Sarasota Democrats Slam Republican Commission's 'Mean-Spirited' Move to Sever Ties with United Way

Sarasota: The Sarasota County Democratic Party (SCDP) today condemned the "extremist, mean-spirited, and reactionary" actions of the Republican Sarasota County Commission's unanimous vote to cut ties with United Way.

United Way, represented in Sarasota by United Way Suncoast and United Way of South Sarasota, traces its roots to 1887 when an ecumenical group of religious leaders in Denver founded the Charity Organization Society. Until 2015, United Way was the largest nonprofit organization in the United States by donations from the public.

"To penalize an outstanding national charity used by millions of Americans is extremist, mean-spirited, and reactionary," said SCDP Chair Daniel Kuether. "It's nothing more than a cheap political trick to score points with the Republican MAGA base."

The County Commission's resolution says, "abortion services are incompatible with the values of Sarasota County, and the Board … has determined that it will not support any organization that makes referrals to Planned Parenthood or any other organization for abortion services."

Kuether questioned how "five Republican men would dare to speak for the values of almost 463,000 Sarasotans" and noted that Sarasota voters signed the petition to place the initiative for a constitutional amendment on reproductive freedom on the November ballot by one of the largest margins in the state.

Shari Thornton, candidate for County Commission, District 3, stated Sarasota County has a "simple mission: to provide exceptional quality services in collaboration with the cities and to act as a financially responsible steward." 

She noted that the county "has had a history of partnering with charitable organizations to serve as a safety net for the working and low-income families and children in the community. I would ask how removing charitable payroll deductions for county employees provides exceptional quality services and financially responsible stewardship. Why remove a long-standing employee choice to support others in our county? Was there a thought given by the commission to the impact on the citizens of the county that utilize the services of these organizations? Is there a plan by the county to step in and replicate services impacted by this decision?"

Kuether added that the Republican county commissioners have failed to meet residents' long-standing needs regarding skyrocketing home prices, an insurance crisis, rampant development, or providing affordable housing.