steve schale

5. Dockery/Fetterman file more ethics legislation.   GOP Gubernatorial candidate Paula Dockery, along with first-term reform-minded Democrat, Adam Fetterman, have filed sweeping ethics legislation that would make it illegal for legislators to vote on an item that could personally benefit them.  Current conflict of interest rules are very narrow and have come under criticism from good government reformers.  Dockery's decision to push this issue again in 2010, especially after the state's growing public corruption problems, is certainly to create for interesting debate inside the walls of the Florida GOP.

4. Unemployment in Florida rises again:  Florida's service/tourism economy inevitably leads to it recovering slower than other states, and as if more evidence of Florida's economic woes was needed, the most recent Labor Dept statistics showed a continuing rise in the jobless rate.  Ideology aside, the bad economy is the number one drag on Crist's candidacy today, which is why this week at a meeting of the local Florida Public Relations Association chapter, I suggested that Crist should consider taking a 90 day (through session) hiatus from campaigning so Floridians could see him focusing on getting our state back to work.

3. Vice President Biden visits Miami:  The Vice President came to Miami this week to meet with Haitian and other Caribbean leaders in South Florida about the recovery effort in Haiti.  Biden's visit highlights the growing Caribbean population in South Florida and the region's strong ties to the devastated island.  On the heels of this visit, the administration announced it would extend temporary protective status (TPS)to Haitians taking refuge in the United States, something the Haitian community has made a priority in recent years.  And if there was any question whether Florida was important to this President, both Obama and Biden will be in Florida again next week, each making their third trip to the Sunshine State.

 2. Downtown Scotty Brown Wins.  This week, the Bay State sent Republican Scott Brown to the United States Senate, in an election that surprised man, though not this author.  Brown, who prior to public life was apparently second best known (no reason to repeat why he is best known) for knocking down baseline 15 footers over Florida's own Dan Gelber while at Tufts, ran a brilliant campaign and rode a wave of frustration in the country to victory.  As to be expected, already both sides are over reacting.  I'm going to write more on this soon, but for those wondering what to expect next, check your history for how Barack Obama bounces back from adversity. 

1. SCOTUS re-writes campaign finance laws.   This week, the United States Supreme Court officially returned America back to the political wild west, throwing out laws regulating corporate and union spending in federal races.    While clearly this is a win for media and mail consultants (economic stimulus for political vendors?), candidates who are cheering this decision should keep in mind that the net result could be that it is harder for candidates to control their own message, as deep pockets sped more to control outcomes.  

My suggestion for reform at this point is simple:  throw away contribution limits to make it harder for candidates to hide behind 'committees', require total transparency (24 hour reporting), eliminate outside groups or at least force groups to clearly identify themselves (no more "People for Mom and Apple Pie"), and let voters make the decision if they are comfortable with candidate X taking $XX,XXX sized checks from industry group Y.

1A.  The wedding of Lisa Schale and James Drake.  This last week, my youngest sister Lisa Schale was married in Portland, Oregon  (and if you are curious, it only takes one connection to get from Tallahassee to Africa, but two to get to Portland!).   While I am blessed to be one of five, I think we all agree that Lisa is our star.  A brilliant performer who has played key roles in a number of traveling Broadway plays (Evita, Cats, Little Mermaid), Lisa married fellow actor James Drake, who she met while on tour for Evita.  James is a great guy and they had a beautiful ceremony, complete with Broadway singers and even your's truly serving as a "bridal attendant."  Congratulations, Lisa and James.  I love you both, am proud of what you are doing, and wish you the very best in your new life together.