Daily Clips for October 4, 2010

PROGRESS FLORIDA IN THE NEWS PROGRESS FLORIDA SAYS YES ON 5 & 6 News Service of Florida A coalition of non-partisan but left of center political groups on Friday called on voters to approve Amendments 5 & 6 to change the way state legislative and congressional districts are drawn. In its 2010 voters guide, Progress Florida said both amendments would "stop the partisan favoritism and stop politicians from rigging districts to unfairly perpetuate their own political power." The coalition is made up of a number of groups including the ACLU, Florida Association of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, Florida PIRG, the Florida Education Association and the League of Women Voters. The amendments would require that districts not unfairly favor a particular candidate or party. Critics including the James Madison Institute say the amendments are confusing, contradictory and if approved result in political districts being drawn by the courts. A legislatively crafted proposal to negate 5 & 6 was thrown out by the courts. Exclusive sneak peak: Progress Florida’s “2010 Progressive Ballot Guide” By Peter Schorsch St. Petersblog 2.0 The 2010 Progressive Ballot Guide contains Progress Florida’s recommendations in addition to those of ten other leading Florida progressive organizations. FEATURED STORIES Florida candidates for governor talk up job creation but both have experience with job elimination By Mary Ellen Klas, Marc Caputo and Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Florida's leading candidates for governor boast of savvy business experience and the ability to create jobs, but left unspoken is the fact that both left trails of pink slips behind as they blazed through the cutthroat world of corporate megamergers. Payment to Rubio's car leasing company in 2002 raises questions By Beth Reinhard Miami Herald Republican Senate nominee Marco Rubio spent heavily on four reelection campaigns as a state legislator, though he never faced a serious challenge. Social Security in the race for U.S. Senate By Lloyd Dunkelberger Sarasota Herald-Tribune With one out of six Floridians receiving Social Security, it is no surprise that the federal entitlement program has become a pivotal issue in this fall's U.S. Senate race. Fla. Gov. Crist hurt by hits from left, right By Brendan Farrington The Associated Press Gov. Charlie Crist, the independent candidate for Senate, says he loves Democrats and Republicans. But they aren't loving him back. If you vote for Amendment 4, you'll turn purple and get fat (and other exaggerations) By Howard Troxler St. Petersburg Times Amendment 4 simply says that local voters in Florida should have the final say over some growth decisions. But to hear Florida's business community tell it, such an idea would be the end of the world. Democrats say 'enthusiasm gap' is narrowing By Michael Memoli Orlando Sentinel Democratic strategists are arguing that the prolonged "enthusiasm gap" Republicans enjoyed in polls this year has begun to narrow, which bodes well for the party as Election Day draws closer. EDITORIAL CARTOON OF THE WEEK Editorial cartoon caption contest By Dana Summers Orlando Sentinel FLORIDA POLITICS Auditors questioned Jim Greer's GOP-paid flights, but not incoming Speaker Dean Cannon's By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel When incoming Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon travels to the capital city for political business, the son of an Air Force pilot prefers to fly himself — and charge the cost to the Republican Party of Florida. Greer asks judge to drop charges The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Ousted Florida GOP chairman Jim Greer is asking a judge to throw out most of the criminal charges filed against him earlier this year by Florida's statewide prosecutor. Senate firings leave an ugly odor By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times A competent state worker is abruptly fired — kicked to the curb in the middle of a recession — and no one will explain why. Hey, N.Y.! Fla. set to gain seats, bragging rights By Beth Reinhard Miami Herald If you're a native Floridian like me, you tire of New Yorkers boasting about how much better things are in “the city.” 32 new Florida laws take effect today By Robert Nolin Palm Beach Post Assault a homeless person and you could face tougher penalties similar to hate crime laws. Tallahassee's 'Taj Mahal': Follow the $33.5 million Editorial Palm Beach Post You heard plenty about a "pay-to-play" culture in Palm Beach County. POLITICAL RACES Today is deadline for registering to vote in Nov. 2 election Staff Report Tampa Tribune If you want to vote in the November general election, today is your last day to register. Sink says job losses were small in bank merger By Megan O'Matz and Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel In August, the Republican Governors Association poured more than $1.1 million into an attack ad accusing Democrat Alex Sink of laying off thousands of employees while raking in more than $8 million