WMNF Tropical Heatwave Beer Launch Party

What a fun night to get you ready for WMNF's 32nd Annual Tropical Heatwave! The Independent Bar and Cafe' in Tampa will have live music by Alexander and the Grapes, Tropical Heatwave Beer Specials, prizes and more! And, there's no cover charge! Come meet other WMNF fans and raise a toast to Tropical Heatwave!

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Che Must Be Rolling In His Grave

Cuba Turning Over Florida Couple and Children
here
Remember The Hakkens!

.Trinity Cafe of Tampa Feeding the Hungry and Homeless

Kevin Beckner Wants To Hear from Residents

Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, District 6, Countywide, is hosting office hours in the community one Wednesday every month in locations around the county. These events provide residents the opportunity to meet with the commissioner, one-on-one, to share ideas and voice concerns without having to travel to County Center in downtown Tampa. No appointment is necessary, and residents are seen on a first-come, first-served basis.

info

A New Bill In Florida Would Make ‘Revenge Porn’ A Felony

A new bill in Florida would make it a felony to publish online nude photos or videos of a person without his or her permission and with his or her identifying information. That's a step in the right direction towards slowing the proliferation of the exceedingly icky "revenge porn" Internet sewage spill.
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Pic thanks to local porn star Brandon Areana.

Strip Club King: The Story of Joe Redner .

He dropped out of school in the 10th grade. He has been arrested 150 times. He earned his GED in jail at the age of 40. And he has run for local public office 8 times. Take a journey into the life and career of the man who came from poverty, got into the strip club business, ended up owning the most notorious strip club in the world, the Mons Venus, and then continued to build a real estate empire, became a multi-millionaire and a 1st Amendment freedom fighter. Described as the Larry Flynt of the South, Joe Redner is the classic American- Dream story come true. He has been called a pimp, patriot, intellectual, self- promoter, humanitarian, hypocrite, publicity hound, pig, exploiter, criminal, narcissist, hero and genius.

Happy Wedding Anniversary

Beyonce and Jay-Z tour Old Havana to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary.
The Miami Cuban Mafia was enraged over the trip and sent a letter to the Treasury Department official responsible for policing the embargo to demand to be told who approved the travel and for what purpose.
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Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (La Señora) raised the issue of the Carters' visit with the Obama administration, denouncing it as having provided sustenance to the "murderous" Castro regime.

They Say Tomato, I Say Morons

In case you aren't up to speed, the state House passed a bill on Thursday that allows parents to petition for a variety of overhauls if a local school is struggling. Yes, your state lawmakers are at it again. What's so bad about that, you ask? In theory, not a thing. Except every major parent group hates it. In California it has turned into an educational war zone. So if we can skip all of the minor details and skirmishes, the real issue is this legislation potentially allows public schools to be handed over to for-profit charter companies.
"I've never heard of making a profit being a bad thing, this is the United States of America.'' 
 Rep. George Moraitis R-Fort Lauderdale.
He's nailed his geography, but Moraitis might have an economics issue. Those profits he is so gleefully pushing toward out-of-state charter companies are supplied by your tax dollars. Tax dollars originally earmarked for your child's education, books, lunches and so on.
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I Adore Anne Hathaway

Don't you just hate her? Hell hath no fury like a Hathahater
Is Anne Hathaway really deserving of all this venom? So why does the perky and supremely talented actress inspire such froth? Hathaway could simply be a victim of what the British call 'tall poppy syndrome' - the bloom that pokes above the others is the first to get cut.
here

Four People Dead On I95 Over A Traffic Infraction

The Miami Herald reports that an Opa-locka police officer initially attempted to pull over the SUV for a traffic infraction. The SUV's driver suffered two broken legs in the crash. He faces four counts of vehicular homicide. Opa-locka City Manager David Chiverton told the newspaper that the officer, Cpl. Sergio Perez, "cut off the pursuit and did not follow northbound the wrong way" when the SUV's driver drove into southbound traffic.

