Peter Schorsch
Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.
By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Daniel McAuliffe, Jim Rosica, and Drew Wilson.
Reforming assignment of benefits (AOB) and insuring self-driving cars will be tops on the agenda of this year’s Florida Chamber of Commerce 2018 Insurance Summit.
The Summit — billed as “the oldest and largest insurance conference in Florida” — will gather business leaders, industry experts and elected officials to discuss “crucial issues facing insurers, businesses and consumers.”
Scheduled speakers include CFO Jimmy Patronis, Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier, Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund Chief Operating Officer Anne Bert, and former Mayor of St. Petersburg Rick Baker.
Topics will include “Barriers to the Free Market in Insurance Policy,” “Auto Glass Harvesting: Cracking Open an AOB Epidemic,” and “Automated Vehicles: Future Travel and Insurance Considerations.”
The summit is through Thursday at the JW Marriott, 1109 Brickell Ave., Miami. For a full agenda, click here.
Also happening today — The Florida Association of Counties begin its annual legislative conference, with scheduled speakers including former U.S. Sen. and Gov. Bob Graham, Department of Environmental Protection Deputy Secretary Drew Bartlett and St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Ann Shortelle, 9 a.m., Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina, 700 South Florida Ave., Tampa.
Where Mike Grissom will be holding court — The Enterprise Florida Board of Directors meet, 9 a.m., Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, 5601 Universal Blvd., Orlando.
— THE ONLY TWEET THAT MATTERS —
70 coats and counting at COB today from same-day drop offs and donations. We cannot wait to see the count tomorrow! Thank you all for your support! #GivingTuesday2018 @Fla_Pol https://t.co/gnAAk6I6S9
— Bascom Communications (@BascomLLC) November 27, 2018
— DAYS UNTIL —
Hanukkah begins — 4; Partial government shutdown — 9; 2019 Session Interim Committee Meetings begin — 13; 116th Congress convenes — 36; College Football National Championship — 40; Florida’s gubernatorial inauguration — 41; Super Bowl LIII — 67; ‘Hamilton’ comes to the Straz Center — 76; 2019 Legislative Session starts — 97; Tampa mayoral election — 97; ‘Captain Marvel’ release — 101; Iowa Caucuses — 432; 2020 General Election — 706.
— TOP STORY —
“Could Byron Donalds be the next chair of the Florida GOP?” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Donalds confirms he holds some interest in the job. “It’s something that’s come up,” he says. “I’m considering my options.” Multiple sources within the state committee confirm conversations with the Naples lawmaker about the post and suggest Donalds may boast the blessing of Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis. But to even be a serious contender, party leaders say he will first need to prove himself with the grassroots. He could do that Monday by winning the Collier County Republican Executive Committee chairmanship. Donalds already announced plans to seek the leadership post, he said.
— THE TRANSITION —
Spotted — Gov. Rick Scott on Capitol Hill Tuesday, meeting with U.S. Rep. Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon of Puerto Rico and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. He’ll mostly be in D.C. this week, according to staff reports, preparing to become the state’s next U.S. Senator.
“Ron DeSantis names star-studded Inaugural Committee” via Florida Politics — Gov.-elect DeSantis and incoming First Lady Casey DeSantis on Tuesday announced the leadership for their 2019 Inaugural Committee. Heading the list is top Florida and Washington, D.C. lobbyist Brian Ballard and his wife Kathryn Ballard of Tallahassee, who are chairs. Co-chairs are longtime Republican Party fundraisers Stanley and Gay Hart Gaines of Palm Beach, and lobbyist Bill Rubin and wife Lys of Broward County. “We are excited to announce this special group of Florida leaders who have graciously agreed to serve on the 2019 Inaugural Committee,” the DeSantises said in a statement. “The 2019 Inauguration will be a celebration of our great state as we move forward together toward continued success.”
