Statement by State Senator Dan Gelber on the Ongoing Discussions of Near Shore Oil Drilling

"This session, apparently, oil drilling is the quick fix de jour. Drilling for the sake of state revenue is entirely the wrong way to approach governing. I’m glad my Senate colleagues are urging a more level headed approach.

"The risks associated with oil drilling off our coasts far exceed the benefits. We are a state whose economy is almost entirely based on the ability and desire of others to travel to our state to spend money. Simply, our tourism and real estate markets can't handle the risk of a spill. Gambling with the economic viability of this state should never be an option. One oil spill that damages any part of Florida's beaches will lead to countless tourists staying home and thousands of jobs lost.

"At the precise moment when we could offer up quick fixes that do little and risk much, like drilling off the coast, we should be offering long term policies that will right our state's course for the long term. Rushing into another quick fix like oil drilling would be a terrible mistake.

"On this issue, I stand solidly next to any effort to defeat drilling off the coast of Florida's pristine beaches. Our time in the upcoming legislative session should focus on how we can build a new Florida on a foundation of renewable energy and creating green jobs."

Sen. Dan Gelber Calls on Florida's Top Lawyer to Force Governor and Legislature Into Funding Public Education

Frustrated by a deaf ear to the plight of Florida’s struggling public education system, state Senator Dan Gelber on Tuesday called on Florida’s top lawyer to deploy the full weight of his office into legal combat.

“Our State Constitution provides that you are the "chief state legal officer" and thereby commands you to "exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed by law,” wrote the Miami Beach Democrat in a letter to Attorney General Bill McCollum delivered Tuesday.

“It is in that capacity and pursuant to that authority that I request you commence a lawsuit against the legislature and the Governor challenging the adequacy of education funding in Florida.”

The move stems from a recent meeting of the state Board of Education where a majority of board members expressed concern that its proposed education budget is “inadequate” – a clear violation of Florida’s constitution. The board has time and time again submitted a proposed budget that's much greater than what is funded by the Legislature and approved by the Governor.

Citing a 1934 state Supreme Court decision underlining the obligations of an Attorney General “in the absence of express legislative restrictions to the contrary, to exercise all such power and authority as public interests may require from time to time,” Senator Gelber noted other cases which have upheld the AG's standing to bring lawsuits, and reminded the attorney general of his duty to protect the interests of the general public.

“If you believe an action of the state – in this case the passing of a budget that fails to adequately provide a high quality system of free public schools -- creates a constitutional violation, you are obliged to exercise the broad powers that rest within your office and would allow you to remedy the violation,” Gelber wrote.

“I believe it is hard not to find such a violation exists.”

Senator Gelber, an outspoken public education advocate whose children attend public school, also noted that where previous attempts to litigate adequate funding may have failed, the constitution has since been amended, paving the way for the courts to enforce the mandate.

“Florida continues to have one of the worst high school graduation rates in the nation,” he noted. “Further, in the wake of budget cuts an epidemic of violence has broken out including a few much publicized deaths and serious crimes that clearly impair the ability of our teachers and schools to adequately and safely perform their constitutional duty.

“While you could demur and, instead, hope that citizen groups take on such a lawsuit, it seems more appropriate that Florida’s Attorney General act to defend our citizens from violations of their Constitution.”

Last year, the Board requested for the 09-10 school year, funding of $21.5 billion. It received from the Legislature only $17.9 billion, which the governor approved.

This year, the Board is seeking $19.3 billion, an amount it labeled “inadequate.”

Charlie Crist Appoints Owner of Lewd Nightclub to Regulate Public Utilities

From the DSCC:

As Charlie Crist races around the country fundraising for his Senate campaign, he seems to have forgotten that he still has a job to do – govern the fourth largest state in the country. According to a new report from the Miami Herald, Crist is demanding that the Florida Public Service Commission postpone a key ruling until his two new appointees to the Commission take office. However, Crist has been under serious fire for his latest appointment of Steve Stevens to the Commission. Not only does Stevens own a racy nightclub that hosts “dominatrix night” and “lingerie fantasy fests,” but Stevens actually fudged on his initial application to the Commission. According to the Palm Beach Post, Crist said that Stevens had been working at the Escambia County Sheriff’s office during a time period when in fact he did not. After hearing all the criticism of his appointee, Crist has done nothing to silence the questions about his lack of judgment as he continues to say that Stevens is the right man for the job. Crist’s highly controversial appointment of Steve Stevens to the PSC and now his demands that the PSC wait until his appointee takes office to make a key decision calls into serious doubt Crist’s judgment and ability to lead.

“After a full search and vet, the best Charlie Crist can come up with is the owner of a girls gone wild club, Steve Stevons,” said Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Communications Director Eric Schultz. “The latest controversy over Crist’s appointee to the PSC just underscores what many have known all along – Charlie Crist shows a stunning lack of good judgment. With Crist perennially preferring to focus on his campaign, maybe he ought to focus on his current responsibilities to the state of Florida.

This latest episode is hardly the first time that Crist has come under fire for placing his own political ambitions before the job he was elected to do. As the unemployment rate in Florida continues to go up, the foreclosure crisis continues, and the population of the state actually shrinks, Crist continues to shrug off criticism while he flies around the country to raise money. Several weekends ago, Crist was in Michigan speaking to a group of national Republicans in what is largely viewed as an audition for 2012 presidential candidates. Crist told the audience that Michigan should look to Florida for guidance on how to fix a slumping economy. This resulted in a brutal Orlando Sentinel column lambasting Crist for his handling of the Florida economy. Crist was also taken to task in a St. Petersburg Times column, which chastised him over the way he has been mis-governing Florida.

