Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics – April 1

Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.

Today’s SachsFact is brought to you by the public affairs, integrated marketing and reputation management experts at Sachs Media Group:  Until this date 89 years ago, “air mail” in Florida was barely more than a homing pigeon with a note. But on April 1, 1926, regular air mail service was established in four Florida cities. Three planes – the “Miss Miami,” “Miss Tallahassee” and “Miss Jacksonville” – made their way across the Florida skies, enabling three postmasters to deliver more than 9,500 pieces of mail and paving the way for commercial aviation in the state. Back then, the idea of instant electronic mail would have seemed like an April Fools’ joke!

Now, on to the ‘burn…

A REMINDER THAT IT’S APRIL FOOLS’ DAY, so don’t fall for anything stupid. Especially on Twitter.

A JOURNALIST’S QUICK GUIDE TO SURVIVING APRIL FOOLS’ DAY via Kristen Hare of Poynter.org

Here are three quick tips on how to navigate the day: 1. Slow down. People are out to mess with you, perhaps more than on other days. 2. Do not trust college publications. Don’t do it. This is their day. They’re already at it. 3. Maybe don’t participate. Pulling jokes on readers can backfire. Do not mess with your readers tomorrow.

On April 3 of last year, Vincent Duffy wrote for the Radio Television Digital News Association about the perils the day provides for journalists. Lots of fellow journalists pointed out that our most important commodity is our credibility, especially in an age when too many media outlets report first and fact-check later, and some political organizations and activists purposefully spread misinformation through social media. If we want to be trusted, we shouldn’t be in the game of fooling people.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY (belatedly) to lobbyist Louis Betz, Jessica Gustafson and devoted reader Neil Brickfield.

DAYS UNTIL Sine Die – 31; Special Election in SD 6, HD 17 & 24 – 5; Special Election in  HD 64 – 20: Jacksonville’s Mayoral Election – 48; Florida’s Presidential Primary: 349; Florida’s 2016 Primary Election: 517; Florida’s 2016 General Election: 587.

Q POLL OF FLORIDA 2016: EMAIL FLAP HAS MADE HILLARY CLINTON VULNERABLE via Scott Powers of the Orlando Sentinel

Voters in Florida and two other swing states have trust issues with Hillary Clinton because of her email controversy and now prefer Jeb Bush in Florida and Rand Paul in Pennsylvania.

In Florida, in head-to-head match-ups, Bush gets 45 percent to Clinton’s 42 percent in the Qunnipiac University Swing States Poll released Tuesday morning, testing her standing as the dominant Democratic prospect. The former First Lady, U.S. senator and secretary of state still holds slight leads on the rest of the field.

“Clinton is not honest and trustworthy, Florida voters say 50 to 41 percent and Pennsylvania voters say 49 to 44 percent,” Quinnipiac reported.

The poll found that across-the-board leads Clinton held on potential Republican presidential prospects have eroded since the last time Quinnipiac surveyed voters in the three states in early February.

In the February poll, Clinton led Bush 44 to 43 in Florida.

She still leads U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio 46 percent to 44 percent, but that is compared with a 49-39 lead in February. Clinton also still leads U.S. Sen. Paul of Kentucky 46 percent to 43 percent, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie 44-39, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee 48-40, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker 46-40 and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas 48-39. All of those match-ups are tighter than in February.

HOW THE Q-POLL PLAYED 

Miami Herald, Quinnipiac poll: Hillary Clinton less popular than she used to be in Florida – “… each politician’s popularity trend is noteworthy, and that’s where Clinton is struggling a bit.” South Florida Sun Sentinel, Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio support up slightly in Florida poll; small decrease for Hillary Clinton – “Even with the movement – a little more support for Bush and Rubio and a little less for Clinton — Florida remains in the too close to call category.” CNN, Hillary Clinton slips in swing states – “Jeb Bush scrapes past Clinton with a three-point lead, still within the margin of error … erased Clinton’s previously double-digit lead over every other potential GOP contender … in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania.” Palm Beach Post, Email flap hurts Hillary Clinton in Florida; Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio gain in poll – “Clinton’s net favorability rating has dropped from 14 points in early February to 3 points … Clinton’s favorable/unfavorable scores are 49/46.” WFTS, Majority of Florida voters believe Hillary Clinton is not honest and trustworthy – “Fifty-one percent of Florida voters believe Clinton’s e-mail problems are “very important” or “somewhat important” … Thirty-eight percent also say they are less likely to vote for her because of the scandal.”

SECRET, UNLIMITED DONATIONS COULD BOOST A JEB BUSH RUN via Ed O’Keefe and Matea Gold of the Washington Post

Bush has given his tacit endorsement to a new group that can collect unlimited amounts of money in secret, part of a bold effort by his advisers to create a robust external political operation before he declares his expected White House bid.

The nonprofit group, Right to Rise Policy Solutions Inc., was quietly established in Arkansas in February by a friend and former Bush staffer. The group shares the name of two political committees for which Bush has been aggressively raising money — blurring the line that is supposed to separate a campaign from independent groups.

While ideological nonprofits have become major players in national politics in recent years, this marks the first time one has been so embedded in the network of a prospective candidate.

An individual donor can give no more than $5,400 to a presidential campaign. Individuals and corporations can give unlimited sums to a super PAC, and their names are publicly reported. But with the new Right to Rise group, both individuals and corporations can give as much as they want while also remaining anonymous.

… In early February, Bill Simon, a former chief executive of Walmart, formed Right to Rise Policy Solutions as a nonprofit corporation in his home state of Arkansas, according to public records. He served as head of Florida’s Department of Management Services during Bush’s second term as governor and the two remain close. In recent months Simon has been helping Bush develop policy positions while also identifying potential experts to eventually join the campaign.

Simon told The Washington Post in an e-mail that he established the group “to highlight conservative policies that will restore economic and social mobility in America. The organization will be engaged in policy generation that is consistent with Governor Bush’s optimistic, conservative message and vision for the future of America.”

