Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

You are here: Home / Archives for Campaign

Campaign

Senator Stewart Expresses Disappointment Over Veto of Bill Aiding Non-Violent Offenders

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 27, 2024

CONTACT: Travis Flinn, 407-893-2422

SENATOR STEWART DISAPPOINTED BY VETO OF BILL TO ASSIST NON-VIOLENT OFFENDERS

Orlando, FL – Following the Governor’s veto of HB 133, Senator Linda Stewart (D – Orlando) expressed her deep disappointment over the veto of the bill aimed at providing much-needed assistance to non-violent offenders. The bill on licensure for barbers and cosmetology specialists, unanimously supported by the legislature (31-0 Senate and 114-0 House), would have prevented the Florida Board of Cosmetology from using history of non-violent incarceration for grounds of denial of licensing and offered crucial support and opportunities for rehabilitation, helping individuals reintegrate into society and reduce recidivism rates.

“I am extremely disappointed by the governor’s decision to veto this bill and deny former non-violent offenders, who have done their time, the opportunity to more easily obtain a license in barbering or cosmetology. This is about second chances,” said Stewart.

The bill would have prevented the Board of Cosmetology from reviewing certain records of criminal history that took place more than three years before the date of the application for the license. The bill also contained a provision stating that if an individual did commit an offense within the three year period that the board would have ability to deny based on earlier offenses. Finally the bill would have required the boards to approve educational program credits offered to inmates in a correctional institution or facility for purposes of satisfying training requirements for a license

“It is unjust that continue to punish people for the mistakes made in their past and prevent them from earning a living in the future. This bill could have been vital to someone’s future livelihood and helped to reduce recidivism,” said Stewart.

The exemption of records considered by the board in HB 133 was drafted to only apply to convictions of specific non-violent crimes. Persons with convictions relating to Sexual Predators as defined in statute 775.21 (4) (a)1 and Forcible Felonies as defined in statute 776.08  have exceptions to the bill and may be grounds for the denial of an application.

State Attorney Andrew Warren Receives Wide-Ranging Endorsements from Local Leaders and Labor Unions

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 27, 2024

[email protected]

 

State Attorney Andrew Warren Receives Wide-Ranging Endorsements from Local Leaders and Labor Unions

 

Tampa, FL — State Attorney Andrew Warren is proud to announce another round of significant endorsements from both current and former local elected officials, as well as influential labor unions. This wave of support underscores the broad confidence in Warren’s leadership and his commitment to improving public safety and reducing crime for working families in Hillsborough County.

Endorsing organizations and individuals include:

·       SEIU Florida (Service Employees International Union)

·       West Central Florida Central Labor Council of AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations)

·       Clerk of Courts Cindy Stuart

·       School Board Member Jessica Vaughn

·       School Board Member Henry “Shake” Washington

·       Hon. Doretha Edgecomb

·       Hon. Kimberly Overman

·       Hon. Mariella Smith

·       Hon. Tom Scott

·       Hon. Sandra Freedman

·       Hon. Rick Kriseman

·       Councilman Alan Clendenin

·       Councilwoman Gwen Henderson

·       Hon. Gwen Miller

“I’m honored to have the support of such a distinguished group of leaders and organizations. Their confidence in my leadership is a testament to the progress we have made in enhancing public safety and reducing crime in Hillsborough County. Together, we will continue to build a safer community for everyone in our community.”

Warren’s tenure as State Attorney has been marked by a proactive approach to tackling crime, prioritizing justice reform, and ensuring the safety of working families. His office aggressively prosecuted crimes that threaten public safety while launching several initiatives aimed at reducing recidivism, supporting victims, and crime prevention.

First elected in 2016 by defeating a 16-year incumbent, State Attorney Warren is seeking re-election to a third term as State Attorney for Hillsborough County, Florida. Warren, a Democrat, points to his proven record of reduced crime, increased public safety, and improvements to the justice system. Warren is a former federal prosecutor and a champion of effective criminal justice policy, focused on balancing punishment, accountability, prevention, and rehabilitation to maximize public safety.

