Sink said in an interview Friday she is “seriously considering” the possibility and that her timeline for announcing a decision will be “weeks, not days,” but wouldn’t be more specific than that.

Only 7 of Florida's 27 congressmen represent a remotely competitive district

"Florida lawmakers used to be a fairly independent lot, and for good reason."

With most House members representing swing districts where support from both Democrats and Republicans was needed to win, it wasn’t uncommon to see lawmakers crossing party lines on Capitol Hill. Moderate Democrats voted with the GOP about a third of the time 15 years ago, while Republicans often sided with Democrats on about 10 percent of votes.

Not anymore.

Only seven of the state’s 27 congressmen represent a district that’s remotely up for grabs on Election Day, evidence that lawmakers’ incentive to behave independently has withered, analysts say. Just a decade ago, 13 of the 25 seats in Florida were competitive. The state added two seats last year due to population gains.

"An election season whodunit"

"It’s an election season whodunit: Who is paying for the campaign mailers cluttering Miami Beach mailboxes? . . . Attack ads are nothing new when it comes to politics. More and more, the groups that pay for these ads are not the candidates themselves, but third-party entities such as electioneering communication organizations, or ECOs. . . . [A]ccording to state laws regulating ECOs, 'an expenditure made for, or in furtherance of, an electioneering communication is not considered a contribution to or on behalf of any candidate.'" "Miami Beach mayoral candidates under attack from mystery groups".

Common Core controversy

"Public hearings on Common Core State Standards are set to begin Tuesday in Tampa, but they are already setting off a wave of controversy even before they've begun."

Gov. Rick Scott ordered the hearings last month after his office encountered a barrage of backlash over the standards and their assessments from members of the public and legislators across the state.

"Freedom"

What a Flabagger would claim is the "freedom" to swim in filthy water, unimpeded by government regulation: "31 in Fla. infected by bacteria in salt water".

But not Florida

"Some states pay to reopen national parks". But not Florida: "Gov. Rick Scott orders agencies not to keep federal programs afloat".

Raw political courage

"House panel keeps options open on tax cuts".

"A few scant rays of hope poking through the clouds for Florida Democrats"

"Even as Republicans continue to flex their fundraising muscles and hammer away at President Barack Obama ahead of the 2014 midterm elections, there are a few scant rays of hope poking through the clouds for Florida Democrats." "Weekly Roundup: Dems Look to Chip Away at GOP Dominance".

Weekly Roundup

"Week in Review for Oct. 11, 2013". See also "Weekly Roundup" and "Arrivals and Departures for Oct. 11, 2013".

Democrats will surely remind the FlaGOP who passed the fee increases in the first place

"Scott has yet to lay out specifics of how he would like to meet the $500 million tax cut goal. But if the vehicle registration and license fees are passed and signed into law by Scott, the issue could play a role in his re-election campaign. The fee increases were signed into law by then-Gov. Charlie Crist, the ex-Republican who could be Scott’s fiercest general election opponent now that he’s become a Democrat. Democrats, however, will be keen to remind the GOP who passed the fee increases in the first place – the Republican-controlled Legislature." "Fee-hike history could haunt hopefuls' campaigns".

"Down the Republican rabbit hole" with Marco Rubio

Poor Fabiola Santiago "tumbled down the rabbit hole of Twitter by clicking on a retweet by a Miami Republican — and landed in one of those 'anything is possible' corners of our political Wonderland."

The Republican National Committee celebrated center stage on its webpage Hispanic Heritage Month with mucho boasting of a line-up of “first” Hispanic elected officials who are Republican — but not a word about immigration reform. Not a word, despite the bipartisan bill waiting on House action, or the new bill filed by Miami’s Rep. Joe Garcia and fellow Democrats.

He spoke Friday to the Values Voter Summit — which, if like Alice, you have learned to read the upside down clues in Wonderland, you know is another ultra-conservative forum.

Rubio didn’t mention immigration reform — his own work on the bill passed by the Senate or anyone else’s — and he didn’t spice his talk with a word of Spanish. Not even “ hola,” having learned from the experience of naïve Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, who got heckled last June — “learn to speak English!” — when he attempted to add an offensive dash of bilingual color to his talk before another tea party audience.

