Peter Schorsch
Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.
By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Mitch Perry and Jim Rosica.
Baby, it’s cold outside.
Winter Storm Inga is now bringing snow and freezing rain to the Florida Panhandle, the third round of snow and ice to the Sunshine State this winter season.
The last time multiple snow and ice events were reported in the same winter in Florida was seven years ago.
The National Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories for parts of the western Florida Panhandle through early Wednesday afternoon.
Snow was reported early Wednesday in Crestview and De Funiak Springs, and freezing rain was reported in Ft. Walton Beach.
Sleet accumulated on vehicles and grassy areas in Pensacola. The Bob Sikes Bridge to Pensacola Beach was shut down Wednesday due to icy travel concerns.
Pensacola recorded a trace of snow from Winter Storm Benji. Flurries were reported at Destin and Miramar Beach. Winter Storm Grayson brought a wintry mess of snow, sleet and freezing rain from northern Florida into the Carolinas on Jan. 3-4.
Tallahassee saw its first measurable snowfall, at least 0.1 inches, since December 1989 when 0.1 inches of snow and sleet accumulated early on Jan. 3.
There have been seasons where Tallahassee has seen at least a trace of snow or sleet twice: 1958 when a trace of snow or sleet was observed on Jan. 8 and again when 2.8 inches of snow fell Feb. 12-13.
Multiple snowfall events in one season also occurred in 1955, when a trace of snow was recorded Jan. 24 and 0.4 inches March 28.
According to the National Weather Service and the University of Florida, from 1891 to 2010 it snowed 33 times in Tallahassee, with only 7 of these times 0.1 inches or more. It corresponds to a measurable snow event occurring once every 17 years, while a trace of snow occurs every 3 to 4 years.
— “Arctic air could bring freezing temperatures to Sarasota-Manatee” via the Sarasota Herald-Tribune
— “Central Florida placed under freeze watch as cold temperatures approach” via Stephen Ruiz of the Orlando Sentinel
— “Freeze warning issued for Tampa Bay area tonight” via WFLA-TV
— “Panhandle braces for deep freeze” via NWFDailyNews.com
— “Schools closing due to cold weather” via Jasmine Anderson of WEAR-TV
— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —
— @Greta: What is up w/this? The doctor who actually examined @realDonaldTrump (including tests) and who was same doctor for Pres Obama, says no heart disease but CNN doc, who did NOT examine says he does?
— @RepCharlieCrist: I’m standing with #DREAMers and for an end to start-stop government funding. Time’s up. Let’s get to work and reach agreement. No more kicking the can!
— @Fineout: Things that make you say hmm. In 2017 state economists drew up new tax revenue forecasts at end of week 2 of the session. This year they won’t do it until the end of week 5. That could really really complicate getting a budget done on time.
— @AnaCeballos_: .@ChrisSprowls on agreement struck between @ICEgov and 17 Florida county sheriffs to house “illegal immigrants”:”The project also furthers the goals of House Bill 9, recently passed by the Florida House.”
— @NoahPransky: If Florida lawmakers want to support UCF, how about they start by increasing the funding to higher education?
— @LobbyTools: In total, this Thursday, Jan. 18, committees will see 283 individual pieces of legislation. LobbyTools will be standing by to handle the avalanche!
— @DJGroup: The Capitol is where the “Let the Elevator Clear Before Boarding Rule” went to die.
— @LaurenceReisman: I don’t think I’ve ever seen an entity as snake-bitten as this one. Two fatals in six days on a relatively tiny stretch of its proposed route. Wow. (re: Brightline)
— @NewsbySmiley: Some personal news. I’m the new political reporter for the @MiamiHerald. Dream job for a #FloridaMan
— @DeFede: .@CBSMiami confirms that Jorge Colina will be announced tomorrow as the new chief for @MiamiPD
— @CNBC: Apple says it will contribute more than $350 billion over the next five years to the US economy through investments, will add “over 20,000 new jobs through hiring at existing campuses and opening a new one”
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— DAYS UNTIL —
Florida Capitol Press Corps Skits — 5; Super Bowl LII — 17; Pyeongchang Winter Olympics — 22; Fat Tuesday — 26; Pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training — 26; Valentine’s Day — 27; Disney Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival — 41; Sine Die (maybe) — 50; First Day of Spring — 61; Major League Baseball Opening Day — 70; Solo: A Star Wars Story premier — 125; Close of candidate qualifying for statewide office — 155; Primary Election Day — 222; General Election Day — 292.
— CAPITOL INSIGHT —
“Richard Corcoran wants federal prosecutors to look into Mayors Andrew Gillum, Rick Kriseman“ via Ana Ceballos of Florida Politics — Speaker Corcoran wants the Department of Homeland Security to investigate Tallahassee Mayor Gillum and St. Petersburg Mayor Kriseman for publicly advocating for so-called “sanctuary cities.” In a letter to DHS Secretary Kirsten Nielsen sent Wednesday, Corcoran touted his support for President Trump’s hard-line immigration policies and said her agency should “immediately” investigate Gillum and Kriseman as it explores legal avenues to prosecute elected officials that support sanctuary cities. Corcoran also took the opportunity to tout the effort by his chamber to pass HB 9 on the first week of Session, adding that he is waiting for the Senate to act.
