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Remembering Diane Glasser

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Fellow Democrats,

We are saddened to say a great Democratic leader, Diane Glasser, passed away early Tuesday morning at the age of 89. Diane entered the world of Democratic activism with a passion. Throughout her long career in the Democratic Party she was a local Democratic Club President, and was a founding member of the Tamarac/Sawgrass Democratic Club. Diane was elected State Committeewoman on six occasions, and served as representative of Broward County at the Florida Democratic Party. She also served as a representative of the state of Florida in the capacity a member of the Democratic National Committee for 24 years.
Diane was also an early fighter for social justice, and spoke out for those who could not speak for themselves. Specifically, she spoke out on both Black and LGBTQ issues in a time where these views were not widely held. Diane’s civic responsibility and civic engagement made Broward a better community, and her wisdom, guidance, and leadership will be missed.

Diane’s service will be held at the
Star of David Cemetery
Sunday at 10:30AM
7801 Bailey Rd, North Lauderdale, FL 33068

Sincerely,

Mitch Ceasar – Former Chair of the Broward Democratic Party
Cynthia Busch – Chair of the Broward Democratic Party

Senator Cory Booker to Speak at Florida Dems 2016 Leadership Blue Gala in Hollywood, FL

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Florida Democratic Party Chair Allison Tant announced that New Jersey Senator Cory Booker will speak at the 2016 Leadership Blue Gala on June 18th in Hollywood, Florida. Additional speakers and planning details will follow in the coming weeks.

Senator Cory Booker said, “I’m excited to join Florida Democrats at this year’s Leadership Blue Gala. As the largest swing state in the nation, Florida will play a determining role in stopping Donald Trump and returning the Senate to Democratic hands. While we know the work ahead won’t be easy, I know Sunshine State Democrats are fired up and ready to deliver Florida for the third time in a row. I look forward to seeing you this June as we continue to move our country forward.” 

FDP Chair Allison Tant said, “Florida Democrats are honored to have Senator Cory Booker joining us for the 2016 Leadership Blue Gala as we unite to celebrate our party’s values and work to build on the progress we’ve made over the last 8 years. As Mayor of Newark and in the United States Senate, Senator Booker’s leadership has brought Republicans and Democrats together to get things done without compromising on the values which make our party and our nation strong. We’re excited to have Senator Booker on our team as we take the fight to Donald Trump and his Florida Republican allies.” 

Cory Booker is connected to the people of New Jersey and the challenges they face every day.

Since winning election to the United States Senate in October 2013, Cory has been innovative, persistent and put partisanship aside, bringing people together to get things done for New Jersey. Cory has focused on creating new jobs, improving economic opportunity for all New Jerseyans, speeding the pace of Hurricane Sandy recovery and addressing the economic squeeze facing middle class families.

The senator is working to break down the old partisan barriers that have made Washington so removed from the concerns of everyday New Jerseyans. He has reached across the aisle to work on issues such as reforming the criminal justice system to strengthen communities and save taxpayers money.

A news profile captured Cory’s approach to serving people all across New Jersey: “‘I want to be a different kind of senator,’ he said. ‘I want to push for real change on substantive issues, advocating for industry and jobs. But I want to create a record of doing, figuring out, how to replicate the best ideas … as a senator.

Cory won a special election to fill the term of the late Senator Frank Lautenberg- and became New Jersey’s first African-American senator. Under his leadership as mayor, New Jersey’s largest city, Newark, entered its biggest period of economic growth since the 1960s – the first new downtown hotels were constructed in 40 years, the first new office towers in 20. During Cory’s tenure, overall crime declined and the quality of life for residents improved with more affordable housing, new green spaces and parks, increased educational opportunities and more efficient city services.

Cory was born in Washington, D.C. His father, Cary, was from North Carolina and the son of a single mom, and his mother, Carolyn, is a Detroit native. They both worked for IBM and relocated the family to Harrington Park in Bergen County. Housing rights activists helped the family buy their first home after initially being turned down because of the color of their skin.

