Daily Clips for November 5, 2010

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

Daily Clips for November 4, 2010

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

Progress Florida Daily Clips 11-3-10

FEATURED STORIES

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

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

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

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

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

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

POLITICAL RACES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BALLOT INITIATIVES

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

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

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

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

ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

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

LGBT

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

EDUCATION

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

JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY

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

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

HEALTH AND SENIORS

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

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

CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES

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

JUSTICE AND THE COURTS

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

Daily Clips for November 2, 2010

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

Daily Clips for November 1, 2010

PROGRESS FLORIDA IN THE NEWS Terry Jones pops up in political video By Chad Smith Gainesville Sun Progress Florida, a nonprofit organization pushing “progressive values,” has a message for the state’s voters: Conservative Floridians from Ann Coulter to Katherine Harris will be voting come Tuesday, and they don’t want you to. FEATURED STORIES Governor's election will be a watershed for Florida By Jeff Ostrowski Palm Beach Post Related: Scott gets shout-out from Jeb Bush; Sink bonds with teachers The governor's race — which promises to be the closest in years — is shaping up as a referendum on just how conservative Floridians want their state government to be. Razor-close governor's race triggers fear of recount, memories of 2000 By Lee Logan and Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Related: Governor, Senate rivals rally the faithful in a sprint for votes Like most Florida election officials, Pasco County Supervisor Of Elections Brian Corley dreads a close and confusing vote. So he'll seek help from a higher power Tuesday. In Florida, a wild election ride nobody envisioned By Adam C. Smith St. Petersburg Times Related: Marco Rubio holds 'commanding' lead in U.S. Senate race Look what you've wrought, Charlie Crist. Elections 2010: Who rose, who stumbled and who's likely to win in Florida races By Jim Stratton Orlando Sentinel After more than a year of politicking, Florida's nasty, brutish and long campaign season comes to a close Tuesday, as voters select a new roster of leaders in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. High stakes in Florida vote By Gary Fineout Sarasota Herald-Tribune Florida's bitter, expensive and wild election season will finally lurch to a close on Tuesday. End state's political gerrymandering By Brad Ashwell Ocala Star-Banner Election Day is near, and competition is in the air, or so it seems. Blocking the facts: Congress avoids truth on spill By Stephen Goldstein South Florida Sun-Sentinel Truth: It's as liberating as the Book of John says it is: "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." EDITORIAL CARTOON OF THE WEEK By Chan Lowe South Florida Sun-Sentinel Artist’s commentary: A Florida Halloween horror FLORIDA POLITICS In political twist, Sen. George LeMieux sets groundwork for 2012 By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times All eyes will be on Florida's new U.S. senator the day after Tuesday's election. But at a Marriott in Palm Beach Gardens, the man currently occupying the office will be seeking some attention of his own. Public Service Commission gives another reason to shudder Editorial Orlando Sentinel In July, we declared credibility at the state's Public Service Commission dead. Court to public: Shut up Editorial Pensacola News Journal That's the message from the Florida Supreme Court in refusing to hear an appeal of a case from Pensacola about the rights of Floridians to be heard by public boards on public issues under the state's Sunshine Law. POLITICAL RACES Money flows as campaigns near end By Lee Logan, Mary Ellen Klas, Alex Leary, Steve Bousquet, Beth Reinhard and Aaron Sharockman St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Staff Writers Related: PolitiFact Florida examines the 2010 campaign Republican Rick Scott gave his campaign another $11.6 million in the final 12 days, bringing his total personal spending to more than $73 million and making this far and away the most expensive governor's race in history. Scott-Sink race is a major test of voters' character By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times Related: Alex Sink and Bill McBride have adjusted to new roles in governor's race Related editorial: Don't let anger with D.C. cloud judgment on what's right for Florida For Florida voters, it's gut-check time. Last-Minute Sprint to Rally the Faithful By Gary Fineout New York Times Rick Scott and Alex Sink sprinted across the state. Alex Sink fights to make history in a tough political environment By Jim Ash Florida Capital News Related: Rick Scott, for better or worse, is defined by business background Four years ago, when a U.S. Senator from Illinois was making history by becoming the nation's first African-American president, Alex Sink was