Monday, April 22, 2013

SENATOR DWIGHT M. BULLARD'S CYBERBULLYING BILL MOVES TO SENATE FLOOR: Call your state senator today!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2013


CONTACT
Sean Nixon
SENATOR DWIGHT M. BULLARD'S CYBERBULLYING BILL  MOVES TO SENATE FLOOR

TALLAHASSEE-- Today the Florida Senate Rules Committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 626 regarding Bullying in the Public School System sponsored by Senator Dwight Bullard (D-Miami). Senate Bill 626, the “Imagine Sheterria Elliot Act” will now move to the Senate Floor for legislative approval. Earlier, Senator Bullard released the following statement on the bill moving through the Senate:

“As an educator and legislator, I'm pleased to see my colleagues on both sides of the aisle coming together to bring this bill to the floor. In our digital age and society teachers and administrators need the ability to protect our Florida gems from the unwanted attacks students receive online. The Imagine Sheterria Elliot Act does just that.”  

The bill broadens the authority of public K-12 schools to discipline students for cyber bullying activities through the use of any computer located on school grounds, at the site of a school-related or sponsored program or activity, or on a school bus.

The bill also defines or redefines terms such as “bullying” to include conduct that involves emotional pain and discomfort.  It defines “cyber bullying” as harassment through the use of computers, technology, or electronic communications.

Identical legislation (HB 609) has already passed the House of Representatives.


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Plus: See the Big Bend Anti-Bullying Task Force in partnership with Leon County Schools and PeaceJam -- an anti-bullying youth rally was held at the Capitol Saturday, April 13th, 2013.

 http://youtu.be/O13lq_0jVck



Keep local control of RESTORE Act funds in oil spill affected counties! - Updated

  Amendment to Amendment filed late April 22 would keep funds intended for counties under country control:
 http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2013/1024/Amendment/699348/PDF
 *************************************************
Rick Scott and the Republican-led Florida Legislature are attempting to wrest control of RESTORE Act funds from the local counties impacted by the oil spill.

Your help is needed to stop them!

Late Friday an amendment was introduced to SB 1024, which basically takes control of RESTORE Act funds away from the 8 disproportionately affected counties which was part of their portion of Pot #1 (Local) and puts it under the control of the State. It does not affect the other portion of Pot #1 going to the other 15 affected counties. It does not affect Pot #3, the Gulf Consortium Pot. 
This weekend and today, Wakulla County administration has been working very hard to get additional information and a strategy for stopping this amendment. 
We need your help in making phone calls and sending e-mails to the House Appropriations Committee and the Panhandle Legislative delegation against the amendment that takes control of RESTORE Act funds coming to Wakulla County. Please contact members of the Senate and House Appropriation committees, and the Panhandle Legislative Delegation - let them know that this is NOT okay.
Panhandle Legislative Delegation
 
County
US Representative
Florida
Senator
Florida
Representative

Bay
Southerland
Gaetz
Coley
Patronis

Calhoun
Southerland
Montford
Beshears

Escambia
Miller
Evers
Ford
Ingram

Franklin
Southerland
Montford
Beshers

Gadsden
Southerland
Montford
Beshears

Gulf
Southerland
Montford
Beshears

Hamilton

Montford


Holmes
Miller
Southerland
Montford
Coley

Jackson
Southerland
Montford
Coley

Jefferson
Southerland
Montford
Beshears

Leon
Southerland
Montford
Beshears
Rehwinkel-Vaslinda
Williams

Liberty
Southerland
Montford
Beshears

Madison
Southerland
Montford
Beshears

Okaloosa
Miller
Gaetz
Evers
Broxson
Gaetz

Santa Rosa
Miller
Evers
Broxson
Ford

Taylor
Southerland
Montford
Beshears

Wakulla
Southerland
Montford
Beshears

Walton
Miller
Gaetz
Coley

Washington
Southerland
Gaetz
Coley

CONTACT INFORMATION

Senator Bill Nelson
850-942-8514

Senator Don Gaetz
212 SOB/409 Capitol
850-487-5001/850-487-5229

Senator Greg Evers
308 SOB
850-487-5002

Senator Bill Montford
214 SOB
850-487-5003

Rep.Halsey Beshears
1102 Capitol
850-717-5007

Congressman Southerland
850-785-0812    

Rep. Doug Broxson
400 HOB
850-717-5003

Rep. Marti Coley
418 Capitol
850—717-5005

Rep. Clay Ford
303 HOB
850-717-5002

Rep. Matt Gaetz
417 HOB
850-717-5004
Congressman Jeff Miller
850-479-1183

Rep. Clay Ingram
222 Capitol
850-717-5001

Rep. Jimmy Patronis
204 HOB
850-717-5006

Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel-Vaslinda
1001 Capitol
850-717-5009

Rep. Alan B. Williams
1001 Capitol
850-717-5008
 B.P. Oil Amendment to SB 1024

A strike-all amendment to SB 1024 attempts to remove the eight disproportionately affected counties and replaces them with a quasi-public corporation in setting priorities for the expenditure of federal RESTORE Act dollars for repairing damages caused by the B.P. Oil spill.  The amendment also directs most of the funds recovered by the Florida Attorney General to the quasi-public corporation. 

