Florida Political News and Commentary for 5/11/08

by: Florida Politics

Sun May 11, 2008 at 11:59:35 AM EST

As noted yesterday the RPOF is participating in particularly virulent form of racial politics (above and beyonfd the usual vote caging, welfare mothers

But has the RPOF's reversion (they've been there many times before, in various shapes and forms) to gutter politics, reported in the Miami Herald yesterday, and we take down a bit here, disappeared from the media's radar screen?

Of course it has; the media is apparently slurping up the RPOF's expression of surprise (that they got caught?) that any GOPer organization would be (at least openly) playing the race card - RPOF spokeswoman Erin Van Sickle said that, although the RPOF is a financial sponsor, "the GOP ''had no editorial control'' and that party chairman Jim Greer 'is disappointed in some of the content.'"). That excuse is of course silly - the delightful, Sarasota based National Black Republican Association has been race baiting for years, with garbage like this, and this is a very small taste: demanding that "the Democratic Party apologize to black Americans for that party’s 200-year history of racism and failed socialism that have caused so much harm to blacks".

Inasmuch as the Democratic Party technically didn't exist until 1844, somewhat less than 200 years ago), perhaps these nuts (which the RPOFer is happy to associate with, including giving them financial support), is referring to the Democratic-Republican Party, founded by "Thomas Jefferson and James Madison"? That "party favored states' rights and strict adherence to the Constitution; it opposed a national bank and wealthy, moneyed interests. The Democratic-Republican Party ascended to power in the election of 1800".

Does the National Black Republican Association even know who it hates, because if you read their stuff (funded in part by the RPOF, there is a lot of hate there.

Will Charlie and the rest of the RPOF repudiate the National Black Republican Association?

Will Charlie direct the RPOF to cease funding of the National Black Republican Association?

Back at the ranch, t he Florida Progressive Coalition has a great new look, together with the same old awesome substance.

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

"Potential Democratic landslide this fall"

"In the face of a potential Democratic landslide this fall, Florida's Republican legislators picked carefully which issues to champion, which debates to avoid." Here's the outlook:

This fall's elections could change the dynamics of the state Legislature. All 120 House seats will be up for grabs, as they are every two years. Almost a quarter cannot run for re-election because of term limits. Republicans dominate the House, but Democrats hope to pick up at least three seats.

Half of the 40 Senate districts will be up for election this fall. Of the 13 running for re-election, eight are Republicans, five Democrats. Political observers say Democrats could gain one seat.

RPOFer "Anti-government ideology vs. common sense"

Randy Schultz: "It hasn't sunk in to Florida's legislators that the state can't sell just sunshine anymore."

Visionary legislators would have kept their eye on 2019 even as they cut the 2009 budget. Instead, these legislators cobbled together a budget for next year and prayed that things will get better in 12 months. Let's look at what will have happened by then.

At some of Florida's key institutions, dry rot is setting in because of the state's neglect. University degrees are being drained of value. Career prosecutors are leaving state attorneys' offices because they can't expect the modest raise that would be enough to keep them on the job. As the state invests nearly $1 billion in biotechnology, legislators were trying to make denial of the theory of evolution state policy. As the state encourages innovative forms of energy, legislators were letting people bring guns to work. As legislators were cutting so many items that raise up society, they were adding prison beds, even in this historically tough budget year.

It is anti-government ideology vs. common sense. Is Florida Over? Only if this ideology prevails.

Is "Purer" really the way you want to put it?

Mary Anne Lindley has passed a cup of her kool aid to John Kennedy and Aaron Deslatte, and the result is this: "They're not out founding grandfathers, but . . . Back when big state changes were purer".

Just another RPOFer empty suit

The St. Petersburg Times's Deputy Editor of Editorials, Tim Nickens
"On the front page of the New York Times last week, Gov. Charlie Crist succinctly summed up his approach to governing: 'I'm supposed to respond to the people and try to make them happy.'"

And the governor tries really hard.

Gasoline prices too high? Crist proposes suspending the state gas tax for two weeks in July, which caught the attention of the New York Times.

Property insurance too expensive? Crist promotes the expansion of the underfunded state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and a freeze on premiums.

Property taxes too much? Crist persuades voters to approve a constitutional amendment to expand the homestead exemption and make Save Our Homes benefits transferable to new homes.

At this rate, we should expect the governor to provide all-you-can-eat ice cream to combat the summer heat. But that would be just as likely to give you a headache as the other quick fixes.

But after two regular legislative sessions as governor, it's hard to see where Crist has spent his political capital on long-term solutions to the state's most pressing problems. Now his job approval ratings have dropped from the unsustainable stratosphere to the merely high. One wonders whether he will become even more reluctant to tell voters anything they don't want to hear after his term hits the half-way point and he starts thinking about re-election in 2010.

Amendment folly

"On Nov. 4, voters will confront another nine constitutional amendments."

Three placed on the ballot by the TBRC -- one swapping a sales-tax increase for $9.5 billion in school property taxes, and two others reversing court rulings that invalidated Gov. Jeb Bush's school-voucher programs -- are expected to draw major opposition from business and education groups.

The Florida Education Association could decide Friday whether to challenge the voucher questions in court, and industry groups have discussed suing to block the tax swap from reaching voters.

A "poll tax" by any other name

The Miami Herald editorial board: "For more than a half century, the U.S. Supreme Court interpreted voting law in a way that encouraged voting and access to the polls. But no longer. The court's recent ruling in an Indiana voter-identification case reversed the modern court's role as a champion of voting rights. Instead, the conservative-majority court* has swung to the other side. This court is doing what states once did: making it more difficult for citizens to participate in their democracy."

The Indiana case presented the Supreme Court with an easy choice. It could follow legal precedent established with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which outlawed poll taxes, literacy tests and other barriers that states -- mostly Southern -- erected to suppress votes, especially of African Americans. The other option was for the court to support Indiana's restrictive law that requires voters to have a government-issued photo ID. Regrettably, the court chose the latter in a 6-3 vote.

On the other hand, there was plenty of evidence that the strict photo-ID requirement will be difficult for some people, especially the elderly, the disabled and some segments of Hispanic and black populations. It is true that for most people, producing a photo-ID isn't a problem. But a retired or disabled person who doesn't drive will find that getting an official ID can be difficult.

Many states issue official photo IDs to nondrivers, but getting one of these requires having a passport, birth certificate or other document that some people don't have. For these people, getting that government-issued photo-ID will be time-consuming and costly. No doubt, some won't bother to try to get one, or will give up in frustration.

