Daily Clips for February 18, 2011

FEATURED STORIES Florida lawmakers fight to keep rail money Gov. Rick Scott rejected By Alex Leary and Marc Caputo St. Petersburg Times Related: Time short to reverse Scott's error From Washington to Tallahassee, Florida lawmakers scrambled Thursday to save $2.4 billion in federal money for high-speed rail that Gov. Rick Scott rejected. Is Gov. Rick Scott eyeing White House in 2012? By Michael C. Bender and Janet Zink Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau Gov. Rick Scott was about to dismantle a nearly $3 billion bullet train deal that state and local officials had spent a decade assembling. Senate Medicaid bill would cap costs, use HMO-like plans By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel The Florida Senate wants to cap soaring Medicaid costs by shifting millions of poor and sick people into HMO-like health plans, charging for doctor and hospital visits, and banning illegal immigrants from getting care through the rapidly growing program. BEST OF THE BLOGS Pick Pockets, Fire State Workers: Key to Republican Budget Plan By Bruce Seaman Daily Marion The Florida budget will be balanced on the backs of the poor, the children, and state employees if Republicans have their way. Tea Party governors to America: if you want fast trains, science and women’s rights, move to a blue state By Joy-Ann Reid The Reid Report The tea party Republican drive to turn the red states into 19th century Ayn Randian corporate fiefdoms with low paid, non-union workers, outdated infrastructure (can the horse and buggy be next?) limited control by women over their own reproduction, negligible science education and harsh laws forcing non-white people to constantly prove their citizenship is in full gear across the country. Train Wreck? Scott Turns “Florida, Inc.” Into The Titanic In Under Two Months By Inkberries Beach Peanuts I always thought that Rick Scott would manage to destroy Florida by the end of his term, but I was wrong. Allen West Sounds Off at CPAC By Daniel Tilson Florida Progressive Coalition Southeast Florida’s 22nd congressional district had the dubious distinction of having its new Republican U.S. Representative, Allen West, deliver the closing keynote address at this weekend’s 2011 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). FLORIDA POLITICS Scott's high-speed rail decision may be a litmus test By Jeremy Wallace Gainesville Sun The outsider candidate who promised to bring a fresh approach to government, Gov. Rick Scott, may have just repeated an age-old mistake that tormented many of his predecessors. Senator makes point about Rick Scott's authority to nix rail deal, but Scott still holds most cards By Aaron Sharockman St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald PolitiFact When Gov. Rick Scott announced he would nix a high-speed rail line connecting Tampa and Orlando, legislators, local officials, union groups and others grumbled about Scott's timing and reasoning. Proposal to limit state revenue advances through Senate By Travis Pillow Florida Independent The Florida Senate has moved one step closer to letting voters decide whether to place a constitutional limit on the growth of the state budget. Florida Legislature proposal would trim employers' rising costs by reducing unemployment benefits By Marcia Heroux Pounds TC Palm Florida's legislature is weighing big changes to unemployment benefits that don't favor the worker. J.D. Alexander Questions Plane Sale By Gary Fineout Lakeland Ledger A top Senate Republican, J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, told the governor in a letter Thursday that he may have broken state law by his push to sell two state planes used to ferry his predecessors and other elected officials across the state. Scott's reasons for rejecting rail project faulty Editorial Bradenton Herald Gov. Rick Scott abandoned his job-creation mantra in favor of a conservative ideology that will not spare the U.S. budget one iota, though he lambasted federal spending in rejecting $2.4 billion in stimulus money to construct a high-speed rail link between Tampa and Orlando. POLITICAL RACES 'Fairness' in Florida and how it could help Democrats By Aaron Blake Washington Post House Democrats have been talking since Nov. 3 about playing offense in 2012, and if they do, Florida could be leading the way. Looks like Fort Myers Congressman Mack will seek U.S. Senate By Bob Rathgeber Ft. Myers News-Press Rep. Connie Mack IV has given yet one more hint that he will run for the United States Senate in 2012. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY BP claims administrator will appear before House committee By Paul Flemming Florida Capital News The embattled head of the fund to compensate losses from last year's Deepwater Horizon oil spill will appear this morning before a House committee intent on answers. Escambia settles with BP for $1.84 million By Jamie Page Pensacola News Journal Escambia County commissioners on Thursday approved a $1.84 million settlement with BP for the county's 2010 lost revenues relating to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. LGBT War troops to undergo 'don't ask' repeal classes By Julie Watson Associated Press A senior U.S. Marine general in Afghanistan said Thursday his Marines will begin undergoing training to prepare for the repeal of the military's ban on openly gay troops before they return home. EDUCATION Sparks fly over class size restrictions By Kim MacQueen Florida Tribume Senators talking about tweaking the controversial class size amendment lashed out Thursday at an attorney who may sue the state if it pushes ahead with fines against school districts that aren't meeting the strict requirements. Board OKs tuition hikes for some grad programs at Fla. universities Associated Press Florida Today The board that oversees Florida's state universities has approved proposals paving the way for higher tuition rates for 17 graduate level programs at four universities. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Florida leads nation with 1 in 5 behind on their mortgage By Kimberly Miller Palm Beach Post Florida continued to have the highest loan delinquency rate in the country during the end of last year with 19.3 percent of the state's home loans either in foreclosure or 90 or more days past due. Legislators propose law to ban public funds for pro sports teams Staff Report Ft. Myers News-Press State Senator Michael S. “Mike” Bennett (R-Bradenton) today announced he has filed Senate Bill 630 relating to the use of public moneys and properties for professional sports teams. HEALTH AND SENIORS Hot-button Medicaid bill By Jim Saunders Health News Florida Florida would start moving to a statewide system of Medicaid managed care by the end of this year and would try to put strict limits on how much tax money goes into the program, under a wide-ranging Senate bill released this morning. Feds want clarification of Florida health care ruling By Janet Zink St. Petersburg Times Shortly after a Florida judge ruled the federal health care reform legislation unconstitutional, Florida sent back to the federal government $2 million in grants intended to help put some elements of the law in place. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Supreme Court seeks 80 more Florida trial judges By Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times Florida needs 80 new trial court judges, but the state Supreme Court doesn't expect to get them.

