Politics

LA elects US Rep Karen Bass mayor, first Black woman in post

Published

2 years ago

November 17, 2022

LOS ANGELES (AP) — U.S. Rep. Karen Bass defeated developer Rick Caruso to become the next mayor of Los Angeles on Wednesday, making her the first Black woman to hold the post as City Hall contends with an out-of-control homeless crisis, rising crime rates and multiple scandals that have shaken trust in government.

With more than 70% of the vote tallied, Bass had amassed an insurmountable lead of nearly 47,000 votes. She had 53.1%, with Caruso notching 46.9%.

Bass was working in her congressional office in Los Angeles when she was informed by an aide she had won the race. Caruso’s campaign said he was calling the mayor-elect to offer his congratulations.

“The people of Los Angeles have sent a clear message: it is time for change and it is time for urgency,” Bass said in a statement.

“I ran for mayor to urgently confront the crises our hometown faces,” Bass said. “Tonight, 40,000 Angelenos will sleep without a home — and five will not wake up. Crime is increasing and families are being priced out of their neighborhoods. This must change.”

Caruso promised that “there will be more to come from the movement we built.”

“As a city we need to unite around” Bass, he said in a statement.

Bass — a Democrat who was on President-elect Joe Biden’s short list for vice president — overcame more than $100 million in spending by the billionaire Caruso’s campaign while arguing that she would be a coalition builder who could heal a troubled city of nearly 4 million.

The election tested whether voters in the heavily Democratic city were willing to turn away from their liberal tendencies and embrace an approach that would place a strong emphasis on public safety.

Caruso, a former Republican who became a Democrat shortly before entering the race, had represented a turn to the political right. He argued that Bass and other longtime politicians were part of the problem who led LA into multiple crises. He promised to expand the police department to deal with rising crime rates and quickly get ubiquitous homeless encampments off the streets.

Bass, a former state Assembly leader, had the advantage of being a lifelong Democrat in a city where Republicans are almost invisible. She was backed by Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic establishment.

The election had historical dimensions, as she will become the first woman and second Black person to hold the job, after former Mayor Tom Bradley, who held the post from 1973 to 1993.

She takes office next month as City Council faces a racism scandal that led to the resignation of its former president and calls for the resignation of two more members. More than 40,000 people are homeless, and there is widespread anxiety over crime that has ranged from daytime robberies on city sidewalks to smash-and-grab thefts at luxury stores.

Bass has said her first order of business at City Hall will be to declare a state of emergency on homelessness and begin the work of getting thousands of unhoused people out of sagging tent communities and rusted RVs and into shelters.

“We are in a fight for the soul of our city,” Bass said at an election night rally. “We are going to build a new Los Angeles.”

The winner replaces beleaguered Democrat Eric Garcetti, who will conclude two bumpy terms with his nomination to become U.S. ambassador to India stalled in the Senate — apparently over sexual misconduct allegations against a former top Garcetti adviser.

The race was shaped in large part by Caruso’s lavish spending — and his unavoidable advertising. City records show his campaign expenses have topped $100 million so far, most of it financed with his own money.

Bass, with just a small fraction of that amount at her disposal, had said “it’s not the power of the money, it’s the power of the people.”

Caruso’s focus on unsafe streets had shared some similarity to 1993, when LA voters turned to Republican Richard Riordan to lead the city in the aftermath of the deadly 1992 riots that erupted after four white police officers were acquitted of assault in the beating of Black motorist Rodney King. It also has parallels to New York City in the early 1990s, when the perception that crime was out of control helped usher in Republican Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Los Angeles, however, is much changed from Riordan’s days. It’s more Latino, less white and more solidly Democratic — Republicans comprise only about 13% of voters, while Democrats account for nearly 60%, with most of the remainder independents who lean Democratic.

Politics

Florida Legislature Unanimously Passes “Gage’s Law” to Combat Fentanyl Crisis

Published

4 days ago

April 17, 2025

FNN NEWS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – The Florida Legislature has taken decisive action against the deadly fentanyl epidemic. On Monday, HB 1195/SB 1346 – Fentanyl Testing, also known as “Gage’s Law”, passed unanimously in both the Florida House and Senate, marking a major bipartisan step in the state’s fight to save lives. The bill now heads to Governor Ron DeSantis’s desk for signature.

“Gage’s Law”, sponsored by Senator Tina Polsky (D-Boca Raton) and Representative Rita Harris (D-Orlando), is named in memory of Gage Austin Taylor, a bright and promising young man who died in 2022 after unknowingly ingesting a substance laced with fentanyl.

