There will be blood

Scott Powers: "The way Florida Democrats have battled among themselves in recent weeks over choosing an new leader, people might think the state governor's race is being decided this weekend in Lake Mary."

On Saturday, Florida Democrats will elect a new state chairman to succeed Rod Smith — either Tant, 51, a Tallahassee fundraiser and former lobbyist who wants to overhaul the party's fundraising efforts and modernize its technology, or Alan Clendenin, 53, a Tampa-area labor organizer who vows to shake up the party and bring more attention, power and money to local groups and elections.

The state's Democratic establishment, including U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who's chair of the Democratic National Committee, have almost all lined up for Tant, a major fundraiser for President Barack Obama. Clendenin has widespread support in Tampa Bay, Democrat-rich South Florida and most statewide caucuses.

Tant said Thursday that she "knows" she has the necessary 580 votes lined up to win. But Clendenin has rebuffed overtures to back down or take another post. While some votes remain fluid — as Ramos indicated — the campaigning has been furious.

"Dems' party-chairmanship battle goes down to wire".




Uppity employees getting big ideas

The union haters on Florida's editorial boards don't want their employees getting big ideas. The Palm Beach Post editorial board whines that the "real pension problem in Florida . . . is in cities — unsustainable police and fire pensions." "Stare down police and fire unions on pensions".




"Scott hopes this 'investment' pays dividends at the polls"

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "With an anemic approval rating, and dimming re-election hopes, Gov. Rick Scott borrowed the goodies-win-elections page from Mitt Romney's Monday-morning-quarterback playbook."

"No better investment" for Florida, he said, than the $2,500 across-the-board bump ($480 million total cost).

Our translation: Desperate to perk up a 36 percent approval rating ahead of his 2014 re-election bid, Scott hopes this "investment" pays dividends at the polls. We're surprised he didn't throw in a promise of dark chocolate, red wine and foot massages.

The editors continue, with a less than impressive analysis of the flip-flop. On one hand they pay homage to their corporate masters, writing that

This naked political ploy . . . undercuts the sensible proposition — once embraced by Scott — that teacher pay should be pegged to effectiveness and results. Education reformers [sic] around the state must be feeling double-crossed about now.

Under Scott's plan, the best teacher in Florida will get the exact same raise as the worst teacher in Florida. We're having trouble seeing the merit in that.

Perhaps due to his absence from corporate life, Scott has forgotten that most businesses don't operate by awarding across-the-board raises.

Then, wiping the drool from their chins, the editors bring themselves to articulate a position that would make Paul Ryan cringe:

We share Scott's newfound belief that teachers, as a group, deserve better pay. Florida teachers haven't had a substantive raise in years, in part because of the education budget cuts that Scott signed into law during his first year in office.

"Teacher pay proposal smacks of political bribe". The Palm Beach Post editors write that "Scott has not been friendly to public schools since taking office. His first year, the state cut education spending $1.3 billion. He enthusiastically supported and signed legislation that reduced paychecks by 3 percent for teachers and other state workers by requiring them to make pension payments that had been the responsibility of their employers. He advocated for and signed a teacher evaluation system that has not been shown to be valid or reliable." "The raise Scott seeks is his standing with teachers". The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Teacher raise proposal welcome". The Sarasota Herald Tribune editorial board: "A boost for teachers -- maybe". Even The Tampa Tribune editorial board acknowledge that the "average pay for Florida teachers is $46,000. That's $10,000 below the national average and 46th in the nation. Florida is shortchanging itself as well as its teachers." "Florida teachers deserve a raise". Meanwhile, Tampa teachers grateful but wary as Scott touts pay-raise plan




"Distressed homes a drag on Florida"

"At a news conference Thursday, Attorney General Pam Bondi suggested that money coming to the state from the multistate settlement with five large lending banks could be used to fund affordable housing projects, foreclosure prevention, neighborhood rehabilitation, renter and homeowner assistance, legal aid, and housing counseling programs." "Funds flow to foreclosure aid, but distressed homes to remain drag on Florida".




"Finger-pointing over phosphorus discharges"

"Everglades legislation in works amid finger-pointing over phosphorus discharges".




Never mind the details

"A value-added score as called for in the Student Success Act of 2011 will determine whether a teacher can be fired starting with the 2014 school year. How to calculate that score is still being determined." "Value-added measure for teachers still a work in progress".




"Two floppers actually facing each other in 2014?"

Scott Maxwell: "Rick Scott is about to make history as the very first governor to reform voting — and then unreform it."

After cutting early voting, he now wants to expand it.

He's the hero … to his own villain. And it's getting to be a trend.

Remember when he wanted credit for boosting school funding … after first cutting it?

Or his complete about-face on immigration? (Vowing to crack down on hiring illegal immigrants during the campaign and then calling such a crackdown "foolish" after he got elected.)