This is the kind of obstacle that the 1965 voting-rights law was designed to erase. For more than a century, states had suppressed the black vote by requiring special fees, poll taxes, literacy tests, etc. They gerrymandered districts, established primaries for whites only and created many hurdles to prevent blacks from voting.

During oral arguments in January, Chief Justice John Roberts** indicated how indifferent the high court's majority was to voters who might find the photo-ID requirement difficult. He said that it wasn't ''very far'' for a voter who had to travel 17 miles by bus to get government-issued photo-ID.

Florida Political News and Commentary for 5/10/08

by: Florida Politics

Sat May 10, 2008 at 17:14:00 PM EST

RPOF launches racist attack on FlaDems

"For a sign of Florida Republicans' [desperate] all-out effort to attract black voters, look no farther than the glossy full-colored The Black Republican magazine that launches broadsides like these:"

The KKK was the ''terrorist arm of the Democratic Party.'' Democrats, in addition to waging ''war on God,'' are still mired in sex and financial scandals. [No mention of Mark Foley, Larry Craig, David Vitter and that Bob Allen creep who was so afraid of black guys he offered a a black guy $20 to perform a ...]

That's all tucked in the back of the Sarasota-based National Black Republican Association's 60-page mag, the first half of which touts Republican Gov. Charlie Crist's civil rights record and the Republican Party of Florida's minority outreach efforts that the association has helped coordinate.

The strident comments and images -- replete with a Ku Klux Klan rally snapshot that notes ''every person in this photo was a Democrat'' -- has outraged Democrats and caught the Republican Party of Florida flat-footed as well. ...

[The black Republican association's chairwoman, Frances Rice] Rice said, she wants black voters to know the Democrats' history of "slavery, secession, segregation and socialism.''

Democrats say they don't dispute the central facts about the Democratic Party's role in pushing slavery, seceding from the Union and precipitating the Civil War. And they acknowledged that those pictured in the old KKK snapshot were likely Democrats, but said that was many decades ago.

one historian calls "a totally fallacious rendition of the platform of the parties" requiring "African Americans having historical amnesia about their own history". The debate likewise plays out in Florida, with the august "Florida Federation of Black Republicans" asserting that "the platform of the Republican Party is influenced by Chrisitan [sic] values".

"Anyone who is politically curious has seen present-day Republican pundits proclaim their party to be historically 'the party of Lincoln'; what is unfailingly left out of this declaration is the historical metamorphosis of the Republican Party after Reconstruction. Anyone who does not understand this genealogy cannot hope to understand the predominately white face of today's GOP." "Why blacks shy away from the GOP". ...

Ironically, but not surprisingly, Florida had a significant role in this Republicans are Blacks' natural political home flim-flam. After all, this flim-flam is based on what I think is ultimately the biggest flip-flop in U.S. political history, that is: GOPers selling out Black Americans to gain the Presidency in 1877.

. . . a few scant years after the civil war, the Republicans sold Black Americans down the river and haven't looked back since. For those of you who don't know, in the 1876 presidential election, Democrat Tilden defeated Republican Rutherford Hayes in the popular vote. Democrat Tilden also defeated Republican Hayes with 184 electoral votes to Hayes' 165.

However, 20 electoral votes (from three states including Florida) were unallocated and in dispute. Here is where the Republicans sold out Black Americans.

In the months following the Election of 1876, but prior to the inauguration in March 1877, Republican and Democratic leaders secretly hammered out a compromise. Through it, Republican Hayes was awarded the disputed electoral votes and hence the presidency (by one electoral vote).

Here was what the Republicans promised to do in return for the presidency: incumbent President, Republican Ulysses Grant and incoming Republican Hayes agreed to remove the federal (reconstruction) troops in Florida, South Carolina and Louisiana.

With the loss of federal troop protection, "a retaliatory blood bath targeting African Americans promptly ensued throughout the South." This "famous 'Hayes-Tilden Betrayal' is said to have reversed many of the political, social and economic gains made by African Americans during Reconstruction." More: "Why blacks shy away from the GOP" ... "The Long Shadow of Jim Crow: Voter Suppression in America".

Obama comes to Florida

"Barack Obama, growing confident he will be the Democratic presidential nominee, promised a group of uncommitted superdelegates Thursday that Florida's delegation will be counted at the party's national convention this summer." "Obama vows to seat Florida delegates, plans stop in Maitland".

Bushco hood ornament at it again

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "The House, to its credit, heeded her words. It passed a bill named after Ledbetter that would give people 180 days to file legitimate claims after their latest unequal paycheck. The Senate, however, blocked consideration last month by a 56-42 cloture vote cast largely along party lines."

One of the senators who voted against the Ledbetter bill was Florida's Mel Martinez. When asked about his vote during a visit to the Tribune's editorial board the other day, it became clear Martinez didn't understand the legislation.

Martinez, a former trial lawyer, said there should be a reasonable time period to file lawsuits after discovering discrimination - the purpose of the legislation. A staff member reminded him that the bill would have removed the statute of limitations, which is not quite accurate. The legislation would have required people like Ledbetter to file suit within 180 days after discovering the discrimination, a pretty short window by civil-court standards.

The senator also said that Congress has no business trying to override the court's ruling, which left us puzzled. After all, Congress is supposed to set policy, not judges.

. . . it appears Martinez voted against women like Ledbetter simply to conform with party politics, not because he thought it was the right thing to do.

Look at the label given Sen. John McCain, who has courageously worked with Democrats to get things done. Maverick is what many Republicans call him, and it's not meant as a compliment.

Still, it's disappointing to see a moderate senator like Martinez put his party ahead of people.

Buddy Johnson, Hillsborough County, Supervisor of Elections: "I'm not sure where he is."

by: Tampabay Democrat

Sat May 10, 2008 at 05:42:49 AM EST

For 18 days, process server Dan Neatherly tried in vain to find Buddy Johnson, Hillsborough County elections chief and serve him with a subpoena about Johnson's duties as a public official. NAACP lawyers wanted to learn more about how his office handled voter registrations.

TampaBay Blue for more details.

Florida Political News and Commentary for 5/09/08

by: Florida Politics

Fri May 09, 2008 at 18:09:42 PM EST

The Florida Progressive Coalition: "It’s Over, Apparently".  Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

The last delegate dance?

On the heels of Adam C. Smith's piece yesterday, "Accepting Fla. vote could boost Obama", we read today that "Barack Obama, growing confident he will be the Democratic presidential nominee, promised a group of uncommitted superdelegates on Thursday that Florida's delegation will be counted at the party's national convention this summer."  "Obama: Florida delegates will count".

