A Watershed Moment

November 4th is the watershed moment for which weve been wait-
ing. It can change everything in Florida for betteror for worse. The
consequences of your voteor your non-voteand those of Democrats
all over the state could actually turn the selfish, cruel, and corporate-
controlled direction of Rick Scotts ship of state on its head.
Democrats Outnumber
Republicans, But . . .
Since registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans in
our state, we can send shockwaves through Florida with a large
Democratic voter turnout. You and your neighbors will be the win-
ners, because a vote for all our Democrats would be the game chang-
er that can bring us a long way toward solving some of our fiercest
problems for years to come.
In The 2010 Governors Elect ion,
An Average Of Only 15 Non-Voting Democrats In Each Precinct
Elect ed The Gover nor They Didnt Want
September 30, 2014 November General Elect ion Issue #2 No. 14-12E
5 TALKING POINTS
1. There is no such thing as
an off-year election. Every
choice in every election
affects you. Sometimes the
choice at the bottom affects
you more than the choice at
the top.
2. You may view your sample
ballot right now! Go to the
Supervisor of Elections web-
site www.pbcelections.org. Click
on My Sample Ballot and
follow directions.
3. Your best choice is to vote
by mail.
4. Your last choice is to vote
on Election Day, November
4th
5. VOTE THE ENTIRE BALLOT!
General Election, Tuesday, November 4, 2014
[See Candidate Listings And Ballot Questions Starting On Page 8]
[Continued on page 2, 15 Thi ngs At Stake]
St ayi ng Home
I s Vot i ng
But Not For What You Want
15 Thi ngs At St ake
On Nov e mb e r 4 t h !
11
At Stake #2
Having A Democrat Or Republican As
Governor Determines The Direction Florida
Will Go For The Next Four Years
Powerful The Florida governor is a powerful
figure. He has many constitutionally mandated
responsibilities that have a huge impact on you, your
neighbors, institutions, resources, and economy of
the state.
Administrator
Hiring and Firing
Taking Away Your Right To Vote
Commander in Chief
Administrator As chief executive of the state,
the governor of Florida is responsible for the daily
operations of government.
The governor must develop an annual state
budget for state operations.
Upon a state shortage of revenue, the governor is
responsible for reductions in the budget.
The governor is responsible for developing plans
and goals for the coming year. This is typically
set out in his constitutionally mandated annual
address to the legislature.
Scotts objectives, based on his past decisions,
are to shrink government, serve corporations,
take measures to disenfranchise those who do
not vote for him, and generally please his Tea
Party cohort.
Budget Since a budget is developed based on
goals and objectives, it is inevitable that Scott would
fund state departments and agencies with minimal
allocations so as to eliminate jobs and limit services
and resources for the public.
Republican Philosophy These budget
uIIocuLIons wouId uIso reecL IIs und IIs purLy`s
philosophical values. The effect would be to fully
fund only those agencies which support his agenda
which does not serve the needs of you and mesuch
as private prisons, private schools through vouchers,
charter schools, over-development of our pristine
lands, and relaxation of regulations meant to punish
polluters and irresponsible developers.
Democratic Philosophy _ A Democratic governor
would develop a budget built on a different set of
values. The Democratic philosophy is based on the
needs of individuals, not corporations. A Democratic
governor would prioritize public education, the
environment, equal rights for all citizens, your health
and welfare needs, and insure that public service jobs
IIke hre und poIIce proLecLIon wouId be respecLed
by maintaining or increasing their support. In this
administrative responsibility of the governor, the
differences between a Democratic and Republican
governor are as big as the expanse of our state.
[Continued on page 3, 15 Thi ngs At Stake]
15 Thi ngs At St ake
On November 4t h!
by Debra Kanter and Dan Isaacson
For Want of a Nai l
For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the message was lost.
For want of a message the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.
At Stake #1
All For The Want Of One
Democratic Senate Seat
A loss of one Democratic seat in the Florida Senate
will lose your Florida kingdom.
Super MajorityThe Florida Senate consists
of 40 members. Presently there are 14 Democrats
and 26 Republicans. If the Democrats lose one
seat, the Republicans have a veto-proof majority
(more than b). This is called a super-majority
Bad Bills Pass Despite A Governors Veto
A veto-proof majority means that if the governor
vetoes a bad bill passed by the legislature, the
legislature has the power to override that veto and
force the undesirable bill to become law.
Democratic Concerns Have No Meaning A ve-
to-proof majority means the Republican majority
doesnt have to consider any Democratic concerns.
Need Not Consider What The Governor
Deems Important
A veto-proof majority means the Republican
majority doesnt have to confer with the Gover-
nor or consider his wishes.
Need Not Consider What You And I Want
A Legislative branch of our state government that
lies in the control of Conservative Republicans
should sound the alarm to you and to anyone
who cares about the lives of people in the middle
class and those living in or near poverty.
No Democratic Bills Need Be Considered
A veto-proof majority means no bill offered by a
Democrat will be heard in committee.
If You Live In District 34, You Can Prevent
A SupermajoritySenate District 34
incumbent Senator Maria Sachs is that 14th seat
that spoils the supermajority for Republicans.
Senator Maria Sachs is Floridas horseshoe nail.
2
Hiring and Firing This important power of
the governor gives him or her the responsibility for
hIIIng vucuncIes In counLy und sLuLewIde oIhces,
both appointed and elected.
or eIecLed oIhce, LIe governor muy onIy hII u
vacancy for the remaining 28 months or less
of a term.
TIe governor muy hII uppoInLed vucuncIes LIuL
will continue until the appointed term ends.
The governor has the power to suspend any
sLuLe oIhcIuI wIo cunnoL be ImpeucIed, us weII
us uny counLy oIhcIuI Ior vIoIuLIng LIe ouLI oI
oIhce or Ior negIecL oI duLy.
