7/25/03
E
Messenger
The
Electronic Newsletter of the
Florida
AFL-CIO
New
Members according to the AFL-CIO Work in Progress
This
week's WIP: 2,451
Year to date: 91,200
AFL-CIO
Presidential Forum To Be Televised August 5th.
PRESIDENTIAL
CANDIDATES FORUM--Be sure to watch C-SPAN for live coverage of the
national AFL-CIO forum for presidential candidates focusing on working
family issues Aug. 5 in
Chicago
at
8
p.m. ET
,
in conjunction with the AFL-CIO Executive Council meeting. All current
Democratic candidates are scheduled to attend. President George W. Bush
has been invited to speak to the council in
Chicago
or at a specially scheduled meeting. The AFL-CIO asked the presidential
candidates to respond to a detailed questionnaire about issues critical to
working families such as jobs, health care, retirement security,
education, corporate accountability, a strong and secure
America
,
civil and human rights and the freedom of workers to form unions. You can
read their responses by visiting www.aflcio.org/candidates2004.
AFL-CIO
WORKING FAMILIES PRESIDENTIAL FORUM
TUESDAY,
AUG. 5
BROADCAST LIVE ON C-SPAN
7 P.M. CENTRAL
8
P.M.
EASTERN
The
AFL-CIO Can Help You Host a Watch Party - Order
an AFL-CIO Working Families
Presidential Forum Watch Party Toolkit and copies of My Voter Guide by
calling 1-800-442-5645 (in Washington, D.C., call 202-637-5042). You can
also contact the Florida AFL-CIO in
Tallahassee
for assistance at (850) 224-6926.
This
is also a great chance to host a press event!
If
you host a watch party it could be a great chance to engage your local
media. Now is the time to let
them know that the House of Labor is determined to replace George W. Bush
with a president who will support the needs of
America
’s
families over the needs of the corporate CEO’s.
If you are interested in having a press event at your watch party
let us know and we can help you set it up!
WE
NEED YOUR LABOR DAY NEWS
Labor
Day is OUR holiday! The
Florida
AFL-CIO is compiling a press packet to send out to state-wide media to
help promote your Labor Day events. This
is the best time of year to discuss the working families agenda and the
press is already calling us looking for information about labor day events
across the state. As you plan
your events please let us know and we will include it in our press packet.
Also, we will advertise your events on our website so that others
can find out about them and help you celebrate.
Resources and flyer toolkits are available at www.aflcio.org
and as always the state fed will be happy to help you plan for the media
at your event. Send your
information or requests for assistance to rtemplin@flaflcio.org.
Thanks!
CHECK
THIS OUT! REMEMBER WHAT THEY
DID! THIS IS NOT
AMERICA
!
Clicking
on this link will take you to an animated feature that you should not
miss! Bring it on in 2004.
Some
good news on voting rights
Lawsuit
settlement helps 20,000 ex-felons in Florida regain vote
(07/25/2003 © Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel)
TALLAHASSEE · In a victory that could add thousands of new Democratic
voters to Florida, state officials agreed Thursday to help restore the
voting rights of about 20,000 to 30,000 ex-felons. The deal, which settles
a lawsuit filed shortly after the disputed presidential election of 2000,
cou...
Felons
may see vote rights restored
(07/25/2003 © Miami Herald)
As many as 30,000 felons could have their right to vote restored in time
for next year's election under a proposed agreement announced Thursday
between the Florida Department of Corrections and civil libertarians,
black legislators and several grass-roots organizations. The agreement
stems from a...
They
know the truth but choose to ignore it.
Editorial:
Hang tough, senators
Palm
Beach
Post 7/23
Governor
Jeb Bush has called yet another special session of the Legislature on Aug.
5, to try to do something about the so-called crisis in medical
malpractice insurance. Bush has rejected a valid Senate proposal that
would have protected the rights of patients, doctors and the insurance
industry and, more importantly, mandated a reduction in premium rates for
physicians. Bush wants a flat $250,000 cap on non-economic damages, and he
wants his way and no other.
http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/the_news_editorials/article/0,1651,TCP_1033_2128021,00.html
Ignoring
the facts
Florida
Today 7/23
The
Florida Legislature has come up empty in its third try at cobbling medical
malpractice legislation. Now Gov. Jeb Bush, who failed to get the approval
he expected on capping pain-and-suffering awards at $250,000, has called
lawmakers back for a fourth special session, starting Aug. 5. http://www.floridatoday.com/!NEWSROOM/opedstoryA6710A.htm
Tampa
Tribune: Truth-Telling In
Tallahassee
?
