Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

More Rubio "political posturing"

"Rubio introduced an amendment to his own bill last week to bolster its language requirement by saying it cannot be met by simply taking an English class. Those who want to become permanent legal residents would have to demonstrate proficiency in English, just as you must do now to become a citizen."

Most immediately, it riled immigrant advocates who support the bill — but failed to satisfy some conservatives who oppose it. Both sides see Rubio's amendment as a distraction, or an example of political posturing.

"Rubio's English requirement touches nerve in Florida". Related: "Graham: GOP to fail in 2016 without immigration overhaul".

The "real Rick Scott"

Fabiola Santiago: "Scott — Paris-bound on Friday on a 'jobs' mission — is b-a-a-a-ck!"

On Tuesday, he vetoed a measure that would have allowed the children of undocumented immigrants, affectionately dubbed “Dreamers,” to get a Florida driver’s license.

The law, passed by the Legislature by a nearly unanimous vote, would have eased the way for the young people covered by President Barack Obama’s 2012 executive order suspending deportation to get a driver’s license.

That’s all, no big deal.

For these young people, this country is the only home they know because they were brought here by their parents as children and have been educated here.

The Legislature’s action would not have given Dreamers any privileges, except being allowed to use their “approved application for deferred action status” as identification to obtain a driver’s license.

“Deferred action status is simply a policy of the Obama administration, absent congressional direction,” Scott wrote in his veto message. “Although the Legislature may have been well-intentioned in seeking to expedite the process to obtain a temporary driver license, it should not have been done by relying on a federal government policy adopted without legal basis.”

There he is, the governor who turned down federal funds for high-speed rail in Florida.

There he is, the governor who fought the Affordable Care Act, not the governor who recently endorsed a three-year expansion of Medicaid, to the chagrin of his tea party base.

It’s too bad for Scott, who may have underestimated the feelings of most voters.

According to a poll released two days after his veto, 71 percent of Floridians favor bipartisan immigration reform — which would prescribe a path to citizenship to the qualified Dreamers to whom he’s denying a driver’s license.

More bad news for the governor: Florida Republicans back the immigration reform proposal before Congress 71-22 percent. Add to that that, an even larger number — 82 percent — who said their state senator should support it, too.

Those are huge numbers. It’s not a far stretch to think Floridians might want their governor to support the Dreamers.

"Return of the real Rick Scott".

Insurance agent excites RPOF

"When Pensacola's Mike Hill soared to an easy electoral victory in Tuesday night's special election to replace the late Rep. Clay Ford, he did more than become Florida's newest legislator: he made history, becoming the Panhandle's first black Republican elected to the Legislature in 126 years." "Meet Mike Hill: Florida's Newest Legislator, 'Free-Market Capitalist Zealot'".

"Ballot-fraud scandals mount"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "As ballot-fraud scandals mount, voters should be worried about the integrity of elections. Phantom ballot requests have now tainted two congressional races, two state legislative races and even the current Miami mayor’s race involving both major political parties. This equal-opportunity corruption must end."

In the latest flap, county elections workers found about 20 absentee-ballot requests made on May 29 by one computer belonging to a campaign worker for Commissioner Francis Suarez, who is running for Miami mayor. Mr. Suarez makes a compelling case that this was one big misunderstanding because, unlike in other cases being investigated, his campaign had signed permission from those voters to solicit the absentee ballots. Permission or not, it’s illegal to solicit ballots unless the one asking for the ballots is a family member of the voters in question.

"Election fraud: From the streets to cyberspace".

State stiffed corrections officers

"Acting on complaints by two prison guards and the Teamsters Union, the Labor Department’s Wage & Hour Division launched an investigation at Union in Raiford in 2011."

The complaints alleged that officers were not paid while they waited in line to be searched and pass through metal detectors, receive tear gas canisters and walk to their assigned post, a process that officers said can take 25 minutes at UCI.

"Hundreds of state prison staffers owed comp time, back pay".

Grayson 2.0

The Grayson haters in the MSM can't restrain themselves, with tripe like this: "Rep. Alan Grayson, the self-styled ‘congressman with guts,’ has managed what seems like an impossible feat of self-restraint." "Rep. Alan Grayson 2.0: Less fire-breathing, more self-restraint".

Scott seen as "easy target"

"Florida Democrats see Gov. Rick Scott as easy target in 2014".

"Mostly true"

"Nelson said Scott returned '$1 million in federal funding that would have helped the state cover the cost of overseeing insurance rates under the new health care law.' It is undeniable that a grant for that purpose in that amount was sought, and a grant was returned. But the official who technically returned the money was the state's insurance commissioner, a political appointee who answers to Scott as part of his role on the Financial Services Commission. Still, he did so shortly after Scott took office and Scott's office claimed some amount of credit back in 2011. We rate the claim Mostly True." "PolitiFact: Bill Nelson says Rick Scott said no to $1 million to monitor health insurance rates".

