FSU Faculty Senate Rejects John Thrasher

The Florida State University’s Faculty Senate voted 2 to 1 against John Thrasher's candidacy for presidency.

“Be it resolved that we, the members of the Florida State University Faculty Senate, call upon the Presidential Search Advisory Committee not to recommend Senator Thrasher as a candidate for President of FSU. We further call upon the Board of Trustees not to hire Senator Thrasher as the next President of FSU. Senator Thrasher lacks the stated qualifications required for the position, whereas the other three finalists meet those qualifications. We encourage all faculty members to participate fully in the interview process and to submit comments.”

Thrasher's history of bringing pork to Florida State as a member of the legislature made it appear the job was his to lose. Other potential candidates didn't bother applying.

Search consultant Bill Funk told advisory committee members to give Thrasher a prompt “up or down” vote. Rumors that a powerhouse Republican lawmaker with deep ties to FSU is a shoo-in have deterred “premium potential candidates” from applying.

“We are not endorsing John for the role,” Funk said. “But we are saying that John is casting a long shadow. It’s limiting our opportunity to put together the kind of pool that this committee and that this university deserves.”

Thrasher is ethically challenged. Thrasher was reprimanded by the Florida House for lobbying on the floor for the Florida Board of Medicine. Thrasher had a clear conflict of interest as an elected representative and as a lobbyist.

This old post of mine details how Thrasher puts profit above education.

John Thrasher fought against the Florida Hometown Democracy amendment at the behest of developers. In the Florida Senate, Thrasher sponsored an education bill that required year end assessment tests. Thrasher's lobbying firm Southern Strategy was paid by testing firms to get more testing in k-12 education.

Thrasher is the wrong choice for FSU.

Stop Alex Sink

Danger, Will Robinson. Failed gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink tells the Tampa Bay Times that she is considering running against Gov. Rick Scott in 2014.

"Of course, I've thought about it," Sink said. "Many, many people are encouraging me. Even strangers who I've never met before would like to see me back."

Who are these people telling Alex Sink to run? Are these the same people whom serve as imaginary cab drivers for Thomas Friedman.

Sink made this remark at the Hillsborough County Democratic meeting.

"Just think about Rick Scott. Elections do matter. And voting matters, and who gets into office matters," Sink said. "If I were your governor, we wouldn't be doing things this way up in Tallahassee."

In case you forgot, Sink lost to Scott, in the general election. Scott had excessive baggage. Scott was forced to step down as the CEO of Columbia/HCA. Scott's former health care company had to pay the federal government a $1.7 billion fine. During his deposition, Scott was evasive about the simplest of questions. An example:

Cusack: Have inpatient visits declined?

Scott: For what time period?

Cusack: The last two years.

Scott: It depends on the quarter.

Cusack: But taken as a total, have you seen a decline?

Scott: For what time period?

Cusack: Over the last two years.

Scott: I'm not sure I understand the question.

Alex Sink lost to a candidate as damaged as Scott. Sink was so bad that MSNBC named her the worst candidate of 2010. High praise Sink, considering 2010 produced Christine O'Donnell and Joe Wilson and a host of other bizarre tea party candidate. Chuck Todd citing Sink lost in Florida to an opponent whose company committed Medicare fraud.

Florida state Rep. Rick Kriseman (D) believes Sink would be a weak candidate.

"She didn't do anything to energize the Democratic base," Kriseman says. "They stayed home. You can't take the base for granted."

State Sen. John Thrasher (R) is salivating at the prospect of at another Sink run.

Said Thrasher: "That would be the best opponent we could ever have."

Progressives need to put pressure on Sink and her political adviser Steve Schale. Sink should never run for State office again. Tweet Sink and Schale and tell them you will not support Alex Sink in 2014.

Update: Steve Schale sent me a message on Twitter stating he is not Sink's political adviser. I had some questions for Schale but couldn't message him back because he unfollowed me. Schale may not be currently employed by Sink. Schale was talking up Sink's potential candidacy last year.

