The Need to Get Democratic Voters Excited

New Florida Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner gave a fiery speech on income inequality ans the lack of Medicaid coverage for many Floridians.

"There's no freedom for the more than one million Floridians with no access to a family doctor so long as Medicaid expansion is blocked," Joyner said after being unanimously elected by her Democratic colleagues. "If your family's sick and you cannot get access to a doctor, you are not free."

"When most of the gains are going to the very top, bypassing the ones who have helped to get that success, working people are not free,'' she said. "There's no freedom when tens of thousands of Floridians are locked up for minor drug possessions and their civil rights are not restored because of some arbitrary waiting period.

"There's no freedom when a judge's discretion in sentencing is removed and prison times become mandated by lawmakers far removed from the court rooms.

"There's no freedom when our lakes and rivers and streams slowly suffocate and we cannot drink or swim or boat or fish in our waters. There's no freedom when our homes and businesses and our farms and orchards are under threat because of rising sea levels aimed at Florida's coast line. And there is no freedom when our kids can't get ahead in an education system based on punishment rather than excellence. There's no freedom when unaccountable private schools become more attractive because government has failed the accountable public ones.

"All of these issues individually and collectively can break people already stretched to the breaking point to the edge of being durable. But it doesn't need to be that way. As a woman, especially as a black woman, I learned many years ago what it meant to be on the outside looking in. I remember what it was like when fears of one group trumped the fair treatment of many and denied those willing to work hard the right to the success they had earned.

"I learned deep down in my heart the constant ache for freedom that some enjoyed but many more were denied. When hard working people are blocked from basic health care because one ideology is against it. When they are shunned from sharing in the success they helped a company achieve, when they are struggling to pay the bills in a system stacked against them, when they have erred in some minor crime and their sentence is unchallengable, that is the edge of the undurable. As the incoming leader, I pledge to you that like I did a quarter century ago, this wall erected in the name of politics to curb the freedom of the people, will also fall,'' she said to applause.

"In grateful acknowledgement of the trust you have placed in me, I will do everything in my power to make it happen -- together we will. he 14 members of this Democratic caucus have a proud tradition for standing for -- as one of my Republican senator once said, the little guy and little girl -- that's who we stand for.

"The 14 of us believe that moderate minds and willing hearts will embrace what is right for the people over the greed of any one party and the people of Florida will be better for it."

A good reason many Democrats lost during the midterms is because they refused to define what they stand for. Alison Lundergan Grimes told everyone how awesome coal is and she lost. Mary Landrieu has sponsored a bill for thew Keystone pipeline. Judging by the polls, Landrieu will lose her runoff election to Bill Cassidy. Democratic voters aren't going to get excited and come out for candidates like Grimes and Landrieu when Obama is not on the ballot. These establishment Democrats fail to understand that they need to throw red meat to the base.

Why Bob Buckhorn Isn't Endorsing Charlie Crist

I wish Tampa Mayor would get off the sidelines and endorse Charlie Crist. I'm sorry Mr. Mayor but the current batch of Republicans aren't interested in bipartisanship. From TBO.com.

"I've told everyone both Rick Scott and the Democratic potential nominees that I'm on the sidelines," he said. "I'm not endorsing. I'm not getting involved."

Buckhorn stressed the need for bipartisanship.

"I have to work with Democrats and Republicans," Buckhorn said. "I've been working with the governor for the past three years. I've been working with the Republican legislature for the last three years."

Translation: Buckhorn is afraid that Republicans will provide no funding in the budget for Tampa if he endorses Crist. Buckhorn is probably right. Endorsements have been a routine thing for members of both parties. Now Democrats like Buckhorn are afraid Republicans are willing to making residents in Tampa suffer over a single endorsement. The Florida legislature is willing to let millions go without health care because they don't want to provide President Barack Obama with a political victory by expanding Medicaid. They would certainly have no problem shafting Buckhorn.

