WASHINGTON (16 September) - Today U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), representing Florida’s 9th Congressional District, delivered the following remarks after sending a letter to President Obama asking him to end taxpayer funding of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). In addition, Bilirakis co-sponsored H.R. 3571, the Defund ACORN Act, which would prevent any federal funding or support for ACORN. Since 1994, ACORN has received more than $50 million in direct funding from the federal government.

I hope everyone has a happy and safe 4^th of July.  Marco Rubio is scheduled to speak at the Orlando Tea Party event tomorrow (July 4^th) around 11AM.  The event will take place at The Amway Arena.  LowerTaxesNow.org is the group responsible for putting the event on.

There is a grassroots money bomb for the Senatorial candidate tomorrow as well.  Below is the email that went out to supporters earlier this month. ——————–

Our Country is at a crossroads; the path we decide to follow today will have a strong and lasting effect on the United States for generations to come. In Florida, the US Senate race between Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio is not only an example of the crossroad for the US but for the Republican Party as well.

As Governor Mr. Crist has embraced Obama’s socialist bailout plan and failed to deliver much needed property tax relief to millions of Floridians. As speaker of the Florida House, Mr. Rubio led the charge to end property taxes in Florida and was always vigilant against laws that might limit our rights as citizens.

Marco Rubio espouses all the Ideas that truly define Republicans, and because of this the Washington establishment has chosen to openly oppose Mr. Rubio’s run for the US Senate.

I ask that you join me and thousands of other freedom loving Americans in a show of solidarity and love for this country by contributing $44 on the 4th of July to Marco Rubio’s campaign.

Please visit http://www.44onthe4th.com and show your support by pledging to contribute $44 on the 4th of July to Marco Rubio’s Senate Campaign.

I ask that you forward this message to family, friends and all others that believe in freedom. Help us put our country back on the path that respects individual freedom and fiscal responsibility.

Visit http://www.44onthe4th.com today and pledge $44 on the 4th of July.

The money bomb is in no way connected to the actual campaign.  It is a full fledge grassroots effort to get Rubio much needed money.

MELBOURNE, FL – Today Congressman Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) hosted a roundtable discussion with constituents and local health care experts to listen to their concerns and ideas as Congress begins consideration of health care legislation in the coming weeks. Some Congressional leaders have already drafted legislation, but details like the overall cost of their proposals, the degree to which individuals will have control over their benefits, and ways to pay for the reforms have yet to be flushed out.

“The first step is to listen to what folks like and don’t like about their current health plans,” said Congressman Posey. “There are several bills currently floating around Congress, but the process needs to involve individuals who will be impacted the most by reform efforts being drafted by politicians in Washington.”

Thursday’s roundtable discussion brought together representatives from 13 local health care organizations including Health First, Wuesthoff, Physician’s Assistant Associates, MIMA, AARP, Congregations for Community Action, Brevard County Health Department, Pediatrics of Brevard, Brevard Health Care Alliance, Brevard County Medical Society, and constituents from the surrounding community.

House Majority leaders recently put forward a proposal for a government plan which relies heavily on tax increases on small businesses, limited choices and the creation dozens of new entitlement programs. Three other plans have been offered in the U.S. Senate by three different Committee Chairmen as well.

In the past, the House has approved Small Business Association Health Care plans – 6 times in the last 7 years – but special interests have exerted enough pressure to block the idea in the Senate. Association Health Plans allow small businesses owners to pool their resources together with other members of their respective trade associations across the nation to create a larger pool. The larger pool can be used to buy health care in bulk, bringing down the cost much like the way the federal government offers health insurance plans.

Posey said he has already gotten a lot of feedback from his constituents, many of whom like their currents plans and want to keep them. Others say they want to be sure that they can continue to choose their own physicians and the benefits that their plan includes; or that they like their current plan but need some help paying some of the cost. Some seniors say they are worried Congress will eliminate the Medicare Advantage program to pay for new reform proposals. In the 15^thCongressional district more than 40,000 seniors have chosen to enroll in a Medicare Advantage health plan.

“There are several fundamental principles that are going to guide me as we move forward with any health care reform legislation,” said Posey. “First, do no harm – every American should be able to keep their current plan, today and tomorrow. Second, I will not vote for any bill in its final form that I have not been given proper time to read and evaluate.”

Posey added that he wanted to hear from constituents on this issue and folks can contact him through his website www.posey.house.gov.