“If Alex runs, Alex is the frontrunner,” said Steve Schale, a Democratic strategist who advised Sink on her run for the Governor’s Mansion last year.

Why SB 2036 Isn't Fiscally Conservative

Senate Bill 2036 would rewrite state law so no data would be collected to see if private prisons save the state of Florida money.

An act relating to the outsourcing or privatization of agency functions; amending s. F.S. 216.023, F.S.; providing that certain information relating to the outsourcing or privatization of an agency function that is expressly required by law is not required to be included in the agency's legislative budget request until after the contract for such functions is executed; amending s. 287.057, F.S.; providing that procurements for outsourcing or privatizing agency functions that are expressly required by law are exempt from the requirement that they are evaluated for cost-effectiveness, and efficiency; amending s. 944.105, F.S.; providing that certain requirements that apply to the Department of Corrections' contract do not apply to contracts for outsourcing or privatizating the operation or maintenance of correctional facilities which are expressly required by law; providing an effective date.

If the bill becomes law, the state would not be allowed to evalulate the performance of private prison contractors. Contractors could not be legally mandated to provide reports detailing prision health or safety issues.

Another issue that proves that that Republicans are not fiscally conservative. The state would have no idea if they are saving money under private prisons. Which is exactly why Senate President Mike Haridopolos is trying to fast track this bill. Haridopolos and other Republicans know for-profit prisons will cost the state more. The rush is because private prison companies have given $400,000 to Florida Republicans during the last election cycle.

Last session, Dr. Michael Hallett sent a letter to Sen. Mike Fasano warning him about giving private prisons too much power.

"It renders the state subject to captivity once the contract is awarded, by giving one corporation so much power and control over such a significant segment of the state budget," he said. "You can't turn this around on a moments notice."

Fasano is the chairman of the Criminal and Civil Appropiations subcommittee. All legislation on the state suppose to go through Fasano's subcommittee. Haridopolos decided to have SB 2036 go through the rules committee. The bill is so bad that no senator will take credit for being its author.

Haridopolos and other Republicans create red tape that makes it hard to collect unemployment or children to be enrolled in Kidcare. They do this under the claim that they are fiscal conservatives. Yet, these same Republicans are writing legislation intended to forbid them from finding out if there are cost overruns with private prisons. When a politician says he or she is a fiscal conservative, what that poll really means is he or she corporatist who doesn't give a shit about the taxpayers' money.

Update: Via Twitter: Sen Paula Dockery informed me that the sponsers of SB 2036 are John Thrasher, Don Gaetz, and J.D. Alexander.

The Gainesville Sun has come out strongly against SB 2036.

Senate Bill 2036 is an invitation to corruption. If lawmakers are arrogant enough to pass it, Rick Scott should veto it It stinks.

Scott is leading to push to privatize prisons. Scott has no intention of vetoing SB 2036.

FLA Legislature's No Shame on Lobbyists

The elected leadership in both parties in Florida don't even hide their incestuous relationship with lobbyists. They hold luncheons for lobbyists to hand them checks and then brag about it the the media.

"We thought this would be an easier way to get everybody together in one place," Saunders said. Asked why business lobbyists would donate to Democrats when they often are in disagreement and Democrats have little influence over legislation, Saunders said: "For one thing, we've been supportive on some of their issues. But the other thing is, committee votes are not always partisan. I think they'd like to have a voice. What I tell people is, 'Contributions don't get you a vote. They get you an open door and an open mind.' "

Lobbyists bearing gifts came and went throughout the lunch hour at the Doubletree.

"I guess you would call it access, the ability to come and educate you on the issues," said Rep. Joe Gibbons, D-Hallandale Beach. "They would do it whether they gave you money or not, but I think they feel that since they have a relationship with you, that it would be easier to get to you."

I can't believe that Gibbons actually said, "I guess you would call it access." It is access. That is the whole point of inviting lobbyists to hand you money. Does anyone believe Saunders statement on dollars not equaling votes?

