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tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-143477682016-08-26T13:57:21.445-04:00Fla PoliticsPublishing since 2002 about Florida political news, editorial comment and punditryFlorida Politicshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-69783808388335984062016-08-06T11:46:00.004-04:002016-08-06T11:48:59.915-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

Write-in loophole games
 "From Port of Palm Beach, where an incumbent commissioner recruited her mother as an opponent for the third time, to Naples, where someone filed to run in a legislative race 150 miles from her listed address, the tactics of write-in candidates are turning elections on their heads."
In Central Florida, the write-in candidacy of a veteran prosecutor in the Orange-Osceola State Attorney race is stopping more than 500,000 voters from casting a ballot this primary. And two write-ins in northeast Orange County's District 11 Senate race who are not campaigning have blocked Republicans from participating.
"It's all possible because of an exception to the state's closed primaries that critics say is being abused."
Now a new filing with the Florida Supreme Court seeks help ferreting out sham candidates. And it could affect races across the state if justices choose to hear it out.
 It stems from a controversial State Attorney race in Jacksonville after the campaign manager of Republican incumbent Angela Corey, whose office prosecuted George Zimmerman, "personally delivered" an opponent's qualifying papers in Tallahassee, according to the lawsuit.
"Write-in candidate lawsuit heads to Florida Supreme Court."
 More: "Write-in candidates are blocking full voter participation in six state Senate districts and 14 House districts on the Aug. 30 primary ballot, disenfranchising 1.6 million Florida voters." "Secretive write-in candidates lock out Florida voters."
 The Tampa Bay Times editors: "Florida should close write-in loophole."

Trump's Khan Fight Could Cost Florida Veteran Vote
 "GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump has put himself between veterans after engaging in a heated spat earlier this week with the family of U.S. Army Capt. Humayun Khan, killed in the Iraq war in 2004. And Trump's continued attacks on the family could prove costly in Florida, a state 1.6 million veterans call home." "Trump's Fight with Gold Star Family Could Cost Florida Veteran Vote."

Hill to Kissimmee
 "Hillary Clinton to visit Kissimmee on Monday."

"Bitter Democratic primary"
 William March: "County Commissioner Kevin Beckner is calling Clerk of Court Pat Frank 'part-time Pat' in their bitter Democratic primary for the clerk's office, saying she doesn't show up at the office enough to provide leadership there." "Frank camp turns tables on Beckner over work time."

What's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State
 Marc Caputo: "Those times Scott cut mosquito-fighting money – Wasserman Schultz agrees to Canova face-off – Rep. Castor: Tampa will get Cuban consulate." "Florida Playbook."

Murphy harnesses Biden's popularity
 Matt Dixon: "As Joe Biden walked into Olean's Restaurant, a soul food joint that's a regular campaign stop for politicians rolling through Florida's Capitol city, he made clear why he was there." "Murphy hopes to harness Biden's popularity to win Senate race."

AHCA wrangling
 "AHCA, hospitals wrangle over new rates, while HMOs get back payments."

And then there's that part
 "Scott bashes feds over Zika funding, but slashed mosquito control money."

Bat mitzvah blues
 "Former Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz acknowledged on Friday that Vice President Joe Biden had indeed recorded a video for her daughter's bat mitzvah, a day after saying a POLITICO story on the matter was 'not true.'" "Wasserman Schultz contradicts self on Biden bat mitzvah tape."

DWS on defense
 "After national Democratic turmoil, Wasserman Schultz returns home to defend her seat in Congress."

Chamber an arm of the FlaGOP
 "U.S. Chamber takes aim at Murphy, endorses Rubio."

Another DWS fave?
 "The day after Val Demings was given a prominent speaking role at the Democratic National Convention, two other Democrats vying for Florida's 10th Congressional District cried foul." "Rivals call out Democratic Party after Val Demings speech."

The best the FlaGOP can do?
 "Beruff, who vows to cut taxes if elected, avoided $235,000 in 2015 taxes for his business holdings by claiming that the 1,884 acres his companies bought to develop in the future are agricultural land because they are leased to cattle companies or have planted pine trees or crops." "How U.S. Senate candidate Carlos Beruff avoided $235,000 in taxes." Meanwhile, "In Sarasota, Rubio ignores GOP opponent in speech, while Beruff slams the incumbent."

Florida Politicshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-37219661820937922012016-08-01T08:08:00.004-04:002016-08-01T08:10:37.912-04:00 Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

Kaine visits Volusia
 "Kaine to visit Volusia County to talk jobs, economy."

Scott backs down
 "Florida's new law that places restrictions on abortion clinics is going to remain blocked for now. Gov. Rick Scott is not going to appeal a ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle, who in June put a temporary hold on portions of the law while a lawsuit seeking to overturn it makes its way through federal court." "Florida's new abortion law will remain blocked for now."

Writein games
 "Write-in candidates are blocking full voter participation in six state Senate districts and 14 House districts on the Aug. 30 primary ballot, disenfranchising 1.6 million Florida voters." "Secretive write-in candidates lock out Florida voters."

DWS on defense
 "After national Democratic turmoil, Wasserman Schultz returns home to defend her seat in Congress."

Chamber an arm of the FlaGOP
 "U.S. Chamber takes aim at Murphy, endorses Rubio."

Another DWS fave?
 "The day after Val Demings was given a prominent speaking role at the Democratic National Convention, two other Democrats vying for Florida's 10th Congressional District cried foul." "Rivals call out Democratic Party after Val Demings speech."

The best the FlaGOP can do?
 "Beruff, who vows to cut taxes if elected, avoided $235,000 in 2015 taxes for his business holdings by claiming that the 1,884 acres his companies bought to develop in the future are agricultural land because they are leased to cattle companies or have planted pine trees or crops." "How U.S. Senate candidate Carlos Beruff avoided $235,000 in taxes." Meanwhile, "In Sarasota, Rubio ignores GOP opponent in speech, while Beruff slams the incumbent."

Florida Politicshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-56616450789085301582016-07-10T13:56:00.000-04:002016-07-10T13:56:44.030-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

"Scott has reacted with unwavering impotence"
 Carl Hiaasen writes that, "a picture tells a thousand words."
If it's a picture of an algae-covered beach, it can also cancel thousands of hotel reservations.

 That's the new dread in Florida, as photos and news videos of gunk-covered shorelines are making headlines all over the world. Why would anyone bring their families to vacation on Playa Guacamole?
 And do they even make haz-mat suits in children's sizes?
"Gov. Rick Scott has reacted with unwavering impotence, declaring one state of emergency after another while blaming the federal government for failing to upgrade the dike surrounding the lake so that more dirty water can be retained."
Cleaning up that dirty water is not a priority for this Republican governor or this Republican-led Legislature. In exchange for a deluge of campaign donations, they have worked steadfastly to gut pollution regulations and put the biggest polluters in control of state water policy.

 This year their shameless sellout was complete. One of the worst water management bills in Florida history was passed and quickly signed by Scott, basically allowing big agricultural operations to police their own chemical discharges with little or no enforcement by the state. . . .
 The whole world is now seeing the result of Scott's execrable stewardship of our priceless natural resources. It's an ecological nightmare for the state, and a political nightmare for him.
 He'll be running for the Senate in two years and desperately wants not to be tagged as Governor Algae. But because he won't get tough with the special interests that are funding his campaign, there will be no reinstatement of water-quality enforcement measures for those flushing agricultural and urban wastewater into Lake Okeechobee. . . .
 Scott seems to be synchronizing his strategy with the Florida Chamber of Commerce, which in March announced a "partnership" with Florida Atlantic University to work on "strong, science-based water quality standards." Specifically the Chamber mentioned its interest in the impact of septic tanks on toxic algae blooms.
 Ordinarily it would be startling to see an environmental conscience exhibited by the Chamber, one of the most slavishly pro-industry, anti-regulatory groups in the state. However, the rising outcry about the algae outbreaks — and the economic wreckage being caused — compelled [even] the Chamber to try something to redirect the public's anger.
"Enjoy your vacation on Playa Guacamole."
 The Tampa Bay Times editors: "Gov. Rick Scott is once again shifting blame, misidentifying the problem and proposing the wrong solution for the massive algae bloom that is coating beaches and making Florida look like the wrong place to spend a summer vacation. Scott and the Legislature need to get serious before polluted waters take an even heavier toll on public health, tourism and property values." "Real solutions for ending algae blooms."
 See also: The Sun Sentinel editors: "Here's how Scott should deal with algae crisis." More: "Rick Scott: Boost spending to stop toxic algae."

How about a "Blue Pay Increase" bill?
 Jeremy Wallace: "Florida lawmaker wants 'Blue Lives Matter' law." More: "Flags To Be Held at Half-Staff in Florida for Dallas Police Officers."

Brown indicted
 "U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown of Florida and her chief of staff have been charged with multiple fraud and other federal offenses in a grand jury indictment unsealed Friday after a federal investigation into a fraudulent charity with ties to the congresswoman." "U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown indicted after fraud investigation."

A Proud Republican
 "On second thought, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) will not be attending the GOP convention this month. Rubio had been planning to attend the confab in Cleveland but now joins a long list of Republicans who seem to be calculating it's better politics to stay away." "Marco Rubio joins list of Republicans skipping GOP convention." See also "Rubio Hopes to Avoid Trump."

"Democrats tussle"
 "Democrats tussle over platform in Orlando."

"The optics are terrible"
 "Some of Miami-Dade's biggest players in transportation policy arrived in Armando Codina's Coral Gables office last fall for a private session to discuss a new rail line to the western suburbs. . . ." "Raising money for the mayor, and making money from his administration."

Won't back down
 "Carlos Beruff says he won't back down to Rubio."

Yawwwnnn . . .
 "South Florida school grades: Fewer A's, fewer F's."

How much for those rims in yer front yard?
 "A homeowner in West Palm Beach owes the city more than a million dollars in fines that date back more than a decade. In Davie, a property owner owes $415,500 for maintaining an unsecured facility and overgrowth on the property, a lien that was imposed this year." "South Florida cities struggle to collect millions in code enforcement fines."

Have another beer
 "Mica's a champion of the people."

Mosque removed as polling site
 "Palm Beach County's elections supervisor is moving a polling station from a Boca Raton mosque to a public library. Some have complained about voting in a mosque, but the Islamic center's president says the decision is discriminatory against Muslims." "Elections supervisor removes Boca Raton mosque as polling site."

Florida Politicshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-25580358999921035962016-07-04T13:42:00.000-04:002016-07-04T13:42:59.286-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

"Rubio's word is as worthless as a wet firecracker"
 Chris Ingram: "Despite claims he would not run for re-election to the U.S. Senate, Marco Rubio is now running for re-election. This should come as no surprise."
Last year, the field of Florida GOP "A-listers" (such as Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan of Sarasota, and former Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford) who normally would have jumped at the chance to run for an open U.S. Senate seat all said "no thanks.'' Even perennial losing candidate Bill McCollum, the former state attorney general and member of Congress, took a pass.
"Why?"
Because they knew that Rubio's word is as worthless as a wet firecracker. They won't publicly say that for fear of offending someone they might need something from later. But people who know Rubio privately acknowledge he cannot be trusted.
"Republicans don't trust Marco Rubio."
 Gary Stein: "Marco's doing it for America? Please."

Fight over public records
 "911: The Florida fight over which records are public." See also "From DCF to Pam Bondi, Nothing But Contempt for Florida's Sunshine Law."

FlaDem registration advantage "slowly withering away"
 Steve Bousquet: "In the must-win state of Florida, Democrats are seeing their numerical advantage in voters slowly wither away — a trend that could make a third straight presidential election victory in 2016 more challenging."
Florida is seeing a surge of enthusiasm about the upcoming election, and that, too, is helping Republicans more than Democrats, in part because of Trump.

 In the six months ending May 31, 311,000 voters joined the rolls or changed their party.
 That total included 184,000 Republicans and 117,000 Democrats. At the same time, hundreds of thousands of voters who were NPAs or Democrats switched to the Republican Party so they could vote in the closed GOP presidential preference primary in March.
 The state's fluid demographics to a more racially and ethnically diverse population should favor Democrats, especially in the urban centers of Tampa Bay, Orlando and South Florida.
 But those voters — young, Hispanic, African-American and new to Florida — are also more likely to register with no party affiliation.
"A lighter shade of blue: Florida Democrats' share of voter base continues to slide."

"Inaction and sabotage in Tallahassee"
 The Miami Herald editors: "Algae blooms on the Treasure Coast are a sign of pollutants — and inaction and sabotage in Tallahassee. Gov. Scott and the Legislature have reversed measures that could help avert such environmental disasters." "Tally fails to rally to protect our water."

"Opponents question his Grayson Fund investment"
 "Bob Poe, a candidate for Florida's 10th congressional district in Orlando, was an investor in U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson's controversial hedge fund, which opponents say contradicts his pitch that he is a progressive political outsider." "Poe opponents question his Grayson Fund investment."