"A chance for a game-changer of epic proportions"

Nancy Smith: "Rick Scott so far in his administration plain hasn't been listening to the right people a lot of the time. For a governor with subtropical approval numbers, appointing the right lieutenant governor, and doing it soon, is a chance for a game-changer of epic proportions. This is an opportunity to listen to good information, to govern better, to fill in the areas that need work and find somebody who knows the players, knows history and knows his or her way around." "Rick Scott Should Get on With Hiring the Right Lieutenant Governor".

"Shortsighted Republican leaders"

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "The state and Hillsborough County are poised to reward an out-of-state corporate giant that has avoided collecting Florida sales tax for more than a decade by offering it millions in tax incentives to finally hire Floridians and contribute to the state's economy. Gov. Rick Scott tried to sell his tentative agreement with Amazon on Thursday as another sign that he is improving Florida's economy. Don't be fooled. Amazon is once again getting just what it wants — access to the Florida market at less cost than competitors who have been here for decades."

[I]n Florida, shortsighted Republican leaders have failed to consider how to modernize a tax system so heavily dependent on sales tax revenue. Scott may have struck a deal that could bring 3,000 jobs, but he did it on the backs of taxpayers. Amazon, once again, is the big winner.

"Taxpayer giveaway for Amazon". The Miami Herald editors: "Internet sales get free ride in Florida".

"Scott against the consumer"

The Tampa Bay Times: "It's one thing to be a hands-off governor when it comes to lawmaking. It's something else to be a governor who fails to use the tools at his disposal to protect consumers even as he promotes himself as an advocate for the middle class. Five weeks after legislators left Tallahassee, the full scope of anticonsumer bills passed in the 2013 session is becoming apparent. Yet Gov. Rick Scott is routinely acquiescing to special interests by signing their bills rather than upholding his pledge to look out for consumers."

Scott seems only willing to defend consumers' interests if he perceives he will politically benefit — such as his veto of a modest tuition increase at the state's public universities. Scott said it amounted to tax increase. But he has yet to apply the same outrage on pocketbook issues hitting far more Floridians.

"It's Scott against the consumer".

Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

Florida "a mango republic before we were a banana republic"

Fred Grimm: "After Miami Herald stories exposing corruption in Miami-Dade County, a familiar disparagement has become inevitable in the e-mail reaction and readers’ comments. 'Nothing but a damn banana republic,' they complain, implying an ethnic superiority, as if local government was a pristine enterprise before an influx of Cuban exiles ruined South Florida’s fine Anglo ethic."

Smiling Jimmy Sullivan, the sheriff of Dade County excoriated by the 1950 Kefauver Commission for his lucrative ties to mobsters, would have been amused.

" The tired, familiar references showed up in my e-mail in-box after last week’s column about election-rigging allegations against the campaign organizations of both U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia and his predecessor David Rivera. Not that jobbing the vote should be a forgivable transgression, but compared to the days when Smiling Jimmy was banking $75,000 a year off his $12,000 salary, this was tepid stuff. In the 1930s and ’40s and ’50s, Miami-Dade College history professor Paul George reminds us, the Dade County Courthouse was widely known as the 'steal' courthouse."

Sen. Estes Kefauver’s commission, during those explosive hearings into organized crime, discovered that legions of our local government officials were hired toadies for the likes of mobsters like Joe Adonis, Frank Erickson, Vincent Jimmy “Blue Eyes” Alo, “Trigger Mike” Coppola, Sammy “Game Boy” Miller and Willie “Lefty” Bischoff, not to mention the casino kingpin brothers, Meyer and Jake Lansky. Al Capone, who owned a palace on Star Island and a throng of Miami politicians, had died, else he would have headed the list.

Not that the Kefauver findings were big news in Miami. A 1949 Dade County Grand Jury panel complained, "We could not see any purpose in repeating the work of our predecessor juries to discover officially and at great length that crime and corruption do exist here. Conditions have apparently not changed since the writing of the 1944 grand jury report. There is present in our community a large number of individuals of unsavory reputation. These persons are criminals of national stature. All forms of gambling are flourishing and there appeared to be little effort to curb them, although they were being carried on right under the eyes of the police."

"I guess we were a mango republic before we were a banana republic," said Paul George, who, as official historian of the Historical Association of Southern Florida, ought to know. Off the top of his head, he rattled off a long list of elected officials in Miami and Dade County nabbed for kickbacks and bribery and other malfeasances, long before the great Latin influx.

"Florida’s corruption knows no ethnicity".

Another fine Jebacy

"Scores Show FCAT Results Largely Stagnant or in Decline".

"Medicaid expansion mulligan?"

"The Florida Legislature might take a mulligan on Medicaid expansion. Golf purists frown on the practice of replaying a stroke following an errant shot, but Floridians should welcome the potential for a political do-over on Medicaid." "Medicaid expansion do-over?". The Sun Sentinel editors: "Rejecting Medicaid funds was costly decision".

More Scott flip-floppery

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Rick Scott is campaigning for reelection by campaigning for low university tuition, but he is part of the higher education problem in Florida." "Rick Scott opposes the tuition increases he once supported.".

