It's way past time to get serious about transit in Tampa Bay

In Tampa Bay cars are the #1 generator of greenhouse gases. The commission wants to ask us for a 1/2 sales tax that is 65%, at a minimum, for roads. The referendum even includes maintenance of roads, a core county function. That's not fiscally responsible. Why wouldn't we pay that out of our regular budget? We already have that money. We had almost $100 million unanticipated revenue this year and not a dollar for transit. What does that say? Email and call your commissioners 
at this link.

"It's way past time to get serious about transit 
in Tampa Bay."

Pat Kemp
----------
Join Pat Kemp Tonight For A Discussion Of The TBX Monster Highway
6:30PM at the Seminole Heights Library

Local Idiots: Randy Maggard

here

Rick Scott Owes Florida $700,000

Florida is paying $700,000 to settle allegations that Gov. Rick Scott and other state officials flouted the state’s public records laws. The state agreed this week to pay that amount to Tallahassee attorney Steven Andrews. Andrews sued the governor and other top state officials back in 2013. here

Marco Rubio's "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Act"

At the debate Megyn Kelly suggested that the Florida Republican would "favor a "rape and incest exception" to abortion bans. "I have never said that," Rubio objected. "And I have never advocated that. What I have advocated is that we pass law in this country that says all human life at every stage of its development is worthy of protection." But he appears to be wrong about never having advocated the exception. In 2013, Rubio cosponsored a Senate bill with wide-ranging Republican support called the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Act, which would have banned abortions after 20 weeks, and that bill had exceptions for rape, incest, and in cases when the mother's life was threatened. here

Bush also touted his pro-life record, adding that 
He defunded Planned Parenthood 
while chief executive of Florida.  The St. Petersburg Times reported in 2003 that "Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida lost $124,000 last year from its family planning division. Bush diverted the funds to abstinence-only educational programs."

Crews List Most Corrupt Vern Buchanan Could Be Out Of A Job

Under a new redistricting map Buchanan would lose 150 thousand constituents from Sarasota County and gain 150 thousand from Hillsborough. Hillsborough County has more registered democrats than republicans, while Sarasota has more republicans than democrats. here

Named to CREW’s Most Corrupt 
in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012. here

Come on up Vern, we are ready for you.
This ain't Sarasota!

August Solidarity Sunday

Today

At Lee's Grocery in Tampa

RSVP

Beckner, Montelione, Miller And Cohen Vote For TBX

Yes on TBX

Kevin Beckner

Lisa Montelione

Les Miller

Harry Cohen

here

Florida GOP

Ken Hagan,  Sandra Murman, Josh Burgin and  Stacy White.
Also voted yes.

Update: I wrote Mr. Beckner to express my disappointment with his yes vote. He thanked me for my feedback and said "This issue is far from over. If FDOT does not take considerable action to work with the citizens and neighborhoods, I will not hesitate pulling my support."

Florida Rick Scott Voters

Florida GOP haven, North Port

Someone has some sense down there!

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Grouper Burger

With Fries

At Dans Clam Stand in Crystal River

Visit them here

No Money For War Hawks

Florida Dem Ted Deutch

I commit to withholding contributions from individual Democrats—and from any party committee supporting them—if they succeed in sabotaging President Obama's diplomatic agreement with Iran."

"I will vote against it when Congress reconvenes in September."

here

Take the pledge: Commit to withholding contributions from individual Democrats—and from any party committee supporting them—if they succeed in sabotaging President Obama's diplomatic agreement with Iran. here

United for Care T-Shirt

$25.00

100% of the proceeds from the United For Care store go directly to help medical marijuana legalization efforts in Florida. Thank you for your support! here

Jessica Rose - "Maybe"

Local Hero Guido Maniscalco

They came by the dozens activists and just regular residents from Seminole and Tampa Heights all imploring the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Organization not to include the controversial Tampa Bay Express project in the MPO’s Transit Improvement Project.

Speaking for the project? 
8people, most of whom wore suits (or in the case of the representative for Jeff Vinik‘s group, a dress). none of whom are believed to live in the district, and several of them representing
 major business organizations.

Just like GO Hillsborough they let us think we had a say in the matter. In the end they don't give a shit what we think. After three hours of discussion, the MPO voted 13-1 to support the project. The only dissenter was Tampa City Councilman 
Guido Maniscalco. here
Who is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
here

Mr. Beckner, Ms. Montelione and Mr. Miller, Shame on you!

Paynes Prairie In Danger

Hands off 
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park 

Have you ever heard of Paynes Prairie? It is one of the most important natural and historical areas in Florida. Paynes Prairie is located near Gainesville.

