Daily Clips for November 3, 2011

AWAKE THE STATE IN THE NEWS

Awake the State starts a one-year goal of awaking voters
By Janelle Irwin
WMNF Tampa Community Radio
Related: Sarasota’s Awake the State rally focuses on the “worst legislative session in Florida’s history”
The 2012 elections are only twelve months away and a progressive-leaning group is beginning the process of getting voters informed and to the polls.

Occupy Miami supporters march on Bank of America
By Marcos Restrepo
Florida Independent
Excerpt: “Miami Workers Center is very excited about this movement,” Yeomans-Benford said. “Today is part of a statewide day of action called Awake the State, so Awake Miami is part of Awake the State, today you have Florida Immigrant Coalition, Power U and unions like SEIU, the AFL, UNITE/HERE and Occupy Miami, and you have here the opportunity to build a broad progressive front to demand real change and real accountability.”
Related: St. Petersblog 2.0: Floridians mobilize at 15 Awake The State rallies one year from Election Day – 2012
Related: Creative Loafing Tampa: Alex Sink shows a human side at Awake the State rally in Tampa

FEATURED STORIES

Report: Rick Scott’s former company Solantic taking jobs to Tennessee
By Michael C. Bender
St. Petersburg Times
The chain of health care clinics started by Gov. Rick Scott is moving some jobs out of Florida, a financial newspaper in Jacksonville reported.

Rick Scott, One Year After Election
By Mike Vasilinda
Capitol News Service
One year ago today, Governor Rick Scott eked out a victory in one of the closest statewide races in Florida history.

Fla. lawmakers may avoid major issues in 2012
By Gary Fineout and Bill Kaczor
Associated Press
Heading into a critical election year, Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders appear ready to scale back the number of substantial issues they plan to tackle in 2012.

Poll: Marco Rubio veep could deliver Florida for Republicans
By Mary Ellen Klas
Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio could provide the juice needed for a Republican presidential candidate to win Florida, according to a new poll by Suffolk University.

Florida issues new water pollution standards
By Craig Pittman
St. Petersburg Times
Amid a long-running political fight over new water pollution standards being imposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Florida officials Wednesday unveiled their own new standards for limiting the most common form of pollution in the state's rivers, streams and estuaries.

FLORIDA POLITICS

Rick Scott 'disappointed' former Jennifer Carroll staffer arrested
By Matt Dixon
Florida Times-Union
Gov. Rick Scott Wednesday said he was disappointed that a former staffer for Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll was arrested and charged with making an illegal recording of a conversation and leaking it to the Times-Union.

New ‘free market’ think tank sets its sights on 2012 legislative session
By Ashley Lopez
Florida Independent
Just months after opening up shop, a Naples-based “free market” public policy group that has so far declined to disclose the source of its funding has already made inroads with state government, and is gearing up to influence Florida’s 2012 legislative session.

Casino bill will require lots of horse-trading
By Kathleen Haughney
Orlando Sentinel
As state lawmakers begin to vet a controversial destination casino bill, it's clear that there's going to be a lot of horse-trading required to get the measure to Gov. Rick Scott's desk.

Cannon refuses to take position on claims bill backed by Haridopolos
By Christine Jordan Sexton
Florida Current
House Speaker Dean Cannon said he doesn't want to take a stand on a claims bill that is top priority in the 2012 session for Senate President Mike Haridopolos.

POLITICAL RACES

Endorsement reversal: Haridopolos backs pal Connie Mack in U.S. Senate race
By Dara Kam
Palm Beach Post
One-time U.S. Senate candidate and Senate President Mike Haridopolos is backing long-time friend U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV in the GOP primary, Haridopolos told editors and reporters this morning.

GOP Senate candidates say politicians have failed
By Brent Kallestad
Associated Press
U.S. Senate candidate Craig Miller says Washington needs more businessmen making decisions instead of career politicians.

Poll: A Scott-Sink race today would be a dead heat
By Kathleen Haughney
South Florida Sun Sentinel
Massachusetts-based Suffolk University released more poll results from their October survey, finding that Gov. Rick Scott's performance still isn't garnering a lot of support among voters.

McCalister, Miller ready to turn back the political clock
By John Kennedy
Palm Beach Post
A pair of Republican U.S. Senate candidates showcased their stump speeches Wednesday at the Associated Press’ annual planning session at the state Capitol, with both pledging to shrink government and effectively turn back the political clock.

