Sunday, February 5, 2023
.jpg)
Saturday, February 4, 2023
.jpg)
Proposed recreational marijuana amendment in Florida clears first big hurdle
Backers of a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the recreational use of marijuana have passed a preliminary hurdle to get on the 2024 ballot, submitting more than enough petition signatures to trigger a Florida Supreme Court review of the measure.
The "Smart & Safe Florida" political committee, which has been bankrolled by the multi-state cannabis operator Trulieve, had submitted 294,037 valid petition signatures as of Thursday afternoon, according to the state Division of Elections website. At least 222,898 signatures are required for the court to review the proposed wording of the measure, a key legal step in the process.
More HERE
Florida legislators to consider expanding DeSantis' migrant flight program in special session
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to use a special legislative session next week to build out a high-profile program that was used last year to fly dozens of migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
State legislators plan to consider a bill that would build on DeSantis’ executive order by creating an “Unauthorized Alien Transport Program" as part of an effort “to respond to the influx of migrants landing in the Florida Keys,” according to a pair of memos issued by legislative leaders to members of the state House and Senate.
More HERE
10 Children's Books About Racism And Activism To Help Parents Educate Their Kids
Seek out tools that can help you and your kiddo(s) grapple with systemic racism. Over the years, many children’s authors have written books that can help spark conversations about racial justice, empathy and what it means to be actively anti-racist — and keep those necessary conversations happening again and again.
HERE are 10 to consider
Balloon Update: US downs Chinese balloon over ocean
The United States on Saturday downed a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the Carolina coast after it traversed sensitive military sites across North America and became the latest flashpoint in tensions between Washington and Beijing.
An operation was underway in U.S. territorial waters in the Atlantic Ocean to recover debris from the balloon, which had been flying at about 60,000 feet and was estimated to be about the size of three school buses.
More HERE Tampa mail-in ballots being distributed, Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections says
City of Tampa voters who have requested vote-by-mail ballots should start monitoring their mailboxes, according to the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office.
Officials say the Supervisor of Elections office sent out 14,875 vote-by-mail ballots Thursday afternoon for the upcoming city of Tampa municipal election.
More HERE
According to the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections' website:
"Vote By Mail requests made prior to November 8, 2022 have expired. Vote By Mail requests for elections occurring in 2023 and 2024 are currently being accepted."
You can check your vote-by-mail status and request vote-by-mail HERE
Tampa ban on gay conversion therapy violates First Amendment, Florida appeals court says
A federal appeals court upheld on Thursday a district judge's ruling that struck down a Tampa, Florida, city ordinance prohibiting so-called "talk" gay conversion therapy.
In a unanimous ruling, a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court decision that struck down a Tampa ordinance that banned counselors in the city from offering "talk therapy" to minors aimed at eliminating a same-sex attraction.
More HERE
Friday, February 3, 2023
South Tampa Candidate Forum
DO YOU KNOW WHO TO VOTE FOR IN THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS?
What do the candidates look like? How do they sound? What do they have to say about the issues?
Join this upcoming forum and meet the candidates for Tampa City Council. The following candidates are invited to the forum
--------------------------------
City Council District 1 Citywide:
Sonja Brookins, Joseph Citro, Alan Clendenin, Chase Harrison
City Council District 2 Citywide:
Michael Derewenko, Robin Lockett, Guido Maniscalco, Mike Suarez
City Council District 3 Citywide:
K.J. Allen, Janet Cruz, George Feshev, Lynn Hurtak, Jose Vazquez
City Council District 4 (most of South Tampa):
Bill Carlson, Blake Casper
City Council District 6 (West Tampa and part of South Tampa):
Tyler Barrett, Rick Fifer, Charlie Miranda, Nicole Payne, Hoyt Prindle
--------------------------------
This event will likely be your only opportunity to meet and talk with these candidates before the election!
Come and listen to their views, ask questions and decide for yourself.
The Stogie's Russ Giambrone's Trip to Rome: The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower was amazing. All over the major sites in Paris refurbishing is underway in preparation for the 2024 Summer Olympics, restricting close inspections.
I even tried to zoom in on the people walking up the tower.
‘Prepared to negotiate’: Hillsborough unfazed after St. Pete chooses Rays redevelopment plans for Tropicana
Negotiators trying to bring a stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays to Hillsborough County say they are unfazed by Monday's announcement that St. Petersburg chose the team's proposed plan for redeveloping the Tropicana Field location.
"Their attendance would be much higher, and the revenue generated would be much higher and much greater in Tampa and Hillsborough County," said Hillsborough Commissioner Ken Hagan.
More HERE
DeSantis Calling Special Session to Punish Disney for Opposing Anti-LGBTQ Law
FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DeSantis has called a special legislative session to finalize the government’s decision to revoke Disney’s control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District.
The state’s legislature voted last year to strip the media company of special taxing and self-governance provisions in the area around its Florida park after the company opposed the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill that placed widespread restrictions on the discussion of LGBTQ related topics in schools.
“We’re not going to have a corporation controlling its own government,” DeSantis said during a news conference on Thursday. “So the state’s going to have a board to run it. So Disney will not have self-governing status anymore.”
“We’re not going to bend the knee to woke executives in California,” DeSantis added.
More HERE
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pushes for more guns in his state
Florida is expected to join Texas and 24 other states in allowing permitless carry in a country that has 330 million people and even more guns. Cynically, DeSantis and other Republican leaders have recognized that the MAGA base will ride and die for this right-wing culture war predominantly animated by fear and racial anxiety.
Read More HERE
Thursday, February 2, 2023
The Digital Repository project of the Jane Bancroft Cook Library - New Collage
Download while you still can HERE
Create Your Own Succulent Terrarium in St. Pete
FEBRUARY 18, 2023 AT 11 AM
The Mad Monk
615 27th St. South, St. Pete
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)