Daily Clips for January 31, 2011

FEATURED STORIES Florida Lawmakers Honing In on School Cuts By Kathleen Haughney News Service of Florida Teacher layoffs. Few if any electives. School supplies that only last a school a few months. Lawmakers see savings in pension modification By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Forced to plug a budget hole of nearly $4 billion, state legislators see pensions as a source of big-bucks savings. Gov. Rick Scott puts SunRail on full stop By Janet Zink St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Gov. Rick Scott has slammed the brakes on Central Florida's $1.2 billion SunRail project, putting a hold on $235 million in project contracts. U.S. Rep. David Rivera denies wrongdoing as fellow Republicans fret over controversy By Lesley Clark and Patricia Mazzei Miami Herald Republicans in Washington and Miami are growing increasingly anxious about the ongoing state investigation into U.S. Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, with some urging him to explain his finances while others are already talking of potential GOP successors to replace him. Should Florida courts have less power to kick amendments off the ballot? By Howard Troxler St. Petersburg Times Florida has a rule saying you can't lie to the voters, or try to trick them, on the ballot. Enforce rules in managing state growth Editorial St. Petersburg Times Gov. Rick Scott told a group of editors and reporters this month that Florida needs to manage growth, but his actions suggest he is headed in a different direction. EDITORIAL CARTOON OF THE WEEK By Andy Marlette Pensacola News Journal FLORIDA POLITICS A high-flown hobnob for state's pension chief By Sydney P. Freedberg and Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times On Monday, Florida pension chief Ash Williams plans to be the keynote speaker for some of the world's most powerful hedge fund managers and financial executives. Sen. Marco Rubio hires Cesar Conda to be chief of staff By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times Florida Sen. Marco Rubio on Friday named a former aide to Vice President Dick Cheney and adviser to 2008 presidential candidate Mitt Romney as his chief of staff. GOP brass owes us, West assures tea partyers By George Bennett Palm Beach Post John Boehner came to West Palm Beach in October to provide a high-profile campaign boost for Allen West, but West says it's Boehner who is indebted to West and other House Republican freshmen. Among thousands of ideas before the Florida Legislature, here are three to watch By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times The start of the 2011 session of the Florida Legislature is little more than a month away, and the bill hopper is filling up fast. Democrats criticize Scott over redistricting move By William March Tampa Tribune Political opponents are accusing Gov. Rick Scott of a political ploy to delay implementing two constitutional amendments intended to limit gerrymandering of congressional and state legislative districts. Cannon: No plan to challenge 2nd remapping measure Associated Press Miami Herald House Speaker Dean Cannon says he has no plans to challenge the second of two new state constitutional amendments on redistricting - at least not yet. Heed will of Florida voters Editorial Miami Herald When they came to Florida constitutional Amendments 5 and 6 on the November ballot, voters spoke decisively and deliberately. POLITICAL RACES In tough 2012 Republican Senate primary, Adam Hasner may be one to watch By Adam C. Smith St. Petersburg Times Republicans are bracing for a tough 2012 U.S. Senate primary pitting such political heavyweights as a former U.S. senator, a sitting Florida Senate president and the congressman son of a Republican icon. Powerful Florida business group wants Bill Nelson out in 2012 By Abel Harding Florida Times-Union One of Florida's most influential business organizations has set its sights on U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Oil spill victims, lawmakers irate as claims remain unfulfilled By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post Hundreds of Florida Panhandle residents stood in line this month with scraps of paper in their hands, desperately seeking an audience with the man who holds the key to their future. Scientists: EPA 'race' to protect Florida rivers could leave science behind By Steve Patterson Florida Times-Union New clean-water standards affecting the St. Johns River in Jacksonville may be hard to finish on schedule without cutting corners on the science behind them, some members of a federal science panel are warning. Florida lawmakers take on local fertilizer bans By Janet Zink St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau The fight over fertilizer is on again. Sobel's spoiled beach trip leads to bill to investigate water quality By Bruce Ritchie Florida Tribune A senator whose summer beach trip was spoiled by high bacteria levels has filed a bill directing the state to investigate possible sources of beach water contamination. Atlantic Fish Closures Aimed at Boosting Threatened Species By Eric Mack Public News Service Florida A comeback is now underway off the Atlantic coast of Florida. Florida Forever needs Gov. Scott�s backing Editorial St. Petersburg Times In urban Florida, the state's land conservation program can seem to be an abstraction. Beware DCA's demise Editorial Orlando Sentinel Despite reports that indicate Florida's extremely friendly to business, Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders continue to accuse the Department of Community Affairs of making the state inhospitable to those who want to work here. LGBT Court won't suspend 'don't ask, don't tell' lawsuit By Lisa Leff Associated Press A federal appeals court has denied the government's request to suspend a lawsuit