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.
How does a moderate reconcile helping re-elected Republican lawmakers in the Age of Trump? I explain why I do it in this blog post I hope you will read. Click here to read the full blog post.
In the same vein (even though the columnist reaches a different conclusion), this David Brooks piece is worthy of your time: “Republican or conservative; you have to choose.”
— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —
—@SenBillNelson: Have just been told by HHS that they are planning to set up ”family camps” where children and parents would be detained together. I asked what is a “family camp” and how would it work? They said they don’t know yet.
—@RepDeSantis: The Supreme Court has rightfully upheld President Trump’s executive order prohibiting travel from failed countries and state sponsors of terror. Glad the Court affirmed the President’s lawful authority to protect our national security.
—@MBFforCongress: What is the point of having a congressman with a literal “seat at the table” with POTUS, if he won’t stand up and fight for the issues that matter to his constituents? @marioDB is both spineless and an abject failure as a leader
—@DeFede: .@MarioDB is a politician that believes access to the President is valuable. @MBFforCongress argues that access stokes his ego but achieves little for his district. And therein lies the question of this election: Do we need access to power or a check on that power?
—@MayorLevine: .@Shaq is on #TeamLevine, are you? This is our year to change the direction of Florida! Growing up I worked every job, from washes dishes to washing cars. I’m running for Governor to level the playing field, so everyone has a shot at the American dream.
—@ShevrinJones: When I look at the evangelicals today, I finally see what Mahatma Gandhi meant when he said: ”I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
—@Fineout: Florida should know tomorrow how successful @FLGovScott decision to spend $57 million on the water wars fight with Georgia has been. SCOTUS is down to 2 remaining decisions for term inc the Ga v Fla case. Court expected to announce those final 2 decisions at 10 a.m. Wed
—@JeffBurlew: Agriculture Commissioner @adamputnam says investigators have not yet determined cause of Eastpoint forest fire. Comments came during news conference at Eastpoint Volunteer Fire Station
— DAYS UNTIL —
Florida GOP Sunshine Summit starts — 1; Democratic gubernatorial candidates debate in Fort Myers — 11; MLB All-Star Game — 20; Deadline for filing claim bills — 35; ‘The Race for Governor’ Republican gubernatorial debate — 35; ‘The Race for Governor’ Democratic gubernatorial debate in Miami — 36; Start of the U.S. Open — 61; Primary Election Day — 62; College Football opening weekend — 64; NFL season starts — 72; Future of Florida Forum — 91; ‘Before You Vote’ Florida U.S. Senate debate — 118; ‘Before You Vote’ Florida Governor debate — 119; General Election Day — 132; ‘Hamilton’ comes to the Straz Center — 232; 2019 Legislative Session starts — 251.
— TOP STORY —
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on Tuesday to uphold a Presidential order halting immigration from a select group of mostly-Muslim countries.
As expected, reactions from Florida officials and politicians were mixed, but mostly bipartisan — except for Congressman Carlos Curbelo. The South Florida Republican issued a bold statement urging the “administration to discontinue this misguided policy and instead take action to continue our tradition of welcoming those who are persecuted.”
Other Conservatives would likely disagree with Curbelo. But some, namely Democrats, might align with him as they took to Twitter or distributed statements to reporters condemning the ruling.
The right: Republican Reps. Neal Dunn, Vern Buchanan and Ron DeSantis were vocal in their support for the ruling. DeSantis, who’s running for Governor, highlighted Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurrence, which pointed out how lower court judges can exercise an undue amount of power — a reference to the injunction placed on the ban ahead of its SCOTUS hearing.
The left: Congresswoman Val Demings, Lois Frankel and Frederica Wilson lashed out against the ruling. Frankel said the decision “feeds into fear and hatred, and abandons our deeply held American values of diversity and freedom of religion.” Wilson compared the decision to Korematsu v. United States, which allowed internment of the Japanese during World War II.
Campaign trail: DeSantis was more outspoken — at least on Twitter — about the ruling than his opponent Adam Putnam. Democrats Jeff Greene, Chris King, Andrew Gillum and Gwen Graham all criticized the SCOTUS decision. Both King and Gillum called it “xenophobic” and Greene said it “doubles down on [Donald Trump’s] racist agenda.” Graham dubbed the ruling “un-American.”
