We received a message on April 19 from a constituent. We think they asked a great question so we’re sharing our response. We wrote it a little while back before things got even worse with redistricting. Still, we stand by our answer.
Why does it take a pilot to file suit against renaming PBI to our awful grifter in chief? As i understand it PBI is considered a public building. As such i would hope the Democratic leaders of Florida would have filed a suit much earlier or at the very least campaigned for the decision to be decided by a vote of the Florida or South Florida residents. This renaming must be stopped. Our grifter in chief does not deserve this honor. I understand why DeSantis launched this effort. I don’t understand why our Florida Democratic leaders have not been outspoken on this (and many other) issue(s). I would love a response please.
Dear Neighbor,
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your frustration regarding the proposal to rename Palm Beach International Airport. We hear you and share your conviction that our public infrastructure should reflect our shared values rather than serving as a monument to political self-interest.
As the Palm Beach County Democratic Party, we want to be transparent about the limits of our authority while outlining exactly how we are fighting back.
The Limits of Party Power
While we are the official home for Democrats in this county, we do not have the legal standing to file lawsuits on behalf of the state. We also do not control the legislative docket in Tallahassee. As noted in our recent letter to the editor, the state legislature often prioritizes these distractions to divert attention from their refusal to deal with the property insurance crisis or adequately fund public schools.
It is vital to remember that party organizations are most effective when they act as neutral facilitators rather than top-down enforcers. Our strength comes from a robust and competitive process where you decide who represents our values. When leadership tries to put a finger on the scale, it only undermines the trust and credibility we need to win.
Addressing the Cost of Living Crisis
Our focus is on building the long-term power necessary to stop these initiatives at the source. We are focused on the cost of living crisis that is currently punishing Florida families:
- Insurance Premiums: The state legislature continues to ignore property insurance reform, leaving homeowners to face skyrocketing costs alone.
- Tariff Burdens: American families are bearing 96 percent of tariff costs, with the average household losing over $1,600 to inflation.
- Rising Costs: Prices have risen drastically for gas, health care, and groceries since the current administration took office.
- Tax Inequity: Approximately 95 percent of Americans will pay more in taxes this year due to current budget bills and the expiration of ACA tax credits.
- Economic Disapproval: Current leadership remains deeply underwater in approval ratings regarding the economy and inflation.
Join the Fight
We agree that performative statements are not enough because we need the difficult work of real accountability. We are fighting back by making sure as many voters as possible are registered and enrolled for Vote-by-Mail. We also provide the opportunity to get directly in contact with our elected Democratic officials so they can hear your concerns.
If you are motivated to see a different future for Florida, we need you to join us. You can join a local Democratic club, sign up for a phone bank, or view our upcoming events at the link below:
Get Involved with the Palm Beach County Democrats (links to our events and volunteer form on Solidarity Tech).
We are not as powerful as we would like to be yet, but with your involvement, we can build a party that truly listens and follows through.
Sincerely,
Howard Richman
Chairman, Palm Beach County Democratic Party
Please note that part of this response was inspired by this post by Amanda Litman on her Substack, as well as the FDP Talking Points.
