Letter From the Chair – May 22, 2023

The Good News is that it looks as though DeSantis’ endorsement is about as valuable as Trump’s! Jacksonville was a great indicator that perhaps he is not as popular as he thinks he is! LOL! GO DEMS!!!

From THE WARNNG, words of hope and truth from Steven Schmidt and Willie Nelson: “The United States — its creation, foundation, ideas, ideals, progress, and contributions — rank among humanity’s greatest achievements. We are a nation of 330 million souls spread across a vast swath of the Earth made up of people from every nation. We are united by a constitution that guarantees freedom and justice under a rule of law that has endured for nearly a quarter of a millennium. That is an astounding achievement, and one worthy of great collective celebration and introspection. Soon America will be 250 years old. “We the people” will have to make a decision to embrace the future by imagining a different path than the fast track over the edge of the cliff the nation is accelerating towards. 
American power is multifaceted. The impact of the nation’s artists is impossible to quantify, not just in binding a country through expressions of freedom, but through their global reach. America has always been an idea and a dream as much as it has been a place. America is a song that has lit the world and given hope to millions. Consider these lyrics from the song “Living in the Promiseland,” sung by Willie Nelson:

Give us your tired and weak
And we will make them strong
Bring us your far off song
And we will sing along
Leave us your broken dreams
We’ll give them time to mend
There’s still a lot of love
Living in the Promiseland
Living in the Promiseland
Our dreams are made of steel
The prayer of every one
Is to know how freedom feels
There is a winding road
Across the shifting sand
And room for everyone
Living in the Promiseland

The American dream exists in a space where it is simultaneously real and mythological, elusive, and attainable, believed and disbelieved. It is steeped in a faith of optimism that rejects limits, boundaries, and pessimism. 
The words from the Willie Nelson song are an expression of the American dream, and the idea that it is available to all people from everywhere who can come here and become Americans. This is elemental towards America’s identity and history. We are a nation of dreamers, strivers, and believers because we are a nation of immigrants. Whether it is the Black family that fled the Jim Crow south during the great migration, or German, Italian, Polish, Irish, Japanese, or Chinese families that arrived 100 years ago or 100 minutes ago, what connects them is the shared experience of closing their eyes for a final time in a place that was home before leaving for America. With each arrival the story is refreshed, and the dream renewed. It is the wellspring of American power and hope. 
Remember the American dream when you listen to the announcement speeches of the MAGA/GOP candidates who are joining the 2024 presidential race this week. Remember how small their pettiness and arrogance is. Remember how small the MAGA cause is. Remember how great the United States is, and how powerful and real the American dream is. Even though it is battered and bruised it is very much alive. Its expansion and restoration should be at the center of the crucial debate ahead. The country can’t continue to tread water. It must move forward and enter a season of renewal. The place to start is by allowing the American dream to take root again. How? Faith and belief are a start. Hard work comes next. Remember though, anything is possible in this place.  Never stop believing in it.”

In other news. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar nailed it when commenting on a former Seal Team 6 member’s reaction to discovering there was a Navy Yeoman who moonlighted as a Drag Queen and tweeted “I can’t believe I fought for this bullshit”. Kareem’s take: “I’m not clear what he thought he was fighting for if not the U.S. Constitution and the rights it conveys to all people to have free speech and live without being discriminated against. That’s the gig. You aren’t fighting to protect your personal beliefs and preferences.” Amen brother!

Do we, everyday Americans, have a part in our government?
Absolutely! Democracy is not a Spectator Sport! (Although if your only participation is watching CNN/MSNBC or FOX et al it certainly is). Becoming involved on the local level is where we have the most impact on policy and results. Attending these meetings is eye-opening. These elected Officials work for YOU! Please Pay attention!
 

