Representative James Bush III Newsletter 2009 -- Simply put, I believe the budget could have been better. It doesn't adequately meet Florida's responsibility toward its residents in education, health care, public safety and other areas. +Read More

Representative Mia L Jones' Newsletter 2009 -- This being my first session, I can tell you that I found it to be both challenging and yet rewarding, as we faced the critical issues of our state. +Read Part 1 +Read Part 2

Representative Dwayne L Taylor's Newsletter 2009 -- In the education arena, we won approval for a measure to engage more students in meaningful activities in their schools and communities. And we repeatedly demanded that education funding not be cut despite touch economic circumstances. +Read More

Representative Mark Pafford's Newsletter 2009 -- Throughout the session, we fought for seniors and people who rely on health care services, and won approval for legislation to require Medigap coverage for certain patients needing dialysis or kidney transplants. +Read More

Representative Audrey Gibson's Newsletter 2009 -- In public safety, we championed legislative efforts to banish the illegal sale of prescription drugs, and we passed legislation to require law enforcement to provide victims of sexual battery with vital information about related services. I was proud to sponsor the resolution naming April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month! +Read More

Representative Luis R Garcia's Newsletter 2009 -- It is an honor to serve our community in the Florida House of Representatives! +Read More

Representative Adam M Fetterman's Newsletter 2009 -- The budget that passed the Legislature will raise taxes, fees and university tuition, drain trust funds and cut programs crucial to meeting the needs of our people, especially seniors and those who rely on our state’s health care services. +Read More

Representative Oscar Braynon's Newsletter 2009 -- I am pleased that I was one of the first in the Legislature to endorse the use of new federal economic recovery dollars approved by President Barack Obama and Congress that were used to help balance the new $66.5 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2009-10. +Read More

Representative Leonard Bembry's Newsletter 2009 -- The 2009 Legislative Session was – in a word – challenging. The fragile nature of our economy and the shortfalls in our state revenue have made providing for the needs of our communities difficult. And, frankly, the Legislature missed some opportunities to reprioritize our spending and run a more responsible, accessible and accountable state government. +Read More

Representative Charles Chestnut Newsletter 2009 -- The 2009 Legislative Session has ended, and it’s great to be back home with citizens of District 23. I would like to thank everyone for their letters, emails, phone calls and office visits. +Read More

Representative Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed Newsletter -- The 2009 legislative session has ended, and it’s great to be home with the citizens of House District 92. I would like to thank everyone for their letters, phone calls, emails and office visits. I need to hear from my constituents in order to effectively represent your issues and concerns in the Florida Legislature. +Read More

Representative Janet Long's 2009 Report from Tallahassee -- I am pleased to serve as your voice in the Florida House of Representatives at a challenging time for our state government. +Read More

Representative Ari Porth's Florida Legislative Times 2009 -- I ultimately voted against the budget because I felt it failed to adequately fulfill our state’s need on critical programs including education, the environment and health care and didn’t properly respond to our economic crisis. +Read More

Representative Betty Reed's Newsletter 2009 -- I would like to offer my humble thanks for the opportunity to serve as your “voice in Tallahassee” during the 2009 Legislative Session. I am very appreciative of your support and your many correspondences. +Read More

Representative Yolly Roberson's 2009 Legislative Session Report -- It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve you in the Legislature and I look forward to next year's session, as well as your continued support. +Read More

Representative Hazelle Rogers Legislative Update 2009 -- My priorities throughout the session were to focus on Florida's economic recovery, creating new jobs, education, health care, public safety and fighting for families and those who need the services of our state. +Read More

Representative Darryl Rouson Special Update 2009 -- I hope this newsletter provides you a clear view of how your government is operating and, more importantly, informs you of how your tax dollars are being spent. During the 2009 legislative session, I strived to accomplish two major goals: To help make Florida affordable again and to balance our state budget responsibly. A breakdown of our budget appropriations can also be found on the back cover of this newsletter. +Read More

