Florida Democratic News

Legislation to Assist Military Families Passes Senate Unanimously

2010-03-30T23:09:00.000-07:00

From the Senate Dems:

Senate Bill 644 creating the Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Program, passed unanimously off the Senate Floor today. Sponsored by Senator Charlie Justice (D-St. Petersburg), the bill will provide much needed financial assistance to struggling military families by utilizing private donations. Currently, active duty soldiers in Florida’s National Guard cannot accept financial assistance due to federal regulations.

“This is an important bill that will immediately provide some relief for our military families who are struggling through this tough economy,” Senator Justice said. “There are funds available. This bill will allow us to access this money for its intended purpose.”

According to the Department of Military Affairs, there is close to $300,000 of private donations ready to be disbursed. The funds will go to help families of Florida National Guardsmen serving on active duty with living expenses.

“This is a small tweak to current law that will have a huge impact for families that are already making big sacrifices to protect our freedom,” Senator Justice said. “Thank you to the Florida Senate for supporting our troops.”

Worlds Apart

2010-03-30T22:38:00.000-07:00

From Loranne Ausley via FDP:

When it comes to public education, supporting our kids and those who teach them; John Thrasher, Jeff Atwater and I are worlds apart.

Their bill, SB 6, is a disturbing attempt to punish good teachers while pretending to stand for accountability -- a fraudulent and reckless act that will devastate our schools and this state.

Since Karen emailed you just a few days ago, thousands of Floridians have contacted their offices and told them: enough is enough!

But even though they received thousands of emails asking them to drop it within hours of their first hearing on the bill -- they are still trying to move forward.

Join me in contacting their offices and tell them that enough is enough! Go to the Florida Democratic Party website to contact Sen. John Thrasher and Sen. Jeff Atwater and tell them to drop this ridiculous power grab now.

We need your help not because of politics, but because this is just bad legislation that will devastate the schools across our state.

Here are just a few examples of what this bill does:

Removes Local Accountability. SB 6 says "political appointees in Tallahassee know best" and removes discretion from principals and locally elected school boards by setting arbitrary standards and policies that punish teachers and kids.
Forces Increases in Local Taxes. Local school districts that choose to allow principals to evaluate teachers will have state funding stripped - forcing a mandatory increase in local taxes to pay for massive reductions in funding for local public schools.
Punishes Good Teachers. The Atwater/Thrasher plan devalues real classroom experience, advanced training (like National Board Certification) and skill building by dedicated educators, making it illegal to evaluate teachers based on how long they have served as an effective teacher or even their experience as an educator.
Punishes Disadvantaged Children. Perhaps the cruelest element of their plan actually encourages teachers to give up on "difficult" or "challenging" children. Under the Atwater/Thrasher bill, teachers who teach "troubled kids" - those kids most likely to have the lowest test scores - are much more likely to face massive pay cuts or be forced out of teaching altogether. Therefore, many teachers will have no choice but to try to have the most challenging kids moved out of their classroom.

This is the kind of power grab and dangerous legislation that will devastate our schools in every community of this state.

Enough is enough! Let Jeff Atwater and John Thrasher know that we need to stop this ridiculous bill now.

As I campaign across Florida, I have been repeatedly asked, "How are you different than Jeff Atwater?" This bill is a perfect example.

When it comes to true accountability in our schools, I believe that local communities, our school boards, and our principals know best.

When it comes to experience and a life-long dedication to teaching, we should be doing everything we can to encourage good teachers to stay in the classroom and not simply slap teachers in the face in order to score some cheap political points.

When it comes to where we spend your tax dollars, I believe we should be making sound long term investments in our future by investing in our public schools, not legislating them into failure.

And, most importantly, when it comes to children who are disadvantaged, we should support every effort to keep these kids in a positive learning environment and not encourage teachers to push them out of classroom.

Join me in contacting Jeff Atwater and John Thrasher and let them know that we need Tallahassee to focus on real reforms to improve our state's public schools by empowering those on the front lines to do what is best for Florida's children.

Thank you for all your help in calling attention to this legislation, and thank you for joining Karen, me, and thousands of Floridians standing up for Florida's children.

Sincerely,

Loranne Ausley

Link

Now Is Not The Time To Secede From Federal Health Care Reform---House Republicans Promote A Bill To Cut Access To Health Care

2010-03-30T22:34:00.000-07:00

Two of five Floridians have inadequate access to basic health care;

· 24 Percent of Floridians are uninsured;

· 8 million Floridians are medically disenfranchised;

· Every Florida county is considered medically underserved.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- In an outrageous display of partisanship and insensitivity to the needs of working families, Florida House Republicans will showcase today their latest frivolous attempt to block federal efforts to provide medical coverage to tens of millions of uninsured working families and senior citizens.

Only hours ago, members of Congress approved a far-reaching overhaul of the nation’s health system. Sunday’s health-care vote is being hailed by many healthcare experts and political leaders as a historic advance in social justice, comparable to the establishment of Social Security and Medicare. The legislation is projected to put pressure on rising health care costs and rein in federal budget deficits.

This afternoon, Florida House Republicans in Tallahassee will promote HJR37, a proposed constitutional amendment to secede from federal efforts to reform the nation’s health care system. Seriously deceptive and flawed in its design, the unconstitutional Republican legislation sets the groundwork for any number of future efforts to cut senior citizens access to health care.

“House Republican leaders are once again siding with special interests and trying to kill major health care reforms approved by Congress,” said House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands. “Floridians will reject any attempt to destroy important federal health programs like Medicare, Social Security, and the changes passed by Congress this week. The Republicans’ scare tactics have failed before and their scare tactics will fail again.”

Floridians will embrace the federal health care reforms when they realize the effects, some of which will occur this year. Health insurers, for example, would not be able to deny coverage to children with medical problems or suddenly drop coverage for people who become ill. Insurers must allow children to stay on their parents’ policies until they turn 26. Small businesses could obtain tax credits to help them buy insurance for workers.

For more information about how the federal health care reform legislation will affect you, consider visiting this link to The New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/03/21/us/health-care-reform.html

According to Organizing For America, a grassroots effort of the Democratic National Committee, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Reconciliation Act of 2010, which are expected to be signed into law by President Obama on Tuesday, will offer immediate benefits to millions of Americans through key provisions, including these:

1. SMALL BUSINESS TAX CREDITS -- Offers tax credits to small businesses to make employee coverage more affordable. Tax credits of up to 35 percent of premiums will be immediately available to firms that choose to offer coverage. Effective beginning for calendar year 2010. (Beginning in 2014, the small business tax credits will cover 50 percent of premiums.)

2. BEGINS TO CLOSE THE MEDICARE PART D DONUT HOLE-Provides a $250 rebate to Medicare beneficiaries who hit the donut hole in 2010. Effective for calendar year 2010. (Beginning in 2011, institutes a 50% discount on brand-name drugs in the donut hole; also completely closes the donut hole by 2020.)

3. FREE PREVENTIVE CARE UNDER MEDICARE-Eliminates copayments for preventive services and exempts preventive services from deductibles under the Medicare program. Effective beginning January 1, 2011.

4. HELP FOR EARLY RETIREES-Creates a temporary insurance program (until the Exchanges are available) to help offset the costs of expensive premiums for employers and retirees for health benefits for retirees age 55to 64. Effective 90 days after enactment.

5. ENDS RESCISSIONS-Bans insurance companies from dropping people from coverage when they get sick. Effective 6 months after enactment.

6. NO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST CHILDREN WITH PRE EXISTING CONDITIONS-Prohibits new health plans in all markets plus grandfathered group health plans from denying coverage to children with preexisting conditions. Effective 6 months after enactment. (Beginning in 2014, this prohibition would apply to all persons.)

7. BANS LIFETIME LIMITS ON COVERAGE-Prohibits health insurance companies from placing lifetime caps on coverage. Effective 6 months after enactment.

8. BANS RESTRICTIVE ANNUAL LIMITS ON COVERAGE-Tightly restricts the use of annual limits to ensure access to needed care in all new plans and grandfathered group health plans. These tight restrictions will be defined by HHS. Effective 6 months after enactment. (Beginning in 2014, the use of any annual limits would be prohibited for all new plans and grandfathered group health plans.)

9. FREE PREVENTIVE CARE UNDER NEW PRIVATE PLANS-Requires new private plans to cover preventive services with no copayments and with preventive services being exempt from deductibles. Effective 6 months after enactment.

10. NEW, INDEPENDENT APPEALS PROCESS-Ensures consumers in new plans have access to an effective internal and external appeals process to appeal decisions by their health insurance plan. Effective 6 months after enactment.

11. ENSURING VALUE FOR PREMIUM PAYMENTS-Requires plans in the individual and small group market to spend 80 percent of premium dollars on medical services, and plans in the large group market to spend 85 percent. Insurers that do not meet these thresholds must provide rebates to policyholders. Effective on January 1, 2011.

12. IMMEDIATE HELP FOR THE UNINSURED UNTIL EXCHANGE IS AVAILABLE (INTERIM HIGH RISK POOL)-Provides immediate access to affordable insurance for Americans who are uninsured because of a preexisting condition through a temporary subsidized high risk pool. Effective 90 days after enactment.

13. EXTENDS COVERAGE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE UP TO 26TH BIRTHDAY THROUGH PARENTS' INSURANCE - Requires new health plans and certain grandfathered plans to allow young people up to their 26th birthday to remain on their parents' insurance policy, at the parents' choice. Effective 6 months after enactment.

14. COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS-Increases funding for Community Health Centers to allow for nearly a doubling of the number of patients seen by the centers over the next 5 years. Effective beginning in fiscal year 2010.

15. INCREASING NUMBER OF PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS-Provides new investment in training programs to increase the number of primary care doctors, nurses, and public health professionals. Effective beginning in fiscal year 2010.

16. PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SALARY-Prohibits group health plans from establishing any eligibility rules for health care coverage that have the effect of discriminating in favor of higher wage employees. Effective 6 months after enactment.

17. HEALTH INSURANCE CONSUMER INFORMATION-Provides aid to states in establishing offices of health insurance consumer assistance in order to help individuals with the filing of complaints and appeals. Effective beginning in FY 2010.

18. CREATES NEW, VOLUNTARY, PUBLIC LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE PROGRAM-Creates a long term care insurance program to be financed by voluntary payroll deductions to provide home and community-based services to adults who become functionally disabled. Effective on January 1, 2011.

From the Blogs

2010-03-28T16:39:00.001-07:00

The latest stories from the Florida blogs (and beyond) about Florida Democrats.

Saint Petersblog: Does Al Lawson deserve credit for Allen Boyd's vote on Health Care Reform?

Saint Petersblog: Rep. Janet Long's bill to boost tax haul for rooms booked online meets stiff resistance

The Reid Report: Alex Sink’s got a business plan for Florida … Bill McCollum: not so much

Progress Florida: Representative Suzanne Kosmas: Listen to us, not the insurance companies

The Reid Report: In case you missed it: the Alan Grayson comedy hour, ‘Wild Alaskan dingbat’ edition

Pensito Review: Grayson: ‘Palin is a Chillbilly and the Smartest Leader from the GOP since George W. Bush’

litbrit: Your Monday motivation: Bend it like Grayson

Saint Petersblog: Lori Edwards, but not Charlie Justice, make DCCC's "Red to Blue" program

Saint Petersblog: PolitiFact rules "True" on Justice's statement about the GOP-controlled legislature raising taxes

Pensito Review: Poll Shows “Most Vulnerable” Democrat is Popular with Republicans

Eye on Miami: White Guy is Running for the Meek Seat in Congress

Saint Petersblog: Does Dave Aronberg really want to be Charlie Crist's rockstar anymore?

Bilerico Project Florida: Florida Lawmaker Introduces "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repeal Measure

Equality Florida: EQFL Joins Rep. Kriseman in his call to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

The Campaign Manager: Lawyer to Lawyer Letter from Sandy D'Alemberte

The Reid Report: Wasserman-Schultz, DNC blast Florida Republican Party, call for special prosecutor

Clean Up City of St. Augustine Florida: Folio Weekly: Backpage Editorial by Faye Armitage -- "SAVING ST. AUGUSTINE"

FLA Politics: Bill Nelson: Friend to Spammers

The Reid Report: Latest Herald column: ‘yawn of a new era’

Eye on Miami: Alex Sink: won't swim in the deep end of the pool

Rep. Alan Grayson: Vote Now on the Public Option

2010-03-28T13:10:00.000-07:00

Kendrick Meek's Statement on Today's Unemployment Rate Announcement

2010-03-26T07:31:00.000-07:00

Miami Gardens, Fla. - U.S. Democratic Senate Candidate Kendrick Meek responded to today's announcement by the Florida Agency of Workforce Innovation that Florida's seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate rose to 12.2 percent in February.

"Floridians don't need monthly unemployment figures to know that our state is hurting. Compared to other states, we are leaders in unemployment and laggards in deploying critical Recovery Act dollars meant for our communities. Other states are beginning their economic recovery, but Florida is lagging behind. The status quo is not working for Floridians and I am working to bring new, long term jobs to Florida," said Kendrick Meek, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.

Thurman Applauds Democrats for Passing Health Insurance Reform

2010-03-22T19:26:00.000-07:00

Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman today released the following statement following the historic vote by the U.S. House of Representatives to pass comprehensive health insurance reform.

"Today we made history. President Obama and Democrats in Congress achieved what Presidents since Teddy Roosevelt have attempted - to pass comprehensive health insurance reform to help the American people. This is a victory for all Floridians. With this landmark legislation, we will have a health care system that works for Floridians, not insurance companies.

"Health insurance reform will provide unprecedented protections for every American consumer and will put health care decisions back into the hands of families, not insurance companies. American families will feel the impact of this legislation immediately. Insurance companies will no longer be permitted to deny coverage to children and adults due to a pre-existing condition. Insurance companies will no longer be permitted to kick students off of their parent's health insurance when they reach the age of 26. And insurance companies will no longer be permitted to drop insurance for hard-working people all across the country because they get sick.

"This legislation is the single greatest deficit reduction package since President Clinton's 1993 budget, which ushered in an era of budget surpluses and economic growth. It will reduce the deficit by over a trillion dollars in the next twenty years and put us back on a path to fiscal responsibility, all while providing coverage to 95 percent of all Americans.

"Today, Floridians thank President Obama and Democrats for their strong leadership, commitment to the middle class and continued work to make America a better place. This reform will better the lives of millions of Americans, and for that Democrats should be commended."

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Reconciliation Act of 2010, which are expected to be signed into law by President Obama within days, will offer immediate benefits to millions of Americans through key provisions including:

1. SMALL BUSINESS TAX CREDITS-Offers tax credits to small businesses to make employee coverage more affordable. Tax credits of up to 35 percent of premiums will be immediately available to firms that choose to offer coverage. Effective beginning for calendar year 2010. (Beginning in 2014, the small business tax credits will cover 50 percent of premiums.)

2. BEGINS TO CLOSE THE MEDICARE PART D DONUT HOLE-Provides a $250 rebate to Medicare beneficiaries who hit the donut hole in 2010. Effective for calendar year 2010. (Beginning in 2011, institutes a 50% discount on brandâ€name drugs in the donut hole; also completely closes the donut hole by 2020.)

3. FREE PREVENTIVE CARE UNDER MEDICARE-Eliminates coâ€payments for preventive services and exempts preventive services from deductibles under the Medicare program. Effective beginning January 1, 2011.

4. HELP FOR EARLY RETIREES-Creates a temporary reâ€insurance program (until the Exchanges are available) to help offset the costs of expensive premiums for employers and retirees for health benefits for retirees age 55â€64. Effective 90 days after enactment.

5. ENDS RESCISSIONS-Bans insurance companies from dropping people from coverage when they get sick. Effective 6 months after enactment.

6. NO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST CHILDREN WITH PREâ€EXISTING CONDITIONS-Prohibits new health plans in all markets plus grandfathered group health plans from denying coverage to children with preâ€existing conditions. Effective 6 months after enactment. (Beginning in 2014, this prohibition would apply to all persons.)

7. BANS LIFETIME LIMITS ON COVERAGE-Prohibits health insurance companies from placing lifetime caps on coverage. Effective 6 months after enactment.

8. BANS RESTRICTIVE ANNUAL LIMITS ON COVERAGE-Tightly restricts the use of annual limits to ensure access to needed care in all new plans and grandfathered group health plans. These tight restrictions will be defined by HHS. Effective 6 months after enactment. (Beginning in 2014, the use of any annual limits would be prohibited for all new plans and grandfathered group health plans.)

9. FREE PREVENTIVE CARE UNDER NEW PRIVATE PLANS-Requires new private plans to cover preventive services with no coâ€payments and with preventive services being exempt from deductibles. Effective 6 months after enactment.

10. NEW, INDEPENDENT APPEALS PROCESS-Ensures consumers in new plans have access to an effective internal and external appeals process to appeal decisions by their health insurance plan. Effective 6 months after enactment.

11. ENSURING VALUE FOR PREMIUM PAYMENTS-Requires plans in the individual and small group market to spend 80 percent of premium dollars on medical services, and plans in the large group market to spend 85 percent. Insurers that do not meet these thresholds must provide rebates to policyholders. Effective on January 1, 2011.

12. IMMEDIATE HELP FOR THE UNINSURED UNTIL EXCHANGE IS AVAILABLE (INTERIM HIGHâ€RISK POOL)-Provides immediate access to affordable insurance for Americans who are uninsured because of a preâ€existing condition â€ through a temporary subsidized highâ€risk pool. Effective 90 days after enactment.

13. EXTENDS COVERAGE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE UP TO 26TH BIRTHDAY THROUGH PARENTS' INSURANCE - Requires new health plans and certain grandfathered plans to allow young people up to their 26th birthday to remain on their parents' insurance policy, at the parents' choice. Effective 6 months after enactment.

14. COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS-Increases funding for Community Health Centers to allow for nearly a doubling of the number of patients seen by the centers over the next 5 years. Effective beginning in fiscal year 2010.

15. INCREASING NUMBER OF PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS-Provides new investment in training programs to increase the number of primary care doctors, nurses, and public health professionals. Effective beginning in fiscal year 2010.

16. PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SALARY-Prohibits group health plans from establishing any eligibility rules for health care coverage that have the effect of discriminating in favor of higher wage employees. Effective 6 months after enactment.

17. HEALTH INSURANCE CONSUMER INFORMATION-Provides aid to states in establishing offices of health insurance consumer assistance in order to help individuals with the filing of complaints and appeals. Effective beginning in FY 2010.

18. CREATES NEW, VOLUNTARY, PUBLIC LONGâ€TERM CARE INSURANCE PROGRAM-Creates a longâ€term care insurance program to be financed by voluntary payroll deductions to provide home and community-based services to adults who become functionally disabled. Effective on January 1, 2011.

Kendrick Meek's Statement on Tonight's Health Insurance Reform Vote

2010-03-21T19:52:00.000-07:00

U.S. Senate candidate Kendrick Meek released the following statement regarding tonight's vote on health insurance reform.

"The journey we took was long and complicated, but the hours of debate and numerous town hall meetings allowed us to arrive at this historic moment.

"Speaker Rubio, just like the Republican leadership in Washington, embraces a strategy of 'No,' an approach of delay tactics and denials of the healthcare crisis that is affecting millions of Floridians. He has sworn to do everything he can to repeal health insurance reform. That means we could lose our best chance to prevent insurance companies from denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions and to close the Medicare prescription drug coverage 'donut hole.'

"Governor Crist isn't any better. He's against the current plan and his 'Cover Florida' alternative - the statewide initiative that claims to offer low-cost insurance - signed up fewer Floridians in its first five months than the number of people who lose their insurance every week in our state. That's not reform.

"We've waited for too long and have started over too often - now is a moment for action to stand on the right side of history," said Kendrick Meek, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.

WE DID IT! Blue Dog Boyd flips position on Health Care Reform

2010-03-21T06:43:00.000-07:00

From Al Lawson:

I have good news to report. Late yesterday, Blue Dog Allen Boyd flipped his position on Health Care Reform and will now support the bill. This is great news, not only for the people of North Florida but for the country.

Last week, I asked you to sign our petition telling Boyd that we expected him to vote for real health care reform, and you responded. Hundreds of supporters signed our petition, and Allen Boyd heard our message loud and clear. News reports are already tying Boyd’s decision to our efforts. (HERE and HERE)

WE DID IT! To those who made your voices heard, I extend a sincere “Thank You.”

Our Blue Dog Obedience School was a huge success, but I don’t deserve the credit – you do. I simply hosted a website; it was your activism that forced Allen Boyd to abandon his special interest friends in the insurance and health care industries and instead vote for the people of his district. You deserve the credit!

But this is not over! Local Tea Party groups have pledged to keep fighting against health care reform. In an emergency email late last night, Tea Party organizers called for their members to keep calling Boyd to get him to switch his vote back again. For this reason, we must continue our petition drive so we can present Boyd with the results by tomorrow. We cannot allow our Blue Dog to stray.

Please visit BlueDogSchool.com and sign the petition for Health Care Reform. The anti-reform forces are not letting up and neither should we. The issue of health care is too important. Blue Dog Boyd has voted against us before; we must make sure he doesn’t do it again. Please sign our petition so we can keep Blue Dog Boyd on a short leash.

Sincerely,
Al

P.S. – After you sign our petition at BlueDogSchool.com, please FORWARD this message to at least five friends. Blue Dog Allen Boyd needs to hear from you and all those who support Health Care Reform!

