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The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-cearlyvote22oct22,0,4028024.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines
GENERAL ELECTION
Broward getting ready to open early voting on Monday
By Susannah Bryan
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
October 22, 2006
Broward County is ready -- for early voting, that is.
The equipment has been tested, the workers trained and a dry run is scheduled over the weekend.
Early voting begins Monday at 10 a.m. and continues through Sunday, Nov. 5,with 20 sites scattered throughout the county and open seven days a week. Election Day is Nov. 7.
Voters will choose Florida's new governor and determine the outcome of stateand local races. Among them, Republican nominee Charlie Crist, the state'sAttorney General, faces U.S. Rep. Jim Davis, D-Tampa, in the race to succeedGov. Jeb Bush. The ballot also includes many local referendums, including aproposal for a mass transit sales tax.
Registered Broward voters can go to any of the locations to vote early,unlike Election Day, when people have to vote at their designated pollingplaces.
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http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/special_packages/focus/15809882.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
Copeland: Aid consumers
Eric Copeland of Coral Gables, an attorney and tax professional, saysthat he doesn't think consumers have a advocate in Tallahassee -- which heintends to be, if elected.
BY PHIL LONG
plong@MiamiHerald.com
Democrat Eric Copeland, an attorney and tax professional who lives inCoral Gables, says the incumbent state commissioner of agriculture andconsumer services, Charles Bronson, isn't spending enough time and energy onconsumer issues.
''I think Mr. Bronson has neglected the office of the commissioner ofconsumer services,'' Copeland said. ``I don't think consumers have anadvocate in Tallahassee, which I intend to be if I am elected.''
Copeland is an Illinois-born father of two who has lived in Miami-DadeCounty for 23 years. Although he says he has a good understanding ofchallenges facing farmers, he does not have a background in agricultureother than representing a small number of agriculture clients as an attorneyand making visits to his grandfather's farm as a young child years ago.
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http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/special_packages/focus/15809886.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
Campbell: Fix the system
Walter 'Skip' Campbell, the veteran state senator from Coral Springs, is known as a social liberal with a conservative streak.
BY DAN CHRISTENSEN
dchristensen@MiamiHerald.com
Broward Democrat Walter ''Skip'' Campbell is an underdog in the shadows ashe runs to become Florida's top lawyer.
Current Attorney General Charlie Crist and U.S. Rep. Jim Davis, competing tosucceed Jeb Bush, command most of Florida's attention. And Campbell'supstate rival for attorney general, Bill McCollum, leads in the latest voterpolls.
But the veteran state senator from Coral Springs doesn't seem to mind. Whenhe stands before audiences, using skills honed through four decades as asuccessful trial lawyer, he shows 'em some fire.
Like when the subject turns to the issue that's on the minds of everyhomeowner in the state: skyrocketing insurance rates.
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http://cgi.jacksonville.com/cgi-bin/printit.cgi?story=ZZNOSTORYZZ
The Florida Times-Union
October 22, 2006
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER: Impressive qualifications
There is a clear choice in the race between Tom Lee and Alex Sink in theelection for the state's chief financial officer.
Lee, a Republican, is president of the Florida Senate. He is a successfulpolitician with a proven conservative record.
Sink, a Democrat, is a former president of Bank of America for Florida.Never having served in public office, she has no political record toscrutinize.
Her competence in financial matters, however, is above reproach and she hasthe perspectives of a businesswoman.
Florida's CFO, in Sink's words, has a "catch-all job," managing a vastbureaucracy that not only pays the state's bills but has oversight overinsurance, consumer services, workers compensation, the fire marshal, andfunerals and cemeteries - among other things.
It's a job that requires someone with a proven record handling a very largestaff with diverse job descriptions - and, preferably, also someone withexpertise in finances.
Sink meets - actually exceeds - those qualifications. Lee does not. Thatmakes her clearly the better candidate.
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http://www.sptimes.com/2006/10/21/news_pf/State/Judge_questions_legal.shtml
Judge questions legality of limit on exit polling
By Wire services
Published October 21, 2006
MIAMI
A federal judge raised doubts Friday about the constitutionality of aFlorida law barring exit polls within 100 feet of a voting place, arestriction being challenged by the Associated Press and five televisionnetworks.
U.S. District Judge Paul C. Huck indicated he would likely rule in favor ofthe news media in time for exit polling to be done during the Nov. 7
election.
"I'm convinced there hasn't been any disruption of the voting process byexit polling," Huck said while hearing arguments.
A law passed in 2005 bans a number of activities within 100 feet of pollingplaces, including solicitation, distribution of campaign material, sellinggoods, seeking contributions or, in the case of the media, asking departingvoters how they voted.
