He has long supported Crist while also helping former party chairman Jim Greer, despite the animosity between Greer and Crist since Greer was charged with stealing money from the GOP in 2010. Crist, now a Democrat considering an attempt to return to the Governor’s Mansion, says Sargeant remains a close friend.

Campaign finance records show Sargeant has donated more than $1.5 million to Florida politicians and the state Republican Party since 2000, the year Crist ran for education commissioner.

In recent years, Sargeant has made headlines over fuel he supplied to U.S. forces in Iraq. The brother-in-law of the king of Jordan sued Sargeant in Palm Beach and won a $28.8 million verdict for being cut out of a $1.4 billion defense contract that allowed Sargeant to transport fuel through Jordan. (Sargeant is appealing.) A congressional oversight committee called for an investigation of payments to Sargeant’s company, and last year auditors for the Department of Defense accused the company of overcharging the Pentagon by hundreds of millions. A federal investigation is ongoing.

Grayson's "concerted push for comprehensive immigration reform"

"U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson made an impassioned call for immigration reform during an appearance this morning in Orlando while surrounded by Central Florida Hispanic leaders. Elected in November to a heavily Hispanic district that includes Osceola County and portions of Orange and Polk, the Orlando Democrat was accompanied by U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., in a concerted push for comprehensive immigration reform." "U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson makes pitch for immigration reform".

Weekly Roundup

"Weekly Roundup: Getting Ready for the Session, Quietly". See also "2013 Session Outlook: Economic Development".

Pension haters drive their clown car to Tally

"A bill filed by Sen. Wilton Simpson would close the traditional retirement plan to elected officials and top managers of state government, while offering financial incentives to other public employees if they join the "defined contribution" investment plan." "Senator proposes FRS overhaul". See also "Weatherford gets revised pension numbers".

Can FlaGOP "find enough diversions to disarm this time bomb"

Aaron Deslatte: "Gov. Rick Scott, is attempting to save his political skin by embracing the very policy he entered national politics attempting to defeat: Obamacare."

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam has challenged Scott's support of a three-year expansion of Medicaid under Obamacare. Putnam has since gone radio silent on whether he plans to challenge Scott.

Even House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, is suddenly being shopped as a potential entrant into the 2014 primary.

"I think it's funny I'm being asked about it," Weatherford told reporters. "The governor's a friend. I think he's doing a good job. We agree on a whole lot more than we disagree on."

Here's the real story: Republicans are worried they have a second Charlie Crist on their hands. With Scott flip-flopping on his signature health-care issue, how else might he abandon conservatives over the next two sessions?

Curry's call for "civility" sounds noble. But Republicans and Democrats have been hiring investigators, playing dirty tricks and trying to drive wedges between the other side's factions for years.

Campaigns, including RPOF operations, use all manner of uncivil tactics – from chicken suits and empty chairs to insinuating in a 2009 Jacksonville GOP Senate primary that the Black Panthers would try to minimize white votes.

Last fall, one of the GOP's top direct-mail shops, Pat Bainter's Data Targeting Inc., created a fictitious group called "Progressives" to attack Democratic candidates for supporting GOP issues or candidates. The idea was to make it look like Democrat-on-Democrat warfare.

Then there was the gem of a mailer financed by the GOP against Democratic Rep. Karen Castor Dentel, D-Maitland, comparing the teacher to convicted child-molester Jerry Sandusky.

Curry is calling for civility not because he's afraid of Democrats' "dirty tricks." He's worried about having another Tom Gallagher-Crist primary on his hands next year – only bigger, where a native Floridian taps in-state dollars and Scott self-finances with his remaining $83 million.

It will be fascinating to see if Curry can find enough diversions to disarm this time bomb.

Related: "Adam Putnam and Will Weatherford Look Past 2014 and Rick Scott".

Meanwhile, "Coy about his own future, Charlie Crist doesn't shy away from going after Scott".

