Florida Vote

Our review of Florida Political news and punditry will resume on Tuesday, May 22.

Our review of Florida Political news and punditry will resume on Tuesday, May 22.

Our review of Florida Political news and punditry will resume on Tuesday, May 22.

Today’s Florida political news and punditry.

“Jeb!” Explains Why He’s Fab

“Former Gov. Jeb Bush says he wishes he had done a better job of convincing educators and parents that the FCAT exam and other education reforms were necessary and would improve Florida schools.”  In short, Jebbie - like Dubya - is incapable of acknowledging any mistake, no matter how small:

“If I could have changed anything,” he told Education Next magazine, “it would have been to better communicate to parents, teachers and principals both the need for reform and the incremental nature of progress that can be made.”

The Orlando Sentinel was given an advance copy of the interview. In it Bush, who left office in January, talks about school choice, the drive to raise standards for student performance, merit pay for teachers and changes he favors in the federal No Child Left Behind law.

The Sentinel does concede at the close of the article today that interview - which the Sentinel is touting as some sort of an exclusive - was given to what is little more than a right wing rag.  Paul

Peterson of Education Next [a publication of the Hoover Institution] said he gave the Sentinel a preview of the interview in hopes of attracting a wider audience for the former governor’s remarks than the policy makers and political leaders that the journal typically reaches. The interview will be available online and in print.

The Hoover Institution is a politically conservative think tank that has ties to President Bush’s administration and supports many of his policies. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State George Shultz and former Attorney General Edwin Meese are among its fellows.

“Jeb Bush has few regrets on education“.

Florida’s Booming Economy

“Across the region, unexpected medical bills, rising homeowner insurance, property taxes and other costs of living have plenty of lower- and middle-income consumers on the verge of losing their homes.”  “Foreclosure crisis looms, housing analysts say“.

And Rubio Would Give Them A Pay Cut?

“South Florida firefighters return from battling northern blazes“.

Poor Things

“At a time when Florida’s religious right could use a pep talk, two of the staunchest conservatives running for president tried Saturday to offer inspiration.”

About 700 people attended the dinner hosted by the ‘’pro-life, pro-family and pro-marriage'’ Family Florida Policy Council, in what has become the largest annual gathering of its kind in Florida.

‘’Please don’t give up now,'’ said Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, who was followed by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. “We can win this fight.'’

It’s a challenging time to be a religious conservative in Florida: Brownback and Huckabee, who received standing ovations, are considered long shots in the 2008 race. The council’s political arm is struggling to pass a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in Florida.

Meanwhile, Gov. Charlie Crist — who passed up an invitation to the event — is winning accolades for his moderate approach.

Partly because of his influence, measures to restrict abortion and expand adult stem-cell research failed in the recent legislative session.

Where do social conservatives in Florida go from here?

“Advice for right: ‘Don’t give up’“.  See also “Brownback, Huckabee seek social conservatives’ support” and “GOP Candidates Talk Social Issues With Conservatives” (”The crowd was the kind that should make any Republican political candidate drool - nearly 800 conservative religious members of the Florida Family Policy Council.”)

Carl Hiaasen

“To make a bigger political splash, Florida is moving its presidential primary back to Jan. 29.”

The new date is too early to please some Democratic and Republican strategists, but not early enough to satisfy many Floridians. It isn’t because of state pride that we want to be the first to host the presidential contenders; it’s because of dread. We want to get this exhausting spectacle over with as soon as possible.

January is too far off. By then, our new voting machines could already be installed, and ready to malfunction.

But by holding our election earlier — say, on a slow Thursday during the next couple of weeks — we could ignite a nationwide trend that would properly devalue the primaries and bring some sanity back to politics.

“Why not hold our primary next week?“.

Turkey Hunt

“This week is expected to be a busy one in the governor’s office - and for all interested parties waiting in the wings to see if Charlie Crist vetoes or lets pass various pieces of legislation or special projects that show up as line items in the state budget.”  “Will he or won’t he?“, “Crist faces veto decision on legislative goodies“.  See also “Millions allotted for pet projects” and “After ‘Veto Corleone,’ expect Crist to have lighter budget touch“.

On the Road Again

“Crist is campaigning again — this time to break a legislative deadlock over property taxes that some fear could harden even more and turn Floridians against the popular chief executive.”

But some of Crist’s supporters say his recent flurry of town halls and television sound bites are doing little to focus the debate and raising tax-cutting expectations beyond what he calls “the doable.” …

Stumping across the state, the Republican governor is offering sunny rhetoric and big promises as he and Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp host town halls, consumer roundtables and television appearances aimed at spurring lawmakers toward resolving the tax dispute in a June 12-22 special session

“Crist increases pressure for tax cuts“.

“Who Knew”?

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board asks: “Who knew cutting taxes would be this hard?  After bickering for 60 days, lawmakers gave up during their regular session with nothing to show for it but growing frustration from taxpayers. So it’s encouraging that leaders have finally agreed that the best way to cut taxes is to create a fairer system that expands property-tax exemptions.  Now promises need to become reality.”  “Making sense“.  See also “Homeowners weigh property tax proposal” (”After arguing for months about the best way to save people money, Republicans have largely agreed on a new proposal to revamp Florida’s property tax system by exempting most of a home’s value from the tax rolls.”)

The Palm Beach Post editors: “Whether it’s the dramatic approach House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami, proposed or the more moderate plan House Democrats offered, the first two attempts at resolving the property-tax standoff in the Legislature have one good thing in common: For the most part, they do away with Save Our Homes.”  “Ending Save Our Homes key to any tax reform“.

The St Pete Times editorial board: “There is a glimmer of hope in the debate over property tax relief because House Speaker Marco Rubio has given up on a tax swap that was politically and economically unworkable. But it is only a glimmer because the Miami Republican remains determined to cut property taxes so deeply it would devastate local government programs and services.”  “Moving ahead on tax relief“.

“Cheap Water”

“The drought lingers, despite recent rains, forcing a miserable choice on the South Florida Water Management District. Some coastal wells are low on fresh water; encroaching salt water could ruin them. In the northernmost Everglades, water is almost 2 inches below safe levels for birds, fish and plants. Should the district take water from wildlife and use it to save wells that serve Palm Beach and Broward counties?”  “The end of cheap water“.

Decisions, Decisions …

“Would Florida Republicans prefer Brit Hume or Sean Hannity? Those are the likely moderators for Florida’s national televised Republican presidential debate in October, state GOP chairman Jim Greer told party activists Saturday.”  “State is gaining clout, GOP told“.

Those Pesky Petitions

The Chamber is unhappy: it has spent years purchasing legislation the old fashioned way, yet upstart “liberal” groups keep getting in the way via the petition process:

For the past three years, the Florida Chamber of Commerce has lobbied lawmakers to impose new limits on groups that gather voter signatures for ballot initiatives.

The chamber contends that it’s much too easy to amend Florida’s Constitution, that a profit motive leads to fraud in signature gathering, and that voters should know whether petition circulators are being paid by interest groups.

The group has lost high-profile ballot battles in recent years, like the 2004 amendment that raised the minimum wage, and is fighting a proposed 2008 initiative that would require voter approval for land use changes.

And check out these wild-eyed liberals who the Chamber feels the need to rein in:

But the chamber’s success in the Legislature has outraged groups active in ballot initiatives, many with liberal agendas hostile to the chamber’s probusiness philosophy. …

“This is a nightmare, ” said Dianne Wheatley-Giliotti of Palm Harbor, a leader in the League of Women Voters of Florida. …

Other critics of the legislative changes include the Florida AFL-CIO, American Cancer Society, Common Cause, Florida Public Interest Research Group, Humane Society and People for the American Way.

“Petitions may face hurdles“.

“Crash Course”

“Port St. Lucie mom Jodi Walsh received a firsthand crash course in the inner workings of state politics this year.  This political novice-turned-activist persuaded a Treasure Coast lawmaker to take up her push to get legislators to better define and clarify its law on verbal child abuse - which hurts mentally and emotionally rather than physically.”  “Mother persists on verbal child-abuse law“.

The Early Primary Thing

Mark Lane

So what happens next? Here are the three likely outcomes:

1. Each party gets into a rules fight at the convention over how many Florida delegates to seat. The frontrunner will want as many as will make him or her look good. Which, unless Florida’s voters are wildly out of step with the nation, could turn out to be about the number the state would get anyway.

The primary system will then be declared broken, and everyone will go into a two-year huddle to come up with something less absurd.

2. At least one of the parties will worm its way out of the sanctions by declaring that the primary won’t be binding on its delegate-selecting process. The delegates will be chosen later based on the primary results, but without delegates for candidates who dropped out.

The primary system will then be declared broken, and everyone will go into a two-year huddle to come up with something less absurd.

3. Or, not wanting to anger an important swing state, the parties will revise the rules informally and ratify the changes at the convention.

The primary system will then be declared broken, and everyone will go into a two-year huddle to come up with something less absurd.

Whatever happens, Florida, the state that demonstrated that the electoral college doesn’t work, the state that demonstrated that touch-screen voting doesn’t work, soon will be the state to demonstrate that the presidential primary system doesn’t work, either.

“Florida the state that broke the presidential primary system“.

Today’s Florida political news and punditry.

“Jeb!” Explains Why He’s Fab

“Former Gov. Jeb Bush says he wishes he had done a better job of convincing educators and parents that the FCAT exam and other education reforms were necessary and would improve Florida schools.”  In short, Jebbie - like Dubya - is incapable of acknowledging any mistake, no matter how small:

“If I could have changed anything,” he told Education Next magazine, “it would have been to better communicate to parents, teachers and principals both the need for reform and the incremental nature of progress that can be made.”

The Orlando Sentinel was given an advance copy of the interview. In it Bush, who left office in January, talks about school choice, the drive to raise standards for student performance, merit pay for teachers and changes he favors in the federal No Child Left Behind law.

The Sentinel does concede at the close of the article today that interview - which the Sentinel is touting as some sort of an exclusive - was given to what is little more than a right wing rag.  Paul

Peterson of Education Next [a publication of the Hoover Institution] said he gave the Sentinel a preview of the interview in hopes of attracting a wider audience for the former governor’s remarks than the policy makers and political leaders that the journal typically reaches. The interview will be available online and in print.

The Hoover Institution is a politically conservative think tank that has ties to President Bush’s administration and supports many of his policies. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State George Shultz and former Attorney General Edwin Meese are among its fellows.

