Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.
By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Mitch Perry, Ryan Ray, and Jim Rosica.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELLA JOYCE SCHORSCH via Michelle Todd
Happy 3rd birthday my beautiful girl!
I wish I could say that I can’t believe you’re already 3, but there is no denying it. You are all little girl; not at all a baby, and you’re growing more every day!
If I had to describe you using only one word, it would be joyous. You find joy in the most mundane things (stop signs and exit signs being two of them), and you are always trying (and succeeding) to bring mommy and daddy joy. You laugh with abandon and love telling bad knock knock jokes. Seriously, the one about pink, blue and orange is just so bad, but you tell it with such pride and deliver it so perfectly, that we can’t help but laugh. You often talk using your “game show host” voice. You project your joy and wonder in every word you speak.
Pink and blue are your favorite colors and you love finding those colors wherever you can: you only color with pink and blue crayons, you like pink and blue lollipops, you play with Chase and Sky from Paw Patrol because they are the blue and pink pups, you buy pink and blue dog bones for Beauregard, you wear pink and blue nail polish and you prefer to wear one pink and one blue shoe.
You really love letters; M and N are your favorites. You know how to spell your name but insist that your name “starts with the letter M today because M is my favorite letter.” You love watching the alphabet show in the car and playing with your alphabet puzzle. You are always asking how to spell things and love to use your puzzle pieces to spell exit, stop and dog. You asked for a second puzzle so you can spell mom, dad, papa and coco.
Your brother dog Beauregard is your best friend. You start every day joining Beauregard outside to “peep.” You love looking at all of the colors in the sky (pink, blue and orange) as the sun rises. You are so loving and compassionate. You really love animals (except for birds, which you’re scared of) and you are always concerned about other people, particularly crying babies.
You are insistent that cupcakes are a food group and would eat them for every meal if you could. Fortunately, you also love corn, carrots, green beans, watermelon, bananas, apples and strawberries. You still refuse to eat meat on most days and rely on yogurt, cheese and beans to provide your protein.
Singing and dancing bring you joy every day. You love to sing “I See the Light” and all of the songs you learn in school. You insist on dancing to “Beat It” by Michael Jackson at least four times a week, and you can’t stop yourself from dancing to “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift. Dancing brings you joy – you love ballet and tap class with Miss Katie and ask to go to ballet every day.
Rapunzel, Mulan and Mickey Mouse are your best friends and constant companions. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse remains one of your favorite TV shows but PJ Masks, Shimmer and Shine and Paw Patrol are giving Mickey a run for his money. You love books and you are always full of questions. You particularly enjoy asking mommy “what kind of…” about everything including an epic car ride where you asked 17 what kind of questions about a tree.
After overcoming your initial fear and separation anxiety, you have grown to love school. You ask to go to school every day and talk regularly about your classmates and your teacher. Even though it broke our heart to give up those precious hours with you that you spend at school, mommy and daddy are so thrilled that you’re enjoying school so much.
You still love books, particularly “Pete the Cat” books and any books featuring Disney’s Palace Pets. You are fearless and climb everything you can. You are turning into a bit of a daredevil, which is a departure from your usually cautious nature. You love to paint, do “activities” with mommy (Koala Crate) and to build with blocks. You are very particular about things and are not satisfied until things are done “just so.”
Your command of the English language is impressive, and you are rarely at a loss for words. You routinely shock us with the things you say and with your strong opinions.
You’re insistent that you’re still a little girl and refuse to admit that you’re turning 3, preferring to remain 2 and “mommy’s baby.”
You challenge us, inspire us, entertain us and teach us how to truly appreciate the world. You give us reasons to be proud of you every day, and you continue to teach us about our ever-expanding capacity to love. You are our greatest blessing, and you make every day a wonderfully, joyous adventure. You have already surpassed the hopes and dreams we had for you when we first learned you were growing in my womb, and you continue to amaze us each day.
You are, quite simply, the love of our lives. We are so honored and blessed to be your parents. We can’t wait to see the new ways you amaze us and keep us on our toes in the coming years.
Happy birthday angel baby!
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Michelle, Ella and I will be spending Monday at the Happiest Place on Earth, so there just won’t be time in between breakfast with Mickey and dinner with Cinderella to write Sunburn. So there won’t be a ‘burn on Tuesday. Sunburn will return Wednesday.
THE MOST IMPORTANT NEWS YOU’LL READ TODAY
Today, South Florida residents will get an exclusive free preview of McDonald’s All Day Breakfast thanks to Uber. The companies have partnered for a one-day only promotion to personally deliver McDonald’s breakfast (and swag) between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Monday one day in advance of McDonald’s national All Day Breakfast launch on October 6.
