Peter Schorsch
Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.
By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Mitch Perry and Jim Rosica.
Call it a tale of the tweets—or lack thereof.
As white nationalist Richard Spencer readied to take the stage at the University of Florida Thursday, some gubernatorial hopefuls spoke out. Some did not.
Republican state Sen. Jack Latvala, a declared candidate, said: “Hate has no place @UF or in the state of Florida. I hope Richard Spencer speaks to an empty auditorium.”
Spencer’s “hatred and racism is the antithesis of what makes America great,” tweeted GOP House Speaker Richard Corcoran, widely expected to declare his candidacy after the 2018 Legislative Session. “Florida is united in opposition.”
From the leading Democrats: Businessman Chris King attended the “No Nazis at UF” protest, while former Congresswoman Gwen Graham tweeted, “Richard Spencer and his hatred have no place in our state.”
And Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum tweeted: “Standing with #Gainesville today! ‘Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.’ – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
Contrast that to Republican Adam Putnam, whose most recent tweet as of Thursday afternoon was, “NFL owners have decided NOT to address the national anthem protest. Tell us what you think of their decision.” A similar post was on his Facebook page.
Putnam communications director Amanda Bevis reached out to Florida Politics after we criticized Putnam on Twitter for remaining silent. It is worth noting that throughout the week Putnam did condemn Spencer (here, here, and here). And late Thursday, the Bartow Republican did take to Twitter to reiterate his criticism.
But those tweets — coming hours after Spencer had come and gone from Gainesville — actually beg the original question: Why was Putnam tweeting click-bait about the NFL-national anthem controversy instead of forcefully condemning Spencer, as almost every other Florida politician did?
Florida Politics has reported that the firm handling Putnam’s social media is the same agency behind the recent win for Germany’s far-right populist party. Some thought we were just taking a shot at Putnam when we connected the dots linking Putnam with this firm, but that isn’t the case. Who a candidate hires to, say, run their Twitter account says something about them.
And on Thursday, when a state of emergency was declared at Putnam’s beloved alma mater, it said a lot about the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for governor.
“Richard Spencer at UF: Thankfully, no Charlottesville today” via Nancy Smith of the Sunshine State News – On the whole, with a strong police presence, the afternoon was relatively violence-free. Spencer seemed to revel in the attention. He held a pre-speech news conference in which he denied being a white supremacist and compared his vision of an “ethno state” to the pursuit of Israel as a Jewish state. He also parried reporters’ questions with condescending answers, calling them “dumb,” “not smart enough,” and compared them to preschoolers. And he described his supporters as being oppressed by “politically correct” opponents. He called the event a victory, proof “that we are persevering.” When time came for the speech, Spencer — introduced as a “spokesman for white people everywhere” — was met with a chorus of boos and chants from protesters in the audience. He called them “a mob” and accused them of “attempting to turn your academic community into a stifling place.” Through it all, Spencer persisted with his message of white nationalism and freedom of speech, no matter how offensive. Florida law enforcement was prepared. Protesters on each side of the issue rarely were allowed to get close to each other. Law enforcement sectioned off one area for pro-Spencer protesters and another area for anti-Spencer protesters, about 50 yards apart.
“Gary Farmer calls Richard Spencer a ‘lowlife … filthy’ ” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics – Democratic state Sen. Farmer of Fort Lauderdale says white nationalist Richard Spencer is a “closed-minded coward” in a statement released Thursday. … “This ignorant and spiteful man believes himself to be better than the rest of us. He attempts to pass off his shallow mindedness for righteousness, and in doing so has exposed America to the seedy underbelly of our politics,” Farmer said … “While this lowlife may have the right to promulgate his filthy ideology, we also have an obligation to affirm that he does not represent the vast majority of our society.”
