Marco Rubio's Cconnection To Florida's Religious Freedom Bill

American Bridge PAC singled out the Miami Republican for his relationship with District 74 Republican Rep. Julio Gonzalez, who last week filed HB 401, which would allow adoption agencies to not place children with couples whose lifestyle is “contrary to the religious or moral convictions” of the agency. here

Darden Rice Votes Against Electric Buses?

PSTA approves the purchase of seven new hybrid-electric buses.The decision came at Wednesdays PSTA meeting, where there was a very high turnout of all-electric bus supporters – most affiliated with the Sierra Club. here

Of the 15-member board, eight voted for buying hybrids; the other seven voted against it.

Local Right Winger David Martinez: Facebook GOP Propaganda Page

here

Marco Rubio Stop Ripping Us Off

Rubio had missed 92 of the year’s 284 roll calls, a 68 percent attendance rate. here

South Florida Sun-Sentinel lead editorial, entitled, “Marco Rubio should resign, not rip us off.”

If you hate your job, senator, follow the honorable lead of House Speaker John Boehner and resign it. Let us elect someone who wants to be there and earn an honest dollar for an honest day’s work. Don’t leave us without one of our two representatives in the Senate for the next 15 months or so. You are paid $174,000 per year to represent us, to fight for us, to solve our problems.

Did GOP Hillsborough County Commissioners Sabotage GO Hillsborough?

The odds of the county even producing a ballot measure for Hillsborough County seem to dwindle, in part because of the reluctance of commissioners such as Murman and Higginbotham to stand by the process. Commissioners, who always seemed intimidated by the Tea Party activists from the get-go on this effort, have certainly created enough doubt for the most ardent pro-transportation tax advocate to feel skeptical right now, to say the least. 

Mitch Perry
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Tea Bagger Sharon Calvert attended every meeting.

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This was meant to fail from the beginning!

Read what this blog has been posting about this sham here

Local Hero Wendy Bradshaw

Polk County teacher has posted her resignation letter online and it's gone viral. Wendy Bradshaw said she can't justify making students cry anymore. She said the problem is standardized testing. here

Publix One Penny More Per Pound Of Tomatoes

Dozens of protesters gathered outside a Publix super market on Bay Street Sunday in Sarasota to encourage the grocer to join the Fair Food Program. For five years, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers has prodded the corporation to join the program, which helps improve wages for farm workers by asking retailers to pay one penny more per pound of tomatoes. It also calls for a code of conduct to prevent wage theft, human trafficking and sexual harassment in the fields. here

Florida’s New “Religious Freedom” Bill

Is already gaining traction, It begins with an Indiana-esque guarantee that most businesses and corporations may legally turn away gay couples if doing so “would be contrary to [their] religious or moral convictions.” Similarly, the bill allows private adoption agencies to refuse to place children with same-sex couples if such placement goes against “the religious or moral convictions or policies of the agency.” In other words, an adoption agency needn’t even articulate a specific religious reason why it would rather keep a child orphaned than place her with a loving gay couple. The agency need only state that its “policies” mandate such homophobia, and it is protected by the bill. here

Movie Night at the Museum with Sierra Club and Surfrider Foundation

10.29.2015 - 6:30 pm

info

Ask the PSTA to Choose Zero Emission Buses!

On Wednesday, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority 
( PSTA ) will decide on how to replace its oldest buses: with new  zero emission electric buses ,  or  with diesel buses that will  spew carbon  and smog - forming nitrogen into the atmosphere for years to come.  You can make a difference  by telling the PSTA  how you'd like to see this public agency to spend your tax dollars: buses that will burn diesel and  pollute until 2030 , or  zero emission electric buses whose source of energy will get cleaner every year they're serving our community, as we move forward with solar power.   Last week the finance committee recommended buying 9 new diesel buses based on outdated  information, instead of diesel hybrid or electric. info 

Hillsborough County GOP E-Mail Scandal

Hillsborough County Commissioners Sandy Merman and Ken Hagan possibly violated Florida Sunshine Laws when they failed to produce  Emails they said didn’t exist. It was not until community activist Tom Rask threatened to sue that Hagan and Merman agreed to release dozens of previously hidden emails relating to county business.
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Ms. Murman is sorry

“I didn’t mean any harm”

And Hagan blamed his staff.

here

 The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.