Simon said he plans to launch a Web site “that will highlight conservative, reform-minded policies.” The group will make the content available publicly online. That allows the nonprofit to share information with Bush’s campaign and super PAC without running afoul of tax rules, which restrict its political activity.

As (Jeb) Bush stepped away from his fundraising blitz this month to speak directly with Republican primary voters in states with the first four presidential nominating contests, he showed how he plans to finesse his positions on the two issues that tend to alienate him from the party’s conservative base. Interviews with audience members leaving those events showed that his tactics—framing immigration as an economic issue, and denouncing the federal government’s ties to Common Core—are having at least some success.

But perhaps Bush’s biggest weakness—the negative associations with his own last name—may also prove to be his greatest annoyance in the coming campaign. His ability to settle on an answer that satisfies voters’ distress over sending another Bush to the White House may determine whether he can break way from a crowded Republican field.

“The Bush name is his greatest strength and his greatest weakness,” said Tom Davis, a Virginia Republican who served in the U.S. House and was honorary state chairman of Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign. “He’s really got to thread the needle.”

As the son and brother of former presidents, Bush’s connections give him the advantages of a traditional front-runner. Donors with ties to his brother’s and father’s administrations are helping him raise as much as $100 million in the first three months of the year. He’s also had a front-row seat to national and international policymaking, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to survive the political process that produces presidents.

“When I was brought into the world in Midland, Texas, 62 years ago and my little eyes opened up and I got a chance to look, I was next to Barbara Bush,” Bush told about 100 Republicans a pizza buffet in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on March 7. “I’m totally blessed. I mean, I won the lottery, if you think about it.”

Yet even his mother quickly identified the inherent weak spot for a second son seeking the presidency. “We’ve had enough Bushes,” she said when asked about it in 2013. She’s since changed her mind, saying last month that the challenges facing the country are so big “that it doesn’t matter what your last name is.”

NH CONSERVATIVES PLAN ANTI-BUSH CAUCUS via Ben Schreckinger of POLITICO

Taking aim at Jeb Bush, a group of leading New Hampshire conservatives and libertarians are preparing to stage their own caucus three months before the state’s first-in-the-nation primary — and then unify behind the winner.

Sick of the string of centrist GOP-ers who’ve dominated the state’s primary in recent years — including John McCain (twice) and Mitt Romney — conservatives and libertarians are hoping to defy the conventional wisdom that the Granite State is moderate-friendly turf between the evangelical-dominated Iowa caucuses and socially conservative South Carolina.

They plan to choose among a slate of candidates likely to include Scott Walker, Ted Cruz and Rand Paul at their own presidential caucus in October, according to activists involved. Participants will agree to unify around the winner of the caucus in the hopes of beating Bush and other perceived moderates in the actual primary. The scheme emerges from years of simmering discontent within the state Republican party that now threatens to spill over into presidential politics and upset the plans of the national party, which has condensed its primary schedule and drastically cut the number of debates in order to hasten consolidation around an establishment nominee.

One of its organizers, tea party activist Jack Kimball, briefly ascended to the state party’s chairmanship in 2011 before being ousted by the forces of the establishment, led by all five top Republican elected officials in New Hampshire. Another, Andrew Hemingway, was a libertarian candidate for governor last year who lost the nomination fight to establishment favorite Walt Haventstein. Other organizers said that last year’s nominations of Havenstein and Scott Brown, who both lost in the general election, was the last straw. The state party was then further roiled in December, when the new Republican majority in the House selected Bill O’Brien as their choice for speaker, but another Republican, Shawn Jasper, seized the speakership with the help of Democrats and was subsequently censured by his own party.

The idea for the caucus emerged in the wake of the November midterms from a series of brainstorming sessions held by demoralized grass-roots activists determined to assert libertarian, conservative and tea party influence.

“It was borne of a sense that we need to do something to give conservatives more of a voice at all levels of government,” said organizer Jim Kofalt, adding that the presidential primary just happens to be the first opportunity to take action.

Last week, organizers launched the 603 Alliance, named for the state’s only area code, to oversee the process. The 603 Alliance will assemble the coalition and manage its selection process while a sister organization, the Conservative Business League of New Hampshire — with which it shares a P.O. Box in Concord — will conduct educational outreach and hold events. Just a week after its launch, the league held its first event on Friday, hosting Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in Merrimack. The coalition is set to announce the full details of the process, which are still being hammered out, on April 19 at a summit at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nashua.

HARRY REID ON BUSH: ‘I HOPE HE LOSES’ via Kendall Breitman of POLITICO

Fresh from announcing his retirement last week, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid is already handicapping the 2016 presidential race.

When asked about former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in an interview with CNN … the Nevada senator said, “the country is ready for a woman” to be president.

“I like that guy. He is so nice,” Reid said of Sen. Rand Paul.

As for Sen. Ted Cruz, he said he and the Texas Republican “disagree on virtually everything. But on a personal basis, he’s been very nice to me. I don’t think he stands much of a chance, but I admire his tenacity for thinking he does.”

Although Reid would not say whether he thinks Sen. Marco Rubio … would make a good president, he was very vocal about his dislike for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

“I think he doesn’t know who he is,” Reid said. “Of all the candidates we’ve mentioned, I hope he loses.”

CARLOS LOPEZ-CANTERA MUM ON MARCO RUBIO SUPPORT via Gray Rohrer of the Orlando Sentinel

Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera is reportedly looking at running for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s seat if he runs for President, but he wouldn’t say … if he will be supporting a potential Rubio bid.

According to Politico, the two are good friends and Lopez-Cantera is eyeing his own run for Rubio’s seat in 2016. Rubio is set to make an announcement about his 2016 plans April 13 in Miami.

The Orlando Sentinel caught up to Lopez-Cantera after he touted Gov. Scott’s efforts to create jobs and invest in STEM education – science, technology, engineering and math – during an event outside the Capitol.

Lopez-Cantera’s comments:

OS: If he runs for president are you going to be supporting him?

CLC: I’m happy that we’re going to have several, it looks like we’re going to have several candidates that are Floridians running for President of the United States. And that’d be great, the next president could be from Florida.

