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.
If you’re a fan of The Process, this is the day you wait for: The Associated Press’ annual pre-Legislative Session planning meeting and preview kick off at 9:30 a.m.
It will be Gov. Ron DeSantis’ first appearance at the yearly event.
In the audience will be members of the Capitol Press Corps, and reporters, editors and editorial writers from newspapers and other outlets from around the state.
For instance, veteran Palm Beach Post politics writer George Bennett came up early and was seen stalking the Governor’s news conference Tuesday.
For funsies, we racked our brains to produce one question — some serious, others not so much — that each leader appearing at the event should be asked.
In order of expected appearance:
— Senate President Bill Galvano: “Do we really need a sports betting bill this year, or instead, why not do a new blackjack revenue agreement with the Seminole Tribe?”
— Gov. DeSantis: “What is the first bill you expect to see on your desk from this upcoming Legislative Session, and why?”
— House Speaker Jose Oliva: “So how ticked off are you that special elections won’t determine replacements for Halsey Beshears, Danny Burgess and Jared Moskowitz till after session ends?”
— Attorney General Ashley Moody: “Did you replace all the horrendous furniture that Pam Bondi left in what is now your office?”
— House Democratic Leader Kionne McGhee: “How did you become friends with conservative Robert Luck, now a state Supreme Court justice?”
— Senate Democratic Leader Audrey Gibson: “Has Frank Artiles ever reached out to apologize to you?”
— First Amendment Foundation President Barbara Petersen: “How many public-record law exemptions do you predict legislators will pass this year?”
— Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried: “Who’s your leading candidate to be ‘Director of Cannabis’ at the department?”
Again, it begins at 9:30 a.m., 22nd floor, the Capitol. The 2019 Legislative Session begins on March 5.
— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —
—@PetriDishes: Why doesn’t Howard Schultz just try to go to space like a regular billionaire
—@NickRiccardi: LAS VEGAS (AP) — FBI concludes investigation into Las Vegas mass shooting that left 58 dead without determining gunman’s motive.
—@TheDaraKam: Florida Capitol will be lit up in orange on Feb. 14 in memorial of last year’s massacre at Stoneman Douglas … Florida Cabinet approves motion at request of @NikkiFried.
—@RepBrianMast: Chauncey Goss will be a passionate advocate for reform and help advance @GovRonDeSantis’ bold plan to clean up Florida’s waterways. He is a great pick in the fight to make South Florida Water Management District represent the people, not special interests.
—@HalseyBeshers: Deregathon is shaping up to be the lead event in the country for how to deregulate industries by hearing from all boards and players.
—@MDixon55: @TomRooney has joined Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney. He will be based in Florida via @PoliticoPI
—@ZacJAnderson: @JoeGruters on difference between the House and Senate – House is very top-down and little ability to make an impact unless you’re in leadership while the Senate is “40 Somali warlords” who can do whatever they want
—@JChristianMinor: HB 589 filed by Rep. @ByronDonalds will raise the felony property theft threshold from $300 to $1500. The last time it was raised was 1987. This bill, more importantly, will keep thousands of kids from being charged w/ life damaging felonies for nonviolent crimes
—@ChrisSprowls: Great work by the @USouthFlorida Consolidation Task Force today. Thank you to Chairman @MikeGriffinFL and to all the members of the Task Force for the recommendations for a united & preeminent USF that includes two strong and unique branch campuses.
