Daily Clips for November 8, 2010

PROGRESS FLORIDA IN THE NEWS Property tax cuts could be ‘devastating’ for schools By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent Related: School districts prepared to sue if hit with class size fines Excerpt: Damien Filer, political director of Progress Florida, an organization that opposed Amendment 8, tells The Florida Independent, “Legislators have refused to fund class size reduction. Last year they estimated $350 million to fund class size reduction, but didn’t approve a penny and now they’ll penalize school districts.” Filer adds that legislators lost their push to secure passage of Amendment 8, and now they have to fund class size reduction or go to court. FEATURED STORIES Governor-elect Rick Scott's agenda: smaller, limited government By Steve Bousquet and Mary Ellen Klas St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Rick Scott's improbable journey from political unknown to Florida governor took just seven months. Keeping his many promises will take much longer. Gov.-elect Rick Scott expected to turn Tallahassee on its head By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Rather than hunkering down in the Capitol basement and redrawing organizational charts, Gov.-elect Rick Scott is running his transition from Fort Lauderdale. Scott wants to clean house? Lotsa luck By Carl Hiaasen Miami Herald “Today is the end of politics as usual in Tallahassee.” 10 things Alex Sink should have done differently By Adam C. Smith St. Petersburg Times That Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink came within 65,000 votes of Rick Scott in a huge Republican-dominated midterm election perhaps is testament to how strong a campaign she ran. Haridopolos touts most conservative Fla. Senate ever, claims mandate for GOP goals By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post With Tuesday's elections fulfilling incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos' goal of a more conservative Florida Senate, it appears political moderation in the state is out the window for the next two years. 106,000 jobless Floridians face benefit loss By Jeff Harrington St. Petersburg Times Related editorial: Jobless, not the wealthy, need help The clock is ticking for about 106,000 unemployed Floridians. EDITORIAL CARTOON OF THE WEEK By Jim Morin Miami Herald FLORIDA POLITICS How far to the right will Florida go after election? By David Hackett Sarasota Herald-Tribune Now that Florida voters have given conservative Republicans almost unchecked control of state government, the big question is: How far will the GOP go? Observers say Scott may have some scrapes with GOP legislature By Catherine Whittenburg Tampa Tribune Someone up there must like Rick Scott. Rick Scott likely to find governing isn't simple By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel Republican Gov.-elect Rick Scott is bound to discover soon that changing a behemoth state government is not as simple as it sounds on the campaign bus. Florida Democrats back to drawing board in Tallahassee By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel Tuesday’s election all but eliminated the Democrats’ influence in Tallahassee. Florida Legislature to put the executive branch on shorter leash By Howard Troxler St. Petersburg Times We have a lot of laws in this state. But the government also has a lot of rules that Floridians have to obey. Rubio's party loyalty is clear: GOP not tea By Alex Leary and Beth Reinhard Miami Herald Related: Rubio in GOP weekly address: Republicans share blame for big spending When a French TV station set out to understand the American phenomenon known as the tea party, it sent a reporter to Florida, down a dusty country road, past a bug-swarmed pond, and into a Pasco County pasture filled with people waving American flags. Rubio urges bold ideas By Bart Jansen Tallahassee Democrat Washington Bureau Florida Sen.-elect Marco Rubio said in a national radio address Saturday that Republicans must pursue bold ideas like simplifying the tax code and reducing the national debt, and have the courage to fight for them. Rubio's rock star status carries rewards, risks By William March Tampa Tribune Florida's new U.S. Senator Marco Rubio will take office with a political stature beyond that of a typical new U.S. Senator, as the leading representative of Republican outreach to Hispanics and most prominent winner in Tuesday's GOP wave. Florida Tea Party remains hopeful after elections By Michael Peltier News Service of Florida The tea party, the movement, had a great week. The Tea Party, the party, not as much. Ten years later, infamous 2000 election ballot recount still defines Palm Beach County to many By Frank Cerabino Palm Beach Post There's a climate-controlled floor in the state archives building in Tallahassee where two distinct collections are kept for posterity: the case files of convicted murderers, and the ballots for the 2000 presidential election. An unneeded session Editorial Orlando Sentinel On Nov. 16, the day they're sworn in as Florida's legislative leaders, Rep. Dean Cannon and Sen. Mike Haridopolos plan to get to work. Impartial regulation, not prayers, needed at PSC Editorial South Florida Sun-Sentinel In July, the credibility of the Public Service Commission took another major hit. Torrents of cash Editorial Florida Today Two of the biggest threats to America’s body politic are gerrymandered districts that give parties the edge to retain power, and special-interest money that makes winning candidates beholden to certain groups. POLITICAL RACES Nationally, the Republican wave was not quite a tsunami By Louis Jacobson St. Petersburg Times Last week on the front page of Perspective we invited you to guess the size and strength of the Republican wave based on 10 factors to which we assigned a range of points. From Naples to Tallahassee: Rick Scott's improbable rise to Florida's governor By Ryan Mills and Leslie Williams Hale Naples Daily News On the first Saturday in April, State Rep. Tom Grady sat with his friend, neighbor and campaign finance chairman, Rick Scott, at a local Starbucks, chatting about politics and business. Florida Democrats blame lack of unified message in election-day beat-down By George Bennett Palm Beach Post Telling voters they've lost their minds probably isn't an effective comeback strategy for Democrats. After election loss, Alex Sink calls White House 'tone-deaf' The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Fresh off a narrow loss in Florida's gubernatorial race, Democrat Alex Sink is expressing some frustration with the White House. Rod Smith reflects on Democratic ticket's defeat in the governor's race By Nathan Crabbe Gainesville Sun Rod Smith was back in his Gainesville law office Friday, reflecting on an election that cost him his latest bid for public office along with most other Democrats in the state. Hard work, perfect timing drove Attorney General-elect Bondi By Colleen Jenkins St. Petersburg Times Pam Bondi had no political base and no political ambitions. Rep.