Peter Schorsch
Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.
By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster, Mitch Perry, and Jim Rosica.
SUNBURN IS BACK FROM VACATION — Please click here to read in full a special message to our readers. … Florida Politics seeks to launch a new vertical on stories about the state agencies and legislative committees entrusted to oversee the welfare of our children. This reporter will cover the hearings that don’t receive a lot of attention and are not watched over by a room full of lobbyists. We’re going to apply our new media model — one that has disrupted other segments of state government — to the sleepy giants at the Department of Children of Families and the Committee of Children, Families and Elder Affairs. All we need now is the right reporter.
HAPPENING TODAY — DEBATE NIGHT IN THE ‘BURG
Former Gov. Charlie Crist and U.S. Rep. David Jolly take the stage tonight at the renovated Palladium Theater in downtown St. Petersburg for a one-hour debate that will set the tone for the final seven weeks of one of the most closely watched races of the 2016 election cycle.
The always smiling, always suntanned Crist is running against Jolly in a redrawn district that includes his hometown of St. Petersburg, following a redistricting process widely seen as eroding advantages of incumbents and possibly allowing Democrats to gain a few seats.
Crist — who once called himself a Reagan Republican — now gives opening speeches for Hillary Clinton when she campaigns in town.
At least one political expert says the district is Crist’s to lose — but then again, he’s been up in polls before, and lost.
“He’s got universal name recognition and most people who meet him, like him a great deal. He’s got as great political skills as any candidate in the state of Florida,” said Darryl Paulson, an emeritus professor of government at the University of South Florida.
Crist, 60, never seems to forget a name or fail to shout “I love you back” when a supporter expresses admiration.
“His downside is his political ambition. He has seldom held a job that he’s run for a second time. He’s developed an image for someone who is always looking for the next position,” Paulson said.
Jolly, 43, who has been in office only two years, earlier had announced he would run for U.S. Senate. But when Marco Rubio dropped out of the presidential race and said he would run for re-election, Jolly got out of the race.
Jolly says his biggest accomplishments are taking on campaign finance reform and backing a bill that would prohibit members of Congress from directly soliciting campaign contributions. He also knows his views on Trump are setting him apart.
“It is obvious we are a divided party. Anybody who says otherwise is disingenuous,” he said. “Party matters a little bit less than community does. I have not endorsed (Donald) Trump, nor do I defend him. He is not somebody that I am supporting.”
Trump’s name is likely to be evoked several times during the debate by both Crist and Jolly. Both men have made issue of the other’s support, past or otherwise, of the Republican presidential nominee.
As Jolly was easily winning his Republican primary against Mark Bircher last month, Crist issued a statement saying that “it saddens me to think that anyone who supports Trump’s agenda could ever represent Pinellas County.”
The inference was that Jolly is backing Trump in the presidential election. Though Jolly hasn’t ruled out ultimately supporting his party’s standard-bearer for president, he hasn’t done so to date, and immediately accused Crist of lying.
Matthew Van Name, Crist’s campaign manager, then followed up with a memo detailing how Crist should essentially walk all over Jolly in the general election, citing polling and financial numbers that favor Crist, who is now running in a seat that definitely favors Democrats after redistricting last year.
In a video, the Indian Shores Republican discusses Crist’s own relationship with Trump, including multiple fundraising events at Trump Tower in New York, golf tournaments at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm, and a “questionable courtship” of the business mogul to help raise money for a property tax amendment.
If that video did not make it clear enough, Jolly just does not respect Crist the politician. The considerate son of a preacher, Jolly has uncharacteristically lost his cool while campaigning against Crist. He even crashed Crist’s campaign announcement speech, calling him a “huckster.”
Jolly’s resentment of Crist goes back, at least partially, to when Crist was governor and had to select a replacement for Mel Martinez in the U.S. Senate. The late congressman to whom Jolly owes his political career, C.W. “Bill” Young, was asked to interview for the position. To Crist’s surprise, the Indian Shores Republican arrived at the meeting in an untucked polo shirt and sneakers, and the 78-year-old proceeded to take charge — telling the governor directly he was not interested in an interim role as U.S. senator.
Young’s camp did not appreciate Crist subjecting their guy to a dog-and-pony show.
Will Jolly’s distaste for Crist be on display Monday? Probably. Debate moderator Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times is very familiar with both candidates, especially their weaknesses. Look for Smith to needle both men about the topics they don’t want to discuss.
In a way, tonight’s debate is also taking on a tragic tone for both Crist and Jolly. One can’t help but ask, ‘What might have been…’ For Crist, he was once on John McCain’s shortlist of running mates, while just a year ago, Jolly was the frontrunner to win a seat in the U.S. Senate.
Both men, with political skills in abundance and supported by wives and families eager to be part of the campaign process, should be debating for higher stakes than who gets to sit in the back bench of Congress.
Both men, each unfailingly polite and relatively moderate in their views, seem almost out of place in today’s political environment.
And for both Crist, who has lost his last two bids for statewide office, and Jolly, whose re-election campaign has been noticeably abandoned by his colleagues, must realize that for the loser of this race, it is their last hurrah.
The debate, co-sponsored by the Tampa Bay Times, 10 News WTSP, and St. Petersburg College, will air live from 7-8 p.m. on WTSP and be streamed on TampaBay.com and WTSP.com.
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DAYS UNTIL: First presidential debate – 7; First day domestic vote-by-mail ballots can be sent – 14; first day of early voting – 39; Election Day – 49; first Legislative Organization Session – 63; premiere of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – 87; start of 2017 Legislative Session – 168.
