Representative Rick Roth on a Most Amazing Legislative Session

This year’s legislative session in Tallahassee should make us all proud. As the Biden Administration and their Progressive minions in Congress go about their business of compromising election integrity, mismanaging the pandemic, socializing the economy, promoting Marxist ideology in the schools and encouraging the muzzling of Conservative expression in Social Media, the state of Florida has said “Stop! Enough!” Many of the bills that were passed and signed into law directly counter the Progressive agenda in DC.

District 85 Representative Rick Roth was in the thick of it this year, and came to the RCPB this week to highlight what a Republican Legislature and great Governor can do when the times demand it. In his written end of session report, he covers the just passed $102B budget, sweetened with federal stimulus funds, and then lists fully 28 bills that he considers key. (Click here for a copy of the report.)

It should be noted that those bills that are counter to the Biden agenda and opposed by the national media (Election reform, anti-riot act, anti-lockdowns, social media, school choice, women’s sports, free speech in the schools) were passed strictly along party lines.

Among the highlights:

• In the area of Covid-19 response, they passed civil liability protection for businesses and other entities (HB-7005), augmented the emergency preparedness fund (HB-1595), and set limits for emergency management response by local governments such as lockdowns and vaccine passports (HB-7047).
• To protect our communities, they passed the “Combating Public Disorder Act” (also known as the anti-riot act HB1), set out best practices for law enforcement (HB-7051), solidified election integrity (SB1), and put serious penalties on social media companies for arbitrary censorship and de-platforming of Floridians (HB-7013).
• For our education systems, we now have expanded school choice (HB-7045), protection of women’s sports (HB-51), a defense of free speech (HB-233), and a “Parent’s Bill of Rights” over how their children are taught and treated in the schools HB-241).
• For the environment, they established a grant program for local communities to deal with sea level rise and other resilience (HB-7019), partially funded by the Documentary Stamp Tax (HB-5401) and strengthens the protection for farmers against nuisance lawsuits (HB-1601).
• For Home Rule, there will be an amendment on the ballot to abolish the Constitutional Revision Commission (HJR-1179), limit local interference in port operations (SB-1194) or the use and sale of fuel types (HB-839 and 919).
• Regarding Insurance, they abolished “no-fault” car insurance (HB-719), and adjusted Citizen’s coverage versus private insurance and their ability to adjust rates (HB-305).

Representative Roth is not a stranger to his constituents – he is a regular at the REC, clubs like this one, city councils in the north county and business and civic groups. He is also frequently out on the street with us at Trump flag-waving and other showings of support. Even given that, he says he is not seen “in the newspapers” much, as he gets more done working behind the scenes with the Speaker and other Legislative leaders. He also is active seeking input for legislation, and spent time with SOE Wendy Link to get her input on the elections bill.

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Also at the meeting, we welcomed new President Kim Davis and bid farewell to past president Fran Hancock who received flowers and Kudos from club Secretary Bette Anne Starkey. Fran will be moving north soon, and leaves behind a significant legacy of Republican leadership in the state and county of close to 50 years.

Kudos to our new venue the Palm Beach Kennel Club, for hosting a great meeting in an attractive setting with a delicious buffet lunch.

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, July 27th. Save the date!

Rabbi Alan Sherman at January Lunch

Fresh off a gig at the Trump Club 45, Rabbi Alan Sherman had some uplifting thoughts at our January lunch.

A former Army chaplain who ministered at the 1000 bed Pittsburg Army hospital, the Rabbi works with various Palm Beach County non-profits, including Morse Life Health System. A Trump supporter, he came sporting his “Israel Supports Donald Trump” yarmulke, which had been signed by the President at one of the Air Force One arrivals.

When he was a member of the 1500 member Union of Reform Judaism, he stood alone in opposing their disrespect of Donald Trump by ignoring his well wishes on Rosh Hashanah, and finally quit when they dissed the US Israel policy by condemning settlement expansion in the West Bank.