Owlcatraz

"What was billed as a dialogue on a hotly contested $6 million donation by the private prison company GEO Group to Florida Atlantic University, turned out Friday to be two sides talking by each other with little or no meeting of minds." "Heated questions, muted answers as FAU defends naming stadium after prison company". Background: "Abuse charges dog GEO prison company".

Letter from Lucy

Lucy Morgan: "Like House Speaker Will Weatherford, Lucy Morgan got her start in Pasco County. She was a Tampa Bay Times reporter in Pasco from 1968 until December 1985, when she was appointed capital bureau chief in Tallahassee. She retired from that post in 2006 and has since worked part time handling special projects. She shared the 1985 Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting with Jack Reed for stories about the Pasco County Sheriff's Department. She retired again Friday after penning this open letter of advice for the new speaker." "To a new speaker from an old hand".

"Powerful human argument for accepting the Medicaid expansion"

"Legislature could tip hand on Medicaid expansion Monday". The Tampa Bay Times editors: "There is a powerful human argument for accepting the Medicaid expansion. Roughly 4 million Floridians lack health insurance, and the Affordable Care Act offers paths to health coverage for nearly all of them and opportunities for more productive lives." "Medicaid expansion key for Florida". Adam Putnam shows himself to be not much of an expert on Medicaid: "Adam Putnam is against expanding Medicaid in Florida."

“The expansion of Medicaid in FL does not create jobs or strengthen our infrastructure,” wrote Putnam on Twitter on Feb. 21.

“If you look at theoretically what should happen, it would suggest Florida will spend more money on healthcare and the rate of Florida’s economic growth will be marginally higher,” [Chris Lafakis, a senior economist at Moody’s who examines Florida’s economy] said. “Yes, the 10,000 to 30,000 jobs figure is pretty small in the grand scheme of things, since Florida has 7.4 million jobs. But still, a Medicaid opt-in would help hospitals financially, boost state and federal spending and channel those funds to citizens with high spending rates.”

"State investments doing well"

The FlaBaggers populating the the Executive and Legislative branches will be chagrined to learn that "Florida state government's mammoth financial investments are doing well, despite some short-term sluggishness in earnings by the Florida Retirement System due to the tech bubble burst of 2000, according to a new report by the Legislature's fiscal watchdogs." "State investments doing well, OPPAGA says".

Another fine Jebacy

The Miami Herald editors think it might surprise you "to learn that the stand-your-ground law didn’t originate in the Florida Legislature."

It came from the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action, which heavily lobbied for passage and contributed numerous “action alerts” to NRA members in Florida asking them to press state lawmakers for adoption.

“The NRA had already made a financial investment . . . The Florida Legislature passed the bill with the support from 22 of the 23 lawmakers who got NRA funds.”

That was back in 2005 when Jeb Bush was governor. He signed the bill with the NRA’s chief Florida lobbyist standing at his side.

It might also surprise you to learn that Florida is considered a “good” state for introducing laws being pushed by corporate interests and others who operate under the umbrella of the corporate-funded American Legislative Exchange Council, known as ALEC.

The Office of Insurance Regulation described the “conundrum,” the agency faced in enforcing state regulations on insurance companies looking to comply with federal demands. A lawmaker, Rep. John Wood, R-Winter Haven, said the relationship was “Orwellian,” with federal officials playing the role of “big brother.”

But House Democratic Leader Perry Thurston of Fort Lauderdale said Republicans and some business leaders who have long opposed the Affordable Care Act were still chiefly trying to cast changes in the worst possible light.

“We are like Chicken Little crying, ‘the sky is falling,’” Thurston said.

Wingnuttery on parade

"Associated Industries of Florida backs Gov. Rick Scott's tax plans, but punts on his support of Medicaid expansion." "Business lobby lays out session goals".

Weatherford may primary Scott; imagine the bloodbath

Nancy Smith: "When asked if he has any plans to challenge Gov. Rick Scott in the 2014 GOP primary, Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford mostly said no -- mostly -- but he didn't emphatically rule it out."

Weatherford said he's too busy right now going into the 2013 legislative session to think of such things. He and Scott are friends, Scott is doing a good job, and besides, they agree on most things anyway, Medicaid expansion excepted.

