THE SUNDAY EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Starting close to home, the Lakeland Ledger supports the governor's decision this week to veto a bill beefing up anti-looting laws during a state of emergency, saying that while the intent was good, the wording was vague in that the law could apply anywhere in the state...even if the actual state of emergency was far away.

The Winter Haven News Chief believes that the Polk County Commission's 3-1 vote this week to establish municipal service taxing units to pay for parks, libaries, and parks will one day be seen not as political suicide, but as an act of courage.

Looking at voucher systems in Florida as the state Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments about wheather public money can be used to support religious schools, the Daytona Beach News-Journal says that the court cannot answer the fundamental question: Do voucher programs truly result in a better education?

And while at the Florida Supreme Court, the St. Petersburg Times opines that the high court must take care not to erode the Sunshine Amendment when deciding how to handle court records in the digital age.

Transporation is the subject of the Orlando Sentinel editorial today, saying that it would be foolhardy for officials in Orange, Seminole, Volusia, and Osceola counties not to commit to a commuter rail programme.

The Tampa Tribune warns that underfunded guaranteed pension promises, mainly those of governments, are catching up with taxpayers.

In Jacksonville, the Florida Times Union laments federal spending by saying "Someone Say No".

Florida Today along the Space Coast applauds Brevard County Sheriff Jack Parker's actions working toward tracking sexual predators there, and calls on the county commission there to fund a sheriff's office unit for that purpose.

The enviroment was the concern today in the Gainesville Sun, noting that the state went one-for-two this week in enviromental issues.

As the Organization of American States prepare to meet in Fort Lauderdale today, the Miami Herald hold the opinion that money, democratic charter, and social charter hold keys to success in defending democracy in this time of peril for Latin America.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel also addresses the OAS gathering in it's editorial.

In Ocala, the Star-Banner notes of the chasm between the local hospital, the Munroe Regional Medical Centre, and it's fundraising arm, with the harm it is causing the community the longer the months-long problem lingers.

The Naples Daily News liked the idea of beach shuttle service on Memorial Day weekend that it suggested it be continued...with some other ideas for the Collier County Parks and Recreation folks to consider as well.

Up in the Panhandle, the Pensacola News Journal gives kudos to Santa Rosa County emergency management officials for improvements they have made since Hurricane Ivan last year.

And the Sarasota Herald Tribune says that a broad based coalition of 24 ideologically diaparate leaders could hold the key to effective reform in the area of health care.