Florida Vote

The Florida Progressive Coalition advises of a Florida blogger in need: “Interstate4Jamming In a Jam“.  Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

Florida's “Millionaires can rejoice”

“Millionaires can rejoice”, but Florida's

Moderate-income homeowners can forget about any $2,000 tax cut.

And new home buyers peeved that their neighbors are paying only a fraction of their taxes? They'll have to get over it. …

Under the new plan, the largest benefit goes to owners of homes with the $1 million in accrued Save Our Homes benefit who trade up to even more expensive homes. One million dollars in accrued benefit is the maximum that would be transferable to a new home under the proposal. The tax savings for someone making that move: $9,500.

And because the new plan leaves the Save Our Homes protection in place, it does nothing to prevent existing inequities where neighboring homeowners in identical houses pay vastly different tax bills, based solely on when they purchased their home.

“Last-ditch tax debate pivots on who becomes fall guy“.  Michael Mayo: “Numbers add up for simple property tax solution“.

The Palm Beach Post editors: “State legislators still want to find something - anything - for the Jan. 29 ballot that would make property taxes 'drop like a rock.' The only thing dropping is public confidence in the Legislature.  As the special session extends into this week, Tallahassee staff members are pounding out spreadsheets for tax cuts that might total $11 billion. But no one is considering unintended consequences. It's all about political expediency.”  “In their race to cut taxes, legislators still stumbling“.

The Miami Herald editorial board:

The last time state lawmakers celebrated a property-tax fix, they botched the job so badly that a circuit-court judge ruled that the measure could not be put on the ballot. After meeting in special session last week, with the urgency of a football team needing a fourth-quarter miracle, lawmakers again are celebrating a potential property-tax fix. Don't uncork the champagne just yet. The deal they're considering has the look of a desperation pass that could end up in the stands.

Superficially, the proposed deal is appealing, even though the cuts would fall far short of expectations. Renters and low-income seniors would get a break. Homeowners would get portability and doubled homestead exemptions. Schools would be exempt from any additional tax cuts. Save Our Homes would be spared.And first-time home buyers would get a break on the market value of their new home.

What's not to like about this deal?

Read what's not to like here: “Lawmakers miss rare chance to fix property-tax“.

 

“Disenfranchisement by bureaucracy”

“A cloud is gathering, again, over Florida's presidential race as voting rights groups plow the ground for challenges to the state's election system.”

In March, Secretary of State Kurt Browning - the former county elections supervisor for Pasco County - refused to meet with the Advancement Project to discuss its registration concerns.

Civil rights groups say that after years of election challenges and vows for improvement, the state's Republican administration remains intent on ''disenfranchisement by bureaucracy.'' …

For Leon County elections supervisor Ion Sancho, an outspoken champion of freer voting, it comes down to this: ''Are we going to place the primacy on our voters first, or are we going to play voter suppression games?''

The Advancement Project, a national civil rights organization, helped organize the latest suit last month in federal court based, in large part, on evidence turned up in a separate 2-year-old case still pending against the state.

An internal memo shows Chief of Staff Dawn Roberts and agency lawyers decided that it had had enough discussions with the organization and ''an additional meeting . . . would not yield any meaningful or more fruitful dialogue.''

“Civil rights groups investigating voting“.

 

With “experts” like that …

“Prosecutors in the boot camp trial were outnumbered and outgunned by defense attorneys, some legal experts said. … Hillsborough County Medical Examiner Dr. Vernard Adams testified Anderson died from suffocation when the drill instructors gave him ammonia and clamped his mouth shut. A second state witness, Dr. Thomas Andrew, medical examiner for the state of New Hampshire, said Anderson died from a lack of oxygen. … defense attorney Hoot Crawford showed a videotape of mostly state witnesses faltering on their testimony, including Adams saying Anderson's body did show evidence of ''exertional sickling.''”  “Experts: State dropped ball“.  See also “Acquittal triggers strong reactions“.

 

“Special sessions aren't so special anymore”

“Being a Florida legislator is considered a part-time job. The pay is $31,932 a year, plus free health and life insurance.  But so far in 2007, that part-time job has required lawmakers to be at the state Capitol for four special sessions in addition to their regular legislative duties — though the only bill they are constitutionally required to pass is the state budget.  The fourth session, which like the others is estimated to cost taxpayers $40,000 a day, started Friday and could last until Oct. 29.”  “Florida legislative special sessions turn into ordinary events“.

 

Another RPOF yawner

“When Florida Republicans gather next weekend for their Presidency IV convention and a FOX News presidential debate, they'll also hear a pitch for drawing more blacks and Hispanics into the fold.”

For at least some of the 3,000 delegates gathered at Disney World, the theme will sound oh, so familiar.

Eight years ago at a similar Orlando event, then-Florida Republican chairman Al Cardenas, the party's first Cuban-American leader, said the GOP's future in Florida hinged on attracting more minorities.

Cardenas pledged to recruit black voters and candidates.

But his efforts were quickly torpedoed by Gov. Jeb Bush …

“John Kennedy and Aaron Deslatte: State GOP pledges to woo blacks, Hispanics — again“.

 

“Early-state cannibalism.”

“The top Democratic official in South Carolina is fighting to protect the state's right to host the first presidential primary in the South, no matter the cost to Florida Democrats.”  “South Carolina fighting for first dibs on presidential primary“.

 

“Modest”

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: “Tax Cut Version 3.0, the latest scheme developed in Tallahassee to lower property taxes, has something for everyone.  Everyone, that is, except those who want to see Florida's leaders make a serious effort to reform the state's tax system.”  “Modest relief“.

 

GOPers at work

“Southern Strategy Group, one of Tallahassee's most prominent lobbying firms [and John Thrasher's shop], has dropped a client after he verbally savaged a state senator last week. Ken Underwood, president of National Safety Commission, says several lobbyists notified him they were dropping him under pressure from Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, who chairs a key budget committee.”

“He has no right to call my lobbyists and say who they can work for,” Underwood said.

Fasano, who has spent two years trying to scuttle Underwood's exclusive contract to print the state's official driver-safety handbook in return for inserting advertisements for his driving school, tells a different story. He says Southern Strategy called him to apologize Wednesday after Underwood took Fasano to the woodshed in a press release.

Fasano has a business partner, Ed Collins, with ties to a rival driving school, and a former aide worked briefly this year for a coalition of driving schools trying to muscle in on Underwood's deal. Fasano tried to kill Underwood's contract in this year's state budget, but the governor vetoed the attempt. Then, the coalition of driving schools sued to have the veto overturned.

“Fight in the lobby“.

 

Less than impressive

Scott Maxwell writes that “Seminole County's power Republicans can't be too impressed with the results of the primary in the special election for the 34th District House seat last week. Chris Dorworth had money and big backing that even included the head of the whole state GOP, Jim Greer. And yet Dorworth only eked out a 51 percent victory. Are Seminole residents finally catching up with the rest of the country — ready for a change?”  And that was fast: “Dorworth raising green in Tally“.

 

Poor little Lincoln

The Moonies have come “Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart against sniping from Florida Democrats who earlier this week criticized the Miami Republican for voting against a bill to expand a children's health care program, but later helping a group of injured Ukrainian children.”  “The Washington Times to the rescue“.

 

Buchanan bucks

“Sarasota Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan, whose 2006 razor-thin win is still being contested, says he's raised more than $1 million to take on Democrat Christine Jennings, who came within 400 votes of winning the seat to replace former Rep. Katherine Harris.”  “Buchanan raises $1 million plus for rematch“.

 

Let the Gay Bashing Begin

Wonder how State Rep. Bob Allen will vote on this one:

Two Democratic state legislators from Palm Beach County [State Sen. Ted Deutch and Rep. Kelly Skidmore, both of Boca Raton] have filed bills that would prohibit discrimination in Florida based on sexual orientation in employment, housing and public accommodations.

The measures, which the sponsors say will face strong opposition in the Republican-led Legislature, would expand state law that provides legal recourse for people maligned based on their age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race and religion.

“Two legislators seek to expand anti-discrimination law“.

 

“Gone is Rubio's conservative dream”

“So after months of lofty public policy debate with wonky economic dissertations, the property tax battle in Tallahassee may come down to a simple political calculus of getting enough votes.”

Gone is Rubio's conservative dream of ending property taxes for residents. Also gone are the efforts to get rid of Save Our Homes, the 1992 voter-approved plan that many lawmakers feel unfairly burdens non-residents and businesses who do not have the 3 percent cap on assessment increases.

Instead, Floridians may vote on a plan in January that is intended to be popular first and foremost; a plan lovable and simple enough to get three-fourths of the Legislature to agree to put it on the January ballot where it then needs 60 percent approval from voters.

And Saint Marco excuse for his abject failure of leadership?  You guessed it:

he attributes it to the need to have bipartisan support.

“Rubio's revolution lacks a legislative consensus“.

 

Style change

“The now-younger face of the rights group is bringing new tactics and new priorities.”  “NAACP: Old fight, new style“.

 

“A volatile liquid”

The Tampa Trib editors:

In Florida, drinking water can be a volatile liquid.

In the 1980s, overpumping at drinking water wellfields prompted 'water wars' among Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties. North Florida residents continue to fret that urban counties will try to tap their springs and rivers. And state government has spent years battling Georgia and Alabama in court over shared water resources, including the Chattahoochee River.

A 1998 Florida law sought to douse local water-supply conflicts by requiring counties to fully tap their own resources and devise other local sources before looking to other areas for water. It's appropriately known as 'local sources first.'

But in rapidly growing Central Florida, some water managers and utilities don't seem to understand the concept.

“Don't Allow Managers, Utilities To Drown Local Source Water Law“.

Check out the Florida Progressive Coalition's “7 Stories to Read“.  And, if you hadn't heard: “Al Gore wins Nobel prize“.  Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

“Florida is still smarting from a governor, Jeb Bush”

The St. Pete Times editorial board:

Florida is still smarting from a governor, Jeb Bush, who treated education as a battlefield on which teachers were often branded the enemy. Worse, that culture of warfare spilled over into the Department of Education, the agency that is supposed to provide professional oversight and support to schools. The previous state Education Board chairman would tell people “we're under attack,” as though it inspired him.

Bush's political differences with teacher unions were obvious, but DOE used them as a license to discount the views and motivations of all teachers. As a result, policies were often formulated or administered with no sense of their true impact on schools.

However,

the worst Bush legacy at DOE may be the extent to which career education professionals were purged. Within DOE, dissenting opinions were viewed as enemy attacks, and Winn surrounded himself with those he deemed true believers. His polarizing K-12 chancellor Cheri Yecke, who had hoped to succeed him, is one jarring example.

“Page turned on Bush era in education“.

“Modest and simple property tax reform”

“State lawmakers appear to be returning to a much more modest and simple property tax reform strategy advocated more than a year ago by then-gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist: Double the homestead exemption and make 'Save Our Homes' benefits portable for those who move.”  “Simpler Tax Overhaul Proposed“.  See also “”New session starts today, targets tax-cut amendment“, “Lawmakers begin tackling plan for property tax relief“, “Lawmakers ready to back Crist's tax plan” and “Lawmakers to vote on billion dollar budget plan“.  

“Crist dropped plans Thursday to impose new spending limits on city and county governments as part of a proposed $11 billion package of property-tax cuts.”  “Move by Crist smoothes way for $11 billion tax-cut bundle“.

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: “A new plan to cut property taxes fails to address the inequities in Florida's tax structure and does nothing to help those who have the most reason to complain - Floridians who recently purchased their homes at inflated prices and are taxed at or near market value.”  “Helping Those With No Complaints Wrong Way To Spell Tax Relief“.

The Palm Beach Post editors: “This time, all it took to rebalance Florida's budget was a little juggling. But because of how Florida is changing, juggling alone won't fix the state's financial problems.  Today, legislators are expected to approve a plan that would close a $1.5 billion gap in the $71 billion budget they approved last spring. Mostly because of the housing meltdown, sales-tax income is down $928 million, according to Florida TaxWatch. Corporate income taxes are off $428 million, and documentary stamp taxes from real-estate sales are down $140 million.”  “Legislature's real work on finances still ahead“.

The News-Journal editors:

Crist's latest tax-reform proposal doesn't change lawmakers' earlier, misguided focus. It only narrows it, leaving the larger problem with Florida's tax system untouched. That's no solution. The Crist plan, and an even worse plan hatched by House Speaker Marco Rubio, would exacerbate inequities and make Florida a less welcoming place for business, including tourism, whose tax bills will reflect more burdens shifted from those of homesteaded homeowners.

“Tax-lite plan skirts reform, favors least needy“.