Not an "absolutely, positively not interested," Mr. Speaker.

Privatization follies

"Abuse charges dog GEO prison company".

"Friendless in Tallahassee"

Nancy Smith: "Friendless in Tallahassee: Now the House Wants a Halt on Internet Cafes, Too".

Dumb and Dumberer

"Two Republicans in the U.S. Senate who have their eyes on the presidency in 2016 -- Rand Paul of Kentucky and Marco Rubio of Florida -- were in the spotlight this month, and it was enough to draw presidential-suitability comparisons." "Marco Rubio Had the Edge on Rand Paul in February".

State temps no longer a bargain

"Faced with the possibility of huge penalties under the federal Affordable Care Act, the Florida House appears likely to support offering health-insurance coverage to about 8,700 temporary state workers." "More State Workers Could Get Insurance Coverage". See also "House PPACA committee supports health coverage for OPS employees".

Meet the "Florida Republican money man"

"Meet Harry Sargeant, Florida Republican money man".

"Just do more on election reform"

"A coalition of groups representing ministers, seniors, students and civil rights activists say reform bills gaining traction in the Legislature do not go far enough." "Activists to lawmakers: Just do more on election reform".

Grayson pitches immigration reform

"Rep. Grayson to pitch immigration reform".

FAU's "Owlcatraz" embarrassment

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "the burden will be on Florida Atlantic University President Mary Jane Saunders to show why the $6 million stadium naming rights deal with the GEO Group is good for the university. That burden is very heavy."

On Tuesday, Dr. Saunders said she “didn’t know everything” about the Boca Raton-based private prison/detention company. In fact, she appears to know almost nothing, except what she has heard from GEO. Since a GEO public relations executive reportedly deleted critical information about the company from its Wikipedia entry after the stadium deal became public, and since GEO did not confirm or deny reports of that deletion, the company is hardly a credible source.

Meanwhile, "Florida Atlantic University students both in favor and opposed to 'Owlcatraz' are expected to flock to a meeting with their school president Mary Jane Saunders tomorrow to debate the issue roiling their campus." "At FAU, opinions divided over naming stadium for prison company that pledged $6 million".

Just do it

"Congress should stay in session through the weekend and for however long it takes to agree to a plan to replace the automatic spending cuts that are scheduled to take effect Friday, a trio of South Florida Democratic freshmen said Thursday." "South Florida Democratic Congressmen: fix the budget, don’t take breaks".

Rivera saga heats up

"A key suspect in a criminal case tied to former Congressman David Rivera will officially switch his plea to guilty in three federal charges for illegal campaign activity. Justin Lamar Sternad’s admission of wrongdoing next Wednesday will be another sign that he’s cooperating with the federal government in its investigation of Rivera." "Suspect in Rivera campaign-finance probe to change plea to guilty".

On the hustings

"Gov. Rick Scott handed out $14.2 million in oversized checks to some of the best schools in four counties Thursday, and continued stressing his support for teachers as he talked about his priorities for the legislative session." "Scott brings education funding campaign to PBC, handing out $14,2 million in ‘school recognition’ checks". See also "Gov. Scott touts advantages of cutting taxes for manufacturers".

FlaBaggers in a dither

The Tampa Bay Times editors: "Scare tactics, lies and political threats have been defeated by mainstream science, public health and common sense." "Today, fluoride is once again being added to Pinellas County’s drinking water to help prevent tooth decay.".

"Scott wasting state’s money"

The Palm Beach Post editors: "Scott’s administration has now received two stern rebukes from federal judges about his unconstitutional push to drug-test Florida’s welfare applicants." "Scott wasting state’s money on failed push for welfare drug testing.".

Firefighters punch back

"Orange County lawmakers agreed Wednesday to support an effort by Reedy Creek Improvement District firefighters to gain a measure of leverage over the Walt Disney World-controlled government. The county’s legislative delegation voted unanimously to send a bill to Tallahassee that would require both the Reedy Creek firefighters’ union and district management to abide by recommendations of an independent mediator when contract negotiations reach an impasse." "Local lawmakers back bid by firefighters to gain some leverage over Walt Disney World’s government".

