The Democratic Women's Club, Democratic Club, and the DEC of Martin County Invite You to a Snow and Ice Themed Holiday Party Thursday, December 8, 2022 6:00 ~ 8:30 p.m. The Women's Club of Stuart 729 SE Ocean Boulevard Stuart, FL 34994 Cost: $40 per ticket or be a Merry Sponsor for $50 per ticket includes Dinner and Libations Entertainment by Daryl Magill 50/50 Raffle ~ Annual Gift Card/Toy Drive To reserve your ticket and make payment, first complete the ONLINE RESERVATION FORM below and then click on the payment button of your choice ($40 or $50) located below the reservation form. Follow the prompts to complete the transaction. Number of seats reserved Submit Reservation Form Ho Ho Ho....Your form has been submitted! Click on the appropriate ticket amount of your choice: $40 standard amount or $50 to be a Merry Sponsor. $40 ticket $50 ticket See you at the Holiday Party! Click here to return to Home page

Where can I go to find out what bills are being considered? See websites below that list the bills being considered in the 2026 legislative session. Since there are thousands of bills, keeping track of them can be a daunting task. Use the filters provided on the websites to help narrow your search. Some sites let you subscribe so you receive notification about certain bills. The sites at the bottom of the list focus on certain topics, such as education or the environment and local government control. Florida Senate Bills Florida House of Representative Bills LegiScan (a legislative tracking service) FastDemocracy (another tracking service) Bill Track (another tracking service) WUSF (NPR station. Lists news items related to 2026 legislative session) Florida Education Association 1000 Friends of Florida Florida Association of Counties Planned Parenthood

Haz tu investigación. Conozca lo que está haciendo el Poder Ejecutivo, lo que están haciendo las legislaturas federal y estatal y lo que está sucediendo a nivel municipal y del condado. Consulte los sitios web oficiales del gobierno, así como varios sitios web no gubernamentales, que le ayudarán a conocer los problemas, las perspectivas y la forma de pensar y responder para influir en los legisladores y hacerlos responsables. SITIOS WEB OFICIALES DEL GOBIERNO: Para el Poder Ejecutivo , vaya a https://www.whitehouse.gov/ Para el Senado y la Cámara de los Estados Unidos , visite https://www.senate.gov/ y https://www.house.gov/ Obtenga información sobre los proyectos de ley que se proponen, los comités, la actividad diaria, la lista de legisladores y otra información. Para el Senado y la Cámara de Florida , vaya a https://www.flsenate.gov/ y https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/ para ver en qué están trabajando, qué comités se han formado y quién está en ellos, qué proyectos de ley. están siendo considerados y obtenga una lista de todos los legisladores. Puede consultar los proyectos de ley del Senado y la Cámara de Representantes de Florida aquí: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/bills.aspx Para obtener actualizaciones diarias sobre los proyectos de ley del Senado de Florida: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/data/session/2021/citator/Daily/senhist.pdf Para actualizaciones diarias sobre las facturas de la Cámara de la Florida: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/data/session/2021/citator/Daily/hsehist.pdf Para la Junta de Comisionados del Condado de Martin , vaya aquí: https://www.martin.fl.us/Commissioners . Preste atención a las próximas reuniones y los temas que se están discutiendo. Escriba o llame a los comisionados para expresar sus opiniones. Asista a las reuniones en persona o mediante Zoom y hable si lo permiten. Para obtener noticias sobre la ciudad de Stuart , visite https://cityofstuart.us/ OTROS SITIOS WEB: Además de los sitios web oficiales del gobierno mencionados anteriormente, existen numerosos sitios web dedicados a ayudarlo a comprender los proyectos de ley, brindarle una perspectiva sobre los problemas políticos actuales, permitir comentarios, etc. CAUSAS (anteriormente Contable) https://www.causes.com Aquí puede ver cómo votaron sus funcionarios federales. También puede obtener una sinopsis de las facturas seleccionadas y ver lo que otros piensan sobre la factura. Regístrese para recibir correos electrónicos que lo ayudarán a mantenerse actualizado sobre los temas que le interesan especialmente y cómo votaron sus legisladores. Los enlaces en el sitio web también le permiten llamar, enviar correos electrónicos y hacer mensajes de video que se envían a sus legisladores. FLORIDA PHOENIX https://www.floridaphoenix.com/ S ubscríbase al boletín diario POLÍTICA DE LA FLORIDA http://floridapolitics.com/ Suscríbase al correo electrónico diario REVISIÓN DE SAYFIE https://www.sayfiereview.com/ Suscríbete al correo electrónico diario BALOTPEDIA https://ballotpedia.org/Main_Page Sin fines de lucro, no partidista. Suscríbase al correo electrónico de noticias diario. Research Topics

