DEMS, GOP SPAR ON PROSECUTOR FITNESS
Floridas statewide prosecutor should step down from the ongoing investigation of former Florida Republican Chairman Jim Greer, state Democratic Chair Karen Thurman said Thursday. Thurman disputed the narrowly limited investigation that resulted in Wednesdays arrest of Greer on six felony charges for siphoning-off party campaign contributions. Thurman said she was concerned that Statewide Prosecutor William Shepherd may have chosen to steer the probe away from matters involving Attorney General Bill McCollum, a Republican candidate for governor who appointed Shepherd to the post. Shepherd also contributed $500 to McCollums campaign last year, state records show. Because of your relationship with Attorney General McCollum and potentially other Republican leaders closely connected to this case, I am concerned that there is a clear conflict of interest that renders you unable to impartially investigate and prosecute this case, Thurman said in a letter to Shepherd. McCollums office denied that Shepherds investigation was colored by the relationship, saying the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and statewide grand jury are conducting an independent criminal investigation, and other entities are investing as well. The attorney general is confident justice will be served in this matter, said Sandi Copes, a McCollum spokeswoman.
FAF NAMES DOCKERY FRIEND OF FIRST AMENDMENT
The Florida First Amendment Foundation awarded its 2010 Pete Weitzel/Friend of the First Amendment Award to Sen. Paula Dockery, who recently ended a long-shot bid for governor. The First Amendment Foundation lauded Dockery for her effort to get a bill containing recommendations made by the Governor's Commission on Open Government passed this year, though the bill ultimately stalled. The nomination for the award was based on Dockerys struggles to obtain access to public records so that she and the public could be better informed regarding government decisions that impact the lives of her constituents and people throughout Florida, and her years of service protecting open government as a state legislator, the organization said in a statement. Sen. Dockery sets a standard all those in government should emulate. Dockery was also highly critical last fall of Department of Transportation E-mails about the proposed SunRail commuter train in Orlando she strongly that appeared to be coded using breakfast-themes. The E-mails, which contained subjects like pancakes, were uncovered by a public records request by Dockery.
STATES CUT $75 B THIS YEAR
A bi-annual report by the National Governors Association and the National Association of State Budget Officers released Thursday said 2010 was the toughest year for states since the Great Depression, but that 2011 will be equally challenging. States cut spending from $687 billion in FY 2008 to $612 billion in FY 2010, the report said, though governor's recommended budgets for next year point to a 3.6 increase in general fund expenditures for next year. That state expenditure increase is in response to the end of federal stimulus money next year, the groups said. "States face significant fiscal challenges going forward with the federal Recovery Act funds ending, revenues not expected to be returning to pre-recession levels, and higher demands for many services like health and education, NASBO Executive Director Scott Pattison said. The groups said the weakening of state fiscal conditions is reflected in just under $300 billion in budget gaps faced by states between fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2012. Of the $296.6 billion shortfall, $169.3 billion has been closed by states. States don't generally expect recovery until 2012, the report said.
TOBACCO APPEAL BOND CAP CHALLENGED
Trial attorneys who won a lawsuit against the tobacco industry are challenging a state law that caps the appeallate bond for tobacco companies that lose product liability lawsuits to sick smokers, the Daily Buinsess Review reported Thursday. Lawmakers last year changed how much money cigarette companies must put up when they appeal tobacco liability cases, capping the industry's total liability at $200 million. Tobacco companies are facing the prospect of millions in losses from claims filed by about 9,000 smokers in the state, who initially won a class-action suit against the industry. The Florida Supreme Court decertified the class, throwing out a $145 billion verdict against the industry, but allowing plaintiffs to sue individually. About a dozen judgements have been awarded. Under Florida law, losing parties in lawsuits must put forward a bond while they appeal a case. In 2000, the Legislature limited to $100 million what companies had to put up for the potential class action. Florida officials didn't want to bankrupt the industry because the major players are sending millions to state coffers every year under a settlement reached with the state in the 1990s. But Jacksonville-based appellate attorney John S. Mills and three Gainesville trial attorneys who recently won a lawsuit against the industry are suing challenging the constitutionality of the law. Our state constitution specifically and flatly sets forth that no law shall be passed granting a special privilege to a corporation, Mills told the Daily Business Review. Thats exactly what the Florida Legislature and governor have done by signing that law. The suit is filed in circuit court in Alachua County.
MCCOLLUM SAYS FEDS SHOULD PAY MORE ATTENTION TO FLA
Attorney General Bill McCollum said Thursday that the Obama Administration isn't doing enough to help Florida prepare for the possibility of oil on its beaches. I really believe that they're focused too much on Louisiana, Alabama and other parts of the Gulf area, whereas Florida has the largest coast line, McCollum said on Fox & Friends. We are eventually going to get hit by this oil spill, and I don't see the assets ready to be deployed and in the posture they should be for protecting our coast.
SINK TO HAYWARD: FLORIDIANS HAVE LOST PATIENCE: CFO Alex Sink on Thursday sent a letter to BP CEO Tony Hayward asking him to attend Tuesday's Cabinet meeting to explain how the compnay plans to protect Florida's economy and environment. Sink, a candidate for governor, has taken a tougher stand in recent days as the spill has approached the Panhandle. The people of Florida have lost their patience and so have I, Sink said. She also mocked Hayward's recent comment that he wanted his life back. I assure you that all of us along the Gulf Coast who have had our livelihoods and our lives disrupted by this disaster want our lives back! wrote Sink. We want our marshes, our wetlands, our tourists, we want it all back. Officials at BP didn't immediately respond. Hayward met last month with Gov. Charlie Crist.
