Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.
By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Mitch Perry, Ryan Ray, and Jim Rosica.
As if things could not get any more tense in Florida politics, state Senator Joe Negron threw a bowling ball into the bathtub yesterday, releasing the names of the 14 Republican senators, including himself, who support his claim for the Senate Presidency for 2016-18.
In terms of timing, it was an incredibly insensitive move that comes on the heels of a disastrous legislative session to redraw the map of the state’s congressional districts. In terms of execution, Negron’s move was inefficient at best, with a scattershot-delivered press release that went out just as most people were turning on the news — and turning their eyes — to learn about the shooting of two TV news journalists in Virginia.
However, in terms of Negron getting what he wanted, he succeeded in forcing Senate President Andy Gardiner’s to schedule a caucus vote for the week of November 30.
Where the Florida Senate goes from here is anyone’s guess.
First of all, keep in mind that the Florida Senate has now scheduled a designation vote, yet the Senate President, Rules Chairman, and Appropriations Chairman are all on the opposite side of the likely winner.
This is one of the reasons why Latvala is telling anyone who will listen that Negron has erroneously claimed victory before.
“It’s the same announcement he’s made four or five times already,” Latvala said. “You know, this is nothing more than an attempt to force (Gardiner) into a designation call.”
Latvala is correct. This is the third time (this year) Negron has declared victory in the race for the Senate Presidency.
In January, Negron told Matt Dixon of the Naples Daily News in January that “… I have a majority of support.“
In May, this website reported — and Latvala conceded — that Negron had 14 pledges from current members of the Florida Senate.
However, with a majority of the Republican caucus behind him, it’s difficult to envision Negron NOT being designated the next Senate President in December.
“It is clear that the Caucus is ready to formally designate its next Senate President,” said Negron on Wednesday.
Latvala supporters — Latvala’s son Chris the most vocal among them — will tell you that three of the 14 Negron supporters are term-limited and should not be counted.
Further, with the Florida Supreme Court likely to be responsible for redrawing the map of the state Senate districts — you think Florida Senators can do it in this atmosphere? — there will be dramatic changes to the Senate’s political landscape. Jeff Brandes will probably have to run against Latvala. John Legg will likely have to run against Wilton Simpson. There are some maps that have Sens. Rob Bradley and Travis Hutson, both Negron supporters, in the same district. And so on.
Those are just the plausible scenarios. What about the worst-case scenario? The so-called nuclear option.
Might Latvala take his Republican pledges (at least 8 to 10 by November 2016) and marry them with almost all of the Democratic votes to build a coalition large that the Republican Caucus’ choice no longer matters? This maneuver would hinge on Sen. Tom Lee, a devout Republican, remaining true to Latvala’s banner. And have you paid attention to Lee lately? What part of him says he’s not ready to burn the whole damn building down?
Negron may very well one day be Senate President. The likelihood of it happening is about 60% that he will be. But there’s absolutely nothing that has happened recently to suggest that that is more likely to occur than when he first declared victory months ago.
Actually, what Negron’s ploy looks like a hurried attempt to claim victory of a game for which the rules are soon to be dramatically changed.
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— 2016 WATCH —
MARCO RUBIO: DONALD TRUMP WON’T BE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE via AP
Rubio says Donald Trump will not be the Republican presidential nominee because his message is not an optimistic one.
Rubio has largely shied away from taking on Trump, the billionaire businessman sitting atop polls of the Republican rivals.
In recent weeks, candidates such as Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and Jeb Bush have started to go head-to-head with Trump. Rubio’s criticisms today were measured, even when asked about Trump’s comment that Rubio is “disloyal” and “disrespectful” for running against Bush.
“I think our nominee is going to be someone that embraces the future, that understands the opportunities before us, that’s optimistic but realistic about the challenges before us,” Rubio told reporters after a meet-and-greet event in New Hampshire’s North Country.
“Ultimately the Republican Party will reach out to all voters based on who our nominee is, and I don’t believe Donald Trump will be our nominee,” he said.
