Florida House Democrats Say: Don't Refuse Federal Economic Recovery Funds for Unemployed Families

From the House Dems:

Florida House Democrats today urged House Speaker Larry Cretul and other House Republicans to take immediate action to ensure that Florida doesn’t reject more than $1 billion in federal stimulus aid for out-of-work Floridians.

With the unemployment rate at 9.7 percent, Florida is under extreme economic duress due to the slowdown of the real estate market and the global economic recession. In the midst of this crisis, Florida’s unemployment trust fund is being drained.

Concerned about the thousands of hard working, middle-class Florida families who will suffer due to unexpected job loss, House Democrats are urging immediate legislative approval of two major actions before the end of the 2009 lawmaking session. Democrats are seeking:

· Approval of legislation that would allow the state to use $777 million in federal Recovery Act money for the rest of the year for an estimated 250,000 people whose benefits would otherwise expire.

· Passage of legislation that would implement the Unemployment Compensation Modernization Incentive program that would provide an additional $444 million for unemployed Floridians. This program would offer benefits to individuals who lose their jobs for certain family circumstances, such as the relocation of a spouse, family illness, or domestic violence.

Measures that would implement these changes have been authored by state senators and have been subject to modest review in the Florida House of Representatives. The House should take immediate steps to pass these bills, including CS/SB 810, CS SB 516, and House Bill 1333 by Representative J.G. Rader (D-Delray Beach).

Florida House Democrats appreciate concerns that have been raised about potential future-year expenses associated with adoption of these changes. However, Florida House Democrats have repeatedly noted that the economic recovery dollars that have been provided by Congress and approved by President Barack Obama are urgently needed to help Florida’s economy recover and for families to be able to avoid crushing financial crises due to unemployment during this recession.

Additionally, U.S. Department of Labor officials have again confirmed in a recent correspondence with Representative Kelly Skidmore (D-Boca Raton) that “there is no requirement that the state return any money it if later repeals the provisions” of the Unemployment Compensation Modernization Incentive program.

Representative Skidmore offered these remarks:

“Florida’s unemployed and hard-working families should not be denied their full and fair share of economic recovery funds. The Legislature should not penalize people who have lost their jobs due to no fault of their own. These dollars will make a real difference to people who are hungry and need rent money. This money can keep a roof over someone’s head and stimulate Florida’s economy.”

Yomin Postelnik at Broward Republican Party

Yomin is a bit crazy.



"Republican policies work every single time."

From the Blogs

The latest stories from the Florida blogs...

FLA Politics (Tally): The Sansom Defense

Progress Florida (Jon Bleyer): Editorial cartoon of the week: Republican ethics

Progress Florida (Ray Seaman): A Government of the Wealthy

Clean Up City of St. Augustine, Florida: Thank you, Governor Crist, I

Clean Up City of St. Augustine, Florida: Proctor to seek veto override

Pushing Rope: Ray Sansom Troubles Continues

Pensacola Beach Blog: Charity Begins at Home - Ray Sansom's Home, That Is

Progressive Pensacola: Sansom brothers beg for money

Dean Cannon's Credibility Challenged

State Representative Dean Cannon’s claim that he did not have a credit card belonging to the Republican Party of Florida is being questioned by his Democratic opponent, Amy Mercado. Court records recently disclosed that indicted former Republican House Speaker Ray Sansom racked up nearly $200,000 in expenses on a Republican Party credit card, including a trip to Europe, expensive meals and hotels around the country and electronic equipment.

In response to press inquiries, Rep. Dean Cannon claimed that he did not have a Republican Party credit card. However, in a recent interview with his hometown paper, The Northwest Florida Daily News, Rep. Sansom stated that other Republican House leaders, including Dean Cannon, were issued credit cards from the Republican Party of Florida. Sansom said his spending was “not out of line” from other Party leaders. “I was right in order with anyone with a credit card,” Sansom stated, “That’s how we conduct business to be successful.”

“Dean Cannon has a credibility problem after misleading voters by signing and then breaking a no-tax pledge,” Mercado stated. “Unfortunately, Ray Sansom, who is under indictment for perjury, may be more believable on this issue than Dean Cannon.”

Mercado has issued a public challenge to Rep. Cannon to give the voters a complete and honest answer as to whether he has ever possessed or used a credit card on which the charges were paid by the Republican Party of Florida. “The public deserves to know whether Cannon had such a credit card and whether his charges were similar to Sansom’s,” Mercado said.

Amy Mercado is the first serious challenger Cannon has faced since he was elected to the Florida House in 2004. Mercado was active in the campaign of President Obama who received over 56% of the vote in Cannon’s legislative district in 2008. “People are tired of what has been going on in state government and I offer a chance to make a change,” Mercado stated.

House Democratic Leader Statement Regarding Special Investigator Findings

From the House Dems:

Florida House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands (D-Weston) issued the following statement in response to today’s announcement that Stephen Kahn, a special investigator for the Florida House of Representatives, has found probable cause to believe that Representative Ray Sansom, a Destin Republican, violated the House Code of Conduct.

“I am saddened by House Special Investigator Stephen Kahn’s findings that Representative Ray Sansom, a Destin Republican, may have abused his public office and violated ethics guidelines. Along with other legislators and many Florida citizens, I am eager to learn more about the findings of the various authorities who are officially investigating the representative’s alleged misconduct.

“As such, I look forward to reviewing any findings and recommendations of the House Select Committee on Standards of Official Conduct that has been appointed to review allegations concerning Representative Sansom.

“As elected officials, it is of the utmost importance that we conduct ourselves in a manner that not only meets that which is required by law but exceeds the public’s highest expectations.”

Representative Kelly Skidmore Urges Governor To Sign SB 462

From the House Dems:

Dear Governor Crist:

Florida is facing a prescription drug abuse epidemic. According to the Florida Office of Drug Control, the rate of deaths caused by prescription drugs in Florida is three times higher than the rate of deaths caused by all illicit drugs combined. In fact, nine Floridians die every day due to prescription drug overdoses.

Senate Bill 462, sponsored by Senator Mike Fasano, Representative Marcelo Llorente, Representative Kurt Kelly and myself, authorizes the creation of a prescription drug monitoring system in the Florida Department of Health to track the dispensing of these controlled substances. Such a system is an essential tool to help physicians and law enforcement personnel stop the abuse, misuse, and illegal sale of prescription drugs using high level data security to protect the privacy of our citizens. Florida’s lack of a monitoring system has made our state a target for criminals looking to buy prescription drugs easily and sell them illegally here and elsewhere. Unfortunately, to many people around the country, Florida has become known as the nation’s “pill mill.”

I strongly urge you to sign SB 462 into law and help end the prescription drug abuse epidemic that is killing so many of our citizens and devastating countless Florida families.

All the best,
Kelly Skidmore
State Representative, District 90

Budget Cuts Blamed For Broward Teacher Layoffs

From the House Dems:

Florida House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands (D-Weston) issued the following statement in response to layoff notices being received this week by approximately 400 Broward County School District teachers:

“No one should be confused. There is only one simple reason why 400 teachers are losing their jobs in Broward County -- Republican legislative leaders have refused to adequately fund public schools,” said Leader Sands. “At the same time that Republican leaders eagerly cut taxes that only millionaires, special interests and large corporations paid, they also callously reduced the state’s contribution to schools.

“It is outrageous that Republican legislative leaders are praising themselves for increasing per-student state education funding by a scant $28 over last year,” said Sands. “If they think that’s such a big achievement, they are delirious. All that the Legislature has done is raise state education funding to the level that it was in Fiscal Year 2006-07—or nearly three years ago.

“These decisions undoubtedly will have a severe impact on the future of our state,” he added. “By failing to adequately fund public schools, we are guaranteeing that our state will fail to develop a well-qualified, well-educated workforce for the new economy of the 21st Century.

“Instead of paying for the state’s public school system, Republicans have attempted to dismantle it with vouchers that send children to religious schools and forcing school boards to increase local taxes to make ends meet.”

