Takeaways from Tallahassee – Let’s talk about something other than candidate qualifying

Amid all the political news out of Florida this week, here’s a sobering piece of policy news: The Sunshine State has a “gavel gap.”

Florida got an ‘F’ in a report out this week measuring the diversity of the judiciary, one of 26 to get a failing grade.

“The Gavel Gap” report was done by researchers at Vanderbilt University and the University of Toronto, and funded by the American Constitution Society, a progressive legal reform organization.

Key findings include “Women … are underrepresented on state courts” and “people of color make up roughly four in ten people in the country but fewer than two in ten judges.”

Florida was ranked 29th for diversity among the states and the District of Columbia.

For example, white men make up 27 percent of the population but 60 percent of judges, the report found, while women of color are 23 percent of the population by only nine percent of the state bench.

Mark Ferrulo, executive director of Progress Florida Education Institute, called the findings a “stark reminder of how urgent it is that we expand the diversity of Florida’s judiciary.”

“When our courts are not reflective of the communities they serve, it negatively impacts the objectivity of our courts and Floridians’ access to fairness and justice,” he said.

But Simone Marstiller, a retired judge of the 1st District Court of Appeal, said “there’s so much more” to the issue of judicial diversity than raw numbers.

“It’s not that linear,” said the Liberian-born Marstiller, whose long resume includes being secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation under Gov. Jeb Bush. 

“You need to look at who’s applying, who’s running, what are the number of women and minorities in law practice … there’s always going to be a qualitative factor to this,” she said. “It’s not simply what’s on a resume. Beyond that is what would make (someone) a good judge.”

Marstiller uses herself as an example: “I may not have practiced law in a big law firm, but I had a lot of government experience, I was a single mother, and so I (brought) a diversity of experience to the bench.”

Also, otherwise qualified woman and minority lawyers just may not want to put themselves through the political process of being appointed or elected judge, she said.

“Some of us do, because we’re willing to take a risk and our families are willing to go through that,” Marstiller added.

Coming up, the usual assortment of tidbits, leftovers and not-ready-for-prime-time moments by Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster, Ryan Ray, Jim Rosica and Peter Schorsch.

But first, the “Takeaway 5” — the Top 5 stories from the week that was:

Zika funding — The U.S. House has OK’d a proposal to spend $1.1 billion to combat the Zika virus. The House voted 239-171 to approved the bill before the House adjourned for the July 4 recess. House and Senate Republicans reached an agreement late Wednesday. The $1.1 billion request is less than the $1.9 billion requested by the Obama administration and supported by Sens. Marco Rubio and Barack Obama. Florida has 213 cases of the Zika virus, 40 of which involve pregnant women regardless of symptoms.

One year pause — Florida won’t have a black bear hunt in 2016, but that doesn’t mean the controversial hunt is totally off the table. After nearly seven hours of comments Wednesday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted 4-3 against a 2016 hunt. But they also asked staff to get more information so they can discuss it again next year. In 2015, hunters killed 304 bears in the state’s first hunt in more than 20 years.

New statue — Mary McLeod Bethune, a civil rights activist, is the leading contender to replace Confederate U.S. Army Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith in National Statuary Hall. Bethune, the namesake of Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach, received unanimous support. George Jenkins, the founder of Publix Supermarkets, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas, the champion of the Everglades, are also contenders.

Negron talks higher ed — Senate President Designate Joe Negron outlined his plans to bolster higher education during the State University System’s Board of Governors meeting this week. The Stuart Republican told the board he wanted to help Florida universities achieve national elite status, shore up their infrastructure and make sure students complete their degrees on time. Negron also expressed some reservations about the expansion of online courses. Negron has said he plans to make higher education a priority during his presidency.

Unopposed — Dozens of state lawmakers are heading back to Tallahassee after they were re-elected Friday when they failed to get an opponent. In the Senate, Republicans Tom Lee, Bill Galvano and Wilton Simpson, among others, are returning. In the House, Democrats Bobby DuBose, Katie Edwards, and Shevrin Jones, among others, are returning. One surprise? George Gainer, a Tallahassee newcomer, won his Senate District 2. That race was expected to be a hotly contested race, but fizzled out when Matt Gaetz announced a congressional bid.

