Peter Schorsch
Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.
By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Mitch Perry and Jim Rosica.
As if there were a question that the business community hates a proposed state constitutional amendment to expand the right to bring environmental-related lawsuits, a letter released Monday erased all doubt.
No less than 28 business groups, including the Florida Retail Federation and Manufacturers Association of Florida, have now signed on to oppose the proposal (P23), pending before the Judicial Committee of the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC).
Commissioner Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch, a CRC appointee of Senate President Joe Negron, filed the language. Both are from Martin County.
It says that “the natural resources of the state are the legacy of present and future generations. Every person has a right to a clean and healthful environment, including clean air and water; control of pollution; and the conservation and restoration of the natural, scenic, historic, and aesthetic values of the environment as provided by law.”
The last sentence has caused the most exasperation: “Any person may enforce this right against any party, public or private, subject to reasonable limitations, as provided by law.” Critics say this will open the floodgates to litigation.
“By granting this broad right to challenge any government entity, business or private citizen — even if they are in full compliance with existing laws or valid permits — CRC Proposal 23 would allow delay or defeat of currently legal activities in our state,” the letter says.
“This amendment … encourages frivolous lawsuits, which would inevitably drive up business costs and threaten future economic development in Florida,” it adds. “(The proposal) is unnecessary and would do nothing more than create prolonged and harmful uncertainty for Florida businesses.”
The proposal will be considered at the committee’s meeting later today, scheduled for 1-5 p.m. in 301 Senate Office Building.
Assignment editors — Marsy’s Law for Florida, a crime victims’ group working to amend the state constitution to provide a ‘bill of rights’ for crime victims, will hold a news conference in support of a proposal currently before the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC). That’s at 10:30 a.m., 4th-floor Rotunda, the Capitol.
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— L’AFFAIRE LATVALA —
“Senate won’t identify attorney recommended for Jack Latvala probe” via Matt Dixon and Alexandra Glorioso of POLITICO Florida – Senate President Joe Negron‘s office provided nearly 50 pages of documents relating to the search process for an outside attorney to lead the investigation of Latvala. It included records for several attorneys, but the identity of one was redacted. Katie Betta, a spokeswoman for Negron, said a public records exemption for “personal identifying information” is being claimed, but she would not specify which one. There is no requirement that a public entity cite a specific exemption when redacting information from public records. “We claim the exemptions under [Florida statute] 119 that allow for various redactions, including personal identifying information for certain people who qualify for exemptions,” she said. The records indicate that the exempt person was recommended by Amy Oppenheimer, a California attorney that the Office of Legislative Services used to seek recommendations on whom to lead the Latvala probe. In October, the California Senate hired Oppenheimer’s firm to conduct a sexual harassment investigation. Oppenheimer recommended Jupiter-based attorney Cathleen Scott and a second attorney whose name is redacted.
“Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King wants to reform committee week meetings” via Ana Ceballos of Florida Politics — If King becomes governor, he wants committee weeks to be held throughout the state — and not exclusively at the Capitol … he will champion legislation that would mandate committee weeks be held in “as many regions as possible” across the state to give constituents better access to state government. “The location of our legislative process benefits individuals and organizations with the financial means and time to travel,” King said in a statement. Historically, committee weeks have always been held at the Capitol, making this change a departure from the norm. But King said the “remoteness” of the Legislature is one of the reasons unethical behavior continues to occur in state government.
“Women in politics fear #MeToo moment will backfire — and they’ll be the ones punished” via Mary Ellen Klas of the Miami Herald — Female staffers and lobbyists who returned to the Capitol last week for pre-session meetings discovered many male legislators would no longer meet with them privately. Accustomed to Tallahassee’s Southern culture, where men and women casually and routinely greet each other with hugs, legislators are doing an awkward dance to replace a hug with a handshake. And the fear of retaliation — against women who brought forward allegations or those who may in the future — is as raw as the fear that legislators’ political enemies could turn sexual harassment claims into new political weapons. “I had a senator say, ‘I need my aide here in the room because I need a chaperone,’” said Jennifer Green, a veteran lobbyist, after meeting with a senator in his Capitol office to discuss a client’s issue. “I said, ‘Senator, why do you need a chaperone? I don’t feel uncomfortable around you, do you feel uncomfortable around me? ‘Well,’ he said, ‘anyone can say anything with the door shut.’”
— FOR YOUR RADAR —
Keeping a positive relationship with a lawmaker is arguably the highest priority for a lobbyist. But for several female lobbyists in state governments across the U.S., it’s a priority that has kept them silent on sexual harassment.
