Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
The Florida Legislature officially declared April 22 as Florida Wildlife Corridor Day.
A resolution passed Wednesday, SR 1892, recognizes “affirming the importance of the Florida Wildlife Corridor and its significant environmental, cultural, economic, and tourism value as a unique natural resource …”
The resolution comes four years after lawmakers approved the Wildlife Corridor Act with unanimous support. The legislation sought to stitch together conservation of wildlife habitats in the 18 million acres identified as a Florida wildlife corridor, including 10 million acres already under conservation protection at the time it was enacted.
Since 2021, the Governor and Cabinet have approved more than 300,000 acres of additional land in the corridor for protection.
The bill was a priority of then-Senate President Wilton Simpson, who is now Agriculture Commissioner, and was carried by Republican Sens. Jason Brodeur and then-Rep. Keith Truenow, who has since been elected to the Senate.
Brodeur introduced the resolution on the Senate floor today, commending the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation and Conservation Florida for their work in protecting the natural lands that are home to some uniquely Florida fauna, such as the Florida Panther.
“The Wildlife Corridor is something that we all treasure,” Brodeur said, detailing funding the legislature has directed toward the corridor since 2021. “… All these investments will expand and promote public access to state recreation lands, including Florida state parks, greenways and trails.”
Evening Reads
—”Donald Trump promised ‘big, beautiful’ deals. Delivering has been tougher.” via Tyler Pager of The Washington Post
—“Inside the small agency with a grand plan for Trump’s global energy dominance” via Ben Stockton of Rolling Stone
—”A new poll shows the peril of Trump’s tariffs” via Mark Penn and Andrew Stein for The Wall Street Journal
—”The Supreme Court’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ argument went disastrously for public schools” via Ian Millhiser of Vox
—”Hand it over or face a subpoena: House demands tax documents, other records as Hope Florida dive gets deeper” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics
—“Must-see Committee: House panel gears up for another Hope Florida discussion” via Christine Sexton of the Florida Phoenix
—”Florida had a $67 million settlement, then moved to help Hope Florida” via Jeffrey Schweers of the Orlando Sentinel
—”Senate slams brakes on speed limit increase for Florida highways” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics
—“Hemp entrepreneurs object as regulation of THC products moves to full House” via Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix
—”A Florida orphan’s plea for a family went viral 12 years ago. Where is he now?” via Lane DeGregory of the Tampa Bay Times
Quote of the Day
“Why will we further attack immigrant workers when the only alternative presented is to replace them with minors?”
— Rep. Angie Nixon, during an emotional debate on E-Verify legislation passed by 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.
Even though it was technically yesterday, it’s not too late to celebrate Florida Wildlife Corridor Day — if you’re a whiskey fan, go for a Panther.
The only good kind of Heart Attack is made with vodka, and Rep. Alex Rizo and Clermont Republican Rep. Taylor Yarkosky earned one for shepherding a bill through the House that will help schools respond to cardiac arrests on campus.
With the threat of a subpoena looming, it would be unwise for Hope Florida Foundation staff or Jason Weida to use a paper shredder … but they could probably use a Shredder after Rep. Alex Andrade grills them.
Breakthrough Insights
Tune In
Magic, Heat continue in playoffs
Both the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat continue their first-round playoff series tonight. The Magic trail the Celtics by one game to none as they meet in Boston tonight (7 p.m. ET, TNT) and Miami tries to bounce back after a game one loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers (7:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
Orlando saw Boston’s Derrick White make seven three-pointers and score 30 points in a 103-86 win on Sunday. Orlando’s Paolo Banchero scored 36 points in the loss. The Magic led 49-48 at halftime, but the Celtics’ defense limited Orlando to 37 points in the second half.
Game three of the series is scheduled for Orlando on Friday.
The Heat also dropped the first game of the series on Sunday, falling 121-100 in Cleveland. Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points for the Cavaliers, who led by seven after the first quarter and never trailed again.
Bam Adebayo led Miami with 24 points while Tyler Herro added 21.
Game three of the series is scheduled for Saturday in Miami.
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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.