Strat12

Scott's budget spares area state parks

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20110209/ARTICLES/110209389/1169?p=1&tc=pg&tc=ar

Original- Gov. Rick Scott's proposed $5 billion in spending cuts would spare 53 state parks, including local landmarks such as Devil's Millhopper and the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings House, that the Department of Environmental Protection had proposed for temporary closure to reduce its budget, state staff members say.

Web summary- Fifty three state parks, including Devil’s Milhopper and the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings House are facing temporary closures to tame the Department of Environmental Protection’s budget. But if Gov. Rick Scott gets his way, these local landmarks might just be spared.

10 years later, still no closure for Scott Baird family

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20110211/ARTICLES/110219901/0/sports?tc=ar

Original- GPD will commemorate the anniversary today with a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. at the site of the accident on Northwest 16th Terrace, since named Scott Baird Boulevard.

Web summary- It’s been 10 years since the death of Gainesville Police Department rookie officer Scott Baird, who was killed in a prank gone wrong. This year’s anniversary, commemorated by a candlelight vigil held at the scene of the accident, brings fresh calls for the people responsible for the prank to come forward and finally take responsibility for their actions.

Haridopolos: Public employees must take benefit cut

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20110210/ARTICLES/110219940/

Original- Speaking before some of the UF faculty and staff who make up that workforce, he said the state can no longer afford the health care and retirement benefits now provided to public employees. The benefits are "out of whack" with those received in the private sector, he said.

"The public servant is doing better than the taxpayers who paid the bill," he said.

Haridopolos, a Merritt Island Republican who is a lecturer at UF, spoke at the UF's Bob Graham Center for Public Service. His speech comes as Gov. Rick Scott has just released a proposed budget that includes significant cuts to spending as well as taxes in response to the state's projected $3.6 billion deficit.

Web summary- Just days after Gov.Rick Scott unveiled his new budget proposal, state Republican senator Mike Haridopolos is echoing the governor’s call for spending cuts for public employee benefits. The Senate president and University of Florida lecturer spoke before some UF faculty and staff to explain what may happen to public employees if the governor’s budget proposal is accepted.