5/31/2005
Righties talking up Jeb
Will she, won't she?
Sayfie and Fla. Politics and everyone else notes the Herald story on Katherine Harris' puzzling silence over her Senate run. Unusual, but she still can raise a lot of cash in a hurry. So, by announcing as late as possible, she'll have an even greater fundraising advantage over any other Republican foolish enough to run against her. My guess now is that she'll run.
5/30/2005
Who is this guy?
St. Pete runs a Who-is-this-Smith-guy-anyway? feature.
I have to admit a certain comfort level with Smith despite his terrible environmental record. He's smart, well-spoken, capable and serious. He's the kind of Democrat who runs well in central Florida if he get his name out and wouldn't loose too badly in the Panhandle, also if he gets his name out. But then, I said all those things about Bill McBride, too.
(Is it really only 200 steps to Clyde's?)
I have to admit a certain comfort level with Smith despite his terrible environmental record. He's smart, well-spoken, capable and serious. He's the kind of Democrat who runs well in central Florida if he get his name out and wouldn't loose too badly in the Panhandle, also if he gets his name out. But then, I said all those things about Bill McBride, too.
(Is it really only 200 steps to Clyde's?)
5/27/2005
Terry's running (cont.)
Florida Politics News has a roundup on Terry Randall background. (And that's a $450,000, 3,322 square-foot home in Ponte Vedra.)
A Christian Wire Service press release notes early endorsements from the 7th Circuit Public Defender James Purdy and Kay Durden of the Duval County Republican Executive Committee.
Terry says he hopes to raise $15,000 in three weeks and we assume he knows where to find a useful mailing list.
At a Jax press conference he admitted that "I've always been a polarizing figure, but that's what campaigns are about," but tried instead to portray himself
And he's already merited mention in Wonkettte.
A Christian Wire Service press release notes early endorsements from the 7th Circuit Public Defender James Purdy and Kay Durden of the Duval County Republican Executive Committee.
Terry says he hopes to raise $15,000 in three weeks and we assume he knows where to find a useful mailing list.
At a Jax press conference he admitted that "I've always been a polarizing figure, but that's what campaigns are about," but tried instead to portray himself
as mellowed and more relaxed -- a joking guy who watches Saturday Night Live religiously. But his Web site has an essay, "The Crescent Terror," that says, "The Koran is the Mein Kampf of Islam," referring to Adolf Hitler's book.
He said he spent several years studying the Quran, and "there is a lot of suspicion in the minds of a lot of Americans that Islam might not be quite as peaceful as we've been told by the major networks."
Asked if the Mein Kampf statement will hurt him, Terry said, "Not in this district, it's not."
And he's already merited mention in Wonkettte.
5/26/2005
Scientology in Tallahassee
Money for a Scientology prison program might be vetoed.
Well, once you start getting into the faith-based delivery of state services, you shouldn't be surprised if they aren't the faiths you had in mind.
Another Scientologist-supported measure that discourages public school students from seeking mental health services also passed on the next-to last day of session and was sent to the governor. [And was vetoed. See Palm Beach Post story. ]
Well, once you start getting into the faith-based delivery of state services, you shouldn't be surprised if they aren't the faiths you had in mind.
Another Scientologist-supported measure that discourages public school students from seeking mental health services also passed on the next-to last day of session and was sent to the governor. [And was vetoed. See Palm Beach Post story. ]
God-politics in the 8th district
Oh, this could be rich.
Theocratic professional activist Randall Terry is coming to the senate district next to mine to run for state Senate against Jim King.
King's district is Jacksonville-based and heavily Republican. It's unlikely that there will even be a Democrat in this race so all the action will be in the Republican primary. A purer example of the splint between the evangelical and the business wings of the Republican Party is hard to imagine. And it will be all Terry Schiavo all the time once the ads start airing.
Theocratic professional activist Randall Terry is coming to the senate district next to mine to run for state Senate against Jim King.
King's district is Jacksonville-based and heavily Republican. It's unlikely that there will even be a Democrat in this race so all the action will be in the Republican primary. A purer example of the splint between the evangelical and the business wings of the Republican Party is hard to imagine. And it will be all Terry Schiavo all the time once the ads start airing.
