Florida Vote

Today’s Florida political news and punditry.

The Last Week

“Long hours and compromises await, and one big question hangs over the last week of Florida’s 2007 regular session of the Legislature.”  “Session races to the finish“.  See also “Legislators enter session’s final stretch without resolving many crucial issues“, “Lawmakers brace for final approach of 2007 session” and “Lawmakers have a lengthy to-do list“.

“Clash of Style and Substance”?

“The once-unstoppable force of the governor’s charm offensive is colliding with House Speaker Marco Rubio’s immovable call for massive tax decreases. It’s a clash of style and substance: an ever-popular governor vs. an alluringly popular plan to swap sales taxes for property taxes.”

Starting today, something or someone will have to start giving, otherwise the clock could run out Friday on the 60-day lawmaking session without a property-tax cut at all. While that appears unlikely, strange possibilities are cropping up, including:

- Dueling voter drives between two Republican leaders. Rubio, of West Miami, has already spoken of the need to bypass the very Legislature he controls by asking citizens to gather signatures and then vote on his plan to eliminate virtually all homeowner property taxes in favor of raising the sales tax. Crist, who has shied away from the controversial idea, wants to double the homestead exemption and allow people to transfer homeowner tax savings to new homes. If Rubio backs a citizen initiative, Crist is likely to do the same with a plan of his own.

- Expanding gambling. At one time the idea of allowing more gambling in the state was dismissed by the GOP-controlled Legislature. But the siren call of at least $1 billion raised by allowing parimutuels to offer Class Two slots machines is so promising, it could get a hearing as early as today in the once anti-gambling House.

- A special session devoted to property taxes later in May. Though leaders vowed to cut property taxes in the current session, Rubio has said he is willing to let the session end without agreement if the tax cut is not as deep as he believes it needs to be. He said he’s in no rush, and can face property owners. Many people — including a man Crist showcased at a Thursday press conference — are concerned they haven’t seen the large rate decreases after the Crist-led January overhaul of the insurance market.

“Crist, Rubio split on taxes“.  See also “Tax cut impasse nears deadline“.

The Palm Beach Post editors: “Three property-tax reform proposals are competing in Tallahassee, and Gov. Crist has demanded that local property taxes ‘drop like a rock.’”

But the proposals from the Senate, the House and the governor actually might land like a pebble.  Missing from the proposals is any reduction in local taxes for schools, which make up the bulk of most tax bills. In fact, the Legislature is raising the one property tax it controls, the Required Local Effort for schools, as it has for years - $458 million for next year. That move has shifted more education spending from Tallahassee to local taxpayers. That’s predictable from a Legislature that raids trust funds to finance tax cuts for wealthy Floridians and dumps unwanted expenses onto local government.

“Why doesn’t tax reform start in Tallahassee?“.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editors argue that “the best course of action for Floridians is none at all. The constitutionally mandated Taxation and Budget Reform Commission starts a comprehensive review of all taxes this year. There’s no reason for the Legislature to push bad legislation forward, and plenty of reasons to step back and cool off.”  “Tax stalemate“.

“If House members bent on continuing the tax-chopping legacy of former Gov. Jeb Bush prevail, the wealthy with hefty investments in real estate will reap the bulk of the savings. If the centrists who dominate the Senate get their way, the tax relief will be spread more evenly, with less pain to local government budgets.”  “Republican infighting could delay passage of property tax reform“.

Tallahassee Ticker

“Legislative Update“.

Budget Dispute

“Florida lawmakers were putting the finishing touches on a roughly $71 billion budget Sunday — even though one half-a-billion-dollar dispute has yet to be resolved.  Senate President Ken Pruitt said that the fate of his chamber’s push to pump an extra $500 million next year into building roads likely won’t be decided until the end of this week, even though budget negotiations must be completed by Tuesday. The Florida Constitution requires a 72-hour “cooling off” period before lawmakers can vote on the state spending plan, and the 2007 legislative session is scheduled to end Friday.”  “State budget shaping up but $500M hurdle looms“.  See also “Senate, House finish budgets today” (still no “agreement on pay raises for state employees”).

“Lobbyists are Swirling En Masse”

“The House has called an unusual meeting of a council for 1 p.m. Monday to consider an obscure bill by Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, dealing with the ability of the state lottery to patent its own games. But lobbyists are swirling en masse for what is expected to be a major amendment to the bill legalizing so-called video lottery terminals at Florida’s 30 existing parimutuel facilities.”  “The return of video lottery?“

FCAT Follies

FCAT fans are crowing over the annual increase in writing scores.  However, the Palm Beach Post editors point out that “any kid who can pass the math FCAT knows that the writing scores never have added up.”

Teachers long ago figured out the FCAT writing formula and drilled it into their students. Write this many paragraphs with this many sentences and choose from this list of colorful action words. Teachers of history and other subjects complained that essay questions they posed on tests started coming back in vacuous FCAT style. But history isn’t an FCAT subject. So, tough.

Life is about to get harder, though. As The Post reported last week, starting next year, grades on the writing FCAT will include a multiple-choice section that tests skills such as punctuation, grammar and organization. If the practice multiple-choice questions students answered this year had been included in their actual grades, the results would have been devastating. Rather than 81 percent of Palm Beach County 10th-graders passing the writing FCAT, for example, just 50 percent would have made it. That induces a big gulp, and even more so, because from next year on, 10th-graders will have to pass the writing FCAT to get a diploma.

The new test will end the charade that writing skills can be judged based on a prefab essay. But it will perpetuate the charade that overreliance on the FCAT is the way to run public education in Florida.

“The new FCAT panic“.

It isn’t just the writing test that is screwed up: “If a standardized test is to measure how much a student learns each year, then it must be calibrated with precision. But the FCAT, which Florida uses to assess students, teachers and schools, takes an inexplicable detour in high school. Its reading exam makes 10th-graders look as though they suffer amnesia, and Gov. Charlie Crist needs to ask why.  Why have state education officials refused to fix their own mistake?  This testing irregularity is unmistakable. “  “Reading exam flunks the accuracy test“.

Settling Scores

“A House bill would put an end to the $15-million provided annually to the Johnnie B. Byrd Sr. Alzheimer’s Institute in Tampa after this year. The facility was created in 2002 with an eye toward becoming an internationally recognized research center. But lawmakers are still smarting over the way former House Speaker Johnnie B. Byrd Jr. of Plant City rammed this and other legislation through. They are wrong to settle scores by gunning for a facility named after the speaker’s father.”  “Alzheimer’s center worth funding right“.

Gun Glitch

“The glitch in the law that let the Virginia Tech shooter buy guns and ammunition despite his history of mental illness isn’t an issue just in Virginia — it’s also in Florida’s law.  Both states have laws to make sure that people who are dangerously mentally ill can’t buy guns in stores. But like the Virginia law, Florida’s statute fails to include people who have been ordered into outpatient treatment.”  “Loophole lets dangerously ill buy guns“.

Florida’s “Educated Poor”

“A rise in college attendance coupled with downsizing, outsourcing and a shortage of high-paying jobs is bolstering the ranks of the educated poor — people with college degrees who don’t earn above the national poverty line, economists said. … Florida’s average of educated poor is slightly higher than the national average.”  “College-educated poor on rise across Florida, economists say“.

“Callousness Creep”

“Nearly 15,000 developmentally disabled Floridians do not get the services they need from the Agency with Persons with Disabilities. The Legislature’s cost-cutting budget proposal will force more people onto that waiting list.”

Agency officials say the problem is that clients of this “payor of last resort” are using more services more often. The budget wonks call it “utilization creep.” If the Legislature does not adequately finance the agency, services will be cut, diminishing the quality of life for thousands of disabled Floridians. Call it callousness creep.

“Remember the disabled“.

Fee Increase

“State university officials remain hopeful that legislators will authorize a fee of about $1,000 a year to improve undergraduate programs at the University of Florida, Florida State University and the University of South Florida.  Lawmakers are scheduled to adjourn Friday, giving the House and Senate only a few days to consider the plan. And should the measure reach Gov. Charlie Crist, it faces uncertain prospects because of his opposition to new student fees and tuition increases.”  “Lawmakers still could pass $1,000 college fee“.  See also “Fee plan splits universities“.

The Miami Herald editorial board: “Florida universities have the nation’s highest students-to-faculty ratio and one of the lowest graduation rates.”  “Pondering high cost of higher education“.

Affordable Housing

“The lack of affordable housing in Miami-Dade County — in this region, really — is a disgrace that demands far more local and state political leadership than it has gotten so far.”  “Many share blame for housing crisis“.

Hastings

“Rep. Alcee Hastings, who bowed out of the running for House intelligence committee chair, tells CQ that he made the decision after a lengthy telephone call from former President Bill Clinton who told the Miramar Democrat that he would ‘force a rift in the party’ if he held out for the position.”  “Hastings: Clinton convinced me to drop out“.

Baxley

“With a week left in legislative session, Rep. Dennis Baxley is gearing up for a competitive Senate District 3 race.”  “Baxley makes his move“.

Election Reform

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board reviews where we are on election reform: “The Florida Senate bowed to political realism last week, striking an imperfect, but still important, deal to make elections accountable and tamper-resistant.”

The Senate appeared on track to approve paper ballots — senators even worked to ensure the measure’s passage by attaching it to a much-coveted House provision that moves up Florida’s presidential primary date. But in a committee meeting early in the week, “compromise” provisions started to pile on, and for a while, it seemed the bill would perish in a classic Tallahassee train wreck. It still might, if the House balks at the tangled legislation headed its way.

The primary move and the paper-ballot language were effectively joined — along with a host of other provisions. Senators also attached vengeful bombs mimicking legislation that has either been stricken by courts or rejected previously by lawmakers:

- One provision would threaten groups who hold voter-registration drives, such as the Florida League of Women Voters, with fines for relatively minor errors. (If this passes, the League says it will have “no choice” but to suspend its drives.) This is a bad, and probably illegal, idea; one federal district judge has already said as much. Senators ameliorated its impact by capping fines at $1,000 per group, per election. That’s still a steep penalty for organizations comprising well-intended volunteers, but not as bad as the previously unlimited scheme.

- Another measure would choke the ability of unions to use dues to fund campaign activities, a move clearly intended to fracture organized labor’s political clout.

- The Senate-approved language eliminates some forms of acceptable identification for voters, a move that will hurt low-income and senior voters.

- Moving the presidential primary to the last Tuesday in January would put Florida among the earliest states to hold primaries, but could draw retribution from national Republican and/or Democratic officials. Both have threatened to snub Florida’s delegates if the state moves its primary that early.

- Finally, the bill would rescind Florida’s resign-to-run law for state and local officials aspiring to hold federal office.

But the most important issue in the bill is clearly the mandate for paper ballots. And that’s why the fractured, mangled legislation that limped out of the Senate Friday still counts as a victory.

“Fair election questions“.

Here’s a heads up on a potential problem: “The next evolution in Florida’s ever-changing system of voting will feature something called ‘ballot on demand.’”

A citizen at any early voting site would receive a custom optical scan ballot, matching the voter’s residence, language and party affiliation. A voter’s choices would be marked on an optical scan ballot by filling in an oval next to each ballot question. …

But the change worries a lot of local election supervisors, who run Florida elections.

They warn that it’s risky to implement an untried system in Florida in a closely watched and high-turnout 2008 presidential election.

“New ballots, new worries“.

Staffers

“Staffers are unsung heroes of Legislature“.

Marlins

“The Florida Marlins pulled off a remarkable ninth-inning rally to beat the Atlanta Braves one night last week.  The team and South Florida officials are hoping for a similar feat this week as the state Legislature decides the fate of the last, critical piece of financing needed for a new $490 million ballpark for the two-time World Series champions. But once again, as was the case five times before, the stadium’s fate will be decided in the waning days of the session, which is scheduled to adjourn on Friday.”  “Vote on Marlins stadium financing again comes late in legislative session“.

“Lobbyist, Lawmaker Connections Revealed”

“To see how money, lobbying and personal connections shape Florida law, read between the lines of the Florida Driver’s Handbook.”  “Driver’s handbook deal backfires“.

No Lying Zone

The Tallahassee Democrat editors argue that a bill providing that lobbyists, lawmakers and/or staffers who intentionally lie under oath when testifying in legislative committees could face up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine”, is “Unenforceable“.

Ask the Guv

“Ask the governor: Supporting sports franchises foster fun, ‘real jobs’“.

Today’s Florida political news and punditry.

The Last Week

“Long hours and compromises await, and one big question hangs over the last week of Florida’s 2007 regular session of the Legislature.”  “Session races to the finish“.  See also “Legislators enter session’s final stretch without resolving many crucial issues“, “Lawmakers brace for final approach of 2007 session” and “Lawmakers have a lengthy to-do list“.

“Clash of Style and Substance”?

“The once-unstoppable force of the governor’s charm offensive is colliding with House Speaker Marco Rubio’s immovable call for massive tax decreases. It’s a clash of style and substance: an ever-popular governor vs. an alluringly popular plan to swap sales taxes for property taxes.”

Starting today, something or someone will have to start giving, otherwise the clock could run out Friday on the 60-day lawmaking session without a property-tax cut at all. While that appears unlikely, strange possibilities are cropping up, including:

- Dueling voter drives between two Republican leaders. Rubio, of West Miami, has already spoken of the need to bypass the very Legislature he controls by asking citizens to gather signatures and then vote on his plan to eliminate virtually all homeowner property taxes in favor of raising the sales tax. Crist, who has shied away from the controversial idea, wants to double the homestead exemption and allow people to transfer homeowner tax savings to new homes. If Rubio backs a citizen initiative, Crist is likely to do the same with a plan of his own.

- Expanding gambling. At one time the idea of allowing more gambling in the state was dismissed by the GOP-controlled Legislature. But the siren call of at least $1 billion raised by allowing parimutuels to offer Class Two slots machines is so promising, it could get a hearing as early as today in the once anti-gambling House.

- A special session devoted to property taxes later in May. Though leaders vowed to cut property taxes in the current session, Rubio has said he is willing to let the session end without agreement if the tax cut is not as deep as he believes it needs to be. He said he’s in no rush, and can face property owners. Many people — including a man Crist showcased at a Thursday press conference — are concerned they haven’t seen the large rate decreases after the Crist-led January overhaul of the insurance market.

“Crist, Rubio split on taxes“.  See also “Tax cut impasse nears deadline“.

