SUNDAY FLORIDA EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

We begin this morning with the Orlando Sentinel, which is concerned about the proliferation of for-profit poker. It says that there is no harm with a friendly penny-ante game among a group of friends, but reminds us that higher stakes games with the host profiting with a cut of the take is illegal and that it deserves the attention of law enforcement.

The Daytona Beach News Journal is focusing on Florida's energy supply in today's editorial. This is in the wake of the state Department of Enviromental Protection report "Florida's Energy Plan" (.pdf file / Adobe Acrobat required) released last month. The News Journal's opinion notes that Governor Bush's idea of deregulation and nuclear power are worrisome, and calls on a comprehensive policy which includes equal support for a wider range of fuels such as solar, wind, biomass, and hydroelectric.

Today's editorial in the St. Petersburg Times calls on candidates to look at a survey of Florida school principals (.pdf file / Adobe Acrobat required) released by the Florida Forum for Progressive Policy which reflect a huge amount of fustration that the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test has become an obsession in too many schools and classrooms. It suggests that candidates respond by proposing thoughtful reforms to the testing system which would touch educators and families practically.

The Miami Herald opinion this morning says that Florida's law to protect people from sexual predators (known as the Jimmy Ryce Act) is poorly crafted and needs not only an overhaul, but a stronger funding commitment from the Legislature. It reminds us that for 20 years Florida had a widely acclaimed, well functioning programme to rehabiliate predators in a special prison before funding was stopped in 1989 under then-governor Bob Martinez's administration.

Here at home, the Lakeland Ledger features another edition of it's "Gigs and Garlands" in the editorial spot. Those receiving "Garlands" for good work are Polk County's summer reading camps, State Representative Randy Johnson (R - Celebration), Ledger readers who donated over $167,000 to it's Newspaper With A Heart" programme, and local Bankers Cup winners Charles McPherson and Mary Smith. Receiving the only "Gig" this time is the eight Florida gas stations (including three in Polk County) who have been accused of price gouging.

A real stinky situation is on the minds of the editorial writers at the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville: While the City Council there has approved $87 million in funding to phase out leaky failed septic tanks in some old neighbourhoods, it has also approved hundreds of new septic tanks for new neighbourhoods beyond the city's sewer lines. The septic problems are a major reason why nearly 50 tributaries to the St. John's River flunk federal and state water quality guidelines.

As the Senate Judicary Committee begins hearings Monday on warrentless domestic wiretapping, the Sarasota Herald Tribune opines that the panel and Congress must pursue the question of power, demanding answers from the Bush administation and determine that the president's authorization violate the law and act accordingly.

The Gainesville Sun is concerned about the amount of money that pharmaceutical companies spend --- an estimated $24 billion annually --- on promotion, including free gifts and meals to doctors and samples of their products. It does note that the samples do help physicians that treat low income patients who may otherwise not be able to afford the medicine, but agrees with many of the suggestions of an American Medical Association panel.

Today is Super Bowl Sunday, and the Palm Beach Post looks at how the XL version must be considered an "Extra Large" edition of the American Classic with a few then-and-now comparisions. BTW: My pick is...Pittsburgh by 14.

The Ocala Star-Banner salutes Belleview Mayor Tammy Moore's change of heart regarding the need for police officers there to receive a 4.1 percent raise, a turnaround from her comments as a city commissioner that they didn't deserve more of a pay hike than the general employees. But the editorial sides with commissioner Ken Nadeau, who asks where the extra $10,000 will come from without harming other city services and believes the cops should only receive the raise if the money is available.

The Florida High School Activities Association's new rule regarding athletes transferring to another school gets flagged by the Tampa Tribune. The rule, which is intended to deter recruiting, requires students who transfer to another school (with a few exceptions) to sit out a year. The Tribune says Young athletes deserve the same opportunity as magnet school kids to pick a school whose program best positions them to live their dreams or obtain college scholarships. That's fine, but students don't get openly recruited for drama or international affairs programmes. Athletic recruiting is an issue that needs to be discussed and resolved.

As the Legislature prepares to deal with Governor Bush's $70.8 billion dollar budget when it begins it's session, the Tallahassee Democrat warns lawmakers not to play politics with the state's current windfall, and suggests that they heed Senate President Tom Lee's plan to run all proposals through a three year financial outlook before approval.

Residents at a Sunrise condo community have been fustrated for months since Hurricane Wilma ripped up their residences, and have been asking legislators for assistance. The money is there, so why shouldn't help be forthcoming ASAP? The editorial in today's South Florida Sun Sentinel asks that and says that not only should the residents deserve the attention of lawmakers, but should be the nightmares of this community should hold lessons for others.

Being on the Space Coast, Florida Today in Melbourne keeps a special eye on NASA and the space programme. Today's opinion reflects that as it says that NASA must safely launch the space shuttle this year, otherwise the programme will not survive...especially as the agency's budget will likely come under attack by opponents seeking to spend more on needs here at home.

The Pensacola News Journal is hoping that public generosity will help restore St Michael's Cemetary's place in local history. Last month, vandals damaged a number of grave sites at the downtown property, some of which are nearly two centuaries old. Some of the markers have no duplicate from that time in history.

Finally, blame for the damage to Southwest Florida's coastal enviroment in recent years from polluted water coming from the Caloosahatchee River should be shared by government at all levels, as well as individuals, businesses, and agricultrual interests, according to the Fort Myers News Journal. That means that everyone needs to unite to resolve the issue. The newspaper has begun a campaign known as STOP THE MUCK, which calls on people in the area to bring pressure to bear at all levels.

Thanks for stopping by, and make it a great Sunday!