From the Blogs

The latest stories from the Florida blogs...

Why Now?: Local Politics

Why Now?: Yeessssssssssssssss!!!

Blast Off!: Today's Daily Schadenfreude: Ray Sansom

Re/Creating Tampa: SansomWatch - The Perjury Edition

Pensacola Beach Blog: Grand Jury Indicts Sansom for Perjury, Odom for 'Official Misconduct'

Video from the Session

Dan Gelber:



Shorter version: We aren't done with the session until we do the people's business -- the budget.

Dave Murzin:



Shorter version: People hate taxes but love government services.

Jim Waldman:



Shorter version: At least we stopped the Republicans craziest stuff.

Carlos Lopez-Cantera:



Shorter version: I got mine.

Dave Aronberg:



Shorter version: The lack of money made everything tougher.

Ron Saunders:



Shorter version: The stimulus money saved us on education, Republicans refused open government.

Paula Dockery:



Shorter version: I hate saying I "killed" the CSX proposal, but I killed the CSX proposal.

Lee Constantine:



Shorter version: The bad economy killed the CSX proposal.

From the Blogs

The latest stories from the Florida blogs...

Florida Progressive Coalition (Susan S): Why Kevin Ambler Should Not Be Elected to the FL Senate in 2010

Pushing Rope: Write A Caption: Ray Sansom Booking Photo

Clean Up City of St. Augustine, Florida: Republicans, Led By Other-directed Rep. WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, Are Badly Confused About "Free Market" -- Insurance Is Exempt from Federal Antitrust Laws

Clean Up City of St. Augustine, Florida: Right-Wing Corporativist Group Lauds Representative WILLIAM L. PROCTOR On Insurance Bill

Clean Up City of St. Augustine, Florida: Miami Herald: Ex-Republican House Speaker Ray Sansom Indicted for Felonies

Clean Up City of St. Augustine, Florida: Sansom answers questions

Pushing Rope: PR Outsourcing Nightmare

Florida Progressive Coalition: Garcia vs. Rivera

What's Going On: Legislative Round-up

The Spencerian: A Horrible Legislative Session Part II: "Spicy"

The Spencerian: A Horrible Legislative Session: Elections

Rick Kriseman: In the last days of Florida’s legislative session, it’s ‘Government Gone Wild’

madfloridian: Texas oil execs in Florida to push 3 mile offshore drilling. Ain't it amazing?

FLA Politics (dantilson): Florida Republicans hold legislature hostage

Blast Off!: Republicans actively oppose education ... AGAIN

Progressive Pensacola: Double dipping loophole closed

Can't Keep Quiet: FL lawmakers marginally increase school funding

Pushing Rope: Steve Wise's Idea of Reform

Natch Greyes: And Check...The Florida Senate Makes A Move

Pushing Rope: Other Bloggers On Faith In Teaching

Florida Netroots: Legislative Update and other news

Eye on Miami (Gimleteye): Republicans in Florida Legislature: dumber than dirt

Progress Florida (Ray Seaman): Lending An Ear To Our Legislators

Natch Greyes: Florida's Inability to Seperate Church & State

Ybor City Stogie: Florida Republicans Turn Down Stimulus Money For Unemployment

Pushing Rope: Offshore Drilling Dead

Florida Netroots: Legislative Update and other news

Pushing Rope: Faith In Teaching is A Paper Nonprofit

Natch Greyes: Florida's Legislative Debacle Continues

Eye on Miami (Youbetcha): The State Legislature: By the Numbers

Avery Voice: Government in the Sunshine it's NOT!

Progressive Pensacola: Our Crazy Legislature, Week 8

Gelber's Latest Legislative Updates

The latest news and views from State Senator Dan Gelber on Florida's legislative session, coming from tonight's conference call.

The call started out discussing the potential budget deal. Others will probably touch on that a lot, so I'll focus on the other top issues that Gelber discussed.

Other than the budget, one of the top laws up for debate right now is the property insurance bill that would allow Citizens, the state-run insurer of more than one million Floridians to raise rates for policyholders. The Senate has proposed moderate increases, but Gelber said that it is likely the final bill will contain increases in the range of 10-15%. As usual, Governor Charlie Crist is coy about the bill and his support or opposition to it.

Much less important is what Gelber calls the "license plate wars." As most readers know, Florida has an endless variety of specialty license plates for automobiles, the proceeds of which go to designated organizations. Two plates have come up this session that have explicitly Christian messages -- one with a cross, the other with a massive picture of Jesus. Gelber points out -- as is consistent with my understanding of the First Amendment -- that these plates would violate the federal establishment clause. Gelber adds that they would likely violate the state version as well. Similar plates in other states have been ruled unconstitutional and the same thing would likely happen here. Gelber thinks these two plates will eventually be left out of the final Senate bill, but he says the hours wasted debating these bills are silly when Florida is facing such serious issues. There is also some serious question as to where the money from these plates goes and who is behind the push for them.

Gelber said the card check bill, designed to kill the power of the national Employee Free Choice Act, has passed the House and is headed to the Senate. Florida is already one of the worst states in the union in terms of how we treat unions/workers, and this bill would attempt to keep Florida that way, regardless of what Congress does. Such a thing would likely be unconstitutional under the supremacy clause, but why test it. The current proposal would make it a constitutional amendment that would have to go before the voters, 60% of whom would have to approve. Gelber thinks that the misleading wording of the proposal would likely get the 60%, since it makes voters think they are protecting the secret ballot in all elections. The secret ballot is already protected, of course -- including in union elections -- and the EFCA wouldn't change this at all, but that doesn't stop Republicans from lying about it.

Unemployment modernization is another hot topic in the legislature right now. Under the stimulus plan, Florida is eligible for $450 million to modernize the system for citizens applying for unemployment benefits. Almost every other state has already done this modernization. Florida hasn't and is still working with the system put in place (including the technology) from the 1940s. This old-fashioned setup lessens the ability of people to get into the system. Republicans have effectively rejected this money, despite the fact that Florida needs it probably more than any other state because of our antiquated system and our extremely high unemployment rate.

Gelber tried to get at least $150 million of the unemployment modernization money by limiting the scope, since he knew the overall money wasn't going to be approved, but his proposal was rejected on a voice vote, almost certainly along party lines. Governor Crist says he'd like to have the money, but Gelber says Crist isn't doing anything to get the money. Big business lobbyists oppose the bill, despite the fact that it would benefit them by covering their payments to the unemployment compensation trust fund for a year. Gelber has been pushing for this for years, but the Republicans are stopping it.

Now that the end of the legislative session is near, Gelber says the last-minute vote-trading will begin. Logrolling will begin and we're entering a dangerous time, when bad bills and amendments could sneak through. Gelber suggested two such issues could revolve around oil drilling and the voter suppression bill, both of which were thought to be dead at this point.

The voter bill was pulled out of its last senate committee, so it could, theoretically, be brought to the floor, rather than dying in committee. Most experts think this bill would be overturned as unconstitutional, but that's a bit much to leave up to chance. People concerned about the voting bill should contact the Senate president, who may drop the bill if he's pressured enough.

It's possible, Gelber thinks, that the proposal to allow offshore drilling within three miles of Florida's coast could be trade bait as well. This proposal came up late in the session with a huge financial push. We really should look into finding out who is behind the proposal, something sofar unknown. Who is behind the push and what is their real agenda?

Gelber noted that, in all likelihood, the governor wasn't going to get involved in any of the hard decisions the legislature has to make this session.

State Senator Alex Villalobos is looking, once again, to pass his bill making witnesses before the legislature testify under oath, making lying while under oath a second or third degree felony. Gelber supports the bill and thinks it will pass the Senate, but that, once again, the House will kill it.

Gelber also noted that the education waiver for stimulus funds was finally submitted and he thinks we're likely to get it, particularly with the close relationship between Crist and Barack Obama.

How Does The House Republican Budget Deal With Swine Flu?

