Tell the Tribune - No Koch News!

The billionaire industrialist Koch brothers are not satisfied with buying our elected officials: now they want to buy the media, too.

The Tribune Company is selling eight daily newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune,South Florida Sun Sentinel,  as well as papers in electoral battleground states -- and Koch Industries might be the buyer.

Nationally, the Kochs pledged $400 million for the 2012 elections. In 2010, the Koch brothers gave $1 million to rollback emission controls in California, and a Koch-connected nonprofit funnelled $11 million towards two statewide propositions in 2012. Would the Los Angeles Times cover these stories if the Kochs bought the newspaper? Or would it become a mouthpiece for the Koch agenda?

We don’t need more corporate control of our media – particularly from the Koch brothers, who have a proven track record of using their business ventures to advance an extreme ideological agenda.

TELL THE TRIBUNE COMPANY: DON’T SELL NEWSPAPERS TO THE KOCH BROTHERS

Stop the South Florida Sun-Sentinel from being sold to the Koch brothers

The Koch brothers have devoted their fortunes to bankrolling climate change denial, union busting, and the Tea Party. Now, they want to expand their radical right-wing propaganda to communities across the country by buying and "Fox-News-ifying" local papers, including the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. It's part of a larger bid to buy the Tribune Company's media assets, which includes TV stations and major newspapers with a history of reliable coverage.  

The owners of the Tribune Company are soliciting offers on the papers now. The communities served by Tribune's properties—and all citizens who rely on a free and honest press—are key stakeholders in the decision. If enough of us make it clear that we don't want these respected and nationally influential papers—from the LA Times to the Chicago Tribune—turned into a propaganda outlet for right-wing ideologues, the Tribune Company board will have to listen.  

Sign the petition to Tribune CEO Peter Liguori asking him not to sell to the Koch brothers. 

Tribune CEO Peter Liguori has said he is committed to "best-in-class journalism" for his company—something that would be undermined if anti-democracy billionaires take ownership. Millions of people trust these outlets for strong, unbiased reporting. Newspapers are more than financial outlets. They are the very cornerstones of democracy. 

In 2010, when out-of-state oil companies, including Koch Industries, bankrolled Prop 23 (the attempted repeal of California's first-in-the-nation global warming law) it took great coverage and a strong editorial by the Los Angeles Times to defeat it. Now the carbon kings want to buy the Times and other major assets in order to push their radical Tea Party agenda on the general public.

With this purchase, the Kochs would own some of the biggest papers in the country, including the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, The Baltimore Sun, and the widely-read Spanish publication, Hoy. The purchase of Tribune would also give them ownership over television stations in major cities like New York, San Diego, Chicago, and Houston. We can't allow hallowed journalistic institutions to become mouthpieces for the Kochs' corrupt agenda.

Tell the Tribune Company: "Do not sell major assets like the Sun-Sentinel to David and Charles Koch, or any other climate-denying propagandists."

When you sign the petition, please add a comment if you're a subscriber to the Sun-Sentinel.

Local High School Student’s Art to Hang in U.S. Capitol

Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz will announce winners of her 2013 Congressional Art Competition,

First place winner will travel to Washington, D.C.

On Monday, April 29, 2013, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) will hold her annual Congressional High School Art Competition reception, hosted by Young at Art Museum.  The Competition affords Members of Congress the unique opportunity to showcase the talents of the creative, dynamic high school students in their districts. 

The winning piece from Rep. Wasserman Schultz’s District will be displayed at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., for one year, along with the winning pieces from Congressional Districts all over the country.  The winner will also be provided with two complimentary round-trip tickets from Southwest Airlines to attend a ceremony at the Capitol in honor of the exhibit on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.

Who:               Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and local high school students

What:             Congressional Art Competition Reception

Location:        Young at Art Museum

751 SW 121^st Avenue

Davie, FL 33325

Date:               Monday, April 29, 2013 at 7 p.m.

Individuals with questions may call Michael Liquerman at: (954) 437-3936 or (954) 732-9937.

