Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
A Tallahassee judge tomorrow will consider a challenge to a 2015 state law requiring women to wait 24 hours before they can have an abortion.
The law already has been indefinitely suspended by the state’s Supreme Court.
Opponents have said delays could lead to victims of domestic abuse being forced to forgo an abortion or cause additional emotional distress for women who have a doomed pregnancy.
An American Civil Liberties Union lawyer representing a Gainesville women’s clinic has said a state-mandated “timeout” was “insulting.”
Proponents counter the waiting period is necessary because the decision to terminate a pregnancy can’t be undone.
The Supreme Court said it’s likely a lower court would find the law unconstitutional because of a lack of evidence that it addresses a “compelling state interest.”
Deputy Solicitor General Denise Harle previously argued the law does advance such an interest and doesn’t create significant burdens for women.
The hearing before Circuit Judge Terry Lewis is 11 a.m. at the Leon County Courthouse across from the Capitol.
Evening Reads
“Marco Rubio pens op-ed urging Donald Trump administration to extend TPS for Haitians” via Patricia Mazzei of the Miami Herald
“Florida is on fire” via Marc Caputo and Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida
“Terrie Rizzo offers Florida Democrats ‘steady hand,’ since she’s seen this movie before” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics
“Florida may counter ‘growing threat’ to election security” via Gary Fineout of The Associated Press
“Online voter registration favors Democrats over GOP in early run” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
“Virginia deputy reassigned after going to party in blackface as Frederica Wilson” via The Associated Press
“Ashley Moody, meet Ross Spano: Notes from Reagan Day BBQ” via Mitch Perry of Florida Politics
“Jacksonville’s poorest residents live in the worst flood zones” via Meredith Bauer of City Lab
“In spite of Hurricane Irma, robust holiday spending is expected” via Ana Ceballos of Florida Politics
“Oh, Florida! We should all be thankful for the lady accused of shoplifting while dressed as a turkey” via Craig Pittman of the Tampa Bay Times
Quote of the Day
“Medicaid expansion is critical to our state. As governor, I will work with the Legislature to expand health care — and if they won’t, I will veto their priorities until they are willing to listen to the priorities of everyday Floridians.” — Former Congresswoman Gwen Graham, Democratic candidate for governor in 2018.
(Source: “Gwen Graham throws down gauntlet on Medicaid expansion”)
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
Military veterans will be honored during “Governor’s Veterans Service Award” ceremonies in Citrus and Lake counties. That’s at 9 a.m., National Guard Armory, 8551 West Venable St., Crystal River and 2:30 p.m., National Guard Armory, 605 South Bay St., Eustis.
The Office of Economic and Demographic Research and other state economists will consider the fiscal impact of a variety of bills at 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.
A committee of Triumph Gulf Coast Inc. will hold a conference call to discuss hiring an economic adviser. Triumph Gulf Coast helps administer BP settlement money from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. That’s at 10 a.m. Central time. The call-in number is (850) 770-2105.
Circuit Judge Terry Lewis will hold a hearing in a legal battle about the constitutionality of a 2015 law that would require women to wait 24 hours before having abortions. The hearing is 11 a.m., Leon County Courthouse, 301 South Monroe St., Tallahassee.
House members face a Tuesday deadline for filing their first two general bills of the 2018 session (members can file up to six). That’s at noon.
Sen. Bobby Powell, a West Palm Beach Democrat, and Rep. Al Jacquet, a Lantana Democrat, will host a “turkey drive” to provide turkeys to constituents in need. That’s at noon, Jacquet’s district office, 314 11th St., West Palm Beach.
The Agency for Health Care Administration will hold a meeting about a proposed rule on requirements for providers in the Medicaid program. That’s at 2 p.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.
Sen. Darryl Rouson, a St. Petersburg Democrat, is expected to take part in a town-hall mixer. That’s at 5:30 p.m., Acropolis Greek Tavern, 1833 East 7th Ave., Tampa.
The Pasco-Hernando State College board of trustees is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m., Pasco-Hernando State College, Spring Hill Campus, 450 Beverly Court, Spring Hill.
Ben Crump, who gained national recognition as the lawyer for the families of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and other victims of gun violence, is featured in a new TV series, “Who Killed Tupac?” It premieres at 9 p.m. on the A&E Network.
