Rick Scott to university trustees: Say no to tuition hikes

Gov. Rick Scott today sent letters to the boards of trustees of Florida’s 12 universities urging them to forgo any tuition increase this year.

Scott already has vetoed a 3 percent tuition increase included in the state budget, but some people believe universities have the power to increase tuition 1.7 percent to keep up with inflation.

“I have consistently fought to hold the line on tuition, and to stop any tax increases, in Florida. Higher education should be affordable so it is as accessible to as many Florida families as possible,” Scott wrote....

Mac Stipanovich's week as 'Mr. Mom'

The retired (really) Lucy Morgan was back in the Tampa Bay Times on Sunday with a look at Mac Stipanovich's week as Mr. Mom. It's worth a read.

Former state Rep. Frank Farkas wins $815,000 in lottery scratch-off

ST. PETERSBURG — Frankly, former Rep. Frank Farkas is pretty lucky.

Farkas, a St. Petersburg chiropractor who served in the state House from 1998 to 2006, won $50,000 a year for life in a Florida Lottery scratch-off game, the lottery announced Tuesday.

"Yes, we did," Farkas said in a brief phone conversation. "But I'd rather not comment."

Farkas, 56, purchased the $20 ticket at the Old Northeast Rally, 2131 Fourth St. N....

Your session cheat sheet: What got done, what didn't (in brief)

With the 2013 session in the books, here's are the key things that got done and that didn't.

Medicaid: Lawmakers fail to reach a deal to expand health care coverage for 1 million or more uninsured Floridians. Democrats call for a special session.

Pay raises: House and Senate leaders agree to a $74.5 billion balanced budget that includes raises for state workers and public school teachers....

$74.5B budget has something for everyone ...

... Even people who want to spend $500,000 studying biting ants. The largest budget in state history hit lawmakers' desks at 1:37 p.m. Monday, a day earlier than anticipated. The Times/Herald bureau gives you a first look at what's in it for you.

Ruth: Sugar daddy kisses for Scott

From today's column from Dan Ruth, who looks at Rick Scott's big fundraising numbers:

Included among the many of the GOP's open bar of bag men wanting to stroke Scott's shiny pate as if it was a crystal ball into their ambitions was St. Petersburg's own Daddy Warbucks, Bill Edwards, who wrote a $500,000 check to the governor's campaign baksheesh fund.

South Florida's Wayne Huizenga, who knows a thing or two about hauling waste around, ponied up $250,000. So did Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, whose hundreds of millions of dollars backed so many losers in the 2012 election cycle he risked becoming the Heaven's Gate of American politics.

Donald Trump, the Great and Powerful Orange Julius, penned a $50,000 check. But that paltry sum in the rarefied air of the parallel universe of Planet Influence Peddling only gives him a seat at the children's table.

To be taken seriously as a contributor of de facto legalized bribes to the governor's political future, Trump is going to have to pick up the pace and follow the example of Florida Power & Light ($250,000), Blue Cross Blue Shield ($237,500), Progress Energy ($100,000) and tea party enclave the Villages, which transferred monies from its witch-burning fund to contribute $100,000....

Thirsty? Wine by the keg, yes keg, could be coming

Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, is pushing a bill in the Legislature to allow wine by the keg in Florida.

As the Times' Danny Valentine reports: Kegs are more environmentally friendly than bottles. Restaurants and bars would save money. Wine would stay fresh for longer. And it would help a Tampa Bay company that makes accessories for the keg....

Rick Scott's money men

What a difference incumbency makes. Rick Scott, between his political committee and his campaign account, raised a total of $6.5 million from outside sources for his 2010 campaign. This time around he's already raised nearly $9.8 million from outside sources through his political committee, Let's Get to Work. ...

Before going to the slammer, Jim Greer speaks one last time

Before he was sentenced to 18 months in prison, former Republican Party of Florida chairman Jim Greer maintained his innocence in a final interview with WTSP’s Mike Deeson.

“People will always say, ‘If you are so innocent, why didn’t you go to trial?’ And I understand that,” said Greer, who pleaded guilty in February to charges he stole money from the state Republican Party....

Political contributions tied to Allied Veterans

Allied Veterans of the World and its affiliates gave more than $1.4 million to local, state and federal candidates and their related political committees between 2008 and 2012. The state Republican and state Democratic parties got the bulk of contributions, but so did plenty of lawmakers. In all, Allied Vets showered 175 political committees and political candidates with contributions. The totals reflect a combination of funds collected by candidates in their individual or  main political committees, known as Committees of Continuous Existence. Allied Vets and its affiliates face state and federal racketeering, illegal gambling and money laundering charges.

Sources: Operation Reveal the Deal Master Affidavit, Operation Reveal the Deal exhibits, Florida Division of Elections, Federal Elections Commission....

Report: Jeb to return $270k paid by convicted fraudster

The South Florida Business Journal has a scoop:

Former Gov. Jeb Bush has agreed to return $270,000 that he was paid as a consultant to convicted fraudster Claudio Osorio and Osorio’s companies....