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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2007 Crist Revisits Privatization of Government Agencies Trend Gov. Charlie Crist ordered a state review of three complex and costly privatization ventures shadowed by controversy. Crist and state CFO Alex Sink assigned a panel to conduct the review, which they called "the first step toward increased fiscal accountability in state contracting." First on their list: People First!, the nine-year, $350-million venture by Convergys Corp. to privatize personnel services for state employees. Related articles: Plan Would Swap Property Tax Cut for Sales Tax Hike Bold. Unique. Unclear. Fair. Unfair. The state House Republican plan to make Florida the first state to all but scrap property taxes in favor of raising the sales-tax rate to the highest in the nation has no shortage of descriptions from critics and boosters. But they agree on this: Local governments stand to lose about $5.8 billion from taxpayers -- and the poor would start paying more while the well-off would pay far less. Related articles: Phone Companies Push for Statewide Policy Telecoms need two big things to sell video services: high-speed Internet and an agreement with each city or town that allows them to provide service. The phone companies have the first part, but when it comes to hashing things out with individual municipalities, the companies say it takes too long. Verizon wants Florida to scrap the current city-and-town agreement process in favor of a statewide one. Related articles: Miami-Dade Housing Agency Misused Funds, Audit Finds Finances were so badly managed at the Miami-Dade Housing Agency that the department routinely overdrew its accounts by millions and covered shortfalls in federal housing projects with local funds meant to build affordable homes, according to an audit. Also the audit found that a county-created development company falsely claimed to have nonprofit status, thereby skirting corporate taxes on more than $3.7 million. Crist Says He May Restore Rights to Ex-Felons Gov. Charlie Crist told the legislative black caucus Wednesday that he may issue an executive order single-handedly restoring civil rights to felons who have completed their sentences. The announcement from the Republican governor drew applause from nearly two dozen lawmakers, all Democrats, known formally as the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators. Castor Pushes for More Docs in Tampa The Tampa Bay area would get more Medicare-supported physician residency training positions under a measure introduced by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor. The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2007 would ensure there are enough doctors to serve the growing population in the Bay area, expand care to the underserved and help more resident physicians stay in Florida. Teachers Say 'No' to Merit Pay Plan Sarasota County teachers took a stand against what they called an unfair ranking system, rejecting a merit pay plan that could have put more than $2 million into their pockets. The plan would have rewarded the top 25% of teachers in the district with a 5% bonus based on classroom performance and student achievement, largely measured by student performance on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Related articles: Bill Would Let State Oversee Expressways A state panel could monitor the local toll-road authority's budget, land acquisition, bond management and other performance if a bill filed by a local legislator wins approval. Sen. Daniel Webster, R-Winter Garden, has proposed that the Florida Transportation Commission expand its oversight to include the state's nine expressway authorities, including the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority.
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