In a recent survey of research on school choice and charter schools, the Hechinger Report, an independent education news affiliate of Teachers College at Columbia University, finds mounting evidence that charters are not a panacea. In fact, they are enabling our return to racial segregation in public education.

In most parts of the nation, especially where whites find mandatory busing objectionable, predominantly white charters are being established in suburbia and other communities with high white populations.

No matter how we frame the debate, we are talking about contemporary segregation academies — those private schools that proliferated during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s as a way for whites to circumvent the desegregation order of the Brown vs. Board of Education decision. After these academies took hold, many public schools, especially in the South, were left with mostly black students.

Operating with public money, charters are more subtle in determining who attends them. In addition to location and word-of-mouth marketing, many self-select by establishing curricula that appeal to specific groups. Touting their core mission, they do not mention diversity in their recruitment.

"Unbelieveable and unconscionable"

"The next front in the national battle over health care reform: your mailbox."

A little noticed law passed by state legislators this year deregulates any new health insurance policies for the next two years and requires insurers to send customers a disclosure form spelling out how much of the cost of the policy is attributable to the Affordable Care Act.

Proponents say it is a necessary component of enacting the federal health care reform and will shift regulation of new health care policies to the federal government, including policies emerging from the federal health care exchange.

But opponents say the federal government doesn’t have the resources nor the ability to regulate insurance rates in Florida and, without those protections, rates could soar. If rates rise, they said, the disclosure form will mislead the public into concluding that the increased costs are all associated with the health care reform while any reductions in costs won’t be recorded.

“The sole purpose for the form is to present unfair ‘apples and oranges’ comparisons to the public that will ensure sticker shock,” said Greg Mellowe, policy director of the health insurance advocacy group, Florida CHAIN.

In a letter urging Gov. Rick Scott to veto the proposal, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, the state’s former insurance commmissioner, called the attempt at deregulating the health insurers “unbelieveable and unconscionable” and could result in rate increases of between 10 percent and 70 percent.

But the governor and other advocates of the new law disagree.

If the feds weren’t looking out for Florida’s disabled children, who would?

The Miami Herald wonders "If the federal government weren’t looking out for the welfare of Florida’s severely disabled children, who would? Certainly not Florida’s own administrators charged with protecting them." "Cruel and unusual".

Weekly Roundup

"Week in Review for July 26, 2013". See also "Weekly Roundup: Controversies Dog Rick Scott, DCF, DOE".

Grade fix flops

"Despite a last-minute effort by Florida education officials to reduce the effect of tough new standards on annual school grades, results for elementary and middle schools released this morning by the state Department of Education show a sharp increase in D and F schools." "Florida school grades released, more receive Ds and Fs". See also "School grades take tumble". More:

Florida schools with an "A" grade have decreased and schools with an "F" grade have increased, according to the state Department of Education's 2012-2013 academic year school performance list, released Friday morning.

"Belafonte joins activists"

"Harry Belafonte joins activists outside Gov. Rick Scott's office". See also "Belafonte lends voice to Dream Defenders", "Belafonte encourages, inspires protesters" and "Belafonte joins protesters as sit-in grows in Tallahassee".

Conservative judiciary has Florida on the back burner

Aaron Deslatte: "Florida is home to some of the most gay-friendly locales in North America. So, it might seem odd that the state is sitting on the back burner of the legal fight to legalize same-sex marriages."

The rationale: While groups have already filed challenges in "strategic" states to build precedent for overturning state gay-marriage bans, Florida rests in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, considered one of the most conservative of the federal judiciary.

That reality led to the Florida groups' decision to release a five-page memo spelling out that they wouldn't file a legal challenge until "favorable precedent has been established or changes in the legal landscape otherwise improve our prospects."

That precedent could come from Virginia, North Carolina or Pennsylvania, where challenges were launched within days of the Supreme Court ruling in order to try and force the nation's high court to consider gay-marriage on equal protection grounds.

But Florida makes no sense as a battleground now.

