Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.
By Peter Schorsch ([email protected]; @SaintPetersBlog) with Phil Ammann ([email protected]; @PhilAmmann) and Ryan Ray ([email protected]; @RyanRay_Fla).
In Sunburn’s hometown, the difficult subject of race is being debated as fiercely as it has been in a generation. The Tampa Bay Times will compete for a Pulitzer Prize because of its “Failure Factories” investigation into how, after eight years of overworked teachers, failed integration and cutbacks in budgets and resources, several predominantly black neighborhoods in Pinellas County have produced five of Florida’s worst schools. Meanwhile, a St. Petersburg movie theatre’s decision to not screen the movie “Straight Outta Compton” (produced by an A-lister Will Packer, who hails from St. Pete, is generating controversy because the snub is seen by some as racially motivated.
I mention these non-statewide situations because they are a reminder that the issues between blacks and whites are still, even with an African-American man in the White House, far from being black and white.
In few places is this more apparent than the Florida Capitol, where the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature is divided yet again, this time over a new map for congressional districts, as reported by Gary Fineout of the Associated Press. And while Monday’s differences had more to do with parochial interests than anything else, this whole mess — at its core — is about the chasm between black Florida and white Florida.
Can this chasm be bridged in the next four days? As far as redistricting is concerned, it has to be, but Monday’s developments do not inspire confidence.
FLORIDA SENATE AND HOUSE SPLIT OVER CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING MAPS via Jeremy Wallace of the Miami Herald
All of eastern Hillsborough County would be put into one Congressional district, rather than being split into three different districts as it is now, under a new redistricting plan that cleared a Florida Senate committee on Monday. But the plan still faces an uncertain future in the Florida House.
Under the plan proposed by Sen. Tom Lee almost all of Hillsborough County east of Interstate 75 would be in the 15th Congressional district, which is now represented by Rep. Dennis Ross. That would put 520,000 Hillsborough County residents in the 15th District. Hillsborough’s population would make up more than 75 percent of the new 15th District.
Lee said over the years he has grown tired of Hillsborough residents being a “donor county” to other congressional districts, with portions of Hillsborough added to other congressional districts to balance out populations. Currently Sun City Center is represented by U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, who lives hundreds of miles east in Okeechobee County. Lee’s plan also puts all of Tampa into the 14th Congressional District, represented now by Rep. Kathy Castor. The configuration means Hillsborough County has a much better chance at electing two residents to Congress.
The new map, adopted in a committee hearing on Monday, would also put all of Sarasota County back into one congressional district. A base map proposal released earlier this month would have split it into two, with the northern half of that county combined into the 16th District with southern Hillsborough.
Lee’s plan now goes to the full Senate on Wednesday, with a final vote expected by Thursday.
TWEET, TWEET: Questions are being raised about Sen. Lee’s changes to map. Initial version kept @RepDennisRoss in CD15. … Today’s put him in CD17 … Is it coincidental that Sen. Lee’s dividing line for CD15/CD17 put @RepDennisRoss house across the street from his current district? … Sen. Lee has called @RepDennisRoss long-time friend. But he has refused to say he would never run for Congress.
PROPOSED EAST-WEST CORRINE BROWN DISTRICT UNCHANGED, FOR NOW via Tia Mitchell of the Florida Times-Union
Two proposals that would have added black voters to congressional District 5 … currently held by U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown … were withdrawn from consideration after members of the Senate redistricting committee said they worried the changes would not garner the Florida Supreme Court’s approval.
Sens. David Simmons … and Audrey Gibson … jointly submitted an amendment that would have added voters from a swatch of Alachua County to the proposed District 5, which would stretch from Jacksonville east to Tallahassee … they withdrew the amendment prior to a vote after other members on the Senate’s redistricting committee said they didn’t like how the change affected the map overall.
Simmons and Gibson … may try again to add Alachua voters to District 5 when the map is debated by the full Senate … Sen. Bill Montford … had an amendment that went even farther, adding parts of Alachua and Marion counties to Brown’s east-west district to increase the black voting-age population. He withdrew his amendment.