I'm all for enlightenment and evolution of thought, but this looks more like your basic flip-flop.

As a matter of fact, it looks more like … dare I say it? … Charlie Crist.

Yes, Crist has long been viewed as royalty when it comes to reversals — the prince of pandering, if you will.

Yet Scott seems eager to seize the throne as the king of contradictions.

And now there's talk about these two floppers actually facing each other in 2014?

Can you imagine what that would look like?

Maxwell imagines here: "Crist vs. Scott? More like Flip vs. Flop".




Entrepreneurs whine about red tape

Unlicensed (licenses are after all "red tape") entrepreneurs whine that "under a 'draconian' 2005 Florida law, an unlicensed contractor cannot sue for breach of contract, even when they have been wronged and even when the party against whom they are seeking relief knew of their unlicensed status." "Florida Supreme Court to Contractors: Unlicensed? No Relief for Contract Violations!".




"Burnishing Hillsborough's reputation for backwardness"

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "They all papered their support for their bigoted position with patriotic rhetoric. But voting against a registry to give unmarried adults in committed relationships the right to visit each other in the hospital and other protections had nothing to do with smaller government, or legal loopholes, or personal responsibility, or any of the other phony excuses from the four Republican Hillsborough County commissioners. They simply couldn't summon the courage to do the right thing, and the county again looks narrow-minded and unenlightened as a result."

Commissioners Ken Hagan, Victor Crist, Sandra Murman and Al Higginbotham continued the commission's sorry legacy on civil rights Thursday by killing the creation of a domestic partner registry on a 4-3 vote. The measure would have allowed unmarried couples — straight or gay — to enjoy some protections that married people have, such as the right to visit each other in the hospital, be notified by the police in an emergency or take part in a child's education. It is a simple step that communities across the country are taking to recognize equal treatment in the modern family. In the bay area, the cities of Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg, and Pinellas County, have adopted a registry. It should have been an easy decision for Hillsborough to follow suit.

But the feckless four would rather burnish Hillsborough's reputation for backwardness than face social conservatives in their party who are intent on denying rights to gays. This is a county, after all, that has a policy against recognizing gay events. This is a county that has blocked efforts to reinstate antidiscrimination protections that commissioners stripped in the 1990s. Crist didn't even have the decency to act civil during the debate. And none of the four bothered faking that they came in with an open mind.

"Feckless four in Hillsborough set back rights". See also "Domestic partner registry fails to pass in Hillsborough County" and "Commission rejects domestic registry".




Haters may have the last word

"Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said despite talk of the state entering the 2013 legislative session with a potential surplus for the first time since 2007, Florida faces a number of economic hurdles." "Senate Budget Chief: Scott’s Teacher Pay Hike Could Cut Other State Programs".




Entrepreneurs in action

The Neanderthals on the Tampa Tribune editorial board argue that it

makes business sense for the state to move toward a benefits system similar to that used by most private employers.

"Opinion: Looking for savings in state government". See also "Additional State Worker Pension Changes in Hands of Ongoing House Study". Florida's genius "House Speaker Will Weatherford . . . has called Florida's current pension plan a 'ticking time bomb' because he fears it could require a costly taxpayer bailout in the future." "Florida House speaker wants to drop pension, offer 401(k) for state retirement accounts". This, even though "the state's $127 billion retirement fund — which covers 623,000 current employees — is one of the best-rated in the country. For the last few decades, it has been either fully funded or just shy of 100 percent funding." "Florida may end pensions, opt for 401(k)-style plan".




Mormon church could block train

"Mormon church could block Orlando-to-Miami train".

Scott pay raise scheme pits one public employee group against others

"Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday proposed $2,500 across-the-board pay raises for all full-time public school teachers, a bold move that would help the pocketbooks of 168,000 educators but also shrink a small projected budget surplus and potentially pit one public employee group against others."

Scott trumpeted the pay raise plan in a visit to a middle school near Orlando, where he emphasized that the $480 million in raises is in addition to an as-yet unspecified boost in public school funding next year.

Teachers were quick to note that it was Scott who championed a 3 percent cut in teacher pay last year in the form of a pension contribution.

"Scott wants $2,500 raises for teachers".

"Scott has clashed frequently with the Florida Education Association but faces re-election next year. He’s been looking to mend fences, especially with the prospect of facing former Gov. Charlie Crist, a Republican-turned-Democrat and a union favorite."

Florida teachers average $46,000 in salary – about $10,000 below the national average. Scott’s plan would provide $2,500 pay raises – about 5 percent for those earning the state average.

"Scott to push for teacher raises, but after layoffs Palm Beach County educators wary". See also "No Easy 'A' for Rick Scott's Teacher Pay Hike", "Scott calls for $2,500 pay raises for teachers", "Scott to seek across-the-board teacher pay raises" and "Scott wants to give teachers $2,500 pay raise".