Candidate tries to squeeze Florida with OJ boycott
By Frank Cerabino
Palm Beach Post
Trying to orchestrate a boycott of Florida orange juice doesn't sound like a good way to appeal to the state's voters.

ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

Bondi, Putnam, affected industries join together to fight EPA water rules
By Virginia Chamlee
Florida Independent
In a Monday court filing, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, Attorney General Pam Bondi and a slew of industry representatives filed their opposition to EPA-mandated water pollution standards for the state.

Ethanol repeal bill passes committee with only one more stop to go
By Bruce Ritchie
Florida Current
A bill that would eliminate Florida's requirement that gasoline contain 10 percent ethanol passed a Senate committee on Wednesday.

Swiftmud planning conservation land sales
Staff Report
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Plans to sell off pieces of public conservation land are moving forward, with regional water managers holding their first formal meeting on the subject Thursday.

EDUCATION

Florida legislators skeptical of spending more for reading coaches
By Matt Dixon
Florida Times-Union
A panel of lawmakers met a request for an additional $40 million for 600 reading coaches with skepticism Tuesday, saying the state has already sunk a billion-plus dollars into the program with lackluster results.

Florida Senate moves ahead with school prayer bill
By Jeff Solochek
St. Petersburg Times
Florida state Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, has once again resurrected legislation that seeks to allow prayer at school events including graduations.

JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY

Protecting Millionaires v. Jobs Rebuilding Bridges, Roads & Airports
The Progress Report
Think Progress
Tomorrow, the Senate will attempt to take up the Rebuild America Jobs Act — part of the president’s jobs plan that will put hundreds of thousands of construction workers back to rebuilding our crumbling roads, bridges, airports, and other critical infrastructure.

Banks back down; consumers win
Editorial
St. Petersburg Times
Plans by the nation's biggest banks to charge customers monthly fees for using debit cards are being dropped faster than a Kardashian husband.

Solantic packs corporate bags
Staff Report
Florida Current
As Gov. Rick Scott touts job creation as his top priority the chain of clinics he founded a decade ago is moving its corporate headquarters from Jacksonville to Nashville, Tenn.

Expedient settlement makes tourist tax collections soar
By Sara K. Clarke
Orlando Sentinel
Orange County's hotel taxes for the month of September soared by 99.4 percent over a year earlier, after including a big boost from a secret settlement the county received from online-travel company Expedia.

2nd Miami casino site looking for suitors
By Douglas Hanks
Miami Herald
Miami’s other potential casino site wants to keep its options open.

HEALTH AND SENIORS

Senate panel demands answers to crisis in ALF care
By Erik Bolstad, Michael Sallah, and Carol Marbin Miller
Miami Herald
Sitting before U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and his colleagues, Alfredo Navas carefully recounted the day his sister told him by telephone the horrific news: that their 85-year-old mother drowned in a shallow lake behind the Miami-Dade assisted living facility where she was supposed to be protected.

Medium premiums going up due to “Obamacare”? Chain e-mail gets it wrong
By Angie Drobnic Holan
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald PolitiFact
A chain e-mail going around warns of a Medicare premium increase, saying monthly premiums will go up from $96.40 to $247 in 2014.

Congressional committee debates religious exemption in birth control decision
By Ashley Lopez
Florida Independent
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health met today to discuss the federal government’s decision to require health insurers to cover birth control services without co-payments.

WellCare, Humana Riding high
Staff Report
Health News Florida
Insurers are rolling in profits, especially the two that dominate Medicaid and Medicare in Florida, WellCare and Humana.

CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES

Nelson wants congressional hearing on state’s new voting rules
By Ashley Lopez
Florida Independent
Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., reiterated his request for a congressional investigation into Florida’s controversial new voting laws on the Senate floor today.

Get smart again in Florida
Editorial
Palm Beach Post
In March, Gov. Scott and the Florida Cabinet took 30 minutes to make a bad decision that affects hundreds of thousands of residents.

JUSTICE AND THE COURTS

Cannon won’t push major court reforms
By David Royse
News Service of Florida
House Speaker Dean Cannon said Wednesday he won’t push in the coming legislative session for the major changes to the judiciary that he pursued last year when he sought to ask voters to split the state Supreme Court and increase its size.

Filing fees, fines cannot cover court system costs alone, judges tell lawmakers
By Katie Sanders
Miami Herald
Lawmakers on Tuesday mulled suggestions from the judicial branch for stabilizing the oft-depleted budgets of courts and county clerks.

