The Affordable Care Act gave states the opportunity to expand Medicaid to low-income adults and families — with the federal government footing most of the cost. Today, 34 states have opted to take this deal and have covered over 17 million Americans. Unfortunately, Florida has not.

We’re joining the campaign to take the question directly to Florida voters and ask them to vote on a ballot measure to expand Medicaid in 2020. Ballot measures have recently expanded Medicaid in states across the country: Maine, Nebraska, Utah, and Idaho – and it can work in Florida, too.

Click this link to learn more about the campaign or to sign up as a volunteer. Additionally, you may sign up to attend one of five upcoming volunteer training webinars.

Moving Forward Together, the Winter Conference of the Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus, is just around the corner and we want to see YOU!

Join us in Jacksonville, February 22 through 24, for an exciting program that builds on the groundwork we laid in 2018 and looks ahead to 2020! You’ll hear inspiring speakers, learn from innovative training programs, and participate in our Caucus elections. Plus, our Leadership Dinner features Florida and National Keynote Speakers to fire you up!

We’re meeting at the Lexington Hotel, and we’ve secured an amazing rate. Plus, our $35 registration fee covers our Welcome Reception on Friday, February 22; and continental breakfast, lunch, and snacks throughout the conference day on Saturday, February 23. (What a deal!) Add in our separately-ticketed Leadership Dinner and our Farewell Brunch on Sunday and you’ve got a full weekend with LGBTA activists, officials and colleagues that will get you moving.

February 22-24, 2019
Lexington Hotel
1515 Prudential Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32207

Tentative Schedule
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22

Welcome Reception – 6:30pm – 8:30pm

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Registration and Continental Breakfast – 8am
Speakers and Presentations – 9am
Lunch Speaker – Noon
Speakers and Candidates – 1pm
Membership Meeting: Caucus Leadership Elections – 4pm
Cocktail Reception – 6:30pm
Leadership Dinner – 7:30pm

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24

Farewell Brunch – 10am

Conference Registration
Register for the conference by clicking this link.

Leadership Dinner Tickets
Purchase your individual or table tickets to the Leadership Dinner online.

Hotel Block
We have a block of rooms available at the host hotel, the Lexington Hotel, for $119 per night. Use this link to book your hotel room. The hotel is providing free parking.

We hope to see you! We’ll update the schedule shortly, and you won’t want to miss this energizing conference!

Details are coming together now but we wanted to be sure you Save the Date for our Winter Conference, which is scheduled for February 22-24, 2019 in Jacksonville.

We’ll have more information to announce shortly, including hotel information and how to register, but you won’t want to miss this exciting and informative weekend that brings together LGBT leaders from around the state. Our Winter Conference will feature appearances from elected officials, presentations on current and emerging issues, and social activities to meet Florida and national activists.

We will also host a Membership Meeting on Saturday, February 23 during the Conference to elect Caucus leadership for the next two years. Caucus members: please plan to attend this important meeting during the weekend!

And FYI — our bylaws state that you must be a member of the Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus at least 45 days prior to the election. While we encourage you to join your local chapter, you MUST be a registered member of the Caucus to vote in this election. Here’s a link to join or renew your membership — do it today!

Be sure to mark your calendar, and be on the lookout for more information!

THE FLORIDA LGBTA DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS WANTS YOU TO #BRINGITHOME!

GAINESVILLE – The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus, representing the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community to the Florida Democratic Party, is releasing its final list of endorsements for the 2018 general election. Our endorsed candidates are committed to supporting and fighting for equality for Florida’s LGBT residents. The Caucus has also taken positions on the Constitutional Amendments on the ballot.

“The momentum is on our side, the Blue Wave is real, and we’re ready to Bring It Home for the LGBT community and all Floridians,” said Terry Fleming, president of the Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus. “After two years of Donald Trump, eight years of Rick Scott, and 20 years of Republican rule in Tallahassee, voters want change that works for them, and not just the top one percent. Our endorsed candidates will do just that.”
Caucus members voted to support endorsed candidates and amendments during a series of membership meetings throughout the primary and general election process.

As a reminder, vote by mail ballots are already arriving, and the last day to register to vote is Tuesday, October 9.

