The Tampa Tribune from Tampa, Florida • 16

4 METRO THURSDAY, JANUARY 31. 2002 THE TAMPA TRIBUNE TBO.com ATU 7 2 I EGISL Dun Score TERRORIST ATTACKS A FACTOR IN UPSWING, USF PUNDIT SAYS Nearly half those polled think Jeb Bush's A-Plus reforms have not improved schools, while 30 percent say they made them better. BUSHES BY THE NUMBERS A Tampa Tribune-News Channels pott shows soaring statewide support for President Bush, less so for Gov. Jeb Bush, and some skepticism about the governor's policies. Gov.

Jeb Bush's job performance rating barely has changed from a year ago when 56 percent said excellent or good, and 42 percent said fair or poor. More than half those polled want to restore a Board of Regents over state universities. Fair Itftt" 27 Poor Undecided of Florida are responding positively to the governor's leadership." "It shows Floridians support his program." Gov. Bush's numbers aren't good news to his potential Democratic challengers in the November election. But they don't necessarily show a free ride for Bush, the experts said.

"The fly in the ointment for both Bushes is the economy," said University of South Florida political scientist Bill Hulbary, a specialist in polling and voter behavior. "Right now they're not being blamed for it." If there's an economic turnaround this summer, it will sustain the Bushes' ratings; if not, "it won't be nearly as rosy forthem," Hulbarysaid. On tax reform, people were asked if they back a plan "that would end state sales tax exemptions on most goods and services, but cut the state sales tax rate from 6 percent to 4.5 percent." "If it went on the ballot right now, it would lose heavily," as the 13 percent undecided "would tend to break into the opposed column," Coker said. Paulson questioned the question's fairness, saying it emphasized ending exemptions over cutting the rate. "What this tells me is we're still in the formative period on this issue," he said.

"When you talk about eliminating exemptions, people tend to look at that as a tax increase. That's the key to this issue, whether it's portrayed more effectively as tax reform or a tax increase." McKay said, "Considering the public has been exposed for weeks to lies and distortions from special interest groups, these results are fantastic." Other findings of the poll: By 49 percent to 30 percent, respondents said they don't think Gov. Bush's A-Plus education reforms have improved Florida schools. Forty-four percent said they think it will help "over the long 17 percent said it will worsen the schools; 27 percent said it will have no effect By 51 percent to 21 percent, with 28 percent undecided, respondents favored Sen. Bob Graham's proposal to re-establish the state university system Board of Regents, abolished by Bush.

Reporter William March can be reached at (813)259-7761. President Bush's job performance rating of excellent jumped 33 points in a year. Excellent moy. By WILLIAM MARCH wmarchtampatrib.com TAMPA A new poll indicates that Gov. Jeb Bush's job performance ratings have improved slighdy since last summer, a finding several experts attributed to the effects of terrorist attacks Sept.

11. The poll also suggests that Senate President John McKay will have a fight on his hands to win public approval for his tax reform plan, which is opposed by many Florida business interests. Almost half the respondents 48 percent said they opposed a plan that would end sales tax exemptions and cut the sales tax rate. McKay, a Bradenton Republican, is battling to get his plan through the Legislature and onto the November ballot He faces opposition from House GOP leaders and possibly Bush. Bush's job approval ratings of good or excellent rose a bit, but those of his brother, President Bush, skyrocketed 28 points to nearly 80 percent.

Both findings reflect a nationwide trend, experts said. "It's what pollsters call the rally-'round-the-flag factor," said University of South Florida political scientist Darryl Paulson. "Anytime there's a significant national crisis, there's a tendency to rally around the president, and other chief executives benefit" The Tampa Tribune and WFLA, News Channel 8, poll, done by Mason-Dixon Polling Research was based on telephone interviews Monday and Tuesday with 625 registered voters in Florida and is expected to have an error margin of plus or minus 4 percentage points. Respondents were asked to rate the Bush brothers' job performance as excellent, good, only fair or poor. Jeb Bush's combined excellent and good ratings had dropped to 52 percent -in July after the initial downturn in the national economy and a 2001 legislative session in which the governor pushed several controversial proposals, including abolishing the university system Board of Regents.

