Peter Schorsch
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
As millions of Floridians are still without electricity, water or access to gasoline after Hurricane Irma, a scourge is coming.
Yes, just when you thought life couldn’t get any worse—skeeters.
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, in a Thursday news briefing at the state Emergency Operations Center, said a wave of mosquitoes in flooded areas likely will be coming within days after the waters recede.
That will be especially vexsome for those without power who have to leave their windows open to catch a cool breeze, he said.
The good news: His department will be helping local mosquito control boards in tamping down the menace.
Also, it has provided about 3,000 animal crates for displaced or stranded pets.
Now, more bad news: The vegetable industry is “in tatters;” the storm knocked down up to 80 percent of the fruit on southwest Florida citrus trees that was ready for harvest; and thousands of acres of farmland and groves is still underwater.
But the “agricultural industry is resilient and Floridians are resilient,” said Putnam, who’s also a Republican candidate for governor. “Be patient. Help one another. This too shall pass.”
Evening Reads
“The only thing worse than Florida is everywhere else” via Orin Heidelberg of BuzzFeed
“Hurricane season: Our annual reminder that Florida is trying to kill us” via Craig Pittman of the Tampa Bay Times
“Trump pushes Rick Scott to run for Senate during Irma recovery visit” via Nolan McCaskill of POLITICO
“Bill Nelson skips Trump visit to hand out meals in North Florida” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“After Irma, a grim sense of deja via in St. Augustine” via Jess Bidgood of the New York Times
“Police recount how Hollywood nursing home tragedy unfolded after Irma” via Christine Sexton of POLITICO Florida
“Seniors group calls on feds to investigate nursing home deaths” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics
“A Key West dive bar closed for the hurricane, but let 500 people in to phone loved ones” via Amber Jamieson of BuzzFeed News
“When gambling is more than a game: my Hurricane Irma decisions” via Nick Sortal of the Miami Herald
“How will Florida restaurants regroup after Irma devestations” via Emma Balter of Wine Spectator
Quote of the Day
“It is unconscionable that in the 21st century and in Florida—a state where one in five people are 65 and older—seniors are still apparently not given priority after natural disasters.” —Dan Weber, founder and CEO of the Association of Mature American Citizens, responding to news of the deaths of eight South Florida nursing home residents who died after Hurricane Irma knocked out their power.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early
The Florida State University Board of Trustees meeting, originally set for 9:30 a.m., has been rescheduled for Sept. 22. The university will send out an advisory notice on Monday.
The Capital Tiger Bay Club has canceled its meeting at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee. Pamela Marsh, the first woman to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, had been slated to speak; she is now a shareholder in Tallahassee’s Ausley McMullen law firm.
Sen. Aaron Bean, a Fernandina Beach Republican, has confirmed he will help distribute food during a Farm Share event. That’s at 9:30 a.m., Nassau County Council on Aging, 1367 South 18th St., Fernandina Beach.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is expected to release August unemployment figures at 10 a.m.
The Joint Legislative Budget Commission is set to meet at noon in the Capitol to hear about a draft version of the state’s Long-Range Financial Outlook from Amy Baker, director of the Office of Economic and Demographic Research. The meeting is in room 17 of the House Office Building.
Congressman Charlie Crist, a Pinellas County Democrat, hosts a Disaster Recovery 101 Event for constituents to learn more about the resources for individuals and businesses available following Hurricane Irma. It’s at 1 p.m. at the Clearwater Fire Station, 1140 Court Street in Clearwater.
State Rep. Sean Shaw, a Tampa Democrat, is partnering with the Hillsborough County NAACP and Feeding Tampa Bay to hold a free community barbecue, 3-5 p.m. at Belmont Heights Estates Clubhouse, 2419 E. 31st Ave. (corner of Lake & 24th), Tampa.
