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.
We’re excited to begin today by sharing some important news about one of the best people in The Process.
Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis tells Florida Politics that Anna Alexopoulos Farrar is being elevated to a Deputy CFO position where she will oversee communications and external affairs (the Chief says they are still working out the details on the official title).
This is a big promotion for Farrar, who has helped whip the CFO Office’s comms efforts into a force with which to be reckoned (just ask Packers Fan #1).
Way to go Anna!
P.S. Kudos to Mr. Anna Farrar (aka as Matt) and Joe Clements, his partner at Strategic Digital Services, for their incredible work raising Christmas presents for those Panhandle kids impacted by Hurricane Michael. They filled a twenty-foot truck with toys and hooked-up with “Salvage Santa” on Tuesday. Thank you to all of you who donated to this effort.
All in all, it’s a good week at the Farrar home.
—
Two things we can count on in Florida: chaotic elections and bizarre Florida Man stories.
Once again, Sachs Media Group has compiled a list of the year’s top 10 news accounts of the baffling exploits of Florida Man and Florida Woman, each accompanied by an original illustration by renowned cartoonist Bill Day.
From the guy who ‘practices’ karate on swans in the park, to the woman charged with stealing a live lobster from a restaurant, to the man whose doughnut crumbs were mistaken for meth by police, 2018 Florida Man and Woman were just as crazy as the election cycle.
Since election season is over, another election season has just begun … so you’re invited to cast your vote on the year’s best “Florida Man/Florida Woman” story. Be sure to click on the links to learn more about each story.
— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —
Tweet of the day:
Merry Christmas from President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. @POTUS & @FLOTUS are seen Saturday, December 15, in their official 2018 Christmas portrait, in the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks) pic.twitter.com/nIuplZSDBe
— Melania Trump 45 Archived (@FLOTUS45) December 18, 2018
—@AriMelber: It is hard to mess up a recommendation of no prison time from Mueller, but it is doable.
—@GNewburn: 87 votes in the U.S. Senate – including a supermajority of the @GOP Caucus – for the biggest criminal justice reform in a generation, INCLUDING retroactivity of a sentencing change that will free thousands of prisoners. Overjoyed! Florida – come on in, the water is fine.
—@Ocasio2018: This blows my mind: House Ethics Rules prevent me from receiving a $100 gift card, or crashing at a place as I wait for rent 
, but somehow allow members w/ investment portfolios to write laws that will personally enrich them $1000s in their own stocks; potentially millions.
—@JohnMorganEsq: More good news on the frontlines. Our new @GovRonDeSantis will drop the #MedicalMarijuana appeal and allow smoke I hear. @mattgaetz, a @realDonaldTrump confidant and good friend to me continues to fight for us. #NoSmokeIsAJoke
—@MarcACaputo: This morning, as I drove my 2 girls & their friend to elementary school, I turned off @WLRN‘s report about “stop the bleed kits” being placed into classrooms after the Parkland massacre When the news is too horrible for a reporter just to hear, the world’s even worse for children … Unfortunately, I have no solution. And I’m taking no position on proposed solutions. I’m just sad, sad for the Parkland families who won’t have to buy an extra set of presents this holiday season for a child forever gone, sad we have to have “stop the bleed kits” in the classroom
—@CarolynJ84: It’s that time of year- @Mdixon55 is back with the EDR jokes
—@MarcusAMotes: Putnam is south of Clay but the St. John’s River flows north. Will these funds trickle down?
—@KRayWFTV: All I want for Christmas is online payment services for all public records.
—@MarcACaputo: Facebook secretly installed recording devices in all Elf on the Shelf eyes
— DAYS UNTIL —
116th Congress convenes — 15; College Football National Championship — 19; Florida’s gubernatorial inauguration — 20; Scott Maddox trial begins — 26; Office of Insurance Regulation’s OIR Summit begins — 27; Super Bowl LIII — 46; ‘Hamilton’ comes to the Straz Center — 55; 2019 Legislative Session starts — 76; Tampa mayoral election — 76; ‘Captain Marvel’ release — 79; Iowa Caucuses — 411; 2020 General Election — 685.
— FIRST IN SUNBURN —
Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis’ Inaugural Committee chief Justin Caporale announced another wave of staffers working on the former congressman’s swearing-in celebration.
“The Inaugural Committee is pleased to announce additional members of our leadership team who hail from Florida and across the nation,” Caporale said. “These accomplished individuals are spearheading the planning and production of inclusive Inaugural events open to all Floridians. Thanks to their efforts, Inaugural will be a celebration of our state’s new leadership and will advance Governor-elect DeSantis’ ‘Bold Vision for a Brighter Future.’”
Many of the names in the announcement should be familiar to Florida politicos.
Danielle Alvarez, José Bermudez and Ed Miyagishima are alums of the Rick Scott administration. Alvarez will serve as managing director of press advance. Bermudez and Miyagishima have been tapped to as managing directors of events.
