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.
Good Monday morning.
With just a few weeks before the start of early voting, we are asking you to help us with a little homework.
— If you are running for the state House or Senate and would be added to our Twitter list of candidates, please email us with your handle. You can follow this list by clicking here.
— Also, if you are running for the Legislature and would like to complete our questionnaire so that we can publish your answers on Florida Politics, you can download it from Scribd here. Return your completed questionnaire in Word or Pages to [email protected] with a preferred photograph.
— The printed edition of INFLUENCE Magazine will be available this week (I’ll be in Tallahassee Wed.-Fri. to deliver hard copies). If you wish to subscribe, so you can receive a copy, click here.
— Speaking of INFLUENCE Magazine, we are now accepting nominations for our list of the “30 under 30” Rising Stars of Florida Politics. Your suggestions for the next generation of top operatives, lobbyists, staffers and politicians are welcomed. Please email your nominations to peter@floridapolitics.
— And one final note: check out the latest blog post which is sure to upset folks from Bartow to Miami Beach — “The coming Andrew Gillum vs. Ron DeSantis general election.“
— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —
—@JoshMBlackman: “ABC will air The Bachelorette in its regular 8 p.m. EST time slot but will break in for Trump’s announcement and return to the show afterward.” #Scotus
—@FLGovScott: I was proud to be the honorary starter at the Coke Zero 400 in Daytona Beach yesterday. It’s great to see events like this in FL that have a rich history of honoring our military.
—@FLGovScott: .@FLAnnScott & I are saddened to hear about the death of Denise Arnold last week — she worked at @FloridaAPD for 31 years serving those with developmental disabilities. Our prayers are with her family and friends during this difficult time.
—@SteveSchale: Same poll shows the US up by 2 goals in the World Cup Finals (re: internal DeSantis poll showing double-digit lead over Putnam)
—@GwenGraham: It’s going to require new progressive leadership in Tallahassee to finally end the state’s algae crisis. As governor, I will purchase land south of Lake Okeechobee, address failing septic systems, and depoliticize the state’s water management districts.
—@GusCorbella: If people aren’t buying VW Jettas by the boatload and insuring them with Geico by the time these World Cup telecasts are over, then advertising executives should really consider another profession.
—@BSwansonTAS: I do not know what is wrong w the staff @McDonalds on Thomasville road just north of I10, 2nd time in a week took 20 min today w 2 cars in drive-thru. Last week, 35 minutes w 10 cars …
— DAYS UNTIL —
Florida Chamber Environmental Permitting Summer School — 8; MLB All-Star Game — 8; Democratic gubernatorial candidates debate in Fort Myers — 9; Florida Chamber Global Florida Webinar — 15; MAKE MORE Manufacturing Summit — 20; Deadline for filing claim bills — 23; ‘The Race for Governor’ Democratic gubernatorial debate in West Palm Beach — 24; Republican gubernatorial debate in Jacksonville — 30; Start of the U.S. Open — 49; Primary Election Day — 50; NFL season starts — 50; College Football opening weekend — 52; Future of Florida Forum — 79; ‘Before You Vote’ Florida U.S. Senate debate — 106; ‘Before You Vote’ Florida Governor debate — 107; General Election Day — 120; Florida Chamber Insurance Summit — 141; ‘Hamilton’ comes to the Straz Center — 220; 2019 Legislative Session starts — 239; 2020 General Election — 848.
— TOP STORY —
“A ‘Supreme’ show: Donald Trump savors big reveal for court choice” via Catherine Lucey and Zeke Miller of The Associated Press — After more than a week of pitched speculation, Trump will go on prime-time television to reveal his choice to fill the Supreme Court seat vacated by retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy, selecting a conservative designed to rally Republican voters in a midterm election year. And with that, the optics-obsessed president will be in his comfort zone — taking center stage in a massive show. Trump has reveled in building up suspense in the days leading up to his speech, offering fragments of information here and there but strategically keeping the guessing game alive. Drawn from a public list of 25 candidates approved by conservative groups, the president’s top contenders include federal appeals court judges Brett Kavanaugh and Raymond Kethledge, with judges Amy Coney Barrett and Thomas Hardiman still considered in the mix. The White House has been preparing confirmation materials on all four.
