Gallery of photos from Fort Myers Women’s March
Hundreds of women gathered in Fort Myers Sunday in a march for women’s rights. Among them were women from Charlotte County. Here are some photos shot by Anna Cordella.
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Fort Myers women’s march voices views on equality, abortion
It is the third year of women’s marches across the county. Several cities saw hundreds of demonstrators march for women’s rights this weekend despite harsh weather conditions. Many people are expected to attend an annual women’s march in Fort Myers at Centennial Park Sunday. It comes after a women’s rally in Naples yesterday where many…
DetailsAs Red Tide returns to Florida coast, government shutdown affects some efforts to track it.
The Red Tide algae bloom that floated away from shore around Thanksgiving has popped back up near the beaches of Sarasota and Manatee counties, but scientists say the federal government shutdown is making it harder to track where the toxic algae is and where it might go next. Because of the shutdown, federal scientists who…
DetailsRick Scott blindsides DeSantis on his way out
Scores of 11th-hour appointments by outgoing Gov. Rick Scott. Roadblocks for the new transition team. A rival inaugural ball. The contentious handoff of the Florida governor’s office from Scott to fellow Republican Ron DeSantis has cast a shadow over their relationship, raising questions about whether the two prominent swing-state Republicans are on a collision course…
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Update: Guidelines for Returning Citizens to Register to Vote
Starting January 8, 2019, Floridians who have completed their sentences for previous felony convictions may register to vote (with the exception of those who committed murder and felony sex offenses). David Maer from the State Attorney’s Office and Public Defender Carlos Martinez clarified some of the questions we had regarding the implementation of Amendment…
DetailsFDP Chair Terrie Rizzo Congratulates Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried on Swearing-In
FDP Chair Terrie Rizzo released the following statement after Commissioner Nikki Fried was sworn-in to office on Tuesday: “It is a new chapter in Florida with Commissioner Nikki Fried in the cabinet. Commissioner Fried’s swearing-in represents the first time Democrats will oversee the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the first time in 8…
DetailsFormer Felons Can Register to Vote on January 8, 2019
January 8 is a historic day in Florida. Amendment 4, passed by voters in November 2018, restores the right to vote for as many as 1.4 million former felons. Under Florida’s Constitution, it goes into effect on Tuesday, January 8. Before the amendment passed, those who served their time could apply for clemency to a…
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Democrats Pass Bill to Reopen the Government!
Say it loud and make it clear: the newly Democratic-controlled House approved a legislative package to reopen parts of the federal government. The bill passed the House 241-190. And Democrats in the House approved a spending bill for the Department of Homeland Security that would not allocate any new fall funding. The bill passed 239-192,…
DetailsLawmaker Tries to End Monopoly-Solar Stronghold
State Democratic Senator Jose Javier Rodriguez filed a bill that would, if enacted, legalize power-purchase agreements across Florida. Florida remains one of the last four states where it is illegal for property owners to sell home-generated solar power to others, including tenants. Statute 366.02 states that most anyone who sells power in Florida is considered…
DetailsComment on the Government Shutdown
Get involved! Contact the White House. Let the administration know how the US Government shutdown has impacted you.
Panel investigating Parkland shooting unanimously approves report calling to arm some teachers
A state commission in Parkland, Fla., investigating the February mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School unanimously approved a report on Wednesday that calls for some teachers to be armed. The 458-page report, produced by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, makes dozens of recommendations, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel,…
DetailsHappy New Year 2019 from the Charlotte County Democrats!
Another trip around the Sun… a great year ahead.
Subvert the will of the voter? It’s a Florida thing.
A heavy dose of skepticism greeted Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis earlier this month when he claimed that the implementation of Amendment 4 should be delayed until lawmakers can pass a bill finalizing it that he can then sign. For supporters of the ballot measure, which would restore voting rights of most felons who have served their…
DetailsTrump cares only about himself
CharlotteDems.com Editor’s Note: The following letter to the editor from CCDEC Vice Chair Teresa Jenkins was published Wednesday, Dec. 26, in the Charlotte Sun. Editor: Donald Trump can’t be bothered with visiting troops that he ordered to the front lines. Rather, he’ll be spending Christmas and New Years – 16 days — at his home…
Details‘Year of the Woman’ for Florida Democrats
As 2018 comes to a close, Florida’s political landscape does not look dramatically different — from a partisan perspective — than before the election. There’s still a Republican in the governor’s mansion. The GOP still controls both chambers of the Florida Legislature. Republicans still hold a majority of the state’s congressional seats. (Read more in…
DetailsMerry Christmas from the Charlotte County Democrats!
Peace on Earth
Margaret Good aims for background checks on private gun sales
Background checks should stop violent felons from buying guns. State Rep. Margaret Good just filed legislation to make all sellers actually use them. “I don’t know if people understand that if you buy off the internet in Florida, if you buy off of Craiglist or you do it person to person, a background check is not required,”…
DetailsNikki Fried announces key personnel hires
Agriculture Commissioner-elect Nikki Fried is bringing in five hires for important roles at the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Fried, a Democrat, notably opted to hire the agency’s Deputy Commissioner Alan Edwards, who serves in his current capacity under Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, a Republican. Edwards has served at the agency since 1993. Edwards will work with Fried as the agency’s deputy chief…
DetailsFlorida election officials prepare to register former felons
Many of Florida’s local election officials — who have been unable to get any clear instructions recently from the state — said they will start adding voters to the rolls in January even if they had been convicted of felony crimes. The state’s voters in November approved Amendment 4, which says most felons will automatically…
DetailsSean Shaw makes clear politics is in his future
In November, Sean Shaw got 3,744,912 votes running for state attorney general, enough to win any previous Florida attorney general race by a wide margin, but he still lost to another Tampa candidate, Republican Ashley Moody. That’s enough to make Shaw a prime Democratic electoral prospect in the future, even leaving aside his personal profile…
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