Almost half those polled oppose ending sales tax exemptions on most goods and services, coupled with a cut in the state sales tax. Good 72 42 37 Fair 1128 314 Poor 7 n2ooi O2002 67. Undecided 13 10 Interviewed 625 registered voters. Margin of error plus or minus 4 percentage points EYE ON CAPITAL Tax Reform Battle A poll conducted for a pro-business lobbying group concludes that more than two-thirds of Floridi-ans would oppose a sales tax on services such as haircuts, accounting and lawyers. But it came under immediate attack from Senate leaders pushing the tax reform plan, who accused Associated Industries of Florida of posing slanted questions to portray the proposal negatively.

"I'm sort of surprised they didn't get 100 percent opposed," Senate President John McKay, R-Bradenton, said after reviewing the questions used by the group. Associated Industries is a leading opponent of McKay's plan, which would eliminate hundreds of exemptions enjoyed by businesses statewide and would lower the state sales tax rate from 6 percent to 4.5 percent. McKay says it would stabilize revenue by broadening the tax base and save the average Florida household $250 a year. The business lobby's poll was conducted Sunday and Monday. Broadcasters and others fearing loss of their tax exemptions are battling the proposal, which would have to be approved by voters.

The plan is expected to win full Senate approval today but faces broad opposition intheHouse. Cancer Research Rep. Sara Romeo, D-Lutz, is promoting a constitutional amendment to ensure that dollars set aside from the state's tobacco settlement are spent on cancer and medical research. During the past year, the Lawton Chiles Endowment Fund distributed more than $7 million for medical research in Florida, including 1 million in the Bay area. The money is a frequent target for other projects.

"We need to protect these vital research and health care dollars," Romeo said Wednesday. She underwent breast cancer surgery this month and had a brain tumor removed at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in2001. Chamber Protection You might want to think twice about using the words "chamber of commerce" in your next business venture. Rep.

Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, is proposing a bill that would restrict the chamber moniker to not-for-profit organizations that comply with all U.S. Chamber of Commerce's guidelines. Gardiner presented his idea Wednesday to the House committee that oversees professional regulations. He said he is alarmed because some for-profit companies have been using the name inappropriately, collecting dues, then splitting town. A staff and wire report Tribune chart by CAITUN HOPE WRIGHT; Source: Mason-Dixon Polling Research Inc.

In this poll, the number returned to 58 percent, near his career high. The increase came largely among Democrats and independents. "That leads me to believe this is not partisan-driven. The terrorist attacks have set partisanship aside among most voters," said pollster Brad Coker of Mason-Dixon. "In the short term, the terrorist attacks have offset that slump in Gov.

Bush's ratings brought on by the slipping economy." Bush campaign manager Karen linger said the number shows "the people Democratic Legislators Targeting Unscrupulous Lending Practices vm 4f'i "7 i need money. Predatory lenders often will craft financing deals borrowers can't afford. Many borrowers go broke and lose their homes, they said. The bill would force lenders to look at a borrower's income before making high-cost loans. It also would prohibit lenders from a practice known as flipping, in which a home is refinanced with little or no benefit to the borrower.

Susan Cook of Lakeland held back tears as she told of experiences with predatory lenders. "These lenders just basically used us, abused us," she said. "It's beyond horrible." Karen Wordell-Smith, executive director of the Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers, said most mortgage brokers follow the rules and fully disclose risks and policies to their customers. She also said Florida has a better record than many states. "Not everybody is out there doing predatory lending," she said.

