Not worth the risk

From Scott Maddox:

Over the past few weeks of the campaign, I have taken a strong stand against offshore oil drilling in Florida. It wasn’t an easy decision but it was the right one to make. That is why my campaign launched the petition, “No, Baby, No”, so that we could get Floridians from around the state to send a message that they will not stand for drilling off our coast. Here is what a few of you have said:
“No to oil drilling. As a 3rd Generation Floridian, I say leave the coast alone. We need different forms of energy. Don't ruin the Florida economy. It’s not worth the risk.”
- Michael from Tampa

“Spill, Baby, Spill. Let’s stop this disaster in the making.”
- Amy from Rockledge

“Drilling for oil off the coast of Florida is an abomination! We say no to offshore drilling.”
- Cheryl from Homosassa
These are just a few of the many comments we have received from Floridians concerned about the prospect of oil drilling. I’m so glad to have folks like you supporting my campaign. Many of you have contributed, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your support.

When it comes to near shore oil drilling, you and I both know it was the right direction to take, but there are still many Floridians who don't have all the facts. I will work tirelessly to inform voters about the perils of oil drilling, but I will need your help. Can you contribute $10, $15, $25 or any other amount to help us get the message out?

Our state needs sensible energy policies. I simply can't see a good reason to support allowing dangerous oil rigs within swimming distance of Florida's coastline. The proposition is all risk and no reward. Not only will it put our environment at great risk, it will put our economy in grave peril and could hamstring our state's budget for generations to come.

The debate over oil drilling should be about more than saving a few dollars at the gas pump each year. Instead, it should be about our environment, our way of life, and our economy here at home.

Help me say no to offshore oil drilling in Florida by joining me in the fight against it!

By giving us a contribution, you will be helping educate voters from across Florida about the perils of oil drilling. Whether it’s $10, $15, $25 or any other amount, you will be contributing to a campaign that will work to defend Florida. Help me say NO to offshore drilling:

https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/22866

Thank you so much for your support, now and always!

I wish each of you a happy and healthy holiday season!

Scott Maddox

PS: Have you signed our petition against oil drilling yet? Click here to do so!

Link: http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=2786945&msgid=146217&act=D729&c=565460&admin=0&destination=http://www.scottmaddox.com/no-baby-no/

Jobs Leave Florida, Unemployment Rises

From FDP:

Crist, McCollum Offer More of the Same

New unemployment numbers released today pose bad news for Florida, but Gov. Charlie Crist and the Republican who wants to replace him, Attorney General and former Congressman Bill McCollum, promise more of the same.

"After this November, Charlie Crist wants to continue his failures of leadership in Washington and Bill McCollum wants to continue business as usual in Tallahassee. Today's numbers prove the people of Florida can't afford either option," Florida Democratic Party Spokesman Eric Jotkoff said.

Despite the news today that Florida's unemployment rate continued to rise, reaching 11.5 percent (AP, 12-18-09), Crist and McCollum have not been deterred from offering more of the same failed politics-as-usual approach.

Even Charlie Crist's own administration officials admit that because of the Crist-McCollum failed economic policies Florida is recovering slower than the nation.

As AP reported, Agency for Workforce Innovation economist Rebecca Rust admitted, "The nation does seem to be recovering at a faster pace than what we're seeing in Florida."

"This stunning admission by the Crist Administration, just once again reinforces why Florida needs to end the status quo in Tallahassee," Jotkoff added.

Statement by Senator Charlie Justice on Florida's Tax System: 2nd Worst in U.S.

Senator Charlie Justice (D-St. Petersburg) on Friday released the following statement regarding Florida’s tax system:

“In a November 2009 report by the Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy, it was revealed that Florida's tax system ranked 49th out of 50th for tax burden on low to middle income families. This ranking comes on the heels of the 2009 Session where the Florida Legislature raised taxes and fees by almost $2 billion dollars, and true tax reform took a back seat to massive fee increases.

“When families in the lowest income bracket are paying over 13% of their income, and people in the wealthiest bracket are only paying about 2% of their income, there is a problem. The solutions will no doubt be challenging, but as Vice Chair of the Senate Finance and Tax Committee, I believe the State of Florida can and must do better.

“Major tax reform in our state is long overdue, but with unemployment over 10%, and families struggling to get by, we cannot wait for tax reform to just happen, we must make it happen. Not diversifying our revenue streams to become less reliant on the Sales Tax, and not closing Sales and Corporate Income Tax exemptions that cater to corporate special interests will only continue the pattern of hardworking families bearing the burden of a poor economy. The stakes could not be higher for Florida’s families, and I urge my colleagues to make true tax reform a top priority.”

