PROGRESS FLORIDA IN THE NEWS
Focus on the economy
Published letter to the editor by Mark Ferrulo
St. Petersburg Times
Excerpt: Many candidates were elected promising to create jobs and balance the budget; instead they are dismantling women's rights and attacking women's health. Elected officials should roll up their sleeves and tackle the budget. The session is short. Let's stop wasting time and focus on nursing the economy back to health instead of attacking women's reproductive health.
Nelson protests Florida election proposals
By William Gibson
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Editor’s note: At this press conference, Progress Florida will present 4,570 letters of opposition to the Supreme Court “packing” constitutional amendment our network members have sent to state senators.
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and Democratic leaders in Tallahassee are mounting a public campaign against proposed state election reforms that they say would dramatically restrict access to voting.
FEATURED STORIES
Gov. Rick Scott's proposed corporate tax cut dead, Senate president says
By Steve Bousquet
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
Related: Budget veto by Scott might amount to a show of power
Gov. Rick Scott's proposed cut to Florida's corporate income tax was declared dead Sunday by the Senate president, who said cutting spending is more important.
Florida's budget ax to hit schools, health care, environment, employee benefits
By Aaron Deslatte
Orlando Sentinel
The Republican-dominated Florida Legislature is poised this week to pass its blueprint for economic recovery — a budget that slashes nearly $4 billion from schools, employee benefits, health care and environmental programs.
Pension deal requires Florida workers to contribute 3 percent to retirement
By Mary Ellen Klas
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
Teachers, police, firefighters and state workers would face a 3 percent cut in their take-home pay as the state uses the money to pay for retirement costs under a pension agreement reached late Friday by state legislators.
Budget negotiators secretly tuck union dues ban into budget deal
By Mary Ellen Klas
St. Petersburg Times
In yet another example of legislative leaders using their budget document to adopt legislation they can't pass on the floor, budget negotiators tonight have agreed to include a provision in the budget that paves the way for a ban on union dues for several state worker unions.
Democrats say GOP lawmakers passing bills to grab more power
By William March
Tampa Tribune
With Florida sunk in the depths of a recession, this year's legislative session was supposed to be about jobs, jobs, jobs.
Legislation Spells Big Change for Florida Schools
By Zac Anderson
Lakeland Ledger
Largely obscured by the budget and other major issues dominating the capital this year, a series of education bills on the brink of passing the Legislature could bring the biggest transformation of Florida schools in years.
EDITORIAL CARTOON OF THE WEEK
By Chan Lowe
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Read the artist's commentary here.
FLORIDA POLITICS
Scott's unpopularity worries some in GOP, but not him
By William March
Tampa Tribune
Florida Gov. Rick Scott says he’s not worried about polls showing his popularity and job approval ratings in the basement.
Lawmakers use your cash to overturn your vote
By Scott Maxwell
Orlando Sentinel
Right now, legislators are waging a wicked war — against democracy itself.
In Tallahassee, Checkout Time for Republican Super-Majority
By Ralph De La Cruz
Florida Center for Investigative Reporting
Now the fun really begins. The kids are at the cash register, and it’s time to settle up.
Moderate Republicans should speak out against Tea Party
By Elllen Blais
St. Augustine Record
The recent Tea Party rally in St Augustine was interesting on many levels.
Cuban-Americans Dominate Florida Rise in Hispanic Politicians
By Laura Wides-Munoz and Mike Schneider
Associated Press
Rubio. Martinez. Alvarez. Diaz-Balart. Cruz. Gonzalez. The list of prominent Florida politicians with Spanish surnames is growing, a reflection of the state's expanding Hispanic population.
Florida Republican Party chairman David Bitner diagnosed with ALS
By Adam C. Smith and Steve Bousquet
St. Petersburg Times
Just over three months since being elected chairman of Florida's Republican Party, David Bitner said Friday he has been diagnosed with ALS, a progressive and ultimately fatal neurodegenerative disease.
Process begins to oust Ausman from Democratic State Committee
By Bill Cotterell
Florida Capital News
Democratic National Committeeman Jon Ausman, a fiercely combative campaign strategist known for partisan infighting, could lose the power base he has built over more than 40 years because of charges that he violated “an unwritten code of political ethics” by taking sides among Democrats in last year’s races.
New developments in case alleging Buchanan campaign violations
By Virginia Chamlee
Florida Independent
According to a recently filed court document, donations made to the 2006 and 2008 campaigns of Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, were indeed reimbursed by funds from a Buchanan-owned car dealership, but were not intended to be back-door contributions.