No, Rubio is too smart for that. He talked about God — and His role in shaping things up in Washington.

“I believe Jesus Christ is God,” Rubio said.

And Alice thought: The evangelical leaders hoping, praying — and waging an unprecedented campaign in Florida on behalf of comprehensive immigration reform — believe this, too.

But while God may not have abandoned immigrants, it looks like Rubio and his fellow Republicans have, all too afraid to antagonize the right-wing faction of the Republican Party that has brought the country to its knees.

Never mind that "meritocracy" thing the GOPers like to parrot

"The son also rises? Another political dynasty could be forming in Florida as Bill Young II ponders running for his father’s congressional seat."

Young has thrown his name in the mix to replace his father who is retiring from Congress where he’s served since 1971. Since the congressman announced he would not run for re-election next year, his son has taken to Twitter, retweeting articles hinting he could try to claim his father’s seat.

"The power of incumbency"

"The power of incumbency continues to drive money into candidates’ coffers, even when there are no challengers." "Campaign contributions pile up in Bay area coffers".

Local residents fight off Walmart blight

"Wal-Mart has abandoned its effort to build a grocery store on long-vacant Dale Mabry Highway acreage, a proposal that rallied Carrollwood opponents to organize, wave placards at rush-hour traffic, erect yard signs and circulate petitions."

The grass-roots group that formed to fight the planned 41,180-square-foot Walmart Neighborhood Market at the northwest corner of Dale Mabry and Floyd Road overcame long odds when Hillsborough County commissioners in January voted 6-0 to deny a rezoning request.

The victory for Carrollwood residents was dampened a month later when Brightworks Acquisitions, the contract buyer of the 10.5-acre former plant nursery, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court. The 90-page suit maintains the commission’s vote was politically motivated, not based on evidence or criteria, and countered recommendations for approval by the county’s planning experts and a land-use hearing officer.

Now county attorneys have suggested the commission approve a proposed settlement of the lawsuit and schedule a public hearing for its Nov. 12 land-use meeting to consider a scaled-down commercial development — without a Walmart Neighborhood Market.

Water wars

"Water Will Have the Edge at 2013 Florida Energy Summit". See also: "Water issues take center stage for lawmakers".

The University of North Florida (UNF) released a poll showing Crist taking 44 percent while Scott follows with 40 percent -- within the margin of error. "Other candidates" take 2 percent while 14 percent of those surveyed are undecided.

Here's the poll: "University of North Florida Poll Reveals Crist leads Scott" (.pdf).

Scott plays shutdown politics

"Ten days into a partial shutdown of the federal government that has no signs of easing, Gov. Rick Scott’s chief of staff ordered that no state funds will be used to offset any federal programs that run out of cash as a result of the federal gridlock."

In a draft letter directed to the governor’s agencies, Adam Hollingsworth, Scott’s chief of staff, said that absent a federal resolution, “it is important that we ensure that state funds are not committed as a temporary backfill to federal programs as a matter of course.”

A day after more than 100 fishing guides, kayakers and paddle board operators held a rally to protest the closure of the Everglades National Park, the governor also rejected calls to use state funds to open closed federal parks in Florida.

Hollingsworth did not address what might happen to a handful of federal programs administered by the state that are expected to run out of money in the next four to seven days. Federal assistance programs that serve foster children, veterans programs, and small to medium-sized school districts are all expected to be short of cash, beginning Oct. 14, state documents show.

In addition, two state agencies that manage federal programs are in jeopardy of losing funding. Records show that 274 employees at the Department of Military Affairs are being furloughed and that the Florida Department of State Department next week will run out of money to pay the rent on some of its buildings.

The Department of Juvenile Justice had planned to use cash in its trust funds to make payments for its adoption and foster care programs, but Hollingsworth’s directive appears to prevent it.

For his part, Scott, a Republican who is seeking re-election, would not answer reporters’ questions about what impact the shutdown is having on the state. Instead, he repeatedly blamed President Barack Obama, a Democrat, for the gridlock in Washington.

