That’s right, Charlie. Take the money and run!

Ending months of dire predictions of a state on the edge of fiscal collapse, Gov. Charlie Crist signed a spending plan on Wednesday that minimizes drastic cuts in state programs by relying on billions in help from the federal government.

The spending plan also raises more than $2 billion with a $1 per pack increase on the state's cigarette tax, increased tuition at state colleges and myriad hikes in fees for everything from driver licenses to court costs.

The $66.5 billion spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1 has been cut more than 10 percent in just the past three years as the state's collapsed real estate and construction markets have dried up tax revenues used to pay for schools, universities, prisons and hundreds of other programs.

But Crist was characteristically optimistic Wednesday, saying that the worst-case scenarios of the early release of prisoners, cuts in education spending and massive layoffs of state employees were averted.

Flanked by lawmakers from both parties at a Wednesday morning press conference, Crist, a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010, said the economic forecasts earlier this year were "disheartening, to say the least."

"Many predicted dark days for our state. Today, I am happy to say that the budget I'm about to sign is not nearly as dismal as many expected it to be," said Crist.

Crist said the state's economy has bottomed out - a prediction borne out by tax revenues that seem to have steadied after years of dropping. But the infusion of nearly $6 billion in federal stimulus money, and billions more for the following fiscal year, has stalled any discussion of revamping Florida's boom-or-bust tax structure that relies heavily on tourism and real estate transactions to pay for basic services.

Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, D-Sarasota, said there is "great irony" to having the Democratic administration of President Barack Obama bail out a state facing historic budget cuts after 10 years of Republican administration.

"The Republican Party who has been responsible for ruining the state is really getting bailed out by President Obama, who they turn around and continuously criticize," said Fitzgerald.

And Fitzgerald, a political science professor at New College, said it is not clear whether there will be any political fallout for the increases in tuition and fees that Floridians will almost certainly notice in the coming months.

"When they get that speeding ticket and it's now $350 or a tuition bill that makes your eyes pop out, they're not going to say 'Darn that Gov. Crist for signing that budget bill,'" said Fitzgerald.

Crist vetoed two items in the budget. He bowed to National Rifle Association concerns and reversed a $6 million transfer from a savings account set aside to pay for concealed weapons permits. That money will now stay dedicated for that program instead of shifting to paying for other state programs.

And in a possibly unconstitutional move, Crist vetoed budget language that mandated a 2 percent pay cut for state employees making more than $45,000.

While the state's constitution allows governors to veto line items in a budget approved by the Legislature, it does not allow the governor to veto "proviso" language that spells out how the executive branch shall carry out certain spending decisions unless he also vetoes corresponding line items.

"It's clearly unconstitutional," said Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales.

Asked whether he thought the Legislature would sue over the issue, as it has done in the past with a successful challenge of a 2000 veto by Gov. Jeb Bush, Alexander said, "If it was up to me, I certainly would just out of principle. I don't have any personal issue with the governor, but it's against the constitution."

Still, a legal challenge seems unlikely. Lawmakers didn't challenge Crist's 2007 veto of proviso language that allowed for limited tuition hikes at state universities, a position Crist reversed in 2008.

Crist said Wednesday he thinks he has the legal authority to veto the salary reduction for state employees. And his veto will not affect the state's budget picture, because he asked agency heads to make cuts in spending equal to the proposed salary cuts.

"I believe now is not the best time to reduce state employees' pay, especially as we are seeing many signs that our economy is beginning to turn around," Crist said. "It has been my hope that we would not have to take millions of dollars out of the pockets of 28,000 people throughout our state."

Gov. Crist to deploying troops: 'You are truly heroes'

Tallahassee will soon be a distant memory for the more than 200 men and women of the Florida Army National Guard 779th engineering battalion. But the city and the loved ones within it will never be far from their hearts.

Members of the Forward Support Company and Headquarters Company, two of the six units that make up the 779th, boarded two planes Tuesday headed to Fort McCoy, Wis., for a final bit of training before deploying to Iraq for a year.

A ceremony commemorating their departure was held in the Capitol courtyard Tuesday morning.

Tears flowed as dignitaries offered words of thanks, praise and well wishes.

