Peter Schorsch
Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet met with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the last day of the Florida delegation’s trip, celebrating the business and political relationships forged between Israel and the Sunshine State.
Whether the meeting would occur had been unclear; hours beforehand the Israel national assembly, Knesset, dissolved. That set up a September election just weeks before pretrial hearings on Netanyahu’s corruption charges, Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski reports.
The Israeli political hiccup prompted DeSantis, while speaking to reporters after the meeting, to praise America’s elections. “It does make me appreciate America having a winner takes all system, not proportional representation, not parliamentary,” DeSantis said. “It’s cleaner.”
The Governor promised to work with whoever emerges victorious.
Netanyahu told DeSantis that he appreciated the state’s decision to stand up to Airbnb after it delisted properties in the West Bank, reports Jeff Schweers for the Florida Society of News Editors. And, in somewhat serendipity, Airbnb on Thursday was removed from the state’s list of “scrutinized companies” after it walked back its delisting decision, reports The News Service of Florida.
Following the meeting, DeSantis visited the Jerusalem Western Wall. There, he placed a “prayer Florida’s safety this hurricane season and a prayer from a Panhandle girl who lost her house in Hurricane Michael,” reports Schweers.
Before that, the delegation and DeSantis toured the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. DeSantis afterward rejected the idea of parallels between Nazi Germany in the 1930s, with populist rallies and currency devaluation, and America in 2019, with the mania of President Donald Trump‘s rallies.
Though abroad, DeSantis had also been asked about the ongoings in the States — particularly regarding Trump. “Prosecutors are not in the business of exonerating,” DeSantis said. “If there’s enough evidence to charge and prosecute, you do it. If there’s not, then that’s the end of the story.”
The delegation’s trip, overall, remained tethered to Florida. Another research MOU had been signed Thursday between the University of Miami and Hebrew University, for example. And elected officials talked school hardening and safety with Israeli leaders who are no stranger to threats.
Expect members of the delegation, including DeSantis, to return to Florida Friday.
— SITUATIONAL AWARENESS —
—@RealDonaldTrump: On June 10th, the United States will impose a 5% Tariff on all goods coming into our Country from Mexico, until such time as illegal migrants coming through Mexico, and into our Country, STOP. The Tariff will gradually increase until the Illegal Immigration problem is remedied … at which time the Tariffs will be removed. Details from the White House to follow.
—@VernBuchanan: I applaud @VP Pence’s efforts in Canada to get USMCA across the finish line. There is too much at stake: U.S. trade with Mexico and Canada supports 14 million U.S. jobs and $1.3 billion in economic activity.
—@GovRonDeSantis: It was an incredible privilege to be able to visit the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. I was honored to be able to lead this delegation of Florida leaders as they experienced the rich history Israel has to offer the world.
Tweet, tweet:
Yesterday I placed a note in the wall: “Please protect Florida from Natural and Man made disasters”. @PeterSchorschFL @fineout #sayfie @FLSERT @NOAA @NWSNHC #parkland #pulse pic.twitter.com/oEgiCIGAQN
— Jared MASKowitz 😷 (@JaredEMoskowitz) May 30, 2019
Tweet, tweet:
An incredible moment at the Western Wall. pic.twitter.com/1i4xQTIjaA
— Jimmy Patronis (@JimmyPatronis) May 30, 2019
—@AGGancarski: Watched an hour or so of Israel MTV. They don’t bleep words here. They don’t blur images. So your favorite rap songs? They are unexpurgated. It’s an interesting dynamic. Been so used to censorship that it’s jarring when it doesn’t exist.
—@JeffSchweers: My prayer today inserted into the western wall in Jerusalem was that my colleagues @TDOnline have long, productive careers.
—@TooMuchMe: Yes, I did just retweet two stories about Andrew Gillum‘s campaign being named by a federal grand jury and Trump’s campaign being issued subpoenas tied to potential funds from foreign nationals.
—@JeffBurlew: Piecing this together, it sounds like a number of subpoenas went out in late March involving @AndrewGillum and his campaign. The city of Tallahassee didn’t get one, a city spokeswoman told me.
