Peter Schorsch
Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.
By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Mitch Perry and Jim Rosica.
As Florida politics barrels towards Labor Day weekend and the end of Summer, the three announced Democrats running for governor will appear today at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches.
Gwen Graham and Chris King continue to methodically campaign for their party’s nomination, one five-thousand dollar contribution at a time. While both have spent the Summer criss-crossing the state, it’s the two behemoths still on the sidelines who have dominated the headlines. John Morgan and Phil Levine continue to flirt with entering the race, the former in between vacations to Colorado and other cooler destinations. Both men could write a check for more than what either Graham and King can raise, so they haven’t had to spend June and July at possum festivals and such.
As for the other Democrat in the race, Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum, his supporters will tell you about how he has earned the most name recognition by speaking out on the race issues driving the news cycle. They will tell you about how Gillum still has the most individual donors to his campaign. They will tell you that Gillum’s progressive stands have him best positioned for the Democratic primary. But all of that won’t matter a lick if the FBI probe engulfing the capital city continues to ensnare Gillum’s campaign. It’s been six weeks since a contribution has been made to his political committee. Meanwhile, the headlines out of Tallahassee get worse and worse for Gillum.
Graham and King may be reluctant to take Gillum on out of fear of alienating the black vote that would be up for grabs if Gillum’s campaign were to come to an end. But today’s forum at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts represents the last chance this Summer for either of them to distinguish themselves.
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— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL —
“FBI arranged outings for Andrew Gillum, others during NYC trip” via Jeff Burlew of the Tallahassee Democrat – The FBI may have tried to entice Gillum through one of his close friends to see a Broadway show, catch a Mets game and stay at a hotel in New York City as part of its investigation into alleged public corruption in Tallahassee. Gillum, who had room reservations elsewhere, won’t say if he stayed at or visited the Millennium Hotel in downtown Manhattan, where an FBI agent posing as a developer had arranged rooms for him and others. He also won’t say if he attended the Broadway blockbuster “Hamilton” or went to the baseball game. Gillum’s responses on the trip have evolved over the past week. Acting on information from sources close to the investigation, the Democrat asked Gillum Aug. 19 about the “Hamilton” show and Mets game and specifically who paid for the tickets. “I have no knowledge of any of that,” Gillum replied. Gillum since has refused to give a yes or no answer on whether he took part in any of the outings, claiming that his time spent with undercover FBI agents was “personal” … “The mayor has already addressed this trip, which was personal and not for city business,” said his chief of staff Dustin Daniels in a text. “Any suggestions of wrongdoing … are just plain incorrect.”
“A simple yes or no could help clear FBI clouds for Gillum” via the Tallahassee Democrat editorial board – It’s not unusual in small- and medium-sized American cities and towns for public officials to occasionally run into awkward intersections of personal, professional and political life. What IS unusual is for 20 FBI agents to spend two years investigating a city, spending at least some of that time with public officials at those very intersections. Mayor Gillum … is one of those officials. He has spent the past few days unsuccessfully explaining the time he spent with Mike Miller and other undercover federal agents. In particular, we are referring to an August 2016 trip to the Big Apple … he spent time with undercover FBI agents who had been in Tallahassee pitching a $100 million south-side development. There is the political. But wait. Gillum claims that time to also be personal. This explanation strains credulity.
“Ron DeSantis ties himself to Donald Trump as he weighs gubernatorial run” via Alex Daugherty of the Miami Herald – “I think that there’s definitely an opening for somebody that’s got a proven record for advancing limited government,” DeSantis said in Miami after advocating for an overhaul of the nation’s tax system with Americans for Prosperity, a conservative advocacy group funded by the Koch brothers. “I think there needs to be someone with military experience in the race. There’s definitely the opening.” The Republican congressman from northeast Florida repeatedly echoed Trump during his remarks, chastising Republican senators who voted against repealing Obamacare, referring to Washington as “the swamp” and praising Trump’s decision not to support a tax on imported goods championed by House Speaker Paul Ryan as a way to fund an overhaul of the tax system. But there is one area where DeSantis differs from Trump; he wants to use the media to talk about the issues and get himself more well-known among voters. “In a Republican primary, the only way to do the state is to get on cable news and talk radio … In the last cycle, I wanted to do more media but all anyone cared about was the presidential race … You’ve got to get free media, you’ve got to get paid media and you’ve got to have an army on the ground to spread the message. It’s more difficult in this state than any other, but it can be done.”
