Notes For Tuesday, April 08, 2003

Legislative Update - The Miami Herald Reports that "Amendments may soon face higher hurdles" and "Housing plan money threatened"; as well as: "Funds to buy sensitive land in jeopardy". Here is a link to the Herald's "Tallahassee Ticker"

Budget Style - The Tallahassee Democrat urges: "Go for reality budgeting - Senate style"

Our Enviromental Governor - "U.S. Reps. Porter Goss of Sanibel and Clay Shaw of Fort Lauderdale cautioned Friday that a sugar industry-backed proposal being debated in the state House of Representatives could put at risk a 'fragile partnership' between Washington and Florida, which are splitting the tab for the 30-year cleanup project." However, "Bush said Monday that [the] two Republican congressmen got it wrong when they warned state Republicans that a proposal under consideration in the House could jeopardize the $8 billion Everglades restoration effort." Bush said the veteran GOP "congressmen 'need to be briefed' on the issue". At the same time, thae Florida Audobon Society says: "'With all due respect, it's the governor who has it wrong,'" See "Bush: Sugar bill no Glades threat - Pollution standards weakened, state environmentalists argue"

Good Luck - "Perhaps bankers and builders will succeed where others have failed -- convincing Gov. Jeb Bush and the Legislature to call off a raid on trust funds established to provide a steady stream of revenue for affordable-housing programs." See "Trust-fund battle joined Bankers, builders send Legislature a welcome message".

Meet The 2006-07 Florida Senate President - "Senator sheds 'bad boy' image".

One Way To Kill A Bill - See "Uncertain terms".

Picking Judges - Avoid a "Confirmation sham".

Graham - "Late start leaves Graham far back in money race".

Internet Sales Tax Proposal - The Daytona Beach News-Journal likes the idea, pointing out that "As the Internet becomes more prominent in everyday life, the state sales tax -- the base of Florida's budget -- becomes shakier."

The Right To Vote - "Ex-felons seek right to vote" in an appeal to be heard Wednesday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. The St Pete Times thinks it is "time to end [the] voting ban for ex-felons". 6:13 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]