"You are fathers, mothers, sons, daughters and friends," Gov. Charlie Crist said. "Always ready when called upon. You are truly heroes."

"I'm proud to be deployed with a great group of soldiers that have trained hard and are ready," Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Dwayne Jarriel, also deploying, said. "Do right, fear nothing. That's what we live by. That is what we are."

After the ceremony, friends and family gathered around their beloved soldiers, hugging, kissing, reassuring each other that everything is going to be alright.

"I'll be waiting around for her," Nick Litvin said about his fiancee, Pfc. Heather Hebert. The wedding will have to wait for now but Litvin is planning on visiting bridal shows and sending photos of wedding gowns to his bride to be.

For most, this won't be the last time they see their family members pre-deployment.

Several family members have plans to visit Fort McCoy next month, but that doesn't make the separation any easier.

"We haven't been apart since the day we met," Pvt. Jolina Lawson said. Both she and her husband were headed overseas together but then she found out she was pregnant. Unable to hold back tears, a fellow soldier reminded her that she has a bigger mission: delivering a baby.

The Patriot Guard Riders, a group of motorcyclists and drivers who seek to support veterans and soldiers, escorted the four buses to the airport.

"We are proud to stand for them as they go off to protect what we stand for," organizer Mike Donohoe said of the Patriot Guard Riders.

The group included 18 motorcycles and three cars.

As the guardsmen and women boarded their planes, Lt. Col. Jarriel shook each of their hands, reminding them that he'd be seeing them soon.

"We believe in the Florida National Guard," Jarriel's wife, Penny said. "Our goal right now is for them to all come home safe."

My response:

The young lady in the picture is my law school classmate. Melonie is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. All I can do is cry…and pray.

Polk Schools Hiring New Teachers Soon

Here's something that didn't seem certain not long ago: The Polk County School District plans to start hiring teachers soon.

Prospective teachers should start checking the district's Web site today, said Ron Ciranna, assistant superintendent of human resources. The Web site is www.polk-fl.net.

"I would start checking on a daily basis after the Memorial Day weekend," Ciranna said in an e-mail.

Next school year, Polk County's largest employer, with about 6,500 teachers among its nearly 13,000 employees, plans to hire between 200 and 300 new teachers.

Last week, after months of financial uncertainty, the district filled 160 positions for displaced "priority one" teachers who have more than four years in the district. Once spots for the remaining 36 "priority one" teachers are found, the district will begin looking for jobs for 85 annual contract teachers.

Those teachers have three or fewer years in the system, received good reviews, but will be terminated because of low enrollments at their current schools.

All of those teachers are expected to be rehired, Ciranna has said.

New teachers will replace those who failed to meet the mission and vision of the school and the district, and those who do not receive their certification.

Akindele Unleashed: Moving Historically Black Colleges and Universities Into The Silver Rights Era by Akindele Akinyemi

Akindele Unleashed: Moving Historically Black Colleges and Universities Into The Silver Rights Era by Akindele Akinyemi

He writes:

There is STILL a need for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. However, the way we run and support these institutions need to change for the better.If you take a look at the Catholics they support Georgetown and Notre Dame. The Mormons support BYU. The Seventh Day Adventists support Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI. The Lutherans-Missouri Synod support Concordia University. Most White Americans support and give back to the public institution they graduated from. However, when it comes to Blacks in this country we do not support our own institutions. After all, here in Detroit, most of the businesses are owned and operated by Arabs and Chaldeans even thought Blacks make up 90% of the total population in our city.However, HBCUs can serve as an incubator to develop 21st century leadership through a silver rights perspective.

The main problem is that we still have HBCU presidents that operate on a 20th century civil rights perspective. For example, why do we continue to beg the federal government for money to run OUR institutions? This is OUR responsibility to fund and manage first. Our ways of innovation must be creative.An example of innovation for these HBCUs is creating a social business incubator that will help divert funding to the HBCU of our choice. A social business is one which aims to be financially self-sufficient, if not profitable, in its pursuit of a social, ethical or environmental goal. Speaking of social business HBCUs do not offer social entrepreneurship programs to help eradicate poverty in our community. Our way of thinking must change and our way of doing business must be global.

