They are pushing a bill to give Rick Scott and his cabinet power to repeal rules they don't like.

[madfloridian]

That's truly amazing that anyone in their right mind would consider giving him that much power. It just passed through the subcommittee with only one dissenting vote.

From The Buzz at the St. Pete Times:

Bill giving Governor, Cabinet more authority on rules moves forward

At first I thought it was an April Fools joke, but it is not.

A House bill that would give the governor and Cabinet more power to repeal rules passed through a subcommittee with no discussion.

HB 993 would allow Cabinet members during their first six months in office to repeal rules if they are obsolete or if they conflict with policies they are trying to implement. The repeal could be challenged, but Cabinet members could individually override the challenge. An objection to the override could be filed with the 1st District Court of Appeal.

Gov. Rick Scott is currently reviewing more than 11,400 existing rules. He has targeted more than 1,400 for repeal and or revision, and more than 1,200 for revision. Most of those are in the departments of Business and Professional Regulation and Environmental Protection.

Yes, I really thought they were joking but they were serious.

More from the Florida Independent:

Governor’s plans for rule repeals


Gov. Rick Scott (Pic via scotttransition.com)

The St. Petersburg Times has taken note of the Florida House’s plan to give Gov. Rick Scott and the state cabinet the power to repeal rules.

The measure passed the Government Oversight Committee today with no debate. Irv Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, cast the lone dissenting vote. Afterwords, I chased him down and asked him why.

“I just don’t think we need to give him that power,” he said of the governor. “That’s the bottom line.”

I agree, we should not give him that power. Why only one dissenting vote?

A couple of interesting portions from the comments at the St. Pete Times Buzz...interesting. Shows some are getting very alarmed.

"Who voted for these people? What the heck is going on? This group is so insecure that they MUST have everything. We know that with time all kingdoms crumble and good prevails over evil and selfishness. We must be more vigilant than anything these days to watch these politicians as there is no limit to their egos and arrogance. Watch them while workingm, watch them while doing personal activities. . .we cannot let them out of our sight, similar to toddlers as our LIVES depend on it..."

.."Have to get rid of any regulation that would slow down the lining of their pockets.
How did this get through a subcommittee with no discussion ??? I guess money sliding into their pockets doesn't make any noise or cause anyone to want to talk about it."

As a matter of fact how DID this get through a subcommittee with no discussion?

[Turbineguy]

1. Gotta do as much damage as possible

before the recall.

[aSpeckofDust]

2. I don't think florida has the recall process.

[madfloridian]

6. Not at state level, is my understanding.

I think it is possible at a lower level, but not positive about that.

[roguevalley]

27. Florida better pull their head out. Their fucker doesn't look like

he's quitting halfway through like ours did. :(

[The Backlash Cometh]

38. You have remedies, like a recall.

We're screwed until we wake up the right people, and expose the rest.

[RagAss]

3. Florida will be a Police State by June.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. This is really scary, and he MUST be stopped.

An incredible power grab.

[madfloridian]

7. Yes, it is scary.

I see some people around our area waking up.

[atreides1]

9. Too Late

Waking up to do what? No recall in Florida...your state Reps are backing the man for the most part...and before you know it he'll militarize all law enforcement...and activate the NG to keep you, his serfs in your proper place.

Maybe you guys can get the UN to send in military force to remove your dictator...but probably not until his forces kill some civilians first.

[atreides1]

8. Who's going to stop him?

The people of Florida? It was the majority of voters who put this ratfucker in the position!

The State Legislature? They're the ones giving up their authority without a fight!

No, he won't be stopped...because the knuckle dragging, mouth breathing citizens of the State of Florida...don't have the courage to stop him...and neither do those ratfuckers they elected to represent them...so the best thing for people who aren't delusional is to leave the state as soon as possible...if you can!!

[Andy823]

13. Well...

If you read the link here http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/Low_Florida_Voter_Turnout_106913483.html you will see that less than HALD the registered voters in Florida even took the tim to vote, so as stated at the link 1 in every 4 voters actually put this idiot into office since the others didn't bother to cast their vote. I think I heard that he only won by like 1 percent!

So really just like in so many other states that ended up with republican governors running things, it had a lot to do with people not taking the time to make sure these kind of morons didn't get elected! NOT voting is simply insane!

[Fuddnik]

29. A lot has to do with the Florida Democratic Party.

They're pretty much non-existent north of Miami and Naples. They sunk the whole treasury into electing Alex Sink, who decided not to run a campaign, and didn't even bother to utilize her fairly popular running mate Rod Smith.

The State Chair was the most incompetent boob to wander down the pike since Barney Fife. They didn't recruit candidates in a lot of races. Didn't fund the ones they did.

It's become more of a social club than a political party. They don't work or organize, and they put the hammer to any new talent that tries, and runs them off.