Govt. Meetings this week
 

(*for Monroe County meetings – scroll to the bottom of the County website for the calendar, then click on the date for all county listings below)

Monday May 22

  • There will be an Upper Keys Community Meeting* to discuss changes to the floodplain management ordinance at 5:05 pm on a Webinar hosted by the BOCC. For link to webinar and more info: https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/

 Tuesday May 23

  • The Marathon City Council is hosting a “Special Call(?)” meeting at 5:30pm in City Hall, 9805 Overseas Hwy. Marathon. No details available? Hmmmm
  • The Monroe County Development Review Committee* will meet at 1:00pm “virtually” to discuss major conditional use applications, one on Big Pine Key and the rest are Key Largo. Check it out and get the link: https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/
  • The Monroe County Mosquito Control Board will meet at 1:00pm in their headquarters on 109th St. in Marathon.
  • The Board of the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority will meet at 11am at their headquarters, 1100 Kennedy Dr., Key West.

Wednesday May 24

  • Monroe County Planning Commission* will host a hybrid in-person/zoom meeting at 10am in the Marathon Govt. Ctr., 2798 Overseas Hwy. Marathon. Lots of Zoning variances on the table here from Little Torch Key to Key Largo. For details and Zoom link: https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/
  • The final hearing on the Key West noise ordinance will be at 5:00pm in the commission Chambers at City Hall, 1300 White St. Key West

 Thursday May 25

Activist Meetings this week
 

Tuesday May 23

  • The Keys Dems – Middle Keys Group meets at 5:30 pm in the Community Room at the Marathon Public Library, 3490 Overseas Hwy., Marathon. Join us in person or via ZOOM. We have info on petitions for Florida Constitutional Amendments and the latest updates on the Key Colony Beach City Hall citizen-led revolt! Democracy at work!!! https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85807214057

Wednesday May 24

  • Key West NOW meets at 5:30 pm in the back room of Brady’s Pub, 1900 Flagler Ave. Key West. Darlene will fill us in on the State Convention! And – petitions!!!

Readers, for a small county out in the middle of the Gulf Stream, we have much to be grateful for. However, we must never take our rights and freedoms for granted. Our Governor is determined to prove what a big man he is by being mean and cruel to the extreme. That tells us everything we need to know about him and others of his ilk! Please watch the video at the bottom. Politics Girl nails it!

I hope to see you all soon!

Bert Sise/Chair
KeysDems

Your video of the week – https://youtu.be/bcvoo64C6QM
And, because we need to laugh – https://youtu.be/R2M5ZeJSZHM

/by

Letter From the Chair – April 17, 2023

Good morning Keys Democrats & all Activists!
Kudos to Trish McGrath and Lisa Kaelin for spending the last week in Tallahassee observing and protesting the Tallahassee Taliban! At one point, they were thrown out of the gallery because they were too “disruptive.” Brava Ladies!!!

Back in 2017, when Trump was elected, recruiting folks to work for the DEMS was so easy. We were all freaked out! Then came Covid, and we all stayed away from each other. We managed to defeat Trump in 2020, But I fear that he (and his wannabe clone/replacement) is more dangerous than ever!

Cloaked in fake Christianity and BS culture wars, they continue to divide us. They continue to Lie with impunity. How can it be that Faux Nooze continues to broadcast BS? I hope this lawsuit hurts them so badly they must shut down.

The Florida Legislature continues to make a fool of our state. WAKE UP PEOPLE! Equality Florida is telling folks to stay away as we are no longer a safe or FREE state. We are an experiment in how far the citizens of this state will allow this fascist movement to continue. Guns and hate, drag queens, and Trans folk are the message of the Tallahassee Taliban as they point the finger at others in order to screw us while we are distracted.

Some folks in Tennessee are telling people not to come there as well. There were more shootings in Kentucky on Saturday. What is it going to take?

We will not stop sending out emails regarding legislation in motion by the Tallahassee Taliban, even though we know the odds are against us. DeSantis knows his agenda is not popular. He signs bills in the middle of the night, no press. We must protest continually, call our elected officials even though we know it will not change their vote. By the way, Mooney was AWOL on the abortion vote.

However, they all know we are paying attention, watching their farce of a legislative session. We are the sword of Damocles.

Look what happened in Tennessee. This gives me hope! Three people stood up to the KLAN, oops, the Legislature, and showed them to the world for what they truly are.

Our job is to do the same in Florida, Monroe County, and our various municipalities.
Our local activists are causing “good trouble” and helping to protect the citizens of Monroe County from Local Govt. over-reach, corruption and poor decision making.
You can do this. These local agencies have more impact on your daily life than Joe Biden.

