Several major state hospitals would see funding from the Low Income Pool slashed, including Jackson Memorial in Miami, with a proposed $85 million reduction; Shands Jacksonville Medical Center at $37 million; Shands Teaching Hospital in Gainesville at $35 million; and Broward General Hospital at $22 million.

In the Tampa Bay area, All Children’s Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine in St. Petersburg would lose $13 million, and St. Joseph’s in Tampa, $9 million.

“While we appreciated Gov. Scott’s recent unsuccessful efforts to retain current levels of LIP funding, we are disappointed to see that his proposal targets safety net hospitals and could literally put some out of business,” said Tony Carvalho, president of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida, in a statement reacting to the plan. “We are urging the governor and his team to re-evaluate the harmful impacts of this proposed redistribution.”

"In Florida's health-care fight that has brought budget gridlock and threatens a government shutdown, Gov. Rick Scott wielded a new weapon in recent weeks in the form of a commission to investigate hospital finances and operations, including political contributions and lobbying." "Hefty hospital donations, lobbying prominent in health-care fight."

"Lobbyists Prepare to Beat the Clock"

Kevin Derby: "Legislators and lobbyists are ready again to descend on Tallahassee, as the Florida Senate and House try to put together a budget, grapple with Medicaid expansion and tie up myriad loose ends during a special session that kicks off Monday." "Legislators, Lobbyists Prepare to Beat the Clock in Budget Special Session."

Weekly Roundup

"Weekly Roundup: FHIXating on the Special Session."

Rubio once "a fierce union supporter"

"The Cuban-American son of South Florida spent part of his childhood in Las Vegas, from 1979 to 1985, where he joined the Mormon church, became a fierce union supporter at a tender age and grew alienated from his Cuban-American peers before returning to Miami for high school." "Marco Rubio returns to childhood home: Las Vegas, not Miami."

"Florida’s glitch-ridden Florida Standards Assessment test"

"A Utah-based testing group is now responsible for reviewing the validity of Florida’s glitch-ridden Florida Standards Assessment test, chosen on Friday by a panel of three men appointed by Gov. Rick Scott, Senate President Andy Gardiner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli." "Panel Picks Utah Contractor to Validate Florida Standards Assessment."

They were really Bush "chastity programs"

"In 2001, then-Florida Gov. Jeb Bush asked the Legislature to set aside $1 million for chastity programs out of the state’s almost $5.8 million for family planning. That’s a bit different from threatening existing programs with a gag order, says PolitiFact Florida in saying Emily’s List claim is Mostly False." "Jeb Bush held $1 million ‘hostage’ for abstinence-only education, Emily’s List says."

Cuba

"[P]olitical and business leaders Friday largely welcomed the removal of Cuba from the U.S. terrorism blacklist, a symbolic step but one that paves the way for normalizing relations with the communist island." "Cuba’s removal from U.S. terror list opens door in Tampa."

Hill in the State

"Hillary Clinton wrapped up a South Florida fundraising trip on Friday, staying out of sight — except to contributors." "Hillary Clinton raises campaign cash in Broward." See also "Obama drops by Our Lady of Charity, becoming first U.S. president to visit Miami shrine to Cuban saint."

"Gardiner is calling the plan FHIX 2.0, a plan that would allow recipients to stay on the federal health care plan rather than opting into the state plan. . . . Gov. Rick Scott criticized the plan for costing Floridians in the long run." "Gardiner Proposes Medicaid Compromise; Rick Scott Isn't Thrilled."

"Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, proposed significant changes Tuesday to legislation expanding Medicaid eligibility in the state, with an eye toward a compromise with the House to help solve the budget impasse between the two chambers." "Senate leader floats 'compromise' to Medicaid expansion plan." See also "Florida Senate offers health care coverage compromise."

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "House can act responsibly and end health care impasse."

"Rubio calls same-sex marriage a 'danger' to Christianity"

Grubbing for wingnuts, "Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio told the Christian Broadcasting Network that the push for nationwide same-sex marriage represents a threat to Christianity." "Marco Rubio calls same-sex marriage push a 'danger' to Christianity."

Runnin' Gubmint like a bidness

"For the second time in two months, Gov. Rick Scott’s administration has acknowledged it inadvertently released confidential personal data of private citizens, prompting the state to offer free credit monitoring services to protect people from being victims of identity theft." "Florida releases personal data on 13,000 people, issues ‘fraud’ alert."

Hillsborough may ease MJ law

"Hillsborough County is moving tentatively toward making possession of small amounts of marijuana a civil instead of criminal offense for minors." "Hillsborough may ease marijuana law for juveniles."

Jeb needs to upgrade his basic campaign speech

Michael Putney: "Jeb Bush’s basic campaign speech is not bad, but it needs to get better." "Jeb’s stump speech could use fine-tuning on the campaign trail."

Right-wing Super PAC attacks Murphy

The "ultra-right-wing Super PAC" attacks Murphy, and thinks Grayson would be a great candidate. "Patrick Murphy Pushes Back After Club for Growth Goes on the Attack."

"Republican kingmaker" goes down

"Valrico businessman and Republican kingmaker Sam Rashid has never been known to pull his punches. But the outspoken Rashid managed to go a rant too far in a Facebook posting last week, referring to three unnamed Hillsborough County Circuit Judges as 'dumbasses'." "Facebook rant costs Hillsborough Republican a prominent appointment."

Allison Nielsen cautions "Think Before You Tweet: A Lesson for Florida Politicians."