— NELSON VS. SCOTT —
Rick Scott: If Congress doesn’t pass a budget, they shouldn’t get paid” via Kirby Wilson of the Tampa Bay Times — In a rollout event at Florida Forklift in Tampa, the governor said congressional officials shouldn’t get a salary if they fail to pass a budget. “In Washington, it’s completely dysfunctional. They don’t do their job. They don’t get things done,” Scott said to the crowd of several dozen, which included state Sen. Dana Young. “Why should they get paid when they don’t do their job? Their most important job is the budgeting job.” The policy is Scott’s fourth in a series he calls, “Make Washington Work.” Scott brushed off concerns about the feasibility of his program after the event. “I’m going to continue to put out policy proposals … I know some of them are going to be difficult to get done. I’m not going to give up. I’m going to work hard to get them done. I don’t think anyone thought we could get to 1.5 million jobs when I got elected back in 2010. We worked on that every day and we dealt with our numbers there.”
—”Bill Nelson by 4 or Scott by 5? Dueling polls show Florida Senate race might be tied” via Marc Caputo of POLITICO Florida
— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL —
“NBC News poll: Putnam clear GOP Gov. front-runner, Democrats split” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics — A fresh poll shows Putnam with a solid lead in the Republican primary for Governor, while on the Democratic side it’s still anybody’s race. The NBC News/Marist Poll found Putnam leading DeSantis 38-21 percent, with 39 percent undecided. … On the Democratic side, Levine is on top with 19 percent support, followed by Graham in the No. 2 spot with 17 percent support. The other three major Democrats vying for the Governor’s Mansion — Gillum, King and Greene — combine to have 15 percent support among Sunshine State Democrats, 47 percent of whom say they haven’t decided who they will support in the primary. Only about a third of those who said they were supporting a particular candidate in the Democratic primary said they were firm supporters, adding a layer of mystery regarding who is really on top in the five-way race primary. … Crosstabs included in the poll mainly focused on Trump … Floridians gave Trump a negative job approval rating, with 43 percent approving and 46 percent disapproving … When it comes to Robert Mueller’s investigation into the president, 46 percent of Floridians say it’s fair, while 36 percent are calling foul.
King campaign points to own polls, says ‘support is growing’ — A day after an NBC News/Marist Poll was the latest to put him in last place among Democratic gubernatorial candidates, the King campaign says its support is growing in “key demographics.” In the words of senior adviser Omar Khan: “We’ve said all along in this campaign that when voters meet Chris King, they tend to support him. As we continue to introduce Chris and his bold, progressive vision to voters across Florida, we’ll continue to see support for his candidacy grow. Democrats are looking for a fresh, bold vision for Florida’s future in 2018 and this survey proves Chris is uniquely positioned to win among a crowded field of conventional politicians from the political establishment.” Overall, the campaign pegs its support at 11 percent, putting it in third place behind Graham at 21 percent Levine at 20 percent. Their results also show single-digit gains in support in Gainesville, Jacksonville, Orlando and West Palm Beach since March. White, African American and Hispanic support has inched up into the low double digits from the low singles; ditto for support among both men and women, and most age groups. King has nine weeks to turn those numbers into a plurality.
“After on-air racial slur, top DeSantis fundraiser reportedly suspended from Fox News” via Emily Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times — Video clips from the appearance show David Bossie, Trump’s former deputy campaign manager, get into heated debate with Democratic strategist Joel Payne, who was also appearing on “Fox & Friends Weekend.” Bossie and Payne were debating Democrat’s assertions that Trump is racist when Bossie asked Payne: “Are you out of your cotton-picking mind?” Payne is black. Bossie apologized on Twitter later that day. Bossie was one of the big names on DeSantis’s national finance team when that group of wealthy donors was rolled out earlier this year.