Permitting madness

"For the third year in a row, Rep. Jimmy Patronis has introduced a comprehensive environmental permitting bill backed by business groups. Audubon Florida, the Sierra Club, cities and counties are raising concerns." "Rep. Patronis is back with another permitting bill -- and some groups are not thrilled".

"Without a husband, without the person that I relied on the most to shore me up and give me good advice. That's changed. That's changed everything," Sink told the Associated Press, referring to the death of her husband just before Christmas, former gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride.

"Right this minute, if you're asking me, it's off the table. I'm not prepared to say, 'No I'm not,' but I'm much further away from a run today than I was three months ago," said Sink, 64.

hears loads of encouragement from voters disgusted with Republican Gov. Rick Scott. The idea of lifelong Republican Crist as the Democratic nominee sounds like it could be a motivator as well.

"It'll be a disaster," she said of a potential Crist run against Scott.

"Move afoot to name voting rights act after Desiline Victor"

Frank Cerabino: "There’s a move afoot to name a Florida voting rights act after Desiline Victor, the 102-year-old North Miami woman who waited for hours in line to cast her ballot during November’s presidential election." "No new voter rights law needed, just send 102-year-old Broward woman to front of the line".

Weatherford gets crazy

"Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford is getting noticed. The 33-year-old Wesley Chapel Republican is among nine "rising elected leaders" invited to speak to conservative activists and opinion leaders at the American Conservative Union's CPAC convention in Washington March 14-16." "Weatherford to CPAC".

Rubio's agriculture claim "mostly false"

Politifact says Rubio's claim that "agriculture has always required a significant workforce from abroad" is

Mostly False.

Wingnut-fest

"Sen. Jim DeMint Among Conservative Celebs Set for JMI's 25th Anniversary Gala".

DCCC Targets Webster, Southerland and Young

"Three Florida Republicans in potential tossup districts are among the targets of a national Democratic ad campaign over their stance to oppose the Obama administration on sequestration. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has launched an online ad that takes on 27 House Republicans, including Dan Webster, R-Orlando, Steve Southerland, R-Panama City, and Bill Young, R-Indian." "DCCC Targets Three Florida Republicans, Tea Party for Opposing Obama on Sequestration".

Medical-marijuana plan may affect governor’s race

"As many as seven in 10 Florida voters support a state constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana — more than enough to ensure passage and possibly affect the governor’s race — according to a new poll from a group trying to put the measure on the 2014 ballot." "Poll: 7 in 10 back Florida medical-marijuana plan, enough to possibly affect governor’s race" ("Medical pot’s sky-high approval cuts across party and demographic lines, with Republican support the lowest at a still-strong 56 percent, the poll conducted for People United for Medical Marijuana, or PUFMM, shows.")

Session Outlook

"2013 Session Outlook: Environment and Natural Resources".

Shameless

"Rick Scott Tells Obama, Congress to ‘Stop Playing Chicken’ on Sequestration". See also "Federal sequestration cuts loom over state budget". Meanwhile, the Orlando Sentinel editorial board warns that "Florida loses at least $276M in year one".

Your tax dollars at work

"Gov. Rick Scott's long legal battle to keep a campaign promise and make welfare recipients take drug tests received a second federal-court setback Tuesday, but the governor said he will fight on to the U.S. Supreme Court." "Federal court rejects Florida's welfare drug-testing". See also "State Loses Another Round on Welfare Drug Tests", "Federal court blocks Florida drug-test law, but Gov. Scott vows appeal to Supreme Court" and "Temporary ban on Fla. welfare drug testing upheld".

"Welcome to Owlcatraz"

Fred Grimm: "Such a bland, generic, corporate name. For $6 million, a private prison conglomerate ought to get more out of Florida Atlantic University than 'Geo Group' atop the entrance to a football stadium."