People just decide that they can't associate themselves to the incompetence and abuse of the status quo.

Sad.

[madfloridian]

32. Your words are unfortunately all too true.

And that state chair had other loyalties at times as well.

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/thurmans-lobbying

[DonCoquixote]

51. let's just be honest

The Florida Democratic party is the one thing keeping the GOP afloat. The state GOP has had people like Ray Sansom and Jim Norman get outright caught with their hand in the cookie jar, only to be rewarded with MORE MONEY. The sad fact is, the FDP likes it, because they can put in people to the right of Obama and Clinton and still say they are far to the right of the GOP, which is true, but of course, that is like saying death by lethal injection is less painful than being burnt at the stake.

[madfloridian]

53. Sansom got off, they just dropped the charges.

How did that happen, I can't figure it out.

[JDPriestly]

44. Sounds like the Florida Democratic Party needs to be DUed.

How many DUers from Florida are active in their local party chapters?

If you live in Florida, Fuddnik, are you active? Do you go to party meetings?

[AndyTiedye]

14. I Would Not Assume That Such a Close Election Reflects the Will of the People of Florida

Even if the election was totally honest, it was very close,
so can hardly be seen as a mandate.

"Even if the election was totally honest" yeah right!
This is FLORIDA we are talking about, after all!
Tens of thousands of Democratic voters are routinely
disenfranchised.

[defendandprotect]

47. Agree -- evidently many are willing to believe in the stupidity of Floridians/Americans ....

think we had best get rid of the GOP voting computers and find out if we

are all this dumb or what?


The Rightwing Koch Bros. Funded the DLC --

http://www.democrats.com/node/7789

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x498414


If you knew about this, why didn't you tell us?

If you didn't know, pass it along -- !

:)

[atreides1]

5. Why have a legislature

If they're going to give away their authority...and not represent the people of Florida, why not just amend the state constitution and disband the state legislature?

[defendandprotect]

49. Notice, they've been working to take debate/discussion/decision making out of hands of Congress!!

Fed Reserve -- a private bank -- decides on our economy -- direction --

and unemployment -- interest rates.

Obama moved two huge decision into hands of panels -- Social Security/Cat Food

Commission and the Health Care decisions!!

And on extending tax cuts for wealthy, Obama made a deal with the GOP !!!

With the GOP ... !!!!!




The Rightwing Koch Bros. Funded the DLC --

http://www.democrats.com/node/7789

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x498414


If you knew about this, why didn't you tell us?

If you didn't know, pass it along -- !

:)

[atreides1]

10. This is great

The US and its allies were able to get a resolution passed for humanitarian reasons in Libya...and now a US state is about to appoint it's own dictator...wonder if the UN Security Council will pass another resolution to help the civilians in Florida from being massacred.

[aSpeckofDust]

12. We're more likely to snap one day and hang'em. This is the south after all.

[defendandprotect]

48. In America, that's what we have to be wondering these days .... nice precedent ....

re Libya -- "We are all Libyans" -- and hope they keep it in mind when our

turn comes to fight our own MIC and whoever is controlling it!!


GOP and corporate fascism couldn't have come this far without Democratic Party

collaboration -- and Wm. Greider says they were collaborating pre-Reagan --

specifically back to 1978 when they whacked the Tax Code for the benefit of the

wealthy! See: "Who Will Tell the People?" -- 1992 -- and I'm re-reading it.






The Rightwing Koch Bros. Funded the DLC --

http://www.democrats.com/node/7789

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x498414


If you knew about this, why didn't you tell us?

If you didn't know, pass it along -- !

:)

[felix_numinous]

11. Sounds pretty dick-tatorial.

[Hannah Bell]

15. more fascist shit.

[Terra Alta]

16. Sounds like he isn't too far from being a dictator.

If a recall isn't possible, the citizens of Florida need to take to the streets. Protest until this fool resigns. That's the only way to get him out of there.

[marmar]

17. Quick, someone tell him he ran for governor, not emperor.

nt

[kentauros]

18. Are there any Federal laws or rules

that would deny state governments of a dictatorship rule? I know that the silly notion of secession is against some federal law/rule. Seems to me if they tried to set up Scott as Dictator, they'd find themselves "invaded" by the feds right quick! ;)

[madfloridian]

19. Some more details. I keep waiting for someone to say April Fool's.

http://floridaindependent.com/24815/rule-repeals-fast-tracked-for-rick-scott-cabinet-under-new-house-proposal

"Here are some key aspects of the expedited process provided under the new proposal: #

The repeal of a rule or part of a rule will be complete 15 days after publication of the written notice on the agency’s website.
A substantially-affected party may file with the agency a written objection within 14 days of publication of the written notice on the agency’s website.
The sections of the governing rulemaking, dispute resolution, hearings, and judicial enforcement will not apply to the summary repeal process. An objecting party is not entitled to a hearing but will have a limited right to appeal a decision overruling the objection to the First District Court of Appeals.
A failure to object is treated as approving the repeal and a waiver of rights to any judicial review.
This authority to direct repeal by summary process cannot be delegated but must be exercised by the statewide elected executive officers with sole authority over the agency, the Governor and Cabinet for Cabinet agencies, or all the statewide elected executive officers with joint authority over an agency (but less than the whole Cabinet).