JEB BUSH: PRESS DESERVES ‘RESPECT AND DIGNITY via Matt Dixon of Politico Florida
Bush said he thinks members of the media should be treated with “respect and dignity,” one day after Trump sparred with Univison anchor Jorge Ramos at an Iowa event.
“I think people in the press should be treated with more respect and dignity,” Bush said Wednesday as he left a town hall event here.
At the Florida town hall, Bush did not meet with reporters, only addressing a handful of questions briefly as he exited the room.
Earlier, during a question-and-answer sessions with attendees, Bush responded to a question that referenced Trump, saying, “Do we have to talk about this guy?” He later criticized Trump’s immigration plans, and said Trump should “be held to account” for his policy proposals.
JEB BUSH JR.: TRUMP IS ‘VERY DIVISIVE’ via Michael Shain of The State (SC)
Jeb Bush Jr. visited Columbia on Wednesday to open his father’s 2016 South Carolina presidential campaign headquarters.
The 31-year-old Florida businessman spoke with The State about how his father, the former Florida governor, can overcome Bush fatigue, attract young voters and handle criticism from 2016 GOP presidential rival Donald Trump.
“Folks know him as Jeb. You’ve got to work on people not knowing that it’s George’s brother or George’s son but as Jeb. And I think as his story gets out people will know him (that way).” Jeb Bush earned his own record as governor with school choice, tax cuts and hurricane preparedness, his son said.
Re: Trump: “I just try not to pay attention to it. It’s very divisive. We’re trying to focus on bringing people together and having a hopeful optimistic message, focused on high-sustained economic growth. That’s Dad’s message.”
RIVALS AIM TO WEAKEN JEB BUSH’S HUGE CASH ADVANTAGE WITH EARLY AD BUYS via Eliana Johnson of National Review
Bush has a massive financial advantage over his opponents … (who) say that they can eat into the advantage afforded by Bush’s $114 million war chest … in fact, that they’re already doing it … Welcome to the world of strategic media buying, where campaigns and super PACs compete to buy airtime on local television stations in the early primary states at the lowest rates … prices can change from one day to the next, and over the course of several months, one candidate-affiliated super PAC can wind up paying several times as much as another for precisely the same time slot depending on a number of factors … With 17 candidates in the race and dozens of corresponding super PACs vying for ad time, competition for the best slots … is expected to be fierce.
Rubio and his allies believe that placing ad buys early will secure them airtime at a price lower than that of Bush’s campaign … something they say will help undermine Bush’s financial dominance … Bush team strongly rejects the argument as wishful thinking.
HAPPENING TODAY — SENATE CANDIDATES DAVID JOLLY, CARLOS LOPEZ-CANTERA HEADLINE AIF CONFERENCE via Michael Auslen of the Tampa Bay Times
Orlando continues today as the state’s political hotspot as Republican U.S. Senate candidates … David Jolly and Carlos Lopez-Cantera … keynote the annual conference of the Associated Industries of Florida. Event begins 9 a.m. at the JW Marriott Orlando, 4040 Central Florida Parkway in Orlando.
FLORIDA CHAMBER GIVES $400 K TO RICK SCOTT COMMITTEE via Matt Dixon of POLITICO
Scott continues to raise campaign cash for some future political ambition … the Florida Chamber of Commerce earlier this month gave $400,000 to a committee he controls, one of the biggest contributions in the group’s history. Let’s Get to Work, has been a prolific vehicle for raising campaign cash, shattering state fundraising records during his 2014 re-election bid. Scott can’t seek re-election, (yet) he has kept his fundraising apparatus intact, continuing to raise money to fuel a sizable political operation. In 2015, the committee has spent $2.6 million on political expenses like consulting, fundraising, and advertising.