— NELSON VS. SCOTT —
“Challenge for Bill Nelson: Winning votes in ‘Trump’ counties against Rick Scott” via John McCarthy and Ledge King of FLORIDA TODAY — If he is going to win a fourth term this year — his likely GOP opponent will be current Gov. Scott — might depend on voters like Brian Haskins. “I voted for Trump and I am a Republican,” said the former teacher from Titusville. “However, I will be voting for Nelson again because Rick Scott did many horrible things to teachers and kids as our governor. Bill is also for the space program.” Those voters could be key in deciding the Senate race. The biggest difference between 2012 and 2018 will be the candidate Nelson is facing, said Joe Gruters, chairman of the Sarasota County Republican Party. “Our candidate this year is going to be the toughest competition Nelson has ever faced” … Still, he doesn’t think Scott will win the county by the more than 20,000 votes that Trump did, but he predicted Scott will win by 5,000 to 10,000 votes. “The county has changed in the past six years,” he said. “There are more senior voters. Twenty percent of the voters will be new voters.”
Scott Senate campaign reports record cash collected in Q2 – Scott is announcing his Senate campaign raised a record of more than $10.7 million in less than three months – surpassing any other national Senate campaign. To help reach this milestone were National Finance Chair Thomas Hicks and Florida Finance Chairwoman Darlene Jordan. According to the campaign, details of the fundraising quarter include: Support from all of Florida’s 67 counties; more than 11,000 contributors; more than 75 percent of all contributors gave less than $500; 80 percent of all contributors are Florida residents; 3.2 percent of all contributions are from Political Action Committees (PACs). The reported total does not include any contributions from Scott.
— FOLLOW THE BENJAMINS —
It’s still unknown who is fueling Scott’s quest for the U.S. Senate.
But Floridians should know soon, reports John Kennedy for GateHouse Media, as Scott’s first federal campaign finance deadline is July 15.
Until then, we’re left only with details from already reported Scott fundraisers and of donors who’ve given to committees backing Scott’s attempt to unseat Nelson. But, as Kennedy notes, those details come with apparent contradictions to Scott’s early campaign promises.
Playbook: Scott is spending big on depicting Nelson “as a political relic and symbol of entrenched Washington.” His precocious Senate proposals — term limits, no pay unless a budget passes, line-item vetoes — paint Scott as a relative outsider.
Outsider?: “Despite the maverick sheen, Scott has crossed the country for fundraisers, including Washington events with House and Senate Majority leaders Kevin McCarthy and Mitch McConnell,” writes Kennedy. And The Rick Scott Victory Fund, a joint fundraising account with the National Republican Senatorial Committee, lists donors with longtime political connections to Scott and the state.
Tit-for-tat: Scott entered the race officially on April 9. And in the meantime, he’s gotten chippy with the Chipley native. A former Republican leader has filed two complaints against Nelson, although they’ve not been linked directly to Scott. Similarly, Democrats have filed a complaint that Scott began fundraising early.
— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL —
“Shock poll has Ron DeSantis up 17 points over Adam Putnam” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — A new poll is challenging the conventional wisdom that Putnam leads DeSantis in the Republican gubernatorial primary, showing DeSantis with a 17-point lead. Is this new poll a sign of a big change? Or a mere outlier? The survey shows DeSantis earning 43 percent of support among Republican primary voters. Putnam pulls in 26 percent, with 25 percent undecided. No other Republican candidate earned more than two percent support. Remington Research Group conducted the poll on behalf of the Tenth Amendment Project. Nearly 2,900 Republican primary voters were surveyed from July 2 to July 5, shortly after the candidates’ recent debate, which aired on Fox News. The margin of error given was 1.84%. “The latest survey of Republican primary voters in Florida shows the race continues to be a two-man contest between Ron DeSantis and Adam Putnam,” said Remington Research Group President Titus Bond. “DeSantis has seen a dramatic increase in ballot share while Putnam’s support has been static.”
—”Internal poll shows double-digit lead for DeSantis” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
“DeSantis pulls out of planned debate with Putnam that was to take place in Villages” via The Villages-News.com – Apparently, DeSantis has a conflict and had notified The Villages Republican Club about a month ago that he wouldn’t be available for the July 18 debate against Putnam. But the Savannah Center had already been rented and tickets had been distributed before finding out DeSantis, who has been endorsed by Trump, wasn’t available. So the event will feature Putnam, a favorite among many Villages Republicans, and State Rep. Frank White, who is hoping to succeed the term-limited Pam Bondi as attorney general.
