Florida Vote

Check out the Florida Progressive Coalition’s “5 to Read“.  Our review of today’s Florida political news and punditry follows.

“Jeb!” Who?

“The newly revamped web site of the state Republican Party is an attractive, easily navigable site with lots of features-but one thing it appears to be short on is mentions of George Bush.”

There are also few references to Jeb Bush and no photos we could find. He’s mentioned briefly, for example, in a history of the state party that notes his 1998 election as governor, and in a newspaper editorial the site links to.

“New State GOP Website Contains Few Mentions Of Bushes“.

Hubris

“Darryl Rouson, the energetic former St. Petersburg NAACP leader, has picked some tough fights over the years - from City Hall to the peddlers of drug paraphernalia.  Now he’s looking at another doozy of a challenge: running as a Republican for the overwhelmingly Democratic state House 55 seat to be vacated next year by Frank Peterman.  ‘I’m 65 percent leaning toward doing it,’ said the 52-year-old lawyer who is friends with Gov. Charlie Crist.”  “State Rep. Darryl Rouson?“.

Hill’s Hispanic Angle

“If sweating the details wins elections, Hillary Clinton stands to be the Democrat who runs away with Florida’s crucial Hispanic vote.”

When an obscure Puerto Rican Democrat, Darren Soto, in the spring won an Orlando area state House race, the Democratic presidential front-runner immediately fired off a congratulatory press release.

When Republican Fred Thompson in South Carolina last month made a clumsy remark about Cuban immigrants, she pounced: “Apparently he doesn’t have a lot of experience in Florida or anywhere else, and doesn’t know a lot of Cuban-Americans.”

And last week she went after Barack Obama for saying in a televised debate that he would unconditionally meet with leaders of hostile foreign countries like Cuba or Venezuela in his first year as president.

“Clinton avoids the Hispanic vote’s rifts“.

“Florida is lucky to have” Alex Sink

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board praises Alex Sink for her work on Kidcare: “Fighting on behalf of children ought not be such an ugly business, but Florida is lucky to have a CFO who is willing to say this negligence can’t be tolerated on her watch.”

As discreetly as is politically possible in this town, Florida’s chief financial officer, Alex Sink, is gathering up threads of her authority to make Florida KidCare program more effective for children - and less of a needless money-loser for the state - without the help of the Legislature.

“With the possibility of statutory change not on the horizon,” Ms. Sink’s office advised late last week, the CFO is trying to make it easier for low-income families to enroll in a low-cost health insurance program for children, a part of KidCare called Healthy Kids, and to do it without requesting changes in the law books.

Recall how Florida got into this mess:

Unfortunately, and almost inexplicably, the 2007 Legislature didn’t get its act together sufficiently to eliminate some of the unnecessary barriers and lack of accountability that had been put in place - perhaps inadvertently; perhaps not - during previous legislative sessions.

The CFO’s interest in sidestepping the Legislature is that she is responsible for the state’s financial services, and when she saw that the state had lost $139.7 million in federal funding in the last decade because it wasn’t taking full advantage the federal part of the program, she thought, quite logically, what a waste.

“KidCare neglect“.  See also “Panel suggests ways to increase and keep kids in KidCare“.

“Chopped liver”

“By thumbing their noses at a presidential debate planned for St. Petersburg, Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani are telling Florida voters they’re too busy for them.”

Someone should tell these Northeastern candidates that it’s a dangerous strategy to treat Florida like chopped liver.

Not only is Florida the fourth-largest state and a perennial swing state, we’ve scheduled our presidential primary for January, right after New Hampshire, Iowa and Nevada. We will be the first big state to weigh in.

If Giuliani and Romney refuse to attend our debate, Floridians should question their judgment and the depth of their commitment to a state that reflects the diversity of America.

Besides, what’s more important than talking to citizens in an unscripted forum? A fundraiser?

“Snowman Aside, Don’t Snub Florida“.

Oops!

“ Photos: Senators tour school built on bomb range“.

Slots Ain’t Cutting It

“Florida schools stand to lose millions of dollars in funding because slot machines in Broward County aren’t bringing in as much money as the state expected.”  “Slots fail to hit jackpot for state schools“.

Delightful

“The petition drive for a Florida constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage is nearing its required 611,009 signatures, organizers said Monday in a letter to supporters.”  “Same-Sex Marriage Ban Calling In Signatures“.

Laff Riot

“Charged with soliciting an undercover male cop for sex, Rep. Bob Allen said in a letter to House members Monday that he is ‘vigorously pursuing the plea of Not Guilty.’”

In his letter, Allen called the charge “an outrageous accusation that I intend to disprove through the judicial system.” …

“It is my nature never to hide but to straightforwardly answer the obvious general and specific questions about these charges. However, our judicial process requires me to work through my legal counsel and the judicial system,” he wrote.

Allen concluded: “I want each of you to know how much I appreciate the many calls of encouragement and support I’ve received,” Allen told colleagues. “The situation before me is unbelievably troublesome on many levels. My family has grown stronger and is ready to face the challenge of receiving justice.”

“Allen Vows to Fight in Letter to House Members“.

“Rock-star treatment”

“With U.S. Rep. and Democratic condo king Robert Wexler vouching for his bipartisan bona fides, Republican Gov. Charlie Crist visited a senior community here Monday and received rock-star treatment from the largely Democratic crowd.”  “Wexler lays praise on governor at town hall“.  See also “Crist welcomed in Democratic stronghold“.

Tax Debate

“In Tampa, condo builders will pay for a semester at the University of South Florida. In Pensacola, home sellers offer plasma TVs, golf carts, pools and plane tickets.  Florida’s real estate slump has led to some extraordinary enticements, which add up to great news for buyers.  But these oddities are causing headaches in Tallahassee and a debate over how they may be artificially increasing property taxes at a time when taxes are supposed to be going down.  The problem is the value of these incentives is added to the sales price recorded in county records.”  “Sales incentives add value to property, fuel tax debate“.

‘Ya Think?

“Offering $185,000 a year to fill a county government job is a bold proposition at any time. But in the midst of a tax revolt, with Palm Beach County officials talking layoffs and just nine months removed from an employee theft that left the agency’s bank account plundered of $1.6 million, the county Convention and Visitors Bureau’s offer to a CEO candidate smacks as downright excessive.”  “CVB takes a big risk with CEO pay offer“.

Jebbites Ain’t Happy

“Crist and the Republican-controlled Legislature’s overhaul of Florida’s property-tax system is getting poor marks from a top economic advisor to former Gov. Jeb Bush.  In an analysis for Florida TaxWatch, J. Antonio Villamil derides the state-ordered rollbacks of tax collections for local governments as ‘Tallahassee mandates’ that undermine the fiscal flexibility of cities and counties, while threatening their ability to provide services.”  “Former Jeb Advisor Derides Tax Cuts“.

More: “The most surprising criticism of all, however, is that Villamil picks up the same theme originally proposed by Hank Fishkind in an economic analysis done for the Florida Association of Counties when the debate over property tax first started in February: that prices paid by local governments to produce goods and services is higher than accounted for by the rise in personal income. By tying the cap on revenues to the increase in personal income, the result, Villamil says, is that real cuts to local government will be much deeper than what occurs just with the drop in property tax collections.”  “Jeb’s economist warns of troubles with prop tax reform“.

‘Glades

“Last month, the U.N. World Heritage Committee made headlines when it took Everglades National Park off its list of endangered sites — even though a report released a week later showed a billion-dollar restoration project already had fallen years behind schedule.”  “Imperiled Glades cut from watch list“.

Mad Charlie

“Despite a mandate to lower insurance costs, many insurers are instead asking for rate increases, including The Hartford, Metropolitan Property and Casualty, Cincinnati Insurance Cos., Auto Insurers and Amex Assurance Co.”  “Proposals to boost homeowner insurance rates anger Crist“.

Water Summit

“Summit puts participants in water managers’ shoes“.

Poor Vern …

It ain’t easy representing the drooling, anti-tax mouth breathers GOPers in Southwest Florida:

For the second time this year, Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, is having to defend himself against charges he violated his campaign promise not to raise taxes.

But it’s not Democrats, but Republicans who are going after him on the topic.
On Friday, Buchanan was one of just 19 Republicans to vote with Democrats on the Farm Bill. According to the conservative National Review Online, the bill contained a tax increase of somewhere between $6 billion and $7.8 billion on the U.S. subsidiaries of foreign corporations. …

Americans for Taxpayer Reform, the group headed by Grover Norquist, warned Buchanan and other Republicans that voting for the bill would constitute breaking the no-tax pledge they made before the 2006 elections.

During his campaign for Congress, Buchanan highlighted the fact that he had signed the no-tax-increase pledge put out by ATR.

It’s the second time he’s gone against the pledge, according to ATR. Earlier this year Buchanan voted to repeal tax breaks for gas and oil companies, even though ATR had warned him then it would be considered a tax increase. Buchanan was one of just 36 Republicans to vote for the repeal.

