A poll taken in late August shows former state Sen. Dave Aronberg trouncing current Palm Beach County State Attorney Michael McAuliffe in a hypothetical Democratic primary matchup for the job as the county's top prosecutor.
Meanwhile, the one-term state attorney has drawn some negative attention from critics. The Florida Commission on Ethics recently dismissed a complaint accusing McAuliffe of dropping police brutality-related charges to curry favor with, and the endorsement of, the Police Benevolent Association for his reelection campaign.The federal government announced today that it has denied Florida’s request to phase in a medical loss ratio (MLR) requirement for health insurance companies.
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency has “determined that the evidence presented does not establish a reasonable likelihood that the application of the 80 percent MLR standard will destabilize the Florida individual market. Consequently, we have determined not to adjust the MLR standard in the Florida individual market and, thereby, ensure that consumers receive the full benefit of this provision of the Affordable Care Act.”
Despite a 10.7 percent unemployment rate that is higher than the national average, Scott and GOP legislative leaders have criticized Obama's plan. ... Florida could stand to receive more than $7.5 billion for schools, roads and other projects.
Heads up: Congress is debating a budget plan that would be devastating to Florida. Will you pass this along?
Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio need to hear from all of us about it right now, before they cut a deal in the next few days.
Please spread the word about all of these proposed cuts to Florida:
It's especially galling when the same budget protects tax breaks for corporations like GE and the very rich.
Just last night the news broke that Congress may be close to striking a deal on the budget. Now is the only time we can influence the outcome.
Can you call Sens. Nelson and Rubio and ask them to oppose these cuts in the budget? You can pick one of the cuts in this list to highlight in your call.
Senator Bill Nelson
Phone: 202-224-5274
Senator Marco Rubio
Phone: 202-224-3041
Click to report your call. Then pass this email along locally!
The cuts that the Republicans are proposing would disproportionately hit those who can least afford it in Florida, and it's up to us to stop them.
Thanks for all you do.
-Daniel, Amy, Milan, Tate, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "House Bill Means Fewer Children in Head Start, Less Help for Students to Attend College, Less Job Training, and Less Funding for Clean Water," Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, March, 1, 2010
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=3405
2. "Projected Reduction in Children Served in Head Start Based on H.R. 1—Fiscal Year 2011 Continuing Resolution," Center for Law and Social Policy
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=207278&id=26722-7252522-o9uXoix&t=3
3. "House Bill Means Fewer Children in Head Start, Less Help for Students to Attend College, Less Job Training, and Less Funding for Clean Water," Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, March, 1, 2010
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=3405
4. Ibid
5. Ibid
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Florida currently allows for the recall of local elected officials, but there is no provision in state law to allow for the recall of state officials. House Joint Resolution 785 and House Bill 787, both sponsored by Representative Kriseman, would allow the public to recall from office Florida legislators, members of the Florida Cabinet, governor and lieutenant governor.
“Engaged citizens deserve the tools to hold their public servants accountable without having to wait for the next election,” said Representative Kriseman. “Honest and dedicated elected officials will have nothing to fear from the implementation of this important proposal, and I am confident that my colleagues will support its passage.”
HJR 785 allows for a petition to recall a statewide official, requiring signatures be collected from each of the 67 counties, and the signatures equal 15 percent of the total votes cast in the last election for the office. A petition to recall a member of the Florida Legislature would require signatures from 20 percent of the total votes cast in the last election for the office.
If HJR 785 is approved by the Legislature, voters will be asked on the November 2012 General Election ballots to amend the state constitution with the recall provision. House Bill 787 would create a statutory recall provision. Read more....
"At a time when Florida residents will soon be able to access affordable health insurance on their own terms, the decision by Florida to return the money that will help the state implement health insurance reform is just flat wrong.
“The decision by the Governor and the Insurance Commissioner to stop implementing the reforms squarely puts the state on the side of the insurance industry over Florida taxpayers. By denying Floridians the important health reforms enacted in the Affordable Care Act, the state's residents and small businesses would be denied critical new benefits of the law, like protections against insurance industry abuses and new coverage options.
“Without the Affordable Care Act, nearly 3.2 million seniors in Florida who have Medicare coverage would be forced to pay a co-pay to receive important preventive services, such as mammograms and colonoscopies, and more than 182,000 individuals on Medicare would see significantly higher prescription drug costs.”
