Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.
FLORIDA CONGRESSIONAL MAP REMAINS IN LIMBO NEAR DEADLINE via The Associated Press
A new map for Florida’s 27 congressional districts remains in limbo.
The Florida Legislature is still divided over how to follow a court order to redraw congressional districts. Legislators are supposed to end their special session Friday.
The Florida House on Thursday rejected a map passed a day earlier by the Florida Senate and instead voted 60-38 for a new version that shifted voters around in four cities.
The maps proposed by both chambers would result in a dramatic shift to the state’s political landscape. Several incumbents members of Congress may be defeated if the proposals are eventually adopted.
JOSE OLIVA AND BILL GALVANO POW WOW IN EFFORT TO FINALIZE via Dan Sweeney of the Sun Sentinel
… After the House voted to approve the new map, Oliva and Galvano met to review it.
“The fact that you were able to make some more cities whole is progress,” Galvano said. But he took exception to the House’s failure to adopt all the Senate’s changes.
Galvano said staff is working now on a map that combines House and Senate maps into one map.
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to get this done,” Oliva said. “But it has to meet these constitutional constraints.”
The Florida Senate will meet tomorrow, the final day of the special session, to consider the new House map.
BOTTOM LINE via Jeremy Wallace and Michael Auslen of the Tampa Bay Times
What happens if they don’t hit their noon Friday deadline to pass identical redistricting maps? Even legislative leaders are uncertain about the next step.
“I don’t know the actual legal procedures from that point, but I’m sure I’ll be briefed on that at some point knowing that we are where we are today,” House Speaker Crisafulli said.
… The day’s result is that the Senate is prepared to meet again at 9 a.m. Friday with a clear choice: Pass the House plan and everyone goes home, or stick to the Senate plan and risk hitting noon without a deal.
DOCUMENTS REVEAL SECRET FLORIDA SENATE PROCESS TO DRAW DISTRICT MAPS via Mary Ellen Klas of the Miami Herald
The shadow redistricting process that brought down the congressional map also was in full swing in the state Senate’s efforts to redraw its own districts in 2011 and 2012, depositions and email documents submitted as part of a court case revealed.
The documents, filed Wednesday in Leon County Circuit Court as part of a lawsuit over the Senate map, show that Republican operatives faked “public” submissions, possessed draft Senate maps more than a month before senators, and submitted Republican-leaning maps that matched pieces that became the foundation of the adopted Senate redistricting plan.
The same tactics emerged in the congressional redistricting trial that led to the Florida Supreme Court ordering the maps being redrawn in a special session that ends this week.
Documents show that the elaborate plan, which included staffing up public hearings with fake testimony and building maps in the shadows, involved many of the same Republican advisors who influenced the congressional plan — long-time political consultant Rich Heffley, Gainesville-based operative Pat Bainter and Republican Party of Florida adviser Frank Terraferma.
Testimony also shows the degree to which former Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, was engaged in drafting the maps.
According to depositions and documents obtained by the Herald/Times, Heffley and Terraferma were working on producing maps that were identical to the staff-drafted map more than a month beforethe Senate released its proposed map on Nov. 28. And before the public release of that map, Gaetz was privately conducting secret briefings with individual senators, some via video conference, in which they discussed possible alterations to the map.
SENATE, ANDY GARDINER RESPOND TO SHADOW REDISTRICTING PROCESS via Mary Ellen Klas of the Miami Herald
In response to a Times/Herald story today detailing a shadow redistricting process used to draw state Senate districts, Senate President Andy Gardiner issued a response Thursday afternoon.
“The Court’s most recent definition of legislative intent was not in place at the time Amendments 5 and 6 were approved for placement on the ballot in 2010 or when President Gaetz and Speaker Weatherford developed the process by which the House and Senate would draw new legislative maps in 2012.
“I now have the benefit of numerous court rulings and constitutional interpretations, not available to President Gaetz in 2012, which I will consider when outlining a process to draw the new Senate map later this year.
“Rather than going back and trying to dissect the 2012 redistricting process based on judicial guidance that didn’t exist until 2015, the Senate is moving forward to develop a new map that fully complies with the Court’s most recent interpretation of the constitution.”
