Kreegel loses defamation suit

A judge in Charlotte County has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by state Rep. Paige V. Kreegel, R-Punta Gorda, against the Florida Home Builders Association, lobbyist Richard Gentry and Kim Leebove, a secretary for Public Concepts, a Palm Beach political consulting firm.

The court found no evidence that could lead a jury to find that campaign literature published during the 2004 election was done with actual malice, according to a decision released Thursday by Judge Donald E. Pellecchia. Gentry, the builders group and Leebove never saw the literature before it was sent out, the judge determined. (story here)

State court funding crisis may be averted

Hoping to avoid the spectacle of closed courtrooms, state lawmakers announced a last-minute deal Friday to plug a hole in Florida's judicial budget.

The agreement will prevent thousands of court workers from being sent home without pay in the final quarter of the fiscal year that ends June 30. But it is a one-time deal and the court system still faces deep cuts in 2008-09.

"We're giving them a one-time bailout with a strong warning that they need to start preparing for future cuts because they are coming," said Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa, who oversees the Senate's criminal and civil justice budget. (story here)

Love to hate those Clintons

AUSTIN, Texas - Robert Morrow is on a roll, talking loud enough to draw wary glances from two women lunching nearby at Macaroni Grill. "Chelsea is the seed of Web Hubbell and not Bill Clinton. Would I bet my life on it? No. I would bet my pickup truck," he declares between bites of salmon. "Hillary Clinton was sleeping with both of her law partners, Webb Hubbell and Vince Foster. And she's a lesbian, too."

Morrow, a perpetually indignant, single 43-year-old, pretty much devotes his life to hating the Clintons and spreading wild, unsubstantiated allegations about them. There are untold numbers of Robert Morrows in America, people obsessed with Clinton hatred and Clinton conspiracy theories the way other Americans might be consumed with Star Trek, Beanie Babies or the Florida Gators. But soon it could be time to find another purpose in life besides worrying about a Clinton in the White House. If Clinton fares poorly in the must-win states of Texas and Ohio on Tuesday, Robert Morrow and others will be looking for a new hobby.

Story here. Robert's from Texas, but the pictured Bobble head is the creation of Naples grandmother/Clinter loather Dayna Meserve

Peterman-seat hopeful may not qualify

State house candidate Steven Lapinski, a newcomer in the race to replace Rep. Frank Peterman, might be out of the election before it even begins.

Lapinski said he is not sure he would be able to meet today’s qualifying deadline. He needs to submit 735 signatures or pay $1,915.92 to make the final cut. Lapinski said he thought he had more than enough signatures, but some were disqualified.

Recalling the novelty of 'cellular phones'

In preparation for another legislative session that starts next Tuesday, researchers at The Buzz are combing through our files in search of story ideas. We came across this fascinating piece from the May 8, 1990 South Florida Sun-Sentinel, back when cellular phones were a new status symbol in Tallahassee and lawmakers said they might even need to ban their use during meetings. It would be years before those primitive brick-sized phones would shrink to the size of the one lobbyist Ron Book is seen using here.

Brown-Waite explains absence from Congress

U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite just issued this statement explaining her absence from Congress this week:

“At the advice of his doctor, earlier this week I left Congress and returned to Florida to be with my husband, Harvey Waite. While we are still awaiting the results of follow-up medical tests, Harvey has been diagnosed with cancer and will require ongoing treatment. As anyone who has been through serious medical issues with a loved one knows, I plan on spending as much time as necessary to care for my husband.

Webster steps into the abortion debate

Women would be required to get ultrasounds before having abortions under an antiabortion proposal that gained a powerful ally in the Florida Senate on Thursday.

Republican Sen. Dan Webster, the Senate majority leader, signed on as sponsor for the measure during the 2008 legislative session, which begins Tuesday. A similar measure requiring ultrasounds for abortions passed the Republican-controlled House last year along party lines, but was not debated in the Senate. (story here)

Dennis Jones' February election ad

What do you do if you're an incumbent state senator up for re-election in November, who has no official opponent and has at least $150,000 in the bank? Buy TV time, of course.

The face of state Sen. Dennis Jones, R-Treasure Island, just popped up on Bay News 9. We here at The Buzz almost did a double take.  The commercial isn't overly political; Jones is asking constituents to take a survey and tell him what's on their minds. You can see it for yourself here. Buzz digs the soothing tones of the ocean.

