Daily Clips for April 5, 2012

FEATURED STORIES

Report: Florida one of the ‘five worst states for voting rights in 2011′
By Ashley Lopez
Florida Independent
The Center for American Progress released a report today on voter suppression efforts carried out by Republican-led state legislatures around the country, listing Florida as one of “five worst states for voting rights in 2011.”

March on Florida Capitol draws nearly 200 to protest Trayvon Martin case
By Toluse Olorunnipa
Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
Led by local officials, nearly 200 protesters rallied at the Capitol on Wednesday, using the Trayvon Martin shooting death to voice their qualms with racial profiling, the state's justice system and the controversial "stand your ground" law.

Fla. task force examines 'stand your ground' law
Associated Press
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
A task force set up by a Democratic state senator is examining whether change is needed to Florida's "stand your ground" self-defense law in the aftermath of the Trayvon Martin killing.

Florida Governor Scott again weighing slew of budget projects
By Brandon Larrabee
News Service of Florida
As he prepares to consider the state budget for the second time around, Gov. Rick Scott faces the same issue that caused a round of headlines in his first turn as the final vote on funding: Member projects sprinkled throughout the spending plan.

Rubio: 'I'm not going to be vice president'
Associated Press
Tampa Tribune
Sen. Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Mitt Romney will win the White House, but not with him on the ticket.

FLORIDA POLITICS

FL Rep. Randolph to run for re-election, state party chair
By David Damron
Orlando Sentinel
State Rep. Scott Randolph, D-Orlando, said he plans to run for his re-drawn legislative seat this fall, but is gearing up to go after the state Democratic Party chairman post after that.

The money block
Editorial
Gainesville Sun
The best way for public agencies to avoid scrutiny is to charge ridiculously excessive fees as a condition of complying with public records requests.

POLITICAL RACES

Gallup: Obama improving among independents in Florida and other swing states
By Alex Leary
Tampa Bay Times
GALLUP: Barack Obama has a 48% to 39% advantage over Mitt Romney among independent voters in 12 key swing states. He first moved ahead of Romney among this group in February after being tied in January and trailing last year.

Protests expected at hearing on city's 'clean zone' proposal
By Kevin Wiatrowski and Howard Altman
Tampa Tribune
Mayor Bob Buckhorn's proposed "clean zone" for the Republican National Convention gets its first public airing this morning at Tampa City Council – and it's likely to be a lively one.

Sen. Rubio in Palm Beach Gardens: GOP primary is over
By George Bennett
Palm Beach Post
Sen. Marco Rubio says Mitt Romney has clinched the Republican presidential nomination and, for Romney's rivals, "it's time now to concede."

Connie Mack disses Paul Ryan budget as "a joke."
By Marc Caputo
Miami Herald
Related: Connie Mack's big cash haul: $1 million
Criticizing the Republican House budget isn't just for Democrats, anymore.

Bill Nelson tackles broad array of issues at town hall
By Lise Fisher
Gainesville Sun
At a town hall meeting Wednesday at the Innovation Hub in midtown, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson answered questions on a scale from local to international — from the chances of funding for a wastewater treatment plant in Archer to foreign policy involving Israel and Iran.

Allen who? Conservative firebrand U.S. Rep. West braves Dem seniors at Century Village
By Andrew Abramson
Palm Beach Post
Allen West entered seemingly enemy territory Wednesday, bringing his brand of fiery conservatism to Century Village, a left-leaning retirement community near West Palm Beach.

BALLOT INITIATIVES

Florida's Amendment 8 could give more funding to faith-based charities; opponents worry it'll increase school vouchers
By Janelle Irwin
WMNF Tampa
A proposed amendment appearing on the ballot this fall would overturn the part of Florida’s Constitution that forbids public funds from going to religious organizations.

ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

The Ocklawaha could soon be a river restored
By David Guest
Pensacola News Journal
I think all of us could use some good environmental news for a change.