Rep. Rehwinkel Vasilinda's Letter to Gov. Rick Scott

Florida House Rep. Rehwinkel Vasilinda is urging Gov. Rick Scott to sign funding for the Emergency Services Center For the Homeless. The proposed Tallahassee program is modeled after Florida State Sen. Bill Galvano's (R - 26th District) One Stop Center in Bradenton.

The Bill Galvano One Stop Center offers an array of services including financial help, health care, counseling, and employment assistance. Patrons include women, children, the elderly, and veterans. The Daily Bread serves lunch daily from 10am - 11:30am.

Sadly, Scott has taken every opportunity to cut funding for the homeless. In 2011, Scott vetoed $12 million for the National Veteran's Homeless Support Group. The program was attempting to provide housing for 700 homeless military veterans. The same year Scott vetoed $7 million in funding for a Jacksonville homeless shelter.

In 2013, Scott vetoed $1.3 million in funding for transitional housing facility Metropolitan Ministries sought to get people out of emergency shelters. Former Sen. Mike Fasano was not happy about Scott's veto.

Scott's veto of that project "baffles the mind," said state Rep. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey.

"What is disappointing is the governor left millions in the budget for a rowing regatta in Sarasota, but could not find funding for a very good project in Pasco that would have helped families most in need," Fasano said.

Scott's vetos have shown contempt for the homeless. I doubt Scott will even bother to read Vasilinda's letter.

Amanda Murphy Meet and Greets

Florida House Rep. Amanda Murphy will be doing several meet and greets with constituents this weekend. Pasco County residents should go and talk to their House representative.

WHEN: Friday, May 16, 2014 at 7:00 PM

WHAT: ACRE Cookout for Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, Inc.

WHERE: Dan Canon Auditorium Pasco County Fair Grounds

36722 State Road 52

Dade City, FL

WHEN: Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 9:30 AM

WHAT: Gulfside Hospice Community Veteran Pinning Ceremony

WHERE: Harley Davidson of New Port Richey 5817 State Road 54

New Port Richey, FL

WHEN: Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 9:00 AM

WHAT: Gulf Harbors Pancake Breakfast

WHERE: 4610 Floramar Terrace

New Port Richey, FL

Jack Latvala Blows Off Voter Reform

In what is a shock to no one who wants voter reform in Florida. Sen. Jack Latvala, (R-Clearwater) chair of the Florida Senate’s Ethics and Elections committee, latvala-senates-elections-bill-temporarily-postponed/has postponed a bill for online voter registration. The bill would also clarify what sites could be used to drop off absentee ballots. Latvala told TBO.com that he " didn’t want to deal with it today." What an inspiring work ethic from the Senator.

Latvala was vague on when the bill would come up again.

“When you see it on the calendar again, it’ll be coming back,” he said after the meeting. “I’m just not sure what we’re doing with that yet.”

Don't hold your breath on this bill coming before the Ethics and Elections committee again. Republicans have been fighting against online voter registration since the early "Rock the Vote" days. Republicans have fought against being able to register to vote when you get your driver's licence or state ID. Republicans are trying to keep young and poor people from voting. Remember Florida State Sen. Mike Bennett's bizarre and racially tinged rant that voting should be made harder.

“Do you read the stories about the people in Africa? The people in the desert, who literally walk two and three hundred miles so they can have the opportunity to do what we do, and we want to make it more convenient? How much more convenient do you want to make it?” he said. “Do we want to go to their house? Take the polling booth with us?”

“This is a hard-fought privilege,” he added. “This is something people die for. You want to make it convenient? The guy who died to give you that right, it was not convenient. Why would we make it any easier? I want ‘em to fight for it. I want ‘em to know what it’s like. I want them to go down there, and have to walk across town to go over and vote,” he said.

Gov. Rick Scott shorten early voting in 2012. Here is Lawrence Fishburne visiting voters standing in an outrageously long voting line in Florida. How exactly did these long lines stop voter fraud?

