Daily News Clips for January 3, 2013

FEATURED STORIES

Good deal, as far as it goes
Editorial
Tampa Bay Times
Related: Fiscal cliff deal comes with good and bad news for Floridians
Related: Florida homeowner tax cut extended; forgiven mortgage debt excluded from taxable income
It is far from perfect, but the compromise approved by Congress to head off middle class tax increases and delay arbitrary spending cuts achieves some significant results.

Florida Republicans rethinking election law
By William March
Tampa Tribune
In the wake of Florida's Nov. 6 election fiasco, Republican state legislators and Gov. Rick Scott acknowledge the massive election reform law they passed amid partisan controversy two years ago needs to be revised.

FLORIDA POLITICS

Crucial Orange sick-time ballot-fight records still missing
By David Damron
Orlando Sentinel
Orange County officials released text and email records Wednesday related to the fight over paid sick leave for local workers, but crucial texts from the day of the decision were still missing.

First Coast Tea Party blasts Ander Crenshaw, other Republicans for "fiscal cliff" votes
By Matt Dixon
Florida Times-Union
The First Coast Tea Party does not give hometown discounts.

25 most powerful people in Central Florida
By Scott Maxwell
Orlando Sentinel
The next generation. Panelists were asked to identify a few up-and-comers who might make this list in future years. Among those cited: activist Stephanie Porta, who helped lead the ballot push for mandatory sick time.

POLITICAL RACES

Plakon plots a return to Tallahassee, files to take on Clelland
By Jason Garcia
Orlando Sentinel
Former state Rep. Scott Plakon, the Longwood Republican who lost this fall to Maitland Democratic Rep. Karen Castor Dentel, is hoping to make a quick comeback.

ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

Report on state business climate cites need for energy and environmental planning
By Bruce Ritchie
The Florida Current
A Florida Department of Economic Opportunity report on the state's business climate is calling for a statewide strategy to ensure adequate future water supplies and for a statewide energy strategy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

EDUCATION

Tony Bennett's Florida education priorities: Common Core and teacher evaluations
By Jeff Solocheck
Tampa Bay Times
Incoming Florida education commissioner Tony Bennett is well known for his strong views on education policy, including his strong support of school choice and vouchers, as well as his backing of the national Common Core standards that some say contributed to his election defeat in Indiana.

Marion students return amid heightened security after Connecticut shooting
By Vishal Persaud
Ocala Star-Banner
Related: Officers will be at elementary schools starting Thursday
Marion County public schools beefed up security Wednesday, the first day of classes since the deadly mass shootings in Connecticut.

Rick Scott and Galvano talk education funding
By Jeremy Wallace
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Florida Gov. Rick Scott continues to try to build up his image as an education-focused governor.

JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY

Commission outlines priorities for post-recession Hillsborough
By Mike Salinero
Tampa Tribune
With the Great Recession slowly fading into memory and the Hillsborough County government on solid financial footing, county commissioners are looking forward to a year of getting things done.

Orlando may snag Siemens wind-turbine training center near OIA
By Kevin Spear
Orlando Sentinel
The workers who ascend several hundred feet of ladder to inspect and service the giant wind turbines that have sprouted by the thousands across the U.S. often don't need help getting over a fear of heights.

HEALTH AND SENIORS

Counting Health Care Changes In The 'Fiscal Cliff' Deal
Interview
Kaiser Health News
KHN's Mary Agnes Carey and Politico Pro's Jennifer Haberkorn detail the deal struck between President Obama and Congress to avert the so-called "fiscal cliff" and what the compromise means for hospitals and doctors who serve Medicare patients.

CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES

Nearly 800,000 people tried to buy guns in Florida in 2012
By Dan Sullivan
Tampa Bay Times
Nearly 800,000 people requested background checks so they could buy guns in Florida in 2012 — far more than in any recent year.

Hate crimes down, but assaults are up
By James Call
The Florida Current
The number of hate crimes reported in Florida in 2011 dropped but the number of physical assaults increased, according to the 2011 Hate Crime in Florida Report released by Attorney General Pam Bondi.