A star athlete at Northern Valley High School in Old Tappan, Cory earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Stanford University, where he also played for the football team. Cory ran a crisis hotline for students and worked with disadvantaged youth in East Palo Alto. He then attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar where he ran a student tutoring and mentoring program in a disadvantaged community. Cory earned his law degree from Yale Law School, where he helped lead free legal clinics for New Haven residents.

After moving to Newark, Cory lived for eight years in Brick Towers, a low-income housing complex. He now owns a home and lives in Newark’s Central Ward community.

Broward Democrats May Meeting Recap

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Broward Democrats,

The Broward Democratic Party held an exciting and informative monthly meeting on May 17th. Thank you to everyone who attended. BDP hosted three excellent speakers focusing on important issues in our community, and how we can TAKE ACTION to make a difference. SEIU Political Director Marcus Dixon spoke about the importance of “Ban the Box”, George Cavros discussed the significant differences between the August and November solar energy amendments, and SEIU Broward Regional Organizer Candy Herrera spoke about the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) and upcoming immigration clinics and volunteer opportunities.

Ban the Box

SEIU’s Political Director, Marcus Dixon gave an informative presentation on Ban the Box. The initiative is designed to delay background checks for job applicants until after a conditional offer of employment has been extended. Studies have shown that a conviction record reduces the likelihood of a job callback or offer by nearly 50%, regardless of skills or qualifications.

There are approximately 70 million adults in the United States with arrest records or convictions, and half of African American men have been arrested before the age of 23. When applicants are forced to check the box, they are often never given an opportunity to address either the merit of the arrest, the circumstances surrounding the arrest, or steps that have been taken towards rehabilitation. In cases like these the innocence of the individual holds no power, and the record follows them throughout their life. Ultimately, an arrest or conviction creates a vicious cycle. Those with convictions are unable to obtain employment. Without a job, they are unable to become law-abiding, tax-paying citizens. Mayor Wayne Messam of Miramar was in attendance to show his support. He went on the record to back Ban the Box, and discussed the need to address the issue at the local level. “Current policies place barriers and prejudices against individuals without giving a fair chance to demonstrate their qualifications.” Mayor Messam is championing a similar initiative in Miramar at the city level.

President Obama has directed the Office of Personnel Management to take action by modifying hiring rules, and to delay inquiries into criminal history until later in the hiring process. In Broward County, Ban the Box is being proposed to codify fairness and opportunity. It does not eliminate background checks, nor does it force employers to hire employees with a criminal background. It simply eliminates the possibility of being immediately judged based off their criminal history. Research indicates that once employers reviewed the skills and qualifications of applicant, they would be more likely to hire, despite the criminal background. In the United States, 23 states have adopted Ban the Box, and over 100 cities and counties have implemented the policy.

CALL TO ACTION: The Broward Democratic Party is calling on members to support Ban the Box at the Broward County Commission Meeting on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at the Broward County Government Center, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL. Call your commissioners in advance to show your support.

Solar Amendment Initiatives

George Cavros discussed the amendments regarding solar energy. Living in the Sunshine State, we have a great solar resource. Yet, of the 9 million energy customers in Florida, we have 8,500 rooftop solar systems. These numbers are due to burdensome taxes that increase the cost of solar power—but voters can change that. On August 30th, you can vote YES on Amendment 4. If passed, the proposed amendment will exempt solar systems from the tangible personal property tax for 20 years. The taxes are passed on to the customers in the form of increased solar power prices of up to 5 cents per kilowatt-hour. While there are other policies also important to strong solar power development, Amendment 4 tax exemption is the more immediate. Better solar economics leads to better solar development, which begins a cleaner and more sustainable future.

CALL TO ACTION: On August 30th, vote YES on Amendment 4.

Immigration Clinics

Candy Herrera, the South Florida Community Organizer at SEIU, spoke about the Florida Immigrant Coalition. FLIC is an organization that has been around since 1998, consists of lawyers, farm workers, youth, advocates, union, and community organizations. With over 100 allies, it is becoming a social movement. They work to help immigrant families financially, and legally. They “envision a new Florida based on inclusion and equality, without racism and exclusion, where immigrants can live and love without fear.” Their services help immigrants get citizenship and register to vote. Citizenship takes three months to process, leaving enough time where these new citizens can have a voice come time for election.

