Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
A coalition of progressive and other groups that have taken on a watchdog role over the Florida Constitution Revision Commission is venting yet again.
On Thursday, the group complained in an open letter that commissioners won’t vote separately on the remaining 24 proposed changes under review, but instead will vote “on combined titles and summaries for 12 ‘bundled’ revisions.”
“Some of the groupings appear to be designed to force commissioners and voters to accept constitutional changes they do not like in order to get those that they do,” the letter says, mentioning “an attempt to expand charter schools while hiding the proposal behind civics education and school board term limits.”
“This is just further evidence of the political nature of these proceedings,” the letter says.
The coalition includes representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, Florida AFL-CIO, Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, Florida Education Association, League of Women Voters Florida, and more.
The commission, formed every 20 years to review and suggest changes to the state’s governing document, is scheduled to reconvene Monday morning. Any amendments it approves will go on the November ballot, where they must get no less than 60 percent voter approval to be added to the state constitution.
The coalition’s full letter is here.
Evening Reads
“Rick Scott dodges question about bill to protect Robert Mueller” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“The details on Rick Scott’s term limit proposal” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“Adam Putnam knows Florida, but that might not be enough today to become governor” via Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times
“Ted Deutch wants answers about Kalashnikov USA and Russia sanctions” via Dan Christensen of the Florida Bulldog
“This Parkland teacher left his gun in a public bathroom. It was loaded, BSO says” via Madeline Marr of the Miami Herald
“State increases Irma insurance loss estimate” via Jim Turner of the News Service of Florida
“Business owners warn the CRC proposal would ‘destroy’ Florida’s farming industry” via Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times
“New poll shows that Democrat Tracye Polson could take Jay Fant’s House seat” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
“Oil search resumes at Big Cypress” via David Fleshler of the Sun Sentinel
“Rare Florida jewel, Blue Cypress Lake sickens with pollution” via Kevin Spear of the Orlando Sentinel
Quote of the Day
“He’s not shy in his fear and misinformation about immigrants to move an agenda that is very personal to him (and) based on misinformation and lack of facts.” — Mike Fernandez, billionaire health care entrepreneur and longtime Republican donor, referring to GOP state House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s support of a proposed constitutional amendment that would create a Florida version of E-Verify.
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Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The Florida Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use will hold a meeting about rules dealing with issues such as medical marijuana packaging and labeling, and medical marijuana treatment center advertising and signage. That’s at 9 a.m., Capital Circle Office Center at Southwood, Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.
Sen. Aaron Bean, a Fernandina Beach Republican, is expected to discuss the 2018 legislative session during a meeting of the Federated Republican Women of Nassau. That’s at 11:30 a.m., Fernandina Beach Golf Club, 2800 Bill Melton Road, Fernandina Beach.
Staff members for Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio will hold “mobile” office hours in Osceola County. That’s at 1 p.m., Advance Senior Center, 2260 East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee.
Former Miami Beach mayor and Democratic candidate for Governor Philip Levine will participate in a policy discussion with employees of a food bank. That’s at 1 p.m., Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, 411 Mercy Dr., Orlando.
Levine also will host a ‘meet and greet’ to engage with Democrats in Palm Beach County. That’s at 7 p.m., Honey Delray restaurant, 16 E Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach.
