Tampa's At 25

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has issued grades to Florida’s four largest cities. 

Jacksonville 26

Miami 28.50 

Orlando 33.50

here

Peter Schorsch: Ted Cruz will be the Republican presidential nominee

Peter Schorsch: 5 bold predictions for 2016. here

Go Ted Go

The people Trump didn't scare, Cruz will.

Looking good Dems!

Koch Brothers Buy FSU

According to a Center for Public Integrity analysis of tax documents recently filed with the Internal Revenue Service, FSU received $626,247 from the Charles Koch Foundation in 2014. According to a 2014 tax filing filed earlier this year, they intended to spend $265,948 with the university this year. here

SPB: Bob Buckhorn Scandals

"The day after the 2014 elections,  Buckhorn all but declared that he would run for governor in 2018. In fact, the Tampa mayor entered 2015 as the de facto frontrunner for the Democratic nomination. That was then; this is now. After a series of troubling scandals, including revelations that his police department disproportionately targeted black residents and that one of his chief political advisers, Beth Leytham, is nothing less than the Rasputin of Riverwalk, many Democrats now wonder if Buckhorn will even run in 2018. Meanwhile, his lackluster fundraising for his political committee, expected to be a vehicle for a 2018 run, isn’t inspiring much confidence."

Peter Schorsch

Bucs, Dolphins And Jaguars File For Corporate Welfare

The Daytona Speedway is also asking for money. The Bucs want $1 million a year. here 

-----------

"It’s a tricky question at a costly time for the state. Should it be involved with giving money to existing teams that make a profit? Or could Florida’s other needs, such as road, education and infrastructure, make better use of the funding?"  Gary Shelton

Shocker In Orlando: Florida GOP Dick Cheney Dinner Sold Out

The Florida GOP has announced that former Vice President Dick Cheney will give the keynote speech at the RPOF Statesman Dinner on November 12th. The event is at capacity with more than 950 tickets sold. here
What a shocker!
Please note, Germany just filed War Crimes Against Cheney here

Hillsborough County GOP E-Mail Scandal

Hillsborough County Commissioners Sandy Merman and Ken Hagan possibly violated Florida Sunshine Laws when they failed to produce  Emails they said didn’t exist. It was not until community activist Tom Rask threatened to sue that Hagan and Merman agreed to release dozens of previously hidden emails relating to county business.
----------
Ms. Murman is sorry

“I didn’t mean any harm”

And Hagan blamed his staff.

here

 The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.

Marco Rubio Will Cripple The Regulatory Power Of All Federal Agencies

At his first major speech on energy policy at BOC Water Hydraulics in Salem, Ohio, where he spent considerable time criticizing the Environmental Protection Agency. if elected, 

----------

He will immediately stop the Clean Power Plan, a set of carbon pollution standards for existing power plants issued by the EPA

----------

He would simplify the permitting process for oil and gas pipelines.

----------

The EPA isn’t the only federal environmental agency that Rubio aspires to bring down in size and scope. The Florida senator mentioned that there are at least 10 agencies that regulate the energy industry, which he says are way too many. That’s why he’d attempt to “cripple” the regulatory power of all federal agencies. 

----------

"Marco Rubio’s plan promises to protect big oil and the Koch brothers, instead of growing clean energy and protecting the environment.” Jessica Mackler

here

Bargain Bob's Talents

In an interview with Dara Kam of the News Service of Florida, Tampa mayor Buckhorn was asked whether he’s considering running for governor. here

----------

”I don’t know. I’m looking at it,” he said. Though he loves being Tampa’s mayor, he said he hasn’t stopped thinking his talents could step up to Tallahassee.

----------

Lets look at some of the mayor's talents!

He was no fan of Amendment 2 here

----------

He called the ACLU, the Council on America-Islamic Relations, and the NAACP fringe groups. Though this month he emphasized he wasn’t including the NAACP in those remarks. here

----------

His lack of enthusiasm for Charlie Crist, the party’s 2014 gubernatorial nominee. here

----------

His support of the MCM. here and here

----------

His support of Pam Bondi. here

And  Patrick Murphy here

----------

And lets not forget how cheaply he can be bought, which is how he earned the nickname "Bargain Bob" here at this blog. here

----------

 He should fit right in Tallahassee's Pay-To-Play Culture!

