This bill, with great symbolic importance to both sides of the issue, will be heard Thursday by the Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee. The Florida House and the Senate Education Committee have already approved it.

Many legislators — some with strong economic ties to the charter school industry — promise the moon when describing the bill known as the Parent Trigger Act. Nonetheless, they present little evidence of its success. Because the fact is that there is none.

Despite the millions of dollars the powerful school-choice lobby and the charter-school industry have spent in seven states where versions of parent-trigger laws have passed, parents in barely three struggling schools in California have chosen a restart model.

According to Bill Sublette, chairman of the Orange County School Board in Central Florida, once a traditional school is converted to a charter school, the neighborhood children can be evicted from their home school. Charters are open to all students in the district who meet their eligibility preferences and standards. When there are more applicants than student stations, a lottery system prevails.

Some local students will not meet the new strict admission rules. This includes students with learning disabilities and those in ESOL classes, as well as many racial and ethnic minority children. A number of surveys have demonstrated that there is a higher incidence of segregation in charters than in traditional schools. The excluded students will carry to their next school the same unsolved problems that contributed to the failure of the converted school, often related to poverty and a range of health and safety challenges.

The chain reaction from these student migrations subjects yet another school to low ranking and can put it on the conversion chopping block, too. It’s a vicious cycle.

South Florida senators need to speak up, shine the light and defend their communities. Because Florida school choice is no choice at all for the kids who need the most help. It’s a scam.

"Massive potential property insurance rate hikes"

"Lawmakers have largely ignored the massive potential premium property insurance rate hikes included in SB 1770, a bill moving swiftly through the Florida Legislature." "Property insurance rates could go through roof under Senate bill". Meanwhile, "Scott shifts stance on Citizens Insurance".

House District 65

"After the first quarter of 2013, Rep. Carl Zimmerman, D-Dunedin, faces [29 year old] Chris Sprowls, a serious Republican challenger for the District 65 House seat, as they set their eyes on 2014."

While he had run against Peter Nehr before and came close to beating him in 2006 and 2008, Zimmerman finally defeated the Republican incumbent in 2012 after racy photos of Nehr surfaced on the Internet. Despite his win in November, Zimmerman now ranks as one of the Republicans’ top targets for 2014.

On paper, Zimmerman’s Pinellas County district should be a Republican bastion in the Tampa Bay region, with 42 percent of voters registered with the GOP while 32 percent are Democrats. In 2010, Rick Scott took 50 percent of the vote in this district; Alex Sink claimed 45 percent.

But with more than a quarter of voters in the district -- 26 percent -- registered as independents or with other parties, Democrats have a chance to win this seat as Zimmerman’s victory in 2012 clearly shows. He took 53 percent in November while Nehr pulled 47 percent.

Rubio "recklessly extreme"

The Tampa Bay Times editors: "A reasonable compromise that would keep more guns out of the hands of criminals, the mentally ill and others who are already legally barred from owning a firearm could move forward in the Senate as early as today. The legislation, which would expand existing background checks of gun buyers, is hardly the complete answer to increasing public safety. But it is a step that nine in 10 Americans support. Sen. Marco Rubio should reconsider joining other Republican senators in attempting to stall the bipartisan legislation and side with sensible Floridians rather than the National Rifle Association." "Common ground on gun safety".

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., regularly carps that Washington is so broken that it can’t things done. Yet he is intent on making sure that Washington stays broken."

Sen. Rubio is part of a group that vowed to keep the Senate from debating and voting on legislation to reduce gun violence. Families of children and teachers massacred in Newtown, Conn., want the Senate to vote. Fortunately, there is hope that a supermajority of senators disagree with Sen. Rubio. On Wednesday, it appeared that there were at least 60 votes to break the filibuster that Sen. Rubio and others intended to mount.

Sen. Rubio portrays his obstructionism as a valiant defense of the Second Amendment. In fact, he is defending a position that could play well in the 2016 Republican primary but is recklessly extreme.

Budget blues

"The Senate unanimously approved a proposed $74.3 billion budget Wednesday that includes 3 percent pay raises for state employees, $70 million for Everglades restoration and $1.2 billion more in public school funding." "Senate unanimously passes $74.3B state budget". See also "Senate unanimously passes $74.3 billion budget".