Tweet, tweet:
No matter how much @richardcorcoran tries, @realDonaldTrump already endorsed @RonDeSantisFL. We are proud to stand with Mayor @Kriseman on the right side of history.
— Geoff Burgan (@GeoffBurgan) January 18, 2018
Corcoran backs lobbying ban in letter to CRC – Speaker Corcoran sent a letter to members of the Constitution Revision Commission late Wednesday voicing his support for a pair of proposals that would ban lawmakers from working as paid lobbyists for for six years after they leave office… “Recent legislative attempts to extend the lobby ban and impose stricter ethical requirements have been thwarted by the self-interested politicians we hope to regulate. It’s easy to recognize the influence a member can retain after they leave the Legislature, and the sway a prior agency head can have over their former colleagues.” … “Tightening ethics laws in Florida and closing the revolving door between lobbyists and legislators should be of paramount importance to the Constitution Revision Commission. Passing these important proposals would provide for the longest lobby ban for former legislators in the nation. Please give the Florida voters the opportunity to usher in a new era of principled public service for elected and appointed officers around our state.” One of the lobby ban proposals, filed by Darryl Rouson, would simply up the current ban to six years. The other, filed by Don Gaetz, would do the same and would also force state appointed officers and county officials to wait six years after their end date before they could become lobbyists.
“Campaign finance reforms advance with bipartisan support” via Ana Ceballos of Florida Politics — A pair of measures that would reform the state campaign finance system, including barring the Governor and Cabinet members from raising money during Session, cleared a House panel on Wednesday with bipartisan support. Lawmakers are currently banned from accepting contributions during a regular, extended or special Legislative Session. Attorney General hopeful, state Rep. Frank White, is also championing a proposal that would repeal the public campaign financing system. He said: “It is ridiculous to hardworking Floridians that millions of their tax dollars are used to pay for negative political TV ads.”
“House advances proposal to limit school board member terms” via Jeffrey Solochek of the Tampa Bay Times – The measure, also a proposed constitutional amendment, came into play because “it may not pass the CRC,” said sponsor Rep. Jason Fischer, a former Duval County board member.And it deserves voter attention, Fischer told his colleagues, because Floridians largely support term limits for elected officials. Initially, the bill mirrored the original CRC proposal. But after hearing some concerns about its provisions regarding current board members, Fischer offered amendments. Instead of setting a strict limit, whereby anyone who had already served eight years could not run again, he proposed starting the term limits with any time served after 2013.
“Greyhound steroids ban moves in Senate” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics — A bill to ban all uses of steroids in racing dogs has cleared a key Senate panel. The Regulated Industries Committee OK’d the measure (SB 674) on Wednesday. State regulations now allow use only of a “low-dose, nonperformance enhancing” form of testosterone in greyhounds, and only as birth control, according to Florida Greyhound Association (FGA) lawyer-lobbyist Jeff Kottkamp. Bill sponsor Dana Young, a Tampa Republican, took a jab at the association … (She) calls steroid use in dogs “doping.” “I find it interesting that the (association) seems to think that they have any credibility on drug issues when they had an incident in Jacksonville where 12 racing greyhounds were … found with cocaine in their bloodstream,” Young said.
“The big thing that’s not in the Senate’s gambling bill” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics — The Senate on Wednesday began moving its omnibus gambling bill for 2018 without addressing one looming issue sure to cause headaches: Sports betting. And there’s a reason it’s not in this year’s legislation (SB 840), according to Sen. Travis Hutson, chair of the Regulated Industries Committee: To avoid a meltdown with the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the gambling-averse House.
“Computer coding bill undergoes transformation in Senate Education Committee” via Jeffrey Solochek of the Tampa Bay Times — Lawmakers’ continuing effort to boost computer coding lessons in Florida has morphed into a broader focus on computer sciences. “People from the industry came to use and said coding is really a subset of computer science,” said Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, sponsor of this year’s foray into the subject. As a result, she amended SB 1056 to promote computer science courses and encourage teachers to become certified in the area, and not just in the niche coding field. The measure, as amended, would require percentages of schools in each district to offer computer science courses. It would provide financial incentives for teachers to hold certification in the field. The bill flew through committee without debate or opposition. Its next committee stop is PreK-12 Appropriations, which Passidomo chairs.
“Florida House: Are students safe to express their views?” via The Associated Press — Florida may require its 12 public universities to survey the “intellectual freedom” and “viewpoint diversity” allowed on campuses. A panel in the Florida House attached the requirement to a sweeping higher education bill. House Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues says legislators want to make sure students are “safe and secure” in expressing their views. If passed, the legislation would require each university to ask students, faculty and administrators to “assesses the extent to which competing ideas, perspectives, and claims of truth are presented.”
