Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
State Sen. Tom Lee says he’s not offended that Attorney General Pam Bondi hasn’t endorsed his proposed ban on greyhound racing.
“I haven’t spoken to her about it,” he told Florida Politics in a hall of the Senate Office Building Tuesday. “I get the sense she is not trying to get out in front on any of these proposals.”
Both are members of the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC), which convenes every 20 years to review and propose changes to the state’s governing document. Its committees are meeting this week in Tallahassee.
Lee’s proposal would phase out live racing over three years, starting in 2019-20. It has not yet been heard in committee.
Bondi — a Tampa Republican who regularly brings shelter dogs to state Cabinet meetings to get them adopted—has declined to say whether she would support the ban.
“As a member of the commission, I look forward to reviewing the more than one hundred proposals that have been filed,” Bondi said in a statement.
Evening Reads
“Florida’s growing reliance on natural gas may put ratepayers at risk” via Gillian Neimark of Southeast Energy News
“Florida Chamber Foundation summit focuses on poverty, child care and education” via Richard Danielson of the Tampa Bay Times
“New Andrew Gillum campaign manager has Hillary Clinton past, Bernie Sanders flavor” via George Bennett of the Palm Beach Post
“Sarasota rowing complex spending is the latest target of Richard Corcoran” via Zac Anderson of Sarasota Herald-Tribune
“DEP Secretary rejects judge’s recommendation, denies Everglades oil drilling permit” via Bruce Ritchie of POLITICO Florida
“Murky waters: Chartering the wrong boat can have tragic consequences” via Sara DiNatale of the Tampa Bay Times
Quote of the Day
“When you see a fellow Senate President going down, you always try to help.” — Constitution Revision Commissioner and former Senate President Don Gaetz (2012-14) on fellow Commissioner and former Senate President Tom Lee (2004-06). Gaetz tried a parliamentary move to save Lee’s proposal to add job responsibilities to the state CFO from being voted down. The amendment — and the motion — failed.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The Ethics and Elections Committee of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission will take up a series of proposals. That’s at 8 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.
The Legislative Committee of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission will consider proposals, including one that would require legislative candidates to live in their districts at the time of qualifying to run. That’s at 8 a.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.
The Local Government Committee of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission will take up a proposal to make it harder for the Legislature to restrict the power of local governments. That’s at 8:30 a.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.
The Alachua County legislative delegation is scheduled to meet as it prepares for the 2018 session. That’s at 9 a.m., Santa Fe College Northwest Campus, Fine Arts Hall, 3000 N.W. 83rd St., Gainesville.
The Indian River legislative delegation also is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m., County Commission Chambers, Indian River County Administration Building, 1801 27th St., Vero Beach.
Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is expected to speak during a Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce luncheon. That’s at 11:30 a.m., Palmetto Club, 1000 South Beach St., Daytona Beach.
The Declaration of Rights Committee of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission will consider a proposal to eliminate a prohibition on state money going to help churches or other religious organizations. That’s at 1 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.
The Rules and Administration Committee of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission will discuss scheduling issues. That’s at 5:15 p.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.
Rep. Sean Shaw, a Tampa Democrat, is slated to host a Minority Transportation Forum about transportation issues in the Tampa Bay area. That’s at 5:30 p.m., Children’s Board-Hillsborough, 1002 East Palm Ave., Tampa.
