Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.
By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Mitch Perry, Ryan Ray, and Jim Rosica.
WEATHER UPDATE AS OF 6:00 A.M. – Tropical Storm Erika remains unorganized as it travels through the northeast Caribbean Sea. Puerto Rico could receive over a foot of rain from Erika, which could help the ongoing drought but could also produce dangerous mudslides. Erika is not forecast to reach hurricane strength until Monday when it curves northward along the east coast of Florida.
NOW ON TO POLITICS…
The Republicans are coming. The Republicans are coming.
Hundreds of members of the Republican Party of Florida will convene this Friday and Saturday in Tampa for the party’s Summer quarterly meeting.
“We are looking forward to our next Quarterly Meeting, and our next chance to bring Republicans from all over the state together,” says Republican Party of Florida Chairman Blaise Ingoglia. “We have planned a program that will engage the grassroots army and train our activist to be key leaders in our efforts throughout the state, from the Panhandle to the Keys and everywhere in between. Our seminars will help continue our progress of registering new Republicans, educating voters on conservative solutions, reaching Floridians through new technologies, and building volunteer teams as we prepare to take back the White House and elected Republicans across the state.”
A total of 50 separate events will keep attendees busy throughout the event, which climaxes with a two-hour executive board meeting on Saturday afternoon.
Among those who intend to make the most of the soiree is Jacksonville-area Congressman Ron DeSantis, who in addition to holding a reception in a conference room on Friday night (as is one of his 2016 opponents, David Jolly), has also blocked out three hours on Friday afternoon to “meet and greet”with party members. A Quinnipiac poll released earlier this week indicated that none of the declared Senate candidates – DeSantis, David Jolly, Todd Wilcox or Lieutenant Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera are well known enough to even merit being polled.
Among the highlights should be a speech offered by conservative pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson, the author of the recently published The Selfie Vote: Where Millennials are Leading America (and How Republicans Can Keep Up). Part of her thesis that she will probably imbue upon attendees is how the powers that be with the GOP need to get out of their traditional thinking and learn to embrace social media as a way to target and engage younger voters.
Also speaking on Friday morning is high-profile political consultant Adam Goodman, who will be speaking on, “Messaging & Imaging: The New Rules for Winning.” (Goodman worked on Jolly’s special election victory over Democrat Alex Sink in the spring of 2014, and is now working for Jolly’s Senate campaign as well). Matt Blair of powerhouse lobbying firm Corcoran & Johnston’s campaign arm, Capitol Consulting, also will speak on how to plan an effective direct mail campaign.
When Ingoglia took over as party chairman earlier this year, he announced that he would be contacting all state committee members to gauge their interest in participating on a number of different committees, such as legislative affairs, veterans outreach, Hispanic outreach and African-American outreach. A glance at the schedule of this weekend’s events shows that there are “engagement” committees for women, minorities, veterans, digital and “community engagement.”
On Friday afternoon the faith-based engagement committee will hear from Chad Connelly, chosen last year by the Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus as the RNC’s First ever-National Director of Faith Engagement. In that role, Connelly lead the RNC in launching its first web-based effort to rally conservative believers behind the party.
The full agenda for the two-day event can be accessed here.
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— 2016 WATCH —
MARCO RUBIO SAYS STRENGTH IS ONLY WAY TO MAINTAIN PEACE WITH CHINA via the Associated Press
The United States must bolster its military, push for more free trade and hold China far more accountable on human rights … Rubio writes in an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal … “A strong America — militarily, economically and morally — is the only path to lasting peace and partnership between the U.S. and China” … expected to provide details of his China policy … in Charleston, South Carolina, when he speaks to the Charleston Metro Chamber’s World Trade Center.
THE LATEST POLL: A new Quinnipiac poll finds Donald Trump expanded his lead over the Republican presidential pack with 28%, followed by Ben Carson at 12%, Jeb Bush at 7%, Ted Cruz at 7% and Marco Rubio at 7%. On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton leads with 45%, followed by Bernie Sanders at 22% and Joe Biden at 18%.
