Last Call for 10.20.22 — 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

Save lives. Live better.

Walmart has settled with Attorney General Ashley Moody to provide naloxone to first responders. Under the agreement, Walmart will provide 672,000 kits of the overdose-reversing drug through a 10-year agreement, plus $215 million to fight the opioid crisis.

“From the beginning of my administration, I have been working to end the opioid crisis and help Florida communities recover,” Moody said in a statement. “I’m grateful for Walmart stepping up and agreeing to partner with the state to provide law enforcement and first responders with much-needed naloxone. This will greatly help in our continuing mission to end the opioid crisis and save lives.”

The deal is the latest in years of negotiations and litigation from Moody’s office, which has been holding major opioid distributors, manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies accountable for their role in fueling the opioid crisis.

In May, Florida received $680 million from Walgreens after four weeks in trial, and in March, the Attorney General’s Office obtained $870 million for opioid abatement from CVS, Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries and Allergan. Before that, the state settled with McKesson, Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen and Johnson & Johnson for $1.6 billion, plus a separate settlement for $40 million with McKinsey & Company.

In total, Moody’s office has received $3.2 billion from 12 defendants to fund opioid abatement efforts.

Walmart did not admit any wrongdoing in the settlement.

“This partnership is the latest chapter in Walmart’s commitment to fight the opioid crisis,” Walmart spokesperson Randy Hargrove told Reuters in a statement.

Moody announced the agreement Thursday during a news conference with the South Florida Police Benevolent Association in Doral.

Her office also announced charges against two men investigators say conducted a crime spree across eight counties. The men stole more than $47,000 in doors, flooring, windows and more from Lowe’s stores across the state.

And finally, her office will play a role in trying a man the state Election Crime Unit says is living in the country illegally and unlawfully voted by mail during two Broward County Special Elections this year. The Jamaican citizen registered using a counterfeit birth certificate from New York City, according to investigators.

Evening Reads

—“Ron DeSantis delays property tax payments for Ian victims; wants Special Session” via Gray Rohrer of Florida Politics

—“Democrats are trying to sway Hispanic voters before election. Enter Lin-Manuel Miranda” via Grethel Aguila of the Miami Herald

—“Sorry, DeSantis, you are no Donald Trump” via John F. Harris of POLITICO

—“Voter rights advocates press DeSantis to expand voting access in all hurricane-affected counties” via Douglas Soule of USA Today Network — Florida

—“How do Florida voters feel about DeSantis’ migrant flights? A new poll weighs in.” via David Smiley of the Miami Herald

—“‘This is Florida under DeSantis’: Charlie Crist ad lambastes Gov. over incest report” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics

—“Debate with DeSantis could be Crist’s last shot in Florida Governor’s race” via Steven Lemongello of the Orlando Sentinel

—“Liz Truss fought the lettuce, and the lettuce won” via Helen Lewis of The Atlantic

—“South Florida man charged with voter fraud after he registered using fake birth certificate, record says” via Angie DiMichele of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

—“Bacteria outbreak after Ian tells a scary story about Florida’s broken sewage systems” via Craig Pittman of the Florida Phoenix

—“New UF report paints grim picture of Hurricane Ian damage to agriculture” via Greg Baker for Florida Politics

—“Kevin Spacey trial: Anthony Rapp loses $40 million sexual battery lawsuit” via Brent Lang and Antonio Ferme of Variety

Quote of the Day

“As long as I’m kicking and screaming, there will be no COVID shot mandates for your kids. That is your decision to make as a parent.”

— Gov. Ron DeSantis on new CDC guidance recommending boosters be added to the Vaccines for Children program.

Bill Day’s Latest

Breakthrough Insights