Wow, What A Concept!
Published:
Jul
23, 2003
http://tampatrib.com/News/columns/MGAEW8NVGID.html
Tallahassee
Democrat: Discipline of bad doctors still needed
A
TALLAHASSEE
DEMOCRAT EDITORIAL
http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/opinion/6360182.htm
©
St. Petersburg Times
published
July
23, 2003
http://www.sptimes.com/2003/07/23/State/Bush_visits_GOP_senat.shtml
How
about we sue for political malpractice?
(
07/24/2003
© Orlando
Sentinel)
As someone who enjoys watching politicians self-destruct, I can't wait to
see the Legislature overdose on medical malpractice next month. If at
first you don't succeed, make fools of yourselves again. Maybe taxpayers
could sue the politicians for pain and suffering for putting them through
thi...
Time
to bend
(
07/24/2003
© Orlando
Sentinel)
Our position: Gov. Bush now needs to compromise on malpractice stalemate.
The failure of
Florida
's
lawmakers to rein in soaring medical-malpractice insurance premiums is
getting as monotonous as summer TV reruns. The Legislature might have
agreed to act several sessions ago if not for Gov. Jeb...
Meet
State Senate Halfway
(
07/25/2003
© Ft.
Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel)
The medical malpractice insurance crisis is turning into a crisis of
confidence in representative government. After two rancorous special
sessions, the state House and Senate have been unable to reach a
compromise on legislation to address the problem of skyrocketing insurance
rates. A thi...
Democracy?
Not in
Florida
,
now that Jeb has the media!
Network
declines to air anti-Bush malpractice bill ad
(07/24/2003 © Bradenton Herald)
TALLAHASSEE - A cable news network refused to run two state Democratic
Party ads that attack Gov. Jeb Bush and House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, saying
they are inflammatory and there were concerns about their accuracy The ads
accuse Bush of using strong-arm tactics to push through a medical
malpractic...
Two
ads rapping Bush get canceled
(07/24/2003 © Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel)
TALLAHASSEE· A cable news network late Wednesday pulled the plug on two
Democratic Party television ads that targeted Gov. Jeb Bush and House
Speaker Johnnie Byrd, accusing the Republican leaders of using the ongoing
medical malpractice stalemate for their own political gain. The two
30-secon...
Network
won t run 2 ads for Democrats
(07/24/2003 © Orlando Sentinel)
statewide cable news network late Wednesday pulled the plug on two
Democratic Party television ads that targeted Gov. Jeb Bush and House
Speaker Johnnie Byrd. The ads accuse the Republican leaders of using the
ongoing medical malpractice stalemate for their own political gain. The
two 30-seco...
Channel
won t air Democrats ads
(07/24/2003 © St. Petersburg Times)
TALLAHASSEE - Florida Democrats tried to launch a modest TV attack against
Republicans Wednesday, but a cable news channel refused to air the spots,
calling them 'inflammatory' and questioning their accuracy. The two
Florida Democratic Party ads criticizing Gov. Jeb Bush and House Speaker
Johnnie...
Ridiculous.
Can’t think of anything else to say.
Palm
Beach
Post: End vouchers or start tracking them
Palm Beach
Post Editorial
Wednesday, July 23, 2003
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/auto/epaper/editions/today/opinion_f3d18b9b278de1af0080.html
Miami
Herald: Voucher program doubles in size
Many
Dade students transferring schools
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/6361954.htm
Rigidity
in
Florida
and the Results
The
New York Times 7/23
ORLANDO
,
Fla.
DEREK ADAMSON is a good student at Citrus Elementary in
Ocoee
,
Fla.
