Tuesday, April 07, 2015

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


Jeb takes "Hispandering" a bit too far

"Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush says he made a mistake when he self-identified as a Hispanic on his 2009 voter registration form."

The mistake was first reported by the New York Times, which said a copy of his Miami-Dade voter registration form had the Hispanic box checked in the “Race/Ethnicity” section. Bush is trying to bush [sic] off the gaffe, writing on Twitter “My mistake! I don’t think I’ve fooled anyone!” It was a response to a Tweet from his son, Jeb Bush Jr., which joked “Come on dad, think you checked the wrong box.”
"Jeb Bush identified himself as Hispanic on voter form, calls it a 'mistake'."

Jeb ain't Hispanic, or Floridian for that matter, although he does have "strong ties to British and other European royalty."

More on the GOP's habit of taking Hispandering a bit too far. "How Hispanic Is Jeb Bush?" See also "How Hispanic is the G.O.P.?"


Another Scott flip-flop

"In Reversal, Scott Opposes Expanding Poor’s Health Insurance and Opens $2.2 Billion Budget Hole." The Tampa Trib editors write that "Gov. Rick Scott’s frustration with federal officials who are playing hardball with the state over federal funds for hospitals that serve low-income patients is understandable. But his abrupt reversal on his support for Medicaid expansion is unlikely to help the state’s bargaining position or poor patients in need." "An about-face for Gov. Scott."

"The fight over expanding Medicaid to cover 800,000 more people in Florida took another twist Monday, as a statement released by Gov. Rick Scott hinting at his opposition to expansion set off a ripple through the state government and health care circles. . . . Should Scott ultimately oppose Medicaid expansion, it would be a reversal of his previous position." "Gov. Scott hints at opposition to Medicaid expansion."

See also "Gov. Rick Scott backs off support of Medicaid expansion," "Rick Scott's Opposition to Health Expansion Adds Fuel to the Fire" and "Gov. Scott weighs in on Medicaid divide, opposes expansion."


Citizen lobbyists

"Florida’s citizen lobbyists patrol the halls of the Capitol in Tallahassee and advocate for change, one issue and one lawmaker at a time." "Citizen lobbyists endure bureaucracy at Florida’s Capitol as they promote their causes."


"Taddeo Takes on Curbelo"

"Former Miami-Dade Democratic Party Chairwoman Annette Taddeo, best known for being former Gov. Charlie Crist’s running mate on the 2014 Democratic gubernatorial ticket, is running against U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla." "Playing Up Charlie Crist Ties, Annette Taddeo Takes on Carlos Curbelo."


Atwater Leads Over Less Known Democrats

"Jeff Atwater Leads Over Less Known Democrats in Early 2016 Senate Poll."


"Class-size foes may finally prevail"

"Backed by school districts that struggle annually to meet the strict caps, the Florida Legislature is poised to end penalties for school districts when classes get too big." "After a dozen years, Florida class-size foes may finally prevail."


Because maybe he's not smart?

Helen Aguirre Ferré: "It’s surprising that a smart conservative like Indiana Gov. Mike Pence did not foresee the backlash." "Changing U.S. culture challenges the GOP."


Arrest me

"University Police Chiefs Violated Law Testifying Against Campus Carry, Says Ethics Complaint."


"Jeb the most conservative governor of a large state since Reagan"

"When Jeb Bush, the most conservative governor of a large state since Ronald Reagan (by some metrics — taxes, school choice — Bush was a more conservative governor than Reagan), is called a threat to conservatism, Republicans are with Alice in Wonderland." "Sen. Cruz is aiming at the wrong Republicans."


Marijuana Still Polls Well

"Medical Marijuana Still Polls Well in Florida After Amendment 2 Loss."


Rot has infected the Florida prison system

"Further evidence of the rot that has infected the system surfaced last week when three Ku Klux Klan members who worked at a Florida prison were charged with plotting to kill a black inmate after his release in retaliation for a fight." "House falls far short of prison reform."