Local Govt. Mtgs. this week

Monday April 17

  • The Planning Commission for the City of Marathon will meet at 5:30pm in the City Council Chambers, 9805 Overseas Hwy. No Details available. Here is the link: https://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/meetings

Tuesday April 18

Wednesday April 19

  • The Monroe County Board of Commissioners will meet from 9am – 5pm at the Marathon Govt. Ctr., 2798 Overseas Hwy, second floor. There is a lot to look at here, but the interesting stuff is at the end of the meeting. http://monroecountyfl.iqm2.com/citizens/default.aspx

 
Thursday April 20

  • The Planning Board for City of Key West will meet at 5pm at City Hall, 1300 White St. Key West. Check it out to see if these request for variances are in your area: http://keywest.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
  • There will be a Marathon Code Compliance Hearing at 2pm in the Marathon City Council Chambers, 9805 Overseas Hwy, Marathon. Seems folks are illegally renting properties without proper permits! For details: https://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/meetings
  • The Key Colony Beach City Commission will meet for a public hearing at 9:30am in the banquet room of the Key Colony Inn, 700 W. Ocean Dr., KCB. For Agenda: https://keycolonybeach.net/citydocs-1/

Activist Group Meetings this week

Wednesday April 19

  • The Lower Keys League of Women Voters will meet at 6:30pm in the back room of the VFW POST 3911, 2200 N Roosevelt Blvd. Topic for the night – Gun Safety! For details, check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LowerKeysLWV

Keys Dems Meeting this week

Wednesday April 19

  • The Upper Keys Dems will meet at 5:30pm in the sidebar of Denny’s at MM 97.6 in the median. Our Guest Speaker will be Sue Woltanski – Monroe County School Board Member. Join us and bring a friend!

Become more involved with the party and help us to maintain one of the most highly functioning county Democratic Parties in the state. It ain’t bragging when it’s true.

If you have time to spare and skills to share – email me. We need you now!

If all you can spare is $$$ – we need that, too! Try this: https://keysdems.com/donate-to-the-keys-democrats/
Or https://keysdems.com/join/

One last request. Regardless of what our cowardly, ignorant bully of a governor says, make sure your Covid shots are up to date. It is still out there! Stay well!

OK – I have another request – we need volunteers for our Pride Fest Voter Registration booth on June 10. Sign up for a 2-hour shift by emailing me. I will be out of town and need to get this organized, so Dakin and Stuart have the help they need to get the job done!

Thanks for all the calls and emails to those weasels in Tallahassee!

Don’t forget to renew your Vote-by-mail request. Thanks to Meatball Ron, they were all purged after the election. You can do it online: https://www.keyselections.org/Voters/Request-an-Absentee

See you in Key Largo on Weds!

Bert Sise/Chair
KeysDems

/by

Updates on Bills

,

Good morning Activists!

Here is a little update on where we are with Legislation that the Dems Senior Caucus has been monitoring!

4/1/23 Florida Legislative Summary
 
This report only includes bills filed in the 2023 Legislative Session that are assigned to committees, have a companion bill, and appear to have enough support to advance.  New content is in italics.  New bills are in red.  Please contact your legislators and voice your opposition or support.  You can view the state legislature in action on-line or on TV on the Florida Channel. 
 
Criminal Justice and Legal
 
CS/SB450 & HB  455 Jury Recommendations in Death Penalty Cases             Oppose
 
This bill will eliminate the current requirement for unanimous death verdicts in all death penalty cases.  The bill has been amended as follows:  in the sentencing phase of a trial if fewer than 8 jurors vote to recommend death, the sentence must be life in prison without parole, if at least 10 jurors recommend death the court must impose the death sentence, if either 8 or 9 jurors recommend death the judge may override the sentence and impose life without parole in certain circumstances.  Florida has the largest death row population of all states that still conduct executions.
 
Status:   Passed two committees in the House.  Passed Senate 29-11.
 