Ethics complaint filed against state Rep. Erik Fresen
By Patricia Mazzei
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
A Tallahassee mother of three said she filed an ethics complaint this week against state Rep. Erik Fresen over his family's ties to a charter school company.
Today in Tallahassee: Immigration, election reform
By Janet Zink
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
In this, the final week of the legislative session, things are moving fast and furious.
Florida Legislature's attempt to impose stricter gift ban on school board members laudable, hypocritical
Editorial
TC Palm
Hypocrisy is afoot in the Florida Legislature.
Secrecy clouds Scott administration
Editorial
St. Petersburg Times
Florida's public records laws are among the strongest in the nation and help ensure residents know how government officials are acting on their behalf.
No ethics problems for Gov. Scott?
Editorial
Palm Beach Post
Rick Scott’s many critics say he hasn’t done enough to separate his personal finances from his decisions as governor, but the Florida Commission on Ethics staff has issued a preliminary report that clears the governor of any violations.
POLITICAL RACES
In Florida, GOP squeezes Obama-friendly voters
By Joy-Ann Reid
Miami Herald
Last week, we learned that even achieving the highest level of academic and political success — up to and including being elected president of the United States — is not enough to exempt an African American from having it demanded of him, by even the Washington press corps, that he prove the circumstances of his birth to a white, B-list television personality.
Analysis: State parties positioning for next year's campaigns
By John Kennedy
Palm Beach Post
There's been tough talk. Ignored priorities. Charges of flip-flopping. Even a lawsuit.
Sen. Rubio says no way he'll be on GOP 2012 ticket
Associated Press
Orlando Sentinel
First-term GOP Sen. Marco Rubio says he won't be on the Republican presidential ticket in 2012 under any circumstances.
Planning for Republicans' Tampa party well underway
By Adam C. Smith and Richard Danielson
St. Petersburg Times
Think of hosting an event as big as the Super Bowl. Now multiply that by four or five.
Election pranks are not equal to fraud
By Aaron Sharockman
St. Petersburg Times
Republicans pushing major changes to state election laws say the legislation is needed to better protect the state against voter fraud.
Leon County supervisor of elections: Early voting compromise wouldn’t save money
By Travis Pillow
Florida Independent
The Florida Senate is working to shorten early voting periods, but lawmakers are working on a compromise.
Does early voting raise turnout?
By Aaron Deslatte
Orlando Sentinel
Democrats such as U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, college students and election advocates are bemoaning an election bill Republican rulers in Tallahassee say will combat fraud.
ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY
House passes controversial environmental bill in minutes
By Mary Ellen Klas
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
Related: Controversial growth management bill wedged into budget to force passage
With head-spinning speed, the Florida House took up and passed a major rewrite of state environmental laws late Friday that Florida conservation groups call one of the worst environmental bills in decades.
A sea change in Florida water regulation
By Craig Pittman
St. Petersburg Times
Gov. Rick Scott recently told federal officials they should leave Florida alone and let it set its own water pollution standards.
Federal official says Everglades restoration will continue despite state budget slashes
By Christine Stapleton
Palm Beach Post
Despite dire warnings from environmentalists that Everglades restoration is doomed if drastic cuts to the state budget are approved, federal agencies say they have the money to keep the programs going and are ready to step up and fulfill their commitment to share the costs.
Earth Justice: Florida State Legislature Choking Clean Water Rules
By Les Coleman
Public News Service Florida
Stinking, slimy, poisonous rivers filled with dead fish may sound like a horror movie, but it's a reality story for some citizens of the Sunshine State.
Eight North Florida counties affected by oil spill to get $10M
By Jim Ash
Florida Capital News
House and Senate budget negotiators agreed Friday to boost economic development in eight northwest Florida counties most affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster.
Airport will pursue damages against BP
By Pat Kelly
Panama City News Herald
The Airport Authority board will pursue damages against BP for a loss of passenger traffic after last year’s oil spill.
EDUCATION
School choice bills making headway in Capitol
By Leslie Postal
Orlando Sentinel
Related: Florida charters less diverse than other public schools
Related: Grouping kids by race or ethnicity in charter schools has merit, backers say
Florida lawmakers are poised to pass a handful of bills that, combined, would expand charter schools, virtual schools, a voucher programs for kids with disabilities and the opportunity to transfer from struggling campuses.
Florida charter school advocate warns of problems amid growth
By Tom Marshall
St. Petersburg Times
There are two competing visions of charter schools in Florida — one rosy, and one far darker.
Education Does Better Than Many Feared
By Bill Kaczor
Associated Press
Legislative budget negotiators settled on a $540 per student, or 7.9 percent, spending cut Friday, but lawmakers said public schools should be able to make up most of that difference through other funding sources.
