Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Editor’s note: Sunburn, our daily aggregate newsletter, will not be published Tuesday. Look for the morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics to return to your inbox on Wednesday.
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Less than two weeks away from the June 1 start to hurricane season, state Supreme Court Justice Jorge Labarga leveraged his public profile Monday to draw attention to Florida’s legal infrastructure.
Labarga, who addressed reporters ahead of a Florida Commission on Access to Civil Justice meeting, briefly praised the state’s responses to hurricanes Irma and Michael.
Following Michael, the Category 5 storm that swept through Northwest Florida last October, Labarga said all courts in the area had reopened — temporarily or permanently — by November.
Damage to legal infrastructure is one of the lesser-mentioned effects of natural disasters. But Labarga stressed the restoration of courts is a key component to recovery.
“It is imperative that the people know — regardless of the situation they’re in — that the rule of law is still in place,” said Labarga, whose two-term stint as Chief Justice ended last year.
Lawmakers during the 2019 Legislative Session budgeted $1.6 million for repairs to the Jackson County Courthouse, which suffered extensive damage from Michael.
Following Labarga’s remarks, a Florida Bar presentation detailed one way it responds to disasters — which lead to an uptick in legal need.
The example: A legal service hotline available to disaster survivors made possible through a partnership between the American Bar Association, the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division and FEMA. That hotline resulted in more than 700 referrals following Michael.
Reporters asked Labarga during the rare media availability whether he perceived a change in the ideological makeup of the high court with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointments of three new Justices earlier this year.
Labarga responded by noting he’s “close friends” with the new justices and “close friends” with those who recently vacated the bench.
“We’re going to continue doing the same thing we’ve always done: Look at the cases, look at the law, look at the facts and make the best ruling possible,” Labarga said.
Evening Reads
“‘Level the playing field’: Mike Pence pushes trade pact in Jacksonville” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
“Pete Buttigieg snags endorsement from Sean Shaw” via David Smiley of the Miami Herald
“Ron DeSantis, Cabinet fly out Sat. on 80-person trip to Israel: Who’s paying? Who’s going? His office won’t say” via Michael Moline of Florida Phoenix
“Brian Mast, Darren Soto aim for more congressional offices in VA hospitals” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
“Anna Eskamani’s frustrations with party, pride over battles won mark her first session in Tallahassee” via Steven Lemongello of the Orlando Sentinel
“Ray Rodrigues lines up SWFL Delegation support — sans one person” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
“FDP lawyers up for statewide voter protection program” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics
“Conservative court eyes key death penalty issue” via Dara Kam of The News Service of Florida
“Campus early voting battle continues” via Jim Saunders of The News Service of Florida
“‘Mind-blowing’ PGA feat by Brooks Koepka not surprising to his Florida State golf coach” via Curt Weiler of the Tallahassee Democrat
Quote of the Day
“All options are on the table. The United States is not going to stand idly by while Venezuela continues to collapse into tyranny and deprivation.” — Vice President Mike Pence when asked whether U.S. military action could accompany the crisis in Venezuela.
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Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board will meet in Tampa. That’s at 9 a.m., Southwest Florida Water Management District, 7601 U.S. 301 North, Tampa.
Staffers for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio will hold office hours at locations across the state. In Brevard, that’s at 9 a.m., Brevard Veterans Memorial Center, 400 South Sykes Creek Parkway, Merritt Island. In Miami, that’s at 9:30 a.m., Stephen P. Clark Government Center, 111 N.W. First St., Miami. In Sarasota, that’s at 2 p.m., Selby Library, 1331 First St., Sarasota.
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will discuss proposals from Duke Energy and Tampa Electric to recover costs incurred from recent hurricanes and tropical storms. That’s immediately after an internal affairs meeting at 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.
Attorney General Ashley Moody will present the “Back the Blue Award” to a school resource officer in Fort Myers. That’s at 10:40 a.m., Buckingham Exceptional Student Center, 3201 Buckingham Road, Fort Myers
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will begin workshopping issues related to the two Tampa-area interchanges and the Interstate 275 corridor. That’s at 5:30 p.m., The Cuban Club, 2010 North Avenida Republica de Cuba, Tampa.
