Daily Clips for February 4, 2010

FEATURED STORIES

GOP donors say they didn't know of fundraiser's lucrative contract

By Aaron Deslatte

Orlando Sentinel

For the past year, Delmar Johnson mixed and mingled with the well-heeled and powerful, chasing checks from large Republican donors from fishing piers in Key West to a football stadium in Boston.

Expect anything in Florida politics

By Bill Cotterell

Tallahassee Democrat

Related: Rubio wins Big Bend GOP straw poll

The rumors, informed (or not) speculation, blue-sky imaginings and carefully hedged predictions have begun, regarding Gov. Charlie Crist's political future.

State employees bought Las Vegas house with $400,000 stolen from taxpayers, FDLE says

By Jamal Thalji

St. Petersburg Times

Somewhere in Las Vegas, investigators say there's a furnished home worth about $350,000 -- paid for by Florida taxpayers.

FLORIDA POLITICS

Floridians should rise up against Legislature's attack on public counsel

By Howard Troxler

St. Petersburg Times

As you might recall, the public just won historic victories against Florida's two biggest electric companies.

POLITICAL RACES

Edward Lynch to face Ted Deutch for congressional seat

By Anthony Man

South Florida Sun-Sentinel via Miami Herald

After a long night of uncertainty, Republican Edward Lynch emerged Wednesday as the victor in the special congressional primary, eking out a narrow win over Joe Budd.

Could Destin's mayor fill Sansom's seat?

Staff Report

Northwest Florida Daily News

The Emerald Coast Association of Realtors is endorsing Destin Mayor Craig Barker to the Florida House of Representatives for the House District 4.

BALLOT INITIATIVES

Put the decision in the people's hands

By Peter Gaddy

Naples News

The League of Women Voters is one of the most trusted and respected civic organizations at the national, state and local level.

ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

EPA Forces Numeric Limits on Florida Polluters

By Gina Presson

Public News Service Florida

In what is being touted as a landmark decision, the Environmental Protection Agency has set numeric limits on the amount of sewage, animal manure and fertilizer pollution that can be dumped into Florida waters.

Land bank for Florida panthers could be worth millions to family

By Craig Pittman

St. Petersburg Times

Last month a South Florida family announced it was setting aside 4,000 acres of ranch land for saving the Florida panther, making headlines across the state.

Bennett says DCA won't be eliminated "on my watch"

By Bruce Ritchie

FloridaEnvironments.com

Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, today said elimination of the Florida Department of Community Affairs "is not going to happen on my watch."

Panel issues growth recommendations, struggles for money

By Bruce Ritchie

FloridaEnvironments.com

A state panel created by the Legislature to make recommendations on growth management and quality of life issues has produced its fourth annual report while it struggles with lack of state funding.

Crystal River nuclear plant to be repaired by midyear, Progress Energy says

By Richard Danielson

St. Petersburg Times

Repairs to a cracked reactor building containment wall could keep the Crystal River nuclear plant off line until midyear, Progress Energy says.

JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY

Legislation seeks to head off major unemployment-tax hikes

By Jim Ash

Tallahassee Democrat

The race is on to head off massive unemployment-tax hikes that threaten most Florida businesses at the end of April.

Appraisers brace for 'almost explosive' tax season

By Derek Catron

Daytona Beach News-Journal

If you thought 2009 was a property tax whammy, better brace yourself for the double-whammy of 2010.

Kottkamp: Commuter Rail First, Then High-Speed

By Bill Rufty

Lakeland Ledger

Florida doesn't need high-speed rail now and the recently approved federal stimulus won't be enough to pay for it, Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp said Wednesday.

Congressional critics condemn shutdown of NASA's moon program

By Mark K. Matthews

Orlando Sentinel

White House plans to remake NASA got a frosty reception at a U.S. House hearing Wednesday as lawmakers assailed President Barack Obama's proposal to cancel the agency's Constellation moon program after NASA has spent more than $9 billion on it.

Budgeting in tough times

Editorial

Daytona Beach News-Journal

Welcome to Florida, land of perpetual sunshine.

HEALTH AND SENIORS

West Palm rep: State needs 'Haiti czar," better prep for Haitian diaspora

By Dara Kam

Palm Beach Post

Worried about an influx of Haitian immigrants into South Florida's already crowded schools and hospitals, state lawmakers from the region are banding together to figure out how to help the state, and the victims, better cope with the aftermath of the earthquake.

Health News names bureau chief

By Carol Gentry

Health News Florida

When the Florida Legislature convenes next month, Jim Saunders will be there to cover it, as he has for the past dozen years.

JUSTICE AND THE COURTS

After inquiry, four juvenile justice officials give up take-home cars

By Lee Logan

St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau

Florida Juvenile Justice Secretary Frank Peterman and three high-ranking deputies have surrendered their free take-home cars after a state investigation said the vehicles might violate federal tax rules on unreported income.

Budget crunch hits courtrooms

By Keyonna Summers

Florida Today

The familiar sight of court reporters who quietly tap away during court hearings will nearly disappear from Brevard County courthouses by summer.

Man says 40-year-old law violates his right to free speech

By Jennifer Portman

Tallahassee Democrat

A nearly 40-year-old state law forbidding the malicious publication of a law enforcement officer's home address or telephone number is being challenged by a Tallahassee man in federal court.