HOW IS DONALD TRUMP POISED TO WIN FLORIDA? TALK TO SWING VOTERS IN WEST PASCO COUNTY via Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times — In this working-class suburb of Tampa Bay, finding people enthusiastically supporting Clinton is tough. Finding people enthusiastically supporting Trump is less difficult. Finding people fed up with the status quo is a piece of cake … Trump can’t win the presidency without winning Florida, and many observers question how he can win Florida if he fails to do better among Florida’s one-in-three minority voters. That’s not expected to happen. So how is it that poll after poll shows Trump running neck-and-neck with Clinton, with a real shot at winning Florida’s 29 electoral votes? The answer lies behind the Advanced Auto Parts and Big Lots stores along U.S. 19, in 40-year-old subdivisions with names like Holiday Lakes Estates, Beacon Square, and Regency Park. Those who divide Florida into political territories call this corner of Pasco County Florida House District 36. And unlike the vast majority of legislative districts across America, the roughly 100,000 voters here tend to be independent-minded and unpredictable. Thirty-five percent are registered Republicans, 34 percent Democrats and 31 percent belong to neither party. In 2008 and in 2012, Obama narrowly carried Florida House District 36, and narrowly won Florida. But a poll of likely voters taken in July by a Democratic polling firm found Trump with a double-digit lead over Clinton — 51 percent to 39 percent — in this district.
IN MIAMI, TRUMP PROMISES TO STAND WITH CUBANS via Anthony Man and Dan Sweeney of the South Florida Sun Sentinel — Trump spent much of the day embroiled in renewed controversy stemming from his long promotion and sudden retreat from birtherism, but there wasn’t any naysaying at a campaign rally with thousands of adoring supporters. “We’re going to have a good time tonight,” he promised. “We’re going to have a good time.” And he delivered, with crowd-pleasing denunciations of Clinton, promises to create jobs and repeal Obamacare, and pledges to “stand up” to China and fight Islamic terrorism. The crowd erupted in boisterous cheering — and perhaps half the audience leaped to its feet — when he promised to “stand with the Cuban people in their fight against communist oppression.” His speech, at about 45 minutes, was shorter than at some previous rallies. He had a teleprompter, and he was less prone to wander on rhetorical tangents. He didn’t attack the news media and push the crowd to boo reporters. And he acted like every big-time politician by emphasizing some local issues: Cuba and condemning the socialist government of Venezuela. On his way to the James L. Knight Center, Trump stopped in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood, where he was received by about 100 community leaders, said Palm Beach County Republican Chairman Michael Barnett, who organized the event. Trump spoke for about 10 minutes, and emphasized school choice, Barnett said.
— “Will Trump be on offense or defense with Monday visit to Southwest Florida” via Arek Sarkissian of the Naples Daily News
MIKE PENCE PRAISES TRUMP AT PACKED THE VILLAGES RALLY via Steven Lemongello of the Orlando Sentinel – Pence, speaking before a crowd of about 850 people in the Savannah Center, thanked the residents of the large and extremely Republican-leaning retirement community for its pro-Trump “golf cart parade” … He mostly avoided or only alluded to recent Trump campaign controversies, such as Trump’s sudden reversal of his years-long questioning of President Obama’s birthplace, or Trump’s resumption of personal attacks on Twitter. Instead, Pence spent much of his folksy speech repeatedly lionizing Trump as “a fighter, a winner … He truly is a remarkable man” … “People say, what is it about him?” Pence said. “Donald Trump just gets it. He’s the genuine article. … A doer in a game reserved for talkers. And when he does talk, he doesn’t tiptoe around the thousands of rules of political correctness.”
TWEET, TWEET:
WHAT RICK WILSON IS READING — EXPERTS SAY RICK SCOTT ADMINISTRATION DECISION BLOCKING EVAN MCMULLIN FROM PRESIDENTIAL BALLOT ‘UNFAIR’ via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida — On Aug. 31, the Independent Party of Florida formally filed nominating papers to make McMullin its presidential candidate in Florida. McMullin is a former CIA operative and Republican staffer in the U.S. House of Representatives who was recruited by a group of GOP consultants, including Florida’s Rick Wilson, looking for an alternative to Trump.
In a Sept. 7 letter, Division of Elections Director Maria Matthews informed Ernest Bach, chair of the Independent Party of Florida, that its nominee for president could not be on the general election ballot. The department, which is overseen by Scott, said the Independent Party of Florida could not get its nominee placed on the general election because it is not recognized as a “national party” by the Federal Election Commission. McMullin’s camp has said it thinks the state’s decision is blatantly political because Scott not only supports Trump, but runs a super PAC supporting him. Most believe McMullin would take Republican votes from Trump, which could make a difference in a state known for tight presidential races. “We know what his [Rick Scott’s] preference is,” said Sarah Rumpf, a McMullin consultant. “He has a very public, visible role as head of the PAC, head cheerleader, head fundraiser, and is a top surrogate for Donald Trump.” The FEC officially recognizes 13 official national parties. The Scott administration has said since the Independent Party of Florida is not recognized by the FEC, state law does not allow its presidential nominees to get on the ballot. Others disagree.
REINCE PRIEBUS: RNC COULD BLOCK JOHN KASICH, JEB BUSH FROM RUNNING AGAIN via Rudy Takala of the Washington Examiner – … if they refuse to get on board with Donald Trump, party chairman Priebus said … “I think people need to get outside this Beltway and get on the road,” Priebus said in an interview with CBS host John Dickerson. “This is probably one of the biggest movements as far as people across this country in modern history … Where we’re at with the voters, one of the last polls I saw … Republicans, I think it was about 91, 92 percent, we need to do a couple of percentage points better than we’re doing as we move forward. Look, people who agreed to support the nominee, who took part in our process, they used tools from the RNC. They agreed to support the nominee. They took part in our process” … “We’re a private party. We’re not a public entity. Those people need to get on board. And if they’re thinking they’re going to run again someday, I think we’re going to evaluate the nomination process, and I don’t think it’s going to be that easy for them. I think these are things that our party’s going to look at in the process. I think people who gave us their word, used information from the RNC, should get on board,” he added.