Any sLuLe or counLy oIhcIuI cIurged wILI or
convicted of a felony will be suspended by
the governor under Floridas Constitution.
TIe governor uIso Ius LIe power Lo hII, eILIer
temporarily or permanently, a vacancy due to
suspension.
GIven LIIs serIous duLy, LIe governor cun hII uny
vacancy with his own supporters, regardless of
quuIIhcuLIon. He cun uIso hre un oIhcIuI LIuL,
according to his values, has neglected his duty,
Ior exumpIe un oIhcIuI responsIbIe Ior women`s
clinics or immigration centers that may house
undocumented immigrants.
The governor has extraordinary power over
the Appellate Courts, including The Florida
Supreme Court, as vacancies caused by non-
retention votes, illness, death, or resignation
could swing the balance of power in these
major jurisdictions in favor of the governor
and his party. This is true for important county
positions as well, such as water management
oIhcIuIs, counLy or sLuLe IeuILI oIhcIuIs, und
sLuLe Insurunce oIhcIuIs.
TIIs power oI IIrIng und hrIng Ius LIe poLenLIuI
for great damage or great enhancement of the
governors party agenda. A Democratic governor
would be able to maintain our liberal Supreme
Court or counteract a Conservative appeals court
by hIIIng one or more vucuncIes.
Democratic Philosophy A Democratic
governor wouId be more IIkeIy Lo repIuce oIhcIuIs
in a more transparent way, and would appoint
oIhcIuIs wIose personuI und work-reIuLed vuIues
are more consistent with those of the majority
your neighbors, and people in the state, as well as
those in our County.
Granting Freedom The governor of Florida
has discretion to grant clemency on a wide range
of offenses, except treason and impeachment
convictions.
The governor can choose to stop enforcement of
punILIve hnes us weII us IorIeILures.
The governor has discretion--with the
concurrence of two cabinet membersto grant
pardons and commute sentences.
The constitution also gives the governor
discretion to determine the conditions, if any, of
pardon or commutation of prison sentences.
Commander in Chief The governor has the
responsibility for the states armed forces not actively
serving the U.S. government. He has the sole power
of convening the states militia to preserve the
public peace as well as to stop an insurrection or
invasion.
Scotts decision to call out the guard is
dependent on his own understanding of an
insurrection, or the peace that he is trying to
preserve.
In view of Scotts track record it is not
inconceivable that he might deliberately use the
militia to quell a demonstration such as Occupy
Wall Street with which he and his cronies did not
agree, despite the First Amendment freedoms
that are guaranteed.
A Democratic governor would only convene the militia to
protect First Amendment freedoms, and be particularly
sensitive to the needs of minorities. He would be much
more likely to use due process and resolve conflicts through
federal legal requirements.
At Stake #3
Courting Disaster:
20 Years or More into the Future
One of the most disturbing prospects for our long term
future is the possibility that The Florida Supreme Court
will lose several of its liberal justices by 2019. Judicial
appointments to Floridas high Court last 20 years and
beyondan entire generation!
Justices face mandatory retirement at age 70, and
those present justices approaching retirement by
November, 2018 were originally appointed by the
late Governor Lawton Chiles, a popular Democrat.
If Rick Scott is reelected, he will try to appoint
Conservative judges to the bench. This would give
Republicans a complete sweep of all government
branches in our state, and we must prevent this
debacle from occurring.
If Republicans win in this election cycle, it is
probable that Amendment #3 on the November
ballot, concerning judicial vacancies will also win.
This means that Scott would be able to appoint
these Conservative judges to the Supreme Court
prIor Lo IeuvIng oIhce In zo18.
Charlie Crist stands between a kinder judiciary that
he would appoint, and a Rick Scott cruel unprincipled
Court for years to come.
[15 Thi ngs At Stake, continued from page 2]
[Continued on page 4, 15 Thi ngs At Stake]
3
At Stake #4
Civil Rights
Scott has systematically disfranchised Floridians.
Shortened Early Voting Scott shortened
early voting, attempted to purge legitimate
voters from the rolls, made false claims of
voter fraud, and imposed unnecessary voter ID
requirements. These actions target minorities,
students, and the elderly. They are purposefully
aimed at eliminating groups of Democratic-
leaning voters from casting ballots.
Scott and Republicans attempted to exploit
this power whenever possible, before they were
stopped by knowledgeable, alert, and committed
Supervisors of Electionslike Palm Beach
Countys outstanding Supervisor of Elections
Susan Bucher and ultimately by the Courts.
Blocked Civil Rights Scott blocked former
felons from receiving their civil rights after
they served their sentences. This action to
disenfranchise former felons derives from the
governors power to grant clemency to prisoners.
Clemency Constitutionally the governor can
only take this action where two of his three cabinet
members concur. The governor, along with these
Lwo oIhce IoIders muke up LIe IorIdu CIemency
Board. This board may grant clemency; however it
may also set the rules for restoring civil rights once
the prisoner is released upon serving the sentence.
If the Clemency Board establishes rules causing a
Iong und dIIhcuIL process oI uppIIcuLIon und wuILIng
time, former felons cannot attain the restoration of
their civil rights, meaning their right to vote.
In fact, Scott and his Clemency Board have passed
executive orders to establish a 5-7 year waiting
period before a person who formerly was imprisoned
for felony is allowed to apply for this restoration of
rights.
Many years canand doexpire before Scotts
Clemency Board hears these cases, and often the
backlog created leaves these people without their
civil rights for decadesif not for the remainder of
their lives.
In contrast, Charlie Crist, when he was governor,
automatically restored civil rights to former felons
and returned early voting to the precincts to relieve
the long lines at the polls.
