Research Tools:
Database for Education research:
If you would like to conduct your own free ERIC database searches
via
the Internet, please send a request for directions to
askeric@askeric.org or go
directly to http://www.askeric.org/Eric
In addition, I have attached some related resources that may also be
helpful. To see the criteria that we use in selecting links please
visit: http://www.askeric.org/Qa/links.shtml
....pflaum, 9/19/02
The Florida Government Accountability Report makes it easy to
find free information about what state agencies are doing and how
effective they are at meeting the needs of Florida's citizens."
http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us
Just go to the "site index" at the OPPAGA website and
wander around. Reports are categorized by agency and topic.
Extensive and thorough and only the tip of the iceberg...
... ROTW, 2/5/02
Recently
Published reports from OPPAGA
Can Oppaga
truly be an independent body?
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Click
here to Post Response
Important!!!
We need to know ASAP?
I found out yesterday that Bush is proposing to not fund the Division of Aquaculture in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. That would completely do away with shellfish harvesting classification and water management (a Class II surface water protection).
I haven't heard whether or not he is proposing to move these responsibilities to a different program or privatize what
they do. Come July 1 2003, on paper the program as it is ceases to exist. 51 people will be terminated.
FWCC and DEP are also slated for cuts, as well as other State agencies. The budget in detail is on www.MyFlorida.com if anyone is interested.
Can anybody fill in the gaps here? What is
happening to DEP? To FWCC? Privatization of this Dept.
of Agriculture/Consumer Services part, etc. What of the
overall mechanism for protecting the environment?
...noname, 1/24/03
Teachers fired at "F"
grade school?
I have looked for this everywhere and cannot find a word about the
firing of all teachers at an East-Central Elementary School which
earned an F grade. My sister-in-law told us about it this
weekend. She works in an adjacent county and heard about it
through some of her teachers. Is there anything on this in the
media at all? I would love to see it published if
true......have you heard?
Click here to Post Responses
... BT, 11/04/02
Methadone clinics - July
first 2002, a budget cut went into effect, erasing earmarked funds
that supported three South Florida methadone clinics. Having been
directly affected by this, I was hoping you could point me in the
direction of the politician closest to me who may have played a part
in passing this veto. I live in Broward county. Any info will be
helpful! Thanks in advance. ... akemazz@bellsouth.net
10/27/02
Reader seeking information on an event related
to the Okaloosa Island Authority (ca. 1960's?) 8/28/02
How much does it cost the state each year to administer and grade
the FCAT?
....BElmer, 7/11/02
Indy filmmaker
globalvision.org seeks footage of Florida election 2000. 3/8/02
(this film is now released and is available on video - Unprecedented:
the 2000 Presidential Election)
Reader
has a question about the DROP program.... 1/12/02
Check
out how some other states dealt with their fiscal crises in 2001
1/1/02
Questions we weree looking at in 2001 (most still
relevant):
DCA, Growth
Management, JEB, and St.Joe/Arvida
Why
not use the site and cooperating links as a means to create an
internet citizen's committee? 7/23/01
How
many gubernatorial appointments has Gov. Bush made? 7/19/01
Research
questions for tracking MyFlorida
7000 emails ?
More |
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Recently, I learned that my father (deceased
for two years), had written a letter years ago to the governor about
some improprieties of the Okaloosa Island Authority, (now defunct)
in re holding secret meetings, etc.
My father's letter prompted an investigation, which according to my
source, resulted in the first "sunshine" law to be
written.
How would I go about finding a copy of this letter and/or
information on this event? I am guessing that this was circa
1967, but I don't really know.
The letter was written by Wiley Benjamin Hill, Jr. of Okaloosa
County, (my dad), and I really would like to know more about this
for sentimental reasons.
Thank you,
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Indy filmmaker globalvision.org seeks
footage of Florida election 2000.
I am looking for footage of election day in 2000. We at
globalvision.org are in the final stages of editing a documentary
film about voting rights in the 2000 election.
We're looking for additional footage showing some of the problems
voters encountered with the voting process.
If you can help us get in touch with any independent media source
(ie camera person, local tv, etc) who may have captured relevant
scenes, it will be so much appreciated! Please reach me at production@globalvision.org
My name is Dan. Thanks so much.
Update 7/11/02:
Get
over it? Not this filmmaker
Documentary reviews the 2000 election.