“Will Weatherford, Chris Spencer to advise DeSantis on economic policy” via Florida Politics — DeSantis will be getting his economic policy advice from former House Speaker Will Weatherford and GrayRobinson lobbyist Chris Spencer as he makes the transition to the Governor’s mansion. … The policy guidelines for the committee include keeping Florida a low-tax environment for individuals and businesses; providing a predictable and reasonable regulatory environment; providing a reliable and advanced hard and soft infrastructure; building a well-trained and highly skilled workforce; and fostering a responsive, efficient and accountable government. … Weatherford, a Pasco County Republican, served as House Speaker for the 2013 and 2014 Legislative Sessions. While in elected office and in the years since, Weatherford has made it his mission to attack generational poverty in Florida … Spencer was the longtime aide to St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes before he was snapped up by lobby firm GrayRobinson a year ago. He has demonstrated a deep knowledge of how tech sector disrupters could serve as economic opportunities for Florida.
—“Jeanette Nuñez showcased by national GOP” via Kevin Derby of Florida Daily
“Big names tapped to head Ashley Moody’s inaugural committee” via Florida Politics — Moody, the state’s Republican Attorney General-elect, named Sen. Wilton Simpson, Rep. Chris Sprowls and lobbyist Michael Corcoran to serve as co-chairs of her Inaugural Committee, she announced Tuesday. “The Inaugural Committee will be responsible for planning and executing the events surrounding the inauguration ceremony on Jan. 8,” a news release said … Also, Samantha Blair will serve as the committee’s Executive Director … Moody said she’d be “announcing additional Inaugural Committee members in the coming days.”
“Move to reform Florida’s concealed weapons permitting pits NRA vs. Senate Democrats” via Samantha Gross and Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times — The direction that change would take has become a tug-of-war between Democrats in the Florida Senate and powerful National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer. Hammer wants to transfer oversight of the concealed weapons permitting process to Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, a Republican. Democrats in the state Senate — and incoming Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried, also a Democrat — have other ideas, and plan to file legislation in an attempt to make them law. Democratic state Sens. Lauren Book and Linda Stewart have drafted a bill proposing the Division of Licensing move from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Stewart, who helped draft the bill, said the language aims to streamline the current process and depoliticize the department.
Tweet shot:
Politics should have no role in our concealed weapons permit process—the current system has allowed groups like the @NRA to control our state government for long enough.
I fully support moving the program to be under the authority of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. https://t.co/FJDjIHoJCS
— Nikki Fried (@nikkifried) November 28, 2018
Tweet chaser:
But Florida voters elected YOU to handle this. You never campaigned on a plan to turn this important responsibility over to the FDLE and your website mentions nothing of it either. pic.twitter.com/I7AyYDjMR9
— Billy Corben (@BillyCorben) November 28, 2018
—ROAD TO SESSION —
“Fight to stop behind-the-wheel cellphone use will look different in 2019” via Danny McAuliffe of Florida Politics — Among the crop of early bills filed ahead of the 2019 Session is a push to prevent Floridians from talking and texting while operating a vehicle. State Sen. Simpson, a Trilby Republican, earlier this month filed legislation (SB 76) that would ban the use of handheld communications while driving. In the House, Boca Raton Democratic state Rep. Emily Slosberg filed a similar bill (HB 45) on Monday. It’s a sign that a near-annual fight in the Legislature is back, although nuanced. Last year’s push sought only to make texting while driving a primary offense, allowing law enforcement to pull over drivers typing away at their phone. Currently, texting is a secondary offense, meaning law enforcement cannot stop drivers for that reason alone. The bills this year remove the ambiguity of a texting ban and instead would make illegal any and all handheld cell business behind the wheel. Infractions would be primary offenses.
“Manny Diaz preaches need for school choice” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — New state Sen. Diaz may just be readying for his first Legislative Session, but he’s already nabbed a committee chairmanship after being named to head the Senate’s Education Committee. Diaz has a graduate degree in educational leadership. He worked as a public school teacher in his early twenties, and spent 18 years in the Miami-Dade County Public School system, either as a teacher or administrator. “Ever since I was at school-side, I’ve always felt like we needed to be more student-centered in our education system.” To Diaz, that means providing more education options outside the traditional public school system, including charter schools. “Every region in our state is different. Every district is different. Every community is different. Most importantly, every child is different,” Diaz said.