This is the 5th in a series on Martin County Democrats who have made a difference. Be sure to click on each picture to view in expanded mode with commentary. Also, there are links in blue that provide explanation, so be sure to click on those links too. Tip: If you're using your phone, try to find a laptop or desktop. It's so much better to read this on a large screen! The Amazing Grace Linn In March 2023 a storm that had been brewing for a year thrust then 100-year-old Grace Linn into the local and national spotlight. The year before, Ron DeSantis had signed the "Parental Rights in Education" bill into law - known by opponents as "Don't Say Gay" - that brought about book banning in our public schools. At that time, the Martin County School Board heeded calls of DeSantis and the conservative group Moms for Liberty to object to books that merely mentioned systemic racism, gender bias, and the LGBTQ+ community. This outraged Grace. During the fall, Grace crafted her famous yellow quilt which depicted some of the books that had already been banned in Martin County schools. Word got out about this amazing centenarian and her quilt, and she appeared on Ali Velchi's program on MSNBC. By the time of the school board meeting in March 2023, there were close to 100 books that had been targeted and banned in this county, and Grace felt she had to speak out and address the school board in person. Her friends Michael and Claire Panella , who had helped her research and des ig n the quilt, also played a role in writing the speech that went viral. In her speech she spoke passionately of her first husband, Robert Nicoll, who had been killed in World War II by the Nazis. She made the poignant point that he had died defending the freedoms we enjoy, freedoms the Nazis took away from their own people, including the right to read books. As she said so eloquently to the school board, "Banned books and burning books are the same. Both are done for the same reason: fear of knowledge. Fear is not freedom. Fear is not liberty. Fear is control." After the video of her speech went viral on Tiktok with more than 1.5 million views, she began appearing more on MSNBC and other cable channels as well as local and independent news. Grace was dubbed "Warrior Queen" by many due to her insistence that "we must fight back and not let history repeat itself, we must not allow for censorship, and we must treat everyone equally." This has been her battly cry, and Grace has undoubtedly inspired many by her activism and outspoken support for everyone. If you haven't seen the video of Grace speaking before the school board, click here to view it or do a search on Youtube. Born in the USA Grace’s parents immigrated to America from Italy in the early 1900s. Her father Antonio DeNicola (b. 1890) and her mother Rosa Romano (b. 1896) were engaged in Italy, but Antonio wanted to get established in America first before they got married. He left Rosa and came to America in 1908 where he first joined his brother in Roseto, PA, a town that had been settled by immigrants from southern Italy in the 1880s. He went to school to learn English and eventually became a foreman who specialized in finishing cement. After he felt financially secure, he contacted Rosa to come to America and they were married. Grace was the baby sister to her three older brothers Jerry, Daniel, and Floyd. She was born on October 18, 1922 in Mingo Junction, Ohio, and much of her youth took place during the Depression. She says she learned much from her parents, who were good people who looked after others. She remembers her parents "had a fruit and vegetable garden in their backyard and gave away food to help the hungry. In fact, the sidewalk in front of our home was marked to let the hungry know that this was a place where you were welcomed and could get food." Another way her parents showed compassion for others was that Grace's mother was the local midwife in the area and she sheltered an abused mother and her children in their home for a while. By displaying good character themselves, Grace's parents instilled it in her. Her parents required that every day she had to tell them of at least one act of kindness that she had performed herself on that day. Reflecting on the influence of her parents on her own life, Grace has said, "I didn't become what I am on my own. It was inherited and it was lived with my parents." Grace was very precocious. She quickly learned to play the piano and French horn. Though she entered grade school predominately speaking Italian, she quickly learned the English language. She had read the Bible three times by the time she was 12. She also learned to drive a car when she was 12 (and she still drives today at age 102!). She made excellent grades in school and actually skipped two years ahead, graduating from high school at age 16 with a college scholarship. However, the culture was different then and she was not allowed to go off to college on her own at such a young age – even though her brothers and the other boys in town had been able to do that. That reinforced in her the belief that girls were treated differently from boys - that they didn't have the same rights and privileges. Later, when she started working at a hospital, this became even more evident by the salary she received versus the salaries of the men who worked along side of her. Another lesson she learned at a young age was that being an immigrant caused you to be treated differently. She remembers the insults that were slung her way just because her parents were from Italy and spoke Italian in the home. Having experienced the sting of discrimination first-hand, Grace grew up believing fervently "that all people have the same worth - that they should all be treated equally." It has been her rallying cry ever since those early days in Mingo Junction, and it influenced her decision to make the Banned and Targeted quilt and speak out in defense of targeted groups. Be sure to click on each picture for more details. Quilted front door entrance