03/02/23

Hi, everyone!

I hope you all are doing well! I’ve been consumed for the past few weeks with law school applications, but wanted to make a post sharing information ahead of the Florida Legislative Session, which starts next week. It’s not looking good, so we have to pay attention and stay involved!

If you come across any alarming, or promising, bills, drop them here! The document is a little messy, but I hope it’ll be a place to capture information as the Session moves forward.

Stay well!

Best,

Shelby

Image from FSU View.

“We of the younger generation cannot compromise with our ideals of human equality. We have seen the consequences of such compromises in the bloody pages of human history, and we must hold fast, using all of our passion and our reason.”

- Pauli Murray, co-founder of the National Organization of Women

State vs. People — Rallies continue to challenge the State’s overreach.

Last Thursday, thousands of Florida students and faculty walked out of their classrooms, jobs, and other responsibilities to protest the Florida Government’s attacks on their educational freedom. These rallies were coordinated in response to the State’s continued effort to ban books in public schools, propose budget cuts for gender-affirming care, and sugarcoat Black history. While it may feel like a dim time to be a Floridian, I’m glad there’s a rising effort to rally against it! Let’s keep up this energy.

Nikki Fried was tapped to repair the Florida Democratic Party.

Former Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried was elected as the Party’s new State Chair. Fried won 52% of the vote, against former state Senator Annette Taddeo and former Progressive Caucus leader Carolina Ampudia. Her plans are to unite the Party, by “lifting each other up [and creating] a movement in our state to make sure that we are truly protecting democracy, protecting freedom, and that we are representing all the people of our state.”

The Party has a lot of work to do to rebuild its organizational infrastructure and mend fractures, but I’m optimistic about the future and support Fried’s vision.

If you want to get more involved in the Democratic Caucus, there’s a meeting next Tuesday with Ryan Ray, the new Chair of the Leon County Democratic Party. Details are below.

Are you having issues with the City’s new utility billing system?

The City’s utility bill system was upgraded last month, after a six-year process to improve management systems. If you are trying to pay your bill for the first time, you will be prompted to get an activation token and then create a new account.

I haven’t gotten my utility yet for February, but I heard there’s a $50 “inconvenience” discount. I’ve heard that many are having issues! If you are, contact your Commissioners and the City’s utility customer service department - (850) 891-4968, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.

Upcoming Events:

March 2nd, - Pre-session Legislative Update with Rep. Gallop Franklin
March 3rd to 5th - Social Justice Weekend
March 4th - Providence Neighborhood Clean-up & North Florida Veg Fest
March 7th - Leon Democratic Environmental Caucus Meeting with Ryan Ray, Chair of the Leon County Democratic Party

Shelby's Campaign Diary

Session hasn't even started yet, and I…