Peter Schorsch
Sixty Days for 11.7.17 — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session
The Last 24
An attorney for GOP Sen. Jack Latvala asked Senate President Joe Negron to assign a former law enforcement official to conduct an investigation into sexual harassment claims against the Clearwater lawmaker.
A Senate panel moved a bill to give doctors more freedom in prescribing certain medications to their patients and give insurers less time to approve prior-authorization requests.
Legislation that would create a slavery memorial on the grounds of the Florida Capitol grounds advanced easily in the House.
There were no Jolly Rogers or parrots in the Capitol, but two lawmakers sought to put what they call a predatory boating-assistance practice into Davy Jones’ locker.
CFO Jimmy Patronis, a member of the Florida Cabinet, presented a resolution to raise awareness of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Legislation to repeal Florida’s no-fault auto insurance system cleared the House Commerce Committee Tuesday — the only committee slated to consider the measure.
A bill that would punish local officials in so-called “sanctuary cities” if they do not fully comply with federal immigration authorities passed the only House committee hearing it was referred to.
Quote of the Day
“As a career prosecutor, I would say you have to come forward, because someone has the right to face their accuser. It can’t be done under the condition of anonymity. So you have to come forward.” — Attorney General Pam Bondi, on the current environment of sexual harassment claims.
Bill Day’s Latest
3 Questions
Fleming Island Republican Rob Bradley now has taken over the chair of the Senate’s Appropriations Committee after Jack Latvala stepped aside amidst an investigation into sexual harassment claims against him. Bradley has the experience, having chaired three budget subcommittees. He’s also, as one lobbyist privately called him, the Senate’s “straightest shooter and most stand-up guy.” We caught up with him Tuesday morning; questions and answers have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Q: Where were you when Senate President Joe Negron asked you take over the budget for 2018?
RB: I was actually driving (toward) the Capitol, up Apalachee Parkway, yesterday morning when he called me. I could see the Capitol in the distance as the phone rang. It was a bit surreal. I was not expecting the call at all … I feel comfortable in the appropriations space. It’s not something that is intimidating to me. But you are constantly learning and I was able to spend considerable time with staff yesterday. I’m confident we won’t miss a beat.
Q: You’re noted for your “even-keel” personality. Do you think that’s helped make you the go-to guy in a crisis?
RB: I have found politics in general to be way too nasty and personal. People for some reason feel licensed to be able to speak in ways that they would not speak in other areas. That’s poisoned our country. It’s nothing new … but it feels a little more in your face these days. When I go about my business, I try to focus on what we’re here to do: Pass a budget, pass important legislation, and then go home. This isn’t supposed to be an all-consuming blood sport. It’s a citizen legislature. We are supposed to have lives separate from this.
Q: How do you view the nature of public service?
RB: I can tell you how I approach things. I’m here to do a job, and my heart is back home. I have been blessed to make incredible friends in this process. I’m not discounting the fact that when you are privileged to serve, it doesn’t present you with the opportunity to know people and even build lifelong friendships. The fact of the matter is, people didn’t vote for me to come to Tallahassee and socialize and have a vacation from my life. They voted for me to do a job. They expect me to do it professionally.
Lobby Up
The team at Metz, Husband & Daughton has added Turo to its client list in the lead up to the 2018 Legislative Session.
When it comes to renting cars, the San Francisco-based company is a disruptor on the level of AirBnB and Uber – say goodbye to all flavors of Ford Focus, and traditional renters’ shaky definitions of “full-size.”
Turo lets people to put their own vehicles up for rent and allows users to, as the company puts it, “rent better cars.”
Want a Benz without paying top dollar? Need something quick due to a flight change? How ‘bout a truck for that Home Depot run? Turo’s where it’s at.
Of course, just like ride-sharing apps, there’s some insurance fine print that needs to be ironed out in order for Turo and its users to operate hassle free. That’s where the lobbyists step in.
Getting the job done this session are James Daughton, Patricia Greene, Allison Liby-Schoonover and William Schuessler, each of whom will lobby on Turo’s behalf in the Legislature and the Governor’s office.
Breakthrough Insights
The Next 24
The House Health Quality Subcommittee will receive a briefing on the opioid crisis and a presentation about drug overdose deaths at 8 a.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.
The House Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 317) to make it harder to raise local property taxes. That’s at 8 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.
The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee will receive an update from the Department of Environmental Protection about the state’s petroleum-tank cleanup program at 8 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, a Republican candidate for governor, will join supporters for an “Up & Adam” Breakfast. It’s at 9 a.m., The COOP, 610 West Morse Blvd., Winter Park. (Note: This is a ticketed event. If you plan to attend, please email [email protected] by 8 p.m. tonight.)
The Senate Pre-K-12 Education Appropriations Subcommittee will take up a bill (SB 88) to require high-school students to pass a financial-literacy course before graduation. That’s at 10 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.
The Senate Transportation, Tourism & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee will discuss potential housing needs because of Hurricane Irma at 10 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce, along with a leading researcher from Harbor Branch/Florida Atlantic University, and Sen. Debbie Mayfield and Rep. Gayle Harrell, will discuss research addressing septic tank runoff in the St. Lucie Estuary. That’s at 10:45 a.m., room 229, Florida Senate.
Triumph Gulf Coast, which is helping administer BP settlement money from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, will meet in Wakulla County at 1 p.m., Wakulla County Community Center, 318 Shadeville Highway, Crawfordville.
The House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 335), that would prevent marriage licenses from being issued to anyone under age 18. That’s at 1:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.
The House Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee will receive a presentation by the Department of Children and Families about the opioid crisis and the child-welfare system. That’s at 1:30 p.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.
The House Tourism & Gaming Control Subcommittee will receive an update about gambling issues, including a settlement between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, at 1:30 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.
The Senate General Government Appropriations Subcommittee will discuss utility infrastructure at 2 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.
The Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee will receive an update about the federal Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in counties affected by Hurricane Irma. That’s at 2 p.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.
The Senate Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee will consider a bill (SB 4), sponsored by Chairman Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, that would make a series of changes in the higher-education system. That’s at 2 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.
The Strategic Planning Committee of the state university system’s Board of Governors will meet and discuss issues related to strategic plans for the University of West Florida, the University of Central Florida, Florida A&M University and Florida State University. That’s at 3:45 p.m., University of Central Florida, Orlando.
The House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee will receive a presentation from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs about the construction and maintenance of veterans’ nursing homes. That’s at 4 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.
The House PreK-12 Innovation Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 1) to create the “Hope Scholarship” program. That’s at 4 p.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.
The House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee will consider a proposal (HB 353) that would make a series of changes to laws dealing with autonomous vehicles. That’s at 4 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.
Patrick Hannon, who was sentenced to death in the 1991 murders of two men in Hillsborough County, is scheduled to be executed. Hannon was convicted of killing Brandon Snider and Robert Carter. Hannon and two other men went to the apartment where Snider and Carter lived on Jan. 10, 1991. After one of the other men attacked and stabbed Snider, Hannon was accused of cutting Snider’s throat. Hannon was then accused of fatally shooting Carter, who had tried to hide under a bed. The execution is scheduled for 6 p.m., Florida State Prison, Raiford.
