LOCAL and Florida Politics

[spenser1058]

Demographics and Politics: The U-Haul List:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna969771

Of course we make the list for both fastest-growing states AND fastest-growing cities based on U-Haul arrival contracts.

From NBC News

[spenser1058]

https://m.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2019/02/16/floridas-signature-rules-for-mail-ballots-impose-a-serious-burden-on-right-to-vote-court-rules

As the major credit card companies have acknowledged in doing away with signature requirements, it is a totally indefensible method of identity confirmation.

Thankfully, a federal court agrees when it comes to Florida’s vote by mail requirement for signature matching.

It’s also woefully inconsistent with each county using its own standards.

Stay tuned for a fair and equitable remedy on this.

From Orlando Weekly

Edited February 17, 2019 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

In this article about Tampa’s mayoral race, there’s an interesting proposal by front-runner Jane Castor about affordable housing.

Most interesting is a proposal to look into obsolete city codes causing problems like the ridiculous parking requirements that saddle developments with acres of unused asphalt that were silly in the 1960’s and even more absurd today.

The idea of “free” parking which is anything but also creates problems in core areas. As Orange County Chairman Lou Treadway (a Republican, no less) notes way back in the 1980’s when he was trying to bring transit to a newly-revitalizing downtown Orlando:

”if there’s ready parking, they’ll never use transit.” Sadly, Mayor Bill rejected the theory and approved parking garage after parking garage and we’re now drowning in an ever-growing sea of traffic and rents that are “too damn high”.

Castor’s proposal is another example of how the well-contested Tampa race is doing something unheard of in our races for mayor: serious talk about issues.

Let’s hope we learn something from them before it’s our turn to go through the motions of a local election this November.

http://floridapolitics.com/archives/288516-passing-the-buck-sarah-palin-echo-major-straz-endorsement

From Florida Politics

[spenser1058]

More on Jeff Vinik, Tampa politics and conspiracy theories and the inevitable tensions between city halls and local neighborhood groups:

http://floridapolitics.com/archives/288567-joe-henderson-tampa-is-better-because-of-jeff-vinik-so-whats-the-problem

From Florida Politics

[spenser1058]

FL House Rep Anna Eskamani is filing a bill to give status to “tiny houses” in state law. This would be a first step in making the structures more acceptable as affordable housing options.

https://bungalower.com/2019/02/18/bill-filed-to-define-tiny-homes-in-florida-law/

From Bungalower 

 

[AmIReal]

2 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

FL House Rep Anna Eskamani is filing a bill to give status to “tiny houses” in state law. This would be a first step in making the structures more acceptable as affordable housing options.

https://bungalower.com/2019/02/18/bill-filed-to-define-tiny-homes-in-florida-law/

From Bungalower 

 

It is a good step, but a very small step in the process. There are a lot of layers to this. Zoning and code compliance come to the top of my mind, but even if you can weave all of the regulatory issues there is still a financing problem. Mortgage lenders are loath to lending on tiny homes (anything under 500 sq ft).

[spenser1058]

It’s official - Buddy is running for re-election. Campaign kickoff March 25 5-7pm  at The Abbey.

All contribution levels accepted (not required) - if you’d like to attend just let me know and I can update you on details.

[spenser1058]

Big election for Tampa mayor tonight and former police chief Jane Castor fell just short of the 50% required to avoid a runoff.

Former banker and Uber wealthy philanthropist David Straz came in second with about 15%. Interestingly, Tampa’s PAC is named for him. (Imagine if Dr. Phillips were still around to run for mayor!?!)

More on the amazing race from the St Pete Times:

https://www.tampabay.com/florida/2019/03/06/tampa-election-2019-results-mayor-city-council-and-amendments/

Btw, Castor comes from a Florida political dynasty that eclipses the breadth of the Kennedys and Bushes. Here in Orlando, Karen Castor Dentel is a former FL House member and currently sits on the OC School Board.

Edited March 6, 2019 by spenser1058

[Dale]

Why would Mayor-for-Life Buddy have to run for re-election ?

[spenser1058]

Florida appears to be wide open and still very much a swing state in the presidential sweepstakes according to this latest poll from a well-regarded in-state firm:

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/06/biden-trump-2020-florida-poll-1206260

From Politico 

[spenser1058]

Back in the Orlando mayoral race, City Commissioner (and fellow Democrat) Sam Ings is taking on Buddy Dyer. So far, he’s the only serious announced opponent.

Personally, I’m unimpresssd. Sam’s a fine guy who has compiled a mostly unimpressive record on the council. He is notable as the first legitimate African-American candidate for mayor in the city.

