Peter Schorsch
Sixty Days — A prime-time read of what’s going down for Florida’s 2018 Legislative Session.
The Last 24
Gov. Rick Scott, expected to challenge Bill Nelson next year for his U.S. Senate seat, announced he was proposing $1.7 billion in environmental funding for 2018-19.
Advocates supporting civil citations instead of juvenile arrests hailed a report showing there were 3,000 fewer arrests for “common youth” misbehavior in 2016.
A measure that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to store firearms with security officers at courthouses was filed for the 2018 Legislative Session.
A proposed constitutional amendment that would give Florida voters final say in gambling expansion now has more than 300,000 valid signatures.
It’s looking more likely that Congressman Ron DeSantis will throw his name into contention for the 2018 Republican gubernatorial nomination.
Sen. Bill Galvano, a Bradenton lawyer, will be designated Tuesday by Senate Republicans as the next president of the Florida Senate.
Quote of the Day
“You can’t follow your instincts anymore as law enforcement. … Why should I have to tell anybody that they can’t cooperate with me? I don’t get that.” — Sen. Dennis Baxley, an Ocala Republican, on a proposal to prohibit police officers from conducting a search without telling people they have a right to decline the search.
Bill Day’s Latest
3 Questions
Sen. Bill Galvano’s time is now.
The Bradenton Republican will essentially be named President-designate of the Florida Senate Tuesday morning at a meeting of the GOP Caucus. That assumes the Republicans hold their majority in the chamber for 2018-20.
Galvano, an attorney first elected in 2012, will be formally “designated” by the 40-member Senate’s 25 GOP senators. He previously was Senate Republican Leader in 2014-16, and also served in the House 2002-10. Galvano, who helped draft the Seminole Compact, has long been a point man on gambling issues. He also is president of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States.
Q: Not counting gaming, what will be your legislative priorities as Senate President?
BG: First and foremost, I view the role of a presiding officer as one of service, not only to the state but to the other 39 members of the Senate who I hope will elect me as their President next November. I have told those who supported me for this position that I will look first to other Senators for guidance and direction and that I want to work together to address the issues before us. Some of the major issues I have discussed with a number of Senators include: modernizing our infrastructure, including security and in particular cybersecurity; reviving the citrus industry; continued support of our higher education system, including the Florida College System; revisiting how we serve people with unique abilities; continued action to address the opioid problem facing our state; and, promoting new trade opportunities.
Q: On gaming, can you succeed in finally getting through a big overhaul bill? Why or why not?
BG: Much of the pending litigation has been resolved by the courts or through the Governor’s agreement. The existing compact still has fourteen years, so an overhaul is not absolutely required. Several senators want to address different aspects such as fantasy sports and decoupling, and I would be happy to work with them on that legislation as we move forward.
Q: You’ll be the second lawyer in a row to be President. How does that help you lead and legislate?
BG: I started working at my law firm as a teenager and have been there full time since graduating from law school in 1992, so over nearly 30 years I’ve had the opportunity to serve the firm in many different capacities, before and after being admitted to the bar. Inherently, a law firm is a business, and we face many of the same challenges and have the same opportunities as other businesses in our state. I think that experience with the day-to-day administration of a business in our state, in addition to the practice of law, has helped frame my view of many of the issues that come before the Legislature.
Lobby Up
Jose Diaz, who has taken over at Robert M. Levy & Associates after the passing of founder Bob Levy, has registered a new client called “Military Family Connect.”
Military Family Connect works to put military families in contact with the resource and support networks available to them in their local communities.
“We have a history of working on veteran and military issues,” Diaz told Florida Politics. “We’re honored to represent Military Family Connect in their mission to support our military families in Florida.”
Levy served two tours of duty in Vietnam, “so this allows us to honor his services and continue the firm’s tradition of supporting our military,” Diaz added.
Levy was a Vietnam veteran and was awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, The Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts. He attended Valley Forge Military Academy and Penn State University.
The longtime lobbyist and campaign consultant in Tallahassee and South Florida died last April after celebrating his 67th birthday the previous month.
Breakthrough Insights
The Next 24
The state Elections Canvassing Commission will certify the results of Oct. 10 special elections in House District 44 and House District 58. Republican Bobby Olszewski won a special general election in Orange County’s District 44, while Republican Lawrence McClure won a GOP primary in Hillsborough County’s District 58. 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee will discuss a controversial insurance practice known as “assignment of benefits.” 9 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building.
The Senate Community Affairs Committee will finish a workshop about state and local regulation of vacation-rental properties. 9 a.m., 301 Senate Office Building.
The Senate Health Policy Committee will consider a bill that would clear the way for doctors and patients to enter into “direct primary care” agreements. 9 a.m., 412 Knott Building.
Florida Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Perry Thurston and other caucus members will hold a news conference to demand an apology from President Donald Trump to Congresswoman and former state lawmaker Frederica Wilson. The meeting will be 10:30 a.m., in the House Media Center, room 333, The Capitol.
Senate Republicans will hold a caucus meeting to formally designate Sen. Bill Galvano as their choice to become Senate president after the 2018 elections. 11 a.m., Senate chamber.
Sen. Linda Stewart of Orlando, House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz of Tampa, and state Rep. Lori Berman of Lantana will hold a news conference and rally for their “Equal Pay for Equal Work” bill. The event will take place 1 p.m., outside the House Chamber in the Capitol’s 4th-floor rotunda.
FL DNT TXT N DRV COALITION will host a press conference on legislation for this Session that would make texting while driving a primary offense. It’s at 1:30 p.m. in front of the Florida Senate Chamber on the 4th floor in the Capitol’s rotunda.
The House Health & Human Services Committee will discuss issues related to children’s dental services in the Medicaid program. 2 p.m., 17 House Office Building.
The Senate Communications, Energy and Public Utilities Committee will take up a bill to make texting while driving a primary offense. 3 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building.
The Senate Judiciary Committee will consider a proposal to ban the issuance of marriage licenses to people under age 18. 3 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building.
The Senate Transportation Committee will take up a bill to name a stretch of road in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties as “Senator Greg Evers Memorial Highway.” 3 p.m., 401 Senate Office Building.
A campaign fundraising event is scheduled for Sen. Jeff Brandes, a St. Petersburg Republican. 5 p.m., Governors Club, 202 South Adams St., Tallahassee.