— “CD 18 hopeful Rick Kozell releases list of high-profile GOP endorsements” via Florida Politics
RACE TO REPLACE NANCY DETERT HEATS UP, 3 YEARS OUT via Florida Politics
More than three years out, the race to take over for Nancy Detert is heating up … Nora Patterson jumped into the Senate District 28 race … the second candidate in the race after Doug Holder filed in January 2013. Patterson is a former member of the Sarasota County and city commissions … also served as the city’s mayor …The race could change drastically … whether Detert opts to leave the Senate early to seek local office … If that happens, the race is likely to draw more familiar faces … Greg Steube has made clear he’s interested in the seat, and would run … Ray Pilon said he would opt out of a 2016 run and go for his fourth term in the House … expect Pilon to make a run in 2018 … former state Sen. Mike Bennett said he was thinking about a run as well …
FIRST DEMOCRAT FILES IN DAYTONA BEACH HD 26 RACE via Florida Politics
The first Democrat has jumped into the race to take over for Daytona Beach Democratic state Rep. Dwayne Taylor, who terms out in 2016. Patrick Jauan Henry filed for the District 26 seat … joining Republican Michael Cantu who filed for the seat in January. Henry has been a member of the Daytona Beach City Commission since … elected with 52 percent of the vote in a January 2011 special election.
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MOST HEALTH INSURERS RAISE 2016 FLORIDA OBAMACARE RATES via Kelli Kennedy of the Associated Press
Premiums for most health insurance policies sold on the federal exchange are increasing for Floridians this year … state regulators used new authority to negotiate lower rates so the hikes aren’t as big as they could have been, according to the Office of Insurance Regulation … Aetna requested a 21 percent increase for plans sold in 2016, but the agency only approved 14 percent. Coventry requested a 16 percent hike and was approved for 8 percent … UnitedHealth Group, the nation’s largest health insurer, and Humana had the biggest increase at 16 percent, followed by Aetna and Preferred Medical Plan at 14 percent. Seven plans requested increases, while Florida Health Care Plan requested a 9.7 rate decrease. Three other insurers are also looking to lower their rates, according to state insurance officials.
Florida Blue, the state’s largest insurer, requested a 4 percent hike but was approved for nine. The federal government must still sign off on the rates.
HOUSE CREATES SELECT COMMITTEE TO TARGET HEALTH COSTS via Michael Auslen of the Tampa Bay Times
The first sign is here that health care costs could play a starring role in the next legislative session: House Speaker Steve Crisafulli is creating the Select Committee on Affordable Healthcare Access.
Chaired by Rep. Jose Oliva, the likely future House speaker, the committee has been tasked by Crisafulli “to explore policy options to reduce the cost of health care for consumers and improve the transparency of health care information, make recommendations for legislative action, and propose legislation to implement those recommendations.”
The group combines several of the House’s leading voices on health care issues, including Reps. Jason Brodeur, Matt Hudson, Cary Pigman, and Mia Jones.
This select committee comes in the wake of the 2015 session, which was derailed by disagreement over a health care affordability plan proposed by the Senate that would have drawn down federal Medicaid expansion money to subsidize health insurance for poor Floridians. House Republicans opposed the plan, voting it down in a special session on the state budget in June.
BILL WOULD INCREASE PENALTIES OF ATTACKS ON REAL ESTATE AGENTS via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics
State Rep. Kathleen Passidomo filed the legislation (HB 47) … would bump up the maximum penalties by one level whenever someone is convicted of assault, battery, or sexual battery against a “broker, broker associate, or sales associate while he or she is engaged in the act of showing or holding an open house of real property” … an attack charged as a first-degree misdemeanor – punishable by up to a year in jail – would become a third-degree felony – punishable by up to five years in prison … a second-degree felony that carries a 15-year maximum would transform into a first-degree felony of up to 30 years.
But Bob Dekle, director of the Criminal Prosecution Clinic at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, said current penalties are enough to do the job … “Where does it end when we decide to pick one group over another? … Do we single out perpetrators of crimes against left-handed redheads? Attacking people on a Friday?”
BOARD OF EDUCATION UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTS $20.2 BILLION BUDGET REQUEST via Jessica Bakeman of Politico Florida
The Florida Board of Education unanimously adopted their legislative budget request for the 2016-17 school year.
Education commissioner Pam Stewart, board chair Marva Johnson and other members stressed the “historic” nature of the request, which, if enacted by the Legislature, would represent the highest total and per-pupil funding levels ever.
