Peter Schorsch
Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.
By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Joe Henderson, Daniel McAuliffe, Jim Rosica, and Drew Wilson.
Maybe the March For Our Lives pulled some people off the sideline and converted them to the cause of ending gun violence here and around the world.
We hope so.
But you know what?
We know how the other side thinks, and they are betting against that. They figure that within a few more days, maybe a couple of weeks, the story of Saturday’s world-wide protests will vanish from the nightly news, front pages and the public’s collective interest.
They figure everyone will be distracted by Donald Trump and Stormy Daniels, or some other event that becomes THE story of the news cycle.
Sure, the students who organized and led marches – especially those from Parkland – were compelling and the crowds were large. But the other side is wagering that the majority of participants will soon lose the fire in their bellies that pushed them to get involved following the slaughter of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High.
They’ll be distracted enough with final exams, summer jobs, or heading to college in the fall. Oh sure, some of them will follow through on their vow to stay active during the buildup to the mid-term elections and that might flip a few seats to the Democrats.
Not enough to change the balance of power though.
That’s why we haven’t heard much from Paul Ryan or Mitch McConnell.
Just lay low, let it burn out.
That’s why the president, who tweets about everything, acted like the march had typhoid and avoided it – although, to be fair, he did say Friday his administration will work to ban bump stocks.
He did, by the way, find time to declare Sunday national Greek Independence Day – so there is that.
— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —
— @Pontifex: Dear young people, never get tired of being instruments of peace and joy among your peers!
— @VP: Karen and I join with millions of believers across the country and around the world as we celebrate Palm Sunday. “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” #PalmSunday
— @DeFede: “I think Rick Scott is a buffoon.” – @TuckerCarlson just now on @FoxNews ragarding the gun issue.
— @JaredEMoskowitz: . @Montel_Williams Pleasure meeting you yesterday. A powerful advocate. I apologize in advance for my misguided friend @mattgaetz.
— @NewsBySmiley: Just bumped into Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie. “I have a significant renewed level of hope in this country… our kids are going to lead the way.”
— @PatriciaMazzei: Landed in Miami and the flight crew went on the intercom to “congratulate the millennials” who marched in Washington. “We appreciate your courage,” she said. Passengers applauded.
— @AmyEWalter: We’ll know that the gun-control issue is politically potent one for Dems when they start campaigning on it in the swing CDs they need to win control of Congress.
— @Rob_Bradley: There’s a lot of talk about who the world should be listening to at this moment. I encourage listening to many voices, particularly those that challenge u. I respectfully recommend listening the father of a slain child, a man who inspires me, @rpetty.
— @Corey_Clark (re: FSU Basketball): A great run ends in the Elite Eight. That was a fun team to watch and write about. And almost the whole team comes back next year.
— DAYS UNTIL —
Major League Baseball Opening Day — 3; Easter – 6; Reporting deadline for Q1 fundraising – 20; NFL Draft begins – 31; Avengers: Infinity War opens – 32; Close of candidate qualifying for federal office – 38; Mother’s Day – 58; Solo: A Star Wars Story premier — 60; Close of candidate qualifying for statewide office — 88; Deadline for filing claim bills – 128; Primary Election Day — 155; College Football opening weekend – 159; General Election Day — 225; ‘Hamilton’ comes to the Straz Center — 325; 2019 Legislative Session starts – 344.
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— TOP STORY —
“Inspired by Stoneman Douglas students, marchers rally across Florida to demand tougher gun laws” via Sergio Bustos of POLITICO Florida – Tens of thousands of people hit the streets across Florida, joining hundreds of thousands of others in Washington and cities around the country, in calling for tougher gun laws in a nationwide rally and march inspired by Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students who have sought to turn a terrible tragedy into a massive movement. Stoneman Douglas senior Emma González, who along with several classmates have become the face of the fight to end gun violence, was in Washington for Saturday’s “March for Our Lives” rally … She was joined by some 250 people, mostly fellow students from Stoneman Douglas, who embarked on buses for the sojourn to the nation’s capital. In an op-ed she wrote for Teen Vogue, González said the movement was just getting started. “In just a few weeks’ time, we, the youth of the United States, have built a new movement to denounce gun violence and call for safety in all of our communities. And this is only the beginning,” she wrote.
