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.
During his month as a candidate for Florida Governor, Jeff Greene has been a man of few words.
But when he does speak up, he can cut deep.
Greene wasn’t particularly vicious when he laid into his primary rivals Monday, but he made some lucid points about the four other Democrats seeking to end 20 years of Republican control at the Governor’s Mansion.
There were jabs about the lack of enthusiasm for the field — half of primary voters are still undecided — but his main criticism came down to campaign finance, which happens to be the Palm Beach billionaire’s biggest strength in the primary contest.
His thesis: You’re either a billionaire, or you’re doing the bidding of one.
That stinger was aimed squarely at Andrew Gillum, who despite proudly touting himself as the only “non-millionaire” running for Governor, has seen his lagging campaign get a much-needed jolt in recent weeks from some big-name, big-money Democrats.
George Soros gave hundreds of thousands to the Tallahassee mayor. Tom Steyer has a committee to spend $1 million on Gillum’s campaign
Greene, who knows Soros, says “he knows what he wants to get done, and he puts money behind people who are going to support his agenda.” And when it comes to Steyer, he says it’s the same deal.
“If Andrew Gillum thinks somebody’s giving him a million dollars to just go do what he wants,” Greene said, “I think he’s very naive.”
But whatever is causing those billionaires to back Gillum, there’s no sign of it slowing down. As he’s already snagged another — Coral Gables billionaire Barbara Stiefel anted up $150,000 for Gillum’s political committee just last week.
—
In Monday morning’s edition of Sunburn, we inadvertently inserted the F-word into a Tweet that originally came from the official account of Gov. Rick Scott. The governor’s original Tweet, of course, did not include such colorful language. The error was due to the use of voice-to-text software.
Also, we mistakenly reported in Saturday’s edition of Capitol Directions that Democrat challenger Janet Cruz was leading Republican incumbent Dana Young by nine points in a recent poll on the Senate District 18 race. That poll, in fact, has her up by one point; a previous poll had Young leading by nine points.
We regret these errors.
— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —
—@EUcoPresident: Politicians come and go but the problems they have created for people remain. I can only regret that the idea of #Brexit has not left with Davis and Johnson. But … who knows?
—@David4Florida: #Beryl is weaker than a tropical storm, yet its winds will still cause more power outages in #PuertoRico! Nearly 300 DAYS AFTER # HurricaneMari, Puerto Ricans are still without clean water and power. This is unacceptable, Congress needs to step up!
—@RosemaryOHara14: .@DWStweets withstood enormous criticism for refusing to fire a Muslim aide accused of procurement violations. Now that he’s been cleared, she deserves credit for standing by someone she believed was persecuted because of his religion.
—@GwenGraham: When @WendyDavis endorsed our campaign last year, we didn’t know our rights would be on the ballot this November — but I was proud to have her support then and it means even more with Roe v. Wade on the line today.
—@FrankWhiteFL: Thanks @AndyMarlette for perfectly illustrating liberal media’s disgust for conservative values. You couldn’t have better illustrated your complete ignorance of FL’s voters. Proud to join @realDonaldTrump @FLGovScott and @mattgaetz as one of your conservative targets! #MAGA
—@SShawFL: I recently was endorsed by the same group that endorsed my father 28 years ago … wow.
—@MDCPS: When school starts this year, you shall be the force of calm & reassurance. Unfortunately, parents will be focused on how many police officers will be at our schools. But we will not arm ourselves into a safer America, we need to arm our teachers with inspiration.
—@JohnCascio: There are too many “Instagram-challenges” … How about the “be a good person and don’t be a moron challenge”?!
— DAYS UNTIL —
Florida Chamber Environmental Permitting Summer School — 7; MLB All-Star Game — 7; Democratic gubernatorial candidates debate in Fort Myers — 8; Florida Chamber Global Florida Webinar — 14; MAKE MORE Manufacturing Summit — 19; Deadline for filing claim bills — 22; ‘The Race for Governor’ Democratic gubernatorial debate in West Palm Beach — 23; Republican gubernatorial debate in Jacksonville — 29; Start of the U.S. Open — 48; Primary Election Day — 49; NFL season starts — 49; College Football opening weekend — 51; Future of Florida Forum — 78; ‘Before You Vote’ Florida U.S. Senate debate — 105; ‘Before You Vote’ Florida Governor debate — 106; General Election Day — 119; Florida Chamber Insurance Summit — 140; ‘Hamilton’ comes to the Straz Center — 217; 2019 Legislative Session starts — 238; 2020 General Election — 847.