OS: Is that going to be a difficult decision for people down in, especially down in Miami, but Republicans in Florida to make a decision between supporting Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio if he runs?

CLC: I don’t think so, primaries have been around for awhile.

MEET MARCO RUBIO’S CAMPAIGN TEAM via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times

Marco Rubio may wait until April 13 to announce his presidential campaign, but his core team is in place. Most of them are on Rubio’s Reclaim America PAC.

Strategists: Heath Thompson, who worked on George W. Bush’s 2000 South Carolina primary win; Terry Sullivan, another GOP veteran operative from South Carolina. Todd Harris, media adviser to a variety of top Republicans, from Jeb Bush and John McCain to Arnold Schwarzenegger. Malorie Thompson, expert strategist specializing in Internet politicking — organizing, motivating and fundraising. Alberto Martinez as Rubio’s Senate chief of staff.

Also on the strategy team is Jim Merrill, brought on in February to oversee New Hampshire, which he did for Romney in 2008 and 2012. Rich Beeson, who was Romney’s 2012 political director and brought on as deputy campaign manager.

Communications: Alex Burgos, who serves as Rubio’s Senate staff communications, often handling Spanish language media. Alex Conant, a Rubio Senate office staffer who joined the PAC this year, with experience with the Republican National Committee and Tim Pawlenty presidential campaign. Brooke Sammon, who serves as Rubio’s go-to daily Senate spokesperson.

Fundraising: Dorinda Moss, finance director of Rubio’s PAC since January 2013, who had served as finance director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. In 2013, POLITICO named her one of the “50 Politicos to watch.” Anna Rogers: a former finance director for American Crossroads.

The fundraising team also includes Wayne Berman, senior advisor for New York’s Blackstone Group in New York, who worked with Republicans from Ronald Reagan to Mitt Romney. Berman could possibly become Rubio’s finance chair. Warren Tompkins, and operative from South Carolina who is expected to lead the Super PAC supporting Rubio. Tompkins worked with Romney and was a key operative for George W. Bush in the Palmetto State in 2000.

Polling: Whit Ayres, president of North Star Opinion Research who has already done considerable polling for Rubio’s PAC. On March 31, Ayres called Rubio “the Michael Jordan of American politics. And anyone underestimates his ability at their peril.”

IS MARCO RUBIO’S TALLAHASSEE FUNDRAISER AN INDICATION HE’S WINNING THE SHELDON ADELSON PRIMARY? via Ryan Ray and Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics

It’s been said many times and many ways but in light of the host-committee dynamics behind Marco Rubio‘s April 7 breakfast fundraiser in Tallahassee, it bears repeating: the road to Florida’s 2016 GOP presidential contest may well run through the Las Vegas estate of billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson.

Rubio was reportedly on the outs with the Adelson folks after declining an invitation — along with rival and Twitter combatant U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, derided as an isolationist in some pro-Israel circles — to a 2014 Republican Jewish Coalition dinner in Nevada.

But Florida’s junior senator seems to have worked his way back to the inside track toward winning the ultra-hawkish octogenarian’s favor: among the hosts of Rubio’s upcoming pre-announcement breakfast are two of Adelson’s top proconsuls in Tallahassee.

Lobbyists Nick Iarossi and Scott Ross (a former executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition) are listed as boosters at the $5,000 level on the invitation to Rubio’s $1,000-a-plate breakfast at the Governors Club next Tuesday. Besides the cash — he’ll need plenty of to combat the Jeb Bush fundraising juggernaut — their friendly presence, along with that of prominent Florida Jewish pols Adam Hasner and Ellyn Bogdanoff, suggests that Rubio may have a chance of a Newt Gingrich-style Adelson endowment after all.

The growing Jewish vote in Republican primaries will be a key consideration for both Rubio and Bush, nowhere more so than in Florida.

RAND PAUL HOSTS FUNDRAISING DINNER IN DESTIN via Tom McLaughlin of the NWF Daily News

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul looked like a man on vacation when he and his wife slipped nearly unnoticed into Mama Clemenza’s restaurant … Blue jeans and a sport’s jacket, no sign of an entourage of handlers. Just a guy come to see some friends – who were paying $250 a plate for the pleasure of dining with him.

Perhaps Paul looked the part because he was living it. He was vacationing in Destin, same as his family has always done.

“My big announcement is we love Destin and we’ll keep coming back here for Spring Break like we have for the last 25 years,” he said when goaded by a reporter for word of his future plans.

Though recent polls show former Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio as the favorites among state voters, Paul, who is yet to officially announce his plans to run for the presidency, isn’t afraid of early numbers.

“It will be competitive,” he said. “I think the vote will be divided a lot of different ways. I’ve been a lot of places around the state and the reception has been good.”

Paul’s definitely got his fans. … And it wasn’t all Republicans who came out to see Paul speak.

He said he’s proud of the fact he’s one of the few in Congress who has made significant efforts to reach across the aisle to his Democratic cohorts. He said he’s worked with the president on criminal justice legislation and with California Sen. Barbara Boxer on a bill he thinks could bring corporate tax revenue back to America from overseas.

ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson visits the Florida Capitol for a series of meetings with state legislators including Senate President Andy Gardiner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli. Topics include Medicaid expansion and low-income pool funding. Media availability begins 11:15 a.m. on the Fourth Floor of the Capitol.

CONTRARY TO DCCC CLAIMS, DAVID JOLLY SAYS HE’S CONCERNED ABOUT THE HIGH COST OF ATTENDING COLLEGE via Mitch Perry of Florida Politics

Since the 1970s, tuition rates have risen over 1,000 percent, while state funding of universities has declined by 40 percent. And the proportion of young Americans with education debt more than quadrupled, from 5 percent to 22 percent.

Pinellas County Republican David Jolly says student debt is a serious issue, and he wants to find a way to help stem the tide. In fact, he told Florida Politics … that he supports Pell Grants, and is open to a conversation about expanding them.

Pell Grants are funds the U.S. government provides to students with financial need to pay their tuition costs.

