A morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.
THE WEEK AHEAD
From the looks of the Florida Supreme Court docket during the coming week, justices have their hands full in trying to sort out death-penalty cases. The court will hear appeals involving six Death Row inmates who were convicted in murders stretching from St. Lucie County to Holmes County.
Also, during the next several days, expect Gov. Rick Scott to continue signing bills. He’s already acted on the budget and some other high-profile legislation, but dozens of bills still wait for his signature or veto.
A preview of the week’s events courtesy of the News Service of Florida is here.
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ECONOMY MAY SHIFT LANDSCAPE FOR MIDTERM ELECTIONS via POLITICO
The 2014 midterm election is shaping up as something the United States has not seen in nearly a decade: a campaign run in a strengthening economy with deficits on the decline..
No one is popping champagne corks yet, and risks remain. But the altered terrain, if it holds, could benefit Democrats and challenge Republicans whose rise to power in the House in 2010 came via a tea party movement that blasted President Barack Obama and his party for ignoring a stagnant economy and piling up an endless run of trillion dollar deficits.
Times have changed since 2010. Barring a fresh crisis — and there are certainly a few that could arise — many economists expect growth to return to a fairly healthy level by next year as house prices and the stock market continue to rise and the jobless rate falls closer to its historic average of 5.8 percent.
>>>The Cook Political Report has identified and graphed five key metrics to watch over the next 17 months.
JEB TRAILS HILLARY IN LATEST Q-POLL OF 2016
A new Quinnipiac poll finds Hillary Clinton to be a very strong potential candidate against several named GOP competitors in a 2016 presidential race. Clinton leads Jeb Bush, 48% to 40%, and Sen. Rand Paul, 49% to 41%, by eight points.
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CONGRESSMAN JOE GARCIA’S TOP AIDE IMPLICATED IN PHANTOM BALLOT SCHEME via the Miami Herald
Rep Joe Garcia’s chief of staff abruptly resigned Friday after being implicated in a sophisticated scheme to manipulate last year’s primary elections by submitting hundreds of fraudulent absentee-ballot requests.
Garcia said he had asked Jeffrey Garcia, no relation, for his resignation after the chief of staff — also the congressman’s top political strategist — took responsibility for the plot. Hours earlier, law enforcement investigators raided the homes of another of Joe Garcia’s employees and a former campaign aide in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation into the matter.
HOW IT PLAYED: Miami Herald, “Joe Garcia: ‘Flawed’ absentee-voting system, ‘reckless abandon’ contributed to ballot scandal – dismissed chief of staff for orchestrating scheme to submit hundreds of fraudulent absentee-ballot requests”…. CBS Miami, “Congressman Garcia promises zero tolerance in absentee ballot scandal – I cannot stress how angry I am” … Huffington Post, “Rep. Joe Garcia chief of staff resigns after being implicated in absentee-ballot fraud scheme – manipulated last year’s primary elections”… The Hill, “Fla. lawmaker’s chief of staff resigns amid absentee ballot probe – resignation came hours after law enforcement officials raided the homes of former Garcia campaign employees” … Roll Call, “Rep. Garcia staff homes raided by state investigators – after Miami-Dade state attorney’s office served search warrants for computer equipment and other items.
TWEET, TWEET: @Reaganista: Shorter @JoeGarcia: My campaign engaged in voter fraud because everybody else in Miami does it.
CONNIE MACK STRUGGLES TO STAY POLITICALLY RELEVANT via Jeff Henderson of Sunshine State News
While these are not halcyon days for former Congressman Connie Mack, the Florida Republican is trying to keep a seat at the political table.
… Still, there are signs that Mack is trying to remain in the game. He continues to pitch his “Penny Plan” to reduce the size and cost of the federal government and it does have some prominent supporters in Washington, including U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, who is one of the leading hopefuls to win the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.
Mack is also trying to keep his bridges to the conservative movement intact. When the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) met earlier this year, despite his underwhelming performance against Nelson, Mack spoke to the group. Last week, he took to the pages of The Hill to slam the Obama administration on its handling of the IRS targeting conservative groups and the Benghazi situation.