It is clear that the Rabbi holds conservative views compared to much of the left leaning Jewish community. On immigration, he believes in assimilation – if people are not willing to adopt our culture when they come here they should stay home. He believes that gender confusion, a result of the latest push by the left to reject the principle that only there are only two biological genders, is hurting children. The ten to one ratio of leftist professors in the colleges and Universities is outrageous. And of course, Socialism is dangerous – just look at Venezuela.

He does see reason for hope though. “Be strong, stick together and we’ll get the President re-elected!”

Also at the meeting was House District 91 candidate Sayd Hussain with a plan for replacing Democrat Emily Slosberg. The incumbent is vulnerable this year after her arrest for trespassing and criminal mischief last March and a hospitalization for post-traumatic stress disorder.

In keeping with the March 17 Presidential Primary that is also a municipal election in many of the cities, towns and villages of the county, next month we will have a candidate expo. Council and Commission candidates from Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach and Boynton Beach have agreed to participate, and we are inviting several more. These people are the future leaders of our county – come and meet them, even if there is not a municipal election in your own city.

Cruise Line’s Efforts in Dorian Relief

At our December lunch, Anita Mitchell and her daughter Kimberly were on hand to describe the efforts of the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line to provide relief on Grand Bahama Island following the devastation of Hurricane Dorian.

Dorian, the category five monster that turned much of the Abacos and Grand Bahama into rubble in September, remained over the northern Bahamas for a day while we in South Florida hunkered down for the blow that didn’t come. We “dodged a cannonball” in Anita’s words.

Mitchell, who is the Corporate and Community Relations VP at the cruise line, described how their ship, the Grand Celebration, sailed shortly after the storm’s passage to initially provide evacuation assistance from Grand Bahama during a 12 hour stop. Later, they would ferry needed supplies, equipment and volunteers to the island to assist in the recovery. Other cruise lines were helping too, but their larger ships had to anchor out while the Grand Celebration was able to tie up to the dock, greatly facilitating loading and unloading.

Their ships were also involved in hurricane relief during 2018 in the Virgin Islands.

Kimberly Mitchell, Executive Director of the Everglades Trust and a former WPB Commissioner, spoke about the effort to set up a charitable organization to continue providing relief, described the efforts of the local business community in West Palm Beach, particulalry restaurant owner Rodney Mayo.

The businesses provided supplies and donations as well as loaning their employees to help in the efforts. A 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the Bahamas Relief Cruise (BRC) was created with the help of Gunster and former Senator George LeMieux. Donations are accepted at their website.

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line operates two cruise ships from the Port of Palm Beach, providing 2 night trips to Grand Bahama and Nassau. Many of the club members have been on these trips and spoke well of the experience. Anita described what the ships have to offer in the way of accommodations, food and entertainment, and brought along two of the on-board performers who gave us a taste.

Vocalist Tamula Browning Helmuth entertained us with a variety of musical selections including Etta James “At Last” and a hearty rendition of John Fogerty and CCR’s “Proud Mary” as rendered by Tina Turner. She was accompanied by saxophonist Rashad “the SAX Man” Reckley.

Reckley, an Abacoan victim of the hurricane himself, performed with his leg in a cast as Helmuth related how he clung to a tree as the hurricane destroyed his home.

Also at the meeting was CD18 candidate Nick Vessio.

Large Field of CD22 Candidates Take the Stage

On December 5, the extremely large field of Republicans looking to retire Ted Deutch in Congressional District 22 took the stage at the South County Civic Center. The event was sponsored by the Republican Party of Palm Beach County.

This D+15 district is comprised of northern Broward County (413K voters, D+18) and a small part of Palm Beach in Boca Raton east of the turnpike (100K voters, equal number of R and D). Whoever emerges from this field will have a tough road as Deutch is sitting on a war chest of $488K while none of the Republicans have posted any funds.

That said, with many Independents and even Democrats strongly opposed to the partisan impeachment farce which Deutch is supporting, this may be the year to turn CD22 red.

Moderated by MaryAnna Mancuso, a moderate Republican strategist who appears on WPTV’s “To the Point”, the forum gave each of the candidates a chance to stretch their political legs and make an impression.

