Tuesday E-News Briefs, 4/24/07, The Plot Thickens: Tom Feeney, Jack Abramoff & the FBI

In This Issue

• Special Election in Orange/Osceola: Vote Today!
• The Plot Thickens: Tom Feeney, Jack Abramoff & the FBI
• Take to the Streets April 28th to Change America!
• GOP Chair & Sen. Martinez Violated Law, Slapped With Almost $100K In Fines
• Meek Calls for Release of Some of 101 Haitian Migrants
  
• New Jefferson-Jackson Weekend Website
  

Special Election in Orange/Osceola: Vote Today!

Vote today for Democrat Darren Soto in the House District 49 Special Election! If you are not sure which district you live in, call your local Supervisor of Elections office. In Orange County, call (407) 836-2070. In Osceola County, call (407) 343-3900.

Here's what the Orlando Sentinel had to say in their endorsement of Darren:

"Mr. Soto is far and away better prepared to represent the residents of District 49. [His opponent] seems uninformed on important issues, including property-tax reform... Mr. Soto has done his homework on the issues and, more than that, has long pushed for reforms to the state's failing juvenile-justice system... Soto has already proved his mettle as a civil-rights attorney who has argued cases in federal court here and in Puerto Rico."

Also, two Osceola County Commission seats are up today. Make sure to vote for Armando Ramirez in District 2 and Frank DeNike in District 4.

The Plot Thickens: Tom Feeney, Jack Abramoff & the FBI

While the FBI refuses to say whether or not Congressman Tom Feeney (R-Oviedo) is under federal investigation, it has asked him for information about his dealings with convicted super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff as part of an ongoing case.

Previously, along with imprisoned former Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, and indicted former House GOP leader Tom DeLay of Texas, Feeney accompanied Abramoff on golfing trips to Scotland. The trip violated House rules, and Feeney was later forced to pay back more than $5000 to the U.S. Treasury.

Feeney, who received $4,000 from Abramoff and three of his clients but only donated a quarter of it to charity after the controversy, has already spent $23,000 in legal fees this year. Read the full story here.

Take to the Streets April 28th to Change America!

The Democratic majority in the U.S. House and Senate stood with the American people, passing a bill that would both fund our troops and begin the process to bring them home. President Bush's impending veto of the Iraq War supplemental bill is an insult to the brave men and women who risk their lives everyday for our country and to the majority of Americans who voted for change in November. It's clear that President Bush sees no end in sight. America needs to elect a Democratic president in 2008 so we can bring our troops home. It's time to take action now. Sign up to participate in the Democratic National Organizing Day on April 28. Our regional directors will help organize events to get the Democratic message out across the state.

GOP Chair & Sen. Martinez Violated Law, Slapped With Almost $100K In Fines

RNC Chair & Senator Mel Martinez violated federal election law repeatedly during his messy 2004 campaign, according to a new report from the Federal Election Commission. Martinez blames his staff for the massive errors. This new information calls into question yet again Martinez's leadership ability, having previously blamed his staff for outrageous ads against his opponents in 2004 and the now-infamous memo on how to score political points with the life of Terri Schiavo. Read the details in the Tampa Tribune or on DailyKos.

Meek Calls for Release of Some of 101 Haitian Migrants

Congressman Kendrick Meek joined with Miami Archbishop John Favalora last week to call for the release of some of the 101 Haitian migrants who landed on Hallandale Beach in March, citing their credible fear of persecution should they return to Haiti. Meek has personally campaigned for their release with the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Archdiocese of Miami has volunteered to offer room and board, and access to social services and legal representation for the Haitians as they await the processing of their immigration claims.

New Jefferson-Jackson Weekend Website

Check out the new Jefferson-Jackson Weekend website at www.fladems.com/jj. We are honored to have U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi headlining our annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, to be held June 9 at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, FL. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased at  or by calling 850-222-3411.