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Congratulations, Jared Moskowitz.

The Coral Springs Democrat was honored by the Florida Bar at its annual conference in Orlando. Moskowitz was honored by the Trial Lawyer Section of the Florida Bar for the role he played in defeating legislation that would have created term limits for appellate court judges.

Moskowitz wasn’t the only one from his legislative office to receive a tip of the hat from the Florida Bar this year. His legislative assistant, Jared Rosenstein, was also honored. Rosenstein was honored by the Animal Law Committee of the Florida Bar for his work as an animal advocate in both the Legislature and as a law student at Nova Southeastern University.

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Need a better understanding of Citizens’ 2017 rate package?

The state’s insurance company is here to help.

The Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Board of Governors released its annual rate kit to provide Floridians with information about the 2017 rate filing. The kit provides county-by-county estimates for particular policy types.

The recommended 2017 rates call for a statewide average increase of 6.8 percent for personal line policyholders. Inland homeowners with multiperil policies could see an average increase of 6.3 percent, while homeowners along the coast could an average increase of 8.6 percent.

Despite the statewide increases, the company said thousands of customers could see rate reductions in 2017.

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Incredibly disappointed.

That about sums up how Gov. Scott felt when the federal government denied Florida’s request for an emergency declaration under the Stafford Act following the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando.

In a letter to Scott, Craig Fugate, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said Florida’s request did not demonstrate how the response efforts were “beyond the capability of the state and affected local governments or identify any direct federal assistance needed to save lives or protect property.”

Scott said the denial means the state won’t receive an additional $5 million in federal funds to help with emergency response efforts.

“It is incredibly disappointing that the Obama Administration denied our request for an Emergency Declaration. Last week, a terrorist killed 49 people, and wounded many others, which was the deadliest shooting in U.S. history,” said Scott in a statement. “It is unthinkable that President Obama does not define this as an emergency. We are committing every state resource possible to help the victims and the community heal and we expect the same from the federal government.”

According to the Governor’s Office, the federal government has approved emergency declarations for President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration, the 2010 Massachusetts water main break, the 2013 Boston bombing, the 2013 West Fertilizer Company explosion, and the 2016 Flint Water Crisis.

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More than 100 Florida Highway Patrol employees are packing their bags and heading to Cleveland.

The Tampa Bay Times reported this week that Florida will send 134 Highway Patrol employees, including 100 full-time state troopers, to help with crowd control and security at the Republican National Convention. The remaining 34 employees, the newspaper reported, will be support staff.

According to the report, the trip will cost Florida taxpayers $611,000. The state is expected to request reimbursement for all expenses other than salary.

The troopers are part of FHP’s Mobile Field Force, and have special training in preparation for hurricanes, civil disturbances and acts of terrorism, according to the Tampa Bay Times report.

The Republican National Convention runs from July 18 until July 21.

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The Florida League of Cities is saying “thanks” to four South Florida lawmakers.

The Florida League of Cities presented Republican George Moraitis, and Democrats Bobby DuBose and Hazelle P. Rogers with the 2016 Legislative Appreciation Award at a recent meeting of the Broward League of Cities meeting. The association also plans to honor Democrat Sharon Pritchett with the award

The award is given to legislators who advocate on behalf of the League and its member cities. The lawmakers have consistently voted in support of League positions, offered amendments to help prevent pre-emptions and unfunded mandates, or worked behind the scenes to rally support for League positions during the 2016 legislative session.

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The license plates on Florida Highway Patrol vehicles are getting a facelift.

The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles unveiled the newest version of its “Arrive Alive” license plates. The license plates are featured as the front plate on Florida Highway Patrol vehicles.

“The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to keeping Florida roadways safe for all motorists and the ‘Arrive Alive’ campaign is a valuable part of our history,” said Col. Gene Spaulding, director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Carrying on a proud legacy of promoting highway safety and security, the patrol makes every effort to ensure that Florida motorists make it to their destination safely.”