Uber users can take part in this free promotion by entering the promo code “LovinIt” via the Uber app to get this on-demand delivery of breakfast and fun prizes or even a surprise visit from Ronald McDonald himself. Area franchise owners will also be on hand, participating in this exclusive promotion being offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.
In addition, Uber is pledging to give $2 for each All Day Breakfast delivery to Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida.
FOLLOW THE EXCITEMENT at hashtag #AllDayBreakfastSoFla.
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NEW POLL SHOWS BEN CARSON MOVING INTO NATIONAL LEAD via Florida Politics
A new IBD/TIPP Poll shows Ben Carson leading the GOP presidential race with 24 percent, followed by Donald Trump at 17 percent, Marco Rubio at 11 percent, Carly Fiorina at 9 percent and Jeb Bush at 8 percent.
POLLS: DONALD TRUMP STILL LEADS IN IA AND NH, BUT LOSES GROUND via Mark Murray of NBC News
Trump remains ahead in the early Republican nominating contests of Iowa and New Hampshire, but his lead has shrunk from a month ago … In New Hampshire, Trump now holds a five-point advantage over Fiorina among GOP primary voters, 21 percent to 16 percent — followed by Bush in third at 11 percent, and Rubio and Carson tied at 10 percent each. But a month ago, Trump’s lead over the nearest competition in the Granite State (John Kasich) was 16 points, 28 percent to 12 percent.
[I]n Iowa, Trump is ahead of Carson by five points among potential GOP caucus-goers, 24 percent to 19 percent — with Fiorina in third at 8 percent, Bush at 7 percent, and Ted Cruz, Rubio and Bobby Jindal tied at 6 percent. A month ago, Trump’s lead over Carson in Iowa was seven points in the same poll, 29 percent to 22 percent.
MORE POLLING –– A new Pew Research poll finds Trump leading the GOP presidential field nationally with 25 percent, followed by Carson at 16 percent, Rubio at 8 percent, Fiorina at 8 percent, Ted Cruz at 6 percent and Bush at 4 percent.
MORE POLLING: The results from the latest national Suffolk University/USA Today poll of the Democratic field: Clinton 41 percent, Sanders 23 percent, Biden 20 percent.
BARACK OBAMA REBUKES JEB BUSH ON ‘STUFF HAPPENS’ REACTION TO OREGON SHOOTINGS via Michael Shear and Alan Rappeport of The New York Times
Bush drew a sharp rebuke from Obama … after the Republican presidential candidate shrugged off any need for government action in the wake of the massacre of nine people at a community college in Oregon.
“Look, stuff happens,” Bush … said at a campaign event in South Carolina. “There’s always a crisis, and the impulse is always to do something and it’s not always the right thing to do.”
Obama, who in remarks the night before had denounced Congress and the entire American political system for what he called its numbness to repeated gun massacres, responded: “The American people should hear that and make their own judgments based on the fact that every couple of months, we have a mass shooting. They can decide whether they consider that ‘stuff happens.’ ”
The exchange between Obama and Bush reflected the paralysis that has settled over the issue of new gun control legislation in the United States. Virtually no member of Congress issued a statement after the Oregon shootings arguing for or against new gun control measures, and a number of the 2016 Republican presidential candidates were dismissive of new gun control measures as well.
— “Let’s make schools less killer-friendly via Tom Jackson” of the Florida Tribune
— “Marco Rubio: More gun restrictions will not prevent shootings” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
— “Oregon shooting strengthens guns on campus bill, Florida lawmakers say” via Arek Sarkissian of Political Fix Florida
BUSH CASH DASH via Alex Isenstadt of POLITICO
Bush [is] looking to keep his fundraising coffers afloat as he takes a tumble in the polls … will attend 17 fundraisers over the next three weeks in a grueling cross-country fundraising push … the foray includes fundraising receptions in California — where on Oct. 20 he will attend events in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Woodside — and in New Orleans, where he will make an Oct. 26 appearance. The former Florida governor will also be boosted by his brother, former President George W. Bush, who this month will host events in Arkansas, Colorado and Washington, D.C. Next week, former first lady Laura Bush will host two receptions in Florida — one in Palm Beach, the other in Winter Park.
— “John Kasich: Super-PAC move shows Team Jeb Bush is ‘getting nervous’” via Ben Kamisar of The Hill
ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: Bush will be in Miami before traveling to Tampa for a private fundraising event.
5 REASONS TO BET $5 ON MARCO RUBIO via Glenn Thrush of POLITICO
[W]hy so many pundits, campaign pros and reporters bet on Rubio eventually winning the nomination … Rubio is a quicker study on policy, a superior speaker and a more concise counter-attacker than just about anyone else in the field. Trump gets more laughs and Rubio sometimes looks like your nephew who is running for the student council … He has a plan — and is so far sticking to it.