The Palm Beach Post editors: “Three property-tax reform proposals are competing in Tallahassee, and Gov. Crist has demanded that local property taxes ‘drop like a rock.’”

But the proposals from the Senate, the House and the governor actually might land like a pebble.  Missing from the proposals is any reduction in local taxes for schools, which make up the bulk of most tax bills. In fact, the Legislature is raising the one property tax it controls, the Required Local Effort for schools, as it has for years - $458 million for next year. That move has shifted more education spending from Tallahassee to local taxpayers. That’s predictable from a Legislature that raids trust funds to finance tax cuts for wealthy Floridians and dumps unwanted expenses onto local government.

“Why doesn’t tax reform start in Tallahassee?“.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editors argue that “the best course of action for Floridians is none at all. The constitutionally mandated Taxation and Budget Reform Commission starts a comprehensive review of all taxes this year. There’s no reason for the Legislature to push bad legislation forward, and plenty of reasons to step back and cool off.”  “Tax stalemate“.

“If House members bent on continuing the tax-chopping legacy of former Gov. Jeb Bush prevail, the wealthy with hefty investments in real estate will reap the bulk of the savings. If the centrists who dominate the Senate get their way, the tax relief will be spread more evenly, with less pain to local government budgets.”  “Republican infighting could delay passage of property tax reform“.

Tallahassee Ticker

“Legislative Update“.

Budget Dispute

“Florida lawmakers were putting the finishing touches on a roughly $71 billion budget Sunday — even though one half-a-billion-dollar dispute has yet to be resolved.  Senate President Ken Pruitt said that the fate of his chamber’s push to pump an extra $500 million next year into building roads likely won’t be decided until the end of this week, even though budget negotiations must be completed by Tuesday. The Florida Constitution requires a 72-hour “cooling off” period before lawmakers can vote on the state spending plan, and the 2007 legislative session is scheduled to end Friday.”  “State budget shaping up but $500M hurdle looms“.  See also “Senate, House finish budgets today” (still no “agreement on pay raises for state employees”).

“Lobbyists are Swirling En Masse”

“The House has called an unusual meeting of a council for 1 p.m. Monday to consider an obscure bill by Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, dealing with the ability of the state lottery to patent its own games. But lobbyists are swirling en masse for what is expected to be a major amendment to the bill legalizing so-called video lottery terminals at Florida’s 30 existing parimutuel facilities.”  “The return of video lottery?“

FCAT Follies

FCAT fans are crowing over the annual increase in writing scores.  However, the Palm Beach Post editors point out that “any kid who can pass the math FCAT knows that the writing scores never have added up.”

Teachers long ago figured out the FCAT writing formula and drilled it into their students. Write this many paragraphs with this many sentences and choose from this list of colorful action words. Teachers of history and other subjects complained that essay questions they posed on tests started coming back in vacuous FCAT style. But history isn’t an FCAT subject. So, tough.

Life is about to get harder, though. As The Post reported last week, starting next year, grades on the writing FCAT will include a multiple-choice section that tests skills such as punctuation, grammar and organization. If the practice multiple-choice questions students answered this year had been included in their actual grades, the results would have been devastating. Rather than 81 percent of Palm Beach County 10th-graders passing the writing FCAT, for example, just 50 percent would have made it. That induces a big gulp, and even more so, because from next year on, 10th-graders will have to pass the writing FCAT to get a diploma.

The new test will end the charade that writing skills can be judged based on a prefab essay. But it will perpetuate the charade that overreliance on the FCAT is the way to run public education in Florida.

“The new FCAT panic“.

It isn’t just the writing test that is screwed up: “If a standardized test is to measure how much a student learns each year, then it must be calibrated with precision. But the FCAT, which Florida uses to assess students, teachers and schools, takes an inexplicable detour in high school. Its reading exam makes 10th-graders look as though they suffer amnesia, and Gov. Charlie Crist needs to ask why.  Why have state education officials refused to fix their own mistake?  This testing irregularity is unmistakable. “  “Reading exam flunks the accuracy test“.

Settling Scores

“A House bill would put an end to the $15-million provided annually to the Johnnie B. Byrd Sr. Alzheimer’s Institute in Tampa after this year. The facility was created in 2002 with an eye toward becoming an internationally recognized research center. But lawmakers are still smarting over the way former House Speaker Johnnie B. Byrd Jr. of Plant City rammed this and other legislation through. They are wrong to settle scores by gunning for a facility named after the speaker’s father.”  “Alzheimer’s center worth funding right“.

Gun Glitch

“The glitch in the law that let the Virginia Tech shooter buy guns and ammunition despite his history of mental illness isn’t an issue just in Virginia — it’s also in Florida’s law.  Both states have laws to make sure that people who are dangerously mentally ill can’t buy guns in stores. But like the Virginia law, Florida’s statute fails to include people who have been ordered into outpatient treatment.”  “Loophole lets dangerously ill buy guns“.

Florida’s “Educated Poor”

“A rise in college attendance coupled with downsizing, outsourcing and a shortage of high-paying jobs is bolstering the ranks of the educated poor — people with college degrees who don’t earn above the national poverty line, economists said. … Florida’s average of educated poor is slightly higher than the national average.”  “College-educated poor on rise across Florida, economists say“.

“Callousness Creep”

“Nearly 15,000 developmentally disabled Floridians do not get the services they need from the Agency with Persons with Disabilities. The Legislature’s cost-cutting budget proposal will force more people onto that waiting list.”

Agency officials say the problem is that clients of this “payor of last resort” are using more services more often. The budget wonks call it “utilization creep.” If the Legislature does not adequately finance the agency, services will be cut, diminishing the quality of life for thousands of disabled Floridians. Call it callousness creep.

“Remember the disabled“.

Fee Increase

“State university officials remain hopeful that legislators will authorize a fee of about $1,000 a year to improve undergraduate programs at the University of Florida, Florida State University and the University of South Florida.  Lawmakers are scheduled to adjourn Friday, giving the House and Senate only a few days to consider the plan. And should the measure reach Gov. Charlie Crist, it faces uncertain prospects because of his opposition to new student fees and tuition increases.”  “Lawmakers still could pass $1,000 college fee“.  See also “Fee plan splits universities“.

The Miami Herald editorial board: “Florida universities have the nation’s highest students-to-faculty ratio and one of the lowest graduation rates.”  “Pondering high cost of higher education“.

Affordable Housing

“The lack of affordable housing in Miami-Dade County — in this region, really — is a disgrace that demands far more local and state political leadership than it has gotten so far.”  “Many share blame for housing crisis“.

Hastings

“Rep. Alcee Hastings, who bowed out of the running for House intelligence committee chair, tells CQ that he made the decision after a lengthy telephone call from former President Bill Clinton who told the Miramar Democrat that he would ‘force a rift in the party’ if he held out for the position.”  “Hastings: Clinton convinced me to drop out“.

Baxley

“With a week left in legislative session, Rep. Dennis Baxley is gearing up for a competitive Senate District 3 race.”  “Baxley makes his move“.

Election Reform

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board reviews where we are on election reform: “The Florida Senate bowed to political realism last week, striking an imperfect, but still important, deal to make elections accountable and tamper-resistant.”

The Senate appeared on track to approve paper ballots — senators even worked to ensure the measure’s passage by attaching it to a much-coveted House provision that moves up Florida’s presidential primary date. But in a committee meeting early in the week, “compromise” provisions started to pile on, and for a while, it seemed the bill would perish in a classic Tallahassee train wreck. It still might, if the House balks at the tangled legislation headed its way.

The primary move and the paper-ballot language were effectively joined — along with a host of other provisions. Senators also attached vengeful bombs mimicking legislation that has either been stricken by courts or rejected previously by lawmakers:

- One provision would threaten groups who hold voter-registration drives, such as the Florida League of Women Voters, with fines for relatively minor errors. (If this passes, the League says it will have “no choice” but to suspend its drives.) This is a bad, and probably illegal, idea; one federal district judge has already said as much. Senators ameliorated its impact by capping fines at $1,000 per group, per election. That’s still a steep penalty for organizations comprising well-intended volunteers, but not as bad as the previously unlimited scheme.

- Another measure would choke the ability of unions to use dues to fund campaign activities, a move clearly intended to fracture organized labor’s political clout.

- The Senate-approved language eliminates some forms of acceptable identification for voters, a move that will hurt low-income and senior voters.

- Moving the presidential primary to the last Tuesday in January would put Florida among the earliest states to hold primaries, but could draw retribution from national Republican and/or Democratic officials. Both have threatened to snub Florida’s delegates if the state moves its primary that early.

- Finally, the bill would rescind Florida’s resign-to-run law for state and local officials aspiring to hold federal office.

But the most important issue in the bill is clearly the mandate for paper ballots. And that’s why the fractured, mangled legislation that limped out of the Senate Friday still counts as a victory.

“Fair election questions“.

Here’s a heads up on a potential problem: “The next evolution in Florida’s ever-changing system of voting will feature something called ‘ballot on demand.’”

A citizen at any early voting site would receive a custom optical scan ballot, matching the voter’s residence, language and party affiliation. A voter’s choices would be marked on an optical scan ballot by filling in an oval next to each ballot question. …

But the change worries a lot of local election supervisors, who run Florida elections.

They warn that it’s risky to implement an untried system in Florida in a closely watched and high-turnout 2008 presidential election.

“New ballots, new worries“.

Staffers

“Staffers are unsung heroes of Legislature“.

Marlins

“The Florida Marlins pulled off a remarkable ninth-inning rally to beat the Atlanta Braves one night last week.  The team and South Florida officials are hoping for a similar feat this week as the state Legislature decides the fate of the last, critical piece of financing needed for a new $490 million ballpark for the two-time World Series champions. But once again, as was the case five times before, the stadium’s fate will be decided in the waning days of the session, which is scheduled to adjourn on Friday.”  “Vote on Marlins stadium financing again comes late in legislative session“.

“Lobbyist, Lawmaker Connections Revealed”

“To see how money, lobbying and personal connections shape Florida law, read between the lines of the Florida Driver’s Handbook.”  “Driver’s handbook deal backfires“.

No Lying Zone

The Tallahassee Democrat editors argue that a bill providing that lobbyists, lawmakers and/or staffers who intentionally lie under oath when testifying in legislative committees could face up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine”, is “Unenforceable“.

Ask the Guv

“Ask the governor: Supporting sports franchises foster fun, ‘real jobs’“.

Today’s Florida political news and punditry.

To The Feds, Feeney is “Representative #3″

Scott Maxwell writes that “things don’t look good right now for Tom Feeney.”

According to court papers released last week, the feds apparently have been referring to the Oviedo Republican as “Representative #3.”

And that should scare him.

Because the guy previously identified as “Representative #1″ is now serving time on corruption charges.

And “Representative #2″ had to leave office in disgrace.

And then, last week, a congressional staffer who took the same golfing trip to Scotland in 2003 as Feeney pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges.

“High anxiety? The woes of ‘Representative #3′“.

Are the wheels coming off?  The St Petersburg Times reports that he is not a target of the investigation because he never did anything for Black Jack.  “Feeney insists he never helped convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, but in 2003 Feeney was among several lawmakers who wrote to the Energy Department opposing changes to a federal program that also were being fought by an Abramoff client. … Five months later, Abramoff treated a small group of people, including Feeney, to a luxury golf trip to Scotland that began with a trans-Atlantic flight on a private jet and featured twice-daily golf at world-famous locales.”  “Rep. Feeney sought rule change tied to Abramoff“.

“The confessions of the latest aide to plead guilty in the Jack Abramoff congressional corruption scandal leave U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney, R-Oviedo, in a vulnerable position. Feeney has repeatedly said he was duped into thinking his 2003 Scotland golfing trip was financed by a nonprofit think tank. But now we know the erroneous name and expense Feeney reported came from Abramoff.”  Feeney’s flack claims

“Representative Feeney is anxious to discuss this matter further when the time is appropriate.”

If the congressman believes his constituents and a public fed up with scandal can wait until “the time is appropriate,” he is mistaken. Eleven people now have been convicted in the Abramoff investigation, and Feeney is being labeled in court records as “Representative #3.” He has said he was “duped and lied to, ” but these records make his office look complicit.

“Rep. Feeney owes public answers, now“.

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board says “U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney has a lot more explaining to do about his 2003 golfing trip to Scotland with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.”

According to federal prosecutors, the Scotland trip cost more than $160,000 for the eight people who went. It included trans-Atlantic travel in a private jet, luxury hotel stays, golf twice a day at St. Andrews and other famous courses, and plenty of wining and dining. If this was a fact-finding mission, we should all be so well educated.

Yet after the House ethics committee concluded in January that the trip had violated the rules against lobbyist-bankrolled travel, Mr. Feeney paid just $5,643 to cover his share. His spokeswoman has said he flew only one way on the trip sponsor’s tab, and paid his greens fees and “a number of other personal expenses.” But Mr. Feeney’s cost figure matches, to the dollar, the figure Mr. Abramoff provided to all those on the trip, according to Senate investigators.

Eleven people have now been convicted in the Justice Department’s probe of Mr. Abramoff, including others who took trips to Scotland with him. It’s past time for Mr. Feeney to clear the air.

“Clear the air“.

Home Stretch

“It’s crunch time in Tallahassee as Florida lawmakers enter the final week of the annual 60-day legislative session still needing to resolve the state’s biggest issues, such as cutting property taxes and passing a $70-billion-plus budget.”  “Home stretch may define lawmakers“.

Florida’s Booming Economy

“Growing number of college graduates in South Florida classified as poor“.

Political Miscalculation?

Keep in mind that “the property tax crisis has struck hardest with businesses, owners of vacation homes, landlords and those homeowners who want to move but feel they cannot because they will lose their accrued Save Our Homes tax benefit.  That’s because the Save Our Homes amendment prevents assessments on homesteads - primary residences - from rising more than 3 percent a year.”

This political reality has made itself apparent each time Crist and other proponents of slashing property taxes have tried to demonstrate public sentiment.

A rally at the Capitol by an anti-tax group, which advertised to draw 1,000, brought only 300, despite free transportation, T-shirts and mass-produced protest signs.

And when Crist went to Valencia Community College’s east campus in Orlando last week, barely 100 came to see him. Of those who spoke out on taxes, every person was either a real estate agent, a developer, a vacation-home owner or a landlord.

“Homesteaders’ perk cools public passion for Crist’s tax war“.

South Florida Cash

“South Floridians poured more than $4 million into presidential campaign coffers in the first three months of this year, led by affluent enclaves in Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Miami.”  “South Florida’s cash fills presidential campaign coffers“.