“Debbie Mayfield intends to keep pressure on Virgin Trains USA” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — Virgin Trains USA, formerly Brightline, has a new partnership, a new brand and a new deal that ends some of its sternest opposition, with Martin County and Citizens Against Rail Expansion in Florida. But not everyone is convinced yet that the higher-speed, private, passenger train is on the right track. Mayfield, the Melbourne Republican, and other state and federal lawmakers, notably U.S. Reps. Brian Mast and Bill Posey, remain at least concerned and intend to keep the heat on. What remains to be seen is the position of Gov.-elect DeSantis, who, as a U.S. House member, was a strong critic of Brightline. Mayfield said her safety and regulatory concerns were validated in a recent OPPAGA study. “I intend to file similar legislation again in the upcoming session to address the issues that were identified in the study,” Mayfield said.
“Anna Eskamani turns to swag sales to energize re-election campaign” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — Eskamani is chartering Big Kids territory for her 2020 re-election campaign, starting early with an online store selling Anna Eskamani ball caps, T-shirts, mugs, clocks, and other campaign souvenirs to raise a little money and put her name on a few heads and chests about town. Socks? Sure. Beach towels? Got those too. She’s among the first to file for re-election in 2020. The online store came about from discussions with campaign advisers about how to keep her campaign webpage going, fresh, and relevant as she turns toward two years of actual legislative work. “The conversation of an online store just kind of popped up,” she said.
“Shevrin Jones talks ‘human issue’ of supplying hygiene products to women inmates” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — Jones has filed a new bill (HB 49) which seeks to provide hygiene products to women inmates, as well as protect those women from abuse while incarcerated. The relevant text of HB 49 reads, “A correctional facility shall make available health care products to each woman incarcerated in the facility at no cost to the woman in a quantity that is appropriate to the needs of the woman without a medical referral.” “This is not a Democrat or Republican issue. This is a human issue to ensure that regardless of what crimes they have committed, everyone deserves to be treated with some type of dignity, no matter their status,” Jones said.
“Lawmaker wants to expand Session fundraising ban” via the News Service of Florida — A proposal filed by state Rep. Evan Jenne (HB 55) would expand an existing ban on legislators raising campaign money during regular, special or extended Sessions. The ban would be extended to statewide offices, including the Cabinet positions of Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer and Agriculture Commissioner.
FSBA adds career education expansion to its legislative priorities” via Jeffrey Solochek of the Tampa Bay Times — The state School Boards Association has added a fifth plank to its legislative priority platform. It focuses on career and technical education. The association’s legislative committee advanced the last-minute item, seeking to add it to the list that already included a call for enhanced student safety, expanded mental health services, improved funding and greater support for teachers. Board members debated the wording of the request for increased state support for more high school career programs. Some, including Sarasota County board member Caroline Zucker, wanted to keep the language simple and succinct. Others, such as Pasco County board member Cynthia Armstrong, stressed the need to use more details about what the goals are — meeting local, regional and statewide workforce needs — as well as what the money might be used for — things like recruiting qualified instructors and building business partnerships.
—STATEWIDE —
Happening today — Aides to Gov. Scott and the Florida Cabinet will meet to discuss issues in advance of a Nov. 30 Cabinet meeting, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, The Capitol.
“Rick Scott, Cabinet to take a Veterans’ Hall of Fame picks” via the News Service of Florida — Stephen O’Connell, a late Florida Supreme Court justice who was also president of the University of Florida, and former Tallahassee Mayor John Marks are among 20 people nominated for the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame. The recommendations will go before Gov. Scott and the Cabinet on Dec. 4. O’Connell, who served as an executive officer of the 312th Bombardment Group in the western Pacific during World War II, served on the Florida Supreme Court from 1955 to 1967. O’Connell became the president of the University of Florida in 1967 and served in the position until 1973. Marks, who was elected Mayor for the first of two terms in 2003, graduated from Florida State University’s College of Law in 1972 and served four years in the U.S. Air Force as a judge advocate.
“Florida crime falls in the first half of 2018” via Sunshine State News — Crime continues to fall across Florida, according to the 2018 Semiannual Uniform Crime Report. The report shows Florida’s crime volume dropped 8 percent, or 24,564 fewer reported index crimes, compared to the first six months of 2017. Overall, both violent and property crimes were down in this report. The index crimes of robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft were down while murder and rape increased slightly. Domestic violence crimes were also lower in this report.
