Staff Reports
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Senate President Ben Albritton says he is open to considering the competing approaches to cutting taxes for Floridians proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and House Speaker Daniel Perez.
But in a newly issued memo, Albritton says he hesitates to push through a permanent tax cut right now, warning lawmakers to act cautiously and avoid a budget shortfall.
“We owe it to taxpayers to get this right,” Albritton said. “At this point, I believe it is prudent that a final tax cut package of this size be predominantly nonrecurring, while permanent tax cuts are explored during the interim.”
Albritton issued the memo as Republican leaders are at odds over taxes at the halfway point of the Session.
DeSantis advocates abolishing property taxes, while Perez calls for cutting the state sales tax from the current 6% to 5.25%. On Monday, DeSantis lauded the House for cutting state spending but criticized Perez’s tax cut pitch. Instead, he pitched property tax relief he claims would amount to “likely about $1,000 per homesteaded property.”
Albritton said the Senate “has a lot to consider” while crafting its tax cut plan.
“In my view, we should be open-minded to an ‘all of the above’ approach. Cutting taxes now does little good if they have to be raised two years from now to address budget shortfalls.”
Read more on Florida Politics.
Evening Reads
—”Can Donald Trump run for a third term? The 22nd Amendment flatly prevents it.” via Leo Sands of The Washington Post
—”Why Trump says he’s ‘not joking’ about a third term” via Jonathan Chait of The Atlantic
—”A Special Election that was supposed to be a snoozer is suddenly buzzing” via Shane Goldmacher of The New York Times
—“Electing Republican Randy Fine is critical to U.S. prosperity” via Steve Leachman for Florida Politics
—”Is this the Democrats’ Tea Party moment?” via Christian Paz of Vox
—”The Democrats who are fighting — and winning — against Trump in court” via Eliza collins and John McCormick of The Wall Street Journal
—”Gov. Ron DeSantis faces roadblocks as Daniel Perez disrupts his agenda” via Gray Rohrer of the USA TODAY Network-Florida
—”DeSantis calls for $1K property tax rebate for homeowners” via Skyler Swisher and Ryan Gillespie of the Orlando Sentinel
—“Local bill would pick winners and losers in Broward County” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics
—“Echoes of Al Gore’s Florida recount in Jefferson Griffin’s attempt to toss ballots” via Benjamin L. Ginsberg of The Carolina Journal
—“‘I probably shouldn’t even be answering this question’: Michael Mann on why American critics dismissed Thief, and what’s going on with Heat 2.” via Bilge Ebiri of Vulture
Quote of the Day
“I don’t want to give Canadians a tax cut.”
— Gov. Ron DeSantis, on the proposed sales tax cut.
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.
As the Governor and House Speaker pitch major tax cut plans, Albritton is sipping on a Bee Calm while considering which one — if any — the chamber will support.
University of North Florida faculty could use a Flight of the Osprey to calm their nerves while DeSantis’ state-level “DOGE” team puts them under the microscope.
To get all the jokes out of your system now, order a Wonka-tini and a Chocolate Waterfall to welcome Charles Buckett to the 2026 Governor race.
Breakthrough Insights
Tune In
Rays open series vs. Pirates
The Tampa Bay Rays continue a six-game season-opening homestand at Steinbrenner Field as they begin a three-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight (7:05 p.m. ET, FanDuel Sports Sun).
The Rays (2-1) won the season’s first series against the Colorado Rockies in front of three sell-out crowds of 10,046, the capacity of Steinbrenner Field. Third baseman Junior Caminero is off to a hot start with five hits in 10 at-bats.
Pittsburgh (1-3) struggled in the season-opening series in Miami, losing three of four to the Marlins.
Drew Rasmussen is scheduled to start on the mound for the Rays. Rasmussen started just four games for Tampa Bay last season, appearing in a dozen games in relief. Pittsburgh will counter with Carmen Mlodzinski, who, like Rasmussen, typically works out of the bullpen. Mlodzinski has started five games in his two seasons in the big leagues, appearing in 70 games in relief. Both starters will make their first appearances of the season tonight.
It will be necessary for the Rays to get off to a good start in the series. Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes, one of the best pitchers in the game, is scheduled to start the set’s final game on Wednesday.
After the series is completed, the Rays will travel for the first time this season, heading to Texas for three games against the Rangers. It is Tampa Bay’s only road trip until April 22.
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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.
