Notes For Sunday, November 24, 2002

Start Counting: "On Friday, the state Department of Education released a letter sent to all 67 school districts asking for an updated accounting of all permanent and portable facilities used as classrooms. Due by Dec. 6, the data is to be used to provide a benchmark as lawmakers begin formulating a response to a sweeping class-size initiative approved by voters earlier this month." [More]

7:17 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

A 4% Shift In the Hispanic Vote: A national post-election survey of 2,500 voters by Democratic pollster Stanley Greenberg, shows that Hispanic voters represented 5 percent of the vote, about the same as in the last midterm election. In 2000, 64 percent of Hispanics voted for Democratic congressional candidates and 35 percent voted for Republicans. In 2002, 60 percent of Hispanics voted for Democrats and 39 percent went with Republicans. [Read]

What does it mean for Florida, well it could boost the hopes of Orange County's Mel Martinez. Orlando Sentinel Political Editor Mark Silva reviews the scenarios, which include Gallagher, Graham, Brogan, and Nelson. 7:01 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

Survey of Sunday's Papers:

- Lawyer Wars: Med mal looks to be a top issue, with the class size amendment, in the next legislative session; the Tampa Tribune writes about the the issue - and indeed whether there is an issue at all - here.

- Gambling Anyone? The Miami Herald writes about how the class size amendment has energized the gaming industry lobbyists, particularly in light of Bush's startling post election transformation on gambling.

- There's Gotta Be A Way Outa This: The Florida Times Union has an interesting piece on vatious ways the text of the class size amendment is being interpreted; the amendment requires "starting next school year, 'the Legislature shall provide sufficient funds to reduce the average number of students in each classroom by at least two students per year.'". With the requirements in "each" classroom - not the average of all classrooms - and the reductions to start next school year, there is some serious work to do.

- Passing The Buck:The Tallahasee Democrat joins the Miami Herald in publishing Manhattan Insitute apologia- It ain't Jeb's fault that Florida is dead last in graduation rates
6:36 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]