***Today’s SUNBURN is brought to you by Bright House Networks, a trusted provider of industry-leading communications and networking services to businesses of all sizes, from startups to large, multi-site organizations. Our Enterprise Solutions provides the fiber connectivity, cloud and managed services today’s large organizations demand, while our Business Solutions team works with small- to mid-size companies to ensure they get the right services to fit their needs and their budget. Find out why so many businesses in your area trust their communications needs to Bright House Networks. Learn more at brighthouse.com/business.***
— 2018 WATCH —
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS FOR RICK SCOTT’S POLITICAL FUTURE via Brendan Farrington of the Associated Press
Whether ordering Planned Parenthood inspections, criticizing the federal Ebola response or suing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs … Scott makes headlines in Florida off events of national scope … penchant for grabbing the spotlight when national news breaks could help prepare him for a potential 2018 Senate run as he takes on issues popular with the conservative Republican base.
“It is not the conduct of someone who’s planning to go sit by the pool,” said Mac Stipanovich, a lobbyist and political consultant who has worked for former Gov. Jeb Bush … “If you look at what he’s doing, it’s certainly consistent with positioning himself with a future political race.”
Besides his efforts to show leadership in response to national news … still hauling in huge donations for his political committee and spending it aggressively on political consultants and advertising … he’s getting maximum attention … in areas that play well with conservatives.
After national attention about Planned Parenthood providing fetal tissue for research … ordered an investigation of the group’s 16 clinics … responded to a shooting at a Chattanooga, Tennessee, military recruiting center … ordering Florida National Guardsmen be armed … reaction to reports of secret waiting lists at VA hospitals … Scott sued the agency to let state inspectors examine records … repeatedly demanded that the federal government provide testing kits, training and protective suits after Ebola cases were confirmed in Texas.
(The) political committee isn’t so much about promoting Scott as promoting Florida … Still, Let’s Get to Work has spent $612,000 on political consultants and nearly $1.7 million on ads since the beginning of the year … included Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeffrey Vinik, who’s contributed $200,000, and $50,000 from the Busch family famous as the founders of Budweiser.
Bill Nelson has yet to decide whether he will seek a third term in 2018. If he does, it would pose a challenge for Scott if the governor seeks the seat. Nelson has easily won each of his Senate elections.
A DEMOCRATIC CASUALTY OF THE COURT AND REDISTRICTING REMAINS UPBEAT ABOUT HER FUTURE via Gary Fineout of the Fine Print
As the session reaches its conclusion … what’s going to happen to U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham … Legislature has settled on a proposal that would split Graham’s home base of Leon County in half and shift Democrats in Gadsden County to the district now represented by (Corrine) Brown … Graham won her current district by less than 3,000 votes.
Some have speculated that maybe Graham could jump into another contest … even the crowded scramble for U.S. Senate like … David Jolly … maybe Graham bides her time and runs for governor in 2018 … Graham says she isn’t thinking like that … plans to “wait and see” what happens …
… maybe, just maybe, it’s premature to write Graham’s political obituary.
GRAHAM CHURNS ICE CREAM, PACKS CONTAINERS FOR LATEST WORK DAY via Florida Politics
Graham’s latest “Work Day” had the congresswoman as far from Capitol Hill as one can get … mixing ingredients, churning ice cream and packing containers at Southern Craft Creamery in Marianna. Citing a long family history in the dairy industry, Graham used the semi-regular event to promote a highly regarded, family-owned agriculture business. “My family started a Florida dairy farm in 1932,” Graham told reporters … “My uncle helped build up the state’s industry, so today’s Work Day was like coming home for me … Making ice cream is hard work … and Southern Craft Creamery makes the very best you can buy.”
BOB BUCKHORN PAC STARTS SLOW COMPARED TO POTENTIAL 2018 OPPONENTS via William March of the Tampa Bay Times
Recent fundraising numbers from … Bob Buckhorn and his potential opponents in a 2018 governor’s race suggest they’re moving earlier than he is … numbers for collections this year: Buckhorn’s One Florida PAC: $88,925 … Adam Putnam‘s Florida Grown PAC: $1,908,517 … Relentless for Progress PAC, which is associated with Miami Beach Mayor Phil Levine: $1,364,000.
