Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics – 3.6.18

A general view of the Florida Capitol early in the morning Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018 in Tallahassee, Fla. (Photo by Phil Sears)

Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.

By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Ana Ceballos, Daniel McAuliffe, and Jim Rosica.

It may not compare to March Madness but Capitol observers have some side bets on the 2018 Legislative Session. The biggest one: “When will the hankie drop?”

Enter the annual #CateSineDie.

“This Florida Legislative Session has been cray, no matter your politics,” said CateComm founder Kevin Cate in a Monday email. #CateSineDie is about “having a tiny bit of fun” in the final few days of Session.

Predict when lawmakers adjourn and CateComm will contribute $300 to the charity of your choosing. To enter, just tweet an entry — date and time — AND use the hashtag #CateSineDie (so CateComm can keep track) — closest without going over wins.

Entries for the #CateSineDie are due no later than 3 p.m.

— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —

— @CarlosGSmith: Why is it that @FLGovScott issued a proclamation asking for an ANNUAL moment of silence + ANNUAL lowering of state flags at 1/2 staff to remember the 17 lives taken at MSD, but no such ANNUAL order for the 49 taken at Pulse? Why the disparity?

— @MarcACaputo: FL Sen Dem Jose Javier Rodriguez wants “River of Grass” author Marjory Stoneman Douglas’ name stripped from gun bill If that happens, she’ll be the only woman who twice had that happened. She asked for her name 2B be stripped in the early aughts from a Big Sugar Everglades bill

— @ChipLaMarca: So, this is not about protecting our kids in school? Where were these so-called advocates when we lost 5 lives at FLL? This must be about protecting our kids in school. Protecting everyone-everywhere is a priority, but the lives lost on Feb 14th were not at a beach, park or mall.

— @JKennedyReports: .@FLGovScott spox says school marshal plan change “right direction,” but still has problems w/three-day waiting period for all gun buys.

— @Fineout: By the way, on a completely different matter. If reading of proposed tax amendment is correct, if passed by voters, then it would require a 2/3 vote of Fl. Leg. to remove an existing tax credit. So that would suggest it would take a 2/3 vote to remove credits used for vouchers

— @MDixon55: The term “free speech” was given many different definitions today in the Florida Legislature

— @DDucassi: Hey, @richardcorcoran I requested public records from the FL House regarding HB 7055 the 1st day it was heard in cmte, more than a month ago. It’s grown substantially, Senate about to vote on it, but I haven’t received a single document. Where are the records? What’s the delay?

— @Crupicrupicrupi: Overnight ratings for Sunday night’s Academy Awards fell to an all-time low, as the primetime portion of the broadcast drew an 18.8 HH/30 share. That marked a 14% drop vs last year’s 21.9/35; in final live-same-day ratings, 2017 Oscars drew 32.9M viewers & record low 18.4HH.

— DAYS UNTIL —

2018 Winter Paralympics begins – 2; Sine Die (maybe) — 3; St. Patrick’s Day – 11; March For Our Lives/#NeverAgain gun violence protest – 18; Major League Baseball Opening Day — 23; Easter – 26; NFL Draft begins – 51; Close of candidate qualifying for federal office – 58; Solo: A Star Wars Story premier — 78; Close of candidate qualifying for statewide office — 108; Primary Election Day — 175; College Football opening weekend – 179; General Election Day — 245; ‘Hamilton’ comes to the Straz Center — 343.

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— THE POLITICS OF PARKLAND —

“Marco Rubio, Bill Nelson bill seeks crackdown on people who fail gun background checks” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times – The NICS Denial Notification Act, which had previously been introduced in the House, requires federal authorities to alert state law enforcement within 24 hours when individuals “lie and try” to purchase firearms … State officials could then decide to prosecute or “keep an eye on these denied individuals for signs of future criminal activity.” The Justice Department would have to publish an annual report about prosecutions. Only 13 states that use NCIS get notified when someone fails a background check, according to Rubio‘s office.

