Last Call for 4.13.26 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida

Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.

First Shot

Florida manufacturers now have a chance to showcase their products and gain some well-deserved recognition.

On Monday, the Florida Chamber of Commerce and FloridaCommerce kicked off the second annual “Coolest Thing Made in Florida” competition. They have reopened nominations for this bracket-style contest, which highlights products made throughout the state.

This initiative is part of a larger effort to showcase Florida’s manufacturing industry and its impact on jobs and exports. Nominations opened Monday and will stay open until May 31. Anyone — manufacturers, employees, or the public—can submit Florida-made products for consideration.

Once nominations close, public voting will start on June 15. The 32 products with the most votes will move on to a single-elimination bracket that continues through October. Organizers say the first contest received over 400,000 votes.

The winner will be revealed on Oct. 28 at the Florida Chamber’s Future of Florida Forum in Orlando.

“Florida’s manufacturers are helping drive job creation, economic growth, and innovation across our state,” said Florida Chamber President and CEO Mark Wilson. “Building on the momentum of our inaugural competition, the Coolest Thing Made in Florida continues to highlight the products and people powering our economy and reinforces our goal of making Florida a Top 5 manufacturing state by 2030.”

State officials and business leaders see the competition as both a way to promote Florida-made products and to encourage more people to consider careers in manufacturing.

“The Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition highlights the ingenuity of our manufacturers, elevates our Florida-made products and positions our state as a national leader in advanced manufacturing,” Commerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly said.

“With more than 27,000 manufacturing establishments across the state, Florida’s growing manufacturing sector continues to drive innovation — fortifying our future-focused economy and creating opportunities for Florida’s job seekers.”

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While on his “Defending the Florida Dream Tour,” U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds introduced an employer-led initiative to expand apprenticeships and make job training more accessible.

At the Associated Builders and Contractors Florida East Coast Chapter, Donalds announced “LaunchPad,” a workforce development plan that connects students with in-demand careers in construction, aerospace, defense, and manufacturing.

Donalds explained that the initiative would move workforce development away from a government-led approach by putting employers at the center. The plan aims to connect high schools, state colleges, and employers with apprenticeship and work-based learning programs that match today’s job market.

“Florida students deserve a direct path to a high-paying job, not a maze of paperwork and bureaucracy that slows them down,” Donalds said. “LaunchPad is about training at the speed of business, connecting students to real opportunities, and making sure every young Floridian has the chance to earn, learn, and succeed without being buried in student debt.”

Donalds said the plan would create a task force in the Governor’s Office to review current workforce programs and help agencies work together to remove barriers to training opportunities.

The campaign said LaunchPad will also be “a powerful economic development tool, attracting new companies, strengthening key industries, and ensuring the state remains competitive in a rapidly evolving economy.”

This announcement comes as employers across Florida still face labor shortages in skilled trades and advanced manufacturing — issues that have been a regular topic in economic and workforce discussions.

Evening Reads

—”‘He went all in on a pair of twos’” via Chris Cillizza of So What

—“Staunch Donald Trump supporters are now asking if he’s the Antichrist” via Makena Kelly and David Gilbert of WIRED

—“New data suggests Trump’s assault on democracy may be stalling out” via Zack Beauchamp of Vox

—“Pope responds to President’s insults: ‘I have no fear of the Trump administration’” via Natalie Allison of The Washington Post

—”Analysis shows aggressive Republican redistricting in Florida would put more GOP seats at risk” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics

—”This is what will ruin public opinion polling for good” via Leif Weatherby and Benjamin Recht of The New York Times

—“Social media has become a freak show” via Nate Silver of the Silver Bulletin

—”One easy pro-consumer trick Congress will never pass” via Sonny Bunch of The Bulwark

—”Paul Renner calls for Obamacare repeal before GOP loses control of Congress” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics

—”Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn is running again” via Nina Moske of the Tampa Bay Times

Quote of the Day

“No labels doesn’t work because everybody wants to be a member of a team. Have you ever seen anybody walking around with a jersey with no logo and no name? Hell no.”

— John Morgan, announcing a contest with a $100,000 prize for someone to name his new party.

Put it on the Tab

Look to your left, then look to your right. If you see one of these people at your happy hour haunt, flag down the bartender and put one of these on your tab. Recipes included, just in case the Cocktail Codex fell into the well.

Have a bottle of Risky Business ready for the redistricting Session next week, because a new analysis indicates a redraw could backfire.

The USDA says this year’s citrus harvest might beat expectations. We say that’s the perfect excuse to start working through the list of top cocktails made with Fresh From Florida oranges.

No Labels is a tough sell at the jersey store, and a No Label is a tough sell at the bar … still, the ingredients list isn’t horrendous.

Breakthrough Insights

Tune In

Lightning battle for playoff seeding

With two games remaining in the regular season, the Tampa Bay Lightning continue to fight for playoff positioning in the NHL’s Eastern Conference as they host the Detroit Red Wings tonight (7 p.m. ET, The Spot).

Tampa Bay has already clinched a playoff spot, but seeding remains in doubt. The Carolina Hurricanes (110 pts., two games remaining) have secured the top seed in the East, but the Buffalo Sabres (106 pts., two games remaining), Montreal Canadiens (106 pts., one game remaining) and the Lightning (104 pts., two games remaining) are all in contention for the No. 2 seed in the East.

The final game of the regular season for Tampa Bay comes on Wednesday when they host the New York Rangers, the last-place team in the conference. If the Lightning can win both games, they will finish with 108 points and would need help from the Sabres to earn the No. 2 seed. The Lightning need Buffalo not to win either of the Sabres final two games. While the Canadiens currently lead Tampa Bay by two points, if the Lightning win each of the final two games, they would surpass the Canadiens.

The Red Wings (91 pts., two games remaining) have already been eliminated from playoff contention.

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Last Call is published by Peter Schorsch, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson, with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.