-elect West says Congressional Black Caucus could use some ideological diversity By George Bennett Palm Beach Post With his convincing victory over Democratic U.S. Rep. Ron Klein, Allen West will be the first black Republican congressman in Florida since Reconstruction and one of only two black Republicans in the House, joining just-elected GOPer Tim Scott of South Carolina. Winners, obvious and not so obvious By Adam C. Smith St. Petersburg Times So many winners and losers this week, obvious and not so obvious, there's no way could we pick just two. Who's biggest loser? It's you if you didn't vote By Beth Reinhard Miami Herald It's a post-election tradition, as ingrained as hangovers, exhaustion and grudges: the roll call of Winners and Losers. On the trail with Charlie Crist, full of charm and chutzpah By Aaron Sharockman St. Petersburg Times Charlie Crist sits at the back of a mostly empty bus, holding an iPhone to his right ear. BALLOT INITIATIVES Redistricting a setback for GOP By Jim Ash Florida Capital News Florida Republicans enjoyed a near total sweep on Election Day, winning the governor’s mansion, all three Cabinet posts and veto-proof majorities in the state House and Senate. A few amendments the only setback for Florida GOP in election tidal wave By Jane Musgrave Palm Beach Post When Floridians woke up on Tuesday, they looked out on a fairly balanced political landscape. Twenty-four hours later, they were looking out on a sea of red. Debate over class-size limits far from over By Jeffrey S. Solochek St. Petersburg Times Related: A weekend interview about class size with Ron Meyer Even though Floridians voted down a measure to ease class-size requirements on Tuesday, the debate isn't done. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Myths about the EPA's new water rules By Linda Young Gainesville Sun Related editorial: Don't repeal good law Confusion and name-calling continue to find fertile ground around the issue of Florida's polluted waters and what to do about them. Water standards needed to save the St. Johns By Neil A. Armingeon Daytona Beach News-Journal We are destroying what we love about Florida -- our rivers, estuaries, lakes and springs. Will oil bring death to Gulf's rich web of life? By Kate Spinner Sarasota Herald-Tribune For birds, fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and ocean-based economies on the Gulf coast, the immediate catastrophe from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill has ebbed, but the long-term effects have yet to unfold. Independent panel to share findings on Gulf spill By Dina Cappiello The Associated Press The causes of the massive Gulf oil spill will be laid out for the first time Monday by investigators for President Barack Obama's independent commission, potentially shifting the blame and weighing in on disputes between companies over the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history. New rules will tighten manatee regulations in Kings Bay By Craig Pittman St. Petersburg Times For 40 years tourists have flocked to Crystal River to swim with the manatees in Kings Bay, the only place in the country where you can legally pet one. Gulf Oil Well Rupture: BP Backpedals; U.S. Must Not Editorial Lakeland Ledger There's great uncertainty about the long-term impacts of the BP oil well rupture in the Gulf of Mexico. LGBT Gates, Obama urge repeal of military's gay ban By Philip Elliott The Associated Press Defense Secretary Robert Gates is encouraging Congress to act before year's end to repeal the ban on gays serving openly in the military. EDUCATION Florida teachers brace for a new version of SB 6 By Ron Matus St. Petersburg Times In the wake of Tuesday's election results, teachers across Florida are growing anxious that nothing can stop another version of Senate Bill 6, the controversial tenure reform measure that passed the Republican-dominated Legislature in the spring but was dramatically vetoed by Gov. Charlie Crist. Public does not support SB 6 principles By Donna Mutzenard Ft. Myers News-Press Throughout much of this year no matter where I go, when I speak to an educator, or someone from the community, the conversation comes around to Senate Bill 6, a bill proposed during the 2010 legislative session. None of the conversations revolved around support for SB 6. More low-income students in Florida passing AP exams By Ron Matus St. Petersburg Times If you're following the Florida AP debate closely, here's another dimension you should consider: The percentage of low-income students in Florida who are passing AP exams is growing fast and now exceeds regional and national averages, according to this new report from the Southern Regional Education Board. Charting the future of charter schools By Thomas Marshall St. Petersburg Times Call them an undertested experiment or the key to America's educational success. Saving our schools Editorial Florida Today Excerpt: Rick Scott said he’d cut property taxes that pay for schools 19 percent next year with no guarantees the state would replace the money from general revenue. He also wants to phase out the state corporate tax that brings in $1.8 billion annually to pay for state services, again with no promise the loss would be made up. Both moves would starve Florida schools, put the future of children at risk, force massive layoffs of educators and damage the state’s ability to rebound from the Great Recession. By Jeff Parker Florida Today JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Snappy slogans aside, can Rick Scott rejuvenate Florida's job-wary economy? By Robert Trigaux St. Petersburg Times ‘Let's get to work." The slogan worked like magic for candidate Rick Scott. Economy adds more jobs; jobless rate still stuck By Greg Gordon and Kevin G. Hall Miami Herald U.S. employers added a better-than-expected 151,000 workers in October, the most upbeat jobs report in months, and the Labor Department made downward revisions that wiped out more than 100,000 of the job losses it had reported in the previous two months. After light rail tax defeat, doubts about Tampa-Orlando high-speed rail line By Robert Napper Florida Independent Voters in Hillsborough County not only struck a blow to hopes for light rail in the Tampa Bay area by refusing a penny sales tax increase; the overwhelming defeat now has high-speed rail plans in the area under fire. Has GOP roadblock fallen on tracks of Florida's high-profile rail projects? By Mike Thomas Orlando Sentinel You are a fiscal conservative, a Republican politician well versed in attacking federal spending, and there, sitting on the table in front of you, is $2 billion for your state, with love from Barack Obama. HEALTH AND SENIORS Florida Republicans already pitching Medicaid overhaul By Kathleen Haughney The News Service of Florida The wheels are already turning in a legislative plan to craft a Medicaid revamp that would include major limits on lawsuits, something that is firmly in line with Governor-Elect Rick Scott's proposed plan to make it more difficult for patients to sue doctors. Republicans Vow Push to Undo Health Care Reform By Bruce Drake Politics Daily Republican leaders acknowledged Sunday that an outright repeal of the health care reform law -- something they told voters during the campaign they would try to do -- was not within their power while President Barack Obama is in office, but they vowed to pursue a strategy of taking it apart piece-by-piece. Cancer probe ends in The Acreage with no cause identified By Mitra Malek Palm Beach Post The state probe into what might have caused a cancer cluster in The Acreage is over — with no cause found. Mend health care law, don't end it Editorial Palm Beach Post Democrats still control the Senate. Barack Obama is still president. Wrong diagnosis Editorial Sarasota Herald-Tribune In the afterglow of the Republicans' election triumph last week, John Boehner was still cranking out anti-"Obamacare" campaign rhetoric.

