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: What a week for the exploration industry that helped shape modern Florida. Yesterday was the 34th anniversary of the first Space Shuttle launch: Columbia, with a two-man crew commanded by Orlando’s John Young. Today marks 45 years since an explosion aboard Apollo 13 threatened the lives of three astronauts before their nearly impossible safe return to earth four days later. And Thursday marks 43 years since the launch of Apollo 16, the next-to-last manned mission to the moon – again with Florida’s Young in command. Talk about boldly going …
DAYS UNTIL Sine Die: 19; Special Election in HD 64: 8; Jacksonville’s Mayoral Election: 36; Florida’s Presidential Primary: 336; Florida’s 2016 Primary Election: 505; Florida’s 2016 General Election: 575.
TWEET, TWEET: @Fineout: You know @MearKat00 — Monday might be a real good day to spring something big that you don’t want anybody outside of #FLLeg to notice
HILLARY CLINTON FORMALLY ANNOUNCES HER PRESIDENTIAL BID
Ending two years of speculation and coy denials, Hillary Clinton announced on Sunday that she would seek the presidency for a second time, immediately establishing herself as “the likely 2016 Democratic nominee,” The New York Times reports.
She made the announcement with a video: “I’m running for president.”
“The announcement effectively began what could be one of the least contested races, without an incumbent, for the Democratic presidential nomination in recent history — a stark contrast to the 2008 primaries, when Clinton, the early front-runner, ended up in a long and expensive battle won by Barack Obama. It could also be the first time a woman captures a major party’s nomination.
MUST-READ: “Hillary Clinton’s slow walk to ‘yes‘” via Glenn Thrush, Annie Karni and Gabriel Debendetti of POLITICO
FLORIDA POLITICIANS REACT
— Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz: “I would like to welcome Hillary Clinton as the first official candidate for President of the United States to seek the Democratic Party’s nomination in 2016. As First Lady, Senator, and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has been a forceful advocate for women, children, and families, and an effective ambassador on the global stage. … While we expect a competitive primary for the Democratic nomination, one thing is for certain — next November, voters will face a choice between Democrats who will continue to build on the middle-class economic success of President Obama, and Republican candidates who want to bring back the failed, trickle-down economics of the past. I look forward to the contributions that Secretary Clinton, and all of our eventual candidates, will bring to this debate between two very different visions for the country.”
— Florida GOP’s Blaise Ingoglia: “I would like to welcome Hillary Clinton to the presidential race. … Despite being wrong on all the major issues facing our country, Clinton has repeatedly proven she can’t be trusted to be honest and open with the American people. … Floridians, like most Americans, are anxiously awaiting answers from Clinton on scandals she’s been involved in for years. From Benghazi to email records and everything in between, I’m hopeful that now candidate Clinton will use this opportunity to come clean to the American people.”
— @SenBillNelson on Sunday morning news show in Miami: “I’m going to be working very hard for Hillary.”
— @LoisFrankel says “no better candidate than @HillaryClinton for hardworking American families.”
— @RepMurphyFL pledges to “do all I can to see that she is elected the first female president”
— @SenDarrenSoto: Very excited that Hillary Clinton is set to announce her 2016 presidential bid!
CLINTON LAYS GROUNDWORK IN FLORIDA via Michael Mishak of National Journal
Bill Clinton’s crisscrossing of Florida last year was part of Democrats’ effort to retake the governor’s office. But in behind-the-scenes conversations, the former president was working toward an additional goal: scouting out Hillary Clinton’s chances for victory here in 2016.
Analyzing out loud, the former president talked to friends and operatives alike about how to win the nation’s largest swing state, particularly in the event that two of its favorite sons—former Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio—enter the race.
The consensus: Florida is up for grabs.
The former president’s political reconnaissance is an early indication that his wife has little intention of ceding the state, which many consider Bush country, in her presidential bid. While those close to Hillary Clinton maintain that her immediate attention will be focused on Iowa and New Hampshire, the early-voting states that kick off the primary season, Florida Democrats say her camp is taking early steps in the state—a place that has both lifted and frustrated the Clintons’ political careers.
With its bevy of wealthy donors, the Sunshine State is expected to play a key role in fundraising, and Clinton’s team is already busy building a finance team and reviving the robust money network in the state that helped fuel her primary bid against Barack Obama in 2008.
The presumptive Democratic candidate’s camp is also making calls about potential political staff and considering campaign stops here as part of an impending announcement tour this month, according to Florida Democrats familiar with the plans.
WHY HILLARY CLINTON IS PROBABLY GOING TO WIN THE 2016 ELECTION via Jonathan Chait of New York Magazine
Unless the economy goes into a recession over the next year and a half, Hillary Clinton is probably going to win the presidential election. The United States has polarized into stable voting blocs, and the Democratic bloc is a bit larger and growing at a faster rate.
Of course, not everybody who follows politics professionally believes this. Many pundits feel the Democrats’ advantage in presidential elections has disappeared, or never existed. “The 2016 campaign is starting on level ground,” argues David Brooks, echoing a similar analysis by John Judis. But the evidence for this is quite slim, and a closer look suggests instead that something serious would have to change in order to prevent a Clinton victory.
Here are the basic reasons why Clinton should be considered a presumptive favorite:
The Emerging Democratic Majority is real … A Pew survey shows pretty clearly that there was not a major change in public opinion from the time of Obama’s re-election through the 2014 midterms.
No, youngsters are not turning Republican … Pew’s more recent survey combs through the data and throws more cold water on the “younger millennials” thesis … younger millennials lean Democratic at nearly the same rate as older ones. Clinton isn’t that unpopular … Republicans are much less popular. Jeb Bush, who is probably the best known of the Republican contenders, has much worse favorable ratings.
Is it time for a change? The one remaining ground for Republican optimism is the possibility that voters will decide three straight presidential terms for the Democratic Party is too much.
There’s no alternative … She cannot promise her supporters a dramatic change or new possibilities; she is personally too familiar, and the near certainty of at least one Republican-controlled chamber of Congress suggests continued legislative stalemate.
HILL-READS
“Hillary Can Be Beat“ via Ron Fournier — Iowa Democrats wonder whether it’s their responsibility to stop Clinton, or their duty to crown her.
“What Kind of President Would Clinton Be?” via Peter Beinart — Single-mindedness is both her greatest strength and greatest flaw.
IT’S MARCO DAY!