“Carlos Muñiz makes short list for Florida Supreme Court” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics — Muñiz, former chief of staff to Attorney General Pam Bondi, is on the list of 11 finalists for three openings on the Florida Supreme Court. The Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission, which met privately to go over the 59 applicants, released its list Tuesday afternoon. Muñiz, now the general counsel to the U.S. Department of Education, is one of two non-judge finalists. Six of the judges on the list were first appointed to the bench by outgoing Republican Gov. Scott. Justices Barbara Pariente, R. Fred Lewis, and Peggy A. Quince all face mandatory retirement in January. Republican Gov.-elect DeSantis will select the three new justices from the list upon taking office.
>>>DeSantis weighs in on short list: “I appreciate the hard work of the Judicial Nominating Commission in certifying this list of talented and highly qualified individuals … Governor Scott leaves behind an outstanding legacy of strong judicial appointments while in office. I look forward to his counsel as I work to evaluate each nominee to ensure that the next three justices appointed to the Florida Supreme Court will respect our Constitution and the rule of law and serve our state with distinction.”
“Court backs counties on juvenile detention money” via Jim Saunders of the News Service of Florida — In the latest in a series of legal cases about juvenile-detention costs, an appeals court upheld a decision that said the state owes millions of dollars to two Central Florida counties. The ruling by a three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal was a victory for Polk and Seminole counties, which have long battled the state Department of Juvenile Justice about the money. A Leon County circuit judge last year said the department should pay about $4.78 million to Polk County and nearly $4.07 million to Seminole County. The case — and earlier litigation involving counties and the department — is rooted in a law that involves counties and the state sharing juvenile-detention costs. Counties are responsible for the tab before juveniles’ cases are resolved by judges, while the state pays for detention costs after judges rule.
Happening today — The Criminal Justice Estimating Conference meets to discuss issues in the criminal justice system, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, The Capitol.
“For framing innocent black men, a Florida police chief gets three years in prison” via Jay Weaver and David Ovalle of the Miami Herald — Raimundo Atesiano, the former Biscayne Park police chief who directed his officers to frame innocent men for a series of unsolved burglaries, admitted he wanted to appease community leaders and polish the village’s property crimes record. “When I took the job, I was not prepared,” Atesiano told a federal judge. “I made some very, very bad decisions.” His apologies did not sway U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore, who sentenced the 53-year-old former cop to three years in prison. In September, Atesiano pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge of depriving the three suspects of their civil rights because he and the officers charged them without a legal basis. Atesiano’s conspiracy conviction carried up to 10 years in prison.
“Teachers, students protest administrative reassignment at Marjory Stoneman Douglas; lawsuit planned” via The Associated Press — Dozens of teachers from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School gathered outside the gates in protest to the removal of four school leaders. Wearing “MSD Strong” shirts, about one-third of the teachers stood in a line and chanted “It’s not fair!” Three Assistant Principals — Jeff Morford, Winfred Porter, and Denise Reed — along with Security Specialist Kelvin Greenleaf, were put on administrative duty as of Tuesday morning. The decision came after the Broward School District received information from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Safety Commission. The commission cited numerous issues, including a delayed code red call, unlocked and unguarded gates, as well as alleged complaints made to the school administrators about Nicolas Cruz’s behavior that went dismissed. The teachers who showed solidarity say there needs to be a change, but do not believe removing school leaders from their position was the right move.
“Panama City and state at odds over response to Hurricane Michael” via Mark Puente of the Tampa Bay Times — After no response for eight days, Panama City awarded a $2.3 million emergency contract for a company to provide temporary comfort stations with bathrooms, showers and electricity. The city and the Florida Division of Emergency Management are now at odds over the response and lawmakers are talking about improving communication during disasters. “It seemed so disorganized,” Panama City Manager Mark McQueen said about the state’s efforts immediately after the storm. “It was very unresponsive. I was so frustrated by the lack of response.” The state never sent the stations because Panama City didn’t request them through Bay County, which Florida law requires. Andrew Wilber, press secretary for the state emergency management director, said the state is not responsible for coordinating requests between counties and municipalities. The state held daily calls, and emergency planners were in constant communication with counties, including Bay, he added.