“Gillum makes his case at Orlando town hall” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics — Central Florida Democrats may not have gotten a debate in their backyard, but they did get to hear Tallahassee Mayor Gillum give his pitch Tuesday on why he should be the Democrat to go toe-to-toe with either Putnam or DeSantis in November. … “In spite of the debate being canceled, Orange County and Orlando matter to me” … “in fact it should matter to anybody who wants to be Governor of this great state,” Gillum said. … Gillum then launched into the platform that should be familiar to most who have kept tabs on his campaign … He dogged Gov. Scott for not expanding Medicaid and turning away federal cash for high-speed rail; he gave a full-throated endorsement for Amendment 4, and he detailed an extensive list of education priorities he’ll push for if elected … The closing minutes of the town hall saw Gillum pass the mic to Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill, who gave him a very personal endorsement in the primary race. … She then riled up the crowd with an impassioned recounting of Gillum’s merits as a candidate, while also knocking his opponents. “I don’t care who your momma or daddy are — yeah, that’s some shade there. I don’t care how much money you have,” Hill said of the other Democrats in the race. “ … Gillum is the choice for working Floridians.”
“Gillum talks about FBI probe with Washington Post podcast; Scott Maddox pushes back” via Jeffrey Schweers of the Tallahassee Democrat — On a recent Washington Post podcast “Cape Up” with Jonathan Capehart, the host talked with Gillum for a good 45 minutes about why Gillum would give up the security of being mayor to take a risky run for Florida governor. … Gillum hit his usual talking points … And he made some of his most expansive comments to date about an ongoing FBI investigation into corruption at City Hall — and without naming him, pointing to Scott Maddox as the prime target. … “I have zero tolerance for corruption and inappropriate or illegal behavior, and the last several months there appears to be an FBI investigation into something we thought was writ large in our government, the CRA, which I am chair of,” Gillum said … But an FBI search warrant released publicly by accident in February was “fairly telling,” he said. … it showed at least an accusation of one of my colleagues having taken money potentially in exchange for a set of votes on something that came before the commission,” Gillum said. … Regarding Gillum’s comments, Maddox said in a prepared statement: “I understand the tactic of deflection in statewide campaigns, but facts are stubborn things. The record is clear that I have been a consistent critic of the Edison and a consistent vote against non-infrastructure CRA projects. In fact, of the CRA projects being investigated a majority of them were voted on prior to me being on the commission.”
“Gillum: ‘Dark money’ PAC should disclose donors, but ‘begin advertising on my behalf’” via Marc Caputo of POLITICO Florida — Gillum, who in February had warned about the influence of “dark money” in the race, stopped short of condemning The Collective Super PAC for refusing to say the ultimate source of a lump-sum payment of $742,720 from an affiliated nonprofit that does not have to disclose its donors. The Collective money was all spent trashing one of Gillum’s rivals, Graham, as a phony liberal. “I want them to begin advertising on my behalf. I want them to put up ads that have me in it. I want them to talk about what my record has been in this race,” Gillum said on the “Strange Days” podcast in Miami. “When they start doing that, then that will be real support for me.” The Collective has said it will spend as much as $1.5 million in Florida and signaled that the second half of its ad campaign would focus on supporting Gillum. “I want them to disclose who’s helping them to begin advertising on my behalf. I would love for them to disclose. That would be my ask if they are listening,” Gillum said. “I want them to do what their mission requires them to do, which is to support candidates of color running for office and get them elected.”
The race is over, right? — Shaquille O’Neal endorses Levine in new radio ad — Levine is launching a new radio ad featuring an endorsement from former Miami Heat and Orlando Magic center O’Neill. “You know, I’ve met a lot of people in my life — but there’s something really special about this guy from Florida who’s never been afraid to step up for others when the game of life is on the line, his name is Philip Levine,” O’Neill says in the ad. “He’s running for Governor to get families hope, with better-paying jobs and children better schools that inspire them to be their best. That’s why I’m all in for Philip Levine.” The new radio spot will run in markets across Florida, backed by a five-figure media buy.
Levine rolls out more local endorsements — The Levine for Governor campaign his rolling out more endorsements from state and local elected officials throughout Florida. New backers include Miami Beach Commissioner John Elizabeth Alemán; former Hollywood Mayor Peter Bober; Miami-Dade County Commissioner Danielle Levine-Cava; former Broward County DEC Chair Mitch Ceasar; Hillsborough County School Board Member Lynn Gray; Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy; former Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas; and Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick.