“’Wicked hatred’: Jewish lawmakers condemn Spencer” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics – The Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus called white nationalist Spencer, [who spoke] at the University of Florida, a “a vile, racist, carnival barker.” Spencer’s “traveling circus of ignorance-fueled hatred is inhabited by insecure clowns unable to come to terms with a changing world,” according to a statement. “His ideology is that of a cowardly, small man, based on discredited nonsense and abject fear of those different from himself.” The statement was signed by Rep. Richard Stark, the caucus chair, and by Rep. Lori Berman; Sen. Laur
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— D.C. MATTERS —
“John Kelly: I was ‘stunned’ and ‘heartbroken’ to see Miami congresswoman attacking Donald Trump for widow call” via Nolan McCaskill of POLITICO – “I was stunned when I came to work yesterday morning and brokenhearted at what I saw a member of Congress doing,” Kelly told reporters at a White House press briefing. “A member of Congress who listened in on a phone call from the president of the United States to a young wife — and in his way tried to express that opinion that he’s a brave man, a fallen hero” … “He knew what he was getting himself into because he enlisted,” Kelly continued, referring to slain Sgt. La David Johnson. “There’s no reason to enlist. He enlisted, and he was where he wanted to be, exactly where he wanted to be with exactly the people he wanted to be with when his life was taken. That was the message.” Kelly said he initially advised Trump against making calls to the families of the four soldiers who were killed earlier this month in an ambush in Niger. “If you elect to call a family like this, it is about the most difficult thing you could imagine. There’s no perfect way to make that phone call,” said Kelly, a former Marine general whose son was killed in Afghanistan in 2010. “When I took this job, and talked to President Trump about how to do it, my first recommendation was he not do it. Because it’s not the phone call that parents, family members, are looking forward to.”
“Florida Democrat calls Niger ambush ‘Trump’s Benghazi’” via Marc Caputo of POLITICO – Frederica Wilson said Trump was slow to speak publicly about the ambush before her “dust-up” with the president, when she accused him of being insensitive during a phone call with the widow of Sgt. La David Johnson, saying Trump said Johnson “knew what he signed up for.” Trump denied that he said that; White House chief of staff John Kelly said that the president’s words were similar to Wilson’s recounting but that she had the context wrong. Wilson, calling Trump a “jerk” and a “liar,” said in an interview in Miami she believed the ambush that led to four deaths two weeks ago resembled the 2012 attack on the diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, that also left four dead, including a U.S. ambassador. “The circumstances are similar,” Wilson said. She said in Niger, the four soldiers providing counterterrorism training “didn’t have appropriate weapons where they were. They were told by intelligence there was no threat. They had trucks that were not armored trucks. They were particularly not protected. Just like in Benghazi, they were given the impression that everything was fine.”
“Frederica Wilson spent years consoling constituents before Donald Trump challenged her” via Alex Daugherty of the Miami Herald – It wasn’t a coincidence that Wilson was in the car with the family of Sgt. Johnson when Trump called. Wilson … has spent years consoling and advocating for victims of gun violence in her overwhelmingly Democratic-leaning district in north Miami-Dade and southern Broward counties. While Johnson’s death during an Oct. 4 ambush in Niger was different from the dozens of young people who have died from gunfire in Wilson’s district, her hands-on approach toward constituents who are dealing with heartache has been a priority for the former elementary school principal for years. “When residents of her district are killed she is there to help the family… she is there to help the community cope,” said state Sen. Oscar Braynon, whose Miami Gardens-based district overlaps with much of Wilson’s. “She does what many people ask Donald Trump to do, which is to be a consoler -in-chief.”
— “Florida Democrat Wilson no friend of veterans, vote record shows” via Lukas Mikelionis of Fox News
“Jaguars owner Shad Khan: Trump ‘jealous of’ NFL” via Jarrett Bell of USA TODAY – “This is a very personal issue with him,” Khan, the Jacksonville Jaguars owner, [said] as NFL owners wrapped up two days of meetings in Lower Manhattan. The league and its owners generally have had little public response to Trump, though New York Giants co-owner John Mara said, facetiously, “I’m shocked,” when asked for a response to the president’s tweet. But Khan didn’t hold back. “He’s been elected President, where maybe a great goal he had in life to own an NFL team is not very likely,” said Khan, who bought the Jags in 2011 for $760 million. “So, to make it tougher, or to hurt the league, it’s very calculated.” He reiterated a description he’s used before in characterizing Trump, calling him “a divider, not a uniter.”
