Media Contact: Lili Bach
305-761-4663
[email protected]

For Immediate Release
October 14th, 2014

Young Democrats of Miami-Dade Demand Apology for Carlos Curbelo’s Insulting Statements on Young Americans and Seniors

Carlos Curbelo appeared on Facing South Florida with Jim DeFede this weekend and doubled down on statements he made in Washington calling Medicare and Social Security a Ponzi Scheme. On Facing South Florida, Mr. Curbelo stated that he called Medicare and Social Security a Ponzi Scheme because that is “how young people feel” about the vital programs.
“As a 29 year old young professional, I was surprised and dismayed to hear Carlos Curbelo try to defend his 'Ponzi scheme' comment about Medicare and Social Security by claiming that his views are somehow representative of 'young people.' For‎ the record: we don't think that these vital programs are a 'Ponzi scheme' -- that's just Carlos Curbelo -- and we are just as angry that Curbelo would try and say one thing in Washington and the opposite in South Floridia as everyone else,” said Lili Bach, President of Miami-Dade Young Dems. “Instead of trying to hide behind his age, Curbelo should apologize for his remarks, and he should also apologize to younger Floridians for his transparent attempt to use us to help his own political ambitions."

Young Democrats of Miami-Dade is the local chapter of Young Democrats of America. Young Democrats of Miami’s programs are aimed at building a sustainable youth movement, providing young people the infrastructure to engage in civic participation.

On Background:

Transcript of Mr. Curbelo on Facing South Florida with Jim DeFede

DeFede: Why'd you refer to it as a Ponzi scheme.
Curbelo: It's figure of speech, and it reflects what a lot of young people feel that they're paying a system that perhaps won't exist for them.

Date: Thursday, August 7, 2014
Contact: Juan Cuba, (305) 771-2167
Email: [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Senator Dwight Bullard Elected New Chair of Miami-Dade Dems

Today, the Miami-Dade Democratic Party elected by acclimation State Senator Dwight Bullard to succeed Annette Taddeo-Goldstein, who resigned from the post to become Governor Charlie Crist’s running mate.

Taddeo-Goldstein, largely credited with rebuilding the local party, nominated Senator Bullard for Chair. “Dwight is a born leader, and with him at the helm, I am confident that Miami-Dade will – once again – be the reason Democrats win Florida," she said. Seconding the nomination was Congressman Joe Garcia.

Senator Bullard becomes the first elected African-American Chair in the history of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party.

“I am honored that my fellow Democrats have entrusted me to lead the Party at this important moment," said Senator Bullard. "My number one priority will be to defeat Rick Scott in November. I have personally witnessed the damage he has done to our public education system, our civil rights, and our environment, and the many missed opportunities to do the right thing like expand Medicaid, raise the minimum wage, or pass equal pay for women. Scott has been a nightmare for main street. It’s time to wake up and vote him out.”

Senator Bullard has been a long-time leader of the Democratic Party. He was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2008 and then elected to the Florida Senate in 2012, where he currently represents the 39th district in the Florida Senate. He also serves as the Chair of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Contact: Rachel Johnson, 305.771.2167
Email: [email protected]

TODAY AT 11 AM: Miami-Dade Dems: No More Free Rides for Republican Legislators

For the first time ever, the Miami-Dade Democratic Party is challenging every single Republican State House seat in Miami-Dade County.

"It is time that the Republicans get a clear message: No more free rides," said Miami-Dade Democratic Party chair Annette Taddeo-Goldstein. "After the catastrophic failure of Republican legislators to put Florida's people first this year, voters deserve a Democratic choice on the ballot. Many of these incumbents have never even faced a challenger before. Not any more."

Today, Tuesday, June 3rd, candidates will file to run in each of the seven State House districts currently without Democratic challengers.

Just last month, Florida's GOP-controlled state legislature closed yet another failed session without taking any action to tackle the defining problems facing Florida today: Medicaid expansion, raising the minimum wage, and adequately funding our public education system, to name a few. Because of their inaction, over one million Floridians will continue to suffer from lack of health insurance who would otherwise be covered under the federal expansion. Over 1.2 million Floridians must still struggle to make ends meet working for minimum wage, after Miami-Dade Republican state representative Carlos Trujillo — who chairs the House Economic Development & Tourism committee — refused to even hear debate on legislation to raise the wage. Meanwhile, Republicans continue to pander to corporate special interests.

PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA
Fecha: Martes, 3 de junio de 2014
Contacto: Rachel Johnson, 305.771.2167
Correo electrónico: [email protected]

Hoy a las 11: Demócratas de Miami-Dade: No más contiendas fáciles para los legisladores Republicanos

Por primera vez en la historia, el Partido Demócrata de Miami-Dade está retando a cada uno de los distritos de la Cámara Estatal ocupados por Republicanos en el Condado Miami-Dade.

"Es tiempo de que los Republicanos reciban un mensaje claro: Basta ya de contiendas fáciles", dijo la presidenta del Partido Demócrata de Miami-Dade, Annette Taddeo-Goldstein. "Después del fracaso catastrófico de los legisladores Republicanos para hacer de las personas de la Florida una prioridad este año, los electores se merecen una opción en la boleta. Muchos de estos titulares nunca antes siquiera habían enfrentado oposición en unas elecciones. Basta ya de eso".

Hoy, martes tres de junio, se postularan candidatos para elecciones en seis distritos de la Cámara Estatal que actualmente no tienen aspirantes Demócratas.

Tan sólo el pasado mes, la legislatura estatal de la florida controlada por el Partido Republicano cerró otra sesión fallida más sin que se tomara medida alguna para enfrentar problemas definidos que la Florida enfrenta hoy en día: la expansión del Medicaid, el aumento del salario mínimo y la financiación adecuada de nuestro sistema de educación público, por nombrar algunos. Debido a su falta de acción, más de un millón de floridanos continuará sufriendo de falta de seguro médico, personas que de otro modo estarían cubiertos bajo la expansión federal. Más de 1,2 millones de floridanos tienen aún que luchar para cubrir sus necesidades trabajando por un salario mínimo, después que el representante estatal Republicano por Miami-Dade, Carlos Trujillo, (quien preside el comité de la Cámara sobre Desarrollo Económico y Turismo) se rehusó a tan siquiera escuchar el debate sobre la legislación para aumentar el salario. Mientras tanto, los Republicanos continúan su coqueteo con los intereses corporativos especiales.

PRESS ADVISORY
Date: Thursday, April 10, 2014
Contact: Rachel Johnson, 305.771.2167
Email: [email protected]

TODAY at 11 am: Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz, Senator Dwight Bullard & Annette Taddeo-Goldstein to Hold Call on Raising the Minimum Wage in Florida

Today, Thursday, April 10th at 11 am, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Senator Dwight Bullard & Annette Taddeo-Goldstein will hold a press call about raising the minimum wage in Florida.

Currently a parent working 40 hours a week, year-round on minimum wage lives in poverty. Raising the minimum wage means that hundreds of thousands of hardworking Floridians will finally be paid an honest wage for honest work. Yet Republicans in Tallahassee continue to block legislation that would raise the wage to $10.10 — refusing to even bring it for debate in committee.

What: Press call with Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Senator Dwight Bullard, and Miami Dems Chair Annette Taddeo-Goldstein about raising the minimum wage in Florida to $10.10

When: Thursday, April 10th at 11 am ET

Dial-in information: 

Email [email protected] with any questions. 

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Friday, April 4, 2014
Contact: Rachel Johnson, 305.771.2167
Email: [email protected]

Annette Taddeo-Goldstein, Senator Dwight Bullard Living on Minimum Wage For a Week
click here for the release in Spanish

This week, Miami-Dade Dems chair Annette Taddeo-Goldstein will join Senator Dwight Bullard (D-39) to live on minimum wage for a week to bring attention to an issue affecting millions of Floridians. GOP leadership in the house and senate refuse to move out of committee a bill that would raise the minimum wage to $10.10, as Florida moves into the second and final month of legislative session.

"Republicans' refusal to move on minimum wage is inexcusable," said Taddeo-Goldstein. "Florida has the second-highest number of people working minimum wage of any state in the country — and, after adjusting for inflation, the minimum wage now pays less than it did in 1968.

Senator Bullard and I are standing in solidarity with the millions of workers in Florida who try to make ends meet on an unlivable wage. And we are challenging more state lawmakers to join us — let them try it and see the real human consequences of their inaction in Tallahassee."

A typical week of earnings at minimum wage amounts to $317 before taxes.