"We're out there to make good loans." Bendross-Mindingall said the bill isn't designed to punish fair lenders. "We intend to have an environment that is friendly to business, but that environment will also reflect the values of Floridians." Lyn Bodiford, AARP's Florida Legislature representative, said the California Assembly recently adopted a similar bill. Lawmakers are proposing similar bills in New York, North Carolina and Georgia, she said. In addition to AARP, the loan protection act is backed by the Arkansas-based Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, Florida Legal Services and the state attorney general's office. Reporter Dave Simanoff can be reachedat (813) 259-7762.

a Visit legislature.TBO.com for the latest from Tallahassee. BILL SETS SIGHTS ON PREDATORY LENDERS By DAVE SIMANOFF dsimanofftampatrib.com TALLAHASSEE Two state lawmakers, backed by AARP and a powerful lending reform group, are pushing for tougher controls on companies that lend money to people buying and refinancing homes. "In Florida, we've had abusive lending practices for some time, and it's becoming more and more intense," said Sen. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, introducing a bill called the Florida Home Loan Protection Act. "Enough is enough," said Rep.

Dorothy Bendross-Mind-ingall, D-Miami, the bill's sponsor in the House. The lawmakers said they are targeting lenders who prey on people who don't understand mortgage laws or desperately Li mf- i Tribune photo by COLIN HACKLEY Susan Cook of Lakeland tells about being a victim of predatory lending. Sen. Kendrick Meek, left, organized the news confer ence to introduce the Florida Home Loan Protection Act. Genshaft Delays Al-Arian Decision Crash Not Suicide, Pilots Family Says RELATIVES' OPINION-BASED ON TEEN'S NOTE steam that it's a case of real national importance." Genshaft said she would consult the professors association again before acting.

She and Kurland emphasized that censure, the association's most serious sanction, is far from imminent It could not be handed down until June 2003 at the earliest, Kurland said. The USF Parents Association and a USF employee council have joined groups supporting the firing. A New York Times editorial condemned USF for dishonoring "the ideals of public universities" and being "disingenuous" in saying speech is not the issue. Reporter Ben Feller can be reached 259-8285. body, there are always different views, always different pushes and pulls." Genshaft announced last month her intent to fire the tenured professor on grounds his behavior has endangered safety and disrupted the campus.

Al-Arian's suspected support for terrorism has enraged some USF backers; critics say USF is poised to chill free speech and damage itself. The American Association of University Professors urged Genshaft on Tuesday not to fire Al-Arian. Jordan Kurland, an officer of the group, said holding off could allow time for a resolution. "I tried to say it wasn't only a question of what's good for USF," Kurland said. "The case kras picked up enough Petersburg lawyer representing Bishop's family, said the teen's mother, Julia Bishop, does not believe her son committed suicide.

"I am not authorized to discuss anything related to the note," Campbell said. "I can tell you they clearly, after reading the note, do not believe it was a suicide attempt." Campbell said the family is waiting for the conclusion of investigations by a series of agencies before deciding how to respond to the characterization of the teen. The FBI, the lead agency in the investigation, declined to comment further Wednesday, and Tampa police also declined to elaborate. "We are certainly not going to make a comment about the interpretation of the family; they have the right to feel the way they do," said Tampa police spokesWoman Katie Hughes. The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the death a suicide based on information from law enforcement agencies.

The medical examiner's office was not given a copy of the note and didn't see it, said Lee Miller, associate medical examiner. Bishop's family has taken issue with police describing the high school freshman as a loner who sympathized with Osama bin Laden and supported the terrorist attacks. The teen's family, teachers and acquaintances also say he didn't show signs of depression' or give any indication he intended to eryl his life. ACADEMICS URGE HER TO RECONSIDER FIRING By BEN FELLER bfellerf tampatrib.com TAMPA University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft, getting different ad-vice at every has scrapped her deadline for a final decision on firing Sami Al-Arian. Genshaft said Wednesday she has no timetable, a step back from her comment last week that she would make a decision by Feb.

1. "I want my process to be very deliberate, and it won't end until I've exhausted all the steps I need to take," she said, "fyery time I talk to some The Associated Press TAMPA Relatives of a 15-year-old boy who stole and crashed a plane into a skyscraper Jan. 5 do not believe he committed suicide. Charles Bishop's family reached that conclusion after being given a copy of the note authorities found in the wreckage and characterized as a suicide note. The wording of the one-page note is being kept secret by Bishop's family and the FBI.

The FBI on Wednesday said the note is part of an ongoing investigation. Pamela Campbell, the St..