FLORIDA SUNDAY EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Ya know, working on Sunday really sucks, especially when you're trying to collect past due money on the telephone bill. But at least we don't start until noon, so that gives me time to check out what the editorials are saying around out beloved Sunshine State.

Here at home, the Lakeland Ledger deals with the Polk County Commission's 4-1 vote last week to raise property taxes for the first time in 12 years. It states that while tax increases are not popular, the money has to come from somewhere after tax cuts on the federal level.

On the northeast end of I-4, the Daytona Beach News Journal apparantly doesn't like President Bush's idea of appointing "strict constitutionalists" to the U.S. Supreme Court, and thus apparantly is opposed to John Roberts' nomination as the newest Associate Justice.

Moving south along the road and through the almost-constant bottleneck, the Orlando Sentinel says that with the new school year beginning, districts must work harder to protect students.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the freeway, the Tampa Tribune laments the fact that Hillsborough County's Charter Review Board has not launched a public debate over the question of a county mayor/manager.

And across Tampa Bay, the St. Petersburg Times comes out against repealing the estate tax, saying that senators "should ask themselves if it is fair to give the very richest Americans a significant tax break while passing on the bill to everyone else."

Down the road, the Sarasota Herald Tribune calls for Southwest Florida's congressional delegation to intervene in the federal government's handling of medical claims related to the now-closed American Beryllium Company plant in Tallevast, which produced weapons parts for the military. The plant exposed workers to beryllium, a toxic metal linked to various illnesses including chronic lung disease.

Skipping up into the Panhandle, the Pensacola News Journal editorial deals with a proposed per-acre fee to protect the Perdido Key beach mouse, saying that it's more than just protecting a mouse, but that it's presence --- or absence --- tells a lot about the health of the area's dune ecosystem.

In Florida's capitol city, the Tallahassee Democrat notes that the community shouldn't simply work to woo one big company, but would do better to equally support the local businesses that are already there.

Meanwhile, at the eastern end of I-10, the Florida Times Union touts the advantages of improving efficiency in government by constant reevaluation of programmes to serve taxpayers at lower cost.

Florida Today notes that Brevard County property owners will likely get a tax cut next year, but the trade off is that a number of needs will be unmet...sounds like what a number of people in Polk County are asking for.

Skipping over to the home of the University of Florida, the Gainesville Sun looks at Plan East Gainesville, a major idea to improve an area of the city that has traditionally struggled economically. But will the money be available to make it happen?

Just down the road, the Ocala Star Banner is happy that the Marion County Commission and School Board are coming together to discuss a formula for the educational element which will have to be written into the county's comprehensive land-use plan per legislative mandate no later then 2008.

Moving down the Gulf Coast, the Naples News warns against potential tinkering with Florida's Save Our Homes Amendment, which caps annual taxable appraisal at three percent or the cost of living., whichever is lower.

Across the penisula, the editorial in today's Palm Beach Post calls for lawmakers to follow through on their commitment to clean water for residents around Lake Okeechobee by providing the necessary funding instead of just the idea.

Down I-95, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel laments the tragedy of a two car crash in January which killed six people following the release of the final police report listing alcohol and excessive speed as causes, noting that there should be nothing "accidential" about such a flagrant abuse of the law.

And finally, we end in Dade County, where the Miami Herald looks at international economics in suggesting that we should help and encourage China's capitalist tendencies as a means of improving relations between the communist country and the USA.

Enjoy your Sunday...and remember, if your long distance phone bill is behind, you just might get a call from me today! So have your check or credit/debit card ready!