The Levine-linked PAC was actually set up to benefit Miami Beach council candidates … spent more than half its proceeds … Levine is raising money for the PAC …
— MORE CAMPAIGN TRAIL —
Q POLL: DONALD TRUMP, JEB BUSH AND MARCO RUBIO BEATING HILLARY CLINTON AMONG FLORIDA VOTERS via Sean O’Reilly of WTFS Tampa Bay
A new Quinnipiac University poll finds Hillary Clinton is falling behind three Republicans among Florida voters … Jeb Bush leads Clinton 49 – 38 percent … Marco Rubio is ahead of Clinton 51 – 39 percent; while … Donald Trump slides past Clinton 43 to 41 percent. What is surprising is how much better Vice President Joe Biden is polling than the former Secretary of State … Biden leads Trump 45 to 42 percent in Florida, and only trails Rubio by six percent 48 to 42 percent. Among likely Florida Republicans, Trump is getting 21 percent support … Bush falls to second with 17 percent. Rubio and Dr. Ben Carson are tied in third with 11 percent. No other Republican candidate is polling above 7 percent. Trump does have a weakness: likeability. The poll find a majority of voters do not find the billionaire to be honest and trustworthy. Just slightly fewer have a negative favorability of him.
On the Democratic side, Clinton remains in the lead, but her support has fallen … to 48 percent as the e-mail server controversy continues to dog her … Bernie Sanders‘ support in Florida has nearly doubled … getting 15 percent followed by Biden at 11 percent.
HOW IT PLAYED: NEW Q-POLL
The Ledger, Trump up, Clinton down in new Florida poll – “The Donald has overtaken Jeb and Marco in Florida … more-daunting trends for another candidate on a first-name basis with voters — Hillary.” South Florida Sun Sentinel, Donald Trump surges; Hillary Clinton slips in Florida – “… it isn’t that Bush has slipped … 17 percent among Florida Republicans, compared with 20 percent in the June 18 Quinnipiac Poll … Statistically, it’s unchanged …” Tampa Bay Times, Q poll: Trump, Clinton ahead in Fla., with great news for Biden – “Trump and Clinton also have the worst overall favorability ratings … lowest for being honest and trustworthy, Since 1960, no candidate has won … without winning at least two of the three swing states.” Philly.com, Q Swing Poll: Biden does as well vs. Republicans as Hillary – “… Biden would be as strong as Hillary Clinton, or even stronger, in hypothetical races against … Donald Trump and Jeb Bush in the battleground states of Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania.” Washington Post, Joe Biden is suddenly polling a little better than Hillary. I didn’t see that coming. – “Clinton is celebrating the fifth month of her e-mail scandal by trailing … Rubio … in Pennsylvania, Florida and Ohio … leads Jeb Bush only in Ohio … leads Donald Trump only in Ohio and Pennsylvania.” Fox News, Joe jumps, Hillary swoons in Q poll – “Biden also wins against … Bush … comes within shot of … Rubio … in Biden’s native Pennsylvania. Even better news for Biden? His trustworthiness rating hangs around 60 percent in the three states …”
JEB BUSH: ‘ANCHOR BABIES’ IS NOT AN OFFENSIVE TERM via Eli Stokols and Eliza Collins of POLITICO
Bush has presented himself as a Republican capable of winning over Hispanic voters … chaired a conservative group that advised GOP candidates on the do’s and don’ts of talking about immigration reform. On Thursday, he allowed himself to be pulled into the mud with Donald Trump.
Trump … called for repealing birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment to crack down on undocumented people who illegally immigrate to the U.S. to have what he termed “anchor babies.” Bush defended his own use of that term … “You give me a better term and I’ll use it … Give me another word” … a sign that Trump may be getting under his skin.
