Who says it all has to be about the economy? With Florida's legislators back in town, there is always something to blog about...
Two articles today highlight the trouble facing House Democrat Leader Franklin Sands, who has most recently come under fire for allegedly participating in pay-to-play politics. Read the Orlando Sentinel article and the News-Press article.
Meanwhile, House Majority Leader Adam Hasner told the Tallahassee Democrat, "'Our system isn't set up that way,' adding that assignments are based solely on a member's expertise and interest."
"When a reporter asked if the assignments were also based on the quality of their golf swings, Hasner jokingly agreed.
"'Yeah, that's why I don't chair any committees,' he said."
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Broward Republican Party re-elects leaders
By Anthony Man, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
The top leadership of the Broward Republican Party — Chairman Chip LaMarca and Vice Chairwoman Cindy Guerra — will run the local party for the next two years.
Republican committeemen and committeewomen elected in the August primary voted overwhelmingly Monday night to re-elect LaMarca and Guerra. Republicans also re-elected Richard Stark treasurer.
The newcomer to the leadership team is Michael De Gruccio, a former president of the Broward Young Republicans. He's the party's new secretary.
None of the leadership team had opposition.
Even though Democrats in Broward outnumber Republicans, LaMarca said in the new year the party would get involved in helping the handful of Republicans running for re-election in cities, towns and villages, and would seek to bolster their numbers.
He also said better Internet-based technology and increasing the number of active committeemen and committeewoman would be high on his priority list as the party looks toward the 2010 gubernatorial and U.S. Senate elections.
The top leadership of the Broward Republican Party — Chairman Chip LaMarca and Vice Chairwoman Cindy Guerra — will run the local party for the next two years.
Republican committeemen and committeewomen elected in the August primary voted overwhelmingly Monday night to re-elect LaMarca and Guerra. Republicans also re-elected Richard Stark treasurer.
The newcomer to the leadership team is Michael De Gruccio, a former president of the Broward Young Republicans. He's the party's new secretary.
None of the leadership team had opposition.
Even though Democrats in Broward outnumber Republicans, LaMarca said in the new year the party would get involved in helping the handful of Republicans running for re-election in cities, towns and villages, and would seek to bolster their numbers.
He also said better Internet-based technology and increasing the number of active committeemen and committeewoman would be high on his priority list as the party looks toward the 2010 gubernatorial and U.S. Senate elections.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Chairman's Greer's Politico Op-Ed
Putting the people back in politics
Over the past 25 years I have had the opportunity to view the Republican Party wearing the hat of a small-town city councilman, political fundraiser, and now as chairman of the state party for the fourth largest state in the nation, during the most important presidential election in my lifetime.
Despite this tremendous opportunity, the role from which I have learned the most was not my last two years as chairman, but the years when, like the majority of Americans, I wore the hat of a small business owner, husband, and father of four. It is through the eyes of a businessman – not the party structure – that I became a Republican. I’ve learned that our party draws its strength not from the principles elected officials talk about, but from the values average Americans live by.
Refocusing on these values, putting partisan rhetoric aside, and putting the people back in politics, Republicans can regain our foundation and focus on serving the people. It’s what we do in Florida. It works for us here, and I believe it’s what we need to do in Washington and across the nation.
Read more here.
Over the past 25 years I have had the opportunity to view the Republican Party wearing the hat of a small-town city councilman, political fundraiser, and now as chairman of the state party for the fourth largest state in the nation, during the most important presidential election in my lifetime.
Despite this tremendous opportunity, the role from which I have learned the most was not my last two years as chairman, but the years when, like the majority of Americans, I wore the hat of a small business owner, husband, and father of four. It is through the eyes of a businessman – not the party structure – that I became a Republican. I’ve learned that our party draws its strength not from the principles elected officials talk about, but from the values average Americans live by.
Refocusing on these values, putting partisan rhetoric aside, and putting the people back in politics, Republicans can regain our foundation and focus on serving the people. It’s what we do in Florida. It works for us here, and I believe it’s what we need to do in Washington and across the nation.
Read more here.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Rangel Hits Obama Closer to Home
It certainly didn't take long for scandal to rear its ugly head in the new era of Democratic control. Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich saw to that, and in spectacular fashion.