Will Florida's Hispanic growth determine the election?
 "As Florida's Hispanic population has grown 18 percent in five years, the state has become more diverse. There has also been a surge in the number of people age 65 and older." "Hispanic growth in Florida: Will it determine the election?"

"Nelson stretches truth"
 "Bill Nelson exaggerated when he said the House Zika bill limits birth control access in Puerto Rico." "Sen. Bill Nelson stretches truth about Zika bill and birth control."

The entrepreneurial spirit
 "After Hillsborough nonprofit loses millions in state funding, former executive keeps getting paid."

Florida Politicshttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-59859540318361095042016-06-26T11:39:00.000-04:002016-06-26T11:39:31.612-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

"Florida candidates stampede to ballot"
 Steve Bousquet writes that
Florida is poised for a volatile political season as a large crop of candidates met Friday's deadline to get on the ballot for the 2016 elections.
"The unpredictable force of Donald Trump, a court-ordered redesign of districts and rampant turnover in the state's congressional delegation have combined to unleash a flood of ambition and give voters a wide range of choices:"
 • Eight of Florida's 27 members of Congress are leaving and all 27 seats are being contested for the first time.
 • As more voters reject both major parties and have no party affiliation, no-party candidates will offer a third alternative in two dozen races for U.S. Senate, Congress and the Legislature in a state where nearly three in 10 voters are not members of either major party.
 • Eight legislative seats will have primaries open to all voters because only one party fielded candidates. In those rare cases, candidates will be forced to appeal to a wider pool of voters than just the hard-right and hard-left who often dominate primaries.
 • Fifteen of 40 state Senate seats are open, and the redrawn districts give outnumbered Democrats hope of making gains.
"In year of political turmoil, Florida candidates stampede to ballot." See also "State Senate races a South Florida free-for-all."

Marco wants a mulligan
 "Weekly Roundup: Can I Get a Mulligan?."

"His day job remains unclear"
 "Now running for the Florida House, the ex-congressman from Miami reported a net worth of $1.5 million, even as his day job remains unclear." "David Rivera, millionaire? His financial form says so."

"What's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State"
 Marc Caputo: "Murphy's tough week – Scott's Zika leadership – GMO-mosquito vote delayed in Keys – Editorial: stop 'reefer madness' -- candidate sought for questions in hit-and-run death." "Florida Playbook."

Senate candidate accused of bribe
 "Miami Democratic state Senate candidate Andrew Korge is accused of trying to bribe state Sen. Dwight Bullard into moving districts and trying to persuade another Democratic primary opponent, Ana Rivas Logan, to swap races with him." "Miami-Dade senator: My opponent offered me $25,000 to get out of his way."

Beats working
 "Rubio's book royalties up $70K in 2015."

Brown and Lawson will face off
 "Rep. Corrine Brown and former state Sen. Al Lawson will face off in the Democratic primary for the 5th Congressional District, a seat that has been the subject of huge doses of speculation and intrigue after a redistricting legal challenge."
Lawson, a Tallahassee Democrat, filed to run for the seat in February, so his challenge to Brown is no surprise. But there have been persistent rumors that other candidates would pile into the race for a seat that was redrawn to stretch from Jacksonville to the Tallahassee region.

 That speculation ramped up when news broke that Brown is the subject of an ongoing Department of Justice investigation into whether she conspired to commit "fraudulent activities," improperly solicited charitable donations or misused campaign funds. Since the investigation was made public in March, no other information has been made available.
 But as the noon Friday deadline for candidates to qualify passed, none of the rumors of additional candidates came to fruition, and a regional battle now pits a longtime Tallahassee politico against a 12-term incumbent Jacksonville congresswoman.
"Despite intrigue, Brown, Lawson are only prominent Democrats in CD5 race."

Bangin' Murphy
 "on Wednesday evening, CBS4 Miami aired the first of its two part "The Making of Patrick Murphy" reports that questioned the congressman's portrayal of his business record. The first report is here: http://cbsloc.al/28OCy61. The Murphy campaign responded with a 'setting the record straight' post: http://bit.ly/28QTaJ0. That afternoon, a new Rubio super PAC then featured the CBS4 report in a web ad. CBS4 followed up Thursday evening with another piece about questionable marketing claims made years ago by Murphy's environmental clean-up business: http://cbsloc.al/28UfByP." "Florida Playbook."

"All of a sudden, Charlie has a real opponent"
 Nancy Smith: "What a week for Charlie Crist. Try to imagine ..."
There was Charlie laying low in St. Petersburg, stretched out on his tanning bed, fingers crossed, staying out of trouble, fan at the ready. So positioned to end the win drought.
 OK, so the prize wasn't the Senate. It wasn't even the Governor's Mansion. But CD 13, sanitized by the courts for a Democratic victory, was his ticket to get back to the limelight and into the Washington party circuit. He even had President Obama's endorsement.
 (Now we come to the part like in the old war movies, when John Wayne hitches up his rifle and says, "I don't like it, Charlie, it's too quiet out there.")
"And sure enough. BAM. It happens again."
Sooo close to the true love of his life: Washington, D.C., cameras, power, public service, celebrity hobnobs, more cameras -- happy days are here again.
 But, oh, no. No, no, no, no -- who surfaces to deja-vu him off his little cloud of happiness? Yes, his worse nightmare, "Little Marco!"
 Wouldn't you know it, the Republicans want Marco back in the Senate. So this week Marco announces he's running for reelection after all.
 And all of a sudden, Charlie has a real opponent in November. He has incumbent David Jolly.
"Poor Charlie: What's a Guy Gotta Do?."

Winners and losers
 Adam C. Smith's "Winner and loser of the week in Florida politics."

"Overrated and overhyped"
 Adam C. Smith: "For at least a year the conventional wisdom has echoed from Democrats and Republicans alike in Washington, Tallahassee and across Florida: U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy is the future of the Democratic Party, a powerhouse statewide candidate and most likely Florida's next U.S. senator."
Today, two months before the preferred candidate of Barack Obama and Joe Biden faces Alan Grayson in a primary and four and a half before the general election, we're struggling to think of when Florida last saw a candidate who proved as overrated and overhyped as Murphy.
 The Times/Herald and others in recent weeks have shown a pattern with the 33-year-old congressman from Palm Beach County: He appears to be a serial exaggerator of his accomplishments, from inflating the scope of his work on gulf cleanup after the BP oil spill, to falsely claiming to have earned dual college degrees, to overstating his work as a CPA. Last week, a Miami TV station aired a two-part investigative series that portrayed Murphy as an unaccomplished, chronic embellisher.
"Murphy looking less like a winner in race for Senate."

Scott disses Rubio
 "Scott doesn't endorse Rubio, praises Beruff."

FlaGOPer pulls AR-15 giveaway
 "Greg Evers, who's running in the Republican primary for the open seat in Florida's 1st District, announced Monday he's giving away a "Homeland Defender" AR-15 rifle on July 4. But on Monday night, Facebook pulled a post about the contest showing the rifle after receiving numerous complaints for 'promoting graphic violence' and 'describing the purchase or sales of drugs, guns or regulated progress.'" "Florida GOP candidate's AR-15 giveaway post taken down by Facebook."

Spanish-language ad blasts Rubio
 Alex Leary: "American Bridge 21st Century will launch a Facebook ad against Marco Rubio in key Hispanic areas, casting the senator as untrustworthy and not just because he broke a promise not to seek re-election." "Spanish-language ad blasts Marco Rubio as untrustworthy."

Florida Politicshttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-89357379216023075472016-06-19T12:47:00.001-04:002016-06-19T12:48:15.966-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

Somber cloud over Florida Democratic Party's annual dinner
 "A somber cloud hung over the Florida Democratic Party's annual fundraising dinner Saturday, as much of the event focused on a mass shooting that left 50 dead at a gay Orlando nightclub last Sunday."
Speeches geared toward building party unity heading into the general election were laced with calls for gun control and legal changes to help the LGBT community, which was targeted as part of the attack.
"Orlando shooting dominates Florida Democrats' annual dinner."

Subsidizing Walmart
 "When it comes to calling the cops, Walmart is such an outlier compared with its competitors that experts criticized the corporate giant for shifting too much of its security burden onto taxpayers." "Police are called to Walmart more than anywhere else — and you foot the bill."

ASA suspended for wild social media posts
 "An Orlando-area assistant state attorney has been suspended for social media posts he made in the aftermath of the Orlando shooting saying that"
"the entire city should be leveled. . . ."

 "All Orlando nightclubs should be permanently closed. With or without random gunmen they are zoos; utter cesspools of debauchery."
 He also posted Sunday morning that "the entire city [of Orlando] should be leveled. It is a melting pot of 3rd world miscreants and ghetto thugs… Disney may be the happiest place on earth but Orlando is a national embarrassment. If this is an act of a domestic terrorist it is so very important that we don't publish the religion, name, or motive of the terrorist as not to offend anyone."
"State prosecutor suspended over Facebook posts about Orlando."

"What's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State
 Marc Caputo: "Beruff ready to wreck Rubio – Clinton launches $3.5m Florida air war – Trial of Chilean dictator's lieutenant plays out in… Orlando – Cashman Canova -- Commemorating 'Cheeto Jesus'." "Florida Playbook."

Killing Florida black bears
 "A bear hunt this fall would be broken into three four-day periods, with hunters applying on a first-come, first-served basis for permits that would be specific to dates and areas, under a staff recommendation that will go before the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Wednesday." "Bear-hunt proposal ready for commission."
 Back at the ranch, Nancy Smith explains why she "Favors the Bear Hunt."

Another fine Jebacy
 "Insane, invisible and in danger: Florida cut $100M from its mental hospitals; chaos quickly followed."

Rubio called "homophobic," FlaGOP wants him anyway
 "Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Patrick Murphy lashed out at Marco Rubio on Saturday, saying he agrees with calls he has been getting from people who have labeled Rubio 'one of the most homophobic senators in this country.'" "Murphy assails Rubio as 'homophobic'."
 Meanwhile, "Florida Republicans Want Rubio to Run Again."
 A pathway for Rubio is opening up: "Rep. Jolly drops Senate bid, to run for reelection."

DWS fails to get the required 2/3 votes to secure Fla AFL-CIO endorsement
 "For the first time in 24 years, Debbie Wasserman Schultz will not get the endorsement of the AFL-CIO. . . . Wasserman Schultz failed to get the required 2/3 votes to secure the endorsement." "AFL-CIO Says 'No' To Debbie Wasserman Schultz."
 This, over the efforts of SoFla labor: "South Florida unions come to defense of Wasserman Schultz."
 More: "AFL-CIO Snub Aside, DWS Collects a Cartload of S. Florida Union Endorsements" and "Wasserman Schultz and Canova spar over labor endorsements."

And then there's that privatization thing
 "'Clerical error' on Orlando killer's psychological eval named wrong doctor."

"Key facts got lost along the way"
 "In the waning hours of their 2016 session, Florida lawmakers approved a bill expanding families' school options across county lines."
Education choice advocates trumpeted the move as a bold step to let students attend any public school in the state. They equated it with Florida's broad charter school and tax credit scholarship programs.

 But officials closest to the ground were quick to point out that key facts got lost along the way.
"Legislators allowed students to go to school across county lines; now come the details."

Meanwhile, the MSM assails Grayson
 "A St. Petersburg lighting company in which Sen. Jeff Brandes is invested received $65,000 worth of work as the result of a grant he helped secure in the 2013 state budget." "Company senator invested in got state money, but he says he was unaware."

Florida Politicshttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-70779279781451856832016-06-05T12:10:00.000-04:002016-06-05T12:10:43.028-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

"Clinton's big Florida presence"
 "Hillary Clinton hasn't clinched her party's presidential nominee, but her campaign is acting like it in Florida, where it has a dozen senior staffers and about 100 paid organizers who are canvassing neighborhoods and starting to register voters for the general election."
Clinton's Florida team includes a mix of national Democratic operatives and veterans of President Barack Obama's campaigns, which won the state twice … Florida Democrats have nervously watched as the number of active registered Republican voters started growing faster than that of Democrats since the last general election — a sign Trump's campaign might be better organized than it gets credit for.
"Headquartered in Tampa, Clinton's big Florida presence underscores the importance of the nation's biggest swing state, the part-time home of Donald Trump. He probably can't afford to lose here and expect to win the White House. Recent Florida polls show the two are essentially tied." "Eyes on general election, Clinton showcases big Florida team."

"Here comes the slime"
 "Ribbons of goop arrive early this year as discharges from Lake Okeechobee foul Florida's east and west coasts. It's an environmental disaster." "It's summer, and here comes the slime."

"It could cost him a circuit judgeship"
 "Gun rights groups are unleashing their wrath at a Jacksonville Republican who didn't support a measure to shift the Burden of Proof in Stand Your Ground in the Florida Legislature this year, and it could cost him a circuit judgeship." "Florida Pro-Gun Groups Add on to Derail McBurney's Judgeship Ambitions."

