Good morning

Thank you to those who came or Zoomed into our monthly meeting last night. We had guest speakers from Treasure Coast Young Democrats. Natalie and Lauren shared their upcoming events with us.

Old business included our TCI banner in the works, the NK3 protest March 28, and a discussion of our candidates forum on April 9.

For today I am enclosing a full email from Krista Storey, president of the St Lucie county Democratic Women’s Club.

I encourage you to read her email and make the calls.

Please take the action requested in the following Alerts - either to our state representatives or state senators. Stand up for your rights and those of others!!!!! Scripts are included. Keep reading for that information.
Here is the contact information for our legislative delegation:

Representative Dana Trabulsy
(850) 717-5084
Email: [email protected]

Representative Toby Overdorf

(850) 717-5085
Email: [email protected]

Senator Erin Grall
(850)487-5029
Email: [email protected]

Senator Gayle Harrell
(850)487-5031
Email: [email protected]

ACTION ALERT: Stop HB1473
Threat to Free Speech, Due Process, and Government Transparency

Florida lawmakers are advancing HB 1473, a dangerous pair of bills that would dramatically expand state power while reducing public oversight and constitutional protections.

HB 1473

Provides exemption from public records requirements; would shield records and meetings related to these designations from public view
Block Floridians, journalists, and any watchdog groups from knowing how decisions are made
Remove transparency at the exact moment when accountability is most needed
· TAKE ACTION NOW
· Call or email your Florida House Representative and urge them to VOTE HB 1473.
· What to say (keep it short and personal):
· “I am calling to urge Representative ___ to oppose HB 1471 and HB 1473. These bills threaten free speech, due process, and government transparency. I do not support vague terrorism laws or secret government actions. Please vote NO.”
· image.png Find your representative:
· https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/FindYourRepresentative

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BLUE ALERT SB 1758 Public Assistance

This bill has passed the House and is up for a floor vote in the Senate this Friday,

March 6 th . This bill includes sweeping changes to the Medicaid Program and the

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

WHAT THIS BILL DOES:

Sweeping Changes to Medicaid and SNAP.

Medicaid Changes Include:

 That able-bodied parents of children aged 14–18 report working or attending educational programs for 80 hours per month. They also would require that these hours only be met during the standard school day.

Would Florida’s working parents into a coverage gap. Adds more paperwork and red tape to gain and maintain eligibility.

SNAP Changes Include:

Mandatory SNAP E&T work requirements not only onto people up to age 65 — which violates federal law — but also onto people with children 14 and older in their household. Requiring that a family’s EBT card includes a photo of the cardholder, increasing stigma and hindering the ability of people with disabilities and family members to use their benefits.

SNAP providers can only make one error in selling SNAP-ineligible foods as SNAP before losing their ability to offer SNAP, increasing food insecurity. (For reference, under the new healthier SNAP mandates, granola bars with chocolate chips are OK, but granola bars with a chocolate drizzle are not SNAP eligible.)

TAKE ACTION NOW

Call or email your Florida State Senator and urge them to OPPOSE SB 1758

What to say (keep it short and personal):

“I am calling to urge Senator (name) to oppose SB 1758. Federal laws already

provide work and income eligibility requirements for Medicaid and SNAP, adding

these additional requirements will only force families already struggling to struggle

more. Vote NO SB 1758 and focus on the expansion of Medicaid and SNAP

benefits as offered by the Federal government. Find your representative:

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Action Alert: Oppose HB 995 / SB 1296 Public Employees Relations Commission

Florida legislators are advancing HB 995 / SB 1296, legislation that makes significant changes to the laws governing public-sector unions and the Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC).

The bills increase reporting requirements, change union certification and recertification rules, and expand regulatory oversight of employee organizations. Many labor groups are concerned these changes could create additional barriers for unions to maintain certification and weaken collective bargaining for public employees.

We encourage members to contact their State Representative and Senator and urge them to oppose HB 995 / SB 1296.

Call or Email Script

Hello, my name is ___ and I am a constituent from ___.

I am calling to ask Representative/Senator ___ to vote NO on HB 995 / SB 1296.

These bills add new regulatory burdens and certification hurdles that could make it harder for public employees to maintain union representation and exercise their collective bargaining rights.

Public employees deserve a fair process and the ability to organize without unnecessary barriers. I urge you to oppose this legislation.

Thank you for your time.

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SB1134/ HB1001 (OPPOSE) Official Actions of Local Governments

This bill blocks local control by prohibiting cities from any actions related to diversity, equity or inclusion. The “Anti-Diversity in Local Government” bill is a state sledgehammer to stop cities and counties from any action that recognizes and responds to differences based on race, sex, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation, with limited exceptions.

It would repeal any such existing programs, ban funding such programs, and threaten city and county officials with removal from office for anything vaguely labeled “diversity, equity, or inclusion.” It would effectively ban local governments from a range of actions like hosting or supporting Prides, offering LGBTQ+ cultural competency training, or recognizing Black History Month.

Call or Email Script

Hello, my name is ___ and I am a constituent from ___.

I am calling to ask Representative/Senator ___ to vote NO HB1001 / SB 1134

Thank you for all you continue to do. Kristi Noem was fired because we all spoke up.

Barbara & Ginger