Rubio has no natural electoral or fundraising base, his tentative, unsuccessful stab at comprehensive immigration reform put him in a bad place at a time when the party’s likely voters are more interested in walls than paths to citizenship, and he’s not even especially popular with Latinos, not even in Florida. Yet this protean political personality also gives him flexibility to out-maneuver indelibly branded candidates like Cruz, Rand Paul, Bush and Trump. …
He hasn’t picked fight[s] but he’s been careful to show some spine. Unlike Bush, whose first response to Trump’s battering was a flinch, Rubio seems to be restraining anger, not looking for a podium to dive behind … In the past few days he’s become more bellicose to both Trump and Bush — and his temper just might prove the biggest threat to his intentionally plodding rise. …
The guy is just good at elections, like that other first-term senator who made out well eight years ago. Rubio learns fast on the trail, and he’s achieved larger margins of victory in his campaigns than comparable Republicans in similar races and similar states.
MY TAKE: IS IT TIME TO BET ON BUSH AGAIN? via Florida Politics
Rubio has had very good showings in the first two debates — the same in which Bush had performed at what charitably might be called a workmanlike level … Bush, the self-described tortoise in the race, has had to calm supporters amid falling poll numbers and some conversational gaffes on the stump. But Bush’s team has stuck to the plan of illuminating the conservative former Florida governor’s record in the early primary states … While Rubio is the beneficiary of press attention as the Summer of Trump winds to a close, Bush’s focus on the largely unheralded mechanics of a durable campaign – wooing opinion leaders, building voter files, working on ballot access, conducting effective retail politics in the small venues of Iowa and New Hampshire, touting Bush’s real accomplishments in solid TV ads in early primary states – may be beginning to have the intended effect … we might be seeing the first glimmers of the success of that approach.
It’s too early to tell what will happen, and Rubio could continue to do well. But, with Bush, clearly rumors of his demise have been exaggerated, and as The New York Times underscored this week, Bush dominates the field in a number of predictive categories … I might consider betting $5 on Rubio, but to pay the mortgage, I’d be betting on Bush.
RUBIO DISMISSES BUSH CRITICISM WITH A SHRUG via Eli Stokols of POLITICO
Rubio‘s stealthy performance at the debate and months spent working voter crowds has sent him slowly but steadily climbing in the polls … suddenly making him a target, not least for Bush, who is now subtly attacking his leadership chops and experience level.
Rubio responded to his one-time mentor’s criticisms not with a counterattack but an indifferent shrug.
“It’s fine. It’s not a big deal,” Rubio said during an interview … “When you run for office, and you feel — whatever — you’re going to say what you think puts you in the best position; and I guess they’ve determined coming after me a little bit puts them in a better position.”
Rubio’s slightly patronizing aplomb is that of an increasingly confident candidate … And by avoiding a tit-for-tat argument with Bush, Rubio is seemingly diminishing the potential for a marquee showdown … But make no mistake: he’s also subtly tweaking Bush, who now trails him in the polls, suggesting that the former governor is getting a bit desperate.
RUBIO: TRUMP DOESN’T KNOW ABOUT MY RELATIONSHIP WITH BUSH via Nick Gass of POLITICO
Rubio proclaimed Trump “doesn’t know what he’s talking about” when he references Rubio’s relationship with Bush. While campaigning, the real-estate mogul has said on multiple occasions that the two Floridian GOP candidates “hate each other.” Rubio said he has “great admiration for Governor Bush. We’re friends. We’re running for the same office. I’m not running against him, I’m running for president. It doesn’t change my feelings towards him as a person.”
TRUMP STAFFS UP IN FLORIDA via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
A former aide to … Scott has been hired by Trump to serve as his Florida director … Karen R. Giorno had worked as Scott’s director of external affairs … “We are in this to win it,” Trump said. “These staff additions are the continuation of our plan to have a strategic and significant presence across the country. I am pleased that my vision to Make America Great Again has generated so much support and such a positive response that we are leading in all the polls. By adding to our team in these critical states we will be able to build on the tremendous support we have received and share our message with even more voters in these states.”
HILLARY CLINTON MOCKS TRUMP IN SNL PREMIERE via Annie Karni of POLITICO
For the first time since her 2008 presidential campaign, Clinton … returned to the set of ‘Saturday Night Live,’ starring in a skit as ‘Val,’ an easy-to-talk-to barkeep giving advice to the former secretary of state, played by comedian Kate McKinnon … Clinton, as ‘Val,’ dressed in a white button down shirt and apron, mocked herself for being slow to announce her current position on the Keystone Pipeline and on gay marriage.
