Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
A National Rifle Association lobbyist wants ousted Sen. Jack Latvala to give some of his millions in leftover campaign funds to children with disabilities.
“I am not asking for money for bicycles, Nintendo Switch or PS4 game consoles … I am asking for money to buy the gift of reading, the gift of writing and the gift of math,” Marion P. Hammer writes in an open letter to Latvala.
Hammer works as a volunteer with Dyslexia Research Institute and its laboratory school, Woodland Hall Academy. She has asked Latvala to make the check out to them.
Latvala was pushed out of office after two separate Senate investigations concluded he sexually harassed women in his orbit and may have traded votes for a sexual encounter.
His resignation is effective Jan. 5, but the money he has raised in his bid for governor is still available to him.
Evening Reads
“Florida’s 1.5 million missing voters” via The New York Times editorial board
“Florida ranks third for small-business job growth in 2017, study says” via Keith Larsen of the South Florida Business Journal
“Sean Shaw to decide on Attorney General bid in ‘very near future’ ” via Mitch Perry of Florida Politics
“Outgoing UNF president John Delaney eyeing potential run for Legislature” via Melissa Ross of WJCT
“What’s in a name? Not ‘community’ college” via Lloyd Dunkelberger of the News Service of Florida
“Relieve all nine terrifying minutes of the great Tallahassee blizzard of 2018” via Mark Hinson of the Tallahassee Democrat
“Miami clears way to transfer bay site to casino giant Genting” via John Robbins of Miami Today
“Derek Jeter business plan projects big profits and spike in Marlins attendance” via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald
“Consultant wants lawmakers to declare UCF national champs” via Ryan Gillespie of the Orlando Sentinel
Quote of the Day
“The icepocalypse in Tallahassee has passed. Please return to your regularly scheduled hysteria.” — Paul Flemming, a public information officer at the Florida Office of State Courts Administrator, tweeted on Wednesday morning after it stopped snowing in Tallahassee.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The state’s Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering will hold an all-day public workshop on new rules governing card games in Florida. That’s at 9 a.m., North Broward Regional Service Center, 1400 W. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
The Law Enforcement Officers’ Hall of Fame Selection Committee will meet to consider nominations for inclusion for 2018. That’s at 9:30 a.m., Florida Department of Law Enforcement, 2331 Phillips Road, Room B1055, Tallahassee.
The Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys will hold a conference call. That’s at 10 a.m. The call-in number is (888) 670-3525 and the participant code is 2057836401.
A panel that will include state Rep. Jim Boyd, a Bradenton Republican, will discuss the opioid crisis at the Sarasota Tiger Bay Club. That’s at noon, Michael’s on East, 1212 East Ave. South, Sarasota.
A meeting will be held on The Florida Opportunity Fund of Enterprise Florida, the state’s economic development organization. That’s at 3 p.m., 750 S. Orlando Ave., Suite 200, Winter Park.
Former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, a Democrat running for governor, will deliver remarks at the Palm Beach Democratic Party’s monthly meeting in Delray Beach. That’s at 7:15 p.m., South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach.
