Thurday, Mar. 18
Suzanne Kosmas and the Undecideds
If you've watched any television lately, you've undoubtely caught some of the many political ads fighting for and against health care reform.
Some of those ads have specifically targeted New Smyrna Beach Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas.
Take a look at the front page of this morning's St. Petersburg Times ... A big prominent picture of Congresswoman Kosmas, under the headline "The Undecideds" ... She is one of about three dozen Democrats who still haven't said how they will vote when the House takes up the Health Care Reform Bill.
The article recounts how Kosmas recently had coffee with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and even was invited to the White House to talk about Health Care with President Obama. She still hasn't publicly declared how she will vote.
Kosmas was one of only two Florida Members of Congress to break with their party on the original House Health Care bill. She voted no, along with Allen Boyd from the panhandle, who is expected to vote no again.
There are several charts available listing the undecideds and other House members ... This one from the Washington Post ... Which shows campaign contributions from the Health Care industry, and percent of uninsured in individual districts.
The New York Times highlights the undecideds, with some political notes about them and their districts ... below them, the other members with declared or expected votes.
Kosmas has come under criticism from Health Care Reform critics for potentially trying to get the White House to help NASA and the Kennedy Space Center, theoretically in return for her vote.
Her concern appears to be cost-containment ... If she doesn't see it, she will likely vote no again. If she is satisfied with the new bill, why not try to get something for KSC. That could be a smart move.
Thurday, Mar. 18
Water (Levels) and Tea (Party)
First the water, and the water levels on the St. Johns River. We've been monitoring the water level gauges reported by the National Weather Service since the big rain a week ago, and it looks like things may be leveling off at Lake Harney.
The Lake Harney gauge, near the State Road 44 Bridge between Mims and Sanford, started showing the water rising almost a week ago, last Thursday afternoon ... And it was a slow but steady increase ... But it looks like it started to settle down yesterday afternoon ... Still, the water has risen almost two feet over the week.
Going downstream, not a lot of change on the west end of Lake Monroe, near the 17-92 bridge.
The gauge at the State Road 44 Bridge west of DeLand shows maybe an inch increase over the last day.
And we can see a slight bump in the graph at State Road 40 at Astor ... But again the increase is minor, maybe two inches.
Now let's boil some of that water and have tea.
As in Tea Party ... The officially registered political party with the state of Florida ... Says it will announce it's candidate to take on freshman Democratic Congressman Alan Grayson at 10 this morning.
This should be interesting. A lot of 'tea partiers' don't like the idea of an officially registered party, or apparently the people who registered it, and it all may play to Grayson's benefit.
If there is both a Republican candidate, and a Tea Party candidate on the ballot in November does the possibility of a split vote help Grayson?
We'll see.
Tuesday, Mar. 16
Governor in DC for the Race and Space
Governor Charlie Crist and a state delegation are in Washington DC this morning to make Florida's case for Federal Education Funds in the Race To The Top Competition between states.
Less than two weeks ago, Florida found it had made the cut in the first round of the Race To The Top Competition.
The Federal Department of Education has set aside over Four Billion dollars to awards states that make the case they will use the money in innovative ways to make major improvements in public education.
41 states applied, 16 made the first cut, including the Sunshine State.
The Governor along State Education Commissioner Eric Smith, and others including Hillsborough County Schools Superintendent Mary Ellen Elia, are in the Nation's Capitol Today for an in person presentation.
The Governor released a statement saying he is confident "our past and present progress in increasing student achievement and school accountability will present a very persuasive case for Florida's success."
After the Race To The Top presentation, the Governor has scheduled a "space meeting" with Florida's Congressional delegation. The delegation sent a letter to President Obama two weeks ago expressing their concern with the direction he has chosen for NASA.
The President himself plans to hold a 'space summit' in Florida Next month.
Tuesday, Mar. 16
The Sun Shines on Lake County
Lake County continues an experiment this morning, putting its county commission meeting on the internet.
The Lake County Commission holds its regular meeting starting at 9 this morning, but for those who can't make it to Tavares today, they can sit down at their computer and watch the meeting on the internet.
Lake is experimenting with U-stream, a commercial service to stream video, which does have the disadvantage that the company runs commericals, but, as I said, Lake is in the experimentation phase right now, and may try other methods.
You can also watch the previous meeting from March 4th.
Lake isn't alone ... Orange County, for instance, has carried its meetings for sometime on Orange TV, which is carried on channel 199 on Bright House Networks in Orange county, and you can watch Orange TV on the county website.
Seminole County also uses channel 199 in Seminole to carry its meetings, but you can also go to Seminole's website to watch previous meetings, which I particularly like, because it enables those of us who are interested to watch our public servants in action on our own timetable.
The State Legislature, with the Florida Channel, has pioneered public coverage, and on the House and Senate websites you can catch almost any committee meeting scheduled.
The committees are real time streaming, but the legislature does provide archived video of the full sessions of the House and the Senate.
It's fitting to note all this today, because we are in the middle of Sunshine Week in the state. Florida is known for its Government in the Sunshine laws, and this week has been set aside to celebrate the First Amendment rights of citizens.
