Welcome to "The Dean's List" -- an Ed Dean-style look at who Florida's political achievers were (and weren't) in the last seven days. What you see here is strictly my opinion, not necessarily the editor's or the rest of the staff at Sunshine State News.
THOSE WHO MADE THE LIST
Florida CFO Jeff Atwater. This week, at the James Madison Institutes annual dinner, state CFO Jeff Atwater addressed the issue of school choice here in Florida and he nailed it.
Atwater chronologically listed the pluses of the "A+" accountability program that was designed and passed by then-Gov. Jeb Bush back in 1999. The state CFO listed the successes and showed how school choice helps parents and their children.
Its an issue in Atwaters wheelhouse and he speaks on it with a great deal of passion. If Atwater decides to run for the U.S. Senate in 2016, this is an issue he may want to showcase. Democrats will have a hard time arguing against him here because Florida school choice programs remain popular.
State Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda. Breaking from her party, the Tallahassee Democrat came out in support of allowing people with concealed weapons permits to carry guns on college campuses. In personal terms, Rehwinkel Vasilinda told how she used her gun to fend off an attacker when she was in college. She said the bill gives people, specifically women, the option of protecting themselves on campus.
This bill isnt about sexual assault or sexual battery, it's about self-defense. There's still a response time and we cannot guarantee that police are going to get there in time," she said. "So I have a constitutional right to defend myself if I were ever to be attacked because I don't want to be a victim."
State Sen. Dorothy Hukill. It may not sound like the most appealing of all tax cuts, but Senate Finance and Tax Committee Chairwoman Dorothy Hukill says a tax cut bill she is floating would help small businesses. The Port Orange Republicans bill would reduce the commercial-real estate lease tax from 6 percent to 5 percent. This tax cut wasnt even proposed by Gov. Rick Scott.
Hukills bill goes beyond what was proposed by the usually more conservative Florida House. One study shows with the Hukill tax cut, Florida businesses would save $53.1 million annually.
Vince Jackson, a real estate commentator with the Florida Radio Network, says Florida is the only state with this type of tax and points out that the lease tax hurts Florida luring businesses from other states. Hukills been out in front of tax cuts before -- she was championing cellphone tax cuts before anyone else -- and shes onto something here.
THOSE WHO DIDNT MAKE THE LIST.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. While most national and Florida Democrats are rallying behind U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., in his 2016 U.S. Senate bid, not everybody is ready to get on board. DNC Chairwoman Wasserman Shultz has said that most likely there will be a challenge to Murphy in the Democratic primary.
Several Democrats behind the scenes believe Wasserman Shultz is crying over spilled milk and could be encouraging a challenge to Murphy in the primary. They speculate Wasserman Shultz was slighted by the national Democratic donors and bigwigs who thought she was too liberal for the Senate race. That leaves room for ultra-progressive U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, who says, if he runs, he will run a campaign like Barack Obama did. With Democrats lack of success in recent statewide elections in Florida, they cant afford a primary of blood and bruises here.
State Sen. Tom Lee. Gov. Rick Scott is traveling throughout the state highlighting his $675 million tax cut. While he has strong support in the House, its not that way in the state Senate.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Lee said this week his committee wouldnt hear roughly a handful of bills that deal with the proposed tax cuts until health care, including the Low Income Pool, which helps pay hospitals for health care for low-income and uninsured patients, and Medicaid expansion are in play.
Health care right now here in the Senate is at least a priority higher than tax cuts, said Lee.
While we understand the need for leverage, if theres one thing that unites Republicans, its tax cuts. Lee should get out of the way and find other bargaining tools.
Florida Gambling Expansion. The Legislature once again cant seem to get its act together on the issue of expanding gambling in Florida or even what type of gambling should be allowed.
A House panel held a four-hour workshop this past week on the issue, hearing everything from concerns of casino backers, horse and dog track owners and Las Vegas-resort-style casino interests to South Florida and business groups opposed to gambling altogether. And, of course, nothing has been accomplished. Some proposals would overhaul the entire gaming industry in Florida.
In the meantime, there is some low hanging fruit. Sen. Rob Bradley, chairman of the Senate Gaming Committee, says legislators should concentrate on reaching an agreement with the Seminole Tribe instead of tackling a massive overhaul of gambling laws. Renewing the Seminole compact might be the way to go as the Legislature gets ready to kick the can down the road one more time.
Florida Senate Democrats.The Florida Senate passed a bill allowing gun owners without concealed weapons permits to take their guns along during emergency evacuations. The bill passed on a vote with most Democrats lining up against it.
The bill would allow individuals to carry a concealed gun without a permit if they are subject to mandatory evacuation during a hurricane or other emergency. Senate Democrats opposed it, saying hurricane shelters are chaotic and stressful, and someone without training and a legal permit shouldn't be allowed to take a gun into one.
Some Democrats acted like the measure had no restrictions, but it has a few. It limits permission to carry to 48 hours, does not allow weapons to be carried openly and only applies to those who are in the act of evacuating.
Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, said mandatory evacuees often wind up in shelters where they cant bring pets. So were going to tell people you can bring in a gun but not your dog? she said.
Sen. Joseph Abruzzo, D-Wellington, broke with the Democrats on this bill. He said that gun owners shouldnt have to leave their guns at home. During evacuations, homes could be looted and guns fall into the wrong hands.
Ed Dean, a senior editor with SSN whose talk show can be heard on radio stations across Florida, can be reached ated@sunshinestatenews.com.Follow him on Twitter: @eddeanradio
