Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
The city of Vero Beach is selling its power.
The governing boards of the Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) announced Wednesday they gave unanimous final approval to “agreements enabling the city of Vero Beach to exit FMPA’s power projects and sell its electric utility.”
That was after 19 client cities had agreed to Vero Beach’s buyout of its power contracts. Vero Beach participates in three FMPA power supply projects.
For Vero Beach to sell its system, the city needed to find another municipal utility to assume its obligations in the FMPA projects.
“FMPA and its members have invested significant time and effort to help Vero Beach facilitate the sale of its electric utility,” said Jacob Williams, FMPA’s general manager and CEO. “All the cities worked well together to create a solution that meets the needs of everyone.”
The FMPA said it “will continue to work with Vero Beach to finalize remaining details for closing of the utility sale.”
Evening Reads
“Facing NRA heat, Richard Corcoran slams assault weapons ban” via Gray Rohrer of the Orlando Sentinel
“After Mark Foley tweet, unearthed video shows Adam Putnam’s Dennis Hastert ‘problem’ won’t go away” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics
“Rick Scott to place 8 cops at Stoneman Douglas entry to ease parents’ fears” via Scott Travis and Rafael Olmeda of the Sun Sentinel
“Documents: Scott administration had long-running role in collapsed FIU bridge” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida
“Despite attempted election hack, state did not create cybersecurity unit” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
“Gil Ziffer endorses Gwen Graham for governor” via Jeff Burlew of the Tallahassee Democrat
“Donna Shalala starts early ad war” via Marc Caputo of POLITICO Florida
“Jeff Brandes expected to draw challenge from trial lawyer Carrie Pilon” via Florida Politics
“Koch brothers launching campaign to oppose public money for Rays stadium” via Emily Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times
“Is Florida still the leader in citrus” via Alex Hagan of WPTV
Quote of the Day
“I don’t want anybody taking away your guns … it’s about guns in the hands of the wrong people.” — Constitution Revision Commissioner Roberto Martinez, a Republican and former federal prosecutor, explaining why he filed a measure to put gun provisions from the recently passed post-Parkland legislation into the constitution.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The influential Style and Drafting Committee of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission will convene to draft ballot language for tentatively approved constitutional amendments. That’s at 9 a.m., 412 Knott Building, The Capitol.
The Florida Defense Support Task Force, which works on issues related to military missions and installations in the state, will meet in Clay County. That’s at 9 a.m., Courtyard Marriott Jacksonville Orange Park, 610 Wells Road, Orange Park.
The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees will meet after holding committee meetings. Among the topics will be an update on the 2018 legislative session. Committees start at 9:30 a.m., with full board at 1 p.m., University of Central Florida, Fairwinds Alumni Center, Orlando.
Staff members for Sen. Denise Grimsley, a Sebring Republican, will hold “mobile” office hours in Lee and Hardee counties. 10 a.m., The Shell Factory, Chamber of Commerce office, 2787 North Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers. Also, 1:15 p.m., Hardee County Chamber of Commerce, 135 East Bay St., Wauchula.
The Florida Supreme Court is scheduled to release its weekly opinions at 11 a.m.
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions will deliver remarks on the Donald Trump administration’s response to the opioid crisis. That’s at 3:20 p.m., U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, U.S. Courthouse — Jury Assembly Room (Floor 3), 111 North Adams St., Tallahassee.
