Florida Vote

The Florida Progressive Coalition’s “5 to Read“.  Today’s Florida political news and punditry follows.

Bushco’s hood ornament

Sure, “Mr. Cellophane” is a national embarrassment as Bushco’s hood ornament, but his current level of hypocrisy is a bit much, even for Mel.

“Florida Republican Mel Martinez blasted fellow U.S. senators Friday for killing legislation that would have legalized millions of unlawful immigrants, but whose collapse was hailed by most of his party’s presidential field.”

Except for Senate sponsor John McCain, most of the GOP presidential field joined with conservative talk radio in fanning fierce opposition to the immigration bill. But Martinez, who doubles as his party’s national chairman, sought to spread blame equally on both sides.

“Florida’s Frankenstein” apparently can’t count:

Senators voted 53 to 46 to reject a motion to end debate and move toward final passage. Thirty-seven Republicans voted to oppose the bill, while only 12 voted for it. By contrast, Democrats voted 33-to-15 in favor of the bill.

“Martinez rips those who voted to kill bill“.

Mel has his head squarely in his derri re with remarks like this: “the Republican Party was not to blame for its failure, Martinez said.”  “Chairman slams immigration bill opponents, challenges them to act“.

More: “The Republican-led defeat of immigration reform in the Senate Thursday is sounding political alarms as the Hispanic community gears up for the 2008 presidential election.”  “GOP faces tension with Hispanic vote“.

“Wait till next year”

“Florida broke Democrats’ hearts in 2000 and snubbed them four years later.  Wait till next year, say love-struck Democrats — and they could be right.”

Democrats are optimistic about capturing Florida in 2008 due to President Bush’s sagging popularity, the ongoing Iraq war and the demise of the immigration bill, in which the heated rhetoric from conservative quarters has alienated many in the state’s large, fast-changing Hispanic population.

“Florida Again Poised to Play Kingmaker“.

“Souring economic outlook”

If Florida’s economy continues to “boom” like this … .  “A slack housing market, combined with a drop-off in new car sales, corporate income taxes and other levies are forcing the governor and legislators to draw up plans for even deeper spending cuts.”  “Budget officials: Let’s cut deeper“.

“Facing a souring economic outlook, Gov Charlie Crist on Friday ordered state government to trim up to $1 billion in spending for the budget year beginning next week.”  Back at the ranch. good-time Charlie sticks his head in the sand: “Crist confident promises can be kept“.

“Spurred by fears that Florida’s economy is slowing down, Gov. Charlie Crist and the GOP-controlled Legislature [asked Friday] that each state agency draw up plans to cut their budgets by as much as 10 percent.”  “Crist to ask for places to trim budget“.  See also “Crist s order to state: Cut $1 billion in spending“, “Budget officials: Let’s cut deeper“, “Crist advises agencies to tighten belts” and “Plunging revenues force search for cuts“.

“Back to the barricade”

“D j vu? A year after resisting efforts to explore Florida waters for oil and gas, Florida’s senators are back to the barricade.”  “Florida’s senators fighting oil prospectors — again“.

How the mighty have fallen

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board ain’t happy: “Now, when it’s finally the day the public is waiting for, the man who so arrogantly stomped on the power entrusted him gets yet another reprieve.”.  See “Masilotti gets five years“.  See also “Corruption” (”Masilotti deserves 10 or 20 years in prison for so vastly abusing his office and the public trust by lining his pockets off secret land deals.”).

“Open mind”

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: “Crist did the right thing this week when he changed his mind and agreed to let Florida’s top three research universities charge higher tuition than other state schools.  Clearly this governor is willing to listen and, refreshingly, keep an open mind. “  “Welcome change“.

“Florida officials earned this one.”

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: “Ultimatums typically aren’t good, but Florida officials earned this one.  The U.S. Department of the Interior has warned Gov. Charlie Crist to work out an agreement in 60 days to allow the Seminole Tribe of Florida to have Las Vegas-style slots, or else. If Florida doesn’t act, the feds will cut their own deal and the state could lose out on millions of dollars in new revenue.”  “Gaming“.

Attack Dogs

“Rep. Luis Garcia, the Miami Beach Democrat who is among the seven House freshmen to win over Republican seats has also been targeted by the attack mailers this week sent by the Republican Party of Florida. … The list of House freshmen under the attack also includes: Reps. Ron Saunders of Key West, Martin Kiar of Parkland, Debbie Boyd of High Springs, Keith Fitzgerald of Sarasota, Bill Heller of St. Petersburg and Janet Long of St. Petersburg.”  “More Dems targeted by GOP prop tax ads“.

Spoils

“Crist today named Rep. Mark Mahon, a Jacksonville Republican, to a vacant judgeship on the Fourth Judicial Circuit, which covers Clay, Duval and Nassau counties. Mahon’s term will start tomorrow.”  “Crist sends GOP lawmaker to bench“.

“Fed up”

The Miami Herald editorial board: “There’s no question that city of Miami Community Development Director Barbara Gomez should be fired. But giving her a $1 million pension as a parting gift would be an insult to taxpayers. Her funding of agencies where an ex-husband and a son worked — obvious conflicts of interest — alone is reason for dismissal. She shouldn’t be rewarded for running a housing program that awarded millions of dollars to developers for projects that were never built.”  “One more reason taxpayers are fed up“.

Edwards

“In a short speech to a crowd of a couple of hundred at Lowry Park Zoo, Edwards delivered his signature campaign lines: ‘Eliminate the two Americas that still exist in this country and build one America that works for all of us an America that is moral and just,’ he exhorted them.”

It was one of a series of rallies Edwards is holding called “Small Change for Big Change.” They’re low-priced fundraisers - $15 a head in Tampa - intended to attract as many people as possible and raise Edwards’ profile outside the few states where he has concentrated his campaign so far.

Before that, however, Edwards went for bigger change in a fundraiser at a South Tampa home, hosted by two prominent local lawyers and long-standing supporters, Steve Yerrid and Jim Wilkes.

Like his rivals for the Democratic nomination for president, Edwards faces a command performance in Orlando today: an appearance before 1,000 Hispanic elected officials from across the nation attending a conference. The influential Latinos are a constituency no Democrat can ignore.

“Edwards Emphasizes Iraq During 2 Tampa Fundraisers“.  See also “Edwards leaps to his wife’s defense during Tampa fundraiser” (”Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards wasted no time Friday making hay of his wife’s fight with conservative commentator Ann Coulter.”)

In the meantime, the right exhibits its intellectual heft yet again: “Edwards Critics Get Snippy“.

Hacks

The Tampa Tribune editorial board does its best to dumb down the electorate, arguing that its wonderful to slash public employee rolls because (as the Chamber of Commerce would have them believe),

most government workers also have been getting raises far more generous than typically available in the private sector.

“Smart Budget Cuts At City Hall Confirm Wisdom Of Tax Reform“.

The abject arrogance of these cocktail swilling editors to complain that “most government workers also have been getting raises far more generous than typically available in the private sector”?  Tell that to your garbage man or animal control worker.

The Trib editors no doubt think stuff like this (see below) is malarkey generated by those powerful public employee unions to foster fat raises for lazy firefighters:

A week after the World Trade Center attack, then-Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christine Whitman reassured the public that “their air is safe to breathe.” She was wrong. One recent study shows that 70 percent of Ground Zero workers suffer some respiratory illness, and another finds that rescue workers and firefighters have very high rates of a serious lung-scarring disease.

“Breathtaking mistake“.

More on the need to rein in those overpaid public employees (in this case those overpaid mosquito control workers) here: “Amid all the budget reductions considered by the Leon County Commission to accommodate a state mandate to ease property taxes, the reduction or elimination of the county’s $600,000 mosquito control created an unexpected uproar.”  “Swat, swat“.

Where’s Mandy?

“Mandy Dawson, who missed more sessions of the Florida Senate this year than any of her colleagues, seemed to have vanished from the public eye.”

The Fort Lauderdale Democrat, whose district stretches from Fort Lauderdale to Palm Beach Gardens, was absent for more roll call votes this year than any of her fellow senators and skipped the entire three-day special session on property tax reform this month.

But Friday evening, Dawson spoke by cell phone and e-mail with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. She suffers from a degenerative spinal disease and has already had two operations to relieve the pain. Now, she said, she is worried she might also have cancer.

“Fort Lauderdale’s state senate representative speaks out on her long record of absences“.

“A wink and a nod,”

“‘I oppose the expansion of gambling,’ Republican Gov. Charlie Crist said repeatedly during his campaign.”

Granted, he said it with a wink and a nod, as casino boss Donald Trump hosted fundraisers for his campaign, and the gambling industry and the Indian tribes poured in millions of dollars. But he said it.

“I oppose the expansion of gambling,'’ he said.

Crist refused to elaborate. At one point, a campaign spokeswoman explained: “When [he] says he’s against the expansion of gambling, that’s just what he means.'’

But by “expansion,'’ apparently he didn’t mean the gradual but unmistakable march toward more ways to gamble at more places for more hours with more money. Because that is what is happening.

“By gambling, Crist means…“.

Privatization Fiasco

Credit the The St. Petersburg Times editorial board for asking a

fundamental question: Why does the state and its stable of privately run providers keep making the same mistakes that have plagued the child welfare system for years?

“Repeating mistakes“.

The Florida Progressive Coalition’s “5 to Read“.  Today’s Florida political news and punditry follows.

Bushco’s hood ornament

Sure, “Mr. Cellophane” is a national embarrassment as Bushco’s hood ornament, but his current level of hypocrisy is a bit much, even for Mel.