“In Florida, 182,672 Medicare beneficiaries received a one-time, tax-free two-hundred-fifty dollar rebate to help pay for prescription drugs in the `donut hole’ coverage gap in 2010. Medicare beneficiaries who fall into the “donut hole” in 2011 will be eligible for 50-percent discounts on covered brand name prescription drugs.
“Without the law, the burden of high prescription drug costs would hurt millions of Medicare beneficiaries across the country.”
Rep. Mark Pafford, Democratic ranking member of the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee
According to Human Rights Campaign, diversity is good for business. Eighty-seven percent of Fortune 500 Companies include sexual orientation provisions in their anti-discrimination policies. In a modern market place, a fully inclusive anti-discrimination policy allows businesses to be more competitive.
Florida law fails to protect all Floridians against workplace discrimination. The Competitive Workforce Act will not only ensure equal protection for all Floridians, it will make Florida a more attractive location for business investments.
“In a time of serious economic hardship, it is imperative that we do everything we can to encourage economic growth and investment,” Representative Scott Randolph said. “This bill promotes smart business practices that will attract employers to our state and create jobs. The Competitive Workforce Act seeks to move Florida forward.”
Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith is pleased to announce today the appointment of the Select Committee on Delegate Selection.
“Today, as we begin working on the 2012 delegate selection process, I am pleased to announce the appointment of our Select Committee on Delegate Selection. Led by Florida Democratic Party Secretary Rick Boylan, this committee is charged with drafting the plan for selecting Florida’s delegation to the 2012 Democratic National Convention.”
Specifically, the Select Committee on Delegate Selection will develop a plan that complies with the rules set by the Democratic National Committee and reflects the great diversity of the Sunshine State.
Additionally, Chairman Smith is appointing Ron Mills of Broward County to Chair the subcommittee responsible for drafting the Affirmative Action, Outreach and Inclusion Plan, which will ensure Florida’s delegation has broad representation by all of the Party’s constituencies.
Select Committee on Delegate Selection Members include:
Florida Democratic Party Secretary Rick Boylan – Chair
Orange County Democratic Party Chair Amy Mercado – Vice-Chair
Florida Democratic Party Affirmative Action Committee Chair Adora Obi Nweze
Collier County State Committeeman Chuck Mohlke
Hillsborough County State Committeewoman Sally Phillips
Florida Democratic Party Vice Chair Alison Morano
Florida Democratic Party First Vice Chair Rhett Bullard
Commissioner Andrew Gillium
Duval County State Committeeman Ray Alfred
Hillsborough County State Committeeman Alan Clendenin
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Remember when Jimmy Stewart takes the Senate floor in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and refuses to cede it until he's made his point? That's how filibusters are supposed to work: A principled senator would stand up in the light of day to stop the majority from doing something bad.
These days, though, filibusters—the procedure that the minority party in the Senate uses to block a majority favored bill—don't work that way. All it takes is one anonymous objection from a single senator to trigger a filibuster. In fact, in the 1960s, only 8% of all bills were blocked by a filibuster—but since 2006 that has ballooned to more than 70%.1
Now, Senators Tom Udall and Jeff Merkley are pushing for rule changes that would end the abuse of the filibuster. Those changes could come up for a vote as soon as this week. So we need to speak out right away to show how important this reform is to voters at home. Can you call Sen. Rubio and ask him to support rules reform to end abuse of the filibuster?
Here's where to call:
Senator Marco Rubio
Phone: 202-224-3041
Then, please report your call by clicking here:
This vote is not about ending the filibuster or crushing minority rights in government. It's about returning our government to a more democratic and transparent process.
In the last two Congressional terms Democrats have had to overcome more than 275 filibusters—the most in history.2
Here's what the New York Times says is on the table for rules reform:3
"No lazy filibusters. At least 10 senators would have to file a filibuster petition, and members would have to speak continuously on the floor to keep the filibuster going. To ensure the seriousness of the attempt, the requirements would grow each day: five senators would have to hold the floor for the first day, 10 the second day, etc. Those conducting the filibuster would thus have to make their case on camera. (A cloture vote of 60 senators would still be required to break the blockade.)