"Work in progress"

"The measure would impose stiffer fines and make it easier to revoke a facility's license but its sponsor said it is a work in progress. He plans several amendments when the bill is introduced to the House HHS committee." "ALF bill is one stop from House floor".

"Just a matter of time"

Bill Cotterell: "Gay marriage is just a matter of time".

"Incumbents are doing just fine collecting $500 checks"

"As the House and Senate consider changing Florida's campaign-finance laws this spring, they are debating whether to increase a longstanding $500 cap on contributions to political candidates. But new records show that many incumbents are doing just fine collecting $500 checks." "Lawmakers Pile Up Cash for 2014 Races".

"Lawmakers act shocked — Shocked! — to find there is gambling going on"

"Gov. Scott enacts Internet café ban in Florida". See also "Gov. Rick Scott signs bill banning Internet sweepstakes cafes", "Policy Note: Internet Cafes", "Officials' Postmortem on End of Days for Internet Cafes, Senior Arcades" and "Gov. Rick Scott signs bill banning Internet cafes".

More: "How will Internet cafe ban unfold?"

John Romano: "You can find the historical record for a new bill banning Internet cafes on the state House's website. Look up HB 155 and you will find the bill's original text, more than a dozen amendments, a staff analysis and the vote history. . . . But if you happened to be pressed for time, here is a Cliffs Notes-style time line of how this bill found its way to Gov. Rick Scott's desk:"

1. Entrepreneurs discover they can make hefty profits by simulating casino-style games on computers in neighborhood storefronts.

2. Politicians harrumph.

3. Entrepreneurs donate to political campaigns.

4. The harrumphing stops.

5. A federal investigation of one of the largest Internet cafe corporations results in dozens of high-profile arrests and contributes to the resignation of the lieutenant governor.

6. Lawmakers act shocked — Shocked! — to find there is gambling going on.

Teabaggers in a dither

"Florida residents strongly back laws requiring paid sick time and 'living wages' for workers, but they don't trust state lawmakers to handle such issues, a statewide poll released today finds."

Eighty percent say they strongly (65 percent) or somewhat (15 percent) support a law to ensure "the right to earn a set number of sick days that would allow them to take time off when they are sick or need to take care of a family member — without being fired or losing a day's wages."

Sixteen percent don't support that; the rest were unsure, according to the Public Policy Polling results.

When asked if they back local "living wage" laws now in place, 72 percent said they support them, while 18 percent do not. The rest didn't know.

Obama takes it on the chin

"President Barack Obama’s proposal to slightly slow down future Social Security benefit increases drew rare praise from Republicans Wednesday and criticism from some Democrats, particularly in senior-heavy Florida." "South Florida Democrats oppose Obama plan to slow Social Security increases".

PIP savings uncertain

"Savings uncertain if PIP is repealed".

Rick Scott crows

"After six consecutive months of ranking first in the nation for foreclosure activity, Florida was bumped to runner-up in March by Nevada, according to a RealtyTrac report released Wednesday." "Florida bumped to No. 2 in foreclosures".

"Protest vote"

"House Democrats plan protest vote on health care".

So much for education reform

"Ethics reform -- once proclaimed a high priority by the leaders of the Florida House and Senate -- appears now to be nothing more than a bargaining chip. That's as good an explanation as any for a troubling series of events that occurred Tuesday in the Legislature. If it's true -- if the standards by which lawmakers conduct the public's business are a commodity to be swapped for political favors -- then the legislators involved should be ashamed." "Ethics on the trading block?".

Education experts in action

"Senate 'lashes' education to the economy". See also "Senate adopts key changes to high-school-graduation rules".

The Senate passed its ethics overhaul, Senate President Don Gaetz’s top priority, on the first day of the legislative session, and the House last week approved its campaign finance package, a priority of House Speaker Will Weatherford. But neither measure has yet received a full vote from the opposite chamber.

The leaders’ priorities are intertwined, Senate Ethics and Elections Committee Chairman Jack Latvala said Tuesday. And Scott’s balking at one imperils both, Latvala, R-Clearwater said.

“The governor has probably sapped the energy out of any campaign finance bill this session … . What I’ve been told is they (the House) had to have campaign finance to pass our ethics package,” Latvala said Tuesday after the Senate Rules Committee unanimously approved a campaign finance measure (SB 1382) that did not include an increase in campaign contribution limits as the House bill does.