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The St. Petersburg Times
October 22, 2006
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/10/22/news_pf/Opinion/For_chief_financial_o.shtml
There is no race on the general election ballot with two stronger candidatesthan the one for Florida's chief financial officer. Outgoing SenatePresident Tom Lee, the Republican, was an effective advocate for soundfinancial planning in the Legislature and courageously stood up to thespecial interests. Former banking executive Alex Sink, the Democrat, hasextensive financial experience and an exemplary record of public service.
While either candidate would be a welcome addition to the state Cabinet, theedge goes to Sink for her strong business background, familiarity with thestate and fresh approach she would bring to Tallahassee.
Sink, 58, spent more than two dozen years in banking and worked her way up.The Thonotosassa resident spent seven years in top management roles forNationsBank, where she headed the Florida operations and then the privatebanking division, and for Bank of America, where she headed the Floridaoperations again before retiring in 2000.
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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/editorial/sfl-editfloridashawoct22,0,7631462.story?coll=sfla-news-editorial
Congress
South Florida Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board
October 22, 2006
Re-elect E. Clay Shaw in District 22
The race for the 22nd Congressional district should have been an issue-richbattle between a veteran incumbent and an energetic opponent. Instead, itturned into a mud-slinging contest.
Now voters in the district that straddles Broward and Palm Beach countiesmust show the kind of attention to issues the candidates too often didn'tand choose the best candidate for Congress. The South Florida Sun-SentinelEditorial Board recommends they re-elect E. Clay Shaw to another term.
This contest has national implications in the fight for control of theCongress. On paper, it's a battle of the heavyweights -- Shaw, theRepublican incumbent, and state Sen. Ron Klein, the Democratic challenger.There's also an independent candidate, Neil J. Evangelista, a 57-year-oldbookkeeper from Boca Raton, but he isn't a factor in this race.
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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-ctaxesoct22,0,5961821.story?coll=sfla-news-broward
Unprecedented revolt by angry homeowners forces rethink on property rates
By Scott Wyman and Brittany Wallman
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
October 22, 2006
In Hollywood, angry taxpayers piled into buses to revolt against the taxincrease. In Fort Lauderdale, they pleaded with elected officials for abreak. At the Broward County Commission, hundreds crammed the tax hearing inan uncommon show of concern.
They were heard.
More than half of Broward County's cities and the county itself scaled backplanned property tax increases this year after taxpayers begged for relief.That cut the amount local governments will reap from higher property valuesthis year from an expected $187 million down to $139 million.
That doesn't mean the result is lower taxes compared to last year.
Only two small communities, Lazy Lake and Hillsboro Beach, cut taxcollections so much that they will not benefit from this year's rise inproperty values. Residents of 15 other cities will seesmaller-than-anticipated tax increases when they receive their tax bills inNovember.
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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-felxdavis22oct22,0,1829637.story?coll=sfla-news-florida
Davis earned reputation as a Democrat who can work with both sides of debate
By Linda Kleindienst
Tallahassee Bureau Chief
October 22, 2006
Jim Davis' second son was born on the first day of a special legislativesession called to improve health insurance options for the poor.
As his wife, Peggy, endured 12 hours of labor in Tampa, Davis debated healthcare needs with the obstetrician. The next day he headed to Tallahassee,armed with new ideas.
Davis has turned the real world into a legislative laboratory during hiseight years in the state House and 10 years in Congress. He has gained areputation as a centrist who promotes government efficiency and fiscalresponsibility, who worked with GOP colleagues from Florida to battle oildrilling in the Gulf and doesn't always follow the Democratic Party's lead.
In Washington he has supported a woman's right to choose but voted to banpartial birth abortions. He was a leader in the Democratic opposition toCongress getting involved in the Terri Schiavo right-to-die case but, whenin Tallahassee, voted for student-led school prayer.
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The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/local/sfl-zjobs21oct21,0,4263467.story?coll=sfla-business-front
ECONOMY
Holiday workers hard to find
Low jobless rate complicates search
By Harriet Johnson Brackey
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
October 21, 2006
It's that time of year when employers usually go looking for extra helpduring the holidays. But Broward and Palm Beach's low unemployment and theregion's role as Florida's biggest producer of new jobs may make that searchtough.
In September, almost a quarter of the state's new jobs were created in SouthFlorida, the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation said Friday. Itsmonthly report on the state's work force showed rock-bottom unemploymentrates continue to prevail throughout most of the state.
"With the unemployment rate right now, employees are like buyers in the realestate market," said Beth Trombino-Beam, branch manager for Spherion Corp.'slocal staffing office in Broward. "Right now, employers are at the mercy ofemployees who have any skills whatsoever."
From Palm Beach County to Miami-Dade, Radio Shack is growing its staff from550 permanent workers to almost 900 for the holidays. The company has 100openings left to fill by its target date of Nov. 15, said Anthony Lizano,regional human resources manager. He declined to say what the jobs pay, butsaid wages are 5 percent higher than last year's seasonal wages.