At Stake #5
Allowing 1200 Floridians
To Die Each Year
Medicare Expansion Rick Scott refused to
accept $51 billion for Medicaid Expansion from
the federal government under The Affordable Care
Act (Obamacare), and also did not allow Florida to
participate in a state insurance exchange program.
One quarter of Floridas children live in poverty.
1.1 million of these children and their parents
were left with no access to healthcare.
4-6 people die in Florida every day for lack of
healthcare44,000 each year in the U.S.
Medicaid expansion would have generated
thousands of jobs.
At Stake #6
Conspiring With Insurance Companies
Scott disallowed a Florida state insurance exchange
from serving our state.
The legislature passed a law Scott supported
that prevented the state insurance commissioner
Kevin McCarty from negotiating lower rates. This
law even required the state to deceive the public
and blame Obamacare for a rise in these rates. Of
course it was the insurance companies who became
free to raise rates due to this appalling legislation.
We can see this lie translated into a commercial
for Scotts reelection that displays Charlie Crists
picture, while the narrator blames Obamacare for
these rate hikes.
To top it all off, he arranged a $52 million
sweetheart deal with Citizens Property Insurance
Company which funded Heritage Insurance
Services. Heritage helped fund both Scotts
campaign and the Republican Party. No other
insurance companies were offered this deal.
[15 Thi ngs At Stake, continued from page 3]
[Continued on page 5, 15 Thi ngs At Stake]
4
At Stake #7
Corporations, Not People
Rick Scotts pre-gubernatorial legal problems as
CEO of Columbia/HCA should have alerted voters to
priorities which have consistently demonstrated his
private corporate interests over those of you and your
neighbors.
n ILs MedIcure Iruud cuse, CoIumbIu wus hned bIIIIons
oI doIIurs-LIe IurgesL sucI hne In U.S. IIsLory.
As its CEO, Scott pled the 5th Amendment 75 times
in this felony case. (see https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=kLCwe4TdcCs)
He got away with it, and used his fraudulently
gained millions to purchase his governorship.
ScoLL`s Lerm us governor Ius reecLed IIs pIIIosopIy.
Scotts alliances with corporate Conservatives have
Iuvored Lux breuks und prohL IncenLIves Ior LIe rIcI
over hnuncIuI sLubIIILy Ior LIe poor und mIddIe cIuss.
nsurunce compunIes Iuve benehLLed Irom ScoLL`s
refusal to expand Medicaid or to allow a Florida
state-run insurance exchange program as part of
the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).
Scott created sweetheart deals with companies
such as Citizens Property Insurance Company
and Heritage Insurance Services which ultimately
contributed to his campaign and the Republican
Party.
TIe NRA, member oI AEC, reups greuL benehL
from Scotts allegiance to gun manufacturers and
gun advocates.
The corporatization of charter schools means that
prIvuLe busIness mukes LIe prohL Irom LIe suIe oI
schools, whether they are successful or not, and
public school funding is the big loser.
Scotts cozy relationship with large development
companies has interfered with the conservation of
precious land and water resources that serve the
public and preserve these resources far into the future.
At Stake #8
Budget Cutting Mania
Rick Scott slashed budgets for vital services and
resources, eliminating jobs and neglecting our most
precious resources, both human and environmental.
Environmental Evisceration
Scott cut environmental protections by defunding
our water management districts, and the Florida
Forever program.
Scott gutted the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection, resulting in dozens of
job layoffs.
Scott opposed strong water-quality standards
proposed by the EPA, and he reduced pollution
enforcement by record amounts.
Scott failed to admit global climate change is
occurring, and refused to support the Lands and
Legacy Amendment #1 on the November ballot.
Educational Devastation
Scott has cut $1.3 billion from public education,
including $300 million from higher education.
He originally requested a cut of $3 billion, but the
legislature only would go for $1.3 billion.
Scotts reduction in the Bright Futures scholarship
program and a 15% increase in tuition levels will
prevent many young people from attending college
and make it harder for many other middle class
families to scrape together tuitions and basic living
expenses.
Instead, Scott supports charter schools that are
corporate owned, not accountable to the public,
and mostly do not outperform their public
counterparts, even as they drain vital funds from
public school systems.
Scotts continued advocacy for private school
vouchers is equaled only by Jeb Bush. Important
school programs have been lost by these actions.
Scott has actively opposed teachers rights, and
thousands of teachers have lost their jobs.
Scott failed to embrace the Common Core
Standards adopted by Florida and 42 other states.
He tweaked them to preserve our standards, even
as Florida ranks at the bottom of states education
spending.
Scott cut property taxes by $572 million and reduced
the Education Finance Program by $200 million.
Scott failed to restore $870 million lost after
the federal stimulus money ran out, and forced
communities to carry the burden of an increase of
$155 million to educate the 25,000 new students in
our state.
Scott has allowed Floridas children to languish in the
cellar of American state rankings (45th out of 50).
Scotts refusal of a deal that would have brought an
Amazon distribution center to Florida prevented
additional revenue for Education in Florida and
2500 additional jobs for our residents.
Due to Scotts and the Florida Legislatures philosophy,
Florida spends only half the funds per student as New
York, and expenditures remain below Floridas level
prior to the Great Recession.
Former Governor Charlie Crists father was a school
board member, his sisters are both teachers. He
recognizes the importance of public education and
teachers, and is fully supportive of our public school
system, the need to upgrade our students educational
opportunities, and the long term social and economic
consequences of bleeding our public schools, as well as
the need to enhance their effectiveness.
Teachers Endorse CristThe largest teachers
union in Florida, the Florida Education Association
(FEA) has endorsed Charlie Crist.