"Garcia’s fall from grace"

"At least one thing remained the same last year for Miami Democrat Joe Garcia as he shifted from candidate to congressman: his most trusted political adviser. Jeffrey Garcia, who had shaped the newly elected congressman’s run for office and managed his failed campaign two years earlier, made the move from political operative to congressional chief of staff."

Garcia’s fall from grace was striking for a political operative who had a reputation for befriending the candidates who hired him — often long-shots for victory.

"Rep. Joe Garcia’s disgraced chief of staff has longstanding ties to the Miami congressman".

Allow travel to Cuba

The Tampa Trib editors: "There is a quick way for our nation to help overwhelm Cuba's censorship and propaganda. Simply allow Americans - the most effective ambassadors for democracy and free enterprise - to travel more easily to Cuba." "Ease travel restrictions to Cuba to boost freedom".

Rubio "forever ineligible to speak the language of limited government"

Even a broken clock is right twice a day: George will writes that "sugar protectionism is government planning. It is industrial policy — government picking winners and losers — applied to agriculture. It is politics supplanting the market in allocating wealth and opportunity. And it is perfectly all right with 20 of the 45 Republican senators."

That many voted against modest reforms, thereby rendering themselves forever ineligible to speak the language of limited government. One of them is known as tea-party-favorite (this compound word is his first name, judging by the way he is constantly identified by the media) Marco Rubio. He is fluent in that language, but he represents Florida. Actually, he represents the state’s sugar cane growers better than he does its 19.3 million sugar consumers, or his own tea party expostulations.

"Sugar producers reap benefits of sweet deals".

Curry urges full on whining

"Lenny Curry, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, sent a memo last week to GOP members of Congress up for re-election next year: Use the IRS scandal, early and often." "Opportunity knocks".

Rick Scott, "Loser of the week"

"Rick Scott. The governor vetoed a bill that would help children of illegal immigrants who received legal status under an Obama administration policy get driver's licenses. The bill got support from all but two lawmakers. Scott seemed to be trying to appease conservatives but he stirred fierce reaction among Hispanics and underscored the GOP's problems broadening its base. As Republican strategist Ana Navarro asked on Twitter, 'Jeeze, Rick. Was this necessary?'" "Losers of the week".

Darryl Rouson, "Loser of the week"

"Darryl Rouson. The Democratic state rep from St. Petersburg was in the news for not paying three years of taxes on a Tallahassee townhome (he paid up after the story) and there were questions about a budget earmark that, had Scott not vetoed it, would have benefited a group overseen by Rouson's wife." "Losers of the week".

Rubio hedges

"A member of the Intelligence Committee, Rubio hedged when asked if the phone monitoring program was being misused." "Marco Rubio cites Boston bombing in defense of phone monitoring".

Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

Scott's "crass publicity stunt, with partisan overtones"

"Gov. Rick Scott's latest tactic to attract jobs is to brag about Florida as much as possible while criticizing other states — whose governors don't appreciate it one bit. What Scott considers savvy salesmanship, other governors see as a crass publicity stunt, one with partisan overtones."Gov. Scott's efforts to raid out-of-state jobs ticks off other governors".

Webster whines about IRS

"Congressman Dan Webster, R-Fla., has a reputation of being something of a slow starter. When he challenged Alan Grayson back in the 2010 election cycle, after much pondering, Webster only entered the race in April 2010. But as he gears up for a third term in Congress, Webster is taking no chances and has started his re-election efforts early. Webster sent out a fundraising appeal to supporters on Friday in which he bashed the IRS on Friday." "Dan Webster Gets an Early Start on 2014".

"Rubio's grandstanding"

The Sun Sentinel editors write that, "there are times when Marco Rubio . . . well, let's just say this sentence doesn't end with the words 'shows common sense.'"

This week Rubio proposed a constitutional amendment that would end the Affordable Care Act's requirement that everyone buy insurance. . . .

Nothing stops Rubio from using a public forum to rail against the healthcare reform law. Countless people, business owners and public officials are against it. Several states, including Florida, have been reluctant to go along with it.

[Even] Rubio is smart enough to know that such a proposal has no chance of passage. A constitutional amendment rquires two-thirds approval of both chambers of Congress, a particularly daunting challenge given that the U.S. Senate is controlled by the Democrats. Then it would have to be ratified by three quarters of the states, a similarly improbable feat.

Yet there he stood this week with his proposed amendment — also introduced in the U.S. House by Steven Palazzo, R-Miss. — that says: "Congress shall make no law that imposes a tax on a failure to purchase goods or services."

Like we said, no chance. None.

Other than a big waste of time, Rubio's grandstanding is nothing more than another symbolic swipe at Obamacare and President Obama. Perhaps it's also a way for him to fend off conservative critics who claim his immigration proposal is nothing more than amnesty for illegals.

"Rubio's shot at Obamacare a waste of time".

Nelson takes on Scott

"Rick Scott took a shot at President Obama yesterday about the federal sequestration forcing some furloughs of National Guardsmen as the hurricane season ramps up."

Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is shooting back with a letter encouraging Scott, a Republican, to work on his fellow GOP politicians in Congress, many of whom rejected budget-cutting alternatives.

