Peter Schorsch
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
When lawmakers passed mental health and school safety legislation after February’s mass shooting at a Broward County high school, it included the creation of a blue-ribbon panel.
The idea for the group was “to investigate system failures … and prior mass violence incidents, and develop recommendations for system improvements.”
That board, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, now has an informational website, “including posts of upcoming commission meetings,” according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which staffs the panel.
A meeting is set for 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., April 24, Broward College North Campus, 1000 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek.
The 19-member panel, chaired by Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, includes Max Schachter, father of student Alex Schachter; Ryan Petty, father of Alaina Petty, and Andrew Pollack, father of Meadow Pollack. All three children were killed in the shooting.
The Commission’s website is here.
Evening Reads
“Ron DeSantis spoke at event with Steve Bannon, Milo Yiannopoulos” via Jerry Ianelli of the Miami New Times
“Adam Putnam campaign war chest larger than other major gubernatorial candidates combined” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO
“Dennis Ross is retiring” via Alex Leary and Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
“Jose Javier Rodriguez will remain in state Senate, forego congressional bid” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics
“Electoral map scrambles race for Senate presidency” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics
“Florida Democrats lining up challenger for Chris Latvala” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics
“St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman joins citifies suing Rick Scott over gun regulations” via Kirby Wilson and Waveney Ann Moore
“Teresa Jacobs announces run for Orange County School Board Chair” via Steve Lemongello of the Orlando Sentinel
“Should ‘Florida’ movies be made outside Florida? It’s costing the state millions of dollars” via Wayne Pierce of Florida Today
“New ad delivers warning to stoned drivers in Florida: ‘Drive Baked, Get Busted’” via Jeff Weiner of the Orlando Sentinel
Quote of the Day
“Eight years takes its (toll) on you. When you feel like a stranger in your hometown, it’s time to say, ‘There’s got to be an exit strategy at some point.'” —Republican Congressman Dennis Ross, in an interview with the Tampa Bay Times, after he announced his retirement Wednesday.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
Volusia County lawmakers are expected to discuss the 2018 legislative session during a Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce breakfast. That’s at 7:30 a.m., LPGA International Golf Course, 100 Champions Dr., Daytona Beach.
Gov. Scott will host Let’s Get to Work rallies in Sarasota and Riviera Beach as part of his U.S. Senate campaign kickoff week. That’s at 10 a.m., Marine Concepts, driveway adjacent to 6821 15th Street East in Sarasota and 2:30 p.m., Baron Signs Manufacturing, 900 13th St. W. in Riviera Beach.
The Florida Supreme Court is scheduled to release its weekly opinions at 11 a.m.
Sen. Aaron Bean, a Fernandina Beach Republican, is slated to speak at a luncheon of the Republican Women’s Club of Duval Federated. That’s at 11:30 a.m., San Jose Country Club, 7529 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville.
Desmond Meade, executive director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, will speak to the Tiger Bay Club of Volusia County about a proposed constitutional amendment that would lead to the automatic restoration of voting rights for certain ex-felons. That’s at 11:45 a.m., LPGA Clubhouse, 1000 Champions Dr., Daytona Beach.
A fundraising event is scheduled for former Rep. Ray Pilon, a Sarasota Republican running this year in House District 72. That’s at 5:30 p.m., Gold Eagle Distributors, 7051 Wireless Court, Sarasota.
Sen. Randolph Bracy, an Orlando Democrat; Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, a Mount Dora Republican, and Rep. Kamia Brown, an Ocoee Democrat, are expected to take part in a town-hall meeting to discuss the 2018 legislative session. That’s at 6 p.m., Victory Church, 509 South Park Ave., Apopka.