At the left of the stage was Kevin Boyle of Boca Raton. A “law and order” candidate, Kevin would like to close the southern border until it is under control, impose maximum penalties for human trafficking, and curb Iranian aggression through military force if necessary.

Next up was Jessi Melton of Delray Beach who has an interest in health care. She supports health insurance across state lines and reducing the power of the FDA.

Jim Pruden, also from Boca, would push to pass Kate’s Law, reduce the national debt, and support the Trump Administration’s plans for the middle east.

To Jim’s right was Christine Scott of Boynton Beach. She would reduce our trade with China as we “don’t really need them”, applauds the “Right to Try” legislation and allowing drug importation from Canada. Seeking to qualify via petition, Christine has been out and about in the district since August, meeting thousands of voters.

Next was Joe Smith. His interest is criminal justice reform and supporting medical innovation.

To his right was Darlene Swaffer. Darlene is known as the “Medicare Lady” (her registered trademark) and runs a large Insurance agency in Deerfield Beach. She is interested in stopping the Algae Blooms in our waterways and revising Obamacare. Noting the Democrat lean to the district, she has already won the support (including endorsements) of some Independents and Democrats in Broward.

At the end of the stage was Dr. Eddison Walters of Boca Raton, a financial professional who believes that the 2008 real estate bubble was a hoax. His interesting hypothesis is backed up by a paper he wrote for the Journal of International Business and Economics. He believes that concern for the national debt is overblown, and focusing on growth is what we need to do.

With, eight months to go before the August primary, it will be interesting to see how this field shakes out. Besides these candidates and Ted Deutch, there is also an NPA candidate in the race, Omar Reyes, and Imtiaz Ahmad Mohammad is challenging Deutch in the Democrat primary.

Armand Grossman on Being Successful

The featured speaker at our September lunch was Armand Grossman, former Vice Mayor of Miami Springs, FAU Trustee, PBCGOP board member, and current President of the Boca Raton Regional Republican Club.

Sharing with us anecdotes on a wide variety of subjects, including ‘rule of law’, the experience of driving in the Presidential motorcades, and ‘male/white privilege’, Armand opined that the real privilege is having been born in America.

Speaking on the “DNA of the Flag”, he characterized much of our history as being driven by Freedom. Today, while those of our persuasion see threats to that freedom which must be opposed, the left has a much different view. They see the three major threats to our country as “The right wing”, “Climate Change”, and Capitalism. Freedom has no place in their agenda.

Armand also spoke about his upcoming book on the traits of successful people.

Leading the list is the “privilege of adversity”, relating his rough and tumble upbringing leaving him better equipped for future challenges. Another way of saying “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”, I guess.

He also counsels “never let anyone else define you”, and that the #1 trait of the successful is engendering trust.

Armand’s book should be available later this year.

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Our October/November meetings are being combined into a single lunch on Wednesday, November 6, featuring Congressman Brian Mast. With all that is going on in Washington these days, expect an interesting session.

Joe Budd on the 2020 Outlook

Joe Budd, State Committeeman and Trump Club 45 President, gave us a positive rendition of our chances for 2020.

An early Trump supporter, Joe was on board within a couple of weeks of the escalator ride. He noticed that it was the outsider candidates (including Fiorina, Cruz) that were getting most of the attention, and Trump was the best of these. Working as volunteer co-chairman of the campaign in the county, Joe helped his candidate achieve 52% of the vote in the primary and more votes in the general (41%) than Romney, McCain or Bush.

In 2020, it looks like the outsiders have the energy among the Democrats as well, with Biden falling and candidates like Kamala Harris making their mark. Joe expects the eventual candidate to move away from current Democrat leadership. Socialism and massive spending programs though, are not likely to do well in our center-right country.

He had some advice for our Congressional candidates. The only state-wide race in 2020 is for President, so that is where the focus and energy will be. Republican candidates need to attach themselves to the Trump agenda and the Trump campaign, otherwise it will be hard for them to raise funds or get noticed. Going it alone is not a smart strategy for next year.

Florida of course is very important to a 2020 victory, and we constitute a campaign region by ourselves with a state Chairman already in place. Unlike 2016, this time the RNC and the Trump campaign are joined at the hip and working smoothly together. This is true also of RPOF.