“Jeb Bush has few regrets on education“.

Florida’s Booming Economy

“Across the region, unexpected medical bills, rising homeowner insurance, property taxes and other costs of living have plenty of lower- and middle-income consumers on the verge of losing their homes.”  “Foreclosure crisis looms, housing analysts say“.

And Rubio Would Give Them A Pay Cut?

“South Florida firefighters return from battling northern blazes“.

Poor Things

“At a time when Florida’s religious right could use a pep talk, two of the staunchest conservatives running for president tried Saturday to offer inspiration.”

About 700 people attended the dinner hosted by the ‘’pro-life, pro-family and pro-marriage'’ Family Florida Policy Council, in what has become the largest annual gathering of its kind in Florida.

‘’Please don’t give up now,'’ said Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, who was followed by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. “We can win this fight.'’

It’s a challenging time to be a religious conservative in Florida: Brownback and Huckabee, who received standing ovations, are considered long shots in the 2008 race. The council’s political arm is struggling to pass a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in Florida.

Meanwhile, Gov. Charlie Crist — who passed up an invitation to the event — is winning accolades for his moderate approach.

Partly because of his influence, measures to restrict abortion and expand adult stem-cell research failed in the recent legislative session.

Where do social conservatives in Florida go from here?

“Advice for right: ‘Don’t give up’“.  See also “Brownback, Huckabee seek social conservatives’ support” and “GOP Candidates Talk Social Issues With Conservatives” (”The crowd was the kind that should make any Republican political candidate drool - nearly 800 conservative religious members of the Florida Family Policy Council.”)

Carl Hiaasen

“To make a bigger political splash, Florida is moving its presidential primary back to Jan. 29.”

The new date is too early to please some Democratic and Republican strategists, but not early enough to satisfy many Floridians. It isn’t because of state pride that we want to be the first to host the presidential contenders; it’s because of dread. We want to get this exhausting spectacle over with as soon as possible.

January is too far off. By then, our new voting machines could already be installed, and ready to malfunction.

But by holding our election earlier — say, on a slow Thursday during the next couple of weeks — we could ignite a nationwide trend that would properly devalue the primaries and bring some sanity back to politics.

“Why not hold our primary next week?“.

Turkey Hunt

“This week is expected to be a busy one in the governor’s office - and for all interested parties waiting in the wings to see if Charlie Crist vetoes or lets pass various pieces of legislation or special projects that show up as line items in the state budget.”  “Will he or won’t he?“, “Crist faces veto decision on legislative goodies“.  See also “Millions allotted for pet projects” and “After ‘Veto Corleone,’ expect Crist to have lighter budget touch“.

On the Road Again

“Crist is campaigning again — this time to break a legislative deadlock over property taxes that some fear could harden even more and turn Floridians against the popular chief executive.”

But some of Crist’s supporters say his recent flurry of town halls and television sound bites are doing little to focus the debate and raising tax-cutting expectations beyond what he calls “the doable.” …

Stumping across the state, the Republican governor is offering sunny rhetoric and big promises as he and Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp host town halls, consumer roundtables and television appearances aimed at spurring lawmakers toward resolving the tax dispute in a June 12-22 special session

“Crist increases pressure for tax cuts“.

“Who Knew”?

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board asks: “Who knew cutting taxes would be this hard?  After bickering for 60 days, lawmakers gave up during their regular session with nothing to show for it but growing frustration from taxpayers. So it’s encouraging that leaders have finally agreed that the best way to cut taxes is to create a fairer system that expands property-tax exemptions.  Now promises need to become reality.”  “Making sense“.  See also “Homeowners weigh property tax proposal” (”After arguing for months about the best way to save people money, Republicans have largely agreed on a new proposal to revamp Florida’s property tax system by exempting most of a home’s value from the tax rolls.”)

The Palm Beach Post editors: “Whether it’s the dramatic approach House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami, proposed or the more moderate plan House Democrats offered, the first two attempts at resolving the property-tax standoff in the Legislature have one good thing in common: For the most part, they do away with Save Our Homes.”  “Ending Save Our Homes key to any tax reform“.

The St Pete Times editorial board: “There is a glimmer of hope in the debate over property tax relief because House Speaker Marco Rubio has given up on a tax swap that was politically and economically unworkable. But it is only a glimmer because the Miami Republican remains determined to cut property taxes so deeply it would devastate local government programs and services.”  “Moving ahead on tax relief“.

“Cheap Water”

“The drought lingers, despite recent rains, forcing a miserable choice on the South Florida Water Management District. Some coastal wells are low on fresh water; encroaching salt water could ruin them. In the northernmost Everglades, water is almost 2 inches below safe levels for birds, fish and plants. Should the district take water from wildlife and use it to save wells that serve Palm Beach and Broward counties?”  “The end of cheap water“.

Decisions, Decisions …

“Would Florida Republicans prefer Brit Hume or Sean Hannity? Those are the likely moderators for Florida’s national televised Republican presidential debate in October, state GOP chairman Jim Greer told party activists Saturday.”  “State is gaining clout, GOP told“.

Those Pesky Petitions

The Chamber is unhappy: it has spent years purchasing legislation the old fashioned way, yet upstart “liberal” groups keep getting in the way via the petition process:

For the past three years, the Florida Chamber of Commerce has lobbied lawmakers to impose new limits on groups that gather voter signatures for ballot initiatives.