Daily Clips for November 5, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Special session set for proposed veto overrides By Jim Ash Florida Capital News The election's over, the people have spoken and a new era of less government is about to begin — with a special session to pass more laws. With Republican dominance, how long till push for Arizona immigration law here? By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent With Governor-elect Rick Scott and a strong Republican majority in the Florida legislature, a push for an Arizona-style immigration enforcement law in Florida seems certain. Scott's transition team includes Bush ties, a Democrat, a former rival By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Rick Scott got to work Thursday setting up his transition office, launching a website and promising an open administration focused on creating jobs. In Florida, a C.E.O. Prepared for Cuts By Damien Cave New York Times Many of the newly elected Republican governors have said they want to run their state like a business. BEST OF THE BLOGS Florida Democrats need to hit the "re-set" button By Gimeleteye Eye on Miami In 2008, President Obama won Florida by appealing to an increasingly large and diverse group of voters. Florida's 2010 Ballot Amendment Wrapup By Daniel Tilson The Examiner With all the focus on Republican sweep of the state cabinet and pickups in the legislature, results of voting on the six proposed constitutional amendments on Florida's 2010 general election ballot have gotten scant attention or analysis. Heritage Foundation Lays Out Republican Budget Cuts the Candidates are Afraid to Say By Buck Banks Pensito Review One of the truly gnarly parts of this rad Republican wave is the GOP’s constant harping about how it is going to balance the budget and reign in government spending — you know, the whole smaller government/bootstraps deal. Florida doubles down, Rubio rising, and whither the state Democratic Party (and Charlie Crist)? By Joy-Ann Reid The Reid Report For a state already in Republican hands, this was not a change election. It was a serious doubling down. FLORIDA POLITICS Florida Republicans in U.S. House will gain new clout By William E. Gibson Orlando Sentinel Florida Republicans will wield far more clout when their party seizes control of the U.S. House next year, an opportunity for them to shape decisions on transportation, Cuba, the environment and spending on state priorities. Senate and House leaders have eyes on stimulus funds, overriding Crist's vetoes By Mary Ellen Klas St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau House Speaker Dean Cannon and Senate President Mike Haridopolos met Thursday morning and announced they're ready to get to work. GOP's new veto-proof Fla. legislature plans special session to override vetos by independent Crist By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post On their first day on the job, the newly bullet-proof legislature will override nine issues vetoed by Gov. Charlie Crist earlier this year and address a septic tank inspection law creating a furor throughout the state. Rick Scott taps insiders with government experience to aid transition By Anthony Man Orlando Sentinel Gov.-elect Rick Scott repeated his pledge Thursday to rethink and shake up government – and announced a group of transition advisers filled with Tallahassee insiders. State overseer defends role on 'Taj Mahal' courthouse By Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times The state agency supervising construction of a new 1st District Court of Appeal says it saved the state money while supervising construction of the new courthouse many call a "Taj Mahal." DMS' Linda South responds point-by-point to audit By Paul Flemming Florida Today Linda South, secretary of the state's Department of Management Services, has fired back a post-election response to an audit released last month that described the construction of a new building for the 1st District Court of Appeal as an out-of-control boondoggle. Rep. C.W. Bill Young wants waiver to retake chair of defense appropriations subcommittee By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times Rep. C.W. Bill Young said Thursday he will seek a waiver from term limits on leadership posts in order to retake control of the appropriations subcommittee on defense. POLITICAL RACES Blacks, Latinos stick with shrinking Democratic base By Kathleen Hennessey and James Oliphant South Florida Sun-Sentinel Democrats searching for good news amid the rubble of Tuesday's midterm election results can look to Latinos and African Americans, two groups of voters that stayed with the party in large numbers. Election nearly wipes out white Southern Democrats By Ben Evans The Associated Press The white Southern Democrat - endangered since the 1960s civil rights era - is sliding nearer to extinction. Political experts reflect on election, predict what's next By Kate Bradshaw WMNF Community Radio Tampa Democrats everywhere are experiencing