A morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.
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IF BOSTON EXPOSED FLAWS, FIX IN IMMIGRATION BILL via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
Sen. Marco Rubio, who has urged caution in drawing connections with the Boston bombings to the immigration debate, now says he disagrees it has “no bearing.”
In a statement Monday, as the second Judiciary committee on the 844-page bill is under way, Rubio said: “I disagree with those who say that the terrorist attack in Boston has no bearing on the immigration debate. Any immigration reform we pursue should make our country safer and more secure. If there are flaws in our immigration system that were exposed by the attack in Boston, any immigration reform passed by Congress this year should address those flaws. Congress needs time to conduct more hearings and investigate how our immigration and national security systems could be improved going forward.
MARCO RUBIO – SALESMAN via Sean Sullivan of the Washington Post
Since signing off two weeks ago on the bill that offers a path to citizenship to illegal immigrants, bolsters border security and creates a new guest-worker program, Rubio has been taking to the airwaves to defend the measure against detractors on the political right, who have complained the bill offers “amnesty” and is being jammed through by liberal Democrats.
Rubio’s most crucial task, Republican strategists say, is to win the arguments on border security and the path to citizenship.
“I think the biggest challenge, and what will ultimately decide this issue, is convincing conservatives that real border security is going to be a part of any package and that there are strong accountability measures and enforcement mechanisms,” said Florida Republican strategist Tim Baker.
Added Rick Wilson, another Florida-based GOP strategist: “If he successfully explains border security — the provisions of which are really quite remarkable — and the steepness of the path to citizenship, I think he can sway conservative audiences.”
TWEET, TWEET: @VincentHarris: Rubio is losing the online battle re: his immigration bill.
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LOIS FRANKEL SENDS FUNDRAISING APPEAL FOR COLBERT BUSCH IN SPECIAL SOUTH CAROLINA RACE via George Bennett of the Palm Beach Post
Frankel, who’s been tapped by national Dems to try to recruit more female congressional candidates, is sending out fundraising appeals on behalf of Elizabeth Colbert Busch, the South Carolina Democrat poised to take a Republican-leaning House seat in a May 7 special election.
Colbert Busch, the sister of Comedy Central talk persona Stephen Colbert, is running against baggage-laden Republican Mark Sanford. He’s the former Palmetto State governor whose bizarre 2009 disappearance and admission of an extramarital affair continues to reverberate. Sanford’s campaign was rocked recently by his ex-wife’s complaint that he trespassed on her property Feb. 3. Sanford admitted visiting the house to watch the Super Bowl with his son.
Says a Frankel fundraising appeal e-mailed today: “We don’t get chances like this often. The first district in South Carolina is bright red and the fact that Colbert Busch is leading speaks volumes to just how little trust the people of South Carolina really have in their former governor.”
Frankel’s e-mail asks recipients to send a contribution to Colbert Bush. It also gives them the opportunity to “split it!” and send money to Frankel’s re-election campaign as well.
MAJOR FUNDRAISER FOR CD 2 CANDIDATE GWEN GRAHAM TONIGHT via Marc Caputo of the Miami Herald
Graham, the daughter of former Gov. and Sen. Bob Graham, has a high-powered team of Florida lobbyists and insiders hosting a fundraiser tonight for her Congressional campaign at the Tallahassee home of superlobbyist Brian Ballard. He’s co-hosting the $250-per-attendee event with Bob Graham. Maximum contribution: $5,200.
A Republican fundraiser who led Mitt Romney’s money-raising team in Florida, Ballard is crossing party by backing Graham over incumbent GOP U.S. Rep Steve Southerland.
Bill Holliman & Loranne Ausley, Duby & Sallie Ausley, Ron Book, Scott Carruthers, Harry & Mary Chiles, Steve Dobson, Jim Eaton, Arnold & Perlan Hantman, Don Hinkle & Mimi Graham, Steve Hurm, Mark & Marina Logan, Steve Jane Menton, Jon & Serena Moyle, Tom & Dottie Panza; Bill Rubin, Ron Sachs & Gaye Webster-Sachs.
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GOVERNOR SIGNS ‘TRANSFORMATIONAL’ EDUCATION BILL via Nancy Smith of Sunshine State News
Scott signed Senate Bill 1076, ensuring, he said, that Florida students are prepared for college and careers and have the necessary skills to compete for jobs in a competitive global economy.