“Florida Republican Mel Martinez blasted fellow U.S. senators Friday for killing legislation that would have legalized millions of unlawful immigrants, but whose collapse was hailed by most of his party’s presidential field.”

Except for Senate sponsor John McCain, most of the GOP presidential field joined with conservative talk radio in fanning fierce opposition to the immigration bill. But Martinez, who doubles as his party’s national chairman, sought to spread blame equally on both sides.

“Florida’s Frankenstein” apparently can’t count:

Senators voted 53 to 46 to reject a motion to end debate and move toward final passage. Thirty-seven Republicans voted to oppose the bill, while only 12 voted for it. By contrast, Democrats voted 33-to-15 in favor of the bill.

“Martinez rips those who voted to kill bill“.

Mel has his head squarely in his derri re with remarks like this: “the Republican Party was not to blame for its failure, Martinez said.”  “Chairman slams immigration bill opponents, challenges them to act“.

More: “The Republican-led defeat of immigration reform in the Senate Thursday is sounding political alarms as the Hispanic community gears up for the 2008 presidential election.”  “GOP faces tension with Hispanic vote“.

“Wait till next year”

“Florida broke Democrats’ hearts in 2000 and snubbed them four years later.  Wait till next year, say love-struck Democrats — and they could be right.”

Democrats are optimistic about capturing Florida in 2008 due to President Bush’s sagging popularity, the ongoing Iraq war and the demise of the immigration bill, in which the heated rhetoric from conservative quarters has alienated many in the state’s large, fast-changing Hispanic population.

“Florida Again Poised to Play Kingmaker“.

“Souring economic outlook”

If Florida’s economy continues to “boom” like this … .  “A slack housing market, combined with a drop-off in new car sales, corporate income taxes and other levies are forcing the governor and legislators to draw up plans for even deeper spending cuts.”  “Budget officials: Let’s cut deeper“.

“Facing a souring economic outlook, Gov Charlie Crist on Friday ordered state government to trim up to $1 billion in spending for the budget year beginning next week.”  Back at the ranch. good-time Charlie sticks his head in the sand: “Crist confident promises can be kept“.

“Spurred by fears that Florida’s economy is slowing down, Gov. Charlie Crist and the GOP-controlled Legislature [asked Friday] that each state agency draw up plans to cut their budgets by as much as 10 percent.”  “Crist to ask for places to trim budget“.  See also “Crist s order to state: Cut $1 billion in spending“, “Budget officials: Let’s cut deeper“, “Crist advises agencies to tighten belts” and “Plunging revenues force search for cuts“.

“Back to the barricade”

“D j vu? A year after resisting efforts to explore Florida waters for oil and gas, Florida’s senators are back to the barricade.”  “Florida’s senators fighting oil prospectors — again“.

How the mighty have fallen

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board ain’t happy: “Now, when it’s finally the day the public is waiting for, the man who so arrogantly stomped on the power entrusted him gets yet another reprieve.”.  See “Masilotti gets five years“.  See also “Corruption” (”Masilotti deserves 10 or 20 years in prison for so vastly abusing his office and the public trust by lining his pockets off secret land deals.”).

“Open mind”

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: “Crist did the right thing this week when he changed his mind and agreed to let Florida’s top three research universities charge higher tuition than other state schools.  Clearly this governor is willing to listen and, refreshingly, keep an open mind. “  “Welcome change“.

“Florida officials earned this one.”

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: “Ultimatums typically aren’t good, but Florida officials earned this one.  The U.S. Department of the Interior has warned Gov. Charlie Crist to work out an agreement in 60 days to allow the Seminole Tribe of Florida to have Las Vegas-style slots, or else. If Florida doesn’t act, the feds will cut their own deal and the state could lose out on millions of dollars in new revenue.”  “Gaming“.

Attack Dogs

“Rep. Luis Garcia, the Miami Beach Democrat who is among the seven House freshmen to win over Republican seats has also been targeted by the attack mailers this week sent by the Republican Party of Florida. … The list of House freshmen under the attack also includes: Reps. Ron Saunders of Key West, Martin Kiar of Parkland, Debbie Boyd of High Springs, Keith Fitzgerald of Sarasota, Bill Heller of St. Petersburg and Janet Long of St. Petersburg.”  “More Dems targeted by GOP prop tax ads“.

Spoils

“Crist today named Rep. Mark Mahon, a Jacksonville Republican, to a vacant judgeship on the Fourth Judicial Circuit, which covers Clay, Duval and Nassau counties. Mahon’s term will start tomorrow.”  “Crist sends GOP lawmaker to bench“.

“Fed up”

The Miami Herald editorial board: “There’s no question that city of Miami Community Development Director Barbara Gomez should be fired. But giving her a $1 million pension as a parting gift would be an insult to taxpayers. Her funding of agencies where an ex-husband and a son worked — obvious conflicts of interest — alone is reason for dismissal. She shouldn’t be rewarded for running a housing program that awarded millions of dollars to developers for projects that were never built.”  “One more reason taxpayers are fed up“.

Edwards

“In a short speech to a crowd of a couple of hundred at Lowry Park Zoo, Edwards delivered his signature campaign lines: ‘Eliminate the two Americas that still exist in this country and build one America that works for all of us an America that is moral and just,’ he exhorted them.”

It was one of a series of rallies Edwards is holding called “Small Change for Big Change.” They’re low-priced fundraisers - $15 a head in Tampa - intended to attract as many people as possible and raise Edwards’ profile outside the few states where he has concentrated his campaign so far.

Before that, however, Edwards went for bigger change in a fundraiser at a South Tampa home, hosted by two prominent local lawyers and long-standing supporters, Steve Yerrid and Jim Wilkes.

Like his rivals for the Democratic nomination for president, Edwards faces a command performance in Orlando today: an appearance before 1,000 Hispanic elected officials from across the nation attending a conference. The influential Latinos are a constituency no Democrat can ignore.

“Edwards Emphasizes Iraq During 2 Tampa Fundraisers“.  See also “Edwards leaps to his wife’s defense during Tampa fundraiser” (”Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards wasted no time Friday making hay of his wife’s fight with conservative commentator Ann Coulter.”)

In the meantime, the right exhibits its intellectual heft yet again: “Edwards Critics Get Snippy“.

Hacks

The Tampa Tribune editorial board does its best to dumb down the electorate, arguing that its wonderful to slash public employee rolls because (as the Chamber of Commerce would have them believe),

most government workers also have been getting raises far more generous than typically available in the private sector.

“Smart Budget Cuts At City Hall Confirm Wisdom Of Tax Reform“.

The abject arrogance of these cocktail swilling editors to complain that “most government workers also have been getting raises far more generous than typically available in the private sector”?  Tell that to your garbage man or animal control worker.

The Trib editors no doubt think stuff like this (see below) is malarkey generated by those powerful public employee unions to foster fat raises for lazy firefighters:

A week after the World Trade Center attack, then-Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christine Whitman reassured the public that “their air is safe to breathe.” She was wrong. One recent study shows that 70 percent of Ground Zero workers suffer some respiratory illness, and another finds that rescue workers and firefighters have very high rates of a serious lung-scarring disease.

“Breathtaking mistake“.

More on the need to rein in those overpaid public employees (in this case those overpaid mosquito control workers) here: “Amid all the budget reductions considered by the Leon County Commission to accommodate a state mandate to ease property taxes, the reduction or elimination of the county’s $600,000 mosquito control created an unexpected uproar.”  “Swat, swat“.

Where’s Mandy?

“Mandy Dawson, who missed more sessions of the Florida Senate this year than any of her colleagues, seemed to have vanished from the public eye.”

The Fort Lauderdale Democrat, whose district stretches from Fort Lauderdale to Palm Beach Gardens, was absent for more roll call votes this year than any of her fellow senators and skipped the entire three-day special session on property tax reform this month.

But Friday evening, Dawson spoke by cell phone and e-mail with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. She suffers from a degenerative spinal disease and has already had two operations to relieve the pain. Now, she said, she is worried she might also have cancer.

“Fort Lauderdale’s state senate representative speaks out on her long record of absences“.

“A wink and a nod,”

“‘I oppose the expansion of gambling,’ Republican Gov. Charlie Crist said repeatedly during his campaign.”

Granted, he said it with a wink and a nod, as casino boss Donald Trump hosted fundraisers for his campaign, and the gambling industry and the Indian tribes poured in millions of dollars. But he said it.

“I oppose the expansion of gambling,'’ he said.

Crist refused to elaborate. At one point, a campaign spokeswoman explained: “When [he] says he’s against the expansion of gambling, that’s just what he means.'’

But by “expansion,'’ apparently he didn’t mean the gradual but unmistakable march toward more ways to gamble at more places for more hours with more money. Because that is what is happening.

“By gambling, Crist means…“.

Privatization Fiasco

Credit the The St. Petersburg Times editorial board for asking a

fundamental question: Why does the state and its stable of privately run providers keep making the same mistakes that have plagued the child welfare system for years?

“Repeating mistakes“.

Is Feeney going down?  See “Feds Seek Vid of Feeney Statement“.  Tale a look at the FPC’s “5 to Read“.  Today’s Florida political news and punditry follows.

“Silly partisanship bordering on pathetic”

“Republican House leaders unleashed their harshest round of political attacks in the property tax wars Thursday, sending fliers to voters in a handful of districts accusing Democratic incumbents of voting against tax relief.”

The attacks, paid for by the Republican Party of Florida, tell only half of the story, however.