Tit For Tat

“House-Senate talks on a state budget recessed Saturday afternoon with most major issues settled. But a stumbling block between the chambers is the Senate’s desire to spend $500-million on construction-ready road projects to boost the economy. The House has expressed no interest in “Building Florida’s Future,” the brainchild of Sen. Dan Webster, who has been pointedly critical of the House property tax plan. (Coincidence?)”  “On the road to a budget deal“.

On The Shelf

“Counties and cities can double an exemption for low-income seniors. But most haven’t.”  “A tax break stays on shelf“.

Budget

“State budget negotiators reached an agreement on most budget issues Saturday, leaving one issue for the House speaker and Senate president to hash out before the roughly $71-billion spending plan hits lawmakers’ desks early next week.”  “State budget negotiators reach agreement on all issues but one“.

A Single Agency

“You can’t go two days without hearing how global climate change is threatening national security, endangering Florida, creating more hurricanes, upsetting the delicate balance of Earth, or, if you prefer, a crackpot conspiracy.”  “Climate may be right for agency devoted to it“.

Calm Before The Storm

“The Legislature is entering its final week with its most contentious issue - property tax reform - still unresolved.”

The stakes are high in the reform debate. This is no time for showboating.

As lawmakers rush to do something before the session ends, they should focus on taxpayers who are hurting the most and do nothing to hurt the state’s economy.

“All-Night Rush To Cut Taxes Could Cripple Cities And Counties“.  See also “Taxing Debate” (”House Speaker Marco Rubio and Senate minority leader Steve Geller faced off on a Miami radio show last week, underscoring how intractable the talks over property tax have become.”)  See also “Helping whom?“.

Meanwhile, “Negotiators aren’t meeting. Homeowners are frustrated. There’s one week left.”  “Gaps in tax plans widen“.

Florida Hubris

Robert Young, associate professor of geosciences and natural resource management at Western Carolina University, and director of the internationally known Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines says “the state of Florida takes the hubris of coastal development to a new level. By tinkering with market-driven property-insurance rates, the state has elected to subsidize irresponsible coastal development and spread the risk to all Floridians. Remember the outrage when the Clinton administration flirted with the possibility of government-sponsored health care for all? Yet, in Florida there is no sense of irony that socialized property insurance to support coastal development is supported while many political leaders still ridicule the idea of socialized medicine. There is little doubt that sometime in the next decade, Floridians will find out why this gamble was fiscally irresponsible.”  “Business as usual on the shorelines“.

‘Ya Think?

The Tampa Trib editorial board: “Given Florida’s skyrocketing insurance costs and the top-line taxes charged newcomers, we’ve developed a reputation as a high-cost, low-income state.  And as a result, more people are leaving Florida than moving in.”

Notice that our elected officials - aside from episodes of corporate welfare - could care less about the “low-income” part of the problem.

Dem Revival?

Today, in a piece extolling Steve Schale, political director for the House Democrats, Adam C. Smith observes that

On the surface, it’s no huge surprise that Democrat Darren Soto beat Republican Tony Suarez for the state House District 49 seat. Democrat Jim Davis won that district, after all, and only about a quarter of the voters are registered Republicans. George W. Bush isn’t exactly helping Republicans win elections.

But it’s also a majority Hispanic district that had been represented by a Republican, John Quinones, and which Republican fought hard to keep. Jeb Bush consistently won it, and Democratic polling showed Gov. Charlie Crist, who campaigned with Suarez, was hugely popular, and even President Bush was more popular than he is most everywhere else in the state.

What’s more, Democrats usually lose special elections in large part because Florida Republicans have been so much better at banking early votes through absentee ballots and mobilizing voters. So the Democrats’ 52-48 percent win was hardly a foregone conclusion.

The party that had mastered the art of circular firing squads actually worked together this time. State Democratic chairwoman Karen Thurman sent her entire field staff into the area. Another Democratic group, the Florida Mainstream Democrats, did radio spots, and the Soto campaign and state House political team dramatically stepped up its absentee ballot and voter turnout effort.

“What happened to the circular firing squad?“

Citizens “Showdown” Looms

“With Florida lawmakers consumed this spring in debate over how to lower property taxes, talk of the state’s other pocketbook crunch - the high cost of hurricane insurance - has been largely muted.  But with the 2007 session entering its final week, that’s about to change.”  “Insurance battle to heat up again“.

“Florida lawmakers are poised for a last-minute showdown over Citizens Property Insurance Corp. That’s the government-run insurance company once considered the state’s insurer of last resort, but which now covers more than 1.3 million Floridians, many of whom live along the state’s vulnerable coastlines.”  “Crist’s proposal for Citizens draws lawmakers’ opposition“.

It Could Get “Dire”

“So this is a drought?  Some people in South Florida may have a hard time believing it, but state water managers insist that, yes, things really are serious. And they could turn dire if the 17-month dry spell extends into the region’s rainy season, normally just a month away.”  “Why is Florida so dry?“.

Hence, “Florida is facing severe dry weather that firefighters fear could lead to the worst fire season in a decade”.  Yet

Union leaders say the Florida Division of Forestry’s poor pay is leading rangers to seek jobs elsewhere, leaving holes to be filled and inexperienced hires in dangerous situations.

“Democrat: State faces forest ranger shortage“.

Florida’s Subprime-Foreclosures

“As the nation’s housing markets continue to slump, the subprime-mortgage business is suffering a meltdown.”

In Florida, nearly 93,000 subprime-loan homeowners were in the lurch as of February, according to First American. And during the previous year, the state’s subprime-foreclosure rate tripled, while its delinquency rate shot up 72 percent.

Florida is more exposed to the problem than the U.S. as a whole: Nearly 20 percent of all mortgages in the state were subprime as of the end of January versus 15.3 percent nationwide.

“As ’subprime’ rates shoot up, owners despair“.

Please, No More “Bold” “bad” Ideas

Randy Schultz:

Here’s to the end, finally, of “bold” ideas in Florida.

It may have started last week. Gov. Crist released his “plan” for tax reform. It wasn’t big news because there was nothing new to it. In typical Crist fashion, the governor tried to please both sides by taking something from both sides. He proposed to cut local government spending by what the Republican House wants, which is more than the Senate wants. But he rejected the Republican House idea, which the full Senate doesn’t like, of counties abolishing the property tax on homesteads and replacing some of the money with a higher sales tax.

In rebuffing the House, though, the governor again acted very differently from his predecessor. Jeb Bush would have embraced House Speaker Marco Rubio’s sales-tax-for-property-tax swap as “bold.” The ex-governor probably would have added some of the adjectives he regularly used to describe his own ideas: historic and unprecedented.

And Jeb Bush would have been right, just incomplete. The adjective he would have left out is bad.

“Here’s an idea: Find an idea that will work“.

Philanthropy?

“Florida Atlantic University is more than $20 million richer due to donations made by Barry Kaye, but the philanthropist is now using the school to pitch his business and a new industry in which investors buy life insurance policies of senior citizens.”  “Big donor capitalizes on FAU label“.  And get this:

His business is a new industry in which investors buy life insurance policies of senior citizens in hopes that they will die sooner rather than later. He is known by the ads that use the title of his latest book: You Buy You Die It Pays!

The problems include the business symposia the self-made millionaire conducts at FAU. They are marketed in full-page newspaper ads designed by FAU, carrying FAU’s logo and Web address. He is not an FAU professor and holds no traditional Ph.D. Yet his brochures list him as an FAU professor and refer to him as “Dr. Barry Kaye.”

“Only trustees can halt insider trading at FAU“.

Q Poll

“Hillary Rodham Clinton and Rudy Giuliani are still the leading presidential candidates in their respective parties in Florida, according to the latest Quinnipiac University poll released last week. Al Gore is second among the Democrats, even though he says he’s not running.”

Here are all the numbers:

Democrats — Clinton, 36 percent; Gore, 15 percent; Barack Obama, 13 percent; John Edwards, 11 percent

Republicans — Giuliani, 38 percent; John McCain, 15 percent; Mitt Romney, 7 percent; Newt Gingrich, 6 percent; Fred Thompson, 5 percent.

“Rudy vs. Hillary?“

‘Glades

“Ecosystem restoration projects slow as federal funds lag“.

Whatever

“Deadlocked over how to cut property taxes, Gov. Charlie Crist and House Speaker Marco Rubio spent part of Saturday afternoon together taking part in a male-bonding ritual: watching the NFL draft.”  “NFL talk lets Crist, Rubio take tax ‘break’“.  See also “Crist drops in on Rubio for friendly visit“.

Here’s An Idea

Mark Lane: “When a politician — particularly one who’s a successful longtime pro and not overburdened by a lot of free-floating idealism — recognizes that a political technique has gotten out of hand, attention should be paid.”  “Extending ‘don’t call’ to politics“.

VP Chain-Gang?

Yesterday, William March reported that Charlie “is planning his first international trip as governor, a trade and diplomatic mission to Israel, for a few weeks after the end of the Florida legislative session.”

The trip’s purpose is to generate trade and business for Florida.

But it will have another political effect for Crist: beginning to establish his credentials not just as a Florida politician but also as a national politician.

Word of the trip comes at the same time as another development that could affect the governor’s political future, proposed changes in Florida’s “resign-to-run” law.

Those changes would make it possible for a Florida governor or other officeholder to run for federal office, including president or vice president, without having to resign the state office.

“Crist’s Visit To Israel Has Much At Stake“.

Green

“Calling global warming the “defining challenge” of the 21st century, nearly 200 presidents of U.S. colleges and universities — including five from Florida — have signed a commitment to explore scientific and technological solutions and to make their campuses models for reducing greenhouse gases.”  “Campuses going green“.

See ‘Ya

“The Center for Reclaiming America for Christ, founded more than a decade ago to propagate a largely antiabortion, antigay message, has closed its doors.”  “Center propagating antigay, antiabortion message closes“.

Dubya Protests

As Dubya gave a 20-minute commencement address at Miami Dade College, “hundreds of protesters gathered to protest the war in Iraq. Others demonstrated in Palm Beach County.”  “At Miami-Dade graduation, Bush talks immigration“.  See also “Immigration system broken, Bush tells grads” (”Just outside the school, an anti-war demonstration drew several hundred opposed to the president’s Iraq policies.”)

Today’s Florida political news and punditry.

To The Feds, Feeney is “Representative #3″

Scott Maxwell writes that “things don’t look good right now for Tom Feeney.”

According to court papers released last week, the feds apparently have been referring to the Oviedo Republican as “Representative #3.”

And that should scare him.

Because the guy previously identified as “Representative #1″ is now serving time on corruption charges.

And “Representative #2″ had to leave office in disgrace.

And then, last week, a congressional staffer who took the same golfing trip to Scotland in 2003 as Feeney pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges.

“High anxiety? The woes of ‘Representative #3′“.

Are the wheels coming off?  The St Petersburg Times reports that he is not a target of the investigation because he never did anything for Black Jack.  “Feeney insists he never helped convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, but in 2003 Feeney was among several lawmakers who wrote to the Energy Department opposing changes to a federal program that also were being fought by an Abramoff client. … Five months later, Abramoff treated a small group of people, including Feeney, to a luxury golf trip to Scotland that began with a trans-Atlantic flight on a private jet and featured twice-daily golf at world-famous locales.”  “Rep. Feeney sought rule change tied to Abramoff“.

“The confessions of the latest aide to plead guilty in the Jack Abramoff congressional corruption scandal leave U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney, R-Oviedo, in a vulnerable position. Feeney has repeatedly said he was duped into thinking his 2003 Scotland golfing trip was financed by a nonprofit think tank. But now we know the erroneous name and expense Feeney reported came from Abramoff.”  Feeney’s flack claims

“Representative Feeney is anxious to discuss this matter further when the time is appropriate.”

If the congressman believes his constituents and a public fed up with scandal can wait until “the time is appropriate,” he is mistaken. Eleven people now have been convicted in the Abramoff investigation, and Feeney is being labeled in court records as “Representative #3.” He has said he was “duped and lied to, ” but these records make his office look complicit.

“Rep. Feeney owes public answers, now“.

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board says “U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney has a lot more explaining to do about his 2003 golfing trip to Scotland with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.”

According to federal prosecutors, the Scotland trip cost more than $160,000 for the eight people who went. It included trans-Atlantic travel in a private jet, luxury hotel stays, golf twice a day at St. Andrews and other famous courses, and plenty of wining and dining. If this was a fact-finding mission, we should all be so well educated.

Yet after the House ethics committee concluded in January that the trip had violated the rules against lobbyist-bankrolled travel, Mr. Feeney paid just $5,643 to cover his share. His spokeswoman has said he flew only one way on the trip sponsor’s tab, and paid his greens fees and “a number of other personal expenses.” But Mr. Feeney’s cost figure matches, to the dollar, the figure Mr. Abramoff provided to all those on the trip, according to Senate investigators.

Eleven people have now been convicted in the Justice Department’s probe of Mr. Abramoff, including others who took trips to Scotland with him. It’s past time for Mr. Feeney to clear the air.

“Clear the air“.

Home Stretch

“It’s crunch time in Tallahassee as Florida lawmakers enter the final week of the annual 60-day legislative session still needing to resolve the state’s biggest issues, such as cutting property taxes and passing a $70-billion-plus budget.”  “Home stretch may define lawmakers“.

Florida’s Booming Economy

“Growing number of college graduates in South Florida classified as poor“.

Political Miscalculation?

Keep in mind that “the property tax crisis has struck hardest with businesses, owners of vacation homes, landlords and those homeowners who want to move but feel they cannot because they will lose their accrued Save Our Homes tax benefit.  That’s because the Save Our Homes amendment prevents assessments on homesteads - primary residences - from rising more than 3 percent a year.”

This political reality has made itself apparent each time Crist and other proponents of slashing property taxes have tried to demonstrate public sentiment.

A rally at the Capitol by an anti-tax group, which advertised to draw 1,000, brought only 300, despite free transportation, T-shirts and mass-produced protest signs.

And when Crist went to Valencia Community College’s east campus in Orlando last week, barely 100 came to see him. Of those who spoke out on taxes, every person was either a real estate agent, a developer, a vacation-home owner or a landlord.

“Homesteaders’ perk cools public passion for Crist’s tax war“.

South Florida Cash

“South Floridians poured more than $4 million into presidential campaign coffers in the first three months of this year, led by affluent enclaves in Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Miami.”  “South Florida’s cash fills presidential campaign coffers“.