Statement by Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson on Education Vote

2010-03-21T06:42:00.000-07:00

Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson (D-Tallahassee) on Friday issued the following statement following the unanimous vote by Senate Democrats rejecting Senate Bill 06:

“On Friday, the Democratic members of the Senate Policy and Steering Committee on Ways and Means soundly and unanimously voted to reject legislation which threatens to further undermine public education in Florida.

“This bill was not inclusive, in fact, it excluded the very stake holders it targets. Teachers on the front lines were not consulted on legislation which turns upside down their ability to teach and be recognized as professionals.

“You can’t have it both ways. You can’t cite from a report touting Florida’s advancement in testing standards, but exclude the failures in other educational areas the report also notes.

“If Florida has truly advanced to a higher standard in educational accountability, it is the teachers who deserve the bulk of the credit. Despite the onslaught of cuts leveled by the Republican leadership each year, they’ve managed to do more with less, often reaching into their own pockets to pay for children’s needed school supplies.

“Passage of this bill without allowing them any input just adds insult to injury. I sincerely hope that the Republican leadership, along with Senator John Thrasher, heed their voices and incorporate the recommendations of those who are up close and personal on a daily basis with Florida’s school children.

“We urge them to keep their promise of an open door before delivering yet another crushing blow to one of our most dedicated and committed group of professionals in Florida.”

House Bill 1493 -- Career Offenders legislation by Rep. Janet Cruz

2010-03-21T06:41:00.000-07:00

Representative Janet Cruz’s (D-Tampa) first bill, HB 1493 (Career Offenders), which will make it a crime to assist a career offender elude law enforcement, will get its first hearing on Monday, March 22.

To mark the occasion, Representative Cruz will hold a press conference at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, March 22, 2010, in the Fourth floor Rotunda of the Capitol in front of the House Chamber. Representative Cruz will be joined by law enforcement officers who have expressed support for the proposed legislation.

“As your State Representative and voice in Tallahassee, I am committed to making our community safer,” said Representative Cruz. “Career offenders and those who choose to aid them in eluding law enforcement officers will be held accountable for their actions.”

The bill would make it a misdemeanor for anyone who has reason to believe that a career offender is not complying with the Career Offender Registration Act and assists a career offender elude law enforcement by withholding information about the offender’s whereabouts; harboring and/or assisting another person harbor the offender; and/or providing false information about the offender’s whereabouts. HB 1493 has gained the support of law enforcement leaders throughout the state as well as from Representative Cruz’s home district in Tampa.

"As most are aware, a small percentage of criminals commit the majority of crime in our community. This enhancement to the Career Offender Bill would provide police officers with another avenue to control those prolific criminals who prey on our citizens every day," said Chief Jane Castor of the Tampa Police Department

A companion bill (SB 2750) has been filed by Senator Charles Dean (R-Inverness). House Bill 1493 was originally filed by former State Representative Michael Scionti in 2009. It was passed by the House but died before a vote could be taken in the Senate at the end of the 2009 legislative session.

Perspective on the State Budget -- Regarding House Appropriations Proposals

2010-03-21T06:40:00.000-07:00

From the House Dems:

This morning, the House Appropriations Council published a series of budget bills that deserve significant public review to ensure that they are truly reflective of the priorities of Floridians.

Florida House Democratic Caucus members are confident that Floridians want a state spending plan that doesn’t raise taxes and fees on working families and small businesses. We believe Floridians want economic growth, job creation and a budget that protects public education, vital health care programs and other essential state services.

At first glance, the House Republican leadership appears to be offering a budget in contrast to the one submitted by Governor Charlie Crist. The preliminary House recommendation drains trust funds, fails to increase state spending on education but substantially increases the tuition that students and parents pay for college and university costs. It makes cuts in key healthcare programs, doesn’t restart the Florida Forever environmental program, and makes other risky decisions.

Florida House Democrats are listening to the people. We know that most families can’t afford to pay higher taxes. That’s why we think it is crucial that the Fiscal Year 2010-11 state budget is fiscally responsible; attacks waste, fraud and abuse; makes good use of available federal stimulus funds; and avoids cuts that could have long-term negative cost consequences for taxpayers.

After being solidly in charge of Florida government for 12 years, Republicans have left our state in a deep fiscal mess. They made the wrong choices for Floridians last year. They raised taxes and fees on small businesses and the middle class. They made irresponsible budget cuts. And they raided trust funds dedicated to important public causes, such as children’s health and conservation land purchases. This year, we are hoping that the majority party fashions a better state budget for Florida’s families and businesses.

The remainder of this document highlights several items we have identified in the House budget proposals released today that will be closely reviewed by Florida House Democratic Caucus members in the remainder of the 2010 legislative session.

Additionally, because your impressions matter and because you deserve to be heard by elected officials, we are providing the following web site link to take you to various 2010 appropriations documents provided by the Florida House of Representatives.

http://tinyurl.com/y9a7xd3

The following are among the items of concern in the preliminary House budget bills:

PREK – 12 EDUCATION:
· Raids $58 million from voluntary Prekindergarten and shifts those dollars to K-12 funding.

· Per-Student Funding Cut. The FEFP (Florida Education Finance Program) would see a $31 per student cut from the current $6,866 per student funding level.

STATE UNIVERSITIES AND PRIVATE COLLEGES:
· Tuition Hike of up to 15 percent. The budget calls for an 8-percent increase in all colleges and universities statewide, and an additional 7-percent hike where approved by university oversight boards.

HEALTH CARE:
· Cuts $309 million in payments to health care providers at nursing homes, hospitals, pharmacies, and other medical clinics.

· Cuts by nearly half the “independent living” monthly stipend for Florida’s foster-care youth from about $1,300 a month to $675/month.

· Cuts health education programs by $9.7 million.

· Eliminates health benefits for certain pregnant women in families just above the federal poverty level.

· Cuts $4.7 million from “Healthy Start” programs that support pregnant women and babies.

ENVIRONMENT:
· Fails to restart Florida Forever and Everglades Restoration. By contrast, Governor Crist recommends $50 million to Florida Forever, and $50 million for Everglades restoration.

TRANSPORTATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
· Cuts $21 million from public libraries.

· State transportation work program cuts.

· Reduces funding for affordable housing programs.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE:
· Cuts $2 million from public defenders.

· Cuts $1 million from state attorneys.

· Reduces funding for community intervention programs run by the Department of Juvenile Justice.

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS:
· Eliminates funding for the Office of Supplier Diversity, the Commission on Disabilities, and the Office of Government Efficiency.

· Cuts to state worker salaries and retiree benefits.

Thurman Applauds President Obama's Signing of Jobs Bill

2010-03-21T06:30:00.000-07:00

Earlier today, President Obama signed the HIRE Act, a jobs bill that will encourage businesses to hire workers, provides tax breaks for companies investing in their future, and helps get Americans back to work. In response to the President's signing of this groundbreaking legislation, Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman released the following statement:

"Today, Floridians are thanking President Obama for signing the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act into law. This legislation builds on the investments made by the President's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which is credited with funding up to 2 million jobs in the last year and bringing our economy back from the brink of collapse. At this critical time when our economy is just starting to turn around but too many Americans are still looking for work, this bill creates added incentives for businesses to create jobs and grow their operations. A strong private sector is critical to economic growth and is the engine of job creation in our country.

"The HIRE Act forgives payroll taxes for businesses hiring folks who have been out of work, encourages small businesses to invest in their future and towns in schools and clean energy, and maintains critical infrastructure investments.

"This bill is one of several job-creating measures Democrats are working to pass this year. While some Republicans broke ranks with their party and joined Democrats in supporting this commonsense legislation, we call on Republican leaders to stop their obstruction and work with Democratic leaders to help the middle class and get our economy back on track."

The HIRE Act:

1. Forgives payroll taxes on new employees hired by businesses by the end of the year in cases where the employee has been out of work for at least the past two months.

2. Allows small businesses to write off investments in equipment this year.

3. Reforms municipal bonds in a way that encourages investments in schools and clean energy.

4. Maintains investments in construction projects throughout the spring and summer.

Senator Tony Hill Files Legislation Recognizing Academic Excellence

2010-03-21T06:17:00.001-07:00

An annual event that’s been characterized by some as “the most celebrated event in the life of a high school athlete” may get some competition if the Legislature signs off on a measure sponsored by Senator Anthony Hill (D-Jacksonville) and Representative Betty Reed (D-Tampa).

Dubbed the District School Board Policies and Procedures legislation, SB 206/HB 55 encourages district school boards to recognize academic ability as much as athletic prowess. Under the measure, the third Tuesday in April each year would be designated as “Academic Scholarship Signing Day.”

“We value academics in Florida like we do sports,” said Sen. Hill. “This bill is the perfect vehicle to recognize those students who excel in academics. In other words, this is their day.”

Currently, Florida law does not require or encourage school districts to conduct “Academic Scholarship Signing Day” assemblies or activities that recognize academic success. If passed, SB 206/HB55 will allow school districts to recognize high school seniors who have been awarded postsecondary academic scholarships and authorize assemblies or other events for this purpose. Additionally, students may sign actual or ceremonial documents signifying acceptance of the scholarship.

The “Academic Scholarship Signing Day” is modeled after the “letter of intent” signing activities conducted by many U.S. high schools to celebrate a student athlete’s acceptance of a college athletic scholarship. The purpose of Academic Scholarship Signing Day is to recognize academic achievement with similar fanfare.

“Recognizing our student athletes is always a great thing to do,” said Rep. Reed. “However, I feel that we should also recognize our best and our brightest students for their academic success. Wouldn’t it be a grand idea to hold a press conference or some type of celebration announcing a student’s acceptance of an ACADEMIC scholarship to study Economics?"

Tallahassee's devious schemes

2010-03-21T06:14:00.000-07:00

From FDP:

This week, State Senator John Thrasher, who recently became the Republican Party Chairman, and Republican Senate President Jeff Atwater are trying to push a Tallahassee power grab through the Legislature on education designed to bully teachers and schools into doing what these politicians want.

This isn't a political issue to me. Before I ever ran for office I taught Math at Dunnellon Middle School. I decided to get involved in government and run for office thanks in part to my students who encouraged me to do it.

So, when Sen. Thrasher, Sen. Atwater, and the Republican leadership moved to erode local control of our schools, bully teachers, and raise property taxes all in one bill - I can't stay quiet.

I know firsthand that Tallahassee politicians bullying teachers and threatening education professionals will do nothing to improve Florida's public schools or increase opportunity for Florida's children.

Enough is enough! Please go to the Florida Democratic Party website to contact Sen. John Thrasher and Sen. Jeff Atwater and tell them to drop this ridiculous power grab now.

Rather than looking for real reforms to improve our state's public schools by empowering those teachers in the classrooms and education professionals on the front lines to do what is best for Florida's children, Sen. Thrasher and the other Republican politicians in Tallahassee have chosen a power grab through unfunded mandates.

If that weren't enough, this bill will likely raise property taxes on Florida's small businesses and middle-class families, who are already hurting in these hard economic times from Republican politicians raising taxes and fees by $2 billion last year.

For years, Republicans have crafted 'devious schemes' as Jeb Bush once called it to undermine Florida's public schools. Thrasher's legislation is just another one of these schemes by Republican politicians, which is why I am saying: enough is enough!

We need to work together to stop this bill. Join me in contacting Sen. John Thrasher and Sen. Jeff Atwater and tell them to drop this ridiculous power grab, right now.

Thank you for making a stand and contacting Sen. Thrasher and Sen. Atwater. Every person who stands up could make the difference in protecting our schools from their power grab.

Sincerely,

Karen Thurman

Link

Florida House Democratic Caucus Members Offer More Ideas To Restore The Public Trust

2010-03-21T06:13:00.001-07:00

A dozen proposals to create greater transparency and more citizen involvement in the political process and to end the Republican culture of corruption in Tallahassee were presented today by members of the Florida House Democratic Caucus.

The amendments sought to help regain the public’s trust in elected officials and the Florida Legislature. Ruling-party House Republicans refused the proposals and, instead, voted to revive legislative leadership slush funds that have been outlawed for two decades.

“Unfortunately, too many people don’t trust government because the campaign finance laws at the state level are a joke,” said Representative Scott Randolph, D-Orlando. “Right now, you can drive a Mack truck through the campaign finance laws.”

Amendments to House Bill 1207 backed by Florida House Democrats aimed to put real teeth in campaign finance laws by, among other things, imposing limits on contributions to secretive political committees.

Representative Keith Fitzgerald (D-Sarasota) offered an amendment that would have demanded greater accounting and reporting of political committees’ spending, such as the now-secretive credit card transactions of the Republican Party of Florida. “This proposal would benefit the people because they will regain trust in us (lawmakers) and the legislative process,” said Representative Fitzgerald.

Representative Janet Long (D-St. Petersburg) offered an amendment that would have merely required groups making telephone calls for electioneering purposes to identify themselves to callers.

Representative Richard Steinberg (D-Miami Beach) proposed prohibiting any person or organization from giving elected officials a gift based on their contribution to certain campaign funds. “People don’t have trust in the system if they believe we are getting rich or taking money by the votes we are taking,” said Representative Steinberg.

Florida House Democratic Caucus members filed 14 amendments to HB 1207, two of which were withdrawn, with the remaining 12 discussed briefly today on the floor of the Florida House of Representatives.

To review all the amendments offered by Florida House Democratic Caucus members, and to see how your lawmakers’ voted, you are encouraged to visit this page of the Legislature’s web site:

http://tinyurl.com/ydyqr8v

Senator Dave Aronberg Seeks Details on Convergys Sale

2010-03-21T06:12:00.001-07:00

Concerned by the recent news that the private American-based company responsible for handling Florida’s most sensitive employee data has been sold to a foreign firm, state Senator Dave Aronberg (D-Greenacres) has made inquiries to State and company officials to better understand just who knew what and when.

“I have reservations about this entire deal,” said Sen. Aronberg. “Did the company or agency know about the pending deal when they renegotiated the contract’s renewal? Did the selling price hinge in any way on Florida's signature on the dotted line?”

At issue is the recent announcement that Convergys’ human resources division has been sold to British-based NorthgateArinso. The news comes just three months after the company inked a 5-year, $248 million contract extension with the state of Florida to continue operating the state’s personnel service known as “People First.”

The deal could be problematic since Convergys handles some of the most sensitive personnel data under a human resources outsourcing contract first struck in 2002. Despite contractual language mandating that all personnel services be done in Florida, the extension signed with Convergys in December could mean that private data on all state employees, including law enforcement and others with restricted access to personal information, would be handed off to a foreign firm as part of the sale, the Senator noted.

In letters sent Tuesday to Department of Management Services Secretary Linda South, and Convergys President and CEO Jeff Fox, Aronberg, who is vice chairman of the Senate Policy and Steering Committee on Governmental Operations, asked pointed questions about the timing of the contract renewal and the subsequent sale.

He is also scheduled to meet with DMS officials on Thursday to follow up on the controversial issue.

“When did your agency become aware of the impending sale of Convergys’ HR unit to NorthgateArinso?” wrote Aronberg to DMS head South.

“Was there any indication from the company, prior to the contract extension agreement, that it was engaged in any talks with a potential buyer?” he penned in his letter to Convergys’ Fox.

The Senator, a long-time watchdog on privatization accountability, also asked both Fox and South to explain what safeguards will be in place to protect the data and ensure that it remains in Florida.

“Whenever foreign companies are in control of sensitive personal information, it raises concerns for me,” he said.

Gelber Announces Legislation to Protect Florida Workers

2010-03-21T06:08:00.000-07:00

Today the Senate Commerce Committee passed landmark legislation proposed by State Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) that will require Florida residents receive preference in employment in state contracts when state taxpayer dollars are involved. The legislation also addresses abuses within the H-2B visa (temporary worker) program where foreign workers have been approved for hire despite the availability of qualified Florida residents.

Senate Bill 2482 - which earned a 9-0 vote in the committee - requires construction contracts funded with state taxpayer dollars to contain a provision requiring preference be given to Florida residents. The bill authorizes the same provision be included in contracts from local government.

Senator Gelber commented, “Too many Floridians are out of work to be giving jobs away to nonresidents. This is, after all, Florida taxpayer money and at the very least it ought to be spent on getting Floridians back to work."

The bill also increases (from 10 to 30 days) the time within which a job advertisement associated with the H-2B Certification be posted with the regional workforce board and requires the want ad be posted in the vicinity of the job site. H-2B visas allow foreign nationals to enter into the U.S. temporarily and engage in nonagricultural employment which is supposed to be seasonal. It has been documented that some employers have gamed the system in order to import cheaper foreign labor. The 30-day window and advertising requirements will allow for more potential Florida employees to see and respond to the job order and, thus, curtail the abuse.

“With a 12% unemployment rate it is outrageous that qualified Florida workers are being denied jobs through an abuse by employers of a federal visa program,” Gelber said.

Thurman to Thrasher: Stop Bullying Florida's Teachers And Don't Force Counties To Raise Property Taxes

2010-03-21T05:49:00.001-07:00

Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman today slammed Sen. John Thrasher, Republican Party Chairman, for his legislative attempts to bully Florida's teachers, gut local control of schools and force counties to raise property taxes. Thurman, who first got involved in government after her students encouraged her to run for public office while teaching math at Dunnellon Middle School, said:

"As a former middle school teacher, I know firsthand that Tallahassee politicians bullying teachers and threatening education professionals will do nothing to improve Florida's public schools or increase opportunity for Florida's children.

"Rather than looking for real reforms to improve our state's public schools by empowering those teachers in the classrooms and education professionals on the front lines to do what is best for Florida's children, Sen. Thrasher and the other Republican politicians in Tallahassee have chosen a power grab through unfunded mandates.

"And if bullying teachers wasn't bad enough, Sen. Thrasher's bill could raise property taxes on Florida's small businesses and middle class families, who are already hurting in these hard economic times from Republican politicians raising taxes and fees by $2 billion last year.

"For years, Republicans have crafted 'devious schemes' as Jeb Bush once called it to undermine Florida's public schools. Thrasher's legislation is just another one of these schemes by Republican politicians, which is why I am saying today: enough is enough!

"Sen. Thrasher, stop working to drive good teachers out of the classroom. Don't gut local control. No more unfunded mandates. And don't force counties to raise property taxes during these tough economic times."

Senator Ted Deutch Continues to Squeeze Iran's Economic Lifeline

2010-03-21T05:48:00.001-07:00

Continuing in his relentless efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, Senator Ted Deutch (D-Boca Raton) unanimously passed SB 2520 out of the Senate Committee on Military Affairs and Domestic Security today. This vital legislation will prevent state agencies from entering into, awarding, or renewing a contract with any company doing business, either directly or indirectly, with Iran.

The timeliness of this legislation is bolstered by a report released from The New York Times last week detailing how the federal government has awarded over $107 billion within the past decade to companies engaged in business with Iran. Included in that $107 billion is $15 billion for companies that financially support Iran’s energy sector – a direct violation of U.S. sanctions law.

“The state of Florida has made it clear in the past that its citizens and businesses will not contribute to Iran’s illicit nuclear weapons program,” said Senator Deutch. “We must continue these efforts and put all safeguards in place to prevent Iran from achieving its goal of developing nuclear weapons.”

SB 2520, sponsored by Representative Rader (D-Delray Beach) in the Florida House of Representatives, is modeled on Congressman Ron Klein’s federal legislation, “The Accountability for Business Choices in Iran Act,” a measure praised by Senator Deutch. In his efforts to gain support for this important legislation, Senator Deutch has worked closely with United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), an organization whose primary goal is to put extreme economic pressure on the Iranian regime to prevent their efforts to build a nuclear arsenal. “It is time for companies to choose whether they want to do business with Iran or with the good people of the 50 U.S. states, and that is what this bill requires. Now more than ever, federal and state governments must be accountable for every taxpayer dollar that it spends. ” said UANI President, Ambassador Mark D. Wallace. “UANI applauds Senator Ted Deutch and his staff for sponsoring legislation that keeps in mind the best interests of Florida taxpayers as well as U.S. national security.”

In conjunction with this legislation, Senator Deutch sent a letter last week to Governor Charlie Crist, following up on his previous request that the Governor halt Vitol, formerly Iran’s largest supplier of refined petroleum, from using public funds to open a terminal at Florida’s Port Canaveral. Senator Deutch also sent a letter to Ash Williams, Executive Director of the State Board of Administration, urging him to expedite the availability of a terror-free retirement option for Florida workers. In his letter, Senator Deutch emphasizes the fact that legislation signed into law last year by Governor Crist requires this terror-free option to be available by March 1, 2010.

“There is but one moment in Florida’s history to prevent Iran form developing nuclear weapons, and that moment is now,” said Senator Deutch. “Florida need not stand by while the federal government fails to enforce serious economic sanctions on Iran. Just last week, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called the 9/11 attacks on America a lie, and he shows no signs of retreating from his previous call to wipe Israel off the map. Iran is sliding towards a military dictatorship built on defiance of the international community and the oppression of its own people, and Florida taxpayers have no interest in financially supporting this dangerous regime,” said Senator Deutch.

Representative Roberson's Antiretroviral Bill Approved in Committee

2010-03-21T05:46:00.000-07:00

Representative Yolly Roberson’s (D-North Miami Beach) antiretroviral medication bill (House Bill 591) was approved yesterday by the House Health Care Regulation Policy Committee.

