(Fla) Lawmakers OK bailout after agency flubs tasks

[Mika]

Just another day of business as usual for the repugs in Florida.


Lawmakers OK bailout after agency flubs tasks
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/7668148.htm

On two education items, Democrats and Republicans slammed the department as entering into poor contracts, which benefited firms tied to the GOP.

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Klein suggested that the two virtual schools that received the money were able to manipulate the system because of Republican lobbyists. Brian Yablonski, former deputy staff chief to Gov. Jeb Bush, represents Connections Academy; Stuart Brown, who was chief of staff to former Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan, represents Florida Virtual Academy. Florida Virtual is run by K12 Inc. of Virginia, which is tied to former U.S. Education Secretary William Bennett.

''These people understand how the game is played,'' Klein said of the lobbyists and the school owners. ``I would suggest to you that if we put these people under oath they knew exactly what they were doing.''

The firm that won the computer-system contract, Hayes E-Government Resource Inc., has been represented by lobbyist J.M. ''Mac'' Stipanovich, an advisor to Florida's Republican secretary of state during the 2000 elections crisis. Hayes is embroiled in a dispute with the House for its work on a legislative-data computer system.

[Democrats unite]

1. That is only the tip of the iceberg

On how Bushco has screwed Florida.

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. So where are the feds? Is the Rowland scandal hogging them all up?

All those names mentioned in the article are high-profile Florida Republicans. They knew what they were doing and it's no different than what happened in Connecticut. So where are the feds?

[Mika]

3. Have no fear, "aspects" are under criminal investigation

On two education items, Democrats and Republicans slammed the department as entering into poor contracts, which benefited firms tied to the GOP. The department's missteps follow a recent audit that rapped the agency for failing to monitor its school voucher program, aspects of which are under criminal investigation.

In the first case Thursday, the department needed $7.6 million to bail out the state's educational computer system. The department privatized the system last year, but because it failed to follow a federally approved bidding process, Florida lost federal money that subsidizes technology for public schools.

In the second case, the department decided to give 227 ''virtual school'' education vouchers to students who did not qualify under a state law that passed last year. Total cost: $1,089,600.

I'm sure Jeb will get to the bottom of this. After all, he is the ejucashun governor. :puke:

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. Incredible mismanagement/corruption to give out contracts without

properly bidding. And to lose federal money because of it is heinous. Cronyism first, cronyism second, cronyism all the time.

[saigon68]

5. They will "investigate" this--like the "investigated" HALLIBURTON

Not at all

[lovedems]

6. God, the bu$h family has a great record

of totally screwing up their states! As if that isn't enough, now they are screwing the nation! Can't wait to see Jeb on the national ticket running for prez in 08. :puke: