Daily Clips for October 12, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Obama gives Democrats a pep talk By Amy Sherman and Lesley Clark Miami Herald President Barack Obama urged Democratic donors at an NBA star-studded Coral Gables fundraiser on Monday to get out the vote and boost Democrats, telling them that his 2008 election “was only the beginning of the dream.” Sink, Scott trade charges of corruption The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Democrat Alex Sink and Republican Rick Scott both escalated their attacks in their war of corruption charges in the Florida governor's race Monday. New Quinnipiac Poll shows Sink, Scott in dead heat for governor By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Republican Rick Scott are in a dead heat in their race for governor, a new poll indicates today. Incoming Senate president jettisons longtime staffers as GOP consolidates power By Marc Caputo St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau The once-moderate Florida Senate is growing more conservative under incoming leader Mike Haridopolos in the wake of high-level staff firings and resignations that have thinned the ranks of Democrats in the upper chamber. FLORIDA POLITICS Audit of 'Taj Mahal' 1st District Court of Appeal courthouse finds 17 problem areas By Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times Related editorial: Courthouse deal riddled with ethical lapses Judges at the 1st District Court of Appeal illegally took control of building themselves a new courthouse and added millions to the cost with custom fixtures, etched glass, African mahogany and granite, according to auditors who reviewed the project. POLITICAL RACES As CFO, Alex Sink more incremental than sweeping By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel When Alex Sink was elected Florida's chief financial officer four years ago, supporters hoped she would lead a rebound for out-of-power Democrats in state government. Alex Sink keeps running mate Rod Smith in background By Adam C. Smith St. Petersburg Times Democratic candidate for governor Alex Sink didn't have to look far to find a credible bulldog to raise sharp questions about Republican Rick Scott's extensive legal and business baggage. Sink slams Scott in new two-minute ad dubbed ‘Fraud Files’ By Brett Ader Florida Independent Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink released a new two-minute ad today, slamming her Republican opponent in the harshest attack yet leveled by the CFO. Opinion page editors wonder: Who (and Where) are you, Rick Scott? By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel The push to win newspaper endorsements has turned into a one-sided affair in the Florida governor’s race, with Republican Rick Scott effectively boycotting editorial boards while Democrat Alex Sink makes a big, homestretch pitch for support. In Florida, Obama raises money, rallies spirits By Julie Pace The Associated Press President Barack Obama implored Democrats on Monday to remember why they sent him to the White House and told supporters that a Republican-led Congress would prevent him from accomplishing his agenda. Immigration may be key factor in election By Bianca Fortis Florida Independent Debate over immigration could play a key role in Florida elections, the Orlando Sentinel is reporting. Immigration Debate Could Weigh Heavily in Ag Commissioner Race By Kevin Bouffard Lakeland Ledger Florida farmers have a deserved reputation as a conservative bunch, but their full-throated advocacy for federal legislation that would give legal residency to up to 2 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. would make most liberals proud. Obama, Boehner visits to S. Fla. show Klein-West race important nationally By George Bennett Palm Beach Post In case there was any doubt, the race between Democratic U.S. Rep. Ron Klein and Republican challenger Allen West is officially a big national deal. Opposites face off in Fla.'s 8th District By Mike Schneider The Associated Press U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson isn't subtle and neither is the attack ad the Democrat is running against his Repbulican opponent. Rivera, Garcia debate again -- on Spanish radio By Patricia Mazzei Miami Herald A day after their first bruising debate, Democrat Joe Garcia and Republican David Rivera faced off again Monday afternoon, this time on a Spanish-language radio station where the two congressional candidates laid out clear lines of attack against each other. Ambler challenge of Norman goes to trial today By Mike Salinero Tampa Tribune A one-day trial gets under way this morning to hear state Rep. Kevin Ambler's lawsuit that seeks to disqualify Jim Norman's candidacy for the state Senate District 12 seat. BALLOT INITIATIVES Amendments 5 & 6 would reshape Fla. redistricting By Mike Schneider The Associated Press Every 10 years, after the release of the U.S. Census count, lawmakers in Tallahassee battle over how Florida's legislative and congressional districts should be redrawn. Voters