The Republicans weren't going to be outdone. They held a pass-the-hat-to-the-lobbyist event at the Governor's Club. Beer distributors held a fundraiser for Republican Jeff Brandes. (Saint Petersblog editor Peter Schorsch has worked as a consultant for Brandes.) As a member of the Florida House of Representatives, Thrasher was publicly reprimanded for lobbying a state board for the Florida Board of Medicine on behave of the Florida Medical Association. Lobbyists know that dollars buy Thrasher's vote.

Thrasher has worked as lobbyist. Former state Sen. Ron Klein worked as a lobbyist while in the legislature. The web of lobbying is too tangled in the legislature. State laws need to forbid elected officials from working as lobbyists.

John Thrasher's Incompetent Lawyer Excuse

John Thrasher fought against the Florida Hometown Democracy amendment at the behest of developers. In the Florida Senate, Thrasher sponsored an education bill that required year end assessment tests. Thrasher's lobbying firm Southern Strategy was paid by testing firms to get more testing in k-12 education. How bad is Thrasher's conflict of interests in his duel roles as a lawmaker and lobbyist, consider that as a member of the Florida House, Thrasher lobbied on the behave of the Florida Medical Association. Thrasher was reprimanded on the House floor for this transgression.

It is fun to see Thrasher get duly deserved scorn for former Republican Party of Florida chairman Jim Greer's sleazy severance contract. Thrasher uses the incompetent defense to claim that he did not know that he signed a severance contact to get rid of Greer. Thrasher is a lawyer and was taking control of the RPOF from Greer. Thrasher testified to attorney Don Lykkebak that he was utterly clueless while performing these chairmanship and legal duties. Unfortunately for Thrasher, he told the media at the time that there was no severance contract.

"You don't recall telling them there was no such thing?" Lykkebak said in transcripts of the deposition, referring to Thrasher's statements to reporters.

"I may have said there was no effectuated agreement, yes sir. Because in ..."

"Lykkebak interrupted, "Well, that was a little reckless on your part seeing how you signed one, wouldn't you say?"

Slam dunk!

The Jim Greer trial is going to be fun.

Unions Get Shafted

Enough Florida Republican Senators were sane enough not to want to repeat Wisconsin by passing the pointless union paycheck check off legislation proposed by corporatist Jon Thrasher. The union fee check off was offered by the Florida House to the Florida Senate. The Senate accepted. This will only affect state union employees.

Mike Williams, president of the AFL-CIO, said private and public unions will band together to fight this.

"They have to resort to behind closed door deals to accomplish what they can't get done in the open,'' said Mike Williams, president of the AFL-CIO, whose union is one of several at currently impasse with the state over wages and benefits agreements with state workers. "It's an abuse of the system.''

He said that rarely does the state and labor organization come to agreement without coming to an impasse, so he predicts that if this provisions stays in law, the future strategy in all collective bargaining negotiations will be to force all negotiations to impasse and then have the legislature settle it and ban all union dues check offs.

He said that if lawmakers think they can divide the coalition of labor groups by targeting just state workers in this provision, they are wrong. "The coalition is are steadfast in focusing on a unified front,'' he said.

Below is the document of the House offer to the Senate. The only good news is a 5 percent wage increase has been proposed. State workers haven't received a pay increase since 2006. The bad news it needs Rick Scott's approval.

Load Doc

Haridopolos Admonished

The State Commission of Ethics found that Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos failed to properly list several financial assets of over $1,000.

Haridopolos omitted income he made as a professor at the University of Florida in 2006. He also failed to list a property and mortgage on a 2005 disclosure form.

Haridopolos took exception with the Commission of Ethics valuing his home at $1,025,000. The home was purchased in 2008. Haridopolos told the commission the value of the house went up because he and his wife remodeled.

Haridopolos is the founder MJH Consulting Company. Haridopolos is the only employee of the company. Haridopolos claims that the company advises of media and advertising. Many corporations are more than willing to hire a future senate president as a political favor.