”This is what I feared Jeb would do,” said one long-time Bush confidant … “He sounded angry, like a guy who doesn’t understand why he’s not ahead. I think today was his worst day so far.”
DNC BLASTS BUSH FOR “UNSPEAKABLY VULGAR” COMMENT ON “ANCHOR BABIES” via Mitch Perry of Florida Politics
Bush is feeling the heat of Donald Trump‘s unexpected dominance in the GOP race … immigration proposals released by Trump earlier this week, which include calling for an end to birthright citizenship, simply aren’t practical … used the derogatory term “anchor babies” …
Debbie Wasserman Schultz said she was “appalled” to learn that Bush had made the comment … “calling the children of undocumented immigrants ‘anchor babies’ makes Bush no better than Trump or the rest of the Republicans running for president.”
Critics note that if birthright citizenship wasn’t the law of the land … Marco Rubio and Bobby Jindal … could be referred to by that inelegant phrase.
Pablo Manriquez, director of Hispanic Media for the DNC, couldn’t even use the term … calling it “unspeakably vulgar,” … it’s a “phrase so vulgar that we don’t even have an equivalent in Spanish.”
BUSH CITES TED CRUZ AND MARCO RUBIO IN DEFENDING BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP via Ashley Parker of the New York Times
Bush invoked the names of … Ted Cruz … Marco Rubio … might not be able to run for president if some in the conservative wing of the Republican Party had their way. In response to a question … about the 14th Amendment, which allows children born in the United States to become citizens regardless of the legal status of their parents … “The courts have ruled that it’s part of the 14th Amendment of our Constitution, and my belief is that it ought to stay that way, that this is part of our noble heritage.”
Then … Bush mentioned both Rubio … and Cruz … to buttress his point … “Now, if people are here legally, they have a visa, and they have a child who’s born here, I think that they ought to be American citizens … People like Marco Rubio, by the way, that’s how he came … so to suggest that we make it impossible for a talented person like that not to be a candidate for president — or Ted Cruz. I mean, I think we’re getting a little overboard here, and we’re listening to the emotion rather than to the reality of this.”
ONCE VOTERS GET THE ‘NARRATIVE,’ BUSH SAYS, THEY’LL TURN TO HIM OVER DONALD TRUMP via Ashley Parker of the New York Times
The recipient of snide attacks from Donald J. Trump … Bush offered some not-so-friendly fire of his own … “There’s a big difference between Donald Trump and me … I’m a proven conservative with a record. He isn’t … I cut taxes every year; he’s proposed the largest tax increase in mankind’s history … I have been consistently pro-life; he until recently was for partial birth abortion … I believe we need to reform our health care system to make sure we stop the suppression of wages and allow people to have access to insurance; he’s for a single payer system.” … dismissing Trump, who leads in national polls, as the flavor of the summer but with little staying power “two months from now, three months from now … you’ll have forgotten what exists in August whatever it is …”
BUSH HAS A BUDDING JOHN KASICH PROBLEM via Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times
What Republicans really need to win back the White House is someone who has successfully governed a mega swing state, a straight talker who might sometimes tick off the GOP’s base but has proven how a conservative problem-solver can have broad appeal … If that sounds like an argument for Bush, think again.
It’s Kasich … who could pose a real problem for the former Florida governor if he keeps winning over the pragmatic Republican voters that Bush is banking on to deliver him the nomination.
— “Gov. John Kasich’s super PAC says Bush donors reaching out to them” via Darrel Rowland of the Columbus Dispatch
— “Top Jeb Bush Adviser Vin Weber Signs On to Lobby for Anti-Gay Uganda Government” via Lee Fang of The Intercept
— “Bush gains three Nevada Assembly endorsements” via Seth Richardson of the Reno Gazette-Journal
SPOTTED: Steve Schale in the Wall Street Journal — “Democratic strategist Steve Schale joins ‘Draft Biden’ movement“
DAVID JOLLY GETS ENDORSEMENT OF CONSERVATIVE RICHARD NUGENT IN SENATE RACE via Florida Politics
Richard Nugent is supporting fellow Republican … David Jolly … A member of the Tea Party Caucus, Nugent most recently gained notoriety for his clash with Republican House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, which resulted in the Florida Congressman’s removal from the House Rules Committee.