FIRST OF ALL, RUBIO IS READY FOR HILLARY via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“We like the contrast between Hillary Clinton’s virtual announcement and Marco Rubio’s real announcement,” spokesman Alex Conant said. “Marco will offer an optimistic vision for a new American century. He will offer new ideas for the new challenges facing our nation in the 21st century. The contrast between Marco’s new generation ideas and Hillary Clinton’s outdated policies will be clear. If people want to see something new, they should tune in Monday evening.”
RUBIO: THE MAKING OF A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
On Monday afternoon in Miami, at a site steeped in symbolism for the bilingual son of Cuban immigrants, Rubio will announce his 2016 campaign for president.
He has been working toward this for the better part of his four years here, building domestic and foreign policy experience and a conservative voting record. He has traveled the country for speeches and fundraising and assembled a campaign staff in waiting.
The move may have been expected but is no less audacious, harkening to Rubio’s Senate run against then-Gov. Charlie Crist and a political career marked by one advancement after another — the spoils of natural talent, restless ambition and an acute sense of timing.
“It’s very clear for him that the moment is right,” said Miami-Dade Commissioner Steve Bovo, a close friend. “He has built enough clout and trust and enthusiasm amongst a broad section of the Republican base. In politics, the longer you’re in, the harder it is to sustain that. He understands that. There are very rare occasions where windows of opportunity are ever recaptured.”
Just 43 years old, Rubio lacks big legislative accomplishments. But he is confident he can overcome shortcomings with a generational appeal focused on his American Dream story. A gifted speaker, he has become one of the best communicators in the GOP.
“Talking about past achievement is important. It’s a credentialing issue,” said Peter Wehner, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center who served in the past three Republican administrations. “But ultimately what matters most in terms of the public is, ‘What can you do for me in the future?’ “
RUBIO RELEASES PREVIEW VIDEO OF TODAY’S ANNOUNCEMENT via Patricia Mazzei of the Miami Herald
Rubio has released a video preview of his likely 2016 Republican presidential campaign announcement Monday. It’s a compilation of his most memorable speeches, with the campaign theme of the “New American Century.” Watch here.
POPPING LATE THIS MORNING — WHY RUBIO COULDN’T SAY NO via Marc Caputo and Mike Grunwald of POLITICO
RUBIO, BUSH SIT NEXT TO EACH OTHER ON FLIGHT AFTER NRA CONFERENCE via Marc Caputo of Politico
In a sign of how literally close they are, Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio sat next to each other on the same Friday night flight to Miami from Nashville, where they separately spoke at the National Rifle Association’s annual convention.
The coincidental encounter had a just-like-old-times feel to it, with the one-time mentor and one-time protégé talking like the friends they are – a stark contrast to the tensions being expressed by their top supporters, a source first told POLITICO.
Neither Bush nor Rubio’s spokesmen would comment for the record on what the two spoke about on the American Airlines flight 4229, which departed Nashville at 5:29 p.m. and arrived in Miami at 8:49 p.m. Aides said the two were serendipitously seated in the same row and decided to sit next to each other after an aide moved to make way. The two spoke for the entire three-hour flight.
MORE ON THE BUSH-RUBIO RIVALRY…
— “2016 ambitions turn Rubio, Jeb Bush protege, into rival” via Michael Barbaro of The New York Times
— “Can Rubio take down front-runner in 2016 as he did in 2010 with Crist?” via George Bennett of the Palm Beach Post
— “In South Florida, Bush and Rubio are forcing locals to pick sides” via Ed O’Keefe of The Washington Post
TWEET, TWEET: @LearyReports: As @MarcoRubio has his day in Miami tomorrow, @JebBush will be in Vero Beach for fundraising.
WHAT RICK WILSON THINKS OF JEB AND MARCO: “Jeb is building the New York Yankees. Marco is playing Moneyball.”
RUBIO HAS UPSIDE IN EARLY STATES via James Hohmann of POLITICO
As he prepares to launch his presidential campaign on Monday, Marco Rubio is seen as significantly more electable by early state insiders of both parties than Ted Cruz and Rand Paul, his GOP Senate colleagues who are already in the race.
(A) bipartisan group of key activists, operatives and thought leaders in New Hampshire and Iowa — finds that three in four Republicans think the Florida senator could defeat Hillary Clinton in a general election. For context, only 6 percent thought Cruz could carry their state against the former secretary of state in a general, and only one-quarter thought Paul could.
Democratic leaders also take Rubio far more seriously than they did either Cruz or Paul, the first two candidates to formally enter the race.
… But the prevailing belief, even among some Rubio fans, is that Bush and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker must falter for him to have a shot at the nomination.
RUBIO HOPES RELATIONSHIPS IN EARLY PRIMARY STATES PAY OFF via Patricia Mazzei of the Miami Herald
He’s campaigned with Joni Ernst in Iowa, cut a TV ad for Kelly Ayotte in New Hampshire, befriended Jim DeMint in South Carolina and reminisced about growing up in Nevada.
Now … Rubio must figure out how to turn his ties to the nation’s first four primary and caucus states into victories — or at least not failures — in the 2016 Republican presidential race.
In his four years in the Senate, Rubio has strategically built relationships and paid visits to crucial early states in the nominating contest … “(W)e’ll intend to compete all over,” Rubio spokesman Alex Conant said.
SECRET-MONEY GROUP TIED TO RUBIO SUPER PAC HAS BEEN RESEARCHING PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY VOTERS via Scott Bland of the National Journal
A secret-money group linked to Rubio’s new super PAC has existed for more than a year, during which time it commissioned extensive research on early-state primary voters.
The nonprofit—whose existence has never been revealed and whose name matches the recently announced pro-Rubio super PAC—commissioned a minutely detailed, 270-page political research book on early-state primary voters last year, and the report was prepared by a firm on Rubio’s own political payroll.
Political data this detailed is often expensive to produce, and closely guarded. But nonprofits and other outside groups are not allowed to coordinate with campaigns, and by posting the research publicly, the group has made its findings available free of charge to Rubio or anyone else who might want to use it.
The report was prepared for a nonprofit, called Conservative Solutions Project Inc., which was incorporated in Delaware in January 2014, according to state records. Just last week, Rubio allies publicized a super PAC that will support Rubio for president next year. It is called Conservative Solutions PAC. While the super PAC will have to disclose its donors and expenses regularly, nonprofits do not have to disclose donors.
QUOTE OF THE DAY via Javier Manjarres of The Shark Tank: “Rubio’s big announcement will probably be that he will run for re-election to the U.S. Senate.”