GOPers getting desperate

GOPers are struggling to make inroads with minorities in Florida.  “On the plus side” for Florida GOPers:

•Crist, a Republican who chose Greer for the chairman's position, has had unprecedented success with minority voters. Exit polls showed Crist with 18 percent of black votes in last year's election.

By comparison, Republican Jeb Bush got 14 percent in his 1998 election - considered a record at the time - but dropped to an estimated 8 percent in his 2002 re-election.

•There has been a slow trend in Florida and nationally of black voters gravitating toward the GOP, said University of South Florida political scientist [with a GOP bent] Susan MacManus, who studies demographic trends in politics.

MacManus said blacks remain “the most solidly Democratic vote out there.” But some are changing because of increasing black economic prosperity, a corresponding rise in black entrepreneurship and the sizeable number of black voters who favor private school tuition vouchers.

•Republicans still benefit from the highly organized, active Cuban-American community in South Florida - the reason the GOP has long dominated among Florida Hispanics - while Democrats win among Hispanics nationwide.

“On the negative side:”

•Large numbers of Democratic-oriented immigrants from Puerto Rico, Mexico and Latin America are beginning to overshadow the Florida Cuban community. In 2006, exit polls showed Crist and Democrat Jim Davis tied among Hispanics.

•Fervent hatred of Fidel Castro, which motivates South Florida Cubans toward the GOP, is declining among younger generations. The climate could change further after Castro dies.

•The recent controversy over immigration, in which Republicans have taken hard-line, anti-immigration stands to please the party's conservative base, has alienated Hispanic voters. Democrats hope for a bumper crop of Hispanic votes as result.

Republican presidential candidates have made headlines this year by declining to attend two Hispanic candidate forums - one held by the National Association of Latino Elected Officials in Orlando, and one by the Hispanic television network Univision.

“Mixed Prospects With Minorities“.

And then there is the part where GOPers have spent decades alienating minorities to pick up the White Southerner vote.  You know, the GOPers so-called “southern strategy”.  A few weeks ago, New York Times columnist Paul Krugman observed that, even in the 2006 election, a debacle for GOPers, 62 percent of southern whites voted Republican in House races.  Krugman wrote

And yes, Southern white exceptionalism is about race, much more than it is about moral values, religion, support for the military or other explanations sometimes offered. There’s a large statistical literature on the subject, whose conclusion is summed up by the political scientist Thomas F. Schaller in his book “Whistling Past Dixie”: “Despite the best efforts of Republican spinmeisters to depict American conservatism as a nonracial phenomenon, the partisan impact of racial attitudes in the South is stronger today than in the past.”

“Politics in Black and White“

Bought and Paid For

“Florida's ailing gambling industry, betting on the Republican-led Legislature to come to the rescue, has anted up $800,000 to the state party in the past three months”.

Nearly $600,000 of the GOP haul was delivered to the party within one week in late July, the same time House Republicans held ''Havana Nights'' fundraisers in Coral Gables and Miami Beach. The events featured a yacht cruise, salsa lessons, dinner at the former Versace mansion and personal concierges available 24/7.

“Since then, House Speaker Marco Rubio has come out strongly against a proposed gambling compact being negotiated by Gov. Charlie Crist with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The proposal would give the tribe Las Vegas-style slots as well as table games, and the state would get a cut.”

Rubio's argument — that the tribe is entitled to nothing more than slot machines — echoes those made by the parimutuels, especially those in Broward, which say that granting table games to the Seminole gives them an unfair advantage.

''Why should we be put in a position of paying taxes to compete with them when we are given a lesser product?'' said Daniel Adkins, president of Mardi Gras Racetrack and Gaming Center in Hallandale Beach.

Currently, the tribe pays no state taxes and offers only Class II slots and poker.

Rep. David Rivera, a Miami Republican who helped organize the Havana Nights fundraisers, which took in $1.4 million for the state GOP, said Rubio's position on the Seminole compact is not linked to the gifts.

''Whether [parimutuels] supported the event had nothing to do with the House having antipathy toward the compact,'' he said. “There's zero correlation.''

“Gambling industry puts $800,000 in GOP pot“.  More: “Gambling interests donate $844,000 to GOP legislators“.

Some call it hypocrisy: “House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami, has been the fiercest critic of allowing any gaming expansion. But while Republicans in Rubio's camp frequently rail against the industry, they have also been quick to take its money.”  “Gaming donors lift GOP“.

Lawyers in Love

“Despite her 11-year romantic relationship with a prominent Tallahassee tax attorney and lobbyist, Florida's newest Department of Revenue chief said her agency's reputation won't suffer when she takes the reins next week.”  “DOR chief says relationship not a potential for conflict“.

GOPers “gutting the university system”

The Palm Beach Post editors: “The legislation to be voted today raising tuition 5 percent at Florida's 11 public universities and 28 community colleges, and tying annual increases to inflation, is a start. It is not a solution to the chronic shortchanging of higher education in the state. More typical, it's legislators' attempt to dodge the question of authority over the university system.  Perhaps the Republican-dominated Legislature finally has seen how its miserliness is gutting the university system. That's doubtful, given that based on the past 10 years' 1.6 percent to 3.4 percent national inflation rate, the annual increases would be even less than the 5 percent that lawmakers have approved in recent years.”  “Remedial tuition increase“.

Dead enders

“The president will dine with donors who have paid $25,000 to attend the Pinellas Park event.”  “Bush visits for lunch fundraiser“.

Laff Riot

“The Florida Republican Party is set to begin what Chairman Jim Greer describes as a major effort to reach out to minority voters, including a planned conference next month in Tallahassee for thousands of black Republicans and independents.”

Some black Floridians - even black Republicans - say they've heard before about GOP attempts to become a viable political force in their community, and haven't been impressed.

“Republicans Want More Minority Involvement“.

No-Fault

“Crist Signs No-Fault Bill“.

“Locked up”

“Hillary Clinton may be unstoppable in Florida and could beat Republican Rudy Giuliani in the general election, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday.  In Florida, 59 percent of Clinton's supporters are unlikely to change their minds, according to the poll. Many Democrats polled — 44 percent — think she has the nomination 'locked up.'”  “Poll: Clinton, Giuliani still Florida favorites“.

“Budgetary 'crumbs'”

“In cutting college funding this week, lawmakers are blaming economic conditions and the $1.1-billion state budget shortfall. Higher education has been getting what former Gov. Jeb Bush once called budgetary 'crumbs' even when times were good. The very formula the Legislature uses, which bases funding on previous years' enrollment, ignores the cyclical nature of community colleges. When the economy is rough, workers often look to improve their skills to qualify for better jobs. They often do so at a community college.  When the open-door institutions are faced with the prospect of closing doors, Florida is shortchanging both its students and its economic future.”  “Colleges' doors starting to swing shut“.

That's our Charlie

“Florida’s Crist Works Hard to Spread GOP Liberalism” (via The Buzz).

Killing them softly

“The state Supreme Court is considering the fairness of both the lethal injection process and of keeping secret the identities of officials who carry out the process.”  “Court weighs fairness of death penalty steps“.  See also “Death penalty may go on hold“.

Check out the Florida Progressive Coalition's “7 Stories to Read“.  And, if you hadn't heard: “Al Gore wins Nobel prize“.  Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

“Florida is still smarting from a governor, Jeb Bush”

The St. Pete Times editorial board:

Florida is still smarting from a governor, Jeb Bush, who treated education as a battlefield on which teachers were often branded the enemy. Worse, that culture of warfare spilled over into the Department of Education, the agency that is supposed to provide professional oversight and support to schools. The previous state Education Board chairman would tell people “we're under attack,” as though it inspired him.

Bush's political differences with teacher unions were obvious, but DOE used them as a license to discount the views and motivations of all teachers. As a result, policies were often formulated or administered with no sense of their true impact on schools.

However,

the worst Bush legacy at DOE may be the extent to which career education professionals were purged. Within DOE, dissenting opinions were viewed as enemy attacks, and Winn surrounded himself with those he deemed true believers. His polarizing K-12 chancellor Cheri Yecke, who had hoped to succeed him, is one jarring example.

“Page turned on Bush era in education“.

“Modest and simple property tax reform”

“State lawmakers appear to be returning to a much more modest and simple property tax reform strategy advocated more than a year ago by then-gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist: Double the homestead exemption and make 'Save Our Homes' benefits portable for those who move.”  “Simpler Tax Overhaul Proposed“.  See also “”New session starts today, targets tax-cut amendment“, “Lawmakers begin tackling plan for property tax relief“, “Lawmakers ready to back Crist's tax plan” and “Lawmakers to vote on billion dollar budget plan“.  

“Crist dropped plans Thursday to impose new spending limits on city and county governments as part of a proposed $11 billion package of property-tax cuts.”  “Move by Crist smoothes way for $11 billion tax-cut bundle“.

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: “A new plan to cut property taxes fails to address the inequities in Florida's tax structure and does nothing to help those who have the most reason to complain - Floridians who recently purchased their homes at inflated prices and are taxed at or near market value.”  “Helping Those With No Complaints Wrong Way To Spell Tax Relief“.

The Palm Beach Post editors: “This time, all it took to rebalance Florida's budget was a little juggling. But because of how Florida is changing, juggling alone won't fix the state's financial problems.  Today, legislators are expected to approve a plan that would close a $1.5 billion gap in the $71 billion budget they approved last spring. Mostly because of the housing meltdown, sales-tax income is down $928 million, according to Florida TaxWatch. Corporate income taxes are off $428 million, and documentary stamp taxes from real-estate sales are down $140 million.”  “Legislature's real work on finances still ahead“.

The News-Journal editors:

Crist's latest tax-reform proposal doesn't change lawmakers' earlier, misguided focus. It only narrows it, leaving the larger problem with Florida's tax system untouched. That's no solution. The Crist plan, and an even worse plan hatched by House Speaker Marco Rubio, would exacerbate inequities and make Florida a less welcoming place for business, including tourism, whose tax bills will reflect more burdens shifted from those of homesteaded homeowners.

“Tax-lite plan skirts reform, favors least needy“.

GOPers getting desperate

GOPers are struggling to make inroads with minorities in Florida.  “On the plus side” for Florida GOPers:

•Crist, a Republican who chose Greer for the chairman's position, has had unprecedented success with minority voters. Exit polls showed Crist with 18 percent of black votes in last year's election.

By comparison, Republican Jeb Bush got 14 percent in his 1998 election - considered a record at the time - but dropped to an estimated 8 percent in his 2002 re-election.

•There has been a slow trend in Florida and nationally of black voters gravitating toward the GOP, said University of South Florida political scientist [with a GOP bent] Susan MacManus, who studies demographic trends in politics.

MacManus said blacks remain “the most solidly Democratic vote out there.” But some are changing because of increasing black economic prosperity, a corresponding rise in black entrepreneurship and the sizeable number of black voters who favor private school tuition vouchers.

•Republicans still benefit from the highly organized, active Cuban-American community in South Florida - the reason the GOP has long dominated among Florida Hispanics - while Democrats win among Hispanics nationwide.

“On the negative side:”

•Large numbers of Democratic-oriented immigrants from Puerto Rico, Mexico and Latin America are beginning to overshadow the Florida Cuban community. In 2006, exit polls showed Crist and Democrat Jim Davis tied among Hispanics.

•Fervent hatred of Fidel Castro, which motivates South Florida Cubans toward the GOP, is declining among younger generations. The climate could change further after Castro dies.

•The recent controversy over immigration, in which Republicans have taken hard-line, anti-immigration stands to please the party's conservative base, has alienated Hispanic voters. Democrats hope for a bumper crop of Hispanic votes as result.

Republican presidential candidates have made headlines this year by declining to attend two Hispanic candidate forums - one held by the National Association of Latino Elected Officials in Orlando, and one by the Hispanic television network Univision.

“Mixed Prospects With Minorities“.

And then there is the part where GOPers have spent decades alienating minorities to pick up the White Southerner vote.  You know, the GOPers so-called “southern strategy”.  A few weeks ago, New York Times columnist Paul Krugman observed that, even in the 2006 election, a debacle for GOPers, 62 percent of southern whites voted Republican in House races.  Krugman wrote

And yes, Southern white exceptionalism is about race, much more than it is about moral values, religion, support for the military or other explanations sometimes offered. There’s a large statistical literature on the subject, whose conclusion is summed up by the political scientist Thomas F. Schaller in his book “Whistling Past Dixie”: “Despite the best efforts of Republican spinmeisters to depict American conservatism as a nonracial phenomenon, the partisan impact of racial attitudes in the South is stronger today than in the past.”

“Politics in Black and White“

Bought and Paid For

“Florida's ailing gambling industry, betting on the Republican-led Legislature to come to the rescue, has anted up $800,000 to the state party in the past three months”.