The Opa-locka Police Department prohibits officers from continuing a chase that goes against the flow of traffic. The department also only allows pursuits in the case of serious felonies such as murder, rape and robberies.

In a recording of a radio dispatch, Perez tells dispatchers that the SUV had driven into opposing traffic.
This guy is all over the road," Perez says in the recording. "Now he's going against traffic on I-95.
 We're going northbound in the southbound lanes."
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Pic thanks to New Times
Why isn't Mr. Perez being charged with vehicular homicide?

My Name Is Joe Redner, And I Am Not For Sale

Good news on the local election front (unless you happen to be a candidate):

Joe Redner is seriously considering another run for office. So bring it on. We can only hope the city's best-known rabble-rouser, nose-thumber and kicker of shins will revive that campaign ad of him wrapped in the American flag with the slogan: My Name Is JOE REDNER, and I am NOT for sale.

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Robert Reich on Chained CPI

Happy Brithday Annette Taddeo-Goldstein

here

Contribute

We Will Fight You Every Step Of The Way

"President Obama, when it comes to cutting Social Security, Medicaid or Medicare benefits... we are prepared to fight you every step of the way"

Democracy for America

"You can't call yourself a Democrat and support Social Security benefit cuts. The President is proposing to steal thousands of dollars from grandparents and veterans by cutting cost of living adjustments, and any congressional Democrat who votes for such a plan
should be ready for a primary challenge. " 

Progressive Change Campaign Committee

"Just as we fought and defeated President Bush's plan to privatize Social Security, we will mobilize and stop this attempt to diminish the vital guarantee of Social Security. MoveOn's 8 million members will not stand by and watch a Democratic President chip away at one of the most successful government programs of all time. Every member of Congress -- Democrat or Republican -- who votes for this proposal should expect to be held accountable."

MoveOn

Sign Petition

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association

I just heard of this association from a story in the Tampa Bay Times. I checked out their website.

It states The FRLA Political Action Committee (PAC) fights to ensure that business-friendly politicians are elected to office. After all, good policy begins with good policy makers.

Yet they are giving huge donations to the Rick Scott re-election campaign. I don't get it. Why would you give money to someone who is trying to hurt your product? After all when people loose their jobs or money gets tight the first thing families cut back on is what FRLA and it's members are selling.
Here is a list of members in Hillsborough and Pinellas.

There Are Principled Conservatives In Tallahassee

 Sen. Jeff Brandes:  bill, SB 864
When a Florida sheriff sternly accuses state legislators of protecting drug dealers and child pornographers, it has a way of getting people's attention. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri made that assertion in fighting a bill filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, dealing with police access to information stored on citizens' portable electronic devices such as cellphones and iPads. Brandes, citing the importance of a constitutional right to privacy, wants to change state law to require police to obtain a warrant from a judge before searching cell phone contents.
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"Why in the world would a police officer need to search your cellphone if you're driving on a suspended license?"....Jeff Brandes
 "Thank God there are principled conservatives in Tallahassee."....ACLU's Howard Simon
"We think it's another check on the power of the police, and it simply means that they first have to persuade a judge that there's a basis for a search.. Without this rule, it leaves the privacy of people in the hands of a patrolman."....Tim Lynch, Cato's criminal justice unit
Opponents include liberal Democrat Rep. Irv Slosberg of Boca Raton
Great job Mr. Brandes

Al Higginbotham: Have Recent Votes Hurt His Chances?