“Senate narrowly passes watered-down school safety proposal” via Ana Ceballos of Florida Politics – In a bipartisan effort, the chamber narrowly passed a watered-down school safety proposal with a $400 million price tag that will provide students with more access to mental health services and allow school districts to participate in a program that arms school staff. “This bill will make a difference, and when it becomes law, things will start changing,” Sen. Bill Galvano said. SB 7026 passed on a 20-18 vote with the help of Democratic Sens. Lauren Book and Kevin Rader. Republicans who voted against the measure, most notably Sens. Greg Steube and Dennis Baxley, were against provisions with gun restrictions such as a ban on bump stock and raising the age to buy an assault rifle from 18 to 21. Before the final vote, senators debated the bill for more than two hours and approved an amendment that scaled back a controversial program that would have allowed teachers to carry concealed weapons on campus to fight off active shooters. The change better aligns the Senate’s proposal to what Parkland students and Gov. Rick Scott want: Not arming teachers.

“Senate move to exempt ‘classroom teachers’ from gun bill disappoints House leaders” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida – Incoming House Speaker Jose Oliva said he did not like the Senate change, even though it may have been needed to secure passage in that chamber. The version headed to the House quells consternation from arming teachers, but it also diverts the focus on rigorous training and makes the program voluntary versus compulsory, Oliva said. “I don’t think that the bill needed it,” Oliva said. “We’re certainly willing to consider it as a matter of trying to get something done.” Oliva said he and House leaders will review how to respond, but rejecting the bill may be too risky. “We promised a lot of parents and students we would get something done and the precarious nature of the bill we just saw in the Senate probably could be endangered as a result of that,” Oliva warned.

– “Sheriffs have doubts about Florida Legislature’s school safety funding plan” via Emily Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times

“The Oscars are over, but liberals are still putting up provocative billboards” via Kirby Wilson of the Tampa Bay Times – It’s not as catchy as the Oscar-winning “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” Still, Florida liberals are taking a cue from Hollywood. Progressive groups have bought ad space all over the state in an effort to put pressure on politicians to address gun violence … the Democratic Party of Florida publicized two billboards they erected recently in Orlando and Tallahassee. The messages cite the Sun Sentinel slamming Gov. Scott for doing “nothing” between the Pulse nightclub shooting that claimed 49 lives and the recent Parkland school shooting. The Democrats’ billboards struck a relatively quiet note compared to some other progressive messages. Mad Dog PAC put up an incendiary message near Pensacola. “The NRA is a terrorist organization,” screams the billboard.

Meanwhile … “After Parkland, even idle school threats get tough response” via Steve Karnowski of The Associated Press – Fifteen students in one Florida school district are facing felony charges and prison time for making alleged threats since the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre. Meanwhile, an autistic Minnesota high school student whose alleged threat led to a six-hour lockdown is in juvenile court and has received an outpouring of sympathy. The Feb. 14 killings of 17 people in Parkland have ignited a wave of copycat threats, as happens after nearly every high-profile school shooting. The Volusia County Schools system in east-central Florida isn’t taking chances. Sheriff Michael Chitwood made it clear he had a zero-tolerance policy as threats began after Parkland … he went further, saying students or their families would have to pay the costs of the investigations – at least $1,000 and sometimes much more. District spokeswoman Nancy Wait said the message is clear: We’re not joking around.

— CAPITOL INSIGHT —

“Legislative leaders try to hammer out budget” via the News Service of Florida – Lawmakers late Monday had not publicly resolved differences over the biggest areas of the budget, including health care and education spending. But Galvano said a key to ending the session on time happened Monday, when the House and Senate passed legislation important to Senate President Joe Negron and House Speaker Richard Corcoran. Negron said budget negotiations “are going at a very successful and productive pace.” And he said he was “optimistic” about a timely finish. He said some of the issues involved in the final negotiations include the massive health-care budget, which includes Medicaid spending and funding for hospitals, and a list of construction projects for state universities, colleges and public schools.

“Lawmakers advance sweeping education bills” via John Kennedy of Gatehouse Media – Lawmakers advanced two sweeping education bills in a trade-off between House and Senate leaders that sets the stage for boosting Bright Futures college scholarships, creating two new de facto school vouchers and making it harder for teachers to maintain unions. President Negron is pushing a higher education bill centered around increasing the Bright Futures scholarships that help Florida students pay for tuition to state universities. Speaker Corcoran wants a K-12 bill that pays for children who are bullied to attend private schools and requires teachers’ unions to petition the state for recertification if their membership falls below 50 percent of eligible employees. The Senate advanced Corcoran’s K-12 bill by a vote of 20-17, while the House advanced the higher education bill by a vote of 84-28. Both bills now head to Gov. Scott’s desk for approval.