— “The 6 most memorable species at the March for Our Lives in D.C.” via Kayla Epstein and Teddy Amenabar of the Washington Post
— “Seven most memorable moments from ‘March for Our Lives’ ” via Max Greenwood of The Hill
– “For Parkland students, a surreal journey from ‘normal’ to a worldwide march” via Patricia Mazzei of The New York Times
— “Impact of March For Our Lives goes as far as Argentina” via Mary Ellen Klas and Emily Kennedy (it’s the latter’s first byline with her mother)
“Marco Rubio gets swift pushback for comments on March for Our Lives” via ABC News – “I respect their views and recognize that many Americans support certain gun bans,” Rubio said. “However, many other Americans do not support a gun ban. They too want to prevent mass shootings, but view banning guns as an infringement on the Second Amendment rights of law abiding citizens that ultimately will not prevent these tragedies.” His statement, released just before the March for Our Lives event in Washington, D.C., ended, immediately attracted a flood of criticism on social media, especially for his characterization of the march as a demand for a “gun ban.” “Was having teens own you on national television not humiliating enough? You need to be owned online too?” author and music journalist Dan Ozzi tweeted. “Saying this march is about banning guns is a gross oversimplification,” Twitter user Alyssa Marie wrote. “Instead of fostering a healthy discussion you are cowering behind a cheap deflection tactics. I hope to God I’m not living in Florida in 2022, but I WILL dedicate time and money to outing you as a senator.”
Maybe Rubio should read this – “AP poll: Support soars for stricter gun control laws” via Steve Peoples and Emily Swanson of The Associated Press – A new poll found a majority of gun owners and half of Republicans favor new laws to address gun violence in the weeks after a Florida school shooting left 17 dead and sparked nationwide protests. The poll, conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, found that nearly 7 in 10 adults now favor stricter gun control measures. That’s the strongest level of support since The Associated Press first asked the question five years ago. The new poll also found that nearly half of Americans do not expect elected officials to take action. Overall, 69 percent of Americans think gun laws in the United States should be made stricter. That’s up from 61 percent who said the same in October 2016 and 55 percent when the AP first asked the question in October 2013. Overall, 90 percent of Democrats, 54 percent of gun owners and 50 percent of Republicans now favor stricter gun control laws. Sixty percent believe that making it harder to legally obtain a gun would result in fewer mass shootings; just 49 percent said the same in the 2016 poll. The new poll finds support for specific gun control measures even among those who bristle at the term “gun control.”
Maybe Rick Santorum shouldn’t talk – “Rick Santorum: Parkland students should learn CPR instead of marching” via Kevin Robillard of POLITICO Florida – In an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Santorum was arguing gun laws wouldn’t make schools safer on their own when he made the comments, and said the students should instead focus on ways to help respond to a mass shooter instead of advocating for tougher laws. “How about kids instead of looking to someone else to solve their problem, do something about maybe taking CPR classes or trying to deal with situations that when there is a violent shooter [so] that you can actually respond to that?” he said during a panel discussion. Santorum went on to suggest that “phony gun laws” wouldn’t keep students safe. “They didn’t take action to say, ‘How do I, as an individual, deal with this problem? How am I going to do something about stopping bullying within my own community? What am I going to do to actually help respond to a shooter?'” he said. “Instead of going and protesting and saying, ‘Oh, someone else needs to pass a law to protect me.'”
“Delta helps hundreds of students fly to DC for gun protest” via The Associated Press – Delta Air Lines has donated three round-trip charter flights that allowed hundreds of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students to participate in the “March for Our Lives” protest against gun violence in Washington. Delta said the donation is “part of our commitment to supporting the communities we serve.” It’s not Delta’s first involvement with the issue. After last month’s shooting, Delta said it will no longer offer discounted fares to members of the National Rifle Association to reflect its neutral status on the gun-control debate.
— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL —
“Florida’s midterms loom large in ‘March for Our Lives’” via Eric Garcia of Roll Call – Many demonstrators voiced anger at lawmakers who, in their opinion, had failed to do enough. In Florida, where the Feb. 14mass shooting in Broward County is still fresh, what candidates are willing to do in response to gun violence has taken on a new importance in midterm campaigns. Florida’s senior senator, Democrat Bill Nelson, also was at the march. Since the Parkland shooting, he has become increasingly vocal about changing gun laws. His potential Republican challenger, Gov. Scott, signed into law a new set of gun regulations earlier this month. Floridians participating in Saturday’s march in D.C. were divided about the legislation Scott signed. Todd Foote said he and his wife Denise had called “every single member” of the Legislature to urge them to pass the law later signed by Scott, whose actions he sees as positive. “He actually bucked the NRA, which I’m very happy with,” Foote said. But he’s not sure how he’ll vote in the Senate race this November.
— “Stoneman Douglas students won’t be endorsing political candidates” via Sergio Bustos of POLITICO Florida
“Gun debate dominates campaign talk for Governor, Cabinet” via Gray Rohrer of the Orlando Sentinel – Adam Putnam went on the NRA’s TV channel to criticize the gun-control provisions passed by state lawmakers in response to the Stoneman High shooting, blaming the news media for conflating Nikolas Cruz, the 19-year-old suspect charged with 17 counts of murder, with the rest of gun owners. One Republican who helped push the bill through was Speaker Corcoran, who is considering a run for governor. The NRA sent a message to its members alerting them to Corcoran’s “betrayal” for pushing the bill. The NRA has not targeted Scott, who is term-limited but considering a run for U.S. Senate against Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson. Despite its support among a majority of Republicans, a significant faction voted against the new law, including every Republican running in a statewide primary. “Folks have very strong opinions about constitutional rights,” said Rep. Ross Spano, running for Attorney General against three other GOP candidates.
Democratic candidate for governor Chris King joined thousands of Floridians Saturday at the March for Our Lives through downtown Orlando, where he pledged to ban assault weapons and take on the NRA as governor. “I was honored to help lead today’s march and join with these incredible kids to call B.S. on politicians who were silent on gun violence and now want to reinvent their records in an election year,” King said.
Click the image below to watch King rally for gun safety in Orlando:
Assignment editors – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum will speak at the Volusia County Democratic Party meeting beginning 7 p.m. at Daytona State College, UCF Building, 1200 West International Speedway Blvd. in Daytona Beach.
Assignment editors – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine will meet with fast food workers and community activists to discuss raising the minimum wage beginning 11:30 a.m. at the home of Westley Williams, 1718 SW. 57th St. in West Park.
Spotted at Sean Shaw‘s campaign kick-off on Saturday at Alex Sink’s home in Thonotosassa – Levine, Reps. Janet Cruz, Ben Diamond, Margaret Good, Hillsborough County Commissioner Pat Kemp, Bob Buesing, Jennifer Webb, Jason Lamoureux, Joe Redner, and Dale Swope.
“Dem candidate recounts her history with gun violence in new ad to air during gun control march” via Sara Mucha of CNN – Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, whose father was shot and killed in Ecuador by an armed criminal, is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo in one of the country’s most competitive districts. “Oct. 18. To most it’s just another day, but to me, it isn’t. It’s the day my father was shot and killed by a criminal with a gun. And because of that senseless act of violence, my family’s life was never the same,” Mucarsel-Powell says in the ad. “In Congress, I won’t rest until there’s real change that keeps our families, our neighborhoods, and our schools safe. I owe that to everyone who has lost someone to gun violence,” she adds.
“Tina Polsky announces two endorsements in HD 81 race” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics – Polsky picked up endorsements Monday from and Palm Beach County Commissioner Dave Kerner and Boynton Beach City Commissioner Justin Katz. … “In the State House, I’m confident that Tina will be a team player capable of delivering real results and funding for Palm Beach County,” Kerner said … “I’m supporting Tina because she has proven to me that she understands and appreciates the economic and cultural diversity within our county,” said Katz. … Polsky is one of two Democrats running to replace current HD 81 Rep. Joe Abruzzo, who announced last month he would not seek re-election in order to spend more time with his son.