challenging the military's ban on openly gay servicemembers. EDUCATION Teacher pay bill is back, but less scary than in 2010 By Jeffrey S. Solochek and Ron Matus St. Petersburg Times State Sen. Steve Wise looked over those gathered in Tallahassee for his workshop on teacher contracts and pay and tried to break the ice. Florida teachers weigh in on merit pay talks By Kathleen Haughney News Service of Florida The Senate's key player in the movement to reform teacher pay said Friday that there are still several major issues that the Legislature needs to resolve before pushing forward, including how it will fund merit pay and how teachers of special needs children will be evaluated. A weekend interview with state Rep. Bill Proctor, chairman of the Florida House K-20 Education Committee By Jeff Solochek St. Petersburg Times The Florida Legislature renewed its discussion on teacher quality and performance pay issues this past week, with several hearings in both the Senate and the House. Summit: Education reform should mean supporting public education By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent As reform looms over Florida�s education system, almost all the participants in an education summit organized on Wednesday in Boca Raton by state Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, supported investing in public education, better pay for teachers and limiting the scope of standardized testing. School 'reforms' don't make the grade By Scott Maxwell Orlando Sentinel We're hearing some interesting ideas for "reforming" schools nowadays � from a legislator's desire to grade parents to gubernatorial advisors who want taxpayers to cut checks for home-schoolers. Parents of bullied kids hiring lawyers, suing school districts By Rene Stutzman Orlando Sentinel Ned Charles IV has a form of cerebral palsy. The 15-year-old is in special-education classes. So was the boy who hit him, grabbed his neck and pushed him to the ground while waiting for a school bus two years ago at Tuskawilla Middle School. Florida Prepaid college plan deadline is today By Scott Travis South Florida Sun-Sentinel Thinking about buying a prepaid college plan before the prices go up again? You have until 11:59 p.m. Monday to enroll. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Scott wants state workers to help fund their pensions By Mary Ellen Klas St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Teachers, police and even legislators could start seeing � for the first time ever � a chunk of their paycheck going into their retirement accounts if Gov. Rick Scott and legislators get their way. South Florida lawmaker proposes selling naming rights for roads, statewide attractions By Andy Reid South Florida Sun-Sentinel Florida should sell naming rights to everything from state roads to beaches to help cover its budget shortfall, according to state Rep. Irv Slosberg, D-Boca Raton. State Farm wants 28 percent rate increase in Fla. Associated Press Tampa Tribune The state's largest private property insurer wants to hike rates by an average of 28 percent. Fewer people moving to Florida, census estimates show By William E. Gibson South Florida Sun-Sentinel Faced with a dramatic decline in the number of Americans moving to Florida, community boosters are promoting the Sunshine State as a cluster of research and technology, not just a balmy place to live. Some state regulations are genuine job builders Editorial St. Petersburg Times Florida Gov. Rick Scott's message on regulations has been consistent: They are job-killers that needlessly raise the cost of doing business in Florida. HEALTH AND SENIORS Emergency summit addresses AIDS Drug Assistance Program funding shortages, both now and long-term By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent Tom Liberti, director of the state Department of Health�s Bureau of HIV/AIDS spoke over the weekend at an AIDS Drug Assistance Program emergency summit in Fort Lauderdale, and told The Florida Independent the department has not yet reached an emergency agreement to supply 6,000 Florida Drug Assistance Program patients their medications through the end of March. Battle over Florida tax on cheap cigarettes heats up By Brandon Larrabee Florida Times-Union A battle could once again be looming at the Capitol about a tax that would affect dozens of cigarette manufacturers but is aimed largely at a South Florida company that sells low-priced smokes across the state. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Florida physicians take on NRA in gun privacy issue By Jeremy Cox Florida Times-Union Over the past three decades, Jeff Goldhagen has counseled countless parents on how to keep their kids safe around guns. Florida should pursue more gun control, not less Editorial St. Petersburg Times As the nation still reels from the Tucson shootings and Tampa Bay mourns the deaths of St. Petersburg police officers, now is the moment for sober reflection on the need for serious, reasonable, intellectually honest dialogue about sensible gun control policy. Florida's approach on immigration is wrong: Only feds can fix problems Editorial Palm Beach Post For every good reason to reform our immigration laws, there is a bad way to go about it. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Plan to slash prison funds defies tough Fla. tradition By Lloyd Dunkelberger Gainesville Sun Florida's get-tough policy on crime over the past few decades is set to collide with an austere budget and a conservative governor pledging to take bold steps to save money. Supreme Court turns down request from Millview families suing St. Joe Co. Staff Report St. Petersburg Times The Florida Supreme Court has turned down an appeal from 75 mostly poor African-American property owners of polluted land in Port St. Joe whose fight became linked to the "Taj Mahal" building scandal.

