Daily News Clips for October 16, 2012

PROGRESS FLORIDA IN THE NEWS

All Eleven Amendment Proposals Placed by State Lawmakers
By Tom Parkinson
WMFE Orlando
Excerpt: Damien Filer works with a left-leaning grassroots organization in the state called Progress Florida…He agrees with Robin Rorapaugh that through the years it’s gotten much more difficult for citizens to change the constitution.

FEATURED STORIES

5 things to watch for in the next presidential debate
By Adam C. Smith
Tampa Bay Times
If Barack Obama loses his re-election bid, the turning point will have come Oct. 3 in Denver.

As second debate nears, women ask, ‘what about us?’
By Dara Kam
Palm Beach Post
Women make up more than half of the U.S. population and outnumber men in voter registration and turnout.

Gov. Rick Scott seeks to remake his image by stressing education
By Kathleen Haughney
South Florida Sun Sentinel
Gov. Rick Scott infuriated teachers during his first year in office, signing a merit-pay bill that did away with tenure and approving a budget that cut public schools' budgets by $1.35 billion.

'Operation Lemonade' started by black clergy: Will it get 'souls to the polls' for Obama?
By Marc Caputo
Miami Herald
When Republicans shortened early voting days in Florida, black leaders say it was like handing voters a lemon.

Vote to retain justices is a vote for independent judiciary
Editorial
Florida Times-Union
Floridians will decide whether to retain three state Supreme Court justices, but they really will be voting on the future of an independent judiciary.

FLORIDA POLITICS

GOP Senators: 'RPOF, Stop Politicizing Merit Retention Race'; GOP Party Says It's Not Backing Down
By Sascha Cordner      
WFSU Tallahassee
Several Republican Senators in Florida say they’re disappointed in their own party for “politicizing the merit retention election” for three state Supreme Court Justices.

House Democratic leader speaks on court issues
By Bill Cotterell
Florida Current
The incoming Democratic leader of the Florida House urged retention of all three state Supreme Court justices on the Nov. 6 ballot and advised voters Monday to reject a constitutional amendment that gives the Legislature some control over procedural rules for the judicial branch of government.

'Brothel' mailer divides Florida Democrats by exploiting Mike Horner scandal after he dropped out
By Steve Bousquet
Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
The Florida Democratic Party's decision to produce hard-hitting mailers highlighting Republican Rep. Mike Horner's alleged link to a brothel, after he resigned, is generating partisan tensions among House members.

GOP Attacks Against Crist Continue After Latest Endorsement
By Lynn Hatter 
WFSU Tallahassee
Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist may be out of office, but he hasn’t been out of the spotlight.

Parties push absentee ballots on unsuspecting voters
By Randy Schultz
Palm Beach Post
Maybe now, voters will understand not to ask for an absentee ballot unless they really need one.

POLITICAL RACES

Obama out to seize momentum from Romney in debate
Associated Press
Tampa Tribune
The pressure is on President Barack Obama to deliver a Goldilocks performance in the second debate: Not too cool, as he was in his first, listless encounter with Mitt Romney.

Lynn University spends millions preparing campus for debate’s big night
By Eliot Kleinberg
Palm Beach Post
Greg Malfitano pointed across the lake to where CBS will do its Sunday morning show. Over there, he said, will be the “spin room.”

South Florida Jewish voters key in Obama-Romney contest
By Anthony Man
South Florida Sun Sentinel
Every vote counts, but David Love's is one of the most sought after of the 2012 presidential campaign.

Republican VP candidate Paul Ryan to attend Naples fundraiser Thursday
Staff Report
Naples Daily News
Vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan is expected to be in Florida on Thursday, making a stop in Naples.

Disney, trial lawyers help underwrite ads for Dorworth
By Jason Garcia
Orlando Sentinel
State Rep. Chris Dorworth, the Lake Mary Republican in line to become speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, has a new political group that is raising five-figure checks from a host of interests with a stake in state legislation.

Florida Senate candidates Galvano and House clash in debate
By Sara Kennedy
Bradenton Herald
Former GOP state representative Bill Galvano and his Democratic opponent, Paula House, clashed on health care reform and privatization of prisons, but agreed education was a top budget priority during a debate Monday.

