Florida House DEM Caucus Ask For Investigation of Scott Budget Signing

Florida House Democrats have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater to investigate a Rick Scott staffer throwing protesters out of the budget signing. Below is the letter sent by the Florida House Democratic caucus. Below is the letter.

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Jeff Atwater Heart Insurance Companies

Florida CFO Jeff Atwater has formed a PIP Fraud Commission. Here is the kicker: Atwater claims that pip fraud cases increased by 290 percent in Tampa in 2009.

PIP fraud accounts for more than 40 percent of Florida's annual insurance fraud referrals and according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Florida has three of the top five cities nationally for questionable claims associated with staged accidents - Tampa, Miami and Orlando. In 2009, Tampa experienced a 290-percent increase in questionable claims related to staged or caused accidents.

The study was done by the very official sounding National Insurance Crime Bureau. One would think that the NICB is a law enforcement or government agency. The truth is it is an organization was created by the insurance industry. The United Automobile Insurance Company blog published the findings of the NICB report.

Tampa had 487 questionable claims related to staged or caused accidents in 2009, a 290 percent increase over the previous year.

Miami had 258 questionable claims, an 11 percent increase year to year.

Orlando had 240 questionable claims, a 24 percent increase.

South Florida was a hotbed of staged crashes, according to the bureau. While the Miami and Hialeah areas continue to show increased activity, criminal have moved north and Tampa Bay is now the center of this crime trend.

Apparently, there are criminal masterminds that buy cars, insurance and then stage crashes so they can fight insurance companies over the next few years for personal injury payments. What a brilliant plan!

We are also to believe that there are crime rings that stage car accidents and have migrated to Tampa like birds. The actually NICB study PDF can be found googling the words "290 percent pip florida national insurance crime bureau tampa." The report cites no outside sources or police records of accidents. The report also doesn't explain the methodology it used to come to its conclusions. How exactly can there be 487 cases of accident fraud and only in St Petersburg? Are we to believe that St. Petersburg residents are more upstanding citizens.

The insurance industry protects their bottom line by paying off as few claims as possible. I don't believe for a second the NICB report is legitimate. The question is why is Atwater citing this report? The insurance industry gave $218,150 to Atwater's campaign. It seems Atwater knows how to protect his bottom line.

Florida Cabinet Races

Dan Gelber has conceded to Pam Bondi.

Jeff Atwater is the winner of the Chief Financial Officer race. WUSF reports Atwater is beating Loranne Ausley 59 percent to 37 percent.

Not that anyone gives a shit, but Adam Putnam is leading in the agricultural commissioner's race. Putnam is going to win. The race to watch now is Alex Sink and Rick Scott.

Andrew Breitbart to Speak In Tampa

Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater might want to explain why he is appearing in Tampa with Andrew Breitbart at the Florida Transparency Summit. The event is hosted the the conservative James Madison Institute. The summit will take place in downtown Tampa.

It is hard to take Breitbart seriously as an advocate for transparency when he attacked ACORN and Shirley Sherrod with doctored videotapes. Breitbart has also been invited to speak at an RNC fundrasier. Republicans such as Atwater and Michael Steele should be asked if they are bothered by Breitbart's lack of journalistic ethics and constant race-baiting. Sane minds would not want to be associated with Breitbart's antics. Instead, Republicans are treating the disgraced Breitbart as a hero.

Cretul & Atwater Decide Not to Work

BP has been caught in Florida dumping sand to cover oil their clean-up crew did not pick up. Tourism on the West Coast of Florida has been affected by the Deep Horizon spill. CFO Alex Sink has repeatedly urged House Speaker Larry Cretul and Senate President Jeff Atwater to call a special session to deal with the environmental crisis. Gov. Charlie Crist called the Florida legislature to a special session to address a possible Constitutional amendment to ban offshore drilling. Speaker Cretul said the best way to address the spill is to do nothing during the upcoming special session.

Today I received a message from the Senate President, a copy of which is attached along with my response. I agree fully with President Atwater that we are not ready to legislate with respect to the oil spill.

To that end, I have instructed our staff to work with the Senate staff to finalize the process and the dates for a special session no earlier than September.