“Third Democrat files for Katie Edwards-Walpole seat” via the News Service of Florida – Democrat Raphael Barak Socher opened a campaign account, becoming the third candidate planning to run this year in House District 98 … Socher joined fellow Democrats Andrew Dolberg and Michael Gottlieb, who also opened accounts this month after Edwards-Walpole announced she would not run. Meanwhile, in Hillsborough County, state Rep. Jake Raburn drew a challenger this week as he seeks another term in House District 57. Valrico Democrat Debbie Katt opened a campaign account to challenge Raburn … Raburn had raised $25,200 for his re-election bid as of Feb. 28.
Bill Montford still on the fence on TLH mayoral run – State Sen. Montford, a Tallahassee Democrat, had said he would announce a decision on running for mayor of Tallahassee this past weekend, but a spokesman said the longtime elected official had not yet made up his mind. Montford did not respond to calls and messages left Sunday. Montford was a popular school principal, Leon County commissioner and schools superintendent before running for and winning his current position in 2010. His current Senate term is up in 2020. If he leaves the chamber early, Democratic Rep. Loranne Ausley of Tallahassee and GOP Rep. Halsey Beshears of Monticello are said to be interested in the seat. 
— STATEWIDE —
“The new struggle for Florida schools: paying for education — and security” via Jeffrey Solochek of the Tampa Bay Times – Florida school district leaders are faced with a school security dilemma. Lawmakers are requiring them to add armed safety officers or “guardians” to every elementary, middle and high school campus, and they set aside $170 million for the task. But that won’t come close to projected costs. The gap — as little as $500,000 in some counties, more than $10 million in others — is leading to some potentially unpleasant choices. That’s because school board members also face other budget demands, such as a state-mandated increase in employee retirement contributions, paired with a tiny rise in revenue for general operations, if not a decrease. They’re also required to maintain a 3 percent reserve account or be hit with new and tougher penalties the Legislature imposed in its recent session.
“Child marriage ban, year-round daylight saving time signed into law” via Danny McAuliffe of Florida Politics – The marriage bill (SB 140) prevents minors from being granted nuptial licenses. With parental consent, 17-year-olds can wed under the new law to a partner within 2 years of age. allow exemptions for 17-year-olds. Currently, Florida law allows 16- and 17-year-olds to marry and gives a county judge discretion in providing licenses to women, of any age, who are pregnant and wish to wed their partner. The ban will repeal those provisions at the start of July. The daylight saving time legislation (HB 1013), dubbed the “Sunshine Protection Act,” notifies Congress that the Sunshine State wishes to observe Daylight Saving, or ‘summertime,’ year-round. No changes to time observance will be made unless Congress authorizes the U.S. Department of Transportation to exempt Florida from ‘falling back’ each year.
“’Direct primary care’ gets Scott approval” via the News Service of Florida – Scott signed a measure (HB 37) that amends the state insurance code to make clear that “direct primary care” agreements do not run afoul of insurance laws. Under direct primary-care agreements, doctors charge patients monthly fees in advance of providing services, with patients then able to access services at no extra cost. The bill, sponsored by House Insurance & Banking Chairman Danny Burgess and Sen. Tom Lee does not spell out how much can be charged or what services need to be included in the agreements. Primary care providers are defined as physicians, osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, nurses or primary-care group practices. Speaker Corcoran made a priority of the direct-primary care issue, which also received heavy backing from the small-business group National Federation of Independent Business Florida.
“Scott signs off on early start for 2020 Session” via the News Service of Florida – Scott signed a bill (HB 7045) that will lead to the 2020 Session starting in mid-January. Under the state constitution, legislative Sessions typically start in March. But the Legislature can decide to start Sessions at other times during even-numbered years. The Legislature voted to start the 2016 and 2018 Sessions in January. The bill, which overwhelmingly passed the House and Senate, will start the 2020 Session on Jan. 14.