"Sanders vs. Wasserman Schultz tiff"
 The Sun Sentinel editors: "Bernie Sanders' supporters say Debbie Wasserman Schultz is abrasive and divisive. And Sanders is a collegial unifier? To be fair, Wasserman Schultz also faces criticism from outside the Sanders camp." "Little upside in Sanders vs. Wasserman Schultz tiff."

"Sharp increase in murders, rapes"
 "Florida's crime rate drops despite sharp increase in murders, rapes."

"What's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State"
 Marc Caputo: "Hillary's big Florida team – FL poll: Gary Johnson might hurt Trump -- Planned Parenthood sues Florida -- Ros-Lehtinen challenger: Vote for me; here's my arrest record." "Florida Playbook."

Sorry, Rick
 "Election, not Gov. Scott, to fill judicial seat in Palm Beach County, Supreme Court rules."

"Wildly unethical for [Bondi] to accept this money"
 Scott Maxwell: "New York's attorney general says the evidence is compelling that Trump's get-rich seminars — promoted in both Florida and New York — were merely a "bait and switch scheme" where people paid thousands of dollars for promised training and insight they never received."
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, however, decided not to act on similar complaints filed by Floridians.

 She, however, did take money from Trump — while her office said it was "reviewing" the complaints against him. Three days after the Orlando Sentinel wrote a story in 2013 about Floridians who felt scammed by a Trump affiliate, Trump's charitable foundation gave $25,000 to one of Bondi's campaign committees.
 It was wildly unethical for her to accept this money. No self-respecting prosecutor would take money from a potential target.
 Bondi's office always claimed there wasn't enough evidence to make a case. But I wondered how hard her staff worked to actually find any.
 So I asked to see her office's investigative reports for myself.
 Her office took about four weeks to respond and then finally did so with a massive document dump — thousands of pages, many of which were exchanges with the press about why they weren't investigating now and stressing they never had. A copy of an email I sent back in 2013 was included 39 different times.
 All told, they provided 8,491 pages of records.
 Perhaps they thought no one would really look at them.
 If so, they were wrong.
"8,491 pages raise more flags about Bondi's Trump money."

"The most exasperating politician"
 The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Sen. Marco Rubio is becoming the most exasperating politician in Florida. For starters, Rubio's refusal — so far — to run for re-election is exasperating Republican leaders. He is being encouraged to enter a race in which the GOP field lacks name recognition." "Rubio exasperates multiple factions."

Run Rick, Run!
 "Scott continues to shoot down speculation he'll be Trump's running mate."

Florida Politicshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-36460646672441061362016-05-31T08:02:00.003-04:002016-05-31T08:02:44.140-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

To Replace Grayson in the House . . .
 "The race to succeed Rep. Alan Grayson in the U.S. House has drawn five Democrats looking to capture what some analysts consider a safe seat for their party."
But not everyone thinks that the district is as securely Democratic as it once was. New boundaries were drawn after redistricting, adding 25,000 new Republican voters at the expense of independents and Democrats.
"Democrats running to succeed Grayson, who is running for U.S. Senate, include a state senator, Darren Soto; Grayson's former district manager, Susannah Randolph; a former Osceola Democratic chair, Valleri Crabtree; technology consultant Jason Borders; and a biochemist, Dena Minning, who is Grayson's fiancée."
Two candidates have entered the race on the Republican side, including businessman Wayne Liebnitzky and Kissimmee Vice Mayor Wanda Rentas.

 They're all battling to represent a district that changed less dramatically than others after the state Supreme Court ordered new boundaries late last year. But there were a few significant changes nonetheless.
"Crowded field looks to succeed Grayson in House."

FlaGOP afraid of Jebbie
 "State Sen. Don Gaetz sees his legislation allowing school districts to replace state exams with national alternatives like the SAT or ACT as the salvation of the education accountability policies crafted by former Gov. Jeb Bush." "Citing Bush, Gaetz offers alternative-testing post-mortem."

"What's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State"
 Marc Caputo: "Run, Marco! (for Senate) – Canova: close to $2m raised against Wasserman Schultz – State police raid DeBary City Hall – Libertarian conference." "Florida Playbook."

The Other Grayson
 "One of Dena Minning's biggest assets in her congressional bid was her boyfriend: incumbent Alan Grayson, who's leaving the U.S. House to run for U.S. Senate."
Now, after Grayson has helped raise her profile and run for his U.S. House seat, he married her over the Memorial Day Weekend and gave her his last name, according to her Monday social-media posts and The Orlando Political Observer.

 Dena Minning promptly became Dena Grayson on Twitter and Facebook. The largely unknown outsider in the Orlando-area district now has a potent tool in running under the name of the incumbent in a crowded Democratic primary. . . .
 The Grayson wedding adds more drama to the 9th Congressional District race, in which Grayson's former aide and political hand, Susannah Randolph, had been laying the groundwork for the seat. But then she learned last year that her boss's girlfriend wanted to run and that he would back her.
"Alan Grayson marries candidate who wants to replace him."

Florida Politicshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-52467835611113671612016-05-28T08:34:00.001-04:002016-05-28T08:47:06.769-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

Rubio's next flip-flop
 "The Florida senator leaves the door a crack to reversing his planned retirement from the Senate after one term." "Rubio: 'Unlikely' I'll run for reelection."
 Adam C Smith: "A second Senate term for Marco Rubio?" "Marco Rubio: I'd 'maybe' run for re-election if my friend wasn't." See also "GOP Leadership Urges Rubio Run Again for Senate" and "".
 Meanwhile, "Trump Wants Rubio to Stay in the Senate."

No Fun
 "The contentious campaigning in the 2016 election has laid waste to durable traditions as Florida and the nation show that allegiance to political parties may be over." "There's no fun these days in Florida's political parties."

"What's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State"
 "Canova: close to $2m raised against Wasserman Schultz – State police raid DeBary City Hall – Libertarian conference kicks off in Orlando."
 However, "Crossroads' President and CEO Steven Law had this to say about the organization's rare decision to endorse in a contested primary: 'Congresswoman and DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz has played a critical role over the past several years in the massive Republican gains we have achieved at the state level, in the U.S. House of Representatives and in the U.S. Senate.'" "American Crossroads Endorses Debbie Wasserman Schultz."

"A little more real"
 "Raquel Regalado on Friday submitted her resignation from the Miami-Dade school board, paving the way for her run for county mayor." "Race for Miami-Dade mayor gets a little more real: Regalado resigns school board seat."

"Democrats eyeing big gains in the Florida House"
 "Democrats have been an afterthought in the Florida House in the recent past as Republicans' numbers have grown to supermajority status in the 120-member chamber."
But along with presidential election cycles comes hope for Democrats looking to boost their numbers at all levels of government.
 The party's voters historically have not turned out in large numbers in non-presidential years.
 In 2014, for instance, Democratic strongholds of Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties had voter turnout of just 44.8 percent, which helped sink Democrat Charlie Crist's gubernatorial campaign. In 2012, those counties had a collective average turnout of 68 percent.
 Those higher numbers, and the fact that Republicans are raising money at a slower clip than past years, have Democrats eyeing big gains in the Florida House, while the GOP will play defense in many hotly contested races
"Democrats eye House pickups across the state."

Judge orders partisan races for constitutional officers
 "Orange County candidates for sheriff, tax collector and the four other constitutional offices would be identified on this year's ballot as Democrat, Republican or another party affiliation if a judge's ruling holds." "Judge's ruling nixes nonpartisan elections."

Lopez-Cantera on the dole
 "The lieutenant governor, who has a nearly $125,000 annual salary, is given no formal responsibilities in the state constitution — which has always left the post as one of the more obscure in state government once campaign season is over." "Lopez-Cantera's official state calendar shrinks as campaign's grows."

Florida Politicshttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-224556914818312562016-05-26T08:30:00.000-04:002016-05-27T07:37:16.190-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

"State politicians have been ignoring the will of the people to help workers"
 "Local control is a bedrock principle of conservative thought. But it's become apparent that when local decision-making is inconvenient for them, Republican state officials do not hesitate to squash it."
It's ironic at best, hypocritical at worst.
 "Take Florida, where state politicians have been ignoring the will of the people to help workers for more than a decade."
After cities across Florida raised wages for city contractors, the Legislature in 2003 passed a law that prevented local jurisdictions from passing their own minimum wage laws for private-sector workers.

 The next year, an overwhelming majority of voters approved a constitutional amendment that reserved cities' rights to raise private-sector minimum wages.
 Politicians in Tallahassee responded by amending the 2003 law to make it even harder for cities to take care of their own.
 Undeterred, local elected officials all over the state have attempted to help their residents.
 Several counties have issued wage-theft ordinances, and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman has expanded access to paid leave and raised the minimum wage for city employees.
 In Miami Beach, Mayor Philip Levine has proposed to extend the living wage ordinance that already applies to city contractors to all private-sector employees. It's a simple measure that would help low-wage workers share in the prosperity of the tourism industry that thrives because of their work.
 It remains to be seen whether state lawmakers will continue to stymie cities' efforts to make life easier for working families by defending a law that on its face conflicts with the state Constitution.
"Labor Secretary: Florida is bigfooting local efforts to raise minimum wage."

Will Jeb get "burst of energy"?
 "Trump: Jeb will get 'burst of energy' and endorse me." See also "Trump: Jeb Bush Will Come Around."

"A full day of Florida Weird"
 "Why Trump fired aide after Florida clash – Democrats' Debbie drama -- Protestor uses 'fart machine' at scandal-plagued Broward Health – A full day of Florida Weird." "Florida Playbook."

"Florida Supreme Court will be the best show in town"
 "For legal junkies, the Florida Supreme Court will be the best show in town during a three-day period in June. Justices are poised to hear arguments on a series of high-profile issues, including gambling, the death penalty, guns and medical malpractice, according to a schedule released Wednesday." "Supreme Court Ready to Wade into Major Cases."

Planned Parenthood alleges harassment
 "Attorneys for Planned Parenthood this week switched gears in their push to have the state pick up the costs of legal fees that accrued while defending abortion clinics against allegations that they provided illegal second trimester abortions."
Instead of arguing that Planned Parenthood is entitled to attorney's fees because it was the prevailing party in the legal dispute and that the complaints weren't legally sufficient, attorneys now are arguing that the state participated in the proceedings for an improper purpose, including harassment.
"Planned Parenthood switches legal gears as it seeks attorney's fees."

"Florida elections may be a bloodbath"
 "Florida elections may be a bloodbath. Hallelujah!"

Money for nuthin' . . .
 "Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush left his education foundation behind when he decided to run for president, but now that his 2016 presidential ambitions are behind him, he's stepped back into his role as chairman for the Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExelinEd)." "Jeb Bush Returns to Education Foundation."

Florida Politicshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-79163396416789599112016-05-17T07:57:00.000-04:002016-05-17T07:57:45.401-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

"Florida 0-for-171 years"
 John Romano: "When it comes to national elections, America is obsessed with Florida's demographics, intrigued with Florida's potential fundraising and desperate for Florida's voters."
As for our actual politicians, America will pass.
"Again."
The former governor who was supposed to be the front-runner and had an abundance of cash, if not charm, dropped out of the presidential race months ago. The handsome, young senator who was supposed to be the future face of the Republican Party couldn't even outlast the smarmy Texan the rest of the Senate hates.

 And now it's looking like our senior senator is probably not on the short list of VP candidates because the Democrats can't risk losing a Senate seat. Or so they say. And our current governor has no chance no matter how much he stalks Donald Trump.
 So, if you're scoring at home, that would make Florida 0-for-171 years.
 Since becoming a bona fide state, Florida has yet to put one of its elected politicians in the White House as either a president or vice president.
 Despite our best efforts to keep our crazy close to the vest, it appears America is on to us.
"Romano: Vice President Scott? Vice President Crist? Thanks for nothing, America."

Lie down with dogs
 "Jolly on backing Trump: 'I don't know if I will get there by November'."."

Green cards for sale
 "Foreigners who invest in soccer stadium could get green cards."

Lie down with dogs (Part 2)
 Marc Caputo: "U.S. Senate candidate Carlos Beruff referred to President Obama as an 'animal' during a recent Florida Republican meeting, prompting opponents from both parties to call on him to apologize." "Rivals condemn Senate candidate for calling Obama an 'animal'."

"Congressional Races Look Competitive"
 "The Florida congressional district is set to radically change after the November elections. Between redistricting, some unexpected retirements and four representatives running for the U.S. Senate, almost half of the Sunshine State's 27 congressional seats are in play in the primaries or the general election. With that many seats up for grabs, Florida can expect some differences in how it's represented starting in 2017." "Florida Congressional Races Look Competitive After Redistricting, Retirements."

Corporate giant shifts its security burden onto taxpayers
 "When it comes to calling the cops, Walmart is such an outlier compared with its competitors that experts criticized the corporate giant for shifting too much of its security burden onto taxpayers. Several local law enforcement officers also emphasized that all the hours spent at Walmart cut into how often they can patrol other neighborhoods and prevent other crimes." "Police are called to Walmart more than anywhere else; you foot the bill."

