Florida Vote

Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry:

The Privatization Scam

Bill Cotterell: “You don't need to be a statistician to draw some interesting conclusions from the first annual report of the Council on Efficient Government. It provides some insights into the legacy of ex-Gov. Jeb Bush and his eight-year effort to privatize state government.”

Actually, the report indicates that “outsourcing” progressed like a roller coaster - chugging upward in Bush's first term, then cresting the summit and plunging wildly ahead. It's been quite a ride.

It also appears that Bush, who admitted being impatient once he got one of his big ideas, was not a stickler about looking before he leaped. Such was his faith in the private sector, combined with his disdain for most things governmental, that his administration didn't fret too much about cost-benefit ratios or performance measures when deciding whether to privatize something. …

“Bush liked to say, in education, that “if you don't measure, you don't care.” But apparently his commitment to standardized testing didn't apply to privatization contracts.”

So, do Jebbie's privatization schemes achieve anything other than, as Paul Krugman puts it, spawning “a network of contractors who have given … Republican politicians and the Florida G.O.P. millions of dollars in campaign donations“?  Cotterell writes:

“A project cost-benefit analysis exercise is fundamental to the business case submissions process and essential to a sound financial evaluation of an outsourced project. Without valid cost-benefit calculations, it is difficult to access the true value and benefit of proposed outsourced projects,” said the [legislatively created 'seven-member council last year after a series of spectacular flops in state contracting'] …

“Of the 226 outsourced projects submitting cost-benefit related data only 16, or 7 percent, reported complete cost-benefit analysis before project solicitation,” it said. One other project had a cost-benefit analysis done after solicitation started. Ready, fire, aim.

“The remaining 209, or 92 percent of the projects, reported not completing a cost-benefit analysis at any time,” said the council staff report. “Without a complete cost-benefit analysis, it will be difficult for the council to assess the feasibility of an outsourced project and the benefit provided to the agency and the public.”

“Numbers show it's hard to rate privatization“.

Charlie's New Prop: A “Voluptuous Vixen”

“At the governor's side was CBS-4 reporter Jennifer Santiago. … a graduate of Villanova University law school, and a former Playboy model. At the time of her Playboy pictorials, such as Voluptuous Vixens and 1998 Nudes, she used the name Jennifer Klarman.”  “Crist brings newsy date to temple services“.

The “Wide-Stanced” Effect

George Bennett asks whether “wide-stanced Republican U.S. Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho be a factor in a 2008 Palm Beach County state House race? Republican Rob Siedlecki, who lost a challenge to state Rep. Shelley Vana, D-Lantana, for the District 85 seat last year, says his decision on whether to try again next year will be based in part on whether Craig and others have created a “negative climate” for the GOP. Siedlecki believes the Mark Foley scandal contributed to his 41.9 percent showing in 2006.”

“Saber-rattling” Over

“Ending weeks of saber-rattling, Florida Democratic leaders on Sunday embraced the state's Jan. 29 presidential primary and said the early date will give the state an influence that outweighs candidate boycotts and threats by the national party to strip Florida of delegates.”  “Top Democrats in state endorse early primary“.

“Once and for all to settle this, we will be voting on Jan. 29, with our presidential candidates on the ballot,” state Democratic chairwoman Karen Thurman declared Sunday to cheers from Democratic activists in Broward County. “That's what the United States is about, making our voices heard.”

Their voices will surely be heard. But in a twisted irony for Democrats in the recount and hanging chad state, their votes officially won't count in picking their presidential nominee.

That's because winning the presidential nomination is about winning delegates in primaries and caucuses. The Democratic National Committee intends to strip Florida of all its 210 delegates for scheduling its primary earlier than allowed.

“Party gives pep talk“.  See also “Florida Democrats reaffirm Jan. 29 primary, despite sanctions“.

“Striving to erase doubts about whether Democratic votes in Florida's presidential primary will matter, party leaders on Sunday launched a public relations campaign featuring a website and bumper stickers.”  “State Dems' cry: 'Make it count'“.  And, “Florida Democrats might sue own party over seating of delegates“.

Stem Cells

“Two studies starting in South Florida will, for the first time, test the long-dreamed vision that the body's own stem cells can be deployed to reverse the damage from heart disease.”  “South Florida studies aim to mend hearts with patients' stem cells“.

No-Fault

“The compromise on no-fault auto insurance announced Friday won't make everyone happy, which is why the Legislature should pass it.”  “Grab chance to reform, renew PIP insurance“.”.

“Pettifoggery”

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: “Thrasher's letter to thousands of Florida voters might be the most brazen use of double-talk in the history of pettifoggery.”  “Hometown Democracy Opponent Pens Dreadful Letter To Voters“.

Whatever

“Miami Republican Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart has been named to an investigative subcommittee charged with reviewing a misdemeanor charge against Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif., accused of assaulting an airline employee at a D.C.-area airport.”  “Diaz-Balart to probe D.C. assault charges“.

Desperate

“There have been so many dismissive or blistering articles about Fred Thompson in recent months, I half expected last weekend to see Larry, Curly or Moe lead a bumbling three-day bus tour through Florida.”

But even after Thompson's weakest performances - in Cape Coral he breathed heavily into the microphone, lost his train of thought, and at one point under the sweltering sun, his hand started shaking ominously - people gushed with passion and constantly compared him to Ronald Reagan. …

Despite his many years as a Washington lobbyist, Thompson is pitching himself as a folksy, outsider with a track record for stepping up for public service when his country needs him: as the 30-year-old minority counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee; as the lawyer in a Tennessee whistle-blower case that wound up leading to the imprisonment of a governor and Thompson playing himself in the movie; as part of the Republican Revolution in 1994.

If he can bump off Romney as the viable conservative alternative to Giuliani - thrice married, estranged from his own children, supports gay rights, abortion rights and gun control - the nomination may be Thompson's for the taking. It won't be easy, but there is a path for Thompson and Florida is a key part.

“Where voters live, Thompson matters“.

Legal Challenge

“The state's defense lawyer association has asked the Florida Supreme Court to block a new law that sets up a second tier of public attorneys to represent indigent criminal defendants.  Lawyers working for the five appointed criminal conflict and civil regional counsels will replace private attorneys that courts appoint when elected public defenders have a conflict of interest.  That typically happens when multiple defendants are charged in a single crime. The new offices also will provide legal representation in child dependency cases.”  “Defense lawyers challenge new public attorney law“.

Paey

The Miami Herald editorial board: “Beneath the surface, Mr. Paey's story is really about what happens when bad law and overzealous prosecutors combine to produce a disastrous outcome. Here's what can be learned from Mr. Paey's odyssey of pain:”

• Mandatory minimum sentences don't always work.

• Police and prosecutors must understand that their job is not only to prosecute, but also to seek justice.

“Tough laws can go seriously awry“.

Five Gears In Reverse

Last week, Tom Blackburn “wrote that in 2000 the Florida Senate was set to follow the House by ignoring the voters and certifying the electors for George W. Bush. John McKay tells me that it was no sure thing.”  Today he writes:

Mr. McKay, who was Senate president then, reminds me that the state faced a reporting deadline for the Electoral College. He called the Senate session only to act if Florida's 25 electoral votes otherwise would be lost. He advised senators to keep quiet until they saw events shape up and didn't take a position himself. What the Senate might have done if the U.S. Supreme Court had not intervened is speculative, but it wasn't wired to follow the House.

With all due respect, there was little doubt that the Florida Senate would have followed Feeney's lead.  McKay understandably wants to distance himself and the Florida GOP from “the worst president in U.S. history.”

Ugly

Bill Maxwell: “Every Florida resident should be concerned that we are losing our precious environment. To see the damage being done and what is left to be saved, all of us should get in our cars and drive some of the back roads across and up and down the state.”  “Florida, you get uglier by the day“.

Pathetic

“In the most hypocritical speech of any presidential candidate so far, Rudy Giuliani told a National Rifle Association audience he no longer supports the tough gun-controls laws he once fought for as mayor of New York. Apparently that shameless denial of his past even embarrassed Giuliani, who interrupted his speech Friday to take a personal cell phone call from his wife. It was a bizarre moment, though not nearly as unsettling as watching a man who had once prided himself on his tough stance against urban gun violence now kissing up to the NRA.”  “Giuliani kisses up to gun lobby“.

Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry:

January 29 It Is

“The Florida Democratic Party will defy threats from national party officials and continue with a Jan. 29 presidential primary even if it means its delegates won't count at next year's nominating convention, top party officials said Saturday.”  “Party sticking with its primary date“.  They do so “even if it means losing all its nominating convention delegates, a party source said Saturday.”  “Dems Won't Move Primary“.

“Helping persuade some of the key Florida Democratic voters to stick with Jan. 29 was a letter to Thurman detailed in the St. Petersburg Times on Saturday. The four early states told Thurman that even if Florida Democrats complied with the DNC rules, they would insist on all the Democratic candidates to boycott Florida until after Jan. 29.”  “State Dems rebuff national party“.

More: “Florida dems to defy DNC over primary” (”Republican National Committee, similarly, opposed the Florida move — saying the state will lose half its delegates to that party's convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul.”)

All Things to All People

“Crist spoke of his African-American “heroes” Saturday night and got a warm welcome as the keynote speaker at the annual dinner of the Florida Conference of the NAACP. Crist's attendance was yet another step in the Republican governor's efforts to build a bridge with blacks, who overwhelmingly vote Democratic.”  “Crist reaches out to state NAACP“.

Rubio Kow Tows to his Base

“House Speaker Marco Rubio looks poised to begin a new chapter in his saga to overhaul Florida's property-tax system.”

But this time, he'll include a new cast of characters, a coterie of business groups and trade associations.

“Rubio — same goal, new approach“.

“Floridians can't have it both ways”

The Sun-Sentinel editors:”The anger and frustration are growing, but, boy, are they misdirected. If Floridians are unhappy about meager property tax relief, they ought to direct their ire at themselves.  Florida's 18 million residents want it both ways, and they can't have it so easily. They want significant tax cuts without corresponding reductions in public services, plus a cap on taxes for homestead properties. Mathematics just don't work that way.”  “Taxpayers need to look in the mirror for tax reform“. 

