Peter Schorsch
Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.
By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Daniel McAuliffe, Jim Rosica, and Drew Wilson.
First in Sunburn — Millions of Florida voters will be able to judge the top candidates for Governor firsthand by way of a pair of one-hour televised debates set for back-to-back-nights in August.
Hosted by the Children’s Movement of Florida and the Florida Press Association, debates for the Republican and Democratic candidates will be Aug. 1 and 2 at the University of Miami Maurice Gusman Concert Hall.
The events — announced Tuesday as part of “The Race for Governor” project — will begin each night at 7 p.m. and are less than four weeks from the Aug. 28 primaries, which will narrow down the field to two. Both programs will broadcast in Florida’s ten major media markets.
Producing the twin debates is South Florida CBS station WFOR/Channel 4, led by project consultant Philip Alongi, a former longtime executive producer for NBC News.
While qualifying for participation is still being figured out, major candidates in both parties are expected take part. The likely benchmark will be a minimum threshold of voter support as registered by reputable polling.
Also, not yet determined is whether Republicans or Democrats will go first.
“The vision and direction offered by Florida’s next governor will dramatically affect the lives of Floridians in every part of our state — from children to the elderly,” said David Lawrence Jr., chair of The Children’s Movement. “These debates let voters hear what the candidates think on critical issues ranging from early childhood education, health care, environmental protection, and public safety to jobs and economic development.”
With WFOR as the anchor station, other outlets carrying the two-night debates include Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, WFOR (CBS); West Palm Beach, WPBF (ABC); Orlando, WESH (NBC); Jacksonville, First Coast News; Gainesville, WCJB (ABC); Tampa/St. Pete, WFLA (NBC); Tallahassee, WCTV (CBS); Pensacola, WEAR (ABC); Panama City, WMBB (ABC); Fort Myers, either WBBH (NBC) or WZVN (ABC).
— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —
— @RealDonaldTrump: THE SECOND AMENDMENT WILL NEVER BE REPEALED! As much as Democrats would like to see this happen, and despite the words yesterday of former Supreme Court Justice Stevens, NO WAY. We need more Republicans in 2018 and must ALWAYS hold the Supreme Court!
— @MaryEllenKlas: Florida’s national expert on redistricting weighs in on the census battle: it’s about raw political power
— @KevinCate: The @MayorLevine numbers shouldn’t shock anyone. As I pointed out in Medium post, on current spent trajectory, he should be in the mid-30s by June 1 at the latest. Spend is unprecedented. He’s already spent almost half of everything billionaire Jeff Greene spent on TV in 2010.
— @SchmitzMedia: Very interesting … Martin Co. school board Rebecca Negron, who is married to Senate President @joenegronfl, is the only board member in favor of the guardian program.
— @LeonSchools: To be clear: Leon County Schools will not be arming teachers. The only armed individuals on our campuses will be sworn law enforcement officers. Thank you @LeonSheriff for your continued partnership.
— @RepJimBoyd: Well said @JimmyPatronis “Our first responders fight for our lives every day, today fight for theirs.” Honored to stand and support this legislation that puts the well-being of our #firefighters first. @mattwillhitefl — GREAT job getting this done in the FL House
— @ChristianMinor: Change is coming to #Florida #JuvenileJustice & it’s being spearheaded by Sen. @JeffreyBrandes Thank you for your commitment to helping our youth & those that oversee their change & rehabilitation. Your efforts are critical to FL’s future
— @MDixon55: You got me here. I’m the idiot who goes to write story first. You and @fineout always make me pay for that
— DAYS UNTIL —
Major League Baseball Opening Day — 1; Easter — 4; Reporting deadline for Q1 fundraising — 18; NFL Draft begins — 29; Avengers: Infinity War opens — 30; Close of candidate qualifying for federal office — 36; Mother’s Day — 55; Solo: A Star Wars Story premier — 58; Close of candidate qualifying for statewide office — 86; Deadline for filing claim bills — 126; Primary Election Day — 153; College Football opening weekend — 157; General Election Day — 223; ‘Hamilton’ comes to the Straz Center — 323; 2019 Legislative Session starts — 342.
