Tonight, Major League Baseball is holding the 80th All Star Game in St. Louis. With the recent success of the Tampa Bay Rays, the question could be asked – when will St. Petersburg host the All Star Game?

There are 25 metropolitan areas with one or more of the 30 major league baseball teams. Of that number, only two have never hosted an All Star Game: Miami and Tampa Bay. (Phoenix will host the All Star Game in 2011.) So, why won’t the summer classic come to the Sunshine State?

The answer: crappy stadiums.

Since the Rays joined MLB in 1998, the average age of the 11 All Star venues at the time the game was played is 12 years, 2 months. If you remove Fenway Park, host of the 1999 game, from the list, the average age drops to four years and eight month old. Major League Baseball loves new stadiums for All Star Games.

Both the Marlins and the Rays have been campaigning hard in their communities for a new stadium. The Florida Suncoast Dome/Thunderdome/Tropicana Field is already 19 years old, the 10th oldest in all of baseball. Dolphin/Joe Robbie/ProPlayer/LandShark Stadium is 22 years old, the eighth oldest. The Marlins play in a true football stadium, sharing their field with the Miami Dolphins and University of Miami. Meanwhile, Tropicana Field was built for a different baseball economy.

So, as we watch the fun and festivities it yet another area, we will continue to be among the “have nots” for the All Star Game.

Maybe by 2020, the Rays will have their new stadium and Tampa Bay will have an All Star Game.

Rubio does have some interesting facets to his numbers. His campaign indicates he raised $144,000 through online donations, and contributors come from all 50 states. These numbers show a donor base that has clearly not reached its potential to give. Federal law limits campaign donations to $2,400 per person or political action committee for the primary and general elections. So most of Rubio’s supporters could give “again and again and again.”

Of course, if Crist reports $3 million this quarter, Rubio has to spend time asking “again and again and again,” while Crist can work to expand his donor base and reach out to more people.

The real problem

A recent poll indicated that Rubio can compete very well with Crist, polling in a virtual tie with the governor among Republicans who know both of them. But only about 2/5ths of Republicans in Florida have even heard of Rubio. And it will take a lot of money to raise that number substantially.

Florida has ten media markets where Rubio will have to buy advertising, including three of the top 20 in the nation. We are among the most expensive states in the country, and Crist will have enough money at his disposal to swamp Rubio on television.

To further add to Rubio’s problem, the National Republican Senatorial Committee has endorsed Crist, adding most of the national political action committees to Crist’s side of the ledger. Crist, as sitting governor, can also soften Rubio’s very strong base of groups on Tallahassee.

Rubio’s campaign is doing its best to make this sow’s ear look like a silk purse. He needed a strong first quarter and didn’t get it. I don’t think he will quit the race anytime soon, but if he doesn’t reach the $1 million this next quarter, he could be in for a very long, very brutal campaign that may not be good for the Republican Party.

In closing, I want to add that I like Marco Rubio. I personally wish Governor Crist had decided to run for re-election. If Rubio’s fundraising doesn’t improve, I hope he considers switching to run for Attorney General — a race without a strong GOP candidate.

In case you missed it, Gov. Charlie Crist made a slight step this week that could help in his Senate race. Especially when you add it to a measure from the 2008 session.

This week, Crist signed the 2009-2010 budget for the State of Florida. Florida’s governor has line-item veto power, a tool many governors use to nix budget provisions with which they disagree. This year, Crist vetoed two items: the first veto restored state workers salaries to current levels, undoing the 2 percent pay cut passed by the Legislature.

The second veto, however, was a bit more important to Crist’s political future.

Trust fund raids.

When the Florida Legislature passed the budget, it relied on taking extra funds from Florida’s various trust funds. A trust fund is a separate account that has both a dedicated source of revenue and explicit purpose for which the fund is to be used. A portion of the state’s gasoline tax, for example, go into a trust fund used for road construction. With the revenue from sales tax declining, these extra accounts funded by other taxes or fees were like raiding the kids piggy bank – to much for the Legislature to resist. (It should be noted, this is not the first time trust funds were used to offset revenue shortfalls – and it won’t be the last).