HB 991 & SB 1220 Defamation….                                                                           Oppose
 
This bill would make it easier to sue the media for defamation.  It limits the “malice requirement” that somewhat shields journalists from legal liability in defamation cases.  The plaintiff would not have to prove real injury to successfully sue for defamation.  The bill contains a severablility clause.   This means that if certain portions of the bill are struck down in court, other provisions will remain.  The bill allows someone who sues a journalist and wins to get their legal costs covered. Meanwhile, if that person loses, the journalist would have to cover their own legal expenses.   It allows a public figure (legislator, office holder) to be awarded statutory damages of at least $35,000 in defamation cases..
 
Status:  Passed one committee in the House.  Passed one committee in the Senate.
 
 Economy & Business
 
HB 3 & SB 302 Government & Corporate Activism                                              Oppose
 
This bill would prohibit Florida state and local retirement funds and FL tax dollars from being invested in funds or banks that practice so-called ESG investment policies.  Environmental, Social, and Governance criteria are widely embraced by the largest funds and banks on Wall Street.  The bill also prohibits banks from denying services to client’s based on political beliefs or if they are involved in the firearms or fossil fuel industries.  This bill could cost as much as $361 million in higher interest rates for municipal bonds.  It could severely affect millions of people invested in the state’s $180 million retirement fund for state employees.
 
Status:   Passed House 80-31.  Passed one committee in the Senate.
 
 HB1267 & SB 580  Consumer Finance Loans                                                       Oppose
 
This bill raises the maximum interest rate that may be charged for consumer finance loans (loans less than $25,000)  from 18% to 36%.
 
Status:  Passed one committee in the House .  Passed one committee in the Senate
 
(Anti) Education
 
SB 308, HB 225  Interscholastic Activities                                                            Oppose
 
This bill will allow prayers to be played over loudspeakers at public school sports events and allow any home schooled or private school student to try out for and participate in public school sports teams.  It would also restructure the Florida High School Athletic Association, eliminating local participation in the Board and giving the Governor full control of the Board.
 
Status:  Passed the House 80-29, passed all committees in the Senate.
 
 
HB 999 & SB266 Public Post Secondary Education                                             Oppose
 
This bill requires the board of trustees of  each Florida public institution of higher learning must approve all faculty hiring and firing, that tenure may be “reviewed and revoked” at any time, and that majors or minors in subjects like gender studies, etc. must be removed.  It prohibits any spending on programs that promote diversity, equity, or inclusion.
 
Status:  Passed two committees in the House, passed one committee in the Senate.
 
 
HB 1223, SB 1320  Child Protection in Public Schools                                        Oppose
 
This heinous bill expands the “Don’t Say Gay” bill to include all K-8 public school classrooms in the Senate version of the bill or in all K-12 schools in the House version of the bill.  The bill bans schools from acknowledging the existence of LBGTQ+ people in public school classrooms.  The bill specifically prohibits classroom instruction regarding sexual and gender identity, it bans the use of personal pronouns, promotes teaching ‘abstinence only’ birth control, and strips local school boards of the right to choose reproductive health course materials that include the information about menstruation, birth control, and STD’s.  This bill also makes it easier for “interested parties” to challenge books and materials.  Books or materials that are challenged will be unavailable until until a ruling is issued.  Any book or materials that “depict or describe sexual conduct” are illegal under this bill. 
 
Status:  Passed one committee in the House, passed one committee in the Senate.
 
SB256 & HB1445   Employee Organizations Representing Public Employees   Oppose
 
This bill aims to break the teachers’ unions in Florida.  The bill bans the automatic deduction of dues from union members paychecks and requires that at least 60% of the workers eligible for union representation be dues paying members.  It would “decertify” unions that don’t meet the 60% threshold, rendering contracts unenforceable.  Other public sector workers, law enforcement and firemen, are exempt from this bill.
 
Status:    Passed the Senate 23-17  Gruters and a few other Republicans joined the Democrats to vote NO.  Passed one committee in the House.
 
 Environment
 
SB192  HB175   Everglades Protection Area                                             Support
 
This bill provides additional rigorous scrutiny by the Department of Environmental Protection of county comprehensive or municipal plans located within 2 miles of the Everglades Protection Zone to protect the area’s resources from sprawl.  Endorsed by the Sierra Club.
 
Status:   Awaiting Senate floor vote.   Passed one House Committee.
 