She was also game to play along with a joke about Bill Clinton, played by Darrell Hammond, who entered the room, spotted two versions of his wife, and fled exclaiming, ‘my God, they’re multiplying!’ Clinton’s best line of the night was her game impression of Trump, which rivaled the Trump impression by Taran Killam on the show’s cold open … The sketch opened with McKinnon as Clinton, having drinks at a bar with her close aide Huma Abedin, played by comedian Cecily Strong, and overhearing someone claim that Carly Fiorina “would make the best first female president.” “Oh, Huma,” McKinnon sighs, leaning into her vodka. “Why won’t the people just let me lead. … I needed to blow off some steam … I’ve had a hard couple of 22 years.”
When McKinnon complains that all anyone ever wants to talk about is Trump, Val acts surprised. “Isn’t he the one who’s like, ‘UH, you’re all losers?” Val says, her voice dropping an octave … “You are really easy to talk to, Val” … “Thanks, that’s the first time I ever heard that.”
WINNER-TAKE-ALL FLORIDA PRIMARY SLOWS PARADE OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES via Alex Leary and Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times
It was supposed to assert Florida’s dominance in picking the Republican presidential nominee, but a move to push back the primary and award all delegates to the winner has rankled party activists who say it has made candidates wary of the state and could disenfranchise voters.
“It was a mistake. It’s almost taken Florida out of play,” said Randy Osborne, chairman of the Marion County Republican Executive Committee, who has been trading messages with other local leaders.
Osborne, a supporter of Cruz, said Republicans in his area are “all kind of like ‘Wow, how come candidates aren’t spending money here? Where’s the signs, the bumper stickers?’ And that’s not just Cruz.”
Criticism is apparent across Florida even as the state GOP chairman relented on a hardball gambit to force candidates to show up for a summit in November or be excluded from the March 15 primary ballot — itself a sign of the reluctance from candidates.
BLAISE INGOGLIA IN BOASTFUL SPIRITS via Zac Anderson of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune
With Bush, Rubio and Trump now committed to attending a Republican Party of Florida event … Blaise Ingoglia was in a boastful mood … “I will tell you that this is shaping up to be one of the biggest events in Republican Party history” … Just a week ago that statement would have seemed ridiculous. The idea of making the summit mandatory — which Ingoglia defended as simply “the start of a discussion” — received strong pushback and was dropped. Luckily for the RPOF, it seems like candidates don’t need to be threatened to see the value of campaigning in Florida … Three of the top five candidates in the Real Clear Politics average of national polls have now committed to appear at the summit, and lower-tier contenders Bobby Jindal, Mike Huckabee and Lindsey Graham also are in. That’s still just six of 15, but Ingoglia seemed confident last week that the lineup will grow.
TWITTER HOW-TO CAMPAIGN GUIDE LEAVES SOME THINGS OUT — LIKE ‘NO NUDE SELFIES’ via Florida Politics
“The Twitter Government and Elections Handbook” is a 137-page user’s guide with advice on setting up a Twitter account on how to get more re-tweets … Campaigners can learn how to create the types of messages that rise above the chatter, like using hashtags and showing “authenticity.” The guide also touches on best practices for live tweeting events such as rallies and interviews.
Although the guide itself strives to be comprehensive, there are a few things it leaves out – such as the wisdom in not posting nude selfies. While the guide has become wildly popular since its release last year, Twitter’s handbook (unfortunately) does little to actually prevent sexting scandals and other lapses in judgment. In the most glaring omission, nowhere does the guide warn against the obvious — sending unwanted nude or sexually suggestive photo messages.
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FLORIDA INSIDER POLL: JEFF ATWATER WOULD BE SENATE RACE GAME-CHANGER via Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times
Florida’s Republican U.S. Senate primary … has been a hum-drum affair featuring three credible but little-known candidates … now Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater is reconsidering his decision not to run, and in the latest Tampa Bay Times Florida Insider Poll of nearly 160 Florida politicos, more than two-thirds predicted Atwater would win the nomination.
Even with another well-known name in the race — former Attorney General Bill McCollum, who is strongly considering running as well — 68 percent of those surveyed predicted Atwater would win the race, 13 percent predicted U.S. Rep. David Jolly … 9 percent predicted U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis … 6 percent predicted Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, and 4 percent predicted McCollum.
Without Atwater in the race, Jolly is the strong favorite to win the nomination among those surveyed … Thirty-nine percent … 23 percent said DeSantis, 20 percent said Lopez-Cantera, and 18 percent said McCollum … Without McCollum or Atwater in the race, 48 percent … predicted Jolly would be the nominee … remainder were evenly divided between DeSantis and Lopez-Cantera.
The two major Democratic candidates are U.S. Reps. Alan Grayson … and Patrick Murphy … Nearly three out of four of the Insiders predicted Murphy would win the nomination.
PATRICK MURPHY HAS SOME HARSH WORDS ABOUT RUBIO via Jorge Ramos of Fusion
Murphy … running for the U.S. Senate … But what would happen if he suddenly finds himself up against Rubio? If the Republican presidential candidate loses his bid for the nomination, he might choose to run again for Florida’s Senate.
