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Happy Thursday, Fellow Democrats!
CORONA VIRUS UPDATE
Our office is still officially closed. Stacey is at the office managing day-to-day happenings, but all of our volunteers are home and will be for the foreseeable future.
Any and all in-person Democratic meetings that were previously scheduled are canceled. If you need to speak to someone please do not come to our office, instead please call Stacey at 772.226.5267.
We hope you are all safe, healthy and staying home, as much as possible. This new, unchartered territory we are navigating is filled with so many questions and concerns. But it is also a time to slow down, catch up on some projects around the house and relax a bit (unless you have kids that is). However you are spending your time, stay healthy!
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM ALERT INDIAN RIVER
Indian River County currently has 12 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. We know you may have questions so we have activated our Emergency Information Center. Operators are standing by to assist with your questions. Please dial 772-226-4000. The Emergency Information Center will be open from 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. beginning today through Saturday and hours will be adjusted as needed.
VOTE BY MAIL
Never before have we witnessed such a vital need to vote by mail. If you have not registered to vote by mail, either email our office at to be mailed a registration form or go to the Indian River County Supervisor of Elections website: [link removed] where you can register directly.
MORE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY STATISTICS
Even with coronavirus, Florida Democrats had remarkable results and voted in higher numbers in this election than in the 2016 Primary! With absentee and overseas ballots still to come in, a record 1,734,701 Democrats voted for a presidential candidate compared with 1,709,183 in 2016.
* Early voting increased by 74,031 more Democratic voters than in 2016
* Vote by mail increased by 170,420 over 2016, and that number will increase as overseas ballots continue to come in
These increases are proof positive how energized and committed Florida Democrats are to defeating Donald Trump in 2020.
VOTER REGISTRATION UPDATE
As of Thursday, March 19, Florida Democrats have registered 52,783 voters since 2019. We are focusing on strategic registration, with the bulk of our registrations occurring in swing legislative districts. We have already registered enough voters to offset our 2018 margin of defeat in four state House seats! Take a look at our stats:
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE OFFICE?
We are still working! Our most important organizational meetings continue on Zoom, an online meeting tool. For example, we had a successful Democratic Executive Committee meeting on Thursday, March 19^th via Zoom! Thanks to all the IRC DEC members who “attended” our virtual meeting. It was great seeing everyone on video and/or hearing your voices. Our work is not over and we are blessed that our precinct captains remain dedicated to the Democratic Party effort. We will continue to strategize and outline our efforts to get out the vote by registering people to vote by mail, including an aggressive marketing campaign.
PRECINCT ACTION COMMITTEE NEWS
Due to health concerns arising from the COVID-19 Pandemic, all canvassing activities have been suspended until further notice. However, the Democratic Executive Committee and the PAC remain committed to our mission of reaching out to all IRC Democrats, even in this difficult time.
The Precinct Action Committee (PAC) is continuing to meet weekly, now via Zoom. The PAC will continue its work, to ensure our precinct captains are supported and successful.
In the weeks and months ahead, we will have trainings, virtual phone banking events, and virtual group mailing events – all via Electronic Conferencing Calls!!
Precinct Captains and volunteers will continue phoning and mailing letters to all Democrats, with our main focus being to encourage more Democrats to sign up to Vote By Mail. Now more than ever before, Voting by Mail is the best way to exercise your Right to Vote!
CONTINUED COMMUNICATION
This week we reached out to our 2020 Blue Gala attendees to let them know not only how much their support was appreciated, but that we are continuing to work hard despite our current conditions. Many responded with positive feedback and thanks for our diligence in ensuring the work goes on.
Supporting each other during this trying time is exactly what we all need to get the job done. Thank you to all of you who have stayed in touch and supported us these past couple of weeks!
2020-2021 FLORIDA BUDGET
The House and Senate reached an agreement on the 2020-2021 budget for our state. A final vote to pass the $93.2 billion budget, and officially end the 2020 Legislative Session, took place on Thursday, March 19th.
A few of the budget highlights include our investment in protecting the environment by allocating $690 million for water quality restoration. This includes $322.6 million for Everglades restoration, $236.6 million for water quality improvements like septic to sewer and wastewater improvement programs, and $25 million for projects to restore the Indian River Lagoon.
The budget also invests $500 million to increase funding for teacher pay, which could increase base teacher salaries to $47,500.
The Sadowski Affordable housing program was fully funded at $370 million.
Local Environmental projects funded include:
Indian River Lagoon Water Quality Improvement Projects- $25,000,000
The St. Johns River Water Management District will use these funds for Indian River Lagoon water quality improvement projects.
Indian River County North Sebastian Septic to Sewer Phase II - $750,000
Funding will be used to support 150 conversions from septic to sewer for residential and businesses still operating on poorly maintained and failing septic systems.
Grove Land Water - $1,000,000
The Grove Land Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area (GLRSTA) project will be located in northern Okeechobee and southern Indian River counties. It will provide 130 million gallons a day in additional freshwater to the St. Johns River. The project consists of a 5,000 acre reservoir, a 2,000 acre storm water treatment area (STA), intake/discharge structures, conveyance improvements, and other associated facilities.
University of Florida Health Center for Psychiatry & Addiction - $250,000
The Vero Beach UF Health Center for Psychiatry and Addiction provides mental health services to patients in Indian River County at reduced or no cost.
Indian River State College Replace Facility 8 Industrial Tech- Main- $1,000,000
Indian River State College will use these funds to replace Facility 8 Industrial Technology on the main campus.
DEMOCRATIC CLUB UPDATE
Stay Safe...Stay Connected...Stay Energized
Even though we are ready to work even harder for Democratic victories in 2020, what is most important now is to stay home and stay well. In response to CDC recommendations, the Democratic Club has cancelled its April meeting. Additionally, the Cinco de Mayo fundraiser is postponed to a later date.
The Hibiscus Festival and Earth Day have also been cancelled/postponed. Please keep checking Facebook and your emails for updates on events and GOTV activities you can do from home.
That’s all folks! Stay healthy!
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Democratic Executive Committee of Indian River County
2345 14th Ave.
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Vero Beach, FL 32960
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