Nearly $600,000 of the GOP haul was delivered to the party within one week in late July, the same time House Republicans held ''Havana Nights'' fundraisers in Coral Gables and Miami Beach. The events featured a yacht cruise, salsa lessons, dinner at the former Versace mansion and personal concierges available 24/7.

“Since then, House Speaker Marco Rubio has come out strongly against a proposed gambling compact being negotiated by Gov. Charlie Crist with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The proposal would give the tribe Las Vegas-style slots as well as table games, and the state would get a cut.”

Rubio's argument — that the tribe is entitled to nothing more than slot machines — echoes those made by the parimutuels, especially those in Broward, which say that granting table games to the Seminole gives them an unfair advantage.

''Why should we be put in a position of paying taxes to compete with them when we are given a lesser product?'' said Daniel Adkins, president of Mardi Gras Racetrack and Gaming Center in Hallandale Beach.

Currently, the tribe pays no state taxes and offers only Class II slots and poker.

Rep. David Rivera, a Miami Republican who helped organize the Havana Nights fundraisers, which took in $1.4 million for the state GOP, said Rubio's position on the Seminole compact is not linked to the gifts.

''Whether [parimutuels] supported the event had nothing to do with the House having antipathy toward the compact,'' he said. “There's zero correlation.''

“Gambling industry puts $800,000 in GOP pot“.  More: “Gambling interests donate $844,000 to GOP legislators“.

Some call it hypocrisy: “House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami, has been the fiercest critic of allowing any gaming expansion. But while Republicans in Rubio's camp frequently rail against the industry, they have also been quick to take its money.”  “Gaming donors lift GOP“.

Lawyers in Love

“Despite her 11-year romantic relationship with a prominent Tallahassee tax attorney and lobbyist, Florida's newest Department of Revenue chief said her agency's reputation won't suffer when she takes the reins next week.”  “DOR chief says relationship not a potential for conflict“.

GOPers “gutting the university system”

The Palm Beach Post editors: “The legislation to be voted today raising tuition 5 percent at Florida's 11 public universities and 28 community colleges, and tying annual increases to inflation, is a start. It is not a solution to the chronic shortchanging of higher education in the state. More typical, it's legislators' attempt to dodge the question of authority over the university system.  Perhaps the Republican-dominated Legislature finally has seen how its miserliness is gutting the university system. That's doubtful, given that based on the past 10 years' 1.6 percent to 3.4 percent national inflation rate, the annual increases would be even less than the 5 percent that lawmakers have approved in recent years.”  “Remedial tuition increase“.

Dead enders

“The president will dine with donors who have paid $25,000 to attend the Pinellas Park event.”  “Bush visits for lunch fundraiser“.

Laff Riot

“The Florida Republican Party is set to begin what Chairman Jim Greer describes as a major effort to reach out to minority voters, including a planned conference next month in Tallahassee for thousands of black Republicans and independents.”

Some black Floridians - even black Republicans - say they've heard before about GOP attempts to become a viable political force in their community, and haven't been impressed.

“Republicans Want More Minority Involvement“.

No-Fault

“Crist Signs No-Fault Bill“.

“Locked up”

“Hillary Clinton may be unstoppable in Florida and could beat Republican Rudy Giuliani in the general election, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday.  In Florida, 59 percent of Clinton's supporters are unlikely to change their minds, according to the poll. Many Democrats polled — 44 percent — think she has the nomination 'locked up.'”  “Poll: Clinton, Giuliani still Florida favorites“.

“Budgetary 'crumbs'”

“In cutting college funding this week, lawmakers are blaming economic conditions and the $1.1-billion state budget shortfall. Higher education has been getting what former Gov. Jeb Bush once called budgetary 'crumbs' even when times were good. The very formula the Legislature uses, which bases funding on previous years' enrollment, ignores the cyclical nature of community colleges. When the economy is rough, workers often look to improve their skills to qualify for better jobs. They often do so at a community college.  When the open-door institutions are faced with the prospect of closing doors, Florida is shortchanging both its students and its economic future.”  “Colleges' doors starting to swing shut“.

That's our Charlie

“Florida’s Crist Works Hard to Spread GOP Liberalism” (via The Buzz).

Killing them softly

“The state Supreme Court is considering the fairness of both the lethal injection process and of keeping secret the identities of officials who carry out the process.”  “Court weighs fairness of death penalty steps“.  See also “Death penalty may go on hold“.

Via Pushing Rope: “Suzanne Kosmas is Running“  against Tom Fenney.  She joins Clint Curtis in the fray.  Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines, we have a race on our hands.

Via Pushing Rope: “Suzanne Kosmas is Running“  against Tom Fenney.  She joins Clint Curtis in the fray.  Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines, we have a race on our hands.

The Florida Progressive Coalition's “16 Stories to Read“.  Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

Time to Slice and Dice

“Florida lawmakers began slicing $1-billion out of the state budget Wednesday as they groped for elusive common ground on the much tougher and unfinished work of cutting property taxes.”  “Budget at hand, but minds on taxes Legislators' focus: money“

But while healthcare and education top the hit list, the GOP-controlled Legislature has decided other parts of the state's $71 billion budget are off-limits: Money for roads and traffic engineering consultants. Cash rebates to lure filmmakers to Florida. Grants for sporting events.

And then there are the dozens of special accounts flush with cash that legislators have refused to tap to help balance the budget. For example, there's more than $1 million from lobbyist registration fees that is sitting unused.

Some of the accounts that lawmakers won't touch are guarded by some of the state's most powerful special-interest groups, including road builders, home builders and real estate agents. ''We should be cutting 4 percent across the board,'' said Sen. Michael Bennett, a Bradenton Republican. “That looks fair. But when you don't, you're bringing politics into it.

“You look like you are protecting sacred cows, and there shouldn't be sacred cows right now.''

As lawmakers opened up their 10-day special session Wednesday, it was apparent there is wide agreement between the House and Senate on what should get cut and what shouldn't.

“Parts of budget are untouchable“.  See also “Budget work to cover shortfalls begins“, “Lawmakers start trimming budget“, “Special session to cover budget, insurance“, “As budget cuts begin, taxes, no-fault loom” and “Legislators Zero In On State Budget, PIP“.

The Tampa Trib editorial board: “Likely budget cuts will come from schools, unfilled highway patrol jobs and hospital and nursing home reimbursement rates, Alzheimer's research funding and more”.  Too bad the Legislature doesn't have the courage to consider tax increases, like, say, the intangibles tax: “One choice lawmakers won't have is to raise taxes. Senate President Ken Pruitt, House Speaker Marco Rubio and Gov. Charlie Crist understand that voters already pressed by property taxes and property insurance premiums are not willing to accept the additional financial burden.”  “Back To Tallahassee“.

Pamela Hasterok: “Let the slashing begin“.  

“Even as the Legislature opened a special session to cut $1 billion in spending, [House Speaker Marco Rubio] was already eyeing a second attempt at historic property tax cuts.”  “Session could take a detour“.  “Lawmakers christened their budget-cutting special session Wednesday with all hands focused on a topic not on the agenda – property taxes.”  “Tax talks proceed slowly“.  Courtesy of the Buzz: “here are some the proposals in play:”

* Clarify the Jan. 29 “super” homestead exemption proposal, which a judge has ruled misleading. Easy to do, perhaps, but the votes may not exist to put it back on the ballot.

    * Save Our Homes “portability.” Preferred by Gov. Charlie Crist, with strong support in the Senate. But constitutional issues could pose problems.

    * Double the $25,000 homestead exemption. Again, preferred by Crist. As a standalone issue, however, it represents mild savings for the average homeowner.

    * Modify the statutory rollback and cap. Could be easier than a statewide ballot, as Democratic votes would not be needed. But last session's battle between the Senate and House over how far to go portends a tough road. Another possibility: Making it tougher for local government to break the cap, which many cities and counties already have done.

    * Highest and best. Revise an appraisal process that looks at commercial property's greatest value, not only what it is currently used for.

“Sizing up the property tax menu“.  See also this House “Property Tax Reform Plan Summaries” (.pdf).  More: “Session opens with jab on tax cuts” and “Legislators may draw up new plan for property tax relief“.

“Senate Democrats don't want to cut the state budget without looking at tax breaks they call unfair, but the Republican legislative leaders Wednesday reiterated that raising new money won't be part of the equation - except for a tuition increase.”  “Senate Dems: No support for budget cuts without tax break talks“.

Bushco in Action

The Palm Beach Post editors: “In 2002, when his brother was running for a second term as Florida's governor, President Bush held a ceremony in the Oval Office to pledge his commitment to the Everglades. With no Bush needing to worry about an election, the president is trying to make the case that he can break that pledge.”  “BUSH'S MISGUIDED VETOES: Help the Everglades“.

Privatization Follies

The Miami Herald editors:”Privatize toll roads? Try another route“

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that turning over Alligator Alley and several other state toll roads to a private vendor is a bad idea — a really bad idea, in fact. No private vendor would pay Florida $500 million in up-front cash without the certainty of guaranteed profits — likely in the double digits, mind you — for the 50-year life of Florida's generous offer to lease toll roads.

There is no mystery, either, where revenues and profits would come from. Take a look in the mirror; then be prepared to empty your pockets for the foreseeable future to pay ever-increasing tolls.

Sorry to say, Gov. Charlie Crist and state lawmakers are considering exactly this — leasing toll roads to help cover a $1 billion shortfall in Florida's $71 billion budget. No doubt, this is a sign of how eager Gov. Crist and state lawmakers are to find an easy fix — something less drastic than, say, restructuring our inefficient tax system or eliminating needless tax exemptions — for Florida's budget crisis.

“Privatize toll roads? Try another route“.  The Palm Beach Post editors chime in: “Keep the roads public“.

“Questionable appraisals”

“Several major state environmental land purchases, including the massive Babcock Ranch tract in Lee and Charlotte counties in southwest Florida, were based on questionable appraisals that may have improperly inflated values, a state audit said Tuesday.”  “State may have paid too much in land deals due to faulty appraisals“.

Target 2010

“When the time comes to divvy up the power after the 2010 census, Florida is expected to gain three additional seats in Congress — one of which would be attributed to its growing number of illegal immigrants.”

Florida's population is expected to surpass that of New York in the next national count, which would make the Sunshine State the third most populous after California and Texas, according to an analysis of census statistics and population data issued by a Connecticut demographer.

Having more seats in Congress — 28 instead of 25 — would also give Florida more Electoral College votes, forcing presidential campaigns to lavish more attention on the state.

“'It's great news for Florida in terms of getting more power,' said study author Orlando Rodriguez, a demographer with the Connecticut State Data Center at the University of Connecticut. 'But it's not the undocumented immigrants who will benefit. It's the dominant party that gets the benefit of the extra seats.'”

That shift, analysts say, is expected to help Republicans in Florida, who control the state Legislature, which redraws district lines when seats are added. The same is true in the border states of Arizona and Texas.

“We will have a larger congressional delegation giving us a stronger voice in Congress as our population continues to grow,” said Erin VanSickle, spokeswoman for the Republican Party of Florida.

“Immigrants may boost Florida's clout“.

Dean

“Leon County Demoratic Chairman Rick Minor is worried Democrats remain so peeved with the DNC over its early primary sanctions that they won't cough up green for Howard Dean when he's in town Oct 9.”  “Leon Democrats: Don't diss Dean!“.

Pledge

“Barack Obama pulled his Florida political director out of the state. Hillary Clinton nixed her brother's appearance at the Weston Democratic Club. John Edwards rebuffed a Fort Lauderdale banquet honoring gay Democratic activists.  When the Florida Democratic Party holds its state convention in three weeks, all of the major Democratic candidates for president will take a pass.”  “No-show Democrats stick to their pledge“.

Whatever

Charlie (not Howard) “Dean gets a warm welcome to Senate“.

PIP

“Florida drivers could sue each other for the medical costs of a car accident until Feb. 15 under an amendment Republican leaders will unveil today.”  “House panel OKs no-fault alternative“.  See also “No PIP until at least Feb. 15“, “PIP's return not if, but when“, “PIP Transition Proves Awkward” and “No-fault fix clears first obstacle in House“.  The Sun-Sentinel editors: “It's not the most satisfying reform, but PIP auto insurance is too important to let die“.

The Orlando Sentinel editors slam the Legislature's delay in re-establishing no-fault: “Hmm. Couldn't be that [Sen. J.D. Alexander of Winter Haven], is in the lap of State Farm, whose Florida administrative headquarters operate in his district, could it? Or that State Farm would love to replace PIP with a system mandating bodily-injury protection, and that it would reap record profits from the more expensive bodily-injury protection?  And it couldn't be that lawyers, who'd get to gallop to Florida's courtrooms to do battle over bodily-injury claims, would benefit. Could it?”  “A bad turn for Florida“.