Tweet, tweet:
President nixed disaster money for FL’s citrus growers. Says it will be added in Nov. So I just put hold on his nominee to make sure we get.
— Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) October 19, 2017
“Marco Rubio on Bible tweets: ‘I’ll continue to do it’” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times – Rubio won’t give up the habit. “I’ll continue to do it,” he said in an interview with CBN News. “Twitter is voluntary. People sign up to follow me on Twitter. If they don’t like it, they don’t have to follow me.” Rubio was asked about the bipartisan deal to shore up Obamacare, which initially looked as though it had Trump’s support. “I haven‘t looked at it carefully. I’m just cynical in nature about anything that’s designed to ‘fix’ Obamacare. I think it’s so broken it needs to repealed and replaced. But we’ll be opened minded and look at it and see if it makes sense.”
“’Days were lost’: A month later, Puerto Rico still suffers after slow response to Maria” via Patricia Mazzei and Omaya Sosa Pascual of the Miami Herald – A month has passed since Maria ravaged Puerto Rico, and the island continues to operate in emergency mode, struggling to do even the basics: save lives, protect property, provide drinking water, turn on the lights … a catastrophe born from the worst storm to cross Puerto Rico in 85 years — and of a slow recovery by the federal, state and local governments. The blame for the unsatisfactory response … lies with bureaucracies that were unprepared for a collapsed communications system and overwhelmed by the logistical challenges of aiding an island left with no corner unharmed. Even the White House appeared indifferent to the needs of 3.4 million American citizens 1,000 miles from its shores. Above all, strapped finances that plunged the island into an economic tailspin long before any winds arrived left the state government so thinly stretched it could not maintain its power grid or afford extensive preparations for a monster storm –– much less pay for the sort of recovery that would be demanded in the mainland U.S.
Happening Saturday – Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio will keynote the Miami-Dade County Democratic Party’s “Blue Gala” beginning 7 p.m. At the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, 1101 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami.
— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL —
Adam Putnam Tiger Bay Orlando campaign stop – Putnam will speak to the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida 9 a.m. At the Country Club of Orlando, 1601 Country Club Drive in Orlando.
“Campaign cash from utilities? ‘I’ll accept it,’ Richard Corcoran says” via Mitch Perry of Florida Politics – Corcoran has accepted campaign contributions from the investor-owned utilities in the past, and he hopes to in the future. “I’ve accepted in the past, as has Senator Latvala, and I’ll accept it in the future,” he said to reporters following a news conference in Tampa. “And my record speaks for itself in fighting for consumers in utility fights.” Corcoran added that he’ll take contributions from virtually any group. “My point to anybody is, anybody can donate to my campaign for the most part. I’m Richard Corcoran, this is what I stand for, and that’s what I’m going to fight for. And if you don’t like it, don’t donate.”
“Corcoran urges Congress to back Trump tax cuts” via William March of the Tampa Bay Times – “What our message was to our congressional delegation — go out there and support meaningful tax reform, make our economy great again,” Corcoran said in a news conference after a closed-door discussion with about a dozen local business owners. The details of Trump’s tax proposal still haven’t been nailed down, but Corcoran spoke of a $1.5 trillion cut over 10 years — a figure included in recent U.S. Senate budget proposals. He flatly rejected the idea that such a reduction would increase the federal debt, which recently topped $20 trillion. Corcoran said the tax cut would increase economic growth from the 1.9 percent a year now projected to 3.2 percent, thereby producing $2.5 trillion in extra government revenue. “So that more-than pays for the tax plan and at the same time, all these folks are getting jobs, all this capital’s back in America.”
“Andrew Gillum has violent crime wave to contend with as he runs for governor” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times – “Why is our mayor running for governor and our communities need our mayor right now? So I’ve asked the mayor to suspend his campaign for governor,” Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor said during a news conference. “Stop running for governor and just be our mayor for the next month or so.” Gillum’s campaign communications director Geoff Burgan told the Tallahassee Democrat the mayor is aware of the problem but halting the campaign won’t help. Last weekend, shootings left six people hospitalized and already 18 people have been killed in Leon County this year, a record.
