Daily Clips for August 4, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Senate Democratic candidate Jeff Greene `misspoke' about trip to Cuba By Beth Reinhard and Adam C. Smith Miami Herald Democratic Senate front-runner Jeff Greene is backtracking on his claim that he had visited Cuba as part of a Jewish humanitarian trip, and a former deckhand says he is still not telling the truth. Florida Legislature's proposed constitutional amendments keep getting bounced off the ballot By Mary Ellen Klas St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Attempts to use Florida's Constitution to make political statements and policy continue to prove very challenging, even for the Legislature. Mud plugs well; feds say much of Gulf oil is gone The Associated Press Miami Herald BP claimed a key victory Wednesday in its effort to plug its blown-out oil well in the Gulf of Mexico while the government said the vast majority of oil from the worst offshore spill in U.S. history was already gone. FLORIDA POLITICS Haridopolos fires 5 top-level Senate staffers By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Senate President-designate Mike Haridopolos dismissed five high-level legislative employees Tuesday and said he plans a few more top staff changes as he streamlines the committee structure and operations of the Senate. POLITICAL RACES Greene assails rival as 'failed career politician' By Jim Stratton Orlando Sentinel U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Greene pressed his attack on Kendrick Meek Tuesday, telling voters in Orlando that Meek is a "failed career politician" tainted by his ties to a developer now facing criminal charges in South Florida. In candidate shootout for NRA backing, Rick Scott hits a bull's-eye By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Bill McCollum, seeking to regain his mantle as the only tried-and-true conservative Republican running for governor, got some bad news Tuesday when the National Rifle Association gave his rival, Rick Scott, a higher ranking. Crist won't ask Kottkamp to step down By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune Gov. Charlie Crist said on Tuesday that he would not ask Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp to step down even if Kottkamp decides to endorse Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate race. Campaigns get ugly before Aug. 24 primaries By Anthony Man and Brittany Wallman South Florida Sun-Sentinel Think campaign season is nasty? Just wait — it's still early. Fla. Chamber endorses all-GOP legislative slate By B. Shaw Orlando Sentinel The Florida Chamber of Commerce has announced its endorsements of legislative candidates in Central Florida. Not surprisingly, there’s not a single Democrat among them. Primary challengers line up to oust Brown from House By Chad Smith Gainesville Sun After 18 years in Washington, Corrine Brown is a political heavyweight in her hometown of Jacksonville, and the candidates lining up to send her home have all heard it: She can’t be beaten. BALLOT INITIATIVES 9 on way to Supreme Ct.? By Jim Saunders Health News Florida The legal battle about a proposed constitutional amendment targeting federal health reform appears headed straight to the Florida Supreme Court. Florida justices get fifth amendment challenge The Associated Press Orlando Sentinel The Florida Supreme Court has received a challenge to a fifth proposed constitutional amendment. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Obama's point man on oil spill recovery hears concerns, ideas in St. Pete By Craig Pittman St. Petersburg Times The long-term recovery of Florida and other states harmed by the Deepwater Horizon disaster may require setting up some new entity that can vet proposals and hand out money to carry out those projects, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus told a town-hall hearing Tuesday night. Oil spill: Battle rages on surface of Gulf By Travis Griggs Pensacola News Journal The sun scorches overhead and the Gulf air hangs thick in a humid haze. Sen. Nelson files legislation that would regulate dispersants By Kate Bradshaw WMNF Community Radio Tampa Since oil began gushing into the Gulf of Mexico in April, BP has pumped one-point-eight million gallons of chemical oil dispersants. LGBT McCollum: Rekers Was "The Best Expert" By Penn Bullock and Brandon K. Thorp Miami Times ​Surprise! Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum still opposes gay adoption -- notwithstanding the spectacular downfall of his hand-picked anti-gay expert, George Alan Rekers. EDUCATION Back-to-school tax holiday comes too late, parents say By Sandra Pedicini Orlando Sentinel It's hailed as a boon for families, but this year's return of the back-to-school, sales-tax break comes too late for many Florida parents. FCAT glitch may hold up school grades By Marcia Lane St. Augustine Record One test that means all can be great when it works, but not so great when it doesn't, as Florida is learning. Class-size limits could affect more than 3,000 students locally By Harriet Daniels Gainesville Sun The state-mandated class-size limits could bump an estimated 3,000 middle and high school students in Alachua County out of certain classes when school starts in a few weeks. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Florida's sales surge in May despite oil spill By Doug Sword Sarasota Herald-Tribune Sales surged statewide by 22 percent in May, even though it was the first full month of the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Crist gets mixed message from South Florida tourism officials By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune Gov. Charlie Crist got a mixed message from South Florida tourism and hospitality business leaders he met in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday. To get Medicaid and education aid to states, an unprecedented cut to food stamps By Annie Lowrey Florida Independent This week, the Senate is preparing to rob Peter to pay Paul. HEALTH AND SENIORS Sen. Pres. 'aggressive' on Medicaid By Jim Saunders Health News Florida Incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos leaves little doubt about his views on major health-care issues. Fla. lawmakers seek Medicaid cost-cutting answers The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Incoming Florida Senate President Mike Haridolopos is leading a three-day bus tour in search of ideas for cutting soaring Medicaid costs. Fla. orders halt to sale of unauthorized health insurance The Associated Press Palm Beach Post Florida has ordered the Association of Independent Managers to stop selling unauthorized health insurance. E-fingerprint network not ready By Jim Saunders Health News Florida People trying to get hired as caregivers faced new background-screening requirements Monday, including fingerprints. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Florida Lawmakers Propose Arizona-Style Immigration Measures By Margie Menzel WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee Republican legislators and candidates are undeterred by Wednesday's federal ruling blocking parts of Arizona's immigration law. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Senate poised to confirm Kagan this week By Paul Kane Washington Post The Senate, tied in knots on almost every other legislative issue, is now on a glide path to confirming Elena Kagan as the fourth woman ever to serve as a Supreme Court justice. Palm Beach County Commissioner Koons resigns after extortion, perjury charges By Jennifer Sorentrue, Sonja Isger, Andrew Abramson and Pat Beall Palm Beach Post Palm Beach County Commissioner Jeff Koons resigned from the county commission this morning, hours after being booked on charges of extortion, perjury and violating public open meetings laws.