Tit For Tat

“House-Senate talks on a state budget recessed Saturday afternoon with most major issues settled. But a stumbling block between the chambers is the Senate’s desire to spend $500-million on construction-ready road projects to boost the economy. The House has expressed no interest in “Building Florida’s Future,” the brainchild of Sen. Dan Webster, who has been pointedly critical of the House property tax plan. (Coincidence?)”  “On the road to a budget deal“.

On The Shelf

“Counties and cities can double an exemption for low-income seniors. But most haven’t.”  “A tax break stays on shelf“.

Budget

“State budget negotiators reached an agreement on most budget issues Saturday, leaving one issue for the House speaker and Senate president to hash out before the roughly $71-billion spending plan hits lawmakers’ desks early next week.”  “State budget negotiators reach agreement on all issues but one“.

A Single Agency

“You can’t go two days without hearing how global climate change is threatening national security, endangering Florida, creating more hurricanes, upsetting the delicate balance of Earth, or, if you prefer, a crackpot conspiracy.”  “Climate may be right for agency devoted to it“.

Calm Before The Storm

“The Legislature is entering its final week with its most contentious issue - property tax reform - still unresolved.”

The stakes are high in the reform debate. This is no time for showboating.

As lawmakers rush to do something before the session ends, they should focus on taxpayers who are hurting the most and do nothing to hurt the state’s economy.

“All-Night Rush To Cut Taxes Could Cripple Cities And Counties“.  See also “Taxing Debate” (”House Speaker Marco Rubio and Senate minority leader Steve Geller faced off on a Miami radio show last week, underscoring how intractable the talks over property tax have become.”)  See also “Helping whom?“.

Meanwhile, “Negotiators aren’t meeting. Homeowners are frustrated. There’s one week left.”  “Gaps in tax plans widen“.

Florida Hubris

Robert Young, associate professor of geosciences and natural resource management at Western Carolina University, and director of the internationally known Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines says “the state of Florida takes the hubris of coastal development to a new level. By tinkering with market-driven property-insurance rates, the state has elected to subsidize irresponsible coastal development and spread the risk to all Floridians. Remember the outrage when the Clinton administration flirted with the possibility of government-sponsored health care for all? Yet, in Florida there is no sense of irony that socialized property insurance to support coastal development is supported while many political leaders still ridicule the idea of socialized medicine. There is little doubt that sometime in the next decade, Floridians will find out why this gamble was fiscally irresponsible.”  “Business as usual on the shorelines“.

‘Ya Think?

The Tampa Trib editorial board: “Given Florida’s skyrocketing insurance costs and the top-line taxes charged newcomers, we’ve developed a reputation as a high-cost, low-income state.  And as a result, more people are leaving Florida than moving in.”

Notice that our elected officials - aside from episodes of corporate welfare - could care less about the “low-income” part of the problem.

Dem Revival?

Today, in a piece extolling Steve Schale, political director for the House Democrats, Adam C. Smith observes that

On the surface, it’s no huge surprise that Democrat Darren Soto beat Republican Tony Suarez for the state House District 49 seat. Democrat Jim Davis won that district, after all, and only about a quarter of the voters are registered Republicans. George W. Bush isn’t exactly helping Republicans win elections.

But it’s also a majority Hispanic district that had been represented by a Republican, John Quinones, and which Republican fought hard to keep. Jeb Bush consistently won it, and Democratic polling showed Gov. Charlie Crist, who campaigned with Suarez, was hugely popular, and even President Bush was more popular than he is most everywhere else in the state.

What’s more, Democrats usually lose special elections in large part because Florida Republicans have been so much better at banking early votes through absentee ballots and mobilizing voters. So the Democrats’ 52-48 percent win was hardly a foregone conclusion.

The party that had mastered the art of circular firing squads actually worked together this time. State Democratic chairwoman Karen Thurman sent her entire field staff into the area. Another Democratic group, the Florida Mainstream Democrats, did radio spots, and the Soto campaign and state House political team dramatically stepped up its absentee ballot and voter turnout effort.

“What happened to the circular firing squad?“

Citizens “Showdown” Looms

“With Florida lawmakers consumed this spring in debate over how to lower property taxes, talk of the state’s other pocketbook crunch - the high cost of hurricane insurance - has been largely muted.  But with the 2007 session entering its final week, that’s about to change.”  “Insurance battle to heat up again“.

“Florida lawmakers are poised for a last-minute showdown over Citizens Property Insurance Corp. That’s the government-run insurance company once considered the state’s insurer of last resort, but which now covers more than 1.3 million Floridians, many of whom live along the state’s vulnerable coastlines.”  “Crist’s proposal for Citizens draws lawmakers’ opposition“.

It Could Get “Dire”

“So this is a drought?  Some people in South Florida may have a hard time believing it, but state water managers insist that, yes, things really are serious. And they could turn dire if the 17-month dry spell extends into the region’s rainy season, normally just a month away.”  “Why is Florida so dry?“.

Hence, “Florida is facing severe dry weather that firefighters fear could lead to the worst fire season in a decade”.  Yet

Union leaders say the Florida Division of Forestry’s poor pay is leading rangers to seek jobs elsewhere, leaving holes to be filled and inexperienced hires in dangerous situations.

“Democrat: State faces forest ranger shortage“.

Florida’s Subprime-Foreclosures

“As the nation’s housing markets continue to slump, the subprime-mortgage business is suffering a meltdown.”

In Florida, nearly 93,000 subprime-loan homeowners were in the lurch as of February, according to First American. And during the previous year, the state’s subprime-foreclosure rate tripled, while its delinquency rate shot up 72 percent.

Florida is more exposed to the problem than the U.S. as a whole: Nearly 20 percent of all mortgages in the state were subprime as of the end of January versus 15.3 percent nationwide.

“As ’subprime’ rates shoot up, owners despair“.

Please, No More “Bold” “bad” Ideas

Randy Schultz:

Here’s to the end, finally, of “bold” ideas in Florida.

It may have started last week. Gov. Crist released his “plan” for tax reform. It wasn’t big news because there was nothing new to it. In typical Crist fashion, the governor tried to please both sides by taking something from both sides. He proposed to cut local government spending by what the Republican House wants, which is more than the Senate wants. But he rejected the Republican House idea, which the full Senate doesn’t like, of counties abolishing the property tax on homesteads and replacing some of the money with a higher sales tax.

In rebuffing the House, though, the governor again acted very differently from his predecessor. Jeb Bush would have embraced House Speaker Marco Rubio’s sales-tax-for-property-tax swap as “bold.” The ex-governor probably would have added some of the adjectives he regularly used to describe his own ideas: historic and unprecedented.

And Jeb Bush would have been right, just incomplete. The adjective he would have left out is bad.

“Here’s an idea: Find an idea that will work“.

Philanthropy?

“Florida Atlantic University is more than $20 million richer due to donations made by Barry Kaye, but the philanthropist is now using the school to pitch his business and a new industry in which investors buy life insurance policies of senior citizens.”  “Big donor capitalizes on FAU label“.  And get this:

His business is a new industry in which investors buy life insurance policies of senior citizens in hopes that they will die sooner rather than later. He is known by the ads that use the title of his latest book: You Buy You Die It Pays!

The problems include the business symposia the self-made millionaire conducts at FAU. They are marketed in full-page newspaper ads designed by FAU, carrying FAU’s logo and Web address. He is not an FAU professor and holds no traditional Ph.D. Yet his brochures list him as an FAU professor and refer to him as “Dr. Barry Kaye.”

“Only trustees can halt insider trading at FAU“.

Q Poll

“Hillary Rodham Clinton and Rudy Giuliani are still the leading presidential candidates in their respective parties in Florida, according to the latest Quinnipiac University poll released last week. Al Gore is second among the Democrats, even though he says he’s not running.”

Here are all the numbers:

Democrats — Clinton, 36 percent; Gore, 15 percent; Barack Obama, 13 percent; John Edwards, 11 percent

Republicans — Giuliani, 38 percent; John McCain, 15 percent; Mitt Romney, 7 percent; Newt Gingrich, 6 percent; Fred Thompson, 5 percent.

“Rudy vs. Hillary?“

‘Glades

“Ecosystem restoration projects slow as federal funds lag“.

Whatever

“Deadlocked over how to cut property taxes, Gov. Charlie Crist and House Speaker Marco Rubio spent part of Saturday afternoon together taking part in a male-bonding ritual: watching the NFL draft.”  “NFL talk lets Crist, Rubio take tax ‘break’“.  See also “Crist drops in on Rubio for friendly visit“.

Here’s An Idea

Mark Lane: “When a politician — particularly one who’s a successful longtime pro and not overburdened by a lot of free-floating idealism — recognizes that a political technique has gotten out of hand, attention should be paid.”  “Extending ‘don’t call’ to politics“.

VP Chain-Gang?

Yesterday, William March reported that Charlie “is planning his first international trip as governor, a trade and diplomatic mission to Israel, for a few weeks after the end of the Florida legislative session.”

The trip’s purpose is to generate trade and business for Florida.

But it will have another political effect for Crist: beginning to establish his credentials not just as a Florida politician but also as a national politician.

Word of the trip comes at the same time as another development that could affect the governor’s political future, proposed changes in Florida’s “resign-to-run” law.

Those changes would make it possible for a Florida governor or other officeholder to run for federal office, including president or vice president, without having to resign the state office.

“Crist’s Visit To Israel Has Much At Stake“.

Green

“Calling global warming the “defining challenge” of the 21st century, nearly 200 presidents of U.S. colleges and universities — including five from Florida — have signed a commitment to explore scientific and technological solutions and to make their campuses models for reducing greenhouse gases.”  “Campuses going green“.

See ‘Ya

“The Center for Reclaiming America for Christ, founded more than a decade ago to propagate a largely antiabortion, antigay message, has closed its doors.”  “Center propagating antigay, antiabortion message closes“.

Dubya Protests

As Dubya gave a 20-minute commencement address at Miami Dade College, “hundreds of protesters gathered to protest the war in Iraq. Others demonstrated in Palm Beach County.”  “At Miami-Dade graduation, Bush talks immigration“.  See also “Immigration system broken, Bush tells grads” (”Just outside the school, an anti-war demonstration drew several hundred opposed to the president’s Iraq policies.”)

Today’s Florida political news and punditry.

Statewide Gambling Sails Through Senate

“In the midst of the impasse over cutting property taxes, the state Senate may be ready to let Floridians gamble their way to property-tax relief.”

A proposal to permit slot machines at parimutuels all over the state sailed out of the Senate on Friday, 34-5, with promises of up to $2 billion for state coffers. And talk of higher tax revenue from Broward’s new Vegas-style slots has dominated debate surrounding looser regulations for Broward’s casinos.

So far, the notion of using gambling revenues to replace property taxes hasn’t gotten much traction in the traditionally gambling-hesitant House, with Speaker Marco Rubio and his top lieutenants stiffly opposed to the notion. But, as the end of the legislative session nears, some legislators think gambling dollars belong in the mix as a logical piece to a property-tax compromise.

“Property-tax relief: Are slots the answer?“.  See also “Senate OKs slot-like games, other gambling measures“.

Tally Ticker

“Legislature roundup“.  See also “Tallahassee ticker” and “Florida lawmakers faced with lengthy to-do list in final week“.

Goin’ Home?

“House Speaker Marco Rubio and Senate Democratic Leader Steve Geller said Friday that legislators may have to head home and gear up for a special legislative session to deal with the issue because they can’t agree right now.”  “Competing plans for tax cuts may doom passage of any cuts“.  See also “Tax debate may mean overtime for lawmakers“.

More: “Lawmakers take tax battle to the airwaves“.  See also “Market chills, tax bills won’t“, “Not everyone wants property tax relief” and  “Sentinel: Tax debate may mean overtime for lawmakers“.

Election “Reform”

“In a bill embraced by House leaders, the Florida Senate agreed to scrap touch-screen voting in favor of optical-scan machines — and move up the 2008 presidential primary to Jan. 29.”  “Paper ballot system appears likely“.  See also “Paper-ballot votes get more support“, “Senate passes bill changing state voting“, “Senate OKs paper-trail votes“, “Plan to spen $28 million on new voting machines clears the Senate” and “Senate Passes Elections Bill“.

“A slew of presidential candidates and hundreds of journalists descended this week on South Carolina, showering attention on what nearly everybody is describing as the first-in-the-South primary state.  Few of these politicos have grasped that Florida is about to crash the Palmetto State’s party with a Jan. 29 Sunshine State primary.”  “Earlier Florida primary could blindside candidates“.  See also “Florida v. SC primary war“.

“Give pundits the chance and they’ll tell you how the campaign for president will unfold because, well, they think they know so much more about the candidates than you do. … Thing is, despite the pundits’ eagerness to call the race before it’s run, anything can happen — especially if the public chooses to involve itself in the proceedings and decide, for itself.  Floridians can do that sooner than ever in next year’s expected earliest-ever primaries. But also before. Next week, the Republicans debate. Tune them in.”  “See for yourself“.

Cable Fight

“The future of cable television in Florida may have changed on the state Senate floor Thursday.  After a two-year battle, phone companies appear poised to win approval for an easier way to enter the lucrative cable television market.”  “Senate backs phone entry in cable TV“.  See also “Titans battle for control of cable TV in Florida“.

Dubya Struggles To Find A Friendly Audience

“Despite a growing antiwar mood on college campuses across the country, President Bush can expect more cheers than heckles Saturday as he addresses 1,500 students and their families at Miami Dade College’s commencement.”

Miami Dade, a commuter college whose graduates are 77 percent Hispanic — the largest contingent among them Cuban American — creates a friendlier political envi- ronment for Bush than he might have faced at many four-year universities.

Bush’s visit coincides with rallies planned around the country by war protesters calling for Congress to impeach him. Protesters planning an “unwelcoming party'’ for the president on the perimeter of the Kendall campus, where Bush will speak at the gymnasium, say they will not disrupt the 5 o’clock ceremony, though some alumni and faculty have signed a petition decrying the invitation.

“Cheers likely for Bush at MDC speech“.  See also “South Florida graduates to hear from president“.

If you’re in the neighborhood, check out this site: “The Unwelcoming Party“.

CD 13

The CD 13 “Task force will meet” next week.

Terror Fighters

“The Florida Senate struck back at terror and genocide Friday, voting 39-0 to divest state pension investments from companies with known ties to Iran and Sudan.”  “State strikes back at terror“.  See also “Florida looks to lead charge on businesses in Iran, Sudan“.