DAN WEBSTER COULD BE BIGGEST LOSER IN REDISTRICTING via Jack Fitzpatrick of National Journal
Three of the most prominent anti-John Boehner rebels in the House of Representatives find their political futures under threat this summer as Republican state lawmakers prepare to redraw local congressional maps.
Different forces (and lawsuits) are at work in Florida, Virginia, and North Carolina, but the results could be the same for three Republicans who have challenged the House speaker this year. Reps. Dan Webster, Dave Brat, and Mark Meadows could all basically get drawn out of their jobs before the 2016 election.
In Florida’s new draft congressional map, Webster’s district absorbs thousands of Democratic voters and turns into a majority-minority seat; Webster, who ran for speaker against Boehner in 2015, told legislators that the new district would be “impossible to win.”
“These conservative members should definitely assume that they are enemy No. 1 on the list,” said Daniel Horowitz, senior editor of the Conservative Review. “If you’re going to redraw the maps, who’s going to be your first priority? … If the establishment could kill two birds with one stone—comply with the courts and pick off a conservative—they would absolutely take that opportunity.”
Webster himself told National Journal he doesn’t blame state legislators or think they’re out to get him. In a state with an anti-gerrymandering amendment to the constitution, other factors are just working against the onetime speaker candidate.
“They’re under a lot of pressure” to follow the guidelines set by the state supreme court, Webster said. “There’s pressure points all across the top of state.”
MEANWHILE … VAL DEMINGS TO RUN FOR CONGRESS via Scott Powers of the Orlando Sentinel
Former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings plans to announce … she is making a second run for Congress … intends to take on Webster … in a rematch of their 2012 contest, which he won. Webster was re-elected again last year, in a landslide against another Democrat.
“We’ve got everything in order. Everything is set up … We’re ready to go.”
Demings, who is black, insisted she would run regardless of what the district looks like. And she said she will be a better candidate than the one who lost to Webster 52-48.
TWEET, TWEET: @KBorman: This is my shocked face
TWEET, TWEET: @MarcACaputo: Val Demings will run for Congress. This is news 2 those who didnt read FL Playbook 10 days ago
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— MORE FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL —
DAYS UNTIL THE NEXT GOP DEBATE: 29
DONALD TRUMP MAINTAINS HUGE NATIONAL LEAD
A new Morning Consult survey finds Donald Trump maintaining his standing at 32%, far ahead of Jeb Bush at 12%, followed by Ben Carson at 7%, Mike Huckabee at 6%, Marco Rubio at 6%, Ted Cruz at 5%, Carly Fiorina at 4%, Chris Christie at 4% and Rand Paul at 4%.
DEJA VU — JEB BUSH, SEEMINLGLY PERFECT ON PAPER, JUST HASN’T CAUGHT ON WITH GOP VOTERS via Seema Mehta of the Los Angeles Times
[F]or all his might on paper … (Bush) … has failed to catch on with Republican voters. In recent weeks, his strongest showing was in the low double digits in polls both nationally and in the states that hold the first contests in the 2016 race for the White House. … Bush and his campaign profess to be unconcerned.
BUSH UNVEILS VETERANS POLCIY AS 12 MEDA OF HONOR RECIPIENTS ENDORSE HIM via Ed O’Keefe of the Washington Post
If Bush becomes president, he would push to privatize more veterans’ health care, trim the size of the Department of Veterans Affairs and make it easier to fire lower-level employees who improperly treat veterans. The Republican presidential candidate unveiled a new veterans health care plan on Monday at the start of a two-day visit to South Carolina, the place with the highest percentage of active-duty and retired military personnel among the first four early primary states
BUSH POACHES A LONGTIME HILLARY CLINTON BACKER via Russ Choma of Mother Jones
Jorge M. Pérez, a Miami developer known as the “Condo King” for his many high-rise condo projects, has long supported Democrats … and the Clinton clan, in particular … But this presidential election cycle, the billionaire has donated at least $245,000 to Right to Rise, the super-PAC backing Jeb Bush …
“It’s pretty shocking,” says a Miami-based member of Clinton‘s national finance committee. ” … Pérez is a longtime stalwart Clinton person.” … For years, Pérez has been known in Miami political circles as a Democrat and a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton …
Does the fact that Bush has the ability to pull in money from a major Hispanic financial backer of Democrats worry (Miami Democratic operative Freddy) Balsera? “Absolutely,” he says. “It’s not only Democratic donors—Jeb could also make a strong play for Hispanic voters, just knowing his background and the way he approaches politics. He has relationships with Democratic donors in South Florida, and he also has deep relationships within the Hispanic community around the country.”