A recent New York Times story shows that state lawmakers across the country have attempted to exploit sexual relationships with lobbyists. While the advances were inappropriate and not welcomed, most female lobbyists feared they’d lose access to legislators if they reported the incident, forcing them to stay quiet.
Until now.
The story discusses reported incidences of sexual harassment between lobbyists and state legislators in New Mexico, Kansas, Minnesota, Washington, South Dakota and Arizona. While it touches on reported sexual harassment incidents in 20 state congresses, the story does not explicitly discuss allegations against Sen. Latvala.
— “You can have my vote if you have sex with me,” lobbyist Vanessa Alarid said in recounting an exchange with New Mexico state Rep. Thomas A. Garcia.
— Sarah Walker showed The Times a text that read, “Would it frighten you if I said that I was just interested in good times good wine good food and good sex?” The text message was from now-resigned Minnesota state Rep. Tony Cornish.
— “There’s no mechanism in the statehouse that I’m aware of for lobbyists to report harassment or assault, other than going to legislative leadership,” said Samantha Spawn, a pro-choice lobbyist in South Dakota who said she was raped by a statehouse staff member. “But they’re Republican men. No one in South Dakota is going to have sympathy for the NARAL lobbyist.”
— Washington State lobbyist Nicole Grant said she was groped by state Rep. Jim Jacks. On why she didn’t report the incident immediately: “I’m just really focused on delivering for them. You don’t let anything get in the way. Some guy grabs you, it’s like, eye on the prize.”
— CAPITOL INSIGHT —
“Negron says Senate likely to consider tax amendment” via Lloyd Dunkelberger of the News Service of Florida — Negron said the Senate is working on a measure “that will be similar in goal” to Gov. Scott‘s proposal to amend the state constitution to require two-thirds votes by the Legislature before raising taxes or fees or creating new ones. Negron said the measure is being developed by Senate Finance and Tax Chairwoman Kelli Stargel … In August, Scott called for a constitutional amendment that would require a “supermajority” vote before raising taxes and fees, which now can be created or raised by majority votes in the state House and Senate. As the former chairman of budget committees in the House and Senate, Negron was asked about the impact of raising the threshold for passing taxes or fees. “It’s highly unlikely that the Legislature would raise taxes,” Negron said. “I think the real issue is going to be, what should the percentage of the vote be? Should it also include fees?”
“Diaper tax cut the latest pro-women tax plan by Democrats” via Dan Sweeney of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — Sen. Lauren Book rallied support for her bill to end sales taxes on diapers Monday at Fort Lauderdale’s Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center. “As a legislature, we provide tax breaks for businesses, we do the sales tax holidays for back to school and hurricane preparedness, all of which are extremely important, but this would be giving families direct help and support when they need it most,” Book said. “I’ve talked to moms who have had to keep their children in [individual] diapers much longer than they care to, causing urinary tract infections and other issues because they simply don’t have the means to purchase more.” The tax cut is the latest targeted at women and families by Democrats. Last year, state Rep. Katie Edwards filed a bill to make tampons and other menstrual products sales-tax free. That tax cut eventually passed as part of a larger tax package. The diaper sales tax exemption has already cleared its first committee in the Senate and faces two more before a vote by the full Senate.
“‘Alternative transportation’ authority proposed” via the News Service of Florida — House and Senate Republicans are proposing the creation of a “Statewide Alternative Transportation Authority” that would oversee developing transportation systems for such things as autonomous vehicles. The authority would be within the state Department of Transportation and would receive $60 million beginning in the 2021-2022 fiscal year, according to the House and Senate proposals. The House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee last week approved the House version (HB 535), sponsored by Rep. Bryan Avila, a Hialeah Republican, and Rep. James Grant, a Tampa Republican. Sen. Dana Young filed the Senate version (SB 1200) on Friday.
“House lobbying and ethics reforms ready for floor” via Lobby Tools — … after being submitted by the House Public Integrity & Ethics Committee. HB 7003 would strengthen the financial disclosure requirements of local government officials and would require local government lobbying registration. HB 7005 would create a trust fund to pay for the local lobbying registration system. HB 7007, aimed at preventing public officials from seeking employment from entities they regulate, was also submitted by the committee but has not yet been sent to the floor. But the House says it is part of the ethics reform package. The House also has a six-year lobbying ban (HB 5), a bill to require more fiscal transparency by local governments (HB 7), and a plan to strengthen government auditing provisions (HB 11) already on the floor, having passed one committee of reference respectively.