— TOP STORY —
“Donald Trump picks Brett Kavanaugh for court, setting up fight with Dems” via Catherine Lucey, Zeke Miller and Mark Sherman of the Associated Press — President Donald Trump chose Brett Kavanaugh, a politically connected conservative judge, for the Supreme Court Monday night, setting up a ferocious confirmation battle with Democrats as he seeks to shift the nation’s highest court further to the right. A favorite of the Republican legal establishment in Washington, Kavanaugh, 53, is a former law clerk for retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy. Like Trump’s first nominee last year, Justice Neil Gorsuch, Kavanaugh would be a young addition who could help remake the court for decades to come with rulings that could restrict abortion, expand gun rights and roll back key parts of Obamacare. “There is no one in America more qualified for this position and no one more deserving,” said Trump in his prime-time televised address from the White House, calling Kavanaugh “one of the sharpest legal minds of our time.” Some conservatives have expressed concerns about Kavanaugh, questioning his commitment to social issues like abortion and noting his time serving under President George W. Bush as evidence he is a more establishment choice. With Democrats determined to vigorously oppose Trump’s choice, the Senate confirmation battle is expected to dominate the months leading up to November’s midterm elections.
“Millions of dollars flood into Trump’s Supreme Court battle” via Marianne Levine of POLITICO — Outside groups looking to sway senators and the larger public about Trump’s forthcoming Supreme Court pick say they are planning to spend more than they did during last year’s fight over Justice Neil Gorsuch, pointing to the drastically higher stakes this time around. … NARAL Pro-Choice America and the ACLU have already purchased ads asking GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska to assess candidates based on their support for the landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade. NARAL spent five figures on its first ad buy, while the ACLU spent six figures. For its part, Americans for Prosperity, the Koch-backed political advocacy group is ‘prepared to commit seven-figures to support a nominee in the mold of Neil Gorsuch,’ according to a spokesperson.”
“New Supreme Court nominee Kavanaugh has ties to big Florida moments” via The Miami Herald – In 2000, Kavanaugh represented pro bono the Miami relatives of 6-year-old Elian [Gonzalez], who wanted to keep the child in Miami despite his father’s wishes to have custody of him in Cuba. Kavanaugh lost that fight when Elian was removed from his uncle’s Little Havana house by federal agents with their guns drawn in the predawn hours of April 22, 2000, on Saturday before Easter Sunday.
— NELSON VS. SCOTT —
“Bill Nelson asks CDC to study long-term health effects of toxic algae blooms” via Ali Schmitz of TCPalm — Nelson has asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide “emergency assistance” to research the long-term health risks associated with toxic algae that’s covered Lake Okeechobee and Florida coastal communities. In a letter, Nelson asks CDC Director Robert Redfield to study and properly communicate health risks from living near or coming into contact with algae. Nelson previously announced his impending request during July 5 visits to communities affected by the algae blooms: Stuart, Fort Myers and Belle Glade. “I repeatedly heard the same message: We need trustworthy, timely information about the potential health consequences of exposure to toxic algae for prolonged periods,” Nelson said in the letter.
“Outside organization attacks Bill Nelson’s budget history in new TV ad” via Danny McAuliffe of Florida Politics — In the ad, Nelson, a longtime federal lawmaker, is criticized for failing to pass federal budgets, which has happened eight times during his tenure in Congress, according to the ad. It also attacks the Senator for not preventing six separate government shutdowns and for voting for “trillions in spending and billions in higher taxes.” “Most Americans know how important it is that Washington stay within its budget. After all, our families have one,” the voice-over says in the ad. “But Washington has its own way and seems to ignore their responsibility to pass a budget.”
To view the ad, click the image below:
Assignment editors — Gov. Scott will hold a “Let’s Get to Work” rally in his bid for U.S. Senate, 2:30 p.m., Crystal Chevrolet, 1035 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa.
— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL —
RNC fights blue wave by already contacting 20 million voters” via Alex Seitz-Wald of NBC News — Heading into the summer with a major cash advantage over the Democrats, the [RNC] says its efforts to contact voters ahead of the November midterms are on pace to match, and in some categories have already surpassed, the 2016 presidential election. The RNC told NBC News it has already made 20 million traditional voter contacts by phone or door knocking this election cycle, a large number for a nonpresidential election year. That’s just part of the total 487 million contacts it says it has already made this cycle, including emails opened (250 million), calls made for data gathering purposes (183 million), digital petitions or surveys completed (19 million), direct mail sent (9.6 million), and get-out-the-vote calls made (5.6 million).
