Mike Fasano Endorses Amanda Murphy

Republican Mike Fasano endorses Democrat Amanda Murphy for Florida House seat 36. This is the seat that was previously held by Fasano. He had to step down due to term limits. The endorsement isn't a surprise. Fasano already told the media he voted for Murphy by absentee ballot.

Profile in Courage: Rick Scott Edition

Miami Herald political reporter Mary Ellen Klas attempted to get Gov. Rick Scott to give a yes or no answer on if he supports the Congressional Republicans federal government shutdown strategy. Anyone who has followed Scott's career knows he would rather have Laurence Olivier's character in The Marathon Man pull his teeth out than take a position.

“What I agree with is the fact that the buck stops with the president,'' Scott told reporters at a media availability this moring. "It's disappointing he doesn’t know how to compromise and negotiate. I’ve done it for three sessions."

Actually, that doesn't pass the laugh test. Scott's communication with the Florida legislature is nearly nonexistent because of his paranoia of Florida's sunshine law. In fact, the last legislative session was a disaster for Scott.

"If this were Jeb Bush, he'd be on the phone constantly," said Rep. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, a supporter of Medicaid expansion, recalling the former governor's take-no-prisoners style in dealing with lawmakers. "The problem is, they're not afraid of this governor."

Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford said Scott never spoke to him about Medicaid expansion. Scott barely raised a whisper for teacher merit pay. Exactly how does Scott think he is a master negotiator?

Mike Fasano Announces Vote For Amanda Murphy

Republican Mike Fasano told TBO.com he voted absentee for Democrat Amanda Murphy for his seat.

“I believe Amanda will be the best person to represent the district,” Fasano said. “I personally believe she will help the little guy and gal.”

I wonder why Fasano is still a Republican. Fasano fires this shot at the Republican leadership the the legislature.

He said Murphy’s support for Medicaid expansion was the deciding factor.

“I think Bill Gunter is a good guy and good person, but I’m afraid he will follow the Republican leadership, and we don’t need any more sheep in Tallahassee,” Fasano said.

I would say that Amanda Murphy's chance of winning just got better. A seal of approval from Fasino is very good news.

Mike Fasano Appointed As Pasco County Tax Collector

Gov. Rick Scott has finally made an appointment that I can support. Scott has appointed Mike Fasano as Pasco County tax collector. Fasano has done his Farm Share Holiday Food Giveaway to provide meals for needy families during the Christmas holidays. Fasano is a Florida Republican to be featured on Democracy Now. Fasano is not your standard Republican.

Duke Energy Makes Money Doing Nothing

The Florida legislature had the anti-free market idea to raise rates and get tax dollars to build a nuclear power plant in Levy County. Duke Energy has announced that they will not build the power plant in Levy County. Through rate hikes and a utility tax, Duke Energy keeps revenue that was suppose to go to construction of the power plant. What is even more insane is that the state still owes Duke Energy $1.5 billion. This is crony capitalism at its worst.

State Rep. Mike Fasano is calling for an investigation.

“Duke Progress have not been honest with the customers, legislature and the Florida Public Service Commission,” said Fasano. “I have unsuccessfully tried to repeal the cost recovery tax – I have said many times Duke Progress would never build the nuclear power plants in Levy County. It’s time for a full investigation and for the Public Service Commission and Florida Legislature to step up to plate and hold the utility accountable. 1 billion dollars has been paid to Duke Progress by its customers and those customers will never get anything for the dollars they paid out.”

I believe Fasano sincere. The problem is the lobbying power of Duke Energy will squash any investigation.

Volunteer Way Receives $80,000 Refrigerator

It is nice to report good news once in a while. Pasco County's Volunteer Way received an $80,000 refrigerator thanks to the efforts of Florida state Sen. Mike Fasano.

The new truck can carry close to 30,000 pounds of produce and other perishable staples, or about double the amount the other truck can hold, Cypher said. "Yet another dream of Lester's that comes true," Fasano said with a smile about the truck.

The food will go to help feed the needy in Pasco County. The money for the refrigerator came from private donations Fasano collected. Other nonprofit organizations receiving donations.

