Florida: Closer to Libertarian perfection after last night

Florida Legislature goes into overtime
TALLAHASSEE — Republican lawmakers forced overtime on a business-dominated session early Saturday as they pushed through a vast array of conservative priorities, from repealing growth laws to handing over most of the state's Medicaid patients to health-maintenance organizations.

Proclaiming they were honoring the will of voters by getting government out of their wallets, Republican super-majorities in both the House and Senate used the 60-day session to advance business deregulation, tax-breaks for companies, and privatization of government services — all under the auspices of kick-starting the state's sluggish economy.

But with time ticking down Friday night on the required midnight adjournment, egos and sweeping agendas overcame the session. A leadership fight between the two Republican presiding officers erupted, stalling the completion of the 60-day session until well after 3 a.m. over demands that both chambers pass 44 "conforming" budget bills making a host of regulatory changes.

Lawmakers voted to reduce the number of weeks jobless Floridians could claim unemployment benefits to between 12 and 23 weeks, depending on the statewide unemployment rate. The current maximum is 26 weeks.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-legislature-medicaid-adjournment-20110506,0,6477799.story

Why wouldn't they be enamored of these rules? The problem occurs when they become cash poor. When that happens, they do all kinds of illegal things and rely on their good buddies to cover for them.

I think that's *maybe* where voters will see the truth. I hope so anyway.

the Republicans. They're not very good at framing issues in this state.

And another to make constitutional amendments even harder....after fair redistricting passed. And this bald gov is going to fight that in court.

Mandatory drug tests for welfare recipiants that THEY pay for???? Forced medical procedures such as an UNECESSARY ultra sound? That is less government????? The guy who squawked about creating 700,000 jobs???? Today, after the session announces 5,000 state workers will be laid off and over a thousand teachers?

The states must balance their budgets by law. So the job losses are coming from states and governors. The job gains have come from federal government. So the job losses coming now are from state governors...NOT the president. I am not a fan of Obama...and getting more tired from those who don't understand HOW our government really works and just blame him. As the states budgets are balanced....job losses will be a reality. But that is not the president. Learn where the enemy is, and in what part of our government process. It would be a big help.

directly talk to those who are falling through the cracks, and get them to associate the word "Republican" with a dirty word. Problem in Florida is that Democratic leaders have learned to compromise with them so voters can't tell the difference.

You need to put human faces on the suffering, and for those who support these measures, try to find out how they're benefitting. (Usually, they're part of a good ole boy network which is rewarding them for their loyalty.)

Isn't this a direct gift to urgent care/drug-testing clinic Solantic, whom he helped found? How can this be legal?

Not only is there a kickback, but fewer people will apply for the programs in order to avoid the testing and Scott and his wicked bunch get to continue feeling superior because nothing they do gets equally scrutinized.