Patrick Johnson, Lauren Keenan, Samantha Mims and Shannon Graves Polizzi all played a role in DeSantis’ gubernatorial campaign. Johnson, Keenan, Polizzi as well as Tallahassee native Alyssa Beaubien also got the events director badge. Mims will serve as deputy director of operations.
The final three names on the list may not have deep roots in Florida, but they’re well-known in Republican politics. Michelle Meadows of Dallas, P.J. O’Neil of Lake Forest, Ill., and Anna Reahl of Chicago have all served in the Trump administration. O’Neil also served during both Bush administrations while Meadows has the Bush 43 administration on her resume.
— TRANSITION —
Rockstar — Department of Management Services Secretary Erin Rock has told staff she is leaving the department January 8 for new opportunities. Look for big things in 2019 from this, um, rock star.
Mystery group conducts polls in the wake of Richard Corcoran nomination — Hours after DeSantis announced former House Speaker Corcoran was his pick for Education Commissioner, an unknown group hired Research Florida to conduct a poll on education policy. According to notes obtained by Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida, pollsters asked questions framed similarly to the Florida Education Association’s talking points. Questions included who respondents voted for in the gubernatorial race and how they would rate public education in their area. One question asked if respondents were aware that DeSantis wants to “privatize our schools and do away with public education.” FEA, the state’s largest teacher union, wouldn’t confirm whether it was behind the Research Florida poll, though it said it is currently conducting a poll. FEA is one of Corcoran’s most vocal detractors and is harshly opposed to school choice, Corcoran’s major legislative priority as House Speaker.
Told ‘ya — DeSantis reappoints Jim Poppell as Lottery Secretary — DeSantis will keep Poppell as Secretary, he said in a statement, calling him a “committed public servant who believes in the mission of the Florida Lottery.” Lottery proceeds go into the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund, which helps pay for public education. “Transparent and efficient operation of the lottery system is critical to ensuring that this program achieves its promise and Jim has demonstrated he is the professional to do this work,” DeSantis said. Poppell has been Lottery Secretary since July 2017. Before that, he was Chief of Staff of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. He also was Executive Vice President of Human Resources at NextEra Energy Inc., held several leadership positions at Florida Power & Light and was a litigator with the Foley & Lardner law firm.
Happening today — The DeSantis Transition Advisory Committee on Education & Workforce Development will hold a conference call at 10 a.m. The call-in number will be provided at DeSantisTransition.com.
Happening today — The DeSantis Transition Advisory Committee on Health & Wellness will hold a conference call also at 2:30 p.m. The call-in number will be provided at DeSantisTransition.com.
— ROAD TO SESSION —
“DeSantis, lawmakers to see boost in tax dollars” via Lloyd Dunkelberger of the News Service of Florida — If the revenue projections hold, it will ease the financial pressure on incoming Gov. DeSantis, as he prepares his first budget recommendation, and on the Legislature, which must pass a 2019-2020 state budget when it meets in the spring. State revenue collections during the fiscal year that started July 1 have been running $365.2 million ahead of projections that had been last revised in August. The two largest components of that increase were $173.5 million in sales-tax collections running ahead of estimates and $126 million in additional corporate income-tax collections. The sales tax, which generates about $26 billion a year, and the corporate income tax, which generates about $2.2 billion, are the two largest general revenue sources in the state budget. Based on the robust tax collections, the analysts boosted their general revenue projections by $842 million over two years, with a $461.5 million increase in 2018-2019 and a $380.5 million increase in 2019-2020.
“Lawmakers could consider E-Verify requirement” via the News Service of Florida — Florida businesses would have to use a federal database to verify the immigration status of new employees, under proposals filed in the House and Senate for the 2019 Legislative Session. Fernandina Beach Republican Sen. Aaron Bean filed the Senate version of the proposal (SB 164). It would require private and public employers and state contractors to enroll in E-Verify, an electronic federal database within the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security. Rep. Thad Altman, a Republican from Indialantic, filed a similar measure (HB 89) last week.
“Senator seeks to block ‘sanctuary cities’” via the News Service of Florida — Sarasota Sen. Joe Gruters, who is lining up support to become the next chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, wants the state Senate to take another look “sanctuary cities.” Gruters filed SB 168, called the “Rule of Law Adherence Act,” which would require local governments to comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention requests and to repeal sanctuary policies. Such a ban received the support of DeSantis during this year’s gubernatorial campaign.
“Pete Antonacci faces questions from Broward delegation” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — Newly-installed Broward County Supervisor of Elections Antonacci admitted the county still has work to do to avoid the mistakes of his suspended predecessor. Antonacci made the comments at Tuesday’s meeting of the Broward legislative delegation at the City of Sunrise Civic Center. “I’ve got a lot to learn about the job, the office,” Antonacci said. “What’s I’m here to pledge to you is my earnest labor every day to bring about a good election result that the community can be proud of.” Antonacci was appointed to the position by Gov. Scott after Scott suspended the previous Supervisor, Brenda Snipes, due to alleged “misfeasance, incompetence and neglect of duty.”