NEW SURVEY SHOWS DEPTH OF JEB’S BUSH DYNASTY PROBLEM via Byron York of the Washington Examiner
How bad is Bush‘s Bush problem? The Quinnipiac poll suggests it is very bad … Bush running well behind Donald Trump and Ben Carson, tied for third place in the GOP race with Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio. But that is not the most serious problem for Bush in the poll … a simple, open-ended question: “What is the first word that comes to mind when you think of Jeb Bush?” … the list of the top eight responses for Jeb, including the number of times people mentioned each particular word. By far, the first word that the most people thought of about Jeb Bush was not a word at all, but rather his last name … How many times has Jeb said, “I’m my own man”? So far at least, the message hasn’t gotten through.
INSIDE THE DONALD TRUMP-JEB BUSH MELODRAMA: DECADES OF TENSION AND DISCOMFORT via Philip Rucker and Robert Costa of the Washington Post
The feud between the two leading Republicans, which has escalated in recent days, is shaping up as a defining dynamic … tensions between the two are likely to be a factor for weeks or months to come … only the latest manifestation of decades of discord between Trump and the Bush family. Since the gilded 1980s, when Trump and George H.W. Bush rose … the relationship between Trump and the Bushes has been a melodrama — veering between displays of public affection and acerbic insults.
At the core, there are clashes of style, manner and class between the Bushes … and Trump … “The Bushes were never Trump’s cup of tea,” said Roger Stone … “He’s not from old, WASP money. The Trumps didn’t come on the Mayflower.”
Trump shrugs off the suggestion that his rivalry with the Bushes is rooted in pedigree, although he is open about his animosity toward them; he characterizes his relationship with former president Bill Clinton, for instance, as far closer.
JEB, GET AHOLD OF YOURSELF via Matt Bai of Yahoo Politics
Trump isn’t actually running away with the Republican nomination, and the only thing he’s “dominating” right now is media coverage … As late as October 2011 … Herman Cain was leading the Republican field with roughly 30 percent of the vote … Trump isn’t really winning the presidential contest so much as all the other candidates are losing it. And no one is losing it faster or with more determination than Bush … a spectacularly bad week for Bush, who has dropped to around 10 percent in both national and New Hampshire polls.
What surprises me about Bush isn’t that he’s a little out of practice. It’s more that he seems not to fully grasp what makes his campaign viable in the first place … Bushes just keep coming, but far from representing some bygone triumph in Republican or national politics, they’re constantly having to dissociate themselves from the last failure. Which raises the question: How can this be a dynasty at all?
GROUP WITH DEMOCRATIC TIES WANTS BUSH’S EMAIL PRACTICES INVESTIGATED via Christine Sexton of POLITICO
A group with Democratic ties asked State Attorney Willie Meggs‘ office … to fine former governor Jeb Bush for what it calls violations of state public records law and to investigate whether he can be criminally prosecuted for them — but the request may be too late.
The American Democracy Legal Fund’s president Brad Woodhouse, a former communications director for the Democratic National Committee, says Bush submitted his emails from his eight years as governor to the state’s archives in batches … Florida law required Bush to turn the emails over when his term in office ended … knowingly and willfully withholding the information from the public could be punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and a year in jail.
… Meggs also noted that Bush has not been governor since 2007 … “I’m confident if there is a crime, the statute of limitations has long since run.”
— “Eric Cantor to endorse Jeb Bush” via Mike Allen of POLITICO
— “Still Think Jeb Bush Vs. Hillary Clinton Is Happening?” via Josh Kraushaar of the National Journal
SAVE THE DATE: Mission: NEXT, Jeb Bush’s NASA-inspired bundler program for young Republicans, lands in Miami next month for a fundraising reception hosted by Jeb Bush, Jr. The event begins 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 24 at American Social, 690 SW 1st Court in Miami. Evening reception tickets start at $250 – with a special $100 reception ticket for individuals under 30. A spot as co-chair costs $1,000 and includes a pre-reception for two and entry to the evening reception. To co-host is $500, which guarantees entry for two to the evening reception. RSVP’s and information is available at here.