From the House Dems:

Amid fears that the world may be entering a global pandemic of swine flu, Florida House Republican leaders are standing behind a proposed state budget that would hinder Florida’s ability to fight public health threats.

Swine flu, which has caused numerous recent deaths in Mexico, normally affects only pigs. Twenty cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the United States. No cases have yet been identified in Florida. However, state and county health departments in Florida have announced that they have boosted surveillance for the virus.

Despite the government’s reaction to this public health emergency, Florida House Republicans are defending a proposed state budget that would cut the salaries of state employees, including public health workers who would be at the front lines of fighting a pandemic.

More than 12,000 Floridians work in county health departments throughout Florida’s 67 counties. They include physicians, nurses, pharmacists, immunologists and other experts.

“The current outbreak of swine flu is a reminder of the important work of public health nurses, doctors and other caregivers who should be applauded for their vigilance in protecting Floridians from serious illnesses,” said House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands. “During the current economic crisis, House Republicans are acting carelessly in threatening pay cuts and job losses for hard-working public health employees.”

Swine flu has many of the same symptoms as the regular flu virus and can be mild, but people may want to seek treatment by a physician if they experience trouble breathing, dizziness or severe vomiting.

For more information about the swine flu, visit the Web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

Key House Republicans Join Democrats In Vote Against Big Oil

From the House Dems:

The House Democratic Office reminds observers of the vote today of House Rules & Calendar Council Chairman Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican, as well as deputy whips James C. Frische, a St. Petersburg Republican, and Ed Hooper.

These House Republicans today joined a majority of House Democrats in opposing House Bill 1219, a Big Oil victory that reverses a ban on drilling in Florida waters.

In addition to these roll call votes, four other House Republicans voted “no” later in the day after missing the roll call. Those Republicans are: Representatives Thomas Anderson (R-Dunedin), Gary Aubuchon (R-Cape Coral), Peter Nehr (R-Tarpon Springs), Julio Robaina (R-Miami), and Ron Schultz (R-Homosassa).

Interesting Contrast

From the Orlando Sentinel:

Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, sent us this message this weekend: "As President (Jeff) Atwater and Speaker (Larry) Cretul indicated, talks aren't over. Folks are continuing to run numbers this weekend and I anticipate that they'll continue talking on Monday.

"Right now all the discussions are at the presiding officer level, and I know they are both doing their best to come to a resolution."

From the indictment of Ray Sansom:

"Further, Your Grand Jurors find that the appropriation process that gives unbridled discretion to the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Appropriation Chairman needs to be changed. This State should be guided in openness and transparency. The procedure currently in place requires that our elected Legislators vote on a final budget that they have no knowledge about because it is finalized in a meeting between only two legislators. This process allows taxpayers money to be budgeted for special purposes by those few legislators who happen to be in a position of power."

...

"Further, far too much power is given to The Legislative Leadership on these budget issues which led to this appropriation that was voted on basically hidden in a huge budget. Regular members has no idea that they voted to build an aircraft hanger for a college that owned no aircraft and funded a building on land that the State does not own. Your Grand Jurors recommend to The Legislature that it clean up this process and that the State of Florida become an example to the Nation as a State that works for the people and not the special interest of those who have money to influence The Legislature."

Good to see that Cannon, Cretul and Atwater have learned from the mistakes Sansom made.

(h/t FDP)

Republicans In Trouble

The Miami Herald catches on to the fact that the Republicans in Tallahassee have no idea what they are doing and that it could hurt them electorally.

Republicans Crafted a A Bad Elections Bill That Would Stifle Voting

From the House Dems:

Florida House Democrats say:

· The Legislature should make it easier for citizens to vote instead of stifling citizen activism and participation in elections.
· Shame on Republican legislators for trying to suppress the vote with a self-serving rewrite of elections law that failed to stand up under scrutiny!
· Embarrassed by the exposure of their self-serving power grab, Republicans now must accept a severe neutering of House Bill 7149 (formerly known as PCB EDCA 09-08).

Read what news organizations have written about the Republican voter-suppression legislation:

· Orlando Sentinel, April 23, 2009
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-editorial-voting-assault-042309,0,4626719.story
“The Republican majority has sucker-punched Floridians with a last-minute plan that would throw new obstacles in the path of citizens registering to vote, casting their ballots and amending the state constitution.”

· Ocala Star-Banner, April 22, 2009
http://www.ocala.com/article/20090422/OPINION/904221001/1008/OPINION?Title=-65279-65279-Embarrassed-on-elections-again
“The thinking behind this bill is inexplicable.”

· The New York Times, April 18, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/opinion/19sun2.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=elections,%20florida&st=Search
“Florida legislators should not need a court to tell them not to interfere with the right to vote.”

· St. Petersburg Times, April 19, 2009
http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/article993149.ece
“Republican legislative leaders have lost all sense of shame with their 11th-hour bill to roll back voting rights in Florida.”

· The Miami Herald, April 21, 2009
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/1009469.html
“The sweeping rewrite of Florida's election laws by the Republican majority last week is a flagrant example of power politics at its worst. Here we have legislation authored in secrecy and haste, which has been bereft of meaningful public input or comment.”

· SUN Newspapers (Southwest Florida), April 24, 2009
http://www.sunnewspapers.net/articles/edStory.aspx?articleID=436162
“There is every reason to increase Florida’s efforts to extend the voting process and make it as accessible to as many people as possible.”

· The Gainesville Sun, April 23, 2009
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090423/OPINION01/904231015/1076/OPINION?Title=Editorial-A-bad-election-bill
“This legislation is shadowy and shameful.”

· Daytona Beach News-Journal, April 22, 2009
http://www.newsjournalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Opinion/Editorials/opnOPN40042109.htm
“This legislation is especially puzzling because Florida, after a long history of troubled elections, had seemed to finally get it right. There were very few problems with the 2008 election -- and neither House nor Senate version of the legislation would solve 2008's biggest problem: Long lines at early-voting stations around the state, which forced many voters to wait for hours to cast their ballot.”

· (Sarasota) Herald Tribune, April 21, 2009
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090421/OPINION/904211031/2198/OPINION?Title=Why-rush-to-change-election-laws-Legislature-should-shelve-a-troubling-costly-bill
“Why? How did such relatively low-priority legislation manage to squeeze itself into a session that is already hard-pressed for time to grapple with such essential issues as tax reform and renewable energy policy? What is driving the ill-advised election measure?”

Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid

(Again several sources on this one, including Bill Nelson's office and the House Dems).

Map of oil platforms off the rest of the Gulf Coast and a preview of what would come to Florida if the drilling bill passed. The bill would allow drilling inside the green line.

Oil Drilling is a National Security Issue

From the House Dems and Emerald Coast magazine:

For those following today’s debate in the Florida House of Representatives on HB 1219, please see the recent Emerald Coast Magazine article about how drilling could adversely affect the military mission in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Our concern over oil/gas activity is related to the possible damage to oil/gas platforms associated with permanent production activity,” Arnold said. Moreover, the additional boat and helicopter support activity would require safe passage, and the radio emissions from the oil and gas platforms could interfere with military missions.” --- Bob Arnold, chief of Eglin Air Force Base’s Mission Enhancement Committee.

Rep. Van Zant Is Batshit Crazy

Got this one from a couple of sources...

Republican Charlie Van Zant wants drilling off our coasts really, really badly. So much so, he's willing to say crazy things to get it. Among the gems he put forth today:

-God created the oil and will create more once we pump what is there
-If we don't drill, the China, Argentina, and Cuba will so they can fund terrorists
-Drilling will provide more money to Florida than tourism

And to think, Van Zant isn't even the craziest Republican in our legislature.

Update: The Orlando Sentinel reports on this story and leaves out the first and third points, as if they aren't newsworthy. What liberal media?

Dan Gelber on the Legislative Session

State Senator Dan Gelber says the 2009 legislative session is in absolute meltdown and it's unlikely that the Republicans in Tallahassee will be able to accomplish the only requirement of the annual session -- passing the budget.