"Nelson to Scott: Coax Florida Republicans to back off furloughs". See also "Scott asks for help in avoiding Guard cuts during hurricane season" and "Nelson to Scott on sequester: power is in your hands to keep guard on duty".

Putnam winding up

Aaron Deslatte: "With re-election looming, Putnam polishes conservation bona fides".

"Inaccurate and ridiculous — Pants on Fire."

"PolitiFact: NRA founded 'to protect freed slaves' from Klan, black leader says".

Wingnuts in a dither

"Rick Scott's conservative base, already disillusioned by a series of steps by the Florida governor toward the political center in recent months in the run-up to a re-election year, has found a new grievance to air against him: his recent suspension of a sheriff who defended the Second Amendment." "Did Rick Scott Suspend Sheriff for Defending Second Amendment?".

"Sarasota Saudi" scandal?

"A group representing 6,600 survivors and relatives of those killed and injured in the 9/11 attacks has called on the FBI to 'come clean' about its investigation of Saudis in Florida who may have aided the terrorist hijackers."

The reaction by 9/11 Families United to Bankrupt Terrorism on Thursday followed news that former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham had accused the FBI in court papers of concealing the existence of its Sarasota investigation and impeding Congress’s Joint Inquiry into the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

"9/11 family members demand the FBI ‘come clean’ about Sarasota Saudis".

"Rubio has long been dogged with a reputation as a lightweight"

Scott Maxwell: "Marco Rubio has long been dogged with a reputation as a lightweight."

And for good reason. He started his tenure as state House speaker by renovating the legislators' private dining room and ended it by printing copies of a legislative yearbook — a glossy pictorial Rubio filled with pictures of, well, himself.

And then there were the more serious issues — such as the unadvertised teaching gig he snagged after steering money to Florida International University, and the $100,000 worth of limo rides, plane trips and other perks he racked up on the GOP's special-interest-funded credit cards.

"Immigration will show whether Marco Rubio is still a lightweight".

Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

Political intervention by private industry at DEP

"A Department of Environmental Protection attorney who caused a stir on Facebook last month by posting about his departure now says he and other attorneys were forced out they aggressively enforced laws contrary to the policy initiatives of a deputy secretary."

On May 22, General Counsel Matthew Z. Leopold sent letters to attorneys Christopher T. Byrd and Kelly L. Russell, saying, "We believe the objectives of the office will be accomplished more effectively by removing you from your position." Attorneys Teresa Mussetto and Christopher McGuire resigned, although McGuire's letter indicated his resignation after 26 years with the department was requested.

"Byrd said last month on Facebook that DEP is moving 'not in the direction of environmental protection,' but he said little more in an interview. On Thursday, he said he is now free to talk after his last official day with the department was Wednesday."

"I am confident I was let go because I aggressively enforced Florida environmental laws and gave legal opinions that were contrary to the policy initiatives that Jeff Littlejohn (deputy secretary for regulatory programs) was pushing," Byrd said.

He said Littlejohn has intervened in cases and argued for law violators in an effort to help private industry. Department lawyers, Byrd said, would have to go to DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard to overrule Littlejohn on his legal opinions.

"Ousted DEP attorney says deputy secretary intervened in cases".

GOPers to convene circular firing squad

The Miami Herald editors: "The comprehensive immigration-reform bill that the Senate will debate throughout June is by no means ideal, lacking fairness for same-sex couples and too onerous on citizenship waiting periods, among other flaws. But even so, it offers a long-delayed pathway to citizenship for many of the nation’s estimated 11 million illegal immigrants and deserves to win approval. . . . Why the change? Conventional political wisdom holds that Republicans woke up when their presidential candidate in 2012 lost the Hispanic vote by 44 percentage points. They have to get this right for the sake of their party’s future. Doubtless, the lopsided vote got the GOP’s attention and has given Republicans who support reform some running room." "Closer to reform

Meanwhile, "Rubio vows to press hard for immigration reform".

Where's Marco?

"Same-Sex Marriage Debate Headed to 2016 GOP Primaries".

Right wingers go after Gwen Graham

Doin' what they do best, name calling: "While most eyes in the Big Bend were on Tropical Storm Andrea, GOP political operatives in the region were busy defining congressional hopeful Gwen Graham as an all-out liberal Democrat, as far to the left as Nancy Pelosi and Howard Dean." "Gwen Graham: A Nancy Pelosi, Howard Dean-Style Democrat If Ever the GOP Saw One".

Scott, Gaetz and Weatherford hypocrisy laff riot

"As the first tropical storm of the season bore down on Florida Thursday, Republican state officials seized the moment to blast Washington and warn that the required budget cuts to federal programs could impede the state's ability to respond to hurricanes or floods."

Now, Scott, Senate President Don Gaetz and House Speaker Will Weatherford have written to Congress and the Department of Defense asking them to exempt National Guard staff from the mandatory cuts because of Florida's hurricane season. . . .

"This is a disproportionately Florida issue because the furloughs are coming just at the time that hurricane season is starting,'' Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, said in an interview. "It seems to me this is one of the reasons why across-the-board cuts or the kinds of cuts expressed in sequestration are nonsensical."

