Daily Clips for September 2, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Rick Scott's No. 2 expected to be Rep. Jennifer Carroll By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Rick Scott's running mate on the Republican ticket for governor is expected to be state Rep. Jennifer Carroll, a U.S. Navy veteran and mother of three who, if elected, would be Florida's first African-American lieutenant governor. Chiles drops out of governor race, throws support to Sink By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Independent candidate Lawton "Bud" Chiles announced his withdrawal from Florida's race for governor Wednesday and endorsed Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink as the best hope for children, campaign finance reform and economic recovery. Rick Scott wants it his way Editorial Orlando Sentinel Despite confirming that he'd appear alongside political rival Bill McCollum at the Boca Raton Republican Club last month, Rick Scott canceled at the 11th hour, sending his mother in his place. Court clears up ballot, and voters win Editorial St. Petersburg Times The Florida Supreme Court has properly responded to the Legislature's deceptive efforts to get voters to amend the state Constitution to suit its political purposes. FLORIDA POLITICS Florida legislative leaders say no to special session on oil spill By John Frank St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau A special legislative session to provide relief for the oil-stained Florida coast dissolved Wednesday as a top Republican lawmaker said no urgent action is needed. Special session on oil a decision to be left up to new leaders of Legislature By Jim Ash Florida Capital News When Dean Cannon and Mike Haridopolos take up gavels as the newest House speaker and Senate president, respectively, in November, their first official act could be calling a special session to deal with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Legal smackdowns should send politicians a strong message By Scott Maxwell Orlando Sentinel In wrestling terms, Florida politicians have suffered a pile-driver, full-nelson and double-knee gut-buster. Sink goes to bat for taxpayers Editorial St. Petersburg Times Good for Alex Sink. Florida's chief financial officer is ordering a thorough audit of the new courthouse under construction in Tallahassee for the 1st District Court of Appeal, dubbed the "Taj Mahal" due to its cost and luxury appointments. POLITICAL RACES Scott to announce running mate in Fla. governor's race Thursday in Jacksonville By Michael C. Bender Palm Beach Post Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Scott will name his running mate on Thursday in Jacksonville, the first major decision of his general election campaign. Political pros: Jennifer Carroll balances Rick Scott ticket By Abel Harding and Matt Dixon Florida Times-Union State Rep. Jennifer Carroll will be announced as Rick Scott’s running mate this morning during a news conference in Jacksonville. Bud Chiles to endorse Democrat Alex Sink for Florida governor By Lee Logan St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Saying he simply didn't have enough money to run a viable campaign, Lawton "Bud" Chiles abandoned his longshot independent bid for governor Wednesday and said he plans to endorse Democrat Alex Sink. 'Bud' Chiles dropping out of governor's race By Catherine Whittenburg Tampa Tribune Independent candidate Lawton "Bud" Chiles III is departing the governor's race and endorsing Democratic candidate Alex Sink. Florida gubernatorial debate to focus solely on children By Sergio Bustos St. Petersburg Times The first-ever gubernatorial debate to focus solely on the future of Florida's children will be held next month at the University of Miami and organizers expect both Democrat Alex Sink and Republican Rick Scott to participate. Why Rick Scott failed to add Tampa General to his giant hospital chain By Robert Trigaux St. Petersburg Times Courtesy of ad nauseam campaign ads, many Floridians are familiar with candidate Rick Scott's denials of wrongdoing over Columbia/HCA's Medicare/Medicaid fraud (and the subsequent $1.7 billion fine) when he was CEO of the hospital giant. Meek campaign calls out self-proclaimed ‘Jeb Bush Republican’ Charlie Crist for backing Sarah Palin By Brett Ader Florida Independent Democratic Senate contender Kendrick Meek’s campaign unveiled it’s first radio ad today, highlighting some comments made by Charlie Crist regarding his support for his former party’s vice presidential nominee, Sarah Palin, as well as some statements that attempt to align the newly minted independent candidate with the policies of his Republican predecessor. What moves Gov. Crist? Ask again later By Frank Cerabino Palm Beach Post I think it's time to de-mystify the decision making process of our beloved governor. GOP to pump $2.5 million to help Rubio in Florida The Associated Press Tampa Tribune The Republican Party is supplying $2.5 million in advertising support to Marco Rubio's Senate campaign in Florida, a sizable commitment to a candidate the party once tried to push out of the contest. Jeff Greene sues Miami Herald, St. Petersburg Times over coverage By Jay Weaver Miami Herald Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene accused The Miami Herald and St. Petersburg Times in a libel lawsuit filed Wednesday of orchestrating a “plan