Tampa GOP

Tom Lee

Tony Morejon

Sandy Murman

Amber Mariano

 Jackie Toledo

James Grant

Linda Chaney

Mitch Thrower

Tampa Bay's Asphalt 6

Tom Lee - GOP

Ed Hooper - GOP

Jeff Brandes - GOP

Bill Galvano - GOP

Darryl Rouson - DINO

Janet Cruz - DINO

INFO

Tampa DINO Les Miller

To Board of County Commissioner Les Miller.

WHY ON GOD'S EARTH WOULD YOU BE SUPPORTING Republican TOM LEE when we have Democrat KATHY LEWIS running for this seat?" Beth Eriksen Shoup
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Learn more about Mr. Miller's 

GOP tainted past here

Tampa Bay GOP Report Card

The Florida Education Association, a consistent critic of Florida Republican education policy, has joined the growing list of organizations issuing lawmaker grades.

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Senate - House 

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Bill Gavano F - Tom Lee D

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Dana Young D- - James Grant F

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Shawn Harrison F - Jake Raburn F

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Ross Spano F - Jackie Toledo F

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Jeff Brandes F - Larry Ahern F

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Chris Latvala F - Kathleen Peters D

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Chris Sprowls F - Lawrence McClure F 

HERE

Florida GOP Legislators Score F On Report Card

Which Florida state legislators actually vote to put people first instead of powerful interests? here

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Not These Locals

 Jackie Toledo - Dana Young

Ross Spano -  Kelli Stargel - Chris Sprowls 

Greg Steube - Daniel Raulerson - Kathleen Peters

Larry Ahern - Ben Albritton - Jim Boyd

Jeff Brandes - Daniel Burgess - Colleen Burton

Neil Combee - Richard Corcoran -  Bill Galvano

James Grant - Michael Grant - Joe Gruters

 Shawn Harrison -  Blaise Ingoglia - Jack Latvala

 Chris Latvala - Tom Lee -  Amber Mariano

Florida GOP Tom Lee Gets It Right

Three years after the Florida Legislature set up a Corporate Welfare system for funding sports stadium construction and renovation projects using taxpayer money, one lawmaker wants to dismantle it. Sen. Tom Lee of Brandon, filed SB 236 on Tuesday which would repeal the law. here

Tampa Bay's Culture Of Corruption

Many of the politicians who decide how many tax dollars will go to benefit Tampa Bay’s professional sports franchises are also accepting free tickets to those teams’ games.   Tributes also include beer, wine, liquor, and a number of casual food items such as burgers and Cuban sandwiches.  Occasionally, crab cakes and sushi may be added. And access to politically-influential business leaders is always on the menu. 

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Just re-elected Florida GOP Sandy Murman received three luxury box tickets to the 2016 Outback Bowl for her husband.

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Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, is a frequent guest of local sports teams.

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Florida GOP State Senator Tom Lee, who is not allowed to accept any gift worth more than $25 as a state legislator, received a pair of suite tickets to the Feb. 2016 Monster Jam at Raymond James Stadium.

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Florida GOP Al Higginbotham – 2014 Bollywood Emmys  held at 

Raymond James Stadium.

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Charlie Gerdes – 2015 FIVB Beach Volleyball, St. Pete

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here

Winners And Losers In District 6

Winners

Pat Kemp
Kate M Connolly

Betty and Kathy Castor

Ed Turanchik

Jim Davis

The Sierra Club
Hillsborough County
Tampa

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Losers

Bob Buckhorn
Ione Townsend
Donna Lee Fore
Local Corporate Dems

Tampa Bay Times
 La Gaceta
Brian Willis
Tom Scott
John Dicks
Kevin Thurman
here

Florida GOP Frank Artiles

Florida Strong documentation:

1. Property appraiser by trade – It is asserted that the materials disseminated wrongfully assert that Mr. Artiles is a “property appraiser by trade.” However, from the documentation relied upon in describing Mr. Artiles’ occupation, it appears that he has described himself that way:

Artiles Works As A Public Adjuster & Appraiser By Trade. “Newly-elected State Representative Frank Artiles, a public adjuster, appraiser and umpire by trade, held a teleconference on November 22, 2010, with the goal of introducing himself to Florida insurance industry representatives and other interested parties and discussing their concerns, such as fraud and other issues impacting the property and casualty market.” [Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky & Abate law firm, newsletter, 2010]

2. Artiles voted to raise property taxes – It is asserted that Mr. Artiles’ support of HB 7099 “has nothing to do with property taxes.” However, from the documentation relied upon in describing the impact of that legislation, that is also a true statement:

Artiles Voted For Tax Package HB 7099. On February 11, 2016, the Florida House of Representatives approved their tax package version, 96-17. Representative Frank Artiles voted Yes on this measure. [HB 7099, 2/11/16]