The text above comes straight out of this bill analysis (.pdf). #

There are sublinks in the article.

[madfloridian]

20. More on its introduction...

http://www.americanindependent.com/176809/florida-executive-rule-repeal-bill-sails-through-house-committee-uncontested

"Remember how Rep. Chris Dorworth, R-Heathrow, added an amendment to a rulemaking bill that would give the governor and the cabinet authority to repeal agency rules under an expedited process? The bill just passed another committee — the House Government Operations panel — with no debate.

A representative of Associated Industries of Florida stood in support, but waived her time to speak. The measure builds on an executive order Gov. Rick Scott issued when he first took office. He ordered a freeze of all pending agency rules, which is now being challenged before the Florida Supreme Court, as well as a review of all existing rules.

Rulemaking authority is given to state agencies by the legislature, allowing them to put a finer point on laws and sort out technical details that are often outside lawmakers’ expertise.

The authority is given to the agencies themselves, not the elected officials that oversee them. That principle is actually a key part of the legal argument in the challenge to the governor’s suspension of rulemaking.

Under Dorworth’s amendment, H.B. 993, sponsored by Rep. Kenneth Roberson, R-Port Charlotte, would give “statewide elected executive officers,” as opposed to state agencies, the authority to repeal rules during their first six months in office with a shorter window for challenges and public notice."

[quaker bill]

21. Being somewhat involved

First, "rules" are made by agencies. Statutes are made by legislatures. Statutes often direct agencies to make "rules" more properly known as Administrative Codes. I have actually assisted in writing some of these rules. The Governor always could order an agency to repeal its rules on any subject matter. However when an agency does a "rule making" or a rule repeal (which is also considered rule making), this action would have been subject to administrative challenge (a trial), and might be overturned.

What this action portends to do is short circuit the path for citizen involvement. It is not the only action in play of this sort.

There are also ammendments to Chapter 120 F.S. that redefine an "interested party". Only "interested parties" have standing to challenge an action. They have been steadily at redefining "interested parties" since JEB took office, but this new definition is more sweeping than those of the past. It will be more and more difficult to establish "standing" to challenge any such actions.

It is all fairly technical. This does not dissolve the legislature's power, but does place "rules" more firmly under the cabinet's control and would make citizen challenges to their actions quite difficult.

[madfloridian]

23. See my post just above yours.

It seems to say that it gives powers once held by agencies to the executive leaders of the state....if I understand it correctly.

"Rulemaking authority is given to state agencies by the legislature, allowing them to put a finer point on laws and sort out technical details that are often outside lawmakers’ expertise.

The authority is given to the agencies themselves, not the elected officials that oversee them. That principle is actually a key part of the legal argument in the challenge to the governor’s suspension of rulemaking.

Under Dorworth’s amendment, H.B. 993, sponsored by Rep. Kenneth Roberson, R-Port Charlotte, would give “statewide elected executive officers,” as opposed to state agencies, the authority to repeal rules during their first six months in office with a shorter window for challenges and public notice."

[quaker bill]

28. I think we were writing at the same time

Occasonally the rulemaking authority granted is more general and vague and the resulting rules form all but the entire body of law as implemented, sometimes it is far more specific in the Statutes and the rule is only fine points of implementation.

The statute directs FDEP to develop a unified statewide definition of wetlands and adopts the rule Ch 62-340 F.A.C. as that definition. This is one rule I helped write. The entire definition is a rule, the requirement for all government agencies that regulate wetlands to use only this definition is in the Statutes.

[madfloridian]

24. I did find this about HB 993

http://apps.lobbytools.com/pub/index.cfm?type=bills&id=31537

"Rulemaking: Requires agency to include in its notice of intended rulemaking statement as to whether proposed rule will require legislative ratification; clarifies that statement of estimated regulatory costs is not required for emergency rulemaking; provides for modification or withdrawal of adopted rule that is not ratified by Legislature; provides for expedited repeal of rules determined to have required legislative ratification before going into effect; clarifies that certain proposed rules are effective only when ratified by Legislature; reduces time before agency files rule for adoption when agency must notify person who submitted lower cost alternative & Administrative Procedures Committee; excludes rules adopting federal standards or updates to Florida Building Code or Florida Fire Prevention Code from required legislative ratification; excludes emergency rulemaking from certain provisions; provides for summary repeal of rules by statewide elected executive officers within first 6 months of their respective terms; specifies agencies affected by repeal; provides procedures for notice of & objection to repeal; provides for judicial review; reduces time in which substantially affected person may seek administrative determination of invalidity of rule after statement or revised statement of estimated regulatory costs is available. Effective Date: upon becoming a law"

It does sound like as you said: "short circuit the path for citizen involvement."

