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.
Recent polls have shown U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis rocketing ahead of Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam in the Republican primary for Florida governor, but the Florida Chamber of Commerce says in a polling memo obtained first by Florida Politics that the race is a “virtual tie.”
The pro-business group, which has endorsed Putnam, said its newest measure of the race shows the two GOP contenders with 36 percent support apiece with the remaining 28 percent of Republican primary voters saying they were undecided.
Still, those numbers do indicate a substantial surge for DeSantis compared to the last Florida Chamber poll, released in mid-June, which found Putnam up 32-15. The Florida Chamber CEO Mark Wilson acknowledged the boost and attributed it to “three external factors that combined to create a perfect storm favoring DeSantis.”
The first factor is the nationalization of the race since Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement. The second is President Donald Trump’s endorsement (or re-endorsement) of DeSantis — 60 percent of those polled by the Florida Chamber said they were aware of “the big man himself” backing DeSantis. And the third is a boost in Republican support for Trump after he nominated Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.
That “perfect storm” may have indeed given DeSantis a clear lead, if only briefly, but Wilson said the so-called “Trump bump” has settled in, tempering some of DeSantis’ gains.
So, why does the Florida Chamber poll show a tighter race? Unlike the St. Pete Polls survey, which found DeSantis ahead 50-30, or the Fabrizio-Lee poll, which put the race at 42-30, the Florida Chamber poll only interviewed registered Republicans that have voted in at least two of the last three elections, or in both of the previous two elections if they registered after 2015.
The Florida Chamber said it is “absolutely true” that up to 30 percent of the primary vote will come from infrequent or first-time voters but trying to get a bead on them is harder. With the “tight screen,” however, infrequent or first-time voters don’t get thrown into the mix, and there’s a clear picture of which way reliable voters are leaning.
To read the full poll results, click here.
To read the crosstabs of this poll, click here.
— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —
—@Comey: Democrats, please, please don’t lose your minds and rush to the socialist left. This president and his Republican Party are counting on you to do exactly that. America’s great middle wants sensible, balanced, ethical leadership.
—@MarcoRubio: After Ortega/Murillo reign of terror there is no future for them in power. Strong U.S. reaction is coming. They will pay big price for their crimes against their own people. I strongly advise #Nicaragua military not to participate in oppressing the people.
—@MDixon55: What’s also notable, is despite the massive haul no matter how you look at it, Team @ScottforFlorida still used some smoke and mirrors so they could use an even bigger number on news release last week touting amount raised from official campaign
—@Fineout: 2 of the 5 major Democrats running for Florida governor — @AndrewGillum & @GwenGraham — were apparently unaware that children of undocumented immigrants are already eligible for in-state tuition rates due to a change passed by GOP-controlled #FLLeg & signed by Gov. Scott
—@HollyBullard: Florida ranks #2 in income inequality in new @EconomicPolicy report. Florida metro areas make up HALF of top 14 most unequal in US … Naples, Key West, Vero Beach, Miami & Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie, Sarasota & NorthPort, Ft. Myers. In Naples, top 1% makes 90x bottom 99%
—@NoahPransky: State @RepJanetCruz on #SunPass saga: “What about the cover-up? It seems almost worse than the crime. I call this ‘Tollgate.'” She calls for state’s tolling backlog, estimated at 132+ million transactions, to be entirely waived.
—@CarlosGSmith: 5 LGBTQ murders in FL in 5 months. 4 transgender black women, 1 black LGBTQ man. 4 in Jacksonville. 1 in Orlando. Hate crimes? Serial killer? Why isn’t @JSOPIO communicating updates or prioritizing these investigations? We need answers. #TransLivesMatter
—@HollyRaschein: It was an honor to help kick off the Special Olympics at their opening ceremony this morning! I also had the opportunity to greet cyclists at the finish line of their ride from Key Largo to Key West for the American Cancer Society’s Cycle for Life of the Florida Keys!
—@DWUhlfelderLaw: Walton County was targeted — 3 counties, Walton, Volusia and St. Johns, had customary use protection. We were only 1 excluded. Lobbyists pulling this off did great for clients (Seaside, Rosemary Beach, private gulf front owners). Check out more on weather channel.
—@MikeGrunwald: No electric bills since Marchl! I underestimated my solar payback, now looks like 6 years.
—@NateSilver538: 1. Being good at Twitter is a highly useful skill for journalists. 2. The line between being good at Twitter and bad at Twitter can be thin. 3. Being bad at Twitter is worse than not engaging on Twitter.
