A morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.
BREAKING AT SUNRISE IN SUNBURN: DCF C.O.S. TO STEP DOWN
Amanda Prater is stepping down from her position as Chief of Staff for the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Prater’s resignation comes in the wake of a building controversy connected to the deaths of four children under DCR supervision in six weeks in May and June.
According to high-ranking source within the department, Prater is leaving to pursue opportunities in the private sector.
A second source says Prater will be replaced by Jane Johnson, the Director of Child Abuse Prevention at DCF.
Prater was tapped last August to replace Vivian Myrtetus.
Prater had served as Legislative Affairs Director. Previous to that, she worked as a health and human services analyst in the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget, the Governor’s Legislative Affairs Office, the Florida House Majority Office, and the House Health and Human Services Committee.
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HOUSE REJECTS RUBIO/SENATE’S ‘FLAWED’ IMMIGRATION BILL via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
House Republicans gathered behind closed doors this afternoon to discuss immigration reform, with leaders signaling something must be done, but rejecting the bill designed by Sen. Marco Rubio and others in the upper chamber.
“Today House Republicans affirmed that rather than take up the flawed legislation rushed through the Senate, House committees will continue their work on a step-by-step, common-sense approach to fixing what has long been a broken system,” House leaders said in a statement. The move was not unexpected.
ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: Rubio will be speaking at the Concerned Veterans for America and The Weekly Standard’s second “Defend & Reform” Breakfast Event. The event will be broadcast live here. 8:30 a.m.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EXTENDING BENEFITS TO SAME-SEX COUPLES via the New York Times
Following the Supreme Court’s decision striking down the federal Defense of Marriage Act, the federal government is proceeding with the expansion of benefits to same-sex married couples. Administrators in the House and Senate have issued advisories to their employees, as has the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.
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SPLIT FARM BILL FAILS TO LEAVE THE GATE
The plan to split the massive farm bill into two parts faces an uncertain future as the farm-only bill failed to receive 218 votes in a GOP whip count on Tuesday. The bill was expected to come before the Rules Committee this week, but that now appears unlikely. Opposition from the Club for Growth and Heritage Action has prevented GOP leaders from convincing Republicans who voted against the unified farm bill to support the split legislation. The Club said earlier this week that it would oppose a two-part bill unless deep cuts to farm subsidies were included. House Democrats also oppose the split bill because it imperils the rural-urban connection found in past farm bills.
THE PRICE OF VICTORY IS RISING
The cost of winning a congressional election has skyrocketed over the past three decades, according to the latest edition of Vital Statistics on Congress, released this week. On average, a winning House candidate spent $1.6 million in 2012, a 212-percent increase over the cost in 1986, adjusting for inflation. On the Senate side, a victory cost $10.3 million in 2012, a 161-percent increase. Outside spending also has ballooned, from $10 million each on House and Senate races in 2004 to $198 million on House races and $259 million on Senate races in 2012.
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FLORIDA GOP RAISES $2.9 MILLION; DEMS $966K DURING SECOND QUARTER via the News Service of Florida
The state Republican Party raised $2.9 million between April 1 and June 30, three times the amount collected by the Florida Democratic Party, according to reports released Wednesday and reported by the News Service of Florida..
The GOP has pulled in nearly $8.9 million this year, as it prepares for 2014 races that include a gubernatorial election. The Democratic Party, which received $966,788 during the quarter, has raised slightly less than $2.1 million this year.
The Republican Party received chunks of cash during the quarter from major political and corporate players such as Florida Power & Light, TECO Energy, U.S. Sugar Corp., the Florida Medical Association, and Disney Worldwide Services.
TWEET, TWEET: @Mdixon55: If you had Florida Blue in the “who gave the most to the state GOP” pool, you are the winner.
GROUP ASKS SCOTT TO RETURN $500K DONATION via Katie Sanders of the Tampa Bay Times
A liberal veterans group called on Gov. Scott to return a $500,000 campaign check from St. Petersburg mogul (and Vietnam veteran) Bill Edwards, saying Scott should not take the money following news of Edwards’ company being hit with a record fine for violating the “Do Not Call” telemarketing rule.
“Surely Governor Scott will not willingly retain political contributions — totaling a half-million dollars — derived from funds that may have been the fruit of misrepresentations to veterans,” VoteVets.org chairman Pablo Pantoja said in a statement. “He should return these tainted contributions immediately. Quite simply our veterans deserve better.”
A representative from Scott’s political committee could not immediately be reached.
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GOV. SCOTT SAYS U.S. SENATE IS ‘PLAYING POLITICS’ WITH STUDENTS
Scott said on Wednesday that it was outrageous for the US Senate to choose politics over students as they were unable to come to a consensus on a procedural vote to clear the way for legislation to reduce student loan interest rates. The Senate has failed to pass legislation that would keep the college loan interest rate on new Stafford federal loans to 3.4 percent without raising taxes on small businesses. Currently, new Stafford loans are offered with a 6.8 percent interest rate because Congress was unable to come to a compromise before the lower rate expired on July 1.
