03/05/04

E Messenger
The Electronic Newsletter of the Florida AFL-CIO

 New Members according to the AFL-CIO Work in Progress
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Year to date: 23,996

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STATE NEWS  

State of the State?  State of Denial !  See what the press had to say.

 Jeb s show flaunts state of misdirection
(03/02/2004 © Daytona Beach News-Journal)
Gen. Dwight Eisenhower appeared in scratchy profile on a screen above Gov. Jeb Bush's head, the military commander readying his troops to land on the beaches of Normandy. Bush was readying to launch something far less dramatic -- his State of the State speech.

 Solve state s problems
( 03/03/2004  © Florida Today)
To hear Gov. Jeb Bush tell it, Florida is in great shape. Plenty would argue, including us. But that's the rosy picture he painted in Tuesday's State of the State address, where he laid out his agenda for the current Legislative session and touted improvements in education, employment and programs to strengthen families.

 What they re saying about Gov. Bush s State of the State address
( 03/03/2004  © Bradenton Herald)
"There was a little something for everybody. You'd think it was an election year." hhhhhhhhhh Rep. Curtis Richardson D-Tallahassee "There was a lot of statistical information about success. The Republicans have been in control of the Senate for 10 years and of the executive for six years. It's time to be measured by the outcomes of our policies since we took over."

 Symbols -- not substance -- mark launch of new session
(03/02/2004 © Daytona Beach News-Journal)
Stately, plump Senate President Jim King tensed his lips into a near-smile on word the House's opening ceremonies and speechifying had gone on 20 minutes too long, leaving the Senate hanging in an awkward silence. "Isn't that special," he said. "This is going to be an interesting session."

 Reaction to Gov. Bush s State of the State address
(03/02/2004 © Gainesville Sun)
"Since Gov. Bush took office, 97 percent of Floridians are paying higher taxes to fund eight billion dollars in tax cuts for Florida's most privileged, while doing very little for our typical seniors or savers or anyone else without high powered lobbyists." - House Democratic Leader Doug Wiles, D-St. Augustine.

 State of ho-hum
(03/03/2004 © Orlando Sentinel)
Gov. Jeb Bush pretty much summed up his own vision for the state this year, observing that a moving tribute to the nation's war heroes that preceded his annual State of the State address Tuesday was 'a rousing prelude to what may not be a rousing speech.' No arguing with that.

 Governor plays it safe in election year
(03/03/2004 © Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel)
TALLAHASSEE Gov. Jeb Bush delivered a careful election-year State of the State message on Tuesday that touted higher test scores in Florida schools, called for reading tutors for middle school students and pressed for a nationwide reform of Medicaid.

 Budget views  

Traipsing to Tallahassee
( 03/03/2004  © Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel)
Floridians are never more at risk than when the Legislature is in session. Talk with state senators and representatives one-on-one and even the wackos may seem reasonable; get them together in a landlocked, inaccessible backwater like Tallahassee and they morph  

Don t Raid Trust Funds
(03/03/2004 © Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel)
Gov. Jeb Bush didn't mention it Tuesday during his State of the State speech to the Florida Legislature, but his plan to abolish two affordable housing trust funds merits attention, and opposition.

 Not much hope, just trepidation
(03/03/2004 © Ocala Star Banner)
When the gavel falls today signaling the start of the 2004 session of the Legislature, the moment will be greeted by many Floridians with more trepidation than hope. You see, while it's a new year, the opening lament is the same old, same old: Florida is facing a budget shortfall - again.

 Jeopardizing the trusts State needs reliable funding source for affordable housing
( 03/03/2004  © Sarasota Herald-Tribune)
Gov. Jeb Bush simply can't be trusted around trust funds. A year ago, he and other Republican leaders in Tallahassee tried -- with mixed results -- to pry open funds designed to provide reliable sources of revenue for specific needs such as affordable housing, health care and land conservation.

 While Florida gains jobs, it s losing money
(03/03/2004 © St. Petersburg Times)
In his first State of the State address delivered five years ago this month, Gov. Jeb Bush urged Florida lawmakers to make tough decisions or face a troubling future as Florida entered a new century.

 Endangered trust
(03/04/2004 © Tallahassee Democrat)
Since 1992, the state's affordable housing trust funds have helped more than 150,000 Floridians obtain decent housing while earning the support of home builders, Realtors and housing activists alike.

