Senate Bill 956 – The “Cleansing” Begins

SB 956 to be read before Senate today; language to allow top down party control remains.

In spite of RPOF Chairman Greer’s promises to make the party more inclusive during the last round of RPOF elections, Senate Bill 956, which contains language that would “pack” the state parties with appointees chosen by party leadership, was filed on January 26th by Senator JD Alexander and introduced into committee on March 26th. The bill passed out of committee on April 16th, 2009, and is scheduled for a reading before the Senate today.
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Proposed amendment would put limits on local taxes, tax hikes

A proposed cap on local and state taxes at 2010-11 levels and a limit on future increases tied to population growth met with quick and loud opposition in its first Senate committee hearing Tuesday.
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RPOF Rep Drops “N” Bomb on Deon Long

Last night, we as supporters of Deon Long (embattled opponent of Orange County Republican Executive Committee chairman Lew Oliver) gathered again for a legally called meeting of OCREC. Our venue was the Winter Park Civic Center for which Mr. Long generously donated the rental charges.

Having met the requirements for calling the meeting we proceeded to conduct business at hand. Tops on our list was to reinstate the 19 members that Lew Oliver expelled and barred from voting at the December 2008 OCREC Board election meeting. These disbarred members had met all the requirements mandated for voting status by the Orange County Supervisor of Elections. Yet Lew Oliver knew that should they be ceded their voting rights, they would most likely vote against him continuing as OCREC Chairman. So in order to preserve his chairmanship, Oliver refused to allow them to vote.
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Judiciary in Full Court Press to Obliterate Clerk’s Offices

The Florida Association of Court Clerks held a meeting Wednesday in Tallahassee to discuss the current movement by the Judiciary through the Legislature to take over the Clerk’s Courts employees. Although I rarely go to Tallahassee I drove up very early Wednesday morning, got the scoop, and got back to the Viera Courthouse Wednesday evening.

There is no rumor, there is fact, and the fact is the Office of the State Court Administrator (OSCA), Judge Quince of the Supreme Court, and the current Chief Judges of all Florida Circuits are working overtime on the Legislators to strip the employees and their funding from the Clerk’s Office.
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Open letter to Mark Cross, former candidate for RPOF state chair

Dear Mark,

I am both bewildered and saddened to find myself writing this letter. I have always considered you a friend and ally – someone who was working toward the common goal of restoring freedom and liberty while bringing some honesty and integrity to the Republican Party. I still believe the above to be true, but I no longer trust your judgment after the events that unfolded last weekend.
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More questions arise regarding House Speaker Sansom

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Grass roots or top down? What is the best way to decide who is going to represent “we the people” in politics? Why not simply let the voters decide?

Apparently that model didn’t appeal to the Republican Party of Florida in the last election cycle. They recruited candidates before the filing deadline, and in so doing effectively shut out any other interested, motivated and qualified persons. They also chose candidates in primary races, endorsed them and helped them with fundraising.
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Florida Legislature sets special session to discuss $2.3 billion budget shortfall

It’s official.

The Legislature will meet in special session Jan. 5-16 to true up the state’s budget and the $2.3 billion gap between revenue and spending. Gambling and cigarette taxes are definitely out. Class-size spending and increased speeding fines are in.

House Speaker Ray Sansom and Senate President Jeff Atwater on Tuesday evening signed the call for the special session, a constitutionally required step for the Legislature to meet outside its required 60-day spring session. The call signed by Atwater and Sansom also sets out the limits of what can be considered for lawmakers. Anything outside the call requires a super majority of lawmakers to be taken up.

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Ethics complaint filed against Sansom

Pressure continues to mount on House Speaker Ray Sansom, who now faces an ethics complaint filed by a Clearwater man.

“Somebody’s got to say something,” David Plyer, a retired electrical engineer, said Monday. “Those elected officials all seem to be quiet, and they seem to be part of the same club.”

Plyer alleges in his complaint that the powerful Destin Republican improperly steered $24.5 million in taxpayer dollars to Northwest Florida State College before accepting a $110,000 job as a school vice president. The complaint cites an ethics law that prohibits a public official from “corruptly” using his or her authority to, “secure a special privilege, benefit, or exemption for himself, herself or others.”
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Ron Paul Endorses Mark Cross for RPOF Chair

Race for RPOF Chair Seat Heats Up

In a press release dated December 17, Texas Congressman Ron Paul endorsed Mark Cross, State Committeeman for the Osceola County Republican Executive Committee as his pick for chair of the Republican Party of Florida.

“Mark Cross served as my Florida Coordinator for the Presidential campaign and was at my side for every debate and event scheduled in the Sunshine State. Mark helped establish an informal network of support across the state and I know that he has the integrity, leadership, and resources that would ensure a successful term as Chairman,” Paul said.
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Orlando GOP Chair Retains Seat By One Vote

Orange County GOP chairman Lew Oliver held on to his party post by one vote, with the election ending 122-121 Monday night.

“My new nick name is Landslide Lew,” Oliver joked afterward.

The longtime chairman faced a challenge from Deon Long, who was backed by coalition of disaffected Republicans, namely those who supported U.S. Rep. Ron Paul’s failed presidential bid.

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