a massive election hangover, one that’s especially painful in Florida. Alan Grayson blames Dem 'appeasement' By Meredith Shiner Politico Ousted Florida Rep. Alan Grayson, one of the most outspoken, liberal members of the House, said Thursday that Tuesday's election was a "national disaster" and a repudiation of the Democrats' "strategy of appeasement." Florida Tea Party remains hopeful after elections By Michael Peltier The News Service of Florida The tea party, the movement, had a great week. The Tea Party, the party, not as much. BALLOT INITIATIVES Bennett predicts redistricing lawsuits By Dale White Sarasota Herald-Tribune State Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, predicted Thursday that lawsuits are the most likely outcome of two measures Florida's voters approved that will alter how legislative and Congressional districts are drawn. Future of 5 & 6 By Whitney Ray Capitol News Service The day after voters told lawmakers they no longer wanted them to draw district lines to control election results, two lawmakers cried foul. Fair districts Editorial Orlando Sentinel U.S. Reps. Corrine Brown and Mario Diaz-Balart sued unsuccessfully in the spring to keep the amendments that could end gerrymandering off the ballot. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY What do the midterm elections mean for Florida’s environment? By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent In the wake of a historic election cycle, Floridians are left wondering what will change in coming weeks, months and years for a state besieged by high unemployment and other, perhaps less publicized problems facing the state, like degrading wetlands and heavily polluted waters. Key environmental issues to be reconsidered during special session By Brent Henzi Florida Tribune >From energy rebates to septic tanks, the Legislature will tackle a number of environmental issues when it convenes for a one-day special session in Tallahassee November 16. Legislature may consider energy rebate funding during special session By Travis Pillow Florida Independent During the planned special session of the Florida legislature announced today by the incoming Republican leadership, one potential agenda item will be partial funding for energy rebate programs, which had promised millions of dollars to Floridians that were never paid. Water managers blast federal Everglades cleanup plan By Curtis Morgan Miami Herald Water managers on Thursday roundly criticized a court-ordered federal plan to speed up and expand the sluggish, repeatedly delayed effort to stem the flow of pollution into the Everglades. Law firm of BP claims czar paid $3.3M so far By Brian Skoloff The Associated Press The law firm of Kenneth Feinberg, the man in charge of BP's $20 billion compensation fund for Gulf oil spill victims, has so far been paid about $3.35 million from BP PLC to dole out the money, the program said Thursday. Denied oil spill claimant: In the real estate industry, but not a licensed broker By Travis Pillow Florida Independent I wrote earlier this week about the recent spike in denials of oil spill claims by the Gulf Coast Claims Facility. EDUCATION Florida university system leaders OK block-tuition option By Kathleen Haughney News Service of Florida Florida university system leaders put in place a system Thursday that would allow universities to offer a flat tuition rate and pile additional fees onto a student's semester bill. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Space shuttle springs fuel leak, may delay launch By Marcia Dunn The Associated Press Space shuttle Discovery has a fuel leak that threatens to delay Friday's planned launch. HEALTH AND SENIORS Medicaid overhaul 'message' coming By Jim Saunders Health News Florida House and Senate leaders today said they will use a special legislative session this month to try to override Gov. Charlie Crist's veto of money for Shands teaching hospital and to "send a message" about overhauling Medicaid. Med mal, Medicaid included in November special session By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune Rumblings that Medicaid could be handled in a November special session were affirmed Thursday as incoming legislative leaders announced plans to ink a "statement of intent," committing them to changing the $20 billion health care system in the regular 2011 legislative session. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Arizona immigration law proposed for Florida would give many whites a free pass By Noah Pransky WTSP TV News Tampa Bay A controversial twist on a controversial Arizona-style immigration law could exempt aliens from Canada and Western European countries from strict new rules. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Florida Supreme Court: Legislature Can Take Some Civil Filing Fees Staff Report Lakeland Ledger The Florida Supreme Court has approved the diversion of a portion of civil filing fees from a court system trust fund to the state's general purpose fund.