 We, the undersigned, will not allow the privatization of our public land. We stand firmly against Governor Scott's plan to encourage private business to rent our State Parks for grazing cattle or growing trees. We urge you to stand against special interests and work to preserve not privatize!

here

The Begining Of The End Of The GOP

Democrat Leanne Krueger-Braneky picked up a Republican-held seat in a HUGE special election victory in Pennsylvania! Republicans gerrymandered this district to give themselves a massive 15-point registration advantage, but Leanne won anyway! here

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Corned Beef

With Mashed Potatoes and Cole Slaw

At Kim's Cafe in Homosassa

Visit them here

Florida GOP Running Scared

Pasco County Republican Party chairman Randy Maggard and his Walton County counterpart, Tim Norris have filed a federal lawsuit to block the state’s anti-gerrymandering constitutional clauses, arguing the provisions limit First Amendment speech and amount to

 “thought policing.”

For real
 check it out here

Rick Scott's Fast Track Destruction Of Florida State Parks

 Rick Scott's decision to speed up the reappointment of Florida's top environmental regulator is drawing suspicion from grass roots activists across the state. They suspect the goal is to silence criticism of the DEP's plans to open state parks to commercial activities such as hunting, cattle grazing and timber harvesting. here

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Chicken souvlaki

With Greek Salad

At the Olive Tree Restaurant in Crystal River

Visit them here

No Oil Drilling In The Everglades

Oil drilling has been proposed in the eastern Everglades, and we need your help to stop it. This permit, if approved, not only threatens Everglades restoration, but also local wildlife and south Florida’s drinking water. The application by Kanter Real Estate would allow for a five acre oil pad in southwest Broward County, with drilling to a depth of 11,800 feet, running around the clock for up to 80 days.

Sign Petition

Hillsborough County Commissioner's Lack Of Vision

To their great credit, Commissioners Stacy White and Les Miller did their best to persuade fellow commissioners last week to spend much of the $23 million the county will receive in oil spill damages from BP on the Jan K. Platt Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program, which is virtually out of money. But their colleagues refused. 

Ken Hagan said there should be no urgency in spending the money — despite renewed development now taking place.
Sandra Murman suggested spending the nonrecurring funds on transportation. That’s clearly a need, but the county has other revenue sources for roads and is considering a half-cent sales tax increase for transportation needs. ELAPP, in contrast, is being neglected.
Kevin Beckner similarly argued that since the settlement was compensation for the loss of tourism and other economic activity, it should go toward the economy, including ecotourism. here

_________________

Thank you Mr. White (We might have been wrong about you) and Mr. Miller.

Florida Dem Ted Deutch Will Oppose Iran Deal

 "I will vote against it when Congress reconvenes in September." here

#TacosForTrump In Tampa

Tonight 7pm - 11pm

Hosted by our great leader Susan Smith

Usually we eat popcorn when we plop down in front of the television for entertainment. For this GOP debate, however, we think it's appropriate to serve Mexican themed food! Please join us by posting photos of your #TacosForTrump! here

Pic, what Stogie had for lunch @ Taco Son, On 56th St. In Tampa

Marco Rubio Worried About Single Moms In Tampa

Obama’s historic Clean Power Plan 

“So if there’s some billionaire somewhere who is a pro-environmental, cap and trade person, yeah, they can probably afford for their electric bill to go up a couple of hundred dollars. But if you’re a single mom in Tampa, Florida, and your electric bill goes up by $30 a month, 

that is catastrophic.” Marco Rubio

"Mr. Rubio here in Tampa we are more concerned about our kids being able to breathe when they grow up." Pilar Sanchez-Robbins
By the way, he said this at a private gathering of wealthy donors in Orange County, California, hosted by billionaire conservatives 
Charles and David Koch. YCS

Florida GOP Struggling To Raise Campaign Cash

This should be a time for the Republican Party of Florida to rake in the dollars.

It controls the political agenda with a Republican in the governor’s mansion, two party favorite sons in contention for the White House and commanding majorities in both houses of the state Legislature.

Instead, the state party is in the middle of its worst fundraising stretch in six years amid growing disunity within the GOP ranks. here

Jeb Bush On Women's Health Issues

Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush vowed Tuesday to cut off federal funding for Planned Parenthood if elected to the White House.

 "I'm not sure we need half a billion dollars for women's health issues." 

here

"We need it for tax breaks for his rich friends." YCS

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Chicken Quesadillas

At Kim's Cafe in Homosassa

Visit them here

Rick Scott, The Great Environmentalist

Reader alert! 

You are about to enter the mother of all spit-take zones! Do not under any circumstances consume any liquids! Face away from any walls! Avoid looking directly at any children, pets, friends or spouses! here

"What group of pandering serfs would conclude that a governor who can't find the Everglades on a map, much less protect it, would be worthy of being designated an environmental savior?"