The bill ensures that people with private health insurance can obtain the drugs their physician has determined are medically necessary for the treatment and diagnosis of HIV/AIDS without life threatening delay or interference from their insurance company.

“The committee approval of this bill is a victory for the people of Florida,” Representative Roberson said. “The legislators who voted for this bill demonstrated true courage.”

House Bill 591:

· Protects consumers by prohibiting health plans and insurance carriers from subjecting the drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS to administrative procedures that limit patient access and undermine physician orders;
· Extends to the private sector the policy in use by Medicaid and Medicare;
· Reduces long term costs because people able to take their medications can lead healthy and productive lives without risk of complications that result without treatment; and,
· Reduces the cost to Florida’s public health system by providing access and proper medication management, thereby reducing the opportunity for patients to transmit the virus to others.

“This is critical healthcare legislation,” said Representative Roberson. “Even one instance of delay can be life threatening and increases the risk of further transmission of HIV.”

Statement by U.S. Senate Candidate Kendrick Meek on U.S.-Israel Diplomacy and the Peace Process

2010-03-17T09:15:00.000-07:00

U.S. Senate candidate Kendrick Meek released the following statement on U.S.-Israel diplomacy and the peace process:

"What started off as an internal, domestic disagreement within the Israeli government has turned into an unnecessary international dispute complicated by some undiplomatic language from U.S. administration officials. Opponents of peace, nations and terrorist organizations that wish to do harm to Israel will always seize an opportunity to create a wedge between our nation and Israel. They seek comfort watching these recent events unfold. To give our enemies the false impression that the United States and Israel disagree on fundamental issues within the region sets the peace process back. I urge restraint and a resumption of talks that result in a lasting peace that ensures Israel's security," said Meek.

Rep. Janet Cruz Files HB925 -- Breast Cancer Early Detection & Treatment

2010-03-16T19:17:00.000-07:00

State Representative Janet Cruz (D-Tampa) has filed House Bill 925, a bill that would require that breast cancer public education, outreach initiative and professional education programs use guidelines established by the American Cancer Society. The change in guidelines is necessitated by the controversial action of the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) on Nov. 16, 2009. The task force changed its recommendation for mammography screenings from once every 1 to 2 years for women 40 years or older to a recommendation against routine breast cancer screening for women under the age of 50.

“Scientific studies strongly support the lifesaving benefits of routine mammography screening for women between the ages of 40 and 50,” said Representative Cruz. “I believe that this legislation will help to save the lives of women in that age group.”

The American Cancer Society and countless other medical, public health, and breast cancer advocacy organizations recommend regular mammography screenings based primarily on the published evidence from international prospective randomized clinical trials. These trials are regularly re-analyzed, especially those that continue to follow the patients in the studies. When these studies are combined, it was found that mammography reduced breast cancer mortality by at least 15 to 20 percent for women ages 40 to 49 as well as for women ages 50 and older. Some individual studies demonstrated mortality reductions of 30 percent or greater for women in their 40s and women 50 and above.

Representative Cruz’s House Bill 925 is awaiting its first hearing in the Health Care Regulation Policy Committee.

Mommy Bomb

2010-03-16T19:12:00.000-07:00

From Heather Beaven:

Dear Friend,

Mommies are the bomb. We work. We volunteer. We take care of our families, and in some cases we run for office. I certainly couldn't do any of this without my uber-supportive husband, Douglas. But I am going to have to try.

Douglas serves his Country in the Army Reserves, and Uncle Sam has called on him to train at Ft. Hunter-Liggett in California. For the next month, I will get a very small taste of what thousands of military families go through every day; and like them, I am going to need your support.

John Mica has a bevy of paid staffers to organize his day, raise money for him, drive him around town, and make sure his bills are paid. That's not my reality. As my husband serves his Country, our family must assume his duties here at home.

While we gladly support Douglas and his call to duty, doing so means that Beaven for Seven could fall behind our fundraising goals.

So here is how you can help - participate in the world's first MOMMY BOMB.

We're asking all of our supporters to help this "Mommy in distress" by making a contribution in the next 79 hours. Anything you can contribute – even if it is a single dollar – will help. If everyone does, the result of all your small and large contributions coming in at once will be explosive: a Mommy Bomb!

But it will only work if you - yes, you - participate.

Will you help? Click here to contribute now. Don't wait, the Mommy Bomb ends in 79 hours.

Sincerely,
Heather Beaven

P.S. Please help me keep up with Mica. Click here to help us do that by contributing $25, $50, $100 or more online today!

ABOUT HEATHER BEAVEN

Heather is a Mom, Wife, Navy Veteran (who served during Operation Desert Storm) and CEO of The Foundation for Florida's Graduates. The Foundation focuses on bringing education, workforce development and economic development together to help young people better themselves through education and personal responsibility.

Link

Kendrick Meek Meets with Hispanic Supporters in Kissimmee, Launches Grassroots Network La Comunidad Hispana Con Meek

2010-03-14T19:25:00.001-07:00

Kendrick Meek and Hispanic community members met today in Kissimmee to launch a new grassroots group of supporters called "La Comunidad Hispana Con Meek."

"We are focused on reaching out to Floridians from all communities, to listen to their concerns and respond with solutions. Hispanics in central Florida expect elected leaders to bring new jobs home, and that is my focus for hardworking families in this area and throughout Florida. We know how hard the Hispanic community in Florida is working, and families are not enjoying the rewards of this increased effort. My fight is for the everyday people of our state, and against the powerful who put the status quo ahead of us," said Kendrick Meek, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.

Kendrick and area supporters met to launch "La Comunidad Hispana Con Meek" at Nuevo Sabor Dominicano Restaurant in Kissimmee this afternoon.

Kendrick will be in Miami this Sunday at Little Havana's Calle Ocho Festival alongside grassroots campaign supporters and volunteers collecting petitions for the campaign's historic petition drive. This will be the first campaign in statewide history to collect over 112,476 petitions helping Kendrick qualify for the ballot by petition.

Rep. Keith Fitzgerald Statement Regarding Clean Energy and Weatherization Legislation

2010-03-14T19:22:00.001-07:00

State Representative Keith Fitzgerald (D-Sarasota) today commended the introduction of clean energy and weatherization legislation by the House Energy & Utilities Policy Committee and Chairman Stephen Precourt. The legislation allows local governments to issue loans to property owners to finance energy efficiency and weatherization improvements for their properties.

“I am pleased to see that Chair Precourt and the Energy & Utilities Policy Committee have proposed legislation that will make it easier for homeowners and businesses to finance important energy efficiency and weatherization improvements for their properties,” said Representative Fitzgerald.

“The legislation provides an important opportunity to create jobs in Florida and will give property owners relief on their utility bills and insurance premiums,” Representative Fitzgerald added. “I have been following this issue closely for some time, and rather than file my own legislation, I am thrilled to help Chair Precourt advance this committee bill with bipartisan support.”

Military Impersonation Bill Earns Unanimous Passage Through Senate Committee

2010-03-14T19:20:00.001-07:00

From the Senate Democrats:

Landmark legislation sponsored by Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) fighting impersonation of military veterans was unanimously passed by the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday.

Senate Bill 1824 – which earned a 10-0 vote in the committee – would make it a felony to misrepresent oneself as a veteran or member of the U.S. Armed Forces in order to collect donations from the public. In many of Florida’s major cities, paid solicitors are dressed in military combat uniforms and stationed on street corners and at retail stores, asking motorists and shoppers for contributions.

“This is a critical first step towards passage, and I thank my colleagues for joining me in standing up for our veterans all across Florida,” said Senator Gelber. “The unanimous vote just goes to show that impersonating our veterans for personal enrichment won’t be tolerated.”

The bill next heads to the Senate Criminal Justice Committee for a hearing.

Senator Justice Passes Consumer Protection Legislation Through First Committee

2010-03-14T19:18:00.001-07:00

Floridians who sign up for service contracts for magazines, pest control services or even alarm companies – but unwittingly find themselves automatically committed to long term contracts - would gain new protections under legislation sponsored by Senator Charlie Justice (D-St. Petersburg).

Senate Bill 1332, which unanimously passed its first legislative hearing on Wednesday in the Senate Commerce Committee, will require service contract providers to notify customers of upcoming automatic contract renewals.

“This bill is about consumer awareness and good business practices.” Senator Justice said. “Everyone has a story of a service contract that automatically renewed because they didn’t understand the cancelation requirements. If a consumer decides to extend a contract, it should be solely because of the product’s merit, not the ability of the company to dupe the consumer.”

There have been many reported incidences across the state of automatic service contract renewals negatively affecting many Floridians, especially our most vulnerable, who live on fixed incomes and may not be aware of the procedures to cancel a contract. Many other states have laws regulating automatic service renewal clauses, including New York and Illinois which require notification.

“This is good legislation that is being done for the right reasons. I look forward to continued support from my colleagues on this bill.” Senator Justice said.

The next stop for Senate Bill 1332 is the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. The bill is being sponsored in the House by Representative Charles McBurney (R- Jacksonville).

Kendrick Meek's Statement on Florida's Unemployment Rate

2010-03-14T19:15:00.001-07:00

U.S. Democratic Senate Candidate Kendrick Meek responded to today's announcement by the Florida Agency of Workforce Innovation that Florida's seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate rose to 11.9 percent in January.

"As the rest of the nation emerges from the economic downturn, Florida is being left behind. Floridians are hearing about recovery, but we're not seeing it. Floridians in every community I visit expect leadership from public servants and my focus is on creating new, long-term, sustainable jobs for Florida. Our economy will not fully prosper while politicians continue to preach ideology at the expense of pursuing sound public policy. Today's unemployment rate serves as a sobering reminder that our families and communities require hands on leaders who work hard for their interests and against the status quo who put the powerful first."

Kendrick Meek's Statement on Florida's Unemployment Rate

2010-03-14T19:15:00.000-07:00

U.S. Democratic Senate Candidate Kendrick Meek responded to today's announcement by the Florida Agency of Workforce Innovation that Florida's seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate rose to 11.9 percent in January.

"As the rest of the nation emerges from the economic downturn, Florida is being left behind. Floridians are hearing about recovery, but we're not seeing it. Floridians in every community I visit expect leadership from public servants and my focus is on creating new, long-term, sustainable jobs for Florida. Our economy will not fully prosper while politicians continue to preach ideology at the expense of pursuing sound public policy. Today's unemployment rate serves as a sobering reminder that our families and communities require hands on leaders who work hard for their interests and against the status quo who put the powerful first."

One Week after the State of the State Address, Florida's Economic Woes Continue to Mount

2010-03-14T19:14:00.001-07:00

Since the State of the State address was delivered last week, news articles and economic data point to a worsening of Florida's economy, noted Kendrick Meek.

"States are beginning to emerge from this economic downturn, while Florida is being left behind. Floridians are hearing about economic recovery, but we are not seeing it. Our families are struggling, paying the price for other people's recklessness, and relief is nowhere in sight. Failed policies in Tallahassee and Washington, DC that took root over the last decade have left many of our communities broken. My fight is against this status quo that got us into this mess in the first place. Sustainable, long term job creation is what Floridians want and I am working tirelessly so that the problems we are seeing today will never be repeated again," said Kendrick Meek, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.

Over the last week since the State of the State address was delivered, Floridians have read and learned about the following issues:

St. Petersburg Times- "Florida slow to spend federal grant money to refurbish housing"

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/realestate/florida-slow-to-spend-federal-grant-money-to-refurbish-housing/1077785

Orlando Sentinel- "Office that handles jobless benefits in Florida not meeting standards"

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/os-jobless-checks-delays-20100307,0,10463.story

South Florida Sun-Sentinel- "2.5 million Floridians on food stamps"

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-03-08/news/fl-food-stamps-record-20100308_1_food-stamps-don-winstead-canned

Fort Myers News-Press- "Florida fails to get its fair share of census aid"
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010100308061

Representative Kevin Rader and Senator Ted Deutch File Legislation Against Nuclear Iran

2010-03-14T19:13:00.001-07:00

Representative Kevin J. G. Rader (D-Delray Beach) and Senator Ted Deutch (D-Boca Raton) and have introduced bills that seek to preclude companies that conduct business in Iran from receiving Florida taxpayer funds in the form of state government contracts.

“With a deep concern about nuclear weapons development and political tensions in The Middle East, I believe it is our responsibility, as leaders in the State of Florida, to stand up to businesses that are directly assisting a nuclear Iran,” said Representative Rader.

House Bill 743 and Senate Bill 2520 will prevent any company that does business with Iran or other business entities doing business in Iran from receiving Florida taxpayer funds in the form of contracts or purchasing agreements for commodities or contractual services. The state bills are based on the Accountability for Business Choices in Iran Act that was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in October 2009.

The current Rader/Deutch legislation is modeled on the federal “Accountability for Business Choices in Iran Act” or “ABC Iran Act,” introduced by U.S. Representatives Ron Klein and John Mica in the United States House. With passage of this legislation, businesses will be forced to decide whether they want to continue to do business with the State of Florida or with Iran.

For a timeline demonstrating Iran’s nuclear non-compliance, please visit the following website:

http://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/sites/default/files/Iran_and_Nuclear_NonCompliance_A_Timeline.pdf

Senator Ted Deutch Introduces New Legislation, Presses on State of Florida to Prevent Taxpayer Dollars from Supporting Iran

2010-03-14T19:12:00.000-07:00

State Senator Ted Deutch (D-Boca Raton) is introducing new vital legislation and stepping up pressure on the State of Florida to restrict taxpayer funding for corporations doing business with Iran. The timeliness of Senator Deutch’s efforts is bolstered by a newly released report from The New York Times detailing how the federal government has awarded over $107 billion within the past decade to companies engaged in business with Iran. Included in that $107 billion is $15 billion for companies that financially support Iran’s energy sector – a direct violation of U.S. sanctions law.

Senator Deutch’s newly introduced legislation, co-sponsored by Representative Kevin Rader in the Florida House, prevents state agencies from entering into, awarding, or renewing a contract with any company doing business, either directly or indirectly, with Iran. SB 2520 is modeled on Congressman Ron Klein’s federal legislation, “The Accountability for Business Choices in Iran Act,” a measure praised by Senator Deutch.

“The fact that the United States government has provided American tax dollars to companies that directly support the Iranian nuclear program is illogical, immoral, and a direct affront to the security interests of our nation and of our allies, including Israel,” said Senator Deutch. “Florida need not stand by while the federal government fails to enforce serious economic sanctions on Iran. Just this week, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called the 9/11 attacks on America a lie, and he shows no signs of retreating from his previous call to wipe Israel off the map. Iran is sliding towards a military dictatorship built on defiance of the international community and the oppression of its own people, and Florida taxpayers have no interest in financially supporting this dangerous regime.”

In congruence with his legislative efforts, Senator Deutch is pressing the State of Florida to ensure taxpayers are not supporting the Iranian regime. Senator Deutch has sent a letter to Governor Charlie Crist, following up on his previous request that the Governor halt Vitol, formerly Iran’s largest supplier of refined petroleum, from using public funds to open a terminal at Florida’s Port Canaveral. He also urges the Governor to review all current state contracts and refuse any new state contracts with companies under scrutiny by the federal government for supporting Iran.

Senator Deutch has also sent a letter to Ash Williams, Executive Director of the State Board of Administration, urging him to expedite the availability of a terror-free retirement option for Florida workers. In his letter, Senator Deutch emphasizes the fact that legislation signed into law last year by Governor Crist requires this terror-free option to be available by March 1, 2010.

Both of Senator Deutch’s letters are attached to this release.

Senator Deutch is a leading voice on national security issues in the Florida State Senate. In 2007, he won national and international recognition for passing the "Protecting Florida's Investments Act," which made Florida the first state in the nation to divest pension funds from companies doing business with Iran and Sudan. Since its passage, Florida has divested over $1.2 billion from scrutinized companies, and nearly 20 state governments have followed Senator Deutch's lead by enacting similar legislation. Senator Deutch also passed legislation requiring Florida to offer investors in its state pension fund a terror free option that does not invest in Iran or Sudan.

Florida Democrats Slam Republicans On Attempts To Revive Leadership Slush Funds

2010-03-14T19:11:00.000-07:00

The Florida Democratic Party today slammed efforts by Republicans, including Republican Party of Florida Chairman John Thrasher, to revive leadership slush funds, while Republican politicians are getting caught using the Republican Party as nothing more than an AmEx slush fund to live large.

"Over the past year, the Republican culture of corruption in Tallahassee has been exposed, as Floridians have learned about the GOP's AmEx slush funds, secret contracts and back room deals. With even Republicans alleging that the Republican Party has been nothing more than a corrupt criminal enterprise that has allowed Republicans like Speaker Marco Rubio, disgraced Speaker Ray Sansom, and Rep. Dean Cannon to live large on other people's money, our state's leaders should be working to clean up the Republican culture of corruption in Tallahassee. Yet, as Republican politicians move to revive leadership slush funds, which were banned twenty years ago to increase accountability, Floridians see that Republicans just don't get it," said Florida Democratic Party spokesman Eric Jotkoff.

"This fall Floridians are going to elect proven Democrat leaders to clean up Tallahassee, to restore faith that our state's government is working on their behalf, and to implement ethics reforms to increase transparency and accountability in government."

Senate Democrats Call "Transparency" Sales Pitch Smoke and Mirrors

2010-03-14T19:10:00.001-07:00

Appalled by what they see as a blatant attempt at an end run around the public’s ability to track the influence of money in elections, Senate Democrats on Tuesday condemned Republican-led attempts to steamroll legislation resurrecting so-called “leadership funds.”

“This bill opens the floodgates to special interest money and the influence it buys,” said Senator Nan Rich (D-Weston), one of three Democrats to vote against SB 880 in the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee, and the incoming Senate Democratic Leader.

At issue is the attempt by bill proponents to market the legislation as greater “transparency.” While the legislation would enact new reporting requirements for Electioneering Communication Organizations, or ECO’s, as well as show how the leaders were raising money for their resurrected leadership funds, it would concentrate an enormous amount of power into the hands of just four individuals with direct control over the legislative process.

Legislative leaders’ fundraising prowess would also mean they could force lawmakers into line on key votes by threatening the use of those funds to influence political futures.

These funds would also allow legislative leaders to skirt contributions and spending requirements within the current 10-day reporting requirement, and make them subject to only quarterly disclosure requirements.

“Under current law, we have a faster ability to track who gives the money and where it ends up,” said Senator Arthenia Joyner (D-Tampa), who also voted against the bill. “This new bill can take the money on a last-minute scenic route you’d need a GPS device to follow.”

Senator Charlie Justice (D-St. Petersburg), the third Democrat to vote ‘no’ on the bill, agreed. “The last things we need are more campaign committees and more direct involvement from legislators on these committees. More money is not the answer for what troubles Florida’s campaign finance laws.”

“This isn’t power to the people. It’s power to the leader,” said Sen. Rich. “And even as someone who’s going to be the next Democratic leader and could potentially benefit from this newfound power, this is not a direction that benefits the people or the state.”

Kendrick Meek's Drive to Qualify for Ballot by Petition Enters Final Stage: Has Collected Petitions from All 67 Counties

2010-03-14T19:04:00.001-07:00

U.S. Senate Candidate Kendrick Meek is entering the final stage of his history-making petition drive as his campaign nears the 112,476 signature threshold to qualify for the ballot. While most candidates simply write a check to get on the ballot, he will be the first statewide Florida candidate to qualify for the ballot by petition.

"Our petition drive is all about hard work and not taking the easy route. During these trying times, I am meeting with Floridians in their homes, at our neighborhood community centers and places of business. Everywhere I go, people are rejecting status quo politicians who cater to the powerful and have never rolled up their sleeves and worked a little harder to get things done. This petition effort has taken me throughout this state, and as we work hard to collect petitions from every Florida county, we will continue reaching out to everyday Floridians who have real concerns about their future," said Kendrick Meek, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.

The Kendrick Meek for Florida Campaign is fast approaching the 112,476 petition threshold to qualify for the ballot. The Meek campaign has collected petitions in each of Florida's 67 counties with field staff stationed across the state.

Meek kicked-off his petition drive in April 2009. He last led a petition drive in 2002, collecting petitions from Florida voters allowing for an amendment to be placed on the ballot lowering class sizes in Florida's overcrowded classrooms. The petition effort was ultimately successful, and in turn Floridians voted to lower class sizes in November 2002.

Weekly Word - HYPOCRITE

2010-03-12T21:10:00.000-08:00

From Jim Piccillo:

Greetings Friends and Supporters!

Thank you for taking a moment to read The Jim Piccillo for Congress campaign's Weekly Word. It's been an incredible week for the campaign and national politics. We hope you find the content of this newsletter useful and informative. Again, if we didn't address an area you are interested in, please call or email us. Your feedback is important to us! Click here to join the team.

On the Money

We are in the final stretch of the first quarter, which ends March 31st, and are diligently working toward our critical goal of raising $100,000 this quarter. Now is the time t0 donate; we need your support today! Please click here to help us reach this crucial milestone.

Jim and our team members have been busy on the phones, reaching out to supporters across the country, to show that this race MUST receive national attention and the seat be delivered back to the Democrats in November. The incumbent is heavily funded by greedy insurance and banking industry PACs. Take a look at her financial reports on the FEC website to see who she truly represents; it's crystal clear.