Daily Clips for February 17, 2011

PROGRESS FLORIDA IN THE NEWS Rick Scott Rejects Stimulus Money for High-Speed Rail By Kenric Ward Sunshine State News Excerpt: Progress Florida said Scott's decision was driven by a desire "to make President Obama look bad." FEATURED STORIES Florida Governor Rejects Tampa-Orlando High-Speed Rail Line By Timothy Williams New York Times Gov. Rick Scott of Florida on Wednesday rejected plans for a high-speed rail line linking Tampa and Orlando, in the process turning down $2 billion in federal funds and thwarting a critical piece of President Obama’s goal of building a national high-speed rail network. Train wreck of a governor Editorial St. Petersburg Times Gov. Rick Scott rashly acted in his own political interests and sacrificed the best interests of Florida Wednesday by rejecting federal money for a high-speed rail line between Tampa and Orlando. State Senate unveils pension reform plan By Mary Ellen Klas St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Two new Senate bills would require state and local governments to close their traditional retirement plans to new hires, enroll all employees in 401(k)-style plans and limit retirement options. Scott's health insurance proposal would hit state workers' wallets hard By Paul Flemming Florida Capital News State employees — seven years without a general pay raise, layoffs looming and a separate proposal to require them to pay 5 percent of their salaries into pensions — also face the possibility of a massive change to their health benefits. FLORIDA POLITICS Gov. Rick Scott rejects funding for high-speed rail By Janet Zink St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Related: As Florida says no, other states scramble for high-speed rail money Related: Reaction to Gov. Rick Scott's decision to reject rail money Never mind that the federal government was willing to pay nearly all the cost to build a high-speed rail line connecting Tampa to Orlando. Lawmakers seek way around Scott's rail decision By Ted Jackovics Tampa Tribune Related: Tampa leaders: Scott's rejection hurts area's recovery Gov. Rick Scott's rejection of $2.4 billion in federal high-speed rail funds stunned elected officials of both major parties Wednesday, prompting them to seek a statutory end-run on the governor's decision. Spread the nitrogen and pass the ammo By Howard Troxler St. Petersburg Times The law of our state currently says that each local government in Florida can adopt its own rules about the topic of…fertilizer. Rooney leads vote to defy Boehner, cancel fighter engine contract By George Bennett Palm Beach Post With an odd alliance between tea party Republicans and the Obama administration, the U.S. House today defied Speaker John Boehner and voted for an amendment by Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, to cancel a $3 billion alternate fighter jet engine program. Congressional pay raises in sights of Buchanan, others By Rob Hotakainen and Lesley Clark Bradenton Herald Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington state says it’s time to end the practice of giving automatic pay raises to members of Congress, who currently earn a minimum of $174,000 per year. POLITICAL RACES Rubio backs early Florida primary By Alexander Burns Politico Defenders of Florida's early primary date have a new ally with some serious clout: Marco Rubio. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he'll decide on presidential run within six weeks By Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a likely Republican presidential candidate in 2012, urged Florida lawmakers on Wednesday to approve a bill to make it easier to fire public school teachers. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Poll shows Floridians don't want to pay for new water quality standards By Bruce Ritchie Florida Tribune With Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel Vinyard possibly meeting this week with federal environmental officials, a new poll released Wednesday shows Floridians may not have an appetite for paying the cost of new federal water quality standards. EDUCATION Florida House unveils its teacher quality bill By Jeff Solochek St. Petersburg Times The Florida Senate is no longer the only game in Tallahassee in the state's ongoing debate about teacher contracts, evaluations and pay. Florida teacher salaries fall to No. 37, and appear to be sinking fast By Ron Matus St. Petersburg Times Florida teacher salaries continue to fall relative to other states. Senator wants school funding formula scrutinized By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune A South Florida senator wants to revive the battle over the state's complicated school funding formula. Florida looks at taking school textbooks completely digital by 2015 By Marlene Sokol and Jeffrey Solochek St. Petersburg Times Get ready to say goodbye to bulky books. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Change to veterans' nursing homes would eliminate roughly 1,000 jobs By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune One thousand state jobs would be eliminated under a move pushed by Gov. Rick Scott to create a public nursing home corporation for Florida veterans. Florida’s Insurance Sinkhole: No Hurricanes, 30 Percent Rate Hike By Ralph De La Cruz Florida Center for Investigative Reporting If these folks were my neighbors, I’d be calling the police. Welcome back: Florida tourism rebounds By Kevin McQuaid Sarasota Herald-Tribune Bolstered by gradual economic recovery and new attractions, tourism rebounded in Florida last year by 2.1 percent, the state's visitor agency reported Wednesday. HEALTH AND SENIORS State workers, get ready By Jim Saunders Health News Florida State employees have always described it as a trade-off: They work for lower pay than private-sector workers in return for good benefits -- including a generous health-insurance plan. Speaker calls suggestion that Florida drop out of Medicaid a "hazardous threat" By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune House Speaker Dean Cannon reacted warily to a suggestion