The Florida Tribune http://www.fltrib.com/ The Week in Review for July 18-July 22 http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23870544 Florida Tribune Staff 2011-07-22T2:42:30Z Among this week's top stories: Senate President Mike Haridopolos shakes up the race for U.S. Senate, the Florida Supreme Court upholds a multi-million dollar verdict against a tobacco company, and the state's unemployment rate stays flat. Florida's unemployment rate stays unchanged http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23868065 Christine Jordan Sexton 2011-07-22T10:41:37Z The state's jobless rate stayed at 10.6 percent for the month of June. This is the first time this year that the unemployment rate has not dropped. The new numbers also showed that the sector that has lost the most jobs in the last year is government. Bondi defends decision to remove foreclosure fraud investigators http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23855700 Gary Fineout 2011-07-21T7:21:03Z After refusing initially to disclose why two foreclosure fraud investigators were forced to resign, the office of Attorney General Pam Bondi contended the attorneys were removed because of poor job performance. Theresa Edwards, one of those forced out, disputes the statements and points out she had received positive job reviews. Federal legislation would direct 80 percent of oil spill fines to Gulf states http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23856028 Bruce Ritchie 2011-07-21T6:31:02Z Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio joined Thursday to co-sponsor legislation in what a Senate committee chairman described as a "magical moment" of bipartisanship. The bill could ensure that whatever eventually is collected from BP for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill goes towards Gulf Coast states. New Florida study tracks ex-felons after they won back voting rights http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23856389 Gary Fineout 2011-07-21T6:13:04Z The Florida Parole Commission says that roughly 11 percent of ex-felons who had their civil rights restored wound up back in prison or under state supervision. That's a much lower rate than previous state studies of inmates. The new information could revive controversy over the change pushed by Attorney General Pam Bondi to make it harder for ex-cons to win back voting rights. State regulators asked to sign off on medical malpractice deal http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23865947 Gary Fineout 2011-07-21T4:54:25Z The Doctors Group will have 30 percent of the medical malpractice market in Florida if the company wins approval of the proposed acquisition of two medical malpractice carriers in the state. Company officials testify that the market in Florida remains competitive. Attorney General's office says veterans group using illegal slot machines http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23866914 Florida Tribune Staff 2011-07-21T3:55:23Z Attorney General Pam Bondi says machines being used by a VFW Post in Parker are illegal. The decision could prompt a push by veterans groups to seek an exemption from the Florida Legislature. Infographic: FRS Pension Plan Performance for 2010-2011 http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23865589 Research Desk 2011-07-21T10:58:14Z Earlier this week, the State Board of Administration released preliminary figures showing that the state pension fund has had one of its best years -- posting a return of 22 percent and ending the 2010-2011 fiscal year with a market value of $128.42 billion. State pension plan gains billions during banner year http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23840399 Gary Fineout 2011-07-20T6:47:54Z Despite campaign talk assailing the health of the state pension plan, the State Board of Administration on Wednesday released preliminary numbers that show that the Florida Retirement System had a 22 percent gain over the last fiscal year. Pro-drilling group wraps up closed-door energy meetings in Orlando http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23840398 Bruce Ritchie 2011-07-20T4:39:11Z Senate President Mike Haridopolos invited the Consumer Energy Alliance to develop energy recommendations but he didn't attend the group's sessions this week in Orlando. The group plans to submit recommendations to Hardiopolos, House Speaker Dean Cannon and Gov. Rick Scott in December. Teachers union asks court to strip amendment from ballot http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23837747 Gary Fineout 2011-07-20T4:31:20Z Amendment 7 asks voters to remove from the state constitution a provision that prevents taxpayer money from going to religious institutions. Those opposed to the measure say it will open up the door to universal vouchers. The lawsuit filed on Tuesday also asks a court to strike down a new law that gives the attorney general the power to rewrite ballot language. Hospital commission confused over which facilities should be examined http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23850454 Christine Jordan Sexton 2011-07-20T3:42:26Z Gov. Rick Scott called for a review of government operated or taxpayer funded hospitals around the state. But Tampa General tells the Commission on Review of Taxpayer Funded Hospital Districts it isn't government operated or funded by a special taxing district. There are also questions about Jackson Memorial in Miami as well. Infographic: Florida's Prescription Drug Overdose Death Rates http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23838069 Research Desk 2011-07-20T1:43:39Z The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released a report showing