A few hours later, House Ethics and Elections Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Boyd yanked his ethics bill (HB 7131) from the committee instead of having it go to a vote as originally planned. He said lawmakers needed more time to study a slate of recently filed amendments.

Responding to reports of Latvala’s remarks, Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, tweeted: “Campaign finance dead? Session has only just begun.”

It isn't hard to figure out the reasons for Scott's recalcitrance:

Scott, who plans to run for re-election in 2014, spent more than $70 million of his and his family’s money in his 2010 campaign, compared to the $17.5 million raised by his opponent, Democrat Alex Sink, under the state’s $500 campaign contribution limits.

Dirty water

"Policy Note: Groundwater and Springs". "Policy Note: Water Quality", "Policy Note: The Everglades" and "Policy Note: Hazardous Waste & Contamination".

PIPless?

"The Florida Senate is examining whether to repeal the state's controversial no-fault auto insurance requirement and replace it with another type of compulsory insurance: bodily injury liability." "Savings uncertain if PIP is repealed". See also "Drive to Ditch No-Fault Insurance Slowed in Senate".

"A step in the right direction"

"Senate panel advances bill to put brakes on nuclear fees". The Tampa Bay Times: "A Florida Senate plan won't reimburse Progress Energy customers who have been paying for years for a nuclear power plant that may never be built, but at least it would ensure that in the future, utilities can't earn profits on such failures. The vote Monday by a Senate committee to bring tighter scrutiny to the state's so-called nuclear advance fee is a step in the right direction and it is the least legislators can do to protect consumers." "Finally, a step for utility customers".

Early learning bills

"Bills intended to make Florida's early learning programs more accountable to taxpayers and to overhaul their governance are advancing in the Florida Legislature." "Reforms in Florida early-learning program advancing".

Obamacare dead ender

Eric Giunta: "One of the many Obamacare taxes targeting successful small-business owners is a nearly 1 percent increase in the Medicare payroll tax, which experts say will further 'slow economic growth' and 'deter job creation.'" "Obamacare Payroll Tax Hike: More Punishment for Small-Business Success".

"Government by gimmick"

Scott Maxwell: "Scott Maxwell: Enough of government by gimmick".

"Florida Chamber Playbook"

Eric Giunta: "Regional Planning Councils Taking Page Out of Florida Chamber Playbook".

From the "values" crowd

"Despite a cash-flush budget that has policymakers considering a grab-bag of corporate and stadium incentives, Florida lawmakers are still raiding a fund created two decades ago to help provide low-income housing." "Lawmakers re-direct money dedicated to low-income housing".

Trigger bills are "products of political or special interests’ agendas"

The Tampa Trib editorial board writes that "it’s impossible to dismiss the criticism that for-profit charter school companies are the driving force behind the [parent trigger]bills. And legislation driven by narrow private interests, if that’s the case, seldom makes for good public policy."

But the state’s largest group representing school parents, the Florida PTA, is firmly against the bills, in particular a provision giving parents the option to turn failing schools into charter schools. They think the backers of the bills — which include the Foundation for Florida’s Future, chaired by former Gov. Jeb Bush — are motivated by a keen interest in expanding the number of charter schools.

They point to current laws that already require school districts to address turnaround strategies for failing schools. Parents, through a PTA or other groups, would have a chance to be involved in that process.

The bills would require school districts to inform parents that the state is requiring a turnaround strategy for a particular school. The district would then be required to explain the options and petition process to parents, and to help the process along by verifying signatures and setting up public meetings.

That experience gives us pause.

If these measures were responding to a genuine need, we would feel differently. But they seem to be products of political or special interests’ agendas, not necessary laws.

This story will make your day

"An orphaned Florida panther sprinted back into the wild Wednesday, the first time one of the endangered cats has been released into Palm Beach County."

After a long ride in an animal carrier from a sanctuary near Jacksonville, the panther was taken to a dirt road in the southwestern corner of the county, a place of cattle ranches, swamps and bushy forests that's a world away from the strip malls and subdivisions of Boca Raton, Wellington and Royal Palm Beach.

Wildlife officers lowered the crate onto the road and opened it. The 123-pound panther walked out, took a quick look around, and set off at a gallop down the road, a tawny streak of speed clearly trying to put as much distance as possible between himself and dozens of wildlife officers, reporters and television news crews. After running along the road for a few hundred yards, the panther found a gap in the trees and vanished into the Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area.

