And this suspicious character watching us!
Thursday, October 15, 2015
2015 People's Climate March In Tampa
Kennedy and Westshore
Thank you TPD for taking care of us!
And Ben and Jerry for the free Ice Cream!
Florida's Right Wing Infestation
Florida’s taxpayers deserve smarter investment of our money. We rank near the bottom in education funding. Our roads and bridges cry out for repairs and upgrades. Florida inmates have needlessly died because the state was trying to economize on prison health care. We invest the least in our state services, per capita, in the country at less than half the national average. Many wounds are self-inflicted because, instead of investing in people and communities, the Legislature spends resources on tax cuts to the wealthy and big corporations. here
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Florida GOP Do Your F*'n Job!
Florida environmental groups filed a suit asking the courts to force the Florida Legislature to return
Amendment 1 funds to a conservation land buying fund. here
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"We are asking for Florida’s courts to uphold the
constitution as amended by the voters. The legislature needs to be held accountable for ignoring the
will of the people." Serra Club Florida Conservation Chair Tom Larson.
Bargain Bob's Talents
In an interview with Dara Kam of the News Service of Florida, Tampa mayor Buckhorn was asked whether he’s considering running for governor. here
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”I don’t know. I’m looking at it,” he said. Though he loves being Tampa’s mayor, he said he hasn’t stopped thinking his talents could step up to Tallahassee.
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Lets look at some of the mayor's talents!
He was no fan of Amendment 2 here
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He called the ACLU, the Council on America-Islamic Relations, and the NAACP fringe groups. Though this month he emphasized he wasn’t including the NAACP in those remarks. here
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His lack of enthusiasm for Charlie Crist, the party’s 2014 gubernatorial nominee. here
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His support of Pam Bondi. here
And Patrick Murphy here
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And lets not forget how cheaply he can be bought, which is how he earned the nickname "Bargain Bob" here at this blog. here
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He should fit right in Tallahassee's Pay-To-Play Culture!
The Super Rich Love Marco Rubio
While 1-percenters hoping for lower taxes have reason to like pretty much every Republican running for president, there’s one who should have America’s wealthiest thinking about what to do with their extra thousands, or even millions, of dollars: Marco Rubio. here
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
“11 Corrupt Corporations: Anheuser-Busch is #1
In addition to sponsoring the open-bar cocktail hour at the 2015 ALEC annual conference, beverage giant Anheuser-Busch is also a member of ALEC's Commerce, Insurance, and Economic Development Task Force — responsible for numerous anti-worker and union-busting initiatives. So, why not consider getting your drink somewheres else? (Uh, also: no big loss. Their beer tastes like pee.) here
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In Tampa Bay, why bother? Drink local!
Monday, October 12, 2015
More Lies About GO Hillsborough
Joe Brown Guest Columnist @ The Tampa Tribune here
- "Based on telephone responses and town hall meetings this year, most Hillsborough County residents want to fix the roads and bridges in existence."
- ( Note chat above, this is not true. Rail IS our top priority.)
- Telephone responses here
- 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.
- Read more about this sham here
Florida's Corporate Welfare Not Working
In 2014, the state gave out
$5.7 billion
in Corporate Welfare
in Corporate Welfare
The state's ability to attract high-wage manufacturing jobs has not increased alongside a sharp rise in taxpayer-funded economic incentives (Corporate Welfare), which are often designed to attract those jobs, according to the Legislature's top economist. here
Marco Rubio's Secret-Money Commercials
Every pro-Rubio television commercial so far in the early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina has been paid for not by his campaign or even by a super PAC that identifies its donors, but instead by a nonprofit called Conservative Solutions Project. The secret-money group is giving him at least an $8 million assist, according to advertising tracker Kantar Media's CMAG. here
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The candidate has presented himself as being opposed to such unaccountable money.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Brian Blair's Kind Words For Jim Norman
You Big Dummy!
A new analysis conducted by Grammarly, a proofreading app, analyzed the spelling and grammar of comments on each presidential candidate’s Facebook page. Guess which political party’s supporters made mistakes at nearly twice the rate of the other?
Rick Scott's Pipeline
There are three major energy companies in Florida, which have formed a partnership to build a 474 mile underground natural gas pipeline, from Alabama and Georgia to a hub south of Orlando. The underground pipeline will be a joint venture owned by Spectra Energy (59.5 percent), Florida Power & Light parent NextEra Energy (33 percent), and Duke Energy (7.5 percent). here
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During Scott’s first term, the governor acquired substantial investments in the natural gas industry. His holdings included stock in Spectra Energy, and more than two-dozen companies that produce and transport natural gas in different Florida counties. It appears that Scott owns a percentage in all the major natural gas pipelines in the state of Florida.
During Scott’s first term, the governor acquired substantial investments in the natural gas industry. His holdings included stock in Spectra Energy, and more than two-dozen companies that produce and transport natural gas in different Florida counties. It appears that Scott owns a percentage in all the major natural gas pipelines in the state of Florida.
