Daily Clips for August 31, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Since primary, Charlie Crist is hedging, backpedaling and two-stepping By Beth Reinhard Miami Herald Related editorial: Running as independent is no free pass to flip-flop A longtime target of finger-to-the-wind accusations, Gov. Charlie Crist has engaged in an unusual amount of hedging, backpedaling and two-stepping since last week's primary crystallized his opposition in the U.S. Senate race. Meek, Thurman: Few Dems will defect By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Florida Democratic Party chief Karen Thurman and U.S. Senate nominee Kendrick Meek said Monday not many Democrats will defect to Gov. Charlie Crist's independent candidacy. Rick Scott, Mr. Outsider, on the verge of being kingpin of insiders By Adam C. Smith St. Petersburg Times Politics is funny sometimes in Florida. Alex Sink orders audit of 'Taj Mahal' courthouse finances By Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times A preliminary review of funding for the "Taj Mahal'' courthouse indicates the 1st District Court of Appeal may have spent money initially appropriated for other purposes and got $16 million in a raid on the state's Workers' Compensation Trust Fund, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink said Monday. FLORIDA POLITICS Oil spill special session not likely By Jim Ash Florida Capital News As a House panel wrapped up its work on Monday, chances for a September oil spill special session appeared to be slim and none. Sink orders audit of building deal Staff Report Florida Capital News Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, the Democratic nominee for governor, ordered an audit of the new $48-million 1st District Court of Appeal building Monday. Money from indicted lobbyist flowed to First Coast lawmakers By Matt Dixon Florida Times-Union When a well-connected defense industry lobbyist with First Coast ties was indicted this month on charges of giving illegal campaign contributions, it sent a ripple effect throughout the political world. POLITICAL RACES Crist comments on health care, gay marriage may drive votes to Meek By Jesse Zwick Florida Independent Florida Gov. Charlie Crist continues to walk an increasingly fine line in his Senate bid as an independent, making a few statements this weekend on CNN’s State of the Union that are sure to roil some of his Democratic supporters — and perhaps draw them to Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Fla. Charlie Crist: A puzzle wrapped in an enigma shrouded in mystery By Ezra Klein Washington Post In a bid to pick up Democratic votes without losing every last Republican vote, Charlie Crist is refusing to say who he'll caucus with if he's elected to the Senate in November. Warm welcomes greet Rubio in Pasco, Hernando visits By Jodie Tillman and Tony Marrero St. Petersburg Times His campaign likes to say the road to victory runs through Pasco, which explains why U.S. Senate hopeful Marco Rubio headed down a dirt road Monday afternoon and climbed the steps of the spacious gazebo bearing a "Margaritaville Way" sign. Outsider Scott surrounds himself with GOP insiders By William March Tampa Tribune Rick Scott, who ran for the Republican nomination for governor as an outsider bashing politicians, surrounded himself with political insiders today as he and party leaders -- his bitter enemies a week ago -- put on a show of unity for the general election. Florida Republicans line up behind Rick Scott The Associated Press Sarasota Herald-Tribune Fraud? What fraud? The key argument against Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Scott in the primary is no longer on the lips of the GOP establishment as legislative and party leaders came together Monday to tout the former Columbia/HCA CEO as a business leader who will create jobs. Scott, GOP make a show of unity By Jim Stratton and Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel Eager to put a nasty primary campaign behind them, Republicans descended on Orlando on Monday for a political group hug designed to show voters that all is well in the state GOP. Chiles Long Shot Campaign By James Call WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee Self-financed political newcomer Rick Scott's victory in the Republican primary for governor stunned a sitting attorney general with decades of public service and may have split the GOP. Chiles’ previous work for controversial church comes to light By Tristram Korten Florida Independent Bud Chiles touts his work running a nonprofit in New York City as a significant step in giving him the experience necessary to be Florida’s next governor. Candidates debate having debate By Mark Schlueb Orlando Sentinel The candidates in the most closely watched congressional race in Florida might not have a televised debate because the campaigns disagree over who should be invited. Slightly more than 1 in 5 in Fla. went to polls The Associated Press Palm Beach Post Slightly more than one in five eligible Florida voters participated in the primary election. Blind party loyalty can be stifling Editorial Ft. Myers News-Press Attorney General Bill McCollum has refused to endorse Rick Scott - the man who beat him for the GOP gubernatorial nomination - citing questions about Scott's integrity and honesty. BALLOT INITIATIVES Ex-mayor of Port St. Lucie, his council's rubber-stamping of development, one of reasons Amendment 4 on ballot By Lesley Blackner TC Palm Remember when St. Lucie County was going to declare itself a man-made disaster area? ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY BP data reveals high stakes for Florida in oil spill claims process By Travis Pillow Florida Independent A week ago today, Kenneth Feinberg began administering the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, which he has said will be an improvement over BP’s process and more generous than the treatment claimants can expect in court. New Man in Charge of BP Claims Greeted With Threat of Widespread Lawsuits By Gina Jordan WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee The man who's been overseeing the Gulf Coast Compensation Fund has now taken over the oil spill claims process from BP. In his first week, independent Administrator Ken Feinberg has been hit with the threat of legal action by Florida's hoteliers. Panel member: Blowout preventer may hold key The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Accurate conclusions about what caused the blowout of BP's oil well in the Gulf of Mexico and the massive spill that followed will have to wait for a key piece of equipment to be raised from the seafloor and analyzed, a member of a federal investigative panel looking into the disaster said Monday. State wildlife agency may stop deciding which animals are endangered By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com State wildlife officials say they will get out of the business of determining whether species should be listed as endangered under a proposed new classification process. Fla. black bears may have rebounded too much The Associated Press Bradenton Herald It wasn't too long ago that Florida was desperate to save the black bear. On growth law, judge protects taxpayers Editorial Tampa Tribune Leon County Circuit Judge Charles Francis has agreed with the city of Weston that a law passed last year by the state Legislature would create unconstitutional expenses for local governments. LGBT Charlie Crist opposes gay marriage, sort of By Alex Pareene Salon Charlie Crist refuses to say whom he will caucus with, should he be elected to the Senate. EDUCATION A nightmarish education picture for black males By Bill Maxwell St. Petersburg Times A sound formal education is the surest way to succeed in America's increasingly tough, knowledge-based economy. More public schools requiring uniforms The Associated Press Miami Herald More public schools are asking their students to wear uniforms. Broward teachers on layoff list to get their jobs back By Carli Teproff Miami Herald Most of the remaining teachers on the Broward school district's layoff list will be rehired in the next week or so -- the third or fourth week of school -- Superintendent Jim Notter said Monday. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Florida's massive reinsurance fund is much smaller this storm season By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune The size of Florida’s state-created reinsurance fund has dramatically reduced in size this storm season. Real estate industry devastated along gulf coast By Heather Biance WCTV News Tallahassee It's been a rough go for Realtors nationwide since the economy took a dive, but those along the Gulf Coast say business dried up within weeks of the Deepwater Horizon Oil. Small businesses in Florida post uptick in jobs in August, payroll analysis shows By Jeff Harrington St. Petersburg Times Small businesses in Florida added jobs in August at a quicker pace than most of the country, according to an analysis released Monday by software maker Intuit. Old air conditioners ready for cool cash By Nirvi Shah Miami Herald The desperate wheezing, rattling and jangling of some 10,000 old, energy-guzzling air conditioners across Florida could soon be quieted following the kickoff Monday of a new state rebate program. Florida Experiences Big Decline in Births By Scott Finn WUSF Public Radio Tampa As the state’s unemployment has risen, something else has dropped – our birthrate. HEALTH AND SENIORS Meek defends law; Crist flip-flops By Jim Saunders Health News Florida Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Kendrick Meek today vigorously defended the new federal health-care overhaul and blasted rival Charlie Crist for what appeared to be shifting positions on the issue. Law should allow federally funded embryonic stem cell research Editorial St. Petersburg Times The Obama administration has no choice but to appeal a recent decision by a federal trial judge that temporarily suspends federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Sen. Merkley: Federal immigration ‘reform isn’t going to happen this year’ By Elise Foley Florida Independent This weekend Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., shot down prospects for a comprehensive immigration reform bill in the fall, telling constituents that “reform isn’t going to happen this year.” JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Fla. justices hearing Ecuadorian's death appeal The Associated Press Tampa Tribune A businessman with dual U.S.-Ecuadorian citizenship is appealing his death sentence and four murder convictions to the Florida Supreme Court. Judge orders Rothstein to forfeit half of prison wages By Peter Franceschina South Florida Sun-Sentinel Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein would have to be the highest paid federal prison worker in the country if he ever hopes to repay the $363 million he owes to his hundreds of bilked investors. Twice trumped Editorial Gainesville Sun The Florida Constitution isn't on the required reading list for state legislators.