The board is requesting $20.2 billion in total education funding, up from $19.7 billion in the current year, which is the highest total funding level in the state’s history.
If adopted, the proposed per-pupil allocation of $7,209 would be $83 more than the per-pupil total in 2007-08, which is the highest ever. The per-pupil allocation dipped during the economic downturn and has climbed back up since, as the state’s enrollment has also grown.
“This would be historic funding, and it would in fact bring it above the highest per-student funding,” Stewart said during a board meeting at Santa Fe College.
FLORIDA TAXWATCH BULLISH ON ‘TELEMEDICINE’ via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics
Florida TaxWatch says it will convene health care experts next month in Orlando for a “Telehealth Cornerstone Conference” … also released a new white paper on the subject. “By implementing telehealth technologies, health care practitioners can adequately provide care to Floridians in rural areas or to patients are unable to travel to a doctor’s office,” said Robert Weissert, Senior Vice President of Research … “Telehealth is convenient for doctors and patients, and because patients are keeping up with their care plans and are appropriately monitored, telehealth results in better health care outcomes, driving down costs,” he added.
But telemedicine legislation has gotten nowhere in the Capitol, including the most recent legislative session … Other health care-related issues swamped it, such as a fight over Medicaid expansion and funding a pool of money to reimburse state hospitals for the charity care they provide.
HAPPENING TODAY — JEFF ATWATER, SOLAR ADVOCATES TO SPEAK AT FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES CONFERENCE via Florida Association of Counties
The 2015-16 FAC Policy Committee Conference brings together the legislative policy committees to examine the Association’s agenda for the next session. Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater will headline the event at 6:30 p.m. In addition, Consumers for Smart Solar spokesperson Dick Batchelor joins Stephen Smith of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy at 1:15 p.m. for a discussion of the opposing solar energy ballot initiatives. Event is at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront, 333 First St. South in St. Petersburg.
POLICY NOTES via Legislative IQ powered by Lobby Tools
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
The Florida Public Service Commission will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Hearing Room 148 of the Betty Easley Conference Center in Tallahassee to discuss regulatory issues concerning Florida Power & Light.
LIBERTY, CALHOUN COUNTY DELEGATIONS MEET
The Liberty County and Calhoun County legislative delegations – both are made up of Democratic Sen. Bill Montford of Tallahassee and Republican Rep. Halsey Beshears of Monticello – hold public meetings in preparation for the 2016 session. Meeting starts 5:30 p.m., Eastern time, at the Liberty County Courthouse in Bristol; and 6 p.m. Central time at the Calhoun County Commission chamber Extension Office, 20859 Central Ave. East in Blountstown.
ORLANDO TOP SPOT FOR RESIDENTS LEAVING PUERTO RICO’S CAPITAL via the Associated Press
Central Florida was the top destination of Puerto Ricans moving from metro San Juan to the mainland two years ago. New data released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that 6,200 Puerto Ricans moved to metro Orlando from the island’s capital in 2013. The New York metro area was the next most popular destination, with 3,800 former San Juan residents moving there. Puerto Ricans have been leaving the island in the wake of a severe economic crisis. Unlike the previous ‘Great Migration’ from the 1950s, more Puerto Ricans are choosing to move to Florida over the northeast.
SOUTH FLORIDA’S CONSTRUCTION BOOM HEADS NORTH via Nick Madigan of the New York Times
Even as the post-recession boom in South Florida shows signs of cooling — evidently because the strong American dollar is eroding the purchasing power of foreign investors — prices in coastal Miami-Dade County remain largely stratospheric, prompting prospective buyers with somewhat less disposable income to cast their nets elsewhere … Broward County’s 24-mile coastal strip, 83 new residential towers, with 7,901 units, have been announced or are under construction — 37 of them in the last year … 44 such projects are in the works, 29 more than last year.
Adding to the appeal of the new Broward developments are prices per square foot that are often half or less of what similar condominiums have been fetching in Miami Beach, Sunny Isles, Bal Harbour and other coastal communities in Miami-Dade County. Value for money … is especially important for cost-conscious foreign investors who plan to rent out their units.
