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.
During Wednesday’s gubernatorial debate Gwen Graham found herself often playing defense, repeatedly disputing remarks from Winter Park businessman Chris King and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum. At one point Graham, the presumed co-front-runner along with former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, decried, “Oh, I seem to be the one. It’s OK. Gwen and the men.” To which Gillum snapped, “This isn’t just about the men against the women. Records do matter.”
Those exchanges, all about votes Graham had taken or campaign money she had accepted while she served in Congress in 2015-17, illustrated the tight spaces often found between Graham, King, Gillum and Levine in a wide-ranging, fast-moving debate held by Fox 13 Tampa and moderated by Fox 13 Political Editor Craig Patrick. Graham’s record as a congressional moderate Democrat — she characterized herself as an independent thinker — often belied the progressive mantle that Gillum and King, in particular, were wearing. Graham took strong issue with their reads on her record, especially when Gillum accused her of siding against President Barack Obama too often.
Still, they each found their marks on certain issues. Graham turned on her passion for public education, declaring it would be her top priority as governor: “We are funding our public-school education 15 percent less than we used to and it is way underfunded.” Graham was the only candidate who expressed a willingness to spend state tax dollars to keep the Tampa Bay Rays in Florida, she suggested that would be an appropriate use for Enterprise Florida money.
Joe Henderson’s assessment – I think Graham scored a lot of points with the way she handled herself. Polls suggest Floridians don’t know much, if anything, about these candidates. Given that, I imagine she made a good first impression on those who might be seeing this group for the first time. As for the rest of it, Gillum looks like he might have staying power. King still needs a breakthrough moment. And Levine? Do your homework sir.
— WINNERS & LOSERS —
Winners
Adam Putnam, Ron DeSantis and the Florida GOP — If you are on #TeamPutnam or with DeSantis, you have to believe your political future will be decided in the primary because whichever Republican comes out of it should be able to dispatch any of the four candidates we saw today. Blue wave or not, Putnam’s encyclopedic knowledge of the state and its policies and DeSantis’ “training” on Fox News have both men better positioned than these candidates.
John Morgan — Is there any doubt that the Orlando trial lawyer would have mowed through this field? Hey John, qualifying is still two months away.
Andrew Gillum — I’m re-watching the debate as we speak and it’s hard to find a moment when Gillum was tripped up. I don’t want to sound like Joe Biden and extol how articulate the African-American candidate is, but damnit, he is — extraordinarily so. Gillum’s also passionate about (and perfectly attuned) to the issues of Democratic voters. He even came close to correctly answering the moderator’s question about the size of the education budget. He also went straight at Graham (like in this clip) in a way that was not condescending a la “Hillary, you’re likable enough.” He’s gonna have to do more of that to catch up in the polls.
Gwen Graham — We set the bar high for Graham going into the debate, and she cleared it. She was the disproportionate target of attacks from the other candidates, but she handled it all in a way that should enamor her with her base of female voters. Graham also displayed a comprehensive understanding of state policy — from environmental issues to tangential concerns, like the size of the Department of the Lottery. Her answer on health care policy, in which she referenced her husband’s battle with cancer, was the high point of the debate. Her biggest sin of omission was not correctly answering the question about the size of the education budget. She was a school administrator, for goodness’ sake.
Craig Patrick — The Tampa Bay media market is blessed with so much on-air TV talent that a journalist like Fox 13’s political director is almost taken for granted. Patrick did an excellent job of moving the debate along, while also making time for follow-up questions.
Mixed bag
Philip Levine — None of these candidates is homespun the way Putnam is, but the knock on Levine is he’s too South Florida to win the middle and north parts of the state. So any time Levine can knock down this ridiculous criticism, it’s a win for him. And on this stage, Levine seemed like he was the most easygoing. He even looked like he was having fun. But maybe he’s having too much fun because he whiffed on a couple of questions he’s probably kicking himself about right now. He needs to do a little more homework before the next debate.
Losers
Geoff Burgan — In response to the Gillum communication director’s rapid responses on Twitter, one very prominent member of Florida’s media noted that he was “once again doing an amazing job of antagonizing the media.”