“Putnam blamed one employee for bungling gun background checks. Records show the issue went deeper.” via Steve Contorno of the Tampa Bay Times — Lisa Wilde, a manager in the state’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, was terminated after it was discovered she didn’t retrieve results of an FBI-database background check, an oversight that led to nearly 300 people getting a license to carry a gun in public who were supposed to be denied. Yet according to previously unreported details from the 2017 Office of Inspector General investigation, issues with the permitting extended beyond Wilde. Audio recordings and summaries of interviews investigators conducted with eight current and former employees show a critical step in backgrounding applicants was left to “overwhelmed” mailroom employees who expressed little understanding of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System or why it was necessary to review. The permitting process was so poorly understood by the employees involved that the failure to file background checks had escaped the notice of Wilde’s supervisor for 13 months. One reason? She didn’t know that Wilde was in charge of it.
“Jeff Greene, Philip Levine continue self-funding spree” via Florida Politics — Palm Beach billionaire Greene pumped another $3.5 million into his gubernatorial campaign last week, and fellow South Florida Democrat Levine threw another $1.1 million into his … Greene has now put $7.1 million of his own cash into his campaign. The late-entry into the race has yet to show any outside fundraising, though he has stated that is by design.
Levine releases new TV Ad, ‘What a Leader Does’ — The Levine for Governor campaign is releasing a new TV ad featuring former Miami Beach Deputy Chief of Police Lauretta Hill, appointed under Mayor Levine’s tenure. The ad underscores the actions taken by Mayor Levine and city leaders to reform the police department following several high-profile incidents of excessive force. Levine said: “Chief Lauretta Hill embodies the best that our country has to offer, and it was my absolute honor to work alongside her in Miami Beach. It wasn’t easy, but together, we reformed a police department and made Miami Beach safer by working with our community. It’s time we take the same approach statewide, partner with law enforcement and our communities to deliver real change and build a better, safer Florida.”
To watch the ad, click the image below:
Assignment editors — Levine will speak at the monthly meeting of Broward Young Democrats, 7 p.m., Grind Coffee Project, 599 SW. 2nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale.
— “Adam Putnam, Frank White, Matt Caldwell win Brevard GOP straw poll” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
“‘Obscene’ and ‘ridiculous’: Matt Caldwell calls out Bullsugar” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — As Caldwell continues his campaign for Agriculture Commissioner, he wants to make one thing clear: he’s no fan of BS. Bullsugar, that is. The environmental advocacy group is focused on political activism surrounding algal blooms in and around Lake Okeechobee. However, the group has come under fire in the past for false claims about the blooms and a failure to disclose its donor list. As part of the Ag. Commissioner race, Bullsugar reached out to Caldwell to fill out a questionnaire regarding his stances on the bloom problem. “We need strong leadership in Tallahassee to get us on the right track to fix this mess,” read an email to Caldwell from the group. Bullsugar, as its name suggests, has particularly targeted the sugar industry, blaming farmers for contributing to the blooms. Caldwell did not hold back in his response, taking the group to task for inflammatory rhetoric. He first posted his letter on Twitter, saying “One of the most obscene groups in Florida sent me a ridiculous questionnaire yesterday.”
Jimmy Patronis blasts Jeremy Ring for hypocrisy on cryptocurrency — While Ring is opposing Patronis’ push for more transparency and monitoring to cryptocurrency in Florida, the CFO says his Democratic opponent’s most recent personal financial disclosure showing him profiting from his own investment in crypto. “Jeremy Ring came out yesterday blasting CFO Patronis’ call for creating a Crypto Chief who would monitor the rise of cryptocurrency in Florida and bring transparency to this new industry in an effort to reduce fraud and protect citizens,” Patronis campaign spokesperson Katie Strickland said. “Ring dismissed the CFO’s consumer protection efforts and said crypto should only be monitored at the federal level. It’s no surprise Ring doesn’t want any transparency in cryptocurrency since he is personally invested in cryptocurrency and his Personal Financial Disclosure shows he has made $50,354 from ‘digital currency’ on Coinbase.com just this year. Florida needs a CFO who is working to protect their bank accounts, not his own.”
“Greyhound racing-ban group releases first wave of endorsements” via Florida Politics — The Protect Dogs-Yes on 13 campaign Friday announced endorsements from 22 local animal shelters. The group is promoting passage of Amendment 13, put on the November ballot by the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC). The proposal, which needs no less than 60 percent approval to be added to the state constitution, aims at ending commercial dog racing in the state. In Florida, 12 tracks still conduct live dog racing. “These organizations serve as animal welfare first responders throughout the state, from the Panhandle to Key West,” the campaign said in a statement. “The animal sheltering community is united in our support of Amendment 13,” added Rich Anderson, Executive Director and CEO of Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League in West Palm Beach. “Greyhound racing is cruel and inhumane and should be phased out.”
— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, PART 2 —
“Darren Soto decries loud, bullying politicians in new ad” via Steven Lemongello of the Orlando Sentinel — Soto released a new ad designed to show he’s running a positive campaign as opposed to “politicians who like to bully and shout.” Soto is facing a challenge from former U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson for the Democratic congressional nomination in his district … Grayson isn’t specifically mentioned in the new video, “Hired Me,” and the message about loud bullies plays over a video of Trump. But Soto attempts to differentiate himself, saying, “I’m in public service to get real results for you.” In Congress, he says in the ad, “I fought to defend Obamacare, fully fund Social Security and Medicare and pass real gun reform. That’s what you hired me to do.”
To view the ad, click on the image below:
“Shadowy group targeting Vern Buchanan” via Zac Anderson of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune — Floridians for a Fair Shake announced in April that it was launching a campaign targeting Buchanan’s record on taxes and health care. The group has stepped up its efforts … spending $603,718 on an attack ad criticizing Buchanan’s support for the GOP tax bill. It even hired an airplane on the Fourth of July to fly along the region’s crowded beaches with a banner targeting the congressman. It’s unclear who is funding Floridians for a Fair Shake. The group’s communications director, Stephen Gaskill, said his organization is a 501(c)(4) “social welfare” nonprofit. These groups do not have to show their donors and only are required to report their spending to the Federal Election Commission if they explicitly advocate for or against the election of a candidate … But some employees of Floridians for a Fair Shake have ties to the Democratic Party. Gaskill runs his own public relations firm. The firm’s website describes him as “a veteran of Democratic politics.”
“Javier Manjarres tells Parkland father to stop ‘exploiting’ his daughter’s death” via Morgan Gstalter of The Hill — Manjarres, who is running for office in Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, took aim at Fred Guttenberg on Twitter, saying that his daughter, 14-year-old Jaime Guttenberg, was “shot by some lunatic who had an AR-15, not by the gun itself.” Jaime Guttenberg was one of 17 people killed inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in the February mass shooting. “C’mon Fred. I can’t only imagine the pain you are feeling over the loss of your daughter, but stop exploiting her death in the name of some political agenda,” Manjarres tweeted at Fred Guttenberg. Guttenberg told Manjarres that gun safety is his priority following the shooting death of his daughter. “By the way, my daughhter [sic] had a name and it was Jaime. Next week she would have turned 15 but because some lunatic had access to this weapon, my daughter will be forever 14,” Guttenberg added. “You have had your own issues with gun safety. I will do everything I possibly can to make sure you do not sniff the halls of Congress,” he tweeted. “And please, do not mention my daughter again.”
—“Wilton Simpson puts another $500K into GOP Senate campaign arm” via Florida Politics
“Anna Eskamani sues primary opponent, calls his candidacy ‘fake’” via Steven Lemongello of the Orlando Sentinel — Eskamani called Ocoee real estate broker Lou Forges a “fake” primary opponent, contending he was recruited by county Republicans to run against her in the primary. In an interview, Forges said his candidacy “was not done out of the interest to deceive” and added that he would accept whatever the court decides about his candidacy. In the complaint filed in Leon County court in Tallahassee, Eskamani said Forges’s wife, Patricia Forges, signed and notarized his filing paperwork, including his candidate oath and disclosure form. Eskamani’s attorneys argued state law specifically bars a spouse from notarizing documents. They are seeking an injunction to decertify Forges as a candidate.
“Sarasota Republican raising money for Democrat Margaret Good” via Zac Anderson of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune — Nora Patterson, a former Sarasota County commissioner, is among the hosts listed on an invitation for Good’s July 11 fundraiser at the home of Heather and Derek Byrd. Patterson is a moderate Republican who served on the Sarasota City Commission and spent 16 years on the County Commission. Patterson’s support gives Good bipartisan credibility as she seeks to defend the state House seat she won in a February special election that drew national attention. Sarasota Republicans Ray Pilon and Jason Miller are vying to take on Good, who lives on Siesta Key.
Personnel note: Doug Lyons handling comms for Senate Democratic Victory — We’ve been remiss in not pointing out Lyons’ latest post, which he’s had since early April. As communications director for Senate Democratic Victory, he’s “developing messaging for targeted campaigns to elect Democrats to the Florida Senate,” he tells us. The native Washingtonian spent most of his career in newspapers and magazines, having once worked for The Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, Ebony and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, where he worked as an editorial writer and columnist for 17 years. He later handled media relations for Democratic Congresswoman Lois Frankel.
