Florida Political News and Commentary for 5/8/08

by: Florida Politics

Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:41:24 AM EST

Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

The emperor has no clothes

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board rightfully derides Charlie's smoke and mirrors scam:

A "golden opportunity." "Historic legislation." "A giant step."

Praise abounds for Gov. Crist's political victory in getting his "Cover Florida" health insurance proposal through the Legislature. But the 3.8 million uninsured Floridians have little reason to celebrate if similar policies are any precedent."

"Florida Health Choices" plan, which will use $1.5 million in state money to create a corporation to negotiate rates, collect premiums and handle claims for businesses with fewer than 50 employees. "Today," Gov. Crist said, "we have made great progress in providing uninsured individuals and small businesses choices in how to access health care coverage."

So, uninsured residents will now have the power to choose - between unaffordable health care and insufficient health care. A golden opportunity, indeed.

Whatever

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board doesn't dig "Florida's two-state suggestion".

OJT for millionaire RPOFer hack cancelled

"The chief of staff in training for de facto Senate President Jeff Atwater is officially off the payroll, Atwater said Wednesday.  Millionaire 'Budd' Kneip of Palm Beach Gardens earned a $7,000-a-month salary from the state for one month and two days to learn the ins and outs of the legislature, which was dealing with a $5 billion budget deficit."  "Atwater aide removed from payroll".

"Big winner"

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "During the legislative session, the Florida Land Council did what the group does best: Kill any proposal to manage growth. That shortsighted action, however, likely will bring on an alternative that the council and every developer in Florida dislikes even more: the Florida Hometown Democracy constitutional amendment that would require voter approval for every change to local growth plans."  "This year's big winner: Hometown Democracy".

Cat's outa the bag

"A Michigan Supreme Court ruling -- that the state's law banning gay marriage also prohibits same-sex benefits offered to government employees -- is energizing opponents of a similar amendment on Florida's November ballot."

Though the wording of Michigan's same-sex marriage ban is not identical to the proposed Amendment 2 facing Florida voters in November, opponents say it will pave the way for the same ban on domestic-partnership benefits.

Don't worry, be happy

Mike Thomas reminds us that Chain Gang Charlie

scored a political coup with his plan for a gas-tax holiday. It landed him on the front page of The New York Times, where the governor said his job is to "respond to the people and try to make them happy."

Heaven help us

"More than 1,000 people, including St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker and other elected officials, gathered at the Gibbs High School football stadium to celebrate the National Day of Prayer and to ask God to help them eradicate crime, homelessness, poverty and unemployment."  "Praying is fine, but it takes action to solve problems".

Here's a plan

"Here's a way for Barack Obama to nudge Hillary Rodham Clinton out of the race: Step up and join her call to count the votes of 1.75-million Florida Democrats."

No, the all but inevitable Democratic nominee is not obligated to recognize Florida's disputed Jan. 29 primary. Nor does he need to buy into Clinton's suspect argument that Florida deserves 100 percent of its delegates at the national convention.

But if Obama wants to eliminate one of Clinton's last rationales for staying in the race, and if he wants to curb the considerable skepticism about his interest and ability to compete in America's biggest battleground state, he should start mending Sunshine State fences and speak out about counting Florida's votes.

"That could potentially open the floodgates for superdelegates to come on board if he was that gracious and that comfortable in his inevitability to win the nomination,'' said Bob Buckhorn, a Democratic consultant in Tampa who backs Clinton. "It would go a long way to ease the anger that remains over Florida's votes not counting."

Florida Political News and Commentary for 5/07/08

by: Florida Politics

Wed May 07, 2008 at 11:26:32 AM EST

Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

Martinez, Garcia and Taddeo

Raul Martinez "and two other Democrats — Joe Garcia, 44, former chairman of the Miami-Dade County Democratic Party, and Annette Taddeo, 40, a Colombian-American businesswoman"

are mounting the most formidable effort in years to alter the political face of South Florida. Victories in any of the contests could lead to significant changes in U.S.-Cuba policy, relaxing hard-line restrictions on travel and financial support that have grown increasingly unpopular among Cuban-Americans.

Thanks Evelyn

"Ormond Beach state Sen. Evelyn Lynn [R-whatever the developers want] whatever says she only was trying to help rural areas around the state lure more development.  But the result was that Lynn last week helped derail a proposed rewrite of Florida' growth laws in the dying hours of the legislative session."  "Volusia lawmaker's intervention scuttles growth-limit bill".

As paint-ballers rot in jail ...

... "Terror suspect Posada feted in Miami".

More on Bushco's terrorist

Credit the The South Florida Sun-Sentinel for publishing this even-handed LA Times story about who many to be Bushco's terrorist: "Venezuela's ambassador in Washington, Bernardo Alvarez, condemned the celebration of Posada as a mockery of justice and evidence of a Bush administration double standard in fighting terrorism."

"This is outrageous, particularly because he kept talking about violence," Alvarez said of Posada. "He said that the whole thing now is 'to sharpen our machetes'" for a confrontation with leftist regimes in Latin America.

The U.S. government has never given Venezuela a formal answer to its three-year-old request for extradition of Posada, despite the fact that a treaty providing for such cooperation has been in effect since 1922, the ambassador said.

Posada is alleged to have masterminded the bombing of a Cuban airliner in 1976 on which all 73 on board were killed, including a youth fencing team returning from a tournament in Caracas.

He also is suspected of plotting a series of hotel bombings in Havana in the late 1990s, one of which killed an Italian tourist.

He has boasted of his many attempts to kill Castro and has allegedly been involved in, according to court documents, "some of the most infamous events of 20th century Central American politics."

Posada was serving time in a Panama prison for a 2000 assassination attempt on Castro when outgoing Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso pardoned him and three accomplices in August 2004 in what some observers saw as a favor to President Bush to rally the Cuban-dominated Florida vote for his re-election.

"The spectacle of a wanted international terrorist being publicly feted as a hero in Miami makes a mockery of the Bush Administration's commitment to wage a war on terrorism," he said of Posada's coming-out party.

How high?

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "It hasn't even been 10 years yet since Palm Beach County — with voter support and a $100 million public purse — carved out an ambitious, inspiring program to preserve agriculture as a land use and a way of life on prime farmland.  And yet, once again, county commissioners are considering lifting development restrictions to appease yet another request from builders."  "Proposal to build on preserved land in Ag Reserve an insult that should be rejected".

