Phil AmmannLast Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
The Legislature budgeted $160 million for the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) in 2023 to cover a Medicaid disallowance, but the state agency spent that money in other ways instead.
The federal government says AHCA still must settle the cost, so now agency leaders are asking lawmakers for the same amount again.
It’s a disagreement that is generating tension between the executive branch agency and the Florida House at a time when Gov. Ron DeSantis and House Speaker Daniel Perez already appear to be frequently at loggerheads.
The proposed House health care budget doesn’t currently include money specially earmarked for the $160 million disallowance, though the full House budget does have more than $183 million available to cover disallowances that could be used for this purpose.
But as the issue looms over budget negotiations, it has already garnered the attention of Washington, where Republicans continue to push to reduce spending.
The matter became the topic of a lengthy exchange at a House Health Care Budget Subcommittee meeting on March 12, where Republican members of the House sought an accounting of how the money was spent from Bryan Meyer, Deputy Secretary of Medicaid, and Lynn Smith, Deputy Secretary of Operations.
Read more on Florida Politics.
Evening Reads
—“The influential paper that explains Donald Trump’s radical tariff policy” via Dylan Matthews of Vox
—”‘I should have sold more’: Wall Street reels as Trump’s plan sinks markets” via Gregory Zimmerman, Krystal Hur and Gunjan Banerji of The Wall Street Journal
—”Market reacting poorly to Trump’s launch of huge, nonsensical tariffs that may have been created by a chatbot” via Ben Mathis-Lilley of Slate
—”Trump’s tariffs are designed to backfire” via Rogé Karma of The Atlantic
—“Why Democrats need to apologize to the public” via Chris Cillizza of So What
—”‘Gut punch’: Opposition grows to Attorney General’s decision not to enforce law banning gun sales to buyers under 21” via Matthew Cupelli of Fresh Take Florida
—”Randy Fine says Ron DeSantis, team ‘begged’ him to apply for FAU opening” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
—”Democrats take hope in flipping a county in a ruby red corner of the Florida Panhandle” via The Associated Press
—”Senate passes bill banning geoengineering, weather modification” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics
—”Val Kilmer was born to play Jim Morrison” via Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone
Quote of the Day
“For some reason, it seems the last week or so the Governor has been a little more emotional and has been upset …”
— House Speaker Daniel Perez, on the Governor’s relationship with the House.
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.
Get your Tin Foil Hats ready because the Florida Senate has approved a bill banning geoengineering and weather modification in the Sunshine State.
Where did your 401(k) go? Have a Drain Pipe while you read up on the fallout from Liberation Day.
Order an Anchors Away for all the boat owners who know how to care for their vessels. For the others … well, there could be consequences.
Breakthrough Insights
Tune In
Gators ready for Final Four
The Florida Gators tip off in the Final Four against Auburn on Saturday evening (6:09 p.m. ET, CBS).
Florida advanced to the program’s first Final Four since 2014 with an 84-79 victory over Texas Tech in the West Regional final. The Gators outscored the Red Raiders 20-6 to finish the game and earn the trip to San Antonio.
The meeting with Auburn will be the second this season. Florida beat the then-top ranked Tigers 90-81 on Feb. 8 in Alabama, handing Auburn its first loss of the season. In the game, Florida led the entire second half. Walter Clayton Jr. led Florida with 19 points as five Gators scored in double figures, including Thomas Haugh, who scored 16 points in 29 minutes off the bench.
Miles Kelly led Auburn with 22 points while Johni Broome added 18 points and 11 rebounds in the losing effort for the Tigers.
Auburn advanced to the Final Four with a 70-64 victory over second-seeded Michigan State in the South Regional final.
The other national semifinal pits Duke against Houston. This year, four number-one seeds have advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 2008.
If Florida were to beat Auburn, they would advance to Monday’s national championship game. If the Gators were to win the national title, it would be the third in program history, matching Villanova for eighth place all-time.
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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.
