Daily Clips for November 17, 2010

PROGRESS FLORIDA IN THE NEWS Rep.-Elect West's Drilling Stance -- and Refusal to Back Down -- Will Be Closely Scrutinized in Fla. By Elana Schor New York Times Excerpt: "I don't think there's any place you could put an oil rig that he wouldn't think it was a great idea, whether in the middle of the Florida Keys or right off Fort Lauderdale Beach," said Progress Florida executive director Mark Ferrulo, whose liberal-leaning group works on matters beyond energy as well. "I know that's an issue that will put him at odds with a huge segment of his constituents." FEATURED STORIES Legislature's new leaders overrode vetoes, chastised Supreme Court, Congress By Mary Ellen Klas, Steve Bousquet and Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau The Florida Legislature christened a new era of conservative government Tuesday, flexing its newfound muscle by overriding eight vetoes in a half-day special session. Lawmakers vow new conservative era in Legislature By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel Christening an era of belt-tightening and perhaps more conservative governance, two Central Florida legislators formally took the reins of the Florida Legislature on Tuesday amid new Republican super-majorities voters delivered in this month's GOP election sweep. Rick Scott names more of his transition team News Service of Florida St. Petersburg Times Boosting his credentials as a tax-cutting, proponent of small government, Gov.-elect Rick Scott on Monday named a roster of supply side and libertarian economic advisors to advise him on tax and budget issues during the transition. Democrats unsure of their impact with emboldened GOP By Catherine Whittenburg Tampa Tribune Despite the flowers, the speeches and the ceremonies filling the halls of the Capitol, Tuesday's legislative session wasn't quite so festive for House and Senate Democrats. Follow the money: Pols try to undermine your vote By Scott Maxwell Orlando Sentinel My question seemed simple enough: Whose money was it? FLORIDA POLITICS GOP-led legislature repudiates out-going Crist with Florida's first veto overrides in 23 years By George Bennett and Dara Kam Palm Beach Post Related: New legislative leaders take shots at Florida Supreme Court Meeting for the first time since the elections that handed Republicans a supermajority in both the state House and Senate, lawmakers transformed a typically ceremonial organizational session into a repudiation of Gov. Charlie Crist by overriding eight of his vetoes. ‘We will spend less,’ says Senate President Mike Haridiopolos By Michael C. Bender and Lee Logan Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau Promising to slim government and spark the state economy, new leaders of the Florida House and Senate leaders were officially sworn in today. New Senate president ready to serve By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Senate President Mike Haridopolos made a personal commitment to fiscal conservatism when he saw how much state and federal governments took from his first paycheck. Dems name Sen. Nan Rich minority leader By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Florida legislators began their 2010-12 term today with a few formalities. Gov.-elect Scott looking for a few good outsiders ready to work By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News WANTED: Highly motivated, conservative, business-oriented managers for somewhat hostile takeover of mammoth organization. Tea party activists warn they are watching GOP lawmakers By Catherine Whittenburg Tampa Tribune The wave of tea-party outrage that Republican lawmakers rode into veto-proof power this year could come back to haunt them, tea-party activists warned as lawmakers met at the Capitol on Tuesday. Gov. Charlie Crist will pursue pardon of Jim Morrison By Robert Farley St. Petersburg Times Gov. Charlie Crist says he has made up his mind and will pursue a posthumous pardon of rock icon Jim Morrison of the Doors, who was convicted of exposing himself during a Miami concert in 1969. LeMieux’s poll numbers undistinguished as he ends Senate term By Luke Johnson Florida Independent Public Policy Polling surveyed the popularity of appointed U.S. senators who didn’t run for reelection in 2010, and all of them except for Ted Kaufman — who turned into a popular progressive voice on financial regulation — weren’t favorable. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Experts: BP ignored warning signs on doomed well By Dina Capiello The Associated Press BP and its contractors missed and ignored warning signs prior to the massive oil well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico, showing an "insufficient consideration of risk" and raising questions about the know-how of key personnel, a group of technical experts concluded. Lawmakers approve money for energy rebates By Julie Patel Orlando Sentinel Some consumers will now get help paying for the pricey energy-efficient systems they purchased expecting state rebates. Undoing new septic-tank law is stinky idea By Mike Thomas Orlando Sentinel There are certain things you do not do in a civilized society. One is digging a pit latrine in your yard. Florida's misplaced outrage towards clean-water rules Editorial Orlando Sentinel The alarmists were out in force this week, declaring that new federal clean-water rules to take effect in Florida in 15 months will drown the state. EDUCATION Money may mar Florida House representative's success By Brandon Larrabee Florida Times-Union When Rep. Bill Proctor, R-St. Augustine, was tapped this week to lead the main education policy committee for the Florida House, St. Johns County Superintendent Joseph Joyner quickly called to congratulate his local lawmaker. Lawmakers restore $9.7M in UF funding By Lloyd Dunkelberger Gainesville Sun State lawmakers on Tuesday succeeded in their promise to Shands at the University of Florida by reversing Gov. Charlie Crist’s veto of $9.7 million in funding that had been used to care for low-income patients. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Tomato growers, laborers strike deal in ‘watershed moment’ By Brett Ader Florida Independent The Florida Tomato Growers Exchange — a trade group representing 90 percent of the state’s tomato producers — has agreed to a penny-per-pound wage increase and new labor standards for workers throughout the state. Anti-tax group pledges $250,000 to fight regional rail agency By Ted Jackovics Tampa Tribune Ax the Tax, an Orlando-based conservative political group that opposed Hillsborough County's transit tax ballot measure, said Tuesday it would pledge $250,000 to fight any proposal to establish a regional transportation authority for the Tampa Bay area. HEALTH AND SENIORS Can FL really alter Medicaid? By Jim Saunders Health News Florida Florida Republican leaders made a clear statement during a special legislative session Tuesday: They want to overhaul the Medicaid program and don't want the federal government tying their hands. Blue Cross, United withdraw from Cover Florida By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune The future of Gov. Charlie Crist's health care experiment to provide affordable health insurance to uninsured residents is at risk after two of the largest insurance carriers announced they no longer will sell "Cover Florida" health plans. Hide the Matches, Toss the Lighters... By Gina Presson Public News Service Florida Maybe this is the week to quit smoking.