Join U.S. Congressman Ted Deutch as he hosts a free screening of the film A Place at the Table

Join 

U.S. Congressman Ted Deutch

as he hosts a free screening of the film

 A Place at the Table 

 at 2pm on April 28th at the Paragon Theater
in Deerfield Beach, Florida.

3984 West Hillsboro Boulevard

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion regarding Rep. Deutch's efforts to end food insecurity.

Free Admission
Questions and RSVP Wendi.Lipsich@mail.house.gov 

Watch the trailer



To learn more about the film, visit TakePart.com/Table

Congressman Patrick Murphy On Gun Violence

Rick Wierzbicki of sheriffstv.com had a chance to sit down this week with Congressman Patrick Murphy, in Palm Beach to discuss grants, gun violence prevention, and the Crongressman's bipartisan work and committee assignments.

SheriffsTV Rick Wierzbicki sat down with Congressman Patrick Murphy of Florida 18 and discussed current issues affecting south floridians. Topics included gun violence, jobs, crime rates,federal law enforcement grant opportunities and bipartisanship within Congress. Congressman Murphy also announced the sponsorship of his first House Bill designed to bring economic relief to small business manufacturers within his district. SheriffsTV ongoing interviews with local, state and federal elected officials are part of the shows ongoing efforts to bring awareness on issues that affect the operation of the Office of the Sheriff. Eye on South Florida and SheriffsTV have the ability to reach over 1.6 million south florida viewers and over 25 million nationwide.

Rubio’s Losing Latino Pitch

Latinos are a left-leaning demographic–and Republican support for an immigration deal won’t change that, writes Jamelle Bouie.

In the ongoing argument over how the Republican Party can move forward after losing last year's elections, Florida Senator Marco Rubio has had a clear, coherent perspective. The GOP doesn't need to change its policies—it just needs to reach out to key voters, like Latinos, and bring them into the tent. To do that, Republicans need to appeal to the immigrant identity, and present the Democratic Party as a throwback to "the countries that your parents and grandparents came here to get away from."

But there's a roadblock. As he put it during a January address to the conservative Hispanic Leadership Network, "It’s a difficult message to get to because the gateway issue of immigration stands in the minds of so many people who we live next to and love."

In other words, the party's stance on immigration keeps it from building common cause with voters who, as Rubio has described them, have a native social conservatism and enthusiasm for entrepreneurship.

READ FULL STORY

Rep. Wasserman Schultz Small Business Workshop

If you are a small business owner, or trying to open your own business, please join Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz at her annual Small Business Workshop this Saturday. Learn how to access capital for your business, recruit and retain employees, enhance your marketing skills, get assistance with exporting your products and services. Participating agencies include: IRS, SBA, SCORE, Dept. of Labor, Dept. of Commerce, FL Women's Business Center, Workforce One, Miami-Dade and Broward Depts. of Small Business Development and more.

Link to event: https://www.facebook.com/events/146075705564509/

Toss Up Salads Grand Opening

Toss Up Salad
A Gluten free & raw food lovers
5yrs executive chef Teri Rios is Cuban American that decided to change the way Latinos eat by bringing a fresh, healthy and tasty new approach to South Florida cuisine.
Toss up Salad has two locations
751 SW 121st Ave.
Davie Fl 33325
954-424-5035
8616 Griffin Rd
Cooper City, Fl 33328
954-440-4140

Broward 2014 House Seats Heating Up

Even with the gubernatorial race topping the Florida election bill in 2014, for political observers, some down-ballot races in Broward County are beginning to look intriguing and competitive. Three on the House side in particular are turning some heads -- HD 93, HD 99, HD 100.

As the 2013 legislative session moves into its final weeks, here is a look at each of them at this point:
HD 93
First elected to the House in 2010, Navy veteran and attorney Rep. George Moraitis, R-Fort Lauderdale, could be facing a Democratic challenger with deep pockets but not much in the way of political success. Scott Herman, an Army veteran who served in the first Gulf War, is running against Moraitis as a Democrat.

