Daily Clips for January 26, 2011

FEATURED STORIES Gov. Rick Scott stalls new voter-approved redistricting standards By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Two voter-approved constitutional amendments requiring the Legislature to draw political districts along nonpartisan standards could be jeopardized by one of Gov. Rick Scott's first acts. Lawmakers home in on school cuts By Kathleen Haughney News Service of Florida Teacher layoffs. Few if any electives. School supplies that only last a school a few months. President Obama calls on America to rise above differences By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times Related: Florida reacts to the State of the Union Related: Fact-checking Obama's State of the Union speech With an empty chair symbolizing the violence in Arizona, and a divided Congress coming together in its aftermath, President Barack Obama called on America Tuesday night to rise above differences and take on an increasingly competitive world with innovative ideas. FLORIDA POLITICS Fair Districts Now: Scott, others ‘abuse power’ in attempt to squelch Amendments 5 and 6 By Cooper Levey-Baker Florida Independent Related: Cannon’s team on joining anti-Amendment 6 lawsuit: ‘It is prudent for the House to be involved’ The Miami Herald and the Orlando Sentinel are both reporting that Gov. Rick Scott instructed the Department of State to ask the federal government to halt its approval of Amendments 5 and 6, the two popular so-called “Fair Districts” amendments that limit the legislature’s ability to gerrymander districts. House, Senate will hold 20 hearings on redistricting By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post House and Senate leaders will hold at least 20 public hearings throughout the state regarding the drawing of Florida’s legislative and Congressional seats, Senate Reapportionment Committee Chairman Don Gaetz announced today. Senate committee debates sinkholes, insurance coverage By Paul Flemming Florida Capital News This year's big insurance legislation slogged through a Senate committee hearing Tuesday without a vote as members debated changes to sinkhole coverage. Corcoran tapped as future speaker of the House By Adam C. Smith and Mary Ellen Klas St. Petersburg Times Rep. Richard Corcoran, R-Trinity, has been selected by fellow Republicans to become speaker of the state House of Representatives in 2017-18. Sources: David Rivera aide subpoenaed in criminal probe By Marc Caputo Miami Herald Congressman David Rivera’s longtime aide, Alina Garcia, was subpoenaed in a criminal investigation tied to the lawmaker’s financial relationship with a dog track, two sources familiar with the subpoena tell the Miami Herald and the Herald/Times. GOP already drawing up plans should Rivera have to leave Congress By Luke Johnson Florida Independent Politico reported this morning on how the ethical troubles of Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, are affecting his relationship with the House GOP caucus in Washington. Obama SOTU includes some Scott-like talk, but guv doesn’t buy it By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post President Barack Obama threw out a few items in his state of the union speech that sounded as if they could have been lobbed by Gov. Rick Scott. New RNC chair coming to Tampa Thursday on convention issues By William March Tampa Tribune As expected, newly elected Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus is coming to Tampa to talk to locals about preparation for the 2012 Republican Convention. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Thirty-nine Florida groups seek to block federal water standards By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com Representatives of 39 utility, development and agricultural groups on Tuesday sent a letter to Florida's senators and congressional representatives asking them to deny federal agency funding to implement new water quality standards. Senators examine BP claims process By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News The head of the Southeastern Fisheries Association told legislators Tuesday the BP oil claims process is slow and haphazard, with settlements apparently depending on the luck of the claims-adjuster draw. Audubon: Park visitation numbers show need for Florida Forever funding By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent New data from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection shows that state park visitation numbers were a bright spot in an otherwise rough economic climate. PSC approves Gulf Power conservation plan after initial rejection By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com The Florida Public Service Commission on Tuesday approved an energy conservation plan for Gulf Power Co. after initially rejecting a plan submitted by the utility last fall. EDUCATION In science, Florida students are average at best By Ron Matus St. Petersburg Times Reading? Better. Math? Better. Science? Well… Florida's Hispanic students outshine nation in science By Kathleen McGrory Miami Herald Florida's Hispanic students outperformed their counterparts across the country on the national science exams, according to data released Tuesday by the federal Department of Education. Education in Florida: B Minus With Shaky Future Editorial Lakeland Ledger Florida scored an impressive fifth place in the new national report ranking the quality of public education in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Gov. Scott granted extension for state budget proposal By Paul Flemming Florida Capital News Gov. Rick Scott has an extra day to figure out his state budget proposal. Las Vegas casinos pitch plan for Florida By Mary Ellen Klas St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Two of Las Vegas' largest casino operators made the case Tuesday for why Florida should consider "destination casino resorts" as the next-best hope for jobs and economic development. HEALTH AND SENIORS First medical malpractice bill is filed By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune A doctor-friendly bill that makes a series of changes to how medical malpractice cases are filed emerged this week. Medicaid battle ready to flare again Staff Report Health News Florida As a key state House committee gets ready today to start tackling Medicaid reform, activist groups are preparing for a debate that will last throughout the 2011 legislative session. Pharmacies fight mail-order drugs By Jim Saunders Health News Florida Community pharmacies are challenging the constitutionality of an eleventh-hour legislative decision last year that could spur thousands of chronically ill Medicaid patients to use mail-order drugs. Florida's nurse practitioners say they can save state millions By Kate Santich Orlando Sentinel When Mathew Harden accidentally smashed his hand on the job, the 35-year-old Bartow mechanic went to an emergency room for stitches and then to a nurse practitioner for follow-up treatment. Fasano, Nehr sponsor Florida bills to test air quality at ice rinks By Katie Sanders St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Two years ago, a team of East Lake High School hockey players fell ill during practice. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Lawmakers, experts explore alternatives to Arizona-style immigration law By Travis Pillow Florida Independent Related: Report highlights negative economic and legal impact of immigration enforcement ordinances Gov. Rick Scott touted the idea of bringing an Arizona-style immigration law to Florida on the campaign trail, and versions of such a law have been introduced in both the state House and Senate. For pro-gun Legislature, shootings underscore need to loosen regulations By Marc Caputo St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Hydra Lacy Jr. wasn't supposed to have a gun. Neither was Johnny Simms. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Chief justice pleads with senators to fully fund the courts By Kim MacQueen Florida Tribune Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady asked the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday to spare the state's hard-hit courts system from further cuts.