“Tax supermajority measure heads to voters for approval” via Ana Ceballos of Florida Politics – Despite concerns raised by Senate Democrats that it would “tie the hands” of future legislators facing emergencies, the Florida Senate passed a measure Monday that would make it harder for the Legislature to increase taxes and fees in the future. “This can tie the hands of future legislators in difficult times,” said Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez in reference to the costs that climate change and rising sea levels could bring in the coming years. The legislation would mandate a two-thirds vote in both chambers before any tax and fee hike can be imposed on Floridians. Because the change would amend the Florida Constitution, it will need 60-percent voter-approval to take effect. They will vote on it in November. “It’s the people’s money, not ours. Yes, two-thirds is hard to get. It should be hard to raise taxes because it is the people’s money, not ours,” Senate Budget Chair Rob Bradley said. Upon passage of the bill, Scott praised the Legislature.

— MORE CAPITOL INSIGHT —

House passes tax cut package – The House passed its annual tax package 75-35 on Monday, despite Democratic concerns that general revenue dollars would be diverted to private-school scholarships. Aventura Democrat Joe Geller, calling it an “otherwise good” bill, said, “I wish I could vote for this, but there is a provision in here for private school vouchers.” Ways & Means Committee chair Paul Renner, a Palm Coast Republican, said tjhe measure would allow parents and children to continue to decide on “an education that best suits their needs.” Meantime, the tax cut package “promotes prosperity, expands opportunity and preserves our quality of life,” Renner added.

“Senate, House reach compromise on controversial child marriage bill” via Ana Ceballos of Florida Politics – The Florida Senate gave initial approval Monday to a compromise with the House on the controversial child marriage bill, which would allow 17-year-old to wed in the state. The Republican-controlled House initially wanted to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to marry in cases where there is a pregnancy and the older partner is no more than two years older than the minor. A new amendment that would get rid of the pregnancy sought by Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, the sponsor of SB 140, was adopted on a voice vote. With that the Senate moved from an outright ban on minor marriage, to allow minors who are 17 to wed if there is parental consent and the partner is no more than two years older. The bill is expected to be voted on by the House Tuesday.

“House, Senate sign off on nursing home generators” via Christine Sexton of the News Service of Florida – Nursing homes will be required to have generators and 72-hour fuel supplies on-site by July 1, under a rule issued by Gov. Scott’s administration and approved by the Legislature. The House unanimously approved a measure (HB 7099) that ratified the rule, and the Senate followed suit later in the day. The chambers still differ, though, on whether to impose similar backup power mandates on assisted living facilities, which were included in a different rule. Ratifying the pair of rules has been a top priority for Scott’s administration during the 2018 legislative session. The rule requires nursing homes to have backup power capability and adequate fuel supplies to maintain safety systems and equipment needed to maintain indoor air temperatures for 96 hours after a loss of electricity. According to the state, the rule will increase costs by more than $121 million in the next five years.

“Bill to help first responders heads to Rick Scott” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics – A measure to expand workers’ compensation benefits to first responders who suffer job-related post-traumatic stress disorder has passed the Legislature unanimously and now heads to Gov. Scott. A spokesman on Monday said the governor will “review the legislation” when received, but would not commit to Scott’s approval. The House passed the Senate’s version of measure (SB 376) on a 114-0 vote earlier in the day, sending the legislation to his desk. The Senate on Saturday had unanimously passed its bill … The legislation is a priority of Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, also the state’s Fire Marshal.

“With little ado, House passes gaming bill” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics – With only one member commenting, the House swiftly passed its omnibus gambling bill for 2018, setting up a possible conference of the two chambers. The bill (HB 7067) was OK’d on a 70-40 vote, with Republican Halsey Beshears of Monticello and Tom Goodson of Rockledge joining the Democrats in voting ‘no.’ Bill sponsor Mike La Rosa, a St. Cloud Republican, has said he expects both chambers to go to conference on the legislation. A proposed “voter control of gambling” constitutional amendment will be on November’s ballot; if approved, it would give statewide voters power to approve future expansions of gambling in Florida. If they don’t get something done now, lawmakers may well be frozen out of influencing gambling.

