After 10 Glorious Years, Sunshine State News and I Are Passing the Baton

On Monday morning, the governor who vetoed legislation that could have given Florida an advantage in the federal Race to the Top for educational reform told his appointed group of educational professionals, lawmakers and others to find a new way to give Florida an edge in the competition for $4.35 million in federal funds. Theres been no question that Floridas been pretty darn bold, and we have been a pretty reform-minded state, Gov. Charlie told the Race to the Top Working Group in a brief address.

When Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, was asked about the amendment she filed and then withdrew on the House floor today that would impose a five-cent tax increase on each gallon of gas, she said that every war in American history required tax increases, and that the nation is currently in a two-front war in Afghanistan and Iraq. She also said the measure would raise more than $490 million and would cost the average Floridian $29 a year. Under her amendment, the funds raised would go to veterans benefits, transportation throughout the state and energy programs.

While leaders in the Legislature are crowing over their success in crafting together a budget that does not raises taxes, one member of the House came out in favor of raising taxes today. Calling her measure a no free lunch effort, Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, attempted to amend a bill providing assistance to National Guard members by adding a 5 cent tax on gasoline to fund veterans assistance programs and transportation and energy projects.

Rallying around concerns that Gov. Charlie Crist's nominees were neither professionally qualifiied nor diverse enough, senators refused to confirm Ben Stevens and David Klement for seats on the Florida Public Service Commission, the state agency charged with regulating utilities. Senators voted 21-17 against Klement, former editorial page editor of the Bradenton Herald, and 23-14 against Stevens, past president of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.