Bill alert — Rep. Randy Fine says he’s planning on filing what he calls “No Pickup, No Pay; No Service, No Sale” legislation. The consumer protection act will “defend Floridians from having to pay for garbage pickup, telecommunications, and cable service when those services are not actually provided. Under current law, these services can — and are — billed even if service is not provided,” a news release said.
Happening tonight — Fine holds his second annual holiday party beginning 5 p.m. at his Palm Bay Office, 2539 Palm Bay Road NE. Co-hosting the party is Brevard County Commissioner John Tobia, whose office is next door.
“Jeff Brandes — and his mom — head back to college” via Jim Turner of the News Service of Florida — The 1999 Carson-Newman University graduate will deliver the winter commencement address at his alma mater, where his mother — Mary Tibbets Brandes — will be presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. Brandes’ mother is a 1971 graduate of the private Baptist school. She would later become the first teacher hired at Northside Christian School in St. Petersburg, eventually becoming the head of the school. “The Brandes family has a long association with our university, and the Carson-Newman family is proud to claim them as our own,” University President J. Randall O’Brien stated in a release … The school notes that Sen. Brandes has “earned a reputation for innovative approaches in education, job creation, and transportation matters.”
“Wedding cake case prompts legislation” via Bill Cotterell of the Tallahassee Democrat — The dispute arose when Charlie Craig and David Mullins of Denver went to the Masterpiece Cakeshop in July 2012 and owner Jack Phillips refused to create a wedding cake for them. The Colorado civil rights commission ruled against the baker, and he appealed, saying his religious freedom would be abridged if the government could force him to do something he considers immoral. Florida doesn’t have a law like Colorado’s, but state Rep. Jay Fant wants to make sure no bakers get busted around here. Fant, who’s running for attorney general, introduced the “Free Enterprise Protection Act” — timing it to coincide with Supreme Court arguments in the wedding cake case. House Bill 871 would forbid “discriminatory action” by state or local governments against businesses for their exercise of personal choices. For instance, it would bar any imposition of fines, withholding of permits or other governmental actions because of constitutionally protected actions. “The government simply should not force business owners to create things they do not want to create,” Fant said, in filing his bill. “The more and more regulations that are handed down from government, the less and less freedom we have.”
— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL —
“American Bridge launches campaign against Adam Putnam” via Mitch Perry of Florida Politics –American Bridge, a progressive super PAC formed by David Brock in 2010, says they intend on informing Floridians over the next year about what they contend has been Putnam’s priorities in public office since first being elected to office more than 20 years ago: “Sweet deals for big business and his own bank accounts, while squarely ignoring the needs and concerns of Florida families” … “Adam Putnam is truly the problem child for Florida Republicans—he’s been cozying up to and making sweet deals on behalf of the lobbyists and donors that keep him in office for decades, all at the expense of Florida families,” American Bridge spokesperson Lizzy Price says. “Putnam is right in line with Republicans in Congress under the leadership of Donald Trump who give handouts to the rich at the expense of the middle class.”
“Poll: Gwen Graham leads Democratic gubernatorial primary” via Ana Ceballos of Florida Politics – She holds a seven-point lead over second place over Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum. The poll, released by Associated Industries of Florida, a GOP-leaning business lobby, shows Graham with 24 percent, while Gillum is at 17 percent. While the poll points to a Graham-Gillum race at the moment, the money does not favor the Gillum team, which has struggled to raise cash. By the end of October, he had raised $1.6 million total for his campaign. In that same time period, Graham’s raised $4 million and Chris King, a newcomer in Florida politics, pulled in $2.7 million for his campaign. Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, though, has raised the most: somewhere in the ballpark of $7 million. King and Levine each have 4 percent of the vote in the four-way race, according to the poll. To keep the momentum, Gillum is betting on the vote of African-Americans, a demographic with which he is leading, according to the new numbers. But as the 38-year-old runs on an “unapologetic progressive” platform, very liberal voters are narrowly favoring Graham (25-23) — not him.
Assignment editors – Gillum will hold a joint meeting with several North Broward County Democratic clubs, including the Coconut Creek Democratic Club, the Margate Democratic Club, and the Deerfield Beach Democratic Club. Meeting begins 7 p.m. at 1100 Lyons Road (Meeting Rooms B & C) in Coconut Creek.