The House and Senate budget proposals passed last week would freeze maximum Pell Grant awards for students at the current $5,775. In his budget, President Barack Obama is calling for Pell Grant funding to increase $30 billion over 10 years and for the maximum award amounts to continue to be tied to inflation.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Caucus is running an ad this week in the USF Oracle criticizing Jolly for not supporting Pell Grants, after he voted against the House budget last week, one of less than two dozen GOP members of Congress to do so. The DCCC is running similar ads against 14 other Republican Congress members as well.

Jolly dismissed the ad as “noise,” adding, “It’s dishonest and disingenuous.” He’s said he voted against the budget because it didn’t do enough to eliminate the deficit. But regarding Pell Grants, he says he’s open to a conversation about expanding their funding.

NRCC CHAIR GREG WALDEN GOES TO BAT FOR CARLOS CURBELO via Kevin Derby of the Sunshine State News

Freshman U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo … is a top target for Democrats in 2016 but he is getting some help from the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).

(W)ith the first quarter of the year winding down, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden … chairman of the NRCC sent out a fundraising email on Curbelo’s behalf.

“In November, Americans across the country stood up and let their voices be heard,” Walden wrote. “In South Florida, you chose the principled leadership of Carlos Curbelo over the failed policies of Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and the liberal Democrats in Washington. Now, it’s time to do it again.

“While Carlos and our House Majority are fighting for common sense small government solutions in Congress, the Democrats are desperately searching for a top challenger in 2016,” Walden added. “At the NRCC, we are working tirelessly for Carlos. We’ll do our part to ensure he’s ready.”

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CABINET HIRES RPOF’S LAWYER FOR SUNSHINE LAW SUIT via Michael Auslen of the Miami Herald

Gov. Scott and the Cabinet voted … to hire Daniel Nordby and law firm Shutts & Bowen to represent them in a case alleging Sunshine Law violations — the same legal representation as the Republican Party of Florida.

Nordby has a history of representing Florida Republicans. From 2012-14, he was general counsel to the House of Representatives, a GOP-controlled body, and he represented the chamber during lawsuits over proposed redistricting plans.

Five law firms applied for the job to represent the governor and Cabinet — which includes Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam — and they made a hiring decision just 10 minutes after starting the call.

Bondi recommended hiring Shutts and Bowen, citing the firm’s experience with state government.

Shutts & Bowen proposed a $275 per hour rate, which will be paid by taxpayers. In total, the Cabinet has budgeted $50,000 to spend on outside legal counsel to represent the group, not including any outside lawyers hired by the individual Cabinet officers.

Bondi said this rate was the lowest bid, one of two at that price.

The Cabinet has been sued by St. Petersburg lawyer Matt Weidner and most of the state’s news organizations — including the Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald — in a case alleging that they violated the Sunshine Law in the forced resignation last December of Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey.

WHAT THE GOV’S OFFICE IS READING — FLORIDIANS SPENDING MORE AS GAS PRICES STAY LOW via Donna Gehrke-White of the South Florida Sun Sentinel

With gasoline prices sharply lower, consumers have more money to spend — and indeed they are spending locally and throughout Florida, state sales tax receipts show.

In Palm Beach County, sales tax revenues increased 10.3 percent in January compared to a year ago — $161 million vs. $146 million collected in January 2014, according to data from the Florida Department of Revenue.

Statewide, sales tax revenues increased 9.7 percent, from $2.02 billion in January 2014 to $2.22 billion two months ago. Sales tax receipts in Broward County were up 5.9 percent from a year ago, from $194.6 million in January 2014 to $206 million a year later.

An improving economy and the lower prices at the pump are encouraging Floridians to spend more, said Amy Baker, coordinator of the state’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research.

“We believe Floridians are seeing the lower gas prices as a windfall,” she said.

Instead of paying down debt or saving, many Floridians are opting instead to buy taxable goods, Baker said. Lower gas prices mean that Floridians could have more than $6 billion more this year, the agency estimates.

The Florida sales tax is levied mainly on consumer goods, although groceries and medicine are exempt. For the most part services are not taxed, Baker said.

ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: Gov. Scott will appear in Jacksonville to highlight job growth at Adecco. Press conference begins 10 a.m. at Adecco, 1301 Riverplace Blvd. in Jacksonville.

ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: The Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV) and the Allstate Foundation will join Attorney General Pam Bondi and other lawmakers to kick off Financial Literacy Month with an expanded economic justice project, Changing Lives: A Partnership Between Florida Allstate Agents and Domestic Violence Centers. Press conference begins 10 a.m. at the Capitol Rotunda.

MEANWHILE … CHARLIE CRIST HAS A NEW BUSINESS VENTURE via Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times

Former Republican governor and Democratic candidate for governor Charlie Crist is getting into the consulting business. He and Orlando investor Bob Poe, the Democratic fundraiser, former state party chair and chair of the Charlie Crist for Florida political committee, recently created a St. Petersburg-based company – C2&P LLC – that Poe said is for business consulting.

A couple OF deals are in the works, said Poe, but they are not far enough along to discuss publicly.

Crist, who narrowly lost last year’s gubernatorial race to Rick Scott and recently ruled out running for U.S. Senate in 2016, continues to work “For the People” at the personal injury firm of Morgan & Morgan.

LIZ DUDEK CONFIRMED via Matt Dixon of Political Fix Florida

The Senate Health Policy Committee voted unanimously to move forward with the confirmation of Elizabeth Dudek, head of the Agency for Health Care Administration.

Dudek was reappointed by Gov. Scott in December, a move that is subject to Senate confirmation. She must still clear the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee before the vote goes to the full Senate.

If she does not get confirmed this year, Dudek will have one more opportunity during next year’s session.

AHCA is currently negotiating with the federal government over the Low Income Pool, a pot of federal and state funds used by hospitals to provide charity care. Dudek says her department has asked the feds to make a decision in the next few weeks on the roughly $2 billion pot of money, but there is no required timeline.

“She knows how to solve [problems]…in the best possible way,” said state Sen. Eleanor Sobel.

