FDLE Serves Search Warrant on SOE

"FDLE Serves Search Warrant as Supervisor of Elections Weeks Is Now Formally Under Investigation."

"We might have a new year and the same old incrementalism"

Aaron Deslatte writes that "the biggest issue for utilities lies ahead. Whoever survives the Nov. 4 election will have to oversee Florida's moves to comply with new federal Environmental Protection Agency rules for reducing carbon emissions from existing power plants — cutting emissions 30 percent below their 2005 levels by 2030."

GOP policymakers have a recent history of resisting federal initiatives — they fought Obamacare and resisted the EPA's water-quality rules. They could be just as likely to fight carbon-emissions regulations. Though Crist has talked up his intentions to be a green governor, he could inherit a Legislature with enough Republicans to override his decisions — in which case we might have a new year and the same old incrementalism.

Crist haters go into overdrive

Nancy Smith: "Mexican-born Raoul Lowery Contreras' latest self-published kindle book is hardly what you would call a three-dimensional, 'fair and balanced' profile of Charlie Crist." "'Chain Gang Charlie' Author Asks, 'Shouldn't Charlie Crist Be in Jail?'."

"Those eagles of enlightenment in the Florida Legislature"

Daniel Ruth "was getting plenty peeved until Hillsborough County school superintendent MaryEllen Elia appeared before the Florida Board of Education to take note that school districts across the state are ill-prepared to administer a rash of state-mandated tests."

Elia cited numerous problems, including students lacking computer skills to write online essays, and noted the new exams designed to replace the dreaded FCAT have never been subjected to field-testing — all reasonable concerns.

Instead Elia was told to buzz off, that there was nothing Florida Education Commissioner Pam Stewart could do to help. In a classic case of buck-passing, Stewart said she was powerless, helpless and hapless to ease the testing burden since only those eagles of enlightenment in the Florida Legislature could solve the glitches in the new system. Piffle.

What exactly is the point in having a state education commissioner if the occupant of the post has less authority to act than a medieval serf?

All this . . . and no surprises

"List: What Central Florida cities spend on lobbyists."

Weekly Roundup

"Weekly Roundup: Politics Dominates, But Reality Breaks Through." More: Kevin Derby: "Political Bits and Pieces." See also "Arrivals and Departures, Oct. 3, 2014."

The polls from SurveyUSA [FiveThirtyEight's top rated poll for accuracy] and a new Republican data-analysis firm named 0ptimus show Crist, respectively, ahead by 6 percentage points and 1 percentage point — leads that are both within the margins of error.

The apparent trend in Crist’s favor dovetails with his campaign’s decision to ramp up its ad spending statewide to counteract the effectiveness of Scott’s longer and larger media blitz.

As of Friday, Scott still led Crist in overall spending, dropping $41 million to the Democrat’s $16.7 million on current and future ads.

Rubio strides world stage, no one notices

"Marco Rubio Slams Obama's 'Deplorable' Treatment of Israel."

Saying "no" to the ad

"Of the many things that could be compared to candidates for governor, a wedding dress has to rank pretty low on the list."

But the College Republican National Committee did just that with its series of “Say Yes to the Candidate” ads, spoofs on the “Say Yes to the Dress” reality show that airs on TLC. First up was an ad comparing the “Rick Scott,” a modern dress favored by the bride, to the “Charlie Crist,” an “outdated” model favored by the bride’s mother.

“As a female who does not equate voting with choosing a wedding dress, I am offended by the Republicans’ reliance on sexism to communicate with voters,” said former state Rep. Ana Rivas Logan, who like Crist is a Republican-turned-Democrat. “It’s not surprising that a candidate who doesn’t trust women to make decisions about their bodies and refuses to fight for equal pay would think this is a good way to reach Florida’s women. Is this really how Rick Scott thinks women should decide who to vote for?”