Joe and the Snowdens started Trump Club 45 to keep track of the large group of voters who came out to vote for Trump, maybe as first-time voters. Turnout was 52% better than in 2012 and we want to keep it that way. The club took the PBC Trump email list that we had compiled during the campaign, and more than doubled it. It is now the largest such club (of many) in the country. Unlike chartered Republican clubs, TC45 is independent, and has a fair number of Democrat members. This is a good thing as the support for the President here in PBC is bi-partisan.

2019 Session Accomplishments with Representative Rick Roth

Our May meeting featured HD85 Representative Rick Roth, who described some of the significant actions taken by the Florida Legislature in the just completed session.

• The House passed a parental notification act for abortions by minors, but it was not passed by the Senate.
• Felon voting rights re-instatement (from 2018 amendment 4) was clarified to state that all aspects of a sentence must be concluded (including restitution if applicable)
• Smokeable marijuana is no longer prohibited for medical use with a doctor’s letter
• Texting while driving is now a ‘primary offense’ meaning you can be stopped for it (Emily Slosberg’s crusade)
• The “Certificate of Need” requirement for expansion of medical facilities was eliminated
• Coverage of 21 types of cancer are now covered under firefighter health plans
• HB7113 transportation bill authorizes 3 regional corridors to be built
• The Parkland bill that allows for the arming of teachers (with board approval) passed
• The “assignment of benefits” to rebuilding contractors was limited and polices can be written to preclude it
• The “sanctuary cities” bill (SB168) passed, allowing for the fining of local governments who do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities

For more detail on the major bills from this session, see:
2019 Legislative Session Update

Please join us next month on June 26 for the awarding of our annual Anne Roberts Scholarships. The presenter will be former Congressman and Senior Fellow at the Lemieux Center for Public Policy, Tom Rooney.

NCNC – Imparting Local Knowledge for 10 years

Our April meeting featured Sal Faso, President of the North County Neighborhood Coalition.

Started by a small group of concerned residents 10 years ago, NCNC has grown to encompass 23 Communities and Condo/Homeowners Associations in the North County, with 45,000 residents and 30.000 voters. With a mission to “improve the quality of life for residents in North Palm Beach County”, NCNC operates by educating its members on the local issues that affect them, and by making government accessible by hosting meetings with local officials.

As a non-partisan group, Sal and the NCNC have hosted candidate forums for county and municipal races, and their monthly meetings are well-attended by candidates running for offices at all levels. With a 76% average voter turnout by NCNC community members (compared to 60% county wide), candidates ignore NCNC at their peril.

Sal and his team advocate for many local issues affecting residents, including safety and security, economic prosperity, the character of the area, financial accountability of government, and maintaining home rule.

For more information on the NCNC, or to get your community involved, check out their website at: http://www.ncncpbc.org/

Everglade’s Foundation’s Erik Eikenberg Discusses Water Projects

A design element of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), authorized by Congress in 2000, is a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee referred to as the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) reservoir. Currently a key feature of proposed solutions to the toxic algae problems plaguing the estuaries on both coasts, it would allow the diversion of Lake outflows away from the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers, and help restore the flow of fresh water through the Everglades to Florida Bay.

Erik Eikenberg, who heads the influential Everglades Foundation, presented a hopeful outlook for the project as we now have in Governor DeSantis someone who can potentially make it happen.

A Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School graduate, he recalled the influence of that school’s namesake on him. (Douglas, the author of “River of Grass” in 1947, helped redefine the popular conception of the Everglades as a treasured river instead of a worthless swamp.) Long a player in Florida Republican politics, he was an intern for Congressman Clay Shaw, who authored the CERP, and saw the introduction of the snout beetle into the ecosystem to manage the proliferation of the invasive Australian Melaleuca. Chief of staff for Governor Charlie Crist, he also worked for former Governor Bob Martinez.

Water is a “unifying issue”, he said, as many of us depend on the Everglades for our water supply. West Palm Beach, for example, depends on the Grassy Waters Preserve. The toxic blue-green algae (also known as cyanobacteria), is a health issue, and threatens the use of our waterways and hence the tourism economy of the state.