launching her political career in Florida, running statewide for chief financial officer. Rick Scott defends Jennifer Carroll in story about faked documents used in program application By Jeremy Cox Florida Times-Union Responding to a news story suggesting that altered documents helped give a boost to Jennifer Carroll’s consulting firm, Republican Rick Scott said Saturday he was standing by his running mate. State workers have stake in governor's race By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Rick Scott cites an example from his days running hospitals, when asked about reducing the size of Florida's government workforce and improving efficiency. Florida's frenzied Senate race gets even stranger as Election Day nears By Beth Reinhard, Michael Van Sickler and Aaron Sharockman St. Petersburg Times Only two people in the world know for sure whether former President Bill Clinton urged Democratic Senate candidate Kendrick Meek to bow out of the race, and both of them are denying it. Kendrick Meek both admired, doubted By Beth Reinhard Miami Herald Related AP story: Bill Clinton, Kendrick Meek to campaign together Monday Related AP story: Meek begins 24 hours of nonstop campaigning At Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church in downtrodden Liberty City, where he was baptized, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate was summoned to the altar. Independent voters leaning toward GOP in Cabinet races, poll shows By Paul Flemming Florida Capital News A poll released Saturday shows Republicans verging on a sweep of three open Cabinet seats. Pam Bondi, Dan Gelber criss-cross state in final days of attorney general race By Kathleen Haughney News Service of Florida The final days of campaigning for former Hillsborough prosecutor Pam Bondi and state Sen. Dan Gelber to be the next attorney general likely won?t be very polite. "The Buzz" House Race Rankings: The Final Frontier By Louis Jacobson St. Petersburg Times For the last time this election cycle, the Times' political blog the Buzz is ranking the six U.S. House seats in Florida that are most vulnerable to a party switch. Alan Grayson, Suzanne Kosmas fight off GOP By Carol E. Lee Politico Rep. Alan Grayson walked onto a stage for the final debate of his reelection campaign. Voters receive mystery – and illegal – mailer By Mark Schlueb Orlando Sentinel With just days left before the election, an illegal mailer has hit voters' mailboxes in the 8th Congressional District — and all candidates are denying responsibility for the mystery ad. Rivera, Garcia forage for votes By Patricia Mazzei Miami Herald More than 100 miles from their homes, Republican David Rivera and Democrat Joe Garcia waded for votes over the weekend in what seems like an unlikely locale for a Miami congressional election: the annual, ``world famous'' swamp buggy races in Naples. Klein-West race down to wire By Amy Sherman and Lesley Clark Miami Herald Democrat incumbent Rep. Ron Klein has run television ads accusing his Republican opponent of harboring a “sinister side,” of being “too extreme, too dangerous.” And he has highlighted Allen West's personal financial troubles, including a string of liens from his homeowners association. Who's giving tons of cash to candidates? By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel When Republican Rick Scott crashed the party and wrested the gubernatorial nomination away from the establishment-preferred candidate, the wealthy former health-care titan boasted that he owed special interests no favors and "Tallahassee dealmakers were crying in their cocktails." Millions of ‘Super PAC’ dollars flow through Tampa and into races nationwide By Luke Johnson Florida Independent “What the heck is an earmark?” asks a woman to herself in a coffee shop reading the right-leaning Las Vegas Review-Journal in an ad created by the Ending Spending Fund. Democrats hope to limit losses in campaign's last hours By The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Bracing for Monday's final burst of campaigning, President Barack Obama implored voters to remember that GOP policies failed to prevent the recession, while top Republicans said the public will deliver a harsh verdict on his stewardship of an anemic recovery. Student vote may be less of a factor By Nathan Crabbe Gainesville Sun University of Florida junior Jay Shooster voted for the first time in the 2008 presidential election, enthusiastically casting his ballot for Barack Obama. How a Republican landslide would look Wednesday morning By Howard Troxler St. Petersburg Times Sheer speculation for argument purposes only. No wagering. Watch the watchers on 'vote fraud' Editorial St. Petersburg Times Beyond ongoing problems with absentee ballots, voter fraud is not a serious problem. BALLOT INITIATIVES Amendments appear doomed come Election Day, poll shows By Marc Caputo Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau Every major constitutional amendment on the ballot looks doomed and so do each of the three Democrats running for Florida's Cabinet, according to a new poll of likely Florida voters. Millions of dollars muddle message on Amendment 4 By Andres Viglucci and Becky Bowers St. Petersburg Times Pop quiz: What is a comprehensive land use plan? 