 Firearms & Guns
 
SB 214 & HB 221 Sales of Firearms and Ammunition                             Oppose
 
This bill prohibits banks and other financial institutions from classifying or categorizing any transaction related to the sale of firearms or ammunition.
 
Status:  Passed the Senate 27-11.    Passed two committees in the House.
 
Healthcare
 
SB222 & HB 305 Protection of Medical Freedom                                     Oppose
 
This dangerous bill prohibits mandatory enrollment in the state”s immunization registry, rendering it useless for public health and disease control.  It expands the 1962 civil rights act to include discrimination protection for the unvaccinated. 
 
Status:  Awaiting committee hearings in both houses.
 
 
SB864 & HB1231 Death with Dignity                                                          Support
 
This bill allows a person with a fatal prognosis to request medication to end their life in a humane and dignified manner.   The bill specifies the conditions under which a patient would qualify for this, the waiting periods for the request, and right to rescind the request.
 
Status:  Awaiting committee hearings in both houses.
 
 Immigration
 
SB1718 & HB1617 Immigration                                                                   Oppose
 
This bill increases fines for businesses that hire illegal immigrants and allows for the revocation of  their business licenses.  It increases criminal penalties for those renting to immigrants.  The bill requires local sheriffs to take DNA samples from immigrants when they are arrested and to notify ICE.   It Invalidates out of state drivers’ licenses and prohibits local governments from issuing ID cards to immigrants. The bill mandates that hospitals track and report the cost of caring for immigrants to the state.  It also bans Dreamers from getting a Florida law license after November 2026.
 Status:  Awaiting hearings in the House.  Passed one committee in the Senate. 

(Anti) LGBTQ+ Rights
 
SB1438  & HB1423  Protection of Children                                   Oppose
 
This bill authorizes the state to fine, suspend, or revoke the license of any restaurant, bar, or hotel that admits a child to an adult live performance.  It is targeting “drag shows”. 
 
Status:  Passed one committee in the House.   Awaiting floor vote in the Senate.
 
 
SB 254 & HB 1421  Treatments for Sex Reassignment                           Oppose
 
This heartless and dangerous bill grants the courts the right to issue a temporary emergency injunction to stop a child from receiving gender affirming medical care.   It allows Florida courts the power to vacate child custody determinations for transgender children that were made in other states. 
 
Status:  Awaiting floor vote in the Senate.   Awaiting floor vote in the House.
 
 Local Preemption
 
CS/SB 170, HB1515 Local Ordinances                                                      Oppose
 
This bill is an onerous and wide ranging state preemption of local authority.  It requires governments to prepare business impact statements before the enactment of a proposed ordinance, it empowers business owners to sue municipalities and counties for passing ordinances that cause them financial losses, and allows businesses that prevail in a lawsuit  to receive attorney’s fees and costs.  Local governments are not entitled to the same attorney fee and cost reimbursement.
 
Status:  Passed the Senate 29-11.   Awaiting floor vote in the House.
 
HB359 & SB 540   Local Government Comprehensive Plans                 Oppose
 
This bill makes it more difficult for local homeowners and citizen groups to challenge comprehensive plans and amendments to comprehensive plans.  The loser of the challenge is liable for all legal fees and court costs.  Currently, the loser of the challenge is only liable for their own legals fees and court costs.
 
Status:  Passed one committee in the the Senate.   Awaiting floor vote in the House.
 
 Voting & Elections
 
HJR 31 & SJR 94 Partisan Elections for Members of District School Boards      Oppose
 
State Constitutional amendment for the partisan election of school board members.  If passed this amendment will be on the 2024 ballot.
 
Status:   Passed the House 79-34.  Passed two committees in the Senate.
 
 
HB 411 & SB444  District School Board Elections   Oppose
 
Allows people to run for school board who do not live in the district.   If elected, they must move into the district before being sworn into office. 
 
Status:  Passed the House 83-28.  Passed one committee in the Senate.
 
Women, Family, Children   
 
HB 97, SB130  Domestic Violence                                                              Support
 
This bill allows the court to consider tangible evidence of domestic violence against a parent when determining or reviewing custodial rights.  It would allow the temporary suspension of custodial rights when a restraining order is granted against a parent by the co-parent.  It is also known as Greyson’s Law, in honor of deceased four year old Greyson Kessler.  Current law does not mandate the court to consider such domestic violence evidence.  This bill is endorsed by the Family Law Division of the Florida Bar Association Florida.
 