—@TheRealBuzz: I was on the Moon! #Apollo11 @NASA
— DAYS UNTIL —
Florida Chamber Global Florida Webinar — 1; MAKE MORE Manufacturing Summit — 8; Deadline for filing claim bills — 9; ‘The Race for Governor’ Democratic gubernatorial debate in West Palm Beach — 10; Florida’s back to school sales tax holiday begins — 11; Republican gubernatorial debate in Jacksonville — 16; School begins in the first 19 Florida districts — 18; Start of the U.S. Open — 35; Primary Election Day — 36; NFL season starts — 36; College Football opening weekend — 38; Labor Day — 42; Future of Florida Forum — 65; ‘Before You Vote’ Florida U.S. Senate debate — 92; ‘Before You Vote’ Florida Governor debate — 93; General Election Day — 106; Florida Chamber Insurance Summit — 127; ‘Hamilton’ comes to the Straz Center — 204; 2019 Legislative Session starts — 225; 2020 General Election — 834.
— TOP STORY —
“Marco Rubio warns a possible Civil War in Nicaragua” via Eli Okun of POLITICO — The Florida Republican said on CNN’s “State of the Union” that escalation of the country’s months-long crisis “would trigger a migratory crisis. It would undermine our anti-drug efforts in the region. There is a direct national security interest for the United States in seeing democracy and stability in Nicaragua.” Rubio said the U.S. is working on standing up sanctions against Nicaraguan entities and individuals as punishment for the unrest. He also blasted Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega as “a dying man” and his wife Rosario Murillo as “a lunatic,” saying that “there’s no future for them in power.”
— NELSON VS. SCOTT —
“Republicans peddle false attack against a Miami doctor who doesn’t like Rick Scott” via Alex Daugherty of the Miami Herald — The Daily Caller, a conservative outlet, ran an article that parrots the attacks on Dr. David Woolsey, a South Florida internist who works at Jackson Memorial Hospital and the Miami VA Medical Center. Their initial headline was “The Doctor in a Bill Nelson Medicaid-expansion ad doesn’t accept Medicaid.” But The Daily Caller updated their article on Friday with a new headline and the following editor’s note: “The original published version of this article said Dr. David Woolsey himself does not accept Medicaid. While the Florida Department of Health states Jackson Memorial Hospital, the hospital where he practices, does not participate in Medicaid, the hospital clarified that it actually does accept patients on this program. Doctors are only permitted to accept insurance companies approved by the hospital or practice for which they work.” The new headline is completely different: “Doctor in a Bill Nelson ad tries to hammer Scott‘s health care stance.”
“PAC’s massive fundraising haul gets controversial assist” via Lachlan Markay of The Daily Beast — Two contributions in the PAC’s latest quarterly fundraising report could cause more headaches than they’re worth. They reveal financial support for Scott’s Senate bid by a doctor and former health executive with a long and controversial history, involving allegations of kickbacks, financial conflicts of interest, and tens of millions of dollars in settlements with U.S. Justice Department. The May 8 contributions came on from Theriac Management Associates LLC, which donated $60,000, and TEM LLC, which chipped in $10,000. State incorporation records list Daniel Dosoretz as an executive of both companies. Dosoretz is the former chairman and CEO of 21st Century Oncology, a Fort Myers company that emerged from bankruptcy earlier this year. Dosoretz was a key player in whistleblower allegations brought by the former chairman of Broward Health, a state public health system. That whistleblower, David DiPietro, alleged that Billy Rubin, a lobbyist close to Scott, used a series of threats and kickbacks in trying to steer state money to 21st Century Oncology. As part of the scheme, DiPietro alleged, Dosoretz put political pressure on a Broward Health executive and “bragged” about his “close friendship” with Scott.
“Scott makes money on hep C drug tied to prisons and opioid crisis” via John Kennedy of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune — Scott has drawn heat for failing to act swiftly against the rise of hepatitis C — an often fatal liver disease coursing through Florida’s prisons and fueled by the state’s opioid crisis. But Scott does have an interest in the issue: He’s a million-dollar investor in Gilead Sciences, the controversial manufacturer of Hep C treatment drugs that have cost U.S. taxpayers billions of dollars for treating patients. The investment is on the governor’s 2013 financial disclosure with the state, one of the few expansive looks at the finances of the former health care administrator who last month reported a $232.6 million net worth — up 56 percent from a year earlier. A blind trust contains $215 million of his wealth and makes public none of the stocks and other assets it contains.
“Scott campaigns for Puerto Rican vote at small but boisterous Tampa rally” via Kirby Wilson of the Tampa Bay Times — Scott appeared before a small but spirited crowd of mostly Latino and Latina supporters at El Rico Frappe Latino restaurant in Valrico. Joining him was Puerto Rican Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón, a smattering of local Republican candidates — and a salsa band. Scott and González-Colón, who endorsed the governor in May, made no major announcements at the event, the goal of which seemed to be to shore up the support of the all-important Florida Puerto Rican community ahead of the crucial 2018 elections. Scott entered to the salsa music, and even briefly showed off his dance moves.
