Daily Clips for December 23, 2010

FEATURED STORIES A closer look at Rick Scott's jobs plan shows his challenges By Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau As CEO of the country's largest hospital chain, Rick Scott earned a reputation for setting aggressive cost-saving goals and constantly monitoring the progress. Make Floridians getting unemployment benefits work for their money, Gov.-elect Rick Scott is advised By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post Paring back on library spending and forcing those receiving unemployment benefits to work for their money are among the recommendations Gov.-elect Rick Scott heard in the final briefings from his transition team on Tuesday. Scott's team ready to shake it up By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Gov.-elect Rick Scott's efficiency team recommended shaking up state personnel and administrative systems Wednesday to create a "high-performance culture" in Florida government similar to modern, computerized business practices of the private sector. Rick Scott moves to eliminate Florida's Office of Drug Control By Janet Zink St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau All four full-time employees working in the governor's Office of Drug Control were told Friday by Gov.-elect Rick Scott's team that their services will no longer be needed after he takes office next month. According to docs, blocking Amendment 6 one of Brown, Diaz-Balart’s ‘official duties’ By Cooper Levey-Baker Florida Independent Financial records for two Florida congresspeople indicate that legal expense funds associated with their offices were created in order to defray legal costs that arise “in connection with [their] official duties and position in Congress” — so why is that money being used to sue to block a Florida constitutional amendment that will handicap politicians’ ability to gerrymander districts? FLORIDA POLITICS Scott gets government advice out of the Sunshine By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post Gov.-elect Rick Scott is meeting for the third and final day with his transition teams to get advice on how to revamp Florida government when he takes office on Jan. 4. Scott hearing push-back from interest groups By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel Gov.-elect Rick Scott is being advised to perform radical surgery on state government, consolidating agencies tasked with overseeing everything from hospitals to highways. City expected to reap inaugural bonanza By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Gov.-elect Rick Scott's inaugural festivities will generate about $4.5 million in economic activity, mostly in Tallahassee, event planners estimated Wednesday. Ag. Commissioner took $61K in contributions from sugar/dairy before seeking to halt ban on sugary drinks in schools By Brett Ader Florida Independent Incoming Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam recently petitioned the State Board of Education to delay considering a ban on sugary drinks in schools, claiming the focus on soda and chocolate milk does not address the broader picture of school nutrition while insisting students will be better served once the Department of Agriculture is given authority under the president’s new child nutrition bill to establish standards for all school food offerings. Reform advocate says Florida's political map is littered with "dozens'' of gerrymandered districts: Mostly True By Laura Figueroa St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald PolitiFact Following a polarizing midterm election, and with intensifying partisan bickering over everything from taxes to health care, a group dubbing itself No Labels is hoping to start an earnest discussion about policy over politics. Florida the only state where those in retirement system aren't asked to contribute? Mostly True By Aaron Sharockman St. Petersburg Times Gov.-elect Rick Scott is taking office next month with big plans to cut state spending. Who's in, who's out in Rick Scott administration Staff Report St. Petersburg Times Last week, Gov.-elect Rick Scott revoked the pink slips for at least six of Gov. Charlie Crist's department heads and at least 400 other mid to upper-level managers while he takes his time to staff up his new administration, according to a list released by the Scott transition team Monday. Fla. governor's office takes issue with The Doors' dissing of Morrison pardon By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post Jim Morrison's bandmates and family said Wednesday that Florida's recent pardon of the late rocker wasn't necessary - they contend he didn't do what he was convicted of - and an apology from the state and Miami would be more appropriate. POLITICAL RACES Youth Vote Will be Key in 2012 Presidential Election By Dennis Maley Bradenton Times Much has been made of the so called message that voters sent this November. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Expert: New Florida governor risks repeating past growth mistakes By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com A recommendation to Governor-elect Rick Scott that the state transportation, environmental and planning agencies be combined suggests a return to Florida's past growth management mistakes, a University of Florida planning expert said Tuesday. Wacissa Water War By Mike Vasilinda Capital News Service A battle is brewing just east of the state capitol in rural Jefferson County, over the rights to water from a pristine river. Record number of manatees have officials urging boaters to be cautious By Sonja Isger Palm Beach Post The holidays have seemingly cleared the highways of commuters, but manatee traffic is building to record numbers in Palm Beach County waterways, and wildlife officials are urging boaters to use caution. LGBT After repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell,' gays ousted from military now hoping to return By David Crary The Associated Press Related: Extended Pentagon video of President Obama signing repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell' Joseph Rocha reported being cruelly hazed by Navy colleagues. Katherine Miller resigned from West Point halfway through, weary of concealing her sexual orientation. David Hall was outed by a fellow Air Force cadet and booted from the career he loved. A milestone, but miles to go By Michael Kenny Miami Herald Imagine runners in the New York Marathon stopping a mile into the course, sitting down and congratulating each other on a great accomplishment. EDUCATION Voucher supporter: Rick Scott's plan for universal vouchers NOT a good idea By Ron Matus St. Petersburg Times Related: Five interesting things about Rick Scott's education team plan Florida Gov.-elect Rick Scott's plans for vouchers for all ("education savings accounts") has drawn plenty of heat from advocates of traditional public schools. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY SunRail's $173 million escrow account moves commuter rail one step closer to construction phase By Dan Tracy Orlando Sentinel The SunRail commuter train passed a major milestone Wednesday when the state placed $173 million in an escrow account to pay for the tracks the system would use. Panel proposes cutting Fla. unemployment costs The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Governor-elect Rick Scott's economic development transition team has recommended cutting off unemployment compensation for jobless Floridians who don't spend enough time looking for work. HEALTH AND SENIORS Scott advisors doubt need for public hospitals By John Dorschner Miami Herald Advisors to Governor-elect Rick Scott are questioning the need for the state's public hospitals -- a group that includes Jackson Health System and the North and South Broward hospital districts. Docs insist on lead role By Jim Saunders and Carol Gentry Health News Florida Gov.-elect Rick Scott's transition team offered a controversial proposal this week to merge the Florida Department of Health and Agency for Health Care Administration. Scott-speak: New ideas, new lingo By Jim Saunders Health News Florida State employees had better develop an "entrepreneurial spirit" and a “start-up company philosophy.” State Awards Contract For Creating Patient Health Care Records By Kathleen Haughney News Service of Florida A Melbourne technology giant will be paid $19 million by the state to create a network of patient health care records that can be easily accessed by health care providers. Influenza spiking early, lines short for vaccines, state says By Stacey Singer Palm Beach Post Influenza is back, and it's surging about two weeks earlier than usual in Florida, health officials said today. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Rep. Snyder asks public for input on Arizona-type immigration law for Florida By Jim Turner TC Palm State Rep. William Snyder, R-Stuart, who is planning a bill that mirrors aspects of the Arizona illegal immigration law, will hold a public meeting to get input on his proposal Jan. 7 at 6 p.m. in the Cummings Library. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Report: Fla. has 1,403 gangs with 56,200 members The Associated Press Palm Beach Post Florida's first gang census shows the state has 1,403 documented gangs with 56,200 members, associates and suspected members. Scott's plan for juveniles gets support By John Kennedy News Service of Florida Gov.-elect Rick Scott drew some support Wednesday for what is shaping up as a plan to reduce spending in the state's Juvenile Justice Department by keeping children out of costly residential lockups.