Brian Blair's Kind Words For Jim Norman

"Congratulations Jim, you were always an efficient and effective leader on the BOCC. I also appreciate the fact that you respected those who did not always see "eye to eye" with you. Your a very gracious and kind person and I wish you success in all your endeavors!"  

Brian Blair on Jim Norman
@ SPB here

We wonder if he is also thinking of a comeback. Will we have new stuff for

The Blair Watch Project

Florida GOP Donna Bartlett Of Central Florida

Is so excited about Daniel Webster becoming Speaker of the House that she called the staff of FloridaPolitics.com asking for guidance on how she might vote for  for him. The folks at  Florida Politics have not decided whether to return her call and put a damper on her enthusiasm for the democratic process. If you would like to call her and let her in on the bad news, here is her number 407-497-4591. here

In Florida fewer than one in eight unemployed workers receive unemployment benefits

The lowest recipiency rate 

in the country. here

Rick Scott's Florida: Floridians On The Hook For $700,000

Rick Scott, in a precedent-setting move, became the first sitting governor in history successfully sued for violating Florida’s public records laws. Floridians are now on the hook for at least $700,000. here

Peter Schorsch Reason #?: Why Florida Dems Fail

According to  Peter Schorsch at SPB it is becouse of 
Reason No. 437:

"The Florida Democratic Party is sending negative mail against a Republican state Senator to a Republican super-voter." here

----------

Yet so called leading Democratic strategist Steve Schale is working for the other side. In 2014 he helped Florida GOP Chris Latvala, now he is helping Florida GOP Ray Pilon. He was also proud to knock doors and offer support for personal friend Rep. Chris Sprowls and speaks fondly of House GOP Leader Dana Young as well, among others. here 

Gus Bilirakis to energy conference: I’ll fight “tooth and nail” against EPA overreach

"The Obama administration’s proposed Clean Power Plan is a prime example of a harmful disconnect.”

----------

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis addressed a group of energy industry executives and representatives Wednesday in Tampa. 2015 Gulf Coast Energy Forum attendees spent the better part of the morning and afternoon railing against the Obama administration’s EPA and its new proposed regulations to rein in coal-fired power plants. here

Florida INC. Booming In Tallahassee

The Southern Strategy Group continues to post gaudy lobbying figures in Tallahassee: The firm collected an estimated $3.1 million in consulting fees last quarter, SSG took in some $2.3 million from 241 legislative lobbying clients and reported $800,000 in fees from 242 executive branch contracts. here

Hillsborough County Beware: Jim Norman Is Plotting Again

He told Mitch Perry of SPB that he is plotting a comeback. Everything you thought you knew about what happened to him in 2010 is wrong. It was all the media's fault. He is fired up about setting the record straight. here 

“I’m embarrassed for our community that he’s even considering a run, as for me, I’m looking forward to holding him accountable for years of creating sprawl and turning his back on this county while enriching himself.” Pat Kemp

“I am out in the community meeting with voters and I consistently here that our community is ready for new ideas and new leadership, I am confident voters don’t want to go back to the days of investigations and accusations of corruption.” Brian Willis

“They will always remind you whatever challenges you have faced…so that will always be there, we all have a record, and so people have a tendency to remind us of our record, as well.” Tom Scott

Well said Mr. Scott, lets start now.

Also please note, Ronda Storms is also thinking about coming out of the shadows.

Rick Scott Owes Florida $700,000

Florida is paying $700,000 to settle allegations that Gov. Rick Scott and other state officials flouted the state’s public records laws. The state agreed this week to pay that amount to Tallahassee attorney Steven Andrews. Andrews sued the governor and other top state officials back in 2013. here

Rick Scott's Florida dead last in … everything

A new ranking on thrilllist.com puts Florida dead last of all 50 states based on, well, everything. here

Bob Buckhorn Let’s Be Real Here

“Let’s be real here — the mayor did not support Charlie Crist. Everybody knows that, and that decision was made based on his political position…those in the political arena know that. He made it known that he wasn’t supporting Charlie Crist….and for a city employee, a city administrator, someone who invested that many years with the city, and that person is denied that investment by a few months. What kind of city is this?” Frank Reddick

GO MR. REDDICK!