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— TOP STORY —
Marco Rubio says he won’t campaign against Bill Nelson if Gov. Rick Scott, as expected, challenges the Democrat for his U.S. Senate seat this year.
“Bill Nelson and I have a very good working relationship,” Rubio said, speaking with reporters in Tallahassee on Tuesday. “Come election time, both of us understand — he supported Patrick Murphy because he wanted his party to have more seats in the Senate.”
Murphy, a Democrat and former Congressman, ran against the Republican Rubio in 2016 and lost by 8 points.
“I think he will do a good job if he were the Senator,” Rubio said of Scott, who plans a “major announcement” April 9 about his political future. The Naples Republican is term-limited as governor this year.
Rubio said of Nelson, “I couldn’t ask for a better partner from the other party,” but added he will support whoever is the GOP nominee for Senate come November.
“The U.S. Senate is a place where you have to work well with people, or you can’t get anything done,” Rubio said. “Just one senator can bring the place to a halt. So you have no choice but to work with people. And the people of Florida expect that.”
Rubio called his relationship with Scott “positive” while saying they don’t communicate all that much. “But on the issues that align, we work well together. I would anticipate that, if he wins, I will have just as good a relationship with him as I have with Sen. Nelson.”
Rubio: No problem with citizenship question on Census — The GOP U.S. Senator said he had no objections to a question about citizenship being on the 2020 Census for the first time in 70 years. Critics said the move would undercount certain minorities and immigrants. Census takers “ask you all sorts of other information for purposes of identifying the demographics of a community,” Rubio said. “They ask how much money you make, how many kids you have, about your race and your ethnicity. Why wouldn’t (they) ask about your citizenship status? Taking into account how many people are U.S. citizens, I personally don’t see the problem with it.”
— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL —
Huge — “Federal judge orders Rick Scott, Cabinet to create new voting rights restoration system for felons by April 26” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times — U.S. District Judge Mark Walker in Tallahassee issued a permanent injunction in support of the Fair Elections Legal Network, which sued the state a year ago. The group successfully challenged the constitutionality of the state’s 150-year-old voting rights restoration process for felons in the nation’s third-largest state. “This is a victory for the principle that the right to vote cannot be subjected to officials’ gut instincts and whims,” said Jon Sherman, senior counsel for the nonprofit voting rights group. “We are also heartened that the court prevented Florida from following through on its threat to be the only state in the nation with an irrevocable lifetime ban on voting for all former felons — what the court called ‘the ultimate arbitrary act.'” In his ruling, Walker suggested that felons should not have to wait more than one four-year election cycle for a decision on their voting rights petitions.
“Philip Levine: Minimum wage, vacation rentals should be local decisions” via Danny McAuliffe of Florida Politics — Tailing off a suggested early lead in the four-way Democratic gubernatorial primary, Levine spoke to Tallahassee’s Tiger Bay Club, a group that describes itself as a nonpartisan forum for all things political. Levine gave a glimpse of what his administration would look like if he were elected. Specifically, he said he’d fight for maintaining power in or returning it to local governments. “Government works best when it’s closest to the people,” Levine said, referencing an ideology of Founding Father Thomas Jefferson. “I believe that’s what we need to get back to.” Levine said he’d raise the minimum wage to a higher floor, giving municipalities the option to increase it further. “My belief is that we need a higher minimum wage,” Levine told reporters. “I don’t know if it’s 15 [dollars per hour] in Pensacola, but I do know it’s 13.31 [dollars per hour] in Miami Beach.” Regarding vacation rentals, which are provided by companies like Airbnb, Levine said local governments should be able to require short-term rentals to comply with zoning restrictions. He referenced his tenure as mayor and his fight against the emerging industry.
