Peter Schorsch
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
State Sen. Lauren Book, the parents of Florida salute you for your commitment to public potty equality for tots.
Book, a Plantation Democrat and new mother of twins, has filed legislation encouraging the state’s restaurants to install baby changing tables.
Her bill (SB 236) would offer eateries a tax credit against the cost of the stations, up to two per restaurant.
The tax credit “is equal to the actual cost of the baby changing table, not including the cost of installation, or $300, whichever is less,” the bill says.
Last Call doesn’t usually take sides, but we are up on this idea. The bill should cheer any parent who’s had to change a dirty diaper in a restaurant restroom while balancing a baby on one knee.
Evening Reads
“Rick Scott reassigns two more murder cases from Aramis Ayala” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
“Can Gwen Graham end GOP dominance in Florida’s governor race?” via Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times
“Jimmy Patronis will decide on 2018 run in ‘next 30 days’” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics
“Jack Seiler delays decision on running for attorney general or county commission” via Anthony Man of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel
“State fires two after missing FEMA deadline for help from Hurricane Matthew” via Arek Sarkissian of the Tallahassee Democrat
“Tri-Rail expansion along Miami coast is halted for now over who would run the train” via Douglas Hanks of the Miami Herald
“Letting teen students sleep in could be $9 billion boost for Florida economy, study says” via Kyra Gurney of the Miami Herald
“How Apple is changing facial recognition with the next iPhone” via Ina Fried of Axios
Quote of the Day
“State Attorney (Aramis) Ayala … unilaterally decided to not stand on the side of victims and their families, which is completely sickening.” — Gov. Rick Scott, a Naples Republican, responding to the Florida Supreme Court’s decision Thursday to uphold his reassignment of death-penalty eligible cases from Orange County’s elected chief prosecutor. Ayala, a Democrat, had said she would not seek capital punishment in any case.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early
Rep. Al Jacquet is hosting a “Hurricane Harvey Supply Drive” with the Clergy Alliance of Palm Beach County, the Urban League of Palm Beach County, and the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County. It will be 8 p.m. Friday at the Calvary Community Church, 1109 N. Australian Ave., West Palm Beach. Trucks will be departing with supplies on Sept. 7, a release said.
The Commission on Ethics Legislative Committee meets next Tuesday at 9 a.m., 325 John Knox Rd., Building E, Suite 200, Tallahassee. Action items include “Report on progress since last meeting” and “Discussion of next actions to take.”
The Office of Greenways and Trails will begin taking public comment next week in a series of “open houses” regarding the draft 2018-2022 Florida Greenways and Trails System Plan. The first one is next Tuesday at 4 p.m., at the Jackson County Citizens Lodge, 4574 Lodge Drive, Marianna.
Rep. Wengay “Newt” Newton, a St. Petersburg Democrat, hosts the grand opening of his Manatee County office next Tuesday. It’s scheduled for 5:30-7:30 p.m., at 6497 Parkland Drive, Sarasota. “There will be refreshments, light hors d’oeuvres and great conversations,” he said in a release.
Winter Park businessman and Democratic candidate for governor Chris King will attend a series of campaign events over the Labor Day weekend, with the Broward County AFL-CIO Annual Labor Ball slated for Saturday, visiting Broward churches on Sunday, and the North Broward Democratic Club’s Labor Day Picnic on Monday.
Former congresswoman and Democratic candidate for governor Gwen Graham also will attend the Broward AFL-CIO Labor Ball, appear on This Week in South Florida on Sunday, and on Monday she’ll also be at the North Broward picnic.
