"Plaintiffs…allege that SB 90 runs roughshod over the right to vote, unnecessarily making voting harder for all eligible Floridians, unduly burdening disabled voters, and intentionally targeting minority voters—all to improve the electoral prospects of the party in power….Having reviewed all the evidence, this Court finds that, for the most part, Plaintiffs are right." - Chief U.S. District Judge Mark E. Walker
Celebrate a Rare Victory - SB 90's Voter Suppression Overturned!
Last week U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued a blistering, 288-page ruling eliminating the most damaging provisions of last year's SB90 and ordering the state to clear any additional changes to voting laws with him for the next 10 years. As Heather Cox Richardson said, " This is the first time a federal court has sought to overrule the recent attempts of Republican-dominated state legislatures to rig the vote, and Walker made thorough work of it."
While the state is sure to appeal this decision, Judge Walker's eloquent and detailed ruling is an excellent call to arms for everyone worried about the widespread assaults on voting rights and the ongoing erosion of the Voting Rights Act. If you don't have time to read the full decision, the Florida Phoenix and Talking Points Memo both offer useful summaries.
Tuesday, April 5 - How to Use Twitter to Reach Like-Minded Floridians
The Statewide Indivisible Florida Taskforce (SWIFT) is holding Part 2 of its training on social media advocacy this week at 5:30 on Zoom. Meet progressives from across the state & learn how social media can help get our message out - and how Indivisible's Truth Brigade is working to counter the misinformation rampant online. You can RSVP here. If you missed Part 1, you can access it here.
Wednesday, April 6 - The Good, the Bad, & the Hopeful from the 2022 Legislative Session
Beaches Watch is holding its first in-person meeting in 2 years this week at 7 PM at the Beaches Branch Library Common Room. Guest speakers Mike Staffopoulos (Jacksonville Beach City Manager), Stefen Wynn (Neptune Beach City Manager), and Kevin Hogencamp (Atlantic Beach Deputy City Manager) will discuss the impact legislative action during the 2022 Legislative Session will have on our lives. Expected topics include smoking at public beaches and parks, tree protection, short-term rentals, business damage claims against cities, and the state's Climate Change Resiliency office.
Questions for the speakers may be submitted before the meeting via email no later than today, April 4.
Saturday, April 9 - Spring into Action at Atlantic Beach Arts in the Park
BAM and partners will be registering voters & promoting vote-by-mail at the Arts in the Park festival from 10 am to 4 pm Johansen Park this weekend.
Thanks to all who've volunteered to help us meet voters and talk about the importance of electing candidates who support democratic ideals! Plan to be there & add your voice to these conversations! Questions? Email us.
Don't Let CBS Follow the Fox News Path!
Mike Mulvaney is the former conservative South Carolina Congressman who became Donald Trump's director of the Office of Management & Budget and ultimately his acting White House chief of staff. In those roles he was instrumental in the decision to withhold funds from Ukraine to force an investigation of Hunter Biden - the basis for Trump's first impeachment.
As historian Heather Cox Richardson details, Mulvaney's history makes him an unlikely person for CBS to hire and introduce as a neutral commentator on the Biden budget. The Washington Post has since revealed the roots of this hire in the network's desire for more Republican connections in case Democrats lose big in the midterms. None of this is behavior befitting an ostensibly balanced and believable news source. Let’s call CBS about Mick Mulvaney. 1 (212) 975-3247 or write cbs.com/feedback. If you need inspiration, check out this letter written by a like-minded Floridan in Sebastian Florida.
This Week's Interesting Reads
Next year's JAX Mayor's race is shaping up to be the most expensive ever. Details from Times Union.
Biden's Economy is Booming - Terrific March Jobs Report. Important messages to share with friends & neighbors.