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The Miami Herald
October 22, 2006
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/15809899.htm
The Miami Herald recommends
FOR FLORIDA GOVERNOR
If you are looking for perfection in the next Florida governor, then youshould look some place other than the face-off between Republican CharlieCrist and Democrat Jim Davis in their bids to replace Gov. Jeb Bush. Bothmen have attributes that would be assets in the governor's office -- buteach also carries some baggage from having served many years in publicoffice.
Mr. Crist has been criticized as a headline-grabbing know-nothing. Mr. Davisendures an image as a low-key underachiever. Neither description isaccurate -- although neither is entirely false, either.
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The Miami Herald
October 22, 2006
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/states/florida/counties/broward_county/15819037.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
Davis kicks off backyard rebellion
Gubernatorial candidate Jim Davis appears to have changed his position on''portability'' of the cap on property assessments.
BY BETH REINHARD
breinhard@MiamiHerald.com
Democrat Jim Davis called it the kickoff of his ''backyard rebellion tour,'' but on a Fort Lauderdale patio Saturday he found common ground with at leastone part of his Republican opponent's tax-cutting plan.
Davis said he supported ''portability,'' -- allowing homeowners to takeproperty tax savings with them when they move.
When he unveiled his own tax plan in Tallahassee earlier this month, thecandidate for governor sounded wary of portability, which has been embracedby Republican Charlie Crist. Davis said it would worsen tax inequities anddo nothing to help renters and commercial property owners.
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The Miami Herald
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/politics/15809869.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
Crist says he'd stay Jeb Bush's course
By MARY ELLEN KLAS
meklas@MiamiHerald.com
TALLAHASSEE - A chilly wind blew as Charlie Crist stood alone in the stateCapitol courtyard one ordinary day in 2002.
He wasn't exactly alone. Then education commissioner, he greeted everypasserby who wandered through with a cheerful handshake and a ``Hello. I'mCharlie Crist.''
It was months before campaign season, but the Legislature was in session andCrist's job as elected education chief was being phased out, so he spent histime doing what he loves to do: talk to people.
Crist rode his nice-guy routine all the way to being elected attorneygeneral that year and then sailed up the ladder of Republican Party politicsto where he is today: the party's nominee for governor.
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The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-felxcrist22oct22,0,3201306.story
GOP's Crist a moderate who tries to be a `populist' as he is backed by wealthy
By Mark Hollis
Tallahassee Bureau
October 22, 2006
To understand Charlie Crist, his friends and supporters say, look at hisfamily scrapbooks or listen to his father's recollections.
They are images of an all-American boyhood, sports enthusiast and grandsonof a Greek immigrant shoe-shiner turned real estate investor.
Another view is Crist, the Republican candidate for governor. He has a sunnysmile, neat dress, nice tan, the accent-free diction of a newscaster. He'sthe gritty politico with impeccable timing and a knack for getting himselfinto newspapers and on camera.
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The Miami Herald
October 22, 2006
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/states/florida/counties/broward_county/15812125.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
Rubenstein, challenger split on schools chief's firing
The controversial firing of Superintendent Frank Till last week addsanother facet to the School Board District 6 race.
BY HANNAH SAMPSON
hsampson@MiamiHerald.com
With three weeks left on the campaign trail, candidates for the SchoolBoard District 6 race had pretty much established their issues.
Incumbent Marty Rubinstein was running on ''four successful years'' oftackling issues such as crowded schools, outdated technology and agingbuildings.
Challenger Phyllis C. Hope, a guidance data specialist at Piper HighSchool, has called for change, saying she would focus on the way the FloridaComprehensive Assessment Test is used, improving school safety andmentoring.
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The Miami Herald
October 22, 2006
Klein-Shaw race key to U.S. House balance
Broward voters casting a ballot for Clay Shaw or Ron Klein will helpdetermine whether Republicans or Democrats control the U.S. House ofRepresentatives.
BY ERIKA BOLSTAD
ebolstad@MiamiHerald.com
Come Nov. 7, voters in the 22nd Congressional District won't just be pickinga new representative. They'll have a part in determining which politicalparty controls Congress.
The race between Republican U.S. Rep. Clay Shaw and Democratic state Sen.Ron Klein is one of a handful of congressional races in the United Statesthat could swing the balance of the House of Representatives.
The race has become the second-most expensive congressional contest in thenation, with more than $7.1 million raised and $5.3 million spent by the twocandidates, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
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The Miami Herald
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/states/florida/counties/broward_county/15812123.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
BROWARD COUNTY COMMISSION
Lone Republican faces Democratic activist in county race
As two commissioners defend their seats, a former state legislator iscompeting with a doctor to succeed Ben Graber.