Personnel note: Madalyn Blackburn departs Debbie Mucarsel-Powell campaign — Blackburn, campaign manager for Mucarsel-Powell’s congressional bid, has officially left her role. Blackburn confirmed the news, though did not go into detail on what led to the departure. The Mucarsel-Powell campaign was similarly mum, as she tries to wrest away Carlos Curbelo’s seat in Florida’s 26th Congressional District. The race is one the Democratic Party has been watching. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee named Mucarsel-Powell to its “Red to Blue” program, which supports candidates in competitive districts. No word yet on who will take Blackburn’s place.
— STATEWIDE —
“Scott urges justices to stay out of appointment battle” via the News Service of Florida — Scott administration attorneys filed a 30-page response that fired back against a request for the Supreme Court to block the appointment until the resolution of underlying legal issues. The case centers on whether Scott should be able to appoint a replacement for retiring 4th Judicial Circuit Judge Robert Foster. Jacksonville attorney David Trotti filed a lawsuit arguing that the replacement should be chosen by election in November. A Leon County circuit judge agreed and blocked the Scott administration from moving forward with an appointment process. But the Scott administration immediately appealed, and the 1st District Court of Appeal kept in place a stay on the circuit judge’s ruling. That effectively allowed the appointment process to advance while the case continued.
“Democrats wince, but Bob Buckhorn revels in his relationship with Scott” via Charlie Frago of the Tampa Bay Times — Buckhorn, a Democrat who stumped hard for Hillary Clinton, has forged a pragmatic alliance with Scott, a key Republican ally of Trump. In recent weeks, Scott has sent a flurry of political presents Tampa’s way — revealing a private company’s interest in a high-speed rail link between Tampa and Orlando, allocating $2.7 million for the city’s fledgling streetcar system, and pushing personally to place an Ybor City census tract on the state’s list for a federal tax break that may help pay for a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark. Buckhorn isn’t sending those gifts back. They’re evidence of his political pragmatism in building a relationship with Scott, who entered office three months before the mayor in 2011. Plenty of Democrats are skeptical of Scott’s motives … They see Scott’s largesse as a maneuver to cut the vote margins in November in a key Democratic stronghold. Scott is challenging Sen. Bill Nelson for his seat.
“LIBRE Initiative releases ‘2018 Legislative Scorecard’” via Florida Politics — “The scorecard identifies important legislation that impacts our communities across the state — including a key education bill that empowers families with more opportunity and options for a better education. It also reports on legislation that tackles wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars,” the group said. The upshot: 118 lawmakers passed, the rest failed. The key focus for LIBRE this year was education options and economic-related legislation.
“Florida pension investments flow to Russian companies targeted by Trump administration“via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida – Florida’s massive public pension fund includes $160 million invested in Russian companies sanctioned this year by the Trump administration, including a handful of holdings on the state’s own list of “scrutinized companies” because of their ties to Iran, according to state investment records reviewed and analyzed by POLITICO. The list of companies reads like a who’s who of those starring in the rise of U.S.-Russia tensions. Investments include companies run by oligarchs linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin, state-run companies, enterprises that have been sanctioned for meddling in U.S. elections, and companies owned by a billionaire targeted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller‘s probe into whether President Trump’s campaign colluded with Russians.
Ready for kindergarten? Florida’s new test found many youngsters were not” via Leslie Postal of the Orlando Sentinel — About 54 percent of the students who started kindergarten in public schools in August 2017 were ready for school, according to the test results recently released by the Florida Department of Education. The low passing rate on the new test upset early childhood educators across Central Florida and the state. They doubt its accuracy. They fear students struggled in part because it was an online test and they were unfamiliar with working on a computer with a mouse. And they are angry because their state-funded pre-kindergarten programs are judged on how former students did on the new kindergarten-readiness test.
“K2 behind bars: Synthetic marijuana most prevalent drug in Florida facilities” via Zack McDonald via the Panama City News-Herald — In some circles, inmates refer to the strain synthetic marijuana entering prisons as “la Cucaracha” because of the chemicals — roach spray included — added to the drugs. More commonly, it is known as “K2” or “Spice,” synthetic cannabinoids manufactured to be chemically similar to the THC found in organic marijuana. However, much of the flaky, potpourri-esque substance, at some point, is sprayed with other dangerous chemicals such as cockroach insecticide … one of the most prolific busts occurred recently at Gulf Correctional Institute when an officer reportedly was caught smuggling 334 grams — three-quarters of a pound — of synthetic marijuana into the prison in her bra and feminine hygiene products at one time, according to Florida Department of Corrections (DOC) officials. Because of the difficulty in detection, synthetic marijuana is particularly attractive to inmates because it does not show up on standard urinalysis tests. But the underlying incentive for smugglers — whether guards, inmates or visitors — is ultimately economics, according to DOC officials.
