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.
Grab your bonnet, pull out the seersucker and get ready for a good-old-fashioned Easter egg hunt. And yes, maybe go to a political event. Here are some politicos’ plans for Easter.
Rick Scott, Governor of Florida, per spokesperson: “He’ll be spending Easter with his wife, Ann, their family and the grandkids.”
Jimmy Patronis, Chief Financial Officer: “I’ll be spending a lot of time with my family. It’s going to be all about our boys – we can’t wait to see their excitement when they find their Easter baskets. It’s a weekend to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter gives us all renewed hope. It reminds us that even in our bleakest moments, the Lord will be there to shine a light.”
Adam Putnam, Commissioner of Agriculture: “Planning to hunt (for eggs), celebrate the resurrection of Christ our Lord and eat a good meal with my family.”
Richard Corcoran, Speaker of the Florida House: “I will be spending Saturday with the Pollack family at the “Ride for Meadow.” See attached. On Sunday My family and I will attend Easter services to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Ron DeSantis, U.S. Representative and Republican candidate for Governor: “Spending time with my wife, daughter Madison and our new son Mason.”
Andrew Gillum, Democratic candidate for Governor: “I’ll be in Tallahassee! Mom is coming to cook for the family and we’ll all be attending Easter Service together.”
Philip Levine, Democratic candidate for Governor: “Our campaign team will be enjoying a much-needed weekend of family time and rest. I’ll be spending time enjoying the water and sunshine with my family and catching up on time with baby Henry!”
Ashley Moody, Republican candidate for Attorney General: “This Easter Sunday, I look forward to spending time with my family as we gather together to celebrate and rejoice that all things are possible through Him. May your Easter be full of hope, inspiration, and love.”
Sean Shaw, state Representative and Democratic candidate for Attorney General: “After a night of the Final Four, I’ll spend a quiet Easter with members of my community at my home church here in Tampa, St. John’s Progressive Missionary Baptist. I’m looking forward to worshipping with my friends & neighbors in the morning & spending the rest of the day in celebration with family & loved ones on this joyous occasion.”
Frank White, state Representative and Republican candidate for Attorney General: “My favorite Easter tradition is having our three boys place a blooming flower on the cross, along with many other families, that symbolizes the new life Christ has given us. And of course our Easter egg hunt!”
Matt Caldwell, state Representative and Republican candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture: “Easter is about the death, burial, and resurrection of God’s own Son for the forgiveness of our sins – a miracle of faith and grace, as detailed in Romans, Chapter 6. Our family will attend church as we encourage all to do every Sunday, celebrate Easter dinner at our home with extended family, and enjoy an egg hunt with our daughter Ava and the kids.”
Denise Grimsley, state Senator and Republican candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture: “We’ll go to church and then have lunch with family at the farm. Some eggs might be hunted before the day is done.”
Matt Gaetz, U.S. Representative: “On Easter Sunday I’ll be attending sunrise service at Blue Wahoos Stadium and then flying to Washington to attend the White House egg roll with President Trump.”
Bill Galvano, Senate President-designate: “I will be with my family engaging in traditional Catholic activities including observance of Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Mass. Of course Easter will include pasta and red sauce.”
Wilton Simpson, Senate Majority Leader and egg farmer: “We’ll begin Easter morning by putting away 800,000 freshly laid eggs, saving only the most special ones for the Easter Bunny. Then, it’s off to church, before a day of family fun and egg hunts with the grandkids.”
Lizbeth Benacquisto, state Senator: “We are celebrating my sweet Gabriella’s 19th birthday and will enjoy a wonderful and blessed family gathering Easter Sunday.”
Dana Young, state Senator: “I will be in Tampa celebrating Easter with my family and cooking a Greek Easter feast! (Matt’s family is Greek). Looks like perfect weather!
Kelli Stargel, state Senator: “Easter is such a special holiday remembering Jesus’ death and resurrection from the grave. We are incredibly blessed to be sharing the day with those we love. We’ll have Easter lunch, after church, with our daughter Hannah and my sister. Then we plan to visit my husband’s father and grandmother.”
