Peter Schorsch
Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.
By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Mitch Perry, Jim Rosica, and Joe Henderson, who has our lead:
Richard Spencer is clean cut, casual but professional, a disarming look for one of the most prominent faces in what is becoming a crowded field of racism in the United States.
His scheduled appearance today at the University of Florida prompted Gov. Rick Scott to declare a state of emergency, in case things get out of hand. That tends to happen when Spencer is involved.
He was a leader at the Charlottesville, Va. white supremacist rally that ended with a nationally televised riot where there was one death and multiple injuries.
Spencer admits he chooses a dress shirt, coat and tie over a white hood and robe because he doesn’t want to scare people while talking about things like “a new society, an ethno-state that would be a gathering point for all Europeans… based on very different ideals than, say, the Declaration of Independence.”
Too late.
Noting that wardrobe ruse, Spencer was described by the Southern Poverty Law Center as “a kind of professional racist in khakis.”
Racists can be smart, and Spencer certainly qualifies. He was educated at the University of Virginia and was in a Ph.D. program at Duke before dropping out to lead the American Policy Institute, described as a think tank for the alt-right.
In a column for API in 2014, Spencer dismissed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as “a fraud and degenerate in his life, (who) has become the symbol and cynosure of White Dispossession and the deconstruction of Occidental civilization. We must overcome!”
He told CNN that, despite multiple reports to the contrary, he never called for a “peaceful ethnic cleansing.” In the same interview though, he told the network, “We have experienced this mass migration of people (into the United States). Therefore they could go home, you can go home again. … They came here peacefully. They could leave peacefully.”
Well, he could leave too. Alas, UF president Kent Fuchs said he is lawfully required to allow Spencer to speak on campus. That doesn’t mean he has to like it. In his Twitter account, Fuchs urged students to “avoid the event.”
Spencer and those who support his pathetic views represent a special challenge to the ideals of America. The right of free speech is central to who we are as a nation, even when it is as potentially destructive as Spencer’s.
He has turned the First Amendment into a kind of Trojan Horse, demanding – and lawfully receiving – a platform to spew hate-filled garbage that tears at the core of a nation he essentially is trying to destroy.
The Founders realized the danger making laws to prohibit free speech and counted on people being able to filter and reject nonsense like this. That ideal is under attack on an almost unprecedented basis for this country by President Trump and Steve Bannon, who, like Spencer, is a devotee of the alt-right movement.
Trump declared the media is the “enemy” of the American people.
Bannon went so far as to tell the New York Times, “You’re the opposition party.” Not the Democratic Party. You’re the opposition party. The media’s the opposition party.”
Well, if that means calling out racism and lies when we see it, sign me up for extended duty.
Spencer and those like him need to be heard by everyone, and then robustly shouted down with words and actions in every corner of this country. I believe millions more Americans than not are horrified by Spencer’s kind of overt racism and will realize they need to get in the game.
The bad guys are playing to win.
That’s the real emergency we face.
>>>Counterpoint via the Washington Post: Richard Spencer is not an emergency – “But the problem with all of this is that it risks giving Spencer more dignity than he deserves … After all, no one wanted him to come to the University of Florida campus. (Truly! No one invited him!). Richard Spencer isn’t an emergency, he’s an irritant. He should be treated as such.”
How it’s playing: Richard Spencer at UF: USA TODAY, Activists want classes canceled ahead of Richard Spencer’s Florida visit – “’Students shouldn’t be forced to be in harm’s way to pursue their education,’ said Shreyas Amol Jethwani, political director for the University of Florida College Democrats. ‘It’s tense. And you can feel that it’s tense. Professors are encouraging students to not come to campus, or to go home to their families if they can.’” HuffPost, The University of Florida really does have to let Richard Spencer speak – “Spencer … put the blame for the security costs on counter-protesters. That money, he said, is ‘not to protect the university from me or anyone on the ‘alt-right.’ Instead, it’s himself and supporters who need protection from leftist groups like Antifa.” Miami Herald, No masks or water bottles: What to know ahead of Richard Spencer’s speech at UF – “Some items are obvious — no weapons, torches or baseball bats — but others are less so — backpacks, water balloons and umbrellas … Another hotly contested item on the banned list: masks.” Gainesville Sun, Latest on Spencer event: City bans weapons, shields downtown – “The ban is in effect from 4 to 11:30 p.m., and prohibits possession outdoors in a public place of the following items: weapons, shields, bats and clubs … Anyone violating the order and anyone who ‘willfully fails or refuses to comply’ with police could be arrested. Violating the order is a second-degree misdemeanor.” Washington Post, Hundreds of police to be deployed for Richard Spencer event – “UF president W. Kent Fuchs said he believes Spencer benefits from demonstrations. ‘I really believe that the protests are the oxygen on which the white nationalists and white supremacists survive … I want the protesters to not give them what they seek. We need to speak up on our own platform, not [Spencer’s].’” Gainesville Sun, Jewish center extends hours, hosts Good Deed Marathon – “The Lubavitch-Chabad Jewish Student Center will be open for extended hours Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to give students with a safe place … The Jewish center will also host a Good Deed Marathon to ‘counter hate with love.’”