Accordingly, you can expect your stay to be very short next week but in the coming weeks you can expect to be recruited for numerous legislative efforts to identify and craft solutions to problems related to the oil spill.

Attachments

Dear President Atwater:

I am in receipt of your letter dated today, suggesting a joint committee and special session in the coming weeks. I am glad we agree that productive legislation addressing the Gulf oil spill cannot be enacted during next week's scheduled special session. Our duty is to dispose of executive proposals responsibly. Rushing to amend the constitution at the last possible moment because of an accident hundreds of miles from our jurisdiction does not typify deliberation and responsible legislation.

As you and the citizens and legislators of the Panhandle know well, Floridians are suffering along the Gulf Coast from the BP Oil spill. I have followed with interest the work of Senator Gaetz' committee. I assure you that the House is also actively exploring the nature of the injuries, the nature of the federal and private responses, and all suggestions for state response that may require legislation. I believe we can cooperate as we prepare legislative proposals to be considered at a reasonable time. I have asked my staff to work with the Senate staff to resolve the details of the appropriate process and dates for a special session.

Consequently, I am committing the full resources of the House to the full exploration of any and all responsible legislation likely to aid Florida's survival of and recovery from the oil spill. I am also ready, willing and able to join you in calling a special session to convene as early as September, as soon as we can identify those subjects upon which we can act in order to responsibly improve our state's health.

Sincerely,
Larry Cretul
Speaker

Republicans need more time to address the spill. That is why Florida House and Senate Republicans will do nothing about the spill during the current session. Rep. Kevin Ambler and Sen. Paula Dockery apparently have time to use the special session to try to pass an Arizona-style immigration law. Azizona Gov. Jan Brewer's claims about illegal immigrats beheading people have been debunked. Brewer's other claim about crime on the border increasing has been proven to be bogus. Brewer has to make up false facts in order to justify an immigration law that was tailored to the most xenophobic in the conservative base.

Florida has a serious environmental disaster. The state is in no danger of being invaded by Mexicans. The fact that Rupublicans in the Florida legislature rather make a needless immigration bill than risk angering the oil industry shows how unfit to lead Cretul and Atwater are.

Alex Sink voiced her disapproval at Cretul's and Atwater's decision.

“We’re three months into this mess, and our small business owners and citizens should not have to wait another two months for relief,” said CFO Alex Sink. “Delaying urgently needed tax relief and economic initiatives for our small business owners and residents devastated by this oil disaster is wrong. The Florida Legislature should be prepared to do their job and not force taxpayers to spend more money on another special session.”

The Republican Party have repeatedly stressed man-made environmental damage is a conspiracy theory. The GOP really does believe the free market will magically get rid of all the tar balls on Florida's beaches and pay reparations to small businesses. BP justs enjoys giving their money to small businesses owners with no hope of a financial return. And if you believe that then you probably think Rand Paul is a genius.

How Republicans on Offshore Drilling Sound Like Democrats on Gay Marriage

We can flash back to 2008 when Florida Republicans said it was necessary to place a ban on gay marriage in the Florida Constitution. The Left made the argument that gay marriage was already illegal in Florida and the way the ballot was written could affect hetrosexual marriages. The Left argument was weak and Republicans got a ban in the Florida Constitution.

The Left failed to make the emotional case that banning gay marriage was discrimation and morally wrong. The Right played on people's fears to rally Christian Right voters to the polls. Gov. Charlie Crist is now using the outrage at BP to pass a Constitutional amendment to permanently ban offshore drilling off the coast of Florida. Republicans are suddely screaming about how the special session is unneeded because offshore drilling is already illegal.

House Specker Larry Cretul has called the special session "smoke and mirrors." Marco Rubio has accused Crist of staging a photo op session." Rubio bills himself as the candidate with real solutions. Rubio's solution is more offshore drilling and tax cuts for small businesses. Rubio seeked publicity during his House Speaker days and passed a property tax amendment that was ruled unconstitutional. For Rubio to say Crist is using a special session for publicity doesn't pass the laugh test.

Jeff Atwater is running for Chief Financial Officer and Mike Haridopolos is the incoming Senate President. They are as pro-oil as Rubio and Cretul but are politically savvy enough not to piss off voters by being against the special session. Haridopolos is even willing to listen to proposals about renewable energy. Don't expect Atwater or Haridopolos to vote for a offshore drilling ban.