Test games

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "Florida was one of the early leaders of a group of states developing tests for the Common Core State Standards, and it manages the money for the group, which is funded by a federal grant. Yet House Speaker Will Weatherford and Senate President Don Gaetz want Florida to pull out of the organization and design its own tests. They have not made a compelling argument, and Florida Education Commissioner Tony Bennett should proceed with caution." "Education chief faces his biggest test".

Teabaggers fight it out with Cuban-Americans over immigration

"Miami’s three Cuban-American members of Congress have a message for fellow U.S. Rep. Steve King, who said more DREAMer immigrants are drug mules than valedictorians: Be quiet."

King’s statements, which drew swift rebukes from Republican congressional leaders earlier in the week, have become the latest flash-point in the immigration debate in the conservative House, which is divided over whether and how to reform the system.

statements are factually untrue, hurtful and seem designed to divide rather than to bring our nation together.”

Ros-Lehtinen’s fellow Miami Republican, U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, has spent more than a year with a bipartisan House group that now plans to release a comprehensive immigration-reform package after the August recess — a strategic move partly designed to shield the bill from criticism when Congress isn’t in session.

Diaz-Balart called King’s comments “unacceptable… unacceptable. Unacceptable.” . . .

But King isn’t backing down, and the conservative news media is celebrating his comments about the so-called DREAM Act, which would give a pathway to citizenship for students who were illegally brought to this country by their parents.

Meanwhile, "Barack Obama and Marco Rubio Battle Over Health Care Law".

But the grades being released Friday underwent a last-minute change that will limit the number of schools that get F grades.

No love lost

"Gov. Rick Scott's administration is battling with the federal government over its handling of social safety net programs, voting rights and budget cuts." "No love lost between Florida, federal officialdom".

Privatization follies

"As Florida prepares to move forward next month with shifting thousands of seniors into Medicaid managed-care plans, Humana Inc. announced that it will buy a major player in the program." "Humana to Buy Key Player in Medicaid Program".

Sinful

"Orlando Makes No. 2 on 'Most Sinful Cities in America' List".

Rubio to ride anti-choice horse

"After weeks of speculation, earlier this week Marco Rubio announced that he would like to champion a bill shifting the ban on abortions from 24 weeks after conception to 20 weeks." "Marco Rubio Has A Chance to Boost 2016 Stock Through 20-Week Abortion Ban". See also "" and "".

"Customers overcharged by billions"

"The proposed reorganization of Florida’s largest health insurer will transfer $1.6 billion of the nonprofit company’s $2.8 billion surplus to a for-profit stock company and should be 'rejected by regulators and protested by policyholders and the public,' one group opposing the plan says." "Opponents urge state to reject Florida Blue plan, say it shows customers overcharged by billions".

And these people expect pensions?

"Firefighters were called to the house at 5:14 a.m. and were met with heavy smoke and flames." "House fire injures firefighter".

Capital Scoop

"In this weeks Capital Scoop State Attorney Willie Meggs talks with Democrat Politics and Policy Editor Paul Flemming about Florida's controversial Stand your Ground law and options for former Liberty County Sheriff Nick Finch." "Capital Scoop with State Attorney Willie Meggs".

Capitol sit-in heats up

"Thursday, three groups joined the Dream Defenders protest of Florida's 'stand your ground' law."

The Alliance for Educational Justice chartered two buses from New England and Mid-Atlantic states to bring reinforcements to Tallahassee, and PICO sent six ministers to sleep at the Capitol. A group from New Haven, Conn., is expected in town Friday.

"Imagined conversations"

Paul Flemming: "Imagined conversations on the Capitol sit-in".

The 2014 gubernatorial campaign has begun

"Fifteen months before Election Day, the 2014 gubernatorial campaign has begun. Never mind that Republican incumbent Gov. Rick Scott hasn't yet filed to run for re-election, or that the Democrats haven't settled on a candidate. That hasn't stopped both sides from ratcheting up attacks on each other." "Attacks begin before gubernatorial candidates declare". See also "Democrats target Gov. Scott with online ad".

Dems ask Scott to call off plans to restart a voter purge

"Two Democratic members of Congress are asking Florida Gov. Rick Scott to call off plans to restart a voter purge."