“University chief: Security cost for Richard Spencer speech ‘unfair’” via Jason Dearen of The Associated Press – UF President Fuchs … said Spencer is “hijacking” public universities — which are compelled by the First Amendment to provide a speaking forum — and forcing taxpayers to pay the resulting security costs. “I fully understand freedom of speech cannot be burdened legally with the full cost of this, but on the other hand we’re being burdened,” said Fuchs, sitting in his office on campus in Gainesville. “So, taxpayers are subsidizing hate speech.”
Tweet, tweet:
Hundreds of troopers, officers, &deputies arrive to Gainesville as the university preps for alt-right leader Richard Spencer’s speech @wjxt4 pic.twitter.com/XoUd9SLnez
— Allyson Henning (@WJXTAllyson) October 18, 2017
Several @uf Greek orgs posted these banners outside. This is the SAE fraternity. All in advance of @RichardBSpencer speech. pic.twitter.com/RrP6Sd3O7X
— Arek Sarkissian (@ArekSarkissian) October 18, 2017
Meanwhile … “Hollywood is replacing 3 Confederate street names with universal concepts” via David Neal of the Miami Herald – Three streets in Hollywood named for Confederate leaders will be renamed for universally admired concepts — Freedom, Hope and Liberty — under a plan discussed Wednesday. The city commission will take a final vote on the new names next month. “It’s been a long road — it’s taken 15 years,” said Benjamin Israel, the Hollywood resident who led the charge to change the names, according to the Sun Sentinel. “I’m elated with what has taken place today.” The names for the streets, which run through predominantly black neighborhoods, came from Confederate Army commander General Robert E. Lee; Confederate General John Bell Hood, who led the southern forces at the Battle of Gettysburg; and Nathan Bedford Forrest, a Confederate lieutenant who was an early Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard whose later racial views have been debated by historians.
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— D.C. MATTERS —
“Donald Trump: Democratic congresswoman ‘totally fabricated what I said’ to soldier’s widow” via Louis Nelson of POLITICO – Trump accused a Democratic congresswoman of having “fabricated” an account of what he told the widow of a fallen soldier — that her husband “knew what he signed up for” — escalating the furor over the proper treatment of Gold Star families. “Democrat congresswoman totally fabricated what I said to the wife of a soldier who died in action (and I have proof). Sad!” Trump posted on Twitter … The congresswoman, Frederica Wilson, told reporters that Trump, speaking to the widow of Army Sgt. La David Johnson, said that “he knew what he signed up for … but when it happens, it hurts anyway.” Wilson said she heard part of the widow’s conversation with Trump via speakerphone and specifically heard that remark. “Yeah, he said that. To me that is something that you can say in a conversation, but you shouldn’t say that to a grieving widow,” Wilson said. “And everyone knows when you go to war, you could possibly not come back alive. But you don’t remind a grieving widow of that. That’s so insensitive.” It’s unclear what Trump was referring to in his tweet when he said he has “proof” of his comments.