Daily Clips for November 2, 2011

AWAKE THE STATE IN THE NEWS

Occupy Orlando, Awake the State hold joint rally
By Jon Busdeker
Orlando Sentinel
Related: Occupy Orlando bristles over curfew, chamber lease
Occupy Orlando joined forces tonight with Awake the State for a meeting to speak out on voters' rights, corporate greed, government corruption and the upcoming legislative session.

Awake Tampa Motivates People to Go to the Polls
By Steve Newborn
WUSF Public Radio Tampa
A group called Awake Tampa met in downtown last night to kick off its one-year program to motivate people to go to the polls. One of the speakers was former candidate for governor Alex Sink.
Related: Florida Today: Protesters rally in front of Brevard schools offices
Related: Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Dozens protest Rick Scott in Sarasota
Related: Daytona Beach News-Journal: Protest rallies in Daytona Beach, Palm Coast urge Florida residents to vote
Related: FlaglerLive.com: Small Crowd, Loud Responses as Awake the State Demonstration Occupies Palm Coast
Related: Pensacola News Journal: Unions, students to rally in Gulf Breeze

FEATURED STORIES

Sen. Bill Nelson wants investigation of election law changes
By Mark K. Matthews
Orlando Sentinel
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is asking that Congress investigate whether restrictive new voting laws in more than a dozen states — including Florida — are part of an "orchestrated effort to disenfranchise voters," according to a letter released Tuesday.

Tea Party to Chris Dorworth: ‘Come clean or resign’
By Scott Maxwell
Orlando Sentinel
Establishment leaders in the Republican Party have remained silent about the growing questions surrounding aspiring House Speaker Chris Dorworth’s personal finances – particularly as they relate to his role as a public official.

Florida's legislative black caucus asks Gov. Rick Scott for more diverse judges
By Michael C. Bender
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
Gov. Rick Scott was urged Tuesday by the Florida Legislative Black Caucus to appoint fewer "Scott clones" and more African-Americans to judicial openings.

Think Occupy protesters are unemployed slackers? Maybe these folks from Occupy Sarasota will change your mind
By Doug Driscoll
WMNF Community Radio Tampa
The Occupy movement is often stereotyped as being made up of lazy students or unemployed slackers.

Florida's new election laws deliberately make it more difficult for people to register and vote
Editorial
TC Palm
New Smyrna Beach High School teacher Jill Cicciarelli didn't realize she was running afoul of the law when she attempted to give her students a lesson in democracy.

FLORIDA POLITICS

A Heartwarming Update on Rick Scott's Dirtiest Deeds
By Lisa Rab
Broward New Times
Four months ago, we brought you a sobering catalog of Rick Scott's dirtiest deeds as chief executive of this fair state.

Voting mistake could cost Pace teacher $1,000 under new law
By Richard McVay
Pensacola News Journal
A Pace teacher could face up to a $1,000 fine for allegedly failing to turn the voter registrations of 76 students in to the state on time.

Gov. Scott willing to reconsider felon rights policy
By Dara Kam
Palm Beach Post
Gov. Rick Scott told black lawmakers on Tuesday that he is open to revising the restoration of felon rights process seven months after pushing clemency changes that now require a minimum five-year wait.

Central Florida will be ground zero for minority districts
By Aaron Deslatte
Orlando Sentinel
It is literally the most divisive issue in the politically charged process of redrawing the face of Florida politics: dividing minority groups among new congressional and legislative districts so that their representation is not diluted.

Religious groups to oppose Florida casinos
Florida News Service
Pensacola News Journal
A coalition of faith-based groups said today they are beginning an aggressive campaign to oppose a legislative proposal to allow massive luxury casinos in South Florida.

POLITICAL RACES

Fla poll: Romney 25%, Cain 24%, Gingrich 11, Perry 9
By Adam C. Smith
St. Petersburg Times
Suffolk University Oct. 26-30 telephone poll (MoE +/- 3.5%)

Poll: With Marco Rubio as VP, Republicans could win Florida
By Mary Ellen Klas
Miami Herald
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio could provide the juice needed for a Republican presidential candidate to win Florida, according to a new poll by Suffolk University.

RNC pushes for lower hotel room rates for 2012 convention
By Ray Reyes
Tampa Tribune
Hotel managers from the Tampa Bay area will meet Thursday to further discuss a request by a GOP committee to lower room rates during the 2012 Republican National Convention.