'Hometown' battle alters amendment landscape By Derek Catron Daytona Beach News-Journal For seven years, supporters and critics alike have been saying Florida Hometown Democracy's proposed constitutional amendment would bring sweeping changes to growth-management laws in the state. Florida Amendment 8 vote brings last minute surprise By Thomas Bradwell The Examiner The St. Petersburg Times reported on Friday that in a stunning admission, one of the sponsors of Amendment 8 conceded that if Amendment 8 fails at the ballot on Tuesday, "we will possibly look at other statutory fixes." Dirty closing tactics from groups fighting Amendments 5 and 6? By Abel Harding Florida Times-Union Fair Districts Florida, the group behind Amendments 5 and 6, said opponents of the effort, which would require legislative and congressional districts to be drawn "fairly," engaged in last-minute trickery. Time to put a stop to gerrymandering By Rosalie Bandyopadhyay Gainesville Sun Out of 420 elections for the Florida Legislature over the past six years, only three incumbents have been defeated. Letting the voters be heard Editorial St. Petersburg Times The best opportunity to bring fundamental change to Tallahassee and Washington is in a pair of constitutional amendments, not in a race for a particular office. By Jeff Parker Florida Today ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Halliburton Rejects Blame for BP Cement Job By John M. Broder New York Times Halliburton, whose failed cement job on the BP well in the Gulf of Mexico was identified as a contributing factor to the deadly blowout by a presidential investigative panel on Thursday, is defending its work and assigning the blame for the accident to BP. Feinberg takes questions from oil spill task force, announces additional improvements to claims process By Travis Pillow Florida Independent Speaking before Florida’s Oil Spill Economic Recovery Task Force Thursday, oil spill claims administrator Kenneth Feinberg faced lingering questions about the “unknown future” of the oil spill claims process as it prepares to enter its next stage. LGBT Gay rights activists push for discrimination ban The Associated Press Florida Today Jacksonville gay rights activists are meeting with business leaders to get their support for a measure that would ban discrimination based on sexual preference. Generation gap divides troops on gays in military By Kristin M. Hall and Tom Breen The Associated Press If you want to know what a member of the armed forces thinks about repealing "don't ask, don't tell," you could start by asking how old they are. EDUCATION Scott, Sink education plans differ greatly By Dave Weber Orlando Sentinel The direction of public education in Florida could hinge on Tuesday's election of a new governor, who will have wide influence on decisions affecting the schools. Election Day could bring big change to South Florida schools By Michael Mayo South Florida Sun-Sentinel These are uncertain times for South Florida public schools, with voters about to decide on a revision of the class-size amendment and a new governor. Concerns raised over scholarship program By Abel Harding and Paul Pinkham Florida Times-Union If the goal of Florida's Corporate Income Tax Credit Scholarship program is simply to reduce state spending on public education, it's graded an A. AP classes save families money, but for taxpayers the jury is out By Ron Matus St. Petersburg Times For a decade, Florida has gone gangbusters with Advanced Placement classes, pouring students and money into the college-caliber, high school courses that some say are a good way to prepare "average" students for higher education. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Home values down, but taxes going up By John McCarthy Florida Today The overall taxable value of Brevard County dropped by 12 percent this past year, the third consecutive decline. HEALTH AND SENIORS Florida could get $39 million to help with state employee health insurance costs By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune Florida has been approved to participate in a program that could lower its state employee health insurance costs by nearly $40 million in the next two years but is made possible by the federal health care overhaul legislative leaders have decried as unconstitutional. Florida loses sight of caring for its children By James P. McHale St. Petersburg Times Just last month, Pinellas County hosted a large rally for the Florida Children's Movement, a bipartisan group of parents, teachers, military leaders, business leaders and other concerned citizens fed up with Florida's horrific national standing in how we care for our children. Surgery 'complication?' Here's an option By John Koenig Health News Florida Andrew Kagan, the son of a Fort Myers orthopedic surgeon, remembers a malpractice case several years ago against one of his father’s partners. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES With Images Of Civil Rights, Blacks Urged To Vote The Associated Press NPR On the Sunday before Election Day, preachers told black churchgoers across the country to get out and vote — and defy predictions that they'll be complacent or uninterested in a year that President Barack Obama isn't on the ballot. Poll: Florida Latino Voters Rally to Polls By Anti-Immigration Stands By Gina Presson Public News Service Florida New polls show Latino voters in Florida and across the country are "more enthusiastic" about going to the polls Tuesday, in part rallied by anti-immigration stands by candidates like Rick Scott and Marco Rubio. Tea Party racism? By Ken Warren Florida Today A new report from the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights says there are solid links between tea party factions and acknowledged hate groups. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Trip to see furnishings for 'Taj Mahal' was quashed By Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times Three years ago, when Paul M. Hawkes was chairman of the building committee for the courthouse now called the "Taj Mahal," he checked into buying more than $1 million in furniture for the building. Scott's ill-advised prison plan By Tiffany L. Thagard Ocala Star-Banner With the state's unemployment rate at an all-time high, how is Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott's plan beneficial? Scott Rothstein scandal: One year later By Jon Burstein and Paula McMahon South Florida Sun-Sentinel Fallout from the largest fraud in South Florida history continues after the dark secret behind Scott Rothstein's success was revealed a year ago this week.