The whole argument about 'let's not put this on the ballot' because it is already illegal is lame. Progressives want a constitutional ban against offshore drilling. Christian conservatives got their constitutional ban against gay marriage. Political factions support a constitutional amendment when it is an issue they are passionate about. Past arguments about how gay marriage or offshore drilling can't be placed on the ballot because it is already illegal is rather disingenuous. I wanted the gay marriage amendment ballot to fail and an offshore drilling amendment ballot to come out of the Florida legislature. I was against the former and support the latter. Progressives did a horrible job framing thir position on gay marriage. I hope Republicans make the same mistakes on offshore drilling.

Alex Sink's Special Session Letter

Alex Sink sends a letter to Senate President Jeff Atwater and House Speaker Larry Cretal with a request of wonky intuitives for the July 20-23 special session. The letter reads as a smart piece of progressive policy. Which should guarantee that Sink's proposal will be hated by Republicans in the legislature.

Using litigation money to environmental study is an idea appealing to green supporters. The Florida legislature thinks short-term. Florida is in a deficit and the legislature will use any incoming money to help fill the financial sinkhole.

Enforcement on speedier claims is a win-win for Democrats. BP America has received criticism for handling of claims. Democrats can get legislation for legal enforcement on claims. If Republicans vote against the legislation Democrats can hammer Republicans. Florida Democrats have failed to use policy proposals for political leverage. This is an opportunities for Democrats to win on policy and politics.

Tax relief for businesses hurt by the spill is a proposal that should get bipartisan support. Republicans love tax cuts and Democrats will see the cuts as a form of stimulus for the fishing and the tourism industries.

Below is Alex Sink's letter.

**********

The Honorable Jeff Atwater

President of the Florida Senate

312 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1100



The Honorable Larry Cretul

Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives

420 The Capitol

402 South Monroe Street

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1300



Dear President Atwater and Speaker Cretul:

When the Florida Legislature convenes later this month to guard against future catastrophic threats to our state’s economy and environment by passing a constitutional amendment to ban near beach drilling, your members have the added responsibility to ensure that our small business owners, citizens, and way of life are protected.

The need for a ban on near beach drilling to prevent a future catastrophic disaster on our beaches is clear, and the time to make sure our beaches are protected is now. Without protecting our state waters through the constitutional amendment process, the Florida we know and love is in critical danger. But you also should take this session to pass smart, meaningful legislation that will directly impact the lives of so many of our residents and offer critically needed help for our small business owners.

In our fight to save Florida jobs, the need is urgent, and the task at hand trumps all else. The cost of the actions necessary to protect Florida’s economy must be the responsibility of BP and the federal government. The cost of inaction would otherwise be shouldered by all Floridians.

As Florida’s top fiscal officer, I have outlined the following incentives, claims changes, and environmental initiatives to protect Florida’s economy:

Recoup Economic Damages

Enact laws, retroactive if necessary, that will guarantee recovery of the economic damages suffered by businesses, homeowners, and local and state governments resulting from major disasters.

Mandate Speedier Claims Fulfillment

Create a single-point of entry for claimants, including plain language forms, with requirements for review and fulfillment within 15 business days. This process should include a dispute resolution process in the case of denial, with final arbitration overseen by the government.

Tax Relief for Businesses and Residents

Authorize property tax rebates for business and residential property owners whose property values have fallen because of the oil spill, similar to hurricanes, tornados, and fires.

Pass tourism tax incentives, such as a temporary waiver of the bed tax, to help the tourism industry recover and rebound, injecting tourism spending dollars back into our economy.

Provide Job Training and Re-Training

Dedicate federal government resources for job training and re-training in Northwest Florida so that our unemployed fisherman, charter boat operators, marina workers and restaurant and hotel workers have clear opportunities to learn new skills. Include provisions to extend training to other regions if the oil begins to impact other parts of Florida.

Provide direction to Enterprise Florida and the Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development to focus economic development efforts in Northwest Florida with the near- and long-term goal of creating non-tourism job opportunities.

