Scott sounds re-election themes as 2013 session opens

Gov. Rick Scott previewed what sounded remarkably like a re-election campaign slogan -- "It works!" -- as he opened the 2013 legislative session by urging state lawmakers to give him a $2,500 teacher pay raise and tax breaks for job-producing industries. Just minutes before the governor delivered his third State of the State speech, House Speaker Will Weatherford delivered an unusually blunt rejection of Scott's recent turnabout on expansion of Medicaid to about 1 million more poor people. Scott, citing his late mother's struggle to provide health care when he was a small boy, did not reply to Weatherford's comment, made before his arrival in the flower-bedecked House chamber. However, the governor reiterated his reasoning that not taking promised federal money for a three-year Medicaid expansion would simply mean the money will go to other states. As Scott made that remark, the 44 House Democrats, seated in the rear rows of the chamber, leapt to their feet to whoop and applaud. The Republican majority sat in polite silence. Scott's about-face touched off a furor among former supporters within the Republican Party, particularly among the tea party base that lifted him to the GOP nomination over the party establishment candidate, former Attorney General Bill McCollum. Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant dismissed Scott's speech as "poll-tested promises." She said Scott, recognizing his low approval ratings in polls, was "desperately trying to reverse course on his toxic tea party agenda." Andy Ford, president of the Florida Education Association, said he was encouraged by Scott's education plans but that "teacher pay in Florida remains $10,000 below the national average, and that's not competitive pay for a state that seeks to be a leader in economic development."

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/gubernatorial/gov-rick-scotts-state-of-the-state-a-pivotal-moment-for-him-florida/2107019

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/gov-scotts-state-of-state-message-its-working/nWhXn/

http://www.thefloridacurrent.com/article.cfm?id=31847949

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-florida-legislature-opens-session-20130305,0,331200.story

Teachers prominent in Scott's speech (Andy Ford quoted)
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/teachers-prominent-in-state-of-the-state/2107070 http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/temple-terrace-teacher-recognized-in-gov-rick-scotts-speech/2107129 (Andy Ford quoted)

Scott: What he says, what it means

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-scott-maxwell-rick-scott-state-of-state-20130305,0,3923578.column

Brevard School Board listens, resets its list of cuts

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20130306/NEWS13/303060019?source=nletter-top5

Manatee schools put spending controls in place

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20130305/ARTICLE/130309760/2416/NEWS?Title=Manatee-schools-put-spending-controls-in-place

School breakfasts and ending child hunger

http://www.thenation.com/blog/173185/school-breakfasts-and-ending-child-hunger

Georgia House passes parent trigger bill

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local-education/house-passes-parent-trigger-charter-schools-bill/nWhkg/

How Orwell might explain school reform

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/03/04/how-george-orwell-might-explain-school-reform/

Politics holding back poor school districts

http://onlineathens.com/opinion/2013-03-02/galis-politics-holding-back-poor-school-districts?&&#comment657611comment657610comment657608

News Corp. has a tablet for schools (the people who brought you Fox News want to get at your classroom – and funding)

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/06/business/media/news-corp-has-a-tablet-for-schools.html

Preeminent universities bill still on agenda

http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20130306/NEWS01/303060023?source=nletter-top5

FAU needs better explanation for stadium's new name

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/editorials/fl-editorial-fau-gs0304-20130305,0,1788863.story

Florida Polytechnic chair ready to court BOG; won't talk to media

http://www.theledger.com/article/20130305/NEWS/130309539

Awake the State rallies push Florida election reforms

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/palm-beach-county-protesters-demand-reforms-to-eas/nWhj9/

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/mar/05/awake-state-rallies-urge-florida-lawmakers/

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20130305/NEWS/303059965/1040?Title=Volusia-Flagler-residents-join-Awake-the-State-rallies

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2013/mar/05/floridians-rally-for-voters-rights-package/

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2013/03/crowd-pushes-for-reform-at-awake-the-vote-rally-.html