Janet Cruz — The Tampa Democrat is still the leader of the House Democrats and the party’s top candidate in the most important state Senate race in 2018. Her daughter is a former executive director of the party. But Levine whiffed when asked about her.
Bill Nelson — I’m sure he would have liked the four Democrats looking to replace Rick Scott to, you know, criticize Rick Scott more often. I’ll have to check the transcript but Scott and House Speaker Richard Corcoran came away from the debate relatively unscathed.
Tampa Bay Times — Not one of the four candidates, when asked what was the first thing they read in the morning, mentioned the state’s largest newspaper. Can you imagine Bob Graham, Jeb Bush, or Charlie Crist not mentioning the Times?
Dead to me
Chris King — The Orlando entrepreneur said the first thing he reads each day is our archrival, The Sayfie Review, which typically isn’t updated until 6 a.m. or later. So we presume he’s not reading our Sunburn — the morning email of what’s hot in Florida politics — which comes out on most mornings at 4 a.m. and has included blurb after blurb about King, who, up until today, we had a soft spot for. Not anymore. You name-check our rivals during a debate and you can count on me name-checking your rivals as often as possible.
— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —
— @ConanOBrien: Do you think Spain knew what they were doing when they let us have Florida?
— @LincolnLB: Incredible how the media gives importance to the Castros’ servant Diaz Canel. Don’t they remember Dorticos was “President” of Cuba until 1976?
— @SenateCloakroom: Confirmed, 55-43: Confirmation of Exec. Cal. #376 Carlos Muniz to be General Counsel, Department of Education
— @RichardCorcoran: This week, @NancyPelosi is campaigning on reversing @realDonaldTrump’s tax cuts. At 2days debate, FL Dem candidates clamor to undo the $10B in tax cuts we’ve delivered to Floridians. It’s an honor to be the target of those Pelosi-like tax-and-spend liberals. Im in good company.
— @MarcACaputo: Chris King is trailing in the polls but clearly did the most homework of the Dem candidates for governor
— @JohnMorganEsq: If @GwenGraham is a no on full legalization, I am a no on Gwen. She is a friend but not a friend to those incarcerated for pot crimes: the poor, minorities, young people. This is not a general election, this is the FL Democratic primary. Gwen say it ain’t so!
— @DWeinman3: .@MayorLevine can’t name the House Minority Leader, doesn’t know how much Florida spends on education, but he at least he knows that you have to mix blue and red to get purple.
— @Scott_Maxwell: Ooh, @AndrewGillum just whispered sweet nothings in my ear. Asked what media each candidate consumes first each day, all candidates first said “New York Times” … except Gillum, who said “my hometown newspaper.” #GaveMeTheVapors
— @NickensFL: Dem candidates for governor of Florida should consider first debate spring training. They’re not nearly ready for the regular season.
— @Jay_Fant: Speaking last night to the Trump Club of Tampa and you know what? Conservatives don’t trust James Comey one bit! People are sick of what they are seeing the establishment doing to undercut President Trump and our legal system.
— DAYS UNTIL —
Avengers: Infinity War opens — 4; NFL Draft begins — 7; Close of candidate qualifying for federal office — 14; Mother’s Day — 24; Solo: A Star Wars Story premier — 36; Memorial Day — 39; Father’s Day — 59; Close of candidate qualifying for statewide office — 64; Deadline for filing claim bills — 104; ‘The Race for Governor’ Republican gubernatorial debates — 104; ‘The Race for Governor’ Democratic gubernatorial debates — 105; Start of the U.S. Open — 130; Primary Election Day — 131; College Football opening weekend — 135; ‘Before You Vote’ Florida U.S. Senate debate — 187; ‘Before You Vote’ Florida Governor debate — 188; General Election Day — 201; ‘Hamilton’ comes to the Straz Center — 301; 2019 Legislative Session starts — 320.
— TOP STORY —
“Deal ’em: Rick Scott, Seminole Tribe agree on gambling money” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics – Gov. Scott Wednesday announced an agreement between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida that “extends the Tribe’s current commitment to make (gambling) revenue sharing payments to the state through May 2019.” The tribe operates Hard Rock-branded and other casinos in Florida, including the flagship Hard Rock Tampa location. That means the flow of money, now $19.5 million a month with a balloon payment at fiscal year’s end, will continue through Scott’s last term as Governor, which ends next January, and past the 2019 Legislative Session set for March-April … “This development shows good faith on the part of the Tribe to continue to partner with the State of Florida,” Sen. Bill Galvano said in a statement later Wednesday. “This news also helps provide predictability with regard to our state revenues. However, discussions with regard to Special Session will continue.”