"What's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State"
 Marc Caputo: "Rubio's media-mocking tweetstorm – Trump's new pollster – Cuban immigrant wave increases – Florida reports tourism record -- Will Racist McShootface return?" "Florida Playbook."

 More Caputo: "Grayson says NYT 'full of [expletive] but errs himself – Beruff calls Obama an 'animal' – Venezuela in crisis – State passes up $250m for foreclosure help – Florida wildlife gone wild." "Florida Playbook."
 "Grayson's own campaign corrects him on claim that Times is 'full of shit'."

Establishment goes after Grayson
 "For the second time in a week, Alan Grayson got into a heated public argument about the ethics investigation into his hedge fund and other activities." "Grayson gets into heated TV interview about ethics investigation."

Cream rises . . .
 "Don Gaetz floated for University of West Florida presidency."

Florida Politicshttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-22736621696521312782016-05-14T13:24:00.003-04:002016-05-14T13:42:25.654-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

Picketers to hit Disney Sunday Morning
 "The Reedy Creek Fire Fighters Association Local 2117, which represents emergency workers serving Walt Disney World, plans to picket Sunday morning in and around the Springs' parking garages."
It will be the first time in decades the union has demonstrated on Disney property.
"Contract negotiations have stalled with Reedy Creek, the Disney-controlled government agency that employs firefighters and paramedics serving the resort. The two sides reached an impasse in negotiations last year. Firefighters and paramedics have been working without a contract for almost a year and a half. The two sides disagree about pay and insurance."
"Here we are asking for peanuts, and Reedy Creek spent millions of millions of dollars on these parking garages, and they won't even work with me on a contract," [Union president Tim Stromsnes said]
"Firefighters' union plans demonstration at Disney."

It could be worse, we could be seeing his "Palm Beach persona"
 "Palm Beachers and other locals say they have long recognized the two Donald Trump personas that presidential campaign watchers expect more of the country to soon get to meet." "Two Donald Trump personas emerge in Palm Beach."

"What's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State"
 Marc Caputo: "SPECIAL SATURDAY EDITION -- John Miller for veep? — The Sunshine State of play — B'DAY: Howard Wolfson, Tom Donilon." "Florida Playbook."

That Killing Thing
 The Tampa Bay Times editors: "Florida Supreme Court should change death sentences to life in prison."

"Big Bucks in April"
 "Florida Senate hopefuls were busy raising big bucks for their campaigns during the month of April. Sunshine State News took a look at what the candidates in some of the state's most hotly-contested Senate seats raised last month." "Florida Senate Contenders Raise Big Bucks in April."

GOP Latino leader steps in it
 "Rosario Marin, a GOP Latino leader who was the 41st U.S. treasurer, unloaded on Donald Trump Friday by repeatedly telling an Orlando TV station that her fellow Republican is a 'little orange man' she and other Hispanics can't vote for." "GOP Latino leader blasts Trump as 'little orange man'."

The lucky sperm club: "Son of Miami lobbyist gets break"
 "Son of Miami lobbyist gets break, is sentenced to only 30 months in prison for Molly dealing."

"A remarkable rise"
 "Patrick Murphy burst from obscurity in 2012 by winning a bitter showdown with tea party Rep. Allen West. Now 33, the South Florida resident is strongly positioned to jump to the Senate, a remarkable rise that has national Democrats optimistic of regaining a majority."
Behind him stands one major asset. His father.

 Thomas P. Murphy Jr. has built homes for Oprah Winfrey and Dan Marino, dozens of hotels and resorts, and he has constructed a path for his son in the most fundamental way: money.
 The elder Murphy has given more than $1 million to super PACs supporting his son's campaigns and used donations to help create allies in Florida and Washington. His Coastal Construction Group has been the source for more than $180,000 given directly to the candidate's House and Senate campaigns.
 "But the family advantage has provoked criticism from Democrats and Republicans who cast him as a rich kid and a hypocrite because he laments the influence of money in politics while benefiting from his father's largess."
A Republican, Tom Murphy has long been politically active and has given money to Charlie Crist, Alex Sink, George W. Bush and Mitt Romney. (Patrick Murphy also donated to Romney and was a registered Republican until shortly before launching his first campaign.) . . .

 Democratic rival Alan Grayson, an outspoken liberal congressman from Orlando, has mocked Murphy for relying on "Daddy's PAC." Grayson also points out that Murphy is a stockholder in Coastal Construction. Just after he won the 2012 election, his father gave him stock worth up to $5 million.
"The financial muscle behind Patrick Murphy's Senate bid: his father."

Never mind the primary
 "For the second time this spring, Vice President Joe Biden is campaigning for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Patrick Murphy in Florida. But this time, it'll be on the turf of Murphy's Democratic opponent — in Orlando." "VP Joe Biden to campaign in Florida for candidate in enemy territory."

". . . But are there any left?"
 "More than three decades after it was first captured in South Florida, a tiny wasp has been identified as a new species, but are there any left?" "New Keys wasp found, but is it already too late?"

"New revelations about major Murphy donor"
 Nancy Smith: "As Vice President Joe Biden, who authored the Violence Against Women Act, promotes Patrick Murphy at a private fundraiser Thursday morning, troubling new revelations about a major Murphy donor convicted of domestic assault are making headlines. In a story this same morning under the headline, "GOP Wants Senate Dem Candidate to Donate $100K," the Hill reports:"
A leading Florida Democratic Senate candidate has donated more than $16,000 in campaign cash to domestic violence groups after receiving contributions from a longtime friend who pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife."
"But that's not all of the money Al-Rashid spent to get Patrick Murphy elected -- he also gave $100,000 to a pro-Murphy Super PAC in 2012 that ran an ad depicting cartoon violence against women:"
"[Senate Leadership Fund spokesman Ian] Prior notes that American Sunrise, the super-PAC Al-Rashid funded, ran a controversial ad that showed a cartoon version of Murphy's then-opponent, Allen West, wearing boxing gloves and repeatedly punching women in the face to illustrate how he was hurting them with his votes on healthcare and other policies."

 The report also reveals that Murphy took seven months to return Al-Rashid's last maxed-out donation, which was received after Murphy knew about his criminal acts. - See more at: http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/now-patrick-murphy-under-fire-domestic-violence-linked-campaign-cash#sthash.tRFTwbdw.dpuf
"Now Patrick Murphy Under Fire For Domestic Violence-Linked Campaign Cash."

And we don't want you to be our Senator
 "Rubio: I do not want to be Trump's vice president."

Florida Politicshttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-29191131500591865702016-05-09T09:02:00.003-04:002016-05-09T09:03:08.964-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

Scott's Job Claims "Mostly False"
 "Florida Gov. Rick Scott is not on board with the minimum wage increase in the sunny, oceanside state — of California."
As Scott toured the West Coast for the second time attempting to attract businesses, Enterprise Florida (the state's public-private economic development arm) ran radio ads in San Francisco and Los Angeles attacking California's $15 wage and trumpeting Florida's superior job prospects.
 "The ad is comparing California's projected employment with Florida's past performance — an apples-to-oranges comparison."
It also distorts what the 700,000 jobs-lost figure actually refers to. Even with the wage hike, California is expected to gain more jobs than Florida over the next decade, albeit not as many as without it. Furthermore, all the economists we spoke with cautioned against pinning a figure to the minimum wage hike's impact on employment in California.
PolitiFact Florida: Florida agency's misleading attack on California's minimum wage hike."
 Carl Hiaasen: "Florida's governor, leader of a low-wage, low-skill state, tried to poach corporations in California. Once they stopped snickering, they gave Scott an earful, telling him, not so politely, to go home." "Gov. Scott went to California, dreaming."

Marco's "political rehabilitation"
 "What does a former presidential candidate do after a crushing home-state loss?" "The political rehabilitation of Marco Rubio."

Jeb! huffs
 "Jeb Bush won't vote for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton."

"What's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State"
 Marc Caputo: "Rubio-Cruz spat's 2020 feel – Forget pledge, Jeb's 'Never Trump' – Orange County's terrible 'teacher appreciation week' – Oil prospecting near the Glades? – Gator hunter gets hunted by gator." "Florida Playbook."

"Trump loses Florida, he loses the election"
 "Political campaigns tend to be about hope, fear, self-interest, frustration and, occasionally, inspiration. Ultimately, though, campaigns are about math, and the presidential electoral math has been consistent for decades: If the Republican nominee loses Florida, he loses the election." "Can Donald Trump win Florida? Yes, but he probably won't."
 Meanwhile, "Dennis Ross Takes Trump's Side Over Paul Ryan."

Minimum wage increase would prompt legal fight
 "Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine wants to increase minimum wage citywide. This could prompt a legal fight. The state of Florida sets the wage level and prohibits municipalities from doing so." "A fight to give Beach workers a raise."

Contracting-out-blues
 "The information was mistakenly included in a file sent to an outside contractor." "Palm Beach County teachers' Social Security numbers accidentally shared."

Say, who?
 "GOP candidates for Florida's open U.S. Senate seat chase name recognition."

"Buckhorn's gubernatorial chances aren't great"
 "Florida Insider Poll numbers on Bob Buckhorn's gubernatorial chances aren't great."

Florida Politicshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-86591806898275411752016-04-30T13:17:00.000-04:002016-04-30T13:18:47.155-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

Broward GOPer a real class act
 "Broward Republican leader says when Trump debates Clinton 'she's going to go down like Monica Lewinsky'."

Bondi's latest excuse
 "Democrats have scolded Bondi for not doing more to help the case against Trump University, since she has joined lawsuits brought by other states, including actions against the Affordable Care Act and a ruling allowing the Environmental Protection Agency to enforce a cleanup plan for Chesapeake Bay."
"Florida's Attorney General has not hesitated to join losing, transparently partisan lawsuits around the country because she felt it was the best way to score political points,'' said Florida Democratic Party spokesman Max Steele on Friday. "But when Donald Trump defrauded Floridians with his sham Trump University, Bondi shrugged off the complaints and did nothing except collect a $25,000 check from none other than the Donald Trump Foundation."
"Trump campaign aides said the political donation made by his charity — an apparent violation of tax laws governing nonprofits — was a mistake, according to the Washington Post."
When asked whether Bondi planned to give back the $25,000 donation or give it to charity, Ray referred a reporter to Bondi campaign aides, who did not return an email.
"Bondi: Trump U. complaints came before I took office."

Jeb! struggles for relevancy
 "Jeb Bush says Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz made a "smart move" in choosing Carly Fiorina as his running mate. Bush, a former contender for the GOP nomination, said Thursday that front-runner Donald Trump is 'not a serious person,' especially on foreign policy matters."

Reshaping Florida's congressional delegation
 "Redistricting, retirements and runs for higher office will reshape Florida's congressional delegation in a big way in 2016 – sapping some of its Capitol clout and possibly sending more Democrats from the state to Washington." "Florida congressional turnover highest in U.S.; GOP still to dominate."

Scott sends "shock wave through legal circles"
 "In a move that critics claim smacks of an attempt to pack the court, Florida Gov. Rick Scott this week announced plans to appoint someone to replace a judge leaving the Palm Beach County bench even though the county's elections supervisor said state law calls for the replacement to be elected by voters."
Attorney Gregg Lerman, who had already announced plans to run for the seat, vowed to file a lawsuit if Scott won't back down from his plans to appoint a judge to replace longtime County Court Judge Laura Johnson, who is resigning to seek a seat on the circuit court bench.

 "I think the governor is trying to steal the electoral process from the voters of Palm Beach County," Lerman said. "He would like a more conservative bench than currently exists." . . .
 The disagreement is rooted in different interpretations of the provision of the Florida Constitution that gives the governor the power to fill judicial vacancies and the state's resign-to-run law.
 Elections Supervisor Susan Bucher said the resign-to-run law is clear. Because Johnson's term isn't scheduled to end until January 2021, she had to submit a letter of resignation to the governor before she would be allowed to formally file papers to run for circuit judge.
 Under the law, her letter had to be sent 10 days before the start of the weeklong qualifying period for judicial elections, which is Monday. And she had to resign by the date she would take office if she's elected as circuit judge, Jan. 3.
 Once Johnson resigned, Bucher said, the county court post was an open seat. Lerman, longtime county Magistrate Thomas Baker and attorney Lisa Grossman then announced their intentions to run for it in the August election.
 Then this week Scott sent a letter to the local Judicial Nominating Commission, asking it to solicit applications from lawyers who may be interested in Johnson's job. The commission only nominates in cases where the governor is appointing a judge.
 Asked about Scott's intention to appoint, the Florida Division of Elections cited only the provision in the Constitution defining the governor's power to appoint judges.
 The letter sent a shock wave through legal circles. Some called it a power-grab. Others complained the dual interpretations of election law was just confusing.
"Scott plan to replace judge with appointment decried as court packing."

"What's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State"
 Marc Caputo: "Rubio issues ZIKA WARNING -- Broward GOP chair goes there – Orange-less County – Flori-duh Men of Tinder, illustrated" "Florida Playbook."

