NOPE Bill (2020-074)

[Babs Jordan]

A big thank you to Emily Nunez for this information:

Jacksonville City Council has a KEY VOTE on Tuesday, March 23rd.Republican Councilman Rory Diamond has the NOPE (No Obligatory Pay Enlargements) Bill (2020-074) to stop automatic pay increases for politicians and require separate public votes if the Council tries to increase its own salary. NOTE:  The Democratic opposition has a sneaky amendment they are pushing that KILLS the Bill.  Don't let them confuse you, we need the bill passed WITHOUT amendments and drain the swamp.  Here are two ways you can help:

 
1.  Call or send an email in support of the NOPE Bill (2020-074) Sample email below.

2.  Show up and speak (or just appear) at Jacksonville City Council next Tuesday, March 23rd at 4:30PM. Council starts at 5:00PM, but you need to get there early and ask for speaker card. You get 3 minutes to speak at the beginning for the meeting. Please feel free to wear your Red Coat, so they know you are with RWCDF and carpool to avoid parking delays.

Your voice does matter and if you do nothing, we get the same result!

 
Sample Email:

I support a stop to all automatic pay raises for Jacksonville City Council and ask you to support Councilman Diamond's NOPE Bill without amendments.  We the public deserve to know if you are giving yourself a raise and should have the opportunity to participate and know your vote! We need more transparency in Jacksonville government not less.  Please vote YES on 2020-074 WITHOUT amendments.  The public has a right to know!

 

Al Ferraro: [e-mail] [phone]

Kevin Carrico: [e-mail] [phone]

Leanna Cumber: [e-mail] [phone]

Ju'Coby Pittman: [e-mail] [phone]

Danny Becton: [e-mail] [phone]

Randy White: [e-mail] [phone]

Ronald B. Salem: [e-mail] [phone]

Rory Diamond: [e-mail] [phone]

Joyce Morgan: [e-mail] [phone]

Aaron Bowman: [e-mail] [phone]

Michael Boylan:  [e-mail] [phone]

Reggie Gaffney: [e-mail] [phone]

Brenda Priestly Jackson: [e-mail] [phone]

Randy DeFoor: [e-mail] [phone]

Terrance Freeman: [e-mail] [phone]

Matt Carlucci: [e-mail] [phone]

Samuel Newby: [e-mail] [phone]

[Babs Jordan]

Thank you Jeanne! I missed your wonderful responses and appreciate you sharing your experience! Time is flying and so much is happening.  The City Council meetings are bizarre and only a few people are allowed in.  Hoping that will change soon.  We need to be able to take part in the process. 

NOPE BILL RESULTS:

Voting for the amendment were Carlucci, Dennis, DeFoor, Michael Boylan, Terrance Freeman, Reggie Gaffney, Tommy Hazouri, Joyce Morgan, Sam Newby, Ju'Coby Pittman and Brenda Priestly Jackson.

Diamond, Cumber, Ferraro, Danny Becton, Ron Salem, Randy White and Kevin Carrico voted against the amendment.

The council then approved the amended bill on an 18-0 vote.

"I'll take a first down if I can't get a touchdown," Diamond said.

He later tweeted that he would keep bringing back his original bill "until it passes."

more info: https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2021/01/27/jacksonville-city-co...

[Jeanne DeSilver]

Here is the response I received from Matt Carlucci:                                                                                               "Thank you for your email. Please allow me to clarify the Dennis Amendmenment to CM Diamond’s bill. The Dennis Amendment requires each Council Member to sign a form either accepting or declining a cost of living adjustment.                                                                                                                                                                       I voted in favor of the amendment because I am uncomfortable deciding for other Council Members who may need a cost of living adjustment. If we desire to have only people of means serve on City Council, I could agree with CM Diamond’s bill. However, there are people on City Council who must work to support their families. They deserve to be made whole for the time they take away from work.                                                                                 I declined the cost of living adjustment last year and again this year. I believe it is a personal decision for each Council member.                                                                                                                                                            Regardless of whether you agree with me, I thank you for reaching out to me and caring about our community.      Best regards, Matt Carlucci" 

[Jeanne DeSilver]

BTW, I got an immediate response/thanks from Hon. Rory Diamond | District 13 - The Beaches.

[Jeanne DeSilver]

I emailed the letter to each if them, individually, not all together with the cc thing. A bit time consuming. I'd go to the meeting but don't want to pay the parking lot fee, and don't want to be driving at night. I appreciate the post as it gives us something to do, which maybe will make a difference.