“Matt Caldwell snags NRA’s first statewide endorsement” via Bruce Ritchie of POLITICO Florida — Amid debate over gun legislation opposed by the NRA in March following the Parkland school shooting, Caldwell voted against the legislation and also called himself “a proud lifetime member of the NRA.” Marion Hammer, the NRA’s Florida lobbyist, said Caldwell was the only candidate in the race with “a perfect record of unyielding support of the Second Amendment to our constitution.” … “Rep. Matt Caldwell has been a steadfast supporter of Second Amendment issues as a member of the Florida House,” said Hammer. … This is the first statewide race in which the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund has issued endorsements.
Former Florida GOP chairs endorse Denise Grimsley — Several former Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) chairs, including Al Cardenas, Carole Jean Jordan and Leslie Dougher, as well as Wendy Bitner Rodin, wife of the late RPOF Chair Dave Bitner, are endorsing Grimsley for Agriculture Commissioner. “I have known Denise for many years,” said Cardenas, who later served as the chairman of the American Conservative Union. “She has been a tireless grassroots Republican and has served our party’s conservative vision well. She knows agriculture and she will be an effective voice for Floridians.” … “Dave and I met Denise many years ago,” said Bitner Rodin. “She is the conservative leader Florida needs. Denise is a strong Republican woman and I believe she will serve our state well.”
“Ashley Moody announces 150-member grassroots committee” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — “Our campaign to serve as the state’s top prosecutor continues to build upon the significant endorsements of 42 of 49 Republican sheriffs, the Florida Police Benevolent Association, 12 of 20 State Attorneys, and local elected officials,” said campaign manager Nick Catroppo. “Today’s announcement … serves as validation that Republican activists trust only one candidate for Attorney General, the only candidate who has the lifelong experience and credentials, and the only candidate who has ever prosecuted a case.” The grassroots committee includes 41 people in her home west-central region; another 29 or 30 people each in the east-central and north-central areas of the state, as her campaign defines them; and at least 10 from five other regions.
“Alan Grayson accuses Darren Soto of ducking debates; Soto says he’ll do them” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — According to the Grayson campaign, multiple media outlets have inquired, with a wide array of times and places, about getting the two Democrats face-to-face. Grayson’s campaign is dubbing Soto “No-Show Soto” for not accepting. Soto’s campaign denies any ducking and said debates would happen. “Congressman Soto will do debates and forums,” Harry Kruglik, Soto’s campaign representative, said in a written statement. “We’ll be finalizing and releasing the debate and forum schedule next week.”
“Donna Shalala has until late July to file financial disclosure” via David Smiley of the Miami Herald — As her opponents picked at her time on corporate boards, Shalala received a second extension this month allowing her to delay the disclosure of her personal finances with the U.S. House of Representatives. Shalala’s disclosure, originally due May 15, is now due July 27, roughly one month before the Democratic primary to replace U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in Congress. Shalala requested a second extension — which is not unusual — on June 12. “Donna Shalala believes in complete transparency and in that spirit will comply with all legal requirements pertaining to the release of her financial disclosure documents,” said Fernand Amandi, a political consultant with the Shalala campaign. … But state Rep. David Richardson, one of Shalala’s four primary opponents, questioned Tuesday why Shalala needed to delay revealing her finances. … “All the other candidates in this race have disclosed their personal financial information, as required by law,” said Richardson, one of Shalala’s four primary opponents. “Why won’t she make a timely filing? What is she trying to hide from the voters?”
League of Conservation Voters endorse Soto — The LCV Action Fund is supporting the Celebration Democrat for re-election. The LCV works to elect candidates who support sound environmental policies. Tiernan Sittenfeld, an LCV vice president, praised Soto for his work in Congress to move to a future of “clean energy.” St. Cloud Republican Wayne Liebnitzky will face the Democratic winner in the November general election.
“Nicholas Trolli endorses James Buchanan in HD 74” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — Buchanan picked up an endorsement from a former rival in the race to replace Sarasota Republican Rep. Julio Gonzalez, who is leaving the state House to run for Florida’s 17th Congressional District. Trolli opened a campaign account to run for House District 74 in February before U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney’s retirement announcement led HD 74 and other seats to open up. Trolli formally withdrew from the race June 15, leaving Buchanan and North Port Vice Mayor Linda Yates as the only Republicans running for the seat. “We need a person who understands business, someone who works well with others, influences decisions and encourages consensus,” Trolli said. “James Buchanan … is that person!”