Not all local governments do this yet, but here are links to the legislature and Central Florida Counties:
Orange County
Seminole County
Osceola County
Brevard County
Volusia County
Flagler County
Lake County
Sumter County
Marion County
Florida Senate
Florida House of Representatives
Monday, Mar. 15
The Rains Came, and the Waters Rose
The rains came to Central Florida last Thursday and Friday, and even thought the skies cleared over the weekend ... The water in the St. Johns River started rising Thursday, and is still going up.
The National Weather Service plots the river level at four points between Brevard County and Lake George, and the one showing the most movement is the farthest upstream, not surprisingly, located near the State Road 46 Bridge over the St. Johns, just north of Lake Harney, on the road between Mims and Sanford.
The graph plot shows the river has been steadily rising ... It actually started showing the upward change about 3 o'clock Thursday afternoon ... And is up about a foot and half since then.
The current level of 4-point-2 feet is well below the 8 foot flood stage level, and nobody expects last weeks rain to take it there, but it is interesting to watch and see how long it keeps rising.
If you go downstream to the next gauge, on the west end of Lake Monroe, near the 17-92 bridge over the river, again the river rise started Thursday, but it is minor here, as yet.
Up maybe 7 or 8 inches.
Next stop, the state road 44 bridge west of DeLand ... Not much going on here yet ... Maybe 4 inches or so increase since mid last week ...
And finally, the state road 40 bridge at Astor ... Hard pressed to see any change here over the last three days, but if you check the data, there was about a 3 inch rise Thursday.
Here’s the link to the Lake Harney Gauge ... You can jump back and forth from each one to the next one upstream or downstream, and check the detailed data, if you'd like.
We'll keep an eye on it.
Monday, Mar. 15
Dueling Press Releases
The Republican Primary for U.S. Senate may be more than five months off ... But the candidates are going back and forth at each other like it was next week.
Governor Charlie Crist and former House Speaker Marco Rubio are getting into a rhythm of sorts. Early on, Crist mostly ignored Rubio, but the Miami Republican has become the darling of the conservative right in the GOP, and the latest polling actually puts him ahead of the once considered invincible Governor.
The Crist campaign sent out five email press releases over the last three days, several of them 6 or 7 pages long, and referencing stories in Politico and the St. Petersburg Times calling into question Marco Rubio's conservative bona-fides.
The latest one was titled: Happy 2nd Anniversary to Speaker Rubio and his Carbon Tax! Again claiming that Rubio is trying "to re-invent his conservative credentials."
The Rubio campaign gave as good as it got. Citing the Associated Press as saying Crist's attacks go too far, and that the Governor is also guilty of 're-inventing," and finally claiming Crist's former campaign manager, chief of staff, and Crist appointed U.S. Senator George LeMieux disagrees with his patron on the stimulus.
And speaking of email press releases, we have to mention 8th District Congressman Alan Grayson's latest ... If you like Grayson, you'll love it ... If you don't like Grayson, it will probably outrage you ... If you just like political theater wherever it comes from, you'll probably laugh ...
Grayson takes on Sarah Palin's visit to Orlando Friday night, responding mockingly to what he says she said about him ... By referring to her 'folksy folksiness and her homespun homespunnery" ... And finishing by claiming scientists are studying her trip to Florida to learn more about " ... That elusive migratory speciies, the wild Alaskan dingbat."
Crist Campaign Press Release
Happy 2nd Anniversary To Speaker Rubio And His Carbon Tax!
TALLAHASSEE – The Charlie Crist for U.S. Senate campaign today released the below statement from Communications Director Andrea Saul on the two year anniversary of Speaker Rubio’s support for a carbon tax:
“As Speaker Rubio continues to try to re-invent his conservative credentials on the campaign trail, it’s important to take a look back at what his actual record reveals.
“Two years ago today, the Speaker came out in full support of a cap and trade program and a carbon tax.
“His rhetoric on the campaign trail paints quite a different picture on this issue. Unfortunately, this is another example of how Speaker Rubio cannot be trusted to tell voters the truth about his lengthy 8 year legislative record.”
FLASHBACK: Speaker Rubio Interviewed On WFSU’s Face To Face, 3/13/08
INTERVIEWER: What do you think the Legislature should do in terms of funding initiatives or in dealing with issues related to climate change during the session?
RUBIO: … Florida should do two things. First, Florida should position itself for what I believe is inevitable, and that is a federal cap and trade program. Florida should do everything it can to be an early complier so that it can access early compliance funds. And so that it can help influence what that cap and trade looks like at the federal level. And so I’m in favor of giving the Department of Environmental Protection a mandate that they go out and design a cap and trade or a carbon tax program.
