NEWS & UPDATES
URGENT Action Alert
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM is in danger in Florida!
URGENT ACTION ALERT!!!– Make calls and emails by Weds (2/26)
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM is in danger in Florida!
The Campaign Finance Reform Ordinance in St. Pete (first in nation, being replicated by a few other cities) is in serious danger this week of being pre-empted by St. Pete Senator Jeff Brandes proposed legislation.
MAKE PHONE CALLS and SEND EMAILS!!!
How can we stop this bad preemption bill? SB 1372 heads to Rules Committee next. If it passes favorably through the Rules Committee, it will then move to the Senate floor for a full vote. There is no House companion bill to SB 1372. Having no House companion bill is a good thing (for us), but at the end of the day, this fact will not stop a bill entirely.
This is our path forward (MAKE AT LEAST THIS ONE CALL).
A. Target Senate Rules Committee Chair Lizbeth Benacquistoto ask that Senator Brandes’s SB 1372 not be placed on the Rules Committee agenda.
- Reasons: this is a highly controversial bill; there is strong opposition to the Brandes amendment; the vote will divide the Committee; 4. most importantly, there is no House companion to this bill.
- Address her as “Chair Benacquisto.” Callers will not speak directly to her, but speaking with staff can be effective (if you kindly ask for them to follow through).
- Call her Tallahassee office and her district office. Be friendly. Specifically ask if they will relay this information to Chair Benacquisto.
- Email her office. Be friendly and concise. Request a response from Chair Benacquisto or staff.
B. Target the Senate Rules Committee members to ask them to VOTE NO on Brandes’s bill (all names and phone numbers are below):
- Let Rules Committee members know: this is a classic home rule attack bill aimed at progressive cities (don’t use the “progressive” part with Republicans); this is a highly controversial bill; there is strong constituent opposition to the Brandes amendment, and we will be paying attention to the votes on this bill; there is no House companion to this bill, so there’s no reason to allow the Senate bill to move forward.
- Always address him/her as “Senator ______.” Callers will not speak directly to the senators, but speaking with staff can be effective (if you kindly ask for their follow through).
- Call Senators’ Tallahassee offices and their district offices. Be friendly. Specifically ask the person whom you speak with to relay the information you provided to their Senator.
- Email their office. Be friendly and concise. Request a response from the Senator or their staff.
Senate Rules Committee members – 2020 Legislative Session
- Benacquisto, Lizbeth (Chair) – R
(850) 487-5027
(239) 338-2570
benaquisto.lizbeth@flsenate.gov - Gibson, Audrey (Vice Chair) – D
(850) 487-5006
(904) 359-2553
gibson.audrey@flsenate.gov - Book, Lauren – D
(850) 487-5032
(954) 424-6674
book.lauren@flsenate.gov - Bradley, Rob – R
(850) 487-5005
(904) 278-2085
bradley.rob@flsenate.gov - Braynon II, Oscar – D
(850) 487-5035
(305) 654-7150
braynon.oscar@flsenate.gov - Farmer, Jr., Gary – D
(850) 487-5034
(954) 467-4227
farmer.gary@flsenate.gov - Flores, Anitere – R
(850) 487-5039
(305) 222-4117
anitere.flores@flsenate.gov - Hutson, Travis – R
(850) 487-5007
(386) 446-7610
hutson.travis@flsenate.gov - Lee, Tom – R
(850) 487-5020
(813) 653-7061
lee.tom@flsenate.gov - Montford, Bill – D
(850) 487-5003
(850) 627-9100
montford.bill@flsenate.gov - Passidomo, Kathleen – R
(850) 487-5028
(239) 417-6205
passidomo.kathleen@flsenate.gov - Rodriguez, Jose Javier – D
(850) 487-5037
(305) 854-0365
rodriguez.jose@flsenate.gov - Simmons, David – R
(850) 487-5009
(407) 262-7578
simmons.david@flsenate.gov - Simpson, Wilton – R
(850) 487-5010
(352) 688-5077
wilton.simpson@flsenate.gov - Stargel, Kelli – R
(850) 487-5022
(863) 668-3028
stargel.kelli.web@flsenate.gov - Thurston Jr., Perry – D
(850) 487-5033
(954) 321-2705
thurston.perry@flsenate.gov
LONG VERSION:
In October 2017, St Petersburg City Council members voted on a campaign finance ordinance that prohibits super-PAC donations (dark money) and spending by foreign-influenced corporations in City elections (corporations cannot be more than 5% foreign-owned). The ordinance was dubbed the Defend Our Democracy ordinance by supporters and activists. More background information can be found in this video featuring several St. Pete League members and other local organizers.