“Critics say Buchanan breaks tax pledge“.

Cuba

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: “Perhaps more disappointing than the lack of change on the island is the intransigence of U.S. policy toward it. The Bush administration was wedded permanently to embargo politics when the hard-line exile vote helped to give the president Florida, and the Oval Office, in the disputed 2000 election. The policy of economic sanctions, which for more than four decades has failed to shift the balance of power in Cuba, is less important to the administration than maintaining the GOP’s balance of power in Florida. Making life even harder on the Cuban people, and their relatives in Florida, has become the acceptable price of catering to political bases.”  “Base a new Cuba policy on reality, not belief“.

Nice Work …

“The disgraced former head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will receive about $250,000 more in retirement money because he is now working in another state job.”  “Ex-FDLE head to get more cash for retirement thanks to new job“.

Obama

“Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama, who recently made headlines when he said he would be willing to meet with inflammatory Latin American leaders such as Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez, is coming to the proverbial lion’s den — Hispanic-rich Miami — on Aug. 25.”  “Obama coming to Miami“.

“Targets”

“The head of the National Republican Congressional Committee says freshman Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney is one of the national GOP’s top four or five congressional targets for 2008. But he conceded that Republican efforts to unseat Democratic freshman U.S. Rep. Ron Klein are on ‘a slower course’ so far.”  “Good news, bad news for GOP in S. Fla.“.

Love for Sale

From the Miami Herald the other day: “It sounds like a South Florida dream vacation: a yacht cruise, salsa dancing lessons, dinner at the famed former Versace mansion in Miami Beach, and even a personal concierge who will ‘be available 24 hours a day to ensure your comfort.’”

But this isn’t being offered by a travel agent. It’s a Republican party fundraiser, a lavish three-day affair that Florida’s GOP leaders in the state House are holding this weekend in Coral Gables and Miami Beach. Some attendees are expected to kick in as much as $100,000 toward the party’s 2008 election efforts; the event is expected to raise a record amount of money.

The event, where donors can wine and dine with leaders such as House Speaker Marco Rubio, coincides with a flurry of fundraising activity. Earlier this month, Gov. Charlie Crist and Republicans held a fundraiser with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that netted a record $1.6 million. Last week, House Republicans invited donors to watch the Blue Angels flight team in Pensacola, and on Aug. 4, House and Senate Republican leaders will hold a fundraiser in New York City.

The push to raise money comes just weeks before a September special session where legislators will likely cut the state budget by as much as $1 billion.

And this is a particularly nice touch:

Platinum sponsors who fork out $100,000 will get … three different private meetings with House leaders over dessert and breakfast.

“GOP uncorks lavish bash“.

Check out the Florida Progressive Coalition’s “5 to Read“.  Our review of today’s Florida political news and punditry follows.

“Jeb!” Who?

“The newly revamped web site of the state Republican Party is an attractive, easily navigable site with lots of features-but one thing it appears to be short on is mentions of George Bush.”

There are also few references to Jeb Bush and no photos we could find. He’s mentioned briefly, for example, in a history of the state party that notes his 1998 election as governor, and in a newspaper editorial the site links to.

“New State GOP Website Contains Few Mentions Of Bushes“.

Hubris

“Darryl Rouson, the energetic former St. Petersburg NAACP leader, has picked some tough fights over the years - from City Hall to the peddlers of drug paraphernalia.  Now he’s looking at another doozy of a challenge: running as a Republican for the overwhelmingly Democratic state House 55 seat to be vacated next year by Frank Peterman.  ‘I’m 65 percent leaning toward doing it,’ said the 52-year-old lawyer who is friends with Gov. Charlie Crist.”  “State Rep. Darryl Rouson?“.

Hill’s Hispanic Angle

“If sweating the details wins elections, Hillary Clinton stands to be the Democrat who runs away with Florida’s crucial Hispanic vote.”

When an obscure Puerto Rican Democrat, Darren Soto, in the spring won an Orlando area state House race, the Democratic presidential front-runner immediately fired off a congratulatory press release.

When Republican Fred Thompson in South Carolina last month made a clumsy remark about Cuban immigrants, she pounced: “Apparently he doesn’t have a lot of experience in Florida or anywhere else, and doesn’t know a lot of Cuban-Americans.”

And last week she went after Barack Obama for saying in a televised debate that he would unconditionally meet with leaders of hostile foreign countries like Cuba or Venezuela in his first year as president.

“Clinton avoids the Hispanic vote’s rifts“.

“Florida is lucky to have” Alex Sink

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board praises Alex Sink for her work on Kidcare: “Fighting on behalf of children ought not be such an ugly business, but Florida is lucky to have a CFO who is willing to say this negligence can’t be tolerated on her watch.”

As discreetly as is politically possible in this town, Florida’s chief financial officer, Alex Sink, is gathering up threads of her authority to make Florida KidCare program more effective for children - and less of a needless money-loser for the state - without the help of the Legislature.

“With the possibility of statutory change not on the horizon,” Ms. Sink’s office advised late last week, the CFO is trying to make it easier for low-income families to enroll in a low-cost health insurance program for children, a part of KidCare called Healthy Kids, and to do it without requesting changes in the law books.

Recall how Florida got into this mess:

Unfortunately, and almost inexplicably, the 2007 Legislature didn’t get its act together sufficiently to eliminate some of the unnecessary barriers and lack of accountability that had been put in place - perhaps inadvertently; perhaps not - during previous legislative sessions.

The CFO’s interest in sidestepping the Legislature is that she is responsible for the state’s financial services, and when she saw that the state had lost $139.7 million in federal funding in the last decade because it wasn’t taking full advantage the federal part of the program, she thought, quite logically, what a waste.

“KidCare neglect“.  See also “Panel suggests ways to increase and keep kids in KidCare“.

“Chopped liver”

“By thumbing their noses at a presidential debate planned for St. Petersburg, Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani are telling Florida voters they’re too busy for them.”

Someone should tell these Northeastern candidates that it’s a dangerous strategy to treat Florida like chopped liver.

Not only is Florida the fourth-largest state and a perennial swing state, we’ve scheduled our presidential primary for January, right after New Hampshire, Iowa and Nevada. We will be the first big state to weigh in.

If Giuliani and Romney refuse to attend our debate, Floridians should question their judgment and the depth of their commitment to a state that reflects the diversity of America.

Besides, what’s more important than talking to citizens in an unscripted forum? A fundraiser?

“Snowman Aside, Don’t Snub Florida“.

Oops!

“ Photos: Senators tour school built on bomb range“.

Slots Ain’t Cutting It

“Florida schools stand to lose millions of dollars in funding because slot machines in Broward County aren’t bringing in as much money as the state expected.”  “Slots fail to hit jackpot for state schools“.

Delightful

“The petition drive for a Florida constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage is nearing its required 611,009 signatures, organizers said Monday in a letter to supporters.”  “Same-Sex Marriage Ban Calling In Signatures“.

Laff Riot

“Charged with soliciting an undercover male cop for sex, Rep. Bob Allen said in a letter to House members Monday that he is ‘vigorously pursuing the plea of Not Guilty.’”

In his letter, Allen called the charge “an outrageous accusation that I intend to disprove through the judicial system.” …

“It is my nature never to hide but to straightforwardly answer the obvious general and specific questions about these charges. However, our judicial process requires me to work through my legal counsel and the judicial system,” he wrote.

Allen concluded: “I want each of you to know how much I appreciate the many calls of encouragement and support I’ve received,” Allen told colleagues. “The situation before me is unbelievably troublesome on many levels. My family has grown stronger and is ready to face the challenge of receiving justice.”

“Allen Vows to Fight in Letter to House Members“.

“Rock-star treatment”

“With U.S. Rep. and Democratic condo king Robert Wexler vouching for his bipartisan bona fides, Republican Gov. Charlie Crist visited a senior community here Monday and received rock-star treatment from the largely Democratic crowd.”  “Wexler lays praise on governor at town hall“.  See also “Crist welcomed in Democratic stronghold“.

Tax Debate

“In Tampa, condo builders will pay for a semester at the University of South Florida. In Pensacola, home sellers offer plasma TVs, golf carts, pools and plane tickets.  Florida’s real estate slump has led to some extraordinary enticements, which add up to great news for buyers.  But these oddities are causing headaches in Tallahassee and a debate over how they may be artificially increasing property taxes at a time when taxes are supposed to be going down.  The problem is the value of these incentives is added to the sales price recorded in county records.”  “Sales incentives add value to property, fuel tax debate“.

‘Ya Think?

“Offering $185,000 a year to fill a county government job is a bold proposition at any time. But in the midst of a tax revolt, with Palm Beach County officials talking layoffs and just nine months removed from an employee theft that left the agency’s bank account plundered of $1.6 million, the county Convention and Visitors Bureau’s offer to a CEO candidate smacks as downright excessive.”  “CVB takes a big risk with CEO pay offer“.