Scott was joined by Senate President Gaetz, Speaker Weatherford, legislators, and education and business leaders from across Florida.
Said Scott, “This legislation transforms our education system and is an important step to ensuring the success of our future workforce who are students in our classrooms today. As I travel the state, families tell me they worry about three things: getting a great job, a quality education, and keeping their cost of living low. This legislation helps us take a giant step forward toward that goal.
TWEET, TWEET: @fineout: New education law has a bit of glitch: This year’s 9th grade class in Fla will be the first & the last to be required to pass Algebra II
ROMANO COLUMN: WHAT RICK SCOTT REALLY SAID IN THAT LETTER TO BARACK OBAMA
Tampa Bay Times columnist John Romano imagines what Gov. Scott was really thinking when we wrote to President Barack Obama this week. An excerpt:
In my imagination, Scott sneaks in the kind of personal notations two colleagues might share.
Dear Mr. President:
On your March 29th visit to Miami, you highlighted the importance of transportation services to jobs and our nation’s economy; yet, today the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will begin to furlough 10 percent of the nation’s air controllers because of sequestration …
(All right, don’t get your shorts in a bunch. I am fully aware of the irony here, Mr. President. Two years ago, I killed a high speed rail plan between Tampa and Orlando that would have meant jobs, $2 billion in federal funds and increased transportation services across the state. Hey, we all have our bad days.)
These furloughs will have a devastating impact on Florida families by creating unnecessary delays that will impact Florida airports …
(As opposed to the totally necessary traffic delays on I-4. See? I beat you to the punch.)
SCOTT STILL HOLDING OUT HOPE FOR TEACHER RAISES via Kathleen Haughney of the Sun Sentinel
Scott remains convinced that teachers across the state will get a flat $2,500 raise in their salaries next year without any conditions.
But lawmakers aren’t singing the same song as Scott.
On Sunday, House and Senate negotiators agreed they would set aside $480 million for teacher pay raises, but the proposal would require that the money be tied to teacher performance. The measure would also offer raises to all instructional personnel, such as classroom aides, meaning that the amount per teacher would be less than $2,500.
Scott and his staff are still talking like teachers will get the full $2,500 though. Scott announced at his press conference how important it was that teachers were getting pay raises and noted later that there was still time for lawmakers to make changes.
“We need to do across- the- board $2,500 pay raise for each and every one of our classroom teachers,” he said.
Senate Education Chairman Bill Galvano said at a budget negotiation conference, a little more than an hour after Scott made his remarks, that the Legislature proposal indeed tied the money to performing and noted that the individual districts had to weigh in through the collective bargaining process with the unions to determine how the money was distributed.
“Whether that turns out to be a $2,500 raise per teacher, that’s unlikely,” Galvano said.
CABINET MEETING
Gov. Scott and the Cabinet meet at 9 a.m. in the Cabinet Meeting Room at the Capitol. The full agenda can be found here. Among other presentations, they’ll hear from Ash Williams, executive director of the State Board of Administration, about the proposed 2013-2014 formula and rates for the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. The agenda for the SBA presentation can be found here.
SIGNED INTO LAW
CS/CS/HB 239 – Allows certified optometrists to administer and prescribe ocular pharmaceuticals who have completed board-approved course and examination.
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EDUCATION CONFERENCE BUMPS TUITION, FINANCIAL AID via The News Service of Florida
Education budget negotiators for the House and Senate declared themselves at an impasse Monday on issues like tuition for colleges and universities and financial aid programs and “bumped” those issues to the chief budget writers in their chambers.
The two sides are divided over a House proposal to increase tuition by 6 percent and a Senate plan to increase the size of financial aid packages. The House had lowered its tuition increase to 4 percent and offered a modest increase in financial aid, but backed away from that plan when the Senate refused to offer a tuition increase and came down slightly on financial aid.
“What we tried to do on my last offer was to find a movement towards the middle, for lack of a better term,” said Rep. Erik Fresenin explaining the House’s rethinking. But Sen. Bill Galvanosaid a tuition increase would likely continue to be a non-starter for his chamber. “Our position is no increase in tuition, and it’s a bright line rule,” Galvano said. “And that’s why we’re bumping this up. And I don’t expect anything different from chair Negron or the Senate president.”