Haridopolos was required to list any corporation that pays over 10 percent of MJH Consulting Company's revenue. The commission found Haridopolos failed to properly claim Marketshare Systems' payments. The commission did not find any political contributions from Marketshare Systems to Haridopolos. I checked Follow the Money and found no contributions from the company or its CEO Mark Salmon. Perhaps Salmon didn't need to give a campaign contribution. Marketshare Systems was a source of income to Haridopolos' consulting firm from 2007 to 2008.

Read more »

Florida Senate's Anti-Immigration Nonsense

The Florida Senate is holding a dog and pony show of a hearing on immigration. The purpose of the hearing is to stir up the conservative base. Don't expect any actual solutions to be implemented in legislation. Miami Herald reporter Mary Ellen Klas tweets on Sen. John Thrasher's reaction to hearing an inconvenient truth.

Sen. Thrasher acks: How do we stop illegals entering the workforce? Answer from FIU prof Ediberto Roman: hold employers accountable.

Go after the business community is the last thing Thrasher and other Republicans want to do. It is very simple. Cut off the employment and illegal immigration will go down. Illegal immigration has already gone down because of how bad the economy is in the United States.

It is no secret that Plant City, Florida is staunchly Republican and is home for many illegal immigrants. The Florida Republican establishment does not want INS agents arrested illegal immigrant in Plant City. It is bad politics and would destroy the strawberry farming business.

Klas has a another quote from FIU prof Ediberto Roman.

FIU prof Ediberto Roman: "We can put all the fences we want but...if the business sector is creating that demand they're going to get here."

I don't see where we could build a fence. Is there a stampede of illegal immigrant from Alabama that I don't know about? I certainly don't expect Mexicans to swim from Mexico to Florida.

Nothing will come from this hearing.

Update: Klas has filed her article. An interesting finding is that illegal immigration is down 25 percent in Florida. I guarantee that dramatic increase is because the Florida economy tanked.

The Senate hearings an immigration gave the Senate few (if any) options. Republicans are now trying to slow walk this back.

``There probably will not be an Arizona-immigration style bill that passes the Florida Senate,'' said Sen. Mike Bennett, a Bradenton Republican.

Bennett said he's deeply concerned with the part of the bill that's most identified with Arizona's law: The requirement that local police officers with ``reasonable suspicion'' attempt to determine a person's immigration status during a routine traffic stop or arrest.

Scott hasn't committed to Rep. William Snyder's bill. Scott has mostly avoided talking about illegal immigration after he won the Republican primary. This is a lot of political posturing. If the Florida legislature passes a bill local police officers won't have enough officers and resources to enforce it. Law enforcement will mostly ignore the bill and focus and violent crimes and thefts in the districts. It is not like Scott and the Florida legislature are going to give money to hire new law enforcement officers. There are tax cuts to be passed and a 3.5 billion deficit to deal with.

Rick Scott & GOP Establishment

Bill McCollum openly trash-talked Rick Scott during his concession speech.

"This race was one for the ages. No one could have anticipated the entrance of a multimillionaire with a questionable past who shattered campaign spending records and spent more in four months than has ever been spent in a primary race here in Florida.

"While I was disappointed with the negative tone of the race, I couldn't be more proud of our campaign and our supporters for fighting back against false and misleading advertising when we were down by double-digits."

Rick Scott has torn the state Republican Party apart in his bid for governor. Scott has attacked Republican Party of Florida chairman John Thrasher. The two will meet tomorrow to talk. Scott told Peter King of CNN that Republicans will get in line behind him.

KING: One of the big questions the morning after your big win in this primary is whether the Republican Party of Florida can heal its wounds. You had a very personal campaign against your opponent, Mr. McCollum. My understanding is he has yet to call you. Please correct me if I'm wrong on that part. And here's a statement he issued after he conceded the race to you: "No one could have anticipated the entrance of a multi-millionaire with a questionable past who shattered campaigning spending records and spent more in four months than has ever been spent in a primary race here in Florida.

Do you view it as your obligation to heal these wounds in the party in Florida or is it his obligation?