“Senate, House outline committee schedules” via the News Service of Florida — The Senate will start holding meetings the afternoon of Jan. 7 and finish Jan. 10. It will take off the morning of Jan. 8 as Governor-elect DeSantis is inaugurated. The schedule includes a meeting of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Jan. 10. Meanwhile, the House will start with an Appropriations Committee meeting on Jan. 8 before taking a break during the inauguration festivities. It will resume meetings during the afternoon of Jan. 8 and continue until Jan. 10.
Happening today — State Reps. Rick Roth, a Loxahatchee Republican, and Matt Willhite, a Wellington Democrat, will speak at graduation ceremonies for Palm Beach State College. Roth speaks at 9:30 a.m., Willhite at 2 p.m., South Florida Fair Expo Center, 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach.
Happening today — The Santa Rosa County legislative delegation — state Sen. Doug Broxson, Reps. Alex Andrade and Jayer Williamson — meets ahead of the 2019 Legislative Session, 5:30 p.m., Santa Rosa County Commission chamber, 6495 Caroline St., Milton.
— STATEWIDE —
“Florida’s head nursing home regulator Justin Senior contradicts his staff’s report on patient deaths” via Ryan Mills and Melanie Payne of USA TODAY — Senior, secretary of Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration, said his agency investigated all deaths believed to be caused by nursing home staffs. But Senior’s agency previously identified 10 cases of death due to neglect since 2013 that its inspectors did not investigate. When asked to explain the discrepancy between Senior’s statement and the agency’s report on the 10 deaths, AHCA spokeswoman Mallory McManus did not provide details or explanation, except to argue that there was no contradiction. However, in 10 of the cases, she indicated that AHCA had not investigated. Those cases included the death of Stacie O’Loughlin, a 38-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis who died of untreated infection, and Diane Soza, a 60-year-old woman who choked to death while eating unsupervised in her room.
“Christian Ziegler says he has the votes to be Florida GOP Vice Chair” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — He released a list of 121 grassroots and State Executive Committee endorsements, including Joe Gruters, the front-runner for state chair and Michael Barnett, the current state vice chair. “Now, as we turn the page toward the political battle of our lifetime, I look forward to working for and alongside each one of you to help ensure President [Donald] Trump’s re-election, increase our majorities in the Legislature, and win at the local level,” wrote Ziegler in a release announcing the endorsements. If Ziegler wins the vice chair post, it will likely mean the top two elected positions running the Republican Party of Florida will hail from the same county.
“More state Representatives launch 2020 re-election bids” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics — Five more incumbent state representatives — three Democrats and two Republicans — have opened campaign accounts to run again in 2020. Among those filing their paperwork last week were three members of the 2018 freshman class in the House: Riverview Democratic Rep. Adam Hattersley, Lauderdale Lakes Democratic Rep. Anika Omphroy and Howey in the Hills Republican Rep. Anthony Sabatini. Second-term Reps. Wengay Newton, a St. Petersburg Democrat, and Jackie Toledo, a Tampa Republican, also took the first step for another term. … As of Tuesday morning, 64 incumbent members of the state House had filed for re-election. Additionally, 12 of the 14 state Senators eligible for another term have filed for re-election.
“The Church of Scientology is bankrolling courses at Florida prisons” via Ben Conarck of the Florida Times-Union — The program, called Criminon, means “without crime,” and relies on the teachings of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. The group says Criminon’s offerings are secular. Officials at Everglades Correctional Institution have OK’d the Criminon course at the prison despite its track record of contradicting the Department of Corrections and its ties to an institution that has come under criticism for a variety of misdeeds. Criminon’s outreach materials shift between boilerplate criminal justice reform language and darker theories about societal control. The Department of Corrections said the program was reviewed through the agency’s Program Clearinghouse and categorized as an elective, meaning inmates volunteer to participate.
“Robert Runcie urges compensation fund for Parkland victims’ families” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — Superintendent Runcie lobbied Broward County legislators to set up a victims’ compensation fund to pay out money to those affected by February’s shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Runcie and other school board members were confronted by some of those families at another delegation meeting earlier this month. … “I would ask the commission to support to wishes of our Marjory Stoneman Douglas families who have been significantly impacted by the tragedy to move forward with setting up an MSD victims fund,” Runcie said. “I know that’s going to require potential changes in the claim bill process. But I think that’s the right thing to do.”
“Lawsuit: Florida think-tank fired worker over military duty” via The Associated Press — Christopher Ricardo filed a federal lawsuit against The James Madison Institute. Ricardo’s lawsuit says he worked at the institute from September 2016 until August 2017 as director of donor relations. The lawsuit asserts officials at the James Madison Institute fired Ricardo in August 2017, shortly after he had returned from required annual deployment with the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Upon his return, he says he told institute officials he would have to serve a six-month deployment in 2019. He alleges he was fired the following week. Logan Elizabeth Padgett, a spokeswoman for the institute, called the lawsuit a “meritless accusation by a disgruntled employee.”
