FLORIDA DIGEST - July 28, 2008

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Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-Broward schools face tough choices in reduced budget plan
Budget could be 5.9% lower
Fewer games for middle school sports teams. Consolidating bus stops to savemoney on gas. Delaying school construction projects. With the loss ofmillions in state money, the Broward County School Board is faced with toughchoices on what stays, and what goes, from its budget.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbbudget0728sbjul28,0,3559939.story

-Monday is deadline for registering to vote in Aug. 26 primaries
Register by Monday to cast vote in Palm Beach's Aug. 26 primariesThe August primary features a slew of competitive races to pick judges,School Board members, a property appraiser and elections supervisor.Register by Monday to vote in Broward's Aug. 26 primariesVoters who go to the polls on Aug. 26 will pick judges, School Districtmembers and state legislators. But you've got to register to vote - and thedeadline is Monday.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-728vote,0,1466288.storygallery


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Beverly Gallagher for Broward County School Board!
You and your family are invited to join Beverly Gallagher and her team at aVolunteer Rally for her Re-Election to the Broward County School Board!
Sunday, August 3, 2008 3:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
On The Boarder Mexican Grill & Cantina
12100 Pines Blvd - Pembroke Pines, FL 33026
Come enjoy food and tons of fun while you show your support forBev's
Re-Election Campaign!
Pick up your t-shirts and lawn signs!
To RSVP Please call
(954) 829-3523
or Respond to this Email! BevAGallagher@aol.com


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Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-Former Deerfield commissioner, Wilton Manors mayor vie for district
By JAMIE MALERNEE
A gay activist, a former Deerfield Beach commissioner and the mayor ofWilton Manors are vying to represent District 92 in the state House. Allthree candidates for the district, which includes parts of Deerfield Beach,Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Pompano Beach and Wilton Manors, areDemocrats. They have many common priorities, such as boosting school fundingand health care for the needy. But there are differences in their experienceand credentials. Business owner and Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newtonemphasizes his ability to work across bipartisan lines. GwyndolenClarke-Reed, a retired teacher and former Deerfield Beach commissioner,holds up a life of political and community service. Mark LaFontaine, anaccountant, touts his financial know-how as key to dealing with Florida'sfaltering economy and budget. If elected, he would be the state's firstopenly gay legislator. With no Republicans entering the contest, the racewill be decided by the Aug. 26 primary. The winner will replace Rep. JackSeiler, D-Fort Lauderdale, who is leaving the Legislature because of termlimits.

-Mark LaFontaine
What are your top concerns for District 92?
1. Bring fiscal accountability to Tallahassee: Overhaul the current system
so that necessary programs are fully funded.
2. Continue property tax and insurance reform.
3. Ensure health care for children, veterans, the elderly and disabled:
Create a health-care trust fund.
How would you pay for increases in government services?
I'd look to close tax loopholes and exemptions to achieve more savings. Iwas not a proponent of Amendment One ... because I thought its supporterspromised much [in property tax savings] while knowing it would do little.The piecemeal approach to tax reform is making things worse instead ofbetter. We need to start over - put everything on the table and design anall-or-nothing, up-or-down proposal that requires citizen approval.
What sets you apart from your opponents?
Neither of my opponents is a financial professional, and given the tryingeconomic times we're in, isn't it time someone who understands checkbookissues was making our state's decisions? I also know that ... as the firstopenly gay representative, I'll be in a position to tackle the ongoing slewof anti-[gay] legislation head on.
Candidate profile
MARK LAFONTAINE
PERSONAL: 41, single.
EDUCATION: Master's degree in taxation.
PROFESSIONAL: Accountant, president of Checkmark Services.
POLITICAL: Not previously elected to public office.
CIVIC: Member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Leadership roles withAmerican Veterans for Equal Rights, Scouting for All (an outreachorganization for gay youth), the Dolphin Democrats (a gay and lesbianDemocratic club), United Way of Broward County, Fort Lauderdale AuditAdvisory Board, the Broward County Veterans Services Council, and theOakland Park Main Street downtown development organization.

-Scott Newton
What are your top concerns for District 92?
Finding and maintaining a balance for Florida's citizens between a taxstructure that is fair as well as responsive to the needs of our state.Seeing that Citizens insurance becomes sound and able to cover its exposure.Progressive regional planning ... with such issues as water and theenvironment. Properly funding Florida's education system. Helping toprotect health care.
How would you pay for increases in government services?
I would like to see a re-evaluation of every tax break/exemption ... thathas been extended to businesses and industries. But that's not going to beenough. Let's look at the programs they started in the last few years whenthey had this influx of [property tax] money. And we have to get back jobs -it seems everyone is laying off - because if people don't have jobs, theycan't spend money [and pay taxes that fund state spending].
What sets you apart from your opponents?
I feel that I am most prepared. We need leaders with vision, common sense,and the spirit of bipartisan cooperation that will work hard to plan for ourstate's future and seriously deal with our current challenges. I've gonethrough good budget times and bad ... and while other cities have had to cutemployees, we haven't done that. I represent my district very well:
middle-class, hard working. They don't mind paying taxes, they just want topay their fair share.
Candidate profile
SCOTT NEWTON
PERSONAL: 51, married, three children.
EDUCATION: High school graduate.
PROFESSIONAL: Owner of Scott's Auto Trim.
POLITICAL: Mayor of Wilton Manors, 2004-present. Vice mayor of Wilton
Manors, 2002-04. Wilton Manors city councilman, 2000-02.
CIVIC: National & Florida League of Cities, Broward County MetropolitanPlanning Organization, Oakland Park Wilton Manors Chamber of Commerce boardof directors, Wilton Manors Business Association, Wilton Manors Friends ofthe Library and Historical Society, past president of Wilton Manor LittleLeague Baseball, coach of Wilton Manors youth baseball, soccer, football andsoftball.

-Gwyndolen "Gwyn" Clarke-Reed
What are your top concerns for District 92?
My priorities would be education, health care, taxes, affordable housing andpublic transportation. For our state to attract people to live here, we musthave some basic services available. The continued reduction of property taxmay come back to haunt us.
How would you pay for increases in government services?
There needs to be reform when it comes to [sales] tax exemptions. Muchthought should be given to increasing the sales tax - but not to use it toreplace the school funding. If it can pass, it should be used to replacefunds lost in the area of health care and human services. I would like toimprove the state economy by finding a way to collect all Internet salestax.
What sets you apart from your opponents?
I bring a broader base of experience in life and government. I have been adivorced mother with two children who had to struggle to make ends meet, notwanting to accept handouts. Some of the people in District 92 are faced withthis problem today. I will be sensitive to the needs of all people, not justone group. I am retired and have all the time necessary to devote to thisoffice.
Candidate profile
GWYNDOLEN "GWYN" CLARKE-REED
PERSONAL: 67, divorced, two children.
EDUCATION: Master's degree in early childhood education.
PROFESSIONAL: Retired teacher.
POLITICAL: Former Deerfield Beach commissioner for 12 years.
CIVIC: Former president of Broward League of Cities, was on board of Floridaand National League of Cities and former member of Broward County PlanningCouncil. Volunteers with Boys & Girls Club, Kiwanis Club, American CancerSociety, Mango Festival, Delta Sigma Chi Sorority, North Broward HospitalDistrict Community Primary Care Committee, St. Mary's Episcopal ChurchVestry, Caribbean American Democratic Club, Gwyndolen Clarke-ReedNeighborhood Initiative Program.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-elx92house0728sbjul28,0,4339559,print.story


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Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-New Voting Machines: Paper Trail to Nowhere?
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-papervote2808jul28,0,4463139.story

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