The Good Samaritan Health Clinic got $10,000 to help pay the salary of the nurse practitioner who provides expanded health services in Pasco.

The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Foundation received $10,000 to help fund the database to discourage prescription pill abuse.

SmileFaith Foundation got $2,000 to help provide oral health care to those in need. "We are pleased to play a small part in advancing the cause of each charitable organization," Fasano said.

Fasano deserves thanks for the great work he did for Pasco County.

Farm Share Food Giveaway

Rep. Mike Fasano, Rep. Richard Corcoran and Sen. John Legg are doing the annual Farm Share Holiday Food Giveaway. Food has been donated from local farms Publix, AT&T and other local citizens.

"We are once again blessed to work with farmers throughout Florida to provide food at this special time of year," Fasano stated in a press release. "When so many families are hurting is is wonderful to see our community come together to serve others."

Fasano did the food giveaway last year and deserves praise for his efforts to help needy families.

What: Farm Share Food Giveaway

When: Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon

Where: Redeemer Community Church, 9230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey

Screening: "The Farm Share program requires that families be asked for proof that they receive Medicaid, SSI and/or food stamps," Giordano said.

Mike Fasano on Democracy Now

Sen. Mike Fasano was a surprise guest on Democracy Now. Fasano talked to Amy Goodman about how prison privatization would not save Florida money.

FASANO: The original amendment that I had on the bill, before we killed the bill, was to - would have required an in-depth study, economic study, to find out if there's true savings there, but also to find out if - by privatizing, does it impact of our correctional officers, their community, and the economy of the state of Florida as a whole.

Sen. JD Alexander fought to make sure Fasano's study of private prisons would never happen. After Fasano continued to oppose the privatization bills, Senate President Mike Haridopolos stripped Fasano, of his chairmanship of the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropiations Committee.

The immunity bill and the Republican Senate leadership punishing Fasano, show how Republicans are governing with contempt. The most disturbing thing is Republicans aren't even hiding their dirty dealing from the public.

Mike Fasano's Badge of Honor

There has been much criticism about SB 2036. The bill would forbid the Florida government from collecting data on whether or not private prisons would save the state money. Under current law, an evaluation of all private contracts for five fiscal years of any outsourced contract of $10 million. SB 2036 would make private prisons exempt. J.D. Alexander claims he backs privatization of state prisons to save tax dollars. However, Alexander would not open the floor to prison workers or answer Sen. Mike Fasano's questions about cost. Alexander is doing his best to not to find out what the cost of prison privatization would cost taxpayers.

Alexander, John Thrasher, and Don Gaetz are the sponsors of SB 2036. State prisons are overseen by the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Committee. Senate President Mike Haridopolos would not allow the CCJAC to hold a hearing on SB 2036 and its companion bill. That did not stop the committee's chairman, Sen. Mike Fasano, from asking about the cost of prison privatization. Haridopolos removed Fasano from the chair today.

"As President of the Senate, I just felt I had lost confidence in him to fulfill that mission," he told reporters.

Translation: Haridopolos punished Fasano for not playing ball. Fasano told reporter Gary Fineout that getting the boot from Haridopolos is a "badge of honor."

Haridopolos, Alexander, Thrasher, and Gaetz desperately want privatization to go through because of the campaign contributions from Corrections Corp. of America and the Geo Group. Both companies would be awarded contracts if the legislature and Gov. Rick Scott pass and sign the privatization prison proposal. The fact that elected officials are fighting not to have oversight over CCA and the Geo Group reeks of corruption.

JD Alexander Fighting to Keep Private Prison Costs Secret

The Orlando Sentinel asked J.D. Alexander if questions on if privatized prisons would save Florida money were valid. Alexander, Senate Budget Committee chairman, had an amazing answer.

"I don't think the it's genuine criticism," Alexander said.

Not that Alexander has heard a lot of "criticism." Alexander allowed only two citizens the opportunity to speak to the committee. One of the speakers was a lobbyist for Florida Tax Watch, a group that supports the privatization of prisons.