Daily Clips for January 28, 2011

FEATURED STORIES Governor proposes Dept. of Commerce By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Gov. Rick Scott proposed bringing back the Department of Commerce on Thursday as a hard-charging agency responsible for aggressively marketing Florida as "the place to do business." State's budget gap could be nearly $5 billion By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau The magnitude of Florida's fiscal crisis became clearer Thursday as the Senate's top budget writer called for larger cash reserves to pacify Wall Street bond rating firms. Planned personhood: The pro-life movement’s newest attack on reproductive rights raises its profile in Florida By Billy Manes Orlando Weekly It’s business as usual at Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando. BEST OF THE BLOGS A Disaster of Tallahassee's Choosing By Ray Seaman Progress Florida St. Petersburg Times columnist Howard Troxler discusses what will be the biggest issue of the 2011 Florida legislature: our budget...and how much of it will remain by May when the legislature will likely adjourn. Corruption, Florida, and the GOP By gimleteye Eye on Miami My ears perked up hearing House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) on President Obama's State of the Union speech, "Actions speak louder than words." Mr. Rubio And Mr. Rivera Go To Washington By Inkberries Beach Peanuts Marco Rubio and David Rivera are making their respective debuts as two of the newest members in the House and Senate in Washington. Public spaces, private interests, religion and schools version part 376 By Sherman Dorn Sherman Dorn On occasion, K-12 school systems can back into reasonable ways of negotiating church-state boundaries. Florida Bill Would Make It A Felony For Doctors To Ask Patients About Gun Ownership By Ian Millhiser Think Progress Florida State Rep. Jason Brodeur (R) recently introduced a bill which criminalizes any “verbal or written inquiry by a public or private physician, nurse, or other medical staff person regarding the ownership of a firearm by a patient or the family of a patient or the presence of a firearm in a private home or other domicile of a patient or the family of a patient,” and the penalty for violating this proposed law is steep. FLORIDA POLITICS Gov. Rick Scott wants state Department of Commerce brought back By Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Gov. Rick Scott proposed a new level of bureaucracy Thursday that he said would streamline economic development in the state and help deliver new jobs. Scott fires Enterprise Florida chief ahead of proposed shakeup By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday fired the head of Enterprise Florida, the public-private outfit responsible for economic development efforts shortly after publicly announcing his plan to overhaul how the state attracts new businesses. Sen. Marco Rubio gets plum committee assignment By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times New Florida Sen. Marco Rubio will serve on four committees, including a spot on intelligence. Sen. Bill Nelson wants better equipment for officers By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times Reacting to the shooting deaths of four Florida police officers in a week, Sen. Bill Nelson is asking the Department of Justice to consider giving law enforcement high-tech devices that can "see" through walls. Fertilizer co. pays $10K for ag chief's kid's cake Associated Press Tampa Tribune A fertilizer company paid a record $10,000 for a cake at the Polk County Youth Fair Auction baked by the 9-year-old daughter of state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Oil spill recovery legislation OK'd in Senate hearing By Paul Flemming Florida Capital News The Senate's comprehensive oil spill recovery legislation moved through a second hearing Thursday with a ripple of discontent about spending $30 million over three years and restricting three-fourths of any fines and penalties ultimately collected go to Florida's seven westernmost Gulf Coast counties. Gulf spill showed problems are industry-wide, Graham says By Nathan Crabbe Gainesville Sun Former U.S. Sen. and Florida Gov. Bob Graham said Thursday that last year's massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was both foreseeable and avoidable. Lawmakers told water conservation is needed to help state's economy By Bruce Ritchie Florida Tribune Conservation and development of new water supplies must be part of Florida's future to attract industry and create jobs, panelists on Thursday told the House Select Committee on Water Policy. Florida House members uneasy with proposal to close 53 state parks By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com A budget-exercise proposal to close 53 state parks drew concerns Wednesday from members of a House budget-writing committee. St. Johns Riverkeeper officially launches campaign against Georgia-Pacific By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent Only weeks after announcing its intent to publish a study examining the science behind a controversial Georgia-Pacific pipeline, the St. Johns Riverkeeper has officially launched a campaign aimed at doing away with a waste-rerouting pipeline that could cause irreperable damage to Florida’s longest, and most commercially significant, river. EDUCATION At South Florida education conference, reforms don't pass the test By Cara Fitzpatrick South Florida Sun-Sentinel The goal was to learn more about such controversial school reforms as merit pay, vouchers and charter schools. But many of the 250 to 300 attending Wednesday's education summit at Lynn University Bachelor's, master's & online degrees in Boca Raton made it clear they want no part of it. Public should engage now By Pat Santeramo Miami Herald With state legislators already drafting legislation that will impact public schools, the time to discuss education reform is now, not the legislative session's first day. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Senate budget chief will push again for more control over contracts By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune The Senate's budget chief said on Thursday that he will push again this year with legislation designed to assert more control over state contracting and to increase oversight over the Department of Management Services. State to consider legal online poker By Nick Sortal South Florida Sun-Sentinel While some Florida legislators talk of setting up Las Vegas-style casinos in a few years, others suggest there's a way to immediately raise gambling revenues with a click of a mouse. HEALTH AND SENIORS Budget target: mental health? By Jim Saunders Health News Florida In the committee rooms and corridors of the state Capitol, lobbyists are looking for clues about which programs will get slashed. Hospital council wants to cut off additional money to primary care programs By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune A blue ribbon health care panel on Thursday recommended spending almost $1 billion in Medicaid payments to Florida's hospitals but it also recommended that the state cut-off enhanced funding to primary care programs meant to keep people out of the facilities. Florida should keep Department of Health independent By Ed Feaver, E. Charlton Prather and Bob Williams St. Petersburg Times Florida's $3.6 billion budget deficit for next year has the Legislature searching for ways to reduce government expenditures. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Scott reiterates support for tough immigration enforcement By Travis Pillow Florida Independent Related: Snyder inching away from imitating Arizona-style immigration law As Florida lawmakers begin backing away from an Arizona-style immigration law, Gov. Rick Scott has decided to stick by the measure (which was part of his campaign platform), according to the Palm Beach Post. Opposition likely to soften immigration bill By Lloyd Dunkelberger Sarasota Herald-Tribune Facing opposition from business groups, farmers and immigrant communities, a key House sponsor of an Arizona-style immigration bill signaled Thursday his willingness to back off some of the harsher provisions in his bill. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Legislators' sit-down on courthouse inquiry is sure to bring fallout By Daniel Ruth St. Petersburg Times Within Republican circles, Mike Fasano already was regarded as a cross between the bumptious brother-in-law from hell who burps at the dinner table and the puckered Cotton Mather. Court decision could cast DUI cases into limbo By Todd Ruger Sarasota Herald-Tribune Drunken driving cases across the state could be thrown into limbo now that the Florida Supreme Court has declined to review an argument over alcohol breath-test machines that originated in Sarasota County.

