Notes For Monday, December 09, 2002

DEMS CLAIM PHIL HANDY "UNQUALIFIED" TO HEAD EDUCATION BOARD According to Senate Minority Leader Tom Rossin, "This guy [Phil Handy] is unqualified to be chairman of the Board of Education. . . . You can tell a lot of the Republicans are uncomfortable voting for him." Too bad Rossin's minority is so tiny. Handy will of course be confirmed in a flash.

["Democrats delay education confirmation", column by Lucy Morgan of the SP Times] 4:29 PM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

DO YOU THINK DADDY WILL RECUSE HIMSELF? Janet Rehnquist, the inspector general at the federal Health and Human Services (HHS) Department, apparently has a penchant for shredding documents. This Bush family confidant, who no doubt believes people ought to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps, is the subject of a short piece in Time magazine. The article mentions that she is "under fire for delaying an audit of a Florida pension fund at the request of a top aide to Governor Jeb Bush."

["A Rehnquist Under Scrutiny". Article in Time.] 7:09 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

MORE UNFUNDED ELECTION MANDATES ON THE HORIZON? States are quick to complain about federal unfunded mandates, but show little restraint in imposing such mandates on local government. The recent election law "reforms" are an example of inadequately funded state mandates. As reported in the Miami Herald today, more such mandates may be on the way.

["Election chiefs fear loss of power". Article in the Miami Herald.] 7:01 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

WELL, WHY APPOINT COMMITTEES THEN? In a stunning display of arrogance, the Bush administration is criticizing a report by GOP appointees that doesn't toe the party line. The draft report, by the state's Council for Education Policy, Research and Improvement, says merit pay systems are unworkable. "These programs . . . have been difficult to design, difficult to ensure fairness and difficult to fund over time," the report concluded. Merit pay - little more than an artifice to permit managers to spank independent subordinates and at the same time reward sycophants - has been a centerpiece of Bush's educational "reform".

Not surprisingly, the teachers union - and public employees generally - have opposed merit pay systems as being unfair. The draft report suggests the unions are right and John Ellis Bush is wrong about merit pay. "'This [report] was done totally independently,' said William Proctor, executive director of the council. 'There are lots of things in there that are good ideas, and I couldn't tell you they coincide with anyone else's view of the world. It's a thoughtful piece that reflects what we heard out there.'"

Well, their view's didn't coincide with those of the Bush administration: John Winn, deputy secretary for the Florida Board of Education, was quick to dismiss the report. "'I see no substantiation here,' Winn said. 'No advantages and disadvantages. No research.' He continued: 'this doesn't seem to be a policy research product,' Winn said, emphasizing a phrase that describes the council's mission. "Winn defended performance pay as a way to reward good teachers. . . ."

["Report revives teacher pay controversy". Article in the SP Times]

6:56 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

TO THE EXTENT ANYONE CARES: The 2006 House Speaker race is on. [Article.] 6:22 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]