Florida

Sansom turns off the local pork faucet

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:51:28 +0000

Speaker Ray Sansom just announced that he and Senate President Jeff Atwater have agreed that there will be no community budget requests that coming legislative session. Not a huge surprise given the budget situation, but the edict is likely to cause a statewide groan. The local project money, much of it going to worthwhile projects like water plants but some for doubtful reasons, is as much a staple in Tallahassee as it is in Washington. More background here. Original post by Alex Leary (Read the full post about ‘Sansom turns off the local pork faucet’…)

WaterColor: A lobby free zone

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:42:40 +0000

Two years ago, a number of high-profile lobbyists had primo access to House Republicans during the inaugural retreat at WaterColor, the secluded beach resort in Ray Sansom’s back yard.

This date, lobbyists are banned.

It’s part of now-Speaker Sansom’s goal to cultivate team building and focus on policy discussion. It plus helps remove some of the controversy surrounding the expensive getaway, held amid during an profitable crisis. The Republican Party of Florida is picking up the tab for about 150 citizens, including 74 GOP House members.

Members are now getting a lesson on decorum from Speaker Pro Tem Larry Cretul. Amid his advice: Remember there is a public gallery filled with folks with cameras and recording devices. "The folks can be your friends or they might not be your friends," he said. "Remember, as I say, the world is watching."

Sansom emphasized that data. assume, he said, whether someone with keen interest in a bill turns on the TV to see a rep laughing at his BlackBerry. "It’s vital that the less walking around, the less talking ….it looks very respectful the more we listen to the debate."

Original post by Alex Leary

Congressman Young’s son recovering from surgery

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:22:38 +0000

CLEARWATER — Patrick Young, the 21-year-old youngest son of U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young, is recovering from surgery that removed a tumor behind his lung.

Pathology results showed the tumor was benign. His surgery went without complications, said Young’s spokesman Harry Glenn. He is recovering at Morton Plant Hospital.

–Stephanie Garry, Times Staff Writer

Original post by Times Editor

CFO Rick Baker?

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:14:27 +0000

Republican St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker has expanded struck observers as a guy with further political ambitions once he leaves office in 2010. The question is what next? He’s pretty much ruled out running for Congress (if CW Bill Young retires), Charlie Crist has the governor’s mansion, and Baker’s political prospects will ebb fast once he leaves office and his profile dims.

Which is where Democratic Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink fits in. whether, as many folks expect, she winds up running for U.S. Senate (or governor), Baker is a prime candidate for the open CFO seat. The mayor insists, however, that he won’t mull his future at least until mid-2009.

"I don’t rule anything out at that point,” Baker said.

One wrinkle: Baker’s media consultant is Adam Goodman of Tampa, whose clients include another potential CFO candidate, state Senate President Jeff Atwater of North Palm Beach.

Original post by Adam Smith

A new person to talk to at the FDOE

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:01:23 +0000

The Florida division of Education has a new leader in its communications department, nearly six months after Jennifer Fennell left that role for life in the private sector.

Now heading the PR charge is Erin Geraghty, who has been spokesperson for the state’s beleaguered division of Children and Families for the past two or so years. Before that, the 2002 UNF grad served as a voice for the departments of Elder Affairs and Community Affairs.

In other words, she’s well-versed in government speak, Tallahassee style.

In an e-mail to reporters, Geraghty promised to “continue to push openness, transparency and accountability in government.” We certain hope so.