Still, it has not necessarily been an easy sell … it usually takes a long time for a place to be known as a hot commodity.
TAMPA IS THE BEST PLACE FOR RETIREMENT, STUDY SAYS via Jo_lynn Brown of the Tampa Bay Business Journal
Call it another pitch for Tampa to use to sell itself to corporate relocation decision-makers: Build your company here and you can retire well. When it comes to an overall measure of affordability, quality of life and access to health care and recreation,
Tampa was found to be the No. 1 place to retire, according to a WalletHub study. WalletHub compared the 150 largest cities in the United States. St. Petersburg was the only other city in the metro area to rank on the list at No. 11. Tampa’s highest ranking was in the ‘activities’ category at No. 4. Orlando was No. 2 in that category. Salt Lake City, Utah ranked first.
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BUILDER’S PUSH FOR FRIEND’S PERMIT WAS HIS LAST ACT ON WATER BOARD via Craig Pittman of the Tampa Bay Times
Carlos Beruff’s motion to help out his friend, former state senator Pat Neal, in getting a wetlands permit from the Southwest Florida Water Management District board Tuesday turned out to be one of his final official acts as a board member.
Beruff — who like Neal is a Manatee County homebuilder — had sent a letter to Gov. Rick Scott on July 10 saying he planned to resign early from Swiftmud, with his last day being Tuesday.
In his letter he said he was resigning “due to my other responsibilities.”
In May, Scott named Beruff, founder of Medallion Homes of Parrish, chairman of his new Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding, although Beruff has no experience with that industry.
Beruff also serves on the governing board of the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, and the Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority.
APPOINTED: Leonard Boord and Michael Joseph to the Florida International University Board of Trustees.
NEW LOBBYING REGISTRATIONS
Jim Magill, Marnie George, Kim McGlynn, Tim Stanfield, Mac Stipanovich, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney: Experian Information Solutions, Inc.
Monte Stevens, Southern Strategy Group: Fidelity National Financial, Inc., Florida Insurance Council, Florida True Health, Inc., Prudential Financial, Inc.
Ian White, Ausley & McMullen: Incentive Marketing
PERSONNEL NOTE: JESSICA BAKER LEAVES BALLARD PARTNERS FOR LENNY CURRY ADMINISTRATION via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
Jessica Baker, formerly a governmental affairs consultant for Ballard Partners, has left the lobbying firm’s Jacksonville office to join the Lenny Curry administration, where she will be second in command in Intergovernmental Affairs under Ali Korman Shelton.
Curry and his Chief Administrative Officer, Sam Mousa, were asked about the talk that had been circulating Tuesday morning. Answering the question whether Baker was joining the administration, Curry said, “She’s in the building.”
Baker has the Mousa seal of approval as well. The #jaxpol legend described her as smart, sharp, and a good addition to the team.
Baker’s departure leaves the Jacksonville office in the hands of two very capable insiders. Susie Wiles, whose name is synonymous with the modern era of Republican-dominated Jacksonville politics, and Tony Boselli, the Jacksonville Jaguars legend who is still a fixture at EverBank Field.
Jessica’s husband, Tim Baker, has his own connections to Curry World. His work with Data Targeting was indispensable to Curry’s path from first-time candidate with scant name recognition to Jacksonville mayor. Unheralded (by his own personal preference) during the campaign, Baker “was instrumental in doing much of the behind-the-scenes work of the Curry campaign.”
CORAL GABLES’ OWN ANA NAVARRO TO JOIN “THE VIEW” via Florida Politics
Florida Republican strategist Ana Navarro announced via social media Tuesday afternoon she will be joining ABC’s “The View” as a segment contributor.
“Excited that I’ll be joining #Season19 of @TheView as a political contributor. Looking forward to talking all things 2016 w/the ladies,” Navarro tweeted Tuesday.
The 43-year-old political consultant – who for years worked in Florida, including the halls of state government power in Tallahassee – is tailor-made for a show designed to appeal to women of a certain age ranging roughly from center-left to center-right.
“I get paid to talk politics, which I’ve done my entire life and I would do for free anyway,” Navarro told the Tampa Bay Times back in 2013.