BUSINESS LOBBY ANSWERS WITH OWN MEDICAID EXPANSION AD BACKING ANDY GARDINER via Gray Rohrer of the Orlando Sentinel

A day after free-market group Americans for Prosperity launched an ad campaign targeting Florida Senators in favor of a Medicaid expansion plan, a coalition of businesses and hospitals released their own ad backing the plan.

The ad will air in the Central Florida market as well as others throughout the state … bought by A Healthy Florida Works, a group backed by Associated Industries of Florida and several hospitals – including Orlando Health and Florida Hospital.

It encourages support for Senate President Andy Gardiner … who has backed a plan to provide 800,000 Floridians with health care who don’t qualify for Medicaid and aren’t eligible for Affordable Care Act subsidies. Gardiner, a vice president of external affairs with Orlando Health, is also the subject of AFP’s mail ads attacking him for his position.

“(Gardiner’s) vision to fix our health care crisis will save billions and add thousands of good paying jobs and coverage with a state solution,” the narrator states.

Two words not mentioned in the ad are “Medicaid” and “expansion.”

Gardiner has insisted the Senate plan, which includes co-pay, premium and work requirements for patients, is not a traditional expansion of Medicaid.

“I agree Florida should not expand the existing Medicaid program.  What we have done instead is to develop a consumer-driven approach that provides access to high-quality, affordable health care coverage while promoting personal responsibility,” Gardiner stated in response to AFP’s mailers.

AFP FLORIDA RELEASES NEW AD IN CAMPAIGN WARNING AGAINST MEDICAID EXPANSION Full story here

AFP-FL released the third ad its latest effort decrying “Obama’s Medicaid expansion.” The new ad calls on Floridians to contact state senators to oppose the “bloated and inefficient,” government-run program.

“The Florida Senate has had time to come up with positive solutions to solve the state’s health care needs,” said Chris Hudson, AFP’s Florida director. “Unfortunately up to this point some senators believe that placing healthy, able-bodied Floridians in an inefficient, government-run health care program is what’s best for our families.

“The Senate should be taking steps to reduce the overall cost of health care in the state.”

Although the Senate has proposed a budget that a portion of the $50 billion in federal money to expand Medicaid to nearly one million uninsured Floridians, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli insists his chamber will not look to expand the program.

The 30-second radio spot will run on more than 60 radio stations across the state through the rest of the week.

The AFP campaign also includes a series of educational mail pieces sent to voters in districts of Senators who voted to expand Medicaid, as well as a door-to-door canvassing effort.

ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: A Healthy Florida Works is hosting a media availability to voice support for the comprehensive health care package included in the Senate’s proposed budget. Press conference begins 10:30 a.m. in the Fifth Floor Rotunda near the Senate Gallery of the Florida Capitol.

FLORIDA SENATORS MEET WITH FEDS OVER HEALTH CARE MONEY via Gary Fineout of the Associated Press

Gardiner dispatched two top Republican senators to Washington to talk with federal officials about more than $1 billion in health care grants the state could soon lose.

Gardiner … took the unusual step even as top officials with the administration of Gov. Scott are directly negotiating with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Obama administration.

(The) visit by Sens. Rene Garcia of Hialeah and Garrett Richter of Naples comes as the House and Senate are prepared to vote this week on sharply divergent budgets that are more than $4 billion apart.

… Gardiner insisted that senators weren’t bypassing the Scott administration and said they were “not negotiating anything” with the federal government. But he said that, with time running out in this year’s session, talking directly with federal officials was the “prudent thing to do.”

RICHARD CORCORAN SWEARS HE’LL CRACK THE STATUS QUO via Christine Sexton of Florida Politics

An overhaul of state group health insurance benefits moved one step closer to the floor on Tuesday with House Appropriations Chairman Richard Corcoran declaring that he’d spend his last breath as a legislator altering the healthcare program.

Before passing the measure, HB 7097, the committee tagged on an amendment that bill sponsor state Rep. Jason Brodeur says “puts meat on the bones” with respect to a requirement effective next year that employees pay higher premiums if they enroll in the HMO. The HMO’s actuarial value is 7 percent higher than the value of the self-insured plan.

… In a fiery speech, Corcoran said the bill brings a healthcare “marketplace” to the state group health plan and said that through an education campaign state employees can learn that there are differences in the cost of care.

He called those who didn’t like the plan or spoke against it “protectors of the status quo” who are destroying the state.

“It is not Republicans, it is not Democrats that are destroying this country or this state. It is not black people, white people, Hispanic people or anybody who is destroying this country,” Corcoran said. “It is not old people or young people who is destroying this country, and destroying this state. As you emphasize with your testimony, (it) is the status quo and the protectors of it.”

“And I will tell you, if it is the last dying breath I have as a legislator, we will crack the status quo. And this will be one of the ways we do it.”

HOUSE PASSES, SEANTE DELAYS BALANCE BILLING BAN THAT PITS PROVIDERS AGAINST INSURERS via Christine Jordan Sexton of Florida Politics

While the House Appropriations Committee advanced a bill, CS/HB 681 by Rep. Carlos Trujillo that would prevent insured patients from being balanced bill by providers for emergency care and place into statutes reimbursement options the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee took a pass on the companion bill, SB 516.

Hospitals and doctor groups opposed the House bill but it was supported by the Florida Association of Health Plans.

… While the bill enjoyed broad support many of the members who supported the measure told bill sponsor Trujillo that he needed to continue to work with the health care providers to try to assuage their concerns.

While the House passed the bill the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee took a pass on SB 516. Bill sponsor Sen. Aaron Bean told the committee on Tuesday that the bill needed additional work and asked that the committee temporarily defer the bill.

ABORTION RIGHTS ACTIVISTS OBJECT TO WAITING PERIOD BILL via William March of the Associated Press

Abortion rights backers objected angrily to time limits on public comments as a bill requiring a 24 hour waiting period for an abortion got its first Senate committee approval.

The legislation, SB 724 sponsored by Sen. Anitere Flores would require that a woman wait 24 hours after a legally required counseling session with a physician before having the procedure.

