Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Tesla, the “electric cars, solar panels and clean energy storage” company, is asking state utility regulators to, well, keep their hands off the equipment.
The Palo Alto, California-based company wants the Public Service Commission (PSC) to opine that Tesla’s leasing out of its solar electric equipment to residences “does not constitute a sale of electricity.”
If it is “selling electricity,” that would subject Tesla to oversight by the PSC, which regulates investor-owned utilities in the state. The company is seeking what’s known as a ‘declaratory statement’ to the opposite.
“Tesla’s SolarLease program provides for residential electricity users to lease solar (panels) from Tesla, but SolarLease does not involve any payment for, or purchase of, electricity by a lessee,” its filing says.
The PSC already has granted similar opinions for Sunrun and Vivint Solar, the filing adds, but “those orders are binding and applicable only as to the” individual companies.
That suggests, however, Tesla’s request may also be approved.
And it’s no surprise that the company’s main concern is a bottom line one.
“Because of the requirements of investors who will provide financing for Tesla’s SolarLease program in Florida, Tesla is compelled to seek the requested statement as a practical, real-world business necessity,” it said.
Evening Reads
“George H.W. Bush’s friends and family have intimate memorial in Houston” via Matthew Choi of POLITICO
“William Barr is leading Attorney General candidate in Trump discussions” via Devlin Barrett, Matt Zapotsky, and Josh Dawsey of The Washington Post
“Ron DeSantis to launch statewide ‘Thank You Tour’” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics
“DeSantis chooses South Florida Democrat as state’s emergency management leader” via Lisa Huriash
“Nikki Fried asserts herself as de facto leader of Florida Democrats” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics
“How Joe Gruters went from ‘not interested’ to front-runner for GOP chair” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida
“Christian Ziegler to run for RPOF Vice Chair, boasts Gruters support” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
“Trump hotel feud erupts between Corey Lewandowski and Florida Senators” via Marc Caputo of POLITICO Florida
“Justice in jeopardy — the reshaping of Florida’s Supreme Court” via Trelvis Randolph of the Florida Phoenix
“New Broward elections supervisor vows to get to bottom of ballot problems” via Larry Barszewski of the Sun Sentinel
Quote of the Day
Richard Corcoran “has the knowledge and experience to ensure continued success at the Department of Education and to protect Florida’s legacy as a national leader in education. He is truly passionate about helping all students get a world-class education.” — Marva Johnson, chair of the State Board of Education, on Corcoran’s appointment as Education Commissioner.
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Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
Congresswoman Jennifer González-Colón of Puerto Rico will speak to the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida at 8 a.m., Citrus Club, 255 South Orange Ave., #1800, Orlando.
Rep. Byron Donalds, a Naples Republican, will be among the speakers during the annual National Summit on Education Reform. That’s at 8:15 a.m., with Donalds expected to take part in a panel at 11 a.m., Marriott Marquis, 901 Massachusetts Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C.
The Florida Commission on Ethics is scheduled to meet at 8:30 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.
The St. Johns County legislative delegation will at 9 a.m., St. Johns County Administration Building, 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine.
The Miami-Dade County legislative delegation will hold a public hearing as it gets ready for the 2019 legislative session. That’s at 10:30 a.m., Miami-Dade County Public Schools Administration Building, auditorium, 1450 N.E. Second Ave., Miami.
Looking Ahead
Governor-elect Ron DeSantis will launch a “Thank You Tour” Saturday with rally stops in New Port Richey, The Villages and Port Orange. Attorney General-elect Ashley Moody will join DeSantis in New Port Richey and The Villages. That’s at 8:30 a.m., Spartan Manor, 6121 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey; 12 p.m., La Hacienda Recreation Center, 1200 Avenida Central, Lady Lake; and 3 p.m., Riverside Pavilion, 3431 S Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange.
Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio will host a recovery-assistance center in Panama City to help people and businesses affected by Hurricane Michael. Numerous organizations and agencies are expected to participate. That’s at 10 a.m. Central time, Bay High School, John L. Cobb Gymnasium, 301 East 13th St., Panama City.