at Grace's house Grace and Banned Books Mingo Junction 3rd grade classmates Three brothers with Grace Early Married Life After finishing school at 16 but with no college in town to attend, Grace lived at home with her parents and helped them out at home. She also loved to dance, and so she would sometimes go to nearby clubs with her brothers - never by herself - where she could socialize and dance. It was during this time that she danced with Dino Paul Crocetti, who later became known as Dean Martin. Her heart was not taken by the future Dean Martin, however, but by another gentleman she had known since school named Robert Nicoll, who had recently been drafted by the Army. They were married on March 30, 1940 in Mingo Junction. She soon left Ohio for Fort Hood, Texas, where Robert had been transferred. World War II, however, interrupted their time together as Robert was sent to Falmouth, England as part of an ammunitions unit, which supplied armament for the French Resistance, and Grace returned home to her parents in Mingo Junction. But there was one difference from before: Grace was pregnant. Months passed and Grace remembers reading about the horrors of war and fearing for her husband. One day she saw a man dressed in military clothing walking up the street and her heart sank. She suspected that he had bad news to share with her, and she was right: Robert was missing in battle. A couple of months later she found herself in the hospital giving birth to their daughter Nicci. It was only three days later when Grace received a telegraph while still in the hospital confirming that Robert and 16 members of his group had indeed been killed by the Nazis three months earlier in a bombing. Grace 1st wedding Wedding Day Robert and Grace before deployment Grace holds picture Life in Weirton, WV A widow with a newborn and no financial support, Grace went back home from the hospital to live with her parents in Mingo Junction and raise her daughter. A few years later she went out one night to go roller skating - one of her favorite hobbies - and she met a gentleman with striking coppery hair who caught her fancy. Tom Householder was a veteran who, coincidentally, had been stationed in Italy and thus could speak Italian to some degree. They fell in love and eventually married and he was welcomed into the home with Grace's parents. Tom adopted Nicci and they had a daughter of their own named Gloria (Gigi). When Gigi turned 5, Grace decided it was time to get a job of her own. By then, they had moved across the Ohio River into Weirton, WV and she heard that nearby Weirton Medical Center needed an overnight switchboard operator and admissions clerk. One of the job requirements was that you be able to type; however, as a high school student taking college-prep type classes, she had not been allowed to take a typing class. To remedy the situation, she borrowed a typewriter and taught herself almost overnight how to type before she had to report to work. Grace has said, "My roles as wife, single mother, and then mother and wife were my proudest achievement during this portion of my life," but it was time to engage in the working world. She ultimately spent 33 years at Weirton Medical Center. During the early years there, she saw the great need for automatic billing in the hospital. Just as she had taught herself to type, she taught herself computer programming and eventually designed systems that her hospital could use. In fact, she more or less started the computer department at the hospital. She sat in on all the medical committees in the hospital and developed many systems to help these departments as well. In particular, she developed a pharmacy unit dosing and microbiology reporting system which other medical centers all over the world also began using. Grace and her computer system received special recognition by the CDC for this beneficial new technology. In a largely male-dominated profession, Grace also became the first woman president of the Computer Hospital Users Group for NCR and the first woman president of the Federation NCR Users Group. As Grace tells it, in spite of her accomplishments she still did not receive the salary of her less accomplished male workers, thus reinforcing in her the idea that sexism exists in the workforce. Her daughter Gigi has summarized what life was like in the Householder household during much of the time in Weirton: "I arrived home one night at 11:30 unannounced and the driveway was full of both familiar and unfamiliar vehicles. I was greeted at the door by my mother in roller skates, for she was breaking the skates in....I also saw my mother fixing a broken piece of equipment, conversing with a friend in Italian, teaching another how to sew, counseling someone on how to approach a problem, and designing a new outfit for me to wear the next day....That was a typical evening at home where I grew up." She understood well that life at her home was quite different from those of her friends, but she understood how full and interesting life was with her mom. Tom Householder Householder family Grace with her team at retirement Another recognition for Grace Grace teaching computer programming Grace with co-worker before retiring Grace skating Jensen Beach and Married Again In 1987 Grace retired from the medical center - where she had moved from switchboard operator all the way up to Director of Managment Information and Communication - and she and Tom moved to a condo in Jensen Beach and planned to build a single family