Senator Mike Fasano: A voice in the wilderness

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Compensation Solutions Blog : Florida to flog you if you lose your job

MARCH 02, 2011

The Florida legislature approved a bill that would reduce unemployment benefits and make them more difficult to access.    As the unemployment rate lowers, the term would lower correspondingly.  

The bill would slash unemployment benefits to a maximum of 12 weeks if the unemployment rate is at 5% or below. The most Floridians could get is 23 weeks if the unemployment rate is 10.5% or higher.

The state's unemployment rate was 11.1% in March, the third highest in the nation.

This bill does not affect the federal jobless program which provides an additional benefit to those who are eligible, up to a maximum of 73 extra weeks. However, it does cut the number of weeks that a Floridan could draw unemployment

Another aspect of the bill is that it allows employers to deny benefits for employee misconduct, expanding the definition of misconduct to include lateness and absenteeism. Workers would be required to complete a job-skills assessment. 

Lastly, workers would be required to accept job offers that are at least comparable to their benefit, once they have reached 12 weeks of unemployment.

The bill also imposes additional requirements on the unemployed. They must complete an initial skills assessment.

Once the unemployed start collecting benefits, the jobless must submit reports that show they've either reported to a state career office or contacted at least five employers.


Governor Rick Scott is expected to sign the bill into law soon.

This problem arose because neither Jeb Bush nor Charlie Crist raised the unemployment compensation payroll tax in the past 12 years. When the great Bush recession started, the state quickly ran out of unemployment funds because the unemployment reserve was underfunded. 


The moral of this story is that cutting taxes to bare bones can have undesirable consequences. Even the ancient Egyptians knew this with their seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. 


How did Rick Scott solve the problem? Did he make the business community ante up who had been given a free ride for 12 years. No, he is screwing the Floridans who will lose their jobs. 


That is the Republican way. Are you surprised? 

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Capital Soup: Florida House passes resoultion to break down barrier to public aid to church schools

Tallahassee – Yesterday the Florida House of Representative passed House Joint Resolution (HJR) 1471, known as the Religious Freedom Act. The HJR proposes an amendment to Florida’s constitution that repeals  the Blaine Amendment language currently in Article I Section 3 of the Florida Constitution, which bars public aid to religious schools. 

Such a resolution has no substantive effect. Florida voters would have to approve such a change in a plebiscite. The GOP changed the Constitution so that changes must be approved by a super majority of 60 per cent of the voters. 

it is clear that the radical Republicans governor's office, house and senate would like to provide public aid to church schools, an old issue that was defeated in the courts decades ago. 

Rick Scott would like to voucherize the public school system and he would have to change the Florida Constitution to do it. This is what HRJ 1471 is really about.

source: http://capitalsoup.com/2011/04/28/florida-house-votes-to-stop-religious-discrimination-passes-religious-freedom-act-by-representatives-scott-plakon-and-steve-precourt/

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Rick Scott power grab: Stack the Florida Supreme Court

 Florida Supreme Court

The Florida House of Representatives will cast their first vote to change the structure of the Florida Supreme Court. 


Why? Because some powerful GOP leaders resent the court for putting the public’s interest ahead of their own political agenda. They’re trying to change the rules by adding three new justices – all handpicked by their buddy, Gov. Rick Scott.¹

We must stop this power grab. Tell your legislator today not to make the people’s court a rubber stamp for Gov. Scott and his allies. Tell the politicians: stop trying to undermine the independence of our courts.

According to the St. Petersburg Times, House Speaker Dean Cannon's proposal would "divide the current seven-member Supreme Court into two five-justice divisions, one for civil cases and one for criminal.

The real goal is to give Gov. Scott three new appointments to the court and dramatically shift the make-up of the court. The other goal is to move justices they don't like out of “civil” cases, where profound policy decisions are addressed, and into a newly formed “criminal” only division of the Supreme Court.  

This scheme threatens the fundamental concept of three branches of government designed to provide checks and balances that serve to protect our most important civil rights and freedoms.
 
Tell your legislator today, they need to solve our state’s real problems, like creating instead of cutting jobs, and stop undermining a court system that ensures we the people are protected from abuse of power.

There are many important bills being considered during this year’s legislative session but this power grab would undermine our most basic protections and rights forever. Tell the politicians in Tallahassee this is where we draw the line.

For a better Florida,

Mark, Damien and the rest of the Progress Florida team.

Use the hyperlink to: 


Tell Your Legislators: Stop Gov. Scott’s Dangerous Power Grab


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Florida Chamber of commerce worried about union activity in central Flordia

Government unions bring their Wisconsin-style bully tactics to three Central Florida lawmaker offices today –Rep. Chris Dorworth (R-Heathrow), Rep. Scott Plakon (R-Longwood), and Rep. Jason Brodeur (R-Oviedo).