[Continued on page 6, 15 Thi ngs At Stake]
[15 Thi ngs At Stake, continued from page 4]
5
At Stake #9
Unkindest Cuts
In his relentless drive to cut budgets and cater to his
own 1% constituency, Scott has eliminated thousands
of jobs instead of creating them.
Scott cut environmental jobs, education jobs,
hre-hgILer und Iuw enIorcemenL jobs, IeuILIcure
delivery jobs, and a wide variety of public sector
jobs that serve Floridians. Budget cuts usually
mean job cuts, and he has done that without regard
for the workers and their families or the public that
depends on them.
Scott promised to add 700,000 jobs. He touts
private industry growth, but ignores the 25,400
public jobs that have been lost during his term as
governor.
Scott blames Charlie Crist for job losses in the
years prior to the Scott yearshowever, he never
mentions the Great Recession that gripped the
planet, and most of our nation as well. It is ludicrous
to blame Charlie for an internationally sustained
global downturn.
At Stake #10
Guns-a-Plenty
Scotts support of the NRA and ALEC is no secret. He
continues to support gun carry laws and Stand Your
Ground.
These laws are destructive and lethal. They
undermine the judicial process, and leave African
American Floridians vulnerable to great injustice.
Gun laws that make guns and ammunition
ubiquitous in our state are tied to ALEC, the
American Legislative Exchange Council. ALEC
serves the alliance of Conservative corporate
exploitation with Conservative right wing
Legislatures nationwide. ALECs agenda is
anathema to the Democratic agenda.
At Stake #11
Women Victimized
Scott has earned a perfect score of 0% from NARAL
und LIe AIIIunce oI PIunned PurenLIood AIhIIuLes
concerning women, abortion, and reproductive rights.
Scott vetoed a bill to allocate $1.5 million to 30 rape
crisis centers.
Scott wants to overturn Rowe v. Wade and make a
womans right to choose illegal once again.
Scott does not support equal pay for women.
Former Governor Charlie Crist has teamed up with
Planned Parenthood, and supports them across the
bourd. He Ius specIhcuIIy suId LIuL governmenL Ius
no business in a womans body.
At Stake #12
Immigration Degradation
ScoLL recenLIy Ip-opped on IIs cumpuIgn poIIcy LIuL
rejected equal tuition for undocumented students.
Because he is running for reelection, he has reversed
himself and now supports this tuition provision.
However, his overall policies concerning immigration
remain consistent with those of his Tea Party
supporters.
Scott continues to support proof of citizenship
for people suspected by law enforcement of any
uIIeged InIrIngemenL, IncIudIng LruIhc sLops. TIIs
poIIcy reecLs ArIzonu Governor Jun Brewer`s
executive action to stop residents and ask for proof
of citizenship.
Scott opposes drivers licenses for Dreamers.
Scott has quietly softened his positions on
e-Verify, a business tool to verify immigration
status, as well as his border control policy against
undocumented immigrants. Once the election is
over, there is nothing to indicate that Scott wont
reLurn Lo LIe ucLIons wIIcI InIormed IIs hrsL Lerm.
Although Scott has calmed his rhetoric, he still
refers to any liberalization of immigration policy
us umnesLy und Is LryIng Lo keep u Iow prohIe on
immigration in order to avoid media spotlights on
his position.
At Stake #13
Stop the Love
Rick Scott has supported The Defense of Marriage Act,
buL Ie Is LryIng Lo keep u Iow prohIe on LIIs Issue uIso.
Although voters want to overturn the ban on same-
sex marriage, Scotts Attorney General Pam Bondi
is trying to appeal the ban, consistent with Scotts
alliances with the Conservative activist community.
Scott does not want to magnify this issue, because
he is running in a tight campaign against Charlie
Crist who has apologized to the gay community for
supporting the ban when he was a Republican.
Crist has declared that he has evolved concerning these
positions, and has now embraced gay marriage and
adoption by gay couples. It is well known that Rick
ScoLL sLunds hrm uguInsL guy murrIuge und udopLIon.
At Stake #14
High Speed Derailed
As governor, Rick Scott scuttled a plan to bring High
Speed Rail to Florida between Tampa and Orlando,
and ultimately Miami.
Scott refused $2.4 billion from the federal
government, which was subsequently allotted to
Amtrak and several other states.
[Continued on page 7, 15 Thi ngs At Stake]
[15 Thi ngs At Stake, continued from page 5]
6
However, the private company All Aboard Florida,
has contracted with Siemens to build the system
infrastructure from Orlando to Miami, with stops
only in West Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale. It
is estimated that the project, scheduled to begin
consLrucLIon In zo16, wIII muke u prohL Irom $z1-
$q mIIIIon In LIe hrsL 1o yeurs. TIIs consLrucLIon
is projected to cost $2.5 billion, and the state of
Florida could have received almost all of it from the
federal government. The state would have reaped
LIe prohLs over LIme. BusIness, LourIsm, und IeIsure
LruveI sIouId benehL, und LIe LIree-Iour LrIp
should lessen travel on our highways and render
airline travel between the major cities unnecessary.
ProhLs wouId Iuve gone Lo LIe SLuLe oI IorIdu over
time.
At Stake #15
Honor Nan Rich
A Word Of Caution if you were a committed
supporter of Nan Rich: Should you decide not to vote
for governor, your non-vote will elect Rick Scott. Is that
something you really desire?
Senator Nan Rich has graciously thrown her support
to Charlie Crist. Her unwavering Democratic values
should inspire us to make sure that Rick Scott is
retired from the governorship. The only way to
do that is to take a fresh look at Charlie Crist. He
may be a new Democrat but he is an authentic one.
Charlie has the support of most of the constituent
groups that have always supported Democratic
values, candidates, and issues.