The negotiation committee hopes to meet again Tuesday to discuss some budgetary fine print.
FEA TARGETING SEN. JEFF BRANDES OVER SB 862 WITH THIS ATTACK MAILER View it here
LAWMAKERS TRY TO SHRINK APD WAITING LIST via Jim Saunders of the News Service of Florida
Backing a proposal by Governor Rick Scott, House and Senate budget negotiators have agreed to spend $36 million next year to provide services to hundreds of people with developmental disabilities who have been stuck on a waiting list.
The waiting list has grown to about 22,000 people over the years, as the state Agency for Persons with Disabilities ran deficits in its main program for providing services. But APD officials say they expect to avoid a deficit this year, and Scott included money in his proposal 2013-14 budget to start chipping away at the waiting list.
During budget talks this weekend, the House agreed to a Senate proposal to spend the $36.3 million.
“It’s extremely good news,” said Melanie Mowry Etters, a spokeswoman for the agency.
The money would go to what is known as a “waiver” program that provides an array of home and community-based services to people with disabilities. About 30,000 people receive services through the waiver, but the waiting list has long been a closely watched issue for the agency and lawmakers.
TWEET, TWEET: @Paula_Dockery: Doing nothing = Failure
LEGISLATORS ARE PREPARED TO ADJOURN WITH NO MEDICAID PLAN via Mary Ellen Klas of the Miami Herald
As the clock winds down on the legislative session, Florida lawmakers are sending signals that they are likely to end the session without resolving the issue of whether the state should accept federal Medicaid money to insure the poorest in Florida.
“It’s not something you put together in a week,’’ said Sen. John Thrasher, chairman of the Senate Rules Committee and a close advisor to Senate President Don Gaetz. “It’s a very big, complicated issue and these issues take some time.”
He said he does not expect there would be any political repercussions if the Republican-led Legislature waits another year, even though it would mean forgoing for one year at least the estimated $5 billion in federal funds that could be drawn down under the plan to implement Medicaid expansion.
“There is no fallout,’’ Thrasher told the Herald/Times. “Anytime you walk away from something, there is going to be someone who is not happy. On something like this, however, it needs to be done right.”
Business groups, the Florida Hospital Association and the union that represents health care workers have launched television and lobbying efforts to urge lawmakers to implement a plan that draws down the federal money. If legislators adjourn their 60-day session on May 3 as scheduled without resolving the issue, those groups said Monday they will work to putting pressure on lawmakers to resolve the issue before next year.
STATES COULD HARM RESIDENTS BY REJECTING MEDICAID EXPANSION via the New York Times
States’ rejection of Medicaid expansion under the federal Affordable Care Act could yield “unintended consequences,” the Associated Press reports. Employers in states that do not expand Medicaid could face additional tax penalties, while legal immigrants in some states could be eligible for subsidized private insurance where citizens remain uninsured. Finally, persons living below the poverty line are only eligible for coverage through Medicaid, while those slightly above it can receive subsidized private coverage, raising questions of fairness.
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FHSAA OVERHAUL BILL GETS LIFELINE IN SENATE via the Palm Beach Post
roponents of the Florida High School Athletic Association are on their defensive heels as those trying to revamp how high school sports are managed in Florida are driving with the ball as the clock runs down.
The Senate Education Committee voted 5-2 on Monday in favor of a measure (SB 1164) that would overhaul the FHSAA and eventually replace it with something else yet to be designed. The Senate bill was amended Monday to match the House version of the legislation, improving chances for passage.
The amended bill places new restrictions on investigations, alters the makeup of the FHSAA board of directors by including charter school, home school and non-public school members and abolishes the organization in July 2017.
Backers of the change say the reorganization is needed, claiming the FHSAA has an arbitrary authority and that it has gone too far in investigating student eligibility.
Bill sponsor Sen. Kelli Stargel addressed criticism that the bill, in reducing oversight, invites mischief.
“This bill does not allow free agency, does not allow recruiting, it doesn’t not legislate cheating,” said Stargel.