… But if Mack still has something of a perch in Washington, it’s unclear where, if anywhere, he can go in Florida politics. Trey Radel holds the congressional seat Mack left to run for the Senate and appears secure there. Mack could run for the Senate again but, after his poor performance against Nelson, he will find it more challenging raising funds and can expect tougher Republican opposition in the primary.
In short, for the moment, Mack has nowhere to go in terms of elected office.
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BLOG POST OF THE DAY — POOR LEADERSHIP AT FDP SHOWS WITH POOR DECISION MAKING via The Florida Squeeze
The only serious candidate to announce that they are running for any constitutional office position, former Senator Nan Rich, had been told by the Florida Democratic Party that she would not be given a speaking spot at the upcoming J-J Dinner. Mind you, Senator Rich isn’t just someone who threw her name into the mix, with it eventually being removed once the filing deadline rolls around. She is a recent Senate minority leader and has already raised more than what most people expected this far into her campaign. So, Senator Rich’s exclusion from the upcoming J-J Dinner is baffling.
… This latest controversy surrounding the FDP brings up bigger questions, and that is in regards to the leadership and staff of the Florida Democratic Party. Since taking over the FDP, Chairwoman Allison Tant has not been able to bring in the untold riches that she promised during her campaign. In fact, the FDP had the worst 1st quarter fundraising in an off-year in eight years. In addition, nobody has been recruited by the Florida Democratic Party to run for any of the constitutional offices or key congressional seats. With poor fundraising and lack or candidate recruitment, what exactly is the Party doing?
Yes, this is a question of leadership, but also a question of the people that Mrs. Tant has surrounded herself with. Many of these staffers worked with Rod Smith’s during his time at the Florida Democratic Party. Smith’s time as party chair showed just as much of a lack of effort as the current Tant tenure is showing. Senator Rich’s snub for the J-J Dinner is just another example of things running as usual. Still, the question has to be asked as to why they decided to snub her in the first place? Did they not think of bad press before they made their decision? One criticism that I have had of the Florida Democratic Party throughout the years is that they only think about the first step, but never about the following steps, where the real news and controversies arise. The are just careless with their decision making, and this latest situation shows their weakness.
>>>Be sure to read another smart blog post by the Florida Squeeze, “Is Florida Democratic Party preventing Darryl Rouson from doing his job.”
CHARLIE CRIST’S SUMMER TOUR CONTINUES, WILL SPEAK TO PASCO DEMS ON JUNE 22
“Lunch with Charlie” will be held at the Jasmine Lakes Civic Center in Port Richey. A meet-and-greet will start at 11:30 a.m. with a catered buffet lunch at noon. Also scheduled to speak are Florida Democratic Party Vice Chair Alan Clendenin and Representative Mark Danish.
“As Governor, Charlie Crist put the people and getting things done before politics, said Dr. Lynn Lindeman, chair of the Pasco Democratic Executive Committee. “Local Democrats want to hear the Democratic principles that motivate him. … We appreciate Charlie coming to Pasco County.”
Tickets for the event are available for a $25 donation. For reservations or more information, contact Doris Rosen at 727-364-5666 or [email protected] by June 15.
POLITIFACT RULES RPOF’S ATTACK ON CRIST “MOSTLY FALSE” Ruling here
In a new Web ad, the state GOP portrayed Crist as a man who didn’t keep his word when it comes to raising taxes. The record there is pretty clear. Crist signed a pledge saying he would oppose efforts to increase taxes, yet signed a budget that included a $1-a-pack cigarette tax.
However, the state Republican Party went unnecessarily far when it tried to say that it took Crist just two weeks to break that promise.
The pledge he signed two weeks before approving the cigarette tax did not apply.
PolitiFact rates the Republicans’ claim Mostly False.
CARROLL WOULD HAVE LIKED TALK WITH SCOTT BEFORE EXIT; WILL STILL BACK HIM via Dara Kam of the Palm Beach Post
Carroll was asked if she felt she had been treated fairly by the governor.
“Anyone in my shoes would probably say no. I would have preferred to have a conversation directly with the governor, but I can’t bring back the past,” said Carroll. She said the last conversation she had with Scott was before her resignation.
With Scott facing a potentially tough reelection fight in 2014, team player Carroll said, “I’ll commit my support to Gov. Scott. More than likely he’s going to be the Republican nominee.”