“AFP ad: Bill Nelson is standing in the way of a simple, fair tax system” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics – Americans for Prosperity is including Nelson, through its Americans for Prosperity-Florida affiliate, as a target in a nationwide, multimillion dollar advertising buy that targets a handful of U.S. Senators, including Republicans, who’ve shown some interest in tax reform but appear unlikely to support the Republican budget plan that includes language-making sweeping tax reform possible. Among others being targeted: U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin, Claire McCaskill and John McCain. The new ad features a woman talking into the camera, saying, “People are sick of politics. I am too. But fixing our broken tax system isn’t about politics – it’s about helping people. It means the powerful, the well-connected, the politicians — they’ll stop benefiting from a rigged system. It means everyday Americans will have more to spend on what’s important to them. That’s what tax reform will do. So, what’s stopping us?”
Click on the image to watch the video:
“U.S. Senate committee to investigate Florida nursing home deaths” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times – The Senate Finance Committee will investigate the hurricane-related deaths of 14 people at a South Florida nursing home. The top members of the committee, Orrin Hatch and Ron Wyden, questioned the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services about its new nursing home emergency preparedness requirements and have requested responses from state agencies in Florida and Texas regarding their preparations and responses to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. “We are writing to request information from Florida about its preparations for and responses to Hurricane Irma as it relates to nursing homes and other similar facilities,” the senators wrote in a letter to Florida’s Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration, Justin Senior. “The Senate Committee on Finance has jurisdiction over both the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs. As part of our oversight responsibilities, we want to ensure the safety of residents and patients in nursing homes and other similar facilities during natural and man-made disasters.” The action follows a call for investigation from Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson, a member of the committee, and that was echoed by Republican Sen. Marco Rubio.
Charlie Crist at ribbon-cutting ceremony – The St. Petersburg Democrat will be at the ChenMed Dedicated Senior Medical Center ribbon cutting event beginning 10:15 a.m. at 901 22nd Ave. South in St. Petersburg.
Francis Rooney speech to Cape Coral GOP women – Congressman Rooney will speak at a meeting of the Republican Women of Cape Coral, Federated beginning 6 p.m. at the Personal Touch Banquet & Catering, 1530 Santa Barbara Blvd. in Cape Coral.
Carlos Curbelo fundraiser – A Palm Beach County fundraiser for Republican U.S. Rep. Curbelo begins 6 p.m. at 303 Evernia St., Suite 300 in West Palm Beach.
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— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL —
“Andrew Gillum puts Trump-Gold Star widow controversy into governor’s race” via George Bennett of the Palm Beach Post – Gillum put out a statement saying Trump has “disgraced his office.” The statement appears on a page on his campaign website that includes a link to donate to Gillum’s campaign. “No decent person can defend what this President did yesterday. He disrespected a fallen soldier, traumatized his widow, and called a Member of Congress who was grieving with the family a liar. This President has shown with each passing day that he intends to govern without a shred of moral dignity or empathy. He has disgraced his office with this latest episode.”
Statewide candidates visit Gold Coast –Jack Latvala and Attorney General candidate Jay Fant will appear at the Gold Coast Republican Club beginning 6 p.m.at Galuppi’s, 1103 North Federal Highway in Pompano Beach.
Michael Chitwood endorses Ashley Moody – In a long line of law enforcement endorsements, Volusia County Sheriff Chitwood now has thrown his support to the Republican Moody, a former Hillsborough circuit judge running for Attorney General. “Ashley Moody is an inspiring leader who has the ability to connect with people and find innovative approaches to complicated issues,” Chitwood said in a statement. “Coupled with her strong background as a prosecutor and judge, Ashley Moody is the epitome of what is needed in politics today.”
“Frank White gets endorsements from N.W. Fla. lawmakers” via Florida Politics – Three GOP lawmakers from Florida’s Panhandle are lending their support to fellow state Rep. Frank White to become the state’s attorney general, the campaign announced. Reps. Brad Drake of Eucheeanna, Jayer Williamson of Pace, and Mel Ponder of Destin endorsed White, of Pensacola, on Wednesday … White said, “I am honored to have the support of my fellow conservatives here in Northwest Florida.” White, a general counsel and chief financial officer for a group of auto dealerships, was first elected to the House last year.
