Staff Reports
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
The 2023 Florida Truck Driving Championships are rolling into the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach on June 16-17.
The family-friendly event, hosted by the Florida Trucking Association, will feature 300 of the top professional commercial motor vehicle drivers in the state showcasing safe driving skills and knowledge of the industry as they compete for the title of Grand Champion.
“The Florida Truck Driving Championships is an event we look forward to each year that allows us to recognize and celebrate the best professional drivers in our state,” said Alix Miller, president and CEO of FTA.
“These men and women work hard, out on the road day in and day out, to keep commerce moving and ensure Floridians have access to the goods they need. This event gives them a chance to show off their unique skills and the commitment they have to doing their job safely and efficiently. It’s also a great opportunity for Floridians to learn more about our industry.”
Every year, the top drivers are selected from their respective companies to compete in the Florida Truck Driving Championships. Drivers compete in different classes including tank truck, 3- to 5-axle, auto transport, flatbed and step van with all scores going toward the Grand Champion final rankings. Drivers will begin with a written regulatory exam, then compete in a pre-trip inspection, and conclude by driving the skills course.
The event is free, and the public is encouraged to attend to learn more about the trucking industry and watch some of the best professional truck drivers show off their skills. In addition to the competition, there will be several exhibits and activities available for attendees to enjoy, including FTA’s Share the Road semi-truck, which provides a hands-on opportunity to both educate and motivate passenger car drivers to learn how to safely drive around trucks.
The Florida TDC is a qualifier for the National Truck Driving Championships hosted by American Trucking Associations. The nationals will be held on Aug. 16-19 in Columbus, Ohio, and hosted by American Trucking Associations.
Evening Reads
—”Abortion is already tripping up the 2024 Republican candidates” via Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux of FiveThirtyEight
—”Ron DeSantis may want to ask Mike Dukakis about running on Florida record” via Stuart Rothenberg of Roll Call
—”‘Small, pathetic man’: California blames DeSantis for chartered migrants flight” via Maggie Angst and Mathew Miranda of the Miami Herald
—”Documents link Sacramento migrant flight to DeSantis’ Florida” via Zac Anderson of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune
—“DeSantis aids Elon Musk, the richest man in world, while decrying ‘the elites’” via Frank Cerabino of The Palm Beach Post
—“Nikki Haley’s new strategy to take down Donald Trump and DeSantis” via Nicole Narea of Vox
—“Tim Scott booed on ‘The View’ for comments on DeSantis, Disney” via Dominick Mastrangelo
—”Former Vice President Mike Pence files paperwork launching 2024 presidential bid in challenge to Trump” via Jill Colvin of The Associated Press
—”Republican prosecutor declined to pursue cases similar to those brought by DeSantis’ election police” via Christopher Cann of the Orlando Sentinel
—”In Tampa, drag shows date back 125 years” via Paul Guzzo of the Tampa Bay Times
Quote of the Day
“I can count the number of Republicans on my hand who would have rather lived under (Andrew) Cuomo’s lockdowns than would have rather lived under freedom. He’s just trying to sell people a bill of goods.”
— Gov. Ron DeSantis, pushing back on Donald Trump’s recent criticisms.
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Breakthrough Insights
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Last Call is published by Peter Schorsch, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.
