Daily Clips for August 24, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Time for Alex Sink to make up name-recognition gap with GOP opponent By Mary Ellen Klas St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Related: Bill McCollum, Rick Scott and other rivals criss-cross state in final scrum for votes Related: Bill McCollum's lead over Rick Scott narrowing, newest poll shows Related editorial: Elections matter, so vote Facing only token opposition in her primary, Democrat Alex Sink is expected to emerge victorious today, but with one big problem: In her quest to become governor, she is unknown to half of Florida's voters. Final day shows contrasts between Meek and Greene By Zac Anderson Sarasota Herald-Tribune They slammed espresso, bought chocolate chip cookies and shook a few hands, but mostly the two candidates vying for Florida's Democratic U.S. Senate nomination spent the last full day of campaigning talking to television cameras in two of the state's most critical media markets Monday. An early vote rush, a last-minute push by Florida's candidates By Mary Ellen Klas, Marc Caputo, Steve Bousquet and Beth Reinhard Miami Herald A record-setting 361,615 Florida voters participated in early voting through Sunday, although election officials cautioned that the number may reflect the convenience of voting before Election Day, not a higher-than-expected overall turnout. It's primary day: Your turn, voters By Jim Stratton Orlando Sentinel The most expensive primary in Florida history ends today as party voters go to the polls to narrow the field for a general election that will produce a new U.S. senator, a new governor and, possibly, shift the balance of power in Congress. FLORIDA POLITICS Greer's reimbursement check to GOP falls short, and bounces By Adam C. Smith St. Petersburg Times Indicted former state Republican chairman Jim Greer sued the state party for allegedly reneging on a promised $123,000 severance package. POLITICAL RACES Candidates rush to sway voters By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Related: Candidates rally before primaries With nearly 1 million ballots already cast, candidates rushed to put the finishing touches on their campaigns Monday. Senate candidates Greene and Meek go down to the wire By George Bennett Palm Beach Post While Democratic Senate candidate Kendrick Meek's supporters waited in air-conditioned comfort for their candidate this afternoon, rival Jeff Greene's campaign seized the initiative. McCollum, Scott don't even exchange glances as they cross paths campaigning By Michael C. Bender Palm Beach Post As Republican gubernatorial candidates Bill McCollum and Rick Scott flew around the state today in the last day of campaigning before election day, they had a chance meeting at Tampa International Jet Center. For GOP, it's McCollum or Scott for governor The Associated Press Bradenton Herald Republican voters will decide Tuesday if they want a career public servant or a wealthy newcomer to get their party's nomination for Florida governor. Money for nothing in Fla. primaries By Jonathan Martin Politico Florida, the political cliché goes, is a state where TV is king. Florida poised to buck anti-establishment revolt By John Frank St. Petersburg Times Conventional wisdom for this election year is voters will exorcise incumbents, purge weak-hearted partisans and send an insurgent message to those in power. Florida's top lawyer seat is an open race The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Florida's next attorney general will take the lead on Gulf oil damage claims and a pending lawsuit over the federal health care program, but many voters were still undecided between three Republican and two Democratic candidates as Tuesday's primary election approached. 7 Fla. congressional incumbents challenged The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Seven incumbent U.S. House members- five Democrats and two Republicans - are facing challenges from within their own parties. GOP chairman has primary challenge for Senate seat The Associated Press Tampa Tribune State Sen. John Thrasher, who splits his time as chairman of the state Republican Party, will learn Tuesday if GOP voters in his Jacksonville-area district believe he can do both jobs well. Good riddance to the primary election; bring on the general By Howard Troxler St. Petersburg Times It's election day, and none too soon. Vote: Your primary duty By Derek Catron Daytona Beach News-Journal Marjorie Karlsson is ready for the election to be over. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Federal judge rejects Miccosukees' request to stop Everglades land deal with U.S. Sugar By Andy Reid South Florida Sun-Sentinel A federal judge Monday refused to stop the downsized, $197 million version of Gov. Charlie Crist's Everglades restoration land deal with U.S. Sugar Corp. Could the Florida Panther refuge land triple in size? By Craig Pittman St. Petersburg Times Several South Florida landowners are willing to sell enough land to the federal government to triple the size of the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, according to four environmental groups pushing the purchase as a way to provide Florida's state animal with more protected habitat. Feinberg takes control of spill compensation fund, dismisses criticisms from McCollum By Andrew Restuccia Florida Independent Kenneth Feinberg today takes over the gargantuan task of distributing the $20 billion BP is setting aside to reimburse victims of the gulf oil spill. Feds to spill commission: Drilling ban stays The Associated Press Tampa Tribune The top federal offshore oil drilling regulator is telling the presidential oil spill commission that the temporary halt to deepwater drilling will remain in place for a few more months. Crowd queues up to make oil spill claims By Louis Cooper Pensacola News Journal Mark Stettner was first in line Monday at the Pensacola office of the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, the new independent agency charged with compensating those who suffered damage from this summer's BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. FPL Cape Canaveral plant makes way for new energy center; similar plans for Riviera Beach facility By Susan Salisbury Palm Beach Post Florida Power & Light Co. demolished its landmark 45-year-old Cape Canaveral plant in less than 15 seconds Sunday morning, as two red-and-white stacks and boilers were imploded using dynamite. Fla. PSC hearing testimony on nuclear rates The Associated Press Tampa Tribune The Florida Public Service Commission is hearing testimony on whether to raise special rates for building new nuclear power plants. New recycling law allows counties to claim more than 100 percent recycling By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com Six Florida counties could claim that they're currently recycling more than 100 percent of their waste under a bill signed into law by Gov. Charlie Crist in May. But the Florida Department of Environmental Protection says it would reject any such claim. Crist, Georgia governor