—@Fineout: Univ. of Fla. College of Journalism and Communications is launching “Fresh Take Florida,” described as “an effort to provide coverage of Florida state government at a time when state capitals are increasingly under-covered.” UF will have 6 ppl working out of Times/Herald bureau
— DAYS UNTIL —
Super Bowl LIII — 4; State of the Union address — 6; ‘Hamilton’ comes to the Straz Center — 13; Pitchers and catchers begin reporting for MLB Spring Training — 13; Scott Maddox trial begins — 14; Valentine’s Day — 15; 2019 Legislative Session starts — 34; Tampa mayoral election — 34; ‘Captain Marvel’ release — 37; St. Patrick’s Day — 46; 2019 Major League Baseball season begins — 58; Final season of ‘Game of Thrones’ begins — 74; Easter — 81; 2019 Legislative Session ends (maybe) — 93; 2020 Democratic presidential primary debates begin — 128; 2019 General Election — 279; Iowa Caucuses — 366; 2020 General Election — 643.
— TOP STORY —
“Airbnb blacklisted in Florida over Israel West Bank policy” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — DeSantis ripped Airbnb’s policy toward rentals in Israel’s West Bank territory Tuesday leading the State Board of Administration to sanction the company amid charges it participates in the international Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement widely seen as anti-Semitic in origin and backing. That drew a “scrutinized” listing for Airbnb, which could have wide ramifications for the vacation-rental home marketing giant. The company has agreements to collect taxes for the state and 40 counties and cities, and all of those may now be in jeopardy due to state Rep. Randy Fine’s HB 545 approved last year. Gov. DeSantis may be using that as leverage in efforts to convince the company to drop its two-month-old policy of not accepting vacation home listings from Jewish Israelis in the disputed West Bank settlements.
— THE NEW ADMINISTRATION —
“Ron DeSantis makes first two appointments to SFWMD board” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — After requesting resignations from the entire South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) board, Gov. DeSantis named Chauncey Goss and “Alligator” Ron Bergeron as his first two replacements to that panel. Goss has twice run unsuccessfully for Congress, speaking out on local water issues. He also publicly backed DeSantis’ efforts to call for the resignation of current SFWMD board members. Bergeron is a longtime environmental activist, with a particular interest in the Everglades. He advised Gov. DeSantis on the environment during the campaign.
“Governor, Cabinet hire Revenue chief; approve Jerusalem resolution” via Florida Politics — As expected, Republican DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved Jim Zingale as the next head of the state’s Department of Revenue (DOR) and backed a resolution to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Zingale is a veteran, having already served 18 years with the department, (including) seven as Executive Director, the top job, under former Gov. Jeb Bush … Patronis last week sent a letter to fellow Cabinet members, asking that a resolution proclaiming Jerusalem “as the eternal and undivided capital of Israel” be taken up for consideration. “Today, we declare to the world that Florida stands united with Israel,” the CFO said, with Agriculture Commissioner Fried — who is Jewish — adding that the matter was “near and dear to my heart.”
“DeSantis still looking for Health Secretary” via the News Service of Florida — To lead the Florida Department of Health, the secretary must be a physician and doubles as the state Surgeon General. “I’ve interviewed some good candidates, but at the end of the day it’s a dual role,” DeSantis said when asked. “You’ve got to be an administrator, but then you’re also the state surgeon general. I think you have to be able to carry a public message to people and be somebody with stature that folks are going to respect and listen to.” With a $2.95 billion budget, the Department of Health is the third largest health-related agency, behind the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Children and Families, which have $29.2 billion and $3.18 billion budgets, respectively. But the health department is the largest health care agency — and the second largest agency in the state — when measured by numbers of employees, with more than 13,400 funded positions this year.
“DeSantis weighs marijuana regulations” via Dara Kam of the News Service of Florida — DeSantis still wants to eliminate Florida’s ban on smoking medical marijuana, but he’s walked back his opposition to a state system that resulted in what the new Governor this month called a cannabis “cartel.” Speaking to reporters following the state Cabinet meeting, DeSantis reiterated his insistence that the Legislature do away with the smoking prohibition, saying it “ran afoul” of a 2016 voter-approved constitutional amendment that broadly legalized medical marijuana. When he delivered the smoking ultimatum to the Legislature this month, DeSantis also sounded off on other aspects of the law, including a “vertical integration” system that requires operators to grow, process and distribute cannabis products. Moving away from a vertical integration system could involve opening up the industry to companies that wouldn’t be responsible for all aspects of the cannabis business. For example, some companies could operate solely as dispensaries or as growers.