Choice Politics

“After two hours of heated debate, the state House approved a proposal to require an ultrasound and a 24-hour wait period before almost all abortions.”  “Abortion bill heads to Senate“.  See also “House approves curbs on abortion” and “House passes waiting period, ultrasound requirements for abortion“.

Lost

“Mark Lunsford, who became a highly visible advocate for tougher child protection laws after his 9-year-old daughter was slain, was encouraged Friday by Gov. Charlie Crist to run for the state House of Representatives.  Lunsford said he would run as a Republican, albeit on a traditional Democratic platform that he could become a voice for the elderly and less fortunate people.”  “Crist sets special election for state Senate seat“.  See also “Jessica Lunsford’s father to pursue House seat” and “Crist pushes Lunsford to run for state House“.

More Choice Politics

“Certain crimes on pregnant women that result in their fetuses’ death could lead to murder charges, no matter how far along the pregnancy was, under a bill the Florida House passed overwhelmingly Friday.  Opponents said the bill would change the law on when life begins in Florida.”  “Florida law on murdering fetuses tightened under House bill“.  See also “House wants to strengthen rules on fetal deaths“.

Still Alive

“Sen. Charlie Justice, a Democrat from St. Petersburg, introduced a new amendment Friday that would apply to any Florida officeholder and any federal office-not just president and vice president, but U.S. House and Senate as well. That one sailed through the Senate and will now go to the House. With Rubio on record favoring it, its odds are good.”  “R2R-The Saga Continues“.  See also “Senate flips on ‘resign-to-run’“.

“Drunk-Proof Cars”

“Two bills aimed at curbing drunken driving have passed the House and are headed to the Senate.”  “Drunk-proof cars awaiting Senate action“.

Why Florida Needs Mandatory Civics Classes

“Angry homeowners have watched as local governments, flush with cash from rising property values, have chosen to spend it on more police, better parks and all the other things local government does - rather than use it to soften the property tax hit.”  “Taxpayers Demand Trimming“.

No-Fault

“The state Senate loves no-fault laws, but House lawmakers says the system is ripe with fraud.”  “Drivers, it could be your fault“.  See also “House, Senate rethink auto insurance” and “Senate extends no-fault until ‘12“.

“The NRA Of Cults”

Daniel Ruth: “Think of those zany, cuckoo, wacky Scientologists as sort of the National Rifle Association of cults.”

A few days ago, a joint Senate-House conference committee approved a $200,000 seed money appropriation to create the Statewide Suicide Prevention Program, which will be used to develop a comprehensive effort for consideration during next year’s legislative session.

The program would involve local suicide prevention agencies, faith-based groups, law enforcement, emergency response professionals, schools, universities, substance abuse treatment organizations and, yes, cue the “Running with Scissors” theme - mental health experts.

Now there’s a recipe for subversion - potentially suicidal people getting help from people who know what they are doing.

Kramer did not respond to questions submitted through the Citizens Commission on Human Rights about his opposition to the bill.

“The NRA Of Cults Strikes Yet Again“.

Heaven Help Us If …

Heaven help us if “T. Willard Fair is one of Florida’s most recognized civil rights leaders”.  “Education Official Went Too Far With Harsh Immigration Ad“.

After all, this is the same man who told Jebbie that “‘In my judgment, there is no greater person on this Earth than you.”

Lessons From Orlando (?)

“Last Tuesday’s contest in state House District 49 in the Orlando area wasn’t your typical, who-cares, no-name special election:”

- Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson flew in from Washington to campaign door to door with a 29-year-old rookie who had lost his last race.

- Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also followed the campaign.

- The Democrat won.

That means the party flipped its eighth Republican seat in the House since November in a state where Democrats had gotten used to making concession speeches over the past several years.

Why should voters in Miami-Dade and Broward care about a Central Florida election in late April?

Beth Reinhard tells us why in “Lessons from Orlando for Democrats“.

To Tell the Truth

“Give the Florida Senate a pat on the back for approving the Truth in Government Act. If enacted, the law would require anyone giving testimony before a legislative committee — including lobbyists — to be sworn in. That means someone who lies while addressing a committee could be charged with perjury.”  “Legislature 2007“.

Voucher Madness

“For the second year in a row, lawmakers are trying to maneuver around the Florida Supreme Court ruling that struck down a private voucher program established under former Gov. Jeb Bush.  The trick: Deposit revenues from corporate income taxes into a trust fund, and specify in statute that the fund can be used for ‘any purpose other than education.’”  “Trust fund could be voucher loophole“.

Privatizing Death

“State lawmakers decided to keep a registry of private attorneys who represent inmates sentenced to death in North Florida despite Florida Supreme Court justices’ request to scrap the pilot program initiated by Gov. Jeb Bush four years ago.”  “State opts to keep list of private attorneys“.

Road Woes

“Floridians who will see millions of their tax dollars go to roads instead of mass transportation next year can thank rental-car lobby money for that. But if the state, once again, fails to leverage $50 million of that tax money into more than $1 billion in federal mass-transit dollars, blame state legislators.”  “Why accept gridlock?“.

Gift

“Tampa Electric got a gift from the Legislature on Friday when the Senate voted to let it charge customers up front for a $1.5 billion experimental coal power plant in Polk County.”  “Tampa coal-plant measure passes“.

Not A Tax Increase

“By a 28-10 vote, the Senate on Friday embraced a tiered tuition system that would generate tens of millions of dollars in extra revenue for the University of Florida, Florida State University, and the University of South Florida.”  “Senate approves higher tuition for 3 schools“.

Huh?

“A legislative conference committee has refused, in the human services and health care appropriations bill, to include money to protect the state in the event of an avian flu pandemic. If that stands, it will make Florida the only state to turn down federal assistance to protect its people.”  “Influenza“.  See also “Public health experts urge legislators to stock antivirals to fight avian flu“.

Poor Things

“Owners of second homes in Florida feel tax squeeze“.  See also “Homestead exemption only allowed on principal residence“.

Anderson

“Financial settlements for a 14-year-old boy killed at a Florida boot camp and a wrongly imprisoned man are both halfway through the state Legislature.”  “Senate OK’s $4.8 million in beating death of teenager“.  See also “Senate passes $5 million settlement in boot camp death“, “After debate, Senate approves settlement for boot camp death“, “Senate approves $4.8 million payout in boot camp death” and “Senate OKs $5 million Anderson settlement“.

From The “Values” Crowd

“It would be unwise of the Florida Legislature to cut funding for the Medicaid safety-net program that helps cover hospital care for uninsured and charity patients. Yet this is exactly what a Senate proposal would do. … The Legislature shouldn’t shortchange poor and uninsured residents who use emergency services or the hospitals that care for them. Lawmakers should provide a safety net for the needy.”  “The neediest patients“.  See also “Cost-saving plan may cut state funding for disabled“, “Accord to cut deficit likely to cap services for some disabled people“, “Bailout could cut services to disabled” and “Budget Would Revamp Disabled Services“.

Falling Water Levels

“Bird and alligator sightings rise as water levels continue to fall“.

Today’s Florida political news and punditry; extra long edition.

Tax Debate Gets Hot

“The day began with the House making an offer that astonished the Senate by increasing the gap between the total tax cuts in the two plans.”

“This issue is not about splitting the difference,” said Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park. “This issue is about a measure of tax relief our citizens need.”

After the Senate increased its proposed tax cuts from $12 billion to $15 billion over five years Tuesday, the House responded Wednesday afternoon by hiking its proposed cuts from $44 billion to $47 billion.

“Crist offers property tax plan“.  See also “Senate Leaders Uneasy On Property Tax Swap” and “House asks for deeper prop tax cuts, Senate warns: they’re not kidding” (The House proposal also cuts to hospital districts, children’s services council ans water management districts, which previously had been exempt from the tax roll cuts. The only thing protected from cuts continue to be school districts. “)

“Under pressure to weigh in on the property tax debate, Gov. Charlie Crist outlined a plan Wednesday to cut $33.5-billion over five years without increasing sales taxes.”

The plan includes a rollback and cap on local government, doubling the $25,000 homestead exemption and allowing people to transfer Save Our Homes benefits to new homes.

“Some (lawmakers) have come to me and said, ‘A little more guidance from the executive branch might not be a bad thing,’ ” Crist said.

Two hours later, his two-page proposal was circulating in the Capitol.

“Governor’s proposal has rollback, portability, no sales hike“.

“Instead of replacing resident homeowners’ tax bills with a higher sales tax, the governor wants to roll back tax rates for all property owners by $3.9 billion this fall. Crist’s office estimates that would deliver an average of $340 relief to homeowners this year and $1,987 over five years.”

Next year, he wants to double the homestead exemption to $50,000 - or even triple it by a local option election.

The rollback would amount to $27.2 billion over five years. The plan also includes a statewide election to create Save Our Homes portability that would phase in over three years and boost the total five-year tax reduction to $33.5 million.

Besides allowing longtime homeowners to take their Save Our Homes discounts with them when they move, Crist wants to give a 25-percent assessment discount to first-time homebuyers.

Senate Finance and Tax Chairman Mike Haridopolos said Crist’s new plan closely resembled where the Senate wanted to go.

“Crist proposes tax compromise“.  “Under the plan, the average homeowner would save $340 the first year, growing to as much as $1,700 by the fifth year, Crist’s staff said.”  “Crist offers tax-cut compromise“.  See also “Crist offers own version of tax plan“, “Crist’s property tax plan” and “Crist proposes plan that would cut 12% from property tax bills in first year“.

“But Crist’s plan, delivered to legislative leaders by his staff, had little immediate effect. House and Senate members remained at a standoff late Wednesday after three days of meetings.”

‘’We’re farther apart than we were before,'’ grumbled Rep. Jack Seiler, a Wilton Manors Democrat, after a late-night negotiating conference dissolved in discord.

The only agreement: They will meet again today — though they didn’t even set a time.

“Crist: Meet halfway on taxes“.  See also “And with that, we stand adjourned” (”Webster acknowledged the stalemate but flashed a smile and said: ‘Yeah, but I think they’re going to drop like a rock.’”) and “Crist seeks compromise on property tax relief” (”Crist needs House and Senate leaders to get along, and that seems unlikely as billions of dollars and dogmatic differences made agreement difficult.”)

Here’s a look at the personal dynamics underlying the dispute:  “Tax swap runs into words of caution” (”the political paths of Rubio and Webster are intersecting in dramatic fashion over property taxes.”)  The Rubio-Crist relationship isn’t faring well either: “Rubio told listeners on Spanish-language radio in Miami Wednesday night that he was ‘upset with the governor’ for proposing a property tax plan earlier in the day that doesn’t reduce taxes enough.” “Rubio fires back at Crist on radio show“.

And where was Charlie during this eventful day? “Crist took his efforts to drum up public support for a property tax cut on the road again Wednesday, this time drawing 100 real estate agents, landlords and second-home owners who said local governments need to cut their spending.”  “Crist rallies for property tax cut plan“.  And here’s a taste of Crist’s advocacy skills; for those “county and city government officials who want to tell Gov. Charlie Crist that cutting property taxes will mean fewer cops and fire fighters”, here’s  Charlie’s carefully crafted disputation: “‘Nobody’s going to do that. That’s insane.’”.  “Crist Calls It “Insane”“.

While Tallahassee dithers, the St Pete Times editors offer this advice: “Five steps to sensible property tax relief“.  The Sun-Sentinel editorial board contends “Crist ought to advocate rolling back property taxes now, and leave the more complicated matters to the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.”  “State Revenue“. 

The Orlando Sentinel editors observe that “negotiations between the Senate and House on two wildly different tax-cut plans have gotten nowhere. They do little to fix inequities in Florida’s property-tax system, which gives longtime homeowners a big break while their new neighbors pay much more for the same services. Nor are they closer to preventing local governments from enjoying huge spikes in their budgets simply because of a run-up in property values, as Florida has seen in the past four years.”

Crist is also insisting that homeowners be allowed to take their low property-tax assessment with them when they buy new homes. That would result in even more people paying disproportionately low property taxes.

Just as we feared, leaders are slamming together a tax-cut plan that will impact Floridians and reshape city and county budgets for years to come.

That’s not good leadership. The House, in particular, would rush a plan before voters to eliminate most property taxes on homes and raise the state sales tax.

“Go halfway“.

Day 32

“Legislature: Day 32 at a glance“.  See also the Miami Herald’s “Legislature” update.  More: “Time’s running out, bills are dying, but chambers still dawdle“.

Feeney Follies

“Rep. Tom Feeney has insisted for years that he didn’t know convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff paid for their luxury golfing trip to Scotland in 2003.”

But an e-mail obtained by the St. Petersburg Times on Wednesday shows that Abramoff’s office sent specific instructions on how to report the trip expenses to a handful of people, including Feeney’s congressional assistant.”

“E-mail details false trip data“.  See also “Feeney paid far less than Scotland trip was worth, documents show“. 

On a related note, The Buzz reports:

Jason Roe, Rep. Tom Feeney’s former chief of staff, abruptly resigned from Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign. It came after the St. Petersburg Times reported the FBI was seeking an email Roe sent the newspaper about Feeney and convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Roe’s wife, Patricia, did some fundraising work for Feeney before becoming chief of staff to Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Arizona. Last week, federal investigators raided Renzi’s wife’s office in a scandal unrelated to Abramoff. This week, Renzi resigned from his House committees.

“Roes in the spotlight for different scandals“.

Meanwhile, “Republican leaders stand behind Feeney“.

Early Primary Punishment

“Not only will Florida be punished if it moves up its presidential primary before Feb. 5, but any Democratic candidate who steps foot in the state will be too, Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean said Wednesday. … The Republican National Committee has threatened to take similar actions if the primary is moved before Feb. 5.”  “Dean says early primary will cost state party“.

But It Is Not A “Tax” Increase

“Tens of thousands of students who expect free tuition at three of Florida’s largest state universities under the Bright Futures scholarships would have to pay additional tuition — as much as $1,000 a year — under an overhaul plan moving through the Legislature.”  “University tuition increase proposed“.  See also “Proposals to Increase Tuition“.

The Tampa Tribune editors: “For as much as he gets right, Gov. Charlie Crist is wrong to believe that Florida universities best serve citizens by maintaining the lowest tuition in the country.”  “Crist Should Set Moon-Shot Goal To Raise Prestige Of Universities“.