from Senate Republicans that Florida may drop out of Medicaid, calling it a "hazardous threat" that could jeopardize negotiations with the federal government. Florida lawmakers want to penalize Medicaid recipients for not making healthy choices By Travis Pillow Florida Independent If you’re in Florida, and you’re on Medicaid, and you’re a smoker, now might be a good time to consider quitting. Governor Scott Ignites Battle Over Pill Mill Legislation By Dennis Maley Bradenton Times Governor Scott made waves this week when he proposed scrapping the state's prescription drug monitoring program, which was approved in 2009, while implementation has been delayed by a bid dispute currently before a judge in an administrative hearing. Pro-choice advocates say Trujillo bill threatens to “chip away” at Roe v. Wade By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent House bill 321, the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, filed yesterday by state Rep. Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami, represents the first time the Florida legislature has filed a bill to restrict abortion beyond 20 weeks. The Right's War On Women The Progress Report Think Progress Yesterday on the House floor, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) blasted the Republican "anti-woman, anti-child agenda." JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Appellate court says prosecutor can stay on Sansom case By Tom McLaughlin Northwest Florida Daily News An appellate court has upheld a judge’s ruling allowing State Attorney Willie Meggs to remain as prosecutor in the criminal case against Ray Sansom, Bob Richburg and Jay Odom.

FEATURED STORIES Gov. Rick Scott alienates some black lawmakers at luncheon By Steve Bousquet Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau Gov. Rick Scott welcomed black legislators to lunch Tuesday at the Governor’s Mansion, but his choice of words left some feeling more alienated than ever. Gov. Scott gets cool reception at DCA By Jim Ash Florida Capital News Gov. Rick Scott got a closed-door briefing from the top brass, and faced some tough questions from the rank and file when he toured the state's growth-management agency Tuesday. Scott pushes for state prisons privatization By Tonya Alanez South Florida Sun-Sentinel For years lawmakers have toughened Florida's sentencing laws and created the nation's third-largest prison system, but Gov. Rick Scott is seeking to shrink the number of state-run facilities for Florida's convicts. Medicaid 2011: HMOs rule By Jim Saunders Health News Florida Senate leaders began rolling out a plan to transform the Medicaid system Tuesday with a threat: If Washington doesn't go along, Florida could give up billions of dollars in federal money and run the program itself. Florida Chamber CEO calls upcoming Legislative session "our time" By Jeff Harrington St. Petersburg Times Forgive Mark Wilson, head of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, if he sounds supremely confident that his probusiness agenda to "realign the way government works" will largely sail through Tallahassee this upcoming session. FLORIDA POLITICS Criticism mounts for Scott budget By Timothy O’Hara Key West Citizen Florida House Democratic leader Ron Saunders has urged his brethren to not participate in a Republican-backed budget-cutting exercise this week, saying it is "premature" without knowing the state's projected revenue. State party chairmen flame war over Haridop fund raising By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post Senate President Mike Haridopolos hasn’t yet officially said whether he will abstain from fundraising for his U.S. Senate campaign during the legislature’s upcoming 60-day session that begins on March 8. Did Gov. Scott pressure Pasco Sheriff White to accept budget deal with county? By Jodie Tillman St. Petersburg Times Last Friday evening, Pasco commissioner Ann Hildebrand was headed to dinner at Red Lobster when her cell phone rang. POLITICAL RACES Florida is first battleground for 2012 presidential primary jockeying By Rachel Weiner Washington Post A fight is brewing in Florida that could shed light on the shape the 2012 presidential primary calendar will ultimately take. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Rep. Rooney introduces amendment to bar EPA from enforcing Florida water-quality standards By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent In a piece of legislation filed Tuesday, U. S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, aims to severely limit funding to the EPA to enforce the water-quality criteria it has set for Florida. Facing elimination, DCA employees question Gov. Rick Scott By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com After hearing Gov. Rick Scott speak Tuesday during a visit to the Florida Department of Community affairs, department systems programmer Robab Fayazi said she remains worried about losing her job there. At Rally for the Rivers, advocates for environment to focus on fighting Scott's budget cuts By Kevin Spear Orlando Sentinel Rock Springs Run State Reserve may not have big crowds streaming through its gate, mostly just hunters, hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders. But its lush forest banks the Wekiva River and helps define Orlando's favorite wilderness. Sen. Nelson pressures BP claims facility, gets resident paid By Dusty Ricketts Northwest Florida Daily News Related: Okaloosa accepts $1.5 million settlement offer from BP One resident who has struggled for months to be reimbursed for lost income from the BP oil spill finally received some relief Tuesday, thanks to Sen. Bill Nelson’s office. Glades money intact Editorial Miami Herald President Obama, who opened the tap to send long-promised federal dollars toward Everglades restoration in his first year in office, is commendably keeping that commitment in his 2012 budget. LGBT Adopt Equality By Steve Rothaus Miami Herald This new video features Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith, Miami Beach attorney Elizabeth Schwartz, Howard Simon of the ACLU