Primary Lawsuit to be Filed Today

“Democratic Florida Sen. Bill Nelson and Rep. Alcee Hastings of Miramar have scheduled a news conference at the U.S. Capitol for 10:30 a.m. Thursday to discuss their promised lawsuit against the Democratic National Committee’s decision to sanction Florida on its 2008 presidential primary.  The lawsuit is expected to be filed [Thursday].”  “Nelson’s Primary Lawsuit Going In Hopper [Today]“.

Update: “AP NewsBreak: Nelson/Hastings suing DNC over presidential primary“.

Ain't Goona Happen

“By the end of this week, the Florida Legislature will be well on its way to chopping $750 million out of the state's budget, cutting spending for schools, health care for the poor, prisons and other services.  But Wednesday, a Senate subcommittee took a first step to cut something that primarily benefits the governor, other top officials and themselves: their access to the state's airplane fleet.”  “Possible sale of state planes could clip bigwigs' wings“.

Tuition Increase

The News-Journal editorial board: “Even with a lawsuit pending over the breadth of its powers, the Board of Governors of the State University System is moving confidently ahead: Last week, it increased tuition for the state's 11 universities by 5 percent — defying the Legislature's stance that it, not the board, has authority to set tuition.”  “Universities' tuition hike essential“.  More from the St Pete Times' editors: “University board: We'll make our stand“.

Chance Chat

“Every once in a while, it's worth making the effort to chat with the person next to you on a plane.  That's what a Broward County woman did a few months ago with state Sen. Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton. The woman, whom Deutch did not name, told him how state assistance for her severely disabled daughter was being halved, leaving her and her husband with about six hours a day of help.”  “Airplane chat gets push for disabled off ground“.

“A Senate committee amended a health care budget bill to allow families caring for the severely disabled to be able to get more than the capped amount of personal care approved by lawmakers this spring.  Democratic Sen. Ted Deutch of Boca Raton was the force behind the amendment, which would help 1,000 families who would otherwise have to place their loved ones into institutions.”  “Hope on the horizon for families of disabled?“.

Airport from Nowhere

Florida's version of the bridge to nowhere: “Only 13 commercial flights leave the Panama City-Bay County International Airport every day.”

That's expected to change now that nearly $200 million in state and federal funding is being used to build a new airport that could become a destination for major airlines and a selling point for future development on thousands of surrounding acres owned by the politically connected St. Joe Co.

Once a titan in the paper mill industry, Jacksonville-based St. Joe now creates housing developments and stands to benefit greatly from the increased value of the land once the new airport is built.

That has outraged some longtime residents and environmentalists who have fought the plan at every step.

“The state of Florida is having to cut budgets and yet they're giving millions of dollars on this airport that nobody wants or needs,” said Jimmy Long, a longtime Bay County resident who for decades has hunted near the proposed airport site.

Follow the money:

Opponents of the project think St. Joe's political muscle greased the way for the state and federal grants. Rummell [St. Joe's chairman and chief executive officer] has made significant contributions to the campaigns of President Bush and his brother, former Gov. Jeb Bush. Rummell was named a “Pioneer” for bundling contributions of $100,000 or more for the president.

“$120 Million For Airport: Necessity Or Waste?“.

Castor's Dilemma

Dubya's veto “of a bill to renew and expand a children’s health care program could lead to pressure on Tampa’s freshman Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor to switch her vote yet again on the measure.”

Castor initially voted for the House version of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) bill, but then voted against the final version negotiated with the Senate. She said the final version wouldn’t serve as many children as the version she favored, and relied too heavily on cigar taxes—she had been stung by criticism over the taxes, a problem in her district.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gave Castor and seven other Democrats a pass to vote “no” as the bill passed 265 to 159, but now Pelosi is not ruling out an override attempt. She’s likely to need those eight votes, plus some Republican switchers, to get the needed two-thirds vote—290 of the 435 House members. …

Castor had no immediate comment on her plans, and House Democratic leaders have decided to put off an override vote until October 17.

“Bush SCHIP Veto Could Put Pressure On Castor“.  More: “Bush vetoes plan providing health coverage to 200,000 Fla. children“.

Dawson

“Sen. Mandy Dawson, one of the Florida Legislature's most absence-prone members, was back at her desk Wednesday, on the mend from what she said was the latest in a long string of health troubles.”  “Ailing Sen. Dawson returns to work in Tallahassee“.

Blast from the past

Scott Maxwell:

The man, after all, is Marvin Couch.

And 11 years ago, Couch was at the top his game.

He was a second-term legislator and gaining prominence as a member of the “God Squad” in Tallahassee — a group of family-values lawmakers determined to bring morality back to government.

But then, on a February night back in 1996, Couch was caught with a prostitute in his car. He'd picked her up down on the Orange Blossom Trail and was looking for oral sex [and in the GOP tradition he tried to negotiate the price].

Suddenly, he didn't seem so godly. Or statesmanlike.

“'We all sin': Ex-legislator rebuilds his life“.  And by the way, he was a Republican

You know there's a problem …

when an editorial board cites anything from the wingnut Heritage Foundation: “Children's Health Insurance Bill Justified President's Veto“.

Striding the World's Stage

The lightweight Orlando Sentinel editors stride the world's stage:

If [Venezuela's] Mr. Chavez was guilty only of nepotism and bad math skills, we could laugh this off. But his quirky power plays run deep, from nationalizing telecommunications companies to his plan to do away with presidential term limits to shutting down independent media.

“More over-the-top“.

Thank goodness we do not have nepotism, we have an “independent press” (that operates independently of corporate ownership), and that we privatize (rather than socialize) everything that moves.

While Iraq Burns …

“The leader of a group accused of plotting terrorist attacks in the U.S. said on an FBI videotape played at trial Wednesday [in Miami] that he sought to raise an 'Islamic army' to fight a guerrilla war.”

Narseal Batiste was also recorded saying he needed boots, black uniforms and machine guns for his soldiers. …

The so-called “Liberty City Seven” are accused of plotting to destroy the 110-story Sears Tower in Chicago and bomb FBI offices in five cities to ignite a war aimed at overthrowing the U.S. government.

Mohammed did eventually provide the group with boots …

“Terrorism defendant talks of 'Islamic army' on FBI tape“.

The Florida Progressive Coalition's “16 Stories to Read“.  Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

Time to Slice and Dice

“Florida lawmakers began slicing $1-billion out of the state budget Wednesday as they groped for elusive common ground on the much tougher and unfinished work of cutting property taxes.”  “Budget at hand, but minds on taxes Legislators' focus: money“

But while healthcare and education top the hit list, the GOP-controlled Legislature has decided other parts of the state's $71 billion budget are off-limits: Money for roads and traffic engineering consultants. Cash rebates to lure filmmakers to Florida. Grants for sporting events.

And then there are the dozens of special accounts flush with cash that legislators have refused to tap to help balance the budget. For example, there's more than $1 million from lobbyist registration fees that is sitting unused.

Some of the accounts that lawmakers won't touch are guarded by some of the state's most powerful special-interest groups, including road builders, home builders and real estate agents. ''We should be cutting 4 percent across the board,'' said Sen. Michael Bennett, a Bradenton Republican. “That looks fair. But when you don't, you're bringing politics into it.

“You look like you are protecting sacred cows, and there shouldn't be sacred cows right now.''

As lawmakers opened up their 10-day special session Wednesday, it was apparent there is wide agreement between the House and Senate on what should get cut and what shouldn't.

“Parts of budget are untouchable“.  See also “Budget work to cover shortfalls begins“, “Lawmakers start trimming budget“, “Special session to cover budget, insurance“, “As budget cuts begin, taxes, no-fault loom” and “Legislators Zero In On State Budget, PIP“.

The Tampa Trib editorial board: “Likely budget cuts will come from schools, unfilled highway patrol jobs and hospital and nursing home reimbursement rates, Alzheimer's research funding and more”.  Too bad the Legislature doesn't have the courage to consider tax increases, like, say, the intangibles tax: “One choice lawmakers won't have is to raise taxes. Senate President Ken Pruitt, House Speaker Marco Rubio and Gov. Charlie Crist understand that voters already pressed by property taxes and property insurance premiums are not willing to accept the additional financial burden.”  “Back To Tallahassee“.

Pamela Hasterok: “Let the slashing begin“.  

“Even as the Legislature opened a special session to cut $1 billion in spending, [House Speaker Marco Rubio] was already eyeing a second attempt at historic property tax cuts.”  “Session could take a detour“.  “Lawmakers christened their budget-cutting special session Wednesday with all hands focused on a topic not on the agenda – property taxes.”  “Tax talks proceed slowly“.  Courtesy of the Buzz: “here are some the proposals in play:”

* Clarify the Jan. 29 “super” homestead exemption proposal, which a judge has ruled misleading. Easy to do, perhaps, but the votes may not exist to put it back on the ballot.

    * Save Our Homes “portability.” Preferred by Gov. Charlie Crist, with strong support in the Senate. But constitutional issues could pose problems.

    * Double the $25,000 homestead exemption. Again, preferred by Crist. As a standalone issue, however, it represents mild savings for the average homeowner.

    * Modify the statutory rollback and cap. Could be easier than a statewide ballot, as Democratic votes would not be needed. But last session's battle between the Senate and House over how far to go portends a tough road. Another possibility: Making it tougher for local government to break the cap, which many cities and counties already have done.

    * Highest and best. Revise an appraisal process that looks at commercial property's greatest value, not only what it is currently used for.

“Sizing up the property tax menu“.  See also this House “Property Tax Reform Plan Summaries” (.pdf).  More: “Session opens with jab on tax cuts” and “Legislators may draw up new plan for property tax relief“.

“Senate Democrats don't want to cut the state budget without looking at tax breaks they call unfair, but the Republican legislative leaders Wednesday reiterated that raising new money won't be part of the equation - except for a tuition increase.”  “Senate Dems: No support for budget cuts without tax break talks“.

Bushco in Action

The Palm Beach Post editors: “In 2002, when his brother was running for a second term as Florida's governor, President Bush held a ceremony in the Oval Office to pledge his commitment to the Everglades. With no Bush needing to worry about an election, the president is trying to make the case that he can break that pledge.”  “BUSH'S MISGUIDED VETOES: Help the Everglades“.

Privatization Follies

The Miami Herald editors:”Privatize toll roads? Try another route“

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that turning over Alligator Alley and several other state toll roads to a private vendor is a bad idea — a really bad idea, in fact. No private vendor would pay Florida $500 million in up-front cash without the certainty of guaranteed profits — likely in the double digits, mind you — for the 50-year life of Florida's generous offer to lease toll roads.

There is no mystery, either, where revenues and profits would come from. Take a look in the mirror; then be prepared to empty your pockets for the foreseeable future to pay ever-increasing tolls.

Sorry to say, Gov. Charlie Crist and state lawmakers are considering exactly this — leasing toll roads to help cover a $1 billion shortfall in Florida's $71 billion budget. No doubt, this is a sign of how eager Gov. Crist and state lawmakers are to find an easy fix — something less drastic than, say, restructuring our inefficient tax system or eliminating needless tax exemptions — for Florida's budget crisis.

“Privatize toll roads? Try another route“.  The Palm Beach Post editors chime in: “Keep the roads public“.

“Questionable appraisals”

“Several major state environmental land purchases, including the massive Babcock Ranch tract in Lee and Charlotte counties in southwest Florida, were based on questionable appraisals that may have improperly inflated values, a state audit said Tuesday.”  “State may have paid too much in land deals due to faulty appraisals“.

Target 2010

“When the time comes to divvy up the power after the 2010 census, Florida is expected to gain three additional seats in Congress — one of which would be attributed to its growing number of illegal immigrants.”

Florida's population is expected to surpass that of New York in the next national count, which would make the Sunshine State the third most populous after California and Texas, according to an analysis of census statistics and population data issued by a Connecticut demographer.

Having more seats in Congress — 28 instead of 25 — would also give Florida more Electoral College votes, forcing presidential campaigns to lavish more attention on the state.

“'It's great news for Florida in terms of getting more power,' said study author Orlando Rodriguez, a demographer with the Connecticut State Data Center at the University of Connecticut. 'But it's not the undocumented immigrants who will benefit. It's the dominant party that gets the benefit of the extra seats.'”

That shift, analysts say, is expected to help Republicans in Florida, who control the state Legislature, which redraws district lines when seats are added. The same is true in the border states of Arizona and Texas.

“We will have a larger congressional delegation giving us a stronger voice in Congress as our population continues to grow,” said Erin VanSickle, spokeswoman for the Republican Party of Florida.

“Immigrants may boost Florida's clout“.