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/awake-the-state-rally-a-sign-of-voter-frustration/2107261

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2013/03/senators-voice-frustration-at-gov-scott-at-rally-its-not-working.html

http://www.ocala.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=OS&Date=20130305&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=305009996&Ref=PH&show=galleries

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/article/301634/3/Rally-moves-to-Awake-the-State-on-voting-rights

http://www.news4jax.com/news/House-approves-Election-Overhaul-Bill-118-1/-/475880/19195674/-/xgp7cqz/-/index.html

http://www.pnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=DP&Dato=20130305&Kategori=NEWS01&Lopenr=303050803&Ref=PH&odyssey=mod|galleriespic

http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florida/2013-03-05/Awake-the-State-Rally-held-in-Lee-County#.UTdeVFfPJeG

http://www.abc-7.com/story/21528981/residents-attempt-to-awake-the-state

http://www.news-press.com/article/20130306/NEWS01/303060018/1013/LIFESTYLES/Rally-Lee-part-statewide-effort-reach-lawmakers

http://www.bradenton.com/2013/03/06/4422127/were-watching-bradenton-rally.html

Florida finds evidence of voter registration fraud

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FL_VOTER_REGISTRATION_FLOL-?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-03-05-18-19-04

Florida lawmakers vote for ethics and early voting changes

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/elections/florida-lawmakers-vote-for-ethics-and-early-voting-changes/2107250

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/lawmakers-approve-election-reform-and-ethics-measu/nWhhp/

http://www.pnj.com/viewart/20130306/NEWS02/303060031/Florida-Senate-backs-ethics-reform-to-open-session

Protesters mark first day of legislative session

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/403455/matt-dixon/2013-03-05/protesters-mark-first-day-legislative-session

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/protestors-in-capitol-rotunda-urge-end-to-stand-yo/nWhSR/

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/03/05/3269310/students-lobby-leaders-for-immigrant.html

A closer look at how a corporate tax loophole works in Florida

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2013/03/a-closer-look-at-how-a-corporate-tax-loophole-works-in-florida.html

Wage theft ordinances could be overturned by state legislation

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/careers/fl-wage-theft-legislature-20130306,0,112834.story

Weatherford's dad says Medicaid helped family

http://www.tampabay.com/news/health/medicaid-provided-safety-net-for-will-weatherfords-family-he-opposes/2107236

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/safety-net-of-weatherfords-anti-medicaid-expansion/nWhkY/

Anger and kudos as Florida governor tacks left

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/06/us/gov-rick-scott-of-florida-perplexes-with-shift-to-the-center.html

Trying to revive talks, Obama goes around GOP leaders

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/06/us/politics/trying-to-revive-talks-obama-goes-around-gop-leaders.html

This is why Obama can’t make a deal with Republicans

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/03/02/this-is-why-obama-cant-make-a-deal-with-republicans/

Ports, airports beginning to feel impact of automatic spending cuts

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/ports-airports-beginning-to-feel-impact-of-automatic-spending-cuts/2013/03/05/e372966e-8518-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394_story.html

Sequester could ultimately affect severe-weather forecasting

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/federal_government/sequester-could-ultimately-affect-severe-weather-forecasting/2013/03/05/b41555ee-850b-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394_story.html

Sequester-related education cuts hitting schools on reservations, military bases

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/sequester-related-education-cuts-hitting-schools-on-reservations-military-bases/2013/03/05/0887fed4-8506-11e2-98a3-b3db6b9ac586_story.html

EPA warns employees of up to 13 furlough days

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/wp/2013/03/05/epa-warns-employees-of-up-to-13-furlough-days/

198,000 jobs added In February, report shows

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/03/06/173608504/198-000-jobs-added-in-february-report-shows-january-growth-revised-upward

As fears recede, Dow industrials hit a milestone

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/06/business/daily-stock-market-activity.html

It’s time to tax financial transactions

http://www.thenation.com/blog/173189/its-time-tax-financial-transactions