Unconventional Negotiations Between Republicans and Hoteliers in Tampa
By Ralph De La Cruz
Florida Center for Investigative Reporting
The 2012 Republican National Convention is still 10 months from landing in Tampa, but it’s already making plenty of local headlines.

BALLOT INITIATIVES

Personhood USA spokesperson admits Mississippi amendment would affect birth control
By Virginia Chamlee
Florida Independent
Despite past statements to the contrary, some “fetal personhood” supporters are now admitting that, if enacted, their legislation would likely not only outlaw abortion, but some forms of birth control, as well.

ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

On Everglades, can Feds, Florida get along?
By Bob King
Politico
Billions of dollars into a mammoth ecological overhaul of the Everglades, the Obama administration is finding itself in a mix of cooperation and potential confrontation with Republican Florida Gov. Rick Scott.

Third time no charm for Florida parks
By Bruce Ritchie
Florida Current
Florida was passed over Tuesday for an unprecedented third gold medal for its state park system by the National Recreation and Park Association.

State officials accuse EPA of exaggerating water pollution threat
By Staff
Florida Current
Florida officials said in a court filing Monday that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency "manufactured" the basis for intervention in setting Florida's water quality standards and exaggerated the threat of nutrient pollution to Florida waterways.

If we must subsidize nuclear power in Florida so much, is it worth it?
By Robert Trigaux
St. Petersburg Times
It's time to drink the Tallahassee Kool-Aid.

LGBT

Legislators roll out bills to end employment discrimination
By Ashley Lopez
Florida Independent
Florida lawmakers have crafted a slew of new bills that would outlaw hiring discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, whether someone is unemployed and whether an applicant has a criminal history.

EDUCATION

After decade of gains, Florida students stall on national reading, math tests
By Ron Matus
St. Petersburg Times
Florida's decade-long climb out of the national cellar in education has hit a snag.

Report Card: Fla. math, reading scores remain flat
By Christine Armario and Bill Kaczor
Associated Press
Fewer than 40 percent of Florida's fourth- and eighth-grade students have scored at the proficient or advanced levels in math and reading, according to a national assessment released Tuesday.

Florida legislators skeptical of spending more for reading coaches
By Matt Dixon
Florida Times-Union
A panel of lawmakers met a request for an additional $40 million for 600 reading coaches with skepticism Tuesday, saying the state has already sunk a billion-plus dollars into the program with lackluster results.

New role for universities: Luring jobs to Florida
By Scott Travis
South Florida Sun Sentinel
While the schools in Florida's state university system have traditionally studied business, some are now taking it further — luring industries to the state and even hiring business recruiters to assist in the effort.

Dockery and Fasano call again for USF Poly audit, this time from leader of the campus
By Kim Wilmath
St. Petersburg Times
The two state senators who a couple weeks ago called on the University of South Florida to audit its branch campus in Lakeland are now appealing to USF Polytechnic's leader to make it happen immediately.

JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY

No leadership on shortfall
Editorial
Tampa Tribune
Once again, Florida state government is facing a major budget deficit — as much as $2 billion next year.

Gov. Rick Scott’s job czar: Divulge details of tax incentive deals after deed is done
By Michael C. Bender
St. Petersburg Times
Gov. Rick Scott's jobs czar said Tuesday that he supports a quicker release of information about the secret tax incentive deals the state gives some of the largest companies in the world.

Scott wants to keep insurance commissioner and pension fund chief on their jobs
By Christine Jordan Sexton
Florida Current
About 10 months after he was sworn in Gov. Rick Scott gave a glowing endorsement Tuesday to the work done by two top state officials.

Wasserman Schultz: GOP ‘rooting for’ economic failure ‘in order to win an election’
By Ashley Lopez
Florida Independent
In an op-ed, Florida congresswoman and Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz writes that the GOP is hoping the economy will fail, giving the GOP an edge against President Obama in the upcoming national election.

Gov. Scott to push Citizens Property Insurance reforms
By Gray Rohrer
Florida Current
Citing concerns that Citizens Property Insurance won’t have enough money to pay claims in the event of a catastrophic storm, Gov. Rick Scott called for reforms Tuesday to help move its customers into the private market and to charge higher rates to make other companies more competitive.

HEALTH AND SENIORS

Unpaid fines to DOH: $5M
By Carol Gentry
Health News Florida
Doctors, nurses and other health professionals owe the state of Florida more than $5 million in unpaid fines and fees imposed over the past five years, according to state records.

Florida's premature birth grade rises from F to D
By Jackie Alexander
Gainesville Sun
Florida is making strides in giving babies the best chance to be born healthy, but the state still has much work to do, according to the March of Dimes.