Environment
2008 Florida League of Conservation Voters
on Environmental Conservation 37%
2006 Florida League of Conservation Voters
on Environmental Conservation 13%
2004 Florida League of Conservation Voters 30%
Government Budget and Spending
2012 American Conservative Union (Florida State Legislature) 86%
Guns
2012 National Rifle Association - Candidate on Gun Rights 92%
2010 National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund on Gun Rights A
2008 National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund on Gun Rights A+
2004 National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund - Lifetime Score A
Health and Health Care
2012 Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) 100%
2011 Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) 100%
2010 Florida Health Care Association (FHCA)
- Committee and Floor Votes Score 50%
Labor Unions
2009 Florida AFL-CIO 0%
2008 Florida AFL-CIO 0%
2006 Florida AFL-CIO on Workplace Rights 11
2005 Florida AFL-CIO 48%
2004 Florida AFL-CIO on Workplace Rights 10
Marriage, Family, and Children
2012 Christian Family Coalition 100%
2011 Christian Family Coalition 100%
National Security
2012 American Conservative Union (Florida State Legislature) 86%
Religion
2012 Christian Family Coalition 100%
2011 Christian Family Coalition 100%
2009 Christian Coalition of Florida 79%
2008 Christian Coalition of Florida 100%
2007 Christian Coalition of Florida on Conservative Issues 85%
2005-06 Christian Coalition of Florida 100%
Social
2012 American Conservative Union (Florida State Legislature) 86%
Taxes
2012 American Conservative Union (Florida State Legislature) 86%
[Bogdanoff Ratings, continued from page 12]
Bill Hager Ratings
Abortion and Reproductive
2013 Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates 100%
Business and Consumers
2014 Associated Builders and Contractors 100%
2014 Associated Industries of Florida 98%
2014 Associated Industries of Florida - Lifetime Score 98%
2014 Florida Chamber of Commerce 100%
2013 Associated Builders and Contractors 100%
2013 Associated Industries of Florida 98%
2013 Florida Chamber of Commerce 100%
2012 Associated Builders and Contractors
on Commercial Construction Industry Issues 100%
2012 Florida Chamber of Commerce 100%
2011-2012 Florida National Federation of Independent Business 100%
2011 Associated Industries of Florida 97%
2011 Florida Chamber of Commerce 94%
Conservative
2014 Americans for Prosperity - Florida - (House) 85%
2013 American Conservative Union (Florida State
Legislature) 100%
2013 Americans for Prosperity - Florida - (House) 81%
2012 American Conservative Union (Florida State
Legislature) 90%
2011 American Conservative Union (Florida State
Legislature) 100%
2011 Americans for Prosperity - Florida - 100%
Education
2014 Foundation for Floridas Future 78%
2014 Fund Education Now 0%
2013 Foundation for Floridas Future 87%
2013 Fund Education Now 0%
2012 Foundation for Floridas Future 80%
2012 Fund Education Now 0%
2011 Fund Education Now 0%
Government Budget and Spending
2013 American Conservative Union (Florida State
Legislature) 100%
2012 American Conservative Union (Florida State
Legislature) 90%
Guns
2012 National Rifle Association - Candidate on Gun Rights
92%
[Continued on page 11, Hagar Ratings]
[15 Thi ngs At Stake, continued from page 6]
7
CONGRESS
U.S. Representative
District
18 Patrick Murphy (Icumbent)
20 Alcee L. Hastings (Incumbent)
21 Ted Deutch (Incumbent)
22 Lois Frankel (Incumbent)
EXECUTI VE
Governor
Charlie Crist
Lieutenant Governor
Annette Taddeo
Attorney General
George Sheldon
ChieI Iinunciul OIcer
William Will Rankin
Commissioner of Agriculture
Thaddeus Thad Hamilton
PALM BEACH COUNTY DEMOCRATS ON THE NOVEMBER 4, 2014 BALLOT
(CANDI DATES AND QUESTI ONS)
STATE HOUSE
State Senator (Palm Beach County)
District
32 Bruno Moore
34 Maria Lorts Sachs (Incumbent)
State Representative (Palm Beach County)
District
81
82 Mary Higgins
86 Mark Pafford (Incumbent)
88 Bobby Powell (Incumbent)
89 David Ryan Silvers
COUNTY COMMI SSI ONER
District 4
Andy OBrien
District 6
Melissa McKinlay
SCHOOL BOARD (Non-Partisan)
District 4
ErIcu WIILheId (D)
SPECI AL TAXI NG DI STRI CTS
Indian Trail Improvement District
Seat 1
Michael W. Erickson (D)
Seat 3
Ralph Bair (Incumbent) (D)
Alan Ballweg (D)
Seat 5
Betty Argue
Loxahatchee River Environmental Control
District 4
James D. Snyder (D)
Port of Palm Beach
Group 5
Peyton McArthur (D)
STATE
FEDERAL COUNTY
JUDICIAL
COURT OF APPEALS
(Palm Beach County)(
Merit Retention
District 4
Alan O. Forst
Mark W. Klingensmith
W. Matthew Stevenson
Martha C. Warner
The League of Women Voters of Florida has produced two extremely informative Voters Guides. All can be found
in printed form and on line at www.lwvpbc.org. Copies of the Guides are available at libraries, green markets, govern-
ment offices and other locations throughout Palm Beach County. The information following on page 9 is courtesy of
the Florida League of Women Voters. The Guides contain:
1. Information about
The 3 Statewide Constitutional Amendments
(ILLp:JJLIeorIduvoLer.orgJresourcesJAmendmenLPosILIons
State candidates for Governor,
CundIduLes Ior LIe LIree CubIneL OIhces (ALLorney GeneruI, CIIeI InuncIuI OIhcer, und SecreLury oI
Agriculture and Consumer Affairs),
What Is Judicial Merit Retention?