"Florida led the nation in mortgage fraud last year and was second in foreclosures"

The Palm Beach Post's Dan Moffett: "The more investigators keep digging in South Florida the more mortgage fraud they find. Like the U.S. economic downturn, no one's sure where the bottom is. According to several reports, Florida led the nation in mortgage fraud last year and was second in foreclosures; at least 70 percent of the 300,000 foreclosed loans involved some type of fraud. The Legislature passed a bill last month increasing the criminal penalties for mortgage fraud to up to 15 years in state prison, and Gov. Crist is expected to sign it."  "Bad loans, bad people".

Happy faced hypocrite

Steve Bousquet reminds us of yet another example of Charlie's two faced hypocrisy:

Gov. Charlie Crist said "God bless Gov. Chiles" as the 2008 Legislature drew to a close last week, thankful for $2.4-billion in reserves made possible by the late Lawton Chiles.

Lawmakers used $300-million of the money to avoid painful cuts for the state's sickest and poorest this year.

But the money, the settlement from Florida's lawsuit against Big Tobacco, would never have been there if Crist had gotten his way in the mid 1990s.

Crist, then a [wingnut] Republican state senator from St. Petersburg, was also among the most prominent in opposing the Democratic governor's assault on tobacco companies.

Crist was among the lawmakers who unwittingly approved a law change in 1994 that made it possible for the state to sue tobacco companies seeking to recoup Medicaid expenses for people with tobacco-related illnesses.

The following year, in 1995, Crist voted with the majority to repeal the so-called third-party liability law on a 32-7 Senate vote. But Chiles vetoed it.

Much work left to do

The Palm Beach Post's Jac Wilder VerSteeg: "legislators increased the number of students who can go to private schools using vouchers, they still refused to require voucher schools to give tests that would allow direct comparison to public schools. The FCAT-based school grades former Gov. Jeb Bush forced on Florida might be fading, but his double standard isn't.  Finally, all these changes have little effect on grades in elementary and middle schools. Even when the changes are in effect for high schools, the idea that a single grade can capture a school's quality will remain bogus."  "A start in high school".

He adds this: "Even as Florida inches away from using the FCAT to grade schools, new shenanigans concerning the writing portion of the test show why giving the FCAT such great weight never has made sense."  "A bogus writing test"

Sorry, but ating Hugo and Fidel ain't enough

"Among the heavy-hitters [sic] attending the Republican Hispanic Conference: ... U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez; and U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida."  

You have to ask: how many hood ornaments can the GOPers get in one room?

"Democrats see this as simply another election-season effort that doesn't equal a lasting relationship. The state's Democratic Party says it has had Hispanic caucuses for years."

"They are doing this because they are starting to feel desperate, and they probably know that no incumbent should feel confident in this state," said Alejandro Miyar, a Democratic Party spokesman.

State voter registration numbers show that although most Florida Hispanics were registered Republicans as of the past primary, the party has lost more than 5,000 Hispanic voters since 2006.

Meanwhile, Democrats saw a registration increase of more than 13,000 Hispanics.

Imagine that, "the state acting as the collection plate for a religious organization"?

"A Tampa group that promotes healthy families would be the first of its kind allowed to ask Florida drivers to donate money under a little-noticed bill headed to the governor."

Critics, some of whom contend that the group is faith-based, say the proposed law sets a bad precedent and raises constitutional questions.

Family First, whose supporters include former Gov. Jeb Bush and Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, would be the only group listed on drivers' licenses and car tag renewal forms that's not involved in public health, safety or wildlife protection.

The bill adds Family First to the forms, which allow motorists to donate $1 to specific causes.

The American Civil Liberties Union will ask Gov. Charlie Crist to veto the bill, contending it violates the separation of church and state.

"Clearly, it's a troubling constitutional issue," said ACLU attorney Larry Spalding. "We're having the state acting as the collection plate for a religious organization."

Merrill said Family First is an educational and research group, not faith-based. Crist has not taken a position on the bill (SB 630).

Family First uses Web sites, e-mails and radio spots to promote what it calls a pro-family agenda with the help of leaders like Dungy and his All-Pro Dad program, which emphasizes responsible fatherhood and reading the Bible. (The St. Petersburg Times has agreed to help promote an "All-Star Dads" event June 21 at Tropicana Field organized by Family First).

Merrill, a Tampa lawyer, was an unpaid adviser to Bush, who allowed Merrill to send "Family Minute" e-mails to state workers that emphasized strengthening families but which some recipients said carried religious overtones.

Merrill has been an outspoken critic of same-sex marriage. In the mid 1990s, Family First, known as the Florida Family Council, criticized a decision by the Walt Disney Co. to offer health coverage to partners of gay employees and circulated a protest letter to state lawmakers. In an NPR interview in 1996, Merrill accused Disney of putting domestic partnerships "on a same footing with heterosexual marriage."

Florida Political News and Commentary for 5/8/08

by: Florida Politics

Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:41:24 AM EST

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

The emperor has no clothes

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board rightfully derides Charlie's smoke and mirrors scam:

A "golden opportunity." "Historic legislation." "A giant step."

Praise abounds for Gov. Crist's political victory in getting his "Cover Florida" health insurance proposal through the Legislature. But the 3.8 million uninsured Floridians have little reason to celebrate if similar policies are any precedent."

"Florida Health Choices" plan, which will use $1.5 million in state money to create a corporation to negotiate rates, collect premiums and handle claims for businesses with fewer than 50 employees. "Today," Gov. Crist said, "we have made great progress in providing uninsured individuals and small businesses choices in how to access health care coverage."

So, uninsured residents will now have the power to choose - between unaffordable health care and insufficient health care. A golden opportunity, indeed.

Whatever

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board doesn't dig "Florida's two-state suggestion".

OJT for millionaire RPOFer hack cancelled

"The chief of staff in training for de facto Senate President Jeff Atwater is officially off the payroll, Atwater said Wednesday.  Millionaire 'Budd' Kneip of Palm Beach Gardens earned a $7,000-a-month salary from the state for one month and two days to learn the ins and outs of the legislature, which was dealing with a $5 billion budget deficit."  "Atwater aide removed from payroll".

"Big winner"

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "During the legislative session, the Florida Land Council did what the group does best: Kill any proposal to manage growth. That shortsighted action, however, likely will bring on an alternative that the council and every developer in Florida dislikes even more: the Florida Hometown Democracy constitutional amendment that would require voter approval for every change to local growth plans."  "This year's big winner: Hometown Democracy".