“Scott signs Ponce’s Law on National Puppy Day” via Nancy Niles of the Daytona Beach News-Journal – Ponce’s Law — named for the 9-month-old Labrador retriever puppy found beaten to death in the Ponce Inlet backyard of Travis Archer last year — allows a judge to bar someone convicted of animal cruelty from owning a pet and also makes it more likely an offender would go to prison. The bill increases a person’s score on sentencing guidelines for felony animal cruelty from a Level 3 (16 points) to a Level 5 (28 points), bringing an offender closer to a prison term. Someone with an offense greater than 44 points scores prison time. If someone scores more than 44 points and a judge decides not to sentence the person to prison, then the judge would have to explain the reason for departing from the guideline.
“Scott signs law placing embattled Pinellas licensing board under county control” via Josh Solomon of the Tampa Bay Times – Legislators and county commissioners alike hope the new law will subject the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board to the oversight and transparency that they believe it has lacked. The Legislature created the board in 1973 as an independent agency, reporting to its own governing board, so only lawmakers could change that. The bill the governor signed has been waiting for a decision ever since legislators passed it March 8. A series of Tampa Bay Times articles detailed how the licensing board’s leaders and staff operated without oversight or accountability, disregarding agency rules and state law. The series also raised questions about whether the agency, tasked with protecting consumers from shady contractors, treated either groups fairly.
Scott OKs Seminole County cardroom – The governor has signed a measure (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. The dog track in question has been pushing for years to open a cardroom, but has long been rebuffed by the Longwood City Commission.
“Greg Evers honored in road-designation bill” via the News Service of Florida – A bill signed by Gov. Scott will honor former state Sen. Evers, a Baker Republican who died Aug. 22 when his truck ran off a road near his home in Northwest Florida. The bill (SB 382), which passed the House and Senate on March 9, designates a portion of State Road 4 in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties as “Senator Greg Evers Memorial Highway.” Evers served in the Florida House before his election to the Senate in 2010.
Flags were at half-staff for fallen service members – Gov. Scott ordered flags at half-staff to honor two Navy Aviators: Lt. Cmdr. James Brice Johnson of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Lt. Caleb Nathaniel King of Port Orange. They died last Wednesday when their F/A-18F Super Hornet crashed on final approach near the Naval Air Station in Key West. The two were assigned to the “Blacklions” of Strike Fighter Squadron 213, Carrier Air Wing Eight based at the Naval Air Station in Oceana, Virginia. Scott directed the U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff at the Volusia County Courthouse Annex in Daytona Beach, the Brevard County Courthouse in Viera, City Hall in South Daytona, City Hall in Port Orange, City Hall in Holly Hill, and at the Capitol in Tallahassee, sunrise to sunset on Saturday.
Assignment editors – Gov. Scott will hold a signing ceremony for SB 7028 and HB 7099, which makes permanent the emergency rules requiring every nursing home and ALF in Florida to have emergency generators. Scott issued the rule last year following the tragedy at the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills during Hurricane Irma. Event begins 10 a.m. at the Calusa Harbor Health Center, Continuing Care Community, 2525 E. 1st St. in Fort Myers.
“Protect Tobacco Free Florida applauds amendment’s demise” via Florida Politics – The Protect Tobacco Free Florida coalition is cheering the death of a proposed constitutional amendment that would have affected anti-smoking marketing efforts. “This positive outcome preserves Florida’s constitutional commitment to protect the health of Floridians by using Big Tobacco’s own money to tell the truth about the dangers of their products,” said the coalition’s statement, released Friday. Rep. Jeanette Nunez, a member of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC), said Thursday she will no longer push a proposed constitutional amendment that would have eliminated a requirement that the state set aside 30 percent of overall tobacco-education and prevention funding for an edgy advertising and marketing campaign.
— THE AOB DEBATE CONTINUES POST- SESSION —
A new series of video testimonies from the Consumer Protection Coalition, spearheaded by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, highlights the growing need for assignment of benefits reform.