Even worse, since he’s resigning to run, former Florida Senator Gary “Baggy Pants” Siplin is filing to run for Ings’ seat. I can think of few politicians that I have a lower opinion of than Mr. Siplin. We can do so much better.

http://orlando-politics.com/2019/03/06/former-florida-state-senator-gary-siplin-is-making-another-comeback/

From Orlando Politics 

[spenser1058]

Ocoee (“The Center of Good Living!”) voters go to the polls Tuesday. Congrats to my cousin, Rusty Johnson, was automatically re-elected mayor without opposition.

Charge On, Cousin Rusty!

http://bit.ly/2TEoW46

From the Sentinel 

[spenser1058]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orange/os-ne-orange-county-upgrades-election-machines-20190327-story.html

The OC Commission unanimously approved funds for upgrades of the OC Elections systems requested by Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles. Good.

As we know, some Florida counties have become laughingstocks due to outdated equipment and clueless supervisors.

Thankfully, Bill Cowles has been incredibly competent and our returns are usually speedy and accurate. Further, virtually no Florida official has done more to make sure voting is painless and convenient.

Great job all around.

From the Sentinel 

[spenser1058]

A great look at hospital ratings in Central Florida. My favorite is the hospital in The Villages, one of the most Republican places on the planet, got 1 Star.

How’s that working out for y’all?

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/lake/lauren-ritchie/os-ne-lauren-ritchie-local-hospital-ratings-20190329-story.html

From the Sentinel 

Edited March 30, 2019 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

Orlando is set to become the second major city in the Southeast to recognize LGBT-owned businesses:

http://bit.ly/2I61DK5

From the Sentinel 

Great job by Mayor Buddy and the City.

[spenser1058]

The Republican-controlled Florida House refused to allocate affordable housing support to Orlando, even as Republican HUD secretary is set to force the city to abandon 1,000 current units.

You’ll remember the Legislature has been unethically taking money from an affordable housing fund for other purposes even as they led a scathing attack on UCF for using other funds to shore up Trevor Colbourn Hall. Gotta love these guys.

http://bit.ly/2JZ4jMr

From the Sentinel 

[spenser1058]

I guess I’d be more excited about the Magic reaching the playoffs if the DeVos family that owns them and takes our tax dollars wasn’t still homophobic, didn’t still want to destroy the public schools, didn’t want to plunge college students back into endless debt from student loans and, most recently, didn’t want to eviscerate Special Olympics.

But they do, so Go Magic? Thanks, but no.

[spenser1058]

The Miami Herald digs in to how a company that totally botched the SunPass toll process and that Rick Scott had an investment in came to be. Given we’ve also learned $cott has had a financial interest in the company behind Brightline (now Virgin Trains, which is having its own difficulties in the UK), it bears watching how that proceeds.

https://amp.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article229379249.html

[spenser1058]

The Florida Supreme Court has determined that candidates for OC constitutional offices (I.e, sheriff, tax collector) must remain on ballots indicating their political party.

This will allow voters to know easily the position and ideology of the candidates. A more practical effect will be that, in a county as blue as Orange, Democratic candidates are likely to prevail.

That, of course, was the purpose of the maneuver by the GOP-controlled County Commission in the first place - to attempt to increase Republican gains in the county by masking the political preferences of the candidates.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orange-county/os-ne-florida-supreme-court-partisan-elections-20190418-story.html

From the Sentinel 

 

[spenser1058]

This story in the Sentinel about the demise of a tourist train between Tavares and Mount Dora pretty much sums up in miniature the concerns many of us have about Brightline.

It’s not new - it’s why passenger service has been a loss leader for most of the history of American railroading and why, almost inevitably, we find them discontinued or handed over to Amtrak in the modern era.

As the spokesman for the ultimate owner of the line, the Pinsly railroad observes, they are in the freight business just like 99% of the private railroad companies in the US. Passenger rail simply isn’t profitable over longer distances whenever the cost of track and right of way maintenance is factored in.

While the tourist train can run instead from Tavares to Eustis because of upgrades along that line for freight, Mount Dora is the main lure for folks visiting and living in Lake County.

This “Plan B” is definitely a lesser option which reminds one of Brightline’s decision to use FECRR tracks along a longer route and to base the local station at OIA. Ironically, the CSX (and now SunRail locally) tracks Amtrak uses already are closer to the attractions and the downtowns of Lakeland, Kissimmee, Orlando and Winter Park.

