Floridians Not Prepared for Hurricane Season
Florida’s top emergency manager told reporters Monday he’s concerned that the absence of severe storms in recent years may be lulling Floridians into a false sense of security as the 2011 hurricane season approaches. Bryan Koon, the director of the Division of Emergency Management, said he’s confident Florida’s emergency response network is up to the task, but worries that residents are not.
Schools May Lose Vending Machines
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putman said he may shut down or restrict the use of vending machines given the obesity epidemic, which if left unchecked will cost the state millions in health care costs. But many cash-strapped school districts are worried they might lose those nickels and dimes from vending machines, they have come to rely on to make ends meet.
Did Scott’s Lawyer Lie to Court About Rail?
Gov. Rick Scott’s top legal counsel has told the Florida Supreme Court that he gave the court wrong information in a key instance in a case over high speed rail.
General Counsel Charles Trippe wrote to Chief Justice Canady on Thursday to notify the court that he misrepresented what some justices appeared to think was a key fact in the argument over the governor’s rejection of federal money for high speed rail.
Payback Time for Supreme Court
Proposals to overhaul the state’s court system — and particularly the Florida Supreme Court–started moving through the Senate on Monday, including making it easier for the Legislature to overturn rules approved by the high court. The proposals come in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decisions last year to knock off the ballot three constitutional amendment proposed by the Legislature.
Gov. Scott Shows His Cards
Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order on Wednesday appointing a commission to review the performance and costs of local government-run hospitals. Scott, who himself was a former CEO and ran one of the largest hospital chains, Columbia/HCA and hastily resigned in 1997 before the company was fined $1.7 billion for Medicare fraud, says he wants to make sure that taxpayers are getting their money’s worth in healthcare.
8.9
Tsunami Alert for New Zealand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Hawaii, and others. Waves expected over the next few hours, caused by 8.9 earthquake in Japan.
Going Backwards: State to Tighten Clemency Rules
The Florida Executive Clemency Board voted on Wednesday to rescind a 2007 change which made it easier for people with nonviolent felony convictions to have their civil rights restored. The Board approved a proposal requiring a waiting period of at least five years, before people with non-violent convictions, after serving their sentences, can proceed with having their civil rights restored.
ARE WE LIVING MLK’S DREAM?
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. shared his vision long ago for a just society. Since his time African Americans and their nation have come a long way – but is it far enough? Much of the world is familiar with portions of the famous speech that Dr. King delivered on the steps of the Washington [...]
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