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.