Tina Polsky gets union backing in HD 81 bid — Boca Raton Democrat Polsky picked up endorsements from four unions in her bid to succeed exiting Rep. Joe Abruzzo in Palm Beach County’s House District 81. Announcing their support for Polsky Wednesday were the Palm Beach-Treasure Coast AFL-CIO, the Palm Beach County Classroom Teachers Association, the Florida Education Association, and the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association. … “I am truly humbled and honored by the confidence these unions and their members have placed in me. I will continue to work hard to merit and maintain their trust when I get the chance to represent their concerns in Tallahassee starting next year.” … Polsky faces Mindy Koch in the Aug. 28 Democratic primary.
BizPAC endorses Matt Spritz for HD 89 — Boca Raton Republican Spritz announced Wednesday that local pro-business organization BizPAC has endorsed his campaign to succeed term-limited Rep. Bill Hager in House District 89. … “Matt has proved to be an effective leader who appreciates and understands how important the success of our local businesses is for hardworking families in our community. I’m confident he will wisely represent our area in Tallahassee,” said BizPAC board chair John R. Smith. … “I’m honored to have the support of BiZPAC,” said Spritz. “Their organization is widely respected as a key voice for business in the local political arena — committed to making government better in Palm Beach County.”… Spritz faces Michael Caruso in the Aug. 28 Republican primary. Also running are Democrats Jim Bonfiglio and Ryan Rossi.
“Construction trade association endorses HD 114 challenger Javier Enriquez” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — A national construction industry trade association is endorsing attorney Enriquez in his run for House District 114. The Associated Builders and Contractors Florida East Coast Chapter (ABC FEC) put its support behind Enriquez, a Miami Republican. Enriquez is challenging incumbent Democratic state Rep. Javier Fernandez for the seat. ABC FEC represents nearly 21,000 members of the commercial construction industry including general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. The group is in favor of “lower taxes, free enterprise and reasonable regulation” and provides construction industry training in Florida. “We are pleased to support Javier Enriquez,” said Peter M. Dyga, president and CEO of ABC FEC.
“Second Stoneman Douglas parent enters District 4 School Board race” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — Tennille Doe-Decoste, whose son survived February’s shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, is set to challenge fellow MSD parent Lori Alhadeff for the Broward County School Board District 4 seat. Doe-Decoste cited the massacre as a motivation to run, particularly due to the loss of one of her son’s close friends. “My son just graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas (MSD) grateful that he survived the shooting, but profoundly sad that his best friend since 3rd grade, Joaquin Oliver, didn’t,” she said. “I have decided to get off the sidelines and run for school board in District 4 so I can push a platform that seeks to prioritize school safety while effectively solving some of the other challenges that threaten the well-being and/or academic performance of our children.”
— STATEWIDE —
“Scott won’t say whether he likes Jay Fant as OFR head” via Jim Rosica and A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — Scott didn’t telegraph his interest in who should be the state’s next top financial regulator at a Tuesday campaign stop in Jacksonville for his U.S. Senate campaign. When asked whether Republican state Rep. Fant, a political ally, was his pick, Scott said “it goes through the Cabinet process. There are individuals who have applied … We’ll go through the interview process and soon as we go through that process, I’m sure (we’ll) pick the right person.” Scott and Cabinet members will hold a conference call Wednesday morning and are expected to interview applicants and appoint a replacement for Drew Breakspear. He recently announced he was stepping down as commissioner of the Office of Financial Regulation (OFR). Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, a member of the Cabinet, had pressured Breakspear to leave the post.
“Florida teachers union to lawmakers: Increase our pay” via Florida Politics — The Florida Education Association (FEA) is asking state lawmakers to take a pledge — to make them “at least” average. The statewide teachers union held a press call Tuesday about boosting their pay, saying that “Florida’s public school teachers and education staff professionals sit near the bottom of the national barrel when it comes to pay, ranking at 45th or worse when compared to other states.” They’re asking lawmakers to sign on to the FEA’s “Pledge to Improve Teacher and Education Staff Professional Salaries” and commit to “lifting wages to at least the national average by fiscal year 2023” … “This shouldn’t be a big reach” for them, said Joanne McCall, FEA president, adding that many teachers take second jobs to “make ends meet.”