Daily Clips for January 25, 2011

FEATURED STORIES Rick Scott puts young campaign staffers in high-profile, in-house lobbying jobs By Katie Sanders St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau One kept track of Gov. Rick Scott's inauguration invitations and donations. House asking to join lawsuit over redistricting By Gary Fineout Sarasota Herald-Tribune Nearly 63 percent of Florida voters last November approved sweeping new standards for lawmakers to follow in drawing up new congressional and state legislative districts. Anti-abortion effort surges following Republican victories in November By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post Emboldened by the November elections, Florida lawmakers and their cohorts around the nation are pushing forward with measures to restrict abortions nearly four decades after the U.S. Supreme Court's monumental Roe vs. Wade decision made them legal. Senate panel hears more on immigration reform By Jim Ash Florida Capital News Florida banned employers from hiring undocumented workers 11 years ago, but the law has never been enforced, a top law-enforcement official told legislators Monday. Florida GOP, Democratic lawmakers to sit together at speech By Lesley Clark and David Goldstein Miami Herald Embracing the latest call for civility in Congress came easy for some in Florida's congressional delegation. FLORIDA POLITICS Democrats blast GOP leaders for intervention in suit targeting ‘Fair Districts’ By Cooper Levey-Baker Florida Independent Florida Democrats are sharply criticizing Republican state House leaders after a report by The Florida Independent this morning revealed that the House is moving to assist in a lawsuit seeking the removal of one of the state’s two popular anti-gerrymandering amendments. “Inside the Lines” website debuts to track Florida’s redistricting process By Peter Schorsch St. Petersblog 2.0 “Inside the Lines”, a hyper-focused website dedicated to tracking Florida’s historically contentious redistricting process, goes live today at InsideTheLinesFLA.com. Scott turns to campaign staffers to fill agency jobs By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune Just a few short months ago Christopher Chaney was holding two jobs: He was a legislative analyst for a lobbying firm while also working as head waiter at a downtown Tallahassee restaurant. Florida members of Congress choose comity over partisanship By William E. Gibson and Mark K. Matthews South Florida Sun-Sentinel When President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address to Congress and a national television audience Tuesday night, liberal Democrat Frederica Wilson of Miami plans to sit alongside conservative Republican Sandy Adams of Orlando in a quiet demonstration of nonpartisan civility. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Impact fee cuts gain traction By Dale White Sarasota Herald-Tribune Governments that long relied on impact fees charged to developers are backing off from charging the fees as a way to stimulate construction and the economy. Another top Florida DEP official is on the way out By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com The resignation of another top staffer has been accepted at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, creating another high-level vacancy under new DEP Secretary Herschel Vinyard. LGBT Another step for equality for gays, lesbians Editorial Miami Herald If the name Janice Langbehn sounds familiar, it's because she made headlines in Miami in 2007 when a social worker at Jackson Memorial Hospital wouldn't allow Ms. Langbehn to visit her dying partner, Lisa Ponds, because Florida is “an anti-gay state.” EDUCATION Florida Gov. Rick Scott doesn't want to fix public education, he wants to destroy it By Alan Mathison TC Palm The new governor and his advisory team on education don't seem to care what respected studies or the law say about poverty, merit pay or vouchers, but they seem destined to try the opposite of what sound research says should work. Last Days to Lock-in Sunshine State's College Savings By Eric Mack Public News Service Florida Only a few days remain to lock in today's prices for tomorrow's college education. Stargel on FOX, CNN and Soon NBC By Bill Rufty Lakeland Ledger Rep. Kelli Stargel’s parental responsibility bill in schools is gaining her national attention even before the first workshop or hearing on the legislation. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Scott pushes tax cuts, says balanced budget possible By James Call WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee Governor Rick Scott said he intends to keep his campaign promise to cut taxes as part of his plan to create 700 thousand new jobs. FL Pensions in the Cross-hairs By Glen Gardner Public News Service Florida A Florida union leader hopes to debunk what he sees as myths about the state's public pensions system that are being circulated by some legislators. Texas lawmaker offers advice on Florida's burgeoning prison budget By Janet Zink St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Both Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders have pledged to offset the state's nearly $4 billion budget shortfall with cuts to the prison system. Lawmakers renew efforts on property insurance bill Associated Press Lakeland Ledger Florida lawmakers are going back to work on a property insurance reform measure they believe will help state pay claims after a major hurricane or series of storms. Does selling state's two planes make financial sense? By Catherine Whittenburg Tampa Tribune In less than three weeks, Gov. Rick Scott plans to make good on one of his signature campaign promises: selling off both the state's planes. HEALTH AND SENIORS New measures planned to fight Medicare fraud By Kelli Kennedy Associated Press Federal health officials announced new security measures Monday to combat Medicare fraud, including tougher screenings for providers and the ability to withhold payments during investigations. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Polarizing views clash at legislative hearing on immigration reform By Marc Caputo St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Illegal immigration either costs or saves Floridians billions of dollars. Modern-day slaves' story repeats daily in plain sight By Audra D. S. Burch Miami Herald For up to 16 hours daily, they worked at posh country clubs across South Florida, then returned to deceptively quiet houses in Boca Raton where they were captives -- and in the most dreadful cases, fed rotten chicken and vegetables, forced to drink muriatic acid and repeatedly denied medical help. Rubio calls Roe v. Wade ‘tragic’ By William E. Gibson Orlando Sentinel Florida Senator Marco Rubio expressed solidarity with Monday’s anti-abortion demonstration in Washington, the 38th annual “March for Life.”

Daily Clips for January 24, 2011

FEATURED STORIES Nelson the biggest target for GOP in Florida in '12 By Jeremy Wallace Gainesville Sun After dominating the midterm elections, Republicans hold every statewide elected office in Florida — except one. Sen. Marco Rubio won't commit to join tea party caucus By Lesley Clark Miami Herald A tea party caucus of U.S. senators convenes Thursday for the first time, but one of the movement's biggest stars doesn't plan to be there. Scott names ninth agency head; 16 more to go By Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Related: PolitiFact Florida: Three weeks in, a snapshot of Rick Scott's work in progress Gov. Rick Scott on Friday hired a fellow former health care executive, Jack Miles, to run the Florida department that oversees workers' benefits and the management and purchasing of state property. Scott changes ground rules with media By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News The minute Rick Scott became a candidate for governor, he wound up with his back to the wall — mobbed by Capitol reporters asking about things he had no desire to discuss. Gov. Rick Scott's school-voucher push faces legal hurdles By Leslie Postal Orlando Sentinel Stung by court defeats in Florida and Arizona earlier this decade, school-voucher advocates set out to create a new system that would give students choices beyond public schools but still pass constitutional muster. EDITORIAL CARTOON OF THE WEEK By Jim Morin Miami Herald FLORIDA POLITICS The enforced shallowness of Twitter suits Gov. Rick Scott By Frank Cerabino Palm Beach Post The social media site Twitter is perfect for our new Gov. Rick Scott. Weighing the public's right to speak By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times Believe it or not, taxpayers have no legal right to speak at public meetings in Florida. BALLOT INITIATIVES Amendment process scrutinized By Lloyd Dunkelberger Sarasota Herald-Tribune Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon remains irked about the state Supreme Court's decision to toss three constitutional amendments written by the Legislature off last fall's general election ballot. Personhood Florida enlists pastors to help promote amendment on Roe v. Wade anniversary weekend By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent The group sponsoring a ballot initiative that seeks to ban abortion and some forms of birth control says it plans on enlisting the help of Florida pastors this weekend, in an effort at gathering “several thousand” signatures to coincide with the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Florida GOP Champions Freedom, Liberty, and Busted Poop Tanks By Adam Weinstein Mother Jones Newly anointed billionaire arch-conservative Florida governor Rick Scott—along with his all-GOP cabinet and tea-party-led state legislature—will get around to the state's budget crisis, its mortgage meltdown, its educational woes, its brain drain, its disaster-preparedness services, and its corruption problems eventually. Rick Scott's plan to kill 'jobs-killing' anti-sprawl agency could prove tricky By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel Gov. Rick Scott in his campaign blasted the state agency that is charged with preventing sprawl and protecting open spaces, accusing it of "killing jobs all over the state." Fasano targets nuclear charges with bill By Bruce Ritchie Florida Tribune With the Public Service Commission next week holding hearings on revised charges for Florida Power & Light Co. customers, a Senate bill would eliminate a 2006 state law that allows utilities to charge for new nuclear plants even if they are never built. EDUCATION Hot-button issues to dominate South Florida education summit By Cara Fitzpatrick South Florida Sun-Sentinel Get ready for bruising battles this year over such hot-button education issues as merit pay, vouchers and charter