Friday, June 26, 2015

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


Florida dodges bullet with Obamacare decision

"The Supreme Court's decision was a relief to roughly 1.3 million Floridians — more than in any other state — who stood to lose the tax credits that helped them pay premiums. Nationally, 6.4 million would have been affected. " "Ruling brings sigh of relief to Florida’s Obamacare patients."

Here's the decision.

This morning we read that "Rubio slams Obamacare ruling," apparently weighing in on the raging jurisprudential debate over the return of interpretive pragmatism in statutory interpretation. Or not.

Meanwhile, the Orlando Sentinel editors write that "Florida dodged a bullet with Thursday's decision from the U.S. Supreme Court on the Affordable Care Act," with "High court ruling offsets leadership failures in Fla."


Talk-radio host looking to replace Murphy

"Conservative talk-radio host K.C. Ingram-Traylor, one of the most vocal opponents of All Aboard Florida (AAF), is looking at running for Congress in the wide open race to replace U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., who is running for the U.S. Senate in 2016. " "All Aboard Florida Critic K.C. Ingram-Traylor Nears Decision on Congressional Bid."


Florida's "sons" are not all that "favorite"

Michael Putney writes that "Miami’s two favorite sons racing out of the gate."

Funny to see Rubio and Jeb! called "favorite sons," when they trail Clinton (albeit within the margin of error) in their own states; in the most recent Q Poll, "Secretary Clinton gets 47 percent to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's 44 percent. She gets 46 percent to former Gov. Jeb Bush's 42 percent."


Florida's Confederate apologists

"Some historians say the red cross on Florida’s state flag is a tribute to the Confederacy — others say the evidence isn’t there." "Historians differ on whether Florida flag echoes Confederate banner."


"Scott bludgeoned the budget in a fit of revenge Tuesday"

Nancy Smith: "Many Floridians are grieving over one cut or another after Gov. Rick Scott bludgeoned the budget in a fit of revenge Tuesday. I am no different."

The cut I'm feeling as deeply as any is the failure to fund a joint project by the University of Florida and IFAS, the Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences.
"Death of Outstanding Agricultural Program Is What Scott's Vengeance Has Wrought."


Obamacare reduces pressure on lazy legislature

"The Supreme Court ruling on Obamacare reduces pressure on Florida lawmakers to create a state exchange." "Florida’s feud over the uninsured to continue after ruling." See also "Supreme Court rules Obamacare subsidies OK, 1.3 million Floridians keep financial aid."


Dem strongholds hit by Scott vetoes

"The record budget cuts are most evident in Florida’s most populous counties — Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Hillsborough, Duval, Orange and Pinellas — which together will absorb more than $164 million in cuts to programs and infrastructure specifically intended for those counties." "Gov. Rick Scott’s budget vetoes hit largest cities hardest."

Scott Maxwell: "Rick Scott vetoes: Some good, bad, 'unconscionable'." Mores: ""Budget process tells a tale; the story continues."."