Another point of the matter: the Senate Budget Committee has done no studies of whether private prisons would save Florida money. In fact, Alexander is one of the sponsors of SB 2036. The bill forbids the Florida legislature from collecting economic data on private prisons. SB 2036 would exempt private prison from given states economic data for the first five years. Under current law, any outsourced or private run state program must provide cost data for the first five years of its existence. Alexander can't say criticism about cost is unjust, since he has no idea what the cost is. Alexander is making sure no one else finds out what the cost will be.

For someone who claims to be trying to save taxpayers money, Alexander only allowed the budget committee 3 minutes to debate. The debate dealt with amendments. There was no serious policy discussion detailing costs. Sen. Mike Fasano questioned to committee about costs. The Orlando Sentinel doesn't say if this produced any answers. Fasano has been against the privatization plan.

The Sentinel article notes that Corrections Corp. of America and the Geo Group would likely be awarded contacts, if the privatization plan passes (which is highly likely.) CCA and the Geo Group have donated lavishly to Florida Republicans. Privatization of prisons may not make sense for Florida taxpayers. But it makes a whole lot of sense for the Florida Republican establishment.

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.

Private Prisons Aren't About Saving Money

Dr. Michael Hallett, Professor & Chair for the Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice, sent a letter to Sen. Mike Fasano detailing the problems with Florida's rush to privatize prisons. Hallett warns Fasano that awarding prison contracts with no bid contracts will cost Florida more.

"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."

Hallett informs Fasano that one letter isn't enough to describe just how bad the prison privatization is.

"There are so many serious problems with this RFP that it is not easy to digest in one document," he wrote in the memo he sent to Fasano.

Despite claims by Gov. Rick Scott, privatization of Florida's prison system will cost the taxpayers more. The private prison system has resulted in horrible health care abuses that have resulted in inmates dying. Private prison companies have spent millions lobbying for longer sentences. Private prison companies are in it to make a profit. Scott's talking points of privatization saving taxpayers money denies logic.

Corrections Corporation of America has donated heavily to the Republican Party of Florida and to Scott.

Corrections Corp. of America, headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., runs four prisons, and Management Training Corp., based in Utah, runs one.

Those three companies are prime financiers of the Republican Party. GEO Group alone gave more than $400,000 to the party in the past election cycle and another $25,000 to Scott's inaugural bash.

This is cynical opportunism. This has nothing to do with saving tax dollars.

Rick Scott's Education Flip Flop

Gov. Rick Scott proposed Draconian to education. Now Scott is saying that the Florida legislature could restore those cuts in a special session. Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon and Sen. Mike Fasano say when did Scott start caring about education? It is bad when Republican elected official are saying the a Republican Governor doesn't care about education.

Cannon

“What is more surprising is the Governor’s sudden emphasis on K-12 education. The budget we sent him funds education at a higher level than the Governor recommended just a few months ago, when he proposed a 10% cut to the FEFP. The Governor communicated numerous priorities during session, and we did our best to accommodate him. It would have been helpful if the Governor had shared this new found emphasis with us before the budget was finalized.

“It is the Governor’s constitutional authority to veto line items in the budget, and I respect his decisions. The vetoes of general revenue appropriations will further increase the more than $2 billion the Legislature set aside in our state’s reserves, which will help protect our bond rating and ensure that we have ample reserves in the event of an emergency.”

Fasano calls Scott's bluff.

"When did Governor Scott all of a sudden care about our teachers? It's a bit disingenuous when he says we should have put more money into helping our teachers when the budget he presented to the Florida Legislature in January cut education almost twice as much than what the legislature finally passed. I guess he read his poll numbers yesterday. If he truly wants the Florida Legislature to take the vetoed dollars and put them in to our educational system he should immediate call the Legislators back for a special session so we can avoid teacher layoffs."

Boy, I wonder if Fasano likes Scott. What do you think, dear reader.

Don't hold your breath for Scott calling a special session. Scott is just posturing and very badly at that.