schools. Race to the Top grant puts Broward teacher pay on front burner By Rafael A. Olmeda South Florida Sun-Sentinel Less than a year after teachers beat back a plan to tie their raises to student performance, school officials across the state, including Broward, are being compelled to resurrect the policy by May 1 or risk losing millions in federal funding. Patriots United claims bias toward Islam in school textbooks By Ron Matus and Jeffrey S. Solochek St. Petersburg Times They say Florida's social studies textbooks are biased in favor of Islam. Florida's public universities shut out of move to loosen Cuba travel restrictions By Janet Zink St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Academics around the country hailed the move last week by President Barack Obama's administration to loosen travel restrictions to Cuba. Lots of empty seats in new Fla. school buildings Associated Press Miami Herald A state program to aid school districts with urgent construction needs spent $108 million to add seats that now are empty. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Florida's unemployment steady but labor force increases by 7,000 in December By Jeff Harrington St. Petersburg Times For proof that numbers can be deceptive, look no further than December's unemployment report. Will Scott get Florida back to work? By Carlton Proctor Pensacola News Journal Gov. Rick Scott's ambitious plan to put Florida to work is about to collide with some harsh fiscal realities. Florida’s financial reckoning appears imminent By Abel Harding Florida Times-Union Florida is open for business. That’s the natural conclusion drawn from a report that ranked the cheapest places to locate corporate headquarters. They're ready to cut — are we ready to be cut? By Howard Troxler St. Petersburg Times Any yahoo politician can promise not to raise taxes, and usually does. Proposed Republican law would override local wage protection efforts By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent State Rep. Tom Goodson, R-Titusville, filed a bill Tuesday that would “preempt regulation of wage theft to state, except as otherwise provided by federal law, & supersedes any municipal or county ordinance or other local regulation on such subject.” Will GOP end high-speed rail's momentum? By Lloyd Dunkelberger Sarasota Herald-Tribune Florida's high-speed rail system may offer trains capable of running at 168 mph, but the project has yet to prove it can outrun the pull of state politics. Want to drive down the Geico or Disney Turnpike? By Brent Henzi Florida Tribune Floridians could be driving on the Walt Disney Turnpike as they drive by a large picture of Mickey Mouse after the upcoming legislative session. HEALTH AND SENIORS $65M pain-clinic rules pass By Carol Gentry Health News Florida Regulations on Florida pain-management clinics that will impose an estimated $65 million in costs on the private sector passed the Florida Board of Medicine unanimously on Friday, despite Gov. Rick Scott's edict to ban rule-making this year. Florida AG Bondi dodges Scott's roadblocks to take aim at pill mills By Kate Howard Florida Times-Union New Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi campaigned on making the fight against pill mills a priority. Two local lawmakers walk the walk in debate over health insurance By Bill Thompson Ocala Star-Banner Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill delighted in their vote last week to repeal the new federal health care law, serving it up as a campaign promise kept to the voters. Beyond the individual mandate By Travis Pillow Florida Independent Florida has two lines of argument in its legal challenge of the federal health reform law — one against the expansion of Medicaid, and one against the requirement that individuals purchase health insurance. The GOP's Health Care Plan: Blame the Lawyers By Stephanie Mencimer Mother Jones Do Republicans really have a plan for fixing the health care system? CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Don't copy Arizona immigration law, top Florida Republican warns By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post As a fifth-generation rancher and citrus farmer, Adam Putnam has a personal stake in an immigration overhaul, one of the most heated issues in Washington and Florida. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Whose fault is the Taj courthouse? By Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times Related editorial: Conduct unworthy of court So whom do we blame? We now have a $50 million courthouse everyone calls the Taj Mahal, and lots of folks want to find someone to blame. Union warms to new chief of corrections By Jim Ash Florida Capital News When it comes to Florida's newest prison boss, it's tempting to think Barney Fife. Divided FL Supreme Court orders review of post-prison lock-up of child molesters By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post In a split ruling, the Florida Supreme Court has ordered a review of the Jimmy Ryce Act that allows the state to keep pedophiles and other hard-core sex molesters locked up until a judge rules they are fit to return to society. Drug shortage could delay executions in Florida By Adam H. Beasley Miami Herald The nearly 400 men and women sitting on Florida's Death Row may have received a stay of execution -- at least temporarily -- from an unexpected source.

