FLORIDA SUNDAY EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

This will likely be the last time you see this feature for at least a couple of weeks, due to the likelyhood that my service will be temporaily suspended due to the current financial problems I am experiencing. This, too, shall pass, so if you do not see but sporadic posts on this site you will know why.

That said, let's see what the editorial writers across Florida are thinking about today...

Starting in the state capitol, the Tallahassee Democrat takes note of the fact that state help comes easier when local governments don't compete against each other, but buy into the concept of regionalism to manage growth.

Growth is also on the mind of the editorial team in Jacksonville, as the Florida Times-Union mentions that major parcels of land left on the city's north and west sides are either planned for future construction or will be soon. But the impact is being felt today, and urges officials to overcome the land squeeze by taking action now to maximise it's opportunities.

And the issue of growth is the subject of today's editorial in the Pensacola News Journal, noting that while not sure what to think of the governor's major announcement last Wednesday regarding funding for transportation projects, it says that the backlog it is supposed to lessen will actually be longer at the end of that time than it is now. The PNJ says that In reality, the road problem is probably just a symptom of Florida's failure to deal with growth in any rational way.

As many people are still out of power in Southeast Florida, the Palm Beach Post approves of a bill to be filed (for the second time) by State Senator Ron Klein (D - Delray Beach) that would form a utilities task force which would investigate wheather the state's utilities are properly prepared for natrual disasters such as our (seemingly) annual visit by hurricanes and tropical storms.

The lingering effect of Hurricane Wilma on schools is the subject of today's editorial in the South Florida Sun Sentinel, which urges school districts in Broward and Palm Beach counties to work with their teachers' unions to take advantage of the state's announced flexibility to complete the school year while preserving vacations.

Florida Today opines that while the idea of a $3 million legislative appropriation to purchase generators for gas stations on evacuation routes --- vetoed by Governor Bush --- was a good idea as a one time measure, it agrees with the governor that the government should not subsidize oil companies which are experiencing record profits this year.

Also weighing in on the issue is the Ocala Star-Banner, which says that while new stations could handle the burden as the price could be rolled into building costs, existing stations --- often owned by independent operators --- would be trickier, and suggests that the state offer grants or subsidized low-interest loans.

The Miami Herald is concerned about the ability of homeowners to keep their properties while still being able to affort windstorm insurance. It notes that one idea being floated about, to use existing CAT fund resources to help form the new insurance pool, is worthy of serious consideration.

And the Fort Myers News Press joins the chorus of editorials urging more funding for more personnel and better equipment at the National Hurricane Center, saying ...we are not confident that the decline of our storm forecasting system is fully appreciated yet in Washington. It might help to jerk some chains. That's why they also included contact information for Southwest Florida's House and U.S. Senate delegation, as well as leaders in both houses as well as the White House.

Farm fat? This morning's Orlando Sentinel criticizes the U.S. Senate --- including Florida's two senators --- for voting against limits on federal farm subsidies, citing that it was a victory for corporate agricultrual interests instead of family farmers.

Both houses of Congress get slammed by the St. Petersburg Times for planning to offer tax breaks (primarily benefiting the wealthy) totalling $70 billion at the same time cutting spending --- including food stamps and child care subsidies --- by $36 billion. And by the way, the federal debt would be increased by $34 billion. And IMHO, I'm sure our so-called representatives will blame the deficit increase on poor people and children in the process?

The Gainesville Sun reminds us that Florida is possibly coming close to a fiscal crisis and that, as voters in Colorado recently realized, taxes are a necessary evil and that people can not expect a "free lunch" of roads, sidewalks, and schools but not expect to pay for it. Check out this report (.pdf file - 37 pages) or excerpts (6 pages) from the Tallahassee-based LeRoy Collins Institute called "Tough Choices" which the editorial refers to. UPDATE (11/07 - 7:00 PM): Sure enough, the Lakeland Ledger ran this editorial today.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal offers it's endorsements for Tuesday's municipal elections in Daytona Beach, Deltona, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach, and Palm Coast.

The problem with overcrowding emergency rooms and not enough beds to provide patient care has been focused upon in the Tampa Tribune this past week, and the editorial this morning reminds hospital management that competition should not get in the way of expansions that would help the situation...an obvious slam at Tampa General and University Community hospitals' efforts to block St. Joseph's Hospital from building a satellite facility in northwest Hillsborough County.

Here at home, the Lakeland Ledger says that while State Senator Les Miller (D - Tampa) has a worthy goal in mind with his proposal to require all public schoolchildren in grades K-2 be taught Spanish with their other studies, it doesn't sound very pratical and that he needs to give more attention as to how to achieve it.

And the Sarasota Herald Tribune urges the governor and cabinet to approve the state's purchase for $350 million of nearly 74,000 acres of Babcock Ranch with some conditions.

Make it a great Sunday!