Fake sultan was scamming a Miami billionaire. Then he ate pork” via Jay Weaver of the Miami Herald — When Anthony Gignac set his sights on Miami, he targeted superrich real estate developer Jeffrey Soffer of Turnberry Associates. At first, Soffer fell for the con man’s pitch to buy an interest in one of his hotels, even lavishing $50,000 in luxury gifts on the “sultan,” according to sources familiar with a federal investigation. Gignac, using the alias “Sultan Bin Khalid al-Saud,” pretended he wanted to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the landmark Fontainebleau resort hotel on Miami Beach, which had been renovated and expanded by Turnberry at a whopping $1 billion cost. The 47-year-old Gignac, locked up in a Miami detention center since November, is now awaiting sentencing next month after pleading guilty to impersonating a foreign government official, identity theft and fraud. Over the course of events, Soffer “became increasingly wary of Gignac.” One reason for the developer’s suspicions: Gignac happily wolfed down bacon and pork products during meals, which as a devout Muslim prince should have been against his religion, according to a source with knowledge of the case.
— LATEST ON LAKE O —
Assignment editors — Gov. Scott will take a boat tour of the Caloosahatchee River and areas where the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is deploying the additional water monitoring stations. He will also view the algal blooms from Lake Okeechobee water releases directed by the Army Corps of Engineers, 8 a.m. 2600 Southeast 26th Place, Cape Coral. Media should RSVP with Mara Gambineri at [email protected]. Space on the media boat is limited.
“Marco Rubio asks Trump to ask Corps to ‘re-evaluate’ Lake Okeechobee discharges” via Ali Schmitz of TCPalm — In a letter sent to Trump Sunday, Rubio asks Trump to ask the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to start considering the “impacts of harmful algal blooms and poor water quality” on downstream communities while they plan and conduct the discharges. In the letter, Rubio said the Corps should immediately reconsider starting discharges flows into the St. Lucie River Monday, and re-evaluate the flows entering the Caloosahatchee. “Perhaps more than any of your predecessors in the Oval Office, you personally understand the economic importance of maintaining Florida’s alluring coastal resource,” Rubio said in the letter, referring to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach.
“Lee County legislators ask Gov. Scott to declare state of emergency because of algae problem” via Amy Bennett Williams of the Fort Myers News-Press — The letter said: “A state of emergency would effectuate a swift and efficient state response to the imminent dangers of the blue-green algae threat to Lee County by identifying available funds state agencies could use to respond to this threat. Additionally, we ask that you continue to request the water management districts explore and pursue all options that will reduce discharges, including storage north, east, west, and south of Lake Okeechobee.” Signing the letter were state Reps. Dane Eagle, Matt Caldwell, Heather Fitzenhagen, Ray Rodrigues, and state Sens. Lizbeth Benacquisto, Kathleen Passidomo, and Denise Grimsley.
“Cyanobacteria in water column, not on Lake Okeechobee surface” via Katrina Elsken of Okeechobee News — The bad news: According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) there is a large concentration of cyanobacteria (sometimes called “blue-green algae) in the lake. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, some of the samples taken from areas along the shore where winds pushed algae and cyanobacteria into clumps along the shoreline have shown low levels of toxins. What happens next: According to the scientists who study algae worldwide, there is no way to tell, at this point, what will happen as the summer heat continues.
“Company hopes to capitalize on rising sea levels in Florida” via Kimberly Miller of The Associated Press — The 3-year-old startup Coastal Risk Consultants was co-founded by the former director of Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Environmental Studies, and has amassed an advisory board of respected atmosphere experts from the University of Miami, Pennsylvania State University and Florida International University. Jupiter, a Silicon Valley firm launched this year by entrepreneur Rich Sorkin to analyze the effects of climate change on individual properties, includes a Nobel Prize winner, a former leader at the National Science Foundation, and Todd Stern, the chief negotiator for the U.S. on the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. The companies see a market in sea level rise consultation, but also other climate change-related challenges that traditional property inspectors and building codes don’t consider — hurricane storm surge, flooding rains and extreme temperature changes. Coastal Risk Consultants, which raised $2 million to develop software to evaluate individual parcels for flooding, is on the cusp of profitability, said President Albert Slap.