Save the date — Fox News host Mark Levin joins Ron DeSantis for a meet-and-greet Saturday, July 14, doors open 3 p.m., Trump National Jupiter Golf Club, 106 Bears Club Dr., Jupiter.
“Adam Putnam’s office mischaracterized interviews for concealed carry investigation, withheld records from media” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida – Putnam’s bid for governor has been dogged over the past month by an explosive report that his office didn’t fully review applications for hundreds of concealed carry gun permits. The missed permit reviews, though, are not the end of Putnam’s problems. His department’s own investigators signed off on a final report looking at the issue that said every interview conducted with department staff was done under oath and recorded, but according to records reviewed by POLITICO, two key interviews were not. In addition, his office delayed the release of records related to the report, including not initially releasing requested documents to the media outlets. “It’s a huge issue,” Barbara Petersen, an attorney and president of the First Amendment Foundation, said of interviews listed as “sworn” not being under oath. “It is at the heart of our ability to oversee our government and hold them accountable.”
“Putnam in new ad: ‘deport violent criminals now’” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — The ad, released by Florida Grown PC, features Putnam in front of a prison while discussing his plans to change Florida’s immigration approach. “There are many reasons to be mad about illegal immigration,” says Putnam in the ad. “Here’s one we can’t stand for: Today, taxpayers in Florida are paying nearly a hundred million dollars a year to imprison criminal illegal aliens. A hundred million dollars to feed, clothe and house criminal illegal aliens.” The ad gives no citation for that $100 million figure, though the campaign pointed to Putnam’s own “Secure Florida First Agenda” plan. While that document has citations throughout, no source is given for that exact figure.
To view the ad, click on the image below:
Assignment editors — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gillum opens a new Miami Gardens campaign office, 4:30 p.m., 16190 NW. 27th Ave., Opa-locka.
“With deep pockets, Democrat Greene asks for First Coast votes in Governor’s race” via Ryan Benk of WJCT — “I really believe Florida is not a swing state, it’s not a purple state, it’s a blue state that’s just been outspent by the Republicans election, after election, after election,” Greene told WJCT News. Greene has already invested more than $7 million in his campaign, and the Massachusetts-born tycoon said if he wins the nomination, he’s prepared to write checks for Democrats in close elections around the state. “Everybody’s calling me all of a sudden. Why is that? I don’t understand,” Greene joked. “If I’m the nominee, obviously I’m going to be laser focused at that point on how am I going to have the biggest impact for the people of Florida. Well, obviously with a Republican House and Senate it will be a lot harder. So, I will work equally hard to win those down-ticket races, and I have the financial resources to do it.”
Greene launches two new ads, $2.7M statewide buy — Greene’s latest television and digital ads focus on two major themes of his campaign: solving Florida’s public education crisis and standing up to Donald Trump on behalf of Floridians. In the 30-second “3 Reasons,” Greene commits to raising teacher pay, funding public schools and not private or charter “schools without rules,” and ensuring two years of Pre-K for every 3 and 4-year-old in Florida. The “Trump Golf” 30-second spot focuses on the outsized bill Trump leaves for Florida taxpayers every time he comes down to play golf — the very same thing for which he slammed Obama on the campaign trail. Greene pledges to stop Florida taxpayers from footing Trump’s multimillion-dollar bill for road closures and overtime and put that money toward funding public education and comprehensive women’s health care.
To view “3 Reasons,” click the image below:
Kevin Rader endorses Philip Levine for Governor — Currently representing Florida’s Senate District 29, Rader has previously served three terms in the Florida House from 2008 to 2010 and again from 2012 until his election to the Senate in 2016. “I am proud to endorse Philip Levine as the most qualified pick for Florida’s next Governor — and the candidate that has what it takes to win. He has the track record of accomplishments as Mayor and the vision necessary to move our state forward,” Rader said.
“Richard Corcoran committee reports more than $1.4 million in bank” via the News Service of Florida — A political committee tied to House Speaker Corcoran spent nearly $200,000 in June — but still had more than $1.4 million in the bank. Corcoran raised $6.9 million for the committee, known as Watchdog PAC, in 2017 and early 2018 as he considered a possible run for governor. But Corcoran announced this spring that he would not run for governor and stopped raising money for the committee. From June 1 through June 29, the committee spent $196,540 with the largest single expenditure a $50,000 contribution to the Republican Party of Florida. The committee also paid tens of thousands of dollars to consultants. As of June 29, the committee had about $1.44 million on hand.
— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, PART 2 —
“Pro-greyhound racing campaign strikes back with new video” via Florida Politics — Can “athletes” perform at their best if they are “confined 23 hours a day in a crate?” No, says the Committee to Support Greyhounds, in a new video posted Sunday on Facebook. The group opposes a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending commercial dog racing in the state … The Committee to Protect Dogs, which favors the ban, has said the animals are caged for as much as 23 hours daily, using trainers’ own statements in a video and white paper released last month. “How much sense does that make?” the video’s narrator says. “Think how you would feel” if this were true, the video adds, mentioning “bed sores,” “body aches,” and “an increased risk of stress and depression.”
To watch the video, click on the image below:
Two more sheriffs endorse Denise Grimsley, total now 31 — A pair of county sheriffs are the latest to lend their support to Grimsley in her bid for Agriculture Commissioner. Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis and Sumter County Sheriff William O. Farmer, Jr., as well as the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police, now make 31 Florida sheriffs who are endorsing Grimsley’s campaign. “It is a true privilege to say that more than 30 of Florida’s sheriffs have endorsed our campaign for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture,” Grimsley said in a statement. “Blue lives are sacred; and, as a cabinet member, I pledge to stand behind the honorable women and men in law enforcement that have dedicated their lives to upholding the rule of law and, in turn, keeping our families safe and secure.”
Straw man — Baxter Troutman is spending beaucoup bucks in the battle to win the GOP nomination for Agriculture Commissioner. And yet despite those dollars, he finished fourth — behind even Mike McCalister — at the Brevard Republican Executive Committee’s recent straw poll, as well as the Pinellas GOP’s straw poll on Sunday. Is that a harbinger that Troutman should heed? Is it time to save his money and go home?
— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, PART 3 —
Exclusive — “Ross Spano leads Republican field in CD 15, poll shows” via Florida Politics — The St. Pete Polls survey found Spano with 31.6 percent support among CD 15 Republicans, 12 points ahead of former GOP Auburndale state Rep. Neil Combee. The race is far from over, however, with “undecided” being the choice of 37.4 percent of voters seven weeks out from the Aug. 28 primary. Still, the new poll is a shift from late May, when the same pollster found Spano, of Dover, with 29-23 percent over Combee. That lead fell within the margin of error. The new one does not.
“Julio Gonzalez raises $225K for congressional bid” via Florida Politics — Gonzalez brought in another $225,000 last quarter for his campaign to succeed U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney in Florida’s 17th Congressional District. “I am proud to have the support of so many Floridians,” Gonzalez said. “We’ve built support throughout the district and earned the endorsements of conservative leaders who care about sending effective conservative leaders to Washington.” The Venice Republican didn’t indicate whether the $225,000 raised includes any candidate loans.
“Daphne Campbell backed by state’s largest police union” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — State Sen. Daphne Campbell has earned the endorsement of the state’s largest police union in her fight for re-election in Senate District 38. The Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA) is all in for Campbell as she competes with Miami attorney Jason Pizzo for the Democratic nomination in SD 38. “Sen. Campbell’s previous legislative support for issues important to our association has led to major improvement for our members and their families,” said Florida PBA Executive Director Matt Puckett. “In the past two years,
although we have made significant progress, our members will continue to face difficult challenges, which requires sustained legislative support and we believe Sen. Campbell will continue to be a strong voice for law enforcement and their families in the Florida Senate and throughout Senate District 38.”
Florida Retail Federation endorses Bob Rommel for re-election — FRF PAC is endorsing incumbent Republican Rommel for House District 106 which covers parts of Collier and Lee counties. “As an entrepreneur and business owner himself, Representative Rommel knows how important it is to reduce burdensome regulations and pass legislation making it easier for businesses to prosper,” said FRF President/CEO R. Scott Shalley. “Rommel has been focused on creating jobs and supporting Florida businesses and we know he’ll continue this focus during this next term in the Florida House.”
