Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Do you work for the Legislature? Annette Taddeo wants you to get a raise.
The Democratic state senator from Miami filed a bill Tuesday for the 2020 Session to give legislative employees “a one-time competitive pay adjustment of 10 percent.”
It would apply to certain “employees of the Senate, the House of Representatives, joint legislative offices, the Auditor General, the Commission on Ethics, and the Office of Public Counsel,” the bill says.
Among just a few jobs it would cover: Attorneys, clinic nurses, the two Sergeants-at-arms and their deputies, district secretaries and aides, economists, ethics investigators, the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House.
“All eligible employees must receive the competitive pay adjustment and the annual adjustment as specified …, even if the implementation of such increases results in an employee’s salary exceeding the adjusted pay grade maximum,” the bill says.
Sorry, elected lawmakers: The bill does not apply to you.
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In other news Tuesday, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced he was taking applications “to serve as one of his three appointees to the Florida Blockchain Task Force.”
“The task force will study if and how state, county, and municipal governments can benefit from a transition to a blockchain-based system for record-keeping, data security, financial transactions, and service delivery and identify ways to improve government interaction with businesses and the public,” a news release said.
Patronis said in a statement that “we will work to explore and develop a master plan for fostering the expansion of blockchain in our state and innovation will keep us at the forefront of this growing technological industry.”
Fortune Magazine has described blockchain as a technology that allows people “to share a digital ledger across a network of computers without need for a central authority.” It’s the backbone of cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin and Ethereum.
To apply, download the Appointments Questionnaire and email it to [email protected]. The application period ends Tuesday, Sept. 3.
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Program note — Sunburn, the state’s premier morning newsletter of politics and policy, will not appear in inboxes Wednesday.
Evening Reads
“Democrats blast Donald Trump plan to detain 500 migrant children in Central Florida” via Steven Lemongello and Ryan Gillespie of the Orlando Sentinel
“After two debates, Elizabeth Warren Is getting more popular” via Nathaniel Rakich of FiveThirtyEight
“Never Trumpers want a GOP alternative. Most Republicans don’t.” via Russell Berman of The Atlantic
“China syndrome: Rick Scott wants to know where Amazon sources goods” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
“Big cats and copycats: Margaret Good follows Vern Buchanan defending endangered species” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
“‘Energy choice’ amendment unpopular with Florida voters” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics
“The extortion economy: How insurance companies are fueling a rise in ransomware attacks” via Renee Dudley of ProPublica
UPDATED: “Jimmy Patronis’ attorney suggests criminal charges against fired OFR head” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics
“Florida’s new toll roads ‘a monumental opportunity,’ transportation secretary says” via Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times
“Recycling’s problem” via Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix
Quote of the Day
“There will be a bill filed, debated, passed and signed before the Supremes can get their hands on this. This will be (like) smokable all over again. History will repeat.” — An unnamed attorney who works for the medical marijuana industry, on a lower-court decision to let the Supreme Court decide whether there should be limits on the number of retail outlets in the state and whether a company must grow, process and sell cannabis to do business.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
Committees of the state university system’s Board of Governors will hold a series of meetings before a full board meeting Thursday. Among the issues discussed: The investigation into improper use of funds by the University of Central Florida for building projects. Meetings start at 8:30 a.m., Florida Gulf Coast University, Cohen Center, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers.
The Enterprise Florida Board of Directors, chaired by Gov. Ron DeSantis, will meet in Duval County at 9 a.m., Omni Jacksonville Hotel, 245 Water St., Jacksonville.
Florida seaport officials will hold the second of three days of meetings in Duval County. That’s at 9 a.m., Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, 225 East Coastline Dr., Jacksonville.
The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments about the proposed ballot wording of a contentious constitutional amendment that would overhaul and deregulate the state’s electric utility industry. That’s at 9:10 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.
The Supreme Court also will hear arguments in a dispute about how much money a state agency can be required to pay because of allegations of negligence. That’s at 10:10 a.m.
The Court then will hear arguments in a dispute about how much the Broward County School Board could be forced to pay to parents and victims in last year’s mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. That’s at 11 a.m.
Orlando attorney John Morgan, who led a 2016 ballot drive to legalize medical marijuana and is spearheading a 2020 drive to raise the state’s minimum wage, will speak to the Capital Tiger Bay Club at 11:30 a.m., Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, 505 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.
GOP U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz is slated to speak to the Republican Club of Daytona Beach. That’s at 11:30 a.m., Palmetto Club, 1000 South Beach St., Daytona Beach.
GOP state Rep. Randy Fine, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey and Brevard County Commissioner Bryan Lober will hold a news conference to discuss a criminal investigation into political activities in the county. That’s at 1 p.m., Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Brevard County Government Center, Viera.
State Rep. Margaret Good, a Sarasota Democrat who is running next year in Congressional District 16, is expected to take part in a meet-and-greet event. That’s at 6:30 p.m., Sarasota County Democratic Party headquarters, 7358 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.
