PROGRESS FLORIDA IN THE NEWS
ACLU of Florida, 29 other groups, call on Nelson and Rubio to co-sponsor anti-bullying legislation
By Steve Rothaus
Miami Herald
Today the ACLU of Florida along with 29 organizations sent a letter encouraging Senator Bill Nelson and Senator Marco Rubio to stand against bullying and become a cosponsor for the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA).
FEATURED STORIES
Florida GOP effort to boost Scott's image not working according to Sunshine State poll
By John Kennedy
Palm Beach Post
A poll released Wednesday by the usually right-leaning Sunshine State News shows Republican Gov. Rick Scott's approval rating at 27 percent among Floridians, with 58 percent disapproving of the job done by the first-year governor.
Liberal groups say Gov. Scott is targeting middle class
By Douglas Hanks
Miami Herald
Related report: Under Attack: Florida’s Middle Class and the Jobs Crisis
Gov. Rick Scott's policies keep the Sunshine State's middle class under economic siege, liberal groups asserted Wednesday.
Politics reigns as sides meet to discuss redistricting
By Christopher Curry
Gainesville Sun
Political divides were on display Wednesday as Florida House and Senate committee members visited Santa Fe College for one of 26 meetings scheduled to gather public input on the redrawing of the state’s legislative and congressional districts following the 2010 Census.
State-backed Citizens could be privatized
By Gary Fineout
Florida Current
Frustrated by the inability to win changes from state lawmakers, the chairman of the state-created Citizens Property Insurance Corp. said on Wednesday that legislators should privatize part of the company.
Despite what BP says, it's not 'mission accomplished'
Editorial
St. Petersburg Times
Barely a year has passed since BP established a claims fund to compensate victims along the Gulf of Mexico for the worst oil spill in American history.
FLORIDA POLITICS
After robo calls of appeal, Scott still unpopular with voters
By Mary Ellen Klas
Miami Herald
Related video: Gov. Rick Scott on his popularity and privatizing parks, prisons and Citizens
A new poll out by Sunshine State News finds that despite months of recorded phone calls to Republicans and independent voters across the state touting his achievements, Gov. Rick Scott still can't catch a break.
Fla. Gov. Scott keeps promises, loses popularity
By Brendan Farrington
Associated Press
In office just six months, Gov. Rick Scott has kept his campaign promises and then some: cutting corporate taxes, reducing the size of government, drug testing welfare recipients, making government workers pay into their pensions, and privatizing Medicaid.
The Villages residents hear about redistricting plans
By Aaron Deslatte
Orlando Sentinel
Florida lawmakers brought their redistricting road show to The Villages on Wednesday, where the task of redrawing political boundaries could collide with new constitutional mandates to take into account the contours of existing local governments.
Tampa, Charlotte mayors: Don't let debt ceiling debate delay funds for 2012 political conventions
By Richard Danielson
St. Petersburg Times
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Charlotte, N.C., Mayor Anthony Foxx went to Washington this week with the same message: Don't let partisan rancor over the national debt get in the way of $100 million-plus in federal funds the cities need to police next year's Republican and Democratic national conventions.
Democrats need to have more Hispanic candidates
By Guillermo I. Martinez
South Florida Sun Sentinel
Democrats in Florida should read what Spanish-born philosopher George Santayana had to say in 1905: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
Officials must be ethical and accountable
By Mel Kelly
Florida Today
What kind of behavior do we expect from our politicians?
POLITICAL RACES
Despite controversies, West continues to raise big dollars
By Virginia Chamlee
Florida Independent
According to recent reports, tea party favorite Rep. Allen West, R-Fort Lauderdale, raised nearly $1.5 million in the second quarter of 2011.
Frankel keeps fund-raising pace with Democratic rival
By John Kennedy
Palm Beach Post
Former West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel said Wednesday that she collected $440,000 for her congressional campaign during the past three months, keeping pace with Democratic rival Patrick Murphy, who earlier reported pulling in $450,000.
ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY
Scott still mulling plans for RVs in remaining state parks
By Travis Pillow
Florida Independent
Responding to public outcry, Gov. Rick Scott put the kibosh on plans to consider bringing privately run, RV-friendly campgrounds to Honeymoon Island State Park.
Gov. Scott's late parks announcement not a sneak attack, aide says
By Bruce Ritchie
FloridaEnvironments.com
After a week of controversy involving Florida Park Service proposals to put recreational vehicle campgrounds in four state parks, Gov. Rick Scott announced last Friday he was pulling the plug on at least the proposal at Honeymoon Island State Park.
Delayed Everglades restoration prompts Palm Beach County leader to question state, federal 'courage'
By Andy Reid
South Florida Sun Sentinel
Frustrated with stalled Everglades restoration, Palm Beach County Commission Chairwoman Karen Marcus contends that federal and state officials lack the "courage" to get it done.