“Payday lending bill moves ahead in House” via Ana Ceballos of Florida Politics — A House panel on Wednesday adopted a “strike-all” amendment to a bill that would change regulatory requirements on the payday-lending industry, which consumer advocates criticize for creating “debt traps” for poor Floridians. The proposal would comply with new federal rules set by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau last year. But state Rep. Jamie Grant, a Tampa Republican, it would not “require the underwriting that makes the economics of the transaction unsustainable.” Under his bill, a consumer may not borrow or have an outstanding balance that exceeds $1,000. And the maximum fees that a lender may charge cannot be more than 8 percent of the borrower’s outstanding balance on a biweekly basis.
“UCF championship specialty license plate bill filed in Legislature” via Gray Rohrer of the Orlando Sentinel — The bill, HB 1359, was filed last week and its design was released Wednesday, featuring “National Champions” emblazoned on the bottom. “I am incredibly proud of our national champions,” said Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, a Democrat who represents the district that includes UCF’s campus. “A UCF license plate is the perfect way to commemorate our undefeated Knights for achieving this historic milestone.” UCF’s players, coaches, administrators and fans have declared themselves the champions after their 13-0 undefeated season, despite not being invited to the four-team playoff that decides the official national champs. Alabama won the playoff despite not winning or even playing in their conference championship game after they lost to Auburn in the regular season. UCF beat Auburn in the Peach Bowl. Voters in the final Associated Press poll of the season ranked UCF sixth, although the team did get four first-place votes.
Committee approves bill opposed by industry on ‘tourism day’ – The House Ways and Means Committee advanced a bill Wednesday that would allow tourist development taxes to be used for infrastructure projects such as roads. The tourism lobby came out in force to oppose HB 585, sponsored by Republican Rep. Randy Fine, saying it could lead to a sharp drop in funding for marketing or other efforts with a direct effect on businesses in the industry. Lawmakers were more split than the 15-4 vote implies, with Pensacola Republican Rep. Frank White and Aventura Democratic Rep. Joe Geller both saying the bill would lose their support unless its scope was cut before it hit the House floor. The bill now heads to the House Commerce Committee, its final committee stop before it’s ready for the full chamber.
Assignment editors — Reps. Ben Diamond and Rene “Coach P” Plasencia will hold a news conference at 11:30 a.m. on the 4th-floor Rotunda of The Capitol to discuss House Bill 347/Senate Bill 66, the Florida Competitive Workforce Act.
Assignment editors — Reps. Shevrin Jones and Plasencia will hold a news conference to bring awareness to HB 579, the Florida Infectious Disease Elimination Act (IDEA), legislation proposing the expansion of a successful Miami-Dade County needle exchange program. Event begins 10:30 a.m. on the 4th-floor Rotunda of The Capitol.
Assignment editors – Reps. Matt Willhite and Carlos Guillermo Smith will hold a news conference presenting petitions urging Gov. Scott to protect state lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers via executive order to end discriminatory practices. Event begins 1 p.m. at the 4th-floor Rotunda of The Capitol.
Governors Club Thursday buffet menu — Mixed green salad with assorted dressings; beat, carrot and apple salad; quinoa and spinach salad; chicken tortilla soup; chicken fajita with tortilla, sour cream, pico and guacamole — beef and cheese enchiladas; grouper Vera Cruz; Mexican rice; jalapeño, corn and cilantro; black beans and peppers; with tres leche for dessert.
— BREAKING NEWS: TOURISTS LOVE FLORIDA —
Finally, some good news for the state’s public-private tourism marketing agency.
VISIT FLORIDA released a report showing that out-of-state visitor spending reached a record in 2016, totaling $112 billion.
The report showed visitors generated $88 billion, or around 10 percent, of the state’s GDP. That metric is more than 4 percent higher than it was in 2015. The report also linked $11.6 billion in taxes to visitor spending.
The news is timely, as legislators are sure to examine the effectiveness of the agency when determining a budget allocation for VISIT FLORIDA this Session.
The report already is being lauded by VISIT FLORIDA’s leadership and allies.
Gov. Scott: A champion for the state’s marketing agency, Gov. Scott is elated to see a return on investment in VISIT FLORIDA. He’ll likely leverage this news to convince the Legislature to match his proposed budget request, which totals a record $100 million for the next fiscal year.
Ken Lawson: Lawson, president and CEO of the agency, gave kudos to Scott and the Legislature amid the news of VISIT FLORIDA’s success. Already using the report to attract the Legislature’s attention, Lawson said, “We hope to continue building on this success by receiving full funding this upcoming year as we work to make Florida the number one global destination.”
— STATEWIDE —
First on #FlaPol – “Florida voters support popular vote for presidential elections, poll says” via Florida Politics – More than two thirds of Florida voters say presidential elections should be decided by the national popular vote rather than the current Electoral College system, according to a Florida Atlantic University poll commissioned by the League of Women Voters… Support for the measure was near 90 percent among Democrats, with 70 percent of independents and 46 percent of Republicans saying they were also in favor. Voters who backed President Trump were split 53-47 in favor of keeping the Electoral College, which benefitted Trump bigly, while nine tenths of Hillary Clinton’s backers said it was time for a change. “Despite the fact that Florida is the third largest state, Floridians’ voices are not equal to those of residents of other states,” said LWVF President Pamela Goodman. “Floridians’ voices are further diminished by the ‘winner-take-all’ rule, common to 47 other states, which awards all of a state’s electoral votes to the candidate who wins in that state, no matter how slim the margin.”