“DeSantis: Aircraft malfunction ‘strange deal,’ but FDLE has fixed faulty drug plane” via Emily Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said “they’ve got it fixed,” DeSantis said, adding: “I have never had to do that before in all my years of flying in different aircraft whether it’s a civilian or military, so it’s a little bit of a strange deal … (but) we’re back at it again.” But DeSantis, whose financial disclosure filed during the campaign lists his net worth at $310,971, does not have his own private plane and thus has been forced to get creative. Because the FDLE provides his security detail, he’s been allowed to use a Beechcraft King Air (a small, twin-turboprop plane) that the agency seized as part of a drug raid. That leaves the rest of the Cabinet — Attorney General Moody, Agriculture Commissioner Fried and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis — to fend for themselves, because they are not granted the same protections from state police.
“DeSantis weighs in on school safety after report” via the News Service of Florida — With a state commission saying classroom teachers should be allowed to be armed “guardians,” DeSantis backed the possibility of more school employees being able to carry guns — while also calling for other steps to avoid mass shootings. DeSantis told reporters that his upcoming budget proposal will include money for school security and supported allowing trained school employees to be armed. “In terms of the arming of personnel, what I’ve said is, if you’re somebody who is working at a school and you are somebody who is trained and has the ability to do it, then you shouldn’t be precluded, if [your] carrying a concealed firearm could potentially deter people from viewing that as a thing,” he said. “But what I would not do is say, Oh, Miss Jones, you want to teach English? Well, do you have a Glock? No. I mean, we should not force anybody to do that.”
“Richard Corcoran seeks to speed up teacher certification” via the News Service of Florida — New state Education Commissioner Corcoran is taking a series of steps to eliminate a “significant” backlog in the process of certifying teachers. The department began using a new certification system in November 2017, leading to longer delays in processing applications. The number of educator certificates issued dropped from 70,166 in 2016-2017 to 31,397 in 2017-2018. Corcoran issued a statement saying the “unreasonable wait times for our school teachers are unacceptable, and this stops today.” Among the steps were adding six staff members to the department’s Bureau of Educator Certification and allowing county school superintendents to submit the names of applicants who need to be prioritized.
— ROAD TO SESSION —
“Dennis Baxley sourced anti-climate change, anti-evolution bill from Islamophobic fringe group” via Jerry Iannelli of the Miami New Times — Baxley filed SB 330 — a bill that seemed to, innocently enough, revise the “minimum baseline standards” for what kids are taught in Florida public schools. One of the few additions Baxley proposed was to ensure all “controversial theories and concepts” be “taught in a factual, objective, and balanced manner.” Baxley got the idea for the bill from the Naples-area group the Florida Citizens Alliance. The Citizens Alliance drafted the bill’s text to ensure alternative theories on climate change and evolution are taught in Florida’s schools. Notably, the vast majority of scientists do not believe there are credible alternatives to the theories of evolution and climate change. As New Times previously reported, the Alliance is virulently Islamophobic, has said LGBTQ people are guilty of “deviant behavior,” and claims schools must teach Judeo-Christian values.
“Jeff Brandes wants second chance at pretrial diversion bill” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — The Pinellas Republican filed a new bill (SB 534) to establish a supervised bond program, letting individuals enter an administrative order for the use of a risk assessment instrument in pretrial release. “It will be a great tool for everybody,” Brandes said. “It will help sheriffs manage jail populations, and it will help individuals get back to life quicker.” The legislation allows court diversion only with the concurrence of the chief judge, chief correctional officer, state attorney and public defender in appropriate jurisdictions. The legislation authorizes the chief judge of each circuit to enter an administrative order for the use of a risk assessment instrument in pretrial release determinations. The court retains sole discretion to determine the appropriateness of pretrial release and any necessary pretrial release conditions.