 Intangibles tax
(03/05/2004 © Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel)
Your interesting Face to Face conversation with state Sen. Ken Pruitt, the "budget guru [who] sees tough times for Florida," fails to mention the plunge in state revenues caused by the state Legislature's severe cuts in the intangibles tax, a high priority for Gov. Jeb Bush in his first term.

 The Sordid Tale of KidCare  

Editorial: Capital slaughter
( 03/03/2004  © St. Petersburg Times)
The Florida Legislature isn't just a sheep ranch; it's a slaughterhouse. What has been happening with the KidCare bill discredits not just the House, where it might have been expected, but the Senate as well.

 Expansion of KidCare program sparks early debate BY PAIGE ST. JOHN AND PAUL FLEMMING
(03/04/2004 © Florida Today)
Barely a day old, the Florida Legislature is acting quickly on its 2004 agenda, making fast progress while the stars are aligned in Republican’s favor. In back-to-back party line votes, the House and Senate lined up for impending passage of legislation that would allow parental notification of teen abortions, momentarily expand health insurance for poor children, and destroy elect  

'Reducing KidCare waiting list moves forward in House, Senate
(03/03/2004 © Bradenton Herald)
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - More than 90,000 children on a waiting list for the state's KidCare subsidized health insurance program could get coverage under a measure that moved forward Wednesday in the Legislature. The Senate and House debated similar bills that would appropriate about $25 million in state and federal money to eliminate much of the current waiting list.

 Improve KidCare health insurance for working poor families
(03/04/2004 © Miami Herald)
Growing numbers of children join the waiting list for health insurance from Florida's KidCare program, but the Legislature's recent proposals do little to help children in uninsured working families.

 Session moves fast so legislators can get back to their real work…getting elected.  

House courts voters on right
(03/04/2004 © Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel)
TALLAHASSEE -- Eager to score political points with conservative voters, the Florida House on Wednesday easily advanced measures concerning abortion, gun-owner rights and health care for the poor.

 Legislature s new tack on disputed measures: speed
( 03/04/2004  © St. Petersburg Times)
TALLAHASSEE - In a typical legislative session, not much gets done until the final days. But this is no typical year. Elections are looming and lawmakers don't want a repeat of the rancor and extended sessions that marked the past two years.

 Campaign finance reform?  

GOP reception an exception to the new rule
( 03/04/2004  © St. Petersburg Times)
TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Senate has clamped down on campaign fundraising by its members during the session that began Tuesday. But the new restriction will be ignored next week, so the money can keep flowing to the state Republican Party.

 Senate is poised to close loophole
( 03/02/2004  © Gainesville Sun)
Tallahassee . The Florida Senate is expected today to close a campaign finance loophole that has allowed state legislators to sidestep a ban on fund-raising during their 60-day annual session

 Senate weighs ban on raising money
(03/03/2004 © Orlando Sentinel)
TALLAHASSEE -- A rule that would prohibit state senators from accepting money for political parties, campaigns or committees during legislative sessions will be considered today by the Senate, but House leaders said they see no need for such a ban.

 Shadow money
( 03/03/2004  © Panama City News Herald)
Since 1999, legislators in Tallahassee have received nearly $3 million from campaign contributors they don't have to name - some while still in session.

 Senate bars all political fundraising during session
(03/03/2004 © St. Petersburg Times)
TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Senate took a strong stand against campaign fundraising during legislative sessions Tuesday, passing a new rule that forbids members from seeking money for political parties or other groups.

 2004 March on Tallahassee  

Civil rights protesters rally, cry Enough is Enough
(03/02/2004 © Daytona Beach News-Journal)
TALLAHASSEE -- With hymns of freedom echoing in the background, Cynthia Slater and more than 50 others from Volusia County marched to the Capitol on Tuesday holding signs proclaiming "Enough is Enough." Slater, president of the Volusia County NAACP branch, joined the Rev. Jesse Jackson and more than 3,000 civil rights and labor union activists from throughout the nation to protest Gov. Jeb Bush

 Black lawmakers join rally at Capitol
(03/03/2004 © Miami Herald)
TALLAHASSEE - Deriding President Bush's Haiti policy as ''racist'' while labeling Florida's use of standardized testing in education ''morally wrong,'' black Democratic lawmakers rallied at the old Capitol building Tuesday, joined by a crowd of about 2,000 that included clergy, union members