home in the area. She and Tom led a full life and Grace became involved in the community. Among various activities, Grace took a leadership role in Planned Parenthood and she taught computer skills to adults at one of the local schools. In 1990, one month before they were to move into their new home, Tom died of heart failure. A widow again, Grace moved alone into the home she and Tom had planned to have together, and she still lives there today. For the next ten years Grace worked on fundraising with Planned Parenthood, worked as office manager for Florida Sportsman Magazine Fishing Shows, and became heavily involved in an environmental advocacy group in the area. It was at one of the environmental group meetings that Grace met Fred Linn and, after a brief courtship, they decided to marry - much to the chagrin of the other single ladies in Grace's circle of contacts who fancied Fred. They remained married for 22 years until he passed away from a heart attack in November 2022. During the years before Fred passed, they took in one of Fred's grandchildren and raised him until he finished high school, advocating passionately for a good public education for him. Florida bound Fred and Grace Dancing Queen Country dancer Birthday fun The Kiss 100th Birthday Party Seamstress for life A little whimsy Award-winning photo Friends and laughter Claire, Michael, & Grace Passionate Advocacy It was just a short time after Fred died that Grace's video at the school board became viral. She was beseiged with interview requests from national and local media - MSNBC, CNN, WPTV, Stuart News - you name it. This caught the attention of movie producer Sheila Nevins of Ruby River Productions, and she began to consider making a documentary film on the increasing censorship taking place in schools across the country. She contacted Grace, and after a conversation with her, she knew this spirited centenarian should be featured in her documentary. The result was "The ABCs of Book Banning." The film was well received and nominated for an Oscar for short documentary. Grace was invited to fly to LA for the Oscar's luncheon, where she had the chance to meet movie stars, many of whom already knew of Grace's work. When actress Annette Benning saw Grace, she ran up to her and gave her a big hug, saying she respected so much the work that Grace had done on book banning. Grace later returned to walk the red carpet and attend the Oscar's ceremony. It was the memory of a lifetime. Grace was happy the film got nominated because the publicity allowed her to continue to have an audience for discussing the danger of censorship and book banning. PEN America is a nonprofit whose purpose is to advocate for the freedom to write and they have been especially critical of book bans. This group was behind "The ABCs of Book Banning," and they created a short video featuring Grace. See this moving video below. Likely because of the bullying she received as the daughter of immigrants, Grace has a special place in her heart for all marginalized people. She uses her celebrity status to advocate strongly for equality and acceptance for all. Last year, along with drag artist Shelita Taylor, Grace was the Grand Marshall for the Treasure Coast Pride Parade. She is quick to point out that "some of the finest people I have known in my lifetime have been from the LGBTQ+ community." This is why she was particularly taken back when books began to be removed from school shelves simply because they had a gay character, and it motivated her to speak out strongly on their behalf. At 102 years young, Grace continues to live in the home that she and Tom had built. Coming from an outliers family in Italy, where her maternal grandmother lived to be 115, she exhibits the same independence and health of her forebears. She still drives herself places (even at night), reads and learns, attends Democratic Club, Democratic Women's Club. and Stuart Women's Club meetings, goes to protest rallies, and watches MSNBC and other news outlets to keep abreast of the current political scene. She also continues to quilt, have her tea and Italian cookies at 2:00 pm each day with her friends, regularly attend musicales held by her good friend Dr. Marie Juriet-Beamish, attend the concerts put on by the Altantic Classical Orchestra, spend time with her devoted daughter Gigi, and enjoy the wide circle of friends she has accumulated over the years. There is no doubt that Grace has led an active, full, and curious life and, at 102 1/2 as of this writing, she continues to be a trailblazer and an inspiration to all. Oscar nominated for Best Short Documentary Grace with drag performer Shelita Taylor Grace at the Oscars! 2024 TC Pride Grand Marshall Grace and Susan Callahan Targeted and Banned quilt by Grace Thank you, Grace, for showing all of us that a life full of creativity and positivity, one that has such a far-reaching effect on so many, is a life well-lived. Thank you for standing up and speaking out so eloquently about book censorship taking place in our local schools and communities. Thank you for standing up for the marginalized in society, especially the LGBTQ+, with your words and interactions. Thank you for supporting your local Martin County Democratic Party and bringing attention to our efforts. Most of all, thank you for being you and spreading your light within our community and beyond. For all of this and more, we honor you , Grace DeNicola Nicoll Householder Linn , as a Martin County Democratic Party All Star!!

