Hillsborough County Commission Makes Good Start Against Gun Violence

Commissioner Kevin Beckner got the Hillsborough County Commission to animously approve a $150,000 spending measure to to create a committee to stop gun violence.

Commissioner Les Miller and had a vote on finding out if the county was allowed to implement gun background checks. Commissioner Mark Sharpe was the only member to vote against Miller's proposal. P>

The makeup gun violence study group.

The violence committee approved Wednesday will consist of community stakeholders, Commissioner Beckner and a professional facilitator.

It is unknown what the Hillsborough County Commission will do or is allowed to under law. However, this is a rather surprising development from a mostly Republican commission.

Hillsborough County Commission Fails on Domestic Registry

The Hillsborough County Commission voted against a domestic registry for same sex couples. The domestic registry would have allowed straight and gay unmarried partners to have hospital visitation rights and involvement in financial decisions.

The board voted 4-3 against creating a Domestic Partnership Registry for Hillsborough County.

Commissioners Victor Crist, Ken Hagan, Al Higginbothom and Sandra Murman voted against the motion. Commissioners Les Miller, Kevin Beckner and Mark Sharpe voted in favor.

Republican Mark Sharpe put the domestic registry up for a vote. Sharpe deserves praise for bucking his party on this issue. The four nay votes were all cast by Republicans. This was a chance for the commission to lead on gay rights. Once again the commission pandered to conservative intolerance.

Looks Like Mark Sharpe Is Running

It certainly seems like Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe is going to run against Rep. Kathy Castor. Sharpe talked to The Buzz on his policy positions. It is clear that Sharpe is going to run as a moderate.

Sharpe on the use of military force.

"Before you send a man or woman overseas, you better understand what you're going to do, how you're going to get in, and how you're going to get out," Sharpe said. "I want to have that conversation about military affairs."

Sharpe does not support the Paul Ryan budget plan. Sharpe is interested in using the nearly as bad proposals from the Simpson-Bowles deficit commission.

"They spent a lot of time working on it and it just kind of got dropped. It ought to be part of the conversation," Sharpe said.

Mike Haridopolos would not support Paul Ryan's Medicare proposal. Republican presidential Jon Huntsman said, "I respect the president of the United States." Now Sharpe is positioning himself as a centrist. This is an interesting development. However, it is too early to proclaim the return of the Rockefeller Republicans.

Side note: Sharpe's position on gay rights is right-wing. Sharpe is one of the seven county commissioners that refused to sign a proclamation for GaYBOR DAYS. The only commissioners to sign proclamations were Democrats Kevin Beckner and Les Miller.

Les and Gwen Miller Endorse County Mayor Referendum

Les and Gwen Miller endorse the Hillsborough County Mayor referendum. I have said before I am not a supporter. If people that follow this blog haven't figured out by now, I question executive power and how it can be abused. The problem isn't that Hillsborough County doesn't have a Mayor. Voters need to stop electing incompetent people that run on wedge issues.

What does the Millers' endorsement mean? Not much. A few days of limited postitive press for the referendum. I'm not sure how much voters are paying attention to referendum that will be down on the ballot.