Who’s in charge? The seven Republicans trying to iron out the unprecedented political chaos in the chamber need to find a way to heed Dan Webster’s seemingly simple advice: “The solution is finding a leader, empowering that leader and getting behind them.”

Is Sansom even allowed to temporarily recuse himself from the speaker’s office? That decision may come down to a judgment from House Rules Committee Chairman Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican who, by several accounts, would like to permanently replace Sansom with himself. In the meantime, a House attorney hired by Sansom opined in this memo that the temporary hand-off of power is legit.

What’s the agenda? Even with Ray Sansom in power, there were few clues as to what policies the House leadership would make a priority this year. The only real priority for Sansom, who was consumed by the budget when he wasn’t overwhelmed by his controversy with the college, seemed to be streamlining state permitting processes.

What to do with Sansom? Right now he has no committee assignments and no bills. The last time a House lawmaker with no leadership position also had no committee assignments was Bob Allen, who offered sex to an undercover male officer and eventually left the legislature altogether.

What happens to the ethics complaint against Sansom? Galvano was supposed to consider it, but instead asked Speaker Pro-Tempore Larry Cretul to hand it over to an independent investigator. So if Cretul is acting speaker now, who is handling the duties of the speaker pro-tempore?

Will the House Select Committee on Seminole Indian Compact Review continue? This is the panel that is supposed to recommend whether lawmakers should approve Gov. Charlie Crist’s push to expand gambling at Seminole casinos. The chairman of that group is Cretul (who also has spots on the Finance & Tax and Rules councils). The vice chairman? Bill Galvano.

How will the chaos reflect on Dean Cannon? The Orlando Republican is supposed to be speaker for the 2011 session. Had he been officially given the “speaker designate” title by his caucus, he’d be the acting speaker now, not Cretul. He might be relieved not to be thrust into the role under current political and economic conditions, but without the designation in his back pocket, he’ll want a smooth transition now to ensure his own transition later.

From the Associated Press:
The state House’s acting speaker is a low-key, little-known but well-liked conservative Republican real estate broker from north-central Florida.
Rep. Larry Cretul prefers to work behind the scenes and likes to ride motorcycles, friends and colleagues say.
Cretul, 61, of Ocala, will lead the chamber at least until a series of investigations into Speaker Ray Sansom’s connections to a state college are resolved.
Cretul is a native of Trenton, Mich., a Baptist deacon and Navy veteran. He and wife Lana have two sons and a grandson. Before being elected to the House in 2002, Cretul was a Marion County commissioner for eight years, serving twice as chairman and twice as vice chairman.
“He’s not a bombastic type,” said Sen. Carey Baker, R-Eustis, who represents some of same areas as Cretul. “He’s a quiet professional.”
House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Delray Beach, said Cretul would have a “calming influence” on the chamber.

(more…)

Read our account of the day here.
And continue reading below to see more front pages from around the state.

(more…)

Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom of Destin, right, resigned temporarily recused his position today — perhaps the first time a scandal has forced a House speaker to step down — handing power to fellow Republican Rep. Larry Cretul of Ocala and raising questions about the chamber’s legislative agenda.
“Effective immediately, I have decided to recuse myself from the exercise of my duties as Speaker of the House of Representatives,” Sansom said in a statement. “Ongoing legal proceedings have temporarily created an inability for me to carry out my responsibilities as speaker.”
While some Republican leaders say the move is temporary, pending the outcome of a grand jury inquiry and several ethics complaints focused on Sansom, other members have expressed hope that the chamber will only be subjected to one transition of power.
“These allegations have been difficult,” said state Rep. William Snyder, R-Stuart. “The speaker’s eye has to be on the ball and right now the ball is the economy and the budget.”

(more…)

The Wall Street Journal writes today that the House’s version of the federal economic stimulus plan could include “dozens of special-interest provisions to help constituents such as the South Florida yacht-repair industry … “

The House legislation also would exempt yacht-repair companies from paying for federal workers’ compensation insurance to cover those hurt on the job. The Fort Lauderdale-based Marine Industries Association of South Florida had fought for the exemption for six years before Florida Reps. Deborah Wasserman Schultz and Ron Klein inserted it in the stimulus plan.