Governor DeSantis campaigned on fixing the problem, and is supported by Congressman Brian Mast (who is the Governor’s point man on the issue). The Governor’s recently released state budget includes $625M for the project in addition to expected federal funds. One significant roadblock of course is the decision by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to extend the Florida Crystals lease on the EAA land for another 8 years. This was done without public notice and several days before the Governor’s inauguration, in spite of an impassioned plea by Brian Mast to delay it. In an unprecedented move, DeSantis then demanded (and got) the resignation of the entire SFWMD board.

Time will tell how this plays out, but it is a hopeful sign that President Trump will be visiting the Lake to review related projects (such as dike repairs) on Friday of this week. The Governor’s good relationship with the President should be helpful in moving this project along.

Also at the meeting was CD21 candidate Christian Acosta who has announced his exploratory quest to unseat Congresswoman Lois Frankel in 2020. This D+17 seat was uncontested in 2018, allowing the incumbent to remain in office without campaigning for the privilege. Stretching along the coast from Singer Island through Delray Beach and encompassing most of the county south of Southern Boulevard, including Wellington, it deserves a Republican challenger.

Christian is a resident of Boynton Beach and teaches Electric Power Engineering at Palm Beach State. A nuclear engineer and Pittsburg transplant, Christian has been making the rounds of the Republican clubs and plans to introduce himself at the Trump-45 Club next month.

Next month, please join us on April 24 for Sal Faso, President of the North County Neighborhood Coalition.

Representative Mike Caruso Describes the Recount Circus

Our February lunch featured FH89 Representative Mike Caruso.

With the nickname “landslide” in Tallahasee, given his 37 vote winning margin, Mike relayed some of the arduous steps involved in moving through the circus that was Susan Bucher’s election operation.

Although he admits he very much enjoys the work of the capital, he may have thought twice about running if he knew what was in store for him. The coastal district, held for the last 8 years by Bill Hagar, was described to him as an easy Republican win when he decided to run. “Easy” is relative of course as the district is actually only R+1.6, practically even.

The campaign was dirty, with opponents stealing signs, lots of nasty lies spread in mailers, etc., but the worst was to occur after election day.

FH89 was one of the four races that were close enough to trigger a recount, and Mike witnessed first hand all the corrupt practices that were on display at the Supervisor of Elections. Many of us who were involved in the process were aware that there was no transparency, and that communications from Susan Bucher’s office were few, misleading and probably not true.

What you may not have known about though, was the gobs of ballots that were being “found” after the counting was supposed to be done – over 4000 in the case of FH89. Mike’s opponent Jim Bonfiglio was heard to say at one point during the recount “don’t worry, we will have the votes”. Bucher was never able to actually say how many votes had actually been cast in any of the races, yet she seemed to always know the margins.

Lots of dirty tricks were occurring. SOE employees were observed in a backroom hurriedly filling out new ballots – supposedly transcribing “unreadable” ones but who could tell – no one was allowed in there and the canvassing board was not present in violation of law. When this activity was challenged, the supervisor’s response was to move filing cabinets around to block the view of the activity from the “public”. When the canvassing board was present and involved in “determining the intent of the voter”, Mike was keeping count of how many votes were being assigned to him and his opponent. At the end of the day though, when the tallies were supposedly “rolled up”, his count never changed. This occurred multiple times.

The most arrogant action by Bucher though was about toilets. With hundreds of volunteers from both parties descending on the Riviera Beach counting facility, there was only one bathroom and she refused to remedy the situation as she really didn’t want to make it pleasant for those looking over her shoulder. Mike requested from the Republicans in Tallahassee assistance in obtaining porta-johns and toilet paper, and when they came through, Bucher refused to place them on “her” property and said she would have them towed if placed on the street.

Fortunately, when the race was finally certified, Mike was ahead by the same 37 votes he had been from the start and his opponent conceded. Although the entire experience was an unpleasant one, he has taken his place in the Legislature, and through the actions of Governor DeSantis, we have a new Supervisor of Elections.

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