The license plates are part of the “Arrive Alive” campaign, which dates back to 1970. The Florida Highway Patrol is promoting the campaign to reduce traffic related deaths and injuries by putting the “Arrive Alive” license plates to the front of their patrol vehicles.

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Gov. Scott is asking for help from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

In a letter to Timothy R. F. Skaggs, the director of the Disaster Field Operations Center-East for the U.S. Small Business Administration, Scott asked the SBA to issue an economic injury declaration for Orange County and offer low-interest SBA disaster loans to qualified businesses.

The request comes in response to the June 12 mass shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando. Scott said that as part of the investigation, law enforcement agencies “sealed off the immediate area surrounding the nightclub, causing several businesses to close.”

“Clearly, this tragedy has severely impacted the businesses located within the immediate vicinity of the nightclub, as well as those throughout the Orlando metropolitan area, which is a destination point for both domestic and international tourism,” said Scott.

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Know of a Florida civil rights hero? Consider nominating them for the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame.

The Florida Commission on Human Relations is accepting nominations for the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame. The deadline for nominations is July 15, and judges are looking for individuals who have made significant contributions and provided leadership toward Florida’s progress and achievements in civil rights.

“This program honors leaders and advocates who have tirelessly worked to protect the rights of various populations throughout Florida,” said Michelle Wilson, the executive director of the Commission on Human Relations. “We must continue our efforts to honor the civil rights pioneers who came before us and use their heroic stories as a way to educate and empower our next generation.”

The commission is looking for nominees whose contributions include community empowerment, legislative advocacy, grassroots organizing, and coalition building. More information can be found at the Commission on Human Relations website.

The Florida Commission on Human Relations was established in 1969 and is charged with administering the Florida Civil Rights Act and the Florida Fair Housing Act.

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Florida graduates are getting to work.

A new study tracking more than 52,000 State University System graduates from 2014 found 93 percent of baccalaureate graduates found jobs within one year of graduation. According to the study, those graduates found jobs in either Florida or one of the 40 states or territories that participate in the Wage Record Interchange System 2 (WRIS 2).

The study also found one out of every four graduates who had found work were also continuing their education.

More than 60,000 baccalaureate degrees were awarded to the Class of 2014, but the study includes records for more than 52,000 graduates. Some graduate, like those who are self-employed, are excluded from the national employment and education databases used in the study.

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We’re No. … um, 40?

The annual Kids Count report shows Florida is in the bottom 10 states for child well-being. The rankings represent a slip from last year when the Florida was ranked 37^th in the country, according to Liz Freeman with the Naples Daily News.

The report, put out by the Annie E Casey Foundation, found 948,000 children in Florida are living in poverty; while 78,000 teens in Florida are not in school or working. The report also found 378,000 children did not have health insurance.

The Kids County report uses data several different organizations, including the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Education, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Florida has one of the largest gaps between the top 1 percent and the bottom 99 percent.

According to a new report, the average income of the top 1 percent in Florida is nearly $1.3 million, nearly 35 times more than the bottom 99 percent. The average income for that group is $36,169.

Florida ranked fifth the nation in the income inequality, according to the report by the Economic Policy Institute. New York led the nation in the rankings, with the average income of the top 1 percent more than 45 times that of the bottom 99 percent. The average income for the top 1 percent is more than $2 million, while the average income for the bottom 99 percent is $44,163.

Alaska found itself at the bottom of the rankings, with the top 1 percent making about 13 times more than the bottom 99 percent. The report found the average income from the top earners was $833,117, while the average income for the bottom 99 percent was $63,226.

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Not pleased with how Gov. Scott is doing as governor? Don’t worry, you aren’t alone.

A new Quinnipiac University poll found 46 percent of Floridians said they disapproved of the way Scott is handling his job as governor. The survey found 43 percent of Floridians approved of his job.

Scott saw strong support from Republicans, 73 percent of which said they thought he was doing a good job. The survey also found 52 percent of white men and 47 percent of white women approved of the way Scott was handling his job.

