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PROGRESS
FLORIDA IN THE NEWS
Dismal Tampa transit system strands delegates, points to Fla. rejection of U.S. rail funds By Noelle Straub Energy & Environment Daily Excerpt: Mark Ferrulo, executive director of the liberal group Progress Florida..."when [the delegates] are stuck on I-4 instead of riding Space Mountain they might wish we had high speed rail.”
FEATURED
STORIES
With little Florida history, Mitt Romney needs to connect fast to win key state By Ben Montgomery Tampa Bay Times Related: Romney fires up his party Related: Cautious message of Mitt Romney's convention lacks bold moves Related editorial: Romney: I'm not Obama The campaign bus rolled past the long lines of stalled traffic, the police officers sweating on corners and the protesters shaking signs and shouting into bullhorns. Rubio revs up Republicans, Romney By Marc Caputo Miami Herald Related: Leaked: Florida Sen. Marco Rubio’s highly-anticipated speech introducing Mitt Romney at RNC Marco Rubio introduced the leader of his party to the nation Thursday night, but judging by the roar of the crowd, some initially wished it was the other way around at the Republican National Convention. Talking up capitalism while dining at public trough By Daniel Ruth Tampa Bay Times Related: You didn't build that, but you are helping to pay it off To hear the top hat of Republicans cavorting at their convention, you would think that until he entered the White House Barack Obama had never held a job and barely understood which button to punch on an office phone to get an outside line. Activists use political theater to warn about 'Romney's America' and sign a Second Bill of Rights By Liz McKibbon WMNF Tampa During some speeches at the Republican convention unions have been a punching bag. Florida Rejects Home Visitation Grant Programs For Poor And At-Risk Families Over Link To Affordable Care Act By Janie Campbell Huffington Post With approximately 1 in 6 residents on food stamps -- increasingly, children -- Florida is struggling with a deep-rooted poverty problem tied to its low rankings in nearly every indicator of child well-being, including teen pregnancy, low birth weight, high school dropout and child abuse rates.
BEST
OF THE BLOGS
GOP Convention: Anti-government message a tough sell in Florida By Chris Kromm Facing South This week Republicans revealed the theme of their national convention in Tampa, Fla., which kicks off on Aug. 27: "We Built It." The Wheels Off the Wagon By Benjamin J. Kirby The Spencerian The wheels have officially come off the GOP Convention's unity bandwagon. Marco Rubio: soaked by the Miami hurricane By Gimleteye Eye on Miami Marco Rubio takes center stage, in the spotlight of the GOP national convention, to glorify a political career that is mostly made from fluff. Florida Democrats Still Live in the Shadows of Claude Kirk and Ed Gurney’s Victories By Kartik Krishnaiyer Political Hurricane When Claude Kirk passed away last year in Palm Beach aged 85, eulogies were forthcoming but most focused on the basics of Kirk’s existence: he was the first post reconstruction GOP governor, lost re-election, switched parties, switched back, and was a colorful character. It’s Time to Get the Voter Registration Numbers Correct in Florida By Daniel A. Smith Election Smith Related: Exclusive Empirical Research: “House Bill 1355 and Voter Registration in Florida” Florida’s controversial election law, HB 1355, which has restricted early voting, made the casting of provisional ballots more likely, and cracked down on third party voter registration organization (3PVRO) efforts to register eligible Florida citizens, is still making news.
FLORIDA
POLITICS
Tampa Protestors Decry Voter Fraud Laws Passed in Florida and Other States By Lynn Waddell The Daily Beast Sara Kilker isn’t normally one to pick up a sign and protest in the street. Protesters go toe-to-toe with delegates as RNC lets out By Rob Shaw Tampa Tribune They didn't want to be confined to what they called "Freedom Cage," the fenced-in area near the Forum designated as a protest zone by police. Gov. Rick Scott Makes Surprise Visit To RNC By Trimmel Gomes WFSU Tallahassee Governor Rick Scott who was originally scheduled to speak at Republican National Convention had canceled all of his events to focus on what was Tropical Storm Isaac. Florida delegation takes punishment in stride Associated Press Sarasota Herald-Tribune To hear the jokes, you’d think the Florida delegation isn’t even in Florida for the Republican National Convention in Tampa. NY Post: Connie Mack sponsored bill to help donor get $2b from Argentina By Marc Caputo Miami Herald Hedge-fund heavyweight Paul Singer...and his employees have been a top contributor to 23 Republicans running for Congress, but few received more money than Rep. Connie Mack. Two more defeated candidates in Miami-Dade challenge election results, citing absentee ballot fraud probe By Patricia Mazzei Miami Herald Two more candidates defeated in Miami-Dade County races earlier this month have sued to contest the results, citing a Hialeah absentee-ballot fraud investigation. The lawsuits bring the total number of complaints stemming from the probe to four. The drive is alive Editorial Gainesville Sun Florida is one step closer to keeping voter-registration drives alive.
