FEATURED STORIES
Florida budget plans are shortsighted, irresponsible
Editorial
St. Petersburg Times
There is no way to sugarcoat it. The separate state budget plans that the Florida House and Senate will start debating today are shortsighted and irresponsible in every respect.
Scott repeats that business tax cuts are 'very important'
By Aaron Deslatte
Orlando Sentinel
Gov. Rick Scott says he remains optimistic that lawmakers will deliver his corporate tax cuts over the next month on top of the roughly $4 billion in cuts the Legislature is proposing for classrooms, health-care for the poor and benefit cuts to public workers.
Courts could close for weeks if more funding not approved
By Rene Stutzman
Orlando Sentinel
Fearing the governor will withhold emergency funding to keep state and county courts operating, the state's chief judges have put together a draconian plan that could shutter the court system in every Florida county for four days next week, and 10 days in May.
Poll shows increase in Florida voters' dislike for Gov. Rick Scott
By Marc Caputo
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
Rick Scott is one of the least popular Florida governors in recent memory, a new poll shows, with almost half of registered voters feeling he's doing a bad job in office.
Florida Chamber of Commerce on the Firing Line
By Les Coleman and Greg Gardner
Public News Service Florida
Florida firefighters, teachers and police officers packed the State Capitol Tuesday to charge the Florida Chamber of Commerce with falsely claiming to represent them in a new statewide 30-second TV spot.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is new DNC chair
By Adam C. Smith
St. Petersburg Times
President Barack Obama on Tuesday picked U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, to be the next leader of the Democratic National Committee, underscoring Florida's ground-zero status in the 2012 campaign.
FLORIDA POLITICS
The word 'uterus' isn't obscene, but politics in Tallahassee are
By Scott Maxwell
Orlando Sentinel
Rep. Scott Randolph was trying to make a point about abortion last week when he used the word "uterus" on the floor of the State House.
House District 78: A lesson on redistricting
By Aaron Sharockman
St. Petersburg Times
Want a lesson on redistricting? Just take a look at Florida House District 78.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott's deadline for rules review not adhered to
By Steve Patterson
Florida Times-Union
Gov. Rick Scott's push to streamline state government could lead to thousands of changes in state rules covering everything from drilling wells to hiring lottery employees.
The Buzz: Bill to expand casino gaming makes headway
Staff Report
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
A reconstituted casino gaming bill emerged Tuesday in the Senate, allowing for a casino to be built in each of five regions of the state, but forbidding casinos in Orlando's tourism havens.
Today in Tallahassee: Budget, budget and Medicaid
By Patricia Mazzei
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
All eyes in the state Capitol on Wednesday will be on the budget, which will be taken up on the floor of the Florida House and Senate.
POLITICAL RACES
Florida congresswoman to head Democratic National Committee
Associated Press
Tampa Tribune
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a congresswoman from South Florida and a key White House defender, was chosen by President Barack Obama today to become chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee.
As George LeMieux eyes U.S. Senate again, ties to Charlie Crist linger
By Adam C. Smith and Alex Leary
St. Petersburg Times
George LeMieux would not have made it to the U.S. Senate in 2009 but for his long friendship with Charlie Crist, the governor who appointed him to the job after Mel Martinez resigned.
LeMieux challenging Nelson for U.S. Senate seat
By Mark Matthews
Orlando Sentinel
Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux on Tuesday announced his intention to get his old job back, making official what Florida politicos had expected for months.
RNC, Florida legislative leaders meet on 2012 primary date
By William March
Tampa Tribune
Meetings between Florida legislative staffers and a top Republican National Committee official Tuesday apparently didn't yield progress in resolving a standoff over Florida's presidential primary date.
Roger Stone: Donald Trump sees Florida edge
By Maggie Haberman
Politico
Donald Trump, a part-time Florida resident, seems to have his eye on the push to move the Sunshine State's primary up on the calender as part of any presidential run he'd make in 2012.
ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY
Critics: Bill could spur development, endanger wetlands
By Jim Ash
Florida Capital News
A Big Bend legislator's attempt to shield himself and fellow farmers from expensive water management regulations could prime the pump for massive development across the state, environmentalists warn.
State agency cites industry numbers when questioned by lawmakers about water rule costs
By Virginia Chamlee
Florida Independent
When asked by state lawmakers how much new EPA water quality standards may cost Florida businesses, the Department of Environmental Protection supplied them with numbers written by the very industries that could be affected.
Scott administration interviews tea party leader for South Florida water district
By Joel Engelhardt
Palm Beach Post
As environmentalists increasingly sound the alarm over proposed budget cuts for the state's water management districts, Gov. Rick Scott's administration is considering adding a tea party leader to the board of governors of the South Florida Water Management District.