Tweet, tweet:
No doubt @JeffreyBrandes is a thought leader in the Florida Legislature. It is a remarkable record of new-to-Florida ideas that often start out as "Huhhh?" and end as cogent policy. https://t.co/Xapy7UCUmn
— David Johnson (@DJGroup) January 29, 2019
“Back-to-school tax ‘holiday’ pitched in Senate” via the News Service of Florida — The measure (SB 576), filed by Sen. Keith Perry would allow shoppers to avoid paying sales taxes during a 10-day period on clothes costing $100 or less, school supplies costing $15 or less and personal computers and accessories costing $1,000 or less. In 2018, the Legislature approved a $171 million package that included a three-day holiday for back-to-school items. Computers were not included as lawmakers trimmed the package to shift funding to school safety after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
“Lights at Capitol to honor Parkland victims” via the News Service of Florida — The Florida Capitol will be bathed in orange light the week of Feb. 10 to honor the 17 students and faculty members who were massacred last February at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. The display was approved by DeSantis and members of the Florida Cabinet at the request of Agriculture Commissioner Fried. Fried said in a prepared statement after the Cabinet meeting the orange light is designed to serve “as a symbol of hope and token of respect to the families of the victims, and a reminder of our solemn responsibility to take seriously the threat of gun violence.”
— STATEWIDE —
“Triumph to consider spawning Hurricane Michael fund” via Danny McAuliffe of Florida Politics — Triumph Gulf Coast recently noticed a meeting during which board members will consider “the creation of a Triumph Gulf Coast Hurricane Michael Recovery Fund.” The pot of money would be for “ad valorem relief, bridge loans and other possible relief efforts for local governments located in Bay, Franklin, Gulf and Wakulla counties.” The meeting will take place at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 8 at the Bay County Commission Chambers. Board member Allan Bense, a Republican former state House Speaker, recommended the agenda item. Senate Appropriations Chair Rob Bradley told reporters last week that enlisting the aid of Triumph is a “great idea.”
“Mike Watkins calls on Jason Shoaf to resign from Triumph” via Danny McAuliffe of Florida Politics — Watkins suggested Shoaf is using his connection to the panel — members of which include big names like former House Speaker Bense and former Senate President Don Gaetz — to raise money for the special primary and general elections in HD 7, set for April 9 and June 18, respectively. “With the exception of hosting fundraisers with other Triumph board members, my opponent has remained silent and failed to provide the relief our communities deserve,” Watkins, the CEO of the child-welfare group Big Bend Community Based Care, wrote in a recent Facebook post. “We shouldn’t have to wait to put dollars and resources directly into our community to accelerate the recovery. Politicians like Jason Shoaf have waited too long when so many are hurting.”
“Anglers, environmentalists laud FWC for suspending herbicide spraying, including Roundup” via Tyler Treadway of TCPalm — Fishermen and environmentalists are applauding the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s decision to temporarily stop spraying aquatic plant killers, including the controversial herbicide Roundup. The suspension is open-ended and statewide, but much of the focus has been on Lake Okeechobee, where FWC sprayed more than 20,000 pounds of pesticides in 2017. “There needs to be some herbicide spraying in Lake Okeechobee,” said Paul Gray, a wetland ecologist with Audubon Florida who’s been studying the lake for more than 20 years. Without spraying, Gray said, invasives like water hyacinth and torpedo grass would choke out native vegetation and block boaters’ access to the lake’s marshes. “The question is: What’s the right amount?” Gray said.
