Jan 10, 2013
Heads Scott wins, Tails Obama loses
Jun 18, 2012
FCAT debacle proves change in order
May 15, 2012
When did underpaid schoolteachers become public enemy #1?
Mar 24, 2011
A shot of reality about high school performance
Dec 7, 2010
Apr 15, 2010
Apr 12, 2010
Get The Gelber Blog delivered right into your email inbox.
Short Update on the Legislative Session
Apr 8, 2009
By Dan
The legislative session has reached its mid-point and the dominating issue continues to be the economy and its impact on Florida’s budget. There seems to be general agreement – after an initial phase of chest thumping – that the federal stimulus money will be embraced and not rejected. (In fact, the chant quickly went from “we don’t want your money” to we “want more of your money.”) The House still seems to be answering the budget challenges with sound bites (“we’ll just have to tighten our belts”); my Senate colleagues, at least, seem more genuinely aware of the devastating impact of budget cuts and have at least been looking for additional revenue. Some of my bills that eliminate corporate tax loopholes have passed out of their Senate committees, even though they didn’t even get hearings or where summarily dismissed in the House over the last few years.
I totally reject the notion that keeping the education budget at current levels is “holding education harmless.” Over the last 24 months we have cut education $1.4 billion which translates to $500 per child. We spent more in 2003 than we are spending now, which means schools are being closed, teachers laid off, and significant programs are being cut and curtailed. We need to restore education funding to at least previous levels. In the short term, we can stimulate the economy by building infrastructure. But in the long term, our state's economic fate will be decided by the legislature's decision whether or not to invest in our most important commodity: our future workforce.
As always the major issues of the session will be determined in the last few weeks. So stay tuned to see the fate of the CSX deal, the clerk/judge battle, whether Indian gaming compact will be approved, whether a cigarette tax will be imposed, and whether the legislature will actually seek middle class tax equity by closing loopholes and unwise exemptions.
Most importantly, keep a close eye on Tallahassee---now more than ever!
___________
On another note: I am doing some traveling for the campaign during weekends around session and am continuing to do service projects. Stay tuned as we will be soon announcing our plans after session. More than likely, we will be coming to a city near you soon!
PLEASE save the Guardian ad Litem programs for funding cuts.
I appreciate this link on Facebook. Your insight is valuable as the voting population closely monitors our Legislature's actions and rhetoric. Please keep this line of communication open!
Way to go, Dan. I support your effort to fund education! Thanks for your work!Carl Howard- Orlando, FL
Dan, you're the man. I know I can trust your efforts in holding education harmless, as well as cutting tax loopholes. In my estimation, a cigarette tax is a worthy fight and works on three fronts. It builds revenue, and for those who refuse to pay out and are forced to quit, it improves their health, thereby preserving healthcare resources and reducing costs. You can count on me in your campaign for the US Senate. Keep building from the bottom up. Lynne KaplanMiami
To whomever said: "I do not know how anybody can be proud of themselves for advocating rasing taxes on small business in this time of challenge!"First of all, since when does "closing corporate loopholes" equal "raising taxes for small businesses."Second, raising is spelled 2 i's.
Hey Dan - let us know what's coming to Committees this week, please. Let us know what's being discussed so we can start calling our local legislators and telling them how we want to be represented. This is the time for ACTION - and please share with the local and statewide groups on MyBO. The folks on MyBO are informed, active and will react!Francine in Tampa
Dan, Bob Graham suggested I contact you as a teacher and hopefully candidate again in "10 for State Rep. Dist. 110. I am so concerned with what is happening in our schools - and I am teaching in an affluent neighborhood that has a PTSA who can raise money to help us. We are now, statewide, 50th out of 50 states in what we spend per child for education! A disgrace! We have cut in M-DCPS our custodians and our cafeteria and security monitors to a dangerous level. Funds are being cut for afterschool programs that cn "save" a child who does not do well in academics, like band, chorus, Academic Excellence, tutoring, etc. Who are we kidding? If we do not provide quality education for our children, companies will not relocate to our state - our children will not be competitive in this global economy.Why not tax cigarettes and split the money between health care and education? How about a surtax on alcohol and alcoholic beverages? Neither of those are necessities and it might even force people to give up smoking and cut back on drinking which will only help improve health in this country. How about reinstating the COLA for these urban counties to provide the funds they used to get from the state until the Republicans did away with what Senator Graham had established over 25 years ago?Please help me get this message out - it might even help you and me get elected in '10! ;-)Thank you,Nancy L. StanderEducator / Candidate (I hope)nlstander@dadeschools.netFollow me on Twitter, too.
Hi Dan,I understand you will be at UCF on Saturday, April 25 for an Earth Day event. The Seminole Democrats are hosting a picnic and river cleanup begining at noon that day to celebrate Earth Day and President Obama's first 100 days. If you have time after UCF, we would love to have you drop by for lunch.Thanks for all of your hard work. Steve BarnesSeminole Democrats Campaign Committee ChairVice Chair, Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District407-417-1628Steve@SJRmag.com
Special Message from Dan Gelber's "Little Brother"- Travis Thomas
Web Video: Bio Piece on Dan Gelber
Sen. Gelber debates against two amendments to HB 1143 that took aim at a woman's right to privacy
Final Video Message from Tallahassee: 2010 Legislative Session was guided by ideological frolics and a politically driven agenda
Jul 17, 2009
Follow Legislative Session Through My New Twitter Page
Feb 23, 2009
Feb 3, 2009
Nov 21, 2008
Nov 20, 2008
Legislature's redistricting handiwork destined for courts
Jan 16, 2012
Bill Nelson's Survival Strategy
Jan 11, 2012
Dan Gelber on exceptionalism and the old Marco Rubio
Sep 6, 2011
Who will take on Rick Scott? Charlie Crist? Alex Sink? Jeremy Ring? Rod Smith? Dan Gelber?
Jun 14, 2011
May 31, 2011
Email: info@dangelber.com
Political advertisement paid for and approved by Dan Gelber.
Wouldn't cutting taxes on small business, thus helping them create jobs help improve the economy more than rasing taxes (i.e. increasing revenue or revenue enhancement)? If we were able to cut business taxes by a subtantial amount, they can put that money back into hiring people. Rasing taxes in a time of economic crisis is the worst thing we can do. I do not know how anybody can be proud of themselves for advocating rasing taxes on small business in this time of challenge!