"Florida officials use onset of storm season to blast Washington".

Perhaps the letter ought to be directed to the GOP leadership in Washington. Or, does the RPOF think sequestration is awesome for every state except Florida? More: "State leaders look to feds to prevent National Guard furloughs" and "Scott asks for help in avoiding Guard cuts during hurricane season".

"Scott's partisan veto"

The Tampa Bay Times editors: "Once again, Gov. Rick Scott has refused to accept public policy established by the Obama administration that benefits Florida. And once again, the state will suffer because of his partisan gamesmanship. The Republican governor's veto of legislation that would have allowed undocumented immigrants with a new temporary status to obtain a driver's license ignores reality and common sense. Now tens of thousands of younger undocumented immigrants who live in our neighborhoods and attend our schools are just more collateral damage in Scott's war with Washington."

Yet Scott vetoed the bill and resorted to tortured logic. He criticized the federal government for failing to enforce immigration laws and dismissed deferred action status as an Obama administration policy not approved by Congress. This is a governor whose disdain for the Democratic president and disregard of the federal executive branch knows no bounds.

"Scott's partisan veto on licenses".

One trick pony

"Gov. Rick Scott Criticizing ‘Obamacare,’ Again".

"Scott can make history"

"By simply picking up the telephone, Gov. Rick Scott can make history as the governor who saved the Florida Everglades. If he blows it, history won't be so kind. It's his call, literally." "Gov. Rick Scott can make history by making timely call on Everglades".

"Health Choices"

"Florida Health Choices' debut 'imminent'".

Rubio desperate for attention

"Marco Rubio Lends Conservative Power in Race for John Kerry's Seat". More: "Sen. Marco Rubio Offers Constitutional Amendment Invalidating Part Of ‘Obamacare’" ("The individual mandate was among the most criticized aspects of the Affordable Care Act. The GOP made this provision among its loudest complaints about the law, even though the provision was first touted years ago by right-wing think tanks.")

Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

Florida claims DOL is biased

"A state agency Wednesday accused the U.S. Labor Department of political bias and "investigative misconduct" in an April report that found Florida had violated the rights of some laid-off workers who are disabled or not fluent in English."

The Department of Economic Opportunity, which manages the state's unemployment system, requested a congressional inquiry and an inspector general's probe of what it called the "politicalization" of the Labor Department.

"The state's unusually aggressive push-back follows an April report in which the Labor Department said Florida was violating the civil rights of some laid-off workers." "Politics fueled jobless-claims report, state says".

Scott's "partisan gamesmanship"

"Rep. Jose Javier Rodriguez says Gov. Rick Scott lacks the courage to stand up to extreme elements in the GOP. Scott notes the measure is unnecessary because Florida already allows immigrants legally allowed to work in the U.S. to get a driver license." "Democrats upset by governor's Dream Act driving bill veto". See also "Soto, Bracy lead condemnation of Gov. Scott for vetoing Dream Act driver bill" and "Orlando Democrats blast Scott over 'dreamer' veto". Background: "Driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants’ kids vetoed by Gov. Rick Scott".

The Tampa Bay Times editors: "Once again, Gov. Rick Scott has refused to accept public policy established by the Obama administration that benefits Florida. And once again, the state will suffer because of his partisan gamesmanship. The Republican governor's veto of legislation that would have allowed undocumented immigrants with a new temporary status to obtain a driver's license ignores reality and common sense. Now tens of thousands of younger undocumented immigrants who live in our neighborhoods and attend our schools are just more collateral damage in Scott's war with Washington." "A partisan Scott veto on licenses".

The rich are different

What better way to prep for the campaign than buyin' a brand new jet plane: "Everywhere [Rick] Scott goes, he does it on his own aircraft at his own expense, and after nearly two-and-a-half years in office, he has decided he needs an upgrade. Scott is selling his eight-passenger Hawker 400XP, made by Raytheon in 2004, for $1.495 million. An ad for the jet on the website controller.com says the jet is in Bonita Springs and notes: 'Price reduction! Sale pending.' Scott’s new chariot is a 2008 Cessna Citation Excel, a 12-passenger twin-engine jet with a dropped aisle that offers enough headroom for Scott to stand tall in the cabin." "Gov. Scott trades up on new plane".

Rubio runnin' hard

"About those 'secret' email accounts".

Wells explains

Bill Cotterell: "If Gilbert and Sullivan sat down with Monty Python, and maybe Mel Brooks, they might come up with a more far-fetched farce than the political-judicial spectacle Florida treated the world to a little more than a dozen years ago. Now, Charley Wells has made sense of it in 136 scholarly pages of his new book, 'Inside Bush v. Gore.'" "Wells' book looks at Bush v. Gore".

Troopergate

"Fired Florida trooper fighting to win back his job".

Rubio to choose Teabaggers over Dreamers

"While he may have been the point man on the immigration reform bill, Marco Rubio is now saying he could vote against it -- an action that could come back to haunt him if, as is widely expected, he runs for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016." "Marco Rubio Treads Lightly on Immigration Bill".

"Hidden money. A shadowy candidate"

"Hidden money. A shadowy candidate. Missing campaign-finance reports."