“Marijuana smoking legal battle put on hold” via the News Service of Florida — An appeals court put on hold a case challenging the constitutionality of a ban on smoking medical marijuana, as DeSantis pushes lawmakers to eliminate the ban. The 1st District Court of Appeal approved a stay sought by both sides in the lawsuit. The case centers on whether a 2017 law that banned patients from smoking medical marijuana ran afoul of a constitutional amendment that broadly legalized the cannabis treatment for Floridians with debilitating medical conditions. After a Leon County circuit judge sided with the plaintiffs, the state — under former Gov. Rick Scott — appealed the ruling. But this month, DeSantis said he wanted the Legislature to do away with the ban, and he gave lawmakers until mid-March to address the issue. DeSantis also has threatened to drop the appeal if lawmakers don’t act.
“Sebring bank shooting: Suspect bought gun, ammo days before massacre, police say” via The Associated Press — The suspect in the Sebring bank shooting purchased a 9mm handgun and ammunition just days prior to Wednesday’s massacre, the Sebring Police Department said. Ballistic testing will determine whether the gun was the same one used inside SunTrust bank, where five women were slain execution-style. Police have said 21-year-old Zephen Xaver shot the women in an apparently random act of violence. Prosecutors could seek the death penalty for Xaver, who faces five counts of premeditated murder. Police said the shooting appeared to be a random act, not part of a robbery, and that Xaver had no connection to any of the victims.
— TRULIEVE DIVERSITY AWARD —
Trulieve, one of the state’s medical marijuana treatment centers, is being recognized as a winner of the 2018 Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year Award, given by Minorities for Medical Marijuana.
“We are incredibly honored to be the recipient of Minorities for Medical Marijuana’s inaugural Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year Award,” said Kim Rivers, Trulieve’s CEO, in a statement.
“Since the beginning, Trulieve has focused on not only creating a diverse and inclusive employee base but to work with the communities in which we operate and foster opportunity, a decision we’ve dedicated ourselves to since choosing to put out headquarters in a majority-minority community like Gadsden County.
“We have always believed that a successful and profitable business can and should be a diverse one and attribute that diversity to our corporate success.”
Trulieve is being awarded for its diversity recruitment and retention efforts, community outreach and engagement efforts, unique employee programs and HBCU diversity internship program, a press release explained.
An award ceremony is 11 a.m., at Trulieve’s Gadsden County facility, 816 Commerce Blvd., Midway.
— LOCAL —
“Miami-Dade Democratic Party chairman stepping down for personal reasons” via David Smiley of the Miami Herald — Juan Cuba, a longtime activist, says he’s stepping down after two years atop the local party to “prioritize my family, friends, and professional career without the burden of party leadership.” “While I am stepping down from my role as leader of the party, I will remain involved in our local and state politics,” Cuba said in a statement issued by the party. “‘It’s also time to give someone else an opportunity to lead.” In announcing Cuba’s resignation, the local party celebrated Democratic victories in midterm congressional races and recent special elections, including Eileen Higgins’ unlikely victory in a county commission race to represent a district that includes Little Havana. Higgins issued a statement crediting Cuba for creating a local party “that is mobilized 365 days a year rather than just during Presidential elections.” The party also says that under Cuba, active membership doubled. The party will hold elections for chair during its next scheduled meeting on February 18, 2019, in Doral. First Vice Chair Maria Elena Lopez will serve as acting Chair until then.
“Here’s a list of companies making money from Miami’s child-migrant detention camp” via Jerry Iannelli of the Miami New Times — In short: People are getting rich by keeping immigrant kids behind bars. Comprehensive Health Services got a fancy tax-incentive package from the State of Florida after paying out a $3 million medical-fraud settlement. California company American Canyon Solutions now holds a $60 million contract at the facility. Detainees are being sent to a GEO Group immigrant-detention facility on their 18th birthdays. Now, a company once associated with former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly has bought Comprehensive Health and wants to make a boatload of money in the stock market.