Congress then recessed without addressing the dramatic rate increase on students.
Scott said, “Saddling students with a lifetime of higher student loan debt because of more political inaction in Washington is outrageous. In Florida we have worked to keep tuition low and education quality high. The Senate’s inaction today hurts Florida’s students and families.”
The Senate proposal would have kept the student loan interest rate the same by raising taxes on small businesses. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed a student loan compromise bill that did not raise taxes, based on a proposal by President Obama designed to garner bi-partisan support. The Democrat-controlled Senate was unable to successfully pass similar legislation.
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ADAM PUTNAM RAISES $591K IN ONLY TWO MONTHS via Matt Dixon of the Florida Times-Union
Putnam’s 2014 reelection bid is off to a good start.
Putnam raised $591,011 between April 15 and June 30. In addition, the Republican Party of Florida gave his campaign $82,897 in in-kind contributions for staff and supplies.
It’s Putnam’s biggest reporting period since becoming commissioner in 2010. Prior to that, the $4486,458 Putnam raised in 2009 had been his single largest reporting period.
More than 80 percent of the money came from $500 contributions, which is the largest an individual can give to a candidate. On the other end of the spectrum, four people gave Putnam’s campaign $1 contributions.
JEFF ATWATER RAISES $105K FOR RE-ELECTION BID via Kevin Derby of Sunshine State News
With no opposition so far, Atwater has raised almost $105,000 for his re-election campaign in the second quarter of 2013. So far, since launching his campaign committee two years ago, Atwater has brought in $195,125 and spent $14,316 of that, including $180 during the second quarter of 2013.
Atwater has been relying heavily on in-kind donations. In the second quarter of 2013, he relied on more than $64,650 through in-kind donations, bringing his total so far to more than $366,650 used with in-kind donations.
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DON GAETZ WORTH 26.2 MILLION via the News Service of Florida
In terms of personal finances, the Senate president dwarfs the House speaker. Senate President Don Gaetz lists his net worth at $26.2 million, compared to $288,075 reported by Speaker Weatherford, according to newly filed disclosure forms.
The president’s wealth has grown from $21.4 million in 2010 to a $24.9 million figure that was reported in 2012. A co-founder of VITAS Healthcare Corp., Gaetz reported having $6.5 million in securities, $8.4 million in bank accounts, and $10.4 million in real estate, including properties in Seaside, Seagrove Beach, Panama City, Santa Rosa Beach, Destin, Georgia, Wisconsin, and New York City. Gaetz also lists loans of $50,000 (secured) and $24,807 (personal) to his son Rep. Matt Gaetz.
Weatherford, a former legislative aide who worked as a real estate broker, listed among his assets his Wesley Chapel home at $416,790 and a Tallahassee condo at $80,000. His net worth had grown from $267,943 in 2012. Besides his $29,715 in pay as speaker, Weatherford listed among his income $52,000 from Dallas-based Breckenridge Enterprises/Diamond K Corp., and $31,000 from Red Eagle Group. Red Eagle Group is listed as a secondary source of income, receiving its business income from Trilby-based Simpson Environmental, which is 80 percent owned by Sen. Wilton Simpson.
JEFF BRANDES WILL FILE LEGISLATION IN PURSUIT OF PRIVACY REFORM
Brandes announced that he is preparing to file privacy legislation that seeks to provide Floridians with a greater level of protection for their personal information. Citing recent privacy breaches in both the Prescription Drug Management Database and confidential student records, Senator Brandes said that Florida needs to adapt the law to account for modern technology.
“As technology advances it is imperative that Floridians know that their modern day papers and effects are secure from government intrusion, whether that is an e-mail communication or a business file stored in a server,” stated Brandes. “Personal information is being given to third parties for many reasons and this information often lacks comprehensive protection under the law. To restore Floridians’ confidence in the privacy of their information, I am writing legislation that addresses these security concerns.”
Brandes’ legislation will seek to increase oversight of personal information given to third parties, and require the extensive disclosure of warrantless data acquisition by government entities from third parties. This legislation continues Senator Brandes’ advocacy to protect the privacy of Floridians. During the 2013 Session he filed Senate Bill 846 that would have required law enforcement to obtain a search warrant before searching the contents of portable devices like cell phones after an arrest. The Florida Supreme Court ultimately issued a ruling (Smallwood v. State of Florida) requiring such a search warrant incident to an arrest.
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JACK LATVALA NOW WITH OVER $100k IN BANK FOR RE-ELECTION BID
Sen. Jack Latvala raised $27,975 between April 1 and June 30, bringing his overall contribution total to $111,000 as he prepares to seek re-election next year.
