News Around The State

FEATURED STORIES Fired prisons chief Ed Buss still talks; Gov. Rick Scott not happy By Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times Ed Buss had a lot to say in the short time he ran Florida's prisons, and even though he was fired, he's still talking. GOP sends in the clowns By Daniel Ruth St. Petersburg Times Let's suppose for a moment that you are a Republican and in a moment of experiencing a massive brain lapse, you think it might be a peachy idea to run for public office. Protesters at CPAC Convention in Orlando want to Pink Slip Rick Scott By Jean Henry Telcy WMNF Community Radio Tampa The group Pink Slip Rick protested Florida’s governor outside while he delivered the keynote address at the CPAC Convention in Orlando. Florida Lt. Gov.: Jesus Is Under Attack By Adam Weinstein Mother Jones In all the hubbub over Hermain Cain's surprise victory at the Florida GOP jamboree last weekend, most national media missed a shocker from the festivities: Gov. Rick Scott's low-profile lieutenant came out of hiding to speechify against the persecution of Christians. Judge expected to rule soon on request to halt welfare drug testing By Rene Stutzman Orlando Sentinel An Orlando federal judge on Monday hammered attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union and their opponents – lawyers for Gov. Rick Scott and the Department of Children and Families – with questions about whether she should order the state to stop mandatory drug tests for Florida welfare applicants. FLORIDA POLITICS Scott's draft legislative priorities could include olive branch to police, firefighters By Mary Ellen Klas Miami Herald Rick Scott and police Gov. Rick Scott said Monday he is "getting close" to finalizing his legislative agenda, which he promised to have ready after the Presidency 5 events last week. The Hidden Hands in Redistricting: Corporations and Other Powerful Interests By Olga Pierce, Jeff Larson and Lois Beckett ProPublica Their names suggest selfless dedication to democracy. Broward GOP blocks Muslim activist from party membership at raucous meeting By Marc Caputo Miami Herald Islam and tea-party activism clashed at a raucous meeting Monday night when a group of Broward County Republicans blocked a Muslim activist from becoming a member of the party’s executive committee. Fla. Sen. Rubio to write autobiography By Marc Caputo Miami Herald From Florida House speaker to U.S. senator to vice-presidential short-lister to…best-selling author? POLITICAL RACES Straw poll vaults Cain as Perry fizzles By Mike Thomas Orlando Sentinel "I personally believe whoever wins that straw poll, they will be the next president of the United States." — Gov.Rick Scott. The facts on Herman Cain's 9-9-9 tax reform plan By Aaron Sharockman St. Petersburg Times Herman Cain stunned the Republican political establishment Saturday, easily winning Florida's Presidency 5 straw poll by trumpeting a platform of tax reforms he calls the "9-9-9 Plan." Senate candidate Craig Miller injured in motorcycle crash By Scott Powers Orlando Sentinel Republican U.S. Senate candidate Craig Miller got off with minor injuries after being involved in a motorcycle accident in Altamonte Springs on Sunday, according to his campaign. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Continued investment in water infrastructure necessary for Florida's future By Eric Draper TC Palm Recently it was reported that after Florida's water management districts budgets were cut by about 40 percent, Gov. Rick Scott urged more cuts. Republicans urge EPA to eliminate Florida water regulations By Virginia Chamlee Florida Independent Several members of Florida’s Republican congressional delegation penned a letter last week to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, urging her to withdraw the agency’s “job-killing” water regulations in Florida. National Solar Power picks Gadsden County for $1.5 billion solar facility By Bruce Ritchie Florida Current National Solar Power of Melbourne said Monday it has chosen Gadsden County for a $1.5-billion solar power project that will create 120 permanent jobs