Sunburn for 9/19- A morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics
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Now, on to the ‘burn…
2016 could bring a chance for revenge for Charlie Crist via Brendan Farrington of the Associated Press
If former Gov. Charlie Crist wins his old job back as a Democrat, he could be in a position to seek political revenge against two Republicans whom he once counted as friends and now disdain him.
Crist used to call himself a “Jeb Bush Republican,” and Bush campaigned to help Crist get elected governor in 2006. Sen. Marco Rubio was House speaker when Crist was governor, so the two relied on each other to pass legislative priorities.
Now, though, both men call Crist an opportunist whose political conversion was more about ambition than ideology. And Rubio ultimately helped chase Crist from the party when he forced Crist out of the 2010 GOP Senate primary. Crist lost that election running as an independent.
Crist, who is in a tight race with Gov. Rick Scott, would likely relish the opportunity to try to derail a Bush or Rubio campaign.
Florida and its 29 electoral votes – more than 10 percent of the 270 needed to win the White House – are a coveted prize in presidential elections. It’s the largest state that could go either way, as California and New York are solidly Democratic and Texas is solidly Republican. Of the last six presidential elections, Democrats and Republicans have each carried Florida three times, and in the last five the candidate who won Florida became president.
Some observers downplay the impact any sitting governor can have in a presidential election, though they can play some role by raising money, helping with campaign infrastructure and public appearances.
Insider poll shows growing doubts Crist will beat Rick Scott via Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times
The race between Rick Scott and Charlie Crist for Florida governor has long been seen as a toss-up, and recent polls bolster that perception of a campaign that could go either way.
But conventional wisdom among Florida’s political elite has shifted decidedly in Gov. Scott’s favor, the latest Tampa Bay Times Florida Insider Poll shows.
When we surveyed more than 130 of Florida’s savviest political hands seven weeks ago, a slight majority predicted Scott would beat Crist. This week, two thirds of our Florida Insiders – including 38 percent of the Democrats participating – said they expect Scott to beat former Gov. Crist.
“With (absentee ballots) dropping in about two weeks, Crist’s opportunities to change the dynamics of the race are limited. The clock is ticking and unfortunately that does not bode well for Crist,” said one Democrat.
The last four public polls point to a neck and neck race, variously showing Scott ahead by up to 5 percentage points and Crist ahead by up to 3.
Other findings: 59 percent predicted that the medical marijuana initiative will pass, 55 percent predicted Crist, the former Republican governor-turned independent Senate candidate-turned Democratic gubernatorial candidate, would run for office again if he loses in November.
Mike Fasano says Scott ad accusing crist of swindle “as low as you can get” via John Kennedy of the Palm Beach Post
A prominent Republican and a Panhandle police chief who is a Democrat railed against Gov. Scott for a television ad in which an investor says he was “swindled” by Democrat Charlie Crist.
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano, a former longtime Republican legislator who supports Crist, called on Scott to take down the spot that ties the former governor to imprisoned Fort Lauderdale lawyer Scott Rothstein, who masterminded an investment Ponzi scheme.
“This is as low as you can get, Rick Scott,” Fasano said at a Tallahassee news conference.
“No way Charlie Crist was involved in this, and Rick Scott knows it,” he said, adding “He won’t be honest with the people of this state or himself….Enough of this type of campaign. And enough of Rick Scott.”
Quincy Police Chief Walt McNeil, who also served as Crist’s head of the Department of Juvenile Justice and Corrections Department, also said that Scott was “attacking Charlie Crist with lies and fraudulent television ads, Rick Scott is actually attacking every honest public servant in the state of Florida.”
Crist’s campaign was been criticizing the Rothstein TV spot for weeks, questioning a “mystery man” featured in the ad who says he “got swindled by both Rothstein and Charlie.”
The Miami Herald reported this week the purported victim is Fort Lauderdale investor Dean Kretschmar, a client of Scott donor and well-known lawyer William Scherer.
Pam Bondi: “I will not be bullied by the press” for gay marriage stance via Isadora Rangel of PoliticalFixFlorida.com
Attorney General Pam Bondi said she “will not be bullied by the press” for her defense of Florida’s ban on gay marriage during two campaign stops on the Treasure Coast.
