The article below was posted by Commissioner Fried on April 17, 2019 It’s no secret that I don’t look like, sound like, or walk in the same boots as Florida’s previous Commissioners of Agriculture. As the first woman elected to this position, and as a Democrat of Jewish faith, I grew up in urban South…
DetailsThe report from special counsel Robert Mueller on his investigation into Russian election interference has been publicly released. Some minor redactions were made, but this is a good first step to having transparency. The full report can be downloaded here
DetailsThere are two weeks remaining in the 2019 Florida State Legislature. Enough time to do immense harm. Listed are bills that must be stopped. HB refers to a House Bill. Call Rep. Michael Grant, 850-717-5075 SB refers to a Senate Bill. Call Sen. Bill Albritton, 863-534-0073, Call Sen. Joe Gruters, 850-487-5023 NO: HB 7093/SB 7030…
DetailsLocal election officials say they knew about breaches in voting software and data in the 2016 election, but there was no impact to Sarasota or Charlotte county results. Russian hackers gained access to at least one unnamed Florida county’s election computer network during the 2016 campaign, according to Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report released Thursday.…
DetailsThe Florida Senate has moved forward with school security legislation (SB 7030) that includes a provision that would allow classroom teachers to carry weapons. For years, the leading champion for arming teachers was U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, a staunch guns right advocate. He sponsored a bill three years in a row when he was a…
DetailsFlorida played a starring role in special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s final redacted report on Thursday with Russian-linked actors trying to use the Sunshine State to influence the 2016 election in favor of Republican candidate Donald Trump. There may be no legal basis to claim Trump colluded with the Russians, but one need only look at…
DetailsFlorida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Nikki Fried has just completed her first 100 days in office. On Saturday Fried headlined Charlotte County’s Blue Gala Fundraiser. Watch the video showcasing her accomplishments since taking the oath of office.
DetailsIn Florida, when we say every vote counts, we really mean it. Protecting the right to vote and increasing voter participation should have broad bipartisan support. Yet, a divide has emerged in Florida: on one side, Republican politicians are trying to make it harder for Floridians to vote; while Democrats are registering voters and working to protect…
DetailsLast summer, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) drew skepticism and ridicule from the media and Republicans when he claimed that Russian hackers had gained access to local election systems in his state. Eight months later, special counsel Robert Mueller’s report appears to back him up. (Read more in MotherJones.com) MUELLER REPORT: FBI THINKS RUSSIA GOT INTO…
DetailsThis week, the anti-immigrant bill SB 168 sponsored by Republican Senator and Florida GOP Chair Joe Gruters, and the companion bill HB 527, were approved in party-line committee votes and are now headed to the House and Senate floor. In recent weeks, a broad coalition of business leaders, advocates, law enforcement, and elected officials have…
DetailsU.S. Sen. Rick Scott has messaged heavily on the continuing question of relief for Puerto Rico, but three Congressional Democrats say he’s all talk and no action. U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor, Darren Soto and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell teamed up on a press call opposing Scott, after Florida’s junior Senator earned a great deal of earned media in recent days for heated exchanges with…
DetailsFlorida is widely known for its beaches, temperate weather, and park attractions. Unfortunately, thanks to some recent, startling news, it’s being recognized for something else: as an unsafe place for some people. Last week, multiple immigrant and civil rights groups, including The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Florida Immigrant Coalition, released a travel advisory…
DetailsA gallery of photos from Saturday’s Blue Gala at the Punta Gorda Isles Yacht Club was published in the Charlotte Sun, Wednesday, April 17th.
DetailsLongtime Charlotte County Democratic Party leader Betty Gissendanner was honored during Saturday’s Blue Gala fundraiser at the Punta Gorda Isles Yacht Club.Gissendanner died February 20th following a battle with cancer.
DetailsA wish for some last year might become a reality this election season. A request was filed Friday in federal court seeking a preliminary injunction to require Spanish-language ballots and election materials in 32 counties, including Sarasota and Charlotte. (Read more in Sun)
DetailsOn April 10, Politico reported officials in the Trump administration are “on the cusp” of approving a plan drawn up by oil and natural gas lobbyists to open up Florida’s beautiful shores to major industrial drilling. The proposal would allow Florida’s offshore oil and natural gas drilling, putting the local tourism economy and the environment in peril. According…
DetailsFried is speaking this Saturday at the Charlotte County Democratic Party’s Blue Gala fundraiser and dinner to tell residents what she’s been up to, and how she’s handling the $132 billion agriculture industry. “My job is not to make (people) see me as a Democrat,” Fried told theSun Wednesday. “But someone who cares about their issues,…
DetailsIn a classic David vs Goliath battle, mining giant Mosaic has made it clear that it won’t take “no” for an answer regarding its quest to establish large-scale phosphate mining operations in DeSoto County. It is currently pursuing a quasi-judicial dispute resolution mediation process with the DeSoto Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), and BOCC legal…
DetailsThe Trump administration is considering auctioning off Florida’s coastal waters for oil and gas drilling — and Republicans are warning it could cost the president dearly in Florida in the 2020 election. (Read more in Politico.com)
DetailsSo are former felons rushing to join Trump’s party in Florida? We found no statewide data to support Kushner’s conclusion that more ex-felons have registered as Republicans since a new law took effect. At this point in time, his comment isn’t more than wishful thinking. (Read more in PolitiFact.com)
Details