That’s not just a description of Justin Lamar Sternad’s congressional campaign in 2012, which led to his conviction in federal court.

It also describes the campaign of Jose Rolando “Roly” Arrojo, who like Sternad ran against U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia — but in 2010.

Unlike Sternad, Arrojo has ties to Garcia’s former top adviser, Jeffrey Garcia, who resigned Friday amid an unrelated criminal investigation into fraudulent absentee-ballot requests for the Aug. 14, 2012, Democratic primary.

Like Sternad, Arrojo failed to properly account for more than $10,000 worth of campaign expenditures and at least one mailer.

But Sternad is facing prison time. Arrojo just received a stern letter from the Federal Election Commission for his violations.

Sternad’s lawyer is asking the FBI to investigate — especially now that Garcia’s own campaign is at the center of an elections scandal.

“If my client is going to go through the wringer, let’s apply the law equally,” said Sternad’s lawyer, Enrique “Rick” Yabor, who wrote to the FBI on Monday.

“Why does Arrojo get a pass, while my client faces possible prison time?” Yabor asked. “Who’s getting preferential treatment?"

"Lawyer of convicted Garcia rival wants FBI investigation of mystery 2010 candidate".

Fred Grimm: "Surprise! Both parties cheated in Joe Garcia’s district". The Miami Herald editors "Joe Garcia’s ballot scandal".

Scott laff riot

"Scott praises state workers' efficiency, hard work".

Rich quest

"Nan Rich's gubernatorial quest is more visible this spring, thanks to GOP attention and a hard swing to the left. But the former Florida senator still has a way to go to make her name a household word in Florida." "Nan Rich: I'm Still Here, Guys".

Teabaggers swoon

"[I]t sounds like Scott is ramping up his rhetoric against the Affordable Care Act." "Gov. Scott calls federal health law a disaster".

Rouson coup?

"Rep. Darryl Rouson failed to pay taxes on Tallahassee townhouse". Meanwhile, "House Dems plan rules change, insist there's no coup to overthrow Rouson".

"The lucrative influence business"

"A steady number of former Florida lawmakers are finding jobs in the lucrative influence business, adding to nearly 340 members of Congress who have breezed through the revolving door in the past 15 years." "Florida lawmakers-turned-lobbyists fuel revolving door of politics".

Rubio strides national stage

"Marco Rubio Lends Conservative Power in Race for John Kerry's Seat".

RPOF blames Sink for Dubya's recession in Florida

"In a news release, the party suggests that Sink, as state chief financial officer from 2007 through 2010, was responsible for the effects of the national economic crash on Florida - along with Charlie Crist, who was then a Republican and governor."

The news release refers to Crist and Sink as "the captain and his first mate," even though at the time, with Crist then a Republican, the two were political opponents and clashed several times over state budget issues.

"The Crist-Sink Team Lost 832,000 Jobs From January 2007 To January 2011," contends the GOP news release, blaming them for the recession that resulted from the national financial crisis and economic collapse of 2007-08. "Does Alex Sink want one more bite at the apple?"

Sink is considering running for governor, but says she hasn't decided. If she does, it's likely Crist will be her opponent in a Democratic primary, although he hasn't announced either.

"GOP launches pre-emptive attack on Sink".

Rubio goes after Beyoncé

"Jay-Z and Beyoncé's controversial trip to Cuba four weeks ago has stoked public interest in traveling to the forbidden island, prompting more Americans to seek similar 'people-to-people' culture tours."

The rapper/singer celebrity couple popularized a small but growing travel phenomenon that taps a pent-up demand to visit Cuba, an exotic time-locked land still off-limits to U.S. tourists. Their highly publicized adventure — while sharply criticized by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and other Cuban-American leaders — also reinforced attempts by many members of Congress to make it easier for almost any American to legally visit Cuba.

"Jay-Z and Beyoncé tour stokes desire to visit Cuba".

Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

Garcia's Chief of Staff Resigns In "Voting Fraud Scheme"

"A South Florida congressman's chief of staff resigned Friday after being implicated in a voting fraud scheme"

Miami Democrat Joe Garcia said he had asked Jeffrey Garcia, no relation, for his resignation after the man took responsibility for the plot. Several hours earlier, law enforcement investigators raided the homes of Giancarlo Sopo, 30, the congressman's communications director, and John Estes, 26, his 2012 campaign manager

"Congressman's chief of staff resigns over probe".

"The Miami Herald found that the ballot requests were clustered and targeted Democratic voters in Garcia’s congressional district and Republican voters in two Florida House of Representatives districts, indicating a concerted effort by a mystery computer hacker or hackers."

Only voters, their immediate family members or their legal guardians can submit requests for absentee ballots under state election laws. Violations may be considered third-degree felony fraud. Using someone’s personal information — as required in online ballot-request forms — may also be considered a more serious, first-degree felony.

None of the identified requests were filled because the elections department’s software flagged them as suspicious. But had they slid by, campaigns would have been able to direct phone calls, fliers and home visits to the voters to try to win their support — if not attempt to steal the ballots from unsuspecting voters’ mailboxes.

