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Medical Marijuana: Who Profits the Most?

March 16, 2011 - 7:00pm

The sales pitch for medical marijuana is rooted in claims of compassion and healing. It's also a budding commercial enterprise that relentlessly presses the legal system.

Since 1997, prescription pot has become a $1 billion-a-year industry in California. Though nominally a "not-for-profit" business, cannabis growers and dispensers find ways to make their efforts pay off.

Operating in 14 states, marijuana growers and dispensers are banking on wholesale legalization to yield bigger profits in the years ahead. Corporate stock pickers have taken note.

U.S. Nuclear Subsidies Mask Real 'Costs and Risks,' Scientists Say

Submitted by Anonymous on March 17, 2011 - 2:40pm

A report issued just days before Japan's nuclear-reactor crisis warned that U.S. government subsidies to the industry inject financial instability.

"Government subsidies to the nuclear power industry over the past 50 years have been so large in proportion to the value of the energy produced that in some cases it would have cost taxpayers less to simply buy kilowatts on the open market and give them away," stated the study by the Union of Concerned Scientists.

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Marco Rubio Continues to Enjoy National Conservative Spotlight

Submitted by Kevin Derby on March 17, 2011 - 1:03pm

Florida Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio will continue to be in the national conservative spotlight come June. He is being advertised as speaking at an event held in Washington by Ralph Reeds Faith & Freedom Coalition. Other speakers who are being touted include U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin and political strategists Dick Morris and Karl Rove.

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Al Cardenas Turns to Greg Keller for Help at ACU

Submitted by Kevin Derby on March 17, 2011 - 12:57pm

Al Cardenas, the former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida and now the newly installed chairman of the American Conservative Union (ACU), is turning to an experienced pro to help him run the organization, naming Greg Keller as executive director.

Gregg Keller is highly respected in the conservative community nationally and Im very pleased to announce he will be joining the ACU team, said Cardenas. With Greggs help, ACU will continue to unite social, fiscal and national security conservatives for the tremendous opportunities we have in 2012 and beyond.

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Tampa: Down and Out, or Up and Coming?

Kenric Ward

March 16, 2011 - 7:00pm

A survey of the nation's largest metropolitan centers delivered dreary news for the Sunshine State -- particularly the West Coast.

None of the eight Florida markets rated higher than middle of the pack in terms of economic performance, and five ranked among the weakest in the country.

A cluster of three of those weakest metro markets -- Tampa, Bradenton and Fort Myers -- spurred concern that Florida's West Coast remains mired in recession.

Rick Scott Launches Site Giving Public Info on State Spending and Salaries

Submitted by Kevin Derby on March 17, 2011 - 12:47pm

On Thursday, Gov. Rick Scotts team unveiled a website giving the public access to state records including contracts and state employee salaries and pensions.

This useful tool enhances public access to government records so taxpayers can see how their tax dollars are being spent, said Scott in a statement.

Scott expanded on that theme in a message on the site.

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TEA Party Seeks Sanctions and Legal Fees in Latest Salvo Against RPOF

Submitted by Anonymous on March 17, 2011 - 12:44pm

The Florida TEA Party's legal merry-go-round took another whirl this week with the party's demand for court sanctions.

TEA's running tiff with Tampa political activist Don Hensarling began last summer when Hensarling filed a series of suits alleging that TEA (Taxed Enough Already), among other things, conspired to "defraud" voters and draw votes from Republicans "to the benefit of Democrat candidates."

Hensarling also alleged that TEA "accepted money from persons affiliated with the Democratic Party to form the TEA Party."

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Mike Huckabee Hammers Bill Nelson

Submitted by Kevin Derby on March 17, 2011 - 12:40pm

Former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, who moved to Florida last year, continued to take aim at Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.

Florida needs a conservative United States senator, insisted Huckabee in an e-mail sent out to supporters on Thursday. By his own actions, it is clear that Democrat Senator Bill Nelson has been in Washington, D.C., too long.

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Medicaid Reform Measures Pass House Committee

Kevin Derby

March 16, 2011 - 7:00pm

Larry Sabato Puts Marco Rubio in Second Tier of 2012 GOP Pack

Submitted by Kevin Derby on March 17, 2011 - 11:59am

Uber-pundit Larry Sabato unveiled his latest Crystal Ball rankings for the Republican presidential nomination. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney tops the rankings with other candidates crowded behind him in various tiers. Sabato included Floridas own U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, who has received increased attention as a possible presidential candidate in recent days, at the bottom of the second tier in tenth place.

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