THE REAL SPEAKER RUBIO FLIP FLOPS ON CAP AND TRADE
Speaker Rubio On Cap And Trade, Mandates And A Carbon Tax THEN
Rubio Backed A Bill Directing The Department of Environmental Protection To Create A Cap And Trade Plan. “In 2008, the Florida Legislature, with Rubio's backing as speaker, passed a bill directing the state Department of Environmental Protection to create such a [cap and trade] plan; the House voted unanimously in favor.” (Tampa Tribune, William March, “Crist takes aim at Rubio's bona fides as conservative,” 2/12/10)
Rubio: “I Am In Favor Of Giving The Department Of Environmental Protection A Mandate That They Go Out And Design A Cap And Trade Or A Carbon Tax Program.” Marco Rubio: “I’m in favor of giving the Department of Environmental Protection a mandate that they go out and design a cap and trade or a carbon tax program.” (Marco Rubio Face to Face Interview, http://www.wfsu.org/tfc/f2f-2007.html, 3/13/08)
Rubio: “On The Issue Of Energy, Global Warming … This Nation, And Ultimately The World, Is Headed Towards Emission Caps And Energy Diversification.” Marco Rubio: “Another opportunity before us is to serve as an international model for energy efficiency and independence. On the issue of energy, global warming, dependence on foreign sources of fuel, an capitalism have come together to create opportunities for us that were unimaginable just a few short years ago. Today Florida has the opportunity to pursue bold energy policies, not just because they are good for our environment, but because people can actually make money at doing it. This nation, and ultimately the world, is headed towards emission caps and energy diversification.” (Marco Rubio Speech before Florida House of Representatives, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z852N1MP0o, 3/27/07)
Rubio: “Florida Should Become The Silicon Valley Of [The Emission Caps and Energy Diversification] Industry.” Marco Rubio: “This nation, and ultimately the world, is headed towards emission caps and energy diversification. Those changes will require technological advances that make those measures cost effective. The demand toward such advances will create an industry to meet it—Florida should become the silicon valley of that industry.” (Marco Rubio Speech before Florida House of Representatives, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z852N1MP0o, 3/27/07)
In A Speech In The House Chamber In 2007, Rubio Said That Global Warming And Capitalism Had Created An Economic Opportunity For Florida. “In fact, in a speech in the House chamber in 2007, Rubio said that global warming and capitalism had created an economic opportunity for Florida and declared that ‘this nation — and ultimately the world — is headed towards emission caps.’” (Politico, David Catanese, “Rubio's Reinvention,” 3/12/10)
Rubio: “Florida Should Position Itself For What I Believe Is Inevitable And That Is A Federal Cap And Trade Program.” Marco Rubio: “Florida should position itself for what I believe is inevitable and that is a federal cap and trade program.” (Marco Rubio Face to Face Interview, http://www.wfsu.org/tfc/f2f-2007.html, 3/13/08)
Rubio Set The Stage For Cap-And-Trade To Happen. “‘That's a bit disingenuous,’ said Jay Liles of the Florida Wildlife Federation, who lobbied for the bill along with Karnas and other environmental activists. ‘For Rubio to say that all along he knew it wouldn't really come to pass is illogical. He set the stage for [cap-and-trade] to happen.’” (Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard, “Marco Rubio accused of switching stance on global warming,” 12/11/09)
Under Rubio’s Leadership, Progressive Energy Legislation Passed The House. “‘Rubio is a total flip-flopper,’ said Gerald Karnas, Florida director of the Environmental Defense Fund. ‘Under his leadership, progressive energy legislation passed the House.’” (Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard, “Marco Rubio accused of switching stance on global warming,” 12/11/09)
Rubio Was Supportive Of Legislation Passed To Move Forward On Cap-And-Trade Policy. “‘The legislation was passed to move forward on cap-and-trade policy, and certainly Marco Rubio didn't stand in the way of that legislation passing, and my understanding was that he was supportive of the process,’ said John Reilly, the MIT expert.” (Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard, “Marco Rubio accused of switching stance on global warming,” 12/11/09)
Under Rubio’s Leadership, The Florida House Unanimously Passed HB 7135 That Would Pursue A Program, Such As Cap And Trade. “The legislature finds it is in the best interest of the state to document, to the greatest extent practicable, greenhouse gas emissions and to pursue a market-based emissions abatement program, such as cap and trade, to address greenhouse gas emissions reductions.” (HB 7135, http://laws.flrules.org/files/Ch_2008-227.pdf, page 142, lines 3933-3937)
Marco Rubio, As Speaker Of The Florida House Of Representatives, Voted In Favor Of And Passed HB 7135 Out Of His House. (HB 7135, http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/floorvote.aspx?VoteId=9068&BillId=39607 &)
The Natural Resources Defense Council Recalls Rubio Touting Need To Cut Carbon Emissions. “Natural Resources Defense Council lobbyist Susan Glickman recalls sitting in Rubio’s office during the start of the 2008 legislative session, where she says he spoke eloquently about clean technologies that would help cut emissions. ‘He talked about the need to cap carbon emissions. I was very impressed with him, with his open-mindedness, his forward thinking,’ said Glickman.” (Politico, David Catanese, “Rubio's Reinvention,” 3/12/10)
Candidate Rubio On Cap And Trade And Mandates NOW
“Rubio Now Assails Cap-And-Trade Plan.” Miami Herald Headline: “Rubio now assails cap-and-trade plan, though he earlier backed legislation” (Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard, “Rubio now assails cap-and-trade plan, though he earlier backed legislation,” 12/11/09)
