Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
As expected, a circuit judge turned down a request to reconsider her refusal to block a meeting of the Governor and Cabinet in Israel that occurred earlier Wednesday.
Tallahassee-based Circuit Judge Angela Dempsey denied an “emergency motion for reconsideration” filed by the First Amendment Foundation and several news organizations in the state.
Their complaint said that holding a meeting at that distance “violates the constitutional and statutory rights of Florida citizens (and the news media) to personally observe the workings of, and for the public to offer comment to, their state’s highest officials.”
The Cabinet meeting, which officials termed “ceremonial,” was held in the U.S. Embassy annex in Jerusalem as planned. That’s roughly 6,000 miles from the Capitol — and a 7-hour time difference.
So what’s next?
“We have a couple of options we’re in the process of sussing out,” said Barbara Petersen, an attorney and president of the First Amendment Foundation. “We’ll have a plan on what action needs to be taken by early next week.
“Ideally, we would like the Cabinet to agree that it will not hold meetings outside the state of Florida. We’re trying now to figure out how we get there.”
Evening Reads
“DNC makes it more difficult to qualify for 3rd debate” via Michael Calderone of POLITICO
“Ron DeSantis talks Bibi, BDS with Israeli press” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
“Florida Cabinet meets in Israel under media objection” via Brendan Farrington of The Associated Press
“DeSantis: Cabinet critics trying to cause a ‘ruckus’” via Jim Turner of the News Service of Florida
“Can Florida find a solution to school security in Israel? These two lawmakers think so.” via Jeff Schweers for the Florida Society of News Editors
“Who says American elected officials have to stay in America to do their jobs?” via Diane Roberts of the Florida Phoenix
“Jimmy Patronis demands Ronald Rubin step down” via Dan McAuliffe of Florida Politics
“Aramis Ayala: No return to the old status quo” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
“Bucs attempt to get BP settlement money makes them look awfully oily” via John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times
“Why doesn’t my SunPass work in every state?” via Noah Pransky for Florida Politics
Quote of the Day
“I think people sometimes want to cause a ruckus.” — Gov. Ron DeSantis, commenting on a lawsuit to block the Cabinet meeting held in Israel Wednesday.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The final full day of a trip to Israel by DeSantis and a Florida delegation will include a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; ceremonies for signing memorandums of understanding; and a visit to the Old City of Jerusalem.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce will host a Florida International Trade and Investment Conference, along with panels on e-commerce and trade in the Americas, life sciences, aerospace, and infrastructure. That’s at 8:30 a.m. Hyatt Regency Coral Gables, 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables.
The Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund Advisory Council will hold a conference call. That’s at 10 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 973664296.
The Florida Supreme Court is scheduled to release its weekly opinions at 11 a.m.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón will hold a news conference during an official visit in Puerto Rico. That’s at 11:15 a.m., U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan, 5 Calle La Puntilla, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Andrew Freedman, who served as Colorado’s director of cannabis coordination, will speak to the Economic Club of Florida. That’s at noon, FSU Alumni Center, 1030 West Tennessee St., Tallahassee.
Brad Parscale, campaign manager for President Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election bid, is slated to speak to the Miami Young Republicans. That’s at 6:30 p.m., Miami Dade College Koubek Memorial Center, 2705 S.W. Third St., Miami.