Status:  Awaiting floor vote in the House.  Passed the Senate 40-0, all Republican Senators joined on as co-sponsors.   Kudos to Democratic Senators Berman and Book for their tireless work over two sessions on this much needed bill.
 
 SB 1416 & HB 1409 Dissolution of Marriage                                             Oppose
 
This bill makes it harder to be awarded alimony.  If awarded, the alimony would be of shorter duration, and would be less than current law allows.  The bill bans so-called “permanent” or “lifetime” alimony which is seldom awarded and only awarded in cases of a long term marriage (over 20 years) with extenuating circumstances such as a spouse or child with a permanent disability. 
 
Status:  Passed one committee in the Senate.  Passed one committee in the House. 
 
HB 7 & SB 300  Pregnancy and Parenting Support                                  Oppose
 
This bill is a 6 week abortion ban with exception for rape and incest.  However, victims of rape or incest would have to provide a copy of a restraining order, police report, medical record or court document to obtain an abortion after  the sixth week of pregnancy.  This paperwork requirement renders the exception virtually useless.  Documented rape and incest exceptions would end after 15 weeks of pregnancy.  Currently, only about 20% of rapes and sexual assaults are reported to police.  The bill bans the dispensing of abortion inducing medication through the mail or any other shipping service.  These medications must be dispensed by a physician, in person. 
 
Status:  Awaiting floor votes in both chambers this week.
 
 HB29 & SB 114   Tax Exemption for Diapers, Incontinence…    Support
 
Exempts diapers, incontinence undergarments, incontinence pads, & incontinence liners from sales & use tax.
 
Status:  Passed two committees in the Senate.  Passed one committee in the House.
 
 HB1201 & SB 1634   Dependent Children                                      Support
 
This is a comprehensive bill regarding the foster care system.  It contains new rules protecting children in foster care, streamlining court proceedings, and updating procedures regarding the adoption of children in foster care.  It expands support for those that “age out” of the foster care system (18-21 years olds).  Includes regulations for group homes for those at risk of human trafficking and victims of human trafficking.   This is a good first step for our expansive and very troubled foster care system.
 
Status: Passed one committee in the Senate.  Awaiting committee hearings in the Senate.
 
HB 543 & SB150 Public Safety                                                                                Oppose
 
This bill allows anyone over the aged 21 and over  to carry a concealed weapon in the state of Florida without licensure, background screening, and training.  As amended in the Senate it also provides funding for school “hardening”, including the use of firearm-detection dogs in schools, and armed “guardians” in public schools. 
 
Status:  Passed the House 76-32.  Passed the Senate 27-13.
 
 
 CS/HB 837 & SB 236  Civil Remedies                                                                     Oppose
 
This bill eliminates one-way attorney fee provisions for insurance cases, it significantly limits what a jury can award for medical damages, changes the statute of limitation from 4 to 2 years for individuals filing suit against a business, limits the admissibility of past medical treatment and expenses in a trial, limits damages to those without private health insurance to a percentage of the excessively low Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement rates.  Modifies the “bad faith” framework for civil suits.  represent a transfer of wealth from consumers and taxpayers to the insurance industry. As written, this bill will make it virtually impossible for an individual, except the extremely wealthy, to sue businesses.  represent a transfer of wealth from consumers and taxpayers to the insurance industry.
 
Status:    Passed  the House 80-31.   Passed the Senate 23-15.  Signed by the Governor 3/24/23.
 
 
 HB 1 & SB 202 – School Choice                                                                              Oppose
 
This bill makes K-12 school children eligible for educational savings accounts that can be used to pay private school, religious school, and voucher school tuition, private tutoring services, and home schooling expenses.  Each student will be eligible for about $8,000 per year in funding that would be diverted from public school funds. This will decimate funding for public education by directing public school funds to private schools, religious schools, and home schooling services and expenses that are exempt from state educational regulations including teacher qualification and academic standards.   In addition to this, the Senate version of this bill reduces accountability standards for public schools.
 