— “Phil Levine comes to the ‘burg; here are a few first impressions” via Peter Schorsch
Matt Caldwell touts eighth wave of endorsements — Caldwell announced several key Republicans in the eighth wave of endorsements since launching his bid for Agriculture Commissioner. The list includes current state Reps. Chuck Clemons and Jennifer Sullivan and former Reps. Neal Combee and Dan Raulerson. Additionally, the campaign is launching #2LaneTravels, a webpage highlighting Caldwell’s campaign travels across the Sunshine State.
Save the date:
First on #FlaPol — “Janet Cruz is eyeing Dana Young’s Senate seat for 2018” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics — According to several sources close to the Florida Democratic Party’s Senate campaign arm, Cruz has spoken to both Senate Democratic leadership and high-level donors about her entering the race. These sources also say Cruz recognizes she has a tight window to make a decision. Minority Leader Oscar Braynon said he’s aware of Cruz’ interest in the race and has been encouraging her to run since Democrats flipped Senate District 40 with the election of Annette Taddeo late last year. Cruz’ interest has grown in recent weeks in part due to the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and Young’s subsequent vote on an assault weapons ban in the back half of the 2018 Legislative Session.
“Stoneman Douglas grad Parisima Taeb wants Heather Fitzenhagen’s House seat” via Seth Sofia of the News-Press — Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School graduate Parisima Taeb, a Fort Myers doctor and Iranian-American citizen, has begun collecting signatures in hopes of challenging three-term incumbent Rep. Fitzenhagen in House District 78 this November. Taeb, 39, an internal medicine doctor with an obesity clinic in Fort Myers, said being a Douglas graduate doesn’t give her greater desire than other activists to address gun violence in schools and communities. … (T)he shooting last month in Parkland is what compelled her to run for office after being involved in other activist work, such as children’s and addiction issues and disaster relief. “Yeah, I have that connection, being in that school, being with the teachers,” Taeb said. “But as a physician, I feel responsible. I am responsible. That’s the oath I took when I became a doctor.”
“Harry Cohen, possible candidate for Tampa mayor, plans announcement today” via Dennis Joyce of the Tampa Bay Times — Tampa City Council member Cohen is expected to announce his long-expected campaign for mayor in a news conference. “I am planning on paying a visit to the supervisor of elections office at 9 a.m.,” Cohen said. “I’m sure you can figure out the possible reasons I might be going there.” Cohen would join a potentially large field of candidates in the March 5, 2019, election that already includes Topher Morrison, Ed Turanchik and Michael Anthony Hazard, and may eventually include former police Chief Jane Castor, architect Mickey Jacob, retired banker and philanthropist David Straz and council member Mike Suarez. Cohen, 48, is an attorney and Tampa native who has represented the South Tampa council District 4 since 2011 and faces a term limit in his district seat. He worked until recently as a deputy to Clerk of Court Pat Frank.
— STATEWIDE —
“Federal grand jury subpoenas state, city records in probe of maker of Russian assault rifles” via Dan Christiansen of FloridaBulldog.org — A Miami federal grand jury has subpoenaed records from Gov. Scott’s administration and Pompano Beach about an aborted economic incentives deal with a U.S. manufacturer of Russian-style Kalashnikov assault rifles. The subpoenas were accompanied by a letter signed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Sherwin announcing the existence of “an official investigation of a suspected federal offense.” The suspected offense was not specified. But the company, RWC Group LLC, whose brand name is Kalashnikov USA, may be operating in violation of U.S. economic sanctions imposed on Russian-made military assault weapons. Bloomberg Business later reported that “a complicated web of shell companies connects Kalashnikov USA to allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin and appears designed to avoid U.S. sanctions.” The subpoena to the state was served on the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), which oversees the state’s Qualified Target Industry tax-refund program. It demanded copies of all documents, materials and correspondence submitted by or about RWC, which stands for Russian Weapon Company.