and 400 construction jobs. FPL customers to prepay for nuclear plants? By Susan Salisbury Palm Beach Post Should FPL customers pay for the licensing and planning for a nuclear power reactor even if it's never built? EDUCATION Florida backs Obama plan for No Child Left Behind Act By Linda Trimble Daytona Beach News Journal After years of waiting for Congress to act, local education leaders are glad to see President Barack Obama stepping forward with a plan that will allow states to opt out of sanctions imposed under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Charter school liberties intrigue district By Allison Ross Palm Beach Post Practically since the first charters were authorized in Florida in 1996, school districts have grumbled about the flexibility charter schools have compared with traditional public schools. A nurse in every school? Not in Florida — not even close By Lauren Roth Orlando Sentinel Nancy Mooney doesn't just hand out Band-Aids at Winter Park High School. Tampa parents dispute scathing single-sex school study By Kim Wilmath and Marlene Sokol St. Petersburg Times Seventh-grader Geralyn Leath was laying out her uniform Sunday night, getting ready for another day at Ferrell Girls Preparatory School, when she said something surprising: "Mom, I really want to do well this year in school." Student loan default surge begs for state action Editorial Orlando Sentinel Gov. Rick Scott and state legislators are pondering big changes in higher education, including limits on tenure for professors at public universities. It's not his job Editorial Gainesville Sun It looks like Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature are going to make higher education reform a priority next year: If you call eliminating tenure "reform." JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Postal service workers to rally outside Florida delegation’s offices By Ashley Lopez Florida Independent Groups of postal service employees will protest the possible downsizing of the U.S. postal service at rallies all over Florida tomorrow. Partial FEMA shutdown would have little or no effect on Florida, Palm Beach County By Dara Kam Palm Beach Post A possible federal government shutdown this week should have little if any impact on emergency management operations in Florida, state officials said Monday. PIP's cap set in 1979 is far below 2011 realities, insurance industry says By Christine Jordan Sexton Florida Current The second meeting of Insurance Consumer Advocate Robin Westcott’s personal injury protection work group picked up where the first meeting left off: with members taking jabs at one another. HEALTH AND SENIORS Florida's challenge to federal health care reform moves a step closer to U.S. Supreme Court By Travis Pillow Florida Current Florida's legal challenge of a key part of the federal health care reform law moved one step closer to a final resolution Monday when the U.S. Department of Justice did not seek a rehearing from a federal appeals court. New ‘Offenses Against Unborn Children’ bill written by Florida Catholic Conference By Ashley Lopez Florida Independent State legislators have introduced a new bill that has been popular among anti-abortion advocates for years. McClatchy/Kaiser: Lawmakers straining budgets of children’s hospitals By Ashley Lopez Florida Independent McClatchy and Kaiser Health News are reporting that recent decisions by Florida lawmakers have leaders of the state’s children’s hospitals worried about their budgets. Indictment, fines didn’t stop ALF operator By Carol Marbin Miller and Michael Sallah Miami Herald When Florida’s Statewide Grand Jury charged Arturo Godinez with taking part in a conspiracy that sold counterfeit and diluted drugs to unsuspecting cancer patients, state health regulators say they had no authority to strip him of ownership of some of South Florida’s largest assisted-living facilities. Residents complain about abuses in Tampa Bay nursing homes By Andrea Lypka WMNF Community Radio Tampa Recent reports of abuses in nursing homes have put Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) under a spotlight.