Meanwhile, salary increases for state workers are unlikely

"On the same day Gov. Rick Scott proposed an across-the-board $2,500 pay raise for the state’s public school classroom teachers, the outlook for a salary increase for state workers seemed dim. State Senate Appropriations Chair Joe Negron said his focus will be more narrow, aimed at inequities among particular state agencies and departments. State employees have gone six years without a general pay raise." "State worker raises plan still in limbo".




"Scott's PR fiasco"

Bill Cotterell: "Scott's PR fiasco has big bark".




"Criticism of energy conservation law"

"Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam in 2012 called on the Legislature to review the Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, which was adopted by the Legislature in 1980. The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy in 2012 challenged utility conservation plans approved by the Public Service Commission under the law." "House hears criticism of energy conservation law, but chairman isn't sure about legislation".




Florida has three of the 20 worst run cities in the Nation

"Don’t look in the list of top 20 cities best run -- topped by Plano, Texas, and Madison, Wis. -- for an entry from Florida. Fiscal management, including strong general obligation debt ratings from Moody’s, were key for those getting high marks from the Delaware-based fiscal news website. However, the Sunshine State does have the honor of three cities gracing the 20 worst run: Orlando, 10; Hialeah, 5; and Miami, 2." "Florida Lands Three Cities Among America's Worst Run".




Failure to develop recovery plan for Florida corals

"The National Marine Fisheries Service has failed to develop a recovery plan for two Florida corals it listed as threatened six years ago, an environmental group alleged in a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday." "Environmentalists sue to prod national fisheries service to protect corals".




"Scandal upon embarrassing scandal"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Florida’s legislative leaders are signaling a surprising readiness to start cleaning up state government, a desperately needed action that follows scandal upon embarrassing scandal in state government and the stubborn refusal of elected officials to heed warnings by ethics watchdogs pointing the finger of shame at Tallahassee." "Cleaning up state government".




"Lawmakers scrutinize economic incentive programs"

"Enterprise Florida CEO Gray Swoope defended the state's economic incentive programs before skeptical panels in the House and Senate on Wednesday, and Senate President Don Gaetz hinted Gov. Rick Scott may have to give up some priorities to achieve a plan to raise teacher salaries." "Lawmakers scrutinize economic incentive programs as budget battles brew".




"No-bid Glades deal"

"The governor, as well as Attorney General Pam Bondi, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater ignored concerns of environmental groups that the conditions of the leases to A. Duda & Sons and Florida Crystals were overly generous and would limit the state's options for cleaning up the Everglades in the future." "Gov. Rick Scott, Cabinet approve no-bid Glades deal". See also "Cabinet OKs no-bid leases for Duda, Florida Crystals despite enviros’ delay request".




Clinton tries not to laff

"In what was hyped as a face-off of potential 2016 presidential rivals, Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio quizzed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Wednesday on what steps she took to protect American diplomats before the Sept. 11 terrorist attack in Libya that killed the U.S. ambassador and three others."

The five-minute exchange with Rubio was fairly low-key compared to the harsh criticism of Clinton that came from other Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"Clinton quizzed by Rubio, praised by Deutch in congressional hearings".




Murphy speaks

"Freshman U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Jupiter, used his first House floor speech Wednesday to decry 'short-term gimmicks' and 'playing games with the debt ceiling' before joining the majority in voting to extend the federal government’s borrowing authority for four months." "Congressman Murphy takes stage for first time but no luck on amendment".




"Earning giggles from the national punditocracy"

Billy Manes: "Last week, numbers released from Public Policy Polling showed Florida Gov. Rick Scott staring down a 57 percent disapproval rating (only 33 percent of Floridians say they like him); those numbers not coincidentally mirror surprise Democrat Charlie Crist's projected lead in a 2014 challenge (53 percent to Scott's 39 percent)."

Scott's lack of popularity shouldn't be surprising, what with his forever war on the needs of his constituents and even their right to vote in an orderly fashion, but now the certainty of where Scott stands on voting rights is earning giggles from the national punditocracy. On Jan. 17, Scott made an odd about-face on the much-maligned voter-unfriendly House Bill 1355, which he signed into law in 2011. To wit: "It was not my bill. We've got to make changes, I agree. … The legislature passed it. I didn't have anything to do with passing it," Scott said, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Cue the outrage!

"Gov. Scott's about face on voting fiasco".

Florida GOP donor indicted for campaign finance fraud

"Panhandle developer Jay Odom, the man whose desire for a new airplane hangar led to the downfall of former House Speaker Ray Sansom, has been indicted on federal campaign finance violations."

The two-count indictment accuses him of laundering more than $10,000 in personal funds in 2007 to reimburse individual contributions to an unnamed presidential candidate identified only as "Candidate A.'' The candidate appears to be Mike Huckabee, according to campaign finance data.

"Florida GOP donor Jay Odom indicted on campaign finance fraud charges".




