The federal investigation into shady land deals in Hillsborough County includes several targets besides County Commissioner Ken Hagan and his family, Tampa Bay Beat has learned. Those being investigated include private citizens as well as other public officials, according to our source in Tallahassee.
Hello Tampa friends, With all the controversy surrounding the slew of endorsements for State Representative Susan Valdes’ re-election campaign, I will share my perspective on this issue. I first met Susan when I entered the world of local politics as a young nineteen year old forming a countywide campaign for School Board. She took the time to meet with me and discuss my ambitions—I was thankful for the experience as she was among the first locally elected officials I had ever met in person. I appreciated her vote to oust the former Superintendent Elia, and to help ensure student nutrition saw its due with a kitchen to help train cafeteria staff. I like Susan; though I do not agree with her support and stance on privatization of education. To divert funds from public to private schools is unacceptable. I support school choice, especially in the case where parents need more support for their children with disabilities, or religious preference. Let them choose; do not hurt public education in the process! I hope that Susan evolves on these issues and presents a comprehensive case to remain in the Florida State House of Representatives. That being said, I know that public school supporter Laurie Rodriguez is going to present a primary challenge, and I believe that will be a net positive for the election. I say stick to the issues, and I would like to see a productive conversation regarding what is best for public education and other issues. I am not prepared to endorse anyone for this race, and others—though I can say I support my friends Councilor Orlando Gudes, Commissioner Pat Kemp, and others in their right to make endorsements without supporting slashes to public education. Perhaps those who have endorsed Susan will be willing to pressure her to evolve on the issue of privatization. I hope so! Stay groovy, — Asher
Matt Gaetz tells one lie after another in Congress to protect Donald Trump from impeachment. The evidence is clear that Trump broke the law, but that never stopped a good Republican lap dog from protecting his dear leader. Facts don't matter to people like Gaetz. Only winning for your side matters.
Florida GOP Chairman Joe Gruters reportedly announced in a fundraising email on Thursday the “President Donald J. Trump Florida Residency Day.”
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“In honor of this great news, as Chairman of the Republican Party of FL, I am declaring Nov. 1 to be ‘President Donald J. Trump Florida Residency Day,'” the email reportedly said.HERE
If your main priority is defeating Trump, #BernieSanders is the man to nominate. If it's to transform this country into one that works for everyone, not just the 1%, he's even more the man to nominate. He was the one in 2016, and look how the DNC screwed all of us
Volusia County’s “Complete Count” committee is warning residents that a Republican fundraising mailer that mimics the look of a U.S. Census form is not the real thing.
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The Republican National Committee mailed the “2019 Congressional District Census” forms to local residents that resemble census form — but with some distinctions. The Republican form asks if the recipient will support Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. It also asks if recipients believe the Democrats are “promoting a Big-Government Socialist agenda for America.” They also ask for a credit card number, and a donation. HERE
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo didn't mince words when he learned that Trump had filed paperwork to change his permanent residence from New York City to Palm Beach, Florida. "Good riddance. It's not like Mr. Trump paid taxes here anyway, he' all yours, Florida." HERE
Disability rights advocate sues rental scooter companies, alleging blocked sidewalks
An advocate for disability rights says the recent deluge of rental scooters in Minneapolis has clogged the sidewalks and made the city unsafe for people with impaired mobility, joining critics around the country who allege the popular scooters violate the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Channel 10 Investigates has confirmed the existence of an ongoing FBI probe into Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan, investigating whether the commissioner broke the law in leveraging his considerable influence inside the county center to benefit developers he was connected to.
--- Considering the gravity of the situation any serious person would recuse himself immediately from any votes pertaining to land use of any kind.
---- Please send emails to our County Commissioners demanding Commissioner Hagan’s recuse from any and all discussion and voting on land use issues.HERE