Florida Young Democrats: Building broad coalitions of young people in a diverse membership to amplify youth voices in the political process, elect Young Democrats to public office, and pass legislation for the benefit of young people and the future of our country. We represent young people within the Democratic Party, give them a voice, and show them they’re never alone. We volunteer on Democratic campaigns, and pour countless hours and endless effort into electing Democrats in Florida. And we work tirelessly with our Democratic elected officials to ensure our legislative priorities are heard and included. Please join us! Email the Treasure Coast Young Democrats by clicking here . Go to the Treasure Coast Young Dems website here. Check out more info on the Treasure Coast Young Democrats by clicking on these social media accounts: Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) Tiktok

COSTA DEL TESORO CÁUCUS HISPÁNICO DEMOCRÁTICO Estamos adquiriendo! Somos el capítulo de Treasure Coast del Caucus Hispano Demócrata. Somos un grupo nuevo y en crecimiento dedicado a ayudar a nuestra comunidad, amplificar la voz de nuestras hermanas y hermanos y construir una Florida mejor para todos. Somos demócratas. Creemos en las oportunidades para las familias trabajadoras, un medio ambiente más limpio para nuestros hijos y nietos, y un gobierno que trabaja para las personas de TODOS los orígenes. Y creemos que no lo conseguiremos en Treasure Coast ni en Florida en general. Y creemos FIRMEMENTE que podemos cambiar las cosas. Nos ponemos manos a la obra. Ya hemos estado en la comunidad ayudando a nuestros vecinos a recibir las vacunas COVID. Continuaremos generando cambios: ayudando a más familias, registrando votantes y asegurándonos de que se escuchen todas nuestras voces. ¡Únete a nosotros! No es necesario ser hispano o hablar español para ser miembro. Tienes que ser un residente de Treasure Coast y un demócrata (o alguien que apoye el mundo mejor por el que luchamos los demócratas). Nos reunimos el tercer jueves de cada mes a las 6:30 pm a través de Zoom. Envíanos un email a tcdemocratas@gmail.com para más detalles o llame al 772-202-8540. Síguenos en Facebook: ¡Juntos podemos! - Oz Vázquez Hispanic Caucus

Genera l Bills CRIMINAL JU STICE SB130 ( Lori Berman ) /HB 97 ( Cassell ) Greyson's Law This bill is called "Greyson's Law." It requires the court to con sider domestic violence factors when considering parental custody. HB991 ( Alex A ndrade & Mike Beltran ) Defamation, False Light, and Unauthorized Publication of Name or Likenesses This bill would allow pub lic figures (such as politicians) to bring suit against journalis ts for defamation, even if no malice was intended. Critics call it the "Death to Public Discourse Bill." Many fear this bill would limit free speec h and the right to criticize government officials without fear of financial retribution. Anonymous sources and investigative journalists would be especially impacted. Also includes provision that if public figure sues journalist or media and wins, then the journalist also has to pay public figure's legal fees. EDUCATION HB1 ( Kaylee Tuck & Susan Plasencia ) School Choice Allows for children to go to public schools, charter schools, private schools, home school regardless of physical or monetary needs...(even rich kids get the voucher) ... .Greatly expands vouch er program, essentially making the voucher program universal. State funds for the vouchers would allow parents to pay for private school tuition, tutoring, virtual school, homeshool fees and m ore. Money that would have gone to public schools will now go to the voucher program. Many view this bill as detrimental to public education. See House Speaker Renner's spin in interview about this bill here . See Women's Club info for more facts about this bill and its e ffect on public education here . HB411 ( Kevin Steele ) District School Board Elections Says elected candidate for district school board must reside in district school board member residence area by date she or he assumes office instead of upon qualifying for office. HB479 ( Gallop Franklin ) Required Instruction in history of Holocaust and History of African Americans Revises provisions relating to required instruction in history of African Americans; requires department to annually verify that school districts, charter schools, & specified private schools implement certain instruction relating to history of Holocaust & history of African Americans; requires district school superintendents, charter school principals, & private school directors or similar administrators to annually provide specified evidence to department by certain date; provides penalties; & requires certain statewide, standardized assessments to include curricula content from history of Holocaust & history of African Americans. HB999 ( A lex A ndrade ) Public Postsecondary Educational Institutions If passed, this bill would put hiring decisions and curriculum control at Florida public universities in the hands of politicians and their crony appointees. IT WOULD END ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND UNIVERSITY INDEPENDENCE. IT WOULD GIVE DESANTIS MORE POWER TO DICTATE WHO TEACHES AND WHAT IS TAUGHT. No doubt, DeSantis would put into place those who echo his ideology. This bill also bans gender studies courses. It would defund diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at state institutions. SB88 ( Shev Jones ) Task Force on Workforce Housing for Teachers and Expansion of Schools Creates a task force to study