” Unregulated Insurance Companies”

“Unregulated insurance companies could sell Medicare supplemental coverage in Florida under legislation being questioned by Gov. Charlie Crist.”  “Senate decides to reconsider measure on Medigap plans“.  See also “Senate decides to reconsider measure on Medigap plans“.

“Shocking News”

The Hill: “Shocking news out of Florida! Nearly nine months after Rep. Robert Wexler (D) said that cocaine and prostitutes are fun things to do, someone wants to take the lawmaker’s job. Imagine that!  No one in the political world has forgotten Wexler’s comments to Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert last summer, especially Democrat Ben Graber, who announced last week he is challenging the sixth-term incumbent in the 2008 primary.”  “Wexler cocaine comment may haunt him” (via Naked Politics’ “Is the joke on Wexler?“)

“Crisis”

“Blamed for improper cost estimates and for hiding numbers, the agency serving develop- mentally disabled people is in crisis — and the most needy might pay the price.”  “Agency for disabled people falls into ‘crisis’“.  More: “Home care at risk“.

Soto

“Soto’s victory means Democrats have picked up eight House seats since last year. The Republicans still hold a 78-42 majority.”  “Darren Soto sworn in to Florida House“.  See also “Another Democrat in the House” (”Just under 10 percent of the district’s 77,188 voters cast ballots in the race, which means it’s hard to draw any sweeping conclusions about which party could be making inroads with Hispanics (who make up half the district’s voters).”)

On The Cheap

“If Florida is aiming this year to lower the quality of its public universities, politicians are on the right track. Former university chancellor Charles Reed once used Latin to describe what he viewed as the state’s attitude toward higher education: Humiles sumus et quoque superbi, or, ‘We’re cheap, and we’re proud of it.’ His motto fairly characterizes this year’s effort so far.”  “Too cheap for too long“.

Hurricane Mitigation

“A popular hurricane mitigation program [My Safe Florida Home] may offer half as much grant money or about four times as many free hurricane inspections in coming weeks, depending on what the state Legislature decides.”  “Changes To Storm Grants In Wind“.  See also “Relief bill gets House panel OK“.

Brilliant Mistake

“After two terms of Jeb Bush in the Florida governor’s mansion and two terms of George W. Bush in the White House, abstinence groups have gotten a big funding boost and entr e into public schools.”

And what has it gotten us?

More abortions than ever in Florida and Broward.

“Best way to stop abortion is honest sex education“.

He’s Baaack

“T. Willard Fair, an ally of former Gov. Jeb Bush, is the new face of opposition to proposals like one championed by President Bush to allow undocumented immigrants to gain citizenship.”  “Activist opposes amnesty push“.

“Scaled-down back-to-school sales tax holiday”

“Florida parents of schoolchildren may sense the state’s budget pinch this summer after the Legislature’s Wednesday approval of a scaled-down back-to-school sales tax holiday.”  “Legislators scale back school sales tax holiday, schedule it for Aug. 4-13“.  See also “Sales tax holidays returning” and “Sales-tax holiday approved“.  On a related note, “Shoppers may get more breaks“.

Laff Riot

“Former Gov. Jeb Bush got a prime-time endorsement for president in the little-noted fictional character demographic.  Eccentric and lavishly conservative Denny Crane — played to the hilt by William Shatner on the ABC drama “Boston Legal” — Tuesday declared his preference to occupy the White House in 2008.  ‘Jeb!’ Shatner’s Crane exclaimed.”  “Denny Crane! endorses Jeb!“

Charters Not A Good Choice?

FCAT scores: “Most of the charters did not fare as well. The passing rates among charter school students - 72 percent for elementaries, 83 percent for middle and 73 percent for high schools - are well below district and statewide percentages.”  “At charters, scores on FCAT produce cheers, frustration“.

Paid Sick Leave … Oh, The Horror!

“In Washington and Tallahassee, a handful of politicians are proposing new laws that would require many employers to provide six weeks of paid sick leave for their workers.”  The less than surprising response from folks who don’t lose a penny when they happen to be sick (after all, “Sick leave is a fairly common benefit in white-collar work environments, but it’s much harder to find in service industries, such as hospitality, retail and food service, which are major employers in Florida”) is the usual whining:

business owners and advocates are gearing up to challenge the proposals, saying they would hinder profits, productivity and entrepreneurship.

Is it really the end of the world as the Chamber of Commerce types would have us believe?

- According to “The Work, Family & Equality Index,” released this year by the Institute for Health and Social Policy at McGill University, at least 145 countries provide paid sick days. Of these countries, 136 provide at least one week’s worth of paid sick leave.

- The National Partnership for Women & Families, a nonprofit organization that supports paid sick leave for American workers, says 48 percent of all full-time private sector workers have no paid sick leave. The group says lower paid workers are most affected: nearly 80 percent of all low wage workers have no paid sick leave, and 41 percent of all workers with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty line have no paid leave whatsoever. …

Outside the United States, paid sick leave is customary in industrialized nations. In Germany, for example, workers receive up to six weeks of paid sick leave a year.

In Florida,

Sen. Frederica S. Wilson, D-Miami, has introduced the Healthy Workers, Healthy Family Act, which calls for 6 days of paid sick leave for full-time workers at companies with 10 or more employees, and 3 days for workers at smaller businesses. Workers would be able to use their paid sick leave to take care of family members.

Wilson said her bill is a “win-win” for workers and employers.

“It’s clear that everyone, at some point in their working career, has a bout with sickness - or has a bout with family sickness - and they have to be absent,” Wilson said.

If sick employees come to work, they may become sicker or contaminate other workers, she said. However, many times those employees must go to work “because they can’t afford not to come to work,” she said.

Wilson’s message to critics: “Everything is a burden in life, but as you work through this process and you assure these people are really sick, and not taking advantage of it - which we know most people will not - we don’t think it will be such a big burden.”

“Sick Pay Debate Intensifies“.

Reptiles

“Worried about nonnative reptiles that are establishing their own colonies in Florida’s welcoming hot climate, state lawmakers are about to establish a $100-a-year license that would be required for anyone owning a ‘reptile of concern’ that could hurt the state’s environment or humans if it gets loose.”  “Nonnative lizards, snakes a worry for state“.

Don Can’t Help It

“House: Illegal immigrant children should be eligible for KidCare“.  See also “House-approved KidCare plan would revamp, simplify process“.  “Among those voting against the bill: Rep. Don Brown, a Republican from DeFuniak Springs, who didn’t like that the bill extended coverage to illegal immigrant children.”  “Don Brown and illegal immigrants, Part 2“.

Tallahassee … We Have A Problem

Even columnists who profess that “it feels good to kill some people” recognize the Florida’s system of killing human beings has problems:

The Death Penalty Information Center, a nonprofit group that tracks capital cases, lists 123 death-row inmates who were pardoned, had their conviction overturned, were acquitted at retrial or had all charges dropped, dating back to 1973. Twenty-two were from Florida.

It raises the question of how many innocent people have been executed. Given Southern justice and defendants of color, rest assured the answer is more than none.

“Death penalty sometimes goes dead wrong“.

On a related subject, “Florida has seen its share of high-profile exonerations after the Legislature provided for DNA testing in cases that appeared to have been resolved. But state officials haven’t delved into the circumstances behind those convictions.  Look at exonerations, and a clear, disturbing pattern emerges.”  “Innocents under lock“.  And then there is Mr. Crotzer.  “The state took away 24 years of Crotzer’s life — put him in prison for rapes he did not commit.”

There’s no way to give him back his youth, but the state can and should compensate him. The $1.2 million sum proposed seems miserly in contrast to the great injustice done.

But even more pitiful is the Legislature’s refusal to spare the dignity of wronged innocents like Crotzer, by stalling legislation that would make compensation automatic for those found to have been wrongfully convicted. …

There are no clear fingerprints on the knife that gutted the compensation bill, but one thing is obvious: Some lawmaker or lawmakers have cause to be ashamed.

“Wrongly convicted, restored“.

Whatever

“Senate Conference Room Named For Jennings“.

Nelson

“Sen. Bill Nelson is planning a trip to Sudan in May, his Washington office announced this afternoon.”  “Nelson planning trip to Sudan“.

Energy Bill

“The Florida House unanimously passed an energy bill Wednesday that would provide sales tax exemptions for the purchase of hybrid vehicles and require state and local governments to construct energy-efficient buildings.”  “House unanimously approves energy bill“.  See also “Energy bill passes House unanimously“, “House bill gives tax breaks for being green” and “House OKs tax break for hybrids“.

‘Glades

“Once again, money for the $1.37 billion cleanup of the Indian River Lagoon seems tantalizingly close. But with the Bush administration opposing the Water Resources Development Act, which the U.S. House just approved 394-25, the project still is far from certain. In March, a Senate committee approved a similar bill, which awaits approval by the full Senate.”  “Keep Everglades promise“.

Anderson

The Palm Beach Post editors: “Boot camp death: Pay up“.

Coal

“Funding for a $1.5-billion coal-gasification plant stalled Wednesday after the sponsor of a Senate bill submitted a sweeping, last-minute amendment critics fear could harm the environment.”  “Tampa Electric’s bill stalls“.

“New Criteria”

“New standards for Florida’s public school students were given tentative approval Wednesday in the state House, but the bill’s outcome in the Senate was less clear.  A top priority of House Speaker Marco Rubio, the bill would require additional training for teachers and more foreign language classes for students, while other measures would be set by the state Board of Education.”  “House passes new criteria in education“.

FAMU

“Florida’s top auditor is taking issue with claims by interim Florida A&M University president Castell Bryant that she never requested an internal review by the school’s inspector general, who was later fired.”  “FAMU audit takes issue with interim president“.

“Wishful Thinking

“With the regular legislative session ending next week, it appears as if retired state workers, even more than those still actively employed by Florida government, are like Rodney Dangerfield.”

They can’t get any respect from lawmakers, despite having a champion who does get respect from Republicans and Democrats alike.

Sen. Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, was hopeful early this year that legislation he and Rep. Bob Allen, R-Merritt Island, are sponsoring to modestly raise health-insurance subsidies for state retirees would get a fair hearing from their colleagues and perhaps even pass.

Now it appears that Mr. Lawson, a seasoned legislator and longtime supporter of state employees, was engaged in wishful thinking.

Who can blame him for his earlier optimism? After all, a new wind seemed to be blowing in the Capitol, with a new governor who professes reverence for public service and a different tone in the political conversation.

“Discards“.

Charlie Hearts Dems

“Crist accepted an invitation to meet with House Democrats on their turf Wednesday, offering further evidence of the changed political atmosphere in Florida.”  “Charlie and the Democrats“.

McCarty Mess

“As Gov. Charlie Crist continues to support the state’s insurance commissioner, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink is pushing to broaden an investigation being conducted by her office.”  “Insurance chief faces broader investigation“.

Another “Jeb!” Legacy

“A former regional director of Florida’s prison system was sentenced Wednesday to two years and seven months in prison for his role in accepting $130,000 in kickbacks from a contractor.”  “Prisons director gets 31 months“.

McCain

Adam Smith: “McCain seeks a fresh start“.

Today’s Florida political news and punditry; extra long edition.

Tax Debate Gets Hot

“The day began with the House making an offer that astonished the Senate by increasing the gap between the total tax cuts in the two plans.”

“This issue is not about splitting the difference,” said Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park. “This issue is about a measure of tax relief our citizens need.”

After the Senate increased its proposed tax cuts from $12 billion to $15 billion over five years Tuesday, the House responded Wednesday afternoon by hiking its proposed cuts from $44 billion to $47 billion.

“Crist offers property tax plan“.  See also “Senate Leaders Uneasy On Property Tax Swap” and “House asks for deeper prop tax cuts, Senate warns: they’re not kidding” (The House proposal also cuts to hospital districts, children’s services council ans water management districts, which previously had been exempt from the tax roll cuts. The only thing protected from cuts continue to be school districts. “)

“Under pressure to weigh in on the property tax debate, Gov. Charlie Crist outlined a plan Wednesday to cut $33.5-billion over five years without increasing sales taxes.”

The plan includes a rollback and cap on local government, doubling the $25,000 homestead exemption and allowing people to transfer Save Our Homes benefits to new homes.

“Some (lawmakers) have come to me and said, ‘A little more guidance from the executive branch might not be a bad thing,’ ” Crist said.

Two hours later, his two-page proposal was circulating in the Capitol.

“Governor’s proposal has rollback, portability, no sales hike“.

“Instead of replacing resident homeowners’ tax bills with a higher sales tax, the governor wants to roll back tax rates for all property owners by $3.9 billion this fall. Crist’s office estimates that would deliver an average of $340 relief to homeowners this year and $1,987 over five years.”

Next year, he wants to double the homestead exemption to $50,000 - or even triple it by a local option election.

The rollback would amount to $27.2 billion over five years. The plan also includes a statewide election to create Save Our Homes portability that would phase in over three years and boost the total five-year tax reduction to $33.5 million.

Besides allowing longtime homeowners to take their Save Our Homes discounts with them when they move, Crist wants to give a 25-percent assessment discount to first-time homebuyers.

Senate Finance and Tax Chairman Mike Haridopolos said Crist’s new plan closely resembled where the Senate wanted to go.

“Crist proposes tax compromise“.  “Under the plan, the average homeowner would save $340 the first year, growing to as much as $1,700 by the fifth year, Crist’s staff said.”  “Crist offers tax-cut compromise“.  See also “Crist offers own version of tax plan“, “Crist’s property tax plan” and “Crist proposes plan that would cut 12% from property tax bills in first year“.

“But Crist’s plan, delivered to legislative leaders by his staff, had little immediate effect. House and Senate members remained at a standoff late Wednesday after three days of meetings.”

‘’We’re farther apart than we were before,'’ grumbled Rep. Jack Seiler, a Wilton Manors Democrat, after a late-night negotiating conference dissolved in discord.

The only agreement: They will meet again today — though they didn’t even set a time.

“Crist: Meet halfway on taxes“.  See also “And with that, we stand adjourned” (”Webster acknowledged the stalemate but flashed a smile and said: ‘Yeah, but I think they’re going to drop like a rock.’”) and “Crist seeks compromise on property tax relief” (”Crist needs House and Senate leaders to get along, and that seems unlikely as billions of dollars and dogmatic differences made agreement difficult.”)

