VIDEO: Uproar at Town Hall in Orlando as GOP Rep. Defends Ending Medicare and Tax Breaks for Rich

Although it is finals week and I won't be posting much until the weekend, I did want to share this video: In Orlando Rep. Daniel Webster was faced with a barrage of questions after endorsing the elimination of medicare while defending the wealthy from paying their taxes.

Read about it here

Florida's Firefighters Speak for Themselves

The Florida Chamber of Commerce televised an ad that says firefighters are struggling to pay their bills... because of Unions. Not because of the lack of public donors or minimal state funding - but because of the union they CHOOSE to pay for out of their own paycheck. This is what the firefighters had to say.

Florida will be like Arizona - if you let it.

Senate Bill 2040 is moving forward FAST. It passed the Judiciary committee, skipped the Criminal Justice committee, and is up for a vote in its LAST committee (Budget Committee) THIS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13.

Let's not be like Arizona - please take 10 minutes to help.

This bill will increase racial profiling, mandate employers to use E-verify (a flawed employer ID system) and will increase unfair detention and deportation of innocent immigrants. SB2040 will open the flood-gates for more anti-immigrant laws as other Senators tag their anti-immigrant bills onto the first one to gain traction. In less than a year, an anti-immigrant law already has cost Arizona more than $90 million in lost convention and tourism business. Florida would suffer the same consequences.

Tell the Senators that SB 2040 will devastate Florida's economy, starting with tourism, agriculture, and international trade businesses. Every Floridian will suffer the consequences. Instead, Senators should work with Florida's congressional delegation to reform the nation's dysfunctional immigration system at the federal level.

Please encourage the committee to vote NO on SB 2040 and make sure to identify your county.

Call State Senate President Mike Haridopolos first
(850) 487-5056

-AND-

Call the Senators on the Budget Committee that will be voting on this bill Wednesday:

Chair: Senator JD Alexander
(850) 487-5044

BREVARD COUNTY
Senator Thad Altman (R-Melbourne)
(850) 487-5053

PALM BEACH COUNTY 
Vice Chair: Senator Joe Negron
(850) 487-5088
Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff (R-West Palm Beach)
(850) 487-5100
Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto (R-West Palm Beach)
(850) 487-5356

BROWARD COUNTY
Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff (R-West Palm Beach)
(850) 487-5100
Senator Eleanor Sobel (D-Hollywood)
(850) 487-5097

PASCO COUNTY
Senator Mike Fasano (R-New Port Richey)
(850) 487-5062

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Senator Anitere Flores (R-Miami)
(850) 487-5130

FLORIDA PANHANDLE
Senator Don Gaetz (R-Destin)
(850) 487-5009
Senator John Thrasher (R-Jacksonville)
(850) 487-5030
Senator Stephen R. Wise (R-Jacksonville)
(850) 487-5027

CENTRAL FLORIDA
Senator Alan Hays (R-Volusia)
(850) 487-5014
Senator Evelyn J. Lynn (R-Ocala)
(850) 487-5033

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
Senator Arthenia L. Joyner (D-Tampa)-THANK HER FOR HER AMENDMENT
(850) 487-5059

MADISON COUNTY
Senator Bill Montford (D-Tallahassee)
(850) 487-5004

COLLIER COUNTY
Senator Garrett Richter (R-Naples)
(850) 487-5124

SEMINOLE COUNTY
Senator David Simmons (R-Altamonte Springs)
(850) 487-5050

Join the We Are Florida Campaign!
www.wearefl.com

The Senate and House Attacks Retirement - Action Alert

Step 1: copy and paste these emails:

dean.cannon@myfloridahouse.gov, Julie.Fess@myfloridahouse.gov, denise.grimsley@myfloridahouse.gov, Marty.Mielke@myfloridahouse.gov, alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov, harrison.patty.s17@flsenate.gov, haridopolos.mike.web@flsenate.gov, buford.rivers.s26@flsenate.gov

Step 2: send this (you may want to add your own comments):

As a voter and taxpayer of Florida I ask you to please not change the Florida Retirement System. For close to 40 years the state employees of Florida have taken a lower salary in return for an outstanding retirement package. Now you are changing the benefits but not increasing the salary. The cost of implementing these changes may exceed the increase revenue and the impact on the local economy will be disastrous.

