Current topics -- or, inside my cluttered brain

I mentioned a few months ago that I carry around a low-tech data-storage device (that is, a piece of paper) with a list of possible column topics. The list tends to get scratched out, scribbled and stained, and every few weeks I make a new one. The trouble is that of the long list of possible topics, I usually only have time to learn about a few.

Also, I am trying to wrestle with a philosophical blog question -- is it OK to deal w/ some of these topics on a electronic-only basis, even if they don't make the print edition? Will this question be phrased in exactly the opposite way in a couple of years? I want blog readers to feel that I am giving them my best effort and NOT merely parroting what's in the print edition. But I confess to a certain psychological hurdle in getting there -- anything that I spend a certain amount of time researching, I also tend to want to be a print column.

Here's the topics list I am trying to organize at the moment -- it's in NO order at all, except I divided it into legislative and non-legislative sections, since this time of year a lot of topics deal with proposed bills. I wish you would point out other things you think I should be paying attention to, particularly at the state and community level. (I am less inclined to write grand columns about global and national affairs, unless I believe that I can have something useful to say at the community level.)

NON-LEGISLATIVE

St. Pete's land-grab in proposed Tierra Verde annexation. Rouson election/closed vs open primaries. Palm Harbor rec center roof. What the &**& is this Raytheon "plume" in west St Pete? What steps do school systems take about teacher-student sex in advance, e.g., counseling services, advance counseling & training. Those illegal campaign contributions not prosecuted in Tampa. Bill Nelson vs. the Electoral College. Pending 2nd Amendment ruling in U.S. Supreme Court. Latest plans for Brooker Creek Preserve. Controversy over Australian pines, an invasive species although some oppose its removal.

Legal argument behind the current Allstate fight. This weird battle involving the state Judicial Qualifications Commission. Failure of Florida's political system to deal w/ its top two problems (taxes, insurance). Hillsborough county-mayor fight. Relative strengths of Tampa vs. St. Pete city councils. La Entrada/Toytown development. Movement to privatize toll roads. Status of public-access lawsuits in Hillsborough; government-access lawsuits v Bright House everywhere. Tarpon Springs ongoing Wal-Mart fight, w/ the underdogs winning? Same w/ Pasco malls? What's status of the Everglades compact and cleanup?

Impacts of proposed same-sex marriage amendment (many conflicting claims on what it does, e.g. domestic partner benefits). Big pipeline proposal status in Tampa; all I remember is that a big one was proposed. Legal challenges to Save Our Homes, any validity? Status of state Department of Juvenile Justice and the new juvenile "blueprint" just announced. Pending  election in St. Pete Beach on "Save Our Little Village" proposals (otherwise known as "Rocky, Part XXIII"). Shouldn't Florida join the interstate compact on Internet taxes?

LEGISLATIVE

Ken Pruitt's proposed destruction of state university independence -- still an open question of whether the House will pass it. The "1.35% solution" on property taxes. I wish I understood this CSX deal. What happened to the bills on teaching evolution, on growth management, on citizen input at public meetings, on pre-abortion ultrasounds, and on new rules for petition-gatherers? How can we as citizens possibly grasp the impact of budget cuts -- the biggest are human services and education... I am thinking of a contrarian column on why plugging tax "loopholes" doesn't solve our problems.

Comments

The House has not yet agreed to the Senate funding position on the Everglades. The fight now is to CHANGE THE RETICENCE of house members and get them to FUND Everglades Restoration.

On the other hand, Late Thursday House leaders agreed to the Senate budget position on Florida Forever allowing $300 million worth of Florida Forever bonds to be sold in 2008-09. The funds will buy conservation lands, protect water resources and make grants for parks and open space.
That was also a fight.........

Lorraine

[Don Mott]

Howard, If you weren't aware of it here is one site where you can get info on the CSX deal. Take it with a big grain of salt though because it is is either backed by or posted by FDOT, so of course you won't see the negatives. www.cfrail.com From what I could discern the commuter rail will travel through Deland, Maitland, Altamonte Springs, Winter Park, Longwood and Sanford. Checking these towns websites I found that the demographics list a combined population of around 140,000. While some have not been updated since the year 2000 I'm sure these towns have not grown much since. FDOT has estimated first year ridership at about 7000 passengers. That equates to about 20 people a day. These are FDOT estimates so they are probably inflated. The costs to date, ($150,000,000 just to buy the track), do not include the proposed 17 stations that will be built, nor the costs to maintain and operate them. Neither do the costs include actually putting a train on the tracks. As you can see the costs are building quickly, but they don't include the rails maintenance estimated costs. This is projected to start at ten million per year and escalate to twenty five million. While CSX will have the right to operate on the existing rails half of the time they have generously offered to pitch in a measly three million towards maintenance. Then throw in the estimated cost of insurance to insure CSX against any liability. That's estimated to be between one and two million per year. Add in the fact the state is giving CSX $350,000,000 in what appears to be a subsidy for their new rail line. Coincidentally their are two Fl. legislators who just happen to own land on the new rail route. So we are going to pay what very well may come to over a billion dollars for about 20 people a day to ride a train that goes from nowhere to nowhere. I'm sure there are a lot of other items I have not covered or do not know about but I think anyone can see this deal smells worse than sun dried mullet.

[Howard Troxler]

Dear Don Mott:

Well, when you put it THAT way...