COULD SCOTT HELP LAND ‘MAD MEN’-STYLE TV SHOW? via the News Service of Florida
Cocoa Beach Mayor Dave Netterstrom wants Gov. Rick Scott to help free up state incentive money to draw a TV show being planned about the early days of the space race, reports the News Service of Florida.
The current working title of the show is “Cocoa Beach.”
“The challenge is that the show has submitted for state and other incentives to film on location in the Space Coast area and of course funds are limited and highly sought,” Netterstrom emailed Scott on Wednesday. “I have heard that the state of Louisiana is also trying to attract the show with incentives.
” The email was also sent to Sen. Thad Altman and Rep. Steve Crisafulli.
The show is expected to be similar to the AMC series “Mad Men,” with the focus on people working in the space program during the 1960s, according to Florida Today.
“When combined with the world brand name recognition of Cocoa Beach, the return on investment is far more than what normal economic impact models indicate,” Netterstrom wrote. “The benefit will be felt throughout Brevard County and the Space Coast. It would be a shame to have another ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ show in Cocoa Beach but not even filmed in Florida.”
It should be noted that the 1965 to 1970 TV sitcom was filmed in California.
SCOTT BUSY BILL SIGNING
Friday was a busy day for Rick Scott’s bill signing hand, bringing his signature to four key bills on health plan regulation, pharmacy substitutes for biologics, an ethanol mandate repeal, and local pension liability. SB 1842 means that Florida will rely, at least temporarily, on the federal government to do rate reviews for many health plans — a move which relieves Florida from navigating a system created and enforced by the feds and which, according to Scott, remains “very fluid and uncertain” during this transition period. Next, HB 365 makes it possible for pharmacists to offer substitutions of similar drugs for an emerging class of therapies called biologics, which according to Scott will create a “regulatory framework that will allow Floridians access to these new pharmaceutical products” while ensuring high quality health care.
HB 4001 repeals a state law requiring retail gasoline to include nearly 10 percent ethanol, but which is a mostly symbolic measure considering federal ethanol mandates remain in effect. Sponsored by Rep. Matt Gaetz, this bill attempts to undue a duplication of federal standards with the goal of reducing regulatory burdens on Florida businesses. It passed the House … and the Senate 36-4. Finally, Scott signed SB 534, clarifying that the state coffers are not liable for covering shortfalls in local-government pensions. Sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes, this bill further requires a defined benefit system or plan to report certain information to the Department of Management Services, and requires plan sponsors to make certain information available online. It passed the Senate 22-18, and the House 71-45, mostly along party lines.
ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: Scott will highlight investments in the Boys and Girls Clubs as part of the Florida Families First budget. 10:30 a.m. Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, Davie
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DCF LOOKS TO FAITH-BASED GROUPS FOR FOSTER PARENTS via Margie Menzel of the News Service of Florida
Looking for ways to attract more foster parents, the Florida Department of Children and Families is beefing up its efforts at recruitment among faith-based organizations.
DCF Director of Faith Based Development Erik Braun told child welfare professionals Friday at a conference in Panama City that Florida has 12 million residents affiliated with a Catholic or Protestant church, 1 million Jews and 400,000 to 600,000 Muslims. Braun also led a breakout group of foster parents, child protective investigators, church members and administrators in a discussion of how to approach the leaders of faith-based organizations. He advised a strategy that makes fewer demands on a busy pastor’s time but seeks out other ways to get a foot in the door, such as a church women’s group.
His advice resonated among child welfare workers in DCF’s heavily rural northwest Florida region, which has about 400 investigations and 28 to 30 children removed from their homes every month, according to DCF community development coordinator Courtney Stanford. Braun seemed to inspire a number of attendees at the Panama City conference, who said they’d never realized how their religious convictions might dovetail with their work helping children.
GAETZ SAYS CITIZENS NEEDS TRANSPARENCY; BACKS GILWAY via The News Service of Florida
Senate President Don Gaetz said this week Citizens Property Insurance Corp. needs more transparency but endorsed the state-backed insurer’s president and chief executive officer, Barry Gilway.