The County Commissioner from East Hillsborough is running for a countywide seat in 2014, but some are saying his stand on two recent controversial issues will hurt him in the long run.
here
Three strikes and you are out. Higginbotham voted agains registry. His religion made him do it. Higginbotham voted for Bass Pro and against small business owners. The next big issue is whether Race Tack gasoline station should build a gas station on wetlands at Kings and Providence. Do you really think it is a good idea to put a gas station on wetlands?..Elizabeth Belcher
____________
Can anyone list for me the good things that Al Higginbotham has done for his district. I am having a hard time remembering when he has stood up for the citizens in District 4. I'd like to hear from the people in the district, not from the developers and the builders,and land use lawyers that have benefited.. Are there any small business people or citizens that he has supported with his votes.?..Grace McComas
_____________
Higginbotham has a number of things that will hurt his chances for a countywide seat. He's had issues with telling the truth and/or supporting his constituency. Shall I name a few?
1) He lied when he said he was undecided about Bass Pro until the actual vote took place. Al campaigned hard for the Bass Pro deal. He openly lobbied with people in his district, and then had the gall to say he was undecided.
2) He lied about the fact that he was a partner in his wife's land development company and (which you can't do when you're a commissioner) then when he got caught he said he didn't know he was listed as a VP in her firm. Are you kidding?
3) He said he was never on the board of the Regent (high end catering hall that got built with taxpayer money and still is not a community center) and public records showed he was on that board.
4) He lied when he asked Vin Marchetti (land developer attorney) to select a Planning Commission appointee for him and then when he got caught he said he didn't have the time to do the research.
5) He recently sent gift baskets of strawberries to constituents but the interesting thing was that the strawberries were obtained from a grower in south Florida, not from his constituents in east Hillsborough.
6) He still thinks we should pay for the roads, schools, safety and water instead of developers, as they build new subdivisions. Most taxpayers believe that developers should pay for the impacts of what they build, but Al lets the land developers off the hook because he received over 60% of his contirbutions from those with a financial stake in land development in the 2012 election.
7) He once told a group of community leaders that average citizens were a special interest group, inferring that they were no better than any other special interest group.
Hopefully voters will learn more about the "real" Al when he runs for a countywide seat next year....George

Best Little Whorehouse in Tallahassee

Daniel Ruth: Sugar daddy kisses for Scott

Rick Scott has been a busy politician on the make, collecting an average of $50,000 a day, or $4.6 million in re-election campaign donations from deep-pocketed Republican sugar daddies.
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Doing The Right Thing

Thank You
Florida Sen. Bill Nelson reversed his opposition to gay marriage.
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 The Florida House approved the controversial parent trigger proposal.
Local Republicans Reps. Mike Fasano of New Port Richey and Ed Hooper of Clearwater
and all 44 House Democrats voted against the bill.
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I Should Have Voted For Roseanne

Social Security, Medicare Are Facing Cuts In Obama Budget
President Barack Obama next week will take the political risk of formally proposing cuts to Social Security and Medicare in his annual budget in an effort to demonstrate his willingness to compromise with Republicans and revive prospects for a long-term deficit-reduction deal, administration officials say.

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Ed Schultz was right.

What Do Four Rich White Guys

Have in  common? They all donated big money to Rick Scott's re-election campaign.
Wayne Huizenga is in for  $250,000
Mr. Huizenga already screwed South Florida now he is working on the rest.
 Bill Edwards for $500,000
Sheldon Adelson for $250,000
 Mr. Adelson should keep his money, Democrats like casinos too.
and the Don chipped in $50,000
here
I think they should all keep their money, no amount is going to save Mr. Scott.
Just ask Carl Rove. 

The Westshore Multimodal Center

All roads lead to Westshore. One day, all train tracks could, too
The Westshore Business District is the nexus where Interstate 275, the Howard Frankland Bridge, the Courtney Campbell Parkway, the Veterans Expressway and Tampa International Airport all connect. State planners also think it's the perfect area to build the transportation hub of the future — be it light rail, bus rapid transit or a combination — that could one day link Pinellas to Hillsborough and eventually Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties.
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Let's keep the pressure on!
 Hillsborough County Commissioners
here
Tampa City Council
here
Pinellas County Commissioners
here
VoteTransit
Connect Tampa Bay

Tampa Getaway To Cuba

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor embarked on a four-day trip to Cuba this week. The purpose of her trip is to find opportunities to "poise Tampa as a getaway to Cuba, and create economic opportunities for small businesses in this area. During her trip, first reported by the Tampa Bay Times last week, Castor will meet with officials from the Ministry of Tourism and the National Association of Cuban Economists.