"Values"?

"Florida's universities are raising tuition, laying off employees and limiting enrollment to make it through what has turned out to be one of the toughest budget years in recent history."  "Florida universities raise tuition, cap enrollment, freeze jobs".

Whatever

"State officials are getting the word out that if you want to stop smoking, there is free help available. A state program launched in December is offering free nicotine gum, lozenges and nicotine patches to smokers."  "Florida's smoking-cessation program helps you butt out".

Stop the madness

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "Privatization of the state's only tuberculosis hospital"

"is not a feasible option for the State of Florida." That was the conclusion just last year by an Atlanta-based planning firm the state hired to evaluate A.G. Holley Hospital in Lantana. Then why did state legislators, in the closing hours last week of this year's session, call for the Florida Department of Health to negotiate with a private company to design, build and operate a new, 50-bed replacement for A.G. Holley? ...

Efforts to privatize A.G. Holley began under Jeb "private-is-better-than-public" Bush and appealed to Lantana leaders who want the state to move A.G. Holley so the town can restore the land to its tax roll. But the state has not shown that a private company should be entrusted with curing TB patients and protecting the public from the spread of the airborne disease in the meantime. Privatizing A.G. Holley would cut public health in the name of cutting the budget.

Florida Political News and Commentary for 5/6/08

by: Florida Politics

Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:20:47 AM EST

The Florida Progressive Coalition has "4 Scenes from Scenic Florida".  Our review of today's (and the stuff we missed yesterday) Florida political news and punditry:

"Harmless"?

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Floridians deserve straight talk from the governor. Even the most optimistic among us cannot pretend our schools will be better off next year, and Crist should not suggest otherwise."

Most disappointing is that the governor promised to hold education harmless when he campaigned in January for Amendment 1, the state constitutional amendment that allows homeowners to take their property-tax cap with them when they move. Critics said the amendment's passage would hurt public education, but Crist promised education would be held harmless.

Harmless. That was his word.

Harmless. Tell that to the teachers in Pinellas County who face pay cuts and the closure of seven to 10 schools.

Harmless. Tell that to Hillsborough students who will likely see fewer librarians and school nurses, as well as overcrowding in elective classes not covered by the class-size amendment.

Harmless. Tell that to Broward and Miami-Dade schools, which will take about a third of the $900-million cut and expect to have to lay off social workers and guidance counselors.

Harmless. Tell that to the schools cutting summer school programs, school security, and art and music classes. ...

None of this sounds very harmless at all.

and, incredibly, another $86 million to operate a private prison.

Florida's prison population is expected to soar from about 96,000 inmates today, to 120,000 inmates by 2012.

Slash

"The University of Florida, the state's highest-rated institution of higher education, announced layoffs, reductions in degree programs and a steep cut in undergraduate enrollment as part of a plan to cope with severe budget cuts from the state."  "University of Florida cuts 400 jobs, undergrad enrollment".

"Gaining admission to the University of Florida will become even harder as it slashes undergraduate enrollment by 4,000 students, lays off 138 faculty and staff members, and eliminates some courses and degree programs to make up for the loss of $47 million in state money."  "UF will cut jobs, slash enrollment".

Budgeting "$86 million to operate a private prison", while at the same time "slash[ing] undergraduate enrollment by 4,000 students, lays off 138 faculty and staff members, and eliminates some courses and degree programs to make up for the loss of $47 million in state money".

This is what Charlie calls the "Legislature's 'Golden Age'"?

Who knew?

The ever vigilant Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board: "Amid the clamor of Florida's 2008 legislative session, a bill slipped through nearly unnoticed -- yet within the next 18 months, every person who registers a vehicle in this state will know about it."

At least, they'll know enough to wonder "What's 'Family First?'"

That's because, starting in October if Gov. Charlie Crist doesn't veto the bill, everyone who registers a car or renews its registration in Florida will be asked whether you want to donate a dollar to the Tampa-based organization -- though you won't be told what the organization does, or what the money will be used for.

The bill doesn't go into much detail either, referring to Family First merely as "a nonprofit corporation." In reality, the group is a conservative-leaning organization, also known as the Florida Family Council, that says it's "dedicated to strengthening the family," through radio spots, e-mails and Web sites. While not overtly sectarian, the group approaches the issue of family preservation with a clear religious bent. And while it's not to be confused with the more openly political, Orlando-based Florida Family Policy Council, Family First has weighed in on political issues in its time, including drafting a letter in 1998 chastising the Disney Corporation for offering benefits to gay and lesbian partners of its employees.

Feds to "investigate"?

"State investments downgraded during the subprime mortgage meltdown have been targeted in a federal probe.  The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has asked the State Board of Administration to hand over hundreds of pages of documents related to the buying and selling of at least 10 different securities, according to a letter dated Feb. 22."  "Feds investigate state investment pool".

Lehman Brothers "employee" Jebbie is in the middle of all this - will he be investigated by Dubya's keystone kops?  More: "Saint Jebbie gets another pass".

"Equity" layoffs

"Most workers won't see raises or one-time bonuses, but the biggest bill affecting them includes a plan for equity [sic] layoffs."  "Florida legislative session not kind to state workers".  By contrast, you will be shocked to learn that

The business lobby said the legislative session was surprisingly good ...

Where Do They Stand?

by: quinnelk

Tue May 06, 2008 at 00:29:08 AM EST

Florida Political News and Commentary for 5/4/08

by: Florida Politics

Sun May 04, 2008 at 13:23:32 PM EST

The Florida Progressive Coalition's "".  Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

"Crist's rhetoric doesn't match reality"

"As Gov. Charlie Crist praised the Legislature for its "great work" Friday night, his own human services secretary, Bob Butterworth, stood a few feet away and gave a very different critique of the 2008 session."

From budget cuts for child abuse investigators to the defeat of a bill to move the mentally ill from jails into treatment, Butterworth said legislators did little to help Florida's sick and neglected.

"I'm very upset," said Butterworth, who will lose 250 jobs in the Department of Children and Families under the 2008-09 budget. And it took last-minute maneuvering to maintain a program where the state subsidizes adoptions of foster children.

Does he have a blind spot where lawmakers are concerned, and could it backfire in an election year as the effects of budget cuts sink in?

No, Crist insists. Lawmakers wisely resisted the temptation to raise taxes, he says.