SPOTTED AT THE EMMYS:
FIRST ON FLORIDA POLITICS — AFTER PULSE: LESSONS FROM THE RESPONSE via Marco Rubio – Three months ago, Orlando became a new ground zero when a radical Islamic terrorist opened fire inside Pulse nightclub, and Floridians witnessed firsthand the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9/11. Recovering from such a terrible event presents many challenges. The immediate emergency response must be swift because lives hang in the balance. The perpetrator and anyone who helped him must be brought to justice. Families and communities must heal and receive the assistance they need. Lessons big and small are learned, and public officials have a responsibility to listen, learn and improve the government’s response. As my office and I worked closely with survivors and families of the victims, the City of Orlando and federal agencies, we identified at least three areas where government could do more, better and faster. These areas of concern include: The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s policy on intake forms filled out by individuals in the immediate aftermath of a terrorist attack; financial challenges faced by survivors with student loans; and potential shortcomings in how the federal government provides security grants to cities … A second issue my office identified while assisting one Pulse attack survivor whose injuries made it difficult for him to pay his student loans on time … Instead of loan forgiveness, he’s simply seeking a delay of when his payments become due. Unfortunately, current law does not automatically recognize an extraordinary situation like this. I am committed to making sure this young man and anyone else in a similar situation receives the help they deserve. For this reason, I am introducing legislation granting the U.S. Department of Education the authority to provide automatic federal student loan deferments to any survivor of a terrorist attack. The third area of reform I’ve identified relates to the federal government’s Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant program and, specifically, the funding formula used to conduct risk assessments for cities. This is why I am calling on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an independent audit of the program’s funding formula, and assess what needs to be done to make sure popular tourist cities like Orlando are evaluated properly. All of these reforms will make a real difference in the lives of Floridians. But Washington has failed to make progress on the most important lesson learned in the wake of the Pulse attack: we need to do more to prevent potential terrorists from inflicting death and destruction on a grand scale.
NRSC ONCE AGAIN ATTACKS PATRICK MURPHY OVER RESUME via Florida Politics — The National Republican Senatorial Committee released a new ad Friday hitting Murphy over his resume. The 30-second spot, called “Revealed,” is meant to highlight questions about his professional experience. The advertisement features portions of an CBS Miami report, which found Murphy did not meet the requirements to be a CPA in Florida and wasn’t a small business owner. “Patrick Murphy is an empty suit who couldn’t manage to tell the truth even if he had a permission slip from his father,” said Greg Blair, a spokesman for the NRSC, in a statement. “Murphy lied about being a small business owner, lied about being a CPA, and simply can’t be trusted to be honest with the people of Florida. His chronic falsehoods and embellishments have disqualified him from representing Florida families in any capacity. This is the second time the NRSC has ran ads attacking Murphy over his resume. Earlier this month, PolitiFact rated the first ad “mostly false.”
DSCC YET TO RE-BOOK CANCELED FLORIDA TV via Kevin Robillard of POLITICO Florida – The Senate Democratic committee had canceled early ad buys supporting Rep. Patrick Murphy‘s Senate bid in order to shift the money to a later date. The DSCC canceled more than $800,000 worth of time … earmarked for ads running from Sept. 20-26. At the time, a DSCC official said the money was being moved to the final days of the contest to “backload our current Florida buy.” More than a week later, the organization hasn’t purchased more time. Advance TV reservations could be made at any time. But the only other movement since then has been an additional cancellation of $700,000 worth of DSCC ads, which the committee had booked in Florida for the final week of September. Democrats still have more than $18 million in TV time reserved in the state between the DSCC and Senate Majority PAC.
STILL … SICK OF POLITICAL ADS? $40 MILLION MORE ARE COMING IN PATRICK MURPHY-MARCO RUBIO BATTLE via Kristen Clark of the Miami Herald — The money is almost split evenly between Republican and Democratic backers, with about $20 million on each side … And that doesn’t even count the millions the candidates’ own campaigns might pour into TV advertising. Both launched their first ads of the general election this month … Meanwhile, at least $12 million has already been spent by roughly two dozen groups to buoy Murphy’s and Rubio’s campaigns with outside support, including TV ads … The tens of millions of dollars these political influencers are investing — from the conservative Koch brothers to liberal labor unions — is another mark of how important Florida’s U.S. Senate race is on the national stage. Although the state isn’t necessarily as vital to Democrats’ hopes as it previously was, a win in Florida could still help the party take back control of the Senate next year.
HAPPENNING TODAY — MURPHY CAMPAIGNS IN WEST PALM BEACH, TAMPA — Rep. Murphy will start off the day with a press conference with the Communication Workers of America at 9 a.m. at the CWA Local 3112, 594 1st St. in West Palm Beach. He’ll then head to Tampa, where he’ll hold a press event with state Rep. Janet Cruz at 1:30 p.m. at Arco Iris Restaurant, 3328 W. Columbus Drive in Tampa. Media interested in attending either event should RSVP to [email protected].
FLORIDA’S OPEN-SEAT HOUSE RACES AREN’T THAT OPEN via Ledyard King of TCPalm – There are nine open seats on the November ballot — one-third of the state’s House delegation. Only one, however, is expected to be remotely in play: the 18th District along the Treasure Coast where Murphy is leaving to run for U.S. Senate. Unseating House incumbents remains a formidable task, even in an era when public approval of Congress is dismally low. Political parties generally view open seats as rare opportunities to pad their majorities or retake the House. Don’t look for that to happen in the Sunshine State this year — even though Florida is the purplest of presidential swing states, and even though congressional districts were recently redrawn after voters approved a constitutional amendment designed to end gerrymandering. “The real story (of the fall elections) is, there’s not a lot of competition even after redistricting and with all these incumbents who have voluntarily left or been defeated in the primary,” said Daniel A. Smith, a political scientist at the University of Florida in Gainesville. “Where you saw the competition with the open seats was the primaries.” Virtually every Florida district with an open-seat race this year is dominated by one party, according to the Cook Political Report, an independent publication that tracks elections.