“First fundraiser for Jack Latvala’s gubernatorial campaign set for Sept. 7 in Clearwater” via Florida Politics – The event will start at 5 p.m. at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N. McMullen Booth Road Those who didn’t get the invite in the mail but are looking to hop on the “#IBackJack” train can RSVP via 800-989-9566 or [email protected].
“Philip Levine assures Pinellas Democrats that he’s a Democrat” via William March of the Tampa Bay Times – Miami Beach mayor and likely candidate for governor Levine had a message for a gathering of Pinellas Democratic Party activists … He’s one of them. “Fought for the Democratic cause. Fought for the Democratic mission. Fought for the Democratic Party,” said the lead-in to a video he showed of highlights of his work last year as a surrogate and spokesman for Hillary Clinton for president … he doesn’t see the point of wasting time bashing Donald Trump now that Trump’s been elected – although in front of this hard-core Democratic crowd, he said it while also repeatedly bashing Trump, “a poor president who’s not going to get any better,” along with Republican state leadership. In an interview, Levine called Trump “a fraud” who “was born on the 50th floor, made it to the penthouse and has been a fraudulent businessman his entire life” … “I don’t think you create change by spending all your energy attacking the president. I’d rather spend my energy on Florida.”
“Twitter battle in the GOP primary for governor is on” via Gary White of the Lakeland Ledger – First came a series of attack tweets aimed at Latvala … made under the Twitter handle “Liberal J. Latvala.” Then, a newly created Twitter account using the name Conservative Watch put out a tweet disparaging … Adam Putnam, as a “career politician for more than 20 years.” The tweet from Conservative Watch discounted the notion that Putnam is involved in the family business. “Adam Putnam wants you to think he’s a citrus farmer — but for 21 yrs he’s farmed campaign cash from special interests,” the tweet read. Conservative Watch swiped at House Speaker Richard Corcoran … The tweet called Corcoran a “friend of crony capitalism.” Given those two targets of attack, it’s easy to “triangulate” that someone connected to Latvala is behind the Conservative Watch tweets … The anti-Latvala Twitter campaign is aligned with a website (www.liberaljacklatvala.com) run by a longtime Putnam supporter … a political committee called United Conservatives for Florida, which lists as its chairman 20-year-old Skylar Lee Frey. Frey’s voter registration address is a Sarasota home owned by Mac Stevenson, who has been involved with Putnam’s political activities since at least 1996.
Jimmy Patronis may not be running for CFO but he sure does seem to like people talking about whether he’ll run. Patronis’ political committee, Treasure Florida, sent an “in case you missed it” email to supporters this week, highlighting a news story that Gov. Scott would back Patronis if he runs in 2018. “If he is going to run … if he runs, I’m going to be a big supporter,” Scott said after an event in Tampa last Friday. “I’ll do everything I can to make sure he wins.” The committee is chaired by Tim Cerio, Scott’s former general counsel and now ‘of counsel‘ to GrayRobinson’s Tallahassee office. He also is one of Scott’s appointments to the Florida Constitution Revision Commission. At the bottom of the email was, of course, a “Contribute Online” button.
“Gambling control amendment closing in on 200K signatures” via Florida Politics – A proposed constitutional amendment aimed at limiting gambling’s expansion in the state is now getting closer to 200,000 signatures. Division of Elections records show the “Voter Control of Gambling” amendment now has 172,754 verified signatures toward getting on the 2018 statewide ballot. Ultimately, it needs 766,200 signatures for ballot placement. The amendment would “ensure that Florida voters shall have the exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling,” the ballot summary says.