Florida playing catch up on Obamacare

"Lawmakers this spring likely will decide whether the state wants to take part in running an exchange --- and, if so, how to do it. Under the federal health law, better known as Obamacare, each state will have such an exchange to act as a sort of online market where people will be able to shop for insurance coverage. Depending on income levels, many people will be eligible for subsidies to buy insurance through the exchange." "Lawmakers consider to put in place health insurance exchanges under Obamacare". See also "Wait on health insurance exchanges, experts tell committee" and "Should State Wait and See on Health Exchange?".




Oil drilling to Blackwater River State Forest?

"Last year legislation encouraging companies to explore and drill for oil on state lands died amid environmental opposition. This year, HB 431 would limit drilling to Blackwater River State Forest in the Panhandle." "Bill to encourage oil drilling filed again in House".




"Politicians broke the rules"

The Miami Herald editorial board writes that "in the Digital Domain case, "politicians broke the rules and rushed into a deal that ultimately will hurt Floridians." "Florida’s economic incentives work when Legislature follows rules".




Scott suddenly thinks teachers are grand

"With Florida expecting its first budget surplus in six years, Gov. Rick Scott wants to spend a chunk of it on higher pay for teachers — a proposal some see as more of Scott’s newfound support for public schools."

But skeptics see a governor hobbled by low popularity numbers in campaign mode, trying to prove he’s an ally of public education.

“Tell him to send the money, but no one is fooled by this,” said Karen Aronowitz, president of the 22,000-member United Teachers of Dade in Miami. “He’s just restoring money that was already stolen from teachers. He can campaign all he wants.”

Average teacher salaries in Florida are among the lowest in the country, at about $46,000 a year, lagging about $10,000 behind the national average.

While the money may be welcome, teachers might not be as quick to embrace Scott. Many teachers remain angry at him for cutting $1.3 billion to schools from his first budget, for signing a teacher-evaluation law that he now says must be reworked, for backing a merit pay system tied to students’ standardized test scores, and for requiring teachers to contribute 3 percent of their pay to their pensions — a requirement upheld last week by the Florida Supreme Court.

"Florida Gov. Rick Scott calls for teacher raises". See also "Gov. Scott to propose pay raises for Florida teachers", "Scott seeking pay raise for Florida's teachers" and "Gov. Scott to unveil teacher pay raise plan in Central Florida".




Over-pumping

"The Florida Department of Environmental Protection holds possibly a final hearing Wednesday on rules that would provide for consistency among water management districts in water-use permitting. The Florida Conservation Coalition on Tuesday urged supporters to contact DEP expressing their concerns that the rules will not protect against future over-pumping." "Environmental groups still opposed to DEP water-use rules".




From the "values" crowd

"Freshman Rep. Ross Spano filed HB 401, increasing the corporate income tax exemption from $50,000 to $75,000, a major priority for Gov. Rick Scott." "Gov. Scott's business tax break filed in House".




Rick Scott's self-serving "political conversion"

The Sarasota Herald Tribune editorial board: "Gov. Rick Scott apparently has had an epiphany on the value of early voting. Hallelujah!"

Scott's revelation came some 18 months after he signed into law a 2011 bill that reduced the number of early-voting days in Florida from 14 to eight. It came after his office spent $500,000 defending the law in court, and after he refused to extend early voting during Florida's troubled November election.

"Scott's official endorsement of a return to what was the early-voting status quo before passage of the 2011 law appears to be a political conversion."

Democrats suggested that Thursday's announcement -- one day after a Public Policy Polling survey showed that only 33 percent of Floridians approve of Scott's performance as governor -- is self-serving. Scott is up for re-election in 2014.

"Scott's early-voting conversion".




Home sales and prices shoot up

"Home sales shot up 15.8 percent in December, and the median sale price rose 14.1 percent to $154,000." "Florida home and condo sales, prices shoot up in December".




Florida lags other big states in venture capital investment

"Despite the uptick in the fourth quarter, Florida ranked 18th in venture capital investment in 2012." "Venture capital picks up in 4th quarter, but Florida lags other big states".




Presentations before the Senate Gaming Committee

"Pari-mutuels and anti-gambling forces made presentations before the Senate Gaming Committee on Tuesday, with both agreeing that internet sweepstakes cafes should be removed from the legal "gray area" in which they operate." "Pari-mutuels present case to Senate gaming panel".




Tampa socialite speaks

"Jill and Scott Kelley on the Petraeus scandal and loss of privacy". See also "Tampa socialite addresses Petraeus scandal".




Balancing the budget on the backs of state employees

"Moody’s: Employee Pension Ruling is ‘Credit Positive’ for Florida".




GOPers discover "ethics"

"Political ethics experts say they are impressed by many of the items in the proposed bill that a Senate ethics committee unanimously approved Tuesday."

