Peter Schorsch
A prime-time look at what’s going down in Florida politics.
— First Shot —
Now that Gov. Scott has announced his 2018 campaign for U.S. Senate … er, um, disclosed his plan for a constitutional amendment on tax increases, the questions have started on what it really means.
The Naples Republican “will propose an amendment to Florida’s Constitution during the upcoming legislative session to require a supermajority vote by future Florida legislatures to raise any taxes or fees,” his press release said. “… More details of the Governor’s proposal will be made available in the coming weeks.”
Associated Press Tallahassee scribe Gary Fineout began fast and furious with his own puzzlement.
“Scott has yet to say how big a supermajority should be required in #FLLeg for tax/fee hike,” he tweeted. “Nor does he define it.”
Later, Fineout noted, “As @FLGovScott pushes for supermajority to prevent tax/fee hikes — some history. In 09, motorist fee hike passed > than 2/3 vote in House … that’s because Democrats voted against it — Fla Republicans in 09 voted for the motorist tax/fee hike … including @JimmyPatronis,” then a state representative, now Scott’s appointee as state CFO.
Challenged that “legislators at the time said they had to increase fees to close budget hole during recession,” Fineout replied, “Just noting the ramifications of Scott’s policy initiative.”
And state Sen. Jeff Clemens, a Lake Worth Democrat, weighed in with his own tweet: “Governor Scott’s supermajority proposal on tax increases should apply to tax cuts, too.”
— Evening Reads —
“National GOP slams Bill Nelson on Cuba, Venezuela in Spanish-language radio ad” via George Bennett of the Palm Beach Post
“Governor wants tax measure on next year’s ball” via The Associated Press
“Family behind the villages gives Rick Scott super PAC $100,000” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“Committee backing felon rights amendment adds $500K in July” via Florida Politics
“Email shows Larry Ahern disagreed with law he drafted” via Mark Puente of the Tampa Bay Times
“State troopers get time off for writing tickets — that’s wrong, too” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
“FIU won’t be conducting a controversial Airbnb study paid for by the hotel industry” via Chabeli Herrera of the Miami Herald
“Money flows in special election to replace Eric Eisnaugle” via the News Service of Florida
— Quote of the Day —
“I’m not going to parse the president’s words, but here’s what I’ll say: It’s evil. It’s horrible. I don’t believe in racism; I don’t believe in bigotry … I believe that the KKK, white supremacists, neo-Nazis, they don’t belong in our society.” — Gov. Scott, speaking Monday after being asked about President Trump’s initially tepid response to a white nationalist rally that turned deadly in Charlottesville, Virginia this weekend.
— Bill Day’s Latest —
— Breakthrough Insights —
— Wake Up Early? —
Tomorrow is Election Day in Central Florida. Voters will decide which of the four GOP candidates — Usha Jain, John Newstreet, Robert Olszewski or Bruno Portigliatti — will be on the ballot in the Oct. 10 general election for Orange County’s HD 44. Lone Democratic candidate Paul Chandler will get to take the day off.
Tuesday also brings updated estimates on the state’s general revenue fund from the Revenue Estimating Conference when it meets at 9 a.m. in the Knott Building. GR is used to fund many programs, and Florida lobbyists worth their salt clamor to get their clients a slice of it every legislative session.
Plenty of state lawmakers will show at events throughout the day.
Sen. Bill Montford, and Reps. Halsey Beshears and Ramon Alexander of the Leon County delegation will spend the morning in Hosford for an announcement on the “Gulf to Gadsden Freight Logistics Zone”; Rep. Michael Bileca will speak to the Old Cutler Republican Women’s Club in Miami; Sen. Aaron Bean will wrap up the 2017 Session for the Rotary Club of San Jose; Reps. Julio Gonzalez and Joe Gruters will speak to the NOVA Republican Club in Nokomis; Sen. Dorothy Hukill will make a presentation to the Port Orange City Council.
Tuesday’s 2018 watch is the Leon County Republican Party’s Reagan Day Barbecue, where GOP gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam is expected to make one of his first campaign appearances since Senate Appropriations Chair Jack Latvala filed paperwork to challenge him in the primary. The party will be held at 620 Cody Church Road, Monticello, starting at 5:30 p.m.
Assignment editors — On Tuesday, Gov. Scott will announce Florida tourism numbers for the first half of 2017 at a 10 a.m. media event at The Florida Aquarium Mosaic Center East Room (Second Floor), 701 Channelside Dr. in Tampa. Florida welcomed an all-time high of 112 million visitors in 2016 and 31.1 million visitors in the first quarter of this year.