WASHINGTON (26 June) – U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), representing Florida’s 9th Congressional District, today issued the following statement after opposing the House “Cap & Trade” plan – H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009:

“As Floridians face double digit unemployment for the first time in 34 years, the last thing we need is an energy tax that will drive energy costs through the roof for families and hamstring small businesses who are trying to survive and create jobs. This deeply flawed bill will severely disadvantage American businesses and shift jobs to other nations like China and India who do not cap emissions. We must balance the need to protect our environment with the need for economic growth and job creation. Unfortunately this bill fails to effectively strike that balance and will do more harm than good.

“Congress should instead increase domestic energy production, promote energy efficiency, and encourage private investment in renewable energy technologies as part of a comprehensive plan to address our energy needs.”

on the web: Bilirakis House Site

According to the Heritage foundation it is a jobs killing bill. They have released a fact sheet located here.  Several groups have come out urging a call to action on this bill, including Americans for Prosperity and the Campaign for Liberty

Americans for Prosperity Spokesperson had this to say about the bill:

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Jesse Benton from the Campaign for Liberty had this to say:

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His organization has released the following statement and is urging its members to contact members of congress. “HR 2454, the “Cap-and-Trade” bill scheduled to come before the house on Friday, is nothing more than a thinly disguised energy tax that will hit every single American.

Energy companies will pass the costs of their new regulations through to consumers in the form of huge price increases, meaning higher electric bills, gas prices, and increased costs across the board.

Barack Obama has estimated the costs of this legislation to American taxpayers to be over 650 BILLION dollars over the next eight years, and that figure is no doubt just a fraction of the real cost.

But even that modest estimate amounts to hundreds of dollars a year in increased living expenses for every family — and will more likely cost thousands a year.

Higher costs of doing business also means companies will be forced to lay off more workers. This current economic crisis is no time for Congress to consider both raising prices on hard-working Americans AND costing them their jobs.”

An aide in Adam Putnam’s (R-Bartow) office said that he has not made his final decision yet and is still reading through the bill.

Kathy Castor (D-Tampa) released a press release in May praising the bill.  You can read her Press Release here

On The Web: Americans for Prosperity, Campaign for Liberty, The Heritage Foundation

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer may have made extra stops on the state plane to pick up or drop off family members while conducting state business, travel records show.

Flight logs show that while Alex Sink and staff were traveling to the capital from West Palm Beach in January, the plane stopped in Tampa for 20 minutes. No one got off, and only Sink’s husband, Bill McBride, got on the plane before taking off again. FLIGHT LOGS CLICK HERE Each flight generally costs taxpayers between $1,500 – $2,000 an HOUR!

Similarly, McBride was with Sink and staff members in Boca Raton in October 2008. On the way back to Tallahassee, the plane stopped in Tampa for five minutes, where McBride got off and the rest of the passengers continued to the capital, records show.

Sink’s office didn’t dispute the records, but would not comment on whether the Tampa stops were scheduled solely to pick up and drop off family members.

“The rare times a family member has been on the plane, the CFO proactively paid the state for the cost of travel,” said her spokeswoman Kyra Jennings.

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“We have a responsibility to increase openness and transparency in Tallahassee, and making this travel information available to the public continues this commitment,” Sink said in May when she asked DMS to post travel logs.

Records also show that in June 2007, Sink and staffers flew to Orlando, and on the way back stopped in Tampa, where her son, Bert McBride, got on the plane for the trip back to Tallahassee. Two days later, on a Friday, Bert McBride traveled with Sink to Orlando for an official event, and the state plane dropped both off in Tampa before taking a staffer back to Tallahassee. Sink’s next official event was in Tampa the following Tuesday.

In April 2007, Sink flew from Miami to Tallahassee, stopping in Tampa where Bill McBride and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chairman Sheila Bair got off the plane during a 15-minute stop.

As readers may recall there was a huge uproar over Lieutenant Governor Jeff Kottkamp’s use of state planes.  Records show that he used the aircraft excessively racking up 365 flights in just 2 years.

Sink is a Democratic candidate for governor in 2010. She hopes to replace Gov. Charlie Crist, who is running for Senate. Attorney General Bill McCollum is the only major Republican seeking in the governor’s race.

“It’s shocking that the Chief Financial Officer who is the self-proclaimed watchdog of the taxpayers’ money would use the taxpayers’ money in such a manner, what appears to be a pickup and drop-off service for family members,” said Matt Williams, McCollum’s campaign manager.

State law states use of the plane “shall be available for official state business only as authorized by agency heads.”