Supporters say it’s intended to create a period for reflection before an important decision that a woman might come to regret. Some opponents of abortion, however, acknowledge that limiting access to abortions is part of their legislative strategy.

“This is a major medical procedure,” Flores told the committee.

Opponents say requiring two clinic trips would be a burden on women who work, are low-income or have to travel to reach a clinic. They contend the bill isn’t intended to help women.

“This is just another impediment in a continuing effort to erode a woman’s right to choose,” said Sen. Arthenia Joyner.

With time running out in the committee meeting, Chairman Aaron Bean limited public comments, which angered abortion rights backers in the audience.

FRACKING PENALY PROPOSAL CLEARS SENATE PANEL via Jenna Buzzacoo-Foerster of the Naples Daily News

A proposal to regulate the oil and gas industry, particularly when it comes to hydraulic fracturing and high pressure well stimulation, cleared a Senate panel Tuesday, despite dozens of speakers calling on lawmakers to vote against it.

The proposal (SB 1468), sponsored by Sen. Garrett Richter sapassed the Senate environmental preservation and conservation committee 6-2, along party lines. The proposal would increase penalties to $25,000 a day, create a chemical disclosure registry and requires companies disclose the chemicals being used.

Opponents to the measure said it doesn’t go far enough, and said the state should ban hydraulic fracturing. Three amendments, including one to put a moratorium on the process, were not introduced because they failed to get the necessary support to be considered.

The vote came just hours after House and Senate Democrats held a press conference to call on leadership to pass legislation that would ban the method, not regulate it.

SENATE PANEL DELIVERS BLOW TO SCHOOL GUNS BILL via Kathleen McGrory of the Tampa Bay Times

A contentious proposal that would let designated teachers bring their guns to school suffered a serious setback … when a Senate panel declined to vote on it.

Because the Senate Education Committee won’t meet again, the bill (SB 180) won’t have another opportunity for a committee hearing. It could still be incorporated into another proposal, but Senate Education Committee Chairman John Legg said he would raise strong objections.

“It would be a large lift knowing that the Education Committee [deferred] it,” the Trinity Republican said.

Legg said he has “significant concerns” with the bill, which would allow school employees with law enforcement or military experience to carry concealed weapons on school property.

“Deputizing private citizens to protect a school is not an avenue I want to go down,” he said.

Both the Senate and House are considering a separate proposal that would allow permitted individuals to carry concealed weapons on college campuses (SB 176/ HB 4005). The so-called campus carry bill has found support in both chambers. Legg says he supports the proposal because it is about “individual protection.”

TWEET, TWEET: @Mdixon55: Has @AaronPBean every thought of just putting fewer bills on agenda? Would save the “what was the chairman thinking?” speech every meeting.

CRITICS NOT HIGH ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA REWRITE via John Kennedy of the Palm Beach Post

Florida’s effort to make a medical marijuana strain available advanced Tuesday in a Senate committee even as a rising number of critics say it doesn’t go far enough.

The non-intoxicating strain of marijuana oil approved last year by lawmakers is still not on the market, with state regulations for the so-called Charlotte’s Web product ensnared by legal challenges. A bill (CS/SB 7066) by Sen. Rob Bradley … is aimed at cutting through the red tape — but also is drawing fresh opposition.

The Florida Cannabis Action Network, a leading advocacy group, opposes the measure. Jodi James, FCAN’s executive director, said Bradley’s rework of last year’s legislation is bound to give “false hope,” to even more patients.

James said a higher level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is needed, with the compound which produces a high the only way to help a broader base of patients added in Bradley’s bill. He proposes making those suffering from Parkinson’s disease, AIDS, HIV and multiple sclerosis among those added to the list of eligible users of the marijuana oil.

“It’s just not going to work for these people without higher THC,” James said.

Bradley, though, told the Health Policy Committee “we need to crawl before we walk,” and maintained the low-THC pot is the way to go.

Charlotte’s Web is rich in cannabidiol, or CBD, but low in THC and was touted last year as helping control severe seizures in children with Dravet syndrome. Cancer patients also were included in the initial list of eligible patients.

FLORIDA FILM TAX INCENTIVES PACKAGE GETS THROUGH HOUSE COMMITTEE via Mitch Perry of Florida Politics

A House Committee passed a bill (HB 451) that would replenish a tax incentives program to woo Hollywood film, television and digital productions to Florida, but it wasn’t easy.

Orlando Republican Mike Miller is sponsoring the bill in the House, while Nancy Detert from Venice is carrying it once again in the Senate. For the past few years, similar efforts to allow Florida to become competitive with neighboring states in providing tax incentives for entertainment productions has proved to be a bridge too far for the Florida Legislature, and there is still considerable doubt about whether it will get through this year.

Supporters are not only going up against the firepower of Americans for Prosperity, which has run radio ads throughout the state calling on citizens to contact their representatives in Tallahassee to oppose such a bill, but also a report produced by the Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research , which released a study in January that said since the state’s tax incentive program began in 2010, only 43 cents in tax revenues is returned for every dollar of tax credits used.

But Matt Gaetz, the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Tax, said he could support Miller’s bill today in part because there are no actual dollars or incentives being given away. That’s because the new bill transfers the state film office from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to Enterprise Florida, a public-private entity that entices businesses to relocate to Florida.

One thing is for certain: those in the state who work in the film, TV and/or digital industry desperately want and need the bill to pass.

“I’ve had 700 independent contractors, and I’ve lost 300 of those to other states,” said Kelly Page, who runs a talent agency in Tarpon Springs and a satellite office in Tampa. She said that her and many others in the industry have been doing their work well before tax incentives for film productions became an issue, but now that they’re here, she says, it’s incumbent for Florida to get back into the game.

Speaking of drama, there was a bit of that in the hearing, when Skylar Zander from Americans for Prosperity said that his group didn’t believe “that tax dollars should be invested,” before being interrupted by Gaetz, who asked him what tax dollars was he referring to, since the bill itself does not have any tax credits mentioned in the bill.

HOLD THE ANCHOVIES! FLORIDA SENATOR SUING PIZZA DELIVERY GUY via Steve Bousquet of the Miami Herald

Hold the anchovies: Republican Sen. Charlie Dean of Inverness is suing a 19-year-old former delivery guy for Hungry Howie’s pizza.

