News 4 March 2009

3 Brevard housing boards suspend Sellers
COCOA — Members of three housing authority boards relieved Executive Director Ron Sellers of the Brevard Family of Housing Authorities of his duties Tuesday night during a joint meeting to address the troubled agency. Read more..
Dumb Quote of the Week
Dumb Quote of the Week Read more..
A.F.L.-C.I.O. to Support Nationalizing Banks -
MIAMI BEACH — The A.F.L.-C.I.O.’s executive council will call on the Obama administration on Wednesday to speed the nationalization of problem banks to stimulate lending and lift the sagging economy Read more
Want cleaner energy? Get ready to pay
A program in President Obama's budget that would restrict greenhouse gas emissions by requiring polluters to purchase government permits would likely lead to higher utility bills. Read more..
Two Cheers for Clean Coal
I think it's terrific that the Coen Brothers are making funny, effective ads against relying on "clean coal" as part of the US energy program. But I worry that the clean energy community is really missing the boat here. Read more...
Republicans Increasingly Unhappy With Steele's Leadership
Republican party officials are starting to regret picking Michael Steele to run their national committee. In the wake of Steele's embarrassing scuffle with Rush Limbaugh, the GOP dissatisfaction has become increasingly vocal. Read more.

Press Release from Democratic leaders in Florida

SAFETY ADVOCATES JOIN LAWMAKERS IN SUPPORT OF SAFETY BELT LEGISLATION
Tallahassee –State Senator Nan Rich (D-Weston) on Wednesday announced the filing of the "Doris Slosberg and Kate Marchetti Safety Belt Law" - legislation intended to prevent scores of needless deaths along Florida’s highways.
Joined by bill co-sponsor Senator Thad Altman (R-Melbourne) and House sponsor, Representative Rich Glorioso (R-Plant City), together with a coalition of safety advocates, the lawmakers underscored the need for SB 344/HB 1, which would enable law enforcement to enforce the wearing of seat belts as a primary violation.
"I feel strongly that this common sense change to the safety belt law in Florida will save many lives, and the statistics from other states show this to be true," said Representative Glorioso. "We have lost too many good people because they weren’t buckled up. Seat belts save lives."
Accompanying the lawmakers was Laura Marchetti, whose daughter Katie Marchetti was tragically lost in an auto accident while not wearing her safety belt. The "Doris Slosberg and Kate Marchetti Safety Belt Law" was named in memory of Katie and the daughter of former State Representative Irv Slosberg. Slosberg’s daughter was also killed when she was involved in an auto crash and was not belted.
Last year 1,972 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes on Florida roads and highways at an economic impact to the state of more than $408 million. Of those killed, 61% were not wearing a safety belt. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that if Florida were to enact a primary enforcement safety belt law it would save more than 142 lives, prevent 1,733 serious injuries, and save more than $589 million every year.
"The statistics are grim," said Senator Rich. "Traffic related injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults ages 4 through 34. Our children and young people are clearly paying the price. We know we can reduce the death toll on our highways. Now is the time to enact a primary enforcement seat belt law."
"I commend Senator Rich and Representative Glorioso for sponsoring this bill as part of a legislative strategy to make Florida’s highways safer," noted Altman.
Of the approximately 1000 traffic statutes in place in Florida, seat belt enforcement is the only law enforced on a secondary basis. Consequently, many people consider this weak form of law more of a suggestion than a requirement. Secondary laws prevent police from enforcing the law except when a belt infraction is observed following a stop on a primary violation.
If passed by the Legislature, primary or "standard enforcement" of the seat belt law would enable police officers to enforce a violation of a safety belt law after observing a belt use infraction alone. That is, the police could treat a safety belt violation as they would any other violation.
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SENATOR NAN RICH DESIGNATED INCOMING SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADER
History made as the Weston Democrat Becomes First Woman to Lead the Senate Democratic Caucus
TALLAHASSEE – State Senator Nan Rich (D-Weston) on Wednesday was unanimously named incoming leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus for the 2010-2012 term. The designation is a milestone in Florida’s history as Senator Rich will become the first woman to ever head the Florida Senate Democrats.
"Change has not only arrived in Washington, but clearly here in Tallahassee as well," said Senator Rich. "I’m honored to be chosen as leader of such a dedicated group of Senators. And I’m privileged to have followed in the steps of the visionary women who have blazed the trail to this day."
Prior to Wednesday’s designation, former Senator Gwen Margolis (D-Miami) was the only female Democratic Senator to have served in a top leadership position. Senator Margolis presided from 1990 until 1992 as president of the Florida Senate, but never served as leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus.
Senator Rich was first elected to the upper chamber in November 2004 after serving in the Florida State House of Representatives from 2000-2004. Senator Rich established a reputation for being one of the most passionate and dedicated members of the Florida Legislature and is widely recognized as one of Florida’s leading champions of children’s and social justice issues.
Senator Rich currently serves on numerous committees including Health and Human Services Appropriations, Vice Chair; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, Vice Chair; Policy and Steering Committee on Energy, Environment, and Land Use, Vice Chair; Policy and Steering Committee on Ways and Means; Commerce; Environmental Preservation and Conservation; Ethics and Elections; and the Joint Legislative Sunset Committee.
Prior to her election, she served as the National President of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) for the 1996-1999 triennium – the first Floridian elected to that office in the organization’s 115 year history. She has extensive experience in advocacy and community service, and has worked to improve the lives of women, children and families in her community, the U.S. and Israel. In 1999, President Bill Clinton appointed Ms. Rich to serve as a Board Member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.
Throughout her career, Senator Rich has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the March of Dimes, 2007 Woman of Distinction Award. Four years earlier, Senator Rich was inducted into the Broward County Women’s Hall of Fame.
A long-time resident of Florida, Nan was educated at the University of Florida. She and her husband David have four children and three grandchildren.
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