Last Call for 8.6.18 — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics

Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.

First Shot

Opponents of a dog-racing ban in Florida are trying to get every bit of mileage out of a judge’s ruling against the measure that said it was “outright trickeration.”

Circuit Judge Karen Gievers had said Amendment 13’s ballot title and summary would mislead voters. The state is appealing her decision to strike it from this fall’s ballot.

Meantime, the Committee to Support Greyhounds said in a Monday news release that “a group of racing greyhound owners, kennel operators, greyhound breeders, adopters and adoption providers got together, pooled their money, and donated it toward a full sponsorship of a service greyhound, who will be trained to assist and comfort an Armed Forces Veteran.

“Barbara Masi, who operates Hounds and Heroes, the service dog arm of Awesome Greyhound Adoptions, was contacted. It didn’t take Barbara long to locate a new service dog prospect.

“He is to be renamed ‘Trickeration’ — Tricky, for short — in honor of Gievers … Trickeration will soon begin his service dog training in earnest … We all wish Trickeration well in his newfound career, and fervently hope that he will serve one of our veterans as well as they have served us.”

Evening Reads

“More than 250,000 Florida voters have already cast ballots for Aug. 28 primary” via George Bennett of the Palm Beach Post

“Meet Bill Nelson, the under-the-radar Senate candidate in Florida. He’s the incumbent.” via Patricia Mazzei of The New York Times

“Ron DeSantis gets boost from public matching money” via Jim Turner of the News Service of Florida

“Adam Putnam doesn’t need to drop out, but he should pull his negative ads” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics

“Carlos Lopez-Cantera endorses Putnam” via Steve Contorno of the Tampa Bay Times

“Jack Latvala continues to help fund political allies” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida

“Pam Bondi files 57-page brief supporting ban on smokable med pot” via the Tampa Bay Times

“Judge declares parts of medical marijuana law unconstitutional” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics

“Pinellas Co. sheriff on Al Sharpton rally: ‘Go back to New York, mind your own business’” via WTSP 10 News

“Red tide makes its way to Anna Maria Island” via Chris Anderson of the Bradenton Herald

Quote of the Day

“This court understands the importance of both the Legislature and the Department (of Health) in developing a thorough, effective, and efficient framework within which to regulate medical marijuana, as directed by the amendment (allowing medical marijuana) … The Legislature and the department have such a framework … They have simply chosen to restrict access in a manner that violates the amendment.” — Circuit Judge Charles Dodson, ruling several parts of the state’s medical marijuana law unconstitutional.

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Wake Up Early?

Purple Heart recipients and their family members can participate in an Operation Outdoor Freedom event at Camp Prairie in Polk County. Operation Outdoor Freedom, which has been sponsored by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, provides wounded veterans with such things as guided hunts, fishing trips and canoe tours. That’s at 8 a.m., Camp Prairie, Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, 21279 Kissimmee Shores Rd., Lake Wales.

Republican Tommy Gregory, who is running for an open seat in House District 73, will hold a “coffee with the candidate” event. The seat, which includes parts of Manatee and Sarasota counties, became open when GOP Rep. Joe Gruters decided to run for the Senate. That’s at 8 a.m., IHOP, 6320 East State Road 64, Bradenton.

The Florida Public Service Commission will hold a regular meeting before beginning a hearing on nuclear-project costs. The regular meeting starts at 9:30 a.m., with the nuclear hearing at 1:30 p.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist and Democratic U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III of Massachusetts will take part in a rally that will focus on health care issues, including protecting the Affordable Care Act. That’s at noon, Williams Park, 350 Second Ave. North, St. Petersburg.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings will speak at an annual FoundCare, Inc. back-to-school community health fair. That’s at 1 p.m., FoundCare, Inc. West Palm Beach Health Center, 2330 South Congress Ave., West Palm Beach.

The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss tobacco taxes and money from a settlement with the tobacco industry. That’s at 2 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie will be in the capital to participate in a ceremony to officially rename the Veterans Affairs Health Care Center in honor of Marine Corps Sgt. Ernest “Boots” Thomas. That’s at 3:30 p.m., 2181 Orange Ave., Tallahassee.

Sen. Bobby Powell, a West Palm Beach Democrat running for re-election in Palm Beach County’s District 30, will hold a campaign event. That’s at 5:30 p.m., E.R. Bradley’s Saloon, 104 North Clematis St., West Palm Beach.

Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Mast is expected to be among the speakers during a “Trump Team 2020 Florida” meeting. That’s at 6 p.m., Abacoa Golf Club, 105 Barbados Dr., Jupiter.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will hold one in a series of meetings to gather input on shore-based shark fishing. That’s at 6 p.m., Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center, 913 South I St., Pensacola.

Republican Jason Miller, hoping to unseat Democratic Rep. Margaret Good in Sarasota County’s House District 72, will hold a fundraising event. That’s at 6 p.m., Wine Cellar at Michael’s on East, 1283 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

Former Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Ashley Moody and state Rep. Frank White, both running in the Aug. 28 Republican primary for attorney general, are slated to appear at an Americans for Trump Broward Chapter forum. That’s at 6:30 p.m., Galuppi’s Restaurant, 1103 North Federal Highway, Pompano Beach.