Update: The Republican budget criticism continues. Sen. Paula Dockery takes Scott to task on Twitter for vetoing St. Johns River restoration.

can it get worse for FL env?“@bruceritchie: Gov Scott vetoes $305M for land buying (if land is sold) and $10M for St Johns River restoration

Rick Scott Signs SB 408

Gov. Rick Scott's office has been flooded with emails and phone calls urging him to not sign SB 408. Florida Sen. Mike Fasano said homeowners would see their insurance increase if Scott signed the legislation.

“On behalf of the constituents I represent, and all homeowners in Florida, I am disappointed that this bad piece of legislation has been signed into law,” Senator Fasano states. “For an administration which vowed not to support new taxes or fees, this bill virtually guarantees a 15% premium “reinsurance” increase for Florida policy holders. This is a backdoor tax and fee increase that will hurt most homeowners with a mortgage, consumers and small business owners at a time with very high foreclosure and unemployment rates, all during a fragile economic recovery.”

Of course, Scott signed SB 408.

When Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed SB 408 today, he said, “A healthy, stable and competitive private insurance market is critical to the success of Florida, given the hazards we face. I commend the Florida Legislature, especially Sen. Richter and Rep. Wood, for bringing this important legislation forward.”

The new law allows insurers to raise rate without the approval of the Florida legislature. Homeowners will have to pay for their own repairs before insurance companies will offer reimbursements. If you can't pay for your own repairs then insurance companies won't reimbursement. Homeowners previously were allowed five years to file a claim. The new law shortens the time to three years.

The man who pushed for this legislation is Mark Wilson, president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

“Despite what the critics say, signing this bill into law is the first step toward stabilizing Florida’s property insurance market. It will increase competition by attracting insurance companies that currently do not write property insurance policies in Florida,” said Mark Wilson, president Florida Chamber of Commerce.

Wilson fails to mention the 15 percent cost increase homeowners will likely face yearly. Insurance companies claim that they are losing money. Fact: State farm made $2.6 billion profit during the past decade. State Farm is involved with the offshore company DaVinci Reinsurance Ltd. Since DaVinci is not based in the Florida it can charged the highest rates. State Farm claims not to own DaVinci. Yet DaVinci has picked up its clients from State Farm and refuses to disclose who is on its board. A Google Map search of DaVinci's Burmurda address reveals it to be located at a yacht club.

The insurance industry isn't hurting in Florida. They are rigging the system to its advantage.

Quote of the Day

"I have no trust in the insurance companies, the property and casualty insurance companies. For years they've been telling the Legislature that if you pass that, or put this in the statute, that premiums will come down. We've seen that to be an absolute lie. There's no question but that the insurance companies will continue to raise their rates regardless of what the Legislature does."

Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey

I am glad someone in the Florida legislature is finally calling the insurance industry on its bullshit.

Mike Fasano On Utility Rate Increases

Along with Paula Dockery, Mike Fasano is one of the few rationale Republican voices in the Florida Senate. Fasano wrote a letter to North Carolina Gov. Bev Purdue and the NC state legislature. Fasano is urging North Carolina elected leaders to repeal Senate Bill 3. The legislation allowed power companies to increase rates for the construction of nuclear new power plants. With the exception of nuclear power and rate increases, Senate Bill 3 has good things in it about about clean air and using environmentally friendly alternative sources of energy. It looks progressive compared to what comes out of the Florida legislature.

Fasano voted to allow Progress Energy and Florida Power & Light to raise rates. Fasano now admits he made a mistake. That is a rarity in politics.

Allowing utilities to charge customers for new power plant construction work in progress will hurt already strapped customers with possibily large increases in their electricity bills. According to Progress Energy filings with the Florida Public Service Commission, the average Progress customer could see an estimated increase of nearly $50 per month by 2020 from the Levy capital additions.

Because of my deep concern about these impacts on consumers, I am the primary sponsor of FL Senate Bill 200 to repeal provisions relating to cost recovery for siting, design, licencing, and construction of new nuclear and integrated gasification combined cycle power plants.