Even with the presumption of inevitability that many news
organizations deservedly were criticized for promoting, the
record-breaking $100 million that it took to buy the White House
almost wasn't enough. "We have a president who owes his
election more to a dynasty than to democracy," said Chairman
Julian Bond at the NAACP's 93rd annual convention this week.-
Presidential candidate George W. Bush had wooed that group before he
lost the November 2000 popular election by more than a half-million
votes nationwide. He would have lost Florida's popular vote -- and
the presidency -- had all the ballots that voters cast been
registered.-
For Americans who consider it a patriotic duty to ensure that every
citizen has an equal opportunity to vote and to have his or her vote
counted, restoring confidence in the electoral process means looking
first at Florida. That's what Faye Anderson has done as producer of Counting
on Democracy....
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Am interested in analysis of the DROP (Deferred Retirement Option
Program).
The January 2002 issue of The Florida Commerce Credit Union includes
an advertisement titled "DROP outs welcome at Florida
Commerce." The advertisement includes the
statement "The conditions of your employment don't change when
you choose to enter the DROP program."
On page 8 of the Deferred Retirement Option Program bulletin published
by the Division of Retirement, Legislative Affairs, Policy &
Communications, November 1998, the following question and answer
appears:
"Am I guaranteed employment if I am enrolled in DROP?
"No, your employment status is not changed by DROP participation.
You may quit or your employer may terminate you in the
same manner as before DROP participation."
Are these statements (one from a private company) accurate?
Have some agencies of statement government begun
using participation in DROP as a way to retire "retired"
employees? Do procedural requirements for
termination apply to DROP participants or have DROP participants
agreed that they no longer are covered by agency policy? CATRONJ@aol.com
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| State
Responses to Tight Fiscal Conditions
Short-Term Fixes May Backfire if the Economy Does Not Soon Recover;
Cyclical Downturn Masks Structural Problems in Some States
"....When revenue growth declines, state
policymakers are forced to make tough choices about how to balance
their budgets. They can reduce spending, raise taxes, spend down
reserves, or rely on short-term fixes. Each of these choices has
implications for the public who rely on government programs.
If decisions about revenue and spending are not made in a thoughtful
way, the consequences can be especially severe for low-income and
other vulnerable populations who are often the hardest-hit by a
slowing economy...."
...
More
(Center on Budget and Policy Priorities)
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| Can Oppaga
truly be an independent body?
I have reviewed the work of OPPAGA over the years and am perplexed
by what seems to be a lack of true scientific methodologies when the
agency conducts performance reviews of state agencies.
As a researcher, this frightens me to know that some key decisions
will be made based upon research that is not research.
I also have to question whether OPPAGA, which is an office of the
Legislature, can truly be objective in its reports. From
information that I've gathered from former employees of OPPAGA, it
seeks input from the Legislature on projects. This is good as
the Legislature is a major stakeholder, but what concerns me is
whether or not OPPAGA reports what is rather than what wants to be
heard.
OPPAGA also claims to to seek cost savings and reports that it has
saved the state millions of tax dollars over the past 6 or so years.
Where is the money that this agency has saved? Have tax rates
decreased as a result of OPPAGA studies? Have agencies
improved efficiency and effectiveness?
This remains to be seen.
...Florida Government Insider, 8/21/01
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I have enjoyed reading and participating in the work of your
website. It presents great opportunities to define, direct and
energize ideas which could help restore and renew the public's
confidence in the workings of state and local government.
That said, I have a proposal for you. Why not use the
site and cooperating links as a means to create an internet
citizen's committee? The work of the committee would be to
identify and measure public opinion on a variety of topics. A
market research survey instrument, similar to the ones routinely
used by PIRG, would be employed to determine potential voter
interest and response to SPECIFIC issues such as environmental
policy and growth, conflict of interest and ethical standards, the
role of nolo contendere judgments in civil cases, the internet
disclosure of campaign contributions by all elected officials
whoever they may be, etc.
The political, if not clinical destination, of this initiative is to
develop a means of making public the all too private practices of
elected officials, to develop specific voter referendums and
resultant state and, potentially, federal legislation.
The motivation behind this is painfully simple. While everyone
knows the Founding Fathers were all landed developers of one kind or
another, they invented a remarkably public enterprise, defending
their creation and its ideals with their lives.
Today, their local equivalents simply exploit them--meeting after
meeting, contribution after contribution--cynically structuring
their public policies and practices around the repayment and
enrichment of themselves and their political base. Jokes about
GW as King George stopped being funny when he was governor.
Unlike 1776, modern Florida neither has the land nor the time to
repair itself. We are, I feel, in the last Great Taking of
this state. And there have been many. From Columbus to
Jackson to Flagler to Merrick and Plant, they have come. And
they are coming still. It is not all paved over yet, though
the Georgia line is now in sight.
