Daily Clips for November 30, 2010

PROGRESS FLORIDA IN THE NEWS Could the legislature push fetal personhood amendment onto ballots? By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent Excerpt: In response to Progress Florida’s announcement of a letter-writing campaign to Gov.-elect Rick Scott, demanding that he make known his stance on the initiative, Plakon says that the amendment is “citizen-led” and not reliant on Scott’s support or opposition. FEATURED STORIES Outgoing Fla. Gov. Crist worries about divisions By Brendan Farrington The Associated Press Outgoing Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who steps down in January after losing an independent bid for the U.S. Senate, says he is concerned that political divisions are preventing elected officials from both parties from working together to address the nation's problems. Governor-Elect Rick Scott Names Advisory Teams By Michael Peltier News Service of Florida With economic development far atop his list of things to do, Gov-elect Rick Scott on Monday unveiled a voluminous list of business leaders, academics and local elected officials to help him "get to work" by focusing on regulatory reforms and incentives to help attract more than 700,000 jobs to the state over the next seven years. Capital Press Corps Ponders Relations with Governor-Elect By Margie Menzel WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee Governor-elect Rick Scott was able to skirt the traditional route to office, which includes answering a lot of questions from reporters. House Republicans close doors, have how-to session for new GOP legislators By Steve Bousquet and Marc Caputo St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Speaker Dean Cannon summoned all 80 Republican House colleagues to a closed, two-day training seminar Monday, with no notice beforehand to the media or public. Tallahassee gets first glimpse inside mammoth District Court of Appeal By Paul Flemming Florida Capital News In 17 days, the moving trucks are set to pull up to the 1st District Court of Appeal in downtown and begin the move to its much-maligned, mammoth new home in southeast Tallahassee. FLORIDA POLITICS Anonymous attacks slam Hillsborough GOP chief seeking top party job By Janet Zink St. Petersburg Times With Florida Republicans set to choose a new leader in January, an anonymous attack campaign has been launched against Hillsborough GOP chief Deborah Cox-Roush, who is running for state party chairwoman. Crist Makes Public Service Commission Appointment Staff Report Lakeland Ledger Outgoing Gov. Charlie Crist has appointed West Palm Beach city official Eduardo Balbis to serve out the remainder of former Public Service Commission Chairwoman Nancy Argenziano's terms. Five attorneys competing to be Bondi's statewide prosecutor By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune Five attorneys have applied to be Florida’s next statewide prosecutor, including a sitting Miami Dade County sitting judge and a former Miami Dade County judge. Members will have to vote to let Wilson wear hats in U.S. House By Amy Sherman and Lesley Clark Miami Herald Frederica Wilson was known as the Florida state legislator who owned a massive collection of fancy hats. But when the Democrat was elected to the 17th District congressional seat on Nov. 2, representing portions of Miami-Dade and Broward counties, her fashion statement ran afoul of the rules. POLITICAL RACES Greco shakes up Tampa mayor's race with bid for a 5th term By Ray Reyes and Christian M. Wade Tampa Tribune Four established politicians running for Tampa mayor were thrown a potential roadblock on Monday, when four-time mayor Dick Greco entered the race seeking a fifth term. LGBT '''Don't ask, don't tell'' is not going anywhere,' says GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina The Associated Press Miami Herald A Republican senator on Sunday played down the chances that the ban on gays serving openly in the military would be lifted during the lame-duck session of Congress that resumes this week. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Castor: fate of Bush tax cuts uncertain By Kate Bradshaw WMNF Community Radio Tampa One of the most contentious issues Congress will take up during its lame duck session is that of the Bush-era tax cuts. Pay freeze on federal employees could affect nearly 6,000 employees in the two-county By Jamie Page Pensacola News Journal The proposed two-year freeze on federal employee wages could affect nearly 6,000 federal civilian employees in the two-county Pensacola Bay Area. State investment chief: No fallout so far from federal probe By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune The state’s chief investment officer said Monday that he did not expect any fallout from an ongoing federal investigation into hedge funds but he admitted that there is not a lot of information about the investigation at this time. Black Friday Sales Give Florida a Financial Boost By Yoselis Ramos WUSF Public Radio Tampa The Florida Retail Federation says all those folks who camped out on Black Friday are giving the state a financial shot in the arm. HEALTH AND SENIORS Companies prepare to pass higher health costs along — to you By Linda Shrieves Orlando Sentinel If you've checked out your company's health-plan changes for 2011, you've probably seen higher co-payments, deductibles and premiums in the forecast. Key questions cloud medical pot debate By Barbara Peters Smith Sarasota Herald-Tribune Related: Florida-based advocate presses case across U.S. On the fourth floor of a hivelike, 1970s-vintage lab building on the University of South Florida's medical campus, Thomas Klein has spent 25 years studying marijuana's effects on the immune systems of mice, blowfish and human beings. Waste watch: Medicare admits overpaying for items like wheelchairs By Sally Kestin South Florida Sun-Sentinel It's no secret the federal government is not always frugal with our money -- remember the military's $640 toilet seats and $436 hammers? Now comes Medicare paying more than double the retail cost for wheelchairs. Nurses at three for-profit hospitals vote to join union By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent Registered nurses in three central Florida hospitals have voted to join the National Nurses Organizing Committee-Florida, an affiliate of National Nurses United, the country’s biggest union and professional association of registered nurses. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES More on the economics of the DREAM Act By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent Excerpt: The Florida Chamber of Commerce on the DREAM Act The U.S. Senate this week will discuss the DREAM Act, a bill that would benefit up to 2.1 million young undocumented immigrants — including 160,000 who live in Florida. Over Nineteen Thousand FL Kids Need a “Forever Family” By Gina Presson Public News Service Florida With this week's observance of National Adoption Day, thousands of Florida children have an early holiday wish list - a wish for a family. GOP 'citizenship' bill mean-spirited idea Editorial South Florida Sun-Sentinel The priorities of the newly-elected Congress may be taking a troubling turn. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Florida sued over sale of drivers' personal information By Robert Nolin South Florida Sun-Sentinel A lawsuit against the state of Florida over the sale of personal driver's license information to a private firm may proceed as a class action, a federal judge has ruled. Restoring fairness to the death penalty By Daniel Ruth St. Petersburg Times Imagine lying on a gurney, a needle inserted in your arm.

