Government Digest: Aug. 27 - Sept. 2

Federal complaint filed against Judah

LEE COUNTY — District 3 Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah is the subject of a “Hatch Act” complaint filed with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel by a Fort Myers resident. The Hatch Act is a 1939 federal law that prohibits civil servants from participating in partisan politics. The complaint, filed by Jack Malone, who seeks an advisory opinion, relates to an appearance Judah made at a campaign event for Cecil Pendergrass. A District 2 candidate, Pendergrass is seeking to unseat Commissioner Brian Bigelow.

Fewer voters, but more independents

FLORIDA — State voters rolls show total registrations have dropped by 127,318 since the Oct. 6, 2008 count preceding that year's general election. Going into the Aug. 24 primary, 11,120,316 Florida residents were registered voters, down from 11,247,634 nearly two years ago.

The Florida Division of Elections statistics show declines among both Republicans and Democrats and an increase in those now registering as “No Party Affiliation.” The state recognizes 33 political parties. Republican registrants dropped 66,303 (-1.6%), the number of registered Democrats slid by 111, 305 (-2.4%), while NPA's numbers rose by 51,699 (+2.5%) and now accounts for 19.4% of registered voters. The ranks of the Libertarian Party of Florida rose 3.8% to 16,883. The official Florida Tea Party, which didn't exist two years ago, has 333 voters registered to its party.

MEETINGS

TAMPA

The Florida DOT, through its Florida Rail Enterprise, will hold a public information meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, at the Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., to give an overview of the Tampa to Orlando high-speed rail project. For more information, and details of other meetings in Lakeland and Orlando, go to www.floridahighspeedrail.org.

LEE COUNTY

The County Commission is meeting for a second budget workshop at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, at the Old Lee County Courthouse Commission Chambers, 2120 Main St., Fort Myers.

PASCO COUNTY

The County Commission will hold budget workshops at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, at the Pasco-Hernando Community College East Campus, 36727 Blanton Rd., Dade City.