Peter Schorsch
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Was it us, or was today’s Associated Press’ Legislative Session planning event a little, well, under-attended this year?
Sure, we saw the TBTimes’ Adam Smith and Michael Van Sickler made the drive from St. Pete because, really, where else do guys like that road-trip to?
But the usual coterie of out-of-town political writers and editorial writers didn’t bother showing up on the 22nd floor of the Capitol, it looked like to us.
Maybe that’s a tribute to the Florida Channel’s wall-to-wall coverage that can be seen from just about any TV or computer screen.
But Rick Scott, who usually can be relied upon to deliver a proposed budget on “AP Day” didn’t come through this year, his last as Florida’s governor.
House Speaker Richard Corcoran sent Republican Leader Ray Rodrigues in his stead, saying he wanted to spend time with his family.
And House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz was set to speak, but a family member’s illness forced her to cancel. Her replacement, Democratic state Rep. Evan Jenne, couldn’t show up because of airline problems, we’re told.
Maybe the AP can save money next year and just hold a teleconference. Hey, everybody’s doing it.
Evening Reads
“At least 82,000 guns stolen since 2007 are still missing in Florida” via Laura Morel of the Tampa Bay Times
“Hurricane Irma triggers a profit, sales windfall for Publix” via the Tampa Bay Times
“Rick Scott: State has enough money to cover hurricane costs” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida
“Florida disaster unemployment assistance extended” via Marcia Pounds of the Sun Sentinel
“Rick Scott wants more money for human services in 2018 budget” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
“Jack Latvala ‘sees organized effort to tear down Senate’ ” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
“Andrew Gillum calls critical survey methods inaccurate” via Jeffrey Schweers of the Tallahassee Democrat
“Industry favored over Tom Lee in greyhound racing fight” via Joe Henderson of Florida Politics
“A return to Congress for Allen West?” via George Bennett of the Palm Beach Post
“South Florida, out of beach, wants to buy sand from the Bahamas” via Henry Graber of Slate
Quote of the Day
“I hope you’ll be able to come out to some of our grassroots events and you’ll get to see what Adam Putnam’s like on the campaign trail.” — Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, 2018 Republican candidate for governor, sidestepping a question at Thursday’s AP Day about his more hard-right social media persona.
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Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The Department of Health’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance will hold a “Multidisciplinary Board Fact Finding Workgroup on Controlled Substances.” That’s at 8 a.m., Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Drive, Orlando.
The Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation has scheduled a meeting to go over local bills planned for 2018. That’s at 9:30 a.m., Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds, Grimes Family Agricultural Center, 2508 W. Oak Avenue, Plant City.
The Republican Party of Florida will hold its quarterly meeting, beginning at 9 a.m., Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, 4401 Floridian Way, Orlando.
The Volusia County legislative delegation is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m., Ormond Beach Commission chamber, 22 South Beach St., Ormond Beach.
The state Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council is scheduled to hold a conference call at 10 a.m. The call-in number is (888) 670-3525 and the participant code is 1043560135.