affordable housing and classroom size challenges faced by teachers. The task force would study the feasibility of using surplus state-owned land and mixed-use developments for workforce housing, and the need for comprehensive planning to address workforce housing for teachers. SB256 ( Blaise Ingoglia ) Employee Organizations Representing Public Employees Bans automatic union paycheck deductions of Florida's public employees. Many say this and other provisions of the bill would be "union busting." This would NOT include male-dominated public employees in law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers and probation officers. Many view this bill as an attack on women due to this disparity in professions affected. The female-dominated teachers' union and nurses' union would be included in this ban. For a good review of this anti-union bill and comparison to a similar law in Wisconsin, see this . SB342 ( Lori Berman )/HB 271 ( Jervonte Edmonds ) Save Our Teachers Act Increases minimum base salary for full-time teachers from $47,500 to $65,000. ELECTIONS /POLITICAL PARTIES SB1248 ( Blaise Ingoglia ) Political Parties "The Ultimate Cancel Act - Cancelling the Democratic Party" What in the world?!!!! This bill proposes the state Division of Elections cancel the "filings" of a political party, to include party registration and approved status in any and all elections, if that party's platform had previously advocated for slavery or involuntary servitude. Although not explicitly listed, the Democratic Party, which was popular in the nation's South during Reconstruction, would fit the description. Economics and civil rights fueled significant changes in both parties in the years since. The bill includes language that would require any voter currently registered as a member of a canceled party to be notified by that political party to update their voter registration to an approved and active political party. Here is the FDP response: ""Presenting a bill that would disenfranchise 5 million voters is both unconstitutional and unserious. Under Ron DeSantis, Senator Ingoglia is using his office to push bills that are nothing more than publicity stunts instead of focusing on the issues that matter most to Floridians, such as reforming property insurance, addressing housing affordability, and combating climate change. The sooner DeSantis and his puppets in the legislature learn that Florida is a Democratic Republic and not a Banana Republic, the better it will be for all Floridians.” HJR405 ( Chase Tramont ) Prohibition on Open Primaries and Nonpartisan Elections **This is a proposed amendment to Florida's state constitution, not a bill. But the gist of it would be to prohibit nonpartisan elections - to provide that candidates for office can disclose their party affiliation. For us, it would mean BOCC, City of Stuart, and School Board elections would be partisan. HJR31 (5 REPUBLICAN SPONSORS SO FAR - SEE OFFICIAL SITE FOR NAMES) Partisan Elections for Members of District School Boards Proposes amendments to State Constitution to require members of district school boards to be elected in partisan elections. HJR129 ( Rick R oth ) Requiring Broader Public Support for Constitutional Amendments or Revisions Proposes amendment to State Constitution to increase percentage of elector votes required to approve amendment to or revision of State Constitution from 60 percent to 66.67 percent, except repeal of amendment or revision need only be approved by same percentage of elector votes as was required at time of passage of such amendment or revision. GUNS SB150 ( C lay C ollins ) Guns (or, to use their term, "Public Safety") Requires sheriffs to assist private schools in complying with a certain statute; authorizes a person to carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm if he or she is licensed to do so or meets specified requirements; requires a person who is carrying a concealed weapon or concealed firearm without a license to carry valid identification and display such identification upon demand by a law enforcement officer; provides that a person who is authorized to carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm without a license is subject to specified penalties for possessing such weapon or firearm at a school-sponsored event or on school property; requires the Office of Safe Schools to develop a behavioral threat management operational process by a specified date; authorizing a private school to partner with a law enforcement agency or security agency for specified purposes, etc. SB462 ( Lori Berman ) Assault Weapons and Large-capacity Magazines Prohibits the sale or transfer of an assault weapon or a large-capacity magazine; prohibits possession of an assault weapon or a large-capacity magazine; requires certificates of possession for assault weapons or large-capacity magazines lawfully possessed before a specified date; provides conditions for continued possession of such weapons or large-capacity magazines; provides enhanced criminal penalties for certain offenses when committed with an assault weapon or a large-capacity magazine, etc. HB543 ( 14 SPONSORS!! ALL REPUBLICAN, OF COURSE!!!! ) Concealed Carry of Weapons and Firearms Without a License (Permi tless Carry) Authorizes person to carry concealed weapon or concealed firearm if he or she is licensed to do so or meets specified requirements; requires person who is carrying concealed weapon or concealed firearm without license to carry identification & display upon demand by law enforcement; prohibits person who is carrying