Lie down with dogs

"With the clock ticking down until the gubernatorial election, anti-Common Core groups from across the state are assessing where they’ll be putting their votes on Nov. 4. Earlier in the year, some anti-Common Core activists said they’d be skipping this year’s election to send a message to Gov. Rick Scott by withholding their votes. They feel he hasn’t done his part in pumping the brakes on the standards." "Will There Be an Anti-Common Core Assault on November's Election?."

Political tweets

"And then there’s Mike Fasano."

Fasano, Pasco’s appointed tax collector (he’ll officially win election, unopposed, next month), is nothing if not outspoken. That’s part of his charm. It’s also much of what prompted Gov. Rick Scott to name him to fill the open post in the wake of Mike Olson’s death. Scott got Fasano, a thorn, out of Tallahassee; after 19 years trekking to the capital, Fasano got a job back home he’d had his eye on. Everybody won, including Pasco residents. The new guy has attacked his duties with energy, imagination and abundant good cheer.

But as one of Pasco’s constitutional officers, Fasano in many ways still operates like a maverick legislator. He doesn’t just endorse candidates. He records robo calls for them. And far more often than not, when he tweets to his 2,660 followers, it’s to land political punches. Against the Republican governor who appointed him. Against the Legislature’s GOP leadership.

This is disconcerting, not because Fasano is, nominally at least, a Republican himself — frankly, a little intraparty skirmishing is good for the soul — but because we expect less overt political activism in those chosen to carry out local government’s administrative duties.

Scott "has been lukewarm since a surprise turnaround"

"Theoretically, Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist agree on one thing in their hotly contested gubernatorial race — Florida should expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, better known as 'Obamacare.'"

But Crist, the Republican-turned-Democrat, said the difference is that he would fight to extend Medicaid to hundreds of thousands of Floridians, while Scott, a Republican who first ran for office as a fierce critic of the federal health care law, has been lukewarm since a surprise turnaround on the Medicaid issue last year.

Run!, Jeb, Run!

"Leading Republican voices are increasingly calling for former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., to run for the GOP’s presidential nomination, but conservatives have their doubts over his stances on immigration reform and Common Core." "GOP Leaders Want Jeb Bush to Run in 2016 Despite Conservative Doubts."

Rick Scott can't shake the fraud thing

"Orlando hotelier Nik Patel, who was arrested Tuesday on fraud allegations, held a fundraiser for Gov. Rick Scott at his home in Windermere in April." "Businessman Nik Patel held Rick Scott fundraiser at home."

Ross ascendant

"Dennis Ross' Star is Ascending in Washington."

On immigration

"The call for action on immigration is bipartisan, though candidates Carols Curbelo and Joe Garcia still find ways to criticize each other over the contentious issue." "On immigration, Miami congressional race between Carlos Curbelo and Joe Garcia is outlier."

When in doubt attack them thar "Washington liberals"

"While Democrat Murphy keeps it local, new ad by GOP’s Domino rips ‘Washington liberals’."

Hillary Clinton promotes Crist in Miami

Hillary "Clinton was also in South Florida to promote her book about her tenure as the nation’s top diplomat and to help Democrat Charlie Crist raise money for his gubernatorial campaign. CNN reported the event raised $1 million for the Crist campaign. Crist, a former Republican governor, is locked in a tight race with GOP Gov. Rick Scott, who has outspent the Democratic nominee by a 2-1 margin in television advertising." "Hillary Clinton promotes book, Crist in Miami."

Resurrection unlikely

Nancy Smith: "A High-Speed Rail Resurrection? Unlikely."

Voters in the state stood in line more than 34 minutes on average, significantly longer than ballot-casters did in any other state reviewed by the Government Accountability Office, Congress’ watchdog.

In Florida, the GAO estimated, 16 percent of voters waited 61 minutes or more to cast their ballots — tops among the states surveyed. . . .

The voting-time analysis comparing Florida voters with those in other states was based on a massive survey of more than 50,000 adults, conducted by the Cooperative Congressional Election Study. It included 36 states; the others were excluded because they were vote-by-mail states or because of sample-size issues.

