And other news!

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** Happy Thursday Democrats!
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Office Hours

Our office hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. so come on by and bring your Thanksgiving meal donations for the Big Bird Blessing. We can take canned or boxed food items. Let’s fill up the box!


FEDERAL

Colonol Vindman and His Wife

Many of us remember Colonel Alexander Vindman and his bravery of standing up to Trump during the impeachment hearings. But what many don’t know about was how his wife was grappling with her affiliation with the Republican Party. You can read her story here:

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STATE

Let’s Talk about Healthcare – How Biden’s Build Back Better Act Would Finally Close Florida’s Coverage Gap


President Biden’s Build Back Better framework released last week, if passed, would “deliver health care coverage through Affordable Care Act premium tax credits to up to 4 million uninsured people in states that have locked them out of Medicaid.” This includes close to half a million Floridians who currently earn income below the poverty level, but still do not qualify for Medicaid in our state.

For Floridians, this has been a long time in the making and is much needed. Under Florida’s current Medicaid program, parents who earn as little as $7,000 a year for a family of three have not been eligible for any health coverage. And adults who don’t have children have not qualified for Medicaid, no matter how little they make. Until now, for these Floridians to obtain health insurance, they would have to pay full price in the private market, which could be more than they earn in a year.

Using this framework, the House Rules Committee unveiled a compromise reconciliation bill which includes numerous other provisions that dramatically strengthen health coverage and access for low-income children and families.

Here’s a list of other health care priorities that made the cut in the proposed $1.75T package:
* Advance Premium Tax Credit expansion extension through 2025;
* Expanded federal Marketplace eligibility for people in non-expansion states (to close the Medicaid coverage gap) through 2025;
* Mandatory 12-month postpartum coverage through Medicaid;
* States will have the option to provide Medicaid coverage for folks leaving prison or jail 30 days pre-release;
* $150B investment in Home and Community Based Services; and
* Permanent Children’s Health Insurance Program extension, and continuous eligibility for children for one year.


There will also be an expansion of Medicare benefits to cover hearing and there is a one-year extension of the expanded child tax credit included in the bill.

You can urge Congress to close the coverage gap by contacting your representatives here:
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Making the Grade


The Education Law Center recently came out with their report “Making the Grade 2021, How Fair is School Funding in Your State?” How did Florida do? See the infographic below for that answer. Sadly, it isn’t surprising.



LOCAL

Storm Grove Middle School Science Fair Judges Needed

Storm Grove Middle School is looking for volunteers to help at their annual Science Fair. If you could spare even an hour of your time, it would be a huge help. You will have to be available to come to Storm Grove Middle School on Tuesday, December 7 from 8:10 a.m. and the fair ends at 11 a.m. If you are interested, please contact Joseph Refsland at ** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])


Volunteering is easy, fun, and minimal on your time. Volunteer today!

Special Equestrians

Do you like horses and kids with disabilities? There is an amazing organization in Vero Beach that utilizes horse back riding to benefit children with disabilities. They are looking for volunteers. You can find out more and apply to be on a volunteer on their website at:

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DEMOCRATS OF INDIAN RIVER


Democratic Women’s Club

Inferior: How Science Got Women Wrong- and the New Research That's Re-Writing the Story by Angela Saini is the next Book Group selection. The virtual meeting will start at 2:00 pm on Friday, December 3. If you are not a Book Group member and would like to attend please contact Rita Milelli at ** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])




Democratic Club of Indian River

The next Democratic Club meeting will be held, in person, on Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11th at 6:00 p.m. Masks and social distancing will be required, as we monitor the diminishing COVID virus. The meeting venue will remain the Irish American Society on 20th St. in Downtown Vero Beach.


We will be organizing groups/committees for:

· Engagement organizers for School Board meetings. Members who will organize volunteers to write letters to school board members, speak at School Board meetings, and support public education.

· Downtown Fridays Democratic Club booth, a recurring monthly event, as well as other booth events throughout the County as they occur. Volunteers needed to set up and break down the booth. Volunteers needed on a rotating basis for one of two staffing shifts, 5-9 pm.

· Volunteers to work with Valerie Daly, the Membership Chair, to manage all things necessary, pre and post Club meetings, as well as, working on expanding membership.

· Events that may be planned in the future. Volunteers to work on all aspects of organizing events, such as a Spring dinner dance, etc.

· Community Outreach. Members to search out, organize and staff community outreach initiatives, such as a beach clean up day, support of charitable day events, etc.

We are planning a Democratic Club Holiday Party that will include members of the Democratic Women’s Club and the Democratic Executive Committee (DEC), at the Irish American Club on Thursday, December 9th at 6:00 p.m. Attendees will be asked to bring appetizers, hors d' oeuvres, or desserts to share. We request that attendees bring an unwrapped toy to donate to "Toys for Tots". We are hoping to have a local band if affordable. Masks and social distancing will be required as we monitor the diminishing COVID situation.



United Against Poverty 5K Trot Against Poverty on Thanksgiving Day

The Democrats of Indian River will be sponsoring the United Against Poverty 5K Trot Against Poverty on Thanksgiving Day. If you are interested in a complimentary race registration ($35 value) please let us know. Let's show our support for this great organization!




Florida Young Democrats

The Young Democrats of Indian River are planning a get-together on Tuesday, November 30th from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at the Islamorada Brewing Company in Ft Pierce. Visit our Facebook page for more information.



TRAININGS


Candidate Training

If you are thinking of running for office or working on a campaign, this training on November 6th is the place to start. Well worth the $35.


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Leadership Blue


The Florida Democratic Party is excited to share that our annual Leadership Blue Weekend has been re-scheduled for December 3-5, 2021 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel* in Orlando, FL with the signature Leadership Blue Gala taking place on Saturday, December 4th at the Orange County Convention Center.

We are excited to finally be able to get together in-person for a safe, fun and productive weekend of events. You can visit www.LeadershipBlue.com for the most up to date information about the weekend, including hotel accommodations, schedules and speakers.

The room blocks will fill up quickly so we encourage you to reserve your rooms sooner than later. All sponsorships, ticket and table purchases made for the original event date will be honored for the rescheduled event, although seating arrangements will be modified to accommodate additional distancing.

New ticket and table reservations can be made via the Leadership Blue website. For sponsorships, please email Michelle Sierra at [email protected].
Please let us know if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you in December for a weekend in support of FDP and Florida's Democratic candidates!


*Rosen Plaza implements measures to ensure that guest-rooms, amenities, and services are accessible to all guests regardless of abilities and disabilities. Should you require ADA-compliant accommodations, please reach out to [email protected]


CALENDAR

Tuesday, November 9, 2021


9:00 a.m. – IRC County Commission
For agenda and meeting information go to
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5:00 p.m. - Democrats of Indian River, DEC Steering Committee Meeting
via Zoom. Contact Stacey at ** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
for meeting link.


Wednesday, November 10, 2021

6:00 p.m. - Sebastian City Council
For agenda and meeting information go to ** [link removed] ([link removed])




Thursday, November 11, 2021

Happy Veterans Day!

6:00 p.m. - Democratic Club of Indian River Monthly Virtual Meeting. If you would like to attend, please email
** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])




COVID TESTING, STATISTICS AND VACCINATIONS


Testing

If you are looking for a testing site, which is becoming harder to find, you can see a list of locations here:

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Statistics

A great place to check statistics for Indian River County is on Covid Act Now. You can access it here:
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Vaccinations

3rd shots are now available from Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson.


You can search for vaccination locations and details by clicking here:

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TIDBITS


Have a great week!

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