PROGRESS FLORIDA IN THE NEWS

Wrong Way Rubio targets Florida's Jr. senator
By Adam C. Smith
Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times
Progress Florida and Florida Watch Action today launched WrongWayRubio.com, to highlight what they call Rubio's "extreme positions, numerous ethical lapses, and the ‘wrongway’ he’s trying to lead our nation" at a time when the leading vice presidential contender is aggressively cultivated a positive and outsized national profile.

Progressives launch anti-Marco Rubio website
By Ashley Lopez
Florida Independent
Progressive groups in Florida have launched a website that aims to shine “a spotlight on [U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's, R-Fla.] extremist positions, numerous ethical lapses, and the ‘wrong way’ he’s trying to lead our nation.”

FEATURED STORIES

Senate gambles with lottery-style drawing to settle map disputes
By Mary Ellen Klas
Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times Tallahassee Bureau
Related editorial: In numbering districts, it's silliness all over the map
After approving a new court-ordered redistricting map on Wednesday, Florida senators evoked comparisons to Vanna White and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as it held a lottery to randomly determine which districts get two- or four-year terms.

Senator calls on governor to name special prosecutor in shooting death of black teen
By Dara Kam
Palm Beach Post
Related: Hundreds march in NYC for Fla. teenager shot dead
State Sen. Gary Siplin and a coalition of other black lawmakers are asking Gov. Rick Scott to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate last month's shooting death of an unarmed black teenager by a neighborhood watch volunteer near Orlando.

Jeb Bush endorses Romney, says it's time for GOP to unite
By William March
Tampa Tribune
Sending a strong signal that he thinks the Republican primary has gone on long enough, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Wednesday announced he is endorsing Mitt Romney.

Scott releases drug testing policy for office to public, even as he tells agencies to hold off
By Kathleen Haughney
Orlando Sentinel
Gov. Rick Scott’s office released today its policy for drug testing employees in the Executive Office of the Governor to reporters, a day after the governor’s general counsel instructed agency heads to hold off on drug testing state workers because of pending litigation.

FLORIDA POLITICS

In Tampa, former President Clinton says working together can make a difference
By Angie Drobnic Holan
Tampa Bay Times
Talking about everything from world poverty to the dangers of getting mad, former President Bill Clinton gave a folksy seminar on the 21st century at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday night.

Political redistricting isn't a crapshoot, but in Tallahassee, it's a bingo game
By John Kennedy
Palm Beach Post
Struggling to complete a redistricting plan that meets Supreme Court approval, senators Wednesday used bingo ball cages to help assign district numbers in a bid to show they were not favoring incumbents.

VIDEO: Rivera denies knowledge of investigation into his finances
By Virginia Chamlee
Florida Independent
During a recent interview on Univision’s Al Punto, Florida Congressman David Rivera, R-Miami, denies having any knowledge of the state or federal investigations focused on his personal and campaign finances.

POLITICAL RACES

Jim Crow Redux? Why Millions May Be Denied The Right To Vote In 2012
By Scott Keyes
The Progress Report
Last year, Republicans opened up an attack on voting rights unseen since the Jim Crow era.

Justice Department opposes another Florida voting provision
Associated Press
Florida Current
The federal government now is opposing a third section of Florida's new election law.

Jeb Bush's endorsement of Mitt Romney signals GOP race may be winding down
By Adam C. Smith
Tampa Bay Times
He didn't stand before the cameras for a high-profile press conference. He didn't joyfully hoist Mitt Romney's arm into the air at a rally or signal unbridled enthusiasm.

Jeb in 2012? That Dream’s Over. But Rubio? That One’s Still Alive
By Howard Goodman
Florida Center for Investigative Reporting
Those pundits who have spent endless hours speculating that a hopelessly fractured and deadlocked Republican Party will miraculously save itself by backing, perhaps at a brokered convention in Tampa, Jeb Bush as a dark-horse nominee — they’ll have to find something else to talk about.