Herman recently switched parties after being the Republican nominee who came up short against House Democratic Leader Perry Thurston in 2012. After pulling 16 percent against Thurston, Herman insistedRepublicans did little to help his campaign and have stood in the path of other gay politicians. After switching parties, Herman quickly jumped in against Moraitis.
While Moraitis starts off as a favorite, this could be an interesting race. The Republican incumbent took 55 percent against Democrat Gerri Ann Capotosto in 2012, but he spent almost $252,000 while his challenger spent less than $9,000. Despite Moraitis’ win in 2012, this is a swing district where Republicans have only a 3 percent edge over Democrats in terms of registered voters. Rick Scott beat Alex Sink here by 3 percent in 2010.
In the first quarter of 2013, Herman showed that he intends to spend more than Capotosto did against Moraitis last time. While he only raised $240, Herman has loaned his campaign more than $26,500 since entering the race on March 11. Prohibited from raising funds while the Legislature is in session, Moraitis raised $12,000 in February and loaned his campaign $500.

While he was able to outspend his opponent by more than 25-1 in 2012, Moraitis won by only 10 percent in 2012. He clearly won’t have the luxury of sitting on that kind of financial advantage this time out, though he should have the edge if Herman is his Democratic opponent.                                  Rep. George Moraitis, R-Fort Lauderdale, Former Rep. Evan           Jenne, Busineowner Elaine Geller and Teacher John Paul Alvarez

HD 99
Rep. Elaine Schwartz, one of the leading liberal Democrats in the House, is facing term limits in 2014 and two candidates have already emerged to replace her.

Former Rep. Evan Jenne is looking to return to the Florida House and hopes to cash in on his family legacy. His father, Ken Jenne, was politically active for 30 years, serving on the Broward County Commission, two decades in the Florida Senate and another decade as Broward County sheriff.
Neither is Evan Jenne any political newbie. While still in his late 20s, he won a Florida House seat in 2006, which he gave up in 2012 to seek a seat on the Broward County Commission. But he dropped out of that race, saying he wanted to go into the private sector and quickly turned around to run for the Florida House again. After entering the race on Jan. 24, Jenne raised $10,350 and spent $150 of that.
But, despite these credentials, Jenne does not have an open shot at the Democratic nomination. Schwartz is backing business owner and community activist Elaine Geller to replace her. Another prominent liberal legislator -- Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood -- is also behind Geller. Since entering the race in February, Geller has raised more than $4,000 and spent near $850. While it’s early in the race, Jenne clearly won’t have a cakewalk to the Democratic nomination and this primary contest bears watching.
There are no Republicans in the race yet. This district is a bastion of Democratic strength, with Republicans making up around a quarter of the voters, while half are Democrats. Whoever gets the Democratic nomination will be a very heavy favorite to win in the general election.
HD 100
Rep. Joe Gibbons, D-Pembroke Park, is term-limited after the 2014 elections and three Democrats are already looking to replace him in representing parts of Broward and Miami-Dade in the House.
Teacher and Democratic activist John Paul Alvarez gave Rep. John Tobia, R-Melbourne Beach, a scare in 2012. Despite spending $190,750 compared to Alvarez’s $37,000, Tobia only won by 5 percent in November. Since that election, Alvarez moved from Brevard County down south where he hopes for better political success.
Since entering the race on March 11, Alvarez has not exactly impressed with fundraising, pulling in $935 and relying on $1,550 in loans and another $1,000 through in-kind donations. He has spent more than $1,300 already.
Two other Democratic candidates jumped in the race in early April. Former North Bay Village Mayor Joe Geller, an attorney who led Miami-Dade Democrats, is making another bid for the Florida House. Geller unsuccessfully ran against Richard Steinberg in a Democratic House primary back in 2008. He entered the race on April 2.
Another major candidate entered on April 4, Hallandale Beach Vice Mayor Alex Lewy. Lewy may only be in his early 30s, but he is something of a political veteran who was elected to the Hallandale Beach City Commission in 2010. Before that, he served on Kendrick Meek’s staff when Democrat Meek served in Congress.
There are no Republicans in this race yet, and whichever Democrat wins his party’s nomination will be a heavy favorite to win this seat in the general election.



