Sen. Crist holds workshop on criminal justice

Florida Sen. Victor Crist, chairman of the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Committee, hosted a workshop in Tampa today to gather information on how to cut costs in the criminal justice system. The emphasis was on programs to keep people out of prison or keep them from going back. "Criminal justice is an expensive process. If we can prevent people from coming into the system, we can save millions of dollars that could be redirected to education, health services and economic development," Crist said. "To simply throw them in a cell and throw away the key is not the right way to go."

Among those on the panel: Senators Arthenia Joyner and Alex Villalobos; state Representatives Kevin Ambler and Will Weatherford; Department of Corrections secretary Walt McNeil; and Rod Love from the Department of Juvenile Justice.

One by one, more than 40 speakers went to the podium to tout their educational, vocational mental health and other programs. Crist said he was particularly pleased to have Weatherford on the panel to glean information about diversion and preventive programs since Weatherford will be the speaker of the Florida House in a few years. "He's the future," said Crist, who is term-limited out of his Senate seat in 2010. He's a candidate for the Hillsborough County Commission.

Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer

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Transgender issue fills Tampa City Council in-boxes

With the Tampa City Council set to take a final vote tomorrow on expanding its human rights ordinance to protect "gender identity and expression," opponents of the move are sending a barrage of e-mails to council members. Council member Mary Mulhern has received more than 1,891 e-mails blasting the measure since the board preliminarily approved the new language on Nov. 5, according to Mulhern's aide. She has received only 354 in support of the change. Other council members have received a similar number of e-mails. Council member Joseph Caetano, though, has received fewer than 500 e-mails. Caetano initially cast the lone vote against the expanded protections, but later changed his vote.

Many of the e-mails are coming from outside the city and even Hillsborough County, with a handful coming from other states. And many are form e-mails distributed by David Caton, executive director of the Florida Family Association, to his supporters. The vote is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.

Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer

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Charlie Justice pushing for campaign finance reform

During the Hillsborough County Democratic Party meeting last night, Florida Sen. Charlie Justice outlined bills he's introducing. One would cap contributions to committees of continuing existence at $500, the same cap for donations to candidates. Another would stop corporations from giving to candidates. That would prevent one person from getting around campaign finance limits by making donations through different businesses.

Also on hand were Florida Reps. Michael Scionti and Betty Reed, who said it isn't easy being a Democrat in Tallahassee. "We don't control anything," said Scionti, noting that bills proposed by Democrat lawmakers don't even get discussed if House Speaker Larry Cretul, a Republican, doesn't put them on the agenda. "There is a lot of politicization of issues," Scionti said. Democratic proposals for a sales tax to fund education and tax credits for the film industry went nowhere, he said.

Still, Scionti and Reed said they continue to fight the good fight. "More bad legislation gets stopped than good legislation gets filed and passed," Scionti said.

Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer

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High-speed rail group says special session should focus on matching funds

As Florida lawmakers spar about whether to hold a special session on transportation to increase the state's chances of winning stimulus funding for high-speed rail, one of the most vocal advocates of the project says they misunderstand what would really help the state's chances. Ed Turanchik, co-founder of ConnectUs, a grass roots organization pushing for funding for high-speed rail, says the session should include a discussion of state matching funds for the bullet train.

“First and foremost, the special session should provide and make it clear that Florida will match between 10 and 20 percent of the capital costs for the high-speed rail connecting Orlando to Miami and extensions to Jacksonville," said Turanchik, a former Hillsborough County commissioner. “That’s what the federal government wants to know.”

The discussion so far has focused on approving the SunRail commuter line in Central Florida and funding for Tri-Rail in South Florida as a way to get a piece of the $8 billion of federal stimulus money earmarked for high-speed rail lines throughout the country. Florida has applied for a $2.6 billion piece of that pie to build a line connecting Tampa to Orlando. The stimulus money doesn't require any state matching funds. But Turanchik said the feds are looking at Florida's entire proposed system and need to know if the first leg is built that the state will help pay for the remainder.

“The SunRail people are grabbing on this to get SunRail done. The Tri-Rail people are grabbing on this to get Tri-Rail done. And the core of the issue is a match to go build Orlando to Miami," Turanchik said. The commuter rail issues are largely "tangential," he said.

So far, Turanchik said he doesn't have a state lawmaker ready to push the high-speed rail match concept. "We'll see where it goes," he said.

Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer

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Tampa council candidate Gloster hosts first fundraiser

Newcomer Stanley Gloster last week hosted his first fundraiser for the District 5 City Council seat in 2011. The seat is being vacated by Tom Scott, who is running for mayor in 2011. Many of the folks who turned out for Gloster's event said they first became familiar with him when he helped defeat a planned tent city for homeless people in the East Lake neighborhood.

Also on hand at the event: fellow black Republicans Eddie Adams, who is running for Congress, and Al McCray, a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Republican party regular Mark Proctor was there, as was community activist Michelle Williams.

Williams, a Democrat, said she likes Gloster because he's "a young fresh face" who wants to help the East Tampa neighborhood.  Williams said she plans to support Valerie Goddard in the race against Les Miller and Kevin White for the District 3 Hillsborough County Commission seat. Williams, who describes herself as a troublemaker with a big mouth, said she met with Goddard recently and "challenged her." And Goddard challenged right back.

"She had my heart," Williams said.

Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer

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Glenn Beck headed to Tampa

Glenn Beck is scheduled to be in Tampa for a book-signing from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Borders Bookstore, 909 N Dale Mabry Highway. After that, he's headed to the Villages for a book-signing and rally where he reportedly is going to make "an announcement about his plans for 2010," according the local Facebook page promoting the appearances.

Members of the Tampa 9-12 Project, a movement spawned by Beck, are way stoked about the visit and will charter buses to take people from Tampa to the Villages for the rally. Karen Jarosch, co-founder of the Tampa 9-12 project, said she expects huge crowds at both events. Personally, though, she said she's less interested in having a book signed than hearing Beck speak at the rally.

"He's a visionary," Jarosch said. "We respect him as someone who is not afraid to ask the tough questions and be bold. We respect him for his courage and his foresight."

Andrew Dorsey, president of the Tampa Bay Young Republicans, said he's eager to hear what Beck will have to say at the Villages rally. "There's something big that's going to happen at that rally," Dorsey said. "The question is what." Dorsey said he sees Beck as the ultimate antiestablishment voice. "Glenn is viewed not necessarily as the leader of the Republicans or conservatives, but as someone who's dedicated as a patriot to making America better."

For information about the events, go to www.tampa912.org.

Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer

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Panel opposes private sale of publicly owned Cone Ranch

TAMPA -- Task force members considering the future of Cone Ranch oppose the outright sale of the property to private interests.

Six of the seven members of the Cone Ranch Environmental Advisory Panel have submitted their thoughts to the county in advance of what may be its final meeting Monday. Of the six, three say the county's Environmental Lands Acquisition and Preservation Program (ELAPP) should purchase the property, or at least the development rights to it.

The other three members say, in varying forms, that the county's Water Resource Services Department should hold on to the land but that a preservation plan should be created. The 12,800-acre tract in northeast Hillsborough County has dozens of wetlands, many of them in ailing heath due to channels dug through the property to prevent upstream flooding.

Each of the three supporting, in essence, a status quo approach advocate something being done to the land to allow some public access to it. It's closed to the public now and leased in part to a rancher.

Finally, two of the panelists say the county should look for ways to restore wetlands to earn mitigation bank credits that can be sold to other entities, a proposal that could make money for the county.

The panel was created at the urging of County Commissioner Chairman Ken Hagan after Florida Conservation & Environmental Group, made up of local businessmen, proposed subdividing Cone Ranch into six parcels and selling them to private interests. The buyers would have had to agree to preserve the parcels in perpetuity by agreeing to what are known as conservation easements. 

FCEG, which would have made commissions from the sales, informed the county Thursday that it was indefinitely tabling its proposal under growing public criticism.

Only panel Chairwoman Heidi McCree did not submit recommendations. The panel meets at 9 a.m. Monday at County Center. To view the panel's comments yourself, go to http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/coneranch/resources/publications/comments/membercomments.cfm

-- Bill Varian, Times staff writer

Christopher Mitchell kicking off petition drive

Christopher Mitchell, a Democratic candidate for the District 47 state House street, is launching a petition drive this weekend to get his name on the ballot in 2010. Mitchell will face Michael Steinberg, former chair of the Hillsborough County Democratic Party in the primary.