Warren has already received numerous endorsements from current and former state and local officials, including:

·       Congresswoman Kathy Castor

·       Hon. Alex Sink

·       Hon. Betty Castor

·       Hon. Arthenia Joyner

·       House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell

·       Public Defender Julianne Holt

·       Clerk of Courts Cindy Stuart

·       County Commissioner Harry Cohen

·       County Commissioner Pat Kemp

·       County Commissioner Gwen Myers

·       Hon. Betty Castor, Former Florida Commissioner of Education and State Senator

·       Hon. Pat Frank, Former State Senator and Hillsborough Clerk of Courts

·       Hon. Les Miller, Former State Senator and Hillsborough County Commissioner

·       Hon. E.J. Salcines, Former State Attorney and Judge of the Second District Court of Appeal

·       Hon. Rod Smith, Former State Attorney and State Senator

·       Rep. Dianne Hart, Florida House of Representatives

·       Rep. Susan Valdes, Florida House of Representatives

·       Hon. Ben Diamond, Former State Representative

·       Hon. Adam Hattersley, Former State Representative

·       Hon. Ed Narain, Former State Representative

·       Hon. Sean Shaw, Former State Representative and Insurance Consumer Advocate

For more information about the campaign, please visit AndrewWarrenFL.com

###

Paid political advertisement. Paid for by Andrew Warren for State Attorney, Democrat, 13th Judicial Circuit.

DEBATE DAY: Biden-Harris 2024 Setting the Stage With Seven-Figure Paid Media Blitz

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2024

DEBATE DAY: Biden-Harris 2024 Setting the Stage With Seven-Figure Paid Media Blitz

Across Atlanta and Battlegrounds, Digital Ads and Visibility Contrast Biden’s Leadership and Trump’s Failures

Ahead of first presidential debate in Atlanta today,  Team Biden-Harris is launching a seven-figure paid multimedia campaign that includes digital takeovers across eight news sites, digital ads across social media platforms, a full-page print ad across USA Today newspapers, a new website landing page, billboards, wrapped cars and trucks, and more.

To kick off debate day, Team Biden-Harris is taking over the websites of Buzzfeed, USA Today, CNN, El Tiempo Latino, Telemundo, theGrio, and the Atlanta Journal Constitution with ads articulating the dangers of electing Trump to a second term. The USA Today buy includes a full-page print ad contrasting Donald Trump’s record as a self-centered criminal to President Biden’s record of fighting for the American people.

On the ground in Atlanta, Biden-Harris 2024 is also projecting a QR code on billboards, sidewalks, and buildings that voters can scan to learn more about Project 2025: Trump and his allies’ dangerous plans to give him more power over Americans’ everyday lives if he wins. On everything from unilaterally banning abortion nationwide, to slashing Social Security, and providing handouts to the ultra-wealthy paid for by working families, Trump’s Project 2025 agenda would be a disaster – and the American people deserve to read all about it.

The following is a statement from Biden-Harris 2024 Senior Spokesperson Kevin Munoz:

“Today’s show of force in Atlanta and across the battlegrounds emphasizes the two contrasting visions the American people will see on the debate stage tonight: between President Biden fighting for the American people, and Donald Trump whose campaign is focused on benefitting one person only: himself.”

###

Paid for by Biden for President

ICYMI: SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Businesses and Residents of Florida Affected by Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds and Tornadoes

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 24, 2024

CONTACT: FDEM Communications Team, [email protected] | (850) 815-4940

ICYMI: SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Businesses and Residents of Florida Affected by Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds and Tornadoes

WASHINGTON – Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to businesses and residents in Florida following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration for severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes that occurred on May 10.