The chamber contends that it’s much too easy to amend Florida’s Constitution, that a profit motive leads to fraud in signature gathering, and that voters should know whether petition circulators are being paid by interest groups.

The group has lost high-profile ballot battles in recent years, like the 2004 amendment that raised the minimum wage, and is fighting a proposed 2008 initiative that would require voter approval for land use changes.

And check out these wild-eyed liberals who the Chamber feels the need to rein in:

But the chamber’s success in the Legislature has outraged groups active in ballot initiatives, many with liberal agendas hostile to the chamber’s probusiness philosophy. …

“This is a nightmare, ” said Dianne Wheatley-Giliotti of Palm Harbor, a leader in the League of Women Voters of Florida. …

Other critics of the legislative changes include the Florida AFL-CIO, American Cancer Society, Common Cause, Florida Public Interest Research Group, Humane Society and People for the American Way.

“Petitions may face hurdles“.

“Crash Course”

“Port St. Lucie mom Jodi Walsh received a firsthand crash course in the inner workings of state politics this year.  This political novice-turned-activist persuaded a Treasure Coast lawmaker to take up her push to get legislators to better define and clarify its law on verbal child abuse - which hurts mentally and emotionally rather than physically.”  “Mother persists on verbal child-abuse law“.

The Early Primary Thing

Mark Lane

So what happens next? Here are the three likely outcomes:

1. Each party gets into a rules fight at the convention over how many Florida delegates to seat. The frontrunner will want as many as will make him or her look good. Which, unless Florida’s voters are wildly out of step with the nation, could turn out to be about the number the state would get anyway.

The primary system will then be declared broken, and everyone will go into a two-year huddle to come up with something less absurd.

2. At least one of the parties will worm its way out of the sanctions by declaring that the primary won’t be binding on its delegate-selecting process. The delegates will be chosen later based on the primary results, but without delegates for candidates who dropped out.

The primary system will then be declared broken, and everyone will go into a two-year huddle to come up with something less absurd.

3. Or, not wanting to anger an important swing state, the parties will revise the rules informally and ratify the changes at the convention.

The primary system will then be declared broken, and everyone will go into a two-year huddle to come up with something less absurd.

Whatever happens, Florida, the state that demonstrated that the electoral college doesn’t work, the state that demonstrated that touch-screen voting doesn’t work, soon will be the state to demonstrate that the presidential primary system doesn’t work, either.

“Florida the state that broke the presidential primary system“.

Today’s Florida political news and punditry.

Privatization Scam

“By suspending Project Aspire on Thursday, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink pulled hard on this train’s brakes, no doubt sending a few behind-the-scenes political sparks flying.”

Aspire - a three-year, $100 million contract to replace Florida’s aging accounting system - is a vestige of the Jeb Bush e-administration. It’s a major product of the former governor’s love affair with technology and the notion that privatizing major public operations is almost always preferable. …

As even many of Mr. Bush’s Republican allies learned after enabling the chief executive to have his way for several years, accountability has to be much more than convenient political rhetoric.

It has to be measurable and non-negotiable. We are, after all, talking about protecting the interests of state taxpayers, not private investors.

“Expire“.

Crist Blows Off Consumers

“Crist signed a bill into law Friday that is designed to increase cable television competition, but he also asked lawmakers to strengthen its consumer protection provisions in the future.  Some consumer groups and local governments had urged Crist to veto the legislation (SB 529). They disputed claims it would reduce rates and argued the measure’s service standards are too loose and enforcement provisions too weak.”  “Gov. Crist signs cable TV bill but asks for tighter enforcement“.

“Think Small”

“A legislative revenue expert Friday advised the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission to focus on small-scale, incremental changes rather than broad-based — but risky — restructuring.  Alan Johansen, staff director of the Senate Finance and Tax Committee, offered that suggestion against the backdrop of the Legislature’s continuing search for a way to slash property taxes in response to a public outcry over soaring and inequitable tax bills.”  “Think small, reform team told“.

Pork

“The letter from House Speaker Marco Rubio sounded grave.”

Money is so tight, he told lawmakers in February, there isn’t room in the budget “for program expansions, new initiatives or member projects.”

Did any of them read it?

The $72-billion budget on Gov. Charlie Crist’s desk is as laden with pork as any in recent years.

“Charlie Crist’s defining moment“.

“Trying Times”

“For a combative Christian political crusader like John Stemberger, these are trying times.”

The front-runners for the Republican presidential nomination are thrice-married Rudy Giuliani, who openly supports abortion rights, and John McCain, who once called Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson “agents of intolerance.” Charlie Crist, whom Stemberger bashed last year as a “conservative impostor, ” now sits in the governor’s office with soaring approval ratings after clobbering Stemberger’s preferred candidate in the Republican primary.

Stemberger, the loudest voice in Florida’s Christian right movement, lately looks like he’s all mouth and little might. But in the same week that Falwell died, Stemberger sounds neither cocky nor chastened.

“It’s not our job to be victorious. It’s our job to be faithful. It’s our job to stand up for truth and to speak the truth,” the Orlando trial lawyer said in an office sprinkled with photos of Jeb Bush and Robert Bork and a “Beware of Attack Lawyer” warning sign.