BLOOMBERG POLITICS NATIONAL POLL: RAND PAUL, JEB BUSH FACE PRIMARY OBSTACLES via Michael Bender and Arlt John of Bloomberg Politics
Rand Paul may have a problem with women, and Jeb Bush already has been written off by a large share of potential primary voters, according to a new Bloomberg Politics national poll that underscores the wide-open nature of the race four months before the first primary debate.
Just 11 percent of Republican and independent women in the poll said they’d seriously consider supporting Paul … compared to 22 percent of men. No other Republican contender has a worse spread.
Among all Republicans and independents in the poll, 42 percent said they would never consider voting for Bush.
The news is not all bad for Paul, and in fact, when Republicans and independents were asked whom they would potentially consider supporting, Paul topped the field with 58 percent. At least 50 percent of those same voters said they’d also be willing to consider five other aspirants—former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, and Bush—showing that the party has several visible, viable, and worthy candidates and signaling a potentially lengthy nomination battle.
Bush’s challenges with potential primary voters are well established. His support for easing immigration laws runs counter to the views held by many conservatives. He also backs Common Core academic standards, which have fueled fears within the party, while other presidential contenders have criticized them as akin to creating a national school board. Bush is also contending with voter anxiety about electing a third Bush president.
Bush does better among Republicans. Only about one in four say they’d never consider supporting him compared to 22 percent who said the same about Paul and 23 percent for Cruz. Among Republicans, 36 percent said they’d never consider supporting Christie, trailing only Pataki (45 percent) and Trump (55 percent).
HOW RUBIO’S ANNOUNCEMENT IS PLAYING
Voice of America, Rubio Expected to Announce Presidential Run – “… Rubio’s team sees an opportunity to answer the ‘why now’ question … argue the country’s pressing problems require a new generation of leaders. …” Washington Post, Hillary Clinton is stepping all over Marco Rubio’s announcement — or is she? – “Viewed one way, this is bad news for Rubio … upstaging the Republican senator. Viewed another way, this is an opportunity for Rubio … seize the moment as a chance to showcase himself as a stark contrast to the clear Democratic frontrunner … demonstrate to voters how he would stack up against her in a general election.” Palm Beach Post, As 2016 presidential announcement looms … – “’I would never underestimate Marco Rubio,’ says Tallahassee lobbyist and fundraiser Brian Ballard.” Washington Examiner, Marco Rubio courts donors ahead of 2016 announcement – “… hours before all of that, Rubio will personally fete donors from across the country during a … ‘National Investor’ conference call.” Breitbart.com, Rubio explains his preparations – “Rubio dismissed the idea … Clinton might ‘steal his thunder’ by having her announcement the day before his … (she is) the ‘architect of failed foreign policy.’” Miami Herald, Marco Rubio will try to find way in early GOP primary states – “Now … Rubio must figure out how to turn his ties to the nation’s first four primary and caucus states into victories — or at least not failures. …” Huffington Post, Marco Rubio Is the Biggest Threat to Hillary Clinton in 2016 – “ … his biggest weakness may be that working on bipartisan immigration reform hurt him with his base in the Republican primary. … However, that weakness will be a huge boost to his chances in a general election.”
SHOCKER (RIGHT?) — JEFF ATWATER DECIDES AGAINST 2016 U.S. SENATE RUN via George Bennett of the Palm Beach Post
Atwater, considered the GOP frontrunner to replace Rubio in 2016, said Saturday he has decided not to run.
Atwater was expected to open a Senate campaign or an exploratory committee soon after Rubio’s anticipated announcement that he’s running for president. Atwater supporters set up a super PAC last week to raise and spend unlimited sums in support of an Atwater Senate campaign.
“As positive as the feedback and encouragement have been, we felt this is not the right time,” Atwater said in an interview with The Palm Beach Post.
Atwater said he has spent the last three weeks in serious exploration of a Senate bid and received “overwhelmingly positive” response.
“It was time now to reflect upon the task of the campaign itself and balance that with my present duties and having just come off a year as a candidate on the campaign trail. After that reflection and family conversation, we just felt the best thing to do was to spend this campaign cycle looking to who we could be supportive of and not placing ourself in as the candidate,” Atwater said.
REAX
Patrick Murphy: “Everyone who puts themselves forward for public service has to be able to devote a significant amount of time to the people of this state, and I respect Mr. Atwater’s decision. No matter who runs, this race was and is about giving all Floridians a voice in the U.S. Senate. Our state needs fresh, new leadership, and I look forward to continue sharing my vision across Florida about how we can work together to strengthen the middle class, build an economy that works for all Floridians, and make sure our senior citizens are able to enjoy the retirement they’ve earned.”
Will Weatherford: “I am watching The Masters.”
HOW ATWATER’S DECISION PLAYED
Tampa Tribune, CFO Atwater says he won’t run for Senate – “… surprised the state’s political establishment … will not pursue a U.S. Senate seat expected to open up if Sen. Marco Rubio runs for president.” POLITICO, Florida surprise: Jeff Atwater won’t run for Marco Rubio seat – “… he isn’t running because his family doesn’t want him moving back and forth from Washington and his home in South Florida. …” Palm Beach Post, Jeff Atwater will not run for Marco Rubio seat – “… just felt the best thing to do was to spend this campaign cycle looking to who we could be supportive of and not placing ourself in as the candidate. …” Tampa Bay Times, CFO Jeff Atwater won’t run for U.S. Senate in 2016 – “The immediate Republican beneficiary … Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera … So (is) U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis … likely more of the tea party candidate.” CBS Miami, Atwater Won’t Run For U.S. Senate Seat – “… (Atwater’s) fundraising ability and an operation that has helped him win two statewide races … would have been the favorite to win an open seat … won re-election with more votes than any other statewide candidate.” Associated Press, Atwater Says He Won’t Run for Rubio’s Senate Seat – “Florida … a difficult state to mount a campaign if a candidate isn’t already known … The prospect of challenging a candidate like Atwater … might have kept some from getting in the race.”
SPOTTED at Patrick Murphy’s Friday night fundraiser at Mise En Place in Tampa: Betty Castor, Sam Bell, Kevin Beckner, Ed Turanchik, Mike Suarez, Pat Kemp, Sean Shaw, Brian Willis, Patrick Baskette, Ana Cruz, Mike Hamby, Bob and Carrie Henriquez, and Patrick Mantiega.