Dean

“Leon County Demoratic Chairman Rick Minor is worried Democrats remain so peeved with the DNC over its early primary sanctions that they won't cough up green for Howard Dean when he's in town Oct 9.”  “Leon Democrats: Don't diss Dean!“.

Pledge

“Barack Obama pulled his Florida political director out of the state. Hillary Clinton nixed her brother's appearance at the Weston Democratic Club. John Edwards rebuffed a Fort Lauderdale banquet honoring gay Democratic activists.  When the Florida Democratic Party holds its state convention in three weeks, all of the major Democratic candidates for president will take a pass.”  “No-show Democrats stick to their pledge“.

Whatever

Charlie (not Howard) “Dean gets a warm welcome to Senate“.

PIP

“Florida drivers could sue each other for the medical costs of a car accident until Feb. 15 under an amendment Republican leaders will unveil today.”  “House panel OKs no-fault alternative“.  See also “No PIP until at least Feb. 15“, “PIP's return not if, but when“, “PIP Transition Proves Awkward” and “No-fault fix clears first obstacle in House“.  The Sun-Sentinel editors: “It's not the most satisfying reform, but PIP auto insurance is too important to let die“.

The Orlando Sentinel editors slam the Legislature's delay in re-establishing no-fault: “Hmm. Couldn't be that [Sen. J.D. Alexander of Winter Haven], is in the lap of State Farm, whose Florida administrative headquarters operate in his district, could it? Or that State Farm would love to replace PIP with a system mandating bodily-injury protection, and that it would reap record profits from the more expensive bodily-injury protection?  And it couldn't be that lawyers, who'd get to gallop to Florida's courtrooms to do battle over bodily-injury claims, would benefit. Could it?”  “A bad turn for Florida“.

Primary Lawsuit to be Filed Today

“Democratic Florida Sen. Bill Nelson and Rep. Alcee Hastings of Miramar have scheduled a news conference at the U.S. Capitol for 10:30 a.m. Thursday to discuss their promised lawsuit against the Democratic National Committee’s decision to sanction Florida on its 2008 presidential primary.  The lawsuit is expected to be filed [Thursday].”  “Nelson’s Primary Lawsuit Going In Hopper [Today]“.

Update: “AP NewsBreak: Nelson/Hastings suing DNC over presidential primary“.

Ain't Goona Happen

“By the end of this week, the Florida Legislature will be well on its way to chopping $750 million out of the state's budget, cutting spending for schools, health care for the poor, prisons and other services.  But Wednesday, a Senate subcommittee took a first step to cut something that primarily benefits the governor, other top officials and themselves: their access to the state's airplane fleet.”  “Possible sale of state planes could clip bigwigs' wings“.

Tuition Increase

The News-Journal editorial board: “Even with a lawsuit pending over the breadth of its powers, the Board of Governors of the State University System is moving confidently ahead: Last week, it increased tuition for the state's 11 universities by 5 percent — defying the Legislature's stance that it, not the board, has authority to set tuition.”  “Universities' tuition hike essential“.  More from the St Pete Times' editors: “University board: We'll make our stand“.

Chance Chat

“Every once in a while, it's worth making the effort to chat with the person next to you on a plane.  That's what a Broward County woman did a few months ago with state Sen. Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton. The woman, whom Deutch did not name, told him how state assistance for her severely disabled daughter was being halved, leaving her and her husband with about six hours a day of help.”  “Airplane chat gets push for disabled off ground“.

“A Senate committee amended a health care budget bill to allow families caring for the severely disabled to be able to get more than the capped amount of personal care approved by lawmakers this spring.  Democratic Sen. Ted Deutch of Boca Raton was the force behind the amendment, which would help 1,000 families who would otherwise have to place their loved ones into institutions.”  “Hope on the horizon for families of disabled?“.

Airport from Nowhere

Florida's version of the bridge to nowhere: “Only 13 commercial flights leave the Panama City-Bay County International Airport every day.”

That's expected to change now that nearly $200 million in state and federal funding is being used to build a new airport that could become a destination for major airlines and a selling point for future development on thousands of surrounding acres owned by the politically connected St. Joe Co.

Once a titan in the paper mill industry, Jacksonville-based St. Joe now creates housing developments and stands to benefit greatly from the increased value of the land once the new airport is built.

That has outraged some longtime residents and environmentalists who have fought the plan at every step.

“The state of Florida is having to cut budgets and yet they're giving millions of dollars on this airport that nobody wants or needs,” said Jimmy Long, a longtime Bay County resident who for decades has hunted near the proposed airport site.

Follow the money:

Opponents of the project think St. Joe's political muscle greased the way for the state and federal grants. Rummell [St. Joe's chairman and chief executive officer] has made significant contributions to the campaigns of President Bush and his brother, former Gov. Jeb Bush. Rummell was named a “Pioneer” for bundling contributions of $100,000 or more for the president.

“$120 Million For Airport: Necessity Or Waste?“.

Castor's Dilemma

Dubya's veto “of a bill to renew and expand a children’s health care program could lead to pressure on Tampa’s freshman Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor to switch her vote yet again on the measure.”

Castor initially voted for the House version of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) bill, but then voted against the final version negotiated with the Senate. She said the final version wouldn’t serve as many children as the version she favored, and relied too heavily on cigar taxes—she had been stung by criticism over the taxes, a problem in her district.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gave Castor and seven other Democrats a pass to vote “no” as the bill passed 265 to 159, but now Pelosi is not ruling out an override attempt. She’s likely to need those eight votes, plus some Republican switchers, to get the needed two-thirds vote—290 of the 435 House members. …

Castor had no immediate comment on her plans, and House Democratic leaders have decided to put off an override vote until October 17.

“Bush SCHIP Veto Could Put Pressure On Castor“.  More: “Bush vetoes plan providing health coverage to 200,000 Fla. children“.

Dawson

“Sen. Mandy Dawson, one of the Florida Legislature's most absence-prone members, was back at her desk Wednesday, on the mend from what she said was the latest in a long string of health troubles.”  “Ailing Sen. Dawson returns to work in Tallahassee“.

Blast from the past

Scott Maxwell:

The man, after all, is Marvin Couch.

And 11 years ago, Couch was at the top his game.

He was a second-term legislator and gaining prominence as a member of the “God Squad” in Tallahassee — a group of family-values lawmakers determined to bring morality back to government.

But then, on a February night back in 1996, Couch was caught with a prostitute in his car. He'd picked her up down on the Orange Blossom Trail and was looking for oral sex [and in the GOP tradition he tried to negotiate the price].

Suddenly, he didn't seem so godly. Or statesmanlike.

“'We all sin': Ex-legislator rebuilds his life“.  And by the way, he was a Republican

You know there's a problem …

when an editorial board cites anything from the wingnut Heritage Foundation: “Children's Health Insurance Bill Justified President's Veto“.

Striding the World's Stage

The lightweight Orlando Sentinel editors stride the world's stage:

If [Venezuela's] Mr. Chavez was guilty only of nepotism and bad math skills, we could laugh this off. But his quirky power plays run deep, from nationalizing telecommunications companies to his plan to do away with presidential term limits to shutting down independent media.

“More over-the-top“.

Thank goodness we do not have nepotism, we have an “independent press” (that operates independently of corporate ownership), and that we privatize (rather than socialize) everything that moves.

While Iraq Burns …

“The leader of a group accused of plotting terrorist attacks in the U.S. said on an FBI videotape played at trial Wednesday [in Miami] that he sought to raise an 'Islamic army' to fight a guerrilla war.”

Narseal Batiste was also recorded saying he needed boots, black uniforms and machine guns for his soldiers. …

The so-called “Liberty City Seven” are accused of plotting to destroy the 110-story Sears Tower in Chicago and bomb FBI offices in five cities to ignite a war aimed at overthrowing the U.S. government.

Mohammed did eventually provide the group with boots …

“Terrorism defendant talks of 'Islamic army' on FBI tape“.

Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

CD 13 Saga Continues

Notwithstanding claims by the GOPers,

“the GAO in its report [Tuesday] said it does not believe 'the prior test results adequately demonstrate that the voting systems could not have contributed to the undervote.'”

“Congressional investigators will perform further tests on Sarasota's contested voting machines, possibly pushing any resolution of the disputed 2006 election into 2008.  The Government Accountability Office, which is investigating whether faulty voting machines caused some 18,000 ballots to register no choice in the congressional race, told a House task force Tuesday that it needs to conduct further testing before it can conclude that the machines weren't at fault.”

“Probe of faulty ballots incomplete“.

“Federal investigators told Congress on Tuesday that, after four months of reviewing previous studies and audits of the November 2006 election, they still do not have “reasonable assurance” that the voting machines are not to blame for the abnormally high undervote in the 13th Congressional District race.”  “Congress orders new tests of voting machines“.

 

Special Session begins Today

“When lawmakers convene a special session today to plug a $1.1 billion hole in the state budget, Democrats will be flexing their muscles.”  “Special session starts today“.  “This session, known as Special Session C, deals with two issues: cutting the budget and reinstating personal-injury protection for motorists.  8 Days of the session, today through Oct. 12, no weekends”:

$1B Approximate amount to be cut

1.4 Approximate percentage of budget

$40,000 Cost of session per day

1 Number of special sessions still to come this month

Proposed cuts

$147.5M Teacher merit pay plan

$228M Cuts in public education: K-12 public schools (at least $138-million; universities (at least $68-million); universal prekindergarten ($22-million)

Proposed increases

5 Proposed percent increase in state university and community college tuition ($11.4-million)

5,000 Proposed additional slots to the KidCare health insurance program ($3.8-million)

“Back in session“.

“Advocates say some people may be forced into nursing homes as further paring is considered.”  “State's budget cuts hit disabled“.  See also “Families fear losing disability services“, “Legislators begin budget cutting in Tallahassee today“, “Special session to cover budget cuts and insurance” and “Budget cuts, auto insurance on lawmaker's agenda Wednesday“.

Good time Charlie is in a jam.  “The governor who prides himself on optimism is facing pessimistic times — and the hardest test of his leadership skills since he took office 10 months ago.”

Adding to the pressure: living up to the rosy expectations he's stoked by promising deep tax cuts to all and a booming economy as a result.

The reality is that property tax cuts aren't as big as promised, the property tax amendment he's pushed is not as popular as hoped, the economy is faltering, state tax collections are down, and the state has a $1.1 billion hole in its $71 billion budget.

''I'm willing to face everything,'' Crist said Tuesday. “I mean, my gosh, I have to face everything. I don't have a choice.''

“Budget cuts, taxes and insurance burden governor“.

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board observes that “lawmakers have taken two missteps to date: One was sending all the blame downstream to local governments, in particular counties, which are hamstrung because 60 percent of their property taxes already go to services mandated by whom? By the state. … he second misstep came in the Legislature's own crafty property-tax amendment, which has been taken off the ballot, at least for the moment, by a circuit judge who said it's confusing and/or misleading.”  “Talk is cheap“.

Poor things: “Legislators find workload getting bigger every day” (”What is supposed to be a part-time job for many state senators and representatives, who have careers and families back home they must juggle with their responsibilities here, is increasingly a full-time commitment.”)

 

That's our Mel

“The White House on Tuesday reaffirmed a vow to veto a massive water resources bill that supporters say promises a badly needed $2 billion kick-start for stalled Everglades restoration.  The move, expected as early as this week, sets up a high-stakes face-off between Congress and the White House, with some key Florida lawmakers planning to lead an override campaign that could be the first of the Bush presidency.”  “State lawmakers fighting for Glades bill“.

Will RNC and Bushco sycophant Mel Matinez “lead an override campaign” against his beloved benefactor, Dubya?

Meanwhile, Mel's fans at the Orlando Sentinel, think his quitting as RNC head is a “Wise move“.  Incredibly, the editors pen this:

Mr. Martinez said he would not be an “attack dog” when he took the RNC post. Both Republicans and Democrats would do well to choose chairmen who take the same approach. They shouldn't have to resort to personal attacks to win arguments over principles.

Putting aside the irrelevant reference to the Dems (we must be “balanced” of course), the Martinez cheerleaders at the       Sentinel conveniently overlook that Mel is one of the most rabid “attack dogs” in recent history.  

Martinez has been labeled “Florida Frankenstein” for good reason; and, as one Democratic campaign operative put it, Mel has taken “the ugly mutated life form of what Lee Atwater started and which today's Republican Party, with the likes of Karl Rove, are continuing. They make stuff up after their polling identifies divisive or polarizing issues that they can use to drive home with ethnic groups or other constituencies.”  How soon the Sentinel editors forget.

 

Another Special Session?

“House Speaker Marco Rubio says he has “agreed with Senate President Ken Pruitt to hold a tax special session later this month”.  “Rubio's answer to WSJ piece: Tax cuts“.