After the downfall of corrupt Republican House leader Ray Sansom, Gelber said that the Republicans have no reliable leadership and that they don't really know what they are doing in terms of this year's session. At a time when Florida faces deep challenges, the majority party lacks the capacity to do much to meet those needs and it's likely the session will end next week with no budget deal in place.

Floridians are facing an economic crisis that is deeper than the national crisis -- and likely to last quite a bit longer -- and neither the Republicans in the legislature nor Governor Charlie Crist is providing us with the leadership we need to tackle the problems. Gelber said he remembers the big fight under Governor Jeb Bush was that Bush was too hands-on and it was difficult to keep him from doing damage. Under Crist, though, we have the opposite problem -- the governor doesn't want to come out and say what his plans are on any issue, leaving lawmakers without guidance as to how he'll react when legislation hits his desk. Gelber says Crist is like a movie critic -- he tells you how he feels about an issue without offering any solutions. The vacuum of leadership from the Republicans in Tallahassee means there is no good news from the session.

The primary purpose of the annual legislative session is to come up with the state's budget. Because of the national economic crisis and the more extreme state economic crisis, budget revenue has been in a freefall in recent months.

Gelber says that he's happy that the Senate budget plan has some significant increases in revenue. He's upset that the House isn't increasing revenue, but rather is relying on cuts that damage education, health care and other essential services. He hopes that the final budget deal doesn't strip out the revenue gains.

New revenue comes from several sources. The increase in the tobacco tax helps a lot, and is recurring, but diminishes over time. The stimulus money, while hugely important in the short term, only applies to a 25-month period and the revenue stream is gone. Without it, though, Gelber warns that the state could lose its bond rating and face even more serious cuts to basic services. In 2011, there will be a huge problem if more revenue isn't found, because the stimulus money will be gone. It could even lead to problems in 2010 if the economy doesn't rebound quick enough.

The real source for new revenue that should be pursued are the tax loopholes that have been widely discussed. Eliminating some of the more egregious loopholes could generate close to a billion in revenue each year.

Gelber had a lot to say about the importance of education and says that we need to be investing in the future, not cutting it. With the news yesterday that Jefferson County (immediately to the East of Tallahassee) has no money left in its education budget and will be taken over by the state, the issue is even more visible. The same crisis was almost faced by Dade schools. Dade avoided going under by cutting important programs and firing popular teachers in "nonessential" areas such as drama. Gelber stresses the importance of those other programs, saying they are essential to educating Florida's children. Florida is already a state that spends very little on education and in the last year or so, we've cut spending by about $500 per student. This is why the state is having trouble getting federal education stimulus funds and have had to ask for a waiver. Gelber thinks we'll get that waiver, though, which is good news since we're not sure what'll happen without it. He notes that, unlike himself, most of the legislature doesn't have children in public schools, so they don't see the direct effects their policies are having on our school system.

He also notes that while all of Florida's Republican representatives to Congress voted to reject stimulus funds, Republicans in the state legislature -- those who actually have to pass a budget and get things done -- are overwhelmingly for the stimulus plan and are asking for more. In Congress, he says, Republicans are a minority and have no responsibility and nothing to answer for. At the state level, they're actually in charge and have to show results, so they're doing the common sense thing and taking the money that Florida needs during this time of crisis.

Floridians can help spread the news on the budget cuts and other problems created by Republican policies by telling the personal stories of how government programs are affecting people's lives. Write letters to the editor, blog, tell your friends and neighbors how cuts hurt real people and maybe enough people will hear the story and can convince legislators to do the right thing.

Gelber condemned Dean Cannon's push for oil drilling and dismissed the recent talk of combining the drilling proposal with the "clean energy" bill being pushed for by Senator Jim King. Gelber doesn't think that compromise will go forward, although Gelber warns that every time he thinks something is too crazy for the Republicans to pursue, they do it anyway.

Luckily for Floridians, Gelber said he thinks the most extreme things floating around the legislature this year will die because of the dysfunction of the Republican leaders. It's unlikely that the elections bill, CSX bill, and offshore drilling proposals will make it to the governor's desk.

(Gelber recently reached out to bloggers by offering to do a series of conference calls with them to discuss the legislative session and provide us with the latest information on what's happening at the capitol. I, and several other bloggers, jumped at the opportunity. Our first conference call was last night.)

House Republicans Violate No-tax Pledge At Expense of Middle Class Floridians

From the House Dems:

After voting to cut education and healthcare and draining state funds for housing and transportation, several Florida House Republicans on Friday also violated their pledge to vote against increasing taxes.

Twenty-one Republican members of the Florida House signed a pledge to taxpayers created by Grover Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform, and in an act of hypocrisy on Friday, those same members voted for almost a $1-billion in tax increases.

Norquist’s organization has repeatedly stated that any increase in a fee that goes into a general fund rather than the cost of providing a specific service is a tax increase.

Floridians will not be fooled by House Republican attempts to disguise their tax-hike votes. The House Republicans who violated their so-called “no new taxes” Norquist pledge include:

· House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala;

· Representative Janet Adkins, R-Fernandina Beach;

· Representative Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park;

· Representative Jennifer Carroll, R-Jacksonville;

· Representative Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island;

· Representative Clay Ford, R-Pensacola;

· Representative Rich Glorioso, R-Plant City;

· Representative Doug Holder, R-Sarasota;

· Representative Paige Kreegel, R-Punta Gorda;

· Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R-Miami;

· Representative Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland;

· Representative Marlene O’Toole, R-Lady Lake;

· Representative Steve Precourt, R-Winter Garden;

· Representative Bill Proctor, R-St. Augustine;

· Representative David Rivera, R-Miami;

· Representative Julio Robaina, R-Miami;

· Representative Ken Roberson, R-Port Charlotte;

· Representative William Snyder, R-Stuart;

· Representative Baxter Troutman, R-Winter Haven;

· Representative Charles Van Zant, R-Palatka;

· Representative John Wood, R-Haines City.

While Florida House Republican have raised taxes on working Floridians, House Democrats have proposed alternatives that would have balanced the state’s budget without making radical and reckless policy changes.

These Democratic proposals, which Republican leaders have blocked from being debated in the Florida House, include closing tax loopholes for the rich, collecting sales taxes on purchases made over the Internet, and deleting certain outdated sales tax exemptions.

“Republicans apparently think that balancing the state budget by taking money from the pockets of hard-working Floridians is preferable to having an open and honest discussion about alternative revenue sources,” said Representative Ron Saunders (D-Key West), the House Democratic Ranking Member on the Full Appropriations Council on Education and Economic Development.

What's Going On: Legislative Round-up

Florida Netroots: Florida Budget Process a Petrie Dish for Corruption

Progress Florida (Doug Matthews): Florida Forever, Everglades Restoration Benefit from Closing Tax Loophole

Progress Florida (Ray Seaman): The People Be Damned: The Florida GOP Wants Their Majorities

Progressive Pensacola: Our Crazy Legislature, Week 7

Florida Netroots: Republicans: Changing the Voting Rules Again

Eye on Miami (Gimleteye): Miserable effort by Florida Republicans to wreck elections

What's Going On: Florida Republican Assault on Voters

Avery Voice: MORE REPUBLICAN VOTING REGISTRATION SHENANIGANS

Why Now?: Fixing Florida’s Election Law

Eye on Miami (Gimleteye): Dismal Miami Herald coverage continues to lag on Florida Senate election rigging

Eye on Miami (Gimleteye): Florida Legislature: a 72 page bill that reads like a hit list on voters

Generation Miami (Alex Barreras): Who is afraid of Florida voters?

Eye on Miami (Gimleteye): Eyeonmiami scoops the Herald on voting rights disaster unfolding in Florida legislature

Eye on Miami (Gimleteye): How Florida Republicans plan to own Florida

Broward's Blog: Senate elections bill would shake up parties and 2010 races

What's Going On: Sansom Indicted

Pensacola Beach Blog: Can Northwest Florida College Trustees be Trusted?