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Call Ms. Castor and thank her.
813.871.2817

Call Senator Nelson

Can you call Senator Nelson? Tell him: "Don't be the last one to support equal rights. Can you do the right thing and publicly stand up for marriage equality?"
Here's where to call:
202-224-5274
Then, please report your call by
clicking here

South Florida Daily Blog

One of Florida's best liberal bloggers is calling it quits.

here

We will miss him.

Tampa Bay Homeless

Homeless Living In Tampa

Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City

Hillsborough County's decision to convene a summit on transportation this spring holds some promise if it aims high. The idea is for county commissioners and the mayors of Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City to embrace a priority list of transportation projects and a strategy to pay for them. After 15 years of talks that have gone nowhere and a flawed transit referendum that failed in 2010, the last thing the county needs is another conversation on transportation that wastes time and fails to address the major challenges. Officials should bring a transit package back to the voters that seriously addresses the county's needs and improves the region's ability to compete.

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Sen. Tom Lee Of Brandon Narrow Exceptions To The Gift Ban

In today's Tallahassee, a lobbyist is prohibited from buying a lawmaker a cup of coffee but is allowed to write a $50,000 check to the same lawmaker's political fund. Fittingly, the lawmaker who's trying to carve out some narrow exceptions to the gift ban is Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon, who was Senate president when the ban took effect in 2006.

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Tampa Bay senators who joined Lee in supporting the changes Monday included Sens. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, John Legg, R-Trinity, and Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa. This little tweak was needed," Joyner said.
Don Gaetz, R-Niceville said it best,
 "I'm just fine paying my dollar for a Diet Coke when I have one, I'm just fine with that."

Meet Waleah Of Miami

Dog Lovers Rally Around A Siberian Husky With Cancer

When Dawn Bauer learned that a dog owner had dropped a Siberian husky with a suspicious mass at the Miami-Dade Animal Services shelter, she and her group of volunteers sprang into action. Husky Haven of Florida, a small Clearwater nonprofit that rescues stray, surrendered
and endangered huskies from around the state.
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Want to adopt Waleah? Fill out an application here
Care to donate? Go here and click on the "Donate for a Dog" tab.
Scroll down to find Waleah's information and click the "Donate" button.

The Soho Saloon In Tampa

Our Backwards City Council At It Again

 The Soho Saloon is suing the city of Tampa over a City Council vote to deny it a permit to pour mixed drinks along with beer and wine. City Council member Mary Mulhern moved for denial based on the saloon's request to the city to waive three rules:
One requires 35 parking spaces, not the 16 the bar has. If this was the case in cities like New Orleans, Menphis or our own Ybor City then none of them would serve alcohol. What does she want a chain to come and pave half a city block for parking and take all the charm out of the area. Arn't they always telling us not to drink and drive? There are always plenty of cabs around and HART #4 comes right by this place.   Another requires a city waiver when there are residences within 1,000 feet (the closest home is 33 feet away). The third requires a similar waiver when there are other stores, restaurants or bars selling alcohol within 1,000 feet (there are 17).  The saloon is surrounded by bars, including MacDinton's Irish Pub across the street. Why is ok for them but not this place?
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Why do i keep supporting Ms. Mulhern?

