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After productive lame-duck session, Obama’s numbers up in Florida
President Obama’s approval ratings have rebounded somewhat since the midterm elections in Florida, according to a Public Policy Polling survey released Wednesday.
After the ‘shellacking,’ lame-duck session ends productively
At the outset of the lame-duck session in Congress, Washington Independent writers previewed what would happen. They predicted that a temporary extension of the tax cuts would pass, no significant environmental legislation would pass, “don’t ask, don’t tell” might be repealed and the DREAM Act would fail. Ultimately, that was about right.
Big gains for Republicans in reapportionment of congressional seats
The Census Bureau announced the results of the decennial process of reapportioning congressional districts by state Tuesday morning, and Republicans stand to gain from the results based on growth patterns in the South and West.
Nelson in relatively good shape for 2012, though still early
Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., is now the only statewide elected Democratic official in Florida — meaning he will likely face a stiffer challenge than his opponent in 2006, former Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris. But a Public Policy Polling survey (.pdf) shows Nelson with solid favorability ratings for an incumbent, though many statewide still don’t know him since he was first elected to the Senate in 1998.
Rep.-elect Rivera being investigated for $500K in secret payments
Rep.-elect David Rivera, R-Miami, is under investigation by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office for more than $500,000 in secret payments from the owners of the Flagler Dog Track to a company tied to him, reports The Miami Herald.
Republicans kill omnibus bill, including their own earmarks
A $1.1 trillion omnibus bill that included $8 billion in earmarks from lawmakers who opposed them was pulled from the Senate after Majority Leader Harry Reid acknowledged that he did not have the votes to withstand a Republican filibuster.
Nelson requests 43 earmarks in Senate omnibus bill
The Senate is considering a $1.1 trillion omnibus bill — essentially a bill appropriating funding for the government for next year that contains more than 6,000 earmarks totaling $8 billion. And Florida has its share.
West calls for ‘censoring’ news outlets working with WikiLeaks
Rep.-elect Allen West, R-Fort Lauderdale, one-upped the calls for the prosecution of Wikileaks by calling for the “censoring” of news agencies that publish the organization’s cables.
Scott inaugural fund raises over $1 million
The committee for the Jan. 4, 2011, inauguration of Florida Gov.-elect Rick Scott has raised $1,137,500, mostly from corporations and wealthy individuals donating the maximum $25,000.
Scott endorses Arizona immigration law for Florida
In an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Florida Gov.-elect Rick Scott endorsed bringing an S.B. 1070-style immigration enforcement law to Florida.
