Polk County Democratic Party Weekly Digest: August 23-29, 2021
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Help Protect Our School Children
The Polk County School Board tomorrow will discuss masking and other measures to mitigate rising COVID-19 numbers in the schools during a workshop and regularly scheduled meeting. While the Polk County School Board has stated it feels it has no option but to allow the optional wearing of masks, based on a Gov. Ron DeSantis executive order, several other school boards in the state have defied the order to protect their students, staff and families of both.
To show our concern about the Polk County School Board's possible change in mask mandating policy, join members of the Polk County Democratic Party on Tuesday, August 24th, for a Polk County Student Safety First Press Conference (4:45 pm) and Sign Waving (4:00 –7:00 pm) outside of the Jim Miles Professional Development Center, 4270 Wallace Road, Lakeland.
We will urge school board members to stand strong against the threats of DeSantis and to follow the science-based recommendations of public health officials and healthcare leaders, as they struggle valiantly to save the lives of people sickened by this virus in overburdened hospitals. Such science-based measures include vaccinations, the wearing of masks and social distancing.
People wishing to go inside to make public comment must sign up prior to the meeting. While standing outside, we encourage attendees to wave signs, maintain a respectful attitude towards others, bring signs, chairs, water, umbrellas (if possible we will set up a tent) and properly social distance. Some people may choose to display a sign from the safety of their cars. For more information, register with Mobilize, email polkcountydemocrats@gmail.com or call (863) 668-7199.
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Afghanistan updates
Democratic-led committees vow investigations on Afghanistan
Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he has invited Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to testify. A hearing could take place as soon as this week.
For full story, click here.
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How to help
Watching the swift takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban has many of us wondering what we can do. As US forces evacuate refugees, it is unknown where many will land. For now, here are some suggestions:
Florida:
Given Florida’s size and diversity, there are far more options for refugee assistance. Lutheran Services is a big presence in the state and claims to have helped 1 in 50 Floridians since it was created amid the Vietnamese and Cuban refugee crisis in the early 1980s. It primarily offers help with family reunification, youth services, employment and trafficking victim assistance.
How you can help: The organization is currently accepting donations.
How to get help: Phone: (813) 875-1408 or start your application here.
Catholic Services is also present in Florida alongside state and federal partners.
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Call to Action
Speak Up: Oppose the Expansion of a Dangerous Gypstack
The Department of Environmental Protection is holding a meeting concerning the expansion of Mosaic's New Wales phosphogypsum waste stack.
The meeting will be Wednesday, Aug. 25, from 4-7 p.m. at the RP Funding Center (formerly the Lakeland Civic Center), Hollingsworth Ballroom, 701 W Lime St, Lakeland, FL 33815.
The Center for Biological Diversity is encouraging anyone who would like to attend to sign up here, and they will send some sample talking points to help guide your testimony. It's important for you to include your personal reasons for opposing this dangerous expansion.
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Women's Equality Day Virtual Celebration and Town Hall
In recognition of August 26 marking Women's Equality Day across the US, State Representative Anna V. Eskamani will host a discussion August 25, led by Vanessa Echols of WFTV. This virtual town hall will include State Representatives Kristen Arrington, Kamia Brown, Joy Goff-Marcil, Daisy Morales, Orange County Property Appraiser Amy Mercado, and Kiley Mack of Generation Ratify offered on Zoom and Facebook Live.
Even after the 19th Amendment passed in 1920, many women, in particular women of color, still could not vote. Last year marked 100 years since this historic marker, but it's on us to continue the conversation and carry the torch moving forward.
Join the conversation here.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR - Legislative Delegation Meeting
Representative Colleen Burton, Chair Designate of the Polk County Legislative Delegation, has announced that a Legislative Delegation meeting will be held on October 26, from 1:30 pm – 6:00 pm, at the Center for Public Safety Building, 1251 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven.