flirt with meeting on river dispute By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com Gov. Charlie Crist says he would be pleased to meet again with the governors of Alabama and Georgia to discuss a water dispute -- after negotiators from the states meet to work on finalizing proposals. Questions About the Gulf Editorial New York Times The Obama administration owes the American people plain talk about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico — particularly about how much oil remains and the dangers to humans, wildlife and the environment. LGBT Gay South Florida voter's guide - August 2010 By Steve Rothaus Miami Herald Here’s a comprehensive list of recommendations from South Florida gay groups Equality Florida, SAVE Dade and Unity Coalition. EDUCATION Class Size Penalties Loom as Schools Open By Bobbie O'Brien WUSF Public Radio Tampa Florida’s Class Size Reduction Amendment is being fully enforced this year with rewards and penalties. Hillsborough aims for a windfall in costly class-size amendment By Tom Marshall St. Petersburg Times Teachers don't ordinarily need a reminder to check their attendance lists on the first day of school. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Florida hosts 3 percent more visitors in second quarter than last year despite BP spill By Doreen Hemlock Orlando Sentinel Florida hosted 20.8 million visitors in the second quarter this year, up 3 percent from the April through June period last year, despite the negative impact of the BP oil spill on travel, according to preliminary estimates released Monday by the state's tourism marketing arm Visit Florida. And the first major payout from the BP Oil Spill Fund goes to...realtors By Abel Harding Florida Times-Union The first major payout from the BP Oil Spill Fund has been announced and it will go to realtors who say the disaster has hurt their income. With loss of COBRA subsidy, newly unemployed face tripling of insurance costs By Annie Lowrey Florida Independent In the first week of July, Andie Davis’ husband, who worked in manufacturing, lost his job, as hundreds of thousands of Michiganders have since the onset of the recession. HEALTH AND SENIORS Federal government throws up roadblock to Florida's Medicaid reform By Jeremy Cox Florida Times-Union Federal health officials want changes to be made to the Medicaid experiment that has put private managed-care companies in charge of covering thousands of patients in Northeast Florida. Florida Healthy Kids teams with UnitedHealthcare to expand children's program Staff Report TC Palm Florida Healthy Kids Corp. has selected UnitedHealthcare of Florida as the state’s partner in an expansion of its public program for children’s health care. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Coalition opposes popular Arizona-like immigration bill for Florida By Ana M. Valdes Palm Beach Post A coalition of state legislators, church leaders and immigrant activists on Monday denounced popular efforts to pass an "Arizona-style" immigration law in Florida, claiming it would spark racial profiling, violate civil liberties of legal citizens and undocumented residents, and hurt an economy dependent on immigrant labor. On speaking out Editorial Gainesville Sun University of Florida President Bernie Machen says it's important to speak out against the Dove World Outreach Center's plan to burn the Quran on Sept. 11.

Daily Clips for August 23, 2010

FEATURED STORIES In the homestretch, Florida candidates fan out, trade more attacks By Beth Reinhard, Adam C. Smith and Marc Caputo St. Petersburg Times Related: On the trail Sunday, primary candidates rally and pray Candidates in the homestretch of tumultuous races for governor and the U.S. Senate fanned out Saturday across Florida, with once-vulnerable political insiders surging in the polls and mega-rich outsiders struggling to regain momentum before Tuesday's election. Primaries to test outsiders' clout By George Bennett Palm Beach Post Related: Jewish group defends Meek's record on Israel as race against Greene winds down Related AP story: Fla. Dem Senate race is about spending money, time Related column: Greene goes face to face with a skeptic In America's year of the political outsider, Florida's Tuesday primaries will test anti-establishment sentiment in both parties. GOP contenders Scott, McCollum attack to the end in Florida governor's race By Michael C. Bender Palm Beach Post It’s unclear who cast the first stone in the volatile Republican race for governor, but neither Bill McCollum nor Rick Scott was willing to set aside their differences Sunday as they brought their campaigns to mega-churches on opposite ends of the state. Can GOP overcome nasty gubernatorial primary? By Jeremy Wallace Sarasota Herald-Tribune Regardless of who survives Tuesday's Republican primary between Rick Scott and Bill McCollum, the real winner might be Democrat Alex Sink. Gauging BP oil spill's damage may take a decade By William E. Gibson Orlando Sentinel Related AP story: New guidelines could rule out many oil claims A Florida research vessel last week discovered polluted plankton on the floor of the Gulf of Mexico, an indication that toxic oil from the BP spill may be setting off a chain reaction of ecological damage. EDITORIAL CARTOON OF THE WEEK By Chan Lowe South Florida Sun-Sentinel Read the artist’s commentary here. FLORIDA POLITICS Independents grow in Florida voter rolls The Associated Press Palm Beach Post Gallus Quigley wants no part of either major party. Lawyers for Sansom challenge prosecutor's handling of Tallahassee corruption case By Lee Logan St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau The prosecutor in the Ray Sansom case was put on trial himself Friday for what his opposing lawyers say is unethical behavior. Former speaker and prosecutor tangle in court again By Brent Henzi Florida Tribune Former House Speaker Ray Sansom sat in a Leon County court room on Friday and watched as a conclusion came closer on whether or not State Attorney Willie Meggs will be thrown off the case for prosecutorial misconduct. POLITICAL RACES Bill McCollum, Kendrick Meek hold commanding leads in respective races By Jim Stratton Orlando Sentinel With two days left in one of the wildest primary election seasons in recent memory, the "Establishment" candidates for governor and senator hold sizable leads over their "outsider" challengers. What we will learn from Tuesday's Florida primaries By Brandon Larrabee Florida Times-Union Primary elections are sometimes more than simply fights to advance to the next stage of the campaign for office; they can also be learning experiences about the politics of the moment. Rick Scott and Jeff Greene may be the political establishment's nightmare By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times Related editorial: Candidates have a wealth of shortcomings What if? What if Rick Scott and Jeff Greene both win on Tuesday? Meek: I forgive Greene for attacks in Senate race The Associated Press Miami Herald Related: Crowd at Greene event wants to get paid A nasty Democratic Senate primary