Status:   Passed the House 83-27.   Passed the Senate  26-12.   Signed by the Governor 3/27/23.
 
SB 102 & HB 627 Housing
 
This bill is called the “Live Local Act”.   It attempts to address the affordable housing crisis in Florida by easing zoning restrictions, giving tax exemptions to landlords that offer a percentage of their units below market rate, giving developers a tax break for for setting aside land for affordable housing, and adding over $500 million of dollars to the Sadowski Affordable Housing Fund.  It also restricts counties or municipalities from imposing rent controls.  This bill has bi-partisan support is probably the best bill we can hope for on this topic given the make-up of the legislature.
 
Status:  Passed Senate unanimously.  Passed the House 103-6.   Signed by the Governor 3/29/23.
 
Thank you Rose LaChapelle for this compilation and continued success as President for the Sarasota Democratic Senior Caucus
 
Thank you to Laurie Plotnick/chair – Florida Dems Senior Caucus and Loretta MacKay – Keys Dems Precinct Leader for sending this to me.
 
After reading this I just want to take a shower. What a pile of crap!
 
WAKE UP AMERICA
Bert Sise/Chair
KeysDems

/by

Letter From the Chair, April 10, 2023

Good morning Democrats!

Just when you think things can’t get crazier – Tennessee!

Wow, and then someone undercovers Clarence Thomas’ dirty little secrets! Can you say Impeach?

But here’s the one that really frosts my Twinkies!
“ The 46-year-old Trump-appointed Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk banned mifepristone, the FDA-approved abortion pill, under the 1873 Comstock Act. The law prohibits the mailing of contraceptives, “lewd” writing and any “instrument, substance, drug, medicine, or thing” that could be used in an abortion.
Just like that America’s women had something else taken away from them from a man in a black robe, declaring his right to make law because he has strong convictions about the way things should be. His decision had no basis in law or precedent. It is an unprecedented decision. Like many of his fellow zealots, Judge Kacsmaryk’s world view is ordered around the dogmas that assert the supremacy of men to decide what is best for women and their bodies on the basis of politics, not medicine, science or individual autonomy and freedom. Old habits die hard.” (from Steve Schmidt’s The Warning)

This young punk is not a Doctor! I cannot print what I want to call him! Karma will take care of him and his ilk…I just want to live long enough to see it!

Folks, the only way we create change is by speaking out. It can be overwhelming, I know. But start locally. Attend your local government meetings and speak out. Call and email your local and state elected officials and participate in protests. AND VOTE!

That 11 fuel pump 7-11 Convenience Store is coming back soon, along with the CEMEX property project to a planning meeting next week. Show up in droves if you want to protect your neighborhoods and local businesses from these two monster projects.
Remember – Democracy is not a Spectator Sport!

Start Here:

Local Government meetings this week

Tuesday April 11

 Wednesday April 12

Thursday April 13

Activist Group Meetings this week

Monday April 10

  • The Lower Keys DEMS will meet at 5:30pm in the back room of the VFW, 2200 N Roosevelt Blvd. in Key West. Our Guest Speaker will be Our Supervisor of Elections, Joyce Griffin. She will talk about new changes being made to election laws. Can you say Voter Suppression? Come early, grab some food and a drink. Bring a friend! 

Thursday April 13

  • The Stock island Assoc will hold it’s monthly meeting from 7-9pm in the community Room at Bernstein Park.

The head of our legislative team headed to Tallahassee yesterday to watch up close what the Tallahassee Taliban will jam through in the next week. I can’t wait to hear from her.

What they are doing is a bunch of evil, restricting, Fascist policies. Meatball Ron is a schoolyard bully, trying to prove how tough he is.
In reality, he is a mean spirited (white supremacist, Christian nationalist, neo Nazi) little man. (I think it’s still legal for me to express my opinion about him).

He is such a coward that he signed the permitless carry bill in a locked room with no press and the NRA standing behind him. They own him too and apparently keep him on a short leash!

We have to be just like the 2 Justin’s in Tennessee. The majority of Americans want gun control. But the GOP (AKA – Guns Over people) refuse to do a damn thing. The elected officials are “owned” by the gun lobby. (and the KLAN?)