“Conservative isn’t retreating“.

Florida USA Targeted by Gonzo

“This week, The Washington Post, citing unreleased government documents, reported that several other U.S. attorneys were targeted for dismissal, among them Gregory Miller, the U.S. attorney for the northern district of Florida, based in Tallahassee.”  “‘Firing list’ news a surprise“.

Avoiding the Ax

“In a last-ditch effort to stave off the budget ax, Miami-Dade County and municipal leaders agreed Friday to toss yet another property tax reduction plan into the mix in Tallahassee — one that would leave hundreds of millions more in local government coffers.”  “County charts way to cut tax“.

“Simple Justice”

“It’s a matter of simple justice. When Florida wrongfully imprisons an innocent person, that person is owed more than freedom. There’s no real way to make up for lost years, but monetary compensation and a chance for education open the door to the possibility of a new life.”  “Making amends“.

Immigration

“This isn’t a perfect plan, but it’s a sound foundation. The demagogues — Mr. Keller, talk show host Lou Dobbs, Republican Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite of Brooksville — shouldn’t be allowed to poison the discussion.”  “Don’t sink it“.  See also “South Florida immigrants fearful of new Senate plan“.

Rigged

“It’s usually a lot easier to predict the winners in congressional and legislative contests than it is in Triple Crown horse races. That’s because in most states, including Florida, legislators have carefully drawn the districts to favor incumbents or their parties. They’ve turned democracy on its head by picking voters for politicians.  Even last year, when Democrats took control of the U.S. House from Republicans for the first time in 12 years, the two parties together held on to more than 90 percent of their seats. In Florida, GOP Rep. Clay Shaw lost, but the other 21 incumbents seeking re-election won. Six incumbents didn’t even draw major-party opposition.”  “Go after rigged districts“.

And You Married Your Cousin Because … ?

“Rudy Giuliani bashed Hillary Clinton in a forum with business and political leaders in Orlando, then met with a group of about 20 big-dollar Republican political financiers in Tampa, during a campaign swing through Florida Friday.”  “Giuliani Meets GOP Financiers In Tampa“.  See also “Giuliani pushes experience, fight against terror“.

Food Bank

“Persuaded by an energetic lobbyist, lawmakers earlier this month earmarked $100,000 of the state budget for the Florida Food Banks and Food Pantries Association, a fledgling organization that pledges to fight hunger.”  “Some skeptical about food-bank funding“.

Subsidizing “Sin”?

“Should Florida’s retirement fund be invested in adult magazines, casinos, cigarettes, condoms, beer and the morning-after abortion pill? “  “State looks at holdings of ’sin stocks’“.

Faith?

“State prison officials Friday denied an allegation contained in a lawsuit that agreements with two faith-based contractors to provide transitional housing for released prisoners are unconstitutional.”  “Faith-based corrections contracts draw lawsuit“.

‘Glades

“With a shove from Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez of Florida, the U.S. Senate this week followed the House in approving a $14 billion Water Resources Development Act, which would be the first in seven years. It would authorize $2.4 billion in Everglades projects, including $1.37 billion for Indian River Lagoon restoration that would restore natural areas to hold and clean water and help to alleviate shortages.”  “Water for the Everglades“.

From the “Values” Crowd

“Maybe there wasn’t enough time in the legislative session to help Florida’s property taxpayers, but there was plenty of time to enrich the state’s managed-care companies to the detriment of the state’s mentally ill.”  “As HMOs gain, the ill lose“.

That’s Our Mel

“The chairman of the Republican National Committee said Friday his home state of Florida will face sanctions if it moves ahead with plans to hold an early presidential primary.”  “Martinez says GOP will punish Florida“.  See also “Bill set to move state up in presidential primaries“.

Yesterday’s news

- “Early Primary Date To Intensify Efforts Of McCain In Florida“.  See also “McCain Plans To Ramp Up Florida Campaign“.

- “When the state’s controversial no-fault law expires in October, there may also be no requirement for drivers to carry insurance.”  “Will auto insurance become optional?”

- “David Armstrong resigned as Florida’s community-colleges chancellor Thursday to accept the presidency of Broward Community College in Fort Lauderdale. … Along with former State Board of Education Chairman Phil Handy and John Winn, who served as education commissioner, Armstrong is the third top state education official to leave office since the beginning of the year, when Gov. Charlie Crist was inaugurated.”  “Education official resigns“.

- “One of ex-Gov. Jeb Bush’s biggest technology projects, the state’s dormant effort to replace its obsolete financial-management system used by state agencies, was suspended Thursday by Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink.”  “Sink suspends Project Aspire“.  See also “Sink halts data project“.

- “Crist Aide Going to Work for RPOF  “.

- “Didn’t see the cash, Dem boss says“.

- “The report explains that when federal inspectors did their own surveys in 12 Florida nursing homes, they found deficiencies in four homes that state inspectors missed, a 33 percent difference.”  “Nursing Home Inspections Fail The Test“.

- “Martinez has been quoted as saying he is ‘perfectly fine’ with his home state defying the RNC and moving up its primary - and could live with sanctions. But the feathers of South Carolina Gamecocks remain ruffled. Now both parties in the Palmetto State say they’ll move their primary even earlier.”  “Martinez To Confront (Possibly) Mad Sandlappers“.

Today’s Florida political news and punditry.

