LOCAL and Florida Politics

[spenser1058]

It’s already started:

*looks for Dale*

They’re starting even earlier than the folks who line up in Plains when President Carter is teaching Sunday school!

[spenser1058]

Our esteemed governor wiped out $1.6 million in funding for the UCF Downtown Campus.

Other notable cuts and passes:

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/299374-money-vetoed-for-ucf-downtown-campus-orlando-dna-lab-altamonte-springs-smart-road

From Florida Politics 

[nite owℓ]

On 6/22/2019 at 2:37 PM, spenser1058 said:

Our esteemed governor wiped out $1.6 million in funding for the UCF Downtown Campus.

Other notable cuts and passes:

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/299374-money-vetoed-for-ucf-downtown-campus-orlando-dna-lab-altamonte-springs-smart-road

From Florida Politics 

Par for the course at this point. Thankfully UCF/Valencia was able to get off the ground in spite of Rick Scott and now Desantis.

[spenser1058]

Three cheers to Harris Rosen and Rosen Resorts for refusing to contribute to taxpayer-funded homophobia.

Heaven knows I’ve disagreed with Harris on local politics many times over the years but when it comes to doing the right thing for Floridians, he always steps up.

He’s a true Orlando hero.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/scott-maxwell-commentary/os-op-rosen-resorts-anti-gay-voucher-schools-florida-scott-maxwell-20190625-3sd3g3zrjrbt7jpxyojzrqhklm-story.html

From the Sentinel 

[nite owℓ]

Whenever I hear about Harris Rosen's philanthropy, I'm reminded of Michelle Obama's Door of Opportunity speech: "When you've worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you. You reach back and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed."

The OS article states, "Some Republican lawmakers say parents should be able to choose discriminatory schools for their children, and that taxpayers should financially support that choice." I feel like I'm reading a history book about segregation... absolutely distasteful. Sometimes I feel like certain groups of people want to drag society back into the dark ages.

[spenser1058]

Is Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer back in the running to be UCF’s next president? Orlando Political Observer seems to be floating a trial balloon favoring the idea.

Given the debacle of Trevorgate, a politician to smooth feathers in Tallahassee makes sense. While one would suggest a Republican would be most effective, Buddy has always been a moderate Democrat able to work across the aisle during his time in the Florida Senate.

Buddy also has the knowledge to make sure the new Downtown Campus thrives and to try and get recently vetoed funding restored.

The article also notes changes have also been made in the selection process to make it easier for a non-academic.

Frankly, while Buddy’s been great for the city, there are signs of burnout after 16+ years and this might be the answer.

I’m not hearing this yet in other circles so it may go nowhere but it sure offer some positives.

http://orlando-politics.com/2019/06/25/options-for-orlando-mayor-buddy-dyer/

[spenser1058]

For the Stoners!

 

[spenser1058]

This column from Florida Politics on a recent increase in Hillsborough County’s TDT discusses creative ways it can be used for other purposes.

Orange County’s tax brings in much more revenue (thanks, Mickey and Harry!) and, with the changing of the guard  at the Brick Bunker and with new players coming up in the tourism community, it’s probably time to help Scott Maxwell lead the charge for a change in priorities.

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/300419-heres-what-hillsborough-could-spend-its-new-bed-tax-money-on-besides-a-baseball-stadium

[spenser1058]

Rick Scott’s Conduent fiasco is the gift that just keeps on giving:

‘Serious disruption’: Florida airports fed up with SunPass breakdowns, new records show

http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2019/07/08/serious-disruption-florida-airports-fed-up-with-sunpass-breakdowns-new-records-show/?utm_source=ncs-mobile-app&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=news-app

 

(Via Tampa Bay Times)

 

But hey. as long as he makes money off it, right?

 

https://amp.miamiherald.com/latest-news/article220309175.html

 

From the Miami Herald

 

 

 

Edited July 8, 2019 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

SunPass will not renew its contract with Conduent. Whoever will Skeletor fleece instead? Hmmmm, there’s a pedestrian bridge in Maitland...(I’m kidding, right!?!)

https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2019/07/10/florida-wont-renew-contract-with-troubled-sunpass-contractor-transportation-secretary-says/

 

(Via Tampa Bay Times)

 

 

[spenser1058]

Nina Wheeler Yoakum to take on incumbent Rene Plasencia in FL House District 50 race.

The District, which covers East Orange and Northwest Brevard counties, could be a huge pickup for the Dems if they can flip it.

I’m trying to get more info on the party split there but generally Brevard is a tough nut to crack for the blue team:

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/300719-guns-for-teachers-vote-leads-democrat-to-challenge-rene-plasencia

From Florida Politics 

Edited July 10, 2019 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

Not even the trees are safe.

The Florida Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, legislation that prevents cities from saving their trees

What ever happened to home rule and the notion that the best government is the one closest to the people?

For over 20 years, these idiots have ruled the roost and they keep getting worse and worse. 