Get a tighter grip on rising hospice costs
Editorial
Orlando Sentinel
Recent news reports in the Sentinel have addressed troubling allegations leveled at Hospice of the Comforter in Altamonte Springs.

CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES

Demeaning, unnecessary test
Editorial
Miami Herald
It would be easy to praise Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature for the laudable goals of curbing drug use among welfare recipients by testing applicants and saving money by denying users aid.

Fla. women earning nearly 84% of male workers’ income
By Donna Gehrke-White
South Florida Sun Sentinel
Florida women continue to catch up on earning what men do in the Sunshine State, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

JUSTICE AND THE COURTS

Lawmakers vow to put judicial system on steady financial ground
By Travis Pillow
Florida Current
Senate budget writers said Tuesday they intend to overhaul funding of the state's judicial system, but have work to do before they arrive at a specific plan.

Daily Clips for November 1, 2011

AWAKE THE STATE IN THE NEWS

Planned Parenthood to join Awake the State at rallies tomorrow
By Ashley Lopez
Florida Independent
Note: Awake The State rallies are being held in numerous cities today - click here to find one near you.
Excerpt: Awake describes itself as a movement created in response to Scott’s policies, involving “Floridians from every walk of life including educators, healthcare workers, police and firefighters, advocates for consumers, middle class families and more.” It is also a coalition of activist groups in Florida, such as Progress Florida, Florida Watch Action and America Votes.

FEATURED STORIES

Florida lawmakers to fight court ruling about way they tried to privatize prisons
By Dara Kam
Palm Beach Post
After Gov. Rick Scott decided to let it stand, lawmakers have instead appealed a Tallahassee judge's ruling that the way they ordered the privatization of prisons in the southern portion of the state was unconstitutional.

The early states: Florida
By Adam C. Smith
Politico
Florida is so massive, diverse and ever-changing, it’s always risky to make assumptions and generalizations about politics in America’s biggest battleground.

LeMieux's wit and wisdom rings up at $150,000
By Daniel Ruth
St. Petersburg Times
Who knew George LeMieux was such a sage, such an oracle, such a diviner of wisdom?

Advocates accuse state lawmakers of blocking health reforms
By Marni Jameson
Orlando Sentinel
Advocates of President Obama's health reforms expressed concern Friday about the state's lack of action at a town hall meeting in Orlando.

Punishing Poverty
Editorial
New York Times
Being poor and needing public assistance is not a crime.

FLORIDA POLITICS

Teacher says no way to comply with Florida's voting law
Associated Press
Tampa Tribune
A Florida Panhandle teacher who may be fined $1,000 for turning in student voter registration applications late says she was unaware of a new 48-hour deadline.

What States Are Doing To Restrict Voting Rights
By Scott Keyes
Think Progress
Perhaps the most nefarious legislation to pop up in states over the past year have been new laws intended to make it more difficult for people to vote.

Florida senator wants to end secrecy on tax incentives for businesses
By Michael C. Bender
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau
A Republican state senator wants to end secrecy surrounding deals that use tax dollars to lure companies to Florida or that keep existing businesses from leaving.

Make NASCAR the official sport of Florida? State senator wants to
By Steve Bousquet
St. Petersburg Times
Florida has an official state beverage (orange juice), bird (mockingbird), pie (key lime) and reptile (alligator).

Children's Movement unveils agenda for upcoming 2012 session
By James Call
WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee
The Children's Movement of Florida Monday announced a five-point Legislative agenda for the 2012 session.

Scott, Rubio not attending this weekend’s Florida Tea Party Convention
By Ashley Lopez
Florida Independent
Representatives from the offices of Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Gov. Rick Scott report that neither will be attending the Florida Tea Party Convention scheduled for this weekend, despite their inclusion on the event’s agenda.

POLITICAL RACES

Conservatives rush to defend Cain
By George Bennett
Palm Beach Post
Conservative Palm Beach celebrities Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter are among those leading a furious push-back from the right against an anonymously sourced Politico.com report that Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain was accused of sexual harassment in the 1990s.

The more Cain speaks, the more he stumbles
Editorial
St. Petersburg Times
During the Republican presidential debates, candidate Herman Cain seemed at ease before the cameras dishing out his simplistic 9-9-9 tax plan to friendly audiences.

Lynn University will host presidential debate Oct. 22
By Anthony Man
South Florida Sun Sentinel
One of the biggest single events of the 2012 presidential campaign will take place in Boca Raton — just 15 days before Election Day.