Touted as the most far-reaching ethics reform in 36 years, the bill would:

• Extend a ban that currently prohibits lawmakers from lobbying their colleagues in the legislative branch for two years after leaving office to include the executive branch (the governor's office and state agencies);

• Prohibit lawmakers and all elected officials in Florida from accepting a state administrative job after getting elected;

• Require lawmakers to abstain from voting on issues that benefit them or family members;

• And prohibit lawmakers from using political committees for personal expenses.

"Sweeping Senate ethics bill clears committee". See also "Ethics reform bill passes out of committee on unanimous vote", "New restrictions on Florida public officials passes first Senate committee hurdle" and "Senate Committee Unanimously Approves Major State Ethics Overhaul".




Florida Crystals is "holding the state hostage"

"Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet will be asked on Wednesday to agree to a no-bid contract to allow two major agriculture companies to farm on Everglades land for another 30 years, a deal that would include pouring tons of phosphorous-laden fertilizer onto the site the state is spending billions to clean-up."

The request from Florida Crystals and A. Duda and Sons is supported by the state Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel Vinyard and South Florida Water Management District officials. But environmentalists aren’t happy.

“The State of Florida is putting 13,952 acres of state land off the table as a possible solution to future problems,’’ said Charles Lee, director of advocacy for Audubon of Florida at a meeting of the Cabinet aides last week. “It is passing up an opportunity.”

Environmentalists have agreed to allow Florida Crystals to continue sugar farming 7,862 acres in the Everglades Agricultural Area because they believe the company is “holding the state hostage” and won’t allow a crucial next step to go forward in the Everglades clean-up plan if they don’t get the deal.

But environmentalists strongly oppose the Duda deal, which would allow that company to continue to grow vegetables farm 6,089 acres of land and pump 339 tons of fertilizer each year into the Everglades, exacerbating the clean-up problem the state is spending billions to fix. They want the state to require Duda to reduce its phosphorous run-off in exchange for the favorable no-bid contract.

"Growers want state to give them 30-year no-bid access to Everglades land". See also "In deals for Everglades restoration, state weighs no-bid leases to growers". Meanwhile, The Palm Beach Post's Randy Schultz writes that "the state must demand that Florida Crystals not hold the state’s own land hostage and demand that Duda clean up the mess it is making on state land." "Editorial: Sweeten land deals for state, not farm giants".




5 things to know

"5 things to know in Florida for Jan. 23".




"Greed-based health insurance increases"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Though medical costs have slowed as fewer Americans seek health care because of the economy, insurance premiums in some states are rising as high as 25 percent. Critics blame the Affordable Care Act, even though key provisions don’t take effect until next year. In fact, Obamacare is only partly responsible. Insurers get most blame as they seek maximum profits before the health care landscape drastically changes." "Let state deny greed-based health insurance increases".




"Florida's springs are in trouble"

"Florida's springs are in trouble. Most have lost flow. Some have reversed themselves. Many of them are suffering from rampant pollution that has spurred the growth of toxic algae. There are signs that saltwater is intruding. What will it take to fix all this? According to state water officials, $122.4 million — just to start." "Saving springs won't be cheap".

Rubio and Jeb trail Hillary in Florida

"Even before President Barack Obama took the oath of office to begin his second term, much of the political world was already jumping ahead. And for legions of South Florida voters, there's only one person they'd like to see raise her right hand four years from now to become the nation's 45th president: Hillary Rodham Clinton."

A new Public Policy Polling survey of Florida voters released last week shows Clinton, 65, is the overwhelming favorite of the state's Democrats for 2016. And the poll showed she'd edge out either U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., or former Gov. Jeb Bush in a contest for the Sunshine State's 29 electoral votes.

"Poll: Florida Dems like Hillary Clinton in 2016". See PPP's "Florida Miscellany" ("Clinton bests both of them on their home turf: 50/46 over Marco Rubio and 49/44 over Jeb Bush").




"State Legislature hell-bent on the privatization of education"

"Some Palm Beach County School District officials are incensed at a state proposal to offer once again millions of dollars next year for capital improvements at charter schools — and none at traditional public schools."

That plan, those officials say, has set up a political fight for the legislative session that begins in March. School officials in Palm Beach County have estimated their buildings and grounds have $1.4 billion in capital improvement needs over the next 10 years. . . .

Charter schools are alternatives to traditional public schools. They receive taxpayer funding but are freed from meeting some state requirements — such as in curriculum, hiring and classroom sizes — in exchange for targeting specific classroom results from their students. They often are run by private companies, some of them for-profit.

The state Department of Education last week gave a Florida Senate subcommittee a report on the state Board of Education’s requested budget for next year. The budget includes a request for about $64 million for capital improvements at charter schools. Last year charters received about $55 million for school construction.

If approved, that budget would mark the third straight year the state has given capital outlay money to charter schools but no capital funding to districts to build and maintain traditional public schools, said Vern Pickup-Crawford, the county school district’s state lobbyist.