 Fervor meets the opening of Legislature
(03/03/2004 © Ocala Star Banner)
TALLAHASSEE - Four years ago this week more than 10,000 angry protesters stood outside the Florida Capitol to blast Gov. Jeb Bush for his drive to end state affirmative action policies. Today Jesse Jackson, union members, NAACP members and other groups traditionally aligned with Democrats

 Anti-Bush protesters vow to make comeback
(03/03/2004 © Tallahassee Democrat)
Chanting 'enough is enough,' about 2,000 protestors denounced President Bush and Gov. Jeb Bush as liars, thieves and racists Tuesday and vowed to avenge Florida's 2000 election with a massive black voter turnout this fall.

 Drink Lead!   

Gun-range bills move ahead
(03/03/2004 © Panama City News Herald)
TALLAHASSEE Bills that would make shooting ranges immune from environmental regulators' lawsuits and arrange for the state to pay for cleaning up the facilities continued moving quickly through the Legislature Tuesday.

 Fee hikes would fund cleanup of gun ranges
(03/03/2004 © St. Petersburg Times)
TALLAHASSEE - Security guards and people with concealed weapons permits in Florida would pay higher fees to fund a cleanup of contaminated gun ranges, a state Senate committee decided Tuesday.

 Aiming to please the NRA
(03/04/2004 © St. Petersburg Times)
Here is the Florida Senate's idea of progress: Instead of shaking down taxpayers to clean up lead pollution at gun ranges, charge those who get gun permits from the state. Admittedly, that comes closer to putting the burden on the responsible parties, but it still falls short of making the polluter pay.

 Education

 An Amendment Affirmed?
( 03/03/2004  © Lakeland Ledger)
Hmmmm. Maybe the people knew what they were doing when they passed the class-size amendment after all. The public approved that amendment -- which requires reduced class sizes in the public schools over an eight-year period -- in 2002, over the objections of Gov. Jeb Bush and most legislative leaders (and the editorial advice of many Florida newspapers, including this one).

Browder: Lawmakers must commit to funding pre-k program
(03/04/2004 © Naples Daily News)
Florida's new voluntary universal pre-kindergarten program must be adequately financed by the state or there is no reason to even offer the program, say Lee County school officials. Superintendent James Browder said Wednesday that lawmakers, who began their spring legislative session this week, must fully finance the voter-approved mandate to make it successful.

  Legislation backs U.S. flags
(03/04/2004 © Orlando Sentinel)
A House committee voted unanimously Tuesday to support a bill that seeks to place an American flag in every public classroom in the state -- but would not pay for them.

 Activists rally for childhood education
( 03/05/2004  © Bradenton Herald)
TALLAHASSEE - Child advocates and children from around the state converged on the Capitol on Thursday to rally for more support of education issues. As the state gears up to put voluntary universal pre-kindergarten into effect next year, advocates are hoping to get lawmakers to pay more attention to their concerns now

 Charter principals salaries on firing line
(03/05/2004 © Palm Beach Post)
TALLAHASSEE -- At least four Palm Beach County charter school principals with salaries between $90,000 and $110,000 a year could see those salaries trimmed by a legislative bill that would prohibit them from out-earning their colleagues at regular public schools.

 Legislature has no right to wave flag
( 03/05/2004  © Ft. Myers News-Press)
This is the sort of thing that gives patriotism a bad name. Rep. Franklin Attkisson, R-Kissimmee, is sponsoring a bill that would make every room used for public education, kindergarten through university, display an American flag

 Byrd watching  

Byrd s Remark Draws A Flock Of Woolly Jabs
(03/03/2004 © Tampa Tribune)
State lawmakers from both sides of the aisle couldn't resist taking a few not-so-thinly- veiled shots Tuesday at House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, R-Plant City, whose candid description of legislators as sheep in need of direction left many of his colleagues bitter.

 Byrd Employs Strawberries To Sweeten New Session
( 03/03/2004  © Tampa Tribune)
TALLAHASSEE - House Speaker Johnnie Byrd kicked off his final legislative session Tuesday and faced colleagues who, a week earlier, he called ``sheep.''

 Revenge of the Sheep
( 03/04/2004  © Capitol News Service)
Florida democrats are trying to exploit House Speaker Johnnie Byrd's remark that house members are 'like sheep' waiting to be led. Byrd made the remark to the Tampa Tribune editorial board.

