The bid for the White House has come down to a virtual two-way race for both Democrats and Republicans, with Florida becoming the decider for Rudy Guiliani (R) and John Edwards (D), who both threw in the towel after finishing third place in the Florida primary.

Now, the battle is on between Republicans John McCain, who won with 36 percent of the votes and Mitt Romney, who picked up 31 percent; and between Democrats Hillary Clinton (50 percent) and Barack Obama (33 percent). The Democratic primary was largely thought of as a ‘beauty contest’, since the Florida delegates will not be seated at the Democratic convention in August. Despite that fact, over 1.5 million Democrats voted in the primary, in accordance with projections made by Karen Thurman, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party (FDP). This significant turnout could be a strong point in efforts being made by the FDP and Hillary Clinton for Florida delegates to be seated at the convention. If they are successful, Clinton would take 105 of the 210 delegates, and Obama, 70.

February 7th is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

It may be appropriate that National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) is recognized each year on the 7^th of February coinciding with Black History Month.

In February, much focus is placed on Black people and the issues that affect them, and according to the 2000 census, blacks make up approximately 13 percent of the U.S. population. However, in 2005, blacks accounted for 18,121 (49 percent) of the estimated 37,331 new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in the United States in the 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting.

This year, some of Hollywood’s finest celebrities and entertainers have joined in to recognize this worthy cause. NBHAAD is a national mobilization effort designed to encourage African-Americans across the United States and Territorial areas to get educated, get tested, get treated, and get involved with HIV/AIDS, as it continues to devastate Black communities. This year’s theme is “Prevention is Power.”

The U.S. House of Representatives, on Tuesday, dropped partisan differences and by a 385-85 vote, passed a $146 billion economic package that, if it passes through the Senate would provide rebates of $600-$1,200 to most taxpayers.

The plan, designed as a short term relief to the country’s economic challenges, would send $300 to anyone with an income of at least $3,000 in income, with $600 to individual taxpayers, $1,200 to married couples, $300 for each child, with reduced amount going to wealthier taxpayers.

The bill now advances to the Senate where both Democrats and Republicans are in support of a larger economic package that would add billions of dollars for senior citizens and the unemployed, but reduce the rebate to $500 for individuals and $1,000 for couples. The Senate plan, which was written by Finance Committee Chairman Democrat Max Baucus, would see the richest taxpayers, who are disqualified under the bill passed by the House, also receiving rebates.

However, both the House and the Senate versions of the bill provide tax incentives to businesses to enable them to purchase equipment and other items to assist in the development of businesses.

Immigration continues to be a topic of debate for presidential candidates – an issue that pundits say has been used as a political football for years. Despite that, Immigration reform remains elusive, as presidents come and go.

In the state of Florida, which has long had a concern with illegal immigration, Republican State representative Gayle Harrell (Port St. Lucie) along with a number of other representatives will host a press conference under the theme “Illegal Immigration: What Florida Can Do” to discuss “Florida’s role in changing laws that would discourage illegal immigration and, more importantly, punish illegal behavior.”

Representatives Harrell, Will Snyder, Don Brown, Dick Kravitz, Sandy Adams and Trudi Williams will speak to the press on February 5. According to representative Harrell, "The federal government has failed to address our concerns so now it falls to us. It is our duty and responsibility to defend our borders and protect the hard working American families who play by the rules and pay their taxes. Billions of tax dollars are being wasted on providing illegal aliens services and, as representatives we should be doing everything within our power to reverse that trend."

With the referendum to amend current property tax laws on the Florida January 29 ballot and the fervor with which voters are approaching the presidential primaries, heavy rains could not deter early voters at the Tamarac Branch Library on Tuesday afternoon.

If the predictions of Karen Thurman, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, hold true, there should be a steady stream of traffic going to the polls ahead of Tuesday’s election. She estimated that 1.5 million Florida Democrats may vote early, cast absentee ballots or go to the polls on primary day, despite the ban on the Democratic Party delegates.

While the national primaries are getting the attention of the national media, the local media is fixated on the property tax amendment that is on the ballot. Supporters of Amendment 1 are spurred on by the "portability" which will allow homeowners to take their accrued Save Our Homes benefits when they move. Additionally, Amendment 1 will allow homeowners to save an average of $250 annually in property taxes.