Peter Schorsch
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Good news for a change out of Tallahassee: AFSCME Florida, the public workers’ union, today announced a $5,000 donation to help those hurt by Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana.
“The donation to the non-profit AFSCME Fallen Heroes Fund will provide relief and immediate assistance to those who have fallen victim to this natural disaster,” it said in a release.
“Floridians know all too well that once the winds and rain stops the hardest work, putting your life back together, really begins,” said AFSCME Florida executive director Andy Madtes in a statement.
“Public services, and those who provide them, will be stretched thin for months, even years, to come. That is what we are joining our national organization and local affiliates in raising whatever resources we can to help,” he said.
For instance, AFSCME correctional officers helped evacuate roughly 5,000 prisoners.
“Members of HOPE (Houston Organization of Public Employees, AFSCME Local 123) are doing heroic work with their fire and police colleagues, rescuing flooded families and delivering clean water,” the release said.
To donate to AFSCME’s Fallen Heroes Fund, click here.
Evening Reads
“Donald Trump link may have helped swing St. Pete race” via Dara Kam of the News Service of Florida
“Rick Scott, Visit Florida CEO rally tourism professionals at Hollywood conference” via Arlene Satchell of the Sun-Sentinel
“Prosecutors run out of time to charge former David Rivera” via Patricia Mazzei of the Miami Herald
“Florida will again consider college financial aid boost” via The Associated Press
“Inspector general: Tri-Rail contract awarded using separate procurement process” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida
“Brian Ballard’s Washington firm lands another big lobbying contract” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“Port Everglades Chief Executive/Port Director Steven Cernak elected Chairman of Florida Ports Council” via Allison Nielsen of Sunshine State News
“New Uber CEO: We’re not going public next year” via Dan Primack of Axios
Quote of the Day
“One Chinese observation is: ‘Before the soldiers march and the bugles sound, information warfare is already underway.’ ” —Dean Cheng, the Heritage Foundation’s Senior Research Fellow for Asian Studies, at a Wednesday town hall in Tallahassee on Chinese intellectual property theft.
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Wake Up Early
Congressman Ted Deutch, the Democrat who represents the 22nd Congressional District, is slated to hold a Town Hall in Palm Beach County. The event is 10:30 a.m. at the Mae Volen Center, 1515 West Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton.
After its summer break, the Supreme Court of Florida is scheduled to resume issuing weekly opinions. That’s at 11 a.m.; the court’s opinions page on its website is here.
The Board of Governors of the State University System is expected to vote tomorrow on its $5.1 billion Legislative Budget Request (LBR) for the 2018-19 fiscal year. Gov. Scott uses the LBRs to come up with his proposed budget to the Legislature each year. The meeting is 11:15 a.m. at the University of Florida, in Presidents Ballroom B, Emerson Alumni Hall, 1938 West University Ave., Gainesville. It also will be live-streamed on The Florida Channel.
A “Governor’s Veterans Service Award” ceremony is scheduled to honor veterans in Brevard County. Sen. Debbie Mayfield, a Rockledge Republican, is expected to join Gov. Scott at the event. That’s at 1:30 p.m. in the National Guard Armory, 1889 Stewart Road, Melbourne.
State Rep. Daisy Baez, a Coral Gables Democrat, will hold a Town Hall to update constituents on what happened in the 2017 Legislative Session and Special Session, including the budget, education, health care, and local projects. Thursday’s meeting is 6:30 p.m. in West Miami City Hall, 901 SW 62nd Ave., West Miami.
State Sen. Denise Grimsley, a Lake Placid Republican running for state Agriculture Commissioner, will campaign tomorrow night at the Hardee County Republican Party Reagan Day Dinner, 6:30 p.m. at Florida’s First Assembly of God, Family Life Center, 1397 S. Florida Ave., Wauchula.