“Scott pushes back on Nelson’s algae claims” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Rather than hearing from a federal official about how green algae blooms lay with state policy, Scott promises he will do something from Washington if voters send him there to replace the incumbent. “Nelson himself acknowledged in Cape Coral that the problems surrounding Lake Okeechobee came from decades of mistakes,” reads a statement from Scott’s campaign, “but he had nothing to say about his own decades of inaction when asked why solutions were so slow.” The Scott campaign pushed back, noting Nelson has been in Washington for decades, whether as a Senator for the past 17 years or before that as a congressman, while repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike lingered as a long-drawn-out federal project.
“Bill Nelson talks health care, Mary McLeod Bethune as he spends the day in Volusia County” via the Daytona Beach News-Journal — At Community Life Outreach Center in Deltona, Nelson met with physicians and residents about the importance of keeping protections for those with pre-existing conditions and his efforts in the U.S. Senate to improve access to affordable health care. In Daytona Beach, Nelson toured Bethune’s home on the campus of Bethune-Cookman University before joining volunteers nearby for Nelson’s Neighbors canvassing kickoff in Volusia County, where he, State Rep. Patrick Henry and volunteers knocked on doors … On Saturday evening at the Hilton Daytona Beach Ocean Front Resort, Nelson was the keynote speaker at the Volusia County Democrats’ first Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Gala, which honored Henry, who authored the legislation to have a statue of Bethune placed in statuary hall in the U.S. Capitol.
Assignment editors — Gov. Scott will highlight a new proposal to reform Washington as part of his “Make Washington Work” plan, 1 p.m., US Foundry, 8351 NW. 93rd St., Medley.
— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL —
“’Dark money,’ coal plant support, an FBI probe — progressives love Andrew Gillum anyway” via S.V. Date of the Huffington Post — Gillum is proud of his record as a city commissioner and as mayor and is confident the investigation will show he has done nothing wrong. “I’ve got a zero tolerance for corruption,” he said. “I’ve been elected for 15 years by doing what’s right, not by doing what’s wrong.” Neither in debates nor through his staff, though, has he offered a clear explanation for either the coal plant vote or the choice to accept money from secret donors. “The mayor voted to give Tallahassee’s residents a say in that project, and he voted to help kill the plant. He’s glad it was never built,” campaign spokesman Geoff Burgan told HuffPost. As to the secret donations, he said Gillum could not afford not to accept them. “He doesn’t have the resources to empty his bank account,” Burgan said, pointing out that, unlike his opponents, Gillum is not wealthy.
“Orlando black leaders like Gillum but say he has more work to do” via Steven Lemongello of the Orlando Sentinel — Gillum has support in some African-American neighborhoods of Central Florida, winning the Pine Hills and Greater Orlando Hob Knob Straw Poll on July 13 against all Democratic and Republican candidates. But some community leaders said Gillum needed to do more to introduce himself to African-Americans in Central Florida. “There’s still a lot of people who don’t really know him,” said David Rucker, and Orlando community activist and former Orange County NAACP president. “That’s one of my problems. He needs to be known in the community. They hear him, but really don’t hear about him. So we have to do something so people really know who he is and what he stands for.”
Happening today — Gillum participates in an “adjunct professors workday” and appear at a United Dade Baptist Association debate. Workday is at 9 a.m., Miami Dade College, North Campus, 113080 N.W. 27th Ave., Miami. The debate begins at 6:30 p.m., 1140 N.W. 62nd St., Miami.
Philip Levine campaign releases new TV ad, “Ella” — Levine’s latest ad features Tampa Bay Regional Director Ella K. Coffee, who was diagnosed with breast cancer soon after joining the campaign. In the ad, Coffee talks about the moment she heard the news and speaks about the support she received from Philip and the entire team. The ad will air in all media markets throughout the state. Coffee said: “Team Levine is more than just a campaign — it’s a family. Before I started in my position, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The Levine campaign told me to come on; that this is a journey that no one should take by themselves and we’re going to take this walk with you. Florida is going to be very fortunate when we elect Philip Levine as Governor; because our state will finally have a leader who cares for its citizens. If one of us is hurting, we are all hurting — that is Philip’s belief.”
The view the ad, click on the image below:
“Adam Putnam committee spends more than $2.7 million” via the News Service of Florida — Florida Grown spent the money from July 7 through July 13 and had nearly $8.1 million in cash on hand at the end of the period … More than $2.43 million of the money in that period went to Virginia-based Smart Media Group, LLC for advertising, while the committee sent another $200,000 to the Republican Party of Florida. Putnam, who is finishing his second term as agriculture commissioner, raised a combined total of $370,000 for his campaign account and the committee during the period. His campaign account had about $4.53 million on hand as of July 13, a report shows. Putnam is locked in a tough primary race with U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, who raised a combined total of about $227,000 during the period for his campaign account and the committee Friends of Ron DeSantis.
— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, PART 2 —
“Ashley Moody cancels event with Boca Raton developer — and felon” via Anthony Man of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — Moody canceled an event with Boca Raton real estate developer James Batmasian — a convicted felon who did time for federal tax evasion. The event was canceled about two-and-a-half hours after the South Florida Sun-Sentinel asked why Moody was appearing at a Batmasian-hosted event, which had been scheduled for Monday evening. “We thought it best to cancel the event,” she said. “I think we’re just going to leave it at that.” Batmasian pleaded guilty in 2008 to a felony charge of failing to pay the government $253,513 in federal taxes for employees at his company, Investments Limited. He was sentenced to eight months in prison followed by two years of supervised release, which is similar to probation.
“Moody hits back against negative ads in nasty Attorney General GOP primary” via William March of the Tampa Bay Times — Moody is hitting back hard against charges from her opponent in the Republican primary, Frank White, that she was “soft on child predators” as a former prosecutor and judge. The Moody campaign is releasing a letter signed by eight of the 20 Florida state attorneys — all Moody backers — saying White’s attacks show he is “unfit to serve” as attorney general and has “a dangerous inclination to blur the truth in a system that depends on the honor of the leaders that guard it.” The state attorneys, including Pasco-Pinellas State Attorney Bernie McCabe, also say White has “absolutely no understanding of what it means to lead a successful investigation or prosecution.”
Assignment editors — Republican Agriculture Commissioner candidate Denise Grimsley holds a fundraiser, 6:30 p.m. Central time, Hilltop Farms, 4809 Highway 79, Vernon.
“Committee opposing greyhound-racing ban posts middling finance report” via Florida Politics — The political committee looking to defeat a proposed constitutional amendment to ban greyhound racing in Florida brought in just $6,644 last week, according to a new campaign finance report. The Committee to Support Greyhounds opened up last month for the “purpose of promoting greyhound welfare, racing and adoption, as well as educating the public regarding the life of racing greyhounds.” After six weeks of fundraising, the committee has now raised a little over $21,000 and has about $13,000 in the bank. Their newly reported donors include West Virginia car dealership owner Lester Raines and Iowa dietitian Ann Wennberg, both of whom checked in at the $1,000 level, along with 65 other donors who chipped in smaller amounts.
— NOTES FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, PART 3 —
“Gloves off: Darren Soto ad blasts ‘shady, lying’ Alan Grayson” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — Soto’s commercial, airing on at least four Orlando TV stations, accuses Grayson of lying about him and also accuses Grayson of having a “double life running a hedge fund in Congress where he tried to profit off natural disasters in a shady Cayman Islands account.” Soto’s 30-second spot, “Shady,” is at least in part a response to a TV commercial Grayson briefly ran last week that accused Soto of ignoring constituents during last year’s hurricanes, holding a fundraiser. This week Grayson has returned to running an earlier spot on TV, using old footage of liberal commentators hailing him. Just two weeks earlier, Soto released an internet ad intended to show he will run a positive campaign. But that’s ended.
To watch the ad, click on the image below:
This story went semi-viral — “David Shapiro seeks ‘full ban’ on weapons of war, but invests in ammo makers” via Florida Politics — A deep-dive into the financial disclosure filed by Shapiro found some possibly hypocritical investments, particularly for a candidate saying he’ll push for “a full ban on weapons of war.” Shapiro is a leading Democrat in the race for Florida’s 16th Congressional District. According to Shapiro’s official personal finance report filed with the Federal Elections Commission, the Sarasota lawyer has up to $600,000 in investment funds containing shares of Olin Corp. and Vista Outdoor Inc., two of the top gun and ammunition makers in the nation. There are four funds in question: Gateway GTEYX, iShares Russell 2000, iShares Core S&P and iShares Russell Mid-Cap. Each of the investments is an index fund — a type of mutual fund intended to mirror the composition of the stock market, either in whole or in part. When former Arizona U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords was shot, law enforcement found casings from Federal Premium Ammunition rounds littered throughout the crime scene. An advocacy group started by Giffords endorsed Shapiro for CD 16 in March. Shapiro personally invited Giffords to Sarasota in June for a public event saying: “I stand with Gabby Giffords. I will not let you down.”
Miami, Puerto Rico Our Revolution groups endorse David Richardson — Richardson earned the endorsement of Puerto Rico’s Our Revolution group due to his advocacy for the needs of the Puerto Rican people in Miami and beyond. Richardson remarked: “It is an honor to receive the endorsement of both Our Revolution Miami and Our Revolution Puerto Rico. The standard-bearers for Bernie Sanders are lining up behind my campaign because I am the true progressive choice for Florida’s 27th Congressional District. People in Miami, Puerto Rico, and across the country are sick of the same cold corporate establishment Democrats, and I will bring new ideas and progressive change to Congress.” Richardson has also received endorsements from the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida, Progressive Democrats of America, and more than 30 elected officials from the Florida Legislature to U.S. Congress.