5/25/2005
Upcoming slots litigation
The inability of the Legislature to act on the slot machine amendment during the regular session presents some interesting legal questions. And it looks like Abstract Appeal will be the place to look for the answers.
5/24/2005
That alimony bill
Because it passed on the last day of the session, not a whole lot of attention has been paid to An Act Relating to Alimony, a bill that would limit or end payments if the woman receiving alimony enters into "a supportive relationship with another person not related by consanguinity or affinity."
What does that mean? Hard to say. The target is a ex-wife who shacks up with her boyfriend but doesn't get married to avoid losing alimony. But the law could be taken to penalize moving in with a roommate who helps with the kids. And does this recognize gay marriage? They said no on the floor, but this would clearly penalize and take legal notice of gay unions.
And it would ask courts to define marriagelike arrangements on a pretty much case-by-case basis. In other words, a great make-work law for divorce attorneys, except that hardly anyone is entitled to alimony over long periods of time anymore.
The Miami Herald urges the governor to veto it:
Point well taken, Sen. Siplin!
Siplin is also the legal mind behind the Droopy Drawers Bill or An Act Relating to Below-Waist Underwear which never made it out of committee.
What does that mean? Hard to say. The target is a ex-wife who shacks up with her boyfriend but doesn't get married to avoid losing alimony. But the law could be taken to penalize moving in with a roommate who helps with the kids. And does this recognize gay marriage? They said no on the floor, but this would clearly penalize and take legal notice of gay unions.
And it would ask courts to define marriagelike arrangements on a pretty much case-by-case basis. In other words, a great make-work law for divorce attorneys, except that hardly anyone is entitled to alimony over long periods of time anymore.
The Miami Herald urges the governor to veto it:
So while this bill apparently was aimed at ex-spouses in romantic relationships, it also targets an ex-spouse who moves in with a friend or who takes in a roommate to save money. Under its broad wording, that person's former spouse could ask a judge to stop alimony -- a far too rigid standard.The sponsor of the bill, Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, denies this bill is aimed at policing the sex-lives of ex-spouses, and, indeed, doesn't even get into sex in attempting to define a "de-facto marriage" because "a lot of married people don't have sex."
Point well taken, Sen. Siplin!
Siplin is also the legal mind behind the Droopy Drawers Bill or An Act Relating to Below-Waist Underwear which never made it out of committee.
Tales of private government
Troxler is back and rested with a scary story of privatized government. Corrections Corp. of America, which runs Hernando County Jail, gives up a prisoner to a foreign government while there is still a extradition hearing pending.
5/22/2005
Mapping the boom
The Palm Beach Post has put together a pretty amazing package on their local real estate boom/bubble and put it on-line with interactive maps and PDFs. A really impressive effort.
For reform ... elsewhere
Jeb is for redistricting reform ... as long as it's in California and not Florida. We could have it here if enough people sign the petition and vote for the amendment.
5/20/2005
About that $9 million
Oh, the continuing embarrassment of the state Senate's grand plan of building a chiropractic school at FSU. (See the Flablog Vault of Memory here, for instance.) After the plan was dead, it was supposed to be taken out of the state budget. But it wasn't.
Fortunately, FSU is being a good sport and will give the $9 million back.
Somebody should say "thank you."
Fortunately, FSU is being a good sport and will give the $9 million back.
Somebody should say "thank you."
Fla oil drilling
For years, the Florida congressional delegation has been very united in opposition to oil drilling off the Florida coast. The exception is Rep. John Mica who once again is arguing for off-shore drilling.
(Via Florida Politics)
(Via Florida Politics)
5/19/2005
vetoed
If driving slow in the left lane is outlawed only outlaws will drive slow in the left lane!
Bush vetoes the Road Rage Bill. He says there's no proof that slow drivers in the left lane are really a problem. Sounds like he hasn't driven the Interstate in awhile.
Bush vetoes the Road Rage Bill. He says there's no proof that slow drivers in the left lane are really a problem. Sounds like he hasn't driven the Interstate in awhile.
I'm not believing this
It's not even hurricane season yet and here I am looking at maps again! This is going to be a long summer.
Meanwhile, NOAA Hurricane Web Page fans may be reassured that that Sen. Santorum's bill threatening the NOAA Web site is still without a single co-sponsor.
Meanwhile, NOAA Hurricane Web Page fans may be reassured that that Sen. Santorum's bill threatening the NOAA Web site is still without a single co-sponsor.