concealed weapon or concealed firearm without license from carrying such weapon or firearm in specified locations; authorizes nonresident to carry concealed weapon or concealed firearm in this state if he or she meets same requirements as resident; provides person authorized to carry concealed weapon or concealed firearm without license is subject to specified penalties for possessing such weapon or firearm at school-sponsored event or on school property. HEALT H CARE /ABORTION SB300 ( Erin Grall ) /HB7 ( Jenna Persons-Mulicka ) Pregnancy and Parenting Support ** 6 WEEK ABORTION BAN ** Prohibits abortions after 6 weeks. Allows for rape and incest exception. Prohibits mailing of pregnancy termination medication. HB 305 ( Webster Barnaby & Dean Black ) Protection of Medical Freedom Proh ibits DOH from requiring enrollment in state's immunization registry or otherwise requiring persons to submit to immunization tracking; prohibits business & governmental entities from requiring individuals to provide proof of vaccination to gain access to, entry upon, or service from such entities; prohibits employers from refusing employment to, or discharging, disciplining, demoting, or otherwise d iscriminating against, individual on basis of vaccination or immunity status; revises purposes of Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 to include discrimination protection for vaccination or immunity status. HB1029 ( Randy Mag gard ) / SB1304 ( Colleen Burton ) Claims Against Long-term Care Facilities This bill is meant to reduce the civil lawsuits that seniors and their relatives may bring against nursing homes. Some argue such tort reform is needed to reduce excessive litigation, while others argue it would ultimately hurt seniors by lowering healthcare standards since nursing homes would not fear litigation as much. HOME RULE/LOCAL ORDINANCES SB102 ( See bill - many sponsors ) / HB627 ( Cabrrera and Lopez ) Live Local Act - Rent Control and Affordable Housing Prevents the authority of local governments to adopt or maintain laws, ordinances, rules, or other measures that would have the effect of imposing controls on rents; provides an exemption from ad valorem taxation for land that meets certain criteria; authorizes local governments to adopt ordinances to provide an ad valorem tax exemption for portions of property used to provide affordable housing meeting certain requirements; suspends, for a specified period, the General Revenue Fund service charge on documentary stamp tax collections; authorizes the Governor, under the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, to approve state or local public infrastructure projects to facilitate the development or construction of affordable housing, etc. SB170 ( Jay Trumbull ) Local Ordinances (Allows businesses to sue local governments over 'arbitrary or unreasonable' ordinances, etc.) Authorizes courts to assess and award reasonable attorney fees and costs and damages in certain civil actions filed against local governments; requires a board of county commissioners to prepare or cause to be prepared a business impact estimate before the enactment of a proposed ordinance; requires a county to suspend enforcement of an ordinance that is the subject of a certain legal action if certain conditions are met, etc. SB1240 ( Danny Burgess ) / HB1197 ( Randy Maggard ) Land and Water Management Prohibits counties and municipalities from adopting laws, regulations, rules or policies related to water quality or quantity, pollution control. Leaves control with the state. If passed, this would mean Martin County could not protect its own waterways and wetlands. HB359 ( Wyman Duggan ) Local Government Comprehensive Plans Simply put, the bill stipulates that anyone who loses a legal challenge to a comprehensive plan or comprehensive plan amendment must pay the winner's attorney fees and costs. T his would be a boon to developers because citizens would likely never challenge such amendments due to the high costs they could incur. An even more pervasive sprawl would likely result. HB 437 ( James Buchanan ) Homeowners' Right to Display Flags Authorizes homeowners to display no more than certain number of flags regardless of prohibitions in governing documents of homeowners' association; defines "first responder flag"; prohibits homeowners' association documents from precluding property owners from displaying certain number of specified flags. Note that Rainbow Flag is not listed here as being acceptable. IMMIGRATION SB6 ( Blaise In goglia ) / HB5 ( John Snyder ) Unauthorized Alien Transport Program Creates the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program within the Division of Emergency Management to facilitate the transport of inspected unauthorized aliens within the United States. This bill is meant to clean up the mess made when Desantis flew migrants from Texas to Martha's Vineyard. Snyder is our House rep from District 86. LGBTQ+ EQUALITY SB254 ( Clay Yarborough ) /HB 1421 ( Randy Fine & Ralph Massullo ) Treatments for Sex Reassignment Bans doctors from providing gender-affirming care to transgender youth, such as hormone therapy. House version requires that doctors lose their licenses if they provide such treatment to those under 18. Senate bill says this could lead to criminal charges against doctor. House bill also prevents health insurers and HMOs from providing coverage. The Senate bill gives the state temporary emergency jurisdiction over trans children if they are about to receive gender-affirming care. SB 328 ( Lauren Book ) Gay and