CORRINE BROWN SEEKS MONEY TO COVER TRIAL COSTS via Steve Patterson and Nate Monroe of the Florida Times-Union — “I am fighting the Department of Justice, which has unlimited resources. They have smeared my good name. They are trying to take my freedom. I am asking for your help,” says a note carrying Brown’s signature on a website, corrinebrownlegalexpensetrust.org. Brown’s 2016 campaign Twitter account linked Friday to the website, which was created this week and registered in the name of Brown’s daughter, Shantrel, a Washington lobbyist. Brown denies all charges in a July indictment that accused the 12-term congresswoman of mail and wire fraud, lying on her tax returns and concealing income that prosecutors claim she received from a Virginia scholarship fund she supported, One Door for Education. Her trial is scheduled for November … Brown’s attorney, James Smith of Orlando, also promoted the website when he joined Brown on an interview this week by nationally known radio host Tom Joyner. “This is an opportunity for the people that she has helped out for so many years,” Smith said. “She has fought for them so hard for all this time, and now is the time when we certainly need their help.” The website seeking money for Brown’s defense tells supporters to write checks to the Corrine Brown Legal Expense Trust, a fund set up years before she was indicted.
TV STATIONS PULL GOP AD ATTACKING RANDY PERKINS AFTER LAWSUIT THREAT via George Bennett of the Palm Beach Post — Local TV stations have stopped running a National Republican Congressional Committee ad attacking Democrat Perkins after Perkins’ lawyers called the ad “false, misleading and deceptive” and threatened to sue if the stations continued running the 30-second spot. The original GOP ad accused Perkins, who heads the disaster-relief giant Ashbritt Inc., of “scamming a school district.” Perkins’ attorneys said the claim was a false characterization of a dispute between Ashbritt Inc. and the Broward County School District. The NRCC … was working on modifying the ad. NRCC spokesman Chris Pack accused Perkins and his legal team of “bullying” the TV stations. “Multimillionaire Randy Perkins is bullying WPEC, WTVX and WTCN of Sinclair Broadcast Group by threatening to use money he made by scamming taxpayers to sue over our factually correct TV ads,” Pack said.
HAPPENING TODAY — JOHN KASICH CAMPAIGNS WITH CARLOS CURBELO IN HOMESTEAD — Rep. Curbelo will hold media availability at 10:50 a.m. with Ohio Gov. Kasich at New Hope Corporation, 1020 North Krome Ave. in Homestead. The two men are scheduled to visit the New Hope Substance Abuse Center prior to the media availability. Media interested in attending the event should RSVP to [email protected].
MEANWHILE … ‘HAMILTON’ PRODUCER TELLS BILL NELSON SHOW’S TICKETS ARE TOO PRICEY via Henri Gendreau of Bloomberg Politics — Congress is taking aim at resellers who use automated software tools to scoop up tickets for Broadway shows, sporting events, and concerts. The House passed a bill, H.R. 5104, that would make it illegal for people to use these “bots” to bypass rules aimed at prohibiting bulk purchases. Jeffrey Seller, the producer of “Hamilton,” the Broadway smash about the first U.S. Treasury secretary, as well as representatives for the ticketing and gaming industries, appeared before a Senate Commerce subcommittee to push for the measure. “My reason for being here today — I would even go so far as to call it my mission — is to ensure that young people, and people of all ages, including Sen. [Bill] Nelson, for that matter, have the same opportunity to see live performances of whatever interests them — musicals, plays, and concerts,” Seller said. Ticket vendors such as Ticketmaster, owned by Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., and Stubhub, owned by eBay Inc., try to limit the number of tickets sold to individuals, but the bots have allowed outside vendors to circumvent those restrictions. The bill passed by the House, which was sponsored by Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, would also make it illegal to sell bot software or sell tickets knowingly bought through the use of bots.
SHELDON ADELSON DUMPS $1 MILLION INTO ANTI-MEDICAL MARIJUANA CAMPAIGN via Allison Nielsen of the Sunshine State News – Adelson gave $1 million to the Drug Free Florida committee between Sept. 3 and Sept. 9. Adelson, a kingpin Republican fundraiser, has been a strong supporter of the anti-medical marijuana campaign. He contributed a colossal amount of money — to the tune of $5.5 million — to the Drug Free Florida committee in 2014 when it waged war against the medical marijuana amendment the first time it came to Florida ballots. The first time medical marijuana hit ballots in Florida, it was not successful. Medical marijuana fell short of the necessary 60 percent to pass, only receiving 58 percent of the vote. This year, the bulk of the money from Drug Free Florida has come from large contributors like Adelson. Other backers have included Mel Sembler, Publix heiress Carol Jenkins, and Al Hoffman, Jr.
