"State politicians have been ignoring the will of the people to help workers"

"Local control is a bedrock principle of conservative thought. But it’s become apparent that when local decision-making is inconvenient for them, Republican state officials do not hesitate to squash it."

It’s ironic at best, hypocritical at worst.

"Take Florida, where state politicians have been ignoring the will of the people to help workers for more than a decade."

After cities across Florida raised wages for city contractors, the Legislature in 2003 passed a law that prevented local jurisdictions from passing their own minimum wage laws for private-sector workers.

The next year, an overwhelming majority of voters approved a constitutional amendment that reserved cities’ rights to raise private-sector minimum wages.

Politicians in Tallahassee responded by amending the 2003 law to make it even harder for cities to take care of their own.

Undeterred, local elected officials all over the state have attempted to help their residents.

Several counties have issued wage-theft ordinances, and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman has expanded access to paid leave and raised the minimum wage for city employees.

In Miami Beach, Mayor Philip Levine has proposed to extend the living wage ordinance that already applies to city contractors to all private-sector employees. It’s a simple measure that would help low-wage workers share in the prosperity of the tourism industry that thrives because of their work.

It remains to be seen whether state lawmakers will continue to stymie cities’ efforts to make life easier for working families by defending a law that on its face conflicts with the state Constitution.

"Labor Secretary: Florida is bigfooting local efforts to raise minimum wage."




Will Jeb get "burst of energy"?

"Trump: Jeb will get 'burst of energy' and endorse me." See also "Trump: Jeb Bush Will Come Around."




"A full day of Florida Weird"

"Why Trump fired aide after Florida clash – Democrats’ Debbie drama -- Protestor uses ‘fart machine’ at scandal-plagued Broward Health – A full day of Florida Weird." "Florida Playbook."




"Florida Supreme Court will be the best show in town"

"For legal junkies, the Florida Supreme Court will be the best show in town during a three-day period in June. Justices are poised to hear arguments on a series of high-profile issues, including gambling, the death penalty, guns and medical malpractice, according to a schedule released Wednesday." "Supreme Court Ready to Wade into Major Cases."




Planned Parenthood alleges harassment

"Attorneys for Planned Parenthood this week switched gears in their push to have the state pick up the costs of legal fees that accrued while defending abortion clinics against allegations that they provided illegal second trimester abortions."

Instead of arguing that Planned Parenthood is entitled to attorney's fees because it was the prevailing party in the legal dispute and that the complaints weren't legally sufficient, attorneys now are arguing that the state participated in the proceedings for an improper purpose, including harassment.

"Planned Parenthood switches legal gears as it seeks attorney’s fees."




"Florida elections may be a bloodbath"

"Florida elections may be a bloodbath. Hallelujah!"




Money for nuthin' . . .

"Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush left his education foundation behind when he decided to run for president, but now that his 2016 presidential ambitions are behind him, he’s stepped back into his role as chairman for the Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExelinEd)." "Jeb Bush Returns to Education Foundation."