But while most attention is fixed on the Blagojevich scandal -- coming as it does in President-elect Barack Obama's home state and replete as it is with enough tape-recorded talk of peddling a Senate seat, shaking down contributors and blackmailing journalists to make even FBI agents blush -- it may not be the most troublesome one for the new president.
His more vexing problem could turn out to be that other, quieter scandal dogging Democrats. That's the one involving Rep. Charles Rangel, head of the House Ways and Means Committee.
Read more from the Wall Street Journal here.
But while most attention is fixed on the Blagojevich scandal -- coming as it does in President-elect Barack Obama's home state and replete as it is with enough tape-recorded talk of peddling a Senate seat, shaking down contributors and blackmailing journalists to make even FBI agents blush -- it may not be the most troublesome one for the new president.
His more vexing problem could turn out to be that other, quieter scandal dogging Democrats. That's the one involving Rep. Charles Rangel, head of the House Ways and Means Committee.
Read more from the Wall Street Journal here.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Karen Thurman Tells Barack Obama: ‘You Can Keep Your Change’
Tallahassee—Barack Obama has pledged to set up a bipartisan administration and revive the economy. We take him at his word. Florida Democrat Chairman Karen Thurman, however, refuses to follow the lead of President-Elect Obama, continuing to hurl hyper-partisan attacks across the aisle instead of working for change.
Under the leadership of Governor Crist, Republicans are working to get our economy back on track by accelerating transportation projects, increasing access to affordable healthcare, and helping homeowners facing foreclosure. Our goal is to stimulate the economy and keep taxes low, versus stimulating controversy for political hay and taking the low road. Republicans have also tried to reach across the aisle and appoint Democrats to leadership positions in the Legislature, but instead of accepting the positions and working with Republicans for change, the Democrats used the same old playbook and refused “…so that it would be easier for the minority party to criticize the GOP-run process.” (“House Democrats Decline Committee Leadership Positions" )
While accusing Republicans of election losses, Thurman neglects to mention that the Florida Democrats had an unprecedented amount of cash, staff, and resources this election cycle, but they still couldn’t beat one Republican incumbent Legislator this year.
If Karen Thurman and the Democrats are interested in doing what’s best for Floridians, they would stop the nonsense, end the political games, and give up the ridiculous attacks.
If the Democrats want to do what’s best for Republicans, they will keep up the same old attacks and repetitive losses.
Meanwhile, we’ll keep providing strong leadership that the people will continue to support at the ballot box. We appreciate your assistance, Chairman Thurman!
Under the leadership of Governor Crist, Republicans are working to get our economy back on track by accelerating transportation projects, increasing access to affordable healthcare, and helping homeowners facing foreclosure. Our goal is to stimulate the economy and keep taxes low, versus stimulating controversy for political hay and taking the low road. Republicans have also tried to reach across the aisle and appoint Democrats to leadership positions in the Legislature, but instead of accepting the positions and working with Republicans for change, the Democrats used the same old playbook and refused “…so that it would be easier for the minority party to criticize the GOP-run process.” (“House Democrats Decline Committee Leadership Positions" )
While accusing Republicans of election losses, Thurman neglects to mention that the Florida Democrats had an unprecedented amount of cash, staff, and resources this election cycle, but they still couldn’t beat one Republican incumbent Legislator this year.
If Karen Thurman and the Democrats are interested in doing what’s best for Floridians, they would stop the nonsense, end the political games, and give up the ridiculous attacks.
If the Democrats want to do what’s best for Republicans, they will keep up the same old attacks and repetitive losses.
Meanwhile, we’ll keep providing strong leadership that the people will continue to support at the ballot box. We appreciate your assistance, Chairman Thurman!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Governor Crist Launches Cover Florida
To launch the Cover Florida Health Care Access Program available January 5, 2009, Governor Charlie Crist today witnessed the signing of contracts between six health insurance providers and Secretary Holly Benson of the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and Commissioner Kevin McCarty of the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR). The new health insurance plans will make affordable, quality health insurance coverage and access to health care available to Florida’s 3.8 million uninsured applicants age 19 to 64, with four of the six carriers insuring children of applicants.
Read more here.
Read more here.
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