Cat's outa the bag

"A Michigan Supreme Court ruling -- that the state's law banning gay marriage also prohibits same-sex benefits offered to government employees -- is energizing opponents of a similar amendment on Florida's November ballot."

Though the wording of Michigan's same-sex marriage ban is not identical to the proposed Amendment 2 facing Florida voters in November, opponents say it will pave the way for the same ban on domestic-partnership benefits.

Don't worry, be happy

Mike Thomas reminds us that Chain Gang Charlie

scored a political coup with his plan for a gas-tax holiday. It landed him on the front page of The New York Times, where the governor said his job is to "respond to the people and try to make them happy."

Heaven help us

"More than 1,000 people, including St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker and other elected officials, gathered at the Gibbs High School football stadium to celebrate the National Day of Prayer and to ask God to help them eradicate crime, homelessness, poverty and unemployment."  "Praying is fine, but it takes action to solve problems".

Here's a plan

"Here's a way for Barack Obama to nudge Hillary Rodham Clinton out of the race: Step up and join her call to count the votes of 1.75-million Florida Democrats."

No, the all but inevitable Democratic nominee is not obligated to recognize Florida's disputed Jan. 29 primary. Nor does he need to buy into Clinton's suspect argument that Florida deserves 100 percent of its delegates at the national convention.

But if Obama wants to eliminate one of Clinton's last rationales for staying in the race, and if he wants to curb the considerable skepticism about his interest and ability to compete in America's biggest battleground state, he should start mending Sunshine State fences and speak out about counting Florida's votes.

"That could potentially open the floodgates for superdelegates to come on board if he was that gracious and that comfortable in his inevitability to win the nomination,'' said Bob Buckhorn, a Democratic consultant in Tampa who backs Clinton. "It would go a long way to ease the anger that remains over Florida's votes not counting."

Florida Political News and Commentary for 5/07/08

by: Florida Politics

Wed May 07, 2008 at 11:26:32 AM EST

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

Martinez, Garcia and Taddeo

Raul Martinez "and two other Democrats — Joe Garcia, 44, former chairman of the Miami-Dade County Democratic Party, and Annette Taddeo, 40, a Colombian-American businesswoman"

are mounting the most formidable effort in years to alter the political face of South Florida. Victories in any of the contests could lead to significant changes in U.S.-Cuba policy, relaxing hard-line restrictions on travel and financial support that have grown increasingly unpopular among Cuban-Americans.

Thanks Evelyn

"Ormond Beach state Sen. Evelyn Lynn [R-whatever the developers want] whatever says she only was trying to help rural areas around the state lure more development.  But the result was that Lynn last week helped derail a proposed rewrite of Florida' growth laws in the dying hours of the legislative session."  "Volusia lawmaker's intervention scuttles growth-limit bill".

As paint-ballers rot in jail ...

... "Terror suspect Posada feted in Miami".

More on Bushco's terrorist

Credit the The South Florida Sun-Sentinel for publishing this even-handed LA Times story about who many to be Bushco's terrorist: "Venezuela's ambassador in Washington, Bernardo Alvarez, condemned the celebration of Posada as a mockery of justice and evidence of a Bush administration double standard in fighting terrorism."

"This is outrageous, particularly because he kept talking about violence," Alvarez said of Posada. "He said that the whole thing now is 'to sharpen our machetes'" for a confrontation with leftist regimes in Latin America.

The U.S. government has never given Venezuela a formal answer to its three-year-old request for extradition of Posada, despite the fact that a treaty providing for such cooperation has been in effect since 1922, the ambassador said.

Posada is alleged to have masterminded the bombing of a Cuban airliner in 1976 on which all 73 on board were killed, including a youth fencing team returning from a tournament in Caracas.

He also is suspected of plotting a series of hotel bombings in Havana in the late 1990s, one of which killed an Italian tourist.

He has boasted of his many attempts to kill Castro and has allegedly been involved in, according to court documents, "some of the most infamous events of 20th century Central American politics."

Posada was serving time in a Panama prison for a 2000 assassination attempt on Castro when outgoing Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso pardoned him and three accomplices in August 2004 in what some observers saw as a favor to President Bush to rally the Cuban-dominated Florida vote for his re-election.

"The spectacle of a wanted international terrorist being publicly feted as a hero in Miami makes a mockery of the Bush Administration's commitment to wage a war on terrorism," he said of Posada's coming-out party.

How high?

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "It hasn't even been 10 years yet since Palm Beach County — with voter support and a $100 million public purse — carved out an ambitious, inspiring program to preserve agriculture as a land use and a way of life on prime farmland.  And yet, once again, county commissioners are considering lifting development restrictions to appease yet another request from builders."  "Proposal to build on preserved land in Ag Reserve an insult that should be rejected".

"Values"?

"Florida's universities are raising tuition, laying off employees and limiting enrollment to make it through what has turned out to be one of the toughest budget years in recent history."  "Florida universities raise tuition, cap enrollment, freeze jobs".

Whatever

"State officials are getting the word out that if you want to stop smoking, there is free help available. A state program launched in December is offering free nicotine gum, lozenges and nicotine patches to smokers."  "Florida's smoking-cessation program helps you butt out".

Stop the madness

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "Privatization of the state's only tuberculosis hospital"

"is not a feasible option for the State of Florida." That was the conclusion just last year by an Atlanta-based planning firm the state hired to evaluate A.G. Holley Hospital in Lantana. Then why did state legislators, in the closing hours last week of this year's session, call for the Florida Department of Health to negotiate with a private company to design, build and operate a new, 50-bed replacement for A.G. Holley? ...

Efforts to privatize A.G. Holley began under Jeb "private-is-better-than-public" Bush and appealed to Lantana leaders who want the state to move A.G. Holley so the town can restore the land to its tax roll. But the state has not shown that a private company should be entrusted with curing TB patients and protecting the public from the spread of the airborne disease in the meantime. Privatizing A.G. Holley would cut public health in the name of cutting the budget.

Florida Political News and Commentary for 5/6/08

by: Florida Politics

Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:20:47 AM EST

The Florida Progressive Coalition has "4 Scenes from Scenic Florida".  Our review of today's (and the stuff we missed yesterday) Florida political news and punditry:

"Harmless"?

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Floridians deserve straight talk from the governor. Even the most optimistic among us cannot pretend our schools will be better off next year, and Crist should not suggest otherwise."