BOG won't push Bright Futures reform

Why put much effort into pursuing what you're not likely to get? So seems to be the conclusion of the state university system chancellor and under-fire Board of Governors members, who just announced they will not pursue reforms this year to the popular Bright Futures Scholarship program.

"After consulting with members of the Legislature, Board of Governors chair Carolyn Roberts and I have determined that our efforts this year should focus on our top priorities -- securing adequate support in an environment of budget cuts and stopping the brain drain from Florida's universities," Chancellor Mark Rosenberg said in a written release.

Taking a shot at doc Haridopolos

Democrats are having fun with this Orlando Sentinel item that shows Sen. Mike Haridopolos, who has said he is getting a Ph.D in history from the University of Arkansas, has not been enrolled at the school since 2000.

The news comes after Haridopolos landed a $75,000 a year teaching gig at the University of Florida. The Melbourne Republican says he's transferring to FSU, and UF officials did not fault him.

But the Florida Democratic Party seized on the news today. "It seems the Republican recession has hit the state so hard that GOP Senators are becoming more blatant about stretching the truth and blurring ethical lines to put a little more cash in their own pockets."

Jennings loses election challenge

The House voted unanimously this week to end an investigation into a disputed 2006 Florida congressional election, the Associated Press reported.

A House committee had previously voted to dismiss a complaint by Democrat Christine Jennings, who lost to Republican Vern Buchanan by 369 votes in the race for the Sarasota-based District 13 seat. Jennings attributed her loss to faulty voting machines. But federal investigators found that the touch-screen voting machines likely functioned properly.

The RPOF issued the following press release after Monday's vote: House Democrats Agree: Christine Jennings is a Sore Loser

Touch screens to be recycled

Secretary of State Kurt Browning announced Thursday that he has hired a Tampa firm, Creative Recycling, to dispose of 30,000 touch screen voting machines rendered obsolete by the changeover to optical scan units.

Browning said the firm will break down or "de-manufacture" a total of 11,555 Sequoia units and about 17,000 machines made by Elections Systems & Software (ES&S).

As early as Monday, Browning said, the company will pick up the Sequoia units from Hillsborough, Indian River and Palm Beach counties.

-- Steve Bousquet

Gelber: GOP-led Florida in 'state of denial'

Rep. Dan Gelber, the House Democratic leader, is distributing a policy paper that says Republican leaders have "accepted mediocrity in nearly every aspect of our government."

He gives a bleak assessment of the state education system, health care and the attempt at property tax reform. Gelber says he has a few ways to change "chart a better course for our state and we don't need 100 ideas to (do) so -- we merely need a handful of meaningful ones." Read it here.

Responds Majority Leader Adam Hasner: "Never let it be said that Minority Leader Gelber is not a man of irony or humor, for in the same “white paper” where he calls for bi-partisanship and decries “government by bumper sticker” he unleashes a torrent of partisan talking points under the catchy headline, “State of Denial” and unmistakably uses 13 pages to communicate his own bumper sticker idea: “Dan Gelber for Senate.”

Crist forced to skip weekend with McCain

UPDATE: Crist's office called the United Way of Broward County about 20 minutes ago to say he will make the event after all. Organizers were informed a week ago that he had a "scheduling conflict."

The United Way and other charity groups on Saturday are sponsoring the Governor's Bowl, a benefit for children and families in Broward County.

But what's a governor's bowl without the governor?

An e-mail being circulated among some financial backers says South Florida community and business leaders are "rather disgusted" with the governor, "who is ditching the event to be with McCain at yet another out of state campaign rally. ... Feel free to share with his staff as appropriate the level of discontent citizens are having over his absence from tending to Florida's needs."

The United Way of Broward County told the Buzz earlier today Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp was going to stand in for Crist. But when asked by the Buzz, Crist said he plans to attend.

He acknowledged he previously accepted an invitation from Sen. John McCain and his wife to socialize at their home in Sedona, Ariz.

One election night party Crist can't make

Gov. Charlie Crist has been able to party with Sen. John McCain during the last few primaries, but this coming primary, Crist may have to take a pass.

He spent Feb. 5th with McCain in Phoenix celebrating his Super Tuesday victory, after campaigning with McCain a few days. Crist had a trip to Washington to talk about the Everglades, which coincided with the Feb. 12th primaries, meaning he was at McCain's Feb. 12th Potomic victory speech.

But on Tuesday, when McCain is expected to spend election night in Dallas, Crist has got his own plate pretty full with the first day of the legislative session.