[Canuckistanian]

22. Florida is gone.

Any FL residents here, get your kids out.

It MIGHT make an interesting study for a socio-political paper someday, but practically and officially it's a nightmare.

So much power in the hands of a criminal madman.

[kiranon]

25. What's next? Governor for life and his relatives succeed him?

The legislature needs to stand up and protect itself not vote itself out of power.

[Hugabear]

26. This is the problem with running government as if it's a business

Rick Scott thinks that he's CEO of Florida, Inc.

[Riley18]

30. Too late for Florida. Our only hope is for another country

to step in to save the state from a dictatorship because the federal government is not interested.

[russspeakeasy]

31. I thought it was a joke too.. This is really scary.

[neoralme]

33. If you examine this man carefully, he is nothing more than a

Adolph Hitler wannabee. Frankly, madfloridan, (and this post may well be deleted), I don't know why he is still standing. This is not some errant politico trying to "fix" things. This is a mean-spirited fascist pig that will kill many innocent people if allowed to continue. He got in by accident with the electorate's displeasure with Obama. You may have your own opinion about that...fine. But, whatever, Scott has to go--now. If allowed to continue, he will begin real structure formation.

[madfloridian]

34. Rules that Rick Scott deems burdensome or no longer necessary...

https://www.myfloridalicense.com/rulereview/reaglist.aspx

"State of Florida – Governor Rick Scott
Status of Executive Order 11-01, Section 5
Analysis to Identify Rules That Are Duplicative, Unnecessarily Burdensome, or No Longer Necessary"

[madfloridian]

35. What about the other Democrats on the committee...the list. Why would they vote yes?

There was according to the news report just the one dissenting vote...Slosberg.

Here is the committee, and what about the other Democrats on it?

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/sections/committees/committeesdetail.aspx?SessionId=66&CommitteeId=2622

Representatives:
Patronis, Jimmy (R) Chair
Mayfield, Debbie (R) Vice Chair
Clemens, Jeff (D) Democratic Ranking Member
Ahern, Larry (R)
Bileca, Michael (R)
Gonzalez, Eduardo (R)
Logan, Ana Rivas (R)
Nelson, Bryan (R)
O'Toole, H. Marlene (R)
Plakon, Scott (R)
Slosberg, Irving (D)
Taylor, Dwayne L. (D)
Watson, Barbara (D)
Williams, Alan B. (D)
Young, Dana D. (R)

[madfloridian]

37. Taylor, Dwayne L. , Watson, Barbara, Williams, Alan B. , Clemens, Jeff

Those are apparently the other Democrats who did not vote No on this issue.

[The Backlash Cometh]

36. Is any of this against checks and balances?

Because it sounds like it has its own remedy.

[kenny blankenship]

39. So it's like an Act to Enable the state of FL to act as a unit? One people, one state, one leader.

They should have government running like a Mercedes Benz in no time.

[opihimoimoi]

40. Never vote for a Nefarious Idiot.....vote bad, get bad....Votings Skills 303.12

[radhika]

41. Amazing - the Legislature has ceded ITS power!

If I read it correctly, the Legislature has simply fallen on its knees and handed the Executive Branch a royal sceptre. Ceded any number of prerogatives, demanded no oversight of their decisions. For no good reason, not even the cover story of 'Fiscal Emergency' as in WI, MI.

Its almost a mind-control operation, where the I-am-a-menial program has become activated. Not just in everday voters (who put him in) but in higher levels of the pyramid where normally some level of power resides. Scary times.

[madfloridian]

42. More power than the executive branch needs.

I can't believe 4 Democrats on that committee voted yes.

[JDPriestly]

43. Democrats need to nominate a better candidate in Florida on the

next go-round.

When Democrats nominate strong candidates, Democrats win. It is as simple as that.

[madfloridian]

45. You know what? You are right.

Lois Frankel says she will run against Allen West. I love her, she's great. But she was already talking about being "bipartisan".

Guess what...it will not work. You have to be partisan and angry and fierce to win against these fools here.

Our candidates can not continue to act like they will not take sides on any issue.

[defendandprotect]

46. Evidently, someone crowned this guy King?

[madfloridian]

50. He seems to think they did.

:shrug:

He thinks he's adored.

[defendandprotect]

54. The GOP voting computers tend to do that for Repugs -- !!!

:nuke:

[dkofos]

52. Can't they just ignore them like the rest of the repubes??

[flvegan]

55. Thanks for posting this.

I read this article this morning and honestly thought I was going to be sick. We are sincerely in troubled times here.