Most disappointing is that the governor promised to hold education harmless when he campaigned in January for Amendment 1, the state constitutional amendment that allows homeowners to take their property-tax cap with them when they move. Critics said the amendment's passage would hurt public education, but Crist promised education would be held harmless.

Harmless. That was his word.

Harmless. Tell that to the teachers in Pinellas County who face pay cuts and the closure of seven to 10 schools.

Harmless. Tell that to Hillsborough students who will likely see fewer librarians and school nurses, as well as overcrowding in elective classes not covered by the class-size amendment.

Harmless. Tell that to Broward and Miami-Dade schools, which will take about a third of the $900-million cut and expect to have to lay off social workers and guidance counselors.

Harmless. Tell that to the schools cutting summer school programs, school security, and art and music classes. ...

None of this sounds very harmless at all.

and, incredibly, another $86 million to operate a private prison.

Florida's prison population is expected to soar from about 96,000 inmates today, to 120,000 inmates by 2012.

Slash

"The University of Florida, the state's highest-rated institution of higher education, announced layoffs, reductions in degree programs and a steep cut in undergraduate enrollment as part of a plan to cope with severe budget cuts from the state."  "University of Florida cuts 400 jobs, undergrad enrollment".

"Gaining admission to the University of Florida will become even harder as it slashes undergraduate enrollment by 4,000 students, lays off 138 faculty and staff members, and eliminates some courses and degree programs to make up for the loss of $47 million in state money."  "UF will cut jobs, slash enrollment".

Budgeting "$86 million to operate a private prison", while at the same time "slash[ing] undergraduate enrollment by 4,000 students, lays off 138 faculty and staff members, and eliminates some courses and degree programs to make up for the loss of $47 million in state money".

This is what Charlie calls the "Legislature's 'Golden Age'"?

Who knew?

The ever vigilant Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board: "Amid the clamor of Florida's 2008 legislative session, a bill slipped through nearly unnoticed -- yet within the next 18 months, every person who registers a vehicle in this state will know about it."

At least, they'll know enough to wonder "What's 'Family First?'"

That's because, starting in October if Gov. Charlie Crist doesn't veto the bill, everyone who registers a car or renews its registration in Florida will be asked whether you want to donate a dollar to the Tampa-based organization -- though you won't be told what the organization does, or what the money will be used for.

The bill doesn't go into much detail either, referring to Family First merely as "a nonprofit corporation." In reality, the group is a conservative-leaning organization, also known as the Florida Family Council, that says it's "dedicated to strengthening the family," through radio spots, e-mails and Web sites. While not overtly sectarian, the group approaches the issue of family preservation with a clear religious bent. And while it's not to be confused with the more openly political, Orlando-based Florida Family Policy Council, Family First has weighed in on political issues in its time, including drafting a letter in 1998 chastising the Disney Corporation for offering benefits to gay and lesbian partners of its employees.

Feds to "investigate"?

"State investments downgraded during the subprime mortgage meltdown have been targeted in a federal probe.  The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has asked the State Board of Administration to hand over hundreds of pages of documents related to the buying and selling of at least 10 different securities, according to a letter dated Feb. 22."  "Feds investigate state investment pool".

Lehman Brothers "employee" Jebbie is in the middle of all this - will he be investigated by Dubya's keystone kops?  More: "Saint Jebbie gets another pass".

"Equity" layoffs

"Most workers won't see raises or one-time bonuses, but the biggest bill affecting them includes a plan for equity [sic] layoffs."  "Florida legislative session not kind to state workers".  By contrast, you will be shocked to learn that

The business lobby said the legislative session was surprisingly good ...

Where Do They Stand?

by: quinnelk

Tue May 06, 2008 at 00:29:08 AM EST

Florida Political News and Commentary for 5/4/08

by: Florida Politics

Sun May 04, 2008 at 13:23:32 PM EST

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

"Crist's rhetoric doesn't match reality"

"As Gov. Charlie Crist praised the Legislature for its "great work" Friday night, his own human services secretary, Bob Butterworth, stood a few feet away and gave a very different critique of the 2008 session."

From budget cuts for child abuse investigators to the defeat of a bill to move the mentally ill from jails into treatment, Butterworth said legislators did little to help Florida's sick and neglected.

"I'm very upset," said Butterworth, who will lose 250 jobs in the Department of Children and Families under the 2008-09 budget. And it took last-minute maneuvering to maintain a program where the state subsidizes adoptions of foster children.

Does he have a blind spot where lawmakers are concerned, and could it backfire in an election year as the effects of budget cuts sink in?

No, Crist insists. Lawmakers wisely resisted the temptation to raise taxes, he says.

"Pay to play"

"The way things stand, the perception (if not yet 100 percent the reality) is that politicians do the bidding of lobbyists whose arms have been twisted for contributions in exchange for, as some wag put it, 'the attention of the mighty.'" A worthy piece this morning from The Tallahassee Democrat's: Mary Ann Lindley, "It's pay to play in the Legislature".

Puffing Charlie

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel, which apparently should be confused with the Republican Party of Florida, actually published this headline - to a news story, not an editorial - this morning:

Crist wrings success out of legislative session

Crist wrings failure out of legislative session

Crist stands by and does nothing during legislative session

to extract or get by forceful effort or means

Yee Haw!

"Start measuring those vice presidential mansion drapes [and the in-house tanning bed], Charlie Crist, because a new poll suggests John McCain will need all the help he can get in must-win Florida. Quinnipiac University's latest poll shows Hillary Rodham Clinton beating McCain in Florida 49 to 41 percent, while McCain is essentially tied with Barack Obama, 44 percent to Obama's 43 percent."  "McCain needs Crist's help in Florida, poll suggests" ("The April 23-29 poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points").

"A new poll suggests presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain has lost ground in Florida, which could increase the odds that he would pick Gov. Charlie Crist as his running mate."  "Crist: A Rising Star?".

RPOFers take in the shorts

Those "reading is Fundamental" programs apparently worked: "For the first time since 1984, Democrats have edged past Republicans in voter registration in Pinellas County, considered by some to be the birthplace of the Florida Republican Party."  "GOP Voters Are No Longer In Majority In Pinellas".

"Political whims, fickle public attention and outdated standards"

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "The system that compensates victims of state negligence must be improved. Now, victims languish for years, subject to political whims, fickle public attention and outdated standards."  "Victims' wait for justice is yet another injustice".