• Small to medium-sized school districts using bi-weekly pay periods may start to have problems meeting payroll

• Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services programs will not meet payroll

• Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the supplemental food program for Women Infants and Children (WIC) will run out of funds by the end of the month

• School lunch, school breakfast and child and adult care food programs could also run out of money in the next week.

Meanwhile, "Shutdown cost to Miami-Dade federal workers: $31 million per week".

Scott will no doubt make an exception, accompanied by a solemn press conference, for this: "Veterans cemeteries in line of political fire".

Another Young in the mix?

"Two top potential Republican contenders to replace Rep. C.W. Bill Young — state Sens. Jack Latvala and Jeff Brandes — apparently won’t enter the race, but another unexpected, big-name candidate is considering a run: Young’s wife, Beverly Young. Meantime, the field of potential Democratic contenders may include another prominent name: former state House Speaker Peter Rudy Wallace." "Young’s House seat drawing interest, including from wife".

PunditFact

"PolitiFact, the Pulitzer Prize-winning fact-checking website of the Tampa Bay Times, will soon launch PunditFact, a site dedicated to checking claims by pundits, columnists, bloggers and the hosts and guests of talk shows." "PolitiFact to launch PunditFact, checking pundits and media figures".

"American dream" in an empty suit

"Rubio took to the floor of the U.S. Senate on Thursday to speak on the American dream and the looming battle over raising the debt ceiling. Earlier in the month, Rubio invoked the American dream in a Senate speech on the shutdown." "Marco Rubio and Debbie Wasserman Schultz Exchange Fire Over Government Shutdown". More vacuity: "Marco Rubio: 'We Cannot Give Up on the American Dream'".

Meanwhile, "Dems blame Rubio for government shutdown -- in Spanish".

Bucher speaks

"Susan Bucher: Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections".

Men and women with pensions at work

"Firefighters rescue family’s dogs trapped Jupiter Farms house fire" ("Firefighters were able to rescue the family pets and attack the fire").

Water wars

The Sarasota Herald Tribune editors: "Florida is suing Georgia over consuming too much of the fresh water that should be flowing to the estuaries and oyster beds of the Panhandle. It is a lawsuit that has been a long time coming, as the two states have argued over the flow of water to Apalachicola Bay for years." "Florida's water wars".

Atwater gets new Dem challenger

"Florida CFO Jeff Atwater posted impressive third-quarter fundraising numbers on Thursday, even as a new Democratic challenger lines up to run against him in 2014."

On Wednesday, businessman and Army veteran William Rankin filed to run against Atwater in 2014. During his time in the Army, Rankin was a special agent for the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation (CID) Command, investigating fraud and white-collar crime. Rankin also served as the director of asset management for the Ohio state treasury, overseeing public funds and assets.

Rankin moved to South Florida in 2000 and was active with the federal census. He served as outreach director for the Congressional Census Monitoring Board during the 2000 Census and headed up the Florida State Census Committee. Since that time, he has worked in the private sector.

Speaking with Sunshine State News on Thursday, Rankin pointed to his background as one of the reasons he is running for CFO and said his position with the Ohio government gives him great insight in how to save money in the public sector. “I have a very diverse background,” he said. “I’m more qualified to be CFO than Jeff Atwater.”

Noting there is an “overwhelming Republican majority in Tallahassee,” Rankin said he is running to give Florida voters “an alternative, a choice.”

Ricky's $500 million tax cut

"The chairman of the House subcommittee overseeing the state's tax laws said Thursday the panel isn't necessarily bound by the $500 million cut in taxes and fees that Gov. Rick Scott has proposed." "Ritch Workman: Tax Cut Might Not Be $500 Million". More: "House panel keeps options open on tax cuts".

Scott, Bondi, Atwater brain trust

"Scott, Bondi, Atwater blast federal flood inaction". See also "Policy Note: Flood Insurance".

In the meantime, thousands of federal workers in Central Florida — ranging from Internal Revenue Service employees in Maitland to engineers at Kennedy Space Center and immigration-court employees in Orlando — remain furloughed. And federal courts locally are about to run out of money to pay their 300 employees.

But to U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, the temporary pain is worth it.