—“Panama City buildings may be used for FEMA housing” via the Panama City News-Herald
“Red tide gone from Pinellas beaches” via Craig Pittman of the Tampa Bay Times — “We’re shutting down,” said Kelli Hammer Levy, the county’s environmental management director, referring to the county’s ongoing cleanup efforts. “The bloom is now south of us.” Pinellas suffered from the toxic algae bloom’s effects for three months, starting in early September. According to Levy, the county spent more than $7 million trying to clean up all the dead fish washing ashore, in some cases intercepting them before they could reach the beach. Levy said contractors hired by the county collected a total of 1,863 tons of dead sea life and hauled it off to the county’s landfill and incinerator. Right before Thanksgiving, the bloom was sitting in Bunce’s Pass, dumping lots of dead fish on Fort De Soto and Sand Key. “Fort De Soto was getting hit hard,” she said.
“Daytona’s dog racing fans see loss of ‘old Florida’ after amendment passes” via Godwin Kelly of the Daily Commercial — Daytona Beach Racing and Card Club’s retired President Dan Francati was not surprised that Amendment 13 passed with ease during the midterm election, banning greyhound racing in Florida in two years. “This is the death blow to the industry,” the 69-year-old Francati said. “Greyhound racing has been on the decline. It didn’t shock me. The sport has contracted over the years.” The day after voters cast their ballots to ban dog racing in Florida, about 100 railbirds were at Daytona Beach Racing and Card Club’s 15-race matinee. For some, it was the first of many goodbyes to an area sport synonymous with “old Florida.” Jeff Larson, 56, took time off to sit in the patio area overlooking the finish line of the dirt oval off Williamson Boulevard. “That’s sad to me and makes me mad,” said the Daytona Beach resident. “This is bad. What is next? Ban horse racing?”
“Broward elections supervisor Brenda Snipes will walk away with almost $130,000 a year in pensions” via Larry Barszewski of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — The state pensions include $58,560 a year she’s already receiving from her earlier career as an educator, and she’ll be adding almost $71,000 a year for her time in elected office. “It really raises the question, on top of everything else, why she’s being excessively compensated for doing a poor job. That’s the added insult to injury,” said Dominic Calabro … president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch. When Snipes walks away from her $178,865-a-year job, she’ll be eligible to collect almost $130,000 a year in state pensions for her combined 50 years as a public-school educator and elected official. She already earns $4,880 a month for her time as a teacher and school administrator. She has been receiving that pension in addition to her supervisor’s salary ever since former Gov. Jeb Bush appointed her to the position in 2003.
—FOR YOUR RADAR —
“Elections conference likely to touch on reform” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner agreed to host the Florida State Association of Supervisor of Elections event when the top priority seemed to be finding a destination elections officials from all 67 counties would like to visit. Now, he fully expects the election law changes already being discussed in Tallahassee to slip into conversation. “We have a legislative committee in the Association that monitors legislation, and of course at times is called to testify at committee hearings,” Turner said. The event runs from Sunday through Wednesday, and will bring together the elected and appointed leaders for elections offices in every Florida county.
— D.C. MATTERS —
Stephanie Murphy to lead Blue Dog Coalition — Members of the Blue Dog Coalition elected U.S. Rep. Murphy as their leader for the 116th Congress. The 24-member coalition unanimously chose the Winter Park Democrat, who is a former businesswoman and national security specialist at the U.S. Department of Defense, to serve as co-chair of Administration, the coalition’s most senior leadership position. Murphy is the first woman of color ever to lead the Blue Dog Coalition. The coalition’s mission is to find common-sense, bipartisan solutions that will get our country’s fiscal house in order and ensure a strong national defense.