Scott signs bill for first responders — The governor signed the bill (SB 376) in Tampa on Tuesday. Backed by state CFO Jimmy Patronis, the measure extends workers’ comp benefits to first responders dealing with job-related post-traumatic stress. Democratic Sen. Lauren Book of Plantation, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, carried the bill in the Senate; Rep. Matt Willhite, a Wellington Democrat and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue captain, sponsored the House version (HB 227). The Florida League of Cities had opposed the plan at first, then dropped its opposition. Because cities and counties in Florida employ almost all first responders, they will incur almost all of the costs of the new benefit.
Assignment editors — Gov. Scott will highlight $4 billion in environmental spending in Florida’s budget beginning 10 a.m. at The Turtle Hospital, 2396 Overseas Hwy. in Marathon. Following the news conference is a turtle release starting 10:40 a.m. at Sombrero Beach (West End), 2150 Sombrero Beach Road in Marathon.
“Judge: Adam Putnam’s refusal to pay citrus tree owners ‘contrary to oath he took’” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times — Putnam … faces a court order to pay millions of dollars in damages to 12,000 homeowners in southwest Florida whose citrus trees were confiscated and destroyed under Florida’s citrus canker eradication program. If Putnam doesn’t pay the Lee County homeowners after 15 years of litigation, a judge is ordering that homeowners can force Putnam to make a list of state assets he must sell to pay damages and legal fees that now total nearly $17 million. Every day the case drags on, the interest owed by taxpayers goes up by another $2,199. In a scathing decision, Circuit Judge Keith Kyle in Fort Myers criticized Putnam for “rationalizations and excuses” that are “without merit and wholly unacceptable.”
Assignment editors — Putnam visits the Greenway Fire in Collier County 9:45 a.m. to give an update on wildfire activity in Florida Forest Service response efforts. Florida Forest Service Incident Command Post is at 950 Sabal Palm Road in Naples.
“First Florida ‘Schools of Hope’ charter company operators approved” via Jeffrey Solochek of the Tampa Bay Times — The Florida Legislature’s Schools of Hope charter school program took a major step forward when the state Board of Education approved its first two operators. Texas-based IDEA Public Schools and Miami-based Somerset Academy, an affiliate of state charter giant Academica, received the board’s unanimous support to establish charter schools in communities where the district public schools routinely perform poorly on state tests and local improvement plans do not bring change. “We’re excited to serve these communities in Florida,” said Dan Fishman, vice president of growth at IDEA. He said his group had been meeting with civic leaders in Tampa and Jacksonville, among other cities, to determine where a school might be most needed.
Happening today — Committees of the Florida University System’s Board of Governors will hold a series of meetings on a variety of topics. Budget and Finance Committee will receive updates on the new state budget and performance-based funding. The Legislative Affairs Committee will address issues brought up during the 2018 Legislative Session. Meetings begin 8:30 a.m. at the University of North Florida, Student Union, 1 UNF Dr. in Jacksonville.
“Superintendents say money may not cover resource officers” via Lloyd Dunkelberger of the News Service of Florida — In reacting to the shooting deaths of 17 students and staff members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, the Legislature passed a new budget and related bills that boosted funding for resource officers by $97.5 million to $162 million in the upcoming academic year. But a report from the Florida Association of District School Superintendents said school districts might not be able to meet the goal of posting at least one safety officer at each of Florida’s more than 3,500 elementary, middle and high schools. “We appreciate the legislative appropriations, but many districts will have difficulty meeting the requirement to establish or assign one (or) more safe-school officers at each school facility,” the report said … superintendents said much of the $67 million for that initiative might go unspent. They asked the Board of Education for support in shifting some of those funds to the school resource officer program.
“State appeals greyhound drug testing decision” via the News Service of Florida — The state Department of Business and Professional Regulation last week filed a notice of appeal at the 1st District Court of Appeal after Administrative Law Judge Lawrence Stevenson on March 7 found that two drug-testing rules were invalid. Stevenson sided with greyhound trainers Charles McClellan and Natasha Nemeth, who face the possibility of license revocation after urine tests showed metabolites of cocaine in racing dogs. Stevenson agreed with the trainers that drug-testing rules did not adequately carry out state law. As is common, the notice of appeal filed last week did not detail the arguments that the department will make.
