A whole lotta Scripps stuff again. The "deal is certainly getting intense coverage, if not scrutiny, in the media.
We start with the following proposition: the "Scripps-Florida plan on verge of approval". There are no obstacles to passage, merely some pro form handwringing and a desire by legislators to give the appearance that they aren't - get this - "Jeb!" rubber stamps.
Not being addressed in all this is a simple question: Why The Rush? Are we on the verge of being beaten out by other states? No. Has there really been enough time to do a proper economic analysis of the potential economic impact of the deal? Of course not. The scheme was announced just a few days ago, and the pols are rushing to spend a good part of a billion dollars, without any serious economic analysis (the preordained "study" our "Jeb!" is touting is certainly suspect). Heck, even a quick review of "Jeb!"'s numbers cobbled together in the past few days shows that at least some of "Jeb!"'s predictions are "substantially overstated":
An economic analysis released by a Democratic lawmaker refutes some of the benefits that Gov. Jeb Bush has promised Florida will enjoy if it lures Scripps Research Institute to the state. . . .
The economic analysis used by Bush, which was done by the Washington Economic Group, predicted a Scripps center in Florida would attract some 500 companies in 15 years and create an additional 44,000 jobs.
That prediction is substantially overstated, according to Gelber's counter-analysis, which includes number-crunching by economists for the Legislature and analysis by an economist who used to work for the Legislature. "Analysis refutes some figures".
"JEB!"'S SHAME - While we are being subjected to headlines like "Bush dreams big for economy", the true "Jeb!" legacy is largely hidden from view:
The number of low-income Florida children who have lost or been denied health insurance is skyrocketing - while Gov. Jeb Bush and state lawmakers continue to sit on millions of federal dollars that could be used to pare the waiting list and ease the misery. In this week's special session of the Legislature, state leaders need to get off their duffs and tap federal money to provide Florida's poor children the health care coverage they need and deserve. "No excuse for coverage cut".
COULD IT BE?Florida's public university presidents have rolled over for so long that they've forgotten how to bark. All they know how to do is beg.
For two years, since Gov. Bush and the Legislature abolished the Board of Regents and placed higher education under the governor's control, the 11 presidents have been oh-so deferential toward the tightwads in Tallahassee. This year, when their combined budgets got cut by $40 million while the state passed more tax cuts for the wealthiest Floridians, they didn't challenge the Legislature or Gov. Bush. Instead, they tried to get legislators to make up the difference by shorting public schools even more. "Shaking off muzzles?"
FLA DEMO CONVENTION: STRAW POLL CONTROVERSY - Howard Dean's presidential campaign is quietly mobilizing for a show of force at Florida's state Democratic Party convention despite calls by national party leaders for a boycott if a straw poll is taken. "Howard Dean campaign wants straw poll, but party resisting".
RACE MATTERS - The Palm Beach Post does some research and finds that "Income gaps persist among races". Not much of a surprise there.
YOUR "OUTRAGE" AND 25 CENTS WILL GET YOU . . . During a push for the biggest local telephone rate increase in Florida history, utility regulators and legislators have faced an unprecedented barrage from the telecommunications industry, including intense lobbying and millions in campaign contributions.
But consumer advocates say perhaps the most blatant example of the political pressure was a lavish four-day convention last year of Florida Public Service Commission members and other regulators at an oceanfront Miami Beach resort. "Phone industry's courting of regulators stirs outrage".
LIP SERVICE - Isn't it pathetic to hear the pols, as they rush to approve the $310M (not including the &100M or so Palm Beach County is handing out), bemoan the lack of funding for issues crucial for Floridians today: [Demos] worried that the state has been short-changing education overall, while giving away business incentives from the treasury.
"JEB!" PRETENDS TO GIVE TWO HOOTS ABOUT THE ENVIROMENT -Democrats usually fight such ideas; this time they are joined by such Republicans as Sen. Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, the President's brother. "I am concerned it will encourage drilling in these areas," Jeb Bush wrote to congressional leaders two weeks ago. "Negative impacts associated with offshore oil and gas development could place our economy at risk." "Oil-search plans splitting GOP".
THIS TELLS US SOMETHING, DOESN'T IT -Bush has received at least $1.5 million from donors from Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties, according to campaign finance reports. The reports generally show only itemized donations above $200. The president had a $1.7 million fund-raiser in Jacksonville Sept. 9, and four Jacksonville residents have raised at least $200,000 for Bush. "President leads local race for campaign donations"
YOU GOTTA START SOMEWHERE - A Winter Haven college student has opened a campaign account to challenge an incumbent member of the state Legislature. Johnathan Torres, a 20-year-old Democrat, is seeking the seat of state Rep. Baxter Troutman, a Republican who also has opened an account for his re-election campaign. "College student challenges incumbent state legislator". 5:23 AM
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