"The panther had been rescued as a kitten when his mother was found dead in northern Collier County. After discovering her body, biologists who were monitoring cameras around the den discovered two kittens, a male and female, who were still alive. They set traps, captured them and took them to the White Oak Conservation Center near Jacksonville, where they were raised with minimal human contact."

The young panthers learned to hunt deer, rabbits and armadillos to the point biologists were satisfied they would have a decent chance of survival in the wilderness. The female was successfully released Jan. 31 in Collier County. Biologists said Wednesday that she has been doing well.

The release location for the male was selected largely because it had no resident male panther that would try to kill a younger interloper.

"Will Rubio be able to play in the big leagues?"

"As the baseball season begins, it seems appropriate to borrow an analogy from the sport: Will the 'can’t miss' young phenomenon of the political world, Sen. Marco Rubio, be able to play in the big leagues? The immigration battle affords a good test." "Immigration gives Rubio shot at big leagues".

Choice

"State lawmakers are debating SB 876 in earnest now, legislation that would create a separate criminal offense for anyone who hurts a pregnant woman and the unborn child is injured or killed." "'Offenses Against Unborn Children's Act' Progressing in Senate".

Tuesday in Tally

"Vote on liquor sales bill, other action in the Florida Legislature".

Bill would allow Citizens to raise rates faster

"Sen. David Simmons said Gov. Rick Scott is asking for changes to SB 1770 to protect current customers of Citizens Property Insurance Corp. The bill would allow Citizens to raise rates faster and soften the 10 percent cap on annual rate hikes." "Sen. Simmons: Gov. Scott calls for changes to Citizens bill". See also "Premiums for new Citizens customers could rise up to 84 percent under Senate bill".

Changes to the state’s medical-malpractice system

"Florida lawmakers appear to be inching closer on changes to the state’s medical-malpractice system, with a House committee Tuesday scrapping proposals that likely would have run into opposition in the Senate." "Florida House, Senate may find common ground on medical malpractice".

"Lucky few Floridians"

"Lucky few Floridians get $125,000 from foreclosure settlement, most to get $300".

"The Two Ricks: Pals in Peril"

"The Two Ricks: Pals in Peril -- But the Friendship Does Scott Some Good".

Scott promised to name a new lieutenant governor after the Legislature adjourns in early May. The office became suddenly vacant in March, after Jennifer Carroll resigned in disgrace because her connections to Internet cafes attracted too much attention at the wrong time.

A host of names have been getting veep-buzz in Capitol halls and Tallahassee bars as possible replacements for Carroll.

Many insiders have Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, at the top of Scott’s short list. There’s certainly a logic for Scott to add to the ticket a charismatic Cuban-American who comes from Miami-Dade and has built her reputation on education issues. Flores has also been a leading figure in both chambers of the Legislature for a decade and could help Scott sell his priorities.

But there are other Republicans also catching buzz as potential understudies for Scott. This weekend, the spotlight turned on Rep. Dana Young, R-Tampa. Hailing from Tampa Bay, Young could help Scott in that critical region. A key ally to House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, Young could also help Scott on that front.

If he beats Scott in 2014, Crist, who has already run for the U.S. Senate twice, could set his eyes -- yet again -- on Washington. It’s something Democratic officeholders looking to move up the political ladder will keep in mind.

An ambitious Democrat could also use the lieutenant governorship as a political stepping stone. Nelson is currently the only Democrat to hold statewide office in Florida. It’s hard to see most of the Democrats currently representing Florida in Congress winning statewide races. While Scott won the closest governor’s race in Florida’s history in 2010, his colleagues on the Republican ticket -- state CFO Jeff Atwater, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam -- blew out their Democratic opponents that year. Currently, Atwater, Bondi and Putnam appear very strong favorites to win second terms in 2014.

In short, there is a thin Democratic bench for statewide office in Florida. Whoever winds up as the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor in 2014 -- especially if Crist is at the top of the ticket -- will be well-positioned for bids for future office.

New state rules slash Bright Futures

"New state rules may slash the number of Florida students eligible for the state's most popular type of Bright Futures scholarship, according to an analysis by the University of South Florida in Tampa." "Study: Florida could see sharp drop in Bright Futures scholarships".

Nancy Smith: "Bright Futures: They Should Never Have Messed With the Best".