to assassinate [his] character” that cost him the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate in Florida. Alternative political parties hold some sway in Florida By Scott Powers Orlando Sentinel If they voted as a bloc, Florida's third-party members could have a decisive impact on close races throughout the state, including some in Central Florida. House candidates David Rivera, Joe Garcia can't escape Cuba factor By Patricia Mazzei and Lesley Clark Miami Herald The campaign websites and stump speeches of congressional hopefuls David Rivera and Joe Garcia don't mention the defining issue of their careers: Cuba. BALLOT INITIATIVES Dueling sides differ on effect of Florida zoning amendment By Brandon Larrabee Florida Times-Union Supporters call it a needed check on growth; opponents say it will likely kill jobs. Hometown Democracy foes (politely) square off By Kate Bradshaw WMNF Community Radio Tampa Many Floridians are fed up with the unchecked sprawl that defines much of the state’s landscape. In November voters may adopt a state constitutional amendment that lets them have a say in every land use change proposed in their communities. How the Legislature voted on the devious Amendment 7 By Howard Troxler St. Petersburg Times Sometimes what our Legislature tries to get away with is bad enough. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY FDEP workshop suggests the agency will recommend ineffective water quality standards By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent In the wake of a rash of fish and bird deaths likely due to toxic blue-green algal blooms in the St. Johns River, there are renewed calls for standards that dictate how much nutrient runoff citizens and businesses can dump into Florida’s fresh water. Planning new water-quality standards, state asks if St. Johns rules are OK already By Steve Patterson Florida Times-Union Despite a federal court order to set new clean-water standards for Florida's rivers, a state agency is debating whether rules for the St. Johns River in Jacksonville are good enough already. Despite critics, Feinberg says he's paid $17 million in 3,000 emergency oil-spill checks By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post BP oil spill claims czar Ken Feinberg has overpromised and underdelivered, Florida officials and others said Wednesday. BP Claims administrator Feinberg responds to Florida oil spill task force criticism By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com Members of a state oil spill task force on Wednesday sharply criticized independent claims administrator Kenneth R. Feinberg for his new claims review process while Attorney General Bill McCollum said he plans to meet with Feinberg to discuss their differences. Florida wildlife agency adopts new species classification system By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Wednesday approved a new process for identifying threatened species that would replace the controversial state listing process. EDUCATION School enrollment up slightly; no plans for new schools after this year By Marc Freeman South Florida Sun-Sentinel Related: How FCAT will change this year Palm Beach County's school enrollment is rising again, but officials aren't planning any new schools for at least five years because of a funding drop, according to two new reports out Wednesday. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Housing prices up, yet doubt persists By Tom Bayles Sarasota Herald-Tribune On a Tuesday morning conference call featuring the housing experts behind the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, only one clear point emerged about the future of the housing market: uncertainty. State's Banks Lose In Second Quarter By John Hielscher Lakeland Ledger While U.S. financial institutions boasted their highest profits in nearly three years, Florida banks continued to rack up sizable losses. HEALTH AND SENIORS Florida is going after millions tied to health care reform By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune Gov. Charlie Crist may be wrestling with his position on federal health care reform but Florida’s state agencies are not. 69 FL employers get federal $$ Staff Report Health News Florida Florida may be leading a multistate legal battle against the federal health law, but that isn't stopping the state's businesses and public agencies from taking advantage of money the law offers to help pay for early-retiree coverage. Area lawmakers urge Congress bypass judge, pass law allowing embryonic stem cell research By George Bennett Palm Beach Post Democratic Senate candidate and U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek and local U.S. Reps Ron Klein and Ted Deutch today called for Congress to quickly pass legislation to overturn a recent federal judge's order that blocked federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Florida's illegal immigrants have fled state By Victor Manuel Ramos Orlando Sentinel The threat of illegal immigration may have been a political flashpoint in the recent Florida primaries, but a new study suggests that fewer undocumented immigrants call the state home. Illegal immigration to U.S. in sharp decline By Alfonso Chardy Miami Herald At a time when immigration is a political flash point across the country, the number of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. is in sharp decline.