The latest video is of “Barbara G.”
Memorial Day weekend of last year, Barbara and her husband discovered a water leak under the kitchen sink of their Weeki Wachee home. In the video, she recounts the contractor telling her to “just sign this piece of paper and everything will be fine.” Before that, Barbara had never heard of an AOB.
So began an ongoing, 10-month nightmare:
– The contractor demolished her kitchen, pulling out the island, breaking and removing her granite countertops and sink, and digging up the flooring. When an insurance adjuster arrived the following day to inspect the water leak damage “there was no evidence left,” Barbara said.
– At one point, the contractor refused to tell Barbara how much he was charging her insurance company for repairs … eventually she learned it was more than $36,000. The contractor also wouldn’t allow her to pick her replacement cabinets or the depth.
– After losing control over the renovation process the couple experienced emotional distress and felt “violated in their own home.”
– To this day, Barbara and her husband are still trying to finish the job … they are still dealing with final payment to the contractor.
Edie Ousley, vice president of public affairs for the Florida Chamber of Commerce, explains: “As AOB abuse has grown and spread, more residents are stepping forward to share their stories and warn others about the risks of signing an AOB. These are honest, hard-working Florida families who are being hurt by loopholes in state law that the Legislature can fix.”
— D.C. MATTERS —
“Frustrated Matt Gaetz votes against budget, including Gulf Test Range funding” via Jim Thompson of the NWF Daily News – A $1.3 trillion federal spending bill that includes $30 million for upgrades to the Gulf Test Range was passed by Congress without the support of a frustrated Rep. Gaetz. Gaetz is one of the strongest voices in Congress for improving the massive military testing area in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Gaetz said he is frustrated that Congress can’t take a line-by-line approach to spending plans, and must settle for “one massive up-and-down vote” on funding the government. In a statement released after the House vote, Gaetz was critical that the 2,232-page bill, and an additional 1,507 pages of explanatory materials, were made available just 16 hours before the scheduled House vote. Gaetz said he had not engaged in any political calculus on the vote, taking a stand against the spending plan while knowing that it likely would pass the House with funding for the Gulf Test Range and other military expenditures even with his “no” vote.
“Francis Rooney tours Everglades to gain support for restoration projects” via Chad Gillis of the Naples Daily News – “Today was a big day to get funding for our Everglades restoration projects,” he said after a news conference at the Naples Airport. “We need the last $30 million for Picayune Strand to finish it. It’s almost done. We need that $30 million out of $600 million (for the entire project).” The Naples congressman toured the area with Mike Simpson, chairman of the House Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee and former Speaker of the House John Boehner, among others. He said the group talked about the health of Lake Okeechobee and discharges down the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers.
“Once esteemed by the NRA, Brian Mast now pushes gun control” via Anthony Man of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel – When Mast was elected to Congress 17 months ago, he held a coveted “A” grade and campaign cash from the politically potent National Rifle Association. Now, former supporters are condemning him for what they see as a profound betrayal even as he’s heralded for his courage by one of the nation’s leading gun-control organizations. The transformation stems from Mast’s reaction to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre, in which he broke dramatically from the playbook used by the NRA and Republican politicians whenever there’s a mass shooting. The reactions came quickly: Fury among grassroots conservative voters and activists — and angst among Republican Party leaders. Praise from gun-control advocates who are more used to supporting Democrats than praising Republicans. Questions about the effect on Mast’s re-election prospects this year in the northern Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie county 18th District.
— OPINIONS —
“Tariffs on paper will hurt us, and our readers” via Paul Tash of the Tampa Bay Times – This month, the U.S. government piled huge tariffs onto the imports of newsprint from Canada, including those from our biggest supplier. As a result, the price will jump from $600 to $800 for every ton, and we use about 17,000 tons every year. That increase is more than 30 percent, and would add more than $3 million to the Tampa Bay Times’ annual newsprint bill. You can multiply our example across the American newspaper industry, which is already facing strong headwinds. Historically, advertising provided the lion’s share of newspaper revenue, but in just 10 years, the recession and other market forces have cut those ad revenues by more than half. These tariffs will hurt our readers, because they create pressure to raise our prices, and they will force publishers to re-examine every other expense. Maybe we will drop some puzzles and comics — no big deal, unless we cut one that is your favorite.