 

Everglades a political issue?  'Ya think?

“Has the Everglades become a political issue among Florida’s congressional delegation?  None of the Republican House members of Florida’s congressional delegation signed a letter sent today to President Bush urging him not to veto the Water Resources Development Act, which authorizes $1.4 billion for the Indian River Lagoon clean-up and millions more for Everglades restoration projects.  All nine of Florida’s Democratic representatives signed the letter.”  “Is Everglades letter political?“.

 

Whoopee!

“State Farm, the state's largest private insurance company, agreed to deepen previously proposed rate cuts, resulting in a savings of $23-million, or an average of $23 for each policyholder. The savings are part of a larger agreement ending a number of very public battles State Farm has been waging with the Office of Insurance Regulation and the Attorney General's Office.”  “State Farm to give refunds“.  See also “Insurer agrees to boost discount” and “State Farm agrees to lower rates“.

“Lawmakers tried to lower insurance rates and regulators are getting tougher, but the bottom line still is below expectations.  More than 3 million Florida homeowners will see modest rate cuts on their homeowner policies in the next year, including a 9 percent cut requested by State Farm Tuesday.”  “Lackluster rate cuts filed“.

 

“A potentially historic shift”

The WSJ via the Miami Herald: “New evidence suggests a potentially historic shift in the Republican Party's identity — what strategists call its “brand.” The votes of many disgruntled fiscal conservatives and other lapsed Republicans are now up for grabs, which could alter U.S. politics in the 2008 elections and beyond.”

Some business leaders are drifting away from the party because of the war in Iraq, the growing federal debt and a conservative social agenda they don't share. In manufacturing sectors such as the auto industry, some Republicans want direct government help with soaring health-care costs, which Republicans in Washington have been reluctant to provide. And some business people want more government action on global warming, arguing that a bolder plan is not only inevitable, but could spur new industries. …

The most prominent sign of dissatisfaction has come from former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, long a pillar of Republican Party economic thinking. He blasted the party's fiscal record in a new book. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, he said: “The Republican Party, which ruled the House, the Senate and the presidency, I no longer recognize.”

Some well-known business leaders have openly changed allegiances. Morgan Stanley Chairman and Chief Executive John Mack, formerly a big Bush backer, now supports Democratic front-runner Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York. John Canning Jr., chairman and chief executive of Madison Dearborn Partners, a large private-equity firm, now donates to Democrats after a lifetime as a Republican. Recently, he told one Democratic Party leader: “The Republican Party left me” — a twist on a line Ronald Reagan and his followers used when they abandoned the Democratic Party decades ago to protest its '60s and '70s-era liberalism.

“GOP is losing grip on core business vote“.

 

“Sputtering”

“Republican John McCain brought his sputtering presidential campaign to the state Capitol on Tuesday, talking about hurricanes and climate change while raising money and paying a courtesy call on Gov. Charlie Crist.”  “McCain campaigns in the Capitol“.  More: “McCain tells Crist what he wants to hear on insurance, drilling“.

 

FCAT Follies

“Florida's high-school students typically do poorly on the state's standardized reading tests, a problem officials have blamed on schools, teachers and even the students themselves.”  “FCAT woes: Real problem is test itself, some critics say“.

 

No-Fault

The News-Journal editors: “Crist made the right call when he put the state's no-fault auto-insurance law on the agenda for the special legislative session that starts today in Tallahassee.  Now the issue rests in the hands of lawmakers, who can expect a siege of special interests trying to tweak — or stymie — legislation that would reinstate some form of personal-injury protection coverage for drivers.”  “Revive 'no-fault,' slow down for fix“.  See also “No-fault auto insurance stuck in neutral“, ““No fault” insurance on legislative agenda” and “Personal-injury protection debated“.

More: “Compromise may be reached on continuing with PIP” and “What the PIP bill would do“.

Recall that “It's taken years for the Legislature to create a potential crisis over no-fault auto insurance. Because of that delay, the Legislature has only 10 days to avoid the crisis.”  “Make it nobody's fault“.

 

I am shocked!

“Money intended for job creation in Miami-Dade County's poorest neighborhoods was used for loans to politically connected people and their companies.”  “Political insiders got poverty funds“.

 

He meant to say “Judeo-Christian” before he said “Christian”

“Clarifying remarks he made this weekend that the United States was 'founded primarily on Christian principles,' GOP presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain said Tuesday he believes the founding fathers were inspired by 'Judeo-Christian' values.”

In the capital Tuesday for a fund-raiser and meeting with Gov. Charlie Crist, McCain insisted that he did not mean what he said.

“McCain: I meant to say 'Judeo-Christian' values“.

Can you imagine if Gore or Kerry had said something like this?  Check out this very recent Vanity Fair piece: “Going After Gore“.

 

5-Year old urged to make “ideological value judgment”

“A judge deciding whether a [5-year-old] Cuban girl should remain with her foster parents in Florida or return to Cuba with her father warned both parties Tuesday against pulling the girl into a political debate about living in Cuba.”

Attorneys for the girl's Miami foster parents requested an emergency hearing Tuesday before Circuit Judge Jeri B. Cohen to relate the child's apparent anxiety about the possibility of returning to Cuba. A court-appointed therapist told the judge by phone that the girl appeared very fearful Monday during a scheduled meeting when she was asked about Cuba, and repeatedly said she did not want to go there.

The judge ordered another court-appointed therapist, scheduled to meet with the girl and her father later Tuesday, to begin broaching with the girl the idea of living with her father. But Cohen also instructed both her father, Cuban farmer Rafael Izquierdo, and the foster parents, wealthy Cuban-American couple Joe and Maria Cubas, to refrain from discussing with the girl a potential return to Cuba.

“You're making a 5-year-old make an ideological value judgment about Cuba. The issue is not, 'Do you want to go Cuba?' The issue is, 'Do you want to be with your father?' We need to change the issue here,” Cohen said.

“Quit discussing Cuba with girl, judge orders“.

 

Charlie decides not to file frivolous appeal

Charlie called Bob about whether the state should appeal a verdict against the state for “an 8-year-old former Palm Beach County girl who was beaten nearly to death after state child-welfare workers released her broken body to a mother they knew didn't want her.”  You may recall that “legislators have for years ignored Marissa Amora and refused since 2005 to pay what a jury ordered for her lifelong care: $26.8 million.”  

The following deeply analytical legal discussion occurred between the two distinguished legal minds:

“I called back the governor and said we really have no grounds to appeal and he said, 'Fine. Then do not appeal,' Butterworth said.

“Butterworth: Crist asked to stop appeal of $26 million suit“.

 

Don't Forget the Paintball Guns

“They may not have gotten far in carrying out their plans, but seven South Florida men wanted to form an alliance with al-Qaida to wage holy war against the United States, a prosecutor charged Tuesday in his opening statement at their trial in Miami federal court.The centerpiece of the group's violent agenda, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Gregorie, was a plot to ['blow up the 110-story Sears Tower in Chicago — the tallest building in the United States'] and the FBI headquarters in North Miami Beach.”

Gregorie told jurors the former Chicago deliveryman was serious about the plans he described, such as poisoning salt shakers in restaurants and provoking gang warfare to create chaos and panic. …

According to prosecutors, the group had a military-style structure and claimed to be part of the Moorish Science Temple, which embraces some tenets of Islam. That organization maintains the United States was originally settled by Moors, whose descendants should have their own nation and independent government.

“Seven men on trial in Miami for purported terrorism plot“.

The plan to take down the Sears Tower with a blackjack and paintball guns seemed less than serious at the time of the original arrests:

Deputy FBI Director John Pistole said at the time of their arrest that their plans were “aspirational rather than operational.” Other government agents said they posed no real threat because they had no actual al Qaeda contacts or means of carrying out attacks and no weapons other than a cosh [blackjack] found in one man's car. …

An FBI agent testified in pretrial hearings that they studied martial arts and trained with paintball guns. The first three dozen jury candidates were asked if they had any paintball experience.

One former policeman said he had trained with paintballs while on the force. Another man said his son played paintball at birthday parties. Another jury candidate turned to her neighbor and whispered “what?” when the judge asked if they had ever “gone paintballing.”

“Curtain falls as Miami terrorism trial starts up“.

 

New Poll

“The state's largest teachers' union released a poll Tuesday night that shows more Floridians are concerned about rising property insurance than how much they pay in property taxes.”  “New Poll: Insurance Cuts Needed More than Tax Cuts“.

Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

CD 13 Saga Continues

Notwithstanding claims by the GOPers,

“the GAO in its report [Tuesday] said it does not believe 'the prior test results adequately demonstrate that the voting systems could not have contributed to the undervote.'”

“Congressional investigators will perform further tests on Sarasota's contested voting machines, possibly pushing any resolution of the disputed 2006 election into 2008.  The Government Accountability Office, which is investigating whether faulty voting machines caused some 18,000 ballots to register no choice in the congressional race, told a House task force Tuesday that it needs to conduct further testing before it can conclude that the machines weren't at fault.”

“Probe of faulty ballots incomplete“.

“Federal investigators told Congress on Tuesday that, after four months of reviewing previous studies and audits of the November 2006 election, they still do not have “reasonable assurance” that the voting machines are not to blame for the abnormally high undervote in the 13th Congressional District race.”  “Congress orders new tests of voting machines“.

 

Special Session begins Today

“When lawmakers convene a special session today to plug a $1.1 billion hole in the state budget, Democrats will be flexing their muscles.”  “Special session starts today“.  “This session, known as Special Session C, deals with two issues: cutting the budget and reinstating personal-injury protection for motorists.  8 Days of the session, today through Oct. 12, no weekends”:

$1B Approximate amount to be cut

1.4 Approximate percentage of budget

$40,000 Cost of session per day

1 Number of special sessions still to come this month

Proposed cuts

$147.5M Teacher merit pay plan

$228M Cuts in public education: K-12 public schools (at least $138-million; universities (at least $68-million); universal prekindergarten ($22-million)

Proposed increases

5 Proposed percent increase in state university and community college tuition ($11.4-million)

5,000 Proposed additional slots to the KidCare health insurance program ($3.8-million)

“Back in session“.

“Advocates say some people may be forced into nursing homes as further paring is considered.”  “State's budget cuts hit disabled“.  See also “Families fear losing disability services“, “Legislators begin budget cutting in Tallahassee today“, “Special session to cover budget cuts and insurance” and “Budget cuts, auto insurance on lawmaker's agenda Wednesday“.

Good time Charlie is in a jam.  “The governor who prides himself on optimism is facing pessimistic times — and the hardest test of his leadership skills since he took office 10 months ago.”

Adding to the pressure: living up to the rosy expectations he's stoked by promising deep tax cuts to all and a booming economy as a result.

The reality is that property tax cuts aren't as big as promised, the property tax amendment he's pushed is not as popular as hoped, the economy is faltering, state tax collections are down, and the state has a $1.1 billion hole in its $71 billion budget.

''I'm willing to face everything,'' Crist said Tuesday. “I mean, my gosh, I have to face everything. I don't have a choice.''

“Budget cuts, taxes and insurance burden governor“.

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board observes that “lawmakers have taken two missteps to date: One was sending all the blame downstream to local governments, in particular counties, which are hamstrung because 60 percent of their property taxes already go to services mandated by whom? By the state. … he second misstep came in the Legislature's own crafty property-tax amendment, which has been taken off the ballot, at least for the moment, by a circuit judge who said it's confusing and/or misleading.”  “Talk is cheap“.

Poor things: “Legislators find workload getting bigger every day” (”What is supposed to be a part-time job for many state senators and representatives, who have careers and families back home they must juggle with their responsibilities here, is increasingly a full-time commitment.”)

 

That's our Mel

“The White House on Tuesday reaffirmed a vow to veto a massive water resources bill that supporters say promises a badly needed $2 billion kick-start for stalled Everglades restoration.  The move, expected as early as this week, sets up a high-stakes face-off between Congress and the White House, with some key Florida lawmakers planning to lead an override campaign that could be the first of the Bush presidency.”  “State lawmakers fighting for Glades bill“.

Will RNC and Bushco sycophant Mel Matinez “lead an override campaign” against his beloved benefactor, Dubya?

Meanwhile, Mel's fans at the Orlando Sentinel, think his quitting as RNC head is a “Wise move“.  Incredibly, the editors pen this:

Mr. Martinez said he would not be an “attack dog” when he took the RNC post. Both Republicans and Democrats would do well to choose chairmen who take the same approach. They shouldn't have to resort to personal attacks to win arguments over principles.

Putting aside the irrelevant reference to the Dems (we must be “balanced” of course), the Martinez cheerleaders at the       Sentinel conveniently overlook that Mel is one of the most rabid “attack dogs” in recent history.  