“SBA’s mission-driven team stands ready to help Florida small businesses and residents impacted by this disaster in every way possible under President Biden’s disaster declaration for certain affected areas,” said SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. “We’re committed to providing federal disaster loans swiftly and efficiently, with a customer-centric approach to help businesses and communities recover and rebuild.”

The disaster declaration covers Leon County, which is eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Liberty and Wakulla in Florida; and Grady and Thomas in Georgia.

Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.

Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property.

Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter, sump pump, French drain or retaining wall to help protect property and occupants from future damage.

Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.25% for nonprofit organizations, and 2.688% for homeowners and renters, with terms of up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and monthly payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the initial disbursement. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Building back smarter and stronger can be an effective recovery tool for future disasters. Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter, sump pump, French drain or retaining wall to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.

“The opportunity to include measures to help prevent future damage from occurring is a significant benefit of SBA’s disaster loan program,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. “I encourage everyone to consult their contractors and emergency management mitigation specialists for ideas and apply for an SBA disaster loan increase for funding.”

With the changes to FEMA’s Sequence of Delivery, survivors are now encouraged to simultaneously apply for FEMA grants and the SBA low-interest disaster loan assistance to fully recover. FEMA grants are intended to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid by insurance or other sources. The SBA disaster loan program is designed for your long-term recovery, to make you whole and get you back to your pre-disaster condition. Do not wait on the decision for a FEMA grant; apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at sba.gov/disaster.

Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Aug. 16, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Mar. 17, 2025.

###

Florida Democrats Slam Rick Scott’s Anti-Abortion Record on Anniversary of the Overturning of Roe v. Wade 

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 24, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT

[email protected]

 

Florida Democrats Slam Rick Scott’s Anti-Abortion Record on Anniversary of the Overturning of Roe v. Wade 

Tallahassee, FL — Today marks two years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which ripped away women’s rights to make their own personal medical decisions and paved the way for Florida’s dangerous abortion ban. The Florida Democratic Party released the following statement to remind Floridians that Rick Scott celebrated Roe’s downfall and said the dangerous state-level abortion bans – including Florida’s six-week ban – enacted since are “exactly what ought to happen.”

“The overturning of Roe v. Wade has had devastating consequences for the women of Florida, who are now living under one of the strictest abortion bans in the country. Over the past two years, women have been turned away from hospital rooms, sent to court to plead for permission to receive health care or forced to carry pregnancies to term with no chance of survival.

“Anti-choice extremists like Rick Scott are entirely responsible, he spent years fighting to overturn Roe and celebrated its downfall,” said Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried. “Floridians will remember Scott’s record and hold him accountable for his endless assault on women’s freedom to make their own medical decisions.”

Here’s what to know about Scott’s “100% pro-life” record:

 

###

Statement from President Joe Biden on the Second Anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2024

Statement from President Joe Biden on the Second Anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

“Two years ago today, Donald Trump’s Supreme Court majority ripped away the fundamental freedom for women to access the health care they need and deserve. The consequences have been devastating: in states across the country, Trump’s allies have enacted extreme and dangerous abortion bans — many with no exception for rape or incest – that are putting women’s lives at risk and threatening doctors with jail time.

“Donald Trump is the sole person responsible for this nightmare. For him, these cruel state bans are a ‘beautiful thing to watch’ – and they’re just beginning. This is a man who brags about overturning Roe v. Wade, has called for women who access reproductive health care to be punished — and says he would rule as a dictator on day one. If given the chance, there is no question he will ban abortion nationwide, with or without the help of Congress. You don’t have to take my word for it – his advisors have already laid out the plans to do it.

“I will never let that happen. Everywhere I go, I hear from people who are worried about the state of reproductive health care in America. My message to Americans is this: Kamala and I are fighting like hell to get your freedom back. And we won’t stop until we restore the protections of Roe v. Wade for every woman in every state.”

