Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
On Tuesday, Attorney General Ashley Moody said the hiring of a new state chief administrative law judge hasn’t “fallen off the radar.”
“I think that we’ll probably move on that and it’ll be set for an agenda,” she said after a Florida Cabinet meeting at the Capitol. “Whether we open applications up again, or whether we move forward on the two that we have set to interview and vote on, that will be determined … But we’ll have a Cabinet meeting shortly, and we’ll address that.”
The only two applicants are John MacIver, currently a deputy general counsel to DeSantis, and Kristin Bigham, an assistant deputy general counsel for the Department of Environmental Protection, which ultimately answers to DeSantis.
That means the next head of the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH), which acts as a legal check on agencies under the control of Gov. Ron DeSantis, could be someone who now works for him.
The current head of DOAH, Chief Judge Bob Cohen, plans to step down after a meeting he had earlier this year with DeSantis’ chief legal adviser, Joe Jacquot. He told Cohen “the governor wants to re-examine and re-evaluate the leadership at DOAH, as he has been doing with all agencies,” Cohen said to Florida Politics in an interview.
The Governor and Cabinet hire the chief judge; that person hires individual administrative law judges. Cohen was appointed by then-Gov. Jeb Bush and has served as head of DOAH since 2003.
Its judges conduct “evidentiary proceedings, much like nonjury trials, involving disputed issues of fact for state agencies acting in their regulatory capacities,” as the Florida Bar Journal once explained. Administrative law judges also handle challenges to agency rules, teacher terminations and bid protests, among other tasks.
Evening Reads
“Farms, military, daycares: Who waited on disaster aid amid Donald Trump-Congress brawl” via Jennifer Scholtes of POLITICO
“The two Florida Republicans who voted against Hurricane Michael disaster aid explain why.” via Steve Contorno of the Tampa Bay Times
“A Miami Democrat who wants to talk health care grapples with impeaching Trump” via Alex Dougherty of the Miami Herald
“Florida could be hurt by Census undercount, especially of black and Hispanic households, new report finds” via Langston Taylor of the Tampa Bay Times
“Ron DeSantis pledges closer look at bank regulator accused of sexual harassment” via Emily Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times
“‘I trust the Speaker’: DeSantis joins Republican criticism of Mike Hill” via Dan McAuliffe of Florida Politics
“DeSantis to sign ban on officials’ blind trusts” via the News Service of Florida
“‘Experience of a lifetime’: Wilton Simpson looks back on Israel trip” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
“‘We were all on the same page’: Travis Hutson looks back at Session” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
“Ex-SRO charged with child neglect for ‘inaction’ during Parkland massacre” via WFLA
“More prisoners are exonerated from Florida’s death row than anywhere else in America” via Mitch Perry of Florida Phoenix
“Lessons from 40 years as a journalist” via John Cutter of the Orlando Sentinel
Quote of the Day
“I support Speaker (José) Oliva’s comments and I trust the Speaker to take whatever action is necessary.” — Gov. Ron DeSantis to reporters, when asked about GOP state Rep. Mike Hill and any potential censure. Hill last month laughed at a constituent’s suggestion that gay people be put to death. Oliva has asked Hill to apologize.
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Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
DeSantis and state Cabinet members Attorney General Moody, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis will meet as the state Clemency Board. That’s at 8 a.m. Cabinet Meeting Room.
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission will meet in Broward County, with topics expected to include public-safety communications systems. That’s at 8:30 a.m., BB & T Center, Chairman’s Club, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise.
The Florida Supreme Court will take up four issues, including a public reprimand for a Broward County Circuit Judge Daniel Bailey because of improper conduct during a criminal trial. That’s at 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.
The Revenue Estimating Conference will hold what is known as a post-session “impact” conference at 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building.
Senate Special Master Dudley Goodlette will hold a prehearing conference in an appeal by suspended Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel. The hearing is scheduled to start on June 18. That’s at 10 a.m., 401 Senate Office Building.
NFIB-Florida and Floridians Against Lawsuit Abuse will hold a news conference to release reports that assess excessive tort costs in Florida’s major cities. That’s at 11 a.m., Florida Press Center, Suite 100, 336 E. College Ave., Tallahassee.
Florida TaxWatch holds a news conference to announce the 2019 Budget Turkey report. TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic Calabro and Vice President of Research (and Budget Turkey expert) Kurt Wenner will host. That’s at 11:30 a.m. Florida TaxWatch Headquarters, 106 N. Bronough St., Tallahassee.
A memorial service will be held for Sandy D’Alemberte, a former Florida State University president and law-school dean, who died May 20 at age 85. That’s at 2 p.m., Florida State University, Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, 222 South Copeland St., Tallahassee.
