Democrats express optimism at Tampa fundraiser despite GOP victories
One of the speakers, U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, plans to make a big announcement next week.
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Congressman Charlie Crist, seen here on Election Day on Nov. 3, 2020, spoke Saturday at a Democratic fundraiser in Tampa. He expressed optimism about the party despite the GOP s dominance, and is days away from making a big political announcement. [ MARTHA ASENCIO RHINE | Times ]
Updated 2 hours ago
TAMPA â U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist and other prominent state Democrats delivered a message of optimism about the future of the Florida Democratic Party at a fundraiser Saturday.
Crist spoke just days before he is set to make a big announcement â possibly declaring for the 2022 governorâs race â and hours after Republicans wrapped up this yearâs legislative session by handing Gov. Ron DeSantis a string of conservative victories.
Senate sponsor Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, said the bill closes a “loophole.”
“This is about safety,” Gruters said. “We saw what happened in Texas when a church, unfortunately, was the target. Six seconds it took them to secure that location. This gives schools the needed safety they need. It gives churches the additional security that they need. This gives the property owners the ultimate responsibility to make the decision that s best for them.”
Democrat countered the proposal won’t improve safety.
“It s a fallacy, Dirty Harry, Rambo. John McClane aren t going to be rising up in a church and taking out the bad guy,” Senate Minority Leader Gary Farmer, D-Lighthouse Point, said. “When you’ve got more guns, you ve got more danger, period. These are religious institutions. They re supposed to be peaceful places of worship. Why anybody would bring a gun to a church is beyond me.”
Senate Democratic leader ousted gavel generic (Source: WAVE 3 News) By News Service of Florida | April 28, 2021 at 10:14 PM EDT - Updated April 28 at 10:14 PM
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WWSB) - Florida Senate Democrats voted Wednesday to oust Minority Leader Gary Farmer with just days left in the legislative session, deciding to replace him with Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation.
Less than six months after Farmer, D-Lighthouse Point formally took the leadership post in November, Democratic senators cast a unanimous vote of no confidence.
Wednesday’s ouster came after years of tension between Farmer and Book, who was chosen last week to lead Senate Democrats following the November 2022 elections. Instead, she was tapped to assume the leadership position more than a year ahead of schedule.
Florida Senate Democrats voted Wednesday to oust Minority Leader Gary Farmer with just days left in the legislative session, deciding to replace him with Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation.
Less than six months after Farmer, D-Lighthouse Point, formally took the leadership post in November, Democratic senators cast a unanimous vote of no confidence.
Wednesday’s ouster came after years of tension between Farmer and Book, who was chosen last week to lead Senate Democrats following the November 2022 elections. Instead, she was tapped to assume the leadership position more than a year ahead of schedule.
Book was made the heir-apparent after Sen. Perry Thurston, a Fort Lauderdale Democrat who was set to follow Farmer as the party leader, filed this month to run for a South Florida congressional seat.
By Jim Turner News Service of Florida &
• 1 hour ago
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A proposal that would let people with concealed-weapons licenses pack heat at churches or other religious institutions that share properties with schools is heading to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The Republican-controlled Senate on Tuesday voted 24-16 along party lines to give final approval to the measure (HB 259), which passed the House last month.
DeSantis’ office did not immediately reply to a question about whether the governor will sign the bill. Florida law generally allows people to carry concealed weapons at churches, synagogues, mosques and other religious institutions, but it bars being armed on school properties.