SCOTT: Well, the part -- the party will support the candidate that lives the American dream, believes in the Republican principles. That's me. Now, I've lived the American dream. I want that dream for all Floridians. I know what the Republican Party stands for, which I stand for -- limited government, fiscal responsibility, personal freedom, personal responsibility. So that the Republican Party will support me. We're going to do very well and we're going to win in November. November 2nd will be a great night.

Scott had no GOP insiders working on his campaign. The establishment cannot stand him. The RPOF will help the Scott campaign but it is going to be an extremely dysfunctional relationship. Scott cannot boss Republican leaders around like he does with his health care companies.

Horrible Newspaper Endorsement For Thrasher

The Florida Times-Union endorsed John Thrasher for Florida Senate district 8. The newspaper cited Thrasher's work as a lobbyist as one of the editorial board's reasons for the endorsements.

He has the experience as a former speaker of the House and as a lobbyist to get things done. It makes no sense to send a political neophyte to Tallahassee in such an important post.

The fact that Thrasher is a lobbyist provides so many potential conflicts of interest. The fact that the Florida legislature refuses to bar members from serving as lobbyists says serious reform is needed. Thrasher worked as a lobbyist for developers against Florida Hometown Democracy. FHD placed Amendment 4 on the ballot.

Establishes that before a local government may adopt a new comprehensive land use plan, or amend a comprehensive land use plan, the proposed plan or amendment shall be subject to vote of the electors of the local government by referendum, following preparation by the local planning agency, consideration by the governing body and notice. Provides definitions.

Short answer: Land use plans must be approved by voters and government officials. FHD formed to stop the influence of developers on elected officials. Local citizens will have a chance to vote on referendum.

Thrasher is the Chairman of Save Our Constitution. Tampa Tribune political reporter William March cited a misleading letter Thrasher sent out against FHD.

“The special interests (many of them out-of-state) have much to gain from passing this Amendment,” the letter says. He says the amendment would allow them to “turn our beautiful state into a dumping ground for special interests.”

Thrasher’s letter says the amendment “turns all power over use of Florida’s lands to certain ‘electors,’ ” without explaining that “electors” is the legal term for registered voters.

“Guess who the ‘electors’ will be,” it says. “The special interests and their slick lawyers will rig the system to put our future in the hands of their cronies.”

Amendment 4 does exactly the opposite of what Thrasher claims. FHD cited Florida Division of Elections numbers of organizations donating to Save Our Constitution.

• Florida Transportation Builders: $50,000

• Florida Association of Realtors: $50,000

• Floridians for Conservative Values: $25,000

• Wal-Mart: $25,000

As a member of the Florida House of Representatives, Thrasher was publicly reprimanded on the House floor. As a member of the legislature, Thrasher was not allowed to lobby a state board. That didn't stop Thrasher from lobbying the Florida Board of Medicine on behave of the Florida Medical Association.

After Thrasher left the Florida House, he was not allow to lobby his colleagues for two years. Thrasher organized a luncheon for House members in 2001 and lobbied them on behave of his various clients. Thrasher was forced to pay a $500.00 fine for his violation.

The Florida Times-Union really should not have sold Thrasher's lobbying experience as an asset.

Jim Greer Lawyers Up

Former Republican Party of Florida chairman Jim Greer's lawyer J. Cheney Mason may call Dean Cannon, Bill McCollum, Mike Haridopolis, John Thrasher and Charlie Crist to the stand. Greer has been indicted on one count of organized fraud, one count grand theft and four counts of felony grand theft. I am not sure what Mason's strategy is but powerful Republicans being summoned by the defense cannot be good for the Florida GOP establishment.

Mason is seeking to have the charges against Greer dismissed.

"I believe we'll be able to prove Jim Greer is not guilty whatsoever," said Mason.

That doesn't explain why Greer spent 41,421.31 of RPOF money in Las Vegas. The RPOF is a nonprofit and subject to nonprofit regulations.

Mason will ask a judge to Office of Statewide Prosecution. The Attorney General office run by Bill McCollum oversees the OSP.