Jim Norman Hates Clean Air

In 2009, ESPN did an investigative story on air quality in ice hockey rinks. ESPN found that nearly 200 people got sick from breathing in carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide or ultrafine particles. One of the rinks that had problems was Tampa Bay Skating Academy.

One of those rinks was in Tampa, Fla., where the East Lake High School hockey team took the ice in January for a practice at the Tampa Bay Skating Academy. Players struggled to breathe during practice and as the night wore on, their symptoms worsened.

"I was playing normal, and then halfway through practice, my chest started feeling weird," said East Lake player Alex Miller. "I had trouble breathing."

Ice-resurfacing machines that run either on propane or natural gas are safe when properly maintained. But poorly maintained machines can release high levels of emissions that are even more dangerous in rinks with poor ventilation.

Florida Sen. Mike Fasano has proposed SB 202. The legislation would allow local government to check rinks that have reported respiratory problems. Sen. Jim Norman is attempting to kill the bill.

Sen. Jim Norman, R-Tampa, said no. Norman worried it could affect large private entities like the St. Pete Times Forum: "Our mission is to have less government. I don't want to have more government."

Fasano said he did not envision the bill being an issue for large arenas like the Times Forum, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He suspects the arena tests its ice frequently. "You know me, I'm a hockey fan," he said, "so I'm at the games as many times as possible. I don't go away (from) there feeling numb or faint."

Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, owns an ice-skating rink in Ellenton. He jumped to the bill's defense, saying air-quality tests are inexpensive and rink owners wouldn't mind inspections after the Oldsmar incident. "As an owner of an ice skating rink, I would be supportive of this bill," he said.

Norman can only think in "less government" slogans. It is bad when Mike Bennett is to the left of Norman.

The Unseriousness of Ronda Storms

Florida Sen. Mike Fasano called a meeting of the Senate Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations. Fasano seeked input from other committee members on what to do with the controversial "Taj Mahal" building. The $48 million, 97,000-square-foot 1st District Court of Appeal courthouse had personal kitchens for each judge. a gym, and other luxuries that are more suited for Donald Trump than civil servants. Sen. Ronda Storms had this brilliant policy proposal to deal with the "Taj Mahal" building.

"We should insist on our pound of flesh and make them put the air at 80 in the summer and at 50 in the winter," said Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Brandon.

Storms idea was to punish the judges who lobbied for the "Taj Mahal" building by changing the temperature of the thermostat. No one is even certain if the 1st District Court of Appeal judges will be allowed to reside in the building. Storms thermostat idea accomplishes absolutely nothing.

Storms other brilliant policy idea is ending the Hillsborough Transit Agency. Storms' reason is certainly original.

"They have a rule that says cabbies have to wear socks," Storms said in a Dec. 1 St. Petersburg Times article. "I mean, please. Come on."

Perhaps Storms is so against socks because of her public feud with Black Sock the sock puppet. And yes, Storms actually had a public feud with a sock puppet and filed charges.

State Farm FLA Connection to DaVinci Reinsurance Ltd

Remember when Gov. Charlie Crist cracked on on State Farm Florida for raising their homeowner premiums too high. State Farm dropped customers and sued the Florida government. It turns out State Farm was far worse than we imagined.

The Sarasota Herald Tribune did an investigative story on State Farm. After State Farm Florida stopped selling homeowners insurance in Florida they set up with the shell company DaVinci Reinsurance Ltd. in Bermuda. State Farm gave DaVinci Reinsurance Ltd. $200 million in startup money. DaVinci Reinsurance Ltd is a "virtual corporation" with no real presence in Bermuda.

According to Bloomberg Businessweek DaVinci Reinsurance Ltd. operates in the Renaissance House at the address 12 Crow Lane Pembroke, Bermuda. According to Google Maps the address isn't correct. The Renaissance House is on E. Broadway, just off of Crow Lane. There are a lot of boats around the Renaissance House. It is hard to tell from the satellite photo if any offices are in the building.

