Polk County Democratic Party Weekly Digest: August 9-15, 2021
|
|
|
New Polk County Caucus to Represent Jewish Community
|
|
Local Democrats extend a warm welcome to the newly formed Polk County Democratic Party Jewish Caucus, which will welcome Democrats who are of the Jewish faith and Democratic allies that stand in solidarity.
The caucus inaugural chair, Jiwa Farrell said: "This caucus is necessary because we face increased hostility as well as implicit and explicit anti-Semitism.
"We maintain our Democratic values as we stand side-by-side with our country and our party. We will work toward the common goal of getting Democrats elected in local, state, and national elections.
"Please join our caucus to stand with us. All you have to do is be a Democrat. I can walk you through the rest."
Jiwa is also chair of the Democratic Disability Caucus of Polk County.
"As with the Polk Jewish Caucus, people with disabilities must have their voices heard. I invite you to two caucuses who’s members continue to struggle against prejudice, discrimination and hate. Let’s all stand together."
For more information, Jiwa can be contacted via PolkCountyDemocrats@Gmail.com
|
|
Voter Registration Training
On Tuesday, Aug. 10, at 7 pm, Voter Registration Committee chair Barbara Dutcher will host a Voter Registration training session on Zoom. Those interested in voter registration and/or organizing voter registration events for the DEC are encouraged to attend.
There have been some changes to voter registration in Florida based on a new law that came out of Senate Bill 90 in the 2021 Legislative Session. Barbara will be going over all the forms, rules and best practices so you'll feel confident about registering voters.
Click here to join the Zoom meeting at 7 pm, Aug 10.
Meeting ID: 860 8674 5558
Passcode: 678493
|
|
The Florida Democratic Party's annual Leadership Blue Convention is back! This event will be held in Orlando from August 27-29, and include virtual sessions. As the list of activities and sessions are being finalized, visit leadershipblue.com for updates and more information.
|
|
As health officials push COVID-19 vaccine, Polk County commissioners cling to false information
When a Polk County resident went to a Polk County Commission meeting last week in search of COVID information, the lack of a health official in attendance gave way to commissioner to dispense "their own thoughts and opinions about the virus and its vaccine. In doing so, they made untrue statements — such as children don't get COVID — and amplified some common misconceptions, such as characterizing the vaccine as 'experimental'."
One of the commissioners, who's paid by taxpayers for his government role, told The Lakeland Ledger that he doesn't trust the government. Maybe it's time we get commissioners we can trust!
Full story here.
|
|
DeSantis’ mask-optional order draws lawsuit from parents of students with disabilities
Parents of students with disabilities are suing to strike Gov. Ron DeSantis‘ school mask mandate prohibition as a violation of state and federal law.
According to a lawsuit filed shortly after a State Board of Education emergency meeting stemming from DeSantis’ executive order, preventing schools from enforcing mask requirements could be deadly for students with disabilities who are at a high risk for illness.
More information here.
|
|
|
Breaking: Judge rules Norwegian cruises can require proof of vaccination
U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams granted the preliminary injunction in a lawsuit challenging the state’s “vaccine passport” ban, which was signed into law in May by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
In a nearly 60-page ruling, the judge said Florida failed to “provide a valid evidentiary, factual, or legal predicate” for banning vaccination proof. Williams also said the cruise line company “has demonstrated that public health will be jeopardized if it is required to suspend its vaccination requirement.”
Full story here.
|
|
Florida Democrats to Congress: ‘Recess can wait, Democracy can’t’
State Democratic lawmakers joined their counterparts across the country at a Washington rally Tuesday urging the U.S. Senate to delay this week’s August recess to pass a voting rights bill.
The For the People Act is their best hope to stop recent state laws tightening voting regulations in more than a dozen states, including Florida.
For more, click here.
|
|
Infrastructure bill clears Senate hurdle, heads toward final vote
The Senate on Sunday night voted to move forward on the $1 trillion infrastructure bill, a key part of President Biden's domestic agenda. The Senate voted 68 to 29 to end debate on the final infrastructure product, and the final vote could happen late Monday or early Tuesday morning unless the opponents yield back some of their time.
More information here.
|
|
Biden, in a Push to Phase Out Gas Cars, Tightens Pollution Rules
President Biden on Thursday announced a multistep strategy aimed at rapidly shifting Americans from gasoline-powered cars and trucks toward electric vehicles — a central part of his plan to reduce the pollution that is heating the planet.
Mr. Biden is first restoring and slightly strengthening auto mileage standards to the levels that existed under President Barack Obamabut were weakened during the Trump administration. The new rules, which would apply to vehicles in the model year 2023, would cut about one-third of the carbon dioxide produced annually by the United States and prevent the burning of about 200 billion gallons of gasoline over the lifetime of the cars, according to a White House fact sheet.
For the full story, click here.
|
|
|
Important Dates and Meetings
|
|
Steering Committee & Regular DEC Meetings
The next Regular DEC Meeting will be held on Monday, August 9 Click here to register.
(Regular DEC meetings are on 2nd Monday of the month) |
Events of Clubs and Caucuses
Disability Caucus of Polk County - Sunday, August 15, at 5 pm
Register for the meeting here to hear from Alice Koehler, President & Ceo of Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine (LVIM)
|
|
|
Keep us up to date: If you would like to feature what your club or caucus is doing or introduce a new president, other office holder or person of interest, please send information to polkdemwd@gmail.com
|
|
|
Democratic Party of Polk County, Club & Caucus Links
|
|
|
Mailing Address:
Due to the pandemic the Democratic Party of Polk County has closed the office in Lakeland.
The mailing address is the following:
The Democratic Party of Polk County, 6039 Cypress Gardens Boulevard, Suite 328, Winter Haven, FL 33884
|
|
|
|
|
