Peter Schorsch
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Gov. Rick Scott cancelled a “tax cut highlight event” in Sanford Thursday to instead head to the scene of the pedestrian bridge collapse at Miami’s Florida International University.
There, he’ll be “briefed by local law enforcement and university officials,” his office said.
“I’ve reached out to officials in Miami-Dade County to offer every state resource to assist with response to this tragedy,” the governor tweeted Thursday afternoon.
The Miami Herald reported that the bridge, still under construction, “gave way suddenly while the traffic light for motorists on Tamiami Trail was red, so that the concrete span fell on top of a row of stopped vehicles.”
The National Transportation Safety Board tweeted it was dispatching a team to investigate. Local police confirmed “multiple deaths.”
“The $11.4 million bridge was meant to connect the school to the city of Sweetwater, part of a $124 million expansion of the campus,” NBC News reported.
It was built by Munilla Construction Management and designed by FIGG Bridge Group, according to FIU officials. FIGG is headquartered in Tallahassee; Munilla is in Miami.
Senate President pro tempore Anitere Flores of Miami tweeted, “Absolutely speechless. @FIU and the area are my home. Prayers for those hurt and those who have perished. 1st priority is search and rescue, and then so many questions need to be answered. Shocked and sad.”
Evening Reads
“Mueller subpoenas Trump organization, demanding documents about Russia” via Michael Schmidt and Maggie Haberman of the New York Times
“Trouble brewing? Trump tariffs worry Florida’s craft beer makers” via Sara DiNatale of the Tampa Bay Times
“All four Democratic candidates agree to Tampa debate” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
“Be afraid of the president, Gus Bilirakis. Be very afraid” via John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times
“A Democratic wave may be coming in November. Miami Democrats may not be ready.” via Alex Daugherty of the Miami Herald
“Video: Deputy never entered building during school massacre” via the Associated Press
“Graphic video shown in trial of nightclub shooter’s widow” via the Associated Press
“As Florida’s grapefruit supply dwindles, Japanese customers lose interest” via Katie Sanders of the Tampa Bay Times
“A slightly embarrassing love for Jack Kerouac” via Amanda Petrusich of The New Yorker
“Everything you need to know about the freight yard complex coming to Tallahassee’s All Saints District” via Erin Hoover of 850 Business Magazine
Quote of the Day
“We have enough to worry about with mass casualties in schools due to gun violence. The last thing we need is school infrastructure killing and injuring more students in Florida. This is beyond unacceptable.” —State Rep. Robert Asencio, a Miami Democrat, in a Thursday statement to media.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
Gov. Scott will release the state’s 2017 tourism numbers on Friday in Naples. A time and location are pending.
The Able Trust (Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation) holds its quarterly Board of Directors meeting. That’s at 8 a.m., Omni Hotel, 245 Water St., Jacksonville.
The Governor’s Panel on Excellence in Long-Term Care will hold a conference call to review criteria for “gold seal” award designations for nursing homes. That’s at 8:30 a.m. The call-in number is (888) 670-3525 and the code is 8050334011.
The Policy Subcommittee of the Tobacco Advisory Council will hold a conference call to discuss the Comprehensive Tobacco Education and Use Prevention Program. That’s at 1 p.m. The call-in number is (888) 670-3525 and the code is 5720848571 then press #.
The Board of Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., meets at 1 p.m. (Central Time), Santa Rosa County Commission Chambers, County Administration Building, 6495 Caroline Street, Milton.