Community Outreach

Since our last 'Word', Team Piccillo has been attending events and continuing to spread the message of Common Sense for Congress. Last weekend, we had the privilege of addressing the Southwest Citrus Democrat Club and received a very warm response as well as many signed petitions. After our visit to Citrus County, we spent several hours in Hernando County at the annual Swamp Fest. Jim had the opportunity to speak with voters, hear their concerns, answer questions and get additional petitions signed! Jim will continue to tour the District, visiting with as many organizations, companies, businesses and Clubs over the course of the next eight months as possible, so he can learn what issues most affect the people of the 5th District.

This Saturday the 13th, Team Piccillo will be marching in the Zephyrhills Founder's Day Parade! Supporting victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault is very important to us. That being said, the team will be walking with the Sunrise Center of Pasco County in their "Walk A Mile In Her Shoes" group in a show of solidarity to raise awareness about gender violence. Jim Piccillo will be wearing heels, so that he can truly feel what it's like to walk a mile in a ladies shoes. Come out and walk with us for this worthy cause! Visit www.sunrisepasco.org to learn more.

Weekly Word: Pressing Issue

Just when you think you've heard, and seen, it all something happens that is just so shocking it stops you in your tracks. This is the pressing issue of this last week that had us all stunned. The incumbent in Florida's 5th District, "Ginny" Brown-Waite, this past week voted AGAINST the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act. This bill provides incentives to small businesses to hire people who are currently unemployed. While the partisan aspect of it is not surprising to any of us, the fact that she just a few weeks ago stated, "Government doesn't create jobs; small businesses do" and then voted against a bill that would help small businesses create jobs is what floored us. How completely hypocritical!

With an unemployment average of 14% in her District, it is unfathomable that she would vote against a measure that might actually HELP her constituents. After all, she's held a government created job for decades, she thinks she has job security. Click here to help us send this hypocrite packing!

Spreading the Message

We MUST continue the fight to lift the 5th District in Florida back to the glory of the good old days; significantly lower unemployment, generate small business growth and ensure stability to those who have been hardest hit by these tough economic times. The time to get involved is NOW. The most important part of any campaign is the people who volunteer. Sign up to contribute, canvass, phone bank, send literature and spread the word by sending this email to five (5) people you know. Walk with Jim side-by-side on this journey. Please visit jimpiccillo.com to sign up to contribute, host a house party or just volunteer your time to help bring common sense back to Congress.

Yours in service,
Team Piccillo

State Representative Janet Cruz Hits The Ground Running

2010-03-07T08:25:00.001-08:00

Newly elected State Representative Janet Cruz (D-Tampa) has completed her first week in office as the newest member of the Florida Legislature. Since her special election victory on February 23, Representative Cruz has hired staff, opened her district office, filed all six of her allotted bills, received her committee assignments, met with her constituents, and traveled to Tallahassee for the Opening Day Session of the Florida Legislature where she was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente.

“I basically had to accomplish in one week in Tallahassee what might normally take four months,” said Representative Cruz.

Representative Cruz will have her work cut out for her over the next two months as lawmakers grapple with the State’s budget and legislation aimed at revitalizing Florida’s sluggish economy.

“I don’t plan to let up until we bring much needed-relief to Florida’s citizens who are struggling with this economic turmoil,” she said.

Representative Janet Cruz’s 2010 Committee Assignments
Elder & Family Services Policy Committee
Government Operations Appropriations Committee
Governmental Affairs Policy Committee

Representative Janet Cruz’s 2010 Bills
HB 925 Breast Cancer Early Detection and Treatment Referral Program
HB 1493 Career Offenders
HB 1495 Consumer Protection
HB 1497 Civil Citations
HB 1603 Florida State Employees' Charitable Campaign
HB 1623 Employment Discrimination

Thurman Demands Accountability By Filing Election Commission Complaint Against Republican Party of Florida

2010-03-07T08:24:00.001-08:00

Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman filed a complaint today with the Florida Elections Commission, asking the Commission to hold the Republican Party of Florida accountable for not fully disclosing their finances as required by Florida law.

"With Governor Charlie Crist and Attorney General Bill McCollum ducking their responsibilities in order to protect their political cronies and keep their backroom deals at the Republican Party secret, it is now up to all Floridians to demand accountability to clean up the Republican culture of corruption in Tallahassee. Today, I asked the Florida Elections Commission to investigate the fact that the Republican Party of Florida has failed to follow Florida's election laws by not fully disclosing their finances," said Chair Thurman.

Over the past year, the Republican Party of Florida has been marred by scandal and controversy over a host of issues that stem from the misuse of RPOF AmEx cards issued to dozens of Republican politicians including U.S. Senate Candidate Marco Rubio, Republican Speaker-designate Dean Cannon, Senate President Jeff Atwater, and many others.

Despite repeated calls from Florida's Editorial Boards, Republican Party leaders, and citizens across Florida, the RPOF has refused to disclose their AmEx statements.

This scandal has played a major role in the indictment and later the resignation of disgraced Speaker Ray Sansom, as well as the ouster to Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer. As Sansom's mentor, Marco Rubio is one of the many Republican leaders who have been wounded by this scandal, when his RPOF AmEx card statements were leaked to the Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times, showing Rubio used the GOP's credit card to pay for a $134 haircut, to fix his families mini-van and other personal expenses.

The Republican Party of Florida's skirting of campaign finance laws appear to be an attempt to hide the secret deals, excessive spending, and the millions of dollars Republican politicians charged to the Republican Party AmEx slush fund, which they used to live large on other people's money. Had the RPOF followed Florida's campaign finance laws for instance, the secret contract with former RPOF Executive Director Delmar Johnson would have been discovered even earlier.

Specifically Thurman's complaints against the RPOF, former Chairman Jim Greer, and Treasurer Joel Pate states:

Section 106.29, Florida Statutes, requires that the state executive committee and each county executive committee of each political party regulated by Chapter 103, Florida Statutes, shall file regular reports with the Division of Elections of all contributions received and all expenditures made by such committee.

The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) has failed to include all contributions and all expenditures on reports that it has filed with the Division of Elections.

The RPOF failed to include on its reports filed with the Division of Elections contributions and expenditures that are included on reports filed with the Federal Elections Commission. Florida law contains no exemption permitting the RPOF to exclude from its reports filed with contributions and expenditures included on reports filed with the Federal Elections Commission; nor is the language of Section 106.29, Florida Statutes, limited

In the current cycle, the RPOF has reported to the Federal Elections Commission receiving $6,481,469 and expending $6,896,984. In the 2007-2008, election cycle, the RPOF has reported to the Federal Elections Commission receiving $34,416,232 and expending $34,434,621. [See attached Federal Election Commission summary reports for 2007-2008 and 2009-2010.] These contributions and expenditures have not been included on its reports of all contributions received and all expenditures made as required by Section 106.29, Florida Statutes, that are filed with Division of Elections.

Included herewith are copies of the RPOF state reports from April 2007 forward and federal reports from 2008 forward.

The RPOF, its chairman and its treasurer, have violated Section 106.29(1), Florida Statutes, by failing to file reports with the Division of Elections of all contributions received and all expenditures made by the RPOF.

The RPOF, its chairman and its treasurer, have violated Section 106.19(1)(b), Florida Statutes, by failing to report contributions required to be reported by Chapter 106, Florida Statutes.

The RPOF, its chairman and its treasurer, have violated Section 106.19(1)(c), Florida Statutes, by failing to include information in its campaign treasurer reports filed with Division of Elections required by Chapter 106, Florida Statutes.

The two faces of transparency

2010-03-07T08:06:00.000-08:00

From Loranne Ausley:

Floridians are witnessing the height of two-faced hypocrisy.

The first face…The face they want you to see: The leaders of the Republican Party of Florida rail on about public accountability, responsibility, and transparency.

The second face…The face they try to hide: These same so-called leaders have been knee-deep in the cover up of campaign expenditures; expenditures that are governed by state law and supposed to be used for very specific purposes. The excuses for a blatant lack of transparency and accountability run the gamut from “not my job” to “not my card.”

How can anyone claim the mantle of public watchdog when they are unwilling to take a strong stand on hidden contracts, outrageous expenditures, lavish spending and irresponsible use of campaign dollars?

How can anyone speak about a “record of integrity” while, at the same time, be in the middle of a massive cover up within their own ranks.

All of our leaders, Republican and Democrats, need to have one face when it comes to transparency, public spending and the misuse of campaign dollars.

If you are looking for a leader who will watch every penny – and every dollar – and tell it to you straight, look no further. If you are fed up with the games being played in the Capitol and are ready for a candidate who understands that transparency starts with our own accounts, you have found the right campaign. My record of standing up for Florida taxpayers is strong – and it is consistent.

When I say “transparent,” I mean it. When I say “responsible and accountable,” I mean it. And, when I say I will fight to protect every one of your dollars, I mean that too!

Please join us today and help put an end to two-faced politicians, join our team today by making even a small donation of $10, $25, or $100 dollars.

Thank you,

Loranne Ausley

Link

Rep. Grayson Has Huge Lead in Republican Primary

2010-03-07T08:04:00.000-08:00

No, that's not a typo. According to a poll of registered Republicans last week, Congressman Alan Grayson has an enormous lead in the Republican primary for Florida Congressional District 8 (FL-8).

Of course, Grayson is a Democrat. Yet Grayson is far and away the leading choice among registered Republicans in FL-8. In fact, he has almost twice as much support among Republicans as all his Republican opponents combined.

In the poll, Grayson won the support of 27.8% of registered Republicans. None of Grayson's 13 opponents scored higher than 3.7%. Their combined performance was only 14.5%. The remaining 57.7% of registered Republicans were undecided.

30.1% of registered Republican women support Grayson. And Grayson has the support of 25.5% of registered Republican men.

Grayson also has an enormous lead in name recognition. 76.9% of Republicans know Grayson; none of his opponents scored higher than 15.1%. 81.4% of Republican men know Grayson, and 72.4% of Republican women know him.

Grayson received high marks from Republicans for his Constitution initiative. Over half of all Republicans said that they were more likely to vote for Grayson because he passed a resolution urging high schools to teach the Constitution, and he had distributed tens of thousands of copies of the Constitution throughout the district.

Interestingly, Grayson is more popular among Republicans than Republican Governor Charlie Crist is. 42% of Republicans have an unfavorable opinion of Crist, far more than those who have an unfavorable opinion of Grayson.

Asked to comment, Congressman Grayson said, "it's like I've been saying: People like a Congressman with guts. They want someone who works hard, pays attention, and gets things done. For goodness sake, we increased federal competitive grants in this district by 98% in our first year. That extra $100 million benefits Republicans, Independents and Democrats equally. People of every political persuasion want to see action to help solve their problems, and that's what they're seeing from us."

When asked if he might run in the Republican primary, Grayson said, "as this poll shows, if I did, then I would win."

The poll was conducted on Feb. 26th. There were 324 respondents, all registered Republicans in FL-8. The margin of error was 5%. The poll was conducted by Middleton Market Research.

Link

Statement Concerning Initial Budget Allocations -- House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands

2010-03-07T08:03:00.000-08:00

House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands today offered the following statement concerning House Speaker Larry Cretul’s “Initial Budget Allocations” memorandum to members of the Florida House of Representatives:

“Speaker Cretul is to be commended for outlining allocation strategies and guiding principles that House budget committees can follow as they draft a new state spending plan for Florida.

“I am hopeful that his No. 1 guiding principle of `no new or increased fees or taxes’ will result in what Florida House Democrats’ support: real and immediate relief to the people who drive Florida’s economy. Protecting small businesses and the middle class during these tough economic times is a high priority for Florida House Democratic Caucus members.

“Today, I urge House Republican leaders to address Speaker Cretul’s goal by giving full consideration to proposed legislation that would close unnecessary tax loopholes, as well as bills that would clamp down on fraud and abuse in state spending.

“Florida House Democrats are proud to have introduced several bills that will promote a better, brighter financial future for Florida, and which deserve full consideration during the 2010 legislative session. Florida House Democrats stand ready to work with willing Republican partners to advance legislation to improve the lives of Floridians.”

Civil Rights Hall of Fame -- Legislation Sponsored by Rep. Alan Williams & Sen. Tony Hill, Sr.

2010-03-05T22:13:00.000-08:00

Representative Alan B. Williams (D-Tallahassee) and Senator Anthony C. “Tony” Hill Sr. (D-Jacksonville) are sponsoring House Bill 523 and Senate Bill 1354, respectively, during the 2010 session to establish a Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame.

“The Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame is long overdue for those nameless and faceless individuals who have made it possible for many to enjoy the quality of life that we do today,” said Senator Hill. “This legislation is one way of saluting them for their courageous spirit.”

The bill will require the Florida Commission on Human Relations to make recommendations to the governor for members to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. HB 523 would pay tribute to Florida’s citizens who fought for progress in acquiring equal rights for all our state’s citizens.

“We should honor the contributions of Florida’s leaders in the field of civil rights,” said Representative Williams. “I hope that my colleagues in the Legislature will join me in passing this important legislation to ensure that the hard work of these visionaries is given the recognition that it deserves. Our state will benefit tremendously as we remember those who lead the way for us to be where we are today.”

State of the State Response--House Democratic Caucus--Rep. Geraldine Thompson

2010-03-05T22:09:00.000-08:00

Hello Floridians!

I am State Representative Geraldine F. Thompson, and I represent Florida House District 39 in Orlando.

I am proud to have the opportunity to share with you the House Democratic Caucus perspective on the state of our great state.

It has been a tough year, and the problems of the economy are as severe as many of us have seen in our lifetimes. My colleagues and I are gathering in Tallahassee for the annual legislative session. We will be presented with major challenges. But the most important task before us is to find ways to shore up the economy.

Democrats in the state House of Representatives firmly believe that job creation for Floridians is job number one. That is why we have come to the State Capitol to build----to build Florida’s economy and to rebuild the people’s trust in their state government.

Though we are facing state budget shortfalls of billions of dollars, this can be a year of opportunity. We can and we should take big steps to restore Florida as a national model of ingenuity and strength. And we can and we should create high-wage jobs and economic growth.

Florida House Democratic Caucus members will present solutions, and we will work with our colleagues in the other party. Already, there are many good bipartisan ideas under review.

One strategy is to develop new markets for sustainable and renewable energy. Another is to support wise investments in important public works projects in communities throughout the state.

And I hope that we all can agree that this is a year to show a real commitment to improving education by providing adequate resources for schools.

You should know that we are listening closely to our friends in the business community. They are facing skyrocketing increases in unemployment compensation taxes—and Florida House Democrats support immediate action to bring relief.

But business leaders are also telling us that they need a quality workforce. Well folks, that means making a commitment to adequately funding schools, a big factor in why Florida House Democrats will fight those who want to destroy the progress that’s been made toward easing school crowding.

We also will stand for affordable and quality health care availability for all Floridians.

Just as importantly, we will work to earn the people’s trust. We know that the people’s trust is too often violated by abuse and corruption by elected officials and other public servants.

Florida House Democrats seek a number of changes to the legislative process as well as the ethics laws of the state in order to restore faith in the government.

Chronic outside influence by special interests and inside decay have bred cynicism and scorn about many public institutions. The situation can be rectified with comprehensive ethics reforms.

Improvements are needed to ensure that laws and the spending plan are written in a manner that is consistent with Florida’s government-in-the-sunshine traditions. We also will support legislation that encourages greater public participation in government and elections.

The reason for these actions are simple.

Florida’s challenges need more than one-party solutions.

Consider this: Only a few months ago, we were in special session here in Tallahassee on a very urgent task in which the Legislature put job creation at the top of the agenda. Republicans and Democrats worked together on an important initiative dealing with rail transit.

Passage of the rail legislation means Florida will be getting two-and-a-half-billion-dollars of federal money for a high speed rail project linking Tampa and Orlando. President Obama projects that this project will create more than 1,000 permanent jobs and at least 23,000 construction jobs in Florida.

This is good for the economy. It’s good for our transportation future. It’s good for the environment. And we did it without significant partisan sniping.

Of course, there are big differences between Democrats and Republicans. Since this is an election year, it’s important that you understand these differences.

We think Republicans made the wrong choices for our state last year. They raised taxes and fees on small businesses and the middle class. They made irresponsible budget cuts. And they raided trust funds dedicated to important public causes, such as children’s health and conservation land purchases.

By the way, have you noticed how much you are paying for drivers licenses and motor vehicle registrations? Those are increases that Florida House Democrats opposed.

But we will not let partisan bickering and finger-pointing get in the way of important priorities, like job creation, good schools, and quality health care.

Floridians expect us to be focused on helping the state rebuild.

Folks, we’ve done it before. Floridians have rebuilt after disaster, natural and man-made.

But each time we have been challenged, we have demonstrated our resolve and a determination to endure.

And so, once again Florida, let’s rebuild.

Thank you!

Don't be fooled

2010-03-05T16:13:00.000-08:00

From Scott Maddox:

When it comes to offshore oil drilling proposals…don’t let them fool you.

When they said the new rigs would be safe, we weren’t fooled…
…we showed how a brand new rig burned out of control, spilling oil for thousands of miles off the coast of Australia, just last summer.

When they said the new rigs wouldn’t be visible from shore…
…we shined a light on the fact that underwater rigs were not possible in the Gulf of Mexico.

When they said the drilling off Florida’s coast would lower gas prices…
…we made sure they saw the new Collins Center Study, which debunked that claim.

Now they are saying they will keep their dangerous rigs out of sight…
…and we are calling their bluff!

Help us send a message that we'll keep calling their bluff by donating today.

Experts disagree on the current bill language and through all the smoke and behind all the mirrors one thing is clear...
…this is a group that cannot be trusted to tell the truth.

Why does this matter to you?

The two bills working their way through the legislature are being sponsored by two of the most powerful members of the Florida legislature, the incoming Senate President and the incoming House Speaker.

Why does this matter to me as a candidate for the cabinet position of Commissioner for Agriculture and Consumer Services?

For starters, I care about the future of our state. I care about the families who will be hurt by those who want to destroy our precious coastline. I care about the long-term economic viability of Florida, about good jobs, about alternative energy, and about our environment.

And because the leases being proposed will be voted on for approval – or denial – by the Florida Cabinet.

Help us get there…help us take back this vital cabinet post and help elect someone who is not afraid to stand up to the big oil special interests.

Join us today and make a strong statement against near-shore drilling by donating any amount…$10, $25 or $50 today.

Thank you for believing in us.

Sincerely,

Scott

Link

Senate Democrats’ State of the State Response -- Nan Rich

2010-03-05T16:10:00.000-08:00

Good evening. My name is Nan Rich and I’m here to talk about the plans we have to get Florida moving again.

As a state Senator from South Florida, and on behalf of the Senate Democratic Caucus, I’d like to thank Governor Crist for his ongoing optimism concerning Florida’s ability to emerge from this economic darkness.

Floridians have always had a can-do spirit. It’s because of that strong backbone that this state once known more for her swamplands than her pristine beaches has grown into a beacon for families wanting a better life.

I also applaud the governor for recognizing the critical need education plays in any economic turnaround, and his willingness to commit more money to our children in elementary through high school.

But I am very alarmed that the economic vision he outlines is dependent on a Republican party that has governed this state about as effectively as it has governed its own finances.

For the past decade, Florida has been at the epicenter of a disastrous political experiment known as “trickle-down economics.”

That’s the belief that by cutting the taxes of the very rich, somehow the benefits magically “trickle down” to the middle class and below.

Well, a lot of things have trickled down to middle class Florida over these years – higher and higher property taxes, fewer and fewer jobs with lower and lower pay, cuts to colleges, universities, and health programs for our senior citizens and disabled.

That’s in large part because at the same time our tax bill was getting larger, the tax bill for the very wealthy was getting smaller and smaller.

They no longer have to pay their fair share for things like police and fire protection, or maintaining a good public education system.

And Wall Street banks are still using our court system to foreclose and evict Floridians from their homes. They just aren’t paying for it.

Add it all up and the Republican leadership gave these favored few a whopping tax break of $11 billion! And, as incredible as it sounds, they’re proposing to give them even more.

Well, we think it’s time to stop the madness.

It’s time to tip the balance back to the hardworking people of Florida who are sick and tired of the party infighting.

Just as they’re sick and tired of the same old trickle down propaganda that former Governor Jeb Bush declared a success in creating a “magnificent economic engine” here in Florida, and which his father once denounced as “voodoo economics.”

If there is any doubt of the damage these policies have wrought, look around you: the hundreds of thousands without jobs, the abandoned properties, the skyrocketing demand for food stamps, unemployment assistance, medical help and job retraining, the rising number of Floridians just one pay check away from disaster.

And ask yourself this: “What has a millionaire done for me lately?”

So how do we turn this around?

There is no more pressing problem in Florida than that of job creation. We do that by retraining our workforce and by committing the needed money to community colleges and universities where that training begins. A skilled workforce is one of the biggest factors businesses look for in deciding where to locate.

We find ways to encourage local Florida-based banks to begin lending again, especially to small businesses looking to cover payroll or expand in new, more promising directions.

We get behind legislation reviewing the soundness of certain sales tax exemptions – more than $23 billion annually that special interests enjoy.

We reject laying off state employees, whether they’re highway patrol officers or emergency personnel on the front lines when disasters hit, especially when the demand is still on the rise for their help. Throwing more people out of work hurts all of us in the long run.

The same is true for the one-sided cuts to critical state programs Republicans are supporting to balance the state budget. These programs keep Floridians working. With an unemployment rate hovering at 12 percent, you cannot slash your way to prosperity.

And we urge our lawmakers in Tallahassee and Washington to return to Florida the money she deserves.

