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.
It’s only been eight years since Tallahassee’s “Taj Mahal” courthouse scandal made headlines, sparking an investigation into the state’s decision to fund a lavish $48 million building for the First District Court of Appeals. Granite counter tops, flat screen TVs and framed artwork were among the building’s high-end amenities.
Now, it appears another Taj Mahal, or several, might be in Florida’s future.
Late last year, in the time span of one month, the Department of Management Services waived a rule for eight state agencies that require them to look for office space in an existing building before they consider new construction.
As one might expect, the waiving of this rule for eight agencies in a row wasn’t simply a coincidence.
Three agencies — the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Department of Transportation and Department of State — have confirmed plans to move to a proposed new office complex on Blair Stone Road when their current leases with the Koger office complex expire in October 2019. This was first reported last month by James Call of the Tallahassee Democrat.
The remaining five agencies will be spread across the capital city, some miles away from their current southeast locations at the Koger and Winewood office communities.
So, what does this all mean for Florida taxpayers? That’s to be determined.
But with the Taj Mahal controversy still fresh in the minds of Florida voters, we wonder if the state learned its lesson the first time.
— DAYS UNTIL —
Florida GOP Sunshine Summit starts — 2; Democratic gubernatorial candidates debate in Fort Myers — 12; MLB All-Star Game — 21; Deadline for filing claim bills — 36; ‘The Race for Governor’ Republican gubernatorial debate — 36; ‘The Race for Governor’ Democratic gubernatorial debate in Miami — 37; Start of the U.S. Open — 62; Primary Election Day — 63; College Football opening weekend — 65; NFL season starts — 73; Future of Florida Forum — 92; ‘Before You Vote’ Florida U.S. Senate debate — 119; ‘Before You Vote’ Florida Governor debate — 120; General Election Day — 133; ‘Hamilton’ comes to the Straz Center — 233; 2019 Legislative Session starts — 252.
— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL —
“Bill Nelson intensifies criticism of Donald Trump administration over immigrant children” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times — Nelson said he has many unanswered questions following a visit to the Homestead facility housing young immigrants and asserted it’s “obvious” there is no plan for reuniting those children with their parents. Nelson flashed irritation about being told that the person responsible for that job was not available Saturday because she works Monday through Friday. The Democrat, locked in a tight re-election campaign, tried “numerous times” to call that person “with no response.” Nelson also suggested politics are at play because Republican Sen. Marco Rubio was able to get into the facility Friday before Nelson’s Saturday visit. Nelson initially tried to get in Tuesday but was denied at the door, saying he needed to give a two-week notice. “This is the most partisan administration in all my years of representing Florida up here,” Nelson said, adding he was including his time in the House.
“Odd bedfellows: Rick Scott administration helps Nelson continue office communication” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida — Gov. Scott’s administration last month did give Nelson a boost by helping him continue to use his official office for mass mailings and other messaging tools. Like all members of the U.S. Senate, Nelson can use taxpayer dollars through his official office to send mass mailings, maintain a mobile Senate office, send unsolicited emails and use the Senate’s official TV studios. They are deemed official constituent communications, not political advertising, but have long been seen as an incumbent advantage tool that allows members to send communications to constituents that include messages aligned with campaign themes … Senate rules do not allow an incumbent to use those taxpayer-funded functions 60 days before a primary unless the incumbent does not have a primary opponent. That’s where Scott’s election office comes into play. For any senator to keep continue to keep communicating through their office, state election officials must confirm they are uncontested. In this case, that fell to Scott-appointed Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner, who had to send his certification to the Senate Rules Committee that Nelson was uncontested in the Democratic primary.
