Good morning CL readers. It's been awhile since we've been here.
Approximately eight weeks ago I composed my last morning compilation of the news of the day - September 20, to be precise. I took a leave of absence to be with my mother, Lydia, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this past spring. The hope was that I would be able to spend some time with her back in her San Francisco Bay Area home before her time was up. Sadly, she passed just days after I was able to get out there in late September. I stayed with my family up until a week ago, when I made the long, long drive back to Florida from California. Anyway, it's good to be back writing for CL (and many thanks to Linda Hersey for filling in for me as I was away).
So, what have I missed? Well, a few things, obviously. We have a new mayor (and two new city council members) in St. Petersburg, and an opening for a Congressman vacated by the death of the late Bill Young.
But nationally the biggest story over the past few weeks has been the debacle that Obamacare has been since signups began for Americans to qualify on October 1. Yesterday House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi attempted to lead the way in stating that despite all of the reports, things with the plan really aren't all that bad.
We've had a little excitement in the governor's race (finally!) with the addition of Charlie Crist into the Democratic race. But what about Nan Rich, the only other established candidate? About an hour after I got back into town last week I caught up with the former Senate Minority Leader address an Ybor City audience very excited about her candidacy.
And on Friday Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam came to Tampa to talk about all types of different issues that fall under his purview in Tallahassee. He also spoke out in favor of high-speed rail alongside the I-4 corridor, a very different viewpoint than what Rick Scott believes in.