For example, every time we fail to commit 30 dollars in state money for the widely popular Kidcare program, we lose 70 dollars in matching federal funds Floridians have already paid to Washington.

Crazy? You bet. This penny-wise and pound-foolish approach has not only hurt programs like KidCare and other federally matched programs, but it means our hard-earned tax dollars are going to other states to subsidize their spending, instead of heading back to Florida where they rightfully belong. It’s time we stopped donating to the rest of the country. Every time we cut services and lose federal matching dollars, we not only hurt people, we become more of a donor state to the federal government.

Anytime the status quo is challenged – like the Republicans in control now for more than a decade - there is bound to be a struggle. We expect no less as we re-focus the legislature on the people and our state’s critical needs.

But there may be a glimmer of hope. Last year, Democrats broke through the partisan gridlock in closing a tax loophole high end developers were using to dodge real estate doc stamps everyone else has to pay.

The same group of Republicans who passed a record $1 billion tax hike on the state’s drivers actually joined our efforts to end this bad tax policy.

Much as Ronald Reagan, the father of trickle-down economics, eventually reversed many of his lopsided tax policies in the interest of fairness, so too did a leading conservative Republican as he backed the loophole’s closure: “In my view, this is not a tax increase,” he said. “This is simply closing a loophole that is…giving one group of people an advantage.”

As this legislative session unfolds, it is our hope that the wisdom of that statement trickles down as well.

Thank you. And good night.

Maddox Says “No, Baby, No”… “I told you so.”

2010-03-01T21:01:00.000-08:00

Late last November, candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Scott Maddox issued a strong statement in opposition to drilling for oil off Florida’s coasts. He stated in part that, "this drop in the world bucket would do nothing to stabilize oil prices and that there are far better and far less risky ways to secure our energy independence."

Nearly three months to the day, the Collins Center for Public Policy released its findings and essentially concluded the exact same thing stating that drilling within 10.3 miles of Florida’s coast would "have no discernible impact" on gas prices.

"This latest study further makes our case that the tremendous risk to Florida’s economy has essentially no upside. I can think of no better way to destroy our economy and hurt average Floridians than to mortgage our future on the risky proposition of putting oil rigs a few miles off our coast. Without even the promise of lower gas prices, this concept should be immediately killed."

"I would ask that the legislative sponsors of the oil drilling bills immediately withdraw their measures based on these new findings. Lawmakers have said they want new research, this should be all the research they need," added Maddox.

Maddox expressed sympathy about rising oil prices and stressed our need for energy independence but highlighted the now-confirmed reality that this move would NOT reduce gas prices.

Florida Cabinet Reinforces Rep. Janet Long's Legislation to Reign In Public Adjusters -- HB1181

2010-02-24T19:06:00.001-08:00

After nearly five years, claims that continue to be filed against insurance companies as a result of Hurricane Wilma are being considered by the state’s top political leaders.

State Representative Janet Long (D-St. Petersburg) said “recognition of the problem by the Governor, Chief Financial Officer and Attorney General adds further importance and urgency” to a bill she filed this week that would limit the time that claims can be filed. Current law allows five years. Representative Long’s bill (HB 1181) reduces that limit to three years. The bill’s Senate companion is SB 2264 by Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton.

Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink today said she believes three years “is plenty of time to know if you had damage from a hurricane.” The CFO made the comment at today’s meeting of the Florida Cabinet and a subgroup, the State Board of Administration (SBA), which serves as trustees for the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. Attorney General Bill McCollum agreed, saying cutting off hurricane claims after some reasonable period “just makes common sense.” Governor Charlie Crist has also expressed interest in the bill.

The issue surfaced as the SBA was being asked to authorize another bond issue to help fuel the CAT Fund to cover new or reopened claims stemming from Hurricane Wilma.

Hurricane Wilma hit Florida on Oct. 24, 2005. Wilma-based claims have lagged far worse than claims after even Hurricane Andrew, the most expensive hurricane in insured losses in Florida history. Almost daily, Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and private insurers receive new or reopened claims from Hurricane Wilma. Roughly 90 percent of all claims from Hurricane Andrew were received within six months of when the hurricane made landfall August 1992; about 95 percent were received within nine months; and between 98 and 99 percent were received within a year.

A cottage industry known as public adjusters has sprung up in recent years, enticing thousands of homeowners to reopen claims against insurance companies. Using mailers and campaign-like flyers and door hangers, public adjusters lure homeowners with promises of extracting more money from insurance companies if the homeowner allows them to re-open or even file a new claim against insurance carriers.

The problem has become so pernicious that several companies have gone bankrupt in the past two years and CAT Fund officials have been forced to float two bond issues to raise the cash needed to cover its debt. With the continued wave of re-opened claims, CAT Fund officials returned to the Florida Cabinet today requesting a third bond issue to cover the growing debt that SBA Director Ash Williams admitted his agency is still trying to understand.

Director Williams told the Governor and Cabinet members that the SBA is trying to “understand why that claims experience is surprising us on the upside.”

Governor Charlie Crist asked, “What is going on, you think?” Williams cited three factors, including what he termed “the explosion in the public adjuster industry.”

The Hypocrisy Continues: How Many Recovery Act Dollars Have Florida Republicans Requested From The Federal Government?

2010-02-24T19:05:00.000-08:00

From FDP:

Republicans have had a hard time explaining themselves in the last few weeks after it was found that more than 120 of them have been complete hypocrites on the Recovery Act. They vote against it and rail against it in Washington, then go back to their districts and attend ribbon cuttings for projects funded by the Recovery Act or they write federal agencies requesting Recovery dollars for projects in their districts, saying the projects will "create jobs."

We know that many Florida Republicans have been found to be hypocrites - Reps. Brown-Waite, Stearns, Mica, Young, Putnam, Posey, Rooney, Ros-Lehtinen, and the Diaz-Balart brothers. Some of them have had their letters to federal agencies released as a result of inquiries by news organizations. But what about the rest of the Republican delegation?

We call on Reps. Miller, Crenshaw, Bilirakis, Buchanan, and Mack to release all the letters, emails or other correspondence they have sent to federal agencies requesting Recovery Act funding, or letters of endorsement for projects they have provided to other groups or branches of government.

"It's time to clear the air on this -- economists from all walks of life and the CBO have said the Recovery Act worked to save or create more than 2 million jobs and kept our economy from falling into depression. And it was passed with only three Republican votes," said Florida Democratic Party spokesman Eric Jotkoff. "It's now time for Republicans to show their hand - are they attending ribbon cuttings for projects and requesting funding from the bill they voted against and continue to decry? Or are they playing politics with their constituents' economic security and turning down job creating projects that would stimulate their local economy?"

On the Day of Bipartisan Jobs Vote - Where Are Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio's Plans to Get Florida Back to Work?

2010-02-24T19:04:00.001-08:00

From Kendrick Meek:

As the Senate voted on the HIRE Act this morning, a commonsense job creation package that will create thousands of new jobs across Florida and more than a million jobs across the nation, the Kendrick Meek For Florida campaign is asking where Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio's jobs plans are. The bipartisan bill that the Senate voted on has four key provisions, including a payroll tax holiday for businesses to encourage hiring, additional funds to help small businesses expand, an extension of the Highway Trust Fund to allow more infrastructure investments, and an expansion of the Build America Bonds program to allow states finance infrastructure projects. Will Rubio and Crist lend their support to this bipartisan bill? If not, when will they release their own plans to get Floridians back to work? 

 "As the Senate voted on a jobs creation package, where are Marco Rubio and Charlie Crist's plans for getting Floridians back to work?," said Abe Dyk, campaign manager for the Kendrick Meek for Florida campaign. "Rubio and Crist should tell Florida voters if they support the bipartisan job creation bill in the Senate and if not, why they don't."   

According to a new report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which created over 2 million jobs last year, has boosted the US economy by 3.5%, and has lowered the unemployment rate by up to 2.1%. The CBO projects that the stimulus will have an even greater impact in 2010.

Statement By Leader Franklin Sands --- Regarding the Election of Janet Cruz, Florida House District 58

2010-02-24T19:02:00.000-08:00

“On behalf of the members of the Florida House Democratic Caucus, it is with great joy and pride that I offer congratulations to Tampa native Janet Cruz on her election.

“The people of Florida are longing for prosperity, stability and a legislature that works in a bipartisan manner. As the representative for Florida House District 58, Janet will be a determined advocate for the residents in Hillsborough County and all Floridians.

“I wish Janet much success in the challenging tasks that await her. She can be assured that every member of our caucus will welcome her warmly as we strive to create a better future for Florida.”

Kendrick Meek on the Tragic Death of Cuba Prisoner of Conscience Orlando Zapata Tamayo

2010-02-24T18:45:00.001-08:00

Kendrick Meek today issued the following statement following the death of Orlando Zapata Tamayo, a prisoner of conscience in Cuba who passed away after a 47-year arbitrary prison detention by the brutal Castro regime.

“My thoughts and prayers are with Orlando’s mother, Reina Luisa Tamayo, and his family at this most difficult time. The Cuban government’s stunning lack of respect for human rights was highlighted by Orlando as much in his life as in his death. He stood for freedom in the face of indignity and joins those who have put their lives on the line for the reality of a free Cuba. His stand was an act of conviction – a call for freedom in the face of oppression.”

In 2003, Amnesty International declared Orlando a “prisoner of conscience” in recognition of his extraordinary courage.

Thurman Letter To Crist: Campaign's Use Of Sansom Shows Why Special Prosecutor Is Need In RPOF Case

2010-02-23T22:29:00.000-08:00

Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman send the following letter to Governor Crist today, renewing demands that Crist appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate allegations of corruption at the Republican Party of Florida. A copy of the letter can be downloaded by clicking here.

February 23, 2010

The Honorable Charlie Crist
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399

Dear Governor Crist,

I write today to once again demand that you start an independent investigation into the alleged corruption at the Republican Party of Florida by appointing a Special Prosecutor.

As you may know, your Campaign Manager Eric Eikenberg released a statement yesterday to the press requesting that Speaker Marco Rubio provide all relevant documents regarding the ongoing investigation of Speaker Ray Sansom:

"As you are well aware, your hand picked budget chief, Rep. Ray Sansom, resigned from his House seat yesterday... It is essential that the Republican primary voters and the people of Florida understand the role that a potential U.S. Senator might have played in matters that are now under investigation. To that end, we are confident that you will agree to release all emails and documents between Rep. Sansom, yourself, and your respective staff. We look forward to your response."

While I remain disappointed by your refusal to take action to hold Sansom accountable, it is encouraging that after 15 months of ignoring Republican corruption in Tallahassee, you finally recognize that Floridians are fed up with Republican politicians who have protected their political cronies rather than doing what is right for Florida.

Over that time, information that came to light in large part because of the investigations into Speaker Sansom have led to many more allegations of corruption within the Republican Party of Florida. Almost all of these allegations have one thing in common - the RPOF AmEx cards that were given to Republican politicians including Speaker Rubio, Rep. Dean Cannon, Sen. Jeff Atwater, and many others.

Unfortunately, despite a mountain of evidence and allegations from many leading Republicans of corruption at the RPOF, AG Bill McCollum refuses to order an investigation. With AG McCollum's reported involved in many of the backroom dealings at the RPOF, this conflict of interest serves to question his motivation not to investigate.

Based on your apparent change of heart yesterday, I would like to renew my demand today that you appoint a Special Prosecutor because only an independent investigation can legitimately determine if crimes were committed by Republican politicians like Rubio, Cannon, and Atwater, and discover why Attorney General Bill McCollum has refused to take action on the matter.

To echo Mr. Eikenberg, it is essential that the people of Florida understand the role that our state's elected leaders played in the current scandals plaguing the Republican Party of Florida.

We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Karen Thurman

Chair, Florida Democratic Party

Putting polluters first

2010-02-23T22:02:00.000-08:00

One would assume that if you were running to be the state’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, you would want to have at least a middle-of-the road record on fighting corporate pollution.

After all it is this cabinet member who is supposed to look out for Florida’s consumers and fight to make sure that the food we put on our dinner table is suitable for consumption.

That means taking on polluters, fighting for food safety and ensuring that our food is free from dangerous chemicals like harmful pesticides and other toxins.

Not Adam Putnam.

Congressman Adam Putnam rated near the bottom – even worse than most GOP House members – on a recent environmental scorecard.

You already know about his anti-Florida/anti-jobs position on oil drilling, but you probably didn’t know that Putnam sided with corporate polluters and other special interests 86% of the time... worse than 8 other Florida Republicans!

Scott Maddox will always stand up for you and for the safety of your family.

Help us send a message to those who want to poison our water, our air and our food that you have had enough of career politicians like Adam Putnam.

Join us today.

Sincerely,

Scott Maddox

PS: To see the environmental scorecard, go to: http://www.lcv.org/scorecard/

Link

House Democrats Call For Good Government Reforms to Restore Public Trust

2010-02-23T22:00:00.000-08:00

Florida House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands today praised House Democratic Caucus members’ proposals to restore honesty, integrity and openness to state government.

“The people’s trust has been violated through abuse and corruption by elected officials and other public servants,” said Sands, D-Weston. “Florida House Democratic Caucus members seek changes to restore faith in the government. We urge Republican legislative leaders to join us in supporting good-government reforms, and to make these initiatives a high priority of the 2010 legislative session.”

Florida House Democratic Caucus members have filed bills that would:

· Require state laws and budgets to be written in a truly transparent manner consistent with Florida’s government-in-the-sunshine traditions;

· Encourage greater public participation in government and elections; and

· Lead toward an open and accountable state government that honors the public’s right to know.

“Important bills filed by members of the House Democratic Caucus will help put an end to the culture of corruption that is pervasive in politics today,” said Sands. “These ideas are presented to help make certain that Florida’s leaders serve the people’s interests, not the special interests.”

Among the “good government” bills filed by Florida House Democrats are:

House Joint Resolution 241. Expanding The Public’s Access. Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, (D-Sarasota). HJR 241 is a proposed constitutional amendment that requires budget documents to be user friendly and easy to understand. The amendment would prevent last-minute backroom budget and legislative deals that avoid public input and scrutiny.

The resolution requires:

· Budget documents must be user friendly, easy to read and understandable;

· A three-fourths vote is necessary to allow an amendment on the House floor during the last week of session to reduce the back room last minute deals showing up for a vote without public scrutiny;

· Members of conference committees are prohibited from discussing legislative matters among themselves, except at noticed public meetings;

· A two-thirds vote of both chambers is required to enact public records or public meeting exemptions; and

· Citizens are allowed the right to challenge in court the rules governing public access to documents and meetings.

Several caucus members are sponsoring bills to clarify to public officials what they may not do with the power of the office the people entrust to them. Among the bills are:

House Bill 585. Rep. Ari Porth (D-Coral Springs) Standards of Conduct/Restoring Faith in Public Office Act: The bill bolsters the state’s Official Misconduct law by imposing tougher criminal penalties on a public servant who, with corrupt intent, willfully fails to disclose certain financial interests and other benefits.

House Bill 489. Rep. Adam Fetterman (D-Port St. Lucie) Public Corruption: The bill increases the penalties when a person uses their public authority to commit a crime.

House Bill 533. Rep. Mark Pafford (D-West Palm Beach) Testimony Before the Public Service Commission: The bill requires individuals who provide public comment at PSC hearings to disclose any financial relationship with a utility company. It helps to ensure that the commission makes an informed decision about how the relationship might affect their comments. The bill also requires the financial interest to be disclosed, including charitable contributions, gifts or any positions of governance that are held by an employee of a public utility within the organization represented.

House Bill 587. Rep. Adam Fetterman (D-Port St. Lucie) Voting Conflicts: The bill prohibits legislators from voting on bills that would result in their personal gain, their family’s gain or any business/group they work with from gaining. It also requires disclosure of interests before legislation is considered, and requires written disclosure within a certain time period after a vote on legislation is taken.

House Bill 1153. Rep. Martin Kiar (D-Parkland) Bribery or Misuse of Public Office: The bill aims to make it easier for citizens and the attorney general to hold public officials accountable when they violate the public trust.

Thurman: Sansom Investigation Exposed True Republican Culture Of Corruption In Tallahassee

2010-02-23T21:30:00.000-08:00

Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman, who first called on Sansom to resign on Dec. 3, 2008, released the following statement reacting to the resignation of disgraced Speaker Ray Sansom late last night:

"Over the course of the past 15 months, since I first called on Speaker Ray Sansom to resign, the investigations into his alleged corruption scheme have uncovered a true Republican culture of corruption in Tallahassee.

"Republican politicians living large off the RPOF AmEx slush fund, secret backroom dealings, and wasteful spending that only benefits Republican leaders in Tallahassee have all come to light thanks to the investigations into Sansom.

"But while Sansom's resignation is a step in the right direction, given the news accounts of much larger corruption schemes infecting the Republican Party, Sansom's actions today do very little to clean up the Republican corruption festering in Tallahassee.

"Just like in the Sansom case, Florida's chief law enforcement officer, A.G. Bill McCollum refuses to hold Republican politicians accountable by ordering an investigation into the alleged corruption at the Republican Party.

"Since McCollum's conflicts of interest serve to question McCollum's motivation not to investigate, last week I called for Governor Crist to appoint a Special Prosecutor because only an independent investigation can legitimately determine if crimes were committed by Republican politicians and party officials. Yet, Governor Crist refuses to even acknowledge these calls, let alone do his job by taking action.

"And for most Floridians, the most disappointing lesson from the Sansom case isn't about what was uncovered, but what we were reminded of -- that for the Republican politicians in Tallahassee, Sansom's abuse of power was as they say 'just business as usual' in our state's capital.

"Unfortunately, we only have to look to Sansom's mentor, Speaker Marco Rubio, to prove that point with Turnpike contracts, jobs at FIU, sweetheart mortgages, and Rubio's refusal to release his RPOF AmEx card statements.

"Because Floridians deserve more from our elected officials, Florida Democrats will continue holding Republicans accountable and fighting to clean up Republican corruption in Tallahassee."

Kendrick Meek Receives Endorsement from the Florida Chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters

2010-02-23T21:19:00.000-08:00

The Florida chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters endorsed Kendrick Meek in the Democratic primary today outside of a Jacksonville fire house.

"We salute Florida's firefighters, brave men and women who run into harm's way, not away from it. Florida's firefighters and their families know firsthand how this recession hits home in Florida. They are being asked to do more with less and are working in our neighborhoods where communities are being challenged and jobs are lacking. To stand beside some of Jacksonville's finest citizens is an honor, and my work to bring home more resources to our state will benefit their work. I am honored to receive their endorsement today," said Kendrick Meek, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.

A former captain with the Florida Highway Patrol and First Responder, Kendrick Meek was endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police last week in Orlando.

Statement By Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson On Thrasher RPOF Election

2010-02-23T20:46:00.000-08:00

Florida Senate Minority Leader Al Lawson (D-Tallahassee) on Saturday issued the following statement in response to Sen. John Thrasher’s election as Republican Party Chairman:

“While I wish I could congratulate John Thrasher on winning the Chairmanship of the Florida Republican Party, I am very concerned with his offensive language used this morning during a speech to Republican activists. In his comments, Sen. Thrasher referred to voters that register with the Democratic Party as his “enemy.” John Thrasher’s language is beyond the pale and offensive to the nearly 4.7 million voters who identify themselves as Florida Democrats.

“Unfortunately, John Thrasher is no longer fit to serve as Chairman of the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee nor serve on the Reapportionment Committee. Both positions require bipartisan cooperation, and John Thrasher has demonstrated that he is incapable of conducting himself in such a manner.

“On Monday, I will make a formal request to Senate President Jeff Atwater to remove Senator Thrasher from the Ethics and Elections and the Reapportionment Committees. President Atwater has expressed a desire that Senate business be conducted in the highest professional and ethical standards. As a result, I am confident that my request will be granted.”

Florida Republicans Double Down on GOP Culture of Corruption With Election of Thrasher As Chairman

2010-02-23T20:44:00.000-08:00

The Florida Democratic Party reacted to the election of John Thrasher as RPOF Chairman, issuing the following statement:

"Today, the Republican Party of Florida doubled down on the Republican culture of corruption in Tallahassee. Rather than electing someone to be the voice of Republican grassroots activists or clean up the RPOF mess, Republican insiders instead opted for ethics-lacking, big-spending John Thrasher, who has been convicted twice of breaking Florida's ethics laws," said Eric Jotkoff, Florida Democratic Party spokesman. "Florida's Republican politicians might be celebrating, because they know Thrasher won't shut down their RPOF slush fund, but by rejecting their grassroots supporters, Floridians of all stripes see that Florida's Republican Party is open to only elite member of their smoky backroom club."

Thrasher: Ethically Challenged

Thrasher is an ethically challenged individual, having been fined numerous times for violating ethics laws as both a lawmaker and as a lobbyist; at one point as a lawmaker, Thrasher even admitting to violating the state constitution by unethically lobbying the legislature while serving as a state representative. In Thrasher's first year as House Speaker, he became the first Speaker in the history of the state to violate state ethics laws. Furthermore, Thrasher's chief of staff while House Speaker was embroiled in an ethics scandal surrounding his simultaneous public and private work. Even after leaving the state legislature, Thrasher continued to attract criticism for his ethically questionable lobbying activities.