— NELSON VS. SCOTT —
“Rick Scott boosts TV spending to $3M with new Spanish-language ad” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida — Scott’s campaign earlier put $2 million behind a statewide ad focused on his push for federal term limits, which has been his campaign’s only early policy push. That initial spending is now being bolstered by $1 million behind a not-yet-released Spanish-language ad in the Miami, Tampa and Orlando media markets. Scott’s current spending pace puts him ahead of 2010. Through roughly the same point that election cycle, Scott had reserved roughly $1.5 million in airtime, half of the amount his campaign has already spent this year. The move highlights one of the reasons Scott is so hard to beat. In 2010 he used $70 million of his own cash to fund the ads, and the early TV onslaught seems to be following a similar path.
What the Scott campaign is reading – “Francis Rooney says he can accomplish term limits without changing the Constitution” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times — As Scott pitches term limits, a Florida Republican congressman is proposing an idea he says will eliminate the need to change the Constitution: After 12 years, a lawmaker’s annual salary would drop to $1. “Is it possible that a disruptive, game-changing measure like this could instill public confidence in Congress and set the stage for a wave of innovation and accomplishment?” asks Rep. Rooney of Naples … His Thomas Jefferson Public Service Act, introduced with a handful of other lawmakers, seeks to capitalize on widespread public support for term limits but get around the “arduous process of amending the Constitution.”
What Josh Karp is reading – “Report: Florida shortchanged on Hurricane Irma unemployment assistance” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — A new report from the National Employment Law Project Action Fund charges that Florida’s workers got shortchanged by state and federal efforts to provide disaster unemployment assistance following Hurricane Irma last fall. The report charges that under Gov. Scott, Floridians received far less from the federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance program than under any Florida governor who has overseen hurricane recovery for the past 30 years … the Scott administration did little to help Floridians find or access the program and contends that led to Florida having the least amount of DUA claims, approved claims, and money compared with relief programs offered for any major hurricane in decades. Scott had received praise and improved public opinion poll job performance ratings following the state’s response to Irma. But the group behind the report charged that Scott’s high marks were unearned, at least considering how he dealt with helping Floridians access the disaster unemployment assistance money.
— NOTES FROM CAMPAIGN TRAIL —
Assignment editors – Levine will host a meet-and-greet with Century Village Democrats at 1:15 p.m., Century Village Clubhouse, 5500 Century Blvd. in West Palm Beach.
“Life begins at conception, Frank White says in campaign ad” via Florida Politics – White released a new video for his Attorney General campaign Wednesday outlining his pro-life views. … “I am 100 percent pro-life. Life begins at conception, and the most vulnerable people in our society are unborn children,” White says in the 30-second ad. White’s stance in the pro-choice-versus-pro-life debate is rooted in his Christian faith, which was the subject of a prior campaign ad. … “We are all made in the image of God, including the unborn. What does it really mean to be a believer, and to know Christ? Life is not about us, it’s about serving others. If government will not protect them, it’s worth nothing.” … White faces former circuit judge Ashley Moody and Jacksonville Rep. Jay Fant in the Republican primary for the Cabinet post.
Click on the image below to watch the ad:
First on #FlaPol – “AG hopeful Sean Shaw hires Hillary Clinton vet as campaign manager” via Florida Politics – Travis Worl has been tapped as campaign manager for Shaw’s bid to replace termed-out Attorney General Pam Bondi in the fall. … The Purdue University alumnus’ extensive resume includes time with Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign … “I am excited to help lead our campaign to victory this fall and to restore Floridians’ trust in their state’s top legal officer to act strongly on their behalf,” Worl said in the announcement … Shaw said Worl “has the right mix of experience and knowledge to take our campaign to the next level” … Shaw faces Ryan Torrens in the Democratic Primary. Former judge Ashley Moody, Jacksonville Rep. Jay Fant and Pensacola Rep. Frank White are competing for the GOP nomination.