First on #FlaPol — “Florida Realtors announced second wave of state legislative endorsements” via Florida Politics — The only Senate contender making the cut in round two was Stuart Republican Rep. Gayle Harrell, who is facing off against Belinda Keiser in the special Republican primary for Senate District 25, which is open due to the early exit of Senate President Joe Negron. The remaining endorsements went to Florida House candidates, including a few who are up against incumbent lawmakers. The picks: Democrat Paula Wright over incumbent Democratic Rep. Kim Daniels in HD 14; Republican Wyman Duggan for HD 15; Republican Shannon Elswick for HD 32; former Republican Rep. Ray Pilon over Democratic Rep. Margaret Good in HD 72; Democrat Tina Polsky for HD 81; Republican Toby Overdorf for HD 83; Democrat Kim Johnson for HD 84; Republican Matt Spritz for HD 89; Republican Chip LaMarca for HD 93; Democrat Michael Gottlieb for HD 98; Republican Frank Mingo for HD 103; Democrat Cedric McMinn for HD 109; Democrat Deede Weithorn for HD 113; Republican Vance Aloupis for HD 115; Republican Anthony Rodriguez over incumbent Democratic Rep. Robert Asencio in HD 118; and Republican Enriqe Lopez in HD 119.
“Mike Haridopolos backs Tyler Sirois in HD 51 race” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — “Tyler is a trusted friend and solid conservative who will effectively advocate for Brevard County families and business owners. Brevard needs strong voices in our state capitol,” Haridopolos stated in a news release issued by Sirois’ campaign. “Tyler will provide that voice for us to push for lower taxes, safe schools, cleaning up our lagoon, and standing up for our Second Amendment rights. I am proud to support Tyler Sirois for the Florida House!” Sirois, of Merritt Island, is in a battle with Cocoa Mayor Henry Parrish for the Aug. 28 Republican primary nomination to run in the north Brevard County district being vacated by term-limited Republican state Rep. Tom Goodson. The winner faces Democrat Mike Blake of Cocoa in November.
“House race moved to November after write-in withdraws” via the News Service of Florida — Secretary of State Ken Detzner declared the Republican House District 56 primary a universal election, based on a state law, and moved the contest to the No. 6 general election. The decision came after David Joseph Patzer of Mulberry submitted a handwritten note stating his withdrawal from the contest. “This will allow all voters in the affected counties, regardless of party affiliation, the opportunity to vote in that race,” Detzner spokeswoman Sarah Revell said. Detzner decided to shift the House District 56 contest to November after more than 1,000 primary-election ballots had already been sent to registered Republicans overseas. County supervisors of elections are expected to begin sending out the first vote-by-mail ballots locally from Tuesday to July 31. Republicans Jeff Mann and Melony Bell, both of Bartow, are running for the seat, which covers DeSoto, Hardee and part of Polk counties. The seat is currently held by term-limited Rep. Ben Albritton, a Wauchula Republican who is running for the Senate.
“Delores Hogan Johnson endorsed by outgoing HD 84 representative” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — Democratic state Rep. Larry Lee Jr. announced his endorsement of Johnson … Lee decided back in March that he would not run for re-election in HD 84. “I am endorsing Delores Johnson for District 84 because I feel assured that she will be able to continue efforts on the issues that I focused on while I was in Tallahassee in the areas of education, economic development, health care and protecting our environment,” said Lee. “I also believe she will be able to reach across the aisle to get results.”
“Voter registration glitch could hurt minorities, activists fear” via Alexandra Glorioso a POLITICO Florida — Organizers affiliated with the national activist organization Stay Woke tried registering 17 voters in low-income, predominantly black Orlando neighborhoods this week but only successfully registered two, said co-founder Samuel Sinyangwe. Sinyangwe first tweeted about the issue with Florida’s voter registration website not working on July 18: “I’ve heard from multiple people in Florida that the state’s online registration page isn’t letting them register to vote. All eligible residents. All got error messages. I called the state’s voter assistance hotline and they said nothing’s wrong. This should be investigated ASAP.” By the next morning, he tweeted the state acknowledged it was having problems with the website and suggested that people mail in their applications. Voting-rights advocates say it’s important for people — particularly those in disenfranchised communities — to be able to access voter registration. Florida’s website problems, they fear, could create systemic problems that could lead to voter suppression come primary day next month.
— STATEWIDE —
“March for Our Lives has raised millions and has a D.C. lobbyist. Here’s what’s next.” via Martin Vassolo, Alex Harris and Glenn Garvin of the Miami Herald — The group, headed mostly by students from Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School has staged one mega-protest in Washington D.C. in March that drew hundreds of thousands of demonstrators, and hundreds of smaller protests across a broad swath of the country from Tallahassee to Bismarck, N.D. Two busloads of March for Our Lives activists have crisscrossed America, sowing the seeds of discontent over current gun laws, and they’re starting to sprout: Scores of loosely affiliated groups that share a name and a political agenda with March for Our Lives have popped up across the nation, even in such scarlet red-states as Arizona. In Florida and on the road, the students have made one of their central missions encouraging young people to register to vote. In Florida at least, the numbers are encouraging. This past week, an analysis by TargetSmart, a data firm that works on behalf of Democrats, found that the share of newly registered Florida voters between the ages of 18-29 had increased by eight percentage points in the two and a half months after the shooting.