Why Now?: “Fast Buck Bob” RICHburg

Pensacola Beach Blog: Charlie Crist's World

Pensacola Beach Blog: Northwest Florida Leaders Indicted

Sherman Dorn: More on Sansom and Richburg indictments

Eye on Miami (Gimleteye): Florida Republicans: The 6 Minute Solution

Why Now?: Rule Of Law - Who Knew?

Sherman Dorn: Sansom and Richburg indictment and grand jury report...

Eye on Miami (Gimleteye): Grand jury indicts former Florida House speaker

Re/Creating Tampa: Sansomwatch: Ray Sansom Indicted

Progressive Pensacola: Ray Sansom indicted

Pushing Rope: Ray Sansom Indicted

Sherman Dorn: Northwest Florida State College president indicted on perjury

What's Going On: Legislative Round-up

madfloridian: Florida lawmakers will likely reject about $440 million in additional workers' compensation benefits

Re/Creating Tampa: More University Cuts in Florida

Dan Gelber: At least one bright spot

madfloridian: The CSX Sunrail deal still has the clause that would make Florida liable for CSX problems...

Eye on Miami (Genius of Despair): Rundown of Environmental Issues We Are Facing.

Florida Citizens for Science: Florida’s Greatest Menace VII: Causing the Nation to Fall!

What's the Difference on the Gambling Proposals?

Based on analysis by Herald-Tribune writer Jeremy Wallace, here's what you've got, not including the unimportant details of what specific gambling would be allowed:

*Rep. Bill Galvano's plan would generate $100 million a year, keep the gambling age at 21, would allow unlimited random state inspections of the casinos and would allow people injured at the casinos to sue the tribe.

*Gov. Charlie Crist's plan would generate $150 million a year, keep the gambling age at 21, would limit state inspections to four per year and would allow lawsuits against the tribes only after "other remedies are exhausted."

*The Senate plan would generate $400 million a year, would change the gambling age to 18, would allow unlimited state inspections of the casinos and would allow lawsuits against the tribe.

Clearly, Crist's plan is the worst. Generates little money and explicitly attempts to avoid accountability. The Senate plan appears to be the best. It raises the most money for education -- something we sorely need right now -- and allows for accountability. It does lower the gambling age to 18, but that doesn't really mean much. Anyone that thinks 18-year-olds don't already gamble doesn't understand 18-year-olds. And if they are old enough to be sent overseas to die in pointless wars of aggression by an illegitimate president, then they should be old enough to gamble if they so choose.

Look Who's Raising Taxes on the Middle Class

From the House Dems:

There they go again! Florida House Republicans are saying one thing and doing another.

Amid rising unemployment rates and deep consumer frustration, House Republican leaders are failing to provide any responsible ideas for resolving Florida’s economic crisis and are, instead, increasing taxes on working families.

This week, Florida House Republican leaders departed sharply from their no-new-taxes rhetoric by proposing nearly a billion dollars in new tax hikes, including major fees on Florida families, tourists and industry.

Among new fees House Republicans propose are a new rental car surcharge, a so-called “reflectorization fee” for license plates, fees for driver history records, higher charges for obtaining or renewing a driver licenses, vehicle registrations, and license plates.

House Republican Leader Adam Hasner is fond of saying that “challenging and uncertain economic times” require “lowering the tax burden on Floridians.” But this week’s first attempt by House Republicans to write a new state budget fails Hasner’s own test of leadership.

Read more

What's Going On

The latest news on Florida politics and politicians.

U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, D-New Smyrna Beach, vowed Friday that she would only submit earmark requests on behalf of "localities, non-profits, or government agencies."

Robert Wexler praises Crist on Chinese drywall issue

The space shuttle would continue flying until NASA builds its replacement vehicle or a U.S. company launches a private spacecraft capable of reaching the International Space Station, under a bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Florida.

Legislation by Rep. Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland, requesting Congress withdraw a moratorium barring drilling for oil and gas in the eastern Gulf of Mexico is one step away from being voted on by the Florida House.

Sen. Charlie Dean says he should quit his post as Majority Whip if lawmakers move forward with a push to privatize a state-run mental hospital for the criminally insane in his district.

Miami Republican Rep. Juan Zapata just sent out an email to his colleagues all but daring House Speaker Larry Cretul to fire him as chair of the House Human Services Appropriations Committee.

The Florida House’s select tribal gaming committee advanced a no-frills Seminole compact Friday that would preclude the tribe from operating so-called banked table games at its seven casinos.

March 30-April 1 Mason Dixon poll for SayfieReview/PowerPlay (moe +/-4%) shows a dead heat between Bill McCollum and Alex Sink for governor: McCollum 36 percent, Sink 35 percent, undecided 29 percent.

Florida's heralded land-conservation program that has preserved millions of acres of green space during the past two decades is going away — at least for a year.

The SunRail commuter train proposed for Central Florida will not get any help from Sen. Gary Siplin, D- Orlando

U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, D-New Smyrna Beach, voted against a House budget bill today because the federal spending guidelines "does not give NASA the flexibility to fly the space shuttle past 2010."

In a letter to Gov. Charlie Crist, Mack says he will not run for Senate in 2010.

Senate Finance and Tax Committee Chairman Thad Altman said he thinks the temperature for a broad-based discussion of sales tax exemptions may not happen this session.

The Florida Senate voted Thursday to weaken the state's rigid growth laws that force developers to build roads around places where they choose to plant new shopping malls, factories or planned communities.

Florida senators signaled Wednesday that they want companies such as Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity to pay higher taxes.

One of the bill’s co-authors said the intention is to prevent a repeat of what happened at American International Group, where AIG executives initially received about $165 million in bonuses after getting more than $180 billion in bailout funds. “[The measure] is based on two simple concepts. One, no one has the right to get rich off taxpayer money. And two, no one should get rich off abject failure,” said U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, a freshman Democrat from Orlando.

U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando, today urged President Obama to extend the space shuttle era, "preferably" until NASA is ready to fly a replacement vehicle that the agency hopes can one day return Americans to the moon.

Alcee Hastings commemorates legacy of AIDS activist Pedro Zamora

Sen. Don Gaetz has filled a bill with Sen. Mike Fasano that will stop public officials from collecting a paycheck and a pension, known as Double-dipping.

What's Going On: Legislative Roundup

Progressive Homeschoolers of Florida: Parental Rights Amendment back as HJ Resolution 42

Sunshine Statements: How To Pay For Hiking Tuition In Florida?

Re/Creating Tampa: Corporate Welfare

Pushing Rope: Everglades Update

Progressive Pensacola: Cigarette tax hike clears Senate committee

ReidBlog: The GOP's April Fool's Day budget

Pushing Rope: Florida Cigarette Tax Update

Progress Florida (Ray Seaman): Why Are Republicans Standing In The Way of the Healthy Teens Act?

Pushing Rope: Shiny Happy Governor

Fried Gator: Ellyn Bogdanoff: Cigarette Tax Damages Slurpee Economy

House Republicans Vote to Increase Class Sizes

Martin Kiar:

“House Republicans and their public relations’ operatives proved with great fanfare today that they don’t fully grasp their own members’ legislation.

“Representative Anitere Flores should be allowed to have a meeting with Representative Will Weatherford, the sponsor of House Joint Resolution 919, so that she can better understand his proposal.

“What Representative Weatherford should explain to Representative Flores is that under HJR 919, Republicans voted in lock-step today to increase class sizes from 18 to 21 for kindergarten through third grade, from 22 to 27 for fourth through eighth grade, and from 25 to 30 for high school.

“House Democrats proposed major changes to the misguided Republican plan that would have required the state to complete the last---and most crucial---step toward phasing in the Class Size Amendment in 2010.

“Democrats sought to give school districts greater flexibility while also continuing the effort to ease crowding in public school classrooms and provide needed funding to our children’s education.

“In contrast, the Republican plan could hinder the goals of the voter-approved Class Size Amendment. The Republican plan would increase class sizes, potentially kill future funding for improving the teaching environment, and stall student learning gains.”

