Daily Clips for January 3, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Rick Scott governor inaugural set, fundraising at about $3 million By Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster Naples Daily News Related: Is a lavish inauguration too much? The ballots were counted months ago, but the numbers keep rolling in: Nearly $3 million raised; 74 parade participants and one inaugural ball. Teachers, parents set stage for education war By Cara Fitzpatrick South Florida Sun-Sentinel Teachers and like-minded parents have struck first in an expected statewide battle over education changes being proposed by Gov.-elect Rick Scott's transition team. New health-care rules to take effect By David A. Fahrenthold Washington Post The new year will bring important changes to U.S. health-insurance rules, as new provisions related to last year's massive health-care overhaul take effect. FLORIDA POLITICS State to tackle pension reform By Derek Catron Daytona Beach News-Journal Related: Rick Scott worries Florida's pension fund is in even worse shape than we know Former Ormond Beach Mayor Fred Costello made no secret of his hope to reform the state pension plan when he ran for the Florida House, and he was challenged for it -- facing a police union official in the Republican primary and a former school district official in the November general election. Gov.-elect Rick Scott aims for bold jump-start with sweeping reforms By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post Florida's schools, prisons and state government are on the verge of massive overhauls as Gov.-elect Rick Scott prepares to be sworn in Tuesday with an ambitious conservative agenda. Enter: Swinging. Exit: Much the Same Way. By Michael Barbaro New York Times He has zero faith in the incoming speaker of the House, John A. Boehner, whom he calls a “tool of special interest.” Rick Scott's hands off his wealth By Jim Ash Pensacola News-Journal It's the $218 million question. How will Rick Scott, the wealthiest man ever elected Florida governor, put distance between the first public office he's ever held and the private fortune that fueled his rise to the top? Lawmaker seeks Choose Life changes By Bill Thompson Gainesville Sun In an effort to increase access to funding for adoption groups, one state lawmaker is proposing an overhaul of the law governing Florida’s Choose Life specialty license plates. Florida's congressional delegation faces tough task in working together By William E. Gibson Orlando Sentinel Can the Florida members of Congress find a way to get along? POLITICAL RACES Rivals line up to challenge Sen. Nelson in 2012 By Bart Jansen Pensacola News-Journal Republicans are wasting no time lining up to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY What 1970s reveal about Florida's future Editorial Tampa Tribune Gov. Rick Scott's "Regulatory Reform Transition Team" has proudly unveiled an ambitious plan to make the state business-friendly. Gulf spill task force chief faces daunting cleanup McClatchy News Service John Hankinson Jr., a veteran of many of Florida's biggest environmental battles, is now the federal government's point man for one of the nation's most pressing challenges: cleaning up the Gulf of Mexico in the aftermath of the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history. Buying land for bears: Nature group gets creative to raise money By Martin E. Comas Orlando Sentinel In an offbeat music video posted on YouTube, an actor in a bear costume uses an elevator, shops at a grocery store, gets locked out of his hotel room and lounges by a backyard pool reading a magazine next to an overturned garbage can. EDUCATION Gov.-elect Rick Scott eyes 'game-changing' education overhaul By Leslie Postal and Dave Weber Orlando Sentinel Gov.-elect Rick Scott wants Florida parents in the driver's seat when it comes to their children's education, and he's considering a number of ways to put them there despite questions and criticism from school leaders. The Attack On American Education By Robert Reich Wall Street Pit Over the long term, the only way we’re going to raise wages, grow the economy, and improve American competitiveness is by investing in our people — especially their educations. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Scott wants to focus on new jobs By Bill Cotterell Florida Today As the first governor in 44 years with no experience in public office, Rick Scott wants to change how Florida does business - and business is what he is all about. State contracts key in producing jobs By Douglas C. Lyons South Florida Sun-Sentinel Here's a New Year's resolution that will spur Florida's economy and help state government get serious about creating jobs: Improve the state's record on minority vendor spending. There's not enough of it. Deep Hole Economics By Paul Krugman New York Times If there’s one piece of economic wisdom I hope people will grasp this year, it’s this: Even though we may finally have stopped digging, we’re still near the bottom of a very deep hole. Florida Citrus Commission Will Study Chinese Competitors' Impact By Kevin Bouffard Lakeland Ledger After so many world business leaders and economists focused on China during the past decade, the crouching dragon has now drawn attention of the Florida citrus industry. Tax funds flow to suburban Boca Raton felon's day cares By Jane Musgrave Palm Beach Post When it comes to Judy Perlin, state investigators and federal prosecutors agree: The 59-year-old suburban Boca Raton woman has misused federal and state programs designed to help poor children and their families. A look ahead: Budget biggest problem for Lee County this year By Chris Umpierre Fort Myers News-Press With Lee County slated to bring in $34 million less in property tax revenue this year, Lee commissioners will likely have to cut some residents' services, conduct layoffs or raise taxes. Jackson Lab project’s future could hinge on key decisions in early 2011 By Liz Freeman Naples Daily News The contentious Jackson Lab project may face its death if Gov.-elect Rick Scott shuts the door to state funding. HEALTH AND SENIORS Obama Signs Bill to Help 9/11 Workers By Sheryl Gay Stolberg New York Times President Obama took time out of his Hawaiian vacation on Sunday to sign into law one of the surprise accomplishments of the lame-duck Congress: a measure covering the cost of medical care for rescue workers and others sickened by toxic fumes and dust after the 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Florida's oldest resident dies at 112 Associated Press Onie Ponder, Florida's oldest resident and one of the oldest people in the world, has died, her son said Saturday. She was 112. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE, AND SOCIAL ISSUES Political Battle on Illegal Immigration Shifts to States By Julia Preston New York Times Legislative leaders in at least half a dozen states say they will propose bills similar to a controversial law to fight illegal immigration that was adopted by Arizona last spring, even though a federal court has suspended central provisions of that statute. Child abuse reports rise in South Florida, officials say By Jerome Burdi South Florida Sun-Sentinel South Florida has seen a rise in child-abuse cases and officials are calling for more awareness after a year in which the state's social service agency has investigated some gruesome ones. Jacksonville imam’s interfaith work hooks Gov.-elect Rick Scott By Jeff Brumley Florida Times-Union Jacksonville Imam Enrique Rasheed sees no spiritual or political contradictions in praying for and with conservative Christians and Republicans, many of whom are openly distrustful of Muslims these days. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Pill Mills, Gangs on Pam Bondi's Radar By Janet Zink St. Petersburg Times Related: AG-elect Pam Bondi taps Dave Aronberg to newly created position of special counsel for her pill mill initiative New hires and changes in the structure of the Attorney General's Office have set the stage for Pam Bondi's tenure as the first woman to serve as Florida's chief legal officer. 'Stand Your Ground' cases on the rise By Jay Stapleton Daytona Beach News-Journal A decade-old law that gives criminal immunity to some people who defend themselves with knives, fists, sticks or guns is rearing its head more frequently in Volusia County courtrooms.