Privatization Scam

“By suspending Project Aspire on Thursday, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink pulled hard on this train’s brakes, no doubt sending a few behind-the-scenes political sparks flying.”

Aspire - a three-year, $100 million contract to replace Florida’s aging accounting system - is a vestige of the Jeb Bush e-administration. It’s a major product of the former governor’s love affair with technology and the notion that privatizing major public operations is almost always preferable. …

As even many of Mr. Bush’s Republican allies learned after enabling the chief executive to have his way for several years, accountability has to be much more than convenient political rhetoric.

It has to be measurable and non-negotiable. We are, after all, talking about protecting the interests of state taxpayers, not private investors.

“Expire“.

Crist Blows Off Consumers

“Crist signed a bill into law Friday that is designed to increase cable television competition, but he also asked lawmakers to strengthen its consumer protection provisions in the future.  Some consumer groups and local governments had urged Crist to veto the legislation (SB 529). They disputed claims it would reduce rates and argued the measure’s service standards are too loose and enforcement provisions too weak.”  “Gov. Crist signs cable TV bill but asks for tighter enforcement“.

“Think Small”

“A legislative revenue expert Friday advised the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission to focus on small-scale, incremental changes rather than broad-based — but risky — restructuring.  Alan Johansen, staff director of the Senate Finance and Tax Committee, offered that suggestion against the backdrop of the Legislature’s continuing search for a way to slash property taxes in response to a public outcry over soaring and inequitable tax bills.”  “Think small, reform team told“.

Pork

“The letter from House Speaker Marco Rubio sounded grave.”

Money is so tight, he told lawmakers in February, there isn’t room in the budget “for program expansions, new initiatives or member projects.”

Did any of them read it?

The $72-billion budget on Gov. Charlie Crist’s desk is as laden with pork as any in recent years.

“Charlie Crist’s defining moment“.

“Trying Times”

“For a combative Christian political crusader like John Stemberger, these are trying times.”

The front-runners for the Republican presidential nomination are thrice-married Rudy Giuliani, who openly supports abortion rights, and John McCain, who once called Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson “agents of intolerance.” Charlie Crist, whom Stemberger bashed last year as a “conservative impostor, ” now sits in the governor’s office with soaring approval ratings after clobbering Stemberger’s preferred candidate in the Republican primary.

Stemberger, the loudest voice in Florida’s Christian right movement, lately looks like he’s all mouth and little might. But in the same week that Falwell died, Stemberger sounds neither cocky nor chastened.

“It’s not our job to be victorious. It’s our job to be faithful. It’s our job to stand up for truth and to speak the truth,” the Orlando trial lawyer said in an office sprinkled with photos of Jeb Bush and Robert Bork and a “Beware of Attack Lawyer” warning sign.

“Conservative isn’t retreating“.

Florida USA Targeted by Gonzo

“This week, The Washington Post, citing unreleased government documents, reported that several other U.S. attorneys were targeted for dismissal, among them Gregory Miller, the U.S. attorney for the northern district of Florida, based in Tallahassee.”  “‘Firing list’ news a surprise“.

Avoiding the Ax

“In a last-ditch effort to stave off the budget ax, Miami-Dade County and municipal leaders agreed Friday to toss yet another property tax reduction plan into the mix in Tallahassee — one that would leave hundreds of millions more in local government coffers.”  “County charts way to cut tax“.

“Simple Justice”

“It’s a matter of simple justice. When Florida wrongfully imprisons an innocent person, that person is owed more than freedom. There’s no real way to make up for lost years, but monetary compensation and a chance for education open the door to the possibility of a new life.”  “Making amends“.

Immigration

“This isn’t a perfect plan, but it’s a sound foundation. The demagogues — Mr. Keller, talk show host Lou Dobbs, Republican Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite of Brooksville — shouldn’t be allowed to poison the discussion.”  “Don’t sink it“.  See also “South Florida immigrants fearful of new Senate plan“.

Rigged

“It’s usually a lot easier to predict the winners in congressional and legislative contests than it is in Triple Crown horse races. That’s because in most states, including Florida, legislators have carefully drawn the districts to favor incumbents or their parties. They’ve turned democracy on its head by picking voters for politicians.  Even last year, when Democrats took control of the U.S. House from Republicans for the first time in 12 years, the two parties together held on to more than 90 percent of their seats. In Florida, GOP Rep. Clay Shaw lost, but the other 21 incumbents seeking re-election won. Six incumbents didn’t even draw major-party opposition.”  “Go after rigged districts“.

And You Married Your Cousin Because … ?

“Rudy Giuliani bashed Hillary Clinton in a forum with business and political leaders in Orlando, then met with a group of about 20 big-dollar Republican political financiers in Tampa, during a campaign swing through Florida Friday.”  “Giuliani Meets GOP Financiers In Tampa“.  See also “Giuliani pushes experience, fight against terror“.

Food Bank

“Persuaded by an energetic lobbyist, lawmakers earlier this month earmarked $100,000 of the state budget for the Florida Food Banks and Food Pantries Association, a fledgling organization that pledges to fight hunger.”  “Some skeptical about food-bank funding“.

Subsidizing “Sin”?

“Should Florida’s retirement fund be invested in adult magazines, casinos, cigarettes, condoms, beer and the morning-after abortion pill? “  “State looks at holdings of ’sin stocks’“.