FLORIDA’S BREW OUNCE WARS via contributor Karen Cyphers
You can chug a 32, get a doggy-bag for your unfinished bottle of wine at dinner, or fill greater than a gallon of beer into a keg — but you can’t load up your half gallon growler at a Florida brewpub, and this is unlikely to change anytime soon. Two bills that would allow patrons to fill up to 64-ounce jugs known as growlers are making little progress this session. SB 1344, sponsored by Sen. Jack Latvala, has cleared Regulated Industries but still has three committees to go; and HB 715, sponsored by Rep. Katie Edwards, has yet to be heard in either of two committees.
The measure was opposed by large beer distributors, as it would shake up the state’s “three tier system”. According to Senate bill analysis, “The system requires that the manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages be separated. Retailers must buy their products from distributors who in turn buy their products from the manufacturers. Manufacturers cannot sell directly to retailers or directly to consumers…” One thing for sure, Lloyd Dobler would not make this his business to figure out.
LEGISLATORS TO HELP BASEBALL TEAM, CITIES via the Associated Press
Legislators have agreed to pitch in millions more in state money to help pro baseball teams — even in cases where a team wants to move from one Florida town to another. One case cited in the Toronto Blue Jays moved from Dunedin to Palm Beach Gardens.
State legislators working on a final round of budget negotiations agreed this evening to spend $3.3 million a year starting in 2015 to help cities and counties to spruce up or build new ballparks.
A key element in the proposal would call for the state to help pay for the cost of a new stadium that would be used by two Major League Baseball teams.
This incentive is aimed at helping pay for a proposed stadium that would be used by the Houston Astros and the Toronto Blue Jays in Palm Beach Gardens. The Astros train in Kissimmee while the Blue Jays train in Dunedin.
Rep. Ritch Workman and lead House negotiator on tax issues, defended the proposal as a way to keep teams from relocating to the Cactus League in Arizona.
TWEET, TWEET: @SaintPetersblog: Win for Brian Ballard, who reps at least two of the teams looking to move Spring Training facilities.
SENATE DROPS SUPPORT FOR ENTERPRISE FLORIDA’S BUSINESS ‘TIE’
The Senate withdrew its support for a branding campaign by Enterprise Florida that has drawn criticism from some in the state.
As legislators continued to negotiate how much funding to give Enterprise Florida, the state’s public-private economic development organization, today the Senate scratched a $1.5 million line it backed all weekend for the organization, the News Service of Florida Reports.
This comes after the House said Sunday it would not approve funding for the organization’s new branding campaign, which some have called sexist.
SESSION DATES UNLIKELY TO CHANGE
It looks unlikely that a measure aimed at changing the date of next year’s legislative session to earlier in the year will pass.
A bill (SB 1356), filed in the Senate by Senator Anitere Flores remains in the Judiciary Committee, which has no more scheduled meetings. Tuesday is the last day Senate committees can hold regular meetings this year. No companion measure to Flores’ bill was ever filed in the House, either.
The bill called for starting the session in mid-January in even numbered years and ending it in mid-March.
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ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: Representative Ritch Workman and Senator Kelli Stargel will hold a press conference to discuss the passage of CS/CS/SB 718. 9:30 a.m., Fourth Floor of the Capitol.
LEGISLATIVE BRIEFS via the News Service of Florida
***A message from the Florida Press Association: This session there are a number of threats to public notice that would cripple Floridians’ ability to access critical information. It is paramount that policymakers protect the public’s right to this information by ensuring that public notices continue to be published in Florida’s newspapers, as they are the most recognizable source for this critical information. In fact, recent Scarborough Research shows that 62 percent of Floridians indicated they had read a print edition newspaper in the past seven days. Moreover, attempts to move all public notices to the Internet alone is detrimental, as the digital divide still exists today and disenfranchises many Floridians, as indicated by Scarborough Research which found that 42 percent of those 65 and older don’t have access to the Internet. The FPA urges the Legislature to be vigilant of any attempts to limit public notice and protect Floridians’ right to this important information.***
FUNDRAISER ON THURSDAY FOR TERRI SEEFELD IN ULTRA-COMPETITIVE HD 31
A fundraiser hosted by a bevy of Apopka leaders and residents in support of Terri Seefeldt’s candidacy for House District 31 will be held Thursday, April 25th.
Seefeldt, committeewoman on the Orange County Republican Executive Committee, seeks to assume the seat currently held by Rep. Bryan Nelson.