The Corruption starts at the local level where very recently in Monroe County, Realtors wanted the County to change the building codes regarding downstairs enclosures, because $$$. FEMA requires certain rules to help keep our flood insurance rates down. Will changing the code cause our rates to rise? THEY DON’T CARE! It’s all about the $$$.

In Tallahassee, there is a bill being considered that would take the bite out of another bill that passed after the Surfside Condo collapse last year. This new bill would make it MORE difficult to hold contractors and developers accountable when dealing with heightened safety standards imposed by the community associations. (see Donna DiMaggio Berger’s column in the Miami Herald yesterday for more info on SB 360!) Will the GUV sign? How much money has he taken from this group?

Finally, The Miami Herald published a piece about Voter Suppression a few days ago written by Anna Hochkammer – Vice Mayor of Pinecrest. (smart Lady)Check it out on her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/annahochkammer
It is worth the read.

It’s going to be a busy week. We need you to help us work to save Democracy. Visit our web site and sign up to volunteer.
Or check out the join/donate button and do what you can! We need whatever help you can give!

Share this newsletter with like-minded friends and come to our meetings. We have fun – seriously!

Please remember to get your Vote by Mail status updated. It’s easy, just go to this link: https://www.keyselections.org/Voters/Request-an-Absentee

Show up to Hear Joyce Griffin tonight!!!
Watch for new Legislative Action Alerts!

Bert Sise/Chair
KeysDems

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Letter From the Chair – February 27, 2023

This past weekend was very busy for a few members of our Steering Committee as we attended events in Orlando. Our Vice-chair, Phill Dodderidge along with our 2 state Committee people – Debra Walker and Dakin Weekly were involved in the Election of a new Florida Democratic Party Chair. The winner was Nikki Fried! We are committed to revamping and rebuilding the FDP!

I was across town attending the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus annual meeting and attended panel discussions all day Saturday. It was extremely interesting, and I made some new friends!

However, we did not get back to our island home until after dark last night. Legislative update and ranting will happen later this week, Thanks to  Jason J. Smith for researching the info on Government meetings.  

Government meeting for this week
 
Monday February 27

Tuesday February 28

  • The Advisory Screening Committee for a City Attorney will meet at 10am at City Hall, 1300 White St., Key West, to take action on the selection of a City Attorney.
    Please visit http://keywest.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx for further information
  • The Marathon City Council will hold a “workshop” meeting at 4:30PM in City Hall,
    9805 Overseas Hwy., Marathon, FL to discuss the 33rd Street Corridor, Parking Meter issue
    and Building Permit Fees. For more info: https://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/meetings
     
  • Monroe County School District will meet at 5pm in the Media Center at Coral Shores High School,  89901 Old Highway Tavernier FL
    For more information visit https://monroe-k12.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1

 
Wednesday March 1 

  • THE ISLAMORADA YOUTH COUNCIL will be meeting at the Founders Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, Florida 4:00PM
    For more information visit https://www.islamorada.fl.us/

Thursday March 2 

  • The Islamorada Village Council will  meet at 3pm in the  3rd Floor Conference Room, located at 86800 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, Florida. 3:00 pm  to discuss the following pending litigation: Mary L. Barley, et al. v. Islamorada, Village of Islands, Case No. 23-CA-000034-P in the Circuit Court in and for Monroe County.
    For more information visit https://www.islamorada.fl.us/ 
  • The Islamorada Village Council will hold their regular meeting at 5pm
    at Founders Park Community Center 87000 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key. There are some interesting things this agenda RE: Property Insurance and some development rights transfers. Here’s the agenda: https://islamoradafl.portal.civicclerk.com/event/110/files

 
Activist Groups meeting this week

Wednesday March 1

  • The Key West chapter of Drinking Liberally will meet at 5:30pm in the back room at Brady’s (formerly Sally O’Brien’s, formerly Shanna Key) on the corner of Flagler and Bertha in Key West. Great discussions will be facilitated by Jeff and Stuart!
     

Good government starts at the local level with the involvement of an educated citizenry.

Democracy is NOT a spectator sport!

I hope to see you soon!

Bert Sise/Chair
KeysDems

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