“Effort to restore felons’ voting rights gains momentum” via Zac Anderson of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune – Fueled by a $5 million contribution from the American Civil Liberties Union, a coalition of various activist groups is working to gather enough signatures to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would automatically restore voting rights for most felons — murderers and sex offenders excluded — after they complete the terms of their sentence. The effort already has cleared a number of important hurdles, including gathering enough signatures for a state Supreme Court review that determined the amendment is legally permissible. With paid signature gatherers joining the volunteer effort earlier this month, organizers say they are optimistic they will meet the requirement of gathering 766,200 signatures by Feb. 1. But that’s a tight deadline, and even if the measure makes it on the ballot, there is growing resistance to seeing it become law. A conservative Tampa lawyer recently established a nonprofit group that is dedicated to fighting the ballot measure, and some leading Republicans are wary of the initiative. Florida is one of just three states that revokes felons’ voting rights for life unless they go through a clemency process. The strict system has made the state “an outlier in denying voting rights,” according to the Brennan Center.
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“First ballots in the mail for Hillsborough special elections” via the Tampa Bay Reporter – … to fill vacancies for state representative, House District 58 and Temple Terrace mayor. The ballots went to overseas and absent military voters, and on Sept. 5, ballots will go out to all domestic voters who have requested vote by mail for the election. Voters have until Oct. 4 to request that a ballot be mailed to them. Voters who don’t want to vote by mail can vote early or on Election Day, which is Oct. 10. Voters must live in the city of Temple Terrace or House District 58 to vote in this election. The special election was ordered to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Rep. Daniel Raulerson. Five candidates qualified to run: Yvonne Fry and Lawrence McClure who are both Republicans; Jose Vazquez, a Democrat; Bryan Zemina, a Libertarian; and Ahmad Hussam Saadaldin, who has no party affiliation. The Oct. 10 election will be a primary. Only Republicans will vote in the District 58 primary because no other party fielded more than one candidate. Florida has closed primaries, so voters must be registered with a party to vote in that party’s primary election. The winner of the primary will move on to the Dec. 19 special election.
“Chris Licata makes HD 69 candidacy official” via Florida Politics – Licata officially announced he’s moving his House campaign over to District 69, the southwest Pinellas County seat Rep. Kathleen Peters is giving up to run for local office. “The 69th district is where I grew up, where I attended middle and high school, where I spent my weekends on Johns Pass, where I held my first job washing dishes at the Thunderbird Hotel, in-short it is where my roots still run deep,” Licata said. “I am running for the State House because I feel it is a matter of civic duty to protect our beaches, do more for our veterans, and continue to grow our economy.” Licata initially filed to run in HD 62 at the end of July, held by House Minority Leader Janet Cruz, but he sent a letter to the Florida Division of Elections earlier this month switching his campaign over to HD 69. In the Aug. 9 letter Licata gave elections officials the same story, writing that while HD 62 is near his “current short-term residence and hopefully long-term place of employment” he wanted to switch to HD 69 because that’s where his “roots still run deep.”
— CAPITOL INSIGHT —
“Gov. Scott deploys state resources in response to Hurricane Harvey” via Bianca Padró Ocasio of the Orlando Sentinel – “Floridians know firsthand how damaging a storm can be for families and communities, and how important it is to have the support of nearby states during these challenging times,” Scott said in a statement. Twenty-five Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, 17 high water vehicles and other vessels were on their way to Texas, the governor said. Scott added that FWC officials “have been closely monitoring this storm” from Pensacola and “working with Texas to make sure we can offer any assistance they may need.”
“Scott gets twin grandsons Louie & Jude” via Jim Turner of the News Service of Florida –“Incredibly grateful for these new beautiful & healthy members of our family – Louie & Jude. @FLAnnScott,” the governor (@FLGovScott) tweeted. The boys are the sons of Scott’s daughter, Allison and her husband, Pierre. The governor and first lady Ann Scott now have six grandsons.
