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Donald Trump told the country his White House ballroom would be paid for by outside donors.
He said taxpayers would not be forced to cover the cost. Now MAGA Republicans are trying to slip $1 billion in public funding into a Republican budget package tied to White House “security” upgrades and Trump’s ballroom project.
That is exactly how corruption works in Trump’s Washington. The public gets promises. Trump gets a vanity project. His allies write the check. Working people are left paying the bill while Congress claims there is never enough money for healthcare, childcare, housing, food, schools, or lowering costs.
Florida’s attack on unions is a warning to every worker
Ron DeSantis and Florida Republicans are trying to turn collective bargaining into an obstacle course designed to exhaust workers, drain unions, and hand more power to bosses, billionaires, and anti-worker politicians. Florida’s constitution protects collective bargaining, but DeSantis has spent years attacking the workers who actually use that right to demand better pay and stronger benefits.
DeSantis wants unions trapped in constant survival mode because strong unions are one of the last real checks on corporate power.
That means teachers, higher education workers, public employees, and other workers can be pushed into repeated elections just to keep the union they already voted to form. Workers who are busy teaching students, maintaining public services, or caring for families can be turned into a statistic used against their own union if they are unable to participate.
Florida Democrats Flip Two Legislative Seats
In special elections last month, Florida Democrats had their best election night in years, flipping two state legislative seats. Analysts point to strong candidates, rising gas prices, and voter frustration with one-party rule as key factors — with NPA voters breaking strongly Democratic. The momentum is real heading into November. Read more →
DeSantis Signs Gerrymandered Map — Lawsuit Filed Same Day
Florida’s new congressional map is now law after DeSantis signed the redistricting bill on May 4th. The map targets four Democratic incumbents — including Kathy Castor in Tampa — and a lawsuit was filed the same day arguing it violates Florida’s Fair Districts Amendment. The fight is headed to court. Read more →
Local Dem Files for Congress — CD 16
Former Sarasota Mayor Kelly Kirschner has officially filed as a Democrat for Florida’s 16th Congressional District, the open seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Vern Buchanan. The redrawn district now covers parts of Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto counties. Kirschner is running on an affordability message. Read more →
The Hispanic Vote in Motion: Understanding the Latest Shifts
Thu. May 21, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Virtual Event
Florida International University professor Eduardo Gamma will take us into the shifting dynamics of the Hispanic vote, breaking down what’s changing and why it matters right now. Drawing on the latest FIU study, he will help all of us understand how to turn these insights into smarter, more effective organizing strategies that actually move voters. if you are about winning elections and building power in our communities, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Florida Governor signs anti-union bill into Law - and on International Workers' Day, to boot.
May 05, 2026 McKenna Schueler
The law (SB 1296) builds upon a previous union 'reform' effort approved by the governor in 2023 targering one of his political enemies; teachers unions.
As expected, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dutifully signed into law a bill Friday targeting most of the state’s public sector unions. The bill was passed mostly along party lines in March during state lawmakers’ largely-unproductive 2026 regular legislation session. read more
Florida Democrats Respond to DeSantis Illegal Maps
April 27, 2026
TALLAHASEE, FL - Today, Ron DeSantis sent his personally drawn Congressional map, presented in red and blue, to FOX News before he shared them with Floridians or the very state lawmakers that will vote on it.
This illegal, hyperpartisan new map was drawn explicitly at the request of Donald Trump and violates Florida’s Fair Districts Act, which 63% of Florida voters enshrined in the state constitution in 2010. The Florida Constitution is explicit: maps cannot be drawn to favor a political party. Four separate polls have reached the same conclusion: Floridians oppose gerrymandering. DeSantis is not just breaking the law — he’s ignoring his own constituents to do it.
Read more
Use this link to call your state legislators now. Tell Lawmakers: "Don't Rig Florida's Maps!"
We Interrupt School Board News for What's Happening in Mayberry.
Well golllyyyyyyy.
We are living in what will be called historic times. Trevor Noah, the comedian, asks us in his Netflix special “Joy in the Trenches”: “What role can you say you played?”
So many have attended protests, made campaign contributions and volunteered for their party by hitting the ground or making calls for our candidates.
There’s possibly an equal amount of people who want to be a part of the change, but they’re overwhelmed and paralyzed. That is understandable.