For private HBCUs like Howard and Morehouse we have not done a good job in holding our faith based and non-profit communities accountable for not supporting quality education in these HBCUs. The major fund we have for the HBCUs is the United Negro College Fund. I dislike the term "negro" because it is outdated. Again, this is the Silver Rights Movement not the Civil Rights Movement. Our way of thinking must change and our way of doing business must be global. We need more than just the UNCF and Coca-Cola giving out scholarships to poor Blacks going to a HBCU. We need public-private partnerships working on improving the financial status of these HBCUs, creating a financial mechanism that will bring in billions to these universities by developing new global initiatives that will place these HBCUs in direct competition with other traditional colleges and universities.

The K-12 educational program at the HBCUs must be different also. They should offer teacher certifications in areas such as African-American History (which should not be looked upon as an elective), financial literacy and physiology to go into the most distressed urban areas to prepare our children for the 21st century.In a silver rights perspective we are in the business of generating wealth on these HBCUs by developing challenging programs, curriculums, and research facilities that will prepare our students in the 21st century. Some HBCUs are already doing this such as Tenneessee State University.HBCUs serve as the custodians of the record of the struggle of Black people in this country to achieve the very highest levels of contribution to our society. There are many ways to ensure these institutions are preserved.However, American society has written off HBCUs as irrelevant. More importantly, Black people has written off HBCUs off their list as well. This is why it is important to know your history before you write anything off. These HBCUs can very well be the change agent in urban communities across America.

My response:

I actually agree with Akindele on this one. Click the link above to read the entire blog post. Good stuff.

Powell Takes on Cheney, Limbaugh in Battle for Republican Party

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell said the Republican Party needs to break free from the grip of conservative radio commentator Rush Limbaugh and forge a more inclusive identity.

Powell responded to comments by Limbaugh urging him to become a Democrat, and by former Vice President Dick Cheney that he had abandoned the party. Powell declared his loyalty to the Republican Party and said he is trying to boost its electoral prospects.

“Rush Limbaugh will not get his wish and Mr. Cheney is ill-informed,” Powell said on CBS News’s “Face the Nation” program. “I’m still a Republican.”

Powell said the party must be “more inclusive” to expand its electoral base or risk losses similar to those suffered in the November elections, when Barack Obama won the White House and Democrats seized control of the Senate.

“On almost every demographic indicator the Republican Party is losing,” Powell said. “The Republican Party has to take a hard look at itself and ask, ‘What kind of party are we?’”

Cheney said on “Face the Nation” on May 10 that Powell, 72, “had already left the party” when he endorsed President Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign. “I assumed that that is some indication of his loyalty.”

Asked if he would “take Rush Limbaugh over Colin Powell,” Republican Cheney, 68, said, “I would.”

Powell Backs Obama

Limbaugh criticized Powell’s endorsement of Obama, suggesting during his May 6 program that considerations of race had trumped politics. Obama and Powell are black.

“What Colin Powell needs to do is close the loop and become a Democrat, instead of claiming to be a Republican interested in reforming the Republican Party. He’s not. He’s a full-fledged Democrat,” Limbaugh said, according to a partial transcript of the program on Limbaugh’s official Web site.

“The only reason to endorse Obama is race,” Limbaugh said.

Powell said Limbaugh ignored the reasons that Powell enumerated in his decision to support Obama.

“Mr. Limbaugh saw fit to dismiss all those reasons and put it into a racial context,” Powell said. “That was very unfortunate.”

Powell said Limbaugh holds too much sway over Republican officials, citing recent incidents in which Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele was forced to “lay prostrate on the floor and apologize” for criticizing the radio personality.

“He shouldn’t have a veto over what someone thinks,” Powell said.

 

City leaders Thursday told a congressional subcommittee that they would be open to discussions about extending the D.C. school voucher program past the point recommended by President Obama.

Testifying before the House Committee on Appropriations' financial services subcommittee, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray both noted their support for Mr. Obama's intention to allow students enrolled in the voucher program to remain in it until they graduate, but not to grant any scholarships to new students.