CALL TO ACTION: The Florida Immigration Clinic is requesting volunteers for upcoming citizenship clinics on May 27, 28, and June 1,2,3,4, and 11. Email Ivan Parra – Ivan@floridaimmigrant.org for more information.

Thank you again to everyone who attended this months meeting. Please join us at our next monthly meeting on June 21st at 7:00 PM!

Thank You! The 2016 Broward Democratic Party Victory Dinner was a resounding success.

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Dear Broward Democrats,

The 2016 Broward Democratic Party Victory Dinner was a resounding success. We had an outstanding turnout – Almost 500 people attended and over $120,000 was raised at the event.

Gov. Dannel Malloy of Connecticut gave an inspiring keynote speech on important issues like the restoration of voting rights, and environmental protection and water issues here in Florida. He also earned his credentials as the Chair of the Democratic Governors Association by calling on us to focus on long-term strategies for Broward that will allow us to not only win the Presidential Election in 2016, but also the Gubernatorial Election in 2018. We look forward to growing our partnership with the Governor, and working with the DGA in the next election cycle.

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us this year!  A special thank you to our Florida Democratic Party Chair Allison Tant for her support of the event.  And, of course, we want to express our gratitude to our generous event sponsors (listed below) as well the artists who donated their time to make the event truly memorable, Carolyn Jones, Ernesto Torres, Jery Bazua, Commando and Hora Loca.

We look forward to a successful 2016 Election Cycle!

Cynthia Busch, Acting Chair Broward Democratic Executive Committee

2016 Broward Democratic Party Victory Dinner Event Sponsors

Speaker’s Table Sponsor

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz

Diamond Sponsor

Congressman Ted Deutch

Platinum Sponsors

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings // Lauren Book for State Senate Dist. 32 // Greenspoon Marder Law

Gold Sponsors

Congresswoman Lois Frankel // Waste Management

International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 78

Electropac 728 I.B.E.W.

Gary Farmer for State Senate Dist. 34 //  Sen. Nan Rich for County Commission Dist 1

Ivette Gonzalez Petkovich for State Representative Dist. 103 // State Representative Evan Jenne

Florida United Federation of Teachers Retired Teachers Section // Tim Canova for Congress

Partybuilder Sponsors

Broward County AFL-CIO //  Broward Teachers Union //  Broward Young Democrats

Century Village of Pembroke Pines Democratic Club

State Representative Katie Edwards // State Representative Shevrin Jones // State Representative Richard Stark

Broward County Mayor Martin Kiar // County Commissioner Tim Ryan

Mayor Gary Resnick  //  Commissioner Dean Trantalis

John Milledge // Patricia Walsh and Rachel Walsh // Patricia Duaybes // Jocelyn Schnier

The Plantation Democratic Club

Our Advertisers

Krupnick Campbell Malone Buser Slama Hancock Lieberman, P.A.

Moskowitz, Mandell, Salim, & Simowitz, P.A.

Pine Island Ridge Democratic Club // Austin & Christine Forman and Jim and Stacey Kane

North Broward Democratic Club // Becker & Poliakoff // Everglades Resources

MDWComm // Coral Springs & Parkland Democratic Club // Jim Norton for County Commission Dist. 1

State Representative Jared Moskowitz and State Representative Shevrin Jones

LSN Partners // Greater Sunrise Democratic Club // National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 2550

Kings Point Democratic Club // Broward County Council of Club Presidents // GO GO Democrats // Anthony Quackenbush

Sunrise Democratic Club & Tamarac/Sawgrass Democratic Club

The Margate Democratic Club // The Pembroke Pines Democratic Club // AFL-CIO Young Workers Group

Publications

Banyon Printing // MDWComm

Photography

Michael Murphy Photography // Carol Porter

See you all in 2017!

VIDEO: Broward Democratic Party Shares Why We Need to Vote this November

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Post by Broward Democratic Party.