Daily Clips for November 12, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Rod Smith may lead battered state Democratic party By John Kennedy News Service of Florida Fresh from an unsuccessful turn as Democrat Alex Sink's running mate, former Sen. Rod Smith said Wednesday he may be willing to assume another against-the-odds task: leadership of the state's battered Democratic Party. Florida's GOP on political high; now what? By Brandon Larrabee Florida Times-Union To gauge how long two years is in politics, one needs only to look at the swing in Florida over the past two years. More than 60 top staffers in Legislature drawing six-figure salaries By Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau To help shrink state government, the new leaders of the Legislature have brought in a stable of advisers at six-figure salaries. BEST OF THE BLOGS Florida's New Government In Action By Daniel Tilson The Examiner The first official day of action for the Sunshine State's new GOP-dominated government is next Tuesday, November 16th. What Would An Ideal Florida Democratic Party Chair Be Like By Kenneth Quinnell Florida Progressive Coalition There are a number of calls for Karen Thurman to step down as chair of the Florida Democratic Party and rumors flying around that it is a distinct possibility. So now, what about pollution, Gov. Scott? By Gimleteye Eye on Miami On the environment, Gov. Charlie Crist didn't always make the right calls, but with Rick Scott in the governor's mansion there is reason to be concerned that Florida has done a U-turn back to the days of Jeb Bush when all the wrong calls were made, regularly, with great confidence whether laws were being broken or not. Will Dockery Save Rail By Jake Rantings From Florida I have never understood the connection between Paula Dockery, one of the Republicans in the state whom I respect most, and Rick Scott, our new Gov.-elect and perhaps the least useful person to ever move to the Sunshine State. Rick Scott: ‘let’s get to work…! now take this awesome gift card’ By Joy-Ann Reid The Reid Report You really can’t make this stuff up. FLORIDA POLITICS Florida waits for Rick Scott to reveal his transportation goals By Larry Hannan Florida Times-Union Transportation wasn't a major discussion point during the 2010 Florida governor's race. Only limited energy rebates expected from Legislature's special session By Nirvi Shah Miami Herald The Legislature is proposing a solution for repaying Floridians who bought energy-efficient air conditioners and solar panels that may make only some buyers happy. Radio host Joyce Kaufman won't work for Congressman-elect Allen West following threat to Broward schools By James H. Burnett III and Lesley Clark Miami Herald Radio host Joyce Kaufman, whose comments may have triggered a threat against Broward County schools, has announced she won't become chief of staff for conservative Congressman-elect Allen West. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Internal email details effort to convince Florida politicians to fight water quality standards By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent Florida politicians, industry heads and even former environmental agency heads have all become vocal opponents of EPA efforts to implement water quality standards that would limit the amount of waste that can be dumped in Florida waterbodies. FPL President: Customers should pay for renewable energy By Julie Patel South Florida Sun-Sentinel Florida Power & Light President Armando Olivera told the Sun Sentinel editorial board today that renewable energy projects don't pay off for investors in Florida because the state does not provide incentives that exist elsewhere. EDUCATION Is Florida's new governor looking for a new education commissioner? By Jeff Solochek St. Petersburg Times Some Tallahassee insiders tell the Gradebook that members of governor-elect Rick Scott's transition team are quietly asking around for names of possible replacements for Florida education commissioner. Report: Black male academic achievement is 'national catastrophe' By Ron Matus St. Petersburg Times More bad news about the academic status of black males: Only 12 percent of black male fourth-graders are proficient in reading, compared to 38 percent for white males, according to NAEP scores highlighted by the Council of the Great City Schools in a new report. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY On video, alleged 'robo-signers' describe assembly line work By Susan Taylor Martin St. Petersburg Times Over the past several years, Bryan Bly, Crystal Moore and Dhurata Doko have signed thousands of mortgage assignments as vice presidents of Citi Residential and other major lenders. HEALTH AND SENIORS Prescription drug bill divides GOP donors By John Kennedy News Service of Florida A veto override planned by Florida's Republican legislative leaders is driving a wedge between major GOP donors, with business groups and health care giants Wednesday renewing their fight over a prescription drug bill. State seeks doctors as inspectors By Jim Saunders Health News Florida Florida's new program to inspect pain-management clinics has hung a help-wanted sign: It will pay doctors $100 an hour to go into clinics and help review patient records. Florida still needs more hurricane shelters The Associated Press Tampa Tribune A biannual state report says Florida is reducing its hurricane shelter deficit but still needs more safe places from storms. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Childers appeal gets rehearing By Kris Wernowsky Pensacola News Journal A federal appeals court will rehear the case it overturned earlier this year against former state Senate President and former Escambia County Commissioner W.D. Childers.