— LOCAL —
“Slow rollout of FEMA trailers frustrates Bay County officials, residents after Hurricane Michael” via Patrick McCreless of the Panama City News-Herald — For more than a month, FEMA has worked with county and city officials to bring various trailers and modular homes to the area for residents whose homes were destroyed by the hurricane. However, according to FEMA, as of last week, only around 44 trailers had been placed in the county. Meanwhile, around 1,400 people are registered in the agency’s direct housing program. FEMA officials say they’ve heard the concerns in the community and that the delays stem from the massive amounts of debris that must be removed from sites where trailers can be placed. However, area officials are unsatisfied with FEMA’s progress, saying their attempts to partner with the agency to remove debris and inspect sites, thereby speeding up the process, so far haven’t been entirely successful.
“Brenda Snipes sues to stay on as Broward Elections Supervisor” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — Snipes is suing to get her job back after Gov. Scott suspended her. Snipes filed the lawsuit Monday in U.S. District Court in Tallahassee against Scott and Senate President Bill Galvano. Galvano has said the Senate would not review the suspension despite a constitutional ability to do so. The lawsuit challenges Scott’s authority to remove her from her post and alleges it violated her due process rights. On Nov. 19, Snipes announced she had agreed to resign her post voluntarily, effective Jan. 4. But less than two weeks later, Scott stepped in and suspended Snipes immediately, installing Pete Antonacci of Enterprise Florida as her successor. Scott’s executive order suspended Snipes and cited her “misfeasance, incompetence and neglect of duty” in support.
“County takes aim at constitutional amendment” via Jim Saunders of the News Service of Florida — After losing an earlier challenge, Volusia County has filed a lawsuit seeking to be shielded from a newly approved constitutional amendment that deals with sheriffs and other types of county officials across the state. The Nov. 6 ballot measure, known as Amendment 10, requires the election of county sheriffs, tax collectors, property appraisers, elections supervisors and clerks of court. Also, it prevents counties from taking steps such as abolishing those “constitutional” offices or transferring the duties. But in a lawsuit in Leon County circuit court, Volusia County is seeking a ruling that the ballot measure does not apply to it because of a decades-old local charter that revamped the structure of Volusia’s government. Volusia contends in the lawsuit, which names as defendants Gov. Scott and Secretary of State Ken Detzner, that the ballot measure should not apply retroactively.
“Gainesville looks to regulate Airbnb” via Vincent McDonald of WUFT — Alachua County and Gainesville are considering options for regulating short-term stays at homes or rooms listed online through Airbnb and similar lodging services. Alachua County Tourism Director Jessica Hurov said the county tax collector’s office estimates that 95 percent of these rental spaces don’t remit the required monthly 5 percent bed tax. “The estimate we received is that there is over $300,000 of unremitted bed tax from last year alone, and it’s just continuing to grow,” Hurov said at a Gainesville City Commission General Policy Committee meeting last month. Mayor Lauren Poe said that the bed tax is also an equity issue. “Hotel owners and B&Bs are all paying this,” Poe said. “It’s an unfair playing field. We’ve absolutely got to address that part.”
“5G coverage coming to Jacksonville Friday” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics — Telecom giant AT&T is rolling out 5G in a dozen cities this week, with Jacksonville among them. “Initially we’ll offer a limited amount of mobile 5G devices to select customers beginning on Friday, Dec. 21,” the company said in a news release. “This initial offer will deliver select business customers and consumers our first mobile 5G device … plus mobile 5G data usage at no cost for at least 90 days.” … 5G, or fifth generation, wireless networks will be coming online in select metros over the next year. Jacksonville was the only Florida city included in AT&T’s initial rollout, though its chief competitor, Verizon, plans to bring 5G service to Panama City and is rumored to bring the service to Miami at some point 2019. … The minimum download speed for 5G coverage represents a tenfold increase over 4G. … The advanced standard also promises lower latency which, combined with the bandwidth boost, will provide a firmer foundation for emerging technologies including autonomous vehicles.
“Ex-Marlins president brags about fleecing fans, taxpayers in $1.2 billion team sale” via Jerry Iannelli of the Miami New Times — At this point, every single person who worked for the Miami Marlins when Jeffrey Loria owned the team should be under strict FBI surveillance. Case in point: Loria’s former team president, David Samson, hopped onto a stage at ESPN personality Dan Le Batard‘s birthday party over the weekend and bragged about fleecing Miami taxpayers and sports fans after Loria sold the team for literally a billion dollars. Samson then flipped off the crowd. Had there not been security, he might have been guillotined. There were boos, and they were absolutely warranted. Samson helped run an organization that spent pennies for players, constantly lost, repeatedly pissed off longtime fans, ruthlessly sued its own ticket holders, and legitimately hoodwinked taxpayers to fund a new ballpark that nobody wanted or needed. (The stadium deal was so unpopular it sparked a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation and got the county mayor recalled.)