“First Democrat officially declares for HD 38 special election” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics — The race to replace Danny Burgess in House District 38 has officially drawn its first Democratic candidate. Kelly Smith, the vice chair of the Pasco County Democratic Executive Committee, announced Tuesday that she would seek the Pasco-based seat, which Burgess left vacant to take the top job at the state Department of Veterans Affairs. … “I join the rest of Pasco County in wishing Rep. Burgess the best as he begins the next phase of his public service career. Danny is a selfless public servant who has worked hard to represent his constituents,” Smith said. … Democrat Kathy Lynn Lewis, also of Wesley Chapel, put in her paperwork for the 2020 cycle last month, though she hasn’t transitioned her campaign to the special election in the week since DeSantis set the dates. … Currently, Randy Maggard of Dade City is the only Republican in the race. … A primary election, if necessary, will be held April 9. The general election will be June 18.
“Judge fined, suspended in hotel stay case” via the News Service of Florida — The Florida Supreme Court approved an agreement that calls for a Miami-Dade County judge to pay a $5,000 fine and serve a 90-day suspension in an ethics case that centered on free hotel stays in Miami Beach, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. Judge Maria Ortiz and an investigative panel of the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission reached the agreement, known as a stipulation, last month after the Supreme Court rejected a proposal for lighter penalties. The case has centered on allegations that Ortiz failed to properly report hotel stays in 2015 and 2016 on financial-disclosure forms. It also is related to criminal charges that were filed against Ortiz’s husband, Mariano Fernandez, who served as director of the Building Department for the city of Miami Beach. Fernandez was accused of helping a hotel company with permitting problems and receiving free accommodations.
Save the date:
— D.C. MATTERS —
“Why are Democrats smearing Venezuela’s progressive interim President?” via Giancarlo Sopo of The Federalist — Regardless of whether it’s the result of influence from foreign actors or just socialist camaraderie, Americans deserve to know why four members of Congress have decided to stand with a cruel tyrant over U.S. interests. Not only are they undermining U.S. foreign policy and hurting the cause of Venezuelan democracy, but their advocacy also bolsters Vladimir Putin‘s regional objectives — all at the expense of a young, democratically-elected leader who, if he were an American, would be caucusing alongside them. In fact, Juan Guaidó is everything the left claims to be and support.
“The lowest-paid shutdown workers aren’t getting back pay” via Danielle Paquette of The Washington Post — Unlike the 800,000 career public servants who are slated to receive full back pay over the next week or so, the contractors who clean, guard, cook and shoulder other jobs at federal workplaces aren’t legally guaranteed a single penny. They’re also among the lowest-paid laborers in the government economy, generally earning between $450 and $650 weekly, union leaders say. And even as they began returning to work, they were bracing for more pain. Trump’s new deadline for Congress to earmark funding for his proposed border wall is Feb. 15. Agencies could close again if no deal is reached. A group of Democratic Senators introduced a bill last month aimed at changing that. Mark Warner, Tim Kaine and Sherrod Brown have proposed legislation that would repay contractors up to $965 per week with public money and restore sick days used during the shutdown. (It’s unclear whether the bill will advance.)
“Ted Deutch is new chairman of House panel on Middle East, including Israel and Iran” via Anthony Man of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — Deutch was approved as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa and International Terrorism. The subcommittee’s jurisdiction includes Israel. Deutch’s Broward-Palm Beach county district includes a large number of Jewish residents, for whom the subject is critically important. It covers the region spanning from Morocco to Iran and Yemen to Israel, plus terrorist threats and efforts to combat terrorism. It also gives Deutch a forum to pursue the case of a constituent, Bob Levinson of Coral Springs, who went missing in 2007. Levinson is a former agent for the Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI and was working for the CIA when he went to Kish Island, an Iranian resort island in the Persian Gulf.