IF ALAN GRAYSON IS OUT, DARREN SOTO IS IN FOR CONGRESSIONAL RACE via Scott Powers of the Orlando Sentinel
The dominoes lining up for the 2016 election could include state Sen. Darren Soto running for Congress.
Soto said he would run for Congress in Florida’s 9th District if Grayson does not seek re-election there.
“I’m honored to represent District 14 in the state Senate, but if Congressman Grayson decides to run for the U.S. Senate, I would run for the congressional seat,” Soto said.
He added that he would respect whatever decision Grayson makes.
MEANWHILE … COMPLAINT FILED OVER CHARLIE CRIST ROLE IN ANNETTE TADDEO EMAILS via Patricia Mazzei of the Miami Herald
Charlie Crist improperly contributed to Annette Taddeo’s Democratic campaign for Congress, according to a complaint a Republican filed last week with the Federal Election Commission.
The complaint, by Saul Escobar of Miami, argues that when Crist let Taddeo use an email list from last year’s Florida governor’s race, it amounted to an impermissible donation from a state campaign to a federal one. It also says Taddeo herself should have authorized the emails to supporters, sent after she launched her 2016 campaign last week with the disclaimer, “Paid for and approved by Charlie Crist.”
Note that there’s no reference to “Charlie Crist for Governor,” which suggests Crist himself — and no state campaign — was involved in the transaction, unlike what the complaint alleges. A campaign’s non-monetary assets, such as email lists, usually belong to a candidate once the race is done. In this case, that’s Crist (and not Taddeo, his running mate), and he presumably could give out the list to whomever he wanted.
“These kinds of misleading partisan attacks are exactly what South Floridians hate about Washington,” said Joshua Karp, a Florida Democratic Party spokesman. “As a working mom and a small business owner, Annette knows that the people of the 26th District expect and deserve better than these kinds of petty partisan attacks.”
Escobar appears to be a member of the Miami Young Republicans.
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POLITICAL PARTIES RAKE IN MONEY DURING SESSION via Gary Fineout of The Associated Press
New campaign reports filed late Friday show that more than $7 million was donated to the Republican Party of Florida and the account controlled by Senate President Andy Gardiner.
… Scott himself has also reinvigorated his own fundraising account called Let’s Get to Work which has pulled in $1.1 million since Ingoglia took over.
The Florida Democratic Party, which has been dealing with a string of setbacks in recent elections, received roughly $2.75 million in cash donations during the first quarter of 2015. Most of that came from a Jacksonville political committee which itself has received money from key figures in that city including Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan.
Current Democratic Mayor Alvin Brown is locked in a tight re-election battle against former Republican Party of Florida chairman Lenny Curry.
Some of the key donors so far this year include The Seminole Tribe of Florida, which wants to extend its agreement with the state that lets it offer blackjack and other card games at its casinos. It sent $175,000 to Republican-connected accounts, while donating $105,000 to the Democrats.
Disney, which has been adamantly opposed to allowing the creation of new casinos in the state, donated nearly $300,000 to Republicans and $40,000 to Democrats.
RICK SCOTT’S DISENGAGED APPROACH ON KEY ISSUES FRUSTRATES SENATOR via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
As Florida’s legislative session enters Week 7, some Republican lawmakers are increasingly frustrated with what they describe as a lack of engagement by Gov. Scott on key policy issues.
Take state Sen. Greg Evers. The Crestview Republican, who chairs the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, is helping to shepherd an overhaul of the state prison system that includes creation of a new oversight board that would provide additional scrutiny to the Department of Corrections.
In a pre-session story that called the Republican Legislature “The Elephant in the Room,” the Times anticipated growing tensions between the governor and lawmakers in his own party.
Legislators like to know where they stand with the governor’s office, if for no other reason than as a safeguard so they can maneuver to head off the possibility of a veto. They say that since Scott expects to have lawmakers’ support for his priorities, such as a package of tax cuts, can’t Scott weigh in on a regular basis on what lawmakers are doing?
Evers recalled a superficial exchange of pleasantries at the Governor’s Mansion with Scott on the eve of the session’s first day. “He said, ‘I think you’re doing a good job, and just carry on,'” Evers recalled Scott saying. “So where did the wheels run off the bus?”
WHAT THE SCOTT ADMIN IS READING — FDLE AWARDS, THEN PULLS $17 MIL CONTRACT FROM LOUISANA COMPANY THAT DIDN’T DISCLOSE BANKRUPTCY via Matt Dixon of the Naples Daily News
Florida Department of Law Enforcement yanked a $17 million contract back from a Louisiana vendor only after a competing company pointed out that the taxpayer-funded work went to a business forced into bankruptcy protection while negotiating with the state agency.
FDLE awarded the contract to operate the agency’s Computerized Criminal History system, a constantly updated searchable database that includes information on 4 million inmates and 15 million arrests. It can be searched by the public, and is used in criminal investigations and for background checks.
Last July, FDLE issued an “invitation to negotiate” for the contract and awarded it on Feb. 23 to ThinkStream, a Baton Rouge software company that was forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September by TSB Ventures, a Louisiana private equity firm. The company listed $9.3 million in petitioner claims, including $8.4 million by TSB, according to bankruptcy filings.
ThinkStream, which completed the bankruptcy in December, provides software for law enforcement agencies at the federal level and in six states, including 12 city and county agencies in Florida. The company is a dominant presence in Louisiana, doing work for nearly 300 entities, including dozens of police departments, 14 district attorney’s offices, and a handful of corrections facilities.
FDLE has had a high-profile relationship with Louisiana since Gov. Rick Scott ousted former FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey. FDLE staff had coined the term “Louisiana Mafia” in reference to top Scott staffers he brought over from the state. Bailey left office on Dec. 16, three days before FDLE announced it was negotiating with three finalists, including ThinkStream.
WHAT THE GOV’S OFFICE IS READING — RICK SCOTT: ‘CAN I CONVINCE YOU TO MOVE TO FLORIDA?’ via David Siders of the Sacramento Bee
Scott touched down in Southern California on Sunday for a business recruitment trip, then jumped on the phone to sell the virtues of the Sunshine State.
“Hi, this is Rick Scott,” he told a reporter. “Can I convince you to move to Florida?”
Scott … is trying to persuade shipping companies to move their operations to ports in Florida.
… Scott’s trip is reminiscent of excursions in recent years by former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, including a modest public relations effort.