Metropolitan Ministries Caring Hearts Circle

You care about hurting Tampa Bay families. Be a part of something larger than yourself.
Join Metropolitan Ministries Caring Hearts Circle
here

The Springs Revival Act: SB 978

"I knew it was going to be heavy lifting to pass that," said Sen. Darren Soto, D-Kissimmee, who's sponsoring SB 978, the Springs Revival Act. The reason is simple, Soto said: "The majority of the Legislature doesn't have an appetite to have a real aggressive spring rehabilitation program, because of the expense." A state-sponsored effort to save the springs, launched 12 years ago by then-Gov. Jeb Bush, ended in 2011 under Scott. While the Bush springs initiative existed,
it spent a total of $25 million.

here

Northwest Presbyterian Church In St. Pete

Tiny Northwest Presbyterian offers much to the poor, homeless
A mural at the rear of Northwest Presbyterian Church's sanctuary gives witness to the doctrine that members are taught — salvation is by grace alone, not good works.Nonetheless, good works appear central to this small congregation's life. Cold nights are an opportunity to shelter the homeless. Mondays and Wednesdays are for feeding the hungry, along with giving access to hot showers and laundry service.
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Northwest Presbyterian Church

Take The Train To The Ray's Games

The Mass Transit Factor

Rays fans across Tampa Bay are excited about Opening Day on Tuesday, but most are less excited over the prospect of more debate about the need for a new baseball stadium. Is there really any hope for a new home for the Tampa Bay Rays? There could be, if everyone would focus on successful stadium projects that have been built elsewhere. The modern era for baseball stadium design and location began with Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore in 1992. Since the construction of Camden Yards, 21 new major league ballparks have been built. Among the great ones: Progressive Field in Cleveland and Coors Field in Denver. Among the losers: the New Comiskey Park in Chicago and perhaps Turner Field in Atlanta. What separates winners from losers? Consider three important factors that characterize successful ballparks:
• They were built as part of an overall development plan.
• They include neighborhood integration.
• They include a mass transit factor.
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Ybor City and Channelside come to mind. Let The Rays build their stadium without taxpayers money and the city and county can build trains to it.

Congregation Schaarai Zedek Of Tampa

Tom Wood dished out helpings of ham and rice Sunday to families at Metropolitan Ministries for what is close to his 20th Easter in a row. Wood, who is with Congregation Schaarai Zedek, said he enjoys interacting with the families each year.
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The Everglades Bill

The Everglades bill speeding through the Legislature is not the sweeping victory that the unusual alliance behind it — the governor, his fellow Republicans, farmers and environmentalists — would have Floridians believe. The legislation awaiting Senate approval is better than a terrible version that sailed through the House, but it still unfairly shifts the costs for cleaning up the Everglades from the agriculture industry to the taxpayers. This is a handout to those who are causing the problem, and it violates the voters' intent behind the "Polluter Pays" protection in the Florida Constitution.
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The SOG City Oracle Recommends

Earl's Oyster Opener

As many of you already know, when it comes to oysters on the half shell I can be a real pain in the tuckus. I want those mollusks to be perfectly shucked, and perfectly presented. They also have to be real. I do not tolerate pasteurized or pre-shucked and frozen oysters on the half shell. As I said, I can be a real picker of nits when it comes to my oysters .If you like oysters on the half shell, you really do need one of these things...unless you are a masochist.

here

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor It Is Time To End The Embargo Against Cuba

The Tampa Democrat voiced those thoughts and made history by becoming the first Florida member of Congress to publicly support lifting the embargo when she made a speech March 22 at an evening reception at Mise en Place for the Rapprochement With Cuba conference.

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Help, end the war on the Cuban people, they are being held hostage by a small minority in South Florida.

Lunas Mexican Restaurant

What Stogie Had For Dinner
Chile Relleno and Taco
With rice and beans
$8.75 At Lunas Mexican Restaurant in Riverview
Very flavorful food with great service.