“John Boehner in Collier: ‘Donald Trump, in my view, by and large, has done the right things’” via Devan Patel of the Naples Daily News —“It should be clear to you that Donald Trump has a different style than I do,” Boehner said to the Caxambas Republican Club on Marco Island, where Boehner and his wife live six months out of the year. “I always thought you caught more bees with honey than you do with vinegar. Donald Trump, in my view, by and large, has done the right things.” Boehner pointed first to the 2017 tax bill, which he said had produced good results for the economy. Another area where he agreed with Trump but disagreed with his tenor was on the current trade war with China.
— ANESTHESIOLOGISTS CELEBRATE —
The Florida Society of Anesthesiologists is celebrating Physician Anesthesiologists Week with a quote from its President, James “Knox” Kerr, MD:
“The Florida Society of Anesthesiologists is proud to recognize and be a part of the 2019 Physician Anesthesiologists Week.
“Floridians have long preferred to have physicians in charge and directly involved with their care when in need of surgical anesthesia, labor analgesia, relief from chronic pain, and procedural sedation.
“When seconds count and lives are on the line, the citizens of our state deserve the safest, most technologically advanced, and cost-effective anesthetic. Physician-led and patient-centered delivery models continue to be research-validated as the gold standard in providing anesthesia that optimizes favorable outcomes while minimizing health care expenses.
“We join all Floridians in acknowledging and celebrating the essential role that physician anesthesiologists have in keeping us and our families safe in the perioperative period.”
— OPINIONS —
“Joe Henderson: Laurel Lee was easy pick when Florida needed new Secretary of State” via Florida Politics — When the original choice to be Florida’s new Secretary of State resigned in scandal last week, DeSantis knew he needed someone with integrity, experience, connections, and brains to take over. Quickly, Lee became the obvious answer. “The call came through last Saturday, asking if she would take the position,” said her husband, state Sen. Tom Lee of Thonotosassa. “We talked it over, considered everything, and by Sunday night she agreed to accept.” It helped that she had already been vetted because DeSantis considered her last summer as his choice to be Lieutenant Governor. Laurel Lee has served as a judge since 2013 in Hillsborough County’s 13th Judicial Circuit. She has been a prosecutor and an assistant federal defender. Lee also was on the board for the Pepin Academy K-12 charter school. She has been a member of the Federalist Society, and she also was a volunteer lawyer for the Bay Area Legal Services Domestic Violence Assistance Project. Oh, and she is a member of Mensa.
“Lara Trump is no ‘let them eat cake’ figure” via Pam Bondi for USA TODAY — My good friend Lara Trump never told anyone that it was “no big deal” that federal workers were denied their paychecks by the 35 days of government shutdown. I know for a fact that she deeply empathizes with those workers and their families and has spoken from the heart every time she has been asked about them. But that hasn’t stopped commentators trying to turn Lara into an absurd Marie Antoinette figure. “Let them eat cake” moments come when public figures, especially women, seem to confirm the snobbery and delusion people already ascribe to them. Like the original, all “let them eat cake” moments are half-truths based more on what’s already in people’s hearts than on what the women in question actually said. In Lara’s case, it’s even less than a half-truth. People like me, who know Lara well, know she comes from a small town, middle-class family a lot like mine. They know she understands the plight of everyday working Americans.
— MOVEMENTS —
This is CNN: Andrew Gillum joins network — Gillum signed on as a CNN political commentator, according to spokesman Joshua Karp. The 2018 Democratic candidate for Governor and former Mayor of Tallahassee debuted on Cuomo Prime Time last night at 9 p.m.
Personnel note: David Mica Jr. now chief of staff at Department of Children and Families — His new role was reflected in a DCF organizational chart that came out Monday. Mica was most recently former Gov. Scott’s pick as CEO of Volunteer Florida. He was replaced, by Gov. DeSantis, with former state Rep. Clay Ingram, a Pensacola Republican. Mica also served as chief of staff of the Florida Lottery, stepping in as interim secretary between Tom Delacenserie and current Secretary Jim Poppell. Mica was of legislative affairs director for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and was a Gubernatorial Fellow in 2013-14.
