Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
In case you forgot: Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) will lead a delegation of small and mid-sized Florida businesses on an export sales mission to Hong Kong and Guangzhou, China from this Friday (June 1) through June 9.
“Hong Kong and Guangzhou are two strong and vibrant export markets for U.S. companies,” said Manny Mencia, senior vice president of International Trade and Development for Enterprise Florida, in a statement.
“As a result of China’s increasing domestic consumption and growing middle class, significant market potential exists for companies focused on collaboration and mutual benefit,” Mencia said.
“Florida companies are well-positioned to take advantage of these opportunities, and this mission will provide an excellent vehicle to expand trade opportunities.”
According to the US-China Business Council, China ranked as the No. 5 global export market for the state of Florida and third largest export market for services in 2016.
Florida exports to China supported 34,900 American jobs in 2015. U.S. goods exported to China in 2015 were $116.2 billion, and U.S. exports of services to China were an estimated $42.5 billion in 2014 (the latest data available).
Evening Reads
“Harvard study estimates at least 4,645 people died as a result of Hurricane Maria. The official death toll is 64.” via Arelis R. Hernandez and Laurie McGinley of The Washington Post
“DNC Chairman Tom Perez to court Puerto Rican voters in Orlando” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“New Rick Scott ad: Bill Nelson has been in office a ‘thousand years?’” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
“Nelson says Scott to blame for ‘Florida health care crisis’” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
“John Morgan tells Rick Scott to drop appeal in medical marijuana case” via Arek Sarkissian of POLITICO
“Agriculture Commissioner candidates take aim at NAFTA” via Jim Turner of the News Service of Florida
“Joe Biden endorses Darren Soto over Alan Grayson in congressional primary” via Marc Caputo of POLITICO Florida
“Parkland activists spur voter registration at 1,000 schools” via Wilfredo Lee and Kelli Kennedy of The Associated Press
“Florida Supreme Court suspends prominent lawyer involved in insider trading scheme” via Frances McMorris of the Tampa Bay Business Journal
“Florida seeks tourism boost after Alberto blows through” via Jim Turner of the News Service of Florida
Quote of the Day
“I believe Gov. Scott has a political chance to make a huge dent … Imagine the headlines tomorrow: ‘Great Scott: Gov. Scott drops medical marijuana appeal.’ I think he gains five points overnight.” — John Morgan, in a news conference asking Rick Scott to drop an appeal of a judge’s decision allowing smokable medical marijuana in the state.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The Education Estimating Conference will discuss issues related to public-school enrollment at 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.
The Re-employment Assistance Appeals Commission will meet at 9:30 a.m., 101 Rhyne Building, 2740 Centerview Dr., Tallahassee.
U.S. Sen. Nelson holds a roundtable discussion with community leaders and environmental advocates in Little Haiti to discuss the effects of climate change. That’s at 10:30 a.m., Little Haiti Cultural Center — Gallery Room, 212 NE 59th Terrace, Miami.
The Revenue Estimating Conference is slated to consider a series of issues, including what is known as post-session “outlooks,” at 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.
Long shot Republican gubernatorial candidates Bruce Nathan and Bob White are slated to debate at 6 p.m., Seminole County Library, 245 North Hunt Club Blvd., Longwood.
In a call for a $15-an-hour minimum wage, Kristen Carlson and Raymond Pena, who are Lakeland Democrats running in Congressional District 15, will jointly host a town hall meeting to support more union jobs and higher wages. That’s at 6 p.m., University of South Florida, Marshall Student Center, Room 3705, 4103 Cedar Circle, Tampa.