In a news release, Mitchell said this: "Let there be no mistake, we are going to win this election in the primary and ALSO in the general. The voters are going to have a clear choice in this election, namely, a Progressive voice that represents the needs of the community or another Corporatist that pushes the interests of the Business elite. The Republican Party would be making a big mistake taking the voters of this district for granted come November."

So far, the Republican candidates in the race are retired Verizon executive Irene Guy; former Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair; Richard Reidy, an aide to county commissioner Ken Hagan; and business owner Tom Aderhold.

Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer

Jim Davis, Nina Hayden address Hillsborough young Democrats

Nearly 30 people turned out Tuesday night for a Hillsborough County Young Democrats meeting at Streetcar Charlie's in Ybor City. President Jennifer Fenn told the group it was the largest crowd ever, even though it was a rainy night. Guest speakers were former Congressman Jim Davis and Florida Senate candidate Nina Hayden, who's running for the seat being vacated by Democrat Charlie Justice. Both speakers told the up-and-coming candidates and campaign workers that sincerity is the key to political success.

Hayden, 35, said that after years of working in the public defender's office representing juveniles charged as adults and serving on the Pinellas County School Board, she wants to help develop policy that will keep kids out of the justice system. Specifically, she pledged to push for adequate state funding of education if elected. And she said even though she faces a tough race against Republican Jack Latvala, she's not afraid. "I don't mind the fight," she said.

Davis told the youthful group that they wield enormous influence because they are the future of politics. He also advised them to show respect for Republicans. "A good Democrat is for democracy, not just the Democratic party," he said. Davis said Barack Obama's sincerity and willingness to work with Republicans will spell out success for health care reform. And he said Obama won the presidency because he has faith that Americans want to to make the country and the world better. "This is the promise and beauty of the Obama election that you all made possible," he said. "He believes in us."

Among those soaking it all in was young Democrat Christopher Mitchell, who's running for the District 47 state House seat, and supporters of Christopher Cano, a 26-year-old candidate for the District 60 seat, who were wearing shirts promoting his Web site, cano460.com. Naima Tabernuro, 20, said she met Cano last year when he ran for president of the USF student body. That election, he said, "was a popularity contest. This is purely politics." She said she likes Cano because he will be the "voice of the underdog."

Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer

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Rashid puts Hillsborough commissioners on notice about transit tax

East Hillsborough County activist and businessman Sam Rashid has been less visible on the political front in recent years than he has in the past. But that may be changing.

Rashid sent an email to four of the county's Republican commissioners this week warning them that the board's vote last week to put a transit tax referendum on the ballot next year could spawn a backlash. From him and others. The email went to personal accounts of Chairman Ken Hagan, Mark Sharpe, Al Higginbotham and Jim Norman, as well as a dozen or so others who follow county politics. (Higginbotham and Norman voted against the resolution.)

Interestingly, the email singles out Hagan as recommending the 1-cent sales tax increase to pay for rail, buses and roads. So far, much of the push back from conservatives has targeted Sharpe, who has played a more high-profile role in promoting the proposal. But it was a task force created by Hagan that recommended the sales tax referendum, which he has supported.

Rashid said in an interview that he believes Hagan signed a pledge when he first ran for office that he would not support any new taxes if elected.

"I consider the rail tax a brand new tax," Rashid said. "I also consider a vote to move forward with the referendum a vote in support of that tax."

Here's the body of the email:

"'...Chairman Ken Hagan is recommending that commissioners put a 1-cent sales tax increase proposal on the November 2010 ballot.'" SP Times 11/2009

"That's $170 to $300 million per year taken out of our local economy to pay for a few miles of track. I would like to be on the record as opposing your vote to move forward on supporting the largest single tax increase on the residents of Hillsborough County and would recommend to the local party leadership that they use their influence locally to indentify and inform their members those Republican Commissioners that have violated their core pledges of no-tax increases on residents of our county -- prior to the next election. Since, as one Commissioner recently stated, (late political activist and fundraiser) 'Ralph Hughes is no longer around' to fund such a mailing, we will have to do so ourselves without the help of Ralph. Remember, at the end of the day, this is still a swing county. A few points either way can made the difference in any elected official's chances of re-election and I believe we're obligated to do our part even if it is a Republican that has decided to tax and spend the taxpayer's money contrary to his pledges made to voters prior to his first election."

-- Bill Varian, Times staff writer