The Republican spoke to about 100 conservatives at the Kane Center in Stuart and Republican Party headquarters in Port St. Lucie, boasting her efforts to crack down on pill mills, synthetic drugs and human trafficking since taking office in 2011. She also visited Indian River State College.
The former prosecutor and state’s first female attorney general is running for re-election Nov. 4 against Democrat George Sheldon and Libertarian Bill Wohlsifer.
Bondi, Carlos Lopez-Cantera at volusia gop event
Bondi and Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera are slated to speak at the Volusia County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner. Daytona Beach Resort & Convention Center, 2700 North Atlantic Blvd., Daytona Beach. 7 p.m.
House candidates spar at Tiger Bay debate via Zac Anderson of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Guns in schools, gay marriage and global warming were among the topics discussed at a Sarasota Tiger Bay Club forum for state House District 72 candidates, with incumbent Republican Rep. Ray Pilon on the defensive at times for positions he has taken.
Pilon’s Democratic opponent, Greg Para, drew a round of applause for declaring his opposition to a bill Pilon supported this year that would have allowed Florida teachers with military or law enforcement experience to carry guns if their school district signed off.
Pilon also seemed to second guess the Legislature’s approach to climate change after a questioner described Florida’s record on the issue as “abysmal.”
Para told the Tiger Bay crowd that the lack of momentum on renewable energy is the result of lobbying by big utility companies, which donate large sums to lawmakers “so they don’t have to worry about competition.”
Moving ahead with solar power would mean “a lot more cleaner energy for us,” Para said to applause.
Another question on gay marriage had Pilon professing his support for domestic partnerships even as he defended Attorney General Pam Bondi’s decision to appeal court rulings overturning a voter-approved amendment to the state Constitution that prohibits same sex couples from marrying.
It was the first time Pilon and Para have faced off in a public forum. The contest has been low-key so far, with both candidates saying they are taking pains not to engage in negative campaigning.
Endorsements
Florida Medical Association PAC endorsed State Rep. MaryLynn Magar in her bid for House District 82, which covers parts of Martin and Palm Beach counties. “She serves as Vice Chair of the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee, owns a healthcare business and has a well-rounded perspective on sound policy that helps physicians practice medicine in Florida,” said FMA PAC President Ralph Nobo.
The Florida Medical Association PAC endorses State Rep. Kenneth “Ken” Roberson in his bid for re-election to House District 75, which covers all of Charlotte County. “Serving on a number of healthcare-related committees in the House has given him a well-rounded perspective on Florida’s healthcare system, and the FMA looks forward to working together on sound policy that helps Floridians get access to quality healthcare,” said FMA PAC President Ralph Nobo.
Treasure Island Mayor Bob Minning endorses state Rep. Kathleen Peters in her re-election effort in House District 69, which covers the south Pinellas County beaches, Gulfport and Pasadena. “As an elected official, Kathleen understands the importance of local government and has worked closely with the cities and leaders in her district to most effectively represent us in Tallahassee,” Minning said.
>>> San Antonio Mayor Tim Newlon endorses former Zephyrhills Mayor Danny Burgess in his bid for House District 38, which covers Pasco County and Dade City, Lacoochee, San Antonio and Crystal Springs. “Danny has always demonstrated dedication to our East Pasco Communities,” Newlon said. “I am confident that Danny will provide the leadership we need in our state capitol.”
Charlie Stone to run again for house in 2016
Republican State Rep. Charlie Stone filed paperwork this week as a first step toward seeking another term in 2016, according to the state Division of Elections website.
Stone was unopposed this year in Marion County’s House District 22, after being first elected in 2012. Stone is one of 29 House candidates who had so far opened campaign accounts to start 2016 campaigns.
Meanwhile, Jacksonville Republican Lawrence Jefferson has filed paperwork indicating he will run in a special election early next year in Duval County’s House District 13.
The special general election has been scheduled for Feb. 17, after Democratic Rep. Reggie Fullwood failed to qualify for this fall’s ballot because of errors by notaries public on qualifying papers. Fullwood has indicated he will run in the special election.
