Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
As if Hurricane Dorian hadn’t wreaked enough havoc, it also messed with our milk.
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced an emergency rule Wednesday on “the effects on the supply and processing of Grade ‘A’ milk” in Florida caused by the storm. It went into effect Aug. 30 and lasts till Friday.
(In case you’re wondering, Grade “A” milk is the only kind of milk that can be sold for drinking; Grade “B” milk, in comparison, can only be made into cheese, butter, ice cream and other dairy products.)
“Circumstances have arisen regarding the availability of trucks and trailers, and have created an issue removing milk from dairy farms across the state, and with the storage of raw milk,” the rule says.
Here’s what it does: Instead of having to clean milk storage tanks once a day (preferably) but no longer than 72 hours (three days) in between cleanings, milk suppliers can go as long as 96 hours, or four days.
“Waiving certain cleaning frequency requirements for milk tankers and equipment statewide will help increase [the] production of milk to consumers and assisting the dairy industry through the hardship created by this storm,” the rule says.
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Now this, from The News Service of Florida: House committees and subcommittees are scheduled to meet over four days in mid-September as lawmakers gear up for the 2020 Legislative Session.
Leadership set aside time for the Appropriations Committee to meet Sept. 16, with more than two dozen other panels slated to meet during the following days, according to a schedule published on the House website.
The Senate published its schedule earlier and also set aside time for meetings over four days. Lawmakers will hold committee weeks in September, October, November and December before starting the 2020 session Jan. 14.
Evening Reads
“UK MPs back bill to block no-deal Brexit” via Emilio Casalicchio of POLITICO Europe
“Marco Rubio chides London mayor over Trump hurricane jab, tells him to worry about Bahamas” via Charles Creitz of Fox News
“Debbie Wasserman Schultz bashes Donald Trump for using military funds for border wall” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics
“Why is the Russian meddling in 2016 such a big secret? I’m not allowed to say.” via U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy for the Washington Post
“Marianne Williamson deletes tweet saying ‘power of the mind’ helped turn Dorian” via Caitlin Oprysko of POLITICO
“Three Orange County deaths attributed to Hurricane Dorian” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
“After Dorian, Shevrin Jones says Trump should waive visa requirements for Bahamians” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics
“Floridians hope Dorian’s economic impact will be temporary” via David Koenig of The Associated Press
“An inside look at how FPL managed a storm” via Jeff Ostrowski of the Palm Beach Post
“How Florida’s red flag gun law works” via Amy Sherman of PolitiFact
“Let me introduce you to a very good lobbyist” via Julie Hauserman of the Florida Phoenix
“Florida man parks Smart car in kitchen so it won’t blow away” via The Associated Press
Quote of the Day
“Can’t let this go unnoticed: @realDonaldTrump displayed a doctored version of the @NHC_Atlantic forecast for #Dorian. The black extension past Florida did not exist; that’s not how forecast cones are drawn.” — Broadcast meteorologist Ryan Breton, tweeting about a map of the hurricane displayed by Trump that showed Alabama incorrectly inside the cone.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The Public Service Commission meets. That’s at 9 a.m., Joseph P. Cresse Hearing Room, Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.
The Florida Supreme Court is expected to issue its weekly opinions at 11 a.m.
The group Progress for All and the Hollywood Democrats will host a forum about election security and rigging at 6:30 p.m., Hollywood Beach Culture & Community Center, 1301 South Ocean Dr., Hollywood.