to Decide Fair Districts’ Fate By Mike Vasilinda Capitol News Service This November, voters will decide the fate of two constitutional amendments designed to keep politicians from drawing their own districts without guidelines. Fair Districts ad: politicians like bank robbers and foxes in the hen house By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post Politicians are foxes guarding the hen house or bank robbers protecting the banks when it comes to drawing their own districts, a new ad by the backers of Amendments 5 and 6 accuses. Amendment 8 debate centers on money for schools By Sherri Ackerman Tampa Tribune High school principal Rocky Hanna believed in Amendment 8 when state lawmakers tapped him last spring to stand with them in support of the measure. School boards back amendment scaling back class size law By Leslie Postal Orlando Sentinel The group representing Central Florida school boards agreed Monday to urge voters to support a ballot measure that would scale back the strictest portion of Florida's class-size law. On the ballot: Proposal to give property tax exemption to military deployed overseas By Adam Playford Palm Beach Post Out of Michael Waldrop's stint as an infantry captain in Afghanistan has already come two Bronze Stars for Valor and a Purple Heart. Balanced budget item is the first nonbinding referendum ever on statewide ballot By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post Nearly obscured at the bottom of the state portion of Florida's Nov. 2 ballot is a question for voters that's a historical departure from every other election in the state's history. Amendments 5 and 6: Vote yes Editorial Gainesville Sun Giving state lawmakers unrestricted authority to draw legislative and congressional district lines is just like putting foxes in charge of the henhouse. We recommend: Vote yes on Amendments 5, 6 Editorial Florida Today Florida voters have a major opportunity to stand up for the cause of good government and improve the health of democracy Nov. 2. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY State nixes bear workshops because of hunting controversy By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com State wildlife officials on Monday postponed workshops on black bear management because they said too many people wanted to talk about hunting bears. Florida regulators examine excess FPL profits The Associated Press Tampa Tribune The state Public Service Commission is considering a staff recommendation for Florida Power & Light Co. to set aside $400 million for possible refunds due to excess profits. Where's the EPA? Editorial Miami Herald EPA director Lisa Jackson has won a reprieve on an order to appear in Miami federal court last week to explain her agency's “glacial slowness” in meeting water pollution standards vital to Everglades restoration. EDUCATION Merit Pay: FL school boards, superintendents, unions to work on their own proposal By Leslie Postal Orlando Sentinel Educators expect Florida’s legislative leaders will push again next year for some type of teacher merit pay bill, and this time they want to be prepared. For-profit colleges slam state schools By Michael Vasquez Miami Herald Stung by a barrage of recent criticism, the nation's for-profit colleges and universities are crying foul -- and going on the attack. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Florida Attorney General joins 39 states investigating foreclosure crisis By Diane C. Lade South Florida Sun-Sentinel Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum has joined top regulators from 39 other states in scrutinizng the banks, mortgage companies and loan servicers involved in the widening foreclosure crisis. Who should pay for Florida’s high-speed rail? By Travis Pillow Florida Independent Speculation has been increasing that support for high-speed rail projects may hinge on who gets elected governor. Florida's High Speed Rail on track for 2015 By Sarah Curran WMNF Community Radio Tampa This isn't your average choo-choo train. Federal report: ‘There are real costs to not investing in infrastructure’ By Travis Pillow Florida Independent The point has been made repeatedly over the past few years: Increasing investment in infrastructure can be good for the economy, as long as it’s done right. NASA closer to getting extra space shuttle flight The Associated Press Palm Beach Post There's still the matter of money. But it looks increasingly likely that NASA will get an extra space shuttle flight. HEALTH AND SENIORS State can shut down dangerous 'pill mills' Editorial Daytona Beach News-Journal Florida's disreputable status as the nation's pain pill dispenser should change soon, thanks to a new state law that took effect Oct. 1. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Advocates in South Florida push to implement new law that takes DNA upon felony arrests By Jerome Burdi South Florida Sun-Sentinel Beginning in January, state law will require felony suspects to submit DNA samples to police for inclusion in a national database.