Thursday, December 04, 2014

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


The "Jeb Bush Doctrine"

"Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush spoke about foreign policy in Miami a day after addressing domestic policy in New York City." "The ‘Jeb Bush Doctrine’ makes debut." Jebbie apparently wants us to forget that he was an original member of the failed Project for the New American Century.


FlaGOP cheerleader suggests FlaGOP discriminates against women

FlaGOP cheerleader Nancy Smith is sounding a lot like one of those dreaded feminists this morning. She writes: "In Tallahassee, sex discrimination is practiced on the highest level. It isn't necessarily conscious. It just is. That could actually be why a posse of middle-aged white guys are lining up to take [chair of the Republican Party of Florida Leslie] Dougher out in a January election." "Is It Because She's a Girl?."

Meanwhile, "Rand Paul Follows Family Tradition in Going After Jeb Bush."


Scott's publicity stunt slammed by appellate court

"In an exhaustive, 54-page ruling, Judge Stanley Marcus concluded that the state failed to provide any evidence to justify why welfare applicants should be singled out to lose their right to privacy through a drug test." "Court rejects Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s drug testing of welfare applicants." See also "Appeals Court: Welfare Drug Tests Unconstitutional" and "Court strikes down drug testing for Florida welfare recipients."


All about the money for school choice crowd

The wingers love Doug Tuthill: "From Teachers Union to School Choice Organization President: The Story of Doug Tuthill."

Of course, it is all about the money for the school choice crowd:

"One of the primary reasons we’ve been so successful we spend about $1 million every other cycle in local political races, which in Florida is a lot of money," Tuthill told a group at the University of California, Berkeley. "In House races and Senate races, we’re probably the biggest spender in local races."

Tuthill said he and other proponents "make low-income families the face of the program."

"We put those people in the face of Democrats and say 'How can you deny this parent the right to educate their child in the ways that they need?'" he said.

Tuthill also acknowledged that the program had built up support among black ministers. "The black ministers have really flipped the politicians. That has really brought most of the black and Hispanic politicians over to the program."

Florida Education Association Vice President Joanne McCall said the video showed "the true intentions" of the program's supporters.

"For years they’ve told the public that their advocacy for voucher schools is really all about the students," McCall said in a statement. "This video reveals that it’s all about the money."

"Voucher advocates take heat over 2011 video."


House District 64 race

"Voters likely will see familiar names in the race to fill the empty seat for Florida House District 64." "District 64 race shaping up to be a rerun with Grant, Steinberg."


Ander Crenshaw, the FlaGOP's next big thing

"Crenshaw’s bill would create tax-free savings accounts for disabled Americans for qualified expenses and passed on a 404-17 vote on Wednesday. Now it heads to the Senate where it has 74 co-sponsors." "Ander Crenshaw's ABLE Act Wins Big in the House."


Another blue ribbon panel

The Tampa Trib editors laud a recent report by the Project on Accountable Justice at Florida State University, which "calls for the creation of an independent oversight commission with the authority to inspect corrections facilities at any time, set policy and recommend improvements. Allison DeFoor, the justice project’s chairman, says the commission would function similar to the way a corporate board functions. He thinks a lack of accountability is at the core of many of the state’s corrections problems. " "Group calls for sensible reforms to Florida’s corrections system."


Scott celebrates

"Scott celebrates win with Jobs Jamboree."


Yee haw!

"State Supreme Court debates Kissimmee 'stand your ground' case."


Large animal vet or Constitutional lawyer?

Large animal veterinarian U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., "brings forth a bill on Thursday to prevent Obama from using an executive order to allow illegals a path to stay in the nation." Ted Yoho Takes on Obama over Immigration."