Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
It’s not too late to donate to the Florida Disaster Fund for #GivingTuesday.
“Individuals, families and businesses are kicking off the holiday season by donating to deserving charities and nonprofit organizations,” said David R. Mica Jr., CEO of Volunteer Florida, in an email. “With that in mind, I ask that you’ll consider donating.”
It’s the state’s official fund established to aid Florida’s communities throughout disaster response and recovery.
“Gov. Scott and Volunteer Florida have been directing donors — such as The Walt Disney Co. — to the Fund since Hurricane Michael made landfall last month,” Mica said.
Proceeds from the Disaster Fund go to organizations “engaged in Hurricane Michael response and recovery efforts, like the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.”
Here’s how you can chip in:
— Text “DISASTER” ($10) or “DISASTER25” ($25) to 20222.
— Go to volunteerflorida.org and click “DONATE.”
— Send checks to the Volunteer Florida Foundation (please include “Florida Disaster Fund” in the memo line), at 3800 Esplanade Way, Suite 180, Tallahassee, FL 32311. For large donations, call (850) 414-7400.
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Late notice: PR firm North and lobbying firm Capitol Advocates host a holiday celebration at the Murphy House tonight.
They’ll be accepting donations to benefit the United Way of the Big Bend — Women United, a group focusing on helping women and children through advocacy and volunteer work.
Light hors-d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served; on-street parking is available. That’s at 6 p.m., 317 E. Park Ave., Tallahassee.
Evening Reads
“How Marco Rubio learned to stop worrying and love the Trump” via Sam Stein and Asawin Suebsaeng of The Daily Beast
“Tracking the promises of Rick Scott” via PolitiFact
“Ron DeSantis names star-studded Inaugural Committee” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics
“Attorney General-elect Ashley Moody names top lobbyist to inaugural committee” via Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times
“Bill Galvano says Florida could insure working poor with Medicaid block grant” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics
“Move to reform Florida’s concealed weapons permitting pits NRA vs. Senate Democrats” via Samantha Gross and Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times
“Meet some of the new Florida House Democrats” via Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix
“Be like Melinda” via Matt Mitchell for Florida Politics
“Pinellas transit authority launches app program to help bus riders connect with Uber, Lyft” via Veronica Brezina-Smith
“Netflix for Conservatives? Fox News introduces Fox Nation, a streaming app” via Mike Grynbaum of The New York Times
Quote of the Day
“I just want to proceed with caution and, again, with the idea that we have to have quality care as well as affordable and accessible.” — Senate President Bill Galvano, on Florida possibly getting a ‘Medicaid block grant’ to expand health coverage for the working poor.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The Florida School Boards Association and the Florida Association of District School Superintendents begin their annual joint conference, with scheduled speakers including U.S. Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education Frank Brogan. That’s at 7 a.m., Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, 2900 Bayport Drive, Tampa.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual insurance “summit,” with speakers expected to include state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. Among the topics will be private flood insurance and assignment of benefits abuse. That’s at 8:45 a.m., JW Marriott Miami, 1109 Brickell Ave., Miami.
The Enterprise Florida Board of Directors will meet in Orange County. That’s at 9 a.m., Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, 5601 Universal Blvd., Orlando.
The Florida Association of Counties will start an annual legislative conference, with a series of discussions about water-related issues. Former U.S. Sen. and Gov. Bob Graham is scheduled to speak. That’s at 9 a.m., Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina, 700 South Florida Ave., Tampa.
Aides to Gov. Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and CFO Patronis will meet to discuss issues in advance of a Nov. 30 Cabinet meeting. That’s at 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.
Susan MacManus, a longtime political science professor at the University of South Florida and analyst of state politics, will discuss the 2018 elections during a luncheon meeting of the Tiger Bay Club of Polk County. That’s at 11:30 a.m., Bartow Civic Center, 2250 South Floral Ave., Bartow.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey will convene a hearing on “The Communist Party’s Crackdown on Religion in China.” The hearing will be livestreamed on YouTube. That’s at 3 p.m., 106 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.