Amidst the centuries of destruction, there is--however
thin--still hope. But to undo and otherwise right the many
wrongs that have and are still being done, the course has to be
smart and deliberate and sure. Otherwise, political reaction
will surely destroy what is left--come the next election, if not
before. WhoseFlorida.com can tangibilize that hope and be an
agent for great and positive change.
....Joel B. McEachern, 7/23
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I am interested in finding out exactly how many appointments Gov. Bush
is responsible for making. The number should include everyone from the
Secretary of State to the numerous boards and committees created to
advise and supervise everything from early childhood education to
elderly care, from environmental issues to the work force. I would
also like a comparison number of appointments made by Gov. Chiles
during his last full year in office.
The point of this exercise is two fold. First, to determine how
much "local control" the Republicans have given back to
communities. Of course, I am being facetious here. The "local
control" is in the hands of the cronies he appoints to these
positions. In addition, he has shunned the knowledgeable individuals
that have dedicated a lifetime to learning and growing in their
respective professions. Further, he (with the help of his legislative
worshipers) has succeeded in giving any reigning governor complete
control over every aspect of Florida life by being able to appoint
those who think like him/her to positions in which they can make the
same decisions that he/she would make. I have come to the conclusion
that the only time our Republican legislature is concerned about
"local control" is when they want to dodge responsibility
for their negligence, abuse and ignorance of any given issue they are
trying to "fix."
Second, I am curious as to the percentage of the population that is
now elevated by these "prestigious" gubernatorial
appointments. (Ever notice the root word there? But, I digress.) I
wonder if anyone has ever considered the term "feudalism" in
connection with current Florida politics. Webster defines the word
this way (the italics are mine); the economic and social system in
medieval Europe, (Florida) in which land, (money and power)
worked by serfs, (those of us who have to work for a living) was
held by vassals (political party donors or affiliates and corporate
bigwigs) in exchange for military and other services (what our
government is suppose to be providing in exchange for our tax dollars)
to overlords.--(Say it with me--JEB!)
Now that I have detailed why I seek this information, is there
anyone that may be able to help me find it?
..... jacque, 7/19
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| What's up at Dept of Community Affairs?
Other than Emergency Management Services (disaster relief planning),
will there be any Department left after July1, 2001?
Will there be anyone left to oversee the remains of Florida's Growth
Management Plan?
Is 2001 heralding the swan song of "Old Florida?" -
the final lap into "Land Developer's Heaven?"
How much money has St Joe / Arvida made during the JEBush
tenure?
They have 800,000 acres to develop in North Florida, and Disney
trained directors...
Will theme parks replace reality in Florida? Is Key West really in
Orlando?
... where's the outrage?, 6/7/01
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I saw an item about the Legislature voting itself a pay raise, in
connection with Service First. Not doubting it, but where's that? I
clicked on the underscored link and nothing happened. there was one
non-serious amendment by Skip Campbell that said the legislative
salary would be equal to that of a parttime legis analyst in Dept of
Education (in other words, Struhs' wife's salary, $35,000) But
except for the 2.5 percent everybody else got Nov. 1, I was unaware
of any legislative pay raise. Wudn't put it past 'em tho ... bc
 | This is the posting referred to (the link worked for us, but
the rest of the information needs to be posted once you're there -
WhoseFlorida did not find the amendment # 920804 listed):
The legislature just added a pay raise for themselves, equal to
Jeb's Advisors sister who just got the job with Department of
Education..
session-Bills Online Sunshine.htm
S466 GENERAL BILL/CS by Governmental
Oversight and Productivity; Garcia; (COSPONSORS) Sanderson;
Bronson; Sebesta SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for SB 466
Amendment No. ___ Barcode 920804 5/1/01
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Hello, WhoseFlorida:
This is Joe Humphrey at The Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. I'm
looking for any feedback regarding to 2001 budget, which eliminated
the funding for tuition waivers for state employees.
In the past two years, the state has given $9.5 million to help pay
the costs associated with educating state employees. This year, the
State University System sought that $9.5 million plus an additional
$7.7 million to cover the remaining costs of the program, which was
created in 1979.
But in the budget, approved last week, there is no money allocated
for this program. News of that has been overshadowed by the Service
First news, but I figured I would run this by you to find out what
you think. I would suspect that state employees, as a rule, are not
happy about this.
Joe Humphrey The Florida Times-Union 904-359-4619 ~ FAX 904-359-4478
jhumphrey@jacksonville.com ~/~/~
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