Matt Caldwell locks up more endorsements – State Rep. Caldwell, a North Fort Myers Republican running for Commissioner of Agriculture, announced endorsements of returning GOP House members from Northeast Florida, the third wave of legislative endorsements announced by the campaign. It follows unanimous support of House members from the Panhandle and Southwest Florida delegations, the campaign said. “I will continue to work hard to earn the trust and support of voters across the Sunshine State, who deserve a Commissioner that has the leadership and policy experience to lead in Tallahassee on day one,” he said. Those in the latest round are: Rep. Cord Byrd, Rep. Travis Cummings, Rep. Jason Fischer, Rep. Bobby Payne, Rep. Paul Renner, Rep. Cyndi Stevenson, Rep. Clay Yarborough.
“Vern Buchanan draws prominent Democratic opponent” via Zac Anderson of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune –Siesta Key attorney David Shapiro will challenge Buchanan in 2018, giving Democrats a well-connected candidate who once came within 750 votes of winning a solidly Republican state House seat. Shapiro, 58, could present Buchanan with his toughest re-election test in years. A civil litigation attorney who focuses on personal injury law, Shapiro has decades of trial law experience and community involvement. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has long had an interest in Shapiro and encouraged him to run for Buchanan’s seat. He recently was in Washington, D.C., for candidate training and has hired a campaign manager.
“Is Ken Russell running for CD 27? The answer is a six-figure affair” via Florida Politics – Perhaps Russell, a well-known toy enthusiast, is being as thoughtful and deliberate about his decision to seek Ileana Ros-Lehtinen’s seat as he is choreographing epic yo-yo routines. What else can explain the three-month process, raising over $300,000, and spending over $100,000, all to “explore” a run for Congress … almost $2,500 on travel, as well as more than $20,000 with The Kitchens Group, a longtime Florida-based pollster … what about the other $75,000 to “decide” if he will run for Congress as Democrat? Much of the money went to Republican consultants. Florida’s 27th Congressional District is no bastion of ultra-liberalism. Hillary Clinton won the district 2-1 over Bernie Sanders, as she did the state. Russell may be able to Split the Atom; he may even know the secrets of Cold Fusion. But you don’t need to go Around the World to know that Democratic voters aren’t longing for a congressional candidate surrounded by Republicans.
— CAPITOL INSIGHT —
Assignment editors – Gov. Scott will visit The Roth Family Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando at 10 a.m. to highlight his proposal for $1 million in security funding for Jewish Day Schools in his 2018-2019 recommended budget. Location is 851 N. Maitland Ave. in Maitland.
Assignment editors – Jack Latvala will speak at the annual conference of the couple’s redevelopment Florida redevelopment Association. The Clearwater senator’s plenary session begins at 11 a.m. and covers the upcoming Legislative Session. The event is at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, 100 N. Atlantic Ave. in Daytona Beach.
“Darryl Rouson files constitutional amendment extending lobbying ban” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics – State Sen. and Constitution Revision Commissioner Rouson has filed a proposed constitutional amendment extending the state’s lobbying ban on former lawmakers and other elected officials from two to six years. The amendment language was posted late Wednesday on the commission’s website … If added to the state constitution, a 6-year lobbying ban would be the longest in the nation … Rouson, a St. Petersburg Democrat, is one of GOP House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s nine appointees to the commission, which convenes every 20 years to review and suggest changes to Florida’s governing document. Rouson was elected to the Senate last year after serving in the House of Representatives from 2008-16. Extending the lobbying ban has been a priority of Corcoran’s since his September 2015 designation speech.
“Paul Renner refiles recovery care center legislation for 2018” via Legislative IQ powered by Lobby Tools – Rep. Renner has again filed HB 23 to create “recovery care centers” that would keep postsurgical patients up to three days. Those facilities would provide care for patients who reasonably expect an uncomplicated recovery and hospitalization is not required. Renner’s plan also includes language from SB 250 to allow ambulatory surgical centers, which primarily provide elective surgeries, to keep patients up to 24 hours. Currently, ASCs must admit and discharge patients within the same working day. But the Senate plan does not include the creation of recovery centers, a sticking point in past Legislative Sessions.
“Tobacco bond cap repeal teed up again in Legislature” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics – Legislation that would do away with the limit on the amount of money tobacco companies have to put up as appellate bonds has again been filed, this time for the 2018 Legislative Session. The one-line bill (SB 124) simply repeals the section of state law requiring the bonds. But once more, the measure sets up another potential Session ‘food fight’ between tobacco companies, who have opposed a repeal, and the state’s trial lawyers, who back it. An attempt last year died during the committee weeks leading up to the 2017 Legislative Session. Here’s how it works: Tobacco companies are required to put up bonds before they appeal unfavorable damages awarded to former smokers, but the state places limits on how much those bonds are.