Little by little, we get closer to the goal of restoring those who care about things like the environment. As Lord Keynes observed, however, “...in the long term, we are all dead.”

May I live long enough to see a LeRoy Collins or Reubin Askew restore faith to Tallahassee.

Not even trees are safe from the Florida Legislature | Editorial

https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/not-even-trees-are-safe-from-the-florida-legislature-editorial-20190710/

 

(Via Tampa Bay Times)

[spenser1058]

Here at UP our sometimes fractious decorum still seems to be holding up better than some of the esteemed folks of the Brevard County Commission:

https://amp.floridatoday.com/amp/1699213001

From Florida Today 

[spenser1058]

The Very Stable Genius keeps trying to figure out just how many folks came to see him last month at the Am:

https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2019/07/13/brilliant-mathematical-genius-continues-lying-about-the-crowd-size-outside-of-his-orlando-rally?media=AMP+HTML

From Orlando Weekly

[aent]

5 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

The Very Stable Genius keeps trying to figure out just how many folks came to see him last month at the Am:

https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2019/07/13/brilliant-mathematical-genius-continues-lying-about-the-crowd-size-outside-of-his-orlando-rally?media=AMP+HTML

From Orlando Weekly

Orlando  Weekly clearly wasn't there if they're claiming only 200 people couldn't get in. There were 100,000 ticket requests made. While I don't think 100,000 showed up, it was clearly thousands that couldn't get in. The left really needs to stop with the obvious fake news.

[WAJAS]

3 hours ago, aent said:

Orlando  Weekly clearly wasn't there if they're claiming only 200 people couldn't get in. There were 100,000 ticket requests made. While I don't think 100,000 showed up, it was clearly thousands that couldn't get in. The left really needs to stop with the obvious fake news.

The Sentinel was at the site with a live stream. There definitely wasn’t more than a thousand. It looked like about 300 were chilling in front of the screen outside, and the arena (while close to it) didn’t hit capacity.  Some of my family was also at the event, and they confirmed the approximate numbers.

 

Those “tickets” were free, available to anyone with an internet connection, and didn’t guarantee entry.

 

While the Sentinel isn’t always the best, they’re correct this time.

Edited July 15, 2019 by WAJAS98

[popsiclebrandon]

Anyone who wanted in could freely walk in. There were plenty of seats. Its a common tactic in every city he goes for people to try to request tickets up hoping to keep Trump supporters from going, thinking it will be full for them.

[nite owℓ]

I wondered why several news outlets kept making a point to document the lack of a crowd outside of the Amway after the rally started and now it all makes sense... they knew Trump would resort to this petty rhetoric again. Losing the popular vote must really be playing on his ego and it's totally ridiculous to have a President fixated on something like this.

Doors opened at 4 p.m. and the rally started at 8 p.m.

 

The Colbert team's press credentials were denied at the last minute, so they just went online, got tickets and walked in before the cutoff.

 

Trump Orlando rally attendance was 19,792, city says

 

Edited July 15, 2019 by nite owℓ

[spenser1058]

Making amends for past sins: when does apologizing for past sins of the community go too far? Perhaps it should come as no surprise that it depends on whether it was your group that was the victim. As always, empathy for others is in order:

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-op-lauren-ritchie-newspaper-apology-20190726-lkt6es35wzc4nlzx77zdhl3wn4-story.html

From the Sentinel 

[spenser1058]

Florida Politics names Mayor Buddy Central Florida’s Most Powerful Politician:

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/301037-no-1-on-the-list-of-central-floridas-most-powerful-politicians-buddy-dyer

[spenser1058]

#2 on the Florida Politics list is OC Mayor Jerry Demings. The article suggests how his election could mean big changes in how things work in the region.

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/301035-no-2-on-the-list-of-central-floridas-most-powerful-politicians-jerry-demings

[spenser1058]

I just got an email that Mayor Pete will be in O-town next Wednesday (I wonder if Chasten will be here, too!?!) for a fundraiser.

Anyway, to find out where it is, you have to RSVP by making a contribution. Then the secure, undisclosed location will be revealed... do you suppose Dick Cheney will be there? Probably not...

Guess I’ll find out when I sign up!

BOOT

EDGE

EDGE

20 PETE 20

[spenser1058]

Woohoo! Mayor Pete will be in the Milk District Wednesday- hope to see y’all there!

 

20 PETE 20

[spenser1058]

Mayor Pete’s fundraiser at the Plaza Theater in the Milk District welcomed several hundred supporters and was hosted by Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan:

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-pete-buttigieg-orlando-event-20190808-evyfsgvaxnet5ltbjltaj2z4oy-story.html

From the Sentinel

20 PETE 20

[orlandoguy]

Mayor Pete’s fundraiser at the Plaza Theater in the Milk District welcomed several hundred supporters and was hosted by Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan:
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-pete-buttigieg-orlando-event-20190808-evyfsgvaxnet5ltbjltaj2z4oy-story.html
From the Sentinel
20 PETE 20

Spenser, did you stop by and shake Mayor Pete’s hand?