turned spiritual Sunday as Rep. Kendrick Meek told a church congregation that he forgives billionaire opponent Jeff Greene for his campaign attacks. Florida Candidate Veers From Tea Party’s Script By Jeff Zeleny New York Times When the year began, the stars could not have shone brighter for Marco Rubio, the fresh voice of newly invigorated conservatives who embodied the change that frustrated grass-roots Republicans demanded from inside their own party. In Gainesville, Democractic hopefuls converge By Cindy Swirko Ocala Star-Banner Alachua County Democrats were kept hopping Saturday with three candidates for top positions speaking at different times throughout the day. Talk of running mate a sign of confidence for Bill McCollum By Adam C. Smith St. Petersburg Times Related editorial: Buying the Governor’s Mansion If most of the polls prove right, on Tuesday night we could be talking about Bill McCollum being the biggest comeback kid (and Rick Scott being the costliest loser) that Florida has seen in ages, if not ever. Busy defending McCollum, RPOF taps dry its federal account By Beth Reinhard Miami Herald The Republican Party of Florida's latest federal campaign finance account -- the rich source of funds for get-out-the vote efforts, voter registration drives and even staff salaries -- has dipped to an unusually low $54,000. McCollum and Scott offer contrasting styles By Lloyd Dunkelberger Sarasota Herald-Tribune Few would argue that Florida's struggling economy, projected $6 billion state budget shortfall and record unemployment rate will demand strong action from the next governor. Rick Scott: Get to work as Florida governor or go home to Naples? By Ryan Mills Naples Daily News Rick Scott could hang up his blue suit at any time, curl up in his $9 million Naples mansion and call it a career. Fla. governor candidates campaign at churches The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Bill McCollum and Rick Scott courted voters in separate megachurches Sunday morning as their tight race for the Republican gubernatorial nomination came down to the final two days. Five candidates jostle for advantage in the attorney general's race By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Boldly pitching different biographies, five lawyers are fighting for two spots Tuesday in the race to be Florida's attorney general. Marleine Bastien, congressional candidate, robbed at gunpoint By Rafael A. Olmeda South Florida Sun-Sentinel One of nine Democrats running to replace U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek in Congress was robbed at gunpoint while waiting to go into a Miami-Dade church on Saturday, police said. The vexing art and science of polls in Florida's primaries By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times A day before two of the most-watched primary races in Florida's gripping political history, the question at work, lunch or the gym may be, "Who's going to win?" Primary voters turned off by mudslinging By Jim Stratton Orlando Sentinel It's supposed to be the year of the "outsider" — the election where fed-up voters embrace newcomers and kick incumbents to the curb. BALLOT INITIATIVES Bewildered by the district jigsaw By Charley Williams Orlando Sentinel I am looking at my mail-in ballot for Tuesday's primary. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Looking for Trouble on ‘Highway’ for Manatees By John Leland New York Times Related: Details Faulted in Plan to Pay Oil Spill Claims For two sometime residents of Mobile Bay, Ala., the impact of the oil spill is still an unanswered question. PSC punts on Progress' rate hike, for now By Fred Hiers Ocala Star-Banner Progress Energy's proposal to raise utility rates to an average of $17 per month if it is to meet Florida's energy conservation goals was mostly ignored Friday by the Public Service Commission staff. Still hooked on oil Editorial Miami Herald That was quick. A new poll conducted for The Miami Herald by an independent, nonpartisan research company shows support for a permanent oil-drilling ban off Florida's coast has dropped, down to 41 percent since registered voters were last queried in May. EDUCATION Cap on size of classes finally kicks in By Kathleen McGrory and Carli Teproff Miami Herald Tired of chaotic classrooms teeming with 40 students and desperate to see their children get some individual attention from a teacher, Florida voters went to the polls and demanded that public school classes have no more than 25 students. Schools scramble to shrink classes as students start this week By Jeffrey S. Solochek St. Petersburg Times Every day, twice a day, Karen Bass turns all her attention to a single chart in her Bryant Elementary School office. New Lesson for FL Classrooms: Teaching Social Skills By Gina Presson Public News Service Florida It's back to school in Florida and across the country, and teachers and parents are realizing that some children could use some help with the simplest of social skills - such things as greeting a stranger or carrying on a casual conversation. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Florida jobless rate creeps up to 11.5 percent in July By Jim Stratton Orlando Sentinel Florida's unemployment rate crept to 11.5 percent in July, an unpleasant but not unexpected reminder that the state's economic recovery has yet to catch fire. The June rate for the state was 11.4 percent. Mortgage defaults among Florida's high-value loans highest in U.S. By Becky Bowers St. Petersburg Times Five years ago, Florida's real estate market was a rollicking beachfront casino where you couldn't make a bad bet. Working for wages that don't pay the bills By Robyn E. Blumner St. Petersburg Times Already in the news is the brewing fight between Democrats and Republicans over what Congress should do about the expiring Bush tax cuts. HEALTH AND SENIORS Feds say no to extension of Medicaid reform waiver By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune Florida's bold plan to revamp its health care system for the poor -- and which was initially championed by former Gov. Jeb Bush -- could be in trouble. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Florida gubernatorial candidates support E-Verify system to solve immigration issues By Cristina Silva St. Petersburg Times Regardless of who voters name as the state's next chief executive, Florida's latest strategy for countering illegal immigration will likely play out not along its borders, but in its boardrooms. South Fla. advocates march for immigration reform The Associated Press Tampa Tribune A South Florida church and advocates are calling on the government to grant more rights to illegal immigrants and for the state not to enact an Arizona-type immigration law. Machen: We need to reject Dove World By Nathan Crabbe Gainesville Sun University of Florida President Bernie Machen waded into local and national controversies - rejecting both the anti-Islamic actions of a Gainesville church and restrictive immigration policies being debated nationally - in a wide-ranging interview before the start of the fall semester.

