Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
As old adages say — all’s well that ends well, the proof is in the pudding, and nothing says success like a big pile of money.
So Saturday’s Republican Party of Florida Statesman’s Dinner featuring President Donald Trump could yet turn out to be just what Joe Gruters and Ron DeSantis need.
The planning fiasco — there’s no better G-rated word — made both the RPOF Chairman and Governor look like they were battling with each other, leaving no one in charge, with few knowing for sure what was going on for their party’s biggest event of the year.
The venue changed, twice. The date changed. The headliner changed. The public and media got shut out. The city changed. The ticket prices changed. Rules about tables changed. Party officials and donors couldn’t get straight answers from anyone. And going into Thursday evening, the vast majority of ticket holders still can’t be sure where they’re going.
Thursday afternoon, the Orlando Sentinel reported the location settled on the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, and Florida Politics got a confirmation of that. But there’s been no official word to ticket holders, and there remain some believing that even this might not be the real locale.
Still, some Republicans insist the rough road to Miami already is showing signs of smoothing out. The event sold out early, with tickets starting at $350 a pop, [down from an initial $500.] More tickets went on sale earlier this week for spouses, and they sold out quickly too.
Barring more surprises, party faithful should be treated to the kind of rousing speech only Trump can give, with no media around. The party could see a seven-figure gross. Then the Chairman and Governor might even be able to share smiles — and maybe handshakes — as if all’s well.
Evening Reads
“Nancy Pelosi asks committee chairs to proceed with articles of impeachment” via John Wagner of the Washington Post
“Democrats take big new step toward impeaching Donald Trump” via Lisa Mascaro and Mary Clare Jalonick of The Associated Press
“Pelosi denies ‘hate’ for Trump, who accuses her of having a ‘nervous fit’” via Michael Shear of The New York Times
“The whiny martyrdom of pale American males led by bellyacher-in-chief Trump” via Diane Roberts of the Florida Phoenix
“Elizabeth Warren follows Joe Biden’s flashy Florida entrance with a quiet buildup” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida
“Top official: ‘I don’t know anything’ about location of FL GOP dinner with Trump, Ron DeSantis” via Christine Stapleton of The Palm Beach Post
“Judge orders emergency hearing for Florida inmate paralyzed in vicious attack by guards” via Julie Brown of the Miami Herald
“After Brightline deaths, Mike Caruso pushes suicide prevention initiative” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics
“Environmental and rural groups protest toll roads plan” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics
“Miamian trying to buy anti-tank weapons was busted. Did offshore secrecy hide his assets?” via Kevin Hall and Shirsho Dasgupta
“The confession” via Peter Jamison of The Washington Post
“Floridians more optimistic on finances and economy” via John Hielscher of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune
“Classic Blue is Pantone Color Institute’s color of the year” via The Associated Press
Quote of the Day
‘’Our democracy is what is at stake. The president leaves us no choice but to ACT.” — U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, announcing the chamber will draft articles of impeachment.
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Wake Up Early?
The Florida Commission on Ethics will consider advisory opinions for a case where a Brooksville City Council member’s wife was granted a pay raise and another that questions whether city commissioners may serve on the board of a nonprofit operating Sarasota County parks. The meeting is 8:30 a.m. at the 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee.
The Revenue Estimating Conference will hold an impact conference to discuss proposed legislation relating to ad valorem, corporate, sales and tobacco taxes. That’s at 9 a.m. in the Knott Building at the Capitol.
The Board of Trustees for Florida Atlantic University will consider requests for approval for academic programs in the College of Arts and Letters, and the College of Nursing. They convene at 1 p.m. on FAU’s Boca Raton campus administration building, 777 Glades Road.
The Financial Impact Estimating Conference will discuss a proposed constitutional amendment that would require voters to approve future ballot amendments twice before they are added to the state constitution. That’s at 1:30 p.m. in the Knott Building at the Capitol.
First Lady Casey DeSantis, Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees, Department of Children & Families Secretary Chad Poppell, and Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Mary Mayhew will host a news conference for an announcement. That’s at 3 p.m., Broward College, 111 E Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