If you're not sure what impact these bills will have scroll down for info.

Here's a sample email from Leaflet: 

Representatives and Senators of Florida - or the staffer hired to look at these things,

I am 24 - and as a voter and taxpayer I ask you to please not change the Florida Retirement System; these bills are deducting the benefits but not increasing the salary. For close to 40 years the state employees of Florida have taken a lower salary in return for an outstanding retirement package. The cost of implementing these changes could exceed the increase revenue and the impact on the local economy will be disastrous.

Thanks for considering that letting these bills through would be a "douche-bag" move,

- Leaflet

Learn More:

Senate Bill S 2100 would:

* requiring ALL employees to start contributing (after July 1, 2011) 2% of their first $25,000, 4% on wages earned between $25,001 and $50,000 and 6% on everything earned over $50,001.
* Eliminates COLA’s for new employees hired on or after 07-01-11 and stop additional COLA’s from accumulating for current employees (after July 1, 2011). This will have a tremendous negative impact upon your retirement benefits.
* Changes the Deferred Retirement Option Program (D.R.O.P.) interest accrual rate for employees from 6½% to 2% for those who enter DROP on or after July 1, 2011, with the intention of closing DROP on July 1, 2016.
* discontinues the Health Insurance Subsidiary for new employees hired after July 1, 2011. Also changes the Health Insurance Subsidiary for those employed prior to July 1, 2011. You will receive $5.00 for every year employed up to July 1, 2011, with no future accrual after July 1, 2011. (Example: If you have 22 years on 7/1/11, you will receive $110.00 (5x22) in Health Insurance Subsidiary monies for the rest of your life.
* does not allow the employee to sell 500 hours of accumulated vacation or compensatory, time and have that calculated into their highest 5 years Average Final Compensation total.
* Increases the normal retirement age for regular class members from the current age 62 with 10 years of service or 30 years of service regardless of age, to age 65 with 10 years of service or 33 years of service regardless of the age. THIS ONLY APPLIES TO NEW EMPLOYEES HIRED AFTER ON OR AFTER 07-01-11

House Bill 1405 would:

* starting July 1, 2011 requires ALL employees to contribute 3% of their pre taxed salary to the Florida Retirement System.
* Closes the Deferred Retirement Option Program (D.R.O.P.) to new participants effective 07-01-11
* Increases the normal retirement age for special risk members from the current age 55 with 6 years of service or 25 years of service regardless of age, to age 60 with 6 years of service or 30 years of service regardless of the age. THIS ONLY APPLIES TO NEW EMPLOYEES HIRED AFTER ON OR AFTER 07-01-11
* Increases the normal retirement age for regular class members from the current age 62 with 6 years of service or 30 years of service regardless of age, to age 65 with 6 years of service or 33 years of service regardless of the age. THIS ONLY APPLIES TO NEW EMPLOYEES HIRED AFTER ON OR AFTER 07-01-11

These two Bills will be discussed this week during the Conference Committee meetings. Their goal will be to combine the two bills into one and attach it to the state budget for final approval. Although individual members have not been assigned to this committee yet, I am encouraging you to immediately contact the below leadership members who will have tremendous input into the process.

You can also be super cool and give them a call:

Speaker of the House Dean Cannon’s contact info:
Telephone: (850) 488-2742

Representative Denise Grimsley’s contact info: (House Appropriation Chair)
Telephone: 850-488-3457

Senate President Mike Haridopolos’ Contact Info:
Telephone: 850-487-5056

Senator JD Alexander’s contact info: (Senate Budge Chair)
Telephone: 850-487-5044

Florida Videos: Session Update and TABOR

Rep. Tobia wants to lower the minmum wage less than the constitution - but would prefer it didn't exist at all



TABOR is coming to Florida - if you let it.

Florida Highlights

Media Highlight:

One of the more impressive resources in online media and production: Florida Session Updates from the AFLCIO. The following is their coverage of week 4. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv40NhziONs&feature=channel_video_title
*Links to week 3, 2 and 1.