and gay adoptive father Martin Gill of North Miami. EDUCATION Lawmakers tinkering with class size restrictions By Sherri Ackerman and Elaine Silvestrini Tampa Tribune Spurned by voters who didn't want to ease class-size requirements for Florida's schools, state legislators are mulling changes to the law that would give districts more flexibility in counting students and also apply the limits to fewer classes. SB 736 picks up another committee recommendation By Jeff Solocheck St. Petersburg Times The Senate's version of legislation to change the way Florida schoolteachers are paid, evaluated, contracted and certified won approval from another committee Tuesday morning. State ed board impressed by charter school By Angeline Taylor Bradenton Herald State College of Florida’s charter school has only been in operation for six months, but that didn’t stop the new school from catching the attention Tuesday of the State Board of Education JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Scott to state workers: Focus is creating private jobs Associated Press Tampa Tribune Gov. Rick Scott today told the state employees whose jobs may be among the most vulnerable to budget cuts that his focus is on creating private sector jobs and their agency is one he heard complaints about while campaigning last fall. State Farm Florida defends 28 percent rate hike proposal By Katie Sanders St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau State Farm Florida defended its proposal to raise homeowners' insurance rates an average of 28 percent during a public hearing Tuesday as necessary because the company's finances have dwindled amid recent hurricane-free years. HEALTH AND SENIORS Major Medicaid reforms coming, senator says By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel Senate Republicans pitched the broad brushstrokes of their Medicaid reform plan Tuesday, and health-care budget chief Joe Negron ended it with a slammer: if the federal government doesn't approve the plan, the state might drop out of the state-federal Medicaid program. Proposed state law that would limit abortion access relies on disputed science By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent State Rep. Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami has filed a bill based on disputed science that would limit abortion access if the age of the fetus is 20 weeks or more. Pill mill battle heats up By Frank Gluck Ft. Myers News-Press In the face of mounting criticism, Gov. Rick Scott's office continued Tuesday to defend his efforts to repeal a new law creating a prescription drug monitoring database in Florida. Feds make more arrests in major Medicare fraud case By Jay Weaver Miami Herald A trio of doctors altered the diagnoses and medications of thousands of patients to make it look like they qualified for purported group therapy sessions at American Therapeutic’s chain of South Florida clinics, costing the taxpayer-funded Medicare program hundreds of millions of dollars, prosecutors say. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES West meets with head of anti-Muslim group ACT! for America By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent U.S. Rep. Allen West, R- Fort Lauderdale, never one to shy away from controversy, appears to be coordinating with a highly controversial anti-Muslim group, judging by a recent article posted online by West himself.

Daily Clips for February 15, 2011

FEATURED STORIES Drug monitoring program that Scott rejects works in other states By Meg Laughlin St. Petersburg Times A Kentucky State Police sergeant noticed a silver Chevy Cavalier weaving on Interstate 75 near Richmond, Ky., last week and pulled it over. Florida's Medicaid proposal could put $24 billion from feds at risk By Stacey Singer Palm Beach Post Florida officials plan to privatize Medicaid and cut benefits even as some federal officials worry they are jeopardizing about $24 billion in federal health reform subsidies. Senate president: "Superior" state worker benefits need to be brought in line By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune Senate President Mike Haridopolos made it clear on Monday that changing state employee benefits -- including both pension benefits and health insurance benefits -- will be a part of his agenda for the upcoming session. Budget proposal splits Fla. leaders on party lines By Lesley Clark Bradenton Herald Florida members of Congress split along party lines over President Barack Obama’s 2012 budget proposal – with Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., saying it doesn’t go far enough and Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., suggesting it’s a good first step. FLORIDA POLITICS Floridians pessimistic about future, says Leadership Florida poll By Mary Ellen Klas St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau A majority of Floridians are increasingly pessimistic about the future of the state and agree with Gov. Rick Scott's focus on wasteful spending and jobs, according to a new poll commissioned by Leadership Florida. Ethics commission dismisses complaint against pension chief Ash Williams By Sydney P. Freedberg St. Petersburg Times The Florida Commission on Ethics has dismissed a complaint against pension chief Ash Williams, finding no indication he violated conflict of interest laws. TIA would face barrier to Cuba flights with Rubio amendment By Steve Huettel St. Petersburg Times On track for federal approval to launch new flights to Cuba, Tampa International Airport has hit a political speed bump. Former Gov. Charlie Crist and Carole Crist make plans to live full time in St. Petersburg By Adam C. Smith St. Petersburg Times Charlie Crist is trading his downtown bachelor pad for a family pad, where he and his wife, Carole, will live full time. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Federal takeover? Legislators aren't told about Florida's role in water standards battle By Bruce Ritchie Florida Tribune Florida legislators who made angry comments about new water quality standards for Florida weren't being told about the state's key involvement in the issue two years ago. 