Keep nuclear plant closed
By Renee Hickman
Orlando Sentinel
Earlier this year, we learned the Crystal River nuclear plant was to be closed indefinitely because of a new crack found in the containment dome.
LGBT
Hate violence against LGBT and HIV-affected communities on the rise in the U.S.
By Marcos Restrepo
Florida Independent
A report released Tuesday shows that hate violence against the LGBT and HIV-affected communities rose 13 percent in the U.S. in 2010.
EDUCATION
Florida Board of Education member resigns to take job in Minnesota
By Allison Ross
Palm Beach Post
State Board of Education member Mark Kaplan has announced that he is resigning effective July 20, opening another opportunity for Gov. Rick Scott to make an appointment to the seven-member board.
Infographic: Florida's 2011 Public School Grades
Staff Report
Florida Current
The Florida Department of Education released annual public school grades on June 30.
Changes in Florida law make it easier to take classes online
By Mary Kelli Palka
Florida Times-Union
For some students, a few virtual classes in addition to a traditional school environment is just perfect.
Seminole schools face 'crisis,' may seek tax hike
By Dave Weber
Orlando Sentinel
Seminole school leaders say they need more money to keep the school system afloat and may go to voters in November seeking a special sales tax or property tax — or both.
Community, teachers lament budget cuts in Manatee schools
By Angeline Taylor
Bradenton Herald
Manatee County parent Christine Sket’s response to the recently approved school budget cuts went beyond surprise.
Miami-Dade Schools chief Carvalho vows to keep 2 schools open
By Kathleen McGrory
Miami Herald
Miami-Dade schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho on Wednesday affirmed his commitment to saving two Miami-Dade high schools threatened with closure — and got permission from the School Board to manage a new charter school opening three campuses this fall.
Duval one step closer to losing control of four public schools
By Topher Sanders
Florida Times-Union
The Duval County Public Schools' appeal to maintain control of its four worst-performing schools has been recommended for denial by state Education Commissioner John Winn.
JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY
Debt-ceiling debate goes nuclear with accusations over Social Security
By John Kennedy
Palm Beach Post
President Obama's warning that Social Security checks might not go out next month sent sparks flying Wednesday from Florida to Washington, while deepening the political divide over raising the federal debt ceiling.
2nd wave of foreclosures may have started
By Mark Puente
St. Petersburg Times
For months, experts have predicted that a second wave of foreclosures would hit Tampa Bay and the rest of Florida.
New economic development leader bullish on Florida jobs creation
By Jeff Harrington
St. Petersburg Times
As Florida's new secretary of commerce, Gray Swoope knows he has become the focal point for Gov. Rick Scott's most-watched promise: to create 700,0000 jobs in seven years.
Florida gets good marks for its latest budget fixes
By Gary Fineout
Florida Current
A national credit rating agency, citing a decision to slash spending while maintaining large reserves, has given Florida good marks for the way it has handled its budget woes.
Florida adding 'clean' jobs but still lags behind most of the country
By Jeff Harrington
St. Petersburg Times
Florida may be a cleaner, greener state than it used to be, but it still has a very long way to go.
Florida wins NASA contract for station research
By Mark K. Matthews
Orlando Sentinel
In a big win for Florida, NASA picked a team from the state to manage the national laboratory aboard the International Space Station -- a victory that comes with a contract worth up to $15 million annually and the potential to create dozens of jobs or more.
HEALTH AND SENIORS
Mike Haridopolos says Florida law could allow state to 'opt out' of federal health care plan: False
By Janet Zink
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald PolitiFact
One of Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos’ first acts in the 2011 legislative session was to sponsor and shepherd through a proposed constitutional amendment targeting the federal health care law.
Senate Agriculture Committee to study plight of Lake Apopka farmworkers
By Bruce Ritchie
Florida Current
The Senate Agriculture Committee plans to study the plight of Lake Apopka farmworkers following Gov. Rick Scott's veto of a related $500,000 appropriation.
Guttmacher: ‘Record number of abortion restrictions’ enacted in first half of 2011
By Ashley Lopez
Florida Independent
Since the beginning of this year, states around the country have enacted a total of 162 laws aimed at limiting reproductive rights and health.
Doctors ask court to lift restrictions on gun questions in examine room
By Jay Weaver
Miami Herald
Thousands of doctors who say they've been gagged by a new state law banning their discussion of gun ownership with patients urged a federal judge Wednesday to stop enforcement of the statute — legislation pushed by firearm advocates and signed into law last month by Gov. Rick Scott.
JUSTICE AND THE COURTS
Sargeant business partner testifies he was cut out of dealBy Jane Musgrave
Palm Beach Post
Mohammad Al-Saleh thought he could finally relax after spending months making sure he and his business partners secured yet another $500 million defense contract to deliver fuel to U.S. troops in Iraq.
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