Daily Clips for January 27, 2011

FEATURED STORIES An end run around will of the voters Editorial St. Petersburg Times Related: Arrogant state House tries to throw out 'fair districts' rule Florida voters made their intentions clear when they amended the state Constitution in November to change how legislative and congressional districts are drawn. New teacher merit pay bill begins to take shape By Kim MacQueen Florida Tribune It was Teacher Merit Pay Day in the Florida Legislature Wednesday as both the House and Senate hosted members and visitors to help flesh out "Son of Senate Bill 6" as it's drafted. State ethics commission may forgo $300,000 fines By John Kennedy News Service of Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Florida lawmakers are struggling to find dollars to close a $3.6 billion budget shortfall, but a state agency is considering walking away from more than $300,000 in fines owed by almost 300 former public officials. Sen. Marco Rubio's first real day on the job By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times Sen. Marco Rubio on Wednesday joined a club of conservative Republicans that wants to slash government spending and opposes most of President Barack Obama's ideas. FLORIDA POLITICS You can learn a lot about new Florida Gov. Rick Scott in one day By Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Scribbles in my notebook after a day with new Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who capped off a four-day road trip with a pair of public appearances in Jacksonville on Tuesday. Governor has no problem ignoring will of voters By Fred Grimm Miami Herald Elections have consequences. Rick Scott's supporters fend off critics of the governor's radical and unsettling policies with a simple truth: Voters cast ballots on Nov. 2 expecting real changes. Senate president won't join House in fight against Fair Districts By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune Senate President Mike Haridopolos said on Wednesday that the Florida Senate has no plans to get involved in a federal lawsuit that aims to block a constitutional amendment on redistricting. House Speaker John Boehner addresses David Rivera controversy By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times House Speaker John Boehner addressed the growing controversy surrounding Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, for the first time Wednesday at a news conference but said he is reserving judgment. Senator Rubio Wise to Avoid Tea Party Caucus By Dennis Maley Bradenton Times It appears that the Senate Tea Party caucus, which convenes for the first time this Thursday, will be absent the brightest star associated with the movement, popular freshman Florida Senator Marco Rubio. Matt Gaetz drops out of speaker's race By Tom McLaughlin Northwest Florida Daily News State Rep. Matt Gaetz will not be Florida’s House speaker in 2017-18. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY House panel approves growth rewrite to address court ruling By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com A House panel on Wednesday passed three bills that are intended to address a court ruling that threw out 2009 legislation that revamped the state's growth management laws. Septic-tank inspection repeal could allow local option By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel The Senate has started to work on undoing a septic-tank inspection mandate passed last year to deal with thousands of leaky septic tanks potentially fouling Florida lakes and streams. FPL bills on rise as state regulators approve fuel charges By Susan Salisbury Palm Beach Post Florida Power & Light Co. customers, prepare yourselves. Higher charges are coming your way, mostly due to increased fuel costs. Sea Turtles Win in FEMA Settlement By Eric Mack Public News Service Florida A settlement announced Wednesday means endangered and threatened sea turtles will have a "voice" when it comes to development along parts of Florida's coast. Arguments set in tri-state water wars case Associated Press Tampa Tribune An appeals court will hear arguments on the state of Georgia's request to overturn a ruling that could severely restrict metro Atlanta's water supply. Orlando might turn to South Carolina for nuclear power By Kevin Spear Orlando Sentinel Orlando residents could be using electricity in coming years imported from nuclear-power reactors proposed for a site 450 miles and two states away. EDUCATION Teacher merit pay: 'What a difference a year makes' By Leslie Postal Orlando Sentinel Crafting a teacher merit-pay bill for Florida this spring is "not going to be like last time," a key state lawmaker promised today. At South Florida education conference, reforms don't pass the test By Cara Fitzpatrick South Florida Sun-Sentinel The goal was to learn more about such controversial school reforms as merit pay, vouchers and charter schools. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Florida lawmakers turning toward pension plan cuts By Brandon Larrabee Florida Times-Union With a state shortfall likely to top $3.6 billion in the coming fiscal year and pledges from legislative leaders not to raise taxes to fill the shortfall, lawmakers are increasingly looking at the state's pension plan as one avenue to reduce spending. State official: FRS is bouncing back By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News State investments supporting the Florida Retirement System have bounced back to within about $1 billion of their pre-market collapse level, the state's top money manager told state legislators Wednesday. Business groups say unemployment system unfairly favors jobless By Travis Pillow Florida Independent As companies in Florida face an increase in minimum payments for unemployment insurance, business groups are looking to convince lawmakers to impose stricter standards on laid-off employees seeking jobless benefits. Florida consumer confidence posts big, unexpected improvement By Jeff Harrington St. Petersburg Times Florida's consumer confidence index unexpectedly zoomed seven points to a nine-month high in January, according to a University of Florida survey released Tuesday. Major fix to PIP insurance may wait until next year By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune A recurring battle over auto insurance and a requirement that motorists must carry $10,000 worth of personal injury protection (PIP) returned to the Capitol on Wednesday. HEALTH AND SENIORS Lawmaker predicts House Medicaid rewrite won't be popular By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune After more than two hours of public testimony on Florida's Medicaid program Rep. Robert Schenck, R- Spring Hill, made a prediction: when the 2011 session comes to an end there will be people who “will not be happy.” Hospitals want to take on HMOs By Jim Saunders Health News Florida With an expansion of Medicaid managed care appearing inevitable, Florida's hospital industry pressed Tuesday for changes that could help it compete with HMOs throughout the state. With emergency order, Fla. Attorney General outlaws bath salt used as drug By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post Hoping to fend off a rash of overdoses in Florida during the upcoming spring break, Attorney General Pam Bondi has outlawed a synthetic drug cocktail masquerading as "bath salts" that has apparently give users super-human strength and has similar effects to LSD, heroin and cocaine. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Dream Act redux: Could path to citizenship be revived? By John Lantigua and Dara Kam Palm Beach Post Many Americans watched and listened closely to President Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday night, searching for clues about the immediate political future. Snyder to move forward with Ariz.-style immigration bill after Thursday review By Jim Turner TC Palm State Rep. William Snyder, R-Stuart, said a debate is needed on immigration enforcement and he expects to finish drafting an Arizona-style immigration bill on the topic after his Judiciary Committee reviews the issue Thursday morning. Mississippi senator introduces federal anti-abortion bill with parallels to Florida ‘personhood’ amendment By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., introduced a bill yesterday that aims to undo abortion rights by extending constitutional rights to the unborn — a legislative move that is similar to Florida’s proposed “fetal personhood” amendment. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Senators clash on continuing courthouse scrutiny By Lucy Morgan and Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times Sen. Mike Fasano says Senate President Mike Haridopolos ordered him this month to drop further scrutiny of the lavish new courthouse critics call the "Taj Mahal."

Daily Clips for January 26, 2011

FEATURED STORIES Gov. Rick Scott stalls new voter-approved redistricting standards By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Two voter-approved constitutional amendments requiring the Legislature to draw political districts along nonpartisan standards could be jeopardized by one of Gov. Rick Scott's first acts. Lawmakers home in on school cuts By Kathleen Haughney News Service of Florida Teacher layoffs. Few if any electives. School supplies that only last a school a few months. President Obama calls on America to rise above differences By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times Related: Florida reacts to the State of the Union Related: Fact-checking Obama's State of the Union speech With an empty chair symbolizing the violence in Arizona, and a divided Congress coming together in its aftermath, President Barack Obama called on America Tuesday night to rise above differences and take on an increasingly competitive world with innovative ideas. FLORIDA POLITICS Fair Districts Now: Scott, others ‘abuse power’ in attempt to squelch Amendments 5 and 6 By Cooper Levey-Baker Florida Independent Related: Cannon’s team on joining anti-Amendment 6 lawsuit: ‘It is prudent for the House to be involved’ The Miami Herald and the Orlando Sentinel are both reporting that Gov. Rick Scott instructed the Department of State to ask the federal government to halt its approval of Amendments 5 and 6, the two popular so-called “Fair Districts” amendments that limit the legislature’s ability to gerrymander districts. House, Senate will hold 20 hearings on redistricting By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post House and Senate leaders will hold at least 20 public hearings throughout the state regarding the drawing of Florida’s legislative and Congressional seats, Senate Reapportionment Committee Chairman Don Gaetz announced today. Senate committee debates sinkholes, insurance coverage By Paul Flemming Florida Capital News This year's big insurance legislation slogged through a Senate committee hearing Tuesday without a vote as members debated changes to sinkhole coverage. Corcoran tapped as future speaker of the House By Adam C. Smith and Mary Ellen Klas St. Petersburg Times Rep. Richard Corcoran, R-Trinity, has been selected by fellow Republicans to become speaker of the state House of Representatives in 2017-18. Sources: David Rivera aide subpoenaed in criminal probe By Marc Caputo Miami Herald Congressman David Rivera’s longtime aide, Alina Garcia, was subpoenaed in a criminal investigation tied to the lawmaker’s financial relationship with a dog track, two sources familiar with the subpoena tell the Miami Herald and the Herald/Times. GOP already drawing up plans should Rivera have to leave Congress By Luke Johnson Florida Independent Politico reported this morning on how the ethical troubles of Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, are affecting his relationship with the House GOP caucus in Washington. Obama SOTU includes some Scott-like talk, but guv doesn’t buy it By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post President Barack Obama threw out a few items in his state of the union speech that sounded as if they could have been lobbed by Gov. Rick Scott. New RNC chair coming to Tampa Thursday on convention issues By William March Tampa Tribune As expected, newly elected Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus is coming to Tampa to talk to locals about preparation for the 2012 Republican Convention. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Thirty-nine Florida groups seek to block federal water standards By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com Representatives of 39 utility, development and agricultural groups on Tuesday sent a letter to Florida's senators and congressional representatives asking them to deny federal agency funding to implement new water quality standards. Senators examine BP claims process By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News The head of the Southeastern Fisheries Association told legislators Tuesday the BP oil claims process is slow and haphazard, with settlements apparently depending on the luck of the claims-adjuster draw. Audubon: Park visitation numbers show need for Florida Forever funding By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent New data from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection shows that state park visitation numbers were a bright spot in an otherwise rough economic climate. PSC approves Gulf Power conservation plan after initial rejection By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com The Florida Public Service Commission on Tuesday approved an energy conservation plan for Gulf Power Co. after initially rejecting a plan submitted by the utility last fall. EDUCATION In science, Florida students are average at best By Ron Matus St. Petersburg Times Reading? Better. Math? Better. Science? Well… Florida's Hispanic students outshine nation in science By Kathleen McGrory Miami Herald Florida's Hispanic students outperformed their counterparts across the country on the national science exams, according to data released Tuesday by the federal Department of Education. Education in Florida: B Minus With Shaky Future Editorial Lakeland Ledger Florida scored an impressive fifth place in the new national report ranking the quality of public education in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Gov. Scott granted extension for state budget proposal By Paul Flemming Florida Capital News Gov. Rick Scott has an extra day to figure out his state budget proposal. Las Vegas casinos pitch plan for Florida By Mary Ellen Klas St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Two of Las Vegas' largest casino operators made the case Tuesday for why Florida should consider "destination casino resorts" as the next-best hope for jobs and economic development. HEALTH AND SENIORS First medical malpractice bill is filed By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune A doctor-friendly bill that makes a series of changes to how medical malpractice cases are filed emerged this week. Medicaid battle ready to flare again Staff Report Health News Florida As a key state House committee gets ready today to start tackling Medicaid reform, activist groups are preparing for a debate that will last throughout the 2011 legislative session. Pharmacies fight mail-order drugs By Jim Saunders Health News Florida Community pharmacies are challenging the constitutionality of an eleventh-hour legislative decision last year that could spur thousands of chronically ill Medicaid patients to use mail-order drugs. Florida's nurse practitioners say they can save state millions By Kate Santich Orlando Sentinel When Mathew Harden accidentally smashed his hand on the job, the 35-year-old Bartow mechanic went to an emergency room for stitches and then to a nurse practitioner for follow-up treatment. Fasano, Nehr sponsor Florida bills to test air quality at ice rinks By Katie Sanders St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Two years ago, a team of East Lake High School hockey players fell ill during practice. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Lawmakers, experts explore alternatives to Arizona-style immigration law By Travis Pillow Florida Independent Related: Report highlights negative economic and legal impact of immigration enforcement ordinances Gov. Rick Scott touted the idea of bringing an Arizona-style immigration law to Florida on the campaign trail, and versions of such a law have been introduced in both the state House and Senate. For pro-gun Legislature, shootings underscore need to loosen regulations By Marc Caputo St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Hydra Lacy Jr. wasn't supposed to have a gun. Neither was Johnny Simms. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Chief justice pleads with senators to fully fund the courts By Kim MacQueen Florida Tribune Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady asked the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday to spare the state's hard-hit courts system from further cuts.

Daily Clips for January 25, 2011

FEATURED STORIES Rick Scott puts young campaign staffers in high-profile, in-house lobbying jobs By Katie Sanders St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau One kept track of Gov. Rick Scott's inauguration invitations and donations. House asking to join lawsuit over redistricting By Gary Fineout Sarasota Herald-Tribune Nearly 63 percent of Florida voters last November approved sweeping new standards for lawmakers to follow in drawing up new congressional and state legislative districts. Anti-abortion effort surges following Republican victories in November By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post Emboldened by the November elections, Florida lawmakers and their cohorts around the nation are pushing forward with measures to restrict abortions nearly four decades after the U.S. Supreme Court's monumental Roe vs. Wade decision made them legal. Senate panel hears more on immigration reform By Jim Ash Florida Capital News Florida banned employers from hiring undocumented workers 11 years ago, but the law has never been enforced, a top law-enforcement official told legislators Monday. Florida GOP, Democratic lawmakers to sit together at speech By Lesley Clark and David Goldstein Miami Herald Embracing the latest call for civility in Congress came easy for some in Florida's congressional delegation. FLORIDA POLITICS Democrats blast GOP leaders for intervention in suit targeting ‘Fair Districts’ By Cooper Levey-Baker Florida Independent Florida Democrats are sharply criticizing Republican state House leaders after a report by The Florida Independent this morning revealed that the House is moving to assist in a lawsuit seeking the removal of one of the state’s two popular anti-gerrymandering amendments. “Inside the Lines” website debuts to track Florida’s redistricting process By Peter Schorsch St. Petersblog 2.0 “Inside the Lines”, a hyper-focused website dedicated to tracking Florida’s historically contentious redistricting process, goes live today at InsideTheLinesFLA.com. Scott turns to campaign staffers to fill agency jobs By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune Just a few short months ago Christopher Chaney was holding two jobs: He was a legislative analyst for a lobbying firm while also working as head waiter at a downtown Tallahassee restaurant. Florida members of Congress choose comity over partisanship By William E. Gibson and Mark K. Matthews South Florida Sun-Sentinel When President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address to Congress and a national television audience Tuesday night, liberal Democrat Frederica Wilson of Miami plans to sit alongside conservative Republican Sandy Adams of Orlando in a quiet demonstration of nonpartisan civility. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Impact fee cuts gain traction By Dale White Sarasota Herald-Tribune Governments that long relied on impact fees charged to developers are backing off from charging the fees as a way to stimulate construction and the economy. Another top Florida DEP official is on the way out By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com The resignation of another top staffer has been accepted at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, creating another high-level vacancy under new DEP Secretary Herschel Vinyard. LGBT Another step for equality for gays, lesbians Editorial Miami Herald If the name Janice Langbehn sounds familiar, it's because she made headlines in Miami in 2007 when a social worker at Jackson Memorial Hospital wouldn't allow Ms. Langbehn to visit her dying partner, Lisa Ponds, because Florida is “an anti-gay state.” EDUCATION Florida Gov. Rick Scott doesn't want to fix public education, he wants to destroy it By Alan Mathison TC Palm The new governor and his advisory team on education don't seem to care what respected studies or the law say about poverty, merit pay or vouchers, but they seem destined to try the opposite of what sound research says should work. Last Days to Lock-in Sunshine State's College Savings By Eric Mack Public News Service Florida Only a few days remain to lock in today's prices for tomorrow's college education. Stargel on FOX, CNN and Soon NBC By Bill Rufty Lakeland Ledger Rep. Kelli Stargel’s parental responsibility bill in schools is gaining her national attention even before the first workshop or hearing on the legislation. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Scott pushes tax cuts, says balanced budget possible By James Call WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee Governor Rick Scott said he intends to keep his campaign promise to cut taxes as part of his plan to create 700 thousand new jobs. FL Pensions in the Cross-hairs By Glen Gardner Public News Service Florida A Florida union leader hopes to debunk what he sees as myths about the state's public pensions system that are being circulated by some legislators. Texas lawmaker offers advice on Florida's burgeoning prison budget By Janet Zink St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Both Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders have pledged to offset the state's nearly $4 billion budget shortfall with cuts to the prison system. Lawmakers renew efforts on property insurance bill Associated Press Lakeland Ledger Florida lawmakers are going back to work on a property insurance reform measure they believe will help state pay claims after a major hurricane or series of storms. Does selling state's two planes make financial sense? By Catherine Whittenburg Tampa Tribune In less than three weeks, Gov. Rick Scott plans to make good on one of his signature campaign promises: selling off both the state's planes. HEALTH AND SENIORS New measures planned to fight Medicare fraud By Kelli Kennedy Associated Press Federal health officials announced new security measures Monday to combat Medicare fraud, including tougher screenings for providers and the ability to withhold payments during investigations. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Polarizing views clash at legislative hearing on immigration reform By Marc Caputo St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Illegal immigration either costs or saves Floridians billions of dollars. Modern-day slaves' story repeats daily in plain sight By Audra D. S. Burch Miami Herald For up to 16 hours daily, they worked at posh country clubs across South Florida, then returned to deceptively quiet houses in Boca Raton where they were captives -- and in the most dreadful cases, fed rotten chicken and vegetables, forced to drink muriatic acid and repeatedly denied medical help. Rubio calls Roe v. Wade ‘tragic’ By William E. Gibson Orlando Sentinel Florida Senator Marco Rubio expressed solidarity with Monday’s anti-abortion demonstration in Washington, the 38th annual “March for Life.”

Daily Clips for January 24, 2011

FEATURED STORIES Nelson the biggest target for GOP in Florida in '12 By Jeremy Wallace Gainesville Sun After dominating the midterm elections, Republicans hold every statewide elected office in Florida — except one. Sen. Marco Rubio won't commit to join tea party caucus By Lesley Clark Miami Herald A tea party caucus of U.S. senators convenes Thursday for the first time, but one of the movement's biggest stars doesn't plan to be there. Scott names ninth agency head; 16 more to go By Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Related: PolitiFact Florida: Three weeks in, a snapshot of Rick Scott's work in progress Gov. Rick Scott on Friday hired a fellow former health care executive, Jack Miles, to run the Florida department that oversees workers' benefits and the management and purchasing of state property. Scott changes ground rules with media By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News The minute Rick Scott became a candidate for governor, he wound up with his back to the wall — mobbed by Capitol reporters asking about things he had no desire to discuss. Gov. Rick Scott's school-voucher push faces legal hurdles By Leslie Postal Orlando Sentinel Stung by court defeats in Florida and Arizona earlier this decade, school-voucher advocates set out to create a new system that would give students choices beyond public schools but still pass constitutional muster. EDITORIAL CARTOON OF THE WEEK By Jim Morin Miami Herald FLORIDA POLITICS The enforced shallowness of Twitter suits Gov. Rick Scott By Frank Cerabino Palm Beach Post The social media site Twitter is perfect for our new Gov. Rick Scott. Weighing the public's right to speak By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times Believe it or not, taxpayers have no legal right to speak at public meetings in Florida. BALLOT INITIATIVES Amendment process scrutinized By Lloyd Dunkelberger Sarasota Herald-Tribune Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon remains irked about the state Supreme Court's decision to toss three constitutional amendments written by the Legislature off last fall's general election ballot. Personhood Florida enlists pastors to help promote amendment on Roe v. Wade anniversary weekend By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent The group sponsoring a ballot initiative that seeks to ban abortion and some forms of birth control says it plans on enlisting the help of Florida pastors this weekend, in an effort at gathering “several thousand” signatures to coincide with the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Florida GOP Champions