WHAT MARCO RUBIO’S BIGGEST DONOR ONCE WANTED FROM BUSH via Shane Goldmacher of the National Journal
Marco Rubio said a week ago that the biggest benefactor of his bid for president—Florida billionaire Norman Braman—would not ask for or receive anything special from a President Marco Rubio.
If that’s true … it means Braman … has asked much less of Rubio than he did of a previous beneficiary of his campaign largesse: Bush. Braman was one of the Florida Republican Party’s major donors during Bush’s time as governor, including in 2002 when Bush was on the ballot for reelection and Braman gave the party nearly $100,000.
Braman was not shy about making requests of the governor … everything from his preferred budgetary line items to appointment recommendations to strategic advice. “Item 329 in the Budget dealing with a $350,000 grant to Jackson Memorial Hospital is very important to me personally as well as to our community,” Braman wrote Bush in one 2004 email.
Bush nearly always replied to Braman’s emails or instructed his staff to do so. “Thank you for your recommendation” … Braman’s opinions were always heard, even if not heeded. As Bush wrote candidly in a 2001 email, forwarding along one of Braman’s concerns to a top aide: “He is an important guy.”
ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: Bush visits South Carolina, while Rubio is headed to the Iowa State Fair.
DEMOCRATIC SENATE HOPEFULS SEARCHING FOR VOTERS via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
Candidates have to go where they can find crowds … three Democratic Senate candidates traveled to Florida’s historic and very Republican northeast corner of Fernandina Beach … Nassau County Democrats held their annual “Low Country Boil” fundraiser and more than 100 people filled a country club dining room to meet … Patrick Murphy and two lesser-known opponents: Pam Keith, a lawyer and Navy veteran, and Lateresa Jones, who calls herself a women’s rights advocate … Alan Grayson, wasn’t there.
The boyish-looking Murphy … wears the mantle of early frontrunner, having raised $2.7 million. Many Democrats don’t yet know him, but he has a handy calling card as the guy who beat tea party favorite Allen West in 2012. West-bashing still works.
“His answer to every question was no. He cared more about getting a good headline than he did about helping everyday Floridians,” Murphy said. “Turn on Fox News, or turn on C-Span. The Senate is full of Allen Wests.”
ALAN GRAYSON EXPLAINS HIS NEW SOCIAL SECURITY BILL – AND WHY HE THINKS IT CAN PASS THRU CONGRESS via Mitch Perry of Florida Politics
Among the issues that Grayson said he wanted to emphasize as a candidate … was shoring up Social Security and Medicare. Following up on that promise, Grayson has unveiled proposal that would increase Social Security retirement benefits and tie future increases to a new cost-of-living index … cost-of-living-allowances (COLA’s) have been miscalculated for decades now, saying that when they were introduced in 1975, they’ve been calculated on the cost of living on people who work.
But he says that most people on Social Security are obviously retired, so the government has been consistently understating the increase in inflation that seniors face on a year to year basis … Seniors spend twice as much on health care as other people do, he says.
Grayson is confident he can get his soon to be officially filed bill through the Senate.
“I think they’re actually good,” he said about the prospects of passage. “We’re talking about being fair to seniors. Seniors can be Republicans, Democrats, independents. This is not really an ideological matter in any real sense. It’s a matter of the government essentially cheating seniors out of large amounts of money, and I think the Republicans should be just as sensitive of that as the Democrats that we need to be fair to everybody and keep the promises that we make.”
