Daily Clips for October 22, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Bill Clinton rallies Miami students to support Alex Sink for governor By John Lantigua Palm Beach Post Former president Bill Clinton had an enthusiastic college crowd of about 600 at his feet Thursday morning and told them what the political experts were saying about them. Marco Rubio's personal finances clash with call for fiscal discipline By Alex Leary and Adam C. Smith St. Petersburg Times For a candidate promising to put America's fiscal house in order, Marco Rubio has a tough time keeping his own house tidy, plagued by questionable spending and sloppy accounting. Charlie Crist running short on time, money By Adam C. Smith St. Petersburg Times Independent U.S. Senate candidate Charlie Crist spent more than $7 million in August and September, and appears overwhelmingly behind front-runner Marco Rubio in financial firepower. Haridopolos says there is a strong chance for a November special session By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune State lawmakers could find themselves quickly getting back to work after the November 2 election. BEST OF THE BLOGS "Big Government" Stimulus A Big Help To Florida By Daniel Tilson The Examiner For anyone in Florida who wants to separate fact from fiction when it comes to what Republicans and the Tea Party call "Big Government" and its role and impact on our lives here in the Sunshine State, there's an absolutely unbiased source of information that can help. FL-25: Joe Garcia’s opponent may be tossed off ballot By Larry Thorson Florida Progressive Coalition Hey, world! Florida is at it again! Sunshine State politics once again stands out from the crowd. Supporters of Amendment 4: Nathaniel Reed By Gimleteye Eye on Miami "My vote for Amendment 4 represents my discontent if not disgust with the return to an era of uncaring, anything goes development without caring for local input or the impact on our remaining undeveloped land." Marco Rubio’s Anti Hispanic Agenda By Inkberries Beach Peanuts Marco Rubio holds himself out as one who is living the “American Dream” and was lucky enough to be able to do so because America is the “greatest country in the world” according to his stump speech. Smart Policy Above Politics: A Tough Race in Sarasota/Manatee By Benjamin Kirby The Spencerian In the Saturday Sarasota Herald-Tribune, J. David McSwane gives us some insight into just how tough a race Keith Fitzgerald has down in Sarasota. FLORIDA POLITICS Senate President-to-be Mike Haridopolos hires three new staffers who are double dippers St. Petersburg Times By Lucy Morgan A year ago state lawmakers passed a law to ban "double dipping'' among public employees. Charlie Crist's switch to independent may change campaign laws By Kathleen Haughney News Service of Florida Lawmakers could look at changes next year to make it more difficult for political candidates to switch parties mid-campaign, a proposal directly in response to Gov. Charlie Crist's defection from the Republican Party this past year. Taj Mahal courthouse is way out of order Editorial Orlando Sentinel Tallahassee's notorious "Taj Mahal" courthouse — with its dome, miles of African mahogany and kitchens for each judge — is a $48 million monument to state government at its worst. POLITICAL RACES After three days of early voting, Republicans hold edge in Florida By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Republicans across Florida have mounted an early lead in returning absentee ballots and are showing up in greater numbers than Democrats since early voting began Monday. Clinton campaigns for Sink By Beth Reinhard Miami Herald Gubernatorial hopeful Alex Sink -- who passed up recent chances to stand with the current occupant of the White House -- joined ex-President Bill Clinton at a Miami rally Thursday that brought home the tough national climate for Democrats in 2010. Clinton rallies the young for Sink By Tristram Korten Florida Independent Alex Sink, Florida’s Democratic candidate for governor, and former President Bill Clinton appeared at Miami-Dade College this morning for a rally aimed at turning out young and minority voters. Will history repeat itself in the Sink-Scott race? By David R. Colburn Gainesville Sun This year’s gubernatorial election between Democrat Alex Sink and Republican Rick Scott looks and sounds remarkably like the Florida senatorial election of 1988 when Connie Mack III defeated Kenneth “Buddy” MacKay for the U.S. Senate seat. Forged e-mail is circulated anonymously in apparent attempt to taint Alex Sink By Marc Caputo St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau A forged e-mail that attempts to show Democrat Alex Sink was linked to a "pay to play'' scheme with convicted Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein has emerged in the highly-contested governor's race. Rick Scott says Alex Sink practices 'Obama math' on budget plans By Aaron Sharockman St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Politifact Rick Scott says he's running against a woman for governor in Alex Sink who is lock-step in line with the policies of President Barack Obama, and has become fluent in what Scott calls "Obama math. Sink, Scott job plans more talk than action By Beth Kassab Orlando Sentinel To hear them talk, Democrat Alex Sink and Republican Rick Scott each have plans that will create jobs in Florida and help turn around the state's rampant unemployment. Sink pledges to boost area economy By Louis Cooper Pensacola News Journal Democrat Alex Sink thinks nothing should ever be able to threaten the economy of Northwest Florida the way this summer's BP oil spill did. Fla. Senate hopefuls support Social Security bonus By Brendan Farrington The Associated Press The three U.S. Senate candidates found something they can agree on: giving Social Security recipients a $250 bonus to make up for a lack of cost of living increases. Meek urges UF students to get out the vote By Travis Pillow Florida Independent After recent visits to the University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida, Kendrick Meek stopped by the University of Florida Thursday to rally students, a part of the Democratic base whose enthusiasm may be flagging in the late stages of the election. Rubio's words the same as underdog to frontrunner By Brendan Farrington The Associated Press Marco Rubio was at a Panhandle truck stop refueling during a trip from Pensacola to Tallahassee when a truck driver startled him. Rubio stresses his beliefs in Thursday visit to the Treasure Coast By Jim Turner TC Palm Marco Rubio isn’t ready to claim the mantle of U.S. Senator just yet. Ausley says GOP opponent in CFO race afraid of debate The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Loranne Ausley is angry that her opponent for chief financial officer refuses to debate her. CFO hopeful slams spending By Jay Stapleton Daytona Beach News-Journal Running on a platform