“I announced against him in March because personally I don’t support what he’s been doing—his policies, his votes, his lack of support for things like comprehensive immigration reform.” Murphy told Fusion’s Jorge Ramos in a recent interview. “If he decides to come back, so be it, we are ready for that” … Rubio’s stance against a path for citizenship for the majority of undocumented immigrants in the country—as the son of immigrants—is “terrible” … “I simply don’t understand it,” the congressman said.
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OIL AND WATER: CLASHES BETWEEN RICK SCOTT, ADAM PUTNAM ROIL STATE POLITICS via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
One is the governor and one wants to be … about the extent of the common ground between … Scott and … Adam Putnam, the odd couple in Florida politics.
As one of three elected Cabinet members, Putnam works with Scott to shape policy and supervise state agencies … Scott fervently sticks to his message of more jobs … Putnam insists the state’s greatest long-term need is more water. Like oil and water, the two men don’t mix. They no longer try to conceal their dislike for each other … clashes have become more frequent, and more trouble could be ahead as Putnam builds a political base in advance of what’s likely to be a long campaign to replace Scott in 2018.
Tensions between the two boiled over in June when Scott approved pay raises for driver’s license examiners and some state troopers, but used his veto pen to reject Putnam’s request for $2,000 raises for state forestry firefighters who on average earn about $27,000 a year … sudden veto came after Scott ignored Putnam’s written request for a meeting to discuss it. Scott’s people said there was no time.
MUST READ COLUMN: SHOOTING SLUG INTO A WALL: 20 YEARS! via Carl Hiaasen of the Miami Herald
The travesty imprisonment of Orville “Lee” Wollard will continue, with the blessing of … Scott … [who] cast the decisive vote to keep Wollard locked up for firing a warning shot after being attacked in his home by his daughter’s boyfriend … The 60-year-old first-time offender has already served about seven years of a mandatory 20-year term … A charge of child abuse was included because the boyfriend of Wollard’s daughter was 17 at the time of the incident … Curiously, the same prosecutor who’d originally offered Wollard a deal of five years’ probation (with no prison time) told the state clemency board … Wollard should stay behind bars after all this time. State Attorney Jerry Hill offered no good explanation for his 180-degree pivot, nor did Scott bother to ask how Wollard could suddenly be a menace to society when he was deemed suitable for probation before his trial.
Hill asked clemency officials to keep Wollard in prison because he has “a history of bad decisions” that includes drug use … Wollard, who has a master’s degree, was a former human-resources specialist at SeaWorld in Orlando. His case has become part of a national (and bipartisan) movement to reform minimum-mandatory sentencing guidelines and give judges more leeway.
Donald Jacobsen, the Florida circuit judge … conceded at the time that, “If it wasn’t for the minimum-mandatory aspect of this, I would use my discretion and impose some separate sentence, having taken into consideration the circumstances of the event.” Jacobsen had no choice then but to follow the law.
And for that — shooting a slug into a wall — a man who’s never been convicted of any other crime should rot in a cell for 20 years? It’s pure lunacy, and an abominable perversion of the justice system … There are armed robbers, rapists, even killers who will do less prison time than Lee Wollard.
BIG TROUBLE IN FLORIDA SCHOOLS — AND IT’S NOT A HURRICANE via Valerie Strauss of The Washington Post
A battle over Florida’s public education system may be reaching a tipping point … school superintendents revolting against the state’s school accountability system and editorial boards of major newspapers now weighing in on their side … The Florida Association of District School Superintendents issued a statement … that superintendents have “lost confidence” in the current accountability system for students and schools, which is based on the scores students receive on the controversial Florida Standards Assessments. The superintendents called for a suspension of the accountability system and a full review.
The assessments … are aligned to the Florida Standards, which were adopted in 2014 to replace the Common Core State Standards but strongly resemble the Core. Florida also dropped the Common Core test known as the PARCC … created by a multi-consortium funded by the Obama administration to develop new exams aligned to the Core. The administration of the new exams was marred by severe technological problems, frustrating superintendents, teachers and students.
The long-festering dispute between local school districts and an unreasonable Florida Department of Education turned into open revolt last week as superintendents across the state finally declared that they’ve lost confidence in the state’s testing and grading system.
FLORIDA COURT REVERSES ITSELF ON SLOTS via Gary Fineout of The Associated Press
The 1st District Court of Appeal … ruled that slot machines could not be installed at a facility 25 miles west of Tallahassee … The decision was unusual because the court essentially overturned its own decision from May, when it stated that slot machines were allowed because Gadsden County voters approved a referendum authorizing them.