“Donald Trump nominates Carlos Trujillo to United Nations post” via Patricia Mazzei of the Miami Herald – Rep. Trujillo has been tapped to serve in the United Nations … Trump nominated Trujillo to the role of representative to the U.N. general assembly. The position would make the powerful Florida House budget chief one of U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley’s four deputies. Trujillo, an attorney, would take Haley’s place in meetings and assemblies when she’s unavailable. He would also get the title of “ambassador.” His nomination has been in the works for months. Trujillo was an early Trump supporter who attended the inauguration January. He missed a budget committee hearing in April amid rumors he was in Washington, interviewing for a possible ambassadorship to Argentina or Panama. He was later said to be under consideration for an appointment to the Organization of American States.
>>>Florida Politics has learned that Trujillo plans to remain in the House while serving in the part-time U.N. post. According to Fred Piccolo, a spokesman for House Speaker Richard Corcoran, “Chairman Trujillo intends to fulfill his obligations as a state Representative thru the end of the 2018 Legislative Session.”
“Richard Corcoran wants answers from local tourism agencies on spending” via Arek Sarkissian of the Tallahassee Democrat – Speaker Corcoran wants a dozen tourism offices to show how they spent more than $550 million in locally collected taxpayer dollars after they stepped away from VISIT FLORIDA to avoid new transparency rules … Corcoran sent letters to the 12 tourism development councils, saying he believes they severed partnerships with VISIT FLORIDA to avoid disclosing how they spend taxpayer dollars. But the House still has the authority to review them. A state economic report shows the 12 councils received $585.3 million in locally collected bed taxes last year. The largest was was Visit Orlando, which received more than $245.6 million. “Rather than following VISIT FLORIDA’s lead and embrace the financial transparency and accountability measures currently in use by VISIT FLORIDA, Visit Orlando has instead opted to remove itself from partnership agreements with VISIT FLORIDA in a vain effort to hide taxpayer-financed activities from the public,” Corcoran wrote. “The fact that Visit Orlando is so concerned about what this financial information would reveal is further evidence that immediate oversight is necessary.”
“Law firm selected in HB 7069 lawsuit” via Eryn Dion of the Panama City News-Herald – Franklin Harrison, attorney for Bay District Schools, said the coalition has selected Chicago law firm Husch Blackwell to represent them, with attorney John Borkowski taking the lead. Harrison said Borkowski is well-known in Florida and is a “school lawyer’s school lawyer.” One hiccup, Harrison said, is Borkowski is not admitted to practice law in Florida. While handling litigation in the state, Harrison said his firm, Harrison Sale McCloy, will represent the school boards and handle the work for free. “I felt it was incredibly important to do whatever is necessary in Florida,” Harrison said, adding he was “glad” and “proud” to do it. Bay District Schools was the third school district to join the lawsuit a month ago. Since then, Miami-Dade, Lee, Martin, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Volusia and others have joined on, representing more than a million students. Numerous other counties, including Orange and Pinellas, are set to make decisions soon on whether they will jump on board.
“Associated Press announces pre-session meeting lineup” via Florida Politics – The AP’s annual pre-Legislative Session planning meeting and preview will be Nov. 2, with Gov. Scott again the lead speaker, the news service announced. Scott has used the meeting to release his yearly proposed state budget. Other speakers who have confirmed their attendance include Senate President Joe Negron, Adam Putnam, Speaker Richard Corcoran, and Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala.
Tweet, tweet:
#MayweatherVsMcGregor pic.twitter.com/3ubcA9FxFX
— Wilton Simpson (@WiltonSimpson) August 27, 2017
Tweet, tweet:
In Taiwan, Rep. Jacquet starting a trend lettuce for breakfast! #Kaohsiung pic.twitter.com/ofDk8echUg
— emily slosberg (@EmilySlosberg) August 26, 2017
Happening today – State Sen. Gary Farmer of Fort Lauderdale will hold a town-hall meeting on legislative issues beginning 9:30 a.m. at Century Village, 3501 West Dr. in Deerfield Beach.
