Rick Scott's Final Report Card

 Health Care:  F

Funding for Education:  D

Environment:  D

Economic Development:  B

Ethics:  D

Overall Grade:  Lost Opportunity D

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here

Florida Union Buster Scott Plakon

A bill, (FL HB25 (18R) sponsored by Florida GOP Scott Plakon of Longwood, would make public-sector unions that see their total dues-paying membership fall below half of those eligible petition the Public Employee Relations Commission for recertification. here

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“H.B. 25 is not motivated by any public education need or public benefit. It is motivated purely by politics. It's an attempt to silence those who dare to speak out and speak up on behalf of our public schools and our students.” Florida Education Association President
Joanne McCall 

Democrats Just Don’t Have a Clue

You often seem terrified of alienating voters who do not embrace you, while discounting those — such as immigrants, African Americans, LGBTQ and, yes, progressive whites — who do.

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You made yourselves look feckless, spineless and brainless in the process. You’d said you would not vote to fund the government until the GOP acted to save DREAMers — from deportation. Three days later, you folded like a baby stroller, accepting a deal in which Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell expressed only his “intention” to take up the legislation you want.

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According to Debbie Wasserman Schultz you won, “the potential for momentum.”

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The truth is closer to what GOP Rep. Mark Walker of North Carolina told Politico: “We gave them nothing.” For that matter, it’s even closer to what Denzel Washington said in “Malcolm X:” “You been had! You been took! You been hoodwinked!”

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Frankly, you could stand to be more petrified of your own base especially since the political left is having itself a moment unlike anything we’ve seen in almost 50 years. People are marching and raising money. Upstarts are running for office. The left is galvanized by a 

fierce new energy.

By Leonard Pitts Jr.

Gasparilla GOP Group Pic

Anyone you know?

Ybor City Homeless

Meet Willie

Florida GOP Ripping Off Our Public Schools

Manny Diaz, the Hialeah Republican who collects a six-figure salary as chief operating officer of the charter Doral College and sits on the Education Committee and the K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee.

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Richard Corcoran, the Land O’Lakes Republican whose wife founded a charter school in Pasco County that stands to benefit from legislation.

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Michael Bileca, the Miami Republican who hairs the House Education Committee and is listed as executive director of the foundation that funds True North Classical Academy, attended by the children of another legislator. Bileca is also a school founder.

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These three legislators were chief architects in the passage of a $419 million education bill that takes away millions of dollars from public schools to expand the charter-school industry in Florida at taxpayer expense. They crafted the most important parts of education
 bill HB 7069 in secret. Source

Joe Redner Wins Again

Joe Redner will go to trial to challenge the state’s ban on allowing Florida residents to grow their own 
marijuana plants.

A state circuit court judge on Wednesday denied a motion by the Florida Department of Health to dismiss Redner’s case. here

The State Of Tampa Politics: Marina Welch

One year ago I helped organize the largest single day protest in US history. I was brand new to activism although, upon reflection, it’s been in my blood for decades. I believe the awareness brought about by the Women’s March on Washington has inspired our country, our state and our community to stand up, fight back. 

I had prided myself on always voting but have since learned how woefully unaware and uneducated I was in the realm of politics. This year has afforded me the opportunity to meet amazing activists and social justice warriors. I blindly believed that my vote was enough, that justice would prevail. I woke up on November 9, 2016 to the reality of that delusion.

I have learned the value of phone calls to legislators, the importance of showing up at their office. I stand with those working to rid our state of traditions in which people legally control other people and supporting issues that don’t necessarily impact me directly. What is most important is to be connected to the goal, which is justice for all, even if our motivation is different.

The reason I share the effect this year has had on me is because I know I’m not alone. Women are speaking up in numbers this country has never seen before. First-time female candidates are running for offices big and small, from the U.S. Senate and state legislatures to local school boards and county commissions. We are educating ourselves and each other on issues that affect us all. 

The reason I know how impactful this movement has become isn’t because of the press coverage or the number of women running for office. Last year my youngest daughter refused to listen to anything I tried to talk about regarding Women’s March or the potential consequences resulting from the election. I tried to engage her in meaningful discussions but she wanted no part of that - her vote was enough.  This year we are marched together in Roanoke, Virginia and she volunteered with the local Women’s March to put on this event.

