PoliticsFLA - The Latest Florida Political News

AARP scolds Rep. Grayson for ‘bitter attacks’

PoliticsFLA Staff — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:00:19 +0000

AARP Florida Director Lori Parham has some scolding words for outspoken Congressman Alan Grayson of Orlando. In a statement, she said, “even if one grants that Rep. Grayson has reason to be frustrated over the inability of our health system to provide coverage to all Americans, his remarks are anything but productive.”

“Bitter attacks provoke angry responses, which in turn will provoke further attacks. So our national discourse spirals downward into futility.”

AARP Scolds Grayson [JaxPolitics.com]

Hope still in hot water over part in FBI investigation

PoliticsFLA Staff — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:30:08 +0000

From the Miami New Times: “Let’s say somebody took you, your spouse, and another couple of family members on a luxury yacht cruise on the Intracoastal and gave all of you all the free booze and food you could stuff into your body and into bags to take home when the party was over. How much would that be worth? “

” Well, if it’s worth more than $100 — and it definitely is — then [Broward County] School Board member Phyllis Hope should have gift-disclosed it with the State of Florida.”

A Large Gift, Courtesy of the FBI, Denied [Miami New Times]

Car sales tumble after Clunker program

PoliticsFLA Staff — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:58:30 +0000

The Jacksonville Observer reports that “the auto industry staggered through September, suffering from a massive cash-for-clunkers hangover that left sales down 41% compared with clunker-fueled August.”

“About 700,000 vehicles were sold through the program,” depleting inventory of many popular, fuel-effecient cars, “so even people who wanted to buy in September may have had a hard time finding cars they wanted.”

Clunker Program’s Sales Bubble Has Burst [Jacksonville Observer]

GOP quiet on challenger for Grayson in 2010

PoliticsFLA Staff — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:00:01 +0000

The Orlando Sentinel reports, “America quickly learned U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson’s name this week after the freshman Democrat from Orlando used a pair of House floor speeches to galvanize — or further polarize — the raging debate over health-care reform.”

“Yet, 13 months before the next election, Grayson still has attracted no major Republican candidate, as such widely touted challengers as Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty and former state Sen. Daniel Webster have remained mum about their intentions. And with a growing war chest — thanks in part to his floor speeches — Grayson is in far better shape than many had expected he would be.”

GOP quiet on who might face Alan Grayson in 2010 [Orlando Sentinel]

Alex Sink seeks federal rail funds in D.C.

PoliticsFLA Staff — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:00:52 +0000

The St. Petersburg Times reports that State CFO Alex Sink is in Washington D.C. to meet with Joseph Szabo and Karen Rae, Administrator and Deputy Administrator of the Federal Rail Administration. Sink will be seeking federal funding for Florida rail projects, on the eve of the rail application deadline.

Sink in D.C. to push for rail funding [St. Petersburg Times]

PSC appointees stressed independence, watchdog skills

PoliticsFLA Staff — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:00:08 +0000

The Miami Herald reports that, “the two new commissioners appointed to the state’s utility regulation board persuaded the governor and nominating council that they were prepared for the job, one by pitching himself as an independent voice, the other as a budget trimmer.”

PSC outsiders stressed their independence, watchdog skills [Miami Herald]

The latest updates on Rep. Grayson

PoliticsFLA Staff — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:00:56 +0000

The St. Petersburg Times reports the latest on “the pugnacious Democratic congressman from Orlando.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said today that an apology is not necessary. “If anybody’s going to apologize, everybody should apologize,” she said at her weekly news conference.

The RNC has launched a Web ad contrasting President Obama’s call for civility in the health care debate with Grayson’s comments in the past few days. Watch here.

The NRCC has launched AlanDisGrayson.com

Grayson has drawn a GOP challenger. Dan Fanelli of Windermere announced his candidacy today.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs on Grayson’s comments: “I would simply reiterate what we’ve said on this a number of times, and I think this goes for anybody from whatever political party and whatever end of the political spectrum — that we ought to be able to have an honest, calm debate about health care, the need for health care reform, without disparaging each other.”

Grayson’s office is saying he’s raked in up to $150,000 in contributions.

All Grayson, all the time [St. Petersburg Times]

Senator pursues end to texting while driving

PoliticsFLA Staff — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:00:09 +0000

The Miami Herald reports that Sen. Thad Altman recently introduced legislation which “would prohibit the reading, typing and sending of an electronic message while behind the wheel. If passed, Florida would join 18 other states that ban texting while driving.” In July, similar legislation was introduced in the State House.

“Altman’s announcement cited a U.S. Department of Transportation report that 6,000 deaths last year resulted from drivers using mobile devices. The percentage of car crashes and injuries caused by distracted drivers is increasing each year.”

Sen. Alt SEZ: No TXT N CAR, PLS [Miami Herald]

University of Florida leads state in zombie preparedness

PoliticsFLA Staff — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:30:00 +0000

On the lighter side of news, the Gainesville Sun reports that “the University of Florida is ready in case its employees become flesh-eating zombies.”

“Some employees may prefer weapons such as chain saws, baseball bats, and explosives that have been shown to be effective against zombies,” the plan says. “Given the stress on staff to be anticipated during a zombie outbreak, employees should be given the flexibility to choose their own weaponry thereby diminishing anxiety.”

Thank goodness! UF has a plan for zombie invasions [Gainesville Sun]

Maurice Ferre preparing to announce U.S. Senate bid?

PoliticsFLA Staff — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:00:32 +0000

The Miami Herald reports that “ex-Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre said he will make an announcement “the modern way” on Wednesday about whether he is running for the U.S. Senate. Does that mean an e-mail? A pod-cast? Facebook?”

Earlier today, the Herald reported that Ferre “appears close” to announcing a bid for the U.S. Senate in 2010. “His friends and political allies are trying to assemble a campaign team, and he’s asked to speak at the Florida Democratic Party’s convention in Orlando next weekend.”

Ferre says he will announce Wednesday [Miami Herald]