Peter Schorsch
Sixty Days — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session
The Last 24
Good Wednesday evening. The Senate decided to fund environmental preservation and passed a measure outlawing teen weddings. Sixty Days hopes it helps cut the chance for any future seasons of “Teen Mom.” Here’s your evening rundown.
Environmental win: The Florida Senate unanimously OK’d a proposal that would direct $100 million to the Florida Forever land-buying program every year.
Nixing nuptials: Inspired by a woman forced to marry her rapist when she was 11, the Senate unanimously passed a bill that would ban the marriage of all minors in the state.
Bigots begone: Speaker Richard Corcoran followed up on a promise to shake up the criminal justice system and shake out more data on how it’s doing.
Statue wars: With its approval by the Senate, a statue of civil-rights leader Mary McLeod Bethune is halfway to replacing one of a Confederate general now representing Florida in the U.S. Capitol.
Helping hand: The Hurricane Irma-battered agriculture industry could land some dollars from the House as part of a tax-cut package.
Land ho: Florida Cabinet aides set up a meeting of the full Cabinet in Tampa next week. The meeting largely will focus on pending land deals.
Bottoms up: A trio of alcoholic beverage-related bills moved through a House panel.
Social assaults: A Senate committee cleared legislation to alter what constitutes a “prohibited threat,” extending it to include posts on social media.
Quote of the Day
“We’re throwing back the curtain. We’re pushing against institutional biases. It’s been said injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. This is the beginning of the potential to have justice everywhere.” — Speaker Richard Corcoran, announcing new legislation to open up criminal justice data in the state.
Bill Day’s Latest
3 Questions
On Wednesday, the Senate passed Sen. Rob Bradley’s environmental preservation funding bill (SB 370), which would “replenish the Florida Forever Trust Fund with at least $100 million a year,” according to Aliki Moncrief, the executive director of Florida Conservation Voters (FCV).
“In 2014 when together we passed the Water and Land Conservation amendment, millions of voters sent a clear message demanding more funding for parks and conservation. Since then, we’ve made implementation of the amendment a key issue that legislators can’t ignore and thanks to your persistence, the Senate is making funding for Florida Forever a budget priority,” she said in a news release.
Then, of course, there’s the House …
Q: So, the passage of Bradley’s bill strikes us as a kind of a big deal?
A: (It) shows that this year, the Senate means business when it comes to funding Florida Forever. Sen. Bradley has emerged as a true champion for our parks, springs, and vital conservation lands. As a result of his steady advocacy for Florida Forever, the ball is now in the House’s court. The millions of Florida voters who said yes to the 2014 Water and Land Conservation Amendment are watching, and they expect to see the House respond in kind.
Q: What do you believe are its chances there?
A: The likelihood of the House adopting the Senate’s proposal whole cloth is slim, but since the House — through Rep. Matt Caldwell’s HB 7063 — is advocating for a policy shift on Florida Forever, the Senate may have some leverage to keep the funding level proposed by Sen. Bradley intact. When you look at the current budget proposals for the next fiscal year, the Senate is actually proposing more than $150 million for Florida Forever as a whole, while the House has proposed $8 million in land acquisitions and $35 million for Rural/Family Lands easements only.
Q: There’s also a lawsuit on environmental funding under the amendment, set for trial this July. What effect will that have if the plaintiffs prevail?
A: If the plaintiffs prevail (and I should note that FCV is not a plaintiff), the hope is that we’ll see more action from both chambers to spend a greater share of the Land Acquisition Trust Fund on the acquisition of conservation lands. Right now, Sen. Bradley’s bill and Sen. Lauren Book’s budget proposal bring the state budget into better alignment with purpose and intent of the 2014 Water and Land Conservation Amendment. A legal victory could help keep up the momentum and result in even more funding for programs like Florida Forever.
Lobby Up
A Southeast Florida nursery that challenged the denial of its application for a medical marijuana growing license also has hired some high-powered lobbyists.
Nature’s Way Nursery of Miami is represented by Paul Bradshaw, David Browning, Mercer Fearington, and Brian Bautista of Southern Strategy Group, registration records show.
Nature’s Way filed an administrative challenge over a license denial, basing its argument on the state not rounding application scores to the nearest whole number.
“If that had happened, Nature’s Way would be eligible for a license under the new law, the grower’s lawyers argue,” according to a November News Service of Florida report.
The next month, a split panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal turned down its petition for a writ of mandamus; Judge James R. Wolf dissented without an opinion.
Breakthrough Insights
The Next 24
The House Judiciary Committee will consider a bill that would allow concealed-carry permit holders to bring firearms into churches attached to schools. That’s at 8 a.m., 404 House Office Building, The Capitol.
Senate Appropriations will consider the chamber’s proposed 2018-2019 FY budget. That’s at 9 a.m., 412 Knott Building, The Capitol.
The bipartisan Veterans and Military Families Caucus will hold a press conference detailing which pieces of legislation it will support through a caucus position this Session. That’s at 11:30 a.m., 333 House Office Building, The Capitol.
The House Public Integrity and Ethics Committee will receive a report on ongoing litigation and subpoenas involving Mat Media owner Pat Roberts, the producer of Emeril’s Florida. That’s at noon, 404 HOB, The Capitol.
The House Government Accountability Committee will consider a bill that would make texting while driving a primary offense. That’s at noon, 17 House Office Building, The Capitol.
The Constitution Revision Commission Judicial Committee will hear a controversial proposal amending privacy in the state’s constitution. That’s at 1 p.m., City Commission Chambers, City Hall, 300 S Adams St., Tallahassee.
The Senate will hold a floor session. That’s at 2:30 p.m., Senate chamber, The Capitol.