Martinez has been labeled “Florida Frankenstein” for good reason; and, as one Democratic campaign operative put it, Mel has taken “the ugly mutated life form of what Lee Atwater started and which today's Republican Party, with the likes of Karl Rove, are continuing. They make stuff up after their polling identifies divisive or polarizing issues that they can use to drive home with ethnic groups or other constituencies.”  How soon the Sentinel editors forget.

 

Another Special Session?

“House Speaker Marco Rubio says he has “agreed with Senate President Ken Pruitt to hold a tax special session later this month”.  “Rubio's answer to WSJ piece: Tax cuts“.

 

Everglades a political issue?  'Ya think?

“Has the Everglades become a political issue among Florida’s congressional delegation?  None of the Republican House members of Florida’s congressional delegation signed a letter sent today to President Bush urging him not to veto the Water Resources Development Act, which authorizes $1.4 billion for the Indian River Lagoon clean-up and millions more for Everglades restoration projects.  All nine of Florida’s Democratic representatives signed the letter.”  “Is Everglades letter political?“.

 

Whoopee!

“State Farm, the state's largest private insurance company, agreed to deepen previously proposed rate cuts, resulting in a savings of $23-million, or an average of $23 for each policyholder. The savings are part of a larger agreement ending a number of very public battles State Farm has been waging with the Office of Insurance Regulation and the Attorney General's Office.”  “State Farm to give refunds“.  See also “Insurer agrees to boost discount” and “State Farm agrees to lower rates“.

“Lawmakers tried to lower insurance rates and regulators are getting tougher, but the bottom line still is below expectations.  More than 3 million Florida homeowners will see modest rate cuts on their homeowner policies in the next year, including a 9 percent cut requested by State Farm Tuesday.”  “Lackluster rate cuts filed“.

 

“A potentially historic shift”

The WSJ via the Miami Herald: “New evidence suggests a potentially historic shift in the Republican Party's identity — what strategists call its “brand.” The votes of many disgruntled fiscal conservatives and other lapsed Republicans are now up for grabs, which could alter U.S. politics in the 2008 elections and beyond.”

Some business leaders are drifting away from the party because of the war in Iraq, the growing federal debt and a conservative social agenda they don't share. In manufacturing sectors such as the auto industry, some Republicans want direct government help with soaring health-care costs, which Republicans in Washington have been reluctant to provide. And some business people want more government action on global warming, arguing that a bolder plan is not only inevitable, but could spur new industries. …

The most prominent sign of dissatisfaction has come from former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, long a pillar of Republican Party economic thinking. He blasted the party's fiscal record in a new book. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, he said: “The Republican Party, which ruled the House, the Senate and the presidency, I no longer recognize.”

Some well-known business leaders have openly changed allegiances. Morgan Stanley Chairman and Chief Executive John Mack, formerly a big Bush backer, now supports Democratic front-runner Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York. John Canning Jr., chairman and chief executive of Madison Dearborn Partners, a large private-equity firm, now donates to Democrats after a lifetime as a Republican. Recently, he told one Democratic Party leader: “The Republican Party left me” — a twist on a line Ronald Reagan and his followers used when they abandoned the Democratic Party decades ago to protest its '60s and '70s-era liberalism.

“GOP is losing grip on core business vote“.

 

“Sputtering”

“Republican John McCain brought his sputtering presidential campaign to the state Capitol on Tuesday, talking about hurricanes and climate change while raising money and paying a courtesy call on Gov. Charlie Crist.”  “McCain campaigns in the Capitol“.  More: “McCain tells Crist what he wants to hear on insurance, drilling“.

 

FCAT Follies

“Florida's high-school students typically do poorly on the state's standardized reading tests, a problem officials have blamed on schools, teachers and even the students themselves.”  “FCAT woes: Real problem is test itself, some critics say“.

 

No-Fault

The News-Journal editors: “Crist made the right call when he put the state's no-fault auto-insurance law on the agenda for the special legislative session that starts today in Tallahassee.  Now the issue rests in the hands of lawmakers, who can expect a siege of special interests trying to tweak — or stymie — legislation that would reinstate some form of personal-injury protection coverage for drivers.”  “Revive 'no-fault,' slow down for fix“.  See also “No-fault auto insurance stuck in neutral“, ““No fault” insurance on legislative agenda” and “Personal-injury protection debated“.

More: “Compromise may be reached on continuing with PIP” and “What the PIP bill would do“.

Recall that “It's taken years for the Legislature to create a potential crisis over no-fault auto insurance. Because of that delay, the Legislature has only 10 days to avoid the crisis.”  “Make it nobody's fault“.

 

I am shocked!

“Money intended for job creation in Miami-Dade County's poorest neighborhoods was used for loans to politically connected people and their companies.”  “Political insiders got poverty funds“.

 

He meant to say “Judeo-Christian” before he said “Christian”

“Clarifying remarks he made this weekend that the United States was 'founded primarily on Christian principles,' GOP presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain said Tuesday he believes the founding fathers were inspired by 'Judeo-Christian' values.”

In the capital Tuesday for a fund-raiser and meeting with Gov. Charlie Crist, McCain insisted that he did not mean what he said.

“McCain: I meant to say 'Judeo-Christian' values“.

Can you imagine if Gore or Kerry had said something like this?  Check out this very recent Vanity Fair piece: “Going After Gore“.

 

5-Year old urged to make “ideological value judgment”

“A judge deciding whether a [5-year-old] Cuban girl should remain with her foster parents in Florida or return to Cuba with her father warned both parties Tuesday against pulling the girl into a political debate about living in Cuba.”

Attorneys for the girl's Miami foster parents requested an emergency hearing Tuesday before Circuit Judge Jeri B. Cohen to relate the child's apparent anxiety about the possibility of returning to Cuba. A court-appointed therapist told the judge by phone that the girl appeared very fearful Monday during a scheduled meeting when she was asked about Cuba, and repeatedly said she did not want to go there.

The judge ordered another court-appointed therapist, scheduled to meet with the girl and her father later Tuesday, to begin broaching with the girl the idea of living with her father. But Cohen also instructed both her father, Cuban farmer Rafael Izquierdo, and the foster parents, wealthy Cuban-American couple Joe and Maria Cubas, to refrain from discussing with the girl a potential return to Cuba.

“You're making a 5-year-old make an ideological value judgment about Cuba. The issue is not, 'Do you want to go Cuba?' The issue is, 'Do you want to be with your father?' We need to change the issue here,” Cohen said.

“Quit discussing Cuba with girl, judge orders“.

 

Charlie decides not to file frivolous appeal

Charlie called Bob about whether the state should appeal a verdict against the state for “an 8-year-old former Palm Beach County girl who was beaten nearly to death after state child-welfare workers released her broken body to a mother they knew didn't want her.”  You may recall that “legislators have for years ignored Marissa Amora and refused since 2005 to pay what a jury ordered for her lifelong care: $26.8 million.”  

The following deeply analytical legal discussion occurred between the two distinguished legal minds:

“I called back the governor and said we really have no grounds to appeal and he said, 'Fine. Then do not appeal,' Butterworth said.

“Butterworth: Crist asked to stop appeal of $26 million suit“.

 

Don't Forget the Paintball Guns

“They may not have gotten far in carrying out their plans, but seven South Florida men wanted to form an alliance with al-Qaida to wage holy war against the United States, a prosecutor charged Tuesday in his opening statement at their trial in Miami federal court.The centerpiece of the group's violent agenda, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Gregorie, was a plot to ['blow up the 110-story Sears Tower in Chicago — the tallest building in the United States'] and the FBI headquarters in North Miami Beach.”

Gregorie told jurors the former Chicago deliveryman was serious about the plans he described, such as poisoning salt shakers in restaurants and provoking gang warfare to create chaos and panic. …

According to prosecutors, the group had a military-style structure and claimed to be part of the Moorish Science Temple, which embraces some tenets of Islam. That organization maintains the United States was originally settled by Moors, whose descendants should have their own nation and independent government.

“Seven men on trial in Miami for purported terrorism plot“.

The plan to take down the Sears Tower with a blackjack and paintball guns seemed less than serious at the time of the original arrests:

Deputy FBI Director John Pistole said at the time of their arrest that their plans were “aspirational rather than operational.” Other government agents said they posed no real threat because they had no actual al Qaeda contacts or means of carrying out attacks and no weapons other than a cosh [blackjack] found in one man's car. …

An FBI agent testified in pretrial hearings that they studied martial arts and trained with paintball guns. The first three dozen jury candidates were asked if they had any paintball experience.

One former policeman said he had trained with paintballs while on the force. Another man said his son played paintball at birthday parties. Another jury candidate turned to her neighbor and whispered “what?” when the judge asked if they had ever “gone paintballing.”

“Curtain falls as Miami terrorism trial starts up“.

 

New Poll

“The state's largest teachers' union released a poll Tuesday night that shows more Floridians are concerned about rising property insurance than how much they pay in property taxes.”  “New Poll: Insurance Cuts Needed More than Tax Cuts“.

Today's Florida political news and punditry:

“He's awfully lucky he's not up until 2010″

“In a brief interview, Martinez, of Orlando, said Monday that he would quit after a GOP presidential nominee is selected in early 2008 because 'it was a logical time.'”

Last week, the four first-tier Republican presidential candidates skipped a nationally televised debate before a black audience. Three of the four also turned down invitations to a Spanish-language debate hosted in Miami earlier in September by the Univision network. And with the exception of Arizona Sen. John McCain, all of the party's candidates have taken increasingly strident stands against any immigration reform that would permit illegal immigrants to qualify to remain here.

Casey Klofstad, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Miami, said the controversies represent a “sea of change” among Republicans that contradicts the diversity-minded intention of putting Martinez in charge.

“All these things happened and then he looks to step down. Is this the motivation? I have no idea. But they are close enough in time that [it suggests] the party or Martinez are showing some expressions of frustration,” Klofstad said.

Another factor in the decision is public recognition of Mel's incompetence:

Martinez's approval ratings have plummeted in recent months. A Quinnipiac University poll released in July showed that only 38 percent of Florida voters approved of his performance as senator — down 12 points in six months.

“He's awfully lucky he's not up until 2010,” said political scientist Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia in July.

“Martinez to quit RNC job“.

The Sun-Sentinel editors state the obvious: “Martinez was elected by Floridians to be a voice for their issues. He was not elected to be a party fundraiser. He needs to be spending his time being a full-time senator for Florida, and being an outspoken voice for Florida issues.”  “Martinez leaving job he shouldn't have taken“.

 

Add to that his embarrassing fealty to all things Bush together with his astonishing incompetence.  More “Martinez refunds [almost $100,000] campaign money“, “Wonkette - Diabolical Ghost-writer Haunts Mel Martinez“, “Karl Rove's Florida Frankenstein“, “The Real Mel Martinez“, “Bush's Mr. Cellophane“, “New gaffe, old Martinez defense“, “Martinez: ‘I’m Not Sure Rove Had Much To Do With’ Attorney Purge“, “RNC Chair Mel Martinez says that resting the troops is demeaning to them” and “Martinez: An Impressive Record Of Passing The Buck”

 

… Speaking of lame GOPers

“The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee began targeting U.S. Rep Tom Feeney of Oviedo and seven other House Republicans with radio ads Monday over their votes against expanding a children’s health insurance program.”  “DCCC targets Feeney during drive time“.

Scott Maxwell has a bit of fun with Feeney this morning:

With our nation at war and struggling with everything from immigration to the economy, Congress made time last week to address the truly important stuff — a mean newspaper ad [by Moveon.com]. …

Mean words indeed. See how they even rhymed his perfectly pleasant-sounding name with words that don't sound pleasant at all? Nice and patriotic people don't do such things.

So you can see why Congress needed to take a break from dealing with Iran to take a stand against character attacks.

Sure, it seemed a little strange to hear indignation about name-calling coming from guys like Feeney — who based his entire last campaign on calling his opponent a “crazy” tinfoil-hat-wearing lunatic.

“The name game is trivial pursuit“.

 

More Hypocrisy

Maxwell has more: “Colorado Democrat Mark Udall's office said Monday that he was preparing a counter-resolution that accuses [hillbilly heroin] Rush Limbaugh of referring to veterans and servicemen and women who oppose the war as 'phony soldiers.'”

Rush complained that his words were taken out of context. But the Chicago Tribune noted that moments after Rush insisted he had never referred to any actual soldier as a “phony soldier,” he called U.S. Rep. Jack Murtha, a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient, a “phony soldier” as well.

That doesn't sound very patriotic. Draft a resolution!

So will Central Florida lawmakers be condemning Rush “in the strongest possible terms” as well?