They are aimed at the party-line vote taken by Democrats against the constitutional amendment proposed by Republican leaders earlier this month. The amendment will ask voters in January to let homeowners choose between their tax savings and assessment cap from the Save Our Homes Act and a giant homestead exemption of up to $195,000.

While all the Democrats in the House and Senate voted against the constitutional amendment, which would cut taxes by as much as $13 billion over five years, they also voted in favor of a bill to roll back taxes $15 billion over the same time period.

The constitutional amendment must win approval of 60 percent of voters on Jan. 29 and, if enacted, would eliminate $7.2 billion in school tax revenues. The tax rollback, however, takes effect Sunday and is likely to go down in history as the largest tax cut on the books.

The absence of that distinction in the mailers had Democrats fuming Thursday.

‘’It’s rank, silly partisanship bordering on pathetic,'’ said House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber of Miami Beach.

“GOP attacks rivals on property tax vote“.  See also “Attack mailer targets Pinellas House Democrat” (”You know all that talk of bipartisan good feeling in Tallahassee? That was so last month.”)

GOPer Hispanic Implosion 

The Miami Herald reports this morning: “The Republican-led defeat of immigration reform in the Senate Thursday is sounding political alarms as the Hispanic community gears up for the 2008 presidential election.  The Senate bill unleashed inflammatory rhetoric — from no-name bloggers to high-profile presidential contenders — that could rupture the Republican Party’s relationship with the fastest-growing voting bloc.”  Here’s Freddie giving the finger to Cubans:

One all-but-declared Republican candidate rising in the polls, Fred Thompson, said on the eve of the vote: “I don’t imagine they’re coming here to bring greetings from Castro. We’re living in the era of the suitcase bomb.'’ …

The video of Thompson’s Castro-suitcase bomb remarks during a speech in South Carolina was posted on YouTube and circulated by Democratic operatives.

Florida’s “reactionary ogre” ain’t happy:

Mel Martinez has chided GOP presidential contenders Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney for opposing the immigration bill, an unexpected criticism coming from the general chairman of the Republican National Committee.

And then there is this: “all but one also-ran among the Republican presidential contenders turned down invitations to address about 1,000 Hispanic elected officials meeting in Orlando through the weekend. All of the leading Democrats are slated to address the National Association of Latino Elected Officials on Saturday, making the GOP field’s absence conspicuous.”

‘When you have all these candidates appealing to the conservative base and going for the red meat on immigration, it can have a negative long-term impact on Hispanic voters,'’ said David Rivera, a Cuban-American state legislator and Republican Party leader in Miami-Dade.

“GOP faces tension with Hispanic vote“.  See also “GOP hopefuls skip Hispanic event“.

Poor Mel, he doesn’t understand how it could have happened: “Sen. Martinez: Immigration vote’big let-down’“.  More: “Senate Rejects Bush Immigration Plan“, “After two failed tries Martinez moves on” and “Immigration bill’s Senate defeat stuns Orlando advocates“.

In the meantime, Thompson is a full 5 gears in reverse: “Fred Thompson Explains His Remarks About Cuba“.  More: “Clinton Campaign Reacts To Fred Thompson s Comment on Cubans“.  See also “See Fred Speak. Did He Really Say That About Cubans?” and “Thompson’s Cuba comment hits YouTube“.

The Miami Herald editorial board: “Senate falters on immigration reform“.  The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: “Failure“.  The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: “Bill, hope die in Senate“.

Huh?

“During today’s meeting of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, House Speaker Marco Rubio was awarded the Edward R. Roybal Award for Outstanding Public Service.”  “Rubio honored for ‘outstanding public service’“.

Busy Girl

“The answer: five — plus a speech to 1,000 Hispanic elected officials.”  “How many Florida fundraisers can Hillary do in one day?“.

Laff Riot

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: “State senators Paula Dockery and J.D. Alexander, both influential Polk County lawmakers, have declared war on each other. … Alexander supported Dockery’s move to win the [Senate] presidency in 2008, but then he decided he wanted the job for himself in 2010. Recently, however, he withdrew from the race and threw his support to another rival, Sen. Mike Haridopolos of Indialantic.  Now Dockery accuses Alexander of breaking his word. She may still have a chance to lead the Senate, but that’s not likely without Alexander’s help.”  “Feuding Senators Should Reconcile“.

Charlie at Work

Charlie sure has been reading a lot: “Crist let 47 bills become law during the past two days, including two that expand gambling in the state and another that has owners of lions and tigers in a panic because it may force them to take out millions of dollars in insurance.”

Of the 47 bills, he signed 46 and let one become law without his signature. He vetoed six others.

One bill (SB 500) that he signed was vetoed three years ago by predecessor Jeb Bush. It will allow charitable organizations holding bingo games to also sell “instant bingo” tickets for up to $1.

The bill (HB 1047) that he allowed to become law without his signature lets Broward County pari-mutuel facilities add 500 ATM-style slot machines to the current 1,500 limit, increases the slot machines’ daily hours of operation from 16 to 18, and permits them to operate around the clock on weekends and some holidays.

The wild animal bill (SB 2766) was originally designed to crack down on pet owners and others who release snakes such as pythons into the wild. Such releases pose a threat to indigenous wildlife, especially in the Everglades region.

“Crist signs off on 47 measures, expands gambling in Broward“.

“Bills that would have reduced state nursing home inspections and lowered training standards for some teachers of students who speak English as a second language were vetoed Thursday by Gov. Charlie Crist.”  “Crist vetoes bills on nursing home inspections, teacher standards“.  See also “Crist vetoes bill to raise credit-card, court fees“.

“Sweet”

The Orlando Sentinel editors: “Industries normally resist tighter government regulation, so Florida’s tomato growers deserve credit for recognizing that the time was ripe for a new state inspection program targeting their crop.”.

Loitering While Black

“Thomas: Disney apology could cool talk about racial profiling“.

Whatever

“After less than six months in office, Gov. Charlie Crist is having the first shakeup in his administration.  Crist communications director Vivian Myrtetus is leaving to a join a Tallahassee public relations firm [Core Message] that is a haven for operatives in the former administration of Gov. Jeb Bush.”  “Crist suffers first staff shakeup“.  Check out this brain trust.

“The governor s office may have taken talking about yourself in the third person to a new level writing about yourself in the third person.  That may be understandable, though, because only one of the two people who usually writes press releases is still there.  Press Secretary Erin Isaac sent out a press release tonight announcing that Erin Isaac has been appointed communications director for the governor s office, replacing Vivian Myrtetus.”  “Chief Cook and Bottle Washer“.

“His next trick”

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: “For his next trick, Gov. Crist should demonstrate that he truly has seen the light about Florida’s lagging financing for the state university system. The governor last month vetoed a 5 percent tuition increase that the Legislature had approved for the 11 public universities. On Wednesday, however, he unexpectedly signed legislation that will provide more faculty and classes at three of the state’s top research universities, financed by a student fee that he previously had said was ‘doomed.’”

If Gov. Crist wants to hear the rest of the university presidents’ case on tuition, the truly comprehensive solution the system needs could begin as soon as the proposed special session. His change of heart on the fee was a start. Why not complete the job and get the job done for higher education in Florida?

“A sign that Crist might squeak by in Tuition 101“.

The Tallahassee Democrat editors: “It couldn’t have been easy for Gov. Charlie Crist, who faithfully espouses principles of openness of government, clarity of language and accessibility to higher education, to have allowed any tuition increase to go forward.  But it’s good that on Wednesday he did sign legislation creating a tiered increase in tuition for incoming undergraduates at Florida State University, the University of Florida and the University of South Florida beginning in 2008.”  “Class act“.

‘Glades

George Diaz has a point: “Clueless news flash from the United Nations:  The Everglades are A-OK!  It removed the U.S. national park from its List of World Heritage in Danger earlier this week. … What’s next? The U.N. declaring that the troop surge in Iraq has been a spectacular success …”.  “U.N. assertion does not make Everglades OK“.

Meanwhile, “Everglades restoration got a boost Thursday with Gov. Charlie Crist’s signing of a law providing millions of additional dollars for cleanup efforts and granting the state new authority over pollution throughout the vast wetlands.”  “Everglades restoration gets boost with new law“.

FCAT Follies

“School districts across Florida are bracing for what may be the worst showing in years when the state releases its annual school grades today.”  “Schools brace for harsh report card“.

Florida’s Booming Economy

“Florida’s deepening slump in tax collections will force the state to welcome a new fiscal year this weekend with cost-cutting steps such as reducing travel and leaving vacant jobs unfilled, Gov. Charlie Crist said Thursday.”  “State looks for trims as coffers run short“.

A Florida Hero

“Eleven years ago, when Ron McAndrew became superintendent of the Florida prison where Death Row inmates are executed, he was an unflinching supporter of capital punishment.”

Early today, the Dunnellon resident will fly to Washington to participate in a fast and vigil organized by the anti-death-penalty Abolitionist Action Committee in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.

The demonstration, which includes a press conference in which McAndrew is a featured speaker, is part of four days of activities commemorating 1972 and 1976 Supreme Court rulings suspending then reinstating capital punishment in the United States.

“The death penalty puts us right up there with the barbarians in Iran, where killing other people is a sport more than justice,” he said. “It’s an absolute political manipulation - a politician’s best toy.”

“From prison warden to anti-execution advocate“.

“Law may not be the end of the story”

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: “Now that Gov. Charlie Crist has signed legislation putting property tax reform on the ballot, Floridians have extra reason to go to the polls for the presidential primary next Jan. 29.  However, it’s important to recognize that the new law may not be the end of the story. The members of theTaxation and Budget Reform Commission shouldn’t let the measure approved in Tallahassee discourage them from producing their own blueprint for property tax reform.”  “Property Taxes“.