Here's an idea . . . let's give them vouchers

"Wealthier parents have been stepping up education spending so aggressively that they're widening the nation's wealth gap. When the Great Recession struck in late 2007 and squeezed most family budgets, the top 10 percent of earners — with incomes averaging $253,146 — went in a different direction: They doubled down on their kids' futures."

The trend emerged gradually over the past three decades but accelerated during the worst economic slump since the 1930s. Now, enrollments at pricier private schools are climbing. Parents are bidding up home prices in top public school districts. Pay is surging for SAT tutors, who now average twice the median U.S. hourly wage of $24.45. The patterns suggest that the wealth gap could widen in coming years, analysts say.

SOE runs wild

"The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is looking into whether [Flagler County] Supervisor of Elections Kimberle Weeks secretly recorded two county officials on the periphery of a Flagler County Canvassing Board meeting last month. It is not an investigation. But it is the first step toward one, should an investigation into potential law-breaking be warranted. " "FDLE Looking Into Alleged Secret Taping and Sunshine Violation by Elections Supervisor."

"Kitchen table tour"

"Former Gov. Charlie Crist is launching a 'kitchen table' tour in the final days of the governor’s race." "Charlie Crist launches ‘kitchen table’ tour."

O noes . . . she's a "librul!"

Kevin Derby: "Looking to protect U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla., from a serious challenge from Democrat Gwen Graham, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) unleashed a new TV ad on Tuesday which brings up her past work for a liberal presidential candidate." "National Parties Battle in North Florida Congressional Race."

Desperation

"To Beat Crist, Scott's Ready to Turn to Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio."

The Latest Scott Scandal

"When Gov. Rick Scott announced last week that GE Oil & Gas would open a $50 million manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, he talked about how it would create 500 new jobs for Florida."

GE Oil & Gas’s official welcome package: up to $15.4 million in financial incentives, including $10 million from the city and $5.4 million from the state.

Not mentioned in the hoopla was how another division of General Electric, GE Energy Financial Services, has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in publicly traded oil and natural gas partnerships in which Scott had a financial interest.

Financial disclosure records made public by Scott in June show that, as of Dec. 31, he was heavily invested in more than two dozen oil and gas ventures. One was Spectra Energy, which is currently working with Florida Power & Light to build the contentious $3 billion Sabal Trail pipeline in North Florida.

As BrowardBulldog.org reported in July, Scott and his appointees at the Public Service Commission backed construction of Sabal Trail despite state ethics laws that generally prohibit public officials from owning stock in businesses subject to their regulation. Scott acquired his Spectra shares via a controversial “qualified blind trust,” which by law allows politicians to hide their investment activity and also affords them immunity from prohibited conflicts of interest.

"Broward elections fiasco"

"Brenda Snipes faces court in Broward elections fiasco."

"Already breaking the law"

"A mailer sent out by a non-profit, independent Election Communications Organization supporting Republican state house candidate Rene Plasencia is leading Democrats to cry foul because the organization is not registered with the state as law requires."

Carlos Smith, chairman of the Orange County Democratic Party and legislative assistant to Saunders, was unconvinced, and blamed Plasencia.

"It's shameful that Republican Rene Plasencia and his supporters are already breaking the law to communicate with voters and prop up his campaign," Smith said.

"Bogus Atlantic City scare story"

Nancy Smith: "Amid the uproar of looming November elections, casino gambling policy in Florida has so gone off the boil. But you wouldn't know that by gambling opponent No Casinos (NC) -- still out there, still flogging its bogus Atlantic City scare story." "We Interrupt This Election Program for a Word about Gambling ...."

"Epic duel"

"Like a prize fight between two political heavyweights, the election race between Ken Keechl and Chip LaMarca is an epic duel." "LaMarca-Keechl a rematch between enemies."

The best they can do

"With five weeks to go until the general election, U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., and his Republican challenger former state Rep. Carl Domino continue to try to win over Treasure Coast voters with their latest rounds of television ads."

At the end of last week, Murphy released his latest TV ad, his eighth of the general election. The new ad plays up Murphy’s work in the district including opposing All Aboard Florida’s efforts to build high-speed rail in the area.

