Peter Schorsch
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Historical sidenote time: It’s a tradition of the Constitution Revision Commission to do a caricature of all the commissioners as a keepsake.
The last one, of the 1997-98 panel, shows each of the members with a text “bubble” over their heads, summing up their main interest in amending the state’s governing document. A similar one was done for the 1977-78 members.
Retired lawyer Martha Barnett, who was a Holland & Knight partner, sat on the ‘97 commission. Her caption reads, “Just building support for my income tax proposal, Mr. Chair.”
Barnett, appointed by Gov. Lawton Chiles, said she still has her copy of the commission caricature in a frame.
“I treasure it more than I do the photograph I got of our commission,” she said in a Tuesday phone interview. “Whoever did it ‘got’ us more than the photo … Every (individual caricature) really tells something unique about that person.”
One might also be done of the 2017-18 commission. “We don’t currently have plans but it is something we may consider,” CRC spokeswoman Meredith Beatrice said.
Florida is unique among states in that its constitution allows for a panel to meet every 20 years, “examine the constitution, hold public hearings and … file its proposal, if any, of a revision of this constitution or any part of it.” Its committees are meeting this week in the Capitol.
Evening Reads
— “After Puerto Rico trip, Florida Democrats strike nonpartisan tone” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida
— “Pam Bondi, staff go to Nevada to aid victims” via Jim Turner and Tom Urban of the News Service of Florida
— “Florida response shows familiar sides on gun debate” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
— “A call to arms: One bill prohibits assault weapons sales; others loosen gun control” via James Call of the Tallahassee Democrat
— “Two days before execution date, death row inmate speaks out” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
— “CRC panel focused on constitutional rights starts narrowing focus” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida
— “Report: Florida could offer sports betting in 7 years” via NBC-2.com
— “Nonprofit consultant Rob Panepinto announces run for Orange County mayor” via Stephen Lemongello of the Orlando Sentinel
— “How many Palm Beach mansions does a Wall Street tycoon need?” via Julie Reynolds of The Nation
— “Ballard Partners forms strategic alliance with European lobbying firm Alber & Geiger” via Florida Politics
Quote of the Day
“I hate to tell you, Puerto Rico, but you’ve thrown our budget a little out of whack.” —President Donald Trump, on the ground in Puerto Rico Tuesday, nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria ravaged the island.
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Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The state Office of Supplier Diversity will host an event to help small-business owners better understand and seek state and local government contracts. It starts at 8:30 a.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, Building 3, 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.
Three committees of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission are scheduled to meet:
— 9 a.m., Ethics and Elections Committee, 110 Senate Office Building;
— 10 a.m., Legislative branch Committee, 301 Senate Office Building;
— 2 p.m., Executive branch Committee, 401 Senate Office Building.
All are in the Capitol, Tallahassee.
The Florida Commission on Offender Review is scheduled to meet and discuss numerous parole cases related to crimes committed in the 1970s and 1980s. That’s at 9 a.m., 4070 Esplanade Way (in the satellite state office complex in Southwood off Capital Circle Southeast), Tallahassee.
The Florida Board of Pharmacy is scheduled to meet in Orange County at 9 a.m., Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Dr., Orlando.
The state Agency for Persons with Disabilities will help host an event to recognize 10 businesses as “Florida Exceptional Employers” because of their histories of hiring and retaining people with disabilities. It begins at 9:30 a.m., City Commission chamber, Tallahassee City Hall, 300 South Adams St., Tallahassee.
Sen. Linda Stewart and Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, both Democrats, will unveil proposed legislation to ban assault-style weapons in Florida at a news conference. That’s at 11 a.m. at the Orange County Courthouse, 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando.
The Task Force on Involuntary Examination of Minors will discuss issues related to the use of the state’s “Baker Act” for minors. It’s at 1 p.m., Department of Children and Families, 1317 Winewood Blvd., Building 6, Tallahassee. The call-in number is (888) 670-3525 and the participant code is 9592874884.
The Florida Supreme Court will hold a ceremony to swear in new attorneys. Chief Justice Jorge Labarga is expected to administer the oath. That’s at 2:30 p.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.