Daily Clips for November 11, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Florida GOP looks to stymie health-care overhaul By William E. Gibson and Bob LaMendola Orlando Sentinel Fresh from their election victories, Florida Republicans say they plan to remake the nation's new health-care law to reduce the role of government, limit malpractice claims and give doctors more incentive to serve Medicare patients. Marco Rubio leads showdown on budget ‘pork’ By Lesley Clark Miami Herald Not yet in office, Florida Sen.-elect Marco Rubio will play a significant role next week in what promises to be the first post-election test of tea party-backed lawmakers' ability to deliver on campaign pledges. Former Sink running mate may be next to chair Florida Dems By News Service of Florida Florida Times-Union Fresh from an unsuccessful turn as Democrat Alex Sink's running mate, former Sen. Rod Smith said Wednesday he may be willing to assume another against-the-odds task: leadership of the state's battered Democratic Party. Sen. Don Gaetz to head redistricting committee By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News State Sen. Don Gaetz, already in line for the 2012 Senate presidency, got a second scoop of political clout Wednesday with the chairmanship of a committee that will draw the boundaries of other lawmakers' districts. FLORIDA POLITICS John Thrasher to chair influential Senate committee By Matt Dixon Florida Times-Union State Sen. John Thrasher was picked Wednesday to serve as chairman of the Rules Committee, one of the Senate’s most powerful arms. Governor-elect Rick Scott issues ethics code By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Gov.-elect Rick Scott ordered a one-year lobbying ban for members of his transition staff and volunteers Tuesday. Regulatory reforms could present ‘first test’ for incoming Gov. Scott By Travis Pillow Florida Independent Throughout his campaign, Gov.-elect Rick Scott talked about the importance of reducing the “regulatory burden” on Florida businesses. House freshmen class wraps orientation By Jim Ash Florida Capital News They came and they saw, whether they conquer remains to be seen. Sen. Rubio: 'Tea Party Poster Boy' Or GOP Insider? By Greg Allen NPR One of the stars of the Senate's incoming freshman class — which includes at least 12 new Republicans — is Florida's Marco Rubio. Federal agents looked into unusual Wexler campaign investment two years ago By George Bennett Palm Beach Post Federal agents took an interest two years ago in a peculiar $150,000 real estate investment by former Democratic U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler's campaign, Wexler's former top aide and a businessman confirmed today. POLITICAL RACES Davis 'seriously considering' run for mayor By Christian M. Wade Tampa Tribune Ending months of speculation, former U.S. Rep. Jim Davis said Wednesday he is "seriously considering" a bid to become Tampa's mayor in the March elections. Supervisor of Elections finds box of 500 uncounted absentee ballots By Kevin D. Thompson Palm Beach Post In a county known for hanging chads, slow recounts and chaotic elections, the marathon recount for the Palm Beach County School Board District 6 seat has started to carve its own place in history. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Call for more Gulf damage study at Mote gathering By Kate Spinner Sarasota Herald-Tribune Fish in the Gulf of Mexico will continue to get sick, die or fail to reproduce as a result of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, scientists agree. LGBT Obama's Justice Department asks Supreme Court not to touch gay military ban The Associated Press Miami Herald Related: Little risk to war from gays in combat, says Pentagon study group The Obama administration urged the Supreme Court Wednesday to keep the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in the military in place while a federal appeals court considers the issue. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Lawmakers target Citizens Property Insurance, Medicaid within Florida to spur economic growth By Jim Turner TC Palm Expect a few statewide programs to disappear, Citizens Property Insurance and Medicaid within Florida to be revamped, and bureaucratic regulations shed in an attempt to spur economic growth, as lawmakers face a $2.4 billion deficit in the state’s coming federal stimulus-free budget. With new focus on trimmer government, doubts surface on high-speed rail costs By Robert Trigaux St. Petersburg Times Are the wheels getting wobbly and in danger of falling off the high-speed rail project planned and partially funded to connect downtown Tampa and Orlando? Florida receives $1 million workforce grant By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent The U.S. Department of Labor announced Monday that it would award Florida, along with a handful of other states, a grant to fund workforce databases. Will Florida see construction jobs boom? Moody's says yes, others, no By Mark Puente St. Petersburg Times Hammer and nails could be flying off the shelves next year if the predictions of one economic forecaster come true. Obama claims most stimulus projects have come in under budget, faster than expected St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Politifact By Robert Farley and Michael Grabell President Barack Obama says the time is ripe for immediate investment in infrastructure projects such as highways and bridges. HEALTH AND SENIORS Senate Republicans joining Florida lawsuit against health-care overhaul By Bart Jansen Ft. Myers News-Press The Senate’s top Republican is recruiting colleagues to join him in supporting Florida’s challenge to the federal health care reform law. Override could hit docs' dispensing By Jim Saunders Health News Florida Florida lawmakers could revive a plan to limit the costs of drugs that doctors dispense to workers-compensation patients --- bucking Gov. Charlie Crist, medical groups and a major Republican donor. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES FL Vet Connects By Whitney Ray Capitol News Service As American prepares to honor those who served our country, stunning statistics about retired soldiers still haunt our nation. Angst growing over immigration policies By Alfonso Chardy Miami Herald Fear is spreading among many day laborers in South Florida after Republicans won control of the House of Representatives, a move immigration activists say will make it more difficult -- if not impossible -- to legalize millions of undocumented immigrants. ICE confirms fingerprint-sharing program Secure Communities is mandatory By Elise Foley Florida Independent Immigration and Customs Enforcement official David Venturella started off a meeting with San Francisco law enforcement leaders on Tuesday with an apology.

Daily Clips for November 10, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Scott mingles with the Tallahassee insiders By John Kennedy News Service of Florida Related AP story: Rick Scott reveals little about strategy as governor during visit to Tallahassee Gov.-elect Rick Scott made his first post-election trip Tuesday to the Florida Capitol, taking part in a pair of brief, closed-door meetings with outgoing Gov. Charlie Crist and incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon. In the Capitol basement, political dreams fade By Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau A platform in the basement of the Capitol has been the stage for some of the state's brightest political stars twice a month for the past four years. Pelham lashes out at critics of state planning agency By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune Tom Pelham, the secretary of the state's land planning agency, lashed back at critics on Tuesday, saying that it was unfair to fault state planners when they have no role in writing laws or rules that guide Florida's growth. FLORIDA POLITICS Florida Gov. Crist's final days may be in vain By Jim Ash Ft. Myers News-Press With only eight weeks left in office, Gov. Charlie Crist finds himself at odds with his former party, an ultra-conservative Legislature poised to override 10 of his vetoes and the possibility that his successor will cancel scores of his appointments. Outgoing Sen. LeMieux mulls 2012 Senate bid By Brendan Farrington The Associated Press U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, appointed to his job in mid-2009, said Tuesday he is alarmed by soaring federal spending and that it might prompt him to run in his own right for the Senate seat held by Democrat Bill Nelson in 2012. Village Square reunites players in 2000 recount By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News With the whole world watching, a judge in the eye of Florida's 2000 presidential whirlwind worried that his borrowed courtroom looked a bit too tropical to be taken seriously. Incoming Senate President Haridopolos announces lieutenants By Brett Ader Florida Indpendent Senate President-designate Mike Haridopolos, R-Merrit Island, held a press conference in Tallahassee today announcing his leadership team will include Sen. Andy Gardiner of Orlando serving as Senate Majority Leader, and Sen. Mike Bennet of Bradenton as pro tempore. Congressional Black Caucus to allow West to join By Luke Johnson Florida