Sunday, April 9, 2023

Competing abortion pill rulings sow broad alarm, confusion


Emma Hernandez is defiant even if she fears what may come in the latest stage of the nation’s fight over abortion: a widening prohibition to safe and legal ways to end unwanted pregnancies, including access to abortion pills.

Competing rulings by two federal judges over the availability of the abortion drug mifepristone are sowing alarm and confusion for Hernandez and countless other Americans who insist that availability must be guaranteed. Others celebrated one judge’s ruling that would restrict that access but acknowledge the battle is far from over.

More HERE

Florida poised to pass 6-week abortion ban, House could vote next week


As soon as next week, lawmakers in Florida could approve a bill that would further restrict most abortions from 15 weeks to six weeks.

The state Senate approved the bill earlier in the week and Gov. Ron DeSantis has signaled his support for it.

More HERE

Saturday, April 8, 2023

Tampa Locavore: The Stein & Vine





VISIT THEM HERE

Ybor Paparazzi

Gaby and Manny


Governor DeSantis and Florida Legislature ready to take aim at Disney again


Governor Ron DeSantis said he and the Florida Legislature are ready to open up multiple new fronts in his battle against one of the state's largest businesses, Disney.

Nina Tatlock for Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida Vice President


I am excited to announce my candidacy for Vice President of the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida. This is an organization that I feel strongly about and, if you are a voting member of DPCF, I would like to ask for your support and vote. 

Here's my bio:

Nina Tatlock (she/her) began her journey as an organizational volunteer in the year 2000 as a Founding Board member and Vice President for Art IN Hand Gallery, an Artist Cooperative Gallery in Zionsville, Indiana, which she is happy to report is still in existence today. After moving to Florida, Nina was elected to the South Shore Arts Council in 2008, serving terms, off and on, multiple times, in positions of Secretary, Vice President, and Treasurer (currently).  In 2010, she served as a Founding Board member of the Firehouse Cultural Center in Ruskin, FL and served on that Board for several years. Nina has also served off and on for her Homeowners Association in Apollo Beach as Secretary, Vice President, and President during the 2017-2018 two year term. Nina has a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University in Consumer and Family Sciences and an Associate of Science from Indiana University in Optometric Technology. She has spent a number of years working as a Fiber Artist, exhibiting and teaching fiber art techniques. Nina is a political activist, an elected Precinct Committee Woman in Hillsborough County, and serves on the Steering Committee of her DEC as Chair of the Platform Committee.  Nina was one of the founding members of the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Tampa Bay in 2017 serving in leadership early on and as President for a two year term, from March 2019 to March 2021. She currently holds a board member position, continues to do committee work, and as Co-Chair of the Outreach Committee of DPCTB is working to maintain and foster relationships in the community. Nina was a Florida PLEO Delegate for Bernie Sanders to the Democratic National Convention in 2020.  She has been a member of DPCF since 2015, actively participating on the campaign committee since 2017, a contributing member of the Chapter Development Ad Hoc Committee, and was elected to the DPCF Board in 2021.

Nina was following politics and Bernie Sanders before he became a Presidential Candidate. As a curious individual she started doing personal research as to why Corporations usually seemed to win in Supreme Court cases and found that bad SCOTUS decisions went way back, but an especially egregious decision in 1886 was the one that allowed corporate personhood by legal fiction and that this was because of an insertion from a court reporter and not even by a Supreme Court Justice. Nina started following various progressive organizations such as Progressive Democrats of America and followed the push for Bernie to run for President.  She volunteered to knock on Doors in 2010 to help get a Democrat elected as Governor of Florida and as Senator. This coincided with the rise of the tea party culminating in the election of Rick Scott and Marco Rubio. She decided that even though politics were bad in Indiana, where she came from, things were much worse in Florida.  Nina's goals are to continue to push the Democratic party leftward; to work on reform within the party; to engage with community members; to engage voters; to engage with various progressive organizations; to continue to work on getting more candidates, who will abide by the Progressive Platform, elected locally, statewide, and nationally; and to continue to push for progressive legislation that will work for the people who are not corporations. Nina feels that we need to get business out of our governments, that we ultimately need a new Constitution that is not built on racism or property ownership/rights, and that will include the rights of nature. In the meantime, there is a lot of work that can be done through DPCF, our local Progressive Caucus Chapters and in our County DECs.