Source Sunshine State News

Red Flags Anti-Bullying Conference

Conference was held at Piper High School in Sunrise

The ‘Red Flags Anti-Bullying Conference What Are The Warning Signs? From Danger to Dialogue, Safe To Be Me Coalition

Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Robert W. Runcie says the conference is an anti-bullying, health and safety conference for parents, teachers and community members to discover ways to use information learned in workshops to assist children, participants also had the option to attend four different workshops.

Broward County Public Schools Board Members that where available to talk to the community was Robin Bartleman, Patty Good, Ann Murray, from the district office Jeanne Jusevic, Sharon Airaghi, Amalio Nieves, Jessica Herthel want to put a stop  to the bullying and that is why the Participants  watched the Oscar winning short film "Trevor"

Bina Fink Bina@BinaFink.com

House Democratic Leader Designate, Darryl Rouson, announced today the appointment of Democratic Party leader, Chris Mitchell as Political Director of House Victory

 House Democratic Leader Designate, Darryl Rouson, announced today the appointment of Democratic Party leader, Chris Mitchell as Political Director of House Victory.

Representative Rouson’s bold vision, commitment to rebranding, his proven farm team track record, strong fundraising network, and now his appointment of Chris Mitchell to lead House Victory is a clear signal. Florida Democrats are ready to fight in districts that have long been ignored and will aggressively defend Democratic incumbents. 

Alan Clendenin, Florida Democratic Party First Vice Chair said, “Floridians have witnessed a dysfunctional Republican controlled House and extremist Senate and have been embarrassed by one of the most unpopular Governors in Florida history. It is time for change. Along with his demonstrated work ethic, Chris Mitchell brings strong strategic planning and execution skills as well as a commitment to Democrats across the state.  Mr. Mitchell is well suited to ensure Democratic House electoral success in 2014 and 2016.”

Placing the needs of the people of Florida ahead of special interest, restoring ethics in our government, fighting for the middle class, Medicare, Social Security, and restoring faith and fairness in our voting will lead to Democratic gains. Chris Mitchell’s addition to the team is a great first of many steps needed to make the gains for the Florida Democrats in the 2014 midterm election.

“I applaud Representative Rouson for striking out on a new path to Rebrand Recruit and Reinvest for Victory. This is an exciting time for Florida Democrats."  Alan Clendenin

---------------------

Six Democratic Senators Who Have Not Signed On To Equality

UPDATE:

We're down to the Final Four! Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN) announced his support for gay marriage on Friday, just minutes after Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) did the same. Only four Democrats in the Senate have not come out for marriage equality. His full statement, posted on Facebook:

“In recent years, our country has been involved in an important discussion on the issue of marriage equality. While serving in the House of Representatives, I had the opportunity to act on a core belief of mine: we are a stronger country when we draw on the strengths of all Americans. I voted to repeal ‘don't ask, don't tell’ and was an original supporter of the bill that would make it illegal to discriminate against someone in the workplace because of their sexual orientation. It is also for that reason that I oppose amending either Indiana’s or our nation’s constitution to enshrine in those documents an ‘us’ and a ‘them,’ instead of a ‘we.’ With the recent Supreme Court arguments and accompanying public discussion of same-sex marriage, I have been thinking about my past positions and votes. In doing so, I have concluded that the right thing to do is to support marriage equality for all.” 

And then there were six. Florida Sen. Bill Nelson just became the latest high-profile politician to change his mind about same-sex marriage, saying "if The Lord made homosexuals as well as heterosexuals, why should I discriminate against their civil marriage? I shouldn't, and I won't." That leaves a mere half dozen Democratic senators who haven't yet announced their support for marriage equality: Joe Manchin, Heidi Heitkamp, Mary Landrieu, Joe Donnelly, Mark Pryor, and Tim Johnson. If you're interested, the Huffington Post has gathered each of these senators'most recent statements on the issue; as you can see, four have switched sides in little over a week.