Thrasher's Excessive Spending

While House Speaker, Thrasher was repeatedly criticized for his excessive spending habits. During that time, Thrasher paid his chief of staff more than double the governor's salary for 11 months of work and his aide-de-camp $113,374 a year. When Thrasher refurnished his office in 1999, he spent thousands on a flight to Texas to look at a new desk. Also in 1999, he voted to expand lawmakers' access to state benefits.

In 1999 and 2000, Thrasher paid an aide who later became his chief of staff $255, 000 for 11 months of work. In 1999, McNamara was paid $127,500 over the six-month period when he served as a policy advisor to Thrasher. MacNamara signed a new five-month contract with Thrasher on July 8, 1999 agreeing to return in January 2000 as Thrasher's chief of staff for $127,500.

In a May 4, 2000 column, Ronald Littlepage, a Times-Union columnist, criticized Thrasher's pay of his Chief of Staff calling it the "most mind-boggling thing" all session.

In February 2001, the Tallahassee Bureau Chief of the Palm Beach Post, S.V. Date, criticized Thrasher's pay of a staffer as "preposterous." Date criticized the $113,874 Thrasher paid his aide-de-camp.

In August 1999, Thrasher spent $3,100 of taxpayer money to fly to Texas to look at a desk. Thrasher traveled to Texas on a state plane with the House's sergeant-at-arms, a clerk, the director of information technology and a project estimator.

Kendrick Meek Receives Endorsement from Florida Education Association, Renews Support for Florida's Class Size Amendment

2010-02-23T20:40:00.000-08:00

The Florida Education Association (FEA) announced its endorsement of Kendrick Meek in the Democratic primary this morning at their education conference in Orlando.

"We are gathered in Orlando to fight on behalf of Florida's teachers and students, while the Republican Party of Florida is in town to fight with each other," said Kendrick Meek, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. "We will work together throughout this campaign and in the years ahead to improve Florida's schools and strengthen education to create a more prosperous future for Florida."

"We stood united to reduce class size in Florida and battled the forces of low scholastic expectations wishing to undermine a right our families deserve. Our opponents will never yield and neither will we because as parents and teachers, we know that when it comes to our children and students, we will do whatever it takes to fight for their interests. We can't break our promise to Florida's children, and we won't," added Meek.

"Kendrick has always stood tall for our teachers and educators, and we continue to stand tall with him," said Andy Ford, President of the Florida Education Association. "Together we have battled the special interests who advocate for clients, not our children, and thanks to the class size amendment, teachers can educate our students in classrooms instead of lecture halls. Kendrick has always put education first, and we put him first too."

A graduate of the public school system, Kendrick Meek, a longtime advocate for Florida's schools, was chairman of Florida's Coalition to Reduce Class Size in 2002 and wrote an op-ed in Thursday's Palm Beach Post in support of class size, titled: "Smaller classes a win for kids: Challenges to size amendment will fail."

Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman's Statement In Support of President Obama's Announcement of Additional Assistance for Hardest-Hit Housing

2010-02-23T20:39:00.000-08:00

Today, President Obama announced a new program that will help homeowners in struggling housing markets where home prices have fallen more than 20% from their highest point. Funds to help struggling homeowners will be administered through housing finance agencies and will be used with local challenges in mind. In response to this announcement, Florida Democratic Party spokesman Karen Thurman released the following statement:

"President Obama's announcement is welcome news for Florida's homeowners who are still struggling to make ends meet. It is also further evidence that the President and Democratic Leaders are serious about helping the middle class and will not rest until the American Dream is restored. This program is an important step towards stabilizing Florida's housing markets and helping middle class families stay afloat in these difficult times. I want to thank President Obama for his continued attention to the challenges facing Florida's families. And I call on Republicans in Congress to stop playing politics and blocking progress at every turn, and instead start working with Democrats to get our economy back on track."

The program will help in the following areas:

1. Unemployed borrowers

2. "Underwater" borrowers-those who owe more on their home than their home is worth.

3. Borrowers with second liens-borrowers who have a home equity line of credit on their home and problems associated with that.

This new program will help housing finance agencies to take new steps in struggling housing markets to help homeowners stay afloat. Under this new initiative, $1.5 billion of funds made available under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) will be used to improve and expand the work of state and local Housing Finance Agencies (HFA)s. The new initiative will apply to states where housing prices have dropped by 20% or more. This program will be administered with the utmost regard for transparency and accountability and in accordance with existing EESA funding requirements.

Legislation Aimed at Reducing Melanoma's in Florida's Youths Passes Second Committee Stop

2010-02-23T20:38:00.000-08:00

Legislation beefing up parental consent requirements for teens using ultraviolet ray-emitting tanning machines and sponsored by Senator Eleanor Sobel (D-Hollywood) passed its second committee stop on Thursday. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the measure 6-2.

“It’s time we acknowledged the dangers that tanning machines pose to young Floridians and I’m thrilled to see this very important public health issue advance further through the legislative process,” said Sen. Sobel. “The science is simply overwhelming. Tanning machines cause cancer.”

SB 430 will require in-person parental consent for teen tanning machine use and prohibit children under 14 from using dangerous tanning machines. Recent studies, including a report by the World Health Organization, confirmed that there is direct connection between ultraviolet rays emitted by tanning machines and melanomas, which are the deadliest forms of skin cancer. SB 430 strengthens current Florida law and will allow a parent or legal guardian to indicate exactly how many times their teenager may tan over a 12-month period.

“If I could, I would stop all young people from using these dangerous machines,” said Sen. Sobel. “But I am thankful and encouraged by the support of Judiciary Chair Sen. Negron and the rest of the committee for helping put some power back in parents’ hands with respect to teen health.”

The next stop for SB 430 is the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Appropriations.

Sen. Sobel's "Distressed Condominium Relief Act" Sails Through First Committee Stop

2010-02-23T20:37:00.000-08:00

State Senator Eleanor Sobel’s (D-Hollywood) legislation to help stimulate the depressed condominium market cleared its first committee stop earlier this week, unanimously passing the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries.

“Florida’s housing market has obviously been one of the hardest hit in the country by this recession” said Sen. Sobel. “My bill makes it easier for long-term investors to buy units, providing relief to the condo market and much-needed fees for battered condo associations.”

The Distressed Condominium Relief Act (Senate Bill 840) eases some of the obligations placed upon a person who wants to acquire seven or more units, called a “bulk buyer.” Currently someone who wants to purchase in that amount is considered a “developer” and can be held liable for problems caused by the original builder, including construction defects. Redefining the potential liabilities of a bulk buyer makes bulk purchases more attractive to potential owners—owners who are willing and able to help shoulder the burden of rising fees and assessments that threaten to overwhelm current owners.

The bill is sponsored in the House by State Representative Julio Robaina (R-South Miami) and has already unanimously passed two committees in that chamber. The next stop for SB 840 is the Senate Committee on Community Affairs.

This is exactly why people are tired of Congress

2010-02-23T20:35:00.000-08:00

Congressman Adam Putnam, a career politician, voted to oppose the federal stimulus bill on more than one occasion last year. I can only presume he voted against it because his political bosses inside the beltway told him to do so.

But Politico and the St. Pete Times have reported that he's now saying Florida needs the cash to help with jobs and to balance the state budget. So now he is asking the feds for a waiver to send us the very same dollars he opposed.

Really?

This is exactly the kind of hypocrisy Floridians are tired of.

If you’re going to be against the stimulus plan in principle, then you need to live up to your word and not flip-flop from one month to another. I would have told you the truth and I wouldn’t engage in such stunning hypocrisy.

If you are ready to join a team that opposes political hypocrisy and send a message to a career politician that you’ve had enough, help us spread the word.

Sincerely,

Scott Maddox

P.S. - In case you missed it, Wikipedia, the worldwide online encyclopedia, literally had Adam Putnam listed under the word “hypocrisy”.

Link

Sen. Sobel’s Python Legislation Wins Unanimous and Bi-Partisan Support at First Committee Stop

2010-02-23T20:22:00.000-08:00

State Senator Eleanor Sobel’s (D - Hollywood) bill to prohibit personal ownership of six species of giant reptiles, including Burmese pythons, sailed through its first legislative hearing with a unanimous and resounding “yes” this week, unanimously passing the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee.

“Floridians would agree we have enough snakes in our sunshine state already,” said Sen. Sobel. “We do not want more exotic and invasive giant reptiles living and breeding in Florida. They pose too high a risk to our environment and they can endanger public safety.”

Senate Bill 318 is the only measure currently filed in the Florida Senate which would ban five species of giant snakes and one species of giant lizard, already identified as “Reptiles of Concern” by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Although possession of these species for personal use would be prohibited, current owners will be allowed to keep their pets through a grandfather clause.

“We’ve known for years about the risks posed by Burmese pythons yet they’re still allowed to be imported into the state, breed in the state and be sold within the state. This legislation gives Floridians the power to say: 'enough is enough',” Sobel added.

Passage of the legislation is being aided by Senator Lee Constantine, who chairs the Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation, as well as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. Its next stop is in the Senate’s General Government Appropriations Committee.

Kendrick Meek in Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee Meeting with Florida Families, Students Affected by Economic Downturn

2010-02-18T19:42:00.000-08:00

Meek: "Floridians need to hear solutions to our economic woes, not political doublespeak and ideological rhetoric. I stand with Floridians who need leaders to fight for them, not politicians who fight with each other."

Orlando, FL - Kendrick Meek met today with Orlando families and workers living through Florida's worst economic downturn, before continuing to Gainesville and Tallahassee to attend campaign events with students concerned about their job prospects in this economy.

"Florida's middle class, who have worked so hard to provide for their families, are paying the price for other people's recklessness. Floridians deserve an economy that works for all of us and that produces long term jobs transforming this state from recession to recovery. Floridians need to hear solutions to our economic woes, not the political doublespeak we've grown accustomed to from the governor, and the ideological rhetoric from the former speaker - neither of which creates one more job in Florida, nor expands our struggling economy," said Kendrick Meek, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. "We hear about economic recovery in other states, but don't see it in Florida. I stand with Floridians who need leaders to fight for them, not politicians who fight with each other."

On Wednesday, Kendrick met with Florida's law enforcement community and citrus growers. Later this week and next, he will travel to Pensacola, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Daytona Beach to meet with Florida teachers, firefighters, faith leaders, scientists, and engineers to discuss ways to grow Florida's economy.

Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman's Statement on the First Anniversary of the Recovery Act

2010-02-17T19:05:00.000-08:00

Bill Has Funded Thousands of Jobs in Florida and Saved Our Economy From Total Collapse

One year ago today, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Since then it has funded up to 2 million jobs nationwide, including jobs in Florida, and saved our economy from total collapse. On the first anniversary of the signing of the bill, Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman issued the following statement:

"The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed into law by President Obama one year ago today, has funded thousands of jobs in Florida and saved our economy from total collapse," said Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman.

"It has kept teachers in the classroom and police officers on the streets. Florida's working families have seen a tax break because of this bill, and small businesses have received loans to help them build their businesses and create more jobs. On this day, I want to thank President Obama and our Democratic Leaders in Congress for their leadership on this issue as they have worked day-in and day-out to get our economy back on track. But this success has come despite the best efforts of Congressional Republicans, who are now happy to reap the benefits of the Recovery Act even though they voted against it.

"While we still have much work to do creating more jobs and rebuilding our economy for the long-term, it's clear that the Recovery Act is doing what it needs to do and is turning our economy around."

House Dems Seek to Increase Citizen Participation in Government & Elections

2010-02-17T19:04:00.002-08:00

Several bills sponsored by Florida House Democratic Caucus members that aim to encourage voter participation and turnout in elections were introduced today in a workshop held by the House Government Affairs Policy Committee.

“Floridians are demanding that we continue striving to improve our state’s elections process,” said House Democratic Leader Pro Tempore Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando. “Florida House Democrats are pleased to sponsor several important proposals to increase citizen participation in government and encourage voter turnout for elections. Today’s discussions are a good beginning.”

Among the bills discussed in committee today are:

House Bill 57 – Early Voting -- Rep. Joe Gibbons (D-Hallandale Beach). The bill requires more early voting hours and encourages supervisors of elections to extend early voting to 12 weekend hours. Currently, early voting is limited to 8 hours per weekday and 8 hours in total on weekends. Representative Gibbons also seeks to give supervisors flexibility to place early-voting polling sites at more locations.

House Bill 213 – Congressional Vacancies -- Rep. Rick Kriseman (D-St. Petersburg). The legislation calls for U.S. Senate vacancies to be handled identically to the manner of vacant U.S. House seats. The idea is to ensure that voters—not political officeholders—select their public servants in Washington.

House Bill 681 – Challenging A Person Desiring to Vote -- Rep. Geraldine Thompson (D-Orlando). The bill seeks to protect prohibit “voter caging” activities, which can deny residents the opportunity to vote when challenged by someone without actual knowledge of their qualification to vote. Voter caging is often used to target vulnerable populations, including racial minorities and people whose properties are in foreclosure.

House Bill 407 – Student Voter Education -- Rep. Ronald Brise (D-Miami). The bill requires all school boards to work with county elections officials to educate students about the voting process and how to register to vote.

House Bill 835 – Elections -- Rep. Bill Heller (D-St. Petersburg). The bill creates an option for voters to request permanent absent ballots instead of having to renew their absentee ballot request every two years.

House Bill 625 – Voter Information Cards -- Rep. Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville). HB 625 requires voter information cards to include polling place addresses. It also requires new voter information cards to be issues when voter’s change address or when their polling place is relocated.

House Bill 869 -- Political Advertisements -- Rep. Darryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg) and Rep. Eric Eisnaugle (R-Orlando). The bill is an attempt to address the use of new Internet communications during political campaigns. The bill considers advertising links on sites such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, and cell-phone texting for political campaign purposes.

Kendrick Meek Takes Jobs Message to Dover, Fla.; Meets with Local Citrus Growers, Tours Orange Groves

2010-02-17T19:04:00.001-08:00

Kendrick Meek Takes Jobs Message to Dover, Fla.; Meets with Local Citrus Growers, Tours Citrus Groves

Vows to Expand and Grow Florida's $9.3 Billion, 90,000 Florida Jobs Industry

Dover, Fla. - Kendrick Meek met with Dover citrus growers this Wednesday, toured local citrus groves and pledged to work with local industry to expand and grow Florida's 9.3 billion, 90,000 Florida job-producing industry.
"After a record setting cold spell and Washington continuously shortchanging our agriculture producers, Florida's farmers and citrus growers are hurting, much like Florida's economy. In Dover, and in every Florida county, agriculture is a vital part of the economic engine of this state, and as Florida's next senator, my commitment is to growing and expanding this Florida-first industry," said Kendrick Meek, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.

"The national economy is slowly returning to life, while Florida is being left behind. National unemployment is falling, yet ours is rising, and instead of hearing about solutions to our economic problems, Floridians are listening to non-stop bickering and name calling from politicians. I am fighting for Florida's families to create new jobs for this generation and future ones. My concern is restoring our economy for all Floridians, not the internal discourse and future direction of a political party. I am putting the people of Florida first and the political ideology of party last," added Meek.

Florida's unemployment rate is expected to climb to 12.3 percent later this year, while the national unemployment rate declined to 9.7 percent in January.

Rep. Steinberg and Sen. Hill Sponsor Diversity Bill

2010-02-17T19:00:00.000-08:00

Representative Richard L. Steinberg (D-Miami Beach) and Senator Anthony C. “Tony” Hill Sr. (D-Jacksonville) are sponsoring House Bill 1093 during the 2010 session to require state colleges and universities to interview qualified minority applicants when hiring head athletic coaches and athletic directors.

The bill will require Florida’s state colleges and universities to interview at least one qualified minority applicant when hiring a head athletic coach or an athletic director.

The bill is modeled after the National Football League’s ‘Rooney Rule’ which calls for football franchises to interview minority candidates for head coaching and senior football operations positions. Currently, there is no such rule for college sports. HB 1093 will promote equitable employment opportunities in college athletics.

“Florida’s university athletic coaching positions are some of the most sought after positions in the nation,” said Representative Steinberg. “I hope that my colleagues in the Legislature will join me in passing this important legislation to ensure that our hiring practices in Florida are fair and that we attract the best talent. Our university teams will benefit tremendously with leadership that more accurately reflects the diversity of their student athletes and fans.”

Kendrick Meek Receives Endorsement From the Florida Fraternal Order of Police

2010-02-17T18:50:00.000-08:00

The Florida Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) announced its endorsement of Kendrick Meek in the Democratic primary this morning during their February Board of Trustees Meeting in Orlando.
"Congressman Meek has served Florida's law enforcement community as a Trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol and he served in the Florida Legislature in both the House of Representatives and the Florida Senate as an advocate for education and better opportunities for all Florida citizens. We believe Congressman Meek has worked hard in Washington, D.C. and will continue to represent the best interests of Floridians in the U.S. Senate," stated the Fraternal Order of Police.

In response, Kendrick Meek said: "As a former Captain of the Florida Highway Patrol, I know firsthand the hard work and dedication of the law enforcement community in this state. It is an honor to be endorsed by my brothers and sisters in uniform, some of the finest and most honorable citizens in Florida. Florida's families are in need of economic relief, and that includes Florida's law enforcement families. We are being asked to do more with less, and Florida's law enforcement community deserves better."

The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) is an organization of sworn law enforcement officers in the United States. The Florida FOP Labor Council represents law enforcement professionals and more law enforcement bargaining units than any other union in Florida.

Sen. Dan Gelber Calls on Attorney General to Protect Florida Consumers and Hold Manufacturers Accountable

2010-02-17T18:14:00.000-08:00

Four years after first joining with several other states claiming millions of dollars in current and ongoing damages allegedly caused by substandard plastic pipeline, the Florida attorney general’s office has yet to make up its mind on whether it will pursue the class action suit to recover the money.

On Tuesday, state Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) called on the Attorney General to do just that.

“In the four years since the filing of this complaint, your office has failed to take action and has potentially allowed Floridians to suffer serious financial damage as a result of fraud. Florida’s consumers deserve that this complaint be fully investigated to determine if wrongdoing was committed,” wrote Gelber in a letter hand-delivered to Attorney General Bill McCollum.

“Florida has one of the largest and best-equipped attorney general offices in the nation. I urge your office to deploy those resources to ensure Florida’s consumers are protected and the manufacturer is held accountable.”

At issue is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipeline manufactured by Los Angeles-based JM Eagle and its predecessor company, which was sold throughout the country to cities, towns and counties including in Florida, primarily for use in water and sewer system installations.

A former employee of the company turned whistleblower alleged that the pipe was below industry standards, and deceptively sold to customers in order to boost company profits. The pipe, which is supposed to last for 50 years, has been faulted not only for leaks and breakages, but fires and explosions, some of these occurring within the first year of use.

The litigation outlining the alleged fraud and shoddy production was first filed as a qui tam or whistleblower suit in federal court in 2006. Florida was among the states involved in the action, noting that it was seeking treble damages and penalties under the state’s False Claims Act, and alleging that the substandard pipe was purchased by “state governmental entities, agencies, or subdivisions (including but not limited to counties and school districts).”

According to court documents, the state also claimed that “the Florida State Government has suffered million of dollars in damages and continues to be damaged.”

Gelber also underscored the fact that in the same year in which the lawsuit was drafted, “the Orange County Center Against Domestic Violence in Orlando, which houses adults and children, accepted 3,000 feet of the company’s water and sewer PVC pipes.”

Last week, as the suit was unsealed and the confidentiality requirements cloaking the qui tam action were lifted, documents revealed that although the initiating states such as Nevada and Virginia were pursuing the fraud allegations, Florida was still on the fence, leaving the state’s consumers exposed and potentially on the hook.

The failure to move forward was troubling, Gelber said. “The Florida Attorney General needs to follow the lead of Nevada and Virginia and join forces to protect our citizens as others are protecting theirs. It shouldn’t take another four years to tilt the scales of justice in the right direction.”

###

Links to the lawsuit and a story published last week by the New York Times on the issue appear below. The State of Florida’s allegations begin on page 60 of the complaint:

http://admin.phillipsandcohen.lawoffice.com/CM/NewsSettlements/US%20ex%20rel%20Hendrix%20v.%20JM%20-%20FAC.pdf

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/12/business/12pipes.html?scp=1&sq=jm%20eagle&st=cse

Senator Justice Files Bill to Curb Medicaid Fraud

2010-02-17T18:13:00.001-08:00

Senator Charlie Justice (D- St. Petersburg) filed legislation Tuesday that sends a strong message to health insurers in the State of Florida: If you steal from the taxpayers, you will lose your license. Senate Bill 1958 states that if any health insurance provider is found to be involved in Medicaid fraud, their license will be suspended, revoked or denied.

“Floridians are sick and tired of paying higher insurance premiums because some bad apples in the health insurance industry don’t take our laws seriously. It’s time we sent them a clear message that we will not tolerate fraudulent behavior,” Senator Justice said.

Similar legislation passed the legislature last year that denied, revoked or suspended licenses of medical providers such as doctors, hospitals and pharmacists that were found to be involved in Medicaid fraud. Justice’s latest bill builds on that legislative foundation.

“The health insurance industry is a huge piece of our overall health care and should be held to the same standards that our medical providers,” Justice said. “Continuing to crack down on the Medicaid fraud epidemic in this state is a sure fire way to bring down health care costs.”

