November 2008

November 6, 2008                                                       Issue  #53

Nothing But Blue Skies Over Florida

On Tuesday, Tallahassee was under heavy clouds. It felt like a rain storm was on the way … but it never came. Throughout Election Day, voters were nervous and edgy with anticipation: Would this be another close election with irregularities rampant across the country? Would we know our next president by the morning? Would the dust from hanging chads finally be swept away? Even as the country was turning blue, Obama supporters were cautiously optimistic. The television networks were nervously calling states for Obama and doing the math – but they clearly did not want to state the obvious too early. Quietly and suddenly, John McCain extended his hand to graciously congratulate the president-elect. It was truly a historic moment that should make us all -- Democrats, Republicans and independents – very proud. The world was watching us and rejoicing with us, though not solely because we have elected Barack Obama as our next president. They also saw us celebrate the system and saw opponents respectfully accept the will of the electorate. Democracy is a beautiful thing. 

 

Today the skies above Tallahassee are a crystal-clear blue. It almost feels like a pause or deep breath of clean air before the work begins. It gives us a moment before calling on us to do our part. It won’t be easy… but we’re in it together.

 

 

Election Results Across Florida

Congratulations are in order for:

 

•          The Alachua County Education Association, who worked tirelessly to pass a local referendum of a single millage property tax increase that will raise an estimated $13 million for schools before it sunsets in four years. 

 

•          The Collier County Education Association, whose hard work helped school board candidate Julie Sprague trounce her opponent.

 

•          The Duval Teachers Union,  for their successful campaign to elect W.C. Gentry to the Duval County School Board.

 

•          The Palm Beach County CTA, for helping Frank Barbieri take a seat on the Palm Beach School Board.

 

•          One of FEA’s legal eagles, Nina Ashenafi Richardson, for winning her race to become a Leon County judge.

 

•          The re-election of UFF members Rep. Keith Fitzgerald and Rep. Bill Heller to the Florida House.

 

•          The election of Palm Beach County CTA member and former state Rep. Shelley Vana to the Palm Beach County Commission.

 

•          To each and every one of you who put in countless hours phoning members and going door-to-door and helping candidates at every level!

 

 

Races of interest:

Florida gained two Democratic congressional seats for a net gain of one seat when former Democratic Florida House Rep. Suzanne Kosmas flew past incumbent Republican Congressman Tom Feeney with 57 percent of the vote, and Democrat Alan Grayson overcame incumbent Republican Ric Keller winning with 52 percent.   Incumbent Democrat Tim Mahoney lost his seat by a large margin to Republican Tom Rooney in a blowout.

 

The Florida Senate remains at 26 Republicans to 14 Democrats. In the hotly contested Senate District 19 race (parts of Orange and Osceola counties), embattled incumbent Democrat Gary Siplin was able to squeak past his Republican opponent Belinda Ortiz by 1,660 votes. 

 

Pending the results of two close races, Democrats in the Florida House look for a net gain of one seat.  Democrat Incumbent Rep. Tony Sasso, who was able to beat the odds in a 2007 special election, lost his House District 32 seat (parts of Brevard and Orange counties) to Republican challenger Steve Crisafulli by four percentage points.

 

Democrat Adam Fetterman won the House District 81 (parts of St. Lucie and Martin counties) race by about 4,400 votes, filling the seat formerly held by term-limited Republican Gayle Harrell.

 

In another Democratic victory taking back House District 10 (parts of Alachua, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Levy, Madison, Taylor and Wakulla counties) the seat formerly held by Republican Will Kendrick (who flipped from being a Democrat after winning re-election in 2006), Democrat Leonard Bembry rolled over his Republican and heavily NRA supported opponent Don Curtis. By the way, Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-independent Will Kendrick is now unemployed, as he lost his bid for superintendent of Franklin County Schools to Democrat Nina Marks. There’s a lesson in there.

 

The two Democratic seats still in play: The Democratic House District 9 seat formerly held by our friend Rep. Loranne Ausley (part of Leon, Gadsden and Jefferson counties) became in play as Republicans recruited and generously financed a former FSU and pro football player Peter Boulware to run against the Democratic nominee. In a saga too lengthy to recount here, Democratic candidate and UFF member Michelle Rehwinkle Vasilinda has squeaked by Boulware. But there may be a recount, depending on provisional ballots.

 

Also, Democratic incumbent Rep. Debbie Boyd from District 11 (parts of Alachua, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette and Suwannee counties) is facing a recount after her narrow victory over Republican challenger Elizabeth Porter.

 

 

The amendments:

Two of the six proposed constitutional amendments failed to reach the 60% margin: Declaration of Rights (Amendment 1 - having to do with property ownership by aliens) garnered 48 percent of the yes vote.  The Local Option Community College Funding proposal (Amendment 8) also failed earning 44 percent  of the yes vote. 

 

Recap of the others:

•          Florida Marriage Protection Amendment (Amendment 2) passed by a 62 percent yes vote.

•          Changes and Improvements not affect the assessed value of Residential Real Property (Amendment 3) 60 percent yes.

•          Property Tax Exemption of Perpetually Conserved Land (Amendment 4) 69 percent yes.

•          Assessment of Working Waterfront Property (Amendment 6) 71 percent yes.

 

 

What’s Next?

There is no rest for the weary. Soon the legislators will be in Tallahassee for their Organization Session, which will convene November 18. This session is solely for the purpose of organinzing. What that amounts to is members taking the oath of office, electing leadership, adoption of House and Senate rules and -- the really interesting and important part – committee appointments. Before the Organizational Session, new legislators will participate November 12-14 in New Member Training.  

 

On the heels of the Organizational Session will come committee meetings with possible budget meetings the week of December 15. That rumored possible Special Session to deal with shortfalls may be coming to us in January – or maybe not at all. We’ll keep you posted.

 

After the New Year, interim committee meetings will begin in mid-January and run until the week before the opening day of the 2009 Legislative Session – March 3. The 60-day session ends on May 1. MAY DAY!  

 

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

 

FEA Public Policy Advocacy

850.224.2078