Gillum visits Panhandle Tiger Bay – Gillum will appear at the Panhandle Tiger Bay Club beginning noon at Skopelo’s at New World, 600 South Palafox St. in Pensacola.
‘All About Florida’ adds national consultants – Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine’s political committee announced it has added three new national consultants, fueling speculation that the Democrat is readying a bid for governor in 2018. The additions are Pivot, a strategic political communications firm; EMC Research, which does polling and focus groups; and MDW Communications, a political marketing firm “specializing in digital strategy.” They join veteran fundraiser Courtney Whitney, who recently signed on as finance director. Levine “and our growing team of talented advisors and consultants are excited about the path forward,” said Christian Ulvert, senior advisor and spokesman for All About Florida. “The addition of top national talent … ensures that the progressive drive for results-focused leadership is front and center.”
Ashley Moody gets endorsement from Carlos Trujillo – Trujillo, a state representative and now U.N. ambassador, announced his endorsement Thursday of Moody for Attorney General. “Ashley Moody’s experience as a federal prosecutor, judge, wife and mother, coupled with her conservative principles, makes her the right candidate to be our next attorney general,” Trujillo said in a statement. Moody, a former Hillsborough County Circuit judge, is running as a Republican in 2018. Current AG Pam Bondi, also a Republican, is term-limited next year.
“No, a John Delaney run for State Senate isn’t happening in 2018” via AG Gancarski of Florida Politics – Since University of North Florida President Delaney left the Jacksonville Mayor’s Office, speculation has swirled seemingly every political season about his next move. Citing a surfeit of “real leadership and lawmakers in positions of power,” Delaney discussed a potential next move, and it was driven by a concern about Jacksonville’s diminished clout in Tallahassee since the Jim King/John Thrasher eras. “We have Paul Renner in the House now, and that’s great, but I’m looking at possibly the Senate,” he said. This led the Daily Record writer to note that, in 2018, Delaney could face either Aaron Bean or Audrey Gibson — both functionally unopposed incumbents. Delaney, who lives at the beaches, is in Bean’s district. But he told us that he wasn’t running again Bean. “Aaron is a buddy,” Delaney said, “so that won’t happen.”
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— CAPITOL INSIGHT —
“Bill Cotterell: Does the spirit of Harvey Weinstein lurk in our Legislature?” via the Tallahassee Democrat – Real-life matters of sex and power have taken center stage in the two weeks since the Weinstein scandal burst from the pages of The New York Times. A lively discussion has ricocheted around social media, most notably in a “Me, too” Facebook campaign in which women have shown how prevalent the problem really is. Many have also called for men to speak out, to no longer silently look away – and to consider their own conduct. It’s not a comfortable discussion, even in your own mind. My friend Peter Schorsch, the St. Petersburg blogger on all things involving Florida government, posted a piece wondering if there are mini-Harveys in the Legislature. Responses were fast and numerous, some citing experiences and others just saying, “Oh, yeah.” … some women said all men do it. Nobody said, “Oh, hell no, that stuff never happens in Tallahassee.” Of course, it happens. There are many legislators who never let power go to their heads, or other regions, no matter how important they get. And then, there are others … a simpler question for a public figure might be, “Would I say this to her, or do this, if I thought everybody would find out?”
Huh?
I was disappointed (but hardly surprised) this week to read empty, click bait-y musings on sexual harassment in Florida politics by @PeterSchorschFL & @TDOnline‘s Bill Cotterrell. I’m not linking here because I’m not interested in helping them get more clicks
— Jessica Bakeman (@jessicabakeman) October 20, 2017
Dana Young wants to add voicemails to ‘Do Not Call’ list – The Republican state senator from Tampa filed a bill to define canned voicemails as “telephonic sales calls” that Floridians could ask not to receive. The legislation (SB 568) was filed Thursday. It would include voicemails “made by or on behalf of (a) seller whose goods or services are being offered, or (by) a charitable organization for which a charitable contribution is being solicited.” The state’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services maintains the “Florida Do Not Call List” for residents “who do not wish to receive sales calls or texts.” The list has “grown to include more than 1 million phone numbers since Commissioner Adam Putnam worked with the Legislature in 2012 to remove the fee to join,” his website says.
