A compilation of the best Sunday editorials from Florida’s leading newspapers.
Tampa Bay Times – Editorial: The high price of nuclear fantasies
The enduring Tallahassee myth that nuclear power is always cheaper has cost Duke Energy customers billions of dollars with nothing to show for it. A new analysis of the long-term cost of the proposed nuclear plant in Levy County — the kind that ideally would have already been done by regulators — should finally change the conversation. The Florida Public Service Commission, long the lapdog of utilities, will soon have clear authority to halt advanced fees for a nuclear plant that will likely never be built. If commissioners don’t take action, they do not deserve reappointment.
The analysis in today’s Tampa Bay Times, as explained by Ivan Penn, should leave no question in any regulator’s or elected state official’s mind that in today’s energy economy, it is only the utilities that benefit from the 2006 state law that allows them to shift preconstruction nuclear costs to consumers.
The Bradenton Herald – Beyond the dollars of school wellness screenings, a healthier workforce
Ellen Binder’s dramatic account of barely eluding a life-threatening bout with cancer serves as prima facie evidence of the value of wellness screenings. As the Manatee County school district combs through every line item in the budget looking for cost controls and cuts, the King Middle School teacher’s experience should be a consideration.
With top district administrators dealing with a financial nightmare as the end of the fiscal year nears and a balanced budget seemingly out of reach, Superintendent Rick Mills issued an order freezing all spending that is not required by state statute for safety and health.
Daytona Beach News-Journal – Small budget items show Legislature’s overreach
Now that the legislative session and state budget are done, it’s worth noting the other accomplishments the leaders of the Sunshine State can lay claim to.
For instance, there’s $250,000 in the $74.5 billion state budget for the marketing of alligator farming and its products. That’s right — alligator marketing. And there’s $240,000 set aside in the “Citrus Advertising Trust Fund” to give away free citrus drinks to visitors at welcome centers located along state highways.
That’s a lot of cash to market gators and oranges, two Florida icons that don’t really need much marketing.
The Lakeland Ledger – Public Records: Forgo Tricks, Turn Over Documents
Some people consider Joel Chandler of Lakeland a champion for public records. Others consider him a pain in the neck when it comes to public records.
Either way, Chandler has been the protagonist in many disputes across Florida — including Polk County — over access to public records.
Chandler has made a practice of finding governmental agencies that do not adhere to the Florida Public Records Law. When they do not comply with his request for records, he files a complaint. They often end up in court — more than 100 times.
The Miami Herald – Rape in U.S. military: Conduct unbecoming
If the military were truly serious about stemming the plague of sexual assaults in the ranks, the number of incidents would drop dramatically. Instead, rapes and assaults have increased.
If the officers in charge were deeply committed to protecting women serving their country, they wouldn’t issue memos that, in effect, tell those women who have been violated to shut up and get over it.
If servicemen who rape their fellow soldiers had any reason to fear punishment, they wouldn’t do it. But when women are muzzled, and the few convictions are overturned, then what’s a guy got to worry about?
Orlando Sentinel – Rating local lawmakers: Gardiner, Simmons stand out
Florida voters send 160 of their fellow citizens to the Capitol in Tallahassee for 60 days each year. But power and wisdom aren’t apportioned equally among Florida lawmakers. Usually only a handful of them shape events, for good or ill, during legislative sessions, including the one that ended earlier this month.
Today we’re grading the performance of some key members of Central Florida’s delegation in the state Senate. We’ll do the same on Tuesday’s editorial page with House members. (You can find more details about these and other local lawmakers at OrlandoSentinel.com/opinion.)
A pair of Central Florida senators stood out during this year’s session for their strong and public-spirited leadership. A couple of others … not so much.
The Tampa Tribune – Florida’s economic recovery merits applause and caution
Prospects are once again bright in Florida. The housing crash and recession that turned the state’s economic world topsy-turvy are over.
Once again a warm climate, low taxes and an air of opportunity combine to get folks moving here.
Now that the economic emergency has passed, we Florida residents would be well advised to think about how best to accommodate this impressive growth.
State leaders, who jettisoned growth management regulations during the recession, need to remember those rules were developed to prevent runaway growth from generating massive bills for taxpayers. The state already has a backlog of transportation needs and other growth-related challenges.
The Ocala Star Banner – Medicaid sidestep
Despite all the hugs, high-fives and thumbs-up that Florida legislators displayed last week to hail the end of their two-month session, they failed miserably at one of their most important tasks.
The Legislature’s inability to expand Medicaid access under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will have far-reaching social and economic impacts, and it could well affect next year’s gubernatorial and legislative elections.
Gov. Rick Scott could still call a special session to address Medicaid expansion, but he probably won’t. After reversing his previous stance and supporting expansion before the start of the session, Scott did little to force the issue or move it along.
The Palm Beach Post – Scott should veto the Legislature’s foreclosure bill
The Legislature finally has passed a bill to ease Florida’s foreclosure crisis. The problem is, it’s a bad bill that Gov. Scott should veto.
Rep. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, sponsor of House Bill 87, believes that giving banks the right to seek a quicker hearing would get the state’s 350,000 foreclosure cases resolved faster. Her approach might make sense if the banks weren’t causing the backlog by not acting on the cases they file.