The survey of 975 Florida voters was conducted from June 8 through June 19. It has a margin of error of 3.1 percent.

While the poll showed the Naples Republican was slightly underwater in his ratings, Quinnipiac University pollsters noted the job approval rating was “one of his best scores ever.”

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Kudos, Jeff Brandes.

The Florida Ports Council presented Brandes with the Florida Ports Council Navigator Award. The award was given to Brandes to recognize his support of legislation to increase annual seaport funding.

“Senator Brandes has continued to be a leader in creating better transportation opportunities for all Floridians,” said Paul Anderson, chairman of the Florida Ports Council. “His steadfast commitment and investment in the transportation network, especially in port infrastructure, will have a lasting and positive effect for generations to come.”

According to the organization, Brandes championed key legislation to bring the minimum statutory amount four seaport funding up to $25 million for the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development, which is administered by the Florida Ports Council.

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The oldest county in the nation is located in the Sunshine State.

According to new population estimates released by the U.S. Bureau of Census, Sumter County is the only county in the nation where the majority of the population is 65 years old or older. The estimates showed 54.8 percent of the population reached retirement age in 2015, up from 53 percent in 2014.

Sumter County is home to one of the fastest growing metropolitan area in the nation, The Villages.

“Sumter County is unique as the only county with a majority age 65-and-older population,” said Jason Devine, the assistant division chief for population estimates and projections. “As the nation’s 65-and-over population grows, other counties with retirement communities like The Villages will get closer to this threshold.”

Charlotte County also ranked in the Top 5 oldest counties in the nation. The average age there was 58 years old. In Sumter county, the average age is 66.

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Welcome aboard, Kassandra Elekes.

The Foundation for Excellence in Education announced this week that Elekes has been appointed as the foundation’s deputy state communications director. She will focus primarily on Florida.

Prior to joining the Foundation for Excellence in Education and the Foundation for Florida’s Future, Elekes worked as the Florida Chamber Foundation’s director of marketing and engagement. She has also served as the Department of Education’s digital media, and the community relations manager at the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.

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State employees got some well-deserved recognition during the 2016 Florida TaxWatch Prudential Productivity Awards.

The awards highlight state employees who innovatively reduce costs and improve services for Florida taxpayers. The Prudential Productivity Awards is the one of the only programs in the state celebrating the state employees who work to ensure a more efficient state government.

Fifty-eight Orlando-area state employees were honored during the event.

“Orlando is one of the fastest growing metros in the nation and with a rising population comes a rising demand for government services,” said Dominic M. Calabro, president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch. “Thanks to the hard-work of Orlando’s award-winning state employees, we can be confident that The City Beautiful will continue to grow and prosper.”

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A coalition of more than 60 local, state and national organizations have called on the Legislature to convene a special session to ban assault weapons and strengthen background checks.

The coalition, led by the League of Women Voters, delivered a letter calling for the special session to be convened before July 4 to Gov. Scott, Senate President Andy Gardiner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli. The request came one week after a gun man killed 49 people and injured more than 50 at Pulse nightclub in Orlando.

“We’re calling on our legislators to act now, to demonstrate they can rise above partisan politics to protect the lives of the citizens they were elected to represent,” said Pamela Goodman, president of the Florida League of Women Voters.

According to the letter, seven states have banned assault weapons.

League of Women Voters officials said they have not yet received a response from state officials.

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John Rood has been appointed to the Florida Prepaid College Board.

The 61-year-old Jacksonville resident is the chairman of Vestcor Communications and the former ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. He served in that role from 2004 until 2007.

Rood previously served as a member of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. He was also a member of the Board of Governors of the State University System.

He was appointed to a term ending June 30, 2017. The appointment is subject for Senate confirmation.

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Three Hillsborough County residents have been appointed to the Hillsborough County Civil Service Board.

Col. Neal Carbaugh, a 56-year-old Plant City resident, is a retired F-16 pilot in the U.S. Air Force. He succeeds Albert Perotti. He was appointed to a term ending July 2, 2019.

