FL Public Employees Make $9,009 More Than Private-Sector Workers, Benefits Included

By Kenric Ward

Florida public-employee unions fighting budget cuts face a tough public-relations battle as word spreads that government workers in the state earn an average of $9,009 more than their private-sector counterparts.

A USA Today analysis shows that the average salary and benefit package for government workers in Florida — including teachers — is $58,749. The private-sector average is $49,740.

Tea Parties To Counter Public Employee Unions

By: Kenric Ward
Sunshine State News

As Florida teachers and other government workers lay plans for Wisconsin-style protests, a tea party coalition announced it will stage its own rally on March 8 in Tallahassee.

Taxpayer and tea party groups say they will rally under a “Save Our State” banner at the Capitol on the opening day of the 2011 Legislature.

Scott Axes $5 Billion From State Budget

Gov. Rick Scott unveiled “Florida’s first jobs budget” Monday, calling for more than $5 billion in spending cuts and pledging to return $2 billion to taxpayers.

Appearing before an enthusiastic, overflow crowd in excess of 2,000 at the First Baptist Church of Eustis, Scott took aim at public-sector jobs and publicly financed retirement funds.

Scott’s Budget Shift Takes Historic Turn

By: Kenric Ward
Sunshine State News

Moving to the right of GOP icon Jeb Bush, Gov. Rick Scott is breaking new ground in his proposed state budget.

With a barebones spending plan to be unveiled Monday in the small Central Florida town of Eustis, Scott is “basically daring the Legislature to go counter to him,” says Susan MacManus…

Cannon Minds The House And Reins In Scott Supporters

Cannon is simpatico with Haridopolos’ legislative agenda, but he’s not running for anything. Indeed, the Winter Park attorney seems content to stick close to home, with no aspirations for higher office.

“Cannon is a unique speaker in many respects. He’s been the power behind the throne for two years serving as a sort of shadow speaker,” said one longtime Republican strategist from South Florida who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Sarasota’s Joe Gruters Bids For RPOF Chair

Sarasota County Republican Chairman Joe Gruters announced his bid for state Republican Party chairman on Tuesday.

Gruters’ entry brings the number of officially announced candidates to five.

Also running are Hillsborough County GOP Chair Deborah Cox-Roush, Pinellas County State Committeeman Tony DiMatteo, Jefferson County State Committeeman Dave Bitner and Palm Beach County GOP Chair Sid Dinerstein.

European Group Gears Up Florida High-Speed Rail

Editor’s Note – One line jumps out here; ‘no public financing, such as taxpayer-backed bonds, would be requested by the consortium’.

What exactly does that mean? Surely, as you will see quoted in the story below, Florida will be on the hook to subsidize operating losses, right?

Be sure to follow the link at the bottom for much more information on this story. As usual, Kenric Ward is very thorough in his reporting, including an analysis of whether it will work for Florida.

Poll: Crist Slumping Toward Third Place In Senate Race

According to Sunshine State News’ nightly tracking poll, in the U.S. Senate race independent Charlie Crist has lost 2 percentage points since the surveys began Oct. 13. Meanwhile, Republican Marco Rubio has padded his lead by 4 points and Democrat Kendrick Meek has picked up a point.

Crist calls himself an “optimist,” but his sunny disposition is being tested as never before.

With Rubio running away with the race — he holds a 47-27 lead over Crist — the only real contest to be decided is who will finish in second place.

Poll: Steve Southerland Poised to Oust Allen Boyd in CD 2

By Kenric Ward
Sunshine State News

Setting the stage for one of the biggest U.S. House upsets of 2010, Republican Steve Southerland has built a double-digit lead over seven-term Rep. Allen Boyd in Florida’s 2nd Congressional District, a new Sunshine State News Poll shows.

Southerland is beating Boyd 50-38 in the North Florida/Panhandle district, according to the poll conducted Oct. 14-17.

Poll: Marco Rubio Widens Lead in Senate Race

In the meantime, questions are percolating about Crist’s true intentions.

With the governor sitting on a reported $5.5 million and reserving an estimated $3 million in TV ad buys while running a bare-bones campaign operation, some critics suspect he may be cashing out.

Under U.S. election law, Crist would be entitled to use any leftover funds for personal use or a future run for federal office.