—@RealJacobPerry: Can @AndrewGillum use the remaining money in his campaign account to pay his legal fees? Asking for a friend
—@APStyleBook: Do not use racially charged or similar terms as euphemisms for racist or racism when the latter terms are truly applicable.
— DAYS UNTIL —
“The Handmaid’s Tale” premieres — 5; “Black Mirror” premieres — 5; Florida Democratic Leadership Blue conference and fundraiser — 7; U.S. Open begins — 10; Madonna and Bruce Springsteen each release new studio albums — 14; Father’s Day — 16; Florida Chamber Learners to Earners Workforce Summit begins — 18; “Toy Story 4” opens — 21; First Democratic presidential debates in Miami — 26; “The Loudest Voice,” about Fox News and Roger Ailes, premieres — 30; “Spider-Man: Far From Home” opens — 32; Independence Day — 34; “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood” premieres — 56; Second Democratic presidential debates in Detroit — 60; Florida Gators opens vs. Miami football — 85; St. Petersburg primary election — 88; USF Bulls football opens vs. Wisconsin Badgers — 91; UCF Knights football opens vs. Florida A&M — 92; FSU Seminoles football opens vs. Boise State — 92; Labor Day — 94; First Interim Committee Week for 2020 Session — 108; “Joker” opens — 126; Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum begins — 150; Scott Maddox trial begins — 157; 2019 General Election — 158; 3rd Annual Florida Internet and Television FITCon starts — 160; 2020 Session begins — 228; Iowa Caucuses — 248; New Hampshire Primaries — 256; Florida’s presidential primary — 291; 2020 General Election — 522.
— FOR YOUR RADAR —
Associated Industries of Florida (AIF), along with FloridaMakes, CareerSource Florida, the Florida Chamber Foundation and the Florida Manufacturing and Logistics Council (FMLC), are hosting the MAKE MORE Manufacturing Summit, today in Orlando.
“The summit is a leadership-focused meeting designed around connecting ecosystem stakeholders with the needs and realities of industry leaders from the manufacturing sector,” a news release said.
Scheduled speakers include Tony Carvajal of the Florida Chamber Foundation, Michelle Dennard of CareerSource Florida, Tom Feeney of AIF, Bill Herrle of NFIB in Florida, Dale Ketcham of Space Florida, and many more.
The events are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, 4040 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando.
FloridaMakes is a “statewide, industry-led, public-private partnership operated by an alliance of Florida’s regional manufacturers’ associations with the sole mission of strengthening and advancing Florida’s economy by improving the competitiveness, productivity and technological performance of its manufacturing sector, with an emphasis on small- and medium-sized firms.”
For more information, go to FloridaMakes.com.
— DATELINE: TALLY —
“Environmentalists ask Ron DeSantis to veto bill that could stifle development challenges” via Elizabeth Koh of the Tampa Bay Times — HB 7103, which lawmakers passed on the final day of Session, restricts how local governments can implement inclusionary zoning regulations to require developers set aside a fraction of units for low-income residents. Though local governments can still set such zoning policies, the bill requires that any costs to the developer associated with setting aside such housing be fully offset by incentives like bonuses or waived fees. Another provision in the bill also requires those who lose development disputes in court pay both parties’ legal fees, which the Sierra Club and about 40 other local and statewide organizations are arguing will have a chilling effect on future efforts to protect the environment.
“DeSantis says Cabinet may not meet monthly anymore” via Michael Moline of Florida Phoenix — The Governor and Cabinet — who preside over key areas of Florida government, including environmental and police protection, state investments, and insurance regulation — have canceled four meetings since early April. DeSantis said that was because he was preoccupied moving his priorities through the Legislature’s spring regular session. But he saw no need to stick to the traditional schedule. “You can meet however often you want,” he said. “Probably not going to be every month.”
