Note: Florida's newspapers are in economic trouble, which is bad news for all of us. Please subscribe to your local Florida newspaper(s); also think about giving newspaper subscriptions as gifts, and buying one or more for delivery to your workplace.
Here's how.
After reading your hometown newspaper, you should start your web-day with the
Florida Progressive Coalition. If you want it, we've got today's
"FloBama".
Try the
Tallahassee Democrat's
Capitol Twitter, as well as their "
Monday highlights from the Capitol". You may also want to visit the "
mobile site" from the
St. Petersburg Times and the
Miami Herald." Our digest and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry follows.
Waitin' on a budget
"While lawmakers wait for a budget to vote on, ever more likely to be after the scheduled Friday end of session, those who depend on the money sweat it out." "Lawmakers struggle for 'common ground'".
JesusLand
The politically courageous Charlie Crist weighs in: "Gov. Crist supports Jesus license plate".
Meantime, The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "Let's set aside for the moment the issue of state-sponsored religion, the constitutional concerns, the certain lawsuits that this cash-strapped state of Florida can ill afford. The idea of featuring the face of Jesus onto an automobile license plate is just downright disrespectful." "The Jesus tag". See also "License plates generate controversy, revenue". Related: "License plates generate controversy, revenue".
Fools
"Days from the end of the legislative session, Florida lawmakers have refused to move a bill to expand unemployment eligibility in order to accept $444 million in federal stimulus aid." "Legislators Are Refusing Some Federal Stimulus Aid".
Why not just bulldoze everything?
"After voting in favor of offshore oil drilling Monday, the Florida House today is expected to consider changes to growth management laws that environmental activists are trying to defeat." "Florida House to take up bill today that has environmental group in uproar".
"The real girlie men are Florida conservatives"
Bushco dead ender Mike Thomas:
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger once called California Democrats "girlie men."
But the real girlie men are Florida conservatives.
Charlie Crist has stolen their party, endorsed their enemy's stimulus checks, socialized the property-insurance market, pushed global warming and nominated a Democrat for the Florida Supreme Court.
And yet all the conservatives do is whimper and whine off the record because they're scared to death of his favorable poll numbers.
How pathetic is this?
The solution?: Marco Rubio of course.
Thomas continues: "His only hope is that Crist's continued bumbling catches up to him, that voters forget Rubio's bumbling and" - now comes Thomas' obligatory insertion of nose into Jebbie's derrriere -
that he gets a game-changing endorsement from Jeb — signaling that the conservative revolt is on and a hero has been chosen.
"
Mike Thomas: Conservatives need a hero -- can Rubio measure up?".
Wishful thinking
The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "With just days left in the Legislative session, lawmakers still can distinguish themselves by approving bills sure to boost the economy and protect the environment. Or they can fail Floridians in several profound ways." "The Legislature's unfinished business".
Hasner continues to embarrass himself
"The House spent considerable time [Monday] afternoon debating Rep. Adam Hasner's secret ballot bill, passing it on party lines."
But you won't be able to read a full transcript. Republicans just defeated a motion by Rep. Perry Thurston, D-Plantation, to spread the remarks across the journal.
"
Hasner gets 'secret ballot' passed. But, shhhh, it's a secret".
"First edition" of Troxler & Ruth
"Video: Troxler & Ruth".
"They're not valued"
"With some lawmakers considering cutting state worker pay, the message is loud and clear to some: They're not valued." "Workers resent pay-cut plan". See also "State workers may see pay cuts". Related: "Bill Cotterell: At last (as always), state workers await their fate".
Brilliant mistake
The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial Board: "On an average day, more than 32,000 people who suffer from diagnosed mental illnesses are incarcerated in Florida jails and prisons." "An unchained approach".
15 percent tuition increases
"With universities warning of dire budget problems, the Florida Senate overwhelmingly approved a plan Monday that could lead to 15 percent tuition increases for college students." "College tuition hike bill passes in Senate". See also "Senate approves university tuition increases" and "Florida Senate OK's bill to increase university tuition".
Big of 'em
"The Florida House passed a bill to authorize oil drilling off Florida's shores, but Senate leaders said the bill was dead for this session." "Florida House approves oil drilling bill, but Senate won't hear it". See also "Florida Senate shelves drilling measure".
Charlie's wet finger is in the air: "Crist, Senate reject oil drilling bill".
For a good laff, check out: "Dean Cannon: We can drill and preserve coast".
The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Republicans in the Florida House voted in near lockstep Monday to sell off the state's coastline to the highest bidder seeking oil or natural gas. It is hard to imagine a more apt case for explaining why citizens remain so cynical about their government." "Selling the shoreline"
More cuts
"State cuts varsity sports schedules 20 percent".
"Green-lighted"
"A bill approving the use of surveillance cameras targeting red-light runners moved closer to final approval after it was green-lighted in the House Monday. " "Red-light surveillance bill advances".
"Veil of legal secrecy"
"The NAACP asked the Florida Supreme Court to lift a veil of legal secrecy from the system for choosing appellate judges Monday, saying minority applicants for the bench aren't getting fair consideration."
The civil-rights organization filed a "friend of the court" brief on behalf of Gov. Charlie Crist, who has been sued by a retiring judge of the Fifth District Court of Appeal who demands that the governor name his replacement. Crist rejected a list put forth by the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Fifth District, asking the panel to reconvene and consider sending him minority applicants.
"
NAACP files brief in FSC judicial-nomination case".
That's a relief
"Crist signs bill eliminating use of term "shylock"".
House wants AIF financing of election campaigns
"Florida voters would get a chance to repeal public financing of statewide election campaigns under a 2010 ballot proposal that has passed in the House." "State House passes bill to end public money for election campaigns".
"Rudderless"
"Crist's critics say lack of leadership leaves Legislature rudderless".
SunRail on the skids
"CSX Deal Faces Questionable Future in Senate". See also "SunRail may be forced off tracks to balance budget".
Wake up
"After enduring criticism that they've been waiting too long, Gov. Charlie Crist and Education Commissioner Eric J. Smith now have formally applied for the state's share of the federal stimulus money for public schools."
Crist and Smith submitted the 17-page application Friday, a move that came after Democratic leaders in Florida called upon the two to act more quickly.
Democratic House and Senate leaders in the state Legislature urged Crist to awaken Smith from his "apparent paralysis."
"
Florida applies for education funds". See also "
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist submits paperwork for education stimulus money" ("There's no guarantee Florida will get all of the federal dollars; as one of a handful of states that underfunded education in recent years, Florida had to apply for a special waiver.")
CIs
"With the anniversary of their daughter's death a week away, Rachel Hoffman's parents watched tearfully Monday as lawmakers passed a bill to protect police informers." "House approves bill to protect police informers". See also "House passes Rachel's Law".