Poor Lil' Marco

"Despite an attempt from House Republicans to reignite divisive property tax battles with their Senate counterparts, lawmakers agreed this morning to a package of less ambitious changes."  "Property tax bill goes to Crist".

Silly season

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "Hillary Clinton and John McCain think they can buy your vote for $25. That's about how much a typical motorist would save if the two presidential candidates get their way and the federal gas tax is suspended for three months this summer. Even that scenario requires a willing suspension of disbelief — that the tax cut will actually be reflected in retail gas prices and that increased consumption won't drive the price even higher."  "Gas tax gimmick an insult to voters".

For some reason Charlie's mimicry of McBush on this issue is given a pass.

Leave it to the Tribune Company

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "The federal government shouldn't be in the propaganda business either".

Suing CSX

Thomas doesn't want you to think that the RPOFers are alone in the blame for the CSX thing.  "So the lawyers got their lap-dog Democrats in the Senate to block the deal."  See what he means here: "Lawyers' grease trumps saving gas as rail deals falter".

"A fine idea at the time ..."

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "'Sounds good in theory...'"

The responsible way to complete that sentence is " ... but does it work?" The irresponsible way to complete that sentence is " ... so let's do it." Under the sway of politicians and bureaucrats who sometimes are too "bold" [sic] for the state's own good, Florida has tended to say, "So, let's do it."

The theory was that reimbursing some expenses of bid presentation would encourage more bids, and that the increased competition would result in lower costs. Sounds good in theory. Or at least plausible. The problem is that DOT acted on the theory without legal authority to do so and without keeping track of whether it worked. ...

Though DOT got skewered for acting precipitously, the Legislature - following in the ideological footsteps of former Gov. Jeb Bush - has established its own "so let's do it" record. On the sounds-good theory that private business does a better job for less than government can, Florida got suckered and/or embarrassed in privatization deals involving human resources, prisons, foster care, purchasing, schools and even the purging of alleged felons from voter lists.

With its grand privatization schemes, however, Florida has looked even worse paying the winners.

It was a fine idea at the time

Now it's a brilliant mistake

Laff riot

Luv them tuff talkin' country clubbers:

Senate President Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, credited Rubio for a $66.2 billion budget that includes no tax increases or gambling money and little cash from reserves.

"Wherever you're going and whatever you plan on doing, sign me up, big guy, because I'll be there," Pruitt told Rubio after the session adjourned. "And I'll be there to watch your back."

Wingnuttery on hold

"A souring economy and a worrisome election year forced Florida's Republican-led Legislature to moderate its politics in the session that ended Friday because it had no other choice."  "Necessity, not politics, ruled '08 session".

"The absurd world of public education in a state that put tax exemptions ahead of schoolchildren"

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "Three months after Pinellas voters approved higher property taxes so teachers could get better pay, the school system is now actually considering a 2 percent pay cut. Welcome to the absurd world of public education in a state that put tax exemptions ahead of schoolchildren, where superintendent Clayton Wilcox is forced to choose among budgetary options that are bad and worse."  "School cuts: from bad to worse".

Sorry bro

by: Florida Politics

Sun May 04, 2008 at 12:37:14 PM EST

A column this morning - ostensibly about the latest in the irresistible "don't tase me bro" story - raised a number of issues about self-righteous reporters, blogging and corporate media ownership.  Let's take a look at these issues, beginning with the column.

The Column

The Palm Beach Post's Randy Schultz: "After the sort of soul-searching only higher education can produce, the University of Florida has come to an important conclusion about that Tasering of a student back in September: UF would do it again."

The tortured 52-page report by the wonderfully named Committee on a Civil, Safe and Open Environment doesn't say that directly. The next time, campus police would try other options and use more sense. Good thought. But after you get past all the supplements, footnotes and amens to the First Amendment, you reach this key phrase: "Conduct is not protected." And conduct, not speech, got Andrew M. Meyer, UF student and journalist wannabe, Tasered.

Mr. Meyer had a blog, which these days is like saying you have a driver license*.

In the first weeks after the incident, though, Mr. Meyer got his fame cameo, including an appearance on the Today show. "Don't Tase me, bro!" T-shirts were selling on the Internet. Ah, but the last posting on the donttaserme blog, linked from theandrewmeyer.com, was more than three months ago. It concludes with a warning to be "vigilent." Obviously, that vigilance doesn't apply to proofreading**.

If this had happened most places, the reaction would have been muted. At a university, though, it became An Issue.

Admittedly, if you watch the Sunday gasbags or Washington reporters at news conferences,  the art of asking probing, revealing questions can seem dead. Like Mr. Meyer, they care more about their questions than the answers. Could there be a future in journalism for Mr. Meyer after all? If so, don't let me be around to see it, bro.

"UF would Tase you again, bro!". I have added a couple of asterisks in the above excerpts which were originally intended to be brief footnotes, but turned out to be longer than planned.  I develop these points below.

Anyone can set up a blog

The first asterisked passage is "Mr. Meyer had a blog, which these days is like saying you have a driver license*"  The point of this remark - and you see it all the time in the traditional media - is that "blogs" are "not worthy"; put a slightly different way, blogs are not wothy of the same "thing" the traditional media is worthy of, presumably something like "credence"[FN1].

Although that is not the point of Schultz otherwise excellent piece, it raises issues worth exploring.

It certainly is true that anyone can set up a blog - in fact it is much easier to set up a blog than it is to get a a driver license.  Moreover,the publisher of a given blog might be a coplete moron or a someone like this.

We likewise agree with Randy's second, but implicit, point - that it is much easier to set up a blog and spout off opinions, than it is to get hired by and paid by the The Palm Beach Post to write an opinion column.  Moreover, and it is generally true, that journalists have some sort of education in "journalism", if not always the subject matter in which they seek to engage their readers.

On top of that, journalists work by some sort of perceived credo, where they (in hard news mode) neutrally report the "truth" as they see it, or something to that effect. 

However, let us be a bit real about the noble ink stained wretch thing - all professional columnists, which includes Randy Schultz, must - and whether they want to admit it or not - carefully consider whether their words might offend their employers; after all, someone has to pay the paychecks, and it ain't the Goddess of neutral journalism up in the sky.  (as to this point see our previous post  on the sainted Saint Pete Times: "Smarmy").

In Schultz' case, the paycheck writer is Cox Newspapers, Inc., which is in turn owned by Cox Enterprises, Inc., which "is a private company controlled by the descendants of James M. Cox." (can't imagine what their views are of, ahem ... inheritance taxes)).