Dem rails against foreclosure bill

"Sen. Darren Soto, R-Orlando, flanked at a press conference Monday by housing advocates and representatives of PICO United Florida, an advocacy group for low-income families, denounced a bill designed to expedite the foreclosure process and a plan to spend $200 million in foreclosure fraud settlement money."

Soto has filed amendments to SB 1666 that would add more time for due process and require more proof from banks and lenders of ownership of a mortgage before foreclosing on a home. Consumer advocate groups back the amendments but oppose the bill. The bill was scheduled for a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday but was not heard.

Brain trust "bromance"

"Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Florida Gov. Rick Scott brought their tax-cutting, job-creating bromance to the stage of an international business gathering here on Monday, mixing gubernatorial trash talk with professions of mutual admiration." "Texas, Florida governors team up at West Palm economic growth forum". See also "Texas Gov. Perry says Florida would be ‘foolish’ to oust Scott in 2014".

"Permit issues raise concerns about water supply, wetlands"

"Wide-ranging permit issues raise concerns about water supply, wetlands and pipeline permitting. Both SB 1684 and HB 999 passed committee stops on Monday but have more stops ahead." "Permitting bills moving despite environmental opposition". Background: "Policy Note: Environmental Regulation & Permitting".

Not that a Young Republican would get his hands dirty

"The Tampa Bay Young Republicans organization wants to recruit a firearms accessories manufacturer planning to leave Colorado because of a new ban there on its high-capacity gun magazines." Tampa Bay Young Republicans president Jonathan Torres said

"we definitely need more of kind of your middle-class, blue collar-type jobs, and this fits perfectly into that scenario."

Not so much "manangement" in growth management

"SB 1716 is now in the Senate Education Committee after passing through Community Affairs with a unanimous vote on April 2. HB 321 awaits action in the Economic Affairs Committee. And SB 972 is up for a vote in the Rules Committee." "Policy Note: Growth Management and Transportation".

Related "Policy Note: State Lands" and "Policy Note: Growth Referendums".

Local governments have failed to enforce background check ordinances

The Tampa Bay Times editors: "The startling revelation that local governments in Florida have systematically failed to enforce ordinances that require background checks on all gun purchases, including those at gun shows, underscores the unacceptable ambivalence among too many leaders when it comes to keeping guns out of the hands of felons and the mentally ill." "On guns, enforce laws on the books".

Entrepreneurs in action

"Florida regulators have filed a lawsuit accusing financial services giant Allianz of gutting a Miami property insurer, falsifying its documents and then cashing in on more than $20 million in fees as the company plunged into insolvency."

Coconut Grove-based Magnolia Insurance Co. went belly up in 2010, just two years after it began taking 100,000 policies out of Citizens Property Insurance Corp.

Taxpayers ultimately picked up the tab, and the Department of Financial Services is trying to recoup some of the money from the Munich-based multinational Allianz.

PIP

"Gov. Scott says fix not kill PIP, but repeal effort gathers steam on auto insurance".

A solution in search of a problem

"Florida lawmakers are poised to pass a controversial law banning courts from using foreign law, after a split Senate committee signed off on the measure. The bill (SB 58) would ban courts or other administrative authorities form using religious or foreign law in deciding matters related to family law, including divorce and child custody. The House approved a similar measure last year but it died on the Senate floor." "Bill banning Shariah law in Florida family cases passes Senate panel".

Not so "blind"

"Tucked into a bill hailed by Senate leaders as the 'most sweeping ethics reform' in decades is a provision that could shield elected officials from disclosing conflicts of interest or questionable assets."

Under SB 2, which passed the Senate on the first day of the legislative session, any public official who wants to avoid disclosing embarrassing financial information on their financial disclosure forms could create a blind trust to hold their assets.

"This really would be a wolf in sheep's clothing,'' said Phil Claypool, the former director of the Florida Commission on Ethics who retired last year. "The whole idea is to protect both the public official and the public from conflicts of interest" but under the Senate bill "you've just got room for all kinds of mischief.''

The Senate bill — for the first time in Florida — provides for "blind trusts" for elected officials and was promoted as a way to help public officials "avoid potential conflicts of interest" by allowing them to hand off responsibility for investing their assets to a trustee. The idea is that an elected official would be "blind" to what he owned because the trustee would be banned from disclosing how the assets are invested.

