Staff Reports
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
This week, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approved the expansion of the Florida KidCare program, a service provided by the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
But Florida officials have put a hold on the action.
The federal move would have allowed more Floridians to be eligible for the program that provides insurance for children by increasing the income threshold for eligibility. Before the expansion, a Florida family of four couldn’t have a household income of more than $64,500 to participate. The expansion would have increased that cap to $90,000.
However, Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration has requested a 30-day extension of the federal stipulations for expansion, saying it was granted under President Joe Biden and that the incoming Donald Trump administration would likely review the move.
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, a Tampa Democrat, blasted the delay in a press release Thursday and blamed Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“Despite the bipartisan support in the state, Gov. DeSantis failed to implement the expansion and instead dragged his feet by throwing up roadblocks and wasteful lawsuits for almost a year and a half. It is now solely in his hands to allow this important expansion to go forward, but once again, he is acting like Ebenezer Scrooge,” Castor said.
Florida business interests heralded the federally approved expansion. The Florida Chamber of Commerce applauded the program’s expansion in a press release published before the state paused it.
“Expanding access to health care is essential for building stronger families and is a key component in meeting the Florida 2030 Blueprint goals of cutting Florida childhood poverty in half and making Florida a top five state for overall well-being,” said Mark Wilson, president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce & Foundation.
Evening Reads
—“It can’t be assumed that higher turnout would have helped Kamala Harris” via Nate Cohn of The New York Times
—“Suddenly, Donald Trump’s ugliest threats are facing surprise GOP resistance” via Greg Sargent of The New Republic
—“See which products Trump’s tariffs could make more expensive” via Luis Melgar and Rachel Lerman of The Washington Post
—“John Fetterman says pardons to both Trump and Hunter Biden would be ‘appropriate’” via Asher Notheis of the Washington Examiner
—“Ron DeSantis’ political future looked bleak a year ago. Not anymore.” via Gary Fineout and Kimberly Leonard of POLITICO
—“Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy on Capitol Hill to promote Trump cost-cutting group” via The Washington Post
—“Can martial law happen in America?” via David French of The New York Times
—“Pasco County Sheriff’s Office settles ‘intelligence-led policing program” via Mitch Perry of Florida Phoenix
—“NASA’s first astronaut flight around the moon in decades faces more delays” via Marcia Dunn of Associated Press
—“Rubber flamingos to invade the Hillsborough River” via Ashley Suter of WFLA
Quote of the Day
“It appears that based on an account balance of $4,438,501.17 … you should have sufficient funds to pay your employees.”
— Orange County Comptroller Phil Diamond telling Elections Supervisor Glen Gilzean that there is enough money to meet payroll.
Put it on the Tab
Look to your left, then look to your right. If you see one of these people at your happy hour haunt, flag down the bartender and put one of these on your tab. Recipes included, just in case the Cocktail Codex fell into the well.
The Ron DeSantis administration gets a Pause for handling the Florida KidCare expansion.
If bettors are to be believed, DeSantis is in line for a Big Chief as the leading pick for Secretary of Defense.
Ask the nearest Bitcoin Bro to order you a Crypto Nugget … the recent surge should be more than enough to cover the tab.
Breakthrough Insights
Tune In
Bucs looking for longest winning streak of season
In a season that began with all three Florida teams holding playoff expectations, only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a non-losing record. On Sunday, the Buccaneers host the Las Vegas Raiders as they try to extend the current two-game winning streak.
The Bucs (6-6) opened the season with consecutive wins and had a record of 4-2 by mid-October. But a four-game losing streak, including losses to both of last year’s Super Bowl teams, the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, dropped Tampa Bay below the .500 mark.
With wins over a pair of week teams, the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers, the Bucs are back to even.
Tampa Bay has played in three overtime road games, losing to the Falcons in Atlanta and at Kansas City before beating the Panthers in Charlotte last Sunday.
Bucs’ quarterback Baker Mayfield is third in the NFL with 25 touchdown passes and is in the top 10 in passer rating, passing yards, completion percentage, and completions.
Tampa Bay must find a way to limit Raiders’ rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who leads the NFL with 84 receptions.
After Sunday’s home game, the Bucs have consecutive road games against the Los Angeles Chargers and Dallas Cowboys before finishing the regular season with back-to-back divisional home games against the Panthers and New Orleans Saints.
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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.