Putnam says tea party lacks good information in opposing energy bill
By Bruce Ritchie
Florida Current
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said Wednesday farmers are paying plenty for Everglades cleanup and that tea party opposition to his energy bill "is rooted in a lack of good information."

Suit alleges biomass talks violated Sunshine law
By Christopher Curry
Gainesville Sun
Gainesville’s biomass battle continues.

Report Asks: Biofuel Crop or Invasive Weed?
By Deb Courson Smith
Public News Service Florida
Biofuels are hot new crops around the nation, but a new report urges caution before plowing to seed the fields.

EDUCATION

Digital education can be valuable if correctly used
By Andy Ford
Orlando Sentinel
Opposing view: Former FL Gov. Jeb Bush: Fully unleashed, virtual education can transform
Virtual education has emerged as one of the hot-button issues among education reformers.

Florida's new FCAT pledge
By Jeff Solochek
Tampa Bay Times
As if it weren't already crystal clear that the FCAT exam carries high stakes, the Florida Department of Education this spring will up the ante for our students.

Former commissioner Eric Smith lands at Bush Institute
By Jeff Solochek
Tampa Bay Times
Gov. Rick Scott might not have been too keen on Eric Smith as Florida's education commissioner.

Schools to take more fire
Editorial
Palm Beach Post
Those scanning the horizon for still more legislative assaults on public education in Florida should notice a provision buried on Page 67 of the 71-page House Bill 7059, which awaits Gov. Scott's signature.

JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY

Tampa company looks at end run around new PIP law
By Brent Kallestad
Associated Press
A Tampa company has sent fliers to chiropractors suggesting ways to capitalize on potential loopholes in new legislation aimed at denting the runaway fraud plaguing Florida's mandatory motor vehicle no-fault law.

Broward, state populations have grown since 2010 Census
By Dana Williams
South Florida Sun Sentinel
The first estimates since the 2010 Census show that Florida, which had 18.8 million people in 2010, has grown to 19,057,542 residents.

For SeaWorld, record earnings and no income tax
By Jason Garcia
Orlando Sentinel
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment had a banner year in 2011. Attendance and guest spending rose across its U.S. theme parks. Earnings set a company record.

HEALTH AND SENIORS

Removed from spotlight, Bill McCollum has his moment at the high court
By Alex Leary
Tampa Bay Times
If you cheered the Obama administration's poor performance defending the health care law before the U.S. Supreme Court last week, thank the Wall Street Journal and Bill McCollum.

Pelosi predicts 6-3 vote upholding health care reform
By Ashley Lopez
Florida Independent
During a private luncheon on Monday, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., predicted the U.S. Supreme Court will cast a 6-3 vote in favor of the president’s health care reform law, which is currently being challenged by 26 states, including Florida.

Medicaid plan could sap Hillsborough County coffers
By Mary Shedden
Tampa Tribune
Hillsborough County could lose $11 million in sales tax money next year under a new state plan to collect Medicaid costs.

CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES

The search for probable cause against George Zimmerman in Trayvon Martin case
By Rene Stutzman
Orlando Sentinel
In order to arrest George Zimmerman for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, the special prosecutor heading the investigation must show a judge that she has found probable cause.

Concealed weapons license total exceeds 800,000 in Florida
By Michael Peltier
News Service of Florida
With more than 800,000 issued, nearly one in every 15 Florida adults has a license to carry a concealed weapon, according to data compiled by the state.

Challenge Florida gun law? Go ahead, make their day
By Frank Cerabino
Palm Beach Post
Cue the Mission Impossible theme.

JUSTICE AND THE COURTS

Ricky Polston to be next Chief Justice of Fla. Supreme Court
By Toluse Olorunnipa
Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
The Florida Supreme Court elected Justice Ricky Polston to be the next Chief Justice of the state's highest court. Polston, who has served on the court since 2008, will take over from current Chief Charles Canady on July 1.

Bondi: Florida to get $54 million from settlement
Associated Press
Tampa Tribune
Florida's share of a Medicaid and Medicare fraud settlement will be $54 million.