“Disney sinks another $1 million into gambling initiative” via the News Service of Florida – Disney Worldwide Services contributed an additional $1 million in November to a ballot initiative that could make it harder to expand gambling in Florida, according to a newly filed finance report. The Disney money made up almost all of the $1,021,000 in cash collected last month by the political committee known as Voters in Charge. In all, Disney had contributed at least $3.875 million to the committee since April … The ballot proposal would change the Florida Constitution and give voters the “exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling.” It would require voter approval of casino-style games in the future.
– “Frank White touts raising $195K in November for AG campaign” via AG Gancarski of Florida Politics
Happening tonight:
– “Rob Bradley political committee spends $50K on Irma relief” via AG Gancarski of Florida Politics
– “Republican Chip LaMarca starts strong, over $110K raised for HD 93 bid” via Florida Politics
Happening tonight – House District 69 candidate Jennifer Webb invites friends and supporters to a Birthday Campaign Kickoff event beginning 5:30 p.m. at The Peninsula Inn, 2937 Beach Blvd. S. in Gulfport. Light refreshments, cash bar and birthday cake will be served. RSVP via Facebook, or at (727) 320-6275.
“Patrick Soranno goes uncontested for Indian Shores mayor” via Florida Politics – Soranno has been the interim mayor since the death of Mayor Jim Lawrence in January. Before taking over, Soranno was the vice mayor …The lack of a challenger for Soranno means there will be no offices in Indian Shores up for election during the Pinellas County municipal elections set for March 13. According to his Town Council bio, Soranno served six years in the U.S. Air Force, and post-military started a career in business working as a senior vice president at The Travelers Insurance Company and founding business consulting company Paradigm Alliance Group.
— STATEWIDE —
“State plugs shortfall in children’s medical program” via Christine Sexton of the News Service of Florida – Legislative leaders quietly agreed to pump nearly $142 million into a Medicaid managed-care plan that treats some of the state’s sickest children because of higher-than-expected medical costs. The Agency for Health Care Administration Oct. 26 submitted a budget amendment requesting that it be allowed to transfer spending authority and funds to the Department of Health to cover the costs of more than 51,000 medically complex children who were enrolled last year in the Children’s Medical Services Specialty Network plan. The request was approved a month later. Senate President Negron said many budget amendments legislative leaders are asked to approve outside of the traditional process are “routine” but acknowledged the transfer was “for an amount significant enough” that the Senate health care budget panel and the full Appropriations Committee should look at it during the upcoming legislative session.
Tweet, tweet:
Despite a push to create a joint budget commission, many budget amendments are submitted — but are never disclosed publicly. The gov office just emails it to legislative leaders to give them notice. But regular folks can’t find this out unless they make a records request
— Gary Fineout (@fineout) December 11, 2017
Assignment editors — Attorney General Pam Bondi will convene the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking. A meeting agenda is here. The 15-member council “builds on existing state and local partnerships working to make Florida a zero-tolerance state for human trafficking,” a news release said. That’s at 2 p.m., Cabinet Meeting Room, lower level, the Capitol.
“Ante up: State to workshop new rules for card games” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics — Gambling regulators plan to “update and clarify existing language” in the state’s rules on card games, according to an administrative notice posted Monday. A “notice of development of rule-making” was published in the Florida Administrative Register. An all-day workshop will be held Jan. 4, at the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering’s North Broward Regional Service Center in Fort Lauderdale. The division, under the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, regulates gambling in Florida. “The preliminary text of the proposed rule development is not available,” the notice said.
“State Attorney fires back at Rick Scott with letter of her own” via David Harris of the Orlando Sentinel — The back-and-forth battle between Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala and Gov. Scott continued on Monday when she sent a letter accusing him of not doing what he said he was going to do when it came to reassigning death-penalty cases. “I too, stand with the victims of crime,” she wrote. “But I also stand boldly on, not just the Constitution, but all the Amendments to it, including the 14th Amendment.” Her office missed the deadline to file its intent to pursue the death penalty, and Scott wanted to know if Ayala’s intent to seek the punishment was well-intentioned. A spokesman for Scott called her response “completely insufficient… What is especially troubling is her refusal to answer specific questions about her death penalty review panel,” spokesman JohnTubbs said. “…Ayala needs to be more forthcoming with her office’s death penalty process to make it clear that she is going to follow the law and fight for victims.”