PARA SU PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA
Fecha: Viernes, 4 de abril de 2014
Contacto: Rachel Johnson, 305.771.2167
Correo electrónico: [email protected]

Annette Taddeo-Goldstein y el Senador Dwight Bullard vivirán del salario mínimo por una semana

La próxima semana, la presidenta de los Demócratas de Miami-Dade, Annette Taddeo-Goldstein se unirá al Senador Dwight Bullard (D-39) en la iniciativa de vivir de un salario mínimo por una semana para atraer la atención hacia un problema que afecta a millones de floridanos. El liderazgo del Partido Republicano en la Cámara y en el Senado rehusó sacar adelante del comité un proyecto de ley que aumentaría el salario mínimo a $10,10, mientras la Florida se dirige hacia el segundo y último mes de la sesión legislativa.

"El rechazo de los Republicanos de actuar sobre el salario mínimo no tiene excusas", dijo Taddeo-Goldstein. "Florida tiene la segunda mayor cantidad de personas que trabajan por un salario mínimo de todos los estados del país y, tras el ajuste por la inflación, el salario mínimo en la actualidad paga menos que lo que pagaba en 1968.

El Senador Bullard y yo asumiremos esa postura en solidaridad con los millones de trabajadores de la Florida que tratan de cubrir sus necesidades con un salario con el que nadie puede vivir. Y estamos promoviendo el desafío a más legisladores estatales para que se nos unan, que prueben para que vean las reales consecuencias humanas de su falta de acción en Tallahassee".

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Thursday, April 3, 2014
Contact: Rachel Johnson, 305.771.2167
Email: [email protected]

As Affordable Care Act Benefits Millions of Hispanics, GOP Changes Tactics, Points Finger at Hispanic Media
Click here to read the release in Spanish

In a telling sign of just how out-of-touch the GOP is with the Hispanic community and with average Americans, Cuban-American Senator Marco Rubio just attacked national Hispanic media for encouraging Hispanics to sign up for health care and for being too positive in their coverage of the Affordable Care Act — a law that is now helping millions of Hispanics to get access to affordable, quality health care.

"Republicans always knew it would be game-over once the ACA was working and benefiting millions of Americans," said Miami-Dade Dems Chair Annette Taddeo-Goldstein. "Now they are turning on Hispanic media — which speaks to the group with the highest portion of uninsured people in the country — for focusing their coverage on an issue that is dramatically impacting the Hispanic community.

PARA SU PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA
Fecha: Jueves, 3 de abril de 2014
Contacto: Rachel Johnson, 305.771.2167
Correo electrónico: [email protected]

Ya que la Ley de Atención de Salud a Bajo Precio beneficia a millones de hispanos, el Partido Republicano cambia de táctica y apunta contra los medios hispanos

En una evidente señal de qué tan ajeno a la realidad se encuentra el Partido Republicano con respecto a la comunidad hispana y respecto a los estadounidenses promedio, el Senador cubanoamericano Marco Rubio acaba de atacar a los medios hispanos nacionales por animar a los hispanos a inscribirse en el seguro médico y por ser demasiado positivos en su cobertura de la Ley de Atención de Salud a Bajo Precio (ACA, por sus siglas en inglés), una ley que ahora está ayudando a millones de hispanos a tener acceso a atención médica económica y de calidad.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Contact: Rachel Johnson, 305.771.2167
Email: [email protected]

More Republicans Fed Up With the GOP, Changing Parties

click here for the release in Spanish

In a public rejection of the GOP and just how out-of-touch it has become toward the Hispanic community, even more voters changed their party registration in an event at Miami-Dade Dems headquarters this morning, officially becoming Democrats.

"The GOP of many years ago no longer exists," said George Garrido, who became a Democrat two years ago. His son Michael is changed parties this week, saying "the Republican Party no longer represents me. I made up my mind when they held the government hostage in their pursuit of repealing Obamacare, a law that is helping millions."

"When I lost my job and started my own business, I couldn't afford health care," said 37-year-old Cuban-American entrepreneur Maggie Fernandez. "Under Obamacare I was able to get insurance, and that's why I can no longer be a Republican."

"Our children are the future," said Maria-Elena Lopez, a Cuban-American property manager. "By not supporting health care, welfare programs, public education, and more, Republicans are destroying that future."

"The Republican Party tricked me. They were never for the working poor," said Hidalisa Izquierda, age 76, a retired Cuban-American. "I will be a Democrat until my death."