Enterprise Florida, the state’s public-private economic development group, announced airing radio and newspaper ads in the Los Angeles area to coincide with the trip.
… On Friday, the Greater Sacramento Area Economic Council, an economic development group, issued an appeal to business people: “It’s time to fight for California’s jobs.”
The group posted a volley of tweets promoting California’s economic climate with the hashtag #FLvsCA.
MUST-READ: THE COUP THAT WASN’T AGAINST ERIC EISNAUGLE 1,900 insider-y words here
At approximately 3 o’clock in the afternoon this past Wednesday, the Florida political Twitterverse exploded with news that an effort was underway — in real time — to dislodge state Rep. Eric Eisnaugle from a leadership post in the state House few before this week had publicly acknowledged he had won and one he won’t hold until 2021.
A “coup” was how the effort was being described, although it was not clear who was leading such an uprising or why it was even happening.
However, by the end of the day, Eisnaugle reaffirmed his grip on the House speakership in 2021-2022, but deep fractures within the Republican House Caucus were revealed — divisions that may reemerge in coming years or even during the current legislative session.
Eisnaugle locked up the race to be speaker after two key developments in August 2014. First, his allies in House District 40 and 74, now state Reps. Colleen Burton and Julio Gonzalez, won their respective primaries. Second was the defection of two presumed supporters of Chris Sprowls, Eisnaugle’s rival for the speakership.
Since then, Eisnaugle has consolidated power within the rest of the GOP caucus and among his fellow freshman by raising and spending money to defend and elect Republican House candidates.
Eisnaugle’s critics contend, however, that what made the Orlando Republican such a strong candidate for speaker — his experience and his status as a redshirt freshman — has made him a vulnerable speaker-to-be.
COUP GONE WILD — GOP LEADERS QUESTION BLAISE INGOGLIA’S ROLE IN EISNAUGLE PLOT Full story here
Now, the star of the “Government Gone Wild” videos is indirectly accused of trying to add a third – Florida House speaker – in what could be referred to as a political “Coup Gone Wild.”
The Hernando County Republican faces serious accusations this morning from one prominent state Republican — Orange County GOP Chairman Lew Oliver — who alleges an intimidation campaign to force new House members, including several from his Central Florida region, into breaking their commitment to support Eric Eisnaugle for speaker of the Florida House in 2021-22.
Ingoglia has denied the accusations.
It began with an email obtained by FloridaPolitics.com from former RPOF Chair Leslie Dougher.
BOB CORTES DENIES THREAT ALLEGATION via Gray Rohrer of the Orlando Sentinel
State Rep. Bob Cortes … says Oliver is wrong, he was never threatened by the Republican Party of Florida or anyone else to withdraw his support for Eisnaugle … as House speaker in 2020.
“I have not been threatened or coerced in any way, shape or form from anyone. Don’t know where Lew got this. I have pledged my support to Eric Eisnaugle and my word is my bond. However, reports that I was one of the three threatened directly are not true. Just setting the record straight,” Cortes stated in an email sent to the Sentinel.
“I believe other people that might benefit one way or another are blowing this way out of proportion,” Cortes told the Sentinel in an interview.
FIGHTING WORDS IN HEALTH CARE BATTLE via Lloyd Dunkelberger of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune
The Florida House and Senate are locked into a $4 billion battle over healthcare funding.
… Richard Corcoran said the problem with Florida’s healthcare system is “the status quo” and “all the people who profit from the system.”
“Come to war with us. I’ll fight. And if it costs me my political career, or yours, so be it,” Corcoran told House members.
Those are significant comments coming from the House budget chairman who will be the next House speaker following the 2016 elections.
That was followed up this week at the end of what is likely to be the last meeting of the House Health and Human Services Committee. State Rep. Jason Brodeur re-emphasized the House’s commitment to bringing more competition and free-market ideas into the healthcare system.
“We know that there is a healthcare problem in Florida. And we know every time government tries to solve something, we typically (are) a little worse off than had we let some other things happen,” Brodeur said.
Brodeur outlined an ambitious set of proposals for the 2016 session, including advancing a plan to curb the number and cost of medical malpractice lawsuits.
Brodeur’s comments were bolstered by the appearance of state Rep. Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, who will be the House speaker following Corcoran. He emphasized his commitment to changing the healthcare system.
“The greatest surprise is that we know the solutions to all of the healthcare problems,” Oliva said. “It’s just that they are behind big walls and those walls are held up by very specific interests. Well, all we need is the commitment to tear down those walls.”
The comments from Oliva, Brodeur, Corcoran and others represent a multi-year commitment by the House leadership to the daunting task of changing the healthcare system.
TIA MITCHELL COLUMN — LAWMAKERS POSTURING ON HEALTH CARE OVERSHADOWS THE IMPACT ON EVERYDAY FLORIDIANS via the Florida Times-Union
For the vast majority of Floridians who already have insurance, what lawmakers decide this year could affect premiums and wait times at the ER or doctor’s office. It could affect how much the state has to spend on education and tax cuts.
Hospitals are eager to see something done because those uninsured or under-insured people usually wind up in their emergency rooms. UF Health Jacksonville hospital stands to lose $95 million if LIP isn’t renewed, and its administrators believe that could be a fatal blow to the perpetually cash-strapped medical center.
Businesses, especially those in Florida’s tourism and hospitality industry, want a solution because eventually they will be forced to provide health insurance for low-wage, full-time workers who otherwise might be covered by a Medicaid expansion plan or face big fines.
Average Floridians don’t care what it’s called. They don’t care whether the House, Senate or governor scores a political victory in the process.
They just want something, anything, done.
MORE LIKE THIS — “Florida Legislature leaving socially needy behind” via John Kennedy of the Palm Beach Post
MORE ON THE MEDICAID EXPANSION FIGHT — “Medicaid expansion plans face long odds in final weeks of session” via Katleen McGrory of the Times/Herald Tallahassee bureau
FLORIDA POLITICS: HOW A BILL DOESN’T BECOME A LAW via Michael Auslen of the Tampa Bay Times
To Republican state Sen. Rene Garcia, allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for a driver’s license is only logical.
But his driver’s license bill, SB 300, hasn’t attracted much interest from other lawmakers. Six weeks into the nine-week legislative session, the measure is essentially dead, one of hundreds of ideas that likely will never see the light of day.
Many of those dead bills are policies pushed by Democrats, like a higher minimum wage, or a ban on backyard gun ranges. With overwhelming GOP majorities in both the House and Senate, it’s not surprising such bills haven’t taken hold.