Campaign finance reports due
State candidates and political committees face a deadline today for filing reports showing contributions and expenditures through Sept. 12.
Twitter’s new guide for campaigners via Darren Samuelson of POLITICO
#HeadsUpPoliticians — Twitter is out today with a useful guide for elected officials and candidates that details the do’s and don’ts of how to effectively use the social media site.
The 137-page report is Twitter’s first comprehensive publication that puts in place the basics on everything from setting up an account (believe it or not, there are still a few stragglers in Congress) to the best way to get a retweet (post a photo).
It also gives campaigners hints on what kinds of messages can break through the clutter, namely by giving authentic and behind-the-scenes glimpses of what it’s like to serve in office. Two examples: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie during Hurricane Sandy posted a photo on Twitter of him speaking by phone with President Obama and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) telling his followers how he had hit a deer on the road.
“Be yourself,” the Twitter guide suggests. “Share your experiences as a candidate, from wake-up until bedtime, to give an insight into your daily routine.”
With campaign season in full swing, Twitter’s guide also suggests rebutting critics during debates, giving out Election Day information about how to get to the polls and disclosing locations for a candidate’s public appearances.
Perhaps most important for staying out of the news, there’s also this friendly reminder: “Note: you can only delete your own Tweets.”
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Census offers glimpse of state in 2013 via Mike Schneider of the Associated Press
Floridians became a little better educated last year, were middle-of-the-pack in having access to the Internet and had the nation’s highest concentration of retail workers.
The U.S. Census Bureau released new figures on Thursday that capture the lives of Floridians last year and how they changed from the previous year.
Overall, 2013 was little different from 2012.
Many factors such as the poverty rate, the rate of residents without health insurance and the home vacancy rate remained unchanged year-to-year.
Florida was at or near the top of states with the nation’s highest concentrations of vacant homes, retail workers in the labor force and rates of residents without health insurance.
Florida also was near the top in concentrations of residents who spoke Spanish in their homes.
Gov. Scott hands patronis soft landing on psc and reappoints Brown via Mary Ellen Klas of the Tampa Bay Times
Four years after the state Senate rejected two of former Gov. Crist’s appointees to the Public Service Commission because they had no industry experience, Gov. Scott has appointed state Rep. Jimmy Patronis to the same board, even though he has had no industry experience.
The difference: Patronis is a Panama City Republican who announced last year he will step aside as a candidate in 2016 for the state Senate seat held by Senate President Don Gaetz, making room for Gaetz’s son, Matt Gaetz, to be the heir apparent. Patronis was also an early support of Scott’s against former Attorney General Bill McCollum.
Scott also reappointed, as expected, Tampa lawyer Julie Brown based on a list of six candidates, sent to him by the legislatively controlled PSC Nominating Council.
Patronis, who is term-limited out of office this year, fills a seat now held by Eduardo Balbis on the board that has the power to approval utility rates in Florida. Balbis surprised observers in May when he announced he would not seek a second term after being appointed to the post by Crist.
Balbis got the job after legislators sided with electric companies in 2010 to oust Crist appointees David Klement and Benjamin “Steve” Stevens who rejected controversial rate increases sought by Florida Power & Light and Progress Energy, now known as Duke Energy Florida.
Patronis is the vice president of Captain Anderson’s Restaurant in Panama City Beach and listed no utility experience on his application for the job. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and was an early and avid supporter of Scott’s first campaign for governor in 2010.
Bog seeks more money for universities via News Service of Florida
The Florida Board of Governors approved a budget request that would increase funding to universities through its performance-funding formula, which rewards schools that meet certain goals.
The board asked Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature to sign off on $100 million in additional funding. That would come on top of the current $200 million.
“By continuing our focus on graduation and retention rates, post-graduation success, cost-per-student and other important measures, we are keeping the pressure on our universities not to take the eye off the ball,” board Chairman Mori Hosseini said in a statement following the meeting.
This spring, lawmakers approved a spending plan for the current budget year that used the performance formula to divvy up $100 million in new funding and $100 million in existing money.
The winner of the November gubernatorial election, Scott or Democrat Charlie Crist, will consider the request before releasing a budget proposal early next year. Lawmakers will approve a final version at the end of the spring legislative session, with the new budget taking effect July 1.
Court clears way for virtual school legal fight via Jim Saunders of the News Service of Florida
Refereeing a fight in the online-education world, the state Supreme Court said Florida Virtual School can pursue a lawsuit alleging trademark infringement by a private competitor.
Justices, in a unanimous opinion, rejected arguments that only the Florida Department of State can sue to protect trademarks of the state virtual school. The ruling went against the private K12 Inc., which provides online-education services in Florida and has used the names Florida Virtual Academy and Florida Virtual Program.
In a 19-page opinion written by Justice R. Fred Lewis, the Supreme Court said it interpreted state law as giving a “broad grant of rights and powers to the Florida Virtual School.” A law designating Florida Virtual School as a state agency was approved in 2000.
“It is reasonable to conclude that the Legislature in 2000 intended to give this new concept agency as much autonomy as possible to succeed in what was a cutting-edge educational endeavor,” the opinion said.
Florida Virtual School filed a federal lawsuit in 2011 alleging trademark infringement. But a U.S. district judge threw out the case, saying Florida Virtual School did not have legal standing to file the case because that power is held by the Department of State.
The dispute went to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which then asked the Florida Supreme Court to rule on whether state law gives Florida Virtual School the authority to pursue the case.
DCF taps new regional director for Miami-Dade via News Service of Florida
Department of Children and Families Interim Secretary Mike Carroll has announced new leadership for the department’s Southern Region in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. The announcement followed a report earlier this month by a team of child-welfare professionals that identified major problems throughout the region’s child-welfare system, including a spike in the number of children entering the system and a lack of funding to serve them all.
Carroll, who had promised a number of changes, tapped Bronwyn Stanford, deputy director of Children’s Legal Services, as the regional managing director. He noted that she has directed Children’s Legal Services for DCF’s SunCoast Region and, on an interim basis, for its Southern Region. “She is widely recognized as an expert in management and leadership,” he wrote.
Gilda Ferradaz, who had led the region for just over a year, will remain as deputy managing director. Ferradaz “stepped in when (her predecessor) Esther Jacobo was tapped” to serve as the department’s interim secretary in July 2013, Carroll wrote. “I am grateful to Gilda for taking on that challenge during a particularly tumultuous time.”
The announcement came as Our Kids, the privatized community-based care lead agency for Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, laid off 28 members of its staff. The agency’s chief executive officer, Jackie Gonzalez, also confirmed she had eliminated the position of chief operating officer.
“Due to the sharp rise in children entering foster care, with no additional resources, Our Kids has engaged in an exercise to ensure we shift as many resources as possible to case management and direct care services,” Gonzalez wrote in an email.
Richard marchase meets with fsu groups
A finalist to become president of Florida State University will take part in a series of forums with staff, faculty, students and the community. Friday is set aside for finalist Richard Marchase, vice president for research and economic development at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee. 9:30 a.m.
FSU trustees to make presidential pick tuesday afternoon via News Service of Florida
The naming of the next president of Florida State University, long-rumored to be powerful Republican state Sen. John Thrasher, is teed up for Tuesday afternoon.
The presidential search is listed among the first agenda items for a meeting of the university’s Board of Trustees. The trustees are scheduled to begin meeting at 2 p.m., though the agenda notes the meeting could begin 15 minutes after the board completes interviews with the remaining candidates. The interviews begin at 8:30 a.m.
There are four finalists for the post, and the trustees have asked the Presidential Search Advisory Committee to forward at least three names. The search committee meets Monday afternoon to make its recommendations.
The finalists are: Thrasher; Michele G. Wheatly, who until June had been provost at West Virginia University; Colorado State University System Chancellor Michael V. Martin; and Richard B. Marchase, University of Alabama at Birmingham vice president for research and economic development.
Marchase is set to appear before students, staff and faculty to complete a series of town hall-style forums set up for the finalists this week. While faculty gave Wheatly and Martin — who appeared via Skype because of a health issue — high marks after their appearances on Tuesday and Thursday, attendance for both was noticeably down from Thrasher’s at-times testy appearance Monday.
Jobs numbers relased
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity will release August unemployment figures. 10:00 a.m.