She’s now poised to get paid a lot more for it soon.
PERSONNEL NOTE: SHELLY DARBY NAMED PALM BEACH DAILY NEWS MANAGING EDITOR via Florida Politics
Former Detroit Free Press editor Shelly Darby is the new managing editor of the Palm Beach Daily News. Darby replaces Elizabeth Clarke, who became the Daily News’ editor in September 2014.
Darby worked for nearly two decades at the Free Press … Previously, she was sports copy editor at the New Haven (Conn.) Register for two years. During her time at the Free Press, Darby served as assistant editor/high school sports, editor of the weekly Community Free Press section and as editing coach for print, online and social media content. As sports editor, the Associated Press Sports Editors recognized the Free Press as a top 10 Sunday section.
CONTEXT FLORIDA: VIRGINIA & GUN VIOLENCE, WATCHMAN & RACISM AND UNDERSTANDING POVERTY
On Context Florida: Reporter Melissa Ross reflects on the murder of two Virginia television journalists, which took place live on air Wednesday. She recalled the night she heard shots while covering a story, and implores everyone – of all colors and backgrounds – to see how gun violence affects all bodies. That in itself has become a point of contention, like most American debates. Yolanda Hood had never read Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and likely would never read it. Chances of her reading the recently released sequel Go Set a Watchman are slim to none as well. Although Mockingbird is a moving portrayal of racism, social injustice, and the fight to overcome them, Hood has no reason to read it — she lives those experiences every day. Marc Yacht says a better understanding of the poor must look beyond income and at the larger community: the quality of education, water, electricity, pollution, sewage systems, and residential living conditions. Poor neighborhoods are at greater risk for substandard living conditions and all play a role in defining the broader conception of poverty.
Visit Context Florida to dig in.
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BEST NEWS YOU’LL READ – AMAZON EXPANDS PRIME NOW, OFFERS U.S. ALCOHOL FOR FIRST TIME via Reuters
said on Tuesday it will begin delivering wine, beer and spirits to U.S. customers for the first time as part of its speedy delivery service, Prime Now.
The online retailer is expanding Prime Now, its one- and two-hour service, to Seattle, where the company is headquartered, and offering alcohol deliveries there.
Amazon Prime, the company’s $99 per year shopping membership program, offers free two-day delivery on millions of items.
BURGER KING TO MCDONALD’S: LET’S MAKE A MCWHOPPER via Candice Choi of the Associated Press
This probably isn’t what the United Nations had in mind when it established the International Day of Peace: Burger King is asking McDonald’s to join forces to create a “McWhopper.”
In full-page newspaper ads … Burger King said it’s calling for a truce with McDonald’s so that they can create a mashup of their most famous burgers — the Big Mac and the Whopper … serve the concoction for a single day at a popup location in Atlanta, a midway point between the headquarters of the two chains. Burger King is tying the publicity stunt to a nonprofit called Peace One Day, which says it promotes Peace Day. In a response posted on its Facebook page, McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook said the proposal was inspiration for a good cause, and that he thinks the two companies could do “something bigger to make a difference … Let’s acknowledge that between us there is simply a friendly business competition and certainly not the unequaled circumstances of the real pain and suffering of war …”
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO WILL ADD ‘FAST & FURIOUS’ ATTRACTION TO THEME PARK via Sharon Kennedy Wynne of the Tampa Bay times
Universal Orlando will open a new ride based on the popular Fast & Furious movies … Fast & Furious: Supercharged is slated for some time in 2017, and the news comes as little surprise. The seventh film in the Furious franchise barreled into theaters this spring and made $1.5 billion at the box office worldwide … Universal Studios Hollywood debuted a ride tied to the franchise in June … The Fast & Furious ride will be in the San Francisco area of the park, and the Disaster! attraction there will close as of Sept. 8.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to former LG Jennifer Carroll and Adam Goodman’s better half, Liz. Belated wishes to Joy Friedman, Rep. Irv Slosberg, and Phillip Singleton, the “Hip Hop Lobbyist.”