Jebbites Ain’t Happy

“Crist and the Republican-controlled Legislature’s overhaul of Florida’s property-tax system is getting poor marks from a top economic advisor to former Gov. Jeb Bush.  In an analysis for Florida TaxWatch, J. Antonio Villamil derides the state-ordered rollbacks of tax collections for local governments as ‘Tallahassee mandates’ that undermine the fiscal flexibility of cities and counties, while threatening their ability to provide services.”  “Former Jeb Advisor Derides Tax Cuts“.

More: “The most surprising criticism of all, however, is that Villamil picks up the same theme originally proposed by Hank Fishkind in an economic analysis done for the Florida Association of Counties when the debate over property tax first started in February: that prices paid by local governments to produce goods and services is higher than accounted for by the rise in personal income. By tying the cap on revenues to the increase in personal income, the result, Villamil says, is that real cuts to local government will be much deeper than what occurs just with the drop in property tax collections.”  “Jeb’s economist warns of troubles with prop tax reform“.

‘Glades

“Last month, the U.N. World Heritage Committee made headlines when it took Everglades National Park off its list of endangered sites — even though a report released a week later showed a billion-dollar restoration project already had fallen years behind schedule.”  “Imperiled Glades cut from watch list“.

Mad Charlie

“Despite a mandate to lower insurance costs, many insurers are instead asking for rate increases, including The Hartford, Metropolitan Property and Casualty, Cincinnati Insurance Cos., Auto Insurers and Amex Assurance Co.”  “Proposals to boost homeowner insurance rates anger Crist“.

Water Summit

“Summit puts participants in water managers’ shoes“.

Poor Vern …

It ain’t easy representing the drooling, anti-tax mouth breathers GOPers in Southwest Florida:

For the second time this year, Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, is having to defend himself against charges he violated his campaign promise not to raise taxes.

But it’s not Democrats, but Republicans who are going after him on the topic.
On Friday, Buchanan was one of just 19 Republicans to vote with Democrats on the Farm Bill. According to the conservative National Review Online, the bill contained a tax increase of somewhere between $6 billion and $7.8 billion on the U.S. subsidiaries of foreign corporations. …

Americans for Taxpayer Reform, the group headed by Grover Norquist, warned Buchanan and other Republicans that voting for the bill would constitute breaking the no-tax pledge they made before the 2006 elections.

During his campaign for Congress, Buchanan highlighted the fact that he had signed the no-tax-increase pledge put out by ATR.

It’s the second time he’s gone against the pledge, according to ATR. Earlier this year Buchanan voted to repeal tax breaks for gas and oil companies, even though ATR had warned him then it would be considered a tax increase. Buchanan was one of just 36 Republicans to vote for the repeal.

“Critics say Buchanan breaks tax pledge“.

Cuba

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: “Perhaps more disappointing than the lack of change on the island is the intransigence of U.S. policy toward it. The Bush administration was wedded permanently to embargo politics when the hard-line exile vote helped to give the president Florida, and the Oval Office, in the disputed 2000 election. The policy of economic sanctions, which for more than four decades has failed to shift the balance of power in Cuba, is less important to the administration than maintaining the GOP’s balance of power in Florida. Making life even harder on the Cuban people, and their relatives in Florida, has become the acceptable price of catering to political bases.”  “Base a new Cuba policy on reality, not belief“.

Nice Work …

“The disgraced former head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will receive about $250,000 more in retirement money because he is now working in another state job.”  “Ex-FDLE head to get more cash for retirement thanks to new job“.

Obama

“Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama, who recently made headlines when he said he would be willing to meet with inflammatory Latin American leaders such as Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez, is coming to the proverbial lion’s den — Hispanic-rich Miami — on Aug. 25.”  “Obama coming to Miami“.

“Targets”

“The head of the National Republican Congressional Committee says freshman Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney is one of the national GOP’s top four or five congressional targets for 2008. But he conceded that Republican efforts to unseat Democratic freshman U.S. Rep. Ron Klein are on ‘a slower course’ so far.”  “Good news, bad news for GOP in S. Fla.“.

Love for Sale

From the Miami Herald the other day: “It sounds like a South Florida dream vacation: a yacht cruise, salsa dancing lessons, dinner at the famed former Versace mansion in Miami Beach, and even a personal concierge who will ‘be available 24 hours a day to ensure your comfort.’”

But this isn’t being offered by a travel agent. It’s a Republican party fundraiser, a lavish three-day affair that Florida’s GOP leaders in the state House are holding this weekend in Coral Gables and Miami Beach. Some attendees are expected to kick in as much as $100,000 toward the party’s 2008 election efforts; the event is expected to raise a record amount of money.

The event, where donors can wine and dine with leaders such as House Speaker Marco Rubio, coincides with a flurry of fundraising activity. Earlier this month, Gov. Charlie Crist and Republicans held a fundraiser with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that netted a record $1.6 million. Last week, House Republicans invited donors to watch the Blue Angels flight team in Pensacola, and on Aug. 4, House and Senate Republican leaders will hold a fundraiser in New York City.

The push to raise money comes just weeks before a September special session where legislators will likely cut the state budget by as much as $1 billion.

And this is a particularly nice touch:

Platinum sponsors who fork out $100,000 will get … three different private meetings with House leaders over dessert and breakfast.

“GOP uncorks lavish bash“.

Today’s Florida political news and punditry.

Courtesy of “The People’s Governor”

“Leaders in Tallahassee promised tax relief for overburdened homeowners.  What they delivered was the largest tax cut in state history.  The biggest winners, however, aren’t the cash-strapped residents whose protests fueled the reform effort but rather utility companies, theme parks, time-share operators and other property-rich corporations.”  “Tax breaks pad big pockets“.

“How Green?”

The Palm Beach Post editorial board asks “How green is the governor?“.

Who Knows?

“Palm Beach County Democratic Chairman Wahid Mahmood hasn t filled out an application, but he wants to be considered for the appointment by Republican Gov. Charlie Crist to fill the county commission seat formerly held by Warren Newell.”  “Dem boss wants Crist appointment“.

Geller

“Despite being forced from office next year due to term limits, Senate Democratic Leader Steve Geller has started raising money for a new committee of continuous existence (CCE) called Floridians for a Stronger Tomorrow.”  “Facing term limit, Geller opens committee“.

Another Jebacy

Makes you proud to read that “is second to Texas in federal money for a wait-till-marriage message.”

This past year, Florida ranked second only to Texas in the amount of federal money — $10.7-million — it received to spread the abstinence-until-marriage message. That’s $11.25 spent for every Florida teen ages 14 to 17.

A revelation last week gave opponents of abstinence-only education even more ground to criticize. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that the percentage of U.S. teens having sex has remained the same in the last few years. The same holds true for Florida teens, who are slightly above the national average when it comes to having sex.

“No-sex lesson rules Florida“.  Jebby Junior must have gone to a private school, because he sure didn’t get the abstinence message:

At the Tallahassee Mall on Oct. 7 [2000], John (Jebby) Bush, nephew of George W. Bush and son of Gov. Jeb Bush, was questioned by police, who caught him in a car with a female student, both naked from the waist down, says a report in the London Daily Mail. The officer who found the two filed a report of “sexual misconduct.”

“They were both underage but they were both willing participants,” said Tallahassee Police spokesman Scott Hunt to the New York Post. “We called the governor’s office, spoke to the governor and spoke to her family, and neither one of their families wanted to press charges.

“Bush’s Mr. Cellophane” Speaks

“In an interview with Gannett News Service, Martinez talks about primaries, the immigration aftermath, politics and polls”  “Martinez candid about his priorities“.

Hurricanes

“The study, conducted by two respected researchers and scheduled to be released today in a peer-reviewed publication, found that four hurricanes and two tropical storms developed during an average year between 1900 and 1930.  Between 1995 and 2005, however, the average shot up to eight hurricanes and seven tropical storms, the report said.”  “Global warming debate is stormy“.

Hill’s Hillsborough Campaign

Yesterday on the Tampa Trib: “Hillary Rodham Clinton lovers and haters, get ready - the Democratic senator and presidential candidate plans on spending a lot of time in Hillsborough County.”  “Fundraiser Nets News Of Clinton Campaign“.

“The best health care system in the world“

“Bay Pines [with a VA emergency room only 200 feet away] declined to treat Surette, a longtime VA employee who collapsed on the center’s campus on June 26. He was pronounced dead at a hospital three miles away.”  “VA hospital declined to treat worker“.

Privatization Follies

“People who get caught cheating on federal income taxes pay for their crime with fines and even jail time. These cheaters’ examples and the fear of being audited induce others to pay their taxes. This rationale should apply to the firms at Miami International Airport that provide security, handle luggage and perform other services.  These firms pay the airport a portion of their revenues. But not every firm accurately reports its revenue or pays what it owes. In the last six months, the Inspector General’s office has accused two of the largest firms of cheating. Are there others doing the same thing?”  “More oversight will discourage cheaters“.

Good Luck

“Searching for the soul of Florida“.