Marco Rubio's Dirty Energy Policy

Marco Rubio portrays himself as a leader for the future. But the energy policy he has outlined is stuck in the past, relying on the dirtiest fuels and playing to energy industry campaign donors at the expense of jobs, public health, consumers, the environment and global security. It is a backward approach that fails to recognize the importance of renewable energy and the clear threat of climate change, and it would be particularly harmful to Tampa Bay and Florida. here

Florida Frackers Not Giving Up

Bills that would allow energy companies to frack in Florida died last spring, when the regular legislative session imploded over health-care issues.

But they’re back.

The two Republican lawmakers who sponsored the legislation, Sen. Garrett Richter of Naples and Rep. Ray Rodrigues of Estero, have filed new bills (SB 318 and HB 191) that would amend state laws on the exploration and production of oil and gas in the state.

here

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Democratic lawmakers, meanwhile, have put forward their own bills to ban fracking. The legislation (SB 166 and HB 19) is sponsored by Sens. Darren Soto of Orlando, Dwight Bullard of Miami and Jeff Clemens of Lake Worth and Reps. Evan Jenne of Dania Beach and Lori Berman of Lantana. Going a step further, Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Parkland, wants voters to consider banning fracking through a constitutional amendment.

Ken Hagan's Sports Complex

Cost: $15 million

County commissioners will consider the recommended site 

at their Nov. 4 meeting. here

Marco Rubio: "If You Don't Want to Vote on Things, Don't Run for Office. Get a Talk Show”

Florida's Senator has missed the most votes in the Senate.

Via: Pushing Rope

What Pilar And Stogie Had For Lunch

Cerviche and Crab Bisque

With Bloody Marys and Rum Runners

At Rum Fish Grill in St Pete Beach

Visit them here

Elijah Manley Of Fort Lauderdale For President

Anti-Choice In St. Pete

Central Ave.

November Solidarity Sunday

Sunday, November 8 at 6:00pm

Lee's Grocery in Tampa

RSVP

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Philly Cheesesteak

At Eye Poppin’ Cheesesteaks and Hoagies in Inverness

Visit them here

$264 Million In Corporate Welfare Since Rick Scott Took Office In 2011

He wants $80 million more! 

here
Check this out

Best States For Business: Florida #20

Rick Scott Where are those jobs?

Florida's Corporate Welfare Not Working

Rick Scott's Corporate Welfare State

Florida INC. Out Of Money 

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 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

Florida GOP Carlos Curbelo: The Yes-Man For The Republican Party

Just minutes after Rep. Paul Ryan announced his intentions for speaker, Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo was already behind Ryan for the position. here

Three Cheers For Mayor Rick Kriseman

"The vision is clear: ferry service that makes the trip from St. Pete to Tampa fun; that takes cars off our congested highways; that saves time and aggravation for commuters; that takes us to ballgames, museums, concerts, the theater and other public events; that helps our tourists shuttle between all of the attractions within the Tampa Bay region; that reduces the isolation of our South Hillsborough County residents; and that one day may connect us to Key West, New Orleans or even Cuba." 

Dave Scott, President of Tampa Bay Citizens for 
High Speed Ferries.

Florida GOP: Julio Gonzalez's Right To Discriminate Bill

 Who was enthusiastically endorsed by Marco Rubio, has introduced a wide-ranging "right to discriminate" bill in the Florida house that many believe is in reaction to the legalization of gay marriage. here
Take Action

Party With Pat Kemp In Tampa

10.28 - 5:30pm

CopperFish 

1502 S Howard Ave, Tampa

info

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Local greats Mariella Smith, Betty Castor, Mary Mulhern, Al Fox and 
Ed Turanchik will also be there.

Open Letter From The Best Writer @ SPB: Janelle Irwin

"It’s strange to me that you consider killing living things a sport. That you smile over the carcass of a once-living thing and revel in your kill both shocks and offends me. Killing animals for food is one thing – cows are cute, but I love me some steak – but to do it for “sport” just seems sick." Janelle Irwin

Sarasota Tea Partiers Want To Hang President Obama

Sarasota Tea Party Idiots Pat Wayman and Steven R. Fields voted to establish a “people’s common law grand jury,” which sovereign citizens and other anti-government extremists have proposed to investigate and prosecute government officials for treason — which, as they frequently point out, carries a potential death penalty. “Grand jury powers come from God,” Dowdell said. 
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Tea Party activists have been trying to set up common law grand juries, which don’t actually carry any legal authority, for years in hopes of convicting — and hanging — President Barack Obama for treason. here

Best States For Business: Florida #20

After Spending Millions in 

Corporate Welfare.

here

Rick Scott’s GOP Propaganda

His public relations event on Pine Island touting our “pristine waterways” was yet another feeble attempt to convince the public that he and his policies are making Florida a better place to live. The supporting cast of Representatives Matt Caldwell, whose legislation is frequently a gift to big sugar, and Ray Rodrigues now sponsoring legislation to remove home rule on oil and gas fracking were there singing the same tune.

here

Florida GOP: Subsidiary Of The NRA

 The Florida GOP, basically all but an owned subsidiary of the National Rifle Association, is forging ahead with more gun friendly legislation against the will of their own voters. Because they parrot the talking points of the NRA and its lobbyist Marion Hammer. here

Faces of Floridians for Solar Choice - Shout Outs!