“Oil industry signals opposition to amendment to ban drilling and vaping” via Mary Ellen Klas of the Miami Herald — “Domestic oil and natural gas development is a key driver of Florida’s economy — supporting high-paying jobs and investments in our state,” said David Mica, executive director of the Florida Petroleum Council, which represents the oil and gas industry. “Linking this important decision with electronic cigarette use just doesn’t make sense. Voters should be able to make decisions on public health and its economic future separately.” Mica said that by bundling the issues together, the CRC “will force Florida’s voters to vote for or against two completely unrelated, but important, issues at the same time. Bundling these issues is mixing apples and oranges, and this decision, made without any public debate, could harm jobs, the state economy, tax revenues and our long-term energy future.”
“Democrats will still campaign against a departing Dennis Ross” via Bill Rufty of Florida Politics – Most candidates in (or soon to be in) the Democratic primary for Florida’s 15th Congressional District, left open by the retirement of Ross, will likely agree on many issues, especially over safety nets. But there will be a crucial difference, said Andrew Learned, a Valrico Democrat seeking the office. “Veterans and the military lack a voice,” said Learned, an eight-year veteran of the Navy and currently a lieutenant senior grade in the U.S. Navy Reserve unit headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. “The number of veterans in Congress is one of the lowest since World War II … There are those who need help from the Veterans Affairs and not getting it and families of deployed military are in need of care.” Despite Ross’ leaving, Learned said he blames some of the conditions in the district and the nation on Ross’ “ultraconservative” actions, causing any Republican who may win the seat of carrying on the same activities.
Save the date – Republican state Sen. Greg Steube is holding a fundraising reception Wednesday, May 16, to support his bid for Florida’s 17th Congressional District. Event begins 5:30 p.m. at the Laishley Crab House, 150 Laishley Court in Punta Gorda. RSVP with Kelly Dowd at [email protected].
“Tracey Kagan enters HD 29 race” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — … seeking to take on Republican state Rep. Scott Plakon in the central Seminole County district. Kagan, a lawyer with her own criminal defense law practice in Orlando, joins a race with Democrats Patrick Brandt of Longwood and Darryl Block of Lake Mary, both of whom also are lawyers. Plakon owns a publishing company. “I was galvanized by the Parkland shooting to get off the sidelines and take action to protect our children,” Kagan stated in a news release. “With three daughters of my own, all of whom have come up through Seminole County schools, I can no longer stand by passively amid the public safety crisis of gun violence.” Kagan’s campaign reported she is running on a progressive platform that supports public education, health care access, the economy and natural resources, in addition to gun law reform.
“Andrew Vargas is a ‘no-show,’ Javier Fernandez says” via Florida Politics — Democratic House District 114 candidate Fernandez called Republican opponent Vargas a “no-show” after he “dodged” a debate. “It’s disappointing but not surprising that our opponent continues to hide from the voters and play cheap political games instead of standing up and voicing his opinions,” Fernandez said. “Given that his party’s leadership is in lock-step with Donald Trump and destructive state policies that have put South Florida at risk, I can see why he turns and runs from the public.” Fernandez said the missed debate comes after Vargas declined a meeting with the Miami Herald’s editorial board all the while “littering the airwaves in Miami with misleading, negative advertisements paid for by unaccountable dark-money political committees … Vargas is running scared because he is running on the typical Tallahassee Republican playbook. No accountability, no thoughtful public policy discussion, just dirty campaign ads paid for by big-money special interests.”
— STATEWIDE —
“Scott has made enemies over voting rights during the last eight years” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times — In the nation’s largest swing state, Scott‘s actions on voting have angered county election supervisors, the League of Women Voters, college students and federal judges, one of whom recently dismantled Florida’s system of restoring voting rights to convicted felons. The courts have repeatedly ruled against Florida in voting cases, including the recent decision by U.S. District Judge Mark Walker, who ordered Scott to create a new process to restore felons’ voting rights. Rather than comply, Scott called the judge’s actions “reckless” and is appealing. “I served under five governors,” said retired supervisor of elections Ion Sancho, a former Democrat turned independent, who held office for 28 years in Tallahassee until 2016. “This is the most self-serving and partisan governor that I ever served with in the field of elections.”