The annual public meeting is an opportunity for citizens, elected county and city officials and members of civic organizations to address the delegation before the 2022 state legislative session begins.
We have been advised that those interested in speaking before the delegation will have a chance to register starting Oct. 1. Further details will be provided when that system opens.
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Training Opportunities
Statewide Voter Registration Training
Join the Florida Dems' Field Staff and volunteers from across the state for an in-depth look at how you can begin to register voters in your community!
The session on Tuesday, Aug 24, from 7-8.30 p, will teach you all of the rules and regulations, including updates since SB 90's passage as well as go over best practices when doing voter registration so that you can get as many as possible during your shifts.
The training is virtual. You will receive a meeting invitation as soon as you sign up.
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Judge says lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ school mask ban can move forward
The case was brought by 27 families and is being heard before Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper, who oversees the Second Circuit Court in Florida. On Thursday, denying a state's motion to dismiss the case, Judge Cooper said: “These parents and their children have the right to have their case heard in court.”
A three-day hearing has been set to start on Monday (August 23).
For the full story, click here.
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Polk County outpaced Florida's population growth rate
With a population growth rate of 20.4%, Polk County is ranked 13th in Florida for the counties that saw an increase between the 2010 and 2020 censuses, based on the U.S. Census Bureau data released this month. In comparison, Hillsborough County was ranked at 14th and Orange County ranked at sixth. Statewide, Florida had a population growth of 15%.
These increase will mean redistricting changes for our region, with Florida lawmakers expected to begin the process next month. We will be monitoring the progress of this process and update as more information becomes available.
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House returns to Washington next week to forge ahead with infrastructure bill, budget plan
The chamber aims to hold a vote to advance the bipartisan infrastructure bill, Democrats’ $3.5 trillion spending plan and voting rights legislation, followed by passage of a budget resolution that unlocks the reconciliation process.
For more, click here.
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Polk County unemployment declines in July amid continued economic recovery
The Polk County unemployment rate fell more than half a point in July, though the area lags the state and nation.
Sean Snaith, the director of the Institute for Economic Forecasting at the University of Central Florida, said the latest numbers released by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity show a state and local economy on the mend after more than a year of turmoil.
Click here for more.
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Bartow says Confederate memorial can move to Oak Hill Cemetery — under one condition
A 40-year-old Confederate marker will move from its home in the heart of downtown Bartow to city-owned land where Civil War veterans are buried — but only under one condition.
Polk County has to pay the entire tab to move it from its property outside the historic courthouse, and agree to maintain ownership and responsibility of the marker once it’s placed firmly in the ground at Oak Hill Cemetery, the Bartow City Commission stipulated Monday night after a lengthy discussion.
Full story here.
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U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocks reinstatement of Trump-era immigration policy
A U.S. Supreme Court justice on Friday temporarily blocked a lower court ruling that would require Democratic President Joe Biden to reinstate a contentious immigration policy implemented by his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump.
The brief order by conservative Justice Samuel Alito puts the litigation on hold while the high court considers how to handle the Biden administration's request seeking to impose a longer-term block on the judge's ruling that would require the government to revive the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) program.
More information here.
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Important Dates and Meetings
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Steering Committee & Regular DEC Meetings
The next Regular DEC Meeting will be held on Monday, September 13 Click here to register.
(Regular DEC meetings are on 2nd Monday of the month)
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Caucus, Clubs and Committees
Special guest speaker will be Lori Edwards, Polk County's Supervisor of Elections
Guest speaker Mike Harvey, Candidate for Florida State District 20
Guest speaker will be Lisa Straehley, executive director of Sawgrass Progressives, a nonprofit organization that helps environmentalist state legislative candidates run grassroots campaigns. She will speak about the state of Florida and Polk County politics, what we can do to organize our community now, what Sawgrass does and what we should all be doing in 2022.
Upcoming Polk County DEC Mobilize Events
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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
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Democratic Party of Polk County, Club & Caucus Links
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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
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