Argenziano drops bid for Congress, plans to run for House seat
By Bruce Ritchie
Florida Current
Former Republican Sen. Nancy Argenziano says she is dropping out of her bid for Congress and will run as an independent for the Florida House seat held by Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Lecanto.

Orlando mayor candidates stress their differences
By Mark Schlueb
Orlando Sentinel
With less than two weeks before election day, the four candidates for Orlando mayor faced off in their final political debate Wednesday.

ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

Scott again faces decision on vetoing environmental restoration projects
By Bruce Ritchie
Florida Current
A year after Gov. Rick Scott vetoed $10 million for environmental restoration projects, two senators are supporting about the same amount again -- and are hoping for a better outcome.

LGBT

Justice Department committed to protecting gays and lesbians, says Attorney General Eric Holder
By Danny Robbins
Associated Press
The Justice Department is "committed to using every tool in its arsenal" to combat bullying and harassment based on sexual orientation and has already made strides in bringing more prosecutions in that area, Attorney General Eric Holder said Tuesday.

EDUCATION

Board of Governors begins search for solutions for university construction money
By Travis Pillow
Florida Voices
A Board of Governors committee announced Wednesday that it would create a blue-ribbon panel to look for new ways to fund construction projects at state universities.

University fees: tuition by another name?
By Kim Wilmath
Tampa Bay Times
Sparking a lively debate Wednesday at a budget committee meeting of the Florida Board of Governors were a handful of universities' requests to charge new student fees.

The Man Behind the Curtain
By Paula Dockery
Florida Voices
Nine months ago, Polk County was united in its support for USF Polytechnic, satisfied that the branch campus, which has served Polk students for 23 years, had financial autonomy and a smart new emphasis on science, engineering and technology.

JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY

Scott touts job creation at two east coast events
Staff Report
Florida Current
In what is touted as a boon for Florida's Space Coast region, Brazilian jet manufacturer Embraer S.A. said Wednesday that it will build a $24 million engineering center near its existing operations at Melbourne International Airport, according to Florida Today.

HEALTH AND SENIORS

Health care law faces three days in court
Bloomberg News
Tampa Bay Times
The Supreme Court review of President Barack Obama's health care law carries an unprecedented combination of economic, political and legal stakes.

The flood of falsehoods about the health care law
By Martha M. Hamilton
Tampa Bay Times PolitiFact
The Affordable Care Act, the Democrats' health care law, has often been defined more by falsehoods than truths.

Legislature uses counties as piggy bank
By Stacy Ritter
South Florida Sun Sentinel
When you get your credit card bill, I'm betting you check out all the charges and if everything looks fine, you pay the bill.

Medicaid bill deserves Gov. Rick Scott's veto
Editorial
Florida Times-Union
In the waning hours of its regular session, the Legislature approved what is aptly called a “backdoor tax hike,” which Gov. Rick Scott should veto.

CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES

ALEC Has Pushed The NRA's "Stand Your Ground" Law Across The Nation
By Matt Gertz
Media Matters
The legislation apparently preventing the successful prosecution of Trayvon Martin's killer was reportedly adopted by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) as model legislation that the shadowy group has spent years promoting across the country with the help of their allies in the National Rifle Association.

Teen shooting recalls state's NRA love affair
Editorial
Orlando Sentinel
In 2005, the Legislature stood poised to give Floridians carte blanche to defend themselves — even with deadly force — in what they saw as life-or-death situations.

Lawmaker presses justice for Trayvon Martin
By Erika Bolstad
Miami Herald
There’s a sign outside U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson’s congressional office: "Trayvon Martin’s Murderer Still At Large. Days With No Arrest: 25."

JUSTICE AND THE COURTS

Claims Bills Await Gov’s Signature
By Whitney Ray
Capitol News Service
Ten claims bills offering relief to Florida families injured by government carelessness await the governor’s signature.