Transgender Panic Legal Defenses Prohibition Act Prohibits individuals from using a nonviolent sexual advance or specified perceptions or beliefs about another individual as a defense to a criminal offense, to excuse or justify the conduct of an individual who commits a criminal offense, or to mitigate the severity of a criminal offense, etc. HB1223 ( Adam Anderson ) /HB1069 ( Stan McClain ) /SB 1320 ( Clay Yarborough ) "Don't Say Expansion" - These bills expand on last year's Don't Say Gay Bill HB1223 bans school employees and students from addressing a person by their preferred pronoun - they have to use the pronoun given to person at birth. It also extends Parental Rights bill from 2022 so restrictions go through 8th grade. HB1069 expands book banning within classrooms and allows for easier ways to challenge books in the classroom. All challenged books, even if only one parent objects, must be removed immediately. SB1320 - similar to HB1223 HB1403 ( Joel Rudman ) / S B 1580 ( Jay Trumbull ) Protections of Medical Conscience Allows for "conscience-based objections without discrimination" -- in other words, it allows a doctor to decline to treat someone without fear of disciplinary action. Legalizes discrimination by the medical profession. SB1438 ( Clay Yarborough ) /HB 1423 ( Randy Fine ) Protection of Children (aka Drag Show Prohibition) Prohibits drag queen performances in a public building or public event. Owner of establishment that allows children to enter is subject to fines and suspension of license. SB1674 ( Erin Grall ) Facility Requirements Based on Sex - called "Safety in Private Spaces Act" Requires people to use bathroom or locker room that lines up with gender assigned at birth Many consider this anti-trans legislation. It would charge trans people with a misdemeanor for using the bathroom consistent with their gender identity. HM1319 ( Tommy Gregory ) / SM1382 ( Jay Collins ) United States Dept of Defense Anti-woke memorial....Urges Congress to change regulations so Dept of Defense is not so "woke" - to not focus on diversity and equality and decency. Asks for a return to the warrior ethos of the past. Many see this as an attack on LGBTQ service members. Environmental Bills 1001 Friends of Florida i s a non-profit organization that focuses on growth and the environment, and they do a great job of monitoring the legislature. Go here to view their list of bills being considered and their recommendations. Friends of the Evergl ades is another organization that watches environmental bills being con sidered. Go here to view their list of bills as well as a webinar held about the bills .

The All Stars website page is meant to be a place to recognize the people who have worked many years supporting Martin County Democrats. Esta página del "Salón de la Fama" demócrata del condado de Martin está destinada a ser un lugar donde se pueda celebrar a las personas que han hecho contribuciones significativas a los demócratas del condado de Martin a lo largo de los años ... un lugar donde podemos poner una cara Demócratas del condado de Martin y reconocer a aquellos que han marcado la diferencia. Nuestro primer miembro del Salón de la Fama es Jackie Trancynger. Activista que no teme ser vista y escuchada, ha inspirado a muchos a lo largo de los años. Haga clic en para leer su historia.

We're doing something different this year at Docktails. We're having a LIVE AUCTION ! What you should do to prepare for the auction: Read up on the live auction items below. Click on each item to get more info, pictures, etc. See which ones interest you. Get prepared to place a bid. If one of the exciting water items interests you (a day with the Indian Riverkeeper out on the St Lucie, a kayaking tour, or a sunset cruise), talk to friends and family to see if you all can go in together, pool your money, and have someone at Docktails to place a bid. You could also do this for the Monarch Country Club group of 4 golfing package or the culinary tours. This can be a fun part of the Docktails program. Don't sit on the sidelines. Decide which items you want to bid on now, and then be prepared to bid individually or as a group on the items at Docktails. Check or credit card accepted. If you cannot make it to Docktails, find a friend who is going and tell them to make a bid for you. A big THANK YOU to all the businesses that contributed to this auction. Without your generosity, there would be no auction. And a big THANK YOU to Allen Bornstein from Legends Radio 100.3 WLML-FM for being our emcee and auctioneer. Be a part of the winning team: All proceeds from the live auction go to the Martin County Democratic Party to help us win in 2026! **PLEASE CLICK ON THE WORDED TITLE OF EACH AUCTION ITEM BELOW TO SEE MORE DESCRIPTION AND PICTURES** Sunset Cruise to Bird Island for up to 8 people Estate Planning Package Culinary Tour of Martin County #2 Lunch with Bob Crandall Culinary Tour of Martin County - #1 Pinder's Nursery Extravaganza An Afternoon wtih Doug Stewart, Handyman Round of Golf for 4 at Monarch Kayak or Paddleboard Tour on St Lucie Inlet for up to 4 people A Day with Jim Moir, the Indian Riverkeeper...Good for up to 5 people Wine & Cheese Gift Basket

Martin County needs good candidates to run for office in 2026! Please step up and serve your community by running for office! The Democratic Party of Florida has a program for helping candidates run for office. Go here to get the details. If you are running, please let your local Democratic Party know by calling 772-221-0405 or email martincountydems@gmail.com