Peter Schorsch
Sixty Days — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session
The Last 24
More bad news for Senate: After an anonymous website outed them as a couple, state Sens. Oscar Braynon II and Anitere Flores admit to an affair.
Shocker: Gov. Rick Scott wants more tax cuts this year, as well as protections for people who report sexual misconduct, laws to fight the opioid crisis and more child protective investigators.
Could also be an 800-pound gorilla: Before talking about his legislative priorities on Opening Day, Senate President Joe Negron addressed the elephant in the room: Sexual harassment.
Après moi …: House Speaker Richard Corcoran kicked off Session vowing a deluge of reforms and not allowing Florida to “become a sanctuary state like California.”
Boiling over: Corcoran called for a House vote on whether to subpoena the Visit Florida-paid media company that produced “Emeril’s Florida.”
Forever filed: A version of Senate Appropriations Chair Rob Bradley’s bill expanding Florida Forever funding has a House companion.
Showing us the money: A Republican super PAC backed by U.S. House leadership is reporting $15 million cash-on-hand going into the 2018 elections.
All in? Not yet: A roundtable of state economists decided to take a pass on adopting a forecast for Indian gambling dollars.
Quote of the Day
“I’ve talked to Sen. Flores about the issue … I’ve seen no evidence whatsoever that their personal relationship has adversely affected how the Senate is run, decisions that were made … I intend to move on.” — Senate President Joe Negron, at a Tuesday news conference, in response to a question about Flores’ and Braynon’s relationship.
Bill Day’s Latest
3 Questions
As leader-designate for her Party, Jacksonville Democratic state Sen. Audrey Gibson assumes certain responsibilities. In a conversation with Florida Politics, she discussed some of them.
And, despite the possibility she will face a primary challenge, Gibson is not worried.
FP: You’ve been traveling the state more lately to help with Senate candidates/campaigns. What has that experience been like?
AG: I am always ramped up — continually serving my constituents and the people of the state of Florida attending events, getting out information, doing my research, speaking out. Campaigning is a parallel dimension.
FP: NE FL is well-positioned on Senate side, with Sen. Rob Bradley atop Appropriations. Are Senate Democrats aligned with his Florida Forever $100 million proposal? Will that be a bipartisan sale?
AG: When we return for Session we will see where Democrats are separately and collectively on Florida Forever. The people of Florida voted on the funding source and the Legislature is bound by that. Focus [on] NE FL [getting its] fair share is a must do for me and I feel confident that will happen.
FP: On the off chance you face a primary challenge (Jacksonville City Councilman Reggie Brown is mulling one), how does that affect you as a senator? Does it increase the urgency to ramp up campaigning after Session?
AG: I am stocked up on my vitamins and have been pounding the pavement in Tally, D.C. and other areas, raising funds and meeting candidates on behalf of Senate Victory, and the energy and reception of support are very exciting! I think everyone understands that a more balanced Senate is more productive for all Florida.
Lobby Up
GrayRobinson recently added two education-related clients. Dean Cannon, Kim McDougal, Chris Spencer and Todd Steibly registered to lobby for the Pasco County schools, and Cannon, McDougal, Spencer and Robert Stuart Jr. registered to lobby for the Levy County School Board.
One can’t help but think this is the marquee value of having McDougal, Gov. Rick Scott’s former chief of staff and an education policy pro. She’s now GrayRobinson’s Senior Director of Government Affairs in the law firm’s Tallahassee office.
McDougal spent a decade with the Florida Legislature, working on a wide array of policy, but the majority of her work focused on K-20 education policy. She’s worked as a senior adviser or in a leadership role for many of Florida’s Education Commissioners.
McDougal later served under Scott for almost four years, beginning as a special adviser on education, then serving as Policy Coordinator for Education in the Office of Planning and Budget, then joining the Senior Leadership Team as Policy Director and finally as Legislative Affairs Director and Chief of Staff.
Breakthrough Insights
The Next 24
Committee hearings for everyone! Also, this stuff:
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis are slated to speak during a breakfast event at the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Capitol Days. That’s at 8 a.m., Augustus B. Turnbull III Conference Center, Florida State University, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.
Aides to Gov. Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi, as well as Putnam and Patronis will meet to discuss issues in advance of a Jan. 18 Cabinet meeting. That’s at 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.
Patronis and Putnam will hold a news conference with Sen. Jeff Brandes and Rep. Shawn Harrison to “urge lawmakers to support (legislation) eliminating the credit report freeze fee.” That’s at 11 a.m., fourth floor, The Capitol.
Sen. Annette Taddeo, a Miami Democrat, will hold a news conference about a proposal aimed at boosting the film industry in Florida. That’s at 11:45 a.m., fourth floor, the Capitol.
Finally, state political candidates, committees and parties face a Wednesday deadline to file reports showing finance activity through Dec. 31.