Hothead Hasner Gets Heated; Plays Partisan Politics With Florida's Paychecks

FDP:

epublican House Leader Adam Hasner, once again showing that he puts partisan politics above the people of Florida, is ready to reject $1.1 billion in federal recovery aid to help Floridians that have fallen on hard times during this economic slump.

As the Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau reported today, "Florida is on the verge of forfeiting more than $1 billion in federal stimulus funds that could help 250,000 Floridians whose unemployment benefits are running out."

"Adam Hasner doesn't get it. With the Florida Agency for Workforce Investment reporting that our state's unemployment is at 8.6 percent, Florida's families are struggling to pay the bills. Rather than working to ease the pain of Floridians, who have lost their jobs in this economic crisis, Hasner is pushing his extremist agenda, gambling with Florida's economy and hurting families across the Sunshine State. Instead of playing partisan politics with Floridians' paychecks, hotheaded Hasner and his House Republicans need to immediately stop their posturing and join the bi-partisan efforts to help over 250,000 Floridians whose unemployment benefits are running out," said Eric Jotkoff, Florida Democratic Party spokesman.

From the Blogs

The latest stories from the Florida blogs...

Fried Gator - Atwater and Cretul: Dancing like They just Don't Care

madfloridian - As Florida economy crumbles the religious right files ultrasound bill again

madfloridian - Florida Republicans might reject stimulus cash for jobless

madfloridian - Florida House committee oks bill to further deregulate telecoms, allow steeper rates.

FLA Politics (FDP) - Hothead Hasner Gets Heated; Plays Partisan Politics With Florida's Paychecks

Call on Committee Chairs to Agenda the Prevention First Act in Florida!

On March 18th, the House Health Regulation Committee heard HB 983, the mandatory ultrasound bill by Rep. Flores (R-114) and Rep. Burgin (R-56). HB 983 passed out of the Committee by a 5-2 vote. Representative Jimmy Patronis (R-6), chair of the Health Care Regulation Policy Committee, gave a hearing to HB 983, yet has not given a hearing to the Prevention First Act (HB 129)!

The Prevention First Act increases access to birth control and helps to reduce unintended pregnancies by guaranteeing access to emergency contraception for rape survivors, protecting the right to birth control for all women, and protecting the right to have lawful and valid prescriptions filled at the pharmacy.

TAKE ACTION:

Contact Chair of the House Health Regulation Committee, Representative Jimmy Patronis (R-6) at (850) 488-9696.

Simply say:

• I am disappointed that Rep. Patronis voted for HB 983, a bill that ties the hands of doctors and interferes with the doctor-patient relationship.
• I urge Rep. Patronis to support commonsense policies that will prevent unintended pregnancy and reduce the need for abortion and agenda HB 129 the Prevention First Act as soon as possible.
• During this economic crisis, the Florida legislature should be spending it’s time on the budget, not on divisive abortion bills.

Then, Call or email Chair Don Gaetz (R-4) at (850) 487-5009

When Calling Chair Gaetz, simply say: Please put prevention first and give SB 310, the Prevention First Act, a fair hearing.

Additional comments to include when calling Senator Gaetz:

• The Prevention First Act is a commonsense measure which reduces unintended pregnancy by increasing access to birth control.
• Expanding access to birth control is the best way to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and the need for abortion.
• Preventing unintended pregnancy and reducing the need for abortion is something we can all agree on.

Please contact us at info@floridachoice.org to tell us the results of your call. Thank you.

Anti-Union Lies From Florida Republicans

Instead of dealing with actual problems, here's how our legislators are wasting their times:

FLORIDA LEGISLATURE POP QUIZ

How does HJR1013 (THE ANTI-WORKER PLAN) MISLEAD THE PUBLIC?

ANSWER: The right to cast a secret ballot in federal, state and local elections is already guaranteed and protected in the Florida Constitution.

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, ARTICLE VI, SECTION 1. Regulation of elections. All elections by the people shall be by direct and secret vote.

· Under Article VI, Section 1, the right to cast a secret ballot in federal, state and local elections is already guaranteed and protected.

· House Republican Leader Adam Hasner’s House Joint Resolution 1013 is not about the protection of secret ballots at the voting booth.

· Floridians cherish their right to cast their vote in secret. That’s why the Constitution preserves and protects Floridians privacy to cast their vote by a secret ballot.

· HJR 1013 distracts from the Legislature’s biggest task: improving the state’s economy, protecting school children and teachers from funding cares, and ensuring better health care for more Floridians.

Hasner Was Right

Okay, I admit it, Adam Hasner was correct about Muslim Day at the capitol. When I thought about it before, I didn't really do my reading up on the people involved and their well-documented problems. I should've done my homework and I'm sorry that I didn't. I apologize.

How could I have guessed that when the Muslims showed up, they'd resort to just the type of tactics that Hasner suggested they might?

Like when everyone showed up, all the women were in burqas? And all the men wore Arab headgear, even the Iranians?

Or when the Muslim speakers began talking and they denounced America as the big Satan and called for the destruction of Israel? Hasner said they'd come to complain about his meaningless resolution of support for Israel, and he wasn't wrong? Like when Ahmed Bedier called for a Jihad against all Florida legislators who support Isreal?

How could I have imagined that the Muslim activists would've broken into impromptu madrassah for individual legislators, attempting to indoctrinate them into extremist Islam? Who knew that Ray Sansom would fall for it?

Or when the Muslims forced Larry Cretul to propose a bill to make Shariah the official law of the land in Florida? Who would've thought that Bedier and friends would've been so convincing that seven committees would've fast-tracked the bill and passed it on the same day, that the bill would've gone to the floor of both houses and passed unanimously, and that it would become the law?

And how about the budget that Bedier convinced Gov. Crist and the legislature to pass? I'm surprised that they legislators signed on to sending the entire Florida budget for the next year to Hamas. Who would've saw that one coming?

But that wasn't enough for Bedier and friends, was it? When they set up bombs at the old capitol, the new capitol, the Vietnam memorial, the Museum of Natural History, the Black History Archives, the County Courthouse, Andrew's and Paradigm, I was shocked. The fact that Bedier was able to convince TPD, the sheriff's department and the capitol police to ignore the whole thing and let it happen was the day's big surprise.

Oh, wait, none of that happened, did it? That means Hasner is still just a hatemonger and a moron.

Legislative Round-up

Pushing Rope: Compassionate Conservatism: Making the Unemployed Pay to Be Drug Tested

Pushing Rope: The Impact Fees Tax Shift

Blast Off!: The obligatory blog post about bestiality

Blast Off!: Haridopolos panders again

Florida Citizens for Science: Letter in the Ledger

Progress Florida (Ray Seaman): Stop Trying To Undermine The People's Government

Evers Hates Women

State Rep. Greg Evers respects professional women so much he calls them "sugar" during public events. Shameful.

From the Blogs

The latest stories from the Florida blogs...

Fried Gator: Add another name to the list of corrupt Republicans in Tallahassee: Charlie Dean

Sunshine Statements: Hasner's Actions Smack Of Bigotry

Fried Gator: Miami Herald, Buzz, Hasner, and Greer prefer corrupt Sansom to low key Sands

Blast Off!: If they can't have Sansom, they don't want anyone

Progress Florida (Ray Seaman): Ending Pay-to-Play Politics In Counties

Fun With Conservatives

Something I've not done much of in recent years is engage in debate with conservatives. My plan is to start doing that a lot more, particularly when someone goes after me directly. Like our first example, a guy whose name I'll let you figure out for yourself (don't want to promote him), who took umbrage at my recent post on Adam Hasner. A new wrinkle in this argument is that this guy actually is debating me via Twitter @ replies, which is a new one for me.

The gist of the post was that, well, State Rep. Adam Hasner is a hate-monger. My evidence? Three things:

1. He opposes Muslims lobbying the legislature.
2. He supports batshit-crazy anti-Muslim films obsession and The Third Jihad.
3. He was quoted as saying that he didn't care if innocent people were hurt as part of the backlash those films seeks to promote.

