Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Noting an uptick in online fraud, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis says he’ll next focus on the use of “cryptocurrencies” such as bitcoin.
“Many of our citizens rely on their investment or retirement accounts for their income and cryptocurrencies continue to grow and attract more investment from our state,” he said in a Monday statement.
Cryptocurrency is online money, “decentralized digital currency beyond the reach of banks and governments,” as Fortune magazine once defined it.
“I am committed to making the necessary rule and legislative changes in the 2019 Legislative Session to ensure we are tracking cryptocurrency companies based in Florida and that we are regularly informing the public of any crypto scammers or lawbreakers.”
Patronis also is running for election this year after being appointed to the post last year by Gov. Rick Scott. Former CFO Jeff Atwater announced he was stepping down early to work for Florida Atlantic University.
“Cryptocurrencies have seen massive volatility in the short time they have been available to the general public for purchase,” he said. “This year, the cryptocurrency market alone has lost more than half of its value.”
State Sen. Dorothy Hukill, a Port Orange Republican, is the only lawmaker who has previously expressed any interest in regulating cryptocurrency.
Hukill, an attorney, has long been interested in law and technology issues. In a 2016 interview, she noted a Miami-Dade circuit court ruling that held bitcoin isn’t money as now contemplated by state law.
“I think it’s something we need to get ahead of,” she said then. “We need to look at what the role of government should be, with an emphasis on consumer protections.”
Evening Reads
“Florida voters don’t support immigrant family separation” via Anthony Man of the Sun-Sentinel
“Bill Nelson intensifies criticism of Donald Trump administration over immigrant children” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“Governor Rick Scott visits Franklin County after fire destroys dozens of homes” via WJHG
“Pam Bondi responds to weekend confrontation with protesters, says she won’t be bullied” via John Lucas of The Capitolist
“Ron DeSantis ad touts Trump endorsement” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics
“Philip Levine opening Orlando campaign office” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
“Carlos Curbelo: Migrant children housed in Cutler Bay are ‘happy’” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics
“Ashley Moody’s acceptance of public campaign financing sparks clash with rival” via William March of the Tampa Bay Times
“New budget, dozens of laws poised to take effect” via the News Service of Florida
“In Jack Latvala investigation, what’s taking FDLE so long?” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
Quote of the Day
“Partnering with innovative companies to test new technology — while also ensuring we uphold privacy laws and in no way violate the rights of others — is critical to us as we work to further keep our community safe.” — Statement from the City of Orlando on ending its pilot project for police to use facial recognition software.
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Aides to Gov. Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and state Chief Financial Officer Patronis will meet in advance of a Wednesday state Cabinet meeting. During the Wednesday meeting, Scott and the Cabinet are expected to appoint a replacement for Drew Breakspear, who recently announced he was stepping down as commissioner of the state Office of Financial Regulation. That’s at 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.
Officials from groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the James Madison Institute are expected to take part in a media conference call to release a study titled, “Stepping Up: Florida’s Top Juvenile Pre-Arrest Diversion Efforts.” That’s at 9 a.m. Call-in number: 1-813-769-0500. Code: 664087887.
The Florida Public Service Nominating Council will consider applicants for two seats on the Public Service Commission. The nominating council is expected to designate a list of “most qualified” candidates to interview for the posts. The seats are currently held by Public Service Commission members Julie Brown and Gary Clark, whose terms expire in January. Brown and Clark have applied for reappointment. The nominating council will send a short list of candidates to Gov. Scott, who will make the appointments. That’s at 10 a.m., Greater Aviation Orlando Authority, Orlando International Airport, 1 Jeff Fuqua Blvd., Orlando.
The Florida Education Association will hold a media call to announce an initiative aimed at improving public schools. Participants are expected to include union President Joanne McCall. That’s at 10 a.m.
Starting a three-day Florida Board of Governors meeting at the University of Central Florida, the Academic and Research Excellence Committee will review reports from the Florida Council of 100 on higher-education research. The university-system board’s Strategic Planning Committee will follow with a review of the annual accountability plans for the 12 state universities. Meetings start at 1 p.m., University of Central Florida, Fairwinds Alumni Center, 12676 Gemini Blvd. North, Orlando. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 4122150353.
The Florida Children and Youth Cabinet will meet for the first time since the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Damien Kelly, director of the state Office of Safe Schools, and Jacob Oliva, a vice chancellor of the K-12 system, will make a presentation on school safety requirements. That’s at 1 p.m., Hillsborough County Center, 601 East Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.
Agriculture Commissioner Putnam will take a helicopter and ground tour of damage from the Lime Rock Road Fire in Franklin County. He will then meet with reporters at 3:30 p.m., Eastpoint Volunteer Fire Department, 24 6th St., Eastpoint.
Former Miami Beach Mayor and Democratic candidate for Governor Philip Levine will kick off the opening of his 12th statewide regional office in Orlando. That’s at 5 p.m., 646 West Colonial Drive, Orlando.
A fundraising event will be held for Democrat Debra Bellanti, who is seeking to unseat Rep. Jackie Toledo, a Tampa Republican, in Hillsborough County’s House District 60. That’s at 6 p.m., Pane Rustica, 3225 South MacDill Ave., Tampa.
Erika Donalds, a member of the state constitution Revision Commission, will appear at Cape Coral Republican Club meeting to discuss proposed constitutional amendments on the November ballot. That’s at 7 p.m., Personal Touch Catering, 1530 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral.