“Scott’s Medicaid numbers come under fire” via Christine Sexton of the News Service of Florida — As Scott’s administration this week submits a request … to trim the amount of time people have to apply for Medicaid coverage, the state’s estimate of $98 million in savings associated with the change has come under fire from health-care providers … Providers also allege that the number of people impacted will exceed the 39,000 projected by the state. “I would say that Governor Scott’s Medicaid numbers should be carefully and independently analyzed,” said Joan Alker, executive director of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families who has extensively studied Florida’s Medicaid program.” John Tupps, a Scott spokesman, defended the governor’s handling of the Medicaid program … The latest dispute centers on a proposal to trim a length of time people have to apply for the Medicaid program … Earlier this month, AHCA said 39,000 people would be impacted by a switch to a 30-day period and that it should save $98 million. That’s a drastic reduction from the $500 million in savings that AHCA Secretary Justin Senior said could be saved.
“School shooting survivor calls for investment firm boycott” via Freida Frisaro of The Associated Press — A survivor of a mass shooting that killed 17 at a Florida high school in February is calling for a boycott of two of what he says are the biggest investors in gun manufacturers: BlackRock and The Vanguard Group. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School senior David Hogg used the hashtags #BoycottVanguard and #BoycottBlackrock in a Tuesday tweet. Both companies said in statements that they offer clients opportunities to select funds that do not include gun manufacturers. Carolyn Wegemann, a spokeswoman for The Vanguard Group, which handles 401 (K) retirement fund plans for many companies including The Associated Press, told AP that 359 of the company’s 388 funds do not directly invest in the top three gun manufacturers: AOBC, VSTO and RGR. BlackRock also said in a statement that it “regularly speaks” with gun manufacturers about how they are ensuring the safe, responsible use of their firearms.
“Parkland students David and Lauren Hogg have book deal” via The Associated Press — Siblings David and Lauren Hogg are working on “#NEVERAGAIN: A New Generation Draws the Line.” Random House announced that the book would come out June 5 and that the Hoggs were donating their proceeds to charity and community organizations. Random House is calling the book “a moving portrait” of a new political movement. The publisher will make a donation to Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit organization founded in 2014.
“Appellate court will review Joe Redner ‘home grow’ marijuana case” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics – An appellate court is asking Redner, a Tampa strip club mogul, why it shouldn’t “review” a lower court order that he can grow and make juice of medical marijuana. Outside lawyers for the Department of Health Tuesday appealed Circuit Judge Karen Gievers‘ decision to lift the ‘stay’ on the case, making her ruling have immediate effect. It also appealed the underlying decision. That same day, the 1st District Court of Appeal (DCA) issued an order to Redner to “show cause” why it shouldn’t act. The 1st DCA order gives Redner and his attorneys till Thursday to respond. That response hadn’t been filed with the court as of Wednesday morning, dockets show. Redner is a lung cancer survivor who is in remission. His doctors say juiced marijuana is the “optimal” way to keep his cancer in check.
“1st DCA asks Supreme Court to reconsider personal injury claims involving pollution” via Michael Moline of Florida Politics — The 1st District Court of Appeal asked the Florida Supreme Court to clarify whether the high court meant to rule eight years ago that state environmental law doesn’t allow parties to recover personal injury damages arising from toxic spills. Judge James Wolf, writing for a unanimous three-judge panel, took the high court at its word and denied a damages claim by a tow-truck driver who said he suffered acid burns while responding to a big-rig that spilled a load of batteries across a roadway. “(H)owever, we certify a question of great public importance asking the court to clarify the matter,” Wolf wrote. The case involved the Pollutant Discharge and Control Act, a 1970 law allowing “any person” to sue over “the … loss of any real or personal property, or … destruction of the environment and natural resources, including all living things except human beings;” and the 1983 Water Quality Assurance Act, which allows “any person to bring a cause of action … for all damages resulting from … pollution.”