“Rush job on school safety law causes mental-health conundrum for families, no help from state” via Diane Rado of Florida Phoenix — Lawmakers placed a little-noticed provision in the school safety law that has now become a conundrum for families. It requires that students — at the time of initial school registration — disclose if they’ve been referred for mental health services. Florida is now in uncharted territory in figuring out what exactly families are supposed to tell schools, and what schools plan to do with the mental health information. The requirement in the law provides few details and little instruction, and the Florida Department of Education has offered no guidance to districts since the law was enacted March 9. Families are asking: How much information should be reported? What kind of mental health issues would be included? What if a student has ADHD (Attention-Deficit/
“After sexually assaulting boy, 15, youth ‘high-fived’ juvenile justice staffer, records say” via Carol Marbin Miller of the Miami Herald — Youth worker Antoine Davis saw it all, authorities say, when four detainees sexually assaulted a peer with a shampoo bottle at a Panhandle mental health treatment center. What he did afterward helps explain why he, too, was charged with lewd and lascivious battery: He exchanged a celebratory “high five” with one of the attackers. Details of the alleged sexual assault earlier this month at the Walton Academy for Growth and Change are contained in a batch of records released by state juvenile justice administrators, in addition to other records produced by Walton County detectives earlier. The reports say Davis appears to have set the assault in motion, encouraged the attackers, and later dismissed the incident as mere horseplay. Much of the attack — though not all — was recorded on surveillance video, which administrators have declined to publicly release.
“Irma jobless aid eluded most local applicants; critics blast ‘botch’” via Charles Elmore of the Palm Beach Post — A state-run system delivered payments on fewer than 30 percent of applications from eligible Palm Beach County workers after nearly half a year … worker advocates say Florida botched unemployment relief and let down people who really could have used the income they lost for days, weeks or longer because a natural disaster prevented their businesses from reopening quickly. Statewide, 53 percent of eligible applicants received a form of aid called disaster unemployment assistance, or DUA, by early May, said officials from the state agency handling the claims, the Department of Economic Opportunity. New York-based NELP cited government records showing a 90 percent payment rate after 1992’s Hurricane Andrew, for example.
“PBSO’s $1 million rape kit testing: 994 examined so far, no arrests” via Kenny Jacoby and Daphne Duret of the Palm Beach Post — In December 2015, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office embarked on a $1 million project to test 1,500 rape evidence kits that had sat on its shelves for as long as 40 years. The initiative came on the heels of both state and nationwide efforts to test DNA in years-old rape cases. As of March, nearly 1,000 rape kits had been tested, producing 140 DNA matches to suspects in a national crime database. The testing created dozens of new leads in unsolved cases, yet many have since been closed and PBSO deputies have failed to make a single arrest … deputies did not attempt to contact the victim or suspect in at least half the 82 cases with new leads. In 11 of those cases, investigators said the statute of limitations had expired, but in the vast majority, they made no such claim.
“’Nothing to hide’: Mayoral hopeful Dustin Daniels opens up about contacts with FBI agents” via Jeff Burlew of the Tallahassee Democrat — Months ago, he refused to answer when asked directly about a trip to Las Vegas. And after filing his candidacy paperwork in April, he told the Democrat he wasn’t interested in talking about “this continued distraction.” However, he said he decided to open up more about it after being pointedly questioned about his connections to the investigation during the livestreamed editorial board interview with mayoral candidates. “It’s important to me that people know I’m coming voluntarily with this information, and I’m just as concerned about this issue as everyone else in the community,” he said. “And I hope it comes to a swift close.” Daniels said the April 22-24, 2016, Vegas trip was a strictly personal one with former fraternity brothers and friends from college. The group of nine stayed at the Cosmopolitan Hotel together bunking together in a few rooms. Daniels flew out of Tallahassee alone on a Delta Air Lines jet and returned to Tallahassee by himself. He paid all of his expenses himself and never discussed city business on the trip, he said. “It was my first (and only) trip to Vegas,” he said. “I had an itinerary to hang out with friends. And that’s what I did.”
“Quick fix for Lake O algae woes uses land now roamed by cows” via Kimberly Miller of the Palm Beach Post — The Brighton Valley Project, which was approved this month by the South Florida Water Management District, will take water thick with algae-loving fertilizer and agriculture runoff, clean it, and send it into Lake Okeechobee with 70 percent less phosphorous and 35 percent less nitrogen. Slated for 8,200 acres of privately owned land now roamed by Angus cattle, the project will cost $11.5 million, and it will take about a year to complete. It is the second of six planned public-private water storage and cleaning projects meant to act as quick patches to lessen nutrient levels in Lake Okeechobee and reduce discharges to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries while permanent Everglades restoration projects are underway.