 A flack in Byrd s flock
( 03/05/2004  © Tallahassee Democrat)
The news: Denham jumped into the job of press secretary for House Speaker Johnnie Byrd just last week.  

De-railing the bullet train

 Two Different Trains of Thought
( 03/04/2004  © Lakeland Ledger)
Help! I'm so confused! I know that since I was unable to get a quality, high school education in Florida , I cannot understand much of the story about the high-speed rail in Central Florida . State Rep. Bob Allen, R-Merritt Island , calls the amendment sponsored by state Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, hardball, special interest politics. Sorry, I don't get it; he lost me.

 High Speed Rail Repeal Effort Underway
( 03/04/2004  © Capitol News Service)
Lawmakers opposed to the high speed rail project are hoping this year they can convince voters to repeal it. The plan for the bullet train linking Florida 's major cities is estimated to cost 30 million dollars.

 Plenty of money for the turkeys though! 

 Leaders pet projects for medical research pass Senate
( 03/04/2004  © Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel)
TALLAHASSEE -- Money for Alzheimer's and other disease research and a new state chiropractic school was approved Thursday by the Senate, the first bill passed in the Legislature this year.

 $30 million in leaders projects gets top priority
( 03/04/2004  © Palm Beach Post)
TALLAHASSEE -- State GOP leaders got down to the people's business Wednesday, starting off with their own business: multimillion-dollar pet projects favored by the House and Senate leaders.

 Secrecy for Alzheimer s center
( 03/05/2004  © St. Petersburg Times)

Democrats on Thursday failed to block one of House Speaker Johnnie Byrd's top priorities: exempting an Alzheimer's research center in Tampa from open-government laws. The First Amendment Foundation, which supports public access to government, opposed the bill, calling the new exemptions "unconstitutionally overbroad."

  Florida election 2004  

Democrats, GOP to compete for Hispanic, swing voters in Florida
( 03/03/2004  © Gainesville Sun)
KISSIMMEE , Fla. When President Bush and John Kerry begin executing their general election plans in Florida , one of their likely focal points will be the oblong lines that form the district of state Rep. John Quinones.

 House passes bill to reduce KidCare waiting list, change eligibility
(03/05/2004 © Bradenton Herald)
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - More than 90,000 children waiting for subsidized health insurance will get it under a measure headed to the desk of Gov. Jeb Bush over the protestations of Democrats who say that accompanying changes to the program will ultimately deprive families.

 Endorsement lines being drawn
(03/05/2004 © Jacksonville Daily Record)
by Bradley Parsons Staff Writer Ask local police and fire department union leaders what they want from their next president and youll hear similar list: protection for their retirement benefits, strong leadership and enough funding to keep them safe and effective on the front lines of homeland security. Ask them who they intend to support this fall and their answers begin to diverge.

 Kerry stumps in Sunshine State
( 03/05/2004  © Gainesville Sun)
Sen. John Kerry thundered into Florida on Wednesday after clinching the Democratic presidential nomination and eliminating his last major rival in the race.

 FTAA Watch

 SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT--AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Richard Trumka joined union members, retirees, students and community allies March 1 at a Civilian Investigative Panel hearing on police conduct in Miami to set the record straight about the Miami Police Department's violent tactics against peaceful participants in the mass protests against the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) last November. In a recent report on the incidents, the Miami police blamed union members and their coalition partners for inciting violence. In December, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney asked U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) to launch independent investigations of mismanagement by top Miami police department officials that led to abuse and intimidation during the FTAA demonstrations. So far neither has begun an investigation. For more information, visit http://www.aflcio.org or check out our special FTAA edition of Solidarity in the Sunshine at www.flaflcio.org. 

 Other state news

 High court under attack again
( 03/05/2004  © St. Petersburg Times)
Stripping away the power and independence of the state courts has been a mission of Gov. Jeb Bush's and the Legislature's. In recent years, Bush has successfully gained greater control over judicial appointments by changing the way members of judicial nominating commissions are chosen. Now, all appointments to the 26 commissions are made by him.

 Workers comp deficit could force outlay and rate hike
( 03/05/2004  © Palm Beach Post)
TALLAHASSEE -- Hundreds of small companies that buy coverage from the state's pricey workers compensation pool could be in for a nasty surprise later this year.