Shark Spotted On Bayshore and Swann

Authorities warn people to stay off the streets in that area. It is believed to be a four to five foot Bull Shark. the B.S. was last seen near the Davis Island crosswalk. here

Bass Pro: Hillsborough County Commissioners Benghazi

"They easily found $6.25 million for a road to Bass Pro. It would have come here without it." Pat Kemp

Walton County Replaces Confederate Flag With Confederate Flag

Citizen Review Board for the Tampa Police Department

Join us Thursday for the Public Comment Period at Tampa City Council as we voice support for Councilman Reddick's proposal of a Citizen Review Board for the 
Tampa Police Department.

Thursday at 9:00am

info

August Solidarity Sunday: Berning Man

Sunday - 6pm

At Lee's Grocery in Tampa

info

Ybor City Stogie T-Shirt

$24.00

Hane's Beefy-T -100% preshrunk cotton

here

USA Is A Center Right Nation? Not!

Don't believe the hype. The American people are actually quite progressive.

here

Don McKenzie Of Winter Haven

Grayson Deserves Our Trust

While Mr. Murphy is a nice young man, he has accomplished little, nor does he seem to stand for much. We tried electing a former Republican for governor and you see how that worked out. I want a real Democrat that I can vote for. here

Top Ten Most Gerrymandered Districts in the United States

Florida 20 - #9

Florida 3 - #6

Florida 22 - #4

here

Rick Scott Wants To Jail The Vote

Politicians like Rick Scott, have used felon disenfranchisement to maintain power

In 2011, Scott overturned an executive order that had previously allowed felons to regain access to the ballot box after navigating a complicated process. The result is that the number of disenfranchised felons in 2010 in Florida (although data on ex-felons are difficult to come by) was 1,541,602. For comparison, in 2014, 6 million ballots were cast in the Florida midterm, and Scott won by a mere 66,127 votes. One study estimates that former felons would turn out at a rate of about 24 percent in a midterm election. Assuming that level of turnout in Florida, nearly 370,000 more people would have voted — possibly costing Scott his seat. here

MPO Meeting on Proposed 18 Lane Interstate

A planned interstate expansion to 18 lanes through Tampa will move forward unless hundreds of citizens show up to fill the meeting room and object. Many historic buildings in neighborhoods along it's path will be leveled. This is not the Public Transit that citizens said they 
wanted through Imagine 2040.

Tuesday, August 4   5:30-8:00 PM 

2nd Floor, County Center

601 East Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa

here

Tampa Bay Homeless

Meet Antrown

He is a local, homeless 8 months

Party With Kevin Beckner At Avelino and Steven's Place In Lutz

Saturday August 8th, 2pm-4pm

 2808 Winglewood Circle in Lutz

info

GOP Propaganda: Jeb Bush

BBQ Smoke Illegal In Pinellas County

Why would someone call the county on their neighbor over BBQ smoke, 
what a lowlife!

What Eva And Stogie Had For Lunch

Cashew Chicken and Shrimp With Vegetables

With Hot and Sour soup and Kimchi 

At Mr Wang Chinese Restaurant in Homosassa

Hillsborough County Fuck Fest: "Go Hillsborough" Focus Groups

• Voters between the ages of 18-29 were automatically eliminated.
• Taxpayers who did not vote in last year's gubernatorial election didn't get to participate in the focus groups were which conducted last November.
• Consultants only talked to Republicans without any registered Democrats, but only conservative members of the GOP who always vote in Republican primary elections were included in the Republican group.
• Those who labelled themselves as moderate or liberal Republicans were not invited to the GOP focus group.
• Participants in the focus groups were chosen from Carrollwood, Westchase, Town and Country and Brandon which means which means South Tampa, West Tampa, Central Tampa, Temple Terrace, East Tampa, Plant City, South Shore, South County and Sun City were excluded from having their voices heard in the focus groups.
• The participants were each given $75 to take part in the focus groups and among the major takeaways are , there is no sense of crisis in transportation; rail is not seen as a viable alternative; the bus system has a major image and usage problem. here

"Good luck with that," That’s what one Tribune columnist said about Commissioner Hagan talking about a balanced transportation referendum for more options.

 We spent $1.25 million on this!

Go Hillsborough was all a sham
check this out
Hillsborough County Commissioners don't waste our time. No rail? No new taxes!

Hillary Clinton urges Congress to end Cuban embargo

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Manhattan Clam Chowder

With Ham Sandwich
At Dan's Clam Stand in Homosassa
Visit them here

Servent Of God In Ybor

7th Ave

Tampa Bay High Speed Ferry Project

here