TED YOHO COULD ENDORSE DONALD TRUMP via Matt Fuller of Roll Call
Trump may be polling far ahead of the rest of the GOP presidential field, but there’s one constituency that remains reluctant to support the insurgent candidate: Congress … if Trump’s support really is steadfast … members will endorse him. Here are a few prime targets … Jeff Sessions … Sessions might have come closest last week when he donned one of Trump’s suddenly famous “Make America Great Again” hats and introduced the billionaire to a supportive crowd in Mobile … Steve King … certainly seemed to like what he saw from Trump’s immigration plan … could give the Iowa congressman something to think about … Mo Brooks … one of the staunchest opponents of illegal immigration in Congress … Dave Brat … took down then-Majority Leader Eric Cantor last year with an outsider message focused on debt and immigration … Ted Yoho … may have a style that at times resembles Trump’s … seems to understand that presenting Trump as the GOP presidential candidate comes with some pitfalls. But he also understands that voters are frustrated.
LATIN BUILDERS CONSIDER MOVING GALA FROM TRUMP RESORT via Marc Caputo of POLITICO
The Latin Builders Association, the nation’s largest construction nonprofit of its kind, is on the verge of becoming the latest Hispanic group to rebuke Trump over his rhetoric on immigration … LBA’s executive board will discuss alternatives to holding its annual gala at Trump National Doral Miami resort … could cause the 650-member association to forfeit its deposit of tens of thousands of dollars. Some members fear a lawsuit by Trump … two sides have been at impasse … a growing number of association members are privately saying it’s time to make the break official.
ALAN GRAYSON CALLS DONALD TRUMP’S IMMIGRATION PLAN “SUBLIMINAL RACISM” via Mitch Perry of Florida Politics
Alan Grayson appeared on Al Jazeera America … he’s still undecided on the Iran nuclear deal, boasted about his legislative prowess (while disparaging two others running for Senate), and called GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump“boring.” Grayson didn’t hint about how he might vote, but his tone was more critical than supportive … “It does nothing to address terrorism support of Iran for militant groups around the area …”
When asked about Republican front-runner Trump, Grayson reacted with the characteristic bluntness … “if I were that way, I’d never show my face on TV. He just rambles on and on, never answers the question, never says anything about anything except for himself.”
GRAYSON PULLS AD ATTACKING PATRICK MURPHY’S EFFECTIVENESS via Marc Caputo of POLITICO
Less than a day after showcasing a new attack ad against his rival … Grayson’s campaign removed the School House Rock-themed spot … wouldn’t say if the move was prompted by concerns over a copyright violation because he used the trademarked “I’m Just a Bill” song to mock fellow Democrat Rep. Patrick Murphy over his effectiveness in Congress … “We moved on to a positive video …” The spot was a headache from the start … misleading because it falsely said Murphy had passed no bills in Congress, even though he had passed the substance of some legislation as amendments. Soon after the ad went live, it was roundly mocked.
A FIRST LOOK AT ‘REGULATE FLORIDA’ INITIATIVE TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA via Michael Pollick of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune
A voter initiative to turn marijuana into a legal, regulated product in Florida, much like alcohol, was approved by the Florida Division of Elections … Called “Regulate Florida,” the petition spells out a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution … it would be legal for adults aged 21 or older to own up to an ounce of marijuana, grow up to six plants within their own residence, or give away marijuana to someone else. If approved, the measure would set a July 2017 deadline for Florida state government to begin licensing and regulating commercial grocers, processors and retailers.
VOTERS’ GROUPS WANT JUSTICES TO DRAW CONGRESSIONAL BOUNDARIES via John Kennedy of the Palm Beach Post
Voters groups battling the Legislature over congressional district boundaries … asked the Florida Supreme Court to take over the task. The Florida League of Women Voters and allied organizations said justices should disregard the state Senate’s push for more time to resolve differences with the House.