“Andrew Gillum’s campaign headquarters home to solar business involved with FBI investigation” via Tallahassee Reports — Documents show that Solar Distributors of America, LLC, a business identified in a federal subpoena related to the investigation of local corruption in Tallahassee, resides in the same 3,650 square foot building that is headquarters to the Gillum campaign for Florida Governor. Also, summaries of city commission meetings show that then-City Commissioner Gillum was a crucial vote on a $5.4 million industrial bond issue for a solar project that resulted in the creation of Solar Distributors of America, LLC. The Florida Department of Revenue was served with a subpoena on June 19, 2017, by the US Attorney of the Northern District of Florida seeking tax records for various businesses including Solar Distributors of America, LLC.
“Retribution? Nope, lawyer says: Kim Grippa didn’t want to work for Ronald Rubin” via Florida Politics — The state’s top financial regulator is saying he’s being pushed out of his job as retribution because he refused to hire a “politically connected” job applicant, but that same woman’s lawyer now says she would never have worked for him. Tallahassee attorney Ryan Andrews, who represents Kim Grippa, sent letters to the Office of Financial Regulation’s inspector general and chief investigator on Thursday. Attached to those letters are copies of text messages that Grippa — ex-wife of former Leon County Commissioner Tony Grippa — sent to a family member, showing that she decided immediately after an interview with OFR head Rubin that she did not want to work for him.
“Florida Dems call for investigation into possible financial disclosure violation by Marion Hammer” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — Democrats Sen. Perry Thurston and Rep. Anna Eskamani have filed complaints asking for an investigation as to whether NRA lobbyist Hammer violated state law by failing to disclose payments from the NRA. “House District 47 is home to Pulse nightclub,” Eskamani said. “Our community deserves to know what influence the National Rifle Association has in our political process, and why the transparency lobbyists are required to follow appears to be missing.” Lobbying firms, as well as contract lobbyists, are required to file reports detailing compensation received for their lobbying efforts. Hammer works as a contract lobbyist for the NRA. According to a report from the Florida Bulldog, she has not filed a compensation report since at least 2007.
“School ‘guardian’ program grows” via the News Service of Florida —An executive order signed by DeSantis in February helped increase the number of counties participating in a controversial “guardian” program that allows school staff members to be armed on campus, Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran said. A total of 30 school districts have told the state they are participating in the Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program. Baker, Escambia, Franklin, Levy and Taylor counties joined the program after the executive order, while 13 more have expressed interest in doing so. The latest districts to join the program are mostly in rural areas. Also, the list does not include Okaloosa County, where the school board voted to join the program.
Spotted — Democratic former state lawmaker Joe Abruzzo on the Bravo TV show “Southern Charm“ via People.com — He’s dating Kathryn Dennis, 26, who reveals that she started dating 38-year-old Florida politician Abruzzo after meeting him at a football game. “I really like him a lot,” she says. “He’s kind, he’s got a 3-year-old son, and he wears sunless tanner like me.”
— POT HIGH GETS CHILLED —
When it comes to cannabis advice, Colorado is a good source.
Andrew Freedman, a former cannabis regulator and current consultant from the Centennial State, pointed to the government hurdles that typically keep “green rushes” at bay, reports Samantha Gross for the Miami Herald.
“When you had a gold mine, and you were finding gold … you might have spent less finding that gold than what you sold it for at the end of the day,” Freedman said. “Those are limited in the cannabis system.”
— Mo’ rules, mo’ profit: Florida’s limited license system makes the cannabis market more profitable. “In California, where the market is larger, business is less lucrative, Freedman pointed out.”
— Corroboration: Office of Medical Marijuana Use Director Courtney Coppola agreed. She told Gross, “The large-scale production of medical marijuana in today’s modern environment requires not only significant capital and resources, but also a high level of oversight to ensure product safety for patients.”
— Recall: Yet another lucrative cannabis opportunity is on the horizon with the Florida Legislature’s passage of a state-authorized hemp program. Florida Cannabis Director Holly Bell remarked earlier this week that the first crop of industrial hemp could be ready as soon as 2020.
— STATEWIDE —
Florida deploys team to assist Oklahoma with flood response — Gov. DeSantis announced that the Division of Emergency Management is deploying a team of emergency management personnel to Oklahoma to help with the response to catastrophic flooding. The team will be deployed to Muskogee County, Oklahoma, where it will assist local operations, as well as assisting the Cherokee Nation, which encompasses 14 counties in Oklahoma. During Hurricane Irma, Oklahoma sent an 11-person team to Monroe County to assist with local disaster response. “We are grateful that Oklahoma helped Florida during Hurricane Irma, and I am proud that today we are able to return that favor,” the Governor said.