Rubio Now Questions Whether Global Warming Is Man-Made. “As the leader of the Florida House in 2008, Rubio presided over a unanimous vote in favor of directing the state Department of Environmental Protection to develop ground rules for companies to limit their carbon emissions. Now he's questioning whether global warming is man-made.” (Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard, “Rubio now assails cap-and-trade plan, though he earlier backed legislation,” 12/11/09)
Rubio Bashes Crist For The Very Legislation He Voted For. “He bashes Crist for pushing a cap-and-trade program to lower greenhouse emissions, but Rubio voted for the bill that specifically declared that the Legislature wants the state to pursue market-based strategies such as cap-and-trade.” (St. Petersburg Times, Adam C. Smith and Alex Leary, “Rubio Rhetoric, Record Diverge,” 11/8/09)
Rubio Now Says, “America’s Energy Problems Are Based On Technology Advances, Not Government Mandates.” Marco Rubio: “America’s energy problems are based on technology advances, not government mandates.” (Marco Rubio Face to Face Interview, http://www.wfsu.org/tfc/f2f-2007.html, 11/20/09)
Rubio Now States, “The Truth Is That The Solution To America’s Goal Of Energy Independence Doesn’t Lie In Government Mandates.” Marco Rubio: “The truth is that the solution to America’s goal of energy independence doesn’t lie in government mandates.”(Marco Rubio on The Burnie Thompson Show, 1/14/10)
Rubio Now Claims He Stopped A Cap And Trade System. Marco Rubio: “Yeah, he tried to implement a cap and trade system here and Florida. And in fact the legislature, we had to act, we had to actually pass a statue that took the power out of the Governor’s hands and gave it to the legislature otherwise his executive orders would have become law and you could potentially have a cap and trade system here in Florida.” (Marco Rubio on The Burnie Thompson Show, 1/14/10)
Speaker Rubio Flip Flops On Cap And Trade
“Rubio Now Assails Cap-And-Trade Plan, Though He Earlier Backed Legislation.” Miami Herald Headline: “Rubio now assails cap-and-trade plan, though he earlier backed legislation” (Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard, “Rubio now assails cap-and-trade plan, though he earlier backed legislation,” 12/11/09)
“Rubio On Cap And Trade, Then And Now.” St. Petersburg Times Headline: “Rubio on cap and trade, then and now” (St. Petersburg Times’ Buzz Blog, Beth Reinhard, “Rubio on cap and trade, then and now,” 12/11/09)
“Rubio Is A Total Flip-Flopper.” "Rubio is a total flip-flopper," said Gerald Karnas, Florida director of the Environmental Defense Fund. "Under his leadership, progressive energy legislation passed the House." (Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard, “Rubio now assails cap-and-trade plan, though he earlier backed legislation,” 12/11/09)
Rubio Presided Over A Vote In Favor Of Directing DEP To Develop Rules For Companies To Develop Their Carbon Emissions, And Now He’s Questioning Whether Global Warming Is Man-Made.” “As the leader of the Florida House in 2008, Rubio presided over a unanimous vote in favor of directing the state Department of Environmental Protection to develop ground rules for companies to limit their carbon emissions. Now he's questioning whether global warming is man-made.” (Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard, “Rubio now assails cap-and-trade plan, though he earlier backed legislation,” 12/11/09)
Rubio Rails Against “Cap-And-Trade” Though He Voted For A Bill Requiring State Official To Devise Such A Plan. “Against the backdrop of the climate change summit in Denmark this week, U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio is hammering rival Charlie Crist's ‘cap-and-trade scheme’ -- though Rubio voted for a bill backed by the governor requiring state officials to devise such a plan.” (Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard, “Marco Rubio accused of switching stance on global warming,” 12/11/09)
Rubio Attacks Crist For Supporting Energy Legislation, But Rubio Backed Creation Of A State Cap-And-Trade Plan. “Rubio repeatedly has blasted Crist for supporting action against climate change, in particular, for backing a cap-and-trade plan to cut carbon emissions, but in 2008 Rubio backed creation of a state cap-and-trade plan.” (Tampa Tribune, William March, “Crist takes aim at Rubio's bona fides as conservative,” 2/12/10)
On The Trail Rubio Shreds Crist On Cap And Trade, But He Supported A Bill That Would Give The Department Of Environmental Protection The Authority To Create A Program To Rein In Greenhouse Emissions. “On the trail, Rubio has shredded Crist for signing an executive order mandating a cap-and-trade regime. But he also supported a bill that would give the state Department of Environmental Protection the authority to create a program to rein in greenhouse emissions, with the caveat of requiring legislative approval.” (Politico, David Catanese, “Rubio's Reinvention,” 3/12/10)
“Rubio's Recent Cap-And-Trade Rhetoric A ‘Total Reversal’ From His Position As House Speaker.” “Rubio notes the bill placed legislative controls on the governor's environmental agenda, but Jerry Karnas of the Environmental Defense Fund called Rubio's recent cap-and-trade rhetoric a "total reversal" from his position as House speaker.” (St. Petersburg Times, Adam C. Smith and Alex Leary, “Rubio Rhetoric, Record Diverge,” 11/8/09)
Rubio Is “Posturing” On Cap-And-Trade. “‘He seemed much more moderate, more forward-thinking,’ agreed Susan Glickman of the Natural Resources Defense Council. ‘There's definitely some posturing going on now.’” (St. Petersburg Times, Adam C. Smith and Alex Leary, “Rubio Rhetoric, Record Diverge,” 11/8/09)