Key Provisions of the Legislation

Hospitals and campus emergency departments will be required to test for fentanyl in all suspected overdose or poisoning cases.
Mandatory follow-up testing when initial test results are positive.
All fentanyl test results must be preserved in the patient’s official clinical record.

“Fentanyl tears apart communities by claiming lives too soon,” said Senator Tina Polsky. “I’ve been honored to work with Representative Harris, Gage’s mother Gretchin, and countless advocates to pass Gage’s Law, which is a powerful step in fighting the ongoing fentanyl crisis.”

Florida’s Fentanyl Crisis

Florida ranks second in the nation for fentanyl-related deaths.
Nearly 5,000 Floridians died in 2022 due to fentanyl overdoses.
“Gage’s Law” is designed to ensure rapid detection and response, giving medical staff and law enforcement critical tools to combat the epidemic.

“This policy will equip hospitals with the guidance they need to treat fentanyl overdoses while giving law enforcement the tools to hold traffickers accountable, all in honor of those we’ve lost,” added Representative Rita Harris.

What’s Next?

If signed by Governor DeSantis, “Gage’s Law” will take effect on July 1, 2025, becoming one of the most impactful fentanyl-related measures in Florida’s legislative history.

Politics

Florida AG James Uthmeier Charges Felon on Probation with Voter Fraud in 2022 Election

Published

4 days ago

April 17, 2025

FNN NEWS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has charged a convicted felon currently on probation with voter fraud in connection to the 2022 General Election. The defendant, Jeffrey Luke Crane, is facing charges of voting by an unqualified elector and false affirmation after knowingly casting a ballot while ineligible under Florida law.

“Ensuring the integrity of our elections is important to safeguarding our republican form of government,” said Attorney General Uthmeier. “This defendant knowingly participated in the 2022 election as a felon on probation, and our Statewide Prosecutors will hold him accountable for this criminal action.”

Background of the Case

Crane is currently on probation for a string of serious offenses, including:

Aggravated fleeing with injury or damage
Resisting an officer with violence
Failure to stop or remain at the scene of a crash involving injury
Driving under the influence

According to a law enforcement investigation, Crane signed a Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) probation form acknowledging he could not vote while on probation.

Despite the signed acknowledgment, Crane went on to vote in the 2022 election and later admitted during an interview that he:

Signed the official FDC probation form;
Received a letter from the Supervisor of Elections informing him he was ineligible to vote;
And voted anyway.

Prosecution and Legal Action

The case will be handled by Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Sophia Birriel-Sanchez under the Office of Statewide Prosecution.

This incident is part of ongoing efforts by Attorney General Uthmeier to safeguard the voting process and prosecute election fraud across Florida.

#ElectionIntegrity
#VoterFraud
#FloridaPolitics
#JamesUthmeier
#FloridaNews

Politics

Florida House Unaninously Passes State Rep. Franklin Bill To Strengthen Home Health Care Services

Published

4 days ago

April 17, 2025

FNN NEWS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – In a major bipartisan victory for patient-centered care, the Florida House of Representatives unanimously passed CS/HB 1353 – Home Health Care Services, a bill led by State Representative Gallop Franklin (D-Tallahassee) aimed at expanding access and improving the quality of home health care across the state.

“Floridians deserve high-quality care in the comfort of their own homes—and this bill helps make that possible,” said Rep. Franklin. “I’m grateful to my colleagues in the Florida House for recognizing that home health care is a cost-effective, patient-centered option. This legislation removes barriers and ensures better care for the people who need it most.”

Key Provisions of CS/HB 1353:

Empowers contracted registered nurses to conduct initial patient visits on behalf of home health agencies, offering increased flexibility in staffing.
Removes outdated geographic restrictions, allowing administrators to oversee up to five home health agencies under the same controlling interests.
Directs the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to modernize its standards to better reflect the diversity of home health care providers, ensuring consistent and elevated care delivery.

The bill also seeks to strengthen Florida’s Excellence in Home Health Program, a recognition initiative inspired by the state’s Gold Seal Program for nursing homes. Agencies that meet the highest standards of care can earn this designation—serving as a trusted indicator for patients and families seeking dependable home health providers.

On Wednesday, the Senate Rules Committee unanimously advanced the companion measure, SB 1412, sponsored by Senator Alexis Calatayud (R-Miami), bringing the legislation one step closer to becoming law.