“Medical records debate re-emerges” via Jim Saunders of the News Service of Florida — A Jacksonville hospital has launched a federal lawsuit arguing it should be shielded from being required to turn over documents to a patient. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Jacksonville, is the latest in a series of legal disputes about whether hospitals need to disclose records about patient care as part of malpractice litigation under a 2004 Constitutional amendment. The Florida Supreme Court in 2017 issued rulings that broadly interpreted the constitutional amendment to require records to be turned over. Attorneys for UF Health Jacksonville are asking a U.S. district judge to declare that the disputed records are shielded under a federal law that “pre-empts” the state constitutional amendment.
“Duke plans to decommission nuclear plan ahead of schedule” via Carlos Medina of the Gainesville Sun — In 2013, Duke decided to keep the facility idle until 2074 and then demolish the physical plant after removing all radioactive material. But a recent review of the cost to accelerate the timeline found the company had enough money in their decommissioning trust fund to cover the accelerated plan, said Heather Danenehower, Duke communications manager. They need approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to change plans and that process will take at least a year.
“TECO power plant project backed” via the News Service of Florida —An administrative law judge recommended a key approval for a Tampa Electric Co. power-plant project that includes shifting to a greater use of natural gas to generate electricity. Judge Francine M. Ffolkes issued an 88-page recommended order that said DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet should approve Tampa Electric’s plans at the Big Bend Power Station in Hillsborough County. Under the Tampa Electric plan, one old generating unit, known as Unit 2, at the Big Bend site would be shut down in 2021. Another old unit, known as Unit 1, would be upgraded as a natural-gas plant, eliminating the use of coal in the unit. The upgraded plant would begin operating in 2023.
“Who gets to give dietary advice? Health coach fights law” via Candace Choi of The Associated Press — Health coaches like Heather Del Castillo can get certificates from a variety of programs, but the title doesn’t have a consistent meaning, and anyone can use it. Registered dietitians complete months of supervised practice, pass a national exam, and take continuing education courses. In court filings, Florida said its law protects people from incompetent advice. It said Del Castillo did not have the qualifications to obtain a dietary license but got a certificate as a “holistic health coach” from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, an online school. Darrell Rogers, a school spokesman, said laws like the one in Florida are outdated and that it’s rare for health coaches to face fines.
— HAPPY B’DAY SUNPASS —
Friday marks the 365th day since FDOT launched its “six-day” SunPass system upgrade that wasn’t-yet-ready for prime-time, leading to a year’s worth (and counting) of account, customer service, and technological nightmares.
That’s 52 weeks FDOT and contractor Conduent have had to fix bogus bills, customers’ complaints, and compromised accounts.
They have yet to finish the job.
Social media is littered with complaints about customer service incompetence, while many drivers still don’t know if their questionable account charges are about to be handed over to collections companies on June 1 (FDOT refuses to say when they will begin enforcing penalties on backlogged accounts that aren’t yet paid down).
It’s also been 52 weeks that state leaders (between the Scott and DeSantis administrations) have had to get to the bottom of the mess, as well as FDOT’s attempted cover-up. But an inspector general’s investigation, launched somewhat begrudgingly by Scott nine months ago, has not yet produced any public findings.
DeSantis’ office has not been able to provide any update on the lingering investigation.
So while drivers just want a break from the SunPass headaches on this milestone birthday … most of the party favors so far have gone to the contractors responsible for the SunPass meltdown.
Saturday marks Day 366 of the SunPass Saga … and counting.