“Proposal targets politicians’ naming powers” via Jim Turner of the News Service of Florida — A proposed constitutional amendment advanced by the Florida Constitution Revision Commission would prohibit city, county and state lawmakers from naming taxpayer-funded structures after currently elected officials. The proposal also would require stand-alone bills when facilities are named after former elected officials. Critics contend the proposal is a solution in search of a problem. But Constitution Revision Commission member John Stemberger called his proposal (Proposal 37) a “small” way to improve the public perception of lawmakers. “I think the public’s stomach turns when we name projects after ourselves as public officials,” Stemberger said of his proposal, which the commission approved in a 20-13 vote. “When we name projects, be they scholarships or whatever it is, after members who are in leadership, I think it raises ethical issues.”
“Dennis Baxley, Linda Stewart turn debate to defining assault weapons, defense rifles” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — The Florida Senate’s leading pro-gun champion squared off against the same chamber’s top advocate for firearms reform at the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida. Republican state Sen. Baxley defined a fear among firearm owners that gun control advocates want to take away their weapons, deny them freedom, and strip away their abilities to defend their homes and families against even the most extreme of threats. The guns in question should be considered defense rifles, Baxley, author of the state’s Stand Your Ground Law, stressed repeatedly. Those who believe guns are key to freedom, he said, are quiet now but will storm the polls in November. Democratic state Sen. Stewart defined a belief that the high-powered, rapid-fire rifles and high-capacity ammunition magazines used in the mass shootings at Parkland, Pulse, Las Vegas and so many other places are the reasons for mass fatalities in such incidents, and their sales should be banned to stop their proliferation. The guns in question should be known as military-style assault weapons, Stewart, author of the assault weapons sales ban bills the past two years, insisted, adding that even the National Rifle Association defines them as assault weapons.
“State battles Southwest Florida wildfires” via the News Service of Florida — With the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services saying drought conditions and increased fire dangers are expected to continue for the “foreseeable future,” crews were fighting 41 wildfires Tuesday morning across the state — including major blazes in Southwest Florida. “Florida’s wildland firefighters are prepared to battle increasingly hazardous wildfires across the state, but it’s imperative that Floridians are cautious with fire to help protect Florida’s residents, natural resources and wildland firefighters,” said Putnam. The largest fire, totaling 16,794 acres in Collier County, was 50 percent contained, according to the department.
Wait, what? — Storage devices missing at Department of Revenue — The Florida Department of Revenue has confirmed that three electronic storage devices from employee workstations are missing — possibly because of theft. The devices are believed to contain personal identifying information. An alert from Revenue’s Communications Director Valerie Wickboldt said the agency filed a report “for potential theft of state property” and that law enforcement is currently investigating. “If after the full investigation it is found that any employee did not take the proper steps to protect taxpayer information they will be held accountable,” Wickboldt wrote.
It’s terrible this is even necessary — “Johns Hopkins All Children’s will treat babies exposed to opioids with anonymous $2.5M donation” via Justine Griffin of the Tampa Bay Times — The donation will be used to open a Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Follow-up Clinic at the hospital’s main campus in St. Petersburg … The money also will enhance existing services at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Specialty Clinic in Sarasota, which opened in 2013. “It’s hard to overstate the relevance or the impact of this generous donation,” Jenine Rabin, executive vice president of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Foundation, said in a statement. “At a time when so many in our communities are struggling with opioid addiction, these funds will bring critical services to the babies and young children who may suffer the serious, long-term effects of exposure to these drugs. This gift gives these little ones more than a fighting chance for a healthy life.”
— REPORTING GETS RESULTS —
In the wake of the Miami Herald’s “Fight Club” series, it’s unsurprising the Legislature passed significant changes to the state’s juvenile justice system.