Happening tonight – State Sen. Audrey Gibson of Jacksonville will be holding hold a community meeting to discuss legislative issues. Meeting begins 6 p.m. at the Florida State College at Jacksonville, Downtown Campus auditorium, 101 West State St. in Jacksonville.
Happening tonight – State Sen. Aaron Bean of Fernandina Beach will speak to the Republican Club of West Jacksonville. Event begins 6 p.m. at the Harvest Time Church of God, 4502 Old Middleburg Road in Jacksonville.
Assignment editors – State Sen. Victor Torres and state Reps. Carlos Guillermo Smith, Amy Mercado and John Cortes will hold a “Dreamer Dinner” with Florida immigrants to discuss the benefits of the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the risks if the program is revoked. Event begins 7 p.m. at the Castaways Sports Bar & Grill, Suite 102, 504 North Alafaya Lane in Orlando.
— STATEWIDE —
This is a big deal – “Supreme Court orders argument in judicial appointments case” via Florida Politics – The Florida Supreme Court will hear oral argument in the case against Gov. Scott over whether he has the authority to appoint three new justices on the last day of his term. The court on Friday set argument for 9 a.m. Nov. 1. Progressive groups are battling Scott over whether he can replace the three liberal-leaning justices, R. Fred Lewis, Barbara Pariente and Peggy A. Quince, who will be retiring in early 2019. Scott has said he plans to name their replacements the morning of his last day in office, Jan. 8. His attorneys have argued that their age-mandated retirements also will become effective Jan. 8. The League of Women Voters of Florida (LWVF) and Common Cause counter that Scott can’t replace those justices because he’ll be out of office earlier on the same day they retire, and their final judicial terms last till midnight.
“Unregistered charities case against Pam Bondi back in court” via Florida Politics – An Orlando entrepreneur is now demanding a jury trial in his suit against Attorney General Pam Bondi, in which he claims she forces businesses to donate millions of dollars to unregistered charities as part of settlements in consumer protection cases. John D. Smith, who invented Storm Stoppers plastic panels, marketed as a “plywood alternative” to protect windows during storms, filed papers this week in Leon County Circuit Civil court. He had been investigated on a consumer fraud allegation by Bondi’s office in 2015. Another filing by Smith said Bondi “should have at least affirmatively stated that her exercise of powers comports with Florida law.” The next hearing in the matter is set for today (Monday).
“Bankruptcy settlement costs begin hitting Republican Party of Florida” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida – Two years after Gov. Scott disavowed the Florida GOP, a legal fight that engulfed his former top moneyman is just now hitting the cash-strapped party. The legal expenses are another in a line of divisive beefs between Scott and Republican Party of Florida Chairman Blaise Ingoglia, who blames the costs on decisions Scott made when he was party leader. The issue is tied to the fall of Akshay Desai … The Indian-American doctor built his wealth through the quick ascent of Universal Health Care, a St. Petersburg-based insurer that won contracts to serve Medicare and Medicaid patients in some Florida counties. In February 2012, after making nearly half million dollars in contributions to the RPOF, Desai was named by Scott to be RPOF’s finance director. Exactly one year later, the behind-the-scenes collapse of his insurance empire came into view after it filed for bankruptcy. In December 2014, as part of those proceedings, the court-appointed trustee went after nearly $700,000 in political and charitable contributions the company made in the years leading up to its collapse. That decision put many Florida political players and institutions in the crosshairs, but no group more than RPOF, which received roughly $800,000 in contributions directly from Desai and his companies over the years.
