Democrat lawmakers plan to counter Ron DeSantis’ State of the State address with progressive plan
Audrey Gibson urges people to apply for unemployment as quickly as possible.

FLAPOL102119CH043
The Sunrise Agenda tackles progressive issues like minimum wage and Medicaid expansion.

Progressive lawmakers and activists are planning a “people’s response” to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ State of the State Address Tuesday.

DeSantis is set to deliver remarks before the start of the 2020 Legislative Session outlining the success of the past year and looking forward to the upcoming improvements in 2020.

The group plans to unveil its Sunrise Agenda, which is a series of proposals aimed at building a Florida that works for all Floridians, not just what they describe as the wealthy and well-connected.

“The tone deaf majority has lorded over our state government for some twenty years plus and has failed to lead on the issues that matter to everyday Floridians. Rather than insuring healthcare for all, the majority instead pushes poor people into the street with no place to go when they are sick or need medical treatment; allows for the lack of accountability in education; and has dragged their feet on addressing climate change,” said Senate Democratic Leader Audrey Gibson. “Instead, the bend has been towards those with buckets of money. The Sunrise Agenda gives Floridians a government that works for them.”

Gibson is leading a group of more than a half dozen Democratic lawmakers including Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez and Reps. Anna Eskamani, Carlos Guillermo Smith, Dianne Hart, Fentrice Driskell, Geraldine Thompson and Shevrin Jones.

Also included are activists Rich Templin, the legislative and political director for the Florida AFL-CIO, Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates Legislative Manager Laura Hernandez, Florida Conservation Voters Executive Director Aliki Moncrief and Progress Florida Digital Director Ray Seaman.

The Sunrise Agenda seeks to raise the minimum wage, invest in affordable housing, modernize public transit, expand Medicaid, stop attacks on women’s reproductive health care, raise teacher pay, combat climate change, ensure all Floridians have access to clean water and implement common sense gun legislation, among other things.

The event will take place on the fourth floor rotunda of the Florida Capitol at about 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, or immediately following the conclusion of DeSantis’ address.

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Janelle Irwin Taylor has been a professional journalist covering local news and politics in Tampa Bay since 2003. Most recently, Janelle reported for the Tampa Bay Business Journal. She formerly served as senior reporter for WMNF News. Janelle has a lust for politics and policy. When she’s not bringing you the day’s news, you might find Janelle enjoying nature with her husband, children and two dogs. You can reach Janelle at [email protected].


4 comments

  • jim kaat

    January 10, 2020 at 10:33 pm

    Biden, Sanders, Pete or Warren. They all follow the radical left of Pelosi, Shiela Jackson Lee, Maxine Waters, Al Green, AOC, Talib, Pressley, Omar are on the wrong side of history. Democrat-Socialist 2020 Platform & Goals:
    -Open Borders.
    -Sanctuary Cities.
    -Decriminalize illegal entry into our country.
    -De-fund & terminate Border Patrol & ICE.
    -Disarming Americans.
    -Massive tax increases.
    -End all deportations of illegal aliens (if you get here, you stay.)
    -Drivers licenses for illegal aliens.
    -Voting rights for non citizens.
    -Welfare & Food Stamps for illegal aliens. (Warren)
    -Increase refugee’s from the third world.
    -Non citizens allowed to hold public office.
    -Socialism.
    -Weaken our Military.
    -Green new deal.
    -Free medicare care for all including non citizens (taxpayer funded)
    -Free college for all, including non citizens. (tax payer funded)
    -Reparations.
    -Late term abortions up to 9 months.
    -Opposed to ANY voter ID Laws.
    From the Democrat’s themselves. View their speeches / debates on youtube

  • John Kociuba

    January 11, 2020 at 11:36 am

    Dear Citizens ~

    Re: Rule Of Law

    1. In 1996 the Immigration Reform Act was passed, and it banned sanctuary cities.

    2. Harboring Aliens Act

    “Any person, who knowing that an alien remains in the U.S. is in violation of the law, conceals, harbors or shields that person from detection, shall be fined under Title 18, imprisoned for not more than 10 years.”

    President-elect Donald Trump, under the Supremacy Clause, has to enforce federal law. President Obama, as well as our state officials and our Mass. congressional delegation, are all subject to 10 years in prison.

    Michael Bloomberg and acolytes must be Immediately arrested and Florida political offices SHUT DOWN!

  • gary

    January 11, 2020 at 3:23 pm

    WORTH REPEATING>>>>>>>>

    Biden, Sanders, Pete or Warren. They all follow the radical left of Pelosi, Shiela Jackson Lee, Maxine Waters, Al Green, AOC, Talib, Pressley, Omar are on the wrong side of history. Democrat-Socialist 2020 Platform & Goals:
    -Open Borders.
    -Sanctuary Cities.
    -Decriminalize illegal entry into our country.
    -De-fund & terminate Border Patrol & ICE.
    -Disarming Americans.
    -Massive tax increases.
    -End all deportations of illegal aliens (if you get here, you stay.)
    -Drivers licenses for illegal aliens.
    -Voting rights for non citizens.
    -Welfare & Food Stamps for illegal aliens. (Warren)
    -Increase refugee’s from the third world.
    -Non citizens allowed to hold public office.
    -Socialism.
    -Weaken our Military.
    -Green new deal.
    -Free medicare care for all including non citizens (taxpayer funded)
    -Free college for all, including non citizens. (tax payer funded)
    -Reparations.
    -Late term abortions up to 9 months.
    -Opposed to ANY voter ID Laws.
    From the Democrat’s themselves. View their speeches / debates on youtube

  • Marg

    January 13, 2020 at 9:12 am

    Such anger by Trump supporters. This is unnecessary unless your goal is to drive the country further apart.

    Please open your minds to compromise and new possibilities. We need solutions that work for everyone. Everyone, including the angry folks on the far right.

Comments are closed.


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