Michael Mayo: “After seeing the anemic turnout at government budget hearings across South Florida and wondering where all the anger over property taxes went, I wrote last week that apathy had returned. But scores of you responded to let me know that it's not apathy, just discouragement and disgust.”  “Michael Mayo“.

“Dueling Pollsters

“As if Floridians didn't see enough skirmishing among politicians, now we're seeing it among Florida pollsters. Insider Advantage's Matt Towery last week wrote a column blasting a Sept. 3-9 Quinnipiac University poll, which showed Rudy Giuliani leading Fred Thompson by 11 percentage points among Florida Republicans. … There are a couple logical reasons for the differing results. Thompson had not yet jumped in the race during part of the period Quinnipiac polled, and Quinnipiac also included potential candidate Newt Gingrich as a choice, which likely cut back Thompson's numbers.”  “Dueling pollsters defend thier numbers“.

The Tuition Thing

A 2006 USA Today survey,

helps frame a growing question in Florida: Without more money, can the state's universities continue to provide a quality education and compete with colleges nationally?

The question is taking on new urgency this year as Florida faces a major budget shortfall and as a legal battle plays out about who controls the university system.

Already, universities must deal with issues like one of the highest student-to-faculty ratios in the country. What's more, freshman enrollment is expected to be capped for three years, preventing 2,000 students a year from getting into the system.

Many state leaders agree universities need more funding, but the tricky part is how to do it.

“Hard times hit higher learning“.

Leave Lawmaking to “Business” Groups

“Clamps [are] being put on petition efforts as lawmakers, under heavy lobbying from business groups, have made it more difficult for voters to bypass the Legislature and change the constitution.”

In recent years, lawmakers have shortened the time allowed for groups to gather the required signatures, banned petition gathering at places like grocery stores and shopping malls, and convinced voters to make it harder to change the constitution by raising the threshold to 60 percent effective next year.

Successful voter efforts that would not have met the new 60 percent requirement include the Save Our Homes cap on property taxes,, free prekindergarten classes and limits on K-12 class sizes.

Adam Babington of the Florida Chamber of Commerce said “the general feeling is that we haven't done enough” to make it harder to change the constitution. He said the image of the initiative process as a grass-roots coalescing of average citizens is long gone.

“Voters' power over ballots creates tug-of-war“.  Scott Maxwell: “Ooh, those rotten special interests. I can't stand 'em — them or their slick lawyers.”  “Just who exactly are the special interests here?“.

Rubio Brings Home the Bacon

“While Florida's 11 public universities are being asked to find $188 million in cuts,”

the University of Miami, a private 11,000-student school in Mr. Rubio's political district, is in line to get not only $12.5 million in annually recurring money for its medical school, but also $80 million that is tucked into the general government budget to establish a new program at UM called the Institute of Human Genomics.

This is almost criminal in a year in which two new medical schools, one at Florida International and the other at the University of Central Florida, are zeroed out in the proposed budget cutbacks - that's $10.2 million they won't get - even though the schools are already under way, with deans hired and faculty lined up.

“Miami vice“.

Scientology

“Folks in this picturesque Gulf Coast city have come to accept that Clearwater is to Scientologists what Salt Lake City is to Mormons, what Mecca is to Muslims. Though not everybody is happy about it.”  “Clearwater comes to terms with its status as Scientology's mecca“.

“Mission Accomplished”?

“With a single stroke of the pen, a top Bush administration official recently did what it would take Mother Nature decades to do: He changed the Florida Everglades' status to 'restoring' from 'endangered.' The move was premature, to say the least, and it should be rescinded. The change is the environmental equivalent of President Bush's Iraq-war blunder when he landed aboard an aircraft carrier that sported a banner declaring, 'Mission Accomplished.'”  “The Everglades still need federal help“.

“No Clue”

“With his company's $200 million land deal jeopardized by a public corruption scandal, Palm Beach Aggregates President Enrique Tomeu testified in June that he had no clue that former Palm Beach County Commissioner Tony Masilotti had a secret stake in the 1,219-acre parcel.  Tomeu testified that in January 2004 he had sold a purchase option for 60 acres of the property to Masilotti's older brother for $100,000. Tomeu said he did not know Tony Masilotti had put up half of the money. He said he found out two years later - from federal prosecutors.”  “Aggregates president: I did not commit a crime“.

Freddie “can't speak his way out of a paper bag?”

“On the same day we learned that Focus on the Family founder James Dobson has been trashing Fred Thompson - 'Isn't Thompson the candidate who is opposed to a Constitutional amendment to protect marriage . . . and can't speak his way out of a paper bag?' - we learn that Dobson's main man in Florida, John Stemberger, has landed Thompson as the keynote speaker for his Florida Family Policy Council dinner in Hollywood Nov. 16.”  “Maybe they should compare notes first“.

“A legally unresolved area”

“When it comes to municipal governments, prayer is less restrictive at public meetings. Communities have long traditions of opening government functions with invocations.”

But referring to a specific deity — including Jesus or Allah — during a public meeting wanders into a legal gray area because of a lack of definitive court rulings, according to Barry Lynn, a minister, attorney and executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a Washington-based watchdog group.

“It's a legally unresolved area,” he said.

While many read an implicit separation of church and state in the U.S. Constitution, praying during a government meeting also touches upon freedom-of-speech and religion protections.

Lynn, said that residents troubled by specific religious references during a meeting would have a good case if they argued “there was a deliberate effort to evangelize.

“Prayer is delicate issue in public forums“.

Catching a “Delicious Bass”

“U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite recently posted an ad for a legislative aide: “Candidate must be hard-working, have a cheerful personality, be extremely well-organized, and know how to cook a delicious bass. … Napoleon Dynamite fans will get the reference.”  “A possible vote for Pedro“.

Jebbie, Please Shut Up

Randy Schultz: “You knew that he wouldn't be able to keep quiet much longer.”

For eight months, Jeb Bush has had to hear how wonderful his successor is. For eight months, the man who believed that the Florida sun rose and set upon him had seen Charlie Crist depart from eight years of Bush rule. Coverage had focused on how much … nicer the new governor is. So bipartisan. So charming. So unlike Jeb in style. …

Crist hinted that he might be open to changing Jeb's school grading system. Though Gov. Crist will hint that he might be open to anything any audience wants, Jeb considers the bogus, stress-inducing grading system to be the centerpiece of his “legacy.”

There's been much more. Jeb Bush never warmed to global warming. Gov. Crist casts himself as the Arnold Schwarzenegger of Florida. Jeb Bush did little to help felons who've served their sentences to regain their civil rights. Under Gov. Crist, restoration of rights is easier. Jeb Bush scoffed at South Florida Democrats, whom he never forgave for the 2000 recount. Gov. Crist kind of gave those Democrats the paper voting trail they wanted. Worse, he did it as part of a lovefest with Democratic Congressman Robert Wexler, who in the Bush household is less popular than Al Gore. Jeb Bush equated embryonic stem-cell research with destruction of life. Gov. Crist equates such research with improvement of life.

“And the insurance industry that could curl up by the fireplace in the Bush administration finds itself in the Crist administration at the back door of the Governor's Mansion begging for scraps. So it made sense that Mr. Bush would cut loose against Gov. Crist in public before an insurance audience.”

It happened Monday, when Mr. Bush addressed the National Association of Mutual Insurance Cos. in Grapevine, Texas. …

Every big insurance change that has happened under his successor annoys Mr. Bush. The Legislature expanded the state's Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, putting the public on the hook for more expenses if it's a bad storm year. The Legislature expanded the reach of Citizens Property Insurance Corp.

Those attempts at forcing down premiums, Mr. Bush said, “are as bad as the natural disasters themselves.” He praised the two most insurance-friendly members of the Legislature, who favor the same policy as Mr. Bush: Let rates rise much more, and private companies will flock back to the state, creating free-market competition that will drive down rates. Instead, Florida is inviting “unintended consequences.”

“Perfect. Jeb Bush tells private insurers - the agency that handles Mr. Bush's bookings wouldn't say whether he got paid, and a spokesman for the insurers didn't know - that the private property market works. Jeb left out just one thing: The private property insurance market in Florida doesn't work.”

Maybe Jeb Bush can explain how he left the insurance crisis for his successor. Or he could just keep quiet.

Much more here: “Jeb has a new policy: Fire back“.

Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry:

January 29 It Is

“The Florida Democratic Party will defy threats from national party officials and continue with a Jan. 29 presidential primary even if it means its delegates won't count at next year's nominating convention, top party officials said Saturday.”  “Party sticking with its primary date“.  They do so “even if it means losing all its nominating convention delegates, a party source said Saturday.”  “Dems Won't Move Primary“.

“Helping persuade some of the key Florida Democratic voters to stick with Jan. 29 was a letter to Thurman detailed in the St. Petersburg Times on Saturday. The four early states told Thurman that even if Florida Democrats complied with the DNC rules, they would insist on all the Democratic candidates to boycott Florida until after Jan. 29.”  “State Dems rebuff national party“.

More: “Florida dems to defy DNC over primary” (”Republican National Committee, similarly, opposed the Florida move — saying the state will lose half its delegates to that party's convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul.”)

All Things to All People

“Crist spoke of his African-American “heroes” Saturday night and got a warm welcome as the keynote speaker at the annual dinner of the Florida Conference of the NAACP. Crist's attendance was yet another step in the Republican governor's efforts to build a bridge with blacks, who overwhelmingly vote Democratic.”  “Crist reaches out to state NAACP“.

Rubio Kow Tows to his Base

“House Speaker Marco Rubio looks poised to begin a new chapter in his saga to overhaul Florida's property-tax system.”

But this time, he'll include a new cast of characters, a coterie of business groups and trade associations.

“Rubio — same goal, new approach“.