Please join Reps. Wasserman Schultz and Deutch for an Equal Pay Day Employer Roundtable

Please join

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz
U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch
and
Corporate Voices for Working Families
for an
Equal Pay Day Employer Roundtable Discussion
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
10 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

At the Fort Lauderdale Woman's Club
20 S Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Topics will include:

Equal Pay, Workplace Flexibility, Teleworking, Paid Leave & Financial Security

Moderating the discussion will be Donna Klein, the Executive Chair and CEO of Corporate Voices for Working Families, the leading national business membership organization shaping conversations and collaborations on public and corporate policy issues involving working families.
We hope you can join us!  Please call 954-437-3936 to RSVP or for more information.

Senator Bill Nelson Endorses Marriage Equality

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) is the latest Democratic Senator tovoffer his full support for marriage equality:

It is generally accepted in American law and U.S. society today “… that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that  among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” I believe that. The civil rights and responsibilities for one must pertain to all.

Thus, to discriminate against one class and not another is wrong for me.  

If we are endowed by our Creator with rights, then why shouldn’t those be attainable by Gays and Lesbians?

Simply put, if The Lord made homosexuals as well as heterosexuals, why should I discriminate against their civil marriage? I shouldn’t, and I won’t.

So I will add my name to the petition of senators asking the Supreme Court to declare the law that prohibits gay marriage unconstitutional.

Add your name to tell Congress to pass President Obama's plan to reduce gun violence

Yesterday, President Obama told an audience in Colorado that, "The only way this time will be different is if the American people demand that this time it must be different."

He's asked all Americans who support common-sense measures to prevent gun violence to speak up and make themselves heard.

Add your name to tell Congress to pass President Obama's plan to reduce gun violence.

President Obama's proposal is a common-sense approach to making sure guns stay out of the hands of dangerous people who put others at risk. Nine out of ten Americans -- including eight out of ten Republicans, and eight out of ten gun-owners -- support universal background checks for those purchasing a firearm.

But the other side is trying to run out the clock and change the subject. They want to drown out the majority of the American people. If they can delay long enough, they think you'll forget about it.

Prove them wrong.

Tell your representatives in Washington to take action:

https://my.democrats.org/Reduce-Gun-Violence

Thanks,

Debbie

Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Chair
Democratic National Committee

Gwen Graham, the daughter of former governor and senator Bob Graham, has formally launched a bid against sophomore GOP Rep. Steve Southerland

And here's another good recruiting score for the blue team: Gwen Graham, the daughter of former governor and senator Bob Graham, has formally launched a bid against sophomore GOP Rep. Steve Southerland. Graham only appeared on the radar recently, with the local press  describing her as a DCCC target just a couple of months ago. She had been talked up for a different seat back in 2006 but this is her first time actually running for office. Graham is  currently an official in the Leon County school system, and while she sports a very famous name, she insists, as you'd expect, that "I love my dad and I'm very proud of him, but I am running this campaign as Gwen Graham."

There's a wrinkle here, though: Former state Sen. Al Lawson, who has unsuccessfully run here twice before, says he's thinking about a third bid and will decide by June. Lawson nearly unseated then-Rep. Allen Boyd in the 2010 primary, then last year won the Democratic nomination over establishment favorite Leonard Bembry. Lawson was a weak fundraiser, though, and only managed to keep things close against Southerland (he lost 53-47) thanks to aninfusion of outside cash from the D-Trip and the House Majority PAC. But he could well prove hard for Graham to beat, seeing how Lawson easily dispatched Bembry, 55-26, thanks to his local profile and probably also because many primary voters are black, as is Lawson. Bembry, though, didn't manage to raise much either, a problem Graham hopefully won't have.