Daily Clips for August 20, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Major study says oil plume in Gulf of Mexico not going away By Craig Pittman St. Petersburg Times Scientists on Thursday reported finding a plume of oil the size of Manhattan beneath the surface of the Gulf of Mexico, a plume that's sticking around a lot longer than anyone expected and that poses a threat to marine life. Alex Sink introduces running mate Rod Smith By Amy Sherman St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Related: Sink takes lead in governor's race, poll says Related editorial: Smith adds appeal to Sink ticket Democrat Alex Sink's first opportunity to showcase running mate Rod Smith was both a cheerleading session for the party ticket and target practice on the bickering Republicans. Scott's campaign still hears echoes of whistle-blower By Zac Anderson Sarasota Herald-Tribune Related: McCollum campaign draws fire from whistle-blower John Schilling had never seen such opulence. Scott, McCollum's education plans nothing new or fresh, critics say By Brandon Larrabee Florida Times-Union In the wake of one of the most bruising political fights over education in years and amid an equally sharp fight for the Republican nomination for the governor's mansion, both Bill McCollum and Rick Scott agree at least on the broad strokes of how to overhaul Florida's public schools. Ground Zero Mosque Fodder for Florida Politicians By Steve Newborn WUSF Public Radio Tampa The rumblings over the Islamic Center proposed near the site of the destroyed World Trade Center aren't confined to lower Manhattan. BEST OF THE BLOGS My Sister Worked for Rick Scott's Hospital and Here is Her Story By Geniusofdespair Eye on Miami Sis, a nurse for about 30 years, worked at Columbia University Hospital -- one of Rick Scott's Hospitals -- more than a decade ago as a Case Manager. Florida Primary Elections Test Voter Ethics By Daniel Tilson The Examiner Floridians have one week left in which to fully shake off the seductive influence of the Politics of Bribery and take a stand. The Florida AG Fight is the Best Campaign You're Not Watching By Benjamin Kirby The Spencerian If someone has done this, I haven't seen it, but it's a cool idea: poll the level of interest in the Florida elections by race for office. Bill McCollum Aligns With “Troops” Charity That Faced Scrutiny By Inkberries Beach Peanuts Over the weekend Florida Attorney General and candidate for governor, Bill McCollum, campaigned on his “Real Solutions New Jobs Bus Tour.” Corporate Money in Florida Politics By Bill Newton FCAN blog Steve Bousquet writes today that McCollum taps corporate money to fight self-financed millionaire Scott - St. Petersburg Times. FLORIDA POLITICS Crist gets PSC list of candidates By Mary Ellen Klas Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau Gov. Charlie Crist received his final slate of candidates for appointment to the Public Service Commission on Thursday, the last piece in the legislative effort to replace all but one of the commissioners who rejected the billion dollar rate increases sought by the state's largest electric companies. Florida lawmakers cold to another special session on oil By Matt Dixon Florida Times-Union When it comes to the idea of a potential second special session of the Florida Legislature on the Gulf oil spill, most area lawmakers are reading from the same sheet of music. 2012 presidential primary may again trouble Fla. Democrats News Service of Florida Palm Beach Post Florida could have trouble abiding by proposed rules for the 2012 Democratic presidential primaries, state party Chairwoman Karen Thurman has warned the Democratic National Committee. Fla. judge resumes hearing in Sansom criminal case The Associated Press Tampa Tribune A judge is hearing more evidence on a motion to dismiss corruption charges against former House Speaker Ray Sansom. Sluggish ticket sales move Palin event to smaller theater Staff Report Florida Times-Union Slow ticket sales have bumped Sarah Palin's appearance next week in Jacksonville to a smaller venue. POLITICAL RACES Smith: We have an opportunity to change Florida By Nathan Crabbe Gainesville Sun After expressing ambivalence about running for lieutenant governor, Gainesville attorney Rod Smith said Thursday he entered the race in part because of a message from a son-in-law bound for Iraq. Sink considered PB County state attorney for ticket, but sticks with Rod Smith By George Bennett and Michael C. Bender Palm Beach Post Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink ridiculed the "bickering" in the Republican primary race, but signaled Thursday she's eager to jump into that fight by announcing her running mate two weeks early. Meek sees doubt as encouragement in Fla. Sen. race The Associated Press Miami Herald Some people knock Kendrick Meek by saying he inherited his congressional seat from his mother, Carrie Meek, who held it for 10 years before him. Fla. Sen. candidate Greene has altruistic message The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Democrat Jeff Greene often says he's running for Senate so that his infant son will be able to have the same opportunities he had to succeed. Crist donors not flocking to Rubio By Scott Powers Orlando Sentinel Despite party anger over Gov. Charlie Crist's decision to leave the GOP and launch an independent run for the U.S. Senate, few early Crist donors have crossed over and contributed to Republican candidate Marco Rubio, records