Daily Clips for November 29, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Gov.-elect Rick Scott’s economic team embraces ‘free market’ approach By Ryan Mills Naples Daily News Promising to slash taxes, cut government and create 700,000 new jobs along the way, Florida Gov.-elect Rick Scott campaigned as an unapologetic economic conservative and champion of the free market. Rick Scott's most trusted adviser an unknown to most Floridians By Tonya Alanez South Florida Sun-Sentinel She may be helping to shape the Sunshine State's future, but to the majority of Floridians she's a total unknown. Scott quiet on future of an immigration bill in Florida By Catherine Whittenburg Tampa Tribune Four months ago, one of the few things hotter in Florida than the weather was the debate over illegal immigration -- thanks largely to Rick Scott, who used the issue as a sledgehammer against Bill McCollum in the GOP gubernatorial primary. Florida legislators move to block health-care reform By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel On his first day as Florida's new House speaker, Rep. Dean Cannon took a clear shot at President Barack Obama's new health-care reform law. Fla. Dems seek new party head By Jim Ash Florida Capital News Beaten to the edge of irrelevancy in the Nov. 2 election, the Florida Democratic Party is searching for an architect in a crucial rebuilding year. Rumors swirl over state GOP leader By Jim Ash Pensacola News Journal For a Republican Party of Florida struggling to shake off a cloud of scandal, the Nov. 2 election may have been the easy part. EDITORIAL CARTOON OF THE WEEK By Jeff Parker Florida Today FLORIDA POLITICS Hillsborough GOP leader aiming for state party's top post By Janet Zink St. Petersburg Times Related: Gillum makes his case for Florida Democratic Party chair At a luncheon in Orlando this month, Deborah Cox-Roush took her seat at a table with newly anointed U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster and Lt. Gov.-elect Jennifer Carroll. Florida laws will follow state Senate’s right turn By Brandon Larrabee Florida Times-Union Conservatives have long called the Florida Senate the place where good policy ideas went to die. Focus now on Scott filling posts By Derek Catron Daytona Beach News-Journal Kit Martin had been a die-hard Bill McCollum supporter, even hosting a fundraising event in her home for the gubernatorial hopeful. Rick Scott's proposed $1 billion cut to prison budget likely to spur a fight By Kathleen Haughuney News Service of Florida When Gov.-elect Rick Scott unveiled his economic plan on the campaign trail this summer, there was a portion that caught many law enforcement professionals by surprise, a proposed $1 billion cut to the state's corrections' budget. Legislature has lots of millionaires By John Kennedy News Service of Florida With multi-millionaire Republican Rick Scott heading into the governor's office, Florida voters also are turning to a Legislature packed with millionaires to lead the state out of its long and deep economic trench. Marco Rubio: Catholic or Protestant? By Mark Oppenheimer New York Times Marco Rubio, the charismatic senator-elect from Florida, is in many ways similar to other Cuban-American politicians from his home state: conservative, Republican and a “practicing and devout Roman Catholic,” in the words of his spokesman, one who “regularly attends Catholic Mass” and “was baptized, confirmed and married in the Roman Catholic Church.” Allen West, one of two black Republicans just elected to House, goes against grain By Krissah Thompson Washington Post Allen West, a 22-year Army veteran, is preparing for Washington a bit like he would for a battlefield. Fla congresswoman to head House Foreign Affairs By Laura Wides-Munoz The Associated Press She hung up on the next president, Barack Obama. Twice. She thought it was a prank. RNC convention spending alarms party veterans By Dan Balz Washington Post Republicans are spending freely on their 2012 national convention in Tampa, burning through money at a pace that has alarmed some veterans of past conventions and causing more potential problems for Republican National Committee Chairman Michael S. Steele. Democratic party organizers suspended after snubbing Palm Beach County commissioner By George Bennett Palm Beach Post Palm Beach County Democratic Chairman Mark Alan Siegel says he has suspended a pair of party precinct organizers after they publicly snubbed Democratic County Commissioner Burt Aaronson. POLITICAL RACES Candidates in 2012 Florida races already spending campaign cash By Matt Dixon Florida Times-Union The year was 2008, and a rumor that state Sen. Tony Hill, D-Jacksonville, was in line to be appointed the senior U.S. diplomat in Bermuda sparked some early politicking by those who wanted to be next in line for Hill's seat. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Tribes angry, Everglades projects halt after workers dig up major burial ground but don't tell By Christine Stapleton Palm Beach Post In May 2008, archaeologists began the tedious task of exhuming the remains of Native Americans at a remote site south of Lake Okeechobee and reburying them at another remote site, to make way for a man-made wetland needed to restore the Everglades. Lake Okeechobee water releases raise concerns about South Florida water supply By Andy Reid South Florida Sun-Sentinel Sending more Lake Okeechobee water west for environmental needs is raising concerns for South Florida growers planning to rely on lake water for irrigation during the dry months to come. Feinberg: All oil spill claim payouts justified By Louis Cooper Pensacola News Journal Independent oil spill claims administrator Ken Feinberg says the fact that most compensation money in Florida has gone outside of the five counties that saw oil on their beaches is not the product of bias. Wildlife trade brings tarantulas, pythons, cobras By David Fleshler and Dana Williams South Florida Sun-Sentinel They arrive from Amazon rainforests, central African savannahs and south Asian jungles, crated passengers in the cargo holds of airliners. LGBT Troops buck historical trend by saying gays OK By Anne Flaherty The Associated Press When a majority of troops told the Pentagon this summer they didn't care if gays were allowed to serve openly in the military, it was in sharp contrast to the time when America's fighting forces voiced bitter opposition to accepting racial minorities and women in the services. EDUCATION Lawmakers to Scott: Fix schools By Peter Guinta St. Augustine Record Rick Scott, Florida's governor-elect, stopped at the Hilton Garden Inn with his mobile transition team Wednesday to listen to local lawmakers, all of whom stressed that the state's education system needs improvement. Are Florida's high-school grads ready for college? By Lauren Roth Orlando Sentinel As a student at Colonial High School, Valeria Martinez took dual-enrollment college courses, qualified for honors English and earned B's in all of her math classes. State approves 65 school improvement grants By Bill Kaczor The Associated Press State officials have approved applications submitted by 62 of Florida’s 67 school districts and three laboratory schools for shares of Florida’s $700 million federal “Race to the Top” education grant. Florida Attorney General's Office now investigating eight for-profit colleges By Richard Danielson St. Petersburg Times The Florida Attorney General's Office has added three schools to its statewide investigation of student recruiting at for-profit colleges. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Jobless benefits may run out soon for many Floridians By Jim Stratton Orlando Sentinel For the more than 100,000 Floridians receiving extended unemployment benefits from the federal government, the next few weeks are going to seem familiar — stressful, but familiar. Shortcuts on the foreclosure paper trail By Todd Ruger Sarasota Herald-Tribune To get a sense of the lawlessness in Florida's court-run foreclosure process, look no further than public records at the Sarasota and Manatee county courthouses. HEALTH AND SENIORS Debate swirls around DOH future By Jim Saunders Health News Florida With the Florida Department of Health under fire in the Legislature, longtime public-health leaders are trying to help craft plans to avert what they fear will be a dismantling of the agency. Florida's AIDS medication program feeling strained By Kate Howard Florida Times-Union High unemployment and the growing ranks of the uninsured have left a program that provides free medication to the state's HIV/AIDS patients struggling to meet demand. Lawsuit break for doctors won't help Florida's Medicaid problem Editorial Palm Beach Post Republican legislators want to reduce the $7.5 billion that Florida expects to spend on Medicaid this fiscal year by giving doctors who treat the poor immunity from medical malpractice lawsuits. Legislature errs with reprieve on drug trade Editorial Bradenton Herald Florida’s Legislature made a terrible mistake in its rush to override eight vetoes by Gov. Charlie Crist. Florida's medical loss rations Editorial Sarasota Herald-Tribune With one of every five Floridians lacking health insurance, the state government should welcome the opportunities presented by the federal health care reform law. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES College students take DREAM message to Sen. George LeMieux's Miami-Dade office By Alfonso Chardy Miami Herald South Florida students took their campaign for the DREAM Act to the Miami-Dade office of U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, R-Fla., who voted against the measure in September when it surfaced as an amendment to the defense spending bill. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Former chief Judge Hawkes of Appeals Court admits he was asked to resign By Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times First District Court of Appeal Judge Paul M. Hawkes went on a Tallahassee radio morning show to "dispel" erroneous reports about the opulent new courthouse he's helped build. Jim Morrison pardon talk revives 40-year-old story By Robert Farley St. Petersburg Times Reina McWilliams woke one recent Wednesday as usual to the sounds of the "Greatest Hits of the '60s and '70s" on Magic 102.7 FM.