New and renewed lobbying registrations:
Lisa Aaron, Lisa Aaron Consulting: Extreme Networks
Miguel Abad, New Century Partnership: Florida Association of Student Education Tours, Sundari Foundation dba Lotus House
Brian Ballard, Chris Dorworth, Ballard Partners: Orange County Property Appraiser
Paul Bradshaw, Stuart Brown, Chris Dudley, Southern Strategy Group: Peoples Gas System, Tampa Electric Company, TECO Energy, Nucor Corporation
Robert Burleson: Florida Transportation Builders Association
Christian Camara, Chamber Consultants: R Street Institute
Veronica Catoe, Florida Assisted Living Affiliation
Jorge Chamizo, Charles Dudley, Cory Guzzo, Floridian Partners: American Fair Credit Council c/o MultiState Associates
David Christian: AdventHealth
Jon Costello, Jessica Janasiewicz, Rutledge Ecenia: The Humane Society of the United States
Carlos Cruz, Jonathan Kilman, Converge Government Affairs of Florida: Lyft, Miami Shores Village
Daniel David, Jeff Hartley, Jim Naff, Smith Bryan & Myers: FWD.US
Anna DeCerchio, Executive Office of the Governor
Candice Ericks, Ericks Consultants: Federation of Public Employees AFL-CIO
Ida Vishkaee Eskamani, New Florida Majority: Organize Florida
Stanley Ferreira, Kenneth Vogel: Jones Edmunds & Associates
Violet Gonzalez: MACtown
Gary Hunter, Woodrow Simmons, Hopping Green & Sams: Ducks Unlimited, Florida Coastal Property Rights
Jada Hunter, Becker & Poliakoff: Children of Inmates
Alisa LaPolt, Topsail Public Affairs: NAMI Palm Beach County
William Latham: Waste Management Inc. of Florida
Laura Lenhart: Frontier Communications Corporation
Timothy Meenan, Karl Rasmussen, Joy Ryan, Alan Williams, Meenan: CDC Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa
Paul Runk: Florida Association of Health Plans
Joanna Weiss: New Venture Fund
“Tampa Bay Times announces new board members, promotions” via Florida Politics — The board of directors for the Tampa Bay Times’ publishing company is getting a pair of new members. The Poynter Institute owns the Tampa Bay Times. Veteran journalist Sherri Day and Poynter Institute VP Kelly McBride will join the board. Day joined the Times as a reporter almost 15 years ago. She has held a variety of positions at the paper, including assistant metro editor, before joining the editorial board in 2013. Day became the company’s director of communications and grants in 2016. McBride worked as a daily newspaper reporter in the Pacific Northwest for 15 years before joining Poynter’s faculty in 2002. In addition to the new board members, the Times announced that Joe DeLuca and Conan Gallaty have been promoted to executive vice presidents of the publishing company.
— ALOE —
Retailers expect super Super Bowl weekend — The Florida Retail Federation expects Sunshine State families to spend $81.30 a pop ahead of the Super Bowl LIII showdown between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots. … “The Super Bowl continues to be must-watch television for both loyal fans and those that haven’t watched a game all season,” FRF President R. Scott Shalley said. “Consumers will stock up on food and drink as well as apparel and even new televisions. Florida’s retailers stand ready to provide everything needed for Super Bowl Sunday.” The average spending is virtually unchanged from last year’s $81.17 and is the second-highest in the history of the survey after a record of $82.19 set in 2016. … total spending nationally is expected to surpass $14.8 billion. Other tidbits from the study: 72 percent of adults plan to watch the game, 79 percent of watchers plan to buy food and beverages, 10 percent team apparel and accessories, 7 percent decorations, also 7 percent for new televisions, and 4 percent furniture such as entertainment centers.
— HAPPY BIRTHDAY —
Happy birthday to Umar Sattar, state Sen. Perry Thurston, and former state Sen. Miguel Díaz de la Portilla.