Dane Eagle, state Representative: “This Sunday I’ll be with family celebrating the resurrection of Jesus in the same place we’ll celebrate the resurrection of the Florida Gators this Fall – Gainesville! Go Jesus! Go Gators! Happy Easter!”
Randy Fine, state Representative: “The Fine Family will be celebrating Passover at Colonial Williamsburg! We will be not only commemorate the Jews exodus from Egypt, but celebrate the revolutionary roots of our amazing Country!”
Jason Fischer, state Representative: “Saturday we are heading to the 50th Annual Mandarin Art’s Festival, followed by an Easter egg hunt at my parents church. On Sunday, I don’t want to ruin the surprise so the most I can say is that it’s gonna be an Egg-citing day!”
Kathleen Peters, state Representative: “I get to celebrate our risen Lord first as a lector at 8:30 Sunday mass. Then the celebration continues at my home with an Easter egg hunt with my four grandchildren and a savory meal with my wonderful family. A perfect day!”
Matt Willhite: “I have to work at the firehouse on Friday and Monday. Saturday I will be at my two sons football games.”
Bob Buckhorn, mayor of Tampa: “My 90-year-old mom is flying down to spend Easter with us. After Mass, we will have an Easter egg hunt on the lawn with the younger cousins. Heading for college tour with Grace on Monday.”
“Easter spending expected to be near all-time record” – The Florida Retail Federation (FRF) says Floridians will increase their Easter spending to near record levels this year, with the per person average expected to top $150, down slightly from last year’s record total of $152. The total expected to be spent nationally is $18.2 billion, second highest in survey history and down from last year’s record of $18.4 billion. According to the survey, consumers will spend $5.7 billion on food (purchased by 87 percent of shoppers), $3.2 billion on clothing (48 percent), $2.9 billion on gifts (61 percent), $2.6 billion on candy (89 percent), $1.3 billion on flowers (39 percent), $1.1 billion on decorations (42 percent) and $780 million on greeting cards (46 percent) … 60 percent will visit family and friends, 58 percent will cook a holiday meal, 51 percent will go to church and 17 percent will go to a restaurant … 35 percent of consumers will participate in an Easter egg hunt and 16 percent will open gifts … 45 percent will watch TV, 11 percent will shop online, 9 percent will shop in a store and 8 percent will go to a movie.
“They have 40,000 Easter eggs ready to drop, but Donald Trump could scramble their plans” via Howard Cohen of the Miami Herald – Wellington’s NewSound Church has two massive helicopter egg drops planned for Saturday and Sunday … But Trump’s potential visit to Mar-a-Lago this weekend could derail the church’s plans … The Federal Aviation Administration has posted that pilots could expect temporary flight restrictions beginning Thursday and remaining through Sunday if Trump flies to Florida. If he does, it would mark the president’s 16th trip to Mar-a-Lago since assuming the presidency in January 2017, according to a Town & Country timeline. Church organizers told the Palm Beach Post they are holding out until the last minute and tickets for the egg drop sold out in two days. The church is about 13 miles from Palm Beach International Airport and FAA officials clear 30 nautical miles for presidential flights.
Worth the click – “John F. Kennedy’s last Easter in Palm Beach” via the Palm Beach Post
“Parkland families prepare for first Easter, Passover after massacre” via Khristina Narizhnaya and Max Jaeger of the New York Post – This year’s Passover and Easter services will be particularly emotional for the families of the Parkland shooting victims, their shattered kin told The Post … Vicki Alhadeff, 69, said she can’t even fathom marking Passover without her 14-year-old granddaughter Alyssa, who was one of 17 people killed in the Feb. 14 massacre … Alyssa’s father, Ilan, said he and her mother, Lori, started the nonprofit Make Schools Safe since their daughter’s death and noted that activism is very much in the spirit of Passover, which begins Friday. “[Passover is] about remembering the past so we learn for the future,” he said. “People fought in the past for rights — we’re fighting for everybody’s rights.” The family is planning a Seder potluck to honor Alyssa, Lori added. “We’re going to bring everyone together and celebrate her life, too,” she said.