Yet dozens of proposals backed by Republicans — including high-profile leaders like former Senate President Don Gaetz — have fallen to the cutting room floor, too.
For example, Gaetz proposed SJR 1142, amending the state Constitution to stop property taxes from increasing if a property’s value decreases.
To land a bill on the governor’s desk, it takes more than just backing from lawmakers in the majority party. The chair of at least the first committee a bill is assigned to has to be on board. A single bill could have to clear as many as four committees.
COLLEGE NAME CHANGE BILL STALLS via Ian Cummings of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune
The Legislature is considering a measure that would prohibit colleges from using the word “state” in their names, and impose more limits on their four-year degrees.
But those rules are attached to a separate higher education bill file by Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, who has filed her own amendments that could loosen those restrictions.
“I believe it’s more of a compromise in the middle,” Stargel said. “It would let the colleges have growth if they need growth, yet stay on their mission.”
The bill had been scheduled for its second committee stop on Wednesday, but was postponed while Stargel was busy elsewhere with an alimony reform bill.
The issue is likely to be up for debate again this week, as Stargel said she was confident her bill, SB 1252, would be brought back up at a later committee.
The tougher restrictions added to the bill have a powerful sponsor in state Sen. Joe Negron.
… Colleges are operating under a moratorium on new four-year degrees imposed by the Legislature, but that expires this year. If no new law is passed, the colleges will be freed of those limits.
Under Negron’s proposal, colleges would have to give notice a year before they offer new four-year degrees, up from 60 days in the current law. It would cap at 5 percent the share of a college’s enrollment that could be made up of students pursuing baccalaureate degrees.
ATTN DON GAETZ — MAN DIES WAITING FOR LEGISLATURE TO ACT ON CLAIMS BILLS via Jane Musgrave of the Palm Beach Post
For three years, (David Abbott) waited for the Legislature to pass a bill that would give his father the money he needed to recover from catastrophic injuries he suffered when he was run over by a Palm Beach County school bus in 2008. Even a letter from Carl Abbott’s doctor, warning that the elderly man could die unless he was moved into a nursing home that could provide more effective therapy, failed to move the tight-fisted Legislature.
Abbott’s father died in June at age 73, never getting the $1.9 million the school board agreed to pay for its bus driver’s negligence.
“I’m kind of numbed by the whole thing,” Abbott, 50, said last week. “He was injured to the point where he needed care and he just fell through the cracks. I wish the state of Florida had a better system to take care of people.”
LEGISLATIVE FOOD FIGHTS
HOUSE, SENATE SPLIT ON INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR UBER, LYFT via Jim Turner of the News Service of Florida in the Palm Beach Post
As taxi and limo services call for stricter regulations on growing “transportation network companies,” the Senate has expanded an insurance measure (SB 1298) to include a requirement for around-the-clock coverage on the vehicles of app-connected ride-share drivers.
The requirement would kick in once a driver has been working with a company for at least six months.
The proposal is not in the House companion bill (HB 817), which awaits a floor vote.
Lawmakers are working to impose a new layer of insurance on the technology companies in an effort to close a coverage “gap” between when a driver is notified about having a customer to pick up and the “on-call” time the passenger gets in the vehicle.
“The people of the state of Florida have a significant risk of being injured as a result of this (gap) and receiving absolutely no coverage whatsoever,” said Sen. David Simmons, . “It is incumbent upon us to take action.”
Simmons said his proposal is intended to clear up possible issues of liability, to “level the playing field” between the ride-share programs and traditional cab companies and to reduce the possibility of “rogue” drivers.
… Uber lobbyist Cesar Fernandez said the company reluctantly can accept a higher coverage requirement on drivers during the “gap,” even though the company believes the drivers during that time are not commercially driving their personal vehicles.
However, Fernandez said Uber is opposed to the new around-the-clock coverage proposal on drivers working with the company for at least six months.
MY TAKE: JOHN WOOD AND THE ARTICLE V CAUCUS Full blog post here
John Wood (R) – “R” as in “Realtor” – doesn’t like the fact that the free-market can sometimes cause some fees to go up during a real estate closing. These fees occur when a homeowner’s association needs to produce a thing known as an estoppel certificate. These certificates are sometimes easy to create and producing one can often cost less than $100. But sometimes the HOA needs accountants and lawyers to figure things out to make sure they are accurate and are produced on short notice. They can be especially tricky when a homeowner is way past due on fees and there is a long complicated record to reconcile. And that costs money. That’s just the way the free-market works.
But that whole free-market thing can get messy, and the extra cost is something that state Rep. Wood thinks Realtors or buyers or sellers shouldn’t have to pay.
So we have a “less-government” conservative pushing a bill to cap those fees. Yes, CS/CS/HB 611 gets right down into the nitty-gritty of a real estate transaction and has government – Big. Bad. Government. – telling folks what they can charge. Some call it price-fixing, while others call it … well, pretty much everyone calls it price-fixing.
So while the other members of the Article V caucus are steadfastly (one must presume) charging around the nation calling for less government, limited government, smaller government and a government that doesn’t set prices in private business transactions, caucus member John Wood is instead pushing a measure to have the State of Florida (still a government) stick its nose into a business transaction he knows all too well.
If the Article V gang finds out, I wonder if they will revoke his membership.
WHISKEY AND WHEATIES BILL LIVES, SPONSOR SAYS via James Rosica of the Tampa Tribune
The “whiskey and Wheaties” bill was abruptly yanked off its latest committee’s agenda, but its sponsor says it will be back next week.
The bill (HB 107) was slated to be heard by the House Regulatory Affairs Committee, but was “temporarily postponed,” in legislative parlance.
The wide-ranging alcoholic beverages measure originally had language repealing the state’s 80-year-old requirement that retailers sell hard liquor in a separate store away from groceries and other goods.
The bill was changed, however, to keep the separation requirement and instead allow only a door between adjoined liquor and main stores.
That same change was in the Senate version (SB 468).
Bill sponsor Greg Steube, a Republican state representaive from Sarasota, didn’t get into details when a reporter caught up with him after Thursday’s floor session.
“We’re just trying to work out some details,” he said.
He said the bill would be back before Regulatory Affairs at next Tuesday’s meeting.
LEGISLATIVE MERRY-GO-ROUND
With a hat-tip to LobbyTools, here is the latest on who is on and who is off the legislative staffing merry-go-round.