There is a way out of the wet cement by taking baby steps. Read More
School Board Meeting - Your voice is needed!
Call to Action: New Time - 10 a.m. Public Education is under attack! Join us at the next School Board Meeting, Tuesday, April 21 and Tuesday June 16. RSVP
Quarterly Membership Meeting Featuring David Jolly for Governor and Andrew Spar, President FEA
Time: Sat. April 18, 10:00 - 12 p.m. EDT
Join us for an enlightening discussion featuring David Jolly, a candidate for Governor, and Andrew Spar, the President of the Florida Education Association.
Congressman Jolly will delve into his comprehensive education platform, outlining his vision and strategies to enhance the state's educational system. His proposals aim to address key issues such as funding, teacher retention, and student performance.
Meanwhile, Andrew Spar will provide insights into the recent legislative session, offering a detailed analysis of what the Florida legislature's decisions mean for educational budgeting and policy.
This conversation promises to be both informative and pivotal for understanding the future of education in Florida, highlighting the challenges and opportunities ahead. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with leaders dedicated to shaping a brighter educational future.
Immigrant Seniors Lose Medicare Coverage Despite Paying for it
by Venessa G. Sánchez, El Tímpano - April 6, 2026
Oakland, Calif - “Rosa María Carranza leaned forward to hold a 3-year-old’s back as the girl climbed a rock in the forested hills of northeast Oakland.
Dressed in hiking gear and beaded necklaces, Carranza, 67, maneuvered between trees and children on a sunny morning in December. “Hold on to that branch,” she said in Spanish. “You can do it, my love!”
Carranza, a child development professional who grew up swinging through trees and swimming in rivers in El Salvador, said she feels at home in the forest at the outdoor preschool she co-founded. She has worked with children and teens as a caregiver and educator for more than three decades, long enough to know when to lean in and when to step back to let her students find their own footing.
When she transitioned to working part-time last year, Carranza counted on getting Medicare and Social Security checks — benefits given to American workers and lawfully present immigrants when they retire, if they meet work history and age or disability requirements. She’s contributed tens of thousands of dollars into Medicare and Social Security over 24 years, according to her Social Security Administration earnings record, reviewed by El Tímpano and KFF Health News. But Carranza and an estimated 100,000 other lawfully present immigrants will soon be cut out of Medicare.” read more
Excerpt From
“Immigrant Seniors Lose Medicare Coverage Despite Paying for It”
Vanessa G. Sánchez, El Tímpano
KFF Health News
https://apple.news/AmHm8fc7iTlOPxhP3ObLJZw
ICYMI: No One Wants Ron’s Redistricting Scheme; Republicans Breaking with Governor & 56% of Florida’s Voters Think it’s Bad Idea
It’s time for Ron DeSantis to take the hint, no one wants mid-decade redistricting in Florida. Congressional Republicans have come out against DeSantis’ redistricting idea after a series of special election defeats, state lawmakers ended regular session with little action on the issue, and now new polling proves Florida voters are against the idea. Now, despite widespread bipartisan opposition, Ron is calling lawmakers back to Tallahassee for a Special Session on April 20th in an effort to push through new maps.
Yesterday, Emerson College Polling released a survey showing 56% of Florida voters are against mid-decade redistricting, meaning the majority of Florida voters don’t agree with redrawing our Congressional districts. The poll outlines that 65% of Democrats disagree with the idea and 64% of Independents 64% oppose new maps. This is key because early analysis shows that Independents broke 70-80% in line with Democrats during the March Special Elections in Palm Beach and Hillsborough County. Voters have not asked for new maps and they aren’t interested in them.
Florida Democratic Party Statement on the Death of Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen
TALLAHASSEE, FL- Today, news broke of the tragic and untimely death of Florida Democratic Party Vice Chair and Coral Springs Vice Mayor, Nancy Metayer Bowen. Upon learning of her passing, Florida Democratic Party Chair, Nikki Fried released the following statement:
“It is with a broken heart and profound grief that the Florida Democratic Party mourns the sudden and horrific death of our beloved Vice Chair, Nancy Metayer Bowen.
Just days ago, I spoke with Nancy. Just two weeks ago, I held her in a hug at our Party’s Leadership Summit, never imagining it would be one of our last moments together. Read Full Article