Peter Schorsch
Sixty Days for 11.9.17 — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session
The Last 24
Tolls would be automatically suspended for drivers in areas where mandatory hurricane evacuations have been ordered, under a bill filed in the Senate.
A draft of a bill is circulating in the Capitol that would, among other things, expressly legalize steroids and trace amounts of cocaine in racing greyhounds.
Four years ahead of time, Florida House Democrats have formed a Working Group on Redistricting that they said will “allow them to be fully prepared to present the citizens of our state with the fair maps they deserve.”
Reps. Scott Plakon and Bob Cortes filed a bill that would strip cities from having any approval of cardrooms at pari-mutuel facilities such as dog tracks.
A new bill in the House would provide shelter for Floridians who had a “questionable” foreign court issue a cash judgment against them.
Quote of the Day
“In our busy day-to-day lives, it may be easy to forget just how blessed we are for the men and women who are willing to serve and fight so that we can live in a republic.” — Attorney General Pam Bondi, in an early Veterans Day message.
Bill Day’s Latest
3 Questions
In testimony today to the House Select Committee on Hurricane Preparedness, Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) chief lobbyist Bob Asztalos urged lawmakers to look beyond emergency generators as they consider legislation dealing with nursing home procedures in disasters. The organization advocates for nursing homes, assisted living facilities and others who care for the elderly and people with disabilities, especially regarding getting paid by Medicaid. Asztalos told legislators his group is committed to Gov. Rick Scott’s mandate that nursing homes and assisted living facilities have generator capacity to keep their residents cool and safe during a natural disaster, such as a hurricane.
Q: What other issues should lawmakers be concerned with?
A: The debate must extend beyond generators and fuel. Nursing homes care for residents whose medical needs are extremely complex – many depend on ventilators, oxygen, dialysis and other life-sustaining mechanical support. … We don’t understand how power restoration is prioritized in the state. I ask that the Legislature formalize the system for determining power restoration and that priority restoration be given to our centers.
Q: How useful are evacuations as a hurricane approaches?
A: We found a disconnect between the local emergency management personnel and the long-term care providers. Nursing homes seek to harden in place, and evacuation is a very last resort. The local emergency managers want to evacuate people quickly because they have a much bigger scope than just our facilities. I believe we need to foster open dialogue between the two groups to better coordinate when nursing homes should be evacuated.
Q: Can’t residents just be temporarily moved to special needs shelters before a storm?
A: Nursing home residents cannot just be loaded on a bus and dropped off at a shelter. They are too frail, many are in wheelchairs and they must travel with their medications, records, staff, and other life-sustaining equipment … The reality is that, during storms, nursing homes are called upon to take occupants from special need shelters when they are full or when the county is trying to close them after the storm. I believe this process can be better formalized.
Lobby Up
Veterans Day is around the corner.
While most in the Capitol will enjoy a short week due to the government holiday, it’s important to take a moment on Nov. 11 and think about what the day is really for; to recognize those who spend the other 364 days of the year fighting on behalf of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.
Florida’s population of 1.6 million vets tops all other states but California and Texas. And while many Florida elected officials have a “GOFO” when it comes to what our veterans need, there’s more than a few boots on the ground in Tallahassee looking to keep our vets top-of-mind when it comes time to passing policy.
Brian Ballard and Monica Rodriguez rep K9s for Warriors, a charity group that helps veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder get a service dog without having to pay a dime for anything from leashes to veterinarian bills.
Roy Clark, Jessica Kraynak and Glenn Sutphin are getting things done for the Department of Veterans Affairs this session, while Roberto Carbonell and Joseph Marino are the top operators for Florida is for Veterans, Inc., the group created by the Legislature in 2014 a to help the transition, training and hiring of recently retired veterans.
Last, but certainly not least, Bill Helmich is the point man for the Florida departments of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Both groups have been helping out veterans for a century or more and are focused on every aspect of the American veteran experience – from rehabilitation for disabled vets, to care for their widows and children of the deceased.
Breakthrough Insights
The Next 24
State offices will be closed Friday in observance of Veterans Day.
The Construction Industry Licensing Board will meet at 8:30 a.m., Embassy Suites Orlando-North, 225 Shorecrest Drive, Altamonte Springs.
The Florida Sports Foundation board of directors will meet at 9 a.m., Orlando City Soccer Stadium, 655 W. Church Street, Orlando.
On Saturday, GOP Rep. Rene “Coach P” Plasencia will host a fundraiser. That’s at 10 a.m., UCF softball field, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando. Email RSVPs to [email protected].