Rubio’s Claim He Stopped Cap-And-Trade Called “Disingenuous.” “‘It has worked out as it was designed to work out, which was to stop a cap-and-trade system in Florida,’ Rubio said Thursday in a telephone interview. ‘That's a bit disingenuous,’ said Jay Liles of the Florida Wildlife Federation, who lobbied for the bill along with Karnas and other environmental activists.” (Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard, “Marco Rubio accused of switching stance on global warming,” 12/11/09)
The Natural Resources Defense Council Calls Rubio’s Cap And Trade Change “Hypocritical Posturing.” “‘What we’re seeing now is hypocritical posturing,’ said [Natural Resources Defense Council lobbyist Susan] Glickman.” (Politico, David Catanese, “Rubio's Reinvention,” 3/12/10)
Rubio’s Claim He Stopped A Crist Executive Order Deemed “Not True.” “Rubio maintained Thursday that the legislation had the effect of neutering Crist's executive orders. ‘We took the power out of his hands and put it into the hands of the Legislature,’ he said. ‘If we passed no legislation, his executive orders would have become law.’ That's not true, said Mike Sole, Crist's appointed secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. ‘An executive order would not have been able to implement a cap-and-trade system on its own. We needed the legislative authority,’ Sole said.” (Miami Herald, Beth Reinhard, “Marco Rubio accused of switching stance on global warming,” 12/11/09)
Speaker Rubio Calls Out Flip Floppers Like Himself On Cap And Trade
Rubio Questions The Validity of Candidates For Cap and Trade When Popular And Against It When Unpopular. Marco Rubio: “The person that I’m voting for, would they be for cap and trade? Would they be for health reform the way Obama wants it if it was popular. We understand it’s unpopular so that’s why you’re against it, but if it were popular, would you be for it? Would you be for it? And if you believe someone would be for it when it’s popular and only against it when it’s unpopular, watch out!” (Marco Rubio Speech, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-MikC8INj8&feature=related, 9/09)
###
Rubio Campaign Press Release
LEMIEUX: CRIST WAS WRONG ON STIMULUS
Miami, FL – Governor Charlie Crist’s former campaign manager, chief of staff and hand-picked U.S. Senator George LeMieux became the latest Republican to acknowledge Crist was wrong to endorse, campaign for and support Barack Obama’s failed stimulus package.
“Like his former boss, Gov. Charlie Crist, Sen. George LeMieux faces an awkward dance when discussing the federal stimulus. LeMieux says, as a senator, he would not have voted for the plan that passed…” (St. Petersburg Times, 3/14/10)
This position puts LeMieux directly at odds with Crist, who despite once claiming he never endorsed "the darn thing,” has, in fact, said he would have voted for the failed $787 billion stimulus had he been in the Senate last year. (Orlando Sentinel, 5/19/09)
“Charlie Crist’s support for the wasteful and failed stimulus is so far outside the Republican mainstream that even his hand-picked senator doesn’t agree with him,” said Rubio for Senate spokesman Alex Burgos. “When it comes to creating jobs at a time of record unemployment in Florida, Charlie Crist’s and Barack Obama’s stimulus promises have proven to be as realistic as a ‘cheese factory on the moon.’
“Try as he may to distract voters from today’s important issues, Charlie Crist can’t run from his record of supporting the Obama agenda of failed stimulus spending, soaring deficits and higher debt.”
FLASHBACK: ORLANDO SENTINEL: Crist: I’d Have Voted For Stimulus Bill (5/19/09)
Gov. Charlie Crist, now a U.S. Senate candidate, said Tuesday he would have made the “pragmatic” decision to vote for the $787 billion federal stimulus bill, differentiating himself from fellow-Republican opponent Marco Rubio and the man he is trying to replace — Mel Martinez.
Speaking to a politically mixed crowd in Daytona Beach, Crist emphasized his support for the bill as practical and pragmatic, though it would have meant crossing party lines. Only three Republican senators backed the stimulus bill, and Martinez wasn’t one of them.
Grayson Campaign Press Release
On Friday night, Sarah Palin came to Orlando, and attacked Rep. Alan Grayson. This is what she said:
"I got to meet quite a few candidates who are lining up in a contested primary who want to take out Alan Grayson. And I think Alan Grayson -- what can you say about Alan Grayson? Piper is with me tonight, so I won't say anything about Alan Grayson that can't be said around children. [Good one, Sarah!] But thank you, Florida, for allowing candidates in a contested primary to duke it out over ideas and principles and values, all with the same goal, and that is unseating those who have such a disconnect from the people of America. That's what the goal is here in this race against Alan Grayson. Please fight hard, and do this for the rest of the country. Fight hard, and send a conservative to Washington, DC."
Palin, the former half-term Governor, current-nothing and future-even-less, charmed the all-Republican audience with her folksy folksiness and her homespun homespunnery. Atypically, Palin was wearing clothes that she had paid for herself. At the end of the event, she shared her recipe for mooseface pie.
In response to Palin's attack on Rep Grayson, Grayson actually complimented Palin. Grayson praised Palin for having a hand large enough to fit Grayson's entire name on it. He thanked Palin for alleviating the growing shortage of platitudes in Central Florida. Grayson added that Palin deserved credit for getting through the entire hour-long program without quitting. Grayson also said that Palin really had mastered Palin's imitation of Tina Fey imitating Palin. Grayson observed that Palin is the most-intelligent leader that the Republican Party has produced since George W. Bush.
