Statement from local Republican Party

Statement from Blaise Ingoglia, Chairman of the Hernando County Repubican Party

Today, in a 5-4 decision the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the individual mandate of the Affordable Healthcare Act is constitutional, not as a mandate under the "Commerce Clause", but as a tax. This is disappointing to say the least and even more disappointing that Chief Justice Roberts was the swing vote.

Just because a law is upheld by SCOTUS does not necessarily mean it is good for the American people.
It was a bad law yesterday. It is still a bad law today and remains unpopular as ever.

On the bright side the court ruled that the Federal government cannot coerce the states by penalizing them financially for not wanting to expand Medicaid per the Act.

This law must be repealed and replaced with some common sense, market driven solutions. The only way to accomplish this is to head to the polls this November to take back The White House and regain control of the U.S. Senate. That means going to the polls in record numbers to make Obama a "one term President" and to send Bill Nelson into retirement.

 In order to save this Republic we only have one choice...to win elections. We must start now and not let up until election day.

The sleeping giant has re-awakened. Call your friends, family and neighbors. Tell them to get involved!

Press Release / Rich Nugent's office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                              

“The federal government became more powerful today than I ever imagined it could be.”

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) –following the United States Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the individual mandate in the President’s healthcare law, Rep. Rich Nugent (FL-05) issued the following statement:

“In justifying their decision to uphold the individual mandate and in explaining the full scope of power granted to Congress under its authority to tax, Chief Justice Roberts wrote,

‘Congress may also “lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States.” U. S. Const., Art. I, §8, cl. 1.    Put simply, Congress may tax and spend. This grant gives the Federal Government considerable influence even in areas where it cannot directly regulate. The Federal Government may enact a tax on an activity that it cannot authorize, forbid, or otherwise control.’

“The Supreme Court ruled today that although the federal government does not have the constitutional authority to force you to buy health insurance, it does have the authority to levy a tax penalty on you if you do not.  In other words, the federal government can’t force you to do something, but they can compel you to do something through their power to tax you.  In my mind, there is virtually no meaningful difference between those two.

“What’s next?  Where does the power end?  If the government decides that it is in the national interest to require all Americans to buy a new car, they may not be able to force you to go buy a Chevy, but they can levy a tax to compel you to do so.  If the government decides that it is in the national interest for all Americans to put solar panels on their roofs, they can’t force you to go buy solar panels, but they can tax your wages until you break down and decide to give in.  And if, as Justice Scalia alluded to, the government decides that you should be required to buy a hundred pounds of broccoli because they think it’s good for you, they can tax your income until you’re eating broccoli morning, noon, and night.  The court’s language is that vague. That may sound ridiculous, but to the Founders of this country, I think the idea that the federal government could compel you to buy anything would sound ridiculous. 

“The problem that I think many people are overlooking is that even after the President’s healthcare law is repealed and replaced, the power to compel behavior will still be there.  That’s why to me, this is so much bigger than healthcare – bad as Obamacare is on its own.”  

Two-tiered fire plan stalled

Brooksville, Fla. - Doors to the council chambers closed to silence the public clamor in the hallway.

It looked like dueling warriors outside Brooksville City Council Chambers.  The only thing missing was a few chest butts to make it official.

Local lawyer Joe Mason wanted answers.  But special council Mark Lawson wasn't talking, that is, until Mason crossed his path to block his exit from council chambers.

"You're a member of the bar association," Lawson said, as he told Mason to get out of his way.

The two lawyers exchanged words in a sidebar conversation.  Curious onlookers were craning their necks to hear the discussion between the two legal minds.
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Business owners and residents came out in force to voice their opinions on the new ordinance for special assessments to fund fire protection services proposed by  Mark Lawson and Chris Roe of Bryant, Miller & Olive, P.A.

Brooksville City Council contracted Miller & Olive, P.A. to come up with a plan to charge everyone in the city of Brooksville for fire service.

The two-tiered plan equates to having an MSTU based on millage to fund Brooksville Fire Department. And, it has an MSBU fee to charge every property owner in the city $106.00 a-year, including vacant lots.

