Peter Schorsch
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Lost your job because of the storm? Don’t worry: There’s a program for that.
It’s called Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), and it’s available to “Florida businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a result of Hurricane Michael.”
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity now is accepting applications for DUA from residents and businesses in Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Taylor, Wakulla and Washington counties. Applications are due by Nov. 14.
Those who are eligible worked or were self-employed or they were scheduled to begin work or self-employment, and now can’t “work or perform services because of physical damage of destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster.”
Among other things, they must “establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their principal source of income, and they do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits from any state.”
DUA is available from weeks of unemployment beginning Oct. 14 until April 13, 2019, or as long as the individual’s unemployment continues to be a result of the hurricane.
To file a DUA claim go to www.FloridaJobs.org or call (800) 385-3920.
Evening Reads
“Donald Trump gets bird’s-eye view of devastated Florida communities” via Deb Reichmann of The Associated Press
“Outside money now at $42 million in Florida’s U.S. Senate race” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
“Ann Scott takes over campaign duties as Rick Scott focuses on storm recovery” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida
“Parkland parent endorses Scott in new ad” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics
“State high court decision reverberates in Governor’s campaign” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida
“Tallahassee restored power to 90% of customers last night. That could be good for Andrew Gillum.” via Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times
“What is and isn’t known about Ron DeSantis’s Navy career? Records provide a glimpse” via Diane Rado of the Florida Phoenix
“Matt Caldwell adds $277K, Nikki Fried $218K in Ag. Commish race” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics
“Dana Young bets on personal touch to keep swing seat” via Danny McAuliffe of Florida Politics
“Kelsey Grammer is the latest face of the campaign to pass a victims rights constitutional amendment” via Dan Sweeney of the Sun Sentinel
“Disney-backed gambling opponents unleash $8.5 million ad blitz in just 1 week” via Mark Skoneki of the Orlando Sentinel
“Deceptive Democrats’ ‘nonpartisan’ ‘Parties at the Polls’” via Nancy Smith of Sunshine State News
“Hurricane Michael claims begin streaming in to state insurance office” via Michael Moline of Florida Politics
“Experts: Hurricane Michael failed to end Florida’s red tide” via Jennifer Kay of The Associated Press
“With tuition and debt rising, vocational education must be a higher priority in Florida” via Adam Wollner of the Miami Herald
Quote of the Day
“Gov. Scott will be focused on response and recovery from the devastating hurricane … Florida’s wonderful First Lady, Ann Scott, will be taking over his campaign schedule.” — The Rick Scott for U.S. Senate campaign, commenting on the post-Hurricane Michael situation.
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Wake Up Early?
Staff members for GOP U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio will hold “mobile” office hours in Hendry, Polk and Pinellas counties:
— 10 a.m., LaBelle City Hall, 481 West Hickpochee Ave., LaBelle.
— 12:30 p.m., Haines City Area of Chamber of Commerce, 35610 Highway 27, Haines City.
— 1 p.m., Clearwater Countryside Library, 2642 Sabal Springs Dr., Clearwater.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis joins several Florida Sheriffs for two news conferences. That’s at 10:30 a.m., Brevard County American Police Hall of Fame & Museum, 6350 Horizon Dr. Titusville; and 1 p.m., Old Polk County Courthouse, 100 E Main St., Bartow.
“Everybody Is For 2,” which is promoting Amendment 2 on the November ballot, will hold a news conference. Campaign manager Beth Matuga and Robert Weissert of Florida TaxWatch are among those expected to appear. That’s at 11 a.m., Florida Realtors, 200 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee.
Democratic Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy and her Republican challenger, state Rep. Mike Miller, are slated to appear at a debate held by the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida. Murphy and Miller are running in Congressional District 7. That’s at noon, Varsity Club at Camping World Stadium, 1 Citrus Bowl Place, Orlando.
GOP U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney is slated to speak to the Caxambas Republican Club of Southwest Florida. That’s at 5:30 p.m., Marco Island Yacht Club, 1400 North Collier Blvd., Marco Island.
GOP State Rep. Danny Burgess will hold his final “meet and greet” of the 2018 election cycle. Free doughnuts will be provided. That’s at 5:30 p.m., Buttermilk Provisions, 2653 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Wesley Chapel.
Fox News commentator Jeanine Pirro will speak during a Palm Beach Republican Club event. That’s at 6:15 p.m., The Colony Hotel Pavilion, 155 Hammon Ave., Palm Beach.