This year women organized rally’s and marches, #PowerToThePolls, as a campaign to register and engage voters for the 2018 elections. Our collective power is rooted in one another and having a wave of women pouring into public office will bring forth the issues that draw support from women in both parties. Celinda Lake said, “Women candidates help energize women voters and in close races you win with women voters.” If I can help mobilize 26,000 Floridians to D. C. I can help mobilize 26,000 (and more) Floridians to the voting booths in 2018.

Women are the backbone of every society. Never underestimate the strength of a woman-led movement.

Marina Welch

Ybor City Homeless

Meet Greg

Andrew Gillum: Fair Share for Florida's Future

Republicans know a blue wave is coming in Florida and that when we're in charge, three decades of corporate tax loopholes will be closed to fund teacher pay raises, world-class public schools, and job training programs.

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Become a citizen sponsor

Chat With Pat Kemp In Valrico

1.22 - 6 PM

Bloomingdale Public Library

1906 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico

Tampa Hoods

Ybor City

Silence From The Florida Democratic Party

Yesterday I wrote about Bill Nelson's cowardly act of ending the government shutdown. Where are the voices of the Florida Democratic party leaders? Not a peep from any of them. I will not mention names, you know who you are.

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With his vote he not only took the wind out of the sails of Dreamers but of the progressive wing of the party who have been trying to frame this as a Trump/GOP shutdown.
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Now today a post on the questionable website "Florida Politics" a survey is posted that Bill Nelson’s approval is best among senators running in swing states. A survey that is dated January 23, 2018.
how Convenient. 

Progressives Party In Ybor With Mariella Smith

L'Union Italiana

When Mariella throws a party, everybody comes

Kent Bailey and Kate Connolly

Marina Welch

Our next mayor Ed Turanchik with Jim Bleyer

Kathy Castor

Pat Kemp

Kimberly Overman

Rebecca Barkdoll

John & Lynn Dingfelder

Dave Cutler

Endorsed by Kathy Castor, Pat Kemp and Linda Saul Sena

Help Mariella Win here

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MORE IMAGES

Florida DINO Bill Nelson Has Betrayed Us Again

He votes to reopen the federal government without an immigration deal.

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He was unable to contain a wide smile while explaining that a deal he helped broker was the best possible compromise to get federal employees back to work while getting Republicans to commit to a vote on the status of Dreamers.

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Mitch McConnell did not commit to a deal or compromise for Dreamers on Monday, something that many Democrats previously said was a condition for reopening the government after it shut down on Friday night.

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 He thinks the American people are going to be cheering that this occurred. Not here, we see you as weak, no backbone. We will just have to wait to see what happens in 3 weeks to see if we will be cheering or not.

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Florida, you will be electing a new governor this year. Remember this is what you get when you elect middle of the road corporate Democrats like this. They are either extremely naive or sheep among wolves. 

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All the hard work Liberal activist put in to make this #Trumpshutdown has now become #Demscave.

here

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Call him at 202-224-5274 and tell him how much you appreciate his cowardice!
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Check out Tamika Lyles
*Champion Education
* Medicare for All
* Minimize Poverty
* Advance Women’s Rights
* Protect Senior Citizens
* Support The LGBTQ+ Community
* Fight Climate Change
* Innovate Immigration Policy
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Meet Ms. Lyles here

Stat Map Demo - City of St. Pete

2018 Florida Legislative Update: Week 2

2018 Women’s March & Day of Action - St Pete

Images by Kate Connolly

Images by Michelle Cookson

Images by Russell Hires

RECLAIMING FLORIDA'S FUTURE FOR ALL

Join them on January 31st to fight for Clean Water, Clean Air, and Clean Energy! This is your chance to speak to your legislators about critical issues happening in Florida. 
ACT NOW!
RSVP

Andrew Gillum: Fair Share for Florida’s Future

While his Democratic primary opponents Philip Levine and Gwen Graham are relying on piles of money and a legacy name to boost their respective candidacies,  Gillum has issued meaningful, detailed policies and criticized the positions of Rick Scott, Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis and other high-profile Republicans. here

Reclaiming My Mind With Jessica Vaughn

Chats with Susan Smith President 

of the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida

Tampa Paparazzi

Bob with friend

Gaspar's Patio

Florida Taxpayer Funded Lies

The Florida Legislature funnels taxpayer dollars to “crisis pregnancy centers,” (CPCs) anti-abortion organizations posing as legitimate health care clinics. Under the guise of providing reproductive health services and pregnancy-related information. here