The Cooler

Here are the results of my quick review of the local mainstream media this morning.

A- Herald: So when you know something is unconstitutional and you do it anyway what does that make you?

How much do Florida taxpayers have a right to know about public employees?

By signing an executive order last week that requires drug testing for many current state workers and job applicants, Gov. Rick Scott is betting the public is entitled to know a lot.

Legal scholars say the governor has overreached, and that his order contradicts what many consider to be settled law regarding drug-testing of government employees.

[...]

Random drug-testing of current government workers also has been limited to those in jobs that affect public safety and to cases where a reasonable suspicion of abuse exists, according to a December 2004 federal court ruling in a case that involved Florida’s Department of Juvenile Justice.

In that case, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that the DJJ violated the Fourth Amendment in ordering random drug-testing of all the agency’s 5,000-plus employees.

Hinkle ordered the agency to stop random drug-testing and pay $150,000 to the employee who sued, Roderick Wenzel.

Wenzel, a strategic planner who had no contact with children, was fired for refusing to submit to a drug test — despite his having received positive job evaluations and prizes for his performance, such as the Florida Taxwatch Davis Productivity Award.

“It definitely should have been settled,’’ Wenzel said last week after hearing of the governor’s order reinstating the policy. “I take it this is either Rick Scott’s lack of respect for public employees, or he’s ignorant of the law.’’

B- Herald: Video, construction on Biscayne Boulevard is killing business.

C- Sun-Sentinel: Video, Centennial celebration.

D- CBS4: Definitely put a damper on the party.

MIAMI BEACH – (CBSMIami.com) – A man swimming in the pool Sunday at the Clevelander Hotel disappeared beneath the surface and drowned, despite the efforts of people at poolside to save him.

E- CBS4: Thank goodness Miami Police weren't around because they probably would have shot the perps.

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – A woman and her son were hospitalized Sunday night after they were hit by gunfire trying the leave their Miami apartment building. Police say they were unintended victims, and believe the gunshots were meant for someone else.

The shooting happened Sunday night in the Town Park apartment complex, at 1700 block of NW 5th Avenue in Miami.

F- WPLG: Viewer's Top 10 Places to Eat in South Florida will make foodies blanch.

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