'It is the exact opposite of what we have been told' By Bill Gamblin Northwest Florida Daily News State Rep. Doug Broxson traveled to Dublin, Ohio, on Monday to take a firsthand look at the Gulf Coast Claims Facility office there and discover why BP oil spill claims are not being paid. Ban offshore drilling Editorial Pensacola News Journal After the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico last year, it should be a no-brainer to ban oil drilling in Florida waters. EDUCATION School leaders fear impact of Scott's budget proposal By Elaine Silvestrini Tampa Tribune hen Gov. Rick Scott unveiled his budget plan last week, the sheer size of the proposed revenue reductions knocked the wind out of school officials across the state. New civics course to start in middle schools By Katie Tammen Northwest Florida Daily News Florida middle school students will soon have to take a civics course and then pass a standardized test about what they’ve learned before they can go on to high school. For-profit colleges: Everest, Kaplan have highest number of complaints before Florida attorney general By Scott Travis South Florida Sun-Sentinel They tell stories of broken promises, overly aggressive sales tactics, harassing phone calls, bungled financial aid and insurmountable debt. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Florida's Scott takes businessman's ax to budget By Tom Brown Reuters Many newly elected Republican governors have pledged to run their states like a business as they grapple with low revenues and multibillion-dollar budget gaps with little relief from a fragile U.S. economic recovery. As Obama announces cuts in block grants, local officials calculate aftermath By Michael Van Sickler and Richard Danielson St. Petersburg Times It has paid to help rebuild a historic elementary school in St. Petersburg, financed water and sewer projects in Hillsborough County and paid off debt for Tampa's Centro Ybor. NASA budget picks fight with Congress By Mark K. Matthews Orlando Sentinel President Barack Obama on Monday released a $18.7-billion budget proposal for NASA that immediately reignited a heated battle with Congress over the role that commercial rocket companies should play in blasting astronauts into space. Obama budget does not include Port of Miami project funding By Lesley Clark Miami Herald President Barack Obama’s budget plan on Monday was a mix of good and bad news for South Florida. In Palm Beach, Rubio blasts Obama's budget By Jeff Ostrowski Palm Beach Post U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio bashed President Obama's $3.73 trillion budget as an irresponsible proposal that could create a "vicious debt spiral" by next year. Florida jobless benefits among leanest in U.S. By Jim Stratton Orlando Sentinel As Florida lawmakers push to contain unemployment costs, the system they are targeting already has some of the lowest benefits and participation in the nation. State Farm's bid to raise homeowners rates 28% faces public hearing By Jeff Harrington St. Petersburg Times State Farm will make its case in Tallahassee on Tuesday to hike insurance rates an average of 28 percent for its roughly 700,000 homeowners policies statewide. HEALTH AND SENIORS Rick Scott says health care law is biggest tax increase in U.S. history: False By Aaron Sharockman St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald PolitiFact Florida Gov. Rick Scott's new job isn't getting in the way of his old hobby -- criticizing the federal health care law. Florida’s fight over health law a pain for health-care industry By Jeremy Cox Florida Times-Union Joe Gordy, the head of St. Augustine's Flagler Hospital, sees the expansion of Medicaid eligibility under last year's federal health-care reform law as a challenge - and an opportunity. Governor, Senate President disagree on whether Fla. needs drug database By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post Gov. Rick Scott and Senate President Mike Haridopolos, both Republicans, are at odds about whether Florida needs the prescription drug database that the legislature mandated two years ago to help control the flow of addictive drugs in the state. Doctors won't get a pay raise this year By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Tribune Senate President Mike Haridopolos said on Monday that he won't be able to increase reimbursement rates for doctors who treat Medicaid patients but that lawsuit limitations -- another priority for Florida doctors -- is on the top of his agenda. Treasurer says Jackson faces train wreck By John Dorschner Miami Herald The grim news that Jackson Health System lost another $11.1 million in December and has a dwindling supply of cash to meet its payroll prompted Marcos Lapciuc, treasurer of the Public Health Trust that oversees Jackson, to warn Monday that “there’s a train at 200 mph heading straight at us.” CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Immigration laws: Law enforcement says bills wouldn't change checking citizen status By Ryan Mills Naples Daily News One by one the graduates walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. Report: Latinos lag behind other groups in Internet, broadband access By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent A Pew Hispanic Center report released last week not only shows that in 2010 Latinos had lower rates of Internet use and broadband access when compared with whites, but that income, education and language also mark digital disparities among Hispanics. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Scott pushes for state prisons privatization By Tonya Alanez Orlando Sentinel For years lawmakers have toughened Florida's sentencing laws and created the nation's third-largest prison system, but Gov. Rick Scott is seeking to shrink the number of state-run facilities for Florida's convicts. Florida Supreme Court sides with a Legislature that often criticizes it By Howard Troxler St. Petersburg Times When folks complain about "activist" judges, it usually just means they don't like the outcome of a case.