State Farm Florida leaves the state. Citizens Property Insurance can not afford to provide insurance policies to every homeowner. The result is a market for DaVinci Reinsurance Ltd. The catch is DaVinci Reinsurance Ltd. charges the highest premiums in Florida. DaVinci Reinsurance Ltd. is excempt from Florida insurance regulations since the company is technically not based in the United States.

Another interesting fact is DaVinci Reinsurance Ltd. went after State Farm customers after the insurer dropped policies for many coastal homeowners. The Sarasota Herald Tribune has a chart DaVinci Reinsurance Ltd. homeowner insurance sales increasing has State Farm was losing policies.

State Farm Florida doesn't want to talk about it's ties to DaVinci Reinsurance Ltd.

A spokesman for State Farm responded to questions from the Herald-Tribune with a two-sentence statement.

"Reinsurance exists to help insurers protect homeowners from major catastrophes," wrote spokesman Phil Supple. "In this instance, State Farm is simply an investor and not actively involved in this reinsurer's underwriting decisions."

State Farm Florida claims not to own DaVinci Reinsurance Ltd. If that is true then why aren't the names of DaVinci's directors public. The Sarasota Herald Tribune asked State Farm Florida for the names of the directors. State Farm Florida refused to released that information. In truth, State Farm Florida owns a 40 percent share and sits on the board of DaVinci Reinsurance Ltd.

How DaVinci Reinsurance Ltd. works is they are a reinsurance company. DaVinci is a third party company that sells coverage to insurance agencies which, in turn sell to the public. DaVinci Reinsurance Ltd. targets high-risk hurricane properties. In 2005, Florida insurance policies were made up 23 percent of DaVinci's revenue. That number climbed to 41 percent by 2009.

Meanwhile, State Farm Florida told the Florida legislature they would lose money if they covered at-risk homeowners in a hurricane state. Florida Sen. Mike Fasano breaks down State Farm Florida's sales pitch to the legislature.

"State Farm has done a good job, an excellent job, in pulling the wool over the eyes of many of my colleagues in the House and Senate," said state Sen. Mike Fasano, a Pasco County Republican and a critic of State Farm.

"They've convinced them that State Farm is poor and they're losing money and the Legislature is willing to come to their rescue."

The Florida legislature responded by giving into State Farm Florida's demands.

Side note: the Sarasota Herald Tribune has done some excellent investigative reporting lately and deserve praise. Bloggers like to carp about how bad the media is. Credit should be given when the media gets scoops on important stories. Excellent job by Paige St. John and the Tribune staff.

Pasco Republican Executive Committee v. Mike Fasano

The Pasco Republican Executive Committee have filed a grievance against State Sen. Mike Fasano. It seems Fasano doesn't pass the Republican purity test. The PREC's problem with Fasano is his support for Charlie Crist's Senate campaign.

"The senator continued to support publicly Charlie Crist for his senate run," said Pasco GOP chairman Randy Maggard, hours before he announced the decision Thursday to about 100 general members. "He broke every rule there is. We thought it was wrong. … If you're not a Republican, you don't need to be in the party. … I don't call it infighting. I call it cleaning house."

Maggard may not call it infighting. As a progressive blogger, I call it fun.

Maggard said he is putting all "RINOs" on alert.

"We will not put up with it in Pasco County," he said, to applause. "We're going to weed them out."

If Maggard's idea of building a political party is going further to the right and ignoring young voters and minorities then good luck. In case Maggard didn't notice, Obama won the black, Hispanic and youth votes in 2008.

In 2006, Crist won 49 percent of the Hispanic vote in his gubernatorial race with Jim Davis. Crist won't get the same number of Hispanic voters with Rubio in the race and Hispanics voting Democratic in increasing numbers. It is unlikely Crist would be governor if Davis overwhelmingly won the Hispanic vote.

Republicans have already chased minorities and young voters out of the party. The GOP now wishes to purge itself of longtime Republican moderates. The Republican Party establishment must know they can not make the party bigger by making it smaller. The problem is the GOP lacks the spine to stand up to the Tea Party and corporate lobbyists. The Republican establishment committed political suicide by attempting to filibuster the financial reform bill. This is what happens when a party elects officials more concerned with special interests than governing.