First look — AirbnbWATCH, a project of American Family Voices, a progressive 501(c)4 nonprofit advocacy group, has released a new video in response to one put out by Airbnb earlier this month. The group says the vacation rental website’s latest ad campaign is “hiding the truth about Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward’s views on sensible short-term regulations.” To wit: “Florida is a big state, and Republican mayors like Ashton Hayward agree: Any statewide Airbnb fix needs to account for local needs. When will Airbnb stop omitting important facts and work with local lawmakers to rein in its illegal hotel operators?”
Click on the image below to watch the video.
Florida Chamber transportation summit – A Florida Chamber Foundation transportation “summit” in Brevard County will feature speeches by Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Dew, state Rep. Bob Cortes of Altamonte Springs, and Space Florida President and CEO Frank DiBello . Event 9 a.m. at Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal #1, 9050 Discovery Place in Port Canaveral.
“Ticket-fighting firm hires former Florida Bar president to sue the Bar” via the Tampa Bay Times — Ramon Abadin has joined the legal team of TIKD, a company that expedites the process of fighting traffic tickets in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. TIKD alleges that the Bar and a Miami law firm, The Ticket Clinic, have conspired to put it out of business. The Bar is seeking to disqualify Abadin from representing TIKD, arguing that during his 2015-16 term as president he was privy to attorney-client communications involving the antitrust issues alleged in the lawsuit. This is not Abadin’s first brush with controversy — two years ago he sparked a furor by seeming to back a proposal that would have let out-of-state lawyers practice in Florida without taking the Florida Bar exam.
“School board may seek renewal of 1 mill school property tax” via Joe Callahan of the Ocala Star-Banner — The Marion County School Board signaled it would be seeking a renewal of the 1 mill school property tax, which generates $16 million annually to help maintain many of its programs. Board Chairwoman Beth McCall said they needed “to start moving” on laying the groundwork to get the measure put on the 2018 ballot. The current four-year tax expires June 30, 2019. Marion voters passed a 1-mill school tax in August 2014. The referendum stated that the money must be used to restore music, art and library programs, as well as help provide more vocational programs. The money also was to be used for reducing class sizes. The board will vote as to whether they will notify the county commission of their intent to put a 1 mill tax on the 2018 ballot. McCall said much groundwork needs to take place to ensure the tax gets passed again.
“Orlando commits to goal of zero pedestrian deaths by 2040” via Jeff Weiner of the Orlando Sentinel –In a resolution, city leaders committed to create a “Vision Zero” action plan with the aim of reducing deaths and serious injuries to pedestrians to zero in the coming decades. It’s part of a nationwide push by the Vision Zero Network, a nonprofit that pushes for safer streets. The Orlando metropolitan area, which also includes Kissimmee and Sanford, was ranked the third-most-dangerous metro area in the United States for pedestrians in the 2016 edition of “Dangerous by Design,” an annual report by Smart Growth America. According to city staff, Orlando averaged about 121.4 crashes involving pedestrians and 121 involving bicycles per year between 2012 and 2016. On average, 6.6 walkers and 1.6 bicyclists died each year during that span.
***Nursing home care is better in states with a Certificate of Need process, because it ensures seniors have access to the right type of care where in the areas they need it most. The best way to ensure a high-quality, long-term care sector that balances the need for nursing home care and home and community-based services is to preserve Florida’s Certificate of Need process. That’s why everyone who cares about Florida’s elders should reject the Constitution Revision Commission proposal to eliminate Certificate of Need in Florida.***
— D.C. MATTERS —
Assignment editors – At 10:15 a.m., State Attorney Dave Aronberg will testify before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on the opioid crisis. Hearing will be in Room 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington D.C.
— OPINIONS —
“Chelsea Murphy: right on crime; conservative on justice” via Florida Politics – During the upcoming 2018 Florida Legislative Session, Right on Crime will serve as a resource to lawmakers on the importance of criminal justice reform, breaking down long-held, but unsupported, policy prescriptions. For example, the assumption that to decrease crime, all drug offenders should be subjected to the same mandatory minimum sentences has led to burdensome prison costs with little return for public safety. As an alternative, Right on Crime will introduce and promote public safety reform measures that have seen results in other states that most Floridians want to see enacted. There are steps Florida can take to cut crime and spending within the criminal justice landscape that have proven to save taxpayer dollars, reduce recidivism and protect public safety. The bottom line is a judicial safety valve is more effective and less expensive than mandatory minimum sentencing, and does not put public safety at risk. In addition to judicial safety valve, Florida is well behind other states in reforming its laws governing the property theft threshold, which has not been changed since 1986. The state is once again using an outdated, one-size-fits-all model to criminal justice. The case for smart criminal justice reform is clearer today than at any time in our past, and with smart solutions already being widely discussed by Florida lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, Right on Crime is hopeful that the 2018 session will usher in laws that truly work to reduce crime, deliver justice to victims and safeguard taxpayers money.