“Tampa investors sell off Tampa Bay Times’ real estate in downtown St. Pete” via Ashley Gurbal Kritzer of the Tampa Bay Business Journal — A joint venture of Convergent Capital and Denholtz Associates sold the 239,537-square-foot office building at 490 First Ave. S. to Lincoln Property Co. The deal closed Monday, Convergent managing director Nik Sachdev said. The partners bought the building from the Times in 2016 for $19 million and spent $13 million on renovations. Besides the Times, The Penny Hoarder and Bank of the Ozarks are tenants in the building. “We felt that this was a great time to exit this asset, given the real estate cycle we are in,” Sachdev said in a statement.
“’If anyone gets shot, it’s on you.’ Florida politician objects to Latin band at festival.” via Mark Young of the Miami Herald — One city official would prefer to limit the number of Hispanics attending Palmetto’s annual festival held at Lincoln Park following the Martin Luther King Jr. parade on Jan. 19. Commissioner Harold Smith took offense at an effort by Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant to invite a Latin band to play at the festival. Smith, who is black, accused the mayor of “intimidating” a Community Redevelopment Agency employee to ensure the band was included. Bryant said she was only trying to ensure that the diversity of the entertainment matched the spirit of the festival, but Smith said he was “appalled” at any insinuation that the musical lineup was not multicultural. “I don’t want to bring too many people from the outside. … “Getting a Latino band, you don’t know who they’ve been playing for,” Smith said. “If anyone gets shot, it’s on you. I don’t want no problems. It’s been going great. Everyone is having a lot of fun, and we need to keep it that way.”
“Former Duke Energy CEO and Charlotte booster Jim Rogers has died” via Bruce Henderson, Jim Morrill and Cassie Cope of the Charlotte Observer — He was 71. Rogers retired from Duke in 2013, a year after a turbulent, $32 billion merger with Raleigh-based Progress Energy that extended the company’s service territory across most of North Carolina and into five other states. Duke has 7.6 million customers. The one-time newspaper reporter from Kentucky was a 25-year energy industry CEO who some environmental advocates attacked for Duke’s reliance on coal — its emissions are linked to climate change. Others saw him as a visionary for energy as a catalyst for good, including a healthy bottom line. In 2009, Newsweek magazine named him one of the 50 most powerful people in the world.
“Funeral service for FSU President Emeritus T.K. Wetherell to be held Friday at Ruby Diamond” via Byron Dobson of the Tallahassee Democrat — The Rev. David C. Killeen, Rector, St. John’s Episcopal Church, is officiating. FSU President John Thrasher will be among the speakers. Doors will open at 12:15 p.m. A reception will be at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. A private graveside service will be later Friday.
Happening today — Surterra Wellness holds a ribbon cutting with supporters and officials for the “Lakeland Wellness Center,” its first in Polk County, 10:30 a.m., 1222 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland.
— TALLAHASSEE UPDATE —
Look for Vincent Evans to possibly enter the crop of folks seeking to replace suspended City Commissioner Scott Maddox.
Evans, a former Andrew Gillum campaign staffer and current senior aide to Congressman Al Lawson, told us he’s still mulling the decision.
Evans was spotted in City Hall on Monday and Tuesday, but hadn’t applied for the job as of Tuesday night.
You blue?: Evans said the city has lately supported progressive candidates, like recently elected Commissioners Jeremy Matlow and Dianne Williams–Cox. He fits the bill and told us “there are a certain set of values that folks need in the City Commission, particularly in this city.”
Strong ties: Evans is more than familiar with City Hall. He worked has as an aide to Commissioner Curtis Richardson, who along with the rest of the Commission will be tasked with submitting a shortlist of candidates to replace Maddox.
Priorities: Evans said he’d focus on beefing up government transparency and ethics. He’d also support efforts to expand renewable energy and direct more attention to the Southside region.
— D.C. MATTERS —
“Trump agrees to shut down his charity amid allegations that he used it for personal and political benefit” via David Fahrenthold of The Washington Post — Trump has agreed to shut down his embattled personal charity and to give away its remaining money amid allegations that he used the foundation for his personal and political benefit, New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood announced. Underwood said that the Donald J. Trump Foundation is dissolving as her office pursues its lawsuit against the charity, Trump and his three eldest children. The suit, filed in June, alleged “persistently illegal conduct” at the foundation, which Trump began in 1987. Underwood is continuing to seek more than $2.8 million in restitution and has asked a judge to ban the Trumps temporarily from serving on the boards of other New York nonprofit organizations. Underwood said her investigation found “a shocking pattern of illegality involving the Trump Foundation — including unlawful coordination with the Trump presidential campaign, repeated and willful self-dealing, and much more.”
Tweet, tweet:
As a reminder, this is the "charitable" fund we first reported Trump used to give $25,000 to Pam Bondi's campaign while her office was considering complaints against Trump University.