The measure is part of a larger ethics reform package that includes new laws that would force public officials to disclose conflicts and face new restrictions on who they can work for while in office or when they retire from office.

But Claypool believes that the Senate bill essentially creates a "cloak of invisibility" in which elected officials simply "pay a lawyer to draw up a trust" and hide behind it.

"Instead of protecting the public from conflicts of interest … the proposed law would allow officials to use their positions for private gain while 'blinding' the public to what's going on," he wrote in an analysis for Integrity Florida, the ethics watchdog group.

A similar ethics bill moving through the House, HB 7131, also would allow for "blind trusts" for elected officials, but it also adopts many of the safeguards recommended by the Ethics Commission.

"The House version is a major improvement over what the Senate did,'' Claypool said.

The dreaded "task force"

"A bill to create a task force to recommend a statewide employee medical leave policy and which would prohibit local ordinances Monday continued its march to the Senate floor." "In three committee stops only one Democrat has voted for the bill that would preempt local sick-time measures and sets up a task force to recommend a statewide policy." "Sick-leave preemption bill clears final Senate committee".

Nuclear cost recovery

"Bill limiting nuclear cost recovery scaled back before Senate panel's OK". See also "Senate advances bill to put brakes on nuclear fees". See generally "Policy Note: Nuclear Power".

Our talking points Gub'ner

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Gov. Rick Scott wants a $2,500 raise for Florida teachers. Gov. Rick Scott wants a $2,500 raise for Florida teachers. Gov. Rick Scott wants a $2,500 raise for Florida teachers."

Give Gov. Scott credit for sticking to his talking points. He hammered on the teacher raise Monday during an hourlong interview with The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board. His other talking point: A tax break on manufacturing equipment. He mentioned it several times, but not as obsessively as the teacher raise.

Aside from his talking points, though, the governor wouldn’t take a stand on issues from charter schools to alimony to texting while driving. And it can be hard to get the governor to explain the positions he does take.

"At the expense of local ordinances"

The Sarasota Herald Tribune editors: "The Florida Legislature is considering bills that would improve state laws aimed at curbing prescription drug abuse. Many of the proposed changes are worthwhile and welcome, but they should not come at the expense of local ordinances that currently and successfully target prescription abuse." "Drug law overreach".

Castor calls for end of embargo on Cuba

"Saying 'it’s time to try something new,' U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor on Monday called for the Obama administration and Congress to lift travel restrictions and the 51-year-old trade embargo on Cuba." "U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor: Lift Cuba embargo, travel restrictions".

Handcuffing children

The Miami Herald editors: "Help, not handcuffs".

Bipartisan abortion-related bill

"Florida lawmakers are poised to pass an abortion-related bill this year that would require doctors who provide abortions to offer emergency medical care in the unlikely event a baby is born alive."

But unlike heated debates of years past, the proposal has drawn rare bipartisan support and even the muted acceptance of abortion rights groups. The bill, HB 1129, is focused on how an infant born alive is treated, said House sponsor Rep. Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park. It requires health practitioners provide emergency medical services or face criminal penalties.

Friend of MacNamara

Rick Scott surrounds himself with real champions: "A top-level attorney at the Department of Elder Affairs has resigned after a lawsuit filed by a former human resources employee accused the state of bending rules to hide his arrest history."

Attorney Don Bell was arrested five times between 1973 and 2002 on charges including a drug offense and driving under the influence. He was convicted at least twice.

While the Florida Department of Law Enforcement screened Bell twice as part of his application for the job in December 2011, human resources employees halted standard hiring procedures, according to a lawsuit filed by former state employee Fran Brooks.

The lawsuit claims Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Charles Corley and Bell — who had already been hired — ordered human resources employees to shield Bell from further vetting that might expose his record to other employees.

The department also skipped Bell's state of Florida application and did not turn over Bell's arrest history to the department's legal office, as is policy, state documents show. Bell was recommended for the $98,000-a-year job by Gov. Rick Scott's former chief of staff, Steve MacNamara.

What's so bad about that, you ask?

In theory, not a thing.

So if we can skip all of the minor details and skirmishes, the real issue is this legislation potentially allows public schools to be handed over to for-profit charter companies. . . .

It's looking more and more like the Senate is going to pass its version of the parent trigger this time around. The combination of Jeb Bush's stamp of approval, heavy lobbying by charter companies and partisan politics will likely be too much to overcome.