The RESTORE Act directs that the 23 Gulf Coast Counties receive a portion of the civil fines resulting from the DeepWater Horizon disaster, with eight counties that were disproportionately affected receiving the lion's share.  The eight disproportionately affected counties are:  Escambia, Bay, Santa
Rosa, Walton, Okaloosa, Gulf, Franklin, and Wakulla.    
The RESTORE Act says that 75 percent of the funds shall flow “directly” to the eight counties, as follows: 
(C) Coastal political subdivisions (i) Distribution In the case of a State where the
coastal zone includes the entire State—
(I) 75 percent of funding shall be provided directly to
the 8 disproportionately affected counties impacted by
the Deepwater Horizon oil spill; and
(II) 25 percent shall be provided directly to
nondisproportionately impacted counties within the
State.
 
 
The amendment attempts to overrule the federal law and redirect the 75 percent funds to a quasi-private corporation created by the amendment.  The Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., will be governed by a five person board of directors, one each appointed by the Governor, the Attorney General, the Chief
Financial Officer, the Speaker and the President.  The Board must hire three individuals specifically described in the bill to include a CPA, an economist and a lawyer.  Projects funded with RESTORE Act funds are determined by the Board, not the elected officials from the counties.   

The amendment sets criteria for projects, focusing on economic issues including tax relief and not on environmental issues.  The non-elected Board chooses the projects.   

The amendment to SB 1024 is on the Senate Appropriations agenda set for 9:00 am Tuesday in 412
Knott.

Page 74 of the proposed legislation:
288.80 Short title.—Sections 288.80-288.84 may be cited as  2108
the “Gulf Coast Economic Corridor Act.”  
2109
Section 51. Section 288.801, Florida Statutes, is created  
2110
to read:  
2111
288.801 Gulf Coast Economic Corridor, Legislative Intent.— 2112
The Legislature recognizes that fully supporting areas affected  2113 by the Deepwater Horizon disaster to ensure goals for economic  
2114
recovery and diversification are achieved is in the best  
2115
interest of the citizens of the state. The Legislature intends  
2116
to provide a long-term source of funding for efforts of economic  2117
recovery and enhancement in the gulf coast region. The  
2118
Legislature finds that it is important to help businesses,  
2119
individuals, and local governments in the Gulf Coast region  2120 
To track on the Florida Senate website:
http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2013/1024

Representative Beshears disconnects Twitter account after #Haters hashtag kerfluffle

Over the weekend, Representative Halsey Beshears (HD7) earned a barrage of negative tweets after responding to a constituent's critical tweet with a "#haters" hashtag.

Wakulla resident and Democratic Women's Club member Diane Wilson received the following email notification that indicated Beshears had sent her a follow up tweet with an apparent apology:

Representative Beshears appears to have disconnected his Twitter account after sending the early morning apology.

Ironically, several constituents, including Diane Wilson, also thanked Beshears via Twitter this weekend for his "no" vote on HB 867, known to opponents as the Parent Trigger Bill.




Saturday, April 20, 2013

Halsey Beshears to State Workers and Teachers, "Let them eat cake!"







 What is HD7 constituent and Democratic Women's Club member Diane Wilson talking about? Well, read this excerpt from Gary Fineout's blog below:


From "The Fine Print:"

April 16, 2013




CAN'T BUY ME LOVE:
The Florida chapter of one of the main union for state workers contributed more than $21,000 to legislative candidates before the start of this year's session. This included a maximum $500 donation to 17 Republicans in the House and Senate.
But all nine GOP House members who received a contribution from the Amercian Federation of State, Council and Municipal Employees Council 79 voted in favor of an amendment sponsored by Rep. Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland, that cut the amount of a proposed state worker pay raise from $1,400 to $1,000. The amendment was approved over the sharp objections of Democrats.
The lone no vote on the amendment was Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach.
Perhaps the most interesting vote in favor of the proposal came from Rep. Halsey Beshears, R-Monticello.
That's because Beshears ran a memorable campaign ad last fall entitled "Do What's Right" where Beshears said that as businessman he understood the value of treating employees right: "Here we rely on thousands of great men and women to contribute to our local economy. We need to grow it and make it stronger. That's why we need to be more supportive of our hard-working state employees."