Jim Greer Channels Nixon

Former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer sent a e-mail to the Miami Herald. Greer fires off a Nixonian attack RPoF Chairman John Thrasher.

After reading your credit card story, I see that Mr. Thrasher’s comments are intended to distort the facts and deflect blame. My attorneys and I are very much looking forward to setting the record straight and to the upcoming depositions under oath of: Mr. Thrasher, other party leaders, office holders, candidates for higher office, their respective staffs and many others, along with all the wide-ranging discovery which will take place. I served the party well and don’t seem to be getting the “Statesman’s Recognition” I was ensured in writing and verbally by many that I would receive. And I look forward to the future! The course we are all on is not of my choosing, but one that was set by others.

It is perplexing that Greer wants "Statesman’s Recognition." The Republican Party of Florida is being investigated by the FBI and IRS. Now is not a good time for Greer to be asking for a pat on the back.

I couldn't find a Thrasher quote in the column Greer took exception with. Perhaps the quote was later edited out. What was Greer ensured verbally and in writing? The last sentence is paticularly bizarre.

The course we are all on is not of my choosing, but one that was set by others.

Huh? Is Greer blaming others for his $500,000 American Express card bill. Does Greer expect Republican donors to believe that others are resonsible for him spending $41,421.31 in March of 2008. Good luck sellling that one. I'm waiting for Greer to bitterly announce we won't have him to kick around anymore.

RPOF Loyality Oath

The Republican Party of Florida is making members take a loyality oath. No member is allowed to support the independent candidacy of Charlie Crist. This idea comes from new Chairman John Thrasher. I am the last person to tell Florida Republicans how to run their party. I will say that I am enjoying the party moving so far right that it is pushing moderates out. Former RPoF chairman (and no fan of Crist) Tom Slade thinks this is a stupid idea.

Even former state GOP chairman Tom Slade, a vocal critic of Crist ("He's deader than the day before yesterday," he said of Crist political future), said it was a bad move. "That's going a step or two too far," Slade said. "Organized political parties can do some stupid stuff from time to time ... That loyalty oath doesn't make any sense to me."

David Frum's statement that the Republican Party panders to Fox News is an important truism. Marco Rubio has done Mitt Romney level flip flops on immigration and rail. Rubio's Tea Party pandering makes him less mainstream for the general election. Fox News CEO Roger Ailes recently ordered Sean Hannity not to appear at a Tea Party rally. You know the Tea Party is not mainstream when Fox News is getting nervous.

There is also the issue of Rubio's credit card scandal. Rubio can hardly paint himself as a fiscal conservative after spending $110,000 on a RPoF credit card. Rubio demanded former RPoF Chairman Jim Greer release his credit card records.

"It has become clear that Charlie Crist and Jim Greer have done untold damage to the Republican party of Florida. As Republican leaders, it is all of our responsibilities to clean up the mess they made as quickly as possible so we can turn the page and return to the true focus of the RPOF: to elect Republicans. Therefor I would ask you to strongly consider releasing all AMEX statement from Jim Greer's time as chairman to the RPOF Executive Committee," the letter states.

However, Rubio refuses to release records of his credit card transactions. Rubio also fails to mention that Crist never had a RPoF American Express card.

If the Republican Party wasn't operating in Fox News Bizarro World: Rubio wouldn't come near the GOP Senate nomination. Sarah Palin was the worst vice-presidential candidate since James Stockdale. She is now being talked about as a serious presidential contender. This is what happens when a political party is more concerned with silly loyality oaths than governing effectively.

Update: Steve Schale makexs a point that I have been thinking about. This is less about Rubio then the Florida Republican Party base looking for someone to defeat Charlie Crist. Fox News helped create the Tea Party. Republican politicians are too terrified to publicly criticize Fox News. David Frum was forced to resign from the American Enterprise Institute, after speaking out against Fox News. The GOP is pushing further to the Right. There is no room in the current GOP for Crist.