Two other candidates, Republican Zahid Royand Libertarian Tony Caso, also have opened campaign accounts in Senate District 20.
MATT GAETZ RAISES $252K FOR SENATE SEAT IN SEVEN-WEEK SPRINT via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
Gaetz raised $252,000 over seven weeks in his bid to succeed his father, Don, the Senate president, in a Panhandle Senate seat. Gaetz’s fast and formidable out-of-the-gate showing may help explain why Rep. Jimmy Patronis decided to end his campaign for the same seat after raising $2,800 in the past three months.
Most of young Gaetz’s money is from local supporters in Northwest Florida, not Tallahassee insiders. But he did get $2,500 from an Orlando-area network of injury clinics, $2,000 from the HCA hospital chain and $1,500 from private prison builder Geo Group and two company execs. Former House Speaker Dean Cannon, now a lobbyist, and his wife Ellen each gave Gaetz $500 as did Bradenton real estate investor and former Senate president John McKay and Sen. Jeff Brandes.
The younger Gaetz, dubbed “Baby Gaetz” by Tallahassee lobbyists, is running for a seat that might not be open until 2016. That’s when Don Gaetz’s term would expire, and he has said he “intends” to fill out his term. It’s unusual, but not unprecedented, for a Senate president to make the awkward transition to being just another senator after residing in the presidential suite for two years. The last one who did it, Ken Pruitt of Port St. Lucie, had a change of heart and resigned his seat on the last day of the 2009 session.
TWEET, TWEET: @JeffreyBrandes raises another $32K; overall = appx. $148K for only seat up in 2014 Dems could realistically challenge.
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HD 31: RANDY GLISSON EXTENDS FUNDRAISING LEAD IN COMPETITIVE GOP PRIMARY
In what is expected to be one of the most competitive GOP primaries on the House side, chiropractor Randy Glisson has taken the fundraising lead over rivals Terri Seefeldt and Betty Hensinger.
For the second quarter which ended June 30, Glisson raised $21,905, bringing his overall total to $41,925. Glisson is maintaining a tight grip on his money, having expended just $2,000.44.
Seefeldt, who has uber fundraiser Beth Babbington working for her picked up $14,200 and now has $25,125 in the bank.
Hensinger raised $11,055 in her first three months on the campaign trail.
HD 40 & 74: UNOPPOSED GOP CANDIDATES GET A HEAD START
In Lakeland’s House District 40, Republican Colleen Burton is the only candidate who has opened a campaign account, giving her a head start for the 2014 general election.
Running unopposed hasn’t stopped Burton from getting tapping the pool of donors, mostly from Lakeland and surrounding area, according to the current campaign financial information. So far, the former executive director of community activist group Polk Vision raised $26,175 in her bid to replace term-limited Rep. Seth McKee next year.
Venice Republican Julio Gonzalez is also the only candidate to organize a campaign account for his bid for House District 74 vacated next year by term-limited Rep. Doug Holder of Venice. He continued adding to his campaign fund, collecting $36,191 between April 1 and June 30. Recent funding records show Gonzales raised an overall total of $76,200 since November.
Material from the News Service of Florida was used in this post.
HD 61: ED NARAIN TOUTING $21k HAUL
Ed Narain has raised over $21,000 in the first months of his State House campaign, according to a press release from his campaign.
“The most encouraging part,” said Narain, “(is that) the vast majority of it came from the people of our community.” Take that as a not-so-veiled shot at rival Sean Shaw, who is expected to be the preferred candidate in Tallahassee.
An area manager for AT&T and a volunteer for organizations benefiting children and young people, Narain is running for the House District 61 seat now held by Rep. Betty Reed, who will leave office in 2014 because of term limits. Three other candidates also have filed to run: Shaw, a lawyer and consumer advocate, community activist Tatiana M. Denson, and former Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee Vice Chairwoman Sharon Carter.
HD 63: SHAWN HARRISON MAKING STRONG COMEBACK
In House District 63, where Democrat Mark Danish knocked off Shawn Harrison in 2012, the Republican has already taken the fundraising lead after being in the race for two months. Harrison outraised Danish three-to-one this last quarter and has outraised overall.
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APPOINTED: Maurice Ferre to the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Miami-Dade County.
NEW LOBBYING REGISTRATIONS
Brian Ballard, Carol Bracy, Ballard Partners: F. Garcia Wholesale & Export, Inc.
Frank Tsamoutales, Cameron Yarborough: Masonite Corporation
TWEET, TWEET: @JonathanMatisse: Ken Pruitt had another good yr lobbying while SLC property appraiser: about $267k from lobbying; $124k from elected job. Net worth: $908k.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Anthony Bonna, ’30 under 30′ star Matthew Leger, and the Tampa Bay Times‘ Aaron Sharockman.