Following are our endorsed candidates for statewide and federal offices, the Florida Legislature, and constitutional amendments.

Cabinet
Governor: Andrew Gillum

Attorney General: Sean Shaw 
CFO: State Senator Jeremy Ring

Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Nikki Fried

Federal
US Senator Bill Nelson

CD-1: Dr. Jennifer Zimmerman 
CD-3: Yvonne Hayes Hinson

CD-4: George “Ges” Belmont
CD-5: Rep. Al Lawson
CD-6: Nancy Soderberg 
CD-7: Rep. Stephanie Murphy 
CD-8: Sanjay Patel 
CD-9: Rep. Darren Soto 
CD-10: Rep. Val Demmings

CD-11: Dana Cottrell
CD-12: Chris Hunter
CD-13: Rep. Charlie Crist 
CD-14: Rep. Kathy Castor

CD-15: Kriten Carlson
CD-16: David Shapiro 
CD-18: Lauren Baer 
CD-19: David Holden
CD-20: Rep. Alcee Hastings
CD-21: Rep. Lois Frankel
CD-22: Rep. Ted Deutch 
CD-23: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz

CD-26: Debbie Mucarsel-Powell

CD-27: Donna Shalala

State

House District 4: Rebecca Koelzer

House District 21: Jason Haesler

House District 28: Lee Mangold

House District 37: Tammy Garcia

House District 42: Barbara Cady

House District 47: Anna Eskamani

House District 49: Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith

House District 55: Audrey Asiuto

House District 59: Adam Hattersley

House District 60: Debra Bellanti

House District 63: Fentrice Driskell

House District 66: Alex Heeren

House District 69: Jennifer Webb

House District 71: Tracy Pratt

House District 72: Margaret Good

House District 76: David Bogner

House District 78: Parisima Taeb

House District 89: James Bonfiglio

House District 93: Emma Collum

House District 97: Jared Moscowitz

House District 98: Michael Gottleib

House District 103: Cindy Polo

House District 105: Javier Estevez

House District 106: Sara McFadden

House District 115: Dr Jeffrey Solomon

House District 118: Robert Asencio

Senate District 8: Kayser Enneking 

Senate District 16: Amanda Murphy

Senate District 20: Kathy Lewis

Senate District 22: Bob Doyel

Senate District 26: Catherine Price

Senate District 34: Gary Farmer

The Caucus SUPPORTS:

Amendment 3: Requires voter approval of casino gambling

Amendment 4: Restores voting right for felons who have served their time

Amendment 9: Bans offshore oil and gas drilling and vaping in enclosed indoor workplaces

Amendment 13: Prohibits betting on dog races

The Caucus OPPOSES:

Amendment 1: Grants an additional $25,000 homestead exemption for homes worth $125,000 or more

Amendment 2: Makes permanent what currently is a temporary cap of 10 percent on annual property value increases for vacation homes, apartments and commercial property, effectively limiting increases on tax bills. (2nd homes and commercial) property assessment increases permanent

Amendment 5: Requires 2/3 vote of legislature to impose or increase tax or fee instead of a simple majority

Amendment 6: Adds a Marsy’s Law (victims’ rights) to state constitution, increases judicial retirement age; prohibits judges from deferring to administrative agencies to interpret law

Amendment 7: Requires death benefits for first responders and military members, a supermajority vote for college fees, and adds state college system structure to constitution

Amendment 11: Repeals some obsolete language; repeals a provision saying that changes to a criminal statute are not retroactive

The Caucus took NO POSITION on:

Amendment 10: Prohibits counties from abolishing certain local offices, changes start date of legislative sessions, and adds an executive office and executive department to constitution

Amendment 12: Prohibits public officials from lobbying for compensation while in office and 6 years thereafter.

GAINESVILLE — April Freeman, candidate for Congress in District 17, died suddenly, her family announced today. She was officially endorsed by the Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus. President Terry Fleming issued the following statement:

“The sudden passing of April Freeman has saddened all of us. Her energy and focus has been on making life in Southwest Florida better for all, and her commitment to equality never wavered. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, colleagues and supporters at this difficult time.”