Obviously, the Geo known, if not very well, as America’s second-largest private jailer needs to extract something more from FAU so the company can distinguish its naming rights from all those other Geos. For another million or so, the university could change its nickname, making it plain what kind of outfit just purchased FAU’s dignity. Players could be known as the “convicts” or “inmates” or “lifers” or “the fighting felons,” decked out in prison stripes. Me, I prefer “jailbirds,” which retains the ornithological bent of the team now known as the Owls. The ACLU website devoted a page disparaging the Geo deal under the banner, “Welcome to Owlcatraz.”

The ACLU and other civil rights, human rights, and immigrant rights groups have intimated that when FAU hawked naming rights to a prison outfit dogged by allegations of neglect, abuse and general chintziness, the university was, indeed, selling more than the sign fixed to the football stadium. But a soul seems a tough commodity to monetize.

Carl Takei, staff attorney at the National Prison Project for the ACLU, complained to reporters last week that FAU’s sugar daddy was a “terrible company with a well-publicized track record of abuse and neglect and FAU should be ashamed to be associated with them.”

FAU president Mary Jane Saunders called Geo “a wonderful company.” Perhaps her estimation was influenced by an acute need for money. Tainted or not. No questions asked.

But maybe the news that the Geo Group has lavished a few million on FAU will nudge state lawmakers into finally embracing a prison privatization binge.

Of course, there’s a more direct method. Plenty state legislators, for enough money, would happily sell the naming rights to their own children.

"Like a third-grade classroom of teachers' pets"

Nancy Smith writes that "the 8th Florida Gaming Congress is like a third-grade classroom of teachers' pets, all with hands folded and legs crossed." "Five Things That Surprised the Heck Out of Me at the Florida Gaming Congress". See also "Florida Gaming Congress Wide Open for All Stakeholders, All Ideas". Related: "Gambling revenues: Florida tribes trump the US average".

Florida shows why nation still needs Voting Rights Act

The Tampa Bay Times editors: "The last election cycle demonstrated that if given a chance, lawmakers will manipulate rules for voting and elections for partisan advantage. Florida's 2011 election law was an overt attempt to make it harder to register and vote, with the subtext being to discourage minority voters and give Republican candidates a boost. It took federal judges acting under the preclearance requirements of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to force at least some adjustments. The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments today over whether to continue preclearance requirements, and if it overturns those requirements, it will harm voting equality and the fairness of the nation's elections."

The court's conservative majority is likely to rule against Section 5. That would willfully ignore the recent efforts made by Republican-controlled states to manipulate elections by infringing on minority voting rights. Think about the swath of strict voter ID laws in some preclearance states with rules that disproportionately harm poorer residents who tend to be minorities. Preclearance jurisdictions still draw more than 80 percent of the lawsuits where voting discrimination has been proved.

Florida's experience is an example of the benefits of Section 5. After state lawmakers cut early-voting days from as many as 14 to eight, a federal panel refused to approve that change unless early-voting sites in the preclearance counties were open for the maximum number of hours. African-American voters tend to rely more heavily on early voting.

The Palm Beach Post editorial board "The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments today about whether the nation still needs two key provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The answer is yes, and Florida shows why." "Florida shows why nation still need key part of Voting Rights Act".

FlaDems gear up

"Newly elected Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant announced the appointment of four top deputies Tuesday, including a specialist in political social media, drawn from important constituencies in different parts of the state as the party prepares for next year's race against Gov. Rick Scott." "Tant names 4 party captains".

Charter madness

"County issues $10.5 million in bonds for charter school".

"Florida notorious for human trafficking"

The Tampa Trib editorial board: "Florida is one of the most notorious states for human trafficking activity, with the Tampa Bay region serving as a central hub. Child sex trafficking makes up a large part of this underground industry." "Human trafficking, a growing threat to Florida's children".

"A more congenial front"?

"Unlike in past sessions, House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, and Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, believe they will be able to offer a more congenial front when the anticipated annual discord and bill wrangling gets underway. - See more at: http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/don-gaetz-will-weatherford-envision-session-amicable-tension#.dpuf" "Don Gaetz, Will Weatherford Envision Session of Amicable Tension".