"A richly deserved blow to Gov. Rick Scott’s push to privatize"

The Palm Beach Post editors: "The withdrawal of Corizon Health from its nearly $1.2 billion contract to provide medical services to most of Florida’s prison inmates — after a new inspection that details yet more examples of serious neglect — underscores the folly of a state government contracting with for-profit companies to deliver basic human services on the cheap."

Corizon’s decision is a richly deserved blow to Gov. Rick Scott’s push to privatize health care in Florida’s prisons, which he pitched to voters as a money-saving idea in his 2010 campaign. Responsive legislators slipped a provision into the 2011 budget.

"State needs to reverse privatization of prison health care."




Negron has had it with "'Soft' social services"

"To pay for a big boost in public university funding, Florida’s next state Senate president will look to cut spending on what he calls 'soft' social services."

Sen. Joe Negron, a Stuart Republican who was designated last week as Senate president for 2017-18, explained to POLITICO Florida he hopes to achieve his primary goal — a $1 billion increase in new money for state universities tied to their performance — by shifting some spending approved during prior sessions.

"Negron looks to boost universities by cutting ‘soft’ social services."




Won't miss you when you're gone

"Despite other contenders placing their bets there, former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., is putting his chips on New Hampshire, a state where his family has had mixed results over the years."

Bush is sounding confident about his chances in New Hampshire. "I believe I'm gonna win New Hampshire, to be honest with you," Bush told the media last week, NBC reported. "I honestly believe it."

But a poll from Public Policy Polling (PPP), a firm with connections to prominent Democrats, released last week offered Bush little reason for optimism in New Hampshire. The former Florida governor took only 5 percent, putting him in eighth place. Trump led with 27 percent followed by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, with 13 percent; U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., with 11 percent; Gov. Chris Christie, R-NJ, with 10 percent; Dr. Ben Carson with 9 percent; Gov. John Kasich, R-Ohio, with 8 percent; and businesswoman Carly Fiorina with 6 percent. Bush was also had the worst numbers of any of the major candidates in New Hampshire where’s he upside down with Granite State Republicans with 45 percent seeing him as unfavorable while 38 percent view him in a favorable light.

"Jeb Bush Lets it All Ride on New Hampshire Even as He Struggles There."




SYG

"'Stand your ground' changes revived in Senate." See also "Proposal to Shift Burden of Proof in Stand Your Ground Cases Potential Reality in 2016."




Firemen, deputies resuscitate child - Now let's gut their pensions

"Deputies were on scene within three minutes after the 911 call and took over CPR. Fire rescue crews then attempted to resuscitate the boy and he regained a pulse." "Child pulled from Lauderdale Lakes pool hospitalized in 'critical' condition."




"Na-na-na-na-boo-boo"

Joe Henderson skewers the thinking of climate change deniers: "halfway through September and no hurricanes had yet devastated the Eastern Seaboard. Ergo: Climate change is a myth. Na-na-na-na-boo-boo." "It’s inconvenient to address climate change."




Good question

"Clinton wondered aloud, "Do you really want to put decisions for funding Florida’s infrastructure in the hands of [Gov.] Rick Scott?" "Clinton in Orlando: Florida needs infrastructure investment."




"Scott’s big idea"

"Gov. Rick Scott sees his biggest assault to date on the state’s corporate income tax as a move poised to ignite Florida’s economy for generations to come."

But a growing tide of lawmakers already are skeptical, with some viewing it as downright dangerous to the state’s bottom line.

"Scott’s big idea for cutting corporate taxes draws big shrugs in Legislature."