Democratic Leader Franklin Sands 2009 Legislative Update -- The 2009 legislative session has ended, and it was one of the toughest on record. My priorities throughout the session were Florida's economic recovery, creating new jobs, improving public education and fighting for working-class families. +Read More

Representative Richard L. Steinberg Legislative Update 2009 -- This year’s legislative session was one of the toughest on record. My priorities throughout the session were to focus on Florida’s economic recovery, creating new jobs, public education, health care, public safety and fighting for middle-class families and those who need the services of our state. +Read More

Representative Jim Waldman's The Waldman Times Newsletter -- The recently ended 2009 legislative session was one of the toughest on record. My priorities throughout the session were to focus on Florida’s economic recovery, creating new jobs, public education, health care, public safety and fighting for middle-class families and those who need the services of our state. +Read More

Representative Martin  David  "Marty"  Kiar  2009 Newsletter-- We made significant strides on some critical issues highlighted in this newsletter. I am pleased that I sponsored, and the Legislature passed, a number of laws to protect our children from sexual predators, strengthen government ethics, improve healthcare awareness and more.. +Read More

Representative Keith Fitzgerald's End of Session 2009 Newsletter -- The 2009 legislative session has ended, and it was one of the toughest on record. I am honored to represent you and our community in the Florida House of Representatives during this challenging time for our state. My priorities throughout the session were Florida’s economic recovery, creating new jobs, improving public education and fighting for working-class Floridians. +Read More

Representative Ronald Brise's 4-21-09 Newsletter -- After much effort by the Miami-Dade Delegation, Miami-Dade County Commission and City of Miami Commission, the Port of Miami Tunnel project has been revived. We will take a look at some of the specifics of this project, its benefits to our community and what will need to happen for the project to move forward. +Read More

Representative Joe Gibbons's 5-11-09 Newsletter -- I am very unhappy with this budget because, again, this budget does not reflect the values and priorities of our state and people. I continued to ask myself and my colleagues, “Does the bad outweigh the good? and in this budget, the bad clearly outweighs the good. I was opposed to a 2% cut to state employees who make over $45,000.00 annually; these individuals have not received a raise in four years, why would we deduct their pay? +Read More

Representative Rick Kriseman's 5-13-09 Newsletter -- It’s great to be home! The extended legislative session has finally concluded, and as you know, this has been a very difficult session for both our state and its citizens. Despite the fact that the budget dominated my time in Tallahassee this session, your District 53 office was able to claim a few victories for Floridians. +Read More

Representative Kelly Skidmore's 5-8-09 Newsletter -- The 2009 Legislative Session finally came to a close today with a final vote on the state budget. The $66.5 billion budget, which passed the Legislature today, raises taxes, fees and university tuition, drains trust funds, relies on federal economic recovery monies, cuts state employee salaries, trims vital programs, and fails to end inequities in the tax structure. +Read More

Representative Alan B. Williams' Post-Session Newsletter -- The 2009 Legislative Session has ended, and I wanted to give you an update on some of the issues addressed. The 2009 Session was extended for a week primarily to vote on the 2009-2010 Budget. I voted against the budget. I was disappointed that the legislature chose to cut funding for many important programs in order to balance the budget. +Read More

Letter to Governor Crist from State Representative Mark S. Pafford, District 88 -- I write to express my grave concerns about proposed severe cuts to the Department of Elder Affairs budget. As I have previously mentioned to you, I would hope that you veto the General Appropriations Act as it will adversely affect more than 29,000 frail and low-income elders throughout Florida.