Protestors – grappling for power and money – are targeting lawmakers like Rep.’s Dorworth, Plakon and Brodeur because government unions don’t want to share in the sacrifices that businesses and families across Florida are making.

Despite strong education gains that have propelled Florida’s schools from 31st to 5th in the nation, government union members are intent on shifting away from progress, accountability and sustainability in favor of status quo and not sharing in the sacrifice.

In response to these staged government union protests, the Florida Chamber of Commerce today released the following radio advertisement to shine light on these Wisconsin-style bully tactics. This spot is running on Central Florida radio stations.

This is some blatant right wing propaganda. Teachers have had their wages frozen and experienced lay-offs for the past five years. 


Rick Scott wants to privatize Florida education by providing vouchers to any parent that wants one. The teachers are tired of being beat-up by the GOP ploticans and their proxies like the Florid Chamber of commerce.

Who does the GOP think made these education gains, the politicians in Tallahassee?

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ACLU sues Florida governor Rick Scott to implement voter approved Amendments 5 and 6

Dear Floridan: 

Two weeks ago, I sued Governor Rick Scott in federal court.


I sued to stop the governor from blocking and delaying the clear will of Florida voters.


The conflict is over the Fair District Amendments which passed last year to set standards for drawing fair legislative and congressional district boundaries.

Floridians demanded fair districts with the passage of Amendments 5 and 6.

Urge Governor Scott to swiftly implement Fair Districts in Florida.


Only a few days into his term, Governor Scott quietly directed his office to cancel and actually take back a routine, required check of the Fair District Amendments by the federal Department of Justice.

His unannounced and unprecedented action has placed Florida in violation of the United States Voting Rights Act.


When voters passed the amendments, then-Governor Charlie Crist correctly asked the Justice Department to review and approve the amendments.


Almost as soon as he was sworn in, however, Governor Scott immediately told the federal authorities, in essence, "never mind."


Floridians were clear about the need for fairer, more balanced districts. Both amendments passed with more than 62 percent approval statewide, bringing an end to the era of gerrymandering that had left many Floridians without a voice in government.


At stake in our lawsuit is whether or not our state will reverse the will of the people and fall back into an era when many voters were silenced by an outlandish district map designed to protect incumbents and silence voters.

That is why I sued the governor.


Attorneys from the ACLU of Florida -- which has already filed a motion to intervene in a legal challenge to the Fair District Amendments -- have now joined the legal team in my case to preserve the rights of Florida voters.


Two weeks ago, I sued the governor to defend voting rights in Florida. In this critical case, I am proud to have the ACLU of Florida standing beside me.


I ask that you join me in defending the Fair District Amendments:

Tell Governor Scott that you demand the quick and fair implementation of Amendments 5 and 6.


Patricia Lenny,
President, ACLU Florida Keys Chapter

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Scott Randolph, a real Democrat in Florida

Dear Friends,

It’s a new year, and the start of a new term in the Florida House of Representatives. Thank you for giving me another opportunity to represent you, your issues, and your concerns for another term.

Florida faces a whopping $4.6 billion budget shortfall after the expiration of the nearly $12 billion in federal Recovery money, used for the last two years to fund education, transportation and health care for seniors and children. Despite these problems, the Governor continues to propose tax cuts for large corporations at the expense of the middle class. I will continue to be an advocate for the middle class, and I will not hesitate to speak out against these bad policies.


As always, my priorities this year will focus on legislation that is good for Florida’s middle class. This week, I filed the Competitive Workforce Act, legislation that will ensure equality in the workplace and attract employers to Florida.

It’s an important step in growing our economy and moving Florida forward. More than 80% of Fortune 500 companies have fully inclusive non-discrimination policies. By demonstrating that Florida respects and protects diversity, we can attract new employers and high-paying jobs to the state.

I also filed a bill to increase funding for low-cost spay and neuter programs. While not a conventional cost-cutting measure, this bill could actually save local governments $30 to $40 million annually.

Each year, local governments in Florida spend nearly $90 million euthanizing more than 150,000 cats and dogs. Not only is this an inhumane practice, it’s a strain on the budgets of local government. Other states that have initiated similar programs have seen their costs reduced by as much as 40% within a few short years.

To hear my take on the upcoming legislative session, watch my interview with Craig Patrick, of Central Florida Spotlight here.

At home in district 36, I’ve been attending great community events with supporters and friends. On Saturday, I was invited to the Lake County DEC breakfast, with over 100 members in attendance!

The weekend before, I spoke at the Veterans’ Flag Pole Project Dedication Ceremony (check out my Facebook page for pictures of the event!) I was also honored to march in two Martin King Luther Jr. Day Parades!

If you know of a community event in the future, send me an invitation at scott.randolph@myfloridahouse.gov, on Facebook, or tweet me details on Twitter!


UP NEXT: IN TALLAHASEE: The Governor plans to release his proposed budget on February 7th, and I’ll be back in Tallahassee for legislative committee meetings that same week.