"Pay to play"

"The way things stand, the perception (if not yet 100 percent the reality) is that politicians do the bidding of lobbyists whose arms have been twisted for contributions in exchange for, as some wag put it, 'the attention of the mighty.'" A worthy piece this morning from The Tallahassee Democrat's: Mary Ann Lindley, "It's pay to play in the Legislature".

Puffing Charlie

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel, which apparently should be confused with the Republican Party of Florida, actually published this headline - to a news story, not an editorial - this morning:

Crist wrings success out of legislative session

Crist wrings failure out of legislative session

Crist stands by and does nothing during legislative session

to extract or get by forceful effort or means

Yee Haw!

"Start measuring those vice presidential mansion drapes [and the in-house tanning bed], Charlie Crist, because a new poll suggests John McCain will need all the help he can get in must-win Florida. Quinnipiac University's latest poll shows Hillary Rodham Clinton beating McCain in Florida 49 to 41 percent, while McCain is essentially tied with Barack Obama, 44 percent to Obama's 43 percent."  "McCain needs Crist's help in Florida, poll suggests" ("The April 23-29 poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points").

"A new poll suggests presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain has lost ground in Florida, which could increase the odds that he would pick Gov. Charlie Crist as his running mate."  "Crist: A Rising Star?".

RPOFers take in the shorts

Those "reading is Fundamental" programs apparently worked: "For the first time since 1984, Democrats have edged past Republicans in voter registration in Pinellas County, considered by some to be the birthplace of the Florida Republican Party."  "GOP Voters Are No Longer In Majority In Pinellas".

"Political whims, fickle public attention and outdated standards"

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "The system that compensates victims of state negligence must be improved. Now, victims languish for years, subject to political whims, fickle public attention and outdated standards."  "Victims' wait for justice is yet another injustice".

Poor Lil' Marco

"Despite an attempt from House Republicans to reignite divisive property tax battles with their Senate counterparts, lawmakers agreed this morning to a package of less ambitious changes."  "Property tax bill goes to Crist".

Silly season

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "Hillary Clinton and John McCain think they can buy your vote for $25. That's about how much a typical motorist would save if the two presidential candidates get their way and the federal gas tax is suspended for three months this summer. Even that scenario requires a willing suspension of disbelief — that the tax cut will actually be reflected in retail gas prices and that increased consumption won't drive the price even higher."  "Gas tax gimmick an insult to voters".

For some reason Charlie's mimicry of McBush on this issue is given a pass.

Leave it to the Tribune Company

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "The federal government shouldn't be in the propaganda business either".

Suing CSX

Thomas doesn't want you to think that the RPOFers are alone in the blame for the CSX thing.  "So the lawyers got their lap-dog Democrats in the Senate to block the deal."  See what he means here: "Lawyers' grease trumps saving gas as rail deals falter".

"A fine idea at the time ..."

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "'Sounds good in theory...'"

The responsible way to complete that sentence is " ... but does it work?" The irresponsible way to complete that sentence is " ... so let's do it." Under the sway of politicians and bureaucrats who sometimes are too "bold" [sic] for the state's own good, Florida has tended to say, "So, let's do it."

The theory was that reimbursing some expenses of bid presentation would encourage more bids, and that the increased competition would result in lower costs. Sounds good in theory. Or at least plausible. The problem is that DOT acted on the theory without legal authority to do so and without keeping track of whether it worked. ...

Though DOT got skewered for acting precipitously, the Legislature - following in the ideological footsteps of former Gov. Jeb Bush - has established its own "so let's do it" record. On the sounds-good theory that private business does a better job for less than government can, Florida got suckered and/or embarrassed in privatization deals involving human resources, prisons, foster care, purchasing, schools and even the purging of alleged felons from voter lists.

With its grand privatization schemes, however, Florida has looked even worse paying the winners.

It was a fine idea at the time

Now it's a brilliant mistake

Laff riot

Luv them tuff talkin' country clubbers:

Senate President Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, credited Rubio for a $66.2 billion budget that includes no tax increases or gambling money and little cash from reserves.

"Wherever you're going and whatever you plan on doing, sign me up, big guy, because I'll be there," Pruitt told Rubio after the session adjourned. "And I'll be there to watch your back."

Wingnuttery on hold

"A souring economy and a worrisome election year forced Florida's Republican-led Legislature to moderate its politics in the session that ended Friday because it had no other choice."  "Necessity, not politics, ruled '08 session".

"The absurd world of public education in a state that put tax exemptions ahead of schoolchildren"

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "Three months after Pinellas voters approved higher property taxes so teachers could get better pay, the school system is now actually considering a 2 percent pay cut. Welcome to the absurd world of public education in a state that put tax exemptions ahead of schoolchildren, where superintendent Clayton Wilcox is forced to choose among budgetary options that are bad and worse."  "School cuts: from bad to worse".

Sorry bro

by: Florida Politics

Sun May 04, 2008 at 12:37:14 PM EST

A column this morning - ostensibly about the latest in the irresistible "don't tase me bro" story - raised a number of issues about self-righteous reporters, blogging and corporate media ownership.  Let's take a look at these issues, beginning with the column.

The Column

The Palm Beach Post's Randy Schultz: "After the sort of soul-searching only higher education can produce, the University of Florida has come to an important conclusion about that Tasering of a student back in September: UF would do it again."

The tortured 52-page report by the wonderfully named Committee on a Civil, Safe and Open Environment doesn't say that directly. The next time, campus police would try other options and use more sense. Good thought. But after you get past all the supplements, footnotes and amens to the First Amendment, you reach this key phrase: "Conduct is not protected." And conduct, not speech, got Andrew M. Meyer, UF student and journalist wannabe, Tasered.

Mr. Meyer had a blog, which these days is like saying you have a driver license*.

In the first weeks after the incident, though, Mr. Meyer got his fame cameo, including an appearance on the Today show. "Don't Tase me, bro!" T-shirts were selling on the Internet. Ah, but the last posting on the donttaserme blog, linked from theandrewmeyer.com, was more than three months ago. It concludes with a warning to be "vigilent." Obviously, that vigilance doesn't apply to proofreading**.

If this had happened most places, the reaction would have been muted. At a university, though, it became An Issue.

Admittedly, if you watch the Sunday gasbags or Washington reporters at news conferences,  the art of asking probing, revealing questions can seem dead. Like Mr. Meyer, they care more about their questions than the answers. Could there be a future in journalism for Mr. Meyer after all? If so, don't let me be around to see it, bro.

