Daily Clips for December 7, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Ledger sheet shows a shortage of scruples By Daniel Ruth St. Petersburg Times There's a Greek word, sometimes heard with regularity in our household, that would seem to apply to Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, a man in full of himself: buffo. Showdown looming over Florida's pension plan By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune Florida lawmakers this week will begin their first steps in reforming the state’s massive pension plan, a move that could yield tremendous savings yet also trigger a potentially politically explosive showdown with teachers, firefighters and police officers from across the state. Florida Republicans continue fight against Affordable Health Care act By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolis, R-Merritt Island, who announced he will run for the U.S. Senate in 2012, last week filed a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would “prohibit laws or rules from compelling any person, employer, or health care provider to participate in any health care system.” Scott starts Back to Work tour By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Gov.-elect Rick Scott began a five-day, 10-city jobs tour Monday by meeting with military commanders and said impending cuts in the nation's space exploration budget should be seen as "an opportunity" rather than a setback for Florida's economy. Sen. Mike Fasano irked during tour of grandiose courthouse By Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times Sen. Mike Fasano imagined the opulence of the new courthouse that's been branded a "Taj Mahal.' FLORIDA POLITICS Military matters dominate Rick Scott's first stop on statewide jobs tour By Janet Zink and Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Gov.-elect Rick Scott met with defense contractors and military leaders Monday as he kicked off a five-day, 10-city tour of the state's major job producers. Rick Scott raises $1 million for inauguration By Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times Gov.-elect Rick Scott now has $1.1 million for his inauguration, according to fund-raising records released tonight. Fasano: Domestic violence law should include pet abuse By Catherine Whittenburg Tampa Tribune Little Horatio still wears the evidence of the abuse he suffered at the hands of his former owner's son five years ago. Rep. Buchanan included in watchdog group’s list of ‘most embarrassing re-elects’ By Cooper Levey-Baker Florida Independent In a report issued today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (aka CREW) lists the 11 “most embarrassing re-elections of 2010,” naming Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, among them and citing a long list of allegations of campaign finance violations as evidence. Crist, Cabinet meet final time as executive branch The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Gov. Charlie Crist and three other independently elected statewide officials will meet Tuesday for the final time in their role as governor and the Cabinet. Restore the public's trust Editorial Orlando Sentinel An important sale's about to get under way in Tallahassee, where in the coming weeks the state's Ethics Commission will begin pitching its plans to strengthen Florida laws governing the behavior of its public officials. POLITICAL RACES LeMieux on 2012: No Senate run if ‘a Jeb Bush, for example’ gets in race By George Bennett Palm Beach Post Republican U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, whose 16-month appointment ends next month, told a Forum Club of the Palm Beaches lunch he’ll decide “pretty soon” whether or not he’s running in 2012, when Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson is up for reelection. Dems kick Haridopolos’ U.S. Sen bid right out of the gate By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee didn’t waste any time slamming Senate President Mike Haridopolos, a GOP U.S. Senate hopeful who’s just taken over the helm of his chamber. D.C. firm sues ex-Senate candidate Jeff Greene By Paul Brinkmann South Florida Business Journal Washington political consulting firm Devine Mulvey filed suit in Miami on Friday against former Democratic Senate candidate Jeff Greene, alleging he owes $394,000 for last-ditch media efforts to save his campaign. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Landmark biomass electric plant seeking approval from lame-duck Cabinet By Bruce Ritchie Florida Tribune A proposed woody biomass electric plant that would be one of the largest of its kind in the nation could move a step closer to reality with a Cabinet vote on Tuesday. Key oil spill panel nears final stretch of probe By Harry R. Weber The Associated Press A key federal investigative panel is nearing the final stretch in its quest to assign blame for the Gulf of Mexico rig explosion and worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history. LGBT Televised gay marriage hearing attracts audience By Paul Elias and Lisa Leff The Associated Press The legal fight over California's gay marriage ban went before a federal appeals court Monday in a hearing that reached a nationwide TV audience anxious for a final decision on whether the measure violates the U.S. Constitution. EDUCATION Michelle Rhee not heading to any state, district By Jennifer Epstein Politico Former D.C. schools chief Michelle Rhee on Monday launched a national educational reform group that, she said, will be her full-time job to lead, tamping down speculation that she is considering a position as Florida’s schools commissioner or another city- or state-based role. Study: Grad rates between blacks, whites widening The Associated Press Gainesville Sun The disparity between graduation rates for white and black players at schools headed to bowl games grew again this year even as overall academic progress increased for both, a study released Monday found. State to release high school grades By Jackie Alexander Gainesville Sun High school grades will be released today, according to the state Department of Education, delayed in part by late FCAT scores and a new formula. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Budget shortfall grows as property values keep dropping By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune Florida's budget gap for 2011 appears to be growing again. The Progressive Plan For Deficit Reduction The Progress Report Think Progress Last week, President Obama's debt commission released its final report, but failed to find the required 14 votes to advance the proposal to Congress. HEALTH AND SENIORS Hospitals discourage elective early deliveries of babies By Richard Martin St. Petersburg Times In the final weeks of pregnancy, doctors say, a lot of women are eager to give birth. Supreme Court takes up complicated medical malpractice case By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune The Florida Supreme Court on Monday heard oral arguments on a case that, if upheld, could broadly expand the scope of a statewide no-fault fund for brain and spinal cord injured children. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Hard-hit Madoff investors cry foul as trustee demands repayment By Jane Musgrave Palm Beach Post Two years after his life savings were obliterated by Bernard Madoff's epic Ponzi scheme, retired ophthalmologist Gerald Blumenthal thought he had endured the worst of the financial upheaval.