Will Weatherford's Won't Move on Medicaid

Like Paul Ryan, Will Weatherford is a Ayn Rand devotee. Weatherford has been against Medicaid expansion in Florida. Miami Herald columnist Fabiola Santiago pointed out the hypocrisy in Weatherford's stance. Weatherford's father said that the family took Medicaid money for a family medical crisis.

According to his father, the family accepted more than $100,000 in Medicaid dollars to pay the bills of Weatherford’s cancer-stricken 13-month-old brother, who died in 1995. Weatherford has said he was too young to remember how the finances were handled, yet he remembers enough to cast doubt on his father’s recollection, and avoid judgment on his position. But he’s catering to the point of view of wealthy supporters and the powerful father-in-law who put him in office, Tallahassee royalty.

Weatherford has refused to consider having Florida accept $51.3 billion in Medicaid funds. Weatherford has vowed that no bill for increased Medicaid dollars will pass through the Florida House of Representatives. There are currently 3.3 million uninsured in Florida.

Rene Garcia, R-Miami, and Rep. Amanda Murphy, D-New Port Richey have filed bills in the House and the Senate for Medicaid expansion. Murphy will need to convince Rep. Richard Corcoran, the chair of two health committees.

"I'll have a conversation with anyone, anytime, any place about public policy," Corcoran, R-Trinity, said today. But he would not commit to allowing Murphy's proposal to be heard in his committees.

Republicans have campaigned against Obamacare. They fear getting ripped by the tea party if they vote for Medicaid expansion. Far right conservative polotics is getting in the way of good policy. Floridians are still getting taxed for Medicaid. Regardless of whether or not they receive the benefits.

Movement on In-State Tuition Rates

Florida state Sen. Jack Latvala is proposing in-state tuition rates for the children of illegal immigrants.

"These children are the children of taxpayers in Florida, who pay our sales tax, who pay our gas tax," Latvala said at a news conference Wednesday at St. Petersburg College's Clearwater campus. "I just think this is a disparity, a discriminatory issue that needs to go away."

State Rep. Ed Hooper appeared with Latvala at a press conference at St. Petersburg College. Hooper voiced approval for Latvala Senate bill. Rep. Jeanette Nuñez is working on a companion bill in the House. House Speaker Will Weatherford has indicated that Nuñez's bill will get a floor vote. The problem appears to be Senate President Don Gaetz doesn't support Latvala's proposed bill.

"I don't know how I explain to them that … we will subsidize families who didn't play by the rules," Gaetz said.

Without Gaetz children of illegal immigrants will not get in-state student rates. These children are being punished for their parents' citizenship status. This policy hampers the economic opportunities for young people that have been in America most or all their lives. These young people identify themselves as Americans. Yet they are denied the education to achieve the American dream.

Arthenia Joyner Honored for Civil Rights Work

Florida Senate Democrats honored Sen. Arthenia Joyner for her part in the civil rights movement. Fifty years ago, Joyner was arrested for protesting the segregation policy of the whites-only Florida Theater. Joyner gives an emotional speech about how difficult it was for blacks in a segregated Florida in 1963.

Florida House Keeps Stand Your Ground Law

The Florida House Criminal Justice Subcommittee hearing on the "Stand Your Ground" law was all for show. Committee head Rep. Matt Gaetz made this statement before the hearing.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Fort Walton Beach Republican tapped to lead the hearing, said he would not support changing “one damn comma” of the statute.

Rep. Alan Williams filed a bill to repeal "Stand Your Ground." The subcommittee voted the bill down 2 to 11. The only reason there was a hearing is because of the Dream Defenders and the national media attention from Trayvon Martin's death. "Stand Your Ground" is the law for as long as NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer owns the Florida Republican establishment.

This statement by Rep. Marti Coley caught my attention.

“Today, our state is a safer place and has the lowest crime rate in 42 years,” said Rep. Marti Coley, a Marianna Republican. “Florida’s Stand Your Ground law is solid. It’s good and should not be changed.”

