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
Former Gov. Jeb Bush. Continuing his presidential bid, Bush’s latest proposal to fix immigration might score him some points with conservatives. Part of Bush’s immigration plan would require E-Verify to ensure potential employees are eligible to work. Bush is also calling for sending people home who overstay on their visas and go to sanctuary cities.
Florida Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, and Florida Sen. Travis Hutson, R-Elkton. These two Senate Republicans were named “Champions of Freedom” by Americans for Prosperity (AFP), scoring “A+” grades from the fiscal conservative group. On the House side, AFP named 46 Republicans as “Champions of Freedom.”
Florida Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood. Dubbing his proposal the "pastor protection bill," Plakon filed legislation which would protect ministers and churches from being sued if they refuse to perform or oversee same-sex marriages based on their religious beliefs. Plakon’s bill would prohibit government from going after the tax-exempt status of a local church if it refuses to perform or recognize same-sex marriages. Plakon says “the uncertainty” of future litigation against churches was one of the reasons he filed the bill.
THOSE WHO DIDN’T MAKE THE LIST
The Florida AARP. The liberal seniors group insists Medicaid expansion should have gone through the Legislature earlier this year. By not passing the measure, the Legislature oversaw a “historic” failure, according to the AARP. But Medicaid expansion would have dramatically increased the total costs of the state government, especially as the federal government shifted more of the burden onto Florida taxpayers. Looks like the AARP was more than ready to hand the bill to their children and grandchildren.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Marc Sarnoff. This county commissioner is term-limited, but he has been walking precincts, handing out a 50-page “accomplishment” piece reminding voters what he has done for the district over his tenure. There’s one major problem. The material wasn’t paid for by Sarnoff. Instead, taxpayers bore the cost through Sarnoff’s office and the Miami Downtown Development Authority (DDA). Sarnoff’s wife Teresa is running for his open seat for the November 2015 election. Not surprisingly, the “accomplishment piece” that Marc Sarnoff is handing out to voters has pictures of his wife and brags about “her accomplishments.” Her opponent, candidate Ken Russell, is spot on in going after this “cheerleading puff piece.”
Republican congressional candidate Joe Kaufman. This Republican is the personification of the “perennial candidate.” Kaufman tried to run against U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., in 2012 but was easily defeated in the Republican primary by Karen Harrington. Kaufman got the nomination in 2014 but was blown out by 25 percent in what was a good year for Republicans. Now he is trying yet again. Professional candidates and consultants should find it easy to fundraise against Wasserman Schultz but Republicans and conservatives would do better to spend their money in a race that’s actually winnable.
The Dania Beach City Commission. This City Commission wants to “hold the line” on property tax hikes. That sounds good at first, but the commission is going about it the wrong way. Instead of raising property taxes, the commission is open to residents paying a higher fire fee to help balance the city’s budget. Two reasons why the higher fee is being proposed: pay off voter-approved debts and shoulder the rising costs of government-employee pensions. The city has $11 million in reserves but would rather raise fire fees than dip into it.
Ed Dean, a senior editor with SSN whose talk-show can be heard on radio stations across Florida, can be reached at ed@sunshinestatenews.com. Follow him on Twitter: @eddeanradio.