Calling it a “monumental change” from existing law, Attorney General Pam Bondi had asked for the court to reconsider its decision. The outcome changed because one of the judges who ruled in favor of slot machines earlier this year retired and was replaced by a judge appointed by … Scott … the legal tussle over this case is probably not yet over … The appeals court said the case had statewide importance in asking that the Florida Supreme Court take it up. The final decision could have a wide effect because voters in Lee, Brevard and Palm Beach counties as well as the North Florida counties of Hamilton and Washington have approved similar referendums. Slot machines are currently limited to South Florida tracks and casinos run by the Seminole tribe.
LAWMAKER DOCTORS PROPOSE ALTERNATIVE IDEAS FOR HEALTHCARE REFORM via Michael Auslen of the Tampa Bay Times
A pair of Republican state legislators who are also doctors are pushing an alternate plan to reform health care that runs counter to the proposed overhaul laid out by their party leaders. State Reps. Julio Gonzalez … and Fred Costello … want to keep doctors in control of healthcare decisions and give individuals incentives to negotiate healthcare costs. They even want the state to run its own Medicaid program, cutting federal regulations out entirely.
The plan, laid out in a 29-page missive to a House panel … is an eight-year road map for where the two freshman lawmakers want the state to go. While some of it aligns with House leaders such as soon-to-be Speaker Richard Corcoran … many of their ideas conflict with those of lawmakers who are influential in health care.
The goal … is to cap the total cost of delivering health care at one-third of the state’s budget. Medicaid totals $25.7 billion in the current state budget, about 32 percent of the total.
ELEANOR SOBEL FILES BILLS ON TANNING, PLAYGROUNDS via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics
State Sen. Eleanor Sobel … filed legislation … to ban kids from tanning salons and make playgrounds safer. The playground bill would force new and rehabbed public playgrounds to comply with international and federal safety guidelines, including on fencing, shading and ground surfacing.
Child development experts, though, have argued against making play areas too safe, saying kids “need to encounter risks and overcome fears on the playground.”
The tanning bill, or “Preventing Youth Skin Cancer Act,” bans anyone under 18 from tanning at salons unless “prescribed by a healthcare provider to treat a medical condition.” Sobel, whose husband is a dermatologist, has been introducing a version of the bill for several years.
Violating the proposed law means a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in a county jail, though it’s not clear whether that includes the store’s owners or just salon workers.
— “10 things Brevard wants from Florida Legislature” via Dave Berman of Florida Today
VICTOR CRIST AND JEFF BRANDES ARE NOT ON THE SAME PAGE REGARDING THE PTC’S FUTURE via Mitch Perry of Florida Politics
Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission Chair Victor Crist announced … his agency will temporarily postpone any work on the litigation involving the PTC and Uber until after the Florida Legislative session concludes next March. All eyes are on Tallahassee … to finally come up with a statewide list of rules and regulations regarding Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) that have been operating the past couple of years in Florida’s major cities. Crist said that the action by the PTC was a good-faith show of cooperation with Uber, which along with Lyft has been operating outside the scope of the agency since it began operating in April of 2014 in Hillsborough County.
Crist also said … the dinner he shared with … Jeff Brandes last month cleared the air on a number of fronts. He said that they are now on the same page regarding insurance policies and, to a lesser extent, background checks … he believes that Brandes no longer wants to can his agency, calling it a legislative tactic.
Brandes says he hasn’t back off one bit from wanting to eliminate the agency. “Absolutely … I believe that that organization is just unnecessary. It’s antiquated.”
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HOW MANY VOTES DOES IT TAKE TO ELECT A FLORIDA LEGISLATOR? via Kristen Clark and Mary Ellen Klas of the Miami Herald
At 43 percent, Republican Julio Gonzalez of Venice is the House member who came closest to winning a majority of his district’s votes in his last election … Democrat Chris Smith … Republican Don Gaetz … Democrat Bill Montford … only three legislators — all senators — who won their last election with a majority of their district’s votes.
A third of all legislators were elected in their last election without a single vote … no one ran against them … Republican leaders will consider the upcoming special session to redraw the Senate map a success if they do little harm to the Republican majority. Democrats will feel successful if the new map pits GOP incumbents against each other and creates two or more districts that give their candidates the advantage. Both sides will remain in limbo if this session dissolves, like the one in August, in disarray.
Why is this important? Legislators wield tremendous power in Florida … Drawing the political boundaries for the next decade through redistricting is like creating the rulebook for who calls the shots.
Here are some of the stats … 11.9 million registered voters for the 2014 general election but only 2.8 million cast votes for a senator in the last applicable election, and only 2.2 million voted for a House member. Of the 40 senators, 12 were elected without opposition; of the 120 House members, 38 similarly walked into office without a vote.
KEVIN CATE’S FIRST ROCKET LOBBY RESULTS ARE IN: MRV, LIZBETH BENACQUISTO MOST RESPONSIVE FLORIDA LAWMAKERS via Florida Politics
Cate Communications founder Kevin Cate … sent out the first month of data on Florida lawmaker responsiveness, as determined by his newest product Rocket Lobby … The most responsive during the month of September … Democratic state Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda and Republican state Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto … 1,782 citizens looking to reach out to their representatives in Tallahassee had so far used [the] service.
