Staff Reports
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Merry Christmas everyone; now get out of here.
Not saying that Gov. Ron DeSantis gave state employees Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve off because Florida Politics pointed out that it was a thing that some governors do.
But on Tuesday the still-new Governor of Florida announced the bonus holidays for most state workers just hours after Florida Politics’ reporter Renzo Downey’s story appeared detailing how former Govs. Rick Scott and Charlie Crist dealt with the two days.
Also, just before DeSantis’ announcement, Sunburn zinged him for saying nothing about it up to a week out from Christmas Eve.
Tuesday’s announcement ended weeks of mystery for state employees who were getting no responses either way.
“Today, in recognition of the hard work and dedication of state employees in 2019, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that state offices would be closed on December 24 and December 31,” the news release announced Tuesday.
That means all state offices will be closed on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, as well as on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
But it also means that state employees won’t be pulling a Bob Cratchit, toiling away, watching the clock, waiting for the very second they could slip away to go home.
As Cratchit replied in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, “It’s more than generous of you, sir.”
Evening Reads
“Narrow majority opposes removing Donald Trump from office if he is impeached” via Susan Page of USA Today
“Trump invokes Kavanaugh to fight impeachment” via Gabby Orr of POLITICO
“House passes $1.4 trillion federal spending bill” via Andrew Taylor of The Associated Press
“After Pensacola naval base shooting, Rick Scott pushes to allow guns on military bases” via Ruan Nicol of Florida Politics
“Ron and Casey DeSantis offer full support for child protection” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
“Bill Galvano: Senate open to THC cap pushed by the House” via Arek Sarkissian of POLITICO Florida
“Galvano: Toll road funding on track despite opposition” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics
“Toll road effects on Florida panther dismissed by Senate president” via Elizabeth Koh of the Tampa Bay Times
“Galvano defends need for state tourism marketing” via Jim Turner of the News Service of Florida
“Senate will include state worker pay raise in budget deliberations” via James Call of the Tallahassee Democrat
“Climate change threatens Florida. These lawmakers want to know how.” via Craig Pittman of the Tampa Bay Times
“Why Florida needs to promote itself” via Troy Manthey for the Tampa Bay Times
“Outrages on the soul of Florida: Ordinary folks and tourists kicked off the public’s sugary sand” via Diane Roberts of the Florida Phoenix
Quote of the Day
“We live in a state where 900 people a day are coming here to live. What do you have, 127 million people who visited us last year? We cannot continue to plan infrastructure in reverse. We have to get ahead of it.” — Senate President Bill Galvano, discussing the toll road plan approved by the Legislature last Session.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The Northern Turnpike Connector Task Force will meet in Ocala to discuss an extension to the Florida Turnpike that would connect it to the Suncoast Parkway. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. at the Hilton Ocala, 3600 S.W. 36th Ave.
The Triumph Gulf Coast board will meet in Panama City to receive a legislative update and discuss projects vying for a share of the BP settlement money it administers. They convene at 10 a.m. CST at the Bay County Government Center, 840 West 11th St.
Public employees will rally in support of higher pay ahead of a bargaining meeting between public employee union AFSCME Florida and the state. It begins at 11 a.m. in front of the Old Capitol.
Reps. Matt Willhite and Rick Roth will host a roundtable discussion on railroad safety alongside the Florida Department of Transportation, the Federal Railroad Administration, CSX Transportation, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, Brightline and the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency. It starts at 2 p.m. in the Palm Beach County Vista Center, 2300 N. Jog Rd., in West Palm Beach.
Turning Point USA will host a winter gala at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach. Donald Trump Jr. and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul are expected to attend the event. It starts at 6 p.m., 1100 South Ocean Blvd.
The Miami Young Republicans will hold its annual “Ugly Sweater & Karaoke Christmas Party,” which doubles as a toy drive. It runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Open Stage Club, 2325 Galiano St., in Coral Gables.