Faith?

“State prison officials Friday denied an allegation contained in a lawsuit that agreements with two faith-based contractors to provide transitional housing for released prisoners are unconstitutional.”  “Faith-based corrections contracts draw lawsuit“.

‘Glades

“With a shove from Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez of Florida, the U.S. Senate this week followed the House in approving a $14 billion Water Resources Development Act, which would be the first in seven years. It would authorize $2.4 billion in Everglades projects, including $1.37 billion for Indian River Lagoon restoration that would restore natural areas to hold and clean water and help to alleviate shortages.”  “Water for the Everglades“.

From the “Values” Crowd

“Maybe there wasn’t enough time in the legislative session to help Florida’s property taxpayers, but there was plenty of time to enrich the state’s managed-care companies to the detriment of the state’s mentally ill.”  “As HMOs gain, the ill lose“.

That’s Our Mel

“The chairman of the Republican National Committee said Friday his home state of Florida will face sanctions if it moves ahead with plans to hold an early presidential primary.”  “Martinez says GOP will punish Florida“.  See also “Bill set to move state up in presidential primaries“.

Yesterday’s news

- “Early Primary Date To Intensify Efforts Of McCain In Florida“.  See also “McCain Plans To Ramp Up Florida Campaign“.

- “When the state’s controversial no-fault law expires in October, there may also be no requirement for drivers to carry insurance.”  “Will auto insurance become optional?”

- “David Armstrong resigned as Florida’s community-colleges chancellor Thursday to accept the presidency of Broward Community College in Fort Lauderdale. … Along with former State Board of Education Chairman Phil Handy and John Winn, who served as education commissioner, Armstrong is the third top state education official to leave office since the beginning of the year, when Gov. Charlie Crist was inaugurated.”  “Education official resigns“.

- “One of ex-Gov. Jeb Bush’s biggest technology projects, the state’s dormant effort to replace its obsolete financial-management system used by state agencies, was suspended Thursday by Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink.”  “Sink suspends Project Aspire“.  See also “Sink halts data project“.

- “Crist Aide Going to Work for RPOF  “.

- “Didn’t see the cash, Dem boss says“.

- “The report explains that when federal inspectors did their own surveys in 12 Florida nursing homes, they found deficiencies in four homes that state inspectors missed, a 33 percent difference.”  “Nursing Home Inspections Fail The Test“.

- “Martinez has been quoted as saying he is ‘perfectly fine’ with his home state defying the RNC and moving up its primary - and could live with sanctions. But the feathers of South Carolina Gamecocks remain ruffled. Now both parties in the Palmetto State say they’ll move their primary even earlier.”  “Martinez To Confront (Possibly) Mad Sandlappers“.

Our review of Florida political news and punditry will resume tomorrow, Saturday, May 19.

Our review of Florida political news and punditry will resume tomorrow, Saturday, May 19.

Join the discussion about “What’s Wrong With the Florida Progressive Blogosphere?” over at the Florida Progressive Coalition.  On to our review of today’s Florida political news and punditry.

And So It Goes

“Property-tax negotiators in the House and Senate said Wednesday that they have agreed to focus their joint meeting next week entirely on expanding or creating exemptions for all property owners.”  “Property-tax focus narrows“.  “Legislators get closer to deal — no sales tax hike, big cuts in property taxes“.

“State lawmakers have weeks to go before convening the June 12 special session, but there is good reason to expect that they will resolve Florida’s property-tax crisis without causing an economic train wreck in the process. Several factors underpin this optimism, a high-risk position whenever politics and expedience are conjoined. The most promising factors are proposals for ’super’ tax exemptions and the shift away from a 2.5 cent increase in the state sales tax.”  “Drawing a bead on property-tax relief“.

Meanwhile, “Rubio Meets the Press — Over and Over Again“: “it looks like House Speaker Marco Rubio is ready to fire up his own property tax publicity machine again.”

More on the Dem plan here: “Coming Together on Prop Taxes“; and here: “Democrats in House unveil plan to cut taxes“.  The House’s progress report: “Cannon: “Much work to do” on taxes“.

‘Ya Think?

“In an attempt to keep foster children safe, Florida has passed enough laws and issued enough regulations to fill a good-sized book. But those rules alone won’t do the job.”  “Florida falls short on advocacy for foster children“.

Cash on Demand

“The price tag for lobbying in the state Capitol is at least $26 million this year — and could approach $70 million — as BellSouth leads the way with a million-dollar effort.”  “BellSouth rings up a $1 million bill for lobbying“.

No-Fault

Troxler: “the question is whether our lawmakers, who are coming back for a special session on property taxes in June, should revisit the no-fault question. Some folks want Gov. Charlie Crist to make ‘em.”  “Are we sure we don’t need no-fault?“.

“Wild West”

“Florida isn’t the Wild West, just yet.”  See why here: “Not a license to kill“.

Citrus

Apparently still recovering from the decades old Anita Bryant debacle, “Florida citrus officials are proposing the highest taxes on farmers in at least a decade to fund research and marketing for the beleaguered industry.”  “State proposes big tax hikes on citrus farmers for second year“.

Ever So Popular

Bill March: “His first regular session of the state Legislature is over, and Gov. Charlie Crist managed to get through it with his unusually high popularity levels intact, but one poll hints that maintaining that level could depend on a solution to the state’s property insurance problems.”