— D.C. MATTERS —
“Dem leaders fend off calls to impeach Donald Trump” via Mike Lillis of The Hill — Democratic leaders have tamped down the impeachment push in the name of political pragmatism, fending off — for now — an effort by animated caucus liberals to escalate their oust-Trump campaign following his broadly maligned joint news conference with Putin in the Finnish capital. Not only is impeachment highly unlikely under a GOP-controlled Congress, the leaders argue, but it could undermine the chances of Democrats winning back the House in November when they’ll need to flip seats in conservative-leaning districts where voters may be put off by an aggressive offensive to topple the president. “At this point in time, it would be a distraction. There will be time for that,” said Rep. Steny Hoyer, the Democratic whip, who had moments before told reporters that Trump’s actions were “treasonous.”
“Carlos Curbelo says 1,313 kids in Homestead shelter are treated with ‘care and compassion’” via Alex Daugherty of the Miami Herald — Curbelo said one of the country’s largest compounds for immigrant children felt a lot like a high school after touring it for the first time … Curbelo was able to visit the Homestead Temporary Shelter for Unaccompanied Children after initially being denied entry to the facility, which is in his district, by the Department of Health and Human Services. There are currently 1,313 children from ages 13-17 at the facility, Curbelo said, and 114 of them are children who were separated from their parents at the border because of the Trump administration’s policy of separating families who cross the border illegally together. “The minors in this facility are being treated with great care and compassion,” Curbelo said in an interview after he toured the facility. “From everything I saw these adolescents are being treated with great care and all of their needs are being attended to.”
“Charlie Crist bringing Joe Kennedy to St. Pete for health care rally” via Jason Ogles of Florida Politics — The #ProtectOurCare event will take place Aug. 7 at Williams Park, where a lineup of advocates will discuss ways to preserve and improve affordable health care in the state of Florida. An event announcement makes clear Obamacare will also be a hot topic of discussion, with the two Democratic congressmen ready to discuss “fighting attempts to undermine protections for those with pre-existing conditions, holding ‘Big Pharma’ accountable for rising prescription drug prices, and calling on Florida to expand Medicaid.”
“Brevard County commissioners ask AG to join lawsuit challenging DACA” via Dave Berman of FLORIDA TODAY — All five voted in favor of a resolution, sponsored by Commissioner John Tobia, asking Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to join a lawsuit challenging the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, commonly known as DACA. Texas — joined by six other states — has filed suit to challenge the lawfulness of the executive action creating DACA. Tobia’s resolution asks that Florida also join that suit. “I’ll support this,” County Commission Vice Chair Kristine Isnardi said. “However, I don’t know how much impact it’s going to have with the Attorney General’s Office.”
— OPINIONS —
“Democrats cheering on Ron DeSantis should be careful what they wish for” via Kartik Krishnaiyer of The Florida Squeeze —DeSantis might appear crazy to some, but his brand of conservatism is grounded largely in intellectual arguments and his conservative policy positions come across as more nuanced, consistent and seasoned than President Trump or his U.S. House colleague the dogmatic and immature Matt Gaetz for instance. It’s still only July, but the warning signs for another Democratic disappointment are already popping up. When a party has lost 17 of the last 18 elections for Governor or cabinet, something statistically almost improbable given the balanced nature of the state’s electorate, arrogance and entitlement isn’t a wise thing.
— MOVEMENTS —
Reappointed — Steven “Dean” Asher and Julian Fouche to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
“Joe Biden’s brother joins The Berman Law Group” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — Frank Biden is set to join The Berman Law Group as a senior adviser. The firm handles litigation in a variety of fields, including government relations and personal injury, representing clients throughout the state of Florida. “We are honored to welcome Frank to the firm. He brings a prestigious combination of accomplishments and experience that will be an integral asset guiding our advisory clients’ efforts as well as assisting our expansion nationally,” said Russell Berman, one of the firm’s co-founders. Biden previously worked as executive director for School Property Development LLC, where he was responsible for approval and construction of educational facilities throughout Florida. Biden also worked as a White House legislative director during the Bill Clinton administration.
— THE LATEST FROM COMIC CON —
“The first trailer for DC’s Aquaman shows off a war between the surface and the sea” via Andrew Liptak of The Verge — While Jason Momoa’s Aquaman, human name Arthur Curry, was a highlight of 2016’s Justice League, this is the first time we’ve gotten to see him in action on his own. Highlights in the new trailer include a look at the Marine Marvel’s straw-haired aquatic family, including Nicole Kidman as his mother Queen Atlanna and Patrick Wilson as his warmongering half-brother Orm (AKA Ocean Master), as well as an epic origin-story scene in which a young Arthur Curry (Kaan Guldur) marshals the righteous anger of an aquarium full of sharks. Another highlight is Amber Heard’s Mera, who manages to neg Aquaman — “You do your best thinking when you’re not thinking at all” — and jump out of a plane with no parachute (“Redheads! You gotta love ‘em!”) in the trailer’s two-minute span.