Members of her host committee include former Congresswoman Sandy Adams, Apopka Mayor John Land, Commissioners Bill Arrowsmith, Commissioner Joe & Ceryl Kilsheimer, Commissioner Bobby Olszewski, and former Mayor Gary Brewer.
The fundraiser begins at 5:30 pm at the Offices of Old Florida National Bank at 1420 West Orange Blossom Trail in Apopka. To join the host committee or attend the event, RSVP to Beth Babington.
HALSEY BESHEARS DISCONNECTS HIS TWITTER ACCOUNT AFTER #HATER HASHTAG KERFUFFLE
Over the weekend, Representative Halsey Beshears earned a barrage of negative tweets after responding to a constituent’s critical tweet with a “#haters” hashtag.
Wakulla resident and Democratic Women’s Club member Diane Wilson received an email notification that indicated Beshears had sent her a follow up tweet with an apparent apology.
Representative Beshears appears to have disconnected his Twitter account after sending the early morning apology.
Ironically, several constituents, including Diane Wilson, also thanked Beshears via Twitter this weekend for his “no” vote on the HB 867, known to opponents as the Parent Trigger Bill.
QUALIFYING ENDS TODAY FOR SPECIAL ELECTION IN HD 2
The qualifying for the race ends at noon.
Rick Outzen notes that signs are starting to pop up in neighborhoods. The negative mailer criticizing the political careers of Gray and former City Councilman Jack Noble that hit the district last week appears to have helped Hill the most. His campaign also got a boost from Sheriff David Morgan who announced his endorsement of Hill.
Gray has focused on endorsements from the business community, holding a fundraiser at Baskerville-Donovan last Wednesday. Meanwhile, Nobles held a successful fundraiser last week in Tallahassee. Miller picked the endorsement of Commissioner Gene Valentino and Taylor has been running a grassroots campaign, knocking on doors and getting out yard signs. Radcliffe has been relatively quiet compared to his Republican opponents.
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4TH FLOOR FILES talks to Southern Strategy Group’s Chris Dudley about Florida authors, his Hermes watch and why he tries not to cures. Here’s the file on Chris.
ANTHONY BONNA JOINS THE STONERIDGE GROUP
The Stoneridge Group, one of the Southeast’s leading Republican campaign firms, today announced the addition of Anthony Bonna as Senior Digital Strategist.
Based in Orlando, Florida, Anthony, one of Florida politics’ most accomplished digital consultants, will further service and develop a growing portfolio of digital accounts at Stoneridge.
In his previous position as Harris Media’s Florida Director, Anthony directed digital strategy for Florida Congressmen John Mica and Allen West. Prior to his time at Harris Media, Anthony served as a Senior Researcher for Rick Scott’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign.
GET YOUR FAPL-TINI ON
The “FAPL-tini” reception returns tonight. Mark Landreth says he realizes thais is the second to last week of session, but if there’s ever a time you might actually need a “FAPL-tini” this might be it! 5:30 p.m., Florida Realtors office at 200 S. Monroe Street.
JOHN KONKUS TO OPEN TALLY OFFICE FOR JAMESTOWN ASSOCIATES
Jamestown Associates announced today that John Konkus has joined the firm as an Executive Vice President and will be heading a new Tallahassee office for the firm.
STATE OF FLORIDA HIRES PRINCIPI GROUP TO LOBBY ON BRAC
Ramping up its efforts to prevent base closures, Florida has signed a new contract for advocacy work with the Principi Group, a Virginia-based firm that represents a number of state-based organizations and bills itself as “the most experienced Base Realignment and Closure team in the nation.”
The firm was founded by Anthony Principi, a former secretary of Veterans Affairs who chaired the 2005 BRAC Commission, and Charles Battaglia, who served as the commission’s executive director.
Last year, the state of Florida had hired the Principi Group to conduct a study of its military bases. And last week, it disclosed that it’s retaining the firm to begin using that study to lobby on behalf of the state’s military bases, following the Pentagon’s decision to once again propose a new round of BRAC in 2015 as part of its budget request for FY14.
Battaglia told POLITICO’s Morning Defense. “We’re bringing the attention of officials in Congress and the Pentagon to our assessments of [Florida’s] bases and the strengths that those bases bring to our national security,” Battaglia said.
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