— “Pinellas sheriff, feds announce changes to controversial immigrant detention policy” via Kathryn Varn of the Tampa Bay Times – The new protocol calls for ICE to send a booking form that transfers custody of the detainees from the local jail to federal immigration authorities, said ICE Deputy Director Thomas Homan. At that point, the jail’s only role is housing the detainee, said Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri. Sheriffs will be paid up to $50 to hold the inmate for up to 48 hours. Called a “basic ordering agreement,” the scheme is similar to the inter-governmental agreements that jail operators strike with federal agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Gualtieri said. “These agreements will make communities here in the Sunshine State safer and more secure from criminal activity perpetrated by individuals with no legal standing to be in this country in the first place,” Homan said at a news conference held at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
“Matt Gaetz focused on policy, not Trump’s immigration remarks” via Florida Politics — On Wednesday, the Republican dismissed Trump’s recent remark questioning why the United States should accept immigrants from “s**thole countries” like Haiti, El Salvador and countries in Africa. “President Trump is right that America deserves an ‘America First’ immigration policy. The 2016 election was not about DACA. If it were, then Clinton would have won. Border security is the top immigration priority of the American people — it should be for Congress, too,” Gaetz said … “Congressional conservatives should continue to support immigration policies to end the visa lottery, stop chain migration, build a wall, implement E-Verify nationwide, and remove dangerous criminals from America. Anything else would be a betrayal to our voters.” … The Panhandle congressman also blasted Democrats for seizing on the closed-door remarks “instead of offering ideas to secure our nation.”
— “Trump deals Haiti another blow ending participation in guest worker program” via Jacqueline Charles of the Miami Herald
First on #FlaPol – “Bill Nelson blocks three Interior nominees over offshore drilling plan” via Florida Politics – Nelson on Wednesday made moves to block three Department of the Interior Nominees until Secretary Ryan Zinke publishes a new offshore drilling plan that officially moves Florida “off the table.” Nelson wrote a letter to Zinke requesting specific details on any changes made to the agency’s five-year drilling plan after the Florida reprieve was announced. The current plan, published a day before Zinke’s announcement, had its first public hearing Tuesday and the department’s maps still showed Florida waters as open for drilling. In response, Nelson placed a hold on Susan Combs, nominee to Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management, and Budget; Ryan Nelson, nominated to be Solicitor; and Steven Gardner, nominated to be Director of the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, & Enforcement. Nominees on hold are blocked from being approved without a vote.
“Major Lake O reservoir could take years to complete” via the News Service of Florida — After receiving legislative approval last spring, a massive reservoir intended to help shift water south from Lake Okeechobee remains years away from reality … A big factor in the timeline for design and construction of the reservoir is waiting for federal-government approval of its half of the roughly $1.6 billion project … The federal money — needed to trigger two to three years of design work and five to six years of construction — could conservatively take two years to secure … Joe Negron, a Stuart Republican, last year made a top priority of passing a bill to create the reservoir. U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, a Palm City Republican, announced he sent a letter to President Trump seeking about $4 billion to provide money for the reservoir, along with projects within the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and the Central Everglades Planning Project, and to speed up completion of improvements to the Herbert Hoover Dike around Lake Okeechobee.
— “Lawmakers grill water manager on start of Lake Okeechobee reservoir” via Kenya Woodard of the Palm Beach Post
“Schools of Hope moves a step forward” via Emily Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times — The Florida Board of Education unanimously approved a rule opening the door for private nonprofits to apply to receive millions in state funding to operate charter schools near low-performing public schools, called “Schools of Hope.” The rule establishes a process for a nonprofit group to become an operator of the charter schools near the struggling schools. The “Schools of Hope” program was passed last year as part of the controversial school choice mega-bill HB 7069, which several school districts are challenging in court. The board also voted to grant an additional $2,000 per student to 14 struggling district schools through the “Schools of Hope” program, adding to the 11 that were already selected in November. Mildred Helms Elementary in Largo, Midtown Academy in St. Petersburg, as well as Chamberlain High School and Robles Elementary in Tampa were among the recipients.
“Judge could give early win to companies over insurance law” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics — A Tallahassee judge now will consider whether life insurance companies are in the right over a 2016 law requiring them to track down beneficiaries. Circuit Judge Terry Lewis said he would rule on the companies’ motion for summary judgment “as soon as I can.” Life insurance companies sued over the law, which makes them check which policyholders have died back to 1992, then track down any beneficiaries. If beneficiaries can’t be found, insurance proceeds must be turned over to the state as unclaimed property. The bill was a priority of former Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater … The companies say the law’s retroactivity is unfair, making them have to sift through potentially millions of old death records to find beneficiaries.