Nugent’s endorsement comes at a time when Jolly – a moderate leading the Senate race in some polls — is fending off conservative criticism, particularly from groups such as Club for Growth. In thanking Nugent, Jolly called him a “true conservative leader” and friend.
ACTUAL PRESS RELEASE: “Florida Fishing Industry endorses David Jolly for U.S. Senate”
STATE ATTORNEY JEFF SIEGMEISTER ENDORSES FELLOW CONSERVATIVE MARY THOMAS FOR CONGRESS via Florida Politics
Republican Jeff Siegmeister, state attorney for the 3rd Judicial Circuit, Thursday endorsed fellow conservative Mary Thomas in her bid for Florida’s 2nd Congressional District … Calling her campaign “historic,” Siegmeister said Thomas would bring “much-needed vibrancy” to Capitol Hill and “help return the country to greatness.” Thomas … like Siegmeister … is a member of the Federalist Society of conservative attorneys …
***Today’s SUNBURN is brought to you by Jamestown Associates, one of the most successful political and public affairs consulting firms in Florida and the nation. Jamestown produces victories for our clients by creating TV, radio, mail and digital advertising that gets the voters’ attention and their votes. Persuasive ads. Personalized attention. Detailed review of demographics, past election results and history. Understanding the client. Understanding Florida. Single-minded focus on winning. Jamestown’s work has been recognized with 50 Pollie and Reed awards. See how we can help you win. Visit JamestownAssociates.com***
FLORIDA’S GROWTH AHEAD OF NATIONAL AVERAGE, NEW REPORT SHOWS via Cindy Barth of the Orlando Business Journal
The Sunshine State’s growth rate continues to stay ahead of the national average, with real GDP expected to grow 3.2 percent this year … “Florida’s growth rate is well ahead of the national average and up from a 2.7 percent pace in 2014,” said Robert Kavcic, senior economist for BMO Capital Markets. “The housing market continues to recover … and growth in retail and tourism-related industries has been a major support …” Other findings from the report … Employment growth continues to outperform the national average significantly, with nonfarm payrolls rising 3.5 percent year over year in the second quarter … The housing market continues to fuel Florida’s recovery, and while momentum has moderated, fundamentals continue to improve … Population growth is a healthy 1.5 percent year over year, twice the national average …
RICK SCOTT SAYS STATE NEARLY OUT OF MONEY TO LURE JOBS via Gary Fineout of the Associated Press
Scott, reigniting a budget fight with the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature, says the state is nearly out of money to lure companies to Florida … Scott and Enterprise Florida officials say the state has only about $9 million left in the main account it uses to offer incentives for companies … money will likely be gone in weeks. Scott asked the Florida Legislature for $85 million this year, but legislators set aside about half that amount … legislators contend Enterprise Florida did not need as much money as Scott wants because it has not been spending all the money it’s gotten in recent years … since 2009, more than $37 million has been returned to the state because it wasn’t spent.
SCOTT DEFENDS PAYOUT IN RECORDS LAWSUIT via Gary Fineout of the Associated Press
Scott is defending the use of taxpayer money to pay a hefty legal settlement, but there are questions about whether his administration was transparent in how it got the money … paid $700,000 to Tallahassee attorney Steven Andrews to settle seven lawsuits … believed to be one of the larger payments ever approved in an open government case in Florida history.
The Scott administration said it is legitimate to have taxpayers pay to settle the lawsuits because they arose out of the governor’s “public duties” … “Florida law has long recognized that public agencies are entitled to have attorney’s fees covered for actions arising from public duties.”
Documents … show that the Scott administration paid $120,000 of the settlement out of an account used for office expenses and operations … legislative approval for the account weeks before the settlement was finalized, and the paperwork used on a budget amendment submitted to the Legislature does not mention the settlement. The settlement … doesn’t cover all the costs surrounding the litigation … (Scott’s office) also spent nearly $100,000 to hire outside lawyers to defend the governor and former top aides.
ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: Gov. Scott will announce July’s jobs numbers beginning 10 a.m. at Haynes Corporation, 3581 Mercantile Avenue in Naples.
PRO-LIFE GROUPS CALL FOR PROTESTS AT 14 PLANNED PARENTHOOD FACILITIES IN FLORIDA THIS WEEKEND via Mitch Perry of Florida Politics
This Saturday, protests are being scheduled in front of Planned Parenthood facilities across the country, including 14 locations throughout Florida. … More than 50 pro-life groups are listed as members of the “ProtestPP” National Day of Protest coalition … to “raise awareness of the heartless and even illegal activities of Planned Parenthood by going to where the killing and harvesting of body parts from aborted children takes place.” … sponsors are Created Equal, the Pro-Life Action League, 40 Days for Life, and Citizens for a Pro-Life Society.
The announcement of the protests came on the same day that a seventh video was released by the pro-life group Center for Medical Progress … alleges that the abortion industry has harvested the organs of still-alive fetuses.
HOUSE JUDICIARY PANEL WILL TAKE UP REFORMS TO STATE HIGH COURT via Florida Politics
Amid a tense summer for relations between the state’s judicial and legislative branches, House Judiciary Committee Chair Charles McBurney says he will allow his panel to take up proposals to reform the Florida Supreme Court.
As first reported by Jessica Bakeman of Politico Florida, McBurney said his committee should consider a broad range of possible reforms, though he said it’s too early to get specific as to what changes that might entail.
“Whatever ideas that are out there, I think we should listen and hear what they are,” said the Jacksonville Republican on Tuesday.
Though Pensacola Rep. Mike Hill‘s fiery arguments about judicial overreach were put aside when the House eschewed his provocative proposal to ignore the court’s ruling and reenact existing congressional boundaries, those sentiments are likely to receive a hearing on McBurney’s panel come September, when the first committee meetings of the 2016 legislative season are set to commence.
UF FINDS GLIMMER OF HOPE TO RESCUE CITRUS INDUSTRY via Jeff Schweers of the Gainesville Sun
University of Florida citrus researchers are encouraged by the growing evidence of several citrus rootstocks that are tolerant to the devastation caused by citrus greening — giving hope to growers that they can keep their industry alive long enough to find a cure … what they have yet to find is a rootstock that can completely withstand the stress and devastation caused by huanglongbing, or HLB, bacteria that causes citrus greening.
“If you were resistant to the flu virus, you would not get it. If I were tolerant to the flu virus, I would get it but it wouldn’t affect me strongly,” said Bill Castle, a retired UF horticulturist still active in citrus research … It’s not a cure. But each new hybrid that holds up to HLB infection is a way to keep producing fruit and keep the $10 billion industry alive another 10, 20 years until a cure is found.
***On September 17-18, Florida CHAIN will host its 1st Annual Conference, Moving Forward Together in a New Era of Health Care. It’s an opportunity to join national experts, advocates, consumers, navigators, health care providers, policy makers, and other stakeholders to learn about pressing health policy topics, acquire new skills, and network with other participants dedicated to improving the health of all Floridians. In addition to two plenary sessions, a keynote address, engaging workshops, and interactive trainings, an exciting awards dinner will be held the evening of September 17th. Learn more and register today at www.MovingForwardFlorida.org.***
NEW LOBBYING REGISTRATIONS
Samuel Ard, Ard Shirley & Rudolph: Becker Holding Corporation
Thomas Arnold, Southern Strategy Group: E4 Health
Brian Ballard, William Turbeville, Ballard Partners: 19 Enterprises; Smart Pharmacy
Pete Bulgas, Bulgas & Associates: MedicFP
Dean Cannon, Capitol Insight: Index Management Services
Lila Jaber, Gunster Yoakley & Stewart: United Data Technologies
Robert Pritt, Roetzel & Andress: Useppa Island Volunteer Fire Company
Monte Stevens, Southern Strategy Group: United Insurance Holdings; US Assure; Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association
PERSONNEL NOTE: AT&T NAMES IAN COTNER AS REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS via Phil Ammann of Florida Politics
Telecommunications giant AT&T named expert political consultant Ian Cotner as new Regional Director of External Affairs. Cotner, with over a decade of experience in the Florida Capitol, will oversee legislative and community affairs projects in the Treasure Coast, Palm Beach, Okeechobee and Glades Counties. Prior to joining AT&T, Cotner ran his own law practice and political consulting firm, located in Tallahassee and Stuart. He also served as Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Children and Families, as well as in the offices of former Rep. Adam Hasner and former House Speaker Pro Tempore John Legg.