READY TO RUN? HERE ARE SOME CENTRAL FLORIDA CANDIDATES WE COULD SEE SOON via Frank Torres of Florida Politics
As we hit mid-August we already have some intriguing Central Florida political match-ups for 2016, headlined by the big Democratic primary in the 9th Congressional district. However, you could see some new political rivalries very soon, all with the potential to make for some heavy political drama.
Bobby Olszewski in Orange County Commission District 1: The well known Winter Garden Commissioner could jump into the race in the coming weeks, and would join Project Development Manager Betsy VanderLey in the contest to replace termed out incumbent Scott Boyd in West Orange County.
Linda Stewart in Senate District 13: She’s changed races before but she really wants to run in 13. She would primary former Orange County School Board Member and fellow Democrat Rick Roach, who’s been in the race for over a year.
Camille Gardiner in Senate District 13: Like Stewart, Camille Gardiner, President Gardiner’s wife, is likely waiting for the new maps and lives on an extremity of district 13 that might not be on the new map and could change the dynamic of the entire race.
Betsy Franceschini in House District 49: What seemed like a small drafting movement two months ago, now seems like a certainty. A Puerto Rican federal affairs director, Franceschini will likely challenge Orange County Democratic Chair Carlos Guillermo Smith in the Democratic battle for the UCF District.
Peter Vivaldi in House District 49: We’ll stay in East Orlando and look at the Republican side of House 49. The GOP can win in that left leaning district, ask incumbent Rene Plasencia who pulled off the biggest Central Florida upset of 2014.
Rep. Mike La Rosa in Congressional District 9: He’s been outspoken on the big national issues recently involving Cuba and the Planned Parenthood controversies. He could be the Republican to turn the seat red, but would likely have to primary Kissimmee Vice-Mayor Wanda Rentas first. The seat still leans to the left but it’s not completely out of play.
REPUBLICANS LOSE GROUND IN HD 50 via Kaleb Quast of the East Orlando Post
Democrat Sean Ashby nearly pulled off a “David versus Goliath” upset when he almost beat a much better funded Republican in 2012 … that same District 50 seat now looks even friendlier for Ashby in 2016.
Since 2012, this Orange and Brevard county-based district has picked up 3,000 more registered Democrats and 7,000 independents, while losing 600 Republicans. With those party trends tilting in Ashby’s favor … that’s reason enough for the Florida Democratic Party and top-level donors to focus on this once-Republican stronghold.
But there’s other reasons Ashby’s chances look better … likely faces Republican Rene Placensia, who now represents Dist. 49. Yet Plasencia intends to switch districts to find an easier race, something voters likely won’t be too impressed with … Ashby has been a far more aggressive fundraiser. He’s expected to eclipse his 2012 fundraising total in the first two months of this run …
NEW DEM BOSS WOULD BE FOOLISH TO WORK AGAINST FELLOW D, KATIE EDWARDS via Buddy Nevis of BrowardBeat.com
Speculation that Broward’s new Democratic boss is plotting to run a candidate against state Rep. Katie Edwards must be mistaken … Democratic Chair Cynthia Busch can’t be that foolish.
A piece … mentioned the rumor that Busch wants to replace Edwards. Busch campaigned against Edwards in 2012 … Edwards dismissed the report as “an old rumor.” … Busch wants a little-known Democratic volunteer named Travis Perron to challenge Edwards in next year’s primary. Perron is slated to replace Michael Howson, who Busch laid off last week shortly after taking office … sparked an uproar in the black community. Howson is black, while Perron is white.
… Busch’s number one job should be to mollify the black community, one of the major Democrats voting bloc, instead of messing in a primary … Busch indeed talks privately about dumping Edwards. Every source also said Busch is publicly denying it.
Edwards would be almost impossible to beat. Period.