of "cleaning up the mess" of overspending on pet projects in Tallahassee, Chief Financial Officer candidate Loranne Ausley appeared briefly Thursday morning outside the 5th District Court of Appeal on Beach Street. Democratic donor sues to remove David Rivera from congressional ballot By Scott Hiaasen and Patricia Mazzei Miami Herald Allies of Democratic congressional candidate Joe Garcia filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to kick GOP candidate David Rivera off the Nov. 2 ballot for filing misleading financial disclosure forms as a state lawmaker. Boyd Fights GOP Tide in District 2 Race By Margie Menzel WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee In Florida's Second Congressional District, Democratic incumbent Allen Boyd faces a tight race against political newcomer Steve Southerland. Democratically aligned PAC spends a hefty amount to oppose Southerland By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent Though independent expenditures opposing Republican Steve Southerland outnumber those supporting him by approximately $545,000, he isn’t having any trouble staying ahead of opponent Rep. Allen Boyd. Eighty-eight percent of American Crossroads funding since Sept. 1 came from just five donors By Luke Johnson Florida Independent Out of a total of 345 contributions between Sept. 1 and Oct. 13, just five donors contributed 88 percent of the funds to American Crossroads, a “super PAC” affiliated with former Bush White House Senior Adviser Karl Rove and former Republican National Committee Chair Ed Gillespie. BALLOT INITIATIVES Yes on Amendments 5, 6: A welcome change Editorial Florida Times-Union No reasonable person is happy with the political redistricting process in Florida. Our view on redistricting: As politicians pick voters, extremes grow entrenched Editorial USA Today This is expected to be a tumultuous congressional election. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Group Wants Oil Drilling Ban in State Constitution By Gina Presson Public News Service Florida This week marks the six-month anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon spill off the Gulf Coast of Florida, and a citizen group is petitioning for constitutional amendment banning oil drilling near the state's beaches to help make sure it doesn't happen again. BP sued for harm to Gulf's endangered wildlife By Sue Sturgis Facing South Three conservation groups have brought suit against oil giant BP under the federal Endangered Species Act for the ongoing harm or killing of endangered and threatened wildlife caused by the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. U.S. judge presses federal, state agencies on Everglades cleanup strategies By Christine Stapleton Palm Beach Post Chief U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno relentlessly lobbed questions to lawyers involved in a 22-year-old Everglades cleanup lawsuit on Thursday, asking repeatedly whether a reservoir he ordered to be built would, could or should be built. LGBT Will state fight to keep ban on gay adoptions? By Susan Spencer-Wendel Palm Beach Post A critical deadline looms today in the legal fight over Florida's ban on gay adoptions. Defense Department: 'Don't ask, don't tell' is back By Anne Flaherty The Associated Press The Defense Department has declared that "don't ask, don't tell" is once again the law of the land but has set up a new system that could make it tougher to get fired for being openly gay. Opinions differ on 'don't ask, don't tell' policy By Amanda Nalley Tallahassee Democrat In Tallahassee, opinions differ when it comes to "don't ask, don't tell," a law that prevents gays and lesbians from openly serving in the military. EDUCATION Departing D.C. schools chancellor Rhee offers tough advice in Tampa By Tom Marshall St. Petersburg Times Call her a one-woman wrecking crew, a miracle worker, or the quintessential "mean girl" in American education reform. Call her what you want; Michelle Rhee doesn't mind. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Florida's latest unemployment figures being released Friday The Associated Press South Florida Sun-Sentinel Florida labor officials are hoping they'll see improvement in September's unemployment numbers. Crowds gather to hear details of Legoland Florida By Sara K. Clarke and Dewayne Bevil Orlando Sentinel Legoland Florida unveiled its plans Thursday for some of the signature attractions at the theme park it intends to open near Orlando. HEALTH AND SENIORS Insurance chiefs vote against industry By Jim Saunders and Julie Appleby Health News Florida and Kaiser Health News Insurance regulators today approved controversial rules governing how much insurers must spend on patients’ medical care – without adopting last-minute amendments that some consumer advocates opposed. Feds: Firm scammed U.S. by using dementia patients By Kelli Kennedy The Associated Press Federal authorities charged the nation's largest chain of community mental health centers Thursday with Medicare fraud, alleging the Miami-based company preyed on patients with severe dementia to bill $200 million for services it never delivered. Pain clinic brothers subjects of racketeering probe By Michael LaForgia Palm Beach Post Twin brothers who ran some of South Florida's most brazen cash-only pain clinics are targets of a massive federal racketeering investigation, a case built on allegations of extortion, kidnapping and murder-for-hire, federal prosecutors said Thursday. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Ex-Cons Still Handcuffed During This Year's Election By Amara Sohn NBC 6 News Miami The 43-year-old served three years in prison for possession of cocaine and aggravated battery, lived on the streets and even attempted suicide at one point. Tea Party dredges up pain of segregation By Rev. Randolph Bracy Jr. Orlando Sentinel "The Tea Party movement as a whole may not be racist, but there are elements of it that are." Movement under way to let Floridians openly tote their guns By Mike Thomas Orlando Sentinel So you are walking down Park Avenue, window shopping for all the stuff you once could afford, and suddenly coming down the sidewalk you see three gunslingers. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Conservative activists target 2 Fla. justices By Bill Kaczor The Associated Press No jurist has ever lost a yes-no retention vote in Florida, but this year conservative and tea party activists are trying to change that by targeting a pair of Supreme Court justices in a low-key campaign relying on news releases, word-of-mouth and websites. Ross' Ties to New 'Taj' Courthouse at Heart of Recusal Request By Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times Lawyers for a Lakeland firefighter have filed a motion asking that two judges on the 1st District Court of Appeal step aside because the opposing lawyer was among the "heroes" who helped the court get the money for a grand new courthouse.