“Scott pulls in $670K with NRSC in May” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida -Scott last month raised more than $670,000 last month through a joint fundraising committee with the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the Washington-based group that coordinates national GOP Senate races. The money technically goes to the Rick Scott for Victory Fund, which is separate from Scott’s official U.S. Senate campaign, but directly boosts his efforts against Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson, the three-term incumbent Scott is challenging. Though the $671,800 raised through the agreement in May will technically be split between Scott’s victory committee and the NRSC due to campaign finance caps, all the money raised through the agreement will likely benefit Scott’s campaign. The NRSC is already heavily engaged and is likely to use any money raised with Scott on the Florida race.
Happening today: Gov. Scott will make campaign stops at businesses in Collier, Hillsborough and Duval counties. (9:30 a.m., Two Guys Kitchen and Catering, 1230 Airport Pulling Road North, Naples. Also, 11:45 a.m., Florida Forklift, 3221 North 40th St., Tampa. Also, 3:45 p.m., Bobcat of Jacksonville, 1182 Suemac Road, Jacksonville.)
Jeff Greene, Andrew Gillum appear at Miami Gardens gubernatorial forum — Greene and Gillum were the only Democratic candidates to appear at a forum Monday at the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Miami Gardens, sponsored by the Florida East Coast Baptist Association and Faith in Florida. Michael Puntney from WPLG moderated the event. While all Democratic and Republican candidates were invited, but according to the church, the others did not reply or couldn’t make it. Greene talked about education, the economy, gun control, and criminal justice reform, and appreciated the fact that he came to speak with them — noting that some others did not.
Inbox from Florida Democratic Party’s Kevin Donohoe: “Is Mike Pence over Adam Putnam.” Donohoe’s email highlights a CNN report that says “Trump or Pence would probably be on the trail soon for Ron DeSantis, who is running for governor in Florida; and that there also would be some engagement from Trump with GOP gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner in Pennsylvania.”
>>>Sunburn is unclear why the FDP is suggesting Pence is over Putnam. Trump has said he’d campaign for DeSantis. That CNN report doesn’t mention anything about Pence backing away from his former U.S. House colleague.
Frank White drops second statewide ad in AG race — According to his campaign, the new TV ad from Republican state Rep. White — titled “Tough. Effective. Conservative.” — makes him the only candidate for Attorney General advertising statewide. The 30-second, part of the $1 million ad buy, spot touts his “Constitutional conservative” bona fides, with a “record to back it up.” The ad also talks of White’s A+ rating from the NRA, his 100 percent pro-life stance, support of term limits and “stands with President Trump.”
To view the ad, click the image below:
“New Matt Haggman ad features wife: ‘Trump is destroying families’” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — A new ad from Democratic congressional candidate Matt Haggman is once again going after the Donald Trump administration over its immigration policies. This time, however, Haggman is using his wife Danet Linares, whose family migrated from Cuba through the Freedom Tower. In the ad, which is set to air on English TV stations, Linares speaks in Spanish critiquing Trump’s now-reversed policy to separate migrant children from their families when the parents have been charged with entering the country illegally. Linares says, “My parents arrived from Cuba on the Freedom Flights. My family is everything to me. Trump is destroying families. In Congress, my husband Matt will do everything possible to eliminate ICE.” The ad will run with English subtitles.
To view the ad, click on the image below:
“Write-ins closed five legislative primaries” via the News Service of Florida — Florida law allows all voters in a legislative district to cast ballots in a primary election if each candidate is from the same party. But under the “write-in loophole,” the presence of a write-in candidate restricts the primary to voters of one party. The Senate races are in Palm Beach County’s Senate District 30, where only Democrats will be able to vote in the primary between Sen. Bobby Powell and fellow Democrat Rubin Anderson, and in Broward County’s Senate District 34, where only Democrats will be able to vote in the primary between Sen. Gary Farmer and fellow Democrat Jim Waldman. The House races are in House District 56 in DeSoto, Hardee and Polk counties, where only Republicans will be able to vote in the primary between GOP candidates Melony Bell and Jeff Mann; in Hillsborough County’s House District 61, where only Democrats will be able to vote in the primary between Democratic candidates Sharon Carter, Norman Harris, Dianne Hart and Karen Skyers; and in Hillsborough County’s House District 62, where only Democrats will be able to vote in the primary between Democratic candidates Mike Alvarez, Christopher Carlos Cano and Susan Valdes.