“Confusion”

“In October, for the first time in more than three decades, it will once again matter in Florida who’s at fault in car crashes.”  “Expiring law may bring ‘confusion’“.

Dem “Drama”?

“Might the Democratic National Committee foist on Democrats in America’s biggest battleground state some kind of unwanted delegate selection plan for picking the presidential nominee? Party rules allow that scenario, which sounds possible from national party chairman Howard Dean’s comments the other day to a South Carolina TV reporter …”  “Democrats to Florida: Drama is not over yet“.

State Sponsored Murder

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: “Support for capital punishment nationwide has been slipping. In Florida, which leads the nation in exonerations from Death Row, more juries are handing down assured sentences of life without parole. There always will be cases that rekindle the spark for the death penalty. But then there’s the difficulty of writing a law to cover all cases, and of devising a system to carry out the punishment. Florida is failing in both areas.”  “Stay of the death penalty“.

“Should be fun”

Jihn Kennedy yesterday: “The third extra session of the year will occur in an increasingly tense political atmosphere — with House Speaker Marco Rubio last week blistering fellow Republican Gov. Charlie Crist in print on two separate occasions.”  “This session should be fun“.

Reality Bites

We missed this Steve Bousquet piece in our absence last week:

Little by little, the walls are beginning to close in on Gov. Charlie Crist.

Let us count the ways.

Florida is in the throes of its worst tax revenue shortfall in years.

Homeowners are still in a foul mood about insurance. Crist’s e-mail in-box is full of messages from consumers upset that their rates aren’t going down or angry that they have to pay more for sinkhole insurance.

What Crist called “the largest tax cut in Florida history” can be reduced by local officials willing to take the heat for a super-majority override vote.

Crist’s headache du jour is House Speaker Marco Rubio, the man with the “100 ideas” book and the self-anointed heir to the conservative Jeb Bush legacy that, little by little, Crist is disassembling.

“Reality soon may confront governor“.

Today’s Florida political news and punditry.

Courtesy of “The People’s Governor”

“Leaders in Tallahassee promised tax relief for overburdened homeowners.  What they delivered was the largest tax cut in state history.  The biggest winners, however, aren’t the cash-strapped residents whose protests fueled the reform effort but rather utility companies, theme parks, time-share operators and other property-rich corporations.”  “Tax breaks pad big pockets“.

“How Green?”

The Palm Beach Post editorial board asks “How green is the governor?“.

Who Knows?

“Palm Beach County Democratic Chairman Wahid Mahmood hasn t filled out an application, but he wants to be considered for the appointment by Republican Gov. Charlie Crist to fill the county commission seat formerly held by Warren Newell.”  “Dem boss wants Crist appointment“.

Geller

“Despite being forced from office next year due to term limits, Senate Democratic Leader Steve Geller has started raising money for a new committee of continuous existence (CCE) called Floridians for a Stronger Tomorrow.”  “Facing term limit, Geller opens committee“.

Another Jebacy

Makes you proud to read that “is second to Texas in federal money for a wait-till-marriage message.”

This past year, Florida ranked second only to Texas in the amount of federal money — $10.7-million — it received to spread the abstinence-until-marriage message. That’s $11.25 spent for every Florida teen ages 14 to 17.

A revelation last week gave opponents of abstinence-only education even more ground to criticize. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that the percentage of U.S. teens having sex has remained the same in the last few years. The same holds true for Florida teens, who are slightly above the national average when it comes to having sex.

“No-sex lesson rules Florida“.  Jebby Junior must have gone to a private school, because he sure didn’t get the abstinence message:

At the Tallahassee Mall on Oct. 7 [2000], John (Jebby) Bush, nephew of George W. Bush and son of Gov. Jeb Bush, was questioned by police, who caught him in a car with a female student, both naked from the waist down, says a report in the London Daily Mail. The officer who found the two filed a report of “sexual misconduct.”

“They were both underage but they were both willing participants,” said Tallahassee Police spokesman Scott Hunt to the New York Post. “We called the governor’s office, spoke to the governor and spoke to her family, and neither one of their families wanted to press charges.

“Bush’s Mr. Cellophane” Speaks

“In an interview with Gannett News Service, Martinez talks about primaries, the immigration aftermath, politics and polls”  “Martinez candid about his priorities“.

Hurricanes

“The study, conducted by two respected researchers and scheduled to be released today in a peer-reviewed publication, found that four hurricanes and two tropical storms developed during an average year between 1900 and 1930.  Between 1995 and 2005, however, the average shot up to eight hurricanes and seven tropical storms, the report said.”  “Global warming debate is stormy“.

Hill’s Hillsborough Campaign

Yesterday on the Tampa Trib: “Hillary Rodham Clinton lovers and haters, get ready - the Democratic senator and presidential candidate plans on spending a lot of time in Hillsborough County.”  “Fundraiser Nets News Of Clinton Campaign“.

“The best health care system in the world“

“Bay Pines [with a VA emergency room only 200 feet away] declined to treat Surette, a longtime VA employee who collapsed on the center’s campus on June 26. He was pronounced dead at a hospital three miles away.”  “VA hospital declined to treat worker“.

Privatization Follies

“People who get caught cheating on federal income taxes pay for their crime with fines and even jail time. These cheaters’ examples and the fear of being audited induce others to pay their taxes. This rationale should apply to the firms at Miami International Airport that provide security, handle luggage and perform other services.  These firms pay the airport a portion of their revenues. But not every firm accurately reports its revenue or pays what it owes. In the last six months, the Inspector General’s office has accused two of the largest firms of cheating. Are there others doing the same thing?”  “More oversight will discourage cheaters“.

Good Luck

“Searching for the soul of Florida“.

“Confusion”

“In October, for the first time in more than three decades, it will once again matter in Florida who’s at fault in car crashes.”  “Expiring law may bring ‘confusion’“.

Dem “Drama”?

“Might the Democratic National Committee foist on Democrats in America’s biggest battleground state some kind of unwanted delegate selection plan for picking the presidential nominee? Party rules allow that scenario, which sounds possible from national party chairman Howard Dean’s comments the other day to a South Carolina TV reporter …”  “Democrats to Florida: Drama is not over yet“.

State Sponsored Murder

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: “Support for capital punishment nationwide has been slipping. In Florida, which leads the nation in exonerations from Death Row, more juries are handing down assured sentences of life without parole. There always will be cases that rekindle the spark for the death penalty. But then there’s the difficulty of writing a law to cover all cases, and of devising a system to carry out the punishment. Florida is failing in both areas.”  “Stay of the death penalty“.

“Should be fun”

Jihn Kennedy yesterday: “The third extra session of the year will occur in an increasingly tense political atmosphere — with House Speaker Marco Rubio last week blistering fellow Republican Gov. Charlie Crist in print on two separate occasions.”  “This session should be fun“.

Reality Bites

We missed this Steve Bousquet piece in our absence last week:

Little by little, the walls are beginning to close in on Gov. Charlie Crist.

Let us count the ways.

Florida is in the throes of its worst tax revenue shortfall in years.

Homeowners are still in a foul mood about insurance. Crist’s e-mail in-box is full of messages from consumers upset that their rates aren’t going down or angry that they have to pay more for sinkhole insurance.

What Crist called “the largest tax cut in Florida history” can be reduced by local officials willing to take the heat for a super-majority override vote.

Crist’s headache du jour is House Speaker Marco Rubio, the man with the “100 ideas” book and the self-anointed heir to the conservative Jeb Bush legacy that, little by little, Crist is disassembling.

“Reality soon may confront governor“.

Our review of Florida’s political news and punditry will resume on Monday, July 30.

Our review of Florida’s political news and punditry will resume on Monday, July 30.

Our review of Florida’s political news and punditry will resume on Monday, July 30.

Check out the Florida Progressive Coalition’s “5 to Read“.  Our review of today’s Florida political news and punditry follows.

“Those people are nuts”

“The Palm Beach County Republican Party has filed 60 voter fraud complaints against people it says may have voted both in New York and Florida last November.”

County Republican Chairman Sid Dinerstein said the 60 names could be “the tip of the iceberg” for double voting because the GOP didn’t try to link voters with slightly different spellings or variants of names in each state.

The Republican research discovered voters such as Dominic Scaduto, who said Wednesday he voted in both Delray Beach and Rockville Centre, N.Y., “because I can. … I’m not aware that there’s anything wrong with it, and as far as I’m concerned they’re both local politics.”

But in some other cases, the GOP appears to have unearthed only some odd coincidences.

Sylvia Herman of Boynton Beach was targeted after the GOP found a Sylvia Herman in Rock Hill, N.Y., with the exact same 1932 birthday.

“That’s not me” the Boynton Beach Herman said Wednesday. “I never voted in New York. I’m not from New York and never lived in New York.”

The New York Herman was equally adamant.

“I’ve never lived in Florida,” she said. “I’m not going to either. Those people are nuts.”

“GOP seeks probe of 60 possible double voters“.