U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch and Alcee Hastings on Thursday wrote the Republican governor. They said that last year's effort to identify and remove non-U.S. citizens from the state's voter rolls was flawed.

A federal judge this week lifted an order that had halted state efforts.

Florida's economy gets boost from recovering national markets

"Florida's economy is getting a boost from recovering national housing and financial markets, which are allowing more people to move to the state and also sparking new housing, according to a forecast from a University of Central Florida economist." "Economist's forecast for Florida: clearing skies".

Yee Haw!

"Americans For Prosperity sets national conference in Orlando".

OMG! Casino employees might "negotiate better wages, benefits and work conditions"

"Led by Walt Disney World, the Orlando tourism industry is lobbying hard to prevent the construction of Las Vegas-style casinos in Florida, arguing that the multibillion-dollar resorts would undermine the state's family-friendly reputation."

But the industry is wary of something else, too: unions.

Orlando tourism businesses fear the arrival of casinos, which are heavily unionized in markets such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City, could spur efforts to organize in more Florida hotels, according to a report prepared by Spectrum Gaming Group, a firm hired for nearly $400,000 by the Florida Legislature to study the impact of expanding gaming. Hoteliers would face higher costs if new unions successfully negotiated better wages, benefits and work conditions for employees.

Raw political courage

"Back-to-school tax holiday to start Aug. 2, retailers touting electornics".

MacDougall, a Republican, intends to challenge Democratic Rep. Joe Garcia, whose campaign has been at the center of the investigation into hundreds of fraudulent absentee-ballot requests submitted online for last August’s primary election.

Garcia fired his former chief of staff, Jeffrey Garcia, no relation, on May 31 after Jeffrey Garcia told the congressman that he had directed the campaign to submit some of the phantom requests. Florida elections law prohibits anyone other than voters or their immediate family members from requesting absentee ballots.

In a letter Wednesday, MacDougall asked Republican Gov. Rick Scott to step in, accusing Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernández Rundle, a Democrat, of taking too long in her probe. MacDougall also unveiled a website, StopMiamiElectionFraud.org, to collect petitions urging the governor to take action, and said he plans a round of robocalls to congressional district voters to steer them to the site.

"Florida's shameful practice of warehousing disabled children"

The Tampa Trib editors: "The federal government took the only recourse available by finally asking the courts to end Florida's shameful practice of warehousing disabled children in nursing homes. For two years, Gov. Rick Scott's administration has made clear that it had no intention of changing course on a policy that punishes children with complex medical needs and keeps them from their homes, families and communities. If Florida won't comply with the antidiscrimination laws, then it falls to the federal government and the courts." "Fed must save children from state apathy".

Tax breaks . . . for reinsurers

"Scott, business groups speak out against eliminating tax break for reinsurers".

Drake wants back

"After stepping aside for House Speaker Pro Tempore Marti Coley, R-Marianna, in 2012, former Rep. Brad Drake is looking to return to the Florida House to represent all of Holmes, Jackson, Walton and Washington counties and parts of Bay County." "Brad Drake: I Want Back in the Florida House".

You live, where?

"Residency of All Legislators Under Review".

Blame game

"State officials are sounding the alarm that federal budget cuts have depleted the line of defense against powerful storms just when Florida faces the busiest part of hurricane season." "Disaster readiness may be at risk, Florida warns".

Feds renew efforts to persuade lawmakers to call a special session om Medicaid expansion

"Saying it’s not too late for Florida to accept billions of dollars in federal funding for Medicaid expansion, federal officials renewed efforts Wednesday to persuade lawmakers to call a special session to reconsider." "Feds to Florida: Not too late for Medicaid expansion". See also "President Obama, You Were Economically Profiled".

Rubio stands with teabaggers

"Can Sen. Marco Rubio recover with tea party? 'Absolutely,' leader says".

"Facts are not likely to change the rhetoric"

"As the president goes to Jacksonville to focus on building middle class jobs, the GOP takes aim in battle over who gets credit for an improving state economy."