“Brightline train hits, kills man on bicycle in Boynton Beach” via Tonya Alanez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — … the higher-speed line’s fourth fatality since the summer. The man riding the bicycle was struck at 4:26 p.m. in the 100 block of the Florida Eastcoast Railway tracks on Ocean Avenue … Wednesday’s fatality came just five days after the higher-speed train hit and killed a pedestrian as she crossed the tracks during a VIP ride for business leaders from Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach the night before it was set to begin running introductory service. Another woman died in July after she was hit in Boca Raton. Her death was investigated as a suicide. In November, a second woman was on the tracks in Deerfield Beach when she was struck.
— “With four Brightline pedestrian deaths, Debbie Mayfield imploring need for state safety regulation” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
Tweet, tweet:
Two deaths in six days is two too many. These senseless deaths only confirm the need for the legislature to pass #SB572 in order to put protections and safety measures in place to protect Floridians. #KeepFlSafe #Sayfie https://t.co/0lEhuH3BSh
— Debbie Mayfield (@debbie_mayfield) January 17, 2018
“Puerto Rican evacuees in Central Florida fret over housing as officials point fingers” via Bianca Padró Ocasio and Carlos Vázquez Otero of the Orlando Sentinel – Although the temporary shelter program was extended until March 20 following a request from the governor of Puerto Rico, hundreds of people are falling through the cracks of an often-confusing and bureaucratic federal aid process. And with recovery efforts moving slowly on the island, evacuees are hesitant to return. Although the Federal Emergency Management Agency extended the TSA program until March 20 for evacuees in Florida, it is not a blanket extension for all its beneficiaries. According to Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesman Daniel Llargués, the extensions are granted on a “case-by-case basis with rolling deadlines.” In a call with Gov. Scott last week, Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Brock Long said the program would be extended for “individuals whose homes in Puerto Rico have not yet been determined by Federal Emergency Management Agency to be restored to safe and livable conditions and have power.” As of Saturday, 4,322 families were being housed under the program in the United States — 1,794 of them in Florida, according to Federal Emergency Management Agency.
What Chuck Hinson is reading – “TECO, Duke linemen to help restore power in Puerto Rico” via the Tampa Bay Times — As more than 1.5 million people in Puerto Rico remain powerless, local linemen are stepping up and flying out to the island to help restore electricity … 25 linemen boarded a flight from Tampa International Airport to Puerto Rico. That’s after 100 linemen from Duke Energy traveled there Sunday. About 40 percent of the U.S. territory is still without power. “We’re going to help people who can’t help themselves,” TECO lineman Michael Davis told reports at the airport. “This is what we do.” The TECO crew is expected to be working in Puerto Rico for six weeks.
The state we’re in – “FHP troopers get drug to combat overdoses” via The News Service of Florida – The Florida Highway Patrol announced Wednesday it is issuing naloxone, an overdose-reversal drug commonly known by the brand name Narcan, to state troopers. The troopers will be the latest law-enforcement officers to start using the drug, which revives overdose victims. The move comes as law-enforcement agencies and other first responders struggle to deal with the state’s opioid epidemic, which is responsible for at least 16 deaths each day in Florida. The highway patrol “is part of a concerted, collaborative effort to combat the opioid crisis,” Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Terry Rhodes said in a prepared statement.
“Florida cold case website seeks to solve old homicides” via The Associated Press – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced the creation of the website on Wednesday and credited Sen. Aaron Bean with the idea. The hope is that people scrolling through the cases might be able to provide information to solve the homicides. FDLE asked local departments to provide cases to be listed on the website, which can be used to send in tips.
“Florida’s prison laborers are going on strike” via John Washington of The Nation — Inmates and Florida State prisons plan to begin a work-strike in protest of prison overcrowding, brutal living conditions, and working for no or little pay. The strike is being coordinated between at least 10 Florida prisons, and may involve thousands of inmates’ participating in the nonviolent “laydown” — vowing, for at least one month, to refuse to show up to work assignments or buy items at their prison’s commissary. Organizers of the strike argue that not being paid sufficiently for their work makes it exceedingly difficult for them to re-enter society upon release. Florida’s policy is to give freed inmates $50 and a bus ticket, which inmates claim is insufficient to weather the shocks of re-entry. Price-gouging at the commissaries — affecting both inmates and their families who send them money to supplement low-calorie or unsavory meals — is another chief complaint. An example inmate organizers give is of a $4 case of soup that costs $17 inside prison. “This is highway robbery without the gun,” the strike announcement reads.
“Two more FSU fraternities banned from campus for alcohol, hazing” via Karl Etters of the Tallahassee Democrat -One Florida State University fraternity was kicked off campus for four years and another suspended for two years after both were found responsible for repeated student organization conduct violations, including hazing, last semester. Some of the incidents for which the groups were sanctioned happened just days after FSU fraternity pledge Andrew Coffey died at an off-campus party in what investigators say was a deadly case of hazing. Chi Phi has been suspended for two years and their recognition as a student organization revoked, according to FSU Student Affairs documents. Alpha Epsilon Pi was dismissed from campus and is prohibited from being recognized as a university organization.