Daily Clips for November 4, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Gov.-elect Rick Scott declares: 'Let's get to work' By Michael C. Bender, Steve Bousquet and Mary Ellen Klas St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Related: Gov.-elect Rick Scott will announce transition plans Thursday Related: Wave of conservative activism carries Rick Scott to governor's office Related: Scott not first Florida governor to squeak to victory Related editorial: Capital needs Scott's broom Republican Rick Scott spent more of his own money than any politician in Florida history, but needed a wave of conservative activism to push him across the finish line early Wednesday morning in what appeared to be the closest governor's race in 134 years. Sink urges Scott to unite Florida, represent voters who opposed him By Ira Schoffel Tallahassee Democrat After huddling with staff, crunching numbers and realizing there was "no path to victory" after a long night of vote counting, Democratic candidate Alex Sink announced Wednesday morning she would give up her quest to become Florida's first female governor. Crist vows to end strong as governor, as new legislature ponders veto overrides By Jane Musgrave Palm Beach Post A day after Floridians delivered an indisputable rebuke of his independent run for the U.S. Senate, Gov. Charlie Crist emerged from the tony confines of the Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club Wednesday morning looking and acting like he was still running for office. Hours after redistricting amendments pass, lawsuit targets one By Marc Caputo and Lee Logan St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Less than 24 hours after its surprise passage, a constitutional amendment that restricts state lawmakers when they draw new congressional districts was challenged in court by two members of Congress. Democrats lose clout in Tallahassee By Mary Ellen Klas St. Petersburg Times Florida Democrats lost more than the governor's office and all three Cabinet posts on Tuesday. With new day in Washington the question is, what now? By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times A day after the Republican steamroller, a nearly contrite President Barack Obama acknowledged Wednesday that the public was upset with the pace of the economic recovery and promised to work with the new leaders of Congress on tax cuts and energy policy. FLORIDA POLITICS GOP wary of bigger influence in Florida By Beth Reinhard and Amy Sherman Miami Herald Is Florida the biggest battleground state in the country or simply the moodiest? Fla. legislative leaders talking special session By Bill Kaczor The Associated Press Incoming Republican legislative leaders on Wednesday said they are considering calling a special session in the coming weeks to override some of Gov. Charlie Crist's vetoes. Crist uncertain about his next step By William March Tampa Tribune As of Jan. 4, for the first time in 18 years, the Florida political scene will no longer include Charlie Crist, the smooth talker with the tan and the knack for drawing attention to himself.What's he going to do? When Florida Gov.-elect Scott seeks help, it’ll likely be Thrasher’s By Tia Mitchell Florida Times-Union State Sen. John Thrasher says he stands ready to help Rick Scott transition into the governor’s mansion in the coming weeks. He will likely have the power to do that and more. POLITICAL RACES Gov.-elect Scott now works 'for every Floridian,' but still going to work his agenda By Jeff Ostrowski and Dara Kam Palm Beach Post A buoyant Gov.-elect Rick Scott took the stage Wednesday to declare victory more than 12 hours later than he expected but stayed on his message of bringing jobs to Florida. Was Tuesday's landslide also an endorsement of the Florida Legislature? By Howard Troxler St. Petersburg Times Now that was an old-fashioned butt kickin'. Lesson No. 1 from 2010: "It's all about the base." By Gary Fineout The Fine Print Current Republican Party of Florida Chairman John Thrasher had a mantra that he used over and over again during the 2002 re-election campaign of Jeb Bush. After Republican triumph, Florida seeing red By Luke Johnson Florida Independent Florida was an especially strong state for the Republicans yesterday, as they picked up four House seats in landslides, and held a Senate seat and the governorship. These pickups are all the more notable since Democrats outnumber Republicans by 600,000 and Barack Obama won the state in 2008. Republican Blowout, But No Conservative Mandate The Progress Report Think Progress Riding a wave of discontent, Republicans overtook the House of Representatives by great numbers, but foundered in the U.S. Senate, where the media spotlight on Tea Party candidates like Sharron Angle in Nevada, Ken Buck in Colorado, and Christine O'Donnell in Delaware turned off voters. Governor-elect Rick Scott: to benefit Florida, he needs to jettison some harmful ideas Editorial Orlando Sentinel How'd Rick Scott win the governor's race? BALLOT INITIATIVES Amendment 8 aftermath: Florida school districts ready to sue if hit with class size fines By Rafael A. Olmeda and Marc Freeman South Florida Sun-Sentinel Smaller class sizes are here to stay, and the stage is being set for a court battle over who will pay for them. Next move on class size: More tweaks, possible lawsuit By Leslie Postal Orlando Sentinel Florida's class-size rules survived another challenge Tuesday when voters rejected a ballot measure that would have partially neutered the eight-year-old requirements. Brown challenges Florida redistricting decision By Associated Press Florida Times-Union As expected, U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla., filed suit Wednesday against a new, voter-approved amendment to the Florida Constitution that sets rules for drawing congressional districts in the state. Loud and clear Editorial Gainesville Sun They will be debating for the next two years exactly what was the "message" sent by voters on Tuesday. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Toxic chemicals found deep at BP oil spill site By Maggie Fox and Jerry Norton Reuters Toxic chemicals at levels high enough to kill sea animals extended deep underwater soon after the BP oil spill, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday. LGBT Gay-rights groups view election as major setback By David Crary The Associated Press Gay-rights activists celebrated a few bright spots on Election Day, but they also suffered some major setbacks - including losses by key supporters in Congress and the ouster of three Iowa Supreme Court judges who had ruled in favor of same-sex marriage. 'Don't ask, don't tell' repeal a likely election casualty By Nancy A. Youssef and David Lightman Miami Herald President Barack Obama's call on Congress to repeal "don't ask, don't tell" is likely to founder after key House members were defeated in Tuesday's elections. EDUCATION Putting his stamp on education: Gov.-elect Scott faces two State Board vacancies By Jeff Solochek St. Petersburg Times Florida governor-elect Rick Scott has strong opinions about education -- he supports eliminating teacher tenure and expanding school choice options, among his priorities. What constitutes bullying? Answer can vary by school By Leslie Postal Orlando Sentinel It's become a national rallying cry, from the classroom to the White House: End school bullying now. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Gov.-elect Rick Scott ready to take on Florida’s sagging economy By Jeremy Cox Florida Times-Union In the private sector, Rick Scott had a knack for whipping failing hospitals into profitable ones. Election results could derail train projects By Dan Tracy Orlando Sentinel Two train projects slated for Metro Orlando weren't on Tuesday's ballot, but their fates could be in doubt because of the election results. HEALTH AND SENIORS 51 organizations competing for low-income pool money Staff Report Florida Tribune Fifty one organizations -- including several large hospitals -- are competing for $34 million in grants to help fund primary care programs. DOH: Closing TB hospital costs $$ By Jim Saunders Health News Florida Florida lawmakers have talked for years about shutting down the only state hospital for tuberculosis patients. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Tea Party effort to remove Supreme Court Justices for Amendment 9 ruling falls short By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune A concentrated effort to defeat two Florida Supreme Court justices fell short this election, but the rally to clear the court of “activist judges” could continue forward.