Rubio won't back down on taxes for Pruitt

Senate President Ken Pruitt has said the Senate does not want to wrangle again over property taxes. But that will not stop House Speaker Marco Rubio from trying.

“I understand if they don’t want to hear it ...  it won’t happen,” Rubio said today in an interview with the St. Petersburg Times editorial board. "But we have to at least be able to say we tried, that we recognized the circumstances our state is facing economically, that we understand the challenges and the opportunities that we have and we did everything we could in our time there to make those things happen.

"Ultimately if the Senate doesn't want to do it, we’re not going to be angry. We have to accept that's how a bicameral process works. But I can’t allow those pronouncements to be what sets our agenda."

CNN promotes Crist's VP stock

Gov. Charlie Crist played cat-and-mouse with CNN Miami reporter John Zarrella on the subject of whether he might be John McCain's VP choice. "Possible McCain running mate," read a banner at the bottom of the screen as Crist took CNN on a walking tour of the mansion grounds -- including the solar-heated swimming pool.

"If you were asked, what would you say?" Zarrella asked Crist. "Well, I've got to continue to work hard as the governor of Florida, and I haven't been asked, so it's really kind of moot at this point." Crist and McCain were shown campaigning at a restaurant and in St. Pete. "If in some small way an endorsement here or there helps him along the way and along his journey, so be it," Crist told CNN.

Rouson gathering key endorsements

The campaign trail is looking bright for state House candidate Darryl Rouson (left).

The St. Petersburg attorney secured a number of endorsements from a group of diverse community leaders recently, including Rep. Bill Heller, a Democrat from St. Petersburg, and Republican Deveron Gibbons, a vice president at  Amscot Financial and a well-known Midtown activist.

A number of St. Petersburg faith leaders also have thrown their support behind Rouson, including Pastor Manuel L. Sykes of Bethel Community Baptist Church and Pastor Louis Murphy of Mount Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church.

Proposal would also scrap state Ed board

Not only do Senate leaders propose stripping the Board of Governors of most of its powers in overseeing state universities, but SB 2308 by Sen. Lisa Carlton would do away with the State Board of Education and have the Cabinet -- including a newly elected education commissioner -- effectively serve as the board.

We know what the BOG did to tick off lawmakers, but what did the State Board of Education do?

Court to hear oral arguments in DNC suit

Wouldn't this be interesting?

A federal appeals court has agreed to hear oral arguments from a Hillsborough County man seeking to have Florida's Democratic presidential preference primary vote counted.

Vic DiMaio, a party activist in Hillsborough County, sued the Democratic National Committee over its decision to strip Florida of its delegates because its Jan. 29 primary was earlier than party rules allow.

Federal district court judge Richard A. Lazzara harshly dismissed the case in October, saying the suit was so flawed he wouldn't even let DiMaio amend it and try again. He said prior court rulings had made clear that political parties, as private entities, can set their own rules in selecting presidential candidates.

Now the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta is saying, not so fast. It wants to hear more after reading written pleadings. Federal appellate courts don't always take oral arguments.

Crist, baseball and Bill Murray

[Edmund D. Fountain | Times]  Gov. Charlie Crist, rear center, hosts the Governor's Baseball Dinner at Tropicana Field, which actor Bill Murray said he was honored to visit "just before they tear it down and build a new place."

This little tidbit from today's St. Petersburg Times sports section about Gov. Charlie Crist's baseball dinner last night at Tropicana Field:

PRO-STADIUM: Gov. Charlie Crist and MLB president Bob DuPuy made a pitch for the Rays' planned new stadium during the Governor's Baseball Dinner at the stadium they hope to leave, Tropicana Field. "We'll get it done," DuPuy said. Most of the 18 teams that train in Florida were represented, with guests including Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, actor Bill Murray and managers Dusty Baker, Jim Leyland, Maddon and John Russell.

Sen. Webster wants Gardiner to succeed him

The term-limited Winter Garden Republican is endorsing Andy Gardiner for SD 9 representing parts of Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. Webster:  “Andy has been an effective representative since his election to the State House in 2000, and we have worked together on many issues to help improve the lives of our constituents.   Andy is a principled conservative with the experience and commitment to serve Central Floridawell.  I look forward to campaigning with him in the summer and fall.”