POLITICAL
RACES
Democrats pour into Tampa to criticize Ryan' speech By Jake Sherman and Juana Summers Politico Related: Ryan's no Palin in the ratings Rep. Paul Ryan electrified Republicans with his prime-time address Wednesday evening, but he also sent a jolt through House Democrats, who flocked to town to label him a hypocritical liar. FACT CHECK: Ryan takes factual shortcuts in speech Associated Press Miami Herald Laying out the first plans for his party's presidential ticket, GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan took some factual shortcuts Wednesday night when he attacked President Barack Obama's policies on Medicare, the economic stimulus and the budget deficit. Romney is GOP Nominee, but Paul Supporters Stay Strong By Stephanie Carroll Carson Public News Service Florida The curtains closed Thursday night on one of the more memorable Republican National Conventions - and Ron Paul supporters leaving Florida today are tasked with the job of backing a candidate that's not their own. Mitt Romney coming to Jacksonville on the heels of RNC By Matt Dixon Florida Times-Union Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and his running mate, Paul Ryan, will hold a rally Saturday at the Jacksonville Landing this Saturday. Were RNC speeches campaign scripts for Rubio, Jeb Bush? By William March Tampa Tribune Starring roles at the RNC for Florida's two leading Republicans, former Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio, are sure to arouse speculation about whether they could end up competing against each other on the national stage. Connie Mack sets tone with RNC speech By Tia Mitchell Tampa Bay Times U.S. Senate candidate Connie Mack IV gave an inspirational and nostalgic speech that set the tone for tonight’s Republican National Convention session, but many in the main hall weren’t listening. Black camerawoman: No surprise peanuts thrown at her at RNC Associated Press Tampa Tribune A black camerawoman who works for CNN said Thursday that she was not surprised to have two people at the Republican National Convention throw peanuts at her and say “this is what we feed animals.”
BALLOT
INITIATIVES
Jacobs thanks workers, labor group just wants fair sick-time vote By David Damron Orlando Sentinel Related: Small business survey: mandatory sick time not critical issue As she does on most holidays, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs wished local workers a happy Labor Day today.
ENVIRONMENT
AND ENERGY
For Florida, environment a hot issue Editorial Tampa Bay Times It's not among the most discussed topics in the race for president, but the environment remains a hot issue in Florida. Endangered Schaus swallowtail butterfly may be all but gone By Craig Pittman Tampa Bay Times You would think a butterfly as big as a man's hand would be easy to spot. Groups urge Florida officials not to pass on federal transportation dollars for recreation trails By Bruce Ritchie Florida Current Ten Florida groups supporting recreational trails are urging Florida transportation officials not to pass on about $2.6 million in trails funding from the federal government.
EDUCATION
Jeb Bush uses convention platform to discuss education policy By Steve Bousquet Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Former Gov. Jeb Bush on Thursday used his first high-profile speaking slot at a Republican National Convention as a platform to discuss his favorite subject, calling the need for better schools "the great moral and economic issue of our time." Orange board debates how to share naming-rights money By Lauren Roth Orlando Sentinel Calling the Lake Nona High School stadium "Nemours Stadium" for five years will give the high school at least enough money to pay for a teacher for one year.
JOBS,
BUDGET, AND ECONOMY
Technology companies power up the influence By Steve Friess Politico Walking through the Republican National Convention, it felt as much like a technology trade show as political nominating party, thanks to the branding and lobbying efforts of dozens of tech companies like Google, Facebook, Twitter and AT&T. $45 million Port of Miami tunnel dig payment threatens Miami’s finances By Kathleen McGrory Miami Herald As pressure builds to balance its budget, the city of Miami is staring down another potential financial calamity: Come January, the city must pay off $45 million on a short-term loan that helped fund the Port of Miami tunnel dig. Food stamp recipients must change to new cards By Ana M. Valdes Palm Beach Post Floridians who access their food stamp and cash assistance benefits through a state-issued card have less than a month to replace their old cards with redesigned ones before the older cards are deactivated. Tampa Mayor still upset about high speed rail loss Associated Press Bradenton Herald Tampa's Democratic Mayor Bob Buckhorn is still upset about Florida Gov. Rick Scott's decision to turn down more than $2 billion for high-speed rail.
HEALTH
AND SENIORS
FAQ: Obama v. Ryan On Controlling Federal Medicare Spending By Marilyn Werber Serafini Kaiser Health News It may come as a surprise that President Barack Obama and GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan are pushing the same target rate for controlling federal spending on Medicare. LIP preparing for Medicaid changes By James Call Florida Current The group that decides how to spend a billion dollars on medical care for the poor has scheduled seven meetings to discuss Florida’s efforts to reform Medicaid. The Low Income Pool (LIP) Council met Thursday in Tallahassee for a briefing and planning session. Rick Scott ranks among 'most influential' in health care Staff Report Tampa Bay Business Journal Florida Gov. Rick Scott placed No. 43 on Modern Healthcare’s list of the 100 most influential people in health care.
JUSTICE
AND THE COURTS
Florida AG Bondi’s constitutional challenge By Frank Cerabino Palm Beach Post As Florida Attorney General, it’s a good idea to make sure that one of the many borderline unconstitutional initiatives you’re defending doesn’t come up for judicial review on a day when you speak about your devotion to the Constitution. Zimmerman gets new judge, but lawyers say he may regret it By Frances Robles Miami Herald A veteran judge with broad experience and a reputation for being tough on both lawyers and defendants has been assigned to take over George Zimmerman’s murder trial. |