Visit them here

Words From Our Leader Susan Smith

"I'm very proud to be a Democratic woman tonight. (I say this as a Bernie supporter.) Hillary did US proud. I'm only sorry that the tragic deaths of four Americans were used for partisan gamesmanship." 
Susan Smith

No Family Vacations In Open Carry Florida!

The Sunshine State may soon be far less family friendly. State lawmakers are considering giving gun owners with concealed carry permits the right to openly carry their firearms in public places, even allowing them to hold their guns in their hands as they walk around. here

Florida's $250 Million Corporate Welfare Fund

Rick Scott on Thursday called on state legislators to set aside tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer money to lure companies to the Sunshine State. here

Tampa Bay Solar Tour 2015 @ USF

Saturday at 9:00am - 4:00pm

info

Wear Pink With UFC

What Pilar Had For Lunch

Sushi 

with Steak and Shrimp Hibacchi

At Koizi Endless Sushi & Hibachi Eatery in NPR

Visit them here

Great Stuff!

Tampa To Lose Cuban Consulate Because Of Bob Bucknorn

The Hillsborough County Commission on Wednesday became the latest local agency to support the push to have a Cuban consulate in Tampa. “We’ve been told from our sources in Washington D.C. that, if we truly want to be considered for the consulate, we must speak with one voice,” said Bob Rohrlack, President and CEO of The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. here

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Please note: They might be a little late. Because of Buckhorn's ties to the MCM Tampa has already been  rejected. here

Rick Scott Where are those promised jobs?

Rick Scott's chief jobs creator faced intense criticism Tuesday from key senators who openly mocked claims by Enterprise Florida that it needs more Corporate Welfare to lure businesses to Florida. A Times/Herald study found only a fraction of new jobs promised as a result of incentive awards (Corporate Welfare) actually existed. here

GOP Phone

Tarpon Springs

Florida: The Corporate Welfare State

Good Jobs First, a nonprofit that studies economic development programs, found in a report released today that tax credits that are intended to help large and small businesses across the country often go disproportionately to big corporations. here

Six Gun Territory To Reopen In Florida

Florida Tourist Beware

Well, not really. But the Florida GOP thinks that people with concealed-weapons licenses should be able to openly display handguns in Florida and should be able to carry firearms on state college and university campuses. here

Florida's Corporate Service Commission's Nuclear Power Fleecing

State utility regulators approved a request by Florida Power & Light to charge customers $34.2 million for a pair of nuclear reactors in Miami-Dade County. The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, a non-profit organization that seeks clean energy solutions to climate change, slammed the regulators' decision.

“Once again the financial interests of the public took a backseat to a big power company's excessive speculation favoring utility shareholders. While FPL spends hundreds of thousands of dollars crowing about the lack of consumer protections for a proposed solar ballot initiative, they and their political friends are silent about the lack of consumer protections in this nuclear power fleecing."

Stephen Smith, the organization's executive director
here

What Stogie And Pilar Had For Lunch

Fish Tacos and Grouper Sandwich

At Trinity Seafood Market in NPR

Visit them here

The Collapse Of Florida Bay

The body of water between the Everglades and the Keys that was once teeming with wildlife, may be on the verge of collapse. Last week, scientists reported that miles of sea grass have died in the bay in recent months, leaving behind a stinky smell and a cloud of yellow sulfide. The die-off is likely to be the start of a larger “toxic algae bloom,” which could bring disastrous effects to one of South Florida’s greatest environmental treasures. here

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The truth is that Florida Bay's latest catastrophe is just the latest in a long list of environmental disasters that have plagued South Florida over the last 90 years, ever since engineers and businessmen began to cut off the flow of water from Lake Okeechobee to the Florida Bay to construct the 76-mile Tamiami Trail — the road that runs from Miami to Naples.

Florida Knows Best

For the first time, former Florida governor Jeb Bush has fallen into single digits in a home-state Republican primary poll. Jeb Bush’s 9-percent, fourth-place showing in the University of North Florida poll is his worst showing in any survey of likely Florida Republican voters. here