News 25 March 2009

Obama's Prime Time Pitch
Some exaggerations and misstatements from his evening news conference. Summary President Obama sometimes strayed from the facts or made dubious claims during his hour-long evening news conference March 24
http://www.factcheck.org/politics/obamas_prime_time_pitch.html

Bills would loosen Fla. zero tolerance policies
TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Legislature is considering bills to prevent child arrests for minor violations of zero tolerance laws — like bringing plastic butter knives to school or throwing an eraser. The Senate Criminal Justice Committee today approved a measure that would prohibit calling police for nonviolent misdemeanors. The Senate sponsor, Jacksonville Republican Stephen Wise, said his bill (SB 1540) would save money and prevent unnecessary criminal records for children. Instead of police, schools would handle such disciplinary matters administratively. http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090325/BREAKINGNEWS/90325033/1086/
Immigrants held during DCF visit
MIAMI — Elida Arriaga was holding her 1-year-old grandson during a routine visit with a state social worker when local deputies told her she was in the country illegally and led her away, immigration advocates said Wednesday. http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090325/BREAKINGNEWS/90325040/1086/
24 MAR 09
GOP warns about budget hardball
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said again Monday that it’s too early to say whether Democrats will use the budget process to ram through the president’s legislative agenda. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/20400.html

Fed's Evans: U.S. growth could resume by year-end
PRAGUE (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve could expand its already vast efforts to restore normal functioning in financial markets, and growth in the United States should resume by the end of this year, a top Fed policymaker said on Tuesday. http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE52N20520090324?feedType=nl&feedName=ustopnewsearly

Ellis will challenge judge's order to resume clerical support
The chief judge of the 18th Circuit has ordered Brevard Clerk of Courts Scott Ellis to resume providing clerical support for temporary relief, http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090324/NEWS01/903240314/1086/guardianship and eviction hearings.

Schools lose $100M
Cuts to Brevard Public Schools could be as high as $100 million next year, an increase of $20 million over previous projections, Superintendent Richard DiPatri warned Monday, citing recent revenue estimates http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090324/NEWS01/903240322/1086/

Unions Don’t Cause Firm Closures
What’s the real effect of union membership on businesses? A new report by economist John DiNardo of the University of Michigan suggests there’s no connection between a firm’s likeliness to shut down and whether its employees have a union. http://blog.aflcio.org/2009/03/23/epi-unions-dont-cause-firm-closures/

Support Brevard ACLU by attending Annual Fundraiser after the Florida March For Peace.
Please attend and bring a friend to show your support for the organization that has spent COUNTLESS HOURS protecting and defending your freedoms and civil rights in Florida and Brevard County.
Saturday March 28th - 8:30pm at Imago Gallery -701 East New Haven Ave, Melbourne
Featuring Live Original World Beat Music from Nuclear Umbrella.
Cost only $10
Cash Bar for Beer and Wine.
+ Silent Art Auction.
ACLU Info and Memberships available.
For more info contact Kevin by email
thecitizen@cfl.rr.com

MegaVote 23 March 2009 for Florida's 15th Congressional District:
Recent Congressional Votes -* Senate: Confirmation of Ronald Kirk to be U.S. Trade Representative
* Senate: Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009
* House: Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act
* House: To impose an additional tax on bonuses received from certain TARP recipients
Upcoming Congressional Bills -
* Senate: Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act
* House: Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009
* House: Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act=
Recent Senate Votes:Confirmation of Ronald Kirk to be U.S. Trade Representative http://capwiz.com/congressorg/issues/votes/?votenum=100&chamber=S&congress=1111
Vote Confirmed (92-5, 2 Not Voting)
On Wednesday, Ron Kirk was confirmed as U.S. Trade Representative.
Sen. Mel Martinez voted YES
send e-mail (http://capwiz.com/congressorg/mail/?
id=10033&mailid=custom)see bio (http://capwiz.com/congressorg/bio/?id=10033)
Sen. Bill Nelson voted YES
send e-mail (http://capwiz.com/congressorg/mail/?id=10892&mailid=custom)
see bio (http://capwiz.com/congressorg/bio/?id=10892)-----------------------------------------------------------------Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009
http://capwiz.com/congressorg/issues/votes/?votenum=106&chamber=S&congress=1111
Vote Passed (77-20, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate passed this package of legislation related to public lands, national parks and water development.
Sen. Mel Martinez voted YES
send e-mail (http://capwiz.com/congressorg/mail/?id=10033&mailid=custom)
see bio (http://capwiz.com/congressorg/bio/?id=10033)
Sen. Bill Nelson voted YES
send e-mail (http://capwiz.com/congressorg/mail/?id=10892&mailid=custom)
see bio (http://capwiz.com/congressorg/bio/?
Recent House Votes:-----------------------------------------------------------------Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act
http://capwiz.com/congressorg/issues/votes/?votenum=140&chamber=H&congress=1111
Vote Passed (321-105, 6 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill to reauthorize and reform national service programs.Rep. Bill Posey voted NO
send e-mail (http://capwiz.com/congressorg/mail/?id=2401&mailid=custom)
see bio (http://capwiz.com/congressorg/bio/?id=2401)---------------------------------------------------------- To impose an additional tax on bonuses received from certain TARP recipients http://capwiz.com/congressorg/issues/votes/?votenum=143&chamber=H&congress=1111
Vote Passed (328-93, 10 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would enact an additional income tax on bonuses given to employees or former employees of companies that received Troubled Assets Relief Program money.
Rep. Bill Posey voted NO
send e-mail (http://capwiz.com/congressorg/mail/?id=2401&mailid=custom)
see bio (http://capwiz.com/congressorg/bio/?id=2401)===================
==Upcoming Votes:------
Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act - H.R.1388
This week the Senate will work on this national service bill.Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 - H.R.146
The House will vote on this public lands, national parks and water development legislation.
Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act - H.R.1404
The House is scheduled to vote on this bill intended to improve funding and management of fighting wildfires.