Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Where are they now?
The Governor’s Office announced Monday that deputy chief of staff Brad Piepenbrink would become the next Chief of Staff.
With Jackie Schutz Zeckman out the door as Gov. Rick Scott’s CoS — and likely headed to his U.S. Senate campaign — here’s a quick look at the whereabouts of his previous chiefs.
In chronological order of service:
Mike Prendergast: Elected Sheriff of Citrus County in November 2016.
Steve MacNamara: Professor at Florida State University’s College of Communication & Information, specializing in “mass media law, speechwriting, political communication.”
Adam Hollingsworth: A Tallahassee-based minister and “consultant for churches and ministries looking for ways to operate more efficiently or strategically,” according to the Florida Times-Union.
Melissa Sellers (now Stone): CEO of Cavalry Strategies, a Tallahassee PR shop specializing in political messaging and crisis communications. She also is involved with Scott’s super PAC, New Republican.
Kim McDougal: Senior director of government affairs in GrayRobinson’s Tallahassee office.
Evening Reads
“Why Republicans are now bragging about their investments in education” via Michael Scherer of The Washington Post
“Rick Scott plans ‘major announcement’ April 9, shakes up staff” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida
“Rick Scott expected to announce U.S. Senate bid in April” via John Kennedy of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune
“Sen. Bill Montford to stay put in state Senate, ends flirtation with mayoral bid” via James Call of the Tallahassee Democrat
“Vulnerable Florida Republicans Carlos Curbelo and Brian Mast get air support on taxes” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“Missing: Criminal justice data” via Amy Bach of The New York Times
“Court revelation: Pulse club gunman’s dad was FBI informant” via The Associated Press
“Women’s group flames Everglades Foundation head for Harvey Weinstein ties” via Jerry Iannelli of Miami New Times
“More women look to online classes to earn degrees” via Lloyd Dunkelberger of the News Service of Florida
“FSU lifting ban on alcohol for Greek, registered student organizations” via Byron Dobson of the Tallahassee Democrat
“Statewide vote could put a new sheriff in town even if Miami-Dade doesn’t want it” via Elizabeth Koh of the Times/Herald
“Gulf Power customers to see lower bills” via Jim Saunders of the News Service of Florida
Quote of the Day
“I’m not going to answer that. Obviously, when she was a candidate, I campaigned with her. That’s like you asking me would I campaign with Robert Redford … We’ll take that up when we get there.” — Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, as quoted by the Tampa Bay Times, when asked if he would campaign with former presidential candidate and First Lady Hillary Clinton.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The State Board of Education will meet in Hendry County and take up a series of issues, including the proposed designation of two charter-school organizations as “Hope Operators.” That’s at 9 a.m., LaBelle High School, 4050 East Cowboy Way, LaBelle.
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Board of Governors will hold a conference call and discuss proposed changes in coverage for water losses that are not caused by the weather. That’s at 11 a.m. Call-in number: 1-866-361-7525. Code: 8632017402.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine is scheduled to speak to the Capital Tiger Bay Club. That’s at 11:30 a.m., Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, 505 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.
Sen. Dorothy Hukill, a Port Orange Republican, will receive a “Special Recognition from The Florida Bar” during a joint luncheon meeting of the Volusia-Flagler Association for Women Lawyers and the Volusia County Bar Association. That’s at 11:30 a.m., Daytona International Speedway, Bill France Room, 1808 West International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach.
Sen. Linda Stewart, an Orlando Democrat, and Sen. Dennis Baxley, an Ocala Republican, will debate gun issues during a meeting of the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida. That’s noon, Country Club of Orlando, 1601 Country Club Dr., Orlando.
Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio will be in Tallahassee, where he will hold a “pen and pad” session with Capitol Press Corps reporters. That’s at noon, 21st floor, The Capitol.
Gov. Scott will hold a signing ceremony for a bill (SB 376), backed by state CFO Jimmy Patronis, which extends workers’ comp benefits to first responders dealing with post-traumatic stress. The event is 2 p.m., Tampa Firefighter Museum, 720 Zack St., Tampa.
The Drugs, Alcohol and Mental Health Task Force, which was created by the state university system’s Board of Governors to address substance-abuse and mental-health issues among college students, will meet at 2:30 p.m., University of North Florida, Student Union, 1 UNF Dr., Jacksonville.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will hold one in a series of meetings about a diesel-emissions mitigation program, which stems from a federal settlement with Volkswagen about violations of the Clean Air Act. That’s at 3 p.m., Department of Environmental Protection Central District Office, 3319 Maguire Blvd., Orlando.
