Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
As one Constitution Revision Commissioner put it Tuesday about ballot summaries, it’s not the length; it’s the clarity.
The commission’s Style and Drafting Committee is meeting this week on the daunting task of summarizing, combining and ordering proposed constitutional amendments for the November ballot.
The 37-member panel is formed every 20 years to review and suggest changes to the state’s governing document.
As of Tuesday, there were 24 active proposals to consider, including a crime victims’ bill of rights and a ban on indoor ‘vaping.’
Attorney Jason Gonzalez, managing partner of the Tallahassee office of the Shutts & Bowen firm, told the committee they “should assume there will be judicial review of what you are doing” — in other words, lawsuits.
But Commissioner John Stargel, a circuit judge in Polk County, replied that “it’s never whether you’re challenged (in court) … It’s whether a challenge is successful.”
Among other moves, the committee accepted a change to a proposal to create a Florida “E-Verify” system, aimed at confirming workers’ citizenship status, to make clear its application is prospective, not retroactive.
Commissioner Bob Martinez, a former federal prosecutor, addressed the lingering issue of “ballot fatigue,” in which voters get tired of reading ballot questions and don’t vote on them.
The commission’s worry shouldn’t be the length of the summaries, but how clear they are, he said.
Style and Drafting meets through this week and is expected to wrap up its work by Friday at the latest. The commission’s final report, including the language for the ballot, is due to the Secretary of State’s office by May 10.
Evening Reads
“Trump best buddy in Congress (Matt Gaetz) wants Jeff Sessions to fire Robert Mueller” via Edward-Isaac Dovere of POLITICO Magazine
“General election debates set for U.S. Senate, Governor’s races” via Gray Rohrer of the Orlando Sentinel
“Ron DeSantis campaign says he’s polling higher than Adam Putnam in governor’s race” via Lawrence Mower of Tampa Bay Times
“Carlos Curbelo ties his political future in Congress to an unpopular tax law” via David Smiley and Alex Daugherty of the Miami Herald
“Florida consumer sentiment in March slides into two-month decline” via University of Florida
“State knew Pompano gun maker in business firm when tax incentives offered” via Dan Christensen of the Florida Bulldog
“Teachers are striking, but it probably won’t happen in Florida” via Joe Henderson of Florida Politics
“Special session for gaming overhaul likely on or after April 23” via Arek Sarkissian and Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida
“Seminole Tribe’s lawyers say same old gambling proposals won’t fly” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics
“Jose Fernandez’s lawyer claims fatal crash investigation framed Marlins ace” via Rafael Olmeda of the Sun Sentinel
Quote of the Day
“As in all of our past debate programs, we expect the nominees of the Republican and Democratic parties to participate and to take advantage of this unique opportunity to make their respective cases to the people of Florida.” — Leadership Florida Board Chair Beth Kigel on televised debates for Florida’s U.S. Senate and governor’s races planned for late October.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in two cases, including a dispute stemming from a job site accident that severed a man’s finger. Arguments start at 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.
The Style and Drafting Committee of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission is scheduled to consider a series of proposed constitutional amendments for the November ballot. That’s at 9 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.
Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio will hold “mobile” office hours in Osceola, Nassau, Glades and Pinellas counties: 9 a.m., Advance Senior Center, 2260 East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee; 10 a.m., Amelia Island Chamber of Commerce, 961687 Gateway Blvd., #101G, Fernandina Beach; 11 a.m., Glades County Library, 201 Riverside Dr., Moore Haven; 3 p.m., VFW Post 4364, 5773 62nd St. North, St. Petersburg.
Florida TaxWatch will hold a conference call with the press to announce this year’s Budget Turkey report and address a large number of member projects in the FY 2018-19 budget. The call is at 10 a.m., and the call-in number is (872) 240-3412, Code: 803-142-885#.
The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing related to a study on easing congestion on Interstate 95 in Jacksonville. The study will look at adding express lanes on the interstate from J. Turner Butler Boulevard to Atlantic Boulevard. That’s at 4:30 p.m., Jacksonville Marriott, 4670 Salisbury Road, Jacksonville.
Former Miami Beach mayor and Democratic candidate for Governor Philip Levine will join a Unity March in Miami with Mayor Francis Suarez, Commissioner Keon Hardemon, and other elected officials as part of the “Reclaim the Dream” Martin Luther King Jr. memorial service. That’s at 5:30 p.m., Athalie Range Park, 525 NW 62nd St. (MLK Blvd.), Miami.
Rep. Paul Renner, a Palm Coast Republican, is expected to discuss the 2018 Legislative Session during a meeting of the Flagler County Republican Club. That’s at 6 p.m., Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway N.E., Palm Coast.