Charlie Crist was recently panned by nearly every major Florida editorial board over his appointment of his right-hand man George LeMieux to the Senate back in August. Crist was the subject of eight brutal editorials penned by Florida newspapers outraged over Crist’s appointment of LeMieux. The Pensacola News Journal accused Crist of cronyism, the Florida Sun Sentinel wrote that Crist “made the wrong pick at this critical juncture,” the Orlando Sentinel said “it’s all about Mr. Crist,” and finally, the St. Petersburg Times wrote that Crist “made a self-serving choice.”

Generosity Of Nearly 2000 Donors Allow Florida Democrats Celebrate Best Third Quarter Ever

From FDP:

With nearly 2,000 donors contributing to the Florida Democratic Party in the third quarter of 2009, Democrats today are celebrating their best third quarter ever raising nearly $2.5 million.

"Fueled by the grassroots army we are building, the Florida Democratic Party's momentum to bring change to Florida keeps growing," said Party Chair Karen Thurman. "Today, we are celebrating our successful fundraising quarter, where nearly 2,000 Floridians contributed to our party's efforts to elect Democrats across Florida, including hundreds of new donors who contributed at www.FlaDems.com."

In addition to the Florida Democratic Party's successful third quarter, the Alex Sink for Governor Campaign announced today that Floridians continue responding to CFO Sink's proven leadership by donating $1.6 million to her campaign.

With the Florida Democratic Party historically raising an average of $870,356 during comparable fundraising periods, the $2.5 million raised is nearly 3 times this average.

Because off year reporting requirements are different than that of election years, all comparable third quarters from the Florida Democratic Party are from non-election years.

Democratic Ranking Member Assignments

From the House Dems:

I am pleased to inform you that House Speaker Larry Cretul accepted today my recommendations for Democratic Ranking Member assignments. I made these recommendations in response to Speaker Cretul’s 2009-10 council/committee reassignments announced in August.

I am proud of your hard work and appreciate your public service. I look forward to seeing each of you when we return to committee meetings next week.

The list of Democratic Ranking Members are as follows:

Criminal & Civil Justice Policy Council
Rep. Adam M. Fetterman

Civil Justice & Courts Policy Committee
Rep. Darren Soto

Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee
Rep. Luis Garcia, Jr.

Health & Family Services Policy Council
Rep. Kelly Skidmore

Health Care Services Policy Committee
Rep. Dwayne L. Taylor

Health Care Regulation Policy Committee
Rep. Ari Abraham Porth

Elder & Family Policy Services
Rep. Elaine J. Schwartz

PreK-12 Appropriations Committee
Rep. Martin David Kiar

State Universities & Private Colleges Appropriation Committee
Rep. Ronald A. Brisé

Transportation & Economic Development Appropriation Committee
Rep. Evan Jenne

Health Care Appropriation Committee
Rep. Michael Scionti

Natural Resources Appropriation Committee
Rep. Debbie Boyd

Government Operations Appropriation Committee
Rep. Alan B. Williams

Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriation Committee
Rep. Darryl Ervin Rouson

Education Policy Council
Rep. Bill Heller

PreK-12 Policy Committee
Rep. Dwight M. Bullard

State Universities & Private Colleges Policy Committee
Rep. Charles S. Chestnut, IV

Economic Development & Community Affairs Policy Council
Rep. Geraldine F. Thompson

Economic Development Policy Committee
Rep. Betty Reed

Roads, Bridges & Ports Policy Committee
Rep. Audrey Gibson

Governmental Affairs Policy Committee
Rep. Oscar Braynon II

Military & Local Affairs Policy Committee
Rep. Janet C. Long

Finance & Tax Council
Rep. Perry E. Thurston, Jr.

Governmental Accountability Council
Rep. Scott Randolph

General Government Policy Council
Rep. Mary Brandenburg

Agriculture & Natural Resource Policy Committee
Rep. Leonard L. Bembry

Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee
Rep. Kevin J. G. Rader

Energy & Utilities Policy Committee
Rep. Joseph A. Gibbons


Full Appropriations Council on Education & Economic Development
Rep. Ron Saunders

Policy Council
Rep. Keith Fitzgerald

Rules & Calendar Council
Rep. James W. Waldman

Rick Minor Outraises Incumbent in State House District 9 Race. Minor takes in $32K during campaign’s first fundraising quarter

From the Minor campaign:

In his first fundraising report since announcing his candidacy for State House District 9, Rick Minor took in $32,576 with 200 individual donors contributing to his campaign.

“The fundraising success of my campaign is a strong sign that voters want a legislator who reflects their principles and who will fight for the issues they care about. The fact that we outraised the incumbent during the hardest time of the year for fundraising just reinforces that,” said Minor.

During the third quarter fundraising period, Minor posted monetary contributions of $21,050 plus in-kind donations of $1,526. Minor also made a $10,000 personal loan to his campaign. “Many of my supporters are struggling in this economy, yet they’re donating as much as they can afford. I have made a personal commitment to show them that I’m in this race to win,” said Minor.

“Rick Minor’s campaign has attracted the support of many people involved in last year’s presidential election,” said Justin Ford, Minor’s campaign manager who worked for President Obama’s campaign last year. “The overwhelming support we’re seeing is a result of people not getting the change here locally that they worked hard for last November.”

Okay, I Think This Is Pretty Funny

I like how Josh Hicks can barely contain his smirk in the elevator. And I like how bad a dancer Alan Brock truly is.