FLORIDA SUNDAY EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

I hope that everyone enjoyed their extra hour of sleep this morning as we reverted back to standard time. Of course, Sunday means that it's time once again to read what the editorial writers at Florida's major newspapers are concerned about. Issues regarding hurricanes and their aftermath seem to be the issue at several newspapers:

We start this morning with the Daytona Beach News-Journal, which looks at a couple of interesting financing ideas being floated about in connection with the rebuilding of New Orleans. The editorial mentions that they are ideas that Florida, as well as other areas prone to natrual disasters, could consider as well.

Today's Miami Herald editorial looks at how South Florida held up to Hurricane Wilma in several areas, and offers some suggestions for those area that did not. So does the Palm Beach Post.

The Naples Daily News takes pause to note their area is holding up well after the storm, but it's time to do the heavy lifting in several areas. The editorial uses the football metaphor that even when a team wins a sweet victory, it has to be ready for what comes next.

What went wrong regarding shortages of ice and gasoline in South Florida is also the subject of today's editorial in the Tampa Tribune, which says that instead of blaming government officials, residents need to accept some of the blame for not taking adequete precautions and being caught without basic hurricane supplies...including ice and gas.

The Orlando Sentinel editorial favours the idea of a national reinsurance pool, similar to the catastrophe fund created in Florida after Hurricane Andrew.

This morning's Gainesville Sun editorial hopes some good comes from the new Legislative Commission on Migrant and Seasonal Labor to be led by State Senator J.D. Alexander (R - Lake Wales), especially in the area of migrant housing and conditions in the aftermath of the recent hurricanes.

The Tallahassee Democrat is urging a "yes" vote by city electric customers on the referendum to participate in the North Florida Project's coal fired plant to be built in Taylor County.

The new Medicare prescription drug programme for seniors and the disabled is complex and confusing, according to the Fort Myers News-Press, but notes that there is time to decide which plan, if any, one wants to join, that pending legislation simplifies the programme, and that help is available for those who have difficulty understanding the differences. The Ocala Star Banner editorial also deals with the issue, encouraging readers to don't panic and give up, offering contact information for assistance.

Health care for Florida's lower income citizens is on the minds of the editorial writers at the St. Petersburg Times, noting that more important questions need to be answered regarding the details of the managed care plan to avoid any "unhealthy" consequences.

On the Space Coast, Florida Today salutes the new policy of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office on surveillance of peaceful demonstrators as a victory for all who respect the Constitution...but still require vigilance to prevent backsliding into the days under former Sheriff Phil Williams when protesters were videotaped, photographed, and/or named in law enforcement dossiers.

The ugly public feud between the City of Jacksonville and the NFL Jaguars over the ribbon board signage at Alltel Stadium (the Jags own the rights to control ads, even during non-NFL events), and the team's threat to move if the issue isn't resolve to their liking, if the subject of today's editorial in the Florida Times Union. The newspaper calls for an agreement to benefit both parties and would keep the team in town.

With identity theft and other online scams widespread, the South Florida Sun Sentinel says that minus an all out crackdown by law enforcement on Internet fraud, it is up to banks and consumers to protect themselves, banks by beef up safeguards, and consumers by deleting unwanted e-mails and closely guard their financial records.

In the Panhandle, the Pensacola News Journal notes that the recent financial briefing presented at a city council workshop regarding the proposed downtown waterfront development strengthed it's case and allows critics a fair chance to do their own analysis and ask informed questions.

And here at home, the Lakeland Ledger calls on the Legislature to pass a bill which would make it illegal for teens and other novice drivers to talk on cellular phones while behind the wheel, which the National Transportation Safety Board added to it's "Most Wanted Safety Recommendations To States".