“I think Citizens ought to be more transparent,” Gaetz said during an interview on The Florida Channel’s “Florida Face to Face” show. “I think some of the things that Citizens insurance company has done are things that I wouldn’t do if I were in that position. But at the same time, some people’s call for transparency, what they really mean is, ‘I want you to do things my way.’ ”
Gilway, he said, is a “solid insurance executive” who received heavy scrutiny during Senate confirmation hearings this year. “I think he’s a good guy for the job,” Gaetz said. “But I think that he probably doesn’t have as much appreciation — as somebody from the private sector, which is what he is — ought to have for being in a public position.”
Gaetz also said he will make appointments to the Citizens board. “I want people who want Citizens to be smaller and smarter and more transparent, and I want people who don’t have a self interest or a conflict of interest and are not tied to the insurance industry.”
Gaetz made the comments after House Speaker Will Weatherford issued a statement last week that was critical of a Citizens board decision to pay up to $52 million to a private insurer that will take out as many as 60,000 policies from Citizens.
HEATHER FITZENHAGEN COULD BE FINED BY THE STATE FOR LATE REPORT
Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen could be fined for filing her first-quarter campaign finance report nearly seven weeks late. The Florida Division of Elections sent Fitzenhagen a letter on April 11, one day after the deadline for candidates to submit their reports for Jan. 1 to March 31. She received a second notice May 6, which informed her she could face a civil penalty. The report was filed Friday, with Fitzenhagen reporting $13,250 in contributions. Fitzenhagen said Thursday that she changed accountants and was communicating with elections officials in Tallahassee. The maximum fine is 25 percent of the candidate’s receipts or expenditures, whichever is higher. In Fitzenhagen’s case, that would be $3,312.50.
Chris Cate, spokesman for the Division of Elections, said any fine could be waived in full or in part if Fitzenhagen files an appeal to the Florida Elections Commission. The commission may grant an appeal if they believe she showed good faith in trying to comply with the statute governing campaign finance reports.
LEGISLATIVE STAFFING MERRY-GO-ROUND
On: Bryan Vallejo, joining Rep. Dwight Dudley as a district secretary
On: Lazaro Fields joining the staff of Rep. Carlos Trujillo as a legislative assistant.
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GENTING SEES INCOME DROP, BUT PROFITS STILL HIGH via the Miami Herald
The Malaysian casino giant with expansion plans in Miami and Bimini reported a drop in profits worldwide at the start of the year. But the company remains extremely profitable. Genting, which purchased the former Miami Herald site in 2011 and is about to open a Bimini casino, reported a first-quarter profit of $272 million.
HUMANA, OTHERS COULD TAKE PART IN HEALTH EXCHANGE via Health News Florida
Humana, along with as many as nine other health insurers, could offer coverage to Floridians through a health-insurance exchange created under the federal Affordable Care Act.
Humana spokesman Mitch Lubitz confirmed to Health News that the company plans to take part in the exchange, an online marketplace where people will be able to shop for coverage. Health News also cited research by Greg Mellowe, an official with the advocacy group Florida CHAIN, that found nine other insurers also have filed information indicating they could compete in the exchange. Those companies are Aetna Life Insurance Co., Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Florida Inc., Cigna Health & Life Insurance Co., Coventry Health Care of Florida Inc., Florida Health Care Plan Inc., Health Options Inc., Molina Healthcare of Florida Inc., Simply Healthcare Plans Inc., and Sunshine State Health Plan Inc.
Exchanges are considered a key part of carrying out the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that most Americans buy insurance. Many Floridians will qualify for subsidies to buy coverage through the exchange, which will be run by the federal government after state officials refused to take part.
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APPOINTED: Richard “Dick” Klaas and Christian Spilker to the Florida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees; Tom Majdanics, Jimmie Mayo, and Dr. Patricia White to the Florida State College at Jacksonville District Board of Trustees.
DEO HAS NEW PRESS SECRETARY via the Florida Current
Jessica Sims moved last month from the Division of Emergency Management to the Department of Economic Opportunity, where she is now the press secretary. She previously was a public information specialist at DEM.
NEW LOBBYING REGISTRATIONS
Mike Abrams, Brian Ballard, Monica Rodriguez, Ballard Partners: Ameresco, Inc.
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CAN’T WAIT TO READ: Out this week: Revolutionary Summer: The Birth of American Independence by Joseph J. Ellis.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Equality Florida’s Mallory Garner-Wells and consultant Mark Proctor.
