Daily Clips for November 12, 2009

FEATURED STORIES

Florida GOP leaders demand closed-door meeting with Greer
By Gary Fineout
The Fine Print
Concerned Republicans say they aren't out for the head of Florida GOP Party Chairman Jim Greer.

Florida Gov. Crist's spokeswoman resigns
By Shannon Colavecchio
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
Gov. Charlie Crist's longtime communications director is leaving -- the latest shakeup involving Crist's administration and U.S. Senate campaign staff.

Crist's office was told of Obama's trip
The Associated Press
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
E-mails obtained by a Florida newspaper show Gov. Charlie Crist's aides knew about President Barack Obama's visit to Florida in October, though the governor told reporters that he was unaware of the trip.

Fla. ranks 7th on fiscal peril list
The Associated Press
Tampa Tribune
Florida ranks seventh on a think tank's scorecard of "States in Fiscal Peril."

FLORIDA POLITICS

Gov.'s communications head disputes reports of being fired
By Bill Cotterell
Tallahassee Democrat
Gov. Charlie Crist's communications director announced her resignation Wednesday but said she was not hounded out by the spate of bad publicity dogging the governor.

Groundswell forms for open gambling in Florida
By Bob Rathgeber
Ft. Myers News-Press
Several previously ardent anti-gambling state legislators have come out swinging at the Seminole Indian tribe in an unlikely way.

National Tea Party Express makes local stop
By Ray Weiss
Daytona Beach News-Journal
The signature Tea Party signs and slogans filled the grounds in front of the gazebo.

2010 RACES

Republicans concerned with ascent of young Florida candidate
By Aaron Blake
The Hill
A brash, young political newcomer is causing a fuss in GOP circles in the race against Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.).

State Rep. Kelly may challenge Grayson
By Bill Thompson
Gainesville Sun
Despite already having seven candidates who have filed to run against U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, the Republican Party continues to hunt for a prominent challenger for the controversial Orlando Democrat.

Is there a real Crist?
Editorial
Pensacola News Journal
Gov. Charlie Crist seemed, not too long ago, a lock for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. Today he's in an increasingly tight primary battle.

ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

Bringing the Developing World to America
By Glen Gardner
Public News Service Florida
They've traveled thousands of miles to carry the message to the Southeast and Midwest this week that what we do - and don't do - in places like Florida to reduce carbon pollution linked to climate change has consequences for people on the other side of the world.

Not so fast on drilling, Atwater says
Editorial
St. Petersburg Times
State Senate President Jeff Atwater is slowing down the oil rush in Tallahassee by insisting on gathering facts before putting the state's beaches and economic health at risk.

JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY

Florida foreclosure filings drop for the first time since July 2006
By Tom Bayles and Aaron Kessler
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Foreclosure filings in the Sunshine State last month dropped for the first time since July 2006.

State Investment Board Questioned
By Mike Vasilinda
Capitol News Service
Federal regulators are raising questions over what the state promised local governments who used the state to invest taxpayers money.

Put a lid on banks' risky business
Editorial
St. Petersburg Times
Today marks a dubious anniversary of financial deregulation. Ten years ago, the Depression-era Glass-Steagall Act was repealed, removing the last legal barriers preventing commercial banks from engaging in the kinds of risk-taking and speculation of investment banks.

EDUCATION

UF faculty is undergoing a big transformation
By Nathan Crabbe
Gainesville Sun
Related: Hearings set on contract impasse between UF, union
The University of Florida continually experiences turnover, but three ongoing initiatives will change the makeup of the faculty even more than usual.

HEALTH AND SENIORS

Health care reform: Where the House, Senate agree and disagree
By Alex Leary
St. Petersburg Times
After months of hearing about differences of opinion on reforming health care in America, it may seem as if there is no chance for an agreement.

Legislators see flaw in Medicaid formula
By Christine Jordan Stexton
Health News Florida
Top legislative leaders are complaining that Florida will be shortchanged under a formula that determines how much money they will receive to treat the poor, elderly and disabled.

State and federal drywall investigators at odds
By Aaron Kessler
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
As the investigation into contaminated Chinese drywall unfolded, state and federal agencies repeatedly assured the public that they were successfully cooperating in getting to the bottom of the problem.

JUSTICE AND THE COURTS

Florida leads nation in locking up kids in adult jails
By Colleen Jenkins
St. Petersburg Times
This week, as the U.S. Supreme Court heard appeals in two Florida juvenile cases, scholars took note that the state leads the nation in locking up kids for life who committed crimes in which no one died.