"UF would Tase you again, bro!". I have added a couple of asterisks in the above excerpts which were originally intended to be brief footnotes, but turned out to be longer than planned.  I develop these points below.

Anyone can set up a blog

The first asterisked passage is "Mr. Meyer had a blog, which these days is like saying you have a driver license*"  The point of this remark - and you see it all the time in the traditional media - is that "blogs" are "not worthy"; put a slightly different way, blogs are not wothy of the same "thing" the traditional media is worthy of, presumably something like "credence"[FN1].

Although that is not the point of Schultz otherwise excellent piece, it raises issues worth exploring.

It certainly is true that anyone can set up a blog - in fact it is much easier to set up a blog than it is to get a a driver license.  Moreover,the publisher of a given blog might be a coplete moron or a someone like this.

We likewise agree with Randy's second, but implicit, point - that it is much easier to set up a blog and spout off opinions, than it is to get hired by and paid by the The Palm Beach Post to write an opinion column.  Moreover, and it is generally true, that journalists have some sort of education in "journalism", if not always the subject matter in which they seek to engage their readers.

On top of that, journalists work by some sort of perceived credo, where they (in hard news mode) neutrally report the "truth" as they see it, or something to that effect. 

However, let us be a bit real about the noble ink stained wretch thing - all professional columnists, which includes Randy Schultz, must - and whether they want to admit it or not - carefully consider whether their words might offend their employers; after all, someone has to pay the paychecks, and it ain't the Goddess of neutral journalism up in the sky.  (as to this point see our previous post  on the sainted Saint Pete Times: "Smarmy").

In Schultz' case, the paycheck writer is Cox Newspapers, Inc., which is in turn owned by Cox Enterprises, Inc., which "is a private company controlled by the descendants of James M. Cox." (can't imagine what their views are of, ahem ... inheritance taxes)).

And who owns Cox? According to Wikipedia, "the company is private, 98 percent controlled by the octogenarian daughter of [James Middleton Cox], Anne Cox Chambers [Her net worth has been estimated at $12.6 billion, based principally on her equity interest in Cox Enterprises which makes her one of the richest women in the United States], and the two children of her late sister Barbara Cox Anthony. The CEO and chairman is Anthony's son, James C. Kennedy."

To be sure, and as is the case with most billionaires, Anne Cox Chambers is a philanthropist; and also apparently a limousine liberal, supporting Barack Obama. See also "The Obama Volunteer Vibe: Punks and Billionaires".

Despite the dalliances of octogenarian billionaires, Cox, Inc. like virtually all "newspapers" is first and foremost a profit making "business"; hence, it editorializes about most "business" issues (except obvious things like slavery and dumping sewage in the ocean) in the the usual "business" way: see e.g., "Firefighters' 'outlandish benefits' and 'sweet pay plans'" and "this astounding piece of doggrel in the Palm Beach Post 'news' section".

When Schultz denegrates blogs - as he well he should - he might, ought concede the "problems" that exist in his neck of the woods, to wit: the very real limitations on the ability of "paid journalists" to opine.  I look forward to the time when journalists, when they put blogs in perspective, do so along these lines:

 "blogs are irrelevant because having a  blog these days is like saying you have a driver license; then again, everything I write as a professional journalist must be considered in light of the direct and indirect pressures I feel as an employee of a profit-making enterprise".

By way of example, wouldn't it be ethical for reporters and editors to make such disclosures whenever a story implicated the interests of their employers in their capacity of employers?

For example, an Orlando Sentinel "journalist" writing about a local issue - let's say a strike at a Disney hotel wherein the employer used "strikebreakers" (scabs) - might want to mention, to, you know ... help the reader understand the perspective of the folks who cut the "journalist's" paycheck, that the Sentinel is,

not merely a non-union employer, but has actually embroiled itself in affirmatively anti-union activity by offering to supply writers (reporters) to work as scabs to help bust newspaper strikes in other states.

That bit of info [FN2] might help the citizen-reader understand that the story's perspective on the Grosvenor's use of scabs, or the propriety of unions in general. [FN3]

By underscoring that "journalists" work for profit-making entities with specific profit-making agendas, does not mean that journalists don't do their best to "report" the unvarnished truth (within the limitations they hate to acknowledge); and it certainly does not mean blogs are a solution to this systemic problem with the traditional media.

After all, "blogs" qua "blogs" do not have particular merit as news sources - a blog is simply a device by which information is conveyed. A newspaper is likewise nothing more than a device by which information is conveyed. The method of delivery is irrelevant to the quality of the information conveyed.

That anyone can start a blog certainly is very relevant to the weight, if any, given to the information therein conveyed. Indeed, most blogs - including this one - do not claim to uncover (or discover in the first instance) Florida political news (except in rare instances (e.g., "It all depends on what your definition of "first reported" is?")). We simply digest and summarize the work of others, like Randy Schultz.  But, like Schultz - when he is in editorial mode - we freely inject our bias, prejudice and opinion.

Back to the point: that a blog is "unprofessional" is a very significant consideration in evaluating the worth of its' contents (which is why we scrupulously link to everything we quote).

Likewise, that a newspaper is owned by an octogenarian limousine liberal billionaire (or a slum lord) likewise bears on the value of the information therein conveyed (whether it be hard news or opinion). Perhaps more importantly, that newspapers are profit making enterprises likewise bears on the value of newspapers' news and editorials relating to events that might be adverse to profit making enterprises generally - things like mandated benefits for employees, government regulation of employers' business activities (e.g., media consolidation and related anti-trust issues), and ... oh yeah ... as we mentioned above ... unions.

Blogs make mistakes, and so do traditional news outlets 

The second asterisked passage is "Obviously, that vigilance doesn't apply to proofreading".  Another cheap shot at blogs - and most deservedly so.

However, with all due respect, I have been reading most (I can't abide the Florida Times Union) of the online newspapers in Florida (insofar as they relate to Florida politics) on a daily basis for more than half-a-decade; in addition to this site daily making numerous grammatical and spelling errors (which we freely concede), I daily find such errors in the online work of the "pros" (who unlike bloggers,  have editors). 

I am not talking about the "blogs" operated by the media professionals/journalists, which like real blogs are even more prone to errors, but the actual online editions of the newspapers. In posting here, I rarely point out the numerous errors of the "professionals" these errors out, and always correct the mistakes if I excerpt passages which include the errors (I use [sic] solely for the purposes of snark).