“Floridians can't have it both ways”

The Sun-Sentinel editors:”The anger and frustration are growing, but, boy, are they misdirected. If Floridians are unhappy about meager property tax relief, they ought to direct their ire at themselves.  Florida's 18 million residents want it both ways, and they can't have it so easily. They want significant tax cuts without corresponding reductions in public services, plus a cap on taxes for homestead properties. Mathematics just don't work that way.”  “Taxpayers need to look in the mirror for tax reform“. 

Michael Mayo: “After seeing the anemic turnout at government budget hearings across South Florida and wondering where all the anger over property taxes went, I wrote last week that apathy had returned. But scores of you responded to let me know that it's not apathy, just discouragement and disgust.”  “Michael Mayo“.

“Dueling Pollsters

“As if Floridians didn't see enough skirmishing among politicians, now we're seeing it among Florida pollsters. Insider Advantage's Matt Towery last week wrote a column blasting a Sept. 3-9 Quinnipiac University poll, which showed Rudy Giuliani leading Fred Thompson by 11 percentage points among Florida Republicans. … There are a couple logical reasons for the differing results. Thompson had not yet jumped in the race during part of the period Quinnipiac polled, and Quinnipiac also included potential candidate Newt Gingrich as a choice, which likely cut back Thompson's numbers.”  “Dueling pollsters defend thier numbers“.

The Tuition Thing

A 2006 USA Today survey,

helps frame a growing question in Florida: Without more money, can the state's universities continue to provide a quality education and compete with colleges nationally?

The question is taking on new urgency this year as Florida faces a major budget shortfall and as a legal battle plays out about who controls the university system.

Already, universities must deal with issues like one of the highest student-to-faculty ratios in the country. What's more, freshman enrollment is expected to be capped for three years, preventing 2,000 students a year from getting into the system.

Many state leaders agree universities need more funding, but the tricky part is how to do it.

“Hard times hit higher learning“.

Leave Lawmaking to “Business” Groups

“Clamps [are] being put on petition efforts as lawmakers, under heavy lobbying from business groups, have made it more difficult for voters to bypass the Legislature and change the constitution.”

In recent years, lawmakers have shortened the time allowed for groups to gather the required signatures, banned petition gathering at places like grocery stores and shopping malls, and convinced voters to make it harder to change the constitution by raising the threshold to 60 percent effective next year.

Successful voter efforts that would not have met the new 60 percent requirement include the Save Our Homes cap on property taxes,, free prekindergarten classes and limits on K-12 class sizes.

Adam Babington of the Florida Chamber of Commerce said “the general feeling is that we haven't done enough” to make it harder to change the constitution. He said the image of the initiative process as a grass-roots coalescing of average citizens is long gone.

“Voters' power over ballots creates tug-of-war“.  Scott Maxwell: “Ooh, those rotten special interests. I can't stand 'em — them or their slick lawyers.”  “Just who exactly are the special interests here?“.

Rubio Brings Home the Bacon

“While Florida's 11 public universities are being asked to find $188 million in cuts,”

the University of Miami, a private 11,000-student school in Mr. Rubio's political district, is in line to get not only $12.5 million in annually recurring money for its medical school, but also $80 million that is tucked into the general government budget to establish a new program at UM called the Institute of Human Genomics.

This is almost criminal in a year in which two new medical schools, one at Florida International and the other at the University of Central Florida, are zeroed out in the proposed budget cutbacks - that's $10.2 million they won't get - even though the schools are already under way, with deans hired and faculty lined up.

“Miami vice“.

Scientology

“Folks in this picturesque Gulf Coast city have come to accept that Clearwater is to Scientologists what Salt Lake City is to Mormons, what Mecca is to Muslims. Though not everybody is happy about it.”  “Clearwater comes to terms with its status as Scientology's mecca“.

“Mission Accomplished”?

“With a single stroke of the pen, a top Bush administration official recently did what it would take Mother Nature decades to do: He changed the Florida Everglades' status to 'restoring' from 'endangered.' The move was premature, to say the least, and it should be rescinded. The change is the environmental equivalent of President Bush's Iraq-war blunder when he landed aboard an aircraft carrier that sported a banner declaring, 'Mission Accomplished.'”  “The Everglades still need federal help“.

“No Clue”

“With his company's $200 million land deal jeopardized by a public corruption scandal, Palm Beach Aggregates President Enrique Tomeu testified in June that he had no clue that former Palm Beach County Commissioner Tony Masilotti had a secret stake in the 1,219-acre parcel.  Tomeu testified that in January 2004 he had sold a purchase option for 60 acres of the property to Masilotti's older brother for $100,000. Tomeu said he did not know Tony Masilotti had put up half of the money. He said he found out two years later - from federal prosecutors.”  “Aggregates president: I did not commit a crime“.

Freddie “can't speak his way out of a paper bag?”

“On the same day we learned that Focus on the Family founder James Dobson has been trashing Fred Thompson - 'Isn't Thompson the candidate who is opposed to a Constitutional amendment to protect marriage . . . and can't speak his way out of a paper bag?' - we learn that Dobson's main man in Florida, John Stemberger, has landed Thompson as the keynote speaker for his Florida Family Policy Council dinner in Hollywood Nov. 16.”  “Maybe they should compare notes first“.

“A legally unresolved area”

“When it comes to municipal governments, prayer is less restrictive at public meetings. Communities have long traditions of opening government functions with invocations.”

But referring to a specific deity — including Jesus or Allah — during a public meeting wanders into a legal gray area because of a lack of definitive court rulings, according to Barry Lynn, a minister, attorney and executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a Washington-based watchdog group.

“It's a legally unresolved area,” he said.

While many read an implicit separation of church and state in the U.S. Constitution, praying during a government meeting also touches upon freedom-of-speech and religion protections.

Lynn, said that residents troubled by specific religious references during a meeting would have a good case if they argued “there was a deliberate effort to evangelize.

“Prayer is delicate issue in public forums“.

Catching a “Delicious Bass”

“U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite recently posted an ad for a legislative aide: “Candidate must be hard-working, have a cheerful personality, be extremely well-organized, and know how to cook a delicious bass. … Napoleon Dynamite fans will get the reference.”  “A possible vote for Pedro“.

Jebbie, Please Shut Up

Randy Schultz: “You knew that he wouldn't be able to keep quiet much longer.”

For eight months, Jeb Bush has had to hear how wonderful his successor is. For eight months, the man who believed that the Florida sun rose and set upon him had seen Charlie Crist depart from eight years of Bush rule. Coverage had focused on how much … nicer the new governor is. So bipartisan. So charming. So unlike Jeb in style. …

Crist hinted that he might be open to changing Jeb's school grading system. Though Gov. Crist will hint that he might be open to anything any audience wants, Jeb considers the bogus, stress-inducing grading system to be the centerpiece of his “legacy.”

There's been much more. Jeb Bush never warmed to global warming. Gov. Crist casts himself as the Arnold Schwarzenegger of Florida. Jeb Bush did little to help felons who've served their sentences to regain their civil rights. Under Gov. Crist, restoration of rights is easier. Jeb Bush scoffed at South Florida Democrats, whom he never forgave for the 2000 recount. Gov. Crist kind of gave those Democrats the paper voting trail they wanted. Worse, he did it as part of a lovefest with Democratic Congressman Robert Wexler, who in the Bush household is less popular than Al Gore. Jeb Bush equated embryonic stem-cell research with destruction of life. Gov. Crist equates such research with improvement of life.

“And the insurance industry that could curl up by the fireplace in the Bush administration finds itself in the Crist administration at the back door of the Governor's Mansion begging for scraps. So it made sense that Mr. Bush would cut loose against Gov. Crist in public before an insurance audience.”

It happened Monday, when Mr. Bush addressed the National Association of Mutual Insurance Cos. in Grapevine, Texas. …

Every big insurance change that has happened under his successor annoys Mr. Bush. The Legislature expanded the state's Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, putting the public on the hook for more expenses if it's a bad storm year. The Legislature expanded the reach of Citizens Property Insurance Corp.

Those attempts at forcing down premiums, Mr. Bush said, “are as bad as the natural disasters themselves.” He praised the two most insurance-friendly members of the Legislature, who favor the same policy as Mr. Bush: Let rates rise much more, and private companies will flock back to the state, creating free-market competition that will drive down rates. Instead, Florida is inviting “unintended consequences.”

“Perfect. Jeb Bush tells private insurers - the agency that handles Mr. Bush's bookings wouldn't say whether he got paid, and a spokesman for the insurers didn't know - that the private property market works. Jeb left out just one thing: The private property insurance market in Florida doesn't work.”

Maybe Jeb Bush can explain how he left the insurance crisis for his successor. Or he could just keep quiet.

Much more here: “Jeb has a new policy: Fire back“.

The Florida Progressive Coalition's “”.  Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

Can't “Jeb!” Just Go Away?

“The Wall Street Journal’s opinion page sharply criticized Gov. Crist today with a little help from former Gov. Jeb Bush.  The Journal is unhappy with Florida taking on much of the insurance risk in the event of a major hurricane.”  “Jeb Bush takes on Crist“.  From the editorial:

Florida Governor Charlie Crist didn't appreciate our coverage of his plan to socialize his state's disaster insurance market and put taxpayers on the hook for billions. Now his populist lunge has won him a more formidable foe in the Sunshine State: his predecessor as Governor, Jeb Bush.

The highly popular [sic] Mr. Bush doesn't make a habit of violating Ronald Reagan's Eleventh Commandment (”Thou Shalt Not Criticize Fellow Republicans”), but he's making an exception here. BestWeek, a trade publication of insurance rating firm A.M. Best, quotes Mr. Bush criticizing states that are crafting disaster insurance plans “that are as bad as the natural disasters themselves.” Which states? “My beloved state of Florida has taken steps along that path.” Ouch.

“Hurricane Jeb“.

Poll Wars

“The Republican presidential primary in Florida is a tight race, according to an InsiderAdvantage poll, while a Quinnipiac University survey shows Rudy Giuliani with an 11-point lead over Fred Thompson.”

What gives?

Atlanta-based InsiderAdvantage wanted to find out. So one of its publications, Southern Political Report, paid a Washington firm, Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, to do its own poll.