Here is a link to Beshear's "Do What's Right" spot:


http://youtu.be/6mnjqlWERpg


Come on Representative Beshears, saying merit pay for teachers constitutes a raise and support for HD7's hard working employees is like asking starving kids to fight over a cupcake and calling it a nutrition program.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Press Conference Today at the Capitol - 4th floor Rotunda 11:30 am

For Immediate Release
Contact: Rachel Pienta



Media Advisory: “Democratic Legislators Join Democratic Women in Call for Action”

Tallahassee, Florida -  Representative Lori Berman and Representative Janet Cruz will join Democratic Women’s Club of Florida President Janet Goen, FDP Chair Allison Tant, and DWCF members from across Florida to address the status of women in the 2013 legislative session.

Where: 4th Floor Rotunda, Capitol
When: Tuesday, April 9, 11:30 am
What: Press Conference with Democratic Women
Who:  Representative Berman, Representative Janet Cruz, DWCF President Janet Goen, FDP Chair Allison Tant, and other special guests TBA.

President Goen stated, “From the Equal Rights Amendment to election reform to the Parent Trigger bill – the women of Florida have lost ground in 2013. We’re coming to Tallahassee on Tuesday to ask the Legislature to remember that women are also citizens in Florida and an important segment of the state’s economy.”

Legislative Chair Stephanie Kunkel noted, “Our DWCF citizen advocacy and response teams have been busy – it isn’t just another day, another bad bill; 2013 has been another hour, a barrage of bad bills for women.”

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Excerpt of DWCF President Janet Goen's planned remarks:

 
We’re here today to ask for fair elections. We’re saying no to long lines, we’re saying no to fewer days and reduced hours at the polls. We’re saying no to phony roadblocks. We’re saying no to voter intimidation.

We’re in Tallahassee to say yes to democracy. We’re registered voters and we’re women – we make up over half the voting body in Florida. We won’t stand idly by and allow our votes to be denied or stolen.  We’re women who vote and we will be watching and we will remember in 2014.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Former State Representative Scott Randolph Receives Legislative Advocacy Award in Tallahassee on Monday April 8

 
For Immediate Release
Contact: Rachel Pienta


“Democratic Women to Recognize Former State Representative Scott Randolph
for Legislative Advocacy”

Tallahassee, Florida – The Democratic Women’s Club of Florida, Inc. announced today that former State Representative Scott Randolph (D-Orlando) will receive the Legislative Advocacy Award during their annual Tally Days on Monday, April 8th in Tallahassee.

What: Recognition Ceremony, Legislative Advocacy Award
When: Monday, April 8th, 3:45 pm
Where: Four Points by Sheraton,
            316 West Tennessee Street,
            Tallahassee, Florida, 32301
Who: DWCF, Inc and Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph


DWCF President Janet Goen said, “The purpose of the Legislative Advocacy Award is to acknowledge legislators who have shown exemplary effort in advocating for the DWCF Platform.”

Legislative Chair Stephanie Kunkel stated, “Former State Representative Scott Randolph was a champion for women in Florida from 2007 to 2012. Representative Randolph’s work on behalf of women deserves special recognition.”

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Democratic Women to Hold Press Conference Tuesday April 9 in Tallahassee

For Immediate Release
Contact: Rachel Pienta



Media Advisory: “Democratic Legislators Join Democratic Women in Call for Action”

Tallahassee, Florida -  Representative Lori Berman will join Democratic Women’s Club of Florida President Janet Goen and DWCF members from across Florida to address the status of women in the 2013 legislative session.

Where: 4th Floor Rotunda, Capitol
When: Tuesday, April 9, 11:30 am
What: Press Conference with Democratic Women
Who:  Representative Berman, Representative Janet Cruz, DWCF President Janet Goen, FDP Chair Allison Tant, and other special guests TBA.

President Goen stated, “From the Equal Rights Amendment to election reform to the Parent Trigger bill – the women of Florida have lost ground in 2013. We’re coming to Tallahassee on Tuesday to ask the Legislature to remember that women are also citizens in Florida and an important segment of the state’s economy.”

Legislative Chair Stephanie Kunkel noted, “Our DWCF citizen advocacy and response teams have been busy – it isn’t just another day, another bad bill; 2013 has been another hour, a barrage of bad bills for women.”

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