Mass Firing Of Teachers In Broward County
How would you feel as a parent if a little more than one month into the school year the principal of your new charter school fired the bulk of teachers and forced others to take huge pay cuts, lose benefits to remain? That's what happened at Paramount Charter School in Broward county where stunned parents discovered their kids were sitting around and drawing all day because there were
no teachers left: here
no teachers left: here
Rick Scott's Corporate Welfare State
Rick Scott wants legislators to keep in place a tax break for manufacturing companies.
Two years ago, the Florida Legislature agreed to waive the state’s 6 percent sales tax for equipment purchased by manufacturing businesses. But the
$137 million a year tax break
$137 million a year tax break
is scheduled to end in 2017. here
Friday, October 9, 2015
Local Hero Richard Gonzmart
"To be a great city, to attract corporations to move in, you have to have some kind of mass transit and rail's the way to go,”
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Richard Gonzmart, 4th generation President and co-owner of the Columbia Restaurant Group, says he's not only a light rail supporter, he's willing to pay for part of it. here
Florida Inc: Rick Scott
Florida GOP State Sen. Jack Latvala said Wednesday that Gov. Rick Scott’s lengthy veto list last June was driven by politics and individual lobbyists and members who supported specific projects, not public policy. He said he saw few differences when comparing things like estimated return on investment from projects that were vetoed and those that made the final budget. “Mainly, the differences were in who supported those projects and who lobbied for those projects,” he said. here
Florida GOP Matt Gaetz: A Right Granted By God
A move to allow citizens to openly carry firearms is moving in the Florida Legislature. Rep. Matt Gaetz, introduced the proposal Tuesday to the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. He told lawmakers the measure restores a right, “granted not by
government but by God. here
People's Climate March - Tampa Bay
10.14.2015 - 5pm
100 N Westshore Blvd Tampa
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We demand that Senator Marco Rubio, who continuously ignores the realities of man-kind created climate disruption, to act NOW! We will march from the corner of Westshore and Kennedy to Sen. Marco Rubio's Tampa office (5201 W. Kennedy Blvd
info
We demand that Senator Marco Rubio, who continuously ignores the realities of man-kind created climate disruption, to act NOW! We will march from the corner of Westshore and Kennedy to Sen. Marco Rubio's Tampa office (5201 W. Kennedy Blvd
info
Florida: The Corporate Welfare State
With the backing of a variety of business groups, two Senate committees Tuesday approved bills that would reduce taxes on commercial leases and corporate income. here
CHARIMAN, JOHN MORGAN, TO MATCH DONATIONS 9 TO 1 FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA PETITION
“I started doing this because of my brother and father. During his last days, my father was able to find relief with medical marijuana. My brother, Tim, is a hardworking family man who should not have to suffer or live like a criminal. Like the majority of voters in Florida, I want sick and suffering patients like my brother to have the option to legally use medical marijuana. Over the past 2 years I’ve met so many people across our state that also NEED safe, legal access to medical marijuana. We are going to make sure that happens.
The Tallahassee politicians quit on us early. I will not quit until the people of Florida have a comprehensive medical marijuana law. To show my commitment, I am going to match all online donations 9 to 1 from now until the end of December.”
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United for Care needs to collect about 500,000 more petitions before Dec 31st in order to meet the deadline to make the 2016 ballot.
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United for Care’s Campaign Manager, Ben Pollara, stated, “We are honored to have the backing of a man who is so compassionate and tenacious. If someone donates $10, he’s going to put $90 on it- that’s phenomenal. It’s going to be tough, but I still think we can make the ballot before the end of the year” here
For press inquiries please contact Bianca Garza at press@unitedforcare.org.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Pat Kemp: The Perfect Candidate At The Right Time
Will we be Denver or Los Angeles? It's a choice we are making right now by default with each day we don't plan for our transportation future.
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Like many of you, I'm frustrated, disappointed and disheartened by the cloud that is now hanging over the Go Hillsborough, the county transportation plan. It should have moved forward with transparency, openness and expertise, building a comprehensive plan for our future instead of an unconnected meagre of projects.
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It's time for a plan. I'm excited that we now have an opportunity to buy CSX tracks in Hillsborough County. The tracks run from USF to downtown and across north Hillsborough County by Tampa International Airport and to Pinellas. They go all the way through Lutz to Brooksville. With CSX tracks, we'd have a right-of-way and we wouldn't have to wait decades to build a rail system.
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In Orlando and Miami, CSX tracks have already been converted for commuter rail use. Converting the tracks will cost far less than a building a new light rail system and less than the cost of the current I-275 road expansion at $120 million a mile.
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Beth Alden, the Director of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, calls it a "real opportunity as our opportunities get narrower and narrower." Alden says that "DOT has thrown down the gauntlet on this . . . DOT is willing to work with us but they need us to be partners at the table."