Gardiner: “I am tremendously honored by Senator Webster’s endorsement.  Attempting to describe Dan's exemplary service to the people of Floridaover the past 28 years goes beyond mere words, he has accomplished so much.  From leading the rise from the backbenches of a Republican minority to serving as the Speaker of the House, to leading in the State Senate and working as Majority Leader, Dan Webster has been a principled public servant who has delivered for our region and our state.”

Levine & McDonough: Together Again

Jim McDonough's newest challenge, fresh off trying to rid the Florida Corrections Department of scandal: Figuring out how to serve the mentally ill in New Orleans area, when 80 percent of the local psychiatrists haven't returned after Hurricane Katrina.

Hiring him for the task is none other than fellow Jeb Bush administration alumnus Alan Levine, the former Florida Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary, who oversaw Florida hospitals' responses during the state's own spate of hurricanes in 2005.

The Times-Picayune, that finely-named New Orleans' newspaper, has it all here. And if you forgot what a picayune is, click here.

Democrat 'Red' Lackey is dead at 93

E.G. "Red" Lackey, the ubiquitous and unfailing Democrat known for his elaborate headwear, has died at age 93.

The news was announced early Wednesday by Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman, who said Lackey embodied the term "Yellow Dog Democrat."

"Through his many years of committed activism, Red Lackey earned the respect and affection of Democrats of all ages and from every corner of the state," Thurman wrote. "No job was too big or too small for Red if it helped elect Democrats. He worked so hard and touched so many lives over the years."

Mr. Lackey, who lived in Ormond Beach, was the oldest delegate to attend the 2004 Democratic National Convention. (AP photo) Click here for a video of him explaining Horace the mule.

Democrat Sasso takes HD32

Democrat Tony Sasso has won the House District 32 race, taking the seat from Republican control and giving his party the 9th pickup in the House.

The seat was vacated by Bob Allen, who got caught up in a sex solicitation scandal and became a national punchline.

Sasso defeated Republican Sean Campbell, who raised far more money. But the Allen taint may have erased any advantage he had -- a point Democrats say is bogus. HD32 is 44 percent Republican and 35 percent Democrat, with the rest having no party affiliation.

"The fact is Sasso and Democrats won. Period," said Democratic Party spokesman Mark Bubriski. Rep. Dan Gelber, the House Democratic leader who has presided over the victories since 2006, was gushing on his blog.

But House Speaker Marco Rubio contends Sasso won with conservative ideals: "I am impressed by his A rating from the NRA. And I am encouraged by his statement on his campaign website regarding taxes and the budget: 'With tax rates continuing to climb, Tony believes it is time to restore fiscal discipline to Tallahassee and press for real property tax reform that is fair to everyone ...' "

Wrote Rubio in an e-mail, "We welcome Rep. Sasso to the ranks of conservative lawmakers ... "

Water talks are a bust

The Buzz has learned from Gov. Bob Riley's office in Alabama that the much-touted water talks are now officially over with no water-sharing resolution.

“As far as our office is concerned, there are no plans for further negotiations," said spokesman Todd Stacy with the Alabama governor's office.

Alabama, Georgia and Florida had sent teams of water experts, lawyers and environmental protection officials to meet in different states over and over again these last few weeks. Their aim was to hash out a new plan for sharing water, which was supposed to be completed a few weeks ago with approval by federal officials on March 15.  Now the three states will go back to suing each other over who has more rights to river system.

The last talks were Monday in Atlanta.

Sen. Carlton files proposed education overhaul

As expected, Sen. Lisa Carlton today filed the joint resolution for a proposed constitutional amendment to reinstating an elected education commissioner to the Florida Cabinet and to strip the Board of Governors of many powers.

The amendment would change the Constitution to say simply that the Board of Governors  "shall administer the state university system as provided by law." Currently, the Board is given power to "operate, regulate, control, and be fully responsible for the management of the whole university system," including defining the colleges' missions.

The amendment would change the Board from 14 members to 5, serving four years instead of seven. And they would no longer appoint members to individual university boards of trustees.

Nothing dies on the Internet

A new game going around the capitol:

* Google "LeMieux Report"
* Look five links down and get this link.

The web page pulls up a current edition of the LeMieux Report newsletter and one that appears to be a practice template.

It included draft text that serves as a place-holder like: “This is where an endorsement would go for The LeMieux Report — a glowing review — from a really important business or political figure, like Governor Charlie Crist." As well as:  "Copyright 2008 The LeMieux Report. All Rights Reserved.  Insert any other type of disclaimer copy here that is needed to appease the Florida Bar"

Mayfield guns for Ag Commissioner

UPDATE 2: Democratic sources tell the Buzz that U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd of Monticello is also considering the seat. Boyd is a fifth-generation farmer and among the more conservative Dems on the Hill. He's also friendly with Charles Bronson.

