Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
After a lot of calls for ‘no’s, Greg Newburn thinks you can also say ‘yes.’
Newburn, Florida policy director for Families Against Mandatory Minimums, is chair of “Yes on 11,” a political committee advocating for the passage of Amendment 11.
That’s a ‘bundled’ Constitution Revision Commission measure that, among other things, “prohibits retroactively applying the amendment of a criminal statute to sentencing for a crime committed before the change,” The Miami Herald recently explained.
On Tuesday, Newburn sent out a news release saying voters should “consider all amendments individually.” The CRC’s work has been under attack by multiple lawsuits, including those accusing the panel of wrongly combining different issues in one proposal.
“Not all bundled amendments are created equal,” Newburn said. “If voters take a look, they’ll see that Amendment 11 represents the best example of what the CRC is intended to do: Make technical changes to outdated or obsolete provisions in the Florida Constitution.”
He added: “When there are multiple technical changes being considered, it makes sense to bundle them together,” echoing an argument made by CRC member Brecht Heuchan, who chaired the CRC’s Style & Drafting Committee.
“While some criticism about amendment bundling is warranted — especially regarding dissimilar policies — such criticism does not apply to Amendment 11,” Newburn said. “Every proposal in Amendment 11 is exclusively a constitutional issue.”
Evening Reads
“The Red Scare? Watergate? Why is President Donald Trump revisiting Washington’s most notorious scandals?” via Hillel Italie of The Associated Press
“Ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen agrees to plea deal including 3-5 years behind bars” via Fox News
“Bill Nelson’s political backlash continues as feds say no ‘ongoing’ Russia election meddling” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida
“Florida GOP poised to offer a slate of really-white white dudes; should Ron DeSantis be worried?” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics
“Poll: DeSantis vs. Adam Putnam could be photo finish” via Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times
“Immigration hard-liner DeSantis’ great-great-grandmother was nearly barred from America” via Steve Contorno of the Tampa Bay Times
“Putnam portrays DeSantis as Trump’s puppet during Bradenton event” via Zac Anderson of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune
“Chris King calls on Joel Greenberg to resign as Muslim post furor continues” via Steve Lemongello of the Orlando Sentinel
“Business group with USF, TGH leaders helps raise money to elect bay area Republicans” via William March of the Tampa Bay Times
“Florida no longer has the worst drivers in the nation, study finds” via Mary Stringini of WFTS
Quote of the Day
“Trump’s done.” — Former Congressman David Jolly, a Pinellas County Republican, tweeting after news that the President’s former attorney Michael Cohen had pleaded guilty to federal prosecutors and said he arranged payments to women at Donald Trump’s direction.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The Agency for Health Care Administration will hold two meetings that will focus on ways to improve behavioral health services in the Medicaid managed-care system. That’s at 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., Schultz Center, 4019 Boulevard Center Dr., Jacksonville.
Republican candidate for Agriculture Commissioner Denise Grimsley will address the Florida Police Chiefs Association. That’s at 9 a.m. (Central time), Sheraton Bay Point Resort, 4114 Jan Cooley Drive, Panama City Beach.
The Florida Commission on Offender Review will consider numerous parole cases from across the state at 9 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.
Republican candidate for Governor Adam Putnam will join supporters in Florida’s Heartland for a grassroots meet-and-greet as part of his “Florida First” bus tour. That’s at 10 a.m., home of Commissioner Weston Pryor, 16875 US Highway 27, Moore Haven.
Democratic candidate for Governor Philip Levine will meet with students at Florida State University in a “hangout.” That’s at 10 a.m., Oglesby Union, 75 N. Woodward Ave., Tallahassee.
NORML Tallahassee, which supports legalization of marijuana, is scheduled to hold a march and rally at the Capitol. That’s at 10:30 a.m., Old Capitol front steps, Tallahassee.
Republican candidates for the Legislature will gather at a Republican Club of the Palm Beaches event. That’s at noon, Holiday Inn and Conference Center Palm Beach Airport, 1301 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach.
Circuit Judge Karen Gievers will hear arguments in a case challenging the election qualification of Ryan Torrens, a Democratic candidate for attorney general. That’s at 1:30 p.m., Leon County Courthouse, 301 South Monroe St., Tallahassee.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam is expected to appear at a campaign event in West Palm Beach. That’s at 5:30 p.m., Yesteryear Village, 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach.
Democrat David Shapiro, seeking to unseat GOP U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan in Florida’s 16th Congressional District, is expected to take part in a meet-and-greet event in Manatee County. That’s at 5:30 p.m., Cory Wright Fine Art, 419 10th Ave., Palmetto.
A fundraising event is slated for Democrat Nathcelly Rohrbaugh, who is seeking to unseat Rep. Cord Byrd, a Neptune Beach Republican, in House District 11, which includes Nassau County and part of Duval County. That’s at 6 p.m., Casa Marina, 691 First St. North, Jacksonville Beach.
Putnam and Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez Cantera will call on supporters to get out the vote during a “Palm Beach for Putnam” rally. That’s at 6 p.m., Yesteryear Village, 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach.
Democrat Ed Rendell — Formerly Mayor of Philadelphia, Governor of Pennsylvania and chair of the Democratic National Committee — will campaign with Democratic candidate for Governor Philip Levine at a “Pizza and Politics” phone-banking event. In June, Rendell announced that he is undergoing treatment for Parkinson’s disease. The event is at 7:30 p.m., Levine for Governor campaign HQ, 2215 NW 1st Place, Miami.