Here’s a look at the personal dynamics underlying the dispute:  “Tax swap runs into words of caution” (”the political paths of Rubio and Webster are intersecting in dramatic fashion over property taxes.”)  The Rubio-Crist relationship isn’t faring well either: “Rubio told listeners on Spanish-language radio in Miami Wednesday night that he was ‘upset with the governor’ for proposing a property tax plan earlier in the day that doesn’t reduce taxes enough.” “Rubio fires back at Crist on radio show“.

And where was Charlie during this eventful day? “Crist took his efforts to drum up public support for a property tax cut on the road again Wednesday, this time drawing 100 real estate agents, landlords and second-home owners who said local governments need to cut their spending.”  “Crist rallies for property tax cut plan“.  And here’s a taste of Crist’s advocacy skills; for those “county and city government officials who want to tell Gov. Charlie Crist that cutting property taxes will mean fewer cops and fire fighters”, here’s  Charlie’s carefully crafted disputation: “‘Nobody’s going to do that. That’s insane.’”.  “Crist Calls It “Insane”“.

While Tallahassee dithers, the St Pete Times editors offer this advice: “Five steps to sensible property tax relief“.  The Sun-Sentinel editorial board contends “Crist ought to advocate rolling back property taxes now, and leave the more complicated matters to the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.”  “State Revenue“. 

The Orlando Sentinel editors observe that “negotiations between the Senate and House on two wildly different tax-cut plans have gotten nowhere. They do little to fix inequities in Florida’s property-tax system, which gives longtime homeowners a big break while their new neighbors pay much more for the same services. Nor are they closer to preventing local governments from enjoying huge spikes in their budgets simply because of a run-up in property values, as Florida has seen in the past four years.”

Crist is also insisting that homeowners be allowed to take their low property-tax assessment with them when they buy new homes. That would result in even more people paying disproportionately low property taxes.

Just as we feared, leaders are slamming together a tax-cut plan that will impact Floridians and reshape city and county budgets for years to come.

That’s not good leadership. The House, in particular, would rush a plan before voters to eliminate most property taxes on homes and raise the state sales tax.

“Go halfway“.

Day 32

“Legislature: Day 32 at a glance“.  See also the Miami Herald’s “Legislature” update.  More: “Time’s running out, bills are dying, but chambers still dawdle“.

Feeney Follies

“Rep. Tom Feeney has insisted for years that he didn’t know convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff paid for their luxury golfing trip to Scotland in 2003.”

But an e-mail obtained by the St. Petersburg Times on Wednesday shows that Abramoff’s office sent specific instructions on how to report the trip expenses to a handful of people, including Feeney’s congressional assistant.”

“E-mail details false trip data“.  See also “Feeney paid far less than Scotland trip was worth, documents show“. 

On a related note, The Buzz reports:

Jason Roe, Rep. Tom Feeney’s former chief of staff, abruptly resigned from Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign. It came after the St. Petersburg Times reported the FBI was seeking an email Roe sent the newspaper about Feeney and convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Roe’s wife, Patricia, did some fundraising work for Feeney before becoming chief of staff to Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Arizona. Last week, federal investigators raided Renzi’s wife’s office in a scandal unrelated to Abramoff. This week, Renzi resigned from his House committees.

“Roes in the spotlight for different scandals“.

Meanwhile, “Republican leaders stand behind Feeney“.

Early Primary Punishment

“Not only will Florida be punished if it moves up its presidential primary before Feb. 5, but any Democratic candidate who steps foot in the state will be too, Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean said Wednesday. … The Republican National Committee has threatened to take similar actions if the primary is moved before Feb. 5.”  “Dean says early primary will cost state party“.

But It Is Not A “Tax” Increase

“Tens of thousands of students who expect free tuition at three of Florida’s largest state universities under the Bright Futures scholarships would have to pay additional tuition — as much as $1,000 a year — under an overhaul plan moving through the Legislature.”  “University tuition increase proposed“.  See also “Proposals to Increase Tuition“.

The Tampa Tribune editors: “For as much as he gets right, Gov. Charlie Crist is wrong to believe that Florida universities best serve citizens by maintaining the lowest tuition in the country.”  “Crist Should Set Moon-Shot Goal To Raise Prestige Of Universities“.

” Unregulated Insurance Companies”

“Unregulated insurance companies could sell Medicare supplemental coverage in Florida under legislation being questioned by Gov. Charlie Crist.”  “Senate decides to reconsider measure on Medigap plans“.  See also “Senate decides to reconsider measure on Medigap plans“.

“Shocking News”

The Hill: “Shocking news out of Florida! Nearly nine months after Rep. Robert Wexler (D) said that cocaine and prostitutes are fun things to do, someone wants to take the lawmaker’s job. Imagine that!  No one in the political world has forgotten Wexler’s comments to Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert last summer, especially Democrat Ben Graber, who announced last week he is challenging the sixth-term incumbent in the 2008 primary.”  “Wexler cocaine comment may haunt him” (via Naked Politics’ “Is the joke on Wexler?“)

“Crisis”

“Blamed for improper cost estimates and for hiding numbers, the agency serving develop- mentally disabled people is in crisis — and the most needy might pay the price.”  “Agency for disabled people falls into ‘crisis’“.  More: “Home care at risk“.

Soto

“Soto’s victory means Democrats have picked up eight House seats since last year. The Republicans still hold a 78-42 majority.”  “Darren Soto sworn in to Florida House“.  See also “Another Democrat in the House” (”Just under 10 percent of the district’s 77,188 voters cast ballots in the race, which means it’s hard to draw any sweeping conclusions about which party could be making inroads with Hispanics (who make up half the district’s voters).”)

On The Cheap

“If Florida is aiming this year to lower the quality of its public universities, politicians are on the right track. Former university chancellor Charles Reed once used Latin to describe what he viewed as the state’s attitude toward higher education: Humiles sumus et quoque superbi, or, ‘We’re cheap, and we’re proud of it.’ His motto fairly characterizes this year’s effort so far.”  “Too cheap for too long“.

Hurricane Mitigation

“A popular hurricane mitigation program [My Safe Florida Home] may offer half as much grant money or about four times as many free hurricane inspections in coming weeks, depending on what the state Legislature decides.”  “Changes To Storm Grants In Wind“.  See also “Relief bill gets House panel OK“.

Brilliant Mistake

“After two terms of Jeb Bush in the Florida governor’s mansion and two terms of George W. Bush in the White House, abstinence groups have gotten a big funding boost and entr e into public schools.”

And what has it gotten us?

More abortions than ever in Florida and Broward.

“Best way to stop abortion is honest sex education“.

He’s Baaack

“T. Willard Fair, an ally of former Gov. Jeb Bush, is the new face of opposition to proposals like one championed by President Bush to allow undocumented immigrants to gain citizenship.”  “Activist opposes amnesty push“.

“Scaled-down back-to-school sales tax holiday”

“Florida parents of schoolchildren may sense the state’s budget pinch this summer after the Legislature’s Wednesday approval of a scaled-down back-to-school sales tax holiday.”  “Legislators scale back school sales tax holiday, schedule it for Aug. 4-13“.  See also “Sales tax holidays returning” and “Sales-tax holiday approved“.  On a related note, “Shoppers may get more breaks“.

Laff Riot

“Former Gov. Jeb Bush got a prime-time endorsement for president in the little-noted fictional character demographic.  Eccentric and lavishly conservative Denny Crane — played to the hilt by William Shatner on the ABC drama “Boston Legal” — Tuesday declared his preference to occupy the White House in 2008.  ‘Jeb!’ Shatner’s Crane exclaimed.”  “Denny Crane! endorses Jeb!“

Charters Not A Good Choice?

FCAT scores: “Most of the charters did not fare as well. The passing rates among charter school students - 72 percent for elementaries, 83 percent for middle and 73 percent for high schools - are well below district and statewide percentages.”  “At charters, scores on FCAT produce cheers, frustration“.

Paid Sick Leave … Oh, The Horror!

“In Washington and Tallahassee, a handful of politicians are proposing new laws that would require many employers to provide six weeks of paid sick leave for their workers.”  The less than surprising response from folks who don’t lose a penny when they happen to be sick (after all, “Sick leave is a fairly common benefit in white-collar work environments, but it’s much harder to find in service industries, such as hospitality, retail and food service, which are major employers in Florida”) is the usual whining:

business owners and advocates are gearing up to challenge the proposals, saying they would hinder profits, productivity and entrepreneurship.

Is it really the end of the world as the Chamber of Commerce types would have us believe?

- According to “The Work, Family & Equality Index,” released this year by the Institute for Health and Social Policy at McGill University, at least 145 countries provide paid sick days. Of these countries, 136 provide at least one week’s worth of paid sick leave.

- The National Partnership for Women & Families, a nonprofit organization that supports paid sick leave for American workers, says 48 percent of all full-time private sector workers have no paid sick leave. The group says lower paid workers are most affected: nearly 80 percent of all low wage workers have no paid sick leave, and 41 percent of all workers with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty line have no paid leave whatsoever. …

Outside the United States, paid sick leave is customary in industrialized nations. In Germany, for example, workers receive up to six weeks of paid sick leave a year.

In Florida,

Sen. Frederica S. Wilson, D-Miami, has introduced the Healthy Workers, Healthy Family Act, which calls for 6 days of paid sick leave for full-time workers at companies with 10 or more employees, and 3 days for workers at smaller businesses. Workers would be able to use their paid sick leave to take care of family members.

Wilson said her bill is a “win-win” for workers and employers.

“It’s clear that everyone, at some point in their working career, has a bout with sickness - or has a bout with family sickness - and they have to be absent,” Wilson said.

If sick employees come to work, they may become sicker or contaminate other workers, she said. However, many times those employees must go to work “because they can’t afford not to come to work,” she said.

Wilson’s message to critics: “Everything is a burden in life, but as you work through this process and you assure these people are really sick, and not taking advantage of it - which we know most people will not - we don’t think it will be such a big burden.”

“Sick Pay Debate Intensifies“.

Reptiles

“Worried about nonnative reptiles that are establishing their own colonies in Florida’s welcoming hot climate, state lawmakers are about to establish a $100-a-year license that would be required for anyone owning a ‘reptile of concern’ that could hurt the state’s environment or humans if it gets loose.”  “Nonnative lizards, snakes a worry for state“.

Don Can’t Help It

“House: Illegal immigrant children should be eligible for KidCare“.  See also “House-approved KidCare plan would revamp, simplify process“.  “Among those voting against the bill: Rep. Don Brown, a Republican from DeFuniak Springs, who didn’t like that the bill extended coverage to illegal immigrant children.”  “Don Brown and illegal immigrants, Part 2“.

Tallahassee … We Have A Problem

Even columnists who profess that “it feels good to kill some people” recognize the Florida’s system of killing human beings has problems:

The Death Penalty Information Center, a nonprofit group that tracks capital cases, lists 123 death-row inmates who were pardoned, had their conviction overturned, were acquitted at retrial or had all charges dropped, dating back to 1973. Twenty-two were from Florida.

It raises the question of how many innocent people have been executed. Given Southern justice and defendants of color, rest assured the answer is more than none.

“Death penalty sometimes goes dead wrong“.

On a related subject, “Florida has seen its share of high-profile exonerations after the Legislature provided for DNA testing in cases that appeared to have been resolved. But state officials haven’t delved into the circumstances behind those convictions.  Look at exonerations, and a clear, disturbing pattern emerges.”  “Innocents under lock“.  And then there is Mr. Crotzer.  “The state took away 24 years of Crotzer’s life — put him in prison for rapes he did not commit.”

There’s no way to give him back his youth, but the state can and should compensate him. The $1.2 million sum proposed seems miserly in contrast to the great injustice done.

But even more pitiful is the Legislature’s refusal to spare the dignity of wronged innocents like Crotzer, by stalling legislation that would make compensation automatic for those found to have been wrongfully convicted. …

There are no clear fingerprints on the knife that gutted the compensation bill, but one thing is obvious: Some lawmaker or lawmakers have cause to be ashamed.

“Wrongly convicted, restored“.

Whatever

“Senate Conference Room Named For Jennings“.

Nelson

“Sen. Bill Nelson is planning a trip to Sudan in May, his Washington office announced this afternoon.”  “Nelson planning trip to Sudan“.

Energy Bill

“The Florida House unanimously passed an energy bill Wednesday that would provide sales tax exemptions for the purchase of hybrid vehicles and require state and local governments to construct energy-efficient buildings.”  “House unanimously approves energy bill“.  See also “Energy bill passes House unanimously“, “House bill gives tax breaks for being green” and “House OKs tax break for hybrids“.

‘Glades

“Once again, money for the $1.37 billion cleanup of the Indian River Lagoon seems tantalizingly close. But with the Bush administration opposing the Water Resources Development Act, which the U.S. House just approved 394-25, the project still is far from certain. In March, a Senate committee approved a similar bill, which awaits approval by the full Senate.”  “Keep Everglades promise“.

Anderson

The Palm Beach Post editors: “Boot camp death: Pay up“.

Coal

“Funding for a $1.5-billion coal-gasification plant stalled Wednesday after the sponsor of a Senate bill submitted a sweeping, last-minute amendment critics fear could harm the environment.”  “Tampa Electric’s bill stalls“.

“New Criteria”

“New standards for Florida’s public school students were given tentative approval Wednesday in the state House, but the bill’s outcome in the Senate was less clear.  A top priority of House Speaker Marco Rubio, the bill would require additional training for teachers and more foreign language classes for students, while other measures would be set by the state Board of Education.”  “House passes new criteria in education“.

FAMU

“Florida’s top auditor is taking issue with claims by interim Florida A&M University president Castell Bryant that she never requested an internal review by the school’s inspector general, who was later fired.”  “FAMU audit takes issue with interim president“.

“Wishful Thinking

“With the regular legislative session ending next week, it appears as if retired state workers, even more than those still actively employed by Florida government, are like Rodney Dangerfield.”

They can’t get any respect from lawmakers, despite having a champion who does get respect from Republicans and Democrats alike.

Sen. Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, was hopeful early this year that legislation he and Rep. Bob Allen, R-Merritt Island, are sponsoring to modestly raise health-insurance subsidies for state retirees would get a fair hearing from their colleagues and perhaps even pass.

Now it appears that Mr. Lawson, a seasoned legislator and longtime supporter of state employees, was engaged in wishful thinking.

Who can blame him for his earlier optimism? After all, a new wind seemed to be blowing in the Capitol, with a new governor who professes reverence for public service and a different tone in the political conversation.

“Discards“.

