Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
As if employers didn’t have enough to be concerned about with the rising cost of workers’ comp, they also have to worry about employees injuring themselves on the job because of an opioid addiction.
In a Tuesday email, the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) said it was adding a “new and informative session” at its conference later this month in Boston on “Saving Lives — Building a Modern Pharmacy Program amid a Deadly Epidemic.”
“In 2011, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (OBWC) found that more than 8,000 injured workers were opioid-dependent for taking the equivalent of at least 60 mg a day of morphine for 60 or more days,” according to the WCRI email.
“By the end of 2017, that number was reduced to 3,315, which meant 4,714 fewer injured workers were at risk for opioid addiction, overdose, and death than in 2011.
“In this session, Dr. Terrence Welsh, OBWC’s chief medical officer, will discuss the Bureau’s interventions to address the opioid epidemic, the impact of those interventions, and what the OBWC has on the horizon to build on its successes.”
We trust the good doctor has more hopeful news to share.
Ed. Note — Last night’s First Shot was in error; a corrected version is here.
Evening Reads
“Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke continues to confuse on oil drilling” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“With help of Parkland survivor, Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson push school safety bill” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“Death penalty sought for Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz” via Rafael Olmeda and Paul McMahon of the Sun Sentinel
“Condition of wounded Stoneman Douglas shooting victim improves” via Local 10 ABC
“Thousands of would-be gun buyers failed a Florida background check last year. Here’s why.” via Thomas Tobin of the Tampa Bay Times
“Voters would back school board term limits” via Jim Saunders of the News Service of Florida
“Backers push for Marsy’s Law — a crime victims’ ‘bill of rights’ ” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics
“Millions of dollars in local projects must survive Rick Scott’s veto pen” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
“Why are Florida lawmakers trying to get rid of this one ethics rule” via Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times
“Arts groups face major cutbacks in Florida budget” via Jay Handelman of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Quote of the Day
“There’s no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. We’ve got to move on … Now, Russian activity, I think they are malevolent, and I think we should try to deal with that in one voice.” — Florida Congressman and candidate for Governor Ron DeSantis, speaking Tuesday on Fox News.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
Gov. Rick Scott is traveling the state to highlight $10 billion in tax cuts during his two terms in office. This includes nearly 100 individual tax cuts, as well as nearly $500 million during the recently ended 2018 Legislative Session. Scott’s tour begins 9 a.m. with a visit to Cox Fire Protection, 7910 Professional Place in Tampa.
Enterprise Florida holds a Board of Directors Meeting at 9 a.m., Embassy Suites West Palm Beach Central, 1601 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach.
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Marketing and Development holds a conference call at 9:30 a.m. The call-in number is (888) 670-3525 and the access code is 6610760704 then #.
The Space Florida Board of Directors is scheduled to meet at 11:30 a.m., Embassy Suites West Palm Beach Central, 1601 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach.
At 11:45 a.m., Scott will visit Imeca Doral, 8400 NW 58th St. in Doral.
At 3 p.m., the Governor will finish up his daylong tax cut tour at Stevens Construction, 6208 Whiskey Creek Drive in Fort Myers.
Lauren’s Kids will host the 8th Annual Walk in My Shoes advocacy walk with the St. Petersburg Police Department. Registration begins at 3 p.m., St. Petersburg Police Department, 1300 1st Avenue N, St. Petersburg.
