Same sex marriage in Florida?

"Will Florida Ever Pass Same-Sex Marriage?"

New laws

Bill Cotterell: "New fiscal year to usher in dozens of new state laws" and "Scott signs 47 new laws". Ewwww: "Scott signs bill paving way for more public-private projects".

Cal Legislature folds in face of right wing Florida lobbying

"A California bill that would have fined companies with employees on Medicaid appears dead for now, after opposition that included lobbying by Darden Restaurants Chief Executive Officer Clarence Otis. The bill (AB 880) fell eight votes short of the two-thirds majority it needed Thursday in the California Assembly. The two-thirds vote was necessary because the measure dealt with budgetary issues. " "Medicaid-fine bill opposed by Darden dies in Calfornia".

Old Confederacy reviving Jim Crow

"Across the South, Republicans are working to take advantage of a new political landscape after a divided U.S. Supreme Court freed all or part of 15 states, many of them in the old Confederacy, from having to ask Washington's permission before changing election procedures in jurisdictions with histories of discrimination." "States promise quick action on election laws".

Robyn Blumner: "Chief Justice John Roberts' majority opinion blames Congress for the court's decision to neuter the preclearance enforcement mechanism in the Voting Rights Act. It's an understandable feint. Who wouldn't try to deflect blame for dismantling the most effective tool against election bias in the nation's history? You would have to be intentionally blind, as Roberts and Co. choose to be, not to see the ongoing danger to minority voting strength in the vast majority of the nine states and dozens of localities — mostly in the South — subject to preclearance before Shelby County." "Good until next election".

"Dangers of privatizing"

The Tampa Bay Times editors: "Florida's decision Friday to close a work-release center run by Goodwill Industries-Suncoast took longer than it should have taken. But it came less than 24 hours after Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri provided evidence that little had changed there despite nine months of high-profile scrutiny and legislative action. The entire episode should give state Republican leaders pause about the continued push to put more corrections operations in private hands and how those facilities operate. Public safety, including rehabilitation for soon-to-be-released prisoners, is more important than saving a few dollars."

An investigation by the Tampa Bay Times' Curtis Krueger and Kameel Stanley published last Sunday showed a more complete picture of how lax operations had become even in the months after the murders and rape. As recently as January, state auditors found inmates regularly left the facility for work but never showed up at the job. Sexual activity among inmates was a recurring problem, sometimes with center staff. Nearly half of the inmates did not receive the substance abuse treatment they needed. And just two months ago, the facility manager left the center unsupervised and failed to discipline a prisoner who had been caught stealing. Yet none of that stopped the Department of Corrections from renewing the center's contract on May 31 for another five years.

Gun nuts freak

"Florida law has allowed people who voluntarily commit themselves to a mental institution to buy a gun once they are released."

The new law requires that before agreeing to voluntary treatment under the state's Baker Act, individuals receive written notice that if treated, they [believe it or not] may be prohibited from buying a gun or "applying for or retaining a concealed weapons or firearms license" while they're deemed a danger to themselves or others. Their names are then added to a national database of people prohibited from buying a gun. People who are involuntarily committed are already added to that list.

Despite the legislation's support by longtime NRA Florida lobbyist Marion Hammer, Scott's email inbox was flooded with nearly 25,000 emails opposing the bill.

Entrepreneurs in action

"Sarasota Ponzi schemers to lose waterfront home".

Florida "again under national scrutiny"

"Florida election officials told a presidential commission Friday that a reduction in early voting hours, a limited number of polling sites and a lengthy ballot led to the long lines and counting delays last November that again put the Sunshine State under national scrutiny." "Florida election officials share suggestions".

Get yer raw sewage here

"DEP to award bonuses for employees who approve permits quickly". See also "DEP Bonus Program Approved Over Environmental Concerns", "Budget panel approves bonuses for DEP workers based on permitting speed" and "Reduced, reorganized DEP hands out bonuses".

The Week Ahead

"At the Capitol, the week ahead".

Wingnut loses tax evasion appeal

"Orlando-based political consultant Doug Guetzloe has lost his appeal of a 2012 conviction for tax evasion. Guetzloe, founder of the Ax the Tax conservative political organization, sometime radio talk-show host and a high-profile operative in some circles of conservative politics, was convicted in U.S. District Court in Orlando of two federal misdemeanor counts of 'willful failure' to file income tax returns for tax years 2005 and 2006. The court concluded he failed to report $350,000 in income." "Federal appeals court upholds Guetzloe's tax evasion conviction".

