Peter Schorsch
Sixty Days — A prime-time look at the 2019 Legislative Session
The Last 24
Good Tuesday evening. With left hands on Bibles and right hands in the air, a new era arrived in Tallahassee. With campaigns and transitions finally over, Gov. Ron DeSantis, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, CFO Jimmy Patronis, Attorney General Ashley Moody (all Republicans), and Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried now must — in the words of a certain ex-governor — “get to work.” Here’s your nightly rundown.
The reason there was no inaugural parade: Gov. DeSantis and wife Casey needed time Tuesday afternoon to baptize 9-month-old son Mason at the Governor’s Mansion.
Rallying the base: In his inaugural address, DeSantis vowed to “overcome political tribalism” but got what seemed to be his biggest applause by decrying “judicial activism,” a GOP bugaboo.
Rallying another base: Fried gave a speech in which she urged Democratic Party faithful to work “toward achieving the change in Florida that we were so narrowly denied in November” — a nod at the unsuccessful candidate for Governor, Andrew Gillum.
Spare the slipcovers: A tour of the Attorney General’s office revealed more about Pam Bondi’s taste in furniture than we ever knew.
A light lunch: DeSantis, at a luncheon in the Capitol rotunda with lawmakers, called himself a “recovering congressman” and bemoaned the weakness of the national legislature.
No spending spree: A possible economic contraction? Need for new money? Lawmakers could be in near-recession mode as they craft next fiscal year’s state budget.
Quote of the Day
“The more we turn to God, the easier it will be for us to work together and solve problems.” — Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Roman Catholic, speaking at a pre-inaugural prayer breakfast.
Bill Day’s Latest
3 Questions
Sen. Darryl Rouson chairs both the Pinellas and Hillsborough County Legislative Delegations and is in a unique position to bring Tampa Bay regional issues to Tallahassee. He recently spoke at the weekly Café Con Tampa breakfast series to highlight his legislative agenda.
FP: What will you propose to further address the opioid crisis?
DR: I asked for $25 million … to ensure these people are not handed back to the streets, but are handed to treatment. For 90 minutes the Legislature gave me $10 million, but they struck that. Since Session ended, no Senator in this state has visited more halfway houses, treatment centers and emergency rooms. Substance abuse and mental health is very important to me.
FP: How concerned are you over the implementation of the constitutional amendment restoring felons’ voting rights?
DR: I’ll fight for the implementation of the voter’s will … and fight back against any efforts to delay it. I was one of just three Democratic members of the Constitution Revision Commission (who worked on the amendment). I hate to give the devil his due, but when the president signed his First Step Bill, that sent a message to state Houses and state Senates about criminal justice reform.
FP: What about transportation?
DR: There are the usual barriers — a narrow vision, take care of my own backyard first as opposed to Tampa Bay. The group All For Transportation, that tax passed. That should be a game changer. One of the main reasons I came this morning was not to speak to you, but to listen to your questions. I’m counting on you to help me with those solutions. I will continue to pressure Tallahassee that Tampa Bay is important; that the transportation quagmire, labyrinth of different groups trying to take care of their own backyard instead of a global solution that is what we need.
Lobby Up
The City of Pensacola brought in fresh leadership with the election of Mayor Grover Robinson, and now the city is taking a different direction with its state-level lobbying effort, hiring Ballard Partners.
The relationship isn’t 100 percent new.
“We’ve been honored to represent the City of Pensacola in D.C. and look forward to working with the new administration to assist them in Tallahassee as well,” Ballard Partners lobbyist Brady Benford said.
Ballard has their work cut out for them, however. The city’s wants from Tallahassee are nothing short of ambitious. Sitting atop their wish list is $25 million in Florida Department of Transportation cash to expand ST Engineering’s facilities, which would create hundreds of jobs in the area.
And that’s likely not the end of it. Pensacola has an airport and seaport, too, and though it didn’t bear the brunt of Hurricane Michael, the entire region is looking to spread the word they’re open for business.
Breakthrough Insights
The Next 24
The Senate Agriculture, Environment and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee will receive a presentation on nutrient loads caused by septic systems. That’s at 10 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, The Capitol.
The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee will receive presentations about civil-citation programs, including the program in Leon County. Civil citation programs can be used for juvenile offenders. That’s at 10:30 a.m., 404 House Office Building, The Capitol.
The House Energy & Utilities Subcommittee will receive overviews of the Florida Public Service Commission and the state Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers in utility issues. That’s at 10:30 a.m., 212 Knott Building, The Capitol.
The House Health Quality Subcommittee will receive an overview of the Florida Department of Health. That’s at 10:30 a.m., 306 House Office Building, The Capitol.
The House Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee will receive an update about recent legislation that provided licensing and education benefits to veterans, military members and their spouses. That’s at 10:30 a.m., 12 House Office Building, The Capitol.
The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee and the House Transportation & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee will receive overviews of their base budgets. Agriculture & Natural Resources, 10:30 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, The Capitol. Also, Transportation & Tourism, 10:30 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, The Capitol.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, South District, will hold a workshop on landfills, with a focus on issues such as regulation updates, permitting requirements and training requirements. That’s at 1:30 p.m., Joseph P. D’Alessandro Building, Room 364, 2295 Victoria Ave., Fort Myers.
The House Public Integrity & Ethics Committee, the House Higher Education & Career Readiness Subcommittee and the House Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee have scheduled a joint meeting to discuss improper spending on building projects at the University of Central Florida and oversight issues in the higher-education system. That’s at 1 p.m., 212 Knott Building, The Capitol.
The Florida Transportation Commission will continue to review applications for a new secretary of the Department of Transportation. Former Secretary Mike Dew left Dec. 3 to join DeSantis’ transition team. That’s at 2 p.m. Florida Department of Transportation, Burns Building Auditorium, 605 Suwannee St., Tallahassee. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 312683122.
The House Ways & Means Committee will receive a staff presentation about the outlook for state general revenue and other major revenue sources. That’s at 3:30 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, The Capitol.
The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs and Space Committee will receive an overview of its jurisdiction and a presentation from the Department of Military Affairs. That’s at 3:30 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, The Capitol.
The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee will receive an overview of a law dealing with the protection of natural springs and issues related to Everglades restoration. That’s at 5 p.m., 12 House Office Building, The Capitol.
The House Business & Professions Subcommittee will hold a panel discussion related to beverage laws. That’s at 5 p.m., 212 Knott Building, The Capitol.
The House PreK-12 Innovation Subcommittee will receive presentations about early-learning and state-scholarship programs. That’s at 5 p.m., 306 House Office Building, The Capitol.
The House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee will receive an overview of tolling operations in the state. That’s at 5 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, The Capitol.
The House Government Operations & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee and the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee will receive overviews of their base budgets. Government Operations & Technology, 5 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, The Capitol. Also, Health Care, 5 p.m., 404 House Office Building, The Capitol.