“The Republican Party announced Wednesday that it filed complaints of voter fraud July 20 with the State Attorney, Florida Division of Elections, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the State Attorney General and the U.S. Attorney’s office”  “Republicans: 60 voted in Palm Beach County and New York“.  Did those complaints include Ann Coulter?

Rubio Takes On Charlie

“House Speaker Marco Rubio slammed Gov. Charlie Crist’s climate change initiative this week, saying the governor’s effort to lower greenhouse gases and crack down on vehicle emissions could hurt consumers by driving up utility bills.”  “Rubio criticizes Crist’s strategy“.  See also “Rubio Turns Up the Heat on Ever-Sunny Crist” and “GOP, conservatives balk at Crist’s call to cut emissions“.  More: “Battle lines get clearer: Gelber and Thurman defend Crist on energy“.

And it ain’t just those liberal environmental issues: “In an op-ed published in [yesterday’s] edition of the Florida Baptist Witness, House Speaker Marco Rubio blames Gov. Charlie Crist and the legislature for ‘convincing Floridians to accept expanded gambling.’”  “More proof of Rubio distancing himself from Crist“.  See also “Rubio vs. Crist - the sequel“.

For more on Saint Rubio see “Miami: Screwed Again“, which is worth it just for the photoshopped picture of wonder boy.  See also The Buzz: “Making a mockery of Rubio“.

  Deep Thinker at Work

“It’s unlikely taxes will be increased, as Democratic leaders have suggested, to help Florida overcome a potential $1 billion revenue shortfall if Gov. Charlie Crist gets his way.”

“I’m not a fan of raising taxes,” Crist said Wednesday.

So how about increasing user fees?

“I’m not a fee fan,” Crist added. “It’s not something I’m really excited about.”

The adults have a different view:

Democratic House and Senate leaders, Rep. Dan Gelber, of Miami Beach, and Sen. Steve Geller, of Cooper City, say they want all options considered including reversing recent tax cuts they said mainly benefited the wealthy and out-of-state corporations.

“Before we take an ax to an education system already meagerly funded, or to children’s social services struggling to stay viable, or to our prisons forcing dangerous early releases, we need to examine all options,” Geller said in a statement.

Those options should include tapping $2 billion in a reserve fund and increasing taxes on cigarettes or reinstating the recently repealed tax on stocks and other intangible property, Geller said.

Democrats may not necessarily support any of those alternatives, Geller said, “but everything needs to be on the table, not just government cuts.”

“Crist says tax increases unlikely solution for budget dilemma“.  See also “As cash runs low, legislators will meet” and “State lawmakers agree to meet in special session again.“.  More: “Dems to push GOP in budget corner, and vice versa“.

The Palm Beach Post editors: “Unpleasant as it is that the Legislature must cut at least $1 billion from the just-passed state budget, the September special session gives legislators one last chance to take care of some unfinished business”  “Expand the budget session“.

Private Roads

“More than 450 people from both U.S. and foreign investment groups, contractors and concessionaires showed up for a forum Wednesday on plans to build toll lanes on I-595 between State Road 7 and Interstate 75.”  “Private investment groups hear pitch to use toll lanes to overhaul I-595“.

Water Woes

“For years, experts warned that Florida would face worsening water shortages if the state didn’t control growth.”  “No growth without water - and way to pay for it“.

The Daily Naugle

The Sun-Sentinel editors: “Oh, that clever Jim Naugle must feel like he really pulled a fast one.”

The Fort Lauderdale mayor had his assistant send out an e-mail that he was going to issue an apology Tuesday for his incredibly stupid and tasteless remarks about the gay community on the steps of City Hall. Figuring Naugle would issue some kind of apology, the media and activists gathered for the press conference.

Ah, but all it really did was feed the mayor’s ever-expanding ego. Anyone who’s followed Naugle’s publicity-craved antics never expected a heartfelt apology, because that would have required class and humility from someone who has become a serial insulter.

Instead, the press conference gave Naugle another chance to go on one of his homophobic rants.

“Fort Lauderdale Mayor is at it again“.

Tax Cut Tomfoolery

“Despite all the talk of rolling back property taxes in Florida, don’t look for a break on school taxes this year.  In Seminole County, the average homeowner will save enough on school taxes — about $23 — to treat the family at McDonald’s.”  “Stretching Florida’s tax dollars“.

CD 8

Scott Maxwell on the 8th CD race:

Republican incumbent Ric Keller leads the pack, as expected. He raised more than $230,000 last quarter, with most of it coming from political-action committees linked to companies such as General Electric and R.J. Reynolds. But there were plenty of local donors as well, including former Congressman Lou Frey and retired Darden CEO Joe Lee.

Republican challenger Todd Long raised about $82,000 this past quarter, though more than half of that came from the lawyer himself. Donors include a lot of local lawyers and chiropractors — oh, and former Magic center Andrew deClercq.

Democrat Mike Smith raised more than $150,000 — with nearly all of it coming from local individuals. Much of Smith’s money comes from the circles of his fundraising-savvy boss, John “For the People” Morgan.

“Money Pours Into Congressional Race“.  More: “Congressional cash - where it comes from, goes“.

Lake O

“Summer rain brings much-needed water to depleted Lake Okeechobee“.

“Florida’s rankings in child welfare are dismal”

The Daytona Beach - News Journal editorial board: “At what point can Florida say it’s done right by its most vulnerable children?”

How many teenage pregnancies are too many? How many children going to bed hungry? How many babies who don’t survive infancy?

The obvious best answer is that the state should never rest in its efforts to protect children — that even one child caught in a dysfunctional home or born unhealthy is too many. Reality dictates something different. State leaders have always assumed that some level of childhood misery must be accepted. They make that assumption anew every year as they write the state budget — and short-change the services most likely to help children in trouble. …

Florida politicians like to blame the state’s failures on factors outside their control — such as a high immigrant population. The Kids Count statistics tell another story.

Poverty is Florida’s biggest problem, as shown by the significantly higher percentage of children living in low-income households and the galaxy of problems that often accompany poverty, such as hunger and homelessness. But the state could do more to help struggling low-income families: Sixteen percent of Florida children (compared with 11 percent nationally) lack health insurance, despite a heavy federal subsidy that helps pay for coverage for children under the Healthy Kids program. …

The state’s juvenile incarceration rate — 452 children in detention per 100,000 population — is drastically higher than the national rate of 307. Florida’s rate of teen parenthood is also significantly higher.

Here’s the kicker:

This year’s ranking is based on data from 2003 through 2005, years when the state was relatively flush with money for child-related programs. This year, several crucial programs saw cuts, and public education — the state’s single most crucial anti-poverty program — is going through yet another round of budget cuts.

“Do kids count?“.

“Preposterous”

“The location of a proposed garbage dump in an environmentally sensitive area of east Pasco County is preposterous, as out of whack as the developer’s suggestion that the landfill offers an environmentally friendly solution to the growing problem of garbage disposal.”  “Don’t Build Dumping Ground Near Fragile Green Swamp“.

‘Glades

“After 252 long, dry days, water is flowing south from the Kissimmee River into Lake Okeechobee. The amount isn’t much, but it’s still a milestone after an 18-month drought that has put much of South Florida on severe water restrictions.”  “Lake O getting a boost from Kissimmee River“.

Giuliani

“Former Manatee County Republican Party chairman Paul Sharff is the latest political player added to the growing Rudy Giuliani network that is developing in the region.  Sharff, also a member of the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport Authority, was picked to be the regional chairman of the campaign for the west coast.  Sharff said that means helping build networks in 12 different counties in the region, including in Hillsborough and Pinellas.”  Try not to laugh too hard at this:

Rudy Giuliani showed his abilities and true self on 9/11, Sharff said

“Guiliani adds to Florida campaign“.  Mr. Sharff might want to take a look at this new HarperCollins book: “Grand Illusion The Untold Story of Rudy Giuliani and 9/11“: “The mayor’s performance, though marked by personal courage and grace under fire, followed two terms in office pursuing an utterly wrongheaded approach to the city’s security against terrorism. Turning the mythology on its head, Grand Illusion reveals how Giuliani has revised his own history, casting himself as prescient terror hawk when in fact he ran his administration as if terrorist threats simply did not exist, too distracted by pet projects and turf wars to attend to vital precautions.”

On the “Cheap”

Contrast this from the “liberal” St. Pete Times:

The historic Southern city continues to mourn for its Fire Department after a devastating June 18 furniture warehouse fire. Still, the department rummaged through the memorials from around the country for its nine deceased firefighters because it believed it had to help save the job of a 10th: Pasco Capt. David Garofalo.

Garofalo’s impulsive gesture of leaving his department polo shirt as a memorial at the site of the deadly fire was understandable. Firefighters from as many as 800 departments in the United States and Canada came to pay respects and left behind flowers, shirts, pictures and other items to honor the deceased. Ten thousand people attended the memorial service that included a procession of 300 firefighting vehicles

No matter. Pasco County was more concerned with the $23.95 shirt purchased with public money. Hardly a federal offense, it still resulted in an internal investigation. …

Garofalo, incidentally, traveled at his own expense to support the Charleston department. The county’s honor guard also attended the memorial service, but billed the public $246.71 in gasoline, or more than 10 times the cost of the shirt left as a keepsake.

