Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Just don’t call it ‘iPods for inmates.’
The Department of Corrections published proposed regulations Wednesday allowing inmates to have “multimedia tablets.”
All tablets, however, “are subject to search at any time or for any reason,” the proposed rule says.
And “inmates shall provide their current tablet password when directed by staff for purposes of an investigation or authorized search.”
If approved in Florida, the new regulation would replace one allowing inmates to have only MP3 players.
“Our old MP3 player contract for inmates expired in January 2018, and we procured a new multimedia contract that includes tablets,” DOC press secretary Patrick Manderfield said. “The rule is simply being updated to reflect the change in technology.
“Please note, they’re not being given iPads,” he added, mentioning they’ll have email and limited internet access. “Inmates have the opportunity to purchase tablets that are conducive to correctional environments.”
Florida launched a pilot program in 2012 “to test Kindle devices for inmates,” USA Today has reported.
That same year, federal prisoners were allowed to “purchase MP3 music players with certain features disabled such as the external memory slot and the integrated microphone,” according to the Future of Music Coalition website.
Other states that have OK’d “inmates to purchase and use mini-tablet computers while incarcerated” include Ohio and Georgia.
Evening Reads
“Tuesday’s other big winner: Bernie Sanders” via David Siders of POLITICO
“Big winners in the Florida primary? Generation X” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
“Winners and losers in Florida’s 2018 primaries” via Kevin Derby and Nancy Smith of the Sunshine State News
“10 takeaways from Florida’s primary elections” via Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel
“How Ron DeSantis won the Fox News primary” via Marc Caputo of POLITICO Florida
“How the black vote carried Andrew Gillum to victory” via Langston Taylor of the Tampa Bay Times
“Race, socialism define first day of Florida campaign for Governor” via Marc Caputo of POLITICO Florida
“Donald Trump attacks Andrew Gillum as a ‘failed socialist mayor’” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“Donald Trump says he hasn’t heard Ron DeSantis marks” via The Associated Press
“High court has argument on dog racing ban” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics
“In first ad, Stephanie Murpy stresses bipartisan work” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“My life is threatened.’ Listen to Daphne Campbell call 911 on a Herald reporter” via David Ovalle of the Miami Herald
“Water mattered Tuesday, but not in the way clean water activist groups wanted” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics
“Florida’s unusually long red tide is killing wildlife, tourism, and businesses” via Darryl Fears and Lori Rozsa of The Washington Post
Quote of the Day
“I’m not going to get down in the gutter with DeSantis and Trump. There’s enough of that going on.” — Tallahassee Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum, responding on FOX News to Ron DeSantis’ comment earlier on the network that voting for Gillum would “monkey … up” the state’s economic progress.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The Florida Department of Children and Families will hold one in a series of meetings across the state about infant and early childhood mental health. That’s at 9 a.m., United Way of Miami-Dade, Center for Excellence in Early Education Demonstration School, 3250 S.W. Third Ave., Miami.
The Florida Defense Alliance, which works on issues to make Florida a “military friendly” state, will hold a conference call. That’s at 9 a.m. Call-in number: 1-800-501-8979. Code: 1869945.
The Florida Supreme Court is expected to resume releasing regular weekly opinions after its annual summer break. That’s at 11 a.m.
The Florida Historic Capitol Museum is hosting a panel discussion about the history of the state’s Constitution Revision Commission. That’s at 5:30 p.m. Florida Historic Capitol Museum, 400 South Monroe St., Tallahassee.
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., Key Colony Beach City Hall, 600 West Ocean Dr., Key Colony Beach.
