Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
A Collier County fire official is seeking guidance from the State Fire Marshal’s Office on whether to exempt a proposed “marijuana grow and processing facility” from the state’s fire code requirements.
Dale E. Fey Jr., Fire Marshal at The North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District, filed a petition for what’s known as a “declaratory statement” last month with the Department of Financial Services (DFS), records show.
A declaratory statement “is used to obtain an interpretation of a statute, rule, or order from a state agency,” the Florida Bar Journal explains. “It is a means of resolving a controversy or addressing questions or doubts about the applicability of statutes, rules, or agency orders.”
Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, who heads DFS, also serves as State Fire Marshal. The petition was provided after a public record request to the department.
The property in question, in Immokalee, is registered to Oakes Farms Tomato Repack LLC, according to Collier County property records.
The Department of Health regulates the drug through its Office of Medical Marijuana Use.
“This is not a proposed facility of any current MMTC (medical marijuana treatment center) at this time, but may be a location not yet submitted, or a location of a proposed MMTC applicant,” department spokesman Nick Van Der Linden said.
A request for comment to Oakes Farms, also based in Immokalee, was sent Thursday.
Fey wants to know whether the structure’s owners can claim an “agricultural exemption … to avoid complying with Fire and Life Safety codes,” his filing said. The request was still pending as of Thursday.
Evening Reads
“Florida House GOP: Brett Kavanaugh is ‘unquestionably qualified’” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida
“Democrats push Hurricane Maria response as campaign issue; Republicans cite efforts” via Scott Powers of POLITICO Florida
“Ron DeSantis’s wife appeared at South Florida event alongside Obama “birther” tied to extremist group” via Jerry Iannelli of the Miami New Times
“DeSantis on gambling, charter schools, differing from Rick Scott, and his concerns with student testing” via Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times
“DeSantis disavows donor’s racist tweet, knocks Salt Bae in Miami” via David Smiley of the Miami Herald
“A closer look at Florida Constitutional Amendment 2” via Diane Rado of the Florida Phoenix
“Polling shows Florida voters’ support for banning assault weapons declines in months since Stoneman Douglas massacre” via Anthony Man of the Sun-Sentinel
“New Democrat state Representative facing trouble with re-election bid” via David Bishop of FLANewsOnline.com
“UCF misspent additional $10 million on construction and equipment, leaders say” via Annie Martin of the Orlando Sentinel
“Fired deputy under investigation for planting drugs” via Jeff Burlew of the Tallahassee Democrat
“Florida agriculture, natural resources and food industries grew from 2007 to 2016” via Southeast Ag Net
Quote of the Day
“Ron DeSantis will work to ensure that our tax dollars will be prioritized to reduce teacher shortages and reward great teachers with great salaries, not to funding wasteful education bureaucracy.” — GOP House Speaker Richard Corcoran, who had called DeSantis “visionless” this summer before his primary win.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
State candidates and political committees face a Friday deadline for filing reports showing finance activity through Sept. 14.
Bob O’Malley will speak on “Brightline: Connecting Florida’s Cities with High-Speed Rail” at Café con Tampa’s next meeting. The cost at the door is $12, breakfast buffet included. That’s at 8 a.m., Upstairs at Oxford Exchange, 420 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.
The Able Trust, which works to provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities, will hold an event about the start of Disability Employment Awareness Month. Senate President-designate Bill Galvano is expected to attend. That’s at 9 a.m., Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando.
Gov. Rick Scott will announce Florida’s August job numbers. That’s at 10 a.m., Promise in Brevard, 4105 Norfolk Pkwy., West Melbourne.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is scheduled to release August unemployment figures at 10 a.m.
Tampa Tiger Bay Club will host a candidate’s forum for Senate District 18 with Democrat Janet Cruz and Republican Dana Young. Dr. Susan McManus will moderate. The cost for members and first-time guests is $25; nonmembers pay $35. At noon, the discount expires, and prices are $30 and $40, respectively. You must be a member to ask questions of the candidates. To purchase tickets, call (813) 507-9236. Registration opens at 11:30 a.m., Chester Ferguson Law Center, 1610 N. Tampa St., Tampa.
GOP former U.S. Rep. David Jolly and Democratic former U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy will take part in a ‘town hall’ on the SiriusXM ‘POTUS’ radio station to discuss ideas for ending gridlock in Washington. That’s at 2 p.m., SiriusXM Channel 124.
Looking Ahead
A private seated lunch is scheduled Saturday with Democratic Cabinet nominees Jeremy Ring, Sean Shaw, and Nikki Fried at the home of JoAnne DeVries in Sarasota. Proceeds from the event go toward the “Coordinated Campaign,” which funds “boots on the ground” for Democrats, according to the invitation. RSVP through this link or email [email protected]. That’s at 1 p.m.