Mica said the hardball tactics are necessary to win concessions from the Democrat-controlled Senate and White House on issues ranging from defunding the Affordable Care Act — a demand the Republicans have largely abandoned — to unspecified cuts in Social Security, Medicare and other spending.

"What [other] leverage do you have?" Mica asked.

Though he said Republicans likely overreached in trying to defund "Obamacare" — "maybe that was unrealistic," he says — the 11-term lawmaker dismissed Obama's suggestion that the two sides negotiate only after reopening federal offices and increasing the nation's debt limit, which is set to hit its cap next week.

"Ronald Reagan said, 'Trust but verify,'" Mica said. "Republicans would not have a chance [of getting what they wanted] once you get past next Wednesday or Thursday" — the debt-ceiling deadline.

But when asked what he wanted, Mica was unspecific — other than some measure "to bring spending under control."

Never mind the no choice part

"Rep. Larry Ahern and Sen. Kelli Stargel contend their proposals is not an abortion bill but an effort to protect pregnant women and their unborn babies." "Legislators call for 'unborn victims of violence' law". Background: "Policy Note: Fetal Injury".

'Glades shutdown

"About 200 employees were furloughed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Oct. 9, 2013, some of whom were working on an Everglades restoration project." "Policy Note: The Everglades".

And they expect pensions?

While the rest of us were sleeping, "A fire is sweeping through a Kissimmee townhouse complex as firefighters work to contain the flames." "Fire sweeping through townhouse complex".

Kiss of death

"Allen West Offers First Round of Endorsements for 2013 and 2014 Elections".

"Bipartisan moves to amend Florida's self-defense law"

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune editors: "A Florida Senate committee has taken the first steps toward making much-needed changes to the controversial 'stand your ground' law. More steps lie ahead -- in both the Senate and the Florida House -- but a bipartisan approach embraced so far offers hope for amending the flawed self-defense statute." "Standing on common ground".

"The chairman of the House Select Committee on Gaming likened the study to an inkblot test, with each interest group drawing their preconceived conclusions from the numbers." "House panel looks at gambling study, finds few conclusions".

Trib endorses a Dem

The Tampa Trib editorial board: "endorses Amanda Murphy for state House District 36 in Tuesday’s special election" to replace Republican Mike Fasano. "Murphy for west Pasco House seat".

Young leaves district that recently "has leaned Democratic"

"Moments before having to go through another procedure to help alleviate decades of pain in his back, Rep. C.W. Bill Young said that his decision not to seek re-election had been percolating for years." "Rep. Young on retirement: ‘I knew it was time’".

"Young's retirement will spark a competitive race for the seat in a district that has leaned Democratic in the past several elections, but where prominent Republicans could be strong candidates."

On the Democratic side, St. Petersburg lawyer Jessica Ehrlich, who ran unsuccessfully against Young in 2012, has launched another campaign for 2014 and vows that with an earlier start, she'll be a stronger candidate than in 2012.

But with the formidable Young no longer looming in the general election, Ehrlich may see a challenge for the Democratic nomination.

On the Republican side, the most-talked about candidate is former Mayor Rick Baker, but other big names also may be interested.

State Sen. Jack Latvala, long a dominant force in Pinellas County Republican politics, is considered another likely possibility, but didn't want to discuss the question Wednesday.

“Out of deference to Congressman Young, today is his day and I don't have any comment, other than to say he's a wonderful public servant whom I try to emulate and I'm just proud to be his friend.”

State Sen. Jeff Brandes has told friends he'd be interested in running for the seat if Young retired, local GOP insiders say; former Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbert and Pinellas County Commissioners John Morroni and Karen Seel are also subjects of speculation about the race.

Pinellas County is considered the birthplace of the modern Republican Party in Florida and has traditionally been dominated by Republicans, but with a comparatively moderate political posture.

In recent years, it has become more and more Democratic.

See also "U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young to retire, won’t seek re-election in 2014".