“Susan Valdes campaign threatens man for posting video” via Florida Politics — A Tampa man says a campaign consultant working with School Board member Valdes, now a candidate for House District 62, threatened to get him fired and booted out of the Democratic Party for posting a video of Valdes on Facebook. The five-minute video, recorded during a Saturday meeting of the Hillsborough Hispanic Democratic Caucus, is of Valdes’ response to a question of whether she would accept or reject campaign funding from the National Rifle Association, charter schools, the sugar industry or real estate development companies. In it, Valdes eventually says she will not accept funding from the NRA, but firmly declined to make the same pledge when it comes to “the other folks.” … “When people donate to me, let me make it clear, it’s because they believe in what I’m doing, not that I’m going to support what they want me to support. That’s not the way Susan Valdes rolls — has ever rolled. Ever,” she says in the video … she says that when the interest groups such as charter schools about donate to her, “that’s what they’re buying.”
First in Sunburn – Florida Democratic Party announces Leadership Blue speaker line-up — The FDP announced the lineup for the sold-out 2018 Leadership Blue Gala, which includes Democratic Governors Association (DGA) Chair, Governor Jay Inslee of Washington, House Assistant Minority Leader Jim Clyburn, and Sen. Nelson. “We are so excited to welcome Leader Clyburn, and Chair of the Democratic Governors Association Governor Jay Inslee to speak to Florida Democrats, as we look to elect a Democratic Governor for the first time in 24 years,” said FDP Chair Terrie Rizzo. “This weekend couldn’t come at a more important time. We are so excited for this opportunity for Democrats across the state to come together to strategize, train, and prepare to turn Florida blue in 2018.” The sold-out event is being held this coming weekend in Hollywood and will include grassroots training, strategy meetings with Democratic caucuses and clubs, and Saturday night’s Gala.
“‘Protect Dogs’ drops new video on greyhound industry” via Florida Politics — Advocates for a ballot initiative to put an end to dog racing have released a video to bolster their claim that “greyhounds are confined for as much as 23 hours per day at Florida racetracks.” The 1-minute, 33-second YouTube video, titled “Greyhound Racers Can’t Handle the Truth,” was posted on Monday by the Protect Dogs — Yes on 13 group. The video purports to use the greyhound industry’s own words against it, showing clips of breeders, trainers and others saying how often dogs are let out of their cages to exercise, suggesting they are confined a minimum of 21 hours daily. It also showcases several still photos of dogs in kennels, adding “…when greyhound racers try to distort the facts, tell them you know the truth.”
To view the video, click the image below:
— STATEWIDE —
“Disney ‘die-in’ protest canceled to avoid ‘trauma’ to kids” via Gray Rohrer of the Orlando Sentinel — A “die-in” protest at a Walt Disney Co. property initially planned for June has been called off, a co-founder of the gun control advocacy group called National Die In, said … “People were saying, ‘you’re going to traumatize children,’” said Nurah Abdulhaqq, a Georgia teen who helped start National Die In group. The protest was originally designed to draw attention to Disney’s large donations to a political committee supporting Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam over his support for the NRA and bills to ease gun laws. Putnam called himself a “proud NRA sellout” in 2017, upsetting many gun control activists. Disney has given $739,000 to Florida Grown, the political committee, since 2015, including $300,000 since Feb. 14, when 17 students and faculty were shot and killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
“Report on Jack Latvala case is presented to state prosecutors” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times — The 90-page report was the work of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and took about six months. State Attorney Jack Campbell in Tallahassee estimated that he and his senior staff would take about two weeks to study the report and decide whether the facts as outlined by FDLE warrant prosecution. Latvala and his attorney, Steve Andrews, were puzzled as to why FDLE still had not sent the report to prosecutors, two months after the ex-lawmaker was interviewed.
