Peter Schorsch
Sixty Days — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session
The Last 24
Good Thursday evening. No special election for you if you live in Senate District 16 or House District 33, but a school for people with autism could see a much needed infusion of dollars. Sixty Days loves it when a good cause gets funded. Here’s your evening rundown.
Winning team: More money could be coming to the Jacksonville School for Autism if legislation carried in the Senate by Aaron Bean and in the House by Jason Fischer passes.
Jack‘pot’: A New York-based company bought a Central Florida medical marijuana operation for $43 million in cash and stock.
The ‘Reform’atory: Speaker Richard Corcoran, a.k.a. head of the “House of Reformers,” asked the Constitution Revision Commission to OK an amendment for a six-year lobbying ban on legislators, statewide elected officers.
Water woes: A massive reservoir intended to help shift water south from Lake Okeechobee remains years away from reality.
Sex clinics? A resolution moving through the Florida House would declare pornography a health risk.
Syringe service: Lawmakers are trying to expand a Miami-Dade needle-exchange program statewide.
Talking heads: Gov. Scott told reporters that a controversial deal between VISIT FLORIDA and a local video production company for “Emeril’s Florida” “wouldn’t happen today.”
Right stuff: Lawmakers again are pushing for protections for LGBT folk in private businesses and state offices, two places where such discrimination is not explicitly barred by state law.
Nope: Gov. Rick Scott says he won’t call special elections to fill vacancies created by the resignation of former Sen. Jack Latvala and the passing of the late Rep. Don Hahnfeldt.
Quote of the Day
“You know how these companies have behaved … Am I optimistic we’re going to resolve it? No. And if not, we’re prepared to go to litigation. It’s outrageous what they’ve been doing … and we are not going to back down.” —Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday, talking about her nascent legal fight against opioid manufacturers and distributors.
Bill Day’s Latest
3 Questions
It’s hard to find state Rep. Matt Willhite, a Wellington Democrat, doing something that isn’t considered public service. When he’s not in the Capitol, Willhite is busy with his duties as a firefighter/paramedic back home. This unique intersection of careers enables Willhite to not only serve his constituents but also his first responder colleagues. Willhite took the time to discuss with Florida Politics an issue that led him to sponsor a bill (HB 227) with Orlando Republican Rep. Rene Plasencia this year that would provide workers’ compensation benefits for first responders suffering from mental health injuries.
FP: What mental health issues face first responders?
MW: Due to the nature of our job, first responders can suffer from a variety of mental health issues. While this legislation specifically addresses Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, first responders can also experience depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and suicidal thoughts which all arise from job-related conditions. It’s hard for anyone to experience and see just one of the many things we do while we’re on call. We see it all and then we go home to our loved ones with those images still in our memory. That’s why you’re seeing more first responders die from suicide than line-of-duty deaths.
FP: Do you think the presence of PTSD is something that’s been overlooked by the public and lawmakers?
MW: I believe that in the State of Florida we are not doing enough when it comes to mental health as a whole. Florida has consistently been at the bottom of the list when it comes to our spending on mental health. I do think PTSD has been a concern that has not been properly addressed, especially in the case of first responders. In part, that may have to do with the overall culture amongst police and firefighters but that culture is slowly shifting as we see more of our colleagues develop these issues. Also, many cities and counties who employ these first responders have been resistant to spending more money to provide additional services to those suffering from job-related PTSD. This issue is finally receiving attention in the Senate and we are hoping the House will recognize the need to pass this legislation as well and give the bill a hearing.
FP: You’re a firefighter yourself. Do you plan to address other issues facing first responders during your tenure?
MW: During my time in the Legislature I plan to address a number of issues facing the citizens of Florida and the residents of the district I represent. Being an active firefighter I have a unique perspective on problems first responders face on a daily basis. I will be tackling some of those problems as well to hopefully make it easier for these men and women to do their jobs safely so they can return home to their families and continue serving our community. Let’s not forget that first responders are constituents and residents of our state as well.
Lobby Up
Angela Drzewiecki has joined Marc Reichelderfer and Tony Glover, formerly the state’s top gambling regulator, as lobbyists for GREY2K USA Worldwide, a group that seeks to end greyhound racing.
GREY2K has for years worked to end dog racing in Florida, also backing intermediate steps such as decoupling and banning steroid use in dogs.
The organization’s executive director, Carey Theil, also has registered to lobby lawmakers.
The group took an early “W” in the 2018 session as the Senate Regulated Industries Committee this week OK’d a comprehensive ban on the use of steroids in racing dogs.
Breakthrough Insights
The Next 24
As the second week of Session draws to a close, it will be fairly quiet day at the Capitol — the exception being House subcommittees and CRC panels:
The House Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee will consider close to 50 appropriations for projects across state colleges and universities. That’s at 8 a.m., 102 House Office Building, The Capitol.
The House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee will consider more than 80 health-related proposals. That’s also at 8 a.m., 404 House Office Building, The Capitol.
The Constitution Revision Commission resumes committee meetings in the Capitol. The Declaration of Rights Committee meets at 8 a.m. in 301 Senate Office Building and the Executive Committee starts at 8 a.m. in 401 Senate Office Building. Later, the Education Committee meets at 1 p.m. in 301 Senate Office Building and the Judicial Committee convenes at 1 p.m. in 37 Senate Office Building.
The Florida Commission on Ethics will meet. That’s at 8:30 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum will make a policy announcement. That’s at 9:30 a.m., Florida Press Center, 336 E. College Ave., Tallahassee.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity will release December state unemployment numbers. That’s at 10 a.m.