U.S. House bill would send oil spill fines to Gulf Coast
By Mona Moore
Northwest Florida Daily News
Two Florida congressmen introduced a bill Tuesday to ensure a portion of BP oil spill fines are dedicated to economic development or tourism.
LGBT
The Chronic Stigma Persists
The Progress Report
Think Progress
LGBT Americans have experienced many advances in recent months -- including the impending repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and polls showing a majority support for marriage equality -- but their health remains a serious concern as homophobia and transphobia are still debilitating forces in their lives.
EDUCATION
Fla. teachers union seeking class size compromise
By Bill Kaczor
Associated Press
The statewide teachers union and the senator proposing legislation to weaken the state's class size requirements were trying to reach a compromise, the Florida Education Association's leader said Tuesday.
Bill would expand virtual schools in Florida; educators ask if it lowers standards
By Dara Kam
Palm Beach Post
Florida children could spend more time interacting with a computer screen than a real live teacher as lawmakers seek a vast expansion of virtual learning in public schools.
JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY
Changes coming to state's massive pension plan
By Paul Flemming
Florida Today
Changes are coming to the massive $125 billion Florida Retirement System with proposals in the state House and Senate that require public employees to contribute 3 percent of salaries to their own retirement plans.
Minimum wage change clears Florida House panel
By Bill Kaczor
Associated Press
A bill designed to thwart a lawsuit challenging the state's refusal to increase Florida's minimum wage cleared a House committee Tuesday.
As CEO Pay Increases, Employees Work Themselves Out of Jobs
By Ralph De La Cruz
Florida Center for Investigative Reporting
Just in case you missed it…USA Today reported that CEO compensation went up 27 percent last year.
Lawmakers move forward with sweeping Florida property insurance changes
By Janet Zink
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
Sweeping property insurance reform bills that critics deride as a gift to the industry are getting blessed by Florida lawmakers.
Florida House committee muscles through measure to revive online travel tax bill
By Mary Ellen Klas
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
Florida House leaders revived a bill Tuesday to shield online travel companies from being forced to pay additional tourism taxes on the hotel rooms they sell over the Internet.
Bill to allow 'destination resort' casinos clears Florida Senate committee
By Brandon Larrabee
News Service of Florida
A bill paving the way for up to five "destination resort" casinos to open in Florida finally passed the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee on Tuesday, but prospects for what opponents label a massive expansion in gambling still seem dicey at best.
SpaceX unveils plans for heavy-lift rocket
By Mark Matthews
Orlando Sentinel
The upstart rocket company SpaceX of California took the final step of challenging the traditional powers of the aerospace industry on Tuesday when CEO Elon Musk unveiled plans for a new heavy-lift rocket that the company calls the "world's most powerful rocket."
HEALTH AND SENIORS
Medicaid pilot flaws ignored?
By Brittany Davis
Health News Florida
Florida officials have been exaggerating the costs of the federal health law and downplaying risks in the state's Medicaid managed-care pilot, according to studies by Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute.
Scott weighs in on his cuts to Agency for Persons with Disabilities
By Bill Cotterell
Florida Capital News
Gov. Rick Scott said today he had to make an emergency 15 percent cut in state payments for services to people with developmental disabilities because past administrations had "kicked the can" while deficits grew at the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
Florida ACLU launches 'Incorporate My Uterus' website
Associated Press
Tampa Tribune
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida has a message for women who want complete control over their reproductive health: Incorporate your uterus.
FMA, NRA reach compromise
By Carol Gentry
Health News Florida
The National Rifle Association finally met its match: the Florida Medical Association.
CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES
Fla. Senate committee OK's immigration bill
Associated Press
Naples Daily News
Legislators seeking to discourage the hiring of illegal immigrants are one step closer to overhauling Florida's employment law.
JUSTICE AND THE COURTS
Bill would require Senate confirmation of Florida Supreme Court justicesBy Kathleen Haughney
Orlando Sentinel
A Senate panel voted Tuesday to subject future Florida Supreme Court nominees to Senate confirmation, significantly altering the process by which justices are now appointed to the court.
Privatizing prisons could prove profitable to politically-connected companies
By Steve Bousquet
Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau
The Florida Legislature’s push to privatize many more prisons, its most far-reaching cost-cutting plan in years, could open a lucrative door to politically connected vendors who stand to profit.
House push to remake Florida Supreme Court slows in Senate
By Janet Zink
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
Revamping the Supreme Court is a top priority for House Speaker Dean Cannon.
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