So what would others think of the image of Pasco County?

Try cheap and insensitive.

… with this, this and this from the St. Pete Times:

- “Wondering where all those skyrocketing property taxes have gone?  One major drain: the tony retirement pensions of the state’s police and firefighters.”

- “The most generous pensions are going to first-responders, mostly paramedics, police and firefighters. Almost every year, their unions convince Tallahassee politicians to make it easier to qualify for disability pensions. If they get high blood pressure, for example, it’s now assumed they were disabled in the line of duty.  Unbelievable.

- “Whether local governments can afford these lucrative retirement plans for deputies and police and firefighters at a time when private companies are shedding pension plans is a reasonable public policy question.”

Yes, they just love firefighters at the St Pete Times, its just that the editors want firefighters to work … as the cocktail circuit editors might put it … on the “cheap“.

Promises, Promises

“Months after the Legislature’s promise to solve the state’s property-insurance crisis, homeowners still are disappointed by the eye-popping costs of premiums — if they can get insurance at all.”  “Insurance discounts: Worth it?“.

Running Government Like A Business

“The state attorney general’s office removed the toll-free number for a sexual assault counseling center from its Web site after an 8-year-old girl was connected instead to a sex chat line. … Again our sincerest apologies to the family that was affected,” said Sandi Copes, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Bill McCollum.”  “Girl seeking counseling calls wrong number for sex hot line“.

Florida’s Booming Economy

“Broward slump proves stubborn as home sales drop 22%“.  See also “Existing home sales down 19 percent in Palm Beach County“.

Guzzlers

“Florida’s appetite for gasoline has grown at twice the national average in the past five years,”

and the state now ranks third in annual gas consumption rates even though it is the nation’s fourth most populated state, according to a report released Wednesday.

But the average Florida household could save up to $3,480 in fuel costs over the lifetime of a vehicle if new cars were required to get at least 35 miles per gallon, according to the analysis released jointly by the Consumer Federation of America and the Florida Consumer Action Network. The groups are pushing a federal bill that would raise fuel efficiency standards for cars and light-duty trucks by 2018.

“Florida has turned into a state of gas guzzlers, U.S. figures show“.

“Pay-to-Play”

“State begins reviewing Boynton ‘pay-to-play’ allegations“.

That’s Our Charlie

“Don Webster, chief executive officer for the American Cancer Society, asked Crist to consider hiking Florida’s 34 cents-a-pack cigarette tax. The levy has not been raised since 1990 and now ranks 46th nationwide, Webster said.”

Crist labeled the proposal “an innovative idea.” But the health-conscious governor, who has embraced the anti-smoking effort along with measures to combat childhood obesity, didn’t endorse it.

“I’m not for raising taxes, as you know,” Crist said.

“Tobacco-tax increase idea doesn’t ignite Crist’s support“.  See also “Governor touts $57 million anti-tobacco campaign, won’t endorse tax increase“.

For a slightly deeper discussion of the issue see this Tallahassee Democrat editorial: “Win-win option“, which concludes that “the governor has called an increase in the cigarette tax “innovative,” but in fact it is more than that. It’s a win-win approach to discouraging smoking, while raising money to deal with the substantial public health and social consequences of those who chose to continue.”.

Check out the Florida Progressive Coalition’s “5 to Read“.  Our review of today’s Florida political news and punditry follows.

“Those people are nuts”

“The Palm Beach County Republican Party has filed 60 voter fraud complaints against people it says may have voted both in New York and Florida last November.”

County Republican Chairman Sid Dinerstein said the 60 names could be “the tip of the iceberg” for double voting because the GOP didn’t try to link voters with slightly different spellings or variants of names in each state.

The Republican research discovered voters such as Dominic Scaduto, who said Wednesday he voted in both Delray Beach and Rockville Centre, N.Y., “because I can. … I’m not aware that there’s anything wrong with it, and as far as I’m concerned they’re both local politics.”

But in some other cases, the GOP appears to have unearthed only some odd coincidences.

Sylvia Herman of Boynton Beach was targeted after the GOP found a Sylvia Herman in Rock Hill, N.Y., with the exact same 1932 birthday.

“That’s not me” the Boynton Beach Herman said Wednesday. “I never voted in New York. I’m not from New York and never lived in New York.”

The New York Herman was equally adamant.

“I’ve never lived in Florida,” she said. “I’m not going to either. Those people are nuts.”

“GOP seeks probe of 60 possible double voters“.

“The Republican Party announced Wednesday that it filed complaints of voter fraud July 20 with the State Attorney, Florida Division of Elections, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the State Attorney General and the U.S. Attorney’s office”  “Republicans: 60 voted in Palm Beach County and New York“.  Did those complaints include Ann Coulter?

Rubio Takes On Charlie

“House Speaker Marco Rubio slammed Gov. Charlie Crist’s climate change initiative this week, saying the governor’s effort to lower greenhouse gases and crack down on vehicle emissions could hurt consumers by driving up utility bills.”  “Rubio criticizes Crist’s strategy“.  See also “Rubio Turns Up the Heat on Ever-Sunny Crist” and “GOP, conservatives balk at Crist’s call to cut emissions“.  More: “Battle lines get clearer: Gelber and Thurman defend Crist on energy“.

And it ain’t just those liberal environmental issues: “In an op-ed published in [yesterday’s] edition of the Florida Baptist Witness, House Speaker Marco Rubio blames Gov. Charlie Crist and the legislature for ‘convincing Floridians to accept expanded gambling.’”  “More proof of Rubio distancing himself from Crist“.  See also “Rubio vs. Crist - the sequel“.

For more on Saint Rubio see “Miami: Screwed Again“, which is worth it just for the photoshopped picture of wonder boy.  See also The Buzz: “Making a mockery of Rubio“.

  Deep Thinker at Work

“It’s unlikely taxes will be increased, as Democratic leaders have suggested, to help Florida overcome a potential $1 billion revenue shortfall if Gov. Charlie Crist gets his way.”

“I’m not a fan of raising taxes,” Crist said Wednesday.

So how about increasing user fees?

“I’m not a fee fan,” Crist added. “It’s not something I’m really excited about.”

The adults have a different view:

Democratic House and Senate leaders, Rep. Dan Gelber, of Miami Beach, and Sen. Steve Geller, of Cooper City, say they want all options considered including reversing recent tax cuts they said mainly benefited the wealthy and out-of-state corporations.

“Before we take an ax to an education system already meagerly funded, or to children’s social services struggling to stay viable, or to our prisons forcing dangerous early releases, we need to examine all options,” Geller said in a statement.

Those options should include tapping $2 billion in a reserve fund and increasing taxes on cigarettes or reinstating the recently repealed tax on stocks and other intangible property, Geller said.

Democrats may not necessarily support any of those alternatives, Geller said, “but everything needs to be on the table, not just government cuts.”

“Crist says tax increases unlikely solution for budget dilemma“.  See also “As cash runs low, legislators will meet” and “State lawmakers agree to meet in special session again.“.  More: “Dems to push GOP in budget corner, and vice versa“.

The Palm Beach Post editors: “Unpleasant as it is that the Legislature must cut at least $1 billion from the just-passed state budget, the September special session gives legislators one last chance to take care of some unfinished business”  “Expand the budget session“.

Private Roads

“More than 450 people from both U.S. and foreign investment groups, contractors and concessionaires showed up for a forum Wednesday on plans to build toll lanes on I-595 between State Road 7 and Interstate 75.”  “Private investment groups hear pitch to use toll lanes to overhaul I-595“.

Water Woes

“For years, experts warned that Florida would face worsening water shortages if the state didn’t control growth.”  “No growth without water - and way to pay for it“.

The Daily Naugle

The Sun-Sentinel editors: “Oh, that clever Jim Naugle must feel like he really pulled a fast one.”

The Fort Lauderdale mayor had his assistant send out an e-mail that he was going to issue an apology Tuesday for his incredibly stupid and tasteless remarks about the gay community on the steps of City Hall. Figuring Naugle would issue some kind of apology, the media and activists gathered for the press conference.

Ah, but all it really did was feed the mayor’s ever-expanding ego. Anyone who’s followed Naugle’s publicity-craved antics never expected a heartfelt apology, because that would have required class and humility from someone who has become a serial insulter.

Instead, the press conference gave Naugle another chance to go on one of his homophobic rants.

“Fort Lauderdale Mayor is at it again“.

Tax Cut Tomfoolery

“Despite all the talk of rolling back property taxes in Florida, don’t look for a break on school taxes this year.  In Seminole County, the average homeowner will save enough on school taxes — about $23 — to treat the family at McDonald’s.”  “Stretching Florida’s tax dollars“.