2. Information about
The two Palm Beach Couny Referenda
CundIduLes Ior oIhce
To order additional printed copies, email voterguide2014@gmail.com or call (561) 276-4898.
THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
VOTERS GUIDES
Calendar
2014 General Election Day
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Polls open: 7-7
Early Voting
Monday, October 20, 2014 -
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Polls open: 7-7
2014 Voter Registration
Deadline
Monday, October 6, 2014
2014 Mail Ballot Request Deadline
October 29. 2014
Spec i al Tax i ng Di st r i c t s
Palm Beach County has its share of Special Taxing
(Community Development) Districts. A Community
Development District (CDD) is a local, special purpose
government
Most of the tax districts have substantial budgets and
the monies are administered by Boards of citizens.
CDDs provide a mechanism for the financing and
management of new communities.
The community development district may impose
and levy taxes or assessments, or both taxes and
assessments, on the property.
These taxes and assessments pay the construction,
operation and maintenance costs of certain public
facilities and services of the district and are set
annually by the governing board of the district.
These taxes and assessments are in addition to county
and other local governmental taxes and assessments
and all other taxes and assessment provided for by law.
8
Const i t ut i onal Amendment : #1:
Wat er And Land Conser vat i on
OFFICIAL BALLOT TITLE: Water and Land
Conservation - Dedicates funds to acquire
and restore Florida conservation and rec-
reation lands
SYNOPSIS: Amendment 1 requires 33% of the
net revenue collected from the documentary
stamp tax (applied primarily to real estate trans-
actions) to go toward the Land Acquisition Trust
Fund. This fund was established in 1963 with the
goal of purchasing land for parks and recreational
purposes. Currently, the Legislature has the au-
thority to determine how much funding the Land
Acquisition Trust Fund receives on a year-to- year
basis.The Financial Impact Estimating Confer-
ence reports that the amount of state revenue that
would go to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund under
Amendment 1 is $648 million during Fiscal Year
2015-16 and could grow to $1.268 billion by Fis-
cal Year 2034-35, when the amendment would ex-
pire. Since 1998, voters in 24 states have approved
79 laws creating $28 billion in new funds for land
conservation. Voters in 11 states have placed fund-
ing for water and land conservation and manage-
ment in their state Constitutions.
A VOTE YES on Amendment 1 would:
Provide a long-term funding mechanism for
environmental conservation without a new tax
Remove reliance on yearly legislative funding for
water and land conservation projects
Enhance publicly held recreational lands, pos-
sibly contributing to economic growth through
increased eco-tourism
A VOTE NO on Amendment 1 would:
Not establish a long-term funding mechanism
for environmental conservation
Retain the Legislatures ability to make budget-
ary decisions on a year-to-year basis
Not place language in the Florida Constitution
relating to environmental conservation where
it would be difficult to modify or remove
The Florida League of Women Voters
SUPPORTS Amendment 1.
The Palm Beach County Democratic Party
Recommends a YES Vote On Amendment 1.
Const i t ut i onal Amendment #2:
Medi c al Mar i j uana
OFFICIAL BALLOT TITLE: Use of Mari-
juana for Certain Medical Conditions
SYNOPSIS: Amendment 2 allows individuals with
debilitating diseases, as determined by a licensed
Florida physician, to purchase and use medical
marijuana. During the 2014 session, the state of
Florida passed legislation to allow for the medical
use of Charlottes Web, a strain of non-psy-
choactive cannabis. Amendment 2 would legalize
all forms of marijuana for medical use but states
that no insurance company or government agency
can be required to cover its cost. Additionally,
the amendment prohibits the operation of a car
or boat while under the influence of marijuana
and allows workplaces, schools and public spaces
to ban marijuana from their facilities. Currently,
23 states and the District of Columbia have laws
allowing for the use of medical marijuana.
A VOTE YES on Amendment 2 would:
Provide for the legal use of marijuana for medical
purposes by individuals with debilitating
diseases, as determined by a licensed Florida
physician
Maintain the current prohibition on marijuana
use for recreational purposes
Require the Department of Health to monitor
centers that produce and distribute marijuana
for medical purposes and to issue identification
cards to patients and caregivers.
A VOTE NO on Amendment 2 would:
Not affect the current prohibition on marijuana
use in the state of Florida
Maintain the status quo as it relates to
enforcement of the marijuana laws currently in
place
Not place language in the Florida Constitution
relating to medical marijuana where it would
be difficult to modify or remove
The Florida League of Women Voters has not
studied Amendment 2 and therefore has NO
POSITION on Amendment 2.
The Palm Beach County Democratic Party
Recommends a YES Vote On Amendment 2.
BALLOT QUESTIONS
[BALLOT QUESTIONS continued on page 5]
9
Const i t ut i onal Amendment #3:
Judi c i al Appoi nt ment s
OFFICIAL BALLOT TITLE: Prospective
Appointment of Certain Judicial Vacancies
SYNOPSIS: Amendment 3 would require a
Governor to pro- spectively fill vacancies on the
Florida Supreme Court or a district court of appeal
when a justice or judge: (1) reaches the mandatory
retirement age of 70, (2) fails to qualify for a
retention election, or (3) fails to secure a majority
of votes during his or her retention election. Since
2001, the 26 Judicial Nominating Commissions
(JNCs) for the Florida Supreme Court, district courts
of appeal and trial courts have been comprised
solely of gubernatorial appointees (9 per JNC) who
serve 4-year terms, from July to July. In 2006, the
Florida Supreme Court ruled that JNCs could begin
their interviewing and nominating process prior to a
judicial vacancy occurring, but an appointment could
not be made until after the justices or judges term
actually expired. Because it is possible for a justices
or judges term to end on the same day that a new
Governor takes office, the Florida Supreme Courts
2006 opinion can be read as authorizing the newly
sworn-in Governor to fill those vacancies. All judicial
appointments must be made from a list of judicial
applicants screened by the appropriate JNC. The
Governor must select a nominee from that listhe or
she is not allowed to reject the entire list and request
a new slate of JNC nominees. In a situation in which
a judicial vacancy is created on the first day of a new
Governors term, Amendment 3 would authorize the
outgoing Governor rather than the newly elected
Governorto appoint the successor judge or justice.