BALLOT INITIATIVES

Abortion amendment pits foes in long, ongoing battle
By Michael Peltier
News Service of Florida
Sandwiched within a long list of issues on a crowded ballot, Amendment 6 is emerging as a multi-million dollar fight touching abortion, parental rights and privacy protections now guaranteed in the Florida Constitution.

Amendment Four Could Be Costly
By Mike Vasilinda
Capitol News Service
Amendment Four on this November’s ballot will either be a savior for the economy or cost you more, depending on who is doing the talking.

Thurston calls out Bondi and Cannon, urges rejection of merit retention attacks
By Mary Ellen Klas
Miami Herald
Rep. Perry Thurston, a Democrat from Plantation and the the incoming House Democratic Leader, issued an Open Letter to Floridians Monday, urging them to reject attempts to politicize the judiciary, as well as oppose Amendment 5, which would require Senate approval of judicial appointments.

Check the Bottom of the Nov. 6 Ballot
By Bill Cotterell
Florida Voices
The presidential race, a statewide contest that will help determine if Democrats keep control of the U.S. Senate, and scores of competitive campaigns for congressional, legislative and local offices are at the top of the ballot.

ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

Environmentalists want Gulf of Mexico to be part of the political discussion
By Janelle Irwin
WMNF Tampa
This election year has been focused on economic issues facing Americans with little emphasis on environmental concerns.

LGBT

Domestic Partner Registry Approved In Sarasota
By Charles Schelle
Patch.com
Gay couples in Sarasota will now have rights to shared health care coverage, education decisions for their children and other matters.

EDUCATION

Jeb Bush gloats about Florida education reforms looks ill-timed
By Frank Cerabino
Palm Beach Post
Jeb Bush picked a bad time to engage in some freelance gloating.

Gov. Rick Scott calls for review of community college presidents' contracts
By Denise-Marie Ordway
Orlando Sentinel
Gov. Rick Scott has asked his inspector general to investigate the contracts of community college presidents statewide amid a financial scandal at Florida State College at Jacksonville.

Florida not alone in setting varied academic outcomes
By Jeff Solochek
Tampa Bay Times
Florida has come under a harsh glare of negative attention for new, race-based academic goals adopted a week ago.

JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY

Insurance regulators outline cuts, hope they won't come
By Gray Rohrer
Florida Current
The Florida agency which oversees insurance, already hit with large cuts and a backlog in providing services, submitted a 2013-2014 fiscal year budget request Monday that sheds 10 positions and reduces spending by more than $1 million.

HEALTH AND SENIORS

Advocates question Florida Legislature’s decision to decline health care funding
By Elle Newbold
WUFT Gainesville
Child health advocates are questioning the Florida Legislature’s decision earlier this year to get rid of funding that could potentially reduce the number of children being abused.

Seniors overpay for drugs
By Sarah Pusateri
Health News Florida
Is there such thing as being too careful when it comes to buying health insurance?

GOP Plan to End Medicare Means Higher Costs for Seniors
The Progress Report
Think Progress
Medicare is in the news today, for reasons both good and bad.

CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES

Trayvon Martin's parents launch website, CCE to 'shine light' on 'stand your ground' law
By Jeff Weiner
Orlando Sentinel
On the eve of another meeting of the state task force reviewing "stand your ground," the parents of Trayvon Martin unveiled a new website and political committee aimed at changing the controversial law.

JUSTICE AND THE COURTS

Legal experts weigh judicial retention system
By Bill Cotterell
Florida Current
Regardless whether three state Supreme Court justices survive their challenges at the polls next month, politics has become a permanent part of judicial elections in Florida as voters react to "judicial activism," a former circuit judge with long experience in Republican politics told a panel of other forensic experts Monday night during a law school forum.

DJJ to privatize five facilities
Staff Report
Florida Current
The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice will privatize its five remaining residential facilities by next year.

Judge hearing Florida House primary challenge
Associated Press
Miami Herald
A judge is hearing a challenge to Rep. Barbara Watson's 13-vote victory in the Democratic primary for a South Florida seat in the state House.