"Florida isn't giving up on the purge"

Bill Cotterell: "How did 'Chicago election' become synonymous with ballot fraud, while the term 'Florida election' makes people think of well-intended incompetency? Maybe Chicago got first choice." "Florida isn't giving up on the purge". "Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner’s mea culpa tour to tout the state’s revamped noncitizen voter purge led to a tense exchange Wednesday with an election supervisor miffed about the state’s botched efforts last year."

Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher peppered Detzner and his staff with questions about the process and the accuracy of the data to be used in the purge.

“Where does that data come from, how often is it updated: every 10 years or every 10 minutes? ... I have a lot of concern that the people we got the database from are saying this is not comprehensive and definitive,” Bucher said during a meeting at Broward County’s Voting Equipment Center in Lauderhill.

Bucher’s questions revolved around the federal SAVE database that the state will use this time to search for non-citizen voters.

Detzner explained that state agencies currently use SAVE data to verify that Floridians are eligible for millions of dollars in entitlements.

“This is the best database we have to deal with,” he said. “This is important to get it right...It can be done and it will be done correctly.”

But Bucher wasn’t satisfied, nor were voting activists who egged her on at times in the audience. A Democrat elected to a nonpartisan office, Bucher continued to ask multiple questions.

Detzner, appointed by Republican Gov. Rick Scott, tried to cut her off: “you are interrupting and going to take time away from public questions.”

Gator's change strategy

"The University of Florida is targeting nearly 25 percent of its preeminent money at 'the emerging field of 'big data.'' Lawmakers gave the school an additional $75 million over five years for the school to enhance its standing among public universities. Wednesday it announced 16 projects and plans for new hires as part of a push towards a Top 10 academic ranking." "UF hiring up to 100 professors in pursuit of Top 10 status". More: "Policy Note: Higher Education".

Scott laff riot

"Rick Scott's Team Trumpets Study Giving Florida's Tax Climate High Marks".

"Agenda 21's Baby Cousin in Florida"

Nancy Smith: "The folks behind Seven50 swear up and down their "blueprint for growing a more prosperous, more desirable Southeast Florida during the next 50 years" is no reincarnation of widely reviled Agenda 21."

Maybe. But it sure walks like a duck and quacks like a duck.

Remember Agenda 21? By its authors' definition, it was "a nonbinding, voluntarily implemented global action plan to bring about sustainable development."

Second amendment stoopid

"Third-grader brings loaded pistol to Sarasota school".

Crist has been ramping up for Florida Democrats in recent days. On Monday, Crist offered his support to former Rep. Rick Kriseman who is running for mayor of St. Petersburg, the former governor’s home turf.

Last week, Crist backed Amanda Murphy, the Democratic running in a special election for a House seat representing parts of Pasco County. Murphy takes on Republican candidate Bill Gunter in the special election on October 15.

Crist sent out a message to supporters on Sunday asking for them to back Murphy. “I endorsed my friend Amanda Murphy for the state House in Pasco County,” Crist posted on Facebook before asking supporters to back her. “Her election is in just a few days and she needs our help. Can you help her out?”

With his recent spat of activity for Florida Democrats, Crist looks to put his political past behind him. First elected to the Florida Senate as a Republican back in 1992, Crist moved up the GOP ranks, running against U.S. Sen. Bob Graham in 1998 and becoming state education commissioner in 2000. Stressing his conservative credentials, Crist continued to ascend, becoming state attorney general in 2002 and governor in 2006.

With the exception of running for a second term for the state Senate, Crist made a habit of seeking new offices and it came back and haunted him in 2010. After endorsing President Barack Obama’s federal stimulus, Crist once again set his sites on the U.S. Senate, running for an open seat in 2010. But Marco Rubio caught Crist in the polls for the Republican nomination leading the former governor to leave the GOP and continue his ambitions with no party affiliation. Rubio easily routed Crist in the general election. After endorsing Obama in 2012, Crist joined the Democrats after the presidential election.

Parade of empty suits

"The field of Republicans looking to defeat U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., next year expanded as former Tequesta Vice Mayor Calvin Turnquest entered the race." "Patrick Murphy Faces Increasingly Crowded Field of GOP Foes".

Stand Your Ground

Update: "Stand Your Ground revisions win early approval". More: "Committee approves 'Stand Your Ground' changes" and "'Stand your ground' revisions OK'd by Senate panel".