But justices also should not endorse the House’s request to allow a trial court to conduct a hearing and recommend a map to the high court. Attorneys for voters’ groups said the approaches outlined by the Legislature will only further delay an already backlogged process.
JACK LATVALA’S LOST SENATE PLEDGE: ‘HE NEVER LOOKED ME IN THE EYE’ via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
State Sen. Thad Altman … may prove to be the decisive vote to break the deadlock for Senate president in 2016 between Sens. Joe Negron … and Jack Latvala … tensions continue to simmer.
It was an open secret in the 2015 session that Altman had flipped his support from Latvala to Negron, but it wasn’t official until Negron issued a statement … listing the senators (including himself) who make up his 14 supporters in the 26-member Senate Republican caucus.
“He flipped before the session,” Latvala told the Times/Herald. “But he’s never looked me in the eye and said he flipped. I still have a signed pledge card from him.”
Latvala says Senate President Andy Gardiner‘s call for a December caucus vote to make Negron president is premature and ill-advised … insists the power struggle is not over, but Altman sounded convinced that it is. “It’s a relief … It’s a tough decision and it’s one of the most important decisions we make as a body.”
JEB BUSH JR. LEAVES POP TO STUMP FOR JOHN COURIEL’S HOUSE RACE via Ladra of Political Cortadito
Jeb Bush, Jr., son of the former governor and current GOP contender for president, is taking time out from his busy schedule campaigning for good ol’ Dad so he can fundraise for someone else: John Couriel, who is running for House seat 114 to replace the termed-out Erik Fresen.
“I am honored to have the support of Jeb Bush, Jr., who has made time in his incredibly busy schedule to come home to House District 114 and stand with me for its future,” Couriel said in a statement.
This is a major score for Couriel, who lost a 2012 bid for state Senate against Sen. Gwen Margolis. Jebby is Daddy’s connection to the millenial vote. He has been a staple on the campaign trail, serving as a surrogate for father Jeb Bush at times and standing beside him at others.
He’s been drawing record number of 20- and 30-something professionals to fundraisers for his Papi’s PAC, Right to Rise. Politico’s Eli Stokols has called the 31-year-old baby of the family “an ambassador of sorts to young GOP donors” who have a harder time connecting with his 62-year-old dad.
ROBERT DOYEL ANNOUNCES HD 41 BID via Bill Rufty of Florida Politics
Former Circuit Court Judge Robert Doyel … is running in 2016 for House District 41, which encompasses most of the eastern portion of Polk County. County Democratic Party officials … were trying to recruit Doyel to run against Lakeland Republican Sen. Kelli Stargel. “I was approached about running for the Senate a lot and I determined I would run for the House seat … I haven’t even filed for the race yet, but I likely will.”
(He) attended a luncheon of Tiger Bay of Polk County … where Stargel was speaking … When candidates were asked to stand and identify their races, he announced he would run for House District 41. Doyel will face the winner of a Republican primary between Polk County Commissioner Ed Smith and Republican fundraiser and activist Sam Killebrew, to replace Rep. John Wood, who cannot run again because of term limits.
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FIRST IN SUNBURN — UBER XL LAUNCHING IN SIX FLORIDA MARKETS
On Friday, Uber launches UberXL in six Florida markets: Tallahassee, Gainesville, Daytona, Sarasota, Fort Myers/Naples and Pensacola. The arrival of UberXL expands the ride-sharing services in theses cities with high-capacity vehicles with room for up to six riders. (Think Toyota Highlanders, Honda Odysseys, and Ford Explorers.) With the addition of larger vehicles Uber is also promoting their “Fare Split” feature allowing Uber passengers to share the cost of the ride.
For more details, read about each city’s rollout: Tally here; Gaines here; CAC here;Sarasota here; FMN here; Pensacola here.
MUST-READ: STATE DEPRIVING SICK AND DISABLED KINDS OF HEALTHCARE, DOCTORS SAY via Carol Marbin Miller of the Miami Herald
The medical directors of a Florida agency that treats some of the state’s sickest and most disabled children — kids with conditions ranging from HIV to cleft lips to diabetes to malfunctioning hearts — are accusing healthcare administrators of “dismantling” the program amid a controversial overhaul that already has purged close to 6,000 children from enrollment.
