In the past few weeks, we've seen quite a bit of activism in the Tampa Bay area, and for the first time in a few years, it isn't being led by Tea Party members.
No, it's been union officials and teachers, who have a lot of their own skin in the game. They have been protesting policies being promulgated for the most part in Tallahassee. But this afternoon a protest will place in Tampa to oppose GOP-led budget initiatives in Washington.
Late this afternoon, a coalition of liberal groups will get together to protest a proposed House budget for the rest of the 2011 fiscal year. They're calling their rally the "Defend The American Dream," and it takes place in front of the federal courthouse — 801 N. Florida Avenue — from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, we've got the latest on the Tampa mayor's race. There was a debate yesterday — the third of four scheduled — and we've got the full story here. Meanwhile, both camps are saying the other side is getting negative. Whatever. Welcome to the last week of the campaign, as Tampa residents have received a robocall on behalf of Rose Ferlita from former Council member Mary Alvarez.
Let's not forget the various city council races that still have a week to go, and several of them should be very competitive. Yolie Capin must be happy today, after her anguish about the League of Women Voter' refusal to run a disclaimer regarding a false allegation made by opponent Chris Hart has now led to the entire debate being taken off the air.
And we don't know if you know this or not, but CL is located in Tampa's historic Ybor Square in Ybor City. Our new neighbors and landlords, the church of Scientology, officially moved in as of this weekend.
the report here.
This article appears in Mar 10-16, 2011.