Week in Review

"Week in Review for June 28, 2013".

The Republican governor’s move wasn’t exactly a shock. Klingensmith had a credential that jumped out to people in the legal and political worlds, especially among Democrats. He’s a former chairman of the Martin County Republican Party.

He said the voters sent a "clear message" to the "Nancy Pelosi liberals in Congress," and praised the victories of Marco Rubio, who was elected to the Senate, Allen West, who was elected to Congress – and the election of Scott, who appointed him to the appeals court on Thursday.

ALEC Influences Florida Education Policy

"A new report from a statewide progressive group details the influence that the corporate-backed American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, has had on Florida’s education policy." "New Report Shows ALEC’s Effects On Florida Education Policy".

Rubio drops "exile" line

The Tampa Bay Times editors: "Keep up momentum on immigration reform". See also "Senate passes immigration bill, but at what cost to Sen. Marco Rubio?", "Opposing activists pray, protest at Marco Rubio's office", "Immigration bill leaps Senate hurdle, faces fight in House" and "Rubio, in support of immigration bill, invokes the immigrant experience".

Jeb-bots

"The Foundation for Florida's Future, a nonpartisan education reform think tank founded by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, published its sixth annual legislative report card Thursday, grading lawmakers on how they voted on six bills." "Jeb Bush Foundation Grades Lawmakers on Education Reform Votes".

Rick Scott's "pants are on fire"

Politifact looked at Rick "Scott’s response to a pointed question: Did Florida offer “something special” to Deutsche Bank in exchange for 300 jobs?"

Scott could have acknowledged that economic incentives are part of the deal. Instead he said they were not. . . .

But records show the company is ready to receive up to $2.08 million in state and local incentives if it hits its job targets. We rate Scott’s claim Pants on Fire.

"Redshirt Freshman Advantage"

"Redshirt Freshman Advantage Could Help Mike Hill in Florida House".

Patronis embarrasses himself

"It's not every day a Florida politician trashes former Gov. Bob Graham's environmental record while defending a bill that guts environmental protections. But then there aren't many politicians quite like state Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City." "This governor's record is beyond reproach".

What's the rush?

"DEP bonuses based on permitting speed raise concerns with Democratic lawmaker".

Rubio dancing as fast as he can

"Sen. Marco Rubio told a gathering of newspaper editors Tuesday that he thinks a 47-year-old law that gives Cubans fast-track status to permanent U.S. residence should be 're-examined.'" "Sen. Marco Rubio says he wants to re-examine Cubans' fast-track status but immigration bill doesn't". Background: "New Poll Shows Marco Rubio’s Mixed Views on Immigration Reform Are Unpopular".

Lake O

The TCPalm editors: "Negron's proposed hearing on Lake Okeechobee releases needs to result in tangible action steps".

Two major Dem Candidates

"With Rep. Jim Waldman, D-Coconut Creek, facing term limits next year, former Rep. Steve Perman filed to run as a Democrat for the seat at the end of February. For four months Perman was the only candidate in the race -- but a new Democratic contender has jumped in the race. Broward County Mayor Kristin Jacobs, who has served on the Broward County Commission since being elected in 1998, filed her paperwok to run for the House seat on Thursday." "Broward County House Seat Gets Two Major Democratic Candidates".

Chamber laff riot

"The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce has a bit of a problem handling its affairs and is in no mood to allow the public to hear about it." "Pensacola Chamber, Facing Problems, Keeps Public at Distance".

The rules are different here

"Gay couples in Florida likely won’t get all the federal benefits granted to legally wed couples elsewhere." "Court ruling leaves Florida same-sex couples in limbo". The Miami Herald editorial board: "Bittersweet victory" ("Supreme Court rulings on gay marriage still leave gays in Florida and most states seeking answers").

Meanwhile, Frank Cerabimo thinks the Supreme Court ruling means Florida can take the lead in gay weddings, promote job creation

Byrd told Tampa Bay Times staff writer Craig Pittman this month that he had a sinking feeling after winning a trial victory against a Marion County couple whom a jury found had illegally filled in wetlands along the Rainbow River. Rather than celebrate, Byrd thought: "When (Deputy Secretary) Jeff Littlejohn hears about this, I'm probably going to lose my job." And sure enough, he did — after Littlejohn met with the defendants to hear their complaints. Byrd was one of four DEP lawyers ousted from their jobs. His colleague, Kelly Russell, told the Times they were fired because their legal advice "was not well received by" Littlejohn, his aides or "outside influences."

