FEATURED STORIES
Blocking the path to the polls
Editorial
Miami Herald
At this point in American history, imposing poll taxes and literacy tests would be a too-obvious attempt to suppress the voting rights of African Americans and other minorities.
Senate: Safeguarding minority seats is Priority One
By Steve Bousquet
St. Petersburg Times
The Florida Senate reached a consensus Tuesday that in redrawing legislative districts, their No. 1 priority is to ensure that nothing is done to "diminish" the ability of racial and language minorities to elect the candidates of their choice.
Florida’s construction industry still shrinking, but some workers cling to hope
By Jeff Harrington
St. Petersburg Times
Florida's bustling construction industry lured Sam Radowick from Michigan eight years ago. The pay was good. The work, plentiful. By November 2006, however, home building in his adopted state began slumping.
Don’t give up on long-term coverage
Editorial
St. Petersburg Times
The Obama administration's decision to pull the plug on long-term care insurance, a key part of health care reform, is disappointing but understandable.
FLORIDA POLITICS
Scott: Occupy Wall Street protesters ‘frustrated with where the world is going’
By Ashley Lopez
Florida Independent
In an interview on Fox 13 this week, Gov. Rick Scott said that Occupy Wall Street protesters are “frustrated with where the world is going” and compared them to his supporters, who “believe government kills jobs.”
After holdup, resort casino bill to be filed this week
By Gray Rohrer
Florida Current
After nearly two weeks of delays, a bill to allow as many as three destination resort casinos in South Florida will be filed this week, Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, one of the bill’s sponsors, said Tuesday.
Feds open campaign finance investigation of Rep. Vern Buchanan
By Marc R. Masferrer
Bradenton Herald
The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating complaints that U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan broke campaign finance laws — the same allegations for which the Federal Elections Commission has already cleared the congressman after a two-year investigation.
West disputes Occupy movement’s ‘1 percent’ claim as group protests in Palm Beach
By George Bennett
Palm Beach Post
U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation, told a town hall audience Tuesday that he stands with Occupy Wall Street protesters in opposing corporate bailouts, but he disputed the movement's claim that America's wealthiest 1 percent aren't paying their fair share of taxes.
POLITICAL RACES
In testy debate, Romney fights off Perry; Cain fades from spotlight
By Marc Caputo
Miami Herald
If the Republican presidential race were a logic problem, there would be just two candidates:
Run for governor may be in former Tampa mayor’s plans analyst says
Staff
Florida Current
A Tampa political analyst says former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio may be considering a run for governor, The Tampa Tribune reports.
ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY
Drilling near Cuba still threatens U.S.
Editorial
Orlando Sentinel
Politics instead of wise policy continues to undermine the U.S. approach to oil drilling in Cuba's waters.
Environmental group questions safety of gulf seafood
By Virginia Chamlee
Florida Independent
Though the state Department of Agriculture has begun ramping up its campaign to educate Floridians about the safety of gulf seafood, some remain unconvinced that it is as safe for consumption as the Food and Drug Administration has claimed.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection to simplify permitting processes
By Christine Stapleton
Palm Beach Post
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's top priority for the coming legislative session is to make the regulations for building homes, docks, malls and highways less complicated for its "customers."
EDUCATION
Here’s what Florida professors earn; Scott releases salaries
By Denise-Marie Balona
Orlando Sentinel
Gov. Rick Scott has posted the salaries of employees at all of Florida's 11 public universities — a move some faculty leaders say is pointed at professors and meant to make universities appear wasteful.
UF faculty say salaries offer incomplete picture of their worth
By Nathan Crabbe
Gainesville Sun
Depending on your point of view, Gov. Rick Scott's posting of university salary information online provides greater transparency or a distorted image.
Florida Board of Education sets pre-K standards
By Laura Isensee
Miami Herald
The Florida Board of Education on Tuesday approved new learning standards for taxpayer-funded prekindergarten programs at its meeting at Miami Edison Senior High.
JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY
Casino hype? You bet. Let me deal out facts
By Scott Maxwell
Orlando Sentinel
Are you casino confused? If so, it's perfectly understandable.
Scott must face tough economic climate
Editorial
Daytona Beach News-Journal
Gov. Rick Scott does not give up easily.
Mica touts FAA grant to his district months after shutdown
By Virginia Chamlee
Think Progress is reporting that just months after playing a lead role in the temporary shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration, Rep. John Mica is now touting an FAA grant awarded to his district.
Florida Cabinet vows support of KSC
By Scott Powers
Orlando Sentinel
Saying Florida faces predatory competition from other states for space-launch business, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam Tuesday suggested that Kennedy Space Center be run by an authority separate from NASA that could make decisions locally, including development of some land now reserved as a wildlife refuge.
Florida hurricane fund has estimated $3.2 billion shortfall
By Gary Fineout
Associated Press
Florida's hurricane fund is confronting a potential $3.2 billion shortfall, financial experts said Tuesday in a new estimate of the money available to the pool intended to help insurers make disaster payments.
HEALTH AND SENIORS
Planned Parenthood worries Personhood Mississippi could spark ‘national movement’
By Virginia Chamlee
Florida Independent
On Wednesday, Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards sent out an email imploring supporters to pay careful attention to the so-called “Personhood” movement, which has gained considerable support in Mississippi.
Details about Department of Health reorganization emerge
By Christine Jordan Sexton
Florida Current
The Florida Department of Health wants out of the children’s nutrition programs and to instead hand the responsibility to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES
State laws fog immigration
Editorial
South Florida Sun Sentinel
Another half-win, half-defeat for a state immigration law in the federal court system.
Firing Squad or Electric Chair?
By Mike Vasilinda
Capitol News Service
The 39 people currently on death row would have to decide whether they wanted to die in the electric chair or by firing squad under legislation filed at the state Capitol.
Occupy Wall Street sign mostly right on money, elections
By Louis Jacobson
St. Petersburg Times
"94 percent of winning candidates in 2010 had more money than their opponents."
U.S. judge dismisses ACLU challenge of Florida election law
By Dara Kam
Palm Beach Post
A federal judge in Miami has thrown out a lawsuit against Gov. Rick Scott and his administration over the state's new elections laws.
JUSTICE AND THE COURTS
Substance abuse diversion measure clears first committee, with changes coming
By Travis Pillow
Florida Current
A measure aimed at helping nonviolent offenders avoid lengthy prison sentences cleared its first House committee Tuesday.
Jacksonville politicians file ‘Ban the Box’ bill
By Matt Dixon
Florida Times-Union
Legislation filed by Jacksonville-area lawmakers would ban the state from asking applicants if they have ever been convicted of a crime until they have been selected for an interview.
Fewer people being sent to prison in Florida
By Karen Voyles
Gainesville Sun
Fewer people last year were sent to prison in Florida, and the number of people who returned to prison also declined.
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