Independent Related: West taps South Florida right-wing talk show host as chief of staff The Congressional Black Caucus will allow two black Republicans, Allen West of Florida and Tim Scott of South Carolina, to join, according to a statement made by the CBC’s chair, Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif. Navy Veterans charity may have been front for pumping money to politicians By Jeff Testerman and John Martin St. Petersburg Times Was the U.S. Navy Veterans Association, which operated as a tax-exempt charity from a Tampa duplex, really a front that siphoned cash donated by the public and pumped it into the campaigns of politicians? For the Carroll family, competition in politics and sports By Michelle Kaufman Miami Herald It's the summer of 1999 and 12-year-old Nolan Carroll II, a talented little soccer player and track star, is skating around his Jacksonville neighborhood with a stack of political fliers, going door to door to campaign for his mother. Haridopolos, soon-to-be leader of the Florida Senate, should set ethical standard for colleagues Editorial TC Palm Florida Senate President-elect Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, will ascend to his new — and powerful — position Nov. 16 under less-than-ideal circumstances. BALLOT INITIATIVES Respect will of the people Editorial Ft. Myers News-Press Attempts by politicians to thwart the express will of the people of Florida is bad enough. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Extravagant cost estimates for water quality standards written by industry, and disputed by state By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent Dozens of politicians, lobbyists and industry heads have written to both the EPA and Congress to argue against new water quality standards that would force many big utilities and agricultural companies to reduce the amount of waste they dump in Florida’s waterbodies. Gulf oil spill: Experts slam BP on safety The Associated Press Pensacola News Journal BP too often operated on the fly in the closing days of work on its doomed Gulf oil well, adding needless risk of a blowout, investigators, experts and panel members said at the presidential oil spill commission Tuesday. Bait fish hold key to monitoring gulf oil spill effects, conference concludes By Craig Pittman St. Petersburg Times One way to keep tabs on the real impact of the Deepwater Horizon disaster on the Gulf of Mexico, a scientific conference decided Tuesday, is to watch what happens to the lowly bait fish: the menhaden, the mullet, the sardines. South Florida water managers weigh costly consequences of sea level rise By Andy Reid South Florida Sun-Sentinel For millions of South Floridians, life on a peninsula means melting icecaps in Greenland aren't just something for polar bears to worry about. LGBT 2 lawsuits challenge U.S. Defense of Marriage Act The Associated Press Miami Herald Gay civil rights groups trying to build momentum for a possible Supreme Court showdown filed two lawsuits Tuesday that seek to strike down portions of a 1996 law that denies married same-sex couples federal benefits. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Insurance claims for Florida sinkhole damage spike By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Florida homeowners are filing damage claims from sinkholes at a rapidly growing rate with claims this year totaling one-third more than the previous four years combined. Extra funds for NASA in doubt By Bart Jansen Ft. Myers News-Press The Republican takeover of the House may threaten the additional funding for NASA requested by President Barack Obama. HEALTH AND SENIORS Cannon defends veto override of bill opposed by doctors By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune Incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon on Tuesday defended a decision by lawmakers to override the veto of HB 5603, a measure that was hotly opposed by many in the medical community and may have sparked campaign contributions for Republicans. State GOP leaders look at way to trim Medicaid costs By Stacey Singer Palm Beach Post Until last week, the idea of any state pulling out of the federal-state Medicaid health insurance program was inconceivable. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Florida's Clemency Board open to posthumous pardon for Jim Morrison By Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau One of the final acts for Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet could be to clear the record of former Doors frontman Jim Morrison, who was convicted of indecent exposure after a 1969 concert in Miami. He died two years later.