On February 3, 2020, during the short and frenetic 2020 Florida legislative session, Senator Brandes filed an amendment to his own innocuous technical bill related to elections (SB 1372). The amendment would preempt exactly the kind of campaign contribution restrictions fought for by the citizens of St Pete and put in place by the City of St Petersburg. It’s well known that Senator Brandes has his eye on the mayoral race in St Petersburg.
How can we stop this bad preemption bill? SB 1372 heads to Rules Committee next. If it passes favorably through the Rules Committee, it will then move to the Senate floor for a full vote. There is no House companion bill to SB 1372. Having no House companion bill is a good thing (for us), but at the end of the day, this fact will not stop a bill entirely.
Write Postcards To Voters Every Monday!
Pinellas County was the largest county in Florida to go for Trump in 2016. We believe that we can turn Pinellas BLUE in 2020. People who use Vote By Mail have significantly higher turnout than those who don’t use Vote By Mail. This is particularly true among younger voters. We have targeted 60,000 registered voters in the county who are not signed up for vote by mail. These voters don’t belong to a political party but there are indications that they are progressive. We want every one of these voters to get a personalized post card from another Pinellas voter urging them to sign up for vote by mail.
We have card parties every Monday at 6PM Allendale UMC. Many people get cards, instructions and addresses from us and prepare them at home.
Monday’s at 6:00 pm
Allendale United Methodist Church
Room 107/108
3803 Haines Rd N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33703
For more information contact Indivisible FL-13 member Ellen Mowbray at mowbrayellen@gmail.com.
We got 10,000 cards in the pipeline in our first month. Our group is up to 50 and growing.
Weekly Demonstrations
WEEKLY DEMONSTRATION AT SENATORS MARCO RUBIO AND RICK SCOTT’S TAMPA OFFICE
Indivisible FL-13, Peace First and other local activist groups gather outside Marco Rubio and Rick Scott’s offices in the Sam M. Gibbons U.S. Court House, 801 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa, FL 33602 (map). The protest is every Tuesday, 10:30-11:30 AM. Bring signs, or organizers can provide them. There is parking around the courthouse and the meters take credit cards.
PEACE FIRST FEBRUARY SITE
Since 2002, Peace First has gathered on street corners in Pinellas County every week to speak for peace and justice.
In February, Peace First will gather at the corner of 34th Street/US 19 and 54th Avenue S. in St. Petersburg (map) every Wednesday in February from 4:30-5:30 PM. This is the intersection next to the I-275 overpass near Eckerd College. A CVS Pharmacy and 7-11 are on that corner; park in that parking lot. Participants gather afterward at a nearby restaurant for an “after demo” meal. FMI, and to get on a mailing list of Peace First news and updates, send a request to sjstew@gte.net
Indivisible FL-13 Contact Information:Indivisible FL-13 on Facebook
Email Indivisible FL-13 at info@indivisiblefl13.com
Pinellas County Progressive Calendar
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Florida 13 Congressperson Phone Numbers:
Senator Marco Rubio (R): DC (202)224-3041 Local (813)287-5035
Senator Rick Scott (R): DC (202) 224-5274
Representative Charlie Crist (D): DC (202) 225-5961 Local (888)205-5569