For example, in this online article today by a well-known professional journalist the word "foreclosure" is repeatedly capitalized when it should be in lower case.

My favorite online "error" (which could likewise be described as a double entendre as well as a freudian slip) was in the The Orlando Sentinel on January 1 of this year, and we couldn't resist posting about it. See "Jebbie takes a job as a staff writer with the Orlando Sentinel". Perhaps someone had too much to drink at that New Year's Eve party.

Schultz' ought to read "professional" online publications before he takes the obligatory "professional journalist" shots at blogs.

Randy, The future is now 

It is worth repeating, with a slight modification, Schultz' closing remarks

Admittedly, if you watch the Sunday gasbags or Washington reporters at news conferences [or the work of Florida's alleged political reporters, columnists and editors] ,  the art of asking probing, revealing questions can seem dead. Like Mr. Meyer, they care more about their questions than the answers

Could there be a future in journalism for Mr. Meyer after all? If so, don't let me be around to see it, bro.

Sorry bro, the future is here, and you are part of it.

- - - - - - - - - -

[FN 1]  Although not worthy, it is strange how many "reporters" or their proxies demand clarification of our remarks viz. their writing.  Of course, none of these folks actuually read the blog (they always make a point of that), but were told about it by someone else.

[FN 2]  By the way, strike/scab this story received only a little coverage by the local media.  The reason there was so little coverage is clear: the dispute resulted in an overwhelming victory for the unionized employees; and, consistent with Florida's statewide traditional media, unions are never given positive press because to do so does not serve their corporate owners' business interests.  To learn more about what happened, I sadly cannot refer you to one or more newspaper articles, but rather an article on a law firm's website, which we have previously excerpted: "Grosvenor Resort Owes Workers Substantial Backpay".

[FN 2]  Of course, such disclosures are never made; indeed, the newspaper in the above example actually threatened false light lawsuits against any newspaper that disclosed the names of newspaper scabs.

Florida Political News and Commentary for 5/3/08

by: Florida Politics

Sat May 03, 2008 at 20:14:20 PM EST

"No"

"House Speaker Marco Rubio wanted a huge property tax cut but the Senate said no. Senate President Ken Pruitt wanted a higher education overhaul, and the House said no." "Florida legislative session ends with little to show". The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Session Was No Great Success, But Kept Bad Bills Off The Books".

"Lawmakers have signed off on the $66.2 billion budget that is now on its way to Gov. Charlie Crist for approval." "Florida's new budget has less money for schools, Medicaid, courts". See also "Belt-tightening session comes to an end".

I'd hate to see what he considers to be the "dark ages"

Charlie, who apparently still inhales, tells us that "we're living in a magic time: 'the golden age of the Florida Legislature.'"

Since last fall, three rounds of budget cuts caused by the drop in tax collections have taken $900-million out of public education in Florida, a state that already lags in nearly every measurable academic standard. If you're poor or disabled, it could be worse.

What do we have here? A courageous show of fiscal responsibility by the Republican legislature and governor, or irresponsibility of epic proportions?

Legislators cut money for foster children, adoptive parents and people with epilepsy. They really did reduce funding to the state-run School for the Deaf and Blind, explaining that it was the same as the 1.8-percent cut to public schools.

The 2008 session ended just as it began. Republicans congratulated themselves on their fiscal discipline and opposition to new taxes while Democrats decried the GOP's refusal to consider revenue options like increasing one of the lowest cigarette taxes in the country or closing even a few of those 250-odd sales tax exemptions.

"Give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free" ...

... and what will we do with them here in Florida?

"In the six months since Izquierdo regained custody of his young daughter after a high-profile court case, the two have developed a deep bond. It is one they never shared when the girl lived in Cuba with her mother, let alone after she first came to the U.S. and sparked an intense, international custody battle."

Yet in reclaiming one child, Izquierdo has found himself separated from nearly everything and everyone else he loves.

He lives alone with her in the U.S., jobless - a pariah to many Cuban-Americans who cannot fathom why he would want to return with the girl to the poverty-seeped, communist island their own families fled.

Izquierdo's pregnant wife Yanara Alvarez and their 7-year-old daughter Rachel returned to Cuba so Alvarez could take advantage of the country's free medical care during their son's birth. Mother and daughter have yet to receive permission from U.S. immigration authorities to return to Miami, Izquierdo's attorney said.

Subsidizing "risk taking" entrepreneurs

"DOT officials will officially have the authority to pay stipends to losing bidders under a bill now on its way to Gov. Charlie Crist." "Lawmakers: Pay losing contract bidders". See also "Senator trying to save bid losers".

Too bad they our Legislators couldn't find the same energy viz. decent legislation to recompense those who have been wrongfully imprisoned.

FCAT Follies

"For Florida's public school students, a minor revolution may soon be coming in the classroom."

The dreaded FCAT could be moved to later in the year to give children more time to learn the subjects they are tested on.

And the exam's emphasis would be downgraded when it comes to calculating the grades given to the state's high schools, accounting in the future for only 50 percent of their A to F rating, with the remainder based on the graduation rate and other scholastic measures.

That's the upshot of the first major revamp of public education in nearly a decade approved Friday by the Florida Legislature, which also decided that the state must be more specific in what children are expected to learn at each grade level.

The Legislature also agreed to expand the Corporate Tax Credit program, which allows corporations to get tax credits if they donate funds to help send poor children to private schools. The plan would allow the state to hand out up to $118 million in tax credits — $30 million more than allowed this year.

Lawmakers were not able to reach agreement on a bill that would have prevented nepotism in charter school hirings.

Your RPOF in action

"Senate Republicans agreed to an 'academic freedom' bill that offered protection for teachers who challenged evolution. House Republicans, however, wanted to require science instructors to include a 'critical analysis' of evolution in classes. With lawmakers failing to bridge the divide in their debate, both bills died as lawmakers adjourned for the year Friday." "Lesson plans for evolution remain intact".

Them librul newspapers are at it again

Here's a shocker, corporate hacks don't support a social program - the The Orlando Sentinel editorial board this morning couldn't resist editorializing about an obscure proposal in Congress: "If deficits aren't already big enough, some want extra paid leave for fathers".