###

Paid for by Biden for President

Senator Lori Berman Applauds Supreme Court Decision Protecting Domestic Violence Survivors, Upholding Common-Sense Gun Safety

Posted on

June 21, 2024

CONTACT

Sophia Kabbej

Office of State Senator Lori Berman

[email protected]

(561) 292-6014

 

SENATOR LORI BERMAN APPLAUDS SUPREME COURT DECISION TO PROTECT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS AND UPHOLD COMMON-SENSE GUN SAFETY

BOCA RATON, FLA. –  In a decisive and compassionate ruling, the Supreme Court has affirmed the necessity of  gun safety measures by upholding the prohibition on firearm possession for individuals under domestic violence restraining orders. This decision is a crucial step in protecting survivors of domestic violence and promoting safer communities.

The ruling notes that the constitution permits laws that strip guns from individuals deemed dangerous, highlighting that the second amendment is not absolute. This shows the importance of common sense measures to reduce gun violence and protect those most vulnerable to abuse.

“Today’s Supreme Court decision is a powerful affirmation of our shared responsibility to protect domestic violence survivors,” said Senator Berman (D- Boca Raton). “By ensuring that individuals under restraining orders cannot possess firearms, the courts are taking a meaningful step toward preventing gun violence and saving lives. I call on lawmakers, community leaders, and advocates to continue collaborating on initiatives that uphold these vital protections and work towards a future free from domestic violence and gun violence.”

Research consistently shows that access to firearms dramatically increases the risk of fatal outcomes in domestic violence situations. This ruling acknowledges the urgent need to address this issue and reflects a commitment to public safety and justice.

###

Vice President Kamala Harris Statement on U.S. v. Rahimi

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris Statement on U.S. v. Rahimi

“This ruling leaves important domestic violence protections in place, but the fight to protect commonsense gun safety measures is not over. President Biden and I have passed the most significant gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years and our Administration has stopped nearly 30,000 firearms sales to convicted domestic abusers because we know preventing abusers from getting a gun saves lives. If Donald Trump returns to power, all of that progress would be at risk.

“While President Biden and I stand up to the gun lobby, Donald Trump bows down. Trump has made clear he believes Americans should ‘get over’ gun violence, and we cannot allow him to roll back commonsense protections or appoint the next generation of Supreme Court justices. I have worked my entire career to protect women and children from domestic violence—from prosecuting abusers to supporting survivors. President Biden and I will never stop fighting for the rights of every American, including every survivor of domestic violence, to live free from the horror of gun violence. To continue that work, we must defeat Donald Trump in November.

“This case is yet another reminder that some want to take our country back to a time when women were not treated as equal to men and were not allowed to vote—and husbands could subject their wives to physical violence without it being considered a crime. Trump is a threat to our freedoms and our safety, and we must defeat him in November.”

###

FAMU Delegation Prepares for Energy, Water, Food, Climate Nexus Summit in South Africa

Posted on

For Immediate Release
June 21, 2024
 
FAMU Delegation Prepares for Energy, Water, Food, Climate Nexus Summit in South Africa
 
