Peter Schorsch
Sixty Days — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session
The Last 24
No oil derricks here: Gov. Rick Scott comes out a winner on offshore drilling, and went to Jacksonville to crow about it.
Boo on ‘data breaches’: Lawmakers and Cabinet members advocated for bills that would eliminate credit report freeze fees for consumers.
And … action! Sen. Annette Taddeo stumped for her bill to bring TV and film incentives back to the Sunshine State. Now to convince Richard Corcoran.
Regulate this: A state panel has set Jan. 18 for picking the “most qualified” applicants to fill a vacancy on the Public Service Commission, and Jan. 25 to vote for finalists.
Our kingdom for a horse … er, house: The Florida Realtors released their session goals — more opportunities for vacation rentals, affordable housing, and business growth; resolving property insurance problems.
Quote of the Day
“I’ve been clear forever. I’m going to take care of this environment.” — Gov. Scott in Jacksonville Wednesday, referring to the Trump administration backing away from a proposal to permit offshore drilling, including off the coast of Florida.
Bill Day’s Latest
3 Questions
Construction continues apace in Tallahassee’s downtown. The finishing touches are being put on the Ballard Partners’ building at Monroe and Park, and Florida Power & Light has broken ground on its new Jefferson Street home in the capital. Right next door to FPL, still another edifice is planned: The new home of Capital City Consulting, which has yet to get underway. We caught up with firm principal Nick Iarossi to get an update.
Q: What’s the status of your construction?
A: (FPL is) ahead of us. We should break ground in March or April. We are still working on finalizing our building’s conceptual design. But the building will be two stories and have a contemporary ‘feel.’ Lots of glass, natural light, collaborative work areas, with a very large conference room that can accomodate coalition meetings and after-hours events.
Q: Why are you making the move?
A: Quite simply, we’ve outgrown the space we’re in (i.e., the Greenberg Traurig building at College and Adams). We anticipate hiring more people above the 11 lobbyists and five support staff we have now.
Q: Why Jefferson Street?
A: With the Capitol a block away, it’s hard to beat the location. (And veteran lobbyist Ron Book will be their next door neighbor.)
Lobby Up
David Griffin has registered to lobby for the Florida Association of Broadcasters and St. John and Partners.
Griffin, once Florida Lottery Secretary under Gov. Jeb Bush, left the GrayRobinson law firm’s Tallahassee office last month to return to solo practice as “David Griffin Consulting.”
After his state government service, Griffin operated a successful solo consulting firm before joining GrayRobinson in mid-2014.
In addition to heading the state Lottery, he was the assistant executive director and interim executive director of the Ohio Lottery Commission, executive director of the Bush/Brogan 2002 transition office, and a Florida A&M University trustee in 2005.
Breakthrough Insights
The Next 24
Still more committee meetings! And this:
The Statewide Drug Policy Advisory Council will meet to discuss substance abuse issues and solutions. That’s at 8:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, Tallahassee.
Tallahassee Mayor and Democratic candidate for Governor Andrew Gillum will hold a news conference with Democratic Rep. Shevrin Jones to “emphasize the importance of local governance.” That’s at 10:30 a.m., fourth-floor rotunda, The Capitol.
A Constitution Revision Commission committee will consider a proposal that would shift a portion of anti-smoking program money to research and treatment of cancer. That’s at 12 p.m., Cabinet meeting room, The Capitol.
Senate Appropriations will hear Chair Rob Bradley’s proposal to expand Forever Florida. That’s at 1 p.m., 412 Knott Building, The Capitol.
The House and Senate will hold floor Sessions. The House convenes at 1 p.m. and the Senate convenes at 3:30 p.m. in their respective chambers.
Errata
Finally, a correction: Yesterday’s graphic did not reflect that both the Tennessee and Georgia Legislatures are also in session in 2018. We regret the omission.
