Dr. Jeffrey Solomon launches for State House Dist. 115

Endorsed by (D) county Commissioner Katy Sorenson and (R) county Mayor Carlos Alvarez. After the speeches I asked Mayor Alvarez if this was his first endorsement of a Democrat and he responded that he'd done it before, also had voted for Alex Sink, our (D) state chief financial officer.

Like the governor race, US Senate race and others, the voters will speak on this in 2010. Good luck to Dr. Jeffrey Solomon, one of the early starters.

Calderin kickoff fills the room

In case you weren't there Thursday evening, here's a video message from Michael Calderin, running for the state House of Representatives in District 119.

And here's a link to the text of his talk, posted on the Florida Progressive Coalition blog. Let's talk about the future. Go, Michael!

Gelber: Seismic shift in politics

Gelber with DFAM members

Rep. Dan Gelber, minority leader in the state House of Representatives, said the proposed property tax amendment will “fail badly” in Miami-Dade County next Jan. 29.

Gelber spoke informally Sunday to a reception of Democracy For America Miami-Dade at the home of Bret Berlin, state committeeman, with about 20 people attending.

Among his points:

• Florida has been ruled by out-of-step right-wingers but now there’s a seismic shift in national and state politics.
• New Gov. Charlie Crist is good on felons’ rights and other issues. “I like him a lot.” He’s less of an ideologue than Jeb Bush.
• Where to claw back some revenue: in recent years $18 billion was given in tax concessions mostly to discreet companies and industries.
• Term-limited, Gelber may run in 2008 for the State Senate if Gwen Margolis decides to retire.