HEADLINE: “Sen. Tom Lee faults Gov. Rick Scott’s budget, built ‘on the backs of local taxpayers'” In February 2016, the Tampa Bay Times

reported, “You can add the influential voice of Senate Appropriations Chairman Tom Lee, R-Brandon, to the list of Republicans howling about Gov. Rick Scott’s budget — and its heavy reliance on higher property tax bills. As Lee’s committee prepares to wade through, amend and pass its first budget proposal Wednesday, Lee had choice words for Scott’s plan to increase spending for public schools by taking advantage of higher property values for homes and businesses. ‘We’re building the increase on the backs of local taxpayers and then we’re running around the state and doing a victory lap,’ Lee told the Times/Herald. ‘I’m opposed to the way we are funding public education largely on the backs of local taxpayers.'” [Tampa Bay Times, 2/3/16]

3. Artiles voted to protect insurance companies and rates have risen – It is asserted that Representative Artiles’ support of SB 1770 does not support the statements made. However, once again, the materials relied upon by Florida Strong suggest otherwise:

Artiles Vowed To Protect Insurance Companies Right After Being Elected. On a teleconference with the insurance industry in 2010, Artiles said, “I want to protect

insurance companies to make sure they do make a profit, because at the end of the day, I am a Republican.” [Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky & Abate law firm, newsletter, 2010]

SB 1770 Created A Clearinghouse Intended To Help Protect Consumers. In June 2013, News Service of Florida reported, “Here are highlights of some of the bills taking effect July 1: … SB 1770: The Citizens Property Insurance Corp. overhaul, less imposing than initially proposed, still prevents coverage for new homes in high-risk, environmentally sensitive coastal areas, creates an internal inspector general position, and a clearinghouse intended to shift at least 200,000 policies into the private market.” [News Service of Florida, 6/29/13]

Tampa Bay Times: “To Say The [State-Run] Clearinghouse Has Underperformed Expectations Is An Understatement.” In January 2015, the Tampa Bay Times reported, “To say the clearinghouse has underperformed expectations is an understatement. Eleven months after its launch in January 2014, only 12,000 out of 148,000 policies run through the clearinghouse — 8 percent — were found ineligible for Citizens because a private insurer had offered coverage within 15 percent of Citizens’ rates.” [Tampa Bay Times, 1/9/15]

Said Clearinghouse Has Only Helped Private Insurers Line Their Pockets. In January 2015, the Tampa Bay Times reported, “Critics say the results show the clearinghouse is a waste of money. Private insurers are already writing more business and a separate ‘takeout’ program has been booming, with private insurers taking hundreds of thousands of policies out of Citizens.” [Tampa Bay Times, 1/9/15]

Private Insurers Now Have More Flexibility To Raise Rates On Consumers.In January 2015, the Tampa Bay Times reported, “They have more flexibility to raise rates of takeout policies. The clearinghouse option lets customers go back to Citizens during the first three years if their new company hikes premiums more than 10 percent.” [Tampa Bay Times, 1/9/15]

HEADLINE: “Homeowners insurance: Floridians pay more than double U.S. average.”In January 2015, the Tampa Bay Times reported, “In fact, Florida homeowners are now paying more than double the national average. Average insurance premiums statewide for the most common type of homeowners policy rose nearly 8 percent in 2012 to $2,084, according to data released this week from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. That makes Florida the first state to cross the $2,000 mark in average premiums and widens the gap between the next two states on the list, both of them coastal: Louisiana (average premiums of $1,742) and Texas ($1,661). The national average: $1,034. For the record, Florida’s premiums are 102 percent higher.” [Tampa Bay Times, 1/21/15]

In sum, Florida Strong stands by the statements contained in its materials as such assertions are, in fact, true.

here

Florida Frackers

All Florida GOP
Thad Altman, R-Melbourne 

Don Gaetz, R-Crestview 

Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton 

Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah 

Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring 

Alan Hays, R-Umatilla 

Garrett Richter, R-Naples

 David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs

Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon

here

Lizbeth Benacquisto: Also this one is suspected to have only voted against in order to bring it back up. So be sure to call on her to publicly denounce fracking or be subjected to treatment as a snake. 

Call Senator Tom Lee Today!

Critical Committee Vote Thursday Feb 25
Senator Tom Lee could have let the 

Fracking Bill die in committee.  

But now it's on his agenda for Thursday!

If you live in District 24
(east Hillsborough County 
and New Tampa)

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Please call Senator Tom Lee 
Today!