In general, taking excess money from a trust fund is not a bad thing. If the dedicated revenue that comes in from special taxes or user fees is more than is needed to fund the specific purpose, then why not take the extra money?

Ah, but one of those funds was used for the office that processes concealed weapons permits, funded by the fees paid by concealed weapons applicants. The fund has about $8 million, and the Legislature wanted to take $6 million of it. Out of their cold, dead hands said gun owners.

The NRA led the charge to urge the Governor’s veto of this “raid” – and he did. But this was the second act that solidified his bona fides with Second Amendment supporters.

The first act

For several legislative sessions leading up to 2008, various attempts had been made to recognize one of the many legal rights of gun owners – to have a weapon in a personal vehicle. It seems many employers don’t like the idea of some of their employees having a weapon in their car in the parking lot, despite their employees having a concealed weapons permit. So the NRA fought against the Florida Chamber of Commerce and other business groups to pass a bill.

In 2008, the Legislature finally passed the “guns at work” bill. Floridians who have a concealed weapons permit may leave their weapon in their vehicle when they commute to work. This was a difficult battle between two important, usually Republican special interest groups. The NRA finally won… and the Chamber pressed hard for Crist to veto the bill.

He didn’t. He signed the measure into law.

The NRA’s influence

Don’t discount the value of Crist’s actions. To be sure his Republican primary opponent, former House Speaker Marco Rubio, has been a strong advocate for Second Amendment rights. Moreover, he was speaker when the “guns at work” bill passed. But this veto action alone, nevermind the previous bill, was probably enough to secure the NRA endorsement for Crist.

The NRA support will benefit Crist among many more staunchly conservative voters who might have otherwise supported Rubio. The Second Amendment, perhaps as much as any other issue these days, can be a “single issue” for voters — they could disagree with a candidate on many other issues, but if the candidate supports their right to bear arms, voters look past those disagreements.

Crist has been known for sharp political aplomb. He showed it again this week.

Mayoral hopeful Paul Congemi gets banned from KFC
from Bay Buzz by tampabaycom

ST. PETERSBURG- Mayoral contender Paul Congemi has been banned from the KFC restaurant at 770 34th Street N.

Congemi was charged with trespassing last month after he cursed out several employees at the restaurant.

When police arrived, Congemi said, “Don’t touch me. I am running for mayor and once I get elected, you will be fired.”

Congemi said he won’t miss Colonel Sanders’ 11 herbs and spices.

“My mother makes a lot of chicken at home. I don’t need their chicken,” he said.

Read police report here.

Cristina Silva, Times staff writer

Whether the allegations contained in the police report are true, it is strange to see a post removed and then re-posted.

Here is the entire narrative from the report, for anyone who was thinking about voting for Congemi:

This report is written by Ofc. Gainer under the supervision of field training Ofc. Guess.
Narrative
========
This report is reference to a Trouble With a Individual/ Trespass at 770 34 St N, KFC restaurant. Upon arrival we met with the stores Assistant Manager Melody M. Marcyes who stated that she wanted an individual trespassed from her store. She then proceeded to point out the individual
later known to us as Paul Congemi and explained what happened. Marcyes stated that she tried to get the attention of the suspect who had his back turned to the counter facing the juke box to inform him that his 8-pc chicken was ready. Congemi then turned to face her and stated
“THATS NOT MY FUCKING FOOD”! Marcyes replied “I apologize sir” and continued to look for the person who ordered the chicken.

Congemi then stated “WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT”. Startled, Marcyes stated “I don`t want anything” thats when Congemi then replied “THEN WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU LOOKING AT”.