"NRA’s task is to frighten, sell more guns"

Carl Hiaasen: "NRA’s task is to frighten, sell more guns".

Florida's "foreclosure tsunami"

The Tampa Trib editorial board: "Florida accounts for 20 percent of the foreclosure inventory in the nation, far more than any other state. One in 32 housing units received a foreclosure filing in 2012, the highest rate of any state." "Confronting foreclosure tsunami". Related: "Looking for bubbling in real estate boomlet".

"Once crystal clear, springs are now clouded with algae and weeds"

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "It's hard to figure what goes on in the heads — and hearts — of Florida's lawmakers."

For months, the Sentinel and other state newspapers have published alarming reports on the rapidly deteriorating health of Florida's incomparable natural springs. Many are dying because of pollution and excessive groundwater pumping. Once crystal clear, they're now clouded with algae and weeds. . . .

Yet halfway through the 2013 legislative session, proposals in the Senate and House to launch a serious rescue mission for springs are drowning in committee.

Florida voters demand for background checks is ignored

"After the killing of three deputies and a little boy, Florida voters demanded background checks for private gun sales. And then, the whole thing fizzled." "Misfire: How Florida failed to close gun-show loophole".

Rubio looks to slow walk on immigration reform

"Sen. Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) recent concerns about the pace of immigration reform are causing heartburn for immigration activists, who warned the senator on Friday that he’ll only damage the odds of a bill passing and his own political standing if he keeps calling for a slower process." "Immigration Advocates Tell Rubio: Fall In Line Or Else".

Meanwhile, fringe "Evangelical pastors push immigration overhaul". They disagree with Donald Trump, who said he thought "it was a mistake for Republicans to help pass immigration reform because most of those benefiting will be Latinos who will vote for Democrats."

"Florida has a huge fund of money available to help those facing foreclosure"

The Miami Herald Herald editors: "It will come as news to many homeowners facing the loss of their homes that Florida has a huge fund of money available to help those facing foreclosure, and a deadline of Dec. 31, 2017 by which to spend it. And at the rate the state is going, many homeowners in trouble who might be eligible for assistance will be left out on the street when the program shuts down." "Florida Housing Finance Corp. must stop stalling and help homeowners".

Remember when

Chris Ingram: remember when Charlie "Crist lambasted Marco Rubio for being soft on guns and chastised him for his support of waiting periods and background checks. At the time, Crist was proud of his 'A' rating from the NRA, being named 'Gun rights defender of the month' by another Second Amendment group, as well as having signed into law a bill allowing employees to take their guns to work."

"From his own mouth, Crist said the following about key issues:"

“I am pro-gun, pro-family and I am anti-tax, and I always have been.”

“I am pro-life. I support limiting abortion to cases of rape, incest or where the mother's life is in danger.”

“[The] legislation Dean Cannon has been a real champion of is something I support,” Crist said of Cannon's bill allowing offshore oil drilling five miles off Florida's coast.

Rejection of Medicaid Expansion Would Prove Costly to Florida

The latest report (.pdf) from the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy: "Many of the businesses that anchor the state's service-based, tourist-dependent economy would be placed at a significant competitive disadvantage if Florida rejects Medicaid expansion."

These include, for example, Florida's retail, restaurant and hotel chains.

If Florida expands Medicaid, employers pay no penalty for low-wage workers who enroll in Medicaid.

As a result, a large employer that does not provide meaningful, affordable coverage to its eligible low-wage employees will save $3,000 for each such employee that enrolls in Medicaid instead of using Premium Tax Credits in the Exchange—but only if Florida elects to expand Medicaid.

22-terms

"Democrats are breaking new ground in a long-fought — and long-failed — attempt to defeat Rep. C.W. Bill Young."

Five months after the election, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is paying for an electronic billboard that suggests the 22-term representative is a fixture of Washington partisanship. The billboard, on Ulmerton Road in Pinellas County, is only the latest salvo against Young. Robocalls have already hit him on gun control and immigration. He's been named a target by a number of liberal groups. The billboard is tied to Young's support of Rep. Paul Ryan's budget.

Democrats have reason to be hopeful: President Barack Obama won the district. But Young, 82, destroyed his last Democratic challenger, Jessica Ehrlich, as he has past foes. When Young retires, that congressional seat will be a prime opportunity for Democrats, but not before then.