Thursday, March 30, 2023
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
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Chris Cano for Demcratic Progressive Caucus of Florida Board Member
"I would like to announce my candidacy for our state board for the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida. For those who do not know me as well as others, you can check out my bio below:
Christopher Carlos Cano is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and New Leaders Council Tampa Bay 2016 Fellow.
In his time serving in the U.S. Air Force, Christopher developed many of the core values that he still lives by today. His military career cut short by a knee injury, Chris matriculated to the University of South Florida where he continued his public service, interning in the Florida House of Representatives with House Minority Whip Michael Scionti and later seeking to represent his community in public office as a state representative himself. Cano has served as the Florida Deputy State Director for Young Adults for the League of United Latin American Citizens and as regional director for Mi Familia Vota in the Tampa Bay area where has worked for the passage of comprehensive immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship for undocumented residents. His final act as a Student Senator at the University of South Florida included the sponsoring and passage of a resolution to offer in-state tuition to undocumented students. Graduating with a Masters Degree in Public Administration in 2013, public service remains his calling.
Cano’s post-graduate work includes serving as the Hillsborough County Democratic Hispanic Caucus President and working as an organizer for Charlie Crist for Governor in 2014, United for Care’s Medical Marijuana Amendment campaign in 2015, and overseeing a successful field campaign for the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s race in 2016 which unseated one of the worst Republican prosecutors in the country. Today Christopher spends his days coordinating public policy efforts for the Service Employees International Union’s members. Yet, the reason most people know him is his advocacy work as a founder of the Suncoast Chapter for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).
Founded in 2014, almost a decade later, Suncoast NORML stands as the largest and most influential marijuana policy group in Florida having worked to make it legal for medical use statewide and collaborating with local governments to adopt decriminalization ordinances while pressuring members of Congress to end cannabis prohibition. Chris continues to fight for a patient-centric system that will provide safe and accessible cannabis to those who need it.
Throughout his battles both publicly and privately, Christopher’s wife Anais has been a guiding light when things have been at their most tumultuous. His values have been shaped by a moral compass consistently pointing towards protecting and expanding civil rights and advancing social justice. His body of public policy work for students, immigrants, patients, and workers stands as a testament to his commitment to progress in America."
~ Chris Cano ~
New death penalty rules readied for Senate passage
The Senate readied a bill for passage that would strip away the requirement that a jury unanimously agree in order to deliver the death penalty.
Under the bill (SB 450), eight of 12 jurors, a “supermajority”, would have to agree for a defendant to face the death penalty.
More HERE
DeSantisland? Governor’s new board says Disney stripped its power
The new board controlling the special district that oversees Walt Disney World was stripped of nearly all its powers through an agreement made before the state took control of the district, lawyers for the new board said Wednesday.....MORE
No Pasarán! :The Ybor City Women Who Fought Fascism
Historian Sarah McNamara, the author of the new book, Ybor City: Crucible of the Latina South, joined Shelley Reback on MidPoint Wednesday to discuss the history of women’s political activism in Ybor City and their fight against fascism at home and abroad during the time of the Spanish Civil War.....MORE
6-week abortion bill gives millions to uncertified crisis centers
The controversial 6-week abortion bill will be voted on by the full senate tomorrow in Florida. However, part of the bill provides massive support to non-medical anti-abortion centers.
Under Senate Bill 300, anti-abortion centers will receive 25 million dollars in funding. However, the qualifications of these centers are questionable.
More HERE
St. Pete parent challenges ‘Ruby Bridges’ movie shown at elementary school
A film shown to students at North Shore Elementary School is sparking nationwide controversy after a parent filed an objection saying it’s not suitable for younger students to watch.
According to the Pinellas County School District, nearly 60 students in second grade at North Shore viewed “Ruby Bridges” in early March. Before students could view the film, parents received a permission form as the movie is rated “PG.”
The school district says two families opted their student out of watching the film. One parent decided to file an instructional materials objection that states it teaches students racial slurs and “how they are different and white people hate Black people.”