A VOTE YES on Amendment 3 would:
Invalidate court interpretations of Floridas
Constitution as to who has the authority to fill
judicial vacancies
Enable an outgoing Governor to make appoint-
ments to the Florida Supreme Court or a district
court of appeal
Possibly shorten the time of a judicial vacancy
A VOTE NO on Amendment 3 would:
Ensure that a newly sworn-in Governor will fill
prospective judicial vacancies
Keep language relating to judicial appointments
out of the Florida Constitution, where it would be
difficult to modify or remove
Continue to allow judicial vacancies to exist for
up to 120 days, possibly creating workload issues
within the courts
The Florida League of Women Voters
OPPOSES Amendment 3.
The Palm Beach County Democratic Party
Recommends a NO Vote On Amendment 3.
Ref er endum # 1: Childrens Services
Council
BALLOT SUMMARY: Shall the Childrens Services
Council of Palm Beach County, which provides early learn-
ing and reading skills, development, treatment, preventa-
tive and other childrens services in Palm Beach County,
be reauthorized to continue in existence as a district with
voter-approved taxing authority, with independent over-
sight and accountability as required by law, unless and
until it is dissolved as specified in s.125.901(4)(a), Florida
Statutes?
EXPLANATION: The Childrens Services Council (CSC)
was authorized as a Special Taxing District in 1986 by
Palm Beach County voters and must be reauthorized pe-
riodically. In 2000, voters approved an increase in the
millage cap to 1.00. The CSC contracts and supervises
nonprofit agencies to provide prenatal and early child-
hood development services to assure childrens health
and school readiness. The CSC appears on the Property
Tax bill with a current millage rate of 0.7475.
A VOTE YES approves continuation of the Special Tax-
ing District status and assures that the CSC has a dedi-
cated source of funding.
A VOTE NO removes the CSC funding guarantee. There
would be no certainty that the county could absorb the
cost in its current budget.
The Florida League of Women Voters SUPPORTS
Referendum #1
The Palm Beach County Democratic Party Recom-
mends a YES Vote On Referendum #1.
Ref er endum # 2:
Pal m Beac h Count y Sc hool Boar d
BALLOT SUMMARY: Shall the School Board of Palm
Beach County have the authority to continue to levy 0.25
mills of ad valorem millage dedicated for operational
needs of non-charter District Schools to fund teachers
as well as arts, music, physical education, career and
academic programs for the fiscal years beginning July
1, 2015 and ending June 30, 2019, with oversight by an
independent finance committee of citizens and experts?
EXPLANATION: This .25 per $1,000 of assessed
valuation was first added to the School portion of the
Property Tax in 2008. A referendum to extend the tax was
approved by 66% of Palm Beach County voters in 2010.
As required by law, the District is asking for authorization
to cover the cost of programs listed in the ballot for an
additional four years.
A VOTE YES continues to provide these programs for
the Palm Beach County Public Schools.
A VOTE NO decreases funding for the programs in Palm
Beach County Public Schools.
The Florida League of Women Voters SUPPORTS
Referendum #2.
The Palm Beach County Democratic Party Recom-
mends a YES Vote On Referendum #2.
###
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Health and Health Care
2014 Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) 100%
2013 Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) 100%
2012 Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) 90%
2011 Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) 75%
Marriage, Family, and Children
2012 Christian Family Coalition 33%
2011 Christian Family Coalition 100%
National Security
2013 American Conservative Union (Florida State
Legislature) 100%
2012 American Conservative Union (Florida State
Legislature) 90%
Religion
2012 Christian Family Coalition 33%
2011 Christian Family Coalition 100%
Social
2013 American Conservative Union (Florida State
Legislature) 100%
2012 American Conservative Union (Florida State
Legislature) 90%
Taxes
2013 American Conservative Union (Florida State
Legislature) 100%
2012 American Conservative Union (Florida State
Legislature) 90%
Maria Sachs Ratings
Business and Consumers
2014 Associated Builders and Contractors 100%
2014 Associated Industries of Florida 90%
2014 Associated Industries of Florida - Lifetime Score 75%
2014 Florida Chamber of Commerce 85%
2013 Associated Builders and Contractors 80%
2013 Associated Industries of Florida 87%
2013 Florida Chamber of Commerce 55%
2012 Associated Builders and Contractors
on Commercial Construction Industry Issues 80%
2012 Florida Chamber of Commerce 72%
2011-12 Florida National Federation of Independent Business 63%
2011 Associated Industries of Florida 65%
2011 Florida Chamber of Commerce 30%
2010 Associated Builders and Contractors 63%
2010 Associated Industries of Florida 59%
2010 Associated Industries of Florida - Lifetime Score 70%
2010 Florida Chamber of Commerce 78%
Conservative
2014 Americans for Prosperity - Florida (Senate) 47%
2013 American Conservative Union (Florida State Legislature) 30%
2013 Americans for Prosperity - Florida (Senate) 52%
2012 American Conservative Union (Florida State Legislature) 29%
2011 American Conservative Union (Florida State Legislature) 0%
2011 Americans for Prosperity - Florida 14%
2009 Christian Coalition of Florida 57%
2008 Christian Coalition of Florida 29%
2007 Christian Coalition of Florida on Conservative Issues 15%
