Daily Clips for November 12, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Rod Smith may lead battered state Democratic party By John Kennedy News Service of Florida Fresh from an unsuccessful turn as Democrat Alex Sink's running mate, former Sen. Rod Smith said Wednesday he may be willing to assume another against-the-odds task: leadership of the state's battered Democratic Party. Florida's GOP on political high; now what? By Brandon Larrabee Florida Times-Union To gauge how long two years is in politics, one needs only to look at the swing in Florida over the past two years. More than 60 top staffers in Legislature drawing six-figure salaries By Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau To help shrink state government, the new leaders of the Legislature have brought in a stable of advisers at six-figure salaries. BEST OF THE BLOGS Florida's New Government In Action By Daniel Tilson The Examiner The first official day of action for the Sunshine State's new GOP-dominated government is next Tuesday, November 16th. What Would An Ideal Florida Democratic Party Chair Be Like By Kenneth Quinnell Florida Progressive Coalition There are a number of calls for Karen Thurman to step down as chair of the Florida Democratic Party and rumors flying around that it is a distinct possibility. So now, what about pollution, Gov. Scott? By Gimleteye Eye on Miami On the environment, Gov. Charlie Crist didn't always make the right calls, but with Rick Scott in the governor's mansion there is reason to be concerned that Florida has done a U-turn back to the days of Jeb Bush when all the wrong calls were made, regularly, with great confidence whether laws were being broken or not. Will Dockery Save Rail By Jake Rantings From Florida I have never understood the connection between Paula Dockery, one of the Republicans in the state whom I respect most, and Rick Scott, our new Gov.-elect and perhaps the least useful person to ever move to the Sunshine State. Rick Scott: ‘let’s get to work…! now take this awesome gift card’ By Joy-Ann Reid The Reid Report You really can’t make this stuff up. FLORIDA POLITICS Florida waits for Rick Scott to reveal his transportation goals By Larry Hannan Florida Times-Union Transportation wasn't a major discussion point during the 2010 Florida governor's race. Only limited energy rebates expected from Legislature's special session By Nirvi Shah Miami Herald The Legislature is proposing a solution for repaying Floridians who bought energy-efficient air conditioners and solar panels that may make only some buyers happy. Radio host Joyce Kaufman won't work for Congressman-elect Allen West following threat to Broward schools By James H. Burnett III and Lesley Clark Miami Herald Radio host Joyce Kaufman, whose comments may have triggered a threat against Broward County schools, has announced she won't become chief of staff for conservative Congressman-elect Allen West. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Internal email details effort to convince Florida politicians to fight water quality standards By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent Florida politicians, industry heads and even former environmental agency heads have all become vocal opponents of EPA efforts to implement water quality standards that would limit the amount of waste that can be dumped in Florida waterbodies. FPL President: Customers should pay for renewable energy By Julie Patel South Florida Sun-Sentinel Florida Power & Light President Armando Olivera told the Sun Sentinel editorial board today that renewable energy projects don't pay off for investors in Florida because the state does not provide incentives that exist elsewhere. EDUCATION Is Florida's new governor looking for a new education commissioner? By Jeff Solochek St. Petersburg Times Some Tallahassee insiders tell the Gradebook that members of governor-elect Rick Scott's transition team are quietly asking around for names of possible replacements for Florida education commissioner. Report: Black male academic achievement is 'national catastrophe' By Ron Matus St. Petersburg Times More bad news about the academic status of black males: Only 12 percent of black male fourth-graders are proficient in reading, compared to 38 percent for white males, according to NAEP scores highlighted by the Council of the Great City Schools in a new report. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY On video, alleged 'robo-signers' describe assembly line work By Susan Taylor Martin St. Petersburg Times Over the past several years, Bryan Bly, Crystal Moore and Dhurata Doko have signed thousands of mortgage assignments as vice presidents of Citi Residential and other major lenders. HEALTH AND SENIORS Prescription drug bill divides GOP donors By John Kennedy News Service of Florida A veto override planned by Florida's Republican legislative leaders is driving a wedge between major GOP donors, with business groups and health care giants Wednesday renewing their fight over a prescription drug bill. State seeks doctors as inspectors By Jim Saunders Health News Florida Florida's new program to inspect pain-management clinics has hung a help-wanted sign: It will pay doctors $100 an hour to go into clinics and help review patient records. Florida still needs more hurricane shelters The Associated Press Tampa Tribune A biannual state report says Florida is reducing its hurricane shelter deficit but still needs more safe places from storms. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Childers appeal gets rehearing By Kris Wernowsky Pensacola News Journal A federal appeals court will rehear the case it overturned earlier this year against former state Senate President and former Escambia County Commissioner W.D. Childers.