Florida A&M University (FAMU) President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., will lead a delegation of administrators, students, faculty and staff heading to Durban, South Africa, for the 2024 EnergyWaterFoodClimate Nexus International Summit.
The focus of the four-day summit is to expand the research frontier for new discoveries that integrate systems-based research and education to find solutions to the vexing environmental challenges.
“The 2024 EnergyWaterFoodClimate Nexus Summit represents part of FAMU’s role in addressing some of the most urgent environmental questions of our time. It’s also an opportunity for both students and faculty to adopt a global focus even as they hone their research to confront complex issues on the home front in Florida and around the US,” said Robinson, the principal investigator on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Center for Coastal and Marine  Ecosystems II formed in 2016 to address issues confronting marine and coastal communities and to educate the next generation of problem solvers in these areas.
Following registration on July 1, the Summit swings into high gear  on July 2 with a keynote address by Sierra Leone Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Jiwoh E. Abdulai. The 2022 Summit was held on FAMU’s Tallahasee campus. This year’s summit is a collaboration with Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), Durban, South Africa, focusing on addressing the challenges facing Africa.
FAMU School of the Environment Dean Victor Ibeanusi, Ph.D., is the founder and convener of the EnergyWaterFoodClimate Nexus Summit.
“The FAMU School of the Environment is leading this summit to promote cross-cutting discussion, scholarship, and collaboration among researchers, students and entrepreneurs to advance science, policy and decision-making,” Ibeanusi said. “Most importantly, the summit creates a platform for global discussions that allow particpants to present innovative ideas for sustainable solution.”
Among those scheduled to address the summit are university administrators, scholars, business executives and government officials from Africa, Europe and North America.  More than 500 participants have registered thus far.
“As South Africa celebrates 30 years of democracy, Mangosuthu University of Technology celebrates 45 years anniversary by focusing on programs that will put the University on a global stage,” said Professor Nokuthula Sibya, MUT acting vice-chancellor and principal. “To advance the discourse, MUT takes pride in collaborating with the United States’ Florida A&M University in hosting the 2024 EnergyWaterFoodClimate Nexus Summit on 1-4 July 2024 at Coastlands Hotel in the Ridge.”
Student Participation
The FAMU team is comprised of 13 students who will serve as notetakers at the summit. They will be assigned to take copious notes for all the sessions. At the end of the day Summit, they will be used to produce a peer-reviewed post summit proceeding. In addition, students will participate in the Why Hack, a session during which the students and their South African and African counterparts will be required to respond to questions based on the summit’s nine thematic tracks – water quality, microbial systems and bioinformatics, harnessing big data, zero GHG emission, achieving soil carbon goals, climate resilient agriculture, food security, AI-driven  circular economy, and let a new science enterprise lead the way.
 
###
Photo:
Dean Victor Ibeanusi and student show the nine thematic tracks of the 2024 EnergyWaterFoodClimate Nexus Summit. (Credit: FAMU School of the Environment)
Media Contact
Andrew J. Skerritt
Associate Director
FAMU Office of Communications
850-544-2675

FDLE arrests two north Florida men for possessing, transmitting child sex abuse material

Posted on

FDLE arrests two north Florida men for possessing, transmitting child sex abuse material

Arrests made in Suwanee and Bradford counties

 

For Immediate Release

June 19, 2024

LIVE OAK, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) yesterday arrested Benjamin Gerard Smith, 57, of Live Oak, and Donald Howard, 57, of Starke, on felony charges for possessing and transmitting child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Smith and Howard are retired correctional officers. After retiring from his corrections position, Smith was terminated from his job at an elementary school following allegations of inappropriate contact with children.

The Smith investigation began on June 3 when FDLE agents received a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) cybertip that an account holder was sharing files depicting the sexual of abuse of children.

The investigation identified Smith as the account holder residing in Suwanee County. Agents also located records showing Smith’s account sharing child sexual abuse material with another account holder who agents identified to be Howard residing in Bradford County.

On June 18 agents served separate warrants on Smith and Howard’s residences. The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office assisted in serving Howard’s warrant.  Electronic devices were seized at both locations and preliminary forensic exams of each of the suspects’ devices located multiple files of children being sexually abused.

The investigations are being conducted by the FDLE Live Oak and FDLE Gainesville field offices.

Smith was arrested and booked into the Suwanee County Jail. Howard was arrested and booked into the Bradford County Jail. Additional charges are possible pending further forensic analysis. Smith’s case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, Third Judicial Circuit. Howard’s case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, Eighth Judicial Circuit.

Please visit the FDLE website to review tips for keeping your children safe online at https://secureflorida.org/Family-Safety/BPParents.htm.

For Further Information Contact:

FDLE Office of Public Information

(850) 410-7001