“Parkland students are first glimpse of post-millennial wave that will change the country” via Ron Brownstein of CNN – Don’t look now, but here comes the post-millennial generation…in their racial diversity, attitudes toward religion and culture, their digital fluency and their political priorities, this emerging generation — usually called the post-millennials, sometimes labeled Generation Z — might shake American life even more profoundly than the millennials. … For Republicans who have nervously watched polls showing an enormous backlash against President Donald Trump’s insular nationalism among the millennials, this younger generation could represent an even greater threat. … By 2024 — just two presidential elections from now — the generation of young people that includes the students organizing a march on Washington next month to demand gun control will represent 1 in every 10 eligible voters.
“Mayors want to pass gun safety laws, but the NRA and our state legislatures won’t let us” via Andrew Gillum, Bill Peduto and Ted Wheeler for USA TODAY – As mayors, we’re elected to take on big challenges. Atop that list should be smart, common-sense local firearms laws that keep guns out of the wrong hands, keep guns out of public spaces, and keep the threat of gun violence and mass shootings at bay. There’s no doubt about the need for thoughtful new gun ordinances. Mayors across the country are ready to pass them, enhancing public safety in our cities. But we can’t — because our states have banned us from enacting local gun laws. Forty-three states have some form of gun preemption, a tactic increasingly used by state legislators to prevent cities and counties from making local laws and decisions. It’s happening in your state. And it’s happening because lobbyists and special interests know it’s easier to influence a few state lawmakers in 50 state capitols than thousands of local mayors and city councils.
“Not every good idea belongs in Florida’s Constitution” via Ed Moore for the Tallahassee Democrat – A classic example of how not to amend a state constitution occurred in 2002 when a proposed amendment was added to the ballot via citizen initiative to prevent caging of pregnant pigs. Ask yourself: Would a similar measure belong in the U.S. Constitution? The U.S. Constitution is a document that’s lasted over two centuries, remains focused on ensuring government doesn’t intrude upon the constitutional rights of citizens, and offers a clear and concise description of how national government should be structured. Shouldn’t the purpose of the state instrument be similar in nature and composition? The U.S. Constitution has 8,770 words, whereas, the Florida Constitution has more than 44,000 words. What does that tell you? It tells us we should be very selective. As this process continues, we encourage you to ask yourself if the constitution is the right place for each issue. If you support an idea, but it isn’t one that belongs in Florida’s constitution but rather in statutes, we urge you to contact your local legislators and tell them you support the idea, but not its inclusion in our state constitution.
— MOVEMEMNTS —
“Mori Hosseini elected chair of University of Florida board” via Florida Politics – Hosseini will succeed Bill Heavener when his term as chair ends in June. Heavener has chaired the board since 2016. “Our new Board Chair exemplifies the leadership, vision and guidance that will be key to moving the University of Florida toward its goal of becoming a top-five university,” UF President Kent Fuchs said in a press release. Hosseini, a homebuilder by trade, is a past chair of the Board of Governors for the State University System. He has been a member of the UF board since 2016, when he was appointed to the post by Gov. Scott. In 2015, INFLUENCE Magazine listed Hosseini as one of the 100 most influential Floridians.
Appointments – Dr. Sue Kim, Dr. Glenda Walters and Thomas Lang (reappointed) to the Florida Humanities Council; Mario Facella to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation; Pamela Tuscany and Pieter Bockweg to the Florida Film and Entertainment Advisory Council; Laura DiBella to the Florida State College at Jacksonville District Board of Trustees; Wendell Davis to the St. Johns River State College District Board of Trustees; Major Milton Mandell, Chris Rietow, Jeffrey Obos, Sean McGinnis and Alvin Henderson to the State Emergency Response Commission; Troy Hart and Roger Stevens (reappointed) and John Dalsimer to the Continuing Care Advisory Council; Bart Gaetjens, Marilyn “Bunny” Finney, Sharon Underill and Todd Morley (reappointed) to the Children’s Services Council of Brevard County; Gerald Jowers and Tim Keating (reappointed) and Jeffrey Sedloff to the West Orange Healthcare District; Mario Facella to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation; Christine Sardina and Robert Norris (reappointed) to the Lee County Housing Authority.