A poll by Strategic Vision, a Republican-oriented consulting firm that regularly publishes political polls in Florida, said 69 percent of respondents approve of Crist’s handling of his job, while 20 percent disapprove.

A poll by the Florida Chamber of Commerce gave Crist an even higher rating, 75 percent approval and 6 percent disapproval. Voters in the Chamber poll, however, were much less optimistic when asked whether Florida is heading in the “right direction” or the “wrong direction”-43 percent said right, and 41 percent said wrong.

“2 New Polls Confirm Crist Popularity“.  See also “Floridians Still Wild About Charlie, Poll Shows“.

BTW Bill, I think it is fair to say that anything coming out of the Florida Chamber of Commerce is as “Republican-oriented” as anything from Strategic Vision.

Early Primary

“The Legislature’s decision to move up the state’s presidential primary to Jan. 29 breaches national party rules governing the primary calendar. The rules say scofflaw states will lose half of their delegates to the national convention.”  “Florida going to get comeuppance for early primary“.

Stickin’

“Successful trial lawyer and U.S. senator John Edwards came to Fort Lauderdale last year to help raise money for successful trial lawyer and then-state Sen. Walter ‘Skip’ Campbell, who was running for attorney general.  Now Campbell is returning the favor, co-hosting a reception for Edwards tomorrow on Las Olas Boulevard.”  “Rich trial lawyers got to stick together“.

Biden Goes Union

“Joe Biden picked a pipe fitters union hall in Opa-locka to show his solidarity with the AFL-CIO, which is hosting Democratic presidential candidates around the country.”  “Biden asks for union help“.

CD 13

“Brad Friedman, author of the left-leaning The Brad Blog, wrote today about an Internet worm that appears to have affected computer systems in Sarasota County, but not the actual voting machines that were used in the controversial FL-13 election.”  “Computer problems for Sarasota?“.

“Sense of Humor”

The Orlando Sentinel editors Suggest that “the best thing you can say about the push to increase competition in the cable-television market in Florida is that the folks who came up with the title ‘Consumer Choice Act of 2007′ have a sense of humor.  How else can you explain that most consumer advocates oppose the bill lawmakers passed last session, and many of the state’s largest cable-television providers now support it? The bill takes control away from local governments and sends it to Tallahassee in a move that could mean public-access channels get booted off TV altogether.”  “Veto in order“.

By “consumer advocates” it is fair to suppose that the reference is to something other than Charlie’s definition of “Consumer“.  Wait a minute, it seems Charlie has finally figured out what a “consumer advocate” really is>  See “Crist Names Consumer Advocate to Citizens’ Panel“; Jason Garcia seems to know: “Consumer Groups Urging Another Crist Veto“.

In the meantime, the “Justice Department backs cable change“.

Gettin’ Desperate

“The Florida Republican Party has endorsed a proposal by a Christian broadcasting company and its web site to hold a presidential candidates’ debate in Tampa.”

Townhall.com, affiliated with Salem Radio Network, which operates several radio stations in the Tampa Bay area, hopes to hold the debate in Tampa this summer, possibly late July, to be broadcast nationally.

So far, only one candidate, Mitt Romney, has committed to participate, and Townhall.com is still discussing the proposal with the others, said Chuck DeFeo of the web site. …

The radio network and web site are aimed at a religious conservative audience which is likely to be an important constituency in what could be the two most important early primaries in the GOP race, Florida and South Carolina.

“Florida GOP Backs Townhall.com Tampa Debate“.  More detail here: “The Sunshine Debate“.

SD 3 Primary Over?

“The anti-abortion group Florida Right to Life endorsed state Rep. Dennis Baxley today in his bid for a seat in the Florida Senate, joining the National Rifle Association in backing one of the staunchest social conservatives in Tallahassee in what is expected to be a fierce Republican primary.”  “Florida Right to Life Backs Baxley in Senate Race“.

Frosty

“Hillsborough County commissioners summoned Supervisor of Elections Buddy Johnson to their meeting Wednesday, where he promptly received a tongue-lashing from Commissioner Brian Blair.”

Commissioners asked Johnson to explain changes in state elections law that could require Hillsborough County to spend between $2 million and $10 million on new voting machines, equipment and training. Blair said Johnson wasn’t forceful enough in his objections to the new law, which is awaiting Gov. Charlie Crist’s signature.

He turned his ire on Johnson after the elections supervisor told commissioners he would not support their efforts to get the bill vetoed.

“That really frosts my butt,” Blair told Johnson.

“Blair Blows Fuse“.

“Deep into the recesses of absurdism “

Scott Maxwell takes a well deserved shot at

U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon, who managed to somehow reach deep into the recesses of absurdism to come up with a reason to vote against the COPS program to put more police officers on the streets of America. Not surprisingly, the Brevard County Republican was on the losing end of a 381-to-34 shellacking in the House. I think I agree with Republican Ric Keller (heaven help us both) who reminded me Wednesday that one reason some Republicans fight this effort to put more police on the street is simply because Bill Clinton started it. Said Keller: “It’s a good thing Clinton didn’t invent the light bulb, or we’d be having this debate in the dark.”

You know Keller is worried when he makes cracks like that.