Support Deegan's Budget Tonight - Action Alert September 15, 2025

beachesactivistmov
Sep 24
4 min read

Show Up & Support Deegan's Budget Tonight!

Jax Mayor Donna Deegan will hold a Town Hall tonight (Monday, September 15th) at 6 p.m.

at Fletcher High School. The meeting is your chance to voice support for the Mayor's proposed 2025-26 budget and oppose efforts by the GOP-dominated City Council to exact a token tax cut at the expense of needed programs for housing, healthcare, and seniors. It's also an opportunity to speak out against Council Member Rory Diamond --- who represents the Beaches --- and his attempts to insert "big, beautiful amendments" on DEI, immigrants, and abortion into the budget bill.

The City Council failed to enact the proposed cuts or Diamond's amendments last week in a fraught and contentious meeting, but members will have another go at it when they take a final budget vote on September 23. For a great update and refresher on what's at stake, read this spot-on piece by our friend, Rachel Grage. Meanwhile, let's keep up the pressure on the City Council!

Demand the City Council vote NO on the millage cut and Diamond's amendments. Find all the information you need to call or email the council members here.
Speak out at the September 23 City Council meeting. The meeting's start time has been bumped back earlier to 3 p.m. Find info here.
Need help crafting your comments? Indivisible Riverside Jax is organizing a "how-to" workshop on Sunday, September 21, from 2-4 p.m. featuring local advocates. Email us and we'll let you know the details as soon as they are available.

Protest Caravan Saturday to Baker Cruelty Camp

Mobilize with the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance on Saturday, September 20th in a Caravan to Baker Cruelty Camp! This action is part of a collective resistance against the attacks on immigrants in Florida and the cruel agenda pushed by Governor DeSantis and President Trump.

The caravan will assemble at 2 p.m. at Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park,120 N. Lee St., Jacksonville for car decorating, a quick rally, and other preparations. The caravan will depart promptly at 3 p.m. for a round-trip ride to the site. There will be no rally at the camp.

Federal Shutdown Looms: Demand a

Bipartisan Budget Bill

We have been here before --- funding for the federal government runs out at the end of the month, and there will be a shutdown unless the GOP can get enough Democratic senators to break ranks and vote for a continuing resolution to maintain current spending while they wrangle votes to pass their horrendous budget. Ten Democrats, including minority leader Chuck Schumer, did just that earlier this year. Not this time. The pressure is on the DEMS to draw the line, shutdown or no shutdown.

In a red state like Florida, the most effective action we can take is to make sure our senators -- Rick Scott and Ashley Moody -- know THEY own the shutdown if the GOP doesn't come up with concessions on healthcare subsidies and other spending proposed by the Democrats. Call (202.224.3121) or email them TODAY (clicking on their names) and demand they commit to a bipartisan funding process. Indivisible has a script you can use.

More Advocacy Opportunities!

Demand public review of changes to FL vaccine mandates. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) has just published a notice of its intent to change vaccine requirements for children in school and daycare. This would impact vaccines mandated through regulation, rather than legislative action. Unless requested in writing or deemed necessary by the agency head, these revisions can be adopted without holding a workshop to take public comments on the change. Click here to send an email to FDOH demanding a public process with public comment on any rule change for Florida's vaccine requirements.
Voter Registration: SOE & Community Perspectives. All Voting is Local is hosting a three-part virtual discussion to celebrate Florida Voter Registration Week starting today (Monday, September 15th) at noon with a panel of local Supervisors of Elections (SOEs). Find info and register here. The series continues on Tuesday, September 16th at 2 p.m. with a discussion featuring representatives of grassroots and community voter registration groups, including Jacksonville's Rosemary McCoy, CEO of the Harriet Tubman Freedom Fighters. RSVP here. The final session, focusing on Hispanic voters, is Thursday, September 18 at noon. RSVP here.