“Bill would allow local smoking regulations in parks” via the News Service of Florida – A Senate Republican wants to allow cities and counties to be able to regulate smoking in public parks. State law currently gives authority to the state to regulate smoking — a concept known as preemption of local authority. But the bill (SB 562), filed by Sen. Debbie Mayfield would allow cities and counties to “further restrict smoking within the boundaries of any public parks they own.”
Fearless…
Daphne Campbell files patient protection bill – The Democratic Miami-Dade state senator has filed legislation “designed to beef-up patient protections,” according to a Thursday news release. The measure (SB 558) “would apply to all medical facilities housing patients overnight, including assisted living facilities and nursing homes” and require them “to have an operational generator and fuel supply sufficient to sustain emergency power for a minimum of 4 days/96 hours.” Generators “must provide enough electricity to maintain day-to-day living conditions throughout the entire facility.” The bill is in response to 14 deaths of elderly residents at The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills, which lost air conditioning during Hurricane Irma.
Joe Geller files bill on National Popular Vote Interstate Compact – Geller, a Democratic state representative from Aventura, backs a move to “mandate that the state’s electoral votes be given to the candidate who wins the nationwide popular vote,” he said in a statement. His measure (HB 367) would require Florida to join 11 other states already in the compact. “The compact would not take effect until the number of states (and the District of Columbia) with votes that amount to a majority of the 270 electoral votes necessary to be elected president, have signed on,” a release said. Donald Trump became president by capturing 304 Electoral College votes to Hillary Clinton‘s 227, though Clinton won the popular vote by almost 2.9 million votes.
We knew him when…
Flagler, Duval Delegations prepare for 2018 – The Flagler County delegation – State Sen. Travis Hutson and Rep. Paul Renner – host a public meeting ahead of the 2018 Legislative Session beginning 4 p.m. at the Palm Coast Council Chamber, 160 Lake Ave. in Palm Coast. At 1 PM, The Duval County legislative delegation – state Sens. Aaron Bean and Audrey Gibson, state Reps. Cord Byrd, Clay Yarborough, Tracie Davis, Kimberly Daniels, Jay Fant and Jason Fischer – will hold its local-bill hearing ahead of the 2018 Session at the Jacksonville City Council chamber, 117 West Duval St. in Jacksonville.
— STATEWIDE —
“Rick Scott touts $1M proposal to secure Jewish centers” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics – Immediately surrounded by 50 shades of cuteness but more broadly surrounded by deep worries about anti-Semitic violence and growing anti-Semitic sentiment, Gov. Scott pushed his proposal to include $1 million in his 2018 budget proposal to help Florida’s Jewish community centers, schools and day care centers further secure against attacks. Scott’s visit to the Roth Family Jewish Community Center in Maitland … His visit also came in a year in which the Roth Family Center, as well as numerous other Jewish centers throughout Florida and nationally, were hit with multiple bomb threats, forcing the centers, the families, the communities, and the state to re-assess the prospects of violence, especially in an era where supremacists and discriminatory hatred appear to be on the rise. This year’s Florida budget included $654,000 to help Jewish centers shore up security. For next year Scott said he is proposing an additional $1 million, a plan he first introduced earlier at Boca Raton.
“Scott suspends Jefferson County clerk from office” via Jeff Burlew of the Tallahassee Democrat – Scott suspended Jefferson County Clerk Kirk Reams from office over his arrest on petty theft charges and allegations he took naked photos of his then-girlfriend in a judge’s chambers at the courthouse in Monticello. Scott issued an executive order suspending Kirk for “malfeasance and/or misfeasance in the abuse of his position of public trust through the improper acts” uncovered by a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation. The executive order became public about an hour before the Jefferson County Commission was set to go into emergency session to discuss Reams’ arrest. Commissioners were planning to vote on sending a letter to Scott and Senate President Joe Negron asking them not to suspend him.