,
but he did not pass the state reading test, the FCAT, required for
promotion to fourth grade. He was not alone. This spring, 23 percent of
Florida
third graders, or 43,000 youngsters, failed the test and, under the
state's new retention policy, were slated to be held back. But Derek and
his parents did not give up.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/23/education/23EDUC.html?ex=1059624000&en=a2a2906d59279692&ei=5040&partner=MOREOVER
Test
may grade colleges
(07/24/2003 © Gainesville
Sun)
RLANDO - Florida's
Board of Governors showed sparks of life on Wednesday: considering a
high-stakes test for all state university sophomores and firing a shot
across the bow of the university presidents, who have been threatening to
cap freshman enrollment next year unless the Legislature coughs up ...
Workers’
comp
Workers
comp rates may dip
(
07/25/2003
© Tallahassee
Democrat)
A 14-percent
decrease in workers' compensation premiums could go into effect in
Florida
as soon as October. The
biggest impact could be lower construction costs, since a major portion of
construction labor costs goes for workers' compensation insurance. The
projected savings is recommended in ...
Another election, another lost primary
Bush
signs elections bill, runoff again eliminated for 2004
(07/25/2003 © Daytona
Beach News-Journal)
TALLAHASSEE --
Gov. Jeb Bush signed an elections bill Thursday that puts Florida in line
to receive millions of federal dollars to update antiquated voting
equipment and suspends the state's traditional primary runoff for 2004. It
also sets the 2004 primary election for Aug. 31 -- nine weeks prio...
ELECTION 2004
Dean
has first spot in
Calif.
Survey
Boston
Globe
7/23/03
--
SAN
FRANCISCO
-- Former
Vermont
governor Howard Dean and Senators John F. Kerry and Joseph I. Lieberman
are bunched together in the top tier of Democratic presidential candidates
in
California
,
according to a new poll. Dean was favored by 16 percent of those likely to
vote in the state's Democratic primary next March, according to a poll
released yesterday by the nonpartisan Field Research Institute. He was
followed closely by Kerry of Massachusetts at 15 percent and Lieberman of
Connecticut at 14 percent.
http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/204/nation/Dean_has_first_spot_in_Calif_survey+.shtml
Deutsch
files FEC complaint over Penelas fund-raising
(07/24/2003 © Daytona
Beach News-Journal)
MIAMI -- U.S. Rep.
Peter Deutsch filed a complaint Wednesday with the Federal Election
Commission alleging that Democratic rival Alex Penelas illegally coerced
donations from a South Florida health care company in their U.S. Senate
race. The complaint by Deutsch, D-Pembroke Pines, accuses the Mia...
Feuding
exiles could cause political pain for president
(07/25/2003 © Miami
Herald)
The Bush
administration's decision this week to send 12 Cuban migrants back to the
island has unleashed a wave of anger among exile leaders who, for the
first time, are openly questioning their commitment to the Republican
president. The fury has created a public feud between top leaders of the i...
Kilmer
admits to learning the ropes
(
07/25/2003
© Northwest
Florida
Daily News)
By TOM McLAUGHLIN
Daily News Staff Writer BLUEWATER BAY - It's early. It showed. A Bev
Kilmer campaign stop Thursday in
Bluewater
Bay
didn't draw much
interest. Not surprising, considering the office she is seeking,
Florida
's 2 nd Congressional
District seat,
won't be up for grabs unti...
More
on the “Dirty Byrd”
.
. . and dialing for dollars
(
07/24/2003
© Orlando
Sentinel)
Our position:
Florida House Speaker Byrd has abused the process with fund raising. Just
what voters need -- another aspiring politician who, in a self-absorbed
quest for higher elected office, abandons the most basic tenets of ethical
conduct. House Speaker Johnnie Byrd certainly fits that mol...
Byrd
cuts group ties over soft money
(
07/25/2003
© Palm Beach
Post)
BOCA RATON
-- House Speaker Johnnie
Byrd said Thursday he will end his involvement with a controversial
political committee and
have 'no say or access' to the committee's money. The Plant City
Republican, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, has been sharply
criticized for raising more than $13...
House
appears ready to put brakes on FCC media giveaway.
Bush not happy.
Republicans
Are Adding Weight to Reversal of F.C.C. Media
Rule
Congress
moved toward final passage of a measure that would reverse the recent
decision by federal regulators to loosen ownership rules.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/23/business/media/23FCC.html?th
F.C.C.
