We caught a lot (but not all) of yesterday's long day journey into night discussion at the Hillsborough County Commission regarding the fate of Pat Bean, Renee Lee, and Jim Barnes. We hope to have more commentary on the event later for you, but because we didn't focus on every minute of the debate, we feel reluctant to write a report, though we are very intrigued by the various op-eds in today's papers. Bottom line is that Jim Norman in some ways sounded like the voice of reason, saying he's not exactly sure what they would be firing Bean and Lee on, since the FDLE hasn't come up with anything just yet.
Moving on, the BOCC did finally approve ballot language for the transportation referendum, and now the campaign begins.
Also, Democratic Representative Janet Cruz says she won't contest the Property Appraiser's appraisal that she wasn't allowed to take a second homestead exemption, and now must pay more than $30,00o in back taxes and interest.
MSNBC's Morning Joe comes to Tampa next week;
And with "March Madness" commencing today (which by the way, we say is a bit overrated but will elaborate tomorrow), Education Secretary Arnie Duncan, a pretty fair basketball player in his day we're told, wants to crack down on some of the schools who aren't graduating a majority of their players;
the report here.
Stephen Hammill