Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
A Tallahassee judge now will decide whether the state should turn over records related to a pedestrian bridge that collapsed in March at Florida International University, killing six people.
On Tuesday, Circuit Judge Kevin Carroll heard from lawyers for The Miami Herald, the Florida Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for northern Florida.
The Herald had sued the Department, seeking “emails, meeting minutes and other records relating to the bridge’s design and construction.” The National Transportation Safety Board, however, is currently investigating the cause of the bridge’s failure.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Grogan, on behalf of the NTSB, argued against the records’ release, saying that could interfere with the agency’s mission: To get at the truth of what happened so similar accidents can be prevented.
The March 15 collapse of the then-recently erected bridge killed six midday motorists or passengers and injured nine others. The bridge, spanning Tamiami Trail, was meant to connect the campus to student housing in Sweetwater. It happened “just days after cracks had been observed in the $14.3 million structure,” the newspaper reported.
Herald attorney Scott Ponce of the Holland & Knight law firm told Carroll the records being sought were “undeniably” public before the accident and shouldn’t now be shielded just because they were provided to a federal investigative agency.
But Grogan referred to an NTSB regulation that prohibits the state from releasing the records. And under the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, that regulation trumps any state law requiring disclosure, such as Florida’s public records law.
Carroll did not rule immediately but did ask for proposed orders to be filed with him by Thursday. A “statement of interest” Grogan filed on behalf of the U.S. government is here.
Evening Reads
“John Kelly agrees to remain chief of staff through 2020 at Donald Trump’s request” via Rebecca Ballhaus, Byron Tau and Peter Nicholas of The Wall Street Journal
“‘It’s a significant shift in our thinking’: Business takes fresh look at Democrats” via Lorraine Woellert and Marianne Levine of POLITICO
“Tom Steyer’s $110 million plan to redefine the Democrats” via Edward-Isaac Dovere of POLITICO
“What Donald Trump’s visit means for Florida’s GOP race for governor” via Emily Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times
“Ron DeSantis: Donald Trump endorsement ‘separates the wheat from the chaff’” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
“A word from the ACLU about Donald Trump’s high school visit” via Marlene Sokol of the Tampa Bay Times
“Jeff Greene praised Donald Trump as a ‘great guy’ after 2016 election” via Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times
“Neil Combee hopes support of Donald Trump helps is chances in Central Florida GOP congressional primary” via Mike Sinan of the Florida Daily
“Owner of shop where immigrant was found getting threats” via The Associated Press
“Palm Beach County school district leaders seek to close schools on Election Day as a safety precaution” via Sonja Isger of the Palm Beach Post
“Report: 35,000 Florida officials earned taxpayer-funded salaries of at least $100K in 2017” via John Haughty of Florida Watchdog
“More than 450 people in Florida ordered to surrender guns months after new gun law took effect” via Katie LaGrone of WFTS
“500 to lose jobs at Lockheed Martin campus west of Jupiter” via Alexandra Seltzer of the Palm Beach Post
Quote of the Day
“Young voters across Florida are standing up and demanding politicians actually do something to prevent gun violence, but Ron DeSantis isn’t listening.” — American Bridge spokesperson Zach Hudson.
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Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio will speak at the Young America’s Foundation (YAF) 40th annual National Conservative Student Conference. That’s at 8:15 a.m., JW Marriott Hotel, Grand Ballroom, 1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. Rubio’s remarks also will be livestreamed here.
The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss Public Education Capital Outlay, or PECO, money, which is used for school building projects. That’s at 8:30 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.
The Education Estimating Conference will analyze Florida College System enrollment. That’s at 9:30 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.
The Education Estimating Conference will discuss issues related to student financial aid. That’s at 10:45 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.
The Revenue Estimating Conference will take up issues related to the Florida Lottery at 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.
Adam Putnam will join Lee County Republicans for a grassroots “meet and greet.” That’s at 4:30 p.m., Lee County REC Headquarters, Suite 103, 7050 Winkler Road, Fort Myers.
Denise Grimsley, a Republican candidate for Agriculture Commissioner, will attend a “People’s Choice” candidate ‘meet and greet.’ That’s 5:30 p.m., Gaspar’s Patio Bar & Grille, 8448 N. 56th St., Temple Terrace.
Rep. Robert Asencio, a Miami Democrat running for re-election in House District 118, is expected to take part in a meet-and-greet event hosted by SAVE Action PAC. That’s at 6 p.m., CIC Miami, 1951 N.W. Seventh Ave., sixth floor, Miami.
Republican candidates in Florida’s 6th Congressional District will take part in a debate sponsored by The Daytona Beach News-Journal. That’s at 6:30 p.m., the News-Journal Center at Daytona State College, 221 North Beach St., Daytona Beach.