The editors' position are of course entirely consistent with their mentors at the Florida Chamber of Commerce (who, by the way, aren't sure about whether global warming exists). The editors' reasoning:

Other countries with much higher taxes give employees benefits like this, but most U.S. employers don't.

"Less ambitious"

"Despite an attempt from House Republicans to reignite divisive property tax battles with their Senate counterparts, lawmakers agreed this morning to a package of less ambitious changes." "Property tax bill goes to Crist".

Idiot of the week: Florida Chamber President says "climate change may or may not be true"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board shares this with us this morning: "Both the Florida Chamber and Mr. Martinez, scheduled to meet the day after the seminar, say they know well what's at stake. The senator says he's convinced humans contribute to climate change. Florida Chamber President Mark Wilson says 'climate change may or may not be true,' but that the reality is Florida needs to find enough energy to support another 10 million people by 2030." "It's important for Sen. Martinez to support smart energy initiative".

Saying that "climate change may or may not be true" is tin foil hat territory - yet the Florida media serves up their pablum like good little lapdogs.

Saint Jebbie gets another pass

by: Florida Politics

Sat May 03, 2008 at 08:41:56 AM EST

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board writes that the state is "investing $15,000 to find out" whether it can sue J.P. Morgan and Lehman Brothers for billions in bad investments.

They continue: "Unlike about $2 billion in other investments having to do with the State Board of Administration, this one makes sense."

Last year, J.P. Morgan and Lehman Brothers [where Jebbie now "works"] sold the board - which (allegedly) oversees Florida's panoply of pension and investment funds - about $2 billion in securities whose value collapsed days later. Financial officers for local governments learned of the weak investments and started a run on one of the state's funds. Last week, the state agreed to pay the West Palm Beach law firm of Berman DeValerio Pease Tabacco Burt & Pucillo $15,000 to determine whether Florida has grounds for a lawsuit against the brokers.

The State Board of Administration was not a federally qualified buyer for roughly a third of the rotten securities. On the surface, that's more proof of poor leadership by former SBA Director Coleman Stipanovich, who got the job because of connections to former Gov. Jeb Bush. Mr. Stipanovich's brother, one of the state's leading Republicans, advised Katherine Harris during the 2000 recount.

The glaring political question now is whether Florida was a sucker for Lehman Brothers because Jeb Bush took a job there shortly after leaving office.

"Get a return for state on tainted investments".

This should be much more than a mere "glaring political question"; rather it is a "glaring" criminal question.

At the same time, the "question" should not be limited, as the The Palm Beach Post editors suggest, as to whether Stipanovich was an unqualified political hack; he was.

Rather - the real "glaring" question is about Saint "Jeb!" and his possible involvement in the mess.

Don't we want to know what communications Jebbie had with his current employer, and when they occurred? Likewise, did Lehman Brothers pay (err ... hire) Jebbie for his investment savvy as they claim, or was he paid to insulate themselves from disclosure of his role, if any, in the purchase from Lehman while he was head of the SBA Trustees?  (After all, who would have the cojones to suggest Saint Jebbie might have done anything wrong?)

The traditional media isn't asking these questions; in any event, no one in Florida "law enforcement" would dare to investigate Jebbie Certainly not Bill McCollum, let alone any of Florida's Bushco U.S. Attorneys.

Those folks are all too busy removing Dems from office for giving gas money to old Black ladies picking up absentee ballots, or going for broke on terrorist paint-ballers.

Even Librul rags like Forbes' write that the scandal goes far beyond rubes like Stipanovich:

A government money market debacle unfolding in Florida is raising questions about former governor and presidential brother Jeb Bush's possible involvement in the mess.

Florida froze withdrawals from a state investment fund earlier this week when local governments withdrew billions of dollars out of concern for the fund's financial stability.

In the past few days, municipalities have withdrawn roughly $9 billion, nearly a third of the $28 billion fund (which is similar to a money market fund) controlled by the Florida's State Board of Administration (SBA). The run on the fund was triggered by worries that a percentage of the portfolio contained debt that had defaulted.

A majority of this paper was sold to SBA by Lehman Brothers (nyse: LEH - news - people ). Bush, as the state's top elected official, served on a three-member board that oversaw the SBA until he retired as governor in January. In August, Bush was hired as a consultant to the bank. Lehman spokesperson Kerrie Cohen, speaking on behalf of Bush, said they had no comment and would not say when the bank had sold Florida the paper. SBA did not return calls.

Legislative Roundup

by: quinnelk

Sat May 03, 2008 at 08:15:34 AM EST

Florida Political News and Commentary for 5/2/08

by: Florida Politics

Fri May 02, 2008 at 08:13:56 AM EST

The agenda in Tally: "Legislators enter home stretch".  See also "Clock winds down on Florida lawmakers".

Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

Budget blues

"The House on Thursday night approved Florida's $66.2 billion budget that slashes more than $4 billion in spending, but not without rancorous debate. "  "House OKs $66B state budget".

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board observes that "if the standard of a society is how well it treats its less fortunate, then this budget before lawmakers today reflects a state that has come up short." "Cuts in Florida's state budget will hurt more than $6 billion would indicate".

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "This is a Legislature struggling to merely survive an economic recession and hoping for better times instead of offering a vision for a megastate that deserves better."  "Budget lands with depressing thud".

"Services from courts to drivers-license offices will be cut back; government workers won't get raises. Teachers will lose their jobs; services for the disabled will shrink; and nursing-home patients might wait longer for bedside care.  College and university students will pay about $70, or 6 percent, more per semester. There will be no sales-tax holiday for hurricane preparedness; the one for back-to-school items is shortened to seven days and doesn't include books. And parents will find it tougher to place their children in arts classes, summer school or other specialty programs.  It's all because the budget is a stunning $5.7 billion smaller than the one approved just 12 months ago, during flush times that have long since faded."  "Floridians steel for fallout from $5.7B budget cut".  The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "Cuts force painful education choices".

"The Florida House approved a $66.2 billion budget Thursday that carves deeply into school funding and an array of health-care programs as a result of the biggest one-year drop in revenue in state history."  "Florida House slashes school funding to balance budget".

"We'll see"

"At the beginning of the legislative session, Senate leaders fast-tracked a resolution to weaken the Florida Board of Governors.  With one day of session to go that resolution is at a crawl, and it will never reach the November ballot if House members don't unite behind it.  The Senate has approved the proposal (SJR 2308), and House leaders will only say of its fate, 'We'll see.'"  "House leaders say 'we'll see' about BOG bill".