And note: We reported this in '13 – long before any campaign.
Because it was a problem, period. https://t.co/7Mzlfi3bm2— Scott Maxwell (@Scott_Maxwell) December 18, 2018
“Parkland parents call for unity as Trump doubles down on arming schools” via Franco Ordoñez of the Miami Herald — The recommendation — along with others that call for expanded mental health services and a campaign for less media coverage of shooters — came in a new federal report Trump presented at a White House meeting with surviving students and parents of school shootings. “There is so much to like here,” said Ryan Petty, whose 14-year-old daughter, Alaina Petty, was one of the 17 people killed in the Feb. 14 mass shooting in Parkland. “My hope is that rather than fighting over the things that you don’t like, or you think are missing that the nation will come together and focus on the things we do agree on.” The Trump administration’s School Safety Commission, created in the wake of the Parkland School shooting earlier this year, released the final report with nearly 100 recommendations for addressing school violence. In the 177-page report, officials urged adopting “extreme risk protection orders” by removing firearms from individuals considered a danger to themselves and others, but stopped short of raising minimum-age requirements for purchasing firearms.
Tweet, tweet:
Florida @AGPamBondi at WH for school safety meeting post Parkland massacre, says state, feds have made progress. “There is no reason to have a bump stock.” pic.twitter.com/Y8rrDAM6HD
— Alex Leary (@learyreports) December 18, 2018
“As Trump mulled chief of staff pick, Mark Meadows’s USF degree was fixed on Wikipedia” via Steve Contorno of the Tampa Bay Times — Erased on Dec. 11 was a claim that Meadows earned a “Bachelor of Arts” degree from University of South Florida. The corrected Wikipedia page now says: “He grew up in Brandon, Florida and graduated from the University of South Florida with an associates (sic) degree.” Multiple news reports over the years have credited Meadows with earning a bachelor’s degree from USF. Meadows’ official biography maintained by the Office of the Historian of the U.S. House of Representatives also claimed the candidate earned a “B.A.,” or Bachelor of Arts, from the Tampa university. Those biographies, researched by Office of Historian staff, are vetted by the members’ Congressional offices. But Meadows didn’t complete the four years to obtain the degree listed on that bio. Instead, he earned an “associate of arts” from USF in December 1980, according to university spokesman Adam Freeman, “similar to a degree an individual might earn after completing two years at a community college.”
“Complex still squalid after feds paid millions for rehab, Marco Rubio says. He wants audit” via Maya Kaufman and Jay Weaver of the Miami Herald — Rubio asked the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Internal Revenue Service to audit Glorieta Partners, the partnership that owns Glorieta Gardens, and its contractors, “to ensure federal tax dollars were used as intended in the rehabilitation and management of Glorieta Gardens,” he wrote. “Over the course of multiple visits, Sen. Rubio’s staff saw firsthand the slum-like living conditions of residents, which included layers of mold coating walls, sewage leaking into kitchens, and corroded pipes,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “The Senator is committed to ensuring that tenants of Glorieta Gardens live in safe and sanitary conditions.” The federal government subsidizes the Gardens’ 328 apartments through its Section 8 housing assistance program.
“Stephanie Murphy says ‘Blue Dogs’ bite will come from pragmatism” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — A Washington Post story suggests she is, rather, helping rebrand the Blue Dogs. For Murphy, it’s not a matter of anyone rebranding anyone. For her, the group is not, and might never have been about being a refuge for conservative Democrats, but rather for pragmatic Democrats. Yet the group stands in contrast, some Democrats argue in opposition to, a growing progressive wing in the party. And Murphy, in particular, is finding herself branded the target of sharp criticism from that wing, even though, on many issues, the Blue Dogs now share many progressive views. Murphy downplays any policy differences within her party, suggesting the difference is more about whether members want to espouse partisan ideology, or focus on attainable objectives and goals. And yes, she offered, these Blue Dogs should have some bite in the upcoming 116th Congress, with its Democratic majority in a divided government.
Spotted — Brian Ballard in “Trump Organization plots quiet return to Dominican Republic, igniting ethics concerns” via ABC Radio News — There have been signs the Dominican Republic has sought to influence the Trump Administration in a range of areas. Just weeks after the inauguration and Eric Trump’s visit to the Dominican Republic, the Dominican government hired a Washington, D.C. lobbying firm for the first time since 2007 … sign(ing) a $1.2 million contract with lobbyist Brian Ballard, who had previously represented Trump, and has been described in Politico as “closer to the president than perhaps any other lobbyist in town.” The lobbyist pledged to “advise, counsel, and assist,” the Dominican president “in communications with U.S. government officials.” Other filings through the Foreign Agent Registration Act show Ballard’s office sharing updates with U.S. officials on a range of issues with the U.S., including trade, alternative energy, as well as the country’s continued importance as a vacation destination for American tourists. Ballard did not respond to questions from ABC News.