“Report: Florida agency spent $100,000-plus on own employees instead of helping homeowners” via Susan Taylor Martin of the Tampa Bay Times – That was among the findings of a report by the special inspector general for the Trouble Asset Relief Program (TARP), which was started after the Great Recession. As thousands of people waited for financial aid to save their homes, Florida Housing Finance Corp. treated employees to $106,775 in bonuses, Visa gift cards and barbecue from Piggy’s BBQ in Tallahassee, the report said. That sum was part of the $3 million in Hardest Hit funds improperly used by agencies in several states that administer the mortgage relief program. “Congress did not authorize TARP dollars for barbecues, steak and seafood dinners, gift cards, flowers, gym memberships, employee bonuses, litigation, celebrations, cars, and other unnecessary expenses of state housing agencies, but those are some of the charges… forensic analysis uncovered,” said Christy Goldsmith Romero, special inspector general for TARP.
“Fred Levin pledges to make Charlotte’s Web medical marijuana available in Pensacola” via Joseph Baucum of the Pensacola News-Journal – A business with connections to Levin, Loop’s Nursery & Greenhouses Inc. in Jacksonville, has been approved for a license to grow, process and distribute medical marijuana, according to documents posted Aug. 10 on the state Division of Administrative Hearings website. The nursery attained the license through a settlement with the Florida Department of Health. Through an agreement with the Colorado-based Stanley Brothers — the creators and trademark owners of Charlotte’s Web — and their partner, limited liability company Ray of Hope 4 Florida, Loop’s would be the only nursery in the state allowed to cultivate and distribute the strain. Levin is an investor in Ray of Hope 4 Florida. Although it is unknown if the nursery would open a local dispensary in the Florida Panhandle, Levin has pledged to make that happen. “We know Charlotte’s Web works,” Levin said. “Whatever it takes to get them to come into Northwest Florida, I will do whatever I can.”
What Richard Corcoran is reading – “Santa Rosa tourism council under investigation for possible Sunshine Law violation” via Anne Delaney of the Pensacola News-Journal – Chief Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille confirmed his office received a complaint about [Santa Rosa County Tourism Development Council] members “within the last week or two.” He declined to give specifics on the nature of the allegations. “We’re reviewing the allegations to determined the validity,” Marcille said. The state’s Sunshine Law provides access to governmental proceedings at state and local levels. The laws also apply to gatherings of two or more members of the same board to discuss a matter that will foreseeably come before a board for action … The laws apply to elected and appointed boards, such as the TDC. Santa Rosa County Attorney Roy Andrews said he notified the State Attorney’s Office of a potential violation of the Sunshine Law after he received information there was “perhaps improper contact” among members of the TDC.
“Union in strife as Disney, Teamsters prepare for talks” via Mike Schneider of the Tallahassee Democrat – Many of the performers who entertain guests as Mickey Mouse, the Seven Dwarves and other costumed characters are Teamsters, and some are fed up with how their union is being run. For the first time in recent memory, they’re putting together a slate of opposition candidates, promising to make this fall’s vote for the leadership of Teamsters Local 385 anything but a heigh-ho-hum affair … The 9,000 members of Local 385 have key roles in central Florida’s tourism and transportation industries. About half are Disney workers; the rest include UPS drivers, hotel employees, food service workers, rental car employees and other drivers across 20 Florida counties. Local 385 member Ralph Singer said national Teamsters leaders have ignored his complaints because the local is flush with cash. Records filed with the U.S. Department of Labor shows Local 385 collected almost $3.6 million in dues and fees last year — an average of $400 per member — and had $2.3 million in net assets. The unhappiness in Local 385 comes as Walt Disney World management opens talks with the six-union council, which represents about half the theme park resort’s workforce. New employees start at $10 an hour, and a council statement said negotiators will push for “significant increases to lift Cast Members out of poverty.”