“Chabad of Clearwater’s tiny kosher store does brisk business for Passover” via Waveney Ann Moore of the Tampa Bay Times – Rabbi Levi Hodakov says the minuscule shop that operates out of the ranch-style house where worshipers gather for Sabbath services is more than a place to buy kosher food. Open for only a few hours a week, it’s not uncommon for shoppers to stop by at odd hours in search of a needed item. But for the women who attend Miriam Hodakov’s Wednesday morning class, it’s also become a time to pick up supplies. As Passover — the eight-day celebration that begins at sundown — approached, stocking up on the right ingredients was extra important. Chabad of Clearwater’s goal is to make it easier for central and north Pinellas County Jewish residents to keep kosher … “The more convenient you are going to make it for somebody, the more likely they are going to keep kosher,” her husband said.
Programming note – So that the staff of Florida Politics can fully enjoy the Easter holiday, there will be no Sunburn on Monday. We will resume publication on Tuesday.
— DAYS UNTIL —
Easter – 2; Reporting deadline for Q1 fundraising – 16; NFL Draft begins – 27; Avengers: Infinity War opens – 28; Close of candidate qualifying for federal office – 34; Mother’s Day – 53; Solo: A Star Wars Story premier — 56; Memorial Day – 59; Father’s Day – 79; Close of candidate qualifying for statewide office — 84; Deadline for filing claim bills – 124; Start of the U.S. Open – 150; Primary Election Day — 151; College Football opening weekend – 155; General Election Day — 221; ‘Hamilton’ comes to the Straz Center — 321; 2019 Legislative Session starts – 340.
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— TOP STORY —
“Legislative leaders ponder Special Session on gambling” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics – Top officials in the Legislature are considering a Special Session to tackle unresolved gambling issues from the 2018 Regular Session, including renewal of a deal between the state and the Seminole Tribe. It’s all about the money. The Tribe paid a little more than $290 million last fiscal year into state coffers as part of a 2010 agreement that guarantees it exclusivity to offer certain games, particularly blackjack. Though the Tribe and the state settled a lawsuit over blackjack, … the sides are now in a “forbearance period” that ends March 31, after which point the Tribe is entitled to stop paying. That possibility has House Speaker Richard Corcoran in a fuss. “The Seminoles’ potential to completely walk away from the forbearance agreement jeopardizes the stability of the state budget,” Corcoran said in a Thursday statement. “We would be forced to cut between $390 and $441 million in General Revenue, or we would have to allow our reserves to be drained, which could jeopardize our state bond rating.”
— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL —
“FEC may change rules on ‘zombie campaigns’” via Noah Pransky of WTSP – The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is now accepting public comment on potential rule changes related to an investigation, “Zombie Campaigns,” ahead of a possible federal hearing on the topic. The FEC will accept comments through May 21, 2018. The action comes after Washington-based watchdog Campaign Legal Center (CLC) filed a petition calling for stricter rules on how former lawmakers spend leftover campaign money, citing the 10News/Times/TEGNA investigation. In some cases, lawmakers-turned-lobbyists gave former donors’ dollars to the opposing party while lobbying on behalf of special interests. The CLC asks the FEC to clarify that such spending is not allowed. Following the public comment period, the commission will consider the petition and either take action or publicly explain why they are not.
”Rick Scott and April 9” via Jim Turner of the News Service of Florida – While there’s little doubt about what Scott may be up to April 9, here’s another hint. After Scott tweeted that a big announcement was coming April 9, state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, a close political ally of the governor, tweeted out a #TriviaTime comment. “Interesting date, @ScottforFlorida. What happened April 9, 2010?” Patronis tweeted. Answer: April 9, 2010, is when Scott filed his initial paperwork to run for governor. He also put $2 million of his own money into the contest that day. Another $71.2 million of his family money would follow.