Daily Clips for January 21, 2011

PROGRESS FLORIDA IN THE NEWS Rick Scott "jackass" retweet caps off governor's "Twitter Town Hall" By Noah Pransky WTSP 10 TV Tampa Bay News video excerpt: But the executive director for Progress Florida, Mark Ferrulo, was disappointed Scott avoided fielding any tough questions. "Unfortunately, this really follows the pattern of this governor wanting to control the atmosphere," Ferrulo said, adding that Scott chose not to answer countless questions about school vouchers, women's rights, and minimum wage. Notes from Rick Scott’s Twitter Town Hall By Catherine Whittenburg Tampa Tribune Excerpt: Tweeted questions not answered by the governor so far include: -ProgressFlorida Will you take resources from cash-strapped public schools and give them to private companies? FEATURED STORIES A new frontier for Florida's governor: Twitter town hall By Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau For 38 minutes Thursday night, @FLGovScott sat in front of the laptop at his desk in the Governor's Mansion library, suit jacket on the back of his seat, and fired away answers in fewer than 140 characters. Gov. Scott must respect state's open government laws Editorial South Florida Sun-Sentinel Government must be open in Florida — no ifs, ands or buts about it. House speaker wants to restrict high court's powers By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel While professing not to have a concrete plan just yet, House Speaker Dean Cannon said Thursday that his chamber would try this year to strengthen the Legislature's hand in proposing changes to Florida's constitution. In letter blasting water quality rules, Associated Industries of Florida cites studies paid for by polluters By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent A group of Florida lobbyists, along with agriculture and industry executives, are once again pushing hard against EPA water quality rules, using cost estimates written in part by potentially affected industries to make their case. BEST OF THE BLOGS Florida’s Unsung Civil Rights Legend: Jack Orr By Kevin Cate KComm blog As we celebrate the legacy of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. today, I want to shine a light on one of Florida’s unsung civil rights heroes, John B. Orr, Jr. Florida’s Answer To Shootings: More Guns! Less Restrictions! By Inkberries Beach Peanuts In the wake of the shootings in Arizona, and the one at Florida State University last week where a drunk student accidentally killed his girlfriend’s twin sister with an AK-47, you might think that logic would dictate the idea of tightening notoriously permissive gun laws in Florida. Will jerking around the press hurt Rick Scott? By John Fleming Tone and Habit My own advice to people is to be as accessible as you can, provide as much information as you can, and always return press phone calls before deadline. Elections have consequences: Rick Scott adoptions stance, appointee spark worries By Joy-Ann Reid The Reid Report Florida Governor Gollum Rick Scott says adoptions should be reserved for married couples. The Frustrating Existence of Rick Scott By Jake Rantings from Florida I spent a lot of time on this blog in advance of the election saying Rick Scott shouldn't be governor because he was a lousy crook. FLORIDA POLITICS Nelson, Rubio plan to sit together during State of the Union speech Staff Report St. Petersburg Times Sen. Bill Nelson and his new colleague Marco Rubio will walk together to the State of the Union speech and plan to sit together, Nelson told members of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce on Thursday at Sirata Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach. Fla. probes finances of new US Rep David Rivera By Laura Wides-Munoz Associated Press State authorities said Thursday they are investigating financial dealings by South Florida U.S. Rep. David Rivera, who failed to report loans from his mother's gambling-related marketing company before the election. Scott should loosen press restrictions Editorial Daytona Beach News-Journal Rick Scott didn't exactly have a warm relationship with the press during his campaign for governor. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY How to prepare for the next oil spill By Steven Murawski and William Hogarth St. Petersburg Times Last week the federal Oil Spill Commission — co-chaired by former Gov. and Sen. Bob Graham and former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator William Reilly — released its final report on the Deepwater Horizon incident. Century Commission says it should develop Florida strategic plan By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com The Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida says it wants to help Florida develop a strategic plan as suggested by Gov. Rick Scott. Federal lawsuit contends panthers and other Florida species threatened by pesticides By Bruce Ritchie Florida Tribune Two national environmental groups on Thursday filed a lawsuit claiming that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had failed to consult with wildlife agencies on regulating pesticides that are harmful to endangered species, including the Florida panther. LGBT Bill to delay ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal introduced in House, Reps. Miller, West sponsor By Luke Johnson Florida Independent The repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the U.S. military’s policy of banning openly gay servicemembers, was signed into law late last year. 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy cost Pentagon more than $193 million in six years, GAO concludes By Nancy A. Youssef McClatchy Newspapers The U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" ban on gays serving openly in the military cost the Pentagon more than $193 million over six years, the Government Accountability Office reported Thursday. EDUCATION As Legislature cuts school budgets, it may revive local option tax By Denise-Marie Balona Orlando Sentinel As public schools in Florida brace for big budget cuts next school year, key state lawmakers will consider allowing local districts to keep charging an optional property tax introduced two years ago. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Rep. Mica: Private funds should pay for high-speed rail By Travis Pillow Florida Independent John Mica, the Central Florida congressman who oversees the U.S. House transportation committee, took a position on the high-speed rail line from Tampa to Orlando that appears increasingly fashionable among Republicans: He supports it, as long as private companies pony up the state’s share of funding for the project. Senator wants to bring back sales tax holiday this year By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune Despite a sizable budget gap that may thwart any talk of tax breaks, the chairman of the Senate tax-writing panel wants to try to bring back the sales tax holiday in 2011. Florida Tax, Budget Cuts: 'Make It So Is Not Enough' Editorial Lakeland Ledger Rick Scott's confidence -- plus a sharply honed message, millions of dollars for television advertising and a statewide backlash against Democrats -- helped him get elected governor of Florida. Send help for farmworkers, too Editorial Miami Herald Help is on the way for Miami-Dade County's frost-besieged farm operators, say county officials, and that's good news for the local economy. Getting Florida its fair share Editorial St. Petersburg Times Facing a $3.6 billion deficit, Republican state leadership is contemplating which services to cut. HEALTH AND SENIORS Medicaid providers look for tax break By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune Medicaid mental health providers are asking the Legislature for a tax break. Cost of pill-mill rules: $65M By Carol Gentry Health News Florida The cost of implementing now-frozen regulations on Florida’s pain clinics would be about $65 million a year, an economic study concludes. Officials: Florida ‘very close’ to a solution to HIV/AIDS medication funding crisis By Travis Pillow Florida Independent Officials are working out the details of a temporary solution to the funding shortfall for the program that supplies medications to more than 10,000 low-income HIV/AIDs patients in Florida. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Doctors: This gun bill could be downright deadly By Scott Maxwell Orlando Sentinel On Sunday, we took a look at freshman legislator Jason Brodeur's far-out idea to arrest and fine doctors who ask their patients questions about gun safety.

Daily Clips for January 20, 2011

FEATURED STORIES Lawmakers casting doubt on Scott's promises of tax cuts By William March Tampa Tribune With newly elected Gov. Rick Scott's first session of the Florida Legislature about to start, Republican legislative leaders are casting doubt on his campaign promises for tax cuts. Scott denies he's shutting out Fla. media, public By Bill Kaczor Associated Press Gov. Rick Scott turned aside criticism Wednesday that his administration is shutting out the news media and the public during an appearance before newspaper editors, broadcasters and the Capitol press corps. Gov. Scott to answer questions from public during Twitter town hall today Staff Report Florida Capital News Gov. Rick Scott will answer questions today on a microblogging website. Democrat Nelson seeks third Senate term in state dominated by GOP By Marc Caputo St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Sen. Bill Nelson has been here before — the lone statewide Democrat in a red sea of Republicanism. FDLE takes lead in David Rivera probe By Scott Hiaasen and David Ovalle Miami Herald Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernández Rundle has removed one of her top prosecution teams from the investigation of U.S. Rep. David Rivera and asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to take over as the lead agency in the politically sensitive probe. FLORIDA POLITICS Rick Scott: Budget plan will cut taxes despite $3.6 billion shortfall By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau As Gov. Rick Scott boldly predicted he would keep a campaign promise to cut taxes, both top legislative leaders Wednesday expressed doubt because of the size of the state's budget shortfall. All-new Cabinet, including first woman AG, meets By Jim Ash Florida Capital News Gov. Rick Scott presided over his first Cabinet meeting on Wednesday — the agenda was wafer thin, the atmosphere distinctly elephantine. Smokey Bear, orange juice and a light agenda mark new Florida Cabinet's first meeting By Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau The first meeting Wednesday between Gov. Rick Scott and his fellow Republicans on the Florida Cabinet included a photo with Smokey Bear and decanters of orange juice but little official business. Gov. Scott plans tax cuts By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Despite skepticism by top legislative leaders, Gov. Rick Scott said Wednesday he will rally public support and convince lawmakers to dig out of a $3.5-billion revenue hole and cut taxes at the same time. Boot-scooting guv fields media questions By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post Cowboy boot-scootin’ Gov. Rick Scott fielded questions from the media today at the annual AP legislative planning session, deflecting questions about how he plans to hand out tax breaks to property owners and businesses while at the same time cutting $3.6 billion in spending. Rivera and others used leftover campaign cash on computers, cigars and meals By Gary Fineout The Fine Print This past weekend the Miami Herald reported that an ongoing investigation into U.S. Rep. David Rivera was focusing on how he spent leftover campaign funds. Julius Melendez says Hispanic districts not key to electing Hispanics By Jeannette Rivera-Lyles Orlando Sentinel In a recent interview for an article about redistricting, Osceola School Board vice chair, Julius Melendez, shared a most interesting point of view. State ethics: 'Reform is essential' Editorial Florida Times-Union It’s good to see new Florida Gov. Rick Scott getting to work quickly on ethics. POLITICAL RACES Mike Haridopolos, the state Senate president, and U.S. Senate candidate By Aaron Sharockman St. Petersburg Times State Sen. President Mike Haridopolos told members of the Tallahassee press corps Wednesday that he hasn't decided whether he'd raise money for his 2012 U.S. Senate campaign during the spring legislative session. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Scott: We "clearly need" better growth management By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday said he supports growth management but says it needs to be improved. Septic tank measure becomes law without Scott's signature By Bruce Ritchie Florida Tribune Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday allowed a bill to become law that delays a statewide inspection requirement for septic tanks. For Putnam, it's all about the water By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam told Florida reporters and editors Wednesday that the most important long-term policy issue facing the Sunshine State is quantity and quality of water. Cabinet confirms Vinyard to DEP post; Eight top vacancies remain By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com New Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel Vinyard, a former shipyard executive, was confirmed by the Cabinet Wednesday. Bondi to press Feinberg on oil spill payments By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Attorney General Pam Bondi said Wednesday her office will start pressing BP Oil and federal claims administrator Ken Feinberg to expedite payments to Florida businesses affected by the Deepwater Horizon spill last summer. Feinberg acknowledges ‘mistakes,’ says fund will ‘take another look’ at denied oil spill claims By Travis Pillow Florida Independent Oil spill claims administrator Kenneth Feinberg told a room full of representatives of Florida’s tourism industry that the Gulf Coast Claims Facility would “take another look” at denied claims when claimants file for final or quarterly “interim” payments. LGBT Rick Scott says he opposes gay adoption but won't challenge court ruling By Mary Ellen Klas and Carol Marbin Miller St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Related editorial: Scott shouldn't reverse adoption advance Gov. Rick Scott said Wednesday that he doesn't have any immediate plans to change the state policy on gay adoptions but he remains opposed to it, as does his new appointee to the agency that handles adoptions of children in state care. Man who fought gay adoption ban adopts 2 boys Associated Press Palm Beach Post A homosexual Miami man has officially adopted two brothers in a case that overturned Florida's three-decade ban on gay adoptions. EDUCATION School superintendents gather in Hillsborough to discuss reforms By Tom Marshall St. Petersburg Times Some two dozen Florida school superintendents and union chiefs gathered Wednesday to find common ground in the contentious debate over improving the state's education system. Will parent grades help kids or hurt teacher-parent relations? By Michael Mayo South Florida Sun-Sentinel If state Rep. Kelli Stargel has her way, I'll be getting my first parent grade in autumn 2012, when my daughter is in first grade. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Time bomb of rising bills awaits Floridians By Robert Trigaux St. Petersburg Times Through these tough economic times, we've kept some hefty bills artificially low. Nelson Presses Scott on Rail Plan By Keith Laing News Service of Florida U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson leaned hard on new Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday to punch the state's ticket for high speed rail connecting Tampa and Orlando, particularly since the federal government has offered to pay 90 percent of the cost. HEALTH AND SENIORS Florida Republicans join celebration as House votes for repeal of health care law By William E. Gibson South Florida Sun-Sentinel Applause broke out on the House floor and in the visitor galleries on Wednesday when Republicans fulfilled a campaign promise by passing a bill to repeal the sweeping health care reforms signed into law by President Barack Obama last year. As Health Care 2.0 begins, Democrats look to overturn failure in PR war By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times Wednesday's repeal of the health care overhaul was a show of affection for voters that gave Republicans control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Health Care: Stop Arguing About Repeal and Focus on Enacting the Right Reforms By Dennis Maley Bradenton Times While Republicans in Congress have made the repeal of the Affordable Care Act a rallying call, vowing to repeal it in light of their post-election gains, industry experts remain unwavering in their assertion that reforms will move forward unfettered. Will feds thwart FL GOP on Medicaid? By Jim Saunders Health News Florida With Rick Scott in the governor's office and new legislative leaders vowing to overhaul Medicaid, a statewide managed-care program has looked like a sure thing. Funding gap threatens AIDS drug help By Fred Tasker Miami Herald Patients who need HIV/AIDS drugs but can't afford them could be in danger of going without if the Florida program that supplies the drugs runs out of money as threatened by mid-February, state officials said Wednesday. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES In Tallahassee, Only Thing Missing Is Cactus By Ralph De La Cruz Florida Center for Investigative Reporting Florida lawmakers, it seems, are having a Bugs Bunny moment. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Trial set for Sansom, Richburg and Odom, charged with mishandling state funds in local business scheme By Tom McLaughlin Northwest Florida Daily News Leon County Circuit Court Judge Terry Lewis has ruled against Ray Sansom’s latest request to postpone his criminal trial. Judge: I'm temporarily sealing Jim Greer's tell-all book By Rene Stutzman Orlando Sentinel An Orlando judge today temporarily sealed the manuscript of a tell-all book ousted Florida GOP chairman Jim Greer was trying to sell to a publisher.