Unless you take action, vulnerable Floridians will continue to be neglected and some will be left alone to suffer and die while on waiting lists for services. +Read More

In Case You Missed It -- A St. Petersburg Times Editorial "Cold-hearted Republican leadership JOBLESS LOSE AGAIN." The Times Says: "With Florida’s unemployment rate at a 30-year high, it’s impossible to fathom why state lawmakers may forgo collecting $444 million in federal unemployment compensation for those out of work. But that is what the Legislature’s cold-hearted Republican leadership is poised to do as the annual session winds to a dismal close."  +Read More

House Republicans Violate No-Tax Pledge -- After voting to cut education and healthcare and draining state funds for housing and transportation, several Florida House Republicans on Friday also violated their pledge to vote against increasing taxes.

Twenty-one Republican members of the Florida House signed a pledge to taxpayers created by Grover Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform, and in an act of hypocrisy on Friday, those same members voted for almost a $1-billion in tax increases. Norquist’s organization has repeatedly stated that any increase in a fee that goes into a general fund rather than the cost of providing a specific service is a tax increase.

Floridians will not be fooled by House Republican attempts to disguise their tax-hike votes.

The House Republicans who violated their so-called “no new taxes” Norquist pledge include:
House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala;
Representative Janet Adkins, R-Fernandina Beach;
Representative Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park;
Representative Jennifer Carroll, R-Jacksonville;
Representative Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island;
Representative Clay Ford, R-Pensacola;
Representative Rich Glorioso, R-Plant City;
Representative Doug Holder, R-Sarasota;
Representative Paige Kreegel, R-Punta Gorda;
Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R-Miami;
Representative Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland;
Representative Marlene O’Toole, R-Lady Lake;
Representative Steve Precourt, R-Winter Garden;
Representative Bill Proctor, R-St. Augustine;
Representative David Rivera, R-Miami;
Representative Julio Robaina, R-Miami;
Representative Ken Roberson, R-Port Charlotte;
Representative William Snyder, R-Stuart;
Representative Baxter Troutman, R-Winter Haven;
Representative Charles Van Zant, R-Palatka;
Representative John Wood, R-Haines City.

While Florida House Republican have raised taxes on working Floridians, House Democrats have proposed alternatives that would have balanced the state’s budget without making radical and reckless policy changes.
These Democratic proposals, which Republican leaders have blocked from being debated in the Florida House, include closing tax loopholes for the rich, collecting sales taxes on purchases made over the Internet, and deleting certain outdated sales tax exemptions.

“Republicans apparently think that balancing the state budget by taking money from the pockets of hard-working Floridians is preferable to having an open and honest discussion about alternative revenue sources,” said Representative Ron Saunders (D-Key West), the House Democratic Ranking Member on the Full Appropriations Council on Education and Economic Development. +Read More

Taxpayer Dollars Wasted Under House Republican Leadership -- “Our Republican colleagues have lost focus and have lost sight of the middle class,” Democratic Leader Franklin Sands said. “Floridians would prefer that the Legislature enact solutions to economic woes that have been exacerbated by Republicans’ failed `trickle-down’ tax policies.

“Floridians are worried about the economy,” Leader Sands said. “More than 8 percent of Floridians are unemployed and minorities are suffering considerably higher levels of joblessness.

“It’s essential that Republican leaders stop posturing and start writing a new state budget that takes into account the difficulties facing Floridians.” +Read More

The Florida House Republican Anti-Worker Secret Ballot Plan: It’s a Trojan Horse -- House Joint Resolution 1013 is the Florida House Republican’s newest Trojan Horse. Like the Trojan Horse of Greek legend, HJR 1013 seeks to catch people off guard by creating a distraction from the Legislature’s top priorities.

When will House Republicans focus on the priorities that concern Floridians, like how to resolve Florida’s budget crisis, improve the economy, grow new jobs, and improve schools and health care for all Floridians? According to the ancient story, the Greeks built a giant hollow horse and hid soldiers inside.