Andrew Gillum touts new wave of endorsements – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gillum announced a new list of endorsements, including Volusia County Council Member At-Large and former state Rep. Joyce Cusack; Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry; Palatka Mayor Terrill Hill; Daytona Beach City Commissioners Dannette Henry and Paula Reed; Orange City Council Member Evelyn Robinson; DeLand City Commissioner Jessica Davis and West Volusia Hospital Authority Commissioner Barb Girtman.
Philip Levine launches new ad: “Person He Is” – Touting new polls that shows him leading the Democratic race for Florida governor, Levine is releasing a new biographical ad “Person He Is.” The 30-second spot will run through April in Florida broadcast and cable media markets, part of a previously announced $2M ad buy for March. “As Floridians get to know more about Philip Levine, they will quickly see that the person he is and the Mayor he was, is the Governor he will be.” said senior adviser Christian Ulvert.
To view the ad, click on the image below:
“Billboard in Bradenton slams Vern Buchanan for his ties to ‘the Trump agenda’” via Hannah Morse of the Bradenton Herald – A political action committee known for its “Impeachment Now” billboard near Mar-a-Lago aimed at President Trump has chosen a new target: U.S. Rep. Buchanan. Wedged between a Longhorn Steakhouse restaurant and a pawn shop, drivers heading north on 14th Street West in Bradenton will see Mad Dog PAC’s call to “vote him out.” The goal of the PAC, which formed late last year and has raised $7,000, is a billboard campaign to “make an impact” on the 2018 midterm elections in November, said its treasurer J. Dirk Schwenk … the Annapolis, Maryland-based lawyer confirmed the Buchanan billboard was theirs. “(Buchanan is) targeted because he’s closely affiliated with the Trump agenda,” Schwenk said. The billboard includes a checklist of “obstruction of justice,” “witness tampering” and “bribery,” resurfacing ethics complaints that haunted Buchanan several years ago. Buchanan has since been cleared of the allegations.
“Are most people in this Congress district ‘uneducated?’ Candidate says she misspoke” via David Smiley of the Miami Herald – Most people living in the congressional district represented by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen are “uneducated,” a Miami Beach commissioner seeking the seat said this week during a candidate forum. “There’s a perception that this is a very wealthy district. Out of the 740,000 people, only about 190,000 have college degrees, 90,000 have graduate degrees,” said Kristen Rosen Gonzalez. “But the vast majority of people in this district are uneducated.” Rosen Gonzalez, who was responding to a question about the district’s biggest challenges, said she meant to say “under-educated.” Still, she says the tweet, which was deleted, took her comments out of context. “It’s disappointing when the Miami Herald pulls a truly thoughtful and empirical observation out of context. My only intention is to improve and serve our community and the person who tweeted that knows that,” she said. “Shame on that person.”
“Bradenton Democrat Tracy Pratt running for state House” via Zac Anderson of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune – Bradenton attorney Pratt has filed to run for the District 71 state House seat covering western Manatee County and a portion of northern Sarasota County. Pratt, 46, said her concerns about gun violence after the shooting at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and her frustration with GOP leaders at the federal and state level are motivating her to run for the seat. “I have been really disappointed with what’s going on in Washington and how that is trickling down to the state,” Pratt said. A native of Michigan, Pratt moved to Florida in 1994. She attended Manatee Community College — now State College of Florida — and received a bachelor’s degree from Eckerd College before attending the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. Pratt is challenging Republican Will Robinson, a Bradenton attorney who already has raised $174,475 for the race.
— STATEWIDE —
“Vice President Mike Pence to visit Sanibel for a week’s vacation” via Melissa Montoya of the Naples Daily News – Pence‘s arrival will affect Lee County’s airspace beginning at 1:45 p.m. through 3 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Temporary flight restrictions will span across three nautical miles in Lee County during that time. Pilots will be prohibited from flying during that time. Pence is expected to be in town through April 6.