PERSONNEL NOTE: MIKE HIGHTOWER TO JEA via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
Mike Hightower, who resigned from the Jacksonville Electric Authority Board … is back with them in a new capacity … JEA’s new top lobbyist … the job pays $199K. Competition for this position was fierce … former Councilman Richard Clark was interested.
***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: TWO SIDES OF FAMU DRAMA AND HOWARD BEALE’S MOMENT ARRIVES
On Context Florida: Rufus Montgomery, belligerent chair of the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees, remains unbowed, says Chris Timmons. The domineering and vexing Montgomery was asked to step down by powerful FAMU alumni on Wednesday. Usually, that might mean he’s doing his job: making sure that the university is being well run and the president is held to her contract. That is not quite it, Timmons notes. Bob Sparks also weighs in on the FAMU drama; he believes only one side is being told. While Montgomery is a Republican, the Democratic elected officials said their call for him to quit has nothing to do with politics. OK, Sparks says, but it is interesting that the picture some of the news outlets chose to illustrate the story was one with Montgomery walking with Jeb Bush. If Donald Trump contributed anything to the political process during this presidential election, he has called the American voter to arms over our dysfunctional government. People are mad as hell about such things as lack of confidence in the economy, unemployment, part-time jobs, and sending jobs overseas. This leads Tim Bryce to wonder if Howard Beale’s moment finally arrived.
Visit Context Florida to dig in.
ON THIS WEEK’S EDITION OF THE ROTUNDA
Trimmel Gomes’ newest episode of The Rotunda features University of Florida political science professor Michael McDonald, as he explains why Florida’s redistricting problems will not be over anytime soon. This week, several lawmakers turned the spotlight on their alma matter, Florida A&M University, the state’s only historically black university, with a public plea for the schools board of trustees Chairman, Rufus Montgomery, to resign and end his “personal feud” with the university’s president, Elmira Mangum. Jacksonville Times Union Bureau Chief Tia Mitchell has been covering the ongoing issues at FAMU and tells Gomes what’s lead to the latest public conflict at the institution that may result in Gov. Rick Scott getting involved.
The Rotunda podcast is available every Friday via iTunes, Stitcher or Soundcloud. Subscribers receive free automatic downloads of episodes to their devices. Follow on @RotundaPodcast for daily updates.
EXCEPT FOR TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA’S KIND OF DUMB via Janelle Irwin of Florida Politics
Florida doesn’t fare very well on a study analyzing the education levels in 150 of the largest cities in the U.S. … Tallahassee is the smartest major city coming in at number 11 … next Florida city to land on the list is the Sarasota-Bradenton area coming in at number 56. The study looked at data for people age 25 or older with high school diplomas, Bachelor’s Degrees and graduate degrees. Also ranked … Jacksonville, Orlando, Miami, Fort Myers, Ocala and Lakeland.
Lakeland is the dumbest Florida city coming in at number 145 on the list. Ocala didn’t fare much better at number 140 … cities with a more educated population tend to be better off fiscally than others. The average income level is higher and the tax revenue increases.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY belatedly to two smart guys, Mark Bubriski and Matt Florell. Celebrating today is Caitlin Fishman and Monique Miller. An early birthday shout-out to Kurt Browning and Sarrah Carroll.
WELCOME TO THE WORLD: Holly Grace Anderson, daughter of Lauren and Ryan Anderson (Director of Governmental Relations – Florida at HCA). Lauren Facebooks: “She is perfect, everyone is healthy and recovering well. We are so in love already.”
