Staff Reports
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Monday announced the agenda for the 2021 Florida Energy and Climate Summit, which will be held Nov. 15-17 at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center in Orlando.
The summit is a multiday conference hosted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Energy that will focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy, climate change, and what it will take to achieve a net-zero carbon future.
The first-day schedule includes tours of the Amway Center and OUC Gardenia facility in Orlando.
Day Two will feature a series of talks and panel discussions from leaders in government, academia, and climate-adjacent industries. Speakers include Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Fried, Central Florida’s Clean Cities Coalition Director Doug Kettles and Duke Energy Lead Security Policy Adviser Laura Ritter, among others.
The final day includes three discussions — a “Fireside Chat” on the relationship between local government and sustainability with Orlando Director of Sustainability and Resilience Chris Castro and Orange County Sustainability and Resilience Officer Jeff Benavides; a discussion on emerging tech with Sam Choi of TBD Technologies and FPL Director of Development William Mundt; and a panel on lowering energy costs at educational facilities with UCF Senior Director of Utilities & Energy Services Curt Wade, Miami Dade Schools Administrative Director of Design & Sustainability Erick Laventure and Hillsborough County Schools Deputy Superintendent Chris Farkas.
“We are already seeing the devastating impacts of climate change here in Florida and across the world. We need to take immediate, bold action to mitigate climate change and save our environment,” Commissioner Fried said. “This summit will help provide a framework for us to take necessary action to move toward a carbon-zero future. Together, we can keep Florida growing sustainably.”
More information on the and registration details for the 2021 Florida Energy and Climate Summit are available on FloridaEnergySummit.com.
Evening Reads
“Ron DeSantis officially files for reelection in 2022” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
“Parents still have a Thanksgiving problem” via Katherine J. Wu of The Atlantic
“After school closures, disrupted lives, some leap at chance to get kids 5 and up vaccinated” via Daniel Chang of the Miami Herald
“‘We are not anti-vaccine, we are anti-mandate’: Mandate critics defend vax stance, DeSantis” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics
“Why millions of job seekers aren’t getting hired in this hot job market” via Heather Long and Eli Rosenberg of The Washington Post
“Shevrin Jones bill would end driver’s license suspensions for Floridians facing certain court fines” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics
“New law brings worries of home businesses opening right next door” via Lisa J. Huriash of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel
“Florida GOP lawmakers poised to take on big business over COVID-19 vaccine mandates” via Gray Rohrer of the Orlando Sentinel
“Senators to discuss first staff-generated redistricting maps” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
“Tina Polsky, Christine Hunschofsky target ‘ghost guns’ ban in Florida” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics
“The forgotten secret of Donald Trump’s success” via Olga Khazan of The Atlantic
“Rick Scott struggles again when confronted with Trump’s ‘Big Lie’” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
“Why Florida coach Dan Mullen fired Todd Grantham and John Hevesy” via Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times
Quote of the Day
“If the Department of Labor and OSHA is going to be weaponized as a way to hold hostage businesses throughout the state of Florida, no problem. We want a different plan. We want out of OSHA. We’ll submit our own regulatory authority and say goodbye to the federal government.” — House Speaker Chris Sprowls, unveiling an outline for next week’s Special Session.
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