Does Coley have any scientific data to back that claim? A Tampa Bay Times investigative report found drug dealers and gang members were allowed to go free using the "Stand Your Ground" defense. "Stand Your Ground" has given Floridians permission to commit brutal murders.

• People often go free under "stand your ground" in cases that seem to make a mockery of what lawmakers intended. One man killed two unarmed people and walked out of jail. Another shot a man as he lay on the ground. Others went free after shooting their victims in the back. In nearly a third of the cases the Times analyzed, defendants initiated the fight, shot an unarmed person or pursued their victim —and still went free.

I don't know about you, but I don't feel safer. This is less about liberal politics and more about I don't want some maniac having the legal right to shoot me for no good reason.

Mike Fasano Endorses Amanda Murphy

Republican Mike Fasano endorses Democrat Amanda Murphy for Florida House seat 36. This is the seat that was previously held by Fasano. He had to step down due to term limits. The endorsement isn't a surprise. Fasano already told the media he voted for Murphy by absentee ballot.

Mike Fasano Announces Vote For Amanda Murphy

Republican Mike Fasano told TBO.com he voted absentee for Democrat Amanda Murphy for his seat.

“I believe Amanda will be the best person to represent the district,” Fasano said. “I personally believe she will help the little guy and gal.”

I wonder why Fasano is still a Republican. Fasano fires this shot at the Republican leadership the the legislature.

He said Murphy’s support for Medicaid expansion was the deciding factor.

“I think Bill Gunter is a good guy and good person, but I’m afraid he will follow the Republican leadership, and we don’t need any more sheep in Tallahassee,” Fasano said.

I would say that Amanda Murphy's chance of winning just got better. A seal of approval from Fasino is very good news.

Mark Pafford Next Florida House Monority Leader

It is nice to see the Florida Democratic establishment actually do something right. After the disaster that was the brief Darryl Rouson tenure; Florida House Democrats have made Mark Pafford the next Minority Leader.

Pafford was nominated and seconded by two state representatives who had been mentioned as possible leadership candidates: House Democratic Leader Pro Tempore Mia Jones, D-Jacksonville, and Rep. Janet Cruz, D-Tampa. Jones lost out to Rouson to be the next Democratic leader back in February by a narrow margin. Rep. Shev Jones, D-West Park, and Rep. Katie Edwards, D-Plantation, nominated and seconded Williams.

Pafford in a leadership position will make progressives in Florida happy.

Update: Florida Democratic Party chair Allison Tant statement on Pafford.

"I congratulate Representative Mark Pafford for winning the support of his colleagues. I look forward to working with Rep. Pafford and all House Democrats in building a unified and and strong Caucus. I am excited for the great work ahead, and I am confident Representative Pafford will have great success."

Bill Nelson Endorses Amanda Murphy

Things are looking up in the endorsement department for Florida. House District 36 candidate Amanda Murphy. Nan Rich recently endorsed Murphy. Senator Bill Nelson has now endorsed Murphy.

“The voters of Pasco County deserve a representative that will be an independent voice in the Florida Legislature, and Amanda Murphy will do just that. Her experience in the private sector will make her an effective leader in Tallahassee who will protect Pasco’s middle class,” said Senator Nelson.

These big endorsements means to Florida Democratic establishment is behind Murphy.

Nan Rich Endorses Amanda Murphy

Amanda Murphy, a Democratic candidate for Florida House District 36, has been endorsed by Nan Rich.

“Amanda Murphy is an articulate and energetic woman who will be an effective advocate for all of us in Tallahassee. A strong supporter of public education, she is committed to fighting against the special interests that would divert funds away from classrooms through voucher schemes or any other efforts that would undermine our public schools. And we can also count on Amanda to defend women’s reproductive rights -– rights that have been under assault by right-wing extremists in Tallahassee.

“For these reasons and more, I am proud to lend my name and support to Amanda Murphy for State Representative.”