School board member Frank Barbieri was as upset as Shaw at the proposal and called it proof “the State Legislature is hell-bent on the privatization of education.”

"State plan to help charter schools irks PB County".




Voters dump Rivera, Dorworth; columnists at a loss

Fred Grimm: "Before the voters in Miami’s 26th Congressional District dumped David Rivera, he was Mr. Dependable for a columnist, an unending source of material with his financial chicanery and phantom companies and his convoluted explanations. His life was like performance theater, living satire of a political contribution system gone amok."

In Central Florida, voters — similarly oblivious to the needs of newspaper columnists — ousted another very newsy, less-than-ethical free spender. Rep. Chris Dorworth of Lake Mary, anointed as the next speaker of the House, was both living well, and well beyond his means, thanks to the gaping loopholes in Florida’s political contribution laws.

The would-be speaker had not made a mortgage payment on his $1.6 million house in three years. Along with his daunting debts, he was a scofflaw with unpaid freeway tolls. Yet Dorworth managed a fine lifestyle out of his personal campaign fund, the so-called Citizens for an Enterprising Democracy. Contributions from big corporate donors, via way of the political fund, paid for lavish travel, fancy meals, hefty bar bills, a Super Bowl trip, even Dorworth’s personalized polo shirts.

Life, even in bankruptcy, can be good for a powerful pol with his own “committee of continuing existence” as they call these unregulated slush funds. Us news guys thought Dorworth was a great story. The voters, not so much.

"Without David Rivera, what’s a columnist to do?".




5 things to know

"5 things to know in Florida for Jan. 22".




Sales tax increase proposal

"A Department of Revenue working group will propose replacing the Communications Services Tax with an increase in the state sales tax. The group has held seven meetings since June and will submit a report to the governor and Legislature on Feb. 1." "DOR group to propose communications tax repeal, sales tax increase".




Over the hill

People like Lloyd Brown, a former editorial page editor of the Florida Times-Union and speech writer for Jeb Bush lose any credibility they may have left when they spew things like this: "Liberals seem to prefer that people remain unemployed and on the dole – and of course vote for those doling out other people's money." "An 'F' Word Liberals Hate: Frugality".




Reagan saga

"Reagan, the now famous dog that once belonged to Gov. Rick Scott, was banished from the Governor’s Mansion after biting an employee who moved his water bowl. . . . The report noted that the injury was not serious and required no medical treatment. . . . After the bite report, . . . Scott flew Reagan back to Naples on his private jet and returned the dog to All Pets Grooming and Boarding, a Collier County groomer." "Gov. Rick Scott's ex-dog Reagan bit mansion employee, records show".




Floridians prefer Rubio over Bush by double digits

According to a Public Policy Polling Poll, amongst Florida Republicans, "Rubio has the edge over Bush right now on the Republican side. 62% of GOP voters in the state want Rubio to run in 2016, compared to 49% for Bush. Overall 31% of voters say they'd like Rubio to be their 2016 candidate to 26% for Bush, 11% for Mike Huckabee, 7% for Chris Christie, 5% for Bobby Jindal, Rand Paul, and Paul Ryan, and 2% for Rick Perry and Susana Martinez." "Florida Miscellany".

Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry follows.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Bondi has succeeded in suppressing the black vote</b><br />
<br />
The <i>Saint Petersburg Times</i> editorial board:&nbsp; "The highly restrictive rules limiting felons' voting in Florida that
were put in place two years ago at the urging of Attorney General Pam
Bondi are having their predictable effect."<br />
<blockquote>
<i>Since then, fewer than 400
people out of hundreds of thousands have gotten back their right to
vote. It's no wonder the issue was featured last week among the concerns
 Florida's black lawmakers brought to the governor. Florida's Clemency
Board, made up of Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet, have returned Florida
 to a process that suppresses black voting strength under the guise of
criminal justice. The policy should be reversed and automatic civil
rights restoration adopted.</i></blockquote>
Bondi and fellow Teabagger, Rick Scott <br />
<blockquote>
<i>insist the tightening of the rules is about people
proving they have reformed before regaining their rights, and not about
keeping a disproportionate number of African-Americans who tend to vote
Democratic from the voting booth. But the numbers tell the real story.</i></blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.tampabay.com/SearchForwardServlet.do?articleId=1271267">Florida's unfair treatment of felons</a>".<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Angry GOPers</b><br />
<br />
"With former Rep.<b> </b>Allen West focused on his new online TV gig and ruling out a 2014 rematch against U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy,
 D-Jupiter, there’s no slam-dunk early favorite candidate for the GOP in
 a swing district that national Republicans say will be a priority next
year."<br />
<blockquote>
Longtime state Rep. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, who narrowly lost a 2008 GOP congressional primary to eventual U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Okeechobee, voiced cautious interest in the District 18 race. . . .<br />
<br />
Some Republicans point to up-and-coming St. Lucie County Commissioner Tod Mowery<b> </b>as
 a potential congressional candidate, noting his ability to win as a
Republican in a Democrat-dominated county that is home to 37 percent of
District 18 voters. . . .<br />
<br />
Some Republicans point to up-and-coming St. Lucie County Commissioner Tod Mowery<b> </b>as
 a potential congressional candidate, noting his ability to win as a
Republican in a Democrat-dominated county that is home to 37 percent of
District 18 voters.<i></i></blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/with-west-forgoing-rematch-gop-has-no-clear-early-/nT3Jz/">With West forgoing rematch, GOP has no clear early favorite to oppose Patrick Murphy in 2014</a>".<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>"Scott is on pace to appoint fewer African-Americans to
judgeships . . ."</b><br />
<br />
"Gov. Rick Scott is on pace to appoint fewer African-Americans to
judgeships in Florida than either of his two predecessors, Charlie Crist
 and Jeb Bush."<br />
<blockquote>
<i>In his two years as governor, Scott has appointed
91 judges. Six are black, including the reappointments of three judges
who handle cases involving benefits to injured workers.<br />
<br />
Scott has
appointed two African-Americans to the circuit court bench, both in
Miami-Dade County, and has appointed a black county judge in
Jacksonville.<br />
<br />
In a state as diverse as Florida, racial and ethnic
diversity in the court system has been debated for decades, and it
erupted anew last week in the state Capitol.<br />
<br />
At a roundtable
meeting with black legislators, Scott defended his appointments in the
face of criticism that his record is "appalling."</i></blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.tampabay.com/SearchForwardServlet.do?articleId=1271536">Scott appointed fewer black judges</a>".<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.palmbeachpost.com/ap/ap/florida/ap-fl-gov-scott-parade-fl/nT3Tz/">Meanwhile</a>, "Gov. Rick Scott
 and First Lady Ann Scott will walk in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
parade in downtown Jacksonville."<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>"<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;">Florida to
re-examine its fear of gambling</span>"</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/source/jim-turner">Jim Turner</a>: "<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;">If there is any
indication that the gambling barbarians remain at the gates of Florida,
one has to look no further than the Senate Gaming Committee meeting on
Monday.</span>"<i><br />
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;">When
 Malaysian casino giant Genting and others were watching the doomed
destination-gaming bill they backed go before committees, well-tailored
lobbying suits created standing room only crowds during meetings in both
 the House and Senate.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;">With the Senate Gaming Committee embarking
 on what Chairman Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, said could be a
comprehensive two-year look at gaming in Florida, the scene in the
Senate Building’s first-floor committee room was once again
standing-room-only with proponents and opponents of any gambling
expansion.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;"><br /><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;">First
 up, Richter wants a House- and Senate-backed study that looks into the
economic impact on the state and each other of the Florida Seminole
Tribe compact, the Florida lottery, the 30 pari-mutuel locations that
include horse racing, harness racing, quarter horse racing, greyhound
racing, jai alai, poker and slot machines. Poker is available at 25
locations, while slot machines are available in seven locations in
Miami-Dade and Broward counties.</span></span></i><br />
"<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/gambling-issue-continues-hover-legislature">Gambling Issue Continues to Hover in Legislature</a>".<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/source/nancy-smith">Nancy Smith</a> thinks it is "<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;">time for Florida to
re-examine its fear of gambling and put it where it can do the state
some good -- in smart, high-class state-of-the-art casinos.</span>"&nbsp; "<a href="http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/florida-why-not-casinos">Why Not Casinos?</a>". <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Rubio's immigration plan?&nbsp; Mimic the Obama plan</b><br />
<br />
The <i>Palm Beach Post</i> editorial board compares Rubio's immigration plan to the ideas Obama has had on the table for years and, lo and behold, "the two plans do not appear, in their broad strokes, very different."<br />