When asked to comment about what effect Palin's criticism might have, Grayson pointed out, "As the Knave's horse says in Alice in Wonderland, 'dogs will believe anything.'" Earlier, as the Orlando Sentinel reported, Grayson said, "I'm sure Palin knows all about politics in Central Florida, since from her porch she can see Winter Park," which is part of Grayson's district.
Grayson said that the Alaskan chillbilly was welcome to return to Central Florida anytime, as long as she brings lots of money with her, and spends it. "I look forward to an honest debate with Governor Palin on the issues, in the unlikely event that she ever learns anything about them," Grayson added, alluding to Politifact's "liar, liar, pants on fire" evaluation of much of what Palin has said .
Scientists are studying Sarah Palin's travel between Alaska and Florida carefully. They hope to learn more about the flight patterns of that elusive migratory species, the wild Alaskan dingbat.
Friday, Mar. 12
The Republicans Are Coming!
The Republicans are coming! Coming to Central Florida.
One who was President, and one who would be, at least according to some of the pundits.
Former President George W. Bush, and former First Lady Laura Bush are both appearing and speaking at Southeastern University in Lakeland this afternoon.
They're taking part in the university's 4th Annual National Leadership Forum.
The University says they believe it is the first time a President or former President has appeared on a campus affiliated with the Assemblies of God, which they say is part of the largest Pentacostal denomination in the world.
Then tonight, in Orlando, former Republican vice-presidential candidate, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will be the featured speaker at the Orange County Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner.
We will be covering both events, but we won't be able to bring you any of the speeches.
In both cases, for whatever reasons, news cameras are banned during the events.
But as we said, we will have reporters there, and we will have reports on what we can later today.
Friday, Mar. 12
Foreclosure Map and Health Care
It's Friday, and as promised, we’re going to try to answer some of the questions you have emailed.
We got an email from Delilah, saying"You recently showed a map of foreclosures and how to gain access to it. I can't seem to find it on your site. Can you please tell me how?"
The map was put together by Orange County Property Appraiser Bill Donegan. I asked him if they picked pink for their houses on purpose, and he disavowed any pop culture connections, but I like to think someone in his office offered the 'little pink houses' as a nod to singer/songwriter John Mellencamp.
At any rate, the here’s the link to the Property Appraiser's website … you can also go down the page to check our previous posts to find some of the things we’ve talked about over the past couple of weeks or so.
If you don’t find what you’re looking for, or have further questions, don't hesitate to email me, at feedback@cfnews13.com.
One more email ... Great question ... But I don't know if I really have an answer.
Archie in Brevard County wrote: "with the President pushing so hard, exactly how will passing the health care bill help the economy in Florida?"
Well ... Great question ... But it also illustrates part of the problem the White House has in promoting the health care bill ... It's complicated, and I know of no simple 'bumper sticker' answer.
Let me point you to the White House's own talking points that we got yesterday morning ... An email linked to this website, which provides some short downloads of what they say the bill will do.
Not a direct answer, I know, but if any or you know of another source, again, let me know ... feedback@cfnews13.com... We'll pass it on.
Thursday, Mar. 11
It's Campaign Time Again
If you're thinking that President Obama's renewed push for the health care reform bill seems like a political campaign ... You're right.
When I came into work this morning, I had an email from my good friend David Plouffe ... Now I really don't know the man ... I've never met him ...
But I do remember the last big job he had ... Campaign manager for Barack Obama in 2008 ... And he's apparently pretty good at that job, since Obama got elected president.
He took some time off to do some other things, but the White House recently brought him back on board ... And from the looks of the e-mail, we are on a first name basis ... He calls me Scott ...
And he says: " ... starting today, we're launching an unprecedented week-long campaign sprint -- our "Final March for Reform." "
Yes, it is a campaign, and the White House is using the internet to reach supporters as it so effectively did during that 2008 presidential campaign ...
The President was even out on the 'campaign trail' yesterday, in St. Charles, Missouri. Here’s part of what he had to say:
"The insurance industry isn't starting over. They just announced a 39% rate increase in California and a rate increase of up to 60% right acrosss the border in my home state of Illinois 60% in one year. That's the future. That's the future if we fail to act."
Sounds like a campaign speech, eh?
Anyway, the email from Plouffe provides links to 'talking points' if you will that you can download and pass on to your friends.
Of course, there's always the other side to any political campaign, and opponents of health care reform are cranking up, too ...
CNN reports the U.S. Chamber of Commerce plans to spend as much as 10 million dollars in anti-health care reform ads.
Wednesday, Mar. 10
Where Are The Flying Cars?
Central Floridians may be focused on plans for new trains and changes to I-4 over the next five to ten years … but the State Department of Transportation is also looking ahead 50 years …
That’s right, 50 years in the future, working on the 2060 Florida Transportation Plan … they’re calling it Horizon 2060.
You can take part in that planning, sitting in front of your computer this afternoon.
FDOT is holding a ‘webinar’ from 2 to 3 this afternoon, to outline the concept of the 2060 FTP, and elicit participation from citizens.
The state says this is the first time they’re looking beyond twenty years for transportation planning. They’ve put together a little brochure that’s available on the web … and yes, it looks like the state department of transportation wants to move beyond just building roads.
We’ve got pictures here of a bus, a boat, a plane and trains … there is a more familiar sight for most of us on the other page … but try as I might, I couldn’t find any Jetson’s flying cars.