“Financial regulator job draws 34 hopefuls” via the News Service of Florida — The most prominent being state Rep. Jay Fant, as Gov. Scott and the Cabinet seek to quickly fill the position. Scott and the Cabinet will hold a conference call on Wednesday to discuss replacing Office of Financial Regulation Commissioner Drew Breakspear. Fant, who oversaw the final years of a family-owned bank that went out of business after the recession, abandoned a campaign for Attorney General to apply for the financial regulator job. Aides for Scott and the Cabinet members are expected to discuss the applicants on Tuesday. Among the final resumes posted were William Jannace, who said he has worked nearly 30 years in the securities industry at the American and New York stock exchanges and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, (FINRA), which is a private, self-regulatory organization; Kevin Rosen, a partner with Shutts & Bowen who practices law in securities and financial regulation and who spent 16 years with FINRA as a senior regional counsel; and Rose Schindler, an attorney with Greenspoon Marder in Boca Raton, concentrating in the areas of securities regulation.
Happening today — Aides to Gov. Scott and the Florida Cabinet will meet 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol in advance of a Wednesday state Cabinet meeting. During the upcoming meeting, Scott and Cabinet members could appoint a replacement for Drew Breakspear, who is stepping down as commissioner of the state Office of Financial Regulation.
“Charles Canady moves back in the Chief Justice role” via the News Service of Florida — Florida Supreme Court Justice Canady will start a two-year stint as chief justice Sunday, succeeding Jorge Labarga, who will remain on the court. Canady, who served as chief justice from 2010 to 2012, was sworn in as chief justice during a small ceremony last week … Canady, a former state lawmaker, congressman and appellate judge, was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2008 by then-Gov. Charlie Crist. The other members of the Supreme Court elect the chief justice.
“Supreme Court removes judge from bench” via Dara Kam of the News Service of Florida — In the unanimous decision, the court ordered the removal of Judge Scott DuPont, who heard cases in Putnam and Flagler counties in the 7th Judicial Circuit. The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission, which investigates wrongdoing by judges, recommended that DuPont be taken off the bench after a hearing panel found numerous violations of judicial canons, including an allegation that DuPont published false allegations online about his 2016 election challenger, Malcolm Anthony, and Anthony’s family members. The investigation also found that, during a candidate forum in 2016, DuPont said that he would not find a state law unconstitutional “because it’s not my job to legislate from the bench,” a “blatant violation” of judicial canons that ban judges from predetermining how they will decide on certain cases. The panel also took issue with DuPont for changing the times of first-appearance hearings in criminal cases during Memorial Day weekend in 2016 to accommodate his campaign schedule. DuPont admitted he “made a poor decision” but “simply could not say why he started the hearing early,” according to court records.
“Proposed medical marijuana rules already bringing challenges” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics — They haven’t even been approved, but proposed rules on medical marijuana have already drawn legal challenges. Liberty Health Sciences, a licensed medicinal cannabis provider, is challenging two rules, both debuted only two weeks ago. One is on a “supplemental licensing fee” and another covers a “variance procedure” for the state’s medical marijuana treatment centers. Both challenges were filed last week in the Division of Administrative Hearings … “We’re not generally opposed to the concept of either rule,” LHS attorney John Lockwood said. “We’re just concerned with some of the formalities imposed.”
Happening today — Representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the James Madison Institute, among others, are hosting a conference call to release a study — “Stepping Up: Florida’s Top Juvenile Pre-Arrest Diversion Efforts” — 9 a.m. Call-in number: 1-813-769-0500. Code: 664087887.
“State looks to give tourism boost to Keys” via the News Service of Florida — While boasting about how quickly the Keys were able to reopen after last September’s storm, VISIT FLORIDA’s approximately $200,000 “Keys to Summer” campaign is intended to reaffirm the islands are open. Unlike a $5 million post-Irma marketing effort last fall and winter, a big part of the upcoming drive will involve the use of social media. The campaign also is employing digital billboards in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami that show the miles to the Keys and includes a partnership with American Airlines highlighting a new direct route from Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport to Key West International Airport.