"Latino voters in Florida will be a top priority"
 "As Hillary Clinton increasingly turns her attention to a general election against Donald Trump or Ted Cruz, her campaign and fellow Democrats have begun in earnest to bolster staff and campaign organizations in key battleground states."
In Virginia, Ohio and Florida -- the three biggest swing states in the last election -- the Clinton campaign is teaming up with state and national Democratic organizations to build voter files, organize thousands of volunteers, register tens of thousands of voters and raise the funds necessary to compete against a Republican opponent. . . .

 In Florida, Democrats have been registering voters at a rate of 2,000 to 3,000 a month this year, slightly exceeding the registration rate during the same period in 2008. . . .
 In Florida . . . GOP registration has increased by 100,000 voters this year -- although much of that is attributed to primary enthusiasm and not the organizational efforts of the party. There and in North Carolina, Republican registration exceeds that of Democrats, said RNC spokesman Ryan Mahoney. All told, across seven battleground states, party officials have taken credit for registering more than 20,000 voters. . . .
 In Florida in 2012, Obama's campaign registered more than 350,000 voters -- four times Obama's victory margin over Mitt Romney on election night, according to Ashley Walker, who ran Obama's reelection efforts in the state that year. . . .
 The [DNC] is also preparing to transfer funds to state parties in Ohio, Florida and Virginia -- $200,000 apiece -- to finance the salaries of field organizers in those states. . . .
 Latino voters in Florida will also be a top priority. According to Clinton's allies, the slate of Republican candidates has given their camp unprecedented "ammunition."
 "I see people with sound trucks in West Tampa diving around with bullhorns saying, 'Is this what you want?'" said Anna Cruz, a longtime Clinton ally who ran her 2008 Florida campaign. "You know, barriers. We've been given so much by these candidates to motivate Hispanic voters."
"Clinton and Democratic leaders turn their focus to November swing states."

Florida Politicshttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-48512056060972202442016-04-24T14:23:00.001-04:002016-04-24T14:23:39.496-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

Lobbyists, gift bans and free trips
 Gary Fineout reminds us that, "right before she was elected to a second term into office, a series of stories by the New York Times detailed the practice of law firms who were skilled at developing contacts and relationships with the top lawyers of various states - including Attorney General Pam Bondi."
 "These firms helped out corporate clients whose businesses had been targeted by some states, but not others."
One of the stories also pointed out that Bondi allowed a lawyer from one of the firms to recuperate from surgery at Bondi's house
"Now 16 months later the matter has come to a quiet close - at least as it concerns Florida's ethics laws."
The Florida Commission on Ethics voted last week there was no probable cause to conclude that the now-defunct law firm Dickstein Shapiro - or one the lawyers who used to work at the firm, Bernard Nash - had broken the state's ethics laws.
Fineout describes "several interesting highlights" from the investigation here: "Bondi's silence amid questions about lobbying, the gift ban and free trips."

"Developers target panther land"
 "Any hope that South Florida's endangered panthers will eventually spread hundreds of miles north to as far as the Orlando area and beyond may hinge on a proposal for immense development near Naples."
A growth plan by nine Collier County landowners encompasses 152,124 acres, an area that spans important panther territory and is nearly as big as some counties in the state. . . .

 The land belongs to prominent sugar, citrus and cattle enterprises, including a ranch owned by Aliese Priddy. In 2012, Gov. Rick Scott appointed her as a member of the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
"South Florida developers target panther land."

Red tape
 "Police investigate a fatal industrial accident."

DWS "wrong on payday loans"
 "Florida's congressional delegation is in rare bipartisan support on an issue. Unfortunately, it's the wrong issue. The issue is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's plan to regulate payday loans." "Wasserman Schultz wrong on payday loans."

"Indian River Lagoon failures"
 "Scorecard shows Indian River Lagoon failures."

Florida Politicshttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-84267241136010990912016-04-23T12:40:00.002-04:002016-04-23T12:48:27.532-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

Trump could have a profound impact on Florida's down-ballot races
 "Donald Trump's controversial views on immigration have taken their toll on Latino support for the Republican Party in Florida and could have a profound impact on down-ballot candidates this fall, according to a poll of 400 registered Latino voters released on Friday by Latino Decisions, a public opinion research group." "Poll: Trump a big turn off for Florida Latino voters, including Cubans."
 More: "Immigration Is Top Issue for President and Congress, Say Florida Latinos."

Weekly Roundup
 "Ever since the departure of the Pork Chop Gang --- a cadre of North Florida lawmakers who ruled state government through the middle part of the 20th Century --- the northern reaches of the state have sometimes seemed like second-tier parts of Florida." "Weekly Roundup: The North Rises Again."

Don't do us any favors, Mr. Rubio
 "Rubio says he's not interested in being vice president."

Airbnb's tax games
 "The Florida Department of Revenue and tax collectors in Pinellas and four other counties have signed agreements with online home-booking agency Airbnb to collect and remit potentially millions of dollars in tourist-tax revenue that until four months ago went unpaid."
Those agreements mean that people seeking a break through Airbnb on the rising cost of hotel and motel rooms will be paying more per night because state and local tourist taxes will be tacked onto their bills.

 But on the other side of the ledger, how much the online home-booking agency will be collecting and turning in each month remains an open question because of Airbnb's insistence that the names of people renting out property on its platform be kept secret.
 Airbnb even insists that its agreements with government agencies remain secret. And it wants the state and counties to forfeit any potential taxes owed prior to executing the agreements. - See more at: http://www.tbo.com/news/politics/airbnb-starts-paying-florida-taxes-but-still-plays-by-different-rules-20160422/#sthash.rls4kKGy.dpuf
"Airbnb starts paying Florida taxes but still plays by different rules.."

Learn Tampa-Cuba history
 "A trail through Tampa-Cuba history."

"Work isn't over for presidential hopefuls in the Sunshine State"
 "Donald Trump may have won the Florida primary, but the work isn't over for presidential hopefuls in the Sunshine State." "Florida GOP Heads to Final Stretch of Delegate Selection."

PBC School Board member resigns
 "Palm Beach County School Board member Mike Murgio resigned Friday following a federal indictment accusing him of bribery."
His departure creates a vacancy on the seven-person board. His District 1 seat was up for re-election and before his arrest, Murgio planned to run as an incumbent. Instead, in a letter sent to school board chairman Chuck Shaw, Murgio wrote he was stepping down because his "personal situation" may create a distraction for the board and the school district.
"Indicted Palm Beach school board member Mike Murgio steps down."

Opt out "slow to grow" in Miami-Dade
 "While thousands across the country boycott standardized tests in schools, the Opt Out movement has struggled to gain traction in Miami-Dade." "Movement to 'opt out' of standardized testing slow to grow in Miami-Dade schools."

Florida Politicshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-90784108549626803552016-04-22T08:35:00.000-04:002016-04-22T08:36:59.521-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

Graham eyes running for governor in 2018
 "Redrawn congressional lines that plunked U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham's seat into Republican territory prompted the congresswoman to announce she won't seek re-election this year and instead will gear up for a possible run for governor in 2018."
Graham, a Democrat from Tallahassee who unseated two-term Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Panama City, in 2014, announced her potential gubernatorial bid Thursday morning in a slick YouTube video emailed to supporters.
"While not entirely a surprise, her announcement promised to shake up a potential field of Governor's Mansion hopefuls including Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, a Republican, and Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, a Democrat."
"Our state government is just dysfunctional," she said. "And this causes me to rethink how I can best serve the people of North Florida and our state. Floridians are hungry for new leadership, and I'm so excited to tell your first that I'm seriously considering running for governor in 2018."

 Graham, a pragmatist who has upset some in her party for siding with the GOP on issues from the Keystone XL pipeline to President Obama's nuclear deal with Iran, touted her accomplishments in Congress.
"Gwen Graham might run for governor."
 See also "Another Graham for Florida governor? U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham announces potential run," "Another Graham for governor? U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham announces potential run" and "Florida Rep. Gwen Graham announces possible run for governor."

RPOF wigs out
 "Cruise giant Carnival Corp. on Friday said it had been cleared by the Cuban government to bring Cuban-born travelers to the country, ending a controversy that threatened to upend its plans to launch the first USA to Cuba voyages in more than 50 years." "Cuban-born travelers cleared to cruise to Cuba." See also "Cuba will allow Cuban-born to arrive on Carnival cruise ship."

All about Trump
 "It's all about Donald Trump at GOP meeting, even without him there."

"What's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State"
 Marc Caputo: "The RNC's Florida takeaway – Wasserman Schultz goes after Canova – DCCC's marital-rape attack v. Rep. Mica – Feds indict South Florida school board member." "Florida Playbook."

"Something a little off at GOP gala"
 Tom Jackson: "By all outward signs, the annual Pasco Republican Reagan Day dinner was business as usual: Every ticket (all 450) was sold, filling Spartan Manor's main ballroom; the opening ceremonies were reverently observed; the prime rib entree and carrot cake chaser were enthusiastically received; the live auction (involving mostly firearms) was ardently contested; and the whole thing wrapped up in time to get the attendees home in time for Hannity."
There was, nonetheless, something ... off. Something unsettling. Something atmospheric. Something just beyond the grasp.
"Something a little off at GOP gala."

Can't stop . . .
 "U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw's campaign was raising large sums of money and paying political consultants until just before he decided to retire after eight terms in Congress." "Crenshaw continued raising funds until retirement announcement."

Soto gets support
 "The Florida Senate Democratic Caucus endorsed their colleague Darren Soto for Congress Thursday. State Sen. Soto, D-Kissimmee, received the backing of 11 of his 13 fellow state Senate Democrats in his race for the party nomination in the 9th U.S. congressional district including including former Senate President Gwen Margolis, Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner and Minority Leader-elect Oscar Braynon." "Democratic state Senate caucus endorses Soto for Congress."

"He really is a member of the Angry Party"
 "He looked and sounded like someone who wanted to pick a fight. Maybe he does. He said his name is Carlos Beruff."
I suspect he is just using the Republican Party as a place holder because he really is a member of the Angry Party. His message seems to be that we should vote for him because we're all angry too. Anger is the fastest-growing political movement in the country, and Beruff sure speaks the language.

 Look at that face. Listen to that voice. Imagine a father waiting on the front porch two hours after his daughter was supposed to be home from a date — except this time the father wants to be a senator.
 His website describes him as "a businessman who is fed up with the status quo in Washington." He is a successful home builder and developer who has served on a few boards in Manatee County. He's a budget hawk, vowing to eliminate waste wherever he sees it — and he sees it a lot.
 But here's the punch line: Beruff says we need "to take the country back." I didn't know it had gone anywhere, but the candidate obviously believes it has taken the first handbasket south to Hades. Because of that, Beruff says we need to send him to the Senate because he'll straighten that whole thing out.
 Maybe Beruff's message resonates with enough Floridians to get elected, or maybe not. The bigger message leaders of both major parties better receive in a hurry is that the anger isn't going away. It's all about fighting back against a system fueled by big money from a knighted few. Everyone else feels excluded, and it doesn't matter whether you're liberal, conservative or a little of both.
"Say hello to the latest "outsider" candidate from the Angry Party." See also "Backroom Briefing: Carlos Beruff, Unplugged."

The best they could do?
 "Rick Scott pushes Donald Trump at national meeting."

"Talking about medical marijuana. OMG"
 Nancy Smith: "Las Vegas has changed, folks. I couldn't believe how much since I last visited. And I'm not talking about the glitzy hotels or the towering slot machines or the raving nightlife. I'm talking about changes you can see on the airport concourse two minutes after you deplane. I'm talking about medical marijuana. OMG." "Does Medical Marijuana Have a 'Visit Florida' Future? Check Out the New Las Vegas."

Florida Politicshttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-12354605912789532202016-04-20T09:34:00.003-04:002016-04-20T09:42:40.289-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

"'Jeb! An American Disappointment!"
 "'Jeb! An American Disappointment! Please Clap', the musical's full title, opens with a song called 'Jeb! Bush, Exclamation Point.'" "<a href="http://bit.ly/1qDjKL7">http://bit.ly/1qDjKL7."
 "'Jeb! The Musical' parody of 'Hamilton' mocks the Bush campaign, by The Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello: ''Jeb! The Musical' is available online for anyone's enjoyment, with two acts and 46 songs parodying both the failed presidential campaign of the former Florida governor and the musical about founding father Alexander Hamilton." "http://bit.ly/1qDjKL7."

Florida election gives rise to Twitter regulation dispute
 "A 2014 complaint filed by a [Florida] congressional write-in candidate who received fewer than 10 votes sparked a more than two year review of how much — if any — federal regulation should be placed on political speech through social media outlets like Twitter."
The issue split the Federal Election Commission, which in February deadlocked on a 3-3 vote before deciding to close the case. The commission needs a majority vote to take any action.
"Three Republican members of the commission said further regulation by the FEC over the messages would "hamper free communication." The panel's two Democrats and one independent member said greater transparency should be put in place."
The complaint was filed in January 2014 by Raymond Schamis, a write-in candidate from Delray Beach who was challenging West Palm Beach Democrat Lois Frankel in the 22nd Congressional District. In the complaint, Schamis said Frankel, Republican challenger Paul Spain and the Democratic and Republican national committees violated election law because Twitter accounts they used for their campaigns didn't include disclaimers saying who paid for the accounts and the individual tweets.
"Write-in candidate prompts FEC split over regulating Twitter messages."