Charlie Hearts Dems

“Crist accepted an invitation to meet with House Democrats on their turf Wednesday, offering further evidence of the changed political atmosphere in Florida.”  “Charlie and the Democrats“.

McCarty Mess

“As Gov. Charlie Crist continues to support the state’s insurance commissioner, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink is pushing to broaden an investigation being conducted by her office.”  “Insurance chief faces broader investigation“.

Another “Jeb!” Legacy

“A former regional director of Florida’s prison system was sentenced Wednesday to two years and seven months in prison for his role in accepting $130,000 in kickbacks from a contractor.”  “Prisons director gets 31 months“.

McCain

Adam Smith: “McCain seeks a fresh start“.

Remember, It’s Your Turn to Help Make Auditable Elections A Reality!  Now, today’s Florida political news and punditry, in slightly truncated form.

Dems Take HD 49 Special Election
In a battle of Orlando attorneys, Soto edged Republican Anthony Suarez in a special election for the District 49 seat. Soto had 52 percent of the vote in what political observers saw as a chance for both parties to assert their strength before the 2008 election cycle.” “Soto captures seat in House to buoy Dems“.  See also “Soto’s triumph” (”Darren Soto can expect a hero’s welcome from his fellow Democrats when he arrives in Tallahassee following his victory Tuesday.”)

GOPers Undermine Election Reform

“With just days left in the legislative session, a push to switch Florida to paper ballots is suddenly coming under fire from Democrats, who were previously in favor of the proposal.”

That’s because Senate Republicans added several controversial provisions Tuesday to a bill that sets aside $27.8 million to replace the touch-screen voting machines now used in 15 counties, including Miami-Dade and Broward. The legislation also calls for moving next year’s state presidential primary to Jan. 29, which is before most other states in the country.

‘’We have taken a good cleanup of election systems and made it a political bill,'’ complained Sen. Gwen Margolis, an Aventura Democrat.

And precisely what did the GOPers do?

The Senate added provisions that would impose fines against third-party groups that register voters and do not quickly turn over forms to election officials. A similar law passed in 2005 but was struck down by a court and remains on appeal. Officials with the League of Women Voters complained that if the current measure becomes law, it would force the group to halt voter registration efforts in Florida.

Another provision would allow people who sign petitions to revoke their signatures, a move aimed at groups that have pushed constitutional amendments onto the ballot in recent years.

“Republicans’ add-ons may put paper-ballots bill in jeopardy“.  See also “Changes drive backers from vote bill” and Changes drive backers from vote bill.

Tally Ticker

“2007 Legislature roundup“  See also “Tallahassee Ticker“.

“One lawmaker calls failed talks embarrassing”

“The terse, icy end of Tuesday’s bargaining session drove home the reality that the House and Senate are miles apart on tax relief, and they are running out of time.”  “House, Senate remain far apart on tax relief” (”A breakdown could be to House Speaker Marco Rubio’s advantage if he is seen as the leader demanding the deepest cuts in local spending compared with the Senate’s more surgical approach.”)  See also “Senate Ups Tax-Cut Offer” (”Senate property-tax negotiators upped their tax-slashing offer Tuesday evening to $15.3 billion — a roughly $3 billion increase in the dollars they’re now looking to shave”), “Property tax talks deadlock, sales tax hike sticking point“, “Senate says: Drop sales tax hike” and “Tensions Rise in Prop Tax Talks“.

Meanwhile, Charlie has left the building: “With House and Senate negotiators deadlocked over property tax reform, Gov. Charlie Crist and his top lieutenant travel the state today to demand action.”  “Crist continues to push for tax reform“.

“Public Corruption Case”

The Feeney story continues: “FBI asks Florida’s Feeney about Abramoff“.  And here’s a new development:

New court documents released Tuesday show Abramoff’s expenses for the luxury trip averaged about $20,000 per person for each of the eight people who went, not the $5,000 Feeney estimated in the travel report he filed in Congress. …

Zachares had said the trip was paid for by a conservative think tank, the National Center for Public Policy Research, that it had cost $5,643 and that the purpose was fact finding. All three were lies, according to the documents.

Feeney, 48, an Orlando-area Republican who has been contacted by the FBI as part of the Abramoff investigation, reported precisely the same details in his travel report on the Scotland trip.

Feeney has insisted he didn’t know Abramoff covered the cost of the trip, which is a violation of House rules.

“Cost hidden for Feeney trip“.

This is curious: last night, “Jason Roe abruptly resigned as [Feeney’s] deputy campaign manager, the National Journal is reporting”.  “Feeney’s former aide resigns“.  More: “Ex-House aide pleads guilty in lobbyist probe“.

You Would Think …

You would think that this story might have mentioned that Crosby was appointed by “Jeb!”  But no.  “Ex-prisons boss sentenced to eight years” (”The ex-chief of the state’s prison system was given an eight-year federal prison term on Tuesday for taking kickbacks from a contractor.”)  See also “Ex-prison boss gets 8 years behind bars” and “Ex-DOC chief gets eight years“.

Tax Break

“House members voted 113-0 Wednesday to approve giving at least $75-million in tax credits annually to filmmakers seeking Florida for their backdrop.”  “House approves filmmaker tax break“.

Bully Bill

“House passes bully bill“.

Posada

The Miami Herald knows its readers:

The release of Luis Posada Carriles, after nearly two years of detention, is affirmation that under U.S. democracy, the law is supreme. Mr. Posada is no saint. He has been accused, but not convicted, of terrorism. The United States doesn’t — and shouldn’t — convict people on suspicion alone. Mr. Posada, 79, has never been convicted of a terrorist charge, here or abroad. Thus, a federal judge in El Paso ordered him released and set a very high bond. That was the right call.

“Posada benefits from U.S. rule of law“.

Cable Fight

“In the telephone industry’s multimillion-dollar battle for access to Florida’s TV market, cable companies and consumer groups suffered a serious blow Tuesday.”  “Cable bill loses a critical clause“.

“A Practical Joke”?

The St Pete Times editorial board: “A state House attempt to loosen controls on Florida’s development growth has evolved into what must be a practical joke.”  “House bill is permit for runaway growth“.

“Drastic” Rewrite

“The Senate drastically rewrote its plan for automobile insurance Tuesday, proposing to keep the current system intact until 2010 and providing more money for fighting fraud.”  “Senate wants to extend no-fault insurance law 3 years“.

Silly

“It didn’t take long for former Broward County Mayor Ben Graber’s campaign against U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler to devolve into a who’s-a-better Jew spat.”  “Graber attacks Wexler’s Jewish cred”.

Claims Bill

“Though past compensation efforts in the Legislature have failed, a teenager who was paralyzed in 1989 by a state-contracted doctor might finally get an $8.5 million settlement.”  “Paralyzed teen may get $8.5 million settlement“.  Meanwhile, in the Anderson case, a “Senate panel reinstates full $5-million for death“.

McCarty

Is the Charlie-Alex love fest fading?  After all, Crist “downplayed the complaints against McCarty, linking them to the commissioner’s efforts to cut insurance rates.”  “Crist defends insurance chief“.

Sorry We Missed It

“Promoting a bill that would make fraudulently impersonating established musical acts a crime, a troupe of state lawmakers on Tuesday committed melodious mischief.”  “House lawmakers join chorus against impostor musical acts“.

Gator Fee Morphs

“The University of Florida’s controversial request to charge its undergraduates an extra $500 each semester has morphed into a push for a tiered system that would boost tuition not only at UF, but also at the University of South Florida and Florida State University.”  “Plan at UF may grow“.

Remember, It’s Your Turn to Help Make Auditable Elections A Reality!  Now, today’s Florida political news and punditry, in slightly truncated form.

Dems Take HD 49 Special Election
In a battle of Orlando attorneys, Soto edged Republican Anthony Suarez in a special election for the District 49 seat. Soto had 52 percent of the vote in what political observers saw as a chance for both parties to assert their strength before the 2008 election cycle.” “Soto captures seat in House to buoy Dems“.  See also “Soto’s triumph” (”Darren Soto can expect a hero’s welcome from his fellow Democrats when he arrives in Tallahassee following his victory Tuesday.”)

GOPers Undermine Election Reform

“With just days left in the legislative session, a push to switch Florida to paper ballots is suddenly coming under fire from Democrats, who were previously in favor of the proposal.”

That’s because Senate Republicans added several controversial provisions Tuesday to a bill that sets aside $27.8 million to replace the touch-screen voting machines now used in 15 counties, including Miami-Dade and Broward. The legislation also calls for moving next year’s state presidential primary to Jan. 29, which is before most other states in the country.

‘’We have taken a good cleanup of election systems and made it a political bill,'’ complained Sen. Gwen Margolis, an Aventura Democrat.

And precisely what did the GOPers do?

The Senate added provisions that would impose fines against third-party groups that register voters and do not quickly turn over forms to election officials. A similar law passed in 2005 but was struck down by a court and remains on appeal. Officials with the League of Women Voters complained that if the current measure becomes law, it would force the group to halt voter registration efforts in Florida.

Another provision would allow people who sign petitions to revoke their signatures, a move aimed at groups that have pushed constitutional amendments onto the ballot in recent years.

“Republicans’ add-ons may put paper-ballots bill in jeopardy“.  See also “Changes drive backers from vote bill” and Changes drive backers from vote bill.

Tally Ticker

“2007 Legislature roundup“  See also “Tallahassee Ticker“.

“One lawmaker calls failed talks embarrassing”

“The terse, icy end of Tuesday’s bargaining session drove home the reality that the House and Senate are miles apart on tax relief, and they are running out of time.”  “House, Senate remain far apart on tax relief” (”A breakdown could be to House Speaker Marco Rubio’s advantage if he is seen as the leader demanding the deepest cuts in local spending compared with the Senate’s more surgical approach.”)  See also “Senate Ups Tax-Cut Offer” (”Senate property-tax negotiators upped their tax-slashing offer Tuesday evening to $15.3 billion — a roughly $3 billion increase in the dollars they’re now looking to shave”), “Property tax talks deadlock, sales tax hike sticking point“, “Senate says: Drop sales tax hike” and “Tensions Rise in Prop Tax Talks“.

Meanwhile, Charlie has left the building: “With House and Senate negotiators deadlocked over property tax reform, Gov. Charlie Crist and his top lieutenant travel the state today to demand action.”  “Crist continues to push for tax reform“.

“Public Corruption Case”

The Feeney story continues: “FBI asks Florida’s Feeney about Abramoff“.  And here’s a new development:

New court documents released Tuesday show Abramoff’s expenses for the luxury trip averaged about $20,000 per person for each of the eight people who went, not the $5,000 Feeney estimated in the travel report he filed in Congress. …

Zachares had said the trip was paid for by a conservative think tank, the National Center for Public Policy Research, that it had cost $5,643 and that the purpose was fact finding. All three were lies, according to the documents.

Feeney, 48, an Orlando-area Republican who has been contacted by the FBI as part of the Abramoff investigation, reported precisely the same details in his travel report on the Scotland trip.

Feeney has insisted he didn’t know Abramoff covered the cost of the trip, which is a violation of House rules.

“Cost hidden for Feeney trip“.

This is curious: last night, “Jason Roe abruptly resigned as [Feeney’s] deputy campaign manager, the National Journal is reporting”.  “Feeney’s former aide resigns“.  More: “Ex-House aide pleads guilty in lobbyist probe“.

You Would Think …

You would think that this story might have mentioned that Crosby was appointed by “Jeb!”  But no.  “Ex-prisons boss sentenced to eight years” (”The ex-chief of the state’s prison system was given an eight-year federal prison term on Tuesday for taking kickbacks from a contractor.”)  See also “Ex-prison boss gets 8 years behind bars” and “Ex-DOC chief gets eight years“.

Tax Break

“House members voted 113-0 Wednesday to approve giving at least $75-million in tax credits annually to filmmakers seeking Florida for their backdrop.”  “House approves filmmaker tax break“.

Bully Bill

“House passes bully bill“.

Posada

The Miami Herald knows its readers:

The release of Luis Posada Carriles, after nearly two years of detention, is affirmation that under U.S. democracy, the law is supreme. Mr. Posada is no saint. He has been accused, but not convicted, of terrorism. The United States doesn’t — and shouldn’t — convict people on suspicion alone. Mr. Posada, 79, has never been convicted of a terrorist charge, here or abroad. Thus, a federal judge in El Paso ordered him released and set a very high bond. That was the right call.

“Posada benefits from U.S. rule of law“.

Cable Fight

“In the telephone industry’s multimillion-dollar battle for access to Florida’s TV market, cable companies and consumer groups suffered a serious blow Tuesday.”  “Cable bill loses a critical clause“.

“A Practical Joke”?

The St Pete Times editorial board: “A state House attempt to loosen controls on Florida’s development growth has evolved into what must be a practical joke.”  “House bill is permit for runaway growth“.

“Drastic” Rewrite

“The Senate drastically rewrote its plan for automobile insurance Tuesday, proposing to keep the current system intact until 2010 and providing more money for fighting fraud.”  “Senate wants to extend no-fault insurance law 3 years“.

Silly

“It didn’t take long for former Broward County Mayor Ben Graber’s campaign against U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler to devolve into a who’s-a-better Jew spat.”  “Graber attacks Wexler’s Jewish cred”.

Claims Bill

“Though past compensation efforts in the Legislature have failed, a teenager who was paralyzed in 1989 by a state-contracted doctor might finally get an $8.5 million settlement.”  “Paralyzed teen may get $8.5 million settlement“.  Meanwhile, in the Anderson case, a “Senate panel reinstates full $5-million for death“.

McCarty

Is the Charlie-Alex love fest fading?  After all, Crist “downplayed the complaints against McCarty, linking them to the commissioner’s efforts to cut insurance rates.”  “Crist defends insurance chief“.

Sorry We Missed It

“Promoting a bill that would make fraudulently impersonating established musical acts a crime, a troupe of state lawmakers on Tuesday committed melodious mischief.”  “House lawmakers join chorus against impostor musical acts“.

Gator Fee Morphs

“The University of Florida’s controversial request to charge its undergraduates an extra $500 each semester has morphed into a push for a tiered system that would boost tuition not only at UF, but also at the University of South Florida and Florida State University.”  “Plan at UF may grow“.

Can dangerous behavior really be reliably predicted? If so, what should be done about people judged dangerous when they haven’t yet committed a crime? What is the role of mental health professionals and involuntary commitment in balancing the need to protect society with the need to champion the liberty of the individual? Get the answers in this week’s podcast.