COLUMN: WHY FIVE FORMER JUSTICES OPPOSE AMENDMENT 2 via Parker Lee McDonald, Stephen H. Grimes, Major B. Harding, Raoul G. Cantero III, and Kenneth B. Bell for the Tampa Bay Times — The amendment’s sponsors say they fixed the problems that caused Floridians to reject a similar amendment two years ago. We have read this revised amendment and have studied its impact. This amendment is still defective and again should be rejected. Here are five problems we see with Amendment 2: First, Amendment 2 is a much broader authorization for marijuana use than its sponsors might suggest. The amendment is not limited to doctors prescribing marijuana as a compassionate, alternative treatment for debilitating medical conditions. Instead, it makes marijuana available merely on the “recommendation” of any doctor who believes its use “would likely outweigh the potential health risks for a patient.” This subtle difference between allowing a doctor to prescribe marijuana as a compassionate, alternative treatment and a person obtaining marijuana on a doctor’s recommendation that its use “would likely outweigh the potential health risks” is significant. Second, this marijuana will not be sold at our pharmacies but at new “Medical Marijuana Dispensaries” referred to as “pot shops” in states that have passed similar measures. Third, Amendment 2 includes a right to privacy for medical marijuana users over 18 years old. As other states have experienced, an unintended consequence of such a provision will be the impact in our high schools. Since most youths turn 18 before graduating from high school, the amendment will create a new pipeline for pot into high schools throughout Florida. Fourth, Amendment 2 creates the role of medical marijuana “caregiver.” Florida’s Department of Health estimates that, if Amendment 2 passes, there will be approximately 130,844 medical marijuana caregivers … This large number of caregivers increases the likelihood that caregivers under Amendment 2 will simply be people who can legally deal drugs. Yet another undisclosed, unintended consequence. Finally, and most importantly, the use of marijuana does not belong in our Florida Constitution. Approval of Amendment 2 would make Florida one of only three states with the right to marijuana in its state constitution. Other states that have authorized medical marijuana have done so by statutory laws. If we enshrine Amendment 2 in the Florida Constitution, the people of Florida will forfeit their ability to legislatively improve the law and to address the inevitable unintended consequences.
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MORNING MUST-READ: STATE LAWMAKERS RECEIVED OPIOID MAKERS’ CASH via Tamara Lush and Mike Schneider of The Associated Press — Drug makers that produce opioid painkillers and allied advocacy groups spent more than $3.8 million on campaign contributions and lobbying over the past decade in Florida as they worked to influence state and federal policies. The groups have an array of political interests that include opioid advocacy, and their spending was eight times that of the gun lobby during the same period. … at one time, Florida was the epicenter of the deadly rise in abuse of oxycodone and similar addictive painkillers, with doctors in the Sunshine State prescribing far more of the drugs than all other states combined, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. In 2010 alone, 650 million oxycodone pills were prescribed in Florida — more than 34 pills for every resident of the state. Also that year, oxycodone caused 1,516 overdose deaths in Florida — more than four a day, more than any other drug.
Florida’s Republicans, including the state party, received more than 2.5 times the campaign contributions that Democratic candidates and the Florida Democratic Party received from companies that make opioids and other groups that participate in the Pain Care Forum. Republicans received nearly $2.9 million from the industry from 2006 through 2015. Democrats received $997,180 during the same time period. Independents received $31,800. To be sure, Republicans control the state’s congressional delegation and also leadership in the legislature. Gov. Scott received $10,000 in contributions from forum participants. Three Florida Democrats led the way with campaign contributions from companies that make opioids and other groups that participate in the Pain Care Forum, which includes opioid makers and nonprofit groups. All either were, or are, in the House of Representatives. Allen Boyd, a Democrat from north Florida, received the most, $107,862 from 2006-2010. Democratic Congressman Kendrick Meek of Miami received the next largest amount from Florida’s D.C. delegation — $90,270 during the same period of time. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, of South Florida, came in third, with $89,657. In 2010, Boyd was defeated by the Republican candidate. Boyd went to work for the Twenty First Century Group, an organization that lobbies Congress in Washington. The firm’s client roster includes pharmaceutical companies, among other industries.
SAVE THE DATE: Greg Steube will hold a fundraising reception Thursday, Oct. 13, in support of his bid for Senate District 23. The event begins 5:30 p.m. at the Siesta Key Rum Tasting Room, 2212 Industrial Blvd. in Sarasota. For more information or to RSVP contact Kelly at [email protected] or 941-312-1817.
DEBBIE MUCARSEL-POWELL RELEASES HER FIRST AD IN SD 39 via Florida Politics — The 2-minute and 30-second biographical spot features family and friends talking about Mucarsel-Powell. The spot is meant to introduce Mucarsel-Powell to the voters of the district. Mucarsel-Powell’s sister addresses viewers in Spanish, as does Mucarsel-Powell, who switches between English and Spanish while talking to the camera. Mucarsel-Powell uses the ad to highlight her commitment to public education and gun safety reforms. Mucarsel-Powell faces Republican Sen. Anitere Flores in Senate District 39.
HAPPENING TODAY: State Rep. David Santiago is holding a fundraising luncheon in support of his House District 27 re-election campaign. Event begins 11:30 a.m. at the Governors Club, 202 ½ S. Adams St. in Tallahassee.
POLL: SHAWN HARRISON LEADS HD 63 RACE — BUT JUST BARELY via Michael Auslen of the Tampa Bay Times – Harrison … is up against city Councilwoman Lisa Montelione, a Democrat … according to a poll conducted last month for state Democrats. Harrison leads 40-37, inside the 5.3 percent margin of error with 23 percent of voters still undecided. The same poll, by Frederick Polls, shows a 9-point Clinton lead over Trump in the district, where Democrats outnumber Republicans. Harrison’s advantage is name recognition. He also has out-fundraised Montelione by $179,855 to $119,010. But Democrats are hopeful they can counteract that. When pollsters read respondents information about the candidates’ backgrounds and messages, Montelione rose to a 49-44 lead with just 7 percent undecided, the poll says.
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FLORIDA UNEMPLOYMENT AT 4.7 PERCENT FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT MONTH via The Associated Press — … despite adding 22,000 jobs in August. The state Department of Economic Opportunity reported that there were 454,000 unemployed Floridians out of a workforce of 9.7 million people. Florida remains below the national unemployment rate of 4.9 percent. Overall, Florida has gained 259,800 jobs in the last year. Monroe County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate at 3.1 percent, followed by St. Johns County at 3.6 percent and Lafayette County at 3.8 percent. Hendry County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 11.6 percent, followed by Hardee County at 7.3 percent and Glades County at 7 percent.