Progress Florida Daily Clips 11-3-10

FEATURED STORIES

No clear winner yet in Florida governor's race
By Michael C. Bender, Steve Bousquet and Mary Ellen Klas
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
Related: One-stop state, local and federal election results
There was no clear winner between Republican Rick Scott and Democrat Alex Sink early this morning in the state's closest governor's race in 16 years.

Marco Rubio elected to U.S. Senate
By Adam C. Smith
St. Petersburg Times
Related editorial: Rubio has opportunity to shape agenda
Floridians overwhelmingly elected Marco Rubio, the 39-year-old son of a bartender and Kmart stock clerk, to the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, capping a tumultuous election and historic downfall of Gov. Charlie Crist.

Florida redistricting standards pass while class-size changes, Hometown Democracy fail
By Becky Bowers and Ron Matus
St. Petersburg Times
Voters followed the money on citizen-led constitutional amendments Tuesday, narrowly passing two redistricting measures backed by a $9 million campaign and rejecting a dramatically outspent Hometown Democracy effort.

Republicans win all three state Cabinet races
By Lee Logan, Colleen Jenkins and Jay Weaver
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
Republican candidates won all three state Cabinet posts Tuesday, continuing the party's dominance in statewide races over the past decade.

Decisive losses in Florida Congressional races match national wave
By Alex Leary
St. Petersburg Times
Florida voters swept four Democratic members of Congress from office, part of a wave of victories that delivered the House of Representatives to Republicans, dramatically redrawing the lines of power in Washington.

What Yesterday's Election Means for Progressives
By Robert Creamer
The Huffington Post
Last week I argued that there was a path to victory for Democrats in the House. That turned out to be wrong.

POLITICAL RACES

Scott still ahead as GOP makes big gains in Florida; Sink lawyering up
By Bill Cotterell
Florida Capital News
It’s not as close or exciting as the presidential race 10 years ago, but the outcome of Florida’s race for governor is still too close to call.

Scott says 'We have won' but Sink refuses to concede governor's race
By Aaron Deslatte
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Republican Rick Scott proclaimed himself the next governor of Florida as he clung to a narrow lead this morning over Democrat Alex Sink in one of the closest, costliest and most politically significant gubernatorial slugfests in the country.

Governor's race waits: Palm Beach County late over worker error
By Andrew Marra, Dara Kam and Jeff Ostrowski
Palm Beach Post
The rest of the state had the bulk of its votes counted by late Tuesday.

Marco Rubio, ‘son of exiles,’ rises as U.S. senator
By Beth Reinhard
Miami Herald
Behold Republican Marco Rubio, political giant killer and one of the freshest faced lieutenants of the conservative insurrection in Washington, who finished off Florida's sitting governor on Tuesday to become the state's next U.S. senator.

After leading in the polls the past two months, Rubio prevails
By George Bennett, Jane Musgrave and Ana Valdes
Palm Beach Post
Before there was ever any talk of a Republican wave, there was Marco Rubio.

Voter anger helped Marco Rubio, Rick Scott exit polls show
By Curt Anderson
The Associated Press
Florida voters who elected Republican Marco Rubio to the Senate on Tuesday were overwhelmingly dissatisfied or angry about the federal government's performance, and Rubio drew support from both tea party backers and many who described themselves as neutral about the conservative movement.

Bondi becomes state's first female AG
By Laura Kinsler
Tampa Tribune
Republican Pam Bondi led a GOP sweep of the state's three Cabinet posts by edging her more experienced opponent in the race for attorney general.

Atwater beats Ausley; pledges transparency
The Associated Press
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater will become Florida's next chief financial officer, a position many consider the state's second-most influential office.

Putnam wins agriculture commissioner's race
By Richard Burnett
Orlando Sentinel
Republican Adam Putnam breezed past Democrat Scott Maddox on Tuesday in the race to become Florida's next commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

4 Florida Dem. congressional incumbents unseated
By Bill Kaczor
The Associated Press
Republicans ousted four Florida Democratic incumbents Tuesday and lost none of their own congressional seats in the state to help the GOP take control of the U.S. House.

Florida sending 8 new members to US House
The Associated Press
Tampa Tribune
For all the talk about tea parties and fresh faces, only two of Florida's eight new U.S. House members can be considered "outsiders."

Dan Webster beats Alan Grayson in a landslide
By Mark Schlueb
Orlando Sentinel
Democrat U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson — at the same time loved and hated by partisans across the country — was ousted from Congress on Tuesday by Dan Webster, a quiet conservative known to Central Florida voters after nearly three decades in the Legislature.

Republicans reclaim Congressional District 24
By Ludmilla Lelis
Orlando Sentinel
Sandy Adams, a Republican state legislator, on Tuesday reclaimed the Congressional District 24 seat for the GOP, which succeeded in ousting Suzanne Kosmas, the Democratic incumbent.

Allen West defeats Ron Klein
By Anthony Man and David Fleshler
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
The national wave of discontent with the Democratic-controlled Congress swept through South Florida on Tuesday, costing Ron Klein his congressional seat and sending Republican Allen West to Congress, where he's likely to get a quick place on the national stage.

Rivera victory caps contentious race
By Patricia Mazzei
Miami Herald
Republican David Rivera decisively staved off a challenge to win a Miami congressional seat Tuesday, as a conservative current swept Florida GOP candidates into office.

Long-serving Dem. Allen Boyd loses to Rep. Southerland
By Bill Cotterell
Florida Capital News
Republican Steve Southerland Tuesday defeated seven-term incumbent Democrat Allen Boyd to represent the Big Bend in Congress.

John Thrasher survives challenge for Florida Senate seat
By Tia Mitchell
Florida Times-Union
State Sen. John Thrasher easily held onto his seat Tuesday, prevailing in what was considered the most closely watched legislative race this campaign season.