Well, Brown-Waite agreed with Rush that his words had been “misconstrued,” but vowed to protect troops from “personal attacks, from whatever organization might make them.”

Said Keller: “I oppose personal attacks against Gen. Petraeus and other soldiers, regardless of whether they're launched from the right or left.”

And a spokeswoman for Feeney said the issue needs to be handled “on a case-by-case basis.” She called the MoveOn.org ad particularly “disgusting” and reminded us all: “Congress uses resolutions for the very purpose of expressing its collective opinions.”

More on the resolution from the Denver Post:

Udall's resolution, introduced Monday night, says that Congress condemns “the personal attacks made by the broadcaster Rush impugning the integrity and professionalism of Americans serving in the Armed Forces.”

There were 19 co-sponsors Monday night. None were from Colorado.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., asked other senators to sign a letter of censure.

Let's see how Florida's self-righteous gas-bags weasel out of this one, and whether the media will give it the same attention the MoveOn.com flap received.

 

Charlie recalls he's the governor at the “last-minute”

After spending weeks burnishing his national political bona fides, Charlie decides to make “a last-minute entrance into two legislative feuds Monday, ordering lawmakers to take up the expired no-fault auto-insurance law when they meet this week and prompting them to hold another special legislative session to fix a property-tax proposal that a judge invalidated.”  “Crist calls for action on taxes, auto insurance“.  See also “Include no-fault on session agenda, Crist tells leaders“, “Session time set for PIP, taxes“, “Crist wants no-fault law considered“, ““No fault” auto insurance joins legislative agenda“, “Session to weigh no-fault future“, “Motorists, insurers wait, watch“, “Lawmakers to deal with no-fault, tax relief at separate sessions” and “PIP added to session“.

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board credits Charlie for showing a teensy-weensy spine: “Crist finally acted as governors — as leaders — must. He abandoned his maddening 'I remain hopeful' and 'I'm cautiously optimistic' comments and announced Monday that extending no-fault will be added to the agenda of lawmakers, who are returning to the capital this week to tackle the state's budget crisis.  He wouldn't have done that, however, if lawmakers didn't appear all-but-ready to give no-fault another go.”  “Extend PIP“.

 

Sorry about that “merit pay”

“State lawmakers expect to snip $147.5 million promised for teacher merit pay out of the budget this week, a temporary move to help solve this year's financial crisis.  Legislative leaders hope to restore money for performance pay in the spring, before checks are to be cut. But even if they don't, many Florida educators will not care.”  “Merit-pay cut may not be a problem“.

 

Supreme's Decide Election Case

“Supreme Court justices on Monday sharply critiqued Washington state's primary election system, with several suggesting that it violates political parties' First Amendment rights.  Washington allows primary candidates to identify which parties they prefer, even if they aren't the parties' official nominees. In a case watched by political professionals nationwide, justices wondered Monday whether Washington is infringing on protected rights of free association.”  “State's primary laws get harsh critique“.

 

Another Man of the People

“Sen. Carey Baker, a Eustis Republican, will raise cash for his re-election bid Tuesday night at the Tallahassee office of the Florida Retail Federation, a big business player in the Capitol.”  “Baker gets a helping hand from Retail Federation“.

 

More Increases Wanted

“Property insurers are seeking further rate increases in Florida, despite once again setting record profits.”  “Insurers ask for higher rates“.

 

Keeping Secrets

The Tallahassee Democrat editors: “With a special session about to begin and an agenda that includes some of the most significant public business in years, secrecy is once again the rule in the state capital.”  “Easier, not better“.  More from the Sun-Sentinel editors: “Special legislative session won't teach voters much“.

 

McCain's Mess

McCain didn't help himself in Florida with this: “Several Jewish organizations criticized John McCain on Monday after the Republican candidate said he would prefer a Christian president over someone of a different faith. … Amid the criticism, Democrat Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, an Orthodox Jew, came to the defense of his Senate colleague.”  “Jewish groups criticize Sen. McCain“.  Meanwhile, “McCain On Second Lap of Tallahassee Fund-Raisers“.

 

Another RPOF Snoozer

Too much time on their hands:

Last week, the state Republican Party sent a mailer to Florida Democrats, bashing the Democratic candidates over the boycott and urging Florida Democratic voters to switch parties.

Monday, they announced a new web site that “highlights the recent announcement by the Democrat presidential candidates that they will obey Democrat National Committee rules and boycott the state of Florida unless they are coming here to collect a campaign check.”

“GOP 'Not Focusing' Maybe, But Clearly Not Forgetting Dem Boycott“.  See also “Greer: GOP will profit from Dems' squabble” and “Republicans rip primary pledge” (”Florida Democratic Party spokesman Mark Bubriski said the Republicans have 'botched a war, have 'corruption coming out of their ears' and have more to worry about than 'a silly Web site.'”

 

RPOF “Standards”

“The Republican Party of Florida has announced the criteria for participation in the televised debate to be held at its Presidency IV convention Oct. 21, and though the standards aren’t restrictive, they still could rule out some candidates with small but devoted followings.  According to those standards, candidates must have at least 1 percent support—without counting the error margin—in three of six independent polls commonly done in Florida between Aug. 1 and Oct. 7. The companies are Mason-Dixon Polling and Research, Inc., Insider Advantage, American Research Group, Inc., Quinnipiac University, Rasmussen Reports, and Strategic Vision, LLC.  “  “GOP Debate Standards Could Rule Out Some Candidates“.

 

Mahoney

“Congressional Quarterly’s first round-up of 2008 House races says there’s 'no clear favorite' in freshman Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney’s bid to hold his seat against the winner of a three-way GOP primary.”  “13 months out: Mahoney toss-up, Klein favored“.

 

FCAT Follies

The Miami Herald editors write that

a singular, obsessive focus on the FCAT has distorted the importance of the test. Schools have tried to motivate teachers by giving them bonus pay. They have offered students free iPods and pizza for good scores.

Worse, though, is that an over-the-top emphasis on the FCAT can have negative repercussions on other studies. Some schools are so desperate to improve their FCAT scores that they short-change other curricula, such as art, health or history.

“FCAT in perspective“.

 

Questions Remain

“To widespread relief, the Florida Supreme Court moved last week to revise a ruling that could have forced cities and counties to go back to voters to approve money already borrowed for some redevelopment projects.”

The same ruling could have had devastating consequences for school districts that rely on lease-borrow financing to build schools.

School leaders would have faced a double bind — forced to build classrooms under a voter-approved constitutional mandate to reduce class sizes but required to seek voter approval in an era where a resounding political mantra is “cut taxes.”

That dilemma was removed Friday when the justices clarified a unanimous Sept. 8 decision that said before local governments borrow money to be paid back with property-tax dollars, they have to win voter approval — as it says clearly in the state constitution. …

The revised ruling, which reversed a 1980 state Supreme Court decision, still faces a legal protest from local governments (for which a hearing is scheduled for Oct. 9). …

The decision could still wreak havoc on how redevelopment projects are financed. Until now, local governments have been able to use tax-increment funds to leverage money for needs wholly within a redevelopment project — which range from building sewers to helping build new edifices. Now they will need voter approval to do so.

But who votes — only residents of a redevelopment district? Or all residents of the city? The county? The justices, basing their decision on the “plain language” of the constitution, haven't been plain enough on that point. And it could prove the most critical point to the future of redevelopment in this state.

“Bond-to-build ruling“.

 

And Then There's Florida

“Eight states are suing the Bush administration over new rules that block expansion of a health insurance program for children from low-income families.  The coalition of states includes New Jersey, Maryland, Arizona, California, Illinois, New Hampshire, New York and Washington, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine said Monday.”  “Eight states sue over child health coverage“.

 

Bilirakis gets another challenger

“Former Plant City Mayor [Democrat] John Dicks today made it official: He’s running next year for the congressional seat now held by freshman GOP Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Palm Harbor. … Bilirakis already has one other Democratic opponent, William D. 'Bill' Mitchell, a Tampa employment lawyer and Navy veteran. “  “Dicks Files For House Seat“.

 

Careening “from crisis to crisis”

Howard Troxler:

Our state careens from crisis to crisis. We apply quick fix after quick fix and hope that something sticks. Our policy consists of cute catch phrases - “drop like a rock,” “biggest tax cut in history.”

In January, our Legislature met to “fix” our state's insurance crisis, and ended up making things worse. It put the people of Florida on the hook for more risk without changing the problem.

Next, our Legislature proposed to “solve” property taxes. It passed a one-time cut and proposed a gimmicky, longer-term cut that has been thrown off the ballot. These ideas were passed within 72 hours of the time legislators first saw them.

The automobile insurance laws of Florida have been thrown into confusion with the expiration of no-fault insurance. Having had years to address it, the Legislature now will talk about making a fix after the fact.

The election “reform” passed last spring has wreaked havoc with the presidential primary, committed the state to another rushed switch of voting machines, and opened the door for further mischief.

On Wednesday, the Legislature will convene yet again for our latest state “crisis,” this one a shortfall in the state budget. Here's betting the result does not put Florida on a stable long-term path.

“Bobbing along from crisis to crisis“.

 

“No deal”

Mike Thomas has a problem with “a developer teaming up with the city of DeBary to push for construction of a marina on this stretch of river. It would add about 250 boats to river traffic.”

One would assume from the upscale nature of the project that these would not be johnboats. They would be the big, beefy boats that hit manatees like linebackers armed with chain saws.

DeBary City Council member Chris Carson argues this could help manatees because boaters would take care of the river. Council member Jack Lenzen argues docks would provide manatees refuge, presumably from all the boats.

In environmental jargon, they argue marinas act as mitigation for marinas. So we might as well line the entire St. Johns River with them, creating one huge sea pig love fest.

Throw in some road paving and utilities offered by the developer, and DeBary is ready to deal.

I say no deal.

“This stretch of river is part of an aquatic preserve. If you can put a marina in an aquatic preserve, what's the point? Let's be honest and change the designation to something like Aquatic Acres — sounds nice, means nothing, looks good on a billboard.”

I cannot argue that adding 250 boats to the crossfire will wipe out manatees. But add in all the other boats. Add in the pollution. Add in development and shoreline destruction.

Add in that the St. Johns River Water Management District is allowing utilities to suck the water out from under Blue Spring. Keep adding and adding and adding.

At what point do all the additions become so withering that this small herd of manatees collapses?

Piling on to find the breaking point is good for developers but bad for the precious things we are losing.

“DeBary plan for manatees: Slice and dice!“.

 

The “Liberal” St. Pete Times

Yet another example of Florida's “liberal” St. Pete Times dissing unions and negotiated health care benefits - quoting their fellow ink stained wretches on the SSJ editorial board no less: “UAW retirees, the last of what the Wall Street Journal referred to as 'an industrial aristocracy of blue-collar workers.' When times were good, GM found it easy to offer the Cadillac of health care coverage to retirees and their spouses.”

You see, the St. Pete Times' liberal editors apparently think its time to recognize the “reality” that “fewer employers are offering their workers medical insurance at all - down from 69 percent of companies in 2000 to 60 percent this year. As for retirees, companies are increasingly turning to fixed health benefits that shift the burden of managing medical expenses to individuals. And Medicare is rapidly becoming unsustainable, with the hospital-insurance trust fund expected to fall short in 12 years.” “Painful new reality on health care“.

You'd think the traditional media would spend time attacking the “reality” of “fewer employers are offering their workers medical insurance” instead of folks who are fighting to stop the trend (the “reality”) - of course that would entail saying something positive about unions, and we can't have that can we.

 

The Florida Elections Commission at Work

Lucy Morgan: “Sometimes a courtroom victory leaves one wondering about the cost of justice.”

Take the case of the Wakulla Independent Reporter, a tiny newspaper published in the Florida Panhandle that the Florida Elections Commission effectively shut down for more than a year.

Thanks to the generosity of the ACLU, which financed a lawsuit against the state agency, the publisher won: The state threw in the towel after the case went before a federal judge.

But the publisher and the ACLU will not be allowed to recover any of the $80,000 in fees and expenses they say it cost them.

Publisher Julia Hanway says it was her good fortune that she had an attorney, Robert Rivas, and a law firm, Sax & Sachs, willing to take the case.

“If it wasn't for them, I would never have been allowed to print another issue of the Wakulla Independent Reporter, and the FEC's relentless pursuit of their admittedly incorrect position would have been allowed to stand.”

It started in 2005, when the commission accused the free tabloid newspaper of being an “electioneering communication,” in violation of a law that requires those who spend more than $100 to publish election materials to register and report contributions and expenditures.

Newspapers are exempt, but the commission said the Reporter was masquerading as a newspaper, that it was advocating an antigrowth agenda and campaigning against certain Wakulla County commissioners.

“Tiny newspaper triumphs - but no one must pay“.