— D.C. MATTERS —
“Vice President may arrive for five-day Sanibel visit” via Stacey Henson of the Fort Myers News-Press — The Federal Aviation Administration’s website shows a very important person is due to arrive on Sanibel for a five-day stay. Past similar announcements, stating “VIP Movement Notification” were related to Vice President Mike Pence. If it is him, he will leave Southwest Florida on June 4. The White House and Pence’s website did not respond to emails asking for verification. Pence last visited the island March 1-3 for a mini vacation. Then, he flew into Southwest Florida International Airport on Air Force Two, and his security detail made the trek across the Sanibel Causeway Bridge in the late evening, with well-wishers lining the roadway. Sanibel has been the Pence family’s vacation destination for years.
“Disaster relief bill blocked again” via the News Service of Florida — For the third time, a lone congressional Republican blocked a federal disaster-relief package that has been long-awaited by Florida officials and residents of the hurricane-ravaged Panhandle. Republican U.S. Rep. John Rose of Tennessee objected to the $19.1 billion package being approved by unanimous consent in a “virtually empty” House chamber. Congress is on recess, and approvals of legislation by unanimous consent can be done without most members present. “Nearly all of my 431 colleagues are absent as the speaker of the House seeks to pass a $19 billion spending bill,” Rose said. “Our nation is $22 trillion in debt trying to pass nearly $20 billion in new spending while the majority of Congress is not even in Washington.”
Assignment editors — Rick Scott will speak at the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association Annual Convention on the continued economic success of Puerto Rico’s manufacturing industry at approximately 12:30 p.m. Watch the speech live here.
“Alcee Hastings leads Florida delegation in demanding Peru pay its bills” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — A refusal by Peru to make its bond payments threaten pensions for thousands of Florida workers. U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, a Boca Raton Democrat, and a bipartisan group of Florida congressman earlier this month demanded action from the Department of State. “We fear that thousands of Florida workers, among them our constituents, and many more Americans across the country, will be placed at financial risk if the government of Peru continues to default on these bonds,” Hastings wrote. With total exposure of more than $20 million in eight separate pension funds, some 50,000 Florida workers may be impacted by the international dereliction in debt payment. Hastings figures nationwide, some $2 billion in debt impacts funds in 30 states.
“Francis Rooney pushes government to keep raising the Tamiami Trail to increase freshwater flow to the Everglades” via Amy Williams of the Fort Myers News-Press — Built in the 1920s, one of the unintended consequences of the cross-state highway is that it effectively dammed the natural flow of the River of Grass, the largest wilderness area in the eastern United States. Last year, U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar opened a mile-long, $81-million bridge that marked the first phase of a multistep process to raise the Trail. Now, Rooney wants Phase 2 funded. Earlier this week, he wrote to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao asking her to fund the $100 million project. Getting it done is key to Everglades restoration, which hinges on water from the north making its way into the Everglades and Florida Bay, “where it is desperately needed,” Rooney said.
Assignment editors — Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz holds a series of “town halls” for his “Won’t Back Down” tour in Florida’s 1st Congressional District. That’s Saturday at 9:30 a.m., Dewey Destin’s Restaurant, 8673 Navarre Parkway, Navarre; noon, Brew Ha Ha Restaurant, 2435 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola; 3 p.m., Anderson Farms, 14475 US 331, DeFuniak Springs. (All times are Central.)
— 2020 —
“Democrats’ gala to feature husbands of Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics —Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez, House Democratic Caucus Chair U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and rising star U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema will be joined by presidential candidates’ husbands Chasten Buttigieg and Douglas Emhoff at the Florida Democratic Party’s Leadership Blue Gala in Orlando next week. The party announced that Perez, Jeffries of New York, and Sinema of Arizona, will be joined by at least two presidential hopefuls’ spouses, Buttigieg, husband of South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg; and Emhoff, husband of U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris of California. Other spouses apparently are being invited as well.
“’They don’t make ‘em like Joe anymore’: Joe Biden expands grip on congressional endorsements” via Nolan McCaskill of POLITICO Florida — Biden expanded his lead in congressional endorsements, landing the backing of second-term Rep. Al Lawson. “They don’t make ’em like Joe anymore,” Lawson said in a statement. “We have an opportunity now to meet head on the greatest challenges of our time, and ensure our best days still lie ahead of us and that is why I am endorsing him to be the next president of the United States.” Lawson said Biden “has a long history of doing what’s right and not what’s easy to advance the causes of America’s working families.” Lawson is the latest Democrat to line up behind Biden in Florida, which will be a crucial battleground state in the 2020 presidential election.
