Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis on Wednesday said “he will work to deepen penalties for scam artists” who use cellphone spoofing to defraud Floridians.
He called it “a massive problem that costs Florida families … despite legislative efforts to ban it.”
And he said: “A recent report suggests almost half of U.S. cellphone calls will be scams by next year.”
So what is it? The Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Information blog explained the scam earlier this year: “When your phone rings and it looks like a local call, you may be more likely to answer. Scammers count on this and can easily fake caller ID numbers.
“They even can match the first six digits of your own number, which is called ‘neighbor spoofing.’ The urge to answer can be tough to resist, since you might worry it’s a neighbor who needs help, or the school nurse.”
Patronis called it a “shocking trend and proves these scam artists will stop at nothing to steal your money or even your identity.
“Although a bill passed last Session banning call spoofing is a start, we can do more to protect Florida’s consumers and make penalties for those breaking the law more severe,” he added.
“As one of the top law enforcement agencies in Florida, my office is dedicated to rooting out fraud and investigating financial crimes. As scam artists look for new ways to circumvent our laws, we are committed to leading the charge to find and prosecute criminals — especially those who use spoofing to commit identity theft and fraud.”
Meantime, the FTC suggests reporting unwanted calls. “We take the phone numbers you report and release them to the public each business day. This helps phone carriers and other partners that are working on call blocking solutions. Your reports also help law enforcement identify the people behind illegal calls.”
Evening Reads
“Donald Trump to visit Orlando on Monday” via Steven Lemongello of the Orlando Sentinel
“Michael Bloomberg, former New York mayor and possible presidential candidate, plans three days of South Florida political stops” via Anthony Man and Skyler Swisher of the Sun Sentinel
“The political battle for Florida’s Latino vote” via Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix
“Randy Schultz: Rick Scott took responsibility? No, he took $300 million” via the Sun-Sentinel
“Rick Scott-aligned PAC releases ad calling Bill Nelson an ’empty suit’” via Steve Contorno of the Tampa Bay Times
“Dueling ads seek to frame Andrew Gillum’s corporate tax proposal” via Danny McAuliffe of Florida Politics
“Police union endorses Republican Ron DeSantis for governor — four years after endorsing Democrat” via Anthony Man of the Sun-Sentinel
“Sean Shaw ad goes after Ashley Moody on pre-existing conditions stance” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
“Meet Jeremy Ring, the Democratic candidate for CFO” via Samantha Gross of the Tampa Bay Times
“Brian Mast pulls ad after TCPalm discovers actor’s domestic battery conviction” via Ali Schmitz of TCPalm.com
“Florida House race between Anna Eskamani, Stockton Reeves one of area’s most contested” via Ryan Gillespie of the Orlando Sentinel
“John Legend to headline Orlando event in support of Amendment 4” via Kirby Wilson of the Tampa Bay Times
“Adam Putnam says new trade deal doesn’t help Florida farmers” via Jim Turner of the News Service of Florida
“‘No, dog. No!’ State rejects request for greyhound kennel tours” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics
“Legislative leaders announce 2018-19 committee week schedule” via Florida Politics
Quote of the Day
“I’m sick of Republicans using Pulse as some political prop after they turned their back on that community for so long … I am really, really sick of the memory of 49 lives constantly being trampled on.” — Brandon Wolf, a Pulse survivor and gun control activist who spoke on a press call organized by Democrats.
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Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities and the divisions of Blind Services and Vocational Rehabilitation will hold a ceremony to honor “exceptional employers” for hiring and retaining workers with disabilities. That’s at 9:30 a.m., Tallahassee City Commission chamber, 300 South Adams St., Tallahassee.
The Florida Supreme Court is expected to release its regular weekly opinions at 11 a.m.
GOP gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis and Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi will meet with members of the Italian Club of Tampa. That’s at noon, L’Unione Italiana, 1731 E. 7th Ave., Tampa.
Candidates in House District 72 and House District 73 are expected to appear at a Sarasota Tiger Bay Club luncheon. That’s at noon, Michael’s on East, 1212 East Ave. South, Sarasota.
Associated Industries of Florida is slated to start a two-day “Florida Water Forum” in Osceola County. That’s at 1 p.m., Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, 6000 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee.
The Florida Health Insurance Advisory Board will hold a conference call. Issues are expected to include legislative proposals for 2019 and approval of the “State of the Market” annual report. That’s at 1 p.m. Call-in number: 1-866-200-9760. Code: 4288083#.
DeSantis also is expected to campaign during a veterans’ rally in Hillsborough County. That’s at 3 p.m., James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, 13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa.
Chris Turner hosts his annual guest bartending event to support the DONNA Foundation, a nonprofit that “provides financial assistance and support to families living with breast cancer and funds groundbreaking breast cancer research.” That’s at 5:30 p.m., Madison Social, 705 S. Woodward Ave. #101, Tallahassee. You can also donate by clicking here.
