James Krawczyk

Florida’s horribly- and unoriginally-named “cash for clunkers” home rebate program, which allows up to a 20% rebate on new home appliances, is expected to run out very quickly. The program has only $17.6 Million, starts April 16th, and is expected to last 10 days or less.

If you need new appliances, now’s the time! Get that free government money!

Most of my garden got hit hard. I only lost Basil completely, but only about 25% of what is left will be usable or will ever ripen. Mostly tomatoes, planted too late in the season.

A quick list of the agencies in Florida getting funds from the Federal Recovery Act.

From the Orlando Sentinel:

The cost of driving in Florida goes up today.

- Vehicle Registrations went up from $22.50-32.50 to $31-$44

- New license plate up to $28 from $12

- License renewal goes up to $48 from $20

- First-time car registration is up to $225 from $100

- Late drivers-license renewal is up to $15 from $1

It’s worth noting that there hasn’t been an increase in fees since 1983. Some say it’s poor management that there wasn’t a more steady increase so the jump wouldn’t be so drastic, but the politicians are trying to fix their state deficit mess now.

Also, the $1-per-pack cigarette fee goes into effect today.

Happy spending!

Due largely to a surge in the Hispanic population, Whites are no longer a majority in Orange County.

Measured by household income, debt, employment and foreclosures, Florida is the second-most miserable state in the union, including the District of Colombia. Only Oregon is more miserable. But hey, we have Disney!

So as long as you don’t drive a car, renew your license, buy a burial plot, sue someone, smoke cigarettes, fish along a coast, renew a teaching license, or get a divorce, you aren’t affected. Because those things you choose to do, or “use.”

Fortunately, nobody in Florida really does those things, so no big deal, right?

(And don’t forget about the upcoming reinstatement of the death tax, where 45% of your assets are taken by the government upon your death. So be sure to not die, okay?)

Here we go! As predicted by many, the Florida Senate will use gambling as a way to close the massive hole in Florida’s budget. 

Some representatives mentioned in this article seem to think expanding from only slot machines to blackjack, roulette and craps is equivalent to putting new entrees on a menu or Disney adding a new ride.

Well, to me the analogy is wrong. It makes them full-fledged, Vegas-style casinos. It is a major expansion of gambling in the state, and comparing it to just another business expanding their operations is absurd.

I’ve also read articles that even prostitution is being considered by some as a way to raise the revenue needed to solve the budget deficit. I have mixed feelings on the use of an increased cigarette tax though, but I won’t get into that.

Fact is, we should take note of the lawmakers supporting this. They aren’t just making “tough decisions,” they are proposing drastic negative changes to our state to raise revenue. In the next election cycle, I will vote for people who propose real budget solutions, and not things that will slowly destroy this great state of ours.

Today, it’s about what private jets he uses. Tomorrow, it’ll be something else. Governor Charlie Crist promised transparency, and criticized others who weren’t. Now he’s just as bad as any of his predecessors.

Governor Crist, I challenge you to be a model governor with the transparency you promised us. Don’t forget, you work for us. We are YOUR bosses, and we want answers. This should be easy to do, just be honest.