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.

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:"

The Fine Print

Florida politics, policy, and plain-spoken analysis by Gary Fineout.

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.

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

For Immediate Release

Contact: Rachel Pienta

850-321-3582

drpienta@gmail.com

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: 4^th 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.”

###

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.

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

 

For Immediate Release

Contact: Rachel Pienta

850-321-3582

drpienta@gmail.com

“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 8^th in Tallahassee.

What: Recognition Ceremony, Legislative Advocacy Award

When: Monday, April 8^th, 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.”

###

Democratic Women to Hold Press Conference Tuesday April 9 in Tallahassee

For Immediate Release

Contact: Rachel Pienta

850-321-3582

drpienta@gmail.com

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: 4^th 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.”

###

Media & Your Message - Avoiding Mishaps & Dodging Mayhem

For the last few years, I have helped to plan an annual legislative visit for our  Democratic Women's Club members across the state of Florida. Last year, we added a media event to our visit.

Throughout the year, in my role as Communications Chair for the state organization I receive many requests about how to work more effectively with the media.
 
In preparing for this year's annual visit to the Capitol, I started doing a search for any well-articulated "Working with the Media" tips or fact sheets I could share with our members.

While I was immersed in this process, I also had one eye on a little media drama unfolding for an organization I follow and generally support. I'm a big proponent of getting out in front of  a story. I advocate trying to be sure you tell and manage your own story rather than letting it be told by others for and about you. As a writer, I think of this as narrative management. As a social scientist in my academic life, this is part of image or schema management. In business and organizational lexicons, this is also about brand management.

I ran across these two key tips on a page from The McCarthy Group titled "Buzz Cloud":

• Don’t be afraid to admit that you don’t know the answer to a question but instead offer to find the answer and get back to the reporter before their deadline.  Never respond to questions based on unfamiliar facts.
• Don’t be rushed into answering.  Don’t feel obliged to fill “dead air” after a tricky question.  Just pause, think… and then answer.

  These tips came from a media professional named Jim Cameron.

This line at the end of the presentation also resonated, "Jim’s bottom line: having a proactive media strategy and the proper training to handle any media situation can help promote your business, and take it to the next level."

In actuality, having a proactive media strategy and proper training can also help your organization handle any media situation to recover from potentially catastrophic events.

My next reading pick will be a book called Crisis Tales:

CRISIS TALES: FIVE RULES FOR COPING WITH CRISES IN BUSINESS, POLITICS, AND LIFE
By Lanny J. Davis
Threshold Editions, $27, 381 pages

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/mar/18/book-review-crisis-tales/#ixzz2P4nOEKdm
Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter

According to Davis, " no matter what the public crisis or who the person involved, there are five basic rules for combating it:1) Get all the facts out; 2) put the facts into simple messages; 3) get ahead of the story; 4) fight for the truth using law, media and politics; and 5) never represent yourself in a crisis. These principles, Mr. Davis writes, grow out of one guiding principle: “Tell it all, tell it early, and tell it yourself.”

However, I think professional crisis manager and the real life inspiration for Scandal's Olivia Pope, Judy Smith, had a great take on how to handle a crisis when she said, "“I like to believe in the good in people. But we’re all going to screw up from time to time. It just happens. It really is how our best growth occurs. A lot of times, the flip side of a crisis can be an opportunity.”

Now that sounds like a potential book title, Turning Crisis into Opportunity....