IS A RECESSION LOOMING FOR FLORIDA AND TAMPA BAY? via Jeff Harrington of the Tampa Bay Times — Florida has crawled out of the 2007-2009 downturn much more diversified. Its banks are stronger, and it’s on firmer real estate footing after years of restrained construction and tighter regulation. Statewide, tourism has been hitting record numbers. Florida’s latest quarterly GDP growth topped 2 percent, outpacing the country and all but one state in the Southeast. Yet, there are signs the economy is cooling off: Restaurant sales are sagging from fast-food to casual sit-down chains like those of Bloomin’ Brands, the Tampa parent company of Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming’s. A University of Florida survey in late August found consumer confidence has tumbled to the lowest point of the year. Job creation among small companies was negative for the third straight month even as business owners reported a higher level of job openings they were unable to fill, according to an August report from the National Federation of Independent Business. William Dunkelberg, the NFIB’s chief economist, has repeatedly blamed “heavy-handed government mandates” for discouraging businesses from making long-term investments. State economists recently warned lawmakers and Gov. Scott there will be less money than they anticipated in next year’s budget, and the year after that will be especially tight. Earlier this summer, economists with JPMorgan Chase put the odds of a recession starting within 12 months at 37 percent, the highest point since the economic recovery began. Lenders have warned of rising delinquencies for certain credit card, student, and auto loans.
IN ZIKA-STRICKEN MIAMI, AERIAL PESTICIDE SPRAY ADDS TO FEARS via Jason Dearen and Jennifer Kay of The Associated Press — No assurances from health officials would calm some 200 people packing a Miami Beach City Commission meeting … They cursed elected officials and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for mixed messages about aerial spraying over South Beach and refusing to detail all locations where adult mosquitoes have been isolated with the virus … Some argued the mild flu-like illness that Zika causes in most people doesn’t warrant aggressive pesticide use, even booing a doctor presenting evidence of Zika-related birth defects to city commissioners. “I don’t want to be sprayed with pesticides for what I believe is a hoax,” said Kiro Ace, a graphic designer who was shirtless but wore a gas mask as he joined protesters chanting, “If you’re going to spray, we want a say!” At issue is the use of naled, an insecticide sprayed since the 1950s for mosquito control in the U.S. It’s currently being used in Miami Beach at levels deemed safe by the CDC and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It’s banned from personal use in homes, but the EPA says there’s no evidence it causes cancer. An EPA fact sheet on naled says people exposed to high concentrations can experience nausea, dizziness and confusion. At extremely high concentrations it can be fatal. Ten naled-related calls have been reported to the Florida Poison Control Information Network since Aug. 1, but there’s no confirmation of any pesticide exposure or illness, Florida Department of Health spokeswoman Mara Gambineri said in an email. Not everyone in the community agreed that naled should be ruled out, and officials confirmed a fifth mosquito was found with Zika in the same area of Miami Beach.
THE GULF’S DEADLY HARVEST via Sally Kestin of the South Florida Sun Sentinel — Raw oysters kill one person a month in the United States. Lawmakers know how to stop this, but won’t … more than 700 people in the United States since 1989 [became] seriously ill from deadly bacteria found in raw oysters from the Gulf of Mexico. Nearly half died. Other foodborne illnesses sicken far more people, but none is as lethal. Vibrio vulnificus causes excruciating pain as the infection eats through skin and muscle, often leading to amputations and death within days. Food safety authorities know how to prevent this. California in 2003 prohibited the sale of raw Gulf oysters in the warm, high-risk months of April through October unless they’ve been treated to kill the bacteria. Since then, just one death has been linked to raw oysters in that state. But when food regulators tried to require treatment of Gulf oysters nationwide, the industry and its allies in Congress quickly defeated the effort. They said the expense would devastate the oyster business. Those who become seriously ill or die, they said, are chronically ill people who should know better than to eat raw oysters. The industry agreed to practices that have reduced serious illnesses, but it continues to reject the only strategy that has been proven to prevent deaths caused by raw oysters. Instead, policymakers created regulations that have been difficult to enforce and still leave consumers vulnerable, the Sun Sentinel found. In Florida, oyster harvesters and dealers who violate those rules face minor penalties, if any, even when someone dies … The Gulf now produces almost as many oysters in the high-risk warm months as it does in the winter. About half are destined for the raw market … “The more you harvested oysters in the summer, the more people were exposed,” said Anita Wright, a biologist at the University of Florida who studies the bacteria.
INSURANCE WILL COST MORE; REGULATORS APPROVE CITIZENS RATE HIKE via Nancy Dahlberg of the Miami Herald – The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation announced that its commissioner, David Altmaier, has approved a range of rate increases for policyholders of state-run Citizens Property Insurance. Rates for multi-peril homeowners policies, the most common line, will rise 6.4 percent on average, just under the 6.8 percent average rate increase sought by Citizens. Areas of Miami-Dade and Broward will see increases between 9.1 and 9.9 percent. Citizens is the largest insurer in South Florida. The latest rate increase was spurred by a sharp increase in rising water-related claims tied to “assignment of benefits,” Citizens said. That is when homeowners in need of repairs, often for water damage such as from a broken pipe, assign responsibility for the repair to contractors to pursue payments from insurance companies. This spike in water-related claims was originally centered on South Florida but has spread, insurers say. Property insurers statewide, including Citizens, wanted the Legislature to restrict the practice, which they say has been ripe for fraud and increased litigation. Often the damage has already been repaired before insurers are contacted, making it hard to determine the validity of claims. Contractors and attorneys have said assignment of benefits lets them more quickly make repairs. In response to the spike in claims, Citizens also recently made changes in the terms of its policies. “The 2017 rates reflect the growing challenge of rising water loss claims and the disturbing increased costs associated with assignment of benefits,” Citizens president Barry Gilway said in a statement. “Unless the legislature takes action, our policyholders can expect these increases for years to come.”