“Appeal court: Evidence didn’t prove worker was drunk when hit by a truck on U.S. 1” via Michael Moline of Florida Politics — A state appellate court overruled a workers’ compensation judge who denied death and funeral benefits for an employee’s widow on the ground that he was intoxicated when he stepped into the path of a truck on U.S. 1. State law allows denial of benefits when a workplace death or injury is attributable to intoxication, the 1st District Court of Appeal said. “Nevertheless, we reverse the denial of benefits because competent, substantial evidence … does not support the (judge’s) ultimate conclusion that the employee’s death was primarily occasioned by his intoxication,” Judge Bradford Thomas wrote for a unanimous three-judge panel. The court cited failure by the employer and its insurer — Convergence Employee Leasing III Inc. and AmTrust North America of Florida — to comply with “the collection and chain of custody procedures set forth in the administrative rules.” Specifically, the blood-alcohol testing process didn’t meet the correct legal standard, the court said, and additional evidence cited in the lower court was not conclusive.
“Sunshine law case revived by appeals court” the News Service of Florida — A lawsuit alleging that the Port St. Lucie City Council violated Florida’s Sunshine Law in ousting a city manager should be allowed to move forward, a state appeals court ruled. A three-judge panel of the 4th District Court of Appeal overturned a circuit judge’s ruling in favor of the City Council and sent the case back for further consideration. The lawsuit, filed by the group Transparency for Florida, stemmed from a series of events in early 2013 that led to the departure of City Manager Greg Oravec. The lawsuit alleged, in part, that council members violated the Sunshine Law by holding discussions about dismissing Oravec and the negotiation of a severance agreement. A St. Lucie County circuit judge granted summary judgment to the City Council, finding that any violations of the Sunshine Law had been “cured” by a public meeting in which the council took up the termination and the severance agreement. But the appeals court overturned that circuit-court decision, pointing to issues such as the city giving less than a 24-hour notice of the council meeting.
“Former Alachua leader arrested in second DUI case” via Cindy Swirko of the Gainesville Sun — Former Alachua City Commissioner Ben Boukari was arrested on DUI charges for the second time in four months after sheriff’s deputies say he was pulled over after leaving the scene of an accident in Columbia County and fleeing authorities at an estimated 90 mph. Boukari, 34, was driving a black Ford Explorer west on U.S. 90 in Lake City at about 4:25 p.m. when he hit another motorist and kept going, according to an arrest report from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. A deputy spotted the SUV driving out of a ditch and then through the westbound lane into the eastbound lane at a high speed, forcing two eastbound cars off the road, the report said.
— D.C. MATTERS —
“Carlos Muniz confirmed for education department post” via the News Service of Florida – Muniz, a former top deputy to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as general counsel of the U.S. Department of Education. Muniz, who was confirmed in a 55-48 vote, was tapped for the federal post in March 2017. He served three years as deputy attorney general and chief of staff to Bondi before going to work for the firm McGuireWoods. Among other previous positions, Muniz was a deputy general counsel to former Gov. Bush.
“Nelson again blasts Jim Bridenstine as nominee for NASA administrator” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — During a 16-minute speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate, Nelson suggested that Bridenstine could be dangerous overseeing NASA missions that had previously ended in tragedy when higher-ups dismissed scientific and engineering warnings about potential problems. Bridenstine, a three-term Republican, is a former U.S. Navy pilot, and a former executive director of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium. But Nelson said that is not enough. After recounting the tragic errors that led to the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster and the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, Nelson declared that the space agency is not a place for someone as divisive as he said Bridenstine has been in Congress. “To make those decisions, the administrator must draw on all of his or her knowledge of engineering principals and of space flight, and all of his experience of managing large technological organizations, and every bit of judgment, reason and impartiality he or she can muster,” Nelson declared.
“Marco Rubio’s red alert: Florida election officials ‘overconfident’ about security threat” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times — Rubio bluntly warned local Florida officials about threats to election system security and said the state is a “beacon” for foreign actors. “I cannot emphasize enough the vulnerability,” the Florida Republican and Intelligence Committee member said. “Most of our election officials in Florida, I believe, with all due respect, are overconfident. I don’t think they fully understand the nature of the threat.” The primary threat is not the changing of votes, Rubio went on, but rather voter registration data. Analytics from Facebook and other sources could be used to identify supporters of a particular candidate and then hackers could go into county election systems and change voter registration or precincts so that on Election Day, people are turned away. “The narrative out there is going to be the Democrats in Broward County are keeping Republicans from voting,” Rubio said in his hypothetical. “And suddenly, you are going to have mass chaos across this country and anger and division.”
