Daily News Clips for May 7, 2013

PROGRESS FLORIDA IN THE NEWS

Religious, Civil Liberties and Progressive Leaders Discuss the 2013 State legislative Session (audio story)
By Robert Lorei
WMNF Tampa
Coming up we'll discuss the just ended 2013 session of the state legislature with three guests: Rev. Russell Meyer is Executive Director of the Florida Council of Churches, Julie Ebenstein a staff attorney with the Florida ACLU and Damien Filer of Progress Florida.

FEATURED STORIES

Democrats pressure Florida Gov. Rick Scott to call special session on Medicaid
By Tia Mitchell
Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau
Pressure is mounting on Florida Gov. Rick Scott to call a special session to end the Legislature's impasse on Medicaid expansion.

Petition asks Rick Scott to veto bill blocking paid sicktime
By David Damron
Orlando Sentinel
A leading group behind the push for mandatory paid sick time in Orange County is starting an online petition to urge Gov. Rick Scott to veto a bill that would block local governments from adopting such measures.

Gov. Rick Scott rallies teachers in 'pay raise victory tour'
By Steve Bousquet
Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau
Related: PolitiFact Florida: Rick Scott leaves out the details on teacher pay raises
It may have escaped your attention, but Gov. Rick Scott's re-election campaign began in earnest Monday.

The governor who wasn't
By Daniel Ruth
Tampa Bay Times
Only in political life do we stumble across people who aspire, yearn, crave to hold high and powerful offices without the slightest clue about what the job requires.

FLORIDA POLITICS

Weatherford's veer to the right confuses Democrats, but wins support from conservatives
By Michael Van Sickler
Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau
Few Florida politicians were known for being more likable and reasonable than House Speaker Will Weatherford.

What we think: House breaks vow to be bipartisan, thoughtful
Editorial
Orlando Sentinel
After he was elected Florida House speaker by his colleagues in November, Republican Will Weatherford delivered an eloquent speech promising bipartisanship and a commitment to problem solving.  

LGBT

Lake School Board resumes struggle over gay-straight club
By Erica Rodriguez
Orlando Sentinel
Lake County School Board members met for about three hours Monday but made little progress in finalizing new rules limiting which student clubs would be allowed on campus next year — including a new gay-straight club.

EDUCATION

Skepticism over Governor Scott's support of teacher's raises
By Lynn Gordon
CBS 12 West Palm Beach
Some teachers and parents questioning Governor Rick Scott's  motives as he kicks off a pep rally celebrating millions in pay raises for Florida teachers.

Guns and School Safety
By Mike Vasilinda
Capitol News Service
After the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary in December, State leaders promised that “everything” was on the table when it came to guns and school safety.

Will Florida schools be ready for PARCC and Common Core?
By Jeffrey S. Solochek
Tampa Bay Times
In the waning days of session, Florida lawmakers made clear their support for new testing associated with the Common Core State Standards goes only as far as technology will allow.

State education officials explain Common Core Standards at meeting in Collier
By Brittany Shammas
Naples Daily News
The Common Core Standards coming to Florida classrooms replace a system of requirements that were too wide and not deep enough, a state education official told a Collier County audience Monday evening.

ACT to start giving college entrance tests online
Staff Report
Tampa Tribune
Starting as early as spring 2015, the ACT college admissions exam will go digital, reflecting students' tech savvy and the demand for quicker results.

JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY

Nelson says yes, Rubio no as Senate passes online sales tax bill
By Alex Leary
Tampa Bay Times
The Senate this evening approved a bill that would allow states to collect sales tax. More here from Associated Press.

South Florida casino revenues increase
By Nick Sortal
South Florida Sun Sentinel
As revenue for casinos continues to climb in Florida, one thing is clear: The gambling industry here is ripe for expansion, experts say.

Florida work release centers about to get electronic monitoring for inmates
By Kameel Stanley
Tampa Bay Times
Florida is poised to make significant changes to privately-operated work release programs now that lawmakers have agreed to beef up security and limit the size of the centers.

HEALTH AND SENIORS

26 States May Reject Medicaid Expansion
Staff Report
Health News Florida
Avalere Health now says it expects that a slight majority of states will say no to federal funds for Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act.

Florida's Medicaid managed care plan to begin in August
By Jim Saunders
News Service of Florida
Two years after getting approved by lawmakers, Florida’s shift to a statewide Medicaid managed-care system will start Aug. 1 for seniors who need long-term care in the Orlando area.

Bill Aims To Equalize Costs For Cancer Treatments
By Regan McCarthy      
WFSU Tallahassee
Cancer awareness advocates across the state are celebrating a piece of legislation they say will ensure more equal treatment for cancer patients.

Report: Florida trauma centers need new rules
By Mary Shedden
Tampa Tribune
Florida's hospital trauma system is outdated, exclusionary and burdened by infighting, says a new analysis by the American College Of Surgeons.

Florida women play key role in emergency birth-control case
By Audra D.S. Burch
Miami Herald
The long and sweeping movement to broaden access to emergency contraception — which may culminate soon in girls and women of all ages having over-the-counter access — has been led, in part, by a group of Florida grassroots activists — students, mothers, daughters.

IMMIGRATION, CIVIL RIGHTS AND SOCIAL ISSUES

G.O.P. Opponents Plan Immigration Bill Attack
By Ashley Parker
New York Times
Republican opponents of legislation to overhaul the nation’s immigration laws are readying an offensive intended to hijack the newly released bill as the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday begins a review that will offer the clearest sign yet of how difficult a path the legislation faces.

Gun owners push Scott to veto mental health bill backed by NRA
By Toluse Olorunnipa
Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau
More than 4,000 people emailed Gov. Rick Scott on Friday, telling him to veto the only gun bill that passed through the Florida Legislature this year.

JUSTICE AND THE COURTS

New red light camera law could raise cost of appeals
By Christopher O’Donnell
Tampa Tribune
Critics warn that putting municipalities, which benefit from fines, in charge of the process creates an incentive to deny appeals.

Judge: Panhandle barrel-racing approval not legal
By Dara Kam
Palm Beach Post
The state didn’t have the authority to license barrel racing at two North Florida racetracks, an administrative law judge ruled Monday, raising questions about whether the races can continue or expand to other horse tracks.

Federal appeals court: Florida law prohibiting hiring of companies tied to Cuba is unconstitutional
By Patricia Mazzei
Miami Herald
A federal appeals court on Monday upheld a ruling that struck down a Florida law prohibiting the state and local governments from hiring companies with business ties to Cuba.