But economists say that while Obama and Scott have played a role in the economic recovery, it is the Federal Reserve that deserves most of the credit. The federal monetary policy that has kept interests rates low has revved up Florida’s stagnant housing market, provided a lift to the construction industry and helped to reduce unemployment, said two promiment state economists.

Consumers are more optimistic in Florida than they have been since the onset of the recession, said Chris McCarty, an economist at the University of Florida, and the reason is primarily the rise in housing prices. But can Scott or Obama take credit for the uptick in housing prices?

“Most people would argue the answer is no,’’ he said. “Credit Ben Bernanke and the Federal Reserve.”

“The dramatic stance of monetary policy, with interest rates cut to zero and $1 trillion in mortgage backed securities backed by the feds, have certainly played a role,’’ said Sean Snaith, an economist with the University of Central Florida. The governor can claim credit, but he doesn’t have the tools that the Federal Reserve has at its disposal, he said, and even the president’s influence is muted.

Those facts are not likely to change the rhetoric in the coming election year, however, as skirmishes over who gets credit or blame for the pocketbook pressures of average Americans make up the campaign narrative.

Meanwhile, "Republicans Welcome Obama to Jacksonville With Jeers and Jabs".

"Democratic Battleground Emerges"

"With Rep. Joe Gibbons, D-Pembroke Park, facing term limits in 2014, three Democratic candidates are already running hard to replace him in the Florida House. Gibbons, who is now running for the Broward County Commission, represents parts of Broward and Miami-Dade counties." "Democratic Battleground Emerges for South Florida Open House Seat".

Protestors still at Capitol

"Protesters at Florida Capitol: ‘We stay until we win’". Related: "Dream Defenders file paperwork to solicit contributions".

"Orlando-to-Miami train project rolling"

"A deal that would get an Orlando-to-Miami train project rolling is close but has been delayed because of minor details that need to be worked out, negotiators said Wednesday."

The agreement calls for the Orlando Orange County Expressway Authority to buy $12 million worth of land from Deseret Ranch along the BeachLine Expressway. The right of way would be used to lay tracks for All Aboard Florida, a $1.5 billion passenger train linking Orlando International Airport with South Florida.

"End of a lengthy and often turbulent ride"

"Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones’ bid to run for a third term was denied by the Third District Court of Appeal Wednesday, when it ruled that despite a lengthy suspension the commissioner had already been elected and qualified to run for two full terms."

The decision means the end of a lengthy and often turbulent ride for Spence-Jones in Miami’s District 5, where the commissioner was elected three times in four years — once while under suspension from the governor — and successfully fought a pair of felony charges brought by the state.

The 4-3 decision to reduce the number of F schools in the state by almost 60 percent was divided along Bush-Scott lines, with Bush allies against.

None of the seven board members nor Education Commissioner Tony Bennett would to speak with the Herald/Times about last Tuesday’s vote.

Their silence, however, has fueled speculation about the motives on each side. Scott allies have been accused of padding grades to help Scott’s reelection prospects.

And he has a line of duty disability pension

"Orlando cop shot during traffic stop".

"Deliberate indifference to the suffering of frail and disabled children"

"Florida health care agencies have acted with 'deliberate indifference to the suffering' of frail and disabled children by offering parents no 'meaningful' choice but to warehouse their children in nursing homes along with elders, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a lawsuit against the state filed Monday." "Justice Department files lawsuit against Florida over medical care for disabled children". See also "Feds sue state over alleged treatment of disabled children".

Lake O

"Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, is calling together his select committee on the Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee for a day-long public hearing in Stuart on damage from water releases from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie estuary." "Hearing set on Lake Okeechobee releases into estuary".

Miller has challenger

"While he has won elections overwhelmingly for the last decade, U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., has recently drawn his second primary opponent in the 2014 election." "Political Newcomer Challenges Jeff Miller in GOP Primary".

Immigration divide

"With Republicans who control the U.S. House clearly unenthused about the immigration reform bill passed by the Senate last month, the Florida delegation continues to divide on the issue." "Florida Congressional Delegation Continues to Split Over Immigration Reform Bill".

The Week Ahead

"The Week Ahead for July 22 to July 26, 2013".