Even the Miami Herald
 It's over: "Miami Herald Calls for Repeal of Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966."

Will Brown do Orlando?
 "Florida's redistricting saga continued Monday when a group of federal judges rejected a lawsuit to throw out the current congressional boundaries from U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville."

"Court Rejects Corrine Brown Lawsuit to Throw Out New Congressional Districts." Here's the <a href="26-page order".
 Brown has hinted that she might run in the newly created district in Orlando. We'll know soon enough.

"What's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State"
 Marc Caputo: "Medical marijuana refugees flee Florida – Beruff's Cuban confusion -- Ayotte to Foley: Thanks but no thanks."
 More: "The Beruff identity: Candidate's conflicting claims about his birthplace" and "Beruff releases third TV ad."

Tracking immigrants like "tracking livestock"
 "Congressional candidate Pat Mooney is drawing fire from a Republican rival for making an analogy between monitoring immigrants and tracking livestock with microchips." "Congressional candidate criticized for remarks about monitoring immigrants."

Florida Politicshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-12740136266175924812016-04-10T11:34:00.000-04:002016-04-16T11:19:10.895-04:00Today's political news and punditry.

 Wasserman Schultz, Sanders fight heating up
 Update: Nancy Smith: "Democratic National Committee Chairwoman DWS tries to block voters' access to Sanders by limiting primary presidential debates; Sanders lends his formula for fundraising success and campaign charisma to Tim Canova, DWS' CD 23 challenger." "For Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Payback's a Witch."

 Update 2: "Support for Tim Canova's congressional campaign is coming from the same frothing section of the populace that's pulling for Bernie Sanders. In March, two major unions — the Communication Workers of America and National Nurses United — both endorsed Canova after also throwing their support behind Sanders. (Nurses United has even been driving 'Bernie Buses' around, canvassing on foot for the frozen warlock of a presidential candidate.) Veterans for Bernie Sanders too has thrown its support behind Canova ... Today, Canova picked up yet another big endorsement, this time from the Transportation Workers United 538, which represents the 2,500 Miami International Airport employees." "Miami Airport Workers' Union Endorses Tim Canova."

 "If the Bernie Sanders movement is trying to take down the Democratic political establishment, there's probably no better place to start than Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee."
Even before Wasserman Schultz was accused of trying to rig the primary process for Hillary Clinton, her perch atop the party apparatus and failure to meet some liberal purity tests made her a target of some on the left.
"Now, Wasserman Schultz is facing her first real primary fight since she was elected to Congress from Florida in 2004. Her challenger is Tim Canova, a progressive law professor fueled by the Sanders movement."
 "It's a longshot, but Canova has some key actors from the Sanders coalition behind him."
 Wasserman Schultz has found herself on the wrong side the left on a range of fronts, from her alleged softness on the payday lending industry, to her opposition of medical marijuana, to her perceived reluctance to back President Obama's Iran deal, to her support for so-called fast-track trade authority opposed by critics of the Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal.
"The Bernie Sanders proxy war in Florida."

 "Actress Rosario Dawson spoke out against Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz Tuesday before introducing Bernie Sanders at a campaign rally in San Diego, California." "Rosario Dawson Bashes DNC's Wasserman Schultz at Sanders' Rally."
 DWS strikes back, claiming that "that Bernie Sanders' supporters tactics of getting the attention of superdelegates 'border on harassment and feel like stalking.'" "Wasserman Schultz: Sanders Supporters' Tactics 'Border On Harassment'"

"What's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State"
 Marc Caputo: "Patrick Murphy's SEVEN political committees – Tim Tebow for Congress? – Wasserman Schultz and Bernie Bros' 'borderline harassment." "Florida Playbook."

Just ask Marco
 Democratic Rep. Reggie Fullwood "from Jacksonville has been indicted on charges he used more than $65,000 in campaign contributions on personal expenses like liquor, jewelry, flowers and groceries, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Jacksonville announced Friday." "Florida lawmaker faces fraud charges over campaign cash."
 Little Marco skated on similar behavior: "New questions raised about Marco Rubio's GOP credit card expenses" ("Rubio made the most of the ample leeway and little oversight party leaders gave employees and lawmakers to spend the party's cash.")

Republicans court Tebow, liken' that homeschoolin'
 "Tim Tebow has a likable, wholesome image and hasn't ruled out running for political office one day. Now Republicans (who have courted him in the past) are hoping to have the home-schooler-turned-Heisman-winner run for Crenshaw's seat. Don't be surprised if Tebow doesn't do it. He's smart enough to know Congress isn't a place to accomplish much these days except be a politician, take bad votes, spend most of your time fundraising for your next election or plan to run for another seat. But if he's bitten by the political bug, watch out." "Tebow for Congress."

 More: "Tim Tebow eyed for open Florida House seat, 'a shoo-in'."

Orlando retread wants to go back to Congress
 "Former U.S. Rep. Ric Keller announced Thursday that he is seeking a return to Congress after 8 years. Keller, an Orlando attorney, told Fox 35 that he would be running in the 6th District for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Ponte Vedra Beach. DeSantis is running for U.S. Senate. . . . Keller also said he was "for the wall before it was cool" when asked about Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's call for a border wall with Mexico." "Former U.S. Rep. Ric Keller announces another run for Congress."

Garcia posts impressive fundraising numbers
 "Former Congressman Joe Garcia, challenging Annette Taddeo in the CD 26 Democratic primary, has posted impressive fundraising numbers, bringing his total more than $325,000 in just weeks." "Joe Garcia, Fighting for CD 26, Has His Foot on the Fundraising Gas."

"Murphy Replenishes Daddy's Cash Stash"
 "They are called joint fundraising agreements, and they allow committees and members of Congress to join forces to raise campaign cash. [Democratic U.S. Rep. Patrick] Murphy's campaign committee has agreements with seven different committees, two of which have transferred a total of $57,741 to his campaign, according to campaign finance records."
The biggest transfer to Murphy's official campaign from a joint fundraising committee has come from Justice 2016, which has given $51,490.

 That committee is affiliated with a handful of Democrats, including Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado, Jason Kader of Missouri, Ted Strickland of Ohio, and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, each of whom is running for Senate, and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, both of whom are members of the House running for Senate seats.
 Another joint fundraising committee Murphy has with Bennet, called Peaks and Palms Senate Victory, has transferred $6,250 to his campaign. The committee has raised $40,000 from six Illinois donors who work predominantly in the finance industry.
 Several other joint fundraising committees tied to Murphy's campaign have not yet been active, while some have raised money but not transferred it directly to his campaign.
 One of those joint fundraising committees, the Murphy Victory Fund, has its own fundraising agreement with the Democratic Executive Committee of Florida, which is the federal arm of the Florida Democratic Party.
 The Murphy Victory Fund has raised $76,600 and transferred $56,800 to the Democratic Executive Committee of Florida.
 "Joint fundraising committees are a long-standing way for campaigns to pool resources with other groups to ensure progressive candidates across Florida and the country are in the best possible position to win," said Joshua Karp, Murphy's communications director.
"Murphy's Senate bid boosted by network of fundraising agreements."

 "Privileged Patrick Murphy Replenishes Daddy's Cash Stash." See "Patrick Murphy Raises $2 Million in First Quarter."
 Amelia Chassé asks: "How does Murphy explain his professed 'disgust' with money in politics with his scramble for outside cash? Apparently by lashing out at reporters, as the Tampa Bay Times' Adam Smith found out in March."

Rubio fading into irrelevance
 "When he suspended his campaign, Marco Rubio said he wasn't running for president but urged local GOP officials to let him keep his delegates. ... The Florida senator's strategy is hitting some turbulence, NBC News has learned, because several state parties have determined Rubio does not get to hold onto all his delegates." "Lapsed Rubio Delegates Are Up for Grabs on Convention's First Ballot."

Florida Politicshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-66452143936405131342016-04-09T12:12:00.000-04:002016-04-09T12:23:30.492-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

"Latest chapter in a mushrooming scandal"
 "New details are emerging on the embattled Broward Health board's political ties to contractors and its involvement in doctors' contracts, as one former commissioner's constitutional power struggle with one-time ally Gov. Rick Scott spills into a Broward County courtroom Friday."
A judge is scheduled to hold a hearing on the governor's executive order last month to suspend two of his hand-picked Broward Health commissioners after Scott's inspector general alleged that the commissioners, David Di Pietro and Darryl Wright, were interfering with an ongoing state probe into a number of recently approved contracts.
" Di Pietro, a rising star in Broward County Republican circles and husband of County Judge Nina Weatherly Di Pietro, immediately challenged Scott's move, calling into question the governor's legal authority to remove him from board, which oversees five hospitals, three outpatient centers and three urgent care facilities."
This is just the latest chapter in a mushrooming scandal that has included the January suicide of the Broward Health CEO, questionable contracts and a deepening investigation by authorities that Di Pietro in the court filings said now includes the FBI.
"Court fight over Broward Health board highlights contracts, campaign cash."

Scott denies he's corrupt
 "Scott's political committee hits back after Starbucks confrontation."

Kansas, Georgia and Alabama get blessing to to make motor voter registration harder
 "The federal Election Assistance Commission was formed after the disputed 2000 election between George W. Bush and Al Gore and given an innocuous name and a seemingly inoffensive mission: to help state election officials make it easier to vote."
In this ideologically riven election season, it turns out, that is not easy at all.

 The election commission is in federal court this month, essentially accused of trying to suppress voter turnout in this November's election. The Justice Department, its nominal legal counsel, has declined to defend it. Its case instead is being pleaded by one of the nation's leading advocates of voting restrictions. The agency's chairman has disavowed its actions.
 "The quarrel exemplifies how the mere act of voting has become enmeshed in volatile partisan politics. Seventeen states will impose new voting restrictions for November's presidential election. Many are the object of disputes between those who say they are rooting out voter fraud and those who say the real goal is to keep Democratic-leaning voters from casting ballots."
The lawsuit's origin is straightforward. The agency's executive director, Brian D. Newby, had been in his job less than three months in January when he unilaterally reversed a policy that the body's commissioners, two Democrats and two Republicans, had endorsed since the agency's creation in 2002: that people registering to vote need offer no proof, beyond swearing an oath, that they are American citizens.

 That decision gave Kansas, Georgia and Alabama officials a blessing to alter the federal voter registration applications handed out in motor vehicle offices and many other state agencies, replacing the oath with something stiffer: a demand for proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
"The Voter Support Agency Accused of Suppressing Votes."

Hispanic voter registration drive in Florida
 "The nation's largest Hispanic civil rights organization has launched a major voter-registration drive in the battleground state of Florida to identify and sign up hundreds of thousands of potential Hispanic voters." "National Hispanic group launches voter registration drive in Florida."

Private pre-ks get another pass
 "For the second year in a row, the state will not be rating the 6,220 preschools collecting cash through Florida's Voluntary Prekindergarten program. And lawmakers have dictated that scores won't be calculated for next year either."
Ever since Florida lawmakers saw fit to invest millions to cover the cost of prekindergarten for the state's 4-year-olds more than a decade ago, they also required those schools, most of them private, to be rated based on how well their students were prepared once they got to kindergarten.

 But that rating system was derailed in the fall of 2014 by a new computer-based test.
 What was supposed to be a better way to gauge how much a kindergartner knew about letters, their sounds and how they combine to make words, proved to be an epic technological and logistical failure that unraveled on Facebook.
"Pre-K rating halted after 1 test failed, another too good to be true."

"What's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State"
 Marc Caputo: "Politics, posturing in Trump aide's prosecution – Grayson v. Beruff in border-wall money fight – Audit: FAMU broke state laws, school policies -- Scott signs Everglades law -- Carnival Cruise's Castro kowtow." "Florida Playbook."

Trump fires "warning shot" at Florida prosecutor
 "When Donald Trump suggests he could file battery charges against the reporter who accused his campaign manager of a crime, he isn't whining or simply threatening retaliation."
Trump is effectively firing a warning shot at the Florida prosecutor in the case against Corey Lewandowski, who was cited for misdemeanor battery last week by police for allegedly forcefully yanking reporter Michelle Fields away from the presidential candidate during a campaign event in Jupiter.
"Trump test-drives top aide's defense in battery case."

FlaDems convene circular firing squad
 "As Murphy attacked Grayson,"
Murphy was forced to defend himself against allegations of impropriety by the Senate Leadership Fund, a political action committee dedicated to maintaining Republican Senate control.