Let him know that you live in District 24
and share your feelings about
Fracking in Florida and 
Senate Bill 318 

Call Senator Tom Lee 
850-487-5024

Florida Frackers Stay Out Of Hillsborough County

Florida Senate Appropriations Chair

Tom Lee’s home county has just come out against a fracking bill that will get its next hearing in that committee; on Wednesday the Hillsborough County Commission passed a resolution to oppose the bill to study and regulate hydraulic fracturing at the same time it forbids local governments from banning the drilling practice, as many have done. here

Stop The Florida Frackers - Call Your State Senator

Sen. Joseph Abruzzo

850-487-5025

Sen. Thad Altman

850-487-5016

Sen. Aaron Bean

850-487-5004

Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto

850-487-5030

Sen. Rob Bradley

850-487-5007

Sen. Jeff Brandes

850-487-5022

Sen. Oscar Braynon

850-487-5036

Sen. Dwight Bullard

850-487-5039

Sen. Jeff Clemens

850-487-5027

Sen. Charlie Dean

850-487-5005

Sen. Nancy Detert

850-487-5028

Sen. Miguel Diaz De La Portilla

850-487-5040

Sen. Greg Evers

850-487-5002

Sen. Anitere Flores

850-487-5037

Sen. Don Gaetz

850-487-5001

Sen. Bill Galvano

850-487-5026

Sen. Rene Garcia

850-487-5038

Sen. Andy Gardiner

850-487-5013

Sen. Audrey Gibson

850-487-5009

Sen. Denise Grimsley

850-487-5021

Sen. Alan Hays

850-487-5011

Sen. Dorothy Hukill

850-487-5008

Sen. Travis Hutson

850-487-5006

Sen. Arthenia Joyner

850-487-5019

Sen. Jack Latvala

850-487-5020

Sen. Tom Lee

850-487-5024

Sen. John Legg

850-487-5017

Sen. Gwen Margolis

850-487-5035

Sen. Bill Montford

850-487-5003

Sen. Joe Negron

850-487-5032

Sen. Garrett Richter

850-487-5023

Sen. Jeremy Ring

850-487-5029

Sen. Maria Lorts Sachs

850-487-5034

Sen. David Simmons

850-487-5010

Sen. Wilton Simpson

850-487-5018

Sen. Christopher Smith

850-487-5031

Sen. Eleanor Sobel

850-487-5033

Sen. Darren Soto

850-487-5014

Sen. Kelli Stargel

850-487-5015

Sen. Geri Thompson

850-487-5012

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 Find your State Senator by clicking here.

Call your State Senator at his/her Tallahassee office, say that you live in the district, that you vote, and ask him/her to vote NO on fracking bill SB 318. (Leave a message if no one answers and call back during business hours.)

Legislative Delegation @ Amalie Arena

Folks from Yellow cab, April Griffin, Pat Kemp with friend 

and local blogger Tim Fasano.

Chris and Alberto of Central Florida Norml

more
Our thoughts
Tom Lee: Has a nice face and looks like he could be a nice guy, too bad he is GOP.
Dana Young: Is smart and hot! Too bad she is GOP
John Legg: Was more interested in his cell phone and eating his nuts 
then what was going on.
Ed Narain and  Arthenia Joyner looked bored. 

And Jeff Brandes looked shady.

Free Lube For Florida GOP Voters

So for those incurably truculent in Tallahassee, here is the reality of what happened:

You cheated. You got caught. And now you're pouting. What's infuriating is their arrogance. These are elected officials who willfully ignored constitutional amendments passed by a vast majority of Florida voters, and now they want to blame the state Supreme Court for calling them out on it?

here

“I  believe at my core that the Florida Supreme Court has grossly overstepped its boundaries,”
 Rep. Dana Young

Sen. Tom Lee pouted that the court maybe violated his First Amendment rights and muttered darkly about hiring a 
personal lawyer.

"Redistricting does not, it’s fair to say, bring out the best in people."





Registered Democrats in Florida still outnumber registered Republicans by 400,000, yet Republicans hold 17 seats in Congress to the Dems’ 10. Some might say that ain’t exactly genuine representation.
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Remember the class size amendment? Ignored. We passed  “Polluter Pays,” demanding that Big Sugar and Big Ag clean up their Everglades mess, in 1996. Still waiting on that one. More than 75 percent of voters said yes to conservation land acquisition last year. The Legislature’s response was to blow off the will of the people. Again.

As for Fair Districts, in 2010, Floridians approved two constitutional amendments instructing the Legislature to create districts that made geographical 
and community sense.

Instead, its members cut secret deals and lied. here

For the folks that keep voting for these people, 
we got your back!

freelube@yborcitystogie.com

Being Honest Gives Florida GOP Tom Lee Of Brandon Heartburn

 Stung by the court ruling that ordered that eight congressional districts be drawn because the map was tainted by 

Improper partisan intent

We think being honest and doing his job right is getting the best of him. After all this is the third time since 2012 that the Legislature 

has drawn new congressional maps. here

"There are more Democrats in Florida than Republicans but the congressional delegation includes 17 Republicans and 10 Democrats. "That's hardly parity."

Tallahassee's Parliament of Pimps

Tom Lee, R-Brother, Can You Spare A Franklin?, has taken in $1.8 million to his dubious The Conservative political action committee scam, helped by generous donations from Anheuser-Busch, U.S. Sugar, Duke Energy and Walt Disney World. Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Why Yes, I'll Have Another, has sucked up $3.3 million from about 800 benefactors for his Florida Leadership Committee. here

We are GOP