Tea Parties still protesting. Is anyone listening?

This is the major question when you have thousands of people showing up at Tea Party events and protesting. Tea Party stands for (Taxed Enough Already), and it appears to be the Republican answer to the Democrats www.moveon.org . Tea Party’s are supposed to have no party affiliation and are not to be geared to pushing any particular candidate, but candidates do speak at Tea Party events. I have participated in Tea Party events myself with my wife and children as I do believe in the philosophy, but is anyone really listening. My wife and I have been involved in the political process for years but it appears that people start a movement, no one listens, and then the people become burnt out on the movement they were so passionate about. The Flag Day Tea Party event in Lakeland did not bring as many volunteers as the Tax day Tea Parties in Lakeland and Bartow. Currently more than 900 Tea Party groups Nationwide are having protests against what they are calling, “ABC News’ one-sided, supportive presentation of the Obama administration’s plan for a nationalized health care system.” The President’s plan is being aired Wednesday at 10 p.m. on ABC News and will feature President Obama, speaking from the White House, about the Senate Health, Education and Labor Committee’s proposed legislation for a government takeover of U.S. health care.

President Obama will answer questions about his vision for socialized health care from a panel of Americans selected by ABC News.

Are Tax Payers really tea’d off or is it an illusion as the crowds don’t seem to be what they once were? Are politicians really listening or is this just a free venue to come and speak to a group of people who you are not sure if they are your constituents or not? Do people really believe they are making a change or are they just going about their everyday lives and saying “as long as it doesn’t affect me”? Bill Maher stated that the Democrats are the new Republicans and the Republicans are the “Crazy Party”, is this true? I don’t know the answer to these questions but what I would really like to know. Is anyone listening?

Jim Brown

Conservative Citizen and Blog Contributor

The Hav-A-Tampa cigar factory in Tampa will close and lay off 492 employees.

Hav-A-Tampa is a division of Altaic USA Inc., which filed a required notice with the state of Florida that it will shut down its factory at 3901 Riga Blvd. in Tampa and begin the layoffs on Aug. 24.

Some non-manufacturing functions will move to another facility in Brandon, but none of the affected employees will be relocated to that facility, the company said in its notice.

Rick McKenzie, the company’s vice president of human resources, says business has been hurt by rising taxes. A new federal tobacco tax went into effect in April and will help pay for a health insurance program for low-income children.

Congressional Candidate Eddie Adams Jr. gave this statement regarding the closing “There are no good taxes. This is the primary result of taxation on tobacco.  Tobacco has been determined to be a legal product, but Federal government and the state government see this as an easy opportunity to generate money for the Federal and State government.  The more you tax a product or industry the less that product is going to sale.  So now we have Hav A Tampa laying off 500 people that will be looking to the government for handouts.  All because the Federal and State government thought this would be a great way to generate money.”

Congresswoman Kathy Castor’s office did not return our phone call about the plant closing.  Castor has supported federal legislation (HR-1256) that increased taxes on Tobacco products.

The company’s Web site says Hav-A-Tampa cigars were originally trademarked in 1902.

The company operates other production facilities in the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Puerto Rico, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

In addition to Hav-A-Tampa, Altadis hand-made cigar brands include H. Upmann, Playboy, Dutch Masters, Muriel, Phillies and Romeo y Julieta.

On the Web: HAV A TAMPA

Eddie Adams Jr. for Congress

It seems as though everyone right now is having hard times.  Family’s are scraping by and stopping non-essential spending.  Think about this. About two years ago if you went out to eat the restaurants were packed.   People had to wait at least 20-45 minutes for a seat.  I can’t say that is so anymore.

It does seem that the Government Cities, County, and State still have money to spend.  Our own Polk County Board of County Commissioners is handing out money faster than you can say Lake Weohyakapka.  Let’s recap some of the spending in just the past few months.

• $1 Million to Florida Southern College for a welcome center (for tourist to come look at buildings)
• $1 Million to USF Polytechnic, Money to be used as seed money
• $200,000 for an Off-Road park, Even though the market already determined a need and a private enterprise opened in Lake Wales.
• $1.8 Million Pedestrian Bridge over Highway 60 in Bartow to connect Fort Fraiser trail

Why just these four projects? Easy, these are just the ones that are handy and I know of that I think are frivolous waste.  Don’t get me wrong I think education is important. However the county is facing severe budget issues and they are not taking proactive actions to avoid the consequences.