“Former lawmaker honored” via the News Service of Florida – Gov. Scott on Wednesday ordered flags to be flown at half-staff to honor former state Rep. Jim Tullis, a Jacksonville Republican who died Saturday. Tullis, 75, served in the House in 1999 and 2000 after a lengthy stint on the Jacksonville City Council, including serving as City Council president. Scott ordered flags to be flown at half-staff Thursday at the state Capitol, the Duval County Courthouse and Jacksonville City Hall. A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in Jacksonville, according to obituary posted on The Florida Times-Union website.
— STATEWIDE —
“Florida Disaster Fund grants awarded” via Florida Politics – Gov. Scott and Volunteer Florida on Wednesday announced the first round of Florida Disaster Fund grant awards for organizations providing disaster relief following Hurricane Irma, according to a press release. Each recipient organization is receiving $25,000 for disaster response activities. Examples include financial assistance with rent, mortgage and utilities; food, clothing and replacement of household items; sheltering for those who have experienced loss of their homes; individual case management; crisis intervention counseling and hotline services to assist those experiencing psychological distress; assistance for displaced families with pets; muck-out for flooded homes, and removal of dangerous debris.
“Eleven Florida turnaround schools awarded ‘Schools of Hope’ grants” via Jeffrey Solochek of the Tampa Bay Times – … up to $2,000 per student to help them implement improvement plans. State lawmakers set aside about $52 million to support as many as 25 district schools required to turn around their low performance on state tests. The Legislature added the money to HB 7069 to offset criticism that the measure would set aside millions to establish charter schools to compete with those same struggling district schools. The schools awarded the funds are Lucillle Moore and Springfield elementary schools in Bay; Homestead Middle, Lorah Park Elementary, Miami Carol City Senior High, West Homestead K-8 and Toussaint L’Ouverture Elementary in Miami-Dade; Gove Elementary, West Riveria Elementary and Palm Beach Lakes High in Palm Beach; and Idyllwilde Elementary in Seminole County.
“Tampa Bay Times seeks court order for DCF investigations” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics – The company that publishes the Times is asking a Tallahassee court to order the release of records on “abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults by providers of home health care services” from the state’s Department of Children and Families (DCF). The petition, agreed to by the department, was filed this week by Times Publishing Co. and Times investigative reporter Kathleen McGrory in Leon County Circuit Civil court. The newspaper aims to publish a “data-driven … examination of Florida’s methods of investigating and preventing maltreatment of the Florida families who rely on in-home health care providers.” “Such an examination furthers the Legislature’s express intent ‘to encourage the constructive involvement of families in the care and protection of vulnerable adults,’ ” including senior citizens and the disabled, the Times’ filing says.
“Court upholds $35 million verdict in smoker’s death” via the News Service of Florida – A South Florida appeals court upheld a $35 million verdict – including $25 million in punitive damages – in a lawsuit filed against two cigarette makers over a lung-cancer death. The Miami-Dade County case, filed by the estate of Patricia Mary Ledoux, is one of thousands that have targeted cigarette makers in Florida during past decade. The cases – known as Engle progeny cases – stem from a 2006 Florida Supreme Court ruling that established critical findings about issues including the dangers of smoking and misrepresentation by cigarette makers. In the Ledoux case, a jury ruled against Philip Morris USA, Inc. and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, awarding $10 million in compensatory damages and saying each company should pay $12.5 million in punitive damages. The companies appealed and raised a series of issues, including that a plaintiff’s attorney made improper statements during closing arguments and that the $10 million in compensatory damages was excessive.
“Four of five Keys county commissioners violated ethics rules, fined $20K in total” via David Goodhue of FLKeysNews.com – Four of the five elected Monroe County commissioners agreed to pay a total of $20,000 in fines to the state Commission on Ethics for misreporting income, investments and net worth on financial disclosure forms that elected officials in Florida are required to complete each year. All four told an Ethics Commission investigator that the misreporting was done in error and not to deceive, and they each submitted amended disclosure forms before agreeing to the fines. The complaints against them were filed by a Key West man who states in each filing he’s angry at the commission for conducting an audit of a Marathon-based animal shelter that ended the nonprofit’s contract with the county for handling animal control services in the Middle Keys.