Tommy Gregory unveils first HD 73 ad — Gregory’s first television spot, “Tommy,” features his wife, Erica, and outlines his conservative credentials and experience as a military veteran, prosecutor and family man. “Our state and nation face significant challenges,” Gregory said in a statement. “I’m proud to be running as a true conservative because I believe conservative principles offer the best solutions to those challenges. Erica does a great job making the issues in this race crystal clear in this spot, and I’m excited to continue getting our message out to the voters of District 73.” Gregory is running for the seat currently held by Joe Gruters, who has mounted a state Senate run.
To view the ad, click on the image below:
— STATEWIDE —
“At Guatemalan-Maya Center, fear grips South Florida undocumented immigrants” via Skyler Swisher of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — The stories of children being taken from their parents have injected even more fear into South Florida’s immigrant communities, advocates said during a roundtable discussion organized by U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel. For immigrant families, the Guatemalan-Maya Center is a place where they can feel safe and know they can get help without being targeted for deportation, said Tim Gamwell, the center’s assistant director. “Families, on the whole, are scared to drive down the street, scared to take their kids to schools,” he said. “If their child is sick they are scared to take them to the hospital or doctor office. They are scared to report minor infractions.”
“Pension fund keeps positive streak alive” via Lloyd Dunkelberger of the News Service of Florida — Florida’s $160.4 billion state pension fund showed a preliminary return of 8.99 percent for the fiscal year that ended June 30, marking the ninth straight year the retirement fund has shown a positive gain. Ash Williams, executive director of the State Board of Administration, which oversees the fund that pays retirement benefits for teachers, county workers, law enforcement officers, state workers and higher-education employees, said he expects the final number to be even higher. The nine-year positive run began after the fund plunged more than 19 percent in 2008-09 as Florida was dealing with the impact of the Great Recession. Since then, the fund had two years where the return was less than 1 percent, but there were also five years of double-digit returns, including a 13.77 percent return in 2016-17. Over the last 33 years, the fund has only had five negative years and has had 21 years of double-digit returns.
“Banning the beach? Locals start enforcing new access law” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — “It is so confusing.” That’s the takeaway of Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson Jr., regarding the state of public access to private beaches following the enactment of HB 631. Adkinson spoke with Florida Politics after a Facebook posting over the weekend appeared to show a confrontation resulting from the new law in Walton County’s Santa Rosa Beach area. According to Ryan Nesset, who authored the post and appears to actively oppose the law, “The two ladies were told they were trespassing on a private beach in Walton County, Florida today. “They were told if they did not move they would be arrested, all thanks to the new private beach law that went into effect on July 1. The law removed the customary use ordinance that the county had that said all the beaches are for the public.” His post had nearly two thousand shares at the time of this article’s publishing. Adkinson, however, says the characterization is overblown, noting the women agreed to leave before ever being threatened with arrest.
“As state ‘water wars’ get salty, oysters get a say” via PEW Stateline — Florida and Georgia have been arguing about the water that flows into the Apalachicola Bay for three decades, about as long as Tommy Ward and his family have been selling oysters from the bay. Florida says Georgia draws more than its fair share of water from the Flint and Chattahoochee rivers before they fuse to create the Apalachicola River. Georgia uses the water to supply thirsty Atlanta and the vast farmland south of the metropolis. But its disruption of the freshwater flow has increased the salinity of the bay and the number of oyster-eating predators, which are able to thrive in saltier water. The result: The virtual collapse of the oyster industry in Apalachicola Bay.
“Appeals court blocks lawsuit against church” via Jim Saunders of the News Service of Florida — Pointing to a need to keep courts out of internal religious disputes, an appeals court scuttled a lawsuit over the dismissal of a former deacon from a Gainesville church. The ruling by a three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal was at least the second such decision in recent months by state appellate courts. The ruling came in an Alachua County case filed by Gerald Mobley against Springhill Missionary Baptist Church of Gainesville. The church terminated Mobley as a member because of what it described in a letter as “heretical statements,” according to a copy of the letter included in court documents. Mobley said in the documents he had been a church deacon.
What Dorothy Hukill is reading — “Windshield lawsuits drop statewide; now barely a blip in South Florida” via Ron Hurtibise of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — After increasing for several years, the number of lawsuits against insurers by glass shops dropped sharply in the first half of the year, according to an analysis of cases against insurers that attorneys report to the state’s Service of Process Reports database as required by state law. Lawsuits against auto insurance companies by windshield repair companies or companies known to handle billing on their behalf decreased by 37.4 percent — from 13,475 to 8,435 — between the first six months of 2017 and the same period in 2018, the analysis found. Just as the number of lawsuits against home insurance companies fueled by “assignment of benefits” has been concentrated in South Florida over the past several years, the largest volume of assignment-related windshield suits has been in the western and central areas of the state.