South Florida boat-repair businesses say that because their workers aren’t subject to the same hazards as those who work on big ships, the federal insurance is expensive and duplicative. Previously, the exemption applied only to craft less than 65 feet long. Under the new measure, businesses that repair boats used primarily for recreation, regardless of their size, are exempt.

Sen. Ted Deutch, a Boca Raton Democrat, asked Senate President Jeff Atwater to hold budget committee meetings throughout the state to give everyday Floridians a chance to weigh in on an anticipated multi-billion dollars spending gap.
Committee meetings, with rare exceptions, are held within the Capitol complex in Tallahassee, a several hour drive at least for most of the state’s population.
And travel by air isn’t any more convenient _ lawmakers from Palm Beach and Broward counties frequently complain about flight delays and cancellations and the steep price of tickets.
The committee meetings are expected to begin the week of Feb. 9.
“In these difficult times, with so many critical decisions before us, our legislature must determine the most effective way to include in our legislative process the Floridians whose best interests we were elected to represent,” Deutch said in a press release.

Continental & the city of Tallahassee announced today the carrier will resume non-stop flights between West Palm Beach and the state capital in February.
The flights will run twice a day, Monday through Friday.
Continental currently offers non-stop flights from Tallahassee to Tampa and Fort Lauderdale.
The only other non-stop flight out of Tallahassee within Florida is an American Airlines connection to Miami.

Senate President Jeff Atwater just sent a

to Florida’s congressional delegation outlining what the state needs from the feds regarding the $785 billion economic stimulus package being voted on in Washington today.
Atwater’s request comes after his Select Committee on Florida’s Economy held a series of public hearings to find out what businesses and other groups say they need most to create jobs and boost the state’s flagging revenues.
Despite Democrats’ dominance of Congress and the White House, Atwater addressed his missive to GOP Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Miami and copied it to three GOP Senate leaders: budget chief J.D. Alexander of Lake Wales, the committee chairman Don Gaetz of Niceville and Majority Leader Alex Diaz de la Portilla of Miami.
Atwater asks for an increase in the federal government’s share of Medicaid payments and flexibility for health care and education spending, which he said could be used to pay for teacher bonuses _ the same bonuses lawmakers cut from the budget in their spending reduction bill earlier this month. (Gov. Charlie Crist reinstated the bonuses with a veto.)
And Atwater asks for flexibility in economic stimulus in what seems to be a Scripps-like plan to “create multiple incentive packages in strategic economic centers around the state” linked to research universities.
“For example, $300 million in stimulus monies could be used to create six $50 million regional clusters tied directly to the needs, infrastructure and potential of each location. These funds could be used as a combination of economic development grants and low interest loans. A revolving, low-interest loan fund is not only self-replenishing but also addresses the need for carefully targeted help throughout the credit markets,” Atwater wrote.
That sounds like the $10 million for Crist’s “economic gardening” proposal included in the budget reductions the governor just signed into law.
The new program will provide $8.5 million in low-interest loans of up to $250,000 to companies with 10 to 99 employees. The program will also pay a contractor $1.5 million to provide “technical assistance” to potential borrowers. A potential bidder on the contract, Steve Quello, helped Crist’s economic development guru Dale Brill craft the legislation for the package.

A controversial deal where the state pays transportation behemoth CSX $640 million as part of a Central Florida commuter rail project faces a virtual challenge as lawmakers prepare to revisit the plan: wrongtrack4florida.com.
Opponents of the deal recently launched a website pillorying the deal in which the state would buy 61 miles of CSX rail line and pay for other perks while continuing to allow the rail giant to run its freight trains on the track.
Rosemary Goudreau, a former editorial page editor for The Tampa Tribune who has written extensively about the plan, started the web site because, she said, she wanted to finish the job she started before being laid off by the newspaper.
The current deal is backed by powerful GOP lawmakers – including Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander of Lake Wales and House Speaker-Designate Dean Cannon of Orlando – in addition to CSX, and Orange County and Orlando officials, who have hired an army of big-gun lobbyists and public relations firms to promote their side.
A mammoth transportation bill including the key components of the deal failed to pass last session but lawmakers and supporters are readying for another go at it when they reconvene in March.
Goudreau said she plans to update the site throughout the session.
The site includes a plethora of information about the proposed commuter line and the players involved as well as CSX’s history.
The launch of the site coincides with federal railroad officials’ crackdown on CSX.
After a two-year investigation, the Federal Railroad Administration this week wrote to CSX officials demanding that they “change the culture” at the Florida-based corporation.
Union workers have complained that railroad supervisors harassed and intimidated employees to discourage them from reporting on-the-job injuries.
The deal may face more scrutiny this year as lawmakers face a possible $4 billion spending gap when they craft next year’s budget.