Daily Clips for December 14, 2011

FEATURED STORIES House Speaker Dean Cannon likes Gov. Rick Scott, but has concerns over budget proposal By David DeCamp St. Petersburg Times Related column: Rick Scott's toughest budget sell: the Republican Legislature Related: Scott's big tax cuts don't help everyone Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon embraces Gov. Rick Scott's philosophy and work ethic, but he's keeping some of Scott's biggest proposals at arm's length. A reckless gamble Editorial Pensacola News Journal Does Gov. Rick Scott actually understand what he is doing, or is he simply trying to ride the populist tea party wave by cutting the budget first and asking questions later? Proposals put squeeze on Florida's jobless By Jeff Ostrowski Palm Beach Post Mark Wampole figures his weekly unemployment checks are the only thing saving him from homelessness, and he grows frustrated when he hears of proposals by state lawmakers and Gov. Rick Scott to tighten eligibility for unemployment compensation. Lessons from Gulf spill slipping away By Kate Spinner Sarasota Herald-Tribune A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study how the BP oil disaster affected the Gulf of Mexico is vanishing, with political infighting and bureaucracy tying up hundreds of millions of dollars in grants promised to independent scientists months ago. EDITORIAL CARTOON OF THE WEEK By Jeff Parker Florida Today Read the artist’s commentary here. FLORIDA POLITICS For Gov. Rick Scott, visit to Eustis an act of political necessity By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times A grouchy editor in Miami once grudgingly allowed me to go on a campaign trip on one condition: "Bring me back an exotic dateline," he barked over the phone. Dockery Hopes to Push Ethics Bills By Bill Rufty Lakeland Ledger State Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, entered 2011 on a much quieter note than a year ago when she was considered a probable candidate for statewide office or an agency head. Florida lawmaker has the zeal to repeal By Katie Sanders St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau The boy couldn't believe what his lawmaker dad said on the phone. Compact districts in Florida could lead to gains By Adam C. Smith St. Petersburg Times An overwhelming 63 percent of Florida voters in November voted for a "Fair Districts" initiative aimed at curbing partisan gerrymandering of congressional and legislative political districts. Redistricting amendments: The people have spoken Editorial St. Augustine Record When Florida voters in November passed two constitutional amendments on redistricting congressional and legislative seats, they voted for fairness in representation, not protection for incumbents and political parties. Gov. Rick Scott's Budget: Unworthy of Trust Editorial Lakeland Ledger On Monday, Gov. Rick Scott unveiled his first state budget. Being a biennial budget, it fits the Scott mold by breaking the rules. Marco Rubio Laying Low to Learn Ropes of Senate By Jeremy Wallace Sarasota Herald-Tribune A year ago, as a candidate for the U.S. Senate, Marco Rubio received a hero's welcome when he spoke to thousands of Republicans at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference here. In Pinellas speech, Rubio warns of nation's debt woes By William March Tampa Tribune In his first Tampa Bay area appearance as a senator, Marco Rubio told a Republican crowd tonight that many Washington political leaders don't understand the seriousness of the nation's debt problems, which he said could lead to a crisis in "a couple of years." Rookie U.S. Rep. Allen West taking bulldog's approach By Alex Leary St. Petersburg Times U.S. Rep. Allen West recoils at the word. POLITICAL RACES When Jeb Bush says he won't run for president in 2012, it makes Republicans want him more By Adam C. Smith St. Petersburg Times Please, Jeb. Pretty please? Buchanan for Senate? By Jeremy Wallace Sarasota Herald-Tribune U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan is reaping the benefits of finally being in the majority in the House and enjoying new prominence on the Ways and Means Committee. Recount shows Watson winner in special election for Florida House 103 By Anthony Man South Florida Sun-Sentinel A state-ordered machine recount confirmed Barbara Watson as the winner Friday in a special primary to elect a new member of the Florida House of Representatives. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY House, Senate to give closer scrutiny to budget this week By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.com House and Senate budget writers this week will be looking for ways to cut environmental agencies' budgets after questioning some of Gov. Rick Scott's own recommended 2011-12 budget cuts last week. Bills call for uniform fertilizer regulations By Paul Flemming Florida Capital News Does one size fit all Florida for fertilizer regulations? Open up domestic drilling, Rep. Mack says By Bart Jansen Pensacola News Journal Policies supported by Republican House members can be effective in defusing foreign threats, Rep. Connie Mack IV told a conservative audience Saturday. Florida Panthers May Move To Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp By Craig Pittman St. Petersburg Times Federal officials have talked for 30 years about finding a new place for Florida panthers to roam without ever taking action. Scott wants state parks to remain open By Dave Heller Florida Capital News Gov. Rick Scott Friday took a stand