“Nude photos lead to Jefferson clerk’s arrest” via Jeff Burlew of the Tallahassee Democrat – An investigation into a nude photo shoot at the Jefferson County Courthouse led to the arrest of Kirk Reams, the long-serving clerk of courts, on a loosely related charge of petty theft. Reams, 40, turned himself in at the county jail early Monday evening and was released on his own recognizance. The small-town political scandal began to unfold late last year, after Reams’ former girlfriend, Brittany McClellan, told the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office that Reams took naked photos of her inside the circuit judge’s chambers, located upstairs from Reams’ office. The investigation found they did not amount to a crime. She told investigators that in early 2013, Reams gave her a county-owned laptop, which he said no one was using. McClellan said she used the laptop to order cosmetics for her hair salon in downtown Monticello. She borrowed Wi-Fi with the blessings of a business next door, Vintage Treasures. “In doing so, (Reams) temporarily deprived the Jefferson County Commission of the aforementioned HP 625 laptop, in violation of (Florida statutes), a first-degree misdemeanor,” the probable cause affidavit says.
“Too soon to know? Regulators weigh worker’s comp rates” via Michael Moline of Florida Politics – Regulators pressed representatives of a workers’ compensation insurance rating service about whether two Florida Supreme Court rulings had in fact increased the cost of administering claims, as many had feared. The answer: Still too soon to say. Nor is it clear that carriers adjusted their reserves or other practices in response to the rulings to any degree of consistency. “At this point, the data is too immature,” said Jay Rosen, senior actuary for the National Council on Compensation Insurance, which proposed rates for around 240 Florida carriers. “Not much of the data that has been impacted by these court decisions has been reported to NCCI, and therefore it is not reflected in this particular rate filing,” Rosen said. Rosen and other NCCI representatives said the 9.3 percent average premium rate drop the council has proposed is mostly driven by a downward trend in payouts to injured workers. In other words, notwithstanding the court, workplaces have been safer.
“Report: Solar permits surge in Florida” via Trimmel Gomes of the Public News Service – A new report by the solar industry publication PV Magazine showed the Sunshine State leading the nation in solar growth, with a 110 percent increase in new residential solar permits granted last year over the previous year. Deirdre Macnab, solar chair at the League of Women Voters of Florida, said she credits the growth to the League’s statewide partnerships with co-ops. Homeowners and businesses are taking advantage of some of the lowest prices in solar through programs like the Solar United Neighbors of Florida. Plus, she said restrictions around solar use are slowly starting to relax as utility companies continue to show interest in harnessing energy from the sun. Macnab said cities across the state are now funding and hiring Solar United Neighbors of Florida coordinators to help organize community cooperatives to further lower the cost of solar installations for residents. Co-ops have launched in Alachua, Brevard, Sarasota, Seminole, Volusia and other areas.
Spotted in Business Insider – Florida’s 15,000-strong Union County, about an hour southwest of Jacksonville, ranked as the least healthy in the county. Call us crazy, but maybe it’s (partly) because “Union County has the second-highest smoking rate in the state”? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
— OPINION —
“Support the Tax Credit Scholarship to protect Florida’s families” via Robert McClure of The James Madison Institute –The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program provides families with the power to choose a school offering the most appropriate learning program for their children. Currently more than 100,000 students, from families making $24,000 a year on average, are empowered to attend a school that better fits their needs. Over 70 percent of these students are minorities, and they are the students struggling in public schools when they leave with the scholarship. Because of this program, families are lifted from the cycle of poverty and provided a vital escape hatch from schools that were not a good fit for them. It is a shame that in the face of a successful program such as Step Up, in a society which prides itself on a commitment to innovation, objective results and scientific advancement, that we must continue to oppose a status quo that would rather protect adults who run the system rather than students who are stuck in the system. These tactics are the last gaps of an establishment on the wrong side of history.