Gelber Comments on passage of unemployment tax relief for businesses

2010-02-17T18:10:00.002-08:00

State Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach), Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce issued the following statement on the passage of unemployment tax relief for businesses:

“I commend Sen. Garcia for moving quickly with SB 1666, which addresses a portion of our state’s unemployment crisis. Florida’s small businesses face increases from $8.40 to $100 per employee in unemployment taxes as a result of the more than one million Floridians out of work. This drastic increase is a shock to our businesses who are trying to stay afloat during these challenging times. While the measure passed today is welcome, it is not a permanent fix; a band aid won’t stop an infection from spreading.

“But it is a mistake born out of short-term thinking to turn our backs on the $500 million available to Florida if we modernize our five decade old unemployment system. If the legislature would have had earnest dialogue on this matter last legislative session, we would be in a much different place today, and the sticker shock businesses suddenly confronted would have been far less. Failing to address this portion of the crisis will only hinder our efforts to turn our economy around. Unemployed Floridians who have access to unemployment benefits contribute to our economy and aid in our economic recovery. We cannot ignore this challenge and I urge my colleagues in the Florida House and Senate to address this important issue.”

Contamination Notification Bill Passes First Committee Unanimously

2010-02-17T18:10:00.001-08:00

From the Senate Dems:

Legislation to enhance the notification requirements for sites contaminated with harmful toxins passed unanimously through the Senate Environmental Preservation Committee today. The bill, sponsored by Senator Charlie Justice (D - St. Petersburg), is a direct result of a toxic plume affecting residents of Pinellas County. The plume was discovered in 1991, but residents were not made aware of the contamination until 2008, seventeen years later. During that time, the dangerous chemicals have migrated off site affecting two apartment complexes, three neighborhoods, community parks, schools and Tampa Bay.

“If we had the kind of notification standards I propose in this bill, the situation in St. Petersburg would not have grown to the level of putting people’s health, property value and trust at risk.” Senator Justice said.

Presently, the Department of Environmental Protection only notifies the county administrator and any residents that have contamination on their property. Senator Justice’s bill will require notification to also be sent to residents living within 500 feet of the contaminated area, elected officials and community leaders.

“People have the right to know if there are dangerous chemicals potentially affecting their family,” Senator Justice stated. “I am proud to work on this good legislation and ensure that we put a stop to situations like this from happening in the future.”

Senate Bill 602 now goes to the Senate Community Affairs committee.

Kendrick Meek: Keep Commitment To Florida's Schoolchildren

2010-02-17T17:56:00.000-08:00

Not too long ago, Florida schools ranked at the bottom of the national barrel, known for being overcrowded and underfunded. Elected leaders were shortchanging parents, children and teachers and failing to invest in our state's long-term economic prosperity, which depends on a highly skilled and educated workforce.

  In 2002, a citizen-led initiative supported a state constitutional amendment guaranteeing students the right to smaller class sizes. The amendment, scheduled to go into full effect this fall, limits the number of students in core curriculum classes in grades kindergarten to 3 (18 students), grades 4 to 8 (22 students) and grades 9 to 12 (25 students).  

As chairman of Florida's Coalition to Reduce Class Size, I will never forget the hopeless look on the faces of Florida's parents, wanting nothing more than to provide the best public school education for their children but not knowing how to achieve that in overcrowded classrooms.  

Ultimately, a broad coalition of more than 2.5 million Florida parents, teachers, students and education supporters voted. The class-size amendment passed, and smaller class sizes are now enshrined in Florida's constitution.

  The class-size amendment ensures that teachers can teach in an environment that students can learn, yet politicians have not relented in watering down hard-fought class-size limits while refusing to tackle the special-interest bidding that is alive and well in the state capital.

  Those who wish to undermine the amendment often talk about the problem of the 19th child. If a new student transfers into a school during the academic year, they argue, that additional pupil in a class of 18 would result in schools violating class-size requirements. The scare tactic boogeyman is borne out of an unyielding desire to find any argument, no matter how flimsy, to undercut the people's will.

  The state Legislature possesses the statutory tools to resolve this non-issue and provide exceptions to schools in such cases.

  Since smaller class sizes have come into effect, a consistent improvement in student achievement levels across the state is being realized.

  Reading and math proficiency have improved. High school graduation rates have risen. Years of research also illustrate that children in smaller classes are better behaved, less likely to drop out and have higher grade-point averages.  

Reducing class size is one tool of many to give our children a better education. This is what we promised our future generations. This is what they deserve. We can't break our promise to Florida's children.

Weekly Word

2010-02-17T17:41:00.000-08:00

From Jim Piccillo:

Greetings Friends and Supporters!

The Jim Piccillo for Congress campaign is pleased to send you this 2nd Edition of the Weekly Word. This newsletter is designed to keep all of our supporters "in the loop" about the campaign's progress and activity. Click here to join the team. We hope you find the information helpful and informative. If we didn't address an area you are interested in, please feel free to call or email us. Your feedback is appreciated and, after all, we are here to listen to you!

On the Money

Our fund raising efforts are in full force. We have started the year by making great strides, but still need your help if we are to reach our goal of $100,000 by the end of the quarter (March 31st). Click here to help us reach this critical goal. Jim has been spending countless hours on the phone, calling potential donors and supporters to bring in the money that will showcase the 5th District as winnable for a Democrat this upcoming November. The incumbent is heavily funded by greedy insurance and banking industry PACs. By taking a quick glance at her financial reports on the FEC website it is easy to see who she truly represents.

Community Outreach

Over the past week, Jim met with some of the good folks of our local Unions and also visited Citrus County to meet with the wonderful Democrats at the Central Citrus Democratic Club. While unable to spend as much time with them as he would have liked, Jim was able to answer some questions and learn more about the concerns of the voters in that area. Jim will continue to tour the District, visiting with as many organizations, companies, businesses and Clubs over the course of the next nine months as possible, so that he can learn what issues most affect the people of the 5th District.

Weekly Word: Pressing Issue

In a press release dated February 16, 2010, Jim called upon the incumbent Ginny Brown-Waite (R) to return $2,000 in campaign contributions she accepted from scandal plagued WellPoint insurance (also known as Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of CA). WellPoint has been under fire for increasing their customers premiums by 39% after reporting a $2.7 Billion profit in the 4th quarter of 2009. It is despicable to accept contributions from such a greedy and corrupt organization. WellPoint's price gauging is the perfect example of why we need aggressive healthcare reform.

Spreading the Message

It can't be said enough... together, we will lift the 5th District in Florida back to the glory of the good old days; significantly lower unemployment, generate small business growth and ensure stability to those who have been hardest hit by these tough economic times. This is why we ask, once again, for all Democrats to get involved NOW! The most important part of any campaign is the people who volunteer. Walk with Jim side-by-side on this journey. Please visit jimpiccillo.com to sign up to contribute, host a house party or just volunteer your time to help bring common sense back to Congress. The Republican incumbent continues to talk the talk, but is at a stand-still when it comes to walking the walk. Take this walk, to November and beyond, with Jim Piccillo.

Democratically yours,
Team Piccillo

Rep. Mia Jones Hosts Medicaid Town Hall Meetings

2010-02-17T17:40:00.000-08:00

Representative Mia Jones (D-Jacksonville) will host a series of Medicaid Town Hall Meetings to hear from medical providers and patients participating in the Florida Medicaid reform pilot project.

Meetings for people who are enrolled in the Florida Medicaid reform pilot project will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, Feb. 22, and again at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Feb. 22. The meetings take place at the Florida State College Jacksonville Downtown Campus Auditorium, 101 W. State Street in Jacksonville.

A meeting for the medical providers will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010 at the Florida State College Jacksonville Downtown Campus auditorium, 101 W. State Street in Jacksonville.

A Medicaid reform project was implemented in August 2006 in Broward and Duval counties. In September 2007, Baker, Nassau, and Clay counties were added to the project. The stated goal has been to improve delivery of health care services by making managed care health plans more flexible, improve services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries, and promote competition among the plans. But as of June 2009, according to an Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) report, little data has been attained to determine the project’s success.

“As a member of the Florida Legislature, my goal is to help create a better Medicaid program that focuses on quality patient care,” said Representative Jones. “Unfortunately, many beneficiaries are not receiving the quality care they need and providers are not being compensated for the services they are delivering. Before the pilot program is expanded, there are many questions that need to be answered. Therefore, I am taking the time to carefully listen to all stakeholders in hopes of finding a formula that works for all of the Floridians that we serve.”

Time for a call

2010-02-15T18:21:00.001-08:00

Dear Friend,

Over the last couple weeks, serious and disturbing revelations have come to light over the management of the Republican Party's budget. It's an issue that strikes at the core of the leadership of our state government and the will of Republican elected officials to do their job and investigate.

Newspapers from across Florida have reported about the excessive payments to Republican Party officials, politicians using party funds for their own benefit, and schemes to hide these dealings from public scrutiny.

However, Florida's chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Bill McCollum, has refused to investigate the alleged criminal activity within the Republican Party. Like the career politician that he is, McCollum recently paid lip service to cleaning up corruption by setting up a hotline for taxpayers to call and report alleged corruption so it could be investigated

So it's time for you to take action by picking up your phone and calling that hotline.

Let Attorney General Bill McCollum know that Floridians believe he needs to investigate the RPOF AmEx slush fund now. It'll just take a minute for you to leave your message and let him know you feel he should do his job and investigate.

Call the hotline now at 1 (800) 646-0444, right now. Then click on this link to let us know you did so we can follow up and let you know the outcome.

Last week, State Senators Dave Aronberg and Dan Gelber joined together to send a letter to Attorney General Bill McCollum calling for him to stop delaying and open an investigation:

"As Florida's chief law enforcement officer, it is incumbent on you to formally request an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement into the possible criminal activity and public corruption surrounding the RPOF's secret contracts and credit cards."

Even the Republican Party's own former General Counsel Robert Sechen was paraphrased as saying these secret dealings "might also run afoul of a state law governing Florida political parties that makes it a third-degree felony for a chairman or treasurer to knowingly make 'a false or improper accounting for' political money."

We need to let Attorney General Bill McCollum know that the people of Florida want to hold politicians, including McCollum's cronies, accountable by demanding an investigation.

Please, take minute to make a call and let Attorney General Bill McCollum know that he's waited long enough, Floridians expect action, and that means an investigation.

Call the corruption hotline now at 1 (800) 646-0444 and let them know they should investigate. Then click on this link to let us know you did so we can follow up and let you know the outcome.

This is not just a political scandal. There is a serious issue that that reaches the highest level of our state government.

Sadly, the way the Republican Party has managed their own budget isn't too different from how they have managed the state's budget: private slush funds, secret contracts and pay offs for friends. But it's not their money; it's the people's money.

Former Speaker Ray Sansom's scandal has revealed how the Republicans treated the budget as a personal business plan and now the Republican Party's scandal has revealed that literally dozens of GOP legislators treated themselves to private partisan slush funds.

We can't sit by while this lack of leadership continues to be the norm from the Republican political elites of our state. We need to make the call and let Bill McCollum know it has to stop now.

This needs to stop - it's time for you to make a call.

Take a minute to call the corruption hotline now at 1 (800) 646-0444 and let them know they should investigate. Then click on this link to let us know you did so we can follow up and let you know the outcome.

Thank you for standing up and making a call today. With your help, we can make sure that the people know the truth.

Sincerely, Karen L. Thurman

Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Kendrick Meek's Statement On The NASA Budget Announcement

2010-02-01T11:11:00.000-08:00

Meek: "I Will Work Tirelessly to Ensure That Florida Remains a Global Center for Space Flight and Discovery."

Miami Gardens, Fla. - Today, U.S. Senate candidate Kendrick Meek issued the following statement regarding the Obama's administration's decision to end the Constellation Program:

"For decades, Floridians have stood at the forefront of innovation and discovery in space. Continuing space exploration is critical to the future of Florida and the nation. It's one element that drives the state's economy.

"Ending manned NASA missions to the moon would put 7,000 direct Florida jobs in jeopardy, as well as thousands of others that support the program. The proposition of losing thousands of Florida jobs is unacceptable.

"These individuals are highly skilled workers who are working hard to keep the United States at the forefront of technological development and scientific study. The fact that we would potentially lose our sharpest minds to China or India because these experts cannot find a job at home would be a major loss for Florida."

Time to send a message

2010-01-31T16:33:00.000-08:00

I need your help. When the Florida Legislative Session starts in about a month, I will suspend fundraising for 60 days because I am a sitting legislator. This is a good law, but unfortunately in this case it gives a leg-up to the Republicans running for Attorney General. (None of them are sitting legislators, so they can all fundraise freely during this period.)

This is our moment to send a message that grassroots means something. We're currently the best funded campaign on either side of the aisle, and if we can bring a flood of donations in right before the legislative session, it will maintain our momentum and status as frontrunner.

So, today my campaign is announcing a “moneybomb” for 2/25. The idea is to spend the next month getting people to pledge to give online on 2/25.

Can you pledge to donate on 2/25? (Right now -- only takes a second!)

This election is really about the type of state Florida will be – and frankly my opponents have a much different vision and agenda. I believe that most people share our view – but the best way to prove that is with a tangible show of support.

Pledge to make your money talk on 2/25!

I know times are tough, but the consequences of inaction will be much more expensive. Even if you can only give a few bucks -- the number of grassroots donors is just as crucial to our ability to make a statement as the number of dollars raised. So please, make your pledge now.

Thanks either way,

Dan Gelber

PS: Want to go the extra mile? Sign up to host! My campaign will help you learn how to fundraise, and the website can help you track which of your friends are pledging...and the site also allows you to automatically solicit through your Facebook or Twitter.

Link

Representative Luis R. Garcia, Jr. Files HB 765 Re: Unlawful Slaughter of Horses

2010-01-31T16:32:00.000-08:00

There has been a substantial increase in the unlawful slaughter of horses recently in the State of Florida and particularly in Miami-Dade County. These horses are being slaughtered in connection with the illegal sale of horse meat.

State Representative Luis Garcia (D-Miami) and State Senator Victor Crist (R-Tampa) have joined together and filed HB 765 to combat this growing problem.
House Bill 765 provides a greater deterrent to the illegal slaughter and sale of horse meat by increasing the penalties and imposing mandatory minimum sentences.

The legislation increases the criminal penalty to a third degree felony and imposes a mandatory minimum fine of $3,500 and a minimum period of incarceration of One year for the killing of a horse in violation of this statute.

HB 765 also expands the scope of the statute to include any person who knowingly transports, distributes, sells, purchases or possesses horse meat that is not clearly stamped, marked and described as horse meat for human consumption or horse meat which has not been acquired from a legally licensed slaughterhouse.

Additionally, House Bill 765 authorizes local governments to revoke or suspend local business licenses of restaurants, stores or other businesses after being convicted of violating this statute and expands scope to include all horses not just recognized breeds and hybrids.

Criminals are profiting from this misconduct. A full-sized horse can provide more than 300 pounds of meat on the black market, and horse meat sells for as much as $40 per pound.

Representative Garcia stated, “If they want to steal and kill our horses then we will take their livelihoods and possibly their freedom.” Garcia went on to say, “In the old west they used to hang horse thieves. We no longer practice vigilante justice, nor am I advocating as such, but I will not sit back any longer and let this horrendous crime continue.”

Budget Statements from House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands and Representative Ron Saunders

2010-01-31T16:31:00.002-08:00

House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands and Representative Ron Saunders, the Democratic Ranking Member on the House Full Appropriations Council, issued the following statements in response to Governor Charlie Crist’s budget presentation.

Democratic Leader Franklin Sands (D-Weston):

“I congratulate Governor Crist for recognizing the important priorities of job creation and economic development, the need to develop the talent of Florida’s students and workforce with increased education spending, and for keeping in mind the health care and other priorities of Florida families.

“Governor Crist wisely embraces the use of federal stimulus aid provided by President Barack Obama and Congress. Unfortunately, his budget dangerously relies on draining important state trust funds, draws down budget reserves to levels that will require close scrutiny, and is built on a sunny optimism that is in sharp contrast to the dire warnings of Republican legislative leaders.

“I once again call on Republican legislative leaders to begin the state’s budget writing process by committing to holding all budget talks in the sunshine, and to make budget-allocation decisions in public rather than relying on the secretive process of the past that drew criticism in a grand jury report.

“Meanwhile, I am hesitant of the governor’s call for changing the Class Size Amendment in the state constitution. I seriously doubt that Floridians will want to undo what they approved in 2002. I strongly support giving school districts the flexibility they need to deal with small increases in the student-teacher ratios. But it is important to remember that Florida still averages more students in its classrooms than any other state in the Southeast. The flexibility our schools need can be achieved by changing state law to implement the Class Size Amendment. There is not presently a need for voters to change the amendment.”

From Representative Ron Saunders (D-Key West):

“It is abundantly clear that Florida’s Republican leadership is at sharp odds with our Republican governor. While Governor Crist is eager to embrace federal stimulus funds for Florida, the Republican legislative leadership is still sounding a message of worker layoffs, stagnant education spending and painful budget cuts. It’s no wonder that Floridians are looking for an alternative to our current Republican leadership.”

Kendrick Meek Celebrates One Year Anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act for Women

2010-01-31T16:31:00.001-08:00

Meek: "Equal Pay for Equal Work is Progress Florida Families Can Count in Dollars and Cents."

Miami Gardens, Fla. - Today, Kendrick Meek released the following statement regarding the one year anniversary of passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a measure that requires equal pay for equal work regardless of gender, age, race, religion, or national origin:

"Equal pay for equal work is a right that should not have required legislative action, but it took Democratic leadership to pass and a new president to sign the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law. Florida's families and households are better off when a woman's income isn't shortchanged because of unfair business practices that pay working men and women unequally. More than ever, Florida families are working longer and harder only to take home less. With rising costs of college tuition, child care and retirement, this reform ensures Florida's working parents are in a better position to support their children. Equal pay for equal work is a Florida right that was long overdue."

Lilly Ledbetter worked for nearly 20 years as a supervisor at a Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company facility in Alabama. She sued the company after learning that she was paid less than her male counterparts at the facility, despite having more experience than several of them. A jury found that her employer had unlawfully discriminated against her on the basis of gender. However, the Supreme Court ruled that Ledbetter had waited too long to sue, despite the fact that she filed a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) as soon as she received an anonymous note alerting her to pay discrimination. The court ruled that since Ledbetter did not raise a claim within 180 days of the employer's initial decision to pay her less, she could not receive any relief. Employees in Ledbetter's position would be forced to live with discriminatory paychecks for the rest of their careers under this Supreme Court decision.

Thurman Statement on News of Economic Growth in the Fourth Quarter of 2009

2010-01-31T16:29:00.001-08:00

Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman issued the following statement on the news that the nation's GDP grew by 5.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009, the fastest growth since 2003--a sign that the national economy is moving out of recession:

"Today's news that the GDP has grown at its fastest rate since 2003 is a welcome sign that our nation's economy is turning a corner. President Obama and Democratic Leaders have worked tirelessly to implement smart policies like the Recovery Act that will help our economy grow and end the decline we experienced due to failed Republican policies.

"But as President Obama has made clear, our unemployment rate is still unacceptably high. Until every Floridian has a job, until every student is able to attend college, and until folks are able to stay in their homes and make their monthly mortgage payments, the President and Democratic Leaders will continue working to build our economy and create growth for the long-term. Floridians call on Republicans like Gov. Charlie Crist, former Speaker Marco Rubio and Sen. George LeMieux to stop playing politics with Florida's jobs and start working with Democrats to move our country forward. The Sunshine State deserves nothing less."

State Sen. Dan Gelber Applauds President Obama's Announcement of Florida's High Speed Rail Grant

2010-01-31T16:26:00.001-08:00

State Sen. Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) offered the following response to President Obama’s announcement today that Florida is a recipient of the federal High Speed Rail grant:

“This is a huge twofer. We get an immediate boost to Florida's ailing economy while modernizing our antiquated state-wide transportation system. Moving forward with infrastructure projects like high speed rail will help rebuild our short and long term economy by putting thousands of Floridians back to work. It will also put us on track to begin modernizing our transportation system for the challenges of tomorrow.

“I was very proud to be a part of the bipartisan team that, working with Florida's labor community, helped make this moment a reality. As the President said last night, we must commit ourselves to never being anything other than the greatest nation in the world, which means right here in Florida, we have to continue to invest, to innovate and to create a workforce that can compete with anyone, anywhere. Today's announcement is an important first step on that journey.

Scott Maddox welcomes McCollum to the team

2010-01-31T16:25:00.001-08:00

Today candidate for Agriculture Commissioner, Scott Maddox, praised Attorney General Bill McCollum for his newfound opposition to near-shore oil drilling. Maddox, the first statewide candidate to take a firm public position against this dangerous idea, welcomed McCollum to the right side of the debate.

“I don’t care if it took a new Quinnipiac poll or another revelation, he is now where he should be on this issue, and that’s good for Florida,” stated Maddox.

Last year it was Scott Maddox who took the issue head on and laid out why such an idea as near-shore drilling would hurt more than just our environment but jobs, our economy, and our state’s budget as well.

Maddox added, “For the good of this state and for the good of our economy, we can only hope that McCollum can also persuade his fellow Republicans, namely incumbent Congressman and fellow candidate, Adam Putnam to also read those polls and take a stand in the best interest of Florida’s future.”

Karen Thurman Applauds President Obama's First State of the Union Address

2010-01-31T16:24:00.001-08:00

Thurman Says President Obama's Plans for Restoring the Middle Class, Creating Jobs and Turning the Country Around is Right Prescription for What Ails U.S. Economy
Tallahassee, FL - Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman issued the following statement regarding President Obama's State of the Union Address:

"Americans were looking for the President to lay out a vision to restore the middle class, get the economy back on track, create jobs and end the partisanship that has come to dominate Washington - and the President has succeeded on each count. The President offered common sense solutions that will get middle-class Floridians back to work.

