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Progress Florida -- Progressive Solutions for Florida

Friday, March 19, 2010

Daily Clips for March 19, 2010

FEATURED STORIES

Nelson's Medicare Advantage deal cut from health care reform

By Alex Leary

St. Petersburg Times

House and Senate leaders on Thursday said a provision sparing about 800,000 Floridians from cuts in Medicare Advantage will not be part of the final health care bill, a blow to Sen. Bill Nelson.


Florida GOP House members revive once-outlawed 'leadership funds'

By John Frank

St. Petersburg Times

The Republican-dominated Florida House pushed through legislation Thursday that allows legislative leaders to raise unlimited dollars from special interests, rejecting a dozen Democratic amendments aimed at limiting the influence of money in politics.


Sink tries to keep campaign focused on jobs

The Associated Press

Tampa Tribune

Alex Sink is trying hard to make her campaign for governor about jobs, launching a "business plan for Florida" campaign tour to talk about economic recovery.

BEST OF THE BLOGS

After 33 years Florida's Shameful Adoption Ban Discussed

By Tobias Packer

Equality Florida

Through some very crafty maneuvering on the part of our Public Policy team in Tallahassee, today we forced debate on Florida's notorious adoption ban on the floor the Florida House and Senate - something that had not happened once in the 33 years since this law passed.


For Marco Rubio, expensive chickens roosting

By Joy Reid

The Reid Report

There'll be no more living the political high life for Marco Rubio -- basking in the adoration of the eager press corps, crowned as the "Hispanic Obama" and the "Hispanic Ronald Reagan" at the same time...


Porkus Rubio, Scarlett O' Crist, Ink Pens, And Airplanes

By Inkberries

Beach Peanuts

OK, call me crazy, but I think I may have figured out one of the reasons Gov. Charlie Crist is doing so poorly in the polls in his Senate primary race with Marco Rubio.


Bill McCollum: Solving Florida's Problems One Sentence At A Time

By Ray Seaman

Progress Florida

I criticized all three gubernatorial candidates back in January for not having any real issue positions on their websites. However, all of this has since changed.


As if it was necessary, more evidence of Crist and his lack of base...

By Steve Schale

Steve Schale

In a recent survey of Florida voters, Public Policy Polling asked Florida voters to name their most favorite and least favorite Governor.

LEGISLATIVE SESSION

House OKs bill changing campaign-contribution rules

By Jim Ash

Tallahassee Democrat

The House on Thursday approved a major rewrite of election laws in a bill that would allow millions of new special-interest dollars to pour into campaigns, but one that would also give the public a better way to track the spending.


Governor gets bill stopping gun ownership from being considered in adoptions

By Dara Kam

Palm Beach Post

Related column: Best way to get our lawmakers' ear? Pack heat

Florida lawmakers today overwhelmingly approved a measure now on its way to Gov. Charlie Crist that is meant to prevent adoption agencies from asking prospective adoptive parents whether they own guns.


NRA has gotten most of what it wanted in Florida Legislature in 2010

By Marc Caputo

Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau

Adoption agencies can't require prospective parents to disclose whether they have a firearm, according to a new bill that rocketed Thursday out of the Legislature and awaits the governor's signature.


Fla. Senate focusing on budget issues

The Associated Press

Ocala Star-Banner

The Florida Senate is looking at a wide range of spending cuts to balance the next state budget in another year of austerity.


Bills worry child advocates

By Deborah Circelli

Daytona Beach News-Journal

While social service agencies brace for more cuts this legislative session, many are following dozens of bills dealing with everything from giving foster children psychotropic medications to better screening of employees who work with vulnerable children and adults.


Fla. House passes limits on lawsuits, lawyer fees

The Associated Press

Northwest Florida Daily News

The Florida House handed trial lawyers a double defeat Thursday by passing a pair of bills to limit "slip-and-fall" lawsuits against businesses and cap fees the state pays to outside attorneys.