 Legislative agenda: Gun-control bills
( 03/05/2004  © Miami Herald)
School funding, juvenile-justice reforms, job-creating programs, healthcare for poor families. These are just a few issues that Floridians want the Legislature to address. So what have lawmakers taken up with alacrity the first week of their session?

 NATIONAL NEWS  

Economy still looks grim for the jobless  

Job Growth Stalls in February, Surprising Forecasters
The New York Times 3/05/04

Nation’s Debt Grew at Rapid Pace in 2003
New York Times 3/05/04

 Free Trade Is Anything but Fair, and Lousy Economics Besides
LA Times 03/05/04

 Statement by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney on February Unemployment Rate
March 5, 2004

 Today's unemployment report underscores the disastrous state of our nation's jobs situation.  It should be clear by now that a "jobless recovery" is a contradiction in terms.  More than eight million Americans are officially out-of-work, nearly 400,000 more people gave up looking for work last month and millions more are underemployed.  The number of long-term unemployed remains at close to two million and hopes for an imminent jobs recovery are fading fast.  The 21,000 new jobs added last month are mainly temporary jobs and barely fill a gaping hole in our jobs market.  The statistics clearly show that the crisis is not being addressed and our country's leaders are oblivious to the suffering of the unemployed.

 Job growth remains sluggish despite predictions from the Bush Administration of a rebound in the jobs market.  Administration officials have stated that the market is in a transitional period as thousands of jobs move offshore.  Such pronouncements do not reassure white-collar workers who are now competing for low-wage jobs at the local fast-food and discount stores.  Other economic indicators, like January's rise in mass layoffs, point to a slow and painful recovery and explain why consumer confidence has fallen sharply.

 With more than 760,000 jobless workers who have exhausted their unemployment benefits, there's no excuse for President Bush and the Republicans to reject calls to extend the emergency unemployment program.  And there's no excuse for the Bush Administration to take away overtime pay for America 's workers and to support companies that move American jobs offshore.

 As usual…no help from the Bush administration  

JOBLESS HELP BARELY BLOCKED--Pro-worker senators came within two votes of extending the federal Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation (TEUC) program, which provides additional weeks of unemployment benefits to long-term jobless workers who exhaust their state benefits. The senators voted 58-39 on Feb. 26 to attach Sen. Maria Cantwell's (D-Wash.) amendment reviving the TEUC to a gun liability bill. But because a procedural objection was raised, 60 votes were needed for passage. The TEUC expired in January, and Republican congressional leaders, with the backing of the Bush administration, twice blocked action to revive it. Democrats forced a Feb. 4 House vote approving an extension, but the Senate must approve the extension and Bush must agree to sign it rather than veto it. Unless this happens, more than 2 million jobless workers will run out of state unemployment benefits by June, according to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.  

Election 2004  

Democrats' Calm Conceals Questions About Kerry
National Public Radio

Kerry should make an issue of trade
Boston Globe 03/04/04

TV Ads Portray Bush Tackling Tough Times (washingtonpost.com)
The Washington Post 3/04/04

9 / 11 Victims' Kin Angered by Bush Ads
New York Times 3/04/04

 Wal-Mart Watch  

Meyerson: What Wal-Mart Has Wrought
The Washington Post 3/05/04

Wal-Mart Convenes Board Meeting in China
Yahoo News

 More on Paige’s “terrorist comments”  

Teachers of Year take umbrage at 'terrorist' label
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 03/04/04

 PAIGE CONDEMNED FOR 'TERRORIST' REMARK--Union leaders are condemning Education Secretary Rod Paige's characterization of the National Education Association (NEA) as "a terrorist organization." Paige made his remarks at a private meeting with governors Feb. 23. Like many other education advocates and elected officials from both parties, NEA has criticized the Bush administration for failing to fund adequately the No Child Left Behind education reform law. "Many have given their lives to preserve our freedom to speak out," said Baxter Atkinson, president of the School Administrators. "To characterize the NEA for exercising that right as a 'terrorist organization' goes against everything the United States stands for." According to AFT Secretary-Treasurer Edward McElroy, "There is no excuse for such crude and inflammatory hate speech."

 If you have suggestions on how we may improve this online publication or have information you would like to see posted please contact our communications director at (850) 224 – 6926 or at rtemplin@flaflcio.org. 

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Rich Templin
Communications Director
Florida AFL-CIO