 The Senate Leadership Fund said in February that Murphy had pushed legislation to strengthen the federal EB-5 visa program used by developers to gain foreign investment and bring workers from other countries to the United States. It said the measure would benefit a company, Coastal Construction, owned by Murphy's father in which the congressman holds a large stake.
 That company, the Senate Leadership Fund said, is one of two main contractors on a mega-project called SkyRise Miami, whose developer, Jeffrey Berkowitz, is a major employer of EB-5 workers and wants to use them to help build his planned 1,000-foot-high tower overlooking Biscayne Bay.
 The bill died in the last session of Congress, but it remains an issue. Murphy denied that his support for the measure had anything to do with the family business.
"In race to replace Rubio, Democrats open fire in Florida."

Florida Politicshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-34745920920089236672016-04-03T14:20:00.000-04:002016-04-03T14:33:10.133-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

"What's wrong with the public-petition method of making law"
 Bill Cotterell: "If we don't adopt Amendment 1 on the November ballot, we won't be able to … uh, no, that's not it."
Well, the "Smart Solar" constitutional amendment assures we can put solar panels on our roofs and… umm, no, that's not it, either. We can already do that.
"OK, now I've got it – this is long-awaited constitutional affirmation that Florida is, truly, the 'Sunshine State.' Well, except that we always have been."
Actually, the proposal approved last week by the Florida Supreme Court simply illustrates what's wrong with the public-petition method of making law. It shows that, if you have enough money, you can put just about anything up for a statewide referendum – and, if you run a good campaign, you can carve your idea into the foundation of our government.
"Do-it-yourself amendments are not grassroots democracy."

"Florida's continuing attempt to restrict a woman's right to legal abortion"
 The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Florida Gov. Rick Scott loves to say we need less government regulation — and less government intrusion — in our lives. That is his mantra. Yet there he was recently, signing a bill into law that imposes dramatic new regulations over abortion clinics and likely will intrude on women's abilities to find a provider." "Anti-regulation governor regulates abortion."

"Lobbying firms are taking stock of their personnel rosters"
 Peter Schorsch: "With the 2016 Legislative Session in the rearview mirror, many top lobbying firms are taking stock of their personnel rosters to determine if it's time to upgrade their talent level." "Who's who of power players."

"Closed cases let state staffers get away with murder"
 The Miami Herald editors: "Families are left in the dark as to how imprisoned relatives died. Questionable autopsies and closed cases let state staffers get away with murder." "State still clams up on prison deaths."

"You can bank on it"
 The Tallahassee Democrat editors write that, "the more politicians insist they're doing something for us, not themselves, you can bank on it: They're looking out their own political preservation."
So it was that U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown brought three busloads of constituents late last month to hear arguments before a three-judge federal panel in Tallahassee's U.S. District Court, in her long-running challenge to keep her meandering congressional district. Since 1992, the Jacksonville Democrat has represented an oddly configured tract that runs through Gainesville to Orlando, with little catchments reaching out here and there to embrace pockets of black voters.

 Brown's attorneys argued against a redrawn congressional map, imposed by the Florida Supreme Court, which moves Congressional District 5 from its north-south axis to a horizontal configuration hugging the Georgia border from Jacksonville to Chattahoochee. It splits Leon and Jefferson Counties — more about that in a minute — and reduces the black voting-age population represented by Brown from about 50.1 percent, in her old turf, to about 46 percent in the east-west district.
 "Brown could probably get re-elected in either district, although the Jacksonville-Gainesville-Orlando one is safer for her. But the new map could result in four black Congress members from Florida, rather than the current three."
It would be easier to believe Brown is gallantly pursuing justice if the outcome she seeks were not so self-serving. Despite what she called "a perfect storm to get rid of Corrine Brown," the Legislature and the courts are not conspiring to stop having a minority-access district in North Florida.

 This paper opposed splitting Leon and Jefferson Counties between Brown's district and a new tract that bends from about Panama City to near Ocala. But, as they say around the Capitol, that train has left the station (by the way, isn't it about time somebody thought up a metaphor that doesn't make us think of Harry Truman?). The state Supreme Court chose the east-west configuration as more compliant with the 1965 Voting Rights Act and the state Constitution.
"Brown's arguments self-serving."

"Congressional races will be hot"
 "Congressional races will be hot this year."

"The Ivy League school quickly refused"
 Michael Mayo: "Gov. Rick Scott made Yale University an offer the Ivy League school quickly refused last week: Ditch more than 300 years of history and move to Florida."
On its face it seemed silly, a craven political stunt in response to Connecticut's possible taxation of the school's large endowment fund. And it appears a bad match since Yale has produced some of the world's top scientists, intellectuals and innovators and Scott refuses to acknowledge, or say the words, 'global warming' or 'climate change.'
"Mayo: No Yale in Florida, but how about Trump to Jupiter (the planet)?."

Florida Politicshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-44928160517408661202016-04-02T13:16:00.001-04:002016-04-02T13:16:15.875-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

"Bondi is 'a truly wonderful woman'"
 "Three years ago, Pam Bondi's office was looking into claims from Floridians who claimed the Trump Institute — a Florida affiliate of Donald Trump's now-infamous-and-shuttered 'Trump University' — had scammed them out of thousands of dollars."
Similar complaints in New York prompted its attorney general, Eric Schneiderman, to file a lawsuit, calling Trump's get-rich seminars a "bait and switch scheme."

 Yet in Florida, there was no action. So the Orlando Sentinel made an inquiry, and Bondi's office vowed to look into the matter in a story that ran on Sept. 14, 2013.
 Three days later, Trump's charitable foundation cut a check to a committee supporting Bondi's re-election campaign — for $25,000.
 Trump's campaign now says Bondi asked for the donation.
 It all stinks worse than week-old fish guts.
 There may be legitimate debate about whether Trump's program was a scam. (Trump says it's not — and that New York has "the dumbest attorney general in the United States" while Bondi is "a truly wonderful woman.")
"Trump's $25K to A.G. Bondi merits probe."

"Trump Poses a Conundrum for Putnam"
 Kevin Derby: "Donald Trump is presenting a major dilemma for Adam Putnam as he gears up to run for governor in 2018."
Unlike Rick Scott and Pam Bondi, Putnam is showing no signs of getting on the Trump bandwagon. In an interview with the Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald, Putnam said he would not endorse Trump unless he ends up as the Republican presidential nominee.
"Putnam has plenty of reasons to keep his distance from Trump but there is a major risk here. Trump routed his primary rivals in Florida last month, carrying every one of the Sunshine State's 67 counties save for Marco Rubio's Miami Dade home base. Whatever independents and Democrats think of Trump, he has a major following with Florida Republicans."
All of this could spell trouble for Putnam, especially if Trump supporters don't forgive him for backing their candidate the way Scott and Bondi did.
"Trump Poses a Conundrum for Putnam."

Florida officials show little inclination to accept the U.S. Supreme Court ruling
 "U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle wrote that he was compelled to grant summary judgment in a long-standing lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Florida's same-sex marriage ban because state officials have shown little inclination to accept the U.S. Supreme Court ruling and its implications." "After Florida officials' defiance, federal judge affirms gay marriage ban is unconstitutional." More: "Unlike other states, Florida hasn't seen national outcry over LGBT legislation."

Castor looks to have a clear path (again)
 "Mike Prendergast decided to opt out of a rematch with U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, Fla., choosing instead to run for a county office and leaving the Democratic congresswoman with a much clearer path to another term." "Kathy Castor's Re-election Path Clearer After Prendergast Withdraws."

Medical MJ
 "Just two years after a push for a constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana fell short --- and with another push for pharmacological pot on deck for this year's elections --- a survey indicates the idea might have enough support to get added to the state Constitution when voters head to the polls in November." "Backroom Briefing: A Better Shot for Pot?"

Yoho stands with freeloaders
 "Members of the Florida delegation split over the U.S. Supreme Court deadlocking over whether public employees who aren't union members can opt out of paying union fees" for representation services which unions are required to provide.
Members of the Florida delegation split over the U.S. Supreme Court deadlocking over whether public employees who aren't union members can opt out of paying union [representational] fees.

 "Today was a defeat for an individual's right to free speech and a victory for union intimidation," Yoho said. "I was under the impression that the federal government is supposed to protect our personal freedoms. In Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, the question at hand was, do teachers and government employees have to contribute money to cover the cost of collective bargaining, even if they do not agree with their union's political stance. The Supreme Court's deadlock today assures that they do.
"Florida Reps Split Over SCOTUS Ruling on Unions."
 Yoho is blithley unaware that the case (1) affects only public sector employees, and (2) does not require employees to contribute to "political stances," and (3) no one, even in non-right-to-work [sic] states is ever required to join a union.
 Yoho is also apparently unaware that, in Florida private sector employees who work for unionized employers are currently represented for free, and union employees are required to pay for the representation services of these non-members.
 What makes this particularly galling is that Florida is an "employment at will" state, meaning that Florida's private sector employees without contracts (who do not have contractual job protections) can be fired or lose benefits so long as the reasons therefore were not prohibited by statute. (E.g., based on race discrimination or whistleblowing.)
 For example, the Florida Supreme Court upheld the dismissal of a case where the private sector employee had sued for wrongful dismissal in the following circumstances:
DeMarco was an employee of Publix Super Markets, Inc., working as a laborer at one of their warehouses. His wife, accompanied by their two-year-old child, was shopping at a supermarket owned and operated by Publix when a glass container exploded, causing a piece of glass to enter the eye of the child. The child suffered permanent injuries as a result of the accident. The insurer, acting as an agent of Publix, offered the sum of $200 as full and complete settlement for the injuries sustained by the child. DeMarco rejected the offer and filed suit on behalf of his daughter against Publix and the manufacturer of the container. The vice president in charge of the Miami division of Publix notified DeMarco that he would be fired unless he withdrew the suit. DeMarco refused to withdraw the suit, and his employment was terminated.
DeMarco v. Publix Super Markets, Inc., 384 So. 2d 1253 (1980).
 Had Mr. DeMarco been working under a union contract with job protections, he could have filed a grievance and had his case heard by a neutral arbitrator. And, Mr. DeMarco's fellow workers who were union members would have had to pay to represent him for free. This is the current state of the law in "right-to-work" states, and what Mr. Yoho apparently would like to see for all employees.

Florida Politicshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-34727952042015576532016-03-25T19:24:00.000-04:002016-03-25T19:24:47.049-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

Scott Signs Anti-Choice Bill
 "Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed a sweeping abortion bill into law that attempts to limit funding for Planned Parenthood, bans the sale, purchase, donation or transfer of fetal remains obtained through an abortion and requires physicians to have admitting and transfer privileges." "Scott signs abortion bill." See also "Gov. Rick Scott signs abortion restrictions bill into law."

Seven Florida Counties Go GOP
 Nancy Smith: "Donald Trump apparently has done more than energize just the Republican base. He may be helping to nudge angry Democrats to the right, in Florida anyway. . . . The seven counties include Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Hardee, Holmes, Pinellas and Washington." "Republicans Rejoice: Seven Florida Counties Flip to GOP."

What's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State
 Marc Caputo: "Corrine's problems deepen – why'd Jeb back Ted? – Cuba differences emerge in Senate race – Scott dings Obama." "Florida Playbook."

Grayson-haters spinning on their heads
 It is no secret that the Tribune company uses its media holdings to spread its right wing agenda. The latest borders on comedy: "Grayson had investments with a number of companies that did business in Middle Eastern and African countries that Grayson visited in 2009 and 2010."
 They include telecom companies that operated in sub-Saharan Africa and Pakistan and oil companies involved in drilling and pipelines in Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Sudan.
"Grayson investments tied to official travel? He says no."

Hacking HMOs
 "Gov. Rick Scott signed into law Thursday a bill that carves dental services out from the list of mandated benefits that HMOs must provide the poor and directs an arm of the Legislature to study the effectiveness of the dental care the HMOs provide." "Scott signs dental carve-out bill into law, with a caveat."

Good luck whining about this, Marco
 "The Rolling Stones are in Havana for a free concert in the communist country where its music was once silenced." "Rolling Stones in Cuba for historic concert in Havana."

DOJ asks House Committee to defer Brown Investigation
 "The Department of Justice is investigating fraud-related allegations that have also netted Jacksonville Democrat Corrine Brown an ethics investigation in the House of Representatives, a rare combination that has in the past landed members of Congress behind bars."
The House Ethics Committee on Wednesday announced it was creating a subcommittee to investigate whether Brown, among other things, conspired to commit "fraudulent activities," improperly solicited charitable donations, or misused campaign contributions.

 In a release from the committee announcing the subcommittee had been created, DOJ's involvement was clear: "Department of Justice has asked the Committee to defer consideration of the matters in the investigative subcommittee's jurisdiction."
"Department of Justice request deepens worries for Corrine Brown."
 See also "Corrine Brown: 'I'm clean' of wrongdoing."