show. Senate hopeful Rubio takes campaign to seniors The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Senate hopeful Marco Rubio is taking his campaign to seniors. CNN, St. Petersburg Times and USF to host U.S. Senate debate on Oct. 24 Staff Report St. Petersburg Times CNN and the St. Petersburg Times are partnering with the University of South Florida to present a live, nationally televised debate nine days before voters choose a new U.S. Senator to represent Florida. Congressional candidate David Rivera fights off old attacks By Scott Hiaasen, Patricia Mazzei and Carrie Wells Miami Herald As he seeks to jump from the Legislature to Congress, Republican state Rep. David Rivera is fighting off a nasty attack from his GOP rivals — an allegation that he was accused of domestic violence in the 1990s. BALLOT INITIATIVES High court parsing the ballot By Mark Lane Daytona Beach News-Journal The Florida Supreme Court is deciding how long November's ballot will be. And it may be in the mood for trimming. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Oil Plume Is Not Breaking Down Fast, Study Says By Justin Gillis and John Collins Rudolf New York Times New research confirms the existence of a huge plume of dispersed oil deep in the Gulf of Mexico and suggests that it has not broken down rapidly, raising the possibility that it might pose a threat to wildlife for months or even years. Energy group urges PSC to put off nuclear charges By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com An environmental group is calling again on the Florida Public Service Commission to reject requests by utilities to charge customers now for proposed nuclear power plants. LGBT Fla. primary could yield gay milestones By Chris Johnson Washington Blade Primary elections set for Tuesday could yield two milestones if Florida voters elect a gay candidate to Congress and another man to become the first openly gay member of the state’s legislature. EDUCATION Florida's failing schools consider desperate measures until they make the grade By Rebecca Catalanello and Tom Marshall St. Petersburg Times Related editorial: Turning around a failed school Kevin Gordon knew he had no time to waste. State places two Broward schools on critical list By Marc Freeman South Florida Sun-Sentinel Two Broward County schools have landed on the state's list of the lowest-performing campuses, while Palm Beach County schools avoided the bottom category assigned by the state Department of Education on Thursday. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Florida Weighs Billing BP More Than $1 Billion to Plug Fund Gap By Jim Snyder Bloomberg Businessweek Florida may send BP Plc a claim for more than $1 billion to close a budget gap after the largest U.S. oil spill as neighboring Gulf Coast states weigh their options. Dispute could slow down Orlando commuter rail The Associated Press Tampa Tribune A dispute over insurance between the state of Florida and Amtrak is delaying one of the most critical steps in creating the SunRail commuter train in Orlando. HEALTH AND SENIORS Health reform puts health insurance agents in the crosshairs By Stacey Singer Palm Beach Post Jupiter-based insurance agent Neil Primack says he works hard to help people find health insurance policies that work for them. Faced with rising health costs, large employers plan to shift burden to workers By Mike Lillis The Hill Faced with skyrocketing healthcare costs and new insurance rules under healthcare reform, more of the nation's biggest businesses are planning to hike premiums and cost-sharing measures on their employees next year, according to a survey of those companies released Wednesday. Community Health Centers Plan for Expansion Due to Federal Health Law By Gina Presson Public News Service Florida Community Health Centers are often referred to as the "family doctors." Health care, immigration — baby, do we have issues! By Scott Maxwell Orlando Sentinel Today's column is all about babies — those who are fighting to keep them alive, those who are leading a political charge to take away their rights and a budget cut that could put thousands of them at risk. Setting Jackson on healthy course Editorial Miami Herald What a colossal mess! That first sentence in the Miami-Dade Grand Jury report on what's wrong with Jackson Health System summed up the community's frustration with Miami-Dade's ailing safety net hospital. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Florida immigration bill is anti-American, advocates say By Victor Manuel Ramos Orlando Sentinel Dozens of immigration and civil rights advocates from throughout Florida gathered in Apopka on Wednesday to repudiate an Arizona-style immigration bill touted by Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum. Fla. church vows to burn Korans on 9/11, despite fire dept. objection Staff Report Gainesville Sun A Florida church says it will go ahead with plans to burn copies of the Koran on Sept. 11, despite the city refusing to issue a burn permit, Orlando's Fox35 TV reports. The First Amendment applies to Muslims as well By John M. Cox Naples Daily News On Aug. 6 the Connecticut Post reported that "about a dozen right-wing Christians, carrying placards and yelling ‘Islam is a lie,’ angrily confronted worshippers. Constitutionalists trip up over prospect of mosque near World Trade Center By Dan DeWitt St. Petersburg Times So what happens when strict constitutionalists run into constitutional rights they don't like?