— OPINIONS —
“Joe Henderson: It’s time to learn if Ron DeSantis cares about Florida’s environment” via Florida Politics — Under Gov. Scott, even the official mention of climate change was forbidden. Regulations to protect the environment were trampled as economic nuisances. And the voting record by Governor-elect DeSantis when he was in Congress suggests it could be more of the same. If DeSantis is willing, the time may be right to put a comprehensive plan in motion to deal with that crisis in a bipartisan way. I don’t think Scott’s administration ever looked at the environment as an economic issue. Maybe if it had, things might have been different. It wasn’t until green ooze flowing from Lake Okeechobee along rivers on the East Coast of Florida made national news that Scott seemed to realize this was a significant problem. Dead fish, plus green ooze, plus red tide, equals canceled vacations. It was the formula for economic chaos, and that’s just what happened. Will things be better for Florida’s environment under Gov. DeSantis? For the good of everyone, it better be.
“Sorry, Marco Rubio, we’re far better off today than when you were a kid” via David Harsanyi of The Federalist — As it happens, my story is similar to Rubio’s. My parents were also refugees from a Communist nation. I was also born in the early 1970s, and grew up in a community where many families “earned their happiness” running businesses without college educations. Perhaps Rubio’s memory is better than mine, because I recall the ’70s as a crime-ridden decade of stagnant economics, state bankruptcies, crushing energy prices, and retirement-destroying inflation. The era was so bad people wrote gushy odes to life in the 1950s. Who knows? Perhaps in some communal ways, the 1970s were more comfortable, stable, and decent. But notwithstanding all the genuine problems we face, social and economic, by almost every quantifiable measure we are better off today.
“Why Florida remains the Democrats’ Gordian knot” via Giancarlo Sopo of the National Review — What is most perplexing to Democrats is how their political misfortunes in Florida seemingly defy the laws of political physics. Far from being destiny, the state’s demographics have represented a kind of Gordian knot for Jackson’s party. Despite a booming Latino population and going 3—3 with Republicans in presidential elections between 1996 and 2016, Florida is one of just five states where the same party has controlled the governorship and bicameral legislature during that period. But unlike barn-red Idaho, Utah, North Dakota, and South Dakota, which have not voted for a Democrat for president since 1964, Florida is also of the country’s most competitive swing states, which makes the GOP’s decades-long winning streak a unique feat in American politics. While the influx of non-Cuban immigrants has pushed Hispanics, as a demographic group, toward the Democrats since 2008, Republicans have managed to mitigate losses with a combination of sophisticated outreach and institutional advantages. Perhaps no election better illustrates the enduring power of the GOP’s evolving coalition and its detrimental implications for Democrats than this year’s midterms.
— MOVEMENTS —
“Personnel note: Grace Lovett joins Florida Retail Federation” via Florida Politics — The Florida Retail Federation hired Lovett as its new Vice President of Government Affairs. Moreover, the group promoted current staff member Jake Farmer to Director of Government Affairs. “Grace has the experience, expertise and character needed to represent Florida’s retail industry,” FRF President/CEO R. Scott Shalley said in a statement. Lovett joins FRF after serving as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for the past eight years, “where she helped create and guide an agency budget of more than $1.7 billion and 3,600 employees,” according to a press release.
New and renewed lobbying registrations:
David Childs, Jonathan Johnson, Hopping Green & Sams: Lakewood Ranch Stewardship District
Mary Duncan: David Szymanski
Meghan Hoza, Ken Pruitt, The P5 Group: Safe Harbor Marinas
Robert Schenck, The Legis Group: Here’s Help
Jason Unger, GrayRobinson: Brown and Caldwell
Tampa Downtown Partnership appoints new President/CEO — Lynda Remund will be President and CEO of the Tampa Downtown Partnership as of Jan. 1. After the retirement of Past President and CEO Christine Burdick in December 2017, Remund took the lead as Acting President and CEO. “Lynda’s ability to support and lead a collaborative work environment while effectively managing the Partnership’s strategic initiatives has proved to the Board Officers and the Executive Committee that Lynda is the best person for this position,” said Mickey Jacob, Chairman of the Tampa Downtown Partnership. Remund will continue to manage “the Partnership’s organizational structure, vision and mission, facilitates the corporation’s strategic initiatives, and works with downtown stakeholders to ensure Tampa’s urban core is a vibrant and diverse neighborhood,” a news release said.
— HAPPY HOLIDAYS —
“Exotic cats at Big Cat Rescue get very own Christmas trees” via WFLA — All 60 plus exotic cats at Big Cat Rescue in Tampa got their own Christmas tree to enjoy. According to Big Cat Rescue, every cat acts differently when they receive their tree. Some love the new smell and knock the trees over or hide under them. Some use the tree limbs as back scratchers. Big Cat Rescue said holiday-themed enrichment items such as the Christmas trees provide the cats with mental stimulation as they enjoy something new and fun.