UPDATE: Sen. Carey Baker, R-Eustis, says he's is planning on running, too. "I'm considering it very, very carefully. It's an exciting department that does so much."

State Rep. Stan Mayfield, the Vero Beach Republican who aborted his run for Congress in deference to Sen. Bill Posey, plans to run for Agriculture Commissioner in 2010. And an upcoming vote on a controversial gun rights bill could put him under the microscope.

"I'm very interested in it, and leaning toward doing exactly that," Mayfield told the Buzz moments ago. "I believe I'm pretty qualified," added the chairman of the Environment and Natural Resources Council.

Crist: Proposed school cuts 'unfortunate'

A day after the House and Senate proposed more than a half-billion dollars in cuts to the current budget, Gov. Charlie Crist registered his opposition to the plan, calling it "unfortunate." After a meeting at the Governor's Mansion with a dozen African-American business owners, Crist called on lawmakers to raid reserves instead to avoid cutting K-12 education.

"I think it's unfortunate," Crist said. "This is just the beginning of the process, as we know." Crist has proposed a budget that includes $1-billion in new education funding, but that increase relies on higher property tax collections, diversions of trust fund accounts and new lottery games.

The legislature's proposed "cut" bill would reduce K-12 spending by more than $200-million. Legislators are expected to take up the proposal next week in the first week of the legislative session.  

More prescriptions for Dem primary headache

Sen. Charlie Justice and Rep. Scott Randolph, both Democrats, want the Legislature to ask Congress to rotate early primaries among certain regions starting in 2012, an idea endorsed by the National Association of Secretaries of State.

CFO Alex Sink has a more immediate solution: "Chill out for another week."

"Let's see what happens in Texas and Ohio. Either the waters will be murkier, which I hope they're not, or the future might be more clear," said Sink, who is a Democratic delegate. "I'm sure we'll deal with the issues then."

A courtroom budget bailout in the works?

Rep. Jack Seiler, D-Fort Lauderdale, stepped out of a Broward County courtroom this morning and got an earful from a judicial assistant.

"The furlough idea's not coming from us," Seiler said, excusing himself from a phone conversation with the Buzz. "It's a bad idea and we'll get it straightened out."

The court worker was referring to plans by Florida judges to send home thousands of employees this spring to absorb about $17-million in budget cuts. That would make it difficult, if impossible, for people to conduct civil matters such as divorce and foreclosures.

Seiler, a lawyer, said he's trying to prevent that from happening and is making the case for dipping into the state rainy day fund. He has already talked with House Speaker Marco Rubio, House budget chief Ray Sansom and Sen. Steve Geller. "I'm saying, 'Guys this is not a budget crisis. This becomes a constitutional crisis. You can't shut down the courts.' "

Crist to State Farm: Good riddance

Gov. Charlie Crist said wasn't worried about State Farm saying they're going to stop writing new home owner's insurance policies.

"I'm sure they'd like to charge higher rates, and we're not of a mind to have that happen anymore, so good riddance to them," Crist said.

Good riddance to the largest private insurer in state of Florida?

"Good riddance to anybody who is not treating the people of Florida right."

Rubio calls for government spending caps

House Speaker Marco Rubio has outlined the House priorities for the 2008 session. His top goals: "meaningful revenue caps" on state and local governments and continued property tax relief. Read his memo here. (and some of his earlier words on the cap)

Prospects are dim, however, given Senate President Ken Pruitt's already stated reluctance to do more on taxes.

Fourth Democrat wants Peterman's seat

A fourth Democrat has entered the District 55 election to replace Rep. Frank Peterman.

Steven Lapinski, a former University of South Florida student, joined the race last week. 

Lapinski could be in for a tough race. So far he has raised no money.

His opponents, all high profile community activists, include the Rev. Charles McKenzie, St. Petersburg City Council Member Earnest Williams and civil rights attorney Darryl Rouson.

-- Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

Poll: Crist riding high, but state in the dumps

Gov. Charlie Crist enjoys 71 percent job approval rating, according to a new poll for the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Other headlines:

• Over two-thirds (68 percent) of the voters have a favorable opinion of the Governor, while 19 percent say they have an unfavorable opinion.
• Forty-seven percent say the state is on the wrong track while 38 percent believe the state is headed in the right direction.
• Property taxes continue to be the top issue for most voters (28 percent) followed by the economy (20 percent), property insurance (16 percent) and education (13 percent).