“Study: New rule should mean more Florida kids in diversion programs” via Kathryn Varn of the Tampa Bay Times — Now that state law requires every judicial circuit in Florida to have an arrest diversion program for juveniles accused of low-level crimes, the next step is to ensure law enforcement agencies have policies that lean toward diversion and create robust training programs. … The fourth annual Stepping Up: Florida’s Top Juvenile Pre-Arrest Diversion Efforts report included takeaways based on interviews and assessments of the agencies and counties … that use diversion over arrest most often. “We talk a lot about not being tough on crime, rather being smart on crime,” said the study’s author, Dewey Caruthers, of the St. Petersburg-based Caruthers Institute. “But what does that mean?” The diversion programs typically work like this: if a kid is accused of a low-level offense, such as shoplifting or disorderly conduct, a cop can issue a civil citation instead of arresting them. The child would then go through an assessment and be paired with programs tailored to their needs. … The statewide usage rate — or the proportion of juveniles eligible under Florida law who are funneled into diversion programs — increased to 59 percent, 6 percentage points higher than the year before. … “Our hope and expectation is that it will increase utilization,” said Scott McCoy, senior policy counsel of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
“Justices to take up ‘Stand Your Ground’ split” via Jim Saunders of News Service of Florida — With lower courts split on the issue, the Florida Supreme Court said Tuesday it will take up a question about whether a 2017 change to the state’s “stand your ground” self-defense law should apply to older cases. The controversial 2017 change shifted a key burden of proof in “stand your ground” cases — a shift that can play a role in determining whether people claiming self-defense should be shielded from prosecution. … The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear the case of Tashara Love, who sought to use the self-defense law to be shielded from prosecution in a November 2015 shooting incident outside a Miami-Dade County nightclub. … Love’s attorneys pointed to potentially broad implications. “This case presents an issue of statewide importance impacting countless criminal prosecutions: whether the 2017 amendment to the Stand Your Ground law applies to all pending cases or only those arising after its enactment.” … Before the 2017 change, the Supreme Court had ruled that defendants had the burden of proof in pretrial hearings to show they should be shielded from prosecution. But with backing from groups such as the National Rifle Association, lawmakers shifted the burden from defendants to prosecutors to prove whether self-defense claims are justified.
Court rejects speeding up marijuana cases — The 1st District Court of Appeal on Tuesday rejected requests to quickly send two medical-marijuana cases to the Florida Supreme Court. One case focuses on whether state law wrongly bans patients from smoking medical marijuana. Tallahassee-based Circuit Judge Karen Gievers last month ruled that the smoking ban violates the 2016 constitutional amendment allowing medical marijuana in Florida. Attorneys for the state appealed that ruling. Plaintiffs in that case had asked that the case be “certified” to the Supreme Court — a move that would effectively lead to bypassing the 1st DCA. The other case was the state’s appeal of Gievers’ decision to let Tampa strip club mogul Joe Redner grow and make juice of his own medicinal cannabis, which he says will help keep his lung cancer in remission. The appeals court rejected both requests; its orders did not explain the reasoning.
“John Morgan hints at ballot initiative for marijuana legalization” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics — Morgan said he’s “going to look at starting a fund” toward an initiative to legalize marijuana, including recreational use, on the 2020 ballot. He has previously has been on the record supporting marijuana legalization. His latest tweets move him further in terms of personally promising a political solution. The Orlando attorney and businessman, who was behind the 2016 constitutional amendment allowing medical marijuana in the state, was tweeting in response to a Florida Politics story (above) on an appellate court order.
“Wellcare tapped for CMS contract” via News Service of Florida — The state expects to turn over management of the care of medically fragile children to a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans beginning in January. The Florida Department of Health announced on Tuesday that WellCare’s Staywell Health Plan edged two competitors for a contract in the Children’s Medical Services program. … other bidders have until Friday to challenge the Department of Health’s decision. … “We are pleased Staywell Health Plan has been selected to work with the Florida Department of Health to serve children across the state through the Children’s Medical Services Managed Care Plan. This announcement reflects our proven track record of providing access to high-quality, comprehensive health care for our Medicaid members,” the company said in a prepared statement. … The Children’s Medical Services program focuses on children with special health care needs … Facing spiraling costs, Gov. Scott’s administration removed more than 9,000 children from the so-called CMS program. … While it had retained control over the CMS managed care program, the Scott administration decided this year to transfer control to a third-party managed care company.