“NRA’s fortunes fell as gun-control groups gained power” via Lorraine Wollert of POLITICO — Revenue at the National Rifle Association fell by $54 million in 2017, a 15 percent decline that coincided with a record number of mass shootings in the U.S. and a rise in spending by gun-control groups. The group posted an even steeper drop in membership dues, which fell 22 percent, or $35 million, to a five-year low, according to documents the NRA filed with the Internal Revenue Service this month. The group directed $27 million to its political arm, the Institute for Legislative Action, down from 2016, a presidential election year in which the institute spent more than $76 million.
— OPINIONS —
“DeSantis promised E-Verify. I hope he delivers” via Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel — Specifically, DeSantis vowed to implement mandatory E-Verify, requiring every business in Florida to first run all potential hires through a federal database to ensure they’re U.S. citizens. It seems like a no-brainer, doesn’t it? It’s simply about making sure companies are following existing law. Yet Florida politicians have consistently refused to implement this common-sense protection — even after promising to do so. During his first campaign, Gov. Scott also vowed to require “all Florida employers to use the free E-Verify system to ensure that their workers are legal.” He did not. We are a nation full of people who scream about illegal immigrants while literally eating the fruits of their labor. So much noise. So little willingness to address the real issue … and the costs associated with it.
“Thomas Kennedy: Automatic voter registration should be a priority in Florida” via Florida Politics — Fifteen states and the District of Columbia already approved automatic voter registration. The way it works is by streamlining the process in which eligible citizens can register to vote through two simple changes in the way our country traditionally registers voters. First, it makes voter registration an opt-out option instead of opt-in. Second, it allows those government agencies to transfer voter registration information electronically to election officials instead of using paper forms. This improves efficiency and saves money. We cannot depend on Tallahassee politicians to break through the partisan gridlock and get something done on this issue. Just like it was for Amendment 4, we need to take this issue straight to the citizens of Florida and collect the required petitions to place this on the ballot if need be.
“Florida Supreme Court reverses progress” via the Tampa Bay Times editorial board — In a wrongheaded ruling, the Florida Supreme Court reversed itself and thwarted progress in the treatment of juvenile offenders. A conservative court majority overruled a critical 2016 decision that allowed inmates sentenced to life for crimes committed as juveniles to have a chance at a new sentence. Florida abolished parole long ago, but it still applies to more than 4,000 people sentenced before 1994. Those defendants are given reviews before the Florida Parole Commission every few years. But lawyers who represent the inmates say the hearings are meaningless, last 10 minutes and rarely result in release. The state Supreme Court’s recent ruling denies that process to juvenile offenders who are effectively serving mandatory life sentences, a punishment that has been declared unconstitutional and should be corrected.
“Yes, arming some teachers is one solution. But it’s not the right one.” via John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times — The animated video of the Parkland school shooting was put together by state investigators with a gentle touch. A year ago, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri was certain that law enforcement officers best handle school safety. But after watching the state’s video timeline, Gualtieri is now convinced that lives might have been saved if a handful of trained school employees had been permitted to carry guns on campus. And, as the chairman of the state’s commission on school safety, Gualtieri now believes the question should at least be discussed. Maybe Gualtieri’s recent conversion is appropriate. But the details of those four minutes of terror are not the only facts that need to be considered. As horrific as that afternoon at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School was, there is another consideration that should not be overlooked: Parkland was a tragedy, not an epidemic.
— MOVEMENTS —
Justin Senior out at AHCA — Longtime AHCA Secretary Justin Senior is leaving the agency in January to pursue a new position as president of Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida, an outfit that advocates on behalf of the state’s 14 hospitals that provide health care to a large proportion of the state’s uninsured patients. Alexandra Glorioso of POLITICO Florida first reported the move. According to the report, the current president of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida, Lindy Kennedy, did not provide comment on who her successor will be. Another higher-ranking official at the group, Tony Carvalho, has not commented either, though he plans to transition from a full-time role to a part-time consulting gig after New Year’s. AHCA spokeswoman Mallory McManus confirmed Senior’s departure.
Tweet, tweet:
Meanwhile, @mattgaetz says @RonDeSantisFL transition team has not made a decision on who will head up @AHCA_FL in the wake of Senior's departure.
