Staff Reports
Sixty Days — A prime-time look at the 2019 Legislative Session:
The Last 24
The Senate rolled out a $92.8 billion budget, complete with affirmational quotes from Senate President Bill Galvano and Budget Chief Rob Bradley. The proposal is a full $1.4 billion more than Gov. Ron DeSantis‘ recommended budget. Education and environmental funding took center stage in the spending plan’s debut. It features a 2.4% bump in per-pupil funding, from $7,656 to $7,837. The Senate budget also sets aside $643.6 million for the Everglades and water quality, beating the Governor’s $625 million request. Here’s your nightly rundown.
More raises. The Senate budget also includes a 3% across-the-board raise for state workers, but some employee unions say it’s only a start.
Death penalty. A Florida Supreme Court ruling opened the door for changes to the state’s death penalty law, but top Senate Republicans say a unanimous jury vote should remain the standard.
Undeterred. A school choice bill that includes relaxed auditing requirements for Step Up for Students moved forward in the House as more companies announced they would halt donations to the group amid LGBTQ discrimination concerns.
No license required. A bill that would preempt local regulation of many trade licenses is headed to the House floor after passing the Commerce Committee Thursday.
Ban on bans. The House bill to override local bans on certain sunscreens is ready for the chamber floor, a day after the full Senate passed its version.
Fees fix. A House committee advanced a bill that would cut down on “contingency risk multipliers” for plaintiffs attorneys in property insurance lawsuits.
Newspaper notices. The Florida House Judiciary Committee advanced legislation that would allow local governments to post legal notices on city websites rather than taking out ads in the local paper.
Ethics rules get bite. The full House voted in favor of a bill that would increase the ban on former lawmakers becoming lobbyists from two years to six years, among other changes.
PBM report drops. The Pharmacy Association and American Pharmacy Cooperative pushed out a report that claims pharmacy benefit managers and private insurers are enriching themselves at the expense of patients and pharmacies.
Quote of the Day
“These significant increases allow us to reach Gov. DeSantis’ goal of increasing the minimum classroom teacher salary over the next few years, while also providing opportunities for districts to invest in veteran teachers and the many other members of school district personnel who have such a tremendous impact on our children’s education.” — Senate Budget Chief Rob Bradley, detailing the Senate’s plan to raise teacher pay.
Your Metz Husband Daughton-sponsored question of the day is: On the 3rd reading in the Senate, amendments to the title or corrective amendments require how many votes for passage?
As always, click here to tweet your answer to @MHDFirm. The first person with the correct answer will get a shoutout in Monday’s 60 Days!
Last time, we asked: What Florida-born professional surfer is the winningest surfer of all time with 11 world titles?
Answer: Kelly Slater, a Cocoa Beach native.
Congrats to Geoffrey Becker (@geoffreyb89), who was the first to tweet the correct answer!
Thanks to everyone for participating — remember, the more you play, the better your chances of winning!
Bill Day’s Latest
3 Questions
Whether bucking party orthodoxy to stand with supporters of parental consent or flanking DeSantis with other Democrats to advocate for coral preservation, Rep. James Bush III has shared camera time with GOP leaders a good bit this week. We spoke to the Opa-locka Democrat about his reasons.
Florida Politics: Why was parental consent for minors getting abortions an important enough issue to break with other members of your caucus?
Bush: I’m not breaking from anything. On this issue, I am just voting my conviction, as a parent, as a grandparent, as an uncle. I do have nieces. I don’t have daughters but have two granddaughters. When I take a position of this magnitude, I’m taking it based on what I think is best for young people under the age of 18 and considered a youth and not an adult. They have not reached those years of maturity, and those responsible for them should help guide them to make the best decision. I believe the first teacher and parent is the person that brought you into this world. This is not about politics. It’s what to do with the best interest of the child in mind. So that is why I think it’s important that the child consult with the parent. I’m quite sure the parent is not going to mislead the child.
You went to South Florida today to stand with Gov. DeSantis with Kionne McGhee and Michael Grieco and support coral protections. Why was it important to stand beside the Governor on this matter?
Bush: I can’t speak for my colleagues, Leader [Kionne] McGhee or Rep. [Mike] Grieco, but I can speak for myself. Our coral reefs are very valuable to this state. The environment is very vital and key, and it brings tourism as well as economic opportunities. We have to do anything within our power as lawmakers to make sure we protect our environment and our coral reef so we have clean water and clean drinking water. It’s important to stand at this time and show my support to this very much needed project. That’s why I am here. It’s very critical. You know what has happened in our coral reefs and the pollution in seashores in the last two or three years, with poison and pollution, trash and debris. We need to make sure we preserve that for the next generation. I thought it was important to be here.
Coral protection is up a lot with sunscreen bans. But the Legislature increasingly seems poised to preempt any local bans in the state. Do you have any thoughts on that pending legislation?
Well, I don’t have a position at this point. I’m looking at that and studying it. I’m just here working on behalf of 21 million people in the state of Florida to do what’s in the best interest of safety and the sanity of our children, making sure they make the right decisions and that when they’re involved in decision-making processes, they have the people closest to them making these decisions. That’s more proactive rather than reactive. But I’m going to work with whoever is ready to work to bring about a good wholesome product for this year and to balance the budget and make sure we address the needs of the citizenry of the state. That’s my purpose being in Tallahassee, not breaking from anybody or playing politics. I’m making sure people are being heard and being served and that they can survive in this state.
Lobby Up
Five years ago, Charlotte’s Web was synonymous with CBD in Florida.
In 2014, Florida lawmakers approved a measure allowing some patients, such as children with epilepsy, to be treated with low-THC, high-CBD cannabis.
The Colorado-based company was instrumental in the 2014 push and the eponymous strain they developed was one of the few that qualified to be prescribed under that law.
In 2020, the CBD market is booming, with oils and gummies available at seemingly every gas station and convenience store across the state.
But not all products are equal.
As the largest national brand in the CBD market, Charlotte’s Web has focused on educating consumers on the benefits of CBD products for people and their pets.
And their claims are backed up by science — the company is greatly involved with Realm of Caring, a nonprofit that conducts research with leading universities and uses it to develop educational materials informing consumers and health care professionals about cannabis products.
As Florida’s hemp and CBD industry continues to grow — and regulations continue being adjusted to keep pace — Charlotte’s Web has turned to The Southern Group to handle its lobbying needs.
“Charlotte’s Web is the preeminent brand in the hemp and CBD space; they’ve been helping people in Florida since the original Compassionate Care Act was passed in 2014,” said lobbyist Brian Bautista. “The Southern Group is honored to be helping this great company professionalize the industry and drive pro-consumer policies.”
Breakthrough Insights
The Next 24
The Revenue Estimating Conference will analyze the fiscal impact of legislation proposed for the 2020 Legislative Session when it meets at 9 a.m. in Room 117 of the Knott Building.
DeSantis and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas are scheduled to speak at The Federalist Society’s 2020 Annual Florida Chapters Conference in Lake Buena Vista. They’ll get the microphone during a 6:45 p.m. banquet at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort, 1700 Epcot Resorts Blvd.