in support of Florida's state parks. EDUCATION Not everyone's sold on Michelle Rhee, Gov. Scott's education adviser By Jeff Solochek St. Petersburg Times Related: A weekend interview with Michelle Rhee, education adviser to Florida Gov. Rick Scott Florida's lawmakers were starstruck. South Florida’s school districts brace for funding hit By Carli Teproff, Michael Vasquez and Kathleen McGrory Miami Herald It’s the worst possible scenario, say South Florida’s schools officials. At the same time millions in federal stimulus dollars are running out, the governor’s budget calls for the state to slash education spending by 10 percent. Teachers hope Florida Legislature gives failing grade to Senate Bill 736 By Katherine Albers Naples Daily News The legislative session hasn’t started yet, but Florida teachers already feel like they’re under attack. Scott Flip-Flopping on Jobs, Education Funding Pledges? By Eric Mack Public News Service Florida Gov. Rick Scott campaigned on a promise to bring more jobs to the Sunshine State, but after he unveiled his proposed budget last week, the union that represents school employees is crying foul. Scott budget favors ‘school choice’ programs By Marcos Restrepo Florida Independent A Florida Tax Watch analysis of Gov. Rick Scott’s proposed budget released this week states that “it appears from the budget recommendations that the Governor’s main priority in education is the expansion of school choice.” Teacher tenure appears safe in Hillsborough By Sherri Ackerman and Elaine Silvestrini Tampa Tribune It looks like Hillsborough County teachers will once again dodge a proposed state law to end tenure and tie their pay strictly to performance. Confusion aside, cuts to education in Gov. Scott's budget run too deep Editorial South Florida Sun-Sentinel Safe to say Gov. Rick Scott probably isn't inspiring a ton of confidence among educators. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Gov. Rick Scott's budget sends variety of messages By Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel Gov. Rick Scott made a lot of bold pledges of reform last fall, while promising to kick-start the economy. State of panic: Florida employees worried about workforce cuts By Ryan Mills and Eric Staats Naples Daily News At state government offices in downtown Fort Myers, a transition from one Florida governor to the next usually doesn’t mean much more than changing the governor’s official photo in the lobby. Florida Gov. Rick Scott sells state planes, fulfilling campaign promise By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Gov. Rick Scott on Friday authorized the sale of two state airplanes to out-of-state bidders for a total of nearly $3.7 million, fulfilling a campaign promise. Sen. Bill Nelson pushes for more financial regulation to lower gas prices By Larry Hannan Florida Times-Union U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson says the key to keeping gas prices from climbing is tightening regulations on oil speculation. Don't blame jobless Editorial Orlando Sentinel Legislators took a step Thursday toward revamping the state's beleaguered unemployment-compensation system. HEALTH AND SENIORS Ruling against health insurance mandate is a 'tea party' milestone By David G. Savage and Kathleen Hennessey Los Angeles Times For nearly two years, the "tea party" movement with its call for limited government has made inroads in the political arena, but a Florida judge's ruling last week declaring the health insurance mandate unconstitutional may be remembered as its moment of arrival in the courts. Florida hospitals see rise in drug-addicted newborns By Amy Pavuk and Tonya Alanez South Florida Sun-Sentinel Florida’s prescription drugs epidemic, already responsible for nearly seven deaths a day, is taking its toll on the youngest and most vulnerable in the state: newborns. Pill mills a top priority By Pam Bondi Orlando Sentinel The growth of illegal and fraudulent pill mills is a growing criminal enterprise in our state that must be stopped. Gov. Scott's flawed proposal would allow state's ‘Drug Tourism' trade to continue to flourish Editorial TC Palm Florida is known as the Sunshine State. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Immigration laws: Gov. Scott sticking to campaign rhetoric supporting legislation By Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster Naples Daily News A spokeswoman for Florida Gov. Rick Scott said recently the newly elected Florida governor still supports an immigration enforcement law on the books and is eager to work with Florida legislators to craft something suitable for the state. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Florida’s strained justice system workers fear more cuts By Susan Spencer-Wendel Palm Beach Post Gov. Rick Scott’s proposed budget cuts ranging from 5 percent to more than 7 percent for various parts of the justice system come on the heels of other recent cutbacks and, if enacted, will place an even greater strain on judges, prosecutors and public defenders. DNA freed them from prison — but law loophole traps them in poverty By Rene Stutzman Orlando Sentinel Larry Bostic, who spent 19 years in Florida prisons for a rape and robbery he did not commit, is now on food stamps. "Road to Nowhere" lawsuit against Crist veers into mediation By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune A federal judge has ordered former Gov. Charlie Crist and one-time Talking Heads frontman David Byrne into mediation to try to work out their legal dispute.