Daily Clips for 11-24-10

FEATURED STORIES Generational challenge brewing in vote for state Democratic party chair By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times The November election is over but another is heating up in the Florida Democratic Party. Democrats to Scott: Show us the jobs By Kelli Kennedy The Associated Press Show us the jobs. That is what Republican and Democratic legislators said Tuesday during informal meetings with Gov.-elect Rick Scott as he followed through on a campaign promise to sit down with state leaders before taking office in January. Const. amendment, round 2? By Jim Saunders Health News Florida Florida Republican lawmakers are reviving a proposed constitutional amendment that takes aim at a major part of the federal health overhaul --- with Senate President Mike Haridopolos planning the unusual step of sponsoring the proposal himself. Pelham makes it official: He's stepping down as agency chief By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune The embattled head of Florida's growth management agency has made it official that he will have no role in the administration of Governor-elect Rick Scott. Hungry For Help The Progress Report Think Progress As the holidays approach, more American kitchen tables will be empty than at any time in recent memory. FLORIDA POLITICS The New Regime Takes Power By James Call WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee Related: New Faces in Florida Legislature May Bring Change The Republican Party has controlled the legislative branch of Florida government for a dozen years. Gillum seeks to lead Florida Dem. Party By Jim Ash Florida Capital News Another Tallahassee city commissioner and political wunderkind wants to seize the reins of the Florida Democratic Party. Ousted GOP chairman Jim Greer's lawsuit against party tossed out By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times A judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the Florida Republican Party by its ousted chairman. FSU grad next director of Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee By Jim Ash Florida Capital News The musical chairs at the upper echelons of state government continued Tuesday with the news that interim Secretary of State Dawn Roberts is about to return to her old home in the Legislature. Bucher changes mind: Now willing to fix voting system instead of buying new one By Adam Playford Palm Beach Post Just days after saying Palm Beach County would need to scrap its existing voting equipment for faster results, Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher said today she now wants to consider buying add-ons to the machines she has. POLITICAL RACES Sen. Bill Nelson gets his first official Republican challenger for 2012 By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times Mike McCalister, a Republican who ran for Florida governor, said today that he'll challenge Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Feinberg to lay out details on BP spill claims The Associated Press Palm Beach Post The deadline to make an emergency Gulf of Mexico oil spill claim is over and the administrator of the $20 billion fund is laying out more details about what happens next. Environment Florida: 60 mpg standard would save Floridians millions over holiday weekend By Kate Bradshaw WMNF Community Radio Tampa An estimated one million cars will be taking to Florida’s highways for the upcoming holiday weekend. LGBT Orange approves anti-discrimination rules for gays By David Damron Orlando Sentinel Orange County leaders joined the ranks of most other urban areas in Florida on Tuesday by voting 6-1 to expand anti-discrimination protections for gay people in the private sector. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY IRS looking to give back almost $20 million in undelivered refunds Florida By Jeff Harrington St. Petersburg Times Payback time: the Internal Revenue Service is on the hunt for 11,278 Florida taxpayers who are due refund checks worth a combined $19.7 million. HEALTH AND SENIORS State Rep. Plakon resurrects health care amendment By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent State Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, last Tuesday filed House Joint Resolution 1, which proposes that the legislature place an amendment on Florida ballots that, if passed, would “prohibit laws or rules from compelling any person, employer, or health care provider to participate in any health care system,” a challenge to President Obama’s health care reform legislation. Listen up, GOP: new poll says majority of Americans want to keep or expand health care law By Mitch Perry Creative Loafing Although Congressional Republicans know they won’t be able to repeal the entirety of the landmark federal health care bill signed into law earlier this year, many of them insist that they’ll be able to kill it ever so softly, by starving provisions of the bill individually when they come up for a vote in the GOP controlled House, and hopefully then have a Republican president kill it outright in 2013. As drug deaths mount, new law stalls tighter state regulation By Lee Logan St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau In their zeal to slow down government regulations, Florida lawmakers have inadvertently halted an effort to regulate so-called "pill mills" that fuel an epidemic of prescription drug abuse. Contract fight pushes drug database start to 2011 By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune A new prescription drug database that was supposed to start on Dec. 1 won’t be up and running until sometime in 2011. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Counting votes for the DREAM Act: LeMieux says he ‘cannot support’ it By Elise Foley Florida Independent The DREAM Act, a bill that would allow some undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children to stay in the country legally, will come up for a vote as a standalone bill sometime before the end of the year, according to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Don't let Hawkes off the hook Editorial St. Petersburg Times Paul Hawkes’ abrupt resignation as chief judge of the 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee is a positive development, but it should not silence questions about his abuse of his position to win approval for an opulent new courthouse.