And who owns Cox? According to Wikipedia, "the company is private, 98 percent controlled by the octogenarian daughter of [James Middleton Cox], Anne Cox Chambers [Her net worth has been estimated at $12.6 billion, based principally on her equity interest in Cox Enterprises which makes her one of the richest women in the United States], and the two children of her late sister Barbara Cox Anthony. The CEO and chairman is Anthony's son, James C. Kennedy."

To be sure, and as is the case with most billionaires, Anne Cox Chambers is a philanthropist; and also apparently a limousine liberal, supporting Barack Obama. See also "The Obama Volunteer Vibe: Punks and Billionaires".

Despite the dalliances of octogenarian billionaires, Cox, Inc. like virtually all "newspapers" is first and foremost a profit making "business"; hence, it editorializes about most "business" issues (except obvious things like slavery and dumping sewage in the ocean) in the the usual "business" way: see e.g., "Firefighters' 'outlandish benefits' and 'sweet pay plans'" and "this astounding piece of doggrel in the Palm Beach Post 'news' section".

When Schultz denegrates blogs - as he well he should - he might, ought concede the "problems" that exist in his neck of the woods, to wit: the very real limitations on the ability of "paid journalists" to opine.  I look forward to the time when journalists, when they put blogs in perspective, do so along these lines:

 "blogs are irrelevant because having a  blog these days is like saying you have a driver license; then again, everything I write as a professional journalist must be considered in light of the direct and indirect pressures I feel as an employee of a profit-making enterprise".

By way of example, wouldn't it be ethical for reporters and editors to make such disclosures whenever a story implicated the interests of their employers in their capacity of employers?

For example, an Orlando Sentinel "journalist" writing about a local issue - let's say a strike at a Disney hotel wherein the employer used "strikebreakers" (scabs) - might want to mention, to, you know ... help the reader understand the perspective of the folks who cut the "journalist's" paycheck, that the Sentinel is,

not merely a non-union employer, but has actually embroiled itself in affirmatively anti-union activity by offering to supply writers (reporters) to work as scabs to help bust newspaper strikes in other states.

That bit of info [FN2] might help the citizen-reader understand that the story's perspective on the Grosvenor's use of scabs, or the propriety of unions in general. [FN3]

By underscoring that "journalists" work for profit-making entities with specific profit-making agendas, does not mean that journalists don't do their best to "report" the unvarnished truth (within the limitations they hate to acknowledge); and it certainly does not mean blogs are a solution to this systemic problem with the traditional media.

After all, "blogs" qua "blogs" do not have particular merit as news sources - a blog is simply a device by which information is conveyed. A newspaper is likewise nothing more than a device by which information is conveyed. The method of delivery is irrelevant to the quality of the information conveyed.

That anyone can start a blog certainly is very relevant to the weight, if any, given to the information therein conveyed. Indeed, most blogs - including this one - do not claim to uncover (or discover in the first instance) Florida political news (except in rare instances (e.g., "It all depends on what your definition of "first reported" is?")). We simply digest and summarize the work of others, like Randy Schultz.  But, like Schultz - when he is in editorial mode - we freely inject our bias, prejudice and opinion.

Back to the point: that a blog is "unprofessional" is a very significant consideration in evaluating the worth of its' contents (which is why we scrupulously link to everything we quote).

Likewise, that a newspaper is owned by an octogenarian limousine liberal billionaire (or a slum lord) likewise bears on the value of the information therein conveyed (whether it be hard news or opinion). Perhaps more importantly, that newspapers are profit making enterprises likewise bears on the value of newspapers' news and editorials relating to events that might be adverse to profit making enterprises generally - things like mandated benefits for employees, government regulation of employers' business activities (e.g., media consolidation and related anti-trust issues), and ... oh yeah ... as we mentioned above ... unions.

Blogs make mistakes, and so do traditional news outlets 

The second asterisked passage is "Obviously, that vigilance doesn't apply to proofreading".  Another cheap shot at blogs - and most deservedly so.

However, with all due respect, I have been reading most (I can't abide the Florida Times Union) of the online newspapers in Florida (insofar as they relate to Florida politics) on a daily basis for more than half-a-decade; in addition to this site daily making numerous grammatical and spelling errors (which we freely concede), I daily find such errors in the online work of the "pros" (who unlike bloggers,  have editors). 

I am not talking about the "blogs" operated by the media professionals/journalists, which like real blogs are even more prone to errors, but the actual online editions of the newspapers. In posting here, I rarely point out the numerous errors of the "professionals" these errors out, and always correct the mistakes if I excerpt passages which include the errors (I use [sic] solely for the purposes of snark).

For example, in this online article today by a well-known professional journalist the word "foreclosure" is repeatedly capitalized when it should be in lower case.

My favorite online "error" (which could likewise be described as a double entendre as well as a freudian slip) was in the The Orlando Sentinel on January 1 of this year, and we couldn't resist posting about it. See "Jebbie takes a job as a staff writer with the Orlando Sentinel". Perhaps someone had too much to drink at that New Year's Eve party.

Schultz' ought to read "professional" online publications before he takes the obligatory "professional journalist" shots at blogs.

Randy, The future is now 

It is worth repeating, with a slight modification, Schultz' closing remarks

Admittedly, if you watch the Sunday gasbags or Washington reporters at news conferences [or the work of Florida's alleged political reporters, columnists and editors] ,  the art of asking probing, revealing questions can seem dead. Like Mr. Meyer, they care more about their questions than the answers

Could there be a future in journalism for Mr. Meyer after all? If so, don't let me be around to see it, bro.

Sorry bro, the future is here, and you are part of it.

- - - - - - - - - -

[FN 1]  Although not worthy, it is strange how many "reporters" or their proxies demand clarification of our remarks viz. their writing.  Of course, none of these folks actuually read the blog (they always make a point of that), but were told about it by someone else.

[FN 2]  By the way, strike/scab this story received only a little coverage by the local media.  The reason there was so little coverage is clear: the dispute resulted in an overwhelming victory for the unionized employees; and, consistent with Florida's statewide traditional media, unions are never given positive press because to do so does not serve their corporate owners' business interests.  To learn more about what happened, I sadly cannot refer you to one or more newspaper articles, but rather an article on a law firm's website, which we have previously excerpted: "Grosvenor Resort Owes Workers Substantial Backpay".

[FN 2]  Of course, such disclosures are never made; indeed, the newspaper in the above example actually threatened false light lawsuits against any newspaper that disclosed the names of newspaper scabs.