The results: Giuliani and Thompson running neck and neck. In fact, Mason-Dixon and InsiderAdvantage found the exact same spread, with Giuliani receiving 24 percent and Thompson getting 23 percent of the vote.

The Quinnipiac poll had Giuliani at 28, Thompson at 17.

''It's time to call out this polling organization,'' Matt Towery of InsiderAdvantage wrote about in a nationally syndicated column published Thursday. “At the very least, Quinnipiac numbers should stop being taken at face value as the paragon of accuracy in Florida.''

Quinnipiac pollster Peter Brown's response was brief: “We stand by our numbers.''

“Pollster grudge match in Fla. GOP race“.  See also “Poll: Thompson Closes Gap Among Florida Republicans“.

“Score one for the insurance industry”

“Two Florida Supreme Court rulings released Thursday could dramatically curb liability for insurers, allowing them to pay only actual losses from a covered peril, such as a hurricane or a fire, even if a home is totally destroyed.”  “Rulings may curb property insurer liability“.  See also “State high court: Insurers not liable for flood damage from hurricanes” (”Score one for the insurance industry.”)

Boot Camps

“Gov. Charlie Crist is recommending the state abolish its only STAR program — the replacement for controversial youth boot camps — as part of his plans to slash millions of dollars from the state budget.”  “Crist: Cut cash for youth camp“.

Mulligan

“School districts, cities and counties, frantic in the wake of a sweeping property tax ruling issued earlier this month, will get a rare chance to convince the seven justices of the Florida Supreme Court to change their minds.”  “Court to reconsider property tax ruling“.  See also “Justices to consider revisiting bond issue” and “Top court to rehear case on voting for borrowing“.

“Uncertainty”

The Tampa Trib editorial board: “Closer Look At Tax Reform Reveals Savings And Uncertainty“.

Whatever

“Katherine Harris, Florida’s most notorious former secretary of state, is making one of her first public appearances since her unsuccessful Senate race at a religious conservative conference at Bell Shoals Baptist Church this weekend.”

Also speaking at the conference is Rebecca Odell Townsend, who became briefly famous during last year’s governor’s race when she publicly contended that she had borne a baby 18 years ago by Gov. Charlie Crist, then a young lawyer.

Townsend, a lawyer who gives speeches on the Constitution to social and religious conservative groups, wouldn’t talk to a reporter about her child after her appearance on a panel on religious freedom this morning. The child, who apparently was adopted soon after birth by a St. Petersburg family, is now an 18-year-old college student.

“Harris, Townsend At Family Impact Summit“.

Florida's Booming Economy

“Florida's unemployment rate ticked up slightly again in August to 4 percent, the highest it has been since April 2005, the state's Agency for Workforce Innovation said Friday.  The increase in joblessness is blamed partly on a slumping housing market. The construction industry has lost 18,500 jobs in Florida since last year. August was the sixth straight month in which Florida has seen a year-to-year drop in construction jobs, the first time that has happened since 1992, the agency said.”  “Florida unemployment continues creeping up as construction slumps“.

Death Row

“The only woman on Florida's death row has taken her case back to the Florida Supreme Court. It previously upheld her murder conviction.  Virginia Larzelere's appellate lawyer urged the justices to not only uphold a judge's decision granting a new sentencing hearing but order an entirely new trial.”  “Fla. Supreme Court hears appeals from only woman on death row“.

CD 13

“Eleven months later, Congress still isn’t close to ruling on Democrat Christine Jennings’ challenge of the November 2006 congressional election.  The U.S. Government Accountability Office met with members of Congress behind closed doors on Thursday to tell them that they have nearly finished their initial review of the recounts and audits already completed in Florida.  A report is likely to be presented to a congressional task force investigating the election on Oct. 2, said Rep. Charles Gonzalez, D-Texas.”  “Resolution of voting dispute months away“.

Paey

“A disabled former attorney returned home Thursday after four years in prison, arriving hours after Gov. Charlie Crist and the rest of the state clemency board pardoned his drug trafficking charges.”

It ended a case that gained national attention as an example of outrageous mandatory minimum drug sentences.

Richard Paey, 48, had a broad smile as he exited the vehicle driven by prison officials to his Hudson home in Pasco County.

“Disabled man freed early after state reverses drug charge“.  See also “Full pardon begins to ease man's pain“.

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: “But on Thursday, Gov. Charlie Crist and members of the Florida Cabinet - Attorney General Bill McCollum, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson - displayed compassion and wisdom so extraordinary it was breathtaking.”  “Righteous“.

Grubbing for Wingnuts

“Continuing his push to curry social and religious conservative voters in Florida, Fred Thompson will speak to a dinner of the Florida Family Policy Council, an influential religious right organization, in Hollywood in November.  The Family Policy Council is headed by Christian right activist and Orlando lawyer John Stemberger, and is associated with James Dobson’s Focus on the Family. “  “Thompson To Speak At Religious Right Dinner“.

The Wheels of Justice

“After more than 19 years in prison, Larry Bostic on Friday walked out of a Broward County courtroom a free man.”

Bostic, now, 51, was happy and philosophical about his release on a rape charge after test results showed his DNA does not match evidence from the crime.

“I'm lucky. My family stuck with me through this ordeal,” said Bostic before heading to the jail to have an electronic monitoring device removed from his ankle. …

the rape victim told … the investigator that she never saw her rapist, Sandler said earlier. She picked Bostic out of a photo line-up because she remembered seeing him, a stranger, in the vicinity of the rape a few days earlier, Sandler said.

“Citing DNA, court vacates sentence of man in rape case“.

They Mean It

“The official early states — Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina — have given their response to Democrats who asked if it was okay for presidential candidates to come to the state convention in October: Sure, IF you agree to move your primary out of the 'pre-window' reserved by the national party for those four states.  And then, to show they really mean it, they warned in their letter to Florida Democratic Party chair Karen Thurman that their voters and caucus-goers 'will monitor the candidates and media coverage and will ultimately decide whether the campaigns are keeping their promises.'”  “'Early states' to Florida: Be careful, we're watching you“.  Yesterday: “Sentinel: Top Florida Democrats would end DNC fight“.

Glitch

“The city of Miami could face an additional $23-million in budget cuts after top Republican lawmakers said Thursday they will seek to fix a glitch in the property tax legislation that allowed the city to avoid deeper cuts.”  “Mistake may mean deeper cuts in Miami“.

Not Ready for Prime Time

The St. Pete Times editors:”In Florida, we're used to newcomers making faux pas on matters that those of us who have been here longer than, say, two weeks take for granted.”

For example, the Everglades is known as the River of Grass, not the River of Gas, so we understand your mistake when you said you wouldn't remove it from the list of places where you might drill for oil if elected president.

As an accomplished actor, however, you might have at least read the script first and remembered your lines when you appeared with Gov. Charlie Crist. Asked if you would drill in the Everglades, the proper response wasn't laughter followed by your ad lib: “Gosh, no one has told me that there's any major reserves in the Everglades, but maybe that's one of the things I need to learn while I'm down here.”

Obviously, there are lots of things you need to learn about the state. Just be grateful the press didn't ask you about rendering manatees into lamp oil. For future reference, the manatee is Crist's favorite animal, so much so that he's willing to stand up to developers to save the lovable sea cows (sorry, they can't be milked as far as we know).

“For Thompson, a Florida 101“.

Scrutiny

“A second private insurance company says it is among those under investigation by Florida officials.  Cincinnati Financial Corp. told stockholders on Thursday that two of its subsidiaries — Cincinnati Insurance and Cincinnati Indemnity — were ordered by Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation to turn over correspondence with trade groups and others.”  “Second insurance company comes under scrutiny“.

Never Mind

“A year ago, the Florida Cabinet offered hurricane-weary homeowners a deal that was hard to refuse.  Make your home safer from hurricanes and you'll be eligible for bigger discounts on your homeowners' insurance, the state promised.  The Cabinet even ordered insurance companies to double the discounts.  But now, Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the state's largest insurer with nearly 1.4 million policies, says it will not be giving policyholders those big discounts for storm-proofing their homes.”  “Snafu blocks big discounts from Citizens for home fixes“.

Poor Defendants

“Criminal defense attorneys are asking the Florida Supreme Court to block a new law that would slash millions of dollars the state pays in legal fees for poor defendants.  The suit asks justices to rescind Gov. Charlie Crist’s recent appointment of five attorneys to head newly created offices of 'Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel.'”  “Supreme Court mulls suit over budget cuts for poor defendants“.

Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry:

“Down to the Wire”

“State Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman decided Wednesday to call a meeting by phone a few hours before the deadline for deciding how to handle Florida's stalemate with the national party over Florida's Jan. 29 primary date.”  “Democrats go down to the wire on primary solution“.

Poor Things

“A powerful group of business leaders pledged support Wednesday for the super homestead exemption, but told House Speaker Marco Rubio that much more needs to be done to cut property taxes.”  “Businesses ask Rubio for more tax relief“.

Making Sausage

“Behind closed doors in the Governor's Office, lobbyists representing insurers, health-care providers and plaintiffs' lawyers are negotiating whether millions of Florida drivers will still be buying personal-injury-protection coverage next month.”  “Insurance plan being hashed out in secret“.  See also “Increased profit rates cited for lack of Florida property insurance savings“.  Meanwhile, “PIP loss to hit state“.

Math Standards

“Florida's new math standards are good for students and taxpayers.”  “This change adds up“.

Breaking News

“Cabinet OKs specialty tags for NASCAR, troops, prisons“.  See also “Crist, Cabinet approve NASCAR license plate“.

“Behind Closed Doors …”

“After dog-and-pony shows, candidates go behind closed doors to talk moola“.

Playing Politics with Kids

“A Cuban farmer did not speak on the phone or write letters to his daughter for nine months after she moved to the U.S., a clear sign of his abandonment of the girl, state child welfare attorneys said in closing arguments Wednesday in an international custody dispute.”  “State: Father abandoned Cuban girl in custody dispute“.

Florida Hometown Democracy

“The co-founder of the Florida Hometown Democracy constitutional amendment campaign said Wednesday letting citizens vote on land-use changes is not a 'radical, wild-eyed idea' to stifle growth.”  “Land-use amendment debated“.