“Marco Rubio calls on Army Corps of Engineers to give priority to Florida projects” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics – Rubio, a member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, sent his letter to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works R.D. James. It reminds James that the budget bill Congress approved and President Trump signed last week authorizes and allocates money for numerous projects, and Rubio wants to make sure Florida gets its share into the Army Corps of Engineers’ Fiscal Year 2018 work plan. The list Rubio forwarded includes 22 congressionally authorized engineering and construction projects, including some that have numerous sub-project parts; two local projects authorized to receive federal assistance; and another couple dozen programs that need ongoing maintenance and operation money.
“Bill Nelson pledges VA will not be privatized” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics – Nelson charged in Orlando that the latest shakeup at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has to do with President Trump‘s desire to privatize health services for veterans and he vowed to block it. Fellow Democratic U.S. Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island Nelson join Nelson in honoring dozens of Central Florida veterans, many of them disabled and in wheelchairs or gurneys at the Orlando VA Medical Center at Lake Nona. “I want all of you to know that against all of the rumors swirling that VA. medical care is going to be privatized, don’t worry. It will not be. And I guarantee you that Sen. Reed and I will be two of the people that will not let it happen,” Nelson told the gathering of disabled veterans.
Assignment editors – Congressman Ted Deutch will host a town hall to discuss the next steps in gun violence prevention Tuesday, April 3, beginning 6:30 p.m. at the Coral Springs City Hall – City Commission Chamber, 9500 W. Sample Road in Coral Springs.
“Top state emergency official’s former firm promotes ties to drum up business“ via Arek Sarkissian of POLITICO Florida – A consulting firm founded by a top Florida Division of Emergency Management chief used its patriarch’s name and state job title to solicit services to counties and cities awaiting reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Jason Gilmore, of Tallahassee-based Wheeler EMC, sent emails to county emergency management agencies across the state offering expertise in navigating FEMA’s tricky and lengthy application process, according to dozens of emails obtained by POLITICO Florida through a public records request of the state’s 67 county emergency management offices. In a Jan. 23 email, Gilmore introduced Wheeler EMC as being founded by Jason Wheeler, recovery bureau chief of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. The state agency, an offshoot of the governor’s office, hired Wheeler on Aug. 25 with an $85,000 salary after he promised to distance himself from the private firm. His new job responsibilities include overseeing FEMA reimbursement requests, which is similar to the services his former firm provides.
“Lawmakers’ wives on new charter school boards” via Emily Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times – Anne Corcoran, the founder of a charter school in Pasco County, is assisting with a new Tallahassee school. She’s married to Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran … Erika Donalds, the founder of a charter school in Collier County, is leading the effort to open a new Martin County school. Her husband is Rep. Byron Donalds, who shepherded Speaker Corcoran’s bill on vouchers for bullied students through the House. Neither Corcoran nor Donalds is paid for their role in helping develop the new schools. Both women said they were approached by the founders of these new schools because of their expertise in opening a school. When asked about the school choice debate Anne Corcoran said “it’s not my fight.”
“Faith leaders urge State Attorney Bernie McCabe to stop death sentences” via Laura Morel of the Tampa Bay Times – In a letter signed by 46 pastors and priests, they ask McCabe to consider their concerns. “We all believe there must be accountability and consequences for those who commit crimes. A true justice system can achieve these ends without denying dignity and respect to human lives,” the letter reads. “With the death penalty, this dignity is denied and we commit the grave error of closing off hope to the possibility for redemption.” Among the signers is Bishop Gregory Parkes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg, as well as other members of the diocese and ministries across Tampa Bay.