"Fewer bites of the apple. Republicans now routinely filibuster not only the final vote on a bill, but the initial motion to even debate it, as well as amendments and votes on conference committees. Breaking each of these filibusters adds days or weeks to every bill. The plan would limit filibusters to the actual passage of a bill.
"Minority amendments. Harry Reid, the majority leader, frequently prevents Republicans from offering amendments because he fears they will lead to more opportunities to filibuster. Republicans say they mount filibusters because they are precluded from offering amendments. This situation would be resolved by allowing a fixed number of amendments from each side on a bill, followed by a fixed amount of debate on each one."
Please call Sen. Rubio today and ask him to support rules reform to end abuse of the filibuster.
STATEMENT OF RON MILLS, PRESIDENT OF DOLPHIN DEMOCRATS,
ON THE PASSAGE OF DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL REPEAL
Ron Mills, president of the Dolphin Democrats, Florida’s oldest and largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Democratic club, issued the following statement on the passage of legislation to repeal the ban on openly-gay members serving in the military:
“Our nation was founded on the concept of equality for all, and yet equality for gay and lesbian Americans is still a work in progress. Today, with the US Senate’s passage of legislation to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, those gay and lesbian Americans who wish to serve their country without hiding their true identities are one step closer to equality.
“All 10 of Florida’s congressional Democrats in the House voted to repeal the ban earlier this week, joined by Republicans Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Lincoln Diaz-Balart. We thank them for recognizing that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell had to go. We also thank Senator Bill Nelson for his vote against the ban.
“The Dolphin Democrats have been out front in fighting for repeal, working with the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus and National Stonewall Democrats. But this should not be seen as a partisan victory – rather, it is a victory shared by all Americans that underscores our true values.
“There are still many more key pieces of legislation lingering in Washington guaranteeing the LGBT community is ensured equality, but today we will celebrate the repeal of the discriminatory ban on openly gay men and women serving in the military. It’s a wonderful holiday gift for all Americans.”
Ron Mills
President, Dolphin Democrats
Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman released the following statement reacting to Bud Chiles announcement that he is withdrawing from the Governor's race:
"During his campaign for governor, Bud Chiles reminded Floridians of the values he and his family have dedicated lifetimes of service to our state fighting for -- such as cleaning up the Republican culture of corruption in Tallahassee, working to improve Florida's public schools, and advocating for children across the Sunshine State.
"By withdrawing from the race and supporting Alex Sink, Bud allows Floridians to be fully united behind Alex, the new and different leader we need to bring jobs to our state using her 26 years of business experience."
Dear Friends:
Please join me in supporting Democrat Dave Aronberg for Florida Attorney General.
When it comes to human rights, Florida is way behind the curve. That’s why we need a passionate, energetic Dave Aronberg as our next AG – and not just another candidate from the political establishment. Dave has shaken up the status quo throughout his career as an Assistant Attorney General and then as a State Senator.
As a Senator, Dave represents a district that is only about 39% Democratic – stretching from West Palm Beach to Fort Myers. Yet Dave was one of the leading voices in the legislature to call for specific GLBT protections in our State’s anti-bullying law, and helped ensure that the law’s legislative history included such protection. In fact, he was the only Senator to publicly stand with Ryan Skipper’s parents to help pass this important law. See the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9DW0iVsQG4.
Dave has been one of the leading voices against Florida’s ban on gay adoption and has co-sponsored bills to repeal the law. As Attorney General, Dave has publicly announced that he will end the State’s litigation to defend this “immoral” and “unconstitutional” ban.
In 2008, even as he was fighting for his own re-election against a well-funded Republican challenger in a competitive Senate district, Dave served on the Red and Blue Advisory Board to attempt to defeat Amendment 2.
And when Leon County was debating a landmark civil rights ordinance earlier this year, Dave Aronberg (at my request), put his campaign schedule on hold and traveled to Tallahassee to speak up for the ordinance, which then passed into law.
This is why Dave Aronberg has been endorsed by such leaders in our community as Broward Mayor Ken Keechl and GLBT Democratic Caucus President Michael Albetta, along with many others (including me- Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus Financial Director) who want action and not just talk.
This crucial election is August 24th. The turnout is expected to be low, so we can make a real difference in this race.
For more on Dave Aronberg and his campaign to change Florida as our next Attorney General, please visit www.davearonberg.com.
Sincerely,
Jeff G. Peters, Esq.
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