GOP has veto-proof majority in state Senate
By Matthew Doig
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Florida Republicans in the state Senate picked up two seats on election night, giving them the 28 seats necessary to secure a coveted veto-proof majority.

GOP gains two-thirds majority in Fla. Legislature
By Brent Kallestad
The Associated Press
Republicans gained two additional seats Tuesday in the Florida Senate and possibly a half dozen more in the state House, putting the Legislature clearly in the driver's seat on making policy for at least the next two years.

BALLOT INITIATIVES

Legislative, congressional redistricting amendments pass
The Associated Press
Tampa Tribune
Voters approved two amendments setting new rules for how legislative and congressional districts in Florida are redrawn each decade.

Voters reject loosening of class-size rules
The Associated Press
Tampa Tribune
Voters rejected a proposed state constitutional amendment that would have loosened Florida's limits on the number of children who can be in public school classes.

Florida voters reject land-use amendment
By Tamara Lush
The Associated Press
Voters overwhelmingly rejected Tuesday a proposed state constitutional amendment that would have drastically changed the development approval process in Florida.

Repeal of public campaign finance system rejected
By Antonio Gonzalez
The Associated Press
An amendment to abandon Florida's public campaign financing system was rejected by voters Tuesday, keeping the provision in the state constitution.

ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

Septic shock
By Dinah Voyles Pulver
Daytona Beach News-Journal
State health officials are putting the finishing touches on a new rule that will require septic tank owners to spend anywhere from $150 to $400 every five years to help protect Florida's water quality.

LGBT

Shift in balance of power will slow advancement of gay-rights legislation in Congress
By the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Miami Herald
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force responded to the projected shift in the balance of power on Capitol Hill, with Republicans poised to regain control of the U.S. House.

EDUCATION

Seminole worried about computer testing
By Dave Weber
Orlando Sentinel
The school year is zipping along and Seminole school officials are growing more and more concerned as they approach the spring, when they will for the first time be required to give some FCAT tests and other statewide exams by computer.

JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY

Florida exit polls show voters overwhelmingly worried about economy
By Angie Drobnic Holan
St. Petersburg Times
Voters are overwhelmingly worried about the economy and want elected officials to address it as their top concern, according to exit poll interviews conducted across the state of Florida on Tuesday.

Florida clears almost 66,000 foreclosure cases in three months
By Kimberly Miller
Palm Beach Post
Florida's courts cleared 65,830 foreclosure cases in the three-month period beginning July 1, with 71 percent being decided in quickie hearings before the judge sometimes called "rocket dockets."

HEALTH AND SENIORS

AMA Head Predicts 'Catastrophe' If Physician Medicare Pay Isn’t Fixed
By Andrew Villegas and Mary Agnes Carey
Kaiser Health News
While most people are focused on the midterm elections Tuesday, the American Medical Association is gearing up for the lame-duck congressional session scheduled to start Nov. 15.

Law closes pill mills but makes it harder for some patients to get pain meds
By Bob LaMendola
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Florida's month-old pain clinic law has succeeded in driving some pill mills out of business, but has also created complications for some doctors and pain-stricken patients.

CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES

Poll: Latinos favor GOP candidates in Florida
By Soledad O'Brien
CNN
An election eve poll of likely Latino voters in Florida shows they favored Republicans in the U.S. House, Senate and governor's races.

JUSTICE AND THE COURTS

Fla. justices, judges retain seats despite general public discontent
By Paul Flemming
Florida Capital News
In the 38 years of Florida judicial merit-retention votes, no appellate judge or Supreme Court justice has ever been tossed off the bench by voters.