In a strongly worded letter to state health administrators, at least 14 medical directors or assistant directors from throughout Florida say recent changes to the Children’s Medical Services program risk diluting the medical care for thousands of children. And, while the new program is being implemented, the doctors say, all new enrollments have been halted, forcing even the most frail children to wait.
“Pediatricians and pediatric specialists who have spent years caring for Florida’s children with special healthcare needs at CMS are alarmed at the vast changes that have taken place,” the Aug. 20 letter states.
The doctors who signed the letter — they compose the lion’s share of the program’s medical directors — accuse the state of gutting the healthcare program without first explaining why or seeking input from the doctors who provide care in the trenches.
Administrators have so diminished CMS, the doctors wrote, that it no longer meets the criteria for accreditation, a formal endorsement. Under federal law, CMS will need to secure accreditation once it operates fully as a Medicaid managed care agency.
The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, or AAAHC, a private, nonprofit group based in Illinois, wrapped-up a visit to the state to evaluate CMS on Wednesday. The medical directors wrote that they were “seeking the opportunity to enter into substantive discussion with the leadership of Florida CMS and the [accreditation team]” before any decisions are made.
In a lengthy email to the Miami Herald, Health Department administrators denied the medical directors’ accusations, saying the agency had never imposed a moratorium on new admissions, and that a controversial screening tool that has pushed thousands of children out of the program “was carefully and thoughtfully developed to ensure that CMS is serving children with special healthcare needs as directed by the Legislature.”
AIF HONORS RICK SCOTT, FLORIDA LEGISLATORS via Kevin Derby of Sunshine State News
Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) announced its “Champions for Business” award winners … honored Scott for backing cutting taxes on cellphone and cable TV services … Senate President Andy Gardiner … House Speaker Steve Crisafulli … honored for fighting to improve the business climate. Sen. Aaron Bean … honored for pushing Medicaid expansion in the Senate. Sen. Dorothy Hukill … and Rep. Matt Gaetz … praised for leading the charge on the cellphone and TV services tax cut … honored Sen. Garrett Richter … and Rep. Ray Rodrigues … for their work to reform energy exploration while Rep. Matt Caldwell … was praised for his work on water issues.
BILL WOULD CREATE “COLD CASE TASK FORCE” FOR UNSOLVED KILLINGS via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics
For the third time, state Sen. Aaron Bean has introduced legislation to create a statewide “cold case task force” to pare down the thousands of unsolved murders in Florida. But the head of an organization of victims’ survivors says he’s concerned about law enforcement again balking at the cost of such a measure.
For instance, one component stripped out of a prior version of the bill would have created a statewide database of cold cases. But the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said it couldn’t afford the $2.5 million to set a database up and maintain it, according to Ryan Backmann of the Jacksonville-based Project Cold Case. The exact number of Florida cold cases is difficult to pin down … there have been 15,000 unsolved killings dating back to 1990.
FPL’S PLAN TO PURCHASE AND CLOSE COAL-FIRED PLANT IN JAX IS APPROVED via Mitch Perry of Florida Politics
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a settlement agreement previously negotiated between Florida Power & Light’s (FPL) and the Office of Public Counsel. FPL ratepayers will pay $520.5 million to purchase and then phase out the Cedar Bay Generating coal-fired power plant in Jacksonville, located near the St. John’s River … said Eric Silagy, president and CEO of FPL. “Phasing this plant out of service is expected to save FPL customers more than $70 million and avoid nearly 1 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year.”
The deal is being applauded by several environmental groups, including Audubon Florida, The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
FLORIDA TAXWATCH EXPANDS TEAM, ADDS STAFF via Kevin Derby of Sunshine State News
Florida TaxWatch expanded its team this week, adding some new staffers … Gwynn Virostek, who had been at Haven Hospice of North Central Florida, takes over as vice president of development … Steve Petty, a former economics professor, was named chief economist. Kyle Baltuchhas joined as an economist. Morgan McCord will expand her role at Florida TaxWatch as director of communications while Joshua Gabel will be outreach coordinator.