Donte L. Wynn an employee of the restaurant came up to the counter laughing at something that previously happened, when Congemi stated “HEY BOY DONT LAUGH AT ME”! Congemi approached the counter and pointed at Wynn. Wynn states that he took Congemi`s statement offensive and very racist. Wynn understands that (BOY) used in such a way is a derrogatory term because he is African American. The cashier, Joseph J. Smarowsky, spoke to Congemi advising him, “Sir if you`re are not ordering food we`re going to have to ask you to leave”. The suspect looked at Smarowsky, then pointed to his friend and stated “IM NOT GOING ANYWHERE HE`S BUYING YOU FAT MOTHERFUCKER”!

Smarowsky stated that he asked his manager if he could throw the suspect out. Marcyes stated that she was calling the police. After hearing her statement, we approached Congemi and asked him to stand up and come with me outside because the assistant manager wanted Congemi out of the restaurant. He refused to leave his seat. I asked him again “Sir please stand up and follow me outside”. Congemi at this point was at passive resistance which is a subjects verbal and or physical refusal to comply with an officers lawful command. I then put the palm of my right hand on the bottom of his left elbow and guided him up then stated “Sir Get up and lets talk outside”. At this point Congemi began to stand. Once Congemi stood up and I asked him if I can pat him down for weapons for my safety, he replied “YES”. Once I patted him down I told him lets go outside and talk. Congemi looked at Ofc Guess and stated that “I DONT LIKE YOU, YOU GAVE ME A TICKET”.

Congemi took about five steps from the booth where he was sitting toward the door and stopped, tensed up, turned to me, and stated “WHAT IF I DONT WANT TO GO”! The subjects resistance level then rose to Active resistance which is a subjects use of physically evasive movements such as bracing, tensing pushing or pulling to prevent the officer from accomplishing his lawful objective. I told the suspect “Sir lets go outside and talk”. Congemi looked at the cashier at the counter and said “WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU LAUGHING AT”! Thats when I placed the palm of my right hand on the lower part of his left arm just above his elbow and guided him outside. Congemi stated “DONT TOUCH ME I AM RUNNING FOR MAYOR AND ONCE I GET ELECTED YOU WILL BE FIRED”! While escorting Congemi outside of the restaurant he stated repeatedly “YOU ARE MANHANDLING ME” I politely stated, “no sir I am not, just come talk to me outside”.

Once outside, the assistant manager of the restaurant stated that she wanted him trespassed from the premises. The subject identified himself as Paul J. Congemi and stated again that he is running for Mayor and once he is elected he will fire Ofc Guess and I. I proceeded to ask Congemi what happened inside of the restaurant? Congemi ignored the question. Congemi took his pen out of the left front pocket of his shirt and grasped it in his right hand. Congemi began to swing the pen very animated. In concern for Ofc. Guess and my safety, I then told Congemi “Sir please put away your pen”. Congemi stated “NO” then took his pen threw it down and said “IS THAT BETTER”. I then asked him for some form of identification. Congemi stated that his I.D is in his bag and that I can look inside his bag and grab his I.D card. After getting his I.D. I told Congemi he is not under arrest but I requested him to sit in the backseat of the car while I fill out a trespass. Congemi then stated “I AM NOT SITTING IN THE CAR I AM NOT A FUCKING CRIMINAL”! I told Congemi that I know he was not a criminal and reassured him that he is not under arrest. I advised him that he just needs to relax. Congemi sat in the back left side of the car, not in handcuffs with the backdoor open and his feet placed outside on the pavement. Congemi was sat in the back of the car because of his aggressive manner, and the fact that we were considering a potential charge based upon his behavior.