Weak GOP bench
 "In a survey conducted this month by the Saint Leo University Polling Institute, a whopping 65.1 percent of likely Republican voters said they don't know who they will vote for in their party's U.S. Senate primary. Likely voters on the Democratic side are only a bit more decisive, with 54.6 percent saying they're unsure."
Among GOP voters who have made up their minds, Congressman Ron DeSantis leads with 11.1 percent, followed by Congressman David Jolly with 10.1 percent. Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera checked in at 7.4 percent, businessman Todd Wilcox had 3.2 percent and Ilya Katz was at 2.1 percent. Home builder Carlos Beruff, who recently entered the race, wasn't included. . . . A few caveats: First, the sample size on each party's likely voter pool was relatively small. Saint Leo polled just 189 likely GOP voters and 216 likely Democratic voters.
"Backroom Briefing: Ron Who? (And David Who? And ... )."
 Meanwhile, "Lois Frankel: Patrick Murphy Can Help Flip the Senate."

Scott takes credit for merely Being There
 "Unemployment Rate Dips to 4.9 Percent." See also "ersonal income grew 5.2 percent in Florida in 2015, outpacing the national rate of 4.4 percent, but the state remained well behind the rest of the country in per capita personal income, ranking 28th at $44,101. - See more at: http://www.tbo.com/news/business/florida-outpaces-national-rate-for-personal-income-20160325/#sthash.UT58aPkX.dpuf."

FlaGOP in a dither
 "Already one of the leading Republican critics of businessman Donald Trump, U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., did not rule out voting for former U.S. Sec. of State Hillary Clinton over the GOP frontrunner in November." "Curbelo Won't Vote for Trump, Could Vote for Clinton."

FlaGOP living in the past
 "The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) threw its support behind a proposal from a Florida congresswoman ending the embargo on Cuba, drawing fire from another member of the Sunshine State's delegation." "Manufacturers, Mario Diaz-Balart Clash Over Cuba Embargo."
 Meanwhile, "Miami's Cuban-American business elite spent spring break in Havana."

Brown "fighting for her political life"
 "In a last-ditch effort to save her seat, attorneys for U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown on Friday made the case that her newly drawn congressional seat is unconstitutional because it will disenfranchise the pockets of black voters she currently represents." "Brown packs courtroom for federal redistricting hearing."
 See also "U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown fights Congressional redistricting in court."

Floriduh . . . voter registration snafu
 "Banned from voting in the March 15 presidential primaries? It gets worse. If you're one of those who insisted on submitting a provisional ballot, and it was tossed, your vote in one of 20 municipal elections got thrown out as well."
While hard numbers aren't expected to be posted until next week, it's possible the 2,000 provisional ballots that were disallowed affected closer votes in some of the local races.

 Florida has closed presidential primaries, so only people registered as either Republican or Democrat can vote in their party's race. Many a voter complained of being told at the poll that he or she was on the books as "no party affiliation" and so could not vote in the primaries, even if he or she was were sure of being in one of the parties.
 At that point, voters still could cast ballots in the booth for any municipal election.
 Some voters insisted the registry was wrong. They were given the option of submitting a "provisional ballot."
 But Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher has said that when the canvassing board got those ballots, its hands were tied. If the person wasn't registered Democratic or Republican, the ballot was tossed. All of it.
"Officials believe hundreds of would-be voters had been people who were asked, as federal law requires, whether they wanted to apply to vote or to update their voter information when they had gone to have their Florida driver's licenses renewed."
Originally it had been surmised that voters either, in haste, skipped the computer page listing party affiliation, or just presumed it defaulted to their longstanding affiliation, and the state, seeing no box checked, presumed that meant "no party."

 But on Friday, clerks at the tax collector's office at the Palm Beach County Governmental Center walked a Palm Beach Post reporter through the process. The steps taken suggested it wasn't possible for existing voters to have accidentally had their party status changed.
 If the person asks to update their driver license, perhaps to reflect a new address, they also may update their voter information, but never go to the page showing party affiliation. People wanting to do that are directed to go to the elections office.
 Someone who hasn't registered to vote can go through the process there and the system does indicate a party. That person is asked to confirm everything on the screen at the end, and gets a printout to take home as well.
 So the mystery of how those people ended up "NPA" becomes even murkier.
 [SOE] Bucher said this week there's evidence this problem is cropping up statewide. She said her counterpart in Tampa's Hillsborough County also encountered problems. And she said she's discovered that in some cases people mailed registration forms straight to Tallahassee, and clerks there keyed in the wrong party.
 One possibility is that people, whether inadvertently or otherwise, switched to NPA at some point, perhaps even years ago, but it never came into play because they voted in general elections; now some for the first time were casting ballots in presidential primaries.
"Was your presidential ballot tossed? Your local vote was too."

DWS challenger gets voter data
 "Florida Democratic Party reverses position, gives Wasserman Schultz challenger voter data."

FlaBaggers in action
 "The Tea Party Express endorsed U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., for a third term on Thursday." "Ted Yoho Endorsed by Tea Party Express."

Here comes Senator Scott
 "Scott [has] openly implored Obama to come to Florida. The catch: It was a backhanded invitation, a way of criticizing the president for not leaving his swing through Latin America (including a historic trip to Cuba) to return to the United States in the wake of a terrorist attack in Belgium."
Scott suggested that any speech Obama makes be concerned with how the administration plans to fight extremist groups like the Islamic State, which took responsibility for the deadly attacks in Brussels.
"The statement could be counted as just another example of Scott's boosterism for Florida, but criticizing the president on an international issue is unlikely to diminish speculation in Tallahassee that Scott will run for the U.S. Senate in 2018. By then, of course, the term-limited Obama will presumably be free to fly wherever he likes without Scott weighing in." "Scott Has Invitation for Obama."

Florida Politicshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-51935921375795862452016-03-19T13:06:00.002-04:002016-03-19T13:08:39.022-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

Bondi disses Jeb! . . . And then there's her Trump University problem
 Joe Henderson wonders "what Bondi was doing by endorsing Donald Trump when he campaigned here Monday."
We all know that in politics, ambitious people like Bondi do what they have to do to get ahead. By endorsing Trump, Bondi may have her eye on a high-level job in his administration if he is elected, or some other quid pro quo. Isn't that exactly why people hate politicians? They see them as lacking principles and conviction for anything except their next job.

 I just don't see how one minute you can praise Bush's "character of leadership" and then endorse the man who treated him like a foot wipe.
"Bondi's endorsement also brought up questions she probably thought were long buried."
In her first term as Florida's attorney general, allegations surfaced about potential fraud with Trump University. A lawsuit in New York alleged more than 5,000 people had been scammed out of an estimated $40 million on the false belief that lessons from The Donald would bring them wealth. There were similar complaints in Florida, but Bondi never investigated.

 As questions about the Trump venture began getting some traction here, a committee known as "Justice For All" backing Bondi received a $25,000 check from Trump's foundation. Probably just a coincidence.
 Trump is almost certainly going to be the GOP nominee for president. The people voting in his party have spoken loudly that he is the guy they want. So be it. Bondi went for Jeb Bush. She endorsed Jeb Bush. She said lots of nice things about Jeb Bush. . . .
 In politics, though, I guess you can change your bet after the horses leave the gate.
"Bondi's endorsement of Trump was slap in face to Jeb Bush."

DWS crosses her fingers
 Nancy Smith: "They say at least one-third of the nation's Republicans believe that Donald Trump can save America. Well, I don't know about all of America. But I do believe there's at least one American Trump could save if he emerges from Cleveland as the GOP presidential nominee -- Debbie Wasserman Schultz." "Debbie Wasserman Schultz ... Praying Donald Trump Will Save Her."

Grayson to spend weekend in surgery, having knives removed from his back
 "Patrick Murphy Unveils Endorsements of 46 Congressional Democrats."

Must-read briefing on what's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State
 Marc Caputo: "Trump's big FL win puts Rs 'in a bind' – Rubio close to Cruz endorsement – The many meals of Rep. Mica – Tampa decriminalizes marijuana -- State catches ton of pythons with 'snitch snakes'." "Florida Playbook."

Rubio's arrogance and sloth"
 Scott Maxwell "It's too early to write Rubio's political obituary. This country has seen politicians indicted, imprisoned and still re-elected. Rubio's crimes were more arrogance and sloth." "Marco Rubio: The anatomy of a campaign collapse."

Florida Republican Party looks in the mirror . . . doesn't like what it sees
 "Republican candidates across Florida are in a quandary over Donald Trump. . . . So many are just shutting up. At least for now." "GOP pols in a quandary over Trump's big Florida win."

Mr. empty suit goes to Washington
 "Marco Rubio Backs More Sanctions on Iran." More: "Out of race, Rubio returns to the Senate."

Heated GOP primary in Naples
 "Sen. Garrett Richter announced Friday he is backing Rep. Kathleen Passidomo in a heated GOP primary for a Naples state Senate seat. Passidomo is running in the primary against fellow Republican Rep. Matt Hudson. Both live in Collier County, and the race is considered a match between the city of Naples itself, where Passidomo lives, and the outlying areas, where Hudson hails from." "Richter backs Passidomo to succeed him."

Dirty underwear
 "A Tampa woman's federal lawsuit over an investigation that led to the resignation of former CIA director David Petraeus is collapsing after her lawyers asked a judge today to let them withdraw from the case."
 The lawyers cited irreconcilable differences, just weeks after the Justice Department declined a secret $4.35 million settlement proposal.

 Jill Kelley of Tampa, along with her husband, Scott, had sued the government in June 2013 in Washington, alleging that officials violated the U.S. Privacy Act by disclosing information about them during the FBI's investigation of Petraeus.
 The first signs that Sidley Austin LLP, a prominent corporate law firm, and Sands Anderson PC, which handled related parts of the lawsuit, intended to abandon the case were in a brief court docket entry directing Kelley by next week to hire new lawyers, object to hers quitting or advise the judge that she planned to represent herself going forward.
"Jill Kelley had complained to the FBI in 2012 when an unknown person sent her harassing emails. Her complaint triggered a criminal investigation that led agents to Paula Broadwell, Petraeus' biographer. "
Broadwell had been having an affair with him. Jill Kelley's name and some harassing emails were disclosed on Nov. 11, 2012, to reporters amid the sensational disclosures about Petraeus, a former Army general. Two days later, she was linked to Marine Gen. John R. Allen, then-commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
"Lawyers abandon Jill Kelley's federal lawsuit over Petraeus resignation."

Florida Politicshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-14347768.post-65366355380159577202016-03-17T09:35:00.000-04:002016-03-17T09:35:09.292-04:00Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.

Scott endorses Trump, calls for end of "Republican on Republican violence"
 "The day after Donald Trump's big win in the Florida Republican presidential primary - and after U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio suspended his campaign - Gov. Rick Scott called for an end to 'Republican on Republican violence' and called on his party to back Trump for the nomination."
"With his victories yesterday, I believe it is now time for Republicans to accept and respect the will of the voters and coalesce behind Donald Trump," Scott said on Facebook Wednesday morning.
"Gov. Rick Scott endorses Donald Trump."
 Nancy Smith: "Scott's Hypocrisy-Oozing Trump Endorsement."

Rubio Poodles
 After suffering a thoroughly humiliating defeat at the hands of Florida Republicans, Anthony Man joins the rest of the media poodles who want to make sure Rubio returns their phone calls the next time he runs for office. He writes: "Florida Republicans dumped a bucket of ice cold water on Marco Rubio's presidential ambitions, but they didn't extinguish his political future."
At 44, time is on his side. He has plenty of time for a political comeback — one that ultimately could put him in the White House — despite the devastating loss Tuesday at the hands of the Floridians who had propelled him ever higher in his political career.
"Marco Rubio has plenty of time for a political comeback."

Scott Poodle thinks Millennials don't understand (his) politics
 Not surprising to see that a Rick Scott supporter poodle thinks "young adults" have a "disheartening lack of civic understanding."
 "State higher education [appointed] officials on Wednesday afternoon debated whether public university students should be required to learn about U.S. history, government and politics, as some members lamented what they saw as a disheartening lack of civic understanding among young adults."
The day after Florida's presidential primary, Alan Levine, a member of the State University System board of governors, recited a series of statistics meant to demonstrate how little 18- to 34-year-old Americans know about their country's history and how its government functions.

 For example, Levine cited studies that found millennials like socialism and others that show they don't know what it means.
"State higher education officials on millennials' grasp of civics."

"Just when I thought I was out...they pull me back in"
 "Former Republican congressman David Rivera, who has survived separate federal and state criminal investigations, is trying yet again to get back into public office." "Scandal-plagued Rivera mounting legislative comeback."

What's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State
 Marc Caputo: "Turned out for what? The Trump Effect in the primary – Gov. Scott to GOP: back Trump for "unity" – SCANDAL MAN: David Rivera runs again -- Florida woman fights state to keep pet gator." "Florida Playbook."

Privatizing pollworker paychecks
 "Orange County issued more than $200,000 in worthless paychecks to 1,300 pollworkers who staffed election precincts Tuesday, a blunder Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles blamed on a processing error by ADP, the private company who manages the office's payroll duties." "Orange County issues worthless checks to pollworkers."

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