‘Wite-out’ case against Dan Raulerson affirmed — An appeals court has affirmed a Tallahassee judge’s tossing out of a lawsuit over the use of correction fluid on former state Rep. Raulerson‘s 2016 re-election filing paperwork. A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal on Monday unanimously agreed with Circuit Judge Charles Dodson. Last year, Dodson dismissed the case brought by Jose N. Vazquez Figueroa, the Democrat who unsuccessfully challenged Raulerson for the House District 58 seat. Raulerson, a Plant City Republican, later left the house because of health reasons. Monday’s opinion cited case law that “courts have no jurisdiction after an election to determine an individual’s right to hold office.” Undaunted, Vazquez — who had represented himself — said in an email he’s next appealing to the Florida Supreme Court. Vazquez had said Raulerson should never have qualified because his notary had incorrectly used “correction fluid” on his filing paperwork. The state’s notary manual says correction fluid is not allowed on notarized documents.
Happening today — The Legislative Committee of the Florida Commission on Ethics will discuss the commission’s legislative recommendations, 9 a.m., 325 John Knox Road, Tallahassee.
Happening today — The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, created after the Feb. 14 mass shooting in Parkland, will begin a three-day meeting to discuss school fire codes and behavioral threat assessments, among other issues, as well as take public comments, 8:30 a.m., BB&T Center, Chairman’s Club, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise.
— STATEWIDE, PART 2 —
“Another Confederate memorial draws fire” via Mitch Perry of Florida Phoenix — Reverend Ron Rawls and Jill Pacetti have diametrically opposing views regarding St. Augustine’s Confederate memorial in the heart of the historic city, but neither is happy with the recommendations a local committee came up with to add more so-called “context” to the monument. The committee will formally present its recommendations at the St. Augustine City Commission just days after protesters picketed the Civil War statue in protest. St. Augustine’s city commission voted in October to keep the 1872 Confederate memorial, which is located in downtown’s Plaza de la Constitucion … the city set up a “Confederate Memorial Contextualization Advisory Committee,” and appointed three black and four white residents to serve on it. Noting how the surrounding St. Johns County is only 6 percent black, Rawls says St. Augustine is a conservative region with a legacy of racism that should not be forgotten — especially the fact that St. Augustine was where the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested for attempting to enter a restaurant in 1964.
“International scam bilks Lenny Curry’s committee for $120,000” via Nate Monroe of the Florida Times-Union — One of Mayor Lenny Curry’s political committees squandered about $120,000 last year by falling victim to an elaborate phone scam that police detectives traced back to Nigeria, according to reports from a Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office investigation that included help from the U.S. Secret Service. In May 2017, Eric Robinson — a Sarasota County School Board member and an accountant well known for representing Florida Republican political committees, including Curry’s — wired $119,797 from one of Curry’s main political committees, Build Something that Lasts, to four different addresses ranging from Wyoming and Ohio to Missouri. The payments were purportedly for catering and consulting services paid to people with no known connection to Curry or anyone who runs his political operation. It turns out, investigators found, a phone scammer duped Robinson into believing he was Curry’s fundraiser, Kevin Hofmann of Tallahassee. Robinson didn’t realize the ruse until the real Hofmann called Robinson while he was on the phone with the impersonator. The scammer told Robinson to send money to places that all appear to be residential addresses.
“David Beckham group releases first image of proposed stadium complex, ‘Miami Freedom Park’” via Joey Flechas of the Miami Herald — An image and video shared by the group provide the first visuals of how Beckham and partner Jorge Mas, of infrastructure firm MasTec, want to redevelop Melreese Country Club, the golf course at Northwest 37th Avenue and the Dolphin Expressway — less than a week before a City Commission meeting where Miami’s elected officials will consider putting the proposal to a referendum in November. The group also released a summary of its vision with some new details, which includes a 25,000- seat stadium, restaurant and retail space, and office park, hotels, soccer fields, a public park and a “golf entertainment facility” — a redevelopment plan the group says will cost $1 billion.