“Questions linger as ‘Hurricane Formula One’ bears down on Miami” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — Hurricane Irma hit Florida last year as a Category Four hurricane and caused billions of dollars worth of damage in South Florida. But the Miami City Commission last month voted to bring “Hurricane Formula One” to the streets of Miami every year for the next ten years. Miami’s city manager is now negotiating with Formula One on terms to bring the race to Miami. But there are lingering questions of who is paying for this storm of sound and expense that’s bearing down on the city.
Norman Braman seeking a ‘lift’ from the state — The billionaire auto dealer has asked state regulators for an exemption from elevator regulations at his Palm Beach Bentley and Rolls-Royce dealership, records show. Braman seeks a variance from a rule governing elevator “platform guards and bottom car clearances” because it “poses a significant economic/financial hardship.” A design flaw was found only after construction, his petition says, and the “current structural elements” at the dealership cost “in excess of $8 million.” The dealership tried to conform the elevator to Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines but couldn’t “due to varying elevations.” Instead, Braman is asking to use a “retractable toe guard,” a platform-type device often used for uneven floors.
— THAT TIME OF YEAR —
On July 1, 105 new state laws will take effect.
Reports Jim Turner for the News Service of Florida, “Lawmakers sent 195 bills to Scott from the session that ended in March. The governor vetoed two, while signing the rest … of the remainder, 54 went into effect upon Scott’s signature, with the rest effective in October or 2019.”
Turner recalls some of the high-profile pieces of legislation that will come into play on Sunday — including the House’s omnibus education bill that included “Hope Scholarships” for bullied students.
Drugs: An opioid-prevention package signed by Gov. Rick Scott “will place limits on prescriptions that doctors can write for treatment of acute pain.”
Child marriage: A partial ban on child marriages that prevents anyone under the age of 17 from getting married, is among the new laws. “In the past, minors ages 16 and 17 have been able to get marriage licenses with parental consent, and judges have had [the] discretion to issue licenses to younger minors if they have children or if pregnancies are involved.”
Daylight saving time: Still awaiting congressional approval, the new law could mean Florida observes daylight saving time year-round.
— D.C. MATTERS —
“Carlos Curbelo: Migrant children housed in Cutler Bay are ‘happy’” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — A trio of Florida congressmen toured a migrant housing facility in Cutler Bay Monday, with Rep. Curbelo noting the children appeared to be treated “exceptionally well” and “were smiling, they were happy.” That’s according to a report from The Associated Press. Curbelo was joined by fellow Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. The visit to Catholic Charities Boystown was bipartisan, however, as Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz also attended. About 70 children are being housed at the facility. Curbelo says 22 of those children have been separated from their parents. According to the AP, Curbelo said the center is “doing a good job” of caring for those separated children. But he also made clear in comments to CBSMiami that he opposes the overall practice, and is looking for a legislative fix to stop it in the future.
“U.S. Senate approves Frank Brogan for top K-12 job at Education Department” via Education Weekly — Brogan replaces Jason Botel, the acting assistant secretary who clashed with Sen. Lamar Alexander over the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act. … Brogan has already been on hand at the department as a senior aide, serving as the acting assistant secretary for post-secondary education since late January. But now he’ll be able to do the job he was nominated for.