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ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: Gov. Rick Scott will make a jobs announcement beginning 9:45 a.m. at the Tampa Tank in Port Redwing, 12781 US Hwy 41 South in Gibsonton. Later, the governor will highlight job growth with a 3:30 p.m. press conference at GA Telesis, 1850 NW 49th Street in Ft. Lauderdale.
RICK SCOTT WILL HAVE POWER OVER NEXT REWRITING OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION via James Rosica of the Tampa Tribune
Among Scott’s legacies after two terms in office will be the role he plays in the next remake of the state constitution … (which) allows for a “revision commission” to meet every two decades to “examine the constitution, hold public hearings and … file its proposal, if any, of a revision of this constitution or any part of it.”
Though the next commission doesn’t meet till 2017, it was invoked as lawmakers began meeting in special session … because there were complaints of judicial overreach, reporters asked whether those amendments – meant to prevent gerrymandering … could be revisited by the revision commission.
Including Scott, a majority of Republicans will be in place to select members of the next commission … As governor, Scott will choose 15 of the 37 commissioners and will select a chairperson … House speaker and Senate president each gets nine picks … The attorney general is automatically a member, meaning Republican Pam Bondi will be on the panel … the chief justice of the state Supreme Court has three selections.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD SEEKS INJUNCTION AGAINST STATE IN ABORTION CASE via John Kennedy of the Palm Beach Post
Planned Parenthood sought an emergency injunction Monday from a Leon County judge after state officials accused three of the organization’s clinics of performing unauthorized, second-term abortions.
The Agency for Health Care Administration earlier this month charged that clinics in St. Petersburg, Fort Myers and Naples performed the later-termed abortions although they are licensed only for first-term procedures.
AHCA’s action came after all 16 of Planned Parenthood’s facilities were inspected and found not involved with the selling of fetal remains or tissue.
… The state inspections were ordered following a national backlash against Planned Parenthood by conservative organizations, mostly Republican members of Congress and the GOP presidential field after videos surfaced online, showing some Texas employees discussing the sale of fetal organs.
HAPPENING TODAY — PSC REGULATORS STUDY NUCLEAR ENERGY COSTS
The state’s Public Service Commission holds a public hearing to consider proposals by Florida Power & Light and Duke Energy on charging consumers the cost of nuclear-power projects. Commissioners will meet starting 1:30 p.m. at the Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way in Tallahassee. The meetings could continue through Wednesday and into Thursday.
HAPPENING TODAY — PUBLIC HEARING ON PARI-MUTUEL REGULATION
Florida’s Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering will hear from the public on a proposed rules regulating pari-mutuel facilities. Meeting begins 9 a.m. at Room 195 of the Division’s North Broward Regional Service Center, 1400 W. Commercial Blvd. in Ft. Lauderdale.
RITCH WORKMAN’S LEGISLATIVE COLLEAGUES PRAISE HIS UBER AMBITIONS via Phil Ammann of Florida Politics
Workman, Tallahassee’s newest Uber driver-partner, is getting rave reviews from his legislative colleagues. The Melbourne Republican hopes to use his passion for Uber to gain insight on an issue sure to face legislative battles in the 2016 Session.
Impressed by first-hand participation, several legislators praised Workman as both an ambitious Floridian and hardworking businessperson.
“I think it’s a great example of American innovation and citizen legislator all rolled up in one,” adds … Matt Caldwell … “Uber opponents should take note. This Legislature loves helping innovation take root in Florida and Ritch just made that clear.”
State Sen. Jeff Brandes has been an ardent supporter of ridesharing and other tech advances (such as driverless cars) in the Sunshine State … “Ritch, as well as other Uber partner-drivers, represent the spirit of entrepreneurship we value in all Floridians … And those are the values we will continue to protect in the 2016 session.”
WHAT BOB BUCKHORN IS READING — TAMPA NAMED TOP CITY IN SOUTHEAST IN LATEST MONEY MAGAZINE SURVEY via the Tampa Bay Times
Tampa was named the “best city” in the Southeast by Money magazine, one of five cities with at least 300,000 population across the country that Money calls “urban gems” that offer an “abundance of amenities at livable prices.” … putting a premium on a robust job market, affordable housing, and factors such as accessibility to health care, culture, and open space. It then picked five based on regional locations.