“Residents called for help as Irma rolled in. These on-duty cops drank Coronas” via Sarah Blaskey of the Miami Herald — Emergency lines were ringing off the hook from North Bay Village on Sept. 9, 2017, as the tiny, three-island city braced itself for what was predicted to be an almost direct hit from Hurricane Irma. By midnight, half the members of the 12-person hurricane “Landfall Team” — the only local emergency unit still on the ground — were sitting around a table at City Hall drinking Corona Light, according to an internal affairs report … The documents describe the night this way: Instead of patrolling in their special high-water vehicles or taking calls, the commander told the other police officers that they should stay in and could drink on the job. So seven guys cracked open beers, talked football and did what one official described as “other things guys do when they get together.”
— D.C. MATTERS —
“Trump Foundation donated to charities that booked galas at Mar-a-Lago” via Christine Stapleton of the Palm Beach Post — Nearly all of the $706,000 in donations made by the Donald J. Trump Foundation in Palm Beach County since 2008 went to charities that hosted lavish fundraisers at Mar-a-Lago — the president’s highest-profile business in the county. While the timing and frequency of the donations suggest charities that fete at Mar-a-Lago — especially those that return after fundraising at other venues — are rewarded for their loyalty, several local charities said the donations were not a quid pro quo or a reward for doing business with Trump. An event planner instrumental in moving one of the more popular fundraisers to Mar-a-Lago four years ago said receiving a donation from Trump was completely unexpected. “It was a surprise,” said Chase Scott, who arranged for the Salvation Army’s gala to be moved from The Breakers in 2014.
“Trump’s HHS says lawmakers visiting immigrant children create ‘unnecessary strain’” via Alex Daugherty and Katie Glueck of the Miami Herald — U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo was barred from visiting the Homestead Temporary Shelter for Unaccompanied Children on Friday even though he tried to set up a visit weeks ago and followed protocols issued by the Trump administration. “More than 50 members of Congress and 60 congressional staffers visited in the month of June alone,” HHS spokesperson Evelyn Stauffer said in a statement. “Despite these efforts, there continue to be Members and staff who disregard long-standing policies for visit requests and accommodations, creating significant and unnecessary strain on grantee shelters’ staff, whose first and foremost priority is providing for the safety, security, and care of youth at their facilities. President Trump has continually called on Congress to fix our nation’s broken immigration system, and we encourage members of Congress to focus on long-term solutions to policies that are driving tens of thousands of people to our borders, unaccompanied or otherwise.”
“Nervous South Florida industries await tariff war fallout” via David Lyons of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — Few could offer precise calculations of potential lost jobs and sales in a region where unemployment is at record lows and many businesses across the economic spectrum are enjoying superlative profits. But business leaders and professionals who monitor business activity for a living said they were beyond concerned as Washington imposed 25 percent duties on $34 billion of imports from China. “There are a lot of Florida-based [boat] manufacturers that sell all over the world, and it’s definitely going to affect them,” said Phil Purcell, CEO of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida. “We have leading brands here that the world wants.”
What Marc Caputo is reading — “China trade war hits Keys lobster fishermen” via Jim DeFede of CBS Miami — Boat captain Gary Nichols is trying to cope with another world event — the growing U.S. trade war with China … tucked into the list of 545 products getting slapped with a 25 percent tariff by China were Florida lobsters. “I was really praying that wasn’t going to occur,” Nichols said. “And at this moment I don’t know what is going to happen, we’re all just in limbo.” Nine years ago, when the price for lobster dropped to $3 a pound, Nichols nearly lost everything. Then along came the China, whose growing economy and burgeoning middle class developed an insatiable taste for the Spiny lobster. Nichols was one of the first to figure out how to ship live lobsters to China and it helped save the commercial fishing industry in the Keys. At its height, lobster prices hit $24 a pound. In recent years, it settled to an average price of about $10. But now the trade war threatens everything. To stay competitive, Florida lobstermen are going to have to drop their prices otherwise buyers in China may turn to other markets, including Australia, Brazil and Nicaragua — none of which will have the added 25 percent cost.
— OPINIONS —
“Brad Rogers: Scott: election-year environmentalist” via the Ocala StarBanner — Scott has the habit of becoming an environmentalist every time an election rolls around. The rest of the time? Not so much. OK, not at all. And for whatever reason, the majority of voters ignore what their eyes are telling them about the state of Florida’s environment — Lake Okeechobee being Exhibit A — and believe our governor, who critics have appropriately dubbed “an election-year environmentalist.” Here’s the thing. The Okeechobee algae problem is a Rick Scott problem. … Of course, Scott will deny any culpability. After all, he loves to tell us what a friend of the environment he is, right? Some friend.