“Democrats roll out $90 million super PAC aimed at swing states” via Marc Caputo of POLITICO — The nation’s largest super PAC devoted to grassroots Democratic turnout is launching its organizing efforts earlier than ever in seven swing states with a new campaign director and its largest budget to date: $80 million to $90 million. For Our Future announced Friday that it’s hiring former President Barack Obama’s onetime Florida campaign chair, Ashley Walker, to coordinate its swing-state operations with the goal of identifying and turning out Democratic-leaning 2020 voters, namely people of color and so-called “sporadic voters” who don’t frequently cast ballots.
— SHOWING SOME INITIATIVE —
Yesterday, John Morgan tweeted:
The legislature passed #HB5 to try & stop my effort to raise Florida’s minimum wage
I hope @GovRonDeSantis vetoes it, but if he doesn’t:
Minimum wage WILL BE on the 2020 ballot & IT WILL PASS!
We have 600k signatures & will be close to finished by the time the law takes effect
— John Morgan (@JohnMorganESQ) May 29, 2019
Regular readers of Sunburn know how we feel about this bad bill. HB 5 is the one that will require the state to manage literally millions of pieces of paper, criminalize petition gatherers and wreak havoc in election supervisors’ offices.
It’s all but common knowledge that the bill was jammed through at the last minute as an attempt to stop Morgan’s minimum wage effort as well as the likely-to-be-dumped-by-the-courts utility deregulation initiative.
Is the reason for letting this bad bill become law slowly but surely becoming moot?
— LOCAL —
“Miami’s only locally based medical marijuana company has a new name, new product” via Martin Vassolo of the Miami Herald — As the head of Miami’s only locally based medical marijuana dispensaries, Jose Javier Hidalgo considers his goal to be reaching every corner of the community. Said Hidalgo, the CEO of Cansortium, which operates dispensaries under the name Fluent Cannabis Care: “Now that people are beginning to understand that there is a safely manufactured product that they can count on and that they don’t need to be buying it off the streets, I think that’s going to change.” The effort to make Miami’s diverse populace better versed in the potential benefits of medical marijuana underpins Hidalgo’s decision to change the name of his dispensary chain. It had been named Knox Medical since its launch about two years ago.
“University High valedictorian barred from giving speech; Orange schools later apologize” via Leslie Postal of the Orlando Sentinel — After her commencement, Kriya Naidu, the top-ranked student at the east Orange school, stood in her bedroom and made a video of herself delivering the speech she could not give in front of her classmates. She then posted that on YouTube and on Twitter, where thousands have since viewed it. The three-minute speech focused mostly on Naidu’s parents’ experiences as immigrants from South Africa, touching on the challenges they and other immigrants face as newcomers to the country. An administrator called her mother a few hours before the 2 p.m. ceremony to say her daughter would not be allowed to deliver her speech because she did not record it ahead of time as requested.
To view the speech, click on the image below:
“Tampa City Council aide submits her resignation a day after her ‘cough’ video went viral” via Charlie Frago of the Tampa Bay Times — A day after a video circled the globe showing her either coughing or cough-cursing, Carrie Henriquez has resigned her position as a legislative aide to Tampa City Council member Guido Maniscalco. Henriquez’s lunch-hour resignation took Maniscalco by surprise. He said Henriquez mentioned the “insults” and internet commentary as part of the reason for her departure from a position she has held since shortly after Maniscalco was elected in 2015. “That’s social media,” Maniscalco said. “She’s decided to move on, and that’s it.”
“Pam Bondi endorses John Snyder for state House” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Snyder, a Palm City Republican, announced he has Bondi’s backing for House District 82. “John proudly served our country and now is willing to serve the Treasure Coast and our state in Tallahassee,” Bondi said in a statement. “I know John will work closely with law enforcement to combat the opioid crisis, and keep our communities safe and secure.” HD 82 includes part of Palm Beach and Martin counties. Incumbent Rep. MaryLynn Magar cannot seek re-election because of term limits.