Daily Clips for October 21, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Clinton, in Orlando appeal for Meek, says conservatives portray unrecognizable country By Ana M. Valdes Palm Beach Post Last-minute efforts to convince Democrats in Florida's key I-4 corridor to remain faithful to their party and vote for Kendrick Meek for U.S. Senate got a boost today by yet another visit from former President Bill Clinton. Sink, Scott unleash attacks in debate By Mary Ellen Klas and Beth Reinhard Miami Herald Related: CNN poll: Scott 49%, Sink 46% Related: PolitiFact: Despite claim, Scott is tied to lots of lobbyists Alex Sink and Rick Scott admire each other's commitments to their families. And that's about it. Scott's evasions a poor fit for office Editorial St. Petersburg Times Rick Scott has spent months carefully shaping his image in television ads and other controlled settings. No on Amendment 8 Editorial Miami Herald Florida voters have sent two clear messages to the Legislature since 1998: Public education is the state's “paramount duty” and classroom size should be limited so that teachers can devote more time to each student in their care. FLORIDA POLITICS Criticized DCA photographs same as those lawmakers have By Paul Flemming Florida Capital News What's good enough for lawmakers is apparently too much for judges. Chief judge still doesn't get it Editorial St. Petersburg Times Judge Paul Hawkes still doesn't get it. The chief judge of the 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee says he is "surprised and discouraged'' by the firestorm over the $48 million "Taj Mahal'' courthouse and denies he did anything wrong as the driving force behind it. POLITICAL RACES In debate, two share stage, but that’s it By Gary Fineout Sarasota Herald-Tribune In recent weeks, voters have seen plenty of Florida gubernatorial candidates Rick Scott and Alex Sink on television. Gloves come off again as Alex Sink and Rick Scott face off in debate By Anthony Man and Scott Wyman South Florida Sun-Sentinel For about 10 minutes, governor hopefuls Rick Scott and Alex Sink had a generally civilized, somewhat wonky, back-and-forth about the state budget and job creation. Scott, Sink tangle over ethics, experience in statewide debate By Catherine Whittenburg and William March Tampa Tribune Alex Sink and Rick Scott raced to draw first blood in their first statewide debate Wednesday, teasing out a few policy differences but largely highlighting themes of the attack ads that both gubernatorial candidates have running since the August primary. CNN, Times, USF host debates for governor, Senate this weekend Staff Report St. Petersburg Times CNN and the St. Petersburg Times are partnering with the University of South Florida to present live, nationally televised debates between the candidates for U.S. Senate and governor this weekend. Conservative media outlet Newsmax donates $100K to Scott’s 527 group By Luke Johnson Florida Independent “Either [Rick Scott] was incompetent and knew nothing of the massive fraud under way at his own company, or he was indeed complicit in the crime. Clinton stumps for Meek in Orlando The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Related: Clinton campaigns with Sink in Miami Former President Bill Clinton campaigned with Democratic Senate candidate Kendrick Meek along Florida's crucial Interstate 4 corridor for the second day in a row. Bill Clinton tells UCF crowd: Support Kendrick Meek By Jim Stratton Orlando Sentinel With his Senate campaign stalled in third place and election season running out, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek leaned on the Democrats' big dog Wednesday in hopes of getting a boost. Crist says he relishes underdog role in Senate run By Brendan Farrington The Associated Press Gov. Charlie Crist says he's never been happier, and that may seem a little strange. Bondi, Gelber differ on focus in Fla. AG race By Kelli Kennedy The Associated Press Republican attorney general nominee Pam Bondi is trying to nationalize the campaign, pushing GOP talking points about the dismal economy, the Obama administration and particularly her opposition to the health care overhaul bill it pushed through Congress earlier this year. Rubio helps ally stump for votes By Beth Reinhard Miami Herald Front-running U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio brought his star power Wednesday to one of Miami-Dade's busiest early voting sites to campaign with a close pal on shakier political ground: Republican congressional candidate David Rivera. DCCC begins ad campaign to save Allen Boyd, and looks to Joe Garcia for upset By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has begun to utilitze its long reserved air time in North Florida for embattled Congressman Allen Boyd. Alan Grayson seen as folk hero by some, as tyrant by others By Mark K. Matthews Orlando Sentinel Related: Webster refuses to debate Grayson Everything is personal to U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson. Clear choices await Florida voters in 3rd Congressional District By Matt Dixon Florida Times-Union In the race for Florida’s 3rd Congressional District, the choices could not be clearer. Tallahassee courthouse a new attack hammer in Thrasher-Gianoulis race By David Hunt and Tia Mitchell Florida Times-Union State Senate hopeful Deborah Gianoulis wants to connect her opponent, incumbent John Thrasher, to Tallahassee’s “Taj Mahal” courthouse scandal and generate votes for her. Ambler denied, Republicans to pick Norman’s replacement By Robert Napper Florida Independent State Rep. Kevin Ambler, R-Tampa, has lost his bid to replace embattled Republican nominee Jim Norman on the ballot for Florida’s District 12 Senate seat. Campaign works to keep hope from 2008 alive By Dinah Voyles Pulver Daytona Beach News-Journal Concerned that momentum could be lost after a record turnout among African-American voters in 2008, state Sen. Tony Hill and others hit the road this week to convince students on college campuses -- no matter their race -- to get out and vote. BALLOT INITIATIVES Fair Districts Florida amendments 5 and 6 seek to stop gerrymandering By Sean Kinane WMNF Community Radio Tampa Florida voters are deciding on two proposed amendments to the state Constitution that establish new rules for redistricting. Republican Party of Florida gives $750K to anti-Fair Districts group By Cooper Levey-Baker Florida Independent In a piece on gerrymandering published last week, Tristram Korten noted that Protect Your Vote — the organization that is fighting Amendments 5 and 6 — was lacking in the fundraising department. Amendment One Would End Matching Campaign Funds By Mike Vasilinda Capitol News Service Florida voters will see six constitutional amendments on this year’s ballot along with a non binding vote on Federal spending, and a host of yes or no decisions on whether to retain judges. Amendment 8 is the wrong way to achieve class-size flexibility By Mark Castellano Ft. Myers News-Press In 2002, the voters of Florida passed the Class Size Reduction Amendment to the Florida Constitution. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Should pollution rules be imposed in Florida? By William Gibson South Florida Sun-Sentinel Some 46 Florida businesses and other groups urged Congress on Wednesday to support their efforts to forestall federal water-quality standards that they believe could be economically “devastating.” Industry-sponsored "Clean Gulf" conference draws fire By Kate Bradshaw WMNF Community Radio Tampa Six months ago today, an oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, killing eleven workers. LGBT Appeals court keeps military gay policy for now By Lisa Leff The Associated Press A federal appeals court on Wednesday temporarily granted the U.S. government's request for a freeze on a judge's order requiring the military to allow openly gay troops. EDUCATION FSBA wants flexibility for Florida's new graduation requirements By Ron Matus St. Petersburg Times In its legislative platform for 2011, adopted last week, the Florida School Boards Association mostly asks for what you'd expect: More money. More local control. No more unfunded mandates. State opens civil investigations of recruiting, financial aid at for-profit colleges By Richard Danielson St. Petersburg Times The Florida Attorney General's Office has opened civil investigations into allegations of deceptive practices at five for-profit colleges, three with branches in the Tampa Bay area. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Republicans demonize the stimulus Editorial St. Petersburg Times Republicans apparently figure if they spread enough misinformation about the federal stimulus money that staved off an economic meltdown, voters will believe it. HEALTH AND SENIORS Many pain clinics claim exemption By Carol Gentry Health News Florida Florida has more than 80 licensed pain clinics that are not owned by physicians, despite a widespread impression that the Legislature required such ownership in a law that took effect Oct. 1. Federal, local agents raid 3 Palm Beach County pain clinics By Michael LaForgia Palm Beach Post Twin brothers who styled themselves as mega-rich playboys opened pain clinics in Palm Beach and Broward counties and lined their pockets with money from drug traffickers, federal agents alleged Wednesday. McCarty: Protect agents' commissions By Jim Saunders Health News Florida On the eve of a key vote, Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty on Wednesday proposed excluding agents from a new medical-spending formula that has roiled the health-insurance industry. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Florida immigration bill would allow police to skip over Canadians, Europeans By Elise Foley Florida Independent Via Change.org, some interesting information about a proposed Arizona-style immigration bill in Florida: The bill includes a provision allowing Canadians and Western Europeans to be “presumed to be legally in the United States,” even though other non-citizens must carry papers. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Krafts plead not guilty; hearing set By Laura Figueroa Miami Herald Former School Board Member Stephanie Kraft and her attorney husband Mitch Kraft entered not guilty pleas to a litany of corruption charges on Wednesday.

