Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
The Florida Commission on Ethics meets tomorrow. Among the items on the agenda: Discussing the panel’s 2019 lobbying efforts.
“It makes sense for the Commission to state its position on legislation affecting the Commission … and doing so would likely give the Commission a greater legislative presence,” says a memo from executive director Virlindia Doss to panel members.
“The only downside I can think of is that the Commission may be criticized for, or called upon to defend, its position,” she wrote. “For example, if it expresses a view that a proposal is too draconian, it may be criticized for being ‘soft’ on ethics.”
Among related topics for consideration:
— Whether the Commission should use social media. Doss said, however, the “unresolved accessibility and public records issues associated with those platforms make me really hesitant to do so.” Instead, she suggests a regular “Legislative Ethics Watch” newsletter posted online.
— Increasing staff time devoted to lobbying. “I think we will have to do so if the Commission opts to raise its profile in this area.”
— Working with “external organizations.” Doss mentioned Integrity Florida and the League of Women Voters. “The challenge is … not many groups are interested in our issues, and those that are interested don’t have a lot of sway with the Legislature.”
The meeting starts at 8:30 a.m., at the 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Drive in Tallahassee.
Evening Reads
“More Americans are crediting Donald Trump with the strong economy, but that isn’t helping the GOP with voters” via John Harwood of CNBC
“Florida gets its $19.2 million in federal election security money” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
“Marco Rubio on Donald Trump’s ‘very bad’ ZTE deal” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“Bill Nelson meets with Puerto Rico evacuees in Washington” via Steven Lemongello of the Orlando Sentinel
“Patrick Murphy won’t run for governor, plans Gwen Graham endorsement” via Marc Caputo of POLITICO Florida
“Jeff Greene pulling votes from Gwen Graham in South Florida, pollster says” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics
“Adam Putnam lists public safety plans if elected Florida governor” via The Associated Press
“The ouster of a top financial regulator just became a campaign issue in the race for CFO” via Kirby Wilson of the Tampa Bay Times
“Parkland parent resigns from state commission to investigate Stoneman Douglas shooting” via David Smiley of the Miami Herald
“Bob Gualtieri: Lawmakers ‘got it right’ on school safety officer funding” via Daniel Ducassi of POLITICO Florida
“Pulse nightclub shooting survivors sue Orlando, its police” via The Associated Press
Quote of the Day
“I have decided not to enter the race for governor because there is one Democratic candidate already demonstrating the leadership Florida needs and fighting for the values we share — and that Democrat is Gwen Graham.” — Former U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy.
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Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, which was created this year as part of a school-safety law, will meet in Broward County. That’s at 8 a.m., BB&T Center, Chairman’s Club, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise.
The Florida Board of Medicine will take up numerous physician discipline cases from across the state at 8 a.m., Marriott Tampa Airport, 4200 George J. Bean Parkway, Tampa.
The Florida State University Board of Trustees will take up a series of issues, including the school’s 2018-2019 operating budget. That’s at 8:30 a.m., Florida State University, Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.
Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet will hold a conference call to discuss the appointment process for a new head of the state Office of Financial Regulation. Office of Financial Regulation Commissioner Drew Breakspear announced last week he was stepping down at the end of June. The call is at 4 p.m., to be streamed live on The Florida Channel.
Looking Ahead
The state will hold a “license-free” freshwater fishing weekend. Floridians and visitors will be able to go freshwater fishing without licenses Saturday and Sunday.
The Florida Federation of Teenage Republicans will hold its annual convention in Orange County at 10:30 a.m., Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Dr., Orlando.
Republican U.S. Reps. Matt Gaetz and Ron DeSantis, who is also a GOP candidate for Governor, will be holding a pair of joint campaign rallies in Pensacola and Valparaiso. The Pensacola event begins 10:30 a.m. Central time at Palafox House, 196 N. Palafox St. At 2:30 p.m. Central time, the pair will be at Compass Rose, 303 E Glen Ave., Valparaiso. Both events are open to the public, as well as national and regional news media.
Democratic gubernatorial candidates Andrew Gillum, Gwen Graham, Chris King and Philip Levine are scheduled to take part in a debate in Pinellas County. The debate will be televised by Spectrum Bay News 9 in the Tampa Bay area and Spectrum News 13 in the Orlando area. That’s at 6:30 p.m., Pinellas Park High School, auditorium, 6305 118th Ave. North, Largo.