— OPINIONS —
“Cuba finally connects to the internet. Too bad the U.S. had disconnected from Cuba.” via Tim Padgett of WLRN — Cuba’s glacial government finally legalized Wi-Fi – including the importation of hardware like routers – for private Cuban homes. And, just as important, for private Cuban businesses. Wi-Fi’s new legal status is a potential boon for the island’s cyber-handcuffed entrepreneurs. That, in turn, could have been a win for U.S. Cuba policy, which supposedly promotes cuentapropismo as a means of making Cubans more economically and socially independent of their stifling state. But the sad, ridiculous reality is that just as Cuba and its tech-conscious President Miguel Díaz-Canel are granting cuentapropistas an Internet edge, the Trump administration is doing everything it can to dull it.
“DeSantis fumbles Cabinet meeting in Israel, ignores lesson in open government” via the South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board — DeSantis and three elected Cabinet members met on foreign soil at the U.S. embassy annex in Jerusalem — more than 6,000 miles and seven time zones away. Problem was, there was no way for Average Joe to exercise his constitutional right to attend unless he was able to buy a $1,300 round-trip airline ticket. Consider the message this ruling sends government leaders at all levels: If you want to keep the public out of a public meeting, meet outside the state. “Because we’re in Jerusalem, we may actually get some interest in our Cabinet meetings for a change, which would be great,” DeSantis said. Greater still, would be to convene a public meeting without creating an international incident.
“In warning about preserving life to preserve culture, Florida finds its own Steve King in Dennis Baxley” via the Orlando Sentinel editorial board —Baxley is popular in his deep red Senate district, which includes Marion, Lake and Sumter counties. We prefer to believe that voters there would cringe at the racial dog whistle he’s blowing by opposing abortion in the name of cultural preservation. We’re not that naive. Look how long Steve King has managed to hang on there, if by only a thread in the last election. Republican leaders in Washington finally acted earlier this year after King wondered what’s so wrong with white nationalism. He lost his House committee assignments. Senate President Bill Galvano should take note. He and his fellow Republicans could start by denouncing Baxley’s remarks. Silence is not an option.
“Beef up bus security” via the Tampa Bay Times editorial board — Bay area transit agencies are responding appropriately to the fatal knife attack on a Hillsborough County bus driver earlier this month by looking at several approaches for improving security. The move will require a balancing act; drivers cannot operate in a bubble, and safety enclosures present risks of their own. But the sense of immediacy is warranted, and it is encouraging that drivers are involved in the decision-making process. The effort could improve safety for drivers and passengers in a growing region with ambitious new visions for mass transit. Bus drivers all too regularly are harassed, spit on and pushed. Even a normal shift is a demanding, unpredictable environment, with bus drivers acting as chauffeurs, cashiers, guides and security.
— LOBBYING REGS —
New and renewed lobbying registrations:
Nick Iarossi, Christopher Schoonover, Capital City Consulting: Nu Image Medical
Gene McGee, GMA: bestbet Jacksonville
— WEEKEND TV —
Facing South Florida with Jim DeFede on CBS 4 in Miami: The Sunday show provides viewers with an in-depth look at politics in South Florida, along with other issues affecting the region.
Florida This Week on Tampa Bay’s WEDU: Moderator Rob Lorei hosts a roundtable panel with Jack Brill, acting chair of the GOP Party of Sarasota; author and Tampa Bay Times reporter Craig Pittman; NPR media critic Eric Deggans and Lisa Perry, co-founder, Common Ground Florida Project.
In Focus with Allison Walker-Torres on Bay News 9: A discussion of the Anti-Violence Project’s report on hate violence-related homicides of LGBTQ people, and the concern for violence against the LGBTQ community and how it negatively impacts the overall community. Joining Walker-Torres are Patrick Slevin, project manager of Conservatives on the Right Side of Equality; Brandon Wolf, CFL Development Officer and Media Relations Manager, Equality Florida; and state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith.