"Congressman Joe Garcia’s chief of staff implicated in phantom absentee-ballot requests scheme".

Scott strides world stage

"Fla. Gov. heading to Japan for fall trade mission".

"GOP consultants in contempt"

"A circuit judge Friday held three prominent Republican consultants in contempt for not handing over thousands of pages of private records detailing their work in last year's contentious redistricting fight." "Judge holds GOP consultants in contempt for not producing records". See also "Legal battle continues over redistricting communications".

Oh . . . what a relief it is

"When Sugar was sued, it turned to Legislature for relief".

Never mind the pension promises

"Officers honored for bravery in St. Petersburg gunbattle".

Weekly Roundup

"Weekly Roundup: Scott Signs Bills as Summer Doldrums Near".

"Scott’s relentless quest for urine testing"

"Attorney Alma Gonzalez, special counsel for AFSCME Council 79, didn't mince her words."

“Governor Scott’s relentless quest for urine testing has once again been rejected by a federal court,” she said in a statement. “No matter how much Governor Scott wants people to believe otherwise, the fact remains that people don’t have to give up their privacy, dignity, and constitutional protections in order to serve our communities. Public employees should not be subject to arbitrary testing without probable cause or consent.”

Scott, for his part, declared himself the primary victor in the case.

"Rick Scott and Unions Both Declare Victory in Drug Test Ruling".

"Tax increase" blather

"Gov. Rick Scott calls tuition hikes a tax increase, but signed on to them in past".

Scott tosses environmental rule enforcers

Aaron Deslatte: "Florida's environmental cops are undergoing a quiet, behind-the-scenes restructuring that Gov. Rick Scotts administration attributes to fewer businesses running afoul of regulatory roadblocks."

But it could also be a product of fewer rules for the road.

Sen. Darren Soto is asking questions about the recent departures of four Department of Environmental Protection lawyers, one of whom suggested the firings and resignations were made to the detriment of conservation goals.

The Orlando Democrat sent a public-records request to DEP Secretary Herschel Vinyard last week asking for documents related to attorneys Christopher T. Byrd, Kelly L. Russel, Teresa Mussetto and Christopher McGuire.

Byrd and Russel were fired last month by DEP General Counsel Matthew Leopold in identical letters notifying them the office's goals would be "accomplished more effectively by removing you from your positions." The other two lawyers resigned, and one suggested it wasn't by choice.

DEP has said the dismissals were part of a streamlining necessitated by the decreased volume of permits flowing through the agency since the Great Recession.

"State's environmental cop sheds rules, enforcers".

Good luck with that

"A homeowner-advocacy group is pressuring Florida Gov. Rick Scott to veto a bill that would expedite foreclosures in the state starting July 1. The new state law would allow banks to complete foreclosures without court hearings, unless a homeowner requests to have a specific case heard by a judge. In the past, all foreclosure cases have had to pass through the court system, even though a large proportion of the actions have been uncontested by the owners." "Group asks Scott to veto speedier-foreclosure bill".

Scott signs "unconscionable" bill

"Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed a bill that removes the ability of state regulators to challenge health insurance rates for a two-year period. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson had called for the bill to be vetoed, saying the legislation was 'unconscionable.'" "Scott rebuffs Nelson on health insurance rate bill".

Scott hands developers another gift

"Gov. Rick Scott has signed HB 999, a bill so detested by a host of environmental groups that they brought in former Sen. Bob Graham to try in vain to stop it."

Scott’s action Thursday disappointed environmental advocates, but did not surprise them, said Estus Whitfield of the Florida Conservation Coalition. He predicted it might hurt Scott at the ballot box when he seeks re-election in 2014.

“I don’t think it’s any feather in his cap,” said Whitfield, who worked as an aide to four governors, both Democrat and Republican. “I think the general public is getting tired of seeing the environment sold down the river.”

Asked why he signed a bill that drew more than 350 letters or emails urging him to veto it, Scott gave a vague response.

“I care a lot about the environment,” the governor said. “We’ve worked very hard to make sure this is the state where you can get a job, make sure your child’s getting an education, it’s safe, and it’s also a place where we can keep our community clean. One of the things I’m most proud of is the fact that we’ve worked very diligently to get the Everglades, get the water flow increased, get the quality of water increased, so everything we’re doing, whether it’s the Everglades, whether it’s our spring, ... we’re doing everything we can to make this a clean environment where we all want to live.”

The bill that Scott signed into law contains more than a dozen provisions, including:

• Blocking the Florida Wildlife Federation from suing to overturn a controversial decision by Scott and the Cabinet to grant 30-year leases to 31,000 acres of the state’s Everglades property to two major sugar companies.

• Preventing water management districts from cutting back groundwater pumping by any entity that builds a desalination plant to increase its potential water supply. “I don’t think we should be tying the hands of the water management districts to better promote conservation of water,” Graham said.

• Speeding up the permitting for natural gas pipelines that originate in other states, such as the new 700-mile one from Alabama that’s being planned by Florida Power & Light.

• Forbidding cities from asking an applicant more than three times for additional information before approving development permits.