Daily Clips for February 11, 2011

FEATURED STORIES Gov. Rick Scott's budget slashes spending for homeless, other vulnerable groups By Janet Zink St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Last year, agencies that help Florida's homeless received nearly $7 million in state funding to assist more than 74,000 people. Battle brewing over Florida's 2012 presidential primary date By Mary Ellen Klas Miami Herald Battle lines are forming over whether or not Florida should continue to hold its presidential primary election weeks before other states, a plan opposed by national party leaders. Merit pay bill passes key Senate panel By Leslie Postal Orlando Sentinel A teacher merit-pay bill won its first favorable vote in the Senate education committee today, with its sponsor saying, "We're not here to punish teachers." Experts question report on health of Gulf of Mexico after oil spill By Emily Nipps St. Petersburg Times A new report on the Gulf of Mexico after the oil spill suggests a bright future. BEST OF THE BLOGS Menace to Society: 7 Reasons Rick Scott is bad for Florida By Joy-Ann Reid The Reid Report When Rick Scott was running for Florida governor, he tagged his “let’s get to work” jobs plan “777.” Florida’s Unemployed Are Lazy Druggies, Say Republican and Business Leaders By Bruce Seaman Daily Marion All those unemployed citizens of Florida are the problem with the costs of unemployment insurance. Unconventional Wisdom: Candidate Development – The First Steps By Mario Piscatella MPA Political OK, you a considering a run for public office, now what do you do? Stupid, Broke, and Sick By Mustang Bobby Bark Bark Woof Woof Gov. Rick Scott's budget proposals for Florida are so drastic that not even the Republicans in the state legislature are happy with them. Environmental protection: hung out to dry by politics, again By gimleteye Eye on Miami Protections for the environment-- for our clean air and clean water and natural resources-- are under concerted attack by the Republican right. POLITICAL RACES When should Florida hold its presidential primary? By Keith Laing News Service of Florida A showdown is looming over the timing of Florida's 2012 presidential primary, with the leaders of both major political parties in favor of moving the vote from January and several top politicians opposing a delay. Republican presidential primary contenders to visit Florida legislature By Travis Pillow Florida Independent At the end of a media availability today, Senate President Mike Haridopolos said potential Republican presidential contenders will be visiting lawmakers in Tallahassee during the upcoming legislative session. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Environmental advocates fret over Scott's tax cuts to water districts By Brandon Larrabee Florida Times-Union A potential 25 percent cut in the property taxes collected by the state's water management districts has environmental advocates worried that the agencies' abilities to preserve the quality of waters like those that flow through the St. Johns River could be compromised. Environmental groups ask government to set up new Florida panther colony in Okefenokee Swamp By Craig Pittman St. Petersburg Times Federal officials have talked for 30 years about finding a new place for Florida panthers to roam without ever taking action. Meanwhile, development has nibbled away at the available habitat in South Florida. The great Gulf offshore drilling jobs hoax continues By Chris Kromm Facing South Politicians in the Gulf Coast are still attacking President Obama's slow-down on offshore drilling, even as more evidence comes in that the post-BP spill measure has had modest effect on the coast's oil economy. EDUCATION Scott pitches expansion of public school choice By Leslie Postal and Rafael A. Olmeda South Florida Sun-Sentinel Gov. Rick Scott is pushing to expand public school choice by allowing students more ways to transfer to other campuses, enroll in charter schools and take classes online. Gov. Rick Scott's K-12 budget called 'smoke and mirrors' By Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times For a Republican-controlled Legislature that voted to increase taxes and fees by $2 billion two years ago, the bipartisan boos over Gov. Rick Scott's proposed spending cuts might not be too surprising. Florida Board of Governors committee rejects some proposed university fees By Jodie Tillman St. Petersburg Times The Board of Governors' budget committee Thursday took up new student fees, its first-ever review since the Legislature last year handed over that authority. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Florida unemployment proposals would cut benefits By Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Unemployed Floridians would work harder to earn fewer state benefits under a pair of proposals on the fast track in the Florida Legislature. Haridopolos: Public employees must take benefit cut By Nathan Crabbe Gainesville Sun Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos told a University of Florida audience Thursday that state workers must face benefit cuts to help balance the budget. Bing Energy to move headquarters to Florida, lured by prospect of tax cuts By Michael C. Bender St. Petersburg Times Bing Energy of Chino, Calif., announced Thursday it would move its headquarters and production facility to Florida. Bring on the pain, governor says Editorial St. Petersburg Times President Barack Obama has a reasonable plan to help states like Florida that have borrowed billions from Washington to cover jobless benefits during this period of record unemployment. HEALTH AND SENIORS It’s all about Medicaid next week By Jim Saunders Health News Florida Florida Senate leaders next week will release their first detailed proposal for overhauling the Medicaid system, calling for a shift of hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries to managed-care plans. 'Optional' Medicaid services may be cut Associated Press Sarasota Herald-Tribune Dentistry, eyeglasses and mental health services for Medicaid patients may be cut as part of the state's effort to curb the $21 billion budget next year for health care for the poor and disabled. Scott slammed on database repeal By Carol Gentry Health News Florida Cops, grieving parents and editorial boards say they're appalled at Gov. Rick Scott's idea of repealing the planned prescription drug monitoring system, aimed at catching drug-dealers who go "doctor-shopping" for narcotics. WellCare settles with big investors By Jim Saunders Health News Florida WellCare Health Plans is continuing to clean up the mess of a Medicaid fraud scandal, reaching a legal settlement with investors that could have a price-tag as high as $200 million. Scripps Florida breakthrough blocks Parkinson's By Jeff Ostrowski Palm Beach Post Scientists at Scripps Florida have discovered a way to stop the progress of Parkinson's disease, the brain disorder that afflicts about 1 million Americans and has defied the search for a cure. JUSTICE AND THE COURTS Gov. Rick Scott's prison overhaul plan hits resistance in Senate By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Gov. Rick Scott's plan to overhaul Florida's prison system, in part by firing hundreds of correctional officers, hit a wall of resistance Thursday.