“Topped out: Hard Rock Hollywood hoists final guitar tower girder” via Florida Politics — The $1.5 billion expansion underway at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood celebrated a milestone Monday with a “topping out” of its 450-foot high guitar-shaped tower. That is, the final steel beam was ceremonially hoisted and set atop the tower. It will bring 638 new guest rooms and suites. “The beam itself was transported to the Seminole Tribe’s Brighton, Immokalee, Big Cypress and Hollywood Reservations over the past month to allow members of the Tribal community … to sign it,” the company, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, said in a news release … Slated for a fall 2019 opening, the entire project “adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full-service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint.”
What Chuck Hinson is reading — “TECO Peoples Gas voted most trusted utility in country” via Malena Carollo of the Tampa Bay Times — TECO Peoples Gas was named the most trusted utility in the country, according to a recent report by Market Studies International. The report ranks utilities based on votes by their customers. “Our team members work hard each and every day to provide world-class service and we are proud that our efforts are recognized by our more than 370,000 customers across the state,” T.J. Szelistowski, president of Peoples Gas, said in a release. Peoples Gas has held the No. 1 spot on the report since 2015.
— THE NO-NO WORD —
Climate change is the subject of a new series coming from the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting.
Amy Green, an environmental reporter for WMFE, for the series zeros in on Yankeetown, a small municipality situated at the coastal end of the Withlacoochee River.
Battling climate change is difficult when the state’s leadership refuses to acknowledge it, writes Green, but in Yankeetown, “officials here are fighting back with some success.”
The problem: A gauge monitored by the University of Florida “shows the sea level here is rising seven inches per century, about the global rate, and the rate is accelerating.” There, ‘ghosts forests,’ illustrate the effects of a slowly rising sea level. Green describes them as “bony remains of inundated forest islands that 30 years ago were lush with cabbage palms and red cedars.”
Yankeetown’s solution: “The town has applied a 2011 state law designed to protect vulnerable infrastructure to natural resources such as the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve and its salt marsh” and “ … has used the designation to protect natural habitats that can provide a measure of protection from rising tides.”
How it’s unique: Yankeetown is the first municipality to use the program “to focus the idea of an adaptation action area on natural resources as opposed to built infrastructure,” Thomas Ruppert, a coastal planning specialist at UF, tells Green. “Yankeetown’s goal is to preserve natural resources by giving them space to evolve as the world warms, without the impediments of sea walls or development right at the edge,” explains Green.
— OPINIONS —
“Joe Henderson: Newman Cigar gets reprieve, but it’s only temporary” via Florida Politics — Eric Newman, president of Tampa’s J.C. Newman Cigar Company, won a skirmish in a yearslong legal war with the FDA over proposed regulations that Newman has argued would spell the end of a family-owned business that has been around nearly 125 years in Tampa’s Ybor City. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted a temporary stay on an FDA requirement that cigar industry places large new health warnings on boxes it sells. That would force an expensive redesign, and Newman said additional cost is one thing his company just can’t handle right now. The legal victory is a short-term relief — the stay lasts only until July 25 — in a long-term fight. It hasn’t been for lack of trying in the face of a government agency that treats premium cigars as the same health hazard of cigarettes. Newman has argued strongly that it’s apples and oranges.
“Brace for Toxic Tsunami when Lake Okeechobee discharges resume” via Ed Killer of TCPalm — The blue-green algae has taken over Lake Okeechobee. It has eaten it alive. Literally. Right now, almost all of the lake’s 730 square miles are smothered by it … it clings to shorelines and islands of bulrushes and spike rush and Kissimmee grass. The algae also cover some 70 miles of the Caloosahatchee River watershed and are clearly visible in the St. Lucie Canal — the C-44, as water managers call it. There is 27 miles of algae from Port Mayaca to the St. Lucie Lock and Dam out in Tropical Farms. Treasure Coast residents, be prepared for the Toxic Tsunami. The Army Corps of Engineers plans to crack open the floodgates at Port Mayaca. While the gates have been closed for the past nine days, the welcome but brief break is almost over. The Corps will proceed with its plan to begin again lowering the level of the water in Lake Okeechobee, regardless of what’s floating on it or in it. The big farce is lowering Lake Okeechobee is all in the name of public safety. I guess it depends on which public the Army Corps considers it is keeping safe.