Herald investigative reporter Carol Marbin Miller, who alongside Audra D.S. Burch uncovered decrepit and violent conditions in Florida’s juvenile detention centers, penned a recent story examining the legislative measures approved this past Session to address systemic issues in youth lockups.
Bills and appropriations approved by Gov. Scott this year include $8 million for wage increases for Department of Juvenile Justice workers, investment in video surveillance, money for beds and maintenance issues in facilities, and a $9.1 million spend on early intervention programs.
Surprise: Scott signed a bill last week allowing legislators, prosecutors and public defenders to make unannounced inspections of juvenile facilities. Miller said this follows South Florida Democratic Rep. David Richardson’s lockup tours, during which he observed conditions were “deplorable.”
Journalists, too: That same bill also prohibits detention centers from barring access to anyone who “gives sufficient evidence that he or she is a bona fide reporter or writer.”
Long road ahead: St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes, widely considered a champion for criminal justice reform, said addressing the Parkland tragedy created budget constraints. “He said he intends to seek additional dollars in next year’s session,” writes Miller.
— FOR YOUR RADAR —
“Florida short-term rental policies hurt innovation, trade group says” — States that embrace short-term rentals and other segments of the burgeoning “sharing economy” tend to be better innovation incubators than states that don’t, according to the Consumer Technology Association … the trade group included a category on state’s policies regarding short-term rental platforms — such as Airbnb, HomeAway and VRBO — in its forthcoming 2018 U.S. Innovation Scorecard. The report isn’t due out until next month, but CTA offered a taste of what’s to come in a Tuesday release. … how does the Sunshine State fare? … “parts of Florida are taking advantage of tax agreements to bring in tens of millions of dollars to state and country coffers. In fact, 39 Florida counties have these tax agreements, but 24 counties do not, leaving many rental owners unprotected depending on where they reside … A bill to support the platforms statewide fell just short this legislative session, prompting Florida — an Innovation Leader, the second-highest of our four tiers — to earn a ‘C’ grade in our Short-Term Rentals category.”
— D.C. MATTERS —
“Republican lawmaker defends Parkland student’s Cuban flag” via The Associated Press — Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen spoke to activist Emma Gonzalez’s father about a comment by Iowa Congressman Steve King. King took to Facebook to question the teenager’s guns stance and her use of the communist-run island’s flag. King says Gonzalez was claiming Cuban heritage while not speaking Spanish and advocating for gun control when her ancestors fled a dictatorship that disarmed people. Ros-Lehtinen says Gonzalez wore the patch because she is proud of her heritage, not because she supports Castro’s dictatorship. The Parkland student thanked the congresswoman in a tweet.
Spotted: Former U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller in POLITICO Playbook — “In the last few days, people close to President Donald Trump have signaled that (Veterans Affairs) Secretary David Shulkin might be on his way out.” Several names are bouncing around — but “Senate insiders are predicting a bruising confirmation battle for many of them … Miller — the chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee before he retired — has lobbied the administration on behalf of the Qatari government, the Viettel Group — Vietnam’s major mobile company — and a host of veterans-related concerns.”
— OPINIONS —
“I tried to befriend Nikolas Cruz. He still killed my friends.” via Isabelle Robinson for The New York Times — I am not writing this piece to malign Cruz any more than he already has been. I have faith that history will condemn him for his crimes. I am writing this because of the disturbing number of comments I’ve read that go something like this: Maybe if Cruz’s classmates and peers had been a little nicer to him, the shooting at Stoneman Davis would never have occurred … I was assigned to tutor him through my school’s peer counseling program. Being a peer counselor was the first real responsibility I had ever had, my first glimpse of adulthood, and I took it very seriously. Despite my discomfort, I sat down with him, alone. I was forced to endure his cursing me out and ogling my chest until the hourlong session ended. When I was done, I felt a surge of pride for having organized his binder and helped him with his homework. Looking back, I am horrified. I now understand that I was left, unassisted, with a student who had a known history of rage and brutality … students should not be expected to cure the ills of our genuinely troubled classmates (or even our friends) because we first and foremost go to school to learn.