Another Jindal laff riot

"With buzz growing that he could be running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana will be speaking to conservatives at an event [for the teabaggery Americans for Prosperity] in Orlando as he tries to get his once-promising national political ambitions back on track."

This has not been Jindal’s first time on the national stage. While there was speculation that Jindal would be John McCain’s running mate in 2008, his first real national exposure came the following year when he offered the Republican response to Obama’s first State of the Union address. Jindal’s speech earned him harsh reviews from pundits across the political spectrum but he would go on to win a second gubernatorial term in 2011. Jindal was also considered a potential vice presidential candidate in 2012 but lost out to Paul Ryan.

Hijacking teachers

The Tampa Trib editorial board: "Most of us were taught to be polite when we're invited into someone's home. So it's no surprise that finalists in the annual Teacher of the Year competition said nice things about Gov. Rick Scott at a recent gathering in the governor's mansion in Tallahassee."

They didn't know those interviews would be hijacked by the Republican Party and used in an advertisement for the governor's re-election campaign.

At least one of the those teachers isn't happy about it.

West to lead Benghazi attack

"Having left the door open to a political comeback in 2016, former Congressman Allen West will be launching a national petition drive to demand the creation of a House Select Committee to investigate the Benghazi attacks." "Allen West Leads Efforts for New House Committee to Investigate Benghazi Attacks".

Obama to Jax

"President Barack Obama will travel to Jacksonville on Thursday and deliver remarks at the Port Authority as part of a series of events scheduled to focus on the economy, the White House announced Monday." "President Barack Obama to bring economy message to Florida".

We’re Flor-i-da. With a subtle Spanish caress of the tongue across the last two syllables. Don’t boycott us.

We are not Flahhhhda, huffed out like a smoker’s cough, a hint of tobacco juice dribbling down the chin. That’s the place to boycott. Lower Alabama. Greater Georgia. Land of the creepy ass crackers.

Martin Luther King III told the NAACP convention in Orlando: “We may have to look at not consuming Florida orange juice.” Of course, the Florida Department of Agriculture pretty well wiped out south Florida’s oranges on its great citrus canker vendetta over a decade ago. Lately, our orange juice concerns hinge mostly on the profitable flow of screwdrivers and mimosas on South Beach.

Stevie Wonder told an audience in Quebec City last week that Florida was no longer the sunshine state of his life and that he would not play another concert hereabouts until we repealed Stand Your Ground.

A California assemblyman from Pasadena and the fire chief from Englewood, N.J., joined the fray last week, saying tourists should stay away until we get rid of the NRA-crafted self-defense law.

They think of the glitz of South Beach and Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale and Wynwood and Key West and Coral Gables and Boca Raton and imagine, somehow, that we might wield some influence on that congregation of wild-eyed yeehaw reactionaries in Tallahassee. They should study Florida’s much gerrymandered map. The location of the capital is not mere geography but a state of mind. Among legislators up that way, their only positive regard for sinful South Florida has to do with the disproportionate amount of revenue they can suck out of this region to fund their local projects. Otherwise, they loathe us as an Obama-voting aberration, a disgrace to the old Confederacy. The notion that a national tourism boycott might hurt Miami-Dade or Broward or Palm Beach counties — regarded by the good ol’ boys who run this state as a cesspool of foreigners, gays, Jews, Yankees, strange accents, tiny bikinis and liberal inclinations — will only bring joy to their creepy cracker hearts. Those folks abandoned South Florida, most of them, a generation ago. Folded up their Confederate flags, oiled their assault weapons, renewed their NRA membership and skedaddled.

"Stand-ground law repeal unlikely"

"Despite an outcry from civil rights groups, a call for close examination by President Barack Obama and even a 1960s-style sit-in at the Florida governor's office, the jury's verdict that George Zimmerman was justified in shooting unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin is unlikely to spur change to any of the nation's stand-your-ground self-defense laws." "Despite outcry, stand-ground law repeals unlikely". See also "U.S. attorney, agencies reviewing Zimmerman case", "Protesters stay put in Fla. Capitol for 5th day", "Does repealing 'stand your ground' stand a chance in Florida?", "Scott calls for statewide 'Day of Prayer'", "Capitol demonstrators determined to make a difference", "John Romano: Let's talk "stand your ground" law and its flaws" and "Hundreds attend Miami 'Justice for Trayvon' rally".