Political Connections on CF 13 in Orlando and Bay News 9 in Tampa/St. Pete: This week’s show features a discussion on the Governor’s historic trade mission to Israel; state Rep. Wengay Newton will talk about housing and felon voting rights; PolitiFact Truth-O-Meter will rate a claim a state Senator made about medical marijuana.
Politics on Your Side with Evan Donovan on News Channel 8 WFLA (NBC): Donovan speaks with Congressman Greg Steube and Carlos Rodriguez, shadow congressman from Puerto Rico and head of the PR Democratic Party.
The Usual Suspects on WCTV-Tallahassee/Thomasville (CBS) and WJHG-Panama City (NBC): Gary Yordon speaks with pollster Steve Vancore and Florida Politics publisher Peter Schorsch.
This Week in Jacksonville with Kent Justice on Channel 4 WJXT: This week’s guests are Congressman John Rutherford and state Sen. Travis Hutson.
— SUNSHINE SPORTS —
Former Rays player and coach Rocco Baldelli returns to Tropicana Field for the first time as manager of the high-flying Minnesota Twins.
— Calm in the box: His relaxed approach to managing is winning converts and games.
It’s time for baseball to act.
— Foul ball hits child: Following Wednesday’s game in Houston between the Astros and Cubs, calls for safety netting to protect fans are increasing.
Alabama recently explained why it scheduled USF.
— These should be good: The perennial national title contender said the three-game series it signed with USF, including a home game for the Bulls in Tampa, “checked a lot of boxes.”
Cancel your plans?
— The Cricket World Cup is starting: Hotstar International, an India-based streaming service, is making the Cricket World Cup available to United States viewers. This is a big deal. Four years ago, 2.2 billion people around the globe tuned in to watch.
Goodbye South Beach.
— And hello Ann Arbor: Former Miami Heat player and assistant coach Juwan Howard is formally introduced as the new head basketball coach at his alma mater, the University of Michigan.
— ALOE —
“Disney spared no expense in building Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” via Frank Pallotta of CNN Business — “It’s the most immersive land that we’ve ever built,” Bob Chapek, Disney’s chairman of parks, experience and products, told CNN Business. “You’ve got the food and beverage all in-story,” Chapek said, describing how the new land wraps guests in the Star Wars storyline. “The ‘cast members’ are in-story. Of course, all the merchandise in the shops. It doesn’t feel like a gift shop. It feels like you’re actually in Batuu. That’s unique.” Disney is investing this money in its parks and resorts at a time when profits in its media division are falling. Profits hit a high in 2015 but have since dipped 15 percent. In that same period, profits for Disney parks and resorts have gone up 47 percent.
“How much are people willing to spend at theme parks? More every year” via Sharon Kennedy Wynne of the Tampa Bay Times — Attendance is up. Some 20.8 million people visited Disney’s Magic Kingdom last year, a 2 percent increase, according to the Themed Entertainment Association’s annual attendance report. The whole industry had a combined attendance of more than a half-billion visits for the first time in history, the report said. The average American spends about $2,900 a year on entertainment, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and about $700 of that goes toward fees and admissions. A closer look at the numbers show that upper-income guests are more willing to fork over more. Those with incomes over $70,000 account for two-thirds of the purchases. More than half of spending on tickets and fees comes from those earning $100,000 or more.
“On the trail of tupelo honey, liquid gold from the swamps” via Kim Severson of The New York Times — The most expensive honey in America starts in mucky Southern swamps. For two precious weeks each spring in this slice of southeastern Georgia and in the Florida Panhandle, tupelo trees bloom with pale, fragile flowers that look like pompoms for tiny cheerleaders. Beekeepers tuck their hives along the banks or occasionally float them out into the water on rafts. Then the bees get to work, making honey that looks and tastes like no other. Good tupelo will glow with a light green tint, especially when it’s fresh from the comb and bathed in sunlight. The honey is so soft, light and buttery that the only logical move is to chase it with another spoonful.
— HAPPY BIRTHDAY —
Best wishes to former state Sen. Charlie Dean, Keith Fernandez of Univision, and Blake Williams of For Our Future.
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Sunburn is authored and assembled by Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Jim Rosica, Dan McAuliffe, and Drew Wilson.