“Legislators gut arts even while spending big” via Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel — Gov. Scott and Florida legislators are spending record amounts of your tax dollars these days. Still, not everyone’s benefiting from the spending spree. While prisons and toll roads are getting more, Tallahassee leaders gutted funding for arts and culture. They slashed the state’s grant program — for museums, theaters, science centers and more — by nearly 90 percent, from $25 million down to $2.6 million. That’s supposed to fund nonprofits all over the state. By comparison, legislators committed $76 million to subsidize the for-profit tourism industry. Put another way: Arts and cultural grants dropped to 0.003 percent of the state’s $88.7 billion budget. That’s three one-thousandths of a percent … during a year of record spending. Welcome to Florida’s age of un-enlightenment.
— MOVEMENTS —
Spotted — At Tuesday’s Maggie’s List luncheon: Attorney General Pam Bondi; Congressman Gus Bilirakis; state Sens. Dana Young and Kathleen Passidomo; state Rep. Jackie Toledo; AG candidate Ashley Moody; former state Rep. Sandy Murman; Nancy Watkins, Beth Basham, Karen Pittman, Nancy Watkins, Arlene DiBenigno, Elise Lippincott and Sandi Sullivan. Maggie’s List board members: National Chair Sandy Mortham, Florida Chair Christina Johnson, Leslie Saunders, Wendy Pepe, Carole Jean Jordan, Judith Albertelli and Judy Arranz.
Appointed — Sherif Assal (reappointed) to the Board of Pilot Commissioners; Adrian Laffitte to the Children’s Services Council of Brevard County.
New and renewed lobbying registrations:
Paul Bradshaw, David Browning, James McFaddin, Southern Strategy Group: Abrams Fensterman
Thomas DeRita Jr., Resource Group NA: Steeplechase HOA
Jason Unger, GrayRobinson: Paul Fraynd
Tweet, tweet:
It’s true, we’re moving! Looking forward to strengthening our alliance and synergy with @RogersTowers in the #RiverplaceTower. #TFGOnTheMovehttps://t.co/nWhKiuDPVm #downtownjax #northeastflorida #ilovejax #governmentrelations #businessdevelopment #onlyinjax #flapol #sayfie
— The Fiorentino Group (@fiorentinogroup) March 20, 2018
— ALOE —
“Apple introduces new low-end 9.7-inch iPad” via Ina Fried of Axios — As expected, the new 9.7-inch model also supports the Apple Pencil … Apple has a lot of ground to recover in the K-12 market to catch up with Google’s Chromebook. And Google isn’t standing still, yesterday announcing the first Chrome OS-based tablets. Plus, Apple didn’t significantly drop the price as some had predicted. On the software side, Apple also introduced a new app for teachers to create handouts, called Schoolwork, and is bringing its existing Classroom app to the Mac, per the Verge. It is also adding Pencil support to its Pages, Keynote and Numbers apps. The new iPad will sell for $329 to consumers and for $299 to schools. That would appear to be the same as the existing low-end model, which did not have Pencil support. The new model also adds a faster processor and other improvements.
What Jeff Brandes is reading — “New cars are quickly getting self-driving safety features” via Tom Krisher of The Associated Press — Car and tech companies are rolling out laser sensors, artificial intelligence, larger viewing screens that show more of the road, cameras that can read speed limit signs, and systems that slow cars ahead of curves and construction zones. Many of the new features repurpose cameras and radar that already are in cars for automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection and other safety devices. The companies also are keeping a closer watch on drivers to make sure they’re paying attention. Arizona’s governor suspended Uber’s self-driving vehicle testing privileges after one of its autonomous vehicles struck and killed a pedestrian last week. But auto engineers and industry analysts still say roads will become safer as more vehicles get automated features that either assist or replace human drivers. The government says human error causes 94 percent of crashes. The cutting-edge devices usually come out first in more expensive vehicles, but go to mainstream vehicles as costs fall.