King Jeb & Chang, the Mystical Warrior

I made mention about Jeb Bush reasserting his power over Republicans in Florida. The Herald Tribune reports Bush sent a video message to Florida's 67 Republican county parties, to urge support for John Thrasher as the new RPoF chairman. Greer was an active supporter of Gov. Charlie Crist. Bush annointed Rubio to be his Chang, the mystical warrior.

“Chang is a mystical warrior. Chang is somebody who believes in conservative principles, believes in entrepreneurial capitalism, believes in moral values that underpin a free society.

“I rely on Chang with great regularity in my public life. He has been by my side and sometimes I let him down. But Chang, this mystical warrior, has never let me down.”

Bush then unsheathed a golden sword and gave it to Rubio as a gift.

”I’m going to bestow to you the sword of a great conservative warrior,” he said, as the crowd roared.

Jeb relies on his imaginary friend. That might explain why education and health care policy was so screwed up during his tenure.

Bush is also backing Bill McCollum's campaign.

• Bush has become more aggressive in raising money and campaigning for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum, and has sent key policy advisers to work for McCollum, who raised $1.4 million in the fourth quarter, the best showing of his campaign.

Bush is an ideologue Republican. He wants to move the GOP farther to the right. Crist's policies of restoring the voting rights of felons and (early in his term) of combatting global warming were more moderate policy positions. The New York Times Magizine ran a article on how the Crist/Rubio Senate race may decide the future of Florida Republicans. In terms of winning elections it makes little sense. Florida Democrats have an 800,000 registered voter advantage. The Florida Democratic Party has a fundraising advantage. he Republican Party of Florida is essentially leaderless. As a Democrat, I absolutely love the disaster known as the Republican Party of Florida.

Jim Greer Resigns

Jim Greer has resigned as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. Greer took parting shots at his political enemies.

"Over the last six months, there has been a very vocal group within our party that has become very active in seeking an effort to oust me as chairman," said Greer. "They have distorted facts. They have talked about misspending of money when the facts have shown over and over and over that it's not true. They have talked about my support of Gov. Crist for the U.S. Senate race.

Greer refused to open financial reports on what Ray Sansom and other Republicans were doing with their RPoF American Express cards. Sansom spent $1,953 on tuxedo rentals and $348 on babysitting. These can hardly be considered money used to help get Republicans elected.

Jeb Bush is backing John Thrasher to become the new RPoF chair. Thrasher has never met a delevoper he didn't like. Thrasher was part of the effort to keep the Florida Hometown Democracy amendment off of the ballot. Tge amendment would have let citizens have a say in whether new development would be approved. Thrasher sent out a misleading letter claiming the letter would help special interest. A hysterical charge from a man whom has spent his life working for special interests.

“The special interests (many of them out-of-state) have much to gain from passing this Amendment,” the letter says. He says the amendment would allow them to “turn our beautiful state into a dumping ground for special interests.”

Thrasher’s letter says the amendment “turns all power over use of Florida’s lands to certain ‘electors,’ ” without explaining that “electors” is the legal term for registered voters.

“Guess who the ‘electors’ will be,” it says. “The special interests and their slick lawyers will rig the system to put our future in the hands of their cronies.”

The reaction from state Republicans has been positive. What King Jeb wants he gets.

Alex Sink Fundraising Press Release

CFO Alex Sink is running for Governor. She has no challengers for the Democratic primary. Her campaign office sent out a press release on their last funraising quarter.

Contact: Paul Dunn

SINK 3rd-QUARTER FUNDRAISING TOTAL: $1.6 MILLION
Gubernatorial Candidate Sink Has Best Fundraising Quarter Yet; Over $4 Million Raised Overall

*TAMPA*- Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink today announced that she raised more than $1.6 million in the third fundraising quarter of 2009, bringing her year-to-date total to over $4 million.

Sink's 3rd-quarter total represents her strongest fundraising quarter since launching her gubernatorial candidacy earlier this year and is the most money raised on record by a Democratic candidate for governor of Florida thirteen months before voters head to the polls.