CAPITOL TALK OF SHIFTING CITY ELECTIONS IN FLORIDA HAS CITY HALL BUZZING via the Tampa Bay Times
State Rep. Matt Caldwell … chairman of the House State Affairs Committee, is working on legislation that would change the timetable for city elections across Florida.
The Florida League of Cities has raised a number of questions about the idea, including making ballots even longer and lowering voter turnouts in city elections, which are already anemically low in many places.
ALAN WILLIAMS FILES FOR LEON ELECTIONS SEAT via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics
State Rep. Alan Williams … has filed to run for Leon County Supervisor of Elections in 2016, succeeding retiring supervisor Ion Sancho. Williams, first elected to the Florida House in 2008, is term limited. He is chair of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus and was Democratic Whip in 2012-14.
Williams faces only one other candidate for the office: Mark Earley, the supervisor’s voting systems manager.
***Capital City Consulting, LLC is a full-service government and public affairs firm located in Tallahassee, Florida. At Capital City Consulting, our team of professionals specialize in developing unique government relations and public affairs strategies and delivering unrivaled results for our clients before the Florida Legislature and Executive Branch Agencies. Capital City Consulting has the experience, contacts and winning strategies to help our clients stand out in the capital city. Learn more at www.capcityconsult.com.***
MATT GAETZ SD 1 MONEY LEAD EVAPORATES AFTER OPPONENT CUTS $500K CHECK via Florida Politics
Gaetz built a sizable war chest for his Senate District 1 campaign over the last two years, but that advantage evaporated after challenger George Gainer cut a $500,000 check to his own campaign.
The Bay County commissioner filed for the seat on Sept. 8 after months of rumors he would enter the race and loaned his campaign the sizable sum that same day. Gainer didn’t bring in much else, however, showing only $4,500 in contributions after three weeks on the trail. Gainer’s loan does a lot to even the odds, but the seat is still Gaetz’s to lose. SD 1’s status as one of the most conservative districts in the state means this race will be decided in the Republican primary.
HAPPENING TONIGHT — GrayRobinson’s Fred Leonhardt hosts a meet-and-greet reception for U.S. Senate candidate Todd Wilcox starting at 5 p.m. at Governors Club Private Dining Room, 202 S. Adams Street, in Tallahassee. RSVP with Jennifer McDougald at [email protected] or (850) 570-7711.
HAPPENING TONIGHT — House Majority 2016 will hold a joint fundraiser for Republican state Reps. Scott Plakon, Jay Trumbull and Danny Burgess on Monday, October 5, at 5 p.m. in the Governors Club Library. Also at 5 p.m., state Reps. Fred Costello, Bryan Avila and Chris Latvala will be in the Governors Club Board Room for a separate fundraising reception. Both events are at 202 1/2 South Adams Street in Tallahassee. Later, state Rep. Elizabeth Porter holds a 6 p.m. reception at Mixon & Associates, 119 E Park Ave. in Tallahassee.
HAPPENING TOMORROW — House Majority 2016 will hold a joint fundraiser for Republican state Reps. Heather Fitzenhagen, Charlie Stone and Holly Raschein on Tuesday, October 6 ,at 5 p.m. in the Balcony of the Governors Club. Also at 5 p.m., state Rep. Greg Steube will be at the Club, as will Eric Eisnaugle, Jay Fant and Shawn Harrison in the Private Dining Room for separate fundraising receptions. All the events are at 202 1/2 South Adams Street in Tallahassee. At 5:30 p.m., state Rep. Manny Diaz Jr. will hold a reception at Clyde’s and Costello’s, 210 S Adams St. in Tallahassee.
HAPPENING WEDNESDAY — House Majority 2016 will host a fundraiser for Republican state Reps. Jennifer Sullivan, Mike Hill, Chris Sprowls and Cyndi Stevenson on Wednesday, October 7, at 5 p.m. in the Governors Club Capital Room. Also at 5 p.m., state Reps. Bob Cortes, Blaise Ingoglia,Brad Drake, Paul Renner, Bill Hager, and George Moraitis will be in the Private Dining Room at Governors Club Board Room and Carlos Trujillo and Michael Bileca in the Plantation Room for separate fundraising receptions. All of the events are at 202 1/2 South Adams Street in Tallahassee.
HAPPENING THURSDAY — State Rep. Brad Drake will host a fundraising event on Thursday. October 8, beginning 4:30 p.m. in the Governors Club, 202 1/2 South Adams Street in Tallahassee.