The Trojans thought it a gift and wheeled it into their city. When the city was asleep, the Greek soldiers emerged and attacked the defenders from inside. Instead of HJR 1013, Florida House Democrats would prefer to address: THE STATE BUDGET CRISIS +Read More

Jim Greer Should Just Read the State Constitution -- Representative Oscar Braynon, the Democratic Ranking Member of the Florida House Governmental Affairs Policy Committee, issued the following statement in response to today’s Republican attacks on Democratic lawmakers who voted to defend workers’ rights to organize:

“Chairman Jim Greer’s frothing today over Representative Adam Hasner’s anti-worker legislation exposes fundamental flaws and deep misunderstandings about the real agenda behind House Joint Resolution 1013.

“Despite today’s hostile Republican rhetoric, this resolution is not about the secret ballots that voters rely upon on Election Day. Secret ballots at the voting booth are already secure under Article VI, Suffrage and Elections, of the Florida Constitution.

“Perhaps Chairman Greer can put his press releases on hold until he studies the state constitution.

“Leader Hasner’s proposal is a smoke-and-mirrors game that doesn’t add any real protections for voters. Rather, his plan puts voters’ rights at risk by subjecting constitutional protections to potential new legal challenges.

“Today’s deliberations raise a question: Is Representative Hasner’s resolution an attempt to boost his political career by getting state lawmakers drawn into a debate on federal issues?

“This resolution doesn’t protect workers and it doesn’t protect voters. It’s nothing other than an anti-worker campaign. +Read More

Rep. Mary Brandenburg (D-Lake Worth) and Alonzo Mourning of the Miami Heat Fight for Floridians with Kidney Disease -- Roughly 11,000 Floridians under the age of 65 need kidney dialysis to stay alive. Because they have limited insurance options, kidney disease can easily bankrupt a family.

House Bill 675, which is co-sponsored by Representative Mary Brandenburg (D-Lake Worth) and supported by former NBA/Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning, aims to alleviate the financial burdens of these Floridians.

“Zo” Mourning joined the Miami Heat in 1995 and was named a NBA All-Star seven times and the Defensive Player of the Year twice. He played on the US Olympic basketball team in 2000. He was diagnosed in 2000 with a degenerative kidney disease, underwent a kidney transplant, and then returned to play with the Heat, where he continued as a star performer.

Today, Mr. Mourning met with legislators in the State Capitol, where he advocated for passage of HB 675. +Read More

Florida House Democrats Elect Representative Ron Saunders as House Speaker Designate -- Members of the Florida House Democratic Caucus elected Representative Ron Saunders (D-Key West) to serve as Speaker-designate for the 2010-2012 term of the Florida Legislature.

“The election is over, and we are a united team,” said Representative Saunders. “Thank you, thank you. I look forward to working with each one of you.”

Representative Saunders served in the House of Representatives from 1986 to 1994. He was elected again to the House in 2006 and 2008. He served as House appropriations chairman from 1990 to 1992. He presently is the Democratic Ranking Member on the House Full Appropriations Council on Education & Economic Development. +Read More

Leader Franklin Sands Applauds President Obama's Reversal of Restrictions on Stem Cell Research -- Florida House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands today endorsed President Barack Obama’s expected signing of an executive order reversing restrictions on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

President Obama’s executive order is expected to be signed on Monday.

Long a strong proponent of stem cell research, Sands (D-Weston) has proposed creating a fund for Florida to invest in embryonic stem cell research. He has fervently argued that such a fund would deliver an economic boost to Florida and allow nationally-recognized research firms to draw investment capital as well as National Institutes of Health monies. +Read More

House Democrats Welcome President Obama -- Florida House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands joins the House Democratic Caucus in warmly welcoming President Barack Obama to the Sunshine State on Tuesday for a discussion about the nation’s economy.
The economic recovery plan that Congress is set to finalize will create and save jobs in the near future. Just as important, the plan addresses long-neglected needs that are crucial for building a foundation for a strong economic future.

“It is time for our national leaders to move swiftly and to end the political rancor for the good of our state and the nation’s economic recovery,” said Democratic Leader Franklin Sands.

"Florida House Democrats are pleased that President Obama is coming to our state to highlight the purpose for this bold economic measure." +Read More