CD 8

Scott Maxwell on the 8th CD race:

Republican incumbent Ric Keller leads the pack, as expected. He raised more than $230,000 last quarter, with most of it coming from political-action committees linked to companies such as General Electric and R.J. Reynolds. But there were plenty of local donors as well, including former Congressman Lou Frey and retired Darden CEO Joe Lee.

Republican challenger Todd Long raised about $82,000 this past quarter, though more than half of that came from the lawyer himself. Donors include a lot of local lawyers and chiropractors — oh, and former Magic center Andrew deClercq.

Democrat Mike Smith raised more than $150,000 — with nearly all of it coming from local individuals. Much of Smith’s money comes from the circles of his fundraising-savvy boss, John “For the People” Morgan.

“Money Pours Into Congressional Race“.  More: “Congressional cash - where it comes from, goes“.

Lake O

“Summer rain brings much-needed water to depleted Lake Okeechobee“.

“Florida’s rankings in child welfare are dismal”

The Daytona Beach - News Journal editorial board: “At what point can Florida say it’s done right by its most vulnerable children?”

How many teenage pregnancies are too many? How many children going to bed hungry? How many babies who don’t survive infancy?

The obvious best answer is that the state should never rest in its efforts to protect children — that even one child caught in a dysfunctional home or born unhealthy is too many. Reality dictates something different. State leaders have always assumed that some level of childhood misery must be accepted. They make that assumption anew every year as they write the state budget — and short-change the services most likely to help children in trouble. …

Florida politicians like to blame the state’s failures on factors outside their control — such as a high immigrant population. The Kids Count statistics tell another story.

Poverty is Florida’s biggest problem, as shown by the significantly higher percentage of children living in low-income households and the galaxy of problems that often accompany poverty, such as hunger and homelessness. But the state could do more to help struggling low-income families: Sixteen percent of Florida children (compared with 11 percent nationally) lack health insurance, despite a heavy federal subsidy that helps pay for coverage for children under the Healthy Kids program. …

The state’s juvenile incarceration rate — 452 children in detention per 100,000 population — is drastically higher than the national rate of 307. Florida’s rate of teen parenthood is also significantly higher.

Here’s the kicker:

This year’s ranking is based on data from 2003 through 2005, years when the state was relatively flush with money for child-related programs. This year, several crucial programs saw cuts, and public education — the state’s single most crucial anti-poverty program — is going through yet another round of budget cuts.

“Do kids count?“.

“Preposterous”

“The location of a proposed garbage dump in an environmentally sensitive area of east Pasco County is preposterous, as out of whack as the developer’s suggestion that the landfill offers an environmentally friendly solution to the growing problem of garbage disposal.”  “Don’t Build Dumping Ground Near Fragile Green Swamp“.

‘Glades

“After 252 long, dry days, water is flowing south from the Kissimmee River into Lake Okeechobee. The amount isn’t much, but it’s still a milestone after an 18-month drought that has put much of South Florida on severe water restrictions.”  “Lake O getting a boost from Kissimmee River“.

Giuliani

“Former Manatee County Republican Party chairman Paul Sharff is the latest political player added to the growing Rudy Giuliani network that is developing in the region.  Sharff, also a member of the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport Authority, was picked to be the regional chairman of the campaign for the west coast.  Sharff said that means helping build networks in 12 different counties in the region, including in Hillsborough and Pinellas.”  Try not to laugh too hard at this:

Rudy Giuliani showed his abilities and true self on 9/11, Sharff said

“Guiliani adds to Florida campaign“.  Mr. Sharff might want to take a look at this new HarperCollins book: “Grand Illusion The Untold Story of Rudy Giuliani and 9/11“: “The mayor’s performance, though marked by personal courage and grace under fire, followed two terms in office pursuing an utterly wrongheaded approach to the city’s security against terrorism. Turning the mythology on its head, Grand Illusion reveals how Giuliani has revised his own history, casting himself as prescient terror hawk when in fact he ran his administration as if terrorist threats simply did not exist, too distracted by pet projects and turf wars to attend to vital precautions.”

On the “Cheap”

Contrast this from the “liberal” St. Pete Times:

The historic Southern city continues to mourn for its Fire Department after a devastating June 18 furniture warehouse fire. Still, the department rummaged through the memorials from around the country for its nine deceased firefighters because it believed it had to help save the job of a 10th: Pasco Capt. David Garofalo.

Garofalo’s impulsive gesture of leaving his department polo shirt as a memorial at the site of the deadly fire was understandable. Firefighters from as many as 800 departments in the United States and Canada came to pay respects and left behind flowers, shirts, pictures and other items to honor the deceased. Ten thousand people attended the memorial service that included a procession of 300 firefighting vehicles

No matter. Pasco County was more concerned with the $23.95 shirt purchased with public money. Hardly a federal offense, it still resulted in an internal investigation. …

Garofalo, incidentally, traveled at his own expense to support the Charleston department. The county’s honor guard also attended the memorial service, but billed the public $246.71 in gasoline, or more than 10 times the cost of the shirt left as a keepsake.

So what would others think of the image of Pasco County?

Try cheap and insensitive.

… with this, this and this from the St. Pete Times:

- “Wondering where all those skyrocketing property taxes have gone?  One major drain: the tony retirement pensions of the state’s police and firefighters.”

- “The most generous pensions are going to first-responders, mostly paramedics, police and firefighters. Almost every year, their unions convince Tallahassee politicians to make it easier to qualify for disability pensions. If they get high blood pressure, for example, it’s now assumed they were disabled in the line of duty.  Unbelievable.

- “Whether local governments can afford these lucrative retirement plans for deputies and police and firefighters at a time when private companies are shedding pension plans is a reasonable public policy question.”

Yes, they just love firefighters at the St Pete Times, its just that the editors want firefighters to work … as the cocktail circuit editors might put it … on the “cheap“.

Promises, Promises

“Months after the Legislature’s promise to solve the state’s property-insurance crisis, homeowners still are disappointed by the eye-popping costs of premiums — if they can get insurance at all.”  “Insurance discounts: Worth it?“.

Running Government Like A Business

“The state attorney general’s office removed the toll-free number for a sexual assault counseling center from its Web site after an 8-year-old girl was connected instead to a sex chat line. … Again our sincerest apologies to the family that was affected,” said Sandi Copes, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Bill McCollum.”  “Girl seeking counseling calls wrong number for sex hot line“.

Florida’s Booming Economy

“Broward slump proves stubborn as home sales drop 22%“.  See also “Existing home sales down 19 percent in Palm Beach County“.

Guzzlers

“Florida’s appetite for gasoline has grown at twice the national average in the past five years,”

and the state now ranks third in annual gas consumption rates even though it is the nation’s fourth most populated state, according to a report released Wednesday.

But the average Florida household could save up to $3,480 in fuel costs over the lifetime of a vehicle if new cars were required to get at least 35 miles per gallon, according to the analysis released jointly by the Consumer Federation of America and the Florida Consumer Action Network. The groups are pushing a federal bill that would raise fuel efficiency standards for cars and light-duty trucks by 2018.

“Florida has turned into a state of gas guzzlers, U.S. figures show“.

“Pay-to-Play”

“State begins reviewing Boynton ‘pay-to-play’ allegations“.

That’s Our Charlie

“Don Webster, chief executive officer for the American Cancer Society, asked Crist to consider hiking Florida’s 34 cents-a-pack cigarette tax. The levy has not been raised since 1990 and now ranks 46th nationwide, Webster said.”

Crist labeled the proposal “an innovative idea.” But the health-conscious governor, who has embraced the anti-smoking effort along with measures to combat childhood obesity, didn’t endorse it.

“I’m not for raising taxes, as you know,” Crist said.

“Tobacco-tax increase idea doesn’t ignite Crist’s support“.  See also “Governor touts $57 million anti-tobacco campaign, won’t endorse tax increase“.

For a slightly deeper discussion of the issue see this Tallahassee Democrat editorial: “Win-win option“, which concludes that “the governor has called an increase in the cigarette tax “innovative,” but in fact it is more than that. It’s a win-win approach to discouraging smoking, while raising money to deal with the substantial public health and social consequences of those who chose to continue.”.

The Florida Progressive Coalition’s “5 to Read“.  Our review of today’s Florida political news and punditry follows.

Not the Sharpest Knife in the Drawer

It is no secret that Marco Rubio is not the sharpest knife in the drawer; he underscores just how dull he is with a guest piece in the Miami Herald today comparing clean energy initiatives to socialism; fortunately - and we’re sure it was hard for him - Rubio managed to leave Fidel Castro out of his drivel.

“House Speaker Marco Rubio lashed out at Gov. Charlie Crist’s clean energy initiatives this week, calling them expensive ‘European-style big government mandates'’ that could have ‘negative consequences’ for Florida.”

In an opinion piece published in today’s Miami Herald, the West Miami legislator exposed a growing rift with Crist over how to approach global warming. …

He said the state should pursue market-based solutions to foster clean energy technology.

And where does (former?) media darling Rubio get these great “ideas”?

