Justice has been racing the clock for two years in Florida. On Oct. 1, time runs out -- unless leaders take swift and decisive action.
The deadline was set by state lawmakers in a 2001 bill that allowed inmates to request DNA evidence, even if the time alloted for appeals had otherwise expired. Since then, volunteer attorneys and public defenders have been scrambling to review hundreds of letters from defendants who claim that genetic testing will prove their innocence.
Most of those letters come from men who have been convicted of rape, child molestation and murder -- the worst accusations society can hurl at an individual. The idea that someone could be falsely accused of such a heinous crime and lose years of their life, or face execution, is one of society's worst nightmares.
Lawmakers understood that in 2001, when they reacted to the growing number of convictions overturned by irrefutable genetic proof of innocence. They just didn't go far enough. In addition to the two-year deadline, they put significant barriers in the path of anyone seeking to obtain DNA testing. In many cases, prosecutors fought hard to keep the testing from even being performed.
You Don't Think -A move by the state to limit the number of businesses that have easy access to contracts with state and local governments is raising concerns among vendors who fear competition will be shut off to favor politically connected companies. . . . Several vendors in both categories have contacted the Tallahassee Democrat expressing concern that all the contracts will go to companies who have curried political favor either by giving large campaign contributions or hiring people with Bush administration connections. All of the companies refused to be named in the newspaper, however, as they fear reprisals during this delicate phase of the negotiations. "State's vendor limits draw concern".
Penelas In Jax - Penelas is seeking Democratic support in Jacksonville, backed by Steve and Gary Pajcic, who hosted a fund-raiser, and former Mayor Tommy Hazouri and former Sheriff Nat Glover. See "Political Ticker".
Penelas Had this to say about "Jeb!": asked his thoughts on Jeb Bush's job, he said: "I think he's done a fair job. That is a tough job." He then noted the education and other policy choices where he diverges from Bush.
"Jeb!" To Waste Taxpayer's Money On New Plane -The Department of Management Services plans to make a recommendation today or Tuesday to buy or lease a new plane. . . . The department received five offers to negotiate and has narrowed them down to three possible choices: A Learjet offered by Bombardier Aerospace for $6.9 million; a Citation Bravo jet offered by Cessna Aircraft Company for $5.8 million; and a King Air 350 turbo prop offered by Raytheon Aircraft Company for $5.5 million. See "State to recommend replacing officials' airplane".
"Donkeys Rock [sic]" -The Florida Democratic Party will begin a two-week tour Monday of the state's universities as part of a voter registration drive it's calling "Donkeys Rock." Party Chairman Scott Maddox and other top officials will drive from city to city and set up registration booths as well as provide entertainment from live bands or DJs. "Democrats begin two-week tour of state universities".
Off Topic: FLSA Changes -Suppose you wanted to exclude eight million workers from overtime protections. But you don't want to call attention to police, firefighters and nurses among them. And it's hard to say that you favor forcing people to work extra for free. So you try a magician's trick: Distract the audience. You point to a million low-wage workers who could gain protection, and poof. You're off the hook. "Protect workers' right to overtime". 5:44 AM
[Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]