Education
2014 Foundation for Florida's Future 67%
2014 Fund Education Now 75%
2013 Foundation for Florida's Future 55%
2013 Fund Education Now 100%
2012 Foundation for Florida's Future 20%
2012 Fund Education Now 83%
2011 Fund Education Now 58%
Environment
2008 Florida League of Conservation Voters on
Environmental Conservation 74%
Government Budget and Spending
2013 American Conservative Union (Florida State Legislature) 30%
2012 American Conservative Union (Florida State Legislature) 29%
Guns
2012 National Rifle AssociationCandidate on Gun Rights 0%
2008 National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund on Gun Rights F
Health and Health Care
2014 Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) 100%
2012 Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) 50%
2011 Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) 38%
2010 Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) 50%
Labor Unions
2009 Florida AFL-CIO 88%
2008 Florida AFL-CIO 100%
Marriage, Family, and Children
2012 Christian Family Coalition 33%
2011 Christian Family Coalition 25%
National Security
2013 American Conservative Union (Florida State Legislature) 30%
2012 American Conservative Union (Florida State Legislature) 29%
Religion
2012 Christian Family Coalition 33%
2011 Christian Family Coalition 25%
2009 Christian Coalition of Florida 57%
2008 Christian Coalition of Florida 29%
2007 Christian Coalition of Florida on Conservative Issues 15%
Social
2013 American Conservative Union (Florida State Legislature) 30%
2012 American Conservative Union (Florida State Legislature) 29%
Taxes
2013 American Conservative Union (Florida State Legislature) 30%
2012 American Conservative Union (Florida State Legislature) 29%
Rick Scott Ratings
Abortion
2013 NARAL Pro-Choice America(Governors) 0%
2010 Florida Right to Lifeon Pro-Life Policy A
Abortion and Reproductive
2013 NARAL Pro-Choice America(Governors) 0%
2010 Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates
- Position on Reproductive Rights 0%
Education
2012 The Center for Education Reform(Governors) 100%
Guns
2010 National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund
- Position on Gun Rights A
K-12 Education
2012 The Center for Education Reform(Governors) 100%
Socially Liberal
2013 NARAL Pro-Choice America(Governors) 0%
2013 NARAL Pro-Choice America(Governors) 0%
Women
2013 NARAL Pro-Choice America(Governors) 0%
[Bill Hager Ratings, continued from page 7]
11
Dan Isaacson, Editor
The Voter Publications, Inc.
St. Andrews Estates South
6055 Verde Trail South, Apt. H219
Boca Raton, FL 33433-4423
561-470-7258
Pr esor t Fi r st Cl ass
US Postage
PAID
Boca Raton, FL
Permit#1767
September 30, 2014 No. 14-12E
November Gener al El ec t i on I ssue #2
15 Thi ngs At St ake
On Nov e mb e r 4 t h !


Cur nexL club meeLlng- SepL.
23 aL 7:30 pm aL Lhe SouLh
CounLy Clvlc CenLer
corinne Mi//er wlll
speak abouL...
LveryLhlng you wanLed Lo
know abouL Lhe balloL
lnlLlaLlves, buL were afrald
Lo ask!
Ellen Bogdanoff Ratings
Abortion and Reproductive
2010 Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates 0%
Business and Consumers
2012 Associated Builders and Contractors 100%
2012 Florida Chamber of Commerce 94%
2011-12 Florida National Federation of Independent Business 100%
2011 Associated Industries of Florida 98%
2011 Florida Chamber of Commerce 100%
2010 Associated Builders and Contractors 100%
2010 Associated Industries of Florida - Lifetime Score 97%
2010 Associated Industries of Florida 96%
2010 Florida Chamber of Commerce 100%
2009-10 Florida National Federation of Independent Business 100%
2009 Associated Builders and Contractors 100%
2009 Associated Industries of Florida 95%
2009 Associated Industries of Florida - Lifetime Score 97%
2009 Florida Chamber of Commerce 100%
2008 Associated Builders and Contractors
on Merit Shop Construction/Building Trades 100%
2008 Associated Industries of Florida
on Pro-Business Policy 93%
2008 Florida Chamber of Commerce
on Pro-Business Policy 97%
2007 Associated Builders and Contractors
on Merit Shop Construction/Building Trades 100%
2007 Associated Industries of Florida
on Pro-Business Policy 95%
2007 Florida Chamber of Commerce 100%
2006 Associated Builders and Contractors 100%
2006 Associated Industries of Florida 100%
2006 Florida Chamber of Commerce 100%
2005-06 Florida National Federation
of Independent Business 100%
2005 Associated Builders and Contractors 100%
2005 Associated Industries of Florida 100%
2005 Florida Chamber of Commerce 100%
2004 Associated Industries of Florida 96%
Conservative
2012 American Conservative Union (Florida State Legislature) 86%
2011 American Conservative Union (Florida State Legislature) 100%
2011 Americans for Prosperity - Florida 93%
2009 Christian Coalition of Florida 79%
2008 Christian Coalition of Florida 100%
2007 Christian Coalition of Florida on Conservative Issues 85%
2005-06 Christian Coalition of Florida 100%
2005 Christian Coalition of Florida 93%
2003-04 Christian Coalition of Florida 100%
Education
2012 Foundation for Florida's Future 80%
2012 Fund Education Now 0%
2011 Fund Education Now 0%
Environment
2008 Florida League of Conservation Voters
on Environmental Conservation 37%
2006 Florida League of Conservation Voters
on Environmental Conservation 13%
2004 Florida League of Conservation Voters 30%
Government Budget and Spending
2012 American Conservative Union (Florida State Legislature) 86%
How Ar e Candi dat es Rat ed
By I nt er est Gr oups?
[Continued on page 7, Bogdanoff Ratings]
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