Summer of Sammi
Wayne Garcia of the Weekly Planet prepares us for The Summer of Sammi. Six months of this, folks.
We don't want no advice
It just keep reaching the wrong conclusions, so the Legislature has zeroed out funding for Council for Education Policy, Research and Improvement.
Gallagher off and running right
Gallagher makes a predictable swerve to the right but his heart doesn't seem in it and will it be enough if a real right winger get in the race?
(PB Post version here. St. Pete version here.)
"There's nothing better than having a wife and child who support you and work with you and that you can go home to and relax with and enjoy,'' Gallagher said.Know whatahmean, know whatahmean, nudge nudge, know whatahmean, say no more?
(PB Post version here. St. Pete version here.)
5/18/2005
More legislating, more fun
As a columnist, I wholeheartedly support the idea of revising the state constitution to allow the Legislature to meet longer than 60 days.
The gifts that keep on giving
My, we're going to miss Lucy Morgan (this was her last Legislative session). Nobody else thought to look back at the money for the controversial chiropractic school at FSU and Johnnie Byrd's $15-million center Alzheimer's Tampa. Everyone said last year these things would be taken out of the budget but guess what? Last session somebody left the money faucet on.
5/15/2005
KeysBlogs
5/14/2005
Society for the encouragement of bike racks
Recently back from Anna Maria Island which seems to have a little more success in keeping a funky Old Florida feel than nearby places. How long that can last is anybody's guess, but it's a bit like the Keys 10 or 15 years ago. Speaking in my role as the sole member of the Florida Society for the Encouragement of Bike Racks, I note the place is very bike-friendly with lots of hand-painted bike racks and seriously used beach-cruisers in evidence.
(Photo/M. Lane)
(Photo/M. Lane)
5/13/2005
Graham for Davis
It's surprising at this early date to see Bob Graham endorsing U.S. Rep. Jim Davis for governor.
Since hardly nobody has heard of the Dems in this race, I suppose this is A Big Deal.
Other candidates: I saw Sen. Rod Smith in action on the floor during the last days of the session and must say he was impressive. Of course, it's been ages since anyone went directly from the legislature to the governor's office. How long? SinceReubin Askew Bob Graham in '78.
Since hardly nobody has heard of the Dems in this race, I suppose this is A Big Deal.
Other candidates: I saw Sen. Rod Smith in action on the floor during the last days of the session and must say he was impressive. Of course, it's been ages since anyone went directly from the legislature to the governor's office. How long? Since
"No Facts Zone"
Bill O'Reilly and the Houston Chronicle slug it out over Florida's Jessica Lunsford Law. The Chronicle's reaction is laid in an editorial -- The No Facts Zone.
The Chronicle's earlier take: electronic monitoring is well and good but funding and staffing probation offices keep the public safer. Makes sense to me.
The Chronicle's earlier take: electronic monitoring is well and good but funding and staffing probation offices keep the public safer. Makes sense to me.
5/11/2005
Back to work
Back from Tallahassee and a few day off at points south. Stayed up late with the Florida Legislature watching the wheels fall off the deals.
(Photo/M. Lane)
(Photo/M. Lane)
Nelson, body armor and Tommy Franks
Some interesting comment from the Pensito Review regarding Sen. Nelson's concerns over underperforming body armor and the possibility of Tommy Franks running for US Senate.
5/05/2005
light posting
Light posting for one week.
5/03/2005
Priority check
The Legislature wants to be stricter with certification and background checks for people working with slot machines than people working with pre-K kids.
(Via Sayfie)
(Via Sayfie)
5/02/2005
More on the Wild West Law
FindLaw's Anthony Sebok on Why Florida's new "Stand Your Ground" Law is more extreme than other states' self-defense measures and how it got that way.
(Via Kos)
(Via Kos)
DCF's new mandate: Force babies to have babies
Hiaasen on DCF's latest antiabortion case:
And, LG, herself asks a sensible question: "Why can't I make my own decision?"
Such ruthless intrusion into the most private matters is a trademark of the new Republican right, which seldom wastes an opportunity to whip the pro-life crowd into a tizzy. It will likely happen again with L.G's case.
And, LG, herself asks a sensible question: "Why can't I make my own decision?"