“I am honored and humbled to receive Senator Nan Rich’s endorsement,” said Amanda Murphy. “She has been a great help and offered many kind words of advice to me so far in my campaign. Senator Rich has been a strong advocate for the people of Florida and her support for my campaign is a blessing.”

Special Session on Stand Your Ground Doubtful

Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford tweets that there will be on special session to review the "Stand Your Ground" law.

We will not have a special session to repeal #StandYourGround. ReTweet if you support self-defense.

The Florida Republican establishment is going to keep blocking efforts to review "Stand Your Ground." Their hope is interest in changing the SYG will fade from the news cycle. Unfortunately, their strategy might work.

Barbara Peterson Appointed by Don Gaetz

There are times that I like Florida Senate President Don Gaetz. I hope appointing Barbara Peterson leads to the Florida legislature doing a better job of complying with the Sunshine laws.

“Barbara Peterson is Florida's respected guardian of open records, open meetings and open government," Gaetz said. “Her leadership of the First Amendment Foundation gives credibility and reliability to this important work. Her expertise in advising public officials, the media, courts and citizens about access to records will lead to more transparency and user-friendliness through a consolidation of many complex and duplicative websites.”

The mission of the First Amendment Foundation.

The First Amendment Foundation believes that government openness and transparency is critical to citizen trust and involvement in our democratic society – without Government in the Sunshine, civic engagement cannot bloom. Through ongoing monitoring of the state’s public records and open meetings laws, and the education of government officials and the citizens they serve about those laws, the Foundation promotes the public’s constitutional right to oversee and to participate in the governance process.

Services: Sunshine Monitoring: The Foundation monitors the Legislature, state agencies, the courts, and, when possible, local governments, for actions and issues related to open government, alerting its members through periodic reports of all open government activity.

FOI Hotline: The First Amendment Foundation runs the FOI Hotline, where callers to our toll-free number (800-337-3518) can get information and assistance with their questions about the application of the Sunshine Law and the Public Records Law. Currently, the FOI Hotline is averaging about 200 calls a month, with almost half coming from the general public. The Foundation also responds to emailed questions about open government. Contact us by email.

Let's hope that the Florida legislature listens to Peterson's recommendation. The Rick Scott administration has used private emails to avoid the Sunshine law. Unfortunately, the legislature hasn't challenged Scott for the lack of transparency. That needs to change.

Sit-In At Gov. Rick Scott's Office

State Rep. Alan Williams, black community leaders, students and Dream Defenders are involved in a sit-in staged at Gov. Rick Scott's office. The reason for the protest is Florida's Stand Your Ground law.

Dream Defenders have posted photos of the sit-in on their Facebook page. Unsurprisingly, Gov. Rick Scott has been MIA since the sit-in has started.

Scott’s absence also is drawing heat.

“Come home, Governor,” Williams said Thursday at a news conference at a church just a few blocks from the Capitol. “Come home to speak to these citizens.”

The Stand Your Ground issue is not going to away for Scott. Senate Democratic Leader Chris Smith and Florida House Democratic Leader Perry Thurston have launched a social media campaign to open debate on Stand Your Ground.

“Why do they fear this debate?” Smith asked. “We have a clear case that shows Stand Your Ground has very troubling problems, and those problems are central to the well being of Floridians. These changes do not affect a person’s right to self defense. But they stop the ability to hide behind self defense when you bring yourself to a fight.”

The answer is the Republican Party is terrified of the NRA. How scared? People can bring concealed weapons into the capital. Security is not allowed to ask a person if he is carrying a concealed weapon. Longtime NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer successfully pushed that bill. Republicans fear the NRA so much that they are willing to endanger themselves.

Florida Did Not Ban Computers & Mobile Phones

Progressive are having fun linking to a Huffington Post article about Florida accidentally banning all computers and mobile phone devices. The truth is the HB 155 was written for internet cafe computers "adapted" to be gambling games.