The plan was previously floated as revenue-neutral.  But Lawson mentioned the need to raise taxes if his plan wasn't adopted by council to fund the fire department.  He noted a $600,000 shortfall several times during his presentation and follow-up to council members.
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Brooksville City Council was playing with a short-field of three members at the public hearing.   Frankie Burnett and Joe Bernadini were not in attendance at the meeting.  Mayor Joe Johnston chaired the meeting, with Lara Bradburn and Keven Hohn in attendance for the public hearing.

Several members of the public spoke in favor of proposed special assessments.  Resident Sherry Pedonesi said she was happy with the new system.  "I feel the special assessments would fairly tax everyone, unlike the "Save Our Homes" initiative which was signed into Florida Constitution in the 1990's," Pedonesi said.

Others in the audience gave their opinions on why the measure should not pass, like Dan Patrick. He outlined the money he had spent in his working career to support the city of Brooksville. But he was firm in his opposition to the plan.

Robert Buckner gave council members spreadsheets to ponder the fairness issue being promoted with Larson's presentation.  Buckner's statistical data provided a stark contrast for council members.

Buckner's comments proved to be the tipping point in council's discussion.
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Councilman Kevin Hohn asked Lawson if the flat-rate fee could be based on size for vacant lots. Lawson said that it could be, but he had no way of determining the lot size.  Hohn did not question Lawson's statement even though all statistical data had been derived from Hernando County Property Appraiser for the special assessment plan.

With public input over, Johnston asked the clerk to read the ordinance into the record.

After a clumsy attempt to pass the ordinance, with Bradburn making the motion, the gavel had to be passed to get a second by Johnston.  Hohn was having second thoughts.

What looked to be a 3-0 vote quickly turned into a discussion about the number of voting city council members.

"This is the best plan so far," Hohn said.  "But it still needs work."

Johnston pulled his second to the motion after saying the full council was needed to vote on the action.  He said he was in favor of the plan, but it was too important to pass with just two council members.

The discussion was tabled until Brookville City Council meeting on July 2, 2012.

Schenck's paperwork said he was running for Senate

Commentary
Anna Liisa Covell

Well, all the dust is settled.  All the candidates are safely positioned on the ballot to run or are they?

Florida Legistlative redistricting ran just under the radar - under the radar so far that the public was not even aware of the legislative districts.  And, it looks like Robert Schenck was confused about it, too.

Florida Bureau of Elections Records Chief Kristi Reid Bronson sent out emails to all  potential state candidates on May 10, 2012, with a mandate on the official documents required to comply with new redistricting maps.  Her email was designed to notify candidates whose districts were changed by the state legislature.

A cover letter was required by all candidates stating the change in district numbering due to Florida Legislature redistricting.  The cover letter needed to be signed by  the candidate.  The candidate was required to forward a new designation of treasurer form indicating the district number.

Bronson's directive to the candidates said the Florida Department of Elections would not change a candidate's district without the cover letter and treasurer designation with the new district numbers.

The Florida Department of State, Division of Elections must work under the premise the some rules are meant to be broken.

It seems Robert Schenck got part of his assignment right from Bureau of Elections.  His treasurer's report was submitted with Florida House of Representatives, District 35.  But he his cover letter said something entirely different.  Robert Schenck's cover letter stated he was running for Florida Senate, District 35.

Schenck's little whoops is going to be ignored by Florida Bureau of Elections.  They consider it a typo.  So, Robert Schenck was placed on the ballot for House District 35 even though he signed his oath stating otherwise.

Candidate says innovative thinking needed

Brooksville, Fla. -  Retired marketing representative hopes to change climate in Hernando County politics to be more positive.

The new county commission candidate for Hernando County, district 5  is upbeat as he talks about his professional life as a sales and marketing representative. He is quick to point out he secured 17 of 19 Fortune 500 companies during his working career in the Tampa Bay area as a business owner.

Now retired at the age of 70, James "Jimmy" Lodato sees Hernando County as an economic opportunity.

According to Lodato, the current commissioners have been dealing with the county budget on a percentage basis.  He said when he is elected he will evaluate the budget on a per-item basis. One of his suggestions is for more outsourcing to save money.

In his opinion, Lodato says Hernando County is sitting still on Ad Valorem when it comes to new business.  He says no new major accounts have been brought into the county to raise revenue.

"What the county needs is innovative thinking to kick start the economy," Lodato says.  "We need to logistically go out and find companies that need to be here."

Lodato says current Commissioner James Adkins is a fine man, but he wants to take the county to the next level.  He says Adkins wants to educate workers for jobs that don't exist.