Daily Clips for October 20, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Charlie Crist tags Marco Rubio "extreme right-wing'' tea party favorite in Senate debate By Beth Reinhard and Adam C. Smith St. Petersburg Times Gov. Charlie Crist tried to rattle U.S. Senate frontrunner Marco Rubio by raising new questions about his character in their fourth televised debate, just two weeks before the election. Bill Clinton shines star power on Kendrick Meek campaign at USF St. Petersburg By Aaron Sharockman St. Petersburg Times Still trying to unify Democrats around his sluggish campaign, U.S. Senate candidate Kendrick Meek got help Tuesday from one of his party's biggest stars, former President Bill Clinton. Sink and Scott set to collide on TV By Jeremy Wallace Sarasota Herald-Tribune Rick Scott and Alex Sink will meet in two televised debates beginning today that could prove to be pivotal in this year's race for governor. Driven Sink says she can fix Fla.'s economy By Mitch Stacy The Associated Press When Adelaide "Alex" Sink ran to be Florida's chief financial officer in her first ever election in 2006, she positioned herself as an outsider who would bring her vast banking experience to the task of managing the state's money. Incoming Fla. House Speaker picks executive-legislative fight over health care By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post Incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon sent Gov. Charlie Crist a letter Tuesday telling him to back off implementation of the federal health care law unless state lawmakers give him the go-ahead. FLORIDA POLITICS Judge lets grand theft charge stand against former House Speaker Ray Sansom By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times A judge on Tuesday faulted a state attorney's behavior in the case against ousted House Speaker Ray Sansom but said it did not amount to prosecutorial misconduct and declined to dismiss the charges. POLITICAL RACES Senate candidates sharpen their attacks in fourth debate By George Bennett and Jane Musgrave Palm Beach Post Related AP story: Fla.'s Crist tries to distance himself from Obama The themes were similar but the elbows were a little sharper as Florida's three Senate candidates debated for the fourth time tonight. Jennifer Carroll says Rick Scott has no ties to a lobbyist By Amy Sherman St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Politifact Rick Scott, the millionaire Republican gubernatorial candidate, is a businessman who has never been elected to public office. Rick Scott covers familiar territory during Naples stop with Minn. Gov. Tim Pawlenty By Ryan Mills Naples Daily News Over the past six months, Rick Scott hasn’t spent much time at his Naples home. Agriculture candidates seek rural, urban votes By Tamara Lush The Associated Press There are a lot of similarities between the two men running for Florida's commissioner of agriculture. Klein accuses West of thuggery for ousting camera man; West campaign calls man "stalker" By John Lantigua Palm Beach Post Call it "Bikergate," The campaign of U.S. Rep. Ron Klein and the Florida Democratic Party Tuesday once again raised the question of his District 22 GOP challenger Allen West's support from local motorcycle clubs and accused members of those clubs of "thuggish behavior." Buchanan eclipsing Golden in district race? By Anthony Cormier Sarasota Herald-Tribune When the Rev. James Golden brought an influential U.S. congressman to Lakewood Ranch last month, he hoped the event would lure Democratic supporters and pad his campaign account with some much-needed contributions. Despite questions, Florida GOP helps pay Norman's legal bills By Janet Zink St. Petersburg Times Even as Jim Norman faced serious questions about the purchase of an Arkansas vacation home, the state Senate candidate was getting a financial vote of confidence from the Republican Party of Florida. Judge's ruling allows GOP to pick candidate for Norman seat By Mike Salinero Tampa Tribune The judge who disqualified Jim Norman from a state Senate race last week issued a ruling Tuesday that will allow local Republican officials to choose a new nominee for the contest. Early votes for embattled state Senate candidate Norman up in the air By Robert Napper Florida Independent Votes for embattled Republican state Senate hopeful Jim Norman during early voting will count should he remain on the ballot, but if he is tossed, citizens who voted for him early will not get another chance to make their pick for the seat. Will party loyalty and blind faith trump Florida's best interests? Editorial Sarasota Herald-Tribune Party loyalty is a powerful motivator in politics. BALLOT INITIATIVES Redistricting amendments pit Democrats vs. Republicans By Scott Powers Orlando Sentinel The battle over how state officials draw up congressional and legislative districts inevitably comes down to incumbents versus those out of power — and money is lining up the same way behind two redistricting ballot measures this fall. Florida retiree group puts support behind Amendments 5 and 6 By Tony Fransetta Ft. Myers News-Press On Nov. 2 voters will have an historic opportunity to vote for meaningful political reform by voting “Yes” on the “Fair Districts” Amendments 5 and 6. Amendment 8 does not put our children first By Karin Brown and Latha Krishnaiyer Tampa Tribune We are the oldest and largest child advocacy association in this state and nation, so position we take needs to satisfactorily answer this question: "Is this good for all children?" The case for Amendment 4 By Lesley Blackner Naples Daily News Reckless over-development has crashed our economy, plummeted home values, threatened our quality of life, paved over Florida’s natural beauty and led to higher taxes. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Study projects 400,000 jobs, $46 billion economic boost could come from restoring Everglades By Andy Reid South Florida Sun-Sentinel That's the message of a new economic study commissioned by environmentalists, which concludes that stepped up Everglades restoration would result in hundreds of thousands of new jobs and a more than $46 billion boost to Florida's economy. Crews move to next level of beach cleaning By Travis Griggs Pensacola News Journal Oil spill cleanup crews in Florida and Alabama began digging this week to uncover oil buried under beaches during the BP spill. Environment should benefit from BP fines By Jackie Bueno Sousa Miami Herald Six months ago, environmentalists, government officials and BP workers began scrambling in what would become a long, stressful effort to soak up and contain a historic oil spill. Oil spill victims tell tales of waiting, and waiting, for compensation By Andrew Restuccia Florida Independent For more than seven weeks, Jeannie Mathis has been waiting for a check from the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, the independent entity charged with doling out the money BP set aside to compensate victims of the gulf oil spill. And for seven weeks, her claim has been “under review.” Natural Gas, a Natural Choice By Whitney Ray Capitol News Service In five year’s time natural gas could start phasing out diesel in Florida. NoPetro, a California based natural gas provider, is promising 12 fueling stations in strategic locations throughout Florida. LGBT Military recruiters told to accept gay applicants in wake of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' ruling By Anne Flaherty The Associated Press The Defense Department said Tuesday that it is accepting openly gay recruits, but is warning applicants they might not be allowed to stick around for long. 'Don't ask, don't tell' shift catches South Florida recruiters by surprise By Carol Rosenberg Miami Herald The Pentagon said Tuesday that it had issued orders to military recruiters to accept enlistment papers from openly gay applicants -- a stopgap measure while it seeks to reinstate its beleaguered 'don't ask, don't tell policy. EDUCATION Education initiative has eye on Latino vote By Margaret Talev and Lesley Clark Miami Herald Two weeks before elections in which Democrats in several states are nervous that depressed turnout by Latino voters could cost them their jobs, President Barack Obama on Tuesday signed an executive order to improve Hispanic children's educational opportunities. Toxic schools: Grand jury laid out mold problem; lawmakers didn't act By Denise-Marie Balona Orlando Sentinel In 2003, a grand jury blasted the Broward County school system for taking too long to get rid of mold in classrooms and failing to repair leaky roofs and faulty air conditioners. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY State reinsurer remains in good shape at end of hurricane season By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune A new round of estimates for the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund conclude that the state-created reinsurer remains on solid financial footing with a little more than a month left in the 2010 hurricane season. HEALTH AND SENIORS Speaker reins in action on health law By Jim Saunders Health News Florida Incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon today clamped down on state agencies carrying out the federal health-reform law, arguing that lawmakers need to be more involved in making decisions. State agency once again raises idea of taxes on HMOs and hospitals By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune A state agency has suggested again that one way that lawmakers could balance the budget is to generate more than $425 million in taxes on HMOs and hospitals. Discussing Florida’s crisis pregnancy centers with state Rep. Plakon By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent The website of state Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, who is running unopposed for reelection, states that Plakon “unequivocally supports any legislation created for the protection of all human life, in the womb and outside it. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Cutting court funding would hurt Florida By Mayanne Downs Daytona Beach News-Journal The Florida Bar joins those who are disturbed by the process by which the new 1st District Court of Appeal building was funded.

