Tuesday E-News Briefs, 7/31/07, Running Scared?

In This Issue

• Democratic Congress Secures Over $2 Billion for Everglades and Beach Restoration
  
• Florida Republican Party Dumps Bushes In Favor of Democratic Policies
  
• Omar Khan Elected YDA Vice President
  
• Hillsborough County Jefferson-Jackson Dinner a Huge Success
• New Study Shows Global Warming a Threat in Florida
• Democrats Fight for Uninsured Children
• Convention Rooms Are Filling Up Fast, Please Book Now

Democratic Congress Secures Over $2 Billion for Everglades and Beach Restoration

Yesterday in Congress, Florida Democrats secured more than $1.8 billion for the Everglades and millions more to restore Peanut Island and improve South Florida's beaches in the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 Conference Report (WRDA). "When I came to Congress, I promised the people of South Florida that I would fight to restore and protect the Everglades, and restore our beaches. And after almost seven years of Congressional inaction to tackle Florida's Everglades restoration, we in the 110th Congress have come through, and delivered," Klein said. "I am also grateful that Congress has taken the concerns of my coastal residents seriously. Shore protection, whether through beach renourishment or repairing bulkheads, protects people's lives and personal property from deadly storms."

Florida Republican Party Dumps Bushes In Favor of Democratic Policies

The Grand Old Party is in trouble - big trouble. In just the past week, the Republican Speaker of the House publicly attacked the Republican Governor twice with news editorials on two different issues. Unhappy with their ragtag group of candidates, the Republican rank-and-file's choice for Presidential nominee remains a tight contest between "None of the Above" and "Undecided." Perhaps the most telling sign of trouble in the GOP: The Florida Republican Party unveiled a ritzy new website recently that had been curiously scrubbed of almost every reference to the Bush family, including the former Governor, who has been out of office barely half a year, and the current President, who remains in office, unfortunately, until January 2009.

Meanwhile, our Party is strong. We're united. Our new majority in Congress is moving forward in the face of Republican obstructionism. We have excellent Presidential candidates. The Democratic frontrunners lead all Republican candidates in almost every national poll. The important policies that we have fought so hard for, such as a higher minimum wage, a paper trail for elections, and energy efficiency, are finally becoming a reality. Let's keep this momentum rolling all the way to 2008! Make your contribution by volunteering at your local Democratic Party, and asking your friends to join you!

Omar Khan Elected YDA Vice President

Tampa's own Omar Khan was elected Vice President of the Young Democrats of America (YDA) last week at the group's biennial convention in Dallas. An established advocate for higher education and environmental causes, Khan has a record of achievement in Florida. As a student at the University of South Florida, he was elected student body president and then went on to be elected president of the Florida Young Democrats. He also worked in the party's political department where he helped elect Senator Charlie Justice to a Republican-held seat in 2006. In his YDA acceptance speech, Khan said he wanted to set the tone for his administration and send a message to Republicans: "We are here, we are organized, we vote, and we will beat you in November." The Florida Democratic Party wishes Omar the best of luck.

Hillsborough County Jefferson-Jackson Dinner a Huge Success

The Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee hosted its first JJ Dinner in decades this weekend and the event was a tremendous success, bringing together several hundred democrats from around Tampa Bay and raising just under $30,000 for the local party. Congressional candidate Christine Jennings, Congressman Kendrick Meek and Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman, along with nearly every elected Democrat in Hillsborough County, were among the leaders who turned out to support the event. According to attendees, the energy in the room was palpable, demonstrating the excitement among Florida Democrats.

New Study Shows Global Warming a Threat in Florida

It's a fact: Florida is getting hotter and a new study blames the rising temperature on the harmful effects of global warming. According to Environment Florida, last year's 0.5 degree rise in average temperature may cause an increase in droughts, wildfires, and devastating hurricanes. "Florida is at ground zero when it comes to the most harmful impacts of global warming," said Mark Ferrulo, the group's director. "We, more than any other state, are going to see the impacts sooner and to a more serious degree than much of the rest of the nation." The Florida Democratic Party recognizes the threat that climate change poses to this state. Please join our efforts by signing now to tell the Republican-controlled Legislature it's time to stop spinning and take action to curb climate change:

http://www.fladems.com/fivepoints

Democrats Fight for Uninsured Children

With nearly 500,000 uninsured children in the state, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink has called together a special panel to boost enrollment in KidCare, the statewide program that provides healthcare to the children of Florida. Democratic leaders including State Senator Nan Rich and House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber are advocating for federal dollars to be used to expand the number of children covered by the program. "We end up paying for treating these people one way or another anyhow," Gelber said. "Except if they're not on KidCare or Medicaid, they are sicker and less healthy, and local governments end up paying for it by paying for their care when they show up in emergency rooms." Please stay tuned for more information from the Florida Democratic Party on this important issue.

Convention Rooms Are Filling Up Fast, Please Book Now

The Party has made arrangements for additional rooms at the Caribbean Beach Resort for delegates attending the 2007 State Convention on Oct. 26-28. For only $139 a night, Florida Democrats can stay down the road from all the action and take special shuttle buses to the convention center all weekend long. Be sure to book your rooms soon. Once the Caribbean Beach Resort rooms sell out, there will be no more rooms available at a discounted rate. Please visit http://www.disneyurl.com/fldemocratic2007 or call (407) 934-3372 to book your rooms. (The Party has completely sold out of the hundreds of hotel rooms we reserved at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resort due to the overwhelming demand.)