"I don't think Adkins understands how to create jobs," Lodato says. "I do."

Candidates cannot pay to speak

Brooksville, Fla. - Plans for Chamber candidate event just went up in smoke after a cease and desist order is issued.

Hernando County Supervisor of Elections office puts the brakes on local Chamber plans for Politics in the Parks event in July.  Election campaign financing rules strictly prohibit candidates from paying for the privilege of speaking to promote their platform.

Hernando County Greater Chamber of Commerce had plans for the upcoming Primary Election. Local candidates were invited to participate in "Politics in the Park" which is new event to showcase candidates on July 12, 2012.

The  Chamber's Governmental Affairs Committee planned to charge all candidates an entry fee of $250.00 to participate in the event.

This is first time, candidates were being asked to pay to participate in Chamber event, unlike in previous years when political forums were conducted by the Chamber for free.

Office staff said Annie Williams, supervisor of elections has put a quick stop to Hernando County Greater Chamber of Commerce plans to charge candidates for the privilege of speaking at their Politics in the Park.  Officials cited Florida Election law 106.15(1)FS  as a prohibited act under campaign financing rules.

Hernando County Supervisor of Elections officials said a call was placed to Chamber President Pat Crowley to inform her of campaign finance rules.  Officials informed the Chamber that candidates cannot be pay money for the privilege of speaking at a campaign event.

Small price to pay for candidate face-time

Brooksville, Fla. -  Candidates have a choice to promote themselves in July, but it comes with a price tag.

Hernando County Greater Chamber of Commerce is thinking outside the box for the upcoming Primary Election.  "Politics in the Park" will be launched as their new event to showcase candidates on July 12, 2012.

For the first time, candidates will be charged to participate in the Chamber event, unlike in previous years when political forums were conducted by the Chamber for free.

The Chamber's Governmental Affairs Committee is switching gears to try something different - something different to attract larger crowds.  Previous political forums have historically been held at Hernando County Commission Chambers.

Government affairs committee members, Morris Porton, Buddy Selph and John Mitten took a rode trip last year to Lakeland Chamber of Commerce to ask questions.  The Lakeland Chamber has been conducting Politics in the Park events for over 10 years to showcase candidates.

Last election, the local newspaper in Lakeland reported that more candidates and committees attended Politics in the Parks than the public.

The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce has a $250.00 fee for their event. But business sponsorship pays the largest portion of the event fee, with candidates picking up a pro-rated difference.

The Governmental Affairs Committee worked out details for their own "Politics in the Park" event in Hernando County.  But candidates will have to pay the entire $250.00 fee to participate in the event.

The Hernando County Chamber of Commerce has the opportunity to gross over $8,000 if all the local candidates choose to attend their event.  The major costs associated with hosting the event are the hall rental for $500 and the fee of $250 to Hernando County Government Broadcasting.

"Two hundred and fifty dollars is not out of the window for someone who is running for office," Mitten said.  "Any publicity though a media venue would cost at least that much."

Applications were mailed out to candidates last week, setting the rules of the event.  Candidates will be provided two chairs and banquet table for their station.  But candidates are warned not to set up balloon arches or cause excessive clutter.  Candidates are prohibited from walking around the hall with rules stating all booths must be continuously manned by the candidate.

Candidates are limited to items that can be distributed to the public.  They will not be allowed to hand out food items or water to the public. But candidates are encouraged to have candy and campaign trinkets to hand out.

Hot dogs and cold beverages will be available from Kiwanis members who will act as food vendors.

Hernando County Broadcasting will video record the three minute stump speeches of candidates while WWJB simulcasts the audio.  Mitten was unsure whether live streaming would be available for online viewing.  He also said one-on-one face time with the camera may be available for candidate interviews, but he didn't know if it would be spontaneous or a scheduled interview process.

The Governmental Affairs Committee took the position that the $250.00 candidate fee is a small price to pay for television and radio coverage for a "meet and greet" for candidates.  Mitten was quick to point out it wasn't their intent to price anyone out of the event, even candidates who had used petition cards to get their name on the ballot for free.

"You shouldn't have to pay to get on the ballet to run for office," Mitten said.  "But at the same time, I don't think just because you got your name on the ballet should allow candidates to get free advertising."