U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd, D-Monticello, said today that he will not attempt a campaign for U.S. Senate. From his press release:

“Representing my fellow North Floridians in the U.S. House of Representatives is a job that I love and that I take very seriously. With 12 years of service under my belt, I am in the unique position in the House to build on past legislative accomplishments, and I will have an even stronger voice in policy decisions that will affect our economy and fiscal outlook. In these difficult economic times, my background in business, my reputation as a consensus builder, and my commitment to fiscal responsibility are needed in Congress. At home, I will continue to work hard to support North Florida’s military bases, the rural and coastal communities, and our colleges and universities. The U.S. House of Representatives will allow me to address the serious challenges we face and make positive changes for the benefit of the people of North Florida.”

Same goes for Republican Attorney General Bill McCollum. Here’s his press release, sent out almost at the exact same time:

“The people of Florida have given me the honor of serving them as their Attorney General. Our team has made great strides combating internet child predators, gangs and mortgage and Medicaid fraud, and in providing consumer protection. But there is more to do.

“Unless circumstances change it is my intention, at the appropriate time, to announce that I will be seeking re-election as Florida’s Attorney General

The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on President Barack Obama’s $825 billion economic stimulus tonight, and Palm Beach’s congressional delegation has split along party lines.
The sole Republican, newly minted representative Tom Rooney, plans to vote against the bill, said spokesman Jeff Ostermayer.
Ostermayer said “the spending in this bill is out of control,” citing proposed programs like STD prevention that are unconnected to reviving the economy.
“This was sold as an infratructure-repair package,” he said. “And that’s just not the case.”
The bill includes $550 billion in spending on transportation infrastructure, unemployment benefits, alternative energy and aid to state and local governments. Also included is $275 billion in tax cuts.

(more…)

U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, has major reservations about President Obama’s $825 billion stimulus plan. But the freshman House Republican was happy to meet the new Democratic president today for the first time and glad someone was nearby with a cellphone cam to record the event.

Gov. Charlie Crist restored about $365 million in spending included in a $2.3 billion budget-balancing bill, as expected vetoing lawmakers’ cuts to the state land-buying program, bonuses for certain teachers and tourism advertising.
“I have carefully considered the reductions that the legislature has put forth and I have chosen to resurrect, if you will, the following items to protect our investment in the following services for the people of Florida,” Crist said at a press conference this afternoon announcing the vetoes.
Crist gave back more than $276 million to environmental programs, including $93.5 million to water management districts for land purchases and about $215 million to buy and maintain other state lands.
He also vetoed about $11.8 million in cuts to economic stimulus programs aimed at bringing new businesses to the state.
Crist also vetoed $16.2 million in cuts to criminal justice, which he said should keep 118 probation officers from being fired. The Department of Corrections had already axed 66 probation officers because of budget cuts earlier this year.
His also restored some funding for substance and mental abuse programs for children, adolescents and adults and for programs to keep the elderly out of nursing homes.
Despite a warning from Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander, Crist put back about $25 million in Florida Forever.
“It’s something near and dear to me,” Crist said.
Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, said last week that lawmakers will not override Crist’s vetoes.

Gov. Charlie Crist will announce his vetoes of budget reductions at 1 p.m.
Crist will take out his red veto pen restore budget reductions included in the $2.3 billion budget balancing bill awaiting his approval.
Crist has said he is leaning toward vetoing a temporary end to the Florida Forever land buying program, a cut that would do away with about 60 probation officer positions and a $10 million cut that would end bonuses for some teachers.
He’s got about $400 million worth of potential spending restorations from money that lawmakers set aside for next year’s budget woes. More than that would take the budget out of balance, which is required by law.