— MOVEMENTS —
“President Trump picks Bush ally Frank Brogan to be assistant secretary of education” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times – Brogan, 64, a former Martin County fifth grade teacher and schools superintendent who served as Bush’s lieutenant governor from 1998 to 2002, will be in charge of K-12 policy at the agency that is being reworked by Trump’s Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. He joins another Bush acolyte, Carlos Muñiz, in the Trump Education Department. Muñiz served as Bush’s deputy general counsel uand has been nominated as Education Department general counsel.
“Governor’s office weighs how to replace PSC appointee” via the News Service of Florida – Gov. Scott‘s staff has not determined how to fill a Public Service Commission seat after the withdrawal of an appointee who was accused by an influential senator of sexually inappropriate behavior. Scott said it remains unclear if the Public Service Commission Nominating Council will have to restart the search process or if a name can be selected from among other finalists proposed by the council in August. Ritch Workman, a former state House member who was supposed to join the Public Service Commission Jan. 2, walked away this month from the appointment, which would have required Senate confirmation. His decision came after Senate Rules Chairwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto said she would not put Workman’s appointment on her committee’s agenda because of his “abhorrent” behavior to her last year. Workman, a Melbourne Republican, had been selected by Scott in September to replace Commissioner Ronald Brise on the five-member commission.
Appointed – Gerard Joseph “Joe” Curley Jr. and James “Jim” Nutt to the 15th Judicial Circuit Court.
— FIRST LOOK: COREMESSAGE’S HOLIDAY CARD —
The CoreMessage team, headed by Cory Tilley, riffs off the year’s news for the intro to its 2017 Christmas card.
—
— ALOE —
Facebook status of the day:
“As holidays draw near, gas prices continue to drop in Florida” via Kevin Derby of the Sunshine State News — AAA released a study which showed gas prices stood, on average, at $2.41 per gallon Sunday in Florida, a drop of three cents from the previous week. While prices have dropped, on average, 12 cents a gallon in Florida over the past month, they remain 19 cents higher than where they were this time last year. Florida is below the national average which stood at $2.47 per gallon Sunday after dropping a penny over the past week. West Palm Beach had the most expensive gas in the Sunshine State with an average of $2.54 per gallon followed by Miami at $2.52 and Naples at $2.50. The least expensive gas in Florida could be found in three different markets with an average of $2.34 per gallon in Jacksonville, Orlando and the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater market.
“Pasco politicians announce Farm Share this week” via Florida Politics — The 23rd annual Farm Share Holiday Food Giveaway will be held 9-11 a.m. Friday, at Faith Baptist Church located at 9230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey. The announcement was made Monday by Tax Collector Mike Fasano, House Speaker Richard Corcoran, Sheriff Chris Nocco, Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley and Property Appraiser Gary Joiner, all of Pasco County. The giveaway includes fresh food donated by Florida’s farmers as well as meat and other items needed to make a complete holiday meal. All needy families are welcome.
“’Up’-themed show coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom” via Ashley Carter of Bay News 9 — It will be located in the Caravan Theater in the park’s Anadapur village, replacing Flights of Wonder. The last day for Flights of Wonder will be Dec. 31. In the as-yet-unnamed show, senior Wilderness Explorer Russell and his furry friend Dug will discover species of birds from around the world. The new experience will offer guests a chance to experience various winged creatures up-close.
“We can’t take any more of 2017, so we’ve turned to the Hallmark Channel in desperation” via Monica Hesse of The Washington Post – Hallmark, which often seemed to exist just so you had something to fold laundry to, is now deep into its biggest annual event — “Countdown to Christmas,” a series of several dozen fresh-from-the-oven, seasonal, made-for-TV movies. And it is an event. We would typically be the first person to mock the idea of the Hallmark Channel, but there is something specific about this December: It’s crap. The news stinks, current events stink — turning on the television, in general, stinks. Another beloved icon revealed to be a sexual predator? Nope — let’s watch Hallmark. Another North Korean missile, now deemed capable of hitting the United States? Nope — Hallmark. The president is retweeting fake video clips of — NOPE, LA LA LA LA. HALLMARK. HALLMARK. HALLMARK.