Unrepentant GOPer

“Tony Masilotti gets sentenced to federal prison today, but you’d never know it from the way he’s been acting the past few months.”

The day he pleaded guilty, Masilotti called the land deals “legitimate” and blamed his predicament on “bad advice” from lawyers. He’s been out and about, still flying to the Bahamas. He’s newly engaged, and seeking lower alimony payments. In short, he’s the same overbearing, self-absorbed Tony Masilotti who bullied and antagonized while on the public payroll.

Such unrepentant behavior is just one more reason that U.S. District Judge Kenneth Ryskamp should give Masilotti the maximum sentence. Even if that happens, Masilotti will get off easy, considering what he took and how. U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., faces 235 years in prison on bribery charges, but Masilotti didn’t plead guilty to bribery. He took the deal to spare his brother from prosecution and to avoid what might have been a much longer sentence.

Judge Ryskamp has a record and reputation for being comparatively soft on white-collar criminals. There is no reason for any leniency when it comes to Masilotti’s case. When he pleaded guilty, Masilotti said he was sorry. His behavior since then, however, shows that he’s sorry only that he got caught.

“Give Masilotti the max“.

Is Feeney going down?  See “Feds Seek Vid of Feeney Statement“.  Tale a look at the FPC’s “5 to Read“.  Today’s Florida political news and punditry follows.

“Silly partisanship bordering on pathetic”

“Republican House leaders unleashed their harshest round of political attacks in the property tax wars Thursday, sending fliers to voters in a handful of districts accusing Democratic incumbents of voting against tax relief.”

The attacks, paid for by the Republican Party of Florida, tell only half of the story, however.

They are aimed at the party-line vote taken by Democrats against the constitutional amendment proposed by Republican leaders earlier this month. The amendment will ask voters in January to let homeowners choose between their tax savings and assessment cap from the Save Our Homes Act and a giant homestead exemption of up to $195,000.

While all the Democrats in the House and Senate voted against the constitutional amendment, which would cut taxes by as much as $13 billion over five years, they also voted in favor of a bill to roll back taxes $15 billion over the same time period.

The constitutional amendment must win approval of 60 percent of voters on Jan. 29 and, if enacted, would eliminate $7.2 billion in school tax revenues. The tax rollback, however, takes effect Sunday and is likely to go down in history as the largest tax cut on the books.

The absence of that distinction in the mailers had Democrats fuming Thursday.

‘’It’s rank, silly partisanship bordering on pathetic,'’ said House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber of Miami Beach.

“GOP attacks rivals on property tax vote“.  See also “Attack mailer targets Pinellas House Democrat” (”You know all that talk of bipartisan good feeling in Tallahassee? That was so last month.”)

GOPer Hispanic Implosion 

The Miami Herald reports this morning: “The Republican-led defeat of immigration reform in the Senate Thursday is sounding political alarms as the Hispanic community gears up for the 2008 presidential election.  The Senate bill unleashed inflammatory rhetoric — from no-name bloggers to high-profile presidential contenders — that could rupture the Republican Party’s relationship with the fastest-growing voting bloc.”  Here’s Freddie giving the finger to Cubans:

One all-but-declared Republican candidate rising in the polls, Fred Thompson, said on the eve of the vote: “I don’t imagine they’re coming here to bring greetings from Castro. We’re living in the era of the suitcase bomb.'’ …

The video of Thompson’s Castro-suitcase bomb remarks during a speech in South Carolina was posted on YouTube and circulated by Democratic operatives.

Florida’s “reactionary ogre” ain’t happy:

Mel Martinez has chided GOP presidential contenders Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney for opposing the immigration bill, an unexpected criticism coming from the general chairman of the Republican National Committee.

And then there is this: “all but one also-ran among the Republican presidential contenders turned down invitations to address about 1,000 Hispanic elected officials meeting in Orlando through the weekend. All of the leading Democrats are slated to address the National Association of Latino Elected Officials on Saturday, making the GOP field’s absence conspicuous.”

‘When you have all these candidates appealing to the conservative base and going for the red meat on immigration, it can have a negative long-term impact on Hispanic voters,'’ said David Rivera, a Cuban-American state legislator and Republican Party leader in Miami-Dade.

“GOP faces tension with Hispanic vote“.  See also “GOP hopefuls skip Hispanic event“.

Poor Mel, he doesn’t understand how it could have happened: “Sen. Martinez: Immigration vote’big let-down’“.  More: “Senate Rejects Bush Immigration Plan“, “After two failed tries Martinez moves on” and “Immigration bill’s Senate defeat stuns Orlando advocates“.

In the meantime, Thompson is a full 5 gears in reverse: “Fred Thompson Explains His Remarks About Cuba“.  More: “Clinton Campaign Reacts To Fred Thompson s Comment on Cubans“.  See also “See Fred Speak. Did He Really Say That About Cubans?” and “Thompson’s Cuba comment hits YouTube“.

The Miami Herald editorial board: “Senate falters on immigration reform“.  The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: “Failure“.  The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: “Bill, hope die in Senate“.

Huh?

“During today’s meeting of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, House Speaker Marco Rubio was awarded the Edward R. Roybal Award for Outstanding Public Service.”  “Rubio honored for ‘outstanding public service’“.

Busy Girl

“The answer: five — plus a speech to 1,000 Hispanic elected officials.”  “How many Florida fundraisers can Hillary do in one day?“.

Laff Riot

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: “State senators Paula Dockery and J.D. Alexander, both influential Polk County lawmakers, have declared war on each other. … Alexander supported Dockery’s move to win the [Senate] presidency in 2008, but then he decided he wanted the job for himself in 2010. Recently, however, he withdrew from the race and threw his support to another rival, Sen. Mike Haridopolos of Indialantic.  Now Dockery accuses Alexander of breaking his word. She may still have a chance to lead the Senate, but that’s not likely without Alexander’s help.”  “Feuding Senators Should Reconcile“.

Charlie at Work

Charlie sure has been reading a lot: “Crist let 47 bills become law during the past two days, including two that expand gambling in the state and another that has owners of lions and tigers in a panic because it may force them to take out millions of dollars in insurance.”

Of the 47 bills, he signed 46 and let one become law without his signature. He vetoed six others.

One bill (SB 500) that he signed was vetoed three years ago by predecessor Jeb Bush. It will allow charitable organizations holding bingo games to also sell “instant bingo” tickets for up to $1.

The bill (HB 1047) that he allowed to become law without his signature lets Broward County pari-mutuel facilities add 500 ATM-style slot machines to the current 1,500 limit, increases the slot machines’ daily hours of operation from 16 to 18, and permits them to operate around the clock on weekends and some holidays.

The wild animal bill (SB 2766) was originally designed to crack down on pet owners and others who release snakes such as pythons into the wild. Such releases pose a threat to indigenous wildlife, especially in the Everglades region.

“Crist signs off on 47 measures, expands gambling in Broward“.

“Bills that would have reduced state nursing home inspections and lowered training standards for some teachers of students who speak English as a second language were vetoed Thursday by Gov. Charlie Crist.”  “Crist vetoes bills on nursing home inspections, teacher standards“.  See also “Crist vetoes bill to raise credit-card, court fees“.

“Sweet”

The Orlando Sentinel editors: “Industries normally resist tighter government regulation, so Florida’s tomato growers deserve credit for recognizing that the time was ripe for a new state inspection program targeting their crop.”.

Loitering While Black

“Thomas: Disney apology could cool talk about racial profiling“.

Whatever

“After less than six months in office, Gov. Charlie Crist is having the first shakeup in his administration.  Crist communications director Vivian Myrtetus is leaving to a join a Tallahassee public relations firm [Core Message] that is a haven for operatives in the former administration of Gov. Jeb Bush.”  “Crist suffers first staff shakeup“.  Check out this brain trust.

“The governor s office may have taken talking about yourself in the third person to a new level writing about yourself in the third person.  That may be understandable, though, because only one of the two people who usually writes press releases is still there.  Press Secretary Erin Isaac sent out a press release tonight announcing that Erin Isaac has been appointed communications director for the governor s office, replacing Vivian Myrtetus.”  “Chief Cook and Bottle Washer“.

“His next trick”

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: “For his next trick, Gov. Crist should demonstrate that he truly has seen the light about Florida’s lagging financing for the state university system. The governor last month vetoed a 5 percent tuition increase that the Legislature had approved for the 11 public universities. On Wednesday, however, he unexpectedly signed legislation that will provide more faculty and classes at three of the state’s top research universities, financed by a student fee that he previously had said was ‘doomed.’”

If Gov. Crist wants to hear the rest of the university presidents’ case on tuition, the truly comprehensive solution the system needs could begin as soon as the proposed special session. His change of heart on the fee was a start. Why not complete the job and get the job done for higher education in Florida?

“A sign that Crist might squeak by in Tuition 101“.

The Tallahassee Democrat editors: “It couldn’t have been easy for Gov. Charlie Crist, who faithfully espouses principles of openness of government, clarity of language and accessibility to higher education, to have allowed any tuition increase to go forward.  But it’s good that on Wednesday he did sign legislation creating a tiered increase in tuition for incoming undergraduates at Florida State University, the University of Florida and the University of South Florida beginning in 2008.”  “Class act“.