— D.C. MATTERS —
“Once a bitter rival, Marco Rubio continues to enjoy a relationship with Donald Trump” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times – Rubio and Trump have enjoyed a productive relationship and the Florida senator applauded the president yet again. “I commend the Trump administration for taking decisive and significant action to prevent the Maduro regime from using Wall Street to finance its repression and tyranny,” Rubio said moments after new sanctions were announced. “The United States remains committed to supporting the cause of freedom and democracy in Venezuela.” Rubio has played a role in highlighting the situation in Venezuela — he noted in Doral this week that he’d spoken repeatedly to the administration — and he used his standing to shape Trump’s position on Cuba. While Rubio once said he’d drive around the country to prevent “con man” Trump from becoming president, he’s finding it more advantageous to largely avoid jumping on every controversy. (A notable exception: Rubio’s comments on Charlottesville, though earlier this week he adopted Trump’s “both sides” sentiment.) Now Rubio, who was one of the first lawmakers Trump invited to a private White House dinner, is looking to score a legislative victory with his plan to increase the $1,000 child tax credit to $2,500 — a goal he is pursuing with Ivanka Trump.
“Group asks Rubio to stop tweeting Bible verses” via Ledyard King of USA TODAY – Almost every day for the past three months, the Republican senator from Florida slips a pithy message from The Good Book into his Twitter feed for his nearly 3 million followers to digest. Now a Wisconsin-based organization devoted to the separation of church and state is asking him to stop on the grounds that it’s unconstitutional. “We have no issue with people reading and discussing the bible. The road to atheism is littered with bibles that have been read cover to cover,” Andrew L. Seidel, the Freedom from Religion Foundation’s director of strategic response, wrote to Rubio. “But it is not for the government in our secular republic to promote one religious book over others or to promote religion over nonreligion. Doing so violates the Establishment Clause of the Constitution … By tying your government title to a social media page, you have intimately entwined your official position with the messages you send on that platform, creating the appearance of official endorsement.”
“Bill Nelson urges Donald Trump to extend protections for Haitians” via Florida Politics – Nelson wants the Trump administration to renew Temporary Protected Status so that nearly 60,000 Haitians can continue to live and work in the U.S. without fear of deportation. The Florida senator, who met with a group of worried Haitians in Miami … hopes the Department of Homeland Security will extend the status beyond the Jan. 22 deadline, arguing that Hurricane Matthew in 2016 delayed Haiti’s recovery efforts. Such extensions are typically renewed for 18-month intervals, but the latest announcement in May said it would expire in six months. Haiti has said more than 300,000 people died in the 2010 disaster.
“Federal judge dismisses DNC fraud lawsuit against Debbie Wasserman Schultz” via Alex Daugherty of the Miami Herald – A South Florida federal judge threw out a lawsuit that alleged Wasserman Schultz and the Democratic National Committee committed fraud after leaked emails showed former DNC staffers discussing ways to hurt Bernie Sanders‘ campaign for president. Federal judge William Bloch stated in an order that even if the allegations are true, the court cannot find an injury to supporters of Sanders from the DNC or Wasserman Schultz “that is traceable to the DNC and its former chair’s conduct” so the lawsuit cannot be tested in court. “Plaintiffs have not presented a live case or controversy and the Court must dismiss the case for lack of subject matter jurisdiction,” the order said.
Happening today – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor hosts a “Tech Training & Jobs InfoSession,” joined by organizations that offer technical and vocational-training programs. Event begins 10:30 a.m. at the Robert Saunders Library, 1505 North Nebraska Ave. in Tampa.
— OPINION–
“Don Gaetz: Greg Evers was man’s man, tough opponent, solid friend” via the Pensacola News-Journal – Courtly, kind, generous. Even to a sometimes opponent. In the circles within circles of the Florida Senate, Greg and I weren’t always on the same side when it came to intramural politics, but we were always together when it came to Northwest Florida’s needs and values. We were always friends … He was considering a political comeback, maybe for the Okaloosa School Board, maybe for another office. As we say in the Panhandle, I would have been for him or against him, whichever would have helped him the most. Greg and my son both ran for Northwest Florida’s seat in Congress last year. They didn’t run against each other. They just ran for the same position. Despite the slime slung in that campaign by other candidates who fared poorly, neither Matt nor Greg spoke a harsh word against the other and they came in first and second, friends when it started and friends when it was over. In a time when smears and hate seem to be the butter and bread of campaigns, Greg Evers was tough, damned tough, but he wasn’t mean and he couldn’t stay mad over politics. I wish he would have made it home Monday night. He was a man’s man, a good man, a solid friend and I’ll miss him.
