"Jeb!" Steps In It Yet Again - "Gov. Jeb Bush's office was trying to distance itself Tuesday from another memo that appeared to link the governor to planned demonstrations by doctors outside the offices of Republican state senators. The memo, titled ``These Boots Were Made for Walking,'' was sent Monday by the Sarasota Medical Society to its members. It said the governor's office, working through the Florida Medical Association, had asked that groups of 100 doctors demonstrate Monday outside the offices of Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, and Sen. Lisa Carlton, R-Sarasota. The two are among the Republican senators who have steadfastly opposed Bush's push for a $250,000 cap on jury awards for pain and suffering in malpractice lawsuits." See "Governor's Office Denies Memo Link".
The Senate Steps In To Clean Up Corporate Voucher Mess - "It shouldn't have taken news of a private school's ties to an alleged terrorist to put a spotlight on accountability within Florida's corporate voucher program. Nevertheless, the Florida Senate is right to scrutinize the selection criteria for a state program that gives businesses dollar-for-dollar tax breaks for sending needy children to private schools. The Senate plans to investigate how students and schools are picked for funding. The probe comes in the wake of criticism from a Department of Education employee about the lack of accountability, and reports that $300,000 had gone to the Islamic Academy of Florida - a school in Tampa co-founded by Sami Al-Arian, a former University of South Florida professor accused of being the U.S. leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad." See "Vouchers: Oversight is sorely lacking".
Bush Permits Expansion Of Gambling - "A measure opponents say could encourage gambling by allowing bigger stakes in poker games at dog tracks and jai alai frontons will become law without his signature, Gov. Jeb Bush said Tuesday." The legislation was opposed by, aong others, "a group called No Casinos." Apparently not wanting to raise the ire of "Jeb!", the group's "representatives didn't want to comment on the governor's action Tuesday evening." See "Governor to allow higher-stakes poker law without signing bill". See also "Higher poker betting stakes approved". We wonder if the Christian Coalition or the other Bushie sycophants of the right wing cabal that comprise Bush's base will have anything to say about this. We doubt it.
Dems Slam Each Other - In addition to a brief update on the Penelas - Deutsch thing, this article gives a good review of the status of the various folks who would replace Graham: "Diverse lot of Democrats eyes Graham's seat".
Wonder Why "Jeb!" Forgot To Say That Tourism Is "Responsible For . . . Keeping [Wages] Low . . . " - "The Florida tourism industry is rebounding and is responsible for driving the state's economy and keeping taxes low, Gov. Jeb Bush said Monday." See "Gov. Bush says state tourism on rebound from 2001 attacks".
If You Have Nothing Else To Do, You Can Always Read The Florida Times Union - Consider the editors' insigghts on the malpractice cap debate in today's "Taking sides".
Vague Voucher Law Prevents Prosecution - This headline is very misleading: "Prosecutors find no wrongdoing by Pensacola-based voucher schools". It is not that there was no "wrongdoing" in connection with the allegations that the private school "pocketed money intended for students instead of spending it on books and other materials, and fed children food that was past its expiration date." Rather, there could not be a prosecution because, as "Assistant State Attorney Jerry Champagne said Monday", "'The statutes that govern the way that money is spent don't lay out clear guidelines.'" 6:57 AM
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