Original post by Jeff Solochek

Justice Stevens and Judge Gonzalez

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:26:51 +0000

U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens and District Judge Jose Gonzalez spoke yesterday at the University of Florida. Here's the UF newspaper article about the event:

Associate Justice John Paul Stevens, of the U.S. Supreme Court, and Jose A. Gonzalez Jr., U.S. District Court Judge, agreed on a litany of legal issues at an on–campus discussion Monday.Stevens and Gonzalez gave advice and commented on the legal system to about 1,000 people at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in the inaugural event of the Marshall Criser Distinguished Lecture Series.Two UF law professors and a third–year law student asked the two men questions submitted by law students during the “conversation.”
Stevens and Gonzalez both agreed that legal opinions have gotten too long, and that it might be influenced by the introduction of computers.“It’s a lot easier to type something up than it is to write it out, especially if you have lousy handwriting,” Stevens said.When Stevens said he was a fan of footnotes, but thought they were optional reading, Larry Dougherty, the third–year law student, interjected.“Justice Stevens, some of our professors here have us under the impression that footnotes are required reading,” he said to laughter from the audience.Sharon E. Rush, one of the two law professors asking questions, assured the audience she still wants her students to read footnotes.Getting a little more serious, Gonzalez talked about the issue of judges’ salaries, saying they are not paid what they are worth.“We’re spending billions of dollars on the war in Iraq, and we can’t afford to compensate a handful of federal judges. That’s crazy,” he said, to perhaps the loudest applause of the conversation.Stevens agreed and complimented Gonzalez on his eloquence.When asked what advice they would give to the law students, Gonzalez joked he would give the same advice he’s given other people: “Don’t sue people that don’t have any money because there’s no future in it.”Stevens advised students to develop a reputation as a person of honor.“Nothing is more important to a lawyer than his word,” he said.In one of the last questions of the event, both judges agreed on which Supreme Court justice in the nation’s history they would speak to if they had the chance: Justice John Marshall.“He was a very interesting man who lived in very interesting times, and he had a very interesting personality,” Gonzalez said.

Monday’s ramblings

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:23:41 +0000

After another blowout win, everyone has advice for the Gators.

Mr. College Football has some interesting things to say today and not just about us.

Playing so well Coach Meyer is searching for the right words to describe it.

Mike Bianchi sums up the true meaning of Saturday’s game.

Incredible stat from Saturday. After Percy Harvin gained 22 yards on the Gators’ first snap of the game against South Carolina Gary Danielson said that "when Florida has a 20-yard gain this year, they go on to score 34 out of 30 times." We really are playing well!! Of course we fumbled on the next snap so I am not sure how to adjust those numbers.

The Syracuse job is now available. Not too long ago Rob Konrad was openly campaigning for Steve Adazzio to be named the next HBC at Syracuse. Here is the latest from a Syracuse blog. Take a good long list at the candidates and tell me which one is the oddball – hint his boss was recently let go.

What some “experts” learned from this past weekend. Of course I learned that no matter how many times in a row no officer has checked your pockets when entering the stadium, there is always the chance that will change. Crisis was averted when KB came through with an extra ticket stat. I got to sit under the drip for my stupidity.

I know we have the Citadel this week

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:01:05 +0000

but this had to be posted.

Countdown to FSU!

Another Saturday…

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:42:25 +0000

…and yet another top defense blown up.

South Carolina pre-Tebow/Harvin/Demps/Special Teams/Defense

Scoring Defense

National Rank – 10th
Points per Game – 15.6

South Carolina post “The Spurr-Dog Massacre”

Scoring Defense

National Rank – 24th
Points per Game – 19.3

This adds the “Cocks” to the following fallen D’s whose current rankings are nearly solely as a result of having faced the Gator machine –

Kentucky – 36th nationally, 21.1 ppg. Without Florida – 16.9 ppg (would be 14th ranked)

Georgia – 58th nationally, 23.8 ppg. Without Florida – 21.3 ppg (would be 39th ranked)

Vanderbilt – 27th nationally, 19.8 ppg. Without Florida – 17.3 ppg (would be 15th ranked)

I'm not bothering with LSU, because we aren't the only ones who can take credit for that mess.

Justice Wells officially announces his resignation

admin — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:22:40 +0000

We’ve told you its coming, and it’s now official. Justice Charlie Wells will as he turns 70, giving Gov. Charlie Crist his fourth spot on the court. His final day is March 3rd.

Original post by Jennifer Liberto