Daily Clips for November 23, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Health care fight could be part of 2012 elections By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune The Republican-controlled Legislature appears ready and willing to make the federal health care overhaul -- which helped galvanize opposition to President Barack Obama and Democrats -- a big topic for the 2012 elections. The Florida Republican Super-Majority Could Work with Democrats By Gina Jordan WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee Florida's Democratic lawmakers have essentially been rendered powerless, thanks to the GOP's veto-proof ranks in both chambers. Protesters urge DREAM Act passage By Alfonso Chardy Miami Herald A small group of immigration activists staged a protest at the entrance to the Krome immigrant detention center Monday, the first of what they said will be weekly demonstrations seeking a suspension of deportations while Congress decides whether to legalize undocumented immigrants. FLORIDA POLITICS Fla. legislature leaders ax budget 'turkeys' The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Just in time for Thanksgiving, Florida legislative leaders say they're axing budget "turkeys." Senator Haridopolos ready to get going By Jeff Schweers Florida Today Senate President Mike Haridopolos said the Legislature's biggest challenge in the coming year is to cure a $2.5 billion deficit without raising taxes. Plenty of stealth could get past no-new-taxes radar By Randy Schultz Palm Beach Post New Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos last week said of his chamber that "we will not raise taxes a single dime." Mike Fasano's diminished status shows Senate's rightward drift By Mary Ellen Klas St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau To see how the Florida Senate has shifted to the right, look no further than Pasco County's Sen. Mike Fasano, an antitax crusader, former Republican majority leader, and cable news star during the 2000 presidential recount. Transition in full swing for Department of Agriculture By Jim Ash Florida Capital News The transition is starting to reverberate at the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, a spokeswoman confirmed this morning. State technology watchdog gets the axe By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune Joseph Brigham, the staff director of the Technology Review Workgroup, was asked to step down from his position on Friday. Florida Democrats need a new game plan By Abel Harding Florida Times-Union Florida Democrats, rendered irrelevant with Lilliputian minorities in the Legislature and no Cabinet seats, are a defeated and demoralized bunch. POLITICAL RACES Congress can tame corporate influence By Lawton "Bud" Chiles Tallahassee Democrat The cost of running for public office is climbing every election cycle, with no end in sight. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Everglades finance plan a victory for some, setback for others By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent The Florida Supreme Court last Thursday unanimously approved a financing plan that will allow the South Florida Water Management District to purchase a chunk of Everglades land from U.S. Sugar. Castor - new bill would designate 80 percent of BP fine money for Gulf states By Kate Bradshaw WMNF Community Radio Tampa With the recent election, Black Friday, and body scans dominating the public sphere, it may be easy to forget that the Gulf coast is still hurting from the BP oil disaster. Climate Zombie Caucus The Progress Report Think Progress One year ago, the right-wing media machine smeared climate scientists with the "Climategate" conspiracy theory, even as the climate itself continued to get hotter and more destructive and other countries seized the clean-energy initiative. Clean water at what price Editorial Ocala Star-Banner It is hard to fathom the hysteria with which Florida's political and business leaders reacted to last week's unveiling of new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency pollution limits for the state's rivers, lakes and springs. LGBT Pentagon: No gays were discharged in past month By Lisa Leff The Associated Press A Pentagon spokeswoman says no service members have been discharged for being openly gay in the month since the Defense Department adopted new rules surrounding the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. EDUCATION More veggies equal more 'brainpower,' first lady tells kids at Miami school By Ana M. Valdes Palm Beach Post By the time first lady Michelle Obama made her way to Ashley Battle's lunch table at Riverside Elementary School, the fifth-grader had munched on more than half of a shiny green pepper. Pay Teachers More? Prof's Plan to Improve Education By Gina Presson Public News Service Florida It's an idea that, in this economy, is bound to raise some eyebrows. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Florida economy still bad but bright spot for jobs ahead The Associated Press St. Petersburg Times State economists are forecasting Florida will gain about a million new jobs over the next seven years even if nothing more is done to stimulate employment growth. Judge rules that lawmakers can authorize slot machines anywhere in state By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune Hialeah's historic race track won an important court victory on Monday, after a Leon County judge shot down part of a lawsuit that contended that the track shouldn't be allowed to install slot machines. Florida regulators investigate possible telemarketing violations of 'Do Not Call' law By James Kirley TC Palm Officials who enforce Florida's "Do Not Call" telephone solicitation law say they have identified companies believed to be responsible for prerecorded calls blanketing the Treasure Coast and South Florida and have referred their case to state lawyers for possible civil fines and injunctions against further calls. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Tea party newsletter disseminates misleading information on the DREAM Act By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent As Democratic leader of the U.S. Senate Harry Reid moves to present the DREAM Act in the current lame-duck session, Tea Party Manatee, opposed to the act, is using its newsletter to promote “Ten Things you need to know about S3827 the DREAM Act.” Full-body scanners trigger concerns for some fliers By Mike Clary South Florida Sun-Sentinel For some of the estimated 1.5 million airline passengers who will pass through South Florida's three major airports in the peak week of travel ahead, it's a decision much tougher than just dark meat or light at Thanksgiving dinner: Full-body image scan, or a probing hands-on pat-down? JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Innocence Commission schooled on eyewitnesses By Kim MacQueen Florida Tribune A national expert on eyewitness misidentification told the Florida Innocence Commission on Monday that more than 30 percent of all eyewitness IDs are wrong, resulting in a huge number of innocent people behind bars.