“Earlier this year the Tampa Bay Lightning nearly beat Chicago for the Stanley Cup – yes, that’s ice hockey,” Money states. It went on to cite the recent Bollywood Oscars event … Tampa Museum of Art’s collection moving to new digs in 2010 and, in 2017, the hosting of college football’s national championship game. Money dubbed Tampa the “Sunbelt city with international aspirations.”
The city survey also praised Tampa International Airport for its major expansion plans and growth of overseas flights … recruiting major drug manufacturer Bristol Myers Squibb’s North America Capability Center … Amazon’s large-scale expansion and hiring in the area. The magazine also quoted Lightning owner and real estate developer Jeff Vinik predicting the city would boom.
BUCKHORN’S ALSO READING — PORT TAMPA BAY UNVEILS $1.7 BILLION PLAN TO DEVELOP 45 ACRES IN CHANNEL DISTRICT via Richard Danielson of the Tampa Bay Times
The land that Port Tampa Bay owns near downtown is now 45 acres of sun-beaten asphalt … But what could it be 15 years from now?
How about $1.7 billion worth of apartments, hotels, offices and stores, with a bigger cruise ship terminal, one of Tampa’s largest urban waterfront parks, a marina and two 75-story high-rises?
If the port can pull off the project … it would have a profound impact on downtown Tampa, raising a second billion-dollar development within sight of one being planned by Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik … It’s also a huge challenge, the kind that often implodes.
There are three major pitfalls … One, ports don’t see a need to evolve. Or they don’t come up with sound, market-driven business plans. But the biggest one is that waterfronts tend to be “full of conflicts.” So when change is discussed, people with long histories of living or working there often choose up sides and fight. Still, the port’s project would be massive, with more than 9 million square feet of construction … more space than in Tampa’s 18 downtown office towers — combined.
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— FOR ADAMS STREET’ERS —
CORCORAN & JOHNSTON HAULS IN $1.3 MILLION IN Q2 LOBBYING FEES via Florida Politics
Corcoran & Johnston collected an estimated $1.3 million during the second quarter of 2015 … largest invoices came from Sharon Robinson … a guardian and personal representative seeking relief from the state of Florida. Robinson easily broke six figures: She paid $84,000 for legislative lobbying efforts and between $30,000 and $39,999 for executive branch lobbying. Fontainebleu Florida Hotel in Miami also paid … $52,000 for legislative lobbying and between $20,000 and $29,999 for executive branch work for an estimated total of $77,000, the second-highest … Led by co-founder GOP electoral guru Michael Corcoran, brother of rising speaker and House budget chief Rep. Richard Corcoran, the tight-knit firm pulled in $1,011,000 in consulting fees for legislative work and $285,000 for executive branch lobbying altogether.
The firm’s Tampa Bay area roots showed … Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission, University of South Florida Foundation, Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority, TECO Energy, IMG Academy, and pro football’s Tampa Bay Buccanneers … Florida Optometry Eye Health Fund, whose compensation totaled an estimated $50,000, as did that of Spirit Airlines.
Florida Crystals, Beer Industry of Florida, Citizens Against Cigarette Manufacturers and Walmart also sought the firm’s representation …
Along with the aforementioned Corcoran … Jeff Johnston, Matthew Blair, Michael Cantens and Amanda Stewart handled the firm’s sprawling client list.
AIF STRATEGICALLY ALIGHTS WITH FLORIDA’S LEADING WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LEGAL TEAM via Florida Politics
Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) today announced its engagement of the law firm of McConnaughhay, Duffy, Coonrod, Pope, Weaver, Stern, and Thomas, P.A. to enhance the workers’ compensation legal and industry expertise available to its members.
AIF has long been Florida’s leading voice of the business community on workers’ compensation in the halls of the Capitol, primarily through its Florida Workers’ Compensation Coalition. Although premiums have been drastically lowered and the market has stabilized since 2003, recent threats to the system’s success have materialized in the past several months leading many Florida employers to fear that skyrocketing medical costs and recent court challenges could spark the need for legislative changes in the foreseeable future.