"And while we still have a long road ahead of us, we have made significant progress in the last year. Under President Obama's leadership, we passed the Lilly Ledbetter Act, guaranteeing women equal pay for equal work. Under the President's leadership we have expanded health care to an additional four million children under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). We confirmed as the first Latina Justice in the history of the U.S. Supreme Court a woman with more federal judicial experience than any Supreme Court Justice in 100 years. We passed the Recovery Act which has saved or created millions of jobs across the country and here in Florida, bringing us back from the brink of depression. And we have come farther than ever before towards passing meaningful health insurance reform - a fight that is not yet complete.

"The President offered a hand of bipartisanship to Congressional Republicans who, we hope after a year of obstruction and hyper-partisanship, will accept it and work with us to turn this country around. With a refreshing amount of candor, President Obama talked about the challenges we face and the frustrations Americans feel about the pace of change they've seen so far. The President also reminded Americans that upon taking office just over one year ago, he inherited the worst economy since the Great Depression and one that was losing between 700,000 and 800,000 jobs a month, two wars, and a highly partisan opposition in Washington.

"The President's address tonight was a powerful reminder of why we worked so hard to elect him to lead our party and our nation through these challenging times. I'm confident that under the President's leadership we will weather this economic storm and as a result we will be stronger."

Highlights of Remarks By House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands, Jan. 27, AP Legislative Planning Session

2010-01-31T16:10:00.000-08:00

ON HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS PRIORITIES:
Ø SANDS: “In 2010, creating and retaining jobs for Florida is Job Number 1 for the Florida House Democratic Caucus.”

Ø “We also stand for education accountability and reform. We stand for better health care for Floridians. We stand for tax fairness and equity, and for integrity to the legislative process.”

ON TAX RELIEF FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS:
Ø SANDS: “We don’t want a repeat of last year. That’s when the ruling party passed about $1-billion in fee hikes on the middle class and small businesses.”
· HB 99 -- Repeals fee hikes passed by House Republicans in 2009. Sponsor: Rep. Ron Saunders, D-Key West.

Ø “We should look at new ideas to give businesses the incentives to develop high-tech and environmentally friendly industries…Be vigilant watchdogs and be wary of simplistic slogans. Don’t let them paint all Democrats as tax-and-spenders or unconcerned about the needs of the business community.”
· HB 597 -- Back To School Tax Holiday. Provides a sales-tax break on a variety of products, including computers and EnergyStar-rated appliances. Sponsor: Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, D-Sarasota.
· HB 165 – Applies tax fairness by addressing goods sold on the Internet. Sponsor: Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee.
· HB 749 -- Gaming Compact between the Seminole Tribe and the State of Florida. Sponsor: Rep. Jim Waldman, D-Coconut Creek.

ON UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION BUSINESS TAXES:
Ø SANDS: “Today, skyrocketing unemployment compensation taxes are hitting Florida’s small businesses and threaten to drastically harm the state’s economic recovery…It is imperative that the Legislature, Congress, and the White House work cooperatively, in bipartisan fashion, to provide our state’s employers relief from business-crushing taxes.”

ON 2010 BUDGET PRIORITIES:
Ø SANDS: “Just last week, I asked House Speaker Larry Cretul to conduct joint meetings of the House Finance & Tax Council and the appropriations committee to do what the House failed to do last year---and that is to simultaneously consider the state’s potential revenues and expenditures---and to do so in an open and transparent debate.”
· January 21, 2010 letter to Speaker Cretul. Read more at www.flhousedems.com

ON RESTORING THE PUBLIC’S FAITH:
Ø SANDS: “We support holding officials to the highest standards when they are entrusted with acting on the citizen’s behalf. We are calling for a new amendment to the state constitution that will require the state budget to be written in a more open and transparent manner. We want to put an end to those so-called strike-all amendments on the floor of the House of Representatives that cut the public out of the process.”
· HJR 241 – Expands the Public’s Access to the Legislative Process and Public Records and Meetings. Sponsor: Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, D-Sarasota.

Ø SANDS: “We think there are campaign finance reforms that should be considered, and changes that must be made to discourage public corruption, fraud, and dishonesty by government officials.”
· HB 271 – Offenses by Public Officials or Others. Sponsor: Rep. Martin Kiar, D-Parkland.
· HB 489 – Public Corruption. Sponsor: Rep. Adam Fetterman, D-Port St. Lucie.
· HB 533 -- Testimony Before the Public Service Commission. Sponsor: Rep. Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach.
· HB 343 – Standards of Conduct. Sponsor: Rep. Ari Porth, D-Coral Springs.

ON PUBLIC EDUCATION:
Ø SANDS: “We are all focused on addressing the pressing economic problems of today, but we have to have a vision for Florida in the future. No matter what political party one belongs to, we must all embrace the notion of providing our children with every chance to learn and to grow. Job creation and investing in our communities are not competing priorities.
Ø “I am truly pleased by Governor Charlie Crist’s announcement on Monday to break from Republican dogma and to call for increased spending for education.
Ø “House Democrats are also supportive of policy changes that aim to increase accountability but loosen our state’s reliance on the FCAT. That test is narrowly focused on a few subject areas—and doesn’t give a true picture of a student’s actual academic progress.
· HB 473 -- Public Education. Sponsor: Rep. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami.
· HB 383 -- PreK Education. Sponsor: Rep. Janet Long, D-Seminole.

Statement from Fla. Sen. Frederica Wilson Regarding the Secretary of Transportation LaHood's Federal Ban on Texting for Commercial Truck Drivers

2010-01-31T16:06:00.001-08:00

“I applaud Secretary LaHood’s courage in banning commercial truck drivers from texting while driving. Truck and bus drivers need to be aware that they are not the only drivers on the road. In one-tenth of a second of being distracted, they can cause a fatal accident. This has happened too many times on our highways.

“I am especially proud of Secretary LaHood, because for the third year, I have filed “Heather’s Law” (SB 244), which will prohibit the use of a cellular telephone while operating a motor vehicle, except when using a headset or a hands-free device. I named the bill after Heather Hurd, a young woman who was killed while driving to Disney World to meet with her wedding planner by a person who allegedly was texting while driving a tractor trailer traveling in excess of the 65 mph and did not see that 10 cars were stopped ahead of him.

“Now is the time for the State of Florida to follow Secretary LaHood’s lead and ban texting while driving for all drivers in the state.”

Representative Darryl Rouson files HB 787: The Child Abduction Prevention Act

2010-01-31T08:55:00.001-08:00

According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, 350,000 child abductions by a member of the child's family occur each year. Thousands more go unreported.

House Bill 787, filed this week by Representative Darryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg), addresses the complex and tragic issue of family child abduction. Representative Rouson is deeply committed to addressing the welfare of some of our most vulnerable members of society, its children.

“I am horrified that child abductions by family members are occurring at such a high rate,” Representative Darryl Rouson said. “This legislation gives judges more discretion and the ability to fight family child abductions so our children remain safe. We can prevent these abductions and save the courts lengthy and costly litigation.”

The Child Abduction Prevention Act adds risk factors a court may consider when determining whether children are at risk of abduction, domestic or international. If the judge determines there is a credible risk of the child being abducted, the act empowers them to choose appropriate preventive measures to help prevent the child from being abducted.

The purpose of imposing these measures is to deter the potential abduction of an at-risk child. By identifying risks and initiating additional safeguards, Florida’s courts are more likely to see a reduction in litigation and the need for involvement of law enforcement agencies is expected to be reduced.

"The paramount concern is always the best interest and safety of Florida’s children,” Representative Rouson said.

Poll: Rep. Suzanne Kosmas more likely to be elected if real healthcare reform passes

2010-01-31T08:43:00.000-08:00

Democracy for America released a new poll this morning of 10 swing freshman Democratic districts -- including Rep. Kosmas'.

The results show that if health care reform passes, Rep. Kosmas is more likely to be re-elected in 2010. And those polled said they would be less likely to vote in 2010 if Congress does not pass a health care bill.

We also just sent a strategy memo to top Senate aides urging them to expand the health care measure by reviving the public option.

The bottom line of the poll: freshman Democrats are in trouble in 2010 if Congress fails to pass a public option.

Topline results are below and full results are at www.democracyforamerica.com/freshmanpoll.

• 68% of voters want a public health insurance option
• By 5 to 1, voters want their Representative to fight to add the public option over simply passing the Senate bill
• By 3 to 1, persuadable voters are less likely to vote for a local Democrat if Congress doesn't pass a public option as part of reform
• 55% say Democrats need to do more to fight big corporations
• 56% say Democrats haven't done enough to fulfill Obama's 2008 campaign promises
• 52% of Democrats less likely to vote in 2010 if Congress doesn't pass public option -- Republicans more likely

A quote from our political director is below if helpful.

Charles Chamberlain, political director, Democracy for America:
"Our poll shows that by proposing less change instead of more change, the Senate is asking House freshmen to commit political suicide. We hope these freshmen side with their constituents and fight to pass the public option through reconciliation."

The NY Times covered the poll and strategy memo this morning:
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/26/liberal-groups-urge-reconciliation-to-save-public-option/

Representative Adam M. Fetterman files the Ethical Practices Act of 2010

2010-01-31T07:50:00.000-08:00

Representative Adam M. Fetterman (D-Port St. Lucie) and Senator Paula Dockery (R-Lakeland) have filed the “Ethical Practices Act of 2010” pertaining to public disclosure by state legislators.

House Bill 587 and Senate Bill 438 constitute a significant bipartisan effort to prohibit legislators from voting upon, or participating in, any legislation that would result in their enjoying any special private gain for themselves, or their relatives. The bills require lawmakers to publicly state their (or their relatives’) interests in any legislation from which they would derive a gain or a loss.

Currently, legislators can vote on any matter in which they, a family member, or business, holds an interest, even if they would derive a benefit from the legislation being signed into law; they only need to disclose such an interest within 15 days after casting their vote on the legislation.

“The current state of the law allowing legislators to vote upon matters from which they and their family members will make money is, in a word, repugnant,” said Representative Fetterman. “It is no wonder that many Floridians have lost faith in their elected officials. The Ethical Practices Act of 2010 is a step in the direction of restoring the people’s faith in the government that is supposed to serve them, not legislators’ personal interests.”

Senator Dockery has filed this important legislation for three consecutive years.
“Given the public’s justifiable lack of trust and confidence in elected officials throughout the country, it is imperative that reforms of this nature be enacted,” said Senator Dockery. “The Florida Legislature should take immediate actions to ensure that our state is at the forefront of initiatives helping to restore citizens’ faith in government.”

Thurman Statement on President Obama's Initiatives To Help Struggling Middle Class Families Get Ahead

2010-01-25T21:52:00.000-08:00

From FDP:

Continuing his effort to put Americans back to work and ease the economic hardship on America's families, President Barack Obama today laid out a five-point plan to help middle class families afford soaring child care costs, care for their aging relatives, save for retirement, and pay for college tuition. The initiatives are the result of the President's Middle Class Task Force led by Vice President Joe Biden, which held meetings across the nation about the best way to rebuild the economy and ease the economic burden on the middle class.

"As middle class Americans continue to struggle in this economy, President Obama and Vice President Biden are doing everything in their power to fight for them and help put Americans back to work, create jobs, and strengthen our economy for the long-term," said Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman. "These steps will help ease the burdens on middle class families who are struggling in this economy, and will provide the help families need to make ends meet. These common-sense initiatives will help families cope with the challenges they face and are a sign that the President and Vice President are taking seriously the burden middle class families face everyday."

"But while the President and Democrats have been putting the middle class first, Republicans like Sen. George LeMieux, Gov. Charlie Crist, and former Speaker Marco Rubio have made it clear they're on the side of the special interests, Wall Street, oil and health insurance companies. The Florida Democratic Party calls on Republicans to get on the side of working families and start working with us, but given their history, we're not expecting much."

The recommendations of the Middle Class Task Force will:

Reduce costs of child care by nearly doubling the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit for families earning less than $85,000 per year and increasing child care funding by $1.6 billion, helping an additional 235,000 children.

Ease the burden of student loan payments by ensuring that no student pays more than 10 percent of his or her income above a basic living allowance on loan repayment.

Help workers save for retirement by requiring employers to provide an option for employees to enroll in a direct-deposit IRA.

Protect retirement by expanding tax credits to match retirement savings and enact new protections on those savings.

Support families caring for elderly relatives, help them to manage this responsibility and allow seniors to live in their communities for as long as possible.

Response to Governor Crist's Proposed Education Budget

2010-01-25T21:44:00.000-08:00

House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands (D-Weston) issued the following statement:

“I am encouraged today by Governor Charlie Crist’s decision to break from Republican legislative leaders and to talk about providing more money for education in Florida.

“It is evident that Governor Crist and the people of Florida owe a great deal of thanks to President Barack Obama and members of Congress for providing Florida with economic stimulus dollars that are helping our state meet critical needs.

“I will reserve judgment on some of the governor’s education policy proposals, such as his call to freeze the Class Size Amendment, until they can be more closely reviewed. But I remain hopeful that the governor’s recommendations will begin a fruitful, bipartisan discussion about how Florida will enhance its public schools and grow its economy.”

Rep. Mary Brandenburg Files House Bill 729 on Tattoo Safety

2010-01-25T21:41:00.000-08:00

As tattoos have grown in popularity, respected tattoo artists and medical professionals have recognized the need to enhance the health practices associated with the industry.

Today, state Rep. Mary Brandenburg (D-West Palm Beach) joined representatives of several statewide health associations and tattoo artists in announcing the filing of legislation to make safer the process of getting a tattoo in Florida.

House Bill 729 filed by Representative Brandenburg for the 2010 legislative session will protect the public health and require parental consent for children to get a tattoo.

The legislation will require that no individual under the age of 16 be tattooed, except for medical reasons by a doctor or dentist. The proposal also calls for any individual under the age of 18 receiving a tattoo to be accompanied by their permanent adult guardian.

Additionally, House Bill 729 will require tattoo artists to be licensed by the Florida Department of Health, which will provide classes concerning blood-borne pathogens that must be completed for obtaining or renewing a license. Furthermore, under the proposal, all tattooing must be done in a facility licensed for tattoo artistry by the Florida Department of Health.

Among those supporting House Bill 729 are the: Florida Medical Association, the Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, the Florida Professional Tattoo Artists Guild, Florida Blood Services, and the Florida Association of Beauty Professionals.

“The absence of statewide regulations of the tattoo industry in Florida allows unnecessary health risks,” said Representative Brandenburg. “I am proud to work with tattoo artists and medical professionals on legislation that will protect the public health and help small businesses. Passage of House Bill 729 will be a big step in helping prevent the spread of infections and communicable diseases.”

Path to Victory

2010-01-25T20:01:00.000-08:00

Thank you for showing such strong support for Loranne Ausley as she launched her campaign for CFO. You have helped ensure that she has the support to build a campaign to win this race in November.

Thanks to you, we are on our way to electing Loranne Ausley CFO to continue Alex Sink's record of taking on fraud and waste in government, standing up for working families, and fighting to ensure that we invest wisely in our state's future.

But don't take my word for it. Here is what Senator Bill Nelson said when he endorsed Loranne:

"As the senior U.S. Senator from Florida, I can tell you that Democrats are united behind Loranne. Just as important -- Floridians from all over the state are supporting her candidacy because she has the experience and record cutting waste and abuse we need in Tallahassee. And, I can think of no better person to take up this mantle than my good friend Loranne Ausley. She will be a fantastic CFO -- and I plan on campaigning hard on her behalf."
And former Senator Bob Graham added:
"I have known Loranne for many years. I know her head and her heart and I know she will make an excellent CFO. Her passion for looking out for taxpayers, for public accountability will serve our state well. I strongly endorse her and will work hard to help her become our state's next great leader."
If you haven't yet, please join Senator Graham and Senator Nelson and be a part of her campaign today.

There is no doubt that adding Loranne as a candidate was great news to start off this year, and Democrats are well down the path to victory in November.

We are on that path because of you. In 2009, we had what can only be described as our most successful non-election year in our party's history -- driven by support from grassroots supporters like you.

We ended 2009 with over $1 million more to spend on the 2010 elections than the Republican Party -- a record fundraising success fueled by grassroots donations from people like you. Thanks to thousands of Floridians investing in our party, we raised over $6.7 million last year, and enter the year with over $2.6 million on hand.

Our fundraising success is not the most important measure of support for the party though -- that belongs to the 147,468 people who decided to join our party this year. They increased the Democratic Party registration advantage over the Republicans to nearly 800,000 voters. That is hundreds of thousands of Floridians making the choice to join us in changing the direction of our state away from Republican leadership.

It is no secret how we got here. Floridians know that Tallahassee is a mess. The Republicans who have dominated Tallahassee for the past decade have taken our state down the wrong path. And now Floridians are turning to leaders like Alex Sink, Kendrick Meek, and Loranne Ausley to help get us out of the mess the Republican leadership got us into.

You helped us make 2009 a record-breaking year for the Party in more ways than one. Now, as the most important election year in over a century begins, I am counting on you continue your efforts to help our state.

I am proud to work here at the Florida Democratic Party, under the steady leadership of Chair Karen Thurman and with our party's leaders across the state. I know that the only way we can win next November is because we are all working together, fighting to bring new leadership to Tallahassee.

Thank you for everything you've done to get on us on the path to victory, and with your help, we will win next November.

Sincerely,

Scott Arceneaux
Executive Director
Florida Democratic Party

Rep. Alan Williams Announces a `Hope for Haiti Now' Viewing Party

2010-01-25T19:49:00.000-08:00

“Hope for Haiti Now" will be a widely viewed international telethon aimed at raising needed funds for disaster relief in Haiti. The program will be broadcast at 8 p.m. Friday via numerous media outlets, including ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, The CW, HBO, MTV, VH1, and CMT.

To encourage local participation in the telethon, State Representative Alan Williams (D-Tallahassee) joins Tallahassee City Commissioners Andrew Gullium and Leon County Commissioner John Dailey in hosting a viewing party for Hope For Haiti Now. The event begins at 7 p.m. Friday at the Hotel Duval, 415 North Monroe Street, in Tallahassee.
The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and United Nations World Food Program, Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, and Yeli Haiti Foundation relief organizations will benefit from "Hope for Haiti Now.” Proceeds from "Hope for Haiti Now" will be split evenly among each organization's individual funds for Haiti earthquake relief.

The global telethon will feature performances by Wyclef Jean, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, and Sting in New York City; Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift and a group performance by Keith Urban, Kid Rock, and Sheryl Crow in Los Angeles; and Coldplay, and a group performance by Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z, and Rihanna in a newly added London location. All musical performances will be available for purchase for $.99 per song through the Apple® iTunes® Store beginning Saturday, January 23, with all proceeds benefiting Haiti relief funds managed by "Hope for Haiti Now" charities.

The Tallahassee community and the world have felt a deep sense of responsibility and urgency to donate money, time and talent in the wake of the Haiti tragedy.
“My heart goes out to the Haitian people as they deal with the terrible aftermath of this devastating earthquake,” said Representative Williams. “The people of Haiti need our help. Please join us for this important viewing party.”

Statement From House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands

2010-01-25T19:47:00.000-08:00

In response to a January 21 letter from Rep. David Rivera, Council Chair, Full Appropriations Council on Education & Economic Development:

“It is plainly evident from Chairman David Rivera’s partisan-tinged remarks today that the Republican leadership wants to play politics instead of accepting our well-intentioned offer to address Florida’s budget crisis in a thoughtful manner.

“It is both disappointing and ironic that today’s inflammatory remarks come from the same leadership team that last year raised nearly $3 billion in taxes and fees on the middle class, raided numerous state trust funds, and made substantial budget decisions in secret.

“Florida House Democratic Caucus members remain committed to working cooperatively and transparently with our Republican counterparts to develop a fiscally responsible state budget.

“Tax relief for small businesses and the middle class that will stimulate the economy and grow jobs for Floridians remain our top priority. What Council Chair Rivera apparently fails to recognize is that not every tax is created equally. Some tax increases and tax cuts can and do stimulate the economy, while others increase the burden on small businesses and middle class. That’s why it is essential to look at finances and expenditures simultaneously when crafting a responsible state budget.

“I reiterate the sincere desire of the Florida House Democratic Caucus to work with Speaker Cretul and our colleagues in the Republican Party in a meaningful manner in addressing Florida’s economic crisis.”

Top Target

2010-01-25T19:39:00.000-08:00

I am excited to share that we have been designated a ‘Top Target' by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee! Your strong support has propelled us to the top tier of races in the entire country.

As proud as I am to be among the 17 candidates given the “Top Target” designation, I know that it means that now we need to work harder than ever. We are happy to be winning 46% - 42% in the most recent poll, but those numbers wont mean anything on election day unless we can communicate our message of rebuilding the middle class and facing down the special interests to every voter in FL-12.

Central Florida deserves a representative who will work hard for everyone in this district, not just do what the big banks and insurance companies ask them to do. Every day that I have represented the residents of this beautiful place, I have done my best to be an independent voice for their needs and values, and that is the approach I intend to take to Washington.

I hope you will join our team today, so that we can keep this momentum and win this seat for hard working Florida families come election day!

Yours,

Lori Edwards

Link