On their main website, they’ve got information on this afternoon’s webinar, how to sign up, or if you want, you can go to one of the DOT’s offices to take part.
We are in District 5 of the Florida Department of Transportation, and there are two places you can go … one in DeLand, one in Orlando.
Oh, the cycling pictures on the main Horizon 2060 website also show bicycles, and a rocket launch pad at the Cape, so maybe they are working on the Jetson’s flying cars.
Tuesday, Mar. 9
Update on County Commission Vote on Rybolt Park
The Orange County Commission Tuesday night voted 6 to 1 against approval of the Rybolt Park project.
Tuesday, Mar. 9
County Commission Vote on Rybolt Park
Something rather unusual in the annals of local government is expected to happen today in Orange County. The County Commission appears to be poised to tell the developer of a major project ... NO.
Rybolt Park, by all accounts, is a well-thought out, meticulously planned development, encompassing over a thousand acres in East Orange County, to the east of, but not far from, the University of Central Florida, and its Research Park.
In fact, on the Rybolt Park website, there is emphasis on what they call 'smart growth,' and they claim to set a new standard, leading, the website says to "a higher threshold for responsible land use, water conservation, transportation solutions and innovative planning" for future development.
That may well be true, but other factors are working against them.
First and foremost, perhaps, a longstanding Orange County opposition to development east of the Econ River. Rybolt Park is just east of the river, and the plans call for a new bridge, opening up, opponents say, more development possibilities.
And then there is the political climate. The economy has put thousands of homes on the market, and depressed prices, and already approved developments have not yet cranked up ... Plus three members of the Orange County Commission are running for Mayor, which puts the spotlight on their votes, perhaps more than ordinarily.
At least four commissioners ... The three running for mayor, plus the current mayor, have indicated they will vote no. So that could be that ... For now.
Never underestimate the 'growth is good, growth is necessary' ethic in Florida.
While Orange County appears to be taking a measured look at new construction, the Lake County Commission just next door recently voted to suspend transportation impact fees to encourage builders to build, which would presumably add to the inventory of homes on the market.
Monday, Mar. 8
Orange County Election Day
Tuesday is Election Day in a half-dozen municipalities in Orange County.
For some of those voters, it will be a simple ballot. For others -- not so much.
Orlando will be the simplest. In fact, 80 percent of Orlando voters won't see a ballot at all.
The only race is for City Council District 3. Incumbent Robert Stuart is being challenged by Larry Spade. Only citizens who live in District 3 can vote. The district runs along the northern boundaries of the city, and includes Rosemont, College Park, the area from Lake Ivanhoe to Lake Sue, Audubon Park and Baldwin Park.
Maitland also has just one council race with an incumbent being challenged. All Maitland citizens can vote in this one.
Apopka has two city commission races that are citywide.
But in Ocoee, with the District 1 and District 3 races on the ballot, you have to live in the district to vote in the particular race. However, all Ocoee residents can vote on the eight charter amendments.
There are 14 charter amendments in Edgewood, so be prepared before you go to cast your ballot.
And finally Winter Park, which has a nice mixture of two city commission races, with citywide voting in both races, and a dozen charter amendments, including Amendment 10, which looks to be one of the bigger fights of the day. If approved, it would take four votes on the city commission, with just five commissioners, to change the city's land use plan.
Monday, Mar. 8
SB 6, RTTT, & FEA
A number of Florida School Teachers are holding a rally in Tallahassee today to protest Senate Bill 6, a sweeping education reform bill that proponents say will help Florida in the Federal Race To The Top competition.
The bill covers a number of changes, including requiring half a teacher’s paycheck be linked to student performance.
The head of the Florida Education Association, a teachers union, will be at the protest.
SB 6 is scheduled for a committee hearing Wednesday, but as of this morning, there was no staff analysis available on the Senate Web site to help explain what it does. The full text of the bill is there.
We’ll have a report later today on News 13, on the teacher rally and reaction.
Monday, Mar. 8
FREDS 2000, Ten Years After
Friday morning, we talked about a workshop being held by State Senator Mike Haridopolos on Reapportionment, and how two proposed constitutional amendments by Fair Districts dot org might affect redrawing district lines for Congress and the Legislature.
They say they will have a new computer program, but Friday they were working with FREDS 2000 … the program they used ten years ago. I got a copy of it several years back from the state for twenty dollars.
It was an exercise, and it did show the difficulties of drawing districts.
The Senate Committee on Reapportionment had a meeting earlier in the week on the same issue, and the meeting packet illustrates some of the exercise.
Senator Haridopolos says the state will provide the computer program free to citizens in the future. We’ll let you know when we get details on that.
Monday, Mar. 8
Two Trains and Some Sugar
Orlando City Council is holding a workshop this morning on Central Florida’s two new trains ... The SunRail Commuter Rail line that will run right through downtown Orlando ... And the High Speed Rail to Tampa that won't.
District 5 Department of Transportation Secretary Noranne Downs is scheduled to brief Commissioners on timetables ... And likely take a question or two about connecting the two rail lines ... That's become a big issue, and the decision is likely up to the state department of transportation.
That lack of connectivity caught the attention of The Economist ... or at least one of the weekly magazine's blogs.