“I am excited that our AIF members now undoubtedly have the best team to bridge an education gap between the workers’ compensation industry and Florida’s policymakers,” said AIF President & CEO Tom Feeney. “If harmful court decisions or unbridled rate spikes necessitate future legislative reform, AIF’s credibility and expertise in our advocacy efforts will be second to none with the decades of expertise and insight the leaders of the McConnaughhay firm bring.”
“We are honored to partner with the AIF family and are excited to share our knowledge and experience with the Florida workers’ compensation industry to our state’s leaders,” said James McConnaughhay, partner of the law firm of McConnaughhay, Duffy, Coonrod, Pope, Weaver, Stern, and Thomas, P.A. “Florida’s employers and industry leaders have been our clients for decades, and we are thrilled that our alliance with AIF will now permit us to serve them as public advocates on many of the same issues we battle in the courtroom.”
FLORIDA BUSINESSES FOR A COMPETITIVE WORKFORCE NAMES PATRICK SLEVIN AS CAMPAIGN MANAGER via Florida Politics
In preparation for the upcoming 2016 Florida Legislative Session, Florida Businesses for a Competitive Workforce (FBCW) named GOP consultant Patrick Slevin as its new campaign manager … will help lead the bipartisan coalition to pass the Competitive Workforce Act, which seeks to modernize state law to include anti-discrimination protection based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
“It is my privilege to lead such a diverse coalition focused on pro-business and pro-economic growth legislation,” Slevin said in a statement. “The Florida Competitive Workforce Act is good public policy and reflects fundamental Republican values of fairness, freedom and opportunity. I’m proud to stand with some of our largest job creators who understand that this is the right thing to do and an economic imperative as well if we are to compete.”
NATIONAL IT & CONSULTING FIRM JOINS FLORIDA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL
The Florida Technology Council (FTC) today announced that ISF, a nationwide management consulting and information technology firm, has joined its association, which is exclusively focused on the needs of the technology sector in Florida. With offices in Florida and Texas, ISF specializes in helping businesses and governments improve operations and increase efficiency.
“ISF is thrilled to join the Florida Technology Council and to begin working with our fellow members,” said CEO Cyndy Loomis. “For too long, the technology sector has lacked a dedicated voice in Florida government and the Florida Technology Council has quickly shown that it has the knowledge and leadership to be an effective advocate for our industry.”
The FTC board includes leading information technology companies, such as Advanced Systems Design, AT&T, CNLBank, Five Points Technology Group, Kyra Solutions, SAS, Scholastic and Uber Operations.
TWEET, TWEET: @JoeReedy: Two first impressions from being back in Tallahassee for first time in 18 years — Doak got bigger and I got a lot older
WELCOME ABOARD
Former Ledger columnist Bill Rufty is joining Extensive Enterprises Media as Central Florida political correspondent for SaintPetersBlog and Florida Politics.
Rufty has been with the Ledger since 1985, where, as political editor, he covered a wide range of beats, including local and state politics, the Lakeland City Commission, and the Florida Legislature.
In April, Ledger editor Lenore Devore praised Rufty’s 30-year career, calling him “a man full of knowledge, a polling expert and a war history buff … who has a steel trap in his brain, remembering details most of us have long since forgotten.”
Extensive Enterprises Media produces several new media news sites including SaintPetersBlog.com, FloridaPolitics.com, ContextFlorida.com, PoliticsOfPot.com, as well as Sunburn. EEM also produces INFLUENCE Magazine, an insider look at Florida politics and culture.