Never mind

"The law, which Charlie Crist sponsored when he was in the state Senate, requires Florida prisoners to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences, and it continues to affect thousands of people today." "Charlie Crist’s signature accomplishment is one he never mentions." Meanwhile, "Charlie Crist sells himself as regular guy."

A governor who leverages his office for maximum political benefit is nothing new, but the scope and scale of the Scott-touting notes from agencies and boards under the governor differs from those of his predecessors, Crist and Jeb Bush.

School districts overwhelmed by testing

"Florida school superintendents say their districts are being overwhelmed by state-required testing, and on Monday, they asked the Board of Education for help." "Florida school superintendents ask for relief in testing."

"Best-kept secret in elections"

"The easiest solution is voting by mail. Traditionally referred to as absentee voting, voting by mail no longer requires you be "absent" from your community. It is the most convenient, private, secure and peaceful (more on that in a moment) way to vote."

How it works: Call the Supervisor of Elections office at 352-374-5252 and tell them you want to request an absentee ballot. It will be mailed to you within days and up to 30 days prior to Election Day. You have plenty of time to research the issues and candidates before making your decision. Then, in the privacy of your own home, mark your ballot and mail it back in the return envelope provided.

Road show

There were "several stops in September where Scott was joined on the campaign trail by members of the Florida Cabinet. All four Republicans — Scott, Bondi, Putnam and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater — are up for re-election this year." "GOP incumbents travel as a team."

"Florida became a national punch line"

"A year after far-reaching election reform, Florida's election supervisors are deploying more early-voting sites but fewer total hours and days than in the last nonpresidential-year election, an analysis shows."

Florida's massive election-law rewrite happened last year in the wake of the chaos that ensued after the Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott reduced early voting in 2011.

After Florida became a national punch line over its hours-long lines at the polls during the 2012 presidential contest, lawmakers scrambled to lengthen the days, hours and locations for early voting. But they also provided more flexibility for counties to reduce early voting if they wanted to do so.

Meanwhile the Supreme Court charmers have issued an "order staying [a] district court’s order preventing various cutbacks in early voting (including a cutback from 35 to 28 days, and elimination of one of the two early voting days on a Sunday, a day African-American churches had been using for “Souls to the Polls” voter drives)." "Breaking: Supreme Court, 5-4, Blocks Extension of Early Voting in Ohio: Analysis."

Voucher madness

"Florida Parents: Please, Don't Take Voucher Program Away."

Ugly visual: "Rubio Muscles Up"

"Marco Rubio Muscles Up, Taking a Page from Newt Gingrich's Playbook."

Weatherford's legacy: 1 million Floridians without health insurance

Weatherford's "legacy will be as the man who said ‘no’ to Medicaid expansion. Two years in a row, Weatherford successfully blocked the state from taking federal money under the Affordable Care Act to insure about 1 million Floridians — those still considered poor but making enough to put them over the poverty line." "Power brokers see bright future for departing house speaker Weatherford."

Jeb not "a genuine contender"

Jeb Bush drew a pathetic 180 supporters at a Kansas fundraiser for struggling Sen. Pat Roberts. "Jeb Bush says GOP would 'fix a few big things'." Meanwhile, even the Jebbites on the Miami Herald editorial board agree that Jebbie is not a genuine contender: "Republican elites want a champion. But in Jeb Bush, they don’t have a fighter, they have a Fred Thompson. For a genuine contender, they'll have to look elsewhere." "Jeb Bush’s struggle to win over GOP’s conservatives."

Libertarian laff riot

"He wants to cut the state budget by 30 percent; abolish environmental regulations, marriage licenses and property taxes on homesteads; fully legalize marijuana; and convert the state to a kind of gold standard. Florida, he says, should pay all its bills with gold or silver coins." "Libertarian in governor’s race fears totalitarian state."

Even the Herald sees it

The Miami Herald editorial board:"World leaders came together at the United Nations last week to plan for climate change around the globe. Now it’s South Florida’s turn to get ready." "Climate change is now."