Wakulla Democrats Support School Referendum - Vote May 14th

Special from WCTV:

By Mike Springer
May 11, 2013
Crawfordville, FL-With the Wakulla County Schools facing a budget deficit, it's up to voters to help dig them out.
Wakulla County residents are heading to the polls for a special election referendum. They must decide whether to levy an ad valorem millage of one half mill to help pay for the school system's operational costs.
"I think it's a good idea. If you don't invest in the kids, who will?," said Wakulla County resident, Erick Jackson.
Officials say declining enrollment and a struggling economy hurt the schools.
But they are confident the referendum can alleviate some of that and help the schools in some much needed areas.
The School Board says if the referendum passes, the money generated from it could pay for better buses and technology upgrades at the schools.
"When we make early investments in our children's education it translates into greater dividends for all of society," said Rachel Pienta.
Pienta is the chairwoman for the Wakulla Democratic Party. She says the referendum has her backing.
"Spending money on kids in schools means fewer prison beds. It means more people contributing to the workforce as we are training them to become citizens in our society," she said.
If it passes, the millage change would take effect July 1. It would last for no more than four years.
Early voting is Saturday. The polls open again on Tuesday, May 14.



http://www.wctv.tv/news/headlines/Wakulla-Residents-to-Vote-on-Educational-Referendum-207070261.html#.UY-0mciJHWM.facebook

Special Election Program with Superintendent Bobby Pearce 7 pm Thursday May 9th at Wakulla County Library

Wakulla County residents face a special election in May on a School Board referendum.  Voters may cast their ballot by absentee – this week that means walking in to the Supervisor of Election’s office with your absentee ballot, early voting on Saturday May 11, or going to the polls on May 14, our designated Special Election Day.

Here in Wakulla County we are blessed to have one of the best school systems in the state.  It has been that way for a couple of generations and has been a major driver of county growth.  On May 14, the voters of Wakulla will have the opportunity to choose to continue to have a strong school system by voting yes for our schools.

Wakulla County residents are known for carefully considering all ballot initiatives.  Over the past several years, while experiencing painfully deep cuts, the Wakulla County School District has continued to consistently earn a district grade of “A” and be ranked among the top for state scores in math and reading. 

The Great Recession severely impacted much of the state and still continues to impact our county.   As a result our schools have taken repeated budget cuts that have affected our children and teachers. Additionally, student enrollment in the county has been declining since School Year 2008-09. Despite these challenges, the district has proven to be a strong and trusted steward of taxpayer dollars.  Wakulla is in the Top 3 school districts in the State of Florida for delivering the best Return on Investment [ROI] to the tax payers of the county. 

So what will it cost Wakulla residents if it passes?  The average cost per home will be less than $2 per month. That’s taking into account the average home market value of $105,000 in our county before homestead exemption.  This seems a small price to pay to continue to have superior schools that attract new families to Wakulla and prepare our children to succeed in life. 
 
While the school district needs to use some of this funding to support school operations and expenses, it will allow money for several critical areas.  For instance, the increased funding will be used toward enhancing career and technical educational programs to help students get jobs;  supporting highly qualified teachers; preserving outstanding student academic, athletics and arts programs;  improving school safety; and assuring appropriate technology readiness.

Education is key to casting an informed vote.   On Thursday, May 9^th at 7 pm the Wakulla County Democratic Party invites everyone – regardless of party affiliation – to join us for an educational program at the Wakulla County Library located at 4330 Crawfordville Hwy. The program will discuss the state of Wakulla County Schools, the School Board referendum, and will feature our guest speaker, Superintendent Bobby Pearce. 

Please join us to hear Superintendent Pearce and learn the facts about the upcoming Special Election.

Light refreshments will be served. The program is free and open to the public.

-- Special to Wakulla Democratic Women from Wakulla County Democratic Executive Committee Members

http://wakullademocrats.org/

During the final week of session, the snark factor hits all time high.....

It is that time of year...when the snark flies fast and furious in the Florida Capitol. I should say, the snark gets thicker, deeper, and flows more quickly than usual. And yes, I mean snark and despite my description, it isn't a metaphor for anything else that might be piled high and deep in Tallahassee at any time of year.

If you are not on Twitter following the action, you are missing real time action. This is also the time of year when the action in the state capitol is tweeted live in real time.

For example, GOP Representative Matt Gaetz dished some partisan snark in a tweet that included this picture and caption:

Matt Gaetz may be a little cranky. The days on the House floor have been extended past the twelve hour mark and bills are being read in full - with the aid of an auto reader machine.

Oh yes, and the auto reader has a Twitter account, too. That alone is fairly entertaining.

Well, it is entertaining when you manage to forget that these are elected officials passing or killing laws that will impact real lives.

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

Nixon.sean@flsenate.gov

(305) 815-8417

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.

###


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.

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.