Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
He’s not going anywhere, a Tallahassee judge told lawmakers.
Circuit Judge Charles Dodson this week denied a request from House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate President Joe Negron to take himself off an environmental funding lawsuit.
On June 28, Dodson had granted a “final (summary) judgment for (the) plaintiffs” in a case over how lawmakers fund environmental conservation. Summary judgments allow parties to win a case without a trial.
The legislative leaders later asked Dodson to disqualify himself, saying he violated their constitutional rights “in multiple ways, and over repeated objections.”
The suit, first filed in 2015, was over the Water and Land Legacy Amendment, also known as Amendment 1, passed by almost 75 percent of voters the year before.
The measure requires state officials to set aside 33 percent of the money from the real estate “documentary stamp” tax to protect Florida’s environmentally sensitive areas for 20 years.
Advocates — including the Florida Wildlife Federation and Sierra Club — sued, saying lawmakers wrongly appropriated money for, among other things, “salaries and ordinary expenses of state agencies” tasked with executing the amendment’s mandate.
Dodson agreed, declaring a laundry list of 2015 and 2016 appropriations unconstitutional.
Lawmakers have since asked for a rehearing in the case, which Dodson will likely deny, setting the case up for appeal.
Evening Reads
“Amid cyber-worries, election tensions persist between counties and state” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
“Pam Bondi to campaign for Adam Putnam in Orlando” via Steve Contorno of the Tampa Bay Times
“Weeks after allegations surfaced, Ron DeSantis still silent on Jim Jordan” via Emily Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times
“Jeff Greene sinks millions into campaign” via The News Service of Florida
“Philip Levine and business partner sell properties for $69 million” via Rene Rodriguez of the Miami Herald
“Matt Gaetz says he’s done appearing on Alex Jones’ show” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
“Carlos Curbelo set to introduce carbon tax bill Monday” via Amy Harder of Axios
“FDOT internal SunPass emails reveal attempt to hide problems” via Noah Pransky of 10 News
“Teen allegedly raped by University of Miami football players sues school” via Jerry Iannelli of the Miami New Times
“MLB player poll: Rays (and Marlins) fans are the ‘worst’” via Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times
Quote of the Day
“(Adam) Putnam’s own self-inflicted wounds have left him exposed.” — Liberal activist group American Bridge, in a mailer out this week on the GOP candidate for Governor.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The Economic Estimating Conference will discuss interest rates used in appropriations. That’s at 8:30 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.
The Florida Defense Support Task Force, which works on preserving and expanding military installations, will meet. That’s at 9 a.m., Hampton Inn and Suites Miami South-Homestead, 2855 N.E. Ninth St., Homestead.
The Economic Estimating Conference will discuss Florida economic issues. That’s at 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.
The Joint Legislative Budget Commission will meet and take up a series of issues, including a proposal to set aside nearly $13.3 million to help fund operations of the state Office of Medical Marijuana Use. That’s at 10 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.
The Florida Transportation Commission will hold a conference call, with the agenda including a discussion of the state’s most dangerous roads and highways. That’s at 10 a.m. The call-in number is 850-414-4978 and the participant code is 181217.
Attorney General Pam Bondi will join her fellow Florida Cabinet member, Republican gubernatorial candidate Putnam, for the grand opening of Team Putnam Orlando Campaign Office. That’s at 2:30 p.m., 660 W. Fairbanks Ave., Suite 1, Winter Park.
Democratic candidates in Florida’s 27th Congressional District are slated to debate in Miami-Dade County. That’s at 6 p.m., St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 2750 McFarlane Road, Miami.