— FOR YOUR RADAR —
“Ante up: Dan Adkins, Hartman & Tyner suing each other over lost ‘millions’ ” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics – Since November, (Mardi Gras Casino head) Adkins has been locked in a legal battle with H&T and its directors, accusing them of lying to him that he’d be paid “millions of dollars” upon sale of the company’s gambling businesses in Florida, West Virginia and Michigan … Adkins’ lawsuit, now moved to federal court, also says his “day-to-day authority has been stripped” and he has “effectively lost the ability to govern the enterprise he has been at the helm of for almost 30 years.” H&T also removed him from its board and cut his pay, the suit says. Last Friday, H&T struck back by filing its own federal suit. It says the 60-year-old Adkins “engag(ed) in self-dealing, corporate waste, and gross mismanagement … conceal(ing) the poor financial state of H&T’s businesses caused by his misconduct so that he could … enrich himself and his family members.”
— MOVEMENTS —
“UCF’s Dale Whittaker confirmed as president” via Annie Martin of the Orlando Sentinel – University trustees selected Whittaker over three other finalists for the top job March 9, but his appointment was not official until it was confirmed by the state’s Board of Governors at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Whittaker, 56, was hired as the university’s provost in 2014. He was previously the vice provost and an associate dean at Purdue University. He’ll succeed President John Hitt, who is set to retire June 30 after 26 years on the job. The Board of Governors, which oversees the state’s universities, had little discussion about Whittaker’s appointment before voting unanimously to confirm him.
— WEEKEND TV —
Facing South Florida with Jim DeFede on CBS 4 in Miami: The Sunday show provides viewers with an in-depth look at politics in South Florida, along with other issues that affect the area’s citizens.
In Focus with Allison Walker-Torres on Bay News 9: A discussion of the growing economic impact of cancer in Central Florida. Joining Walker-Torres are Dominic Calabro, president, Florida TaxWatch; Margaret Guedes, CEO, president and founder, Kids Beating Cancer; Dr. David Shook, Florida Hospital; state Rep. Jason Brodeur, chair, Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee.
Political Connections on CF 13 in Orlando and Bay News 9 in Tampa/St. Pete: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King, a businessman from Winter Park, sits down with Ybeth Bruzual to talk about his campaign for governor, his reaction to gun-related legislation after the Parkland mass school shooting, and other issues facing Floridians. PolitiFact Truth-O-Meter rates a claim made by President Trump about Russia meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
The Usual Suspects on WCTV-Tallahassee/Thomasville (CBS) and WJHG-Panama City (NBC): Host Gary Yordon speaks with pollster Steve Vancore, attorney Sean Pittman and Beth Matuga.
This Week in Jacksonville with Kent Justice on Channel 4 WJXT: This week’s guests: Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Jacksonville City Council President Anna Lopez-Brosche.
This Week in South Florida on WPLG-Local10 News (ABC): Co-hosts Michael Putney and Glenna Milberg talk current events and host a weekly roundtable with newsmakers.
— ALOE —
“Egg prices have jumped 37 percent in time for Easter. But you should be paying even more.” via Rachel Siegel of The Washington Post – It turns out that most grocery stores lose money on every dozen eggs they sell. A survey conducted by the American Farm Bureau Federation found that on average egg prices are 37 percent higher than this time last year, at $1.80 per dozen. That’s a swing from 2017 when the survey found that egg prices had gone down 41 percent from spring 2016, to $1.32 per dozen … what hasn’t changed is that grocery stores sell eggs at a loss and can afford to post prices below their wholesale cost because shoppers will reliably buy eggs as a staple. And grocery stores know that once shoppers are in the door, they most likely will grab other items on their way to check out, whether they planned to or not.
“Just in case you still haven’t seen this Florida Man conspiracy theory sequence from FX’s ‘Atlanta’” via The Feed – FX’s critically-acclaimed Donald Glover-starring sitcom Atlanta returned for its second season a few weeks ago, but in case you haven’t caught this much-shared sequence in which Darius, portrayed by Lakeith Stanfield hilariously lays out his Florida Man conspiracy theory to an incredulous Earn (Glover), here it is again. Darius believes that Florida Man is actually one guy, whose identity no one knows, who is part of a voter suppression plot in the Sunshine State.
Click on the image below to watch the clip:
Happy birthday to the man, Trent Phillips.