News reports say the deliveryman took a wrong turn on a dark night in Inverness, ended up in Dean’s backyard and the imposing former Citrus County sheriff appeared in the moonlight with a flashlight in one hand and a gun in the other. Dean is seeking nearly $15,000 in damages to cover his legal costs and is claiming harm to his reputation.

MARK PAFFORD’S DIRTY LAUNDRY via Christine Stapleton of the Palm Beach Post

Among the difficulties facing lawmakers during the legislative session: Dirty laundry – the kind that is in the hamper, not the news.

Like a lot of other lawmakers working long days, far away from home, Pafford drops his laundry off at a local laundry in Tallahassee. The laundry goes in a bag. The Laundromat gives you a ticket. They wash your clothes. You give them the ticket. They give you back your clothes – clean.

That’s the way it’s supposed to work. Except for Pafford:

“That awkward moment when you pick up laundry in a city far away from home and they have no record of it ever being dropped off or paid for,” Pafford wrote on his Facebook page on March 29.

“They threw the wrong person’s ticket in my bag. That somehow triggered my laundry to be placed into a “closet” and not washed. I personally went thru ALL the laundry items in the establishment and found my bag all alone and unwashed.”

Pafford did maintain a sense of humor.

“I did notice that a G. Stuebe had a bag there, possibly the guns on campus rep,” Pafford wrote, referring to Republican Rep. Greg Steube, sponsor of a bill that would allowed some officials to carry guns on school campuses. “I stayed away from that one.”

TWEET, TWEET: @MarkPafford: I am wearing a fresh shirt today! Humor is key in Tallahassee;)

MEANWHILE … JUDGE: ACQUITTED FLORIDA MAYOR SHOULD BE RETURNED TO OFFICE via the Associated Press

A judge has ruled that a South Florida mayor acquitted of federal corruption charges should be restored to his old office.

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Gisela Cardonne Ely ruled that Michael Pizzi should return as Miami Lakes mayor and also receive back pay and other benefits dating to August 2013.

Pizzi was suspended as mayor after he was charged in an undercover FBI investigation into questionable city grants, but a jury found him not guilty, and Gov. Scott lifted the suspension. Pizzi went to court after Miami Lakes officials said his replacement, Wayne Slaton, was properly elected to serve out the term through November 2016.

The order was stayed 30 days to allow time for appeals. City officials say they are considering legal options.

***Things will be great when you’re downtown at 101 RESTAURANT and MINT Lounge in Tallahassee. 101 Restaurant has been voted the best meal in the Capitol City featuring steaks, seafood, and specialty cocktails. We offer $8.99 lunch specials all week long that include pastas, pizzas, and salads.  Mint Lounge is upscale and classy, and it’s the best place to enjoy live music and a good vibe. — Wednesday $8.99 Lunch Specials — Double Happy Hour 4:00-7:00pm & 10:30pm-12:30am — Wine Down Wednesday: $3 Glasses & $15 Bottles of Premium Wines — Featured Dinner: Wagyu Wednesday, best quality steak for a great price — Featured Entree of the week: Grouper Pasta with Citrus Dill Alfredo –Featured Soup of the week: Chicken Florentine Soup.***

IN THE DEPARTURE LOUNGE: THE FLORIDA CHAMBER’S DAVID CHRISTIAN AND BRAD SWANSON Full story here

In the DL today are David Christian and Brad Swanson, formerly two of the top players at the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

Christian, previously the Vice President of Government Affairs, has accepted a position with Florida Hospital.

After serving seven years with the Chamber as VP of Corporate and Strategic Partnerships, Swanson has departed his marketing position.

Meanwhile, the Florida Chamber is welcoming three new team members, according to a statement from the organization.

Melissa Roberts has accepted the position of Director of Communications for the Chamber Foundation, and Kassandra (Kassie) Elekes has accepted the Caucus Engagement position for the Chamber Foundation.

Roberts comes to the Chamber Foundation from Enterprise Florida where she served as Communications Manager, and Elekes comes to the Chamber Foundation from the Florida Department of Education where she served as Digital Media Director.  The two new hires will work under the direction of Executive Vice President Tony Carvajal and in coordination with the Chamber’s Vice President of Public Affairs Edie Ousley.

Additionally, Grace Hemphill has accepted the position of Political Administrative Coordinator for the Florida Chamber’s Political Department and will work closely with Marian Johnson and the Chamber’s growing political program. Hemphill formerly worked for Meredith O’Rourke and the Executive Office of the Governor, Office of Policy and Budget.

NEW LOBBYING REGISTRATIONS

Melissa Akeeson, The Rubin Group: Charter Schools USA

Albert Balido, Anfield Consulting: Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund

Patrick Bell, Capitol Solutions: Chipola College

Ed Blakely, Blue Tusk Communications: The Players Championship

Dean Cannon, Larry Cretul, Rheb Harbison, Cynthia Lorenzo, Capitol Insight: Rosetta Stone

Jorge Chamizo, Floridian Partners: Families Against Mandatory Minimums; Magellan Complete Care

Joseph Dooley: Google Inc.

Charlie Dudley, Floridian Partners: Mark Fisher

Leslie Dughi, Greenberg Traurig: American Traditions Insurance Company; Centauri Speciality Insurance

Fred Karlinsky, Greenberg Traurig: Amica Mutual Insurance Company; City of North Port; Community Education Centers; Florida Insurance Council; Florida Surplus Lines Service Office; Johns Eastern Company; Midlands; ReliaMax; WellCare Health Plans, Inc.

William Peebles, Peebles & Smith: Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX)

TALLYMADNESS FIRST ROUND RESULTS

The first round of TallyMadness 2015 – the online voting competition to determine Tallahassee’s “best” lobbyist – is now in the books and, boy, was it a live one.

#16 seed Monica Rodriguez started out on a hot streak and just kept going, sending first-time #1 seed Bill Rubin to an untimely TallyMadness demise by a count of 54.9 percent to 45.1 percent, marking one of the biggest upsets in recent memory.