Attention

Mike Thomas: “Tased student asked for it and got it: Attention“.  Another view: “Taser doubts“.  Jac Wilder VerSteeg: “Democracy could use a jolt” (”If it were up to me, the people who don't ask questions would get Tased, bro.”).

Whites Only

The Washington Post yesterday: “Key Republican leaders are encouraging the party's presidential candidates to rethink their decision to skip presidential debates focusing on issues important to minorities, fearing a backlash that could further erode the party's standing with black and Latino voters.”  “Debate no-shows worry GOP leaders“.

Battle of the Empty Suits

“Mitt Romney is seeking to emphasize his Florida-friendly stands on issues including oil drilling and a national catastrophe fund, following a couple of public appearances here by Fred Thompson in which he didn’t always say what Floridians wanted to hear.”  “Romney Takes On Thompson On Florida Issues“.

The Tampa Trib editors: “Presidential candidate Fred Thompson's swing through Florida should alarm voters and worry supporters.  Thompson displayed little command of the issues or sympathy for state concerns.”

Laff Riot

“Giuliani associates himself with Churchill“.

Probe

“Florida's probe of property-insurance companies that refuse to lower rates has expanded beyond State Farm, state regulators said Wednesday.”  “Insurance-industry probe widens“.  More: “Consultant: Insurance should be cheaper, companies at fault“.

Court Throws out Legislation

“Although the state Constitution has always barred the Legislature from targeting unique situations with broad general laws, the Legislature has a long history of crafting such deals anyway.  Yet in two cases last week, the Florida Supreme Court pulled back the veil on a surreptitious practice that runs counter to Florida's open government laws. In throwing out the two laws, the court toughened the standard for such laws and opened the door for future legal challenges.”  “Improper laws put in spotlight“.

'Glades

“The Bush administration has changed its procedures for trying to remove U.S. sites from a United Nations list of endangered special places after the Everglades was struck from the list this summer, a State Department official said.”  “Everglades uproar brings change“.

Trails

“$16 million allocated for Florida trails“.

Brain Trust

Scott Maxwell: “The U.S. House voted overwhelming this week to help families struggling with their home loans. And even though members of Congress who opposed this effort were hard to come by, you can come by four of them right here in Central Florida. Republican Reps. Tom Feeney, John Mica, Adam Putnam and Cliff Stearns were among those on the losing side of a 348-72 vote to expand federal backing of mortgages.”

“'Reprehensible'”

“Former House Speaker John Thrasher and opponents of the proposed Hometown Democracy ballot initiative are asking voters who supported the petition to revoke their signatures.”

The initiative, if put on the ballot and approved by 60 percent of voters statewide, would require local voters to approve any land-use changes to local comprehensive plans. The effort to put the proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot is spearheaded by Palm Beach attorney Lesley Blackner.

Thrasher - with Al Cardenas, former state GOP chairman, and Barney Bishop, head of business-backed Associated Industries of Florida - leads a political committee, Save Our Constitution Inc., that opposes the proposed amendment.

He was asked Wednesday about a letter he sent voters after he debated Ross Burnaman, a Tallahassee land use attorney who crafted the Hometown Democracy initiative, at the Capital City Tiger Bay Club.

Thrasher, a Republican, sent the letter on Sept. 6 under the letterhead “The Honorable John Thrasher Former Speaker of the House of Representatives.” It urges voters to renege their support for the initiative, claiming it opens the door for “special interests” to manipulate the outcome of elections.

The letter takes advantage of a new law passed this year by the Republican-controlled legislature that gives voters 150 days to undo their support of ballot initiatives by signing a form and returning it to the Department of State.

The letter also cautions that control over growth will be taken away from local planners and instead “turns all power over use of Florida lands to certain 'electors.'

“Guess who the 'electors' will be. The special interests and their slick lawyers will rig the system to put our future in the hands of their cronies,” Thrasher's letter says.

Electors is simply another word for voters, but Bishop acknowledged after Wednesday's debate that the word was used in part to confuse voters.

A women's focus group on the issue that included a former state lawmaker did not know what “electors” meant, Bishop said. “They thought they were presidential electors from presidential election campaigns. We're just using the words in the amendment itself to show people that they don't understand that it's legalese, and people don't understand what that means,” he said.

Burnaman called the letter “reprehensible.”

“Ex-House speaker lobbies against initiative“.

Flip-Flop

“The former Tallahassee police chief chosen by Gov. Charlie Crist to head Florida's juvenile justice system this year announced soon after taking over that the state would fight crime in a new way.”

Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Walter McNeil said Florida would not keep dumping the bulk of its money into youth lockups. Instead, the state would take a balanced approach, investing in less expensive prevention programs that stop teens from skipping school, joining gangs and committing crimes.

Legislative leaders and youth advocates say they now are surprised that the agency and governor's office presented budget plans that would do just the opposite - chopping millions from programs proven to reform teens who have not yet committed crimes as adults.

“Juvenile Justice set to reverse course, cut programs that deter teen crime“.

FCAT Follies

“Florida schools could lose the $158 million slated as reward money for schools that do well on the FCAT as legislators look for ways to cut $1 billion in state spending.”  “Cutback of FCAT bonus is urged“.

Tame

“But of the close to 2,000 video questions already submitted for the Republican presidential candidates coming to St. Petersburg this fall, the vast majority are asked by regular people sitting in front of a simple camera.  The St. Petersburg GOP debate and its unusual format caused an immediate ruckus in some Republican circles.  They feared a political ambush. Or some Web-savvy attack. Or just the unexpected.  But, so far, there appears little reason to worry.”  “New debate covers old ground“.

“A potentially potent voting bloc”

“A little publicized provision in the proposed property tax amendment gives a tax break to mobile home owners and creates a potentially potent voting bloc.  The tax break could benefit close to a million Floridians, about 75,000 of them in the Tampa Bay area. And with polls showing tepid support for the super homestead amendment, their turnout could make a difference.”  “Mobile home owners may get break“.

Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry:

“Down to the Wire”

“State Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman decided Wednesday to call a meeting by phone a few hours before the deadline for deciding how to handle Florida's stalemate with the national party over Florida's Jan. 29 primary date.”  “Democrats go down to the wire on primary solution“.

Poor Things

“A powerful group of business leaders pledged support Wednesday for the super homestead exemption, but told House Speaker Marco Rubio that much more needs to be done to cut property taxes.”  “Businesses ask Rubio for more tax relief“.

Making Sausage

“Behind closed doors in the Governor's Office, lobbyists representing insurers, health-care providers and plaintiffs' lawyers are negotiating whether millions of Florida drivers will still be buying personal-injury-protection coverage next month.”  “Insurance plan being hashed out in secret“.  See also “Increased profit rates cited for lack of Florida property insurance savings“.  Meanwhile, “PIP loss to hit state“.

Math Standards

“Florida's new math standards are good for students and taxpayers.”  “This change adds up“.

Breaking News

“Cabinet OKs specialty tags for NASCAR, troops, prisons“.  See also “Crist, Cabinet approve NASCAR license plate“.

“Behind Closed Doors …”

“After dog-and-pony shows, candidates go behind closed doors to talk moola“.

Playing Politics with Kids

“A Cuban farmer did not speak on the phone or write letters to his daughter for nine months after she moved to the U.S., a clear sign of his abandonment of the girl, state child welfare attorneys said in closing arguments Wednesday in an international custody dispute.”  “State: Father abandoned Cuban girl in custody dispute“.

Florida Hometown Democracy

“The co-founder of the Florida Hometown Democracy constitutional amendment campaign said Wednesday letting citizens vote on land-use changes is not a 'radical, wild-eyed idea' to stifle growth.”  “Land-use amendment debated“.

Attention

Mike Thomas: “Tased student asked for it and got it: Attention“.  Another view: “Taser doubts“.  Jac Wilder VerSteeg: “Democracy could use a jolt” (”If it were up to me, the people who don't ask questions would get Tased, bro.”).

Whites Only

The Washington Post yesterday: “Key Republican leaders are encouraging the party's presidential candidates to rethink their decision to skip presidential debates focusing on issues important to minorities, fearing a backlash that could further erode the party's standing with black and Latino voters.”  “Debate no-shows worry GOP leaders“.

Battle of the Empty Suits

“Mitt Romney is seeking to emphasize his Florida-friendly stands on issues including oil drilling and a national catastrophe fund, following a couple of public appearances here by Fred Thompson in which he didn’t always say what Floridians wanted to hear.”  “Romney Takes On Thompson On Florida Issues“.

The Tampa Trib editors: “Presidential candidate Fred Thompson's swing through Florida should alarm voters and worry supporters.  Thompson displayed little command of the issues or sympathy for state concerns.”

Laff Riot

“Giuliani associates himself with Churchill“.

Probe

“Florida's probe of property-insurance companies that refuse to lower rates has expanded beyond State Farm, state regulators said Wednesday.”  “Insurance-industry probe widens“.  More: “Consultant: Insurance should be cheaper, companies at fault“.

Court Throws out Legislation

“Although the state Constitution has always barred the Legislature from targeting unique situations with broad general laws, the Legislature has a long history of crafting such deals anyway.  Yet in two cases last week, the Florida Supreme Court pulled back the veil on a surreptitious practice that runs counter to Florida's open government laws. In throwing out the two laws, the court toughened the standard for such laws and opened the door for future legal challenges.”  “Improper laws put in spotlight“.

'Glades

“The Bush administration has changed its procedures for trying to remove U.S. sites from a United Nations list of endangered special places after the Everglades was struck from the list this summer, a State Department official said.”  “Everglades uproar brings change“.

Trails

“$16 million allocated for Florida trails“.

Brain Trust

Scott Maxwell: “The U.S. House voted overwhelming this week to help families struggling with their home loans. And even though members of Congress who opposed this effort were hard to come by, you can come by four of them right here in Central Florida. Republican Reps. Tom Feeney, John Mica, Adam Putnam and Cliff Stearns were among those on the losing side of a 348-72 vote to expand federal backing of mortgages.”

