Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Attendees of the 2017 Future of Florida Forum in Orlando, sponsored by the Florida Chamber Foundation, may have been there for policy chat, but others had an ear out for political notes sounded.
The attentive listener gleaned a few tidbits Wednesday:
— CFO Jimmy Patronis kept teasing at his plans, or lack thereof, for running for a full term in 2018. He stepped in after being appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to finish the unexpired part of Jeff Atwater’s second term after Atwater left to go work at Florida Atlantic University.
After mentioning a variety of years he could be in the office, Patronis said, “I have no idea what path I’ll be taking.” But, traveling around the state after Hurricane Irma, he said he realized, “I never will have the opportunity to get this skill set again.”
— Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, a Republican candidate for governor next year, said Patronis is doing a “fantastic job”: “Talk about a baptism by fire,” he said, referring to Irma-caused insurance needs. (Patronis oversees insurance regulation.)
He also gave props to Gov. Rick Scott for his post-Irma performance.
“The most dangerous thing in Florida politics is a short memory,” Putnam said, but quickly linked that to the need for storm-related insurance awareness. Otherwise, he sure sounded stump-speechy, with his usual pro-Florida vibe. He did say the state’s agriculture industry was “shellacked,” with a mention that citrus production will end up being “cut in half.”
“You can stand in a grove and hear the fruit hitting the ground,” he said.
Evening Reads
“National progressive group goes local to help FL Dem win” via Alexi McCammond of Axios
“Puerto Rico still desperate for water and supplies” via Erica Pandey of Axios
“Despite storms, Florida’s land rush endures” via Lizette Alvarez of The New York Times
“State Attorney Aramis Ayala dismisses lawsuit against Florida governor” via Krista Torralva and Gal Tziperman Lotan of the Orlando Sentinel
“Marco Rubio won’t seek Foreign Relations chairmanship” via Seung Min Kim and Elana Schor of POLITICO Florida
“Tax credit scholarship program students more likely to attend college, study shows” via Allison Nielsen of the Sunshine State News
“Florida brewers have made an Irma IPA to help hurricane victims” via Laura Reiley of the Tampa Bay Times
“Floridians worry about elder care and end-of-life arrangements” via the University of South Florida
Quote of the Day
“I’ve had a lot of experience in government, so I like things done the way I like them done, and I’m making sure that happens.” — Pete Antonacci, who was named CEO of Enterprise Florida this July, in response to a question on the state economic development organization’s “corporate culture.”
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Wake Up Early
Education Commissioner Pam Stewart and Constitution Revision Commission Chairman Carlos Beruff are expected to be among the speakers at the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Future of Florida Forum. Events start at 8 a.m., JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, 4040 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando.
The General Provisions Committee of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission is scheduled to meet at 8:30 a.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol, Tallahassee.
The state’s Commission on Ethics gets together for a regular meeting. That’s set to start at 8:30 a.m. at the 1st District Court of Appeal, 3rd-floor courtroom, 2000 Drayton Drive, Tallahassee.
The University of Florida Board of Trustees is scheduled to start a two-day retreat in Miami-Dade County. That’s at 8:40 a.m., Hyatt Regency Coral Gables, 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables.
The Revenue Estimating Impact Conference is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. in room 117 of the Knott Building, Capitol Complex, Tallahassee.
A discussion is planned on how businesses can become certified vendors with the state and certified woman-, veteran- or minority-owned businesses. It begins at 9 a.m., University of Florida Small Business Workshop, ESSIE Building 1604, 2100 N.E. Waldo Road, Gainesville.
The Florida Supreme Court is expected to release weekly opinions at 11 a.m.
U.S. Bill Nelson and state Rep. Cynthia Stafford, both Democrats, will host a FEMA Application Assistance Event for those in need of aid following Hurricane Irma. FEMA representatives will be on-site offering guidance through the claims process. The event is 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Sherbondy Village Community Center, 215 Pervis Ave., Opa-Locka.
Sen. Bobby Powell and Rep. Al Jacquet, both Democrats, will discuss medical marijuana at a jointly sponsored forum. The “Medical Marijuana Law Update & Community Forum,” free and open to the public, is 6-8 p.m., Mary V. McDonald Wilson Center behind Gaines Park, 1501 N. Australian Avenue, West Palm Beach.
U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to discuss tax reform during an Americans for Prosperity-Florida town hall. That starts at 6:30 p.m., Florida Hotel and Conference Center, 1500 Sand Lake Road, Orlando.