It’s telling that FECRR never allowed Amtrak to use its tracks from the time it discontinued passenger service. The fact Brightline has yet to meet its ridership goals is totally consistent with the history. It’s also consistent with the fact the founder of the FECRR, multimillionaire Henry Flagler, died all but penniless.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/lake/os-ne-mount-dora-tourist-train-ending-20190418-story,amp.html

”Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” -George Santayana 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 19, 2019 by spenser1058

[aent]

15 minutes ago, spenser1058 said:

This story in the Sentinel about the demise of a tourist train between Tavares and Mount Dora pretty much sums up in miniature the concerns many of us have about Brightline.

 It’s not new - it’s why passenger service has been a loss leader for most of the history of American railroading and why, almost inevitably, we find them discontinued or handed over to Amtrak in the modern era.

As the spokesman for the ultimate owner of the line, the Pinsly railroad observes, they are in the freight business just like 99% of the private railroad companies in the US. Passenger rail simply isn’t profitable over longer distances whenever the cost of track and right of way maintenance is factored in.

While the tourist train can run instead from Tavares to Eustis because of upgrades along that line for freight, Mount Dora is the main lure for folks visiting and living in Lake County.

This “Plan B” is definitely a lesser option which reminds one of Brightline’s decision to use FECRR tracks along a longer route and to base the local station at OIA. Ironically, the CSX (and now SunRail locally) tracks Amtrak uses already are closer to the attractions and the downtowns of Lakeland, Kissimmee, Orlando and Winter Park.

It’s telling that FECRR never allowed Amtrak to use its tracks from the time it discontinued passenger service. The fact Brightline has yet to meet its ridership goals is totally consistent with the history. It’s also consistent with the fact the founder of the FECRR, multimillionaire Henry Flagler, died all but penniless.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/lake/os-ne-mount-dora-tourist-train-ending-20190418-story,amp.html

”Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” -George Santayana 

 

 

 

 

 

Wasn't that train literally operating as the actual tourist attraction? Its route and "service" had no intention of bringing people anywhere, Its a 5 mile ride that takes an hour, no? And since when was the Brightline route plan B? The route to the west stays away from South Florida's city centers and is more through the suburbs and has little feasibility for any future stops along our other coastal growth areas in the state. Infact, in South Florida, Tri Rail has long desired to move or at least operate another set of trains on that track, most believe the ridership will be better on it.

Plus I thought you were pro-transit? Or the fact its privately owned and not using tax dollars makes it a terrible idea?

 

My guess is they will rip out the lines instead of repairing them, then decide they want the OBX and rip out or have to severely modify the newly built trail and build new tracks at a way higher cost then before.

[spenser1058]

The St Pete Times is projecting former Tampa police chief Jane Castor will be easily elected Tampa mayor tonight.

She is a member of one of Florida’s most influential political families and will be the first openly lesbian mayor of a major southeastern city.

Great job, Tampa!

Making it official:

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/294407-jane-castor-pummels-david-straz-in-landslide-election

From Florida Politics 

 

Edited April 24, 2019 by spenser1058

[Dale]

18 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

The St Pete Times is projecting former Tampa police chief Jane Castor will be easily elected Tampa mayor tonight.

She is a member of one of Florida’s most influential political families and will be the first openly lesbian mayor of a major southeastern city.

Great job, Tampa!

Making it official:

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/294407-jane-castor-pummels-david-straz-in-landslide-election

From Florida Politics 

 

Black neighborhoods go to Straz. Castor the happy beneficiary of white privilege.

[spenser1058]

9 minutes ago, Dale said:

Black neighborhoods go to Straz. Castor the happy beneficiary of white privilege.

Given both were registered Republicans until the mayoral race, that’s hardly surprising.

[spenser1058]

This column about Castor’s win from CNN highlights something Florida Democrats still have to learn: the successful candidates earn trust by working their way up.

The latest shiny contender doesn’t fly. We have to pay more attention to local and legislative races.

The other thing noted is the decision by national pundits who rarely get out of DC to decide Florida is turning red, when in fact we picked up several Congressional and legislative seats and turned more counties purple. We started with one statewide seat and ended up with one.

Most importantly, both the gubernatorial and US Senate seats turned on a knife edge and easily could have gone the other way.

Bottom line: despite what you’ve heard, we’re moving forward. It just takes a lot of work to undo 20 years of whining. BTW, it took the Republicans a lot longer than that to wrest control of Florida from Democrats in the first place.

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/04/24/politics/jane-castor-tampa-mayor/index.html

Edited April 24, 2019 by spenser1058