After a serious threat of a coup from the ruggedly handsome #16 seed Jon Costello, Team Ballard swept into action on Tuesday and helped achieve a 400-plus vote swing, pushing the Ballard Partners principal over the top with 55.9 percent of the vote to Costello’s 44.1 percent.

#12 seed Marc Reichelderfer was able to stand his ground against the first-round favorite #5 seed Marion Hammer, continuing to run up the score after securing a solid lead on Monday to push his final margin of victory to 75.4 percent to the former NRA president’s 24.6 percent.

Lori Killinger was able to duplicate Marc Reichelderfer’s success with the lucky #12 seed, hanging more than 30 points on #5 seed Ron Laface on her way to a 68-32 victory in early TallyMadness action.

#15 seed Andy Palmer came out of this weekend like a bat out of hell, adding almost 7,000 votes to his Friday total to prevail over #2 seed Jon Johnson in another one of this week’s most sweeping upsets, 95.8 percent to 4.1 percent.

Plus, the Mark Delegal vs. Albert Balido first-round matchup continued to unleash a deluge of votes by the thousands this week. Delegal was able to hold on to a rapidly shrinking edge, as the TallyMadness rookie Balido began to find his rhythm and end up making a formerly lopsided contest very respectable. The final count found Delegal with 60.2 percent and Balido with 39.8.

See the full results below. Voting in the Round of 32 starts today at TallyMadness.com  and goes until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 6.

#1 Brian Ballard def. #16 Jon Costello, 56-44; #8 Allison Carvajal def. #9 Gary Guzzo, 64-36; #5 Jeff Hartley def. #12 Adam Babington, 72-28; #13 Monesia Brown def. #4 Paul Bradshaw, 66-34; #11 Marty Fiorentino def. #6 Claudia Devant, 83-17; #3 Mark Delegal def. #14 Albert Balido, 60-40; #7 Gus Corbella def. #11 Chris Carmody, 78-22; #15 Andy Palmer def. #2 Jon Johnson, 96-4.

#1 Ron Book def. #16 Heather Turnbull, 58-42; #8 Tracey Mayernick def. #9 David Browning, 74-26; #12 Marc Reichenfelder def. #5 Marion Hammer, 75-25; #4 Dean Cannon def. #13 Brady Benford, 75-25; #11 Frank Mayernick def. #6 Fred Karlinksy, 55-45; #14 Will McKinley def. #3 Charlie Dudley, 58-42; #7 Tim Meenan def. #10 Missy Timmins, 57-43; #2 Chris Dudley def. #15 Richard Reeves, 51-49

#1 Nick Iarossi def. #15 Steve Uhlfelder, 80-20; #9 Brecht Heuchan def. #8 Gaston Cantens, 80-20; #12 Lori Killinger def. #5 Ron LaFace, 68-32; #13 Bill Peebles def. #4 Matt Bryan, 59-41; #11 John Holley def. #6 Jennifer Green, 57-42; #3 Travis Blanton def. #14 Scott Ross, 52-48; #7 Slater Bayliss def. #10 Brewster Bevis, 50.08-49.92; #2 David Ramba def. #15 Jim Magill, 72-28

#16 Monica Rodriguez def. #1 Bill Rubin, 55-45; #9 Sean Pittman def. #8 Rhett O’Doski, 55-45; #12 Richard Coates def. #5 Jeff Johnston, 66-34; #13 Chris Flack def. #4 Hayden Dempsey, 61-39; #6 Rich Heffley vs. #11 Gary Rutledge, 73-27; #3 Robert Coker vs. #14 Teye Reyes, 70-30; #7 Katie Webb def. #10 Mac Stipanovich, 51-49; #15 Steven Metz def. #2 Mike Corcoran, 74-26.

CONTEXT FLORIDA: HUNT & FISH, FDLE, EMPATHY AND UNSOLVED MURDERS

On Context Florida: Former state Rep. Rick Dantzler asks legislators where Florida children will now learn to hunt and fish. Jac Wilder VerSteeg offers a quick word about the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s decision to investigate whether Context Florida columnist Daniel Tilson is a threat to Florida Gov. Scott. If FDLE cannot make better decisions than agents made in this case can, there are reasons aplenty for Floridians to be worried. All of us who find empathy when we find ourselves literally in someone else’s shoes, says Catherine Durkin Robinson, rather than simply picturing ourselves there. Teaching children to see past their own circumstances and defend those with whom they disagree is just one of many ways we can ensure they are more evolved than we are. A trait that will benefit them in the long run. A half century after an unsolved murder, Florence Snyder says who did the crime is less important that what the crime did to those left behind.

Visit Context Florida to dig in.

FLORIDA STATE’S WINSTON SHOWS OFF FOR NFL COACHES, GMS via Mark Long of the Associated Press

Jameis Winston dodged brooms and blocking pads. He threw over outstretched arms and tennis rackets. He completed passes from the pocket and on the run.

Even when it was time for a brief break during Florida State’s pro day … Winston grabbed the water bottles and served his teammates.

No doubt, Winston put on quite a show for NFL coaches, general managers and scouts.

The Seminoles star threw passes for nearly an hour, demonstrating arm strength, accuracy and stamina while drawing cheers from the hundreds on hand.

His next public workout might be as the top pick in the NFL draft.

Winston sent a strong message – literally – that he should be the first player taken in next month’s draft. Asked why Tampa Bay should select him, Winston didn’t hesitate to respond.

“Because I’m the best player in this draft,” he said. It would be hard to argue after his 55-minute passing session … that only solidified what NFL teams have seen from Winston the last two years as Florida State’s starter.

TODAY’S GOVS CLUB BUFFET MENU: Maryland Crab Chowder; Cold Cut Combo Sandwich Board with Chips; Chef Salad; Tuna Salad; Chicken Salad; Beef Stroganoff; Honey Glazed Salmon; Roasted Dijon Chicken; California Mix Vegetable Mix; Herbed Rice; Cherry Clafoutis; Assorted Mini Desserts