First in Sunburn — South Florida’s Mardi Gras Casino gets slots license — State gambling regulators granted real estate billionaire Jeffrey Soffer’s request for a slot machine license at South Florida’s former Mardi Gras Casino and Race Track. The license, disclosed Tuesday after a public record request, shows that the Department of Business and Professional Regulation approved the license May 2 — one day after news that Soffer had closed on a $12.5 million deal to buy the property, now called The Big Easy Casino. The sale marked an end to the four-decade-long ownership of the Hallandale Beach facility by Hartman & Tyner, a Southfield, Michigan property management firm. Soffer, whose family-controlled Turnberry Associates also owns Miami Beach’s Fontainebleau Resort, had been rumored to want to move the license from the Hallandale Beach track to the Fontainebleau. But Soffer said that “such a move is both illegal and not in the cards.”
— D.C. MATTERS —
“Republican tax law hits churches” via Brian Faler of POLITICO — Their recent tax-code rewrite requires churches, hospitals, colleges, orchestras and other historically tax-exempt organizations to begin paying a 21 percent tax on some types of fringe benefits they provide their employees. That could force thousands of groups that have long had little contact with the IRS to suddenly begin filing returns and paying taxes for the first time. Many organizations are stunned to learn of the tax — part of a broader Republican effort to strip the code of tax breaks for employee benefits like parking and meals — and say it will be a significant financial and administrative burden. It also means political peril for lawmakers, many of whom were surely unaware of the provision when they approved the tax plan.
“GOP flails ahead of immigration vote” via Rachael Bade and John Bresnahan of POLITICO Florida — Desperate to flip conservative votes, centrist House Republicans offered to add a controversial provision requiring the use of E-Verify, which mandates all companies certify the legal status of their workers. But it doesn’t look like it will be enough. The addition of E-Verify could cause problems for centrist Republicans who hail from agricultural districts whose farmers could be walloped by the mandate. The latest amendment would also include a new agriculture worker program to try to ease centrists’ concerns. Moderate Republican Rep. Curbelo, another skeptic of the E-Verify program, also seemed uncomfortable with the addition — though he suggested he’d accept it if it picked up votes. “If we can get a product to the Senate, that is very important to me,” the Florida Republican said. “The question is: Is there growth [in the vote] or not.”
“Separated immigrant children in Florida will be ‘expeditiously’ reunited with family, official says” via Skylar Swisher of the Sun-Sentinel — Separated immigrant children being held at South Florida shelters will be reunited with their parents as “expeditiously” as possible, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told lawmakers Tuesday. “We do not want any of these children to be separated from their parents any longer than is absolutely necessary under the law,“ Azar said. … At least eight separated children in Florida haven’t even been able to reach their parents, who may have been deported, according to U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson’s staff. … As many as 174 separated children have been held in Florida, according to Nelson’s office. … Confusion abounded on why the tally of separated children only dropped from 2,053 last Wednesday to the current count of 2,047. Federal officials wouldn’t say whether facilities are still accepting separated children. … Nelson asked the secretary what his agency was doing to reunite about 70 separated children being held at the Homestead temporary shelter. … Azar said a sponsor — such as a relative or a parent already in the United States — could take the children. The agency aims to connect parents with their children at least twice a week via phone or Skype, he said. … Azar did not provide a timeframe for the reunification process, but he said he is working to “expeditiously get children out of our care.”
“Pam Bondi opposes family separation and has taken on the feds before. So why not now?” via Kirby Wilson of the Tampa Bay Times — As 17 other states filed a lawsuit Tuesday in an attempt to force Trump’s administration to reunite migrant families, Bondi‘s office said she had no jurisdiction over the issue. “The Attorney General has never supported separating children from their parents, however, the Florida Attorney Generals’s Office has no jurisdiction over federal immigration laws,” said Whitney Ray, a spokesman for Bondi … Ray’s statement that Bondi has no jurisdiction over federal immigration law is in keeping with her not opposing the Trump administration, but at odds with her office’s history of challenging federal law and laws in other states. … In 2012, Bondi filed a brief joining 21 other states in a lawsuit challenging the ban on semi-automatic weapons Connecticut passed after the Sandy Hook school shooting. She’s written in support of Arizona’s hard-line immigration law, the expansion of the Keystone oil pipeline and Boeing’s handling of a labor dispute in South Carolina. Bondi also opposed cleanup efforts in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay. … Asked Tuesday how Bondi could have played a role in challenging those state and federal laws but not have standing to challenge Trump’s family separation policy — which she opposes — Ray did not immediately respond.