“Florida utility companies send in drones to speed up power restoration” via Allison Nielsen of the Sunshine State News – The unmanned aircrafts weigh around 10 pounds and can fly for about 20 minutes at a time, allowing power companies to get a bird’s eye view of power lines and identify any problems keeping the lights on. Two years ago, the Federal Aviation Administration gave the green light to Florida utility companies like Florida Power and Light and Gulf Power to operate the drones, which have high-quality video cameras capable of taking quick photos and video of hard-to-reach areas. Since then, power companies have embraced the technology as a way to make electricity restoration safer, less expensive and all-around a more efficient experience than ever before. At $6,000 a pop, drones aren’t cheap, but the pros outweigh the cons for power companies like Gulf Power, which say the unmanned aircrafts make workers’ jobs less dangerous and easier.
“Feds: Inspections show Lake Okeechobee’s dike sound” via Terry Spencer of The Associated Press – The Army Corps of Engineers, which oversees the Herbert Hoover Dike, said Thursday that recently activated daily inspections show that while there is some increased seepage as the water level now exceeds 17 feet, the barrier’s integrity has not been compromised. The lake’s water level seems to have finally stabilized five weeks after Hurricane Irma dumped heavy rains as it raked across Florida, causing a 3.5-foot increase in the lake. The record is 18.5 feet. Almur Whiting, the corps’ regional dam safety officer, said if the dike were built today, better material would have been used and it would have been packed tighter. He showed a group of reporters what inspectors look for. While there has been seepage and even some flowing water coming through the dike, the water has not been carrying material from inside the barrier. That would be a sign of possible weakening, he said.
“Historic Florida Keys district welcome sign stolen a month after it was blown over by Irma” via David Goodhue of the FLKeysNews.com – Days after the “Welcome to Key West” sign was returned — stolen right after the Sept. 10-11 Category 4 storm left the island chain — thieves absconded with the welcome sign to the Upper Keys historic district of Tavernier. It’s the only designated historic district in the Keys outside of Key West. Specifically, the large wooden sign on the northbound side of U.S. 1 at mile marker 91 at the end of the Tavernier Creek Bridge is gone. It was blown off its post during Irma, but volunteers leaned it up right until it could be reposted. It disappeared over the weekend. “If someone knows where it is and who took it, we’d really like it back,” said Jerry Wilkinson, president of the Tavernier Community Association.
“Increased attorney fees backed by Supreme Court” via Jim Saunders of the Sunshine State News – A divided Florida Supreme Court ruled that an attorney was entitled to receive stepped-up fees for representing homeowners against an insurance company. The court’s majority overturned a decision by the 5th District Court of Appeal that would have prevented attorney Tracy Markham from receiving what is known as a “contingency fee multiplier” for work representing St. Johns County homeowners William and Judith Joyce in their claim dispute with Federated National Insurance Co. Justice Barbara Pariente, writing for the court majority, said the appeals court had improperly ruled that such multipliers are only available in “rare” and “exceptional” circumstances. Pariente wrote that the possibility of increased fees can be important in getting attorneys to take cases on a contingency basis. The underlying legal dispute began after Federated National Insurance Co. denied coverage for water damage to the Joyces’ home. The Joyces hired Markham on a contingency-fee basis because they could not afford to hire an attorney at an hourly rate … The case was settled after months of litigation, with agreement that the Joyces could recover attorney fees. The Supreme Court described a two-step process in which a judge calculated that Markham should be paid a basic amount of $38,150 because of the amount of hours worked and a reasonable hourly rate. The judge then applied a contingency-fee multiplier that doubled the total to $76,300 … The insurance company appealed the fees. While the 5th District Court of Appeal upheld the basic amount of $38,150, it rejected the contingency-fee multiplier.