I asked Congemi if he understood what a trespass means. Congemi replied, “YES, AND I DONT EAT HERE ANYWAY”. While outside the restaurant with Congemi he repeatedly stated “I WANT YOUR BADGE NUMBER AND I WANT TO SPEAK TO YOUR SUPERVISOR”. I stated to Congemi “when I finish with the trespass I will be more than happy to call my supervisor”. Upon completion of the trespass I asked Congemi to sign the trespass and explained the trespass in detail. Congemi stated “WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO IF I DONT SIGN THE TICKET”! I told Congemi, “if you do not sign, it is still valid and you will still be trespassed”. Congemi still refused to sign the trespass, so I signed refused to sign where his name goes and gave Congemi a copy and also the assistant manager of the restaurant a copy of the trespass.

After the copies of the trespassed was distributed, Congemi was asked to leave the property. Congemi was advised that he could be arrested for disorderly conduct, but was not being taken into custody because the store only wanted him trespassed. While Congemi was gathering his belongings he removed campaign literature from his bag and attempted to give it to me. The campaign literature was returned to Congemi because as public servants we are not allowed to take political sides during an Mayoral election. Congemi was advised to properly park along 8th Ave and standby while we requested a Sergeant to respond. After completion of the trespass Sgt. Jones and Sgt. Collins was contacted, and responded to speak to Congemi. The video from the store will be checked by Sgt. Jones and Sgt. Collins when available. I took no further action.
EOR END OF INCIDENT NARRATIVE

By Jim Johnson
PoHo contributor and founder of The State of Sunshine blog

Jack Shafer has an excellent piece on Slate.com about the real impact Americans will see when newspapers across the country stop.

His article, Life After Newspapers: Learning from the 1962-63 New York newspaper strike, includes good insight:

No conversation about newspapers’ dismal present is complete without some anguished mention of how democracy will go off the rails unless the press is there to set it straight … But even though the 1962-63 strike upended New York, neither the dozen newspaper accounts I’ve read about the strike nor the histories or memoirs from the era that I’ve pulled down from my shelf make it sound as though democracy and governance disappeared when the New York dailies’ lights went out.

Instead, journalists and publishers improvised, and readers, parched for news, features, entertainment, and advertising, experimented with finding new sources.

This time, however, the new sources are not the solution they are actually the problem.

Jeff Jarvis, author of BuzzMachine, has a saying: “If the news is that important, it will find me.” To some extent I agree.

Journalism, and the larger news world, will not disappear. But it will change. I will get my news from a number of places — each with a particular specialty.

The future of a news organization, be it mainstream (Tampa Tribune, St. Petersburg Times, or WTSP Channel 10) or an alternative media (Creative Loafing), will be the same. Find a niche and specialize. Stop trying to cast a wide net by providing news that is a mile wide and an inch deep… be THE source for a subject or very narrow range of related subjects, and readers will be there in droves. Being just like every other organization, reporting everything to everyone, is a losing proposition.

News organizations are scared. Darn scared. The revolution is coming and only a few will survive.

Many people expect an announcement that Florida Gov. Charlie Crist will say he’s running for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, when the governor is set to announce his political future. To be sure, an open Senate seat does not come along very often … but this could be a major problem for Republicans.

Oh, to be sure, a match-up between the more moderate Crist and the conservative Marco Rubio would be an interesting race. It will be a strong indication of the future direction of the party, and it will suck the wind out of the sails for other Republicans.

The Palm Beach Post political blog wrote last week about the musical chairs to be faced if (when) Crist announces for the Senate race:

• Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, the lone Democratic member of the Florida Cabinet, will surely run for Governor. This opens the door for Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater to take the post back for Republicans. No prominent Democrat has been mentioned as a possible candidate here.
• Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum will likely follow Sink into the gubernatorial race. Democratic state Senator Dave Aronberg will most likely run for the open AG seat. The only Republican mentioned for this race, Representative Adam Hasner has indicated he will not be running for the office in 2010.

To be sure, there could be other dominoes to fall. Less prominent state legislators could seek the CFO and AG positions; a few might even try for the Governor’s mansion. That could set off a scramble in communities as more legislative seats open.

That level of uncertainty opens the door wide for Democrats. The potential exists for a strong Democratic push in 2010, with a popular President and as significant edge in national party financing. My Republican colleagues will likely disagree, but possibility exists for a very bad election cycle for the GOP.