Homeless, but Finding Sanctuary at School
By Michael Winerip
New York Times
The bus ride from the homeless shelter to Fern Creek Elementary School was, as usual, raucous.
Students will see tuition hikes, less help from Florida budget
By Jodie Tillman
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
College students can expect bigger tuition bills next year — and possibly less help to pay for them.
Florida school nutrition bill passed by Senate
Associated Press
Miami Herald
The Florida Senate has approved a proposal from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to take over school food and nutrition programs from the State Board of Education.
JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY
Deal gives Scott influence over economic development
By Jim Ash
Florida Capital News
Gov. Rick Scott would have greater control over economic development under a budget deal lawmakers agreed to on Friday.
State budget negotiations continue
By Bill Cotterell
Florida Capital News
House and Senate budget negotiators agreed on privatization of prisons in 18 South Florida counties and a $210.5 million cut in property taxes for water management districts tonight and Gov. Rick Scott said he will continue pressing for more revenue reductions in the final week of the 2011 legislative session.
Big-money fight ties up budget talks
By Marc Caputo
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
In the opening days of the lawmaking session, two low-profile South Florida doctors helped funnel $70,000 to politicians and political groups, bringing their total contributions to an eye-opening $3 million in just one year.
In Florida, G.O.P. Help for Unions
By Steven Greenhouse
New York Times
When State Senator John Thrasher introduced a bill to weaken the political clout of Florida’s public employee unions, he expected that it would pass fairly easily, not least because Republicans held 28 of the Senate’s 40 seats.
For labor, it's Mayday, not May Day
By Robyn E. Blumner
St. Petersburg Times
It's May Day, a day that commemorates the vast contributions of the labor movement and its continued value.
Florida House won't budge on professions it wants to deregulate
Staff Report
St. Petersburg Times
If the Senate had its way, commercial interior designers, athletes' agents and telemarketers would continue to need state licenses to practice.
Jobs agency paid thousands to companies owned by board members
By Jim Stratton
Orlando Sentinel
Workforce Central Florida, whose spending on superhero capes has sparked an inspector general's review, has made deals worth more than $166,000 to companies controlled by agency board members.
Scott tells Hispanic leaders he wants Florida to be business-friendly
By Jeannette Rivera-Lyles
Orlando Sentinel
Gov. Rick Scott told Hispanic business leaders in Orlando Friday that increasing trade with Latin America and creating conditions that spur economic activity are priorities for him.
HEALTH AND SENIORS
Once pride of Florida; now scenes of neglect
By Rob Barry, Michael Sallah and Carol Marbin Miller
Miami Herald
For more than a decade, Bruce Hall ran his assisted-living facility in Florida’s Panhandle like a prison camp.
Anti-abortion stance lands Florida Democrat in the liberal doghouse
By Marc Caputo
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
House Democrats are ostracizing one of their own, Miami Rep. Daphne Campbell, after she backed a Republican abortion bill and quoted the Bible on the floor of the Florida House.
Bondi deserves no credit
Editorial
Palm Beach Post
As a candidate, Pam Bondi said the Florida attorney general's office was her political goal and promised not to run for anything else.
CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES
Immigration bill gets second wind in Senate, even as new keeper expresses concerns
By Dara Kam
Palm Beach Post
The Senate's immigration bill, seemingly stalled in the committee process, has been propelled forward by Senate President Mike Haridopolos to the Senate floor.
Miami residents to protest immigration bill
Associated Press
Miami Herald
Miami residents plan to protest tough immigration bills being debated in the Legislature.
Arizona's immigration law doesn't fit Florida
By Bill Maxwell
St. Petersburg Times
As Republicans in the Florida Legislature move to implement Arizona-style immigration laws, they need to stop and listen to the practicality and sanity from a member of their own party: Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Adam H. Putnam, a conservative Republican and a member of the state Cabinet.
JUSTICE AND THE COURTS
Fla. Senate passes bill setting standards for how police handle eyewitness identification lineupsBy Dara Kam
Palm Beach Post
Over the objections of law enforcement officials, the Florida Senate approved a measure setting minimum standards for eyewitness identification, the number one cause of wrongful convictions.
Courageous stand against Cannon's court plan
Editorial
St. Petersburg Times
House Speaker Dean Cannon's purely political play to split the Florida Supreme Court in half continues to be a solution in search of a problem.
Supreme Court overhaul: Ditch it
Editorial
Florida Times-Union
The controversial proposed overhaul of the Florida Supreme Court -- splitting it into a criminal and a civil division -- was, as of Thursday, struggling to stay alive in the Florida Legislature. We hope it dies. Period.
No comments:
Post a Comment