House would ban pre-reveal games – The House on Monday approved a measure to ban video game consoles found in bars that look and play like slot machines. The bill (HB 1367), passed by 73-41, now goes to the Senate. A companion measure there did not get a hearing this Session. But language banning the games is in the House’s big gambling bill for 2018 (HB 7067) that was also passed off the floor Monday and is in the Senate’s comprehensive gaming legislation (SB 840). Longwood Republican Scott Plakon‘s standalone bill expressly makes the games illegal under state gambling law. The Seminole Tribe of Florida, which has exclusive rights to offer slots outside South Florida, is attempting to shut down the games because it believes they violate that exclusivity. A court decision that they are illegal slot machines is under appeal. The games “preview” certain outcomes as to their winning or losing status. Northeast Florida is largely the home of the pre-reveal games, also called ‘no chance’ games.

House OKs local bill on Seminole County cardroom – The House, by a vote of 84-30, Monday approved a bill (HB 1017) that gives local control over the opening of a cardroom at the Sanford Orlando Kennel Club. The bill allows only the Seminole County Commission to decide whether state gambling regulators can issue a license to offer card games at the pari-mutuel. Currently Florida law allows the state to issue licenses to pari-mutuels if they get approvals from their city commissions, unless the locations are in unincorporated areas, when the law requires approvals from the county commissions. But the dog track in question has been pushing for years to open a cardroom, but has been rebuffed by the Longwood City Commission.

“House passes Water Street Tampa development measure” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics – With no debate, the House on Monday approved a proposal to create a special district to fund some features of a proposed $3 billion development in the city’s Channelside neighborhood. The vote was 113-1, sending it to the Senate. There is no companion measure there, House records show. The lone ‘no’ vote in the House Monday was Patrick Henry, a Daytona Beach Democrat. The bill (HB 1393), sponsored by Tampa Republican Jamie Grant, creates a Water Street Tampa Improvement District. The proposal is backed by Strategic Property Partners, a partnership of Bill Gates’ investment arm, Cascade Investment, and billionaire developer Jeff Vinik. Water Street Tampa has become one of the most eagerly awaited private developments in Tampa.

“Bill to cut college tuition fees for military clears Legislature” via Florida Politics – The Legislature unanimously passed a House bill to help cut college tuition fees for students who are active duty service members. HB 75, sponsored by Destin Republican Rep. Mel Ponder, would give Florida College System institutions the option of waiving all or part of their fees for active duty students who are also receiving Military Tuition Assistance. Panama City Republican Sen. George Gainer shepherded HB 75’s companion bill, SB 460, in the Senate. “I am optimistic about the opportunity this bill provides for institutions in the Florida College System to have a presence on military installations in Florida,” Ponder said. “It also promotes the use of our excellent Florida colleges by active duty service members using Military Tuition Assistance to advance their education.” The lawmakers said the bill was designed to adhere to new MTA rules that disallowed the payment of such fees and barred institutions that charge them from offering courses on military installations. Northwest Florida State College President Devin Stephenson lauded Ponder and Gainer for carrying the bill and said its passage marked a “historic day for military students in Florida.”

Governors Club Tuesday lunch buffet menu – It’s Italian Day at the Governors Club with mixed green salad with assorted dressings; avocado, tomato, cilantro dressing; crispy coleslaw; spinach artichoke soup; fried chicken; grilled salmon Puttanaesca; Risi Bisi Rice; Tuscan white beans; Italian squash; Panna Cotta flan for dessert.

— FOR YOUR RADAR —

The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) today launched a video calling on Floridians to tell their state lawmakers to support important distracted driving legislation in the final days of the 2018 Legislative Session.

“The fact that Florida is one of many states experiencing double-digit spikes in distracted driving-related crashes and is only one of four states that hasn’t already made texting while driving a primary enforcement law is mind-boggling,” said Logan McFaddin, regional manager for PCI.

In the video, PCI shows the victims of distracted driving, highlighting how real people are impacted by this careless behavior each and every day.  “Florida lawmakers have the chance to help save lives by passing legislation to make texting while driving a primary offense and follow the other 46 states that have already put this life-saving measure in statute.  In the final days of session, PCI encourages Florida lawmakers to protect Florida families before it is too late and more lives are lost.”