More HERE
Gov. Ron DeSantis signs 'Live Local Act,' which bans rent control and gives tax breaks to developers
Gov. Ron DeSantis signs 'Live Local Act,' which bans rent control and gives tax breaks to developers.
The new law (SB 102) has drawn criticism from some groups because it will bar local rent controls and pre-empt local government rules on zoning, density and building heights in certain circumstances.
More HERE
2023 Tampa City Council Runoff Candidates - Watch the Complete Debate
The 2023 Tampa City Council Runoff Debate took over Hillsborough Community College Tuesday evening. The debate consisted of candidates running for seats in districts 1, 2, 3 and 6.
Candidates included Dr. Sonja Brookins, Alan Clendenin, Robin Lockett, Guido Maniscalco, Lynn Hurtak, Janet Cruz, Charlie Miranda and Hoyt Prindle, III.
The event format allowed the candidates "a unique opportunity to hear from and engage directly with our millennial demographic, the business community, and Tampa voters," leaders from the Tampa Bay Chamber explained.
Tampa Bay Ben and Jerry’s locations are giving away free ice cream next week
After a year-long hiatus due to the pandemic, popular ice cream company Ben and Jerry’s will host its annual free cone day on Monday, April 3.....MORE
New Ybor City mural commemorates Tampa’s antifascist women’s march of 1937
Photo via Dr_SarahMac/Twitter
The Cuban ambassador’s recent trip to Tampa has made headlines over the last few weeks, but Sarah McNamara’s new book, “Ybor City: Crucible of the Latina South” looks even further back than the Castro-era to chronicle a wave of leftist, radical antifascist women from pre-revolutionary Cuba who fought for their lives—and the well being of future generations—in the reconstructionist South.....MORE
Residents of historically Black town in Florida sue to stop land sale
Photo by Ebyabe
One of the first historically Black towns in the U.S. is suing the local school board to stop the sale of land that is tied up with Florida’s legacy of racial segregation decades ago and the state’s fast-paced growth nowadays.
An association dedicated to the preservation of the town of Eatonville’s cultural history last Friday sued the Orange County School Board in an effort to stop the sale of the 100-acre property where the Robert Hungerford Preparatory High School once stood.
More HERE
Matt Gaetz makes fundraising appeal to ‘patriots’ defending him from personal attacks
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Photo by Gage Skidmore
Following extended scrutiny over his sex life, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz said he appreciates those publicly defending him. He’s now asking for love the way politicians often do, by soliciting political contributions.....MORE
No One Is Talking About What Ron DeSantis Has Actually Done to Florida
Omitted from the public debate about DeSantis’s policies is almost any discussion of his actual record of governance—what exactly he has delivered to the citizens of his state, especially those without seven-figure incomes and lush investment portfolios.
More HERE
FDA approves over-the-counter Narcan. Here's what it means
Creator: Evilleavenger
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved selling naloxone without a prescription, setting the overdose-reversing drug on course to become the first opioid treatment drug to be sold over the counter.....MORE
Florida Senate is ready to take up a 6-week abortion limit
The Florida Senate on Thursday will take up a proposal that would prevent abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, amid a debate refueled by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last year to overturn Roe v. Wade.
The Senate Fiscal Policy Committee on Tuesday voted 12-7 to approve the bill (SB 300) after hearing often-emotional testimony from people on both sides of the issue. That approval sent the issue to the full Senate, where it is scheduled for a Thursday floor session.
More HERE
Florida Senate to soon vote on concealed permitless carry
"This begs the question, why are we making it easier to carry guns but harder to vote? says State Rep. Lavon Bracy Davis, (D) Orlando. "Why are we having conversations about expanding gun laws instead of expanding Medicaid? Why is it that getting guns is so easy and getting books is so hard?”.....MORE
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Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Chris Cano and SEIU Local 500 testified in favor of the HOME Act
Tonight SEIU Local 500 testified in favor of the HOME Act and stood against the legalization of double digit rent increases. Our members and families deserve to live & work in Montgomery County. #RentIsTooDamnHigh
Thank you to SEIU Local 500's Political Coordinator, Chris Cano, for testifying on behalf the thousands of our members at tonight's hearing.
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