Freedom, Liberty, and Busted Poop Tanks By Adam Weinstein Mother Jones Newly anointed billionaire arch-conservative Florida governor Rick Scott—along with his all-GOP cabinet and tea-party-led state legislature—will get around to the state's budget crisis, its mortgage meltdown, its educational woes, its brain drain, its disaster-preparedness services, and its corruption problems eventually. Rick Scott's plan to kill 'jobs-killing' anti-sprawl agency could prove tricky By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel Gov. Rick Scott in his campaign blasted the state agency that is charged with preventing sprawl and protecting open spaces, accusing it of "killing jobs all over the state." Fasano targets nuclear charges with bill By Bruce Ritchie Florida Tribune With the Public Service Commission next week holding hearings on revised charges for Florida Power & Light Co. customers, a Senate bill would eliminate a 2006 state law that allows utilities to charge for new nuclear plants even if they are never built. EDUCATION Hot-button issues to dominate South Florida education summit By Cara Fitzpatrick South Florida Sun-Sentinel Get ready for bruising battles this year over such hot-button education issues as merit pay, vouchers and charter schools. Race to the Top grant puts Broward teacher pay on front burner By Rafael A. Olmeda South Florida Sun-Sentinel Less than a year after teachers beat back a plan to tie their raises to student performance, school officials across the state, including Broward, are being compelled to resurrect the policy by May 1 or risk losing millions in federal funding. Patriots United claims bias toward Islam in school textbooks By Ron Matus and Jeffrey S. Solochek St. Petersburg Times They say Florida's social studies textbooks are biased in favor of Islam. Florida's public universities shut out of move to loosen Cuba travel restrictions By Janet Zink St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Academics around the country hailed the move last week by President Barack Obama's administration to loosen travel restrictions to Cuba. Lots of empty seats in new Fla. school buildings Associated Press Miami Herald A state program to aid school districts with urgent construction needs spent $108 million to add seats that now are empty. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Florida's unemployment steady but labor force increases by 7,000 in December By Jeff Harrington St. Petersburg Times For proof that numbers can be deceptive, look no further than December's unemployment report. Will Scott get Florida back to work? By Carlton Proctor Pensacola News Journal Gov. Rick Scott's ambitious plan to put Florida to work is about to collide with some harsh fiscal realities. Florida’s financial reckoning appears imminent By Abel Harding Florida Times-Union Florida is open for business. That’s the natural conclusion drawn from a report that ranked the cheapest places to locate corporate headquarters. They're ready to cut — are we ready to be cut? By Howard Troxler St. Petersburg Times Any yahoo politician can promise not to raise taxes, and usually does. Proposed Republican law would override local wage protection efforts By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent State Rep. Tom Goodson, R-Titusville, filed a bill Tuesday that would “preempt regulation of wage theft to state, except as otherwise provided by federal law, & supersedes any municipal or county ordinance or other local regulation on such subject.” Will GOP end high-speed rail's momentum? By Lloyd Dunkelberger Sarasota Herald-Tribune Florida's high-speed rail system may offer trains capable of running at 168 mph, but the project has yet to prove it can outrun the pull of state politics. Want to drive down the Geico or Disney Turnpike? By Brent Henzi Florida Tribune Floridians could be driving on the Walt Disney Turnpike as they drive by a large picture of Mickey Mouse after the upcoming legislative session. HEALTH AND SENIORS $65M pain-clinic rules pass By Carol Gentry Health News Florida Regulations on Florida pain-management clinics that will impose an estimated $65 million in costs on the private sector passed the Florida Board of Medicine unanimously on Friday, despite Gov. Rick Scott's edict to ban rule-making this year. Florida AG Bondi dodges Scott's roadblocks to take aim at pill mills By Kate Howard Florida Times-Union New Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi campaigned on making the fight against pill mills a priority. Two local lawmakers walk the walk in debate over health insurance By Bill Thompson Ocala Star-Banner Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill delighted in their vote last week to repeal the new federal health care law, serving it up as a campaign promise kept to the voters. Beyond the individual mandate By Travis Pillow Florida Independent Florida has two lines of argument in its legal challenge of the federal health reform law — one against the expansion of Medicaid, and one against the requirement that individuals purchase health insurance. The GOP's Health Care Plan: Blame the Lawyers By Stephanie Mencimer Mother Jones Do Republicans really have a plan for fixing the health care system? CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Don't copy Arizona immigration law, top Florida Republican warns By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post As a fifth-generation rancher and citrus farmer, Adam Putnam has a personal stake in an immigration overhaul, one of the most heated issues in Washington and Florida. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Whose fault is the Taj courthouse? By Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times Related editorial: Conduct unworthy of court So whom do we blame? We now have a $50 million courthouse everyone calls the Taj Mahal, and lots of folks want to find someone to blame. Union warms to new chief of corrections By Jim Ash Florida Capital News When it comes to Florida's newest prison boss, it's tempting to think Barney Fife. Divided FL Supreme Court orders review of post-prison lock-up of child molesters By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post In a split ruling, the Florida Supreme Court has ordered a review of the Jimmy Ryce Act that allows the state to keep pedophiles and other hard-core sex molesters locked up until a judge rules they are fit to return to society. Drug shortage could delay executions in Florida By Adam H. Beasley Miami Herald The nearly 400 men and women sitting on Florida's Death Row may have received a stay of execution -- at least temporarily -- from an unexpected source.