the city of Port St. Lucie provided money for land and bond financing. West Palm Beach was also chipping in. The total stake by local governments has been estimated at $110 million.

The company also had a deal with Florida State University, but has announced it is closing its newly opened Digital Domain Institute in West Palm Beach. It also laid off its workforce in Port St. Lucie and is closing its studio there.

"He’s one of our nuts. We’re not proud of it"

Frank Cerabino: "Please ignore Terry Jones."

He’s just one of our nuts. Florida has a lot of them. It has to do with the warm weather and the general lack of adult supervision.

People looking to reinvent themselves come here and act out in all sorts of strange ways.

Jones came to Florida 11 years ago to devote his life to hating Muslims and gays while selling furniture on eBay.

Like I said, he’s one of our nuts. We’re not proud of it.

"Rethinking of development rules"

"All this post-recession rethinking of development rules started at the top, when the Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott struck down most of state government's efforts to coordinate growth, and pushed those decisions back to the local level."

At the same time, developers and their political allies say that with the local economy still flagging, governments must adapt to the times and make changes to spur job creation.

"Mystery group with a liberal-sounding name and a GOP-connected address"

"A mystery group with a liberal-sounding name and a GOP-connected address is taking aim at Democratic state Sen. Maria Sachs in Florida’s biggest state Senate race."

Sachs is running against another incumbent, Republican Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, for the newly drawn Palm Beach-Broward District 34 seat. About 49 percent of constituents in the new district are from Bogdanoff’s old district and about 39 percent are from Sachs’ seat. It’s the only Senate district in Florida where two incumbents running against each other.

Sachs has been targeted in mailings from a group called “Progressives.” At least three anti-Sachs pieces from the group have landed in Democratic mailboxes over the past three weeks purporting to criticize Sachs from the left.

The committee was formed Aug. 27, so it hasn’t filed reports yet listing donors. Its address is the same Tallahassee office suite as the law firm of Richard Coates, who is general counsel to the Republican Party of Florida. Several other committees share the address, including one called “Conservatives” and the conservative Liberty Foundation of Florida, which is supported largely by money from the state GOP.

An employee of the Coates firm hand-delivered filing papers from the Progressives committee to the state Division of Elections.