~ Nina Tatlock ~

Skoops Italian Ice - Tampa





VISIT THEM HERE

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Spanish Bean Soup
STONE SOUP HERE

JenZ Report: Talking with Harvey Kaye, win in Wisconsin, and the LABOR REVOLUTION!


Senate passes bill banning gender-affirming care for minors and limiting it for adults


Florida is one step closer to establishing a permanent ban on gender-affirming care for minors and placing hurdles in the way for adults who want the care.

The Senate voted 27-12 to advance a bill (SB 254) that would codify rules passed by the state’s two medical boards to ban the procedures for minors. The bill would also codify a Medicaid rule banning reimbursement for the procedures for people of all ages.

More HERE

Tampa Bay ranks fourth in deadliest places for pedestrians


A new report Tuesday ranks the Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater metro area fourth in the country for the most dangerous roads for pedestrians, and transportation leaders shared what they are changing to help address the issue.

Fascism’s History Offers Lessons about Today’s Attacks on Education


Public education has long been a battlefield in the U.S., from the Scopes trial to desegregation to climate change. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s recent demands for greater control over public education—and students’ bodies—in the guise of “parent’s rights” accelerates this conflict, rejecting the importance of learning as a public good in itself in favor of promoting conformity and uncritical thinking.....MORE


Friday, April 7, 2023

Chillum - Ybor City





Chillum - Ybor City

Florida health official must testify in transgender Medicaid fight, says federal judge


A federal judge has rejected a request by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration to shield a top health official from testifying in a lawsuit challenging the state’s prohibition on Medicaid coverage of gender-affirming care for transgender people.....MORE

City of Tampa offering vouchers for eBikes this week


The City of Tampa Mobility Department is proposing an eBike Voucher Program for all city residents. Vouchers provided through this program range in value from $500 to $2,000 based on the voucher type and the applicant’s income qualifications.....MORE

Tampa City Council approves financial settlement over conversion therapy ban


Tampa City Council on Thursday unanimously passed the resolution approving the settlement by the city in Christian-based Liberty Counsel's favor which struck down an ordinance banning conversion therapy.

The city of Tampa is set to pay Liberty Counsel $950,000 as a result.

More HERE

Tampa councilmembers vote in favor of police review board getting independent legal advisor


After months of back and forth, a group that is designed to review police disciplinary cases or alleged misconduct in Tampa will now have access to more legal resources.

On Thursday, Tampa City Council passed an ordinance for its second reading and adoption, giving the Citizens Review Board (CRB) access to an independent legal advisor that’s not employed by the city.

More HERE

Thursday, April 6, 2023

USF Students Protest DeSantis’ Attacks on DEI in Florida Colleges

Students for a Democratic Society at University of South Florida protesting at Marshall Student Center. By Josh Holton/WMNF (4/6/2023)

Today at the University of South Florida about a dozen students with Students for a Democratic Society protested a law to ban majors and minors in gender studies, Critical Race Theory, and related studies that focus on teaching Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.....MORE

Thou Doth Protest Too Much, Methinks


Florida’s Governor says he knows he wasn’t elected to be a “dictator,” but blames the press for acting like he is one.

In Michigan Thursday,  Ron DeSantis told a crowd at Hillsdale College that reporters got it wrong regarding his governing philosophy.

More HERE

Florida officials warn of fire risks


A dry, earlier than normal wildfire season has Florida officials warning residents to take risks seriously.

“We have very dry conditions all over the state, near drought conditions, are extremely dry,” said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson at a news conference in Hillsborough County Thursday. “We’re just asking everyone to be very vigilant. We realize this has already been a very busy season and obviously we hope to mitigate that through a lot of safety measures.”

More HERE

St. Petersburg leaders vote against giving $50K to abortion fund for travel expenses


In a 2-6 vote, the St. Petersburg City Council voted against providing $50,000 in additional funding for the Tampa Bay Abortion Fun for travel-related expenses.

The Tampa Bay Abortion Fund helps Floridians who are more than 15 weeks pregnant with travel-related expenses for abortions at out-of-state clinics.

More HERE