Daily Clips for August 19, 2010

FEATURED STORIES President Obama campaigns in Miami for Florida Democrats By Beth Reinhard Miami Herald President Barack Obama swooped into Florida for less than three hours Wednesday to pick up $700,000 for the Florida Democratic Party and two corned beef sandwiches on rye from a Miami Beach deli — to go. New poll shows Democrat Alex Sink leading race for governor's office By Lee Logan St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Democrat Alex Sink has opened up a small lead in the November matchup for governor according to a new poll, largely because her two Republican opponents have been slugging it out in advance of Tuesday's primary election. GOP gov race comes down to McCollum's volunteers vs. Scott's deep pockets By Michael C. Bender Palm Beach Post In a state of 4 million Republicans, it almost seemed futile for Bill McCollum to be waving a sign on the side of a road in an attempt to sway drivers to vote for him instead of Rick Scott in their party's primary for governor. Supreme Court appears divided over fate of amendments By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune A clearly divided state Supreme Court on Wednesday heard arguments on whether three amendments proposed by state legislators should be kept off the November ballot. USF scientists find evidence that oil spill damaging critical marine life By Craig Pittman St. Petersburg Times The oil from the Deepwater Horizon disaster is still in the Gulf of Mexico and is causing ecological damage, according to new findings from the University of South Florida. FLORIDA POLITICS Former Republican Party employee alleges illegal spending and wrongdoing in lawsuit By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune A former office manager for the Republican Party of Florida has filed a whistleblower lawsuit that says she was fired because she raised questions about questionable expenses made by top party officials and on behalf of Gov. Charlie Crist. Obama makes unannounced stop at Miami Beach deli By Beth Reinhard Miami Herald En route to Miami International Airport from a Democratic fundraiser at the Fontainebleau hotel, President Barack Obama made an unannounced stop at Jerry's Famous Deli on South Beach. POLITICAL RACES Obama visit affirms support for Meek, highlights Democrats' high hopes for Sink By George Bennett Palm Beach Post President Obama wrapped up a five-state political trip here today by raising an estimated $700,000 for the Florida Democratic Party and reaffirming his support for Kendrick Meek's Senate primary bid. McCollum, Meek hold the lead in the latest Quinnipiac poll By Bill Cotterell Tallahassee Democrat Women with doubts about flashy, self-financed newcomers have boosted Attorney General Bill McCollum and U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek in their tough primary campaigns. Ex-Republican Charlie Crist campaigns in Democratic territory — Broward condos By Amy Sherman Miami Herald When introducing Republican-turned-independent Gov. Charlie Crist to a left-leaning crowd Wednesday, Democratic state Rep. Ari Porth joked that he had brought Crist some rugelah so he could have a taste of Broward. Rich Man, Bad Yacht By Gail Collins New York Times “I started with absolutely nothing and I have lived the American dream,” Jeff Greene, a Senate candidate and billionaire, told a small crowd in one of Miami’s poorest and most crime-ridden neighborhoods this week. Rubio hails American exceptionalism at Jacksonville campaign stop By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent Only hours after visiting a Duval County Republican headquarters to unveil his veterans’ initiative, Marco Rubio made another stop in Jacksonville — this time, to speak about family values and a country he repeatedly called “exceptional.” Economy is key to Florida primary victory By Gary Fineout Sarasota Herald-Tribune Related: McCollum and Scott two portraits of confidence After weeks in which tens of millions of dollars have been spent on negative ads about career politicians and Medicare fraud, the Aug. 24 primary for governor between Rick Scott and Bill McCollum may turn on one simple issue. GOP Establishment condemns Rick Scott's new ad By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel Republican gubernatorial newcomer Rick Scott is getting slammed for his new ads linking Attorney General Bill McCollum to the Jim Greer scandal. Rick Scott dodges tough questions at Tiger Bay By Kate Bradshaw WMNF Community Radio Tampa There are two things everyone knows about GOP gubernatorial hopeful Rick Scott. Bill McCollum touts experience in race for governor The Associated Press Pensacola News Journal In a year when voters are fed up with politics as usual and outsider candidates are in vogue, Bill McCollum is insisting that Florida needs an experienced hand to guide the state through troubled times. Attorney who subpoenaed Rick Scott delays deposition By Catherine Whittenburg Tampa Tribune Steven Andrews, the attorney who slapped Rick Scott with a subpoena last week, has told the GOP gubernatorial candidate's campaign that he is delaying the deposition he had initially scheduled for Friday. Race for attorney general is deep, competitive By Lloyd Dunkelberger Ocala Star-Banner Floridians face a pivotal political question next week that may be buried under the big-money glitz of the primary contests for governor and U.S. Senate. Democrats for attorney general vow they'll back each other — after primary By Paula McMahon Orlando Sentinel In the final stretch before Tuesday's primary election for attorney general, Democrats Dave Aronberg and Dan Gelber are beating each other up over an issue they once agreed on. Palin endorses political newbie Bondi in 3-way Fla. attorney general race By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post Just six days before Tuesday's primary election, political newbie Pam Bondi scored a major endorsement from conservative icon Sarah Palin in the three-candidate GOP primary for attorney general. Thousands of early voters cast their ballots in Florida's contentious primary election By Mary Ellen Klas St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau At least 200,000 Florida voters have gone to the polls to take advantage of the state's two-week early voting period in this year's contentious primary election. BALLOT INITIATIVES Cannon wants Amendment 7 on ballot By Jim Ash Florida Capital News The Republican-led Legislature did not put Amendment 7 on the November ballot to torpedo competing initiatives by a liberal-leaning citizen's group, House Speaker-designate Dean Cannon told the Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday. Justices react skeptically to redistricting amendment By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel House Speaker-designate Dean Cannon took the unusual step of appearing before the Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday, but his defense of a legislatively drawn redistricting amendment got a hostile reception from two justices. State Supreme Court hears arguments for putting discarded amendments back on ballot By Lee Logan St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Lawyers squared off Wednesday before the Florida Supreme Court on challenges to three proposed constitutional amendments that have been kicked off the November ballot. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Opponents tout survey opposition to federal water quality standards By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com Critics of proposed federal water quality standards in Florida on Wednesday pointed to new survey results suggesting that a majority of residents oppose them and would vote against candidates who support them. PSC nominating council to interview applicants The Associated Press Tampa Tribune The Florida Public Service Commission Nominating Council is meeting in Orlando to interview applicants for two openings on the utility regulating panel. Shifting data on the Gulf spill Editorial Sarasota Herald-Tribune Is the Gulf environment already recovering from the BP oil spill, or is the damage simply moving to areas that are harder to see? How do they know the oil is gone? They guessed Editorial Pensacola News Journal Certainly, initial results from studies by university scientists in Georgia and Florida can't be used to jump to conclusions about how big the oil problem is in the Gulf of Mexico. EDUCATION Florida's ACT scores improve, but still among nation's lowest By Leslie Postal Orlando Sentinel The percentage of Florida high school graduates meeting all four "college readiness benchmarks" on the ACT rose slightly this year, according to scores from the national college admissions exam released today. Report: Florida ranks low in black male graduation rate By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent The “Yes We Can” report released by the Schott Foundation for Public Education on Tuesday shows that Florida has one of the lowest graduation rates for black male students in the nation. Pinellas rated last in the nation in graduating black males By Tom Marshall and Rebecca Catalanello St. Petersburg Times The Pinellas County school district earned some unwelcome national attention Wednesday after researchers said it graduated a lower rate of black males than any large district in the United States. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Is Social Networking Really Social? By Gina Jordan WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee Social media is a necessary part of doing business these days, and it's an easy way to keep in touch with friends. HEALTH AND SENIORS Nonprofit groups receive $9.1 million in grants to combat rise of HIV infections By Bob LaMendola South Florida Sun-Sentinel South Florida nonprofit groups have won $9.1 million in federal grants to combat the steady rise in new infections with the virus that causes AIDS, especially among gay men and black women. Protecting patients Editorial Florida Today Shortcuts shouldn’t be taken with safe food for hospital and nursing home patients whose health makes them susceptible to illness, or worse. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Mosque fever running high By Joy-Ann Reid Miami Herald With the stakes running high in political races nationwide -- and the fate of the economy, the Gulf and our very future hanging in the balance -- politicians from the president on down put all else aside this week to comment on the seminal issue of our time: the disposition of the old Burlington Coat Factory in lower Manhattan. Florida House candidate says Islam against America The Associated Press Tampa Tribune A Republican U.S. House candidate in the Florida Panhandle has told a group of middle and high school students that Islam "is against everything America stands for."

Daily Clips for August 18, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Gulf surface cleaner, but questions lurk far below By Seth Borenstein The Associated Press Researchers are warning that the Gulf of Mexico oil spill is a bigger mess than the government claims and that a lot of crude is lurking deep below the surface, some of it settling perhaps in a critical undersea canyon off the Florida Panhandle. Sink taps Rod Smith as running mate By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink confirmed Tuesday she will choose ex-prosecutor Rod Smith as her running mate in the race for governor. Money vs. grass roots in fight to win votes By Beth Reinhard and Marc Caputo Miami Herald In the frenzied homestretch before the Aug. 24 primary, U.S. Senate candidate Kendrick Meek made a brief detour into tiny Holmes County to have lunch with a single Democratic party leader. It's not Arizona Editorial Miami Herald Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. Just one day after he unveiled a harsh Arizona-style immigration proposal for Florida, Attorney General Bill McCollum was obliged to backpedal, conceding a need to consult with “my supporters in the Hispanic community” about the provisions in his punitive and potentially unconstitutional measure. FLORIDA POLITICS Lobbying income dipped during first half of year By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune Florida lobbyists reported receiving less money during the first six months of this year compared with the same time period in 2009. POLITICAL RACES Alex Sink's tactical, conventional and safe choice: Rod Smith By Mary Ellen Klas and John Frank St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Democratic candidate for governor Alex Sink offered a glimpse into her decision-making style Tuesday when she confirmed that she has chosen former state Sen. Rod Smith as her running mate. Sink touts passion for education reform at Jacksonville ‘Women for Alex’ event By Virginia Chamlee The Florida Independent Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink made a stop in Jacksonville Tuesday morning as part of her “Women’s Week of Action,” which began yesterday at Orlando’s University of Central Florida. Obama to attend Democratic fundraiser in Miami Beach By Anthony Man Orlando Sentinel President Barack Obama visits South Florida on Wednesday for a Florida Democratic Party fundraiser. Cash flies in GOP race for Florida governor By Steve Bousquet and Marc Caputo Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau As Rick Scott freely spends his fortune in his bid to become governor, Republican rival Bill McCollum is fighting to keep up by spending the millions of others. Can either Scott or McCollum push Republicans to the polls? By Michael C. Bender Palm Beach Post A pair of polls released within the past week gave competing predictions of who was winning the Republican gubernatorial primary between Bill McCollum leading Rick Scott. The insiders are back: McCollum, Meek lead in Q poll By Marc Caputo St. Petersburg Times Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum has surged by 12-percentage points and now leads fellow Republican Rick Scott, leading by a 44-35 percent margin in the governor's race, according to the latest Quinnipac University survey. Labeled a "spoiler,'' Bud Chiles cuts a bipartisan swath in the governor's race By Lee Logan St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Lawton "Bud" Chiles and his no-party campaign was supposed to be the spoiler in this year's race for governor. Rubio: Offshore drilling could be good for state By Kris Wernowsky Pensacola News Journal Framing it as an issue of energy independence and national security, U.S. Senate hopeful Marco Rubio said Tuesday that offshore drilling isn't a dead issue for Florida. Greene, Meek swap charges over mortgage meltdown By Brandon Larrabee Florida Times-Union The race for the Democratic nomination for Florida's open U.S. Senate seat has in some ways become a rehashing