State Sen. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach joined fellow Democrat Kendrick Meek as the only two major candidates to open campaigns to replace U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez in 2010.
Gelber made his announcement in front his home this morning. From his press release:

A central part of Sen. Gelber’s campaign will be to perform 100 volunteer service days throughout the state. The service days will focus on promoting America’s
commitment to helping one another through community service. From building a
home to cleaning up a neighborhood park, the campaign will do what American’s do
when a fellow neighbor needs a hand.

Sen. Gelber added, “There is no better way to advance these ideals than through promoting community service and fellowship. I am running for the United States
Senate because I want to do my part to help our state and our nation regain its footing and
restore the promise of tomorrow.”

From Attorney General Bill McCollum’s letter this morning to the Northwest Florida State College board of trustees:

..it appears upon review, based on reported information, that the manner in which the college noticed and held a meeting of trustees in Tallahassee is very questionable and could easily be interpreted to contravene Chapter 286 of the Florida Statutes.

McCollum’s office is looking at a meeting, first reported by the St. Petersburg Times, that college President Bob Richburg and House Speaker Ray Sansom set up to potentially skirt state open meeting laws.
A grand jury, meanwhile, decided yesterday to investigate Sansom’s relationship with the college.

Gov. Charlie Crist is rooting for Florida with Sunday’s Super Bowl in Tampa Bay approaching and tourists _ including the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals _ and their wallets starting to stream into the state.
Crist was born in Altoona, Pa., not far from Pittsburgh, the home of the Steelers who are up against the Arizona Cardinals.
But the former quarterback said his only favorite in the game is the Sunshine State.
“Who am I rooting for? I’m rooting for Florida,” Crist said before he and the Cabinet met this morning.
Crist said he does not yet have a ticket to the game but has the chance to get one “for a significant amount of money.”
The television coverage of the game equates to free advertising for the state, Crist implied.
“When you watch the Super Bowl, there are invariably are shots of wherever the Super Bowl is being held that go around the globe. Those shots are going to be of Florida. So I think it’s a great opportunity to showcase the Sunshine State,” he said.

He hasn’t made as much noise as some of the other potential candidates considering a U.S. Senate bid, but U.S. Rep. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, is continuing to coolly and methodically size up the race.
“We’re still in that discussion stage,” Klein says. “We’re talking to fund-raising people, talking to people that are leaders around the state, talking to professionals who run campaigns.”

(more…)

… and after six weeks of brutal budget cuts, the Florida House was in disarray.

Democrats effectively slammed the brakes on the process by requiring that each word of every bill be read out loud. Republicans retaliated by refusing to put Democratic bills up for a vote.

Throughout the 15-hour ordeal, at least one lawmaker kept his emotions in check and focused on finding a solution.

“The guy that kept trying to resolve things in an adult manner – not trying to cut a deal and willing to apologize for the conduct of some members of his party – was Ray Sansom,” said former Rep. Jack Seiler, D-Wilton Manors, who coordinated the Democratic filibuster. “He’s a quality guy.”

Today House Speaker Sansom, R-Destin, is in damage control mode once again. This time it’s the biggest political challenge of his 20-year career: restoring his image as an honorable public servant.

“This guy stinks of hypocrisy,” said Ray Bellamy, a Republican voter in Tallahassee.
Read the rest here.

Palm Beach Post writer Jane Musgrave tells the story today of Paul Scott, who has waited on death row for 30 years for the murder of a Boca Raton man he says he didn’t commit. Meanwhile, his accomplice who pled guilty was released after serving 14 years of a 45-year sentence.

“I’ve never forgotten this,” said Lantana resident Donna Alho, who was 32 when she served on the jury that convicted Scott. “He deserved a fair trial.”

Like at least three of her fellow jurors, Alho signed an affidavit questioning Scott’s treatment.

“I came away from this trial feeling very troubled about the judicial system,” she wrote. “It became clear to me that your defense is only as good as your dollar amount.”

The reasons for her cynicism are clear.

Read the story here.