— OPINIONS —
“Joe Henderson: It’s getting harder to identify the good guys” via Florida Politics — Organize Florida is the collective that harassed Bondi last Friday … The group describes itself as “a community-based, nonprofit member organization of low and moderate-income people dedicated to the principles of social, racial, and economic justice and the promotion of an equal and fair Florida for all.” Very good. We need more of that. What we don’t need are the guerrilla tactics they used against Bondi. … Wait a minute, Pam. Don’t think I’m defending your decision to have Florida join a lawsuit that could end protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions. That’s what triggered the protest, and Bondi should be ashamed … And I did have to suppress a laugh when I saw her quote in the Tampa Bay Times about the incident. “We were in a movie about anti-bullying and practicing peace and love and tolerance and accepting of people for their differences. That’s what Mister Rogers is all about. We all believe in free speech, but there’s a big difference there.” A good way to put anti-bullying, peace, love and tolerance into practice might be to stop trying to destroy people’s insurance lifeline without replacing it with something that can provide the coverage they need and can afford.
— MOVEMENTS —
Appointed: Kristy Branch Banks to the Franklin County School Board. She will fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Teresa Ann Martin of District 3, beginning June 26, 2018.
Incumbents make first cut for PSC seats — Hoping to get reappointed for another four years, state utility regulators Julie Brown and Gary Clark are among the six “most qualified” applicants who will be interviewed next month for seats on the state’s Public Service Commission. The Public Service Commission Nominating Council on Tuesday agreed to invite the two incumbent commissioners, along with candidates Anibal Taboas, Amir Liberman, Monica Rutkowski, and Gregory Hill, to interview for the $132,036-a-year positions, which Brown and Clark now hold on the five-member commission. Their current terms expire at the end of the year. Interviews will be held July 17 in Orlando. The council will forward a short list to Gov. Scott, who will make the final selections. The commission regulates investor-owned utilities.
New and renewed lobbying registrations:
Brian Ballard, Brad Burleson, Ballard Partners: Bird Rides
Rhett O’Doski, Sean Stafford, McGuireWoods Consulting: Kaleidoscope Interventions
Meredith Woodrum Snowden, Leath Consulting: Amerisure Insurance Companies
— ALOE —
“Amazon overtakes Apple as the most valuable American brand, claims Brand finance” via Ben Lovejoy of 9to5mac.com — Seven of the top 10 most valuable American brands are tech companies: Amazon, Apple, Google, Facebook, AT&T, Microsoft, Verizon, Walmart, Wells Fargo and Chase. Both Amazon and Apple saw remarkable growth, says the consultancy. Amazon takes this year’s top spot, with its brand value growing by 42 percent to $150.8 billion. The surge in value for Amazon’s brand allowed it to overtake Apple (up 37 percent to $146.3 billion), which takes second place in the ranking, despite similarly strong growth. Google (up 10 percent to $120.9 billion) fell from first place to third, unable to keep pace with the remarkable growth of the top two brands.
What Stephanie Smith is reading — “Uber wins right to keep operating in London” via Ivana Kottasová and Charles Riley of CNN — The Westminster Magistrates’ Court ruled in the tech company’s favor, granting it a 15-month license to operate in the British capital. Uber had been forced to appeal after Transport for London declined to renew its license in September. The transport authority had said Uber was not “fit and proper,” citing several concerns including how it responded to serious crimes. The decision is a major victory for Dara Khosrowshahi, who has sought in his 10 months as CEO to present Uber as a humbled and reformed company. “We are pleased with today’s decision,” Uber said in a statement. “We will continue to work with Transport for London to address their concerns and earn their trust.”
Happy birthday to our friends, former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, I Love The Burg’s Brian Bailey, Tampa restaurateur Tony DeSisto, and photographer Sarah Bray. Also celebrating today is Sen. Lori Berman.