— OPINIONS —
“Florida needs to explain its own price gouging” via the Tampa Bay Times editorial board — In the wake of Hurricane Irma last fall, Attorney General Pam Bondi vowed to scour Florida to prevent businesses from exploiting consumers by price gouging. It turns out she could have just looked down the hall in the state capitol … it appears Gov. Scott’s administration may have been responsible for the state’s most egregious case of price gouging. Ignoring existing contracts for hurricane cleanup and disposal may have inexplicably cost taxpayers $30 million in unnecessary bills. Usually, local officials strike a deal with private firms ahead of time to ensure an immediate response and price certainty after a major storm hits and cleanup is a priority. Monroe County, which absorbed the brunt of Hurricane Irma’s force as it moved over the Keys, had exactly that type of contract with the debris-hauling firm AshBritt. Yet, two days after the storm, the Florida Department of Transportation hired two outside firms to begin the cleanup. Apparently, cost was not a consideration. The Scott administration says it intervened because the local government asked for assistance. Except that doesn’t appear to be true. In a deposition given in a lawsuit filed by AshBritt, the Monroe County emergency services expert says he never made the request. He says he later called Tallahassee and questioned why extra firms were being hired and was never given an explanation.
— JOKE’S ON US —
Trying to drive home a point about the momentum of GateHouse Media, NiemanLab writer Ken Doctor began a recent story on the publisher by recalling a Florida Politics April Fool’s Joke.
On April 1, we published a joke story: “Tampa Bay Times to be sold to GateHouse Media in $79M deal.” But some took the ‘news’ to heart, as it followed the company’s head-turning rate of purchasing outlets. GateHouse now owns 146 dailies, adding two more since we published the April Fool’s Joke.
“The news wasn’t real, but it was believable: GateHouse’s acquisition appetite has seemed insatiable,” Doctor wrote.
He also discussed the state of publishing and GateHouse’s ambitions with Mike Reed, who directs the company’s investments.
Close to home: Reed says the paper is looking for products that have dedicated audiences who are interested in local news. “We believe that local news, in today’s world, is more valuable than it ever has been — if you can provide something that’s unique to a consumer, that they value and want. Then you have something long-term that continues to be sustainable and of value.”
Staffing up: The company, which recently purchased the Palm Beach Post, has made notable additions to its executive staff. GateHouse is spearheading a consumer marketing agency from within to focus on “products and services including apps, podcasts, specialty newsletters, e-editions and other digital products across the entire enterprise.”
Suspicions remain: Notes Doctor, “In 2017, its revenue was down almost six percent compared to 2016. Its earnings report for the first quarter of 2018 showed a decline of 4.5 percent compared to the same time last year.” Reed pointed to the recent hires as a way of dismissing suggestions that the company is employing a “burn-the-furniture, maximize profit, and turn-off-the-lights strategy.”
— MOVEMENTS —
“Personnel note: Amanda Handley joins Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association” via Florida Politics — The association (FRLA) announced the hire of Handley as its new press secretary. She brings expertise in media relations and strategic message development to the state hospitality trade industry’s association, the group said in a Monday news release. “Amanda’s experience, work ethic and passion for communication and community will bring exceptional value to our organization,” said Carol Dover, the association’s President and CEO. “We proud to have her as part of our FRLA family and excited to leverage her talents and skills as we continue to advocate for the hospitality industry.”
— ALOE —
“Apple to unveil high-end AirPods, over-ear headphones for 2019” via Mark Gurman and Debby Wu of Bloomberg — The Cupertino, California-based company is working on new AirPods with noise-cancellation and water resistance … Apple is trying to increase the range that AirPods can work away from an iPhone or iPad … You won’t be swimming in them though: The water resistance is mainly to protect against rain and perspiration … Slated for 2019, the earbuds will likely cost more than the existing $159 pair, and that could push Apple to segment the product line like it does with iPhones. Apple is also working on a wireless charging case that’s compatible with the upcoming AirPower charger. The company has also internally discussed adding biometric sensors to future AirPods, like a heart-rate monitor, to expand its health-related hardware offerings beyond the Apple Watch … The current AirPods will be refreshed later this year with a new chip and support for hands-free Siri activation, Bloomberg News reported.
Happy birthday to top fundraiser Lydia Claire Brooks, state Rep. Lawrence McClure, Eric Carr, and Ann Herberger