JUDGE RECOMMENDS DISBARMENT FOR LAWYERS IN SHOCK JOCK TRIAL via AP
A judge has recommended permanent disbarment for three Tampa lawyers accused of orchestrating the DUI arrest of a rival attorney.
Senior Pinellas Judge W. Douglas Baird issued his recommendation Thursday. He previously ruled the attorneys’ actions violated Florida Bar rules. The case will go to the Florida Supreme Court for a final decision.
Stephen Diaco, Robert Adams and Adam Filthaut represented a radio host named Bubba The Love Sponge Clem in a defamation lawsuit brought by another rival radio host, Todd “MJ” Schnitt.
Schnitt was represented by lawyer Phil Campbell. He was charged with DUI in January 2013, during the trial. The Florida Bar said that Diaco, Adams and Filthaut set Campbell up and used a paralegal and a Tampa police officer to help.
TAXPAYERS FUND MIAMI-DADE COMMISSIONER JUAN ZAPATA’S HARVARD DEGREE via Michael Vasquez And Douglas Hanks of the Miami Herald
Miami-Dade politicians have repeatedly traveled to Harvard University … but in trying to get the county to pay for his Harvard master’s degree in public administration, County Commissioner Juan Zapata appears to have gone too far. Miami-Dade County cut Zapata a check for $30,961, to be used for his Harvard tuition and fees. The money came from Zapata’s office account, and was blessed by County Attorney Robert CuevasJr. … But then Zapata’s fall semester took a turn for the worse.
Records show that as Zapata’s college money began to be scrutinized, he became angry with county budget staff, whom he blames for revealing the details … Zapata wrote that he didn’t want the county’s money anymore: “Please let me know how to reimburse the county for the full amount” … has since paid back the county.
***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
Sherri Giorgio, Becker & Poliakoff: AbbVie, Inc.
Jonathan Kilman, Foley & Lardner: Florida Emergency Medicine Practice Alliance
David Powell, Hopping Green & Sams: Seaside Community Development Corp.
CONTEXT FLORIDA: GWEN GRAHAM RE-ELECTION, GOP & BLACKS AND THE ASHLEY MADISON HACK
On Context Florida: Down deep, U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham may already know whether she will run for re-election next year, says Bob Sparks. With the Florida House and Senate in agreement on the new look of her District 2 and Corrine Brown’s District 5; the writing (or map) appears to be on the wall. Graham is doing the right thing by waiting until the court makes it official. No one should be surprised by Jeb Bush’s lackluster policy approach toward black woes, writes Chris Timmons, although one may have had hope for Bush because of his affinity for “big, hairy, audacious” ideas or the realization that he had stumbled in his initial response to the Confederate flag fracas in South Carolina. Alas, no. There was no intelligible and substantive policy because Bush is still using the Ronald Reagan mode of engagement with blacks.Hackers went after the notorious “Life is short. Have an affair.” Ashley Madison website, which enables married or otherwise attached men and women to pursue relationships outside their union. Those hackers believed the idea behind the site was wrong and wanted to expose “cheaters.” However, this will surely end in violence, separation, ruin, and scandal for many people who don’t deserve it. Catherine Durkin Robinson says it doesn’t have to.
Visit Context Florida to dig in.
— “Diane Roberts skewers ruling class during Tallahassee talk” via Bill Prescott of Florida Politics
THIS WEEK ON THE ROTUNDA
Trimmel Gomes’ newest episode of The Rotunda examines how voters in Tallahassee said no to corruption in city politics by limiting the influence of money in local races. Gomes talks with the city’s Ethics Officer; Julie Meadows-Keefe about what they are doing differently to enforce stronger ethical standards. Plus the city’s first in the nation move to allow voters to get up to a $25 tax rebate for campaign contributions is serving as an example to boost civic engagement. Gomes also talks with retired Tallahassee Democrat reporter Bill Cotterell about Florida’s Commission on Ethics and its history for having little to no enforcement authority.
