Last Call for 6.20.22 — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics

Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.

First Shot

Attorney General Ashley Moody on Monday praised Gov. Ron DeSantis for signing a bill to crack down on shoplifting sprees.

The law, which goes into effect on Oct. 1, will make it a third-degree felony to steal 10 or more items across five separate thefts within 30 days. If the aggregate value of the stolen goods tops $3,000, or the number of items stolen tops 20, the charge would be upgraded to a second-degree felony.

Moody said the bill was one of her top priorities of the 2022 Legislative Session and that it is an integral part of the fight against “organized retail theft rings.”

“We continue to be proactive in making sure organized retail theft rings do not have a free pass to pillage retailers in Florida,” Moody said. “While prosecutors in other states may turn a blind eye to these massive retail crimes, in Florida we enforce the law to protect our citizens and visitors. This new law will help us continue this important work and enhance public safety. I want to thank Gov. DeSantis and state lawmakers who fought for this important legislation to help us build a Stronger, Safer Florida.”

The bill signing comes six months after Moody launched the Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange — a statewide task force and database to help spot trends, identify suspects and take down organized retail theft rings. The task force also aims to help law enforcement, prosecutors and retailers work together and share information on theft incidents statewide.

Evening Reads

—“Alimony: Allies and foes wage fevered campaigns to have Gov. Ron DeSantis sign or veto overhaul” via Laura Cassels of the Florida Phoenix

—“‘Hole in the skyline’: One year after condo collapse, Surfside still feels impact” via Martin Vassolo of the Miami Herald

—“Gov. DeSantis: ‘We are not going to order’ vaccines for kids for state health departments” via Caroline Catherman of the Orlando Sentinel

—“Nikki Fried: Gov. DeSantis made ‘authoritarian’ move to schedule Cabinet meeting during Primary” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics

—“Joe Biden says decision on gas tax holiday may come this week” via Aamer Madhani and Josh Boak of The Associated Press

—“Donald Trump’s savviest aides already headed for the exits” via Juliette Kayyem of The Atlantic

—“Poll: Voters who watch Jan. 6 hearings aren’t fans of DeSantis” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics

—“GM and Ford, driving to beat Tesla, turn on each other” via Mike Colias of The Wall Street Journal

—“Florida gas prices dropping, may not hit $5 per gallon after all” via Jay Cridlin of the Tampa Bay Times

—“Why gas is so expensive in some U.S. states but not others” via Aaron Gregg, Laris Karklis and Adrian Blanco of The Washington Post

—“In a town crippled by grief, the healing power of a perfect pitch” via Edgar Sandoval of The New York Times

Quote of the Day

“The entire ordeal appears to have been (an) intentional attempt to create chaos and confusion in the hopes of discouraging parents from accessing vaccines, making it appear as if there will be no available doses in the state of Florida.”

— Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, on the DeSantis administration not ordering COVID-19 vaccines for children.

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