"Gov. Rick Scott signs into law wide-ranging bill opposed by scores of environmentalists".

"Republican vs. Republican"

"It's Republican vs. Republican in the latest round of political battles over health care."

Conservative Republican legislators in major states are trying to block efforts by more pragmatic governors of their own party to accept health insurance for more low-income residents under President Barack Obama's health care law.

Unlike their congressional counterparts, who've misfired in repeated attempts to torpedo the law, state Republicans may well sink the expansion of Medicaid in populous states such as Florida and Michigan.

That would mean leaving billions of dollars in federal matching funds on the table and hundreds of thousands of the poor uninsured. Expansion

"Republican vs. Republican on covering uninsured".

No takers?

"GOP insiders say the governor's pick for the role will likely be his running mate next year and that it will be a critical re-election choice." "Scott searching for a lieutenant governor".

Connie who?

"Connie Mack Struggles to Stay Politically Relevant".

Will backlash provide even more momentum for the elimination of pensions?

"A bill passed in the waning moments of the 2013 legislative session with little discussion and signed two weeks later by Gov. Rick Scott will cost state and local governments nearly $900 million in additional expenses next year, hitting county governments especially hard as they struggle to emerge from a prolonged economic slump."

"The sharp spike in pension payments has some local officials questioning what's really going on. Two years ago, the Legislature moved to have government employees to ostensibly pay 3 percent of their pension costs. This past session, state House members approved a measure to stop offering pensions to new hires and move them into 401(k)-style retirement plans. That was rejected by the Senate."

Recently elected Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez, a Democrat and former state House member, said he was skeptical that lawmakers were trying to improve the pension. He wondered whether its motivated to create a backlash and provide momentum for the elimination of government pensions in Florida.

"We all know this is one of the more solid pension programs in the country," Henriquez said. "Is that money going to FRS to actually shore it up? Or is it a long-term strategy to pressure those of us at the local level to say we can't sustain these increases?"

"Pension bill stuns counties, could force tax increases". Related: "Scott signs new pension law".

Well, it ain't the Batista regime

"Don't Tell Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Cuba Isn't a Terrorist State".

Remember me?

"Jennifer Carroll: GOP Needs Outreach to Black Communities".

Raw political courage

"Gov. Rick Scott signs bill to help human trafficking victims".

Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

State officials "fiddling" as Florida's rivers and springs die

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "State environmental officials have apparently come up with a new public relations strategy for dealing with the degradation of Central Florida's Wekiva River: downplay it, or deny it."

Leaders in the Florida Legislature have been patting themselves on the back lately for including $10 million to protect and restore springs in the $74 billion state budget that lawmakers passed this month. But the money for springs represents less than 10 percent of the $122 million that the five water districts estimated would be needed for a comprehensive springs plan.

Two Orlando Democrats, Rep. Linda Stewart and Sen. Darren Soto, sponsored a bill this year to require the districts to develop five-year restoration plans for springs in their regions. Neither version even got a hearing before dying in committee.

If environmental treasures like Florida's springs and rivers are to be saved, Gov. Rick Scott and lawmakers will need to embrace actions like those called for in the Stewart-Soto bill.

"State officials fiddling while the Wekiva dies".

Orlando population growing

"Orlando population growth 2nd in state".

Subpoenas quashed

"Nine state legislators who were subpoenaed to testify in the case of a fired Florida Highway Patrol trooper cannot be forced to testify, a hearing officer has ordered." "Subpoenas quashed for legislators in firing".

Class act

"Florida's highest-ranking judge ended a long-standing practice of sending letters of congratulation to Eagle Scouts earlier this year as the Boy Scouts of America agonized publicly over whether to admit gay members. . . . A court spokeswoman said his action was prompted by the possibility that Scout-related litigation could come before the court, not by his personal views on whether the Scouts should admit gay members." "New Eagle Scouts won't get letters from chief justice".

The Week Ahead

"The Week Ahead for May 28 to May 31".

Raw political courage

"Trey Radel Launching His Plan for Lowering Gas and Grocery Bills".

"Here Comes Allen West"

"Tea party favorite former Congressman Allen West floated a trial balloon at the end of last week, making believers out of many that he will set his sights on a political comeback in 2016 -- possibly looking toward the White House this time."

Appearing on the Tammy Bruce radio show Friday, the Florida Republican made it clear that he was open to running for office again despite losing to Democrat Patrick Murphy in November.

"Here Comes Allen West in 2016 -- Though It's Destination Undecided".

Harrison can't give it up

"The last time Shawn Harrison and state Rep. Mark Danish ran against each other was nearly seven months ago."

Harrison, a Republican, was the incumbent, with good name recognition and strong fundraising. But Danish, a middle school science teacher, rode a big Democratic wave and won by 1 percentage point.

Now Harrison has filed papers to run again in state House District 63. If he gets his rematch, the election would take place 17 months from now, and both men would expect the contest to be different. . . .

Last November, Harrison out-raised Danish 15-to-1: $299,000 to $19,500.

"Shawn Harrison looking for rematch with state Rep. Mark Danish".