New and renewed lobbying registrations:
Paul Bradshaw, David Browning, James McFaddin, Southern Strategy Group: Abrams Fensterman
Chris Carmody, GrayRobinson: University of Central Florida Foundation
Jorge Chamizo, Floridian Partners: North Broward Hospital District
Pete Murray, Colodny Fass: G4S Secure Solutions (USA)
“Wayne Huizenga, who built his fortune from trash, dies at 80” via Steven Wine and Terry Spencer of The Associated Press – Huizenga, a college dropout who built a business empire that included Blockbuster Entertainment, AutoNation and three professional sports franchises, has died. The cause was cancer … Starting with a single garbage truck in 1968, Huizenga built Waste Management Inc. into a Fortune 500 company. He purchased independent sanitation engineering companies, and by the time he took the company public in 1972, he had completed the acquisition of 133 small-time haulers. By 1983, Waste Management was the largest waste disposal company in the United States. The business model worked again with Blockbuster Video, which he started in 1985 and built into the leading movie rental chain nine years later. In 1996, he formed AutoNation and built it into a Fortune 500 company.
— ALOE —
“Legoland Florida: Virtual reality now a reality with new great Lego race coaster” via Dewayne Bevil of the Orlando Sentinel – Its Great Lego Race roller coaster, a VR reimagining of its previous ride called Project X, debuted here … While the track – along with its up, down and hairpin curves – remains exactly the same, the visual experience is completely, wackily different. For one thing, riders are surrounded by legions of Lego’s trademark minifigures, right from the start. And the attraction now (virtually) goes where it would be nearly impossible to go in real life: over cliffs, down rapids and into a cheering throng at the finish line. The look is crisp and very much like the style seen in “The Lego Movie” series. What you don’t see, thanks to the immersive Samsung headsets, is the rest of Legoland Florida. “What we did is painstakingly map out every inch of this roller coaster. What you feel and what you see are actually in sync with each other. That’s what makes the virtual reality work,” said Keith Carr, a project director of Merlin Magic Making, the creative branch of Merlin Entertainment Group, which operates Legoland parks around the world. “What we wanted to do was take and enhance the drops and take and enhance the turns, and that’s what the VR allows us to do,” he said.
“Baseball 2018: Beastly teams, Shohei Ohtani and make way for MVs” via Ben Walker of The Associated Press – Just the thought of Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge in the same lineup sent fans into a frenzy. Come opening day, all of baseball will see which teams really have the muscle. A season of haves and have-nots begins March 29 with Derek Jeter’s pared-down Marlins playing the pumped-up Cubs. Later that day, the New York Yankees unleash their most potent pair of sluggers since Mantle & Maris. MVP Jose Altuve and the World Series champion Houston Astros added ace Gerrit Cole to a rotation with Dallas Keuchel and Justin Verlander. The Dodgers and Indians are still poised after coming within one win of that elusive crown. The Nationals hired a new manager to help free agent-to-be Bryce Harper, Max Scherzerand Stephen Strasburg reach the top. And the Red Sox got the bopper they needed. Where does that leave the Reds, Pirates, Tigers, Rays and A’s? Well, better luck next year. Or the year after that. A season that will include games in Mexico and Puerto Rico is set to start. And, if all goes as planned, the final game will come in October.
Happy birthday belatedly to state Rep. John Cortes, Brian Blanco, the wonderful Sara Clements, our friend Glen Gilzean, and Kathy Salerno. Celebrating today are Ralph Arza, Brittany Dover, and Charlie Gray.