“More than 1,000 Disney workers rally for higher wages” via Terry Roen of Orlando Rising – The Service Trades Council Union, which represents 38,000 employees, sponsored the rally at the Crossroads entrance to Walt Disney World. Some employees arrived after work still wearing their Disney uniforms. Others wore bright red Unite Here T-shirts at the biggest rally since the six unions began negotiating with Disney in August. The Services Council, which includes six local unions, is asking for the first raise since 2014 when the theme park raised the starting pay from $8.03 to $10.00 per hour. Their next negotiation session is scheduled for Tuesday. Disney union workers lined both sides of State Road 535 at Hotel Plaza Boulevard holding picket signs and chanting slogans, like, “Disney workers need a raise” and We eat, we sweat, we need a raise to pay the rent.” Disney has stated that they will offer a “fair and equitable” wage. Their initial offer was for a 25-cent raise and that was raised to 30 cents an hour after the first negotiation session.
— NEW LOBBYING REGISTRATIONS —
Nicole Stookey Albers: Florida Municipal Electric Association
Robert Beck, Bryan Cherry, Tanya Jackson, PinPoint Results: Aspire Health Partners
Ellyn Bogdanoff, Becker & Poliakoff: East Point Towers Condominium, Edgewater Arms
Ron Book, Rana Brown, Kelly Mallette: City of Pembroke Pines, Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency
Rosanna Catalano, Capitol Energy Florida: Charlotte County Airport Authority, Lee Memorial Health Systems
Michael Corcoran, Jeff Johnston, Anita Berry, Matt Blair, Amanda Stewart, Corcoran & Johnston: FRS Environmental Remediation (d/b/a The FGS Group)
Andreina Figueroa, ADF Consulting: Jack and Jill Children’s Center
Christopher Hansen, Stephanie Grutman Zauder, Ballard Partners: Broward College Foundation
Carly Hermanson: Castle Key Insurance Company
Douglas Holder, The Legis Group: 1307 Mosso
Scott Howell: Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Christian Minor: Florida Juvenile Justice Association
Robert Schenck, The Legis Group: Jacksonville School for Autism
Chris Spencer, GrayRobinson: Associated Builders & Contractors of Florida
— ALOE —
“Hollywood Studios adds a visit to remote Star Wars planet” via Terry Roen of Orlando Rising – The destination will be added Nov. 22 to hype the opening of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” Episode 8 in the Star Wars movie series debuts Dec. 15. Crait is located in a remote, uncharted section of the galaxy that hosted a Rebel Alliance outpost during their early rebellion against the Galactic Empire. The planet is a prominent part of the new movie.
“Mario Andretti on Orlando expansion: ‘I’m pinching myself’” via Dewayne Bevil of the Orlando Sentinel – It was Andretti Day, figuratively and literally … Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs proclaimed it so as Mario Andretti and his famed racing family gathered in Orlando for a grand-opening/VIP event for the Andretti Indoor Karting and Games establishment now open near International Drive. It’s the third such center for the family (the first two are in metropolitan Atlanta), and it’s a growing part of the family business. Here’s some of what Mario Andretti, now 77, had to say about joining the crowded entertainment field in Orlando: “This is the center of entertainment. Are you kidding? This is phenomenal. … We want to be a good neighbor and an asset to the community.”
“Social media helping college teams start new traditions” via Steve Megargee of The Associated Press – As is customary, Gator fans sing “We Are The Boys From Old Florida” at the end of the third quarter. Now they follow that up by singing along as the public-address system plays “I Won’t Back Down” by Gainesville, Florida, native Tom Petty, who died Oct. 2. The “We Are The Boys From Old Florida” singalong has been going on for decades. The decision to play Petty’s song right afterward arose following Petty’s death, but fans knew what was planned because Florida announced its intentions beforehand. Just like that, a potential new tradition was born. “To see that after ‘We Are The Boys,’ to hear that place (sing) in unison, it was special,” Florida coach Jim McElwain said. “Credit goes to the people who put it together, and more than that, the response of the fans. And, ultimately, ‘I won’t back down’ — it kind of hits home for me.” The quick turnaround of Florida’s Petty project highlights the potential for social media to impact tradition making. For example, when a school wants to “stripe” its stadium in school colors, as West Virginia did last week before its game with Texas Tech, school officials merely remind fans on Twitter which color to wear based on where they’ll be sitting.
Happy birthday to former First Lady Carole Crist, Dustin Daniels, and Bruce Denson. Early birthday wishes to the smartest guy in whatever room he’s in, Tony Carvajal.