None of this happens if Crist runs for re-election. Status-quo would hold true. Oh, to be sure there will be competitive races here and there, but nothing like the Pandora’s Box about to be opened.

And so, the next thing for Florida politicos to discuss: Will Governor Charlie Crist run for re-election or for the United States Senate? And when?

So today on Twitter, there is a new #cristcountdown discussion.

What do you think? Post your tweet on Twitter:

RT @StateOfSunshine @jaketapper @markknoller #cristcoundown | Date and office

Follow State of Sunshine on Twitter

Follow PoHo on Twitter

Jim Johnson is the creator of The State of Sunshine blog.

Today is the 60th day of the 2009 Legislative session.

Ordinarily, today would be the last day of the session; however, the House and Senate have not passed a budget for the 2009-2010 Fiscal Year. Therefore, later today, both the House and Senate will vote to extend session into next week. Essentially, both houses have decided the only bill next week will be the budget, so today will be the last day of major policy votes.

The House and Senate are still meeting in Session today to consider passage of bills that have completed the committee process. Bills heard “on the Floor” are on first placed on a “Special Order Calendar” where they are read (for the second time), debated, and amended. Bills taken up on Special Order move to “3rd reading.” The Florida Constitution requires bills to be read three times before a chamber can pass the bill.

Here are the highlights from their Calendars:

Florida House of Representatives

NOTE: House Rules stipluate the House may only consider Senate Messages (bills that have passed the Senate and are coming to the House), Conference Reports (a bill on which the House and Senate did not agree and for which a Conference Committee was appointed, like the budget), and Concurrent Resolutions (expresses the will of both the House and Senate, such as will be necessary to extend session). Therefore, there can be no list of bills to preview today’s agenda.

Florida Senate

Unlike the House, the Senate has published a list of bills to be heard today. However, there may be other bills heard that passed the House earlier in the week and are in House messages. Some of the bills to be heard today are:

Third Reading:

• House Bill 439 by Rep. Ron Reagan — The bill sets state-wide standards for the use of cameras at intersections to capture license plates of those who run red lights. Currently, a number of local governments have approved the cameras, but with varying standards.
• Senate Joint Resolution 532 by Sen. Evelyn Lynn — The bill proposes to provide first-time home owners an additional homestead exemption equal to 50 percent of property’s just value in first year and reduced by 20 percent in each succeeding year.
• House Bill 1021 by Rep. Gary Aubuchon — The bill is a broad transportation bill and the Senate has a number of amendments lined up, including:
  • The “SunRail” amendment by Sen. Lee Constantine to indemnify CSX from future issues arising from the commuter rail system using their rail lines in the Orlando area
  • An amendment by Sen. Mike Bennet removing the transportation concurrency requirement for future development
  • Sen. Evelyn Lynn wants to add the “Space Transportation Research and Development Institute Act” to the bill to expand statewide involvement in space research and technology development programs

  Bills in the final day of session become “trains” — where Senators and Representatives just keep tacking on more and more provisions. This is how the Legislature can sneak things into bills without many members even seeing it.

• House Bill 1171 by Rep. Bill Proctor — This bill will allow property insurance companies to sell virtually unregulated residential property insurance on the open market, giving more choice and power to the consumers.
• Senate Bill 1978 by Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla — The bill requires school districts to spend at least 70 percent of a school’s budget on classroom instruction.
• Senate Bill 642 by Sen. Thad Altman — This bill carries a number of changes and additions to Florida’s specialty license plates, including two controversial religious license plates.