A lesson in politics and 911

By Gary Fineout

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

It took Peggy Lee six hours to drive from her home to Englewood to testify before the Florida Legislature about the need to provide more money to 911 systems.


House Approves More Thorough Background Checks for Caregivers

By Bill Kaczor

The Associated Press

Anyone seeking a state-regulated job working with children, seniors and disabled people would have to undergo a more thorough screening process under a bill that unanimously passed Thursday in the Florida House.


Republican-backed budget question to Florida voters is a biased 'poll' Democrats complain

Staff Report

St. Petersburg Times

No shock here: The Republican-led Senate passed Senate President Jeff Atwater's proposal (SB 2742) asking voters in November if the federal government should have a balanced budget amendment.


Tattoo Bill Passes Senate Committee

By Whitney Ray

Capitol News Service

Minors who want to get a tattoo in Florida may soon be out of luck.


Good riddance to a bad bill

Editorial

Miami Herald

After using his clout to ram a bill banning public release of 911 calls through a House committee, Speaker Larry Cretul had second thoughts and wisely pulled it -- ironically just after attending the annual open government luncheon.

POLITICAL RACES

Kendrick who? GOP race overshadows Meek Senate bid

By Brendan Farrington

The Associated Press

With all the attention being paid to the Republican Senate primary between former House Speaker Marco Rubio and Gov. Charlie Crist, it may be easy to forget that there's another major candidate seeking the seat - Democratic Congressman Kendrick Meek.


Why Charlie Crist can't win: Rubio's supporters are crazy!

By Mike Thomas

Orlando Sentinel

A Daily Kos poll of the Senate race reveals what we all know -- that Marco Rubio is dusting Charlie Crist by 28 points.


Daily Kos/Research 2000 Florida Poll

Staff Report

Daily Kos

Related analysis: FL-Sen: Crist is broken

The Research 2000 Florida Poll was conducted from March 15 through March 17, 2010.


Marco Rubio ducks and covers

By Daniel Ruth

St. Petersburg Times

What would we call this sterling example of political bravado? The Red Badge of Porridge?


Crist wows crowd at Pointe West for Lincoln Day Dinner

By Jim Turner

TC Palm

Related: Gov. Crist boats, shoots and dines his way through the Treasure Coast

Teachers whose jobs have been maintained by the federal stimulus "should be fine" when the recovery dollars run out before the 2011-12 school year, Gov. Charlie Crist told Indian River County business and government leaders Thursday.


Lawson claims spot on November ballot

By Bill Cotterell

Tallahassee Democrat

With a heavy hometown boost, state Sen. Al Lawson claimed a spot on the November ballot Wednesday in his bid to knock off U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd in the Democratic primary.

BALLOT INITIATIVES

'Hometown Democracy' foes offer bogus arguments

By Lauren Ritchie

Orlando Sentinel

you don't have to sort through confusing wording of two competing constitutional amendments -- one that would give you absolute power to limit or grant huge developments and a second that was just developers in a tree-hugger's Birkenstocks.

ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

Florida water managers weigh cuts, selloffs to finance U.S. Sugar land deal

By Curtis Morgan

Miami Herald

With the odds of borrowing a half-billion bucks growing dicey, water managers are exploring new ways to finance Gov. Charlie Crist's deal with the U.S. Sugar Corp. -- a controversial land buy the governor stood firmly behind Thursday during a South Florida visit.


Burning down: New energy source is running into trouble

By Bruce Ritchie

Florida Tribune

As biomass energy supporters complain of opposition to some biomass projects around the state, a company that is proposing to build two in north Florida has suspended work on one in Gadsden County.


Snake slaying was improper, wildlife officials say

By David Fleshler

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

A man who helped kill a Burmese python in front of journalists at a Hallandale Beach processing plant broke the rules governing the hunting of the non-native snakes in the Everglades, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

LGBT

Senate drops 'nontraditional family values' requirement from film tax credit bill

By Michael C. Bender

Palm Beach Post

A proposal that would limit tax breaks for films and TV shows with gay characters was removed from a bill that passed the powerful Florida Senate Ways and Means Committee today.


