Florida Morning: Tough GOP v. GOP battles; Allied Vets: We don’t need to open our books

May 8, 2012 | Florida Times-Union

Submitted by Matt Dixon

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GOP V GOP: Community and business leaders in affluent Seminole County talked about the jobs and economic development that will come from the new 61-mile commuter rail through Orlando. Tampa Tribune http://bit.ly/Jbbgkg

ALLIED VETS: WE DON’T HAVE TO PROVIDE IRS DOCS A group of major players in the Internet sweepstakes center industry is challenging an attempt by the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to require the businesses to open up financial records. News Service of Florida http://bit.ly/IVb31Q

SCOTT CALLS FOR POLY BOARD APPLICANTS: Gov. Rick Scott is looking to appoint a charter Board of Trustees for Florida Polytechnic. Tampa Bay Times http://bit.ly/Lzz5pc

Howdy, it’s Tuesday and this is Florida Morning, your daily digest of political news around the Sunshine State. Interview with Eric Draper, Sadowski Coalition makes case for foreclosure funds, and a medical company adding jobs.

Q&A: ERIC DRAPER: Draper is executive director of Audubon of Florida and a veteran environmental lobbyist. He said he has life-changing experiences all of the time and is proud of his work to help establish the state’s conservation land-buying program. Florida Current http://bit.ly/K8zQVO

FORECLOSURE FUND SETTLEMENT: Attorney General Pam Bondi has discretion on how to spend $300 million from a foreclosure fraud settlement, and the Sadowski Coalition wants her to spend at least one-third of it on affordable housing. Florida Current: http://bit.ly/JmR804

MEDICAL DISTRIBUTION COMPANY ADDING 50 JOBS American Medical Depot, an emergency medical distribution company, will add 50 jobs and move 97 workers to a new building in Miramar from Miami, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance said Monday. South Florida Sun-Sentinel: http://sunsent.nl/IA7MXv

CANTERO’S FIRM TAKES ANOTHER HIGH COURT CASE The firm of a former Supreme Court justice who serves as co-chairman of Justice Barbara Pariente’s retention campaign has taken another case set to be heard by the high court. SaintPetersBlog http://bit.ly/LAo3zO

CABINET TRIP ISN’T CHEAP: Accompanied by staff and security, Gov. Rick Scott and Cabinet members descended on the Florida Keys Monday night, 590 miles from their Tallahassee base. Tampa Bay Times http://bit.ly/K84COq

Suggestion Box: Feedback is always welcome. You can contact Florida Morning atmatt.dixon@jacksonville.com, or @Mdixon55

BRINGING EARMARKS BACK? The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee accused Republican U.S. Rep. Allen West of wanting to bring earmarks back, but they may have stretched the truth. PolitiFact Florida explains. http://bit.ly/JNVzyh

SCOTT SAID HE DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT FSCJ LETTER An associate vice president from Florida State College who is suspended, for now, said she sent a letter to Gov. Rick Scott informing him of wrongdoing on the part of school leaders. Florida Times-Union http://bit.ly/IGRv6G

COLLEGE DEMS PUSHING RUBIO ON LOANS: Groups of student members of Florida College Democrats turned at at the offices of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Miami, here in Orlando and in other Florida cities today seeking help with student loan interest rates. Orlando Sentinel http://thesent.nl/JRvHnD

MCCOLLUM BACKS MACK: An Orlando company that imports high-end wines, beers and specialty foods played backdrop Monday for U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV to rail against taxes and regulations hurting small businesses. Orlando Sentinel http://thesent.nl/ID1AfX

SCOTT DEFENDS MACNAMARA: Gov. Rick Scott defended Steve MacNamara, his embattled chief of staff, who has been the target of a recent rash of media stories that have gone so far as to call him the governor’s “biggest failure.” Sunshine State News: http://bit.ly/JbW3z9

OPINION PAGES

TIMES-UNION: BORROWING FROM THE FUTURE HAS TO STOP: http://bit.ly/KJ88ud

SUN: ON THEIR MERIT: http://bit.ly/IVbObc

SENTINEL: LAWMAKERS NEED TO GET GAMBLING UNDER CONTROL: http://thesent.nl/IQYrhi

TRIBUNE: CHOPPING HIGHER EDUCATION: http://bit.ly/Jbe2Gg

TIMES: CONGRESS SHOULD REIN IN ONLINE DATA BROKERS: http://bit.ly/JMMHqT