Special Order Calendar:

• Senate Joint Resolution 1828 by Sen. Stephen Wise — This bill proposes an amendment to the Florida Constitution to change the class size requirements:
  • For prekindergarten through grade 3, the maximum number of students that could be assigned to each teacher in an individual classroom is raised from 18 to 21, but the school level average cannot exceed 18 students.
  • For grades 4 through 8, the maximum number of students that could be assigned to each teacher in an individual classroom is raised from 22 to 27, but the school level average cannot exceed 22 students.
  • For grades 9 through 12, the calculation method is limited to the average number of students at the school level, which cannot exceed 25 students.

  The vote in the House, 78 to 41, was along party lines.

Jim Johnson is the creator of The State of Sunshine blog.

Today is the 59th day of the 2009 Legislative session.

The House and Senate are still meeting in Session today to consider passage of bills that have completed the committee process. Bills heard “on the Floor” are on first placed on a “Special Order Calendar” where they are read (for the second time), debated, and amended. Bills taken up on Special Order move to “3rd reading.” The Florida Constitution requires bills to be read three times before a chamber can pass the bill.

Here are the highlights from their Calendars:

Florida House of Representatives

NOTE: Today and tomorrow, the last two days of the session, both chambers will use a “pocket calendar,” especially in the House. The list of bills to appear on the floor will not be published far in advance, often on a piece of paper in the Speaker or President’s pocket – only released to the members and public right before the bills are debated. As such, these last two updates may be limited.

The House will meet in session to consider passage of bills that have completed the committee process. Some of the bills to be heard today are:

Third Reading:

• House Bill 7099, a committee bill by the Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee — The bill implements federal requirements that all states have a system of licensure meeting national definitions and minimum standards for mortgage loan originators. These federal standards include greater accountability and regulation of loan originators and enhance consumer protections. The bill establishes regulatory requirements for individuals, rather than businesses, licensed or registered as mortgage brokers and lenders, collectively known as loan originators. The bill also fulfills the requirement that states participate in a national licensing registry.

Special Order Calendar:
No Special Order Calendar has been prepared as of post time.

Florida Senate

The Senate will meet in session to consider passage of bills that have completed the committee process. Some of the bills to be heard today are:

Third Reading:

• Senate Bill 642 by Sen. Thad Altman — This bill carries a number of changes and additions to Florida’s specialty license plates, including two controversial religious license plates.
• Senate Bill 1154 by Sen. Jim King — The bill includes, among other provisions, Governor Charlie Crist’s “20 percent by 2020” proposal that electric companies in Florida derive 20 percent of their electricity from “clean energy” sources, of which nuclear can only be 25 percent. [The House added a controversial oil drilling measure to its version of the bill yesterday.]
• House Bill 611 by Rep. Dorothy Hukill — The bill would require local governments who want to repair public buildings (or other public works) to use outside labor, or prove that county/city employees are cheaper than the lowest bid. (Simple maintenance is excluded).
• House Bill 425 by Rep. Scott Plakon — The bill makes a number of changes in the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, including:
  • Specifying that the Florida State Boxing Commission must approve the sanctioning organization for amateur mixed martial arts events, and
  • Establishing procedures that give a restaurant owner the discretion, with local approval by ordinance, to allow patrons to bring their dogs onto outside patio eating areas
• House Bill 483 by Rep. Tom Grady — The bill would let the Office of Statewide Prosecutor go after those who allegedly violate the Florida Money Laundering Act and the Florida Securities and Investor Protection Act.
• House Bill 167 by Rep. Joseph Abruzzo — The bill creates a sales tax holiday for specific energy efficient appliances. From July 20 through July 28, sales tax will not be collected on the first $1,500 of the selling price of a new energy-efficient product purchased for noncommercial home or personal use.
• House Joint Resolution 81 by Rep. Alan Hayes — The bill proposes an amendment to the Florida Constitution to repeal Florida’s public campaign finance laws. The law gives some statewide candidates matching dollars if they agree to overall spending limits. State expenditures for the past four statewide election cycles have been: in excess of $11 million for 2006; $5.2 million for 2002; $915,000 for 2000; and $4.6 million for 1998.
• House Bill 485 by Rep. Will Weatherford — The New Markets Development Program will encourage capital investment in low-income communities in rural and urban areas by allowing state taxpayers to earn credits applicable against specified state taxes by investing in community development entities that make qualified low-income community investments in qualified active 64 low-income community businesses that create jobs.