---

Swing Voters

Swing Nation
Anna Greenberg and David Walker

US Action / US Action Education Fund

"This survey reflects the views of the “swingiest” of voters in the country—the voters likely to decide the outcome of the 2006 election cycle—in a mood demanding fundamental change in the direction of the country."

Executive Summary Swing voters in swing districts and swing states overwhelmingly support a plan to invest more in clean energy, affordable health care for all, and education when it is paid for by rolling back tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy. This support will be strongest and best survive attacks when it includes measures to increase government accountability and when the tax cut rollback leaves enough funds to reduce the deficit. This survey, conducted on the behalf of US Action and the US Action Education Fund, reflects the views of the “swingiest” of voters in the country—the voters likely to decide the outcome of the 2006 election cycle—in a mood demanding fundamental change in the direction of the country. Their current political disposition suggests both intense anger at the ruling class in Washington coupled with, and related to, a broad sense of economic insecurity and inequity. These voters embrace an agenda of change, an agenda that invests in the future and focuses on improving lives of average people, not subsidizing corporate special interests and the wealthy. The agenda’s focus on improving education (including child development, preschool, public schools and college aid) expanding affordable health care and addressing energy independence drive support for the agenda. These voters support paying for these investments by rolling back the Administration’s tax cuts for the wealthy and big corporations. Importantly, however, these swing voters hold concerns about government, particularly the current size of the deficit and accountability. Thus swing voters’ support of an investment agenda is strongest when it includes measures to increase government accountability and reduce the deficit. Methodology Between May 20 and May 25, 2006, Greenberg Quinlan Rosner interviewed 613 swing likely voters. For the purposes of this survey, swing voters are defined as voters who are self-ascribed Independent or lean-Independent or Democrats and Republicans who do not support the Democratic or Republican candidate (respectively) in a named trial heat. The survey geography was limited to swing congressional districts and swing Senate states. The survey carries a margin of error of +/- 4.0 percent. This survey limits research to swing voters of a geography including eight states with highly competitive Senate elections this fall as well as 66 congressional districts. The states, defined as Lean Takeover, Toss-up, or Narrow Advantage Incumbent Party by The Rothenberg Political Report as of early April, 2006, include Pennsylvania, Montana, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Ohio, Missouri, and Minnesota, as well as Tennessee. Congressional districts must have been considered at least “in play” by either Stuart Rothenberg, Larry Sabato, or Charlie Cook. The states and congressional districts (ranked based on compilation scores from Rothenberg, Sabato, and Cook) are listed below. Swing States: Pennsylvania, Montana, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Ohio, Missouri, Minnesota and Tennessee Swing Districts: IA 1, OH 6, CO7, AZ8, OH18, TX22, NM1, PA6, IL8, IN9, IN8, CT2, LA3, CT4, GA8, IL6, WA8, GA12, FL22, CA50, VT-at large, IA3, MN6, PA8, WI8, NC11, TX17, WA2, CO3, KY4, SC5, NY29, IN2, NV2, CO4, CT5, LA7, NC8, FL9, OH13, OH15, AZ1, OH1, KY2, MN2, NH2, VA2, KY3, PA7, PA10, CA11, NY20, NHY1, NY1, UT2, KS3, NV3, TN4, OH5, IN7, NJ7, FL8, NY19, ND at-large, and SD at-large

Key Findings It is almost impossible to overestimate the anger of swing voters. 73 percent say the country is on the wrong track, 66 percent disapprove of the performance of George Bush and nearly half (49 percent) strongly disapprove. By nearly a 2:1 margin, voters describe the economy in negative terms; nearly one third struggle to make ends meet. Politically, the swing vote swings against the Republicans. In named trial heats, these swing voters prefer Democratic candidates for Congress 45 - 28 percent over the Republicans; the Senate race, influenced disproportionately by Republican travails in Ohio and Pennsylvania, looks even worse for the incumbent party (53 - 31 percent). Swing voters embrace an agenda that invests more money in new clean energy, affordable health care for all and strengthening education with these investments paid for by eliminating recently passed tax cuts for corporations and people making over $200,000 a year. But swing voters also make plain their concerns about the deficit and government accountability.

Downloads	Type	Size
Swing Nation (Memo)	PDF Document	3.78 KB
Swing Nation (Survey)	PDF Document	5.56 KB
Swing Nation (Graphs)	PDF Document	37.24 KB

 

Rep. Tom Feeney

From BradBlog.com

Looks like our old friend, the indefatigably corrupt Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL), is making news again.