SINKHOLE LEAKS FERTILIZER PLANT’S WATER INTO FLORIDA AQUIFER via The Associated Press — More than 200 million gallons of contaminated waste water from a fertilizer plant in central Florida leaked into one of the state’s main underground sources of drinking water after a massive sinkhole opened up beneath a storage pond. Mosaic … said the hole opened up beneath a pile of waste material called a “gypsum stack.” The 215-million-gallon storage pond sat atop the waste mineral pile … the sinkhole is about 45 feet in diameter. Mosaic says it’s monitoring groundwater and has found no off-site impacts. The company said it’s working to recover the water. The Polk County phosphate plant is still running.
FEA LAWSUIT SADDENS A LOYAL ALUMNUS via Ron Sachs for the Tallahassee Democrat — I am proud to have served as the communications director for the Florida Education Association — the Florida teachers union — from 1990 to 1992. That’s why I remain stunned and so saddened by the union’s misguided lawsuit to kill the successful corporate tax credit scholarship program. This program helps over 90,000 poor, mostly minority children attend schools that better suit their needs. The average household income of scholarship families is $24,000; over 60 percent are from single-parent homes. These students were the worst performers in their public schools but are now making solid, consistent academic progress. The lawsuit’s lack of merit caused a Leon County Circuit Court judge to toss it out — and so did the 1st District Court of Appeal. But the FEA announced last week it would gasp its last breath by appealing to the Florida Supreme Court … this program is no threat. Opposing it with such venom dilutes the power, prestige and profile of the statewide teachers’ union. This is not about some abstract, forced ideological principle on the union banner. It’s about real children who will suffer major consequences if these scholarships — their success lifeline — are taken away. The 1st District Court of Appeal found the union’s claims of financial harm to public schools were totally unfounded. Independent studies have concluded the program doesn’t take a single dollar from public schools. In fact, it’s saving hundreds of millions of dollars that can be re-invested in public schools. Union leaders should see that the program frees teachers to focus on the overall success of their class by removing students who require special attention in a unique learning environment. If FEA succeeds in its narrow, cynical argument, will they or some other plaintiff apply the same flawed principle to the McKay and Gardiner vouchers — and even to Florida’s voluntary prekindergarten vouchers? In all of these programs, parents use taxpayer funds to pay tuition at private, faith-based schools. Another suit already targets the McKay program using the FEA’s flimsy legal theory.
WHO WATCHES THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING WATCHMEN? via Florida Politics — Lloyd Boggio, once head of the affordable-housing developer Carlisle Development Group in Miami, copped a plea rather than face the full extent of the accusations against him. Those accusations are that he was one of several people who schemed to “pad construction costs of rental apartments (for lower-income residents) to generate higher government-issued tax credits for (the company) and its investors” … In other words, both a heist on Uncle Sam and the poorest among us. Boggio now faces sentencing on just one count of money-laundering, with sentencing guidelines suggesting seven to nine years in the pokey. But this isn’t just a story about some private company’s wrongdoing. It also raises questions about the state government watchdog that was supposed to prevent frauds like this in the first place. Federal court filings lay out prosecutors’ case against Boggio, which he short-circuited by pleading guilty. During his CEO days, in which Boggio served as a consultant, the company “built several low-income housing developments in Miami-Dade County and elsewhere,” according to court records. Carlisle would apply for federal tax credits, and for grants through the Florida Housing Finance Corp. (FHFC) to pay for the building costs … Here is the nub of what is so gear-grinding about FHFC and its executive director, Steve Auger, a former social worker: They’re supposed to be the steward of both state and federal affordable housing money. The corporation oversees all of the transactions, including the ones that were the subject of the Boggio and others’ investigation. FHFC, which has substantial staff, isn’t just the “administrator” of Florida’s affordable housing programs, they’re also the regulators, in a sense … Did Auger or others at FHFC know about it and whiff — or were they all asleep at the wheel? Now that the criminal side of this fiasco is coming to a close, the legislative side needs to ramp up by asking: Who is responsible?
UNLOCKED: RICK SCOTT MOVES OPEN GOVERNMENT OFFICE via The Associated Press — Scott is moving the Office of Open Government to a place where members of the public can still reach it … the office will be relocated to the 16th floor of the state Capitol building from its current location near Scott’s executive offices … renovations had placed the open government office behind a locked door that is accessible by employees only. The Office of Open Government is supposed to respond to public records requests. Florida taxpayers paid nearly $153,000 for renovations to the reception area outside of Scott’s office. State officials say the changes, which include placing bulletproof material in the reception desk, were prompted by security concerns.
ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: Gov. Scott will be at the San Paul Gallery Wynwood, 2520 NW 2nd Ave in Miami at 8:15 a.m. Scott is scheduled to visit Wynwood where the remaining Zika zone is expected to be lifted after 45 days of no ongoing active transmissions. Scott will then attend a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m. at Embraer, 1600 Armstrong Drive in Titusville.
ENTERPRISE FLORIDA PRESIDENT SEARCH DOWN TO FIVE NAMES via Florida Politics – They are Christine Adamow, Richard Biter, Reid Dulberger, Michael Finney, and Michael McGee … The committee, chaired by Gulf Power Company chief Stan Connally, plans on holding phone interviews and paring that list down some more. Enterprise Florida board members then will make their pick at their board meeting on Sept. 28-29 … Alan Becker, EFI board vice chair, earlier this week said he expects only a handful of applicants will meet the agency’s needs: knowledge of economic development, organizational leadership, and experience working with the Legislature. Gov. Scott and the EFI board have agreed to streamline operations of the 20-year-old agency, including eliminating jobs, closing international offices, and canceling contracts with outside consultants. The next president will be paid $175,000-$200,000 per year, down from Johnson’s salary of $265,000. The agency’s head also serves as Florida’s Secretary of Commerce.