Daily Clips for October 19, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Under oath, Rick Scott displays poor memory, penchant for parsing words By Marc Caputo St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Excerpt: Excerpts from Rick Scott under oath Rick Scott the candidate promises voters "the unvarnished truth." Crist allure plagues Democrats By William March Tampa Tribune Charlie Crist's no-party U.S. Senate candidacy is entangling Florida Democrats in a difficult racial knot of a kind they've experienced before, to their regret. The G.O.P. Petri Dish By Adam Smith New York Times Conservative government is nothing new in Florida, but Nov. 2 could shift the direction of America’s biggest battleground state significantly further to the right. Midterm mystery: Will Latinos vote? By John Lantigua Palm Beach Post When it comes to voting on Nov. 2, Wendy Francisco, an Indiantown resident of Guatemalan descent, is still trying to make up her mind. Fiscal Duplicity By Thomas Francis Florida Center for Investigative Reporting Related: Map: Lettermarking in Florida On the same morning in February 2009 that President Barack Obama promoted the federal economic stimulus plan in Fort Myers, U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, a Republican from Lee County, appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe to criticize that same legislation. FLORIDA POLITICS Jim Greer case: No Dean Cannon deposition Monday By Rene Stutzman Orlando Sentinel Incoming-Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon did not sit down this morning in a law office in Orlando, take an oath to tell the truth then answer hard questions about his role in firing deposed Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer. Judge skeptical of campaign finance laws challenge By Jim Ash Florida Capital News A skeptical U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle on Monday questioned a conservative group's motives for challenging Florida's campaign finance laws so close to the Nov. 2 election. Fla. voter registration down slightly, but more independents seen Staff Report Orlando Sentinel Florida voter registration is down slightly from two years ago, but the ranks of independent voters have grown since then. POLITICAL RACES Popular early voting gets under way in Fla. By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Prodded by both political parties and dozens of anxious candidates, Florida voters began casting ballots Monday in a history-making election. Early voting kicks off smoothly in South Florida By Luisa Yanez and John Dorschner Miami Herald The 9,959 South Florida voters who showed up to cast early ballots for next month's election had to wait no longer than seven minutes to vote in several crucial races, including those of Florida's next senator and governor. Florida's long-distance campaign for governor enters the home stretch By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune And now the election really starts. Florida’s souped-up, long-distance, and largely impersonal campaign for governor enters the final countdown with the start of early voting on Monday. Debates could be winning edge for Florida gubernatorial candidates Scott, Sink By Brandon Larrabee Florida Times-Union With polls showing a dead heat in the governor’s race, Republican candidate Rick Scott and Democratic nominee Alex Sink are preparing to take the stage in what could be a crucial pair of debates. Scott spends $1.7 million more of his own cash on campaign; Sink raises $420,000 By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post As he did in the primary, Republican candidate Rick Scott is pumping millions of his personal wealth into his campaign account in an effort to keep the Florida governor's mansion in GOP hands for the next four years. Scott gets more national, Sink more personal as gubernatorial election nears By Ryan Mills Naples Daily News On Aug. 23, one day before Florida’s primary election, Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott posted a short video to his YouTube website painting a “clear choice” between him and his rival in the race, Attorney General Bill McCollum. Wealthy outsider in close race for Fla. governor By Matt Sedensky The Associated Press Rick Scott is the lanky, lackluster high school athlete who wooed one of the pep squad girls. Tort reform an under-the-table issue in governor's race By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel Democratic gubernatorial nominee Alex Sink is a big fan of lawyers. Her husband, former gubernatorial nominee Bill McBride, is a partner in a Tampa law firm. Her running mate – former legislator Rod Smith -- is a former prosecutor and plaintiff's attorney, as is his son. In tight race, both camps underline area's key role By Jeremy Wallace Sarasota Herald-Tribune Florida's closest gubernatorial race in 16 years officially hit the home stretch on Monday, and Sarasota was at the center of it. Clinton campaigns with Meek in St. Pete The Associated Press Tampa Tribune Trailing badly in a three-way race for U.S. Senate, Democrat Kendrick Meek gets some star power from former President Bill Clinton in St. Petersburg. Suffolk University Poll of Florida: Republican Marco Rubio Leads by 8 Points By David Paleologos Suffolk University With a little over two weeks left in the 2010 election cycle, Republican Marco Rubio (39 percent) leads Independent candidate Charlie Crist (31 percent) by 8 points and Democrat Kendrick Meek (22 percent) by 17 points in the race for U.S. Senate, according to the latest Suffolk University/WSVN poll. Gov. Charlie Crist's campaign differs from four years ago By Becky Bowers St. Petersburg Times Four years ago, Charlie Crist's smile beamed from a 70-foot-tall banner on the side of a Tampa office building. Republican CFO candidate Atwater downplays role in failed bank By Lee Logan St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Jeff Atwater says nearly 30 years of community banking experience gives him a "unique insight" into the duties he would face if elected as Florida's chief financial officer. Agency disappears from David Rivera's forms By Scott Hiaasen and Patricia Mazzei Miami Herald Republican congressional candidate David Rivera has amended his state financial disclosure forms to erase any mention of consulting work for the U.S. Agency for International Development -- days after USAID officials said they had no records showing Rivera worked for the agency. Subject of debate: West's biker ties, Klein's ties to Lewis By John Lantigua Palm Beach Post It's the company you keep, at least if you're running for Congress in District 22. Grayson has big lead over Webster in money race By Mark K. Matthews Orlando Sentinel If U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson loses next month to Republican challenger Dan Webster, it won't be because the Orlando Democrat hasn't raised enough money. Of all Democrats, U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd should be safe, but he's not By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times Each morning as he heads out on the campaign trail, an increasingly bleak and hostile landscape, U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd must ask himself, "Why me?" Race gets money infusion By Dave Berman Florida Today Incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas has spent nearly $1.8 million so far in her campaign to win re-election. What the Voters Want By Susan MacManus New York Times Since the early 2000s, Florida’s economy has gone from boom to bust. The Republicans Are Dominant By Carol S. Weissert New York Times In the five statewide races (one United States Senate seat, a governor's race and three cabinet officials), I expect Democrats to pick up only one seat -- the governorship. BALLOT INITIATIVES Legislative and Congressional Redistricting By Aubrey Jewett New York Times While Florida is a battleground for statewide elections like president and governor, it has not been very competitive for Congressional House and State Legislature races for the past decade. Distrust of elected officials led to local version of Amendment 4 in Yankeetown By Travis Pillow Florida Independent Early voting begins today in Florida elections, and in addition to choosing candidates in statewide and congressional elections, voters will decide a series of ballot initiatives, among them Amendment 4, which would give them a say in local land-use decisions. Supermajority requirement coming back to haunt GOP By Ron Littlepage Florida Times-Union In 2006, the Republican-controlled Legislature placed a constitutional amendment on the ballot that required all future amendments be approved by 60 percent of the voters before going into effect instead of a simple majority. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Scientists lower Gulf health grade By Seth Borenstein The Associated Press Six months after the rig explosion that led to the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history, damage to the Gulf of Mexico can be measured more in increments than extinctions, say scientists polled by The Associated Press. Less Support for Off-Shore Drilling By Robert W. McKnight New York Times The biggest policy shift over the next few years in Florida will be on energy. LGBT Despite anti-bullying law, many schools lack LGBT protections By Bianca Fortis Florida Independent The recent string of suicides across the nation because of anti-gay bullying has elevated discussions of school bullying, especially in regard to LGBT students, to the national level. Uncertainty Around DADT The Progress Report Think Progress Last week, the Justice Department asked Judge Virginia Phillips to stay her broad injunction barring the military from enforcing the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy until it has an opportunity to appeal the decision to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. McCollum should stop defending Florida's ban on gay adoption Editorial Orlando Sentinel Florida's cruel and discriminatory law banning gays from adopting children is hanging by a thread. After 33 years, Florida finally gets it right on gay adoption Editorial South Florida Sun-Sentinel It would have been a fitting funeral for Florida's archaic, bigoted gay adoption law if it had gone all the way to the state Supreme Court before finally being shot down. EDUCATION Broward School Board ends teacher negotiations without giving raises By Akilah Johnson South Florida Sun-Sentinel Contentious contract negotiations between the Broward School Board and the teachers union finally ended Monday night — without teachers getting pay raises. Prepaid 101: What to know about college plans By Nirvi Shah and John Dorschner Miami Herald As enrollment started Monday in this year's Florida Prepaid College Plans, certified financial planner Meg Green said people with limited resources might find prepaying for college “a safer bet” but other types of plans could save parents more money in the long run, though they involve more risk. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Global bullet train makers gird for Tampa-Orlando high-speed rail bidding war By Robert Trigaux St. Petersburg Times Like bees to honey, the world's major makers of bullet trains are converging on the planned Tampa-to-Orlando high-speed rail project to pitch their version of a really fast train service. Light Rail Gets Thumbs-Up from Transit Agency By Steve Newborn WUSF Public Radio Tampa The agency that would operate Hillsborough County's light rail line - if it gets OK'd by voters in two weeks - took another step toward getting their final plans in place. HEALTH AND SENIORS Insurance agents worry health-care overhaul may shrink their profits By Linda Shrieves Orlando Sentinel Doctors aren't the only ones concerned about health-care overhaul. Across the country, insurance agents are worried that the new federal mandates may shut them out of the health-care market. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Farmworkers and their supporters march in Tampa By Kelly Benjamin WMNF Community Radio Tampa Last Friday during rush hour, A group called Tampa Bay Fair Food organized a march from downtown Tampa to the Publix Greenwise Market in Hyde Park to protest Publix Super Market's policies regarding fair food practices and farmworker rights.

Daily Clips for October 18, 2010

PROGRESS FLORIDA IN THE NEWS Amendment 8 (Class Size) Demonstrates Flaws in Referendum Process By Dennis Maley Bradenton Times Excerpt: Damien Filer of Progress Florida, who was one of the leaders in the 2002 initiative, says that there is one thing not being made clear to the voters and that is that the repeal will be a reduction in funding to education. FEATURED STORIES As early voting starts, voters’ mood is anxious By Beth Reinhard, Amy Sherman, Becky Bowers and Mary Ellen Klas Miami Herald Will riled conservatives and depressed Democrats send a message to President Barack Obama and usher in a Republican sweep up and down Florida's beefy ballot in 2010? Fla. Senate candidates clash over Social Security, abortion in spirited 3-way debate By Brendan Farrington The Associated Press Republican Senate candidate Marco Rubio accused Gov. Charlie Crist on Friday of using "shameful" scare tactics to frighten seniors about his views on Social Security, but Crist stood his ground while Democratic candidate and U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek said both men are suspect on protecting benefits. Alex Sink's campaign marked by moderation By Lloyd Dunkelberger Sarasota Herald-Tribune With a million Floridians out of work and the electorate demanding action, Alex Sink held a news conference earlier this year, touting her Cabinet agency's efforts to curb the use of office supplies and cell phones. Rick Scott deflects questions about fraud during leadership of beleaguered Columbia/HCA By Jeff Ostrowski Palm Beach Post Not long after he was hired, Jerre Frazier recalls meeting with Rick Scott at Columbia/HCA's Nashville headquarters to discuss the legal issues looming over the hospital chain. Scott's pleading of the 5th manipulated legal system By Talbot "Sandy" D'Alemberte St. Petersburg Times President Ronald Reagan once spoke of the importance of the rule of law in a free society such as ours, a society where the rights of people have been protected for centuries. EDITORIAL CARTOON OF THE WEEK By Andy Marlette Pensacola News Journal FLORIDA POLITICS Head of state buildings pushes back on 'Taj Mahal' courthouse By Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times Linda South, head of the state agency responsible for construction of state buildings, held her tongue last week after Senate President-designate Mike Haridopolos called for her head. With voting rights groups reeling, new registrations decline By Jesse Zwick Florida Independent After more than a decade of success expanding voter rolls, voting rights advocates are noting a disturbing trend in the run-up to the 2010 elections. What we didn't know before Jim Greer's ascent By Michael Kruse St. Petersburg Times The 1993 DUI arrest of Jim Greer started as a 911 call from a woman in a drunken panic. Jim Greer's attorneys to depose Dean Cannon on Monday By Rene Stutzman Orlando Sentinel On Monday, lawyers for former Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer will depose incoming state House Speaker Dean Cannon. John Mica ready to take powerful gavel of Transportation chairmanship By Larry Hannan Florida Times-Union