St. Petersberg Times takes a front page look at the "allegations pil[ing] up" against Feeney. Here's some highlights:
Three members of Congress went on a golfing junket to Scotland with lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Two of them are under investigation.The third is Rep. Tom Feeney of Florida....Feeney, 47, has tried to move past the allegations but, in typical fashion, has shown little regret or caution.He kept patronizing Abramoff's Washington restaurant, Signatures, long after others stopped. He defended former majority leader Tom DeLay even after the Texas congressman was indicted. He let a private group pay for his trip to China last month, even though many in Congress are avoiding such travel because of bad publicity over questionable trips....Feeney, usually one of the most accessible of the state's congressional delegation, refused to answer questions. His staff described questions into his relationship as a "fishing expedition" and said he has done nothing wrong.So will Feeney disclose who paid for that trip to China last month, in which he visited the Chinese Space Agency and called for more cooperation with them? Perhaps he should, considering that NASA, where his wife also works, is in Feeney's district. Even more notably, Feeney spent years as the general counsel and registered lobbyist for the firm Yang Enterprises, Inc. -- which harbored an illegal Chinese alien eventually found guilty of espionage charges related to sending military missile guidance chips to China -- a firm that currently has lucrative contracts with NASA.Full disclosure on this matter would seem to be particularly important, given the revelation of Feeney's lies regarding his continuing relationship with the Yangs and their company.On a related point, here's an unfortunate little tidbit from the article:
Feeney...has been infatuated with politics since he dressed up as his childhood hero Richard Nixon in a mock grade school electionThe list of allegations against Feeney continues in the article, along with some ink for Clint Curtis' run for Congress against him:
Feeney was immediately taken with DeLay, to whom Feeney sometimes is compared, and voted with him almost all the time. Later, Feeney became a prominent defender of DeLay, giving $5,000 to his legal defense and supporting a Republican move to allow him to keep his leadership post if indicted....He received $5,000 from former Rep. "Duke" Cunningham's PAC before Cunningham resigned last year amid a bribery scandal."My concern about him is that he seems to view the rules are optional," said Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, a group that has primarily criticized Republicans. "Rules are there for a reason."In September, Feeney was named one of "the 13 most corrupt members of Congress" by Sloan's group. The Congressional Accountability Project demanded that the House ethics panel investigate Feeney and others for their ties to Abramoff."No one likes being attacked but he still continues with his daily routine," said Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, a Brooksville Republican who served in the Florida Legislature with Feeney. "This hasn't changed him at all."Feeney did not face opposition in 2004 but this year already has two opponents, veterinarian Andy Michaud, a Democrat, and computer programmer Clint Curtis, a lifelong Republican turned Democrat. Both Curtis and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee question Feeney's ethics.Here's a complete list of Reps who received money from Duke Cunningham. Feeney is among those accepting the most, but has not returned the money at this time.Hat-tip to Jesselee from Stakeholder, who has more on the St. Pete Times article.Clint Curtis' campaign website, where he needs much financial and logistical support if he's to have a chance of taking on Feeney and the Florida Republican Machine is right here.



For more info on The BRAD BLOG's continuing investigative series onThe Clint Curtis/Tom Feeney/Yang Enterprises Vote-Rigging Scandal series, please see:
http://www.bradblog.com/ClintCurtis.htm

Miami's Cubans Rethink GOP

Miami's Cubans Rethink GOP
Great story here:
At least one influential Cuban, Pepe Hernandez, president of the Cuban American National Foundation, said it might be time for the Cubans to do the unthinkable -- reconsider their unwavering loyalty to Republican candidates."This community must face the realization that politicians, especially national politicians, come here to Miami when they need our votes and forget their promises," he said. "President Bush came here and said he would review this policy, and nothing has happened. Cuban voters will be looking into this reality a little bit when they cast their votes."Well, Mr. Hernandez, the Democrats are more than willing to welcome you into our party.


As Luis Navarro and others concluded in the Coronado Project, "Developing a stronger relationship between Hispanics and the Democratic Party can lead to the creation of a new Democratic majority."

Welcome

welcome To Florida Roll Call
Covering Florida Politics From Tallahassee to Wahsington