JOE NEGRON UPENDS SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE STAFF IN EFFORT TO CUSHION ANY ‘LOYALTY GAPS’ via Mary Ellen Klas of the Miami Herald — The biggest turnover will occur in the Appropriations Committee, where nearly every high-level staff director has been moved out. In May, Negron announced he would replace Appropriations Staff Director Cindy Kynoch with Mike Hansen … a legislative veteran and former budget aide to Gov. Jeb Bush, is currently CEO of the Florida Council for Community Mental Health in Tallahassee … Sharon Bradford, deputy staff director, has moved to the Agency for State Technology. Ross McSwain, general counsel for the committee, is moving to become staff director at the Regulated Industries Committee. He is replaced by Joe McVaney, former staff director of the Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability. Jamie Deloach, head of general government appropriations, is leaving to take a senior position at the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. She will be replaced by Gino Betta, who has worked in the Senate for the last six years, including under Deloach. He is the husband of Katie Betta. Scarlet Pigott, staff director of Health and Human Services Appropriations, has moved to the Florida House. Phil Williams, formerly at the Agency for Health Care Administration, will head the HHS subcommittee. Phillip Miller, who had previously been head of Tourism, Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations, will move to the Senate Transportation Committee … The TTED subcommittee will be led by Teddi Pitts, who previously has been staff director at the House Economic Affairs Committee. Tim Sadberry will remain as director of Civil and Criminal Justice Appropriations where he served when Negron was chairman last session. Sadberry will also assume the role of deputy staff director of the full committee. Also staying is Tim Elwell, who will remain as staff director of the Education Appropriations Subcommittee.
NEW LOBBYING REGISTRATIONS
Erika Alba: Foley & Lardner: Institute of Hazardous Material Management
Brian Ballard, Syl Lukis, Wanly Walters, Ballard Partners: Teamster’s Local 2011
Paul Bradshaw, Southern Strategy Group: Rails to Trails Conservancy
Matt Brockelman, Deno Hicks, Southern Strategy Group: Phosphorus Free Water Solutions, LLC
Taylor Biehl, Capitol Alliance Group: Penta5USA (Click here for an interesting story about Biehl’s new client)
Chip Case: Tableau Software
Chris Dudley, Paul Mitchell, Southern Strategy Group: Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County; EGIS Insurance and Risk Advisors
Mathew Forrest, Ballard Partners: Bequest, Inc.
Ron Greenstein: CellMark Biopharma
Paul Hawkes, Tim Stanfield, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney: Dosal Tobacco Corporation
Nick Iarossi, Jen Gaviria, Ron LaFace, Scott Ross, Capital City Consulting: Electric Guard Dog, LLC
Tamela Perdue: Centene
Woody Simmons: The Able Trust
ORLANDO PR FIRM INSIDE ADVANTAGE OPENS UP OFFICE IN NEW YORK via Larry Griffin of Orlando Rising — They’ll be opening an office in Midtown Manhattan that will serve as a home for the agency’s northeastern clients. Formed in 2015, Inside Advantage specializes in media relations and crisis management for law firms, hedge funds, and wealth management firms. Inside Advantage President Jonathan Beaton said the expansion is “long overdue.”
PERSONNEL NOTE: THOMAS GRIFFIN JOINS SMITH, BRYAN & MYERS via Florida Politics — Griffin, a former chief of staff to state Sen. Rob Bradley, is joining the Tallahassee lobbying firm. “Tom has earned a reputation as a trusted and respected voice with key stakeholders throughout Florida,” said Matt Bryan, the firm’s president. Griffin previously served in both public and private government relations positions. He has worked extensively on issues related to health care, criminal justice, education, insurance and finance. “He has excelled at developing relationships with key decision makers throughout the governmental arena,” a press release said. Griffin also has managed campaigns and was instrumental in fundraising efforts for political races in the state. A graduate of Florida State University, Griffin lives in Tallahassee with his wife, Shannon.
PERSONNEL NOTE: SHARON SMOLEY LEAVES DISNEY FOR CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — Charter Communications is the new entity created when Charter Spectrum completed its $71 billion acquisitions of Bright House Networks and Time Warner Cable earlier this summer. Smoley will be managing the newly combined company’s Florida government affairs team, including some staying on from Bright House. “We are excited to have Sharon come on board and we are looking forward to the positive impact she will have on our business,” said Marva Johnson, vice president of state government affairs in the South Region for Charter Communications. Disney has not yet replaced her. Smoley currently serves as chair of the board of directors for the Kissimmee/Osceola Chamber of Commerce and serves as a board member of BusinessForce and the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association’s Political Action Committee.
POLICE UNION ASKS DEPUTIES TO NOT ESCORT DOLPHINS UNTIL PLAYERS STAND FOR ANTHEM via the Miami Herald – The controversial protest by Miami Dolphins players to not stand during the national anthem took another turn as Broward County’s deputies take a stand of their own against the hometown team. “We’ve asked the deputies and the Broward Sheriff’s Office not to do the details anymore,” said Jeffery Bell, the president of the International Union of Police Associations, Local 6020. The union is asking for team-sponsored police escorts to stop until the team forces players to stand for the anthem. “I respect their right to have freedom of speech. However, in certain organizations and certain jobs you give up that right of your freedom of speech temporary while you serve that job or while you play in an NFL game,” Bell said.
TWEET OF THE WEEKEND: @DeionSanders: What? @floridastate it aint April & I aint no fool. This is ridiculous. Truly unacceptable! #Truth