in salary and bonuses as a top Florida banker. Alex Sink was on Sykes board when state, investors sued By Marc Caputo and Mary Ellen Klas St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Democrat Alex Sink says the big difference between her and Republican rival Rick Scott in the governor's race is that she has "never been associated with any whiff of scandal, corruption or cheating the government." Scott campaign defends his record as head of hospital chain By Peter Franceschina and Sally Kestin Orlando Sentinel Florida gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott's campaign motto is simple: "Let's get to work." In Florida governor's race, Democrat Alex Sink steers past Washington to reach Tallahassee By Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Florida Democrats say this could be their best chance to win the governor's race since their last victory 16 years ago. Scott, Sink differ over expanding school vouchers, accountability By Catherine Whittenburg Tampa Tribune GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott released a proposal last week for revamping Florida's K-12 school system that stresses his desire to "expand school choice" for students and parents. Alex Sink's business past could be issue in Florida race By Brandon Larrabee Florida Times-Union Several months ago, when it seemed like the general election matchup for governor would feature Republican Attorney General Bill McCollum and Democratic Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, the Republican Governors Association began airing an ad ripping Sink for layoffs at her bank years ago. Florida governor's race: Campaigns focus on 'convenience voters' By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel One undisputed fact emerging from Florida's 2010 primary elections is that "convenience voting" matters more than ever. Quinnipiac poll: Scott leading Sink in race for governor By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Linking Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink to President Obama looks like a smart strategy for Republicans in Florida's race for governor. Senate race has national implications By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Related: Meek on fire: 'I won't give up' Related: Crist: People are weary of partisanship Related: Rubio is a symbol of conservative backlash Florida hasn't had a U.S. Senate race with such national implications since George Smathers ousted Claude Pepper 58 years ago. Is Crist flip-flopping or simply a true moderate? By Zac Anderson Sarasota Herald-Tribune The call came on Nadine Smith's cell phone, and for the first time in 20 years of political advocacy, she was talking to a sitting governor. Trailing in Senate race, Crist keeps up his charm offense By Adam C. Smith St. Petersburg Times Of all the wonders in Florida, surely one is Charlie Crist working an airport. Crist's push-pull relationship with Jeb Bush By George Bennett Palm Beach Post "I'm a Jeb Bush Republican," Gov. Charlie Crist declared back in his GOP days. Meek races to close the polling gap By Kimberly C. Moore Gainesville Sun U.S. Senate candidate Kendrick Meek started Sunday in Jacksonville, campaigning at several churches. Marco Rubio sticks to his script By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times Marco Rubio has said the same thing so often it's become a laugh line. Republican candidate Marco Rubio casts U.S. Senate race as battle for America By George Bennett Palm Beach Post Whether he's recounting the story of his Cuban exile parents, touting tax cuts or dismissing a question about his personal finances, Republican Senate candidate Marco Rubio seldom misses a chance to promote the idea of American exceptionalism. Marco?…Spendo! Is Marco Rubio really serious about cutting budgets? By Mike Thomas Orlando Sentinel Is Marco Rubio pandering, flip-flopping, going all Charlie Crist on us? U.S. Senate race: Who can win Northwest Florida? By Travis Griggs Pensacola News Journal In 2006, when Republican Charlie Crist ran for governor, he won 59 percent of the vote in Escambia County to Democrat Jim Davis's 39 percent. Ag commissioner candidates similar By Jim Ash Florida Capital News The two leading contenders for agriculture commissioner are a mirror image: a 36-year-old congressman and rising Republican star and a 42-year-old Democrat and former state party chairman who was also hailed as a wonder kid. BALLOT INITIATIVES State high court will hear debate over class size and so will most voters By Jeffrey S. Solochek St. Petersburg Times Classroom by classroom, Florida public school districts continue the march to reduce the number of students and finally meet the mandate voters approved eight years ago. Class-size amendment: Both sides low-key on hot issue By Rafael A. Olmeda South Florida Sun-Sentinel It's a high-stakes issue that could affect every public school in the state. Corrine Brown, NAACP at odds over redistricting amendments By Matt Dixon Florida Times-Union A battle brewing over two Florida constitutional amendments that would change the way the state’s political districts are drawn has opened a rift between one of the nation’s oldest civil rights organizations and black politicians who say the amendments will harm their communities. Stop political protection plan By Deirdre Macnab Orlando Sentinel Gerrymandering, the process by which politicians draw districts so they can win again and again, has been around for a long time — so long there have been districts named " Abe Lincoln on a Vacuum," "The Earmuff" and the "Flying Giraffe" to describe the wacky shapes that result. Take back the power: Vote yes on 5 and 6 By Deborah L. Nelson Pensacola News Journal On Nov. 2, Florida voters have an opportunity to reclaim their right as citizens to select their own government officials, instead of government officials selecting themselves. Florida May Pioneer Growth and Development Voting With Amendment 4 By Dale White Sarasota Herald-Tribune Amendment 4 on the Nov. 2 ballot is a precedent-setting idea. No other state has adopted a similar measure. Fla. amendment would repeal public campaign funds By Antonio Gonzalez The Associated Press Public campaign financing became a hot topic during this record-spending election, so it's only fitting Florida voters will have the final say on the issue. Amendment to ease soldiers' tax burden By R. Norman Moody Florida Today While helping train Afghan soldiers in their home country, Michael Waldrop saw firsthand how much U.S. battlefield troops think about responsibilities back home. YES on Amendments 5, 6: Let voters pick politicians Editorial Palm Beach Post In 2002, as a member of the Florida Senate, Republican Mario Diaz-Balart helped draw a new Miami-area congressional district for himself. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Brogan says he's "more comfortable" with Florida's role in oil spill research By Bruce Ritchie Florida Tribune State University System Chancellor Frank Brogan said Friday he is becoming "more comfortable" with the possible role that Florida's public and private universities will play in oil spill research funded by BP following an announcement by the company this week. Georgia senators seek to undo judge's favorable ruling for Florida By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com Two Georgia senators have introduced bills in Congress to overturn a federal judge's ruling in 2009 that was favorable to Florida in the states' lengthy battle over water. LGBT Candidates for Florida attorney general have differing views on where gay adoption lawsuit should go By Larry Hannan Florida Times-Union Candidates running for Florida attorney general usually want the public to know they'll be tough on crime. EDUCATION Sex ed funding ends decade of abstinence-only By Kelli Kennedy The Associated Press For the first time in more than a decade, the federal government is funding sex education programs that are not based solely on abstinence. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Report: Stimulus on track The Associated Press Florida Today President Barack Obama's $800 billion-plus economic stimulus law may not be earning good grades with the public, but the White House says it's on track to produce the promised 3.5 million jobs. Mortgage document troubles holding up foreclosures By Kimberly Miller Palm Beach Post The technical glitch that Ally Financial is citing for freezing portions of its foreclosure machine could keep Susan Carlsen in her million-dollar Jupiter home for another year. IRS: 2,000-plus Florida homeowners with tainted Chinese drywall can claim tax loss By Allison Ross Palm Beach Post Homeowners with houses affected by tainted Chinese-manufactured drywall can now claim a "casualty loss" tax deduction, the Internal Revenue Service announced. HEALTH AND SENIORS Recession Swells Fla. Medicaid Rolls By Lloyd Dunkelberger Lakeland Ledger Underscoring the pivotal role Medicaid will have in state budget decisions, a new report shows Florida was in the top tier of states that saw their health care programs for the poor and disabled soar in the worst economic recession since the Great Depression. Loophole allows ex-director to lobby health agency By Stacey Singer Palm Beach Post As critical health reform deadlines loom, the former secretary of Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration, Medicaid expert Tom Arnold, has left government to join one of Tallahassee's top lobbying firms, Southern Strategies. Nonpartisan Florida group pushes to address children's issues By Rich Phillips CNN The marching band and the waving flags gave it the look and feel of a political rally. For children's sake Editorial Miami Herald On Wednesday, some 1,700 people braved a powerful rainstorm in Miami to attend a ``Milk Party'' rally in support of the recently formed Children's Movement of Florida, which aims to bring attention to the plight of the youngest and most neglected residents of this state. Florida needs 'Milk Party' movement Editorial South Florida Sun-Sentinel The Children's Movement of Florida is a badly needed solution to an enduring problem.