Fla. puts 9 GOP contenders on Jan. 31 ballot
Associated Press
Tampa Tribune
Florida Republican voters will get to choose between nine presidential contenders during next year's primary.

Even if Republican C.W. Bill Young is vulnerable, no Democrat is opposing him for reelection
By David DeCamp
St. Petersburg Times
U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young's district could tilt more Democratic after redistricting in 2012. His health has declined and he walks with a cane.

ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

Energy Policy Could Mean Jobs
By Mike Vasilinda
Capitol News Service
Out of date twentieth-century regulations are hampering job creation in the renewable energy market according top participants at last week’s energy summit in Orlando.

Koch Funding Climate Change Deniers: Mixed Success
By Kathleen Ryan/Dallas Heltzell
Public News Service Florida
The Koch family has funneled tens of millions of dollars into causes which support the oil and gas industry in an attempt to undermine the science of climate change, a new investigation finds.

Die-off reported in Pensacola's oyster beds
Associated Press
Miami Herald
State scientists will head to the Florida Panhandle this week to check on East Bay oyster beds where oystermen are reporting a die-off.

Environmental group publishes ‘Ten Scariest Facts About the Everglades’
By Virginia Chamlee
Florida Independent
Environment Florida released its “Ten Scariest Facts About the Everglades” at a press conference coinciding with Halloween.

Support Florida Forever, despite budget woes
Editorial
Daytona Beach News-Journal
Florida Forever is facing tough times.

EDUCATION

Scott's tactics carry the stench of fear-mongering
By Andrew Starling
Gainesville Sun
While much of Florida's fiscal debate has been focused on Gov. Rick Scott's consistent refusals of federal stimulus money, another vital investment has been placed on Tallahassee's chopping block.

Merit pay era arrives for teachers
By Chris Umpierre
Ft. Myers News-Press
Part of Sara Kohlhauff’s evaluation will be on the line when her fourth-grade students take the reading Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test this spring.

UF proposes faculty raise, no sick leave payouts
By Nathan Crabbe
Gainesville Sun
University of Florida faculty would get a 3 percent raise in January but lose payouts for unused sick leave, under the university’s latest proposal to offset a requirement that state workers pay more toward their retirement plans.

JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY

Boeing to build spacecraft in Space Coast, bring jobs to Florida
By Gray Rohrer
Florida Current
The Boeing Co. will build its commercial spacecraft, the Crew Space Transportation-100, in the former home of the old space shuttle, the company announced Monday.

Wage gap for Florida women lower than national average
By Marcos Restrepo
Florida Independent
The wage gap median between full-time female and male workers in Florida is lower than in the U.S. as a whole, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Rick Scott, Cabinet to be briefed on PIP insurance coverage
Associated Press
Tampa Tribune
Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet are receiving a briefing on the controversial personal injury protection insurance frequently called PIP.

Racetrack gets license for another Miami casino
By Mary Ellen Klas
Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau
Miami could be home to South Florida’s ninth slots-and-poker casino, long before any destination gambling resort breaks ground, under a permit quietly sought by the owners of Flagler Dog Track and Magic City Casino and approved by state regulators.

State set to buy SunRail tracks for $150 million
By Dan Tracy
Orlando Sentinel
The much-delayed SunRail project could reach another milestone this week when the state buys 61 miles of track from the CSX railroad company for $150 million.

Tolls are the future for new roads and bridges
By Frank Cerabino
Palm Beach Post
Repeat after me: Tolls are our friends. Tolls are our friends.

HEALTH AND SENIORS

Doctors join forces to help poor patients
By William E. Gibson
South Florida Sun Sentinel
Amid hard times and big gaps in the health-care system, Dr. Emmanuel Isaac is seeing a growing stream of patients who were never treated or have long delayed the care they need for diabetes, cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Florida AIDS Drug Assistance Program waiting list gets shorter, still longest in U.S.
By Marcos Restrepo
Florida Independent
With almost 3,300 names, Florida’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program waiting list is still the longest in the United States, by far.

Family members plead guilty to U.S. pill-mill charges
By Jane Musgrave
Palm Beach Post
The infamous George brothers, their mother and one of the Wellington twins’ wives now share something more than family ties.

CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES

Bias against true Floridians
Editorial
Palm Beach Post
If you want to hear another tale of how stupid government rules can ruin lives, consider the case of 18-year-old Kassandra Romero.