SB 90 by Gainesville Republican Keith Perry has stalled in its final committee of reference in the Senate, having passed its other three favorably.  A companion bill, HB 33 by Tampa Republican Jackie Toledo, has passed the full Florida House and is in messages.

Click on the image below to watch the video:

— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL —

“A new poll shows how younger women could help drive a Democratic wave in 2018” via Melissa Deckman of the Washington Post – Historically, women have expressed far less interest in public affairs than men. In 2016, this was still true. According to the American National Election Study (ANES), men were more likely than women to say they pay attention to politics all or most of the time. This was true in every generation. … But this pattern could be changing among millennials and the next cohort of young Americans, defined as those individuals born after 2000. A new poll sponsored by the Public Religion Research Institute and MTV interviewed more than 2,000 Americans ages 15-24. It found that young women expressed higher levels of political and civic engagement than young men.

Assignment editors – Former Miami Beach Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine will host a living room conversation at the home of Haitian-American business person Mary Estimé-Irvin in North Miami beginning 11:30 AM, 55 NE. 131st St. in North Miami.

First on #FlaPol – Patrick Murphy backs Jeremy Ring for CFO – Former Treasure Coast Democratic Congressman Murphy is endorsing former state Sen. Ring in his bid for chief financial officer. “While most politicians in Tallahassee lack the vision to address the very real problems facing our state, I have been tremendously impressed by Jeremy’s acuity,” Murphy said in a statement. “From Yahoo to the Florida Senate, there is no other candidate with the extensive background and innovative ideas he brings to the table. That’s why I’m proud to support him. After 20 years of Republican rule, Floridians are hungry for a fresh approach and I can think of no one better than Jeremy Ring to steer us forward.”

“Donna Shalala files for CD 27” via Tim Swift of Local 10 – Former University of Miami President Donna Shalala is running to replace retiring Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, according to paperwork filed with the Federal Election Commission. Shalala, a Democrat, served as Health and Human Services secretary under President Bill Clinton. Well-known in the region, Shalala, 77, is considered a top choice for the Democratic nomination. With access to the Clinton family’s big-pocketed donors, Shalala has the potential to be a formidable fundraiser. But some of her strengths could be also be weaknesses. Another Democrat in the race, Miami Beach Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, told POLITICO earlier this year said that Shalala represented the “elite” of the party.

“After Dana Young misses key gun votes, her Senate opponent pounces” via William March of the Tampa Bay Times – Over the weekend, Young’s Democratic opponent, Bob Buesing, blasted her for missing votes on three key amendments during the Senate’s unusual Saturday session to debate legislation responding to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Young responded that Buesing is “attempting to score political brownie points from a non-issue,” and that she wasn’t trying to dodge any votes. Instead, she said, she had to step off the Senate floor briefly during the eight-hour session, and recorded positions afterward on the votes she missed – all in the majority, so they wouldn’t have affected the outcome. Young voted in favor of the final bill as it passed the Senate Monday. But the flap over her Saturday whereabouts is an early indication of the likely tone of the fight over the Senate seat.

“Katie Edwards-Walpole won’t run for the House again” via Nancy Smith of Sunshine State News – She said she isn’t running for her final term because she’s a newlywed with a ready-made family and wants time to phase into her new life. … “I was so blessed to marry the love of my life in December, and my commitment and priority is spending more time with my family,” she said Monday. “Public service requires extensive time away from family and work, and I know I will truly enjoy being a fully present wife, stepmother and aunt while continuing to be active in my community.”

“Roy Moore accuser running for Florida House as a Democrat” via Leada Gore of AL.com – Deborah Gibson, one of the women who said failed Senate candidate Moore pursued her romantically as a teenager, has signaled her intention to run for the Florida Legislature … she will seek the 89th District Seat in the Florida House as a Democrat. Republican Bill Hager currently holds the seat. “Coming off the sidelines for the first time politically seems a natural response to realizing that too many of us, particularly women, have felt that some special mysterious qualification was needed to participate in our democratic process as a candidate,” Gibson said in a statement … “The past five months have crystallized what’s been coming to me for a decade more gradually – the Republican Party is no longer the right fit for me; I am proudly running as a Democrat.”