Media Rule Blocked in House in a 400-to-21 Vote
By STEPHEN LABATON
The House voted to block a new rule that would permit the nation's largest
television networks to own more stations.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/24/business/media/24FCC.html?th
Bush's
Four Horsemen
President Bush is embedded with the media giants. But
should he use his first presidential veto and risk a "communications
issue"?
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/24/opinion/24SAFI.html?th
Wisonson
workers and their town take on Tyson….
Solidarity brothers and sisters.
Small
town, big beef
St.
Paul Pioneer Press
7/24/03
David
vs. Goliath: Wisconsin town takes on Tyson
Louisville
Courier-Journal
7/24/03
Workers'
strike pits corporate giant
USA
Today
7/24/03
The
fight for Medicare continues…ARA activists arrested.
5
arrested in Medicare protest at senator's office
Arizona
7/23/03
Bush
Calls for Bipartisan Bill on Medicare Prescription Benefit
President
Bush told members of Congress that he wanted them
to
work together to produce a bill adding prescription drug benefits to
Medicare.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/24/politics/24MEDI.html?th
Drug
industry fights inexpensive prescription drugs
For
House GOP, 1 Vote Came With Hefty Price (washingtonpost.com)
Washington
Post
7/24/03
Two
ads rapping Bush get canceled
(07/24/2003 © Ft.
Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel)
TALLAHASSEE· A
cable news network late Wednesday pulled the plug on two Democratic Party
television ads that targeted Gov. Jeb Bush and House Speaker Johnnie Byrd,
accusing the Republican leaders of using the ongoing medical malpractice
stalemate for their own political gain. The two 30-secon...
Will
the middle-class survive the Bush economy?
Jack
Irby: Where are those jobs, Mr. President?
7/24/03
House GOP Clears Way For Free-Trade Deals (washingtonpost.com)
The
Washington
Post
7/24/03
Workers
at Risk
Multinational
Monitor
7/23/03
An Interview with Margaret Seminario
Margaret Seminario is the Director of the Occupational Safety & Health
for the AFL-CIO, where she has been since 1977.
Compassion and the Tax Cuts
As the Republican government's priorities become ever
clearer, the status of the nation's poorest children is a
prime litmus test for the G.O.P. vows of compassion.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/24/opinion/24THU3.html?th
More
on the Pryor nomination
An
Extremist Judicial Nominee
If
the nomination of Alabama Attorney General William Pryor
is
confirmed, his rulings would probably do substantial
harm
to the rights of all Americans.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/23/opinion/23WED3.html?th
“Free Trade”
Expands
Hoffa
warns Democrats on free trade agreements
Associated
Press
7/23/03
U.S.
House votes to accept Chile, Singapore as free-trade partners
(07/25/2003 © Ft.
Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel)
WASHINGTON · The
House voted Thursday to accept Chile and Singapore as free-trading
partners for the United States, moving toward what the Bush administration
foresees as a new era of open markets around the globe. Within sight is a
plan to eliminate trade barriers for all the
Western Hemisp
...
And
here’s what you get
Union
coalition to boycott Coke
Atlanta
Journal-Constitution
7/23/03
Political
bad boys
Backer
of
California
Recall Feels
Heat Directed at Him
By
CHARLIE LeDUFF
Darrell
Issa, the millionaire congressman who is
bankrolling
the effort to recall Gov. Gray Davis, is facing nagging questions about
two arrests for car theft in his youth.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/23/national/23RECA.html?th
Congressman
Admits to 'Poor Judgment'
WASHINGTON
–– Rep. Bill Thomas, one of the most powerful committee chairmen in
Congress, told a somber House of Representatives on Wednesday that he
exercised "poor judgment" last week when he called for the
Capitol Police to help remove Democrats from a room where they were
meeting.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35950-2003Jul23.html?referrer=emailarticle
If you have
suggestions on how we may improve this online publication or have
information you would like to see posted please contact our communications
director at (850) 224 – 6926 or at rtemplin@flaflcio.org.
If you would
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added to our subscription list please let us know at cbell@flaflcio.org.
Rich
Templin
Communications Director
Florida
AFL-CIO
