Staff Reports
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Newly-elected Senate Minority Leader Gary Farmer has selected Sen. Bobby Powell Jr. as Pro Tempore for the 2020-2022 term.
The Leader Pro Tempore steps in to lead the caucus whenever the Leader is absent.
Less than an hour before the Democratic caucus met to formally elect both Farmer and Powell to their positions at the head of the minority, Farmer announced his selection Friday afternoon.
“I am honored that Minority Leader-Designate Farmer and my colleagues entrust me in this role as pro tempore,” said Powell, of West Palm Beach. “I firmly believe a life of service is a life that counts, and I am ready to serve on behalf of the Senate Democratic Caucus, residents of District 30 and residents of the state of Florida.”
Senate President-designate Wilton Simpson has already selected Sen. Aaron Bean, a Republican from Fernandina Beach, to be the next President Pro Tempore.
Former Sen. Bill Montford, of Tallahassee, was the previous Minority Leader Pro Tempore.
From 2018-2020, Powell served as the Vice-Chair of the Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee. For the 2016-2018 term, he was Vice-Chair of the Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee.
Coronavirus Numbers
Positive cases:
— 877,340 FL residents (+18,755 since Friday)
— 12,524 Non-FL residents (+557 since Friday)
Origin:
— 8,128 Travel related
— 334,966 Contact with a confirmed case
— 9,246 Both
— 525,000 Under investigation
Hospitalizations:
— 52,019 in FL
Deaths:
— 17,775 in FL
Evening Reads
“Joe Biden won places that are thriving. Donald Trump won ones that are hurting.” via Andrew Van Dam and Heather Long of The Washington Post
“Georgia’s secretary of state says fellow Republicans are pressuring him to find ways to exclude legal ballots” via Amy Gardner of The Washington Post
“Biden vows to strengthen economy despite exploding pandemic: ‘I don’t want to be falsely optimistic’” via Steve Peoples of The Associated Press
“Trump aide promises ‘very professional transition’ to Biden” via Jon Gambrell of The Associated Press
“Francis Rooney calls on Trump to begin peaceful transition” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
“Trump to order troop reductions in Afghanistan, Iraq” via Lolita Baldor of The Associated Press
“COVID is resurging, and this time it’s everywhere” via Betsy McKay and Erin Ailworth of The Wall Street Journal
“We must renew the Paycheck Protection Program now” via Marco Rubio for the Washington Examiner
“Long-term care COVID-19 deaths top 7,000” via the News Service of Florida
“The Florida House has a new person leading the charge on education policy. What will Chris Latvala do with the post?” via Jeff Solochek of the Tampa Bay Times
“Despite inroads for women, Congress and the Florida Legislature remain male bastions — and it’s an embarrassment” via Diane Rado of Florida Phoenix
“Nikki Fried urges stop sign for toll road projects” via Jim Turner of The News Service of Florida
Quote of the Day
“We have proven conservative government can thrive in a demographically and geographically diverse state.” — House Speaker-designate Chris Sprowls during a speech Monday to the Republican Conference.
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