Last Call for 11.21.22 — 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

Among the pomp and circumstance of Sen. Lauren Book’s re-election as Senate Democratic Leader, Parkland father Fred Guttenberg delivered a prayer for the end of gun violence.

Guttenberg, who lost his daughter, Jaime, during the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, delivered an address Monday he said was more a reflection on his faith than a prayer. However, his address hinged on his dream that the Legislature would come together to do more to stop gun violence in the Sunshine State and America.

His message on the floor of the Senate comes less than three weeks after the shooter was sentenced to life in prison.

The Parkland father, who is Jewish, has publicly said he struggles with his faith since the shooting and has stopped attending synagogue.

“Others will push back at efforts to reduce gun violence and deaths related to gun violence,” Guttenberg said. “I hope that you will all speak loudly and forcefully to tell them it is wrong. I hope that you will use your voices in Tallahassee to fight harder than you ever had before to save lives.”

Guttenberg shared his thoughts before Democratic and Republican attendees alike, including Senate President-designate Kathleen Passidomo. In spite of the bipartisan audience, Guttenberg launched veiled criticisms at the Republican leadership who have controlled the chamber in recent years, calling for a return to decency and civility and strength when needed.

“I hope that under the leadership of my friend, Sen. Lauren Book, that you all do whatever you must to keep the current administration from forcing dangerous changes that will lead to more gun violence and more funerals related to gun violence,” Guttenberg said.

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House Democrats will also formalize their leader for the new term.

The caucus will meet Monday at 6:30 p.m. to select Rep. Fentrice Driskell. The Tampa lawmaker will be the first Black woman to lead a Florida House caucus.

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This edition of Last Call is also the last call for Thanksgiving reflections.

Tuesday’s edition of Sunburn will be the last before the holiday. Please send any Thanksgiving messages to [email protected].

Evening Reads

—“Joe Biden pardons two turkeys, over possible objections from the first dog” via Travis M. Andrews of The Washington Post

—“Senate Democrats reaffirm Lauren Book as caucus Leader, shake off red wave” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics

—“A red wave in Florida. A blue riptide in Michigan.” via Ryan Best, Humera Lodhi and Geoffrey Skelley of FiveThirtyEight

—“Ron DeSantis, others draw distinctions with Donald Trump in 2024 GOP nomination race” via Alex Leary of The Wall Street Journal

—“Pollster finds DeSantis beating Trump, Biden in Florida” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics

—“Where did $1.4 million in migrant flight money go? DeSantis won’t tell Floridians” via the Miami Herald Editorial Board

—“Officer’s suicide after Jan. 6 riot is a line-of-duty death, DOJ says” via Peter Hermann of The Washington Post

—“Democrats confront bleak odds for immigration deal before 2023” via Marianne Levine and Burgess Everett of POLITICO

—“John Roberts’ early Supreme Court agenda: A study in disappointment” via Adam Liptak of The New York Times

—“Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Simone Marstiller calls it quits” via Christine Jordan Sexton of Florida Politics

—“Kevin Guthrie to stay on as Division of Emergency Management Director” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics

—“Disney CEO Bob Iger faces big challenges in return to company” via Katie Rice of the Orlando Sentinel

—“Will the elected Broward School Board subvert wishes of outgoing DeSantis-controlled Board?” via Anne Geggis of Florida politics

—“Gay bar shooting suspect faces murder, hate crime charges” via Thomas Peipert and Jesse Bedayn of The Associated Press

—“Babies rescued from a migrant boat in trouble in rough seas off the Florida Keys” via David Goodhue, Jacqueline Charles and Syra Ortiz-Blanes of the Miami Herald

Quote of the Day

“We may be down, but we certainly are not out, and what matters now, my friends, is how we rise.”

— Sen. Lauren Book on the role of Senate Democrats going forward.

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