— MOVEMENTS —
“Personnel note: Vivian Myrtetus named new CEO of Volunteer Florida” via Florida Politics – Gov. Rick Scott on Friday named Myrtetus as the next CEO of Volunteer Florida. Myrtetus will assume the role of CEO beginning Sept. 1, the Governor’s Office said in a news release. The previous CEO, Chester Spellman, left Volunteer Florida effective Friday to become Director of AmeriCorps for the Corporation for National and Community Service in Washington, D.C. “Her nearly two decades of experience serving in various leadership positions in state government and the private sector will make her a valuable leader for Volunteer Florida,” Scott said of Myrtetus in a statement.
Appointed – Jack Humburg, Shannon Nazworth, Hana Eskra, Mark Kruse, and Cheryl Lambert to the Task Force on Affordable Housing; Dave Heine to the Florida Board of Acupuncture; Sherry Jordan to the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; Blanca Rivera to the Board of Pharmacy; Robert Benson to the Board of Pilot Commissioners; Steven Wellins (reappointed) and Andrew Klein to the North Broward Hospital District Board of Commissioners and Danielle Alvarez to the Technology Advisory Council.
New and renewed lobbying registrations:
Mark Anderson: Americal Hotel and Lodging Association
Jane Johnson: Florida Council for Behavioral Healthcare
Kendra Oates: Florida Police Chiefs Association
Stephen Uchino, Anfield Consulting: Palm Beach County government
— ALOE —
“Dealer-less poker tables? Electronic alternative is faster — and you don’t need to tip” via Nick Sortal of the Miami Herald – “Picture players sitting at a table that’s basically one giant iPad,” says Jake Kalpakian, CEO of Jackpot Digital. “And it’s faster game play, which generates more money.” (Dealers don’t have to count out chips or shuffle cards, for example.) Jackpot Digital already has a contract with Carnival Cruise Line and will install the machines in U.S. poker rooms later this year, although none yet in South Florida. The Jackpot Digital table game, called Jackpot Blitz, takes cash or tickets (like slot machines), and users can click away from the poker game when they’re not in a hand. The big challenge I see is that players are used to touching cards. And there’s a certain distrust among old-school players of anything electronic. But that’s countered by what I think is a big plus: with no live dealer, there’s no need to tip after each winning hand. That $1 or more on each win stays in my chip stack, instead of bleeding into the dealer’s box.
“Nation’s largest self-serve bar, for now, opening in St. Petersburg” via Christopher Spata of the Tampa Bay Times – Pour Taproom, a craft beer bar with 85 taps where customers serve themselves, is coming to downtown St. Petersburg. It’s the first Florida location for the Pour Taproom concept, which allows customers to use phones or bracelets electronically linked to their taps to pour and pay for beer by the ounce. The nearly 2,300-square-foot bar at 225 Second Ave. N is expected to house the largest self-serve tap system in the country by far when it opens this fall, though that title may be short-lived. Pour My Beer and iPourit, two companies that build the tap systems, say they have setups of more than 100 taps in the works for bars in California and Alabama. Tanner Moody, 26, a St. Petersburg resident and co-owner of the new location, said that as much as half the beer on tap could come from Tampa Bay area breweries and the rest will be “national craft beers, things you can’t typically find at the grocery store.”
Happy birthday to Andy Gonzalez, the brilliant Alan Levine, Sandy Safley, and my friend David Zachem.