As former President Jimmy Carter undergoes treatment for brain cancer, Bill Cotterell reflects on his time covering the former governor of Georgia and discusses his legacy as the nation’s 39th President.
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.
WEEKEND TV
Black Almanac with Dr. Ed James on WWSB, ABC 7 in Sarasota: Laura Wallace, CEO of local non-profit organization Before Crisis.
Facing Florida with Mike Vasilinda: Political gurus Pete Dunbar and Screven Watson on the legislative map-making meltdown in Tallahassee.
Florida This Week on Tampa Bay’s WEDU: Rep. Darryl Rouson, political consultant Adam Goodman, radio host Lynn Marvin Dingfelder, and New College of Florida professor Frank Alcock.
Political Connections on CF 13 in Orlando: Rep. Jennifer Sullivan on her first legislative Session and recent retrictions on abortion, analysts Michelle Ertel and Jeremiah Jaspon talk Jeb Bush 2016, and PolitiFact’s Joshua Gillin scrutinizes a recent claim by Bush about defense spending under President Barack Obama.
The Usual Suspects on WCTV-Tallahassee/Thomasville (CBS) and WJHG-Panama City (NBC): Hosts Steve Vancore and Gary Yordon with Ed Moore.
This Week in Jacksonville with Kent Justice on Channel 4 WJXT: U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw on redistricting, the Iran nuclear deal, the 2016 presidential field and the ABLE Act. Lt. Gol. Elizabeth Evans, one of the first women graduates of the Army Ranger school and former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll on women in the military and recent Florida Sunshine Law settlements.
FACEBOOK’S LATEST MILESTONE: 1 BILLION USERS IN A SINGLE DAY via Stuart Dredge of the UK Guardian
As the fictional Sean Parker might put it: ‘A million people logging in to Facebookon a single day isn’t cool. You know what’s cool? A billion people’.
The non-fictional Mark Zuckerberg has announced a new milestone for the social network: one billion daily users.
“For the first time ever, one billion people used Facebook in a single day. On Monday, 1 in 7 people on Earth used Facebook to connect with their friends and family,” wrote Zuckerberg in a post on his personal profile.
Based on its figure of 844 million daily active mobile users during that period, Facebook may well reach the total of 1bn people logging in from smartphones and tablets in a single day in the not-too distant future too.
FACEBOOK HAS A NEW AI ASSISTANT TO TAKE ON THE LIKES OF SIRI via Mike Murphy of Quartz
Facebook is running a small trial of a new service built into Messenger, a virtual assistant called M … a mix of artificial intelligence and human supervisors who will check to make sure every query is answered … system is “powered by artificial intelligence that’s trained and supervised by people” … M can actually complete tasks on your behalf. It can purchase items, get gifts delivered to your loved ones, book restaurants, travel arrangements, appointments and way more.
M will initially be available to a few hundred people in California’s Bay Area … Users will be able message M to book restaurants, or to suggest birthday gifts for friends from within Messenger.
MANSPREADING, BUTT DIAL AND WINE O’CLOCK ARE AMONG LATEST WORDS OXFORD ADDS TO ITS ONLINE DICTIONARY via the Associated Press
Manspreading … refers to men on public transport who splay their legs wide apart and encroach on neighboring seats. It’s now been added to OxfordDictionaries.com … a sampling from the list:beer o’clock … the appropriate time of day to start drinking beer; wine o’clock … same as above, only with wine; butt dial … calling someone accidentally with your mobile phone in a rear pocket; cat café … a café or similar establishment where people pay to interact with cats housed on the premises; fatberg … very large mass of solid waste in a sewerage system, consisting especially of congealed fat and personal hygiene products that have been flushed down toilets.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Alan Levine, Pinellas political trailblazer Sandy Saffley, and my friend, Dave Zachem. Happy birthday this weekend to our dear friend Nancy Watkins and FPL’s John Holley.