Simon Canasi, a 59-year-old Tampa resident, is a senior vice president and wealth management advisor at Morgan Stanley. Ernie Trichler, a 46-year-old Tampa resident, is an attorney with Mandelbaum Trichler Law Center. Both were reappointed to terms ending July 2, 2019.

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Forty-nine flags for 49 victims.

Gov. Scott this week ordered that 49 flags be placed in front of the Florida Capitol. The flags are meant to remember the lives of the 49 people who died in the June 12 mass shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando.

“The memory of this horrific tragedy will never be forgotten, as well as the legacies of each of the 49 victims. While we can never completely heal from the pain of such loss, we continue to be reminded of each life taken in Orlando and their individual impact on so many,” he said in a statement. “We mourn with the families and loved ones as they grieve, and ask all Floridians to continue praying for those affected by the terror attack in the coming days. This memorial will be a place to remember and honor their lives.”

The flags will be on display for 49 days. Under each flag is the name, age and photo of every victim.

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Could the Brexit have an impact on Florida’ tourism industry?

The Florida Chamber of Commerce seems to think the answer is yes.

In a statement this week, Jerry Parrish, the chief economic for the Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation, said the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union could impact Florida’s tourism industry. Parrish said more than 1.7 million visitors from the U.K visited Florida in 2015.

Parrish also said the vote will have the “immediate effects of increasing volatility in financial markets, and that could lead to reduced foreign direct investment in Florida.” But he said the drop in the British pound and the possible decrease in the Euro could benefit Floridians by making imports less expensive.

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INSTAGRAM OF THE WEEK

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Looking for something to do Saturday? Try taking a T.O.U.R of Mission San Luis in Tallahassee.

The living history museum will offer free tours from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday as part of Visit Tallahassee’s T.O.U.R Guide campaign. The T.O.U.R — or “Tourism is Our Unlimited Resource” — campaign is meant to spread word about the things to see and do in Tallahassee.

“We are excited to offer this T.O.U.R. day to locals and visitors alike” said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “This is a wonderful opportunity to get ‘tour guide training’ while experiencing Florida’s Apalachee Living History Museum for free.”

Visitors can participate in activities like faux musket drills and make-and-take craft projects for children. There will also be living history demonstrations of black powder weapon firing, blacksmithing and period cooking.

Visitors are asked to bring donations for the Back-to-School Supply Drive. Among items the park will be accepting are backpacks, composition books, erasers, glue sticks, rulers, hand sanitizers and pencil boxes.

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If you’re heading out on the boat this weekend, leave the hooch at home.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is participating in a three-day, heightened awareness and enforcement operation this weekend. The operation — dubbed Operation Dry Water — is meant to focus on deterring boaters from boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Law enforcement agencies across the nation will be out in full force from Friday until Sunday looking for boaters who are boating under the influence. Boaters caught boating under the influence will be removed from the water.

In Florida, it’s illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher. According to FWC officials, alcohol is one of the leading contributing factors in recreational boater deaths.

“It is our job as law enforcement officers to identify and remove impaired boaters from the water so that everyone else can continue to have an enjoyable boating season and not become a victim of boating under the influence,” said Maj. Richard Moore with the boating and waterways section of the FWC. “Protecting the public goes to the heart of our mission.”

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And lastly — Friday saw a late-afternoon news dump announcing a raft of gubernatorial appointments to various state courts.

Gov. Scott appointed the following judges to the bench this week:

Robert Dees, 53, of Jacksonville, will replace Judge Harvey Jay on the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court.

Robert E. Long, Jr., 34, of Tallahassee, will replace Judge George S. Reynolds on the Second Judicial Circuit Court.

Judge Don Thomas, 60, of Arcadia, will replace Judge John F. Lakin on the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court.

Michael P. McDaniel, 45, of Lakeland, will replace Judge J. Dale Durrance on the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court.

Gary L. Sanders, 53, of Ocala, will replace Judge David B. Eddy on the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court.

And Zachary M. Gill, 36, of Fort Myers, will replace Judge Leigh Frizzell Hayes on the Lee County Court

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Here’s this week’s edition of Capitol Directions: