1 in 4 kids in poverty, and more "grim" Florida economic news
The Florida Legislature in action: "the number of children living in poverty here grew from 18 percent to 24 percent in recent years, a new national report finds."
The numbers — from the Annie E. Casey Foundation's annual Kids Count Data Book, released today — showed an increasingly grim financial picture for the youngest Floridians from 2008 to 2013, the most recent year for which research is available."In 2013, the official poverty threshold was $23,624 for a family of two adults and two children — though the state has also seen a troubling rise in the number of kids raised by single parents during those same five years, from 36 percent to 40 percent."
Florida also fared worse than the national average in the number of children whose parents lack "secure" employment, as opposed to seasonal or labor-pool jobs, with a third of kids now falling into that category — up from 28 percent."Report: 1 in 4 Florida kids in poverty."And 42 percent of kids now live in households that spend too much of their income on rent, putting them at risk for homelessness.
"The Dean's List"
Conservative Ed Dean's look at who Florida's political achievers were (and weren't) in the last seven days." "Florida Carry Gets Cheers, Allison Tant Gets Jeers."
Expect Rick Scott at the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
"Work starts on new 'World's largest entertainment McDonald's'."
Loser of the week?
"Winner and losers of the week in Fla politics." Kevin Derby disagrees: "Carlos Curbelo Not Exactly 'Loser of the Week' After Moving Into Leadership; Annette Taddeo Struggling."
Crist says he will run for Jolly's House seat
"U.S Rep. David Jolly, the Indian Shores Republican, announced he will give up his seat to run for the Senate, and former Gov. Charlie Crist declared on Twitter that he will run for Jolly's seat if, as expected, the redrawn district encompasses his St. Pete home." "Jolly seeking Rubio's Senate seat; Crist eyes House."
Conservatives Don't Like Jolly
"Conservatives are starting to take aim at new U.S. Senate candidate U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla. On Monday, Jolly entered the race to replace U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in 2016." "Conservatives Take Aim at New Senate Candidate David Jolly."
"Conducting the people’s business in the shadows"
The Tampa Trib's editorial board writes that Scott exhibits "a disappointing pattern of conducting the people’s business in the shadows." "Gov. Scott ‘bends over backwards’ to operate in secret."
"Special session on congressional map"
"Legislators are urged to refrain from all communications about redistricting while staff drafts a new congressional map." "Lawmakers set special session on congressional map."
Wingnuts in a tizzy
"The research and watchdog group Integrity Florida released a report Monday calling it a myth that a higher minimum wage results in job losses." "Study: Minimum wage increase doesn’t result in fewer jobs."
Scott strides world stage