“'Reprehensible'”

“Former House Speaker John Thrasher and opponents of the proposed Hometown Democracy ballot initiative are asking voters who supported the petition to revoke their signatures.”

The initiative, if put on the ballot and approved by 60 percent of voters statewide, would require local voters to approve any land-use changes to local comprehensive plans. The effort to put the proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot is spearheaded by Palm Beach attorney Lesley Blackner.

Thrasher - with Al Cardenas, former state GOP chairman, and Barney Bishop, head of business-backed Associated Industries of Florida - leads a political committee, Save Our Constitution Inc., that opposes the proposed amendment.

He was asked Wednesday about a letter he sent voters after he debated Ross Burnaman, a Tallahassee land use attorney who crafted the Hometown Democracy initiative, at the Capital City Tiger Bay Club.

Thrasher, a Republican, sent the letter on Sept. 6 under the letterhead “The Honorable John Thrasher Former Speaker of the House of Representatives.” It urges voters to renege their support for the initiative, claiming it opens the door for “special interests” to manipulate the outcome of elections.

The letter takes advantage of a new law passed this year by the Republican-controlled legislature that gives voters 150 days to undo their support of ballot initiatives by signing a form and returning it to the Department of State.

The letter also cautions that control over growth will be taken away from local planners and instead “turns all power over use of Florida lands to certain 'electors.'

“Guess who the 'electors' will be. The special interests and their slick lawyers will rig the system to put our future in the hands of their cronies,” Thrasher's letter says.

Electors is simply another word for voters, but Bishop acknowledged after Wednesday's debate that the word was used in part to confuse voters.

A women's focus group on the issue that included a former state lawmaker did not know what “electors” meant, Bishop said. “They thought they were presidential electors from presidential election campaigns. We're just using the words in the amendment itself to show people that they don't understand that it's legalese, and people don't understand what that means,” he said.

Burnaman called the letter “reprehensible.”

“Ex-House speaker lobbies against initiative“.

Flip-Flop

“The former Tallahassee police chief chosen by Gov. Charlie Crist to head Florida's juvenile justice system this year announced soon after taking over that the state would fight crime in a new way.”

Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Walter McNeil said Florida would not keep dumping the bulk of its money into youth lockups. Instead, the state would take a balanced approach, investing in less expensive prevention programs that stop teens from skipping school, joining gangs and committing crimes.

Legislative leaders and youth advocates say they now are surprised that the agency and governor's office presented budget plans that would do just the opposite - chopping millions from programs proven to reform teens who have not yet committed crimes as adults.

“Juvenile Justice set to reverse course, cut programs that deter teen crime“.

FCAT Follies

“Florida schools could lose the $158 million slated as reward money for schools that do well on the FCAT as legislators look for ways to cut $1 billion in state spending.”  “Cutback of FCAT bonus is urged“.

Tame

“But of the close to 2,000 video questions already submitted for the Republican presidential candidates coming to St. Petersburg this fall, the vast majority are asked by regular people sitting in front of a simple camera.  The St. Petersburg GOP debate and its unusual format caused an immediate ruckus in some Republican circles.  They feared a political ambush. Or some Web-savvy attack. Or just the unexpected.  But, so far, there appears little reason to worry.”  “New debate covers old ground“.

“A potentially potent voting bloc”

“A little publicized provision in the proposed property tax amendment gives a tax break to mobile home owners and creates a potentially potent voting bloc.  The tax break could benefit close to a million Floridians, about 75,000 of them in the Tampa Bay area. And with polls showing tepid support for the super homestead amendment, their turnout could make a difference.”  “Mobile home owners may get break“.

The Florida Progressive Coalition's “The Daily 30“.  Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

Follow the Money

“In the nine months since he left office, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has kept silent on the issue of how the current governor and Legislature are handling what had become Bush's biggest challenge: the state's ongoing property insurance crisis.”

That all changed this week.

And Bush, the two-term Republican, doesn't like what he sees.

Addressing insurance executives Monday as keynote speaker at the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies convention outside Dallas, Bush criticized Florida's latest efforts at insurance reform - specifically a January special session bill that doubled the state's catastrophe fund to $32-billion and allowed state-backed Citizens Property Insurance to directly compete with the private market.

That is a reversal of Bush's stance when, as governor, he focused on private market solutions, no expansion of the CAT Fund or Citizens, and a state-funded program to help homeowners make their houses more hurricane resistant.

Like other critics — mostly in the insurance industry — of the reforms of early 2007, Bush argued that expanding Florida's role in the property insurance market will put the state at considerable financial risk if Florida is hit by one or more major hurricanes.

“Jeb Bush hammers Crist on insurance“.

Allen Update

“A Brevard County judge agreed today to postpone state Rep. Bob Allen's trial on a solicitation charge to Nov. 5.  Jury selection had been slated to begin tomorrow. But Allen's attorney, Greg Eisenmenger, said he needed more time to prepare.”  “Rep. Allen's trial on sex charge gets postponed“.

With Dems Like This…

“Colson, 55, is a Democrat and longtime civic leader with a sterling political pedigree. A Princeton and University of Miami law school graduate who clerked for former Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, he leads a Miami law firm that specializes in personal injury and commercial cases.  He was a close ally of former Gov. Jeb Bush. His law partner, Roberto Martinez, was chief of the transition office for Bush and Crist.”  “Crist taps Democrat as adviser on universities“.  See also “Crist Taps Democrat For New Higher Education Adviser Post“.

Three Time Loser

“A Washington, D.C., watchdog group has put Rep. Tom Feeney, an Orlando-area Republican and former speaker of the Florida House, on its list of most corrupt members of Congress - for the third year in a row.”  “Feeney Follies“.  See also “Tom Feeney back on the CREW list“.

Not Ready For Prime Time

“Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson wouldn't completely rule out oil drilling in the Everglades and apparently was unaware Tuesday that it was a major Florida issue just five years ago.”  “Thompson doesn't rule out Everglades oil drilling“.  See also “Thompson: Drill the Everglades?“.

Charlie To Give a Speech

“Just days after the Florida branch of the NAACP filed a lawsuit against the state, Gov. Charlie Crist will be the keynote speaker at the Freedom Fund and Awards Dinner being held Saturday in Gainesville. The dinner is the highlight of the 64th annual convention of the Florida State Conference NAACP.”  “Permalink“>Crist to be keynote speaker at NAACP banquet“.

Whatever

“Rubio Ready For Round 2 on Cutting Taxes“.

Healthy start

“Congressional leaders are finalizing a bill that could dramatically increase the number of U.S. children who have healthcare coverage, including in Florida. This is a worthy cause, considering that more than 9 million children are uninsured.”  “Give children a healthy start“.

24 Years

“Crotzer is one of at least six Florida men freed from prison since 2000 after being exonerated by DNA evidence. There have been 207 such exonerations in U.S. history, according to The Innocence Project.”  “Exonerated Man Again Presses State For Justice“.

Dodd Steps In To Immigration Dispute

“Juan and Alex Gomez, the Kendall brothers who have been battling deportation orders, may be able to stay in the United States until 2009 under legislation filed by U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd, their attorney said Tuesday.  Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat who is running for president, filed a bill on the Colombian-born students' behalf late Monday, said Cheryl Little, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center.”  “Dodd's bill might buy time for Kendall brothers“.

Knight Out

“Florida Highway Patrol director Col. Christopher A. Knight has resigned after a six-month investigation found he was negligent in his duties and falsified an office memo.”  “Highway Patrol leader quits“.  See also “Highway patrol chief resigns“, “FHP leader resigns following probe“, “FHP chief Chris Knight resigns following 6-month investigation” and “Florida Highway Patrol head resigns after investigation“.

Freddie Follies

“GOP presidential candidate Fred Thompson came a-courtin’ in Tallahassee on Tuesday, meeting with the man he called 'the most popular governor in the country.'”  “Thompson: Crist 'Most Popular Governor'“.

Political Hacks Get Appointments … Teachers Get “Merit” Pay

“Gov. Charlie Crist will raise money for Louisiana Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobby Jindal on Thursday night at the home of Dr. A.K. Desai, a Florida Board of Education member, Crist ally and fund-raiser. … Crist named Desai to the panel overseeing Florida schools, replacing Winter Park financier Phil Handy. Just as Handy had been a major fundraiser for former Gov. Jeb Bush, Desai played a similar role for Crist this past fall.”  “Crist To Raise Cash For Jindal“.

Can't Trust the FFWCC

The Tampa Trib editors: “Lowering the manatee's status from 'endangered' to 'threatened' would be less objectionable if citizens could be confident that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission would vigorously protect the marine mammal.  But the agency can provide no such assurances, so its board was right to postpone a vote on the reclassification earlier this week.”  “Don't Diminish Manatee Protections“.

PIP

“Crist said Tuesday he’s growing more convinced a deal can be reached to extend the life of Florida’s no-fault auto insurance law.  He might even add it to the agenda for next month’s budget-cutting session of the Legislature.”  “Crist, Rubio: PIP talks looking up“.

Two Days

“South Floridians waste average of 50 hours a year in traffic“.

Decisions, Decisions …

“The proposed property tax amendment has a big carrot for Florida's poorest seniors: a homestead exemption quadruple what many have now.  For some, it would mean never again having to pay property taxes.  For others though, the decision to take the bigger exemption would be a financial misstep.”  “Which exemption for low-income seniors? Hmm …“.

Frankel

The Palm Beach Post editorial board:

Mayor Lois Frankel said this week that West Palm Beach taxpayers should pay her legal bills for her campaign to keep secret from those taxpayers part of a state grand jury report about her. This is the arrogant, secretive mayor at her arrogant, secretive worst.

“Frankel deserves scorn, not money from public“.

'Ya Think?

“Lawmakers will have one eye on projections showing the state will face more tax shortfalls over the next three years when they meet in special session next month to cut the current budget, House Speaker Marco Rubio said Tuesday.”  “Rubio says future state money woes will figure into budget cuts“.

