Thank You
Florida Sen. Bill Nelson reversed his opposition to gay marriage.
more
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.
more
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Saturday, April 6, 2013
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"
"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. "
should be ready for a primary challenge. "
"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."
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.
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
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.
more
"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
Friday, April 5, 2013
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
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.
more
more
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.
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.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
What Do Four Rich White Guys
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.
more
Let's keep the pressure on!
Hillsborough County Commissioners
here
Tampa City Council
here
Pinellas County Commissioners
here
VoteTransit
Connect Tampa Bay
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.
more
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.
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
Here's where to call:
202-224-5274
Then, please report your call by
clicking here
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
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.
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.
more
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."
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.
more
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.
and endangered huskies from around the state.
more
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?
more
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
Join Metropolitan Ministries Caring Hearts Circle
here
Monday, April 1, 2013
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.
it spent a total of $25 million.
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.
more
Northwest Presbyterian Church
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.
more
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.
more
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.
• They were built as part of an overall development plan.
• They include neighborhood integration.
• They include a mass transit factor.
more
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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