Rubio’s comments mirror an e-mail message sent Monday to supporters of the conservative think tank, Freedom Works, headed by former Congressional Republican leader Dick Armey.

Armey accused Crist of ‘’pandering to radical enviromentalists'’ and asked: “What about hard-working Floridians whose family budgets are stretched to the limit because of high gasoline prices and skyrocketing home energy costs? For them, Crist’s mandates will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.'’

“Rubio finds fault with Crist’s environmental agenda“.  See also “Rubio clashes with Crist over climate change standards“.  For more on the wingnut attacks on Crist see “Tell Governor Crist To Stop Pandering to Radical Environmentalists!” (claiming that Crist folded to pressure from “Al Gore and his liberal buddies in Hollywood”) and “Conservative group says Crist pandering to ‘radicals’“.

This ought to send Rubio over the edge: “Report: Man responsible for warmer Florida” (”That’s the conclusion of a report, ‘Feeling the Heat: Global Warming and Rising Temperatures in the United States,’ released Tuesday by the nonprofit, Environment Florida.”)  The report: “New Report: Temperatures in Cities Across Florida on the Rise“.

“The fast pace of the state’s economic slowdown”

“With the state’s economy sagging, Florida legislators will return to the Capitol this fall to slash up to $1 billion from the state budget, a move that could force them to cut money for schools or healthcare.  House Speaker Marco Rubio and Senate President Ken Pruitt said the special session to re-balance Florida’s $71.5 billion budget will start Sept. 18 and could run until Oct. 5.”

Normally conservative state forecasters had already projected that taxes on real estate documents would decline this year but didn’t seem to anticipate the fast pace of the state’s economic slowdown, which is reflected in the low volume of sales statewide and declining corporate income taxes. …

Here’s what’s at stake:

In anticipation of a special session, Crist and legislators already had asked state agencies, including those that pay for schools and healthcare, to recommend $3.4 billion worth of cuts by Aug. 8. Of that total, $1.4 billion would come from education and more than $900 million from healthcare.

And how did Florida get into this fix?

Rep. Dan Gelber, the House Democratic leader from Miami Beach, said the GOP-controlled Legislature cut so many taxes under former Gov. Jeb Bush that it’s little surprise the state lacks the money to meet all its needs.

‘’The problem is the state cut all the wrong taxes,'’ Gelber said, singling out the elimination of the stocks-and-bonds tax. “We cut money for the very wealthy and special interests, not for property owners.'’

“Deeper budget cuts on the way“.  See also “Florida’s third special session aims to balance budget“, “Budget special session planned“, “Budget cuts mean special session No. 3“, “Back To Tallahassee“, “As cash runs low, legislators will meet“, “Tax cuts done, lawmakers headed back to cut spending“, “September Special Session Slated to Revise State Budget” and “”.

Another Jebacy

“Nearly one out of every five children in Florida is growing up in poverty, and the state has one of the highest rates in the nation of single-parent families, a report released [yesterday] says.”  “Many of state’s kids in crisis, report finds“.

Well, at least the parents of these “one out of every five children in Florida” don’t have to pay an intangibles tax on their stock portfolios.

Oh yeah, the nonpartisan report also shows “a total of 659,000 Florida children with no health insurance.”  All-in-all, “when it comes to the well-being of children, Florida is worse than most other states in everything from having more children in foster care to lack of health insurance.”.  “Florida raises Kids Count rating“.

And Then There’s Little Jebacy …

“Florida’s effort to shift Medicaid patients into private and managed care plans may illegally deny benefits to some children and pregnant women, lawyers at the federal Government Accountability Office warned Tuesday.”  “Lawyers see problems with state’s Medicaid shift effort“.

“The federal government may not have followed the law when it approved Florida’s Medicaid reform. As a result, poor children and pregnant women are paying more for lower-quality health coverage, according to a legal opinion released Tuesday.  Health advocates said the opinion from the Government Accountability Office is more evidence that the Florida Legislature shouldn’t expand the pilot program, which Gov. Jeb Bush spearheaded in 2005 to end Medicaid entitlement and reduce skyrocketing costs.”  “Report slams Medicare pilot program“.

Giuliani

“Giuliani beefs up Florida organization“.  Meanwhile out on the hustings, Rudy utters this fine sound bite: “Giuliani says some judges hurt democracy“.

Charlie Practices His Salute

“Crist, the commander in chief of the Florida National Guard, heads east today to review the troops.”  “Crist to review troops“.

Stupid Remark of the Day

In “Obama Debate Comments Set Off Firestorm” we read these sage words:

“Anything that looks like pandering to dictators is bad politics in South Florida,” said Republican state Rep. David Rivera of Miami. He predicted Obama’s comments [expressing a willingness to meet without precondition with leaders of renegade nations such as Cuba, North Korea and Iran] would come back to haunt him, particularly if he becomes the Democratic nominee.

Yeah, … I get it; Obama had a shot at the Cuban vote before he made this statement?

Huh

Mark Lane on Soil & Water Conservation Districts. “Obscure agency faces fate“.

Legal Fees

“The state asked two separate trial courts Tuesday to prevent lawyers from getting a larger share than the Legislature intended from an $8.5 million jury award that lawmakers approved for a paralyzed medical malpractice victim.”  “State seeks to block attorneys over fees in malpractice case“.

The Joys of “Merit” Pay

“Hundreds of Orange County teachers who banked on a $2,000 bonus next month will get less than they expected.  Others will get more than they hoped.  That’s because the county’s public-school district used the wrong formula to calculate how much to reward nearly 4,000 top instructors under Florida’s merit-pay plan.”  “Orange corrects teachers’ merit pay“.  The Orlando Sentinel editors put it this way: “embarrassing; incompetent; infuriating.”  “More dysfunction“.

The Daily Naugle

“Fort Lauderdale mayor criticized following ‘apology’“.

Charlie Goes To War

“Mandated by voters who passed a constitutional amendment in November, Gov. Charlie Crist ignites a $57 million anti-tobacco campaign today.”  “Crist wages war on tobacco“.

“Purge Jeb’s ideology”

“The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test is under fire after a scoring mistake. The state faces a revenue shortfall that has educators scrambling to find places to cut without affecting the classroom.  Still, 26 people have found the job appealing enough to apply to oversee the state’s $23-billion education system. … Some of the more notable applicants included K-12 chancellor Cheri Yecke, who also has run the education systems in Virginia and Minnesota; William Moloney, a retired Colorado education commissioner; Tom Watkins Jr., a former Michigan superintendent of public instruction; Earl Lennard, a retired Hillsborough superintendent; and Jim Warford, a former K-12 chancellor who heads the Florida Association of School Administrators.”  “26 seek job as Florida’s school chief“.

The Palm Beach Post editors have this to say:

According to Jeb Bush, every education program he undertook was “historic.” So, why don’t more qualified candidates want to be Florida’s commissioner of education?

The list of applicants by the July 13 deadline was so disappointing that the state extended the deadline 10 days. One reason for the weak response must be that former Gov. Bush built a department dedicated not to education but to himself and to his ideology that favored private schools over public schools, with vouchers and bogus school grades as the prime weapons.

The requirement that everyone in the Department of Education genuflect to Jeb led to the sycophantic choices for commissioner of Jim Horne and John Winn - the first, after a 1998 constitutional change, to be appointed rather than elected. The seven Board of Education members, whom the governor appoints, choose the commissioner.

“Pick education leader to purge Jeb’s ideology“.

Laff Riot

“Alexander, 20, was sitting on his bunk alone in his cell masturbating when a female deputy, monitoring his cell from a nearby control room, took offense.  Today he’s scheduled to go to trial to fight a misdemeanor indecent exposure charge and the maximum one-year jail sentence that would go with a conviction. … Inmates indulge in masturbation for a variety of reasons, said Trudy Block-Garfield, a forensic psychologist.”  “Prisoner accused of indecent act alone in Broward jail“.

Whatever You Do …

… Don’t go on strike: “From snakes to mold, the nation’s air traffic controllers including those in South Florida must work with a number of maladies stemming from aging facilities and poor maintenance, a congressional panel was told Tuesday.”  “Air controllers say substandard conditions threaten safety“.

Death Politics

“Ocala judge’s unexpected objection to Florida’s recently updated execution procedures may send the state down a path that has left other states with executions on hold.”  “Ruling clouds death penalty cases“.

Round 3

“Don t rule out another battle between Jan Schneider and Christine Jennings for the Democratic Party s nomination for Congress.  Earlier this week [Jeremy Wallace] tried to reach Schneider to see if she had any thoughts of running for Congress again.  [Yesterday, he] got an press release from the Sarasota attorney that states she s not prepared to rule it out.  Additionally, Schneider s release states that she is appalled by comments Jennings made to me about the Iraq war in Monday s Political Notebook.”  “Schneider vs. Jennings Part III?“.

That Didn’t Take Long

“Department of Children & Families Secretary Bob Butterworth was presented with a National Governor’s Association public service award at the governor’s mansion Tuesday.”  “Butterworth wins public service honor“.