Three Left

“The state Board of Education on Tuesday narrowed its seven remaining candidates for education commissioner down to three finalists: College Board official Eric Smith, New York state education administrator Joseph Marinelli and Florida public schools Chancellor Cheri Yecke.”  “Education commissioner hopefuls list pared to three“.

Stalled Projects?

“Bonds ruling may stall local CRA projects“.

“Don't Tase me, bro”

“Freed without bond, a UF student Tasered during a speech dealt with becoming a cyberspace celebrity.”  “UF student's shocking exit becomes talk of Web“.  See also “UF president wants arrest of student at Kerry talk investigated (with video)“.  More: “Student Tasered at Kerry forum has a penchant for practical jokes“.

The Florida Progressive Coalition's “The Daily 30“.  Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

Follow the Money

“In the nine months since he left office, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has kept silent on the issue of how the current governor and Legislature are handling what had become Bush's biggest challenge: the state's ongoing property insurance crisis.”

That all changed this week.

And Bush, the two-term Republican, doesn't like what he sees.

Addressing insurance executives Monday as keynote speaker at the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies convention outside Dallas, Bush criticized Florida's latest efforts at insurance reform - specifically a January special session bill that doubled the state's catastrophe fund to $32-billion and allowed state-backed Citizens Property Insurance to directly compete with the private market.

That is a reversal of Bush's stance when, as governor, he focused on private market solutions, no expansion of the CAT Fund or Citizens, and a state-funded program to help homeowners make their houses more hurricane resistant.

Like other critics — mostly in the insurance industry — of the reforms of early 2007, Bush argued that expanding Florida's role in the property insurance market will put the state at considerable financial risk if Florida is hit by one or more major hurricanes.

“Jeb Bush hammers Crist on insurance“.

Allen Update

“A Brevard County judge agreed today to postpone state Rep. Bob Allen's trial on a solicitation charge to Nov. 5.  Jury selection had been slated to begin tomorrow. But Allen's attorney, Greg Eisenmenger, said he needed more time to prepare.”  “Rep. Allen's trial on sex charge gets postponed“.

With Dems Like This…

“Colson, 55, is a Democrat and longtime civic leader with a sterling political pedigree. A Princeton and University of Miami law school graduate who clerked for former Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, he leads a Miami law firm that specializes in personal injury and commercial cases.  He was a close ally of former Gov. Jeb Bush. His law partner, Roberto Martinez, was chief of the transition office for Bush and Crist.”  “Crist taps Democrat as adviser on universities“.  See also “Crist Taps Democrat For New Higher Education Adviser Post“.

Three Time Loser

“A Washington, D.C., watchdog group has put Rep. Tom Feeney, an Orlando-area Republican and former speaker of the Florida House, on its list of most corrupt members of Congress - for the third year in a row.”  “Feeney Follies“.  See also “Tom Feeney back on the CREW list“.

Not Ready For Prime Time

“Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson wouldn't completely rule out oil drilling in the Everglades and apparently was unaware Tuesday that it was a major Florida issue just five years ago.”  “Thompson doesn't rule out Everglades oil drilling“.  See also “Thompson: Drill the Everglades?“.

Charlie To Give a Speech

“Just days after the Florida branch of the NAACP filed a lawsuit against the state, Gov. Charlie Crist will be the keynote speaker at the Freedom Fund and Awards Dinner being held Saturday in Gainesville. The dinner is the highlight of the 64th annual convention of the Florida State Conference NAACP.”  “Permalink“>Crist to be keynote speaker at NAACP banquet“.

Whatever

“Rubio Ready For Round 2 on Cutting Taxes“.

Healthy start

“Congressional leaders are finalizing a bill that could dramatically increase the number of U.S. children who have healthcare coverage, including in Florida. This is a worthy cause, considering that more than 9 million children are uninsured.”  “Give children a healthy start“.

24 Years

“Crotzer is one of at least six Florida men freed from prison since 2000 after being exonerated by DNA evidence. There have been 207 such exonerations in U.S. history, according to The Innocence Project.”  “Exonerated Man Again Presses State For Justice“.

Dodd Steps In To Immigration Dispute

“Juan and Alex Gomez, the Kendall brothers who have been battling deportation orders, may be able to stay in the United States until 2009 under legislation filed by U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd, their attorney said Tuesday.  Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat who is running for president, filed a bill on the Colombian-born students' behalf late Monday, said Cheryl Little, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center.”  “Dodd's bill might buy time for Kendall brothers“.

Knight Out

“Florida Highway Patrol director Col. Christopher A. Knight has resigned after a six-month investigation found he was negligent in his duties and falsified an office memo.”  “Highway Patrol leader quits“.  See also “Highway patrol chief resigns“, “FHP leader resigns following probe“, “FHP chief Chris Knight resigns following 6-month investigation” and “Florida Highway Patrol head resigns after investigation“.

Freddie Follies

“GOP presidential candidate Fred Thompson came a-courtin’ in Tallahassee on Tuesday, meeting with the man he called 'the most popular governor in the country.'”  “Thompson: Crist 'Most Popular Governor'“.

Political Hacks Get Appointments … Teachers Get “Merit” Pay

“Gov. Charlie Crist will raise money for Louisiana Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobby Jindal on Thursday night at the home of Dr. A.K. Desai, a Florida Board of Education member, Crist ally and fund-raiser. … Crist named Desai to the panel overseeing Florida schools, replacing Winter Park financier Phil Handy. Just as Handy had been a major fundraiser for former Gov. Jeb Bush, Desai played a similar role for Crist this past fall.”  “Crist To Raise Cash For Jindal“.

Can't Trust the FFWCC

The Tampa Trib editors: “Lowering the manatee's status from 'endangered' to 'threatened' would be less objectionable if citizens could be confident that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission would vigorously protect the marine mammal.  But the agency can provide no such assurances, so its board was right to postpone a vote on the reclassification earlier this week.”  “Don't Diminish Manatee Protections“.

PIP

“Crist said Tuesday he’s growing more convinced a deal can be reached to extend the life of Florida’s no-fault auto insurance law.  He might even add it to the agenda for next month’s budget-cutting session of the Legislature.”  “Crist, Rubio: PIP talks looking up“.

Two Days

“South Floridians waste average of 50 hours a year in traffic“.

Decisions, Decisions …

“The proposed property tax amendment has a big carrot for Florida's poorest seniors: a homestead exemption quadruple what many have now.  For some, it would mean never again having to pay property taxes.  For others though, the decision to take the bigger exemption would be a financial misstep.”  “Which exemption for low-income seniors? Hmm …“.

Frankel

The Palm Beach Post editorial board:

Mayor Lois Frankel said this week that West Palm Beach taxpayers should pay her legal bills for her campaign to keep secret from those taxpayers part of a state grand jury report about her. This is the arrogant, secretive mayor at her arrogant, secretive worst.

“Frankel deserves scorn, not money from public“.

'Ya Think?

“Lawmakers will have one eye on projections showing the state will face more tax shortfalls over the next three years when they meet in special session next month to cut the current budget, House Speaker Marco Rubio said Tuesday.”  “Rubio says future state money woes will figure into budget cuts“.

Three Left

“The state Board of Education on Tuesday narrowed its seven remaining candidates for education commissioner down to three finalists: College Board official Eric Smith, New York state education administrator Joseph Marinelli and Florida public schools Chancellor Cheri Yecke.”  “Education commissioner hopefuls list pared to three“.

Stalled Projects?

“Bonds ruling may stall local CRA projects“.

“Don't Tase me, bro”

“Freed without bond, a UF student Tasered during a speech dealt with becoming a cyberspace celebrity.”  “UF student's shocking exit becomes talk of Web“.  See also “UF president wants arrest of student at Kerry talk investigated (with video)“.  More: “Student Tasered at Kerry forum has a penchant for practical jokes“.

Music is by Doktor Frank’s band, the Mr. T Experience.

-more-

The Florida Progressive Coalition's “12 Stories to Read“.  Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

Double Whammy

First we have Charlie's property tax scam, which will drain millions of dollars from services and schools.  Now we have the Florida Supreme Court's decision, requiring voter approval for bonds (for, among other things, new school construction) that use property taxes to pay them off.  A double whammy for sure, particularly since Jebbie's intangibles tax cut for the wealthy “sliced more than $1 billion from the state's annual revenue stream“.

Perhaps this well help, though it is extremely unlikely: “The Florida Supreme Court was asked Monday to reconsider, or at least clarify, its landmark reversal earlier this month that changes and clouds how local governments borrow money.  The Florida Association of Counties was among those seeking new hearings, reconsideration and clarification of the ruling that's thrown local governments into a tizzy by saying voter approval is required for bonds that use property taxes to pay them off.”  “Court asked to clarify borrowing decision“.

Yecke Watch

“The state Board of Education this morning narrowed its seven remaining candidates for education commissioner down to three finalists: College Board administrator Eric Smith, New York state education official Joseph Marinelli and current Florida public schools chancellor Cheri Yecke.”  “Education commissioner finalists chosen“.

You recall Yecke?  The Palm Beach Post editorial board today:

Mr. Winn appointed her after she lost her job as education commissioner in Minnesota, in part because of her willingness to let schools teach creationism as an alternative to evolution. That typifies the ideological bent of Gov. Bush's education department, which warped intended reforms. Jeb acolytes were so unwilling to question FCAT procedures and school grades that unqualified graders were hired and flawed tests approved.

The unquestioning attitude toward vouchers allowed private schools to take money without enrolling students. Six years after the Legislature created the $88 million program, private voucher schools don't have to give tests that would allow comparison with public schools.

Florida has a depressing achievement gap between white and minority students. The graduation rate is too low. Reading gains in lower grades are lost in high school, the result of treating the FCAT like a cure instead of diagnostic test.

Jeb's education reforms were all about Jeb and his political résumé. Attempts to protect his legacy are all about Jeb. To solve Florida's education problems, the Board of Education, Gov. Crist and the next commissioner have to turn the focus back to students.

“Pick an education leader who will break with Jeb“.

If “business leaders” like it, it must be good

“Crist stepped in Monday to kick-start a property-tax ballot measure that a recent poll showed is losing support among voters and dragging down his approval ratings.”