U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., was supposed to become chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in 2007. How the Legislature voted on the teacher tenure bill By Howard Troxler St. Petersburg Times Whew! Today we come to the end of our review of some the Legislature's most controversial votes over the past two years. POLITICAL RACES Independent vote, party support make Sink hard to beat By Jim Ash Florida Capital News Before the rise of the Tea Party, before a multimillionaire health-care executive came out of nowhere to claim the Republican nomination for governor, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink could easily claim title to the most compelling political story. Alex Sink still trying to define herself for voters By Catherine Whittenburg Tampa Tribune For Democrat Alex Sink, the governor's race has been a race to define herself before her multimillionaire opponent does it for her. Alex Sink mastered banking, but political ease is a stretch for the bookish candidate By Mary Ellen Klas St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau When Alex Sink returned to North Carolina after a failed marriage and a three-year stint in West Africa, she threw herself into something just as foreign: the male-dominated world of banking. Anti-incumbency public mood gives Scott voter appeal By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News If Rick Scott ran a balance sheet on his political assets and liabilities, his business success would probably count on both sides of the ledger. Rick Scott the TV image well known, Rick Scott the man is not By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau After buying and selling everything from doughnuts to hospitals, Rick Scott is trying to make his toughest sale: persuading voters to elect him governor of Florida. Rick Scott lived in public housing 3 years, records show By Sally Kestin and Peter Franceschina South Florida Sun-Sentinel Rick Scott tells a rags-to-riches story of coming from humble roots to become a multimillionaire and the Republican candidate for governor of Florida. Scott, Sink quiet on issues key to North Floridians By Brandon Larrabee Florida Times-Union In ads, on their websites and in their campaign speeches, Rick Scott, the Republican nominee for governor, and Alex Sink, the Democratic candidate, tout how their agendas would work for the state of Florida - at least, when they're not trading shots about the other's record. Experts: Two weeks to go, Sink-Scott ads may get more negative, personal By Ryan Mills Naples Daily News On Aug. 23, one day before Florida’s primary election, Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott posted a short video to his YouTube website painting a “clear choice” between him and his rival in the race, Attorney General Bill McCollum. In a brawling debate, U.S. Senate candidates tangle in Tampa By Adam C. Smith St. Petersburg Times Republican U.S. Senate frontrunner Marco Rubio may be leading Charlie Crist by double digits but he didn't pull his punches when he ripped the governor as a phoney opportunist in a combative televised debate Friday. Meek touts middle-class focus in Senate campaign By Jennifer Kay The Associated Press Kendrick Meek had other stops to make in north Florida, but he didn't want to leave the sunny stadium parking lot where his supporters grilled hot dogs and hamburgers before a Jacksonville Jaguars game. Meek: Give everyday Floridians a voice Editorial board interview Daytona Beach News-Journal Democratic Congressman Kendrick Meek is running for the U.S. Senate against Republican Marco Rubio and Gov. Charlie Crist, who's running with no party affiliation. Crist: No affiliation gives middle a choice Editorial board interview Daytona Beach News-Journal Charlie Crist was elected as Florida's governor four years ago. Rather than seek re-election, he is running for the U.S. Senate against Democrat Kendrick Meek and Republican Marco Rubio. U.S. Senate race: Will Charlie Crist's independence win voters? By Jane Musgrave Palm Beach Post Having grown up with Gov. Charlie Crist in St. Petersburg, former state House Speaker Peter Wallace has seen the many faces of his friend and sometime political foe. Rudolph Giuliani campaigns with U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio in Delray Beach By Cynthia Roldan Palm Beach Post With Rudolph Giuliani at his side, Republican candidate Marco Rubio took his campaign for the U.S. Senate to the South County Civic Center in suburban Delray Beach on Saturday, telling a crowd of about 100 people that this election "is simply nothing less than a referendum on America's identity." Gelber presses Bondi to answer questions in only TV debate By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times Republican Pam Bondi and Democrat Dan Gelber clashed on a wide variety of issues Saturday in a spirited debate between the leading candidates for Florida attorney general. Race for Fla. CFO gets little attention By Melissa Nelson The Associated Press Although Florida's next chief financial officer will take charge during one of the rockiest times in the state's financial history, the race has received little attention amid higher-profile races for the U.S. Senate and governor. GOP legislator urged a "no vote" against Atwater but changed his mind By Gary Fineout The Fine Print Rep. Charles Van Zant, who this week sent out an e-mail suggesting GOP candidate for governor Rick Scott would support a near ban on abortion, also told his supporters on Monday that he would not be backing Senate President Jeff Atwater for Chief Financial Officer. Congressional candidate David Rivera faces ethics complaint By Scott Hiaasen and Patricia Mazzei Miami Herald A Democratic donor has filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics accusing Republican state representative and congressional candidate David Rivera of hiding his income in disclosure forms filed annually. Incumbent considers herself independent, moderate Staff Report Daytona Beach News-Journal Suzanne Kosmas was elected two years ago in District 24, making her the first Volusia County resident to serve in Congress since 1992. NRA backing Boyd in contest with Southerland By Jim Ash Florida Capital News Congressman Allen Boyd Friday announced a key endorsement in the incumbent North Florida Democrat's toughest election fight since 1996. GOP Challenger Denies Involvement With Biker Gang By Jeremy P. Jacobs National Journal Republican congressional challenger Allen West -- the latest Republican House candidate to be embroiled in a personal scandal -- denied on Saturday that he has ever been affiliated with a controversial motorcycle club that has ties to criminal activity. Education reform is a major issue in Florida's Senate District 8 race By Tia Mitchell Florida Times-Union From the very beginning, the State Senate District 8 race between John Thrasher and Deborah Gianoulis has been largely about education. Judge removes GOP nominee from Fla. Senate ballot By Bill Kaczor The Associated Press In a first-of-its-kind case, a judge Friday removed a Republican state Senate candidate from the Nov. 2 ballot for violating Florida's financial disclosure laws. Secretive 'super PACS' attack Klein on airwaves, roadways By George Bennett Palm Beach Post Seen those billboards depicting Democratic U.S. Rep. Ron Klein as a marionette with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pulling the strings? Politifact says: Truth gets lost in most ads from political groups By Bill Adair St. Petersburg Times Ads from "super PACs" and other political groups targeting the 2010 midterm election are overwhelmingly spreading exaggerations and falsehoods, according to a fact-checking analysis by PolitiFact. Widespread