Daily Clips for November 22, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Scott’s team coming into focus By Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Palace intrigue surrounds Rick Scott as he prepares to take control of the governor’s office. Fla. GOP aims for smaller budget By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News With conservative campaign promises still fresh in the minds of voters, Florida's newly elected leaders have some hard choices of balancing a budget and maintaining essential services. Florida's failed tax policies have our economy in the tank By Scott Maxwell Orlando Sentinel If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, then Florida politicians are downright deranged. The tragedy of how the richer made us poorer By Robyn E. Blumner St. Petersburg Times Why do you think John Boehner and Mitch McConnell are so intent on renewing the Bush tax cuts for the richest 2 percent of Americans when they know it will bust another $700 billion hole in our national treasury over 10 years and prove their hypocrisy on fiscal responsibility? Grass roots and hedge funds lined Marco Rubio's path to the Senate By Alex Leary and Lesley Clark St. Petersburg Times Related Politifact article: Steve Schale's claim about Marco Rubio's 2002 earmark requests is true On the same day in June that the U.S. House of Representatives passed expansive Wall Street reforms, an influential hedge fund manager who strongly opposed the legislation was holding a fundraiser in his Manhattan apartment for Marco Rubio. EDITORIAL CARTOON OF THE WEEK By Jim Morin Miami Herald FLORIDA POLITICS Crist administration begins to move to the exits By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune Gov. Charlie Crist on Friday jumpstarted the transition for Governor-elect Rick Scott by demanding letters of resignation from all agency heads, their management teams, and employees in the governor’s office. Sen. Bill Nelson lashes out at White House staff By Nathan Crabbe Gainesville Sun U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson criticized President Barack Obama's staff in a speech at the University of Florida on Friday, saying they failed him on issues such as the Gulf oil spill, the housing crisis and the space program. ‘On to 2007!’ By George F. Will Newsweek Come January, the faces of 34 U.S. senators will be wreathed with “six-year smiles”—the carefree look of those whose next election is agreeably distant. Lobbying income continues to slide downward By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune Lobbyist income for the third quarter of the year dipped slightly from 2009. Rules for government? The Legislature will be the judge of that By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel Florida politicians are pros at making bogey men out of their own employees: in particular, the bureaucrats tasked with making sense out of the often vague, sometimes contradictory and occasionally unconstitutional laws that get passed in Tallahassee. Charlie Crist considering job with the 'people's' law firm By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times Charlie Crist, the self-styled "people's governor," is in talks to join the "people's" law firm. Lizard King to Gov. Crist: “Dude, you rock!” By Carl Hiaasen Miami Herald An absolutely true news item: Florida Gov. Charlie Crist will seek a pardon for the late Jim Morrison, lead singer of the Doors, who was convicted of exposing himself and using profanity during a chaotic Miami concert in 1969. My Florida Recount Memory By various op-ed contributors New York Times Ten years ago this month, all eyes were on Florida as lawyers, election officials and campaign workers bickered over the hanging chads and dimpled ballots, the suits and countersuits, that would determine whether the next president would be Al Gore or George W. Bush. Let's (not) get this party started Editorial Pensacola News Journal Gov.-elect Rick Scott promised to "hit the ground running" on inauguration day, but his pledge will have to wait at least until the party's over. POLITICAL RACES Immigration may ding GOP in 2012 election By Myriam Marquez Miami Herald The GOP got its mojo back among Hispanic voters this year, which for Cubans and Puerto Ricans is a culinary delight: the mojo is the garlicky stuff you put on just about every food, as in mojo chicken. Rep. Connie Mack laying groundwork to run against Bill Nelson in 2012 By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times Rep. Connie Mack IV is making a play for the U.S. Senate, where his father once served. GOP won more than seats in Congress By Kingsley Guy South Florida Sun-Sentinel The following are a few data-driven observations concerning the Nov. 2 election. BALLOT INITIATIVES If You Think the Fight for Fair Districts in Florida is Over, Think Again By Dennis Maley Bradenton Times State Senator Don Gaetz is opposed to the Fair Districting Amendment that was passed with overwhelming support in the mid-term election earlier this month. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Oil spill funds flow past tainted shores By Louis Cooper Pensacola News Journal Excerpt: No BP pain, lots of BP gain More than half of the compensation the Gulf Coast Claims Facility has awarded in Florida for damages caused by last spring's BP oil spill has gone to areas outside of the five counties that reported oil on their beaches. In wake of oil spill, damage in the deep By Renee Schoof Miami Herald The search for what the BP oil well blowout did to the Gulf of Mexico already has gone to extraordinary lengths: more than 125 research cruises covering hundreds of square miles and taking thousands of water and sediment samples. Phosphate lawsuit: In hard-hit Hardee County, it's wetlands vs. jobs By Steve Huettel and Craig Pittman St. Petersburg Times After a hitch in the Navy and work handling psychiatric patients in lockdown, Billy Griffis held a prized job in this corner of rural Central Florida. Critics of FPL's Turkey Point expansion plan voice concerns By Curtis Morgan Miami Herald Federal regulators got an earful on Friday from activists fighting Florida Power & Light's plans to add two more nuclear reactors to its Turkey Point plant. Florida officials team up to protect water polluters Editorial St. Petersburg Times Rick Scott, Pam Bondi and the rest of Florida's newly elected Republican leadership teamed up the other day for a shameful cause — dirtier streams, lakes and drinking water. LGBT Pentagon trying to get ban lifted this year By Anne Gearan The Associated Press The Pentagon's top leaders warned Sunday that if Congress fails to repeal the ban on gays serving openly in the military, the courts may order changes that military leaders consider too fast or poorly thought-out. Florida's Gay Adoption Ban Crumbles: The Dad Behind the Case Celebrates By Bonnie Rochman Time Magazine Saturday is National Adoption Day. This year, Martin Gill is free to mark the day as the official father to two foster children he's been raising since a caseworker dropped the boys. EDUCATION Schools in funding trouble By Marcia Lane Florida Times-Union Don't expect any new schools being built here next year, and do expect cuts to educational programs and teaching positions in St. Johns County. Incoming Florida college students face readiness test By Leslie Williams Hale Naples Daily News Sixty percent of first-year American college students are academically unprepared for college. For college cheaters, a Bright Futures loophole By Richard Danielson St. Petersburg Times To win Florida's top Bright Futures scholarship, high school students must have good grades, high test scores, no felony record and 75 hours of community service. Not a panacea Editorial Florida Today Only time will tell if the Brevard County School Board’s decision Tuesday to allow Palm Bay Academy Charter to stay open, despite problems with its books and record-keeping, was a wise move. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Fla. Transit Plan Could Be Derailed By Jeremy Wallace Sarasota Herald-Tribune Just as it looked liked a nationwide high-speed rail system was taking off, a backlash by conservatives who now control many state governments is threatening to knock it off the tracks. Florida leads U.S. in serious mortgage delinquencies By Jeff Ostrowski Palm Beach Post Florida still leads the nation in the percentage of homeowners who are "seriously delinquent" on their loans, the Mortgage Bankers Association said Thursday. Florida's unemployment rate remains at 11.9% By Douglas Hanks Miami Herald Florida's battered labor market stabilized last month as the unemployment rated stayed flat at 11.9 percent. Charities and jobless brace for benefits to expire By Zac Anderson Sarasota Herald-Tribune Alan Slate has avoided the food lines so far. HEALTH AND SENIORS Fla. GOP lawmakers' plan to cut Medicaid costs: Shield doctors from malpractice suits By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post One proposal by Republican lawmakers to help reduce the $20 billion that Florida expects to pay for health care for the poor in the coming year hinges on an age-old battle between doctors and lawyers: whether doctors should be protected from medical malpractice lawsuits. Lack of distracted driving laws hurts state in ranking By Cindy Swirko Gainesville Sun Related editorial: A deadly repeal Florida's lack of regulations that ban distracted driving and require the use of motorcycle helmets led to a middling score among states in a road safety law survey conducted by the national Emergency Nurses Association. Michelle Obama visits Miami school Monday for health campaign Staff Report South Florida Sun-Sentinel Michelle Obama's campaign to reduce childhood obesity is making a stop in Miami. Lexapro Land: The Questionable Science and Obscene Profitability of Antidepressants in America By Dennis Maley Bradenton Times When Kathy got divorced her world seemed to come unglued. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Scott not backing off social network investment that Christian group urges him to drop By Ana M. Valdes Palm Beach Post Republican Gov.-elect Rick Scott is giving no indication he intends to bow to Christian protesters' demands that he give up his investment in a Spanish-language social networking site they consider immoral because it partners with Playboy Mexico and allows users to share provocative photos and messages. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Judge in ‘Taj Mahal’ scandal stepping down By Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times Chief Judge Paul M. Hawkes resigned Friday from the top job at the 1st District Court of Appeal, just a few weeks before moving into a new courthouse that critics dubbed the “Taj Mahal” and “Taj MaHawkes.” Plaintiffs: Judge, 1st DCA had conflict of interest By Paul Flemming Florida Capital News Plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the St. Joe Company have asked the Florida Supreme Court to vacate a 1st District Court of opinion, saying Judge Paul Hawkes and the entire court had a conflict of interest related to its new courthouse in southeast Tallahassee. Juvenile offenders still get near-life terms By Lloyd Dunkelberger Sarasota Herald-Tribune More than six months after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Florida's practice of sending juveniles to prison for the rest of their lives for non-murder crimes was unconstitutional, not a single former juvenile sentenced in such cases has found much relief.

Daily Clips for November 19, 2010

PROGRESS FLORIDA IN THE NEWS Progress Florida questions Scott’s stance on proposed ‘personhood’ amendment By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent Progress Florida, a progressive nonprofit group, has issued an email to its supporters, asking them to partake in a letter-writing campaign to Gov.-elect Rick Scott regarding a proposed amendment that “would give a fertilized egg the legal rights of a living person.” FEATURED STORIES Rick Scott's inauguration plans include candlelight dinner for donors By Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Rick Scott, who won the governor's race promising to cut wasteful spending, will celebrate his Jan. 4 inauguration over two days in Tallahassee with a parade, an inaugural ball and a candlelight dinner for Republican Party donors who pay up to $25,000 each to foot the bill. Confronting budget cuts and a hostile state legislature, schools face an uncertain future By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent As school board members were sworn in this week, Broward County Public Schools, the sixth largest public school system in the United States, face another year of funding cuts. New teacher merit pay details emerge By Kathleen Haughney News Service Florida The highly contentious teacher merit pay proposal that was shot down by Gov. Charlie Crist last spring has re-emerged, but with some preliminary concessions to teachers and also perhaps to Gov.-elect Rick Scott, who as the father of a special education teacher voiced concerns about the proposal's fairness to some educators. BEST OF THE BLOGS Charlie Crist Had Already Sold Out His Democratic Supporters By Kenneth Quinnell Florida Progressive Coalition I rarely take time out to say “I told you so,” partially because like most people, I’m wrong often enough that I don’t want to be a sore winner. The Florida Legislature in the Middle Ages By Gimleteye Eye on Miami In the past I've written that our state capitol, Tallahassee, is like a castle with a moat and a drawbridge guarded by lobbyists. Tallahassee Big Shots Behind Medicaid Fraud By Daniel Tilson The Examiner You've heard about how unscrupulous Medicaid fraud schemes rob the treasury and taxpayers of billions of dollars. How Can Florida Democrats Lose More? By Mario Piscatella MPA Political The easiest way would be to diminish the support for Democratic candidates among minority communities. Mike Haridopolos shares public relations firm with Rod Blagojevich and Drew Peterson By Peter Schorsch St. Petersblog 2.0 Guess what in-coming Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos shares with Rod Blagojevich, besides a giant mop of swoosh hair? FLORIDA POLITICS Rick Scott lays out agenda in private speech to business groups By Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times Republican Rick Scott largely ran through his campaign talking points tonight in his first speech since winning the election, according to a transcript of his prepared remarks. Scott announces 'law and order' transition team By Jim Ash Florida Capital News A day after Gov.