Florida plan to kill tax benefit for films that aren't 'family friendly' sparks backlash

By Josh Hafenbrack and Richard Verrier

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Florida, the home of Mickey Mouse and beach-bound vacationers, was trying to polish its family friendly image but instead ran into a PR nightmare: an angry Hollywood.


Grade-A gay 'parent' saved a child from two-parent straight home

By Rhonda Swan

Palm Beach Post

James was a bright boy with a dark future looming when he made a decision to change his destiny.

EDUCATION

Proposed state legislation tying teachers' pay to students' learning would 'dismantle' public schools, opponents say

By Cara Fitzpatrick

Palm Beach Post

Michelle Enos has worked in her chosen profession for 20 years.


Teachers-union ad blitz blasts plan for merit pay

By Denise-Marie Balona, Leslie Postal and Dave Weber

Orlando Sentinel

The state's teachers union and Florida Democratic Party have opened a broadside media attack on Republican lawmakers who are trying to end teacher tenure in favor of a merit-pay system in an effort to beef up school quality without spending more.


State House passes bill to require civics classes

By Catherine Whittenburg

Tampa Tribune

Middle-school students would have to take a civics course -- and pass an end-of-course exam -- under a bill that passed the Florida House today.


Evers wants teachers to have the right to pray

By Paul Flemming

Tallahasee Democrat

Rep. Greg Evers wants to stop any other school district in Florida from entering into the same kind of agreement Santa Rosa officials did to prohibit teacher participation in student-led prayer.


Dishonoring teachers

Editorial

Florida Today

Florida's GOP-controlled Legislature has local control of public schools in its gun sights this year.

JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY

Florida workforce boards bristle at bill to increase spending oversight

By Steve Bousquet

Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau

Some Florida job-creation advocates are upset over a Senate proposal to intensify oversight of regional workforce boards following lavish spending on meals and insider dealing by a handful of boards.


Aronberg seeks answers about sale of data firm with Fla. contract to British company

By Dara Kam

Palm Beach Post

A personal data company that came under fire for a major breach of Florida government workers' data six years ago had its contract renewed with the state in December, just three months before it was sold to a British-based firm.

HEALTH AND SENIORS

Ad claims if health reform bill passes, government panel could make laws that limit preventive services like mammograms

Staff Report

St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Politifact

A new TV ad from Americans for Prosperity, a group opposing the health reform bill, suggests that screening mammograms for women under 50 would be in jeopardy if the health reform bill passes...We rule this claim Pants on Fire!


Health care legislation is good for Florida

Editorial

St. Petersburg Times

As the House heads toward a historic vote on health care reform as early as Sunday, all Florida Republicans remain opposed and all but two Democrats are firmly in support.


Nelson: Communities such as The Acreage need 'full weight' of federal help with cancer probes

By Jamie Dupree

Palm Beach Post

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson today urged a Senate committee to get involved in the investigation of cancer cases in The Acreage, using a hearing on children's health issues to tell his colleagues the story of the central Palm Beach County community.


Hep C outbreak traced to nurse

By Marty Clear and Carol Gentry

Health News Florida

Public health officials have determined that an outbreak of hepatitis C was caused by a "sloppy" nurse at a holistic medical clinic in Brandon.

JUSTICE AND THE COURTS

New rules assure public can see court records

By Martin Merzer

The Associated Press

Noting that the courts are moving ``inevitably into the electronic age,'' the Florida Supreme Court adopted new rules Thursday intended to assure public access to court records.


Food stamp fraud sweep nets 21

By Pat Gillespie

Ft. Myers News-Press

Two local store owners are among 21 people charged by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in a food stamp fraud sweep.

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