Florida Environmental Endowment

Create an independently managed Florida Environmental Endowment funded by BP grants or future litigation settlements to provide resources for the study of Florida’s aquatic environment.

Constitutional Amendment to Ban Near Beach Drilling

Florida must ban oil drilling in its near shore waters through a constitutional amendment to prevent this type of disaster from ever occurring up to ten miles off our beaches.

The nature and challenge of expanding this special session is unprecedented. It is my hope that the solutions produced will match the size and scope of this disaster.

Sincerely,

Alex Sink

Offshore Drilling Dead

The Florida Congressional delegation sent Gov. Charlie Crist a letter. The delegation urged Crist not to support allowing drilling three miles from the Florida coast.

Dear Governor Crist:

We write to commend you on your announcement voicing opposition to combining renewable energy legislation with a bill to open Florida's state waters to near-shore oil drilling. As you know, clean renewable energy is Florida's future, not oil rigs three-to-ten-miles offshore along our coast.

For decades, Florida's elected officials from both parties have stood together to protect our state's economy and environment from irresponsible drilling. Yet with just a few days left in the Florida Legislature's annual session, the Florida House of Representatives passed a bill that would allow oil and gas companies to apply for drilling leases as close as three miles to Florida's shore. Thankfully, this measure was blocked in the Senate.

The bill is HB 1219. Rep. Charlie Van Zant made a series of bizarre remarks in support of offshore drilling. Crist and Senate President Jeff Atwater told the media there wasn't enough time to consider the House bill.

"I'm not receptive to it," Atwater said. "That is a really, significantly important issue. It'd be very difficult to imagine that's part of an end game for this session."

Crist Monday also told the Herald he was troubled by the "lateness of the hour" as well as by the "closeness to shore" of the bill's provisions, which would allow drilling between 3 and 10 miles off Florida's Gulf of Mexico coastline.

Expect another push for offshore drilling next year.

Charlie Crist Asks More More Time

Governor Charlie Crist is sent a letter to Seanate President Jeff Atwater and House Speaker Ray Sansom. Crist wishes to delay submitting his budget. The law requires the Governor to file a budget by February 20th.

Atwater and Sansom will most likely grant Crist's extension. Crist said is wasn't worried and delayed calling an emergency session. Crist is now saying he can't submit a budget in time. What gives?

The Drowning Pool

My goal is to cut government in half in twenty-five years, to get it down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub."

Grover Norquist

Wayne Garcia writes about how Republicans will rather let education, health care and job training go to hell than raise taxes.

So instead of leaving all options on the table, Republicans leaders such as the ethically challenged House Speaker Ray Sansom want, instead, to continue slicing services and raising trust funds to make up the $2.1 billion shortfall.

For K-12 and higher education, already reeling from a devastating round of cuts last year, it likely means another 2 percent cut. A sign of how bad things are could be seen in a news story that recently trumpeted how education officials were simply glad they weren't looking at the 4 percent cut that most other state services face. Even workforce education programs, which should be key to our economic development, would lose $8.4 million in Gov. Charlie Crist's proposed cuts. We've got hundreds of thousands of newly out-of-work residents and less money to get them back into productive, taxpaying jobs.

In health care, we're failing as well. The state Department of Health recently issued a report that warns of a mounting doctor shortage. A national study gave the state a C- for access to emergency care, and we're third in the nation for mass layoffs in the health care industry.

Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater told his colleagues the state is experiencing record home foreclosures, food stamp recipients and unemployment.

"The gravity of the current fiscal situation is clear," Atwater, a North Palm Beach Republican, told the Senate. "We are simply spending money we do not have."

Messege: Floridians are hurting and don't expect the legislature a helping hand. From a merely political standpoint, this is suicide for the Republican Party of Florida. I knew Republicans were out of touch when they applauded Ray Sanson and described him as "statesmanlike." Sansom is not Nixon coming back from his historic visit to China.

When times are bad people look for the goverment to help. People without health care don't care about the economic philosophies of Milton Friedman. People go to a restaurant and expect good service. Not for the management to tell them to cook their own food. You pay to see a movie. You don't want the manager to give you a lecture about how he is living in his means by not fixing the projector. Florida Republicans are cutting services and expect to keep their jobs. Not fucking likely.