Special Order Calendar:

• Senate Bill 1978 by Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla — The bill requires school districts to spend at least 70 percent of a school’s budget on classroom instruction.
• House Bill 439 by Rep. Ron Reagan — The bill sets statewide standards for the use of cameras at intersections to capture license plates of those who run red lights. Currently, a number of local governments have approved the cameras, but with varying standards.
• Senate bill 2036 by Sen. Mike Bennett — This bill will allow property insurance companies to sell virtually unregulated residential property insurance on the open market, giving more choice and power to the consumers.

Jim Johnson is the creator of The State of Sunshine blog.

Today is the 58th day of the 2009 Legislative session.

The House and Senate are still meeting in Session today to consider passage of bills that have completed the committee process. Bills heard “on the Floor” are on first placed on a “Special Order Calendar” where they are read (for the second time), debated, and amended. Bills taken up on Special Order move to “3rd reading.” The Florida Constitution requires bills to be read three times before a chamber can pass the bill.

Here are the highlights from their Calendars:

Florida House of Representatives

The House will meet in session to consider passage of bills that have completed the committee process. Some of the bills to be heard today are:

Third Reading:

• House Bill 7099, a committee bill by the Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee — The bill implements federal requirements that all states have a system of licensure meeting national definitions and minimum standards for mortgage loan originators. These federal standards include greater accountability and regulation of loan originators and enhance consumer protections. The bill establishes regulatory requirements for individuals, rather than businesses, licensed or registered as mortgage brokers and lenders, collectively known as loan originators. The bill also fulfills the requirement that states participate in a national licensing registry.
• Senate Bill 762 by Sen. Ken Pruitt — The bill will permit all eleven state university to utilize differential tuition, which allows the individual universities to exceed the tuition set by the Legislature by no more than 15 percent. The extra tuition dollars must enhance undergraduate education and provide additional need-based financial aid. It also limits the total tuition and fees after differential to the national average of public universities. Some students will not have to pay this additional tuition, including students on prepaid programs or who were enrolled prior to July 1, 2007.
• Senate Bill 2682 by Sen. Ken Pruitt — The bill implements some of the recommendations of the Florida College System Task Force and the State College Pilot Project. The biggest change requires Community College graduates to get priority over out-of-state applicants for transfer into Florida’s state universities. (Community Colleges can also change their name to “State College” if they are accredited for granting baccalaureate degrees.)

Special Order Calendar:

• Senate Bill 234 by Sen. Don Gaetz – The bill clarifies that university boards of trustees are responsible for hiring and administering the university president, not the Board of Governors.
• Senate Bill 216 by Sen. Charlie Justice — The bill would prevent local governments from spending tax dollars on issues before the voters — even for so called “voter education” measures — unless they are purely factual in nature.
• Senate Bill 344 by Sen. Nan Rich — The bill would allow law enforcement officers to pull over drivers when they see the driver is not wearing his or her seat belt (primary enforcement). Previously, the seat belt law was only enforced if the officer pulled a driver over for other violations.
• Senate Bill 1796 by Sen. JD Alexander — The bill Creates the “Transparency Florida Act.” Requires the Governor’s office to establish a website providing information relating to each appropriation in the General Appropriations Act.

There will be no more House Bills on Special Order Calendars because of House Rules. After the 55th day (April 26) of regular session, no House bills on second reading may be taken up and considered by the House.

