Peter Schorsch
Sixty Days — A prime-time read of what’s going down for Florida’s 2018 Legislative Session.
The Last 24
House Speaker Richard Corcoran sued the city of Tampa for imposing what he called an extra “illegal tax” on staying in hotels.
The speaker also debuted legislation that would bar companies seeking to do business with the state from hiding information behind claims of “trade secrets.”
Corcoran also made clear he opposes dipping into reserves to balance the 2018-2019 state budget.
Florida Power & Light will seek to recoup an estimated $1.3 billion from customers to cover the costs of restoring electricity after Hurricane Irma.
Republican candidate for Agriculture Commissioner Paul Paulson is dropping out of the race and throwing his support behind state Rep. Matt Caldwell in the GOP primary to replace termed-out Adam Putnam.
Quote of the Day
“To say this is one of the most egregious (examples of) spitting in the face of the Constitution that I have seen in my time in office is an understatement.” — House Speaker Richard Corcoran, speaking Thursday on his lawsuit against the City of Tampa for levying what he calls an illegal tax in its “tourism marketing assessment.”
Bill Day’s Latest
3 Questions
Brad Swanson, president and CEO of the new Florida Internet & Television (FIT), has been at the helm of the association for just over a year. FIT’s members include corporate heavyweights such as Comcast and Charter Communications, as well as Cox, Mediacom and Atlantic Broadband. Since his arrival, the organization has undergone sweeping change: Shedding its old name, Florida Cable Telecommunications Association (FCTA); hiring Kate Wallace as public affairs director; naming Charter’s vice president of State Government Affairs and Florida State Board of Education Chairman Marva Johnson as chair of the board; and redefining the way Florida’s cable and Internet service provider industry advocates and communicates in the Capitol. We spoke to Swanson about all of FIT’s new developments and what’s in store for 2018.
Q: Your organization just unveiled a whole new brand. What prompted the change?
Swanson: When I joined what was then known as FCTA last July, I immediately noticed a significant dichotomy between the identities of our members versus the identity of their trade association. Everyone knew or was aware of our individual members, but few seemed to know or recognize the FCTA brand. Further, FCTA was not engaging audiences in a meaningful way online or through social media. It didn’t make sense from an advocacy perspective for a multibillion-dollar, high-tech industry to lack a digital presence and well-recognized brand in Florida politics. So, we spent the last year doing our homework and ultimately developed a name and brand that we believe best reflects our members’ extraordinary economic and technological impact in Florida.
Q: What are the greatest issues facing the internet and television industry?
Swanson: First, it’s helping our friends in the legislative and executive branches understand that we are no longer your father’s cable companies. Our members are leading the way in innovations that are changing the way we live, work and enjoy the things we love, from virtual reality innovations and telehealth to content streaming and autonomous cars. They are economic and workforce drivers employing tens of thousands in Florida, donating millions to charitable and community programs, and delivering robust, high-speed internet and content delivery technology to millions of Florida homes and businesses, every day. Our industry is the reason education, entertainment and commerce can happen anywhere at any time, and our investments made that a reality in less than 20 years. So a key issue is also ensuring we keep a healthy taxation and regulatory environment in place so our members can continue to invest billions in upgrading current infrastructure and expanding access where we still need it. How much and how well we can invest in expanding and improving our broadband infrastructure is greatly connected to how well Florida can compete in the 21st century, global, online economy.
Q: You host FIT’s public affairs television show, Capital Dateline, soon to be recast as FITv. What should we expect from the new show?
Swanson: You’re going to see a mix of old and new. As was with the previous show, we will continue to host public officials, reporters, candidates for office and expert commentators, all who will offer their take on the latest state political issues and news. Additionally, we have some exciting changes, including more segments on what’s happening in our industry. We have fascinating stories to tell about the latest innovations in SmartHome technology, the newest ways to access video content, and ways our members’ networks are going to power emerging technologies of the near future, like self-driving cars and augmented virtual reality. All those burgeoning technologies will require far more robust networks than the ones we rely on today, and our members are already planning for that increased demand. We will also have a new set and much more modern look and feel to the show. We will continue to be a unique program in the advocacy space and look forward to being a premier destination for reaching Florida’s top political influencers.
Lobby Up
Lawmakers-turned-lobbyists are doing just fine, according to the latest lobbying registration records, heading into the 2018 Legislative Session:
Former Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff is representing East Point Towers Condominium, Inc. and Edgewater Arms, Inc.
Former House Speaker Dean Cannon and other with the GrayRobinson firm will lobby for the Florida Surety Association.
Former Senate President Mike Haridopolos has registered to lobby for the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries.
Former Rep. Doug Holder will for 1307 Mosso, LLC. And former Rep. Rob Schenck will rep the Jacksonville School for Autism.
All served as Republicans.
Breakthrough Insights
The Next 24
The Florida Board of Psychology is scheduled to hold a conference call at 8 a.m. The call-in number is (888) 670-3525 and the code is 7811783909#.
The Medicaid Pharmaceutical & Therapeutics Committee, which makes recommendations for a preferred drug list, will meet at 8:30 a.m., Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore/Airport, 700 North Westshore Blvd., Tampa.
The state Board of Orthotists and Prosthetists is scheduled to hold a conference call at 9 a.m. The call-in number is (888) 670-3525 and the code is 7342425515.
The Florida Democratic Party will start a three-day conference in Orange County. Speakers during the conference are expected to include U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, U.S. Rep. Val Demings and gubernatorial candidates Andrew Gillum, Gwen Graham and Chris King. Committee meetings start at 10 a.m., Disney’s Coronado Springs, 1000 West Buena Vista Dr., Orlando.
State CFO Jimmy Patronis and U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross are set to speak during a Pinellas County Republican Party Reagan Day Dinner. That’s at 7 p.m., Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, 105 North Bayshore Dr., Safety Harbor.
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CORRECTION: Last night’s edition included a misdated item about Sen. Dorothy Hukill, a Port Orange Republican, speaking at the Florida Chamber of Commerce Insurance Summit. That appearance is Thursday, Nov. 2. Last Call regrets the error.