Right now we need our commissioners to be fiscally responsible.  Not to be “YES” men to everything that comes across the agenda.  The county is facing issues such as laying off employees, forcing them to take furloughs, and pay cuts.

One item that Michael Herr (General Manager) introduced was pay cuts for employees making $100K or more.   No word yet if he will include himself in that pay cut.  You see in just 6 years the Polk County budget has went from $557 Million to $1.7 Billion.  Herr gets paid representative to the budget that he oversees.  So the larger the budget the more he makes.  So he really has no incentive to save county taxpayers money.

I know that persons at The Ledger may twist these words out of context so let me be a straight shooter with you.  I am not against education, recreation or anything else covered in this post.  However I am against WASTEFUL SPENDING & EVER EXPANDING GOVERNMENT!

Thank You.
Heath Whiteaker

Highlands County commissioners received a standing ovation from the audience after they voted Tuesday morning to suspend impact fees for a year, starting July 1.

While the audience was filled with many people who sought that action in hopes of boosting the downturned local economy, not everyone was in favor of the 5-0 unanimous vote.

Of the nine citizens who spoke before the commissioners voted, six supported the suspension, two opposed it, and one said his big concern is the potential hiring of illegal aliens by construction companies if building projects pick up.

Diana Albritton said getting rid of impact fees to jump-start the stalled county economy has been on most people’s minds.

“The impact fees suspension is the No. 1 topic, the ‘hot-button’ issue that everybody in Highlands County is talking about,” she said.

Albritton asked the commissioners to suspend these fees, assessed on developers to cover the cost of infrastructure needed due to growth.

Groups not only endorsing but also pleading for the suspension of impact fees included the Highlands County Builders Association, the Heartland Association of Realtors, and the recently founded The Group for Better Government.

County Commissioner Guy Maxcy, who tried to have impact fees suspended one year ago but couldn’t find any support then, said he has “faith” that getting rid of impact fees will result in some people getting called back to work.

And, Maxcy said, getting construction projects started will do no less than “put food in people’s mouths.”

County Commissioner Don Bates said he hopes that suspending impact fees will help start a local recovery from the recession, which has hit the construction industry particularly hard.

But, Bates said, suspending impact fees will be “worthless” unless people and businesses in this county actually start spending money on construction projects.

Bates said county government can put unemployed people back to work, too, by going ahead with county building projects which have been put on hold. The biggest such project is the construction of a new law enforcement/administration center for the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office.

The county has already spent nearly $900,000 out of the $1.1 million budgeted for the architectural plans for the new sheriff’s building. Work to complete the design was stopped earlier this year, when the commissioners voted 4-1 to shelve this project for at least six months.

Bates was the only commissioner who voted against putting a halt to the new sheriff’s building. The proposed building has an estimated price tag of $11.2 million and would be by far the biggest public works projects, outside of the Sebring Parkway.

Gabriel Read of Avon Park was one of two citizens who questioned the wisdom of getting rid of impact fees for one year in hopes of stimulating the construction industry.

“Who pays?” Read asked.

Read said if impact fees are gone, then the costs for infrastructure needed due to growth will have to be paid by all of the existing taxpayers in Highlands County. Impact fees were initiated three years ago to prevent current taxpayers from paying the growth costs created by new development, he said.

Tom Kosty, a resident of Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring, warned the commissioners that encouraging the building of more single-family homes, while the market is flooded with “an over supply” of homes that aren’t selling, will hurt many homeowners, especially retirees.

Many retirees who moved here from out of state are struggling financially because the more homes that are built – when there are already too many homes on the market – the more the value of the retirees’ homes drops, he said.

Speaking as “a retiree who moved to Highlands County in 2006,” Kosty said that, because of the flooded single-family home market, “every new (housing) development in Highlands County” decreases the value of retirees’ homes.

If the situation gets much worse, Kosty said, many retirees will lose their current “purchasing power” and some may have to move out of Highlands County.

Getting out of Highlands County is what businesses have been doing because of impact fees, said one woman Realtor. She asked commissioners to suspend the impact fees and told the following story:

She was ready to close a sale on land to a businessman who wanted to build a convenience store on State Road 66. However, when she told him that the impact fees on that small project would be about $60,000, he canceled the sale and told her, “I’m going to go to (build his store in) South Carolina.”

Mike Secor, president of the Highlands County Builders Association, said no one can guarantee that suspending impact fees for 12 months will put construction workers back to work and boost the local economy.

That might happen, and it might not, he said.

“I will say this, though,” he added. “If don’t try it, we won’t know.”