***Smith, Bryan & Myers is an all-inclusive governmental relations firm located in Tallahassee. For more than three decades, SBM has been working with our clients to deliver their priorities through strategic and effective government relations consulting that has led us to become one of Tallahassee’s premier governmental relations firms today.***
CONTEXT FLORIDA: POLITICAL TANTRUMS, STONE-AGE BUSH AND ENERGY & NATIONAL SECURITY
On Context Florida: They stamp their feet, scream until they’re sick, and hold their breath till they’re blue. Diane Roberts says Tallahassee lawmakers act like 5-year-olds caught with their grotty little paws in the cookie jar, swearing they didn’t do anything wrong. While all the other political kids get to have fun lying and money-grubbing, poor little legislators they have to stay in, doing homework they refused to do earlier: drawing congressional districts that “sorta-maybe-almost” fairly represent the people of Florida. As Jeb Bush abandons his Paleolithic diet by eating a fried Snickers bar in Iowa, Julie Delegal says feminists everywhere wish he’d abandon his stone-age ideology, too. Bush wants to “publicly shame” mothers who give birth out of wedlock, arguing that the lack of stigma is what causes illegitimate births. With apologies to Sam Cooke, Delegal notes that it would appear Bush “don’t know much biology.” America’s energy independence is certainly an economic issue, but Sal Nuzzo says it is also a national security concern with the highest degree of priority for the future prosperity of our children and subsequent generations. In addition, recent developments in U.S. oil exploration and production are providing us a unique opportunity to improve both our economic and national security.
Visit Context Florida to dig in.
HOTTEST JULY ON RECORD KEEPS 2015 ON TRACK TO CRUSH 2014 FOR HOTTEST YEAR via Climate Progress
NASA reports this was the hottest July on record. So we are now in “bet the mortgage” territory that 2015 will be the hottest year in NASA’s 125-year temperature record.
In fact, 2015 is likely to crush the previous record — 2014 — probably by a wide margin, especially since one of the strongest El Niños in 50 years is adding to the strong underlying global warming trend.
… If the 2015-2016 El Niño does rival the 1997-1998 super El Niño, then just as 1998 crushed 1997 temperatures, we may see 2016 beat all the records set in 2015.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Pam Pfeifer, Bob Poe, award-winning journo Noah Pransky.
STARBUCKS, PANERA TWEAK PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE FORMULAS via Donna Blankinship of the Associated Press
The pumpkin spice latte battle is heating up just in time for fall.
Starbucks and Panera are hyping reformulated versions of the popular drinks — which will include real pumpkin — in a fight to win over fans of the beverage in coming weeks.
Starbucks Corp. said Monday its version of the concoction this year will be made with real pumpkin and without caramel coloring. The change comes after blogger Vani Hari, known as the Food Babe, criticized Starbucks last year for the drink’s ingredients and its lack of transparency around the issue.
Panera Bread Co., meanwhile, said its pumpkin latte this year will be made “entirely without artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives or high fructose corn syrup.” Its version of the drink also has real pumpkin and will be sold in its stores starting Sept. 9. Starbucks has not yet said when its drink will be available.
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has called the pumpkin spice latte the company’s “most popular seasonal beverage ever.” In late 2013, he said sales of the drink were as strong as ever “despite the proliferation of knockoffs and copycats.” The company even has a Twitter account set up for the drink, which has more than 82,000 followers.
WORST NEWS OF THE DAY — DISNEY CRUISE LINE ADDS LIMITS TO ALCOHOL POLICY via Dewayne Bevil of the Orlando Sentinel
Disney Cruise Line is altering its alcohol policy, adding restrictions to what passengers may bring onboard to consume during their voyages … Starting with cruises that leave Sept. 30, Disney Cruise Line guests will be allowed to bring a maximum of two bottles of unopened wine or champagne — no larger than 750 milliliters — or six beers — no larger than 12 ounces — on board at the beginning of the trip and at each port-of-call … beverages must be packed in carry-on bags or luggage. They cannot be in checked-in luggage.
Bringing liquors and spirits onboard will be prohibited … previous policy allowed folks to bring beer and liquor aboard as long as they carried it on. Liquors and spirits, along with over-the-limit wine, champagne and beer will be stored until the end of the cruise. Alcohol packed in checked luggage will be removed and stored until the end of the cruise …