“A week from Christmas, Florida holiday shopping still on the rise” via Sara DiNatale of the Tampa Bay Times — The Florida Retail Federation expects the state to show at least a 4.5 percent increase in sales year over year in the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas. “With so many positive economic indicators driving Florida’s economy, particularly our 10-year low unemployment rate, we expected this holiday shopping season to be robust, and it’s exceeding our expectations and those of our members,” Florida Retail President Shalley said in a statement. Nationwide, holiday sales are up 4.3 percent. Shopping growth is up 5 percent over the whole year so far, according to the National Retail Federation. The average shopper is expected to spend a record $1,007 on holiday shopping, according to the national retail group.
“Planning to fly away for the holidays? So are nearly 46 million other people.” via Ashley Halsey of The Washington Post — The projected number of people who plan to fly between Thursday and Jan. 6 is up more than 5 percent from last year. “That’s an increase of about 126,000 passengers a day,” said Nick Calio, CEO of the trade group Airlines For America. With a daily average of more than 2.5 million people flying, those with the very most holiday spirit may enjoy travel on Thursday, Friday and Dec. 26, which figure to be the busiest days during the holiday period. (The lightest travel days are Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Jan. 5.)
— ALOE —
“Disney World preps new 4-park, 4-day ticket plan” via Dewayne Bevil of the Orlando Sentinel — Its total price of $340 breaks down to $85 per day. The deal — dubbed the 4-Park Magic Value Ticket — will go on sale Jan. 18, and the tickets must be used by March 1. It works for one day of admission to Magic Kingdom, one day at Epcot, one day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and one day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Tickets can be used to enter each theme park only once. There will also be versions of the new 4-Park pass for specific periods later in 2019. The 4-Park Magic Select Tickets costs $356 ($89 per day), while the 4-Park Magic Summer Ticket is $380 ($95 per day).
“Gulf oyster reefs are hurting. Now there’s help from oil spill aid money” via Greg Allen of NPR — All along the Gulf Coast, it’s not a good time for oysters. Scientists say eighty percent of the Gulf’s oyster reefs have been lost in recent decades. And harvests are way down. A few years ago, Florida’s Apalachicola Bay, long the heart of the state’s oyster industry, was declared a fishery disaster. There are many reasons: overharvesting, drought, even hurricanes. But ecologist Frederick says a major factor is a lack of freshwater. Agriculture and development are claiming much of the water that used to flow down rivers, leaving estuaries like this one too salty. Billions of oysters were killed in the BP oil spill, and that was just a small part of the extensive damage done to the environment. $160 million of the fund is earmarked for oysters. On Florida’s Big Bend coast, there’s a lot of support for efforts to rebuild oyster reefs. Fishing and harvesting oysters, crabs and clams is not just an industry but a way of life here, one that’s long been under pressure.
“Florida raises estimate for the state’s manatee population” via The Associated Press — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission now says roughly 7,500 to 10,300 manatees swim in state waters, a significant increase from previous estimates of roughly 6,000. The population estimate came from data collected in a 2015-2016 survey and analyzed with upgraded computer models. It’s good news in an otherwise tough year for the sea cows. Wildlife officials have documented 779 manatee deaths so far this year, compared to 538 in 2017.
What Jeff Sharkey is reading: “Cuomo moves to legalize recreational marijuana in New York within months” via The New York Times — New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced that he would push to legalize recreational marijuana next year, a move that could generate more than $1.7 billion in sales annually and put New York in line with several neighboring states. The highly anticipated proposal came in a speech in Manhattan, in which the governor outlined his agenda for the first 100 days of his third term. Cuomo framed the speech as a reflection on what Franklin Delano Roosevelt — the former president who was once a New York governor himself — would do today, mixing sweeping rhetoric about American ideals with grim warnings about the Trump administration.
“Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville resort Orlando opens in January” via John Gregory of Orlando Rising — One of the biggest developments in years along Kissimmee’s U.S. Route 192 tourist corridor, the 300-acre Margaritaville Resort Orlando, will officially welcome guests in mid-January 2019. The 184-room hotel now has an official opening date of January 15 with nightly rates starting at $199. For Buffett fans who want to make the resort a regular destination, there will be timeshare “cottages” available, including anywhere from two to nine bedrooms. The resort will also include the Sunset Walk shopping center with tenants like Skechers, Cold Stone Creamery and Studio Movie Grill, a 12-screen dine-in theater. One of the property’s biggest draws won’t be ready for winter visitors. Island H20 Live, a 12-acre, $40 million water park, is set to open in the spring, featuring nine different thrill rides, a lazy river, and a river raft ride. The park will also make use of a MagicBand-like RFID wristband system that includes options for guests to customize music and lighting on select water rides and share on-ride pictures and video directly to their social media accounts.
— HAPPY BIRTHDAY —
Happy birthday wishes to our ol’ friend, Sean Jacobus, as well as Brianna Jordan, Danielle Alvarez Ryder, and David Singer.