"For the first time since George Zimmerman’s acquittal, state lawmakers will consider revisions to the Stand Your Ground self-defense law." "Senate panel to consider Stand Your Ground revisions". But see "'Stand Your Ground' Tweak Remains a Long Shot".

A Miami Thing

"Two weeks after a tussle between a developer and City Manager Joe Carollo made headlines, an old charge of Carollo’s who is now the city’s police chief, ordered Juan Carlos Tovar to turn himself in for allegedly faslifying a police report." "The drama of City Hall feud escalates with arrest due".

Scott pal gets hefty raise, golden parachute and $70,000 bonus

"For the second time in two months, Gov. Rick Scott’s top jobs recruiter is in line for a hefty raise, in addition to a new six-figure golden parachute if Scott does not win reelection next year. Gray Swoope, CEO of Enterprise Florida, could soon earn $375,000 a year, with a new base salary of $275,000 and incentives worth $100,000 more if he meets dozens of performance standards in his contract. Swoope now earns $230,000 a year. He received a $70,000 bonus in August." "Gov. Rick Scott’s jobs czar in line for big raise".

Florida Senate attacks entrepreneural "freedom" to abuse elderly

"A Senate committee on Tuesday vowed to put an end to unlicensed assisted living facilities after a Miami Herald story revealed that homes have been using loopholes to escape state scrutiny. The Herald story uncovered facilities that billed themselves as shelters, rooming houses or 'sober homes', but in actuality operated as ALFs. Many had deplorable conditions and at least one owner had a criminal history." "Senate panel wants end to unlicensed ALF’s". See also "ALF reform measure back for another try".

State solution

"Simmons wants state solution on flood rates if Congress doesn't act".

Mike Fasano Breaks With GOP

"Mike Fasano promised he would not endorse fellow Republican Bill Gunter or Democrat Amanda Murphy in next week’s special election to replace him in the Florida House. So far, Fasano has kept his word and hasn’t endorsed either. But he said he voted for Murphy by absentee ballot and has campaigned at her side. Fasano warned both Gunter and Murphy to leave him out of their campaign literature. When Republican-aligned groups cited Fasano, he went on the attack. When Florida Democrats and Charlie Crist did the same, Fasano went silent." "Mike Fasano Breaks With GOP Again in Pasco County House Race".

Cuba embargo supporters alarmed

"Alarming supporters of the embargo, South Florida Congressman Joe Garcia has thrown his support behind an effort to allow testing and marketing of a Cuban diabetes treatment in the United States." "Rep. Garcia’s push for Cuba drug trial tests support for embargo".

Eye scanning and electronic fingerprinting

"Once considered science fiction, eye scanning and electronic fingerprinting devices are becoming more and more commonplace -- even in Florida’s public schools. . . . State Sen. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, is having none of it." "Sen. Dorothy Hukill Wants to Stop Electronic Scanning of K-12 Students".

"Another voter purge from Gov. Scott"

Fabiola Santiago: "Here’s a gem from the Gov. Rick Scott voter-purge files:"

“We believe this is a very big step in the right direction, and we hope our success paves the way for other states.”

Those were the words of Chris Cate, spokesman for Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner, celebrating a GOP win in the fight with the federal government over access to a citizenship database that would lead the way to a wildly triumphant purge of the Florida voter rolls.

That was then, the summer of 2012, when Scott’s administration was doing everything possible to make it difficult for minorities — basically, Hispanics and African Americans suspected of being Democrats — to vote by curtailing voting hours and cleansing voter rolls in a misguided effort to help Republicans score a presidential win.

The state came up with a list that embarrassingly went from 182,000 suspected non-U.S. citizens to 2,600 to 198 before the busy county supervisors of elections called off the waste of time and taxpayer resources.

Listen to Detzner change his office’s tune now that the boss is running in 2014: . . .

“It could have been better,” Detzner says. “It should have been better.”

But does that acknowledgement mean Detzner and Scott are done trying to get Democrats off the voter rolls?

Are you dreaming? . . .