"Watchdog larded with industry executives"

The Miami Herald editors: "Florida’s watchdog over for-profit colleges larded with industry executives" "State comes to students’ rescue? Hardly.."

What if this person had not even graduated from an accredited college himself? And what if he saw to it that at this university, a fairy-tale junk version of humankind’s origins were favored in biology class over the one key fact – evolution through natural selection — on which all modern biology stands?

If you’re a decent person, the answer would be no, of course.

Such a one, for those who haven’t guessed, was Jerry Falwell, the Southern Baptist pastor and Moral Majority leader who constituted as malign an influence on America politics as ever existed, and whose considerable bulk crashed to the floor of his office one fine day back in 2007, never to rise again. (Moral Majority’s aim: “Get them saved, baptized and registered” to vote.) The university in question is, of course, Liberty University, in Lynchburg, Virginia. The “moderate,” not-so-flagrantly pious Republican candidate-in-waiting Jeb Bush recently and publicly resurrected Falwell’s ghost, praising his “legacy” and gushing over being able to visit his offspring, who now run the institution.

A Roman Catholic himself, and so craving bona fides with Evangelical voters, Bush wallowed in this unction as he began the 2015 commencement address he delivered at Liberty on May 9. Though much of what he said amounted to the sanctimonious insipidities and saccharine, self-congratulatory platitudes Evangelicals habitually shower on one another, some of his words deserve scrutiny, for if Hillary falters, he may well end up in the White House come January 2017.

Rubio's immigration problem

"Can Marco Rubio Make Peace With Conservatives on Immigration?"

"Free speech rule under fire"

"Gov. Rick Scott’s office considered pulling the 'Freedom of Speech' provision from rules that govern the use of state buildings, according to a draft document considered by administration attorneys." "Free speech rule under fire after ‘satanic Temple’ in Capitol."

"Self-brainwashing"

"A study released last week, authored by a dyed-in-the-wool conservative, Bruce Bartlett, concludes that Fox News has done great, perhaps irreparable harm to the Republican Party and to conservatives. By consuming only information that is presented by Fox, says Bartlett, legions of angry conservatives have been, in his assessment, 'self-brainwashed.'"

“Many conservatives,” Bartlett writes, “now refuse to even listen to any news or opinion not vetted through Fox, and to believe whatever appears on it as the gospel truth.” The result of this 24/7 drumbeat of outright lies and distortions, says Bartlett, is that Fox viewers are now among the least well-informed Americans when it comes to the important issues that face us all.

Of course, most of us don’t need a major academic study to know that diversity of opinion is vital to a functioning democracy. Not only is it important that we encourage articulate spokespeople who share our own beliefs, it is also essential—critical, actually—that we listen to the views of those who disagree with us.

As Bartlett’s study illustrates, shutting oneself off from information that may challenge our own biases and beliefs is bad enough. What’s far worse is when someone takes it upon himself to decide what news, information and commentary citizens may be offered.

Bad time to build a "new mansion"

"Jeb Bush having new mansion built for him on family compound in Maine: report."

Desperate for a story

Desperate for a story, the New York Times gives us this claptrap: "They use words like 'historic' and 'charismatic,' phrases like 'great potential' and 'million-dollar smile.' They notice audience members moved to tears by an American-dream-come-true success story. When they look at the cold, hard political math, they get uneasy." "A Hillary Clinton Match-Up With Marco Rubio Is a Scary Thought for Democrats."

And then there's this: "GOP has tough road appealing to Florida Jewish voters."

"Tale of Two Justices"

Scott Maxwell: "In March, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced she had nailed someone for Medicaid fraud."

The culprit was a 49-year-old home-health worker from dirt-poor Gadsden County, accused of bilking the state out of $13,000.

For her crime, Melissa Letica Simmons was ordered to spend six months behind bars — and repay all the money she stole from taxpayers.

Six months. For $13,000.

Yet no one was criminally prosecuted. Or even ordered to repay all the money. Instead the hospitals settled — without admitting wrongdoing — and repay taxpayers pennies on the dollars. . . .

This, my friends, is the Tale of Two Justices. The small-time thieves get prison sentences. The big-time thieves get deals.

Weekly Roundup

"Weekly Roundup: Feds Give the Word on LIP."

Propping up the FlaGOP's Tally flop

The Tampa Trib does its best to prop up the FlaGOPs nevervending Tallahassee flop. They write, "Here is what you usually read about the Florida Legislature’s dispute over Medicaid:"

The House leadership refuses to expand Medicaid as called for under the Affordable Care Act while Senate leaders want to comply with Obamacare.

That interpretation does not do justice to the Senate’s position, which by no means is meekly going along with Washington’s dictates.

The Senate is trying to protect Florida taxpayers while also addressing the needs of the working poor. It offers a plan that is more fiscally responsible — and conservative — than doing nothing.

Non-traditional public sector candidates

"Non-traditional candidates sought in public sector."

Marijuana scares Florida lawmakers

Bill Cotterell: "Usually, if 58 percent of the voters say they want something done, Florida legislators will do it."

And if they see something coming at them, the politically smart thing for legislators is to hurry up and do it themselves before the issue runs over them. Even if it’s something they don’t want to do, they’ll usually work out some half measure before the public imposes its undiluted will at the polls.

And when the issue is something that’s proved beneficial in about half of the states, Florida usually gets on board in a few years. There’s safety in numbers.

But there must be Usually, if 58 percent of the voters say they want something done, Florida legislators will do it.