Daily Clips for November 2, 2010

PROGRESS FLORIDA IN THE NEWS Campaign roundup… Staff Report Florida Tribune Special: Find your polling place Related: 2010 Progressive Ballot Guide Excerpt: Progress Florida has released a new web video that pushes people to go vote. The ad runs through pictures of conservative politicians and supporters, such as former Gov. Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Rick Scott and John Thrasher, and tells the viewer that “if they all vote and you don’t ... everyone in Florida loses.” FEATURED STORIES Sink, Democrats rally with Clinton, as GOP talks of Rubio's coattails By Beth Reinhard, Mary Ellen Klas and Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times Related: Tied in polls, turnout is key for Scott and Sink in governor's race Related: Polls: Sink, Scott in virtual tie Related editorial: Your vote counts The Democratic ticket in Florida turned to its party's most popular national figure, former President Bill Clinton, in a last-ditch effort Monday to rouse the faithful and offset Republicans swamping the early and absentee vote. Fla. governor's race considered key to presidential election in 2012 By Jane Musgrave, Dara Kam and Jeff Ostrowski Palm Beach Post Floridians are headed to the polls Tuesday to vote for their next governor, but the neck-and-neck race between Alex Sink and Rick Scott has implications far beyond the Sunshine State and leading all the way to the White House. Rubio, one-time underdog in U.S. Senate race, on verge of national conservative stardom By George Bennett, Jennifer Sorentrue and Ana M. Valdes Palm Beach Post Florida's marathon U.S. Senate campaign neared its end Monday looking nothing like the race that began almost two years ago. Florida Cabinet May Wind Up As A Panel of Rookies By Gina Jordan WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee Tuesday's election could result in a complete turnover of the Florida Cabinet. 4 Fla. congressional incumbents on hot seat By Bill Kaczor The Associated Press Republicans focused on unseating four of Florida's Democratic incumbents Tuesday in their drive to take control of the U.S. House. POLITICAL RACES Political change in the air? What to watch for tonight as votes counted By William E. Gibson Orlando Sentinel When the polls close and election results stream in tonight, early returns from Florida's suspenseful race for governor and six closely contested congressional campaigns could indicate a Republican wave nationwide or a late Democratic comeback. Voters decide whether Scott, Sink will be governor By Mitch Stacy The Associated Press Republican Rick Scott and Democrat Alex Sink are locked in a tight race for Florida governor, with the winner unlikely to be known until long after the polls close Tuesday. Sink or Scott, next governor has to be Florida's best promoter to businesses By Robert Trigaux St. Petersburg Times Be it Alex Sink or Rick Scott, our next chief of state must also be chief economic salesperson. In Florida governor's race, there's more than one winner By Brandon Larrabee Florida Times-Union The names on the ballot for governor in today's election are those of Rick Scott, the Republican, and Alex Sink, the Democrat. Senate candidates seek late edge in Orlando By Jim Stratton and Susan Jacobson Orlando Sentinel Former President Bill Clinton challenged Democrats at an Orlando rally late Monday to defy expectations and push U.S. Senate candidate Kendrick Meek and a slate of party candidates to victory in today's election. Shrugging at Senate race polls, Charlie Crist remains upbeat Aaron Sharockman and Adam C. Smith St. Petersburg Times If you look at the polls, Charlie Crist's U.S. Senate campaign is poised for a beating today. Florida's Soap Opera of a Senate Race By James Call WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee Florida's three-way Senate race is building to a dramatic finish. Bondi, Gelber differ on focus in Fla. AG race By Kelli Kennedy The Associated Press Republican Pam Bondi and Democrat Dan Gelber have battled as Tuesday's attorney general election approached over whether Florida should challenge President Barack Obama's health care overhaul and adopt an Arizona-style immigration law. Putnam, Maddox battle for agriculture commissioner By Tamara Lush The Associated Press Republican Congressman Adam Putnam and former Tallahassee Mayor Scott Maddox, a Democrat, are both considered rising stars in their parties, which is why Tuesday's race for Florida agriculture commissioner could have long-term political effects. GOP certain to retain Fla. legislative majority By Brent Kallestad The Associated Press Most of Florida's incumbent legislators face weak or no opposition Tuesday, but the Democrats are hoping they can knock off one of the state's most powerful Republicans: Sen. John Thrasher, the Florida GOP chairman. Political robocall annoyance moves to cell phones By Becky Bowers St. Petersburg Times With Election Day here, take a moment to celebrate temporary relief from the robocall. Group Shines a Light on Money in Politics By Gina Presson Public News Service Florida It's Election Day, and by now you've probably been bombarded with radio and television ads either touting one politician or bashing another. Effect of today's vote will be felt for years By Chuck Raasch Ft. Myers News-Press Millions of Americans will vote Tuesday in an election that could give Republicans control of the House of Representatives and, possbly, the Senate and strengthen their ranks in state capitals. BALLOT INITIATIVES Fla. considers amendments to redistricting methods By Mike Schneider The Associated Press Two amendments that would set new rules for how legislative and congressional districts in Florida are redrawn every 10 years are being considered by voters Tuesday. Why Amendments 5 and 6 should pass By Howard Troxler St. Petersburg Times Every single bad thing that has been said about Amendment 5 and Amendment 6 on today's ballot, the "fair districts" proposals, is true. 31 Florida Lawmakers Faced No Opposition By Keith Laing News Service of Florida For 31 incumbent lawmakers, today's election was over before it started. Amendment 8 would loosen class-size limits By Bill Kaczor and Christine Armario The Associated Press Many school administrators are split from their teachers over an amendment on Tuesday's ballot that would loosen Florida's limits on the number of children who can be in public school classes. The 7 Myths of Class Size Reduction -- And the Truth By Leonie Haimson Huffington Post Across the country, class sizes are increasing at unprecedented rates. An estimated 58,000 teachers were laid off in September, at the same time as enrollment was increasing in much of the country. Amendment 4 would change development process By Tamara Lush The Associated Press A state constitutional amendment that would drastically change the development approval process in Florida is before the voters Tuesday. Fla.'s public campaign financing system faces vote By Antonio Gonzalez The Associated Press An amendment to abandon Florida's system of public campaign financing is being put to the test by voters. Few oppose Fla. military tax break amendment By Curt Anderson The Associated Press There was virtually no opposition before Tuesday's election to a proposed constitutional amendment that would give a new property tax break for thousands of Florida-based military personnel. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Number of residents denied BP money up sharply By Brian Skoloff The Associated Press Denied claims for Gulf of Mexico oil spill victims are rising dramatically because of a flood of new filings coming in without proper documentation or with no proof at all, the head of the $20 billion BP fund said Monday. EDUCATION UF officials, students at odds on block tuition By Nathan Crabbe Gainesville Sun University of Florida officials made the case Monday for charging undergraduates a flat tuition rate, while students suggested the change would diminish the college experience. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Unexplained glitch delays state retirees' monthly pay By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News The check is in the mail for thousands of Florida retirees who don't use direct deposit. HEALTH AND SENIORS Sunshine State Voters Polled On Importance Of Social Security By Gina Presson Public News Service Florida No cuts, please! Older folks in Florida and the nation like, and depend on, their Social Security. Toxic schools: Florida's aging, leaky schools outstrip dwindling pot of money to fix them By Denise-Marie Balona Orlando Sentinel Bill Smith sends this warning to Florida's teachers, students and parents: If you think indoor-air quality in public schools is bad now, just wait a few years. Many have gone pink; fewer aid the cause By Dayna Harpster Ft. Myers News-Press Which came first, the chicken chow or the egg cartons?