of the battle over blame for the collapse of the housing market. Jeff Greene's Yacht Described As 'Sex, Drugs, And Techno Music' By Former Stewardess By Elyse Siegel The Huffington Post Billionaire candidate Jeff Greene, who's facing-off against Rep. Kendrick Meek in Florida's Democratic Senate primary, insists he's "not a partier" despite reports painting his 145-foot luxury yacht, the Summerwind, as a raging celebrity-clad party ship. Tyson: 'I never did drugs on the boat' By Maggie Haberman Politico Former boxing champ Mike Tyson said in an exclusive interview with POLITICO that he never did drugs aboard Florida U.S. Senate hopeful Jeff Greene's yacht as they traveled together on the Summerwind in August 2005. Billionaire Greene takes U.S. Senate campaign to Westgate homeless shelter By George Bennett Palm Beach Post Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene, the Democratic Senate candidate who profited by predicting subprime borrowers would default on their home mortgages, drove his Cadillac Escalade to Westgate today to visit a church that has sheltered as many as 100 homeless people a night. No Jeff Greene retraction from the Times By Travis Pillow Florida Independent Last week, Jeff Greene threatened the St. Peteresburg Times with a libel lawsuit after it ran a long, prominent article about a real estate deal in California in which his counterpart is now facing federal fraud charges. State Attorney General Primaries' Rivals More Alike Than Not By Lloyd Dunkelberger Lakeland Ledger Floridians face a pivotal political question next week that may be buried under the big-money glitz of the primary contests for governor and U.S. Senate. Strategists Say Negative Campaign Ads Could Hurt Voter Turnout By Carson Cooper and Joshua Stewart WUSF Public Radio Tampa The last-minute ads are nasty. The rhetoric is flowing. It's the last week before the state's primary election and candidates in the high-profile contested races have gone negative. National GOP picks its Florida House targets By Mark Matthews Orlando Sentinel With control of the U.S. House at stake, the National Republican Congressional Committee announced this week that it had reserved $22 million in television ad buys for 40 districts nationwide, including three in Florida. Florida launches website for election results The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Florida is launching a new website offering election results including a tool for tracking specific races. BALLOT INITIATIVES Florida Supreme Court to Rule on Amendment 9 By Dalia Colon WUSF Public Radio Tampa On Wednesday, the Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments on Amendment 9, which challenges the federal health care overhaul passed earlier this year. Fla. justices hearing argument on 3 amendments The Associated Press Miami Herald The Florida Supreme Court is hearing arguments in challenges to three proposed state constitutional amendments. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Could threat from Gulf spill still remain? Report says yes By Curtis Morgan Miami Herald Two weeks ago, the White House proclaimed that most of the oil spewed from BP's blown-out well was either outright gone or widely dispersed and diluted -- a finding suggesting the Gulf of Mexico was on the way to a stunningly swift recovery. BP to stop handling most Gulf claims Staff Report CNN BP has picked Wednesday as the deadline for accepting claims from people and businesses affected by the Gulf oil disaster. Most oil spill advisories lifted at Florida beaches By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com State and local officials are asserting that most of the waters off the Panhandle are now safe for swimming. PSC members continue sparring despite new blood By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com Two outgoing members of the Florida Public Service Commission on Tuesday accused the remaining PSC veteran of stirring up trouble as two new commissioners watched in silence. Sarasotans voice support for aggressive negotiations with FPL over renewable energy By Cooper Levey-Baker Florida Independent Around 75 City of Sarasota residents filled the pews at a local church Tuesday evening in order to ask questions and air their thoughts on the city’s ongoing negotiations with energy giant Florida Power & Light over the possible renewal of a 30-year franchise agreement that gives FPL a monopoly on energy delivery within city limits. Groups educating about saving manatees By Sadia Ahmed WMNF Community Radio Tampa Manatees have been living in Florida waters for thousands of years. SW Fla. residents want rare panthers relocated The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Residents in a southwest Florida neighborhood want the state to relocate nearby panthers that they say have killed 11 other animals this year. EDUCATION Report faults South Florida schools on educating black males By Rafael A. Olmeda South Florida Sun-Sentinel Young black men are poorly served by Florida's public school system, particularly in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties, according to a new report released Tuesday. County joins class-size amendment suit By Harriet Daniels Gainesville Sun The Alachua County School Board on Tuesday voted to join the lawsuit challenging the penalties associated with the state's class-size amendment, which will be strictly enforced when school opens Monday. HEALTH AND SENIORS FL gets $1M to review rates By Jim Saunders Health News Florida Florida insurance regulators won a $1 million federal grant Monday to beef up rate reviews and improve consumer information to help carry out the new federal health-reform law. Florida KidCare Offers Free or Low Cost Health Insurance By Lynn Hatter WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee Across Florida students are heading back to school, heads of the major state agencies are asking parents to add health insurance to their school supply list. Doctors being pushed to use electronic medical records By Marissa Cevallos and Bob LaMendola South Florida Sun-Sentinel Patient histories, growth charts, immunization logs and X-rays bulge from racks of color-coded file folders lining the walls at Pediatrics by the Sea in Delray Beach, where Dr. Karen Kuhns and a partner see 4,000 patients. The dishonest war on Social Security By Paul Krugman New York Times Social Security turned 75 last week. It should have been a joyous occasion, a time to celebrate a program that has brought dignity and decency to the lives of older Americans. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES An inconvenient Constitution By Daniel Ruth St. Petersburg Times We sure do love our cherished freedoms, our beloved rights, our rock-ribbed values — unless, of course, we actually have to defend them. Florida immigration proposal goes too far Editorial St. Petersburg Times There are many reasons why Florida should not copy Arizona's unconstitutional attempt to crack down on illegal immigration. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Too tough on crime Editorial Gainesville Sun Recently, an 18-year old Gainesville man was sentenced to six years in prison for manslaughter and battery, a 23-year old Williston woman was sentenced to one year and a day in prison for vehicular manslaughter and a 19-year-old Satsuma woman was sentenced to 15 years for selling 25 hydrocodone pills to an undercover officer.