“Ron DeSantis, Matt Gaetz, Ted Yoho want DOJ, FBI to investigate Hillary Clinton, James Comey, other Obama officials” via the Sunshine State News — Gubernatorial hopeful U.S. Rep. DeSantis is leading several Republican members of Congress in asking U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and U.S. Attorney John Huber to investigate several Obama administration officials including former U.S. Sec. of State Clinton, former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lunch, former FBI Director Comey, former Acting Director of the FBI Andrew McCabe, FBI agent Peter Strzok and FBI Counsel Lisa Page, accusing them of violating the law on a host of matters ranging from the Steele dossier to Comey’s handling of an investigation of Clinton using a private server for her email. DeSantis rounded up 10 other House Republicans — including U.S. Reps. Gaetz and Yoho — to sign the letter. The letter focuses on a number of issues from the 2016 election and the aftermath of it but also touches on other matters, including Lynch’s handling of the Uranium One investigation. DeSantis and Gaetz are both key allies of President Donald Trump. As he runs for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, DeSantis has Trump’s support for the Republican nomination.
“Florida loses resettlement offices as refugee arrivals decline” via Ana Ceballos of the Naples Daily News — A Trump administration decision to crimp the flow of refugees into the U.S. last year triggered the closure of nearly half of Florida’s resettlement offices, threatening to strain state resources to cover the need of those who come here seeking asylum. Florida last year offered 25 refugee resettlement offices, but that number fell to 13 after offices closed due to a reduction in the number of refugees. The offices are fully funded by the federal government and overseen by the Florida Department of Children and Families. Some of the shuttered facilities now refer refugees to DCF, a move that could foreshadow an uptick in workload for Florida’s refugee program, the largest in the nation. DCF officials say they are currently operating at normal capacity and serving 282 refugees.
“The Hill says goodbye to 50 Most beautiful” via Judy Kurtz of The Hill — “It’s been a great run, but all things must come to an end,” The Hill editor-in-chief Bob Cusack said. “Rest in peace.” Since making its debut in 2004, 50 Most Beautiful has become an extraordinarily popular summertime tradition in Washington. Every year, editors pore through hundreds upon hundreds of nominations of D.C. hopefuls. Originally, the list featured lawmakers, journalists, congressional staffers and lobbyists. But in 2013, in honor of 50 Most Beautiful’s 10th anniversary, The Hill expanded its nomination pool to also include the White House, Cabinet departments and executive agencies. In a city where mudslinging, smear campaigns and partisan bickering are part of the game, 50 Most Beautiful sought to offer a fun and good-looking respite from the political noise coming out of Capitol Hill. While we’ll certainly miss our sunny celebration of delightful Democrats, ravishing Republicans and elegant everything-in-betweens, The Hill wants to thank everyone who helped complete this beautiful chapter.
— REID THIS —
A commanding voice in TV news media, Joy Reid is one of few who stands true to facts in an era of sensationalism, while also paving a revolution for women and minority TV journalists.
A recent Elle magazine feature of Reid shows that the top-rating show host on air isn’t much different than outside the newsroom; she’s dedicated a life to journalism — so much thta it’s hard for her to discern between on- and off-air conversations.
Reid, a former longtime columnist for the Miami Herald and host of MSNBC’s “AM Joy,” told Elle’s Veronique Hyland that she’s trying to fill her show “with as many fact-vitamins as we can, to inoculate our audience against the fact-free nonsense they’ll deal with the rest of the week. … We’re delivering people some ammunition to be able to fight in a fact-free world.”
Business is business: “As a woman of color,” a close source to Reid told Hyland, “there’s often this unspoken pressure to dot your i’s with hearts to avert the presumed angry Black woman stereotype. But Joy skirts past that and gets right to the business of unapologetic truth telling.”
Fact-breaking: Between sets when she appears on “Meet the Press,” time usually reserved for breaks, Reid’s been known to rush upstairs to fact-check. “In between segments, she wields her phone like a missile launcher, tweeting away or texting her family and friends.”