"Latvala has a political stake in the outcome"

The Sun-Sentinel editors: "Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, last week asked Gov. Rick Scott to launch a criminal investigation of Sachs and four other Broward lawmakers — all Democrats — who stand accused of not living in their districts. They are: Rep. Perry Thurston of Fort Lauderdale, Rep. Hazelle Rogers of Lauderdale Lakes, Rep. Joe Gibbons of Hallandale Beach and Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Coral Springs, each of whom says he or she meets the residency requirement."

Latvala has a political stake in the outcome. He strongly backed Sachs' rival — former Republican Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff of Fort Lauderdale — in what became the most watched, most expensive and most competitive state race of 2012. The Sachs-Bogdanoff race was the only contest that pitted two incumbent state senators against one another because of redistricting — the redrawing of political lines that happens every 10 years after the national census.

Had Bogdanoff won, Latvala would have secured the member votes needed to become president of the Florida Senate. And because Sachs must run for re-election next year, there's still a chance that Bogdanoff could run again, win and stand with him. (For the record, [the Sun-Sentinel] endorsed Bogdanoff in last year's race).

Scott "missing in action"

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "Gov. Rick Scott HAS BEEN missing in action. While the governor spent five days in New York and bounced around the Florida Panhandle and Tampa Bay boasting about bringing new private sector jobs into the state, firestorms were breaking out all over state government. Yet the governor appeared unengaged, uninformed or uninterested in explaining the actions of his administration. Floridians deserve better. Consider the latest developments:"

• House Speaker Will Weatherford and Senate President Don Gaetz unexpectedly called on Florida to back out of a national consortium developing the exams to test for the new Common Core Standards. They want Florida to develop its own assessments for students, even though Floridians have lost confidence in the FCAT tests and the school grading system. . . .

• Secretary of the department of Children and Families David Wilkins abruptly resigned late Thursday amid controversy over the deaths of four young children and battles with private agencies that provide foster care and adoption services. . . .

• After traveling and staying out of public view in the capital for nine days, Scott suddenly showed up Thursday night to spend a half-hour with some of the young protesters outside his office. Even amid the national controversy over the George Zimmerman not guilty verdict and the "stand your ground law,'' Scott still embraced the law and dismissed the protesters' valid concerns.

Fasano

"Mike Fasano not confident about Pasco tax collector appointment".

Mosaic pumps water out of aquifer to dilute polluted waste, then dumps it into creeks

"Last year, a state water agency granted the world's largest phosphate mining company a permit to pump up to 70 million gallons of water a day out of the ground for the next 20 years. Some of those millions of gallons of water — no one can say how much — is being used by the phosphate giant known as Mosaic to dilute polluted waste so it can be dumped into creeks without violating state regulations." "Phosphate giant Mosaic pumps from Florida's aquifer to dilute its pollution".

Scott plays job creation calculation game

"Gov. Rick Scott has built his entire first term – and looming re-election bid – on job creation. During his first run for office, he promised to create 700,000 new jobs in seven years. Those jobs, he said during the campaign, would be in addition to new positions added as a part of Florida's natural economic growth. But since taking office, he has dropped any reference to jobs created through natural growth, and focused solely on total jobs created." "Jobless rate in Metro Orlando up to 6.9 percent".

New law allows pols to raise more money per individual donor

"A new law going into effect just in time for the 2014 election will allow politicians in Florida to raise more money per individual donor than they’ve been able to in more than 20 years. Campaign-contribution limits are going from $500 per individual and corporate donor to $1,000 for statehouse, countywide and city offices and $3,000 for governor, other Cabinet offices and Supreme Court justices." "Law raises limits on campaign-finance contributions".

SEC charges Miami with securities fraud

"In the federal complaint, the SEC is seeking to prohibit the city from violating securities laws and to impose financial penalties of potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars on Miami and its former budget director." "SEC charges city of Miami, ex-budget director with civil securities fraud".