“Florida panther struck, killed by vehicle in Collier County” via NBC Miami — It’s the third fatal collision this year, out of three total panther deaths. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said that the remains of the 2-year-old male were collected near a Naples country club, east of Interstate 75. Florida panthers once roamed the entire Southeast, but now their habitat mostly is confined to a small region of Florida along the Gulf of Mexico. Up to 230 Florida panthers remain in the wild.
— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL —
Tweet, tweet:
.@JoeBiden will kick off his 2018 midterm action Jan. 29 with two events in Miami for @SenBillNelson, people familiar with the plans tell me
— Edward-Isaac Dovere (@IsaacDovere) January 18, 2018
“Former Trump adviser wants Hulk Hogan to run for U.S. Senate in Florida” via Matt BoneSteel of The Washington Post – Roger Stone was one of the first prominent Republican strategists to throw his support behind Donald Trump’s presidential run … is hoping Scott loses in the primary … to noted statesman Hogan. “At the moment, I am more focused on persuading Hulk Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, to challenge Gov. Scott for the U.S. Senate nomination in 2018,” Stone told [GOP consultant Patrick] Slevin. “At a minimum, I hope to convince Hogan to body slam Scott in every debate. If the governor is under the impression that his personal responsibility for $1 billion in Medicaid fraud is no longer an issue, he’s wrong.” Hogan lives near Clearwater, which is about the only thing that qualifies him for office.
New on the Twitters: @HulkMania2018
Former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine released an ad Wednesday that promises to stop offshore oil drilling, invoking the 2010 BP oil spill, Scott and President Trump. The $375,000 buy will run statewide over broadcast and cable over two weeks.
Click on the image below to watch the ad:
Assignment editors — Adam Putnam is scheduled to host a barbecue get-together for supporters in Citrus County. That’s at 6 p.m., M&B Dairy, 8760 South Lecanto Highway, Lecanto.
“Gambling amendment wins enough signatures for ballot” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics — A proposed constitutional amendment aimed at limiting gambling’s expansion in the state now has enough signatures to be placed on the 2018 ballot. Division of Elections records show the “Voter Control of Gambling” amendment now has 817,766 valid signatures — more than the 766,200 needed for placement. The total doesn’t count signatures still undergoing verification. The Division posted its usual disclaimer: “Verified totals are UNOFFICIAL until the initiative receives certification and a ballot number.” “Over 1.1 million Floridians have gone on record wanting Florida voters, not Tallahassee politicians, to decide whether to legalize casino gambling,” said John Sowinski, chairman of Voters in Charge, the committee behind the initiative.
“Kurt Jetta raised $338K for bid to unseat Lois Frankel in CD 21” via Florida Politics — The Republican raised more than $88,000 in the fourth quarter of 2017 and chipped in another $250,000 of his own money for his campaign to unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Frankel in Florida’s 21st Congressional District. Frankel hasn’t announced her end-of-year numbers, but she had nearly $1 million on hand at the end of September. Jetta criticized that cash as special interest money and said: “career politician Lois Frankel shows that she’s more at home in the swamp of Washington, D.C. than Palm Beach County.” The coastal Palm Beach County district is a Democratic stronghold … Frankel defeated Republican Paul Spain 62-35 in 2016, and Clinton carried the district over Trump 59-39 on the same day.
First on #FlaPol – “14 Florida lawmakers endorse David Richardson for CD 27” via Florida Politics — State Rep. Richardson announced a wave of endorsements for his congressional campaign Wednesday from his Democratic colleagues in the Florida Legislature … The announcement included several glowing statements from the block of lawmakers. Endorsements came in from Orlando Sen. Linda Stewart and a full third of the Democrats in the Florida House … “I’m deeply honored to receive the support of my colleagues, because they see my work up close and are in the best position to judge my ability to get things done,” Richardson said. “I’m happy to have them supporting the campaign as we approach the primary election on August 28th.” That comment could be considered a burn on Miami Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, one of Richardson’s rivals in the crowded primary race … Before winning the SD 37 seat in 2016, JJR served two terms in the Florida House directly alongside more than half of the lawmakers who came out in support of Richardson, while Stewart has served alongside him in both chambers.
“Million-dollar question: Special election to replace Jack Latvala?” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times — Election supervisors in Pinellas and Pasco counties agree that the cost of a special election is so high — in excess of $1 million — that it makes sense to leave the seat vacant until next November when it will be filled anyway, because Latvala’s term was due to expire. “I really feel that this is a common-sense decision,” said Pinellas Supervisor of Elections Deborah Clark. “The information that we’ve provided makes a clear picture.” Clark and Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley co-signed a letter to state elections officials, citing the high cost of a special election and that the five-day candidate qualifying period begins June 18. That’s the first formal step in electing Latvala’s permanent successor. “The justification of the enormous cost is hard to swallow,” Corley said.
“Dana Young gets rematch from Bob Buesing” via William March of the Tampa Bay Times — Democrats see the [Senate] District 18 race as one of their top chances to flip a state Senate seat from red to blue in what they hope will be a Democratic wave election year. It’s also a seat Democrats believe they must hold to build a state Senate majority in the future. Democratic-oriented advocacy groups such as Ruth’s List and The Alliance liberal are likely to pour money into the race. Buesing, 64, lost to Young in 2016 by 7 percentage points with adult entertainment magnate Joe Redner taking almost 10 percent. Republicans, meanwhile, spent more than $5 million last year to win the seat and will fight tenaciously to protect their incumbent. Young already has about $850,000 in her campaign account and her political committee, plus an advantage in name recognition after six years in the state House before being elected to the Senate.