Love and war: Reid told Hyland that criticism of her has recently elevated to a rape threat, which she informed NBC about. Meanwhile, her sharp remarks on television are typically circulated around the internet by enthusiasts of the left. Her motto? Just keep going on.
— IN REMEMBRANCE —
“In Barbara Bush’s final days, faith, courage and a little last needling” via Peter Baker of The New York Times — Even in the final days of her life, Barbara Bush retained the sharp tongue that belied her grandmotherly image. When her eldest son, former President George W. Bush, visited about 10 days before her death, the two playfully needled each other in the way they always did. At one point, Mrs. Bush turned to her doctor. “You want to know why George W. is the way he is?” she asked. The doctor looked a little surprised. “Because I drank and smoked when I was pregnant with him,” she said … Former President George Bush, her husband of 73 years and the father of the younger Mr. Bush, was by her side when she passed away. Three of their children, Neil, Marvin and Dor
“Scott orders flags at half-staff for former First Lady” via the News Service of Florida – Scott ordered Florida and United States flags to be flown at half-staff Saturday to honor the former First Lady. The order, which was in conjunction with a proclamation by Trump, will lead to flags being flown at half-staff at all local and state buildings in Florida. Bush, 92, will be buried Saturday in Texas.
— MOVEMENTS —
“Carlos Lopez-Cantera’s brother-in-law to be next U.S. Marshal” via the Florida Bulldog – President Trump’s nominee to become the next U.S. Marshal in South Florida is the brother-in-law of Lt. Gov. Lopez-Cantera. The nomination of Gadyaces Serralta, a Miami-Dade police major, for the $160,000-a-year job was sent to the Senate last week for confirmation. Serralta is married to Lopez-Cantera’s sister, Monica. In 2014, he came under scrutiny in a public corruption investigation by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office focusing on thousands of dollars in fees that were paid by Lopez-Cantera’s 2008 state House campaign to an electioneering business owned by the Serraltas. Assistant State Attorney Howard Rosen concluded no crime was committed … A spokesman for Gov. Scott said Lopez-Cantera did not speak to anyone in the White House about his brother-in-law’s nomination.
New and lobbying registrations:
Leslie Dughi, Greenberg Traurig: The Hearth Insurance Group
Cynthia Henderson, Cynergy Consulting: American Fair Credit Council on behalf of Multistate
“Tampa Bay Times to slash dozens of jobs” via Ashley Gurbal Kritzer of the Tampa Bay Business Journal — The Tampa Bay Times is cutting “approximately” 50 jobs after new tariffs sent the price of newsprint skyrocketing. Paul Tash, the newspaper’s chairman and CEO, had warned of the potential for job cuts in a March 23 column, writing that the new tariffs could add more than $3 million to the Times’ newsprint bill. Times spokeswoman Sherri Day confirmed the layoffs and said they are a direct response to the tariffs. Day declined to specify how many of those layoffs would affect the newsroom, saying only that the “cuts are taking place throughout the organization.” She also declined to disclose the Times’ total number of employees.
— ALOE —
“Amazon partners with Best Buy on smart TVs” via Joseph Pisani of The Associated Press — Amazon has cut a deal to sell voice-controlled TVs at Best Buy, the latest attempt by the online retailer to get its burgeoning suite of tech products out where people can see and touch them. Best Buy already sells the Amazon Kindle and other gadgets, but the deal makes the electronics retailer the only place where you can walk in and buy a TV powered by Amazon’s Fire TV software. Investors seemed to like the partnership: Best Buy’s stock rose 4 percent.
What Michelle Todd is reading – “Target stores offering drive-up service in Florida, Texas” via The Associated Press — The service began last fall in Minneapolis, where the company is headquartered. Target hopes to expand the service to nearly 1,000 stores across the U.S. by the end of the year. Orders can be placed with the Target mobile app and should be ready in less than two hours. Customers then park in designated spots outside the store and employees bring out the orders. Other states with Target’s drive-up service are Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and South Carolina. Walmart officers a similar drive-up service for groceries at some locations, but Target’s service applies to any in-stock items at the store.
Happy birthday to Rep. Colleen Burton, our friend Towson Fraser, and one of St. Pete’s best, Rob Kapusta.