“UF can set example for free speech” via the Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board – White nationalist Richard Spencer is bringing his racist message to the University of Florida in a legitimate, if utterly repugnant, display of the First Amendment at work. As a public university, UF has little choice but to allow Spencer’s speech to take place. Now the university and the broader community has an opportunity to show the nation it can safely host even the most repulsive speaker, provide an opportunity for others to offer opposing views and reaffirm the commitment to free speech. Richard Spencer is not the kind of nationally known speaker UF officials like to showcase. His espousal of white identity and separation of the races doesn’t reflect the values of the university or this diverse state. But like all Americans, he is free to express himself. By accommodating him, UF has demonstrated that the right to free speech applies to everyone. By responding with peaceful protests and refusing to be provoked into violence, UF and the Gainesville community can provide a powerful repudiation of Spencer’s hateful message.
— LOBBYING REGISTRATIONS —
Ron Book: City of Pembroke Pines
Michelle Branham: Alzheimer’s Association
James Card, Larry J. Overton & Associates: University of Miami
Rosanna Catalano, Capitol Energy Florida: Charlotte County Airport Authority, Lee Memorial Health Systems
Kevin Cabrera, Edgar Castro, Southern Strategy Group: Brightgray Solutions
Al Cardenas, Slater Bayliss, Stephen Shiver, The Advocacy Group at Cardenas Partners: Plexos Group
Hayden Dempsey, Greenberg Traurig: The Unlimited Path
Mercer Fearington, James Smith, Southern Strategy Group: AZ Ocala Ranch
Mike Haridopolos: Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries, MJS Capital Holdings
Timothy Meenan, Karl Rasmussen, Joy Ryan, Meenan: Brighthouse Financial
Travis Moore, Moore Relations: American Hotel and Lodging Association
Jerry Paul, Capitol Energy Florida: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Richard Perez, Holland & Knight: Harris Corporation
— ALOE —
“Another tough day for SeaWorld employees” via Terry Roen of Orlando Rising – SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment announced is cutting 350 positions in its Orlando and San Diego parks … “It’s been a tough day,” said Aimee Jeansonne-Becka, SeaWorld representative. Employees who lost their jobs are being notified today. They will receive severance pay and assistance finding new jobs. Jeansonne-Becka declined to give the number of jobs cut in Orlando. The cuts are part of a companywide cost initiative to save $40 million. Money saved by the cuts will be used to market SeaWorld and increase park attendance.
“Disney’s Star Wars hotel could be pricy” via Terry Roen of Orlando Rising – Disney’s one-of-a-kind Star Wars hotel may bring prices of $500 a night to sleep in the immersive experience. Disney has targeted a 2019 opening date to coincide with the opening of Star Wars: Galactic Edge at Hollywood Studios. Everything from the décor in the lobby to the furniture in the rooms will follow the theme. Even the guest room windows will offer views of planets, stars and asteroids. Disney renderings of the rooms show children’s bunk beds and adult-sized beds in the style of Star Wars bunkers. The size looks similar to deluxe Disney properties, which the Theme Park Tourist blog speculates the rooms will cost up to $1,000 for two nights. While Disney has not announced a location … the hotel may be the first in Walt Disney World’s 45-year history to be placed inside a theme park.
“Florida retailers can expect a record setting Halloween” via Kevin Derby of the Sunshine State News – Across the nation, Americans are expected to spend $9.1 billion on Halloween, up from $8.4 billion last year. In 2016, the average American spent $82.93 on average on Halloween and projections showing that number increasing to $86.13 this year. Almost half of Americans–48 percent- plan to dress up and spend $3.4 billion on costumes while 71 percent of Americans will spend $2.7 billion on candy. Halloween decorations will also lead to $2.7 billion in spending as 49 percent of Americans plan to decorate their home or yard for Halloween. Discount stores will receive a boost over Halloween as 47 percent of shoppers plan to buy costumes and other supplies store. More than a third of Americans–38 percent–will hit Halloween and costume stores while 25 percent intend to buy supplies at supermarkets. Skittles rule the Sunshine State according to Candystore.com with almost 631,000 pounds of that fruit flavored candy sold. Snickers bars take the silver in Florida with more than 587,000 pounds of that candy sold in the state while Reese’s Cups place third with almost 225,000 pounds of it sold in Florida.
Happy birthday to our friends Tiffany Carr and Rick Lindstrom.