“Eustis Commissioner files for HD 32” via Jacob Engels of the Central Florida Post – Lifelong Lake County resident and current Eustis Commissioner Anthony Sabatini will run in the GOP primary for House District 32 in 2018 … Sabatini has without a doubt been the most vocal and effective Commissioner on the Eustis City Commission, earning national recognition for defending Confederate veterans monuments and property rights. A review of his votes while on the City Commission show that he has not voted a single time for a tax increase, fee, or revenue increase since being elected in 2016 to a two-year term. Sabatini was also the leading voice to keep religious invocations during city meetings and sponsored a plan to allow gun retailers the right to sell firearms in the town square. Lake County News has branded Sabatini a “political superhero” for his aggressive and successful approach on the City Commission.
First on #FlaPol – “Dianne Hart already emerging as frontrunner to replace Sean Shaw in HD 61” via Florida Politics – “I know firsthand the struggles and the needs facing this District and spent a lifetime working to help our children and better our neighborhoods,” said Hart. “For far too long we have been ignored by those in power. Our children deserve a better education, our families need access to affordable healthcare and we must have better services for our elderly and disadvantaged families. I vow to continue to work tirelessly for and with the people of our community, small business owners, and neighborhood watch organizations to improve the quality of life for everyone, not just the privileged few.” This go around, Hart starts off with a slew of endorsements from current and former elected leaders, including U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, St. Petersburg Sen. Darryl Rouson and former U.S. Rep. Jim Davis. The Tampa Democrat is the CEO of the East Tampa Business and Civic Association, and has owned and operated a small business, Ms. Dee’s World of Beauty, for more than 30 years. She joins fellow Democrat Byron Henry in the race.
— OPINIONS —
“Nancy Smith: Bill Nelson: I always opposed offshore drilling … uh, except when I didn’t” via Sunshine State News — Either Nelson has been standing too close to Charlie Crist, or his memory is beginning to go south. Or, more probably, he just doesn’t think you’ll notice. The point is, when it comes to offshore drilling, Florida’s senior senator has developed a conspicuous case of the flip-flops. Nelson is out there telling the world he’s a “career-long opponent of offshore drilling.” He recently put out a 900-word news release with a timeline outlining his supposed opposition. Except the timeline conveniently omits his 2010 support for an Obama Administration plan to expand offshore drilling off the Florida coast. That’s right, party leader Barack Obama said, let’s do more offshore drilling and Nelson hopped on the wagon quicker than a tick on a hound. Now he’s trying to explain it away — but it’s right there, in black and white. He only dropped his endorsement of the Obama offshore drilling expansion plan after the president did — after the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded.
“Mark Woods: Nease senior could go from commencement to deportation” via the Florida Times-Union — Medina Blekic loves to sing. If you look at her Facebook page, following the timeline of photos back to when her family moved to North Florida about 10 years ago, there is a picture of when she was in elementary school, holding a big microphone in her little hands. She’s 17 now. And these days when she sings at events such as “Birdies for the Brave,” she often is belting out a particularly challenging song: the national anthem. But while classmates are looking forward to graduation in May, she has reason to dread the day — or at least to fear what will happen to her and her parents after she walks across the stage. Immigration officials have told them that after her graduation, they will be deported. If that happens, Medina will leave the only country she really knows. “I don’t really remember anything before here,” she said.
“Dr. Nicole Fanarjian, Sarah Lipton-Lubet: Florida lawmakers are subsidizing anti-abortion lies” via Florida Politics — Wouldn’t you want to know if your taxpayer dollars were being used to lie to women about their health? That’s exactly what is happening here in Florida. Each year, the Florida Legislature funnels taxpayer dollars to “crisis pregnancy centers,” (CPCs) anti-abortion organizations posing as legitimate health care clinics. Under the guise of providing reproductive health services and pregnancy-related information, these fake clinics shame women and lie to them to prevent them from accessing the care they want and need. Often camouflaged as health care facilities and purposely located near real clinics that provide the full range of reproductive health services, CPCs try to lure women away from facilities that can actually meet their reproductive health care needs. Sen. Aaron Bean has introduced SB 444, which would permanently fund CPCs with taxpayer dollars. By sending tax dollars to CPCs, anti-abortion lawmakers in Florida are demonstrating a total disregard for the truth, undermining a woman’s right to make her own informed medical decisions and denying her the respect and dignity she deserves.