early voting and voting by mail shake up elections By Anthony Man South Florida Sun-Sentinel Voting has changed dramatically for millions of Floridians in the past decade. Early voting: Elections are half over when polls open Nov. 2 By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News The early balloting that begins across Florida on Monday is not just a popular convenience for the voters, it's a tactical challenge for political strategists. BALLOT INITIATIVES St. Petersburg Times/Bay News 9 poll: Most parents favor class-size limits By Ron Matus St. Petersburg Times Related: Complete poll results Two weeks before a critical vote, a majority of Tampa Bay parents have a message for those who want to tweak Florida's class-size amendment: Leave it alone. Fla. voters to weigh in on class-size limits By Harriet Daniels Gainesville Sun Florida voters decided in 2002 to impose limits on the number of students in statewide classrooms. Voters getting partisan pitches over proposed political boundary reforms By Beth Reinhard Miami Herald The campaign to change the way voting districts are drawn in Florida brought in New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz — two well-known independents — to promote its cause Friday. On districts, an alliance between black leaders and GOP By Jeremy Wallace Sarasota Herald-Tribune The fight to defeat a pair of amendments that would change the ways legislative districts are drawn in Florida has sparked one of the unlikeliest alliances in the state political history. Amendment 4 backers get cash infusion By Allison Ross and Adam Playford Palm Beach Post The campaign for Amendment 4 - cash-poor and facing well-financed rivals - received a major shot in the arm that could transform the fight over the measure. Why we need Amendment 4 By Layton Mank Gainesville Sun The Sun's Oct. 10 editorial opposing Amendment 4 simply parrots the position of the statewide developers that the amendment is anti-growth and bad governance. The Sun is wrong on both counts. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY EPA plays catchup on costly Florida water pollution By Craig Pittman St. Petersburg Times The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is supposed to enforce the nation's rules on water pollution, has suffered a pair of black eyes from two recent court cases in Florida. Federal official defends Gulf oil spill reporting By Bruce Rtichie FloridaEnvironments.com NOAA Administrator Jane Lubcheco on Friday defended as "consistent" her description of the fate of oil spilled last summer in the Gulf of Mexico. Meanwhile, an oil industry representative told environmental journalists that the nation must continue deep-water oil drilling as an important economic driver in the Gulf region. Six lessons we learned 6 months after the spill By Kevin Spear Orlando Sentinel Cleanup efforts are still ongoing in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana 6 months after the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig erupted and spilled 200 million gallons of crude into the Gulf of Mexico. Sharks Are Dwindling, But Important to Florida Ecology By Del Milligan Lakeland Ledger When the Deepwater Horizon oil rig disaster spewed nearly 5 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico during the spring and summer, sharks were pushed ever closer to shore. State asks public's help in evaluating imperiled species By Kevin Lollar Ft. Myers News-Press Have you seen a big increase in black bears in your neighborhood the past decade? How about a noticeable lack of brown pelicans? Climate Zombies The Progress Report Think Progress One of the defining characteristics of the current Republican Party is the near-unanimous denial of the science behind the threat of global warming pollution. LGBT Obama’s delay on military gays puts off the inevitable By Leonard Pitts Jr. Miami Herald It’s not hard to understand why the Obama Administration went to court Thursday seeking a stay of a federal injunction barring the military from enforcing “don’t ask don’t tell.” Court ruling or no, gay troops know not to tell By Allen G. Breed and Brian Witte The Associated Press When word came down of a judge's ruling that gays could serve openly in the military, an Air Force officer received joyous congratulations from a comrade. Realizing there was someone in the room who didn't know his sexual orientation, the officer pretended it was a joke and laughed it off. EDUCATION Toxic schools: Mold, air quality spark thousands of complaints in Central Florida By Denise-Marie Balona Orlando Sentinel Mold clung to the ceiling and left dark trails across the walls and floor. School districts think they've met class-size deadline, but frustration just beginning By Dave Weber and Leslie Postal Orlando Sentinel Public school officials across Central Florida think they met Friday's deadline to comply with the state's strict new class-size rules, but will not know for sure until all of the numbers are in. Don't make the teachers scapegoats By Bill Maxwell St. Petersburg Times Teachers long have been blamed for the real and perceived failures of our public schools. Florida prepaid tuition plan opens Monday with higher prices By Scott Travis South Florida Sun-Sentinel The once dirt-cheap Florida Prepaid College savings plan is being overhauled this year, offering simpler options and heftier prices. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Florida Eyes Freeze on Faulty Foreclosures By Lynn Hatter WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee Last month, one in every 148 homes in Florida received a foreclosure notice. Latest shift in tax burden By Doug Sword Sarasota Herald-Tribune It was famously predicted three years ago that reforms to Florida's property tax system would make taxes drop like a rock. State pays $180 million in fees, gets little from long-term investment By Kris Hundley St. Petersburg Times When an investment in the state's public pension dips in value, Florida's money managers say it's unfair to judge investment funds over the short term. Florida workers comp rates going up 7.8 percent By Bill Kaczor The Associated Press Florida employers will begin paying 7.8 percent more next year to insure their workers for on-the-job injuries under a rate increase approved Friday. HEALTH AND SENIORS Social Security benefits won't increase in 2011 By Harriet Johnson Brackey South Florida Sun-Sentinel The Social Security Administration on Friday announced that benefits won't go up next year, to the dismay of seniors who say their cost of living is rising. Advantage plans: Fewer is better By Dave Gulliver Health News Florida Florida seniors searching for a Medicare Advantage plan this fall will find fewer choices than last year -- and that’s a good thing, advocates say. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Victory long time coming for Florida tomato pickers Editorial St. Petersburg Times The Coalition of Immokalee Workers has finally gotten a major Florida tomato grower to agree to pay farm laborers a penny-per-pound premium. Farmworkers score again for justice Editorial Ft. Myers News-Press On Wednesday, Pacific Tomato Growers, one of the largest producers of tomatoes in the U.S., pledged to improve working conditions and pay for harvesters under an accord with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Five years since Florida enacted "stand-your-ground" law, justifiable homicides are up By Ben Montgomery and Colleen Jenkins St. Petersburg Times Two men meet at a park one Sunday afternoon in September. One is playing basketball with his daughter. Give drug courts a real chance to work Editorial St. Petersburg Times Drug courts and the supervised drug treatment they offer help addicts turn their lives around.