Florida Political News and Commentary for 5/3/08

by: Florida Politics

Sat May 03, 2008 at 20:14:20 PM EST

"No"

"House Speaker Marco Rubio wanted a huge property tax cut but the Senate said no. Senate President Ken Pruitt wanted a higher education overhaul, and the House said no." "Florida legislative session ends with little to show". The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Session Was No Great Success, But Kept Bad Bills Off The Books".

"Lawmakers have signed off on the $66.2 billion budget that is now on its way to Gov. Charlie Crist for approval." "Florida's new budget has less money for schools, Medicaid, courts". See also "Belt-tightening session comes to an end".

I'd hate to see what he considers to be the "dark ages"

Charlie, who apparently still inhales, tells us that "we're living in a magic time: 'the golden age of the Florida Legislature.'"

Since last fall, three rounds of budget cuts caused by the drop in tax collections have taken $900-million out of public education in Florida, a state that already lags in nearly every measurable academic standard. If you're poor or disabled, it could be worse.

What do we have here? A courageous show of fiscal responsibility by the Republican legislature and governor, or irresponsibility of epic proportions?

Legislators cut money for foster children, adoptive parents and people with epilepsy. They really did reduce funding to the state-run School for the Deaf and Blind, explaining that it was the same as the 1.8-percent cut to public schools.

The 2008 session ended just as it began. Republicans congratulated themselves on their fiscal discipline and opposition to new taxes while Democrats decried the GOP's refusal to consider revenue options like increasing one of the lowest cigarette taxes in the country or closing even a few of those 250-odd sales tax exemptions.

"Give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free" ...

... and what will we do with them here in Florida?

"In the six months since Izquierdo regained custody of his young daughter after a high-profile court case, the two have developed a deep bond. It is one they never shared when the girl lived in Cuba with her mother, let alone after she first came to the U.S. and sparked an intense, international custody battle."

Yet in reclaiming one child, Izquierdo has found himself separated from nearly everything and everyone else he loves.

He lives alone with her in the U.S., jobless - a pariah to many Cuban-Americans who cannot fathom why he would want to return with the girl to the poverty-seeped, communist island their own families fled.

Izquierdo's pregnant wife Yanara Alvarez and their 7-year-old daughter Rachel returned to Cuba so Alvarez could take advantage of the country's free medical care during their son's birth. Mother and daughter have yet to receive permission from U.S. immigration authorities to return to Miami, Izquierdo's attorney said.

Subsidizing "risk taking" entrepreneurs

"DOT officials will officially have the authority to pay stipends to losing bidders under a bill now on its way to Gov. Charlie Crist." "Lawmakers: Pay losing contract bidders". See also "Senator trying to save bid losers".

Too bad they our Legislators couldn't find the same energy viz. decent legislation to recompense those who have been wrongfully imprisoned.

FCAT Follies

"For Florida's public school students, a minor revolution may soon be coming in the classroom."

The dreaded FCAT could be moved to later in the year to give children more time to learn the subjects they are tested on.

And the exam's emphasis would be downgraded when it comes to calculating the grades given to the state's high schools, accounting in the future for only 50 percent of their A to F rating, with the remainder based on the graduation rate and other scholastic measures.

That's the upshot of the first major revamp of public education in nearly a decade approved Friday by the Florida Legislature, which also decided that the state must be more specific in what children are expected to learn at each grade level.

The Legislature also agreed to expand the Corporate Tax Credit program, which allows corporations to get tax credits if they donate funds to help send poor children to private schools. The plan would allow the state to hand out up to $118 million in tax credits — $30 million more than allowed this year.

Lawmakers were not able to reach agreement on a bill that would have prevented nepotism in charter school hirings.

Your RPOF in action

"Senate Republicans agreed to an 'academic freedom' bill that offered protection for teachers who challenged evolution. House Republicans, however, wanted to require science instructors to include a 'critical analysis' of evolution in classes. With lawmakers failing to bridge the divide in their debate, both bills died as lawmakers adjourned for the year Friday." "Lesson plans for evolution remain intact".

Them librul newspapers are at it again

Here's a shocker, corporate hacks don't support a social program - the The Orlando Sentinel editorial board this morning couldn't resist editorializing about an obscure proposal in Congress: "If deficits aren't already big enough, some want extra paid leave for fathers".

The editors' position are of course entirely consistent with their mentors at the Florida Chamber of Commerce (who, by the way, aren't sure about whether global warming exists). The editors' reasoning:

Other countries with much higher taxes give employees benefits like this, but most U.S. employers don't.

"Less ambitious"

"Despite an attempt from House Republicans to reignite divisive property tax battles with their Senate counterparts, lawmakers agreed this morning to a package of less ambitious changes." "Property tax bill goes to Crist".

Idiot of the week: Florida Chamber President says "climate change may or may not be true"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board shares this with us this morning: "Both the Florida Chamber and Mr. Martinez, scheduled to meet the day after the seminar, say they know well what's at stake. The senator says he's convinced humans contribute to climate change. Florida Chamber President Mark Wilson says 'climate change may or may not be true,' but that the reality is Florida needs to find enough energy to support another 10 million people by 2030." "It's important for Sen. Martinez to support smart energy initiative".

Saying that "climate change may or may not be true" is tin foil hat territory - yet the Florida media serves up their pablum like good little lapdogs.

Saint Jebbie gets another pass

by: Florida Politics

Sat May 03, 2008 at 08:41:56 AM EST

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board writes that the state is "investing $15,000 to find out" whether it can sue J.P. Morgan and Lehman Brothers for billions in bad investments.

They continue: "Unlike about $2 billion in other investments having to do with the State Board of Administration, this one makes sense."

Last year, J.P. Morgan and Lehman Brothers [where Jebbie now "works"] sold the board - which (allegedly) oversees Florida's panoply of pension and investment funds - about $2 billion in securities whose value collapsed days later. Financial officers for local governments learned of the weak investments and started a run on one of the state's funds. Last week, the state agreed to pay the West Palm Beach law firm of Berman DeValerio Pease Tabacco Burt & Pucillo $15,000 to determine whether Florida has grounds for a lawsuit against the brokers.

The State Board of Administration was not a federally qualified buyer for roughly a third of the rotten securities. On the surface, that's more proof of poor leadership by former SBA Director Coleman Stipanovich, who got the job because of connections to former Gov. Jeb Bush. Mr. Stipanovich's brother, one of the state's leading Republicans, advised Katherine Harris during the 2000 recount.

The glaring political question now is whether Florida was a sucker for Lehman Brothers bec