“Ron Jackson: Florida policymakers, put consumers ahead of assignment of benefits abusers” via the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — For more than 100 years, AOBs have been around in Florida to help complete work done for a claim covered by the insurance contract — in other words, AOBs are used to help resolve insurance claims, not promote litigation. But as of late, plaintiff attorneys and service contractors have turned their intended use upside down, using AOBs not to settle claims but to generate lawsuits and increase their fees. Caught in the middle, Florida’s policyholders are paying the price as AOB lawsuits and litigation expenses have dramatically increased. Under current law, unscrupulous attorneys and contractors have every incentive to engage in frivolous litigation over their inflated fees. Florida lawmakers should resolve in 2018 to put Florida insurance consumers ahead of litigation abusers and restore AOB to its legitimate intent. To that end, lawmakers should act to discourage and prevent needless and abusive assignment of benefits litigation. In doing so, Florida can begin to shed its mantle as the worst state for litigation abuse.
“Joe Henderson: Legislature move on USF could leave St. Pete rattled” via Florida Politics — Officials and faculty are no doubt still pondering how their life will different if a move in the Florida Legislature to combine USF’s three branches — Tampa, St. Pete, and Sarasota-Manatee — into one big single university is successful. So what, you ask? Goodbye relative autonomy for the smaller schools and hello to a new identity of being simply a branch off the giant USF main tree in Tampa. The short version is this: the good educators in St. Pete don’t want to be a branch on anyone’s tree. They have wanted to be a separate entity, making their decisions. The St. Pete campus lost one its main defenders when powerful state Sen. Latvala resigned after being caught up in a sex scandal … Latvala fiercely fought for the autonomy of USFSP while in office, and officials in Tampa were concerned that he might try to break off the St. Pete campus altogether. With Latvala gone, though, the relative silence coming from Tampa after Tuesday’s news that Rep. Chris Sprowls filed a bill that would combine the campuses. For what it’s worth, Sprowls, a Palm Harbor Republican, is a USF graduate.
— MOVEMENTS —
Spotted at Red Dog/Blue Dog, the charity event which pits “celebrity bartenders” from either side of the political aisle against each other to see who can raise the most money for our canine (and other furry) friends: Sens. Rene Garcia and Randolph Bracy, Reps. Nick Duran, Kionne McGhee, Chris Latvala, Matt Wichita, Colleen Burton, Byron Donalds, David Silvers, and Bobby DuBose. Also: Marc Reichelderfer, Steve Schale, Richard Reeves, Nicole Hagerty, Robert Stuart, Chris Dawson, Vance Aloupis, Sydney Ridley, Cory Guzzo, Stephanie Smith, César Fernandez, Kevin Leary, James McFaddin, Chris Spencer, Chris Carmody, Eddie Gonzalez, Matt and Anna Farrar, Katie Flury, Carlecia Collins, Christian Minor, BillieAnne Gay, Erin VanSickle, Angela Drzewiecki, Sandi and Jason Poreda, and Joe and Sara Clements.
“Six finalists picked for open Tallahassee judgeship” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics — Two veteran prosecutors are among the six finalists that Gov. Scott will choose from to fill an open judicial seat for the Tallahassee region. The Second Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC), after interviewing 12 applicants Tuesday, now sends their list to Scott. He has 60 days to make a decision … Among those not making the cut are Alan Abramowitz, executive director of the Statewide Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Office. This was his third application for a judgeship.
“Personnel note: RSA Consulting Group adds lobbyist Kaitlyn Bailey” via Florida Politics — The Tampa-based firm is expanding its scope in both the Tampa Bay region and Florida with the addition of up and coming lobbyist Kaitlyn Bailey. Bailey becomes the firm’s newest associate for Government & Community Affairs. As one of the region’s leading full-service consulting firms, with offices in Tampa and Tallahassee, RSA specializes in government, legislative and community affairs, strategic planning, media and public relations. “We’re thrilled to welcome Kaitlyn to our growing team,” said RSA founder and President Ron Pierce in a statement. “Since Kaitlyn joined us as an intern in 2016, we’ve been impressed by her professionalism, her willingness to jump right in and her strong aptitude for understanding the process and policies we work on.”
— ALOE —
“Twitter to tell users if they were exposed to Russian election tweets” via David McCabe of Axios – Twitter’s Carlos Monje said the company is trying to “identify and inform individually the users who have been exposed to [Russian troll farm] accounts during the election” … Facebook has already done the same thing. Twitter has been under pressure over a lackluster response to Capitol Hill questions about the Russian campaign during the 2016 election. Will Twitter, like Facebook, just notify users who saw ads associated with the Internet Research Agency Troll farm, or will it also notify people who saw their tweets organically?
“Shake Shack inches closer to Tampa Bay with new Florida restaurant” via the Tampa Bay Times — Beloved burger restaurant Shake Shack, which once inspired hungry diners to wait in hourslong lines at New York’s Madison Square Park before expanding with dozens of locations across the U.S., is inching closer to Tampa Bay. A lease agreement with Brenderson Properties shows the publicly traded burger chain plans to open a Shake Shack near the Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota, which would make it the closest outpost to Tampa for ShackBurgers and frozen custards in the state. Florida currently has six Shake Shack locations, including three in the Orlando area and others in Boca Raton, Miami Beach and Coral Gables. This would be the first on the state’s west coast.
Happy birthday to Brody Enwright and Sara Johnson of No Casinos.
