MITT ROMNEY WOULD RAISE TAXES ON MIDDLE CLASS President Barack Obama headed to Florida with study showing Mitt Romney’s tax plan hurts middle class [Times/Herald] “A new study by the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center that showed those earning more than $1 million could save about $87,000 in taxes under Romney’s plan, which reduces income tax rates by 20 percent across the board. But those who earn less than $200,000 would actually see their taxes increase by as much as $1,339 under Romney’s plan, the study estimated, because they could lose popular tax breaks for employer health insurance, mortgage interest and state and local taxes. Obama’s campaign hours later released a Florida-centric companion report, based on a previous Tax Policy Center analysis, that estimated Romney’s plan would raise taxes on 7.6 million Florida households.”
Obama camp touts tax relief, blasts Romney on eve of president’s visit to Florida [Palm Beach Post] “The Obama campaign plans to hand out this flyer in Boynton Beach today that says Obama has ‘cut taxes for the typical American family by $3,600 since taking office’ while Romney’s plan for across-the-board tax cuts would ‘either explode the deficit or require raising middle-class taxes.’”
Randolph, Obama campaign: Romney tax plan would hurt middle class [Orlando Sentinel] “Setting the stage for President Barack Obama’s speech at Rollins College Thursday, Orange County Democratic Executive Committee chairman Scott Randolph outlined campaign reports that say Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s tax plans would hurt middle class Floridians and small businesses.”
Obama, Central Florida share vision to boost our economy [Orlando Sentinel Guest Column by Mayor Buddy Dyer] “With President Obama set to return to our community today, I wanted to take the opportunity to outline why I’m supporting him and why his vision for the future of our country makes the most sense for Central Florida.”
OFA Releases New Ad: “Stretch” [OFA] “You work hard, stretch every penny, but chances are you pay a higher tax rate than him: Mitt Romney made $20 million dollars in 2010, but paid only 14% in taxes—probably less than you. Now he has a plan that will give millionaires another tax break and raises taxes on middle class families by up to $2000 dollars a year. Mitt Romney’s middle class tax increase: he pays less, you pay more.” WATCH “STRETCH” HERE.
Actor Justin Long cajoles UF students to cast an informed vote [Gainesville Sun]
Latin pop star Marc Anthony to open Obama office in Miami’s Little Havana [Miami Herald]
Obama campaign to stage ‘women’s summit’ in Orlando Sunday [Orlando Sentinel]
IT’S GOING TO BE AN AWKWARD AUGUST FOR THE GOP Scott’s popularity sags in new Q-poll [Sarasota Herald Tribune] “It’s no wonder that Mitt Romney is keeping his distance from Gov. Rick Scott. A new independent survey shows that Scott remains unpopular among Florida voters heading to the Republican National Convention in Tampa later this month.”
Is Fla GOP chairman calling Mitt Romney an “opponent”? [Tampa Bay Times] “Here’s the letter state Republican Chairman Lenny Curry sent out touting Gov. Rick Scott’s accomplishments. The italics are from us.”
Jim Greer offered secret agreement from state GOP [WTSP] “The 10 News Investigators have learned of yet another proposed secret agreement with the Republican Party of Florida and its former Chairman, Jim Greer. The state GOP, which is claiming Greer stole money from it, wants to pay Greer hush money to keep quiet.”
SEN. BILL NELSON LAUNCHES FIRST TV AD: “40 YEARS”
Meanwhile…Connie Mack IV continues pointless war on media Would Mack back Weldon? His campaign won’t say [Tampa Bay Times] “Asked if U.S. Rep. Connie Mack would support Dr. Dave Weldon in the off-chance of an upset in the GOP U.S. Senate primary, Mack campaign spokesman David James wouldn’t bite.”
ON THE CONGRESSIONAL FRONT — BUCHANAN WANTED, DEMINGS TOUTS FUNDRAISING & JOBS PLAN
Democrats ‘serve’ Eric Cantor with ‘wanted’ poster for Rep. Vern Buchanan [Tampa Bay Times] “Democrats today had a gift for House Majority Leader Eric Cantor: A wanted sign for Rep. Vern Buchanan. Buchanan, R-Sarasota, on Monday skipped a deposition in a case involving a former business partner. Buchanan’s camp told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune it was because his attorney was sick. Democrats smell a dodge, and they’ve been trying to play up Buchanan’s problems in hopes of defeating him. Seconds after Cantor walked by came Florida Rep. David Rivera (seen in background of woman in green sweater) who also had a “wanted” poster pushed his way.”
Val Demings touts campaign donations, jobs plan [Orlando Sentinel] “Former Orlando police chief Val Demings released her congressional campaign’s latest fund-raising numbers Wednesday, touting a healthy total and boasting about the number of new donors…Demings’ fund-raising announcement comes as she is poised to release her campaign’s jobs plan. An advance copy provided to the Orlando Sentinel focuses on helping small businesses.”
Rep. Deutch: GOP turning a constitutional right into a crime [Raw Story] “Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL) on Tuesday blasted Republicans over legislation that would ban abortions in the District of Columbia after 20 weeks of pregnancy.”
Castor calls for federal review of Florida FCAT system [Sarasota Herald Tribune] “Following the abrupt resignation of Florida Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor on Thursday asked the U.S. Department of Education to help review Florida’s controversial FCAT exam.”
OTHER NEWS WE THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Governor’s openness is all illusion [Miami Herald column] “Under Scott, the public has less access, not more, no matter how many oranges and suns Scott pins on his website wall.”
ALEC in Florida – Corrupting Democracy [WFLA] “The report, entitled ALEC in Florida, documents the growing footprint that ALEC has in Florida, including its unprecedented access to elected officials and the drafting of ‘model’ legislation which compliant lawmakers then push into law.”
Feds seek voter-purge records [Tampa Tribune] “In that suit, as in the Tallahassee action, the federal government’s ‘statement of interest’ maintains that Scott’s purge violates the Voting Rights Act.”
School Officials Say Fla. Education Chief’s Resignation Triggered by Year-Long FCAT Drama [WFSU] “Gerard Robinson’s decision to step down at the end of August comes after a series of changes to the state FCAT test which led to a drop in scores, school grades and a public outcry.”
Emergency managers rip Gov. Rick Scott’s rankings of counties [Palm Beach Post] “One emergency manager who received a perfect score called the project ‘a completely flawed system’ and ‘a waste of time.’”