News and Blogs:

'Least effective legislator' Scott Randolph scores victory over powerful doctor lobby
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2011/04/least-effective-legislator-scott-randolph-scores-victory-over-powerful-doctor-lobby.html

New bill could line a Bush’s pockets, and put Florida one step closer to privatized education
http://blog.reidreport.com/2011/04/florida-bill-could-line-a-bushs-pockets-and-put-florida-one-step-closer-to-privatized-education

Federal regulators have kissed the ring of nobility once again, agreeing to an independent review to the costs of implementing federal water quality standards
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/08/2157994/costs-of-water-quality-standards.html

Florida Chamber of Commerce assumes that Florida... is stupid.
http://seminoledemocrats.blogspot.com/2011/04/florida-chamber-of-commerce-thinks-were.html

Florida hires security firm to catch test cheaters in Florida schools. Cutting everything else. 
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/7543

Speaker Cannon’s memo regarding the House Redistricting Committee and Subcommittees.
http://saintpetersblog.com/2011/04/10/read-here-speaker-cannon%E2%80%99s-memo-regarding-the-house-redistricting-committee-and-subcommittees/

The Miami Herald finally tallies a toll for the worst economic meltdown since the Great Depression.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/09/2159900/the-great-recession-set-back-south.html 

Bright futures: There's a better way
http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/house-gop-budget-takes-bold-steps-to-brighter-future/1162586

Rick Scott: pay cuts for union workers … raises for his appointees
http://blog.reidreport.com/2011/03/rick-scott-pay-cuts-for-union-workers-raises-for-his-staff/

"The Abortionator"

Officially trolling my own blog.
IncorporateMyUterus.com

Rick Scott Cartoon: "Drug Tests"

Scott between a state worker and his wife; Ann Scott was handed control of his company, Solantic, which specializes in drug testing. 

Watch on youtube here for top quality


"Will we profit from these drug tests? That's preposterous!" - Solantic

Scott gets boos at Springtime Tallahassee Parade - (Video)

From Florida Watch Action:



From Leaflet



Another Related Video: Rick Scott hears a chorus of boos while throwing the first pitch at  Rays opener.

A Modest Proposal for Dean Cannon - Inspired by the Writing of Jonathan Swift

A Modest Proposal for Dean Cannon

(Inspired by the writings of Jonathan Swift; a response to Cannon and the Florida House after overreacting to the use of the word, "uterus.")

FOR PREVENTING THE TERMS OF AND RELATING TO GENITALIA OF THE HUMAN BODY FROM BEING A BURDEN TO THE LEGISLATURE OF FLORIDA OR THEIR COUNTRY, AND THE USE OF SUCH TERMS IN THE PUBLIC

It is a melancholy sound to those of the great state of Florida, when ones senses and minds are apprehended by the audible projection of words pertaining to, the sexual organs of man and woman. Instead of overseeing economic affairs of the state, given that such endeavors are disposed to the attainment of wealth, the agglomeration are to address these interruptions, particularly when they are spoken by a Democratic representative.

I have been assured by a young Floridian student of my acquaintance that said terms are an equal distraction from their education, abducting study habits from opportunity. We share a state of agreement that "cooties" would be included  by reason, for the context hath imply a specific sex.

Should these discordant terms not withstand, then higher learning of the sexes also be promptly nullified, for the subject matter is thenceforth deemed illegal, dissolving in part the burden of educational funding. Appointees may entitle themselves to a further raise in salary without quarrel, in respect that it was their administration which bestowed the law.

The dampening of that relating to the human genitalia, away from virgin ears alike, is a reasonable measure of the public interest, else they grow up to be beggars and thieves, inflating the states crime rates and costs of public representation. Forestallment of exposing our states youths with conscientious understanding of their own bodies may therefore avert prepubescent children from roaming, with the intent of participating in the incessant act of copulation in public domains.

I am assured by merchants and economists for these further speculations; the removal of selective medical professions and gynecological facilities, or that any service which resembles both or either of these, be lifted from operation. There is seldom a man of business who can say that such a decree would not lessen inflated costs of health related services.

Yet by these guidelines there are exceptions; terms of proper nouns, like Koch for example, needs not apply the order of penalty, lest it be used in jest. And that a final commandment be the article in which you hold in your palms at this very moment be disposed for it offends the law it bids to enact; I do therefore humbly offer this proposition.

~ Leaflet 

UPDATE :)