La Gaceta Newspaper

From “As We Heard It,” by Patrick Manteiga, Sept. 18, 2020

Democrat State Representative Margaret Good is challenging incumbent Republican Vern Buchanan for District 16, which covers south Hillsborough, Manatee and parts of Sarasota County.
Good is a lawyer who is serving her first term in the Florida House. She is a big proponent of the environment and fights to protect our waters. She is also big on renewable energy.
Buchanan owns car dealerships and has held his congressional office since 2007. He is one of the wealthiest members of Congress. He has a bad environmental record, even as he represents a district that has bays, estuaries and rivers that need protection from pollution and unbridled growth.
La Gaceta endorses Margaret Good for Congress District 16.

From “As We Heard It,” by Patrick Manteiga, Sept. 18, 2020

This is an open seat since Ross Spano lost in the Republican primary. The race pits Republican Scott Franklin and Democrat Alan Cohn against each other to represent a district that covers east Hillsborough County, parts of Polk County and parts Lake County.
Franklin is a Lakeland businessman and served the City Council. He is active in the community. His campaign is straight out of the Republican playbook – support the Second Amendment, defend Christianity and support the Trump agenda, whatever that is. If Trump isn’t reelected and Franklin is, it’s hard to tell what his agenda will be.
Cohn is the best pick for the district. He is smart, curious and concerned. His number one goal is to provide top-notch service to his constituents, no matter their party, race or language. He is a moderate who is right for the urban, suburban and rural district.
He wants to fix Obamacare, create a public option to increase competition and lessen the health insurance industry’s influence on Congress. He also wants to add transparency regarding costs for patients.
Cohn has well thought out ideas with details on many pressing issues – Franklin only offers to follow the Trump agenda.
La Gaceta endorses Alan Cohn for Congress District 15.

From “As We Heard It,” by Patrick Manteiga, Sept. 18, 2020

This race also heavily favors the incumbent, but this incumbent is a Democrat. Congresswoman Kathy Castor is running to be reelected to the Tampa-based district which she has held since 2007.
She is a strong proponent of increasing access to healthcare and protecting the environment. She’s been effective in bringing federal money to the district for transportation and healthcare. She recently announced $50 million in federal BUILD grants, which will be split between the County and the City.
Republican Christine Quinn is challenging Castor but doesn’t have a chance. Quinn is a businesswoman who founded My Family’s Seasonings, which sells all-natural seasonings.
We do like that Quinn wants to protect the First and Second Amendments. Most Republicans only talk about the Second.
La Gaceta endorses Kathy Castor for Congress District 14.

From “As We Heard It,” by Patrick Manteiga, Sept. 18, 2020

Congress District 12
Republican Congressman Gus Bilirakis has served the district, which covers parts of Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties since 2007.
He was never very influential when the Republicans were in control of the House. He is less so now that he is in the minority. He always kept a focus on veterans’ issues.
Bilirakis is a nice guy and he is more bipartisan than many of his Republican peers.
His challenger is Democrat Kimberly Walker, who is a U.S. Army and Florida Air National Guard veteran, holds a degree in information technology and is a defense contractor. Her wife is a public school teacher.
Bilirakis is heavily favored in this race and has a lopsided advantage in money and name recognition. Walker has done little to establish herself in this campaign.
La Gaceta has no endorsement in this race.

From “As We Heard It,” by Patrick Manteiga, Sept. 11, 2020

On the November general election ballot, there will be six constitutional amendments.
Amendment 1
This amendment replaces “Every” with “Only a” in the sentence “Every citizen of the United States who is at least eighteen years of age and who is a permanent resident of the state, if registered as provided by law, shall be an elector of the county where registered.”
There is no legal difference between “Every citizen” and “Only a citizen.” This amendment will change nothing.
A non-profit, Florida Citizen Voters, spent over $4 million to get the signatures to place this amendment on the ballot. The money came from Citizen Voters, Inc. That group will not say where the money came from and there are similar amendments in other states.
Some believe the amendment is on the ballot to drive out conservative voters who will believe the amendment prevents non-citizen immigrants from voting. These conservatives will also vote for Trump.
This could also be a vehicle for the principals of Citizen Voters to pocket a lot of money in salaries and fees.
Either way, it is a waste of ink and paper.
La Gaceta urges a “No” vote on Amendment 1.
Amendment 2
This adds language to the Constitution that reads, “Effective September 30th, 2021, the existing state Minimum Wage shall increase to $10.00 per hour, and then increase each September 30th thereafter by $1.00 per hour, until the Minimum Wage reaches $15.00 per hour on September 30th, 2026.”
Each year, after beginning on Sept. 20, 2027, the State will calculate, as it currently does, the rate of inflation and adjust the minimum wage accordingly.
If you believe in a living wage, this looks like a reasonable way to achieve it. We believe, therefore La Gaceta endorses a “Yes” vote on Amendment 2.
Amendment 3
This would change the way we elect the governor, attorney general, chief financial officer, commissioner of agriculture and Florida Legislature. Instead of having Democratic and Republican primaries, all candidates for an office would be placed on the ballot regardless of party. If there are more than two candidates, the group would be placed on the primary ballot. If there are only two, the group would be placed on the general election ballot. In the primary and general election, all voters, regardless of party, would vote.
The two candidates receiving the most votes would then be placed on the general election ballot, where all voters would vote again.
Political parties would still exist and could still nominate candidates, promote them and help finance campaigns.
Some believe this method would encourage more people to participate in elections and that the primaries would produce more moderate candidates.
Critics say minority representation could be hurt.
Under the present system, Democrats hold very few of these offices, so any change in the system could only help Democrats. It certainly couldn’t get worse.
La Gaceta cautiously endorses a “Yes” vote on Amendment 3.
Amendment 4
This change would require constitutional amendments to be approved twice by 60 percent of voters rather than the current requirement of once before becoming law.
It seems strange to believe 60 percent or more of the voters would vote yes on an issue and change their minds two years later.
La Gaceta endorses a “No” vote on Amendment 4.
Amendment 5
This amendment would be a benefit to homeowners, as it increases the time to transfer “Save Our Homes” homestead tax benefits from your old homestead to your new one from two to three years.
Extending the portability of the difference between the assessed value and the just value (market value) of your old homestead makes sense for a lot of people who want to build a new home or have delayed buying because of unforeseen circumstances, such as a pandemic.
La Gaceta endorses a “Yes” vote for Amendment 5.
Amendment 6
Currently, veterans age 65 or older, who apply, who are partially or totally permanently disabled, receive a discount on their homestead property equal to the percentage of their permanent service connected disability.
This amendment would transfer the discount to the spouse upon death of the veteran for as long as the spouse holds legal or beneficial title to the homesteaded property and permanently resides there. The surviving spouse can also transfer the discount to a new homestead.
If the spouse remarries, the discount is discontinued. This seems fair and just.
La Gaceta endorses a “Yes” vote for Amendment 6.

From “As We Heard It,” by Patrick Manteiga, Oct. 9, 2020

There is one opening on the City Council and three candidates are vying for it.
David “Pogo” Pogorilich served on City Council in the past and wants to come back to public service. He’s well versed in city issues.
Raeh Khawaja is a civil engineer and now owns a small business in the city, S-N-K Beauty, Inc. He is energetic and passionate about helping his city.
Meredith Abel is a teacher and a martial arts instructor. She seems to be the most focused and well-rounded candidate on the ballot.
She wants to improve the business district, encourage a more socially conscious city government, protect the environment and build stronger connections with other governments and organizations. She is smart and a hard worker.
La Gaceta endorses Meredith Abel for Temple Terrace City Council.