This time, the state is using the same ominous-sounding — and incomplete — federal database SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements). Only the procedures for following through on verification of a voter’s legal status are vaguer, and it’s up to county election supervisors to make the final determinations.

So this time, if the purge goes awry, if naturalized citizens feel harassed and disenfranchised, they can spare the governor and his Cabinet and blame the faceless local bureaucrat.

But they’re not fooling anyone.

As Scott likes to boast, the buck stops with him. Detzner might be issuing the contrition, but he’s only a fashionista debuting Scott’s fall creations.

"Florida can easily absorb more gambling"

Nancy Smith: "Why the 'No Casinos' Viewpoint Isn't Mine".

Meanwhile, "Gambling is so widespread and universally accepted that expanding it will have few economic or social consequences, a report concludes." "Report: Florida can easily absorb more gambling". See also "Gambling Study Raises Doubts". Related: "Policy Note: Large Casinos".

"Big Bucks to Push Legislation in Tallahassee"

Sunshine State News' continues its review of Florida lobbyists: "Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky, Abate & Webb PLC Leads Clients to Legislative Success" and "Southern Strategy Group Gets Big Bucks to Push Legislation in Tallahassee".

Curbelo looks to topple Garcia

"GOP congressional hopeful Carlos Curbelo is off to an early start and it could pay dividends in 2014 as he looks to topple Joe Garcia. Curbelo’s team announced on Monday that they had raised more than $450,000 in the third quarter of 2013 and had around $420,000 on hand. It’s an impressive sum and it should keep some of the other Republicans, whose names surfaced as possible candidates, out of the race. Curbelo has also won the backing of many prominent Republicans which will help ensure other prominent GOP leaders stay out of the contest. That’s no small thing since Republicans outnumber Democrats in this South Florida district." "Carlos Curbelo Picks Up Steam as GOP Looks to Beat Joe Garcia".

Detzner, who serves as Scott’s top elections official, is repeating the mea culpa during a five-day road tour that concludes this week in Orlando, Sarasota and Fort Lauderdale. The apology is part of a sales pitch to the public and supervisors of elections that a second attempt to remove noncitizens from voter rolls, “Project Integrity”, will be better.

Derby thinks . . .

Kevin Derby thinks "2016 Hopefuls Should Keep Kansas-Nebraska Act in Mind as Shutdown Continues".

The Usual "Blasting", "Bashing and Blaming"

"With little more than a year left before Gov. Rick Scott faces voters to ask for re-election, Republicans say they're confident he can win what polls show to be an uphill battle -- as long as he gets his message out." "GOP Looks to Get Out Rick Scott's Message".

Oh yeah, here's the FlaGOP usual nuanced "message": "Fla. Republicans blast Democrats, ex-Gov. Crist" and, for good measure, "Gov. Scott’s mantra: bash and blame Obama".

Obamacare computer glitches a political gaffe

Marc Caputo: "Obamacare has a new antagonist: The Obamacare sign-up website." "Obamacare computer glitches resemble political gaffe".

"Remember the state shutdown?"

Bill Cotterell: "The federal government shutdown evokes memories of a bitter bit of budget brinksmanship in Florida’s Capitol."

State employees did themselves proud in the summer of 1992, when state government shut down and nobody noticed. In a way, the state slept through it, except for Gov. Lawton Chiles and legislative leaders, who worked through June 30 and into the first hours of the new fiscal year, when the state’s checkbook legally went “Poof” like Cinderella’s pumpkin coach.

"Racial violence in Florida"

"Racial violence in Florida".

Still waitin'

Nancy Smith: "Coy Koontz Jr. and his wife Linda, retired now and living quietly in the North Carolina mountains, are still not finished with perhaps the most monumental property-rights case ever filed in Florida -- even though they won in the U.S. Supreme Court." "Heroes of Private-Property Rights Still Mopping Up in Landmark Florida Case".

Number 10 on the lobbyists list

"With a heavy presence in both Tallahassee and South Florida, and a newly opened office in Tampa, Floridian Partners LLC ranks No. 10 on Sunshine State News’ top lobbyists list in the Sunshine State." "Floridian Partners Helping Turn Legislative Wheels in Tallahassee".