— STATEWIDE —

“Constitutional review panel readies for its own Session” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics – The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is considering a March 19-May 10 Session, according to a draft schedule sent to commissioners. The proposed dates, which was to be considered by the body’s Rules Committee later Monday, would mean the CRC’s Session will begin just 10 days after the Legislature ‘sine die’s this Friday. The commission’s Regular Session would begin on Monday, March 19, with the commission meeting in full through the following Tuesday. Only the Style and Drafting Committee would then meet each day till April 16, the draft calendar shows. At that point, the full commission meets again through May 4. No events are scheduled May 7-10, but the calendar notes that the commission must wrap up its work by the 10th, with its report due to Secretary of State Ken Detzner.

“Reservoir project plan to cut Lake Okeechobee discharges gets DEP’s approval” via Tyler Treadway of TCPalm – In a 12-page order, DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein said the project submitted by the South Florida Water Management District will meet criteria for “water supply, water quality, flood protection, threatened and endangered species and other natural system and habitat needs.” In particular, the order said the district’s plan for a 10,100-acre, 23-foot-deep reservoir and a 6,500-acre stormwater treatment area will sufficiently clean excess Lake O water before sending an estimated average of 120 billion gallons a year south to the Everglades and Florida Bay. Several environmental groups, including the Everglades Foundation, have said the stormwater treatment area is too small to clean water to federally mandated standards.

“Judge sets trial for medical marijuana ‘no smoke’ case” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics – A Tallahassee judge has set a 1-day trial for May 16 in the legal effort to overturn the state’s ban on smoking medical marijuana. But in her order, Circuit Judge Karen Gievers said she will first hear the state’s motion for summary judgment at 10 o’clock that morning; summary judgments allows parties to win a case without a trial. If it does proceed to trial, Gievers will hear the case without a jury. Her order was filed last Friday. The suit is backed by John Morgan, the Orlando attorney and entrepreneur known for his ubiquitous Morgan & Morgan law firm advertisements. He championed passage of the constitutional amendment on medicinal cannabis approved by voters in 2016.

“America’s flood insurance chief has a message for all Floridians: You’re at risk” via Jenny Staletovich of the Miami Herald – If you’re a homeowner in Florida relying on flood zone maps to decide whether to buy insurance, you may want to check your drivers license instead. “If it says Florida, you need flood insurance,” said Roy Wright, who oversees the … National Flood Insurance Program, which covers more policies in Florida than any other state. “It may be more helpful than trying to find the right map.” Hurricane Irma is only the latest case in point, said Wright … The national flood insurance program is now $20 billion in debt, largely because of Irma and other catastrophic storms like Harvey. … In the lead-up to Irma, an Associated Press analysis found that the number of Florida homes covered in high-risk areas had dropped by 15 percent in the previous five years. Fewer than half in hazard zones were protected from flood damage. … Wright blamed the problem partly on flood maps that, like hurricane tracking maps, can mislead homeowners on actual risks. “We really gotta help people move beyond and quit focusing just on the lines,” he said. “Because nature, the day it rains, pays no attention to the lines.”

— D.C. MATTERS —

Be sure to read Bloomberg’s profile of Brian Ballard – “Trump’s Florida fundraiser flourishes as new Washington lobbyist” – Disclosures now show just how lucrative those services can be: by the end of 2017, Ballard Partners LP had racked up $9.8 million in federal lobbying fees, the most of any new K Street arrival in the two decades such records have been available.

What Nancy Watkins is reading – “Hurricanes left behind mountains of trash in the Virgin Islands — and there’s nowhere to put it” via Tim Craig of the Washington Post – Over the past 4½ months, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local contractors have collected more than 736,000 cubic yards of debris — the equivalent of 61,000 truckloads — as they rush to clean up St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, the territory’s three major islands. As the mountains of wreckage continue to grow, crowding landfills and littering roadsides, debate has raged over how to get rid of the detritus tarnishing the islands’ famous Caribbean landscapes. A plan to burn the waste was squashed after residents protested over the potential health and environmental effects. Shipping the waste to the U.S. mainland is complicated by the threat of invasive species. Other Caribbean nations don’t want it, either. Meanwhile, Gov. Kenneth Mapp fears that the heaps of debris are not only an eyesore but also a major fire hazard on these islands with limited firefighting resources.— OPINIONS —