(1) As used in this chapter, the term "slot machine or device" means any machine or device or system or network of devices that is adapted for use in such a way that, upon activation, which may be achieved by, but is not limited to, the insertion of any piece of money, coin, account number, code, or other object or information, such device or system is directly or indirectly caused to operate or may be operated and if the user, whether by application of skill or by reason of any element of chance or any other outcome unpredictable by the user, may:

(a) Receive or become entitled to receive any piece of money, credit, allowance, or thing of value, or any check, slug, token, or memorandum, whether of value or otherwise, which may be exchanged for any money, credit, allowance, or thing of value or which may be given in trade; or

(b) Secure additional chances or rights to use such machine, apparatus, or device, even though the device or system may be available for free play or, in addition to any element of chance or unpredictable outcome of such operation, may also sell, deliver, or present some merchandise, indication of weight, entertainment, or other thing of value. The term "slot machine or device" includes, but is not limited to, devices regulated as slot machines pursuant to chapter 551.

Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida legislature didn't ban computers and mobile phones. If you plan on rigging your phone or computer into a gambling machine then you would be breaking the law. I don't imahine anyone plans to turn their iPhone into a slot machine.

Consuelo Zapata, owner of Incredible Investments, LLC, claimed in a lawsuit against the State Attorney's office of Miami-Dade County that HB 155 has banned all computers and mobile phones. Zapata claims that his internet cafe is just providing a public service of help people get on the web. Zapata's attorney stated in the complaint that the plaintiff's internet cafe runs game promotions. The game promotions is what cafe owners that have conducted gambling used to legally allow them to have online gambling. That changed after HB 155 became law. If people are paying to gamble on Zapata's computers then it is illegal under Florida law.

The Bong Bill

This is how bad the Florida legislature has become. Rep. Darryl Rouson’s "bong bill" has finally made it into law.

Rep. Darryl Rouson’s “bong bill” was widely ridiculed, since its inception in 2010 as a sales tax on drug paraphernalia, and the concept has been tied up in court challenges by retailers who sell various pipes and other smoking devices. But Rouson, a recovered drug addict who has marked 15 years of sobriety, argued that the pseudo-smoke shops congregate in college towns and openly market their wares to young people.

The St. Petersburg Democrat's bill (HB 49) makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly sell paraphernalia generally associated with drug use. Repeat offenses are felonies.

I respect Rouson's feelings as a recovering addict. However, police resources should be used for other things besides raiding smoke shops.

Florida House Republicans Supports Government Health Care For Themselves

Republicans in the Florida House of Representatives voted against accepting federal money to provide health insurance for one million poor Floridians. Since Republicans are the majority in the House a million Floridians will not receive health care. That didn't stop House Republicans to keeping their state government health care at $30 a month. Members of the House pay one-sixth of what other state employees pay for health insurance. Rep. Richard Corcoran provided a laughable explanation.

"I think the entire state health care system is broken, and what we tried to do is try to fix it," Corcoran said, noting that conservatives have called his proposal a national model. "When you do that, everybody is going to be treated equally and fairly."

In Corcoran worldview, the health care system is broken. His remedy is cheap health care for himself and denying Medcaid to a million Floridians. That is taking a broken sytem and smashing it with a hammer.

House Speaker Will Weatherford claims that he will eventually get around to addressing the discrepancy between what House members and other state employees pay.

In a statement Monday, Weatherford said: "We are aware of the differences in what House members pay compared to other state employees for health insurance and are looking forward to addressing it next session."

Weatherford fails to address why this wasn't addressed during the session. The Florida Senate was wise enough to increase to payments for state health insurance.

Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, insisted on the change, saying it wasn't fair for senators to pay less than low-level state workers. Senators now pay $50 a month for health insurance, or $180 a month for their families.

"I think the public expects the state Senate to be treated the same as our fellow co-workers in state government and not be given preferential status," Negron said Monday.

There is no excuse. Weatherford led the charge to fight the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Yet he wants to keep low cost health insurance for the House of Representatives. This is pure hypocrisy.