To view the trailer, click on the image below:
“’Glass’ looks like M. Night Shyamalan’s most complex film yet” via Richard Newby of The Hollywood Reporter — While Unbreakable wasn’t met with the instant success of his previous film, The Sixth Sense (1999), Shyamalan’s deconstruction of the American superhero/villain complex by way of an intricate and restrained thriller has become a cult classic over the years. In the midst of the current explosion of superhero movies, Shyamalan’s films are more prescient than ever. Uniting the casts of Unbreakable and Split, Glass sees Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, James McAvoy and Anya Taylor-Joy team up for what may be Shyamalan’s most complex film yet. Glass is said to be a conclusion, but going by Split’s box office, the eternal nature of comic books and the hints Shyamalan seems to be dropping, perhaps this film’s greatest twist will reveal that this is only the beginning.
To watch the trailer, click on the image below:
“’Godzilla: King of the Monsters’ trailer lays waste to Comic-Con” via Graeme McMillan of The Hollywood Reporter — King, which features Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga and Millie Bobby Brown, is the follow-up to 2014’s Godzilla, and follows last year’s Kong: Skull Island in the shared universe filled with gigantic threats to humanity. Brown, Farmiga, Thomas Middleditch and O’Shea Jackson Jr. appeared onstage with writer-director Michael Dougherty to tease the new movie. As previously teased, the movie will feature more monsters alongside Godzilla, with Mothra, Rodan and King Ghidorah confirmed, but director Dougherty teased the crowd by promising, “there might be a few more surprises” in terms of just who will appear on-screen. (It’s worth remembering, Legendary has already announced a King Kong/Godzilla movie for 2020).
To watch the trailer, click on the image below:
“’Mayans M.C.’ goes all in with new trailer for Kurt Sutter’s new FX series” via Dominic Patten of Deadline Hollywood — Just days before Kurt Sutter and the cast and creatives of Mayans M.C. take the stage at Comic-Con, the FX biker series hit the road hard with a new trailer this morning. Full of loyalty, guns, a new prospect in the JD Pardo-played Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes, trust issues, some Edward James Olmos and a Spanish version of the Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black,” the Sons of Anarchy sequel of sorts declares that once you are in, there is no out. The next chapter is set in a post-Jax Teller world, with Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes (Pardo) fresh out of prison and a prospect in the Mayans M.C. charter on the Cali/Mexi border. Now, EZ must carve out his new identity in a town where he was once the golden boy with the American Dream in his grasp.
To watch the trailer, click on the image below:
“Robin goes gritty in first trailer for DC’s ‘Titans’ streaming series” via Rick Marshall of DigitalTrends.com — The first trailer for Titans debuted during Comic-Con, and among other grim and gritty moments, it features Robin telling the world how he really feels about his former partner, Batman. Set to debut on DC Entertainment’s new, subscription-based streaming video service DC Universe, Titans casts Brenton Thwaites (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales) as Dick Grayson, aka Robin. The cast of teenage superheroes is filled out by Teagan Croft (Home and Away) as Raven, Anna Diop (24: Legacy) as the alien Koriand’r, aka Starfire, Alan Ritchson (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) as Hawk, and Minka Kelly (Friday Night Lights) as Dove. Supporting cast members include Bruno Bichir as Dr. Niles Caulder, and Lindsey Gort as Police Detective Amy Rohrbach. Titans is one of three original, live-action series planned for DC Universe, the company’s streaming video platform.
To watch the trailer, click on the image below:
— ALOE —
”It’s called vomit fraud. And it could make your Uber trip really expensive” via Catalina Ruiz Parra of the Miami Herald — Passengers request Uber cars, which deliver them to their destination … soon the passenger receives a note from Uber reporting an “adjustment” in the bill and an extra charge that can range from $80 to $150, depending on the driver’s degree of crookedness. The passenger, unaware of what’s happening, tries to contact Uber. The only way to do that is through the “help” button on the company’s app or internet page. The first reply usually goes something like this: “I understand that it can be disconcerting to receive adjustments to the tariff after your trip ended … In this case, your driver notified us that during your trip there was an incident in the vehicle and therefore a cleanup fee of $150 was added.” The message is accompanied by photos of the alleged incident — vomit in the vehicle. The Uber driver had sent the images to the company, which considered them sufficient evidence to add the cleanup charge to the bill. Uber told el Nuevo Herald that it is “actively looking into reports where fraud may be detected and will take appropriate actions on those accounts.”
Happy birthday from the weekend to state Sen. Victor Torres, state Rep. Gayle Harrell, Thomas Hobbs and Missy Timmins. Celebrating today are state Rep. Matt Willhite, Michael Hoffman, Pinellas Commissioner Charlie Justice and Sarasota School Board Member Bridget Ziegler.