— MOVEMENTS —
First in Sunburn — CATECOMM the leader in Florida public relations, ads, and campaign consulting, is adding more comms star power, with the addition of Michael Starr Hopkins, a veteran of the Barack Obama 08 and 12, as well as the Hillary Clinton 2016 presidential campaigns, former public defender, and prolific cable news guest. Based in St. Petersburg, Hopkins will join the in-demand and innovative firm during a very busy election cycle, including roles on three major statewide campaigns in Florida. CATECOMM was founded in 2010 by Kevin Cate, described as a “multimedia wiz” by the Tampa Bay Times and named one of Florida’s 100 most influential people by INFLUENCE Magazine. The firm represents some of the largest corporate, nonprofit, and associations in the state. It also publishes Above the Fold Florida and owns Rocket Lobby, called the “most advanced advocacy tool of all-time.”
New and renewed lobbying registrations:
Marty Fiorentino, Joseph Mobley, Kasra Moshkani, Mark Pinto, The Fiorentino Group: Uber Technologies Affiliates
Fred Karlinsky, Greenberg Traurig: Erickson Living, Millennium Management, Risk Management Solutions
Ashley Stacell, Capitol Strategies Consulting: The Centers
Nominations sought for Bar Reporters’ Workshop — The Florida Bar seeks nominations for its 29th annual Reporters’ Workshop, designed for journalists new to the courts and legal beats, or new to the state. This year’s workshop, to be held in Tallahassee Sept. 24-25, is open to 24 print, online, TV and radio journalists. Nominations must be made by editors, publishers or news directors and include information on the journalist’s background, current assignments and contact information. Make sure nominations are received by 5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 10. Send via email to [email protected]; by fax at 850-561-9429 or by U.S. Mail to “The Florida Bar Reporters’ Workshop, Public Information Dept., 651 E. Jefferson St., Tallahassee, FL 32399.” The selection process will be completed by mid-August. Those selected for participation will be notified by email.
— ALOE —
“Tallahassee extreme endurance athlete (Patrick Slevin) tackles Death Race” via Brian Miller of the Tallahassee Democrat — Could you chop wood for two hours? Could you go 24 hours without sleep, then memorize the U.S. Presidents in order, hike to the top of a mountain and recite them back, all while knowing that one wrong answer would incur a trip back to the bottom to restart the task? Slevin, 49, is headed up to Pittsfield, Vermont, this week to take on the craziest of extreme endurance races. “The goal is to finish — survive it,” said Slevin, a local public relations consultant. “People go in thinking it’s a race, but I’ve literally seen the person who was in the lead go to last and then the person who was last go to the lead because of the different kind of assignments.” Started in 2005 by Joe De Sena, the co-founder of Reebok Spartan Races, only 100 extreme endurance athletes who qualify are invited in to participate in Death Race, a dangerous excursion in the Vermont mountains that could last between three and five sleepless days. That’s right — fall asleep and you’re out.
“Twitter is sweeping out fake accounts like never before, putting user growth at risk” via Craig Timberg and Elizabeth Dwoskin of The Washington Post — The rate of account suspensions has more than doubled since October when the company revealed under congressional pressure how Russia used fake accounts to interfere in the U.S. presidential election. Twitter suspended more than 70 million accounts in May and June, and the pace has continued in July, according to the data. The aggressive removal of unwanted accounts may result in a rare decline in the number of monthly users in the second quarter, according to a person familiar with the situation who was not authorized to speak. The extent of account suspensions, which has not previously been reported, is one of several recent moves by Twitter to limit the influence of people it says are abusing its platform. The changes, which were the subject of internal debate, reflect a philosophical shift for Twitter.
Spotted on Wine Spectator’s 2018 Restaurant Awards list: Capt. Anderson’s, which since 1953 has been owned and operated by the family of CFO Patronis. The Spector’s Restaurant Awards recognize restaurants whose wine lists offer interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers. The entry about Capt. Anderson’s notes that the Panama City Beach location has a “wine list of 640 labels focused on California and France.”
Welcome to the world: Briar June McFaul, the beautiful daughter of Jessica and Dan McFaul, a partner at Ballard Partners.
Happy birthday from this weekend to state Reps. Janet Cruz and Bob Rommel, Peter Cracchiolo, Brad Herold, Tim Nungesser, and the Florida Medical Association’s Tim Stapleton. Celebrating today are Hill+Knowlton’s Trip Farmer, former state Reps. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda and Matt Hudson, as well as Rick Homans. Also, a special happy birthday to Florida Politics’ own Bob Sparks.
