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Ethics Commissioners Seek Bigger Fines, Greater Enforcement

June 14, 2012 - 6:00pm

Seeking more teeth to enforce its fines, the Florida Commission on Ethics wants state legislators to make things a little harder and potentially more expensive on themselves and other elected officials.

But they are starting an investigation on their own, instead of waiting for a citizen to file a complaint, so it will remain a secondary issue.

The commission, admitting it hasn't had the most success in past legislative sessions, will continue to seek more power to enforce its fine and boost how much it can fine politicians.

Rick Santorum Backs Dan Liljenquist Over Orrin Hatch

Submitted by Kevin Derby on June 15, 2012 - 2:24pm

Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, who broke out of the second tier of Republican presidential candidates to win more than 10 state contests earlier in the year, shows no signs of heading to the political sidelines.

Last week, Santorum announced that he was forming a new political organization called Patriot Voices and, on Friday, he waded into one of the most competitive Republican primaries in the nation.

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Florida GOP: Obama's Deferred Deportations Harm Real Immigration Reform

Jim Turner

June 14, 2012 - 6:00pm

A decision by the Obama administration that it would no longer seek the deportation of most young illegal immigrants has set off the expected signs of support from his party members in Florida.

Meanwhile, Republicans from the Sunshine State are equally outraged that Obama, who they have long decried as soft on immigration, would again implement an executive order without congressional approval.

Rep. Tom Rooney Disputes Eric Holder's 'Hogwash' on Vote 'Purging'

Kenric Ward

June 14, 2012 - 6:00pm

With as many as 182,000 noncitizens on Florida's voting rolls -- no one knows for certain -- U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney is calling out the U.S. Department of Justice for failing to provide the state with the tools it needs to identify illegal voters.

Mainstream media reports parroting the Obama administration and Democratic Party operatives persist in branding the state's efforts as a "voter purge."

"That's absolute hogwash," said Rooney spokesman Michael Mahaffey.

John Legg Faces a Primary Despite GOP Leadership's Support

Kevin Derby

June 14, 2012 - 6:00pm

With Sen. Jim Norman, R-Tampa, ending his bid for re-election earlier in the week, House Speaker Pro Tempore John Legg, R-New Port Richey, has been attracting endorsements from the GOP leadership as he seeks to represent parts of Pasco and Hillsborough counties in the Senate. But two primary rivals insist they will continue their own campaigns.

With charges about ethics violations continuing to circle him, Norman bowed out of the race on Tuesday after filing his paperwork last week indicating that he would seek another term.

Rick Scott's Welcome Message Can Fly at Tampa International

Jim Turner

June 14, 2012 - 6:00pm

The governor can make his proposed recording to welcome and ask people to come back to Tampa International Airport without fear of crossing state ethics rules.

A recorded greeting from the governor for shuttle bus riders at Tampa International Airport is a political gift, but not prohibited because the value doesnt exceed the $100 threshold that must be reported, the counsel for the state ethics commission ruled Friday.

Rick Scott on Joblessness Drop: More Businesses Opting for Florida Equals More Jobs

Jim Turner

June 14, 2012 - 6:00pm

Florida continued to see its monthly unemployment number drop, falling by 0.01 percent to 8.6 percent between April and May, the Department of Economic Opportunity reported on Friday.

The new numbers also put Florida below 800,000 jobless citizens for the first time since January 2009.

Gov. Rick Scottcredited his efforts to cut taxes, reduce regulations and attract out-of-state businesses to Florida for the continued downward trend.

Connie Mack Focuses on Attacking Bill Nelson, Not GOP Rivals

Submitted by Kevin Derby on June 15, 2012 - 10:46am

With two months to go until the Republican primary, U.S. Rep. Connie Mack continues to ignore his rivals to focus on Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.

The Mack team sent out an email to supporters on Friday that hammers Nelson but ignores the other Republicans in the race.

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Unemployment Dips to 8.6 Percent in Florida

Submitted by Anonymous on June 15, 2012 - 10:06am

Floridas unemployment ticked down to 8.6 percent in May, down 0.01 percent from a month earlier, and 2 full points from a year earlier, according to the state Department of Economic Opportunity.

The release also noted that for the first time since January 2009, the estimated number of unemployed dropped below 800,000.

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Mike Huckabee to Darth Vader Boy: 'May the Force Be With You'

Submitted by Kevin Derby on June 15, 2012 - 9:45am

Former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, who has since moved to the Sunshine State, offered kind words for Max Page -- the little boy who made a memorable appearance in a Volkswagen commercial -- in an email to supporters sent out on Thursday.

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