IN CENTRAL FLORIDA: I’ll be speaking at the Kiwanis Club Meeting on February 4th at 12 p.m., at the Orlando Day Nursery.
Sincerely,

Scott

District 36 is in Central Florida with its center in Orlando. it good to see at least one Florida Democrat in the state house who is not a Blue Dog type.

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Politifact: Rep. Allen West (R-FL) tells a whooper the first week in office

Which of these representatives told the truth? 

But Democrat Rep. Debbie Wasseman-Schultz tells the truth.

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Manatees are cold in Manatee County, Florida

First Person: Cold Manatees Swim to Warmth
Associated Press Dec. 28, 2010. 03:41 PM EST

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Pam Bondi: Complete freaking ideologue on health care

Need Rightardia say more? 

Tampa — Today, Attorney General- Elect Pam Bondi issued the following statement after the oral phone arguments on Florida’s legal challenge to the new federal health care law:

Today’s hearing demonstrated that the health care law depends on a vision of limitless federal power that is completely contrary to our Constitution. As Attorney General, I will continue to fight back on behalf of Florida’s families and businesses against this unconstitutional and unaffordable law. 

Nineteen states already have joined Florida’s lawsuit, and we look forward to increasing that number as other states’ newly-elected leaders take office next year.

Arguments were heard in the Northern District Federal Court in Pensacola at 9:00 CST. Attorney General-Elect Bondi participated in today’s hearing via a call in line, which allowed her to hear the oral arguments.

Floridians elected a lightweight when they made Buffy Bondi, a Fox News legal analyst, the State's Attorney General. Her previous claim to fame we being named to the Tampa Bay's Best Dressed list in 2009.


State Rep. Rick Kriseman (D-St. Petersburg), the policy chair of the Florida House Democratic Caucus, released the following statement on the opening arguments on the same lawsuit filed in Pensacola:
 
It remains a severe disappointment that the Office of Attorney General of Florida, with the support of Republican legislative leadership, continues to waste taxpayer dollars advancing a partisan political agenda with a lawsuit that, on thin legal ground, threatens to unravel historic advancements in health care for all Americans.

Rather than attempting to squelch the rights of citizens to obtain quality medical care, Florida’s elected leaders should embrace their responsibility to implement the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. I am confident that full deployment of the act will not only improve the lives of all Floridians but also will prove to be a needed boost to our economy.

Like many Floridians, I am hopeful that the courts will recognize that the new health law and its individual mandate to purchase health insurance lies well within the authority of Congress to regulate health insurance companies.

Source: Capital Soup

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Fox New's War on Christmas will have a field day with this one

Before anyone starts claiming this is a liberal conspiracy against Christians, Florida has been run by the GOP for 12 years. The governor's mansion, the state house and the Senate are GOP controlled.

After the last election, the GOP now has a super majority in Florida.

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Florida Democrat primary has some early winners

Rep. Meek overcomes Greene's fortune, attacks to win Florida's Democratic Senate nomination | StarTribune.com

Rep. Kendrick Meek is the Democratic nominee for Senate, overcame billionaire Jeff Greene's massive television and mail onslaught to win a bitter Florida primary.

If he wins again in November, Meek will be the state's first black senator.

Meek was outspent by an estimated 5-to-1 ratio and at one point fell behind in the polls after Greene entered the race on the last possible day and began flooding the state with television ads.

The race was often nasty, with Greene calling Meek corrupt and Meek saying Greene bet against Floridians when he made investments that earned him hundreds of millions of dollars when the housing market collapsed. The St.Petersburg Times , however, uncovered that Green has run the embargo in Cuba. Gawker referred to Meek as a playboy.

Meek will now face Republican Marco Rubio and independent Gov. Charlie Crist in the general election.

Alex sink will also won the Democratic nomination for governor of Florida. Alex Sink, the state's chief financial officer, easily won the Democratic nomination Tuesday, garnering almost 80 percent of the vote over token opposition.

Wealthy newcomer Rick Scott took a slight early lead in the race for the Republican nomination for Florida governor. With 42 percent of the state's precincts reporting, Scott had 46 percent of the vote to Attorney General Bill McCollum's 44 percent.

Rightardia believes Scott would be the easier to the two Republican candidates for Sink to beat. The GOP establishment came out heavily in support of Bill McCollum.

Dan Gelber is also leading in the Florida primary race for Attorney general.

So far Rightardia has called all three Florida races correctly.

source: http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/101432154.html?elr=KArks8c7PaP3iUxWoW_oD:EaDUiacyKUzyaP37D_MDua_eyD5PcOiUr

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Florida State coach Bobby Bowden finally resigns

Bobby Bowden is 80 years of age and the Rightardia staff was not too excited of seeing a coach pass away on the football field.  He coached for 34 seasons and only trails Penn State's Joe Paterno with 388 wins. We wish him well.



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