Crist joined business leaders in Tampa to launch “Yes On 1 — Save Our Homes NOW,” aimed at winning passage of a Jan. 29 constitutional amendment to create a new supersized homestead exemption. …

The Republican governor's move puts him at odds with Democratic legislators and many local government officials, who warn the exemption would drain millions of dollars from services and schools.

“I don't think it's right that we're giving Floridians a choice of a tax break, but only if they want their schools to suffer,” said House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber of Miami Beach.

The amendment is expected to cut property taxes by $8 billion over four years. If approved, tax collections for schools are expected to drop by $1.8 billion next year — which lawmakers have said they will offset with state dollars. But that will prove difficult, as a sour state economy will likely require more spending cuts on top of the $1.1 billion legislators may cut next month

“Crist takes to road for property-tax measure“.  See also “Crist talks up new tax plan“, “Gov. Crist tries to revive sagging support for property tax reform” and “Crist to back amendment plan to change homestead exemption“.

Voting Lawsuit

“Claiming that a 2-year-old voter registration law will unfairly block minorities, including Hispanics, from registering to vote, the Florida branch of the NAACP and a Miami-based Haitian group filed a federal lawsuit Monday that seeks to throw the law out.”

Florida law requires that a citizen's name on a voter registration form be matched with a Social Security number or driver's license number. Florida legislators made the change to comply with the Help America Vote Act.

The lawsuit, which was filed with the help of the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law, says the measure violates federal voting rights law because bureaucratic ''errors'' will block people from being able to vote.

“Lawsuit calls voter-registration law unfair“.  See also “Groups sue state over voter identification law“, “Suit challenges state voting law“, “Lawsuit: State law prevents legitimate voters from registering” and “Voting law challenged in court“.

Florida “Values Voter Presidential Debate.”

“On a night that opened with 90 minutes of prayers, gospel music and Bible verses, seven Republican presidential candidates gathered in Fort Lauderdale to try and win over an evangelical voting bloc that has been a political powerhouse in past elections.”  “GOP hopefuls woo faithful in Lauderdale debate“.  See also “GOP front-runners sit out debate with 'values voters'“.

See 'Ya

“Head of Florida Highway Patrol Resigns“.

No-Fault

“As talks continued in Tallahassee Monday on ways to reform Florida's controversial no-fault auto insurance law, agreement is emerging on capping fees for medical care after an auto accident.  Finding an acceptable method to contain these costs has been a major sticking point for lawmakers eager to preserve the no-fault law.”  “No-fault insurance talks gain momentum“.  See also “Lawmakers urged to act on no-fault auto coverage” (”Crist's staff and state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink stepped up pressure on lawmakers Monday to either resurrect or reform Florida's no-fault automobile insurance before it disappears Oct. 1.”)

Nukes vs. Welands

“Florida Power & Light plans to dramatically expand nuclear power output at Turkey Point — a project some environmentalists fear would destroy hundreds of acres of wetlands and consume too much of the area's already dwindling water supply.”  “FPL files to expand Turkey Point plant“.

“Think again”

The Tampa Trib editorial board:

Crist is thinking about selling the state lottery to a private investor who would pay enough to solve the state's immediate budget problems. He should think again.

The sale would be a bad idea for Florida's financial future, its public education and society in general.

“Selling State Lottery A Bad Risk“.

Whoopee

“Putnam Praises AG Nominee“.

Easier Said than Done

“The next time a mayor, council member or county commissioner threatens to cut police, fire or other vital services to meet the state's mandated tax cuts, look them square in the eye and ask them how much they spend on travel.”

And if you happen to live in a city or town that refused to reduce its tax rate this year, ask commissioners how much they're paying in membership dues.

It's amazing how many local leaders still don't get it. Certainly spending on travel and membership dues is not enough to make or break a budget. But cutting these luxuries sends a strong message in tough economic times that local governments are doing everything they can to stretch tax dollars. Refusing to do it sends exactly the opposite message.

“Get a clue“.

“Surprising Results”

“The Christian Coalition of Florida recently released its annual legislative report cards — and some surprising results.”

Earning failing grades, for instance, were loyal Republican senators such as Mike Haridopolos, Evelyn Lynn and Bill Posey.

That put all of them solidly behind the likes of Democrat and convicted felon Gary Siplin, as well as Republican Bob Allen, who is slated to go on trial this week for charges (that he denies) of soliciting prostitution. Both of those guys earned passing grades.

“Coalition doesn't gamble on grades“.

Whatever

“Giuliani, who frequently touts his crime-fighting record when he was mayor of New York City, said Monday that Miami Police Chief John Timoney 'made the right decision' in allowing officers to start carrying assault weapons.”  “Giuliani: Assault weapons for police `the right decision'“.

Gambling Lawsuit

“A case that pits South Florida's casinos against a coalition of anti-gambling forces reached the Florida Supreme Court on Monday in a lawsuit that, if successful, could undermine the legal basis for slot machines at casinos in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.”

The suit, filed three years ago, charged that a petition to put the slot machine question on the statewide ballot was riddled with fraudulent signatures. The constitutional amendment gave Las Vegas-style slot machines to the two counties if voters later approved locally.

After the state's voters approved the amendment — with about 51 percent — Circuit Judge Nikki Ann Clark of Tallahassee ruled that the claims of fraudulent signatures were moot.

But the coalition of opponents, including Floridians Against Expanded Gambling, the U.S. Humane Society and Greyhound 2K, a national group that opposes greyhound racing, pressed on until the dispute reached the state's high court on Monday.

A lawyer for the coalition argued that the fraud claims were made before the election, so the case should still be heard.

“Challenge to slots too late? State justices must decide“.  See also “Justices weigh slots case“, “Florida Supreme Court to decide on future of Broward slot machines“, “Lawyers say outcome only thing important in slots-fraud case” and “Slot machine amendment challenged in Supreme Court“.

Kissing the Ring

“Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson brings his campaign to the state Capitol on Tuesday, becoming the latest in a series of GOP hopefuls to call on Gov. Charlie Crist.”  “Thompson latest GOP hopeful to meet with Crist“.

“'Retaliatory' audit”?

“An unusual fight between a Panhandle property appraiser and the state Department of Revenue intensified Monday with the county official complaining about a 'retaliatory' audit.  Flanked by two state lawmakers, Santa Rosa County property appraiser Greg Brown came to Tallahassee to challenge the need for the in-depth review and complained afterward that the agency was singling him out.”  “Panhandle tax fight heats up“.

General Mel declares: “we have Al-Qaeda on the run”

“U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., offered a cautiously upbeat assessment of U.S. progress in Iraq at Monday's luncheon meeting of The Forum Club of the Palm Beaches'  'The surge has worked beyond the expectations of most observers,' Martinez told the crowd of about 460 at the Kravis Center's Cohen Pavilion. 'I believe we have Al-Qaeda on the run.'“  “Martinez sees progress in Iraq“.

New Standards

“Florida may soon have a new way of teaching math and science if revisions to the Sunshine State Standards are approved today.  The state Board of Education is meeting in Tampa for its monthly meeting. Many district and state administrators are in favor of the revisions because there were too many benchmarks for students to meet. With fewer benchmarks, the revised format will be more in-depth.”  “Education board weighs changes to state standards“.

Hard Bargaining

“The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees came up with something different in talks at the Department of Management Services last week. AFSCME, which represents tens of thousands of state office workers and laborers, sought to find out if Gov. Charlie Crist is willing to touch part of ex-Gov. Jeb Bush's legacy … Service First, Bush's sweeping revision of the state personnel system.”  However,

despite all of Crist's more moderate positioning, he's still a conservative Republican. He's not going to carry Leon County, or need to, in 2010. And AFSCME, despite some GOP endorsements last year, will probably be supporting the Democratic nominee against him.

Six years ago, Bush took personnel rules that were stuck in the 1950s and streamlined them for the workplace of the Internet age. Now, the “people's governor” might want to lend an ear to AFSCME's ideas for treating the people's employees more like people.

“Union tries to nibble at Bush's Service First“.

If He Hates Muslims, He's My Guy …

“Giuliani's successes as mayor of New York City, especially his performance immediately after the World Trade Center bombings in 2001, was a popular subject at the gathering.”

“It was a toilet and now it's not,” said Rita Thompson, who on this year's 9/11 protested a Muslim parade in Manhattan. “How could (Michael) Bloomberg let that go on?” she wondered of the current mayor. “You can bet Giuliani wouldn't have.”

“Giuliani fans greet 'the Mayor' in Tampa“.

Huh?

“A University of Florida student was Tasered and arrested after trying to ask U.S. Senator John Kerry about the 2004 election and other subjects during a campus forum.”

Videos of the incident posted on several Web sites show officers pulling Andrew Meyer, 21, away from the microphone after he asks Kerry about impeaching President Bush and whether he and Bush were both members of the secret society Skull and Bones at Yale University.

“He apparently asked several questions _ he went on for quite awhile _ then he was asked to stop,'' university spokesman Steve Orlando said. “He had used his allotted time. His microphone was cut off, then he became upset.''

“UF student Tasered at Kerry forum after election question“.  Watch the video here: “Student from Weston Tasered at John Kerry forum“.  The tasee has a website: www.theandrewmeyer.com, with more links.

Even though the Florida Alligator reporter who was there wrote that “Once Meyer was removed, Kerry continued to answer Meyer’s question about why he did not contest the 2004 election”, the Miami Herald's Naked Politics writer can't help himself, and takes a cheap shot at Kerry: “Kerry, who tried to get the matter resolved peacefully, never answered the question …”.

Perhaps these purportedly “neutral” reporters (in this case one Marc Caputo) ought to take a gander at this article in the current (October 2007) issue of Vanity Fair: “Going After Gore“: ” as the 2000 election heated up, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other top news outlets kept going after him, with misquotes (”I invented the Internet”), distortions (that he lied about being the inspiration for Love Story), and strangely off-the-mark needling, while pundits such as Maureen Dowd appeared to be charmed by his rival, George W. Bush.”  The lengthy piece, available on line, is well worth a read.