-elect Rick Scott named members of his “law and order” transition team, his harshest critic, the Florida Police Benevolent Association, is holding its breath. Rod Smith new Dem chief? ‘I believe I’ll be the appointee’ By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post Despite grumblings from Palm Beach County Democratic Chairman Mark Alan Siegel to the contrary, former state Sen. Rod Smith insists he’ll be the next state party chairman. Which lame duck will break on through for Gov. Charlie Crist? By Gary Fineout The Fine Print Gov. Charlie Crist this week said he would go ahead and push to issue a posthumous pardon to the late Jim Morrison. Norman's new disclosure form includes $500,000 house Staff Report Tampa Tribune Former Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman filed revised financial disclosure forms this month acknowledging the $500,000 Arkansas house that almost kept him from becoming a state senator. Ruling the Roost: Florida's congressional hawks gain influence over foreign policy By Chris Kromm Institute for Southern Studies The economy, jobs, taxes -- these are the issues grabbing post-election headlines about the Republicans' agenda for Congress. Not going away quietly, Alan Grayson rips Republican tax plan By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando, has a few weeks left in office to make noise. From family politics to the halls of Congress By Patricia Mazzei Miami Herald A young Frederica Smith would sit under her family's dining room table, hidden by a white, crocheted tablecloth, and listen to her father talking politics, jotting down questions to ask him later. Capitol Hill wealth? No recession there Washington Post Florida Times-Union Times might be tough for the majority of Americans, but not for most of the well-heeled lawmakers in Congress. PB County commissioner joins elections chief in push for return to touch screens By Adam Playford Palm Beach Post If Palm Beach County wants speedy election results, it will have to pony up for new voting machines, its third batch since 2001, Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher said Thursday. Self-important Kottkamp can't leave soon enough Editorial St. Petersburg Times Florida Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp's ridiculous request for a state-paid security detail while he was on vacation in Italy is affirmation that voters made the right choice in August when they chose Pam Bondi, instead of Kottkamp, as the Republican nominee for attorney general. BALLOT INITIATIVES Dean Cannon says state Supreme Court lacks "express authority" to strike the Legislature's proposed amendments By Amy Sherman St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Politifact In 2010, the Florida Supreme Court removed three proposed constitutional amendments from the Nov. 2 ballot. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Oil Spill: BP won't put clock on beach cleanup By Travis Griggs Pensacola News Journal Oil remains offshore, on beaches and in Escambia County bays. Florida Supreme Court ruling supports Everglades land deal, water district says By Ana M. Valdes Palm Beach Post A Florida Supreme Court ruling Thursday affirmed the public purpose of a historic purchase of sugar land for Everglades restoration, and approved the South Florida Water Management District's use of bonds to finance much of it. LGBT Senate Democrats want deal with GOP on gay military debate By Anne Flaherty The Associated Press Senate Democrats on Thursday pressured Majority Leader Harry Reid to strike a deal with Republicans to aid passage of a bill that would let gays serve openly in the military. EDUCATION Florida records best-ever high-school-graduation rates By Leslie Postal Orlando Sentinel Florida posted its highest-ever high school graduation rate this year. Fla. School districts eagerly await grades By Joe Callahan Ocala Star-Banner The long-awaited release of high school grades is just a short time away, likely during the week of Nov. 29, state Department of Education officials said. Florida 12th-graders underperform national average on tests By Kathleen McGrory Miami Herald High school seniors in Florida tallied below-average scores on national tests in math and reading, according to data released Thursday. Report: Far more out-of-field teachers in high-poverty schools By Ron Matus St. Petersburg Times Low-income kids are not on an even playing field when it comes to being taught by high-quality teachers, says a new report out today. Teachers Say Gift Card Is Slap In Face Staff Report WFTV 9 News Orlando Florida teachers call a gift from the Department of Education nothing more than a slap in the face. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Despite campaign rhetoric, investment managers say pension plan one of "strongest" in nation By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune Florida’s investment managers contend they exceeded their goals for the last year, resulting in double-digit returns in the Florida Retirement System, the main pension plan for state workers, teachers and other local government employees. Florida unemployment rate for Oct. being announced The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Florida's jobless rate for October is being released just two days after the announcement of an unemployment compensation tax increase. Florida posts slim gain in tourism in third quarter 2010 By Doreen Hemlock TC Palm Florida welcomed roughly 18.9 million visitors in the third quarter this year, up a scant 0.6 percent from the same time last year, the state's tourism marketing group Visit Florida announced. The Assault On Wall Street Reform The Progress Report Think Progress Last weekend, a spokesman for the American Bankers Association -- the banking industry's largest trade group -- explained that the financial services industry is eagerly anticipating conservative control of the House of Representatives. HEALTH AND SENIORS Lawmakers weigh plans for Medicaid overhaul By Travis Pillow Florida Independent A group of lawmakers stuck around the day after the special session of the Florida legislature to hear testimony from the sundry groups that would be affected by a sweeping overhaul of the state’s Medicaid system, from doctors and nurses to patients and insurance companies. McCollum, Bondi solicit GOP support for federal health care lawsuit By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post Attorney General Bill McCollum and his successor Pam Bondi are urging fellow Republicans throughout the country to join his lawsuit against the federal government over the new federal health care law. Blood banks talk mega-merger By Carol Gentry Health News Florida Three blood banks in Florida that cover most of the state announced today they have begun merger talks in hopes of gaining the clout to negotiate with ever-larger hospital systems. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Airports consider congressman's call to ditch TSA By Mike Schneider The Associated Press In a climate of Internet campaigns to shun airport pat-downs and veteran pilots suing over their treatment by government screeners, some airports are considering another way to show dissatisfaction: Ditching TSA agents altogether.