SAVE THE DATE: Jack Latvala will be the special guest at fundraiser for Republican business executive Gary Price to support his bid for Senate District 23. The event is Monday, October 12, at The Club at Grandezza … starting at 11:30 a.m. with a $250-per-person private roundtable, and lunch following at noon. Tickets for the lunch reception only are $100 … located at 11481 Grande Oak Boulevard in Estero. RSVPs with Patricia@
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DUKE ENERGY WANTS TO BUILD OSCEOLA COUNTY SOLAR FACILITY via The Associated Press
Duke Energy Florida wants to build a solar power facility in an Orlando suburb … filed permits to construct the Osceola Solar Facility by early 2016 … on 17 acres in Kenansville.
The construction of the Osceola County facility is part of an overall plan by Duke Energy to install 500 megawatts of solar power in Florida by 2024.
REAPPOINTED: Adam Gelber and Dr. Joseph Joyce to the Environmental Regulation Commission.
REAPPOINTED: Nancy Acevedo and Dame Dhyana Ziegler to the Florida Commission on the Status of Women.
NEW LOBBYING REGISTRATIONS
George Oscar Anderson, David Browning, James McFaddin, Chris Dudley, Stacey Webb, Southern Strategy Group: CHCG Land Services; Darden Restaurants; The Grove Counseling Center; School District of Clay County
David Bishop, Solaris Consulting: DeSoto Memorial Hospital
Christopher Carmody, John Harris, GrayRobinson: iPic Entertainment
Michael Corcoran, Jeffrey Johnston, Michael Cantens, Amanda Stewart, Corcoran & Johnston: Environmental Acquisition and Restoration
Adam Corey, Nick Matthews, Unconventional Strategies: Computer Aid; Leon County School Board
Don DeLoach, DDGov Consulting: Micro Focus
Craig Gerhart: Avanir Pharmaceuticals
James Magill, Kimberley McGlynn, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney: Avis Budget Group; McDonald’s
William McKinley, Angela Dempsey, Fred Dickinson, PooleMcKinley: Miami Marlins
— “Five seek Pasco contract to lobby in Tallahassee” via CT Bowen of the Tampa Bay Times
SPOTTED: AARP Florida’s Jeff Johnson on the cover of Saturday’s Florida Times-Union
***Liberty Partners of Tallahassee, LLC, is a full-service consulting firm located just steps from the Capitol. The firm specializes in the development and implementation of successful advocacy strategies highly personalized for each client. Team Liberty is comprised of professionals with a track record of successful coalition-building, grassroots efforts and team coordination. The combination of a strong commitment to clients and practical government and private sector experience is why Fortune 500 companies and not-for-profits alike choose Liberty Partners of Tallahassee.***
HALLOWEEN SPENDING TO BE UP IN FLORIDA, DOWN NATIONALLY via Florida Politics
The Florida Retail Federation (FRF) … announced … the average person celebrating Halloween this year will spend $74.34, compared with $77.52 last year. Total spending nationally on Halloween is expected to reach $6.9 billion; according to the National Retail Federation’s Halloween Consumer Spending Survey … Consumers … plan to spend an average of $27.33 on costumes for the whole family, and a total of $2.5 billion on store-bought, homemade, large and small costumes. Those celebrating will spend the most on adult costumes ($1.2 billion), and will spend a total of $950 million on children’s costumes and $350 million on fashionable and fun costumes for their furry friends … 68 million Americans will dress up this Halloween and another 20 million pet owners will dress up their pet.
Nine in 10 (93.7 percent) Halloween shoppers will buy candy, spending a total of $2.1 billion, and an additional 33.5 percent will buy greeting cards, spending a total of $330 million. Two in five celebrants (44.8 percengt) plan to decorate their home or yard … The average person planning to buy decorations will spend $20.34 with total spending expected to reach $1.9 billion.
FOX DROPPED A NEW X-FILES TEASER AND IT’S PRETTY EPIC via Caitlin O’Conner at the Tampa Bay Times
If you worried about how Mulder and Scully would fare in a world much changed since they went off the air 13 years ago, the new X-Files revival teaser Fox dropped this weekend might assuage your fears.
Mulder and Scully seem as conspiracy tangled as ever in the two-minute trailer, which features talk of “a seeming terrorist attack,” the government hiding alien tech and possibly the end of the world, not to mention Mulder trying to “put together the pieces” with a source on the inside. Our fave alien-chasing pair seem more distant (seemingly broken up, remember?) as Scully seems almost surprised to get a call from Mulder, though she chides him as ever for “being on dangerous ground here.” And clearly her faith in Mulder’s world saving abilities is shaken, as she tells him she’s seen this before, him being “onto some truth, that you can save the world.”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Trey Price, my dear friend Gregory Wilson, AT&T Florida’s Joe York. And since Sunburn is off tomorrow, happy birthday to the inimitable Jim Rimes.