“Let local governments regulate short-term rentals” via the Tampa Bay Times editorial board — The Legislature’s assault on home rule has made it virtually impossible for local governments to deal with this local issue. Don’t forget that seven years ago, local governments regulated these short-term vacation rentals — properties that are rented more than three times a year for 30 days or less. Then the Legislature jumped in, transferred this responsibility to the state in 2011 and banned local governments from passing new regulations. It let existing ordinances stay in place, but any changes to them killed the entire ordinance. Lawmakers opened the door a bit in 2014 to allow local governments to regulate vacation rentals partially — but not ban them or regulate the duration or frequency of the stays. This is still too much micromanaging from Tallahassee. Short-term rentals are an issue for cities and counties, not state government. The Legislature perhaps should set some reasonable parameters, but it should give back to local governments the ability to adopt regulations for short-term rentals that are tailored to their communities.
— MOVEMENTS —
Personnel note: Sergio Bustos departs POLITICO for USA TODAY — Bustos, most recently a senior editor at POLITICO Florida, announced the move on Twitter. He’ll next be “World Editor” for USA TODAY, Gannett’s flagship national newspaper. He’s been a journalist for more than 20 years, his online bio says, including six as a Washington correspondent and five as The Miami Herald’s state/politics editor. Before joining POLITICO, he was with The Associated Press in Florida covering the 2016 presidential race, including candidates Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio until they ended their campaigns.
— ALOE —
“Gas remains at a four-year high in Florida” via the News Service of Florida — “Reduced global oil supplies have caused summer travelers to pay a higher price at the pump this year,” AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said in a news release … Jenkins warned that prices could “pop” if refineries along the Gulf Coast are again threatened by a hurricane. The statewide average of $2.76 for a gallon of regular gas — up nearly 50 cents from a year ago — is 20 cents below this year’s peak, reached during the Memorial Day weekend. As of Sunday, the national average for a gallon of regular gas was $2.87, according to the auto group. In Florida, the highest average price is in the West Palm Beach-Boca Raton region, at $2.84 a gallon. The next highest, $2.83 per gallon, is in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach area of the Panhandle, followed by $2.81 in Miami. Jacksonville and Punta Gorda, where a gallon sells for an average $2.66, both have the lowest prices in the state.
“Waiter, there’s a Bloody Mary in my chicken dinner” via Thomas Vinciguerra of The Wall Street Journal — The Bloody Mary was once a simple combination of tomato juice, vodka, and seasonings in a normal-size glass. Now, in some bars and restaurants, it has become a giant work of performance art. Creations are so out of hand; they’re nearly impossible to consume without great struggle. “The ‘Bloody Royale’ at Franklin & Company in Los Angeles sports a burger slider, a bacon-wrapped jalapeño, a pickle spear, a cube of pepper Jack cheese, a pickled tomatillo, a lime, a roasted Brussels sprout and an onion ring.” Not so impressed are Bloody aficionados such as Lee Grossman, a New York television executive: “I’m not in favor of turning it into a buffet.” Cindy Matar, a 24-year-old Nashville salesperson who ordered a $55 Bloody … “The thing needs a lot of space … You try not to poke yourself on all of the skewers.”
What Rob Bradley is reading — “2020 is the last straw for Starbucks” via Henrietta Reily of Axios — Starbucks announced a phaseout of plastic straws in their 28,000 stores across the world by 2020, planning to replace them with a “strawless lid” and straws made of paper and recyclable plastic. Starbucks estimates that this change will remove a billion single-use straws from its stores each year. Straws represent an especially unnecessary plastic to many, used once for minutes before being discarded, and have been linked to deaths of marine and bird life due to improper disposal.
“What’s in store for Disney World’s 2018 holiday celebrations” via John Gregory of Orlando Rising — The holiday season starts Nov. 8 at Walt Disney World, with some returning staples and new additions throughout its four parks, including at the recently opened Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The new 11-acre land is already lit by what look like Christmas lights at night, but the seasonal additions will feature holiday songs on the new Alien Swirling Saucers and more … Disney’s Hollywood Studios will feature the return of Sunset Season Greetings, which features decorations along the street leading to the Hollywood Tower of Terror. Magic Kingdom will hold its special Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party events on select nights in November and December. Epcot will again host the International Festival of the Holidays starting Nov. 18, while performances of the Candelight Processional will start Nov. 22. Disney’s Animal Kingdom will offer a new live show “Up! A Great Bird Adventure” will include touches of Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated every November by millions of Hindus and Sikhs and considered to be India’s biggest holiday.
Happy birthday belatedly to Ken Cashin, the great April Salter and Jon Shebel. Celebrating today are U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Sen. Rene Garcia, former Rep. Gary Aubuchon, and Beth Gosnell.