Under the headline"Common Sense, Please" ... The blogger notes, quoting: "Requiring people to catch a cab or rent a car to transfer between two newly built train systems is madness. Avoiding these sorts of problems is what planning is for."
Incidentally, the Economist blogger provides two links ... One to anther blog called The Infrastructurist, where he apparently picked up the story ... And the second link is the news story ... From our own website, cfnews13.com.
And finally, if you have been aware of Governor Charlie Crist's proposal to buy land from U.S. Sugar to try to save the Everglades, but like many of us, haven't been sure of its twists and turns ...
You can catch up with a front page story in this morning's New York Times.
It's in depth, two full pages inside.
Friday, Mar. 5
How To Pick Your Voters
State Senator Mike Haridopolos is holding a work session in Tallahassee this morning on redistricting. That’s the process, every ten years, or redrawing all the congressional and legislative districts in the state, to make sure they all have roughly the same amount of voters in each.
But it’s much more than that.
Right after the 2000 Census, the Legislature used a program called FREDS 2000 to draw the new lines. It contained all the data about population, race, and party registration down almost to precinct level. So lawmakers could move lines around, and know how many Republicans, for instance, would be in the new District.
That’s what critics mean when they say lawmakers pick their own voters.
This time around, Senator Haridopolos promises the software will be posted on the internet, and anybody who wants to will be able to work up their own plan.
There is a fly in the ointment for lawmakers, though. Two constitutional amendments on this November’s ballot, aimed at restricting how they can draw those lines.
Lawmakers are arguing the proposed amendments won’t work, and that’s part of the workshop this morning … to see if anybody can draw districts that comply. Journalists and the general public are invited to attend.
It is in the Capitol in Tallahassee, but you can watch it. It will be streamed live on the Senate website.
Thursday, Mar. 4
Class Size Amendment Amendment
The state legislature’s push to scale back on Florida’s Class Size Amendment got approval from its final committee in the Senate this morning.
It’s now ready for floor votes in both House and Senate.
The proposal would let school districts continue to calculate maximum class sizes at the school level, and not the individual classroom level that is supposed to take effect this fall according to the Constitutional Amendment passed by voters.
But not everybody is on board.
The vote this morning was 15 to 8 … since it’s a proposed constitutional amendment, it needs a three-fifths vote in both the House and Senate to get on the ballot.
Sponsor Senator Don Gaetz says it will be a heavy lift … and then in November, 60 percent of Florida voters will have to say yes, or it fails.
You can check who voted yes, and who voted no, on the bill pages on the state legislature website.
The Senate Bill is SJR 2.
The House bill is HJR 7039.
Thursday, Mar. 4
Political Intrigue, and Bullet Train Plans
Some visuals worth to go with your morning coffee ... Make your own judgment about what each of them means.
The first comes from Politico, one of those Washington, DC, publications that focuses on politics and government.
A new article touts the discovery of what's said to be a Republican National Committee Powerpoint Presentation on fundraising.
Quoting Politico, "an aggressive campaign capitalizing on "fear" of President Barack Obama and a promise to "save the country from trending toward socialism."
And here's the visual, from the RNC PowerPoint, according to Politico ... we've seen the President Obama as the joker before ... But they've also got Nancy Pelosi as Cruella de Ville, and Harry Reid as Scooby Doo.
Ain't politics wonderful?
Item 2 ... From the High Speed Rail Association that Janelle Jordan has been reporting about this morning ... Their gathering today and tomorrow in Orlando.
On their website they have their vision of the future of Bullet Trains in America ... And you can walk through it ... What might be in place in 2015 (including the first leg or legs of Florida's High Speed rail) ... Then you can step to 2020, 2025, and 2030, where they hope to have a full system like this in operation across the country.
Interesting ... We'll see.
Thursday, Mar. 4
Race To The Top
Florida will find out today whether it made the first cut for billions of dollars of Federal money for Education.
Some 40 states applied for Race To The Top funds ... Education Secretary Arne Duncan is scheduled to announce the finalists this afternoon.
Duncan is easily the most powerful Secretary of Education this country has every had. And the reason is simple. He has money to send to the states. Lots of money. And it's money that won't be going out on locked in formulas like population or number of students.
The Race To The Top program is a competition ... With a prize of over Four Billion dollars. The states have submitted applications saying how they will improve their education system, and they are being judged on it.
You can check out all the applications on the DOE website ... But you might not want to read through them all.
Let's just take Florida's ... 329 pages.
One of the things Florida did was ask each of its 67 county school districts to submit Memoranda of Understanding on how they would use the money if they got some of it. All but a handful of counties got in ... With one major exception here in Central Florida.
If you look at the county rundowns in the Florida application, Seminole County is missing. When I asked some of the Seminole people about that several weeks ago, one of the things I was told was that there was concern about Federal control.
But Seminole may still be in. The County has been working with the state to see if they can still submit their applicatiion.
That will be academic if Florida doesn't make the cut today, but speculation reported in national media puts Florida in good position to make the cut. The Sunshine state has requested over a Billion dollars, which sounds like a big part of the total pot, but there may not be that many states in the final pick come April.
Secretary Duncan told Congress yesterday a lot of states are going to be disappointed.
We'll find out this afternoon if Florida makes the first cut. Duncan will make the announcement on a conference call at 2:30.
-- Scott Harris