None of these are things that Hasner refutes or has every said he disagrees with. And, clearly, if you agree with these things, then you are a hate-monger. That point is not debateable.

My conservative critic doesn't care about things like facts or anything like that. He goes, instead, with the same old conservative arguments.

Youre so quick to paint a good man a hatemonger without fully understanding the man he criticizes. Read up on Mr Bedier.

I did paint Hasner as a hatemonger and that stands fully independently of whether or not Bedier is a terrorist or not. We have no evidence that Bedier is a terrorist. If we did, he'd have been prosecuted and convicted long ago. That hasn't happened. Why? That evidence doesn't exist. Besides, like my original post says, Hasner doesn't just oppose Bedier's rights to free speech and petition, he actively promotes hate-films like Obsession. Even if that weren't true, which is is, he has a 100% rating from the Christian Coalition. By definition, anyone with a 100% from the religious right is a hatemonger. There are no exceptions to this and no possible exceptions to this. The Christian Coalition is a hate group, pure and simple. Beyond that, Hasner hates workers (he's a union buster), he hates free and fair elections (he opposes publicly-financed elections) and he hates pretty much all Floridians (he's an anti-tax crusader). It's clear the amount of his hate knows no bounds, he just has a special hatred for Muslims.

I assume you have seen both award winning documentaries about radical islam, not all muslims. Radical Islam is a threat

Everyone agrees that radical Islam is a threat, just like radical Christianity is. Just like any radicals who promote violence are. And these "documentaries" (read: propaganda films) haven't won awards from any legitimate sources. Anyone can make up a series of awards and give them to anyone they wish. Heck, I've been voted into to halls of fame. I originally created both of them (although I had no hand in voting myself into them), so I don't tout them as proof of my quality as a person. One does not need to see propaganda and hate speech personally to know that it is such, particularly when there are numerous other reliable sources that tell the truth about these films. I have never seen one bit of propaganda from the Ku Klux Klan, yet I know they are wrong. I've only read one statement that Osama Bin Laden has put out, something from 1996, yet I know that everything he has sent out since then is hate-filled propaganda. Same thing with Obsession and anything from the same people. And anyone who defends those films is, by definition, a hate-monger.

Hasner is speaking out against Bedier's ties to radical Islam. Also, where did the "I don't care" quote came from?

He's actually speaking out against Bedier's rights to free speech and to petition the government for the redress of greivances, things protected in the First Amendment. And the "proof" of Bedier's ties to radical Islam is that he was the leader of a local branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. There's no evidence that this chapter had any ties to radical Islam and there's actually no evidence that the national CAIR organization has ties to radical Islam, either, beyond hearsay from right-wing critics.

Are you kidding me? You got the quote from a blog post by John Brown on Topix? You are a joke

No. Don't know who John Brown is, haven't visited Topix. When in doubt, though, fall back on the traditional conservative mode of attack -- ad hominem insults.

There is no evidence of this incident even occurring. Quit sipping the Kool-Aid my friend. It will lead you no where.

Of course there is evidence. There is an eye-witness account that no one denies happened. When it doubt, though, fall back on direct insults and aspersions about my intelligence.

He has neither denied it nor confirmed it, but using hearsay to smear someone is despicable and should not be the "key" to a post.

This isn't hearsay, this is direct witness testimony.

Here's a question. As a professor, would you allow a student to hinge their paper on an unverifiable source from a blog?

As a historian, I'd point out the obvious fact that almost all historical evidence is from unverifiable sources. Secondly, I'd point out that a blog is not a paper. Thirdly, I'd point out that blogs cite other blogs all the time. Fourthly, I'd mention that conservative blogs (and legislators) almost always rely upon such unverifiable sources (like say, when making a film like Obsession).

I'm complaining about a person who takes someone's opinion, and calls it fact. He doesn't need to deny such a ridiculous claim.

I didn't take someone's opinion and report it as a fact. I reported the fact that an eyewitness claimed something happened. And it is clear that conservatives frequently say nonsense like this at public events (see: Tramm Hudson, George Allen, etc.) and if Hasner doesn't want people to think he's a hate-monger, then he should respond to the claim. Especially when he promotes a movie that agrees with the claim that he's accused of making. And if he didn't make the claim, he should certainly repudiate it and tell us how he really feels about the innocent people who can and will be harmed by the promotion of such a horrible series of propaganda films.

As a professor, your posts are held by some to a certain academic standard. I guess they set the bar pretty low at TCC.

Complete and utter nonsense. There is no professional or ethical standard that applies here. Besides, any teacher I've ever had would allow someone to include eyewitness testimony as a bit of valid evidence in a paper (or a blog post). They would have a problem if an entire case was made on one bit of evidence, but that's not what I did. I said it was part of a pattern and provided other examples to support the claim. But, when in doubt, fall back on the old conservative argument of insulting not only me, but an entire educational institution.

The point of the whole thing is, of course, that this guy likes Hasner because both he and Hasner are conservatives. And he doesn't want to believe that conservatism promotes extreme viewpoints. But it does. And, by definition, conservatives are extremists. Hating people because of their religion or party or race is part and parcel of the conservative tradition in the United States and Hasner (and my commenter) proudly defend that tradition.

Adam Hasner Is A Hate-Monger

Rep. Adam Hasner apparently opposes freedom of speech for Muslims. A group of Florida Muslims wants to go to the capitol during the session and lobby on behalf of education, healthcare and the economy. He automatically assumes they are terrorists and that they hate Jews.

His evidence? The leader of the group, Ahmed Bedier, once worked in a local office for the Council of American-Islamic Relations. The right wing has an extreme grudge against CAIR, which they claim is a front organization for Hamas because, well, they're Muslims.

His problem with them? He's afraid that if they lobby the legislature, then maybe legislators will turn anti-Isreal? I'm not sure about that one, his logic is a bit crazy.

His solution? Frantic e-mails to lobbyists and calling together the non-existent Jewish caucus in the legislature.

This could be just a bit of run-of-the-mill prejudice and ignorance, but it isn't, it's part of a bigger pattern on Hasner's part. Hasner is a promoter of batshit-crazy anti-Muslim films Obsession and The Third Jihad. These films effectively portray all Muslims as potential terrorists and call for the West to "wake up" and do something about the problem. In that way, they directly influence Americans to engage in discrimination, and potentially violence, against peaceful, law-abiding Muslims.

Hasner was confronted about this:

Immediately following the film, Florida’s State Majority Leader, Rep. Adam Hasner of Delray Beach, Fl, gave a brief presentation to the audience where he praised and gave support for the film. He was then asked by a gentleman from the audience how he felt about the backlash that might occur towards peaceful Muslims as a result of the film. After pausing for a moment, he boldly proclaimed, “I don’t care.”

Get that? Hasner doesn't care if law-abiding, peaceful Muslims are harmed by anti-Muslim propaganda -- a backlash that could potentially include violence. Hasner doesn't care. He has his prejudices and he's sticking to them.

From the Blogs

Progressive Pensacola: Grand jury: investigate Sansom

Re-Creating Tampa: SansomWatch - The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Blast Off!: Today's Daily Schadenfreude: Ray Sansom

Progressive Pensacola: Sansom: A failed Speaker

Pushing Rope: The Ray Sansom Scandals

Franklin Sands' Remarks on Speaker-Designate Dean Cannon

“On behalf of the House Democratic Caucus, I offer warm congratulations to Representative Cannon. We look forward to serious discussions with him and his colleagues about the people’s business and how the Legislature should combat the economic challenges facing Floridians.

“As Representative Cannon and his Republican colleagues surely know, Florida is in a serious economic crisis. Our people are deeply worried about their jobs, their financial future, and their children’s education. Today should be a day to begin the healing in a bipartisan manner.

“Like Governor Charlie Crist, Florida House Democrats believe it is vital to use the federal economic recovery funds to resolve our current state budget crisis. We are hopeful that the governor’s wisdom on this matter reaches Representative Cannon and his colleagues in the House Republican Conference.

