The postings will be less extensive over Labor Day weekend.
In any event, what a time to learn that "Florida may have a lower unemployment rate than the national average, but the state's hourly workers continue to earn wages that are among the nation's lowest, according to a university report." (The quote is from an AP Wire article on the heels of yesterday's "FIU study finds Florida has jobs aplenty, but hourly pay lowest in nation"- we'll have to see how many newspapers pick up the AP story).
"'Another conservative comes to Florida,' Regier said. 'I don't think that should be huge news.'" - "Tolerance questions surround DCF hire". God help us.
Don't Hold Your Breath - If Gov. Jeb Bush and the Legislature know the meaning of the word shame, that is what they should be feeling after inviting a massive rate hike by the state's telephone companies. Verizon, Sprint and BellSouth wasted no time in taking advantage of a bill written by phone company lobbyists and signed into law three months ago by Bush. "Opportunity calls".
Thanks "Jeb!" - As predicted, telephone companies are rushing to enact the largest phone-service price hike in Florida's history. But those watching their local bills increase by as much as 70 percent should remember that they really have Gov. Jeb Bush and the Legislature to thank. "As predicted".
What A Great Idea! House Speaker Johnnie Byrd's plan to give voters a chance to change their minds on a 2002 constitutional amendment limiting class size is beginning to take shape - and to draw opposition from Democrats and the teacher's union. "Byrd's bill blueprint unveiled - Proposal would limit class-size reductions".
And When Will This Blow Up?House Speaker Johnnie Byrd has paid almost $3-million to computer companies and lawyers since November to operate and upgrade the House computer system.
House records show most of the money was paid to Jagged Peak, a Clearwater firm hired without a written state contract to work on a project begun in 2001 by another vendor, Hayes Computer Systems.
Hayes was hired by Byrd's predecessor, Tom Feeney, and his top aide, Paul Hawkes. Byrd said Friday that the system was "in a ditch" when he took over as speaker, so he ordered changes in the fall after glitches threatened to disrupt the launching of a new House Web site.
On Election Day 2002, before he officially became speaker, Byrd turned to Steve Burton, a lawyer friend he had just hired. Burton in turn hired Jagged Peak, a client of his Tampa law firm. "Deals to fix computers: $3-million - "If your car breaks down on the side of the road, you don't put out bids for wreckers," the House speaker says.".
Attacking Penelas Probably Isn't The Way To Do It - The Democratic Party and several of its presidential candidates are hoping to take advantage of the White House's recent troubles with Cuban-American voters in South Florida. "Democrats eye Cuban-American vote". It really is about time. Let's hope this isn't more of the same blather from the DNC, but rather a real effort to put "boots on the ground".
Did They Hold Hands And Sing Kumbaya Too? - Amid prayers, dance performances and cheesecake, Gov. Jeb Bush on Friday praised six Florida communities for "graduating" from an urban revitalization program. The Front Porch Florida program, one of the governor's central campaign promises in 1998, brought a grass-roots approach to urban renewal: Residents, not governments, are supposed to help lift each community. "Governor praises six Front Porch programs".