Daily Clips for January 19, 2011

FEATURED STORIES New DCF chief's resumé mirrors Scott's By Carol Marbin Miller Miami Herald Florida's new social services chief will look a lot like the state's new governor: a corporate executive with conservative social roots. Reporters say Fla. gov's media rules too tight By Michelle Morgante Associated Press Journalists who cover Florida's capital complained to industry leaders Tuesday that the new administration of Gov. Rick Scott is skirting free-press traditions and attempting to control their work by limiting access to events and being slow to provide public records. Florida's lawsuit over health care law swells to 26 states By Janet Zink St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau The political sea change marked by the November elections on Tuesday pulled six more states into Florida's lawsuit challenging the national health care legislation, making it one of the biggest tests of federal authority in the country's history with 26 states now in line. Florida legislators have much at stake in vote to repeal health care law By William E. Gibson South Florida Sun-Sentinel While a divided U.S. House prepares to vote on repealing the nation's health care law, Republicans as well as Democrats from Florida pledged on Tuesday to retain popular new protections for patients while trying to make insurance affordable. FLORIDA POLITICS Gov. Scott takes jobs message to struggling Panhandle By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Gov. Rick Scott brought his jobs message to the Panhandle on Tuesday, telling local business leaders he will keep his promise to make Florida the best state for job creation. Gov. Scott taps Accenture executive for head of DCF By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Gov. Rick Scott reached outside state government for another department head Tuesday, naming a retired Accenture executive to head Florida's public-welfare agency. Scott holding first meeting with Florida Cabinet Associated Press Tampa Tribune Gov. Rick Scott and Florida's three Cabinet members, all newly elected and all Republicans, are holding their first meeting. Gov. Rick Scott discusses goals at annual AP event Associated Press Tampa Tribune Many Florida newspaper editors and broadcasters are about to get their first close-up look at the state's new governor. Jacksonville representative bows out of race to become state House speaker By Matt Dixon Florida Times-Union After doing the math and determining that his run at becoming House speaker in 2016 was going to come up short, state Rep. Daniel Davis, R-Jacksonville, announced Tuesday he is no longer seeking the post. POLITICAL RACES Bill Nelson talks re-election, healthcare reform in Jacksonville visit By Abel Harding Florida Times-Union U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said Florida Democrats got caught in a "tidal wave" in 2010, something he doesn't see being repeated in 2012. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Bill would block DEP from implementing new federal water rules By Bruce Ritchie Florida Tribune A Florida lawmaker wants to escalate the growing feud between the federal government and the state over controversial water standards. EDUCATION Florida lawmaker pushes bill to end FCAT By Carli Teproff Miami Herald Saying the FCAT creates more harm than good, a freshman state legislator said Tuesday she is championing a bill in the House that would do away with the annual state exams. Going digital: State board pushes schools' conversion by 2014 By Leslie Postal Orlando Sentinel The State Board of Education wants Florida lawmakers to toughen standards for A-to-F school grades and for the state's pre-kindergarten program. It's time to grade parents, new bill proposes By Leslie Postal and Denise-Marie Balona Orlando Sentinel Every year, Florida's students, schools and districts are graded based on their performance. Class Size Penalties Headed to Legislature By Whitney Ray Capitol News Service The State Board of Education is recommending 30 million dollars in fines for school districts that broke the class size law. New Plan Means New Way to Pay for Florida Colleges By Glen Gardner Public News Service Florida Governor Rick Scott has declared war on Florida's unemployment with his "let's get to work" slogan, promising to create new jobs. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Mica supports billion-dollar high-speed rail in Florida, with a caveat By Larry Hannan Florida Times-Union U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., supports constructing a high-speed rail system between Orlando and Tampa. HEALTH AND SENIORS Repealing Progress The Progress Report Think Progress This week, conservatives in the House and Senate plan to push to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the health care reforms that President Obama signed into law last March. Pain clinics feel the impact of a new state law — for now By Letitia Stein St. Petersburg Times Florida's pain management industry is starting to feel the effects of a new law that limits who can own pain clinics, part of an effort to stop unscrupulous operators notorious for dispensing huge amounts of prescription narcotics. Feds: Tampa pharmacy led U.S. in dispensing painkiller By Elaine Silvestrini Tampa Tribune During the first three months of last year, a Tampa pharmacy dispensed more oxycodone than any other retail pharmacy in the nation, federal investigators say. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Florida legislator may dial back proposed Arizona-style law By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post Concern about scaring tourists and potential high-tech workers away from the Sunshine State is threatening passage of the Arizona-style immigration measure backed by Gov. Rick Scott. Uncertainty over Arizona-style immigration law in Florida leaves immigrant rights activists guessing By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent Conflicting signals from Florida legislators about the possibility of an Arizona-style law are leaving Florida’s immigrant rights community confused about what to expect in 2011. Little hope seen for state Dream Act By Patricia Mazzei Miami Herald For years, former state Rep. Juan Carlos Zapata of Miami tried unsuccessfully to get his fellow Republicans in Tallahassee to pass a bill allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at Florida's public universities. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Odom won't be on trial alone By Alex Leary and Mary Ellen Klas St. Petersburg Times Ray Sansom, Jay Odom and Bob Richburg will go to trial together in March after a judge ruled in favor of a state motion to consolidate the cases.