‘Glades

George Diaz has a point: “Clueless news flash from the United Nations:  The Everglades are A-OK!  It removed the U.S. national park from its List of World Heritage in Danger earlier this week. … What’s next? The U.N. declaring that the troop surge in Iraq has been a spectacular success …”.  “U.N. assertion does not make Everglades OK“.

Meanwhile, “Everglades restoration got a boost Thursday with Gov. Charlie Crist’s signing of a law providing millions of additional dollars for cleanup efforts and granting the state new authority over pollution throughout the vast wetlands.”  “Everglades restoration gets boost with new law“.

FCAT Follies

“School districts across Florida are bracing for what may be the worst showing in years when the state releases its annual school grades today.”  “Schools brace for harsh report card“.

Florida’s Booming Economy

“Florida’s deepening slump in tax collections will force the state to welcome a new fiscal year this weekend with cost-cutting steps such as reducing travel and leaving vacant jobs unfilled, Gov. Charlie Crist said Thursday.”  “State looks for trims as coffers run short“.

A Florida Hero

“Eleven years ago, when Ron McAndrew became superintendent of the Florida prison where Death Row inmates are executed, he was an unflinching supporter of capital punishment.”

Early today, the Dunnellon resident will fly to Washington to participate in a fast and vigil organized by the anti-death-penalty Abolitionist Action Committee in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.

The demonstration, which includes a press conference in which McAndrew is a featured speaker, is part of four days of activities commemorating 1972 and 1976 Supreme Court rulings suspending then reinstating capital punishment in the United States.

“The death penalty puts us right up there with the barbarians in Iran, where killing other people is a sport more than justice,” he said. “It’s an absolute political manipulation - a politician’s best toy.”

“From prison warden to anti-execution advocate“.

“Law may not be the end of the story”

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: “Now that Gov. Charlie Crist has signed legislation putting property tax reform on the ballot, Floridians have extra reason to go to the polls for the presidential primary next Jan. 29.  However, it’s important to recognize that the new law may not be the end of the story. The members of theTaxation and Budget Reform Commission shouldn’t let the measure approved in Tallahassee discourage them from producing their own blueprint for property tax reform.”  “Property Taxes“.

Unrepentant GOPer

“Tony Masilotti gets sentenced to federal prison today, but you’d never know it from the way he’s been acting the past few months.”

The day he pleaded guilty, Masilotti called the land deals “legitimate” and blamed his predicament on “bad advice” from lawyers. He’s been out and about, still flying to the Bahamas. He’s newly engaged, and seeking lower alimony payments. In short, he’s the same overbearing, self-absorbed Tony Masilotti who bullied and antagonized while on the public payroll.

Such unrepentant behavior is just one more reason that U.S. District Judge Kenneth Ryskamp should give Masilotti the maximum sentence. Even if that happens, Masilotti will get off easy, considering what he took and how. U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., faces 235 years in prison on bribery charges, but Masilotti didn’t plead guilty to bribery. He took the deal to spare his brother from prosecution and to avoid what might have been a much longer sentence.

Judge Ryskamp has a record and reputation for being comparatively soft on white-collar criminals. There is no reason for any leniency when it comes to Masilotti’s case. When he pleaded guilty, Masilotti said he was sorry. His behavior since then, however, shows that he’s sorry only that he got caught.

“Give Masilotti the max“.

Read the FPC’s “5 to Read“.  Today’s Florida political news and punditry follows.

“Ominous signs for the Florida GOP”

Adam Smith writes that “there are ominous signs for the Florida GOP when it comes to the state’s fastest-growing ethnic group. Consider:”

* When Democrat Bill McBride lost his bid for governor in 2002, he won just 36 percent of the vote in one of Miami-Dade’s most heavily Hispanic, reliably Republican state House districts. Last year, McBride’s wife and fellow Democrat Alex Sink was elected chief financial officer and carried 53 percent of the vote there.

  * In Florida’s virtually tied 2000 election, overwhelmingly Republican Cuban-Americans made up about 75 percent of Florida’s Hispanic electorate. Today? More like 40 percent.

  * Jeb Bush in 2002 performed more than 7 percent better in Central Florida’s Osceola County, with its booming population of non-Cuban Hispanics, than Charlie Crist did in 2006.

Whether it’s temporary disenchantment with President Bush, fallout from the immigration debate or part of a political and demographic shift, Democrats in Florida and nationally are making major strides with crucial Hispanic voters.

“Adios, Republican stronghold“.

Promises, Promises

“Florida’s insurance rates, promised by Gov. Charlie Crist to drop by nearly a fourth, are in fact heading up.”  “Rates could rise“.

Florida’s Looming Financial Disaster

Well, that didn’t take long

“Florida’s economy is sputtering so badly that Gov. Charlie Crist and the GOP-controlled Legislature may be forced to order cuts in the more than $71 billion state budget that lawmakers passed less than two months ago.”

Since March, the state has taken in millions less in sales taxes than it anticipated, and there’s no sign that the trend will change anytime soon. Barring an economic turnaround, the shortfall could be as much as $1.2 billion for the current fiscal year and the one that begins Sunday, according to state budget analysts. …

The situation is so dire that it threatens to unravel one of the big promises made by Crist and Republicans during the recent June special session on property taxes — a pledge to have the state replace as much as $1.6 billion in school funding that would be returned to taxpayers in 2008 if voters approve a new super homestead exemption for homeowners on Jan. 29.

And haven’t we heard this before?:

Republicans and Crist say they hope the property-tax rollbacks, coupled with a property insurance package passed in January, will stimulate the economy and replenish the state’s bank accounts in the coming months.

“Florida budget may be a billion short“.

Gambling

“The legislation allows bingo halls to sell instant tickets, which are very similar to instant tickets sold by the Florida Lottery.”  “Crist allows assist to local parimutuels“.

Hi-Lo

“Florida got a high mark of B for teacher evaluation and compensation Wednesday from a Washington, D.C.-based group that likes the state’s use of student test scores to assess teachers and its pioneering merit pay program.”

The state also received a C in four other areas, but it received an F in preparing the state’s special education teachers in the National Council on Teacher Quality’s first State Teacher Policy Yearbook.

The report got a cool reception from the Florida Department of Education.

“High, low marks for teacher quality“.

Charlie’s Tuition Flip-Flop

“Thousands of new college students will start paying a premium next year to attend a trio of Florida’s top-ranked public universities.”  “Tuition will jump at 3 universities“.  See also “Crist reverses stance on tuition hikes“, “Crist allows higher tuition” and “Crist signs tuition increase“.

“They Daytona Beach - News Journal editorial board”: “Florida losing in tuition game“.

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: “Crist made a brave decision Wednesday in changing his mind and signing legislation that allows a tuition increase at the state’s major research universities - the University of Florida, Florida State and the University of South Florida.”  “Colleges: From Doom To Bloom“.

Citizens

“Citizens Property Insurance takes on policies as homeowners opt in to the state-run insurer and private insurers back away from the Florida market.”  “Citizens Property sees growth spurt“.

That’s Our Trib

The Tampa Tribune editorial board shows its stripes (yet again).  See <"Conservative Roberts Court Moves Carefully To The Right“.

Ain’t No Senator’s Son

“A jury on Wednesday convicted the son of Sen. Bill Nelson on charges of battery on a police officer and resisting arrest stemming from an incident that occurred after a re-election party in November.  Charles William Nelson, 31, faces a maximum penalty of six years in prison but could also get no jail time.”  “Senator’s son convicted of battery on police officer“.

End of an Era

Breaking news from Waldo: “Speed-trap police chief hangs up his radar gun“.

The Oil Thing

“Florida s two senators on Wednesday wrote a stern letter of warning to colleagues they will try to block efforts underway to direct or fund seismic surveying for oil and gas off the nation s coasts.”  “Florida Senators Warn They ll Block Efforts to Allow Seismic Surveys Off Coast“.  See also “Tampa Bay Area House Members Unite Against Drilling Bill“.

Global Warming

“Floridians are worried about increasingly destructive storms, rising sea levels and other results of human-caused climate change, but they’re also frustrated by having little ability to do anything about it.  Todd Sack, chairman of an advisory committee studying how Florida should respond to global warming, says that’s something he has already learned by listening to ideas from people across the state.”  “Climate-change panel in motion“.

Another Special Session

“Fall Back: September Session on PIP Likely“.  See also “Finding no fault with PIP, Crist wants to keep it“.

Book

The Miami Herald editorial board: “Billboards don’t have to be a tolerated nuisance in our landscapes. We could function fine without them. But outdoor advertisers have big political clout. Politicians routinely vote to allow the commercial blights along our expressways and busy streets that benefit of only a few people, including, of course, the owners of billboards.”

A … worrisome aspect of this [Miami-Dade County] ordinance is the role played by lobbyist Ron Book. Make that roles. Mr. Book lobbies for Miami-Dade County in the Legislature. He also lobbies the Miami-Dade Commission on behalf of his other clients. Mr. Book was a consultant for the billboard company during its negotiations with North Miami. Mr. Book says he became part owner of the billboard company only after the settlement was struck. Then he lobbied Miami-Dade commissioners, on behalf of North Miami, he says, to amend the county’s billboard ordinance. Conflicted? That’s an understatement.

The ubiquity of Mr. Book’s lobbying is no secret. But no lobbyist who works for a government should be able to petition that same government on behalf of another client, much less for his own financial interests.

“Billboard ordinance is too broad“.

No “Back Pumping”

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: “Crist’s five new appointees to the South Florida Water Management District board soon will decide whether to consider ‘back-pumping.’ This destructive practice of pumping water - laden with pesticides and nutrient-rich fertilizers - back into the lake from farm canals hasn’t happened since the last drought in 2001.”  “Forget back-pumping“.