the effects of prescription pill abuse in Florida. The death rate for prescription drugs increased 84.2 percent from 2003 to 2009. Oxycodone was identified as one of the deadliest prescription drugs in Florida. Former state senator arrested on tax evasion charges http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23838291 Florida Tribune Staff 2011-07-20T1:37:27Z Former Sen. Mandy Dawson was arrested Wednesday on federal tax evasion charges. Dawson allegedly received payments from lobbyist and eye doctor Alan Mendelsohn while she was in the Legislature. Mendelsohn was recently sentenced to four years in prison. Atwater finally names new insurance consumer advocate http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23840240 Christine Jordan Sexton 2011-07-20T1:04:30Z Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater on Wednesday named Robin Westcott to take over as the new insurance consumer advocate. The post had been held on an interim basis by Terry Butler ever since Sean Shaw left the position last September. Top House Republican says Medicaid waiver vital for crafting next budget http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23851778 Christine Jordan Sexton 2011-07-20T7:10:09Z Rep. Matt Hudson said it would be difficult for state lawmakers to craft a new health care budget for 2012 if the federal government has not decided the fate of the state's Medicaid overhaul by January. Florida plans to turn in its formal request for approval of the sweeping overhaul by August. Union sues to halt plan to privatize South Florida prisons http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23826907 Florida Tribune Staff 2011-07-19T10:49:56Z The union that represents correctional officers has sued to try to block a plan approved by state legislators to privatize prisons in 18 counties. The lawsuit maintains the way the privatization proposal was handled in the state budget was unconstitutional because it was done in a way to make it "veto proof." Supreme Court upholds multi-million verdict in smoking lawsuit http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23826835 Christine Jordan Sexton 2011-07-19T6:28:40Z The court rejected an appeal of the $28.3 million verdict against R.J. Reynolds won by the family of a deceased Escambia County smoker. While the tobacco company has said it will appeal the ruling to the federal courts, the decision could set the stage for other lawsuits now pending against cigarette manufacturers. PSC sides with utilities against proposed federal environmental rules http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23825065 Bruce Ritchie 2011-07-19T4:35:36Z The commission said compliance with proposed U. S. Environmental Protection Agency rules could cost Florida utilities between $4.4 billion and $6.7 billion a year. But on one rule involving water intake structures for power plants, an attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council countered, "It is remarkable to me that industry is opposing even this very weak rule." Low-performing schools given another year to shape up http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23826906 Florida Tribune Staff 2011-07-19T3:35:53Z The State Board of Education voted to give Duval, Escambia and Miami-Dade County another year to turn around eight low performing schools instead of either closing them, converting them to charter schools or allowing a private entity to manage them. Interim Education Commissioner John Winn said the debate highlights the need to make changes to the state's grading system. Feds asked again to reject statewide Medicaid overhaul http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23834936 Christine Jordan Sexton 2011-07-19T2:38:39Z Florida CHAIN has followed the lead of Democrats in the House and Senate and sent a letter to Obama administration asking it to reject mandatory managed care for Medicaid patients. More than 100 groups, including medical associations in Broward, Dade and Hillsborough counties, signed the correspondence. Haridopolos drops out of U.S. Senate race http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23807959 Gary Fineout 2011-07-18T6:05:06Z In a stunning move, Senate President Mike Haridopolos announced on Monday that he is dropping out of the U.S. Senate race. Haridopolos was seen as one of the main GOP frontrunners challenging U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. The move could benefit the remaining challengers or prompt new contenders to enter the race. State agencies asked to draw up plans for a 10 percent budget cut http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23817478 Gary Fineout 2011-07-18T4:15:16Z Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature have asked state agencies to show how they would cut 10 percent of their budgets in 2012. While the request is called routine, it sets the stage for another round of cutting next year. PSC may approve Progress Energy plan that fails to meet conservation goals http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23809892 Bruce Ritchie 2011-07-18T3:37:55Z Agency staff raises concerns about the cost of meeting goals set by the commission in 2009. The PSC is scheduled next week to consider energy conservation plans submitted by FPL and Progress Energy. Readers say Crist should switch parties and run against Gov. Scott in the next election http://apps.lobbytools.com/go_current.cfm?23808504 Research Desk 2011-07-18T1:38:55Z A majority of those who responded to a poll said that Charlie Crist should run as a Democrat against Rick Scott in the next election cycle. 46 percent said that he would defeat Scott, but 21 percent doubt that he would gain Democratic support.