“It wasn’t ‘borrowing and rampant spending by the private sector’ that created this crisis. Rather, Florida is suffering significantly because of many factors, including the significant tax giveaways under Republican Jeb Bush’s administration.

“The impact of the Bush-era tax cuts is costing the state an estimated $3-billion or more annually. Failure to close loopholes that favor the very rich and special interests are the real culprits. These are the issues that we hope Representative Cannon and his colleagues show the courage to address in the upcoming legislative session.”

Clearly, there are two ways to balance a budget -- cutting spending and raising taxes. We've tried cutting things. It doesn't work and it has many other negative effects. It's time to raise taxes on those who use more government resources than anyone else -- the rich.

Is Sansom's "Temporary" Resignation from Speaker Post Legal?

Rep. Jim Waldman doesn't think so. I don't either.

Dear Chair Galvano,

As a member of the Florida House of Representatives and the House Rules Council, I am requesting your opinion on whether Speaker Sansom’s recent memo recusing himself from his duties for a temporary period, subject to his decision to reverse his recusal, is permitted under House Rules. Based upon my reading of our rules, it is not permitted and his action should be deemed either a nullity or a resignation necessitating an election for a replacement Speaker.

Rule 1.1(a)(1) requires the house to “choose a permanent presiding officer designated Speaker”. Rule 2.5 states that: ‘The Speaker pro tempore shall exercise the duties, powers, and prerogatives of the Speaker in the event of the Speaker’s death, illness, removal, or inability to act, until the speaker’s successor is elected.”

These two rules together mean that the pro tempore only exercises the Speaker’s duties temporarily, until a new Speaker is elected. Since there is no time limit specified, it should be inferred that it would be for a reasonable time. However, the Speaker pro tempore only assumes this role upon the Speaker’s death, illness, removal, or inability to act.

The first three requirements clearly do not apply. It might be argued that the Speaker has an inability to act, but I would argue that that is not the case. Instead, he might not believe he can be effective or he might want to devote more time to other endeavors, but he certainly has the ability. As used in the rule, the term “inability to act” appears to imply mental incapacity and the parallel of physical illness.

If it were the case that there was an inability to act, we might have interpretation issues regarding who decides whether the inability exists and who decides when the ability returns. The rule contemplates an election of a successor in any event and it clearly contemplates a permanent replacement. Further, since it says “in the event of” and not “during” such inability, this would mean that it would be unclear as to whether the substitution of power could even be temporary.

Regardless, these questions are moot because we do not have not have a case where Speaker Sansom has an inability to act. Perhaps our rules should allow the Speaker to suspend his or her duties for other reasons, but they do not.

Respectfully, I am asking for your opinion as Rules Chair as I believe the integrity of the Florida House of Representatives demands that we follow our rules.

Very truly yours,

Jim Waldman
State Representative, District 95

Is Sansom's "

It's Official, the Special Session Budget Is A Failure for Florida

The budget proposed by legislative Republicans is short-sighted, economically naive, immoral and the exact type of thinking that got us in the budget mess we are in now. Instead of doing the right thing and closing tax loopholes for the wealthy, Republicans are cutting essential services, mortgaging our future and raising fees (a.k.a. "taxes") on those less able to pay. They should be ashamed of themselves.

Overall, the "savings" in the new budget is $2.8 billion. The budget will be voted on Wednesday.

Among the key things on the chopping block:

$20 million from the Florida Forever program that buys up land for conservation purposes. This effectively shuts down the program for the year. I wonder how much of Florida's beauty will be destroyed in that year.

$480 million in education funding. This is shameful. We already have the lowest spending in the country on education and this will make it worse at a time when we also have the lowest graduation rate in the country. Like I said, mortgaging our future.

$321 million in construction projects, which could be good or bad, depending on what the projects are.

$437 million in other cuts. I'd like to see more details on these, although I have a feeling we aren't talking about good cuts here.

$1.5 million cut from the governor's office. Not a lot of money is saved here, but it's at least a good sign that the governor is going to face some of the same kinds of cuts everyone else is.

$100,000 by getting rid of a state aircraft. Okay, this one is definitely a good idea, too. It saves little money, but it is a good symbolic gesture.

One bright spot is nursing homes, which through a bit of budget creativity (why couldn't they have done this elsewhere?), will gain funding through cuts because they'll be able to qualify for more federal grants. I wonder how many other federal grants we didn't get because nobody tried to get them.

The other aspect of the "compromise" budget wherein there were really few compromises and few changes apart from what Republicans came to Tallahassee with is raids of various trust funds, some of which are permanent. Here's what they are taking:

$700 million from the Chiles fund, designed to pay for child welfare, child and elderly health care programs and anti-smoking efforts. The money is supposedly going to be paid back, unless there is an emergency. Who wants to bet that "emergency" has already been designated and this money won't be paid back? And since this fund pays for these programs based solely on the interest, this is a huge cut, taking out more than half the assets in the fund, meaning little is left to pay for these vital programs.

$190 million from a trust fund designed to provide low-income housing. I can't imagine that we'll have any need for low-income housing during a depression. At least we'll have good roads to drive on, thanks to Mike Fasano, who saved money for them (but not for any people, apparently).

$400 million from the Budget Stabilization Fund. This is a terrible idea considering the state of the economy and the almost universal projections of further economic decline. As Alex Sink said, this could leave us unable to meet our obligations down the road if things keep getting worse.

$381 million from other trust funds. Obviously, I'd have to know more about which trust funds to know if this is a good idea. Based on the rest of this crappy budget, I'm guessing these are bad things to be stealing money from.

And they propose increasing traffic fines, dropping the ability to get discounted fines for going to traffic school and taking away the power of judges to waive fines. Seems pretty clear that these increased taxes will disproportionately affect people at the bottom end of the economic spectrum -- increasing taxes on the poor.

Senate Democrats all voted against this proposed budget, except for waste of space Gary Siplin.

The problem looks to get worse, too, as the deficit for next year is projected to be over $4 billion. I can't imagine what they'll cut next time.

William March had this to add:

The legislation implementing the cuts is almost too difficult for a laymen, including reporters, to follow unaided.

Weren't Crist and the Republicans supposed to bringing "plain language" to the government? Another broken promise. Add it to the lists of promises our Republican leaders have broken to the Florida public since they came to office. There are so many of them, no one will even notice this new one.

From the Blogs

Sherman Dorn: Sansom watch, January 11 edition

Progressive Pensacola: Sansom still under fire

Pushing Rope: More On Ethics Complaint Against Ray Sansom

Progressive Pensacola: Sansom still slipping

Progress Florida (Ray Seaman): The Drumbeat on Sansom Continues

House Democrats Oppose Proposed Budget Cuts

With deep concerns about the fate of vital programs for children’s health, nursing home care, public safety, tourism promotion, the environment, and public schools, Florida House Democrats on Friday voiced stern opposition to the short-sighted, across-the-board spending cuts that Republicans approved without debate on alternatives like cutting waste or closing special-interest tax loopholes.

House Democrats have been rebuffed this special session in their attempts to offer meaningful solutions and have warned that House Republicans’ actions on the budget could have lasting unintended consequences, such as the loss of federal revenues, job cuts, and a further slowdown in tourism business.

Among drastic results, the Republican-backed House budget proposal:

Slashes nearly $500 million in public school spending.

Puts more school districts on the verge of financial collapse.

Eliminates $70 million in nursing home funding that will affect the quality of life and safety for seniors.

Injures Florida’s efforts to grow the economy through tourism promotion with major cuts to the Visit Florida program.

Raids the Lawton Chiles Endowment Fund in a penny-wise, pound-foolish move that will jeopardize the future of children’s health care.

“The House Republican budget takes from seniors, the frail and the vulnerable,” said Representative Kelly Skidmore, the Democratic Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Council on General Government and Health Care. “We didn’t eliminate funding from programs that are not mission critical. That would have been responsible. What’s worse, we didn’t take time to evaluate our entire revenue structure. We stubbornly refused to admit that the tax policies of the prior Republican administration led us to this crisis.”