Satanists to Rally for Gov. Rick Scott

Satanists from all over Florida are scheduled to gather on the steps of the Governor’s Office on Friday, January 25, in a show of solidarity for Governor Rick Scott, who, satanists say, has shown unwavering fortitude and progressive resolve in his defense of religious liberty, particularly in his approval of Senate Bill 98 [SB 98] authorizing “a district school board to adopt a policy that allows an inspirational message to be delivered by students at a student assembly; providing policy requirements; providing purpose, etc.”

There is nothing devil-may-care about the attitude of the Satanists: The group plans to show public support for the governor signing a bill that allows students to pray at school events.  Organizers say they also want to call attention to their religion.

Neil Bricke of the Satanic Temple will deliver a speech to the assembled crowd.

“The Satanic Temple embraces the free expression of religion, and Satanists are happy to show their support of Rick Scott who — particularly with SB 98 — has reaffirmed our American freedom to practice our faith openly, allowing our Satanic children the freedom to pray in school.”

Senate special gaming committee holds first meeting: While legislative leaders have said they don’t expect the Legislature to pass any major legislation expanding gambling opportunities this year, the special committee the Senate has created to study the issue holds its first meeting on Monday. The Senate Gaming Committee, chaired by Sen. Garrett Richter will get an overview of the economics of gaming in Florida from the head of the Legislature’s economic research office and will hear about the history of the regulation of pari-mutuel gaming from Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Ken Lawson. Lottery Secretary Cynthia O’Connell will give an overview of the Lottery and staff will brief the panel on the state’s gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe.

CARL ZIMMERMANN DRAFTS SCHOOL SAFETY BILL

A newly elected teacher-turned-Florida legislator is proposing school security measures that could only come from the inside.

Carl Zimmermann, State Representative for District 65 and a teacher at Countryside High School, thinks simple changes in Florida classrooms could help save lives during a threatening situation like the recent shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut.

Zimmermann is calling for placing locks on the inside of classroom doors and reinforcing them with bullet-proof windows.

“In many schools, teachers have to leave the classroom to lock the door, because the doors only lock from the outside,” he said.

INTEREST GROUPS, SPENT $306 MILLION ON STATE POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS IN 2012 by Mary Ellen Klas of the Miami Herald

"The number is lower than the $550 million reported in the 2010 election cycle and does not include the massive amount of federal cash spent in the presidential race. But it points to a new trend: more dollars are going to campaign committees rather than individual candidates.

"Three out of every four dollars were unlimited checks to political committees, while the rest went into the campaign accounts of individuals, which are capped at $500 a check.

"The shift is a sign that Florida's $500 limit is outdated and dysfunctional — and ripe for reform, said Dan Krassner, executive director of Integrity Florida, which did the analysis of the campaign finance data released by the Florida Division of Elections."