On: Matthew Kauffmann, J.J. Whitson are recently elected Travis Hutson’s new legislative assistants. Danielle Curbow will be Hutson’s district secretary.
On: Ned Luczynski is now deputy staff director of the House Regulatory Affairs Committee.
On: Travaris McCurdy is District Executive Secretary II to state Sen. Geri Thompson.
On: Charlean Gatlin has replaced McGurdy in Thompson’s office.
On: Jesika Davis is the new district secretary to state Rep. Holly Raschein.
LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS
CHANGES TO CONDOS, HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS
The House Finance & Tax Committee takes up HB 791, filed by Fort Lauderdale Republican George Moraitis, which seeks a number of changes regarding condominiums and homeowners’ associations. Meeting is 2 p.m. in Morris Hall of the House Office Building.
DEEPWATER HORIZON CLAIM PRESENTATION
Patrick Juneau, claims administrator for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, will hold a presentation for the Senate Agriculture Committee at 4 p.m. in Room 301 of the Senate Office Building.
SENATE COMMITTEE DISCUSSES JESSE PANUCCIO CONFIRMATION
The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee will address the confirmation of Jesse Panuccio as executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Meeting starts 4 p.m. in Room 110 of the Senate Office Building.
SENATE PANEL DEBATES DRONE SURVEILLANCE
A bill (SB 1178) facing the Senate Criminal Justice Committee seeks to limit the use of aerial drones. Filed by Naples Republican Garrett Richter, it would ban using drones to capture images of people or private property when the intent is surveillance. Meeting is 4 p.m. in Room 37 of the Senate Office Building.
SENATE SEEKS TO EXPAND NURSE PRACTITIONER POWERS
The Senate Finance and Tax Committee considers proposal (SB 532), filed by Sebring Republican Denise Grimsley, which would allow advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) to order medication for patients in hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers and mobile surgical facilities. Physicians would supervise APRNs. Meeting starts 4 p.m. in Room 401 of the Senate Office Building.
AUDITOR GENERAL CONFIRMATION CONSIDERED
The House Rules, Calendar & Ethics Committee will meet at 5 p.m. on the confirmation of Sherrill Foltz Norman as auditor general. If confirmed, Foltz will start July 1. Meeting is in Room 404 of the House Office Building.
ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: The James Madison Institute hosts “Civil Forfeiture Reform in Florida: Getting it Right” featuring state Sen. Jeff Brandes; Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri; Michelle Richardson, director of Public Policy, ACLU of Florida and Justin Pearson of the Institute for Justice. Event begins 6 p.m. at the TCC Capitol Center, 200 West Pensacola St. in Tallahassee.
DWIGHT DUDLEY IS A SPECK OF BLUE IN A SEA OF RED via Janelle Irwin of Florida Politics
It’s not easy being a Democrat in the Florida Legislature. Most major initiatives are blocked by a sea of red and bills typically opposed by those few lawmakers on the left breeze right by despite vehement protest.
That’s where state Rep. Dwight Dudley’s at right now a little more than half way through this year’s legislative session.
To him, the biggest issue facing Democrats in the House this year, and even Republicans in the Senate, is Medicaid expansion and Low Income Pool funding.
“I do have some dents in my hand from this process,” Dudley said. “Despite my frustration, I still have hope.”
Some of those dents in his hands come also from the Legislature’s apparent flip-flop on what Dudley calls the “Utility Tax.” Utility companies like Duke Energy, the biggest culprit, are allowed, thanks to the handiwork of the Florida Public Service Commission, to charge advanced nuclear cost recovery fees.
They’re still charging ratepayers $3.2 billion for one broken power plant in Citrus County and one nonexistent and never-will-exist plant in Levy County.
Dudley has called for the “tax” to be repealed for years.
U.S. SUGAR LAND BUY BACKERS STILL HOPE TO STRIKE UNLIKELY DEAL via Isadora Rangel of Naples Daily News
With three weeks left before the end of the legislative session, state Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, announced he wants to find $500 million during budget negotiations with the House that could be used to buy 46,800 acres from U.S. Sugar Corp. to help reduce polluted-water discharges by moving excess Lake Okeechobee water south.
But Negron faces an uphill battle.
Key lawmakers, including Speaker Crisafulli, oppose the state owning any more land and have doubts the south-lake parcel is the right land to buy.
“It is somewhat unlikely that we would be able to achieve it this session,” agreed Republican state Sen. Tom Lee, a former Senate president who heads the chamber’s budget committee.
… U.S. Sugar spokeswoman Judy Sanchez has said it would be a waste of taxpayer money to buy the company’s land. She said the state should focus on existing Everglades restoration projects.
That’s a stance the South Florida Water Management District board shared Thursday, to the dismay of residents who pleaded with them to buy the land.
… state Sen. Alan Hays, head of the Senate budget committee in charge of allocating money for the environment, said he hasn’t talked to sugar lobbyists but opposes buying the land. Hays is a staunch opponent of the state owning more land because 9.4 million acres are already publicly owned in Florida, he said.
“The main sticking point for me is (buying the land) does nothing to diminish the nutrient load in Lake Okeechobee because it’s south of the lake,” Hays said. “Let’s diminish the nutrient load going into the lake and therefore let’s diminish the nutrient load coming out of the lake.”
HUH? — MASSIVE RECORDS REQUEST MADE FOR EVERGLADES REPORT DOCUMENTS via Jeff Schweers of the Gainesville Sun
A criminal defense and family lawyer from Stuart has made a massive public records request of the University of Florida for all records related to a report recommending a hotly contested purchase of thousands of acres of private land for Everglades restoration projects.
The size and timing of the request has led to speculation about the motive behind it and who attorney Lance P. Richard represents, but Richard himself is not talking. He has not returned repeated calls to his law office over the last week requesting an interview.
Calls to environmental groups supporting the purchase confirmed that they didn’t make the request. The Everglades Foundation, one of the chief supporters of Amendment 1 and plans to purchase land south of the Everglades, did not make the request, spokeswoman Dawn Shirreffs said.
Richard made the request March 11, 10 days after the UF Water Institute released its study — which was subsequently reported by Florida media outlets. Richard has asked for the names of everyone interviewed for the technical report, along with “each and every record generated as a result of interviews conducted” for the report.
University officials estimate the records request encompasses nearly 140,000 documents and have advised Richard that it could cost as much as $30,000.