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And join us on Wednesday, October 28 at Copperfish in South Tampa for a campaign fundraiser.
And join us on Wednesday, October 28 at Copperfish in South Tampa for a campaign fundraiser.
Thank you for being part of the change!
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Rick Scott's Traveling Circus
City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito is not pleased that Florida governor Rick Scott is visiting New York City this week, accusing the Republican governor of leading a "traveling circus" to "steal jobs" from the city. here
Florida's Culture Of Corruption: Jeb Bush
Jeb Bush supports owner Dan Snyder's refusal to abandon the racist name of his NFL football team. despite years of repeated calls to do so
from Native Americans activists.
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BTW, Snyder donated $100,000 to the Bush-supporting super -PAC Right to Rise back in June.
ELECTED OFFICIALS PROPOSE EXPANSION ON FAILING MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW; UNITED FOR CARE SAYS PROPOSAL IS IRRELEVANT, AMENDMENT STILL NEEDED
which the current law does not.
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Ben Pollara, Campaign Manager at United for Care, said, “The voters of Florida – and specifically,sick and suffering Floridians who are so desperate for medical marijuana – have no reason to trust the legislature to handle this effectively, and every reason NOT to. It’s great that our legislature is finally acknowledging that THC has medicinal value, but even if they manage to pass this bill – which we have no reason to believe they will – it doesn’t help enough people to obviate the need for a constitutional amendment.”
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Charlotte’s Web Law is still not implemented even though the law was passed two years ago, and the medicine was supposed to be available to qualified patients in January 2015.
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In announcing today’s legislation, Sen. Bradley was quoted as saying, “We need to make sure we do it right. If we just turn it over to a constitutional amendment, it will be taking a sledgehammer to an issue rather than a surgeon’s scalpel.”
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Pollara stated, in reaction, “A sledgehammer over the head may in fact be the only way for Floridians to have their voices heard by the largely deaf ears of Tallahassee politicians, who despite valiant efforts by courageous, thoughtful members like Sens. Bradley and Brandes and Reps. Gaetz, Steube and Edwards, have simply failed to enact meaningful laws on this issue.”
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Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Tell Mayor Buckhorn To Welcome Syrian Refugees
Add your support to the letter from America's mayors welcoming Syrian refugees into their communities. here
Fascist Running For Senate In Florida
A senatorial candidate has arisen in Florida who makes Trump look like a goddamn centrist, and his name is Augustus Sol Invictus. The 32-year-old lawyer and probable fascist is running as a Libertarian to replace Marco Rubio as one of Florida’s two representatives in the U.S. Senate, and his history is fairly insane. here
Pinellas County Barrier Islands Abandoned In 50 Years
A University of Miami geologist is calling the problem of sea-level rise irreversible because 93 percent of excess heat from global warming is in the oceans; at St. Petersburg College in Seminole Friday, Harold Wanless warned that barrier islands, like those lining the coast of Pinellas County, may start to be abandoned in as soon as 50 years. here
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Bethune-Cookman University To Honor Rick Scott
WTF
Scott's recognition comes because of his focus on creating jobs, and his focus on education and healthcare. here
Wall St. Dem Love Fest In Fort Lauderdale: Clinton And Murphy
Patrick Murphy, aiding and abetting a Republican “witch hunt” of Hillary Clinton by voting last year to create a House select committee to investigate the 2012 Benghazi attacks.
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Murphy attended a fundraiser for Clinton in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, the Democratic presidential front-runner recognized Murphy and told donors she is “so proud of him.”
Tallahassee Pay-To-Play Culture: Carlos Curbelo
is among about two dozen GOP congressional representatives who have promised to supply detailed information about their "legislative agenda" and "political justifications" to national Republican donors in exchange for financial support. here
Monday, October 5, 2015
United for Care Looking For Medical Marijuana Refugees
Bianca A Garza,
Hello everyone! As Director of Communications with United for Care. I am still looking for people who have left Florida for a state that allows medical use of marijuana. In other words, medical marijuana refugees. I'd like to hear and share these stories in order to help educate the community on why a medical marijuana law is so important in our state. If you know of anyone please give them my email: bianca@unitedforcare.orgBob Buckhorn's Fringe Groups
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn
upset civic groups including the NAACP and American Civil Liberties Union when he dismissed critics of his new police review board as “fringe groups” who want to “tear down our community. ” Buckhorn said he sees no need to meet with those groups as called for by City Council Chairman Frank Reddick. here
upset civic groups including the NAACP and American Civil Liberties Union when he dismissed critics of his new police review board as “fringe groups” who want to “tear down our community. ” Buckhorn said he sees no need to meet with those groups as called for by City Council Chairman Frank Reddick. here
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“Mayor, there is a cloud of distrust over police-community relations in this town, and this country, we are merely responding to their demands for justice.” Frank Reddick
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