"National leader in erecting barriers to voting"

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board lays it on the line: "Florida has become a national leader in erecting barriers to voting. Not only have Republican legislators failed to shake the legacy of 2000, they've made it worse. "At every step of the process," said attorney Wendy Weiser of the Brennan Center for Justice in New York, 'there's a hurdle in Florida.'"

GOP legislators were upset in 2004 over the success of a grass-roots effort to register voters and pass a constitutional amendment that increased the minimum wage. One year later, the Legislature passed the first restraint on registrations. It was blocked in court. The Legislature tweaked it in 2007 and passed it again, shutting down the league and other not-for-profits that register voters.

Florida already trails most of the nation, with only about 65 percent of potential voters registered as of 2006, down from 72 percent in 2004. The rates are lower for minorities, the poor and young people. Those demographics benefit Republicans.

Despite an agreement to delay, Secretary of State Kurt Browning announced in March that he would begin enforcing the anti-registration law. He reversed himself this week, entering into a consent order that allows registration to continue unfettered until July. But the law, subject to a lawsuit, still could be in effect to block registration drives before the presidential election.

Florida's efforts to limit access continue with the no-match/no-vote law. It disenfranchises voters when registrations do not exactly match government databases. ...

Florida's reputation for partisan election policy dates to then-Secretary of State Katherine Harris' effort to deny legitimate votes in 2000. The state's use of rules to block vote-counting and disenfranchise ex-felons showed that politics mattered more than helping all people vote. The recent record shows that nothing has changed.

"Will it all work?"

"Up to 3.8 million uninsured Floridians could soon buy inexpensive health-coverage packages, after legislators tentatively agreed Thursday to a two-step plan serving individuals as well as small businesses."

The legislation blends Gov. Charlie Crist's proposal, offering stripped-down plans for as little as $150 a month, along with House Speaker Marco Rubio's proposal to establish a public-private corporation that would act as human-resources department and a virtual marketplace for health plans.

Crist and the state Senate initially balked at the corporation concept, saying it created too much bureaucracy and too little regulation.

Under the compromise brokered between Crist and the House, the Senate plans to amend the legislation Friday to ensure that: The state Office of Insurance Regulation would have more say, employees would have more time to keep their current health plans if an employer switches to cheaper ones, and the new corporation would abide by open-records laws and be free of industry board members who would otherwise profit from their votes.

House leaders say they'll likely take the legislation and pass it Friday unless some unexpected poison pill ruins the deal. But even if the House signs off on the proposal, the big question remains: Will it all work?

"Curiouser and curiouser"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "The case of the $10-million congressional appropriation for a road in Florida that mysteriously found its way into a transportation funding bill gets curiouser and curiouser. Nearly three years after the bill was enacted, Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, has finally been shamed into explaining his role in the process, but his speech on the floor of the House this week was a self-serving, exculpatory declaration that raises more questions than it answers."  "More questions about `road to perdition'".

"A refreshing alternative to the GOP mind-set"

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "The [petition signature] revocation law emerged from the 2007 legislative session. That year, the Legislature tried unsuccessfully to make it harder to gather signatures with paid help. A year earlier, voters approved a Republican proposal to require 60''percent approval for constitutional amendments. The appeals court has offered a refreshing alternative to the GOP mind-set: In matters related to the constitution, the constitution matters."  "Hostile to constitution".

Let's pretend we care

"It might only create a task force, but Florida lawmakers gave final approval Thursday to a bill designed to prevent accidents like an explosion that killed two people at a Daytona Beach wastewater-treatment plant."  "Worker safety bill heads to governor".

"Philosophy" or brain dead mantra?

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "The guiding philosophy [sic] among Republican lawmakers in Tallahassee is 'no new taxes.' That message has led to more tax cuts for longtime homeowners and the threat of a higher tax load for businesses."

Confronted with obvious inequity, lawmakers remain afraid of any change that might violate the simplistic slogan.

One unfortunate result is higher taxes for in-state businesses than for out-of-state firms that sell by mail. The Legislature continues to refuse to try to collect taxes on Internet and catalog sales, though it doesn't miss a dime of taxes owed by in-state retailers.

Florida has taxed mom-and-pop motels nearly out of existence.

It allows multistate companies to shelter profits in low-tax states, while levying income taxes on Florida companies at the full rate.

More intrusive government restraints on entrepreneurial "spirit"

"Casino boats such as the Big M and SunCruz might have to refrain from dumping waste while they are out at sea."  "Bill would regulate casino boat waste dumping".

Nutz!*

"Florida lawmakers have killed a proposal to bar drivers from displaying metal replicas of bull testicles on their vehicles."  "Proposed Truck Nutz ban fails to muster support".

- - - - - - - - - -
With apologies to General Mcauliffe

Florida Political News and Commentary for 5/1/08

by: Florida Politics

Thu May 01, 2008 at 07:59:57 AM EST

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel's "Tallahassee scorecard: Two days left".

The Florida Progressive Coalition has some "Interesting Poll Numbers".  Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

FCAT Follies

Update:"A sweeping education bill to change the way the FCAT is used is in danger of failing in the waning moments of the session. ... Senate Republicans have a take-it-or-leave-it deal for the lawmakers who want to change the much-maligned FCAT exam: Give us more public money for private schools."  "Voucher angst imperils FCAT bill".

"The anxiety-producing FCAT would make up only half of high school A-through-F grades in the future and would be taken later in the school year in a measure the Senate is expected to approve today."  "FCAT importance could be halved".

Choice politics

"Women seeking a first-trimester abortion in Florida will not be required to have an ultrasound. The measure was defeated Wednesday in a rare 20-20 tie vote in the Florida Senate. Seven Republicans joined with Democrats to defeat the measure."  "Added rule for abortion blocked".  See also "Abortion bill fails in split Senate", "Abortion bill nixed by tie vote in Florida Senate", "Abortion ultrasound bill fails to pass Florida Senate" and "Florida Senate rejects bill requiring ultrasounds before abortions".

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Overreaching Abortion Bill Stopped".

"Desperately seeking a spot on the ticket"

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "Giving drivers a summer vacation from gasoline taxes is politically appealing and would be profoundly wrong.  According to AAA, the average price for regular in this area is $3.73 per gallon. That's up 30 cents in a month and 75 cents in a year, and it's not even summer travel season. The federal gas tax is 18.4 cents; the state levies 15.6 cents. If Washington and Tallahassee suspended the tax from, say, Memorial Day to Labor Day, drivers would be ... about where they were a month ago."