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JOE GRUTERS EYES HD 73 SEAT via Jeremy Wallace of the Sarasota Herald Tribune
Sarasota Republican Party Chairman Joe Gruters is preparing to run for the Florida Legislature in 2016.
If state Rep. Greg Steube runs for the Florida Senate, Gruters told the Sarasota Republican Executive Committee on Thursday he will run for Steube’s District 73 House seat.
That district includes includes all of Sarasota County east of I-75 and north of Clark Road, plus all of Manatee County east of the interstate.
“I’m definitely leaning toward running,” Gruters said in an interview confirming his interest.
Gruters, an accountant, is starting his seventh year as Sarasota Republican Party chairman and is vice chairman of the state Republican Party.
But it all hinges on what state Sen. Nancy Detert decides. Detert is considering running for the Sarasota County Commission in 2016, which would open her seat to several potential Republicans who want to jump to the Senate. That list includes former state Rep. Doug Holder, Steube and state Rep. Ray Pilon. All three have said they will run if Detert leaves before her term ends in 2018.
Gruters said he would not run against Steube for the seat and only would campaign for it if Steube seeks the Senate seat instead of re-election. If he runs, Gruters said he intends to remain party chairman.
NEW LOBBYING REGISTRATIONS
Mario Bailey, Becker & Poliakoff: RYO Cigar Association
Pete Dunbar, Martha Edenfield, Brittany Finkbeiner, Dean Mead: Florida Voters Coalition
Yolanda Jackson, Becker & Poliakoff: Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.
4TH FLOOR FILES — THOMAS HOBBS
The latest edition of the 4th Floor Files speaks with Thomas Hobbs, the newest member of the Liberty Partners of Tallahassee’s lobbying team.
Serving as Liberty’s director of operations and government relations, Hobbs brings a decade of experience with state government, including both the Governor’s Office and the Florida House of Representatives. As a helicopter pilot for the Florida National Guard, Hobbs’ lobbying specialty is in a number of military-related issues: aerospace, domestic security, military affairs and political communications.
Here is the file on Thomas Hobbs.
PERSONNEL NOTE: BERGER SINGERMAN ADDS ENERGY & UTILITIES PRO FLOYD SELF AS PARTNER via Phil Ammann of Florida Politics
Berger Singerman, a leading Florida real estate and business law firm, added Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan attorney Floyd Self as the newest member of its Government and Regulatory Team.
Self, who joins as a partner, will work from the firm’s Tallahassee office.
Self specializes in government and regulatory practice for the utility, energy, telecommunications and technology sectors. His experience includes administrative hearings, civil litigation, appeals, professional licenses, government contracting and purchasing, lobbying, and land use.
“Berger Singerman’s unique culture and deep bench of talented attorneys are what initially attracted me to the firm,” Self said in a statement. “I am looking forward to working with this team of dedicated attorneys, and I am confident my practice and my clients will benefit.”
VOTING FOR THE TALLYMADNESS FINAL FOUR ENDS AT MIDNIGHT
The Elite 8 has continued to light up the virtual ballot box as the 2015 online clash of Tallahassee lobbying corps heavyweights moves into the semi-final round. Voting to decide who will move on to breathe the rare air of the vaunted Final Four ends Monday at midnight. A reminder of who is in contention for the title:
#1 seed Brian Ballard is taking on #3 seed Mark Delegal in a battle to see who can crash the TallyMadness.com servers due to high-volume voting, and the top-seeded Ron Book looks to stave off an upset against #7 seed Tim Meenan, who has kept the votes flowing big-time since the Round of 64.
Meanwhile #9 seed Brecht Heuchan faces #11 seed John Holley and surprise semi-finals hopeful #16 Monica Rodriguez seeks to continue her Cinderella run against #3 seed Robert Coker.
Voting in the Elite 8 round ends Monday, April 13, at midnight on TallyMadness.com. Vote early and often to advance your favorite influencer to the promised land of the TallyMadness Final Four!
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI CLOSE TO FINDING SHALALA’S REPLACEMENT via The Associated Press
The University of Miami is about to choose a replacement for outgoing President Donna Shalala.
Members of Miami’s Board of Trustees have been invited to choose the sixth president of the private university. Shalala announced last year that she is leaving the job. She will remain in place through the end of this academic year.
Shalala was the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary under President Bill Clinton. Her next job will also involve working alongside the 42nd president, as she’s been tabbed to lead the Clinton Foundation.
Shalala took office at Miami on June 1, 2001. The search for her replacement has been ongoing since September, when she announced plans to step down.
REGIONAL NOTES
— AG Pam Bondi and Ag Commissioner Adam Putnam are the lead chairs of a fundraising reception for Lenny Curry in support of his Jacksonville mayoral bid. The event begins 6 p.m. at the Epping Forest Yacht & Country Club, 1830 Epping Forest Drive in Jacksonville.
— “Mayor’s race in Coral Gables gets nasty in final days” via Monique Madan of the Miami Herald
TODAY ON CONTEXT FLORIDA: ADOPTIONS, WHAT YOU THINK, HILLARY CLINTON AND REAL ESTATE LAW
Today on Context Florida: More than 600 children woke up without a permanent home to call their own, says Jason Brodeur, who himself is a child of adoptive parents. That is why he authored legislation to make Florida the best state for adoptions – particularly adoptions benefiting foster children. When it comes to helping children, he adds, let us check rigid ideologies at the door – all of them. The poor? The hell with them. Education? Don’t make me laugh. The environment? Screw it. Diane Roberts points out that the 2015 session is more than half way through, and elected representatives have made it clear they really, truly, do not care what you think. Daniel Tilson is a longtime liberal political activist, a Florida Democrat proud of his pragmatically progressive pedigree. That’s why he endorses Hillary Clinton for president and Patrick Murphy for the U.S. Senate in 2016. Two bills speeding through the Legislature, CS/SB 736 and CS/CS/HB 611, are set to change complex and nuanced areas of real estate law, says CPA Barry Berkowitz, managing director of Mayer Hoffman McCann. If these bills pass, homeowners’ association dues will go up.
Visit Context Florida to dig in.
ON THE LATEST POLITICAL FIX PODCAST Listen here
On this week’s episode of the Political Fix Podcast, Matt Dixon and James Rosica talk about how the budget really works with Jerry McDaniel, a former head of the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget.
They dive into growing tensions between the Governor’s Office and Senate … a “conversation” about the issue. And they get caught up in the massive testing bill that the House sent to Gov. Rick Scott’s desk this week.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Pinellas politico Todd Pressman.