Romney’s Thug

“Jay Garrity, the aide to presidential candidate Mitt Romney who is under investigation in New Hampshire for allegedly pulling over a New York Times reporter and telling him to stop following Romney s car had an earlier run-in with the press - in Florida s Capitol.”

Palm Beach Post Tallahassee bureau chief S.V. Date says that Garrity, who is now on paid leave from the campaign while New Hampshire authorities investigate, tried in April to prevent Date from following Romney into the Florida Senate Office Building, and then again when Date tried to board an elevator Romney was taking to meet with Republican state senators.

After Date reminded Garrity (pictured here) that the building and the elevator were open to the public in Florida, Garrity, wearing a Secret Service style lapel pin and an ear bud, responded that such measures were necessary because of numerous security threats against the former Massachusetts governor.

“We Thought He Looked Familiar“.

“Old Lion”

Daniel Ruth: “An Old Lion Of Wetlands Is Roaring Mad“.

Chamber Takes It In The Shorts

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: “On Tuesday, Gov. Crist rejected an attempt to weaken public participation in Florida politics.  The governor vetoed Senate Bill 900, which the Florida Chamber of Commerce had supported so strongly. The bill would have placed unreasonable restrictions on the gathering of signatures for petitions to amend the Florida Constitution. Notably, organizers would have had just 30 days to turn in signatures for verification, but opponents would have had 120 days to challenge those signatures. In addition, people could not have signed a petition in a county where they did not live - even if they were signing just a short distance from home.”  “Sign up for democracy“.

BTW, He’s a GOPer

“Federal prosecutors on Wednesday strongly urged a judge to sentence disgraced former Palm Beach County Commissioner [Chamber of Commerce hack and and Republican] Tony Masilotti to a full five years in prison, saying Masilotti’s “crimes were egregious violations of the public trust designed to financially better himself to the tune of nearly $10 million.”  “Prosecutor: Send former Palm Beach County commissioner to prison for 5 years“.

Privatization Fiasco

Saint Bob is missing the boat:

“Just because the state contracts out does not mean we’re not responsible,” Mr. Butterworth said. The private foster-care contractors “are here to stay, but the big thing is the oversight.”

“State loses another girl; find ’sense of urgency’“.

Not Cool

“Everybody does it seems to be the rule, so it must be OK, right?  It’s not OK. State law bans government employees with purchasing power over $15,000 from accepting gifts and freebies. Yet, state law didn’t seem to deter some high-ranking Broward County school officials from accepting free, paid trips by companies with school district contracts.”  “Conflicts“.

Read the FPC’s “5 to Read“.  Today’s Florida political news and punditry follows.

“Ominous signs for the Florida GOP”

Adam Smith writes that “there are ominous signs for the Florida GOP when it comes to the state’s fastest-growing ethnic group. Consider:”

* When Democrat Bill McBride lost his bid for governor in 2002, he won just 36 percent of the vote in one of Miami-Dade’s most heavily Hispanic, reliably Republican state House districts. Last year, McBride’s wife and fellow Democrat Alex Sink was elected chief financial officer and carried 53 percent of the vote there.

  * In Florida’s virtually tied 2000 election, overwhelmingly Republican Cuban-Americans made up about 75 percent of Florida’s Hispanic electorate. Today? More like 40 percent.

  * Jeb Bush in 2002 performed more than 7 percent better in Central Florida’s Osceola County, with its booming population of non-Cuban Hispanics, than Charlie Crist did in 2006.

Whether it’s temporary disenchantment with President Bush, fallout from the immigration debate or part of a political and demographic shift, Democrats in Florida and nationally are making major strides with crucial Hispanic voters.

“Adios, Republican stronghold“.

Promises, Promises

“Florida’s insurance rates, promised by Gov. Charlie Crist to drop by nearly a fourth, are in fact heading up.”  “Rates could rise“.

Florida’s Looming Financial Disaster

Well, that didn’t take long

“Florida’s economy is sputtering so badly that Gov. Charlie Crist and the GOP-controlled Legislature may be forced to order cuts in the more than $71 billion state budget that lawmakers passed less than two months ago.”

Since March, the state has taken in millions less in sales taxes than it anticipated, and there’s no sign that the trend will change anytime soon. Barring an economic turnaround, the shortfall could be as much as $1.2 billion for the current fiscal year and the one that begins Sunday, according to state budget analysts. …

The situation is so dire that it threatens to unravel one of the big promises made by Crist and Republicans during the recent June special session on property taxes — a pledge to have the state replace as much as $1.6 billion in school funding that would be returned to taxpayers in 2008 if voters approve a new super homestead exemption for homeowners on Jan. 29.

And haven’t we heard this before?:

Republicans and Crist say they hope the property-tax rollbacks, coupled with a property insurance package passed in January, will stimulate the economy and replenish the state’s bank accounts in the coming months.

“Florida budget may be a billion short“.

Gambling

“The legislation allows bingo halls to sell instant tickets, which are very similar to instant tickets sold by the Florida Lottery.”  “Crist allows assist to local parimutuels“.

Hi-Lo

“Florida got a high mark of B for teacher evaluation and compensation Wednesday from a Washington, D.C.-based group that likes the state’s use of student test scores to assess teachers and its pioneering merit pay program.”

The state also received a C in four other areas, but it received an F in preparing the state’s special education teachers in the National Council on Teacher Quality’s first State Teacher Policy Yearbook.

The report got a cool reception from the Florida Department of Education.

“High, low marks for teacher quality“.

Charlie’s Tuition Flip-Flop

“Thousands of new college students will start paying a premium next year to attend a trio of Florida’s top-ranked public universities.”  “Tuition will jump at 3 universities“.  See also “Crist reverses stance on tuition hikes“, “Crist allows higher tuition” and “Crist signs tuition increase“.

“They Daytona Beach - News Journal editorial board”: “Florida losing in tuition game“.

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: “Crist made a brave decision Wednesday in changing his mind and signing legislation that allows a tuition increase at the state’s major research universities - the University of Florida, Florida State and the University of South Florida.”  “Colleges: From Doom To Bloom“.

Citizens

“Citizens Property Insurance takes on policies as homeowners opt in to the state-run insurer and private insurers back away from the Florida market.”  “Citizens Property sees growth spurt“.

That’s Our Trib

The Tampa Tribune editorial board shows its stripes (yet again).  See <"Conservative Roberts Court Moves Carefully To The Right“.

Ain’t No Senator’s Son

“A jury on Wednesday convicted the son of Sen. Bill Nelson on charges of battery on a police officer and resisting arrest stemming from an incident that occurred after a re-election party in November.  Charles William Nelson, 31, faces a maximum penalty of six years in prison but could also get no jail time.”  “Senator’s son convicted of battery on police officer“.

End of an Era

Breaking news from Waldo: “Speed-trap police chief hangs up his radar gun“.

The Oil Thing

“Florida s two senators on Wednesday wrote a stern letter of warning to colleagues they will try to block efforts underway to direct or fund seismic surveying for oil and gas off the nation s coasts.”  “Florida Senators Warn They ll Block Efforts to Allow Seismic Surveys Off Coast“.  See also “Tampa Bay Area House Members Unite Against Drilling Bill“.

Global Warming

“Floridians are worried about increasingly destructive storms, rising sea levels and other results of human-caused climate change, but they’re also frustrated by having little ability to do anything about it.  Todd Sack, chairman of an advisory committee studying how Florida should respond to global warming, says that’s something he has already learned by listening to ideas from people across the state.”  “Climate-change panel in motion“.

Another Special Session

“Fall Back: September Session on PIP Likely“.  See also “Finding no fault with PIP, Crist wants to keep it“.

Book

The Miami Herald editorial board: “Billboards don’t have to be a tolerated nuisance in our landscapes. We could function fine without them. But outdoor advertisers have big political clout. Politicians routinely vote to allow the commercial blights along our expressways and busy streets that benefit of only a few people, including, of course, the owners of billboards.”

A … worrisome aspect of this [Miami-Dade County] ordinance is the role played by lobbyist Ron Book. Make that roles. Mr. Book lobbies for Miami-Dade County in the Legislature. He also lobbies the Miami-Dade Commission on behalf of his other clients. Mr. Book was a consultant for the billboard company during its negotiations with North Miami. Mr. Book says he became part owner of the billboard company only after the settlement was struck. Then he lobbied Miami-Dade commissioners, on behalf of North Miami, he says, to amend the county’s billboard ordinance. Conflicted? That’s an understatement.

The ubiquity of Mr. Book’s lobbying is no secret. But no lobbyist who works for a government should be able to petition that same government on behalf of another client, much less for his own financial interests.

“Billboard ordinance is too broad“.

No “Back Pumping”

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: “Crist’s five new appointees to the South Florida Water Management District board soon will decide whether to consider ‘back-pumping.’ This destructive practice of pumping water - laden with pesticides and nutrient-rich fertilizers - back into the lake from farm canals hasn’t happened since the last drought in 2001.”  “Forget back-pumping“.

Romney’s Thug

“Jay Garrity, the aide to presidential candidate Mitt Romney who is under investigation in New Hampshire for allegedly pulling over a New York Times reporter and telling him to stop following Romney s car had an earlier run-in with the press - in Florida s Capitol.”

Palm Beach Post Tallahassee bureau chief S.V. Date says that Garrity, who is now on paid leave from the campaign while New Hampshire authorities investigate, tried in April to prevent Date from following Romney into the Florida Senate Office Building, and then again when Date tried to board an elevator Romney was taking to meet with Republican state senators.