“The jury is still out on the fairness, accuracy and impartiality of Florida’s death penalty process” via Mark Schlakman, Raoul Cantero and Roberto Martinez of the Tampa Bay Times – By a vote of 11-1 the Senate Rules Committee passed SB 870, Sen. Randolph Bracy’s capital felonies bill, without a House companion. Bracy chairs the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, where his bill passed 3-2 last month, demonstrating bipartisan support, given the strong Republican majorities on these committees. The bill addresses what some characterize as a fundamental fairness issue. The concern arises out of a Florida Supreme Court opinion that determined the extent to which prior death sentences are subject to review after the U.S. Supreme Court’s opinion in Hurst vs. Florida, holding that Florida’s capital case sentencing process violated “the Sixth Amendment (which) requires a jury, not a judge, to find each fact necessary to impose a sentence of death,” in light of its opinion in Ring vs. Arizona. Bracy’s bill provides legislative intent that all similarly situated death sentences involving less than a unanimous penalty phase jury recommendation — not just those that became final after Ring — should be reviewed. Sen. Jeff Brandes a member of both committees of reference, twice emphasized, when speaking in favor of the bill, that consistent standards should apply, so that “A equals A.”

“Florida flyers don’t need higher airport fees” via Charlie Leocha – Air travelers who made resolutions to travel more in 2018 may not be in for a happy new year. That’s because Congress is considering an 89 percent increase to the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC), one of the many taxes and fees airline passengers pay every time they fly. If approved, travelers flying out of Florida will pay up to $318.4 million more in air traveler fees this coming year alone. The PFC or Airport Tax is one of 14 different fees tacked on to the cost of every plane ticket we buy. The current law allows airports to charge up to $4.50. The measure introduced by Sen. Susan Collins would raise that to $8.50 on the first leg of each flight. That may not sound like a lot, but a family of four purchasing round trip tickets could pay up to $104 in Airport Taxes alone. Passengers are asking why?  Raising the PFC is nothing more than a greedy and easy way for airports to raise more revenue without asking their own municipalities for more funding. If Congress truly wants to ease the tax burden on the middle-class, their first New Year’s resolution should be to scrap the proposed Airport Tax increase.

— MOVEMENTS —

Remember him – “EPA appointee gets approval to consult for outside clients” via the Associated Press – A key aide to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt has been granted permission to make extra money consulting for private clients. But the agency is keeping their identities secret. Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Monday released a letter approving outside employment contracts for John Konkus, who also was chief of staff to former Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll. Pruitt named the Republican political consultant as EPA’s deputy associate administrator for public affairs. His duties have included signing off on who receives millions in federal grants. An EPA ethics lawyer in August signed the letter giving Konkus approval to work for at least two clients. The agency blacked out their names. Konkus hasn’t responded to requests for comment; his taxpayer-funded salary is about $145,000 annually.

New and renewed lobbying registrations:

Brian Ballard, Brad Burleson, Ballard Partners: Alfred Benesch and Company, WeatherSTEM

David Browning, Kevin Marino Cabrera, Nelson Diaz, Southern Strategy Group: Q Link Wireless

Robert Hawken, Leath Consulting: Staffing Locator

Fred Karlinsky, Greenberg Traurig: The Nemours Foundation

Lincoln Quinton, NorthPointe: Alation, Smartronix

Joseph Salzverg, GrayRobinson: South Broward Hospital District

Sean Stafford, McGuireWoods Consulting: Capital One Services

— ALOE —

“House of Cards season six will focus on Claire Underwood’s rule” via Shannan Lia of The Verge – During the Academy Awards, Netflix aired a teaser for the sixth and final season of House of Cards. It’s going to be the first season since lead actor Kevin Spacey, who played conniving politician Frank Underwood, got booted from the show by Netflix following sexual harassment allegations. In the teaser, Robin Wright’s character Claire Underwood is the one in command, sitting behind the desk her husband once occupied in the Oval Office. With a confident smile, she says, “We’re just getting started.” Netflix’s tagline reads, “Hail to the Chief.”

Click on the image below to watch the trailer:

Happy birthday to the man who is everywhere, Stephen Gately.