Daily News Clips for August 23, 2012

FEATURED STORIES

Gov. Scott says no to more days for early voting in Florida
Staff Report
Palm Beach Post
Democrats accused Republican Gov. Rick Scott of bullying the supervisor of elections in Monroe County on Wednesday, the latest salvo in the high-stakes battle over early voting in the November elections in Florida.

First lady to 2,500 in Fort Lauderdale: Obamacare has helped Medicare
By Ana M. Valdes
Palm Beach Post
First Lady Michelle Obama today told thousands of South Floridians — many of them senior citizens — that President Obama’s health care law has kept Medicare going, saved elderly patients hundreds of dollars in prescription drug costs and insured people with pre-existing conditions.

Who invited Isaac? Leaders weighing risks to RNC
By Ray Reyes and Kevin Wiatrowski
Tampa Tribune
Tropical Storm Isaac could crash the biggest party this town has ever thrown.

Organizers say 5,000-person march set for Republican National Convention's first day
By Richard Danielson
Tampa Bay Times
An alliance of more than 60 labor, peace, student, immigrant rights, gay and lesbian and other groups says it's ready for a 5,000-person march on the first day of the Republican National Convention.

State Officials Still Turning Down Federal Money for At-Risk Families
By Ashley Lopez
Florida Center for Investigative Reporting
Even after Florida lost its legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act, state officials are turning down federal health care grants connected to the law.

FBI, Miami-Dade police target Democratic primary candidate with possible ties to Congressman David Rivera
By Marc Caputo and Manny Garcia
Miami Herald
The FBI and Miami-Dade police have opened separate criminal investigations into the campaign of a Democratic congressional candidate who, vendors say, was aided by GOP Rep. David Rivera.

FLORIDA POLITICS

Floridians still don't embrace Gov. Rick Scott
Associated Press
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
A new poll says Florida Gov. Rick Scott's approval rating has climbed to 41 percent.

Joyner, Gelber tell Scott to end early-voting confusion
By James Call
Florida Current
State Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, and former state Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, are calling on Gov. Rick Scott to end the confusion surrounding early voting and revert back to the procedures used in 2010.

Florida to face stiffer RNC penalties if it moves up primary date again
By Michael Van Sickler
Tampa Bay Times
If Florida Republicans think they were treated harshly for moving up their 2012 presidential primary to January, wait until they try something like that in 2016.

POLITICAL RACES

Akin fallout could stick to GOP ticket
By Maggie Haberman
Politico
In the shadow of Todd Akin, the “Mediscare” battle suddenly seems like old news for Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.

Florida RNC delegates named—finally
By William March
Tampa Tribune
With only five days to go before the RNC convention opens in Tampa, the state Republican Party finally has named the appointed delegates and alternates to the convention.

Reports: Feds warn of possible anarchist attacks, attempts to tie up Tampa Bay area bridges during RNC
By Richard Danielson
Tampa Bay Times
Two television news networks are reporting that federal agencies Wednesday warned state and local law enforcement officials about violent threats believed posed by anarchist extremists and possible plans to tie up the Tampa Bay area’s bridges during next week’s Republican National Convention.

Sen. Marco Rubio to West Palm Beach crowd: Leaving Medicare as is will bankrupt it
By George Bennett
Palm Beach Post
Eight days before he addresses a national TV audience at the Republican convention, Sen. Marco Rubio previewed the GOP’s pitch on Medicare today by telling a nonpartisan audience that preserving the program for current beneficiaries means it must “look different” in future decades. 

ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

Groups contend regulator has conflict of interest
By James Call
Florida Current
Two environmental groups filed a complaint Wednesday charging a top state regulator with a conflict of interest.

1 incumbent, 3 others are finalists for PSC
Associated Press
Tampa Tribune
Incumbent Lisa Edgar and three others were selected as finalists for a vacancy on Florida Public Service Commission, the five-member panel responsible for setting electricity and water rates for millions of Florida residents.

EDUCATION

Judge strikes down state merit pay rules as 'invalid'
By Leslie Postal
Orlando Sentinel
A judge Wednesday struck down as "wholly invalid" the state's rules governing Florida's new teacher merit-pay system.

No More Teaching to the Test
By Mike Vasilinda
Capitol News Service
Governor Rick Scott and the Republican Party of Florida have a new TV commercial touting increased funding for schools and a pledge to stop teaching to the FCAT, but even educators are unsure what the Governor means.

Florida ACT scores inch upward but still lag nation's
By Leslie Postal
Orlando Sentinel
Florida's class of 2012 did better on the ACT college-admission test than previous classes but still lagged the nation, exam results released Wednesday morning showed.

Fla. Students Struggle Without Summer School
By Sarah Gonzalez
NPR
The school year has begun for most Florida students, but some are still trying to finish summer school.

JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY

Federal budget 'sequestration' threatens Florida military bases
By Bill Cotterell
Florida Current
The pending "sequestration" of a half-trillion dollars in Pentagon spending poses a peculiar quandary for defense contractors and state officials trying to make Florida the nation's most military-friendly state: Everybody knows it won't really happen, but nobody knows how to avoid it.

Lt Gov Carroll Recommends Task Force Develop Guidelines For Awarding Grants
By Sascha Cordner      
WFSU Tallahassee
The Florida Defense Support Task Force is looking to create an application process for those seeking military-related grants from the panel.

Scott catches shrimp during his Florida work day
Associated Press
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Gov. Rick Scott has gotten a taste of shrimping.

One nip is enough for state workers
Editorial
Naples Daily News
Use it or lose it. That is the mantra in much of the private sector when dealing with employees' vacation or sick time.

HEALTH AND SENIORS

Poll: Majority Of Voters Say Medicare Needs Only Minor Changes Or None At All
Staff Report
Kaiser Health News
A new round of polls finds that although voters have a slightly favorable view of GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's pick for vice president, running mate Paul Ryan's Medicare plans are viewed with a greater degree of skepticism.

Report examines Medicare billing at mental health centers
By Kelly Kennedy
USA Today
At least 90% of more than $200 million in "questionable billing" issues found at Medicare outpatient community mental health centers occurred in states with little or no oversight, according to a federal report to be released today.

JUSTICE AND THE COURTS

North Florida state attorney drops out of race after crime database accusations
By Lucy Morgan
Tampa Bay Times
A North Florida state attorney has reached an agreement that will allow him to avoid prosecution for using law enforcement databases to research his political opponents and others.