Saturday, March 28, 2015

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


NRA in a dither

"Allowing guns on college campuses and in K-12 schools is firing up Floridians, but more than half of them say they oppose measures that would make carrying concealed weapons on school campuses legal, according to a new poll." "Guns on Campus a No-No Say Floridians."


"Conservative threat"

"Once dubbed America's most divisive governor, Wisconsin's Scott Walker may be the biggest threat to the presidential ambitions of Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton." "Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, 47, presents a fresh face in what could be a crowded field. Getty Images Meet Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, the conservative threat to Jeb Bush."


Weekly Roundup

"Weekly Roundup: Nearing the Halfway Mark."


"Time to celebrate 'Cut My Taxes Week' with Rick Scott!"

"Wake the kids, time to celebrate 'Cut My Taxes Week' with Rick Scott!" "Scott’s Magical ‘Tax Cut Calculator’ Obscures Nation’s 2nd Most Unfair Tax System." See "Calculator in hand, Scott makes tax-cut push."


"Democrats Divided"

"Democrats Divided on Who to Back in Florida's 2016 Senate Race."


"Rubio has reserved the Freedom Tower"

"Marco Rubio has reserved the Freedom Tower in downtown Miami for an undisclosed event April 13 in what appears to be a potential, if not likely, spot for Florida's junior senator to announce his candidacy for president." "Rubio might announce campaign April 13 at Miami's Freedom Tower."


"Without a word of debate"

"Without a word of debate Friday, the Florida House approved a controversial proposal that could require school districts to share tens of millions of dollars in construction funds with rival charter schools."

The bill was one of four high-profile education proposals that won the support of the Republican-dominated House to end the week. The others would:

•Ease the penalties for schools that fail to comply with the constitutionally mandated limits on class size.

•Create a pilot program to give principals more control over hiring and budget decisions.

•Encourage school districts to adopt mandatory school uniform policies for children in grades K-8 by offering incentive money.

All of the Democrats in attendance voted against the charter school bill, HB 7037. But none debated the measure on the floor.

"Rep. Erik Fresen is personally connected to charters. Florida House approves controversial bill to divert district funds to charter schools."


"God and Jeb"

"Inside Jeb Bush's Stealth Campaign to Woo Christian Conservatives."