After Date reminded Garrity (pictured here) that the building and the elevator were open to the public in Florida, Garrity, wearing a Secret Service style lapel pin and an ear bud, responded that such measures were necessary because of numerous security threats against the former Massachusetts governor.

“We Thought He Looked Familiar“.

“Old Lion”

Daniel Ruth: “An Old Lion Of Wetlands Is Roaring Mad“.

Chamber Takes It In The Shorts

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: “On Tuesday, Gov. Crist rejected an attempt to weaken public participation in Florida politics.  The governor vetoed Senate Bill 900, which the Florida Chamber of Commerce had supported so strongly. The bill would have placed unreasonable restrictions on the gathering of signatures for petitions to amend the Florida Constitution. Notably, organizers would have had just 30 days to turn in signatures for verification, but opponents would have had 120 days to challenge those signatures. In addition, people could not have signed a petition in a county where they did not live - even if they were signing just a short distance from home.”  “Sign up for democracy“.

BTW, He’s a GOPer

“Federal prosecutors on Wednesday strongly urged a judge to sentence disgraced former Palm Beach County Commissioner [Chamber of Commerce hack and and Republican] Tony Masilotti to a full five years in prison, saying Masilotti’s “crimes were egregious violations of the public trust designed to financially better himself to the tune of nearly $10 million.”  “Prosecutor: Send former Palm Beach County commissioner to prison for 5 years“.

Privatization Fiasco

Saint Bob is missing the boat:

“Just because the state contracts out does not mean we’re not responsible,” Mr. Butterworth said. The private foster-care contractors “are here to stay, but the big thing is the oversight.”

“State loses another girl; find ’sense of urgency’“.

Not Cool

“Everybody does it seems to be the rule, so it must be OK, right?  It’s not OK. State law bans government employees with purchasing power over $15,000 from accepting gifts and freebies. Yet, state law didn’t seem to deter some high-ranking Broward County school officials from accepting free, paid trips by companies with school district contracts.”  “Conflicts“.

Once again we talked to our two military experts, Jim Dunnigan of StrategyPage and Pajamas blogger extraordinaire Austin Bay, about the war, Iraq, and America. As always, they have a lot of interesting information and perspective that you’re not likely to get anywhere else. Listen and learn!

Today’s Florida political news and punditry.

New Florida Poll

“The latest Quinnipiac poll of swing states shows Hillary Clinton cruising in Florida and Giuliani’s edge shrinking:”

Ds: Clinton 38, Obama 15, Gore 13, Edwards 8, Dk 15.

Rs: Giuliani 27, F Thompson 21, McCain 13, Gingrich 7, Romney 6, DK 18.

“Poll: Obama lagging in FL, Thompson strong“.  See also “Q-Poll: Florida - Giuliani beats Clinton 48 - 42 percent, compared to a 47 - 42 percent Giuliani lead June 7“.

Whoopee

“Crist vetoed a priority of the Florida Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday night, killing legislation that would have made it more difficult to get citizen initiatives on the ballot.  The measure, SB 900, would have required groups collecting signatures of more than 600,000 registered voters needed for a ballot initiative to submit signatures to elections officials within 30 days — down from the current four years.”  “Initiatives won’t get tougher under Crist“.  See also “Veto thwarts attempt to limit ballot initiatives” and “Crist Kills Chamber Ballot Push“, “Crist Kills Chamber Ballot Push” and “Man Of The People Or At Least, The Citizen Initiative“.

Touch-Screens

“Palm Beach County commissioners voted Tuesday to accept $4.9 million in state money to switch to a paper-based, optical-scan voting system.  Still unaccounted-for is $3.36 million in county money to complete the transition from the current touch-screen voting machines.”  “End of touch-screen voting moves closer in Palm Beach County“.

Trifecta

“The GOP trifecta: Dean, Schultz, Kelly“  See also “GOP holds Senate, House seats“, “Voters pick Republicans to fill state Senate, House seats” and “Dean wins election“.

Lawsuit

“Crist’s $460 million in budget vetoes has led to a Supreme Court challenge, but it’s over money he left in the spending plan.”

The suit was filed late last week by a group of traffic schools, who along with a powerful legislator, want to cancel a competitor’s contract to print the state drivers handbook.

But the challenge has larger implications in the perennial battle between the governor and the Legislature over the power of the purse strings. …

Fasano inserted ‘’proviso'’ language in the $72 billion state budget that directs the state to print the handbook without advertisements. He added $1.5 million in another part of the budget to pay for the advertising-free handbook.

“Battle over driving handbook heads to Supreme Court“.

Tiff

“Sen. Bill Nelson on Tuesday blamed a fellow Gulf Coast senator for stalling his proposal to create a commission to study national disaster insurance.  But a spokesman for Republican Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama says that’s not true.”  “Nelson Blames Senator For Stalling Insurance Study“.

Tuition Flip-Flop

“Crist huddled behind closed doors Wednesday with Florida university presidents and told them he would sign into law legislation that allows three state universities to charge higher tuition than the other eight schools.  Crist, who last month described the measure as doomed, has been heavily lobbied by the universities and some of Florida’s most influential business leaders to let Florida State University, the University of Florida and the University of South Florida enact the tiered tuition system.”  “Blog: Crist to OK tuition hikes at 3 universities“.

Backstop

“Crist says he is confident that the sweeping property-insurance changes he and lawmakers have made this year — which have the state shouldering more of the financial risk from hurricanes than ever before — won’t come back to haunt Florida.  But members of a powerful commission charged with evaluating Florida’s financial health said Tuesday that they want to know far more about the peril now facing the state.”  “State’s storm burden ‘a grave concern’“.  See also “CFO says state can go it alone with hurricane risk“.

Immigration Reform

“Sen. Bill Nelson joined with his Florida colleague, Republican Sen. Mel Martinez, in voting today to resurrect full debate
on the Senate immigration bill.  And while Democrat Nelson said his ‘inclination’ is to ultimately vote for the bill, he left open the possibility he may not. “  “Nelson, Martinez Vote To Restart Immigration Reform“.

‘Ya Think

“Disney accused of profiling black teens“.

Busy Bee

“Crist signed 15 bills into law Tuesday, including a measure that allows Palm Beach County to give a wedge of nearly 2,000 acres of land to Broward County.  And he vetoed three measures, including one that would have made it more difficult for petition gatherers to submit signatures to get citizens’ initiatives on the ballot and another that would have allowed hunting on the Babcock Ranch Preserve.”  “Crist’s busy day:15 bills now law“.

“Tax Experts”

“Tax experts offered one more reason Tuesday why Florida’s property tax system is so difficult to fix: By shifting the tax burden to local governments, lawmakers have kept the state tax rate low.”  “Commission takes a fresh look at the property tax burden Post a comment“.  See also “Bense urges commission to work quietly on property tax issues” and “Panel may get say on tax plan“.

“A far cry”

“Almost six months after Gov. Charlie Crist and the Legislature passed what they called major insurance reforms aimed at reversing skyrocketing homeowners’ bills, state regulators concede that rates charged by Florida’s biggest insurers are down by 10 percent or less. “

That’s a far cry from the 25 percent to 40 percent reductions that were promised.

In fact, an Orlando Sentinel review of rates shows, many Central Florida homeowners will actually see a year-over-year increase in their premiums, thanks to enormous rate increases imposed by the industry in late 2006.

“No big break in property insurance“.  See also “Not much there” (”Property insurers and the Legislature have a credibility problem on rates.”)  More: “Crist freezes rates for Citizens“.

“The new website should give homeowners an idea of what different insurers charge for similar policies. But the rates given are countywide averages.”  “State website sheds light on homeowners policies“.  See also “Compare rates on the Web“.  See also “Crist: Home insurance rates haven’t fallen as much as hoped” and “Where did insurance cuts go?“.

Self Defense?

“State’s self-defense law could cut both ways“.

Tax Break

“In the flurry of confusion as state lawmakers hammered out a property-tax-relief bill, a piece of it — which could save small businesses money — got little attention.  Now, the plan that legislators say would keep a million small-business owners across the state from paying what’s called a tangible-personal-property tax is part of a larger, controversial amendment on homeowner taxes that will get a thumbs up or down by voters in January.”  “Ballot measure could sink small-business tax break“.

Who Knew?

“Since 1973, Florida statutes have mandated that agencies and municipalities must rate bidders in certain consulting fields on the basis of their technical and professional expertise — without regard to price.  The statute applies to consultants in several areas, including architecture, engineering, surveying and mapping.”  “Law excludes price in ranking consultants“.

Mixed Results

“The Florida Department of Law Enforcement released its crime statistics for 2006 yesterday, and the results are mixed.”  “What goes up also comes down“.  See also “Florida murders, gun crimes jumped in 2006“.

“Another troubling turn” for Feeney

“The controversy over U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney’s 2003 golf junket to Scotland with corrupt lobbyist Jack Abramoff took another troubling turn recently when the congressman created a legal-defense fund. It’s not quite what you’d expect from someone who says he didn’t do anything wrong and isn’t being targeted by investigators.”

Mr. Feeney, a three-term Republican from Oviedo, has always insisted he was duped about the trip — told it would be bankrolled by a think tank instead of Mr. Abramoff, who is now in prison for bribery. But the feds are still asking questions.

“Feeney’s tin cup“.

Another Special Session

“The state’s no-fault auto insurance law expires Oct. 1 if the Legislature doesn’t renew it. In 2006, legislators approved a patch on the law, but Gov. Bush vetoed it. This year, they took no action in either the regular session or the special session on property taxes.”