Tweet, tweet: @fineout: Right now @FLGovScott not making any appearances on Friday. Usually a sign that there won’t be good news with monthly jobless numbers
Justice consider redistricting documents
The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments about whether a Republican consulting firm’s records should have been used in a recent trial about congressional redistricting. Consultant Pat Bainter appealed a ruling that allowed some of his records to be used in a case that found lawmakers in 2012 violated the state’s constitutional ban on political gerrymandering. Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee. 9 a.m.
New lobbying registrations
Brian Ballard, Brad Burleson, Ballard Partners: G4S Youth Services, LLC
Shawn Foster, Sunrise Consulting: Seven Diamonds, LLC
Jon Johnson, Travis Blanton, Johnson & Blanton: UCB, Inc.d
Robert Kappelman: Florida Municipal Electric Association
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Context Florida: Drop dead voters, Tim Morgan, polling and Jimmy Patronis
On Context Florida: Voters across Florida cast overwhelming ballots in 2000 to continue electing circuit and county court judges, as opposed to letting the governor appoint them. This week, says Martin Dyckman, Florida’s First District Court of Appeal had a message for them: Drop dead. John Morgan may be the face of one of the largest law firms in the country and supporter of the legalization of medical marijuana in Florida, but Gary Stein says Tim Morgan, John’s brother, is the living embodiment for what medical marijuana can do to improve quality of life. The question came to expert pollster Steve Vancore the other day, “Why poll just Rick Scott versus Charlie Crist?” It is a good question, he says. Maybe Bruce Ritchie will not be covering State Rep. Jimmy Patronis in the Legislature any more, but he will still be in Tallahassee. Gov. Rick Scott appointed Patronis, a darling of industry and business groups, to the Florida Public Service Commission. To Ritchie, the move came as no surprise.
Visit Context Florida to dig in.
Weekend TV
Facing Florida with Mike Vasalinda: Dr. Peter Pry speaking on the dangers of EMP (Electro Magnetic Pulse).
Florida This Week on Tampa Bay’s WEDU: FTW is being pre-empted this week for the final night of Ken Burns’ The Roosevelts.
Political Connections on Tampa Bay’s BayNews 9: A Special Edition of Political Connections: Amendment 2 Explainer featuring Sheriff Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Ben Pollara, Director, United for Care
Political Connections on CF 13: Also showing the Judd vs. Pollara debate
The Usual Suspects which airs on WCTV-Tallahassee/Thomasville (CBS) and WJHG-Panama City (NBC): Steve Vancore, Gary Yordon, Sean Pittman, and Lauren Book.
‘Reality of tight revenue’ forces Tampa Bay Times to cut staff pay by 5 percent via Ashley Gurbal Kritzer of the Tampa Bay Business Journal
Weeks after abandoning its naming rights deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Tampa Bay Times has announced it will cut full-time staff pay by 5 percent.
The newspaper said that it is implementing a “cost-saving plan” that begins Sept. 29. Paul Tash, CEO and chair of the Times, informed staff of the cuts in a memo Thursday. In exchange for the pay cuts, employees receive one extra day off paid leave per quarter.
The Times is also considering cutting positions and is giving employees the option to leave on their own, “with full severance at current pay,” up to 13 weeks. After Oct. 1, positions cut will be eligible for up to eight weeks of severance pay. The offer is not valid for sales managers and advertising representatives, Tash wrote, because the Times doesn’t anticipate reducing the number of those positions.
After those departures, the Times said it would evaluate its staff and options, hinting at the possibility of layoffs.
“If you are uncertain about your standing with the Times, this is a good time for a frank conversation with your supervisor,” Tash wrote in the memo, which Poynter Institute posted in its entirety. “If this long, difficult stretch has tested your commitment to the Times or the newspaper business, this is a good time to consider your options.”
Happy birthday to the godfather of progressive blogging in Florida, Kenneth Quinnell. Celebrating this weekend are Rep. James Grant and top-notch lobbyist Chris Dudley.
Is it just me or is it hot in here?
It’s not just me. This summer was the warmest summer in the recorded history of the Earth, reports Angela Fritz of the Washington Post.
(From the: Saint Peters Blog)