Read the issue brief here:

http://www.fcfep.org/images/20091118--Florida%20Taxes%20ITEP.pdf

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) To Dick Cheney: 'STFU'

is Grayson the first to say this?:

New Website & New Team Members

From Jim Piccolo:

We have launched our new website and I am hoping you’ll click here to check it out!

You’ll find a lot of new information including my position on important issues, have the ability to volunteer online and even make secure contributions. Since we need your help getting the word out, we’re also hoping you’ll forward this email to your friends and encourage them to check out our new site as well.

I’m also pleased to announce new additions to my campaign team.

Read more about the national talent my campaign has attracted:

Strategist & Media Consultant, Chao Strategy Message & Media, Inc.

Ben Chao has served as a hard-nosed strategist, media consultant and Democratic evangelist for over 300 races in 38 different states from California to New York since 1992. In that time he has earned a reputation for taking on the toughest fights … and winning. Campaigns & Elections Magazine named him one of their "Rising Stars of Politics" in 1998. One statewide Democratic official in South Carolina called him “our Lee Atwater”. Conservative FoxNews Host Laura Ingraham said of Chao, “he’s like James Carville with hair”.

Fundraising Consultant, Bulldog Finance Group

Scott Dworkin has raised money for non-profits, also in support of candidates at the state and federal level in more than twenty-five states. In 2006, Scott worked on multiple campaigns, closing out the cycle as the Chief Fundraiser on the Christine Jennings for Congress campaign in Sarasota, FL. The Jennings campaign raised $1.9 million dollars in fewer than 60 days, in one of the most expensive House races ever.

As you can see we’ve made a lot of progress in this campaign in the last couple of months, but we still have a long way to go. Anything you can do to help us, between now and the end of year fundraising deadline, would be a tremendous help. So please consider contributing $25, $50, $100, $250 or more online today by clicking here.

Sincerely,

Jim Piccillo
Democrat for Congress
Florida’s 5th District

Link

Changing

From FDP:

A couple days ago, the Associated Press observed:

A sure sign that an election is a year away: Gov. Charlie Crist is changing again. The populist Republican governor is trying to convince people he's a conservative now ...

When Florida needs a full-time Governor, Charlie Crist has chosen to spend all his time furthering his political ambition as he lurches to the right so he has a chance of winning his Republican Primary. Just this week he spent much of his time on raising money and attacking his opponents instead of working to help create jobs and keep Floridians in their homes.

Last week, we set a goal to raise $10,000 in 10 days, in order to send a message to Charlie Crist in the way he understands: fundraising. I know with your help we can reach our goal by Friday, and not only send Crist a message but also build our party to help win next November:

http://www.fladems.com/messagetocrist

We agree with Charlie Crist that part of the change we need in Tallahassee is for him to be out of the Governor's Office, but Crist is wrong to think he never has to show up to work as long as his name is still on the door. In times like these we need leaders, not politicians. Unless Crist is going to follow Sarah Palin's lead and resign so he can spend all his time promoting himself without hurting Florida, Charlie Crist should be working everyday for the people of Florida.

But Crist has proven time and time again that he is just another typical politician who only cares about himself. In fact, the only time Crist is focused on his priorities is when he is looking in the mirror.

That's why the change we need in Tallahassee is a Governor who is focused on rebuilding Florida's economy for the future, putting people back to work, and helping keep people in their homes. CFO Alex Sink has the experience to make that happen and, with your help, we can bring real change to the Governor's office.

But, we also don't need another conservative Republican saying no to health care reform, no to the President's Recovery Act, and no to the change we voted for last November, which is why we need to send Crist into retirement in 2010 by electing a Senator like Kendrick Meek.

We have great candidates that will help us continue to bring change in 2010, and the staff at the Florida Democratic Party is working everyday to build the infrastructure to win next November - with your help we can bring the right kind of change.

Please help us reach our goal of $10,000 by Friday and show Charlie Crist what kind of change we want.

http://www.fladems.com/messagetocrist

Thank you for standing up to Charlie Crist and helping us reach our goal by tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Scott Arceneaux
Executive Director
Florida Democratic Party

Statement By House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands Regarding Chanukah

“As Florida’s Jewish Community begins its annual celebration of Chanukah, the eight-day festival of light that begins tonight and celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and of spirituality over materialism, I send greetings on behalf of House Democratic Caucus members.

“If there’s a lesson to be learned from Chanukah, a word that literally means dedication, is that from the worst of times people of character and valor survive and thrive and share their triumph with those less fortunate.

“I wish you and your family a peaceful Chanukah. As menorahs glow with light throughout our state, may all eight days of the holiday be warm and bright and bring you happiness.

“Happy Chanukah and Happy Holidays to Everyone!”