But when asked by Rep. Jo Ann Emerson - Missouri Republican and ranking minority member on the subcommittee - about whether the "younger brothers and sisters" of the current voucher students should be allowed to enroll in the program while the city continues its school reform efforts, Mr. Fenty said he would welcome discussions on the topic.

"I think that has tremendous merit, Congresswoman," the mayor said. "I think [the Obama proposal] is a great foundation to figure out just how much stronger you make the program. And so we're open to it and we'd be glad to discuss it further."

Mr. Gray, who is personally opposed to vouchers but supportive of the Obama proposal, also told the Mrs. Emerson he'd "be happy to have any discussions you would wish around this issue."

"I certainly, like the mayor, am committed to having the strongest possible public education system we can have in the District of Columbia," the chairman said.

The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship program was created five years ago and provides scholarships of up to $7,500 for students from underprivileged families to attend private schools.

Students eligible for the program come from households with an income that is no more than 185 percent of the poverty line, which is about $39,220 for a family of four.

Funding the D.C. scholarships has been a point of contention between political parties, with Republicans generally supportive of the program and Democrats generally opposing it.

The omnibus spending plan signed by Mr. Obama in March cuts the program in 2010 and makes its future contingent on the approval of the D.C. Council and Congress. However, the president's fiscal 2010 budget calls for the program to be extended for current students only.

On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs also held a hearing focused specifically on the voucher program.

Sen. Joe Lieberman, Connecticut independent and chairman of the committee, is an ardent supporter of the scholarships and said he has a promise from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, that the program's reauthorization would be brought to a full Senate vote before it expires.

Travis Henry Arrested On Bond Violation

Former NFL player Travis Henry will remain in federal custody after his arrest Tuesday by U.S. Marshals and Polk County sheriff's deputies in Auburndale for a bond violation, a U.S. magistrate judge in Tampa ruled.

Henry tested positive for alcohol, which is prohibited under the terms of his release, the judge said.

Adam Allen, a public defender representing Henry at the hearing, said in court that Henry consumed the alcohol before a U.S. district judge in Montana set the conditions of his release.

Henry, a Frostproof High graduate and former running back for the Denver Broncos, signed a plea deal with prosecutors in April admitting to a single cocaine conspiracy charge to possess at least 11 pounds of cocaine with intent to distribute the drug.

Tampa U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Pizzo called it "unusual" that a defendant facing a minimum 10-year prison sentence would be granted bond after a guilty plea.

"Mr. Henry, you will have to answer to the district judge in Montana for release if you are to be released," Pizzo said, remanding him to the custody of the U.S. Marshals.

Allen said Henry's private lawyers presented "special circumstances" to the Montana judge to secure his release.

Henry has three court hearings scheduled this month concerning child support, court records show.

"Once he is incarcerated it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to arrange for his presence at these various hearings," defense lawyers said in court filings in Montana.

Henry, 30, and co-defendant James Mack, 29, of Bow Mar, Colo., were arrested in Denver in October, after authorities in Montana found 6 pounds of marijuana and about 6.6 pounds of cocaine that the pair allegedly supplied.

Federal investigators said Henry trafficked cocaine between Colorado and Montana and that one of his associates had delivered 6 pounds of cocaine to Billings on prior occasions.

Henry was also arrested March 3 on charges he owed $16,600 in child support payments.

Henry tested positive for alcohol, which is prohibited under the terms of his release, the judge said.

Adam Allen, a public defender representing Henry at the hearing, said in court that Henry consumed the alcohol before a U.S. district judge in Montana set the conditions of his release.

Henry, a Frostproof High graduate and former running back for the Denver Broncos, signed a plea deal with prosecutors in April admitting to a single cocaine conspiracy charge to possess at least 11 pounds of cocaine with intent to distribute the drug.

Tampa U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Pizzo called it "unusual" that a defendant facing a minimum 10-year prison sentence would be granted bond after a guilty plea.

"Mr. Henry, you will have to answer to the district judge in Montana for release if you are to be released," Pizzo said, remanding him to the custody of the U.S. Marshals.

Allen said Henry's private lawyers presented "special circumstances" to the Montana judge to secure his release.

Henry has three court hearings scheduled this month concerning child support, court records show.

"Once he is incarcerated it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to arrange for his presence at these various hearings," defense lawyers said in court filings in Montana.