BY AMY SHERMAN
asherman@MiamiHerald.com
The three Broward County Commission races will put at least one new memberon the dais and present the first real challenge ever for CountyCommissioner Jim Scott.
Scott is the lone Republican on the commission, but his opponent -- alongtime Democratic activist -- says Scott hasn't done enough to controlspending and cut taxes.
Ken Keechl, who has been active in gay Democratic organizations, faces anuphill battle against Scott, a familiar name in Broward County who has heldpublic office since the 1970s.
Scott, and the other incumbent on the ballot, Commissioner Kristin Jacobs,have much bigger war chests than their opponents.
Jacobs is running against Bob Hoffman, a club DJ who is not activelycampaigning.
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The Miami Herald
October 22, 2006
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/15809867.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
GOP's logic: To reject Foley, vote for him
By CARL HIAASEN
If you think you've got problems, imagine what it's like to be Joe Negron.
The good news: You finally get to run for Congress.
The bad news: Your name won't be on the ballot.
The really bad news: Mark Foley's name will be.
Negron is a Republican state legislator from Stuart. He was chosen to runfor Foley's seat in Florida's 16th congressional district after Foleyresigned suddenly last month.
The move came so late that the ballots couldn't be updated. And last week,in a blow to the GOP, a judge ruled that election officials cannot postnotices at polls to explain that a vote for Mark Foley is actually a votefor Joe Negron.
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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/editorial/sfl-editusnelsonoct17,0,2428814.story?track=rss
U.S. Senate
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Editorial Board
October 17, 2006
Re-elect Bill Nelson to the Senate
The race for the U.S. Senate is no contest.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Editorial Board strongly urges voters re-elect the incumbent, DemocratBillNelson.Nelson, 64, is completing his first term, and during the past sixyears, hehas demonstrated an ability to effectively represent Florida andthe nation.Most recently, Nelson worked hard to keep oil drilling as faraway from thestate's coastline as possible.
The compromise he helped author permitted newdrilling in zones in the Gulfof Mexico, but farther out than drillingproponents wanted.Nelson has alsoshown a willingness to work with the Republican majority. Hesupported the NoChild Left Behind legislation, as did other Democrats,though he is criticalof the Bush administration for not fully funding theeducation law.Nelsonalso voted to authorize the U.S. invasion of Iraq, though he saysthedecision was based on flawed intelligence.
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http://cgi.jacksonville.com/cgi-bin/printit.cgi?story=ZZNOSTORYZZ
Vote no on restricting changes to Constitution
If you are like me, you're having a hard time making up your mind about
Amendment 3.
OK. OK. Most of you probably aren't even thinking about Amendment 3 yet, butyou should be. It will be on the Nov. 7 ballot and Election Day will be herebefore you know it.
Amendment 3, if passed, would require that any future amendments to thestate constitution be approved by at least 60 percent of the voters, insteadof the current standard of a simple majority.
I find it ironic that 50 percent of the voters plus one could slap a 60percent requirement on future voters, but that's a discussion for anotherday.
Amendment 3 is backed by powerful groups and businesses such as the FloridaChamber of Commerce, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, U.S. Sugar and the St. JoeCo. - to the tune of a $2 million campaign.
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The Miami Herald
October 21, 2006
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15812921.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
Supporters say Davis must get more aggressive
BY BETH REINHARD
breinhard@herald.com
Down in the polls, down in fundraising, and running out of time: What's aDemocratic candidate for governor to do?
To quote a cliché mangled by former presidential candidate John Kerry:``Bring. It. On.''
Some fans of Democrat Jim Davis are grumbling that the mild-manneredcongressman needs to get a lot more aggressive if he has any shot atcatching Republican Charlie Crist on Nov. 7. They want harder-hitting ads,tougher talk and maybe even some publicity-winning stunts.
''I'd like to see some more red meat,'' said fundraiser Ira Leesfield.``It's hard for Jim to take off the gloves.''
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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-selxsh97oct22,0,2091732.story?coll=sfla-news-broward
STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 97
Both District 97 candidates favor reforms, differ on ideas
As campaign turns nasty, clashes are in insurance, housing, education
By Thomas Monnay
South Florida Sun-SentinelOctober 22, 2006
In the hotly contested State House District 97 race, candidates Susan K.Goldstein and Martin Kiar agree on the need to reform windstorm insurance,education and affordable housing. But they differ on how to bring about changes.
Goldstein, 48, R-Weston, is defending her seat against Kiar, 29, a Davie Democrat whose father, Monroe Kiar, is Davie's town attorney and former mayor.
The district includes all or part of Cooper City, Coral Springs, Davie,Parkland, Plantation, Southwest Ranches, Sunrise and Weston. It's evenlysplit between Republicans and Democrats, who together make up about 80percent of voters.
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