Sink ended the quarter with nearly $3.6 million cash-on-hand.

"This overwhelming support from thousands of Floridians sends a clear message that it's time for a governor with a different kind of experience and a fresh approach," said Sink. "I'm honored and humbled that so many Floridians are placing their faith in me to focus on Florida’s economy and chart a better course for our state."

Demonstrating her strong support from everyday Floridians, Sink received contributions from 4,556 individuals who gave an average of $215 in support of her gubernatorial campaign. Sink also took in online donations totaling over $104,000.

"Our state is facing a unique set of challenges," Sink continued. "The people of Florida know it's going to take a business leader, not a career politician, to help rebuild our economy and make our state stronger and more prosperous for years to come."

Conservative columnist and offshore drilling advocate Mike Thomas writes the push to end the coastal ban for offshore drilling is fear of Sink becoming Governor. The players supporting drilling near Florida's beaches are the mysterious Florida Energy Associates, incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon, John Thrasher, Rep. Charles Van Zant and attorney Doug Daniels. The many members of Florida Energy Associates will not come forward. The key player is Texas oilman M. Lance Phillips.

“This is a group of individuals, patriotic Americans, who are independent businesspeople in the energy industry,” Sachs said.

That is debatable. What isn't debatable is Phillips donating money to Republican pro-drilling Republican candidates. I am going to take a wild guess. Phillips isn't rooting for Sink.

Florida Hometown Democracy News

Florida Hometown Democracy sent out an email to me. (How did I get on their list?) FHD has 595,000 petition signatures. 611,009 are needed to get on the ballot. If the FHD amendment become laws, registered voters will decide land use zoning issues. This horrifies the business community.


Thrasher sent out a misleading letter labeling FHD a special interest and the amendment putting land use decisions into the hands of "electors." The problem with current reviews of growth management and land use is that politicians make the final decisions. Citizen voices are drowned out. Florida's growth problems are increasing. The true electors solution is to create more growth and an infrastructure that can't support population increases.

Jim Johnson argues that FHD will kill the economy. What FHD will do is get citizens involved in growth management. Johnson provides no evidence to support his claims of FHD killing Florida's economy. This is the same blogger that claims tax-subsidized sports stadiums help the economy because professional athletes buy gas, in the area. This blog has cited several studies that sports stadiums do not help local economies. Johnson provides his economic strawmen arguments without data.

The Financial Impact Estimating Conference does financial estimates for the Florida Legislature. The FIEC sent this letter to (then) Attorney General Charlie Crist.

The direct impact of this amendment on local government expenditures cannot be determined precisely. Over each two year election cycle, local governments cumulatively will incur significant costs (millions of dollars statewide). Costs will vary depending upon the processes employed by cities and counties in obtaining approval for plan amendments. The direct impact on state government expenditures will be insignificant. There will be no direct impact on government revenues.

Pro-business groups are suddenly saying economic growth will disappear. From an economic standpoint, we don't know that since there has never been anything like FHD to use as a case study model. The problem with Florida's economy is it is a growth monster that needs new people moving into the state. The housing crisis proved how bad an idea is a strictly growth economy. Voters can decide what is good for growth, the economy and environment under the FHD amendment. That scares the hell out of the establishment.

UF Nixes Jeb Honorary Degree

Jeb Bush will not receive an honorary degree from the University of Florida. UF's Faculty Senate voted 38-28 against the honorary degree.

Bush appointed six trustees with no college degree. 2/3 of the others were business people with no academic experience. Bob Graham stopped Bush from abolishing the Board of Regents. Jeb and John Thrasher came up with the idea to abolish the Board of Regents from scratching notes on a cocktail napkin. Jeb wanting to get rid of the Board of Regents to do away with affirmative action and make it easier for cronies to push education pork projects. The Board was against the FSU medical school. This was pushed by (drum roll please) John Thrasher. One wonders if Thrasher wrote that spending proposal on a cocktail napkin.

Somewhere David Horowitz's head is exploding right now.