Staff Reports
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Higher education bills continue to move through the Legislature.
The Senate is advancing its own higher education bill, SB 1726. The legislation, sponsored by Republican Sen. Alexis Calatayud, has two new amendments.
One of them removes the requirement for a public policy office at universities.
The other removes the requirement for the Institute for Freedom in the Americas to partner with the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom.
Presidential searches were a topic of discussion, with Republican Sen. Blaise Ingoglia noting a key difference from the House bill just passed, which Gov. Ron DeSantis vowed to veto last week.
The House resoundingly approved HB 1321, which would publicize all presidential candidates’ identities, stop the Governor from discussing openings and lobbying for connected candidates with leadership of state colleges and universities, and let university Boards pick their Presidents rather than the Board of Governors (BOG).
Calatayud confirmed that the process on the Senate bill is “in the shade,” though the final three presidential candidates “are recommended for the public to see” in a manner consistent with current law. The House product offers full visibility on the field of candidates overall.
A university’s Board of Trustees, not the BOG, would make that final selection.
Read more on Florida Politics.
Evening Reads
—”Francis, the first Latin American Pope, dies at 88” via Jason Horowitz and Jim Yardley of The New York Times
—”Told to rest, Francis kept working: The Pope’s hectic last day” via Chico Harlan and William Booth of The Washington Post
—”What the next Pope could mean about the future of the Catholic Church” via Katherine Kelaidis of Vox
—”Papal transition: Traditional path sharply defined” via Daniel J. Wakin of The New York Times
—”Florida political leaders mourn Pope Francis” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
—”Turns out it wasn’t such a great idea to put Pete Hegseth in charge of the military” via Ryan Bort and Asawin Suebsaeng of Rolling Stone
—“Don Gaetz: Senate won’t confirm two of Ron DeSantis’ top health care secretaries” via Christine Sexton of the Florida Phoenix
—“Report: Safety Net hospitals top statewide, national Match Rates” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics
—”Florida TaxWatch celebrates Taxpayer Independence Day” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics
—“You have to rent ‘Conclave’ today, because streaming is messier than ever” via Manisha Krishan of WIRED
Quote of the Day
“I’d have a hard time voting for Secretary Harris unless she came clean and had a very different story than what she’s telling the House.”
— Sen. Don Gaetz, saying the Senate won’t confirm Shevaun Harris as AHCA Secretary.
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.
Sen. Nick DiCeglie gets a Paw Paw now that his pet insurance overhaul is set to become law. While you’re at it, send one to Rep. Kaylee Tuck for carrying the House companion.
As best we know, there’s no official drink for Taxpayer Independence Day, so why not make it a Fresh Picked Freedom?
Send a round of Better Halves for Jacksonville City Hall, which recently announced the city has cut the homeless population by 49% year-over-year.
Breakthrough Insights
Tune In
Marlins open set with Reds
The Miami Marlins open a three-game series at home against the Cincinnati Reds tonight (6:40 p.m. ET, FanDuel Sports Network-Florida).
The Marlins snapped a five-game losing streak yesterday with a 7-5 extra innings win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Left fielder Javier Sanoja hit his first major league home run and drove in five runs in the victory.
Max Meyer (1-2, 2.63 ERA) is scheduled to start the game for the Marlins. In his last start, Meyer allowed three runs in five innings in a 6-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He has pitched into the sixth inning in each of his four starts this season.
The Reds will counter with Nick Lodolo (2-1, 2.31 ERA), who exited his last game in the fifth, his shortest outing of the season. In three of his four starts, the Reds have been involved in a one-run game, including a 1-0 loss to Milwaukee and a 1-0 win over the San Francisco Giants.
First baseman Matt Mervis has provided most of the pop in the Miami lineup this season. Mervis has hit six home runs while the rest of the team has managed 10 combined. Mervis is tied for 11th in the National League in homers.
After the series, the Marlins will play six straight games on the West Coast, including three in Seattle and three in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.
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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.