— Christine Sexton (@christinesexton) November 28, 2018
“Whither the Florida Coalition of School Board Members?” via Jeffrey Solochek of the Tampa Bay Times — The relatively small group, which split from the larger Florida School Boards Association a few years back over a voucher lawsuit, lost several of its members during the midterm elections. Rebecca Negron of Martin County, the wife of past Senate president Joe Negron, didn’t win her reelection bid. Two previous coalition leaders, Erika Donalds of Collier County and Shawn Frost of Indian River County, did not seek second terms. Then, the group’s website went blank. That led some observers to speculate that the coalition had hit the rocks. Not so, Donalds said. The group is simply getting a fresh, new website as its next generation of leaders steps up. Tina Descovich, recently named Brevard County School Board chairwoman, will take over as the coalition’s next president.
New and renewed lobbying registrations:
Matt Bryan, Daniel David, Thomas Griffin, Jeff Hartley, Lisa Hurley, Jim Naff, Smith Bryan & Myers: The Able Trust, Graduation Alliance
Kevin Cabrera, Seth McKeel, David Shepp, Southern Strategy Group: Florida Virtual School, Tall Timbers Research
Nick Iarossi, Andrew Ketchel, Capital City Consulting: Lime
Colin Kirkland: St. Johns County School District
Melissa Joiner Ramba, Floridian Partners: ADT
Teye Reeves, Smith Bryan & Myers: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Lighthouse Health Plan, Roller Skating Association International, University of Florida Foundation
Southpaw Content to launch new website — Erin Gaetz’s digital content firm has a new site at southpawcontent.net. She specializes in producing “faster, more engaging and less expensive social media and digital content.” The new content is top secret as of this writing, but she told us: “This video went viral and got a tweet from Huckabee, but that was a few weeks ago. I put out this teaser about a week ago. And this video is fun and recent.” Gaetz was director of digital content for Jeb Bush’s 2016 presidential bid, and wrote, produced and created digital content for the campaign. That included those quirky “#JebNoFilter” videos. The daughter of former Senate President Don Gaetz and sister of Congressman Matt Gaetz also came up with untraditional digital segments for her brother’s first campaign, like the “Open Gaetz” concept.
— ALOE —
“Have a Caesar salad: Florida-grown romaine lettuce in the clear” via Florida Politics — Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam on Tuesday said federal authorities cleared Florida-grown romaine lettuce. An ongoing investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) into the multistate E. coli outbreak determined that the implicated romaine comes from California, he said. “Americans deserve a safe, nutritious and abundant food supply,” Putnam said in a statement. “While the federal investigation is ongoing, I’m encouraged that Florida-grown romaine lettuce is not linked to the outbreak and has been cleared to re-enter the marketplace.”
“Florida Gators up to No. 9, look destined for New Year’s Six bowl game” via Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times — The Florida Gators seem headed for a spot in a prestigious New Year’s Six bowl game. Considering UF’s regular season is over, it’s hard to see the Gators falling out of the mix, even with some upsets in this weekend’s conference championships. UF is one spot ahead of LSU. If No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Georgia both get into the playoff — a possible scenario — the Gators would take the SEC’s spot in the Sugar Bowl. If that doesn’t happen, UF looks like a lock for an at-large appearance in the Peach Bowl or Fiesta Bowl.
What Michelle Todd is reading — “Orlando company donates 40,000 leis to help UCF fans honor injured QB McKenzie Milton” via Kyle Arnold of the Orlando Sentinel — Sanjay Sam Srinivasan owner of Orlando promotions company Global Promo and a UCF football season ticket holder, connected with the Knights to donate the flowered necklaces. “To say the least, I wanted to do whatever I could to support UCF,” Srinivasan said. Milton, a junior quarterback whose team hasn’t lost a game the past two seasons, suffered a devastating knee injury in last week’s 38-10 win over in-state rival University of South Florida. Srinivasan’s company does promotional merchandise for companies across the country. Since he sells merchandise like leis, he had plenty in his 60,000-square-foot Orlando warehouse. He declined to say how much they are worth.
— HAPPY BIRTHDAY —
Celebrating today is Stephanie Berger, Peter Cuderman, who was Coalitions Director for DeSantis’s gubernatorial campaign, Rebecca De La Rosa, the Palm Beach County Legislative Affairs Director and thought leader Joel Nearby.