Daily Clips for November 9, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Democrats jockey to take reins of state party By Adam C. Smith St. Petersburg Times Fresh off an across-the-board electoral drubbing last week, Democratic activists are jockeying to elect their first new state party chief in five years. Conflict brewing over Scott's agenda in Legislature By Mary Ellen Klas Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau When voters swept Republican Rick Scott into office and gave Republicans the kind of party dominance no governor has seen since Gov. Bob Graham was elected 32 years ago, the new governor-elect declared it the “end of politics as usual in Tallahassee.” GOP taking aim at Bill Nelson, the last Democrat standing By Mark K. Matthews Orlando Sentinel Florida Republicans walked away from last Tuesday's election in control of every major statewide office save one — the U.S. Senate seat of Democrat Bill Nelson. And if the GOP gets its way, that final stronghold will fall when Nelson runs for re-election in 2012. Crist now isolated lame duck By Jim Ash Florida Capital News With only eight weeks left in office, Crist finds himself at war with his former party, an ultra-conservative Legislature poised to override 10 of his vetoes and the possibility that his successor will cancel scores of his appointments. FLORIDA POLITICS Jacksonville City Hall probes company that Lt. Gov.-elect Carroll subleased from By Matt Dixon Florida Times-Union The company from which Lt. Gov.-elect Jennifer Carroll said she subleased office space for seven years is being investigated by Jacksonville City Hall. Carroll used the firm’s address to prove her consulting firm had a Duval County address and was eligible for a city contract program. While it's meeting next week, Florida Legislature should shut down the 'Taj Mahal' By Howard Troxler St. Petersburg Times Nobody, not even the chief judge in the $48  million "Taj Mahal" courthouse scandal in Tallahassee, lost an election because of it. Crist's Star Dims as LeMieux's Brightens By Bill Rufty Lakeland Ledger Gov. Charlie Crist so trusted his friend and advisor George LeMieux that when U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez resigned to return home to Orlando, Crist appointed LeMieux to fill out the last year and a half of his term. Fla. recount participants hold 10-year reunion The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Memories of hanging, dimpled and pregnant chads are being revived 10 years after helping make George W. Bush president. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Criticism runs deep for spill commission findings By Harry R. Weber Tampa Tribune Critics of a presidential commission's preliminary findings that largely supported BP's internal probe of the Gulf oil spill questioned Monday how anyone could suggest money wasn't put ahead of safety in the days before the disaster. Denied oil spill claimant: Coworkers got paid, but she didn’t By Travis Pillow Florida Independent Related: Federal agencies investigate mental and economic effects of BP oil spill I recently heard from another denied oil spill claimant who has struggled to get answers from the Gulf Coast Claims Facility. Her story offers further evidence of the facility’s opaque decision-making process, and sheds light on the frustrations of those seeking compensation for losses suffered as a result of the BP spill. New chief of gulf restoration effort has ties to Tampa Bay area By Craig Pittman St. Petersburg Times The man tapped to oversee the gulf coast's recovery from the BP oil spill is a Florida native who grew up swimming in the Gulf of Mexico off St. Pete Beach. EDUCATION Schools likely to get less from Florida Lottery in coming year By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune A new forecast is projecting that the Florida Lottery will produce less money than anticipated for schools next year. Dockery: Scott Will Want New Version of SB6 By Robin Sussingham WUSF Public Radio Tampa Some supporters of the controversial teacher performance bill, Senate Bill 6, hope that Governor-Elect Rick Scott will help to resurrect the measure. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Thousands of Florida elderly, disabled lose benefits in legal and political snarl By John Lantigua Palm Beach Post Ofelia Pimentel, 77, doesn't have words to express how worrisome the past four months have been - at least not in English. Citizens could be forced to drop nearly 200,000 policies across the state By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune Florida’s largest property insurer will have to shed nearly 200,000 policies along the coast in the next two years unless state lawmakers step in during next session. New, $2.5 billion train system would run between Jupiter and Miami By Ana M. Valdes Palm Beach Post A regional train system with dozens of stops connecting Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties through new routes and improved bus connections has received the green light from two local metropolitan planning organizations and many South Florida residents. HEALTH AND SENIORS GOP budget chief says repealing health care law won't happen until 2013 at earliest The Associated Press Orlando Sentinel The Republican in line to lead the House budget committee says the GOP needs a "better Senate" and President Barack Obama out of office before they can fully scrap Democrats' health care law. Attacking The Health Law: The GOP's Confusing And Incompatible Arguments By Jonathan Cohn Kaiser Health News Suppose I told you one of the political parties was determined to increase wasteful government spending by hundreds of billions of dollars, to pay the salaries of countless extra bureaucrats and to degrade the quality of medicine in the U.S. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Next CFO Atwater commits to support immigration verification program E-Verify By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent Efforts to enact E-Verify, a program that would stop the hiring of immigrants not authorized to work in Florida, will likely return in Florida’s 2011 legislative session.

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.