John McCain favors a gas-tax holiday. Gov. Crist, desperately seeking a spot on the ticket, agrees. Maybe Gov. Crist thinks that the lost road money wouldn't be his problem next year. But it still would be Florida's problem.

Are crosses OK?

"The Florida House voted emphatically Wednesday to junk a requirement that state agencies spend up to a half-percent of building costs on art, but chances of final passage appear doubtful."  "Florida House votes to junk 'art in public places' spending".

"Homeowners' bill of rights"

"The full House and Senate are expected to approve it before the annual legislative session ends Friday, and then send it to Gov. Charlie Crist."

The bill extends the rate freeze for Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the state's largest home insurer, by one year, to January 2010.

It doubles maximum fines for insurers that violate state law. The Senate originally wanted to increase the fines by much more.

It prohibits insurers from using arbitration panels when there's a disagreement with state insurance officials over rates.

It extends by one year, to January 2010, a provision from last year's insurance bill that requires insurers to get state approval before raising property insurance rates.

It requires insurers to notify state regulators 90 days before dropping more than 10,000 homeowner policies in one year.

It requires insurers to use state-approved methods to predict the risk of hurricanes, a key factor in setting rates.

"Warmed over ideology"

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "Thanks to the Florida Budget and Tax Reform Commission, Floridians will have to grapple with seven ballot questions in November that seem more about pushing warmed over ideology than implementing meaningful fiscal reform."  "Florida's Budget and Tax Reform Commission isn't living up to its name".

Pay "no attention to donors" behind the curtain

"Like his colleagues, Rep. Stan Mayfield is not allowed to raise campaign money when the Florida Legislature is in session, because of the perception that lawmakers would be trading votes for donations."

But that has not stopped lobbyists and corporations with business before the Vero Beach Republican from giving $96,000 to his political committee since the session began in March.

Mayfield, a powerful committee chairman who wants to be Florida's next agriculture commissioner, legally sidesteps the fundraising ban by steering those unrestricted donations to a political committee known as a 527, a reference to the section of the IRS code that regulates such committees.

They are not affected by the ban on fundraising during sessions and are not subject to the state's $500 contribution limit that applies to legislators' own campaigns.

Progress Energy gave $20,000, for example. Another $20,000 came from Florida Power & Light. Prominent Tallahassee lobbyist Wade Hopping gave $10,000.

Mayfield said he has stepped down from the group during session and insists he has paid no attention to donors.

RPOFers slide a sleazy retirement plan for Young into the budget

"Times aren't so bad. Just ask Gov. Charlie Crist or his friend, U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young.  Tucked into Florida's proposed $66-billion state budget is $2.5-million for a St. Petersburg College institute [the C.W. Bill Young Institute of Government] expected to be named for and eventually led by Young, R-Indian Shores."  "Even in shrinking budget, there's $2.5-million for Rep. Young earmark".

Legislative Roundup

by: quinnelk

Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 23:52:59 PM EST

Florida Political News and Commentary for 4/30/08

by: Florida Politics

Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 15:36:32 PM EST

In a giving mood? Consider Joe Garcia and Annette Taddeo.

The Florida Progressive Coalition's "Ileana’s In Trouble".  Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

Anti-Choice bill dies in Senate

"A bill that could have deterred abortions by having women view ultrasound photos of the fetus before undergoing the procedure, was killed on a 20-20 tie vote in the Senate Wednesday."  "Updated: Senate defeats abortion bill, 20-20".

Yesterday: "After two delays, the Senate on Tuesday finally discussed a measure (SB 2400) that would require ultrasounds before all Florida abortions and require women to view the live image or sign a form saying no.  But no vote was taken. That's scheduled for today."  "Vote on ultrasounds may be close".

Almost done

"Only three days remain in the annual 60-day session, which resumes today. Here's a scorecard of what was done at the Capitol Tuesday, and what's on tap today".  "Legislators in high gear to meet session deadline".

"The same Gov. Charlie Crist who last year set a single-season record for vetoing budget pork hinted this morning that he will be much more accommodating when the $66.2 billion spending plan lands on his desk."  "Updated: Crist smiles on budget plan".

We're Number One!

"For the third year in a row, Florida led the country in 2007 for reports of violence against the homeless, according to a national study released Tuesday."  "Florida is No. 1 again in violence against homeless".

Florida's "beleaguered consumers"

"Today, the Federal Reserve is expected to deliver the seventh interest-rate cut since September in an effort to bolster the sagging economy, but that may not be enough to boost the spirits of beleaguered consumers."  "Fed rate cut unlikely to boost hard-hit Florida consumer".

It's Strike-all time again

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "It's the last week of the legislative session, which is the time for notorious 'strike-all' bills. They are new versions of big-issue legislation. They have a deservedly bad reputation because they run long, arrive at the last minute and contain all sorts of hiding places for bad stuff."

On Tuesday, a "strike-all" transportation bill of more than 100 pages went to the House from the Senate. To the Senate from the House went a 100-plus page "strike-all" insurance bill, which contains bad changes for Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the state-run insurer of last resort that is so important to South Florida.

Breakdown

"Negotiations broke down Tuesday night between House and Senate Republicans over a bill to freeze windstorm premiums for Citizens Property Insurance Corp. customers, leaving in doubt the outcome of the session's most sweeping property insurance changes."  "Lawmakers at odds on property insurance changes".

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Still, there's enough time left in the session for lawmakers to make things right. Right?  Don't bet on it. The session ends Friday, and lawmakers seem poised to fail their constituents."  "State leaders aren't doing enough on property-insurance reform".

While the Legislature battles over protecting teachers of creationism ...

"Tiffany Shepherd, a biology teacher at Port St. Lucie High School, learned last week that she will not be asked to return when school starts next year, nor will she finish this school year.  Shepherd doesn't think it's her teaching skills that the St. Lucie County School District found objectionable but, rather, her after-school job as a bikini mate aboard Smokin' Em Charters fishing tours."

As such, Shepherd, a 30-year-old buxom blonde from Fort Pierce with an undergraduate degree in pre-med, performs the usual duties of a mate, but wears a bikini and fetches drinks and sandwiches for the men on board.

It's a