DFA Launches the Purple to Blue Project

Contact DFA and tell them we need help in Florida

Forget John Boehner and Paul Ryan -- Republicans don't need Congress to push their radical right-wing agenda. They're doing it right now, state by state: That's why DFA is launching the Purple to Blue Project, a new multi-year effort dedicated to winning state House and Senate chambers across the country.

here

Locked Tire, Lost Bike

In Tampa

Bright Lights, Safe Nights

Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Gordon Gillette, president of Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas, will celebrate and cut the ribbon on the first street lights installed as part of Mayor Buckhorn’s ‘Bright Lights, Safe Nights’ Initiative. The event will be Thursday, March 28, 2013, at 2 p.m. at the new streetlight located between 2106 and 2108 E. Nedro Drive. “Sulphur Springs is only the first neighborhood
that will benefit from this initiative.
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Tampa Bay Homeless

Meet John
He is from Minnesota. He has been homeless 5 years.

Why Won't Florida's Goverment Protect Our Water

Billboard greeting tourists on I-75 in Columbia County.
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Florida Water Coalition

Where Are They Now

Hillsborough County's Three Amigos
Some of you are too young to remember or are not from around here but 30 years ago in 1983  three Hillsborough County Commissioners, Jerry Bowmer, Fred Anderson and Joe Kotvas were arrested for taking bribes. Commissioner Jerry Bowman was the ring leader who would solicit bribes and then make payoffs to fellow commissioners Kotvas and Anderson. Bowmer was caught red handed and then wore a wire to roll over on his crooked partners. I remember putting up signs for Mr. Kotvas.
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Joe Kotvas writes books and you can find him on Twitter or at his very nice website tvasbooks.
Jerry Bowmer according to WTSP  is selling swamp land in Polk  County.
 Fred Anderson has since died.

Mayor Bob: Darn Sure Means Rail

In a speech filled with talk of teamwork and cooperation, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn delivered this don't-mess-with-us challenge: "We can be a region with a first-class transportation system," Buckhorn said during his second State of the City speech on Tuesday. "We need mobility options now. That means bus rapid transit, that means (high-occupancy vehicle lanes), and it darn sure means rail. He went on to allude to Gov. Rick Scott's decision to turn away $2 billion from the Obama administration to build high-speed rail from Tampa to Orlando. "Don't tell me that I have to listen to the mayor of Detroit thank me because he's building his light rail system with our money.

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If he can pull this off he could make people forget about the 6 foot lap  dance rule 
and go down as the greatest mayor this city has ever had.

Florida Students for Equal Funding of Education

After attending the Hillsborough County School Board Student Forum, it came to our attention that Florida's lack of funding for education comes from our very own state legislators' inability to make our public schools a priority. Currently each student in Florida receives $3,000 less in education funds than the national average. As a sophomore at Freedom High School in Tampa, I am directly affected. I've witnessed firsthand the pressure both teachers and students are placed under when students of various academic abilities are placed in a single classroom. In addition, public schools are unable to expand and update programs in the areas of arts and technology.

That's why I created a petition on SignOn.org to the Florida State Legislature and Governor Rick Scott, which says:

Click Here

Tampa Bay Homeless

Homeless Living In Tampa

Neighborhoods Awards Ceremony 2013

New China

What Stogie Had For Lunch
Shrimp with lobster sauce
With Fried Rice and drink.
$4.95 At New China, 3801 W Gandy Blvd, Tampa

Same Old Jeb: Republican Rebrand? Hardly!

If You Build It They Will Come

Ruth: Stop Talking And Build A Rail Line
In 1973, I arrived in Tampa to start my career as an ink-stained wretch. I was 23. One of the big issues facing the greater Tampa Bay area was whether to spend the money to begin development of a light-rail system stretching across the Howard Frankland Bridge eventually linking Tampa to St. Petersburg and Clearwater. It was decided by the powers that be there should be extensive discussions on the subject before moving ahead.It is now 2013, 40 years later. I am 63. And everyone is still talking without so much as a single rail spike to have ever been driven into the ground.
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Poll shows public support for publicly financed light rail.
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Folks that want to help.
Vote Transit
Connect Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay Homeless

Homeless Living In Tampa