Florida Senate

The Senate will meet in session to consider passage of bills that have completed the committee process. Some of the bills to be heard today are:

Third Reading:

• Senate Bill 642 by Sen. Thad Altman — This bill carries a number of changes and additions to Florida’s specialty license plates, including two controversial religious license plates.
• Senate Bill 2058 by Sen. J.D. Alexander — The bill expands the “Charter County Transit System Surtax” to all 20 of Florida’s charter counties and renames it to the “Charter County Transportation System Surtax. This would allow the board of county commissioners of any charter county to propose a referendum asking the voters to approve a half-cent sales tax to pay for transportation and transit projects. Hillsborough County was previously included in the surtax but the Hillsborough County BOCC has not taken advantage of this option.
• Senate Bill 2226 by Sen. Mike Fasano — The bill implements federal requirements that all states have a system of licensure meeting national definitions and minimum standards for mortgage loan originators. These federal standards include greater accountability and regulation of loan originators and enhance consumer protections. The bill establishes regulatory requirements for individuals, rather than businesses, licensed or registered as mortgage brokers and lenders, collectively known as loan originators. The bill also fulfills the requirement that states participate in a national licensing registry.
• Senate Bill 2626 by Sen. Mike Haridopolos — The bill will make a significant number of changes to Florida’s telecommunications laws. The bill creates the “Consumer Choice and Protection Act.” It allows telephone companies (Verizon, BellSouth, Embarq, etc) to operate most of their services outside of regulation – mainly to provide competion with un-regulated cable, wireless, and VoIP companies. Florida residents with only basic service would still have the protection of regulations; but add any non-basic service (call-waiting, caller ID, voice mail, etc), and the company is freed from most regulations.
• Senate Bill 1574 by Sen. Alex Villalobos — The bill will require any person who wishes to address a committee of the Florida Legislature to take an oath or affirmation, either written or oral, prior to addressing the committee, declaring that he or she will speak truthfully.

Special Order Calendar:

• Senate Bill 1978 by Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla — The bill requires school districts to spend at least 70 percent of a school’s budget on classroom instruction.
• House Bill 439; by Rep. Ron Reagan — The bill sets state-wide standards for the use of cameras at intersections to capture license plates of those who run red lights. Currently, a number of local governments have approved the cameras, but with varying standards.
• Senate Bill 836 — This bill eliminates unnecessary regulations, provides consistency between provisions, streamlines regulatory procedures for the pari-mutuel industry. The bill also authorizes additional games for Miami-Dade and Broward — specifically, they can include blackjack if the Seminole Tribe is allowed non-card games (craps, roulette, sports booking, etc) in any future compact.
• Senate Bill 616 by Sen. Mike Haridopolos — The bill would require local governments who want to repair public buildings (or other public works) to use outside labor, or prove that county/city employees are cheaper than the lowest bid. (Simple maintenance is excluded).
• Senate Bill 1154 by Sen. Jim King — The bill includes, among other provisions, Governor Charlie Crist’s “20 percent by 2020” proposal that electric companies in Florida derive 20 percent of their electricity from “clean energy” sources, of which nuclear can only be 25 percent. [The House added a controversial oil drilling measure to their version of the bill yesterday.]
• Senate Bill 2262 by Sen. Don Gaetz — The bill makes a number of changes in the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, including:
  • Specifying that the Florida State Boxing Commission must approve the sanctioning organization for amateur mixed martial arts events, and
  • Establishing procedures that give a restaurant owner the discretion, with local approval by ordinance, to allow patrons to bring their dogs onto outside patio eating areas
• Senate Bill 942 by Sen. Eleanor Sobel — The bill creates a sales tax holiday for specific energy efficient appliances. From July 20-28, sales tax will not be collected on the first $1,500 of the selling price of a new energy-efficient product purchased for noncommercial home or personal use.
• Senate Bill 1126 by Rep. Garrett Richter — The bill would let the Office of Statewide Prosecutor go after those who allegedly violate the Florida Money Laundering Act and the Florida Securities and Investor Protection Act.
• Senate bill 2036 by Sen. Mike Bennett — This bill will allow property insurance companies to sell virtually unregulated residential property insurance on the open market, giving more choice and power to the consumers.