After climate change deniers like Scott are gone, Florida will be inundated by rising seas

Fred Grimm: "Because I’ll be dead."

Not the most forward looking credo, kicking the coffin down the road, but it’s the unspoken subtext when politicians refuse to acknowledge a disastrous inevitability. Last week, when U.S. House Speaker John Boehner called White House initiatives to curb carbon dioxide emissions “absolutely crazy,” he was really saying that short-term sacrifices to stave off global warming aren’t worth contemplating for a political strategist looking no further than the next election. Because he and his climate-denying colleagues, most of them of a certain crotchety generation, will be dead before their progeny face the consequences.

When Rick Scott said, “I’ve not been convinced that there’s any man-made climate change. Nothing’s convinced me that there is,” the 60-year-old Florida governor was really just suggesting he can muddle through the next few years as a climate denier pol because by the time South Florida is inundated by rising seas, he’ll be buried and forgotten.

But maybe not. The current issue of Rolling Stone, in an article entitled, Goodbye Miami, suggests that the ruinous effects of sea level changes will be plenty obvious by the time Scott turns 75.

The article draws on a number of recent studies warning that the thermal expansion of the oceans, together with the melting of glaciers and polar ice sheets, will bring havoc to Miami and environs much sooner than climate scientists thought just five years ago.

No fee increases

"University board sides with Rick Scott, says no to fee increases".

"A vengeful state that lacks respect for the solemn business of capital punishment"

The Tampa Trib editorial board: "Flippant remarks by the bill's legislative sponsor, state Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Fort Walton Beach, that the law's critics are 'zealots' and that 'only God can judge, but we sure can set up the meeting,' only serve to advance Florida's image as a vengeful state that lacks respect for the solemn business of capital punishment." "Death penalty law not the answer".

"Sons of powerful politicians"

"Ever since he turned 16, people have been asking Bill Young II the same question: When are you going to run for office?"

Until now, Young, son of U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young, has left the politicos guessing. But the answer is likely 2014, an election season that could be the year of dynastic politics in Pinellas. At the same time that Young, 29, is seriously contemplating a run for the District 68 seat in Florida's House, state Sen. Jack Latvala's son, Chris Latvala, 31, is thinking of making a bid for the District 67 House seat.

In other words, the sons of two of the most powerful politicians in the Tampa Bay area are preparing to extend their fathers' legacies.

"Privacy and civil rights"

The Sarasota Herald Tribune editors: "The lifesaving value of Florida's database for controlled-substance prescriptions is real. But with this monitoring tool comes an obligation to protect patients' privacy and civil rights. That cause suffered a significant setback recently, when several prosecutors and defense attorneys around Volusia County were given the confidential prescription records of more than 3,000 people." "Drug database flaw".

"Twist on Florida's usual gun control debate"

"In a twist on Florida's usual gun control debate, the nation's pre-eminent gun rights group is defending a bill aimed at keeping firearms from some people with mental illness." "NRA faces a Florida challenge".

Florida awaits gay marriage decision

"Florida waits on SCOTUS decision that may impact gay marriage".

"Sorry, Charlie"

Randy Schultz: "Remember how in August 2009 Charlie Crist was so certain of being elected to the U.S. Senate that he named a friend and former chief of staff to keep the seat warm for him?"

For that and many other reasons, Democrats should not buy the idea that the former governor and former Republican could win easily against Gov. Rick Scott. Democrats are strutting after the 2012 election. President Barack Obama won the state for the second time. The party gained seats in Congress and the Legislature. Last weekend’s Jefferson-Jackson dinner set records for attendance and fund-raising. Realistic Democrats, though, surely understand that the 2014 election will be different.

Crist "lovefest"

"Charlie Crist entered the Pasco County banquet hall of Democrats to a standing ovation and open arms, the earliest sign Saturday's luncheon featuring the once Republican governor would be a lovefest."

Crist sounded like he wants to be the Florida Democratic Party's gubernatorial nominee but stopped short of saying he's in the race. He praised President Barack Obama's "leadership and grace" and dissed Republican Gov. Rick Scott on immigration and voting, without using his name.