The statewide poll was conducted by Fabrizio McLaughlin and Associates Feb. 12-14, 2008. One thousand registered voters were surveyed. The margin of error is +/-3.1 percent at the 95 percent confidence interval.

Florida's double-dippers

In a time of economic strain, double dipping has become one of the fastest-growing parts of the Florida government budget, and lawmakers have only themselves to blame. The 8,000 employees who draw both a paycheck and a retirement check are just using the tricks that lawmakers gave them.

Browse through the full database of state employees and elected officials who have 'double-dipped.'

Read today's editorial

Crist's rosy outlook

When asked why he's so optimistic about Florida's economy, as contrasted with the Florida House and Senate's dour predictions, Gov. Charlie Crist harkened back to property tax cuts on Tuesday, saying he believes the tax cuts will revive growth.

"I’m confident that as a result of having done that, we’re going to stimulate Florida’s real estate economy, that’s why I may be more optimistic then some as it relates to the future of our economic prospects," Crist said as he went into the Florida Cabinet meeting.

The optimistic governor also took a pass and declined to react to a controversial proposal to authorize a Confederate license tag, betting it wouldn't get traction.

"My thoughts on it? Let’s see if it goes anywhere before I have to weigh in," Crist said.

A cap with real bite

A 5 percent assessment cap for nonhomestead property may not be dead after all.

Twice Monday, the business-friendly Taxation and Budget Reform Commission considered amendments that would lower the 10 percent cap that voters approved as part of Amendment 1.

During last year's tax-cut negotiations, House Republicans sought a 5 percent cap but lost to the Senate and Gov. Charlie Crist. Some business interests argued the higher cap under A1 is meaningless because assessments are not generally expected to hit double digits in the foreseeable future. Homesteaders, of course, have long enjoyed a 3 percent cap known as Save Our Homes.

In steps the TBRC ...

House calls for $542-million in cuts

As Florida's economy worsens, legislative leaders are preparing to cut another $542-million from the current budget - more than half of it in public education.

The new cuts follow $1.2-billion approved in the fall and are all but certain to upset many school districts, judges, prosecutors, health care advocates and others forced to get by with less.

"It's going to be painful," said Mark Pudlow of the Florida Education Association.

Judges are already preparing to send home thousands of court employees, grinding civil litigation to a halt for weeks. In Hillsborough County alone, 240 judicial workers could be affected. (story here)

Dean: $300-mil for USF hospital, but no state money

USF medical school dean Stephen Klasko estimates it would cost $300-million to build the 200-bed teaching hospital he wants on the Tampa campus, but he vowed to the Times editorial board this afternoon that he will not seek state money for it.

Lawmakers would have to OK proposed legislation that exempts some state universities including USF from getting certificates of need to build such hospitals, a change the Florida Hospital Association opposes.

Klasko said he is "optimistic" about the proposal's chances of passing, and said if it happens USF would use donations and, most likely, a partnership with an existing university hospital to make the USF hospital a reality. He said the University of Pittsburgh is one possibility.

"They've talked to us about a partnership, and that's part of our desire to start a hospital," Klasko said.

A retooled tax swap moves forward

A panel of the Taxation & Budget Reform Commission on Monday approved a modified proposal to eliminate $8-billion a year in property taxes for schools while ordering the Legislature to replace the money through a combination of raising the sales tax, cutting spending, identifying new revenue that's attributable to growth and eliminating sales tax exemptions. If the full commission goes along, it will be on the Nov. 4 ballot for voter approval, representing a 27-percent decline in property taxes statewide but also a potential 1-cent sales tax increase.

The big difference in Commissioner Patricia Levesque's modified proposal is that the Legislature cannot find the replacement money by taxing professional services. That is a key element of a proposal by John McKay, a former Senate president from Bradenton, who has vehemently argued that the tax base must be broadened and that special interests get a "free ride," because most services are excluded from any taxation.

The vote on the modified proposal passed on a 6 to 5 vote as an amendment. Voting yes: Levesque and Barney Barnett, Bruce Kyle, Randy Miller, Brian Yablonski and Susan Story. Voting no were Martha Barnett, Julia Johnson, Jim Scott, Ken Wilkinson and McKay. Then the committee passed the new proposal on an 11-0 vote.