Henry, 30, and co-defendant James Mack, 29, of Bow Mar, Colo., were arrested in Denver in October, after authorities in Montana found 6 pounds of marijuana and about 6.6 pounds of cocaine that the pair allegedly supplied.

Federal investigators said Henry trafficked cocaine between Colorado and Montana and that one of his associates had delivered 6 pounds of cocaine to Billings on prior occasions.

Henry was also arrested March 3 on charges he owed $16,600 in child support payments.

HE HAS 11 CHILDREN BY 10 WOMEN.

After a successful appeal of his jail stay in the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland, Henry was ordered released March 18.

He's scheduled to be sentenced in Montana in the federal drug case July 15.

After a successful appeal of his jail stay in the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland, Henry was ordered released March 18.

He's scheduled to be sentenced in Montana in the federal drug case July 15.

Dumb. Just dumb.

Poll shows Crist way ahead of Rubio in U.S. Senate race

A week after Gov. Charlie Crist announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate and threw the state's 2010 political season into high gear, a new public poll shows him with a big lead over the competition.

Ron Sachs Communications, a public relations and consulting firm, commissioned the Mason-Dixon Polling & Research survey of registered voters.

Respondents said they'd vote for Crist over Republican primary opponent Marco Rubio 53 percent to 18 percent, with 29 percent undecided. Rubio is a former House speaker from Miami.

Against the leading Democrat running for the U.S. Senate seat, Crist is also ahead with 55 percent saying they'd vote for Crist over U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek of Miami. In that matchup, 21 percent were undecided.

In the race to replace Crist as governor, the poll showed Republican candidate Attorney General Bill McCollum leading the state's Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink 40 percent to 34 percent, with 26 percent undecided.

"Bill McCollum has just begun to unite the Republican Party behind his candidacy," said Matt Williams, McCollum's campaign manager in a release. "We are overwhelmed by the positive response we have received since his announcement yesterday."

The poll's results reveal that the biggest dog isn't in any race. Former Gov. Jeb Bush, who declared he would not run for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Sen. Mel Martinez's retirement and then publicly dismissed suggestions he run for his old job, had the highest approval ratings of the dozen politicians included in the poll.

Crist came in with a 49 percent approval rating, highest among declared candidates for any statewide seat. But Bush polled a 53 percent approval rating.

The poll was conducted among 625 registered voters from Thursday through Monday. It has a 4 percent margin of error.

FAMU fires men's, women's track coaches

FAMU fired its men’s and women’s track coaches, according to a release from the university Tuesday evening.

Both head coach Rey Robinson and Maicel Malone are currently preparing five athletes -- thee men and two women -- for the NCAA East Regional championships next weekend in Greensboro, N.C.

The release said that contracts won’t be renewed for either coach after this season.

Robinson, a former Olympian, has been the men's track coach since 2000. Malone, a former coach at FSU, took over the women’s program at FAMU in 2005.

NCAA denies Surrency's eligibility to play for FSU football

There will be no second year for Corey Surrency.
The NCAA notified Florida State on Tuesday that it denied the school’s appeal for another year of eligibility for the wide receiver, who transferred to FSU after two seasons at El Camino College in California.
Surrency, a Miami native, was initially ruled ineligible in April because of a ruling in the NCAA Division I Manuel entitled “Participation After 21st Birthday.” The rule stipulates that if an athlete participates in an organized sport after his 21st birthday, but before he enrolls in a college, that participation will count as a year of varsity competition.

For two years before enrolling in junior college, Surrency played for the Florida Kings — a South Florida team that tries to help troubled athletes get a chance to play in college. Though it helped him earn a spot on the El Camino roster and eventually a scholarship at Florida State, his last year with the Kings (when he had already turned 21) wound up costing Surrency one last year in the garnet and gold.
“We are disappointed that Corey has lost his appeal,” head coach Bobby Bowden said. “But I appreciate our administration going to bat for him. I hope that Corey can continue to play on the next level and we will do all we can to help him get that chance.”
In 11 games last season, Surrency had 12 catches for 237 yards and four touchdowns.

The Black Divide on School Choice

The Black Divide on School Choice

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