<blockquote>
<i> Both would expand guest-worker programs, require employers to verify
workers’ legal status electronically and create more opportunities for
highly skilled immigrants to remain after studying at American
universities. Most significantly, Mr. Obama and Sen. Rubio would allow
illegal immigrants already in the U.S. the chance to become legal
residents and, eventually, citizens.<br />
<br />
That last part – the
so-called “amnesty” question – has been the biggest sticking point, with
 many Republicans opposed. It is not surprising that the president’s
plan creates a path to citizenship. (The New York Times reports that it
would require paying fines and back taxes and satisfying other
requirements). More significant is that Sen. Rubio’s does, too.<br />
<br />
Like
 the president, Sen. Rubio has laid out no formal plan yet. But in an
interview with The Wall Street Journal this month, he said he supports
the legal-residency-to-citizenship path with elements similar to the
president’s: a criminal background check, verification that the person
has lived in the U.S. for several years, payment of back taxes and
mastery of basic English. His plan would require illegal immigrants to
wait for a substantial period of time — long enough, he said, “to ensure
 that it’s not easier to do it this way than it would be the legal way.”
 Sen. Rubio also suggested that illegal immigrants who were brought as
children should have a quicker path to citizenship, echoing supporters
of the failed DREAM Act.<br />
</i></blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/opinion/editorial-let-the-politics-align-on-immigration-re/nT2Rs/">Let the politics align on immigration reform</a>".<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>The best he could do?&nbsp; Really?</b><br />
<br />
"It's
 not cheap, but the fastest way to score prime tickets for
inauguration weekend is to raise money — lots of money — for the winning
 presidential candidate.&nbsp; Just ask John Morgan, the Central Florida
attorney and fundraiser extraordinaire for President Barack Obama."&nbsp;
"<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-florida-inauguration-boosters-20130120,0,6745727.story">Florida
 fundraisers land VIP seats for
inauguration</a>".<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>"Cool reception"</b><br />
<br />
"A proposal that could
help cities and counties pay down their massive liabilities for police
and fire pensions is getting a cool reception from both the unions and
from local governments.&nbsp; The legislation would
give cities more flexibility in how they use insurance tax revenue to
fund pensions for police and firefighters."&nbsp; "<a href="http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20130120/ARTICLE/130129981/2416/NEWS?Title=Pension-proposal-gets-cool-reception">Pension proposal gets cool reception</a>".<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Get over it; you lost</b><br />
<br />
" Low-income Floridians, small businesses and mega health care companies
are all waiting on Tallahassee lawmakers to decide how and when the
state will implement the Obama administration's signature accomplishment
 – the Affordable Care Act."<br />
<blockquote>
<i>House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Matt Hudson,
R-Naples, chastised the Obama administration for a lack of flexibility,
for its refusal to allow the state to consider a partial expansion.</i></blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/health/fl-obamacare-q-and-a-20130120,0,2182142.story">Fla. lawmakers face big questions in health care debate</a>".<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Almost true</b><br />
<br />
Marco "Rubio told the <i>Wall Street Journal</i> he didn't "'think that in
the 21st century we can continue to have an immigration system where
only 6.5 percent of people who come here, come here based on labor and
skill. We have to move toward merit and skill-based immigration.'"<br />
<blockquote>
<i>In evaluating Rubio's statement, his larger point is correct:
Immigration data shows that most people come here for family reasons.
But the number of legal immigrants who come based on employment varies
depending on the type of visa and category of employment. One valid
example is to look at legal permanent residents — 13.1 percent were
employment-based preferences in 2011, and professionals with advanced
degrees accounted for 6.3 percent.<br />
<br />
The data isn't as precise as
Rubio made it sound, but his basic premise is correct, and some numbers
do support his claim. We rate this statement Mostly True.<br />
</i></blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/politifact-florida-rubio-correct-that-most-immigration-is-not-connected-to/1271538">PolitiFact Florida: Rubio correct that most immigration is not connected to labor or skills</a>".<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Time to challenge tax dollars already funding religion</b><br />
<br />
Stephen L. Goldstein<i> </i>asserts that in<i> </i>"November
 2012, Florida voters showed laudable wisdom by
voting down proposed state Constitutional Amendment 8, which would have
allowed tax dollars to be used for any religious purpose. Now, the state
 needs to challenge tax dollars already funding religion—like
faith-based prisons."&nbsp; "<a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/fl-sgcol-oped0120-20130120,0,2809921.column">Religion
 poisons political discussions</a>"<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>"Obama-paranoia at Miami gun show"</b><br />
<br />
Marc Caputo writes that the "word “Obama” was frequently mumbled, muttered, hissed, cursed at Saturday’s Southern Classic Gun and Knife Show."      <br />
<div style="color: black; font: 10pt sans-serif; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-transform: none; width: 1px;">
<br />
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/20/3191830/high-prices-obama-paranoia-at.html#storylink=cpy"</div>
<blockquote>
<i>A clerk said they quickly sold 40 AR-15s for as much as $2,800
shortly after opening. Some people had to wait two hours until their
paperwork cleared before taking their guns home.<br />
<br />
At a nearby
booth, one seller soon ran out of hundreds of “bump-fire” trigger kits
that, as a video showed, convert a semi-automatic weapon into a full
machine gun that can fire 800 rounds a minute.<br />
</i><br />
<div style="color: black; font: 10pt sans-serif; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-transform: none; width: 1px;">
<i><br /></i>
<i>Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/20/3191830_p2/high-prices-obama-paranoia-at.html#storylink=cpy</i></div>
<i>
</i></blockquote>
"<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/20/3191830/high-prices-obama-paranoia-at.html">High prices, Obama-paranoia at Miami gun show</a>".