If no-fault expires, thousands of Floridians who now buy personal injury protection (PIP) on their auto policies and lack health insurance will have no coverage if they are injured in an accident. With good reason, the hospitals expect that many of these people will seek treatment in emergency rooms, and they won’t be able to pay.

This isn’t an election year, so a special session in September wouldn’t interfere with elections or summer vacations. It would be a mistake to let no-fault expire.

“Take action on no-fault“.

Update: “Gov. Charlie Crist said Wednesday he “would be in favor of a special session before Oct. 1″ but he ‘doesn’t know whether he will call one soon … .”  “Crist says there will be a special session on no-fault insurance — stay tuned”.

“Conservation: our ace in the hole”

“For a growing state whose appetite for electricity is expanding more rapidly than its population, there is no silver bullet that will solve every energy problem Florida faces.  But there is one step the Sunshine State must take to avoid enormous inconvenience and expense in the 21st century: conservation.”  “Energy waste“.

Meek

U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek’s

mother was among the consultants and lobbyists a Boston developer paid while seeking support for a biotech project that has only cleared a lot in an impoverished neighborhood for a parking garage, according to a newspaper investigation.

Dennis Stackhouse first proposed building a $250 million biopharmaceutical park in Miami’s Liberty City neighborhood four years ago.

As the project stalled, Stackhouse diverted more than $500,000 from a Miami-Dade County poverty agency through double billing and dubious expenses and spent hundreds of thousands more on political insiders, according to a Miami Herald investigation.

Among the insiders was former U.S. Rep. Carrie Meek, who received at least $40,000, a leased luxury sport utility vehicle and a 2,600-square-foot rent-free office for her foundation, the newspaper reported Monday.

Congressional records show she was paid while her son, who now holds her seat in Congress, sought millions of federal dollars for the project.

“Lawmaker’s mom paid, paper says“.

Laff Riot

“Vice President Cheney could take a lesson from Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, who wants to make government more transparent to the public.”  “Crist Could Show Cheney A Better Way“.

“Gravy Train”

The Tampa Trib editors: “Crist should veto an ill-conceived bill that would allow school board members to duck public scrutiny in raising their pay.  When they campaign for these part-time positions, candidates often talk about a call to public service. Yet once elected, some seem to place an immediate call to the gravy train.”  “Veto Automatic Raises“.  See also “School boards should set own pay“.

Justice?

Daniel Ruth argued yesterday that

if there is any fairness in this insane case of prosecutors gone bonkers, with a little bit of luck and a whole lot of justice, come Sept. 20, it’s possible the last tile will drop in Richard Paey’s favor.

Since May 2004, the 48-year-old Paey has been an inmate in the Florida prison system, serving a 25-year term after his conviction on seven counts of drug trafficking, possession and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.

And it’s all first-degree balderdash.

Just read it: “Disabled Man’s Justice May Be Served Cold“.

and Pajamas blogger extraordinaire Austin Bay, about the war, Iraq, and America. As always, they have a lot of interesting information and perspective that you’re not likely to get anywhere else. Listen and learn!

-more-

Today’s Florida political news and punditry.

Charlie’s (Empty) “Metaphorical Flourishes”

“So with a new, two-piece package through the legislature, Crist abandoned all restraint with his metaphorical flourishes last week.”

“I think it will fire up our economy. Florida is like a thoroughbred and … she’s been held back,” he said moments after signing two new laws on the matter. “We’ll have an opportunity to get this engine going again, fire this baby up and make sure that this economy will not just boom, but have a sonic boom. I believe that will happen, and that will benefit the treasury, and the people again.”

But will it? Can the rollback in city and county taxes and - if voters approve on Jan. 29 - a much larger homestead exemption “fire up” the state’s real estate market enough to make up as much as $6 billion a year in lost revenue, as Crist has frequently suggested?

That is doubtful, according to economists both inside and outside state government.

The legislative staff analyses for the tax measures do not mention any increased tax collections that might offset the reductions.

“It’s not feasible,” said Bruce Nissen, a Florida International University professor and director of its Center for Labor Research and Studies. “It doesn’t make sense.

Even Randall Holcombe, a Florida State University economics professor who said he generally accepts the idea that cutting tax rates increases economic activity, said it doesn’t seem likely that the cuts will lead to the flood of documentary stamp tax collections from real estate sales as Crist suggests.

“Crist’s tax-cut ‘boom’ panned“.

Paying Attention

“Florida voters have more reason to pay attention earlier than they have in decades because the state is set to hold one of the first primaries. In 2000 and 2004, the presidential nominations were all but clinched by the time of Florida’s March ballot and barely one in five voters turned out.  Next year, Florida voters will go to the polls Jan. 29, the earliest of any big state scheduled so far. In addition, the Legislature recently voted to put a big tax cut issue on that same ballot, and a number of local governments around the state are looking to add municipal elections to the same day.”  “Early or not, 2008 is on voters’ minds“.

Dems Claim “‘Republicans Giving Up On Latinos’”

“When 1,000 Hispanic elected officials and community leaders from across the country gather in Orlando later this week, they’ll hear from seven major Democratic candidates for president, but none of the major Republican candidates.”

“Republicans Giving Up On Latinos” was the headline on a Democratic Party news release about the event. The release called it a “sign of conceding the Latino vote in Florida to Democrats,” and noted that in 2006 Democrats won the Florida Hispanic vote for the first time in 30 years.

Leaders of the association say they’re disappointed.

But some Florida Republicans, who acknowledge they would prefer that their candidates show up, scoff at the idea that GOP-oriented Florida Hispanic voters suddenly have converted or that the presidential candidates are giving up on them.

The reason the candidates aren’t coming, said state Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, is that NALEO, even though it’s nonpartisan, “absolutely is a Democratic-oriented organization - just because most Hispanic elected officials outside Florida are Democrats.”

“Latino Event Not A GOP Draw“.

Touch-Screen “Dawdling”

“The state Legislature — prodded by Gov. Charlie Crist — did the right thing by mandating paper ballots in every Florida county. And it included money to help finance the switchover for counties that opted for touch-screen equipment. But some counties say the amounts authorized by the state aren’t enough. And supervisors in others are looking for loopholes that might allow them to keep using touch-screen machines, at least during early voting.”  “State and counties dawdling over replacing touch-screens“.

Gross

Bill Cotterell: “As probably everyone in Tallahassee knows by now, the House and Senate strained mightily to come up with a $1,000 one-time salary additive for state workers, in lieu of a percentage pay raise for the 2007-08 fiscal year. … The bottom line? $673, after taxes. That’s less than $13 a week in take-home pay.”

And speaking of pay hikes and bonuses and our legislators, did you know that members of the House and Senate will get a 3-percent raise next week?

(We’ll pause here so those who just crumpled up the paper and hurled it across the room can retrieve it. Back with us? Good.)

“A bonus isn’t much, but you can make it more “.

‘Glades

“U.N. officials on Monday removed the Florida Everglades and another site from a list of world cultural sites at risk”.  “Florida Everglades removed from world heritage danger list“.

Say What?

“Florida prison officials say lethal injections give inmates a ‘humane and dignified death.’”  “Panel’s recommendations on executions don’t satisfy foes“.

Local Budget Cuts

In WPB, “Police, fire take flak, but other budgets swell, too“.

“Crist has been somewhat of a disappointment”

The St Pete Times editorial board yesterday: “He has been governor for less than six months, so it’s a little early for any kind of definitive assessment of Charlie Crist’s leadership. But I think we can say that Crist’s record so far has been a mixed bag, with more to applaud than to criticize.”

Most voters are showing no sign of buyer’s remorse. Crist’s approval rating is above 70 percent, and even Democrats, who have some major policy differences with this Republican governor, like working with the guy. He has made surprisingly good appointments and has shown a strong commitment to open government, consumer interests and environmental protection. The political debate seems more civil since Crist arrived in Tallahassee, largely because of the St. Petersburg native’s style and persona. Charmin’ Charlie makes it almost impossible not to like him.

So yes, after eight years of Jeb Bush, Crist is a refreshing change. He bills himself as “the people’s governor, ” and he plays the role brilliantly. He is no policy wonk, micromanager, cultural warrior or ideologue. However, for all of his strengths, on some of the biggest issues facing Florida - hurricane insurance, property tax relief and the needs of higher education - Crist has been somewhat of a disappointment.

“On the big issues, much still to do“.

Spillover Effect

“Water utility managers are concerned about red ink in their future as South Florida lawns turn brown under tough watering restrictions.  South Florida utility managers are reporting significant drops in water usage - and revenues - since a drought triggered strict water restrictions in April.  West Palm Beach, for example, has lost about $500,000.”  “Water restrictions drain utility revenues“.

“Federal HIV/AIDS funding drops in South Florida again”

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: “Either the federal government is clueless to South Florida’s status as a national epicenter for the AIDS epidemic, or it just doesn’t care.”

How else to explain why this region just saw its federal Ryan White Program funding for uninsured HIV and AIDS patients drop, for the second year in a row? Broward County’s grant fell from $15 million last year to $13.1 million, and Palm Beach County is getting $7.7 million this year, down from $8.3 million last year and $9.5 million the year before.

Those numbers are going in the wrong direction, especially considering the local population of HIV/AIDS patients is rising, not falling.

Because of the cutbacks, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Bob LaMendola reports, thousands more South Floridians with HIV and/or AIDS will have to do without vital services like nutritional counseling, substance abuse treatment, pain therapy, transportation and other assistance that helps make their lives more livable.

“Public Health“.